9 $1,5 - 2022 -- () $1 541 . This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 William Luther / San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 2 of 5 PAUL BUCKOWSKI Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Lori Van Buren Show More Show Less 5 of 5 A Salinas man known as the "cupcake robber" has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for robbing several dessert shops, Monterey County prosecutors said Tuesday. Bobby Knight, 61, started robbing stores with a replica firearm in April 2015, including See's Candies, Room for Dessert, Kara's Cupcakes, Baskin Robbins, Subway and Mattress Nation. Tim Lees earliest stand-up wasnt attempted at a comedy club or open mike night, but in the halls of academia, where the comedian remembers sneaking a slide of actor Tony Randall into a PowerPoint presentation about migrating fish. Salmon are semelparous, which means they breed once and they die, Lee recalls. At this point, Tony Randall had just had kids in his 80s. So I explained by saying, Like Tony Randall; hes breeding and now he will die. Some people thought it was funny and others were like, No The mixed reviews didnt deter Lee. The comedian no longer uses his doctorate from UC Davis for research, but his science and PowerPoints have become a cornerstone of his full-time comedy career. The comic, who got his start in San Francisco, returns to the Punch Line comedy club on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 10-11, and then heads to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz on Friday, Jan. 13. Lee graduated with honors from UC San Diego in biology in the 1990s and did field research counting whales and dolphins with the Scripps Institute of Science and Technology. He planned to become a college professor, doing graduate work in Davis, but while researching the salmon population in California rivers, he quickly fell out of love with higher learning. I dont think I saw a salmon in the five, six years I was working on my project, Lee says. I was just getting data and analyzing it. It got to the point where I didnt enjoy it. After working different post-graduation jobs, including a stint at Charles Schwab working on software, he decided to try comedy. Lee crammed for his first stand-up appearance like it was finals week. Comedy looked very hard, and I tend to gravitate toward things that are hard, Lee says. I wrote down some jokes, and I worked on them for a while. I read quite a few books about stand-up comedy, which helped. Lees first try during comedy night at BrainWash cafe and laundromat in San Francisco got a mixed reaction, but he was hooked. By 2009, Lee decided to pursue comedy full time. But the comedian didnt exactly leave his degrees behind. A Tim Lee performance includes a PowerPoint presentation, often with fairly complex scientific principles that are simplified into jokes everyone in the audience can relate to. In one of several popular YouTube videos that have received more than 500,000 views, he gives a lecture on the covalent bonds found in diamonds, before segueing into the absurd. (I have a new discovery called a supercovalent bond, the strongest bond in the known universe, that forms between my roommates body hair and a bar of soap.) Aside from traveling to clubs around the country, Lee is also currently featured on the Science Channels How Do They Do It? But he says nothing about comedy has seemed easy even after the hard work that went into getting an advanced degree. Lee, who lives near Carlsbad in San Diego County now, still produces his own shows. He co-wrote a sitcom about a pharmaceutical company, which the comic says has been hard to get produced because of the potential to alienate advertisers. Perhaps worst of all, he had to leave San Francisco several years ago. Lee loved living in the city, but has a family now and cant afford it. I always talk about it with my wife. Id love to live there, but its just too damn expensive, Lee says. We cant afford a three-bedroom place in San Francisco. I could win the lottery and not be able to afford a three-bedroom place in San Francisco. Theres no element of self-pity in his voice. Lee chose comedy when he was at a crossroads in his life, unsure if he wanted to be a scientist, or take a bigger risk for something that would make him happy. Turns out he could do both. I knew what I didnt want to do any more, but I didnt know what I did want to do, and thats a hard place to be, Lee says. I thought Id try comedy just to see if I liked it. It turned out to be something I love. Peter Hartlaub is The San Francisco Chronicles pop culture critic. Email: phartlaub@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @PeterHartlaub Tim Lee: 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan. 10-11. $20. Punch Lineb, 444 Battery St., S.F. www.punchlinecomedyclub.com; 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. $23-33, $9 for students. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St. #2, Santa Cruz. www.kuumbwajazz.org HONG KONG Clare Hollingworth, a British war correspondent who was the first to report the Nazi invasion of Poland that marked the beginning of World War II, died in Hong Kong on Tuesday. She was 105. The Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong announced her death, calling her a beloved member with a remarkable career including the scoop of the century. A determined journalist who defied gender barriers and narrowly escaped death several times, Ms. Hollingworth spent much of her career on the front lines of major conflicts, including in the Middle East, North Africa and Vietnam, working for British newspapers. She lived her final four decades in Hong Kong after being one of the few Western journalists stationed in China in the 1970s. She won major British journalism awards including a What The Papers Say lifetime achievement award and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Former British Prime Minister Edward Heath and former Hong Kong Gov. Chris Patten were fans of Ms. Hollingworth. The scoop that launched her career came in late August 1939, when she was a 27-year-old rookie reporter in southern Poland, barely a week into her job with Britains Daily Telegraph. The border was closed to all but diplomatic vehicles, so she borrowed a British consulate officials car to drive into German-occupied territory. She saw tanks, armored cars and artillery massing. She recounted in her autobiography that burlap screens beside the road, constructed to hide the military vehicles, blew in the wind, thus I saw the battle deployment. I guessed that the German Command was preparing to strike to the north of Katowice and its fortified lines and this, in fact, was exactly how they launched their invasion in the south. Returning to Poland, she filed her story, but her name was not on the byline a common practice for newspapers in those days. She scored another scoop when the Nazis launched their invasion three days later on Sept. 1. Her first call was to the British Embassy in Warsaw, but the official she talked to didnt believe her. Listen! I held the telephone out my bedroom window. The growing roar of tanks encircling Katowice was clearly audible, she recounted in her autobiography. Cant you hear it? She then called the Telegraphs Warsaw correspondent, who dictated her story to London. As the Nazis advanced, Ms. Hollingworth scrambled to get out of Poland, eventually making her way to Romania. After the Polish invasion, Ms. Hollingworth covered hostilities in North Africa. When Allied forces captured Tripoli, Libya, in 1943, British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery ordered her back to Cairo because he didnt want women around. So she instead got herself accredited with U.S. forces in Algeria. Ms. Hollingworth wrote articles for the International Herald Tribune and Asian Wall Street Journal well into her old age. Kelvin Chan is an Associated Press writer. IRBIL, Iraq A top Iraqi commander has said the operation to retake the city of Mosul from the Islamic State could be complete in three months or less. Its possible that Mosul will be liberated in that time frame, Lt. Gen. Talib Shaghati said in an interview Tuesday evening. However, he warned it is difficult to give an accurate estimate of how long the operation will take because it is not a conventional fight. There are many variables, he said, describing the combat as guerrilla warfare. On Wednesday, Iraqi forces announced that three more neighborhoods in eastern Mosul had been retaken from Islamic State fighters. Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil of Iraqs special forces estimated about 85 percent of eastern Mosul was now under Iraqi control. The massive offensive involving 30,000 Iraqi forces was launched in October, and Iraqi leaders originally pledged the city would be retaken before 2017. However, as the fight enters its fourth month, only about a third of the city is under government control. Iraqi forces largely led by special forces have slowly advanced across Mosuls east. Fierce Islamic State counterattacks have killed and injured hundreds of Iraqi troops and inflicted considerable damage to Iraqi military equipment. Repeatedly, after what appeared to be swift progress on the ground, Iraqi forces have been pushed back by Islamic State counterattacks overnight. However, Shaghati said the counterattacks specifically car bombings have slowed. He estimated his forces are seeing less than half the number of Islamic State car-bomb attacks on the front than they were faced with when the operation first began. The U.S.-led coalition bombed the bridges spanning the Tigris River connecting Mosuls east and west in November in an effort to stop the flow of car bombs to Iraqi frontline positions in the eastern half of the city. Shaghati, the top commander of Iraqs special forces and the commander of Iraqs Joint Military Operation said that while many forces are participating in the Mosul fight, Iraqs special forces are the only troops with the skills to fight Islamic State. The forces who have the skills to fight guerrilla warfare is only the CTS, he said using an alternative acronym for Iraqs special forces who are also called the counter-terrorism forces. They have flexibility and can act quickly, he said. For the Mosul operation to continue, Shaghati said Iraqi forces need to continue to receive support and equipment from the U.S-led coalition. Since the Mosul operation began, the coalition says its planes have conducted thousands of air strikes in and around Iraqs second largest city. Although Shaghati said he believes that the beginning of the Mosul operation marked the end of Islamic State in Iraq, the country will probably struggle with terrorist threats long after they are defeated in Mosul. Susannah George is an Associated Press writer. 1 Sinai attack: The Islamic States Egyptian affiliate on Tuesday claimed an attack on a security checkpoint in the Sinai Peninsula the day before that killed at least eight people. The group, which has carried out scores of attacks mainly targeting Egyptian security forces since the 2013 military overthrow of an elected Islamist president, posted the claim on a militant website. The government says there are around 25,000 Egyptian troops operating in Sinai, which has seen more than a decade of militant violence. 2 Impeachment trial: Disgraced South Korean President Park Geun-hyes longtime friend at the center of a massive corruption scandal refused to testify at Parks impeachment trial on Tuesday, with lawmakers alleging that it was a stalling tactic. The Constitutional Court had expected to hear from Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of Park whos jailed and on trial herself for allegedly using her connections with the president to extort money and favors from companies and unlawfully interfere with government affairs. But Choi submitted documents to the court saying she was unable to testify. In 2008, school officials in Basel, Switzerland, ordered a Muslim couple to enroll their daughters in a mandatory swimming class, despite the parents objections to having their girls learn alongside boys. The officials offered the couple some accommodations: The girls, who were around the ages of 9 and 11, could wear body-covering swimsuits, known as burkinis, during the swimming lessons, and they could undress for the class without any boys present. GENEVA Chinas President Xi Jinping will attend the World Economic Forum next week, becoming the first Chinese head of state to do so at the annual gathering of business leaders, politicians and cultural icons in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos. As part of an official visit to Switzerland, Xi will attend and open the annual economic meeting in the ski resort of Davos on Jan. 17, accompanied by the largest delegation of officials from China since the worlds most populous country first participated at the forum nearly four decades ago. Lifelong rancher Warren Read and his wife, Diane Amatore, were driving their ranch east of Las Vegas to check on their cattle when they spotted about 20 crows circling in the December sky above the propertys western fence line. Read knew the spiraling black wings often signal death below, so they headed toward the site to see if the previous weeks cold weather had cost them a calf. Instead, they found the prone and naked form of a dead man. "There wasn't anything to it. I go out and check my cattle every day and when we see crows and stuff like that pawing around, we go out and see what it is, and that's when we found him," Read says. "That's all I know to tell you." In New Mexico, there are an estimated 265 open missing persons cases, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Nationally, that number reaches to more than 12,700 . Search the database yourself at namus.gov. Wherever he'd been before, the man's deathalone and in the coldhighlights the vagaries of naming some of the nation's dead and matching them up to unsolved missing persons cases that have left families without answers and resolution. In New Mexico, there are an estimated 265 open missing persons cases, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, known as NamUs. Nationally, that number reaches to more than 12,700. The National Institute of Justice, run by the US Department of Justice, and the Unidentified Decedents Database launched NamUs in May 2006 to address what was then seen as an epidemic: these many unsolved missing persons cases. The goal was to expand access to information previously restricted to law enforcement agencies, and provide a tool for those most motivated to find a missing person, namely that person's family, who can then search for clues and reports on unidentifiable remains. "NamUs can be used by essentially anyone, which is kind of the beauty of it," says Melissa Gregory, regional administrator for NamUs. So far, NamUs has aided in closing 1,500 of the 11,900 closed cases nationwide. The database has three components, two for public use and one just for medical examiners and coroners dealing with individuals who are deceased and identified but no next of kin has been located. The two for public use provide case details for people who are missing and remains that have been found but not identified. Anyone can enter a missing person into the database, though that listing doesn't go live until someone with NamUs reviews and verifies it. Only medical examiners and coroners can enter listings for people who are unidentified, but that information becomes publicly viewable on the website. "We've got a lot of people who deem themselves to be web sleuths, and so somebody like them or even a family member of a missing person can always go on the unidentified side and run searches based on specific demographics or circumstances or a time frame, location, et cetera, and see if any of those unidentified remains might match up to the missing person," Gregory says."We'll get an email from the individual saying, 'Hey, I think this is a possible match.'" Following an investigation into the thousands of unidentified deceased people in the country by Reveal, an investigative news website and podcast from the Center for Investigative Reporting, the 47-year-old mystery of "Mountain Jane Doe," a 21-year-old woman found stabbed to death on a trail in Kentucky, was finally resolved and the woman identified. Reveal also created an app that allows for simultaneously searching records for those found and those missing in hopes of increasing matches. No one knows how a man found in December of 2015 near this spot outside Las Vegas, New Mexico, got there or where he came from. (Kelli Johansen) Investigators review suggestions from the public and look for a way to use biometric datasomething like DNA or dental recordsto make exclusions or identifications. While the main goal would be to bring a missing person home, Gregory says, identification can at least bring families answers and some closure. But there are a lot of hitches to this system. Take the well-known local case of Robbie Romero. A 7-year-old boy who was last seen walking between his friend's house and his own home in June 2000 could turn up as a 7-year-old body found 16 years ago, or as a 23-year-old found this year. He's in the NamUs database. As is Wayland Johle, a 43-year-old Native American man last seen in July in a park in Farmington and thought to perhaps be on his way to the Salt Lake City area. And Edward Hoag, a 55-year-old white male, long homeless by choice but consistent in his calls to his family, who traveled to Oregon looking for work and last called home on June 10 with word he was headed "back south," which was interpreted as back to Truth or Consequences, and has not been heard from since. And Holly Alcott White, a 49-year-old woman last seen in Taos on May 5, who did not turn up for plans to walk with a friend two days later, and whose car was found near the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Those records are generous in their detail around the circumstances of the person's disappearance. Some are so spare they include little more than the date and town last seen, and only hints at the family's lingering questions. "It is unknown if her disappearance is a result of foul play or if she is missing voluntarily," reads the record for Eva Serna-Barela, a 52-year-old Hispanic woman last known to reside in Las Cruces. Scars, tattoos, and skeletal details like a previously broken collarbone can all be listed as part of the identifying information, but basic descriptors can also derail a search of the system. A person's family may not know about a tattoo, or eye color may not be distinguishable by the time a body is recovered. "Those are just some of the challenges that the general public might face because they might not even realize something like that when they're running searches for a possible match," Gregory says. So, forensic efforts often focus on what doesn't change, like DNA, dental records and fingerprints. DNA from family members of a missing person and from unidentified remains will be entered into a database that constantly checks each of those sides against one another, searching for possible matches. Dental records can also produce identifications without needing DNAand that's good, because DNA runs into its own limitations. It can be collected in two forms, short tandem repeats (STRs) and mitochondrial, and if investigators collected one type from the body found and a different type from relatives reporting a missing person, they'll never hit on one another. Most labs only have the capability to handle STRs, and only a handful of labs do mitochondrial profiles. The University of North Texas, where remains from New Mexico are sent for processing, is one of the mitochondrial labs, meaning both samples, if available, will be collected from bodies sent there. Mitochondrial DNA can only come from a maternal relative of a missing person, but at times, depending on how degraded remains have become, may be the only option for collection from the body found. But that means if a son is searching for his father, the two samples won't hit on one another in the DNA database. "Because of those types of nuances, the biometrics isn't a be-all end-all," Gregory says. "On top of that, we don't have all of these biometrics. Some [law enforcement] agencies are more receptive than others. There's agencies that are way busier than others, so they might not get back to us as quickly as possible. How NamUs can really assist is it might prompt the gathering of biometrics a little more, or it might encourage investigators on either the unidentified or missing side to participate a little more because they have a potential match or a suggested match, and we get information to compare between the two." The NamUs listings for New Mexico include a bevy of cases that offer few, if any, hints to their identities and little hope of being solved. "It's toughthere's really no percentage we can really give of the odds," Gregory says. Landscapers cutting weeds at an abandoned property in Las Cruces in October ran over a shirt, then saw another shirt, some trash and a tarp. Among the belongings found were some thoroughly rusted keys with a still legible Walgreens/Duane Reade key fob. When they went to move the tarp, they found a human skull. In May, a couple stopped near an arroyo in Lordsburg to let their dog urinate, and it found a body. Local police officers said they had contact with the decedent six months previous, and that he was "waiting for a bike tube he had ordered from Western Auto," the NamUs report reads. "Once he received the tube, he would be on his way. Officers also stated that decedent was positioned in the same position as when they spoke to him in December." Photos of his belongings include a couple coins and some folded dollar bills, a screwdriver, a watch and a shirt embroidered with the name Jason and "The Rockville Valley Fertilizer Company." The man wearing this sweatshirt was found dead at the same location near Lordsburg where police had spoken to him months earlier. His identity remains a mystery. (namus.gov) As if just to prove the point of how many cases like this exist, SFRs initial inquiry to the Office of the Medical Examiner about the body on the ranch returned reports for a different set of remains, also located in December 2015. In that case, three arm bones were found by a bridge near Gallup, a few hundred yards from where a partial skeleton that was missing its arms had been found a year before. That skeleton had been identified; whether the arm bones belonged to it had not been confirmed when the report was completed. The NamUs database also includes listings for a skull given to the Salvation Army after a storage locker was cleaned out. Bones a hunter spotted scattered across a ranch near Wagon Mound. Skeletal remains a camper located under a large rock near Aztec. After a trailer fire in Edgewood, a white male in his 70s was discovered charred on his bed with a .38 caliber revolver with one spent casing in the cylinder. That report promises "more investigation when snow clears." Skeletal remains were found in a shallow grave near Rio Puerco with fibers and pieces of ceramic. The report notes no obvious signs of modern origin. That's the other snagsometimes the bones that surface are from burials that have been dug up or flooded out, and no one is searching for that person. The chance of identification, in those cases, is slim. "If nobody has submitted the DNA or reported a person missing or anything along those lines, yet we have unidentified remainsif nobody in the scientific aspect of missing persons is aware of that missing personit's never going to be identified," Gregory says. "There's nothing to compare it to." What people most often seem to misunderstand, other than the intricacies of how DNA collection and comparison works, is the speed at which these things move forward. "People think that things move a lot quicker than is actually possible," Gregory says. "Resources are, of course, a big issue, just like they are for anybody in the criminal justice arena." The other presumption, she says, is that if people searching through NamUs don't see a photo or don't see that DNA or prints have been collected, they'll assume law enforcement isn't working the case. Sometimes, photos just aren't available, or there's no known family, so DNA isn't an option. If the person had no criminal record and never applied for a concealed carry permit, their fingerprints may not be on file. Maybe no one knows who someone's dentist was, making it impossible to get dental information. "Those are the types of challenges from the biometrics side of things or for finishing out a case that investigators face," Gregory says. "I think the public might make assumptions when those things are missing from a case that somebody's just not working on it or not doing their jobs, when there's usually a lot more behind why that information might not be there." Thirteen months after Read found a body on his ranch, that man is still listed on the NamUs database. The law enforcement investigation and subsequent autopsy failed to provide any answers as to who this man had been, where he came from or how he died. Read's initial call to police at 10:48 am on Dec. 6, 2015, went to Patrolman Gene Pretlow Jr., who was sent by dispatch in Las Vegas to respond to what was then characterized as an unattended death off State Road 104. Half an hour later, he met Read and Amatore at the entrance to their property. They led him to the body, just over a mile north from the gate off the state road, past a red barn. Read told responding officers he'd been nearby three weeks prior and the body wasn't there. Both he and Amatore said they didn't have any idea who the man was, nor did they know of anyone missing in the area. The remains had, by then, been severely preyed upon by animals. Pretlow reported he thought the body appeared to be that of a middle-aged male, though decomposition and scavenging by "the numerous birds on scene" and "unknown carnivore(s)" impeded definitive statements. He radioed back to dispatch by 11:30 am that this was an active crime scene, and that he was "unable to determine if foul play was involved." At 12:41 pm, the investigations bureau asked Agent Ryan Boone to join Pretlow and NMSP Investigations Bureau Agent William Mora, who was the case agent for the investigation and by that time was already on scene. (Repeated requests for an interview with the New Mexico State Police officers involved were met only with word from Sgt. Chad Pierce, the State Police spokesman, that the request had been forwarded along. As of press time, months later, approval was still pending.) Boone's report describes the man's body lying on a diagonal line, his head toward the southwest, his chest covered with what appeared to be bird feces. Pieces of bone were exposed where organs and skin had been scavenged, and his eyes and other distinguishing features were missing. Among the items collected from the scene were three pieces of white cloth, possibly a t-shirt or underpants, stained with what was suspected to be blood and bird feces. All evidence was sent to a temporary locker in Las Vegas. A man whose body was found naked on a Northern New Mexico cattle ranch during the winter of 2015 had this tattoo on his right shoulder blade. The NamUs database includes pictures like this that might help identify remains. (namus.gov) The Office of the Medical Investigator sent Lloyd Ellis, who pronounced time of death at 6:50 pm, and rolled the man's body over to reveal a tattoo on his right shoulder blade: a by-then mottled rendition of an iconic Led Zeppelin image, the angel wings and upstretched arms still distinguishable. By 7:45 pm, nine hours after the call went in to state police, the body was removed from the scene by a local mortuary. The man's remains then traveled to Albuquerque, to the Office of the Medical Investigator at the University of New Mexico. The OMI did not respond to requests for an interview. The medical examiner's report describes a well-developed male, roughly 5 feet 9 inches tall. After extensive animal depredation removed much of the organ and body tissue, the corpse weighed just 85 pounds. What damage was left to be observed could have been attributed to a number of causes: a heart attack, environmental exposure, drug overdose or lethal injury among them. A toxicology screening for a bevy of drugs detected none. "Because the examination is limited by postmortem changes, the cause and manner of death are best certified as undetermined," Dr. Veena Singh, a medical investigator and certified forensic pathologist, wrote in the autopsy report. The 24-page death investigation report describes a thin man with short, blond hair, a blond beard and mustache, eyes a color that could not be determined, and missing teeth. In addition to the Led Zeppelin image, his tattoos included an "Oriental character" on his left upper back, and the letters B and C and a dolphin on his right shoulder. Mora, who attended the autopsy, reported Singh told him that while there wasn't anything overtly suspicious on the body, by then, that evidence could have been obscured. He made a note of checking for missing persons in the area, and that none matched the individual found. He also called the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute to ask about recent releases, and was denied that information on the basis of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Adult Protective Services similarly did not have any information on clients missing in the area, nor did they know of anyone who matched the man's description. The reality is that without someone actively searching for him from the other end, without someone to notice that he's gone, it's unlikely those who found and retrieved him will ever know who he was. Perhaps more disconcerting is how unsurprised Readone rancher, running his cows through his own small corner of the statewas to find a body amid the circling birds and frozen ground at the edge of his property. "That's not the first time that's happened," he says. "Down through the years we've had several of them." He couldn't say for sure exactly where they'd come from or whether anyone had ever figured out who they were. Santa Fe Reporter State Spending New Mexico's Republican Gov. Susana Martinez rolled our her proposed budget at a press conference Tuesday, noting that she wants the state to "tighten its belt." Meanwhile, leaders from Dem side say the plan cuts "to the bone." Of course the biggest paper in the state took a crack at it. You can read it straight from the government, too. Among details, the governor wants to reduce pension matches for school teachers, lawmakers and other public employees, force school districts to use reserves and also dip in to whatever is left of the state reserves. Nuh-Uh Officials at Santa Fe Public Schools were annoyed with the governor even before the big reveal that she would propose more big changes for education professionals. Responding to a Sunday report and Martinez summary of it that "parents don't get informed" when their kids can't read, SFPS sent a long statement to its press list and other districts . The talking point is part of the governor's opposition to "social promotion" of New Mexico third-graders even if they fail to reach reading proficiency. The President and the People President Barack Obama delivered his farewell speech last night (watch and read it The New York Times ) to many a tearful watcher, and the march toward inauguration day for Donald Trump grows near. Up to 400 New Mexicans are already planning to be at the nation's capital for a in protest of his policies and at an event at our Roundhouse on Jan. 21 at noon. Even though she too has sparred with Trump, Martinez says . Not a Fond Farewell In other goodbyes, Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg took a at the Albuquerque Police Department in a letter to US District Attorney Damon Martinez. A highlight is the part where she compares cops to a "criminal enterprise." One to Watch A Twitter handle maintained by a Santa Fean is on a list of accounts that investors , according to marketwatch.com. Michele "Mish" Schneider's publicist says she's a former floor trader on several New York Commodity Exchanges. Her handle is @marketminute. Fly Boys Southwest Airlines has a new president who replaces the man at the helm for the last 12 years. Dallas Morning News says comes after a period of rapid growth for the airline. Aim High Speaking of jobs, Albuquerque has been ranked 32nd of 100 metro areas on , a stat helped by Sandia Laboratories and that complements an earlier rank by US News and World Report that one of the best-paying jobs in New Mexico is a nuclear engineer. Let's work on moving math teacher higher up the list. Santa Fe Reporter New Zealand shares were mixed, with A2 Milk Co jumping near the close after rival Bellamy's cut its forecasts, while Tourism Holdings and Summerset Group Holdings fell. The S&P/NZX50 Index gained 32.02 points, or 0.5 percent, to 7,069.6. Within the index, 20 stocks fell, 19 rose and 11 were unchanged. Turnover was $100.7 million. The market is quiet with little news ahead of February's reporting season, David Price, broker at Forsyth Barr, said. Markets across Asia were mixed, with Australia's ASX 200 up 0.2 percent at 5:10pm local time, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng had gained 0.7 percent and China's CSI 300 was down 0.5 percent. A2 Milk led the index, up 7 percent to $2.28. The share price has been pushed around by news about its Australian competitor Bellamy's, which was placed in a trading halt in December. Today, Bellamys ASX-shares took a nose dive down 34 percent to A$4.39 after it cut its profit forecast for the second time, announced chief executive Laura McBain is to leave and tweaked the terms of its supply contract with Fonterra Cooperative Group. Spark New Zealand rose 1.8 percent to $3.695, Genesis Energy gained 1.7 percent to $2.12 and Meridian Energy advanced 1.5 percent to $2.72. ANZ Bank New Zealand was up 0.9 percent to $33. It has sold UDC Finance to HNA Group for $660 million, marking the Chinese company's first foray into New Zealand. The deal is subject to various approvals and is expected to be completed late in the second half of the year, and will deliver a net gain to ANZ of A$100 million, the lender said in a statement. The sale price is $235 million above UDC's net assets, or a price-to-book ratio of 1.6 times. The finance company's ownership has been up in the air for almost a year, attracting suitors including NZX-listed Heartland Bank, though HNA emerged as the front-runner in December. Forsyth Barr's Price said HNA was the expected buyer, so the news was no real surprise to the market. Tourism Holdings was the worst performer, down 1.8 percent to $3.81, while Summerset Group Holdings fell 1.7 percent to $4.60 and Arvida Group dropped 1.5 percent to $1.30. Kiwi Property Group fell 0.7 percent to $1.43. Augusta Capital has dropped its High Court proceedings seeking orders requiring listed property investor NPT to call a meeting of shareholders to discuss its hostile bid, with a notice of meeting to be issued in February. Augusta's proposal, along with an alternative deal from Kiwi Property which has won the backing of the target's board, will be put to shareholders at the meeting. NPT gained 1.5 percent to 67 cents and Augusta rose 1 percent to 98 cents. Outside the benchmark index, Pushpay Holdings dropped 3.7 percent to $1.81. The mobile payments app developer says its annualised committed monthly revenue (ACMR) grew US$8.4 million in the December quarter, including US$1.1 million it made from acquiring US church app business Bluebridge in November. Pushpay is on track to reach its ACMR target of US$72 million (NZ$100 million) and breakeven on a monthly cashflow basis by the end of calendar 2017, chief executive and co-founder Chris Heaslip said. Hellaby Holdings rose 0.6 percent to $3.54. Directors of Bapcor and Hellaby are to meet on Thursday and Friday of this week, with Hellaby's board planning to issue an updated recommendation to shareholders "as soon as is practicable". ASX-listed Bapcor has been pursuing NZX-listed Hellaby since September and secured control of 50 percent of Hellaby shares on Tuesday. 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Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report 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 Bellamys Australia shares took a nose dive after it cut its profit forecast for a second time, announced chief executive Laura McBain is leaving the company, and tweaked the terms of its supply contract with Fonterra Cooperative Group. The ASX-listed shares, which have been on a trading halt since Dec. 12, were trading down 34 percent at A$4.39 after the beleaguered dairy company said lower than expected demand for its baby formula has impacted its revenue and profitability, leading to increased inventory levels, excess ingredients and shortfall payments to suppliers. The stock had already plunged 40 percent when Bellamys issued a profit warning last month, citing a temporary hit to sales volumes due to the regulatory changes and changes in the sales channels. The company called a trading halt pending the outcome of talks with key suppliers and manufacturers that could have a bearing on earnings. Bellamys has run into trouble after China moved to tighten regulations in a bid to crack down on the grey market and allay concerns about food safety. Under the changes, each legal entity will only be allowed to have three brands with three recipes for infant formula, something thats expected to decimate the number of brands and labels on supermarket shelves in China from more than 2,000 currently to around 200. On Wednesday, Bellamys said it now expects FY17 revenue to be in range of A$220 million to A$240 million versus a prior forecast of A$240 million. In the prior year, revenue was A$244.6 million. It is now tipping FY17 earnings before interest and tax of A$22 million to A$26 million. In the prior year ebit was A$54.3 million. The company also said net profit is expected to be between 6 percent and 9 percent of revenue in the first half and between 4 percent and 6 percent in the second half. The Launceston, Australia-based company said McBain will cease to be CEO effective today but will continue to be employed until March 31 to assist with outstanding matters. Chief operating officer Andrew Cohen will assume her responsibilities as acting CEO. Nigel Underwood has been appointed acting chief financial officer while the former CFO, Shona Ollington will remain on the finance team and report to Underwood. During the trading halt, its biggest shareholder Black Prince Private Foundation sought to dump the bulk of the infant formula makers board. Singapore-based Black Prince, which owns 14.48 percent of Bellamys, has called a special meeting of shareholders where it wants to remove Patria Mann, Launa Inman, Michael Wadley and Charles Sitch from the board, replacing them with Jan Cameron, Chan Wai-Chan, Vaughan Webber and its authorised representative Rodd Peters. Bellamys also announced changes to the take-or-pay organic powder contract between the company and New Zealand's Fonterra. In late 2015 Fonterra Australia and Bellamys announced plans to enter into a five-year, multi-million dollar strategic agreement to manufacture a range of new baby nutritional powders at its Darnum plant in Victoria which included the take-or-pay organic powder contract. At the time, Fonterra touted the deal as being part of the plan to turn around its loss-making Australia business, which has underperformed for several years in an environment of fierce competition for milk supply and over-capacity in dairy production. Bellamys today said the term of the contract will be extended by a further three years to apportion minimum volume commitments over a longer period. The termination rights have also been rejigged with two additional grounds for Fonterra. The first applies if a person or group acquires 50 percent or more of Bellamys voting shares and the second applies if a person or group acquires more than 40 percent and in Fonterras opinion that person or group has effective control of Bellamys. On an investor and analyst conference call this afternoon, Bellamy's management said they were not able to talk about the Fonterra deal further than what was in the business update. The company said they felt they needed to work with Fonterra but the deal it has with Bega had different metrics and didn't need to be discussed at this point. Volume commitments to Fonterra have not been cut, the company told investors, but extended over eight years from five years. Management would not discuss whether Bellamy's was liable for a break fee from Fonterra in the event of termination. Fonterra was not immediately available for comment. Before the announcement, Forsyth Barr senior analyst equities James Bascand said the situation will be frustrating for Fonterra as they are trying to turn around the Australian business but it wont be material. 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: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report 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 NEW DELHI: Xiaomi Mi India has selected B2X to provide customer support for its smartphones and other mobile devices through 'SMARTBAR'. B2X SMARTBAR is an in-store service solution that provides personal support and service for any warranty or out-of-warranty related issues. "B2X is an important strategic partner for us who helps us expand our service network catering for the continuous massive growth in the Indian market," said Liu Tao, Overseas Service Senior Manager, Xiaomi, in a statement. The solution is integrated with the B2X SMARTCARE technology platform that provides end-to-end service process from the moment customers enter the store to the moment a repaired device is being returned. "We are confident that we will add a lot of value to Xiaomi's go-to-market approach in India and the success of the Xiaomi brand," added Rainer Koppitz, Chief Executive Officer of B2X. Read Also: Paytm To Transfer Wallet Business To Payments Bank OnePlus Opens Its First One-Stop Destination Store In India NEW DELHI: Hit hard by demonetisation, auto industry is pinning hopes on the upcoming Budget to boost consumer sentiment and looking for concrete incentives to promote fleet modernisation as well as electric vehicles. "Budget is something which we all are hoping that the government will bring measures to boost consumer sentiment," Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Director General Vishnu Mathur said. The general expectation is for the government to take steps to increase disposable income and improve the overall economy, he said, adding that for the automobile industry the demand is for concrete policy on fleet modernisation, specially of commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. "We have also pointed out that the incentive scheme for electric mobility under the FAME scheme must be extended as most of the automobile companies have been working towards this direction," Mathur said. In order to promote eco-friendly vehicles, the government had formally launched the FAME India scheme in 2015 offering incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles of up to Rs 29,000 for bikes and 1.38 lakh for cars. It envisaged Rs 795 crore support for the first two fiscals. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) is part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan. On the taxation side, Mathur said it is unlikely that the GST will be implemented from April 1. "However, we have been seeking moderation of taxation for the automobile industry and reduction of slabs from the current four, ranging from 12-30 pct, to two slabs," he said. SIAM had proposed a base rate for small cars and two- wheelers and another 8 pct addition to that for larger cars, he added. Hit hard by weak consumer sentiment post demonetisation, monthly automobile sales growth rate in India slipped to a 16-year low in December with total vehicle sales declining by 18.66 pct. Read Also: 'E-Wallets, Online Cabs Top Cashless Performers Post Note Ban' Customers, Pumps Won't Pay Any Card Payment Charges: Pradhan NEW DELHI: IT firms margins will come under more pressure if the US government clears the H1B visa reform Bill -- Protect and Grow American Jobs Act, rating agency India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) said today. "...the employee cost of IT companies has increased over the past eight quarters and impacted margins negatively. The passage of the Bill would impact IT companies operations and might lead to further increase in the onshore efforts and subcontracting expenses," Ind-Ra today said in a statement. The key proposal in the Bill is to increase the salary of H1B visa holder to $ 100,000 ( 66 lakh) from $ 60,000 per annum and the cessation of an exemption of having a masters degree. The cash cushion and low debt levels that IT companies enjoy however will mean the squeeze on margins will be credit neutral. The salary level that has been proposed is significantly higher than the average employee cost of Indian IT companies of under Rs 1 million (ranges between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 million). Indian IT companies generate around 55-60 pct of the revenue from the US. The onsite proportion of revenue exceeds the offshore portion and the subcontracting expenses as a percentage of revenue has increased by around 50-100 bps over the last eight quarters for the top IT companies. "Further the removal of the exemption of possessing a masters degree to qualify for a H1B visa if implemented will reduce the talent pool qualifying for such visas and in turn result in either increased employee cost for hiring employees with higher qualification or subcontract work, both of which would increase the cost of operations and pressurise margins," Ind-Ra said. The US starts accepting the visa application under H1B typically from 1 April every year and issues around 65,000 visas to highly skilled professionals. A bulk of these visas are issued to technology companies belonging to various nationalities. Indian IT companies incur visa related costs in the first quarter of the financial year, the statement said. Read Also: Mumbai Launches India's Biggest Public Wi-Fi Network With 500 Hotspots Flipkart Forms Group, Makes Founder Binny CEO NEW YORK: Inventors from India contributed a record 658 patents to IBM last year to help the software giant top the list for US patent recipients in 2016. With 8,088 US patents, IBM's 2016 list covers a diverse range of inventions in artificial intelligence and cognitive computing, cognitive health, Cloud, cybersecurity and other strategic growth areas for the company. "Leading the world in innovation for 24 years in a row is a result of IBM's unmatched commitment to innovation and R&D," said Ginni Rometty, IBM's Chairman, President and CEO, in a statement. While Samsung Electronics with 5,518 US patents stood second, Canon with 3,665 patents was at the third position. In the area of cognitive computing and artificial intelligence, IBM inventors patented more than 1,100 inventions that help machines learn, reason and efficiently process diverse data types while interacting with people in natural and familiar ways. "IBM inventors were granted more than 22 patents per day in 2016, enabling the company to become the first to surpass 8,000 patents in a single year," the statement said. While Google with 2,835 patents came fifth, Microsoft with 2,398 patents was at eighth spot. Read Also: India, UAE To Increase Trade By 60 Pct In Five Years Auto Industry Pins Hope On Budget To Boost Consumer Sentiment Page Content The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Emil Lee and by extension the entire Ministry would like to congratulate Kawieta Baboeram- Perk, Natalia caraman and Zoraida Magdalena Spanner on being sworn in as Health Care Practitioners on Sint Maarten. All three took the oath as Pharmacists Assistants. With this first step these three health care professionals are moving forward to ensuring that the Sint Maarten population is provided with quality service and appropriate health care. All health care professionals practicing on Sint Maarten must be sworn in by the Governor. However, in certain instances such as these it has been mandated to the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour. 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 Speaking at the India Today Group's Conclave in Mumbai, the BJP Yuva Morcha chief Tejasvi Surya tore into Congress over its claims that the saffron party was imposing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states and accused the grand old party of trying to impose Hindi via its three-language policy. She accused Russia of violating Ukraine's sovereignty by invading Crimea in 2014 and using its veto in the Security Council "to insulate itself from the consequences." She also said last month's resolution on monitoring evacuations from Aleppo, once Syria's second-largest city, was adopted at the end of a military campaign by Russia and Syrian President Bashar Assad's government "after Russia used its veto twice to block calls for a cease-fire, which would have saved countless lives." By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Jan 11 (PTI) Three Indians, including a woman, were among four suspected drug smugglers arrested for smuggling 40 kg hashish from central Nepals Dhading district, police said today. Three men and a woman carrying bags filled with the contraband were standing in a suspicious manner at Simle Bazaar of Bhumesthan Village in the district when security personnel chased them last night. advertisement 68 pieces of hashish and Indian Rs 1,61,200 were recovered from their possession during the checking, a senior police officer said today. They are identified as 20-year-old Akalesh Kumar Bhagat, 18-year-old Santosh Paswan, 28-year-old Madhu Giri aka Bitu ? all of them from Bihar ? and 34-year-old Shambhu Rijal of Bhumesthan, Dhading. The four were presented before the District Court, Dhading today and remanded in judicial custody for further investigation, police said. A patrolling team has been deployed along the highway after receiving information that smuggling of marijuana and hashish increased at recent time in the area, the officer added. PTI SBP AMS --- ENDS --- 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 Montrose County "I enjoyed these poems immensely." - William Peter Blatty, author of The Exorcist Ages 7 and up, ideal for adults and kids to read together! 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 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. Want lies? Hire a regular consultant. Want truth? Hire an asshole. The Proper Procedure Poor Richard's Retirement Polar Bear Facts & Myths Polar Bears: Outstanding Survivors of Climate Change. Pilgrim's Progress Trump The Establishment 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 Narrabundah community has lost its fight to save four brick duplexes from demolition but may yet see the destroyed homes heritage listed. Workers took to the Boolimba Crescent double-storey buildings on Wednesday to make way for nine new public housing units. Narrabundah public housing on Boolimba Crescent, in the proccess of getting demolished. Credit:Jamila Toderas The Old Narrabundah Community Council had pushed against the development arguing it was yet to hear back about the heritage status of the duplexes. Early assessments by the Heritage Council indicated they had no significance but a submission from heritage consultant Marilyn Truscott described the duplexes as representing "a major phase of the territory's history". Sign up from 7.30pm to compete. Anyone can sign up to compete in a poetry slam. The first is on Wednesday, January 18 and continues at the Phoenix the third Wednesday of every month. Australian Poetry Slam finalist, Tahi Atea will be at the first BAD!SLAM!NO!BISCUIT! for 2017 Credit:Andrew Thomas Canberra's Poetry Slam, BAD!SLAM!NO!BISCUIT!, is starting back at the Phoenix Pub in Civic. Do you love a bit of poetry slam? The competition involves five randomly chosen audience members scoring each poet's efforts. The rules of the poetry slam are two minutes on stage with your original work and no musical accompaniment. Tahi Atea, who was a finalist in the Australian Poetry Slam last year will be performing on the first night back before she heads to university in AdelaIde to study dance. The 20-year-old former Hawker College student may look young and fragile but her poems, including many with a political bent, are delivered with force and conviction. Her subjects include the Soweto student uprising of 1976 to Syria from the perspective of a child. Singapore Airlines says it is encouraged by support for its Canberra flights despite its first full month garnering few visitors to the capital. The federal government's latest international flight data showed 6995 people travelled in and out of Canberra on Singapore Airlines' Capital Express route in October. Singapore Airlines has been operating in Canberra since September. Credit:Jay Cronan This translated to an average of about 145 passengers travelling to Canberra on each 266-seat Boeing 777-200 from Singapore and just 67 on the same sized plane from Wellington. The outbound figures were similarly low. An average of 65 passengers on each flight from Canberra to Wellington boarded in the capital while the Singapore route saw 111 Canberran outbound passengers. Banks' juicy dividends can be sustained in the face of looming increases in capital requirements, as lenders have probably raised the vast majority of the capital they will need, according to new analysis from Credit Suisse. With bank shares trading just below one-year highs after a recent surge, the bullish banking analysts argue the market will be forced to revise predictions that two major banks will cut dividends in 2017. The big four banks pay out more than $20 billion a year in dividends. Credit:Louie Douvis The prediction comes after global banking regulators last week delayed a long-awaited decision on the next round of capital rules, which some observers saw as a sign these requirements will be watered down. Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank and ANZ are among the biggest dividend payers in the country, spinning off more than $20 billion a year to shareholders. Former One Nation senator Rodney Culleton has threatened a High Court challenge to his disqualification from federal Parliament for being bankrupt. Senate President Stephen Parry informed West Australia Governor Kerry Sanderson of a vacancy in the upper house on Wednesday, brought about by the Federal Court's ruling on Mr Culleton's business affairs. A 21-day stay on the bankruptcy order was due to end on Friday. The small businessman and farmer quit Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party in December after a breakdown in relations with his colleagues, while facing a series of legal challenges including over his failure to pay a $280,000 debt to former Wesfarmers director Dick Lester. New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra is in the box seat to control the future of Bellamy's Organic under an effective "poison pill" arrangement that can be triggered if a shareholder group controls more than 30 per cent of Bellamy's capital. The troubled infant formula group outlined details on Wednesday of a new arrangement with Fonterra that allows the New Zealand group to terminate a key supply deal if a shareholder group controls more than 30 per cent of the Launceston company's capital. The disclosure, along with news of the replacement of Laura McBain, the chief executive of Bellamy's, by another senior executive, Andrew Cohen, on an interim basis, came as part of a trading update to investors. The update appears to show a continued deterioration of Bellamy's financial position as sluggish sales has led to rising inventories. The chief financial officer has also been changed as the troubled group reviews all other senior executive positions. Primary Health Care's board believes it would have the backing of shareholders if it decided to retain the company's embattled chief executive Peter Gregg as he fights criminal charges. On Tuesday, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission charged Mr Gregg with two breaches of the Corporations Act relating to his time at Leighton Holdings. Mr Gregg has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and has launched a defamation lawsuit against Fairfax Media over its expose that revealed an ASIC investigation was underway. He is due to appear in court at the end of the month and signalled he would like the prosecution process expedited. Bellamy's Australia chief executive Laura McBain will leave the company in a move that has sent the company's share price into another tailspin. Bellamy's board voted to remove Ms McBain as chief executive at a meeting on Wednesday, company insiders told Fairfax Media, after weeks of internal ructions over who should lead the company. In her place, Bellamy's has appointed Andrew Cohen as the acting chief executive. He joined the company last year, as the chief operations and strategy officer. After trading as high as $16.50 this time last year, Bellamy's shares collapsed to a low of $6.80 on December 2, after the company released a shock trading update that revised its China sales downward. By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) Over 1.62 lakh foreigners arrived in India last month on e-tourist visa, registering a growth of 56.6 per cent, with the UK continuing to occupy the top slot availing the facility. UK continues to occupy the top slot with 22.4 per cent, followed by the US (16.4 per cent) and Russia (7.7 per cent) among the countries availing the e-tourist visa facility during December 2016. advertisement The facility of e-visa is available to the citizens of 161 countries arriving at 16 international airports in India. "During the month of December 2016, a total of 1,62,250 foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visa as compared to 1,03,617 during the month of December in 2015, registering a growth of 56.6 per cent," according to a release by Ministry of Tourism. During last year, a total of 10,79,696 tourists arrived on the facility as compared to 4,45,300 during 2015, registering a growth of 142.5 per cent. During December last year, among the countries availing e-tourist visa, the share of China was 5.3 per cent, Australia 4.6 per cent, France 4.1 per cent, Germany 4 per cent, South Africa 3.7 per cent, Canada 3.7 per cent and Korea 2 per cent, the release said. New Delhi Airport occupied the first slot in top 10 ports where tourist arrived on the e-facility during last month with 36.6 per cent, followed by Mumbai Airport (23.1 per cent), Dabolim (Goa) Airport (13.6 per cent), Chennai Airport (6 per cent), Bengaluru Airport (5.1 per cent) and Kochi Airport (4.7 per cent), it said. The share of Kolkata Airport was 2.5 per cent, while that of Hyderabad Airport 2.4 per cent, Trivandrum Airport 1.9 per cent and Ahmedabad Airport 1.7 per cent. PTI MP KIS --- ENDS --- The Hon Peter Dutton's first thought bubble for the year a proposal to tighten up Australia's citizenship test to crack down on would-be terrorists suggests that 2017 is not going to be the year that our Immigration Minister starts showing any latent signs of lucidity. The way to stop looming jihadists from "exploiting migration pathways", according to Dutton a man who previously predicted asylum seekers would simultaneously poach Aussie jobs and be unemployable is for the citizenship test to place more emphasis on Australian values. If you're as confused about what this means as I am, the minister has been helpful enough to elaborate: send your children to school, speak English something of an obsession for Dutton, despite his own linguistic shortcomings and get a job. Yes, the minister now expects you to find employment, even if it means "taking Australian jobs", presumably. Illustration: Matt Davidson Dutton's proposal has been greeted with unbridled enthusiasm by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, the self-appointed gatekeeper of what it means to be Australian. Hanson, who has spent the last two decades warning us that the shining pillar of solid Aussie virtue is under attack by Asians, Muslims, and squat toilets, had these pearls of wisdom to offer on the matter of citizenship and migrant literacy: "We are being taken for mugs in this country by opening up our doors And [as for] English. If you can't communicate how can you expect anyone to assimilate into our society?" Just so. Notwithstanding the fact that those opening the debate are lacking the wherewithal to present a cogent, let alone coherent, argument, it is "a debate worth having", says Dutton. And something clearly needs to be done because, according to 7 News, "shocking new figures" show that "thousands of migrants fail the test each year" and worse still "are allowed to sit it over and over again". A bit like a driving test then, which a sizeable portion of Australians fail on the first attempt, except they're typically encouraged to try again, rather than to pack it in because they're not the sort of people we want on our roads. "Why don't you go back to where you came from?" There is a lot of that sentiment around at the moment. So says Donald Trump to Mexicans and Muslims; half the population of Britain to the rest of the population of Europe; Pauline Hanson to Muslims (and, not so recently, people from Asia); some people who once moved into Footscray to some other people who more recently moved into Footscray; and a drunk man in a Coburg park to well, he wasn't exactly sure who they were, or where they needed to go back to. There is a trickle-down effect in public expressions of racism and xenophobia: the more people with big voices such as Trump, Hanson and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage say racist stuff, the more people with small, inarticulate and sometimes slurred voices feel empowered to say it too. "Patriots" in Melbourne: It can't be said that these people represent Australia. Credit:Mathew Lynn There is no shortage of irony trickling down either. Trump (like so many Americans) is the grandson of migrants; the people of Great Britain are descended from half the other peoples of Europe; Hanson, like all of us "white" Australians, is the metaphorical grandchild of boat people; and the people who moved into Footscray whenever are people who moved into Footscray whenever. I don't believe that politicians such as Hanson speak for some "silent majority". I do believe, in the interests of getting along in a society where people come from all over the world, there are uncomfortable feelings about people who might appear a little different that the majority would do better to remain silent about, and, in fact, just get over. It's little-known now but Robert Menzies, the founding father of the Liberal Party, was also one of the greatest champions of equitable social welfare in this country. While he strongly believed that everyone who was able to work, should work, Menzies rejected Labor's idea that social welfare should be means-tested. Illustration: Andrew Dyson "The moment we establish, or perpetuate, the principle that the citizen, in order to get something he needs or wants and to which he has looked forward, must prove his poverty, we convert him into a suppliant to the state for benevolence," he told Parliament in 1944. "That position is inconsistent with the proper dignity of the citizen in a democratic country. People should be able to obtain these benefits as a matter of right, with no more loss of their own standards of self-respect than would be involved in collecting from an insurance company the proceeds of an endowment policy on which they have been paying premiums for years." Dear readers, you are too kind. Following Allan Gibson's article Happy 70th birthday Column 8 on Wednesday, well wishes have been flooding in, with some requesting the original Granny logo makes a reappearance. So Granny, take a bow. Oh, and Peter Miniutti of Ashbury asks: "I wonder in 30 years' time if you'll receive a telegram from the King?" The answer my friend is blowing in the Windsor change. Steven Fraser of Newport thinks he can top the frying pan and water blaster gift gaffes (C8). "My sister-in-law once received a set of bathroom scales and a pair of running shoes from her husband for Xmas." Meanwhile, when Stephen Lloyd-Jones of East Lindfield asked his wife why she'd given him a cordless drill for his September birthday she replied, "To screw together the shed you're getting for Christmas". Still on the spirit of giving and what John Greenway (C8) should do with his old Christmas cards, Robyn White of Warrawee says the Inner Wheel Club of Blacktown City would love them to recycle as Christmas party hats for nursing home residents, while Robyn Lewis of Raglan would like them to decorate boxes for Domestic Violence NSW. "The boxes are filled with gifts at Christmas and distributed to refuge residents." Giving them to preschools for art and making gift tags were other ideas. But it's not a problem for Marcus Daniel, formerly of Bellingen. "It may have something to do with moving house last year but the only one to remember me and send a card was Alzheimer's Australia." John Karlik of Pyrmont has taken up David Wilcox's challenge (C8). "I exchange greetings with my geography teacher and I shall be visiting him in Yorkshire this year. His name is Robin Hutton and he is 101 years of age. I am merely 86." By the way, Noelene Haslett of Tumbarumba points out that at 93 Mr Wilcox's teacher, Ailsa Cottam, "is very much still with it and has a knack of helping the slower readers" at a voluntary reading program. Finally, what to call those noisy kookaburras collectively? Many of you suggested a cackle, a comedy, a laughter, a giggle, a cacophony, and a choir. Hugh McGinley even came up with "a LOL". But Glynn Stiller of Bowral and Ron Schaffer of Bellevue Hill have put us right. "There is already a collective noun for kookaburras a riot. Quite well it describes them too." We wanted a fairytale, but we're getting a horror story. After 15 years of detention in which she suffered abuse, psychological torture and physical threats, Aung San Suu Kyi was swept to power by popular vote in November 2014 leading a party that excluded Muslim candidates. She faces massive challenges, not just to modernise an economy crippled by decades of corrupt rule but also to build democratic institutions and establish the rule of law. Within a year, her government had embarked on a brutal program of ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people, a Muslim minority in the majority Buddhist country. Here we have a problem of cognitive dissonance. In psychology, it's the state of mental discomfort that arises when we are confronted by new information that conflicts with our existing beliefs, or the discomfort we feel when we act contrary to our values and beliefs. Everyone who subscribed to the Aung San Suu Kyi fairytale and knows anything about the treatment of the Rohingyas in Myanmar is feeling it. The group of world leaders including more than a dozen of her fellow Nobel peace prize winners, who wrote to the UN criticising Ms Suu Kyi's inaction and drawing parallels with Rwanda's 1994 genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Kosovo, is probably feeling it. But what about Aung San Suu Kyi. Is she feeling it? Myanmar's foreign minister, State Counsellor and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Credit:AP We can only hope so. Human rights groups have documented allegations of mass killings, rapes and the razing of villages by soldiers in Rakhine state; of soldiers firing out of helicopters at citizens on the ground, of babies being thrown in fires. Myanmar's government led by Aung San Suu Kyi has repeatedly dismissed the allegations as "fabrications". Amnesty International accuses Ms Suu Kyi of failing to "live up to both her political and moral responsibility to try to stop and condemn what is unfolding". The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said in June that crimes against humanity may have been committed. More than 65,000 terrified Rohingyas have fled across the border to Bangladesh. Polo: the sport of kings and foreign ministers ("Political expenses scandal: Julie Bishop billed taxpayers for polo trip", January 11). John de Bres Rose Bay Maybe I am alone in this but I would need to be paid to attend a polo match. David Storrs Chatswood Time to take the silver spoon out of your mouth Malcolm Turnbull, and start talking and leading. The Born to Spend party is out of control. Cynthia Humphreys South Yarra (Vic) My only transgression in 30 years of public service was to accidentally use a corporate credit card to pay for my petrol, which could have led to instant dismissal according to public service rules. When I fessed up, I had to explain to my bosses how it happened, how I planned to ensure I never did it again, and had to receive counselling, all documented and sent to the parliamentary secretary. Are ministers stupid, dishonest, or just reliant on the ubiquitous arrogance that rules only apply to others? Andrew Scott Pymble Drain The Lake (Burley Griffin). Adrian Pokorny Surry Hills Make Australia fair again. Jim Hamilton Kirrawee I am all in favour of encouraging politicians, particularly ministers, to get out of Canberra (as much as possible) and experience the "real world". The widespread cost to us all of not doing so would certainly far outweigh the minuscule costs saved in tightening the MP travel entitlements scheme, particularly considering the history of how badly an elite, isolated and narrow-minded governing class can "govern". Pasquale Vartuli Wahroonga Peter MacLeod-Miller (Letters, January 11) may well be venerable but I feel his support of Sussan Ley at this time somewhat misguided. Her good work does not excuse the misuse of public funds if indeed these accusations are substantiated. Richard Tainsh Woollahra Who could doubt that The Venerable Peter MacLeod-Miller is a man of faith; blind faith, it seems. Donald Hogg Red Hill (Qld) Following his zealous pursuit of Centrelink miscreants, I suggest the Prime Minister sool Minister Tudge onto all parliamentarians with a taste for travel. "Minister for Human Services and Troughs" has a certain ring about it. Gilly Truman Bowral Trade Minister Steve Ciobo thinks it is incredibly bureaucratic and ridiculous for politicians to be asked to verify all purchases ("Politicians fail to certify their spending bill", January 11). When he does provide certification, it is with the amendment, "to the best of my knowledge". I assume he agrees it is outrageous that we plebs must provide proof of claimed deductions, when requested by the Australian Taxation Office. After all none of us has ever lied either, to the best of my knowledge. Graham Lum North Rocks For all those bellyaching about our parliamentarians and their rorting of entitlements: if you have ever paid a tradie in cash instead of on the books; if you have ever printed out a personal document at the office instead of home; or if you have ever made even one "iffy" claim on your tax return; then you are on the very same continuum as them. It seems a person's word, an oath or affirmation, a handshake, the notions of individual honour, honesty and integrity, are of less value in our society today than they have ever been. I'm not sure that the reintroduction of The Fear of God would help, but it is certainly the case that when the makers of the law break the law, there is no law. Jennifer Parkin Point Frederick Demolition leaves room for new centre city theatres As Sydney prepares for more demolition of office blocks to make way for the underground metro line, is this not the perfect time to put some inspired above-ground thinking into the city's future ("Prepare for disruption in the CBD as towers set to topple for metro line", January 11)? One block in question is the Castlereagh Street (Tiffany's) corner of Martin Place. This is near the site that once housed the magnificent Prince Edward Theatre. Anyone who remembers the superb old theatres this city has lost wanders through the city now with huge pangs of nostalgia and anger that these wonderful structures were demolished to be replaced with faceless office buildings. With the pending demolition of many of these unmemorable structures, maybe it is time for the City of Sydney to push for the future inclusion of a mid-town Lyric-style theatre or two in any re-build on these sites. What perfect locations, with an underground station below. One has only to experience the mid-city buzz of Melbourne's theatrical life to know what this means for a city. Its six major mid-town theatres are enviable. There is more to a city's pulse than endless shopping malls and nine-to-five office block activity. Time to stand back and give Sydney's future a different vision. Greg Vale Kiama A valid voice on literacy and numeracy At last we have a perceptive and committed teacher such as Emily Hehir speaking publicly about the impediment to learning caused by the effects of ill-informed promotion of electronic devices, unstructured learning environments and ideological commitment to "creativity" at the expense of critical thinking ("Put away the tech distractions", January 11). She has identified the generational transformation of the methodology of teaching in this country. This change is of a magnitude that few parents understand. Yet its effects are clearly reflected in the profoundly disturbing decline in our children's literacy and numeracy standards when measured against international standards. The government needs to listen to educators like Emily if we are to rebuild our educational institutions. Vicki Sanderson Cremorne Steady on, Emily Hehir. In no school are books and classroom management taboo; no technology advocate claims that apps replace good teaching. Please don't denigrate our profession while declaring your own resistance to change. Adele Walker Ashfield Debt collection bad look The Human Services Minister Alan Tudge says the robot debt collection system is "working" ("Centrelink debt letter surge to resume as government promises tweaks to the system", smh.com.au, January 11). If by "working", Tudge means that the robot system is going like the clappers pulling money from the most vulnerable, he does not understand what is driving the apoplexy of the public. At a time when we can all hear the snuffling of snouts in the parliamentary allowances trough, it is time to redesign a system that denies the least skilled and able the ability to dispute a debt before the government's hand is allowed to go into their pocket. And, I know this is asking a bit, but, if Mr Tudge cannot fix it, the Prime Minister ought to have a chat with him. This business is a terrible look for the government. Joe Weller Lewisham The new "Tudge" order. Anyone on benefits who makes an error is deliberately defrauding the country, any MP abusing their expenses claims has simply made a mistake. Brenton McGeachie Queanbeyan West Largely overlooked in the Centrelink scandal is the reprehensible practice of selling the alleged beneficiary debts (and at what discount?) to private collection agencies. What happens when, inevitably, it is established an agency has extorted payment of a debt that never existed? What rights of redress arise from this bogus collection trail? Perhaps an avenue to revive Slater & Gordon's failing fortunes. Geoffrey Briot Stanmore Freedom to a tee Women have every right in our free society to make a religious statement by wearing a headscarf that clearly defines them as Muslim, men the right to wear the headwear customary for Sikhs ("Bold Nick", January 11). The same right applies to Nick Kyrgios. He can make a political statement by wearing an anti Trump T-shirt or any other T-shirt providing it is not obscene. Freedom of dress is as important as free speech which should, of course, be clearly separated from hate speech . Stephanie Edwards Wollstonecraft Leader's responsibility News of the Rohingya exodus swelling amid reports of Myanmar security forces' atrocities makes a mockery of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's reputation ("Persecuted Rohingya swell camps", January 11). Her many years of living and studying abroad would have taught her the key Westminster concept of leaders being responsible for their government's failings. She has to do more to address this issue. Steve Ngeow Chatswood Oratory most brilliant Whatever you may think of Meryl Streep's politically-motivated acceptance speech, it, along with the introduction by Viola Davis, must be among the two best-crafted speeches deliveredin the history of the Golden Globe Awards ("Meryl Streep's rant on Donald Trump was hateful and ignorant", smh.com.au January 11). George Fishman Vaucluse Fair go for clean cars As Sydney deals with heat and dangerous ozone (mostly due to vehicles) why need to ask do we continue to penalise owners of clean electric vehicles by imposing luxury taxes on them ("Sydney on the alert", January 11)? Barbara Davis Cheltenham Nepotism a big worry It cannot be more clear that society does not operate on a level playing field ("A bit rich that wealth trumps success, January 11). The high barriers to entry encourage nepotism in politics. Are we getting the best people to do the job of running our country? Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and Alexander Downer: all privileged school boys who when tested have proven to be duds. Now the spectre of Trumpism is haunting our land. What next? Abbott as prime minister and one of his daughters or future sons-in-law as a top adviser? Chris Moe Bensville Nippers need headwear Just back from the beach where, historically, the highest number of nippers are enrolled in Sydney; holiday nipper camp was in full swing. It's astounding there and at almost all surf clubs, nippers still wear only the traditional surf club skull caps for long hours spent on land activities as well as in the water. No matter how much or how often you apply sunscreen, it won't be enough. Headwear is needed. Surf clubs should know the risks of skin cancers better than most. Tim Egan Mosman Trees get the chop They are removing 527 carbon-gathering trees from Euston Road ("Anger as hundreds of trees to make way for motorway", January 11). How many vehicles pushing out carbon each year will this add to our roads? All us convertible drivers can just keep sucking it up. Neil Duncan Balmain Brother and sister act Shaun the Sheep is wonderful but please don't overlook the delightful Charlie and Lola, Lorna Denham (Letters, January 11). These loving siblings are creative, respectful, inclusive and very funny. Wendy Davies Campbelltown Password panic I am one of the older generation grappling with the technology available these days ("Put away the tech distractions", January 11). I try my best, but I have to say the scariest question I can be asked is, "what is your password?" Janet Scilly Warrawee Miners in a rush If mining approvals are "taking too long", and must be shortened so that the environment is put at risk, why not lodge them earlier (Letters, January 11)? After all, the coal and minerals have been there a long time. Richard Ure Epping Trump bumped? Hello, President Pence ("(Russia has evidence of 'perverted acts' committed by Donald Trump: reports", smh.com.au, January 11). This week Sydneysiders will have their first opportunity to view the hauntingly beautiful artworks painted by Myuran Sukumaran during his final days on death row in Bali's Kerobokan prison. While the exhibition, Another Day in Paradise which opens at the Campbelltown Arts Centre on Friday, is a chance to reflect on his life and the brutality of the death penalty, we mustn't shy away from a difficult home truth: the Australian Federal Police's role in his death. A woman walks past a series of paintings of the Bali Nine by Myuran Sukumaran that are a part of the Another Day in Paradise exhibition. Credit:Kate Geraghty In April 2015, Indonesia executed Sukumaran by firing squad, alongside Andrew Chan, a fellow member of the so-called Bali Nine who had also been convicted of drug trafficking offences. The execution of the two men united Australia against the death penalty as never before. The men's rehabilitation during their 10 years in prison, as well as the harshness of the ultimate penalty, had struck a chord. Hundreds of thousands of Australians campaigned for mercy and gathered together for candlelight vigils and protests around the country. I am trapped in Australia's camp on Manus Island but I have remained the master of my soul. While I don't have control over my life, I have never relinquished control over my mind. I have accomplished a great grasp of the English language, even though I could barely say a few words when I arrived here. I am writing because everyone's mood here has darkened beyond understanding. We have begun our fourth year behind the same fence without hope and a clear future. It feels like we don't exist. Behind our calm exterior, we are rotting from the inside. Hence, everything we suffer goes unnoticed. Manus Island is one of two facilities under Australia's offshore processing regime. My ancestors have lived in Rakhine, Myanmar, for generations. However, our country doesn't acknowledge the existence of Muslims. We are considered illegal migrants in our own land. Rohingyans are not allowed birth certificates or any documentation to prove our citizenship or our existence. Therefore, there is no way to leave our country legally, even though we are considered the most persecuted cultural group in the world. Our families have been stuck in UN camps throughout Asia waiting decades for visas. So we are left with no choice, except to take a boat ride and risk our lives to find protection. People who are at imminent risk of death don't make plans before they start travelling. We just jump into oceans to escape persecution. Oceans are our lifeline because it is the only way we can seek safety. As a Rohingya I would never be able to come by plane, which is the accepted way to seek asylum. I would require an immense number of documents to apply for a visa. I would need more than $US5000 in cash to be able to board the plane. But, even with all these papers, it is very unlikely I'd be granted a visa. Neil Oliver might not be TV's most dynamic presenter, but the Scottish archaeologist's passion for his subject and eloquence about it are certainly endearing. In this episode of the Australian edition of his series, Oliver and his team of enthusiastic presenters explore "the hidden gems of the NSW Pacific coast", a stretch from the Hawkesbury river, through the coal-mining capital of Newcastle to Port Macquarie. It's an area that Oliver says "likes to make a statement". But first, it's off to Lord Howe Island to witness "the amazing little display of strangeness" that marks the behaviour of the providence petrel. Beyond that, there's examination of the mating and breeding habits of seahorses, a history of life-saving clubs, tributes to Halversen cruisers and Catalina aircraft, and an insight into the survival of the world's rarest and most endangered insect. DE SBS, 7.30pm Which gym gear makes you smell worse: cotton or synthetic? Which personal fitness monitors actually work? Is acupuncture better than placebo for managing chronic pain? And is apple cider vinegar really a cure-all? These are just some the questions asked and answered in this smart, lively and eminently useful factual series, which returned in a fresh season last week. Mosley gets headline billing, but a large cast of likeable medical experts do most of the heavy lifting, responding with actual science to viewer queries about assorted controversial and confusing issues. But perhaps most intriguing in this instalment is the segment on "phage" therapy, pioneered at the same time as antibiotics but abandoned with the discovery of penicillin. Research and practice have continued in Georgia, however, and the labs there are now doing fascinating work in circumventing antibiotic resistance. MH Backroads ABC, 8pm Tonight we're in White Cliffs, in the far east of NSW, and what at first seems a pretty unlovely speck on the map soon reveals itself thanks to Heather Ewart's expert guidance to be as quirky and thriving a regional centre as you could wish. Like Oodnadatta, White Cliffs' fortunes were built on opal mining and, like its more famous cousin, the brutal climate has forced most of the town's population to live underground. So the tour of some of White Cliffs' more palatial caves is in itself worth the price of admission. But there's more so much more including a biennial arts festival, one of the world's more fascinating fossils and a sense of community and adventure that has persuaded more than one grey nomad to put the caravan up on chocks and make a home in this seemingly forbidding landscape. As always, the episode is studded with fascinating facts and terrific characters, and the cinematographer does a splendid job of capturing the subtle beauty of this remote corner of our continent. MH By Press Trust of India: PTI1_11_2017_000228A Lucknow, Jan 11 (PTI) In one of the biggest such hauls in India, Uttar Pradesh police seized 6,400 freshwater turtles stuffed in bags which were destined for China and other Southeast Asian countries as part of a massive smuggling network. Raj Bahadur Singh, the kingpin of an inter-state gang involved in smuggling of turtles, was arrested in the raid carried out at Gauriganj town of Amethi yesterday, Special Task Force (STF) spokesman said here. advertisement The turtles, weighing 440 quintals, were found stuffed in sacks and lay scattered on the ground inside the compound of the accuseds house. "We have recovered such a huge amount of turtles from one single location. We are investigating this further and looking at the involvement of more people in the smuggling ring," said Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Chaturvedi, who led the STF raid. During interrogation, Singh disclosed that small poachers were involved in catching turtles from Gauriganj, Jagdishpur and Salwan areas and supplying them to organised smugglers, the official said. Singh said he used to collect these animals from smugglers and transport them to Kolkata -- the main transit point -- from where they are smuggled to Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries. Forty per cent of the turtle species are listed in the endangered category of International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCNs) Red List of Threatened Species. There is a high demand for turtles abroad for meat and so-called use in occult and aphrodisiacs. The official claimed that the accused also gave information about smugglers and poachers in UP, West Bengal and Odisha reflecting the huge and highly organised smuggling network in the country. The turtle species is native to South Asia and is found only in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In India, it is found in the Gangetic belt all along Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, especially in the Ghagra-Gomti tributaries. They are spread across Fatehgarh, Kannauj, Allahabad and Varanasi in the state. Meanwhile, UP forest department today issued a statewide alert and has warned that more raids will be conducted in the coming days to crack down on the smuggling of turtles. PTI SMI KIS RT KIS --- ENDS --- Television personality and popular Footy Show star Erin Molan has been unwittingly dragged into the centre of the marital meltdown of high-profile celebrity accountant and yachtsman Anthony Bell, amid claims of domestic violence involving his model wife Kelly Landry. Molan's friends told PS on Wednesday she was well aware of rumours that claim Bell and his wife had argued about his association with Molan. The fight is understood to have become one of the catalysts that led to the AVO matter, which is due to be heard at Waverley Local Court on Thursday. Erin Molan and Anthony Bell were crew members on the super maxi Perpetual Loyal. Credit:Instagram/erin_molan "It is really unfair, Erin has done nothing wrong," a friend told PS. A Channel Nine spokeswoman confirmed there had been speculation about Molan's relationship with Bell but denied it was anything more than a professional friendship and Molan remained in a romantic relationship with policeman Sean Ogilvy. Is it because, despite the leaps and bounds the industry is making, Asian men are still seen as unmarketable? Is it the same prejudice that sees Hollywood cast white actors in roles that should have gone to people of colour (Ghost in the Shell, Doctor Strange, Aloha) or, worse still, make up white actors to look like Asian people (Breakfast at Tiffany's, Short Circuit)? We face an uncomfortable double standard when it comes to sexual perceptions of Asian people. Asian women are often fetishised as docile, subservient creatures whose sole purpose is providing sexual or emotional satisfaction (see: Xu Qing's silent character in 2012's Looper, credited as "Old Joe's wife", because we don't have identities outside our relationships with white men; or Harry Potter's love interest Cho Chang, a "bestselling caricature", as Rachel Rostad brilliantly puts it). Or we're oversexualised and "crazy" (see: Brenda Song in The Social Network). These characters exist solely as pawns in the white man's game, and the "yellow fever" trope rings true in real life too being an Asian woman on online dating sites is a truly terrifying experience, let me tell you. On the other hand, Asian men are often stripped of sexuality altogether, commonly portrayed only as karate masters (see: Jackie Chan) or socially hopeless, high pants-wearing nerds with thick accents (see: Brian Tochi in Revenge of the Nerds). Every time Gedde Watanabe's Long Duk Dong appears on screen in 1984's Sixteen Candles, a gong plays, and he's only perceived as desirable by a character nicknamed "Lumberjack" for her large, awkward physique. Of course the only girl who wants the Asian guy is also undesirable by Hollywood standards. Though said films were released decades ago, these stereotypes continue to pigeonhole Asian actors. It plays out the same way in the off-screen world: statistics show that Asian men receive the fewest hits on online dating websites and are rated lowest across the board heterosexually, while "no blacks, no Asians" is a common catch-cry on gay apps like Grindr. The opposite has been shown to be true for Asian women. As Asians, we're a blank fantasy or nothing at all. The Turnbull government has quietly killed off one of its biggest plans for "digital transformation": the hugely ambitious GOV.AU website project. Fairfax understands that Minister for Digital Innovation Angus Taylor pulled the pin on the program, at the urging of the powerful Finance Department, just minutes before plans for its next phase were due to go to cabinet in August 2016. Computer says no: Digital Transformation Minister Angus Taylor. Credit:Louise Kennerley Mr Taylor's office insists that a rebadged version of the plan will go ahead and that it is a "priority project". The dramatic dropping of the much-hyped centrepiece of Malcolm Turnbull's "agile and innovative government agenda" came after a Canberra turf war that had raged for months between Finance and the Prime Minister's pet public service project, the Digital Transformation Office. They are the secret weapons helping schools achieve impressive VCE results. Droves of teachers at top-performing private schools are signing up to mark other students' VCE exams in a bid to gain valuable insight into the high-stakes tests. Documents obtained by Fairfax Media under Freedom of Information show that some of the most elite private schools have the most VCE assessors. Haileybury College has the most VCE assessors in Victoria, with 68 teachers at the school's campuses marking exams in 2015. The travel plans of hundreds of Australian holidaymakers are uncertain with Tigerair cancelling flights in and out of Bali due to approval issues with the Indonesian government. About 700 customers were stranded during the busy January holiday period on Wednesday after Tigerair cancelled four Bali flights due to what it referred to as "new administrative requirements imposed by the Indonesian government". Tigerair has cancelled all flights to and from Bali on Thursday. A flight from Bali to Melbourne on Friday morning has also been cancelled, with the five remaining Friday flights currently under review. A man and his six-year-old daughter have sailed into a NSW coastal town four weeks after they were reported missing in New Zealand. The pair spent 27 days sailing across the Tasman Sea in a 6.4-metre catamaran with a broken rudder, reaching Ulladulla, on the South Coast, on Wednesday. Alan Langdon, 46, and his daughter, Que, sparked an international manhunt when they set sail from Kawhia Harbour on New Zealand's North Island on December 17. Mr Langdon is reportedly in the middle of a custody dispute with Que's mother, Ariane Wyler. She reportedly hired Australian child recovery specialist Col Chapman to search for the pair, having done so once previously. Four young children were allegedly left inside a locked car in Sydney's west on Wednesday afternoon, as the mercury hit its peak of 40.9 degrees. Police and paramedics were called to the Officeworks car park on Canterbury Road at Bankstown at 3pm, after being alerted by a concerned passerby. The children, aged 9, 8, 7 and 6, were crying inside the car at the time, the passerby said. The children were helped from the vehicle by witnesses and were not injured. A 70-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man were arrested on Wednesday while protesting against the removal of more than 500 trees from an inner city park to make way for the WestConnex motorway. Anti-WestConnex protesters said Sydney Park in St Peters will become the "world's worst park" as a result of the decision to chop down more than 500 trees. Rhea Liebmann, spokesperson for WestConnex Action Group, said the tree loppers arrived on Wednesday with a "heavy police presence". NSW Police said the protest was allegedly disrupting traffic and two people were arrested. A mechanical issue with a chain on one of Movie World's roller-coasters left more 20 people stranded above the ground on Wednesday. Queensland Fire and Emergency services and paramedics were called to the Gold Coast theme park just before 12pm AEST to reports of about 20 people dangling in their seats on the Arkham Asylum Coaster. By 1.20pm all 20* patrons, with ages ranging from 10 to 50, were evacuated with the aid of fire crews and theme park staff. Sixteen people were evacuated via the external stairs beside the ride as per the theme park's normal evacuation procedure while four were rescued by fire crews, two via a cherry picker and two via vertical rescue with ropes. General Bipin Rawat on Monday held his first meeting with all his commanders at the headquarters, including superseded southern command chief Lt General PM Hariz. By Ajit Kumar Dubey: In an indication that Army has left behind issues related to supersession in appointment of the new chief, General Bipin Rawat on Monday held his first meeting with all his Army commanders at the headquarters including superseded southern command chief Lt Gen PM Hariz. During the meeting, the chief is believed to have outlined his security priorities and his plans for the future of the 1.3 million-strong force, sources said here. advertisement Also read: No red lines with Pakistan, we will cross again: Army chief General Bipin Rawat The commanders also discussed their plans and preparations for the forthcoming Combined Commander's Conference of the three services scheduled to be held at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradoon. "A few presentations have to be made by the Army at the conference before the PM including security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and jointness in operations of the three services on January 21," sources added. Also read: Why Lt General Bipin Rawat, man who led surgical strikes in Myanmar, is best suited to be Army chief Rawat has already briefed for the national security adviser Ajit Doval in the Military Operations Directorate after he was appointed as the Army Chief late last month. Soon after his appointment was announced, there were speculations that there would be a spate of resignations from the superseded Lt generals including eastern commander Pravin Bakshi and southern commander PM Hariz. However, both the officers met defence minister Manohar Parrikar and the eastern Army commander publicly announced that he would continue in the service and continue to carry out his duties. Rawat announced that the two officers had assured him of his full support in running the Army. --- ENDS --- A huge stash of child porn was uncovered by police after a man posted an abusive image on Twitter, a court has heard. Aaron James Webb, 32, had almost 7000 images and videos stored on a laptop bought for him by his mum when police raided his home at Bellbird Park, west of Brisbane, in October 2015. Police investigated a man after he posted a child porn image on Twitter. Credit:Glenn Hunt Queensland police received the tip-off about the stash from their federal counterparts after Webb tweeted an image of a young child being sexually assaulted. The Brisbane District Court heard on Wednesday that Webb, who pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child exploitation material, had been systematically downloading files from the internet for months. As people went about their morning, thousands of coffee cups and hearty breakfasts were consumed, and in the background were television news programs and newspapers. The news on this day was of the worst kind, especially if the viewer or reader was the parent of a young daughter. On this day, the media had the heartbreaking task of reporting that a defenceless young lady had been savagely raped and murdered in one of our parks on the south side of Brisbane. It would be a few days before the identity of the young lady was learned and confirmed beyond all doubt. This was due to the tireless efforts and professional and personal dedication of the investigating officers from the Dutton Park CIB and generals alike, who, with the assistance of the media, were able to identify jewellery and subsequently its owner. It was only a few days after the discovery of the young lady that another lady responded to the media's call for assistance. This frantic young lady, who was about the same age as the victim, recognised items of jewellery as belonging to her flatmate, whom she had not seen or heard from in days. Hoping for the best, but fearing for the worst, this young lady immediately placed a long distance telephone call to France and spoke to her flatmate's boyfriend, Boris. Photographs of the jewellery were sent to France and confirmation came back that tragically the jewellery belonged to Boris's much loved, soon-to-be fiance Sophie Collombet. The protracted investigation which identified the perpetrator of this hideous act was conveyed to the victim's parents and loved ones every step of the way. Due to the time differences between Australia and France, most of the communications were conducted via e-mail, which of course needed to be translated at both ends. On occasion, telephone calls were made, but this was hindered by the obvious language barriers. This is where yours truly came in. My name is Bruno Masot and I am a Senior Constable of police proudly serving in the Queensland Police Service. I was born in France and French is my native language. When I heard the news and learned that the victim was a French national studying in Brisbane, I knew I had to make myself available to assist in any and every way possible. As it turned out, I wasn't the only one who thought so: I received a phone call from the Dutton Park CIB to discuss my availability. I returned to work the following Monday and was informed that the victim's parents would not make the difficult journey to Australia. I contacted the OIC of my station and I informed her that I was travelling to France in May and that I was available to travel to the victim's parents' home and offer my condolences on behalf of myself and my colleagues. I was informed they still had some of Sophie's property in custody and that it needed to be returned to her parents. I decided I would be happy to take these items with me, to deliver them personally to Sophie's parents in Saint Julien Mont Denis. When I spoke with Sophie's parents on the telephone for the first time on French soil, it felt a little surreal because there were no oceans separating us as there had been four days earlier when I spoke with them from the Brisbane CIB office. We arranged a time for us to meet at their home in Saint Julien Mont Denis. After a long drive, I made my way slowly up the beautiful and deserted street of this most picture-perfect village modestly nestled at the base of the French Italian Alps. Credit:Senior Constable Bruno Masot/ Guillaume Collombet I couldn't help but feel a bittersweet sensation; it dawned on me that if it wasn't for the tragic circumstances that had brought me here, I would probably never have found myself in this majestic place. I wished that I had never had to make the trip; this would have been a great thing for the Collombet family. But this was not the case, and there I was. As I arrived at the Collombet house, a young man (Guillaume, Sophie's brother) was already standing outside with an extended right hand and a smile from ear to ear. It was like I was a long-lost relative or friend returning home and I had to quickly readjust my own demeanour so as not to appear too anxious. I had no sooner finished shaking hands with him when I saw a man who I immediately realised must be Monsieur Collombet senior, Sophie's father. It was now getting real. Credit:Senior Constable Bruno Masot/ Guillaume Collombet As I shook his hand I found myself been drawn inwards into an embrace; it just seemed to be the natural thing to do. At this moment, I was able to say, "S'il vous plait, accepter mes condoleances et c'elle de ma famille, en plus c'elle de tous mes collegues en Australie et de la part aussi du Queensland Police Service." (Please accept my condolences, those of my family and colleagues, and those also from the Queensland Police Service.) A few moments later I recognised his face in a very different way: it was the face of a man with a broken heart and a deeply scared soul. It was more of a look than a face, and I recognised it instantly: all the tell-tale signs were present and clear to see. It never matters where parents come from, nor which gender they are, nor the colour of the skin they're in or even what religion they practice: the look of agony and despair does not discriminate. It attaches itself equally to everyone it touches. After a short but intense greeting in the driveway, I locked my vehicle discreetly, mindful of not appearing as if I was simply a delivery man. I purposefully left Sophie's property secured in the vehicle while formulating a plan as to when I should retrieve it and hand it over. I decided to adopt a 'wait and see' attitude; when the time was right, I would know. As we walked up the driveway, Monsieur Collombet reassured me that neither himself, his wife, or children had for one minute held any notion that this tragedy was attributable to some misconceived idea that Australia and Brisbane in particular was not a safe place. He went on to say that Sophie had often mentioned that at no time had she feared for her personal safety. He added that Sophie had been extremely happy in Brisbane and that she had nothing but praise, admiration, and love for Australia and Brisbane. With a crackly voice, Monsieur Collombet said, "Sophie was in the wrong place at the wrong time, it could have happened to anyone. Alas, it was our beautiful Sophie." I was well aware that my mere presence and my role here on this day represented yet another unpleasant reminder of the worst day of his and his family's life. Yet Monsieur Collombet took the opportunity to express his and his entire family's thanks and appreciation to all the strangers who had sent and were still sending cards and letters every day. He said that in reading these letters and cards, he and his family came to believe that the people of Brisbane were blaming themselves for the way that Sophie was so tragically taken from them. He stated that some of the cards read, "Sorry we could not keep your Sophie safe from that terrible monster". Monsieur Collombet said the most important message he wanted me to bring back to Australia was: "We thank you all, we appreciate all the kind words and warm messages of love you have sent, and please, please hold your heads high and proud". He added that he and his family were extremely grateful that everyone had taken such good care of Sophie throughout the repatriation process, and that Sophie was now able to rest in peace at home where she belongs. A tribute to slain French woman Sophie Collombet at her village in France. Credit:Senior Constable Bruno Masot/ Guillaume Collombet It was as if Sophie herself was greeting us at the door with her beautiful smile and piercing blue eyes. It was a moment that I must confess stopped me in my tracks and left me speechless for several minutes. Two of the photographs depicted Sophie holding a koala in her arms. Once inside I was greeted by Sophie's other brother and the lady of the house, Sophie's mother Madame Collombet. With all the greetings over it was time for the French hospitality to take centre stage. It was time for lunch and in true French tradition a full meal was awaiting us. The reason I have mentioned this meal is because Monsieur Collombet went to such extremes to make it all possible for a total stranger who was, let's face it, visiting on a very unpleasant but necessary mission. The fact that he took the time during the unique degustation of local delicacies to explain them all step by step reinforced my opinion that this was a family deeply rooted in good old family values and tradition. What made the entire event more formidable for me was the fact that during the entire meal Monsieur and Madame Collombet and their two sons never mentioned Sophie in the past tense. Sophie was forever present and many of the stories about her adventures and follies were recounted with such joy de vie and pride. At times I could have sworn she was sitting at the lunch table with us, and regaling us with these tales herself. I learnt that at the age of six she and her hero and best friend in the world (her papa) had climbed to the summit of her favourite peak not far from here, behind the family home. I learnt that Sophie spoke fluent French, German, Spanish, and English and had studied and achieved a very good understanding of Latin. Sophie was also an accomplished musician; she was a proud and valued member of a very large orchestra which often performed in France and Italy. Madame Collombet went on to say that Sophie had often dreamed and talked about travelling to Australia to visit the land of long, sandy beaches, surf, sun, koalas, and kangaroos, and that she was over the moon with excitement when she and Boris finally made that dream come true in February 2013. Over the ensuing hours I listened to all the tales of achievements and all the adventures which had been packed into such a short life. I learned that Sophie loved papillons (butterflies) and this detail would become significantly poignant a little latter when her brothers Guillaume recounted a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Guillaume explained to me that he was a photographer and recounted an amazing moment which he was able to capture through his lens during Sophie's funeral. Guillaume produced a beautiful black and white photograph of a man's forearm with a beautiful (and I'm told extremely rare) papillon resting on the wrist. It turns out it was Guillaume's arm that this beautiful papillon was resting on. He said the ancient and tiny cemetery where Sophie is now peacefully resting was packed shoulder to shoulder, and all local traffic in and out of the village had been suspended for the duration of the service. Guillaume went on to say that during the service as he was standing in front of Sophie's grave, this amazing creature landed on his wrist and posed there with its wings wide open and still. He pressed the shutter button on his camera and captured this magical moment in time forever. Photos from Senior Constable Bruno Masot's visit to Sophie Collombet's village in France. Credit:Guillaume Collombet Guillaume said the papillon remained on his arm for the duration of the service, and when all was said and done, it fluttered to the skies. Guillaume pointed out it was not an ordinary papillon; this particular one boasted a blue spot in the middle of each of its delicate wings, and Guillaume said these spots were both as blue as Sophie's eyes. He said, "De toute les persones qui ete present a ce moment la, pourqua est il venir atterir sur mon bras et non pas celuis de quelq'un drautre, je ne croirais jamais plus au coencidance". (Of all the people who were present at that moment, why did it land on my arm and not someone else's? I no longer believe in coincidences.) Of course, it's up to each of us to interpret this amazing tale in our own way, and according to our own convictions and beliefs, but no-one can ignore its healing connotations. At this point in the afternoon, Sophie's boyfriend Boris arrived at the Collombet home. He talked about his year with Sophie in Australia, and how he was obliged to return to France when his visa expired. Sophie was able to extend her stay to enable her to finish her studies and sit for an exam. They agreed he would return to France and she would follow in the next couple of months. At the beginning of April, Boris reluctantly boarded a plane and flew home. He would never see Sophie again. Boris is consumed with guilt: he often speaks of it with Sophie's family, as well as his own. The inevitable questions, such as "What if I had stayed with her, she would not have been at that place at that time?" Everyone around him is trying to help him find a way to forgive himself for events that he clearly didn't have any control over. After Boris had spent some time with the Collombet family, I asked them all if they were ready for the next phase. I reminded them it was okay if they wanted to wait or if they needed more time. But they agreed, and I retrieved Sophie's belongings from my car, and made my way back to the house. You could have heard a pin drop when I entered the Collombet kitchen with the precious cargo in my care. I thought I would first bring out the biggest of all the furry animals that had been so lovingly offered during the memorial ceremony for Sophie back in Brisbane. I followed with the letters, cards, and other gifts that were offered, in an effort to convey how the people of Brisbane felt about Sophie. I thought this might lead me more gently into the heart and soul of my cargo. I gave everyone the opportunity to read some of the letters and cards and look over the toys and gifts before proceeding. I next pulled out Sophie's digital camera, which contained a treasure trove of snap shots dating back to her departure from France. The Collombets were overjoyed to flick through the photos. I then moved onto the next items, which were significant because it was the jewellery that had brought all of us to this moment, the jewellery that police had published in the paper to try and identify Sophie. I pulled out two unique rings and a silver bracelet. Boris pointed at the bracelet and said he gave the bracelet to Sophie in France. His father had given it to him a long time ago. One of the rings was also from Boris, and Madame Collombet said the second ring has been in their family forever. So Sophie's property was safely back in the hands of her loving and grieving family, where it belongs. It was now time to and deal with the documentation part of the mission. Monsieur Collombet signed the property receipts and that concluded the property portion of the mission. Now we came to the statement and I pulled out the documents highlighting the topics that we needed to cover in the statement. Having both parents answering questions in tandem was an unusual practice for me, I must confess. As we went along, though, I realised it was probably the best way to do it. It was as if they had decided to share the load so that neither had to do it all. There were times when one or the other would stall, and the other would step in and continue, giving the other time to collect their thoughts. There were some questions which were hard to answer, and when this occurred they would both try to answer at the same time, to spare the other from having to answer it. They were truly in it together, every step of the way, and when it was done they sat back and took a collective sigh of relief. They thanked me for being patient during the process. I took a deep breath as I answered their questions as diplomatically, honestly, and accurately as possible. I referred to the coroner's reports, and I emphasised that much of the information had being retained for obvious reasons, to ensure a successful prosecution where nothing was left to chance. I did not shy away from the tough questions. I said that it was the general belief that Sophie was in all probability unconscious from the moment she was struck and thus not in a position to feel anything. I emphasised that I would be back in Brisbane and that I would remain in contact with them throughout the entire process in my own capacity, even though I would not be involved in the case. I was relieved to hear them say they understood and that they had absolute faith in the justice system. After the statements, we shared a meal at a local restaurant, and I lost count of the people who waved and nodded at the Collombets to show their respect. After dinner I had hoped to go to bed and fall into a deep slumber immediately. Alas, this was not to be the case; the events of the previous 12 hours were bouncing around in my skull, keeping me awake for hours. I guess I was retracing my steps to see if I could have done anything better on this difficult day. I concluded that there was always that possibility, because these tasks that we are sometimes entrusted with do not come with a manual or a set of instructions. You just need to prepare in the best way you can, with the information you have, and give it your best shot. That's all anyone can do. The following day I met with Boris for his statement, which was an emotional process for him. He appeared to be relieved when it was done; he even managed to smile a few times as he engaged in conversation with Sophie's brothers and parents. It was good to see him interacting with these beautiful people, because they are now all inextricably connected for life. As Boris and I concluded this final task, Monsieur Collombet suggested we should all go and visit Sophie. He asked me if this would be something I would like to do with them. I responded by saying that it would be my privilege and honour to accompany them. We went to the cemetery together, which is located at the base of the rocky mountain peaks where Sophie and her family had spent so many wonderful years climbing and hiking. I asked if I could take a few photographs of Sophie's final resting place, and the Collombets were happy with the suggestion that these photographs may be displayed on the walls of a select number of offices, namely the workplaces of those dedicated officers who worked so diligently to bring justice for Sophie. We walked through the cemetery gates and stopped in front of a huge collection of flower arrangements which had been offered during Sophie's funeral. As we approached this floral monument, I could see a large photograph of Sophie holding a koala; it was just like the ones inside the Collombet's home. It was proudly taking centre stage in front of a large number of beautiful flowers of all kinds and colours. Monsieur Collombet explained why Sophie's grave was just a large concrete caisson; the beautiful local granite tomb he ordered had not been completed. Credit:Senior Constable Bruno Masot/ Guillaume Collombet It is going to be cut from the finest of local granite and it will be carved by an expert stonemason who has been looking after the region for decades. The headstone will be carved in the shape of Sophie's favourite mountain peaks with as many details as possible incorporated in the stone. Monsieur Collombet said he approached the local authorities in the village to purchase a plot of land and insisted that Sophie's plot face towards her favourite mountain peaks, even though this went against cemetery allotment planning. He had had to fight really hard to make it happen, but Sophie is now and forever facing her favourite mountain peaks. To the untrained eye it would be easy to miss this detail, but Sophie's final resting place is the only one facing these beautiful snow-capped mountains. Photos from Senior Constable Bruno Masot's visit to Sophie Collombet's village in France. Sophie's mum and dad with Bruno Masot Credit:Senior Constable Bruno Masot/ Guillaume Collombet When we had almost finished our time at the cemetery, Sophie's parents took each other by the hand and moved towards Sophie's photograph. It was at that point that the enormity and the senselessness of this tragedy really hit me. They both stood there, perfectly still, for several minutes. I sensed that the time had come for me to say my, 'Au revoirs' and leave these wonderful and heartbroken people to resume their 'Vie cotidiene' (day-to-day living) as best they can. There will be birthdays, Christmases, and other special celebrations which this family is going to have to face with one empty chair at the kitchen table. So I said, "Au revoir et courage mes amies, je vous quite mais nous nous reverons peut etre bientot, si vous vener a Brisbane, vous serais mes envites and je serai a voter disposition pour le tempt qui face". (Farewell and courage my friends, I leave you now but we will perhaps see each other again in Brisbane if you come. You will be my guests for as long as it takes.) My time in Saint Julien Mont Denis was a life-defining moment for me, one which will stay with me forever. After the visit Senior Constable Masot visited Sophie's family on two other occasions after his first visit, keeping them updated on the progress of the case and helping them to prepare for their trip to Australia for the court proceedings. In October 2016, Sophie's father, mother, two brothers and their girlfriends, and Sophie's boyfriend Boris all made the heartbreaking trip to Brisbane. They wanted to make the trip together as a family to collectively say thank you to the people of Brisbane and Australia for their overwhelming support in the wake of the tragedy. Senior Constable Masot met the Collombet family at the airport and was with them throughout the court proceedings and their time in Brisbane, acting as their spokesperson, helping with their victim impact statements, and translating where necessary. Benjamin James Milward was jailed for life for the rape and murder. On behalf of the family, Sophie's brother Guillaume thanked the QPS detectives, whose investigation led to the rapid apprehension of Milward. He thanked all other services involved, and the Griffith University faculty and students where Sophie had studied. The Collombet family visited the university, met with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, and also attended the rotunda in South Brisbane where Sophie was found. Each occasion was very difficult for them, yet they were buoyed by the warmth and welcome they felt from the people of Brisbane. Guillaume said that although nothing can fill the void left by the tragedy, it is pleasing for his family to know there are still beautiful people in the world. He said the Collombet family will try to get on with their lives as best they can, for Sophie, because she was an extraordinary person who brought joy wherever she went, and because she loved life. Police have charged two men in relation to the alleged torture of a man on the Gold Coast last week. A 26-year-old Loganholme man was allegedly held against his will at a Southport workshop where he told police he was tied to a chair, had paint thinner poured over him and received cuts to the inside of his groin through his pants last Thursday. Two more men have been charged in relation to the alleged torture of a Loganholme man. Credit:Glenn Hunt The alleged victim managed to break free from the property and took refuge at a nearby unit complex where he was able to contact police. A 24-year-old man was charged over the alleged incident and faced court last Friday where he was granted bail on the condition he not contact the alleged victim. A man accused of stealing two Mercedes-Benz cars is alleged to have twice shot a friend following an argument over one of the vehicles. Police also say Bassim Al Hamzah, 24, three times evaded officers by speeding one of the cars over the West Gate Bridge, in Sydney Road and in a residential area on Monday, before he was found, passed out, behind the driving wheel early Tuesday morning. Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Mr Al Hamzah stole a $40,000 black Mercedes-Benz from a Roxburgh Park car wash on December 17 last year despite the attempts of an attendant to stop him getting in the car. Detective Senior Constable Daniel Bonnici told the court on Wednesday that Mr Al Hamzah kept the car at a friend's home in Reservoir, but on Sunday night an argument started when the friend told him to remove it. Mr Al Hamzah is accused of shooting his friend twice in the right leg - once in the upper thigh and then in the calf - and then firing four more shots into the man's home, before leaving in a white Land Rover with three other people. The man required surgery. The number of Victorian university graduates applying to become teachers has plunged by nearly 40 per cent in a year - a figure being blamed on employment concerns and the abolition of the Diploma of Education. The sharp drop has triggered concerns about a potential teacher shortage in the future. It comes as the Andrews government vows to make teaching a more attractive profession by introducing tough new entry standards for undergraduate teaching courses. On Wednesday, 1370 aspiring teachers received first round offers for graduate-entry teaching courses, down 47 per cent from the previous year. Victoria's desalination plant could be in strife, with a top ratings agency warning of "serious financial consequences" if it fails to fire up for its maiden water order by June 30 due to technical glitches. Standard and Poors has placed the company that runs the controversial $4 billion plant, Aquasure, on what it calls "creditwatch with negative implications". That means it could have its credit rating downgraded "by multiple notches" within the next 90 days, dramatically increasing the cost of its debt and raising the prospect of default. Victoria's Desalination Plant, near Wonthaggi. Credit:John Gollings The warning comes amid concern that Aquasure could struggle to deliver a 50-billion-litre water order from the Andrews government by a June 30 deadline. The company last year undertook preventative repair work to fix a problem affecting the electricity transmission cable used to power the massive plant. The plant, which has been criticised by the state opposition as a white elephant, had intended to start producing water for the first time late last year, but this was delayed until at least mid-February after a new fault was discovered. The tidal wave of apartment construction in Melbourne's city centre has, for the most part, been heralded as a great thing for the vibrancy of the CBD. Lord mayor Robert Doyle likes to tell the story of how Victoria's capital was once derided as a "doughnut city", where at the end of the day all the office workers would flood back to the suburbs, leaving behind an empty, soulless centre. Melbourne's apartment boom may 'freeze' the city. Credit:Eddie Jim That dead interior is now long gone, largely thanks to the boom in apartments. But could these 19,000 new homes in the CBD be the start of a dangerous trend, one that is much more difficult to fix? A Perth man could be forced to seek engineering approval for his child's backyard cubby house after a neighbour reported the structure to the local council. Wanneroo dad Warren Sturrock built the pirate cubby as a Christmas present for his seven-year-old daughter, complete with slide, stairs and a tin roof. But not everyone was impressed with his handiwork. A neighbour decided to enquire about the structure because they believed it may have exceeded the maximum height set by council. A de-registered builder that failed to finish work on a number of Perth homes, has been fined almost $20,000 after submitting a forged document to State Administrative Tribunal which contained false information about a building contract. In August, Kameleon Homes' owner Jeffrey West had his building registration revoked by the WA Building Services Board after it investigated a number of complaints about unfinished and unsatisfactory work on properties around Perth. Kameleon Homes have been fined again. Credit:Glenn Hunt But the board also pursued disciplinary action against him through SAT in relation to work carried out at in properties in Joondalup and Kelmscott between 2013 and 2016. SAT fined Mr West $18, 320 because be produced a document to the tribunal as evidence of terms of the Joondalup contract that was not actually part of the agreement and contained a forged signature. The Afghan Taliban has released a video showing an Australian and an American hostage pleading with the US government to negotiate with their captors and saying that, unless a prisoner exchange was agreed, they would be killed. Timothy Weeks, an Australian teacher at the American University in Kabul, and his American colleague Kevin King were seized near the campus in August. A man identified as Australian Timothy Weekes pleads for his release in a video released by the Taliban. Credit:AP The 13-minute video could not be independently verified, but it was emailed to reporters by a Taliban spokesman and circulated by the group's social media accounts. Sitting in front of a light purple curtain, the two professors wept as they urged the US government to agree to a prisoner exchange that would allow them to go free. Infiltration attempt comes close on the heels of a deadly terror attack on a GREF camp in J-K that killed three labourers. By Uphar Pandey: The Army has yet again successfully foiled an infiltration bid after killing two terrorists on the Line of Control. Alert troops present on the LOC detected the infiltration attempt along the Betar Nala in Jammu and Kashmir's Punch sector in the wee hours of Tuesday. The troops then engaged the terrorists with heavy automatic fire. While one terrorist was eliminated by afternoon of 10 January, the second was eliminated on 11 January 2017. The bodies of the slain terrorists alongwith their weapons continue to lie on the LOC. Pakistan has shown no restraint in its support to aiding and abetting infiltration across the LOC. The latest attempt comes close on the heels of the Battal terror attack in the Akhnoor sector where three labourers were killed at a GREF camp on Jannuar 9. The Army is keeping a strict vigil and is prepared to thwart the nefarious designs of the Pakistan sponsored terrorists. advertisement Read more: Terrorists kill 3 GREF casual labourers, injure 1 in Battal attack Read more: Line of no control --- ENDS --- Chicago: US President Barack Obama used his farewell speech in his home town on Tuesday to defend his imperiled legacy and to press a broad, optimistic vision for the country that seems more divided than ever. "Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard, contentious and sometimes bloody," he said. "For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some." Mr Obama has sought to rise above the rancorous politics of the past few months and the stunning presidential election that resulted in the defeat of his chosen successor and a Republican sweep of Congress. When chants of "Four more years" erupted from the crowd, he responded: "We can't do that." He celebrated the impending inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president: "In 10 days, the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power from one freely elected president to the next," Mr Obama said. A US bribery case against two relatives has cast a pall over former United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon's planned return this week to South Korea, where he is expected to launch a bid to run for president. Ban, 72, has not declared his candidacy but has had a team of people laying groundwork in Seoul ahead of his planned arrival in South Korea on Thursday afternoon. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pictured in 2015. Credit:AP The former foreign minister consistently polls as a top candidate as South Korea braces for the possibility of an early election following parliament's December impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in an influence-peddling scandal. If South Korea's Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, Park would become South Korea's first democratically elected leader to leave office in disgrace. In India, as elsewhere around the world, touching something with the bottom of your feet, especially if they are dirty, is considered a sign of immense disrespect. It is customary to remove one's footwear before entering someone else's home or a place of worship. So when Phoenix-based Ratnesh Mishra came across a picture of an Indian flag doormat on Amazon's Canadian website, he was incensed. He wrote a Facebook post and tagged India's prime minister, its ruling party and its famously social-media-savvy foreign minister, Sushma Swaraj. An Indian flag Credit:AP On Wednesday, a week after Mishra's post, Swaraj took up his cause on Twitter, responding to one of the hundreds of people who have petitioned her to demand action from Canadian authorities. Her tweet storm escalated the protest into a possible diplomatic spat. Her Twitter messages included: "Indian High Commission in Canada This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level"; "Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately"; and "If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier." Washington: Professorial to the end, President Barack Obama finished his farewell speech to Americans with a brief lecture in language and tense "yes we can" became "yes we did." But then, he had a trick refrain. It was another "yes we can," alluding back to his theme of unity and participation in a democratic process about which Obama in this speech, his last as the country's 44th president, was incredibly optimistic, particularly given the battering his party has taken as successive national and state elections, despite his presidential victories. And with next week's presidential swearing-in of the Republicans' Donald Trump, much of what Obama achieved in office is under threat, because the GOP is determined to undo the Obama legacy and because much of it is vulnerable, based as it is on Obama-ordered regulatory change rather than on decisions of a gridlocked congress. Tickets were free, but at the last minute scalpers reportedly were asking for as much as $US1000 to be in the 20,000-strong audience which heard Obama's endorsement of the strength of the American system "I leave this stage tonight even more optimistic than when I started you changed the world. You did." Just a week before he takes office, Donald Trump has been forced to deny allegations that Russian agents hold compromising personal, financial and political material about him, and that during a five-year effort to cultivate him Russia supplied his campaign with information about his political rivals. Mr Trump dismissed the claims, sending a tweet just as President Barack Obama commenced his farewell speech in Chicago saying: "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" Both the president-elect and President Obama have been briefed on the unsubstantiated allegations that are contained in a dossier based in part on memos put together by a British former spy who compiled them on behalf of anti-Trump Republicans. But it is understood the British source is well regarded in US intelligence circles, and that intelligence chiefs have taken the allegations seriously enough not only to brief both the outgoing and incoming presidents, but to pursue an investigation into them. Throw enough mud ... Donald Trump was with Russian hookers in Moscow and was filmed by the spooks. Donald Trump was the target of blackmail and so agreed to become a stooge for the Kremlin. Donald Trump deliberately sold NATO allies down the river to ensure Russia's deadly meddling in Ukraine never became a campaign issue in the US election. Hong Kong: Taiwan scrambled F-16 fighter jets and dispatched a frigate to the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday after China sent its sole aircraft carrier into the waterway, Taiwan's official Central News Agency reported. The transit of the aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, came amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China after President-elect Donald Trump broke decades of protocol by speaking on the phone with Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, after his election victory. Tsai leads a political party that has traditionally supported Taiwan's formal independence from China. Tsai, who is visiting Central America this week, made two calls to officials in Taiwan seeking updates on the Liaoning's transit, the Central News Agency reported, citing Alex Huang, the president's spokesman. China's decision to send the carrier through the waterway that separates it from Taiwan reflects an early foreign policy challenge for Trump. "It's a show of force, and I think it is intended in part to intimidate, and that's worrisome from the US and Taiwan's point of view because we don't know how much more they are going to ratchet up these pressures and tensions," said Bonnie S. Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "If the Trump administration does see this as a test of US resolve, I suspect they'll push back pretty forcefully." For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Emil Lee and by extension the entire Ministry would like to congratulate Kawieta Baboeram- Perk, Natalia caraman and Zoraida Magdalena Spanner on being sworn in as Health Care Practitioners on Sint Maarten. All three took the oath as Pharmacists Assistants. With this first step these three health care professionals are moving forward to ensuring that the Sint Maarten population is provided with quality service and appropriate health care. All health care professionals practicing on Sint Maarten must be sworn in by the Governor. However, in certain instances such as these, it has been mandated to the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour. Aam Aadmi Party master-stroke to test the waters whether Kejriwal will be accepted as a Punjab chief minister if the party is voted to power met with a sharp reaction from the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal. AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with party leaders Sanjay Singh, Gurpreet Guggi and Majitha constituency candidate Himat Singh Shergill during a road show in Boparai Village near Amritsar. Photo by Prabhjot Gill By Manjeet Sehgal: Aam Aadmi Party's master-stroke to test the waters whether Kejriwal will be accepted as a Punjab chief minister if the party is voted to power met with a sharp reaction from the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal. Arvind Kejriwal was virtually declared the Chief Ministerial candidate in Punjab by his Aam Aadmi Party, injecting a new dimension to what is considered a three-way race in the Assembly polls. advertisement "You vote thinking that you are voting to make Arvind Kejriwal as the chief minister (of Punjab). Your vote is for Kejriwal," Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said while addressing a public gathering at village Balongi. FIGHT BECOMES PUNJABI VS NON-PUNJABIS Akali Dal today said Manish Sisodia's comment has not only highlighted the presence of outsiders in Pujab's AAP unit but also party supremo Arvind Kejriwal's 'greed' to 'loot' Punjab from back-door. "Why he did not contest election himself? Why he wants to use a back-door to loot Punjab. He is infact eyeing Punjab water so that the same can be sent to Delhi. He is an outsider and belongs to Haryana. He is not Punjabi and Punjab belongs to Punjabis. We cannot handover Punjab to non-Punjabis. We will not allow AAP to loot Punjab," senior Akali Dal leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said. AKALI DAL TO RAISE 'OUTSIDER' ISSUE IN POLLS Akali Dal today said that it will raise the outsiders Vs Punjabis issue in the assembly elections. The party leaders said AAP has fielded non-Punjabis in the elections which has exposed their sinister designs. "It is first time in the history of Punjab that Punjabis are facing outsiders.AAP has deliberately fielded outsiders in the elections.We will raise this issue in the public and this will be a poll plank.The fight between the Punjabis and non-Punjabis has become clear after the party's decision to announce Kejriwal as a chief ministerial candidate," Akali Dal MP and Spokesperson Prem Singh Chandumajra said. SISODIA'S REMARKS MAY FUEL DISSIDENCE IN AAP Till Tuesday, AAP leaders including Bhagwant Mann, Himmat Singh Shergill,Kanwar Sandhu and Sukhpal Singh Khaira were aspiring to the next Punjab chief ministers but Manish Sisodia's statement has left them high and dry. It is also worth mentioning here that Bhagwant Mann had recently made it public that he was aspiring to be a chief minister but he was snubbed by Arvind Kejriwal by saying that the statement was personal. Opponents have also claimed that Sisodia's statement has also sparked dissidence within the party leaders as Punjab leaders are against outsiders . advertisement IT WAS EVIDENT THAT KEJRIWAL WILL STAKE CLAIM TO CM'S POST: CHOTEPUR AAP's former Punjab convenor Sucha Singh Chotepur today said the reason behind his and others including Dr Dharmvir Gandhi, Harinder Singh Khalsa was that they were considered a hurdle and were potential chief ministerial candidates. "After removing me and others from the party, now he has fielded Jarnail Singh, Bhgwant Mann and Himmat Singh Shergill against Badals. They had also staked claim to the chief ministerial berth. Everybody knows that they may lose the elections which will benefit Kejriwal. This is how Kejriwal chops off every head which comes in his way," Sucha Singh Chotepur said. AAP ON THE BACKFOOT Manish Sisodia's statement has pushed the party on the backfoot. Sources say the party leaders wanted to gauge the reaction of the public and opposition after Kejriwal's name was indirectly pushed as a chief ministerial candidate. The statement has not only sparked dissidence within the party but has also created doubts in the minds of voters who were repeatedly told that the party's chief minister will be from Punjab. It is due to this situation that party supremo Arvind Kejriwal was compelled to announce on Wednesday that he had no intentions to become a Punjab Chief Minister and the next CM will be from the state. advertisement ALSO READ: Assume Arvind Kejriwal will be your Chief Minister: AAP's Manish Sisodia to Punjab voters WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- PHILIPSBURG:--- The treasurer of the AUC Government Associate Dave Holt, handed over a check to the Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle for a total of USD 1,800.00 to be used for repairs to a school in Haiti. After hearing that at least 100,000 young children had been unable to return to classes following the disaster of Hurricane Matthew due to their schools having been damaged, destroyed or converted into temporary shelters, the AUC Government Association having heard about Mid Isle efforts to raise funds for this cause, asked for donations from across the campus to help these students. Rotarian Brian Greene (a medical student at AUC) introduced Dave Holt to the disaster chair of Mid Isle Rotarian Aernout Kraaijeveld. The money will be sent to District Governor Elect 2017-2018 Robert Leger of Rotary Club of des Cayes, Haiti, who will coordinate to see that the money will assist the school most in need at this time. The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle is part of District 7020 which includes Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Anguilla, St. Barts, Jamaica, Haiti, The Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. Hence when disaster strikes anywhere in our district our Rotary Club as a humanitarian organization will help where possible to give aid to our sister islands in need. The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle meets Tuesday at 7pm at Marys Boone in Simpson Bay. For more information please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our face book page Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle PHILIPSBURG:--- The country St. Maarten did not receive its share of monies from the division of assets which is due to St. Maarten since the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010. In responding to a question posed by SMN News Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr said that St. Maarten is supposed to collect NAF67M, some seven million from the SAO foundation which is now dormant. The Minister of finance further explained that discussions on this matter are still ongoing with the Kingdom and other stakeholders. The government pf St. Maarten had said previously that when the country received those monies it will be used to pay off USZV and APS as it is mandatory for the country to settle its debts with these two entities based on advice from the CFT. Just last week the Minister of Finance traveled to Curacao to discuss several matters one being the Pearl of China. SMN News asked the Minister of Finance to give an update on the Pearl of China project and the donations the developers promised to donate to schools and other entities. Minister Gibson said both him and the Prime Minister was invited to a lunch to discuss how they will move forward with the project. He said that the target date for construction of the Pearl of China was set for March 2016 and so far he does not see anything that would stop the project from moving forward. PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health Emil Lee explained to members of the media that the only reason no one from government or USZV are not speaking or doing anything with the plans of the New Hospital is because they are respecting the decision of the court which prohibits USZV and SMMC from moving forward with the agreement they have with INSO. Minister Lee said that based on court decision if any parties violate the order of the court they have a penalty hanging over their heads starting at $1. 000.00 to $25.000.00. Lee said knowing that such a high penalty is hanging over USZV it is only normal they comply. Besides that, he made clear that USZV has appealed the courts decision which has the support of government and SMMC. The Minister went on to call on the media to question VAMED about their concerns and reasons for filing a court case when they lost a bid. He said this is the first case of this kind he has ever seen and the only interest VAMED has is financial. The Minister went on to say that VAMED has brought on extra stress and loss of monies on the people of St. Maarten because USZV and SMMC still have to send patients abroad for medical treatment which is costing the people of St. Maarten a whole lot of monies. He said he conducted an open and transparent procedure when he placed the New Hospital on a bid and he was quite comfortable with the outcome. However, VAMED showed the court the cost the expansion would have cost the hospital in 2009 compare to the cost INSO placed on its DBM bid. SMN News asked the Minister why USZV or INSO did hold back the contract that was signed by SMMC, government, and INSO for the construction of the New Hospital and their bid from the court if everything was open and transparent. The Minister said that INSO has to protect their interest because they bid against VAMED elsewhere and it is only normal for them to keep their figures and pricing private. When asked by SMN News if he as Minister of Health knows how much USZV is paying on consultant fees, since he indicated that the medical insurance company is paying a lot for medical referrals, the Minister said he did not have that figure on him but that is something he intends to discuss with USZV when he meets with them. Minister Lee said he believes that will show up in the overhead cost of USZV, he also stated that an entity such as USZV that do not have the necessary expertise in-house do need to work with consultants. So far USZV is paying KPMG millions in consultant fees (tripartite) one being for the New Hospital, they are also paying Royal Haskoning, Javier Asin (Acsion), Jeroen Veen, Human Ressource Manager Sidney Lourens, ICT Manager Mehrdad Zinatbakhsh, all of whom working as consultants for the main social insurance bank on St. Maarten. SMN News learned that KPMG is reaping millions out of USZV all of which are being paid through the pension funds. It should be noted that basic research done on KPMG shows that they were involved in establishing the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Suriname and Curacao and the company failed miserably in both countries. Instead of St. Maarten, USZV solving their issues by hiring competent staff to run the entity they are spending millions by paying consultants one of which already failed and was involved in various scandals in the Netherlands. VAMED delays progress in healthcare for country Due to the recent court case filed by VAMED against SZV, the development of the new hospital and most importantly quality care close to home has been delayed. This does not mean that a new hospital will not be built. It will! St. Maarten NEEDS a new hospital!, stated Minister Emil Lee at press briefing on Wednesday. Based on the court ruling, SZV has appealed the case and is complying with the verdict. Minister Lee provided an elucidation of the ruling, identifying why everyone is so careful with what they say, and why there is the so-called radio silence about the new hospital. Within the court judgement, SZV is prohibited from directly or indirectly, signing an agreement with INSO, or an entity within INSO, with the aim to build the hospital, and prohibits SZV to comply with the already signed agreement, or to provide cooperation thereto, on a penalty of a fine of $1 million per offence, whereby the total fines that can be given is a maximum of $25 million. Therefore, everyone is very cautious and careful about what they say. However this does not mean that work is not progressing in terms of the legal case and discussions about how we will improve the quality of health care are still on-going, stated Minister Lee. To provide at least some sort of insight regarding the developments of the new hospital and to provide some level of comfort to the public and media, Minister Lee gave a brief explanation about the claim from VAMED that the price from INSO was too low. I want the public to know that SZV is working diligently on the appeal so that we can see the new hospital become a reality, and all stakeholder including Government is supporting that appeal. During the court case, VAMED presented two arguments to justify their claim that the price of INSO was too low. (1) They used a benchmark report from an American company that was commissioned by VAMED to justify the average construction cost per square meter, and (2) was a reference to construction cost per m2 as outlined by SMMC for the expansion plans in 2009. VAMED argued that the construction price per m2 in 2009 is higher than the one from INSO. However, I am going to illustrate why it is very difficult to use the construction price for the expansion in 2009 in order to compare to INSOs competitive proposal. The new hospital and the 2009 expansion plans both proposed to construct 4 operating theatres. When constructing hospitals there are a number hot floors and cold floors. An operating room is considered a hot floor as it is a room that requires technical, intricate construction details and material. Cold floors are very basic construction with walls, tiles, etc. In the 2009 expansion, the price per construction was based on constructing all hot floors, whereas the new hospital included hot floors plus cold floors. In essence, the high cost of building an operating theatre is the most expensive square meter for the hospital. Therefore, when you divide that costs over the square meters, of course the average square meter price is a higher price. For example, if your building a house and you want a gourmet kitchen, if you only took the price per m2 for your gourmet kitchen, the price for construction would be higher than if you would calculate the price of your living room which would be merely walls and tiles. In addition, the 2009 expansion they had planned to construct two floors, but they were only going to build the first floor in their expansion project . Therefore, the foundation and structure had to be stronger to support a two floor structure. Therefore that beefed up excavation and foundation is divided over a smaller square footage, stated Minister Lee. Minister Lee expressed that he is very comfortable that the price is not too high. From the beginning of the process Royal HaskoningDHV and ICE with local experience, who has extensive experience in building hospitals, was hired as an engineering consultant throughout the whole process. A budget was formulated to illustrate how much should the new hospital cost. These number were carefully calculated to provide a benchmark figure for the evaluation of the bids received. When you try to do everything right in an open and transparent bidding process, it is kind of surprising to me that this is where we end up; but it is what it is. In the end all parties, SMMC, Government, and SZV all have an incentive for the hospital to be built. Namely: to reduce health care costs, to improve quality of service, to provide care locally, and to provide a professional working environment for the staff of SMMC with modern equipment. While we all want and need a new hospital, the possibility of making this reality is currently being held hostage for financial personal interests. Minister Lee called on the media to not only seek information from our local entities but to perhaps hear from VAMED what their intentions are in terms of moving forward. Is it there intention to pursue the long legal battle at the expense of improved health care for the people of the country? Press statement Minister of VSA Emil Lee 5 TOP projects in electronics design & manufacturing completed by Promwad Promwad, an independent electronics design house based in Lithuania, has updated its last year portfolio and highlighted the best projects completed for European customers in various industries: telecommunications, medical devices, and mobile gadgets. Project #1. Tellus is not only a Latin word meaning Earth, but it is also a smartstation designed for Emzior Technologies. It enables all the communications for a small office and home replacing up to 7 other network devices like DECT base stations, VoIP gateways, WiFi routers, office PBXs and servers. Promwad engineers designed a hardware and software platform for the Tellus smartstation to ensure fully-featured telephony and internet communications right out of the box. This project also involved industrial design and functional testing on the production site. As a result, the customer received a new all-in-one product for small businesses. Project #2 is a portable fish finder named Praktik. Promwad was engaged in development of mobile applications for this device; they also designed a sealed enclosure and prepared it for serial production. Praktik works in conjunction with Android and iOS smartphones, detects fish within a selected area, and creates maps for fishermen. Project #3 is Irma, the only domestic glucose meter in Belarus. The project included PCB tracing, embedded software development, enclosure design, and manufacturing of 1,000 units in the initial batch. This mobile device monitors concentration of glucose level in the blood of people with diabetes helping them to take care of their health. Project #4. A portable dosimeter for Polimaster Ltd. is another mobile device for radiation detection in Promwads portfolio. The company has extensive experience in this field. Several years ago they designed DORA, one of the worlds smallest dosimeter-radiometers for a Russian customer. In 2015 and 2016 they mentored a startup ZIVE that worked on one of the best IoT products in Europe, a ZIVE smart radiation monitor (featured in the final at the Elektra Awards 2016). Project #5 is Simka, a GSM adapter for two sim cards in an iPhone. Promwad designed the enclosure for a pucklike device covered with a soft touch paint. Simka contains a micro USB socket for a battery charger, a power button, a sim card holder, and a pin for the iPhones sim tray. These were the most interesting company designs published in 2016. Promwad states that their efforts have resulted in a year of growth: the number of projects that went into mass production increased more and more Promwads customers receive batches of new products ready for sales on the target electronics markets worldwide. Next year, the company will continue their work with startups with challenging projects that will allows learning new technologies and thinking out of the box. As usual, Promwad will develop their cooperation with large mature companies, since such customers give them valuable experience in large-scale production with strict quality control. VPR Brands, LP and Kush Army Knives, LLC is proud to announce the launch of their premier product known as the Kush Army Knife FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (Marketwired) 01/11/17 VPR Brands, LP (OTC PINK: VPRB) VPR Brands, LP and Kush Army Knives, LLC is proud to announce the launch of their premier product with its unique and proprietary multi-faceted product known as the Kush Army Knife, the ultimate cannabis multi-tool. This item is anticipated to be one of the top selling accessories within the cannabis sector in 2017. Developed in conjunction with VPR Brands who helped redesign, refine, and bring to market the final prototype the product will be making initial deliveries in late January. The Kush Army Knife is made of high-quality forged steel adapters and has a brushed aluminum handle with strategic grip slots. For added safety and use each one of the adapters folds out and locks into place. This unique tool is light-weight and has the following adapters: magnifying glass, roach clips, dab tool, scissors, poker/scraper, bottle opener, and knife. The Kush Army Knife will retail at $40 and be sold through the companys e-commerce store and in dispensaries, smoke shops and vape stores across North America. It is very convenient to have all of your tools located in one place; the Kush Army Knife provides everything needed at your fingertips and ready to go. I worked with Dan Hoff at VPR Brands to develop this unit and from our first garage assembled prototypethe final version is light years ahead and came out even better than I could have imagined, stated Cliff Thomason Owner of Kush Army Knives. Dan Hoff, COO of VPR Brands, said, I remember Cliff calling me with the idea and texting me some initial drawings and home-made units, I instantly thought it was a winner. I was privileged that Cliff entrusted me with seeing the project through and was a pleasure bringing this product to life. It is our first of many projects and only the beginning for Kush Army with many more innovations to come. Our private label business is growing rapidly and the Kush Army Knife is just one example of our collaboration with top industry professionals and innovative companies in the sector. We take great care and pride in bringing quality products to market and contributing to their ultimate success, stated Kevin Frija, CEO of VPR Brands. Kush Army Knives are designed for the Cannabis connoisseur. We focused on the needs of the elite smoker to have a tool that can be used for pipes, vaporizers, joints or dabs. All the tools required at your fingertips: magnifying glass, roach clips, dab tool, scissors, poker/scraper, bottle opener, and knife. Whether you partake for fun or medicinal reasons the Kush Army Knife needs to be at your side. For more information about Kush Army Knives, visit the company on the web at . Owner Cliff Thomason currently is a realtor and the president of Orhempco, Inc. In 2016, he ran for Governor in the special election to complete the term of then Governor John Kitzhaber, Cliff won the independent party, but was eventually replaced by Kate Brown. Thomason also works as a contract hire and as a site acquisition specialist. He previously worked in sales and marketing, as a cost accountant and as a Dutch Bros. Franchisee. VPR Brands is a technology company, whose assets include issued U.S. and Chinese patents for atomization related products including technology for medical marijuana vaporizers and electronic cigarette products and components. The company is also engaged in product development for the vapor or vaping market, including e-liquids. Vaporizers and electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes) are devices which deliver nicotine and or cannabis through atomization or vaping, and without smoke and other chemical constituents typically found in traditional products. For more information about VPR Brands, please visit the company on the web at This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions, and other factors discussed from time to time in the companys Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. The company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. VPR Brands, LP Kevin Frija CEO and CFO (954) 715-7001 Kush Army Knives Cliff Thomason Owner (541) 218-1405 Somewhat ironically, President Erdogan evaded a coup in June thanks to Skype - Img: Mediaite libert e, e galit e and fraternit e . Th James has a Bachelors degree in History and wrote his dissertation on beef and protest. His heroes list ranges from Adele to Noam Chomsky: inspirations hell be invoking next year when he begins a Masters degree in London. Follow him @Songbird_James Contact us on Twitter , on Facebook , or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com It took all of five minutes for the French Revolutionaries to fragment and start cutting each other's heads off; all, they said, fore latter being shorthand for the new nation state, it became quite clear just how easily this new democracy stuff could be jeopardised for the preservation of that greater good. A quarter-millennium later, nobody's really cracked it; and many think a similar type of process is currently being played-out in Turkey where, following a failed military coup in June, 140 journalists have been arrested, 170 media outlets closed and, since November, 125,000 state employees have been purged from government. Over Christmas, however, new evidence seemed to emerge for the development of a strange new phenomenon in the modern world: the shifting of the frontline of the great 'struggle for democracy' to the online sphere.On Christmas Eve, we learned that President Erdogan's government had ordered the investigation of 10,000 of its own citizens over their use of social media. It wasn't the first time Turkish authorities have set an embargo on the free use of such services. The BBC says the government has previously been accused of implementing what analysts call 'calculated blackouts' of social media access within the country, particularly after bombings. Whilst the government denies this - and although they never last too long - internet watchdogs claim that such moves are made 'to block the spread of militant propaganda.'This isn't, of course, the first time a repressive government has clamped-down on the general exchange of information. However, it is interesting to note how often this type of thing seems to happen in relation to social media nowadays. November 2016, for example, saw Cameroonian officials characterise the use of sites like Facebook and Twitter as 'a new form of terrorism...as dangerous as a missile.' A year prior to that, the FBI was criticised for suggesting a re-tweet of terrorist content was terrorism in itself; and last month, as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft announced plans to share data in order to hamper extremism, four of the world's biggest corporations gained the power to censor whatever they choose to define as such.The point is that such circumstances, including the one currently playing-out in Turkey, are comparable, in a way, to the wake of the French revolution. Although Turkey's Terror has emerged from a failure to topple a governmental system, it's nonetheless a process by which a governmental system is said to be couching blatant contradictions of the democratic process in the language of democracy itself. The Turkish state has never claimed to be perfectly democratic. Instead, Erdogan's supporters have always said he's focusing on 'the basics' - using a heavy hand to deal with Turkey's unique challenges and thereby making things better for the majority; which they consider a democratic necessity.But beyond this particular case (and regardless who's right), we can certainly identify a peculiar trend emerging from this example when it's put alongside those mentioned above. In short: a) it's widely believed that great, intra-national struggles for what's generally understood to be 'democratic progress' is being played out in countries all across the world; and b) the sphere within which these ongoing struggles are being held is nowadays moving online. It's no longer just newspapers and conventional media outlets which are being suppressed, controlled and argued over, but specific elements of social media.Interestingly, when we consider what may be driving this change, a combination of factors emerge in a far more complex tapestry than before. One cause, for sure, is the pretty well-understood desire of authorities to curtail the organisational power of social media. However, another less obvious factor may be that governments are increasingly seeing sites like Facebook and Twitter as sources of news, information and the generation of world views: the seeds of dissent, as it were.Consequently, then, we arrive at a strange prospect: because it could further be said that some authorities have gone ahead and redefined such websites as 'media outlets' after all; whilst we're still, ostensibly, bogged-down arguing about it. If that's the case, should we also follow suit? Maybe. Either way, it couldn't hurt to better understand the way in which the powerful think.But perhaps there's a more interesting question: if we consider a scenario in which we were to lose access to social media through, say, a crackdown on its use in Britain, what first springs to mind? Is it the loss of a means to political organisation? Or is it the fact that such a scenario would deprive us of a major source of ideas, opinions and, indeed, news? If it's the latter (and for many it probably is), perhaps we could in fact say that we've redefined social media in our own minds after all... just without realising it. Solar Novus Today Has Been Integrated With Novus Light Technologies Today Visit Novus Light Technologies Today to see all the cutting-edge stories and products that you have come to enjoy on Solar Novus Today. In addition, you will find more information on related light-based technologies. Get the latest solar and renewable energy news delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for the Green Technologies newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR GREEN TECHNOLOGIES NEWSLETTER Letting the Sansad Mela happen may lead to a stampade as the Loco Ground on its boundaries has walls, said Asansol Mayor Jitendra Tiwary. By Manogya Loiwal : The Mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation has refused to give permission to Union Minister Babul Supriyo to hold Sansad Mela at a local ground in his parliamentary constituency here. The mela (fair) was intially supposed to begin from January 12. WHY MAYOR IS AGAINST HOLDING OF THE MELA Mayor Jitendra Tiwary denied permission for holding the Sansad Mela, alleging deficiencies and shortcoming in the application filed by the organiser. The proposed Sansad Mela was an initiative taken by Supriyo at the divisional railway stadium (Loco ground) of Asansol. Tiwary said, "Permission for the Sansad Mela at Loco Ground has been denied as a huge crowd is expected to turn up to see Bollywood singer Supriyo. Letting the event go on may lead to a stampade as the entire ground on its boundaries has walls." Tiwary said that Babul was a star himself. Lakhs of people could come for his rally, putting their lives at risk given the limited ground space available. The mayor suggested that the Sansad Mela could be shifted to another venue where there was greater space for the crowd to assemble. Local authorities in Asansol are of the view that they will not have any problem in conducting the event. They have offered whatever help the organisers need to ensure the fair is conducted smoothly. The Calcutta High Court had on Tuesday instructed the Asansol Municipal Corporation to set aside politics and work for the benefit of the people. "Hence, work within the legal framework and consider the Sansad Mela application anew", the court had said. advertisement (WITH INPUTS FROM ANIL GIRI IN ASANSOL) --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: Dhaka, Jan 11 (PTI) The upscale cafe in Bangladesh where Islamist militants killed 22 hostages including an Indian girl in the countrys worst terror attack last year has reopened here after moving to another location with enhanced security, media reports said. Holey Artisan Bakery that once operated on 2,000 square feet area will now be housed inside a 500 square feet space on the first floor of Rangs Arcade building at the Gulshan Avenue, just a few blocks away from its previous location in the heart of the diplomatic district, bdnews24 reported. advertisement The cafe, which officially opened yesterday, could accommodate 50 customers at a time, it said. Recently, the management had announced they would reopen the cafe at a new location on their Facebook page. "We are trying to turn around after a setback. But the loss to the country is much bigger," a manager of the cafe was quoted as saying by the report. Holey Artisan Bakery is now operating on a more secure, smaller scale inside Gourmet Bazaar at Rangs Arcade on North Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka Tribune reported. ISIS had claimed responsibility for the cafe attack but police said Neo-Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, which is close to the ISIS, was involved in organising the attack. Islamist gunmen had stormed the popular restaurant in Dhakas diplomatic enclave in July and killed 22 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the US. Hostages killed include 19-year-old Indian girl Tarishi Jain. Nine Italians, 7 Japanese, one American of Bangladeshi origin, and two Bangladeshis were also among the dead. The attackers took diners and restaurant staff hostage and had confrontations with police, killing two police officials. Next morning, a joint commando force stormed the bakery, killing all the attackers and rescuing the captives, ending the terror siege of nearly 11 hours. Bangladesh has pressed anti-terrorism charges against several suspects. The second-in-command of Bangladeshs homegrown extremist outfit who trained the militants for carrying out the cafe siege was killed in a raid on their hideout in September last year. Last week, one of the masterminds of the attack was killed in a gunfight with police during a pre-dawn raid. PTI CPS AKJ CPS --- ENDS --- As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency. By AP: LaKeitha Carlos was at home in Atlanta yesterday afternoon and decided to check the flights to Chicago, just in case. A last-minute ticket was only $194. Carlos took a moment to reflect on how, eight years earlier, she had worked as an organizer in Atlanta to get Barack Obama elected president, marking her start in politics. The wife and mother only briefly considered her choice: Should she drop everything to see the president one last time? advertisement Two hours later, she was on a plane, wearing an Obama T-shirt and overcome with emotion. As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters yesterday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency. The first black president's words resonated across the country for many African-Americans finally able to bask in seeing a family that looked like them in the White House. After eight years, the era comes to a close in 10 days. Also read: Full text: Barack Obama's farewell last speech US President REMINISCENT OF ELECTION NIGHT IN 2008 The scene was reminiscent of election night in 2008. Then, Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, greeted a cheering crowd in Grant Park in Chicago to claim victory at the end of a campaign run on hope and change. The Obamas were not yet in their 50s; their children, Malia and Sasha, were 10 and 7. Tonight, he walked out alone. At times during the address, which lasted about an hour, there were shouts of "We love you!" from the crowd, who pleaded for four more years. "I can't do that," Obama answered. Tickets for once-in-a-lifetime speech were hard to come by. People waited for hours in the freezing cold Saturday to score seats to see Obama in person. For Carlos, the nostalgia was powerful and her concern over an uncertain future strong. Also read: 'Yes we can, yes we did': an emotional Barack Obama says in his farewell speech as US President BITTERSWEET SPEECH "There were a few of us that believed that he could do it," she recalled ahead of the speech. "To see that come to fruition has been amazing. It's sad to be here tonight. In a way, it feels anticlimactic." Others, like Peggy Montes, chose to stay home and watch. Montes, founder of the Bronzeville Children's Museum, said the Democratic president's mark on her life was personal and professional. She recalled that as an Illinois state legislator Obama helped secure the state funding to start the museum, believed to be the first of its kind for blacks nationwide. Montes was invited to both of Obama's presidential inaugurations and attended. advertisement The Obamas are now a focal point of an exhibit at the museum greeting visitors as they walk in the door. Like many in Chicago, Montes said his speech was bittersweet. "I'm sad because he will be leaving, but I'm also grateful for the fact that he did touch our lives for such a short period of time," she said. "He came in when the people were in distress. He was able to lift them up." Also read: Sasha Obama missed father's farewell speech; Twitterati launch search for her NOT SORRY TO SEE HIM GO Horace Small, executive director of the Boston-based anti-poverty group Union of Minority Neighborhoods, said Obama's election was a tremendous source of pride for everyone, especially poor and middle-class blacks. But Small said the middle-class blacks benefited more than those battling poverty because Obama didn't talk more about race and class. "But poor blacks did benefit from the fact that there was a black man in the White House less than 100 years after we were hanging from trees," Small said. He said Obama failed to mobilize citizens to pursue policies that could have impacted poverty in black communities advertisement Amy Maldonado, an immigration lawyer based in East Lansing, Michigan, who voted for Obama twice, said she was extremely disappointed in Obama because of his deportation policies and his detention of Central American children. She said that Obama reacted too late to protect some immigrant college students and that activists were forced to sue his administration over a lack of legal representation of detained immigrants. "I will not be sorry to see this president go," Maldonado said. "I have no love for this administration." Also read: Barack Obama's last presidential speech: Highlights NEED TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS In Albuquerque, New Mexico, around three dozen emotional Democratic activists gathered to eat green chile stew and Native American Pueblo bread and watch Obama's farewell address. Next to the New Mexican food was a box of tissues. "We're going to need them," New Mexico Democratic chair Debra Haaland said. Minutes into his speech, some activists could be heard sniffling and seen wiping tears. They clapped when Obama mentioned the need to protect immigrants and fighting for economic equality. New Mexico Government Susana Martinez, a Republican and the nation's only Latina governor, said it was not her role to assess the presidency of Obama, who rarely visited the state with the country's largest percentage of Hispanic residents. advertisement "I think that it's up to the American people and for history to decide on what impact his presidency has had on our country and the world," Martinez said. Also read: Obama selects four Indian-Americans for presidential awards --- ENDS --- Justin Omans of Roseville said he was devastated to learn his mothers' body was discovered in the covered bed of a truck. A look back on all of our reporting of the Delphi murders since 2017 Obama's delivery was forceful for most of his speech, but by the end he was wiping away tears as the crowd embraced him one last time. By AP: Conceding disappointments during his presidency yet offering vigorous encouragement for the nation's future, Barack Obama issued an emotional defense Tuesday night of his vision to Americans facing a moment of anxiety and a dramatic change in leadership. Obama's valedictory speech in his hometown of Chicago was a public meditation on the trials and triumphs, promises kept and promises broken that made up his eight years in the White House. Arguing his faith in America had been confirmed, Obama said he ends his tenure inspired by America's "boundless capacity" for reinvention, and he declared: "The future should be ours." advertisement OBAMA GETS EMOTIONAL DURING FAREWELL SPEECH His delivery was forceful for most of his speech, but by the end he was wiping away tears as the crowd embraced him one last time. ALSO READ | Barack Obama's last presidential speech: Highlights Reflecting on the corrosive recent political campaign, he said, "That potential will be realised only if our democracy works. Only if our politics reflects the decency of our people. Only if all of us, regardless of our party affiliation or particular interest, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now." OBAMA MAKES NO MENTION OF TRUMP IN HIS SPEECH He made no mention of Republican Donald Trump, who will replace him in just 10 days. But when he noted the imminence of that change and the crowd began booing, he responded, "No, no, no, no, no." One of the nation's great strengths, he said, "is the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next." Earlier, as the crowd of thousands chanted, "Four more years," he simply smiled and said, "I can't do that." Soon Obama and his family will exit the national stage, to be replaced by Trump, a man Obama had stridently argued poses a dire threat to the nation's future. His near-apocalyptic warnings throughout the campaign have cast a continuing shadow over his post-election efforts to reassure Americans anxious about the future. Indeed, much of what Obama accomplished over the past eight years - from health care overhaul and environmental regulations to his nuclear deal with Iran - could potentially be upended by Trump. So even as Obama seeks to define what his presidency meant for America, his legacy remains in question. OBAMA'S LAST PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH IN CHICAGO Even as Obama said farewell to the nation - in a televised speech of just under an hour - the anxiety felt by many Americans about the future was palpable, and not only in the Chicago convention center where he stood in front of a giant presidential seal. The political world was reeling from new revelations about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about Trump. Steeped in nostalgia, Obama's return to Chicago was less a triumphant homecoming and more a bittersweet reunion bringing together Obama loyalists and loyal staffers, many of whom have long since left Obama's service, moved on to new careers and started families. They came from across the country - some on Air Force One, others on their own - to be present for the last major moment of Obama's presidency. advertisement Seeking inspiration, Obama's speechwriters spent weeks poring over Obama's other momentous speeches, including his 2004 keynote at the Democratic National Convention and his 2008 speech after losing the New Hampshire primary to Hillary Clinton. They also revisited his 2015 address in Selma, Alabama, that both honored America's exceptionalism and acknowledged its painful history on civil rights. After returning to Washington, Obama will have less than two weeks before he accompanies Trump in the presidential limousine to the Capitol for the new president's swearing-in. After nearly a decade in the spotlight, Obama will become a private citizen, an elder statesman at 55. He plans to take some time off, write a book - and immerse himself in a Democratic redistricting campaign. HERE'S WHAT OBAMA SAID: America is better, stronger place than it was when we started: US President Barack Obama in his farewell speech. I reject discrimination against Muslims, who are just as patriotic as us. Obama praises wife, says Michelle has been my best friend No foreign terrorist organisation has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years. ISIL will be destroyed, no one who threatens America will ever be safe. Rivals like Russia, China cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for. The bubbles and rise of naked partisanship is a threat to our democracy. Our law enforcement agencies are more effective and vigilant than ever. Protecting our way of life requires more than our military. Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. US-India ties have strengthened in my tenure, says Barack Obama. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination - in hiring, in housing, in education and the criminal justice system. Our democracy won't work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity.Our progress has been uneven. Work of democracy has always been hard, contentious and sometimes bloody. Have lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10, 20, or even 30 years ago, no matter what folks say. But laws alone won't be enough," to ease America's racial strife, "hearts must change". Obama warns of democratic test, says 'we rise or fall as one'. #WATCH: Obama to Joe Biden: You were first choice I made as a nominee, and it was the best; in the bargain, I gained a brother. pic.twitter.com/YUhi2QSEGC ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well wishes, we have received in the past few weeks, tonight its my time to say thanks. Every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man. I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. Democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity; that we rise and fall as one. In 10 days, our country'll witness hallmark of democracy, peaceful transition from one freely elected president to another. America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started. I committed to Trump that my administration would ensure a smooth transition. Now it's my turn to say thanks. Laws not enough, hearts must change. We have shown capacity to change. In Chicago, learnt power of faith. Terror tested our democracy. We remain most powerful nation. Race remains a divisive force. Democracy requires solidarity. Need laws against discrimination. advertisement WATCH VIDEO HERE: An emotional Barack Obama delivers his last speech as the US President advertisement --- ENDS --- TV actor Karan Mehra has the sweetest thing to say about wife Nisha Rawal's pregnancy. By India Today Web Desk: Former Bigg Boss 10 contestant and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor Karan Mehra will become a father soon. Also read: Good news! BB10 contestant Karan Mehra's actress-wife Nisha Rawal is pregnant! After months of speculation about his actress-wife Nisha Rawal's pregnancy, things finally settled down when Nisha herself broke the good news on social media site Instagram, and now Karan has shared a rather sweet post about this new phase of his life. With the grace of God we have been able to achieve many things in life but creation of life itself is an overwhelming feeling. Here's to the beginning of another beautiful story...our pregnancy ??? A photo posted by Karan Mehra (@karanhunt) on Jan 9, 2017 at 7:59am PST advertisement He posted a picture of himself with Nisha and wrote, "With the grace of God we have been able to achieve many things in life but creation of life itself is an overwhelming feeling. Here's to the beginning of another beautiful story, our pregnancy." Stop it you both with your wonderfulness. And congratulations once again! --- ENDS --- Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Partly cloudy this morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers this afternoon. High 77F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Speaking to India Today, RLSP MLA Lalan Paswan defended himself saying he did not ask any insensitive question to the girl. By India Today Web Desk: "How can you say something bad happened to her? Were was the blood coming from?" the two appalling questions were put by a Bihar MLA to a girl whose friend was found murdered recently. Allegations are that the victim, a Class 10 student, was raped before being killed. During his visit to a government girls hostel in Hajipur, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) MLA Lalan Paswan interrogated a student whose friend's body was found on Sunday (January 8). RLSP, founded by Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, is an ally of the BJP. advertisement "You say something bad happened to her. Where was the blood coming from? You are an educated girl, you should tell clearly what you know. What will you do tomorrow if something of that sort happens to you?" Paswan asked the girl who was visibly uncomfortable with such crass quizzing by the minister. 'I asked relevant questions" Speaking to India Today, Paswan defended himself saying he did not ask any insensitive question to the girl. "I didn't ask any indecent question. They were actually relevant. I wanted to ascertain whether the girl was raped, killed or if it was a suicide case," Paswan said. Paswan's shocking comments come just days after Karnataka Home Minister G Parameswara described New Year mass molestation in Bengaluru as a non-issue. "Such things do happen," Parameswara had said. The minister had later blamed the media of misquoting him. WATCH: Bihar MLA under fire for asking objectionable questions to friend of a rape victim ALSO READ: Bengaluru molestation a conspiracy to defame city: Karnataka Home Minister's shockers continue Bihar: Raped schoolgirl expresses fear over release of suspended RJD leader Raj Ballabh Yadav --- ENDS --- 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 This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. The universe is an astonishingly secretive place. Mysterious substances known as dark matter and dark energy account for some 95 percent of it. Despite huge effort to find out what they are, we simply dont know. We know dark matter exists because of the gravitational pull of galaxy clusters the matter we can see in a cluster just isn't enough to hold it together by gravity. So there must be some extra material there, made up by unknown particles that simply aren't visible to us. Several candidate particles have already been proposed. Scientists are trying to work out what these unknown particles are by looking at how they affect the ordinary matter we see around us. But so far it has proven difficult, so we know it interacts only weakly with normal matter at best. Now my colleague Benjamin Varcoe and I have come up with a new way to probe dark matter that may just prove successful: by using atoms that have been stretched to be 4,000 times larger than usual. Advantageous atoms We have come a long way from the Greeks' vision of atoms as the indivisible components of all matter. The first evidence-based argument for the existence of atoms was presented in the early 1800s by John Dalton. But it wasn't until the beginning of the 20th century that JJ Thomson and Ernest Rutherford discovered that atoms consist of electrons and a nucleus. Soon after, Erwin Schrodinger described the atom mathematically using what is today called quantum theory. Modern experiments have been able to trap and manipulate individual atoms with outstanding precision. This knowledge has been used to create new technologies, like lasers and atomic clocks, and future computers may use single atoms as their primary components. Individual atoms are hard to study and control because they are very sensitive to external perturbations. This sensitivity is usually an inconvenience, but our study suggests that it makes some atoms ideal as probes for the detection of particles that don't interact strongly with regular matter such as dark matter. Our model is based on the fact that weakly interacting particles must bounce from the nucleus of the atom it collides with and exchange a small amount of energy with it similar to the collision between two pool balls. The energy exchange will produce a sudden displacement of the nucleus that will eventually be felt by the electron. This means the entire energy of the atom changes, which can be analysed to obtain information about the properties of the colliding particle. However the amount of transferred energy is very small, so a special kind of atom is necessary to make the interaction relevant. We worked out that the so-called "Rydberg atom" would do the trick. These are atoms with long distances between the electron and the nucleus, meaning they possess high potential energy. Potential energy is a form of stored energy. For example, a ball on a high shelf has potential energy because this could be converted to kinetic energy if it falls off the shelf. In the lab, it is possible to trap atoms and prepare them in a Rydberg state making them as big as 4,000 times their original size. This is done by illuminating the atoms with a laser with light at a very specific frequency. This prepared atom is likely much heavier than the dark matter particles. So rather than a pool ball striking another, a more appropriate description will be a marble hitting a bowling ball. It seems strange that big atoms are more perturbed by collisions than small ones one may expect the opposite (smaller things are usually more affected when a collision occurs). The explanation is related to two features of Rydberg atoms: they are highly unstable because of their elevated energy, so minor perturbations would disturb them more. Also, due to their big area, the probability of the atoms interacting with particles is increased, so they will suffer more collisions. Spotting the tiniest of particles Current experiments typically look for dark matter particles by trying to detect their scattering off atomic nuclei or electrons on Earth. They do this by looking for light or free electrons in big tanks of liquid noble gases that are generated by energy transfer between the dark matter particle and the atoms of the liquid. The Large Underground Xenon experiment installed 4,850 ft underground inside a 70,000-gallon water tank shield. (opens in new tab) ) (Image credit: Gigaparsec at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA But, according to the laws of quantum mechanics, there needs to be a certain a minimum energy transfer for the light to be produced. An analogy would be a particle colliding with a guitar string: it will produce a note that we can hear, but if the particle is too small the string will not vibrate at all. So the problem with these methods is that the dark matter particle has to be big enough if we are to detect it in this way. However, our calculations show that the Rydberg atoms will be disturbed in a significant way even by low-mass particles meaning they can be applied to search for candidates of dark matter that other experiments miss. One of such particles is the Axion, a hypothetical particle which is a strong candidate for dark matter. Experiments would require for the atoms to be treated with extreme care, but they will not require to be done in a deep underground facility like other experiments, as the Rydberg atoms are expected to be less susceptible to cosmic rays compared to dark matter. We are working to further improve the sensitivity of the system, aiming to extend the range of particles that it may be able to perceive. Beyond dark matter we are also aiming to one day apply it for the detection of gravitational waves, the ripples in the fabric of space predicted by Einstein long time ago. These perturbations of the space-time continuum have been recently discovered, but we believe that by using atoms we may be able to detect gravitational waves with a different frequency to the ones already observed. Diego A. Quinones, PhD Student in Quantum Information, University of Leeds This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates and become part of the discussion on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Space.com. Orbital ATK's OA-6 Cygnus cargo ship is seen arriving at the International Space Station on Oct. 23, 2016. Editor's note: The launch of OA-7 has been delayed to Sunday, March 19. [Preview story: Private Cygnus Spacecraft to Launch NASA Cargo to Space Station Soon] Orbital ATK's next Cygnus cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station for NASA will lift off on March 16, NASA officials said Tuesday (Jan. 10). A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the unmanned Cygnus spacecraft's OA-7 resupply mission from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. "Orbital ATK will launch Cygnus atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket for delivery of essential crew supplies, equipment and scientific experiments to astronauts aboard the International Space Station," NASA officials wrote in a statement. "The 30 minute launch window opens at 12:29 a.m. EDT." In November, Orbital ATK announced that this upcoming Cygnus cargo mission would launch on a ULA Atlas V rocket and not Orbital ATK's own Antares rocket in order to maximize the amount of supplies delivered to the International Space Station, as well as maintain the company's launch schedule. Future Cygnus flights will launch on Orbital ATK's Antares rockets from the company's launch site on Wallops Island, Virginia. Orbital ATK's OA-7 Cygnus cargo module arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida ahead of its March 16, 2017 launch. (Image credit: NASA/ Ben Smegelsky) Orbital ATK successfly returned its Antares rocket to flight on Oct. 17, nearly two years after a failed Cygnus launch in Oct. 2014. Between that Antares launch failure and the booster's return to flight, the company launched two Cygnus missions on Atlas V rockets, one December 2015 and the other in March 2016. Orbital ATK is one of two private companies (SpaceX is the other) currently flying cargo resupply missions for NASA. OA-7 is the seventh of 10 delivery missions for NASA that Orbital ATK is scheduled to launch under its current contract. Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. After a black hole devours a star, it shoots out planet-size "spitballs" that can approach within a few hundred light-years of Earth. When a black hole devours a star, it spews planet-size "spitballs" of regurgitated gas tumbling through the galaxy and some of these globs can come within a few hundred light-years of Earth, new research shows. Supermassive black holes lie at the center of almost every galaxy, including the Milky Way. The massive cosmic bodies have a powerful gravitational force that pulls in nearby wandering stars, tears them to shreds and, as a result, spews out a stream of hot gas that can clump together to form planet-size objects, according to a statement from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). "A single shredded star can form hundreds of these planet-mass objects," Eden Girma, an undergraduate student at Harvard University and lead author of the study, said in the statement. "We wondered: Where do they end up? How close do they come to us? We developed a computer code to answer those questions." [Images: Black Holes of the Universe] Black holes are strange regions where gravity is strong enough to bend light, warp space and distort time. [ See how black holes work in this SPACE.com infographic .] (Image credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com contributor) The researchers found that these "spitballs," whose closest emissaries might reach within a few hundred light-years of Earth, weigh as much as several Jupiters. However, the objects are very different from planets, as they are made solely of leftover star material and form much more rapidly. "It takes only a day for the black hole to shred the star (in a process known as tidal disruption) and only about a year for the resulting fragments to pull themselves back together," CfA researchers said in the statement. "This is in contrast to the millions of years required to create a planet like Jupiter from scratch." The "spitballs" travel at speeds of about 20 million mph (32 million km/h), and would therefore take roughly a million years to reach Earth's neighborhood after being launched from a black hole, officials said in the release. However, most of them leave our galaxy entirely; the researchers estimated that almost 95 percent of them would be propelled to other galaxies, where similar tidal-disruption processes are thought to exist. "Other galaxies, like Andromeda, are shooting these 'spitballs' at us all the time," study co-author James Guillochon, an astrophysicist at the CfA, said in the statement. Scientists plan to survey the "spitballs" in the future using instruments such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (currently under construction in Chile) and the James Webb Space Telescope (set to launch in 2018), which will have a better chance of detecting the faint glow of the objects hurtling through space. However, it will still be difficult to distinguish a cosmic "spitball" from free-floating planets, the researchers noted. "Only about one out of a thousand free-floating planets will be one of these second-generation oddballs," Girma said in the statement. Girma presented the study findings at the 229th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, held Jan. 3 to Jan. 7 in Grapevine, Texas. Follow Samantha Mathewson @Sam_Ashley13. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The question of life on Venus, of all places, is intriguing enough that a team of U.S. and Russian scientists working on a proposal for a new mission to the second planet named Venera-D are considering including the search for life in its mission goals. If all goes as planned, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) could one day be cruising the thick, sulfuric-acid clouds of Venus to help determine whether dark streaks that appear to absorb ultraviolet radiation could be evidence of microbial life. Venus has long been a focus of Russian planetary science, which has the proud legacy of the record-breaking Venera space probes that landed on the Venusian surface in the late 1970s and early 1980s. [Mysterious Venus: 10 Weird Facts] With many questions remaining unanswered, the joint mission of Roscosmos and NASA, if approved, would see an orbiter launch toward Venus in 2025 with the aim to make remote-sensing observations of the planet and its atmosphere; deploy a lander on the surface; and search for future landing sites. Among several possible additions to the mission are a small sub-orbiter to study Venus' magnetosphere, and either a balloon or an UAV taking measurements of the atmosphere over a long duration. Should the UAV be approved, its main goal would be to take meteorological measurements to determine why the atmosphere rotates so fast relative to the surface, a phenomenon known as super-rotation. This fast rotation was discovered in the 1960s by astronomers tracking the motion of the dark streaks in the atmosphere. Puzzlingly, astronomers do not know the origin and composition of these dark streaks, nor do they understand why the streaks haven't mixed with the rest of the atmosphere and why they are absorbing ultraviolet light. "These are questions that haven't been fully explored yet, and I'm shouting as loud as I can, saying that we need to explore them," said Sanjay Limaye, an atmospheric scientist from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a former chair of NASA's Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG). According to Limaye, the nature of the UV absorber is completely unknown. It could be particulate matter mixed into the clouds, or a substance that has been dissolved by the droplets of sulfuric acid, or it may be crystalline in nature, like ice. Iron chloride has been proposed, but there is no confirmed mechanism that could loft particles of iron chloride 31 to 37 miles (50 to 60 kilometers) above the surface, particularly as winds near the surface only blow weakly through the dense lower atmosphere. Venus seen in ultraviolet light by the European Space Ageny's Venus Express mission. The dark streaks in the clouds are where an unknown material is absorbing ultraviolet light. Could it be life? (Image credit: ESA/MPS/DLR/IDA) Life in the clouds? A more exciting explanation for the dark streaks is that they are evidence of microbial life. "It's a possibility we can't overlook," said Limaye, who is a member of the Venera-D science definition team. Finding life at high altitude in the atmosphere of a planet would make sense. After all, microbes have been found at similar heights in Earth's atmosphere. The challenge for life on Venus is the planet's extreme temperature. The surface, at 864 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius), is hot enough to melt lead, and the surface pressure of 92 bar is the equivalent of being almost 0.6 miles (1 km) under water. However, in a region beginning around 31 miles (50 m) in altitude and extending 7.5 miles (12 km) outward is a sweet spot where the temperature ranges between 86 degrees F and 158 degrees F (30 degrees C and 70 degrees C), and the pressure is similar to that on Earth's surface. Life could potentially survive in this zone where the dark-streaking UV absorber is found. Intriguingly, the sulfuric acid droplets within the clouds aren't necessarily a show-stopper to life. Earlier Venera missions detected elongated particles in the lower cloud layer that are about 1 micron long, about the width of a small bacterium. These particles could be coated in ring-shaped polymers of eight sulfur atoms, called S8 molecules, which are known to exist in Venus' clouds and which are impervious to the corrosive effects of sulfuric acid, researchers said. [5 Bold Claims of Alien Life] Furthermore, S8 absorbs ultraviolet light, re-radiating it in visible wavelengths. If the particles are microbes, they could have coated themselves in S8, making them resistant to the corrosive effects of sulfuric acid. It has even been postulated that the S8 exists as a result of microbial activity. Is this then the key to life on Venus? "I cannot say that there is microbial life in Venus' clouds," Limaye said. "But that doesn't mean it's not there, either. The only way to learn is to go there and sample the atmosphere." Powered flight The original Russian plan for Venera-D featured balloons patrolling the atmosphere, but balloons are not very maneuverable and would not necessarily be able to reach the regions with the dark streaks. A solar-powered UAV would stand a far better chance, according to Limaye. "The idea is that, with a large enough wingspan, you can generate enough power and actually fly through the atmosphere of Venus, with electric propellers, for a very long time," Limaye said. Descending hypersonically into the atmosphere after detaching from the orbiter, the UAV would be filled with hydrogen or helium gas, keeping it buoyant at a nominal floating altitude of 31 miles (50 km), allowing it to glide through the clouds while moving through the night-time hemisphere. Upon daylight, the solar-powered propellers would kick in and raise the craft's altitude to around 37 miles (60 km). Over the course of three to four days, the craft could move around the planet along the upper atmosphere's "super-rotation," the strange phenomenon where the atmosphere seems to be uncoupled from the solid planet and rotates much faster. The UAV would therefore be able to explore the clouds at different altitudes, moving from air mass to air mass, from regions with UV absorbers to regions devoid of them, sampling and measuring the composition of the atmosphere. The aerospace company Northrop Grumman has already independently developed a concept for a Venusian UAV, called VAMP (Venus Atmospheric Maneuverable Platform), which would have a giant 180-foot (55 m) wingspan and be designed to operate in the atmosphere for at least a year. The D' in Venera-D's name stands for "dolgozhivushaya," which in Russian means "long-lived." This originally referred to the hopes of keeping a lander operational on the Venusian surface for days or weeks, although the oppressive conditions on the surface mean that realistically the most that any lander could survive is mere hours. Instead, the UAV, continually circling around Venus, would take the mantle of being long-lived. The final report describing the science goals of the Venera-D mission will be submitted to Roscosmos and NASA by the end of January 2017, at which point the two space agencies will have to decide whether they will collaborate on the mission. An answer is not expected until late 2017 at the earliest. This story was provided by Astrobiology Magazine, a web-based publication sponsored by the NASA astrobiology program. Follow Space.com @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Story posted on Space.com. Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover, who rang in the New Year in Australia, are back in town. By India Today Web Desk: Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover are back from their Aussie vacation. The couple, who tied the knot in April 2016, ring in the New Year in Australia. And after a week-long vacation, Bipasha and Karan are back in town. ALSO READ: Karan Singh Grover's friends upset with Bipasha Basu? Doesn't look like ALSO READ: Karan Singh Grover has a message for wife Bipasha Basu advertisement The couple were spotted at Mumbai airport on Tuesday night. The couple sported their casual best as they made their way out of the airport. The much-in-love duo gave a sneak-peek into their vacation as they shared a handful of pictures and videos on Instagram. Chilling at the #watsonbaybeachclub ! #aussiemonkeys A photo posted by bipashabasusinghgrover (@bipashabasu) on Jan 4, 2017 at 6:17am PST Pink Sky ??#goldcoast #aussiemonkeys A video posted by bipashabasusinghgrover (@bipashabasu) on Jan 5, 2017 at 3:51am PST First day of 2017 was awesome!!! #aussiemonkeys A photo posted by karan singh grover (@iamksgofficial) on Jan 1, 2017 at 8:50am PST On the work front, Karan will be next seen in 3 Dev. Bipasha, on the other hand, is yet to sign any Bollywood project post her wedding. (Photos: Yogen Shah) --- ENDS --- The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement The party is hopeful of coming out with the first list of candidates by January 15. By Siddhartha Rai: The BJP has entered into the final phase of candidate selection in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. The process of zeroing in on the candidates has been made more democratic this time as even the district units of the party have been involved in the process. The party is hopeful of coming out with the first list of candidates by January 15. "The entire mechanism of candidate selection is extremely transparent and interactive as grass-roots voices have also been taken into consideration," said UP BJP spokesperson Chandra Mohan. advertisement "District-level organisational units have also been interviewed as to who they recommend for candidature. The advice was taken twice, once at the state level and then at the national level," Mohan added. Also read: BJP grappling with insider versus outsider battle ahead of UP polls FACTIONALISM BECOMING APPARENT On the other hand, as the election approaches, factionalism within the saffron camp too is becoming apparent, with more leaders coming out openly against each other. An express example of this has been the apparent sidelining of influential Thakur figure Yogi Aditaynath. While the Hindutva hardliner's name had long been floated as a CM candidate after he failed to grab a ministerial berth in the Modi government, he was not included in the party's UP election committee either. To make matters worse, his arch rivals - Brahmin leaders Shiv Pratap Shukla and Ramapatiram Tripathi - were given a place of pride in the coveted body. Also read: BJP set to win Uttar Pradesh: India Today-Axis Opinion Poll shows demonetisation is good for Modi What adds to the intrigue is that while BSP supremo Mayawati declared her candidates keeping in mind caste and religion, BJP too has given due weightage to caste equations. The 27-member election committee has leaders from almost all significant castes, ranging from Thakurs (led by Union Home minister Rajnath Singh), Bhumihars (represented by former UP minister Surya Pratap Shahi) and Brahmins (led by Kalraj Mishra) to OBCs such as UP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya. Ramesh Bidhuri (Gujjar), Ramashankar Katheria (Dhanuk, an SC sub-caste) and Rameshwar Chaurasiya too have added to the spectrum of castes covered in the committee. Prominent among those who changed political stripes are erstwhile UP Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi and former BSP stalwarts Swami Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. --- ENDS --- Over the course of the next five years, the multi-million pound project will see the complete redevelopment of the existing CLAAS and MANNS site. Within this will be the construction of a new, signature building that reflects both the importance of CLAAS within the UK agricultural industry and also the sites prominent position alongside the A14. By giving go-ahead for this new building, both the CLAAS Group and the Claas family have shown their commitment to both CLAAS in the UK, and also to west Suffolk where we are now one of the largest employers, says Trevor Tyrrell, CEO of CLAAS UK. Founded over 100 years ago and still privately owned by the Claas family, the CLAAS Group is one of the largest private agricultural machinery manufacturers in the world. Based in West Germany, the company operates 14 manufacturing plants around the Globe and employs over 11,300 people. The history of CLAAS and Saxham goes back to the 1930s when local farmer Bill Mann started importing CLAAS combines from Germany. The MANNS company moved to the site at Saxham during the 1950s and the current headquarters building has been a landmark alongside the A14 for many years. It was constructed in the 1960s and has been extended piecemeal since then. Today, CLAAS UK employs over 400 people throughout the UK and Ireland and is the market leader for both combine harvesters and self-propelled forage harvesters, and has a rapidly growing customer base for CLAAS Tractors. When the current building was constructed, they would never have imagined that 50 years later we would now have over 100 people working on site and that as the headquarters for CLAAS UK, it would be providing sales, service, parts and training support to dealerships throughout the UK and Ireland, in addition to receiving visitors from around the world, states Trevor Tyrrell. The site is at maximum capacity. The site is also the headquarters for the MANNS dealer group with six dealerships throughout the eastern counties. In addition, the CLAAS Academy training centre is located on the site, which provides over 4,000 training days for dealer personnel and customers every year. Thats according to research carried out by Volac at the end of 2016 to examine surplus lamb rearing practices. More than 580 farms participated in the on-line survey and while more than 99% of respondents said that it was important to rear the maximum number of lambs possible each year, only around 45% are taking advantage of modern feeding technology to boost animal performance and make their life easier. Some of the feedback did surprise me, said independent sheep consultant Kate Phillips after reviewing the survey findings, particularly the fact so many farms still bottle rear when you can undoubtedly save on labour and get better lamb growth rates with ad lib milk feeding systems. And why spend hours a day bottle feeding when you could be prioritising your time on important tasks elsewhere during a hectic lambing period? The Volac research gives an interesting insight into current surplus lamb rearing practices on UK sheep units. Not surprisingly, the lambs being reared artificially are those from triplet-bearing ewes in the main, together with any orphans. More than 80% of farmers say that if a ewe has had triplets one lamb would be removed and reared artificially. Interestingly, though, only a third of producers choose the odd one out in a group of three, which is what we would recommend, commented Volac technical specialist Ian Watson. Its always best to leave a balanced pair of lambs on the mother. Everyone else is employing a mix of criteria to make the choice. Judge Frank Wrathall, from Gisburn, picked out Mr Jennings pedigree heifer as champion; 11 days calved and giving 30 litres, she went on to sell for the sale high of 2,000, to Alf and Andrew Townsend, of Burnley. Mr Jennings, who runs the Abbeyhouse pedigree dairy herd near Ripon, has been victorious on numerous occasions at Skipton and got 2017 off to a flying start. In the cow class David Lawson, of Mill Farm, Arthington, another regular champion, led the way with his second-calver, giving 34 litres, going for 1,760 and heading to Brian Blezard of Ribchester. The Lawsons also claimed reserve champion in the show, with a newly calven pedigree heifer, two weeks calved, giving 31 litres, which sold to Wick Williams for 1,520. Other notable prices went to Peter Baul, of Bishop Thornton, who took third prize in the newly calven heifers class and sold heifers for 1,850, 1,680 and 1,650, to Mark Goodall, Wick Williams and Brian Blezard respectively. Edward Fort, of Silsden Moor, took second prize in the newly calven cows class and reached 1,620 with a second calver sold to Wick Williams, of Nantwich. Ian Parkinson, of Barden, was third in the class. Regular vendors WR Ireland, of Thorpe Bassett, took first and second prize in the in-calf heifers class, and reached the top price with 1,180. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD The trial will begin in March for the man accused of stabbing a cabbie more than 20 times in what police described as a brutal, life-and-death struggle during an apparent robbery in 2014. Shota Mekoshvili has been jailed since his arrest for the August 2014 murder of Mahomed Kamal, who police said was stabbed nearly two dozen times with a three-inch knife. Judge Gary White this week scheduled jury selection to begin on March 1 with testimony starting later that month. Mekoshvilis attorney, Kevin Smith, attended Tuesdays hearing but said he would not present alibi or extreme emotional disturbance defenses. Smith works with well-known New Haven defense attorney, Norm Pattis, who may handle the case at trial. Smith declined to comment what strategy the defense plans for the trial. The defense rejected a plea offer and Mekoshvili faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted at trial. Senior Assistant States Attorney James Bernardi, who is prosecuting the case, also declined comment. Police believe robbery was the motive for the murder since Kamal had as much as $500 on him the morning he was killed. Kamal, who was married and had a 3-year-old son, is believed to have driven Mekoshvili to Doolittle Road about 3:30 a.m. Aug. 27, 2014. The two apparently knew each other and Kamal had previously driven Mekoshvili, a Georgian national. A tipster alerted authorities that Mekoshvili said he stabbed someone to death because he kept screaming while he was robbing him, police said. The tipster also saw bloody money inside Mekoshvilis apartment, police said. About 13 hours after Kamals body was found, Mekoshvili was taken into custody. Police said he had a gash on his nose and cuts on his forehead and right temple, believed to have been caused by a metal flashlight that Kamal wielded to protect himself. Mekoshvili has been in jail unable to post a $1 million court appearance bond since his arrest. jnickerson@scni.com; Despite multi-layered checking at the emigration centres, international travel agents keep cooking up new ideas to forge the documents, say police. By Ajay Kumar: The road to Canada is often paved with fake visas and passports, police data from Delhi airport show. Officers say despite multi-layered checking at the emigration centres, international travel agents keep cooking up new ideas to forge the documents and this is a flourishing business in northern India. First-time travellers are the easiest targets. "In a majority of the cases, passengers denied visa by embassies approach travel agents," said Sanjay Bhatia, deputy commissioner of police at Delhi airport. "Such travellers desperately want to go abroad. 60 to 65 per cent cases we have registered are related to forged visa and passport." advertisement According to officials, most such passengers have Canada as their travel destination and some of them go on to other countries from there. About 15 countries in the world are favoured by Indian travellers and 60 to 70 per cent of them apply for working visas to Canada, sources say. Also read: Canada gives thumbs up to PM Modi's demonetisation drive TRICK OF THE TRADE Airport officials revealed that cheats are using three different ploys to prepare fake travel documents and sell them for large sums. According to Bhatia, the first tactic travel agents use is preparing bogus visas and passports with scanning machines and a software called "Pride". The fake documents are generally identical in quality to real ones and it requires painstaking diligence from CISF personnel to detect the fraud. In a majority of such cases, travel agents seek out first-time travellers who are unaware of the technical detection parameters and therefore more likely to fall prey to such tactics, said the officials. The second modus operandi is removing photos of genuine passengers from visas and passports and pasting the pictures of desperate travellers followed by other formalities such as signature and stamp. This is generally done in cases where the clients are using travel documents of their family members to get passports and visas. Unscrupulous travellers sometimes also take advantage of similarity in identities. Twin brothers and sisters occasionally use each other's valid visas and passports to travel abroad, said officials. Sources said that members of certain communities who appear identical because of their religious attire and facial hair also take advantage as they can sometimes be difficult to tell apart from each other. According to officials, there are multiple manual and computerised detection mechanisms at all international airports of the country. Despite that travel agents do not bother about the possibilities of passengers getting caught at emigration checking as they want quick and easy money. Also read: Same fictitious name nails two men in fake passport cases MAJORITY OF TRAVELLERS FROM PUNJAB, HARYANA, UP advertisement A majority of such travellers come from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. A large number of men and women from Kerala also go to West Asian countries every year seeking employment. "The poor and little-educated passengers generally fail to differentiate between forged and original travelling documents," Bhatia said. "They just pay the travel agent a fixed amount as part of a package including ticket fare without sensing the dangers that await them." The DCP added that even if a person hoodwinks officials in India and manages to go abroad, a check in that country can always unmask the phoney traveller. The offenders are then booked under stringent non-bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code. The job of security agencies gets tougher in cases of suspect documents. In these cases, the passengers are allowed to travel after authorities get photocopies for verification. The CISF officials hand over such cases to the Delhi Police department, which then sends the documents to concerned embassies to ascertain their nature "If visas were nokt issued from that embassy, we book such offenders under relevant IPC sections," said Bhatia. --- ENDS --- Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave met a delegation led by Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M Thambidurai regarding this issue also blamed the previous Congress-led UPA government for including bulls in the list (of animals prohibited from being exhibited or trained as performing animals). By Press Trust of India: With Tamil Nadu asking the Centre to promulgate an ordinance to enable the smooth conduct of bull taming sport Jallikattu, the government today said "things are ready from our side" but insisted that it would wait for the Supreme Court decision regarding the issue. Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave who met a delegation led by Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M Thambidurai regarding this issue also blamed the previous Congress-led UPA government for including bulls in the list (of animals prohibited from being exhibited or trained as performing animals). advertisement Dave asserted that there was no ill-treatment with the bulls during the performance of the sport and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will look into all these aspects while giving its decision so that the people can celebrate their festivals with full pleasure. "We being the government, we are just waiting for the Supreme Courts decision. What I feel is that we should request the Supreme Court to give its judgement, then the government can take any step. The government is ready even at midnight to do all these things. Also read: Kamal Haasan at India Today Conclave: If you want to ban jallikattu, ban biryani too "But all depends, as we are in a structured organization, Parliament is supreme. But the Court is also there. Therefore, it will be better that the moment the decision on the pending case comes, things are ready from our side. I am waiting for the decision desperately," Dave told reporters after meeting the delegation. TAMIL NADU CM WROTE TO PRIME MINISTER : There has been a growing chorus for holding bull taming sport Jallikattu, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to consider promulgating an ordinance to enable the conduct of the sport. "I am sorry to say that somehow this problem arose only after 2011. The then Congress government included bulls in the list of animals that cannot be used as performing animals. We would not have included them," Dave said. Also read: Issue ordinance for conduct of jallikattu: O Panneerselvam to Centre Later he tweeted, "The mother of problem is the Congress-led UPA government which included bulls in performing list in 2011." After filmstar Kamal Hassan defended Jallikattu, saying all those who hate the bull sport should give up on biryani too, Dave had wondered why cognizance was not being taken when the sport is animal friendly and non violent. "Now the matter is pending in the Supreme Court and we are waiting for the decision," Dave tweeted. Also read: Should Tamil Nadu ban Jallikattu? Leading Chennai voices say NO Also read: Protests against ban on Jallikattu reaches National Capital --- ENDS --- advertisement T roubled defence giant Cobhams shares nose-dived to a record low earlier after the groups new management suspended the companys prized dividend in the wake of its third profit warning in 12 months. The FTSE 250 group tanked over 20%, the biggest single-day drop in the companys 82-year history, after it warned annual profits would be 10 million lower than first feared. New chief executive David Lockwood and chief financial officer David Mellors, in post for just 24 days after replacing former management last month, gave a sombre assessment of the groups state. Were not going to financially engineer our way out of this, Lockwood said. We need to calm everything down. I havent changed my view on the long-term potential of the group although I now have a slightly different view of how Ill be spending my first six months. Cobham, which manufactures equipment for the Ministry of Defence, lowered expected annual profits to 245 million earlier. In October it warned profits would be between 255 million and 275 million for the year, which was also a downgrade. In an embarrasing U-turn, the firm also suspended its final dividend despite a 507 million rights issue last to bolster the balance sheet after it refused to scrap the dividend. It had previously trimmed its dividend in August. Debt is also rising to dangerously high levels for the group. The 500 million rights issue last April had originally been done to put the group on a sound financial footing Much of Cobhams recent woes involve a hold-up with a contract for Boeings KC-46 tanker programme. Lockwood said there was significant uncertainty over the outcome of the deal, which had dried up the firms cash flow. The trouble at Cobham started after the group found accounting irregularities in its Wireless division, part of which had been acquired after a deal to buy US firm Aeroflex for 900 million in 2014. The Standard later revealed how the scandal had been caused by a fear-based culture, underpinning the internal strife at the group. Chief executive Bob Murphy, chief financial officer Simon Nicholls, and chairman John Devaney all left before Christmas after a string of profit warnings. Mike Wareing, formerly senior independent director, was appointed chairman. Despite the bleak outlook, analysts said Lockwood, ex-chief executive of Laird, and Mellors, who had been at QinetiQ, had a decent shot at improving perforance. Recovery should be in sight under new management, Liberum analyst Ben Bourne said. H ouse of Fraser on Wednesday revealed strong sales growth over the Christmas period, but question marks remain over the future leadership of the department stores chain. Outgoing boss Nigel Oddy told the Standard there was still no timeframe for him leaving, and the company had no update on a replacement chief executive. He resigned in November amid a tough retail environment and reports of frustration between management and the retailers owner since 2014, Chinese giant Sanpower. Oddy praised a solid performance at House of Fraser in the UK and Ireland in the six weeks to December 31. Sales at shops open for more than a year (excluding VAT), rose 2.7%, helped by customers stocking up on beauty goods from luxury brands including Charlotte Tilbury and MAC. Oddy said: It remains a challenging market, and we have a number of cost increases coming, but we will keep looking to invest in people and products. A s Tullow Oil boss Aidan Heavey took a back seat on Wednesday from the Irish oil firm he founded more than 30 years ago, investors lifted their foot off the buying pedal. Shares in the company, which explores for and produces oil and gas in Africa, fell 6.37p, or 2%, to 316.33p as it revealed Heavey would move from the chief executives to the chairmans seat in April. He will be replaced by promoted chief operating officer Paul McDade. The move, which goes against corporate governance best practices, would last no more than two years as he searches for a successor before retiring. An accompanying update did not help the shares. It revealed Tullow is preparing itself for lower production this year at its giant TEN oilfield off the coast of Ghana, which began producing less than six months ago. Tullow is one of many London-listed oil firms which suffered when the oil price halved two years ago and it needs to keep production high to pay off its huge debts. The FTSE 100s steady rise showed no signs of running out of steam as Londons blue-chip index advanced 9.51 points to new highs of 7284.98. Retailers dominated the top flight after better-than-expected results from Sainsburys. Burberry, which reports on trading next week, was in fashion. The shares rose 14p to 1547p after Barclays lifted its rating to overweight, predicting the change in management would mean an improvement in fortunes. With the new CFO/COO arriving in January and new CEO by the summer, we believe the company will generate positive momentum in 2017, it said. The wooden spoon went to travel giant Tui, which sank 58p, or 4.9%, to 1133p after Credit Suisse downgraded to underperform. Rival Thomas Cook, which was cut to neutral by the investment bank, suffered a similar fate, falling 4.2p to 84.25p. Shareholders of Interserve were relieved to see the construction group avoid a profit warning as it said a strong overseas performance for 2016 offset a disappointing one in the UK. The shares surged 23.33p, or 7.3%, to 341.33p. On the junior market, posh wellies and coats maker Joules was up 4.66p at 223.66p after strong sales over Christmas, when it bucked the retail trend with higher margins. Oil and gas firm Zenith Energy gusher higher on its AIM debut. The shares, which were placed at 7p to raise 2 million, were trading up at 7.94p. Miner Metal Tiger was up 0.02p at 1.62p as it unveiled plans to spin off its Thai joint venture on AIM. I ts different this time or is it? The US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank have become gargantuan, out-of-control, rogue hedge funds. Global central banks have magicked up hundreds of trillions of dollars in debt and guarantees. Worldwide stock-market valuations are stratospheric buoyed by share buybacks, funded by record corporate debt and enabled by reckless central bank zero-interest-rate policies. The European Central Banks purchase of massive amounts of corporate debt is pouring petrol on this blaze. In 2013, the Banks swerving Mervyn (King) was replaced by Mark Carney. The Canadian promised forward guidance, escape velocity and macro-prudential policies that would drive the UKs economy forward by controlling the business cycle ending boom and bust. In my opinion, what Carney has delivered amounts to policy failure. He instituted policies that seemingly avoided regulation, resolution and restructuring of toxic assets. This policy direction will surely end in a UK economic collapse. As far as Im concerned, Carney and former chancellor George Osborne used the levers of monetary policy to distort market-pricing mechanisms and normal price signals. As a result, insurance companies and pension-fund portfolios were loaded to the gills with risky assets that will bankrupt them when not if markets normalise. The manipulation of asset prices, the use of fear to influence the Brexit referendum and the lobbying around climate-change issues present clear evidence that the Bank is anything but politically independent. The policies pursued by Carney are to my view clear abuses of its mandate. These actions are farcical and the Bank must be reined in. A non-elected, Canadian, Bank boss trampled the myth of the Old Lady of Threadneedle Streets independence. Carney loaded the monetary policy committee with like-minded apparatchiks creating an idyllic groupthink to rubber-stamp misguided policies that keep the UKs asset bubbles frothy. His reward for all this? A contract extension until 2019. What could possibly go wrong? All of this has resulted in a UK commercial and residential property bubble that is ready to explode. In Chelsea and Kensington, property transaction volumes have plummeted. Prices collapsed nearly 15% in November as property agents quietly close shop and sack employees across London. Have the Bank-enabled grotesque bubbles in the bond, stock and property markets or the eight years of temporary emergency measures and zero-interest-rate policies created infrastructure investment? Job creation? Savings? No, no and no. It has killed savers, students and seniors while generating record bonuses for chief executives. While earnings may have peaked almost 18 months ago, stock prices keep bubbling and wealth inequality continues to surge to record highs along with homelessness and underemployment. Will Carney blame Brexit, Putin or Trump for the upcoming problems? Why not? Certainly, extreme valuations enabled by the Bank recklessly allowing debt, credit and leverage to skyrocket out of this universe had nothing to do with the coming collapse nothing to see here, look away. It is not only the UK but also global central bank policies that have broken our financial system beyond repair. The worlds oldest bank, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, founded in 1472, is now an insolvent zombie bank thanks to the handiwork of JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank and Nomura. They sold Monte billions of dollars of derivative trades it did not understand. These predictably exploded, leaving the bank bust. JPMorgan, Deutsche and Nomura made a fortune and Montes shareholders and depositors, and EU taxpayers, will get slammed with the massive bailout tab. The new normal is apparently a world of financial fraud where the only rules which apply are too big to fail, bail or jail and too connected to prosecute steal all you can, while you can, with impunity. After the financial crisis, I wrote extensively exposing the toxic culture of fraud at Deutsche, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, RBS, Lloyds and Barclays. So what was done? Can you guess the number of staff at these banks jailed for the numerous frauds committed during the Great Financial Crises? Zero. Thats not capitalism! Capitalism doesnt have zero accountability or zero transparency. This is ethically, financially and socially wrong. Much of it is also, in my opinion, illegal and should be punished by long jail terms. No need for new regulation we need to enforce existing rules rather than repeatedly turning a blind eye. Market manipulation by central banks has destroyed price discovery in every asset class and market. This has crushed the basic concept of capitalism. Central banks now pick winners and losers rather than letting free markets decide. The Swiss National Bank holds $140 billion in stocks, including shares in Apple, Google and Amazon. Valuations, growth projections and normal business cycles are all unnecessary. The central banking bubble factory forces investors to chase yields resulting in zombie corporations and zombie banks that inhibit growth, infrastructure spending and the creation of productive assets. Reckless central bank policies have caused mal-investment en masse as the risk of a zombie failure is grossly mispriced. As Albert Einstein said: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting to achieve a different result. Our elites, the pay-to-play politicians and their lapdog corporate media, will never allow any changes to the status quo or a disruption to the illusion of democracy. The logic behind this is the belief that the wizards and warlocks at our central banks will bail us out by doing whatever it takes. Unfortunately, this wont happen. We are approaching a collapse of the global financial system that will make 200709 look minuscule. Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Catholicism without hell. And right now, we need to audit and abolish the Fed, the Bank and the ECB, which started this mess, and slay the zombies. Desperate times call for desperate measures; we must create a new global banking paradigm pivoting far away from the Wests broken models, which rely on the same PhD economists, academics and government bureaucrats who have destroyed our global financial system and capitalism, replacing it with a combination of Keynesian economic Kool-Aid and central bank new normal Marxism. My sleeves are rolled up; when can I start? Mitchell Feierstein is a hedge fund manager and chief executive of Glacier Environmental Fund B arack Obama's farewell speech as President to supporters in his home city of Chicago had the hallmark grace and eloquence that has characterised his rhetoric throughout his presidency. He echoed his famous slogan, Yes we can, with a defiant Yes we did. He criticised the divisive approach of his successor, without naming him, while engaging directly with one of the great problems that the presidential election race raised: the US is a divided nation where many groups do not engage with each other but rather talk to themselves. Perhaps his most pertinent recommendation to his followers was that if youre tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try talking to one in real life. We could all take note. Naturally, his supporters clamoured for four more years; inevitably he had to remind them that a president can only serve two terms. He was, he, said, proud that America is a better, stronger place than when he took office. Certainly he himself has added charisma and elegance to the international scene and by dint of being the first black, or at least mixed-race, President, he gave greater hope and dignity to many black Americans. But an audit of his achievements has a debit and credit side. The economy has generated more jobs under his presidency but many are badly paid and insecure. His great achievement, to provide health services to poorer Americans, Obamacare, had the effect of raising the cost of health insurance for others. He failed to engage with the Israel-Palestine question, leaving the way open for a more bellicose approach on the part of Mr Trump. He fatally drew a red line on Syria in respect of President Assads use of chemical weapons, only to fail to follow through his threat. Crime rates in cities such as Chicago remain appallingly high. For all that, he has been an inclusive leader of whom the US can be proud. It is dispiriting to contrast Mr Obamas intelligence and generosity of spirit with the allegations surrounding the President-elect. Mr Trump and the Russian government have denied allegations that Moscow exerts influence over him by virtue of holding material allegedly to do with his behaviour with prostitutes. The very fact that these allegations have been made is dispiriting; they strike a sordid note just days before Mr Trump is sworn in as President. We must hope he will learn from Mr Obama: restraint, magnanimity and inclusiveness have characterised his presidency. We shall miss him on the world stage. Barack Obama gets emotional during farewell speech Good news on HIV There is excellent news from one important front in the fight against HIV/Aids in London. While the number of HIV diagnoses here was broadly unchanged from 2014 to 2015, falling from 2,671 to 2,603 people, one of the leading clinics, 56 Doughty Street, has seen a big drop in its diagnoses of 42 per cent, from 679 in 2015 to 393 last year, as a result of a rapid-response approach imported from San Francisco. This is not the end of HIV/Aids in London but its an important development. Given the enormous challenges facing the NHS in the current financial crisis, it is heartening that on one front at least, a combination of public education and judicious use of funding can achieve so much in a short time. Help for homeless During Prince Williams visit to a Centrepoint centre for young homeless people in Ealing yesterday, he expressed support for this papers campaign to help fund a new initiative by the organisation: to offer a free helpline for young people who are or could be homeless. Its an excellent cause, and we are grateful to readers for their contributions. A vital part of the journalistic trade is to be a cat-thrower. The Economist, where I work, has thrown a large moggie into the debate about the Governments performance by describing the Prime Minister as Theresa Maybe a figure in a muddle, without a clear plan for Brexit or wider government. This cat hit the pigeons. For many people practising the niche but important art of Mayology it summarised an uneasy feeling that the PM, while she looks competent, might not have a firm grip on what she wants. Mayology is such a fascinating pastime because the PM has created a Delphic aura around herself. The more charitable see this as a sign that she is good at triage when it comes to implacable instincts how do you deal with a Boris-force attack on customs unions and the single market, when your Chancellor is signalling that he wants a long, withdrawing whimper, not a bang? The art of keeping her cards close has been a hallmark of Mays career, which is why so many people who have been familiar with her rise in the Conservative Party nonetheless feel that they dont know her well. Shes like a hologram, says one frustrated minister. Even the gaudy dress is a cipher her professional style is far quieter and more deliberative, greige not acid brights. That is the point The Economist was drawing out. Yes, the terms of Brexit are a waiting game. But a direction of travel or a sense of purpose is important and, without it, a grip on authority loosens. It happened to John Major and to sundry Tory leaders afterwards who never made it to No 10. It is what happened to Blairism after Blair. As if on cue, May then appeared on Sky News on Sunday to signal that she did not expect Britain to end up in the single market after triggering Article 50. Once again, though, the meaning had to be extracted. Of course there is calculation amid the fuzziness I know May is seeking wide expert advice on trade deals, for example. Nonetheless, the impression of a loose grip needs to be heeded. The Independents John Rentoul noted after the Sky turn that May had perfected the old political art of using many words to say very little. People see through this or tune out. So do we reckon the distinction between the shared society and the big society is much appreciated by those who do not work in a handful of think-tanks? The search for a neutral phrase featuring society, but not the one used by the other guy, should be a plotline from The Thick of It. If the point is to use the state differently from Cameron and Co, as Mayites explain, it would be a lot easier to say what should change in practice than to indulge in a meta-talk that hints rather than defines. Mays focus on mental health is unobjectionable but when the A &E departments are bursting at the seams, it looks like a rather partial take on the big question of how the NHS should now be scaled and funded. That brings us back to how politicians end up in Muddle City. Rather often, it is because they are seeking the right moment to change something, and it keeps slipping away. Or because instincts are easy but decisions far harder. It is the raw difference between being on the way up and at the top. Anne McElvoy is senior editor at The Economist M embers of the public will be able to get a closer look at the multi-million- pound restoration of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich after plans were unveiled for tours of its famous painted ceiling. From April visitors will be able to use a lift to reach a viewing platform where they can watch conservators cleaning up 3,400 square metres of painted surface and restoring it to its former glory after decades of decay. The plans for the tours were revealed as it was announced the project had received a 1 million donation from businessman and Royal Navy veteran Sir Donald Gosling. Another 2 million is still needed to meet the 8.5 million bill for the conservation of the 18th-century ceiling and the creation of a new visitor centre, gallery and cafe at the historic site where Navy officers trained for more than a century. Arts picks of the week: 9th-15th January 1 /8 Arts picks of the week: 9th-15th January Romeo & Juliet A rare chance to see world-renowned conductor Teodor Currentzis and his MusicAeterna orchestra perform an exclusive concert of Sergei Prokofievs Romeo & Juliet. The evening is in aid of the Gift of Life charity which raises money for children with cancer in Russia, and will also feature Shakespeare readings by Ralph Fiennes. January 14, Royal Festival Hall; southbankcentre.co.uk London International Mime Festival The London International Mime Festival offers the chance to see visual performance from companies across the world who will make your eyes pop out of your head. From puppetry to performances by a pair of hands, whatever you see, youre sure to see things youve never seen before. Check out our guide to what not to miss. January 9 - February 4; mimelondon.com Mr Swallow - Houdini Mr Swallow had a huge hit with what he promises is the only honest account of Harry Houdinis life that theres ever been. It was a huge smash in Edinburgh and now Londoners can brighten their January by catching him for his six week run at Soho Theatre. January 10 - February 18, Soho Theatre; sohotheatre.com Nordic Matters If youre hygge mad or just want to understand why the Nordic countries are getting such a great press (Denmark was declared the happiest place on the planet by the United Nations), then the Southbank Centres Nordic Matters festival will be right up your street. This year-long festival, which kicks off this weekend with an array of fun and a performance from Norwegian folk singer Moddi, will explore Scandi-fever with music, dance, theatre, literature, debate, and much more. Opening on January 14, Southbank Centre; southbankcentre.co.uk Wish List Playwright Katharine Soper won the Bruntwood Prize for her debut play which spears the current political climate. It covers bad employment conditions, job centre sanctions and mental health in a way that is moving, funny and always compelling. January 10 - February 11, Royal Court; royalcourttheatre.com TS Eliot Prize readings The worlds biggest poetry prize has an incredible shortlist this year, and you can hear the poets read the pieces themselves at a special reading at the Southbank Centre, the day before the prize is announced. Read our guide to the prize and some extracts here . January 15, Southbank Centre; southbankcentre.co.uk Abigail The Bunker closes its inaugural season with a new play by Fiona Doyle, about a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s who meet on a trip to Berlin. The new venue, which is next to the Menier Chocolate Factory, has already made a name for itself as a space for bold new writing, so Abigail is bound to be worth a watch. January 10 - February 4, The Bunker; bunkertheatre.com The Convert The Gate Theatre is one of the most global theatres in London, and it begins 2017 with an epic by Tony-nominated Danai Gurira set in Rhodesia in 1896. Its part of their Resist! Season, a series of plays about rebellion and revolution, and Christopher Haydons last as artistic director before Ellen McDougall takes over. January 12 - February 11, Gate Theatre; gatetheatre.co.uk Sir Donald said: It is a jewel in the heart of the Royal borough and rivals the Sistine Chapel for splendour. Conservation director William Palin said the Painted Hall was one of Britains greatest architectural treasures. This project aims to raise it to the prominence it deserves. Tour tickets go on sale next month. All income will go to the project fund. Visit standard.co.uk/arts for the latest news and reviews from Londons arts scene. Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout Review at a glance T he name Kipling conjures up only one person for many of us: the writer of The Jungle Book, Kim and If. Yet behind Rudyard was another distinguished and in todays post-colonial world, inevitably complex figure. John Lockwood Kipling (1837-1911), Rudyards father, was an artist, illustrator, educator, interior designer, journalist, exhibition curator and museum director. He was one of the leading scholars and promoters of Indian art of his day. As the co-curator Julius Bryant writes in the whopper of a catalogue that accompanies this show, There is one place today where the name Kipling immediately means Lockwood, not Rudyard, and is not weighed down by adverse associations with the Raj. That place is Lahore, a city Kipling knew as a north-western Indian, but which is now the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab. It was one of two Indian cities that Kipling made his home. Like his son, Lockwoods identity was bound up with empire. Unlike Rudyard, his life and work has not been studied in depth. Until now, that is: this show, and particularly the 600-page catalogue, explore Lockwoods world in microscopic detail. And there is no more fitting venue for the exhibition than the V&A, since many of the Indian items in the museum are here thanks to him he was intimately connected with the V&A and the art scene in South Kensington throughout his life. In the show we encounter objects reflecting all his disparate roles, so that its not just a survey of an artist but a portrait of an era in cultural politics and its social attitudes. Its an ambitious and often fascinating endeavour, even if it suffers from having rather too much material crammed into too little space. Lockwood Kipling - in pictures 1 /12 Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Lockwood Kipling with his son Rudyard Kipling, 1882 National Trust / Charles Thomas Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Bracelet shown at the Great Exhibition, made in Rajasthan, India, ca. 1850 Victoria and Albert Museum, London Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Mosaic panel, after Godfrey Sykes ca. 1866 Victoria and Albert Museum, London Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Wedding chest ca. 1888 CSG CIC Glasgow Museum Collection Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Principal entrance to the Mosque of Wazir Khan, Mohammed Din ca. 1880 Victoria and Albert Museum, London Lockwood Kipling - in pictures A Wood Carver, from a collection depicting craftsmen of the North-West Provinces of British India, by John Lockwood Kipling 1870 Victoria and Albert Museum, London Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Bhai Ram Singh, by Rudolf Swoboda 1892 The Royal Collection Lockwood Kipling - in pictures View of Lahore with Maharaja Ranjit Sing, Woodcut ca. 1870 Victoria and Albert Museum, London Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Terracotta tobacco jar and cover in the form of a bear, by Lockwood Kipling 1896 National Trust / Charles Thomas Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Rudyard Kiplings bookplate Ex Libris, by Lockwood Kipling 1909 National Trust /John Hammond Lockwood Kipling - in pictures Durbar Hall at Osborne, designed by Bhai Ram Singh and Lockwood Kipling 1890 Bard Graduate Center, New York, Bruce M. White, photographer Lockwood Kipling - in pictures The Great Exhibition, India no. 4, by Joseph Nash ca. 1851 Royal Collection Trust Kiplings name is always there in studies of Indian art history but is often erroneously placed alongside other critics and ill-informed British thinkers about the art of the subcontinent, such as his adversary George Birdwood. The critic John Ruskins attitude was typical and expressed with characteristically over-the-top language. While Ruskin admired decorative Indian works he simply couldnt grasp its art in the context of his Western learning. Living creatures were only represented under some distorted or monstrous form, he said, and Indian artists were cut off from all sources of healthy knowledge or natural delight. But Kipling deserves to be separated from these prevailing attitudes. He understood and appreciated the breadth of Indian visual culture better than anyone in his time. His love affair with it began with the extraordinary moment in Victorian life that opens the show: the Great Exhibition of 1851. Held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park (which was eventually relocated to south London), its most spectacular display was dedicated to India. Some of the exhibits that so bewitched Kipling, from jewellery to a sword and sheath and vivid textiles, are shown here. Its easy to understand why a schoolboy and son of a Methodist minister based in Yorkshire might have been so impressed: the palace was a 100,000 square metre glass and iron behemoth, and watercolours show how visually dramatic the Indian display was, with a decorated taxidermised elephant at its heart. Lockwood apprenticed in ceramics before moving to study art in London, eventually joining the V&A, then known as the South Kensington Museum. He assisted in the new museums terracotta decorations, including his own portrait on the original entrance. It can still be seen today. With his wife Alice, Kipling was part of the Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts circles: Edward Burne-Jones was Alices brother-in-law, and the piano Burne-Jones decorated, which Alice played, features in the show, alongside an embroidered panel she made for the Arts and Crafts masterpiece The Red House in Bexleyheath. It was a bold move to leave this milieu for India in 1865. Kiplings first port of call was burgeoning imperial Bombay, a blazing beauty of a city, he wrote. Throughout the show films reveal what objects cant: in this case, the buildings in which Kipling was involved as an architectural decorator and educator. He was particularly involved in ambitious multi-figure reliefs and a fountain for the Arthur Crawford Municipal Market, but architectural sculptures by Kipling and the atelier he formed are dotted around Mumbai. Without the things themselves to look at its hard to judge his skill accurately, yet the sculptural reliefs appear accomplished and serenely decorative. These same qualities are present in a series of drawings Kipling made over many years at the behest of the British authorities. They capture craftsmen at work in villages across north-western India, from weavers to a wood carver. Intended to help promote the economic potential of Indian crafts, they are far more than deadpan imperial documentation the attention to detail suggests a genuine fascination with artisanal work. Arts picks of the week: 9th-15th January 1 /8 Arts picks of the week: 9th-15th January Romeo & Juliet A rare chance to see world-renowned conductor Teodor Currentzis and his MusicAeterna orchestra perform an exclusive concert of Sergei Prokofievs Romeo & Juliet. The evening is in aid of the Gift of Life charity which raises money for children with cancer in Russia, and will also feature Shakespeare readings by Ralph Fiennes. January 14, Royal Festival Hall; southbankcentre.co.uk London International Mime Festival The London International Mime Festival offers the chance to see visual performance from companies across the world who will make your eyes pop out of your head. From puppetry to performances by a pair of hands, whatever you see, youre sure to see things youve never seen before. Check out our guide to what not to miss. January 9 - February 4; mimelondon.com Mr Swallow - Houdini Mr Swallow had a huge hit with what he promises is the only honest account of Harry Houdinis life that theres ever been. It was a huge smash in Edinburgh and now Londoners can brighten their January by catching him for his six week run at Soho Theatre. January 10 - February 18, Soho Theatre; sohotheatre.com Nordic Matters If youre hygge mad or just want to understand why the Nordic countries are getting such a great press (Denmark was declared the happiest place on the planet by the United Nations), then the Southbank Centres Nordic Matters festival will be right up your street. This year-long festival, which kicks off this weekend with an array of fun and a performance from Norwegian folk singer Moddi, will explore Scandi-fever with music, dance, theatre, literature, debate, and much more. Opening on January 14, Southbank Centre; southbankcentre.co.uk Wish List Playwright Katharine Soper won the Bruntwood Prize for her debut play which spears the current political climate. It covers bad employment conditions, job centre sanctions and mental health in a way that is moving, funny and always compelling. January 10 - February 11, Royal Court; royalcourttheatre.com TS Eliot Prize readings The worlds biggest poetry prize has an incredible shortlist this year, and you can hear the poets read the pieces themselves at a special reading at the Southbank Centre, the day before the prize is announced. Read our guide to the prize and some extracts here . January 15, Southbank Centre; southbankcentre.co.uk Abigail The Bunker closes its inaugural season with a new play by Fiona Doyle, about a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s who meet on a trip to Berlin. The new venue, which is next to the Menier Chocolate Factory, has already made a name for itself as a space for bold new writing, so Abigail is bound to be worth a watch. January 10 - February 4, The Bunker; bunkertheatre.com The Convert The Gate Theatre is one of the most global theatres in London, and it begins 2017 with an epic by Tony-nominated Danai Gurira set in Rhodesia in 1896. Its part of their Resist! Season, a series of plays about rebellion and revolution, and Christopher Haydons last as artistic director before Ellen McDougall takes over. January 12 - February 11, Gate Theatre; gatetheatre.co.uk When he went to Lahore this support for traditional Indian crafts became a crucial element of Kiplings work, and the section dedicated to the Punjabi capital is the best in the show. A film reflects the vigour and beauty of Lahores old city, while some of the close to 200 prints by local artists he collected the street art of 19th-century India add a raw colour. In common with so many misguided imperial programmes, most of the education in British-Indian art schools in Calcutta, Bombay (as they were then known) and elsewhere attempted to impose European order and principle. But in Lahore, while Kipling followed some general British guidelines he encouraged his pupils to study traditional designs and techniques before adopting modern ideas. In doing so he helped preserve artisan traditions that continue to thrive today. Among the shows highlights are his students beautiful copies of the designs for the Wazir Khan mosque. Kiplings attention to Lahori craft traditions extended to preserving architectural heritage, and elegantly decorative windows and doors are a testament to his efforts. And he did more to incorporate Indian life into his own home than many Britons in the subcontinent: an exquisite wedding chest exhibited here was one of the items he and Alice had in their home, fusing local vernacular with Arts and Crafts designs. But despite his unusually enlightened attitudes to education and Indian visual culture Kipling was still very much an imperialist, with views in step with the conservative Raj community. Even close to his death in 1911 the poet Wilfrid Scawen Blunt recorded that the old man felt that severe repression was the best approach in British India. To the curators credit, they dont ignore the racism that punctuated his journalism, written for the British in India. Included is a series of dessert plates called Nos Ennemis Intimes (our intimate enemies), which feature despicable racist portrayals of Indian servants as feckless, drunken and clumsy. This was Kipling playing to the gallery, the ruling British class in India that shared his views. My own great-grandfather was a civil engineer in India; I shudder to imagine him being amused at these vile objects. It was, of course, a different time, but some had more enlightened views. The sections closing the show, dedicated to his retirement after India including illustrations for Rudyards books and decorations for royal residences Osborne House and Bagshot Park rather drift. After the vibrant colour of earlier sections the display of objects and drawings relating to Osborne by Bhai Ram Singh and Kipling feels bloodless rather than elegantly spare, even despite Rudolf Swobodas sensitive portrait of Ram Singh hanging nearby. The exhibition is at its most alive in capturing Kiplings discovery of India and his experiences there. Any show connected with this turbulent period in Anglo-Indian relations is by its very nature conflicting and complex. But Kipling has a clear and entirely positive legacy: the V&As collections would not be as rich without his contribution. And now we can see them with contemporary eyes, unbound by Victorian prejudices. Saturday until April 2, The V&A Museum; vam.ac.uk Visit standard.co.uk/arts for the latest news and reviews from Londons arts scene. Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout F riday is normally a day for winding down from work, but next Friday (January 20), one person will be gearing up for one of the biggest jobs in the world. Its the day of Donald Trumps inauguration as President of the United States, and although no one seems to fancy performing at the ceremony, elsewhere the art world is getting busy with plans. Meryl Streep issued a major rallying cry to the arts world in her Golden Globes speech this week, leading cultural figures have called for an 'art strike', and women across the world are planning protest marches in major cities which will include readings from writers. Theatre503 have announced their rapidfire reaction to the event, with a festival of new writing about Donald Trumps first 100 days in office to be held from January 19 to 21, ending on the first day of his presidency. Top Trumps will feature short plays from theatre titans Caryl Churchill, Roy Williams and Neil LaBute, as well as a host of other names. Churchill's will examine a family threatened by voting differences, Williams will explore the Black vote for Trump, whilst LaBute will examine the future of sexual politics. Lisa Spirling, artistic director of Theatre503, said they chose to hold the event because how could we not respond? A groundswell of opinion and feeling from the artistic community made it seem a rich avenue to explore Americas choice of leader affects all of us, she says. Theatre503 Artistic Director Lisa Spirling / Karla Gowlett So many events took our world by surprise last year, and questions have rightly been asked about how out of touch we in the theatre are, she adds. The festival will be an attempt to get beyond the echo chamber. Playwrights have been asked to respond from other perspectives, exploring how we got to where we are and where we go from here. The festival, assembled at speed whilst events are still unfolding, is still coming together. But progress so far has been quick. This is something writers are passionate to explore, and many had something they wanted to say, Spirling says. The line-up is a mix of established and new voices, from a range of backgrounds with a range of experiences Spirling emphasises that the theatre wanted to explore this historic event from as many angles as possible. This is aided by a range of panel discussions after each performance, featuring economists, journalists, comedians, activists, academics and political analysts. Questions up for debate include whether the media or political correctness played a part in Trump's election, or if his election can even be a good thing. It may be a quick response to history as it is happening but why wait? asks Spirling. You can always wait until the dust settles but then you might miss the dramatic moment of change. We need to be doing something now. Spirling lists artists refusal to sing at his inauguration, protest speeches at the Golden Globes, and Mike Pence being addressed by the cast of Hamilton as proof that popular culture has become a political act. They know the importance of art on politics and so do we, she says. A sense of immediacy also offers the chance to capture the time we live in; its a vital human record of a particular moment that helps us to process and proceed, Spirling says. Some, including Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry, have suggested the age of Trump could in fact be a fruitful one for artists. Unfortunately, this may prove to be true, Spirling suggests. Or at least for political art. Too long society has remained apathetic and for many this feels like a dangerous awakening, she continues. Many artists are increasingly aware that it is not enough to exist in the echo chamber, and that art has the responsibility to not only reflect and comment on the world around us but also to understand, question and shape what is possible. Top Trumps is at Theatre503 from January 19-21; theatre503.com Visit standard.co.uk/theatre for the latest news and reviews from Londons theatre scene. Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout Capitation fee is often paid in cash by aspiring parents for out-of-turn admission of their children into prestigious private medical and engineering colleges across India. By India Today Web Desk: Throwing a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his aggressive campaign of a cashless economy, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram today asked if he can promise that no capitation fee will be paid by parents for their wards' admission into medical and engineering colleges. "I am throwing another challenge to the PM. In the months of May and June, engineering, medical colleges will open and capitation fee will be taken. Can the Prime Minister assure that the parents need not worry? That no capitation fee will be asked or taken. Can he give that promise?" Chidambaram asked. advertisement Capitation fee is often paid in cash by aspiring parents for out-of-turn admission of their children into prestigious private medical and engineering colleges across India. "When the Prime Minister talks of a cashless society, he talks of something that never happened anywhere. He has no right to decide that. He should look into global phenomena also. In the US, cash flow is around 42 per cent, in France it is 56 per cent. It's people's choice to use cash or card," Chidambaram said at a Congress event in New Delhi. "In this country, farmers, salary class workers need cash to meet their daily needs. Three objective was told by the PM on 8th November: counterfeit currency, black money and corruption. I challenge the PM to put all those promises to test," he said. Chidambaram demanded that the government must give compensation to farmers, who he said suffered badly because of the demonetisation drive. "I demand that the government must compensate kin of those who lost their lives because of this action," he said. The Opposition has alleged nearly 150 deaths across India since the banning of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, announced by Modi in a televised address on November 8. Also read: Demonetisation is Modi's Napoleon moment: Amartya Sen to India Today Also read: Jaitley: Money has lost anonymity post demonetisation Also read: Cash chaos: Workers of currency printing press in Bengal refuse to work extra hours --- ENDS --- T he cultural hub of Deptford has been lauded as the next big thing in London property. And thanks to the regeneration, development and investment pouring into the area, that prediction seems truer than ever. Nestled in the south-east of the capital, this characterful location has long been overlooked by investors. But its history and culture, combined with its Zone 2 location and excellent transport links, means that people are seeing the potential of this vibrant location on the doorstep of the City. Comprising one, two and three bedroom apartments, Deptford Foundry is a new development from Anthology. The company prides itself on creating homes that are built from London, and in this case has transformed a former ironworks into an impressive new development. Located on Arklow Road, it is less than a 10-minute walk from both New Cross station and Deptford High Street and boasts direct connections to London Bridge (six minutes), Cannon Street (13 minutes) and Greenwich (12 minutes). First-time buyers Hamish Hossack, 26, and Ilona Smyth, 24, pictured left, spotted the convenience of the location. Working as a web developer in Central London, Hamish explains: Getting to and from the office each day has been one of the many reasons that drew us to Deptford. With a Zone 2 postcode, it is a dream for commuting to central London. We also lead quite an active lifestyle, which is well accommodated as Greenwich Park is just a 20-minute walk away. We viewed a number of new developments in the area prior to purchasing, but were really impressed by the design at Deptford Foundry. The apartments all have large doors and tall ceilings, with the added benefit of a balcony. No other developer was able to quite meet the mark Anthology stood out and ticked all the boxes. More new homes have just launched, with prices from 360,000. To find out more about the apartments available at Deptford Foundry, visit the marketing suite and show home, call 020 7526 9229, or see anthology.london/deptford C onvention dictates that cake is sinful and if it isnt, you arent baking it right. The term conjures up wobbling tiers of pavement-thick icing, flaky pastries and cupcakes of immodest proportions. Consequently, cake is also fattening and therefore frivolous and verboten except on special occasions. Of course, you should always have your cake and eat it, but if you are swerving unnecessary calories then you neednt excuse yourself from the sweet treats game altogether: raw cakes can sate the craving. The raw moniker is slightly misleading: these gateaux are not soft, runny uncooked mixtures but are made from produce that is cooked below 48 degrees (typically, they are unprocessed, organic and vegan). Disciples present theories that these live, uncooked foods have a higher concentration of nutrients than their cooked counterparts. London bakers The Hardihood are proving convincingly that raw doesnt mean joyless. Friends Daisy Kristiansen and Leah Garwood-Gowers started baking together in 2014 after a joint resolution to give up sugar. They started with raw brownies and went from there. Now they sell cakes via their website and have just released a cookbook, The Hardihood, which features 100 recipes including for red velvet cupcakes (made with beetroot), dark chocolate truffles (made with cacao) and raw hot cross buns. Everything is free from refined sugar. But its not off-putting. We wanted the cookbook to be accessible, explains Kristiansen. You have to have a pantry full of dates and nuts, but all the recipes use quite similar ingredients: once youve stocked up you can make many of the recipes . They wanted to make versions of identifiable recipes hence the red velvet cupcakes. Its healthy versions of treats, Kristiansen adds. The Hardihood has almost 21,000 followers on Instagram and an endorsement from Deliciously Ella (the Hardihood cakes are irresistibly delicious). They are not the only vocal disciples of the trend: Honey + Date sells its selection of gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free cakes at Selfridges. The range is big on superfoods including acai berry, maca and spirulina; the sweeteners used are raw honey and natural fruit juices. The range is the work of Carmen Ngan, a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu cookery school. After encountering people with food intolerances she became evangelical about the potential of raw, healthy alternatives to existing offerings. We have definitely noticed that people are starting to pay more attention to raw cakes, especially in the past six or 12 months, Ngan explains. When we started in 2016 a lot of people came up to us and asked what a raw cake was. Ngan says that the unheated ingredients maintain higher nutrient values and antioxidant levels. Its just a great alternative. Elsewhere, VitaOrganic on Tottenham Court Road has a rotating selection of raw cakes, as does Mr Prempys, which pops up at Stoke Newington Farmers Market, and is stocked at right-on retailers including Melrose and Morgan, Planet Organic and the Natural Kitchen. So is raw cake just another fad? Kristiansen says that in fact people are growing more thoughtful about what they consume. People will always want sweet treats but theyre asking, Whats this weird ingredient?. It seems that a no-cake bake can be rather sweet. Follow Phoebe on Twitter @phoebeluckhurst A defendant has slit his throat in a court dock moments before he was due to be sentenced, it has been reported. Lukasz Robert Pawlowski, 33, was due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to sexual assault for grabbing and kissing a sales assistant in a shop. An air ambulance landed and airlifted him to hospital with a serious injury, the Welsh Ambulance Service said. The 999 call was made at 10.20am on Wednesday from Haverfordwest Magistrates Court in south west Wales, shortly before Pawlowski was to be sentenced. A court reporter from the Welsh newspaper the Western Telegraph said the defendant asked to go to the toilet and on his return cut his throat. Paramedics gave first aid in the dock as the court room was cleared out. The reporter said it appeared the defendant lost a lot of blood. Pawlowski had reportedly been convicted of grabbing a shop assistant by the wrists and kissing her on the cheek. He is said to have then grabbed her from behind, pulled her and kissed her on the lips. A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunal said: "A man has been taken to hospital following an incident at Haverford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 11 January. "There were no injuries to staff or other court users. "There is an ongoing police investigation so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage." A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: "We were called at about 10.20am to reports of an incident at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court." Later he added: "A man has been airlifted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea with a serious injury." The Wales air ambulance, two crews, an emergency ambulance and an ambulance officer attended the scene. It is not known how Pawlowski, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, was able to get a weapon. This page is being updated A hotel worker who tried to kill his pregnant fiancee by brutally assaulting her and stabbing her in the face at their north London home is facing jail. Petar Petrov, 31, attacked his 30-year-old partner at their home in Edmonton leaving her with life-threatening injuries including several facial fractures, severe bruising of the lungs and a stab wound to the face. Scotland Yard said she remains fighting for life in intensive care more than five months after the attack at the property in Densworth Grove on the evening of August 5. Doctors performed an emergency caesarean section four days later and the baby was born premature but with no physical injuries, police said. Petrov, a Bulgarian national, pleaded guilty to attempted murder at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. He has never revealed the motive for the attack. He had been in a relationship with the victim for just over a year after they met working at a hotel in Knightsbridge, the court heard. 'Brutal' attack: The couple lived in Densworth Grove, Edmonton / Google The couple moved into the property in Densworth Grove in July 2016 ahead of the arrival of their unborn baby. Neighbours first reported hearing loud shouting and arguing at the home from approximately 8pm onwards on Friday, August 5, which lasted for around an hour. A resident reported hearing a man shouting followed by a bang which sounded like a car crash. A passer-by then found Petrov lying on the floor looking unresponsive and believed he had been thrown through the first-floor window as he was surrounded by blood and glass. He also had knife wounds to his body. The Good Samaritan provided immediate first aid and called police at around 9.15pm before entering the flat and finding the victim lying on the floor with life-threatening injuries to her head and neck. He discovered she was heavily pregnant and he immediately began first aid with the assistance, over the phone, of a paramedic. She was later rushed to hospital and placed in an intensive care unit. Petrov, who was hurt in the fall from the window and also had self-inflicted injuries, was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he was arrested and later charged. Detective Inspector Chris Skelt of Enfield Police Community Safety Unit said: "This has been a truly shocking case. It is incomprehensible to think that a father-to-be could carry out such a violent and horrific attack on his fiance knowing she was carrying their baby. "I would like to commend the members of the public who were first at this distressing scene, and who performed first aid on the injured parties and called the emergency services. Their quick actions and bravery were crucial in getting the victim the medical attention she needed, saving her child's life. "Sadly she remains in a persistent vegetative state, however thankfully her child was born without injuries via caesarean section." He added: "Petrov has never revealed the motive behind his shocking attack but I urge anyone who is either in, or know a person in, a relationship suffering domestic abuse to report incidents to police in order that we can protect victims for further abuse and perpetrators can be brought to justice." Petrov will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on February 10. T he limousine driver at the centre of the Kim Kardashian robbery enquiry has been released without charge, it emerged today. Michael Madar left a central Paris police station overnight, as sources close to the inquiry admitted the 40-year-old had never been a serious suspect in the first place. One theory is that the 9m heist that took place in the French capital on October 3 was an inside job. Mr Madar is thought to have delivered Ms Kardashian to her upmarket rented flat on October 2, just before the robbery took place. A spokesman for UNIC Worldpass car service, which Mr Madar works for, said all staff had been cleared of any wrongdoing. However, Mr Madars brother, 27-year-old brother, Gary Madar, remains in custody along with 14 others. Three people have been released including the older Mr Madar, said a source close to the enquiry. He said Mr Madar was originally arrested early on Monday morning because of his key position in the reality TVs movements on the night she was held up at gunpoint. It was just a question of speaking to him at length, said the source. The easiest way for prosecutors to interrogate somebody is under judicial control. A UNIC car delivered Ms Kardashian to her upmarket rented flat on October 2, just before the robbery took place. Five masked men then broke in after holding a security guard at gunpoint. They then tied Ms Kardashian up, and imprisoned her in the flats bathroom, before she finally escaped. The 36-year-old mother of two admitted I thought I was going to die, as the attackers took a 4m engagement ring and other items worth some 5m. Cash was also taken, and it has since emerged that the police have recovered around 300,000 euros in the raids on suspects homes. A French judge is now expected to fly out to America to discuss the arrest with Ms Kardashian, the worlds highest paid reality television star. She may also have to return to Paris to take part in an identity parade. All those arrested can be held for up to 96 hours before being charged or released, meaning prosecturs have until Thursday to make a decision. The DNA of a 60-year-old suspect is said to have been found on masking time used to cover Ms Kardashians mouth, and also on a pendant which the gang dropped as they fled. Some gang members were caught on grainy CCTV images as they left the central Paris apartment. T he boss of a popular London brewery cheated the taxman of a very significant sum by failing to pay nearly 730,000, a court was told. Jules Whiteway-Wilkinson, 43, the founder of London Fields Brewery in Hackney, was said to have run an outwardly thriving business but had been less successful when it came to paying tax. He appeared at Wood Green crown court charged with deliberately failing to pay HM Revenue and Customs VAT, PAYE and national insurance and student loan contributions gathered by his business over a three-year period. He denies the charges, which he is facing jointly with his wife Rosemary Spence. Prosecutor Timothy Godfrey said that although the brewery, whose beers include Hackney Hopster and Shoreditch Triangle, had appeared to be prospering, Whiteway- Wilkinson and his wife had cheated HMRC of a very significant sum by failing to pass on taxes they had collected on its behalf. The brewery was ostensibly successful, but they were less successful when it came to paying tax, Mr Godfrey told the court. They failed to submit tax returns for their business or pay tax over a three-year period 2012, 2013 and 2014. They cheated the Revenue of taxes which totalled 727,203. Mr Godfrey said that beer duties and corporation tax also went unpaid and that although these failures were not included in the charges they were very much part of the picture of how the brewery had been run. The court heard that London Fields was set up in 2011 in the names of Rosemary Spence and Ian Burgess, the owner of the fashionable Climpson and Sons coffee shop in Hackney. Mr Burgess ended his involvement within months, however, after he and Whiteway-Wilkinson, who had helped him run the brewery from the start, fell out. Whiteway-Wilkinson was then registered as a joint partner in the business with his wife. The case continues. T his is the terrifying moment two armed robbers held a shop manager at gunpoint before rampaging through a luxury boutique and stealing watches worth 110,000. CCTV footage shows two thieves pretending to be wealthy customers before pulling out a handgun and aiming it at the horrified shop manager. One of the suspects grabs a hammer from his rucksack before shattering glass cabinets and ransacking the expensive watches and jewellery in Tuesday evenings smash and grab. The smartly-dressed thieves then smash a hole in the glass door and dive through it to flee the scene. Footage: CCTV from Luxe Watches in Buckhurst Hill shows a suspect wrecking the boutique. / Luxe Watches Shocking photos show the inside of the shop destroyed after the robbers made off with Rolex and other expensive watches. Nicholas Hickey, manager of Luxe Watches in the affluent Buckhurst Hill in Epping Forest, told the Standard he was in the front of the boutique alone when the two men came in. Dive: One of the suspects was seen escaping by diving head first through a smashed door. (Luxe Watches) He greeted them and chatted with them for about two minutes with no idea they were armed with a gun and hammer. The two gentlemen came in smartly dressed. We were talking for about two minutes before they pulled out a gun, Mr Hickey told the Standard. Shocking: The extent of the damage inside the shop, on Queens Road. / Luxe Watches They tried on a watch and then they pulled it out. They robbed the jewellery and then smashed the shop. The two suspects then fled the scene, running down an alleyway near to the shop on Queens Road. Robbery: CCTV showing one of the suspects pointing the gun at the shop manager. / Luxe Watches Their stolen haul included a high-end Audemars Piguet watch worth over 65,000 and a 6,495 Rolex. Police were called just after the robbery, which happened at around 5.30pm on Tuesday evening. Damage: The inside of Luxe Watches was destroyed after the thieves used a hammer to smash the shop. / Luxe Watches On Wednesday, the morning after the robbery, Mr Hickey said: "My heads a bit over the place but Ill be alright." Officers are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the suspects. Escape: The CCTV footage captures a suspect fleeing through a smashed door. / Luxe Watches The suspect believed to have been carrying the handgun had a tattoo sleeve on one arm, was wearing black rimmed glasses, a long navy woollen coat and a light blue shirt. He is described as 25-years-old, black, approximately 6ft tall and of slim build. The second suspect was described as mixed race, around 20-years-old, of slim build with afro hair. Suspect: One of the men entering the store. / Luxe Watches He was wearing a light shirt and beige jeans and was carrying a light rucksack. Luxe Watches, which also has a branch in Knightsbridge, calls itself the leading independent watch retailer in the UK. Their prices can range from a few thousand to 99,995 with brands including Richard Mille, Cartier and Breitling. Anyone with information is asked to call Loughton CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. P olice are hunting a thief who stole a mans beanie hat after threatening him at an Underground station. A 19-year-old man was entering Gants Hill station shortly before 11am on December 30 when he was approached by another man, who started shouting at him. The victim was followed onto the westbound platform by the offender, who threatened him, pushing and holding him against a wall. A member of staff intervened and the offender fled, taking the victims beanie hat with him. The victim suffered bruising to his arm and head and was taken to hospital. Officers have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident. A spokesman said: "Wed also like to speak to anyone who was at Gants Hill station on the evening of the incident, who may have seen the offender or the incident." Contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting reference number 171 10/01/2017. A dinner lady who featured in a schools guide issued to thousands of families in London has appeared in court charged with child neglect. Benedicta Amadarkoa, 40, allegedly left three youngsters aged six, eight and 10 home alone for 90 minutes. The mother of four appeared in Islington councils guide to primary schools in 2012 and was quoted in it, saying: The teachers are friendly and theyve really helped my son with his learning. His reading has really improved. Before working as a school dinner lady she was a baker at a Co-op supermarket. She faces three counts of ill treatment or neglect of the children in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health last April. Amadarkoa chose trial by jury after denying all three allegations at Highbury Corner magistrates court. District Judge Nicholas Rimmer freed her on unconditional bail to appear at Blackfriars crown court on February 6. By Santosh Chaubey: Global Times, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has threatened India once again, after its sabre-rattling and economic supremacy rants aimed at demeaning the successful test launches of Agni V and Agni IV missiles by India recently. India's first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (Agni V) has a range of over 5000 Km while Agni IV has a range of 4000 km. Bother are nuclear capable and can reach China effectively. advertisement This time it is about India's proposal to sell Akash missiles to Vietnam. India has offered Vietnam ingeniously developed surface-to-air Akash missiles system. The system has an interception range of 25 Km to keep an effective check on any incoming hostile aircraft for area defence and deliberations are said to in an advanced stage. In an editorial titled 'Indian arms sale to Hanoi disturbing if aimed at China', the state-run newspaper warns India that 'if the Indian government genuinely treats its enhancement of military relations with Vietnam as a strategic arrangement or even revenge against Beijing, it will only create disturbances in the region and China will hardly sit with its arms crossed'. China has been trying to encircle India by making inroads in its neighbourhood, by offering to develop or developing ports and infrastructure in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives or by reaching out to Nepal and Bangladesh or with its String of Pearls geopolitical theory where it is said that China is developing a network in the Indian Ocean region to encircle India. Now, of late, if India is realising the Chinese designs and is pursuing an agenda to answer China in its own geopolitical language by developing bilateral and strategic ties with countries in China's neighbourhood like Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and even Mongolia, it is a much needed course correction. If China can do so, why can't India? If China can sell weapons to Pakistan, why can't India do so with Vietnam? The world knows that Pakistan's missile programme is basically a Chinese import. There are reports that Pakistan is going to acquire its first nuclear attack submarine from China. And it will from the latest generation of the Chinese nuclear attack submarines it is being said. It will be a Shang class submarine capable of firing cruise missiles and comes with six torpedo tubes. If China can do so then it doesn't have any right to preach us that 'India-Vietnam ties should be built for the sake of peace and stability in the region, rather than stirring up troubles or anxiety for others'. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vietnam in September 2016, India and Vietnam upgraded their ties to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' and before the Akash missile system, India has offered to sell Vietnam BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Varunastra anti-submarine torpedoes. Also, India is training Vietnamese to operate kilo-class submarines and will soon start training Vietnamese fighter pilots for Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. advertisement ALSO READ:Agni 5 is India's most potent nuclear-capable missile ever, and here's why China is worried ALSO READ:Did Pakistan fake nuclear missile Babur-3 launch? Photoshop expert thinks so WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- A young man was sprayed with bullets by a hired assassin after being caught up in a bloody feud between Turkish gangs in north-east London, a court heard. Cem Duzgan, 21, "stood no chance" when a hitman fired 11 bullets in seconds at close range on the evening of October 5 2009 in revenge for a killing three days earlier, jurors were told. However, he is not thought to have been the intended victim. Warren Leader, 36, is on trial at the Old Bailey, accused of conspiracy to murder between September 29 and October 6 2009, along with others. Prosecutor Ed Brown QC said: "This killing was an act of revenge, planned and quickly put into place. The evidence is plain and demonstrates that this act of revenge was nothing less than a killing to order - a hit. "Most directly important in respect of this defendant are the days leading up to 5th October and the days afterwards, but it will become clear also that the origins of this dreadful killing lie in a bitter and violent rivalry between two Turkish gangs. "This murder marked another chapter in the bloody feud between a group known as the Tottenham Turks and another, the Hackney Turks, two criminal gangs whose hatred of each other has led to a series of murders and other shootings in North London over the last few years. "Both gangs were, after an incident in early 2009, at each other's throats and continued to be so long after the killing that you are directly concerned with." Three days before the killing, Oktay Erbasli, who was associated with the Tottenham Turks, was shot and killed while driving a car, the court heard. The Hackney Turks were blamed for his death leading to the retaliatory attack on Mr Duzgan who happened to be in a social club associated with the gang, jurors were told. Mr Brown said the victim was not believed to have been a significant member of the Hackney Turks or any other gang. The gunman was able to slip past security and shoot Mr Duzgan at Clapton FC Social Club, which was known to be controlled and frequented by members of the Hackney Turks, the court heard. The prosecution allege that Leader helped organise and co-ordinate the murder, most likely under the orders of a man called Kemal Eren. Leader, of no fixed abode, denies the charge against him. The trial continues. Additional reporting by the Press Association L ondon doctors believe they could be on course to defeat HIV after a dramatic fall in the number of new infections, the Standard can reveal. An early intervention programme imported from San Francisco has seen a 42 per cent reduction in new cases of HIV at 56 Dean Street in Soho, the biggest sexual health clinic in Europe. Patients are being diagnosed within several months of acquiring HIV and receiving antiretroviral drugs a week later, dramatically reducing their infectiousness and limiting the spread of the virus to other sexual partners. Similar reductions in new cases were also achieved last year at other London HIV clinics such as Mortimer Street, Homerton hospital and St Bartholomews hospital, the Standard was told. Dean Street saw the number of HIV diagnoses fall from 679 in 2015 to 393 last year while continuing to perform tens of thousands of HIV tests. Dr Alan McOwan, lead clinician at 56 Dean Street, said: I have been working in sexual health for 20 years. It [the number of new HIV infections] has always gone up or stayed stable. This [drop] is what I have been waiting 20 years to see. Everyone is so excited. It makes people feel its achievable and we can finally beat this thing. Its Londons time to grab its chance. The number of HIV diagnoses in London was broadly unchanged from 2014 to 2015, falling slightly from 2,671 to 2,603 people, including 1,373 so-called men who have sex with men. The capital accounts for 43 per cent of new HIV cases in the UK. Public Health England estimates that one in seven gay and bisexual men in London are living with HIV, compared with one in 25 nationwide. The findings from the clinic, which is run by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, are significant as it typically accounts for half of all London diagnoses in gay men and one in nine of all HIV cases in the UK. Advances in treatment has transformed HIV from a fatal infection into a chronic manageable condition, according to Public Health England, but there were 594 deaths of people with HIV last year in the UK. The clinic uses a RITA blood test to spot patients who have contracted HIV within the past four months when they are super infectious. Dr McOwan believes the drop in infections in London has exceeded that in San Francisco because the NHS allows free access to healthcare. In the US, delays in receiving treatment are caused by the need to have medical insurance. Dr McOwan said: We were determined that 2016 would be the year that London learned from San Franciscos success. This drop in new HIV diagnoses, if confirmed, would be really significant as the clinic is a major contributor to HIV diagnosis in the UK. Reports from other London clinics suggest this could be regional thanks to better HIV awareness, frequent testing, early treatment and use of prevention methods such as PEP and PrEP in key populations. Weve also concentrated on offering treatment to reduce infectivity to others. In the last six months, 76 per cent of our clients started HIV treatment at their first appointment. San Francisco has paved the way in Aids and HIV initiatives since the anti-prejudice work of campaigner and politician Harvey Milk played by Sean Penn in the 2008 Oscar-winning film Milk in the Seventies. The Getting to Zero initiative in San Francisco seeks to achieve zero new infections, zero deaths and zero stigma for people with HIV by 2020. I think what San Francisco has shown is that you win against HIV by throwing everything at it, Dr McOwan said. In addition to antiretroviral drugs, Dean Street urges its clients to use condoms and helps high-risk groups who have unprotected sex to obtain the PReP drug Truvada cheaply to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV.@rosslydall T he wife of a traffic officer killed by a lorry on the way to work today paid tribute to the devoted new father. Council contractor Beju Shah, 46, died when his moped was hit by a reversing lorry at a junction in New Malden on January 5 and died in hospital two days later. Mr Shah was originally from Nairobi, in Kenya, and had worked as a traffic officer for NSL Services, which enforces traffic fines on behalf of Kingston council, since 2007. His devastated wife Jalpa, 34, today paid tribute to a good, decent family man and urged witnesses to the crash to come forward. The couple were married for 13 years and have a six-month-old son Niam who Mr Shah was devoted to. Speaking from their home in Harrow Weald, north west London, his wife said: Beju was a very good and decent man. There are no words to describe how Im feeling. Police are looking at CCTV footage but I would like anyone who saw what happened to come forward. Mrs Shah said her husband was on his moped at the top of a hill at Coombe Lane West and Traps Lane and was riding behind a lorry which had made a wrong turn. As the truck reversed it hit Mr Shah, who suffered devastating injuries, his wife said. He was taken to St Georges Hospital, in Tooting, where he died. A memorial service was held on Sunday at the Ekta Centre, in Kingsbury, for Mr Shahs friends and family. Mrs Shah said: He was on his way to work and when the driver reversed, they crashed. He had been working for the council since 2007. He loved his job because he enjoyed working outside, but sometimes he would complain about the British weather. But he loved London. I do have lots of family around to help. It makes it easier that people have said such nice things about him. He was very helpful around the house and loved looking after Niam. He liked doing baby massages and buying clothes for him. Its very hard for us. An NSL Services spokesman said he was an experienced rider and co-workers were deeply upset at Mr Shahs death. A Kingston council spokesman said: We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Beju Shah. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time. A police investigation is underway. The driver of the lorry was stopped at the scene but has not been arrested. Scotland Yard said enquiries were continuing. A Met Police spokesman said: Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at approximately 9.10am on Thursday January 5 to a report of a moped in collision with a lorry on Traps Lane, near the junction with Coombe Lane West, New Malden. A man in his 20s has been killed in a motorbike crash in east London. The rider was found unresponsive by paramedics after an emergency call in Dagenham at 4.15pm on Tuesday. A short while later the man was pronounced dead at the scene on Dagenham Road, near Rainham Road. Police also attended the scene of the motorbike crash and roads were closed while enquiries were carried out. No other vehicles were involved, the Met Police said. The mans next of kin have been told. Detectives from the Met are investigating. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Chadwell Heath on 020 8597 4874 or via Twitter @MetCC. T ransport bosses have moved to assure Londoners that the capital will not grind to a halt if snow strikes after the Met Office issued a "high risk" weather warning. Transport for London (TfL) said staff were working round the clock to ensure the Tube, bus, rail and road networks would not collapse when icy conditions arrive on Thursday. The Met Office predicts snow will fall in London on Thursday evening after a band of rain coming from across the channel hits the cold air. A forecaster said there could be 2-5cm of snowfall, with as much as 5-10cm in places. Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: As London braces itself for colder weather, we want to reassure our customers that we have a well-rehearsed and thorough plan in place, alongside London Councils, to keep our road and rail networks operating during snow and ice. Prepared: TfL said the Underground network has plans in place to deal with snow and ice / Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images Our staff work hard throughout the winter gritting the roads, de-icing the rails and keeping platforms safe and accessible for the travelling public. TfL said more than 100,000 tonnes of salt have been stockpiled at key locations across the capital enough to last 139 days of ice. London weather - snow forecast for capital There are 39 road gritters, as well as gritting quad bikes and flatbed trucks, ready to keep roads, pavements and cycle superhighways clear. On the Tube there are well-rehearsed plans to combat winter which include running de-icing trains overnight, gritting platforms and regularly heating key points which operate junctions. Icy: teams of gritting staff will be sent around train platforms / Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA The London Overground and the DLR also have snow strategies in place, such as teams of gritting staff and conductor rail heating. Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, said London boroughs were also playing their part in keeping the capital moving. They are responsible for 95 per cent of London's roads and have been working on plans with TfL and other partners to ensure key routes across the Capital are kept open during the winter for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, he said. This will involve clearing and gritting roads and ensuring diversions are in place as necessary. Please check travel advice before embarking on a journey in adverse conditions. Contact your borough if you need information on what else is happening in your area, including school closures. T own hall chiefs today told Education Secretary Justine Greening her school funding plans are madness that will hit almost as many schools in outer London as the centre of the capital. London Councils, representing all the citys local authorities, said the revised funding proposals would deal another blow to cash-strapped schools. More than two-thirds of schools in the city about 1,500 face budget cuts, with initial analysis suggesting inner London boroughs would be hit particularly hard. However, LC now warns that 724 schools in outer London would lose out almost as many as the 802 affected in inner London. Its education spokesman Peter John said: The national funding formula will deal another blow to schools across London. Even boroughs that stand to gain overall have schools that will experience budget cuts. "At a time when UK schools are seen as under-performing by international standards and when businesses in London face massive uncertainty about recruiting skilled staff, it seems madness to reduce funding to any school in London or elsewhere. The capital is expected to see larger reductions in funding than anywhere else in the UK, with money redistributed to the North and regional market towns instead. An LC paper said there would be con- siderable concern in schools about the impact on standards, as head teachers are already grappling with extra costs. The report said schools face a real-terms cut of 360 million in 2018-19, the first year of the new formula. All schools in the capital face a cut the following year, capped at three per cent per pupil. A DfE spokesman said: For too long school funding has been allocated on an out of date, historic system resulting in a confusing and unclear post code lottery. Our fairer funding proposals will see over half of Englands schools receive a cash boost in 2018/19 and will put an end to indefensible disparities. London is becoming more affluent but still has the highest proportion of children from a deprived background and the highest labour market costs in the country. That is why it will remain the highest funded part of the country under our proposals, with inner London schools being allocated 30 per cent more funding per pupil than the national average. M inisters have been urged to give better warnings about toxic air peaks after admitting deaths linked to tiny particulate pollution doubled when a Saharan dust cloud hit Britain. Fatalities where an attributable factor was tiny PM2.5 pollution jumped to 600 during a ten-day period in spring 2014 when the red desert dust, combined with filthy air from continental Europe, was blown across the UK. The pollution spike was one of the worst for at least a decade. Scientists estimate the death toll was twice the 300 expected to occur over a similar period with typical pollution levels. Green peer Baroness Jenny Jones grilled ministers in the Lords over public warnings during pollution episodes. She later told The Standard: The Government should take more responsibility for alerting people about filthy air but also do even more to lessen the pollution. People should be encouraged to drive less and diesel vehicles should be quickly phased out including with a scrappage scheme, she added. Simon Birkett, founder of Clean Air in London, said: In my experience, ministers seem to have been working harder to hide these smog episodes rather than warning people about them. However, environment minister Lord Gardiner of Kimble insisted the Government took very seriously its responsibility of informing the public about air pollution peaks. He stressed that a Whitehall group of health, weather and environment experts met three times during the filthy air episode between November 29 and December 6 and pro-active tweets were issued highlighting health advice, while charities including the British Heart Foundation and Asthma UK were informed. He added that the Government-funded website UK-AIR includes a five-day forecast from the Met Office on predicted air pollution levels. But London Mayor Sadiq Khan has done far more to alert people in the capital about toxic air spikes during which people, especially those who are vulnerable such as with heart or lung conditions, should consider reducing exercise. City Halls actions include air pollution warnings at bus stops. Loading.... PM2.5 pollution is believed to be particularly toxic as the tiny particles can infiltrate deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream. W orkers only making the tea and foreigners not having the same rights as Brits are some of the bizarre excuses offered by bosses for refusing to pay the minimum wage. The list of reasons for underpayment was published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as it launched a 1.7million campaign to make sure workers know their rights. One boss told HMRC officials their employee didnt deserve the national minimum wage because she only makes the teas and sweeps the floors. Another claimed: Its part of UK culture not to pay young workers for the first three months as they have to prove their worth first. I thought it was ok to pay foreign workers below the National Minimum Wage as they arent British and therefore dont have the right to be paid it, one boss said. Other excuses included a language mix-up with the firms accountant and shop staff only being paid when they serve customers. The Governments new campaign is urging employees to make sure they are paid either the minimum wage or National Living Wage. By law, all workers should be paid at least 7.20 an hour if they are aged over 25. That rate will increase by 30p in April. Almost 700 underpaying firms have faced fines totalling 1.3million over the last three years, according to Government figures, with 3.5million paid back to workers. Business Minister Margot James said: There are no excuses for underpaying staff what they are legally entitled to. This campaign will raise awareness among the lowest paid in society about what they must legally receive and I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be paid less to contact Acas as soon as possible. T heresa May today condemned the Red Cross for an irresponsible and overblown claim that there was a humanitarian crisis in the NHS. But she was immediately accused by Jeremy Corbyn of being in denial over the state of the health service. The Labour leader stressed at Prime Ministers Questions that 485 people in England had to wait more than 12 hours on trolleys in hospital corridors last week. The Red Cross described this as a humanitarian crisis, he added. He also accused Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt of seeking to fiddle the figures so they do not include very long waits for A&E treatment. Mrs May accepted there were pressures on the health service, including the extra winter demand and from the ageing population. But she stressed it did not compare to the humanitarian crises happening around the world. To use that description of a National Health Service which last year saw two-and-a-half million more people treated in accident and emergency than six years ago was irresponsible and overblown, she added. However, Mr Corbyn said 1.8 million people had to wait longer than four hours in A&E departments last year. He stressed that the British Medical Association recently said conditions in hospitals across the country were reaching a dangerous level, while other health professionals had also raised the alarm over a lack of funding and medical staff. After Mrs May highlighted the need for patients to be given the appropriate care, the Labour leader said: She seems to be in some sort of denial about this. He also raised the case of an NHS worker, called Sian, whose 22-month-old nephew was treated on two plastic chairs pushed together and a blanket, sparking shouts from the backbenches of shameful. The Prime Minister said there had been a small number of incidents where unacceptable practices had taken place and lessons needed to be learned about these. She added that the Tuesday after Christmas was the busiest day ever in the NHS. But Mr Corbyn accused the Government of planning to cut a third of the beds in hospitals. A druid has won the right to take a charity to court arguing paying to pray at Stonehenge breached his human rights. King Arthur Pendragon, 62, argued the charity English Heritage had no right to charge a 15 parking fee to visit the ancient monument on the Summer Solstice. He appeared at Salisbury Crown Court to argue parking should be free as he has a right to worship without hindrance. Visitors to Stonehenge near Amesbury in Wiltshire can normally park for free, with a 5 refundable fee charged at busy times. But during the Summer Solstice, the busiest day of the year for Stonehenge, parking charges went up to 15 a vehicle. Mr Pendragon, who claims to be a reincarnation of Britain's mythical King Arthur, is suing English Heritage under the European Convention on Human Rights. The court ruled a full days hearing should be granted to hear his case. According to the Daily Mail Mr Pendragon said outside the court: I am glad justice prevailed. An English Heritage spokesman said: "This was a procedural hearing establishing the next steps and we look forward to presenting our full case at a later date." The case is due to be heard at Salisbury Crown Court in April. By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma Beijing, Jan 11 (PTI) Any moves by India to step-up military ties with Vietnam to counter China will create "disturbance" in the region and Beijing will not "sit with its arms crossed", state media said today, taking exception to a report that New Delhi plans to sell surface-to-air Akash missiles to Hanoi. advertisement "If the Indian government genuinely treats its enhancement of military relations with Vietnam as a strategic arrangement or even revenge against Beijing, it will only create disturbances in the region and China will hardly sit with its arms crossed," an op-ed in the Global Times said, highlighting Chinas concerns over reports of supply of Akash surface-to- air missile system to Vietnam. The supply of missiles was supposed to be a "normal arms sale, yet was portrayed by the Indian media as a response "to counter the Chinese threat", it said, referring to reports that the missile sale was in response to China blocking Indias move to become member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and to impose a UN ban on Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar. "There should be no dispute when India decides to intensify its military ties with Vietnam, a crucial member of ASEAN as well as a key pillar of Indias Act East Policy. Yet such ties should be built for the sake of peace and stability in the region, rather than stirring up troubles or anxiety for others. "However, when India and Vietnam are in talks about possible sales, New Delhi seems to keep taking a sneak peak at Beijing as if the deal is stealthily aimed at China," it said. The tabloid, part of the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC) official group of publications has been carrying articles targeting India almost on daily basis with aggressive and hostile language. While striking threatening posture against India over its increasingly close-knit ties with Vietnam, another article in the same daily today warned Hanoi that it must improve ties with China notwithstanding the South China Sea dispute. PTI KJV CPS AKJ CPS --- ENDS --- G ales reaching 125mph battered the UK sparking power cuts and travel chaos across the country. A lorry blew over on the Forth Road Bridge near Edinburgh as 2,300 homes in the North East were left without power. A busy shopping street in Newcastle city centre was forced to close on Wednesday as tiles from the roof a Debenhams store fell into the road below. Dramatic images showed Newgate Street taped-off by police after debris was blown from Eldon Square shopping centre. Storm chaos: A road in Newcastle was closed by police as tiles from the roof of a Debenhams store blew onto the street / PA Other pictures showed walls and trees blown down by strong winds. The Forth Road Bridge near Edinburgh was closed in both directions after a lorry was blown over at 2am. Travel chaos: A lorry blew over on the Forth Road Bridge, near Edinburgh / PA No-one was injured but the bridge is likely to remain closed today as the strong winds hamper recovery efforts. Police Scotland revealed later in the morning that a 54-year-old man was charged following the collision. A gust of 129mph was recorded on CarinGorm in the Scottish Highlands while winds of upto 90mph blasted parts of South Yorkshire. High winds: Waves crash against the shore in Cumbria as winds hit 129mph in the Scottish Highlands / PA The chaos comes as Met Office issued a warning to Britons that as much as 10cm of snow could fall across the country with 2 5cm expected to hit the capital. TfL said more than 100,000 tonnes of salt have been stockpiled at key locations across the capital enough to last 139 days of ice. There are 39 road gritters, as well as gritting quad bikes and flatbed trucks, ready to keep roads, pavements and cycle superhighways clear. T he Duchess of Cambridge admitted that parenting is tough as she visited a specialist unit for children and families in north London. Kate praised the efforts of mothers with emotional issues who have turned their lives around after battling depression and difficult upbringings. She paid tribute to the women after hearing their stories during the visit to the specialist unit run by the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families. For the past five years the centre's early years parenting unit in Holloway has been supporting families who are at risk of their children being taken into care. The Duchess met mothers who had completed its intensive treatment programme, telling them "parenting is tough" but despite the "experiences you've all witnessed" and initially not receiving support "I find it extraordinary how you've managed actually, so really well done". All smiles: The Duchess of Cambridge waves as she leaves an Early Years Parenting Unit at the Anna Freud Centre in London / Will Oliver/EPA The unit will typically see a parent who has lived through an abusive childhood, whether suffering neglect or physical attacks, or is suffering from mental health problems like depression and whose child, aged under five, is at risk of being taken into care. In a lighter moment one little boy was left transfixed by the Duchess who wore an outfit by Eponine, when she was introduced to a group of mothers still being helped by the unit. Kate, who is patron of Anna Freud Centre, chatted to a 19-year-old mother, known only by her first name Amber, and her 18-month-old son Le'Jaun. The teenager, who has been receiving help for anxiety problems, chatted happily to the Duchess with her little boy on her lap and she made Kate laugh when she asked her child, who was staring at the royal guest, "What's this strange woman?". The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to guests at the Anna Freud centre in Holloway, north London / Ben Stansall/PA The young mother said later: "I think people need to know exactly how mental health affects people and that there are places exactly like this unit, that do really intense treatment and not just somewhere you can attend once a week. "I've only been here four months but already I'm noticing differences in myself, especially on the anxiety side. Now I'm able to recognise when I'm going into an anxiety attack when before I was oblivious to it." The visit to the family unit in Holloway was followed by William and Kates first official joint engagement of the year where they toured a bereavement centre in Stratford, east London, to celebrate its first anniversary. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet parents and children at the centre run by the national charity Child Bereavement UK / Matt Dunham/AP The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met parents and children at the centre run by the national charity Child Bereavement UK. The charity, launched in 1997 with Diana, Princess of Wales as a keen supporter, supports parents who have lost children as well as offering help to a child if they experience bereavement themselves. The Duke is royal patron of Child Bereavement UK and his visit was welcomed by the charity's chief executive Ann Chalmers. She said: "The Duke takes a keen interest in our work of supporting bereaved families and training the many professionals whose work brings them into contact with grieving children, young people and parents, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families. "We are honoured to have the Duke and Duchess visit our bereavement service in east London, which opened a year ago in (London borough of) Newham in response to the great need for bereavement support in this area." D onald Trump has called an unverified dossier containing allegations that Russia hold compromising information about him fake news and phoney stuff crafted by sick people. The US President-elect suggested American intelligence agencies could be responsible for releasing the dossier on him including in a compromising situation with prostitutes at a top hotel in Moscow. At his first press conference since his shock presidential election victory in November, Mr Trump thanked media organisations which held back from publishing details from the dossier, which has reportedly been circulating in Washington for some time. In the hours before the long-awaited event in New York, Mr Trump had sent out a series of tweets alleging the publication of the unverified allegations amounted to a political with-hunt and comparing the controversy to events in Nazi Germany. Speech: Donald Trump speaks at his first press conference since his US election victory in November / Seth Wenig/AP Mr Trump said it was a "disgrace" the way the information had been leaked. "It is all fake news. It is phoney stuff. It didn't happen and it was gotten by opponents of ours," he said. "It was a group of opponents who got together - sick people - and they put that crap together. Somebody released it. It shouldn't have even entered paper but it should never have even been released. I read what was released and I think it was a disgrace." Referring to lurid details contained in the dossier of alleged perverted conduct involving prostitutes by Mr Trump in 2013 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Moscow, the President-elect told reporters he was a "germophobe". "Does anyone really believe that story?" he said. "I'm also very much of a germophobe by the way, believe me." The Republican said he when he travels outside the US, he is "extremely careful". Mr Trump suggested American intelligence agencies could be responsible for releasing the dossier / Evan Vucci/AP He said: "I'm surrounded by bodyguards, I'm surround by people and I always tell them... if I am leaving this country, be very careful because in your hotel rooms and no matter where you go, you are probably going to have cameras. "I'm not referring just to Russia, but I would certainly put them in that category. "And, number one, I hope you are going to be good anyway but in those rooms you have cameras in the strangest places, cameras that are so small with modern technology you can't see them and you won't know. "You'd better be careful or you will be watching yourself on nightly television." Mr Trump waits to be introduced at the press conference in New York / Lucas Jackson/Reuters Intelligence officers briefed the Republican and President Barack Obama about the contents of the document last week and reports emerged last night on CNN. Buzzfeed published the contents of the dossier in full. The Kremlin denied that it had any compromising material on Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman said the reports were complete fabrication and utter nonsense. Opening his press conference in front of a row of US flags, Mr Trump said: "I want to thank a lot of the news organisations here today, because they looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies - who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies, which would be a tremendous blot on their record if they in fact did that, a tremendous blot. "A thing like that should never have been written, it should never have been had and it should certainly never have been released. "I want to thank a lot of the news organisations, some of whom have not treated me very well over the years - a couple in particular - and they came out so strongly against that fake news and the fact that it was written about by primarily one group and one television station." Mr Trump said that news organisations which decided not to publish the claims were "so incredibly professional that I've just gone up a notch as to what I think of you". Vice-president-elect Mike Pence attacked "irresponsible" media organisations who had carried details of the "false and unsubstantiated report". At the start of the press conference, Mr Pence said: "The irresponsible decision of a few news organisations to run with a false and unsubstantiated report when most news organisations resisted the temptation to propagate this fake news can only be attributed to media bias and attempt to demean the president-elect and our incoming administration and the American people are sick and tired of it." Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokeswoman had declined to comment on the Trump dossier. P olice are on high alert as a foldable gun which looks like an iPhone is set to go on sale within weeks. The handgun which has already had12,000 pre-orders - is disguised as a smartphone but can unfold into a deadly weapon at the press of a button. European police are being warned to look out for the guns which are expected to be illegally imported into the continent and appear on streets soon. The 9mm double-barrelled pistol has been made by American firm Ideal Conceal and costs 325 ($395) well below the cost of the latest Apple iPhone, the Times reported. The company behind the legal gun said: In todays day and age, carrying a concealed pistol has become a necessity. But what if you didnt have to conceal? Smartphones are everywhere, so your new pistol will easily blend in with todays environment. In its locked position it will be virtually undetectable because it hides in plain sight. New product: A US Senator, Charles Schumer, said the handgun was a "disaster waiting to happen". / Kathy Willens/AP Local newspaper Derniere Heure said an alert sent to police in Belgium police read: To the eye, nothing can distinguish it from a mobile telephone. Most people possess a smartphone, meaning that it can pass completely overlooked. Head of the company Ideal Conceal, Kirk Kjellberg, said he got the idea after a child saw his own gun in a restaurant and got scared. There are some people that would take serious issue in the workplace or somewhere else to see a gun on you, and I think it gives people the opportunity to avoid that conversation, he said last year. M alia Obama was brought to tears during her fathers farewell speech when he spoke of how becoming a father was his most proud moment. The President of the United States addressed an emotional audience during his farewell speech in Chicago. Addressing his two daughters, Malia and Sasha, he said: Under the strangest of circumstances you have become two amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful but, more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful and you are full of passion. Family: Michelle Obama with daughter Malia / AFP/Getty Images You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I have done in my life I am most proud to be your dad. Emotional: President Obama paid tribute to his wife and daughters / AP Malia was seen wiping away tears as her mother, First Lady Michelle Obama, wrapped her arm around her. Her sister, Sasha, was notably absent from the event because she had an exam the following morning. Farewell speech: The Obamas and Bidens on stage / AP A visibily emotional President Obama also praised his wife and best friend for making the country proud and paid tribute to his brother Vice President Joe Biden. Farewell speech: President Barack Obama hugs 'brother' Vice President Joe Biden / AP He said appointing VP Biden was the best decision he had made, before inviting him onstage and embracing him in front of cheering crowds. "Supreme Court is running really short of the number of judges," Chief Justice of India JS Khehar said. By Anusha Soni: Chief Justice of India JS Khehar on Wednesday expressed concern over vacancies in the apex court, saying it had become difficult to carry out day to day functions. However, he said the vacancies would be filled by the end of January. HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: He said, "Supreme Court is running really short of the number of judges." CJI Khehar added that it was becoming difficult to carry out day to day work. However, Justice Khehar said that the vacancies would be filled by month end. There are eight vacancies in Supreme Court. The Law Ministry is awaiting nomination from the Collegium on Supreme Court Appointments. Justice Khehar's predecessor Justice TS Thakur had also raised the issue of shortage of judges in the apex court and the high courts. On the Constitution Day on November 26, 2016, Justice Thakur had slammed the government and alleged that the government was dragging its feet on the judicial appointments. He had also highlighted the lack of infrastructure at various tribunals. He had said posts of 500 judges were lying vacant in the High Courts. Tribunals were also not equipped, he had said. However, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was quick to retort. He highlighted how vacancies in lower courts had been a great cause of concern and the judiciary had not acted swiftly over these appointments. The relations between the government and Justice Thakur were constrained ever since the Supreme Court had struck down the former's move to bring in National Judicial Appointments Commission for appointment of judges. The confrontation only grew bitter with each passing day. The government would only wish that the same situation does not arise with the incumbent CJI Khehar. advertisement ALSO READ | New Chief Justice JS Khehar cracks the whip on NGOs, puts them under strict scrutiny --- ENDS --- A tribal of Bantara village in Jajpur district had to take his mother's body on his shoulder back to his native village for last rites as there was no hearse van. By Indrajit Kundu: Odisha has revisited the ghost of the tragedy that hit Kalahandi tribal farmer Dana Majhi in September last year, who was forced to carry his wife's body for over 10 kilometres for lack of hearse van facility for the poor. This time, a tribal of Bantara village under Gandhana Gram Panchayat hailing from mineral-rich Jajpur district had to take his mother's body on his shoulder back to his native village for last rites after there was no hearse van available. The tribal, identified as Kalia Munda, took the "walk of shame" from the Madhuban Community Health Centre (CHC) under Rasulpur block of Jajpur, where his ailing mother Maina breathed her last while undergoing treatment. advertisement Also read | Dana Majhi all over again: Odisha man forced to carry daughter's dead body It has been alleged that CHC authorities did not care to transport the woman's body from the CHC to her native village, despite the Odisha government's launching the "Mahaparayan" scheme in September for free hearse van facility from a health centre to a deceased's home, only a day after the Dana Majhi issue hogged the headlines and the unfortunate video went viral. NEED BETTER HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE The Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government needs to rethink its strategy on health infrastructure if it is keen to ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not recur. Munda's wife Shanti said, "She was admitted to the Madhuban Community Health Centre. She breathed her last while she was given saline treatment. The doctor advised us to take her back home, informing that no vehicle was willing to transport the body." Also read | Another Dana Majhi? Son carries father's body on shoulders as community centre denies help Dr Deepak Sahu, in-charge of Madhuban CHC, said, "No step has been taken at the district level to raise awareness among people here in this regard. I had immediately phoned the CDMO. One is Harischandra Yojana and under it, there is a vehicle in the district. If the concerned driver is called over the phone, he prefers to go only to nearby areas to transport the body. It could have been possible. In the worst case, we can hire a vehicle as per norms." --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) The Supreme Court today directed Maharashtra to expeditiously decide on 69 pending applications for licenses to open dance bars in four weeks under old rules and the directions issued by it from time to time. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi said that the 69 applications pending with the state government should be decided by the competent authority within four weeks in accordance with old rules and directions of the court. advertisement The direction came after senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for state government, informed the court that till December 14, 2016, total of 69 application for licenses have been filed and were being looked into by competent authority. It asked the authority to keep in mind the order of November 24 last year in which the apex court had asked the applicants, who have not been granted licence, to submit their applications to the authority to get the licence and said that licences should be given to them on grounds of parity with those who have been already given. The bench posted the matter after six weeks for further hearing. Maharashtra government, in an affidavit filed before the court, had earlier defended the operation of a new law meant to regulate licensing and functioning of dance bars in the state. The new law, Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016 has been challenged by hotel and restaurant owners before the apex court. The state government in its reply has said, "It was observed that such dances were derogatory to the dignity of women and were likely to deprave, corrupt or injure public morality. "It was also brought to the notice of the State Government that the places where such dances were staged were used as places for immoral activities and also as a place for solicitation for the purpose of prostitution". The state said that prevention of obscenity in public places is a part of public policy in India and was reflected in provision of Indian Penal Code (IPC). "Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) Act, 2016 gives effect to such Public Policy," it said. PTI MNL ABA SJK RKS ARC --- ENDS --- The Indian beauty looked ravishing in a red gown, and got reminded of something from a decade ago! By India Today Web Desk: It took people a while to realise that Priyanka Chopra was not the only celebrity present at this year's Golden Globe awards. Deepika Padukone was very much there--slaying in her yellow Ralph Lauren gown--thanks to her Hollywood debut, xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Now, the actress is making heads turn at the London premiere of her upcoming film, and we too can't seem to take our eyes off of her. advertisement Deeps wore a high-waited metallic blue, pleated skirt with a tucked-in shirt of the same colour, and finished off the look with electric blue Christopher Kane sandals. Deepika, electric in blue. Picture courtesy: Instagram/shaleenanathani In another look, she managed to pull off this red dress with a short train by Stella McCartney, and teamed it up with Chopard earrings. What caught even Deepika off guard was that her first film--Om Shaanti Om--premiered in London exactly 10 years ago, when a reported from BBC pointed it out. Ten years on, and Deepika is on her way to conquer Hollywood! Red hot at the London premiere. Picture courtesy: Instagram/shaleenanathani Those Chopard earrings suit Deepika just fine. Picture courtesy: Instagram/deepikaislovee Let's just hope this successful streak of Indian actress keeps continuing, and Deeps keeps slaying it all year round! --- ENDS --- The coming together of Dimple Yadav and Priyanka Gandhi could pose a threat to the BJP and BSP, as they could wean away a large number of youth voters. By Varun Bidhuri: The two leading ladies of their clans - Priyanka Gandhi and Dimple Yadav - are expected to be the star campaigners for a possible coalition in UP between the Congress and SP. This, after reports of a meeting between Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi and UP CM Akhilesh Yadav emerged. Congress sources said, "Akhilesh and Dimple are expected to meet Rahul and Priyanka to discuss the UP poll startegy and seat-sharing in case of an alliance." advertisement Also read: Yadav bahu Dimple set to become star campaigner Coming together of Priyanka and Dimple could pose a threat to the BJP and BSP alike as the duo is expected to draw a large number of youth. Also, it could be curtains to the ongoing Yadav family feud. Sources said Priyanka and Dimple are not only drawing the strategy of the Congress-SP alliance, but will also play a key role in campaigning for their respective parties. THE LADY LUCK UP Congress leader Siraj Mehendi said, "Along with Rahul Gandhi, we are appealing to the party top brass to send Priyanka as a star campaigner too. To fight the elections, Congress has formed a 36-member committee led by Raj Babbar. The committee includes Sheila Dikshit, Sanjay Singh, Parmod Tiwari, Jatin Prasad , Shri Prasad Jaiswal and other prominent faces." Mehendi said the committee is shortlisting three names from every constituency. It is then examining the work done by them and their face value in their constituencies. Sources, however, said seatsharing between the two parties, which is almost at the final stage, could pose a hurdle. Also read: Dimple, Priyanka may lead campaign in case of alliance There are 403 seats in the UP Assembly and sources said the Congress wants 100 seats. However, the SP is not willing to concede more than 60. But the Congress is hopeful that the SP might just relent. A Congress leader said many in Akhilesh camp have agreed to give Congress 100 seats and RLD 25. Sources said the seat-sharing formula will be based on the number of seats the Congress and SP had won and came second in the 2012 assembly polls. --- ENDS --- The National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR) Board member decided in the Tuesday meeting to revoke from office CNAIR director general Catalin Homor, on the grounds of finding deficiencies in managing the company's recent activities, the Transport Ministry (MT) informs on Wednesday. According to the source, Transport Minister Razvan Cuc ordered the Control Body to conduct a checkup at the CNAIR on the existence of the necessary means and materials for snow clearing (special equipment and their functioning state, anti-slippage material and fuel stock), the situation of the contracts with private companies for snow-clearing and the grounds of the order on using sand for clearing the snow. Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu asked on Saturday the Transport Minister to send the Control Body to the CNAIR and take all legal measures to dismiss the company director general Catalin Homor. At the same time, the Transport Minister announced on Saturday that he would send the Control Body to the CNAIR to see how the anti-slippage material quantity was evaluated. agerpres. Tarom Airline canceled on Wednesday, due to inclement weather conditions, the following flights: 201/202 Bucharest - Chisinau - Bucharest, 603/604 Bucharest - Timisoara - Bucharest and 643/644 Bucharest - Cluj Napoca - Bucharest, the passengers being due for boarding today, on the following flights to the same destinations, according to a press release of the Bucharest Airports National Company (CNAB), sent to agerpres on Wednesday. "On the Henri Coanda Bucharest International Airport and the Aurel Vlaicu Bucuresti Baneasa International Airport, air traffic is running in winter conditions. Takeoffs and landings are conducted in full safety. Some flights registered delays on takeoff, determined by the need to deice the aircraft," the company's representatives say. On both airports procedures are being conducted to ensure the runways, taxiways and ramps are open, operational and conditions for complete safety of air operations are maintained. Real-time information about the situation of flights off the two Bucharest airports can be found at the webpage www.bucharestairports.ro. The Bucharest Airports National Company recommends passengers to take the necessary measures to come in due time at the airport. By India Today Web Desk: Disha Patani, who made her Bollywood debut with MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, did a bold photo shoot for Dabboo Ratnani calendar. The 24-year-old did a smoking hot photoshoot for Dabboo's annual calendar. ALSO READ: Tiger Shroff's rumoured girlfriend Disha Patani in a cold war with Amyra Dastur? ALSO READ: Lovebirds Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani spotted on a not-so-secret night out advertisement Disha, who is rumoured to be dating Tiger Shroff, raised the temperature as she went topless for the bold shoot. She posted the oh-so-hot photo on Instagram. #dabooratnanicalender2017 makeup #jose hair #shanky ?????? Photographer #dabooratnani ?? A photo posted by disha patani (@dishapatani) on Jan 10, 2017 at 6:04pm PST In an interview to DNA, Disha talked about her experience of shooting for a calendar for the first time. "I was not topless, you don't see anything, you only see my back. It was Dabboo's concept and I just followed references he showed me. This is my first time in the calendar, we wanted it to stand out," said Disha. Disha added that the photoshoot got over in a hour. "My only input was in terms of the make-up, I wanted smokey eyes and blow-dried hair, she said. More than her work, Disha has been in news for her rumoured relationship with Tiger Shroff. However, the actor has time and again denied the link-up rumours by referring to Tiger as a close friend. On the work front, Disha will be next seen in Kung Fu Yoga. The film also stars Jackie Chan and Sonu Sood. --- ENDS --- KIMMSWICK The newest push to get the Delta Queen steamboat approved to carry overnight passengers is a Missouri Senate bill sponsored by Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo. An exemption to the Safety of Life at Sea Act, a federal law that prohibits overnight excursions on wooden vessels, is needed before the Delta Queen can carry passengers. The 285-foot-long vessel, with 88 cabins, had the exemption for roughly 40 years before losing it in 2008. The bill introduced late Tuesday would restore that exemption and require the Delta Queen, which is compliant with all other Coast Guard safety regulations, to each year modify at least 10 percent of the wooden portions of the vessels superstructure to meet the U.S safety law , according to McCaskills office. The bill would exempt all such boats; however, McCaskills office said it was unaware of any other than Delta Queen that would qualify. The Delta Queen was bought by its current owners in February 2015 with the goal to restore the vessel a cost recently estimated at roughly $10 million and return it to overnight cruise service, the company said. A new restaurant and the corporate offices of the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. opened last fall in the Jefferson County river town of Kimmswick even though the historic boat is barred from carrying overnight passengers on the Mississippi River until Congress acts. Cornell Martin, president and chief executive of Delta Queen Steamboat Co., came to Kimmswick in 2015 to formally announce that the town of about 150 people a popular spot among tourists for its shops and historic buildings would be the Delta Queens port and headquarters. He had hoped then to secure the exemption by the end of 2015, which didnt happen. Its hoped the boat eventually will travel to more than 80 ports, including New Orleans and Memphis, Tenn., and on rivers other than the Mississippi to destinations including Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The Delta Queen steamboat began service as an overnight passenger vessel in 1927. It carried passengers, cargo and automobiles between Sacramento and San Francisco, as well as dignitaries including three U.S. presidents. For 100 years, hats, bar stools and restaurant booths could be traced back to the six-story factory where they were made in St. Louis Fox Park neighborhood. After its last commercial tenant moved out in recent years, the hum of machines no longer fills the floors built for a past era of manufacturers. The structures new owners, though, hope the silence will be only temporary. Their plan to keep the old factory on Texas Avenue churning out goods and gadgets well into the 21st century? Make it a place for where viable companies are made, too. Theyre calling their venture Brick City Makes, and they want to fix up the 87,000-square-foot factory as industrial office suites for a new generation of nimble manufacturers: One-machine shops that dont need huge warehouse footprints, but may need room to grow, can sign up for space in the building while they find their footing in the marketplace. And while there, young companies can plug into a network of other manufacturers and design professionals, both within the building and throughout the regions industrial ecosystem. This kind of fulfills a unique role, said Tom Pickel, executive director of the DeSales Community Housing Corporation. There really hasnt been that kind of focus on the manufacturing sector. Rehabbing a building as an industrial incubator is a new venture for DeSales, a nonprofit community development corporation that has mostly stuck to housing rehabs and rental management as a way to improve the Fox Park and Tower Grove East neighborhoods where it operates. Were a residential organization, but we just didnt think it was the right strategy for the building, Pickel said. Retired St. Louis Economic Development Partnership CEO Denny Coleman has discussed the plan with Pickel. Not only was Coleman head of regional economic development agencies for decades, hes familiar with the neighborhood. He grew up across the street from the Brick City Makes building, and he was the first director of the DeSales community development organization back in the 70s. This incubator, I think, fits very well into that strategy of calling attention to the fact that we have a very strong history and legacy in terms of manufacturing, Coleman said. DeSales is teaming with Marc Bowers of St. Louis Makes, a local manufacturing trade group that will offer training programs in business and design along with networking events. Through St. Louis Makes, companies in Brick City can connect with others throughout the region, Bowers said, hopefully helping them find businesses with the specialized equipment or design expertise they need. Bowers pointed out that the location is just minutes from the Cortex technology district, where Tech Shop recently opened a lab where entrepreneurs can rent access to top-notch design software, 3-D printers and other specialized equipment. In the other direction, the downtown startup scene and the professional services based there are just a five-minute drive away. Were still part of the innovation community, Bowers said. Were just building a new beachhead. But, he was emphatic that companies will have to be somewhat mature before they rent space in the building, and they will have to provide their own equipment. This is not an incubator; this is not an accelerator, Bowers said. It is meant to be affordable, though. Pickel said starting rent for the smallest suite of about 1,300 square feet would be about $1,000 a month. In all, 37 spaces that are as large as 2,500 square feet could be built out within the building. As they grow, companies can lease extra space but will hopefully grow large enough to move out. Do they stay there for the rest of their lives? We hope not, Bowers said. Pickel is still putting together the financing for the $11 million project, but he said the group is already meeting with interested companies. Meanwhile, he has applied for New Markets Tax Credits and is scouting out other programs to help build the financing package. St. Louis economic development arm, the St. Louis Development Corp., was awarded $75 million in the federal credits late last year and has fairly broad discretion about what ventures get funding. This really ought to be in the sweet spot for an organization like the St. Louis Development Corp., Pickel said. If all goes well, Brick City Makes could begin construction in the coming months and open spaces for tenants by the beginning of next year. Other cities have incubator-like concepts for manufacturers. Theres Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago and in Cleveland, theres WIRE-Net. Bowers and Pickel visited Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., for instance, to get a sense of how that organization operates. But in Brooklyn, the goal is more about preserving affordable production space, a problem St. Louis doesnt have. And overall, there hasnt been too much attention paid to this type of economic development around the country, said Todd Swanstrom, who studies urban policy at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Its been on the side of urban economies, not at the center of urban economies, he said. That said, manufacturing in urban economies is real, and more and more it includes smaller, niche producers rather than the heavy industry of the 20th century, he said. In that sense, its a good experiment for a nonprofit community development organization like DeSales to take on. Hopefully, a facility like this is more than the sum of its parts, Swanstrom said. Hopefully the companies working in this facility talk to each other and generate new ideas. ALBA, Italy The $44 billion palm oil industry, under pressure in Europe after authorities listed the edible oil as a cancer risk, has found a vocal ally in the food sector: the maker of Nutella. Italian confectionery firm Ferrero has taken a public stand in defense of an ingredient that some other food companies in the country are boycotting. It has launched an advertising campaign to assure the public about the safety of Nutella, its flagship product which makes up about a fifth of its sales. The hazelnut and chocolate spread, one of Italy's best-known food brands and a popular breakfast treat for children, relies on palm oil for its smooth texture and shelf life. Other substitutes, such as sunflower oil, would change its character, according to Ferrero. "Making Nutella without palm oil would produce an inferior substitute for the real product, it would be a step backward," Ferrero's purchasing manager Vincenzo Tapella told Reuters. He is featured in a TV commercial aired in Italy over the past three months that has drawn criticism from some politicians. Any move away from palm oil would also have economic implications as it is the cheapest vegetable oil, costing around $800 a ton, compared with $845 for sunflower oil and $920 for rapeseed oil, another possible substitute. Ferrero uses about 204,000 tons of palm oil a year, so replacing it with those substitutes could cost the firm an extra $8 million-$22 million annually, at those prices. The company declined to comment on these calculations. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said in May that palm oil generated more of a potentially carcinogenic contaminant than other vegetable oils when refined at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit). It did not, however, recommend consumers stop eating it and said further study was needed to assess the level of risk. The detailed research into the contaminant -- known as GE -- was commissioned by the European Commission in 2014 after an EFSA study the year before, into substances generated during industrial refining, identified it as being potentially harmful. EFSA does not have the power to make regulations, though the issue is under review by the European Commission. The spokesman for Health and Food Safety, Enrico Brivio, said guidance would be issued by the end of this year. Measures could include regulations to limit the level of GE in food products, but there will not be a ban on the use of palm oil, he added. The World Health Organization and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization flagged the same potential risk that EFSA had warned of regarding GE, but did not recommend consumers stop eating palm oil. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also has not banned the use of palm oil in food. The issue became a hot consumer topic in Italy after the largest supermarket chain, Coop, boycotted palm oil in all its own-brand products following the EFSA study, describing the move as a "precaution." Italy's biggest baker, Barilla, also eliminated it and put "palm oil-free" labels on its wares. The retailers' decisions followed pressure from activists, including Italy's main farming association Coldiretti and online food magazine Il Fatto Alimentare, which called on all food firms to stop using palm oil. High temperatures are used to remove palm oil's natural red color and neutralize its smell, but Ferrero says it uses an industrial process that combines a temperature of just below 200 Celsius and extremely low pressure to minimize contaminants. The process takes longer and costs 20 percent more than high-temperature refining, Ferrero told Reuters. But it said this had allowed it to bring levels of the contaminant so low that scientific instruments find it hard to trace the chemical. "The palm oil used by Ferrero is safe because it comes from freshly squeezed fruits and is processed at controlled temperatures," Tapella says in the TV ad, which was filmed at the firm's factory in the northern town of Alba and was accompanied by full-page ads in newspapers carrying the same message. EFSA declined to comment on the possible risks of refining palm oil at lower temperatures. Italian sales hit Ferrero is by no means the only big European food firm to keep using palm oil in its products since the EFSA report. The likes of Unilever and Nestle use it in products including chocolate, snacks and margarine. The two companies said they were monitoring the contaminant issue and were working with their suppliers to keep GE at lowest possible levels. Ferrero is the only big European food company to mount such a public defense of the use of the ingredient in its products following the EFSA opinion. The company told Reuters it carried out "hundreds of thousands of tests" on contaminants in both the palm oil it uses and finished products. Retail sales of Nutella in Italy fell by about 3 percent in the 12 months to the end of August, which Ferrero partly blamed on rivals promoting products as palm oil-free. To address consumer concern the company launched its advertising campaign in September and says it is now showing results. Nutella sales in Italy rose 4 percent in the last four months of 2016, said Alessandro D'Este, the head of Ferrero's Italy business. Global Nutella sales have been unaffected by the EFSA opinion and are growing at 5-6 percent annually, the company said. Family owned Ferrero, which is not publicly listed, did not disclose its sales for Europe outside its home market. The group ended its fiscal year to August with total revenue of 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion), of which around 2 billion euros came from Nutella sales. Environment concerns EFSA's 284-page study comes on top of environmental concerns that have dogged the palm oil industry for several years. Green groups have accused the industry of causing deforestation. Several firms using the ingredient, including Ferrero, say they buy palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, which works with producers to reduce the negative impacts of cultivation on the environment. Tapella told Reuters that Nutella had contained palm oil since its creation in the 1960s and that the group relied only on palm plantations certified as sustainable. Ferrero's advertising campaign has drawn some political fire. The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, which is running neck-and-neck with the ruling Democratic Party in opinion polls, has asked the Italian advertising authority to block Ferrero's campaign and fine it for misleading consumers on both health and environmental risks. A spokeswoman for the advertising authority said it had yet to decide whether to reject the 5-Star complaint or take measures against Ferrero, adding that the process could take several more weeks. The palm oil industry, dominated by producers in Malaysia and Indonesia, believes Ferrero is playing an important role in addressing what it regards as misconceptions among consumers. "It is good that Ferrero has clarified that the palm oil they use is safe and sustainable," said Yusof Basiron, chief executive of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council. He said Malaysian producers had not suffered any impact on their European exports after the EFSA opinion. The Indonesian Palm Oil Association also said there had been no impact. Additional reporting by Emily Chow in Kuala Lumpur, Paul Sandle in London and Silke Koltrowitz in Zurich. President-elect Donald Trump aims to open up federal lands to more energy development, tapping into a long-running and contentious debate over how best to manage America's remaining wilderness. The U.S. government holds title to about 500 million acres of land across the country, including national parks and forests, wildlife refuges and tribal territories stretching from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico. They overlay billions of barrels of oil and vast quantities of natural gas, coal, and uranium. With Trump poised to take office on Jan. 20, energy companies and their lobbyists are eyeing a new gusher of federal drilling and mining leases after a period of stagnation under the administration of Barack Obama. Oil output on federal land made up about a fifth of the national total in 2015 down from more than a third in 2010 while the number of onshore drilling leases fell about 15 percent, according to federal data. "This opportunity is unique, maybe once in a lifetime," said Jack Gerard, president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Petroleum Institute lobby group, referring to prospects for increased access to federal leases. The hoped-for land run by energy companies, however, could get bogged down by lawsuits and lobbying from environmental groups and some local residents. "It would only take one serious mistake one well to go bad for our town's water supply to be damaged," said Josh Ewing, the leader of a southern Utah conservation group. Energy firms have their allies in the rural areas, too, who would welcome an economic jolt. "We can't maintain our families here because there are no jobs," said Bob Turri, a former officer with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in southern Utah, surrounded by millions of acres of pristine federally managed forest. "That's the only hope we have left, is what Trump may be able to do for us." Trump had campaigned on a promise to open up federal lands to increased development. He accused Obama of "denying millions of Americans access to the energy wealth sitting under our feet" by restricting leasing and banning new coal extraction. In December, Trump nominated U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana, who backs coal mining on federal lands, to lead the Interior Department. Officials for Zinke and Trump declined to comment. Trump has vowed to lift the coal moratorium imposed in 2016 as part of Obama's broader plan to combat climate change within 100 days of taking office. Separately, a coalition appointed by Trump's team to guide his Native American policy is researching proposals to ease energy development on tribal lands including the controversial idea of transferring them to private ownership. While efforts to boost industry access to public lands would likely trigger lawsuits and protests, it could win broad support in a Congress now firmly in Republican control after November's election. Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association, said he expected some of Trump's planned moves to be easy, including reversing Obama's coal ban. "Happily, just as it was created with the stroke of a pen, it can be as easily rescinded," he said. "That is our hope and expectation." Other efforts to undo Obama's legacy could be harder. 'At your peril' In his final weeks in office, Obama designated about 1.6 million acres in Utah and Nevada as national monuments, using the 1906 Antiquities Act that lawyers say could be complicated to reverse. The move was a parting gift to Native American groups and conservationists. Obama also banned new drilling in federal waters in parts of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans using a 1950s-era law that environmental groups say would also require a drawn out court challenge to reverse. Republican lawmakers have promised to fight the moves. For some, the potential for expanded drilling signals economic revival. Others see more value in the land itself than the resources beneath it. One of the areas that Obama granted monument status last month is Bears Ears, a pair of iconic flat-top hills soaring out of ponderosa pine forests in Utah. Jonah Yellowman, a Navajo spiritual adviser for Utah Dine Bikeyah, a group representing five tribes, surveyed the landscape recently as he piloted his SUV down a dirt road. "What would happen if we lose this?" he asked. "Where are we going to go?" The area, he said, is central to the Navajo creation story and a symbol of his ancestors' ability to listen to and heed spiritual guidance. It is also rich in minerals and petroleum, and Yellowman said tribes are bracing for Trump to try to reopen the land to development. "If that happens, we're here to stand against it," he said. EOG Resources a Texas-based company recently approved to drill near Bears Ears declined to comment. Native American protesters and their supporters recently won a major battle against encroaching energy interests in North Dakota, blocking a federal permit for a pipeline after months of protests. Other tribes, however, have pursued energy development as a critical source of income. Nearly 2,000 miles east of Bears Ears, in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a similar debate is playing out. The 330,000-acre federal park is one of a handful that already allows drilling because it contains areas with privately owned mineral rights, or "split estates." Many of the park's visitors are unaware of the industry's presence. Gregory Violand, a 65-year-old actor who performs at a playhouse on park grounds two miles from a gas well surrounded by chain-link fencing said he supports drilling on federal lands, if done responsibly. "The property owners are benefiting," he said. Deb Yandala disagreed. As CEO of the CVNP Conservancy advocacy group, she said many people would oppose efforts to expand drilling and mining rights. "Water quality is a huge issue for Cuyahoga Valley," she said. Tim McCormack, a nearby resident, said the issue would be divisive. "There is going to be a profound debate," he said. "You cannot fool with the National Park system. You can at your peril." Additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici. In his first meeting with the media after his presidential win, Donald Trump rubbished the document alleging he was compromised by Russia. By Reuters: US President-elect Donald Trump today angrily denounced as disgraceful the publishing of claims he had been caught in a compromising position in Russia and said he hoped for a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin but could not guarantee it. "It's all fake news, it's phony stuff, it didn't happen," Trump said of a dossier that makes salacious claims about him. advertisement Trump, who was briefed by US intelligence officials about Russian hacking of the 2016 US election, said it was disgraceful that information from that briefing had been made public and he denounced "sick people" who "put that crap together." "It should never have entered paper," Trump said in a news conference days ahead of his inauguration. The Republican said US intelligence agencies might have leaked the information. Trump, who takes office on January 20, acknowledged that Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and the emails of other top Democrats during the election, but defended his goal of better ties with Moscow. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," Trump told about 250 reporters jammed into the lobby at his New York offices. The dossier, which emerged late on Tuesday, was first reported by CNN. BuzzFeed published detailed elements of the report. Two US officials said Tuesday evening that the allegations, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that was presented last week to Trump and to President Barack Obama. The Republican president-elect has long said he hopes to improve ties with Moscow, but his plans have come under intense scrutiny after US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia used cyber attacks and other tactics to try to tilt the presidential election in his favor over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. US stocks slipped, weighed down by healthcare stocks after Trump commented in the news conference about competitive drug pricing. Eight of the 11 major S&P sectors were lower. The healthcare sector .SPXHC dropped 0.787 percent after Trump said the country needs more competitive drug bidding. Watch video: Trump says Russia can help fight ISIS, slams Barack Obama for helping create it --- ENDS --- President-elect Donald Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration will feature a performance by the Choir of the National Cathedral in Washington. The Episcopal Church is a liberal denomination that has long supported racial equality and womens and LGBT rights. The cathedral is a center for social justice and two years ago hosted communal prayers for Muslims. Trumps religious base is composed primarily of white Roman Catholics and evangelicals. The inauguration and its related events are distinct from a Jan. 21 interfaith prayer service in which Cathedral staff will take part, along with members of other faiths and Christian denominations. Performers announced for the inauguration include vocalist Jackie Evancho, many of the Rockettes and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (minus one soprano). A spokesman for the National Cathedral (officially the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul) said the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, made the decision for the Choir of Men, Boys and Girls to perform. In a statement, the cathedrals chief communications officer, Kevin Eckstrom, said, We do not pray or sing to bless a political ideology or partisan agenda. From its earliest days, the Cathedral was conceived as a great church for national purposes, a place that could assist the nation in marking significant moments in our national life. For decades, the Cathedral choirs have participated in those moments, particularly when they involve the office of the president of the United States. The choir was invited to join the inaugural ceremonies as one of three choirs who were chosen to help celebrate the peaceful transfer of power and to honor the office of the president. [The Dean] accepted this invitation as part of our role to serve as a spiritual home for the nation. The performance, he said, is optional for members of the choir, and most will participate. The spokesman did not respond to inquiries about the number of singers who will take part, whether they will be paid or the repertoire. Anne LeVeque, 57, of the Diocese of Washington, took issue with the decision, saying the prayer service was the proper forum for praying for the country. We do this every four years, regardless of who the president is, she said. Celebrating the inauguration goes beyond that. In a very real sense, its honoring the person who is being inaugurated. ST. LOUIS The 2016 homicide tally remained the same in the city as compared to the year before, but was rising in St. Louis County. The year ended with 188 homicides in the city, St. Louis Chief Sam Dotson announced Tuesday afternoon. The murder total holds as the citys deadliest in two decades. Countywide, homicides for all municipalities had reached 63 by Oct. 28 the most up-to-date information available from the medical examiners office. Thats just three shy of the 66 homicides throughout all St. Louis County municipalities that happened in all of 2015, which had been an 80 percent increase over 2014. In the territory handled by St. Louis County police, overall crime was reported to be down 2 percent. Reported overall crime in St. Louis dropped by 4.1 percent, Dotson said. Everybody talks about crime as the worst theyve ever seen it, but if you look at per capita, there are fewer crimes now than there were in 1970 and theres half the amount of crime in the city now than there was in at its peak in 1993, he said. That said, Dotson acknowledged that violent crimes homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault were up 4.4 percent over 2015. Rapes were up by 9.5 percent, robberies by 6.4 percent and aggravated assaults by 3.3 percent. Property crime dropped by about 6.6 percent, or 1,327 incidents. That reflects about 1,000 fewer burglaries, 286 fewer larcenies and 88 fewer vehicle thefts. Dotson announced the totals alongside Mayor Francis Slay during a news conference at police headquarters. Both officials noted that homicide totals in cities across the country rose in 2016. I wouldnt want to be the mayor of Chicago standing up here today, Slay said, giving a nod to that citys surge to more than 700 homicides. Slay noted that a crime reduction program he proposed a year ago is a work in progress. The numbers are not where we want them to be, but I have to wonder, without the work that we are doing, where would we be? he asked. Slay also pledged to look for ways to hire more officers, and noted that a proposed sales tax increase could help to do it. Were on the high end of cops per capita and I believe thats warranted because we have a high poverty rate as well regular attractions that attract crowds, he said. St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar has similarly called on the County Council to hire more officers and also is supporting a tax increase to do it. The county, with almost 1 million people, is splintered among more than 60 police departments. The largest, the county police, directly serves about one-third of them, in unincorporated areas or in cities under contract. Some of the municipal departments investigate their own homicides, some turn to the county, some call on the Major Case Squad, a cooperative of detectives from various communities. In Belmars jurisdiction, there were seven fewer homicides in 2016 compared to the year before. Violent crime was down 1 percent and property crime down by 2.3 percent. Rape and aggravated assaults rose by 3.7 percent and 3.8 percent respectively. Vehicle thefts increased by about 18 percent the largest jump in the property crime category, according to the county police. Homicides in the unincorporated parts of St. Louis County and municipalities under contract reached 25. Ferguson police had the most homicides of any municipality, with nine, in the incomplete 2016 information from the medical examiner; there had been five in all of 2015. Like Dotson and Belmar, the Ferguson chief, Delrish Moss, said he needs more staff. The department has 37 officers, down from 53 in 2014. It is budgeted for 44. Dotson said his department, which had about 1,600 officers when he joined in the early 1990s, is down to 1,187. But he said officers are trying to make up for it by working smarter. For example, he attributes a reduction in burglaries to focusing on key arrests and more closely enforcing laws at pawn shops and scrap yards. He said he plans to take a similar approach to reducing aggravated assaults. Dotson said he is modeling a program to analyze shell casings at shooting scenes after a similar program used by Denver police. He calls it the Gun Crime Intelligence Center and plans to launch it in spring. The Violence Reduction Network, a Justice Department initiative, will help guide the program, which expedites ballistic analysis to help detectives more quickly find links among crimes, Dotson said. Right now, police enter information into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, which takes weeks to generate information, Dotson said. The new system will allow officers to get it in 24 to 48 hours. Its an arduous process and we will be able to triage these cases more quickly and push them out to detectives to see how shootings are connected and figure out strategies to stop them, he said. ST. LOUIS Archbishop Robert Carlson on Tuesday urged aldermen to defeat a bill that would add reproductive health decisions to the citys anti-discrimination ordinance. The bill, filed on Dec. 2 by Alderman Megan-Ellyia Green, is pending before the aldermanic Housing Committee. No hearing has been set, but Green said she hoped there will be one within two weeks. Her proposal would extend protection against discrimination to include any decision related to the use or intended use of a particular drug, device or medical service, including the use or intended use of contraception or fertility control or the planned or intended initiation or termination of pregnancy. Green proposes to do that by amending an ordinance originally intended to cover discrimination in housing and employment, and which has been expanded over the years to include the disabled, gay people and others. Its provisions include empowering the city Civil Rights Enforcement Commission to consider complaints. Carlson issued a statement Tuesday saying the bill seeks to make St. Louis a sanctuary city for abortion, and said it would have terrible consequences for religious institutions. Carlson said Catholic agencies could be fined for not employing persons who publicly promote practices such as abortion. Green said she filed the amendment to make it clear that women should be free to make reproductive choices they want to make without consequences from their employer or landlord. She said she had no example of such discrimination in St. Louis, but added, With a (Donald) Trump presidency and a Republican supermajority in Jefferson City, attacks on womens rights are real. Green said her bill would not deal with anti-abortion protests nor limit a religious institution from firing an employee who takes a public stand for abortion. We are not talking about political activity. We are talking about reproductive choice, she said. Trump will likely face questions about claims that Russia has gathered and compiled information to compromise him and more seriously, that his campaign officials colluded with Russian intelligence. Trump, his attorney and a Russian presidential spokesman have all slammed the reports as fake. By Arindam De: US-President-elect Donald Trump shall be addressing his first news conference after being elected as the President of the United States today, around 9.30 pm IST. He is almost sure to face questions about allegations that Russia had interfered in the election he won in November 2016 and probably on how he will address potential conflicts of interest involving his business. advertisement Donald Trump's last news conference came in late July 2016. Mostly US presidents have given a news conference within days of winning the polls. Donald Trump has been active on Twitter and have come up with brief statements, he is yet to formally meet with a group of reporters and field questions. Trump will likely face questions about claims that Russia has gathered and compiled information to compromise him and more seriously, that his campaign officials colluded with Russian intelligence. Trump, his attorney and a Russian presidential spokesman have all slammed the reports as fake. The as of now unsubstantiated information was reportedly presented to Trump last week along with a report that indicated that US intelligence agencies are confident that Russia had set out to undermine the US presidential election and to discredit Clinton. Intel agencies concluded Russia hacked thousands of emails of Clinton campaign chief John Podesta, which were later released by WikiLeaks. The incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus had earlier stated that Trump himself never denied that entities in Russia could have been behind the hackings. Earlier Trump had himself blamed the Democratic National Committee for its apparently poor internet security practices. Incidentally it was during his July 2016 news conference Donald Trump called on Russia to find out and release thousands of deleted emails dating back to Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state. --- ENDS --- ST. LOUIS Mayor Francis Slays administration on Tuesday provided its first detailed look at how it would spend new revenue generated by a half-cent sales tax hike the mayor is pushing to get on the April ballot. The administration estimates the tax increase could generate as much as $20 million a year. Should voters approve the measure, the city would issue bonds to finance projects in four areas: MetroLink expansion, neighborhood revitalization, workforce development and public safety. Money from the tax also would go toward infrastructure. Slay has repeatedly said helping expand MetroLink is one of the last big things he wants to do before leaving office in April after 16 years. The additional tax money would pay for the first phase of a north-south expansion of the rail service. Plans call for roughly $10 million a year generated by the sales tax to go toward the study, planning, federal matching funds and eventual construction of a roughly 8-mile MetroLink expansion stretching from Fairground Park in the north to Cherokee Street on the citys south side. Slay spokeswoman Maggie Crane said the project would cost in the neighborhood of $650 million and could break ground in 2023. Crane said she didnt want to speculate on when the project might be completed. Phase one is a small piece of what city leaders hope will one day turn into a comprehensive 31.5-mile city-county expansion. Alderman Scott Ogilvie, 24th Ward, supports the plan but said it doesnt go far enough. He said the city will have to become more aggressive and find more revenue, perhaps $15 million a year or more, to truly build a comprehensive MetroLink system. Antonio French, a candidate for mayor and a frequent Slay critic, said he supports a more robust MetroLink, but described Slays plan as lacking. By stopping at Fairground Park, and not extending further north into more densely populated areas as part of phase one, French said, the mayor is missing the mark. He also cautioned that St. Louis has become far too dependent on sales tax increases to fund various projects. The Board of Aldermen would have to approve the plan by Jan. 24 for it to appear before city voters on the April 4 ballot. While transit would take up half of the annual revenue generated by the tax, the mayors office says it would dedicate $2.5 million a year to each of the plans other four components: Neighborhood revitalization Revitalization money will set aside grant funding in a different neighborhood or area each year. Areas would be picked based on need, stakeholder buy-in and the ability of applicants to secure matching funds. Workforce development Revenue for this component of the plan would be broken into three areas. First, the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, a city agency that helps workers improve skills and find jobs, would get an influx of cash to hire staff, buy equipment and expand programs, including one that teaches existing workers new skills allowing them to move up the career ladder. The second slice of workforce development money would go toward the St. Louis Youth Jobs program, where young people ages 16 to 24 are placed in job readiness training and then transitioned into jobs. Participants also receive financial literacy training and get help setting financial goals and opening bank accounts. Also under workforce development, the city would create the St. Louis Promise Scholarship program. Each year, $1 million would be set aside to offer scholarships that offer the promise of a college education to qualifying high school students. The program, which started in Kalamazoo, Mich., in the early 2000s, has been successful in different parts of the country in raising graduation rates and increasing college enrollment. Public safety $2.5 million of the sales tax increase would go toward technology upgrades at the Real Time Crime Center operated by St. Louis police. The crime center uses surveillance cameras, license plate recognition technology and computer-aided dispatching to monitor and respond to crime. Infrastructure The final $2.5 million generated from a sales tax increase would go to the citys capital budget. The money would be used for building repairs and buying equipment, including refuse trucks and fleet vehicles. JEFFERSON CITY A slowdown in revenue could scuttle efforts to boost the salaries of Missouri state workers. During a hearing in the state Capitol Wednesday, Missouri lawmakers expressed support for increasing the lowest-in-the-nation wages, but cautioned that lagging tax collections could again short circuit the push. With $500 million needing to be cut from the budget, it doesnt look good for employee pay raises, Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, said before the two-hour-long discussion began. That position is a reversal from September when Bernskoetter expressed optimism about finding a way to lift Missouri worker pay. But, in between then and now, state tax collections have fallen short of expectations, forcing former Gov. Jay Nixon to slash $200 million in spending before he left office on Monday. In November, Greitens senior adviser Austin Chambers told the Post-Dispatch that the political newcomer could begin outlining how hell approach the financial shortfall shortly after Thanksgiving. Nearly two months later, Greitens has yet to announce any budget cuts. And, hes delayed his budget speech until February, rather than deliver it during his State of the State speech on Tuesday. A House committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to begin crafting the states next budget without knowing what Greitens is projecting in revenue for the fiscal year beginning July 1. As for state worker pay, a study released last year concluded Missouris employees are the lowest-paid in the nation. The 25-page report bolsters contentions that the low pay leads to high turnover rates in many state jobs. That costs taxpayers additional money in overtime and training, leading to calls for wage hikes. During the campaign, Greitens signaled he supported a review of state pay practices. The $324,000 study by St. Louis-based consulting firm CBIZ Human Capital Services found that the average pay for a state worker is $39,682 a year, putting Missouri 50th among the states. The study didnt include all state employees, covering 37,906 workers out of Missouris 50,324 active employees. Of those, the study found there are 5,200 workers earning below what workers in similar jobs make in other states and private industry. It would cost over $14 million to boost their pay alone. But the price tag could be balanced against the added costs brought on by high turnover. At the Missouri Department of Mental Health, for example, a separate 2015 report said 25.7 percent of its employees left the workforce in 2014. The states largest agency the 10,958-employee Department of Corrections had a turnover rate of 16.3 percent. Rep. Lindell Shumake, R-Hannibal, said low pay and high turnover has negatively affected the prison system. Its becoming a security concern as far as Im concerned, Shumake said. Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, said the report could help make employee salaries a bigger priority for lawmakers. But, he acknowledged the state budget woes could hamper efforts to address the pay issue. Its a very tough balance, especially this year when were already starting to see potential predictions of a very tight budget year, Kehoe said. Updates with coat's return on Monday evening. ST. LOUIS Freezing cold conditions were perfect Saturday night for Licia Harper to wear her new coat. This wasn't just any coat. It was a full-length dark brown mink coat with the initials EPB sewn into the silk lining in large letters. And it was about to go missing. Harper said the coat was passed down to her last week from her grandmother, Eula Pearl Bates, who has Alzheimer's disease and doesn't get out much anymore. Family estimated the coat to be worth $14,000. "She saved for her coat," said Harper, 35. "It was a huge deal when she got it because she had saved years and years for her coat." Harper was glad to have it. The notch collar felt so nice on the neck. Not only did she feel warm and cozy, but she was reminded of her grandmother when she wore it. "I mean, I fell in love with it," said Harper, a health care consultant from St. Louis. "It feels marvelous. Every time I put it on, it makes me feel good because of the sentimental value." She wore it twice. The last time was Saturday, when she and her mother had a 7 p.m. reservation at Giovanni's on the Hill. They arrived 45 minutes late but management held their spot. When they walked in the door, Harper said, a young woman asked if she could check the coat. "I said, 'Sure.' I took the coat off. She handed me a No. 55 ticket," Harper said. It's not rare to have a mink coat on the racks at the Italian restaurant that's been in business more than four decades. According to Giovannis website, the restaurant has fed the likes of Frank Sinatra, Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney. The founder has cooked for Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, both George and George W. Bush, and Vice President Al Gore. Harper liked the food enough. It was what happened afterward that soured her. When it was time to leave, she said, she was given the wrong coat. She said workers went through the stock of other fur coats and even pulled out wool coats, perhaps in desperation. None of them hers. "I was in absolute disbelief," Harper said. "I went back and I was looking. It was not on the floor. It was not anywhere." Then, Harper said, she was offered a mink coat that possibly belonged to the person that took hers as a replacement. It was black and didn't have the notch collar and her grandmother's initials under the arm. More importantly, she said, it belonged to someone else. Someone shorter than Harper. "My coat would have been dragging the ground on her," she said. Harper said management and owners were drawn into the situation which grew animated. Ultimately, Harper said, she left Giovanni's without any coat. She said she was upset and continued to reach out to the restaurant over the weekend. Then she reached out to police and the Post-Dispatch. Giovanni's manager Gerard Burke said Monday afternoon that the restaurant had been trying to contact numerous people who could have gone home with the wrong coat. He said there was a delay because he hadn't found the mink coat in question until Monday afternoon. He'd been off work. "I didn't want to say too much until I had it all cleared," Burke said. Carmelo Gabriele, one of the owners, said the restaurant served 196 dinners on Saturday. He said the coat accidentally went home with a couple from Belleville. "The gentleman from Belleville is bringing the coat back later today," Gabriele said. He said Harper could pick it up after that. "We will even pay for the gas," he said. "If you need." He said the incident was a mix up. "This coat she had was a black mink and they all look alike," Gabriele said. He said Giovanni's had misplaced maybe half a dozen coats since 1973 and that the coat check employee who mishandled the mink would be fired. Harper was reunited with her beloved coat Monday evening. Burke, the manager, said Tuesday that the coat check employee was an argumentative 17-year-old girl being assisted by her 15-year-old sister. They'd had more than one second chance. "It's not just this coat," Burke said. "There were other incidents where there was confusion with the coats. It's important to keep things straight. It's just lack of experience." Americans were asked to believe on Wednesday that an inveterate deal-maker and hands-on business kibbitzer is going to avoid picking up a phone at some point during the next four years and asking his sons how business is going. Trust, but verify, said President Ronald Reagan in another context. President-elect Donald Trump is ignoring the subordinate clause in his plan to wall himself off from his business interests. Americans also are expected to believe that governments and people trying to curry favor with the Trump administration wont throw some business at the Trump Organization, and if they do, theyll be blocked by an ethics officer who reports only to Trump executives. On Wednesday, Trump announced at a press conference that he was turning over his real estate empire to a trust run by his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, and a company executive. The president-elect will retain his ownership stake (and sees nothing wrong with that). How might this work? Well, Trump proudly announced that over the weekend, he was offered a $2 billion deal from Dubai developer Hussain Sajwani. I turned it down, he boasted. I didnt have to do that. If Sajwani was listening carefully, he now knows to run the deal through Don Jr. and Eric, who of course wont tell dad anything about it. The stage at Trump Tower included a table stacked high with documents purported to be agreements distancing Trump from the hundreds of entities within the Trump organization. Lawyer Sheri Dillon, who helped write those agreements, argued that it was unrealistic to expect Trump to sell his holdings or place them in a blind trust. President-elect Trump should not be expected to destroy the company he built, she said. This plan offers a suitable alternative to address the concerns of the American people. It is not a suitable alternative. It is an honor system set up to preserve a business built not by honor, but on bluster and other peoples money. Tragically, the Trump plan to deal with his business conflicts announced today falls short in every respect, said Norm Eisen, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution. Mr. Trumps ill-advised course will precipitate scandal and corruption. Trump claimed a sort of get-out-of-jail-free card that exempts him from conflict of interest statutes. So I could actually run my business and run government at the same time, he said. Because almost any executive action could be construed as a conflict of interest, Congress in 1978 exempted the president and vice president from conflict of interest laws. Most recent presidents have gone the extra mile and placed their corporate assets in blind trusts. But theres never been a president as wealthy as Trump, nor one with so many potential conflicts. Nor one as seemingly disinterested in the special obligations of his office. In an exclusive interview to India Today, Jung said: "I have never spoken publicly on any matter about Arvind Kejriwal. My actions were always on files." By India Today Web Desk: Former Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung today said he never spoke publicly against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during their turf war over the city administration. In an exclusive interview to India Today, Jung said: "I have never spoken publicly on any matter about Arvind Kejriwal. My actions were always on files." Admitting that there were disagreements with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on almost all the issues, Jung said he had rejected some 80 files forwarded by the Delhi government. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INTERVIEW: Wanted to quit, PM asked me to carry on after I had offered resignation twice before. PM Modi accepted my resignation third time. Arvind Kejriwal is inexperienced. He is a young man in a hurry to perform. Every conflict was started by Aam Admi Party (AAP) government. I tried to avoid conflicts with Kejriwal. My duty was to protect the Constitution. Large decisions were taken illegally. Irregularities were found in over 400 files. There was favouritism and nepotism by AAP government. Officer on special duty to Health minister Satyendra Jain, Nikunj Agarwal's appointment was illegal. Jains daughter was given favours. Funds were misused by water board chief. Gross favouritism, cheating by Swati Maliwal. Over 80 AAP workers were appointed in Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). Feedback unit was formed without approval. No state government can form counter Intelligence Bureau (IB) unit. Feedback unit was alleged of spying. I was never pushed to work against Kejriwal. I wasn't under any pressure from Narendra Modi government. Rajnath Singh never asked for improper favours. Met Arun Jaitley to seek legal matters, but never consulted him on Kejriwal government. I was never under influence of anyone. Modi is not biased towards Muslims. He is rather for Muslim community. Not in favour of full statehood for Delhi. It should remain under control of Centre. --- ENDS --- advertisement I took my children into the voting booth with me and later my grandchildren so they could learn the procedure and why it is so important. A spicy Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper so oily you might fear itll slide through your fingers highlights the latest release in the Nestor Miranda Collection from Miami Cigar & Co. It also makes for a tasty, satisfying cigar. Sporting the lines trademark Art Deco style foil bands with electric-yellow highlights, Corojo is the fourth in the collection. Like the others, it is rolled at the My Father Cigars factory and comes in four sizes with MSRPs ranging from $7.50 to $9.50. The line is named for Miami Cigars gregarious president and co-founder. Vice president Jason Wood said in a press release that Miranda had been adamant about introducing his beloved Corojo wrapper to the collection. It was introduced at this summers industry trade show in Las Vegas and recently began shipping to merchants. The short Robusto4.5 inches long with a ring gauge of 50is firmly packed with Nicaraguan filler that exudes a nutty pre-light aroma. The first smoking impression is the pepper common to Corojo tobacco. Along the way, I also experienced spice, a little cedar, burned coffee, and a rich tobacco sweetness. The three I smoked for this review each had an excellent draw. None exhibited the burn difficulties sometimes associated with Corojo tobacco. The ash was ivory white and held firmly until I tapped it off. The burn was slow, extending the smoking time beyond what might be expected, given the cigars length. Id put the strength level in the upper-medium to full category, as it tends to build along the way. StogieGuys.com has smoked and reviewed many Miami Cigar & Co. productions over the years. They include several from the Nestor Miranda Collection since it was repackaged and re-blended in 2014. This is the best in that line. And the Robusto format seems to take advantage of all it has to offer. I rate this a strong four stogies out of five. [To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.] George E photo credit: Stogie Guys By Press Trust of India: Gandhinagar, Jan 11 (PTI) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today reiterated that the Centre is still aiming to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime from April 1 if all pending issues are sorted out. GST, which is to subsume most of central and state taxes like excise, service tax and VAT, needs to roll out by latest September 16, 2017, he said. advertisement This because, under the Constitutional Amendment passed by Parliament for the GST implementation, some of the existing levies would expire after September 16. Jaitley said the government was aiming to implement the new sales tax from April this year. "We would want it to be implemented from April if all issues are resolved." "There is a provision for GST implementation because constitutional amendment has been passed. So its Constitutional necessity that before September 16 it should be rolled out," he said on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here. GST, or a national sales tax, will replace a jumble of levies to create one of the worlds biggest single market. A single tax will make it easier to do business in the worlds seventh-largest economy as also help combat evasion, boost revenue for the government. But the rollout is struck because of differences between the Centre and states over control and administration of the tax as also on how the states that face revenue shortfall because of the GST rollout would need to be compensated. Jaitley is hoping to resolve the issue of dual control of tax payers at the next meeting of the GST Council on January 16. "We would want it to be implemented from April if all issues are resolved. But implementing before September 16 is a necessity," he said. The Finance Minister said the digitisation that got a leg up post demonetisation of old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, together with GST will lead to expansion of formal economy and boost growth. "The two steps together will lead to a larger economy and a cleaner GDP. I am hopeful that we will see the two this year," he said. PTI JD MBI ANZ MKJ --- ENDS --- Tributes have been paid to former Alcester mayor, Lennox Cumberbatch. GLOWING tributes from right across the community have been paid following the death of Alcesters Lennox Cumberbatch. Lennox, aged 76, succumbed to cancer on Friday 30th December, with his funeral set to take place on Monday, 16th January, at St Nicholas' Church in Alcester, at 12pm. And his passing has led to an outpouring of affection and admiration for a man of the people who was twice Mayor of Alcester and also Alcester Court Leets High Bailiff. Lennox was born in Georgetown in Guyana in 1940. At 18 he moved over to England to study as an engineer, but decided another path was right for him. He trained as a psychiatric nurse, then followed this up with general nursing before moving into orthopaeadic nursing. Following this he trained to be a probation officer, which also covered social work. After working as a probation officer for some time he moved into social work. He progressed up to a senior level working in both England and Wales. He ended his social work career in Birmingham, which was when he retired for the first time. He soon moved back into health care and worked for Mind in Leamington, before moving into the health service again. He worked in Stratford, then moved to Coventry to work in public health, before retiring for the second time. It was not long before he was back at work, this time at Priory Road Surgery in Alcester. During his time in Alcester he was also High Bailiff of the Court Leet in 2008. He became a town councillor in 2009 and began to do so much work within the community. He also held the position of Mayor for two consecutive terms. He was involved with the development of the new health centre, which he opened when he was mayor, and was also instrumental in setting up Alcester as a Health and Wellbeing town. Additionally, he set up and chaired the Alcester Community Trust. He also spent a considerable amount of time supporting young people in the community, recognising how important they are to the future of the town he loved. Shortly before Christmas, Lennox Cumberbatch was named Alcester Citizen of the Year at an awards evening hosted by Alcester Town Council and the Mayor of Alcester Chris Brannigan. Speaking on behalf of the family, Suzanne, Lennox's daughter, said: "We have been completely overwhelmed by the kind messages and support we've received since my dad sadly passed away. As a family we know just what a wonderful man he was. We know he was important to many people, however, the letters we've received and the stories we've been told in the past few days have made us realise just how much he touched the lives of so many other people. We feel so very proud of him, and will miss him greatly." Lennox Cumberbatch leaves behind his wife Kath, his son David and his wife Sarah and grandchildren, Ellie and Tom. His daughter Suzanne, her husband John-Paul and grandchildren, Evie and Grace. Suzanne said her father was an amazing grandad to them all. Many messages of public appreciation and condolence for Lennox Cumberbatchs life and his family have been paid and they all seem to say: Such sad news, such a good man, a lovely man, he was a true gentleman. Needham & Company analyst Richard Valera weighed in on Vonage (NYSE: VG) after CEO, Alan Mazarek, and CFO, Dave Pearson, delivered an upbeat presentation to a standing room only crowd at the 19th Annual Needham Growth Conference. Valera commentedm ". Mr. Mazarek sees the company serving two main growth markets: UCaaS, which it sees growing from $9B in 2015 to $20B in 2018, and CPaaS, which it sees growing from The firm reiterated an Buy rating and price target of $9.00 For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Vonage click here. For more ratings news on Vonage click here. Shares of Vonage closed at $7.51 yesterday. McClatchy (NYSE: MNI) announced that it has entered into separate agreements to sell and lease back real property owned by The Sacramento Bee in Sacramento, California and The State Media Company in Columbia, South Carolina for total gross proceeds of $67.8 million. The Sacramento Bee entered into a transaction with Shopoff Advisors, L.P. ("Shopoff"), to sell its real property which includes The Sacramento Bee building and surrounding land and buildings. Simultaneously with the closing of the sale, McClatchy will enter into a 15-year lease with Shopoff to leaseback the real property with initial annual lease payments of approximately $4.6 million. This transaction excludes a parking garage formerly owned by The Sacramento Bee, which was sold for $5.75 million in a transaction that closed in December 2016. In a separate but similar transaction, The State Media Company contracted with a subsidiary of Twenty Lake Holdings, ("Twenty Lake") to sell its real property including The State building and surrounding land. McClatchy will enter into a 15-year lease with Twenty Lake with initial annual lease payments of approximately $1.6 million. These transactions are subject to customary closing conditions and are expected to close in the second quarter of 2017. Elaine Lintecum, McClatchy's chief financial officer said, "We are pleased that in less than one year of marketing these properties, we were able to collaborate with two strong investors like Shopoff and Twenty Lake to sell the properties at or near our asking prices and lease them back for our operations. "These sale-leaseback transactions are one more step in moving forward with our real estate monetization efforts to redeploy our capital for better uses for the benefit of our shareholders and bondholders. We generally expect to reduce debt with the proceeds of these transactions." A repurchase clause included in both of the lease agreements to be entered into at the closing of the transactions will offer an option for the company to repurchase the real property at the end of the 15-year lease term. As a result, the leases are expected to be accounted for under GAAP as financing leases. Lease payments will reduce the related lease obligation on the balance sheet and include interest expense associated with the obligation. Upon closing of the transactions, the company is required to first offer the after-tax proceeds from the sales at par to the secured bondholders in accordance with the indenture for its secured 9.0% bonds maturing in 2022. Under the indenture for its unsecured bonds, the company has 90 calendar days to reduce debt equal to approximately $48.0 million (subject to change based on market rates at the closing of the transactions), which reflects the attributable debt associated with the leases. Should the secured bondholders choose not to participate in the par offer, the company may alternatively seek to reduce some of its unsecured bonds with the after-tax proceeds in order to meet its 90-calendar-day requirement for debt reduction. In connection with these sale and leaseback transactions, and certain similar transactions under consideration, McClatchy executed a fourth amendment to its credit agreement. The fourth amendment allows the after-tax proceeds from these sales and leaseback transactions that are not claimed by secured bondholders prior to expiration of a par offer to be used to repurchase any of its unsecured bonds in the open market to meet the debt reduction requirements noted above. The company could also decide to hold cash in excess of required debt reduction amounts on its balance sheet or use the cash for other corporate purposes. Lintecum added, "Our goal remains to strengthen the company's financial position, which means doing what makes the most economic sense for the company as it pertains to repurchasing debt in the open market. While we would prefer to reduce secured debt, we must adhere to our 90-day debt reduction requirement and are unwilling to pay uneconomic prices in the open market for secured debt." McClatchy noted that its 9.0% secured debt becomes callable in whole or in part as of December 15, 2017, at a price of 104.5%. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson By Caroline Humer and Rodrigo Campos NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said pharmaceutical companies are "getting away with murder" in what they charge the government for medicines, and promised that would change, sending drugs stocks sharply lower. The benchmark S&P 500 index slipped into negative territory after his remarks at a news conference spooked investors. The iShares Nasdaq Biotech ETF (NASDAQ: IBB) dropped 4 percent at its session low and ended down 3 percent, its largest daily percentage drop in three months. "When the president-elect says we're going to negotiate drug pricing, you have to take that seriously, but at the same this is a complicated issue because there's not going to be clarity on drug pricing reform anytime soon," said Brad Loncar, manager of the Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF (NASDAQ: CNCR). "When somebody that high profile says something that negative, people do not want to invest in it." Trump has blasted other industries for charging the government too much, particularly defense companies, but has made only a few public statements about drug pricing since being elected. He briefly mentioned Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE: LMT), Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F), and United Technologies Corp (NYSE: UTX) during the news conference and promised a border tax for companies producing products for U.S. consumers outside the United States. Back in May, then-candidate Trump said Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) was also "getting away with murder," referring to taxes in that case. The stock fell as much as 4 percent in the next few days but is up almost 12 percent since Trump's remark. PHARMA ON EDGE After his promise to bring down drug spending, the ARCA pharmaceutical index gave up as much as 2.6 percent and ended the day down 1.7 percent. The drug industry has been on edge for two years about the potential for more government pressure on pricing after sharp increases in the costs of some life-saving drugs drew scrutiny in the press and among lawmakers. The government is investigating Medicaid and Medicare overspending on Mylan NV's (NASDAQ: MYL) allergy treatment EpiPen, for instance. David Katz, chief investment officer at Matrix Asset Advisors in New York, said negative comments on drug pricing trigger selling both from algorithms and investors who suffered from share drops when Democrat Hillary Clinton campaigned against healthcare cost increases. Trump's campaign platform included allowing the Medicare healthcare program to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies, which the law currently prohibits. He has also discussed making it easier to import drugs at cheaper prices. "We are going to start bidding. We are going to save billions of dollars over time," Trump said. Medicare, which covers more than 55 million elderly or disabled Americans, spent $325 billion on medicines in 2015. Industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA President Stephen Ubl said "Medicines are purchased in a competitive marketplace where large, sophisticated purchasers aggressively negotiate lower prices." He said the industry is "committed to working with President-elect Trump and Congress to improve American competitiveness and protect American jobs." Roche Pharmaceuticals CEO Daniel O'Day said in an interview at a JPMorgan conference in San Francisco that Roche Holding AG (NYSE: ROG) focuses on innovation and investing in research. Price increases over the past several years have been "responsible" and in the range of low to mid single digits, he said. At the same conference, Mylan CEO Heather Bresch said it was premature to respond to Trump's comments, when she was asked during an investor presentation. She said the industry should look again at how healthcare is set up as the government repeals the Affordable Care Act. Trump said he plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, and replace it at about the same time. The news helped shares of hospitals, which are nervous about losing government payments for medical services. It hurt some health insurers, like Anthem Inc (NYSE: ANTM), which sell plans on the government-run health insurance exchanges. Healthcare ETFs including the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) (NYSE: XLV) and the IBB drew their highest trading volume since Nov. 10, in the wake of Trump's election. Trading volume in XLV options jumped to 58,248 contracts, more than twice the average daily volume according to Reuters data. Healthcare sector stocks were the largest drag on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 . (Reporting by Caroline Humer, Rodrigo Campos and Lewis Krauskopf in New York, Deena Beasley in San Francisco and Ankur Banerjee and Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and David Gregorio) VANCOUVER, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSX-V: AHR; OTCBB: AXREF) announces that Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. ("TCMC"), which was recently acquired by gold-focused Centerra Gold Inc., has relinquished its option to earn up to a 50% interest in the IKE porphyry copper-molybdenum-silver discovery and surrounding district, located near Gold Bridge, British Columbia ("BC"). TCMC acquired a 10% participating interest in the IKE Project by investing $6 million in exploration programs undertaken in 2015 and 2016 (see news release dated February 29, 2016). TCMC has elected to exchange its 10% participating interest for a 1% Conversion Net Smelter Royalty from mine production; capped at a total of $5 million. As a result, Amarc has re-acquired a 100% interest in the IKE Project which hosts the newly discovered IKE deposit and at least 4 other nearby, major, stand-alone porphyry copper deposit targets that are now ready for drilling. "Thompson Creek's investment materially advanced the delineation of the IKE copper-molybdenum-silver deposit, and identified four new and quite compelling porphyry copper deposit drill targets," said Amarc Chairman, Robert Dickinson. "Amarc is thrilled with the opportunity to re-acquire a 100% interest in the important-scale IKE Project, widely acknowledged as one of the brightest new copper exploration plays in the province, at a time of rising commodity prices and market sentiment." Amarc continues to be fully committed to unlocking the emerging value of the IKE Project along with its recently announced JOY and DUKE porphyry copper-gold and copper-molybdenum acquisitions located in the Kemess region of north-central and the Babine region of central BC, respectively. Amarc also announces that it has acquired a 100% interest in the Galore Property from Galore Resources Inc. ("Galore Resources"), clear of any royalties to Galore Resources, by making a final payment of $280,000. The Galore Property comprises extensive mineral claims surrounding the IKE porphyry copper-molybdenum-silver discovery and hosts several of the additional, drill-ready copper-gold and copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit targets (see news release dated July 19, 2016). This transaction marks the successful completion by Amarc of a series of property dealings to acquire 100% of the entire IKE district. IKE ProjectAmarc's IKE Project is located 33 km northwest of the historical mining communities of Gold Bridge and Bralorne, in south-central BC near the heartland of the Province's producing porphyry copper mines. Core drilling of the IKE deposit is located above tree line within large and barren cirques. Although current access to the site is by helicopter, there is good infrastructure in the region. Mainline logging roads leading northwest from Gold Bridge extend to within 13 km of the IKE property. Power, railways and highways are all available in the area of Gold Bridge and the regional towns of Pemberton and Lillooet. TCMC's investment over the past two years facilitated key geological advancement and expansion of Amarc's IKE discovery, and the delineation of four additional important-scale porphyry copper deposit targets in the immediate district Mad Major, OMG, Rowbottom and Quinn (see news release October 17, 2016). Furthermore, it allowed Amarc to also discover a number of other newly emerging porphyry copper and precious metal epithermal deposit targets within the extensive IKE mineral property. Over the last three years, 12,360 m of core drilling in 21 holes, 85 km of induced polarization ("IP") geophysical surveys, 177 km2 of regional geological mapping and a collection of 2,115 talus fine and rock samples were completed. Amarc recently applied to the provincial government for permits to drill up to 300 core holes within up to a 5 year period at IKE. JOY ProjectAmarc has acquired 100% of the JOY mineral claims, subject only to an underlying Net Smelter Returns royalty from production which is capped at $3.5 million. JOY is located 310 km north-northwest of Mackenzie in an area of moderate topography in the Kemess District of north-central BC which is one of BC's best areas for the discovery of porphyry and epithermal deposits. The JOY property is accessed by helicopter from seasonal roads that come within 0.5 km of the JOY property boundary, or from the Kemess mine site located 25 km due south. Power also extends to the Kemess mine site and its 300-person camp. The Kemess District is well-known to Amarc's technical team, as Hunter Dickinson Inc. ("HDI"), with whom Amarc is associated, is credited as the first company to recognize its true porphyry potential acquiring both the early-stage Kemess South and Kemess North prospects into their operated company, El Condor Resources, and developing them into significant porphyry copper-gold deposits before that company was taken over. Northgate Minerals went on to produce 3 million ounces of gold and 780 million pounds of copper over a 12-year period to 20101 (Kemess South), and AuRico Metals recently announced a 628 m intercept grading 0.53 g/t Au and 0.41% Cu2 (Kemess East). Amarc considers the JOY porphyry copper-gold deposit target to be an extension to the prolific Kemess porphyry gold-copper district. Geological timing is key to making a discovery of a major Cu-Au porphyry deposit in the Kemess region with a close overlap in time between porphyry copper-gold mineralization (ca. 203-194 Ma) and the Black Lake Intrusions (ca. 205-191 Ma). An ideal setting for discovery occurs at JOY with the Jock Creek Pluton, one of the Black Lake Intrusions, located in the north-central portion of the JOY property. The Jock Creek Pluton has been dated at 196.7 Ma, approximately the same age as the 199.6 Ma host of the Kemess South deposit, which hosted a 50,000 tonnes per day past producing mine. Recorded prospecting-style work by various past operators on the JOY claims began in 1968 and continued intermittently through to 2004. Over 2,000 soil samples, 840 rock samples and 30 silt samples were collected, but no ground geophysical surveys or drilling have been done and there has been little geological mapping. However, a number of porphyry copper-gold and epithermal Ag-Au deposit targets are clearly evident across the mineral property. Most importantly, compilation of all historical sampling along with a recently completed confirmation soil survey at site, has revealed the presence of a 7 km2 area of strong, coincident and overlapping soil and rock anomalies. This outstanding and important scale porphyry copper-gold deposit target is named Deposit Target 1. The extensive and coincident copper, molybdenum, gold, silver, lead and zinc soil anomalies outlining this target are interpreted to be reflecting a large and shallowly buried, copper-gold porphyry deposit. Amarc intends to engage early with First Nations and develop permit applications to submit to the provincial government for IP surveys and drilling at JOY. DUKE PropertyAmarc has secured a 100% interest in the DUKE mineral property as well as extensive adjacent mineral claims over nearby second-order exploration targets. DUKE is located 80 km northeast of Smithers BC, within the well-known Babine porphyry-copper district, 30 km north of former mines (Bell and Granisle) operated by Noranda Minerals Inc. between 1966 and 1992, and producing a total of 1.1 billion pounds of copper, 634,000 ounces of gold and 3.5 million ounces of silver3. DUKE is also just 10 km northeast of the Morrison Deposit, a 225 million tonne copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry deposit with a completed Feasibility Study4. The property is accessible from Smithers by road and an industrial-scale barge crossing of Babine Lake from the town of Granisle. A longer, all-road commute is available from Fort St. James, 150 km to the southeast. Power extends to the former Bell mine. DUKE was intermittently explored between 1965 and 2010 with geochemical, IP and magnetometer surveys and 30 shallow diamond drill holes. Extensive glacial cover precludes geological surveys and hinders geochemical survey interpretation, but most of the holes drilled intersected significant lengths of porphyry-style mineralization that remains open both laterally and to depth. For example, DDH-14, intersected 87 m of 0.40% Cu, 0.021% Mo, 2.2 g/t Ag and 0.05 g/t Au from 29 m to the end of the hole. Another hole, DDH-02, located 430 metres southeast of DDH-14 intersected 107 metres of 0.30% Cu, 0.011% Mo, 1.2 g/t Ag, and 0.06 g/t Au from 30 m. Porphyry mineralization was encountered by drill holes over an area of 800 m by 400 m which is open laterally in several directions. The average vertical depth of all holes drilled in this mineralized area is 90 m, with the deepest being only 124 m. Eighty percent of the holes drilled in this mineralized area bottomed in porphyry copper mineralization. Additionally, IP survey results indicate a significant area of prospective ground has yet to be drilled. Amarc intends to engage early with First Nations and develop a permit application to submit to the provincial government for drilling at DUKE. About Amarc Resources Ltd.Amarc is a BC-based mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team. It is focused on advancing the 100% owned IKE Project, a major new porphyry copper-molybdenum discovery combined with at least four nearby and drill-ready, major porphyry copper deposit targets. As well, Amarc has recently acquired a 100% interest in the JOY and DUKE porphyry copper projects, also in BC. The Company is applying for drill permits for all of the 7 major porphyry copper targets it now owns and is planning how best to prioritize and finance the development of these exceptional discovery-stage targets. Amarc's goal is to develop a whole new generation of BC porphyry copper mines. Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 25 year history of porphyry discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI porphyry projects include some of BC's and the world's most important mineral resources, such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Sisson and Maggie. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects to provide superior returns to shareholders. Amarc is committed to working constructively with governments and stakeholders towards the responsible development of its projects, while contributing to the sustainable development of local communities. All work programs are planned to achieve high levels of environmental performance and local benefits, including providing opportunities for employment, contracting and training for local people. The Company works hard to support government's consultation duties to assist with timely and fair decision making. Amarc is committed to meaningful and constructive engagement with First Nation communities and for the IKE Project has offered and remains open to the comprehensive and progressive agreements it has proposed at the early discovery-stage of project development. The Company believes that the best outcome is always achieved in the atmosphere of openness, constructive discussions, and mutual respect from all interested parties. Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101Mark Rebagliati, P. Eng., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDRonald W. ThiessenChief Executive Officer Notes: 1. MINFILE Number 094E 094, MINFILE Production Detail Report, BC Geological Survey, Ministry of Energy and Mines, BC.2. Aurico Metals news release November 8, 2016.3. MINFILE Number 093L 146 and 093M 001 MINFILE Production Detail Report, BC Geological Survey, Ministry of Energy and Mines, BC.4. Pacific Booker Minerals Inc. news release February 27, 2009. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and other related events or developments are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. The Company cannot guarantee that the Consolidated Loan and issuance of securities contemplated by this release will complete. There is no certainty that the Company will be able to repay the Consolidated Loan or any other outstanding debt or liability of the Company in a timely manner or at all. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review the Company's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com SOURCE Amarc Resources Ltd. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- iHeartMedia radio personality Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots hosted the second annual Million Dollar Show with a star-studded concert at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee which featured The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt and Caitlyn Smith. Over the past three years, Bobby Bones has raised more than $5.8 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which is leading the way the world, understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. This annual concert was created to celebrate past fundraising successes for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. What the sold-out audience did not anticipate was the unannounced performance by country music stars Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne and Thomas Rhett. A long-time supporter of St. Jude, Brooks surprised Bones with a $2 million oversized check, which helps ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. "We are incredibly humbled by the support of Bobby Bones, The Raging Idiots, Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Thomas Rhett, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt, Caitlyn Smith and the millions of country music fans that support our mission," said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The funds announced last night in support of our mission are staggering and are another example of the country music industry's incredible support of St. Jude for more than 20 years. These funds are critically important in helping St. Jude doctors and scientists find cures and save the lives of children in every community who are battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases." Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org or following St. Jude on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bobby-bones-and-the-raging-idiots-host-second-annual-million-dollar-show-for-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-300389219.html SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital DURHAM, NC -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Clarkston Consulting, a business and technology consulting firm, announced today the promotion of Sebastian Valencia to partner. This appointment from within the firm will enable growth for Clarkston in 2017, and allow for the continued delivery of brilliant client service to companies in the life sciences and consumer products and retail industries. "Clarkston is extremely pleased to announce the promotion of Sebastian to partner, in recognition of his outstanding work for our clients, and for contributing to the firm's success through the years," said Paul Garrison, president. "We have spent more than 25 years advising and delivering results for clients, and Sebastian, with his deep industry and supply chain expertise, positions us well for the future." Sebastian Valencia, based in Miami, FL, was most recently an associate partner with Clarkston Consulting. He is responsible for advising senior executives from international organizations through strategic, supply chain and systems transformations. During his tenure at Clarkston, Sebastian has led global initiatives for life sciences and consumer products companies, including supply chain redesign, ERP implementations, organizational design, and compliance initiatives. His focus areas include demand and supply integration, wholesale distribution, operational excellence, organizational effectiveness, and technology enablement. Sebastian has worked with clients in the US, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Sebastian holds leadership roles in several of Clarkston's key internal programs, and serves as the leader for Clarkston's Supply Chain consulting practice. Sebastian is active in several industry and charitable organizations in Florida and Latin America. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and universities, and is fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese. Sebastian earned his MBA in global logistics and supply chain management from the University of Dallas, and his B.S. in production engineering from EAFIT University in Medellin, Colombia. He earned a post-graduate certificate in leadership and strategy from the Sloan School of Business at MIT. About Clarkston Consulting Clarkston Consulting provides management, operations and implementation consulting services for life science and consumer products companies. Clarkston has achieved a 15-year average client satisfaction rate of 95% by continuously pushing for success for our clients, our consultants, and our company. For more information, please visit www.clarkstonconsulting.com. Anna BarrsEmail contact919.484.4488 Source: Clarkston Consulting WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Equal Justice Works has received an $800,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan to launch the New Mexico Immigration Corps, a partnership between Equal Justice Works, New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC), and University of New Mexico School of Law (UNMSOL). The program will deploy attorneys and paralegals to provide critically needed civil legal aid to immigrant communities throughout New Mexico from September 2016 through August 2020. There are more than 200,000 immigrants living in New Mexico, making up approximately 10 percent of the state's population. According to national Census data, these individuals are less likely to have graduated from high school, more likely to be employed in low-wage service occupations, and more likely to be living in poverty than native-born individuals. Despite these challenges, "immigrants help increase the vibrancy of our communities and play a crucial role in fortifying our work force and stimulating economic growth" said Jennifer Landau, Executive Director of the NMILC. "It is in the best interest of our state to develop solutions to help immigrant families thrive." Unfortunately, language barriers and unfamiliarity with the U.S. legal system can complicate successful assimilation. As a result, many immigrants do not take advantage of available public support systems, and are exposed to a myriad of legal problems such as the threat of unjustified deportation, unfair work practices, and other predatory practices. "Access to legal counsel is the key to protecting against unwarranted deportation and creating a path to personal and financial security for immigrants and their families," said David Stern, Executive Director of Equal Justice Works. NMILC, whose Executive Director, Jennifer Landau, is a former Equal Justice Works Fellow, is the only non-profit in the state that represents New Mexicans in Immigration Court, and one of few sources of other immigrant legal services. Throughout the grant period, the Equal Justice Works New Mexico Immigration Corps will provide capacity at NMILC to serve low-income immigrants who would otherwise go unrepresented. Beyond filling the immediate void in legal representation, this program will expand the pipeline of pre-law students, current law students, and young attorneys committed to serving New Mexicans. Over the grant period, Equal Justice Works will partner with UNMSOL to share best practices, promote public interest curricula, present internship and postgraduate employment options, and counsel students on debt relief. These sessions will help UNMSOL attract and retain top quality law students committed to public interest practice, and also create a larger pool of lawyers committed to working in public interest in New Mexico. About Equal Justice WorksEqual Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a just society by mobilizing the next generation of lawyers committed to equal justice. In collaboration with the nation's leading law schools, law firms, corporate legal departments, and nonprofit organizations, Equal Justice Works offers a continuum of opportunities that provide the training and skills that enable attorneys to provide effective representation to underserved communities and causes. Visit www.equaljusticeworks.org for more information. About the W.K. Kellogg FoundationThe W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org. CONTACT: Claire Shanley, Communications and Marketing ManagerEmail: [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/equal-justice-works-receives-grant-to-launch-new-mexico-immigration-corps-300389569.html SOURCE Equal Justice Works By India Today Web Desk: Hrithik Roshan and ex-wife Sussanne Khan might have parted ways a long time ago. But the ex-couple is still on good terms with each other. After posting a sweet wish for her ex-husband on his 43rd birthday, Sussanne joined Hrithik and his family for his big birthday bash. ALSO READ: Ex-wife Sussanne wishing Hrithik on his birthday is the cutest thing you'll see today advertisement ALSO READ: Hrithik and ex-wife Sussanne holiday with their sons in Dubai Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan (Photo: Milind Shelte) Clad in a white dress, Sussanne looked radiant as she made her way to a high-end restaurant in Mumbai along with Hrithik. The ex-couple was accompanied by their sons - Hridhaan and Hrehaan. Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan (Photo: Yogen Shah) This isn't the first time that the two have come together. Hrithik and Sussanne rang in the New Year together with kids in Dubai. Hrithik Roshan with sons (Photo: Yogen Shah) Hrithik Roshan (Photo: Yogen Shah) Hrithik and Sussanne got married in October 2000. After staying together for thirteen years, Hrithik and Sussanne finalised their divorce in November 2014. On the work front, Hrithik will be next seen in Kaabil. The film which also stars Yami Gautam is set to hit the screens on January 25. --- ENDS --- CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine, Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, and Matt Ruth of Adapt Pharma visited Weis Markets in Conshohocken today to demonstrate the ease with which anyone can fill prescriptions for naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug which is readily available to anyone in the commonwealth due to the standing order signed by Dr. Levine. "The opioid epidemic is the biggest health crisis in Pennsylvania today, requiring partnerships at every level to effectively combat the deadly disease of addiction," said Dr. Levine. "We thank Dr. Arkoosh and Adapt Pharma for helping so many people in our state obtain the life-saving drug Narcan, or naloxone. Preparing for worst case scenarios saves lives and gives victims of overdose a second chance at treatment and recovery." Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an overdose from opioid prescription pain medication or heroin. When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within two to eight minutes. Naloxone has been used safely by medical professionals for more than 40 years and its only function is to reverse the effects of opioids on the brain and respiratory system in order to prevent death. Anyone can obtain naloxone by filling a prescription from a health care provider or by using the standing order issued by Dr. Levine, which serves as a naloxone prescription for anyone in the general public to use. The standing order is kept on file at many pharmacies and can also be downloaded from the Department of Health website. In 2015, while serving as the interim medical director of the county's health department, Dr. Arkoosh signed a standing order to authorize pharmacies to distribute naloxone rescue kits to residents in Montgomery County. This predated the statewide naloxone standing order and helped local residents gain access to the life-saving drug. Dr. Arkoosh currently serves as chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. In February 2016, the Wolf Administration partnered with Pennsylvania-based pharmaceutical company Adapt Pharma to increase statewide access to Narcan, a brand of naloxone, including distribution to public high schools. Since that time, 217 high schools have received Narcan at no cost because of this partnership. In 2015, nearly 3,500 Pennsylvanians died from a drug overdose. Heroin and opioid overdose are the leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania, killing more individuals each year than motor-vehicle accidents. The Wolf Administration holds the fight against heroin and prescription opioids as a top priority. Some of the administration's other initiatives to fight the opioid epidemic include: Strengthening the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) so that doctors are required and able to check the system each time they prescribe opioids; Forming new prescribing guidelines to help doctors who provide opioid prescriptions to their patients; Creating the warm handoff guideline to facilitate referrals from the emergency department to substance abuse treatment; and Establishing a new law limiting the amount of opioids that can be prescribed to a minor to seven days. If you or someone you know is suffering from the disease of addiction, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit www.pa.gov/opioids for treatment options. For more information on the fight against opioid abuse in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. MEDIA CONTACT: April Hutcheson, 717-787-1783 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/physician-general-montgomery-county-commissioner-and-adapt-pharma-representative-fill-naloxone-prescription-and-discuss-the-fight-against-pennsylvanias-opioid-epidemic-300389354.html SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rockefeller University Press (RUP) and Editage have launched http://editage.rupress.org/ to provide pre-submission services to authors aiming to publish their research in The Journal of Cell Biology (JCB), The Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), or The Journal of General Physiology (JGP). The author services available at http://editage.rupress.org/ include copy editing, translation, and publication support by Editage's professional editors who are PhDs, MDs, or BELS-certified and have experience in more than 200 life- and medical-science subjects. In addition to checking for spelling, punctuation, and grammar, the editing packages on offer include reference checks, word reduction, re-editing support, and guidance through the publication process. Translation services available at http://editage.rupress.org/ pair bilingual experts with Editage's senior editors to help international scientists accurately express their research in English from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, and Brazilian Portuguese. Additional publication support services include technical review, artwork preparation, and plagiarism check. "Editage has gained a solid reputation in our industry for the quality of its editors and resources," RUP Executive Director Susan King says. "We are pleased to partner with Editage to offer these services, and provide authors with more confidence in the quality of their manuscripts before submitting them to our journal editors for consideration." Nikesh Gosalia, Director, Publisher and Academic Relations, Editage, Cactus Communications adds, "We are proud to be associated with RUP, which has been publishing impactful journals for over a century. I am certain that our subject-matter experts from the biomedical sciences will make the publication process smoother for all authors who choose our services." Explore the author services at http://editage.rupress.org/ About The Rockefeller University Press (RUP) The Rockefeller University Press (RUP) publishes The Journal of Cell Biology (JCB), The Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), and The Journal of General Physiology (JGP). JCB features peer-reviewed research on all aspects of cellular structure and function. JEM features peer-reviewed research on immunology, cancer biology, stem cell biology, microbial pathogenesis, vascular biology, and neurobiology. JGP features peer-reviewed research in biological, chemical, or physical mechanisms of broad physiological significance, with an emphasis on physiological problems at the cellular and molecular level. All editorial decisions are made by research-active scientists in conjunction with in-house scientific editors. RUP is a department of The Rockefeller University, a leading biomedical research university dedicated to conducting innovative, high-quality research to improve the understanding of life for the benefit of humanity. Learn more at http://rupress.org About Editage Founded in 2002, Editage (a division of Cactus Communications) is a fully integrated, global scholarly communications company with offices in Japan, South Korea, India, China, and the United States. Employing a global workforce of over 500 people, Editage has served 179,398 authors and edited 690,240 papers across 1,200 disciplines to date. Editage partners with publishers, journals, academic societies, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide to assist them in creating compelling, high-quality scientific publications. Editage is also dedicated to author education through its comprehensive author resources site Editage Insights. Learn more at www.editage.com. Media contact: Hridey Manghwani Manager, Public Relations, Editage Phone: +1(877)334-8243 Email: [email protected] Related Links http://editage.rupress.org/ http://rupress.org To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-rockefeller-university-press-partners-with-editage-to-offer-editorial-support-to-authors-300389156.html SOURCE Editage DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - At least 12 people drowned when a boat capsized near a town on Tanzania's coast, while at least 27 others were rescued, a senior police official said on Tuesday. The boat capsized in the early hours of the morning with an unknown number of passengers onboard, Tanga regional police commander Benedict Wakulyamba told Reuters by telephone. The vessel was en route from Tanga in mainland Tanzania to Pemba, an island in the Zanzibar archipelago in the Indian Ocean. "Twelve bodies, among them five men and seven women, have already been recovered," said Wakulyamba, adding that 27 people had been rescued so far in a continuing rescue operation. Police were still trying to establish how many people were onboard the motorized boat when it went under, which witnesses blamed on powerful waves, the commander said. In 2011, at least 19 people drowned after two overloaded boats capsized and were swept away in high seas off Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast near the same site of Tuesday's accident. (Reporting by Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala; Editing by Edmund Blair and Pritha Sarkar) FILE PHOTO Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh attends the plenary session of the Africa-South America Summit on Margarita Island September 27, 2009. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo BANJUL (Reuters) - African judges due to help Gambia's supreme court hear a challenge by President Yahya Jammeh's electoral defeat last December failed to show up on Tuesday, forcing the chief justice to adjourn the session. Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle delayed the hearing until Jan. 16, meaning the court will hear the challenge filed by Jammeh's ruling APRC party only two days before the end of the long-ruling president's mandate. Legal sources said the foreign judges named to the court have not yet arrived in the West African country. Outside the courtroom, hundreds of people wearing green for the ruling APRC put on a show of support not seen since the polls for the eccentric and repressive ruler. Jammeh initially accepted his defeat but later questioned its validity. "No to cheating," the crowd chanted, echoing Jammeh's speech rejecting the poll outcome. The legal challenge has shone a rare light on the idiosyncrasies of Gambia's legal system, which opponents say has long been manipulated by Jammeh. The supreme court has not sat in over a year, partly because would-be judges are too afraid of being confronted with unpredictable charges themselves. Two chief justices have been dismissed since 2013, one of them being arrested and jailed. Because of this, the court hired four foreign judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone to hear the appeal. But the absence on Tuesday of these "mercenary judges", as the opposition calls them, raised questions about that option as well. A document seen by Reuters and signed by Nigeria's acting chief justice said that the timing of the extraordinary January session was "unfavorable". Gambia's supreme court normally sits in May and November. Fagbenle confirmed the document and said he had received a similar one from the chief justice in Sierra Leone. The question of whether the tiny country can overcome its current political impasse and instate President-Elect Adama Barrow next week is seen as a test case for African democracy in a region used to coups and autocratic rule. The presidents of Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia will visit Jammeh on Wednesday in a second attempt to press him to hand over power. While many Gambians as well as Western powers have publicly called for Jammeh to step aside, and even hinted at removing him by force, the army and most of the cabinet have remained loyal. Many Gambians are afraid of Jammeh's brutal security forces, who have been accused of locking up hundreds of opponents during his 22-year rule. Others believe he has mystical powers. Jammeh boasts that he can cure both AIDS and infertility through herbal medicine. (Reporting by Lamin Jahateh; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Tom Heneghan) BANJUL (Reuters) - Gambia's Supreme Court was unable to hear President Yahya Jammeh's legal challenge to his election defeat on Tuesday after judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone failed to show up. Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle adjourned the hearing until Jan. 16, meaning the court will hear the challenge filed by Jammeh's ruling APRC party two days before his mandate ends. Jammeh, in power since a 1994 coup, lost the Dec. 1 election to businessman Adama Barrow, but the authoritarian leader has contested the result in a move condemned at home and abroad. The question of whether Gambia can overcome its political impasse and install Barrow as president next week is seen as a test case for African democracy in a region used to coups and autocratic rule. The challenge has shone a rare light on Gambia's legal system, which opponents say has long been manipulated by Jammeh. The Supreme Court has not sat in over a year. Two chief justices have been dismissed since 2013, and one of them jailed. The court hired four foreign judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone to hear the appeal. Legal sources said on Tuesday the judges had not yet arrived in Gambia. A document seen by Reuters and signed by Nigeria's acting chief justice said the timing of the extraordinary January session was "unfavorable". Gambia's Supreme Court normally sits in May and November. Fagbenle confirmed the document and said he had received a similar one from the chief justice in Sierra Leone. Outside the courtroom, thousands of people wearing green for the APRC put on a show of support not seen since the election, when Jammeh initially accepted his defeat but later questioned its validity. "No to cheating," the crowd chanted, echoing Jammeh's speech rejecting the poll outcome. Tuesday's delay was the latest twist in the post-election crisis. Regional bloc ECOWAS has sent a mediation mission of regional presidents to negotiate Jammeh's peaceful departure. A second mission scheduled for Wednesday was delayed until Friday, ECOWAS said. (Reporting by Lamin Jahateh; Writing by Emma Farge and Edward McAllister; Editing by Janet Lawrence) Hungarian Parliament bulilding is seen as ice floes float on the Danube river in Budapest, Hungary, January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary and Bulgaria have banned shipping on the Danube as the river is freezing over and floating ice poses a risk. Gabriella Siklos, spokeswoman for the Hungarian General Directorate of Water Management, told Reuters on Tuesday that the ban was effective from 1500 GMT. Bulgarian river supervision authorities have also banned shipping on the Danube on the Bulgarian stretch of the river. The agency said shallow waters, coupled with the freezing of the river, poses risks to ships. The Danube is one of Europe's main river arteries, shipping everything from grain to oil to passengers. Severe frosts and snow storms killed dozens of people in central Europe over the weekend, mainly in Poland, as temperatures in the region dropped below -30 degrees Celsius in some places. (Reporting by Krisztina Than and Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Jeremy Gaunt) ASTANA (Reuters) - Kazakh former economy minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev has been arrested on suspicion of bribery, the Central Asian country's National Anticorruption Bureau said on Tuesday. Bishimbayev, 36, was placed in a temporary detention facility in Kazakhstan's capital Astana while a pre-trial investigation proceeded. Bishimbayev and his representatives were not immediately available for comment. "Bishimbayev is detained over multiple acceptance of bribes in especially large amounts in collusion with a group of people," the anti-graft office said in a statement. "(He) spent the illegally obtained funds on his personal needs." Bishimbayev was dismissed from his ministerial post by President Nursultan Nazarbayev in late 2016 after just a few months in office. Timur Suleimenov, 38, a former deputy economy minister, was appointed to replace Bishimbayev. Nazarbayev, 79, holds the distinction of being the only former Communist leader who still runs his nation after it gained independence in the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite pledges to fight corruption, graft continues to thrive in Kazakhstan and in other former Soviet republics. (Reporting by Raushan Nurshayeva; Writing by Andrey Ostroukh; editing by Mark Heinrich) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks at the U.S. Institute of Peace "2017 Passing the Baton" conference in Washington, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will attend a Middle East peace conference organized by France and to be held in Paris on Jan. 15, his spokesman said on Tuesday. The conference is aimed at determining whether Israelis and Palestinians could be brought back to negotiations and revive moribund peace talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the conference proposal. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati, editing by G Crosse) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivers remarks during the Security Council meeting at the United Nations in New York City, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - New United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the Security Council on Tuesday to take more action to prevent conflicts instead of just responding to them as he pledged to strengthen the world body's mediation capacity. "The United Nations was established to prevent war by binding us in a rules-based international order. Today, that order is under grave threat," Guterres said in his first address to the 15-member council since taking office on Jan. 1. Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal and former U.N. refugee chief, said too many opportunities to prevent conflicts had been lost due to mistrust among states and concerns over national sovereignty. "Such concerns are understandable, in a world where power is unequal and principles have sometimes been applied selectively. Indeed, prevention should never be used to serve other political goals," he told the council. "On the contrary, prevention is best served by strong sovereign states, acting for the good of their people," he said. The council has been largely deadlocked on the six-year war in Syria, with Russia and China pitted against the United States, Britain and France. The body has also been split on its approach to other conflicts and crises such as South Sudan and Burundi, with some members citing sovereignty concerns. "Russia has suggested ... that failure to respect state sovereignty is the main driver of conflict," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said. "Even as Russia has used its veto to insulate itself from consequences in this council for trampling on Ukraine's sovereignty," she said, referring to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin shot back at Power. "It is a violation of sovereignty by the United States that led to the very dire situation in a number regions of the world, which we now have to tackle," he said, citing countries including Iraq and Libya. Guterres asked the council to make greater use of Chapter 6 of the U.N. Charter, which allows the body to investigate and recommend procedures to resolve disputes that could eventually endanger international peace and security. He outlined steps he was taking to bolster the United Nations' prevention capabilities, which he described as "fragmented." He has created an executive committee to integrate all U.N. arms and appointed a senior official merge U.N. prevention capacities for better action. "We will launch an initiative to enhance our mediation capacity," he said. "We spend far more time and resources responding to crises rather than preventing them ... We need a whole new approach." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Tom Brown) By Marcin Goclowski and Pawel Florkiewicz WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's centrist opposition said on Tuesday it will maintain its near month-long blockade of parliament's main hall if the ruling party tries to launch a new session this week, deepening a standoff over media rights and the budget vote. The Civic Platform (PO) and the liberal Nowoczesna, Poland's largest opposition groups, began protesting against the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party's plan to curb media access to parliament by occupying the speakers' podium in mid-December. The spat has only intensified after the ruling party held a vote on the 2017 budget in a side room, sidestepping the opposition' blockade. Opposition lawmakers say the vote was illegal and are demanding a rerun. The PiS's actions provoked popular protests in Warsaw last month and drew a rebuke from the European Commission, which expressed concerns over what it called a continued "systemic threat to the rule of law" by the eurosceptic government. The next parliamentary session is due to begin on Wednesday. Grzegorz Schetyna, leader of the PO, said they would lift the blockade if parliament's speaker resumed December's session and returned to the budget vote. If ruling lawmakers insisted the budget vote was legal and tried to open the next parliamentary session then Schetyna said the opposition would occupy "any room in which they will try to organize proceedings". The PO party says it was not clear the ruling party had enough lawmakers present to validate its budget vote - an assertion dismissed by PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski who told journalists on Tuesday that was sufficient support. The 2017 budget envisages a higher fiscal deficit than last year - though still under the European Union-imposed cap of 3 percent of national output - and the opposition says the PiS is risking long-term prudence with higher welfare spending. Earlier on Tuesday Kaczynski appeared to offer a compromise. He said his party proposed that the Senate pass some opposition amendments and then send the budget bill back to the lower house of parliament, where the PiS also has a majority. "We could even consider an adoption of some of these amendments, provided they do not totally ruin the budget," Kaczynski told the state-controlled TVP1 television channel. But the opposition's Schetyna said that was not enough. "We need to respect the constitution and the rule of law," he said. Despite attracting condemnation at home and abroad for what critics call the party's drift towards authoritarian rule, the PiS remains strong in Poland. (Additional reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko, Anna Koper, Jakub Iglewski, Pawel Sobczak and Lidia Kelly; Writing by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Richard Lough) By Press Trust of India: patents New York, Jan 10 (PTI) Indian inventors contributed 658 patents to help IBM break the US patent record with 8,088 patents in 2016, marking the 24th consecutive year of the computer hardware giants innovation leadership. IBMs 2016 patent output covers a diverse range of inventions in artificial intelligence and cognitive computing, cognitive health, cloud, cybersecurity and other strategic growth areas for the company. advertisement IBM inventors were granted more than 22 patents per day in 2016, enabling the company to become the first to surpass 8,000 patents in a single year. IBM researchers, engineers, and designers generated more than 2,700 patents for inventions related to AI, cognitive computing and cloud computing. In India, IBM inventors contributed 658 patents to IBMs record breaking US patent total. "Leading the world in innovation for 24 years in a row is a result of IBM?s unmatched commitment to innovation and R&D?reflected in this year?s new US patent record, breaking the 8,000 barrier for the first time," said Ginni Rometty, IBMs chairman, president and CEO. "We are deeply proud of our inventors?unique contributions to discovery, science and technology that are driving progress across business and society and opening the new era of cognitive business." More than 8,500 IBM inventors residing in 47 states and territories and 47 countries are responsible for IBM?s record-setting 2016 patent tally, Rometty said. IBM inventors based in New York received over 2,700 patents, while IBMers based in California and Texas were granted over 1,000 patents each. The United States is home to more than half of IBM's USD 5.4 billion annual investment in research and development. This substantial commitment to unlocking new technologies is what has long propelled IBM into new markets, allowing it to create value for clients and opportunity for its employees, including the 25,000 Americans the company has pledged to hire over the next four years. The top ten list of 2016 US patent recipients are IBM with 8,088 patents, Samsung Electronics 5,518, Canon 3,665, Qualcomm ? 2,897, Google ? 2,835, Intel ? 2,784, LG Electronics ? 2,428, Microsoft ? 2,398, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. ? 2,288 and Sony with 2,181 patents. PTI PMS AKJ PMS --- ENDS --- By Karolina Tagaris RITSONA, Greece (Reuters) - Refugees stranded in Greece suffered sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall on Tuesday at camps not designed for winter weather and the government promised those on one island temporary warm accommodations aboard a navy ship. A mid-winter icy spell and snowstorms have gripped central and southeastern Europe for days, and parts of Greece have been covered in rare snow with temperatures dipping to -20 degrees Celsius this week. Snow also fell in Athens on Tuesday. More than 60,000 refugees and migrants have been trapped in Greece since Balkan countries along the main, northward overland route to wealthy western Europe sealed their borders last March. Most now live in overcrowded camps across Greece in abandoned factories or warehouses, or in tents which lack insulation or heating. "Cold, it's very cold for children - it's not like Syria," said Rostam, a 34-year-old Syrian Kurd who has been living in a camp near the village of Ritsona in eastern Greece near Athens for 10 months with his wife and three young children. Temperatures hovered at -1 degrees at the camp, a collection shipping containers in a forest where clothes left on hanging on lines outdoors had frozen stiff. Humanitarian aid organizations, including the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, have pressed Greece to quickly transfer those on freezing, snowbound Aegean islands to the mainland or other European countries. "The situation is very difficult and especially dangerous for children," said George Protopapas, Greece director of international organisation SOS Children's Villages. "Power outages, freezing temperatures, snow and freezing rain have hampered access to some refugee camps and created very hazardous conditions for all those in temporary shelters." Conditions were considerably worse on the eastern Aegean island of Lesbos, where more than 5,000 asylum seekers have been waiting for months for their applications to be processed. Scores of summer tents weighed down by thick snow resembled igloos after several days of icy weather on the island. On Tuesday, the government said it was sending a naval ship to Lesbos to accommodate migrants. It was also scrambling to transfer others to hotels. "It is important to take immediate measures to ensure that men, women and children are housed in decent accommodation suitable for winter," the Greek branch of global health charity Medecins du Monde said in a statement. For some refugees who have been in limbo in Greece for months, things have been worse. "It's normal, we're used to living like this," said a 25-year-old Syrian who gave his name as Ahmad, one of the first to arrive in the Ritsona camp. "This is not one day or two days, this is 10 months." (Editing by Mark Heinrich) By Feisal Omar MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali Islamist group al Shabaab shot two men and a teenager in southern Somalia on Tuesday, saying one of the men and the 15-year-old had been seen having gay sex, while the other man was found guilty of spying, a senior al Shabaab official said. Hundreds of civilians gathered in a field in the town of Buale to watch them being shot, the second time al Shabaab has killed men accused of homosexuality, the official said, without giving details of the previous killing. Homosexuality and gay sex is outlawed in most of Africa's 54 states and can be punishable by imprisonment. "The judge read their charges publicly and the three men were found guilty. They were executed according to the Islamic sharia. They were shot dead in Buale town," Sheikh Mohamed Abu Abdalla, a regional governor for al Shabaab, told Reuters. A Somali government official said any case of homosexuality in Muslim Somalia would be dealt with according to sharia law, although he did not specify what that would mean in practice. Al Shabaab militants are fighting against Western-backed government forces in Mogadishu in a bid to impose its strict interpretation of Islamic, or sharia, law. The al Shabaab governor said 20-year-old Isak Abshirow and 15-year-old Abdirizak Sheikh Ali were found committing a homosexual act by al Shabaab fighters. Saeed Mohamed Ali was found guilty of spying for Ethiopian troops, who form part of an African force that has been fighting the militants. The Islamist group once controlled the capital and much of Somalia but it lost control of Mogadishu in 2011 and has slowly been driven back into smaller pockets of territory since then. (Additional reporting by Abdi Sheikh; Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Louise Ireland) By David Ingram NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Sudanese diplomat was arrested in New York City and charged with sexually rubbing up against a woman in a subway car but the charges were dropped and he was released because he had diplomatic immunity, police said on Tuesday. Mohammad Abdalla Ali, 49, was riding a train out of the city's Grand Central Terminal on Monday afternoon when he approached a 38-year-old woman from behind and rubbed his crotch against her, New York Police Department spokeswoman Arlene Muniz said in a phone interview. The woman reported Ali to police, who charged him with sexual abuse and forcible touching. The charges were later voided and he will not face prosecution, police said. Representatives of Sudan's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, where Ali is listed as finance attache, could not immediately be reached for comment. New York police said they had reported the incident involving Ali to the U.S. State Department, which could complain to the Sudanese government. "We are in touch with the NYPD and the mayor's office so that we are able to take appropriate steps, as needed, to address this matter," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. The principle of diplomatic immunity generally restricts criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits against ambassadors and their staff, and it has been used to nullify charges ranging from abuse of domestic workers to parking violations. A tally in 2011 found that New York City was owed nearly $17 million in parking tickets issued to diplomats. (Reporting by David Ingram; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Scott Malone and Bill Trott) Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni waits to address the United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S. September 20, 2016. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son as his senior adviser, officials said on Tuesday, a move analysts said was part of a plan to groom him to take over the top job. The president's son, Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, was moved from his position at the head of the army's special forces, the military said, in what it called a normal change in command. But political rivals have regularly accused the 72-year-old president of handing powerful positions to members of his family and adopting an increasingly autocratic style - charges his supporters dismiss. His brother, Salim Saleh, is another presidential adviser and his wife, Janet Museveni, is minister of education. "Muhoozi ... is going to play a significant role in a post-Museveni Uganda, there's no doubt about it," said political commentator and rights activist Nicholas Opiyo. "He is just giving the boy a hand in experiencing how government works on the side of politics." Human rights lawyer and political commentator Andrew Karamagi described the appointment as a "real clear move to bring the man closer to succession". Kainerugaba has risen quickly through the ranks since he joined the army in 1998. He jumped two positions from 2nd Lieutenant to Major in 2001. Military spokesman Paddy Ankunda said Kainerugaba had been appointed Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations. Asked whether it was a move to boost Kainerugaba's political credentials, he told Reuters: "No, this is just a normal change in command." The Chief of Defence Forces, General Katumba Wamala, was named junior minister for works and transport and replaced by David Muhoozi in the change, Ankunda added. Museveni, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, won a new five-year term in elections last year that the opposition said were rigged. He denies the charge. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa and Andrew Heavens) 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): January 11, 2017 DineEquity, Inc. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Delaware 001-15283 95-3038279 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 450 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California 91203-2306 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (818) 240-6055 (Registrants telephone number, including area code) 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): Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. (d) Appointment of New Director On January 11, 2017, the Board of Directors of DineEquity, Inc. (the Corporation), acting pursuant to the authority granted to it by the Corporations Amended Bylaws, increased the size of the Board of Directors from 10 to 11 directors. Also on January 11, 2017, the Board of Directors appointed Lilian Tomovich as a director of the Corporation, effective as of January 11, 2017. Ms. Tomovich is an independent director who will serve as a Class III director with a term expiring at the Corporations 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. At the present time, Ms. Tomovich has not been assigned to any committees of the Board of Directors. Ms. Tomovich has served as the Chief Experience Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for MGM Resorts International, a global hospitality company, since July 2014. Ms. Tomovich served as the Senior Vice President, US Consumer Marketing for MasterCard Worldwide, a global payments solutions company, from 2013 to 2014 and was the country head of Marketing for Canada from 2010 to 2013. Ms. Tomovich will participate in the Corporations standard non-employee director compensation arrangements under which she will receive an annual board retainer of $70,000, additional annual committee retainers for serving on committees of the Board of Directors and an annual equity award targeted at $105,000 in value. In connection with her appointment to the Board of Directors, Ms. Tomovich will also receive an initial equity award targeted at $105,000 that will cliff vest in full three years from the date of grant and settle in shares of common stock. There are no transactions between Ms. Tomovich (or any member of her immediate family) and the Corporation (or any of its subsidiaries), and there is no arrangement or understanding between Ms. Tomovich and any other persons or entities pursuant to which Ms. Tomovich was appointed as a director of the Corporation. The Corporation issued a press release announcing the appointment of Ms. Tomovich to the Board of Directors. The full text of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by this reference. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits. Exhibit Number Description 99.1 Press Release Announcing appointment of new director dated January 11, 2017 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 thereunto duly authorized. Date: January 11, 2017 DINEEQUITY, INC. By: /s/ Bryan R. Adel Bryan R. Adel Senior Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Secretary Exhibit Index Exhibit Number Description 99.1 Press Release Announcing appointment of new director dated January 11, 2017 Exhibit 99.1 DINEEQUITY, INC. APPOINTS LILIAN TOMOVICH TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS GLENDALE, Calif., Jan11, 2017 DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebees Neighborhood Grill + Bar and IHOP restaurants, today announced the appointment of Lilian Tomovich to the companys board of directors, effective immediately. With the appointment of Tomovich, the board of directors increases its size from 10 to 11 directors. Tomovich is an independent director who will serve as a Class III director with a term expiring at the corporations 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. We are thrilled to welcome Lilian Tomovich to DineEquitys board of directors, said chairman and chief executive officer Julia Stewart. She brings phenomenal energy, experience and skills in digital marketing, loyalty strategy and guest relationship management. Guests are at the heart of our business, and Lillis perspective will be invaluable as we find new ways to engage them one-to-one across new and existing channels, deepen guest relationships, and continuously evolve and improve the guest experience. An acclaimed 20-year marketing veteran, Lilian Tomovich serves as chief experience officer and chief marketing officer of MGM Resorts International. Widely known for her ability to build high-profile global brands in Canada and the United States, she oversees the companys guest interactions across its marketing channels with the goal of improving the guest experience companywide. Tomovich is responsible for all of the companys marketing functions, including: brand management, advertising, e-commerce, loyalty marketing, guest strategy, consumer insights and research, partnership and event marketing, social and digital media, and public relations. Prior to joining MGM Resorts, Tomovich worked for MasterCard Worldwide, where she held a variety of positions. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of consumer marketing for the United States market. Tomovich earned her bachelors degree from Brock University in Ontario, Canada, and her Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit. About DineEquity, Inc. Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebees Neighborhood Grill + Bar and IHOP brands. With more than 3,700 restaurants combined in 18 countries and U.S. territories and over 400 franchisees, DineEquity is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on DineEquity, visit the companys website www.dineequity.com . ### DineEquity, Inc. Page 2 Contacts Investor Contact DineEquity, Inc. Ken Diptee Executive Director, Investor Relations 818-637-3629 Media Contact DineEquity, Inc. Patrick Lenow Vice President, Communications 818-637-3122 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13G Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Nexvet Biopharma public limited company (Name of Issuer) Ordinary Shares (Title of Class of Securities) G6503X109 (CUSIP Number) June 22, 2016 (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: ? Rule 13d-1(b) ? Rule 13d-1(c) ? Rule 13d-1(d) * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). CUSIP NO. G6503X109 1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS AustralianSuper Pty Ltd 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ? (b) ? 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Australia NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER 695,700 Ordinary Shares 6. SHARED VOTING POWER 0 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 695,700 Ordinary Shares 10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ? 11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 5.93% 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON FI Item 1. (a) Name of issuer: Nexvet Biopharma public limited company (b) Address of issuer principal executive offices: National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training Fosters Avenue, Mount Merrion Blacrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland Item 2. (a) 2(a) Name of person filing: AustralianSuper Pty Ltd (b) Address or principal business office or, if none, residence: Level 33, 50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia (c) Citizenship: Australia (d) Title of class of securities: Ordinary shares (e) CUSIP No.: G6503X109 Item 3. If This Statement is Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), Check Whether the Person Filing is a: (a) ? Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o); (b) ? Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (c) ? Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (d) ? Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8); (e) ? An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) ? An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g) ? A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h) ? A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i) ? A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j) ? Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). Not applicable. Item 4. Ownership. (a) Amount beneficially owned: 695,700 Ordinary Shares (b) Percent of class: 5.93% (c) Number of shares as to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote 695,700 Ordinary Shares (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote 0 (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 0 (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 0 Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class. Not applicable Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person. Not applicable Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person. Not applicable Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group. Not applicable Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group. Not applicable Item 10. Certification. By signing below each of the undersigned certifies that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect. Signature After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Date: January 11 2017 By: AustralianSuper Pty Ltd Name: Michelle Fredericks Title: Analyst 1 UNITED STATES* SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13G Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 9)* First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX (R) Fund ------------------------------------------------ (Name of Issuer) Common ------------------------------ (Title of Class of Securities) 33737J232 -------------- (CUSIP Number) December 31, 2016 ------------------------------------------------------- (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement) Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: [ X ] Rule 13d-1(b) [ ] Rule 13d-1(c) [ ] Rule 13d-1(d) *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). - 1 - CUSIP No. 33737J232 1. Names of Reporting Persons, I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only): First Trust Portfolios L.P.: 36-3768815 First Trust Advisors L.P.: 36-3788904 The Charger Corporation: 36-3772451 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) [ ] (b) [ ] 3. SEC Use Only 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization of each Reporting Person: Illinois, U.S.A. Number of 5. Sole Voting Power: 0 Shares Bene- ficially Owned by Each 6. Shared Voting Power: Reporting Such shares are held by the following entities in the Person With: respective amounts listed: First Trust Portfolios L.P.: 0 First Trust Advisors L.P.: 1,838,346 The Charger Corporation: 1,838,346 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 0 8. Shared Dispositive Power: Such shares are held by the following entities in the respective amounts listed: First Trust Portfolios L.P.: 0 First Trust Advisors L.P.: 1,838,346 The Charger Corporation: 1,838,346 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 1,838,346 10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) - 2 - 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 72.09% 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) First Trust Portfolios L.P. - BD First Trust Advisors L.P. - IA The Charger Corporation - HC ITEM 1. (a) Name of Issuer: First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX (R) Fund (b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices Attn: Legal Department 120 E. Liberty Drive Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 USA ITEM 2. (a) Name of Person Filing First Trust Portfolios L.P. First Trust Advisors L.P. The Charger Corporation (b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence First Trust Portfolios L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 First Trust Advisors L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 The Charger Corporation 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, Illinois 60187 (c) Citizenship of each Reporting Person: Illinois, U.S.A. (d) Title of Class of Securities Common Stock (e) CUSIP Number 33737J232 - 3 - ITEM 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Sec. 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a: (a) x Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o); (b) Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (c) Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (d) Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8); (e) x An investment adviser in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) An employee benefit plant or endowment fund in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g) x A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h) A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i) A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j) A non-U.S. institution in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J); (k) Group, in accordance with Sec. 240.13d-1(b)1(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with Sec. 204.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution: _____________________________________________ ITEM 4. Ownership Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1. (a) Amount beneficially owned: 1,838,346 (b) Percent of class: 72.09% (c) Number of shares as to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 0 (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 1,838,346 (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0 (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 1,838,346 - 4 - Instruction. For computations regarding securities which represent a right to acquire an underlying security see Sec. 204.13d-3(d)(1). ITEM 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ]. Instruction: Dissolution of a group requires a response to this item. ITEM 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person This Schedule 13G filing is jointly filed by The Charger Corporation, First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1). The Charger Corporation is the General Partner of both First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. First Trust Portfolios L.P. acts as sponsor of certain unit investment trusts which hold shares of the issuer. The total number of shares of the issuer held by these unit investment trusts is set forth in Row (8) above with respect to First Trust Portfolios L.P. No individual unit investment trust sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. holds more than 3% of any registered investment company issuer's shares. First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., acts as portfolio supervisor of the unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P., certain of which hold shares of the issuer. Neither First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. nor The Charger Corporation have the power to vote the shares of the issuer held by these unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. These shares are voted by the trustee of such unit investment trusts so as to insure that the shares are voted as closely as possible in the same manner and in the same general proportion as are the shares held by owners other than such unit investment trusts. The difference, if any, between the aggregate amount of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person, as set forth in Row (9) above, and the number of shares of the issuer held by the unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. represents shares of the issuer which are either held in other registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or separately managed accounts for which First Trust Advisors L.P. serves as investment advisor and/or investment sub-advisor. Each of First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of the issuer identified in this filing. ITEM 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person See Item 6. ITEM 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group Not Applicable. - 5 - ITEM 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group Not Applicable. ITEM 10. Certifications By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under Sec. 240.14a-11. SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P., FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P. and THE CHARGER CORPORATION Date: January 11, 2017 By: /s/ James M. Dykas --------------------------- Name: James M. Dykas Title: Chief Financial Officer of First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P., and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of The Charger Corporation - 6 - Exhibit 99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 - JOINT FILING AGREEMENT The undersigned hereby agree that they are filing this statement jointly pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1). Each of them is responsible for the timely filing of such Schedule 13G and any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning such person contained therein; but none of them is responsible for the completeness or accuracy of the information concerning the other persons making the filing, unless such person knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate. In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing with each other on behalf of each of them of such a statement on Schedule 13G and any amendments thereto with respect to the equity securities (as defined in Rule 13d-1(i)) of the issuer, beneficially owned by each of them. This Joint Filing Agreement shall be included as an exhibit to such Schedule 13G and any amendments thereto. Date: January 11, 2017 First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation By: /s/ James M. Dykas --------------------------- Name: James M. Dykas Title: Chief Financial Officer of First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P., and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of The Charger Corporation By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) India has supplied 108 different essential medicines, worth Rs three crore, to Seychelles during 2016, the External Affairs Spokesperson said here today. It said the supply was made in response to a request from the Government of Seychelles. "The majority of medicines are for combating common infections, while others are to treat diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc," the spokesperson said. advertisement He said the medicines, weighing about 42,000 kgs, were procured by the Ministry through Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Supplies and sent in four lots. "This gift of medicines is part of USD 8.76 million earmarked for supply of medical equipment and medicines to Seychelles. The Government of Seychelles has expressed its gratitude to Government of India for helping it in the fight against disease and protecting the weaker sections of society," the Spokesperson said. PTI ABS SMJ --- ENDS --- The NGOs, most of which receive funds worth crore of rupees from the government and abroad, came under strict scrutiny of a Supreme Court bench headed by CJI J S Khehar. By Harish V Nair: New Chief Justice J S Khehar has cracked the whip within a week of taking charge. His first target turned out to be nearly 30 lakh NGOs and voluntary organisations across the country which are already under the scanner of the CBI for lack of financial transparency that is for not filing annual income and expenditure statements or refusal to subject themselves to audit. advertisement Also read: Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar becomes first Sikh Chief Justice of India The NGOs, most of which receive funds worth crore of rupees from the government and abroad, came under strict scrutiny of the Supreme Court on Tuesday when it ordered the Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) and Centre to compulsory audit of all of the NGOs within three months and file a report in the court. CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN CASE OF MISAPPROPRIATION: SC BENCH The bench said "mere blacklisting" of NGOs who do not file annual statements, the only action which was being taken till now, will not suffice but also criminal proceedings for misappropriation and civil action for recovery of disbursed funds should also be initiated. The bench also ordered formulation of guidelines for their regulation. "It seems the respondents (Centre and CAPART) are not aware of the responsibility of audit despite General Financial Rules 2005 meant for such organisations. Keeping this in view we direct to complete the process of auditing by March 31, 2017. There can be no doubt about the fact that the amount disbursed is public money and needs to be accounted for. The only action now taken for non-compliance is blacklisting. It is necessary to take civil as well as criminal action. They be taken immediately on completion of audit", the SC said hearing a PIL filed by advocate M L Sharma seeking a tab on the functioning of NGOs. He argued that the Centre disbursed crores worth funds to the NGOs but was clueless what they did about it. "It is your money why don't you see what is happening to your money..public money..there should be some accountability process..at least you should be asking for utilisation reports", CJI Khehar told Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who appeared for the Centre. Also read: Supreme Court rejects petition against new Chief Justice's appointment The SC order came after Amicus Curiae (senior lawyer appointed to assist the court ) Rakesh Dwivedi cited a recent CBI report which said only 10 per cent filed annual income and expenditure statements. advertisement Dwivedi said between 2002 and 2009 the Union and state governments released `6,654 crore to various NGOs for 2010-13. --- ENDS --- The Supreme Court in November last year had dismissed Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking recall of its 2014 verdict banning the bull fights, holding that the practice amounted to cruelty to the animals. By Pramod Madhav: The war over Tamil Nadu's hugely popular bull-taming sport Jallikattu has intensified with AIADMK chief VK Sasikala writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a change in law in support of the sport. The Supreme Court in November last year had dismissed Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking recall of its 2014 verdict banning the bull fights, holding that the practice amounted to cruelty to the animals. advertisement Sasikala, in her letter to the PM, said," Jallikattu is a traditional sporting event of Tamil Nadu and forms an essential part of the Pongal festivites. The bulls specially reared for the purpose are tamed by ardent youths and this sport is not in the least cruel to animals." "I request you to kindly intervene in the matter to promulgate an Ordinance to amend the PCA Act, to de-notify the Bulls from the notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests," the letter further adds. CM Panneerselvam writes to PM The AIADMK's general secretary's appeal comes just a day after Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam too wrote to PM seeking to consider passing an ordinance to ensure that the sport is held as a part of the Pongal festivities this year. AIADMK MPs meet Environment Minister Earlier today, AIADMK MPs met Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave seeking an ordinance to conduct Jallikattu. Madhav said he will be meeting PM Modi later in the day to discuss the issue. "I will meet PM today evening and have his guidance. We'll look at the pros and cons of everything and will act accordingly. Sure that Supreme Court will do justice and we will be able to celebrate our festival as per tradition, Madhav said. Venkaiah Naidu supports Jallikattu At the India Today Conclave South, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu hinted that in the view of strong emotional connect of the people of Tamil Nadu with jallikattu, the Centre is mulling over a way out after the Supreme Court banned it. "We are getting suggestions (to amend the law). After all, we did it in the Shah Bano case," said Naidu adding, "But, we will have to see. We will have to discuss. We will have to weigh what court thinks," Naidu had said on the first day (January 9) of two-day conclave in Chennai. WATCH: India Today Conclave South: What top political leaders from south said ALSO READ: advertisement Kamal Haasan at India Today Conclave: If you want to ban jallikattu, ban biryani too Law was amended after Shah Bano case, can do it for jallikattu too: Venkaiah Naidu at India Today Conclave --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: Jammu, Jan 11 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered setting up of Special Investigating Teams (SITs) into the deaths of civilians as well as the involvement of police personnel during the five-month-long unrest in the Valley last year, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti told the Assembly today. The Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) have been directed to constitute district-level probe teams headed by the DySPs Headquarters, respectively, to carry out time-bound investigations in all cases of deaths of civilians and the involvement of police personnel, she said in a written reply to a question. advertisement The DIG (South Kashmir) has been directed to constitute an SIT headed by Additional SP for carrying out a time-bound probe in a case registered in Police Station Pampore, she said. The Chief Minister said the DIG (Central Kashmir) has also been directed to constitute an SIT headed by SP (South Srinagar) for carrying out a time-bound probe into another case registered in Police Station Karan Nagar. As per reports, 76 civilians and two policemen lost their lives during the 5-month unrest that began in July after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter. Mehbooba had on Monday announced in the Assembly the decision to set up the SITs in response to the opposition demand for a judicial probe into the deaths that took place during mob control by security forces. "I want to tell you, we will constitute Special Investigation Teams (SIT) at district-level which will have to give time-bound reports. And if there is a need for anything further, we will go ahead," Mehbooba had said. 2,690 cases had been registered in connection with stone pelting incidents, 16 cases in weapon looting and snatching in Kashmir and 463 people had been detained under the PSA, the government had said earlier. The Chief Minister said six people had lost vision in their both eyes whereas 20 others were left with a damaged eye during the unrest. Over 100 people had an eye injury. "Over 4,500 personnel of police and security forces were also injured while safeguarding the life and property of the people," Mehbooba said. PTI AB DK AAR AKK AKK --- ENDS --- Two men accused of indecently assaulting two girls on the Mount Main Beach have been granted bail. Pradeep Jain, 21, is facing two counts of indecent assault. Co-accused Harpreet Mavai is facing one charge of indecent assault. Jain is due back in court on January 23 and Mavai is scheduled to appear on January 27. The charges the men face relate to an incident on January 2, where police say two teenage girls were approached by four men around 12.30am on Mount Main Beach. Police say the girls were indecently assaulted on the beach, between Pacific Ave and Banks Ave. The girls flagged down a passing patrol car and reported the incident. Two of the men were subsequently arrested, says a police spokesperson. Police are speaking with two other people in relation to the incident. Missing yachtie Alan Langdon and his daughter Que Langdon have been found alive in Australia, a child recovery expert claims. Langdon, 49, and his 6-year-old daughter set sail from Kawhia Harbour in the Waikato on board a 6.1 metre Wharram catamaran on December 17, and had not been seen or heard from since. The pair were found in Ulladulla New south Wales, says New Zealand Police. However, Australian authorities are yet to officially confirm their identities. Police were notified earlier this afternoon by Australian authorities after the pair arrived into Ulladulla on Langdons catamaran. Police understand the pair are both well, and Langdon is currently talking to Australian officials. They are currently liaising with its counterparts in Australia and awaiting further information about Mr Langdons journey. The girls mother has been notified. Following their disappearance, an extensive search was conducted of sea and coastal areas between Wellington, Cape Reinga and the Bay of Islands. The possibility Langdon had sailed to Australia had always been considered. Child recovery expert Col Chapman, whod been hired by the girls mother Ariane Wyler, says he was informed through a leak from official sources the pair have been found alive in Australia, reports Fairfax. "We got them. Just landed in Australia," he said via text. Its also reported a member of the public tipped Child Recovery Australia off after seeing a poster of the pair which the organisation had distributed. Australian authorities were alerted to the chance Langdon and his daughter may have made landfall in Australia. Waikato police Detective Sergeant Bill Crowe confirms Interpol alerted Australian authorities as part of the investigation into the missing pair. Yachtie Alan Langdon and daughter Que reportedly spent three weeks at sea in their tiny catamaran with a broken rudder. Langdon, 49, and his six-year-old daughter were originally believed to have set sail for the Bay of Islands when they left Kawhia Harbour on board their 6.1 metre catamaran on December 17. Twenty-seven days later the pair were found alive and well in Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia, on Wednesday afternoon. Fairfax reports one of the catamarans rudders broke four days into the 27 day journey and Langdon was left to steer with one rudder. But the experienced yachtsman has played down any potential danger surrounding the voyage and has told local reporters in Ulladulla Que was happy. He says hed not been able to make contact with Ques mother Ariane Wyler during their journey. She has since been notified. Australian Border Force agents have made a port to port request for the Langdons to travel north to Port Kembla Harbour. Following their disappearance back in December, an extensive search was conducted of sea and coastal areas between Wellington, Cape Reinga and the Bay of Islands. The possibility Langdon had sailed to Australia had always been considered. Mary Smith, who the pair lived with in Kawhia, told Fairfax she was overjoyed when she heard the news. Thats all we have been praying for - for them to be safe and well. When he rings me and tells me and I can hear his voice, I will be happy. Waikato police Detective Sergeant Bill Crowe confirms Interpol had alerted Australian authorities of Langdons possible arrival as part of the investigation into the missing pair. - Stuff.co.nz By India Today Web Desk: For all those who think social media is only a platform to give a tangible direction to random thoughts, this lady is here to prove otherwise. This woman has turned her love for social media into a full-fledged profession, to the extent that Kelsey Donohue has officially been managing the First Lady's Snapchat account. The Assistant Press Secretary to Michelle Obama, Kelsey recently spoke to HelloGiggles about how the 'great content' fetched from the White House helps her nurture her creative skills every single day. advertisement Also Read:Lead by example with hope, never fear: Michelle Obama delivers her last speech as the First Lady "Everyone always thinks of politics and Washington as kind of this very stodgy government. We could see that [Snapchat] could be a strategic platform for us to use too, and kind of peel back the curtains on the White House. I think that every single day when I get to do that, that's a lot of fun," she said. What is it that inspires her to pursue such a career? Kelsey says the best career advice that still stays with her has come from Michelle herself: "She said something that really resonated with me, and it's about staying authentic to yourself. That no matter what you do, you can be happy and find passion in your job as long as you remain authentic to yourself.'' Find out what she has to say right here: --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Jan 11 (PTI) With less than 10 days left for the new administration, US Secretary of State John Kerry would leave for a nearly week-long final official visit that would take him to Vietnam, France, Britain and Switzerland. The top American diplomat would return to Washington on January 18, two days before President-elect Donald Trump would be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. advertisement "On January 13, Kerry will meet in Hanoi, Vietnam with senior Vietnamese officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues. Later that day, he will travel to Ho Chi Minh City for meetings with senior officials there. He will also deliver a speech on US-Vietnam relations," his spokesman John Kirby said. On January 14, Kerry will travel to Ca Mau province in Vietnams Mekong Delta region. "He will engage local experts on environmental issues affecting the region and ways we can partner with Vietnam to develop clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, smart water governance and ecosystem resource management," he said. Kerry will then travel to Paris, on January 15to attend a conference on Middle East peace hosted by French President Francois Hollande. In London on January 15, Kerry will meet with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and discuss the situation in Syria and other global and regional issues, Kirby said. On January 17?18, Kerry will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF is one of the largest annual gatherings of global leaders in politics, business and civil society. Kerry will be the featured speaker in a discussion on 21st century diplomacy. PTI LKJ CPS --- ENDS --- Nathan Andrews (2).JPG Attorney Kevin McAuliffe, left, and Morse Manufacturing Co. President Nathan Andrews, right, meet with the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency in Syracuse on Tuesday. The company has applied for tax breaks for its move from East Syracuse to larger quarters in Salina. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com) Salina, N.Y. A manufacturer of drum-handling equipment is seeking tax breaks for its move from East Syracuse to larger quarters in Salina, but the company is not promising to create any new jobs with the move. Morse Manufacturing Co. has applied to the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency for $643,361 in tax exemptions for its relocation to a vacant 87,831-square-foot distribution facility at 103-105 Kuhn Road. Morse Manufacturing Co. has applied to the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency for tax breaks for its move from East Syracuse to this vacant distribution facility at 105 Kuhn Road in Salina. Company President Nathan Andrews told the agency Tuesday the move from the company's long-time home at 727 W. Manlius St. in the village of East Syracuse will make it more competitive, especially with Chinese makers of drum-handling equipment, because it will have the room to add a laser cutting machine for sheet metal and a powder coating paint system. "We really need to spread our wings in a much larger facility," he said. However, he said he could not promise that the move would lead to more jobs at the company, which employs 34 people. He said he hoped to hire more, but that the company's sales closely follow the ups and downs of the manufacturing sector in general. Its typical sale is less than $10,000, he said. Andrews said the move will help solidify the company's presence in Central New York for the next 20 to 30 years. The project has been awarded a $500,000 state grant, he said. The family-owned company, founded by local inventor J. Mott Morse in 1923, makes a variety of equipment for handling industrial storage drums, both large and small. Approximately 25 percent of the products it makes are exported, according to the company. The company estimates it will spend $3.9 million preparing its new home $2.9 million on renovations and $1 million on new equipment. It is seeking property tax breaks worth $499,611 over 12 years, $125,000 in exemptions from sales taxes on construction materials and equipment, and a mortgage recording tax exemption worth $18,750. It would pay a fee of $39,850 to the industrial development agency for its assistance. The property tax deal it is seeking would give the company a full exemption for three years from any increase in the assessed value of the building attributable to the improvements the company makes to it. It would receive a reduced exemption over the next nine years. After that, Morse would pay full property taxes on the building. Andrews said the improvements will include a new roof and electrical system, a sewer hookup, paving and environmental cleanup. He said the company has no plans for the re-use of its facility in East Syracuse. However, he said it has been well maintained and would make an ideal distribution center. Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 2017-01-11-mjg-Gov12.JPG Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces during his State of the State address in Syracuse on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 that Saab Defense and Security USA will move its headquarters from Virginia to East Syracuse. The move will bring 260 high-tech jobs to Onondaga County, Cuomo said. ( Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com) Syracuse, N.Y. Saab will move the headquarters for its North American defense company, Saab Defense and Security USA, to East Syracuse and bring 260 new high-tech jobs to Onondaga County. Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed the company's plans in his State of the State address in Syracuse Wednesday. He said the state will provide $30 million for the headquarters, which he said would be involved in the region's emerging unmanned aerial vehicle research and development sector. "Nationwide, this is an industry that has tremendous potential," he said of the drone industry. "And we want the home of it and the capital of it to be Central New York, and it will." Saab, a global defense contractor, said it will move its North American defense and security headquaters from Ashburn, Va., to its office at 5717 Enterprise Parkway in East Syracuse under an agreement with the state of New York. Saab spokesman John Belanger said the company will create 260 engineering and related jobs at the headquarters and at Saab Sensis, a subsidiary that develops air traffic management systems. Saab Sensis has an office at Collamer Crossing, off Interstate 481, in DeWitt. Belanger said the new jobs would be created over several years. Cuomo said Saab will invest $55 million in East Syracuse as part of the move. In addition to moving its defense headquarters, the company will begin a technology transfer program at the DeWitt facility that will enable Saab Defense and Security USA to develop new products optimized for the United States government and industry customers, he said. In return, the state will provide $20 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $10 million grant under the governor's Upstate Revitalization Initiative, Cuomo said. Saab plans to move the headquarters of its defense subsidiary, Saab Defense and Security USA, from Virginia to its office on Enterprise Parkway in East Syracuse, pictured here. Saab currently employs a total of 450 people at its facilities in East Syracuse and DeWitt. In a news release issued following the governor's announcement, Saab said it has signed an agreement with the state to "develop Saab's business in the United States and local presence" in New York. The company said it will invest in its U.S. defense subsidiary to "drive technology transfers, improve facilities, and grow its organic engineering, research, development, testing and production capabilities." "NYS will provide Saab with several incentives aimed at supporting Saab's efforts, which are expected to further stimulate industrial growth and create new jobs within Saab's New York-based subsidiaries," the company said. "We are extremely pleased to take this next step forward in the development and growth of Saab in the United States and even more to do so in partnership with the state of New York," Saab Defense and Security USA President and CEO Erik Smith said in a statement. "Together we will bring new technology innovation and the job growth that follows to Syracuse and the Central New York region." "Saab is committed to New York and Syracuse, and this investment will benefit all involved," Michael Andersson, head of Market Area North America for Saab, added. "NYS will experience an influx of technology and job growth, and Saab will continue to develop our capabilities and expand our U.S. footprint. Ultimately, our customers will also benefit from the added availability of new products and solutions generated through this agreement." Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 Blog_Gary Keith (2).JPG Gary Keith, vice president and chief economis at M&T Bank, delivers his review of the Central New York economy during CenterState CEO's 2017 economic forecast breakfast at the Oncenter in Syracuse on Jan. 11, 2017. (Provided photo) Syracuse, N.Y. The Syracuse area economic growth is trailing the average growth of U.S. metro areas as well as growth in the Albany and Buffalo areas, a bank economist told 600 people at CenterState CEO's economic forecast breakfast today. Gary Keith, vice president and chief economist for M&T Bank, said the Syracuse area's gross domestic product (GDP) has grown only 1.4 percent since 2007, well below the U.S. metro area average of 10.2 percent, Albany's 11 percent and Buffalo's 9.6 percent. "This region is growing, but it is not keeping pace with the rest of the country," he said. "I don't think that's that surprising to all of us in the room." Keith said the drag from the area's industrial downsizings is a big factor in the region's slow economic growth. However, even growth in the area's non-manufacturing sectors are trailing that of U.S. metro areas in general, he said. Gary Keith, vice president and chief economis at M&T Bank, tells about 600 people at CenterState CEO's 2017 economic forecast breakfast in Syracuse that Central New York's economic growth is trailing the nation's and that of Albany and Buffalo. "Frankly, in the past year, we moved a bit sideways relative to the U.S. progress," he said. The area's unemployment rate has come back from the Great Recession to near full-employment levels, but its labor force has shrunk 5.8 percent since 2007, he said. Keith's presentation wasn't all doom and gloom. He said the region's young adult population has grown 5.6 percent since 2010, not much behind the nation's 6.7 percent growth. That should help provide the area with younger workers to replace those that retire, he said. "I think we do have a bit of a tailwind in terms of labor force issues," he said. CenterState President Robert Simpson said the region, and in particular political leaders, must act faster to take advantage of economic growth opportunities. "We aren't all pulling in the same direction as a community," he said. He cited the slow progress that has been made on developing a Central New York "inland port," a cargo distribution facility that would connect by rail to the Port of New York. Simpson said the region is losing out on the chance to create hundreds of jobs because political leaders cannot agree on a site for the facility. He said a draft environmental impact statement being prepared by the Port of Oswego for the proposed inland port has been put on hold until the state Department of Transportation completes a feasibility study. "The time is now to make this happen," he said. Port of Oswego officials looked in 2015 at building a cargo handling facility at an abandoned quarry near Jamesville, but neighbors opposed the plan because of concerns about an increase in train traffic through the hamlet. Port officials are now believed to be favoring a former industrial waste site in Camillus. Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Two people were critically injured Tuesday night when they were shot on the city's West Side. Syracuse police officers responded at 5:04 p.m. to 325 Grant Ave. for a report of a shooting. They found two men with gunshot wounds there. Both were rushed by AMR Ambulance to Upstate University Hospital and are in critical condition, police said. Officials did not say where the men were wounded or under what circumstances they were found. Grant Avenue was blocked off between Arthur and South Geddes streets. Detectives don't have any suspect information so far, police said. Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact 315-442-5222. Anonymous tips may also be submitted using the "SPD Tips" app. If transactions counted toward standings points, the Tampa Bay Lightning would be engraving their players' names on the Stanley Cup already. In their latest head-spinning move, the Lightning have re-assigned goalie Kristers Gudlevskis to the Crunch. That move came just a few hours after Tampa Bay recalled him from Syracuse. As it turned out, both those transactions were paper moves, with Gudlevskis never leaving Syracuse. Gudlevskis was originally thought to maybe be needed to continue his role as a backup to the Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy while Ben Bishop completed his recovery from injury. Tuesday afternoon, it became clear that Bishop is ready to return. Tampa Bay did not have a game Tuesday, so it's uncertain why the Lightning didn't check on Bishop's health first and then make a decision about any possible transaction with Gudlevskis. Regardless, Tuesday evening Tampa Bay "re-assigned'' Gudlevskis to Syracuse. And if that wasn't puzzling enough, Tampa Bay also sent defenseman Slater Koekkoek to the Crunch on Tuesday. While no one argues that Koekkoek isn't NHL-caliber and that he needs more time in the AHL, he also is inexperienced enough so that he doesn't require waivers for a demotion. That's not the case with Tampa Bay's Nikita Nesterov and recalled Crunch defenseman Luke Witkowski. So instead of risking the loss of either of those two blueliners to a waiver claim, Tampa Bay instead decided to ship Koekkoek back to the minors. Lighting assistant general manager Julien BriseBois denied that waivers factored into the decision to demote Koekkoek. He said the team has just decided to go with Witkowski and Nesterov ahead of him for now. Contact Lindsay Kramer anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2151 marijuana.jpg NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The state's first medical marijuana home delivery program is coming soon to the New York City metro area and may expand to Binghamton. Vireo Health of New York, one of five companies licensed by the state to grow and sell medical marijuana, announced the state has given it approval to start home delivery. The company plans to roll out its "from our greenhouse to your front door" delivery program within 90 days in an eight-county area that includes New York City, Long Island and Westchester. Ari Hoffnung, Viereo's CEO, said he hopes to eventually provide home delivery in the Binghamton area where his company has a dispensary. "We will talk to patients in the Southern Tier and Binghamton area to see if they are interested in this service," he said. "The more interest we see, the quicker we will be able to deliver the service to the Southern Tier." The company said the delivery program was designed by security experts, pharmacists and doctors to serve homebound patients with life-threatening diseases like cancer. Patients will be charged a fee, that has yet to be determined, for home delivery. "The more patients who sign up, the more affordable we can make the delivery fee," Hoffnung said. The state announced in August it will allow home delivery as part of an effort to make the state's year-old medical marijuana program more accessible for patients. Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245 By India Today Web Desk: Outgoing US President Barack Obama gave his farewell speech to the nation declaring that he hadn't abandoned the vision of progressive change. An emotional Obama said that it was his turn to say thank you to the people of United States of America and added that he learnt to be a better president and a better man from them. advertisement In his last presidential speech, Obama promised a smooth transition of power from his administration to President Donald Trump's team. As Obama spoke, the crowd chanted four more years to which he said he can't do that. He sought to highlight the achievements of his presidency using statistics showing the nation is better off than 8 years ago. Obama broke down while concluding his speech and thanked his family and vice-president Joe Biden. HIGHLIGHTS: America is better, stronger place than it was when we started: US President Barack Obama in his farewell speech. I reject discrimination against Muslims, who are just as patriotic as us. Obama praises wife, says Michelle has been my best friend No foreign terrorist organisation has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years. ISIL will be destroyed, no one who threatens America will ever be safe. Rivals like Russia, China cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for. The bubbles and rise of naked partisanship is a threat to our democracy. Our law enforcement agencies are more effective and vigilant than ever. Protecting our way of life requires more than our military. Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. US-India ties have strengthened in my tenure, says Barack Obama. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination - in hiring, in housing, in education and the criminal justice system. Our democracy won't work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity.Our progress has been uneven. Work of democracy has always been hard, contentious and sometimes bloody. Have lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10, 20, or even 30 years ago, no matter what folks say. But laws alone won't be enough," to ease America's racial strife, "hearts must change". Obama warns of democratic test, says 'we rise or fall as one'. #WATCH: Obama to Joe Biden: You were first choice I made as a nominee, and it was the best; in the bargain, I gained a brother. pic.twitter.com/YUhi2QSEGC ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well wishes, we have received in the past few weeks, tonight its my time to say thanks. Every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man. I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. Democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity; that we rise and fall as one. In 10 days, our country'll witness hallmark of democracy, peaceful transition from one freely elected president to another. America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started. I committed to Trump that my administration would ensure a smooth transition. Now it's my turn to say thanks. Laws not enough, hearts must change. We have shown capacity to change. In Chicago, learnt power of faith. Terror tested our democracy. We remain most powerful nation. Race remains a divisive force. Democracy requires solidarity. Need laws against discrimination. HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Obama boarded Air Force One for his final trip to Chicago - where he kicked off his political career and started a family - with his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, and their elder daughter, Malia. "The president is not one to be overly sentimental, but given the circumstances, I think it would be unrealistic to expect anybody to not feel some nostalgia for this moment," his spokesman, Josh Earnest told reporters traveling with Obama. The Democratic president will leave the White House on January 20 after eight years in office. His top policy achievements were jolted by the Nov. 8 election of Republican Donald Trump, who has threatened to undo Obama's actions on issues ranging from advancing healthcare reform to curbing climate. It was Obama's 445th trip on the presidential aircraft, a perk he has said he will miss when he leaves office. All told, he will have spent more than 2,800 hours or 116 days on the plane during his presidency, Earnest said. Obama has said he plans to reflect on his administration's achievements while also looking forward in his address, encouraging supporters to keep fighting for issues he championed in his 2008 and 2012 campaigns on the environment, gay rights and economic equality. Obama has encouraged Trump to rethink some of his views on repealing the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, while mobilizing Democrats to stand up for the law under a Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress. During his campaign, Trump promised to dismantle the law, ban Muslims temporarily from entering the United States and build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico - all policies Obama opposes. Obama plans to remain in Washington for the next two years while his younger daughter, Sasha, finishes high school. He has indicated he wants to give Trump the same space that his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, gave Obama after leaving office by not maintaining a high public profile. That may be difficult if Trump makes good on his plans. Democrats, lacking a national leader with Obama's departure and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's election loss, are eager for Obama to stay involved on some level. --- ENDS --- advertisement In his New Year eve address the eastern army commander said he was not resigning because he wanted to expose a conspiracy against him. The army commander began by wishing the new army chief all the very best and, three times in his address, termed the decision to appoint the new chief a 'political decision' which he abided by. By Sandeep Unnithan : At around 11 am on December 31, shortly before General Bipin Rawat was to take over as the Indian army's 27th chief of the army staff, Eastern Army Commander Lt General Praveen Bakshi addressed his troops. The half-hour video address broadcast from the Eastern Army Command headquarters in Fort William, Kolkata, to nearly 3,00,000 men under the Commander-in-Chief, was eagerly awaited for one reason. advertisement The government had, on December 17, superseded Lt General Bakshi by appointing his junior Lt General Bipin Rawat as army chief. This was only the second deviation from the seniority principle for selecting the army chief in nearly 70 years. It was widely believed that General Bakshi would follow Lt General SK Sinha's precedent in 1983 when he resigned after being superseded by his junior General AK Vaidya. But General Bakshi, clearly, was no Lt General SK Sinha when he signaled "It will be work as usual," in his address. The army commander began by wishing the new army chief all the very best and, three times in his address, termed the decision to appoint the new chief a 'political decision' which he abided by. If General Bakshi had ended his address with the good wishes, there would have been no controversy. But the latter part of his speech raised eyebrows within the army circles both for its content and portent. Also read: Will continue to lead Eastern Command, says Lt General Praveen Bakshi India Today has accessed a recording of General Bakshi's transcript where the general appeared to have, what one army officer termed, a 'spectacular meltdown'. General Bakshi declined to comment to an India Today questionnaire. An officer from the eastern command said that the speech reflected the general's 'personal views' and that the commander had nothing further to add to it. In his speech on New Year eve, the general reeled out a bitter litany of complaints against the media and the veterans fraternity but what clearly caused him anguish was something else. He flagged, 'a malicious campaign, a deep rooted conspiracy', 'whispers in the corridors', carried out by 'men in the shadows'. The implication was clear, the conspirators had tarnished his reputation which possibly wounded his chance of becoming army chief. General Bakshi clarified he would now expose the 'enemies of the Indian army'. The eastern command is second only to the northern command in troop numbers and responsibilities. The command borders four countries-China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh, nine Indian states, including four insurgency-ridden ones. Yet, there was just a passing reference to this in his address. advertisement "I don't think, we in the Indian army who have been trained to fight our enemies can allow such people to survive in our own organization," General Bakshi said, hitting out at those he held responsible for his plight. "They need to be exposed... and that is why I shall continue though I shall be on leave, for the forseeable future." Also read: Government may assign post at par with Army chief to superseded Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi The army commander embarked on leave of absence for a month until January 29, during which period he is likely to miss out the army commander's conference beginning in Delhi on January 23. General Bakshi however, reminded his troops that he would be 'keeping my hands on the steering wheel of command'. "I am falling into the trap of justifying my actions, that is not the intent of my talk..." he says, but then, goes on to do exactly that. 'Why I am not resigning' is a constant refrain, in explaining which, the commander's address goes on to sow its own set of conspiracy theories. He puts to rest the controversy over his meetings with defence minister Manohar Parrikar on December 21 to clarify that he had sought no favors and was promised nothing in return. advertisement The general speaks of procurements in the Eastern Command under his predecessors (Lt Generals VK Singh, Bikram Singh and Dalbir Singh, all of whom went on to become army chiefs) as averaging only Rs 3-4 crores whereas he spent Rs 85 crores on procurements in the past 18 months. Also read: Lt General Praveen Bakshi to meet Manohar Parrikar to discuss his future He mentions a series of anonymous letters which were written against him alleging corruption in these purchases and also his proximity to a former army vice chief who he invited to address the eastern command. "The defence forces take no cognizance of such letters," says Lt General Raj Kadyan, former deputy chief of army staff. "And if it true that the government decision took cognizance of these letters, it is very unfortunate and we've harmed a good man." "Nobody has questioned General Bakshi's ability to lead the Eastern Command, so it's alright for him to continue,"says Major General Surjit Singh (retired). "There have been several cases in other world armies of superseded generals serving on but if he starts the inquiries he has promised, then he will only be embarrassing himself." advertisement Senior army officials confirmed that some anonymous letters had been received by defence minister Manohar Parrikar some months back. They were investigated by the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CDGDA) which found them to be untrue. General Bakshi in fact mentions this in his speech. While he continues his hunt against the alleged conspirators, there is one certainty. The eight months he will serve out are unlikely to be very quiet. Also read: 'We will cross again' HERE IS THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF GENERAL PRAVIN BAKSHI'S SPEECH : (FIRST MINUTE UNCLEAR) On your behalf, I offer full support to him (General Bipin Rawat). We wish him, for the new year dawning tomorrow, not only good cheer and good health, the sagacity, the professional acumen and the moral strength to guide our army to greater (heights). I am completely in agreement with the political decision taken by our government. It is a political decision and we shall abide by it. There is no reason to question it, to dissect it in the public domain, in fact, if anything, the issue that saddens me is the trolling which is going on in the media and the environment. Whilst we cant really stop the media, curtail the media, while we cannot also, monitor social media, we shall not do that also. People of our own fraternity, our veterans, have used this as an opportunity to come on the electronic media and dissect, talk about four serving Lt Generals, drawing their merits and demerits in the public domain. In my personal opinion, I think that was in very very poor taste. I sincerely hope that better sense prevails in the veterans, who may have held very high positions, but that does not give them the right, especially when, we, as serving generals, do not have access to the media to (give rebuttals) on whatever is coming in the media. They are welcome to talk about it. But comparisons in the public domain, are a big no-no. I hope better sense prevails in them and I see that it has already been conveyed to them, and they have from coming in the open media to draw comparisons of serving generals. Having said that, there are certain things I would like to convey to you. First and foremost, my meeting with honorable Raksha Mantri. It has generated a fair amount of interest, controversy, controversy to the extent of who sought the meeting first which is immaterial, it is absolutely immateria but, nevertheless, that's what media does when I was in Delhi and going to meet the honorable Raksha Mantri, I found, on the TV channels,'General bakshi seeks meeting with RM'. I'm very grateful to the honorable Raksha Mantri for having deftly side-stepped the issue including his interview yesterday, NewsX I believe, and brought out, in a very sophisticated manner, what needs to be put out in the public domain. He said, there is no controversy on this. He rightly said, yesterday, that from the day of the announcement, he wanted to get in touch with me but somehow he did not get through to me. The defence secretary spoke to me and mentioned that the honorable Raksha Mantri would like to speak to me and I called on the Raksha Mantri, and we had a very good one-on-one with nobody else. There would be some doubts in the minds of people whether I am resigning or not or what happens now on. First and foremost, the whispers in the corridors, as they say, that the government has offered some sops to me and hence I am keeping quiet and hence, I am not resigning. Let me make it absolutely clear gentlemen, no favours were asked, no favours were given. No commitments were asked no commitments were given. I don't think that's a soldier's way of doing things. So there is nothing on the horizon, which I am looking, seeking. Second, are there some skeletons in my cupboard which is making me keep quiet? Now, those of you who know me well, and I think my command knows me well, my last year and a half, approximately, I have never gone to the media, I am media shy, I firmly believe that everything doesn't need to be put in the public domain. There are no skeletons in my cupboard. There are no handles with anyone by which I can be coerced, requested, told, to behave in a certain manner I have served with honor and when I look back, I have nothing to be afraid of. So the next logical question is, why am I keeping quiet? Why am I not resigning? The honorable way of doing things. We have past precedence, there are enough people, enough speculation, I have been inundated with calls, innocent calls, innocuous calls, not so innocuous calls. The third comes media. I think some things need to be kept out of it they are in it for TRPs they may be opinion holders but matters of the armed forces, my opinion, they are looking only at sensational or negative (news) to be brought out there is very little constructive reporting within is somebody taking a bribe? Somebody getting court-martialed? It makes a huge splash and in the present case, they would like some sensational news to go out. I have always had my command over a secured channel. I am giving no directions, you talk to anyone in the media, and if it comes out in the media, what I've spoken to you today, but I leave it to your better sense are we being true to ourselves by speaking to the media? What I'm talking to you today is from a commander talking to the troops he is commanding, I don't think it finds any place in the media Ok, so, back to the question Why am I not resigning? No tom-tomming, no skeletons in my closet, no aspirations for seeking any appointment so why am I not resigning? Something which is already partially in the open domain that has already been written about, I would like to tell that there has been a malicious campaign to smear my name a very deeply rooted conspiracy. Who was it? Why would he do it? What was the motive? Is not exactly clear to me. I started getting a sense of it about a month before, but, it was officially confirmed to me that actually it started almost five to six months before very intelligent, it was done by writing anonymous letters and we all know how we are supposed to deal with anonymous letters. Those of you who watched the TV, I think, some days back, one anonymous letter was flashed one of the news channels also that letter I am aware of the truth in that context. But then there was not one anonymous letter, there were many written over a period of five to six months talking about my functioning as eastern army commander and making certain allegations. When you look into this letter, at least one of such letters talked about, that, I was hobnobbing with industrialists, promoting some personal interest, subjecting my command to come and listen to individuals and then, of course, I am giving you the lead, there were many other letters regarding contacts with arms traders that I gift contracts out in return of pecuniary or personal gains and all sorts of rubbish. We are all aware of anonymous letters, I get lots of anonymous letters during my command but here, all these anonymous letters were not against self-aggrievement (sic) against anyone been personally subjected to any adverse situation, instead, it was all to malign my name the letter which I have, led me to believe, that there was somebody from my command who was talking, who was giving information, lending credence to the information, assisting t them, in fact, this letter is somewhere around the 29th of June, but, since they did not know the facts, they tended to make things up, and that is where they tended to make mistakes. Mistakes like I had a memorandum of understanding with Mahindra and Mahindra and I had called General Shami Mehta, who got the Mahindra group here and then I called some of my commanders here and made them listen to them, hobnob with them. I know it is not anyone from my headquarters, because they know the truth and I have nothing to hide there have been commanders conferences, and, accordingly, I called my formation commanders here, after a two-day formation commanders conference, that I had done earlier, I had a lecture kept by eminent personalities, which was addressed by Lt General Shami Mehta the letter mentioned he was my mentor. I have never met him till I retired, I just didn't know him, he has nothing to do with Mahindra? Mahindra had come as part of a CSR project with the full knowledge of the army headquarters and the DG for making a shelter for the students. General Shami Mehta had nothing to do with it he was not even present, he was not part of the MoU which was just a simple MoU signed with Mahindra and Mahindra. I'm just trying to tell you, that someone was trying to gloss over facts. There was no mention of the formations commanders conference in that letter. One of the issues flagged in the letter said that there has been an exponential spike in spending of army commander's special financial powers, that is true it is verifiable, it is absolutely true my three predecessors had averaged an expenditure of only (Rupees) 3-4 crores in there tenure this is a verifiable fact it was adversely commented upon by CAG 'why give army commanders special powers if (money) is not spent?' Rs 50 crore was allotted to me this year, having spent it, I asked for 75 more crores, having spent it, I got Rs 25 more crores and as I talk to you today, 85 crores I have spent from an average of my predecessors of 3 crores. I don't have to justify myself in front of my own command, my command knows me but a simple thing like this, that too much money is being spent, I think, whoever did this, with whatever motive, is a bigger anti-national, a person who is, once again, using the armed forces for his personal motives, whatever they may be I hasten to add here, gentlemen, no way am I casting any aspersions on our chief our chief, I have no reason to believe, that our chief-designate who will be taking over in another couple of minutes, is involved in this nonsense. I refuse to believe that, the fact that there was a conspiracy, the fact that there were letters, the fact that there was a sustained campaign over five to six months, the fact that they sowed the seeds of doubt, the fact that an investigation was ordered by the CDGA, which went to the CGDA Guwahati and people found out where (items) were purchased from, were those agencies in any way connected to me and they came up with nothing. And I was not concerned. Because the CGDA investigation got it in writing, nothing was addressed to my headquarters and I brought it to the attention of the outgoing chief that such a thing was happening, and it was incorrect, but nothing came out and I was absolutely at ease because as I told you, there are no skeletons in my cupboard, I knew nothing would come out that my command is getting what is due to it, which has been denied to it, for many years, and I don't have to tell you what all has come, what all is coming in, what all is in the pipeline whether you have demanded it or not demanded it, it is still being given to you with a clear, very very clear intent of enabling my command to get the best. When I say the best, I mean the best. A simple thing like BPJ, bulletproof jackets we all know, the whole Indian army is struggling with it, the MGO, the army headquarters, MoD, even the honorable RM has spoken said we have placed an order for 50,000 BPJs, but what is perhaps not known is, we have already purchased BPJs of specs that is higher than what is purchased in Delhi today. We have gone for even even higher specs which will become a barometer for the Indian army to buy in time to come. It rivals what the NSG has. I just give directions to my staff-just get the best for my troops. Anyway, I am falling into the trap of justifying my actions, that is not the intent of my talk. I would like to talk about why I am not resigning. But why I am not resigning I want to get to the bottom of who was behind this whatever seeds of doubt are lingering in whoseovers minds have to be clarified. By resigning, I will be running away from the b and that is not in me how can I be your army commander if I were to run away for no personal fault of me. I have a clear heart, I can look you in the eye and I am going to clear, to get to the bottom of this, of whoever it was, so that, the reputation of the Indian army as viewed by anyone else outside the Indian army, remains intact. At the highest level if somebody's reputation is being smeared in this manner and he is expected to keep quiet, that is the reason I am not resigning. I have spoken to our chief designate on three occasions, work is continuing as normal, whatever our requirements, whatever our preparations, the combined commanders conference to be chaired by the honorable prime minister, my MGGS has already gone and given his first presentation work shall carry on I may be on leave, yes I am on leave currently, but at our level, for some leave you remain hands on, and I shall remain hands on as far as keeping my hands on the steering wheel of command, but I will be on leave. I will be meeting the honorable Raksha Mantri, I already mentioned to you, he's already mentioned it in the interview yesterday, work will carry on as usual, we have to prepare for the forthcoming (NOT CLEAR) in Assam all the three corps, correction, 4 Corps has already done it, so 3 corps, work will continue. Operational planning and parameters where required will be given. My interaction with corps commanders and area commanders will continue as hitherto fore To sum up, it will be work as usual This is a personal thing which I have shared with you and hereafter, I would request you to erase this from your memory. I reiterate that it is a political decision of the government and I completely abide by it. As far as issues of merit and seniority goes, my personal views have already been articulated in the army commanders conference. I myself have said that promotions to higher rank have to be seniority cum merit, I have no doubt about it. And this is what I reiterated to the honorable Raksha Mantri but the issue of smearing somebody's name in a very devious manner, conspiratorial manner, I read somewhere about 'men in shadows' I don't think, we in the Indian army who have been trained to fight our enemies can allow such people to survive in our own organization..they need to be exposed and that is why I shall continue though I shall be on leave, for the forseeable future. I would ask you to continue to perform, both on the LAC and in CI ops, in your quest for upping your conventional edge, refining your procedures and don't let your quest for enjoyment not enjoy life also. So with this, gentlemen, I thank each one of you for your support over the last year or so. Continue with the good work, I am still here with you. I wish you, your families, a very very happy new year a year filled with good cheer, good health, most important, personal satisfaction and also, in the same way, I would like to welcome the new commanders who have joined us and thank the commanders who have left us, commanders who have joined us, specially IGR-South and IGR- north, commanders, sorry, not commander, GOC 57 Mountain Div, his tenure will be getting over shortly. GOC 5 composite, GOC 20 composite and GOC 17 composite who I haven't met GOC 27 composite I've already met and, most importantly, GOC 3 corps and GOC 118 bde. A very warm welcome to you in the eastern command. May you have a professionally rewarding tenure. Thank you gentlemen. Jai Hind. --- ENDS --- Ten municipal corporations, 25 zilla parishads and 283 panchayat samitis would go to polls on February 16 and 21, making this the biggest electoral battle in Maharashtra. By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: The schedule for elections in 10 municipal corporations, zilla parishads and panchayat samitis was announced on Wednesday. With more than 70 per cent of the state's population going to polls, these elections are being seen as mini Vidhan Sabha polls. With the announcement by the State Election Commissioner, the bugle for Maharashtra's "mini assembly polls" has been blown. advertisement Ten municipal Corporations, 25 zilla parishads and 283 panchayat samitis would go to polls, making this the biggest electoral battle in the state. "Voting for municipal corporations will be held in 2 phases. Elections in Mumbai will be held on February 21 and the counting of votes is going to take place on the 23rd. Results will be announced on the same day", said state election commissioner JS Sahariya. POLLING SCHEDULE Polling for 25 zilla parishads will also be held in two phases -- on February 16 and 21. Voting for panchayat samitis will also be held on February 16 and February 21. Apart from Mumbai, municipal corporations of Thane, Ulhasnagar, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Akola, Solapur, Amaravati and Nagpur will go to polls. Counting for all polls will be held on February 23. But all eyes will be on the crucial BMC polls. The richest civic body has been governed by Shiv Sena for more than 2 decades. After all, the initially-bickering allies -- BJP and Shiv Sena -- seem to have reconciled their differences. The two parties in the past have never let go of any opportunity to target each other. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had alleged massive corruption in the Shiv Sena-ruled BMC. But with the announcement of elections, the allies seem to have buried the hatchet. SENA, BJP ALLIES FOR 25 YEARS: UDDHAV Uddhav Thackeray has said that talks for an alliance with BJP will be held and he will be deputing leaders from his party for the same. "We already have a formula for the alliance. We have been in an alliance for 25 years. We will appoint 3 leaders each from our parties for discussions. After an initial round of discussions, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will hold talks at our level", said Shivsena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Also read | Mumbai: BJP-Shiv Sena hint at a possible alliance ahead of BMC polls BJP leaders too held their first round of talks for an alliance at the chief minister's residence. advertisement "After Uddhav Thackeray openly wished for an alliance with us, we too are responding positively. Discussions between the two parties for upcoming elections will start from today (Wednesday). After the number of seats to be contested, the next important issue will be transparency. We all are in favour of an alliance", said Mumbai BJP President Aashish Shelar. OPPONENTS CRITICAL OF BJP-SENA ALLIANCE Political opponents, however, are criticising this alliance of convenience, especially the MNS supremo. "This was the same BJP that accused Shiv Sena of corruption in BMC. But they forget that they too were a part of the same corrupt combine as they were allies", alleged Raj Thackeray while speaking to reporters in Mumbai. Even though BJP and the Shiv Sena are discussing the alliance, seat-sharing will be a major hurdle in the talks. For the Shiv Sena, the biggest challenge will be to retain the Mumbai and Thane municipal corporations. For the MNS that tasted power for the first time by winning the Nashik Municipal Corporation, it is going to be a herculean task to repeat the feat, as more than half of his party's corporators from Nashik have deserted the party. For the BJP, it will be a mid-term test, especially after demonetisation. advertisement (WITH INPUTS FROM SAURABH VAKTANIA AND MAYURESH GANPATYE) --- ENDS --- 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. Nvidia last week began test-driving autonomous cars on California roads, after the states Department of Motor Vehicles gave it the green light, according to The Verge. The company is testing its Drive PX2 autonomous driving platform, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. Nvidia recently has made several well publicized moves in the autonomous car arena. It forged a partnership with Baidu this summer to build a cloud-to-car platform for semiautonomous cars. Its Drive PX2 technology will be used in vehicles participating in the upcoming Roborace autonomous car race. Nvidia this fall rolled out Xavier, a system on chip for autonomous cars, which it described as an artificial intelligence supercomputer. Nvidia has been testing cars for well over a year on public and private roads and in parking lots in order to train its PX2 systems, Enderle told TechNewsWorld. Where Nvidia Is Going Nvidias focus is on bringing high-level artificial intelligence into the autonomous driving game, especially supporting SAE Level 4 and 5, noted Praveen Chandrasekar, mobility research manager at Frost & Sullivan. Tesla now uses the Drive PX2 on the self-driving hardware available in the new Model S, he told TechNewsWorld. Thrashing the Competition Nvidia is competing with Qualcomm and Intel for the autonomous car industrys business. Intel, the 800-pound gorilla in the chip market, has been busy: It secured US$1 billion in design wins with its software-defined automotive cockpit platform; It set aside $250 million to invest in autonomous driving startups; It partnered with BMW and MobilEye to establish an open development platform initiative for autonomous driving; It introduced the Atom 3900 processor for autonomous cars; and It reorganized its autonomous car efforts into a new unit, the Automated Driving Group. Still, Nvidia is the farthest along with a solution independent of automakers, said Enderle, and it has the inside track to becoming a standard. BMW also is partnering with Nvidia, which is likely to create competition and ensure it isnt held captive by any one vendor, Enderle pointed out. Baidu Collaboration Nvidia will use the Drive PX2 in conjunction with Baidus mapping platform for Level 3 SAE automated driving and above to create a complete cloud-based platform to support automated driving, Frosts Chandrasekar said. The partnership is will encompass both the United States and China. AI, supplied by Nvidia, and mapping are highly crucial for OEMs who are serious about Level 4 SAE and above, such as Ford, Tesla and BMW, Chandrasekar pointed out. Further, the partnership gives Nvidia tried and tested technology, along with an entry into the China market. Baidu is one of the companies that is likely to become a power in self-driving car services, Enderle predicted. Testing is currently going on broadly all over the world, and even Ford and GM are currently working on this. However, the cost of the Nvidia-Baidu solution at entry may be prohibitive for many of the volume OEMs, Chandrasekar pointed out. Also, OEMs considering the cloud technology need their vehicles to be equipped with high speed real-time connectivity, which is not a given in the market today he said. In addition to its Tesla and BMW partnerships, Nvidia currently has teamed with Daimler, Audi and Ford on autonomous driving, Chandrasekar said, noting that the risk is that OEMs might simply view it as a technology and solutions provider for autonomous driving. On the other hand, Enderle said, Nvidia is the only company that has a packaged solution that works at this time. The United States Department of Defense on Monday announced a successful demonstration of one of the worlds largest micro drone swarms at China Lake in California. Three F/a-18 Super Hornet combat jets launched 103 Perdix drones in the exercise, which took place last fall. The micro drones demonstrated advanced swarm behaviors such as collective decision making, adaptive formation flying and self-healing. The Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Lincoln Laboratory debuted Perdix in 2013. Since then, the DoDs Strategic Capabiities Office has upgraded the technology using commercial components, 3D printing and agile manufacturing. The DoD demo, which employed sixth-generation Perdix micro drones, confirmed that the their commercial components were reliable under a variety of potential deployment conditions that is, speeds of Mach 0.6, temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius and large shocks. Perdix is one of the first examples of the DoD using teams of small, inexpensive autonomous systems to perform missions previously conducted with large expensive systems. Perdix fits into the DoDs concept of future battle network scenarios in which autonomous systems allow humans to make better decisions more rapidly. Sting Like a Bee Perdix autonomous micro drones can be launched in the air, at sea, or on the ground. They can operate in small or large numbers. Once launched, the micro drones gain situational awareness and locate other micro drones to create a swarm. The drones run on AA batteries. They are 6.5 inches long and have a wingspan of 11.8 inches. They have propellers 2.6-inch propellers. They weigh 290 gm, fly at 40 to 60 knots, and can stay airborne for 20 minutes. More than 670 Perdix micro drones have flown since the systems first test two years ago. Perdixs Brain Perdix micro drones share one distributed brain for decision-making and adapting to each other. They collaborate through communications. This is called swarm robotics, noted Philip Solis, a research director at ABI Research. Perdix operators set a mission, and Perdix decides how best to carry it out. Because the system cannot change its mission, operators can predict the swarms behavior without micromanaging. Swarms have communication, cooperation and coordination capabilities, noted Mike Blades, a senior industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan. Communication is the foundation that allows the passing of information. Cooperation is the next step information sharing throughout a swarm. Coordination involves using that shared information to make autonomous or semi-autonomous decisions for all or part of the swarm. For example, the swarm must decide whether a drone thats been destroyed is expendable or needs to be replaced, and this is where much of the testing of algorithms, communication and processing is going on now, Blades told TechNewsWorld. Gradual increases in swarm sizes also are being tested. Potential Uses Perdix can be deployed for low-altitude missions such as surveillance and reconnaissance. The system is now best for intelligence gathering, suggested Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. Each drone could be specialized and redundant, and the systems collective mind spread over an area could provide an unprecedented level of information and be very hard to block, he told TechNewsWorld. Eventually, you can attack multiple targets while gathering intelligence, said Frosts Blades, and do so while overwhelming the enemys defense capabilities. The drones also could use artifical intelligence to alter attack routes or surveillance operations based on changing conditions communicated by other drones in the swarm, he speculated. Still, drones can be jammed or taken over under the right circustances, Blades noted, which could lead to a mini arms race. There are commercial uses for mini-drone swarms, Enderle said, noting that Disney is using them in some of its parks. This may be an option for unique Christmas lights in a few years, he remarked, a thought that likely keeps the FAA up at night. By Press Trust of India: London, Jan 11 (PTI) A 57-year-old man in the UK has appeared in court charged with capturing and killing two of Britains rarest species of butterfly. Phillip Cullen, of Cadbury Heath, Bristol, is accused of six offences related to the endangered Large Blue (Maculinea arion). He is alleged to have captured and killed two butterflies from sites in Gloucestershire and Somerset in 2015. advertisement He denied all charges at Bristol Magistrates Court and was granted unconditional bail yesterday. Cullen will appear for trial on March 16, BBC reported. The prosecution is believed to be the first involving offences related to Large Blue butterflies in the UK. The court heard the two butterflies were allegedly taken from Daneway Banks near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on June 18, 2015, and from Collard Hill, near Street, Somerset, between June 17 and 20 that year. It is claimed that witnesses saw Cullen taking them before killing and mounting them in a display case. Dead butterflies were found at Cullens Bristol home on February 13 last year after a police search, the court was told. Prosecutor Kevin Withey told the court, "The defendant faces charges in terms of capturing, killing and possession of a protected butterfly. "The butterfly became extinct in this country in the late 1970s and was reintroduced and is a protected species in certain parts of the country," he said. "Significant care is given to its wellbeing and its hopeful future flourishing," Withey said. The globally-endangered species has always been rare in Britain, but became extinct in 1979. In 2004, it was found on nine sites in the country following a major conservation programme. PTI ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- Medical device maker St. Jude Medical on Monday began deploying software designed to protect its remote monitoring system for implantable pacemaker and defibrillator devices. The move came on the heels of the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations warning that the companys Merlin@home Transmitter contained vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Merlin@home wirelessly communicates with implanted cardiac devices. It gathers data and sends it to a physician over the Merlin.net Patient Care Network via a continuous landline, cellular or Internet connection. An unauthorized user could exploit the vulnerabilities in Merlin@home to modify commands to an implanted device, which could result in rapid battery depletion or administration of inappropriate pacing or shocks, the FDA explained. There have been no reports of patient harm related to these cybersecurity vulnerabilities, the agency noted. Benefits Outweigh Risks St. Jude Medical has created a software patch, which is now available, to address the security flaws in the Merlin@home Transmitter, the FDA said. It will be installed automatically when the Merlin@home device is plugged in and connected to the Merlin.net Patient Care Network. The FDA has reviewed St. Jude Medicals software patch to ensure that it addresses the greatest risks posed by the cybersecurity vulnerabilities, thus reducing the risk of exploitation and subsequent patient harm, according to the agencys alert. The FDA conducted an assessment of the benefits and risks of using the Merlin@home Transmitter and determined that the health benefits to patients from continued use of the device outweigh the cybersecurity risks. The new patch includes additional validation and verification between the Merlin@home device and Merlin.net, St. Jude Medical explained. There has been a great deal of attention on medical device security, and its critical that the entire industry continually enhances and improves security while bringing advanced care to patients, said Ann Barron DiCamillo, an adviser to St. Jude Medicals Cyber Security Medical Advisory Board. Critical Cooperation The coordination between the FDA and St. Jude Medical is laudable, observed Alfred Chung, senior product manager at Guidance Software. As the number and type of devices connected to the Internet grows, so does the risk of cyberattack, he told TechNewsWorld. Threats against medical facilities and devices are especially alarming, given the potential for physical harm or even loss of life. Since the healthcare industry can expect to be in the sights of hackers, its critical for device makers, healthcare institutions and government to cooperate, Chung maintained. In this case, St. Jude demonstrated how seriously they take cybersecurity, immediately releasing a patch to address the problem and coordinating clear communications with the public, he said. Ransomware Potential Although theres the potential of severe harm to Merlin@home users if anyone should tamper with the devices, the risk of that happening is small, observed Lysa Myers, a security researcher at Eset. The likelihood for the average person is likely to be very low, as most attacks are financially motivated, and there is very little monetary gain in going after implantable medical devices, she told TechNewsWorld. However, the severity if a vulnerable device were to be attacked is quite high, she added, as the problems it could cause could be fatal. Theres a money angle that could be worked by Net bottom feeders, though, suggestedArxan Vice President of Research Aaron Lint. This new echelon of body-interfacing IoT devices, like connected pacemakers, have the ability to cause direct physical harm. That could be effectively used as leverage against someone financially, he told TechNewsWorld. Take a moment to consider the ramifications of body-level ransomware, Lint said. Robot Army Theres been much news lately about exploiting flaws in devices connected to the Internet so they can be enlisted into robot armies used to launch crippling distributed denial of service attacks on websites or the Internet itself. Could medical devices be used that way? Its very likely, said Erik Knight, CEO of SimpleWan. Since you cant exactly monitor or install antivirus on these IoT devices, no one really knows what theyre doing, he told TechNewsWorld. However, medical devices are not the ideal vehicles for DDoS attackers who want to avoid tipping off owners that their devices have been hijacked, argued Esets Myers. There are so many unsecured IoT devices as well as mobile devices and traditional computers that they could use instead, she pointed out. If all of a sudden a bunch of people with medical devices came into hospitals with batteries that had run down way more quickly than usual, said Myers, that would cause quite an uproar. We'll finally get to discover more details about the Nintendo Switch during the livestreamed event from Tokyo tomorrow. But third-party accessory maker Hori may have already revealed some information about the hybrid handheld/console, after images showing its line of Switch peripherals appeared online. French Twitter user DroidXAce (via NeoGAF user yoonshik) posted the pictures, which hint at the Switch's day-one release games. Note that some of the products are "working concepts," and while there are always questions over the accuracy of these sort of leaks, Let's Play Video Games editor Laura Dale - who was first to report on the Switch's price - has vouched for them. Hori's accessories suggest that Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wind will be one of the Switch's launch titles. One of the many Zelda-related products - the $9.99 skin set - has a "March 2017" release date, which is the same month the Switch is set to arrive. Additionally, another product is a 150 Euro (around $158) arcade stick controller, the kind that is primarily used in fighting games such as the Street Fighter series. Nintendo hasn't announced any fighting titles for the Switch, but the accessory suggests there is at least one in the works. Dale told Ars Technica she "100 percent expect[s] a fighting stick to hit at launch." The rest of the images include a joy-con multi-charger, a playstand, screen filters, various adaptors, and a 24-game carrying case, which give us the first (blurry) look at the Switch's cartridges. Hori's own wired version of the console's game controller is also present, looking a lot like the Xbox One version but with a weird D-Pad. The Switch Tokyo event starts at 11pm eastern time this Thursday. Press events will follow in New York and London the day after. Your browser or password manager's form autofill feature can be a big time saver, automatically entering data like your name, address, and phone number on those lengthy sign up or check out screens. But as Finnish web developer and hacker Viljami Kuosmanen points out, you might be inadvertently giving away more information than you are willing to share with a particular website. The proof-of-concept phishing attack is incredibly simple. Essentially, when browsers like Chrome and Safari autofill information into text boxes, they don't really discriminate between visible and invisible form fields. A malicious website could be showing fields for name and email address, while hiding boxes for more sensitive data like phone number, address, and even credit card number. The malicious website can be designed to look like a legitimate service you actually use, and trick people into entering seemingly innocuous information without them noticing what was actually being sent. Firefox isn't affected by the issue because it requires manual autofill for text boxes --- you have to click or hover over a text box before it's filled in. Chrome, Safari and Opera are all vulnerable to the phishing attack as well as standalone password managers offering form autofill like LastPass. One seemingly easy fix would be to restrict autofill to only visible boxes or move to Firefox's manual autofill method. In the meantime you should be extra careful where you use the feature or disable it altogether. Volkswagen made a splash at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with the unveiling of the I.D. Buzz, a concept minibus that shows the German automaker's direction of evolving into an electric vehicle company. The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz microbus is based on one of the most iconic vans in the history of automobiles, but it is capable of much more than just evoking nostalgia. Volkswagen ID Buzz: More Than Just A Modernized Microbus The new concept vehicle of Volkswagen utilizes the same core principles, design ideas, and modular electric drive kit architecture that was featured in the I.D. concept that the company showcased at the Paris Motor Show 2016. The most obvious difference between the I.D. and the I.D. Buzz is that the main inspiration of the new concept is the Volkswagen Type 2, which was popular in the '60s and '70s. The I.D. Buzz has a similar body shape and a sleeker v-shape on its front fascia. The I.D. Buzz, however, is described as a "Microbus for a new era," with features beyond the modernized look of the iconic vehicle. First of all, the I.D. Buzz is an all-electric vehicle, with a pair of e-motors that provide on-demand all-wheel drive with a combined output of 75 kW, which is equivalent to around 369 mechanical horsepower. The battery has a capacity of 111 kWh, with a cruising range estimated at 270 miles and a plug-in combined charging system that allows it to receive an 80 percent charge increase in only 30 minutes. The vehicle is capable of going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5 seconds, but its top speed is limited to 99 miles per hour. The I.D. Buzz features the same touch-sensitive steering wheel and augmented reality HUD found in the I.D. concept. The modern microbus also has the I.D. Box feature at the center console, which serves as the driver's control panel and contains a Bluetooth sound system that can be detached and used even while outside the vehicle. The I.D. Buzz also has a self-driving mode, and once it is engaged, the driver can retract the vehicle's steering wheel and turn his seat, along with that of the front passenger, 180 degrees to face the rear seats. The I.D. Box can then be pushed back to bring all the passengers of the ID Buzz together. The interior of the I.D. Buzz is customizable. In addition to the front seats being able to swivel around, all seats can be removed, repositioned, folded flat, or combined into beds. The seats in the second row can even be doubled over so that they can serve as tables. Will Volkswagen Release The ID Buzz? Volkswagen has teased the public with several modern versions of the microbus, but none have so far materialized. The German automaker, however, is targeting to release its I.D. line by 2020, starting with the I.D. compact hatchback, followed by the I.D. Buzz and an unrevealed I.D. SUV between 2022 and 2025. Of course, Volkswagen will first have to settle its ongoing emissions scandal. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Jack Ma, the billionaire founder of the Alibaba Group and the richest man in Asia, had a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, who promised that the two are planning "some great things" for the United States. "We had a great meeting," said Trump to reporters waiting at the lobby of the Trump Tower in New York, where the meeting was held on Monday. Alibaba To Open Up 1 Million Jobs In The United States In their meeting, Trump and Ma talked about the trade relations between the United States and China, particularly aspects involving small businesses. Ma promoted the Alibaba platform as a means for small businesses in the United States to be able to sell their products to China and Southeast Asia. With the opening of such a trade channel, up to 1 million new jobs could be created in the United States in small businesses, said Alibaba. The group, however, did not make any commitment that it would be hiring new employees in the United States. Ma confirmed to reporters that the focus is on small businesses, specifically in the agricultural sector in midwestern United States. He also mentioned wines, fruits, and garments as the possible products that could be put up for sale to Chinese customers. The Size And Growth Of Alibaba Similar to other online commerce platforms such as eBay and Etsy, Alibaba allows third-party sellers in China to push their businesses into the web. As of March 31, the company only has over 36,000 full-time employees, almost all of which are located in China. However, due to the over 10 million active sellers on Alibaba as of 2015, the company believes that its online retail marketplace in China has led to the creation of more than 15 million jobs. In comparison, Amazon had just over 230,000 employees as of the end of 2015, but similar to Alibaba, creates jobs through the platform's sellers, contractors, and support services. Walmart, which is looking to boost its online presence, has 2.3 million employees worldwide, 1.5 million of which are in the United States, as of the end of the fiscal year 2016. The unbridled growth of Alibaba has been largely attributed to the vision of its founder Ma, who Trump described as a "great, great entrepreneur and one of the best in the world." Jobs In The United States Under Trump The details of Alibaba's plans on how the 1 million jobs will be created, however, remains to be vague, hinged on the idea that American businesses should open themselves up to selling their products and services through the Chinese online commerce portal. Last month, Trump touted the creation of 8,000 new jobs in the United States, 5,000 of which will be at Sprint and the remaining 3,000 workers in the startup OneWeb, which received a $1.2 billion investment from Softbank, also the owner of Sprint. The news came after Masayoshi Son, Softbank CEO, promised Trump that he will be making a $50 billion investment in the United States. Trump also previously offered Apple certain incentives to bring the manufacturing processes of its products into the United States, a move which would also lead to the creation of new jobs. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An Apple virtual reality gear seems far from Apple's focus at this point especially when rumors are mostly pointing to the way the Cupertino company is more interested in augmented reality technology. Apple And Carl Zeiss AG Partnership This last has been underscored when a Carl Zeiss AG employee disclosed that Apple is purportedly partnering with his company to develop AR optics. The source's claim was first reported by Robert Scoble while covering CES 2017. The tech evangelist even stressed that Carl Zeiss' booth at the event has been devoid of any technology involving AR due to the Apple collaboration. He argued that the company could have muzzled the optics manufacturer, preventing it from showcasing any related technology before the partnership is announced. While Carl Zeiss AG is better known for its camera lenses, the company has already built its own AR headset called VR One Plus. This device is said to be outfitted with a special mobile optics that can allow any smartphone to be transformed into a VR or AR system. According to Scoble, Apple and Zeiss' partnership is expected to yield a pair of AR glasses that could ship by 2018. Save for this bit, the tech world is still clueless about Apple's AR implementation. AR On An Apple Device Based on the nature of the Zeiss VR One Plus, one can only surmise that the technology could be deployed in or used alongside the next-generation iPhones. This is corroborated by previous reports that indicate Apple is already poised to release a new SDK after AR features are already integrated into the iPhone's camera app. It is important to remember that Tim Cook has repeatedly articulated Apple's interest on AR. At one point, he even claimed that AR is the future and predicted that VR holds lower commercial interest. "There's virtual reality and there's augmented reality both of these are incredibly interesting," Cook said. "But my own view is that augmented reality is the larger of the two, probably by far." Those wondering what this AR business is all about, it is a technology that can bring virtual objects into the real world. This is similar to how the popular Pokemon GO game is able to overlay virtual characters on top of physical environments via the smartphone's camera. Apple AR Competition The idea that Apple is working feverishly on its AR technology should no longer surprise anyone. Aside from its not-so secret interest in the platform, its rival Google has already built its own AR product called Tango. There are now two mobile devices running the technology, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro and the Asus ZenFone AR. At CES 2017, Tango is already on full display, impressing spectators with the way it is setting itself apart from VR devices, which are focused on bringing users into the virtual space. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. One of the most notable concerns that consumers have with electric cars is range anxiety, which is the fear of drivers and passengers that the vehicle will use up all its power before they reach their intended destination or a charging station. Samsung SDI, the battery division of Samsung, is looking to address range anxiety through a new battery that was unveiled at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Capacity Of Next-Gen Samsung Battery For Electric Vehicles The next-generation battery for electric vehicles is described by Samsung SDI as being capable of offering electric vehicles a range of up to 372 miles, a significant increase compared with the range offered by current electric vehicles. Tesla Motors, for example, unveiled in the summer of 2016 a larger 100 kWh battery pack which is capable of pushing the range of the company's Model S P100D electric vehicle to an estimated 315 miles on a single charge. It was reported that the range would be boosted to 381 miles, but that figure was based on European standards, whereas the 315-mile range is based on United States standards. Charging The New Samsung Battery For Electric Cars A boost in the maximum range of electric vehicles is not the only breakthrough presented by Samsung SDI's new batteries though. According to the unit, the battery is capable of storing enough power for 310 miles, or about 80 percent of its capacity, with a charging time of just 20 minutes. This means that in just 20 minutes in a charging area, drivers will be able to recover much of the spent energy in the electric car's battery, presenting another solution to concerns of range anxiety. The time is perfect for a quick stop for the driver and passengers of the electric vehicle to have a washroom break or to grab a snack, for example. In comparison, the superchargers of Tesla Motors are able to charge up the company's electric vehicles for 170 miles of range in a charging time of 30 minutes, at a rate that will be doubled by Samsung's new battery. Tesla Motors, however, has plans to construct even more powerful superchargers, though specific details are still unknown. When Will The New Samsung Battery For Electric Cars Be Available? According to Samsung SDI, the mass production of the next-gen batteries for electric vehicles will not begin until 2021, a target year that will likely have the technology available for the first batch of promised self-driving cars being developed by several automobile manufacturers and technology companies. However, at the rapid pace that the industry is developing, Samsung will likely have at least a few challengers once it is able to start mass production for its new electric car battery, especially in the aspect of increasing the promised range of electric vehicles. Some of these challengers could be products of the Gigafactory of Tesla Motors. Mass production of lithium-ion battery cells at the Gigafactory has recently started, in partnership with Panasonic, with the goal of the world's biggest factory being able to manufacture 35 gigawatt-hours per year of lithium-ion battery cells by next year. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. "Tree man" from Bangladesh went through his first surgical operations to remove his bark-like warts from his hands and feet in February 2016. Abul Bajandar, aged 27, was optimistic about his chances to lead a normal life, as a village rickshaw driver, as he used to before suffering from this condition. After one year since the first intervention, the man's hands are now fully functional. A Long Road According to the lead plastic surgeon in charge of the man's case, up to 16 surgical interventions were necessary for the complete removal of the growths on Abdul's extremities, after the condition has developed for more than 10 years, getting to weigh 11 pounds (five kilograms). The man's father was very optimistic about the first operation, as he believed his only child would be able to have a normal life once the procedure is completed and all the growths will be removed. "I don't want to return to my village without clearing my hands and feet. I want to get back to my old life," noted Abul before his first intervention. This extreme skin condition is very rare, and there are only three documented cases worldwide. The disease, called epidermodysplasia verruciformis, is better known in layman's terms as "tree-man disease" due to the aesthetic aspect of the growths. The disease is the result of a problem in the immune system, which also makes the patients more susceptible to developing HPV. "Bajandar's cure was a remarkable milestone in the history of medical science. We operated on him at least 16 times to remove the warts. The hands and feet are now almost fine," noted Lal Sen. When he was admitted, the man's primary concern was to be able to hold his daughter, which was extremely complicated, given that he was in the impossibility to shower, eat or to do any other everyday task by himself. Understanding the implications of his disease, the man approached a television, asking for awareness on his case. "At first I thought he was asking for money. But when he showed me his hands I realized I had never seen anything like that before," noted Sunil Das SATV bureau chief. No Longer 'Tree-Man' As the news of the man's condition reached international coverage, people from all over the world have donated for his case and plastic surgeons at Dhaka Medical College Hospital agreed to treat him free of charge. Now, one year after his hospital admission, the man has his hands back, as a result of a series of successful surgical interventions. After 16 groundbreaking procedures, the man is "in very good shape," according to Dr. Samanta Lal Sen, the plastic surgeon who led the case. Abul first noticed the condition when he was only a child, aged 15. However, the condition advanced and got to the point where he could no longer lead a normal life. "I never thought I would ever be able to hold my kid with my hands. Now I feel so much better, I can hold my daughter in my lap and play with her. I can't wait to go back home," the man added. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. "Modi ji keeps on saying he will transform India's economy. We know now that the beginning of the end has come...But the worst is yet to come," Manmohan Singh said. By India Today Web Desk: Lashing out at his successor Narendra Modi over the government's demonetisation drive, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today warned the country that the worst is yet to come. "Modi ji keeps on saying he will transform India's economy. We know now that the beginning of the end has come...But the worst is yet to come," Manmohan Singh said at a Congress convention in New Delhi. advertisement The Congress leader, also a renowned economist, said the government's claims of growth is false. "Modi ji's propaganda of national income going up in the last two years has been proven to be hollow," he said. ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi eyes 2019, says achche din that Modi promised will come once Congress voted to power "Demonetisation has hurt the country very badly. Things have gone from bad to worse in the past few months. Some say the GDP can be as low as 6.3 per cent. We can imagine that what kind of a disaster demonetisation is," Singh said. "When the GDP goes down, then employments will fall , production will fall, agriculture income will fall. What a disaster this demonetisation has caused?" he said. 'MONUMENTAL MISMANAGEMENT' Initiating the Opposition's debate in Rajya Sabha last year, Manmohan Singh had called demonetisation "a monumental mismanagement" and "organised loot and legalised plunder". ALSO READ | Demonetisation a disastrous move, worst is yet to come: Former PM Manmohan Singh Last week, the government estimated that the Indian economy will grow at 7.1 per cent this fiscal, without figuring in the impact of demonetisation. In its first projection on India post-demonetisation, the World Bank has also lowered the country's GDP growth estimate for this fiscal to 7 per cent, from its earlier estimate of 7.6 per cent made in June last year. But experts fear the growth this fiscal could be lower than that, blaming the banning of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes for significant decline in various sectors of the economy. WATCH VIDEO HERE: Manmohan Singh addresses Congress convention, calls demonetisation 'disaster move' --- ENDS --- Chris Lattner, the head of Apple's Swift programming language, is migrating over to Elon Musk's company, Tesla, as the new VP of autopilot software. Creator Of Swift Leaves Apple For Tesla In an email sent to the Swift mailing list, Lattner announced the move, although he didn't verse a specific reason for his departure, simply saying that he would exit Apple later this month for another professional pursuit. Not too long after, Tesla officially announced Lattner's welcome, stating that he is to replace Jinnah Hosein, SpaceX's VP for Software, who at present serves another role the one that Lattner is about to occupy. Lattner's ingress puts Hosein back to SpaceX duties full-time. "We are very excited that Chris is joining Tesla to lead our Autopilot engineering team and accelerate the future of autonomous driving," Tesla said in a statement. As it stands, it's safe to surmise that the company is poised to leverage Lattner's programming prowess to make development to Tesla's autopilot software. How he'll accelerate the future of autonomous driving is one thing that remains to be seen. Tesla announced late 2016 that all of its vehicles going forward will be supplied with the hardware necessary for autonomous driving functions, and Musk said that he's aiming for a fully driverless coast-to-coast test drive by the end of 2017. Lattner could bring those goals into fruition, taking into account Musk's propensity to set oft-bellicose deadlines. Lattner spent 11 years at Apple, primarily responsible for developing Swift. The programming language enabled developers to create applications for Apple platforms, chiefly iOS and macOS. Lattner's resume includes creating the Clang compiler and designing the LLVM compiler optimization infrastructure. He also contributed to the evolution of Objective C, a pre-Swift programming language used by Apple for OS X and iOS. Additionally, Lattner also worked on Apple's Xcode software. Out of 11 years of service, he spent more than five as Apple's senior director at its Developer Tools Department besides previous titles he held while there. Who Will Lead Apple's Swift Project? Ted Kremenek will replace Lattner as the project lead for the Swift project, Lattner stated in an email. He says that working with the teams who labored over Swift was a "a unique life experience." "Apple is a truly amazing place to be able to assemble the skills, imagination, and discipline to pull something like this off," he said, adding that the program is in tip-top shape at present. In Other Tesla News On a different note, Tesla recently expanded free supercharging for an additional two weeks. Owners of Tesla vehicles may get their batteries juiced up gratis for a longer period. Cars that will be purchased after Jan. 15, however, are no longer eligible for free unlimited access to Tesla's charging facilities. More recently, the Palo Alto, California, company failed to achieve its original goal of 80,000 vehicles shipped for 2016, having only shipped 76,230 units. Several factors plague the shortcoming, but key individuals such as investors are now keenly observing if Tesla could prove efficacious in terms of the demand for the forthcoming Model 3, its easier-on-the-pockets entry level electric vehicle. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, the Very Large Telescope ,will get an upgrade to search for planets in the Solar System's neighboring star system, the Alpha Centauri. The European Southern Observatory, which operates the telescope facility, and the Breakthrough Initiatives program agreed that the latter would fund an upgrade to the observatory's instrumentation. The observatory will in turn search for exoplanets in the nearby Alpha Centauri. Such planets are potential targets for the miniature spacecraft that may eventually be launched by the Breakthrough Starshot initiative. Breakthrough Initiatives The Breakthrough Initiatives is a program backed by physicist Stephen Hawking and Russian tycoon Yuri Milner to search for extraterrestrial life in the universe. It was revealed last year that Hawking and Milner plan to send a fleet of nano spacecraft to Alpha Centauri. The Breakthrough Starshot project, hailed as among the most ambitious space projects ever, plans to use an Earth-based giant laser to push the fleet of interstellar space probes to nearly the speed of light. Very Large Telescope Upgrade The Breakthrough Initiative and ESO agreement is for the program to fund the modification of the VLT Imager and Spectrometer for mid-Infrared instrument that is mounted at the VLT. The aim of the upgrade is to sharpen the observatory's ability to hunt planets that may possibly support life around the nearby stellar system. Challenges In Detecting Exoplanets Detecting a potentially habitable planet is enormously challenging because the brightness of the host star in the planetary system where the planet resides tends to overwhelm the relatively dimmer planets in the system. Making observations in the mid-infrared wavelength range reduces the brightness gap between the orbiting planet and the host star. The host star, though, is still millions of times brighter compared with the planet that needs to be detected, and this poses challenges to VLT's existing mid-infrared instrument VISIR. Giving VLT A New Pair Of Sunglasses Breakthrough's answer to this would be to give VISIR an upgrade, a new hardware that will include adaptive optics that would counter the distortions of light passing through the Earth's atmosphere. It is comparable to giving the observatory a new pair of sunglasses to reduce the blinding light coming from the host star of a planetary system. "The new hardware includes an instrument module contracted to Kampf Telescope Optics (KTO), Munich, which will host the wavefront sensor, and a novel detector calibration device," Breakthrough Initiatives said in a statement. Coronagraphy For Hunting Potential Planets The upgrade would allow VLT to employ the technique known as coronagraphy that would reduce the stellar light and reveal possible signal coming from potential exoplanets. "Multi-star high-contrast imaging opens up a huge diversity of star systems, and Alpha Centauri in particular," Ruslan Belikov, from NASA's Ames Research Center, explained during a presentation at the American Astronomical Society on Jan. 6. "If you wanted to detect Earth 2.0 around the nearest sun-like star to us, then this technology is required." The Breakthrough Initiatives will fund the large fraction of the technologies and development costs while ESO will provide the necessary observing capabilities and telescope time. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An asteroid made its closest approach to Earth around 7:50 a.m. EST last Monday. Astronomers did not see it coming until two days before the actual flyby. The near-Earth object 2017 AG13, with an estimated width of 36 to 111 feet, passed between the planet and the moon at a speed of 9.9 miles per second. Its nothing like a killer space rock, but the asteroid that exploded over Chelyabinsk in Russia back in 2013 is enough to cause some damage at a 65-ft measurement. The question is: are we actually prepared for asteroids hurtling toward us? Planetary Defense The recent asteroid pass occurred less than a month after White House released its National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy, which outlines how it seeks to develop international capacity for responding to asteroid threats. Its seven primary objectives include improving tracking, deflecting, and modeling technologies, as well as developing emergency and recovery protocols. On a more concrete level, NASA has consolidated such efforts under its Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO), which prioritized asteroid detection and defense of the planet through inter-agency partnerships and mobilizing the global community. [T]he agency is committed to perform a leadership role in national and international efforts for detection of these natural impact hazards, and to be engaged in planning if there is a need for planetary defense," said planetary defense officer Lindley Johnson in a statement. For starters, do astronomers know what is out there? This month so far, NASAs database of all documented asteroids has logged almost 40 new heavenly objects. In its monitoring of over 700,000 space rocks, NASA appears to know where more than 90 percent of the dinosaur-killing-size ones are. Astronomers hunt for near-Earth objects using ground-based telescopes and NASAs space-based NEOWISE infrared telescope and tracking data are channeled to an international database. Once detected, orbits are predicted and monitored at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, with select asteroids furthered described by equipment such as the InfraRed Telescope Facility and interplanetary radars. Other Asteroid-Deflecting Strategies There are a number of strategies in place that can potentially deflect space rocks confirmed to be on a collision course. The gravity tractor, for instance, banks on parking a spacecraft near an asteroid to slowly draw the rock into a new trajectory by the force of gravity. While effective for asteroids that are either metal or a mere chunk of dirt, this technique poses slower change with bigger objects. Another technique is to take advantage of the so-called Yarkovsky effect or dark asteroids uneven solar heat intake and release. This method has been found to change the rocks orbit by around 100 miles over a 12-year period. As these plans take years to effect measurable changes, we can also opt to give asteroids a quick shove. A collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency aimed to be launched in 2020, the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) Mission seeks to blast a kinetic impactor into the asteroid Didymos and see if the collision could change its speed by a projected fraction of a percent. Theres also the possibility of using nuclear power, with a spacecraft creating a crater with an atomic explosion impact and a second one following behind with a bomb. In 2013, the Chelyabinsk meteor exploded with around 30 times the power of the Hiroshima explosion, the shockwave injuring over 1,600 people. The good news, however, is extinction-causing strikes are a one-in-a-million year affairs, so the U.S. space agency is not foreseeing the need for a nuclear strategy anytime soon. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung rolled out an Android 7.0 Nougat update to many of its devices as a soak test earlier this week, with select Galaxy S7 and S7 edge as participants. Now, a specific release schedule for the official rollout may have just surfaced online. Samsung Galaxy S7 And S7 Edge Official Nougat Update If reports prove to be accurate, then Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge owners may finally receive the official stable build of Android 7.0 Nougat come Jan. 17. That's from The Android Soul, whose report includes a screenshot which suggests the aforementioned schedule for the update. However, this might only allude to European Galaxy S7 edge "SM-G935F" handsets, though a global release also seems imminent. Galaxy S7 And S7 Edge Nougat Soak Test As previously mentioned, reports have already confirmed that Samsung is currently sending out a Nougat soak test for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge handsets before the update's official release. Soak tests, for the uninitiated, allow a pool of users to get ahold of a software that's yet to be released to see how it performs. This form of early testing is crucial for developers, since users may report undetected bugs for the developers to zap accordingly, refining the software altogether. The build G935FXXU1DPLR includes the software update, alongside Google's security patch for January. With the soak test in full gear, it's safe to assume that the global Nougat release for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge handsets is drawing near. If users participating in the soak test find no significant snags or flaws in the software, then it's more than likely that Samsung will release it soon, maybe even on the aforementioned date. According to International Business Times, most Galaxy S7 and S7 edge handsets will be upgraded to Android 7.1.1 Nougat, Google's latest OS version, while others, such as Verizon and Vodafone Australia models, will be updated to an older one, which is 7.0 Nougat. We'll find out if Nougat does roll out to Samsung's flagships on Jan. 17. Until then, users should still treat all this as speculation. Even if Samsung does intend to release Nougat on that date, there could still be discoveries from the soak test that might hamper and prolong the wait. Even with the speculated release date, Samsung is still far behind its competitors. By contrast, Nougat has already arrived for the Huawei P9, the Asus Zenfone 3, and other handsets. Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Specs The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge were released back in March 2016 as Samsung's first flagships of the year, followed by the Note 7. While the latter is a now-defunct product, the former are still top-notch handsets for what they're worth. The S7 edge is the curved display variant of the S7 rocking a 5.5 Super AMOLED touchscreen with a pixel density of 577 ppi. Some models released in certain markets have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 under the hood, while others have Samsung's proprietary System-on-a-Chip, Exynos 8890 Octa. The former chip is partnered with an Adreno 530 GPU, and the latter with a Mali-T880 MP12 chip for graphics. There's 4 GB of RAM onboard, with storage options that's expandable up to 200 GB. On the back is a 12-megapixel camera that can record 4K video, and on the front is a 5-megapixel shooter. The Galaxy S7 has virtually the same specs as its curved sibling, save for a smaller 5.1-inch screen and a lower-capacity battery at 3,000 mAh, against the S7 edge's 3,600 mAh. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After a not-so-successful partnership with Microsoft, Nokia is back in the smartphone race with its latest Nokia 6 smartphone, which has been made in partnership with HMD Global. In May 2016, Nokia signed an exclusive 10-year licensing deal with HMD global to make a comeback in the world of smartphones. The Nokia 6, which launched on Jan. 8, will be the first Android-powered smartphone under the Nokia brand name. However, eager fans waiting to lay their hands on the Nokia smartphone were disappointed to learn that the Nokia 6 will initially only be available in China. The Nokia smartphone will not be available for purchase in stores but its sales will be restricted to online retail only through JD.com. Why HMD Global Chose China Many questions have been raised about the company's decision to only launch the smartphone in China. HMD Global addressed consumer concerns and revealed that the decision to do so was motivated by consumer requirements in different regions. Nokia will be returning to the market after a long hiatus, which may make some consumers skeptical and wary of purchasing the handset. If the company target's one country first instead of spreading its wings worldwide, it would be able to gauge the market response better. "You've got to start somewhere, and introducing one model in one country is much lower risk than, say, multiple models in one country, or one model in multiple markets," says Ian Fogg, a mobile analyst at IHS Technology. The analyst further adds that China being a massive market, it would have specific consumer requirements. Moreover, a device targeted at the country specifically may need modifications before it is retailed outside the region. These alterations may be required particularly in the context of Android software. Nokia 6 Specs The Nokia 6 smartphone comes with a 5.5-inch full HD resolution screen with 2.5D Gorilla Glass. It comes equipped with a 16-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor and has 4 GB of RAM. It offers 64 GB of onboard storage. The Nokia 6 comes pre-loaded with Android 7.0 Nougat. The mid-range phone has been priced mid at 1.699 CNY which is approximately $245. Nokia 6 To Launch In Other Parts Of The World? While it is official that Nokia 6 will take its first steps in the Chinese market, the other launch locations are being widely discussed and predicted by tech experts. Fogg asserts that the launch locations of any device are hinged on the company's marketing strategy. If HMD Global opts for a direct-to-consumer model like it has for China then the Nokia 6 could make its way to Italy, Finland, and Eastern European markets. However, if the company choose the network operator model for sale, then the smartphone could release in the United States, the UK, France, and Japan. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A conjoined pair of twins in Mexico with two separate heads but sharing the same body has died before any treatment could be conducted on them. On Jan. 6, a short video of the crying baby boys was posted by their relatives on YouTube but the local news website LaredNoticias.com reported on Monday, Jan. 9, that the twins had already passed away. Doctors said that they were actually looking at a "plan going forward" for the boys before they died. Mexico's Institute of Social Security confirmed the children's death but did not release further details. Jesus Urrutia, the director of the clinic, said that the clinic refuses to divulge more information in a bid to protect the privacy of the family. Nonetheless, he said that the twins' mother is in good health condition. One Body, Separate Brains And Heads The children who were born in the city of Ciudad Juarez in Mexico share one body and are believed to share all of their major internal organs. Each of the boys, however, had their own heads and brain. In the video shared on YouTube, the twins were shown with tubes leading to their noses. One of the twins was crying while the other was visibly upset. Prior to their death, the twins were reportedly in stable condition as reported by the Mexican news station Canal Cuarenta Cuatro. Survival Rate Of Conjoined Twins Conjoined twins are rare, happening only once in every 200,000 births. Survival is tough from the time they are born. Between 40 and 60 percent of conjoined twins are stillborn and only 35 percent manage to survive for only one day. The overall survival rate of these twins is between 5 and 25 percent. There are also instances when only one of the conjoined twins survive. In 2015, one of the two conjoined twin girls borne by a Minnesotan woman via cesarean section did not make it because the child has a non-functional heart. How Conjoined Twins Develop Conjoined twins develop when a woman produces a single egg that did not fully separate after fertilization. The developing embryo begins to split into identical twins during the first few weeks after conception but the separation is not fully completed. The partially separated egg then develops into a conjoined fetus. Separating Conjoined Twins With advancements in the field of medicine, parents of conjoined twins now have the option of getting their children separated albeit the procedure continues to involve potentially fatal risks. In October last year, a pair of 13-month-old craniopagus twins, twins who are conjoined at the head, were successfully separated at a New York children's hospital. Separating conjoined twins can give them better chances at living normal lives but some parents opt to leave their conjoined twins joined together, sometimes for fear of the deadly consequences of failed operations. Among these were the parents of the famed twins Brit and Abby Hensel. Just like the two conjoined twins in Mexico, the girls, who were born in 1990 share the same body but have separate heads. The girls learned to drive, swim and run together. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The world's largest fast-food company said the desi breakfast menu is aimed at increasing footfall by making the fare healthier. McDonald's will be adding masala dosa burgers with molaga podi sauce and anda bhurji as part of its famous breakfast menu By India Today Web Desk: Fast-food giant McDonald's will soon be adding masala dosa burgers with molaga podi sauce and anda bhurji as part of its famous breakfast menu, which until now was largely limited to vegetarian and egg cheese McMuffin, waffles, and hash brown. To be launched in Mumbai shortly, the world's largest fast-food company said the desi breakfast menu is aimed at increasing footfall by making the fare healthier. McDonald's said the new additions would be grilled instead of fried. advertisement The expanded menu will be available at 44 McDonald's outlets in Mumbai from January 13. Priced between Rs 30 and Rs 135, McDonald's will also serve breakfast through McDelivery and takeaway kiosks. The company said the menu will be gradually introduced across India. Also read: Michael 'Jim' Delligatti, the man who invented the McDonald's Big Mac, passes away "Breakfast convenience on the go will increase as more people enter the segment. As a western quick service restaurant, we are going to grow the Indian breakfast market dramatically," Amit Jatia, vice-chairman of Westlife Development, which runs over 240 McDonald's restaurants across west and south India told The Economic Times newspaper. However, this isn't the first Indianisation of McDonald's menu. The company added its now iconic McAloo Tikki burger in 1997, and later added paneer burgers and wraps. Also read: Okhla residents not 'lovin it', McDonald's accused of not delivering in Muslim areas Watch: Poor kid wanting food thrown out of McDonald's --- ENDS --- This classic painting, however, was not damaged because it was protected by glass. | Read More By Press Trust of India: Washington, Jan 11 (PTI) Selfie lovers may have different motives which often extend beyond self-obsession and showing off, according to a new study which counters the general belief that most selfie takers are narcissists. The study also identified three categories of selfie-takers: communicators, autobiographers and self-publicists. "It is important to recognise that not everyone is a narcissist," said Steven Holiday, from Texas Tech University in the US. advertisement Communicators take selfies primarily to engage their friends, family or followers in a conversation, "they are all about two-way communication," said researchers. Autobiographers use selfies as a tool to record key events in their lives and preserve significant memories. While people in this group still want others to see their photos, they are not necessarily seeking the feedback and engagement that communicators are. Self-publicists, actually the smallest of the three groups, "are the people who love documenting their entire lives," said Harper Anderson from Texas Tech. "And in documenting and sharing their lives, they are hoping to present themselves and their stories in a positive light," said Anderson. Identifying and categorising the three groups is valuable in part because "it is a different kind of photography than we have ever experienced before," said Holiday. "I can go on Facebook or Instagram and see that people have a desire to participate in a conversation. It is an opportunity for them to express themselves and get some kind of return on that expression," Holiday added. Understanding peoples motives can in turn be valuable, said researchers "because years from now, our societys visual history is going to be largely comprised of selfies. To find out why people do it, that contributes a lot to the discussion on selfies and visual communication in general." The study appears in the journal Visual Communication Quarterly. PTI NKS SAR SAR --- ENDS --- When all the political parties and candidates gets ready to try their luck in the country's richest civic body election, which an annual budget of Rs 37,000 crore, the investigative agency is also gearing up with its team to monitor the BMC election closely. By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: The polling dates for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2017 has been released by the State Election Commission (SEC). The elections would be conducted on 227 wards in Greater Mumbai region in a single phase on February 21. The results of BMC elections would be declared on February, whereas, the model code of conduct gets implemented from tonight. advertisement When all the political parties and candidates gets ready to try their luck in the country's richest civic body election, which an annual budget of Rs 37,000 crore, the investigative agency is also gearing up with its team to monitor the BMC election closely. BD Bishnoi, principal chief commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai confirmed Indiatoday.in that a separate team of IT officials has been formed to keep the tab on spendings of candidates and the party workers in their respective BMC wards. "The primary job of these officers would be to keep a close watch on the spending and if required to take action on specific credible information", Bishnoi said. The department has roped in experienced informers who would be working discreetly and sharing credible information to the I-T officers. Even, the State Election Commission (SEC) is coordinating with the I-T department on the survelliance task. It would finalise the size of I-T team required in Mumbai and in other regions of Maharashtra, by early next week. "Right now, we are still examining the situation both in Mumbai and State, and would be ready with our specific plans by next week", J S Saharia, State Election Commissioner told Indiatoday.in These I-T officials would be working round the clock and monitoring the ground situation on the command of one nodal officer, who would either an additional commissioner or deputy commissioner level of Income Tax department. It is believed that there is a possibility of having more than 20 income tax officers (ITOs) across the city's 24 administrative wards to the required surveillance. This time, every candidate is allowed to spend up to Rs 5 lakh, which excludes party expenses. According to Saharia, candidates who are contesting need to open a dedicated bank account from where they are expected to spend. "These ITOs would be like independent observers who would monitor spending and check whether candidates are breaching the limit set", Saharia said. --- ENDS --- Citing the Congress election symbol - the open palm - Gandhi said, "The Congress symbol is in Lord Shiva's picture. The gods in every religion are showing the Congress symbol." By India Today Web Desk: Back from a ten-day New Year break, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was all guns blazing today as he launched a fresh round of attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, the BJP, over demonetisation and other issues. Citing the Congress election symbol - the open palm - Gandhi said, "The Congress symbol is in Lord Shiva's picture. The gods in every religion are showing the Congress symbol." advertisement HERE ARE THE 10 BEST LINES FROM HIS SPEECHES TODAY: I found Congress' symbol in Shivji, Guru Nanak, Buddha, and Mahavir's pictures. I asked Karan Singh ji what does it mean. He said, "Daro mat, sachchai ka saamna karo. (Don't fear, face the truth)." The Congress philosophy says 'daro mat' and the other philosophy says 'daro aur darao'. Narendra Modi thought the Army can do surgical strikes, why can't I. So he did one on the poor and the farmers. Narendra Modi spoke like Amitabh Bachchan does in films: 'Mitron, all the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in your pockets are now mere pieces of paper.' What did Modi ji do? He said my name is Narendra Modi and I can snatch your (farmers') land. Crores of people were standing in lines. Did you find any corrupt person there? The corrupt ones were at the bank's backdoor. It is a clash between two philosophies. Congress says 'don't fear', BJP says 'fear', 'scare them'. We do not hate them (BJP and RSS) but will defeat their ideology and remove them from power. 'Ram naam japna, ghareeb ka maal apna'. That is the philosophy of this suit-boot sarkar. You have to fight this. The RSS and the BJP are destroying the nation, spreading hatred. Also read | Rahul Gandhi eyes 2019, says achche din that Modi promised will come once Congress voted to power WATCH VIDEO --- 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. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission First row, from left, are Dawn Culbreath, Excellence in Service-Learning Award winner and Bronze Level Master Volunteer; Misty Green, Program Pioneer Award winner; Scott Lee, 4-H Spirit Award and Silver Level Master Volunteer; Barabara Arton, Youth/Adult Partnership Award winner; and Karen Shirley, 4-H Agent of the Year; and second row, Veronica Del Bianco, 4-H volunteer and leadership development specialist; Fran Castille, Gold Level Master Volunteer; Jaye Guerin, Silver Level Master Volunteer; Debra Thower, Bronze Level Master Volunteer; and Janet Fox, Louisiana 4-H department head. If not reversed, a decision by state corrections officials will cause a Baton Rouge man convicted in a fatal alcohol-related crash that killed a bicyclist to serve much more prison time than he should, his attorney alleges in a new court filing. Joseph Branch had a blood-alcohol level of 0.307 percent when he crashed into two cyclists on Perkins Road near Quail Run Drive on Jan. 21, 2012, killing Nathan Crowson and severely injuring Danny Morris. The following year, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled in an unrelated case that vehicular homicide is a crime of violence requiring those convicted of the crime to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence. The high court did not say if its decision applied to crimes that occurred before its decision. Branch was found guilty by a jury in 2014 of vehicular homicide and first-degree vehicular negligent injuring, and was sentenced by state District Judge Mike Erwin in 2015 to 7 1/2 years in prison. At the request of prosecutors and over the objection of Branch's attorneys, Erwin later clarified the sentence to say it was imposed for a crime of violence. The state Department of Corrections then determined that, because he had been convicted of a crime of violence, Branch would not be eligible for the 40 percent good-time rate for nonviolent offenses and instead would have to serve 85 percent of his term. Yigal Bander, who represents Branch in his lawsuit against DOC, argues in court documents filed last week that the determination of good time credit is entrusted exclusively to the department and a sentencing judge has no role in it. "Mr. Branch is not trying to undo what the trial court did, and is not asking this court to second-guess the trial court. Mr. Branch is asking this court to undo DOC's erroneous and unconstitutional determination of his good time," Bander wrote in a post-hearing memorandum filed in the 19th Judicial District Court. Nicole Robinson, a 19th JDC commissioner, held a hearing Nov. 30 but did not issue a ruling in the cases of Branch and Brett Gerald, a Greensburg man serving a 35-year sentence in a 2012 alcohol-related crash that killed seven Baton Rouge residents. Gerald also contends he should serve 40 percent of his term, not 85 percent. Gerald's attorneys have not yet filed their post-hearing memorandum, nor has the state. Bander claims Erwin simply had no power to label Branch's crime a crime of violence. "Vehicular homicide was not a crime of violence at the time of Mr. Branch's offense, and the court's authority to designate a crime of violence did not exist at the time of his sentencing," he argues. "Because vehicular homicide was not a crime of violence at the time of Mr. Branch's offense, DOC cannot now decide it is and deprive Mr. Branch of his good time," Bander adds. Gerald's blood-alcohol concentration was 0.15 percent after his fatal May 2012 crash on La. 67 near Slaughter. States high court lets Geralds 35-year sentence stand for fatal crash near Slaughter that killed seven Louisianas highest court on Friday let stand Brett Geralds 35-year prison sentence in a 20 In Louisiana for those 21 and older, a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher is considered presumptive evidence of drunken driving. By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Jan 11 (PTI) Nepal government today sacked the chief of its earthquake reconstruction body, set up in the aftermath of devastating 2015 earthquake to rebuild nearly one million homes and other physical infrastructure, citing repeated "delays" in the reconstruction work. A cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Prachanda has decided to sack Sushil Gyawali from the post of CEO of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), and replace him with Govinda Pokharel, the former vice-chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Information Minister Surendra Karki said. advertisement Pokharel was earlier appointed as the chief of the NRA more than a year before during the Nepali Congress-led government. The decision was taken after two clarifications furnished by the erstwhile NRA Chief, explaining delays in the reconstruction work, were found to be "unsatisfactory", Karki said. Gyawali was appointed to the post a year ago by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, after months of political wrangling over who should lead the agency - tasked with spending USD 4.1 billion pledged by international donors to help rebuild quake-ravaged Nepal. However, since the fall of Oli government in August last year, Gyawalis position in the powerful body has become insecure and the government led by Prachanda has sought two clarifications from him for repeated delays in the reconstruction work. "His (Gyawalis) response was not satisfactory," Karki said. The reconstruction work in Nepal, estimated to cost nearly USD 7.86 billion, has been sluggish since the beginning, though critics say that replacing Gyawali might not solve anything. Foreign governments and aid agencies have already pledged USD 4.1 billion for the reconstruction work. More than 9,000 people were killed and nearly half a million homes were destroyed in the April 2015 quake. The delays in the rebuilding of homes has forced hundreds of people to spend two consecutive Himalayan winters in temporary shelters. PTI SBP SUA AKJ SUA --- ENDS --- How to revamp public school letter grades continues to spark controversy, including charges that the state could launch a new grading system that would distort how students are really performing. Leaders of a key state panel Monday hoped to win approval for a plan that would more than triple the value of annual academic gains in calculating grades. But the proposal failed to win approval in the Louisiana Accountability Commission, which advises the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Instead, the panel of teachers, superintendents and others will tackle the issue again on Feb. 8 in hopes of resolving the dispute. BESE is set to address the thorny topic in March as part of a state plan to revamp public schools to comply with a 2015 federal law called the Every Student Succeeds Act. Under current rules, key test results for elementary and middle school students account for most of the letter grades. The grades, which began in 2011, are designed to give parents and other taxpayers an easy way to see how schools are faring. Last year, state Superintendent of Education John White proposed changing how the grades are calculated, possibly for the 2017-18 school year. That plan would require that 25 percent of the grade stem from yearly academic gains by all students, regardless of the final score. Current rules limit those bonus points to 7 percent of the grade, and only apply to struggling students. Backers contend that giving academic growth more weight ensures that yearly progress is reflected in the school's grade, not just whether students reached a certain achievement level. Kathy Noel, a DeSoto Parish educator and chairwoman of the commission, hoped the panel would approve setting academic growth gains at 25 percent of the grade, which would boost chances it would win final approval at BESE. Academic growth emphasized as panel seeks better way to grade public schools An influential state panel Monday spent more time wrestling with how to change public school However, the push sparked resistance on the commission during a lengthy meeting Monday. Brigitte Nieland, a commission member who follows public school issues for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, said Tuesday she was among panel members objecting to the 25 percent standard. Nieland said that, under the plan, a school that would otherwise earn an "F" rating could collect so many bonus points that it would be listed as a "C school. "You are still awarding a lot of points for growth but growth that is not near the achievement level where kids need to be," Nieland said. "I feel this could be masked under a system that says 'Oh, it is a "C" school. Everybody is fine,'" she said. Noel said she thinks there is a group of people on the panel ready to endorse the move to allow 25 percent of the grade to stem from annual academic growth. The panel on Monday reviewed simulations on how the new rules would work at 10 percent, 25 percent and 50 percent. More detailed simulations are planned for the Feb. 8 gathering. Jessica Baghian, assistant superintendent for assessments and accountability, said the drive to increase the value of yearly academic growth on school letter grades stems from months of hearings last year as the state was developing its plans to revamp public school policies. Baghian said officials heard that the public wants the gains to apply to all students and that it should be significant. The panel did agree on a related issue that sparked arguments earlier how to measure academic growth. The measuring stick would be a two-prong system. Schools could earn points if students met annual goals in reaching Louisiana's long-range achievement goal, which is called mastery. They could also benefit if troubled students outdid their peers. In another twist, Gov. John Bel Edwards' Advisory Council on the Every Student Succeeds Act is set to take up letter grades when it meets on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. The governor, who has criticized the state's public school grading system, will have a voice in any overhaul plan submitted to the U.S. Department of Education. Louisiana Education Superintendent John White said Tuesday an appellate court ruling that taxpayer money can't be used to fund a certain type of charter school won't have an immediate impact on day-to-day operations of those schools. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeal ruled Monday that it's unconstitutional to fund operations of Type 2 charter schools with local and state tax dollars. White said his agency plans to appeal the decision to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Type 2 charter schools are self-governed public schools, approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, that operate independently of of existing public school districts. They receive tax dollars through the state Minimum Foundation Program. White said it ultimately will be up to the state's highest court to provide clarity as to how Type 2 charter schools and other public schools will be funded. "This is a long-term process bound to play out at the Supreme Court level," White said, adding that he's confident the state's high court will agree to hear the department's appeal. Asked what would happen of the state's highest court sides with the appellate court on the charter school issue, White responded: "We would just have to find a different way of funding them." Speed bump for some Louisiana charter schools, their funding after important court ruling Louisiana's funding of certain types of charter schools hit a snag following a ruling Monday The state Department of Education currently funds Type 2 charter schools the same way it provides money to local public schools: through the Minimum Foundation Program, a state legislative-approved formula that allocates a certain amount of local and state tax dollars to schools based on per pupil ratios. The 3-2 decision on Monday by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal held that Type 2 charter schools are not public schools and that it's unconstitutional for the state education department and BESE fo fund them with MFP money. There are currently 40 Type 2 charter schools in the state which education leaders say primarily rely on more than $80 million annually in MFP funding. The appellate court ruling Monday asserts that Type 2 charters fail to meet the state constitution's definition of public schools, which says MFP funds appropriated by the legislature "shall be equitably allocated to parish and city school systems." The 1st Circuit ruling overturned the May 2015 decision from Baton Rouge state District Judge Wilson Fields who argued the opposite in the lawsuit brought by the Louisiana Association of Educators against BESE and the Department of Education. A separate lawsuit from the Iberville Parish School Board over funding of a Type 2 charter school in that parish was consolidated with the case. In a statement Tuesday, the national parent group PublicSchoolOptions.org said the 1st Circuit decision places the education of more than 13,000 charter students in Louisiana in jeopardy. "The decision handed down from the appeals court yesterday is stunning and wrong," Christin White-Kaiser, the state leader for PublicSchoolOptions.org, said in a prepared statement. "It also endangers the rights of parents to choose the best educational option for their child." She said her group is confident the Supreme Court will reverse the 1st Circuit's ruling. Louisiana's bid to re-energize its career education program got a $2 million boost Wednesday to expand the effort. The state is one of 10 that will get the assistance from JP Morgan Chase & Co. over three years, according to the state Department of Education. Doing so will ensure that the 2014 overhaul, called Jump Start, will be expanded statewide, including new career options for students who can already earn a special high school diploma in construction, welding and auto repairs. Students say new career classes making a difference Four students who are pursuing Louisianas revamped career education path said Tuesday the c The money will be in the form of a grant called the New Skills for Youth. The $75 million initiative last year provided Louisiana with $100,000 in assistance. "This New Skills for Youth grant will provide tremendous support for our state's high school teachers and students in accessing high-quality workforce training, particularly in rural school districts and in support of our students with disabilities," Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a prepared statement that accompanied the announcement. Jump Start allows high school juniors and seniors to earn national industry credentials. At least seven of the 23 credits needed for a high school diploma have to be in the student's chosen field. School districts, two-year colleges and private firms are supposed to be aligned in regional teams to prepare students for meaningful jobs. Students in Jump Start split their day between job training and traditional high school courses. State Superintendent of Education John White, also in prepared remarks, said the $2 million grant "will allow our state to build upon Jump Start's strong foundation, expanding opportunities and resources that enable our students to earn the industry credentials they need to attain employment in Louisiana's most important industries." White has said that eventually about one in three high school juniors and seniors in public schools will take part in Jump Start. The program is supposed to be fully operational for the 2017-18 school year. State launches Web portal outlining Louisiana career education options The state Department of Education on Thursday launched a Web portal as part of its effort to Under current rules students have 47 pathways for earning industry credentials. The grant is also supposed to finance teacher training and create enough teams of workplace mentors to serve all high school students. An annual gathering in Baton Rouge to promote Jump Start is scheduled for Jan. 17 at the Raising Cane's River Center. Jump Start was launched after years of complaints about previous career education programs, which critics said attracted few students and modest success stories. Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday state budget problems mean it would be "very difficult" to win legislative approval for a $700 million tax and fee hike for roads and bridges. The increase was recommended last month by a task force named by the governor, and the issue is expected to be debated during the 2017 regular session. Edwards, in an hour-long meeting with the editorial board of The Advocate, said while state transportation needs are tremendous, ongoing state budget problems will make it hard for a major boost in road and bridge spending. While the task force did not spell out a specific way to raise $700 million annually, it said state gas taxes are the most reliable way to generate dollars. Any such increase would require the approval of two thirds of the House and Senate during a session that begins April 10. "Is it going to be hard to raise the gas tax? Absolutely," Edwards told reporters and editors. The governor made his comments during a gathering where he also said a special session is possible in February because of state financial problems. More budget woes are expected for the financial year that begins July 1. Louisiana has a $13.1 billion backlog of road and bridge needs and a $16 billion list of proposed mega projects, including a new bridge in Baton Rouge south of the current "new" Mississippi River bridge. A new bridge would cost more than $1 billion. Traffic on and near the current bridge is a daily source of complaints from motorists in the Baton Rouge area. "There is no place in the state that has a greater need than Baton Rouge," Edwards said. Motorists pay 38.4 cents per gallon now, including 20 cents in state gasoline taxes. An increase of 23 cents per gallon would be needed to raise nearly $700 million per year. The panel also suggested an array of possible fee hikes, but that revenue is modest compared to any gasoline tax boost . Each penny of the state gas tax raises about $30 million per year. Edwards said he would prefer submitting a boost in funding to voters statewide if it appeared unlikely the Legislature would endorse a major increase. However, some leaders of the pro-transportation drive are reluctant to submit the issue to voters for fear that it would be rejected. +2 Before funding for transportation overhaul becomes reality, three key questions must be answered While a special panel named by Gov. John Bel Edwards has called for $700 million a year in "Maybe we should give them the opportunity," the governor said. Edwards said the need for more transportation spending is obvious. The governor noted that 5 cents of the 20-cent state gasoline tax is used to retire the bonds from a 1990 statewide bond issue called TIMED. He said that 15 cents has a buying power of 7 cents in today's economy. "And we have significant needs," Edwards said. "I hope we can find the will to move forward." House Transportation Committee Committee Chairman Kenny Havard, R-St. Francisville, has said approving a major gasoline tax increase would be difficult in the Legislature and would be rejected by voters. Shawn Wilson, secretary for the state Department of Transportation and Development, said last week rival budget needs are the key obstacle in the drive to boost transportation aid. Wilson is an Edwards' lieutenant and was co-chair of the task force. The arrival of January always brings the hope of a break with the past, an especially welcome promise after the many tragedies of 2016. But the shooting of a Louisiana wildlife agent over the weekend is a sobering reminder that even though the calendar has changed, human depravity is still very much with us. The weekend carnage at a Fort Lauderdale airport evoked thoughts of last years tragedies, too. In 2016, shootings of law enforcement officers dominated the headlines around the country, including Louisiana, where a disturbed Missouri gunman shot six Baton Rouge officers, killing three. That loss still resonates, and it was compounded early Saturday morning when Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agent Tyler Wheeler was shot several times while making a traffic stop in Morehouse Parish. Despite multiple wounds, Wheeler was in stable condition after being rushed to the hospital, and two suspects have been arrested in the incident. An attack on a law enforcement officer is an attack on society at large, which is why the incidents of recent months are so disturbing. The shooting of an Orlando police officer on Monday and the related death of a Florida deputy who died in a car crash while pursuing the suspect also sounds like 2016 all over again. Our thoughts and prayers are with Wheeler, and with all law enforcement officers in Louisiana and across the country confronting dangers every day. Even before Wheeler fell in the line of duty, last weekend was already off to a bloody start. A gunman opened fire last Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, killing five travelers and wounding six others as they waited for their luggage at an airport baggage claim area. Maybe the shock of the tragedy is a hopeful sign, suggesting that we still have the capacity to be surprised by violence that is, sadly, becoming all too routine. Patrons of the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans know what its like to have travels interrupted by terror. In 2015, a troubled man with a machete charged a security checkpoint. He was shot by a Jefferson Parish deputy, later dying of his injuries after he refused medical treatment on religious grounds. Louisiana is heavily dependent on tourism, so anything that threatens the safety of travelers is a special concern. But regardless of where violence unfolds, last weekends headlines seemed like a poor start for 2017. Heres hoping for a more peaceful year. He may not always wear his Democratic party affiliation on his sleeve, given the Republican leanings of a majority of his constituents, but Gov. John Bel Edwards definitely would have preferred last year's national elections to turn out differently. He backed fellow Democrat Foster Campbell in the U.S. Senate contest, only to watch Louisiana's seat and the full chamber remain in the Republican column. And he endorsed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump for president. So you'd have to forgive him if he surveyed the partisan landscape in Washington and saw only dark clouds. Turns out he thinks at least one of those clouds has a silver lining. While discussing Louisiana's rebuilding needs following last year's devastating flood, which he predicted at a Wednesday editorial board interview would end up being the third or fourth most expensive in U.S. history, Edwards voiced frustration that the two aid payments Congress has approved so far still leave the state $2 billion short of its full request. It's not that he thinks Congress is unsympathetic, though. It's more that the permanent standoff between the Republican-controlled legislative branch and the Democratic White House has gummed up the normal budgeting process. Rather than pass full budgets, Congress has gotten caught in a cycle of passing temporary, incremental spending measures that just aren't designed to fully fund government priorities. But having one party in control of both branches of government even the other party could break the logjam, Edwards said. Nobody much knows what to expect from a Trump presidency, but Edwards went out on a limb and predicted this much about the coming one-party rule: "It's my hope and expectation that we start to see budgets again." U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy said he thinks the state should ban public officials and their family members from receiving flood recovery rebuilding contracts financed with federal disaster aid. Kennedy, a Republican who took office this month, sent a letter to the Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards urging Edwards to issue an executive order with the ban, though the governor's office says the state Legislature would have to act on such a request. Edwards is proposing that $1.3 billion of the $1.6 billion in disaster recovery block grant aid allocated to Louisiana by Congress for the March and August flooding be spent on homeowner rehabilitation and rebuilding, and other dollars on business, agriculture and rental assistance. The state's newest U.S. senator said politicians and their families shouldn't "profit from Louisianians' tragedy." "We owe it to the American people, Congress and ourselves to be good stewards of the taxpayer money received for rebuilding, particularly in light of our request for more funding," Kennedy wrote to Edwards. Louisiana already has a prohibition on the books keeping statewide elected officials, lawmakers, the governor's top appointed officials, their spouses and companies in which they have an interest of more than 5 percent from getting most disaster recovery contracts. The law requires disclosure for many other public officials and family members who have such contracts. That doesn't go as far as Kennedy wants, but Edwards' spokesman Richard Carbo said that it's not within the governor's authority to change that. "Action from the Legislature is required for us to expand that law," Carbo said in a statement to The Advocate. "Any effort to do that would have the full support of the governor, and he is willing to work with Sen. Kennedy to ensure that happens." He added that the governor is "confident the process will produce the most qualified, cost effective provider of services." "We are also pleased with the steps India has taken till date in complying with all administrative guidelines and support its claim to enter the nuclear group", he said. By Smita Sharma: Canada's High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel believes India's nuclear credentials are sound enough and signing of the NPT or the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty should not be a mandatory requirement for New Delhi's entry into the elite club. "We feel India's inclusion will be very beneficial for the overall group. We are also pleased with the steps India has taken till date in complying with all administrative guidelines and the statements it has made supporting its own membership. So we are very supportive and look forward to this being resolved as early as possible", Nadir Patel told India Today in an exclusive chat. advertisement Also read | China must not give a political colour to India's aspirations for NSG: S Jaishankar China has been a major stumbling block so far to India's aspirations for a place into the nuclear group. Although quite a few countries have backed India, Beijing has chosen to stall and not support New Delhi's bid. While Indian and Chinese bureaucrats dealing with disarmament are engaged in talks, India's entry into the elite group has been met with opposition at the Plenary Session in Seoul and at the special session convened in Vienna last year. INDIA'S ENTRY INTO NSG WILL BE MEANINGFUL Asked whether India would need to sign the NPT to find its way into the NSG, the Canadian envoy replied, "We have made our position known that while that would be highly a thing of interest, it is not essential for India's membership into the group. We think the steps that India has taken support its membership and New Delhi's entry will be a very meaningful step." Also read | NSG draft rule may allow India in, but leave Pakistan out, says US think tank Nadir Patel also hoped that a solution would soon be found to India's UN resolution, seeking to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. China had put the resolution on technical hold last year and then used its veto on 30th December to block the resolution, which has the support of other 1267 Security Council committee members including Canada. "We are very concerned about some of the issues we are seeing around the world including those here. But these type of matters are being dealt with on multilateral fora. We are hopeful that things will get resolved in a way satisfactory to all parties," said Patel. WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2016 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump challenges U.S. intelligence agencies to provide decisive evidence of Russian involvement in election-season hacking. Ahead of a highly anticipated congressional hearing, Trump is exploiting some Americans skepticism and undercutting officials he will soon rely on. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) ORG XMIT: WX103 Ten accused members of New Orleans' "39'ers" gang sat quietly in a federal courtroom on Tuesday while a jury got its first sampling of the stunningly bloody exploits that prosecutors attribute to them. "A toxic alliance" is how Assistant U.S. Attorney Myles Ranier described the union of two violent drug gangs one from the 3rd Ward, the other from the Upper 9th Ward and the carnage that authorities claim its members unleashed over 19 months ending late in 2011, when New Orleans had the highest per-capita murder rate in the country. The combination of the notorious "3NG" gang and "G-Strip" gang was "responsible for a trail of blood and dead bodies throughout the city of New Orleans," Ranier said during his opening statement in a gang racketeering trial that is expected to run through the month. One after another, Ranier chronicled the defendants' alleged involvement in 14 different murders that he said went "mainly unsolved by the NOPD." In a few cases, witnesses misidentified initial suspects, or police got the wrong man, Ranier said. A handful of admitted gang members who pleaded guilty and turned government witnesses set authorities straight on those and other killings, Ranier told the jury. Those members identified shooters, weapons and motives in a host of killings by a group that sought to lay claim to the heroin trade in both neighborhoods, Ranier said. The star government witness, Gregory "Rabbit" Stewart, has admitted to at least a dozen murders himself and is now serving four life sentences. The time that he and other witnesses hope to shave off their prison terms for cooperating is expected to loom large as the trial moves forward. Stewart has boasted from jail that his cooperation would net him a three-bedroom house in Florida. He also once tried to have marijuana smuggled into jail for him by an unwitting FBI agent; the drugs were hidden inside the soles of a pair of sneakers. In their opening statements Tuesday afternoon, several defense attorneys argued that the government has built its case on the desperate lies of convicted killers mainly Stewart and Darryl "Brother" Franklin, an admitted leader of the clan who is expected to testify early Wednesday. "This case is really the story of Rabbit Gregory Stewart and Darryl Franklin against these 10 men. It's a credibility call. It's a referendum. It's their life. It's what they sold the government," said Kerry Miller, the attorney for accused killer Jasmine "Rell" Perry. "This case involves drug dealers, some of the most violent men to ever walk the streets of New Orleans, who, when they ran out of options ... became rats and decided to frame low-level drug dealers and blame their activity and serious crimes on other men," Miller said. According to the 47-count indictment, each of the 10 defendants joined in at least one in a flurry of retaliatory, or in some cases pre-emptive, strikes against members of rival gangs from the former Desire housing development, the 8th Ward, Press Park and the former Calliope housing complex. Some were wounded themselves in street battles; other 39'ers were killed. The last among the charged murders was a Sept. 14, 2011, group killing of a DEA informant, Michael Marshall, on Poland Avenue. Ranier described it as a contract hit job, done for a few thousand dollars. The most famous of the killings was the Dec. 20, 2010, gun attack that left acclaimed bounce rapper Renatta "Magnolia Shorty" Lowe and Jerome "ManMan" Hampton dead in a hailstorm of more than 50 bullets as they sat in a car in New Orleans East. Hampton was the target in that killing, which stemmed from a post-Katrina shootout in Texas, Ranier said. He said Lowe "had nothing to do with this gang violence. She had a promising music career and went from humble beginnings in the Magnolia project and had a national reputation." Stewart and two others already have pleaded guilty in the double murder. Prosecutors claim the 39'ers often shared guns, to which they attached pet names. One, a .223-caliber assault rifle with a double-drum magazine, was dubbed Monkey Nuts. During the killing of Lowe and Hampton, Stewart fired a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun the gang called "Barack." Another Glock, a 9 mm handgun, was named "Michelle." The 39'ers also made inroads into the rap music scene. Two of their leaders Franklin and since-slain heroin dealer Merle "Black" Offray launched the Dusty Money record label in 2012. Defendant Ashton "Pound" Price, who is accused of participating in five murders with the group, was a rapper for that label. Prosecutors plan to show the jury music video footage to argue that the group broadcast its exploits on YouTube to bolster its violent image. Standing trial along with Perry and Ashton Price are Leroy "Lumps" Price, Alonzo "Woodie" Peters, McCoy "Rat" Walker, Terrioues "T-Red" Owney, Evans "Easy" Lewis, Curtis "Poonie" Neville, Solomon Doyle and Damian "AD" Barnes. Three others previously pleaded guilty in the 39'ers case. All three Rico "Freaky" Jackson, Tyrone "Biscuit" Knockum and Washington "Big Wash" McCaskill are now federal witnesses and are expected to testify. The sprawling case includes more than 320 government exhibits, including a web of ballistics links and wiretaps aimed at tying together an array of killings, shootings and drug crimes across the city. Prosecutors claim the 39'ers ran some of their drug-dealing activity out of Metairie hotel rooms and rented a property in coastal Mississippi as a hideout and to store heroin-dealing profits. But defense attorneys insist that Stewart is the linchpin of a case in which physical evidence such as DNA and fingerprint matches is lacking. Over time, Stewart has given conflicting accounts about some killings, while his claims and boasts from jail have left him ripe for defense ridicule. Miller predicted that the trial will reveal still more murders attributable to Stewart, Franklin and other government witnesses. "We're going to learn about crimes as we go," he said. "We think we'll prove to you that the witnesses on which the government builds this case committed 40 to 50 murders. That's what the witnesses committed." Gaynell Williams, Owney's attorney, argued that the government "relied on bad informants who provided law enforcement agents with bad information. Their code is, 'Don't go to the pen, send a friend.' Their code is, 'Don't do the time, drop a dime.' " Eric Malveau, Leroy Price's attorney, told the jury that by the trial's end, the government's case will be left in shambles. "You're going to need to call someone to come out and demo it," he said. "You're going to need a dumpster, a backhoe, a trailer. Because everything will be left in complete ruin." The casualties were notable but Melbourne are hoping they'll reap the rewards for years to come from a gruelling pre-Christmas training camp. Christian Salem ended up with concussion from an errant fallen brick and Dom Tyson suffered a partial dislocation of his patella tendon as the Demons were put through a series of exercises designed to test them physically and mentally. Nathan Jones says the real benefits of the training camp will be seen further down the track. Credit:AFL Media/Getty Images Melbourne captain Nathan Jones said the playing group were given very little information about the two-day training camp. "That is part of the test getting guys to rock up in the right frame of mind and to attack it as hard as they can," Jones said. By Manogya Loiwal : A farmer in Odisha's Sambhalpur district was beaten to death and then his body was chopped to pieces for failing to repay the loan he had taken from a money lender belonging to Mohammadpur area of the district. 45-year-old Rohit Das had borrowed Rs. 1.25 lakh last year from a local money lender, identified as Virupakshya Panda, for buying seeds and farming equipments. advertisement The incident came to light when Rohit's wife Tapaswini lodged a complaint with the Hirakud police station yesterday. He was supposed to pay off his loan by December once his crop was sold off. This did not happen due to bad weather conditions and a slowdown in the economy post demonetisation. Rohit, who also lived in Mohammadpur, was threatened with dire consequences by Panda if he failed to repay the amount he owed in time. When it comes to money-related matters, Pandya does wield a lot of clout in the area. 45-year-old farmer Rohit Das. Photo: Kushal Singh Rathore. Knowing fully well that his deadline for loan repayment had expired, Rohit was living in fear and had only managed to arrange a few thousand rupees to repay Panda. Rohit went to Panda with the little he had been able to collect, but did not return alive. Panda's men made him run for life and then chopped off his body into pieces to be collected by his family. WIFE RECOUNTS HORROR Recollecting the trauma, Rohit's wife Tapaswini said, "My husband had taken a loan from a money lender named Virupakshya Panda. Due to losses in agriculture and after not receiving adequate help from the government, he was unable to pay back the money lender. Only a day ago, he had threatened my husband. On the fateful day, he left home and did not come back till late in the evening. I stepped out in search of him only to be shocked to see his body cut into pieces and blood flowing into the field. His ears were pulled and eyes gouged out of his face. His legs cut off and thrown away. I unwrapped my saree and gathered all his body parts in it. I have no clue how I will support my family of three children and my mother-in-law. I have no land and money in hand. Initially, I was not allowed to meet the collector of Sambhalpur despite waiting for hours. Later, with the help of a prosecutor, I managed to lodge a complaint with the Hirakud police station. He also helped us receive some cash and grains." advertisement Also read | Demonetisation, farmers' outrage may cost dear to BJP in poll-bound Punjab Local Rajkumar Vikas recounts the horror, "Rohit Das was a farmer and had taken a loan from Virupakshya Panda, a moneylender. Due to crop failure, he could not repay the loan on time, due to which he was threatened by Panda. A day before the incident, he managed to accumulate the required amount and was on his way to see Panda. A few of Panda's goons stopped Rohit on his way, beat him to death and them chopped his body into pieces. His wife was inconsolable. I think it will be great on the part of the government to lend a helping hand to the family. Also, two culprits have been arrested while one is absconding." POLICE'S VERSION Police has begun the manhunt to trace Panda but the moneylender is absconding as of now. Mihir Panda, a senior official at Hirakud police station, confirmed, "Rohit Das had taken a loan as well as a few grains from moneylender Virupakshya Panda. Virupakshya had sent a few of his men to threaten Rohit Das on the day of the murder and they got into an argument. Later, it was learnt that he was murdered while he was on his way to return the money that evening. With the help of his family, we have lodged a complaint. All the culprits have not yet been arrested, but once they are, they will be sent to the court for hearing." advertisement (WITH INPUTS FROM KUSHAL SINGH THAKUR IN SAMBHALPUR) --- ENDS --- ANZ Bank is building up more capital to plough into its core banking businesses through the $NZ660 million ($628 million) sale of its New Zealand asset finance arm to China's HNA Group. In the latest asset sale under chief executive Shayne Elliott, ANZ on Wednesday said it would book a $100 million gain by selling UDC Finance, which provides equipment financing to business customers in the New Zealand market. The HNA deal is expected to deliver a net gain to ANZ of $100 million. Credit:Bloomberg Bell Potter analyst TS Lim said the deal would deliver ANZ the strongest capital position among its rivals, lifting ANZ's capital ratio by 10 basis points to 10.1 per cent. While the business being sold is profitable, it is outside ANZ's core markets where Mr Elliott has vowed to focus the bank more closely: retail, commercial and institutional banking. Beijing's sustained efforts to tackle excess steel production capacity has sent steel and iron ore futures in China upwards for a third day in a row to hit their strongest mark in three weeks. The drive since last year by the world's largest steel producer to reduce surplus capacity helped Chinese steel prices snap a six-year losing streak, and they began 2017 higher as well. A truck leaves the Jiujiang steel and rolling mills in Qianan in northern China's Hebei province. Credit:AP Iron ore meanwhile has piggy-backed on steel's rally, although traders say plentiful stocks of the raw material at China's ports suggest lean demand. Apart from shutting outdated capacities, China will also eliminate by June 30 all production of substandard rebar steel, according to local Chinese media reports. Australia's dodgy oil and gas treaty with East Timor is dead. Now it's time to negotiate fair and permanent maritime boundaries with our tiny neighbour. This week's joint announcement from the governments of Australia and East Timor that the 2006 Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS) Treaty will soon be terminated is a modest, but important first step towards resolving a long and bitter feud. At least 10,000 people gathered outside the Australian embassy in Dili, the capital of East Timor, on Tuesday to protest against Australia's stance on the oil and gas meridian line in the Timor Sea. Credit:Wayne Lovell/Timor Photography Terminating CMATS has the potential to clear away some of the debris that successive Australian governments have generated in their unscrupulous pursuit of Timor's oil and allow the two nations to start afresh on the fundamental problem at the heart of the dispute; where exactly to establish permanent maritime boundaries. However, the odds are that the Timorese still have a long and bumpy road ahead of them given Australia's track record of stalling and derailing similar negotiations in the past. As was the case during Timor's long struggle for independence, fair-minded voices in the Australian community will be needed to maintain pressure on the Australian government and hold it to account. Centrelink will resume posting controversial debt recovery letters to thousands of Australians, as Human Services Minister Alan Tudge has defended efforts to recoup incorrect welfare payments and denied the agency made fundamental errors. Standard procedures saw a halt to initial letters being sent to welfare recipients on December 3 last year, but thousands of Australians have reported receiving debt demands over the Christmas and New Year period, including some for tens of thousands of dollars. Days after returning from leave, Mr Tudge said Centrelink's systems were working "as intended" and indicated only the most minor of changes were anticipated by the government. He dismissed calls from Labor and independent MPs for the system to be shut down because of the ongoing controversy and denied an investigation launched this week by the Commonwealth Ombudsman was an indication anything was wrong. When naming the rooms in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade building, its chiefs had a great idea honour the many distinguished diplomats and public servants who had dedicated their lives to bettering Australia. The building itself was named after Richard Casey, who helped push Australia's exploration of Antarctica, among other notable acts, while rooms were named for the like of Arthur Tange and Gareth Evans, whose service and policy helped cement Australia's place on the world stage. Foreign Affairs minister Julie Bishop welcomes Frances Adamson as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Parliament House in August last year. Credit:Andrew Meares But once they went through the men, they were out of ideas until another suggestion was made name the remaining eight rooms after flowers and native plants. It was a suggestion enthusiastically taken up. But under DFAT's first female secretary, another idea was offered. Politics might be show business for ugly people but new research suggests Australian MPs on the right could be more attractive than those on the left. A new study published in the Journal of Public Economics has found the attractiveness of political candidates correlates with political views, and that in Europe, the United States and Australia it's the conservative politicians who are better looking. Australia's living former prime ministers at the 2014 memorial service for Labor legend Gough Whitlam in Sydney. Credit:Dan Himbrechts Researchers in Germany and Prague found that just as good-looking people are likely to earn more and those with higher incomes typically oppose redistributive government policies, voters use beauty as a cue for conservatism in low-information elections. Using new research and a 2009 paper by federal Labor MP Andrew Leigh and Australian National University senior lecturer Amy King, the study suggests explanations for the hot or not trend, including that good looking people receive better treatment than other people in society and therefore see the world as more just. Colleagues of embattled Health Minister Sussan Ley say her position has become "completely untenable" and do not expect her to resume her place in cabinet despite her insistence she will soon return to her ministerial duties. Ms Ley has been hit by a stream of revelations about her use of taxpayer-funded entitlements including her purchase of an $800,000 investment property on a taxpayer-funded trip to the Gold Coast and her frequent use of expensive charter flights to travel on busy capital city routes. At a media conference on Monday, Ms Ley, who has been stood down from the ministry pending an investigation by the head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, said she was confident she would quickly resume her place in cabinet. But fellow Liberal MPs, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Fairfax Media the overwhelming view within the party was that Ms Ley's ministerial career was over. Twitter is absolutely beside itself after news broke of an intel report claiming Donald Trump has engaged in multiple "compromising" and "salacious" sexual acts the most explosive of which sparked the hashtag #GoldenShowers which is now trending worldwide. The report has apparently been circulating among politicians, intelligence officers and journalists for weeks, according to BuzzFeed, who published the dossier in full this morning despite admitting "the allegations are unverified, and the report contains errors". No one wants to play at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. Credit:AP Among its unsubstantiated claims is one that Trump hired a group of sex workers to perform "golden showers" in the presidential suite at the Moscow Ritz Carlton where he knew President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle had stayed. For the uninitiated, a "golden shower" is the act of urinating on another person for sexual gratification. In this case, the allegation is that the sex workers urinated over the bed the Obamas had slept on, while Trump watched. A secret search for the remains of Matthew Leveson in dense bushland south of Sydney has failed to unearth any trace of him. The 20-year-old disappeared 10 years ago. Mark and Faye Leveson were told of the search plans in December. Credit:Jessica Hromas Homicide squad detectives launched a renewed bid to find Mr Leveson's remains in the Royal National Park on Monday, almost two months after a large-scale search was called off. The most recent search site was about half a kilometre from where police had dug in November. The mystery over Om Puri's death continues. The legendary actor passed away at the age of 66 on January 6. By Mustafa Shaikh: Mystery over what happened in wee hours of Friday when actor Om Puri passed away at his Versova flat remains a mystery. On one hand, police is awaiting forensic and histopathology report to find the exact cause of death and recording statement of people close to Puri. But mobile phone which remains a critical part of any investigation is not with Oshiwara police. advertisement ALSO READ: Om Puri was intoxicated and wanted to meet son before death, investigation reveals ALSO READ: Mumbai Police registers Accidental Death Report for Om Puri's death An officer from Oshiwara police said that Om Puri's phone is with his estranged wife Nandita. "The family is completing rituals. We don't think it's right to disturb them at this stage. We will take the phone at a more appropriate time," he said. As per the statements recorded by the police, they wanted to check recorded calls in Puri's phone. They also want to check whether the actor had a chance to call somebody when he suffered 'cardiac arrest'. Details of Om Puri's post mortem Dead tissues have to be present in cases of cardiac arrest which was not there in case of actor Om Puri hence cause of death has not been given in his case. The doctors then examined the liver and other body parts. The head injury which may have been caused due to the fall was around 1.5x 1 cm. Forensic doctor has sent the samples for chemical analysis at Kalina Lab and JJ hospital for histopathology. Dean of JJ Hospital, TP Lahane confirmed that they have received the samples of heart to find out whether reason of Puri's death was due to cardiac arrest. Puri's family doctor was also present during the post mortem at Cooper Hospital on Saturday and he confirmed history of heart ailment. Forensic doctors also observed that liver had shrinked which is a sign of chronic alcoholism which can aggravate chances of cardiac arrest. Physical signs like nails and lips turning blue in cases of heart attack were also present. To get the exact reason for death opinion has been kept pending till reports come in. --- ENDS --- Daylight saving is a fantastic initiative, Queensland's Acting Premier Jackie Trad says. Ms Trad's remarks come after the almost-annual debate was reignited this week with an online survey showing about 84 per cent of people would support a daylight saving trial in Queensland. A referendum on whether Queensland should introduce daylight saving was defeated at a 1992 referendum after a three-year trial. Credit:Ozgur Coskun Several Queensland councils have thrown their support behind the idea, with Brisbane deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner jumping on board, tweeting: "Time to revisit this important lifestyle issue." Cr Schrinner also tweeted: "This state gov has ordered 145 reviewed. How about a review into Daylight Saving? One more won't hurt. #ItsTime #daylightsaving". Air crash investigators have been sent to the Middle Island crash site where a British woman died and two remain in critical condition after an aircraft from tour company 1770 Castaway crashed on Tuesday. Three passengers and local pilot Les Woodall were flying to the remote island from Agnes Water when the Cessna 172 crashed into a beach on the eastern side of the island about 10.45am. The crash killed a 29-year-old woman from the United Kingdom and critically injured a 21-year-old Irish woman who is studying at Monash University in Melbourne, and the aircraft's pilot, Mr Woodall. A 13-year-old boy suffered minor injuries. Two children who were reported missing from Ipswich last week have been found safe and well. The two boys, aged five and six, and a man were found at Goodna on Thursday morning. The two boys and the man may be in a vehicle similar to the one pictured. Credit:Lindholm.NicolasP[CCC] Earlier Police are searching for two children reported missing from Ipswich since last Thursday. The boys, aged five and six, were last seen at a home on Wright Street at Redbank Plains and are believed to be in the company of a man, 32, who police believe may be driving a silver 1998 Ford Laser. The pair may be in Bundaberg where their home is, according to police. The boys are described as Caucasian in appearance with red hair. The man is described as Caucasian with a slim build and short blonde hair. Police are concerned for their welfare due to their age. Meet Salvatore, the more than 200 kilogram Australian fur seal who appears to have taken up permanent residence in Melbourne's Yarra River. There have been 16 reports of a seal in the river so far this year, according to Wildlife Victoria, the latest on Wednesday afternoon when Richmond woman Heather Chai was walking her baby along the Yarra Trail near Bridge Road at lunchtime. "At first I didn't believe it when a man said 'there's a seal in the river'," Ms Chai says. "But sure enough, up he popped. You should have seen the amazement on people's faces." Salvatore has distinct marks on his neck and is so named because he likes to frolic near the Salvation Army building in Richmond, entertaining kayakers and joggers by tearing apart fish and diving around in the murky water. Metro Trains Melbourne has been charged with breaching its rail safety obligations over the death of an 18-year old man who fell between a moving train and a platform in 2014. The state's rail safety watchdog, Transport Safety Victoria, announced on Wednesday that it had charged Metro over two serious safety breaches; failing to keep its rail infrastructure in a safe condition and failing to ensure the safety of its trains. Mitchell Callaghan, 18, died after he fell between a moving train and platform at Heyington station in 2014. Metro faces millions of dollars in fines if found guilty of the charges, which will be heard in court. The charges stem from an incident on February 22, 2014, in which 18-year-old Mitchell Callaghan tried to board a city-bound train at Heyington station in Toorak, on the Glen Waverley line. A fire swept through a group of factories in Melbourne's west overnight, destroying a jumping castle hire company and causing damage to at least two other businesses. It took 50 firefighters and 16 appliances to battle the blaze, which damaged a complex of factories in Hoppers Crossing. A fire destroyed this bouncy castle business in Hoppers Crossing in January. Speaking to Fairfax Media early on Thursday morning, Michael Andrew, the owner of A&A Jumping Castles, said he had not yet been made aware of the extent of the damage to his business. "I may have just lost my livelihood," he said. Tigerair has grounded a number of its Bali flights, after changes in Indonesian flight regulation have left a number of passengers attempting to return to Perth stranded in Bali on Wednesday morning. Flight TT24 was set to depart Denpasar at 1.30pm and arrive in Perth at 5.15pm, and the cancellation has consequently grounded up to 170 passengers. Tigerair, which begins flights between Canberra and Brisbane on Thursday. Credit:Jon Hewson Tigerair said the flight was cancelled following a decision by the Indonesian government to impose new administrative requirements on flights between Bali and Australia. "Tigerair is working with the relevant Indonesian authorities to meet the new requirements and is hopeful of having flights up and running again as soon as possible," a spokesperson said. Police have charged a man with murder after a 20-year-old was reportedly stabbed to death in the Perth CBD. Major crime squad detectives are investigating the death of Piri Phillips, whose body was found outside a church near the Wesley Quarter on William Street at around 6.20pm on Tuesday. Friends of Mr Phillips say they tried desperately to save his life after the incident. A 37-year-old Nollamara man has been charged with murder and assault after allegedly resisting arrest. Donald Trump asked Robert Kennedy jnr, a proponent of a widely discredited theory that vaccines cause autism, to chair a new commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity, according to Kennedy. The stunning move would contradict established science, medicine and the government's position on the issue. It comes after Trump - who has long been critical of vaccines - met at Trump Tower with Kennedy, who has spearheaded efforts to roll back child vaccination laws. Trump transition officials did not respond to requests for comment on the commission. Speaking to reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York, on Tuesday, Kennedy said that Trump called him to request the meeting, and he accepted the position on the new commission. It is unclear exactly what role the commission would play. Charleston: A federal grand jury has sentenced Dylann Roof to death for killing nine black parishioners during a massacre inside a church in 2015. Roof was convicted last month of 33 counts of federal hate crimes. The same jury that found him guilty on all counts last month deliberated for just under three hours before deciding his sentence. Earlier, Roof, 22, had stood before the jury and delivered a halting and cryptic closing argument suggesting that the prosecution "hates me" and that his murders of nine parishioners at a Bible study meeting in 2015 was not motivated by hatred of black people. "Anyone that thinks I'm filled with hatred has no idea what real hatred is," said Roof, a self-described white supremacist who has said he hoped his high-profile killings would incite a race war in America. "They don't know anything about me. They don't know what real hatred looks like. They think they do, but they don't." Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the famous Hindu site - Katas Raj temple - in Chakwal district and ordered its renovation. By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today visited the Katas Raj temple complex, a sacred Hindu site in the country's Chakwal district, and ordered its renovation. Sharif later claimed his country will soon be recognised as a "minorities-friendly" country. Pakistan has about 2.5 million Hindus. Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif took to Twitter to claim her father was the first Pakistani leader to visit the site. advertisement "PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif 1st leader to have visited & inaugurated refurbishment, renovation works at Katas Raj Temple," she tweeted. WATCH: Pakistan's ugly conduct with minorities: Hindu girls abducted, threatened and forcibly converted ALSO READ: Pakistan Assembly passes landmark bill, allows Hindus to register their marriages Another case of forced conversion in Pakistan, this time married Hindu girl forcibly remarried by jirga --- ENDS --- President-elect Donald Trump, accompanied by family members, waits to be introduced for the news conference. Credit:AP What have we got here? We have reports on an explosive document that has been floating around Washington for the best part of a year - but which was first alluded to in print only in the weeks before the November election, by Mother Jones magazine, and which has been published in its entirety only this week, and only by BuzzFeed. Vladimir Putin's people have denied they were spying on Trump. Credit:AP A report from Moscow - Vladimir Putin's guys deny they were spying on Trump, claiming that the dossier on their efforts to compromise Trump as far back as 2013 and its contents are "pulp fiction". To which a reasonable man could respond, "Well they would say that." And reports from New York - Trump denies it all too. To which a reasonable man again could respond, "Well he would say that." President-elect Donald Trump with Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Credit:AP And a long report by Molly McKew in Politico magazine last week, in which this one-time adviser to the governments of Georgia and Moldova, attempts to put the minutiae of Moscow's messing with the West, and especially the back-and-forth about the Democrats' emails being hacked and, now, the Moscow fling that Trump did or didn't have, into an over-arching, geopolitical narrative. McKew's thesis, contained in two paragraphs, is worth considering: "Even this week, as Barack Obama tries to confront Russia's open and unprecedented interference in our political process [by hacking the Democratic Party's computers], the outgoing White House is so far responding to 21st century hybrid information warfare with last century's diplomatic toolkit: the expulsion of spies, targeted sanctions, potential asset seizure. The incoming [Trump] administration, while promising a new approach, has betrayed a similar lack of vision. Their promised attempt at another 'reset' with Russia is a rehash of a policy that has utterly failed the past two American administrations. Rex Tillerson put Russia and China back on the global fear map. Credit:Bloomberg "What both administrations fail to realise is that the West is already at war, whether it wants to be or not. It may not be a war we recognise, but it is a war. This war seeks, at home and abroad, to erode our values, our democracy, and our institutional strength; to dilute our ability to sort fact from fiction, or moral right from wrong; and to convince us to make decisions against our own best interests." Seen in that light, is there an argument that the unfolding, Hollywood-esque scenario of hacked Democratic emails and the political and personal embarrassment of an incoming Republican president all are a part of a Putin plot to delegitimise American democracy? It's not as though Putin was going to hold a press conference to announce that his intelligence agents had been poking around in the Democrats' emails and, look at this, would you believe what Jon Podesta was saying about Hillary Clinton? Or that in the interests of American democracy, he thought it was important that his guys keep the cameras running 24/7 while Trump was in Moscow and, "Here you go, here's the video of his antics at the Ritz-Carlton!" No. It's far more plausible and destructive for all this material, on the Democrats and on Trump, to arrive in the public domain as it has - through WikiLeaks in the case of the Democrats, and through the US intelligence agencies and/or reporters in the case of Trump, as witting or unwitting puppets of Putin. That's not to say that this is what has happened - but certainly, it's a plausible reading of events. Equally plausible, and not mutually exclusive, is that Trump and the US intelligence services are being gamed into an impossible relationship on the eve of him taking over the White House. Throughout a gruelling election campaign Trump frequently rebuked and ridiculed the intelligence services over the Iraq War and the non-existent WMD, and more recently over their finding that the Russian hacking of the Democrats and the release through WikiLeaks of bundles of sensitive and damaging emails was a deliberate bid to help his campaign. Obviously, there was going to be payback, which might just have been the intelligence chief's decision to include a summary of the dossier in their briefing to Trump - on which Obama and eight Congressional chief were CC-ed. And given Trump's accusation that the intelligence services had leaked the dossier, there might even be more payback. The President-elect's unsubstantiated charge against the agencies ignored the fact that news of and versions of the dossier have been floating in media and political circles since early 2016. Trump's over-weaning bromance with Putin and Moscow makes him a sitting duck for this kind of play - as early as 1987 he was urging a US-Soviet alliance against France and Pakistan; his campaign questioning of NATO's relevance was music to Moscow's ears, as was his praise for Moscow's intervention in Syria and as is his continuing refusal to criticise Putin or Moscow. Similarly, replete as the public record is with so many accounts of Trump cutting corners and scarpering with other people's money, if Moscow was looking around for a sitting duck, how could it pass Trump as a target? And for all that, a possible breach of the bromance was evident during Wednesday's press conference, when Trump conceded, after denying and deflecting for months, that Moscow might have been responsible for the Democratic hacking. "I think it was Russia," he told the reporters. But then he did what his opponents will do with accounts of the Moscow dossier - he implicitly defended the hacking because of the political value, as he saw it, of the Democratic emails leaked after the hacking. But there was still that yearning to hold hands and play. "if Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," he said. "I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin - I hope so, but there's a good chance that I won't." Perhaps Trump has been talking to his secretary of state designate Rex Tillerson, the former chief executive of ExxonMobil, who was being grilled at a Senate confirmation hearing at the same time as Trump was being grilled by the press. Explaining that Putin wanted to rebuild Russia's global prestige, he told the senators that the Moscow mindset was "Russia is here, Russia matters and Russia is a force to be dealt with". Revealing a bit more steel than Trump, Tillerson said that Russia had to be asked, "Do you want this to get worse, or does Russia desire a different relationship?" Observing the clash in values between the US and Russia, he concluded: "We're not likely ever to be friends." But describing Russia as possibly an "unfriendly adversary" as opposed to an across-the-board "enemy", Tillerson said: "With Russia, engagement is necessary in order to define what is that relationship going to be. There is scope to define a different relationship that can bring down the temperature around the conflicts we have today." Loading Trump, who in the months between Wednesday's press conference and his last such outing had fired off about 1600 tweets, was belting them out through Wednesday morning - one of which included: "intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" A woman in Switzerland has been refused citizenship, and therefore a passport, because her "annoying" vegan campaigning has rubbed her neighbours up the wrong way. Nancy Holten, 42, is a vegan and an animal rights activist who was born in the Netherlands, but has lived in Switzerland since she was eight. She is fluent in Swiss German and her children are Swiss citizens. Nancy Holten has twice been rejected for Swiss citizenship because her neighbours don't like her. Credit:Twitter @NancyHolten Ms Holten has twice tried - and failed - to get a Swiss passport, because other residents in the community of Gipf-Oberfrick, in the canton of Aargau, don't like her outspokenness on animal rights issues. In Switzerland, locals often get a say in citizenship applications, and Holten's neighbours have given her a thumbs down, Swiss news website The Local reported. PHILADELPHIAAxalta Coating Systems , a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, donated a 20-ton container of liquid coatings to help rebuild homes in Haitian villages devastated by Hurricane Matthew. The shipment, which is equivalent to 3,602 gallons of paint and valued at $33,000, arrived in Haiti this week, and was received by Maxima S.A., a Haiti-based woodworking company. The donation will cover more than 1.4 million square feet of surface area. Haiti is one of the most vulnerable nations in the world in the face of natural disasters, including most recently Hurricane Matthew, which has left families and whole communities devastated, said Michael Cash, Axalta Senior Vice President and President of the companys industrial coatings business. We are very fortunate that the products we make every day can, in some small way, help the families and communities in Haiti recover. We are thankful that our donation will help the country continue to rebuild, and we are grateful that FAMIS, one of our longest standing customers, shares this same energy to help our neighbors in Haiti. Maxima S.A. delivers starter homes to rural Haitian families suffering from natural disasters including the 2010 earthquake and now those affected by the recent damage from Hurricane Matthew. A single housing kit covers 250 square feet, is hurricane-certified to withstand 108 mph winds, and has been tested and approved in Haiti. The coatings donation from Axalta will be used to cover the exterior of 5,600 Maxima starter homes. Were so grateful for the donation from Axalta of liquid coatings for our starter homes, said Stefan Vervloet, President of Maxima S.A. Haitians are eager to rebuild, and were happy to partner with an organization that can help bring healing to a community recovering from Hurricane Matthew. The 20-foot container of coatings was coordinated and shipped from Miami, Fla. by FAMIS, Inc., the foremost industrial finishing supply distributor throughout the southeast. There was no question about helping with this project. We said ?yes before we even had all of the details; thats how much we believe in Axalta and the philanthropic work they do, said Mario R. Hernandez, Vice President of FAMIS, Inc. Our family-owned company was happy to help Axalta, Maxima, and the Haitian people, he said. Various colors of solvent-based anti-corrosive and decorative coatings, water-based decorative paint, water-based sealer and fast dry alkyd paint were shipped to help the reconstruction of Haitian villages. Axalta is committed to helping sustain communities through partnerships and initiatives that connect to the nature of its business as a technology-based manufacturing company. In addition to three key areas of support (education with a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM focus, sustainability initiatives, and community service where employees and customers live and work), Axalta also partners with companies and institutions that share an interest in safety and health, environmental stewardship, and quality products and services. For more information on Axaltas commitment to corporate social responsibility please visit Axalta.com/socialresponsibility. To learn more about Axaltas approach to sustainability, please read our Sustainability Report 2014-2015 at Axaltacs.com/axaltasustainability. To learn more about Maxima S.A.s Haiti Housing Fund visit: http://www.maximahaiti.com. About Axalta Coating Systems Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer. With 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the approximately 12,800 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axaltacoatingsystems.com and follow us @Axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn. Contacts Axalta Coating Systems Regina M. Tracy, D +1 215-255-4371 Regina.M.Tracy@axaltacs.com axaltacoatingsystems.com if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi... By Press Trust of India: Photo: PTI1_11_2017_000063B PTI1_11_2017_000036B Panaji, Jan 11 (PTI) As he visited the land of his ancestors, Portugese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was today accorded a warm welcome in Goa, with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar terming it as a "proud" moment for the people of the state. Costa, who has roots in Goa that remained under Portugese rule for nearly 450 years, today held talks with the Chief Minister focusing on ties in tourism, science, oceanography, language and heritage. advertisement 55-year-old Costa will be visiting his ancestral home in Margoa during his stay two-day in the coastal state. "We had a discussion with Portugals Prime Minister on various issues ranging from heritage, tourism, science, oceanography, Portuguese language and others. We want to cement ties with Portugal in these areas," Parsekar told reporters after his half-an-hour meeting with Costa. Deputy Chief Minister Francis DSouza said that a welcome programme planned on Costas arrival was withdrawn at the Portugal governments request as the people there are mourning the death of former President Mario Soares, the founder of democracy in that country. "The Prime Minister has invited me to Portugal after the elections, so that we can have a detailed discussion," Parsekar said. He said Goa has age-old ties with the European nation. "Of course after liberation (from Portuguse rule in 1961), in the last 55 years we have been doing well, but Common Civil Code is gift to this state by Portugal," he said. The CM also said Portugal also stood with the country in its fight against terrorism. "During the Uri militant attack, Portugal was leading the countries that supported India in its fight against terrorism. It is a global challenge to identify terrorist spots and their financiers and eliminate them. Portugal is with India in this fight," he said. Asked about the demand of some local political outfits that Costa apologise for Portugal colonising Goa for nearly five centuries, Parsekar said, "Goans should feel proud that a person of Goan origin is heading the entire Portugal today." "I dont like to create controversy, particularly when the election is around. "In fact, this gentleman (Costa) shows and discloses proudly that his origin is in Goa. In that sense I feel we Goans should feel proud. It is a matter of pride for all of us," he added. PTI RPS ARS GK NM RT --- ENDS --- A shoe was hurled at Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today during a janta darbar meeting in Bathinda. By India Today Web Desk: A shoe was hurled at Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today during a janta darbar meeting in Bathinda. This is the second time when shoe has been hurled at the Akali Dal chief. In 2014, he was attacked at function in Isru in Khanna district. Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal while condemning the shoe attack on his father said it was carried out by "forces who want to turn Punjab into Kashmir." advertisement "The despicable act against India's senior most leader PS Badal has been perpetrated by forces who want to turn Punjab into Kashmir. It is for people to judge who is behind this act. It is those same people who have earlier also tried to disturb peace in Punjab," Badal said in a series of tweets. "I condemn this heinous act and ask my opponents to fight the political fight and not try to incite violence in the state," he added. SHOE-ATTACK ON KEJRIWAL Earlier this month, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced a shoe attack while addressing a public meeting against demonetisation at Rohtak, Haryana. The shoe, however, missed its target and the youth was nabbed. The shoe was hurled towards Kejriwal when attacked the Prime Minister over the demonetisation decision, terming it as a "scam". Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in direct fight with the ruling combine of Badal's Akali Dal and BJP. According to India Today-Axis Opinion Poll, the AAP is likely to emerge as the second largest party in the state by winning an impressive 36-41 seats (29 per cent vote share). The Akali Dal-BJP combine is expected to face a massive decade-long anti-incumbency by being reduced to just 18-22 seats. The India Today-Axis Opinion Poll has given the Congress 56-62 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly. ALSO READ: Shoe hurled at Arvind Kejriwal in Rohtak; Delhi CM blames PM Modi India Today-Axis Opinion Poll on Punjab: Congress to make stunning comeback, AAP second largest party --- ENDS --- Elon Musk goes to Twitter, will he be a millionaire after the purchase? 4:38 (CNN) -- Elon Musk will begin announcing the layoffs of Twitter employees on Friday, according to a memo sent to all employees. An email sent Thursday As news broke of an unverified document detailing supposed Russian dirt on President-elect Donald Trumpincluding sordid allegations involving urine and prostitutes in Russiausers on the subreddit r/The_Donald and 4chans /pol/ forum took a victory lap. Not because they found the story funny, but because they claim they planted it as a fake. Proof that its all an elaborate 4chan ruse, however, is thin. Reddits r/The_Donald users pointed to an anonymous 4chan post from Nov. 1, exactly one week before the election, that Redditors say proves /pol/ really invented this rumor involving Trumps alleged business and personal ties to Russia. So they took what I told Rick Wilson and added a Russian spy angle to it. They still believe it. Guys, theyre truly fucking desperatetheres no remaining Trump scandal thats credible, the anonymous post from Nov. 1 reads. Wilson is a Republican operative who managed Evan McMullins independent campaign and has been an outspoken critic of Trump. There are no details in the post, which is archived here, about what was allegedly told to Wilsonsimply that the user purportedly gave him fake information. It also doesnt explain how this would have gotten to intelligence agencies. Wilsons access to a shocking Donald Trump story had been flaunted by himself and others many weeks before the 4chan post. Wilson himself had been publicly pronouncing that a bombshell involving Trump was set for imminent release a month before the election, even going so far as to say that it could end the race. The report made public Tuesday, which was reported to have been shared privately with both Trump and President Obama, was not a well-kept secret in media and political circles in the run-up to the election, making it possible to leak to 4chan, where users post anonymously. Wilson dismissed all of r/The_Donald and 4chans claims in a tweet Tuesday night. Youre wrong if you believe 1. What we had came from /pol 2. That I was Buzzfeeds source. Try again, boys, he wrote. The information was out there looooong before the 4chan posts, he replied to another user. Reached by phone earlier in the evening, Wilson told The Daily Beast that the Russian allegations were making the rounds before anyone talked about it publicly. He said that they were being discussed as early as a year and a half ago. Trump always knew it was out there, Wilson said. He thought he could bullshit his way through it. This stuff is real and its bad. Its going to be something that weighs on him, he added. For what its worth, Wilson has been the object of ire and ridicule on 4chan before, particularly after an MSNBC appearance in which he referred to some Trump supporters as childless single men who masturbate to anime. So it is conceivable 4chans story was invented to seek further retribution. The intelligence-community documents had reportedly been shopped to several news outlets in the months leading up to the election, and were alluded to in a Mother Jones article the day before the 4chan post. The New York Times reported Tuesday night that details of the reports were swirling in the fall of 2016. Then last week, the heads of Americas intelligence agencies were said to have provided a summary of the unverified reports to both President Obama and President-elect Trump. No one has been able to confirm the veracity of the information contained within the documents. Reacting to published reports on Tuesday night, Trump tweeted in all-caps: FAKE NEWSA TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Trump fans seemed to agree. The top post on r/The_Donald, the largest pro-Trump community on the internet, links to a screenshot of a 4chan post that claims /pol/acks (/pol/ users) mailed fanfiction to anti-trump pundit rick wilson about trump making people piss on a bed Obama slept in and that the cia has concluded that the russians plan to blackmail Trump with this story we made up. The memos, which were presented after intelligence agencies asserted that Russia was involved in various hacking campaigns during the presidential election, purport that the Russian government has been seeking ways to influence Trump for many years, including with real-estate deals. Trump did not complete major deals in the country despite discussing them. According to American officials cited by The New York Times, the former British intelligence officer who was allegedly responsible for gathering the material was considered a reliable source with experience in Russia. Theres nothing they cant push him to do, Wilson told The Daily Beast when it comes to Russia and Trump. By Mausami Singh: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Setting sights on General Elections in 2019, Rahul Gandhi said, "achche din will come when Congress comes to power again". Targeting the government over its decision to demonetise high-value currency, Rahul Gandhi said, "Today they (BJP) have weakened every institution. For the first time in the history, the Prime Minister of India is being ridiculed," Gandhi said. advertisement The Congress vice president today inaugurated the party's national convention--Jan Vedna Sammelan--at New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium. Party workers and state leaders across the country are participating in this convention billed as a major show of strength by the Congress. ALSO READ: India's economic growth took a hit in 2016 due to demonetisation, says World Bank Here is all that he said: "They have broken the financial backbone of the country," Rahul Gandhi said, adding that sales in automobiles sector has dropped by 60 per cent. "PM Modi must ask why has the demand for MGNREGA suddenly surged and why are people migrating to villages instead of cities, he said, adding that the PM must spend time with the poor. On the government's constant clash with judiciary, Rahul Gandhi said, "When a judge sits he represents the spirit of the people of the country". Attacking the government over reducing the sanctity of institutions, the Congress leader said, "BJP has done in two-and-a-half years what Congress never did in 70 years". Taking a dig at the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi said, "In the last two-and-a-half years, Modi ji made everyone hold a broom. After three-four days, he forgot about it". Calling PM's several schemes as mere gimmicks and "drama", the Congress vice president said, "Narendra Modi has understood that he cannot hide behind yoga, Skill India and Make in India". He said Modi and the BJP have the habit of asking what successive Congress governments did in 70 years since Independence. "People of this country know what Congress did. Congress workers and leaders have given their blood and sweat for the country," Rahul Gandhi said. "Friends in media can't show what they want... now they can't speak openly as they say they are scared," Gandhi said. ALSO READ: Demonetisation is Modi's Napoleon moment: Amartya Sen to India Today Demonetisation atrociously planned, little evidence it combatted black money: New York Times ALSO WATCH : Rahul Gandhi takes digs at PM Narendra Modi in Congress Convention --- ENDS --- When ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday, all of the Republican senators and one of the Democrats considering his nomination as secretary of State will have something in commonthey have received generous campaign contributions from ExxonMobils Political Action Committee since Tillerson took over as CEO. According to campaign finance reports, the ExxonMobil PAC made multiple donations to all of the GOP senators on the committee, totaling between $11,000 and $23,000 each since 2006. The most money went to Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA), who each received $23,000 for their political campaigns. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rob Portman (R-OH) received $20,000 each over the same period. The PAC gave $17,000 to Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), and $15,000 each to Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Jim Risch (R-ID). Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) received $11,5000, while newly-elected Sen. Todd Youngs (R-IN) campaign brought in $14,500. The lone Democrat on the committee to get a PAC contribution was Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico, who received a one-time $2,500 donation in 2013. The donations to members of the Foreign Relations Committee were among hundreds of contributions the PAC made to dozens of federal lawmakers over the course of Tillersons leadership. He himself gave the companys PAC a total of $50,000 as CEO. Above and beyond Tillersons contributions to the companys PAC, he spread another roughly $500,000 in personal contributions to a network of Republican committees, parties, and individual candidates, including more than $170,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, more than $90,000 to the Republican National Committee, and contributions to the campaigns of House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Long a familiar face in Republican circles, Tillerson was a surprise pick for Trump to become his nominee for secretary of State. Although he has no formal diplomatic or government experience, he has led ExxonMobil, the worlds largest publicly traded oil and gas company, as it expanded its complex operations into new regions around the globe. When he appears before the Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday, he is expected to be grilled on his role leading the company as it did business overseas. In some cases, that business included working through a subsidiary to operate in Iran, Syria, and Sudan, three countries considered by the U.S. government to be state sponsors of terror. Tillerson will likely explain those and other actions that ExxonMobil took internationally with him at the helm. While Tillersons and ExxonMobils financial support for senators who will vote on his nomination is significant, it not unique among the wealthy nominees who sometimes populate presidential administrations, including Trumps. The Washington Post reported this week that Betsy DeVos, Trumps Education secretary nominee, and her family members have donated more than $250,000 to five Republican members of the Committee on Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, which will review her nomination later this month. But Sen. Bob Menendez, a senior Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee who has not received donations from ExxonMobil, said he trusts his colleagues to vote on the merits of Tillersons nomination. I respect their integrity that regardless of having gotten donations, they can very well vote against that nominee if they feel that nominee doesnt rise to the level they should live up to to get their vote, Menendez told The Daily Beast. Ive received donations in the past and voted against the very interests of those entities, so Im not going to believe that they are incapable of doing that. Rubio insisted the donations wont affect his consideration of Tillersons nominations. When people contribute to my campaign, they support my agenda, Rubio said. I appreciate it when anyone agrees with my agenda, but as Ive said, I have serious concerns about Mr. Tillersons nomination. I will do my part to ensure he receives a full and fair but also thorough hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The 11 other senators on the committee who received donations either declined to comment or did not return a request for comment. Retired U.S. Marine Corps general John Kelly, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security, promised on his nomination questionnaire to speak truth to power. And at his Jan. 10 confirmation hearing with the U.S. Senates Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, Kelly did just that. The 66-year-old Bostonian, who served in the Marines for 42 years before retiring in 2016, broke sharply with Trump on torture, the Russian election hack, and the president-elects vow to build a wall on the southern U.S. border. Trump aside, Kellys hearing was something of a love-fest, with senators from both parties praising him for his military service and integrity, and thanking him for responding promptly to the committees questionnaire andin contrast to some other Trump nomineescompleting his ethics disclosures prior to his hearing. If confirmed, Kelly will head a department that includes the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The department employs more than 200,000 federal workers. The question-and-answer repeatedly took a turn toward defiance to the coming Trump administrationperhaps unsurprisingly, considering Sen. John McCains prominence on the homeland security committee. McCain, an Arizona Republican, has butted heads with Trump over torture, the wall, and Russia. But it was Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, the ranking Democrat on the committee, who first hinted at Kellys opposition to some of Trumps most authoritarian positions. In her opening remarks, McCaskill quoted Kellys questionnairespecifically, Kellys pledge to speak truth to power as a member of Trumps Cabinet. That was music to my ears, McCaskill said. Taking the mic, McCain asked Kelly if he intended to follow the 1994 U.S. law barring American government agents from engaging in torturea law the CIA and military violated under President George W. Bush. Trump said he would seek to broaden anti-torture laws to allow waterboarding and other torture techniques that U.S. agents practiced during the Bush years. Kelly said he opposes that plan. I dont think we should ever come close to crossing a line we Americans expect to follow in terms of interrogation techniques. So basically, the Geneva Conventions? McCain asked. Absolutely, sir, Kelly responded. McCain brought up Trumps plan to build a 2,000-mile wall across the southern United States in order to keep out migrants including Mexicans, many of whom Trump characterized as criminals, drug dealers, rapists. The wall could cost nearly $40 billion, according to external estimates. Trump had originally insisted that Mexico would cover the cost but is now working with Republicans in Congress to begin building the wall with U.S. funds. Its my experience we need to have barriers, McCain said, but building a wall is not the way to prevent the flow of drugs or people illegally across the border. Kelly said he agreed. A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job. It has to be layered defense. If you build a wall from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico, you still have to back that up with human beings, sensors. Invoking his tenure as the head of the U.S. militarys Southern Command from 2012 to 2016, Kelly called for Homeland Security to work alongside foreign governments to stop people and drugs from illegally entering the United States. I believe the defense of the southwest border begins about 1,500 miles south partnering with great countries as far south as Peru. To include Mexico, Kelly added, in an apparent subtle dig at Trump. Kelly also stood opposite Trump on the still-developing Russian hacking scandal. The U.S. intelligence community, including the FBI and CIA, says it detected extensive efforts by Russian agents to influence the U.S. presidential election. The agencies claim that Russian operatives hacked computer serversmostly belonging to Democratsand leaked information, often via WikiLeaks, in order to create an impression of scandal that most experts agree damaged Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. Trump initially dismissed the hacking allegations. More recently, he insisted that Russian information warfare had absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election. Compare Trumps stance to Kellys. When McCaskill asked the nominee if he agreed with the intelligence communitys assessment of Russias hacks, Kelly replied simply. With high confidence. If Kelly is confirmedwhich is likelyand he acts consistently with his stated positions, the Department of Homeland Security could find itself at odds with its own chief executive on many of Trumps signature issues. Kelly didnt seem too worried. Referring again to his speaking truth to power comment, Kelly said he considers principled opposition to authority to be easy. Its a moral responsibility, he said. Two months before Election Day, Donald Trump told Jimmy Fallon of Russian President Vladimir Putin , I dont know him, and I know nothing about him, really. Now that U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that Putin personally waged a cyber campaign to get Trump elected , the president-elect has changed his tune. I always knew he was very smart! Trump tweeted of his new comrade V. Putin, praising the Russian leaders great move to delay expelling U.S. diplomats from Russia in response to new sanctions by President Obama. But if Trumps man crush on Putin seemed to come as a surprise, one need only look back at this prescient segment from Jon Stewart on The Daily Show to see the origin of a certain type of Republicans drift away from Cold War hysteria and towards a full-on embrace of Russias strongman leader. Much of the world now sees Putin for what he is, a semi-delusional autocrat who views the dissolution of the Soviet Union as one of the greatest tragedies of the late 20th century and has confused his own geopolitical propaganda for reality, Stewart said in March of 2014, shortly after Russia seized control of Crimea and more than a year before Trump announced his presidential run. I mean, who would be fooled by this guys bullshit? From there, Stewart highlighted comments from Bill OReilly, Rudy Giuliani, Eric Bolling, Sarah Palin and others, who heaped praise on Putins impulsive leadership style. Thats not what you call a leader! the host said. Makes a quick decision and everyone reacts? Thats what you call a toddler. He could have been talking about Trump. Those same conservative pundits compared Putins image as a tiger-wrestling oil titan to a caricature of the mom jeans-wearing President Obama. Sean Hannity infamously contrasted that muscular image of Putin to one of Obama riding a bicycle and wearing a helmet. But as Stewart helpfully pointed out, those shirtless photos of Putin riding horses are merely propaganda. The former Daily Show host took his point even further by asking conservatives, How would you feel if Obama did act a bit more authoritarian? Cut to Hannity and the rest accusing Obama of acting like a king and a dictator for taking executive action. Let me see if I have this straight, Stewart said. Barack Obama is a weak, mom jeans-wearing... dictator king! In another question that could describe our president-elect, Stewart asked, What happened to these people as children that has enabled this love-hate relationship with authoritarian figures and the inherent cognitive dissonance that goes along with such a schism? The only difference with Trump is that he forgot to include the hate part. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Camelot heir, lawyer, environmentalist, and crackpot anti-vaxxermet with President-Elect Donald Trump today to talk about vaccines. Kennedy later told reporters that Trump has tapped him to chair a commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity. After news organizations reported Kennedys statements, Trumps team released a statement distancing the president elect from any firm commitment to a vaccine working group. The President-elect is exploring the possibility of forming a committee on Autismhowever no decisions have been made at this time, the statement read in part. Though incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that Mr. Trump and Kennedy would be meeting about vaccines on Tuesday morning, no mention of inoculations appeared in Tuesday afternoons statement. Details aside, this meeting alone is likely to embolden discredited conspiracy theorists who have cheered Trumps electionand it should send shivers down the spines of parents, doctors, and believers in science everywhere. Its a surprise that the two would meet at all. In August, Kennedy called Trump a dangerous... deceptive... demagogue. I very much hope that his campaign of hatred dies on the vine, Kennedy told Vanity Fair at the time. Its not surprising, because those are the passions that the Republican Party has been stirringthose kind of hatreds in the service, of course, of other interests. And Trump is actually coming out and saying the stuff that theyve been saying cryptically for all those years with dog-whistle slogans. It's amazing how a conspiracy theory can bring two people together. President-elect Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies and he has questions about it, Kennedy said following the meeting. His opinion doesn't matter but the science does matter and we ought to be reading the science and we ought to be debating the science. And that everybody ought to be able to be assured that the vaccines that we havehe's very pro-vaccine, as am Ibut they're as safe as they possibly can be. The notion that Kennedy is pro-vaccine would be laughable if it weren't so terrifying. For over a decade, Kennedy has been a public face of the anti-vaxxer movement. In 2005, he penned a piece published on Salon and in Rolling Stone titled, "Deadly Immunity," in which he told the the story of how government health agencies colluded with Big Pharma to hide the risks of thimerosal from the public. Thimerosal is a mercury-based vaccine preservative and study after study after study has proven there is no association between it and autism. The article had so many issues and needed so many corrections that Salon retracted it, saying the response from scientists and experts eroded any faith we had in the storys value. Ten years later, and Kennedy is still at it, railing to like-minded activists on the evils of Big Pharma and the supposed plot to poison our children with vaccines. In 2011, on his Air America radio show, he claimed the government was "involved in a massive fraud, and accused CDC researchers and doctors of poisoning kids. In a 2014 profile of Kennedy and his anti-vaccination efforts, Discovery writer Keith Kloor reported Kennedy had been a keynote speaker at the 2013 AutismOne/Generation Rescue Conference in Chicago. According to Kloor, [Kennedy] referred to specific individualssuch as a pediatric researcher who was a vocal vaccine advocateas the equivalent of Nazi concentration camp guards and said: They should be in jail, and the key should be thrown away. And in 2015, Kennedy stood before an audience at a screening of Trace Amounts, a documentary that pushed the conspiratorial link between vaccines and autism. They can put anything they want in that vaccine and they have no accountability for it, he announced. They get the shot, that night they have a fever of a hundred and three, they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone...This is a holocaust, what this is doing to our country. The crowd responded with a standing ovation. Candidate Trump needed no dog whistle to signal his support to Kennedys anti-vaxxer coalition. For years, Trump has peddled the disproven theories that autism could be linked to innoculations. Stop giving monstrous combined vaccinations, Trump tweeted in 2012. Two years later, he tweeted, Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases! During his bid for the White House, Donald Trump made clear his views had not evolved. In a September debate, he took his quack science before a nationally televised audience. Ive seen it, Trump said, offering anecdotal evidencethe only kind available to a movement skeptical of doctors, researchers, studies, and the medical community at large who advocate for the scheduled vaccination of children. A beautiful child...went to have the vaccine, a week later got a tremendous fever, got very, very sick, now is autistic, he continued. Autism has become an epidemic. It has gotten totally out of control. Despite the very good brain the incoming president believes himself to be blessed with, medical professionals the world over agree: there is no link, no link at all, between autism and vaccinations. The one study that alleged such a causal link existeda 1998 paper by Andrew Wakefield suggesting measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines caused autismhas been debunked, retracted, and the authors medical license revoked for ethical violations. So of course Trump met with the discredited ex-physician Wakefield and several of his fraudulent movements leaders in the final weeks of the campaign. I found him to be extremely interested, genuinely interested, and open-minded on this issue, so that was enormously refreshing, Wakefield told STAT News of the meeting. The conspiracy theorists Trump surrounds himself with are celebrating his victory. And why not? Trump has repeatedly signaled he would be a powerful ally for the anti-vaccination movement. In 2012, Trump decried Obamas inaction on the issue. Why doesn't the Obama administration do something about doctor-inflicted autism. We lose nothing to try. he tweeted. As president, Trump finally gets his chance to do something. And with a hero of the anti-Vaccine movement like Kennedy leading the effort, we should expect him to seize it. This article has been updated to include President-elect Trump's Tuesday afternoon statement. The Russians may have helped Republicans this time around, but the GOPand Donald Trumpwont always be so lucky. A salacious 35-page document, a summary of which was presented to President Barack Obama and President-elect Trump last week, included allegations that Russian operatives claim to possess compromising personal and financial information on Trump, CNN first reported, citing multiple U.S. officials. The full document, which has been circulating in media and government circles for months, was published by BuzzFeed on Tuesday night without verification. The report claims that Russian authorities sought to exploit Trumps personal obsessions and sexual perversion to gain compromising material on him. On Twitter, Trump reacted by denouncing the report as a political witch hunt, calling it fake news. The most explosive allegation from a source was that Trump employed a number of prostitutes to perform a golden showers [sic] (urination) show in front of him. The hotel was known to be under FSB [Russian intelligence] control with microphones and concealed cameras in all the main rooms to record anything they wanted to. In addition, Russian operatives also allegedly fed valuable intelligence on Hillary Clinton for several years. The Daily Beast has been unable to verify those claims. In July 2016, the report asserts, former Trump adviser Carter Page met a person only referred to as Divyken, an official from Kremlin Internal Affairs. During the meeting, according to sources, Divyken discussed the release of compromising material on Clinton, but also hints at Kremlin possession of such material on Trump. The Clinton dossier was not provided to Trumps team, the report added. FBI Director James Comey told the Senate earlier on Tuesday he would not comment on a potential investigation of ties between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. I would never comment on investigationswhether we have one or notin an open forum like this, so I really cant answer one way or another, Comey said. (The director was accused by Democrats of sinking Clintons chances when he commented on the investigation into her private email server in October.) For the moment, the most significant story is not the allegations themselves, but the fact they were briefed to the president and president-elect," Susan Hennessey, a former National Security Agency official, told The Daily Beast. "The intelligence community does not take mere innuendo to the president, so it means that intelligence professionals and law enforcement are at least taking the claims seriously. But that is absolutely not the same as these allegations being verified. There are very specific facts in the document which law enforcement should be able to prove or disprove. So the smart course is not to dismiss this as fake news or assume it is not credible, but to wait for more information to emerge. The document is mostly composed of memos prepared by a former British intelligence operative who was hired to do research on Trump, first by his Republican opponents and then by Democrats. USA Today reports that his work on Trump had traveled so widely in Washington that Americas top spies felt a summary of the information needed to be presented to Obama, Trump, and to the eight senators and congressmen who oversee the intelligence community. I can picture how difficult a decision this must have been, former CIA Director Michael Hayden told The Wall Street Journal of the decision to inform Trump. But if we had this data, others may have had this data too. And regardless of truth or falsity, I can see why they thought the president-elect should know. The Trump presidential transition team did not respond to a request for comment on these allegations, but this latest report further fuels concerns that Russian intelligence or state actors could one day use potentially embarrassing or damaging information to blackmail a Trump White House or Republican officials. During an interview with Seth Meyers that was taped Tuesday afternoon, Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway said of the report, We should be concerned that intelligence officials leak to the press and wont go and tell the president-elect or the president of the United States himself now, Mr. Obama, what the information is. Meyers cut her off at that point, saying, But the report was about them going to the president and I believe it said they did brief him on it, to which Conway replied, He has said hes not aware of that. Trumps attorney Michael Cohen maintained a secret liaison with the Russian leadership, the report alleges, especially related to trying to cover up the scandal of U.S. press disclosures about the closeness of Page and former campaign manager Paul Manafort to the Kremlin. On Tuesday night, Cohen called those allegations so ridiculous and silly. The Guardian reported Tuesday night that the FBI applied for a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court last year to monitor four individuals on Trumps team who were suspected of irregular contacts with officials in Russia. The court initially turned down the request as overly broad, and its unclear if the FBI was granted the warrant. Even before Tuesday nights bombshell allegations, elected Republicans were reluctantly coming to grips with Russian involvement in the election, while Trump, at least in public, continued to be unmoved by the matter. And despite Trumps recurring praise for Putin and the president-elects repeated refusal to blame Russian government-affiliated forces for the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta email hacks, those Republican lawmakers are rallying around the idea that Russian interference in the U.S. presidential elections is a problem that should frighten both parties. Last time I checked, Vladimir Putin was neither a registered Democrat nor a registered Republican, Sen. Marco Rubio said before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, hours before the CNN story broke. Neither political party should take this lightly. This should not be a partisan issue. This involves whether or not were going to allow someone to actively interfere in our political discourse and divide us as a nation against each other. The Russian government has information from the Republican Party that it could publicize in the future, if it were interested in doing so, FBI Director James Comey said. Information was harvested, Comey testified Tuesday. None of that was released. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said over the weekend he believed it was naive for Putin to presume Trump would be good for Russian interests. But if Trump truly challenges Russia, the Republicans could be the targets of embarrassing leaks in the next election cycle. Comey testified that the Russians successfully hacked state-level Republican organizations and campaigns, and were also able to penetrate old email systems used by the Republican National Committee. Neither current RNC servers nor the Trump campaign was successfully hacked, Comey said. Russia didnt do this to help the Republican candidate, Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich said, echoing Rubio. Russia did this to help Russia and to weaken America. And therein lies the heart of why this is so important. Because in the next election that shoe could easily be on the other foot, and a foreign power could decide it wants the Democrat to win this time. The Russians covertly collected information from Democratic and Republican sources, but only chose to release the damaging information from Democratic sources, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said. They also collected more information from Democrats than Republicans. They got far deeper and wider with the DNC than the RNC, Comey added. [They used] similar techniques, spearfishing techniques. There was no doubt they were more successful with the DNC they did hit some Republican affiliated organizations, but not the current [information in the] RNC. The intelligence community representatives confirmed that the Russians could just as easily release information damaging to Republicans in the future. Im flabbergasted that somehow this is viewed by some as in the rearview mirror, said Democratic co-chair Mark Warner. Dont the Russians have the capability of taking old information and selectively leak[ing] that prospectively? Sure, the FBI director replied. Trump has cast doubt on the intelligence communitys assessment that Russia interfered in the American election, and obfuscated with vague statements about foreign hacking that dont directly point the blame at Putin. But other Republicans, and even Trumps own Cabinet nominees, are breaking with him on the issue. Asked by Sen. Claire McCaskill if he agreed with the intelligence communitys assessment, Gen. John Kelly, Trumps nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security, said he did with high confidence. The confidence that Republicans have in the intelligence communitys assessment will now be tested as the question turns to how the United States should respond to Russias interference. Not far from the intelligence hearing, a bipartisan group of senators unveiled a new set of anti-Russian sanctions known as the Countering Russian Hostilities Act. I would like to thank President Putin for bringing us all together, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham joked at the press conference introducing the measure on early Tuesday afternoon. Graham and fellow Republican John McCain, along with Democrats Ben Cardin, Bob Menendez, and Jeanne Shaheen, touted proposed legislation including new mandatory sanctions related to Russian activity in Ukraine, Crimea, Georgia, and Syria, and addressing the Russian weaponization of fake news. We have been attacked, Cardin said. It cannot be business as usual. The senator emphasized that this was not about going back and looking at the previous election, but about protecting the Trump administration and future one against Russian interference in the U.S. democratic process. Russia is attacking the United States, Menendez stated, insisting that Putin and elements in the Russian government are in a Cold War, 2.0 mindset and that we must not have ourselves recruited by them. McCain, who is diametrically opposed to Trump on almost all matters Russiaand who rescinded his endorsement of Trump following the release of the grab them by the pussy tape in Octoberseemed to be the lone voice plainly acknowledging that Trumps sympathies may not lie with their cause. We dont know what the incoming administration is going to do, McCain said, with regard to sanctions. But as the Republican Party slowly comes around to the realization that a foreign power tried to interfere in an American presidential election, Trump may be the odd man out if he attempts to block a retaliatory response. In the pit of my stomach I knew something wasnt right. Parker Beam, Heaven Hills legendary master distiller, seemed frail and not quite himself. While at first I was tempted to chalk it up to the collateral exhaustion of making whiskey for decades and the demands of his new role as a celebrity in our modern bourbon-obsessed world, I had a bad feeling that something was off. I wish I had been wrong. Several months after our conversationin the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone during the 2012 Tales of the Cocktail conference in New OrleansHeaven Hill announced that Parker was battling ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Over the next four years, as the disease robbed him of his profession and, this past Sunday, his life, he used the recent popularity of American whiskey to raise awareness and funds for ALS research. Heaven Hill, through its different initiatives, including its acclaimed Promise of Hope special bottling of Parkers Heritage Collection, collected more than $500,000. I think Parker was heartened by the outpouring of support. He had been making bourbon long enough to experience its transformation from commodity to artisanal craft. During the last 15 years, the Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and Rittenhouse Rye he spent a lifetime producing won numerous (and well-deserved) awards and honors. He became a respected mentor to countless distillers and writers, and took his rightful place in the Bourbon Hall of Fame a couple years ago. So what was a Beam doing at Heaven Hill anyway? Well, for a long time it was said you couldnt have a bourbon distillery without a member of the Beam family. In fact, when the five Shapira brothers started Heaven Hill, back in 1934, right after the repeal of Prohibition, it wasnt long before a Beam was making the bourbon. Parkers father, Earl (who was Jim Beams nephew), was hired in 1946 and it only made sense that his son and grandson, Craig, would follow suit. The family trees of the Shapira and Beam families have grown ever more entwined over the ensuing decades as the two clans produced and sold millions upon millions of barrels of American whiskey. While we all knew that Parkers diagnosis was terminal, I still find myself struggling with his death, at the age of 75. My normal steel-trap memory has unexpectedly failed me and I cant remember what we talked about on the aforementioned day in New Orleans, which was sadly the last time we had an extended amount of time to catch up. No doubt it was about some bit of bourbon history or technique, which is what we usually chatted about. In a selfish attempt to spend a little more time with him, even second handedly, I asked our contributors and some friends for their favorite Parker memories and anecdotes. Here is what they shared: LEW BRYSON My favorite Parker bit is the one I put in my book, Tasting Whiskey. Parker was grousing about how people talked about what they tasted in his whiskey. People say they taste mangoes, and leather, he told me. I dont put mangoes or leather in the whiskey. I put in corn, and I age it in oak barrels, and thats what I taste: corn and oak! He was not a man with a lot of patience for bullshit. But he taught me more about bourbon than almost anyone, except for maybe Wild Turkeys long-serving master distiller Jimmy Russell, and he had a better sense of humor than almost anyone in the industry, except for maybe Jimmy Russell. And he taught all of us something about grit during the last few years. Most of all, though, he made great bourbon, at a fair price. Cant ask for more than that. God bless, Parker Beam, God bless. ALLEN KATZ, CO-FOUNDER OF THE NEW YORK DISTILLING COMPANY Humble, generous, and genuine, Parker was always available with encouragement or instruction. In addition to offering my earliest education on whiskey distilling, my favorite memory of Parker will always be when he took time from his personal schedule to conduct a vertical tasting of Evan Williams Single Barrel and Parkers Heritage for my friends and family the day before my wedding. DAVID WONDRICH I first met Parker something like a dozen years ago, when I was fortunate enough to be in Louisville for a vertical tasting of the first 10 years worth of Evan Williams Single Barrel, one of my favorite bourbons. After the tasting, which Parker led with authority, dignity, and rectitude, there was a dinner. After the dinner, there were drinks. I cant remember if they were in my room, Jim Murrays room, or the room shared by Gary Regan and the late Mardee Haidin Regan, but there was bourbon and we all drank it. There I saw another side of Parkernot that he was anything less than gentlemanly, but he was also warm, just loose enough and very funny, with a fund of anecdotes that was deeper than the stash of barrels in the rickhouses he had filled. With him we have lost another big link in the golden chain that connects the modern whiskey industry to its anchor in the past. It needs that anchor, and people like Parker, more than it realizes. PHILIP GREENE Over the past 30 or so years, consumers have enjoyed a renaissance in what we eat and drink, from coffee to tea to craft beer. Quite simply, were drinking better and smarter. Just as a rising tide raises all boats, it must be remembered that the fruits of an incoming tide can be credited to individuals whove spent their careers making a difference, by following their ideals and pursuing a level of excellence that brought about the advancements and improvements that are the foundations of this renaissance. We lost one of those bright lights with the passing of Parker Beam. As a pioneer and visionary in the bourbon whiskey industry, particularly as one of the early apostles of the small-batch-bourbon field, his legacy will endure for many years to come, as an ambassador, an advocate and a gentleman. REID MITENBULER Parker had the same qualities as the best bourbons, many of which he made: unfussy and accessible in a way that makes you forget how much hard work, skill and patience it all requires. BERLIN Security services followed the Berlin terrorist Anis Amri for months. They knew he was a terror threat, they knew he was visiting Salafist mosques and they knew him under at least 14 aliases. But somehow, they just couldnt find enough evidence to lock him up. So he travelled freely between Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, as regional services got flummoxed over his whereabouts, and domestic spies eventually lost track of his cell phone. The next time anyone heard from Amri was when he raced a truck through the Berlin Christmas market, in a killing spree that murdered 12 people and injuring many others. The investigation into Amris case is far from complete. He was shot dead in Italy by a trainee cop a few days after the attack. But its already an unsettling story, especially when taking into consideration that Germanys increasingly strained and understaffed security and intelligence services are supposed to be watching 548 other Gefahrder: people who have been identified as terror threats, but who are not proven guilty of anything that could land them in jail. Ministers may have fretted about this inconvenient state of affairs in the past. But now that the so-called Islamic State has executed its first murderous strike in Germany and the usually laid-back Angela Merkel, up for reelection, is taking domestic security very seriously indeed, the pressure is on to change it. On Monday, Merkel addressed the Beamtenbund, or national association of civil servants, in Cologne. Decembers truck attack is a warning to act quickly, act correctly and not get stuck in making announcements, she said. And with these words, she was relying on some speedy teamwork from her conservative ally, Interior Minister Thomas de Maziere and Justice Minister Heiko Maas, a soft-spoken Social Democrat, who made headlines last year when he suggested a national ban on sexist advertising. The two men met yesterday in Munich with the promise that they would agree on some very concrete suggestions for a preventative offensive against radical Islam. And one of their proposals, to monitor suspected Islamist extremists who have not been convicted of any crime with electronic ankle bracelets, is already being described as radical itself but also as a sedative pill or placebo. In Germany, the clunky electronic monitors are traditionally reserved to hug the ankles of convicted sex and violence offenders after their release from prison. But now, according to Maas, using them to monitor Gefahrder would make the work of security services, substantially easier. Maas and De Maziere also announced plans for rejected asylum seekers who are classified as Gefahrder to be detained before being deported, even if their deportation is not possible within three months. Its another distinctly Amri-inspired measure the 24-year-old couldnt be kept in custody for more than two days after his asylum application was rejected in June, because his home country, Tunisia, denied he was a citizen. However, only 62 out of 548 suspected Islamist extremists in Germany are rejected asylum applicants. Which brings us back to the electronic ankle tag, or Fufessel (foot chain), as Germans are calling it. What has been suggested here is not excessive, Thomas Mucke, the head of Violence Prevention Network, tells The Daily Beast. His Berlin-based organization works with teenagers in danger of being radicalised. The press conference by the interior and justice ministers comes more than a week after New Years Eve, when Germans got uneasy about the fact that hundreds of men, whom the police described as Nafris (cop shorthand for North Africans), were being held up at the central train station in Cologne. But it seems in the case of Gefahrder, there is little resistance to blurring the lines of presumed innocence and guilt. Given the circumstances, the argument goes, ankle monitors are still better than preventative imprisonment. But the foot-chain proposal still managed to raise eyebrows for other reasons. The tag, which alone is less effective at monitoring a suspect than surveillance, may be useful for sabotaging dubious meet-ups or setting off an alarm if the wearer gets too close to, say, an airport or a train station. But can it stop a determined jihadist? One of the two men who stormed the church in the northern French town of St Etienne-Du-Rouvray, took several hostages and killed an 84-year-old priest last July, was wearing an electronic ankle bracelet when he was shot dead by the police. Indeed, Ulrich Schellenberg, the President of the German Bar Association told Die Zeit that the proposal was nothing but symbolic politics, to increase the populations sense of security. Political parties seem to have kicked off Europes super election year on the mantra that Germans need to feel safer again. The meeting between Maas and De Maziere Tuesday was preceded by a some blame-throwing between the two ruling coalition parties, both of whom want to look tough on terror in the run-up elections in September. De Maziere, told Bild am Sonntag that he was, Unfortunately not sure, if everyone in the SPD is ready, to really help carry harsher measures. And the Social Democrats group leader, Thomas Oppermann, hit back when telling Welt am Sonntag that De Maziere could deport Gefahrder who are suspected of terrorism immediately, with a deportation order. Sadly, he has never done that. Anna, a 24-year-old IT student in Berlin, is not afraid for her safety, but shes still annoyed at the governments response to the attacks so far. In Poland and Italy they had ceremonies to honour those who died on Breitscheidtplatz but here, it felt like there was nothing. She continues: Electronic ankle chains just sound expensive. MOSCOWThe eruption of the latest scandals around U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is making many in Moscow nervous about the long-term consequences for Russias future. It was not news that Trump had friends among Russian pop stars, oligarchs, and casino owners. It wouldnt surprise anyone if he consorted with prostitutes, however eccentric his sexual tastes. But the notion that Trump might have worked as Russian President Vladimir Putins recruited agent passing on intelligence about Russians in New York? Thats something different. And as Trump backs away from the allegations, will he back away from Russia, too? That certainly was the impression over the last day or so. And just recently it all looked so good. Remember all those times Trump hinted that the United States under his administration would recognize Crimea as Russian? It seemed sanctions might be lifted, and Putins notion of the Russian sphere of influence recognized and accepted. Remember when Trump even called for Russia to hack Hillary Clintons missing emails? All things seemed possible! But the mysterious dossier leaked on Tuesday about Trump and members of his team cooperating with Russian officials for at least five yearsthat sounded like a very destructive bit of information, or disinformation, indeed. All the great expectations about Donald Trump that Moscow had lived with for months suddenly look like they could go down the drain, and the Kremlin wont have its man (or what it seemed to think was its man) in the White House after all. The spy game revealed in public looks like the proverbial wilderness of mirrors, a profusion of reflected conspiracies. Who is playing whom? Is Trump or was Trump a Russian tool? Or is this all a nefarious plot by outgoing President Barack Obama? The closer one gets to the Kremlin, the more one hears the latter version. Obama is going to push the anti-Russia hate to the boiling point and then there may be an accidental clash of airplanes or forces in Syria that would cause a serious conflict between Russia and the U.S., Sergei Markov, an adviser to the Kremlin predicted darkly in an interview with The Daily Beast. Again and again, it is Obama the Kremlin blames for all the pulp fiction reports on Trump. God created the world in 7 days. The Obama administration has 2 days longer [than that] to destroy it, tweeted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. But who was really responsible for the destruction of the Trump-Putin pact? This has been coming for a long time, and it may have been naive all along to think things could remain so cozy. Last July, U.S. intelligence reportedly received word about Trumps foreign policy adviser, Carter Page, meeting with two Russian officials close to President Putin: the head of Russias biggest company, Igor Sechin; and Igor Diveykin, the Kremlins deputy chief of internal policy. (Diveykins career, one notes, has advanced rapidly over the last year. Before getting his senior position at the presidential administration last October, Colonel Diveykin worked for Putins personal security service and as the head of security for presidential deputy Chief of Staff Vyacheslav Volodin.) Page, an American businessman specialized in the energy sector, has longstanding ties to Russias biggest companies, Rosneft and Gasprom. Indeed, he was back in Moscow as an ex-advisor to Trump just last month. His mission, he told Sputnik News, was to meet with thought leaders. But in July he seemed to be having a tough time when we saw him speaking to graduates of the New Economic School (RES) in Moscow. During his lecture he criticized undemocratic United States policy and sounded like an apologist for the Kremlins actions. But when it came to questions from the audience, Page didnt have much to say. Looking shy, if not lost, Page responded to questions concerning his meetings with the Kremlin and whether, if elected, Trump would cancel the anti-Russian economic sanctions with quiet no comments again and again. The guy has no sense of humor, one of the students told The Daily Beast. Or is he scared to answer the questions? Who or what might have had such a disturbing effect on Page in Moscow? The dossier leaked on Tuesday said that Diveykin (the report identifies him as Devykin) had warned Page at their meeting about the Kremlin preparing an ugly kompromat or compromising materials on Trump that involved a video of the future American president with a group of prostitutes performing a golden shower (urinating) in the presidential suite of the Ritz where Obama and his wife Michelle had slept. Salacious as this was, this genre of allegation did not exactly shock the Russian public, nor did the dossiers report that the Kremlin has been cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for at least five years. Russian security services traditionally collect compromising materials and secret files on everybody who sounds important to the Kremlin. Even a KGB trainee could find a kompromat on Trump, journalists joked in Moscow on Tuesday. First they took a compromising video of him with prostitutes, then they recruited him. It seems obvious, deputy editor in chief Olga Bychkova for Echo of Moscow radio told The Daily Beast. If anything shocked jaded Muscovites it was that such an operation, if it happened, had gotten so badly and so publicly screwed up. On Wednesday the Kremlin denied that it had any files on Trump at all. This is hardly the first Russian-related scandal to shake the incoming Trump presidency. Last August a New York Times investigation conducted with the help of Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau showed that Donald Trumps then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort received $12.7 million in cash from the former pro-Russian president of Ukraine, Victor Yanukovich. The investigation caused Manafort to step down from his post. Indeed, this weeks dossier was part of whats become a steady drumbeat of Russian-related scandal as secret intelligence briefings to Trump and Congress, and public hearings as well, keep elaborating the details of Russian interference in the U.S. elections. Testifying at confirmation hearings, Trumps pick as secretary of Statethe Kremlins longtime friend Rex Tillerson of Exxon Mobilsaid that Russian annexation of Crimea was a taking of territory that was not theirs. Under questioning Tillerson, once given a medal by Putin, said he thought the Obama administration had not been tough enough on the Russians. Tillerson said he would keep sanctions in place and consider toughening them in light of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections. And even Trump, who for weeks denied that Russia had anything to do with the hackers attacking the Democratic Party, appeared to change his opinion during the press conference on Wednesday. A lot of countries are hacking the U.S., said Trump, once again trying to deflect attention away from Russia, but in the face of repeated questioning he finally agreed that, yes, Putin was behind the hacking of the Democratic Party. He shouldnt have done it . I dont believe hell be doing it anymore, Trump said, suddenly talking as if Russias leader was his employee. What next? Maybe Trump will use on Putin that line he made famous on his reality show, Youre fired! In a world inundated with cheap crude oil, and with storage spots filled almost to the brim, it might seem that long lines at the gas pump and high prices per gallon are history. But long lines and high prices may come back, in the new world of Trump-Putin geopolitics. Trump the candidate vowed to bomb the hell out of oilfields controlled by ISIL. He called for stealing oil from other countries, later saying he meant to reimburse America for costs of its invasion of Iraq and other Middle East military actions. During the campaign he declared Im good at war in a certain way and I love war including with nukes, yes, including with nukes. Whether that was Trumps actual intent or just red meat for his base remains to be seen, but bellicose talk can lead to warand war is very bad for continuity of oil supply. Cheap hydrocarbons are not a pure good. They dampen demand for renewables like solar and wind that help slow climate change. And, of course, oil is just one form of stored sunlight. Earth holds layer upon layer of natural gas, frozen methane, and the carbon rocks we call coal as well as the liquid gold we call oil. Economist Ross McCracken, managing editor at Platts Energy Economist, says that even with large amounts of North American shale oil the world remains dependent for oil on an unstable Middle East. There is enough oil in the world, but supply chains will remain dominated by the geology of the Middle East and the geography of demand. Adding to the global glut is Iran, whichwith the lifting of sanctionsresumed legally exporting oil, something it did despite United Nations sanctions with help from offshore subsidiaries of ExxonMobil, whose CEO at the time, Rex Tillerson, is about to become Secretary of State. In addition, the shrinking territory controlled by ISIL, which has been slowly but steadily degraded through both aerial bombing and unconventional warfare to assassinate its leaders, should mean more oil flowing from Iraqi wells even as civil war continues in neighboring Syria. Such supplies, however, are inherently unstable, contributing to the global stability problem in the Trump-Putin era and kicking off a dangerous cycle in which unstable supplies contribute to unstable politics, which in turn, further destablize supply. Geopolitical events have figured very large in questions about oil supply and I think that will continue, says James Hamilton, professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego who studies the industry. Some worry about a new American war in the Middle East, a development that could serve the political aims of both Trump and Putin, with collateral damage to your pocketbook. Trump wants to show he is a tough guy who can quickly end radical Islamic terrorism as well as undo the global deal to let Iran openly return to world markets. Greater U.S. military activity in the Middle East, especially in light of Trumps attacks on the Muslim faithful, would surely foster more hatred of America and its Western allies, encouraging more young people to turn to violence. The risk for Trump is that higher oil prices could turn off his voters unless they are persuaded that sacrificing more of their money for costly fuel is patriotic. Putin would benefit from America getting into a Middle East war that disrupts oil supplies. Petroleum firms earn almost all of the profits of large Russian companies and higher oil prices should mean bigger profits for Russian oil, which would become a more important source of power, especially for Europe. Putin needs higher oil prices because his weak and underperforming economy relies for hard currency almost exclusively on two exports: hydrocarbons and weapons. Hydrocarbons give him a lever over Germany and other industrial countries that need natural gas in winter. And war is, of course, beneficial to munitions makers. Many of the guns used to kill American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan were Russian made. And the Middle East isn't the only place where conflict creates oil issues. Civil wars and terrorist attacks on oilfields in Nigeria and North Africa also could disrupt oil supplies, says Herman T. Franssen, president of International Energy Associates, a consulting firm with deep ties in the Middle East and a former International Energy Agency chief economist. What's more, the drop in oil prices since 2014, as Saudi Arabia sought to maintain its share of the global oil market, is causing economic disruption in that country, a generous welfare state. Many Americans may not realize it, but the United States was actually the worlds top crude oil producer last year and in 2015. One reason is the developing shale-oil industry, born of the last spike in oil prices. Shale oil is extracted with a technology known as fracking, in which solvents and sand are forced into soft underground rocks to unlock relatively small carbon deposits. Fracked wells account for more than 5 million barrels a day of American oil, about a third of U.S. production. Owners of some existing shale oil wells in the Permian Basin of Texas can probably make a profit at $25 a barrel, Franssen says. Most other areas, however, need prices at or above $54 a barrel. The Saudi oil-price cuts were intended to make American shale oil uncompetitive. Instead they spurred advances in shale-oil drilling efficiency. Even though the number of working American oil rigs has fallen from about 2,000 to under 500 in the last two years, drilling didnt decline by three-fourths. A modern rig can drill multiple wells by cutting through rock horizontally. Unused rigs are being cannibalized for parts, reducing costs. Trump has said he wants to keep the U.S on top and shale oil will be part of that goal. Slashing regulations is a key part of his promises to voters and that likely will include issues around the environmental cost of fracking. Trump may run into opposition, though, as earthquakes like those bedeviling Oklahoma homeowners and other damage from fracking sours some voters. Other environmental problems, such as aging, leaky oil pipelines, could also come into play. The U.S. extracted domestic crude at the rate of 15 million barrels per day in 2015, the federal Energy Information Administration estimated. Saudi Arabia was second at nearly 12 million barrels; Russia was next at 11 million barrels; and China, fourth, at just under 5 million barrels per day. Proven oil reservesmeaning the amount of crude in the ground that companies count as assets because it can be pulled from beneath the surfacewill provide enough carbon fuel to meet the expected world demand through 2040, the federal Energy Information Administration estimated in its most recent annual energy outlook report. That does not mean the world will run dry in 24 years. Proven reserves is an accounting measure, not a geological measure. It does not include oil yet to be discovered, oil that cannot be profitably extracted with current technology or at current prices, and other factors. That measure tells us, however, that at current world prices oil will be cheap for a very long time assuming relative peace continues. Cheap oil is decidedly not in the interests of Russia or of those Middle East and African countries run by autocrats, dictators and kings who need oil profits to mollify their subjects and stay in power. A major disruption of Middle East oil supplies still might not raise oil prices enough to help Russia deal with its limp economy. Trump has vowed to ease regulations so that America extracts more oil than it needs and remains the top producer. So Americans might enjoy cheap gasoline even as Europeans struggle to find enough Middle East oil to fill the tanks of their fuel-efficient cars and are forced to pay higher prices for Russian oil. An unstable Saudi Arabiaand instability among its oil-rich neighborsmay also foster more hatred or American and the West. That, too, could lead to wars and revolutions, adding to uncertainty about oil supplies and who will control them. So, while today oil is abundant both under the surface and in storage, that can change fast. And both Donald Trump and the leader for whom he keeps expressing his admiration, Vladimir Putin, have interests that just may come together in ways that may mean more war together with an end to cheap and reliable oil. Donald Trumps war with CNN came to a head on Wednesday morning during the president-elects first press conference. After he spent a good portion of the event railing against CNN, along with BuzzFeed, for reporting on a document that alleges Russia has compromising personal and financial information about him, Trump refused to let CNNs Jim Acosta ask a question, shouting him down by saying, You are fake news! When the press conference came to an end after a little more than an hour, it was left to CNNs Jake Tapper to defend his organizations reporting. There are two categories of news, he said of the press conference. Let me take on the first one that has to do with us, CNN. At the beginning of the press conference, Sean Spicer, who is going to be the White House press secretary, suggested that both BuzzFeed and CNN published this dossier full of uncorroborated rumors, Tapper continued, referring to Spicers aggressive statement that opened the event. That's not true. That's false. CNN never did that. We never provided even one detail from that dossier except this morning when I said that there was reason to believe that one detail that had been out there because of BuzzFeed was false involving Trump's attorney Michael Cohen. While BuzzFeed posted the full 35-page document, reportedly compiled by a former British MI6 agent about Russias alleged attempts to blackmail Trump, CNN only reported on the existence of the document, not its contents. That report, which features four bylines, including Tappers, stated that intelligence officials made both Trump and President Obama aware of the documents existence in a classified briefing last week. That conflation, whether it's because Sean Spicer misunderstood or some other reason, that's not true, Tapper said of the efforts to lump CNN and BuzzFeed together. CNN did not do that. When Mr. Trump went after our own Jim Acosta saying he is fake news and he isn't going to call on him, what I suspect we are seeing here is an attempt to discredit legitimate, responsible attempts to report on this incoming administration with irresponsible journalism that hurts us all and the media going forward should keep that in mind, Tapper added, confirming that he did find BuzzFeeds decision to put uncorroborated information on the internet irresponsible. I can understand why President-Elect Trump would be upset about it, Tapper said of the BuzzFeed report. That's why we did not detail any specifics from it because it was uncorroborated and that's not what we do. We are in the business of sussing out what is true and false. A statement from a CNN spokesperson following the press conference echoed these sentiments and sought to differentiate the networks reporting from BuzzFeed. CNNs decision to publish carefully sourced reporting about the operations of our government is vastly different than Buzzfeeds decision to publish unsubstantiated memos. The Trump team knows this, the statement reads. They are using BuzzFeeds decision to deflect from CNNs reporting, which has been matched by the other major news organizations. We are fully confident in our reporting. It represents the core of what the First Amendment protects, informing the people of the inner workings of their government; in this case, briefing materials prepared for President Obama and President-elect Trump last week. We made it clear that we were not publishing any of the details of the 35-page document because we have not corroborated the reports allegations. Given that members of the Trump transition team have so vocally criticized our reporting, we encourage them to identify, specifically, what they believe to be inaccurate. BuzzFeeds editor-in-chief Ben Smith similarly defended his sites decision to publish the full document in a letter to staff on Tuesday night, admitting that it was not simple call and anticipating push back. Our presumption is to be transparent in our journalism and to share what we have with our readers. We have always erred on the side of publishing. In this case, the document was in wide circulation at the highest levels of American government and media, Smith wrote. Publishing this document was not an easy or simple call, and people of good will may disagree with our choice. But publishing the dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supremo said that he had not given up on his agenda against migrants from other states coming to or settling in the state. By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Ahead of the Mumbai civic body (BMC) polls scheduled next month, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray has once again come up with his brand of hate politics. Speaking live on social networking site Facebook, Thackeray said that he had not given up on his agenda against migrants. The MNS supremo inaugurated his party's war room that has been prepared for the upcoming civic elections in Mumbai and other municipal corporations in Maharashtra. "There's no question of my giving up on it (anti-migrant issue). As long as migrants keep coming here, I will continue taking up the issue", he said . advertisement Also read | Mumbai: MNS alleges currency fraud in BMC's Citizen's Facilitation Centre of T Ward Thackeray also targeted the BJP, alleging that the party was "buying" candidates from other parties. "It's a pity that even after so many years, they do not have their own candidates to field. They are either inducting rich candidates into the party or buying candidates from other parties" he alleged. HAVE CANDIDATES TO FIELD: RAJ THACKERAY "I do not have money, but I certainly have candidates", the MNS chief added. Thackeray also took a dig at the bickering between the BJP and Shiv Sena, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. "The BJP alleges that there is massive corruption in BMC, but they were part of the ruling alliance. How can they forget that? So they too are involved in corruption", he alleged. The MNS chief also rejected reports suggesting his party was open for an alliance. "We will be contesting on all seats and in most of the corporations on our own. We have not received any proposal for any alliance", he said. Also read | Mumbai: BJP-Shiv Sena hint at a possible alliance ahead of BMC polls The MNS has 28 corporators in the 227-member BMC, considered the richest civic body in the country. But more than BMC, retaining power in Nashik Municipal corporation will be an uphill task for for Raj Thackeray's MNS. It was in the temple town of Nashik that his party first tasted power in 2012. But after successive debacles of the party in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, more than half the corporators have deserted the party. --- ENDS --- When former Microsoft employees complained of the horrific pornography and murder films they had to watch for their jobs, the software giant told them to just take more smoke breaks, a new lawsuit alleges. Members of Microsofts Online Safety Team had God-like status, former employees Henry Soto and Greg Blauert allege in a lawsuit filed on Dec. 30. They could literally view any customers communications at any time. Specifically, they were asked to screen Microsoft users communications for child pornography and evidence of other crimes. But Big Brother didnt offer a good health care plan, the Microsoft employees allege. After years of being made to watch the most twisted videos on the internet, employees said they suffered severe psychological distress, while the company allegedly refused to provide a specially trained therapist or to pay for therapy. The two former employees and their families are suing for damages from what they describe as permanent psychological injuries, for which they were denied workers compensation. Contacted by The Daily Beast, Microsoft declined to specifically comment on the suit. Microsoft applies industry-leading, cutting-edge technology to help detect and classify illegal images of child abuse and exploitation that are shared by users on Microsoft Services, a Microsoft spokesperson wrote in an email. Once verified by a specially trained employee, the company removes the image, reports it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and bans the users who shared the images from our services. We have put in place robust wellness programs to ensure the employees who handle this material have the resources and support they need. But the former employees allege neglect at Microsofts hands. Soto, one of the Online Safety Teams first members, claimed he did not ask to join the seedy department. Already a Microsoft employee, he was involuntarily transferred to the Online Safety Team in 2008, he alleged in his lawsuit. Soto was not informed prior to the transfer as to the full nature of his work, and was allegedly told that he would be reviewing terms of use violations. A Microsoft employee policy mandated that he and all other Online Safety Team members remain in their new posts for at least a year and a half before transferring again, he claims. Soto and his wife, also a Microsoft employee, had wanted to work for the company for years, and moved to Washington state specifically to take Microsoft jobs. He was stuck in the job for another 18 months, at least, he claims in the lawsuit. When Soto began working with the newly created team, he says he learned hed actually be sharing information on crime rings and child pornography with police. The job required him to view photos and video showing horrible brutality, murder, indescribable sexual assaults, videos of humans dying and, in general, videos and photographs designed to entertain the most twisted and sick-minded people in the world, his suit alleges. Many people simply cannot imagine what Mr. Soto had to view on a daily basis as most people do not understand how horrible and inhumane the worst people in the world can be. Soto knew little about post-traumatic stress disorder when he began his work. But as he viewed and reported the webs worst every day, he says, the job began to take a toll on him. He had trouble with sleep disturbance, nightmares, his suit alleges. He suffered from an internal video screen in his head and could see disturbing images, he suffered from irritability, increased startle, anticipatory anxiety, and was easily distractible. After viewing one indescribable video depicting the abuse and murder of a child, Soto began suffering auditory hallucinations. He wanted to continue reporting abusers. But he also knew he needed help if he was to continue the harrowing work. From the outset, Microsoft knew the Online Safety Teams work would be taxing on employees and their families, the lawsuit alleges. Microsoft even had a comprehensive mental health program for employees of a similar departmentthe companys Digital Crimes Unit, which also reported crimes to law enforcement, and which allegedly offered its staff a number of protections. But the company allegedly didnt extend the funding to Sotos team. Instead, when employees began to complain of emotional burnout, Microsoft offered them a Wellness Program, in which a counselor diagnosed employees with a condition called compassion fatigue, according to the lawsuit. The condition, characterized by stress, anxiety, and desensitization to suffering, is sometimes attributed to nurses and first responders, but is not an officially recognized mental disorder. Meanwhile, the allegedly under-trained counselor did not address the more severe symptoms employees began suffering, the lawsuit claims. Employees were not told that the more they became invested in saving people, the less able they would become to recognize and act on their own symptoms of PTSD, the suit claims. Microsofts compassion fatigue counselor allegedly lacked sufficient knowledge and training regarding vicarious trauma or PTSD and lack the authority to take employees off content or rotate them entirely out of the department. Greg Blauert, another plaintiff and Online Safety Team member, said he experienced similar trauma after being made to review thousands of images of child pornography, adult pornography and bestiality that graphically depicted the violence and depravity of the perpetrators. He began experiencing nightmares and intrusive images. If he or a co-worker broke down at work, their employers allegedly encouraged them to merely leave work early as part of the departments Wellness Plan. A half-day is not the same as a comprehensive mental health plan. When Blauert approached superiors for help with his trauma, they allegedly told him that limiting exposure to depictions, taking walks and smoking breaks, and redirection [of] his thoughts by playing video games would be sufficient to manage his symptoms, his suit alleges. He was later penalized on a performance review for playing video games at work, he claimed. Both Blauert and Soto say they tried to improve their departments mental-health program. They allegedly went to superiors with suggestions, including weekly meetings with a qualified psychologist, time off from viewing toxic images, and a wellness program for spouses, who experienced the teams trauma second-hand. But the recommendations, some made as early as 2007, went ignored, the employees allege. Years into their work, the lawsuit says, doctors recommended medical leave for both men, who were diagnosed with PTSD. Before he left the company, Soto tried transferring to another department, but was allegedly seated near the Online Safety Team where people still approached him with questions on traumatizing material. Blauert hoped to return to Microsoft after his leave, but has required continued treatment for PTSD, and purposely restricts his computer usage, the suit alleges. Both men applied for workers compensation for their leaves, but were allegedly denied coverage. The workers condition is not an occupational disease, denial letters from a workers compensation agency read, according to the lawsuit. Neither man has returned to work. Imagine youre the president-elect of the United States and you wanted to know more about vaccine safety. Who would you turn to? You could turn to Nancy Messonier, who heads a team of researchers at the countrys leading center for the study of vaccines: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Or you could turn to any one of a number of academic researchers who are involved with the Vaccine Safety DataLink, a computer-linked system of medical records that can determine vaccine-safety issues in real time as new vaccines are first used by American children. Or you could turn to a variety of leading experts, like Stanley Plotkin, who is the countrys (and the worlds) foremost authority on vaccines and has written the definitive textbook on the subject. Or you could turn to Walter Orenstein, former director of the National Immunization Program who is now at Emory University, and another worldwide leader. Or you could turn to Kathryn Edwards, a Vanderbilt vaccine researcher who has devoted her life to vaccine-safety issues and to the health and well-being of children. Donald Trump, unfortunately, didnt turn to any of these groups or individuals. Rather he turned to two other people. First, he turned to Andrew Wakefield, the British researcher who in 1998 published a paper in the Lancet claiming that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine caused autism. In August 2016, Trump met with Wakefield. At the time they met, a British journalist named Brian Deer had already found that Wakefields paper had misrepresented clinical data, biological data, and the sources of funding for the work. For these reasons, the Lancet retracted the paper and the General Medical Council in England stripped Wakefield of his license to practice medicine. During the two decades following Wakefields publication, 17 studies performed in England, Finland, Poland, Japan, Australia, Denmark, and the United States examined the incidence of autism in millions of children who either did or didnt receive MMR. All of these studies found the same thing. Children who had received the MMR vaccine werent more likely to develop autism than those who hadnt received it. Andrew Wakefield was wrong. So why is he still claiming that the MMR vaccine causes autism? Apparently, at least according to Wakefield, there has been a vast international conspiracy to hide the trutha conspiracy that involves hundreds of researchers in seven countries on three continents, all deeply in the pocket of the pharmaceutical industry. On Jan. 10, 2017, Donald Trump then turned to one more person for information about vaccine safety: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy believes that thimerosal, an ethyl-mercury-containing preservative that hasnt been used in vaccines given to young children since 2001, is causing severe developmental delays including autism. Since Kennedy first made this claim, seven studies performed in Denmark, England, Canada, and the United States have examined children who received thimerosal-containing vaccines or vaccines that didnt contain thimerosal. The incidence of autism was the same in both groups. Nonetheless, in 2014 Kennedy published a book titled, Thimerosal: Let the Science Speakan ironic title, given that the science already had spoken. So why does Kennedy also persist? The answer is the same: conspiracy. The thimerosal-causes-autism conspiracy, however, isnt as vast as the MMR conspiracy; this one involves researchers in only four countries on two continents. Presidents and presidents-elect arent supposed to know everything. But they are supposed to surround themselves with people who can direct them to the experts, which in this case shouldnt include conspiracy theorists promoting discredited beliefs. Donald Trump is a lucky man. He is in a position to avail himself of the best information this country has to offer. He should do it. Because if he doesnt, we will continue to see children suffer and die from vaccine-preventable diseaseschildren who are counting on their leaders to make the right decisions. Paul A. Offit, MD is a professor of pediatrics and director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. He is the author of Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All (Basic Books, 2011). James Delaney, a man forged in the hellfire of colonialismand bearing the scars, physical and elsewhere, to prove itis in a brothel. But, this being an FX television series and not, say, HBO or a supposed Trump jaunt to Russia, there is nary an exposed breast or golden shower to be found. There is a madam, more Fantine than Heidi Fleiss, who taunts our haunted hero with the prospect of twelve S&M-proficient men to satisfy his every whim. People who do not know me soon come to understand that I do not have any sense, he cautions, before threatening to castrate the whole lot, madam included. Welcome to the grim, mysterious world of Taboo, a new 8-episode miniseries that debuted Tuesday night. It is the brainchild of father-son team Edward Chips Hardy and actor Tom Hardy, as well as Hardys Peaky Blinders collaborator Steven Knight. And, if that werent familial enough, its produced by Ridley Scott, who directed Hardy in his first-ever film, Black Hawk Down. Hardy plays Delaney, a man who returns to London in 1814 to find his homeland at war with both France and America. Those, including his half-sister Zilpha Geary (Oona Chaplin) and trusted manservant Brace (David Hayman), thought him to be dead. But Delaney has returned from his voyage to Africa armed with tribal tattoos, a surly disposition, and a burning desire to exact vengeance on those who have wronged himnamely, his former employers at the East India Company, led by Sir Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce). As we start to unravel who he is and where he comes from, hes had a long history of being let down by fathersfrom his genuine father, to father figures, to country and civilization as a whole, Hardy tells The Daily Beast. There are some mythological elements there where he bears similarities to Bane. According to Hardy, the character of Delaney was inspired by that of Marlow in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darknesswhom I happen to be named afteronly the inverse. You find out why, but he was a very wayward child who his father felt needed to be straightened out by the East India Companys militia, so he put him in there at a very young age, says Hardy. The experience gave him a lot of tools and skills, but progressively put him in a really horrible situation whereby he went from the frying pan into the fire, and was lost in Africawhere he witnessed a lot of stuff and participated in a lot of stuff, which I wont go into. His father issues get progressively worse, and he doesnt have a mom. In addition to his myriad daddy issues, with Delaney fighting to retrieve his dead fathers inheritance and assume control of his business ventures, he has been badly wounded by his time under the East India Companys thumb in Africa, a pawn in their endless pursuit of resources, power, and influence, that hes also emerged as an agent of justice seeking to expose his ex-overlords. He is very much a whistleblowera proactive whistleblower who is also well-versed in the art of war, having trained in the military academy and been in a bad situation and had to get out. He has the full gamut of abilities, Hardy describes. I dont think he fears deathor hes not constrained by any of the fear of pursuing what he believes is ethically correct and the right thing to do. He is driven for justice, but his version of justice is not as straightforward as good versus evil. Hes come to do the accounts. Hes the messenger of bad news for corrupt people. The character of James Delaney was conceived nine years ago by Hardys writer-father Chips Hardy. Co-creator Steven Knight, who also directed the younger Hardy in the excellent 2013 drama Locke, wrote the script, and has described the shows villainous East India Company as throughout the 19th century the equivalent of the CIA, the NSA, and the biggest, baddest multinational corporation on earth, all rolled into one self-righteous, religiously-motivated monolith. Hardy echoes that assessment. With the East India Company in our show, weve portrayed through individuals within the company, a far-reaching trading company that was that powerful at the time, that there were possibilities of corruption, he says. You hear about it all the time with lobbyists and financiers in big business where the ethical turpitude is questionable, so ultimately James Delaney is at the bottom of this massive infrastructurein the militia/military wing of itand because hes a part of that infrastructure, it sort of takes one to know one. Hes of that same beast; hes Frankensteins monster from the machine of this particular company. Hes trying to determine whats right in a world that is grey, where big business is very profitable and there is a lot of darkness and suffering in the name of profit, Hardy continues. Weve created a character who is meant to audit the accounts of the corrupt and evil, and in order to do that hed have to have been through the system himself. Its like a western. He could well be dead. Hes a pale rider-type whos come back to town to audit the accounts of those whove sent him off to die. While only the first three episodes of the series have been made available to press, it is thus far a beautifully composed show boasting a ferocious turn by Hardy, who, from Bronson to Bane, has proven himself to be one of the finest actors of his generation. And, as the body count rises and Delaney is drawn deeper and deeper into his conflict with East India (and himself), the actor promises plenty of surprises. As the story continues, what youll find is its not just about the man seeking revengeactually, there are quite a lot of twists, he says, with a devious chuckle. And if you stick to the end episode, youll find that everything is not what it seems. When Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson served as president of the Boy Scouts, from 2010 to 2012, a sexual abuse scandal was engulfing the organization. As lawsuits and reporting by the Los Angeles Times revealed, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) had secretly kept files on thousands of scoutmasters and volunteers accused of sexual violence against children. The cases reached back all the way to 1947, many of which were never reported to law enforcement. During Tillersons tenure, one particular case was working its way through the Oregon court system, culminating in an October 2012 ruling in the Oregon Supreme Courtfour months after Tillerson stepped down as presidentthat ruled the BSA had to release 1,900 files to the public. During Tillersons time as president, the BSA instituted mandatory reporting of sexual abuse claims to authoritiesbut Tillerson never spoke publicly about the pedophilia scandal, nor offered an official apology to any its victims. He remains in a leadership role in the organization to this day. For one victim of abusean Eagle Scout, like Tillersonthe potential Secretary of States silence during that time represents a painful reflection of the organizations historical failure to protect children. In 2003, Matt Stewart and his brother, Tom, sued the Boy Scouts of America, two local chapters, and their scoutmaster, and settled out of court for an undisclosed sum. The Stewarts have publicly spoken out about the Scouting scandal and Matt related his story to The Daily Beast below (with edits for clarity). As told to Tim Mak. By Matt Stewart Between 1971 to 1983, when we were ages 6 to 18, my brother Tom and I were sexually molested by our Boy Scout leader in Troop 336 from Tacoma, Washington. The realization [that we had] to come forward was after reading in the newspaper about the childhood sexual abuse cases in the Catholic Church. As Tom and I became adults, our mission was to make the public aware of the dangers of Scouting to parents. We sought the guidance and leadership of Seattle-based attorney Tim Kosnoff in 2002 to hold the Scouts accountable for the sexual childhood crimes committed against us as youths. As president of the Boy Scouts and a longtime participant in the Boy Scouts, Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson has served for decades in leadership roles. Rex Tillerson should have had a moral obligation to say something about sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts, and he did not. Our multi-year lawsuit, from 2003 to 2006, against the Boy Scouts culminated in the landmark Washington State Supreme Court decision that forced the BSA to provide our attorneys with thousands of confidential files documenting thousands of childhood molestation cases by its adult membership over four decades. The files are handwritten and printed documents by Boy Scout officials and letters from parents, as well as newspaper clippings from local newspapers, documenting each child abuse case and the details of how each case was handled by Boy Scout officials. Most alarmingly, the files document how in many cases, Boy Scout leadership never notified the police of suspected abuse, and even told parents of alleged victims not to report the incidents to police. Instead, the organization decided to handle many cases privately. These secret files, the public release of which Boy Scouts lawyers fought against for nearly two decades, included individual reports of molestation and the rape of children, incidents that were often never referred to law enforcement. In this way, thousands of boys were abused by predatory pedophiles for decades. Tillerson either knew or should have known the Boy Scouts confidential files existed. In his role as president, he should have publicly apologized for the Boy Scouts role in this cover-up. The Boy Scouts have said they were proactive against childhood sex abuse when clearly their actions have shown the opposite. They have fought every abuse claim by their teams of attorneys. Their actions speak louder than their words. The organization is not to be trusted. Tillersons leadership involvement should have included speaking out on this topic, rather than behaving like all other past presidents: doing nothing to apologize to the thousands of children who were raped over decades. Is Tillerson qualified to lead as Secretary of State? I think not. Lawmakers should rethink their support for him. And senators should ask what Tillerson knew about the perversion files and when he knew it. Congress needs to send the correct message that it is not OK for leaders in charge of todays youth to stay passive when sexual abuse is clearly documented before them. I would strongly urge the new administration and Congress to distance itself from the Boy Scouts of America and stop supporting an organization that has caused such great family destruction for decades. ## Editors note: The Boy Scouts of America did not directly respond to questions on whether Tillerson ever led any private effort to address the child-abuse scandal. A spokesperson for the organization noted that Tillerson was instrumental in leading the organization through an important period of growth and development, while upholding the long-standing traditions of character and good citizenship that are essential to Scoutings mission and added that the Boy Scouts now have a comprehensive program of education to prevent child abuse, including criminal background checks and mandatory reporting of any allegation or suspicion of abuse to law enforcement. While not secret, the contents of the files have been kept confidential for effective reporting mechanisms, the spokesperson added. Sen, who was travelling to London's Heathrow airport from New Delhi this week on Air India flight AI-111 did not forget to let the airline management know of his appreciation for its onboard service. By Indrajit Kundu: For long India's sarkari airline Air India has been struggling hard to regain its lost glory faced with stiff competition from a host of private carriers. In fact, the new year has not been particularly good for the Maharaja with an international flight survey firm rating it the "third worst airline carrier" in the world. However, there is good news for the beleaguered airline with Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen giving a thumbs-up to the carrier for its service. Sen, who was travelling to London's Heathrow airport from New Delhi this week on Air India flight AI-111 did not forget to let the airline management know of his appreciation for its onboard service. Known for his candid views, the octogenarian left a much needed message for the airline staff before departing. advertisement "Many thanks indeed for wonderful service and great care! I'm most grateful - and also very impressed. Best wishes and warm regards," Sen wrote note in his note of appreciation. Earlier this week FlightStats, an aviation insights firm had released its list of best and worst performing airline carriers based on their performance records in last one year. Government-run Air India came third in terms of worst On-Time Performance (OTP), ranked just after Israel's carrier El Al and Scandinavian airline IcelandAir. In its survey, the American firm had highlighted issues over cabins, service quality, and flight delays. On its part, Air India had trashed the survey terming it "fabricated". We totally disagree with the report published by FlightStats about AI. Initially it seems that the report is fabricated so AI management will investigate the report till the end,?? Air India Spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar had said in a statement. --- ENDS --- After huge protests over his comments blaming Muslims for the spurt in India's population, BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj said that he didn't name any religion in his speech that has come under fire. By Indo-Asian News Service: BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, who was summoned by the Election Commission (ECI) for his controversial statements on population, said today that his remarks were made at a meeting called by religious leaders and he had not taken the name of any religion. He also demanded a Uniform Civil Code on population control. "Whatever I said was not at a public meeting or an election rally. I spoke at a meeting called by religious leaders," Maharaj said after coming out of the Election Commission of India headquarters here. HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Sakshi Maharaj said, "I didn't take the name of any religion or community, but only raised concerns over rising population. Population must be controlled, women are not machines to deliver babies." The BJP MP was summoned by the ECI yesterday and issued show cause notice saying that it is prima facie of the opinion that he violated the Model Code of Conduct by making "impugned statements". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader on January 7 stirred controversy with his comment in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, that, "Population is rising rapidly, and so are the country's problems. But Hindus are not responsible for this. Those who talk about four wives and 40 children are responsible." The Model Code of Conduct is in place in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh for the Assembly elections. The Supreme Court in a ruling last week said that any appeal for votes on the ground of "religion, race, caste, community or language" amounted to "corrupt practice" under the election law provision. advertisement Also read: Sakshi Maharaj in trouble over hate speech, EC seeks reply by January 11 Also read: 'Those with 4 wives, 40 children' increased population, says Sakshi Maharaj; BJP distances itself --- ENDS --- Scottish tea heritage celebrated in new gin The Teasmith Gin, created by Nick and Emma Smalley, has been released from Perthshire's Strathearn distillery and is claimed to be the first gin distilled with hand-picked tea. (However, it is not the first to infuse tea in a gin. Beefeater 24, for example, is made from 12 botanicals including Japanese Sencha and Chinese Green teas. Ed) The gin was distilled in Strathearn distillery and a limited first batch of 560 bottles went on sale just before Christmas. More bottles will be produced early this year as Nick and Emma aim to expand across the UK as well as internationally. Having witnessed the gin renaissance, the couple wanted to create a premium gin using botanicals associated with Aberdeenshire, and discovered the nearby Newburgh estuary was once a thriving trading port, with tea being one of its biggest imports. Nick Smalley says: Some of the worlds most notable tea-clippers were built in Aberdeen harbour, some of which played a major role in opening up the important tea trade routes with the Far East. Nick adds: But it was the story of a young man from Auchenblae, Aberdeenshire, who founded the first tea plantation in Sri Lanka in 1867 that intrigued us the most. James Taylor, known as the Father of Ceylon Tea, transformed the island into one of the finest tea growing regions in the world. This little known tale really affirmed our decision to use tea as one of our key botanicals. After identifying their trademark ingredient, Nick and Emma worked with tea consultant Beverly-Claire Wainwright to source tea from Sri Lanka, a hand-rolled tea from Amba Estate. Production of the tea is small and made entirely by hand without machinery. The black loose leaf Ceylon tea is distilled by itself to capture its flavour and is blended with a classic gin recipe featuring juniper, coriander, citrus peels and other carefully selected botanicals which have been double-distilled in traditional copper alembic stills. Emma Smalley says: It was the first time the distillery had used tea as a botanical so it was a real step into the unknown. The result is in the taste, a sweetness, like that of a high quality tea, with a subtle essence of mint. However, the gin doesnt actually taste like tea - the tea leaves give a unique taste that is light on the palate with a distinct, crisp freshness, one of a kind really. So anyone who doesnt like tea shouldnt be put off! Were planning to expand the Teasmith product range to further explore the unique flavours these specialty teas can truly offer. Nick and Emma have also worked with local design studio, FortyTwo Studio, to create a exclusive brand with a distinctive concept and bottle design. Nick adds: We have invested significant time and creativity into forming The Teasmith brand and a bottle design that we are immensely proud of. This is a personal passion of ours where we hope to maximise initial demand and produce exceptional infusions to intrigue and grow our customer base and distribution. A 70cl bottle retails at 37.50 and is also available at selected retailers in Aberdeenshire and www.teasmithgin.com 11 January 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant GRIMES COUNTY Both the old and the new were celebrated Tuesday a new premium bottled water company owned by Chuck and Gena Norris and the ancient water they are bottling and selling under the CForce brand. In front of a crowd of local officials, businesses and the media, the couple laid out their vision for competing with premium brands Evian, SmartWater and Fiji at the new, 43,500-square-foot CForce Bottling Company along Texas 90 in Grimes County. The water was discovered by accident on the Norris family ranch, Gena Norris said. Her son-in-law was drilling wells on the land to irrigate hay fields and sustain their cattle operation. While drilling the third well, they hit a natural spring, and water spewed out like black crude oil in the air, she said. About 168,000 thousand gallons of water flooded their property and their neighbors land. The drillers had come across an artesian well containing water that dates back to the last Ice Age. Artesian means it isnt pumped, but flows out of the ground of its own power. God laid it in our lap, Gena Norris said. They saw the discovery as an opportunity to financially support their nonprofit organization, Kickstart Kids. A portion of the profits will go to the organization, which promotes character-building through karate training in schools. The move also shows donors how serious the family is about continuing their mission, and possibly expanding the youth program to other areas, such as Chicago. This school year, nearly 9,000 Texas students are enrolled in the program, including Navasota, Bryan and College Station students. Were setting up a legacy, not for our family, but for the foundation, Gena Norris said. Were going to be able to give back long after were gone. Its very important to us, because children matter. The Norrises hired hydrogeologist Len Sinfield, a certified geologist in California and Texas. He assessed the qualities of the water as well as the size and properties of the deposit. By carbon-dating samples, Sinfield determined it was more than 23,000 years old. The water didnt have traces of common, modern compounds such as CFCs in it, he said. Its harder and harder to find water that old, Sinfield said. Its good to see it bottled. ... Its conserving the resource. The volume and depth of the water is proprietary information, but Sinfield said its enough to run the plant for a very long time, past our lifetimes. After learning all of that, Gena Norris said she and her husband felt confident about their business plan. They have invested about $10 million into the company so far, she said. An investment of that size has not gone unappreciated by area officials. Johnny McNally, executive director of the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce, called it a landmark event for the county and the area. Navasota Mayor Bert Miller told The Eagle that the CForce brand will bring prestige to the town, in addition to jobs. The company currently employs 15 people. Itll be something thats not just known regionally, but nationwide, Miller said. That could do nothing but bring attention to the area in a positive way. In laying out her vision for the company, Gena Norris said she hopes CForce Bottling Company becomes to Navasota, Anderson and Grimes County what Blue Bell Ice Cream is to Brenham. They employed local companies and workers as often as possible when constructing the building, putting in the plumbing and receiving legal and financial advice. Were part of this community, and weve been blessed with the means, and its very important to give back, she said Relationships are everything. Gena Norris is the majority owner and CEO of the company, making CForce Bottling Company a certified woman-owned business. Im just a cheerleader. She has done a phenomenal job, Chuck Norris said of his wife. Im just an actor. I dont know anything about this stuff. CForce bottles are now available in some local stores, as well as Maverik stores on the West Coast. The chain of nearly 300 convenience stores were the first retailers to carry the product. The company, based in Salt Lake City, began collaborating with the Norrises for a Truck Norris promotion. They worked with the Discovery Channel show Diesel Brothers to create a custom truck that will be given away to a Maverik customer, said Aaron Simpson, chief marketing officer for Maverik. An episode of show detailing the making of the truck will air Feb. 20. The brand will be available in Randalls, Tom Thumb, Albertsons and United supermarkets in mid-February, with plans to sell in H-E-B stores sometime in the spring. The water also be sold on Amazon. But Gena Norris has plans beyond the U.S. she hopes to have the water carried by an international distributor. She said market research shows that the Chuck Norris brand is just as popular overseas. But for now, they are going to use more unconventional methods to share it with friends abroad. They were recently invited to Israel by the prime minister. Well probably take some CForce water in our suitcases, Gena said. By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) In the biggest hike in nearly three decades, Saudi Arabia today increased Indias annual Haj quota by 34,500, a move welcomed by the NDA government as a "matter of pleasure". Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Saudi Arabias Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten inked an agreement in this regard in Jeddah today, increasing the size of Indias Haj quota from 1,36,020 to 1,70,520. advertisement According to a statement issued by Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Naqvi, it is the "biggest increase" in quota for Haj pilgrims after 1988. The latest increase in quota will be effective from the current year. The Saudi authorities had five years ago slashed quotas for foreign pilgrims coming from each country by 20 per cent in view of safety of the devotees as they undertook expansion of Grand Mosque there. Accordingly, Indias quota was brought down to 1,36,020 from 1,70,000 in 2012. Last year, a total of 1,35,903 devotees from India performed Haj. Of these, 99,903 devotees went to Jeddah through Haj Committee of India. The remaining 36,000 pilgrims had proceeded through private operators. Expressing pleasure at signing of the agreement, Naqvi tweeted, "Its a matter of pleasure that Saudi Arabia has increased Indias Haj quota by about 34,000." Naqvi said his meeting with Benten was "very fruitful" as "constructive" discussion was held on whole gamut of issues related to the pilgrimage, transport and accommodation facilities for devotees and their safety. "On behalf of the people and Government of India, we also extend gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Excellency Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, for his keen personal interest and initiative in organising a successful Haj 2016," Naqvi said in the statement. The Minister exuded confidence that under the visionary leadership of Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, the "excellent" relationship between the two countries will be further strengthened. Stating India and Saudi Arabia share ideals of global peace, progress and prosperity, Naqvi said the two countries are tied together with strong civilisational, cultural, economic and political links. "The regular visits by the leaders and senior-level officials of the two nations have further strengthened the relationship between the two nations. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia during April last year added new dimensions to our vibrant relationship," he said. The Minister also expressed satisfaction over the improvements in services offered to pilgrims which indicates Saudi Arabias firm commitment towards welfare and betterment of pilgrims. PTI ENM RG --- ENDS --- advertisement Thank you to the community for remembering our seniors On behalf of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Bryan/College Station, we would like to thank the community for its overwhelming support of the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program this holiday season. Be a Santa to a Senior is a nationwide program that provides gifts and companionship to seniors who otherwise may not have a gift under the tree this Christmas or someone with whom to share the holiday. Since the program began in 2003, it has helped provide nearly 2 million gifts to more than 700,000 seniors, with the help of more than 60,000 volunteers. In Bryan/College Station, members of the community generously donated hundreds of gifts for local seniors through this year's program, all of which were wrapped and delivered by volunteers, just in time for holidays. Many of the gifts were for everyday needs such as socks, shirts, blankets and toiletries, or a pharmacy gift card. We especially would like to thank our community partners who helped make this program possible, including CVS Pharmacy, The Senior Circle from College Station Medical Center, and the Area Agency on Aging. Over the past several weeks, these organizations have brightened the holidays by bringing both gifts and companionship to seniors in need across the area. Our heartfelt thanks to all those who helped make this holiday season so special for our local seniors in need through Be a Santa to a Senior. To volunteer for next year's program or more information, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 979-268-6880. DAVID GEST Home Instead Senior Care Bryan A better way to fill vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court America's Founding Fathers had many debates about states rights versus a strong federal government. Part if the compromise was a Senate appointed -- not elected -- by the states and Supreme Court justices appointed by the president with the concert of the Senate. It never was intended for the president to be a dictator in selecting Supreme Court justices. The Senate could re-strengthen states rights by asking the governor of each state to nominate one name for consideration for Supreme Court justice. The Senate then would ask the House of Representatives -- the voice of the people -- the voice of the people -- to reduce the list of 5- names down to three. This would be done by allowing the majority party to strike one name and then the minority party to strike one name. This would continue until there were three names left, giving the majority party one extra strike. The Senate then would give those three names to the [resident, who would give one of the three to place in nomination to the Supreme Court. This would comply with the Constitution. The process would block far left and far right political extremes and select judges who would be more acceptable to the majority of Americans. And that would be justice for all. RUDY SCHULTZ Bryan Take time to thank teachers, administrators and workers Does the A-F school district rating system truly reflect the truth about a district? Not hardly. This is transferred guilt. Absolutely and I will tell you why I know this for fact. In March 1986, teachers and administrators were required to take the Texas Examination of Current Administrators and Teachers. Some 202,000 plus took the test and 96.7 percent passed. What a debunking of the Texas legislative system their passing it proved. For all practical purposes, it was a "witch hunt." But,oops! No witches were found. So, there was a backing off the system, but not the deferred guilt that originated with that testing decision. Consequently, intensively comprehensive pressures continually are placed on teachers and administrators to maximize student output. And these have been ongoing for more than 20 years. Every conceivable nuance of teacher teaching embetterment is shock-rocked down the pipeline from Austin to the field workers applying it in everyday applications at the schools. But actually it is the same as in 1986 and transferred guilt. Is there something wrong with allowing teachers to teach? And allowing administrators to do their job? Kids are not mules and no one can lead them with a carrot on a string at the end of a pole. For more than 60 years I have been surrounded by teachers and administrators, and I have never heard one of them say Austin's finally got it right. They know what we need. No, it's transferred guilt again for stoning the STARR and EOC test scores with browbeating revelry which money counters demand. Not the average citizens. We just want our children taught correctly by men and women who have chosen the very thankless but very important careers. Please take the time to thank those teachers, administrators and school workers. JAMES BROWN Bryan Unions held protesters in areas like Jhilmil Colony, Patparganj and Laxmi Nagar vowing to not clean East Delhis streets till their demands are met. By Ilma Hasan: A section of sanitation workers of the East Delhi Municipal corporation continued their strike for the 7th day staging Dharnas in different parts of the national capital today. Unions held protesters in areas like Jhilmil Colony, Patparganj and Laxmi Nagar vowing to not clean East Delhis streets till their demands are met. East MCD reached out to sanitation workers for the second time by holding negotiations with union leaders but to no avail. advertisement After talks with workers, the department had come to a conclusion, but when some demands were not met, safai karamchaaris hit the streets again on Wednesday. Sanjay Gehlot, President of Swachhata Karamchari Union said,"They gave us many assurances in the meeting said we would get our money soon because they have no money presently and also agreed to meet us demands. We decided to call of the strike, but when the minutes of te meeting were published they ommitted some crucial information" Saying the authorities are making false promises another woman said,"Government says they've given the money, MCD says they have none. Where is it all going? For how long do we suffer?" Meanwhile, the MCD has hired private contractors to clean East Delhi's streets as garbage in the area continues to pile up for the 7th day. The corporation claims they need 582 cores to pay salaries, arrears and bonuses to the workers. With insufficient funds, an dworkers claiming upto 10 lakh is owed to each karamchari, the problem is far from over. --- ENDS --- The Uniti Salvam citizen network In the first few weeks following September 1, 2013, people would take to the streets in the daytime. Every evening they would gather in the squares and block the streets. Since more experienced activists knew this energy would eventually dry up without more organizing. So, they began meeting in bars and talking in secret and public groups on Facebook. It didn't take long to create an identity, a banner under which they could rally around. They called it Uniti Salvam, or United We Save. It was a network of experienced activists and citizens who wanted to get involved, and it set the tone for the rest of the protests. Actions, demonstrations and all other decisions made in the meetings were disseminated through the network's online platform, quickly making it the most trusted source for Rosia Montana information on the Internet. The network was comprised of people from numerous informal groups, communities and NGOs, and their first order of business was to keep the protests alive. First, they decided it was important to hold protests only on weekends, so that people would not tire out. Second, they decided they needed to reach people living outside the big cities where the protests had been taking place - especially since the media had been ignoring them. So they began marching through one of Bucharest or Cluj's outer neighborhoods every weekend, which proved to be a key decision for the entire campaign. The marches would start with just a few thousand people, but grow to tens of thousands, in Bucharest alone, by the time they reached their endpoint in the city center. The Victor Ponta led government chose not to intervene with force, waiting instead for things to die down. When that happened, the people's assembly - under the Uniti Salvam banner - decided to inject the protests with new creativity in order to entice people to stay. Support for Rosia Montana only increased On one occasion, this led to a human chain surrounding the Parliament building, while on another thousands of people formed a giant red and green leaf (the campaign's logo) by synchronizing their bodies in front of the government building. Gradually, all these actions began attracting more and more supporters. When the government saw the campaign stretch into Spring 2014, they decided not to vote the law into place - despite Gabriel Resources constantly threatening to take the Romanian state to an international arbitration court (which it eventually did in 2015) for blocking their project and causing them losses. According to Claudia Apostol from ARACIS, one of the oldest NGOs opposing the project alongside Alburnus Maior, "The 2013 protests and the movement that appeared in the process played a crucial role - not only because they defeated the law, but because they were also able to break the media embargo on the subject." Mihail Bumbes, a key organizer behind Uniti Salvam, seconded this opinion, saying, "The protests were decisive because they changed the views of an entire country in favor of Rosia Montana." A World Heritage Site in the making While the protests eventually died down, the people from Rosia Montana and Alburnus Maior knew that things could turn around in a flash. So they started to petition for the inclusion of the Rosia Montana region in the UNESCO World Heritage list, a move that would give them the international protection they desired. Ten successive culture ministers in Victor Ponta's government ignored the application, again expecting the opposition to fade. But the tragic fire at the Colectiv club in October 2015 forced Victor Ponta and his cabinet to resign. A new government of technocrats led by former European Union Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos took office. Ciolos knew that the Rosia Montana project was a sensitive issue and that the people who brought him to power were the same ones who struggled to save it, so he publicly declared that his government would not back the project and instead send the application to UNESCO. In February 2016 the village and its surrounds were added to the Romania's 'tentative list' for new World Heritage sites. The online petition remained available throughout 2016, gathering signatures to pressure him to keep his word. As the year progressed, and the December elections neared, the pressure grew strong again. The Social Democrats swept the elections, earning 45% of all the votes and forming a calm majority in Parliament with their coalition of allies from the Liberals and Democrats Alliance. As Ciolos appeared to be wavering on his pledge, a group of activists took a stand in front of the government building during the last few days of December. They dumped buckets of red and green pens on the street to remind the prime minister of his promise to sign the order to send the application to UNESCO. Finally, as a last ditch effort, Alburnus Maior sent the petition to the government on January 3, two days before the new government was set to take over. Just as Rosia Montana supporters were beginning to feel demoralized, thinking that they would have to fight the next government all over again, Minister of Culture Corina Suteu announced on January 4 that the application had been submitted, leaving everybody in shock. A huge victory - but continued vigilance will be necessary "Taking into consideration the constant political opposition to the [UNESCO] inclusion, the betrayals of certain intellectuals and the gross unprofessionalism of people in the mass media, this is a huge victory", said Doina Vella from Militia Spirituala, an NGO promoting active citizenship and human rights watchdog. Claudia Apostol agreed, but added, "We will remain watchful until there is a final decision from UNESCO and the Romanian state fully accepts the development of Rosia Montana along those lines." The last-minute decision to submit the UNESCO application came as a surprise for everybody. At first glance, it represents the final step toward ending the struggle once and for all. But ultimate victory remains uncertain. In their more that 15 years of resistance, the people of Rosia Montana and their supporters have suffered numerous betrayals. As such, they are determined to keep a constant watch, so as to protect their communities from future threats. Alexandru Predoiu is a student at SNSPA (National School of Political and Administrative Studies), studying the effectiveness of nonviolent actions applied in democratic countries. A long-time activist for different human rights watchdog groups, he is working to establish Romania's first nonviolent action training program for activists. See more of his articles here. More information: Rosia Montana campaign website (English). This article was originally published by Waging NonViolence (CC BY). This story was made possible by WNV's members - become one today. Tomorrow (January 12), British MEPs will be among those voting on whether CETA is bad news for the environment, public health and food safety - ahead of a final vote on the deal in February. Liam Fox bypassed parliamentary scrutiny to sign the UK up to the deal under its first stage of ratification. CETA has already put rocket boosters under runaway climate change by bringing high-polluting tar sands oil into Europe. NASA scientist James Hansen warns that if tar sands oil is exploited as projected it will be "game over for the climate". CETA doesn't merely threaten to undermine the Paris climate commitments. Its very existence is an affront to the fight against climate change; an unholy alliance of corporate lobbyists and US, Canadian and British government pressure ensured CETA derailed the Paris agreement before it took place, making a mockery of former UK Prime Minister David Cameron's "greenest ever government" spin and Canadian premier Justin Trudeau's claim that Southern countries "shouldn't be punished for a problem they didn't create". Secret CETA negotiations only progressed in 2009 after the European Commission shelved crucial climate change legislation. These rules stopped high-polluting fossil from entering Europe, including tar sands oil, which emits 23% more greenhouse gases over its lifetime than traditional fossil fuels. Research shows that 85% of the high polluting fuel must be left in the ground to meet climate change commitments. Canada has spent more than 24 million lobbying against the rules, securing more than110 meetings in two years. Freedom of information documents reveal that the British government did all it could to support Canadian efforts, with BP "bending the ear" of then transport minister Norman Baker in order to demolish the "regulatory burden". Then, in June 2014, the first tar sands oil shipment arrived in Europe. As EU trade expert Yannick Jadot - now the French Green Party's presidential candidate - explained, the legislation: "... effectively vanished into obscurity for close to five years. And the CETA negotiations proceeded." By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Jan 11 (PTI) Slamming the ruling Shiv Sena and BJP over the utilisation of the citys development funds, MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi today said these parties have failed to provide basic civic amenities to the citizens. He alleged that the elected representatives in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have misused the funds as there were no signs of development in any of the wards. advertisement "People accuse me of giving hate speeches. However, if speaking truth and speaking against the governments malpractices is hate speech, then everyone should give hate speeches. We have cried for 70 years, but we wont let this continue," Owaisi said while addressing his partys second rally at Kurla ahead of the BMC polls next month. He added that the government has even failed to provide basic facilities to Indian soldiers that live in inhumane conditions. "The government is not bothered about giving basic facilities like uniforms to the Army and they are talking about Digital India." "I was shaken by a report in a leading newspaper that how pregnant women were assaulted at the BMC hospitals by their staff while they were being operated. This is the condition of our civic hospitals. The civic body has allotted a budget of Rs 3,000 crore for the health sector. Sadly, all of the taxpayers money has gone down the drain," he said. MIM MLA Waris Pathan, while taking a dig at Congress loss and BJPs win at the assembly polls in 2014, said, "The Congress and NCP have performed badly during their tenure, because of which parties like BJP and Sena have come to power." "Congress and NCP leaders had made false promises of being a secular party since most of their leaders like Sanjay Nirupam and others have earlier been a part of communal parties like BJP-Sena," Pathan said. The legislator recalled the controversial event of his suspension from the state legistlature after he refrained from saying, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, and said, "I dont care if they suspend me. Unlike others, I dont require a seat to work for the people. I will keep working towards the development of the city." PTI MM NP --- ENDS --- A possible decision on a cable television provider for Rocky Mount was postponed until February. A 10-year extension on cable franchise and cable television has been proposed by Shenandoah Cable Television LLC (also called Shentel). Town council members delayed discussing it, however, as representatives from Shentel were not able to attend the town council meeting Monday night. That was due to weather-related travel problems, Town Manager C. James Irvin said. The contract for cable services expired last year, Irvin explained. The renewal process is governed by the Federal Communications Commission and the key point is a series of public hearings, he said. No citizens showed up for the first one in the summer. A document about the services was drafted and available for public review in November and December. No comments were made on it during a public hearing in December, he said, but he did receive one phone call with negative comments about Shentels fees and perceived lack of service. Before establishing, or in this case re-establishing, a television franchise, there has to be a series of public hearings and a negotiation period. The first public hearing was held on Feb. 4, 2016, in Rocky Mount. The second was held on Dec. 12. After the first public hearing last February, town officials negotiated for 10 months with Shentel. Under the terms currently proposed, the deal would take effect March 13 for a non-exclusive franchise. That means other companies could still apply to offer services in the town. One concern listed in the agenda packet was having received consistent complaints about signal quality. As part of the extension, Shentel officials agreed to test, analyze, and report on the performance of its cable television system at specific sites within the town that the town has identified as having service quality problems, according to the draft agreement provided to The Franklin News-Post by the town. Also, if Shentel officials find any problems through their testing, under the agreement they would be required to start working on the issue within 24 hours and have it fixed no later than 48 hours after its been identified. As part of the contract, the town can also ask for additional tests, full or partial repeat tests, different test procedures, or tests involving a specific subscribers terminal, the document states. Those reports would have to be delivered to the town no later than 10 business days after officials made the request. Other cable providers were solicited, but none gave offers of service, he said: The entire process has been quiet. Mayor Steven C. Angle said, I just had some questions Id like for them to answer before the decision was finalized. The current extension on cable service is good through March, Irvin said, so tabling the matter until February would not cause any trouble. Angle made a motion to table the matter, and the motion was approved. Other discussions Also during Monday nights meeting, Rocky Mount Community Development Director and Assistant Town Manager Matt Hankins addressed the council briefly about proposed security upgrades and improvements to the municipal building. The 2017 budget includes $60,000 to help secure local data on the digital side, while also protecting those who come inside. The plans will be put out to bid, and Hankins will present the bids at the March meeting. We think weve got a good set of improvements, and we look forward to showing what they are, Hankins said. The town council did approve holding the YMCA Y Resolve 5K/10K event on Jan. 21. Randy Simpson addressed the council on behalf of the YMCA to describe the races, which will be held rain or shine. The council also approved that the Franklin County Parks & Recreation may start and end its Chug for the Jug 5K, Kids Fun Run and Carilion Health Walk start and end at the farmers market on April 29. It makes for a crowd at the farmers market, Irvin said, and they get started then they come in and walk around and shop. No ones complaining. Finally, Public Works Superintendent Brian Schofield, who has been on the job for six months and is from Colorado, was praised for Public Works performance, particularly in the recent clearing of snow and ice. The crew delivered their typically admirable work, Irvin said. The guys put in a lot of hours, and I think they did a great job. Council members approved that the public works department may bid on a used automatic arm trash truck and agreed to hold a public hearing in February to hold a public hearing on converting to a new system of garbage collection. The new system would require two garbage trucks (a main and the back-up, which the bidding would purchase) and about 2,500 town-issued garbage cans. An automatic arm from each truck would lift and empty the cans into the back of the truck, instead of the current method, by which town workers must lift and empty the cans into the truck. Also during the meeting, council members and town staff discussed an issue with a problem parking situation which is not addressed under the towns current parking code. Two Franklin County contestants were selected as semifinalists at the Miss Virginia Association of Fairs state pageant held Sunday at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs. Miss Franklin County Agricultural Fair 2016 Chelsea Claytor was selected as one of the Top 5 semifinalists from a field of 24 contestants, and Miss Patrick County Agricultural Fair 2016 Reagan Hunley landed in one of the Top 10 slots. Claytor, 22, was crowned Miss Franklin County Agricultural Fair last September in the pageants second year. In the state competition, she was named third runner-up and earned a $500 cash scholarship. Claytors platform is Boss Babes. Her mission is to empower young women by teaching and mentoring them on how to find their passions and turn them into careers in which they can be their own bosses. Claytor is a 2012 graduate of Franklin County High School and a 2015 graduate of Virginia Tech with a major in political science. She is the owner of Studio Luxe in Rocky Mount and is a Mary Kay senior sales director. She is the daughter of Gwen Belcher Martin of Rocky Mount. Hunley, 18, was crowned Miss Patrick County Agricultural Fair last September in Stuart. She is the reigning Senior Miss Franklin County and Senior Miss Eastern America. Hunley is a senior at Franklin County High School, where she is active in the theater department. She starred as Snoopy in the schools production of Youre a Good Man Charlie Brown last spring. She has been cast to play Wendy Jo in the production of Footloose in March. Hunley plans to pursue a career in pediatric oncology nursing. She received a $200 scholarship towards her goals for placing in the Top 10 at the state competition. She is the daughter of Todd and Julie Hunley of Boones Mill. Claytor was assisted with her backstage preparation for the competition by her director and state chaperones, Danielle and Corrie Utt, both of Martinsville. Hundley was assisted by her director and chaperone, Tammy Bowles, owner of ShaLivys in Rocky Mount. The 2017 Franklin County Agricultural Fair is set for Sept. 13-16 at the Franklin County Recreation Park on Sontag Road in Rocky Mount. For more information about the fair, or for additional pageant photos, visit the fairs website at fcagfair.com, the pageants website at fcagfair.com/fair-pageant or Facebook at Franklin County Agricultural Fair or Miss Franklin County Agricultural Fair Pageant. DAVIS Beula Belle Abshire Beula Belle Abshire Davis, 91, was welcomed to her heavenly home on Friday, January 6, 2017. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God gave her peace. She passed away at her home surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by the love of her life, her beloved husband, Byron Junior Davis in 1981. Beula was born in Boones Mill, Va. on October 14, 1925 to Robert D. and Mary Barnhart Abshire. She was predeceased by her two sisters, Delia Jane Gross and Daris Abshire; and four brothers, Jennings, Elbert, Gilbert, and Dallas Abshire. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith lead by the Lord. Beula leaves her daughter, Elaine Davis Vestal and son-in-law, Thomas Coye Vestal; two grand-daughters, Kelly Leigh Chitwood and fianc, Andre Anastase Vonsiatsky, and Jennifer Lynn Chitwood and husband, Jeffery Samuel Stump to cherish her loving memory. She is also survived by her dearest friends, Clinton and Gladys Barbour, and the family of Willie and Evelyn Sink. Beula loved reading her bible and spending time with family. She always had a smile on her face. She was a loving and caring person, always thinking of others first. She had a generous heart and was always giving to others. She was a woman of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ's love and the beauty and peace that would await her after her passing. Beula is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator. She has finished her work here. She has left a fine example of how to live by her words and actions. She can now rest in peace. She has now come to the time for which she lived. This is not the end, but the beginning. Our comfort lies in the truth. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." Yes, Beula has resting to do. But her works will follow in ways that cannot be overlooked. Her presence was a powerful inspiration and her memory also! "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them" (Revelation 14:13) The family received friends Monday, January 9, 2017 at Flora Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral Services were held at Flora Funeral Chapel, Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 11 a.m., with Pastor David J. Jones and Pastor Kathryn Budzik officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Memorial Park, Grassy Hill Road, Rocky Mount, Virginia. Flora Funeral Home and Chapel is located at 665 South Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take a moment to aid an elderly person in feeling loved and appreciated. 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 ... Calling imposition of service charge an unfair trade practice, Paswan demanded that price list in hotel menu cards should reflect all the costs, including the service charge. By India Today Web Desk: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said the service charge in food outlets is an unfair trade practice and suggested the consumers can instead pay that money to "poor waiters". "Service charge paid by consumers should be given to poor waiters," Paswan said. "Imposing service charge is an unfair trade practice. The consumers need not pay," the Consumers Affairs Minister said. advertisement Paswan demanded that price list in hotel menu cards should reflect all the costs, including the service charge. Also read | Don't like paying service charge in restaurants? You have an option now Last week, the government said customers dissatisfied with service at any hotel or restaurant can opt to seek that service charge not be levied, as this is optional or discretionary as per the Consumer Protection Act. MAKE 'SERVICE CHARGE IS VOLUNTARY' NOTICE PUBLIC The Department of Consumer Affairs, in a statement, also asked state governments to advise hotels and restaurants to disseminate information, such as through displays, that "the service charges are discretionary or voluntary". The department said that it received complaints from consumers that many hotels and restaurants charged "service charge in the range of 5-20 per cent, in lieu of tips" and consumers were "forced to pay irrespective of the kind of service provided". Also read | In India, we cannot imagine food without adulteration, quips food minister Ram Vilas Paswan The restaurant owners, however, have voiced their disappointment over the decision, saying it would adversely impact millions of workers. WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- Around Burlington: When doctors and lawyers squared off on a diamond By Press Trust of India: Srinagar, Jan 10 (PTI) Kashmiri separatists today termed as "cosmetic" the decision of the state government to set up Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe the civilian deaths that occurred during last years unrest. They also slammed Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for pinning blame on them in connection with the unrest and also targeted the opposition parties, saying they were indulging in "drama". advertisement "Since 1990 over one lakh Kashmiris have been killed... and then in a show of concern, cosmetic measures of setting up inquiry commissions are announced with no results," said a joint statement issued by chairman of hardline Hurriyat Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF leader Mohammad Yasin Malik. Mehbooba had yesterday announced setting up of SITs at district level to probe the killing of civilians during mob control by security forces during the 5-month unrest last year. The people of Kashmir outrightly reject the "brazen lies" and "senseless" arguments, they said while referring to Mehboobas statement yesterday that Pakistan and separatists were to blame for the unrest and derailing the dialogue process. Referring to the concern voiced in the state Assembly by opposition parties over the killing of civilians during mob control by security forces, the statement said, "Unwanted uproar and deceitful hue and cry by the opposition in the Assembly is nothing but a drama." PTI SSB TA NSD AKK --- ENDS --- Colin Robertson | Getty Images The state of Colorado has approved the funding of a half dozen research grants into marijuana. All the studies aim to address questions about public health and safety revolving around legalization of cannabis in the state. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment announced the grants at the end of 2016. A total of $2.3 million will go to seven projects. The state already has approved $9 million in research over the past few years. Drass town of Kargil district's temperature dropped to minus 22 degrees on Wednesday. By Ashraf Wani: After the recent snowfall across Kashmir valley, temperature declined to its minimum across the state. Srinagar recorded season's lowest day temperature at minus 2 and night temperature at minus 5.5, but Drass town of Kargil district's temperature dropped to minus 22 degrees on Wednesday. Drass town of Kargil district Drass is the second most coldest place in the world after Siberia. Drass town of Kargil district advertisement Hill station and famous ski destination Gulmarg recorded minus 14 degress on Wednesday night. Gulmarg MeT department warned people in Kashmir that impact of this cold wave will remain till January 16 and that they should take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves till then. Most parts of Dal lake have started to freeze and if day temperatures continue to remain low, then the lake might freeze completely like it did 15 years back. Dal lake Dal lake --- ENDS --- CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) The Latest on the federal sentencing trial of convicted Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof (all times local): 4:45 p.m. A federal jury has sentenced Dylann Roof to death for killing nine black church members in a racially motivated attack in 2015. Roof, who is white, faced either life in prison or execution for the slayings on June 17, 2015. The Justice Department says he is the first person to get the death penalty for federal hate crimes. The jury reached a decision after about three hours of deliberations. Roof was convicted last month of all 33 federal charges against him. During sentencing, he represented himself and told jurors he didn't have a mental illness. But he didn't offer any remorse or ask that his life be spared. Roof told FBI agents he wanted to bring back segregation or perhaps start a race war with the slayings. ___ 4:30 p.m. A jury deliberating whether Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof should be sentenced to life in prison or death has reached a verdict. It will be announced soon. Roof was convicted of killing nine black church members in a racially motivated attack on June 17, 2015. The jury reached a decision after about three hours of deliberations. Roof, who is white, was convicted last month of all 33 federal charges against him. During the penalty phase of the trial, he represented himself and told jurors he didn't have a mental illness, but he didn't offer any remorse or ask that his life be spared. In a lengthy confession, Roof told FBI agents he wanted to bring back segregation or perhaps start a race war with the slayings. ___ 3:40 p.m. Jurors deliberating whether Dylann Roof should get death or life in prison have raised several questions about his potential imprisonment. The jury on Tuesday asked U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel for clarification on some of the mitigating factors they're being asked to consider, including if Roof could safely be confined if he were sentenced to life in prison. The judge told jurors to re-read the instructions he provided them to figure out what that means. Jurors also asked to re-watch a speech by the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was one of the nine people Roof killed during a Bible study in 2015. So far, jurors have deliberated Roof's sentence more than two hours. Roof didn't ask jurors to spare his life and told them he still feels he "had to" kill the nine Bible study attendees at Emanuel AME Church. ___ 1:35 p.m. Jurors have begun deliberating over whether Dylann Roof is sentenced to death or life in prison for his crimes. Jurors were sent to the jury room Tuesday afternoon to begin considering the case after U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel reviewed the charge that governs jurors' discussions. Prosecutors focused on the gruesome nature of the slayings of nine black parishioners attending a June 2015 Bible study at Charleston's Emanuel AME Church. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson also reminded jurors about the days of emotional testimony they've heard from relatives of all nine people killed. Roof gave a brief closing of his own, telling jurors he knew he could ask them to spare his life but wasn't sure "what good that would do." Roof is his own attorney in these proceedings and also told jurors he knew only one of them had to disagree with the others in order for him to avoid a death sentence. ___ 12:25 p.m. Dylann Roof is telling jurors at his sentencing that he has the right to ask them for life in prison instead of execution but he says he is not sure "what good that would do anyway." Roof did not ask the jury to spare his life for killing nine black church members in June 2015. He gave a closing argument of about five minutes on Tuesday. At one point, he said he felt like he had to commit the slayings, and "I still feel like I had to do it." Prosecutors say he should be executed because he had a "hateful heart" and the young white man targeted the black church in a racially motivated attack. Jurors will begin deliberations Tuesday afternoon. ___ 11:50 a.m. Prosecutors have made their final case as to why they believe Dylann Roof should die for slaying nine people during a Bible study. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson told jurors on Tuesday that Roof's crimes more than meet the standards they'll consider for a possible death sentence. Richardson says the way Roof mercilessly gunned down the black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church, coupled with his lack of remorse, mean he should receive the harshest sentence available. Richardson also reviewed emotional testimony jurors have heard about each of the victims and the voids created by their deaths. Roof is representing himself. The government will have the opportunity to give a rebuttal to anything Roof says, if he gives a closing argument. ___ 11:15 a.m. Prosecutors are explaining why they think Dylann Roof deserves to be executed for his crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson is laying out the standards that must be met for a death sentence, including that the defendant must be at least 18 years old and intentionally committed the crimes. There are also statutory aggravating factors, including killing "vulnerable" victims. Richardson is giving the federal government's closing argument during sentencing for Roof for the June 2015 slaughter at Emanuel AME Church. The prosecutor has reviewed testimony they heard about each of the nine victims, as well as Roof's preparations for the shootings and the entrenchment of his hatred toward black people. Roof is representing himself and has the chance to give a closing of his own after prosecutors finish. ___ 10:20 a.m. Jurors are getting a review of the emotional testimony given by friends and relatives of the nine people gunned down by Dylann Roof during a June 2015 Bible study. One by one, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson is reminding the jury of the voids created by the deaths of the people Roof killed. Relatives of the slain gave four days of testimony about what each person meant to them and how a future without them seems bleak. Richardson is giving the government's closing argument in its pursuit of the death penalty against Roof. Jurors are expected to begin their deliberations later Tuesday. ___ 10:05 a.m. Prosecutors have begun closing arguments in Dylann Roof's sentencing by reminding jurors about the bloody crime at a Charleston church where Roof killed nine people. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson recalled testimony from one of the massacre's survivors, who said Roof said he'd leave her alive so she could tell the world what happened. He reminded jurors of how survivor Felicia Sanders saw her son Tywanza slain as he lay next to her, his blood seeping out onto the floor. Richardson has said he'll likely take around two hours to close out the government's argument as to why Roof should be executed for his crimes in 2015. Jurors are expected to begin their deliberations later Tuesday. ___ 9:45 a.m. Prosecutors say they will take about two hours to close out their argument as to why Dylann Roof should be executed for slaying nine people at a South Carolina church. Closing arguments are being made Tuesday morning in Roof's federal sentencing trial. This is the last chance for prosecutors to make their case as to why he should be sentenced to death over life in prison. Federal prosecutors wrapped up their case Monday with relatives of the youngest victim to die in the June 2015 attack on a Bible study group at Emanuel AME Church. Roof is representing himself and introduced no witnesses or testimony in his own defense. Jurors will get the case after closings and their charge instructions. ___ 3:20 a.m. The fate of convicted church shooter Dylann Roof will soon rest in the hands of the 12 jurors considering sentencing in his federal trial. The same jury last month convicted Roof of 33 federal crimes, including hate crimes and obstruction of religion, in his June 2015 assault on a Bible study at Emanuel AME Church that left nine black parishioners dead. After a holiday break, jurors returned last week to court, where prosecutors laid out their case for why Roof should be executed. Jurors will get the case after closing arguments Tuesday morning from prosecutors and perhaps Roof, who has represented himself during sentencing but has put up no fight for his life. The 22-year-old didn't call any witnesses, present any evidence and so far has not asked for mercy. Eagles were in a struggle to stay unbeaten until this safety saved them eagles By Karishma Kuenzang: Anahita N Dhondy, chef manager of SodaBottleOpenerWala, is among the handful women chefs in the kitchens of the country's restaurants. A noted name in the industry today, Dhondy, a graduate of IHMA, Aurangabad, had Chef Sabyasachi Gorai as her mentor before she went to London to pursue her masters in culinary. When she came back, she joined the Olive Group, which was just conceptualising SodaBottleOpenerWala, as the head chef of the restaurant at the age of 23, an uncommon feature in the industry where chefs usually take about 10 years in the industry to head a kitchen. advertisement The first months were difficult as I didn't have as much experience as the guys working under me. Then, I started bringing in some of my mom (a caterer working from home) and grandmom's recipes of various Parsi cuisines, and that's when other people in the kitchen accepted and knew that I knew what I was doing. That's how I earned their respect in the kitchen. I had tried everything by then - bullying, screaming - and nothing had worked," she says. Highlighting the 'mind-block and stereotype' associated with female chefs in the kitchen, she adds, "The kitchen has always been a male-dominated area because of the amount of physical labour involved in it." Also Read:Blood rice to blood sausages: Here's a look at Shillong's crazy food She continues, "People make remarks like 'Don't lift that because it's too heavy' and 'Go home early' just because you're a female chef. And when you hear remarks like that, you can't shut up and listen to it quietly, you need to give it back to them. Because if you take it to heart, then you'll quit soon! That happens a lot with female chefs in India. We have to fight to pave a way for female chefs in the future." She further adds, "Almost 98 per cent kitchens are run by male chefs, so people aren't used to a female boss in this industry, which was a challenge for me. I mean, the guys in the kitchen will answer to a guy only and not a woman! They don't look at women as equal to men in the kitchen. If you're a girl, they won't take you seriously." The lack of women in the culinary field in India was something she noticed while she was pursuing her culinary studies in Aurangabad, where there would be around 50 boys and 10 girls in one class. "It's not the case abroad," she says, "where there are plenty of female chefs, and the ratio is equal." Dhondy, who now enjoys the status of being a 'celebrity chef ', says, "A lot of young people ask me how they can work towards becoming a celebrity chef, and my answer is that all I wanted to do was become a good chef. I used to help my mother out with her catering business since I was young, and realised I had an inclination towards it. So, I decided to take it up as my career." SodaBottleOpenerWala now has seven outlets, and they are currently working on opening some more outlets around the country. --- ENDS --- advertisement By India Today Web Desk: It was just a few days ago that Twinkle Khanna aka Mrs Funnybones announced her maiden production venture Padman. The actor-turned-producer is set to bring the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, the the revolutionary behind the Indian sanitary pad movement, on screen with Padman. And after roping in R Balki as the director and Akshay Kumar as the lead actor, the makers have now roped in the female lead for the film. advertisement ALSO READ: Khans, step aside, 2017 is Akshay Kumar 2.0's year ALSO READ: Sonam Kapoor and rumoured beau Anand Ahuja celebrate Anil Kapoor's birthday in London Padman will see Sonam Kapoor share screen space with Akshay Kumar for the second time. The Neerja actor took to Instagram to make the announcement and she wrote that she is "thrilled" to be a part of Padman. Thrilled to be a part of this prestigious project. #rbalki @akshaykumar @missfunnybones @radhikaofficial #padman A photo posted by sonamkapoor (@sonamkapoor) on Jan 10, 2017 at 3:49am PST The film is a biopic on social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham who invented the first low-cost sanitary napkins in India. It is for the second time that Akshay and Sonam will share the screen space after the 2011 film Thank You. Sonam was recently spotted at R Balki's office in Mumbai. It is for the first time that Balki has collaborated with Sonam for a film. Buzz has it that Radhika Apte will also join the star cast of Padman. (Photos: Yogen Shah) --- ENDS --- For the Intelligencer GCS Credit Union collected 7,500 pounds of food in honor of their 75th anniversary. GCS Credit Union proudly celebrates 75 years of service to over 35,000 members at eight branches across southwestern Illinois. GCS Credit Union established the goal to collect 7,500 pounds of food as a way to give back to the community that has given so much to them. The collection that didn't seem possible started in January of 2016. However GCS Credit Union hit the goal and then some in December with a final donation from 102.5 KEZK. The canned goods were donated throughout the year to the Granite City Community Care Center, the O'Fallon Community Food Pantry and local steelworkers. Laumeier Sculpture Park, located 12580 Rott Road in St. Louis, has announced its upconing schedule. For more information call (314) 615-5278. September 2016February 2017 Fall & Winter Art Classes & Workshops Laumeier Sculpture Park offers art courses for all ages as multi-day classes and one-day workshops for youth, teens and adults. Art Classes and Workshops provide participants with a focused experience within a particular medium, process or concept. Art Classes and Workshops are taught by local, experienced Artist-Instructors and are designed to encourage artistic development and self-expression. Small class sizes provide participants with individual attention; projects are designed to allow participants the freedom to explore their own potential and creativity. Art Classes and Workshops meet at Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, Saint Louis, Missouri. Call 314.615.5278 or visit www.laumeier.org for more information. SeptemberDecember 2016 / FebruaryApril 2017 Laumeier Teen Program Now in its second year, Laumeier's Teen Program is designed to encourage creative expression in young adults ages 13 to 19, offering workshops and mentoring to assist teens in preparing well-rounded portfolios. The Teen Program meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month during the school year (SeptemberDecember and FebruaryApril) at Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, Saint Louis, Missouri. $60 per month, ages 13 to 19. Call 314.615.5278 or visit www.laumeier.org for more information. November 5, 2016January 29, 2017 Exhibition: Mohau Modisakeng Laumeier Sculpture Park presents an indoor exhibition consisting of photographs and videos by South African artist Mohau Modisakeng in the Whitaker Foundation Gallery at the Adam Aronson Fine Arts Center. The Soweto-born, Cape Town-based artist creates lush, elegant photographs and videos that reimagine the black body in contemporary society. Modisakeng is often the actor in his simple performances that express issues of rebirth against the historical trauma of colonization and apartheid. This is Laumeiers second project organized in collaboration with Mark Coetzee, Founding Executive Director & Chief Curator, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town, that explores issues of Truth & Reconciliation from two distinctly different historical perspectives. The exhibition runs Saturday, November 5, 2016Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Adam Aronson Fine Arts Center at Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, Saint Louis, Missouri. Free. Call 314.615.5278 or visit www.laumeier.org for more information. Curated by Marilu Knode; supported by Adrienne D. Davis, Alison and John Ferring, Patricia Smith-Thurman and the Des Lee Collaborative Vision at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, with assistance from WHATIFTHEWORLD Gallery, Cape Town. November 5, 2016January 29, 2017 2016 Kranzberg Exhibition Series: Alison Ouellette-Kirby & Noah Kirby: Arena Laumeier Sculpture Park presents an outdoor exhibition by local sculptors Alison Ouellette-Kirby and Noah Kirby at the Amphitheater in the Way Field for the 2016 Kranzberg Exhibition Series. The massive structural installation consists of five sheet-metal megaphones with an interactive audio element. Inspired by their previous Tone Deaf series, the artwork incorporates a mechanism that translates and projects visitors voices into harmonic gibberish as a response to the flora and fauna in the Park. The exhibition runs Saturday, November 5, 2016Sunday, January 29, 2017, at Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, Saint Louis, Missouri. Free. Call 314.615.5278 or visit www.laumeier.org for more information. Curated by Dana Turkovic; supported by Nancy and Ken Kranzberg. AJ French wants to change the world. The part of the world, at least, that undervalues mental health education and the need to help those dealing with mental health issues. And she has, as she puts it, a relentless desire to cultivate cultures conducive to mental health and wellness. French has acknowledged past battles with hopelessness, homelessness, hospitalization and even suicide, so that when she speaks on the topic today, her words resonate with authenticity. French considers it a miracle that she was able to latch on to a training session that helped her re-discover hope that enabled her to begin fighting for her life. She is now a facilitator for such training session, and starting Feb. 2 she will begin helping run an evidence-based mental health education curriculum that is being offered to residents of Edwardsville and the surrounding area. Of the evidence-based approach French says, I like to tell people I am the evidence. The program goes by the acronym WRAP, which stands for Wellness Recovery Action Plan. It runs for 11 weeks and will meet Thursday evenings in an upstairs room at Eden Church in Edwardsville. While WRAP was created as a mental health curriculum, there are WRAPs for subjects such as physical health, personal relationships, and how to remain a healthy parent when your child is going through drug treatment. French does a lot of public speaking on behalf of mental health education, and there is even, she says, a WRAP for how to be a healthy public speaker. Recently she began using the darker periods of her past as a professional template in creating Gift of Voice. Recently Gift of Voice formed its own board of directors and last November it was legally incorporated with the state of Illinois. Now the organization is in the midst of a capital campaign. Funds raised in the campaign will help support the development of professional internships for people with mental health conditions who are pursuing the Certified Recovery Support Specialist credential. And there is also a national training center in the works. The centers focus will be on three areas of mental health education: recovery education; advocacy support; and Christian responsibility. Recovery Education training focuses on the mental health of an individual, using curricula with proven effectiveness such as WRAP and Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), which integrates mental and physical health education. The advocacy support component focuses on the mental health of communities and has a social justice component, French says. One of its goals is to train speakers to advocate in the community for a wide range of topics that have mental health as their common denominator. At some later date speakers will be trained in community organizing principles and taught to address an issue in a way that gets results that benefit people with mental health issues The speakers will be made available to civic organizations, churches and other groups in the area, We have people that would love to share their experiences in the public arena, French said. The focus for the Christian responsibility segment is on self-care for pastors and ministry leaders. Because of its unique demands, the profession can leave pastors susceptible to burnout, depression and, in the worst cases, suicide. Pastors may not feel that they have anyone they can turn to, French said. They may feel particularly isolated. Being a pastor is kind of like being a veteran in the sense that their job could be at risk if they disclose a mental health challenge. And what we found is that if you have been ordained and established within your denomination, there is less risk than if youre a ministry student. Ministry students are oftentimes barred from becoming ordained if they disclose having a mental health challenge. So the first thing we do is make sure that pastors have a place where they can focus on self care for themselves. The national training center also aims to equip pastors as first responders for people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Surprisingly, many pastors feel that they havent been adequately trained in mental health education. Some colleges dont even require such courses. So we have to really consider our pastors as first responders and lessen that gap, French said. But first they have to take care of their own needs that best equip them to respond to their congregants. Goals for 2017? French wants to develop the CRSS internships. CRSS is professional human services credential maintained by the Illinois Certification Board. Earning it takes, at a minimum, one year. But having it could lead to a job as a recovery support specialist for places such as mental health agencies, domestic violence shelters or housing shelters. The Wellness Recovery classes will be held in an upstairs room at Eden Church, located at 903 N. Second Street in Edwardsville. There is no charge though Gift of Voice asks for a small donation to help pay for materials. Anyone interested should contact French at (618) 792-2049. The pastor at Eden Church, John Roberts, says he appreciates the opportunity to support Gift of Voice. I believe that trying to help people with mental health issues is an important part of the care of Gods people, he said recently. And it makes sense for a church like us to provide the space AJ and her ministry need to get started. Roberts has been the pastor at Eden for nine years and is on the Gift of Voices board of directors. The experience has helped him to be a voice and to listen, to learn myself and to grow, so I can know how to serve people in my own congregation when people walk in the door. Eden Church, he said, is acting in a pro-active manner by helping people who are struggling with mental health issues. While French has encouraged the congregation to participate, the public is certainly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity as well. Roberts says he is continuing to learn about the mental health community by being on the board of directors. Im still growing and I feel like getting involved helps me, he said, and maybe it can help other pastors learn more about how we can partner with mental health services to provide the best holistic care for the people in our community. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Julia Suryakusuma (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 14:51 2123 9b519824cb3263083aedb70a0ba9af42 3 Opinion Pakistan,extremism,bilateral-ties,Islam,Islamic-extremism,radical-group,radicalism Free How can you be neighbors if you are over 5,800 kilometers apart? If you consider the Indian Ocean to be a connector (rather than a divider) and you happen to be Indonesia and Pakistan, that is how. This is what Maj. Gen. (ret.) Mahmud Ali Durrani implied in the talk he gave on Jan. 6, at an event hosted by the Foreign Policy Community Indonesia (FPCI). Pretty imaginative, right? Old generals dont fade, they give talks. And having served in the military for 37 years, as Pakistans national security adviser, as ambassador to the US, and the author of several books on security issues, he has a lot under his belt to share with others. And perhaps Durrani believes in the Indonesian saying, Jauh di mata, dekat di hati (literally meaning far from sight, close to the heart) when he mentions Indonesia and Pakistans closeness. Not in terms of geographical proximity obviously, but in so many other ways. Indonesia is the largest Muslim populated country in the world (over 260 million, 88 percent Muslims), and Pakistan is the secondlargest (population 193 million, 97 percent Muslims). Both countries are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Developing 8 Countries. In a 2012 BBC World Service global poll, Pakistan was ranked as the second-most negatively viewed country in the world (after Iran). However, the same poll conducted in 2014 revealed that 40 percent of Indonesians viewed Pakistan positively, with 31 percent expressing a negative view. Nevertheless, it still makes Indonesia the country with the most positive perception of Pakistan in the world. There are also historical ties: Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistans founding father, encouraged Muslim soldiers serving in the British Indian Army to help free Indonesia of the Dutch colonialists. Reading the news, its not hard to understand that the world sees Pakistan as being a hotbed of terrorism. But when I visited Pakistan twice in 2013, I found a beautiful country with friendly charming people. Pakistan has a lot going for it just Google Interesting facts about Pakistan and you will be amazed (see also Pakistan: A nation cursed, a nation blessed, The Jakarta Post, Feb. 20, 2013)! Durranis talk was a geo-strategic update of South Asia, focusing on Pakistans neighbors and the US, which obviously has important implications not just for the region but also for the world and global terrorism. I couldnt help, however, thinking of the similarities between the development of socio-religious identity in Indonesia, which has become increasingly similar to Pakistan, especially recently. Sectarianism and the politics of identity in Pakistan and other South Asian nations like Bangladesh, are very pronounced. Cases of violence triggered by accusations of blasphemy and the radicalization of Islamic extremism have occurred much earlier in these two countries, e.g. the Bangladeshi blogger who was killed for allegedly insulting Islam. The most famous ongoing case at the moment of course is that of Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, incumbent governor of Jakarta currently on trial for alleged blasphemy (see Politicization of religion: Believe, but dont fight about it!, the Post, Nov. 30, 2016). During the presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) between 2004 and 2014, there were already fears of the Pakistanization of Indonesia, meaning, Indonesias Muslim community, which has become increasingly polarized after what is famously known as the 212 demonstration of Muslim extremists against Ahok. Basically, they didnt care if Ahok is guilty or not. Being a Chinese-Christian is blasphemy enough. Ouch! So we need to learn from Pakistan, or more precisely, to avoid falling into the religious traps Pakistan has fallen into. Believe it or not, Pakistan was not founded as an Islamic state and in the beginning the Muslim majority was only 83 percent. Like in Indonesia, there were the supporters of keeping Pakistan secular, and also those who wanted an Islamic state. Its true that in 1956, the state adopted the name Islamic Republic of Pakistan declaring Islam as the official religion, but they did not take any further measures to adopt Islamic law. Up to 1971, the countrys military leaders (who decide what goes on politically in Pakistan) continued a secularist tradition and repressed much of Islamic activism. It was under Gen. Zia-ul-Haq that Islamization occurred, causing him to be called the person most responsible for turning Pakistan into a global center for political Islam. In a way, Pakistan became a victim of its decision to use Islam as the basis for the state. Obviously the fault lies not in Islam as such, but in the interpretation of Islam, which is fraught with political interests. The fatwas issued are often used to clobber those who disagree with them, or simply, minorities including women. Pakistan is also a victim of the geopolitics of the global cold war and the Wests manipulation of Islam for its nefarious designs. Many of us are familiar with how the US used Afghanistan for their proxy war against the Soviets, training the mujahideen, who eventually morphed into the Taliban, which Durrani also spoke about. The West created their Frankenstein (i.e. the revival of radical Islam), and are now blaming all Muslims for the mess they created? Get real. It was also during the war in Afghanistan that 350 of Indonesias militants from Darul Islam (before it split into Jamaah Islamiyah, JI) were involved in military training in Pakistan. When they returned, they were the ones involved in terrorism in Indonesia since the Bali bombings in 2002, and the Marriott Hotel bombing in 2009. They also trained locals in Ambon and Poso (1998-2001) during the sectarian conflict between Muslims and Christians, respectively in 19992002 and 1998-2001. When the Islamic State (IS) group declared itself a caliphate, some Indonesian students in Pakistan, especially those in the JI network (due to their parents being members of JI), departed for Syria and became members of the Katibah Nusantara (KN) meaning Katibah Archipelago. Who are they? None less than the Southeast Asian military unit within IS. They are composed mainly of Malay-speaking individuals and received notoriety as the perpetrators of the 2016 Jakarta attacks. Scary or what? Radical Islam manifests itself in the overt world, like in the case of Ahok, and in the covert world, like ISIS. Together they are like two strands when twisted together become the rope that strangles our democratic liberties and rights. As Durrani said in his talk, your cousin is your potential enemy. Geo-politics are like family feuds, but terrorism is also a family affair of the deadliest kind. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kyunghoon Kim (The Jakarta Post) London Wed, January 11, 2017 16:27 2123 9b519824cb3263083aedb70a0baa28f4 3 Opinion state-owned-enterprises,holding-company,Merger Free The Indonesian government under Joko Jokowi Widodo has begun to execute a plan to establish sectoral holding companies comparable in size and competitiveness to global leading companies. Through this plan, the government ambitiously aims to increase the number of Indonesian companies in the Fortune Global 500 list from 2 in 2015 to 6 in 2019. In December 2015, the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Ministry shared with the President and the House of Representatives its plan to establish 16 state-owned holding companies. The ownership of SOEs will be transferred to each SOEs respective holding company, which in turn will be wholly owned by the government. Existing SOEs may act as parent companies of other SOEs, or new holding companies may be created to hold shares of SOEs depending on the circumstances. In August 2016, the ministry proposed potential holding companies for six sectors. The ministry plans to designate Pertamina (oil and gas), Inalum (Mining), Hutama Karya (toll roads and infrastructure construction), Perumnas (housing construction), Danareksa (financial services) and Bulog (food commodities) to hold shares of other SOEs in their industries. Holding companies in at least four sectors, namely shipbuilding and heavy equipment manufacturing, maritime transportation, pharmaceutical and insurance, are expected to be announced in 2017. The aim of the plan is to create synergies between SOEs. The government expects that merger or consolidation of SOEs will reduce duplication and fragmentation and create economies of scale. Pertamina has announced that the merger of its subsidiary Pertamina Gas (Pertagas) with Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) will raise efficiency in capital expenditure, saving at least US$1.6 billion in investment. The government also hopes to strengthen SOEs borrowing and investment capacities through establishing holding companies. The government believes that the plan will allow the SOE sector to raise its contribution to economic development while limiting its reliance on the state budget. For example, when a holding company is established in the mining sector, the value of corporate assets of the consolidated SOEs is expected to expand from Rp 65.6 trillion ($4.9 billion) to Rp 182.0 trillion mainly through an increase in debt leverage. After five years of establishment, the value is expected to increase further to Rp 270.5 trillion. Indonesias attempt to establish sectoral holding companies dates back to the 1980s, but there are currently holding companies in only four sectors: fertilizer, cement, plantation and forestry. The restructuring has been time consuming due to administrative and legal hurdles and conflicts between stakeholders. The current plan may require even more time to be completed not only because it is more extensive and comprehensive than before, but also because many SOEs are partially listed on the stock exchange and therefore private shareholders will have to be consulted prior to executing the plan. SOEs should use this time to their advantage. While the government focuses on devising detailed implementation strategies and preparing a necessary legal basis, it should also encourage SOEs to continuously scrutinize the synergy estimates prior to forming holding companies. Through a process of trial and error, SOEs could identify areas of collaboration, find sources of dis-synergies, and refine the estimation of post-merger costs. In this regard, state companies in a number of industries are moving in the right direction. In December 2015, four state banks combined their automatic teller machines (ATMs) and networks to allow clients to use any ATMs managed by the group without additional fees. These state banks have also developed an integrated IT system that can read prepaid cards or electronic money issued by any of the four partners. Such strategies enable SOEs to estimate the cost of consolidation and analyze the effects of integration efforts on operating efficiency. Some state enterprises have formed consortiums or joint ventures to carry out large-scale projects. These efforts allow SOEs to test their ability to coordinate business activities. For example, Hutama Karya, Waskita Karya and Jasa Marga plan to form a joint venture and cooperate in constructing a section of the Trans-Sumatra toll road. Some SOEs have merged their management functions, enabling them to standardize operations and reorganize business portfolios before consolidating their ownership. The operation functions of Hotel Indonesia Natour, a state-owned hospitality company, and Patra Jasa and Aerowisata, subsidiaries of Pertamina and Garuda Indonesia respectively, were consolidated under the name of the Hotel Indonesia Group (HIG) in 2016. Hotels owned by two more SOEs have also joined the HIG, increasing the number of the groups hotels to 36, and at least 97 hotels owned by other SOEs are expected to join in the future. When estimating the effects of holding company formation, SOEs need to keep in mind that the competitive environment will change in the future. The Jokowi administration is strongly supporting SOEs to lead economic development in certain sectors such as infrastructure, but at the same time the government is adopting liberalization policies in other sectors. Moreover, private businesses are protesting the dominance of SOEs in the economy and pressuring the government to create a level playing field. After scrutinizing the effects of integration, the SOEs should calibrate their plan to maximize synergies and to deal with dis-synergies in preparation for holding company formation. If SOEs find that the dis-synergies and the post integration costs are expected to exceed the benefits for certain holding companies, the government needs to revisit the restructuring plan. The effects of merger or consolidation will be significantly different across industries, and therefore a one-size-fits-all approach should be avoided. *** Kyunghoon Kim is a PhD candidate at the Department of International Development, Kings College London, UK. He was previously a research fellow at the Samsung Economic Research Institute, South Korea. --------------- We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to community@jakpost.com. For more information, click here. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Ever dreamed of what life would look like if it were a video game? Well, its time to plunge back into reality because its finally coming true. Razer, a company that offers the creme de la creme of gaming products, introduced its latest venture, Project Ariana, at Consumer Electronics Show 2017 in Las Vegas this week. Unlike virtual reality (VR) goggles, Razers Ariana allows users to enter the titular game world with the naked eye by enabling them to play a PC title on the TV or monitor on their wall and furniture. The company's CEO and co-founder Min Lian Tang described it as, Project Ariana is able to offer a virtual reality experience without a headset and can be enjoyed by everyone in a room. (Read also: Samsung gaming laptops debut at CES 2017) As Ariana transcends the boundaries of users' screens, it allows a video games psychedelic content to encapsulate their entire gaming space with the help of a projector. It does this by projecting the environmental information of a video game on to the room around it thanks to Razers Chroma lighting technology and laser sensors, 4K video projection technology, as well as game code integration in partnership with publishers. Razers future plans entail that Project Ariana will be turned into a consumer-ready model by the end of this year. In the meantime, its Facebook and Twitter pages are open for feedback for those wanting to help mold the development of the product. (nik/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 18:39 2123 9b519824cb3263083aedb70a0baad492 1 Lifestyle joko-widodo,#Jokowi,Jokowi,fashion,bomber-jacket,sarong,checkered-shirt,white-shirt Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo, the internet darling that he is, always steals the spotlight when it comes to his outfits, no matter how low maintenance he claims his style to be. Here are the low-maintenance trends popularized by the President through buzz among social media users. Sarong and suit jacket combo During his visit to Pekalongan, Central Java, on Monday, Jokowi was spotted dressed in a brown sarong combined with a suit jacket and white shirt. To complete the wardrobe, the President donned a peci (traditional Indonesian Muslim head wear) and selop (traditional slippers), as reported by kompas.com. The sarong created a reaction in the Twitterverse, as it's known to modern-day Indonesians as something worn casually. However, in years past the sarong, suit jacket and peci combo was worn to formal events. Previously, Jokowi wore a sarong in a relaxed manner in a low-key New Years Eve celebration at the Bogor Palace. On his official Twitter account, the President wore a plain shirt paired with a checkered sarong. 00.00 Tahun 2017 di rumah saja SELAMAT TAHUN BARU -Jkw pic.twitter.com/sk3H5LOX92 Joko Widodo (@jokowi) December 31, 2016 Both formal and relaxed styles donned by the President have gained various reactions from netizens, with many praising Jokowi for being so inspiring style-wise and demanding the name of the brand of sarong, using the hashtag #sarungjokowi. Some netizens also copied the sarong style while using the same hashtag. Bomber Jacket Jokowis outfit distracted netizens when he appeared in a green bomber jacket during a press conference following a rally in Jakarta in November last year. Speculation about whether it was a Zara or a Pull & Bear jacket went on for hours. Amid the internet users curiosity over the jackets brand, Jokowis youngest son Kaesang Pangarep joined the crowd by suggesting they visit the food business owned by his brother, Gibran Rakabuming, if they wanted to know where Jokowi bought the jacket. After more observations, Twitter user @prawirowijaya later posted the answer: You all can thank me later. Problem solved! Bomber jaket Pak @jokowi ZARA, bukan Pull & Bear. You all can thank me later, polemik selesai! #jakartaharusdamai pic.twitter.com/DrAtnrgxUN Prawiro Wijaya (@prawirowijaya) November 4, 2016 Worn by Jokowi, the bomber jacket created its own phenomena on social media, especially on Instagram. Using hashtags #jaketjokowi and #jaketbomber, many of users offered pre-orders for those who wanted to dress like Mr. President. Mau beli jaket kayak Pak Jokowi! Lidia Rani (@Liiids) November 4, 2016 Oke. Mari selesaikan dengan polling: apa merk jaket pake jokowi? Alexander Thian (@aMrazing) November 4, 2016 Following the social media conversation, Jokowi did not stop wearing the jacket and continued to wear it to his other activities. NTT tidak perlu khawatir lagi mengenai kekurangan listrik. Kapal listrik berdaya 60 MW bisa menyuplai listrik utk 230.000 rumah tangga -Jkw pic.twitter.com/zK5y38yXN2 Joko Widodo (@jokowi) December 28, 2016 Megamall di kota Manado, banyak baju dan topi yg keren -Jkw pic.twitter.com/CbMqYgWdJY Joko Widodo (@jokowi) December 26, 2016 Kita semua berharap Timnas Indonesia menjadi juara AFF 2016. Disiapkan bonus Rp 12 miliar untuk seluruh pemain. Ayo semangat! Jkw pic.twitter.com/usDHHqUOqP Joko Widodo (@jokowi) December 17, 2016 (Read also: Puteri Indonesia to wear Garuda costume at Miss Universe pageant) White Shirt A plain white shirt seems to have been Jokowis favorite apparel since he was the governor of Surakarta and later of Jakarta and in the State Palace it is now known as the dress code for his Cabinet. While on other occasions he complied with requirements to wear batik or suits, he sticks with the simple white shirt and black trousers on a daily basis. During the 2014 presidential election campaign, Jokowi ditched the white-black attire and returned to wearing his renowned red-and-blue plaid shirt, an outfit that he donned during his Jakarta gubernatorial rally, while his running-mate Jusuf Kalla (JK) wore a plain white shirt. This is what we will wear until July 9. We will wear different shirts to symbolize how we complement each other, said Jokowi at that time. Pak JK is an experienced politician, while Im younger than him. A photo posted by Boy Kelana Soebroto (@boykelanas) on Jul 9, 2014 at 12:50am PDT Jokowi admitted that at first he decided to use plain white shirts as the pairs campaign dress code. But the other camp was wearing the same color, so we had second thoughts about wearing them, he added, referring to his opponents Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rajasa who were known to wear white shirts and khaki pants as their signature colors during the presidential campaign. Jokowi continued wearing white shirts from the time of his inauguration on Oct. 20, 2014 to the announcement of his Cabinet lineup. At the time, Jokowi and his deputies wore long-sleeved white shirts, which symbolized the wearers duty to touch people's lives with their work. According to kompas.com, the white shirts had replaced the safari suit that was popular when Soeharto and after him Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono were the presidents. In social media, many netizens have ordered shirts that looked like Jokowis using the hashtag #kemejajokowi. Moreover, the high demand for Jokowis white shirt could be seen in Pasar Tanah Abang and Pasar Senen, although the plain ones were not as popular as the plaid shirts. Kemeja kerja khas Bpk presiden Joko Wi. Good . #kemejajokowi#kemejaputih #kemejakerja #konveksi#garment #uniform #uniquegarment #solo#surakarta A photo posted by Unique Ad Surakarta (@uniquesolo7) on Apr 15, 2016 at 6:12am PDT Checkered Shirt Both Jokowi and his running mate, Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, donned red-and-blue plaid shirts with rolled-up sleeves during their days as candidates for Jakartas gubernatorial election in 2012. As quoted by kompas.com, Jokowi explained why he always rolled up his sleeves. He said it was because he wanted to show that leaders must be ready to work. Meanwhile, Ahok added that Jakarta needed leaders who knew their peoples situation personally, not by just sitting down behind a desk. A photo posted by KIKI FEBRIA (@kikiloveanchor) on Oct 27, 2015 at 10:10pm PDT Many netizens have followed the trend by wearing plaid shirts. A photo posted by Baqip (@bakip) on Sep 20, 2012 at 9:55am PDT Online sellers seized the opportunity and offered pre-orders for plaid shirts similar to the candidates'. Indonesian social media users have reacted to all of Jokowi's outfits, which brings the next big question: What will our fashion icon popularize next? (asw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11 2017 The airline industry is upbeat that it will be able to post a double-digit target in 2017, supported by growing economy, aggressive tourism promotion and various infrastructure improvements. Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) scheduled flight division head Bayu Sutanto said on Monday it expected to see the number of domestic flight passengers rise by 17 percent annually by year-end, similar to what it hoped to book in 2016. INACA attributes its optimism to domestic economic growth, which has been expanding slowly since early 2015. 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 The deceased woman's family has filed a complaint of negligence on part of the SpiceJet crew, who allegedly failed to provide medical assistance. By Anindya Banerjee: A 34-year-old woman died on a SpiceJet flight, flying from Mumbai to Varanasi, earlier today. She died while the aircraft was airborne, and now her family has alleged negligence on part of the airline. The deceased woman, Sangeeta, a resident of Varanasi, was flying with her husband and daughter in Flight SG 704. The woman is said to have complained of ill health halfway through the journey and subsequently collapsed. advertisement The family has filed a complaint of negligence on part of the airline crew, who allegedly failed to provide medical assistance. Also read: SpiceJet plane makes emergency landing at Delhi airport, airline denies Meanwhile, SpiceJet in a statement has rubbished the allegations saying Sangeeta was "attended to by a doctor onboard,". "A passenger travelling on board SG 704 from Mumbai to Varanasi complained of breathlessness. The passenger was attended to by a doctor onboard and assisted by SpiceJet cabin crew. She was provided with all necessary medical assistance. The captain informed ATC and requested for medical assistance on landing." Sangeeta was attended at the airport upon landing, and taken to the nearest hospital where she was declared 'brought dead'. A postmortem is to take place to ascertain the exact reason of the death. Also read: Disaster averted at Delhi airport as Indigo, SpiceJet aircraft come face-to-face --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Bantul Wed, January 11 2017 Civil servant Yulius Suharta has led Pajangan district in Bantul, Yogyakarta for less than two weeks, but he will have to pack his bags soon following his removal from the post following protests over the fact that he practices a different religion from that of the districts Muslim majority. The decision was made after a closed-door meeting between Regent Suharsono, Pajangan community figures and representatives of political factions at the regency legislative council on Monday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 The director of Jakarta-based polling company Populi Center, Usep S. Ahyar, says he believes the ongoing blasphemy trial of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama may boost the incumbent's electability. "As the trial continues, people can get more of an understanding about this case, which can benefit the incumbent. As an example, people can see that witnesses against Ahok are less competent," Usep told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. Usep added that, according to a recent survey initiated by the Populi Center, Ahok had his loyal voters who are rational enough to see behind this blasphemy case. They would keep voting for Ahok, despite the blasphemy accusation, because they were satisfied with his performance as governor. Usep released its latest survey, conducted in mid-December, which said that 34.2 percent of 600 respondents would vote for Ahok and his running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat in the election. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni followed the incumbent with 32.3 percent support and Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno with 25 percent, he said. (Read also: Ahok's lawyers criticize witness' background, noting him as Agus supporter) Usep also noted that Ahok and his team had wisely used the trial to increase his electability. "The court can be seen as a 'free political stage' and Ahok has creatively used it. As an example, Ahok held a press conference while the trial was closed to media so he could deny all the rumors that discredited him," he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 The price of chili reached Rp 140,000 (US$ 10.52) at Palmerah Market in West Jakarta on Wednesday, although the price from farmers was still lower than Rp 30,000. Deputy chairman of House of Representatives Commission IV, overseeing agricultural affairs, Herman Khaeron expressed concern over the skyrocketing price of birds eye chili. On Jan. 11, prices were still between Rp 50,000 and Rp 55,000, but now the price has reached Rp 140,000 per kiloliter at this market, said Herman as quoted by tribunnews.com while visiting the market on Wednesday. It is an irrational price as the farmer only gets less than Rp 30,000, he added. (Read also: Chili price hike bites sellers at Kramat Jati market) He suspected a distribution issue, as many regions were able to harvest chili normally. He expressed the hope that the government would pay serious attention to the distribution of the commodity to ensure that it took place smoothly. But President Joko Jokowi Widodo said the price hike of the commodity was particularly caused by the unfavorable weather to plant chili. Sellers and restaurants have said that they have been affected by the rising price of birds eye chilia key ingredient in many Indonesian dishes. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Beijing Wed, January 11, 2017 Chinese President Xi Jinping's delegation to next week's World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos is open to meeting with President-elect Donald Trump's team, an official said Wednesday. Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong told reporters at a briefing that "there are open channels of communication" with Trump's team. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the annual gathering of business leaders, politicians and cultural icons are still being finalized, but China would look into what sort of arrangements could be made "as long as the schedule permits and if there is the wish," he said. Trump has accused China of unfair trade practices and threatened punishing tariffs and upended diplomatic protocol by speaking by phone with the president of Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. As part of an official visit to Switzerland, Xi will open the annual economic meeting in Davos on Jan. 17, accompanied by the largest delegation of officials from China since the world's most populous country first participated at the forum nearly four decades ago. Xi will be the first Chinese president to attend the meeting, and is leading the Chinese delegation instead of Premier Li Keqiang, who had previously participated as the chief custodian of China's massive economy. China has sought to be more influential globally and present itself as a force for stability and champion of globalization while opposing rising protectionist sentiment in the West. The Davos forum takes place during a week when the United States, the world's largest economy, will be focused on Donald Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration as president. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Contrary to the Indonesian Military (TNI), the Defense Ministry has defended Bela Negara (State Defense) training for members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI). Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Tuesday that the military style training was for all citizens regardless of their backgrounds, including FPI members, but should be done properly. "As long as we teach [the participants] good things, why not? All people of the country must defend the state. And so must the FPI," Ryamizard said. (Read also: State defense training for FPI not allowed: TNI) TNI spokesperson Maj. Gen. Wuryanto previously said the military institution had banned FPI members from undertaking the training after photos of a session in Lebak, Banten, were uploaded to the FPI's Instagram account @dpp_fpi. The TNI later removed Lebak military commander Lt. Col. Czi Ubaidillah from his post for holding the training. Wuryanto gave his assurances that regional commanders throughout the country were prohibited from providing training to the FPI although the military has yet to issue an official letter to confirm such instructions. The FPI has posted more photos of similar trainings held by the military for its members in Madura, East Java. Ryamizard said his office would conduct its own investigation into the incident in Lebak over a violation of proper procedures that led the public to question the Bela Negara program. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Lita Aruperes (The Jakarta Post) Manado Wed, January 11, 2017 The detention of four students from Papua who have been accused of treason by Manado Police, has been extended to Feb. 17 or 40 days since their arrest. Manado Police crime unit head Comr. Edwin Humokor said Tuesday the case dossiers had been submitted to the prosecutors office. Their detention has been extended to simplify the investigation process, Edwin said. He said the suspects violated article 106 of the Criminal Code on treason, which carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and 20 years as a minimum. The four are: William Wim, Emanuel Ukago, Panus Hesegem and Indonesian Consulate of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) head Hizkia Meage. Lawyer Hendra Baramuli said he would file a pretrial motion to free the four. He said the four had only expressed their opinions and should not have been charged with treason. The four were arrested along with 81 other students in two locations in December last year. The others were released. The KNPB has been campaigning for self-determination in Papua and West Papua provinces, where collectively the two internationally have been referred to as West Papua to distinguish the region from Papua New Guinea. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fachrul Sidiq (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 The governments recent plan to impose sanctions against companies that fail to remove hoaxes or false information from their newsfeeds, including Google and Facebook, was an exaggerated response, media analysts have said. I think its too far to impose fines against Facebook, Twitter or Google. As we know that Facebook, for example, has made an initiative to filter hoaxes. I think we have to appreciate their move, Press and Development Studies Institute (LSPP) founder Ignatius Haryanto told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. In December last year, Facebook began flagging fake news and asking users to report suspicious stories. The reports are later reviewed by a fact-checking team. (Read also: Jokowi declares fight against disseminators of fake news) The regional coordinator for the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network, Damar Juniarto, said the governments move was questionable particularly because it lacked a legal basis. I am aware that this mechanism is adopted from a regulation in Germany. But in Indonesia, whats the legal basis to impose those fines? he said to the Post, adding that even the Electronic Information and Transactions Law did not regulate giving fines. On Tuesday, presidential chief of staff Teten Masduki said the government was drafting a regulation enabling authorities to fine companies that failed to retract hoaxes or false news from their newsfeeds within 24 hours. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Grace D. Amianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Indonesia may see its non-oil and gas exports grow less than this year's target because of weak demand from several destination countries. The countrys non-oil and gas exports are predicted to grow by only 3.2 percent this year, lower than the governments target of 5.6 percent, which would have brought their value up to $136.2 billion, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The governments target was actually downward revision from a previous estimate of 11.9 percent. (Read also: Japan, Indonesia target trade revival) Indonesia can increase its exports by 3.2 percent this year, although the country is actually able to get to between 4 and 5 percent if there are no protectionist measures from the United States and the United Kingdom post-Brexit, said Yose Rizal Damuri, head of the economics department at CSIS, during a press conference on Wednesday. The protectionist measures he refers to are the policies US president-elect Donald Trump campaigned on last year, as well as the UKs decision to leave the European Union last year. Rizal said the US, along with China and the EU, remained the major trade partners that would offer Indonesia a potential recovery this year. Apart from finding alternative markets, it is important for Indonesia to maintain its market share of exports in those countries. From January to November last year, earnings from exports amounted to $130.65 billion, down 5.63 percent from 2015, although the overall trade balance was in a surplus of $7.79 billion, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Haeril Halim and Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) claims the number of Indonesian extremists leaving the country to join the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria has declined, raising fears they will focus on carrying out terrorist attacks on Indonesian soil instead. The agency said it was getting more difficult for foreign fighters to enter Syria as fighting among conflicting armed groups has intensified in the war-torn country. Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian militant with the IS in Syria, had recently instructed Indonesian supporters of IS group to drop their plans to immigrate to Syria and carry out attacks in their home country, BNPTs deradicalization director Irfan Idris told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. Earlier, the traffic of Indonesians going to Syria was very high, but recently, after Bahruns instruction was issued, the number decreased because local militants were encouraged to launch domestic attacks by Bahrun, he said, declining to provide figures. In addition, the official said the government had stepped up efforts to prevent Indonesians from leaving the country for Syria, including by rejecting passport applications made by Indonesians suspected of wanting to join IS and by intensifying crackdowns on recruiters of Indonesian jihadists facilitating trips to the Middle East. The police intercepted seven people at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport attempting to fly to Syria on Sept. 28 along with a recruiter identified as Abu Fauzan, who managed to fly dozens of Indonesians to Syria in early 2016. There are currently a total of 500 Indonesian militants fighting with IS in Syria, according to the BNPT. Dozens of Indonesian militants may now reside in Turkey while attempting to enter Syria. The discovery of eight Indonesian passports in Turkey during a terror raid last week may confirm BNPTs statements on the existence of Indonesian militants in Turkey. We are still investigating the discovery of Indonesian passports in Turkey, Irfan said. A spokesperson for the Immigration Directorate General, Agung Sampurno, said his office had asked the Foreign Ministry to collect copies of the eight passports to identify whether or not they were legitimate. Our intelligence team is working to collect copies of the biographical page of the passports, Agung said. The immigration office in Batam, one of the favorite transfer points for Indonesian militants on the way to Singapore before flying to Turkey, rejected 418 passport applications last year, mostly submitted by people wanting to go to Syria. The immigration office in Depok, West Java, also rejected 929 similar applications in 2016. Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) said on Tuesday that Bahrun was now using online payment services, such as Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency that uses cryptography to make transactions anonymous, and PayPal, to transfer money to fund terror attacks in Indonesia. He [Bahrun] wants to avoid conventional financial systems, PPATK research division director Ivan Yustiavandana said, adding it was now a new trend that global terrorism activities were funded by money sent through Bitcoin and PayPal. Meanwhile, the National Police said they were aware of the use of Bitcoin and other online-payment services by IS affiliates to send money to Indonesian terror cells. If someone sends funds [using virtual money] but the receiver does nothing, we cant do anything but watch [until the receiver uses the money to buy terror equipment]. Yet if the sender can be identified as a terrorist, we can act on that information, National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul said. The Thamrin attack on Jan. 14, 2016, that killed 4 civilians was the first attack on Indonesian soil claimed by IS. The group, through Bahrun, inspired five more attacks in the following months, some of which turned deadly. An attack by a lone wolf inspired by IS angered the nation on Nov. 13 when a bomb exploded at the Oikumene Church in Sengkotek subdistrict, Samarinda, killing a two-year-old toddler, identified as Intan Olivia, and injuring three other toddlers. The police also voided three plots to attack the State Palace, an unspecified location in Bali and a police station in Tangerang, Banten, in December after arresting 21 terrorists in West Java, Central Java, Banten, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Batam ahead of Christmas. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Juliana Harsianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11 2017 Two young doctors and their efforts to provide greater access to health services for the less fortunate. Getting proper healthcare is a right of every citizen. To fulfill this right entitled to all Indonesians, the government has provided the Health Care and Social Security Agency or better known as BPJS Kesehatan. However, the agency still has many issues and is far from perfect. 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 The Supreme Court decision deflates Rahul Gandhi's warnings late last year that he would cause an "earthquake" by unveiling proof that Modi was corrupt. By Anusha Soni: In a major relief to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and blow to Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, the Supreme Court today rejected a petition seeking probe into the Sahara diaries, saying there was no conclusive evidence. The apex court dismissed senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan's plea for investigation into the documents seized in the Income Tax raids. Bhushan was seeking investigation on the seized documents which had names of various politicians including the name of the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. It allegedly mentioned a payment of Rs 12 crore to the 'Gujarat CM'. advertisement The purported diaries were recovered from the business house following raids conducted in November 2014 listing the alleged pay-offs to politicians. The Supreme Court decision deflates Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's warnings late last year that he would cause an "earthquake" by unveiling proof that Modi was corrupt. Gandhi had said: "It is on the records of the Income Tax department that Modi received money from the Sahara Group nine times in six months (in 2013-14)." WHAT THE COURT SAID The Supreme Court, after hearing the matter, said the investigation cannot be ordered on the basis of loose sheets of paper. "There is not enough evidence to order an inquiry into the case. We are dismissing it," a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra ruled. On his part, Prashant Bhushan told the court that a clear case is made out for registering an FIR. He argued that the order of the settlement commission on the Sahara case is riddled with inconsistencies. The court, while dismissing the petition, said it would be a "bad precedent" if investigation was ordered based on those documents. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, the government's top lawyer, told the court that there was no credible evidence to prove that Modi had been paid off. "Nobody in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Anyone can put the name of anybody on such papers," Rohatgi told the court. WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Another prosecution witness who had reported Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama to the police for alleged blasphemy, admitted at a hearing at the Agriculture Ministry's auditorium in South Jakarta on Tuesday evening that he had previously worked for the Democratic Party as a lawyer. I was a lawyer for the Democratic Party. But it was a long time ago. I no longer hold such a position [with the party], witness Muhammad Burhanuddin told the court as reported by tribunnews.com. He revealed that he was formerly a lawyer for the partys executive, Andi Nurpati, for a case in 2013. In the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election slated for Feb. 15, the Dems, chaired by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono nominated his son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono to challenge the incumbent Ahok. (Read also: Ahok's lawyers criticize witness' background, noting him as Agus supporter) However, Burhanuddin claimed that he had reported Ahok to the police for the blasphemy allegation based on his own initiative, not because of his party links. In a previous hearing, prosecution witness Gus Joy Setiawan, who had also reported Ahok, was a Dems board member. Meanwhile, the other prosecution witnesses also include members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), a hard-line group that led several huge rallies demanding Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, be prosecuted for an alleged blasphemous comment he made in relation to a Quranic verse during a work visit to Thousands Islands regency in September, last year. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri will join the campaign trail of incumbent gubernatorial candidate pair Basoki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat to strengthen their re-election bid for next months election, a party official has said. Megawati, the chairwoman of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), would go all out to support the Ahok-Djarot pair even though Ahok was on trial for alleged blasphemy, PDI-P politician Arif Wibowo told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. "Bu Mega will join election campaigns in several crucial regions, including Jakarta," Arif asserted. (Read also: PDI-P on guard to protect Jokowi: Megawati) Arif, who is also the secretary of the party's faction at the House of Representatives, further said that all PDI-P-backed candidate pairs taking part in the upcoming simultaneous regional elections across the nation would be supported by the eldest daughter of Indonesias first president Sukarno. Ahead of the Jakarta gubernatorial election on Feb. 15, contesting candidate pairs will have the opportunity to hold a grand closing campaign event before the campaign period ends on Feb. 14, according to Arif. The three candidate pairs are also scheduled to argue their policy platforms and programs during official debate sessions arranged by the Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) starting Jan. 13. (dan) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono said Wednesday they had arrested four students of the Indonesian Merchant Marine Academy (STIP) in Cilincing, North Jakarta, following the death of their junior, Amirullah "Amir" Adityas Putra, 18. Argo said as quoted by tribunnews.com that Amir was beaten on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. in a dormitory. The police said the victim was given medical treatment from 12:15 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. but he did not survive. (Read also: Family of dead student to sue STIP academy) The health workers reported the death to Cilincing Police and not long after that the police detained four suspects, identified as Sisko Mataheru, 19, Willy Hasiholan, 20, Inswanto, 21, and Akbar Ramadhan, 20. The body has been brought to police hospital for an autopsy, he said. Cilincing Polices crime unit head, Adj. Comr. Andre Soeharto claimed that after a marching band rehearsal Sisko asked his friends to haze their juniors in the band. The four allegedly called six juniors and immediately beat them. Andre said the four allegedly took turns to beat the juniors all over their bodies. He said no weapons were used. He said the assault on Amir only stopped after he fell unconscious. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo said on Wednesday that all citizens, including members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) had equal opportunity to join the Bela Negara (State Defense) program to obtain skills useful for defending the state. All citizens have the right to defend the state. However, it must be done according to the proper procedures, Gatot told the press on the sidelines of a gathering at TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta. Gatot explained that a recent training session for FPI members in Lebak, Banten, was questionable, unlike previous sessions that occurred in other parts of the country, because it violated protocol as Lebak military commander Lt. Col. Czi Ubaidillah did not inform his superiors about the training. All regional commanders must inform their superiors [to host such training]. The procedure requires commanders of the Koramil [Subdistrict Military Command] to report to the Dandim [Regional Military Command], and then Dandim reports to Danrem [Military Resort Command], he explained. (Read also: Jokowi urged to evaluate Bela Negara following FPI training) Gatot was citing the training of FPI members in Madura, East Java, conducted in 2014, which attracted public attention only recently after the FPI uploaded photos of the session on its Instagram account @dpp_fpi days after the Lebak incident. According to Gatot, the training in Madura was approved because it fulfilled the proper procedures. Gatots clarification reinforces the policy line of the Defense Ministrys policy, the initiator of the program. Like Gatot, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu also upheld the training of FPI members. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 The government is still trying to extinguish 11 forest fires ravaging parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, a minister says. Out of the total 11 fires, seven were located in West Sumatra, North Sumatra, Jambi and South Sumatra, while the rest were situated in areas between West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said. Some of the fires swept deep forests, she added. "In Dharmasraya, West Sumatra, the fire was located in a remote area. We will use a [fire fighting] helicopter to handle it," Siti said at the State Palace on Wednesday. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has predicted that 2017 will be drier than 2016. Some forest fires have even already started to occur this month. (Read also: Govt deploys 3,500 personnel to fight forest fires in W. Kalimantan) Indonesia, home to the worlds third-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon and Congo Basin, has struggled to address recurrent forest fires happening during the dry season, partly caused by burning to expand plantations. Siti further said that apart from fighting the ongoing forest fires, the government would monitor 116 hot spots in Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra, which have two dry seasons each year, namely from January to March and July to October. She also expressed her appreciation on the quicker response of local communities compared to last year as well as better interprovincial coordination in managing fires located in border zones. (lnd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) has continued its protests against the governments plan to open the primary healthcare physicians program as a new study program, saying it would unnecessarily prolong medical students' studies. IDI chairman Ilham Oetama Masis said on Wednesday that if the government insisted on executing the plan, it would hamper medical services to the public, as medical students would need to study longer to be able to practice medicine once the new program takes effect. The new program has no difference with the specialist program. There will be overlapping functions. All subjects in the primary care program are available in the specialist program, Ilham said. If the government forces it, they will unlikely be able to implement it well. As a consequence, they will lose public trust, he added. (Read also: Doctors to stage rally Monday at Monas, palace) The primary care program is stipulated under the 2013 Medical Education Law. The government was set to open the new study program in 17 universities across the country in December last year, but halted the plan due to numerous protests. Under the program, medical students must continue an additional two to three years of education after completing their four-year undergraduate medical education, in addition to their professional studies and internships. So, they could spend more than eight years studying before receiving a license to practice. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Indonesia will forge ahead in the new year with a comprehensive foreign diplomacy agenda as it looks to elevate its presence on the international stage. Eschewing the ceremonial format of past annual statements, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi announced 14 foreign policy priorities for Indonesia to pursue in 2017, focusing mainly on consolidating the countrys geostrategic importance. Engagement in its immediate regional vicinity will remain a big priority as Jakarta looks to strengthen its contributions to ASEAN ahead of the blocs 50th anniversary celebrations this year. To this end, Indonesia will continue building up ASEAN centrality and unity, implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and back the constructive role of forums like the East Asian Summit as an ASEAN-led mechanism for maintaining regional peace and stability, Retno said. Indonesia will ensure peace and stability in the region and, once more, negotiations on the COC [Code of Conduct in the South China Sea] will be very important, Retno said in Jakarta on Tuesday. In addressing the simmering debate over the South China Sea, where China and a number of ASEAN member states have competing claims, Retno said Indonesia looked to set a good example for its neighbors by expediting the settlement of a number of unresolved border disputes with Timor Leste and Malaysia this year. Good fences make good neighbors, she said. Indonesia will also focus on its engagements as chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) a regional architecture that is badly needed, the minister said ahead of the IORAs first summit ever, a landmark meeting in Jakarta that will commemorate the organizations 20th anniversary in March. Additionally, Indonesia will continue its Look East policy, paying particular attention to engagements in the South Pacific, whether through the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the Pacific Island Forum, or the Pacific Island Development Forum. In its endeavors to contribute to world peace, Indonesia will continue to seek support for its bid to be a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2019 and 2020 period and work toward the deployment of 4,000 Indonesian peacekeepers by 2019. Retno also touched on Indonesias continuing support for the Palestinian agenda, which includes supporting the implementation of UN Resolution 2334 on illegal Israeli settlements and rallying support for or exerting international pressure toward achieving a two-state solution. In the economic sector, a point of interest for President Joko Jokowi Widodo, the government will intensify development, trade and investments in potential countries, particularly in non-traditional markets like Africa and Latin America, with the minister hinting that Indonesian trade delegations would be sent on a tour of the two regions this year. International relations expert Beginda Pakpahan, who was present at Tuesdays event, heaped praise on the ministers ability to discern the growing uncertainty in geopolitics, and adapt the countrys foreign policy priorities to address the most pressing issues. The University of Indonesia scholar said however that the ministry would have to prove itself in the coming weeks, especially in responding to the incoming US government. With the situation developing so fast, I hope that the ministry is able to keep up. They have to be flexible, adapt quickly and respond accordingly, Beginda told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Indonesia will talk business during the upcoming visit of Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Jan. 15. "We will talk about the [deep-sea] Patimban port, the [medium-speed] Jakarta-Surabaya railway, the East Natuna [gas] block with Inpex, and petrochemical and fertilizer projects," Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said at the Presidential Palace complex on Wednesday. Luhut said the government would like to see one local private investor join the Patimban port project in West Java. (Read also: Japan, Indonesia target trade revival) So far, state-owned port operator Pelindo II has expressed its commitment to manage the port, in partnership with a Japanese company, which will be appointed by the government at a later time. Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said the Japanese delegation would bring along CEOs of 30 major companies and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo was scheduled to meet them after his meeting with Abe. "The President will collectively meet with the CEOs to discuss business matters," she said. The meeting is expected to bring trade and investment relations between the two countries to a new height. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) show that Indonesia-Japan bilateral trade was valued at US$23.81 billion from January to November 2016, while the amount of realized foreign investment from Japan stood at $4.5 billion in the first nine months of last year. (tas) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Asila Jalil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi has said counterterrorism will be one of Indonesias diplomatic priorities in 2017. Indonesia will strengthen the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation [JCLEC] as a center of excellence for counterterrorism training," Retno said during the Annual Press Statement 2017 at the ministry's office on Tuesday. Indonesias leadership at the global level will be continued, among other things, by cochairing the Task Force on Detention and Reintegration in the framework of the Global Counterterrorism Forum [GCTF], she added. During the Tuesday event, Retno also handed out Adam Malik Awards to several members of the media. The Jakarta Post journalist Tama Salim received an award in the Best Journalist category. Tama has been with the Post for over three years. In October last year he visited Syrian refugees at camps in Amman, Jordan. Other recipients of the award were Kompas daily in the Best Print Media category, Antara news agency (Best Online Media), Metro TV (Best TV) and Elshinta radio station (Best Radio). (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Transportation Minister Budi Karya has instructed state-owned ship operator PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) and state-owned ferry operator PT ASDP to supervise small boats owned by individuals offering services to tourists traveling to Thousand Islands regency. Although Pelni and ASDP operate larger ships for tourists on a consistent basis, the government will continue to allow small boats to continue their businesses under more stringently enforced safety measures, the minister said. We assigned PT Pelni and state-owned ferry operator PT ASDP to see that ojek kapal (boat services) abide by the safety standards, said Budi at Sunda Kelapa Port in North Jakarta on Tuesday. (Read also: New Year's Eve cruise trip to Thousand Islands sold out) He said the two state-owned companies would educate boat owners on safety to make sure that the accident like the one that happened to KM Zahro Express would never happen again. KM Zahro Express caught fire on its way to Thousand Islands on Jan. 1, killing 22 people. It is the task of Pelni and ASDP to supervise them so that they can continue their businesses, the minister said. (bbn) The Union Urban Development ministry is now favourably considering to provide limited exemption to Jain saints and allow them to defecate in the open. On many occasions ODF activists have turned vigilantes in the state.(Photo: PTI) By Hemender Sharma: The Modi government's dream of an ODF (Open Defecation Free) India has hit yet another road block. The Union Urban Development ministry is now favourably considering to provide limited exemption to Jain saints and allow them to defecate in the open. The Digambar Jain Panchayat in Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh had passed a resolution in December, 2016, seeking government intervention on the proposed ban on open defecation. The Panchayat in its resolution had sighted that Jain traditions and religious beliefs and demanded a limited exemption from ban on open defecation for Jain saints and religious heads. advertisement JAIN COMMUNITY SEEKS SCINDIA'S HELP Digambar Jain Panchayat president Ramesh Chaudhary had also approached Guna-Ashok Nagar Member of Parliament Jyotiraditya Scindia with the resolution seeking his support for the cause. Scindia in turn wrote to Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on December 16 last year, seeking a favourable disposition of the matter.Naidu on December 28 wrote back to Scindia saying the matter had been referred to the concerned officials and department of the ministry. STATUS TAG FOR MADHYA PRADESH The Madhya Pradesh government has made ODF a status tag for every district in the state and municipal corporations are working over time to get this tag. On many occasions the ODF activists have turned vigilantes in the state and have resorted to public shaming of people defecating in the open. In Jhabua, the nagar parishad had come up with hoardings saying those defecating in the open will get death while an elderly man suffering from an upset stomach was forced to clean his crap with his dhoti. The vigilantes also made a video of the incident and made it viral on social media. ALSO ROAD: Swachh Bharat Mission: Death for those defecating in the open in Madhya Pradesh Kerala becomes 3rd open defecation free state: All about it --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 The Foreign Ministry launched Tuesday evening a mobile-based app that provides helpful information for Indonesians traveling abroad. "The app was designed for Indonesians traveling overseas, whether temporarily or for longer stays," said Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, the ministry's director for the protection of Indonesian nationals and entities abroad, in a statement late on Tuesday. "[We] hope to be able to record the distribution of Indonesian citizens abroad and their whereabouts, so that we can effectively provide better protection when it is needed." The app, launched during the foreign minister's annual press statement event in Jakarta on Tuesday, will be connected to the ministry's existing eProtection database for Indonesian citizens abroad. The SafeTravel app is equipped with a number of useful features, including a round-up of information and updates on destination countries, as well as the closest corresponding Indonesian consulate available and how to get there. There is also a collection of safety travel tips, a social sharing platform and a "panic button" in case of emergencies, Iqbal explained. "The 'panic button' immediately connects the user to the ministry's hotline or to that of the closest Indonesian consulate and sends coordinates of the user's location and additional information like photos or videos," the diplomat explained. The SafeTravel app was developed in the past year alongside relevant stakeholders such as haj travel agencies, backpacker communities and insurance companies, as well as migrant worker advocacy groups and Indonesian diaspora overseas. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Wed, January 11 2017 The Transportation Ministry held to its decision to revoke the license of a former Citilink pilot despite laboratory results on Tuesday contradicting allegations he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on duty. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) concluded that no trace of narcotics or other psychoactive substances, including synthetic marijuana or the so-called gorilla tobacco, had been found in the pilot, identified as Capt. Tekad Purna. Transportation Ministry spokesperson Bambang S. Ervan said that its bold move to scrap the pilots license was strongly motivated by concern over air passenger safety. 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 Wed, January 11 2017 The soon-to-be-established National Cyber Agency should not just be tasked with tackling hoaxes and fake news on social media but should oversee all threats from the cyberworld, an expert in information and technology has said. Heru Sutadi, executive director at the Indonesia Information and Communications Technology Institute, said handling hoaxes and rumors on the internet was a simple job that could be delegated to the information and technology team at the Communications and Information Ministry. He said a much more important problem was cyberattacks targeting Indonesias e-commerce and national security, such as foreign hackers trying to steal money from Indonesian banks or trying to penetrate government websites. 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, January 11 2017 The Indonesian Navy inaugurated three patrol vessels on Tuesday that will aid in efforts to tighten security in eastern Indonesia amid rampant illegal fishing practices in the area. Navy chief of staff Adm. Ade Supandi said the new vessels, produced by PT Palindo Marine Batam in Riau Islands province, would be operated by the East Armada Command in Surabaya, East Java. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Errin Haines Whack (Associated Press) Philadelphia, United States Wed, January 11, 2017 LaKeitha Carlos was at home in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon and decided to check the flights to Chicago, just in case. A last-minute ticket was only US$194. Carlos took a moment to reflect on how, eight years earlier, she had worked as an organizer in Atlanta to get Barack Obama elected president, marking her start in politics. The wife and mother only briefly considered her choice: Should she drop everything to see the president one last time? Two hours later, she was on a plane, wearing an Obama T-shirt and overcome with emotion. (Read also: Forceful and tearful, Obama says goodbye in emotional speech) As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency. The first black president's words resonated across the country for many African-Americans finally able to bask in seeing a family that looked like them in the White House. After eight years, the era comes to a close in 10 days. The scene Tuesday was reminiscent of election night in 2008. Then, Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, greeted a cheering crowd in Grant Park in Chicago to claim victory at the end of a campaign run on hope and change. The Obamas were not yet in their 50s; their children, Malia and Sasha, were 10 and 7. Tonight, he walked out alone. At times during the address, which lasted about an hour, there were shouts of "We love you!" from the crowd, who pleaded for four more years. "I can't do that," Obama answered. Tickets for Tuesday's once-in-a-lifetime speech were hard to come by. People waited for hours in the freezing cold Saturday to score seats to see Obama in person. For Carlos, the nostalgia was powerful and her concern over an uncertain future strong. "There were a few of us that believed that he could do it," she recalled ahead of the speech. "To see that come to fruition has been amazing. It's sad to be here tonight. In a way, it feels anticlimactic." Others, like Peggy Montes, chose to stay home and watch. Montes, founder of the Bronzeville Children's Museum, said the Democratic president's mark on her life was personal and professional. She recalled that as an Illinois state legislator Obama helped secure the state funding to start the museum, believed to be the first of its kind for blacks nationwide. Montes was invited to both of Obama's presidential inaugurations and attended. The Obamas are now a focal point of an exhibit at the museum greeting visitors as they walk in the door. Like many in Chicago, Montes said Tuesday's speech was bittersweet. "I'm sad because he will be leaving, but I'm also grateful for the fact that he did touch our lives for such a short period of time," she said. "He came in when the people were in distress. He was able to lift them up." Horace Small, executive director of the Boston-based anti-poverty group Union of Minority Neighborhoods, said Obama's election was a tremendous source of pride for everyone, especially poor and middle-class blacks. But Small said the middle-class blacks benefited more than those battling poverty because Obama didn't talk more about race and class. "But poor blacks did benefit from the fact that there was a black man in the White House less than 100 years after we were hanging from trees," Small said. Small said Obama failed to mobilize citizens to pursue policies that could have impacted poverty in black communities. Amy Maldonado, an immigration lawyer based in East Lansing, Michigan, who voted for Obama twice, said she was extremely disappointed in Obama because of his deportation policies and his detention of Central American children. She said that Obama reacted too late to protect some immigrant college students and that activists were forced to sue his administration over a lack of legal representation of detained immigrants. "I will not be sorry to see this president go," Maldonado said. "I have no love for this administration." In Albuquerque, New Mexico, around three dozen emotional Democratic activists gathered to eat green chile stew and Native American Pueblo bread and watch Obama's farewell address. Next to the New Mexican food was a box of tissues. "We're going to need them," New Mexico Democratic chair Debra Haaland said. Minutes into his speech, some activists could be heard sniffling and seen wiping tears. They clapped when Obama mentioned the need to protect immigrants and fighting for economic equality. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican and the nation's only Latina governor, said it was not her role to assess the presidency of Obama, who rarely visited the state with the country's largest percentage of Hispanic residents. "I think that it's up to the American people and for history to decide on what impact his presidency has had on our country and the world," Martinez said. ___ Associated Press writers Russell Contreras in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report. ___ Errin Haines Whack covers urban affairs for The Associated Press. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ina Parlina and Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11 2017 The State Palace has denied rumors of a spat between President Joko Jokowi Widodo and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo over Indonesias recent suspension of military cooperation with Australia. Citing two government sources, Reuters recently reported that Jokowi reproached Gatot during a meeting last week at Bogor Palace, amid concerns the military chief was out of control after he unilaterally suspended defense cooperation with Australia. Last month, the TNI moved to halt a language exchange program with its counterpart the Australian Defense Force (ADF) following the discovery of teaching material deemed offensive by an Indonesian officer at an Australian military academy in November. The material allegedly mocked Indonesias state ideology, Pancasila. Some teaching materials used in the academy allegedly discredited the TNI and tweaked Pancasila, which means five principles, to become Pancagila, or five crazy principles. 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 Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11 2017 Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri has stressed that Pancasila is the key to combatting growing religious sectarianism in the country and closed ideologies that threaten Indonesias pluralism. Intolerance and the religious and political tensions Indonesia witnessed at the end of 2016 should motivate Indonesians to fight harder to uphold the countrys ideology of democracy and social justice, she said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani and Rendi A. Witular (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11 2017 The government has violated the prevailing 2009 Mining Law by allowing the export of semiprocessed minerals for miners in an upcoming regulation revision. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan confirmed the government would this week issue a revision to Government Regulation No. 23/2010 on the management of minerals and coal businesses. The revision is highly anticipated by players in the lucrative sector as it decides the fate of the nations planned export ban and business administration for the mining industry. The revision will permit an extension of mineral concentrate exports in exchange for a commitment from mining companies to build processing smelters as well as the obligation to convert contracts of work to special mining licenses (IUPKs), Jonan said. Foreign miners will also be required to divest 51 percent of their shares to the state under new mechanisms. 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 Margaret Talev and Chris Strohm (Bloomberg) Washington Wed, January 11, 2017 17:48 2123 9b519824cb3263083aedb70a0baa9b6a 2 World Russia,trump,#RussiaTrump Free U.S. intelligence officials have informed President-elect Donald Trump about unsubstantiated reports theyve received that the Russian government had compiled potentially damaging personal and financial information on him, a person familiar with the situation said. CNN reported earlier on Tuesday that as part of a briefing on Russian attempts to meddle in the presidential election, U.S. spy chiefs included a two-page summary of memos compiled by a former British intelligence operative about alleged Kremlin operations to gather prejudicial information on Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The FBI hasnt been able to verify the information in the documents, CNN said. BuzzFeed later published the entire 35-page compilation of memos, which contain potentially damaging but uncorroborated information about Trump and his associates. The person confirmed that the document was the same as the material in the governments possession. The aim of the alleged Russian government intelligence-gathering was to leverage the information to shift U.S. policy toward Russia, including by potentially blackmailing Trump, according to the memos. President Barack Obama also was briefed on the documents. Trump Denunciation Trump denounced FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! on Twitter at about 8:20 p.m. in New York, without mentioning or linking to any of the reports. He retweeted a Trump Organization official, Executive Vice President Michael Cohen, who tweeted that I have never been to Prague in my life with a picture of the front of his passport. One of the memos alleged that Cohen had met with "Kremlin officials" in Prague in August 2016. Trump then tweeted an article by Lifezette, a website run by conservative radio host Laura Ingraham, that was critical of the BuzzFeed report. Representatives of Trumps transition did not respond to requests for comment. FBI spokesman Andrew Ames declined to comment. CNN reported that senior intelligence officials gave Trump a summary of the allegations to make him aware that the information had been circulating among some lawmakers, government officials and journalists. In excerpts of an interview with Lester Holt of NBC Nightly News scheduled to air Friday, Obama said he wouldnt comment on classified information. The president said he ordered a report by U.S. intelligence agencies on Russian hacking during the 2016 campaign to help prevent it from happening again. My expectation and my hope is that this work will continue after I leave, Obama said in the interview. That congress in possession of both the classified and unclassified reports, that the president elect and his administration -- in possession of both the classified and unclassified reports -- will take it seriously and now get to work reinforcing those mechanisms that we can use to protect our democracy. Press Conference The reports emerged the night before Trump was scheduled to hold his first news conference since winning the election. The Senate is also scheduled to begin a confirmation hearing Wednesday for Trumps nominee as secretary of state, former Exxon Mobil Corp. Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson, whom Democrats have criticized for having close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Shortly before the election, FBI director James Comey had announced that his agency was re-opening an investigation of e-mails sent by Hillary Clinton while she was secretary of State -- a disclosure she and her aides blame for contributing to her loss. Then-Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid wrote Comey and demanded that he disclose information in the FBIs possession about Trumps connections to Russia. A former aide to Reid confirmed that the senator knew about the memos published Tuesday before sending his letter to Comey. The issue arose again during a hearing Tuesday on the Russian hacking and extending sanctions. Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon asked Comey whether the FBI has investigated reported relationships between individuals in Trumps campaign and Russian officials. Comey said he couldnt comment in an open forum like this. Democrats began seizing on the memos late Tuesday. The intelligence dossier presents profoundly disturbing allegations; ones that should shake every American to the core, Neera Tanden, a Clinton ally who is the president of the Center for American Progress, a Democratic-aligned research group, said in a statement. They must be fully investigated. The charges levied in this dossier of, among other things, conspiring with a foreign power are extremely serious and call into question whether Trump can be trusted to defend America." Russian Hacks Before last weeks briefing by intelligence officials, Trump had expressed skepticism that Russia was responsible for hacks of Democratic Party officials e-mail accounts during the campaign. The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Putin ordered the hacking as part of a scheme to tilt the election toward Trump. Republican and Democratic senators joined to offer legislation on Tuesday that would impose mandatory visa bans and freeze U.S. assets of individuals who carry out cyberattacks on significant public or private infrastructure or on democratic institutions. Top intelligence officials also reaffirmed their finding that they had "high confidence" of Putins involvement in the hacking at the hearing by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday. The hacking was aimed at undermining Clinton and then helping Trump, they said. They did not assess the "impact on the electorate," they said. Trump has repeatedly praised Putin and suggested he wants better relations with the government in Moscow. Hes indicated he would review continuing sanctions against Russia over its annexation of Crimea and support of anti-government factions in Ukraine. As recently as Monday, Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said in an interview with USA Today that the president-elect may consider rolling back some of the penalties Obama imposed on Russia for interfering in the U.S. election. One of the memos published by BuzzFeed asserts that Russian intelligence agencies had been "cultivating, supporting and assisting" Trump for at least five years, and that Russian operatives believed they had enough compromising information to blackmail him if they so chose. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov Tuesday dismissed the allegations as a complete fake, saying that Russia does not have any compromising materials on Trump or Clinton. This is whats called pulp fiction, he said. Its an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations. (Read also: Trumps man in Indonesia to boost ties with theme park, track) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Prima Wirayani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Publicly listed consumer goods giant Unilever Indonesia will earmark 115 million (US$121 million) in capital expenditure (capex) this year, mainly to increase the production capacity at its factories. Unilever corporate secretary Sancoyo Antarikso said that as the firm had no plan to open any new facilities this year, the allocated funds would be focused on factory upgrades. It [expansion plan] will be more of raising the capacity of existing factories, especially for the home and personal care [category] rather than for food and refreshments, Sancoyo told reporters after the opening of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) trading day on Wednesday. The capex planned for this year would be lower than the capex last year of Rp 2 trillion ($150 million), which was used to expand its manufacturing lines, build a new headquarters and finish the construction of a food factory in North Sumatra, the operation of which started last November. (Read also: Unilever Indonesia stocks see tenfold increase in 35 years) Unilevers sales surged by 9.2 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the January-September period last year to Rp 30.1 trillion from 2015, while its net profits rose by 13.6 percent to Rp 4.75 trillion (US$336.34 million). Currently, Unilever, the local arm of Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever NV and Unilever Plc, has 39 brands divided into four categories, namely personal care, home care, food and refreshments. (lnd) "Modi's supporters call him a lion. But I say time is not far when Modi will have to return to his hole in Gujarat like a son of a rat," TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said. By Indrajit Kundu: Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee today went berserk attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation and recent arrests of his party leaders in connection with a chit fund scam. "Modi's supporters call him a lion. But I say time is not far when Modi will have to return to his hole in Gujarat like a son of a rat," Banerjee said during a protest rally in Kolkata. advertisement Talking to India Today later, Banerjee refused to apologise for his abusive language against the prime minister and accused the media of speaking only in favour of PM Modi. He justified his comment stating that it was Prime Minister Modi who had started the trend of using derogatory words against Opposition leaders. Speaking at the same stage, Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee further endorsed her MP's comments against the PM. Mamata too used the "rat" analogy to slam the Narendra Modi government."They thought TMC is on soft mud so let's uproot them. When the mud's soft, even rats try pushing through. But remember, Trinamool Congress stands firm on fertile soil, we don't get rattled by rats. We fight against tigers," Mamata said. The BJP has lodged a complaint against Kalyan Banerjee. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress launched a three-day countrywide protest on Monday (January 9) demanding removal of PM Narendra Modi to "save the country". "Trinamool Congress is organising nationwide protest against Modi Babu's shameless flop-show," Banerjee had said in Kolkata. Banerjee on January 6 called for President Pranab Mukherjee's intervention to "save the country" and mooted a National Government headed by BJP veteran LK Advani or Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley or Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.Watch Video: BJP vs TMC war: Mamata Banerjee's aide calls PM Modi 'son of a rat' ALSO READ: TMC-BJP clashes across Bengal over MP Sudip Bandhopadhyay's arrest in Rose Valley chit fund scam Chit fund scam: BJP office in Kolkata attacked after TMC MP Sudip Bandopadhyay's arrest --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 The United States has designated an Indonesian radical network behind an attack in Jakarta as a terrorist group and announced sanctions on four militants in an effort to disrupt Islamic State group operations and recruitment in Australia and Southeast Asia. The announcements by the Department of State and Treasury Department come after police in Australia and Indonesia foiled IS-inspired attacks planned for the holiday season in those countries. The State Department said Tuesday it has designated the IS-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah as a terrorist group, which in practice prohibits US citizens being involved with it and enables the freezing of any property in the US. (Read also: Fear of more local attacks as Indonesian militants fail to emigrate) JAD militants are believed responsible for a January 2016 attack in the Indonesian capital that killed eight people including the attackers. Treasury announced sanctions against two Australians, both previously believed killed in the Middle East, and two Indonesians, one of whom is in prison in Indonesia. The statements did not say whether the four had any assets within US jurisdiction. However, the steps show continued US commitment to anti-terror efforts in Australia and Indonesia. The US and Australia were instrumental in upgrading Indonesia's counter-terrorism capabilities following the 2002 bombings on the tourist island of Bali that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners. The sanctioned Australians are Neil Christopher Prakash, also known as Khaled Al-Cambodi, who was the senior Australian recruiter for IS, and Khaled Sharrouf, an IS fighter in Syria and Iraq since 2014 who carried out executions for IS. The Indonesians are Bahrum Syah, who sent funds to militants in Indonesia from Syria, and his mentor Aman Abdurrahman, who from prison has recruited militants to the IS cause, authorized attacks and was IS's main translator in Indonesia. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Mataram Wed, January 11, 2017 The West Nusa Tenggara administration has set a target to harvest 2.5 million metric tons of corn this year, in line with the target set by the Agriculture Ministry, which has called for an expansion of 400,000 hectares of cornfields in the province. We target to produce 2.5 million tons of corn to make the province the national corn center, head of the West Nusa Tenggara Agriculture Agency, Husnul Fauzi, said Wednesday. In 2016, there were 217,000 hectares of cornfields and 1.1 million tons of corn harvested from them. The numbers were higher than in 2015, which recorded 112,000 hectares of fields and 780,000 tons of corn harvested. The increasing number has earned us an award from the central government, Husnul said. He said the land expansion this year would be sponsored by the government. The farmer groups will get free seeds and fertilizer from the government, he added. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Corry Elyda (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, January 12, 2017 The Jakarta General Election Commission (KPU Jakarta) will raise social economic development issues in the first debate between the three candidate pairs competing for the capitals top post. KPU Jakarta chairman Sumarno said on Wednesday that the debate would be held at the Bidakara Hotel in South Jakarta from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday. The debate will be the first of three held by the commission to give equal opportunity to all governor and deputy governor hopefuls to deliver their visions and missions, as well as their perspectives on various issues in Jakarta. All three tickets former Army officer Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and his running mate, former governors assistant for culture and tourism, Sylvia Murni, incumbent Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama with his running mate incumbent Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat and former culture and education minister Anies Baswedan and business tycoon Sandiaga Uno are required to attend all debates held by the KPU. Sumarno said the commission had chosen social economic development as the first general topic for the debate, which will be divided into three sub-themes. The first session relates to job opportunity and the social gap, he said. Sumarno said the candidates would also present their visions and missions on the environment and transportation in the capital, especially issues related to spatial planning, infrastructure, traffic and flooding. The four issues are the main problems in the city of 10 million, with eligible voters of more than 7 million. He said the candidates should also be able to deliver their ideas on education and security. We would like to know their perspectives on character education and conflict resolution, he said. As a metropolitan city, Jakarta is home to many income segments and groups. They are often involved in horizontal conflicts, especially youngsters. Although student brawls have significantly decreased, the city administration and the Jakarta Police have yet to resolve brawl cases in kampungs in several areas such as Johar Baru in Central Jakarta and Manggarai in South Jakarta. The moderator of the first debate will be Ira Koesno, Sumarno said, referring to a seasoned television journalist at SCTV. Betty Epsilon Idroos, the voter education and campaign division commissioner, said the two-hour debate would be aired live on TV One, Net TV and Jawa Pos TV. It will be divided into six sessions. It will air for 90 minutes with 30 minutes of commercial breaks, she said. The commissioner said the moderator would explain the rules at the beginning of the debate. They are not allowed to ask questions outside the theme, she said. She also reminded that each candidate pair would be allowed to invite 100 supporters each. All candidates have expressed confidence about their upcoming debate performances. Ahok said he had prepared for the debate. We practiced yesterday, he said. Meanwhile, Agus said he was also ready for the debate. I am confident about the debate, he said, adding that he also would seek tips from his father, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The same sentiment was also delivered by Anies, who said as a candidate, he was naturally ready for a debate. This is a dialogue process in front of the pubic. We will present our perspectives in offering solutions [to the matters], he said, as quoted by kompas.com. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Riau Thu, January 12, 2017 Forest and land fires have begun to threaten Riau again this week following the increasing number of hot spots detected across the province. Pekanbaru Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) head Sugarin said the hot spots were first detected by Terra and Aqua satellites on Sunday afternoon. At that time, six hot spots were detected. The following day the number increased to seven, with hot spots in Siak, Pelalawan and Kuantan Singingi, Sugarin told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. He said more hot spots were detected in Rokan Hulu (three), Rokan Hilir (three), Siak (two) and another on Meranti Island. Four of the hot spots were indicated as fire-linked hot spots with a reliability level of over 70 percent, Sugarin said, adding that hot spots were also detected in other provinces in Sumatra, including Jambi, West Sumatra and North Sumatra. The reappearance of the hot spots, Sugarin said, might be caused by high temperatures, which hit 34.5 degrees Celsius, and the rampant slash-and-burn practices. He added that Riau would enter the dry season in February, which was expected to last until March. The condition makes the forests and land prone to fires, he said. According to Sugarin, of the 12 regencies/cities in Riau, the most fire-prone regions were Rokan Hilir, Siak, Bengkalis, Dumai and Meranti Island in the eastern coastal area. This does not mean that other regions are safe from forest and land fires. As for the heat in Riau, Sugarin it was caused by the minimal forming of clouds over the province in the past week. He said an inter-agency meeting would be held on Friday to follow up on the forest and land fire developments, as well as the current atmosphere phenomena. Riau Environment and Forestry Agency head Yulwiriati Moesa confirmed the reappearance of forest and land fires in Riau, saying that since Sunday, over 100 hectares of land inside the Bukit Betabuh protected forest area in Pucuk Rantau district, Kuantan Singingi regency was on fire and had not been fully extinguished. The forest is located on a hill and its difficult for firefighters to move around [to put out the fires]. Water resources are also very limited, Yulwiriati said, adding that some parts of the affected areas could not easily be accessed by land. She said the situation had been reported to Riau governor with the hope that the report would be forwarded to the Environment and Forestry Ministry for further action. She said water bombing seemed to be needed to put out the fires. Hopefully, the central government will send helicopters soon to Riau. Otherwise, the fires might spread [to other areas], she said. Separately, commander of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base Pekanbaru, First Marshal Henri Alfiandi, said his team would look into the issue and coordinate with the Riau Police on further action to tackle the problem. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah and Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, January 12 2017 The government expects to discuss the continuation of four strategic projects between Indonesia and Japan, among other topics, during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Indonesia on Jan. 15. We will talk about Patimban Port, the Jakarta-Surabaya railway, the East Natuna block with Inpex and the petrochemical and fertilizer projects, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said at the State Palace on Wednesday. He referred to the mega deep sea port project located in Patimban, West Java, as well as the semi-high speed railway connecting Jakarta and the East Java capital Surabaya, both of which are currently being discussed intensively across Indonesian and Japanese ministries. 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 Thu, January 12 2017 The Jakarta Police seized 2.5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, as well as 26,560 ecstasy pills, during raids conducted from Dec. 15, 2016 to Jan. 9 this year. The drugs were taken from 12 suspects who had kept the narcotics in suitcases, candy wrappers, coffee grinders and motorcycle parts, Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Mochamad Iriawan said on Wednesday. We arrested the suspects in seven different places, Iriawan said as quoted by kompas.com, adding one of the suspects was Nigerian while the others were Indonesian. Three of the suspects were arrested at a post office in Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, when they were about to mail 635 grams of methamphetamine, locally known as sabu-sabu, to a prisoner at the Salemba Correction Facility in Central Jakarta. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah and Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, January 12, 2017 The government expects to discuss the continuation of four strategic projects between Indonesia and Japan, among other topics, during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Indonesia on Jan. 15. We will talk about Patimban Port, the Jakarta-Surabaya railway, the East Natuna block with Inpex and the petrochemical and fertilizer projects, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said at the State Palace on Wednesday. He referred to the mega deep sea port project located in Patimban, West Java, as well as the semi-high speed railway connecting Jakarta and the East Java capital Surabaya, both of which are currently being discussed intensively across Indonesian and Japanese ministries. The Jakarta-Surabaya project is part of the governments efforts to turn the existing railway into a mediumspeed railway line with an estimated speed of 160 kilometers per hour. It might need US$2.6 billion worth of financing to complete the project. Meanwhile, the East Natuna gas block has proven gas reserves of 46 trillion cubic feet (tcf), with estimated oil reserves of 46 million stock tank barrels (mmstb) under the gas reserves, which could produce 7,000 to 15,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd). Patimban Port is a national strategic project that aims to ease logistics in the country. It will be located about 70 km from the Karawang Industrial Estate in Bekasi, West Java, where many Japanese industrial firms, particularly automotive manufacturers, are operating. It will have a cargo handling capacity of 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) once it is partly completed in 2019, and then 7.5 million TEUs by 2027 which is around half of the capacity of Jakartas Tanjung Priok Port the countrys busiest port. The investment in the port is estimated to hit US$3 billion, with around $1.7 billion expected to be covered by Japanese loans through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). However, a detailed engineering design (DED) as well as other administrative issues must be first completed before the signing, including the provincial spatial planning (RTRW) and environmental impact analysis (Amdal). The government has signaled that it might appoint state-owned port operator Pelindo II as the operator of the port, while it is also currently looking to appoint a Japanese company to team up with the firm. So far, two automotive titans, Mitsubishi and Astra, are reported to be strong candidates. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi previously said the loan deal with JICA and the partnership between Pelindo II and a Japanese company could be settled during Abes visit. According to the Transportation Ministrys port director Mauritz HM Sibarani the government has yet to assign the operator, although the ministry expects to reach at least a joint declaration during the bilateral meeting. We have to calculate everything first, he said. Pelindo II corporate secretary Banu Astrini also said that as of Wednesday, there was still no decision regarding the partnership. Nonetheless, he said Pelindo II was ready if the government assigns us to develop or operate Patimban. Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said the Japanese delegation would also include 30 CEOs from large Japanese companies. President Joko Jokowi Widodo is scheduled to meet with them after meeting with Abe. The President will collectively meet with the CEOs to talk business matters, she said, adding that during 2016, bilateral trade between Indonesia and Japan reached $31 billion and Japanese foreign direct investment into Indonesia reached $4.5 billion during January to September 2016. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Thu, January 12, 2017 The National Polices special counterterrorism detachment, Densus 88, on Wednesday questioned eight Indonesian citizens deported by Malaysian authorities after one of them had been found to have kept a picture of the Islamic State (IS) group flag on his smartphone. Riau Islands Police chief Insp. Gen. Sambudi Gusdian said Singapores Immigration Checkpoint Authority (ICA) deported the eight Indonesians from the Woodlands Checkpoint, which is beside the city-states border with Malaysia, after finding three pictures related to IS on the mobile phone of one of them. According to the police, the three pictures, which were stored in the phones file manager, were of the IS flag, of an IS activity and of a sandal bomb structure. Singapore refused their entrance and put a Not To Land stamp into their passports based on the mobile phone examination, Sambudi said on Wednesday. The eight Indonesians ranged in age from 16 to 37 years, with most of them in their 20s, and the oldest, identified only by the initials REH, was considered the leader of the group. It was in REHs phone that the IS contents were found. Sambudi said the eight left Padang, West Sumatra, on Jan. 3, 2017 for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by plane, to preach and for REH to get medical treatment for his ears. On Jan. 7 the group proceeded to Phatani, Thailand, overland from Malaysia. They tried to enter Singapore on Jan. 10, but were rejected. They were then sent back to Malaysia in custody. After an intensive examination, however, the Malaysian authorities made a preliminary conclusion that the eight people subscribed to the mainstream teachings of Islam that actually rejected IS ideology. The IS content on REHs cell phone, according to the investigation by the Malaysian authorities, came from a WhatsApp group he had once joined. REH said he had left the group but did not know that the pictures had not yet been deleted, Sambudi said. Nevertheless, Densus 88 still questioned the eight deportees at the headquarters of the Riau Islands polices mobile brigade (Brimob). They had a week to conduct the interrogations. The Batam immigration office previously claimed to have turned down 418 people applying for passports throughout the whole of 2016, the majority of whom were rejected because the office feared they wanted to go to the Middle East to join IS. Batam immigration office head Teguh Prayitno said the passports were not granted because based on interviews with the applicants the office found indications that they would work illegally abroad and join IS. We did this as a preventive measure to prevent Indonesians from joining IS, said Teguh, declining to reveal the exact number of people whose applications had been turned down because they were suspected of being IS symphatizers. Responding to the information, Sambudi expressed disappointment that the immigration office had not shared their findings with the police. This is deplorable, he said. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministrys Indonesian citizen protection director, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, confirmed the deportation of the eight people, saying they were reportedly students of an Islamic boarding school in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Thu, January 12 2017 The National Polices special counterterrorism detachment, Densus 88, on Wednesday questioned eight Indonesian citizens deported by Malaysian authorities after one of them had been found to have kept a picture of the Islamic State (IS) group flag on his smartphone. Riau Islands Police chief Insp. Gen. Sambudi Gusdian said Singapores Immigration Checkpoint Authority (ICA) deported the eight Indonesians from the Woodlands Checkpoint, which is beside the city-states border with Malaysia, after finding three pictures related to IS on the mobile phone of one of them. According to the police, the three pictures, which were stored in the phones file manager, were of the IS flag, of an IS activity and of a sandal bomb structure. 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) Mataram Thu, January 12 2017 The West Nusa Tenggara administration aims to harvest 2.5 million metric tons of corn this year, in line with a target set by the Agriculture Ministry, which has called for the expansion of 400,000 hectares of cornfields in the province. We aim to produce 2.5 million tons of corn to make the province a national corn center, West Nusa Tenggara Agriculture Agency head Husnul Fauzi said on Wednesday. In 2016, 1.1 million tons of corn were harvested from 217,000 ha of cornfields. The figures were higher than in 2015, which recorded 780,000 tons from 112,000 ha. 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 The attackers rode pillion on a two wheeler as they headed towards ward number 18 ward office and mercilessly fired. By Manogya Loiwal : Two Trinamool Congress workers were killed when unidentified men opened fire at the party office in West Bengal's Kharagpur in East Midnapore district today. Two attackers on a bike opened indiscriminate firing at the Trinamool office injuring councillors Shrinu Naidu and Govinda Rao and three others. While Naidu and another injured were taken to a Kolkata hospital, the three others were admitted to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. advertisement The party workers were inside the office of ward 18 councillor A Puja at Nayakhuli locality when the miscreants hurled a bomb and fired indiscriminately. Five persons including Puja's husband Srinu Naidu were injured in the firing. Naidu won the election in 2015 on a BJP ticket, but later switched to Trinamool. Investigation is on and no arrests have been made so far, police said. Tension prevailed in the area and heavy police deployment has been made in the area. More details awaited. --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, January 12 2017 Upon entering the hallways of SMA 70 senior high school, staff and students are reminded of the pledge of peace made between the school and its neighboring SMA 6. Notorious for being hostile enemies in the past, a deadly brawl broke out on Sept. 24, 2012, between the two schools and resulted in the death of one student from SMA 6. The pledge of peace, printed out, is now displayed on the entrance wall. Do not conduct violent acts in the form of bullying and/or brawls, the first of six pledges reads on the poster that was signed in October 2012 by the schools principals, student body chairpersons and South Jakarta municipality officials, including the deputy mayor. 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 Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, January 12 2017 Sudirman Hililo, a 57-year-old fisherman in Manado, North Sulawesi, said he had been restless in the past few years. Whenever he went fishing, he said, his mind was always wandering. We are afraid that if we go fishing, our home will no longer be there when we get back, he said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Star) Beijing Wed, January 11, 2017 There has been an increase in Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia since the introduction of the visa-waiver program. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said since the program was launched in March last year, the number of entry passes issued for Chinese tourists had increase by 74%, compared with the same period in 2015. Last year, a total of 2.2 million passes were issued for those who applied via visa, e-visa and the Electronic Travel Registration and Information (Entri) services, compared to 1.2 million visas in 2015. Under the visa-waiver Entri program, a tourist is allowed to stay in Malaysia for a maximum of 15 days. On tourist arrivals, about 1.7 million Chinese tourists including those residing outside of China, visited Malaysia in 2015. They spent some RM5.7 billion (US$ 1,2 billion), or an average of RM500 per day, during their stay. "This is one big contribution to the country's economy," Ahmad Zahid told Malaysian reporters here on Wednesday morning. This was one of the topics of discussion between Ahmad Zahid and China's State Counsellor and Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun at a meeting on Tuesday night. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, is on a six-day working visit to China, beginning Tuesday, at Guo's invitation. He will also meet with other officials on issues related to security, crime and prison affairs. This article appeared on The Star newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Manila Wed, January 11, 2017 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has directed government agencies to ensure free access to contraceptives for 6 million poor women a move expected to be opposed by the dominant Roman Catholic church and pro-life groups. Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said Wednesday the intensified drive to make contraceptives available and ensure "zero unmet need for family planning," is important to reduce poverty. The government's target is to cut the poverty rate from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 or 13 percent by the end of Duterte's term in 2022. The executive order Duterte signed Monday says 2 million women from poor households with unmet needs for modern contraception should have access to them by 2018, and the rest thereafter. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Manila Wed, January 11, 2017 The Philippines' top diplomat says his country won't raise its recent international arbitration victory against China's territorial claims in the South China Sea during Asian summit talks that Manila will host this year. Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said Wednesday that pressing last year's arbitration ruling during the annual meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations "is just simply counter-productive for our purposes." Yasay said the Philippines intends to raise the ruling, which invalidated China's historic claims under a UN treaty, in bilateral talks with Beijing in the future. The Philippines is hosting the ASEAN meetings this year. President Rodrigo Duterte has taken steps to mend strained relations with China while taking an antagonistic stance toward the administration of outgoing US President Barack Obama. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 16:30 2123 9b519824cb3263083aedb70a0baa316c 1 Destinations Tourist,tourist-destination,tourists,Togean-Islands,Lasem,Banyuwangi,ijen,Aceh-culinary,aceh,Anambas-Islands,Bada-Valley,Matantimali,destination,#destination,tourism,#tourism,travel,#travel Free A New Year means new places to explore. With the rise of infrastructure development and government efforts to promote local tourism, travelers now have more opportunities to visit every corner of Indonesia. The Jakarta Post has compiled five Indonesian destinations that you should add to your travel bucket list this year. Banyuwangi Banyuwangi regency in East Java is home to the Ijen volcano complex, which is known for its blue fire and turquoise-green sulfur lake. Since Jakarta-Banyuwangi direct flights are scheduled to begin soon, this year is the perfect time for a visit to the regency. What to see and do : Visit Ijen volcano complex and hike before dawn to see the blue fire. Those who prefer aquatic activities may swing by Bangsring Underwater, as the conservation area offers a wide array of activities, including shark-feeding and snorkeling. (Read also: Banyuwangi's must-visit tourist attractions) A photo posted by Member of el foundation (@everydayisholidays) on Jan 5, 2017 at 8:53pm PST Lasem Kompas.com recently reported that the government had registered Lasem's 241 Chinese architecture houses to the UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Situated in Rembang regency, Central Java, the town is only 136 kilometers away from the province's capital Semarang, which makes it ideal for a weekend getaway. What to see and do : The town was once an opium trading center. Check out the houses and learn about Lasem's history. A photo posted by Kesengsem Lasem (@kesengsemlasem) on Dec 30, 2016 at 5:49pm PST Anambas Islands The Anambas Islands is a small archipelago located in Riau Islands province. Having been declared a special economic zone (KEK), the islands are currently undergoing infrastructure development, which includes the development of Letung Island airport. Moreover, a new eco-friendly resort is set to be opened in Bawah Island, a part of Anambas Islands, sometime after the second quarter this year, adding one more reason to put Anambas Islands on your bucket list. What to see and do : The crystal clear waters make Anambas Islands the perfect place for snorkeling and diving. (Read also: Things to do while holidaying on the Anambas Islands) A photo posted by Wisata Anambas (@wisata_anambas) on Dec 27, 2016 at 6:24am PST Aceh During the 2016 World Halal Tourism Awards, Aceh was named winner of World's Best Airport for Halal Travelers and World's Best Halal Cultural Destination, which is why food enthusiasts should include Aceh on their bucket list. The province is home to a wide array of delectable dishes, including ayam tangkap (Acehnese fried chicken), ayam pramugari (stewardess chicken), mie Aceh (Acehnese fried noodles) and the lesser known sie reuboh (a beef dish consumed by Acehese heroes and heroines during the war against the Dutch). What to see and do : Sample the delicious halal dishes. While on a break from the food adventure, visit the Tsunami Museum or Lampuuk Beach. (Read also: Aceh: a guide for visitors) A photo posted by Reza Ilham (@ejaejaja) on Oct 26, 2016 at 8:01am PDT Central Sulawesi Bada Valley, Togean Islands and Matantimali are three areas in Central Sulawesi that have been included in the 10 prioritized destinations list. In conjunction with the plan, the government is currently building up infrastructure in these destinations, such as roads and accommodations. What to see and do : The Togean Islands in Tojo Una-Una regency are known for their breathtaking underwater scenery, making them suitable for sea enthusiasts. As for thrill-seekers, schedule a visit to Matantimali in Sigi Regency for paragliding. For history buffs, Bada Valley in Poso regency offers many magnificent ancient objects and megalithic statues that can be explored. (kes) A photo posted by Wisata Kepulauan Togean (@trip_togean) on May 25, 2016 at 11:57pm PDT Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 11, 2017 Three provinces are set to be promoted in Xinjiang, China, as recommended "halal destinations" in Indonesia. As reported by kompas.com, the three provinces are Lombok, West Sumatra and Aceh. During the 2016 World Halal Tourism Awards, West Sumatra won the titles of World's Best Halal Destination and Best Halal Culinary Destination, while Aceh was recognized as Best Halal Cultural Destination. The chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (Asita), Asnawi Bahar, said that Asita would invite travel agencies from Xinjiang on a familiarization trip to the three provinces. (Read also: More awareness needed to promote halal destinations) West Sumatra will be the familiarization trips first stop this coming February. We will make this first phase of bringing in agencies to inspect [the area] in order [for them] to understand the product first," he said. The head of West Sumatras Tourism and Creative Agency, Oni Yulfani, mentioned that aside from Padang, Bukittinggi, Padang Panjang and Payakumbuh, there were new destinations that potential tourists should look into. On the southern coast, there is Mandeh; we also have the Mentawai Islands regency where people can surf, Oni said. Xinjiang is home to 19 million people, of which 8 million belong to the Turkic-speaking Muslim Uighur minority. The province is bordered by eight countries, including former Soviet Central Asian republics, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. (mra/kes) Read the digital edition 2020-09-25 E-Edition The Jewish Advocate is a not-for-profit reader-supported 501(c)3 organization. We rely on your donations which are tax-deductible. By Press Trust of India: Washington, Jan 11 (PTI) The US has imposed sanctions on a surviving British member of the infamous ISIS kidnapping cell known as "The Beatles" - named after the British pop group. The State Department said London-born 33-year-old ISIS fighter Alexanda Amon Kotey is one of four members of a group that beheaded a number of hostages, including British hostages David Haines and Alan Henning. "Todays action notifies the US public and the international community that Alexanda Amon Kotey is actively engaged in terrorism," it said in a statement yesterday. advertisement Kotey was born in west London and raised as a Greek Orthodox Christian by a Greek-Cypriot mother and Ghanaian father. He converted to Islam as a teen and fled Britain in 2009, leaving his two children behind. According to the State Department, Kotey resides in ISIS Syrian stronghold of Raqqa and he is known by a few different aliases. The sanction means a prohibition against US persons from generally engaging in transactions or dealings with Kotey and the freezing of all of Koteys property and interests in property in the US. Authorities believe Kotey acted as an ISIS recruiter who carried out torture for the group, including electronic shock and waterboarding. Another member of the ISIS Beatles group was Mohammed Emwazi, dubbed Jihadi John, who was also responsible for the killing of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and US aid worker Peter Kassig. He was killed in a US drone strike in Syria in 2015, while Aine Davis, also from London, was arrested in Turkey the same year. Another British-origin terrorist was named last year as former child refugee El Shafee Elsheikh, a mechanic from White City in west London. PTI AK ZH --- ENDS --- Officials with the citys transportation department and with the NYPD came to Chinatown this morning to talk up the de Blasio administrations latest successes in reducing traffic deaths. Ryan Russo and Juan Martinez from DOT and NYPD Inspector Dennis Fulton stood at the entrance of the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street during this mornings media event. The total number of people killed in traffic crashes last year was 229, compared with 234 in 2015. But as the New York Times pointed out in a story earlier today, pedestrian deaths went up to 144 (6 more than the previous year). After the mayor instituted his Vision Zero program, New York streets became safer, but now some transportation safety advocates worry that progress has stalled. The officials were asked about these concerns today. In response, they emphasized positive three year trends for Vision Zero. Addressing complaints that safety improvements take too long, DOT representatives argued that large-scale redesign projects cant be done overnight (they require community board consultations, traffic studies, etc., which are time consuming). Just last month, DOT officials were on the Lower East Side to unveil a new protected bike lane on Chrystie Street and to celebrate a redesign of the streets around the Manhattan Bridge, completed several months ago. The citys Vision Zero map shows three traffic fatalities on the Lower East in the past year. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav may to wait till January 13 when the Election Commission is likely to come up with its verdict on the claim of party symbol by Mulayam and Akhilesh factions. By Shiv Pujan Jha: The much talked about alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress is getting delayed due to the continued tussle in the Yadav family. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav may to wait till January 13 when the Election Commission is likely to come up with its verdict on the claim of party symbol by Mulayam and Akhilesh factions. advertisement The two sides seem to have almost burnt the bridges and all attempts to prevent the Samajwadi Party from an imminent split appears to be yielding no results. Akhikesh has time and again expressed his desire of cementing an alliance with the Congress which had become a strong point of difference between the two groups. Mulayam and Shivpal both opposed to it but Akhilesh is learnt to have vehemently advocated it as a winning formula. Akhikesh is hopeful that the alliance can work wonders and 300 plus seats won't be a far fetched dream. Akhilesh, Rahul Gandhi meeting soon? Insiders say that a meeting between Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav is on the cards and it can happen after January 13. It is also learnt that Akhilesh has been very accommodative to the demands of the Congress and agreed to grant them maximum seats in Amethi and Rai Bareily which the Congress considers to be their pocket borough. In all likelihood an agreement has also been reached on the seat sharing formula in which Congress and some other alliance partners may get anywhere between 110 to 120 seats. Congress's CM face Sheila Dixit has already indicated that she can step aside for Akhilesh in case both the parties decide to go together in the Assembly polls. Mulayam's desperate attempt to save party Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav today made desperate attempt for a patch up and reasserted that he would not allow the party to split. But histrionics apart, the same seems to be a wishful thinking as the two warring factions have drifted far apart. Mulayam indicated that he will fight both for the party and the cycle symbol and accused cousin Ramgopal Yadav of having connived to form a new party by the name of Akhil Bhartiya Samajwadi Party with its symbol as motorcycle. Watch Video: Dangal in Yadav PariWar: Akhilesh sings bapu Mulayam is haanikarak for Samajwadi Party ALSO READ: With Akhilesh Yadav as the star, Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance in the offing Samajwadi Party was founded when Akhilesh was two, won't split: Mulayam Singh Yadav Day after Mulayam said Akhilesh is CM candidate, warring father-son meet for 90 minutes --- ENDS --- With 10 days to go before the US gets a new commander-in-chief, Barack Obama has given his farewell speech to the country. Here are all the key parts from his moving speech in his hometown of Chicago. Whatever Americans' political beliefs, one thing they should all agree on: President Obama can deliver a speech and a half Jamie Roberton (@jamierobITV) January 11, 2017 On hope (Nam Y. Huh/AP) Even though it was a tearful farewell, Obama returned to the theme of his 2008 campaign: hope. Arguing his faith in America had been confirmed, he said he ended his tenure inspired by its boundless capacity for reinvention, declaring: The future should be ours. Protecting Americas way of life, he said, was the job of citizens as well as the military, adding: Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. On his successor (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) Obama only made passing reference to Donald Trump, pledging that his administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition just as his predecessor George W Bush did for him, and the nations politics needed to reflect the decency of the American people. When Obama noted how soon the change was going to happen and the crowd began booing, he responded, No, no, no, no, no, saying one of the nations great strengths is the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next. Even though Trump was only fleetingly mentioned by name, much of what Obama said seemed to be a response to his successors vision for America. He lamented politicians who questioned climate change, warned of the threat of fake news and urged people to get out of their bubbles and fight for unity. On inequality All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. #ObamaFarewell Matt Petronzio (@mattpetronzio) January 11, 2017 The president acknowledged the stark inequality that was damaging Americas democratic principles, in a nod to the economic uncertainty that helped pave Trumps way to the White House. He said too many inner city and rural families had been left behind, convinced the game is fixed against them and the government serves only powerful interests. On race (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Obama said that race relations in America were indeed better than they were 10, 20, or 30 years ago: But were not where we need to be. And all of us have more work to do. On immigration (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Referring to Trumps calls for a temporary ban on Muslim immigration, Obama rejected discrimination against Muslim Americans who are just as patriotic as we are. On his family (Nam Y. Huh/AP) Obama took the opportunity to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by his wife and daughters throughout his tenure as president. He praised his wife for taking on her role with grace and grit and style and good humour and for making the White House a place that belongs to everybody. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) Obamas speech was greeted with chants of Four more years, to which he simply smiled and said: I cant do that. After returning to Washington, he will have less than two weeks before Trump takes on the mantle. Obama then plans to take some time off, write a book, and immerse himself in a Democratic re-districting campaign. NUS Vice President Richard Brooks discussed opposing President Malia Bouattia with figures linked to the Israeli embassy, according to an Al Jazeera investigation. In a video posted to the news website, Richard Brooks, who has served as Vice President for Union Development for the National Union of Students since July, tells undercover reporter Robin that he is involved organising a national network of NUS individuals working to oppose the current president. The reporter posed as a political activist with links to the Israeli embassy as part of an investigation into Israeli influence being exerted on British politics. In the video Brooks admits to accepting a trip to Israel funded by the Union of Jewish Students (UJS). Brooks had previously appeared on Radio 4 to criticise Bouattia for her anti-Zionist views, which he believes amount to anti-Semitism, but at this time did not mention the trip, nor his other ties to the UJS. He goes on to speak of secret meetings held during the NUS election campaign with UJS campaign manager Russel Langer: We'd have our little secret purpose meetings where we'd plan how to get moderate people with good politics and any number of things elected to certain places. Brooks has since taken to twitter to deny being part of an Israeli government-led conspiracy and to defend his right to speak out against Bouattia. Once again; never met anyone from Israeli gov't, not part of a conspiracy, allowed to disagree in democracy. Overextended with no proof. pic.twitter.com/4uZ7MuorL9 Richard Brooks (@Just_RichardB) January 11, 2017 To see for yourself, watch this Al Jazeera video from 20:22. The National Student has reached out to Richard Brooks for comment. @5eean his name is William Wallace III, but he goes by Willy. pic.twitter.com/ghqhbSzySs sean (@5eean) January 6, 2017 Smuggling my dog back to college. pic.twitter.com/R2ZvjPZfYL sean (@5eean) January 6, 2017 Turns out, Willy's a dog. So I drove him back.https://t.co/taRvRCtgnu sean (@5eean) January 7, 2017 @5eean so this means Free Willy isn't happening? Jake Recoon (@JRecoon) January 7, 2017 @CorksterL1 I'm not gonna lie, it has crossed my mind many times & will probably happen when I go back after this break Kelly Cunningham (@kcvnningham) January 6, 2017 @kenzienicole101 @5eean OMG were sneaking Ruby into the dorm room Paige Brower (@paigebrowerr) January 6, 2017 Oregon State University student Sean had to say goodbye to his dog William Wallace III he goes by Willy, FYI when he returned to college for another term following Christmas. And, he seems to really love his pooch.But Sean realised, maybe there was another way. Maybe it didnt have to be goodbye, after all.Yep, Sean snuck Willy into his car, popping him in the front seat next to him. What could possibly go wrong? Well, he got a text from his mum, thats what and it simply said WHERE IS WILLY. Busted. Sean sent a sassy and hilarious reply back: Hes coming to Corvallis for a higher education to provide stability for his future family. But we guess that line didnt work on his mum, because he ended up returning the pooch. Cue an emotional video clip shared on Twitter.If it helps though, Sean people really do relate to the situation. Some people have even thought of doing the same with their pets.And one mum seems to have learnt from this whole smuggling attempt. 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After hearing the consortium of banks, the Supreme Court issued notice to Mallya for his response. The next date of hearing has been fixed for February 2. advertisement Also read: You did it for Vijay Mallya, do it for me now: Nashik sanitation worker to SBI Also read: Not 1 bid received at e-auction of liquor baron Vijay Mallya's Goa villa --- ENDS --- A Facebook post made, which appears to be taken down now, said that an engineering college in Kerala fined a student Rs 50 for laughing in the hostel. Really? By India Today Web Desk: Kerala might be the Indian state with the highest literacy rate, but instances such as these, if true, shows how it wouldn't matter at all. Vimal Jyothi Engineering College in Kerala's Kannur district did the unimaginable, or so said a Facebook post, making Talibani diktats in other engineering colleges in the south look a wee bit better. advertisement A Facebook post said that the college fined a student for laughing in the hostel. Yes! A fine of Rs 50 was imposed on an engineering student who 'dared' to laugh and even gave a receipt acknowledging the payment received. What's more lame? English. In the receipt issued for the fine, the person spelled 'laughing' as 'laffing'. Photo: Facebook (Dinnath Bhaskaran) A Facebook user Dinnath Bhaskaran shared the photo of the receipt issued saying, "You could only laugh when a student had to pay a fine just for laughing in hostel." Statistics say only seven per cent of India's engineering graduates are employable and the government is considering making an exit test mandatory for all engineering students. Here's the Facebook post Bhaskaran shared: Photo: Facebook (Dinnath Bhaskaran) The Facebook post now appears to have been taken down, so let's just hope that this was not a legit incident. --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: Batala, Jan 11 (PTI) Alleging that the SAD-BJP government in Punjab has "ruined" the industry, AAP leader Manish Sisodia today promised to install an "industrialist" as the states finance minister if his party was voted to power in February 4 polls. "If AAP is voted to power, the new government would induct an industrialist or trader as finance minister to promote industry, which has been ruined during Parkash Singh Badals regime," he told a gathering of businessmen in Batala. advertisement Batala is a prominent industrial hub and the Delhi deputy chief minister was in the town to campaign for partys state convener Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, who is contesting from Batala. "We have abolished the Inspector Raj in Delhi due to which businesses have grown after registering a negative growth rate during the previous Congress government," he claimed and added that in Punjab too "we will do the same". "We have also charted out a plan wherein incentives will be given to industry in the border region," he said. In Batala, 75 per cent of foundries have closed due to the "lop-sided industrial polices and high tax structure" imposed by the Badal government, he alleged. Sisodia said an AAP government will give special emphasis on setting up cottage industries in villages and the new units will automatically translate into employment opportunities. "If there is industry there will be jobs. If there are jobs youth will not take to drugs as they will remain busy in earning livelihoods for themselves and their families. This is the reason why we see setting up of more units as an antidote to drug use," he added. PTI cor VJ DKS ABH --- ENDS --- Banyan Tree's Tre imports some Italian flair After the recent relaunch of its flagship Tre Restaurant, Banyan Tree Phuket is upping the ante even further by inviting guest chef Andrea Asoli, from the much lauded Venissa restaurant in Venice, to cook for Tre guests during January 13 to 18. By Mark Knowles Wednesday 11 January 2017, 04:00PM Venissa is a unique hospitality operation that achieved its fame after founder Gianluca Bisol revived a traditional Venetian grape variety that had almost been lost and began crafting award-winning wines. It is more than just a winery though, Venissa is also a hotel with rustic accommodation and a Michelin starred restaurant with an unusually organised kitchen. Venissa has positioned itself as a springboard for up-and-coming chefs and works with a rotating crew of four chefs who each bring their influences and interpretations to bear on the produce of the region. This collaborative style has proved successful and Chef Andrea, who cut his teeth at various world-class restaurants in Milan and Venice before joining Venissa, proved himself an integral part of the team when the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. Chef Andrea says the collaborative style of Venissa helped all the chefs strive to compete and build upon their skills by their sharing of knowledge and experience. The chance to be part of an innovative project was what initially attracted me. I think that working in a group with three young and very motivated chefs, each with different experiences, was the true success of our restaurant, said Chef Andrea. Our General Manager Mr Oscar Cavallera wanted this partnership to be present in our cuisine, our style, and to help us live new experiences, he added. To help guide the collaboration and give the team a strong framework the Venissa Code was created, which emphasises the importance of respecting traditional knowledge, using local ingredients, collaborating with colleagues and innovating with passion and creativity. With an ethos like this, it is clear to see that Venissa takes its cuisine very seriously, but Chef Andrea says that rules are not rigid prescriptions, but rather a foundation on which to build his own knowledge and develop his individual style. I love to cook pasta and rice and I love to study traditional Italian cuisine. Then I try to change the recipes with a touch of influence from contemporary cuisine, such as new cooking techniques, and also a bit of fantasy and imagination, he said. This is the first trip Chef Andrea has made to Thailand and he says he is interested in exploring some of the local sights, flavours and ingredients the Kingdom has to offer. It will be my first time in Thailand. I plan to visit the best hotels and restaurants in Bangkok and Phuket. I would like to see some markets and also the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, he said. For his guest chef appearance at Banyan Tree, Chef Andrea will be preparing some of Venissas most-loved dishes, to give guests a true representation of what they would experience if they came to Venice. We plan to serve our tasting menu and a small a la carte menu with several of our signature dishes, he said. We work just with seasonal products of the highest quality and before being offered to customers, each recipe is tested by the taste team composed of the chefs, the general manager, and the F&B manager, he added. Chef Andrea Asoli will be at Banyan Tree's Tre Restaurant from January 13-18. For more information and booking email: fb-concierge@banyantree.com or call +66 76 372 400 on extension 5463. Chinese tourist dies in Phuket motorbike crash PHUKET: A 36-year-old Chinese man has died and his 22-year-old companion is in hospital after the motorbike they were riding crashed on Patak Rd in Karon early this morning (Jan 11). tourismtransportaccidentsdeathChinesepolice By The Phuket News Wednesday 11 January 2017, 07:43PM The accident occurred on Patak Rd, Karon, at about 2am. Photo: Karon Police Dong Yang, 36, from Beijing, was dead at the scene, Karon Police reported. Photo: Karon Police Capt Weerayut Thansirisookworakun of the Karon Police was notified of the accident at 2am. Motorbike driver Dong Yang, 36, from Beijing, was dead at the scene, Capt Weerayut reported. According to initial reports, Mr Dong was speeding and lost control of the motorbike when he went to overtake another vehicle on a bend. The motorbike swerved out of control off the road and Dongs head struck a small concrete pillar that supports the hotel sign, Capt Weerayut told The Phuket News. Mr Dongs companion, 22-year-old Zhang Hengquan, from Anhui province, suffered serious injuries in the crash, he said. Mr Zhang is still in hospital, Capt Weerayut said. We are continuing our investigation. We have yet to question more witnesses and check any CCTV footage available, he said. First times a charm for Thai MICE professional Mr Watcharapong Saikaew, Assistant Director of Events at Angsana Laguna Phuket has received his CMP certification after passing the rigorous exam on November 4, 2016, thus making him the first Thai resident to attain the credential. By The Phuket News Wednesday 11 January 2017, 02:00PM Watcharapong Saikaew, Assistant Director of Events at Angsana Laguna Phuket. CMP, which stand for Certified Meeting Professional, is a program launched by The Convention Industry Council (CIC) in 1985. The main goals of the CMP program are to standardise best-practices, enhance the knowledge and performance of meeting professionals, establish credibility for the profession, advance uniform standards of practice and boost the performance of event planners. The CMP credential is recognised globally as the badge of excellence in the meeting, convention, exhibition and event industry. The CMP exam is developed by planners from around the world and the certification itself is held by professionals from 55 countries. With more than 14,000 meeting professionals having received CMP Certification, the CMP program has led the way in standardising event industry best-practices throughout the globe. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education, and a rigorous exam. To obtain CMP certification you need a minimum of 36 months of full time employment in the meetings industry and to pass an exam consisting of 165 multiple choice questions which cover major topics from Financial Management, Human Resources, Marketing, Event Design, Project Management, Risk Management, Site Management, Stakeholder Management and Strategic Planning. Killer Phuket visa run crash driver yet to face charges in court PHUKET: Police yesterday (Jan 10) confirmed that KBV Visa Run van driver Prawit Raweewat, who has already confessed to reckless driving causing death for the accident last month that killed three people and injured six more, may suffer harsher penalties than initially reported. accidentsdeathpolicetransport By Yutthawat Lekmak Wednesday 11 January 2017, 09:44AM The accident in Phang Nga province left three dead and six injured. Photo: Kupai Phang Nga Town Police Chief Col Suwat Kaewprom confirmed to The Phuket News yesterday that Prawit was released on bail on Dec 27, six days after the accident. He confessed to the charge of reckless driving causing death and was fined B150,000, Col Suwat said. However, we are holding onto his drivers licence until this is all over. Police are continuing their investigation and the court has yet to hear the charge against him and the court may yet hand down a harsher penalty than just the fine, he added. Prawit was behind the wheel of the van with his wife riding shotgun when the van slid on the rain-soaked highway and slammed into a roadside power pole before spinning and crunching into the side of a house. In the van were foreigners living in Phuket heading to the Malaysian border in Satun to obtain new visas and permits-to-stay in order to remain in the country. Three people died in the impact: French nationals Stephane Sebastien Jean Peal, 46, and Partrick Andre Pessey, 40; and Jessica Paller, 40, of the Philippines. Six people were injured in the crash: Nadezhda Ageenko, 32, of Russia; Anam Wicaksoma, 43, from Indonesia; Verena Baumgartner, 38, of Austria; John Gary Olive, 48, from the UK; and Wennie Cajeras, 47, and Taresita Padewel, 53, both fro the Philippines. All six were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, Col Suwat said. They are all still alive and their condition has improved, but they will stay need to stay in hospital for a few more weeks, he said. Officials unable to save dolphin rescued off Phuket PHUKET: Officials were unable to save a striped dolphin that was rescued from the shore of Bon Island yesterday (Jan 10) and official from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.(DMCR) told The Phuket News. animalshealthdeath By Eakkapop Thongtub Wednesday 11 January 2017, 03:28PM The dolphin was rescued off the shore of Bon Island off Rawai Beach. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Rawai Mayor Mr Aroon Solos was informed by local residents yesterday that they had found an exhausted dolphin at Bon Island off Rawai Beach. Mr Aroon called the Rare Sea Creatures Section of the Research and Development of Marine Resources and Coastal Mangrove to help with the rescue. Officials said the dolphin was a mature male striped dolphin, aged between 7-12 years old and weighing between 30-40 kilograms. He was exhausted, he did not respond to us and could not swim. We found a number of wounds on its body, but the worst were on its tail. It appeared that the dolphin had already suffered an infection. A veterinarian injected a stimulant and antibiotics, but the dolphin went into shock and died, and official from the DMCR said. The veterinarian who administered the drugs confirmed that the dolphin had been infected for many days and this is probably the reason it swam to shore. Phuket deploys more flood-relief supplies to the South PHUKET: A convoy of 13 trucks loaded with food, drinking water and other flood-relief supplies rolled out from Patong Municipality yesterday (Jan 10), bound for the Southern Thailand province of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, much of which has been declared disaster areas in the wake of the floods. disasterstransporthealthdeathweather By The Phuket News Wednesday 11 January 2017, 12:17PM Rawai Municipality deployed three truck. One truck was fully loaded, carrying drinking water only. Photo: PR Rawai Municipality Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup rallied support for people to donate items to help flood victims. Photo: PR Patong Municipality Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup rallied support for people to donate items to help flood victims. Photo: PR Patong Municipality The trucks left Patong yesterday and arrived in flood-struck Nakhon Sri Thammarat before nightfall yesterday afternoon. Photo: PR Patong Municipality The bulk of the supplies deployed yesterday were gathered from donations made in Patong and Rawai. The 13 trucks cleared the Phuket Checkpoint at Tha Chatchai, at the northern tip of the island, yesterday morning, Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup said. The trucks arrived at Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday afternoon, she confirmed. Thank you to everyone for coming together to help the victims of the devastating floods, Mayor Chalermluck said. Rawai Municipality provided enough supplies to fill three trucks, Mayor Chalermluck added. Two of the trucks were loaded with donated food items and household items to help flood victims, and one truck was dedicated to carrying only drinking water, she added. Phuket pickup crash brings live power cables down in Karon PHUKET: Police have confirmed there have been no fatalities after a pickup truck slammed into a power pylon on the Karon beach road today (Jan 11), instigating a cascade that brought down live power cables onto at least one other vehicle and the road. transportaccidentspolice By The Phuket News Wednesday 11 January 2017, 06:08PM Karon Police said no people were injured or killed despite the power pylons and live power cables pinning two vehicles at the scene. Photo: Jakkrit Tanphor / Facebook Karon Police said no people were injured or killed despite the power pylons and live power cables pinning two vehicles at the scene. Photo: Jakkrit Tanphor / Facebook Karon Police said no people were injured or killed despite the power pylons and live power cables pinning two vehicles at the scene. Photo: Kornkamol Payuphak / Facebook The accident happened at about 1pm, Capt Chanarong Prakongkue of the Karon Police told The Phuket News. The accident was in front of the Phuket Village Resort and Spa. It was just a vehicle crashing into an electricity pylon on the Karon-Patong Rd (Sirirat Rd), he said. The driver of the delivery pickup truck that hit the power pole said another car cut him off. He swerved to avoid a collision, but hit the power pole, Capt Chanarong explained. The impact downed several power pylons and brought live power cables down onto the road, with a brand-new white Honda sedan still bearing red dealership licence plates pinned under one of the pylons. There were no injuries or deaths in the accident, Capt Chanarong confirmed. Traffic is flowing again normally and workers are on site clearing the damaged power cables and restoring electricity supply now, he added. $2.5M state loan will help finance manufacturing facility in Watertown The Watertown Development Company has a new logo and receives $2.5 million for a new facility in Calvin Park Title: Olympus An Indian Retelling of the Greek Myths Author: Devdutt Pattanaik Publisher: Penguin Random House India Pages: 296 Price: Rs 499 The Ancient Greeks' enduring contributions to the world are the idea and practice of democracy, a system of philosophy but, above all, a colourful mythology whose influence, and reinterpretation, still permeates art, language and popular culture -as the success of the Percy Jackson books and movies show. But how does it compare with another tradition of similar vintage? Given two of their most prominent heroes have the same vulnerable spot, a major epic deal with an overseas expedition to rescue kidnapped queens, their pantheons have specific deities for wisdom, and many other similarities (but also key differences), a comparison of Greek and Indian mythologies, both of which have been extensively written about but never fully contrasted, would be quite interesting. And fulfilling this need with this book is India's own "biographer and storyteller of the gods". Devdutt Pattanaik notes that while there are many books by "Western scholars to 'explain' Hindu mythology, but very few by Indian scholars that bother to 'observe' Western mythology", and offers this work as "an attempt to bridge that gap". But he does not only provide yet another account of Greek mythology, but goes deeper to also weigh on the social and cultural millieus where it and its Indian counterpart flourished and the worldviews (finite, linear, seeking change; circular, allowing the world to change, respectively) they underpinned and fostered. And Pattanaik, who describes himself as "a medical doctor by education, a leadership consultant by profession and a mythologist by passion", provides an superb framing device too. He chooses as his narrator, none other than the world-conquering hero who brought the Indian and Greek worlds which did have some contact and one of the principal Greek gods is said to have been to India much closer than ever for the next few millenia, and left such an impact that his name is hallowed in the subcontinent till now: Alexander the Great himself. The story is from Alexander's camp somewhere in what is now Pakistan as the king learns his weary soldiers don't want to proceed further into the hot land, and his spies cite the alleged malefic effect of a naked sage nearby. His curiousity piqued by the effect of the gymnosophist, of whose ilk his tutor Aristotle had told him about, Alexander goes to question him. But it is the latter who questions him and "an Upanishad was about to happen" between the warrior and a sage, as the ruler of most of the known world finds himself retelling "tales he heard long ago from his mother and father, servants, slaves, soldiers and tutors". In the eight sections "Zeus", "Minos", "Oedipus", "Heracles", "Jason", "Helen", "Odysseus" and "Aeneas" (an anachronism, as the "Aeneid", which tells this story would not be written for another three centuries), Alexander acquaints his interlocutor with the Greek gods, and heroes and their quests. A brief preliminary interlude provides a reflection into the two interlocutors' reactions and worldviews. And while Pattanaik covers a lot of ground in his own quest, providing readers who think they are well acquainted with the subject, some new knowledge. (Did you know the ultimate tragic fate of Helen of Troy?) But what makes this work stand out is that before his subject proper, the author seeks to provide a concise conceptual overview, which seeks to identify an underlying, uniting basis of Greek mythology with philosophy, its difference with the Abrahamic mythology, that inspired the three Semitic religions, which would wipe it from practice. Then, in a separate box, he provides a contrast, in all its similarities and differences, with Indian mythology, and this can be found in every section subsequently. Pattanaik goes on to give us a fast trip of a strand of civilisation, from the Ancient Greek world to the present era of Globalisation, during which he also offers a explanation (rather simplified and debatable) of the division between India and Bharat, as well as a vigorous contrast of Western and Eastern (chiefly Indian) thought. Ultimately, Indian readers don't end with knowing all about Greek mythology, but their own too, and the curious ways in which cultural motifs travel and influence each other. Several stalls at the ongoing World Book Fair here have books on Islam to communicate the true meaning of the religion and in a bid to spread peace. Among the books on display are "What is Islam" and "Leading A Spiritual Life" by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and "Islam: Terror or Ideal? by Swami Laxmi Shankarachary. Islam-A Complete System for Life is the hall stocking Islamic books. It also conveys the message of Islam through the digital medium. The organisers admit there is less footfall as compared to other halls but their hopes are high that more people will drop in. "We simply want to convey the true words of Prophet Mohammad. He told us to be honest towards humanity and all aspects of life with his words in Quran," said Ajmal Rashid,volunteer at IROPE, a book stall. GoodWord is providing free Quran to all its visitors. "We are bound to do this as we are fed up with the misconceptions about the religion everywhere. I want visitors to read the holy book and clear all their misconceptions," said Yakub, Manager, GoodWord. Zeeshan, a volunteer at Islam-A Complete System for Life, said, "We look towards the Quran as the most credible teacher who guides us to deal with all the different aspects of life. It always shows me the path of honesty. All the good things about the religion lie in the Quran." One volunteer said, "I am really fed up of all those people who blame my religion for everything bad happening. There is a bit of wrong with every religion. We have to understand that all this terrorism in the name of Islam is fake." She added, "Those who have read Quran and are true followers of Islam are against terrorism. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is one example who served our nation in the best possible manner. No one talks about great scholars Islam has produced but everyone relates my religion with bad things only. This hurts." The Australian government plans to tax all online transactions, Treasurer Scott Morrison said on Wednesday, as part of a so-called 'tax strike' on the rapidly-growing digital economy. Currently, the government is unable to tax all of Australia's approximately $7.37 billion annual online transactions, Xinhua news agency reported. However, Morrison said on Wednesday that as Australia moves towards a modern, cashless economy, the government must keep up to ensure the tax system remains "modern". He said after imposing the "Google" and "Netflix" taxes, which ensure multinational corporations and online services were properly taxed for all sales in Australia, the government was aiming at the wider online and digital marketplace to ensure everybody was paying their fair share of tax. "You've got to make sure your tax base is just not comprehensive but make sure it is modern," the Treasurer said. "That's not a criticism of anything previously, but you've got to make sure it is keeping pace with the digital economy." "The tax system will have to change to embrace the new world order when it comes to technology and how people are consuming services," Morrison added. "The thing about the digital economy is that it is all automatic," Morrison said, adding he expects to introduce changes to the tax system in the May budget. Honda Motor Co. is recalling 7,72,000 additional Honda and Acura vehicles in the US for defective front passenger seat air bag inflators made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp. The vehicles, announced in a recall on by Honda in the US, are part of an expanded recall of 1.29 million vehicles, including some recalled earlier. No recalls related to the US one are being announced in other regions yet, Tokyo-based Honda said on Wednesday. Takata is at the center of a massive recall of inflators that can explode in a crash, injuring people by sending metal shrapnel into the passenger compartments. Among the models recalled are the 2005-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2006-2011 Honda Civic, 2007-2012 Honda Fit and 2010-2012 Honda Insight. The recall also covers the 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2010-2012 Honda Crosstour, 2005-2011 Honda CR-V, 2005-2011 Honda Element, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity, 2005-2012 Honda Pilot and 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline. Takata uses the chemical ammonium nitrate to cause a small explosion designed to inflate the air bags in a crash. As many as 16 people have been killed worldwide and about 180 have been injured. More than 100 million vehicles involving 17 automakers have been recalled worldwide, including 69 million in the US alone, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Because of the scope of the recalls, the replacements are going to take years. Indian stocks coasted to a two-month high in early Wednesday deals as traders ramped up metal shares and banking stocks. Expectations of strong quarterly earnings are high after IndusInd Bank lit up the street posting a 29 per cent rise in third quarter profit. The Nifty gained 45 points to 8,333 points, trading at its highest level since November 11 and rising for the second day. Here are the major events of the trading day: * Metal stocks rallied sharply on Dalal Street, led by steel companies from the Jindal group. Jindal Steel soared 7.3 per cent and JSW Steel jumped 7 per cent. The top three gainers in the futures market were steel stocks. Government owned SAIL surged 5 per cent. Market men are expecting a dip in Chinese steel output. * As a consequence, the Metals sub index soared 3.6 per cent and is now trading at its highest level since December 2014. Savvy investors have bought into beaten down metal shares over the past two months as excessive over capacity hurt prospects of such companies. However, the sector is slowly but certainly weeding out such capacity in a bid to turn profitable globally. * The Sensex added 131 points to 27,030 points on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Tata Steel was the top gainer, up 3.7 per cent, and also the top traded stock on the index. Bajaj Auto dropped 1 per cent and was the top loser. * IndusInd Bank was the top gainer on the Nifty after its 3rd quarter profit and net interest income soared. The stock added 5.1 per cent and traded above its November 11 high. Tata Steel, Hindalco, Coal India and Yes Bank were the other gainers on the index, up 2.7-4.1 per cent They were among 35 stocks that advanced on the Nifty. * TCS, Bajaj Auto, Tech Mahindra, BPCL and Infosys dropped 0.5-1 per cent and were among 16 stocks that fell on the Nifty. * Broader market indices added 0.5-0.7 per cent. * The entire sectoral space showed a green uptick, except for the IT index which dropped 0.4 per cent. Strong gains were seen in Media stocks and on the four banking indices. * IndusInd Bank, Tata Steel and Bharat Earth Movers were the top traded stocks by value on the NSE and all three exhibited strong gains. * Suzlon, Jindal Steel and JSW Steel were the top traded stocks by volume. * The bulls retained control of Dalal Street where 1,063 stocks rose versus just 467 that fell. Stocks posted their best gains so far in 2017 as traders made aggressive long bets on metals, banking, cement and media shares. The Nifty surged 1.1 per cent to close at 8,381 points, its highest level since November 11. The index ended at its best level in 2 months and was the second best performing benchmark in Asia. The Nifty rose for the second day on a sharp surge in traded volumes. Also abetting the bullish sentiment was news from the World Bank which weighed in with its opinion on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move demonetize the 1,000-rupee and 500-rupee notes. The move to suck out 86 percent of the currency float in less than two months lead to a sharp drop in demand for everything from bikes to luxury items. Any reform has short-term costs buy ultimately reforms will bring long-term gains. In the case of India, we expect whatever the adverse effects of these changing of notes to basically disappear in the medium term,'' Ayhan Kose, Director of Development Prospects Group at the World Bank told said in a conference call. Here are the major events in today's trade: * The Sensex gained 241 points to close at 27,140 points on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Coal India was the top gainer while Bajaj Auto lost the most on the Sensex. Tata Steel was the top traded stock. * Metal stocks were the stars of the day with the spotlight shining brightly on front line shares in the sector such as the Jindal twins, Hindalco, SAIL and Tata Steel. The rally was triggered by news that China may be closing all its medium frequency furnaces by June 2017. Such furnaces contribute less than 10 percent of total Chinese steel production. * Hindalco, IndusInd Bank, Coal India, Bank of Baroda and Yes Bank gained between 3.9-6.4 per cent on the Nifty. They were among 41 stocks that gained fresh ground on the Nifty. * Bajaj Auto, Infosys, Reliance Industries, HCL Tech and TCS fell between 0.2-0.9 per cent. They were among 10 stocks that fell on the Nifty. * IndusInd Bank, Tata Steel and Yes Bank were the top traded stocks by value. Private lender IndusInd Bank soared nearly 6 percent after its earnings beat street expectations. The bank is now trading at 3-month highs. * Suzlon, Jindal Steel & Power and Hindalco were the top traded stocks based on volume. * Lupin received final approval for Desoximetasone Cream in different dosages from the US Food and Drugs Administration. * Broader benchmarks gained between 1.1-1.3 per cent as investors loosened their purse strings to buy value in a beaten down market. * The metals index sizzled, jumping 4.3 per cent. The index is trading at its highest level since December 2014. * The sentiment remained firmly in favour of bulls with 1,738 shares rising versus 1,041 that fell on the exchanges. * The mood was even more upbeat in the derivatives markets where 149 futures advanced compared with 29 that slipped. After two former RBI Governors Y V Reddy and Bimal Jalan, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen on Tuesday raised questions on Reserve Bank's autonomy saying now a days the central bank does not decide anything and all decisions are taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highly critical of the demonetisation, Sen opined that it has failed to eliminate black money though Modi would continue to get the 'benefit of doubt'. "People think Prime Minister is doing something to eliminate black momey Modi will continue to get benefit of doubt The idea that rich is suffering is appealing to poor people," Sen told India Today TV in an interview. On RBI's decision to ban exchange of scrapped notes after December 30, he said, "I don't think this is RBI's decision. This must be Prime Minister's I don't think RBI decides anything at this time." Modi in his November 8 address to the nation had said those who could not deposit old notes by December 30 could "go to specified offices of the Reserve Bank of India up to March 31, 2017 and deposit the notes after submitting a declaration form." Sen further said the RBI was quite independent when Raghuram Rajan was Governor. It was served by illustrious persons like I G Patel and Manmohan Singh. Earlier, Reddy as well as Jalan had underlined the need for preserving the autonomy of RBI. As regards the black money, Sen said it was puzzling why the government opted to eliminate tiny 6 per cent black money by demonetising 86 per cent of the currency. Several countries including USA, Japan have lots of cash. On the government's claim of eliminating fake currency through demonetisation, he said it was never a problem. "Fake money was never a big problem in India. Fake money problem was not something you want to hold while economy in ransom," the Nobel laureate said. The demonetisation decision was taken by small group of people, he said, adding state governments should have been consulted as India has a federal polity. The government in a surprise move demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, which constituted 86 per cent of the currency, from midnight of November 8. The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday accused the BJP of playing with the lives of people of Delhi and indulging in "politics of garbage" even as a section of sanitation workers of MCD continued with the strike over non-payment of their salaries. AAP's Delhi unit convener Dilip Pandey said that the BJP led MCDs were doing contempt of court by not abiding to Delhi High Court's order of paying salary to sanitation workers on time despite the increase in funds by Delhi government to these bodies, twice over the last two years. He said as per the High Court order, the MCDs have to get their salaries by seventh of the month and it is the responsibility of the civic bodies to ensure that the sanitation workers are paid every month. "Isn't this a contempt of court? The BJP leaders should answer this question. Why is the MCD not being able to pay the sanitation workers, who are the nervous system of the city," Pandey asked, accusing the party of financial irregularities in the MCDs. A section of sanitation workers continued their strike today, even as EDMC officials claimed that all unions ended the agitation and helped dispose off 2,000 metric ton garbage piled up due to week-long disruption in civic services. Dishing out the figures, Pandey said that Rs 270 crore was given to the MCD in 2012-13, Rs 287 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 400 crore in 2014-15. However, the figure increased to Rs 700 crore in 2015-16 and Rs 600 crore in 2016-17," he said. He added that not giving salary to sanitation workers of the MCD is just one aspect of "financial mismanagement" of the civic body and there are many such instances like the out-break of vector borne disease in the national capital among others. Less than a week after he was named the AAP candidate from Amritsar Central Assembly segment, Darbari Lal returned to the Congress fold on Wednesday, saying he had realised the party, led by Captain Amarinder Singh, was the only hope of succour for the crisis-ridden state of Punjab. Lals homecoming into the Punjab Congress was witnessed, among others, by Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh, who said it marked yet another dent in Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had been thoroughly exposed as an organization of self-serving individuals, many of whom were caught in corruption and sex scandals. Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday accused AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of trying to "create a sensation" by alleging that major parties are distributing money to voters in the poll-bound state. "Kejriwal wants to create a sensation. I don't want to give him importance," Parsekar said, responding to allegations levelled by the Delhi chief minister in each of his four public meetings in the coastal state that will seeing voting on February 4. Kejriwal had said that both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) offer money to voters during elections and had even exhorted voters to accept the money and then vote for the Aam Aadmi party (AAP). While the BJP has filed a complaint against Kejriwal's comments with the Election Commission of India, the Congress has demanded an apology from the leader for his statement. Elections in five states Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur are being held in February-March. Apart from Punjab, where it is seen as a serious contender, the AAP is hoping to make an impact in this tiny but prosperous state. It has named former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes, 53, as it chief ministerial candidate. Gomes, who belonged to the Goa Civil Service, took voluntary retirement in July this year. Filmmaker Karan Johar has been invited to the World Econonic Forum as a cultural leader. The event will take place in Davos Klosters, Switzerland, from January 17 to 20. "I am honoured to be invited as one of the cultural leaders on this prolific platform. Representing my country and reflecting my ethos and the sentiments of my land on a global level is always exhilarating and empowering. "Also, it's a solid meeting ground of minds and personalities, which I am looking forward to engulf and experience fully," Johar said in a statement. Personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, A R Rahman and Mallika Sarabhai have been previously invited to Davos. At least eight prisoners of conscience have been on hunger strike in Iran to contest the legality of their detention, leading to life threatening situations. Mr. Saeed Shirzad, Mr. Ali Shariati, Mr. Mohammad Reza Nekounam, Mr. Hassan Rastegari Majd, Mr. Mehdi Koukhian, Mr. Nizar Zakka, and Mr. Mohammed Ali Taheri, are among those raising grave concerns. Mr. Arash Sadeghi, ended the hunger strike he had started on October 24, 2016, after his wife, Ms. Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, was released on bail last week. Both Mr. Sadeghi and Ms. Ebrahimi Iraee are human rights defenders who have been imprisoned for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association, the expert said. However, despite his critical health condition, Mr. Sadeghi is being denied transfer to specialized medical facilities and is reportedly kept in his cell, the Special Rapporteur noted. I call on the Iranian authorities to ensure that Mr. Arash Sadeghi has access, as a matter of utmost priority, to specialized health care in a hospital outside prison, in compliance with international human rights standards and medical ethics in particular the principles of informed consent, she said. I am deeply concerned about the continuous detention of human rights defenders in Iran, who have been tried on the basis of vaguely defined offences and heavily sentenced following trials marred with due process violations, Ms. Jahangir said. They are left with no other option but to put their life at risk to contest the legality of their detention. She points out that this situation continues just days after President Rouhani signed the Citizen Rights Charter, enshrining the right to life, to freedom of opinion, expression and assembly in Iran. I urge the Iranian Government to immediately and unconditionally release all those who have been arbitrarily arrested, detained and prosecuted for exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression and for peacefully promoting human rights observance in the country, she stressed. Information about the critical health situation currently faced by Ali Shariati, was received by the UN expert. Shariati has has been on hunger strike since October 31, 2016. He is serving a five-year prison sentence for his peaceful activism, including his participation in a non-violent protest condemning acid attacks against women in Iran. Childrens rights activist Saeed Shirzad, sentenced to five years in prison in 2015, who began a hunger strike on December 7, 2016, and Mohammed Ali Taheri, who started a hunger strike on September 28, and whose whereabouts have been unknown since his reported transfer to Baghiatollah Military Hospital in October, have caused grave fear for their lives. Attention was also drawn to the situation of Hassan Rastegari Majd, who is reported to be held in solitary confinement in retaliation for his prolonged hunger strike, by the UN expert. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mr. Michel Forst; and the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Mr. Roland Adjovi have endorsed Ms. Jahangirs call. Ms. Asma Jahangir (Pakistan) was designated as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Human Rights Council in September 2016. She was elected as President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan and as Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. She has been recognized both nationally and internationally for her contribution to the cause of human rights and is a recipient of major human rights awards. Working extensively in the field of womens rights, protection of religious minorities and in eliminating bonded labour, she is also a former Special Rapporteur on summary executions, and on freedom of religion. The Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, which is the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system. It is the general name for the Councils independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Working on a voluntary basis, Special Procedures experts are not UN staff, and do not receive a salary for their work. They serve in an individual capacity, and remain independent from any government or organization. Hitting back at the Congress over its criticism of demonetisation, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said the entire process was undertaken in a transparent manner and the Congress is "depressed" over the growing popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stating that Congress did not have the "guts" to implement demonetisation during its tenure, he said the Opposition just wants to make "false allegation" and is not ready for a discussion on the issue in Parliament. "Demonetisation has been well received by the people, poor people, middle class, honest tax payers. All are happy about the same, now the money has reached the banks. How much money is black, how much is white will be known after scrutiny," he told reporters at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here. "Congress Party and the other parties are depressed over the growing popularity of the Prime Minister because everywhere all surveys indicate 70-80 per cent of the people are hailing the decision of the Prime Minister. Why they are becoming jittery and making such absurd allegations," he said. Congress, he said, is now going to people to voice their protest over demonetisation, but people have voted them out in Gujarat Panchayat election, Gujarat municipal elections, in Chandigarh municipal elections, in Faridabad municipal elections and in Maharashtra. "In Madhya Pradesh by-election and Assam by-election and also various by-elections across the country, everywhere it is BJP. BJP s winning spree is continuing. Even in the Panchayat elections in Gujarat it was almost a sweep. Keeping that in mind, they are becoming jitterywhat can we do. All these people, why they are objecting to demonetisation, they had no guts to do it during their regime and now they are unnecessarily making false allegations and no one is going to take them seriously," Naidu said. There is no parallel of the demonetisation decision in the world, he said, adding that while there may be "some temporary difficulty and slowdown", catch up will happen soon. Keeping up the heat on the note ban issue, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today launched a fresh attack on Modi for the demonetisation move, saying for the first time India's Prime Minister is being "ridiculed" for the decision. With regard to advancing Budget date to February 1, he said "the solution has to be given by the court". He said: "The solution has been sent (by Government), what will happen in the court The matter is before the election commission so it would not be fair for me to comment. We have not done this secretly, nor all of a sudden. We have made announcement on this, PM has said that Budget should happen earlier. We will see what election commission decides." Government yesterday replied to a notice of the Election Commission over advancement of budget date. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who is in Bodh Gaya for the 34th Kalchakra puja, termed the liquor prohibition in Bihar as a good decision. "Prohibition in Bihar is a good step," he said on Wednesday while addressing thousands of devotees gathered here from across the world for the ongoing Buddhist spiritual event, about 110 km from capital Patna. The Kalchakra puja is among the most sacred events of the Buddhist religious calendar. He said that during his short visit to Patna last month Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had informed him about his government's prohibition policy. The Dalai Lama also reminded his devotees that Lord Buddha said consumption of even a drop of alcohol is a sin and how Mahatma Gandhi also tried to bring in prohibition. The Tibetan spiritual leader has been living in India in self-imposed exile since 1959 when he fled his homeland after Chinese Communist troops took over Tibet. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Nitish Kumar's decision of imposing prohibition in the state and urged all political parties and people to back his move. Modi has termed Nitish Kumar's decision of prohibition a "brave step" for social change. "Taking an initiative for social change is very difficult, but Nitish Kumar has initiated it by enforcing prohibition. All people including political parties should back him for it," he said. The Nitish Kumar-led Grand Alliance government enforced total prohibition on April 5 last year in the state. Since then, more than 16,000 people have been arrested on charges of either consuming or transporting liquor in the state. Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday allotted broadcast timing to political parties for the upcoming assembly elections in five states. "The facilities will be available from the Regional Kendra of the All India Radio and Doordarshan and in the headquarters of Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. This will be relayed by other stations within the above mentioned States/UTs," the commission said in a statement. A base time of 45 minutes will be given to each national party and recognised state party uniformly on the Doordarshan network and All India Radio in the poll-bound states, the release further said. In a single session of broadcast, no party will be allocated more than 15 minutes. "The Prasar Bharati Corporation, in consultation with the commission, will decide the actual date and time for broadcast and telecast," it added. Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8. India and Kenya on Wednesday held high-level discussions on common issues and agreed to focus on operationalisation of bilateral defence cooperation. Speaking to media after the talks at Hyderabad House here between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "We are also partnering to strengthen our security cooperation and capacities. We have directed the Joint Working Group to meet early." "It would focus on cyber security, counter-terrorism, combating drugs, narcotics, human trafficking and money laundering." The Kenyan President is paying a state visit to India from January 10 to 12. Earlier during the day, Kenyatta was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the visiting dignitary who was presented an impressive Guard of Honour on the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt. Prime Minister Modi had paid a visit to Kenya on July 10-11 last year. During the visit, India and Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation. Following Wednesday's talks here, Modi said some of the specific areas of priority would be hydrography, communications networks, anti-piracy, capacity building, exchanges and defence medical cooperation. On the ongoing cooperation between the two nations in the field of Agriculture, Modi said: "The $100-million Line of Credit Agreement signed for agricultural mechanisation today (Wednesday) would open a new dimension of engagement. Long-term arrangement with Kenya for production and import of pulses is being explored and discussed." Both nations will have broad-based cooperation in agriculture and food security, and will collaborate to raise agricultural productivity in Kenya. On bilateral business opportunities, Modi said: "(We) will encourage, industry and business in both countries to take lead in exploiting opportunities in healthcare, tourism, information technology, agriculture, blue economy and energy." He said: "The Joint Business Council meeting tomorrow (Thursday) will work to build commercial engagement through specific projects in these areas. To boost trade, we are also cooperating on trade facilitation measures, including standardisation and related areas." Appreciating President Kenyatta's visit to the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, underway at Gandhinagar, Modi said: "Your participation in Vibrant Gujarat has generated a strong interest in Indian businesses to connect with commercial and investment opportunities in Kenya." The Kenyan President, who is accompanied by several of his Ministers, arrived in India on January 10. He attended the inaugural session of the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 at Gandhinagar which was declared open by Modi on Tuesday. The 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is being held in Gandhinagar from January 10 to 13. AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking promulgation of an ordinance for conduct of the bull taming sport Jallikattu, noting that the ban on it had caused "resentment" in the state. Sasikala's letter to the Prime Minister on the issue comes days after Chief Minister O Panneerselvam urged the Centre to promulgate an ordinance for the conduct of the sport. "No cruelty is practiced on the animals per se. Also bulls are worshipped as a deity by the religious in Tamil Nadu and care is always taken by the youth taming them (to) not to inflict any pain on them," Sasikala told Modi in a letter. "The ban on jallikkattu has incensed the public of Tamil Nadu and the youth in particular, and all efforts have to be taken to revoke it," she said. This sporting event was "inextricably" linked to the rural, agrarian customs, practices and psyche of Tamils and also helped in conservation of native germplasm, since bulls with excellent physical attributes alone are reared for jallikattu, she noted. "The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India should clearly de-notify bulls as 'performing animals' and I request you to take appropriate steps to enable the traditional sport of Tamil Nadu to be played in our soil. This is my earnest request as there is widespread resentment against the ban," she added. Jallikkattu is a traditional sporting event of the state, held coinciding with the harvest festival of Pongal, and forms an essential part of the festivities, she said. Recalling that her predecessor late J Jayalalithaa was keen that Jallikkattu was "restored to its original glory as the primal sport of Tamil Nadu, she said, "The bulls specially reared for the purpose are tamed by ardent youths and this sport is not in the least cruel to animals, unlike other sporting events involving horses, camels and other animals." The youth of the state in particular wanted the sport to be played, "as they feel that it is their divine traditional right, wherein they exhibit their courage in taming the bulls," she said. "In view of the above, I request you to kindly intervene in the matter to promulgate an Ordinance to amend the PCA (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Act, to de-notify the bulls from the notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, so as to lift the ban on Jallikkattu and preserve Tamil Nadu's culture and tradition. This would ensure that sport is conducted during this week-end, during the Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu," she said. The lifting of the ban on Jallikkattu would be the "ultimate joy" for Tamils not only in Tamil Nadu, but across the globe, which would ensure that the people of the state really celebrate the Pongal festival with traditional fervour and gaiety, she added. Amid criticism of his foreign tours during polls, Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to travel to China on a visit that was expected to take place next week. Gandhi, the Congress vice president, was to lead a party delegation on a week-long visit to Beijing reportedly from January 15 at the invitation of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) as part of the regular party-to-party exchanges between the two countries. AICC had for the past one week not denied reports of the delegation visiting China. "We cannot confirm about the visit, so how can we confirm about the deferment," said a party leader when asked about Rahul's plans to travel to China next week. Rahul has just returned from a week-long foreign vacation, for which he was criticised as five states are going to the polls. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday directed Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar to make arrangements for the travel of a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) suffering from cancer to India after the man sought help through a video message on YouTube. She also advised the Indian Ambassador that an official from the embassy escort him and his ailing wife to India. The video posted on YouTube by Shiv Charan appealing for help was tweeted by Swaraj, asking Indians in France to locate him and his wife who has been suffering from arthritis. Surprisingly, Indians in France located him in less than an hour, and passed on his number to Swaraj. "I have spoken to Shri Shiv Charan ji in France a few minutes back. Shri Shiv Charan ji is from Udaipur. I told him that we are prepared to fly them back to India immediately. Our Ambassador in France Mohan Kumar @AmbMoKumar will contact and fly them to India as per their convenience. "I have advised @AmbMoKumar that since Shiv Charanji is not in good health, our Embassy official should escort them to India @Indian_Embassy," Swaraj tweeted. She said she has also spoken to Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the issue. "I have spoken to Chief Minister Rajasthan @VasundharaBJP. She has promised all help to Shivcharanji in Udaipur (sic)," she tweeted. The External Affairs Minister again advised Indians staying abroad to tweet their problems to the respective Indian embassy and tag her in a case of emergency. "Please tweet your problem to the concerned Indian Embassy/authority and endorse the same to @sushmaswaraj. I monitor their response to your tweets personally. In case of emergency pl mention #SOS," Swaraj tweeted. Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday said he will not form a different party nor change the party's election symbol 'cycle'. "I had gone to Delhi to save the party from breaking," Mulayam Singh told party workers at his residence here. "What else do I have apart from you people. "I can understand your concern over the party as it is the result of a lot of hard work," he said. Mulayam Singh also said he won't be forming any new party. "We are not going to set up any other party nor are we changing our symbol 'cycle'." He said the party's other faction led by his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had sought a new name, Akhil Bharatiya Samajwadi Party, and a new election symbol, 'motorcycle'. "Will you people accept that?" he asked his supporters. Without taking the name of Ram Gopal Yadav, he blamed him for the rift in the Samajwadi Party. "A few people want to break the party. They went ahead and met the leaders of the opposition parties. And I have every information of that. "I won't allow the party to break," he added. In a warning of sorts, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said that the worst was yet to come while speaking on the issue of demonetization. Speaking at the Jan Vedna convention of the Congress here in the national capital, Singh blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the downfall of Indian economy. "Modiji keeps on saying he will transform India's economy, we know now that the beginning of the end has come. The worst is yet to come," said Singh. "Some say GDP can be as low as 6.3 per cent. We can imagine that what kind of a disaster demonetisation is," he added. He further said that the note ban had badly hurt the country and things were going from bad to worse. Moezzi spent years in prison in the 1980s for his affiliation with the Iranian opposition group, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK). Beginning in 2008, he served two more years, for having visited his two daughters residing in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. Arrested again in 2011, seven months after his latest release, for attending the funeral of a fellow political prisoner, hes been imprisoned ever since. He has faced much pressure, including the extension of his current prison term beyond its specified four years.Hes also be subjected to numerous explicit death threats. Reportedly, hes undergone routine beatings and torture and the absence of medical care for his pre-existing health problems. Moezzis arrest came shortly after he had been released from a hospital after undergoing surgery following a cancer diagnosis. The regime has repeatedly been charged with disregard for the health and well-being of prisoners, especially those detained for political or religious offenses. A recent example is Arash Sadeghi, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for his peaceful human rights activism. Sadeghi began a hunger strike shortly after his wife was arrested. Sadeghi finally ended his hunger strike after judicial authorities granted his wife temporary release from her pre-trial detention. His hunger strike lasted more than 70 days befor the regime agreed to even that, and it was not the likelihood of Sadeghis imminent death that prompted them to act, but the massive support that his protest had garnered within Iran and abroad. Hundreds of Iranians gathered outside of Evin Prison, to protest his treatment. His cause was promoted on the internet and via banned social media networks by several thousands of supporters. Salve writes, It may not be a coincidence that Moezzi disappeared from Gohardasht Prison just one day after it was announced that Sadeghi had been hospitalized and brought back from the brink of death. He adds, Both incidents demonstrated that the Iranian regime has no qualms about endangering the lives of its political adversaries, but the ruling mullahs can only take such a situation to its drastic conclusion if relatively free from public scrutiny. He says that it may be easier for the regime simply allow political prisoners to die, if those deaths occur in secret locations, so that they can claim plausible deniability. Irans domestic activists or the international community may still be able to save Moezzi in much the same way they saved Sadeghi, but it is impossible to know Moezzis current condition, much less to follow its deterioration in real time. This is a challenge as it is difficult to rally around a cause that they cannot see. However, these atrocities must not be allowed to continue in the shadows. This is the challenge that requires serious commitment, and a campaign that includes the international community and media. World powers must take an interest in this case, and in the overall plight of Iranian prisoners of conscience, writes Salvi. Which is actually underscored by the recent success of the Sadeghi case. Silence of the global community sends a message to the Iranian regime that it can get away with these crimes, and that is a message not to be condoned with silence. Brexit has prompted the first resignation at the individual level. Britains ambassador to the European Union, Sir Ivan Rogers, has resigned, alerting his staff against what he calls muddled thinking and the short supply of negotiating experience over the past seven months, indeed since the referendum on 23 June last year. Rated as one of the finest diplomats of the UK, his resignation is no less a reflection on the conduct of the follow-through by Prime Minister Theresa May, who had stepped into 10 Downing Street after David Cameron's setback. Is the resignation a testament too to a robust opinion that appears to be building up against Britains exit from Europe? The fine print of Sir Ivans resignation e-mail is the strident appeal for independent thinking on the part of British diplomats, most particularly the civil servants in Brussels the headquarters of EU. The mail is clothed in the pregnant message that those now representing Britain in EU must assert their independence and challenge ill-founded arguments and muddled thinking. There is little doubt that the farewell message is addressed as much to the Foreign Office as to the government of Ms May. He has in effect spoken against the tendency to kowtow to the dictates of Whitehall. His decidedly abrupt resignation comes at a critical juncture and the Brexit plan a watershed development in Britains economic history has suffered a jolt two months before negotiations are scheduled to begin in March. Sir Ivans replacement in Brussels will succeed to a sensitive inheritance; he has articulated his opposition to the praxis adopted by the post-Cameron Conservative government, making it clear that he had been frustrated by politicians who disliked his warnings about the potential pitfalls in the Brexit process. The subtext is pretty obvious Britains man in EU, who would have been in the forefront of the negotiations, had seemingly been ignored by the gung-ho proponents of Brexit in London. Sir Ivan has bared his angst and there is without question a rift in the lute, and it is open to question whether the outcome of the referendum will reach its logical consummation, one that the Leave lobby devoutly wishes. It is hard not to wonder whether the in-house friction is embedded in political discord. He has been criticised by a section of the Tories for having warned that it may take as long as 10 years for the UK to fully break from the EU. In the reckoning of Downing Street, the ambassador had been articulating the perception of some European leaders, rather than giving his own assessment. Was Sir Ivan Rogers anti-Brexit and in favour of Remain? An answer to the question may not be available anytime soon. From the wafer-thin referendum margin to the resignation, the essay towards Brexit is floundering. Last month, Justice Ruma Pal, former judge of the Supreme Court, was invited by a Delhi-based think-tank to deliver a public lecture on the contentious subject of the Uniform Civil Code. While opposing the idea of a common civil code for all communities and emphasising the importance of preserving plural cultures, Justice Pal said that practices prevalent within communities ought to be modified in a manner that achieves gender equality. In other words, she rejected uniformity of laws across communities but made a pitch for intra-community reform to achieve equality of the genders. Therefore, in her view, if multiple marriages are permissible for Muslim men, that right ought to be extended to women as well, allowing them the right to take up to four husbands. Likewise, if men can divorce women by uttering talaq three times, so should women be permitted to divorce their husbands in the very same manner. This correction, Justice Pal felt, would make such practices compatible with the constitutional guarantee of equality. While gender equality is an important constitutional goal, it is doubtful whether extending similar rights to women will solve the social challenge that the continued prevalence of practices like triple talaq or polygamy present in contemporary society. The difficulty with these practices, which were given legitimacy centuries ago in a very different social milieu, is that not only are they grossly gender unjust, they are also inherently incompatible with contemporary constitutional morality. Merely introducing reform to give a woman the same rights against her husband does not address the problem. It only compounds the arbitrariness in ways that would deeply damage the institution of marriage. The problem with triple talaq is that it is premised on the presumption that the man calls the shots in the relationship and can take a unilateral decision to opt out of the marriage without giving his wife the opportunity to approach a court, arbitrator or mediator. Extending the same right to a woman against her husband is of little help. Given her financial and social dependence on her husband, she is unlikely to be in a position to exercise that right. Even if she is, it is equally unfair that a husband should find himself divorced at the whim of his wife, without opportunity for reconciliation or recourse to a court of law. Such arbitrary methods of dissolving a marriage whether at the instance of a man or a woman if she were to be granted that right, are incompatible with the expectation of reasonableness and reconciliation inherent in the institution of marriage. Therefore, if gender justice is the goal, it would be better achieved by doing away with such practices altogether, rather than extending the same arbitrary rights to a woman. Likewise, the argument that if Muslim men are allowed to be polygamous, so should women be permitted to be polyandrous is also deeply flawed for the same reason. This is not about gender equality for the sake of gender equality. Practically, a man is hardly likely to marry a woman who already has a husband. Besides, even equality for equalitys sake is hardly likely to be achieved unless a woman in a polygamous marriage also acquires multiple husbands. What enormous social pandemonium would follow if all men and all women were to be in multiple marriages! Who would live with whom? Who would be parents to children born from multiple marriages? Which set of parents would be responsible for whose children? It would be the end of the institution of family as we understand it. This is a surer recipe for social anarchy rather than for gender equality. In his piece titled Multiple Ways to Equality, published on October 28, 2016 in The Indian Express, Faizan Mustafa advocates treating marriage as a private limited company where equal say is to be given to all members, including wives, in entry or exit of any member with rights and liabilities clearly laid down. He argues, somewhat astonishingly, that polygamy cannot be eradicated and therefore, restricted polygamy should be extended to all communities! One difficulty with some of the most progressive views from the Muslim intelligentsia is that they oppose triple talaq on the ground that it is unqoranic, that is to say that the Quran never legitimised such a practice, not so much because it is so inherently unequal and unconstitutional. To determine the constitutionality of a practice with reference to a sacred text rather than on its compatibility with fundamental rights can be deeply problematic. There are many cruel practices across religious affiliations that would acquire immediate immunity and legitimacy if we were to permit their continuance only because they find place in a religious document. Ancient Hindu texts recognise many such outdated patriarchal practices including wife-beating in certain circumstances: If she (the wife) does not willingly yield her body to him (her husband), he should buy her with presents. If she is still unyielding, he should beat her with a stick or with his hand and overcome her. (Brihadranyak Upanishad 6/4/7) So does the Holy Quran ~ Righteous wives are devout and guard what God would have them guard in the husbands absence. If you fear high-handedness from your wives, remind them [of the teaching of God], then ignore them when you go to bed, then hit them. Polygamy is also sanctioned under some conditions. So for the very reason that the progressives reject triple talaq i.e. that it is unqoranic they will have to accept polygamy as legitimate. As also the right of a husband to beat a disobedient wife. In a secular country, if we are to allow religious texts, any or all of them, to override the fundamental right to equality and a life of dignity, then even the secular law which punishes domestic violence against women of all communities would fall foul of personal law. So should we cast away the Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence Act 2005 or make it selectively applicable? For India to thrive as a vibrant multicultural society, cultures must be preserved for that is the very essence of India. But patriarchy cannot be perpetuated in the name of multiculturalism. It is time we recognised that there exist age-old religious and cultural practices that are fundamentally incompatible with the Constitution that we the people of India gave ourselves and with the principle of contemporary constitutional morality. The writer is a Supreme Court advocate and has appeared for government in the Triple Talaq case. The dormant differences in India-China ties have once more flared up in recent days, due inter alia to their lack of agreement on how to deal with Pak-based terrorist Masood Azhar. India has been on a long quest to bring that individual to book, for his record as a perpetrator of attacks against India is not in doubt. India has campaigned hard for suitable action at the UN and elsewhere to place curbs on him, and there is growing international readiness to back the effort, but the campaign has been blocked by China's refusal to support it ~ indeed, to oppose the effort to list this individual among those who need to be placed under sanctions and restraint. That China has adopted this course has less to do with the credentials of the individual, for whom there is no credible defence, than with the geo-political interest of the countries that have shielded him, and this is the latest manifestation of the nexus between China and Pakistan that provides a haven for persons like Masood Azhar. As may be expected, India has been indignant and has cautioned China against ignoring the growing international opinion against terrorism in any guise, but China has not been deterred, and this issue, not for the first time, continues as an irritant in the India-China relationship. There are other recent developments that have added to bilateral complications, as for instance the implications of the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor), which is the major cooperative project between those two countries and has important implications for the region as a whole. CPEC has been launched with a flourish, but as it traverses parts of POK to which India has legal title, the project has been controversial from its inception. The sponsors of CPEC have not paid heed to India's objections ~ indeed, a Chinese spokesperson said India should not be opposed to it but should itself join in. Another issue of long standing that has once more been highlighted by China is the status of the Dalai Lama who recently visited New Delhi where he met the Indian President and also took part in a public function organized by Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi. China took strong exception and its spokesperson voiced public criticism of India's actions, showing thereby that China remains unyielding on this issue and is always ready to object when the Dalai Lama is accorded courtesies that are widely deemed appropriate for a person of his status and international prestige. Not long ago a meeting for him with President Obama drew an indignant Chinese response though the two individuals went ahead with their meeting. The recent incident is a reminder that the status of Tibet and the vocal support of Tibetan exiles in India for an independence movement have been a running sore in India-China relations and the issue flares up from time to time, as it has now with the Delhi visit of the Tibetan leader. There are some other Tibet-related issues that have also come up at this time, once more to disturb relations between the two countries. For quite some while now, China has been describing Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet, and claiming thereby that it should rightly be considered as part of China. Within Arunachal Pradesh, a special Chinese bid has been made in respect of Tawang, initially through raising the matter of its status in a series of non-official forums, and later through more formal proceedings. Such initiatives have not been followed up by actions on the ground but they do have the effect of projecting this matter as a sensitive point in India-China relations. To be noted, too, is the more strident tone recently adopted by Chinese spokespersons in some of their statements about India, as well as actions like cancellation of visas for Indian officials from Arunachal Pradesh. China's high sensitivity to the international travels and other activities of the Dalai Lama was also witnessed in Mongolia where the Tibetan pontiff had recently been on a visit and where China made unavailing attempts to have the visit called off. India was inadvertently drawn in when its large loan offer of $1billion to Mongolia was described as a 'bribe' in Chinese official media and derided as an entirely inadequate counter to the much greater Chinese support for the Mongolian economy. To this list of issues of open differences between the two sides should be added the cautionary warning from Beijing that there will be endless trouble if India sees development of trade ties between China and Nepal as a threat to its own commercial interests. In recent years, China has made large investments in its economic relations with Nepal, including infrastructure development, and has tried to establish alternative access to the world through Chinese territory for this landlocked neighbour. The observation about Nepal addressed to India asks it in effect to keep out of the way of growing Nepal-China ties and is of a piece with China's more active and thrusting regional policy in the Himalayan belt. China-supported development is now to include joint military drill and security exchanges with Nepal, something that will no doubt invite considerable scrutiny from New Delhi. With all these China-related developments currently taking place all around it and in its immediate vicinity, India needs to find a proper response, for the region is shedding its historic remoteness and will be affected by the larger regional movements now taking place. Notwithstanding the occasional rumblings, of which the media is always cognizant, bilateral India-China relations are basically equable and their economic exchanges continue to flourish, with every prospect of further advance. But there are apprehensions among some expert observers that China's galloping run as global pacemaker may now finally be slowing. This could demand adjustments of economic policy, not in that country alone but also in its important partners like India, entailing a different pattern of growth as they both climb further up the economic ladder. Also required would be much greater engagement between policy makers and economic managers to help take matters into the new and more demanding areas of cooperation where they must now advance. No less needed would be sustained effort to mitigate current problems that divide the two countries. The leadership on both sides has shown readiness to advance in that direction, as evidenced in the recent successful top-level visits in both directions. More top-level exchanges will doubtless take place in the coming months, for both sides have much at stake and have shown the intention of maintaining the balance in their relationship while strengthening mutual confidence. In these circumstances, despite the occasional setback, keeping India-China relations in good repair must be a priority task for Indian diplomacy. (The writer is Indias former Foreign Secretary) Rarely, if ever, has an announcement by Mamata Banerjee been welcomed by the Left. The teachers lobby of the leftist parties has overwhelmingly endorsed the Chief Ministers decision to raise the age of superannuation of college and university teachers from 60 to 62 an emphatic bow in the direction of the senior citizens, as often as not the bedrock of the faculties. Equally and perhaps still more crucially, she has quelled the controversy and ended the uncertainty triggered by the ebullient education minister, Partha Chatterjees imprimatur that all teachers on extension be retired across the universities in West Bengal. Unmistakable is her implicit message to the education minister There is no end to education and no age for teachers to retire. Like doctors, they teach till their death. Her statement is a faint echo of Jyoti Basu's take when he was nudging 90 as Chief Minister Communists never retire. Jadavpur University was the first casualty of the education ministers fatwa when the extended tenure of three important teachers was discontinued much to the detriment of pedagogy a loss for a centre of excellence that had even figured in the VCs address to the convocation on December 24. That fatwa was issued with scant regard for UGC regulations. By attempting a halfway-house, the Chief Minister has now cleared the position hopefully for the greatest good of the greatest number both in terms of the teacher and the taught. No less critical is the imperative to fill the vacancies at the level of teachers from the primary to the post-graduate levels. The stark deficit in the teacher-student ratio isnt the bane of the primary segment alone; the deficit, rooted in repeated fiascos and the governments sluggish approach, has affected the search for learning generally. Hence the lament of a Vice-Chancellor of a leading university Improving infrastructure alone will not help in achieving excellence. We need to improve the teaching-learning process. There is nothing particularly novel in granting a 25-month study leave for research; the praxis has always been integral to the academic schedule of the faculties. Arguably, what need not be so integral are the frequent seminars and junkets abroad with the pay and perks intact at home. The striking feature of Saturdays cache of welfare measures is the social sector benefit, specifically to include teachers in the West Bengal Government Health Scheme. But the retired teachers would appear to have lost out in the bargain not least because retired personnel, irrespective of the department they had served, are entitled to the benefits of WBGHS and its central edition, CGHS. On closer reflection, the Chief Ministers bouquet was unwittingly a budgetary exercise after her finance minister, Amit Mitras ranting at the Prime Ministers New Years eve address. Donald Trump will assume the American presidency during a pivotal time in US-Asian relations. Rising tensions with China; a nuclear-armed North Korea with growing deliverance capabilities; uncertainties over the extent of Washingtons commitment to the security of Japan and South Korea; differences with allies over previously unquestioned principles and values (Philippines); opportunities to deepen relations with new partners (i.e., India and Vietnam) and anxieties relating to impending U.S. demands for changes to trade agreements are a few of the pressing matters that will quickly find their way to the new presidents inbox. As these hot button issues and others rightly deserve the new administrations proper focus, human rights must not fall through the cracks among Americas various initiatives in the region. Tragically, the human condition in Asia has deteriorated in recent years while the elite and protected of many Asian countries have enjoyed the benefits from the regions economic rise and elevated geopolitical status. The following are a few examples of some of the worst ongoing human rights abuses in the region: North Korea: New satellite images show that North Korea may be expanding its gulags where political prisoners are routinely raped, tortured, starved and subject to forced labor and executions. To make maters worse, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute, this year roughly 4 out of 10 North Koreans are not getting enough food due to mismanaged policies and food aid that is squandered by the military. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, whose personal weight is estimated to have reached 300 pounds, recently suggested through state media that his nation may face a widespread starvation similar to the 1990s famine in which 3.5 million people were believed to have died. Burma: Since 2012, over 120,000 Rohingya Muslims have been forcibly removed from their native Rakhine State into camps guarded by hostile Burmese security forces where their freedoms and movements are denied. Tens of thousands of Rogingyas have fled the country by sea or by land into neighbouring Bangladesh and Thailand where many are preyed upon by human traffickers into lives of enslavement. UN investigations have found evidence of nationalist Buddhist organizations inside Burma inciting hatred and attacks against Rohingyas as well as various accounts of Burmese security forces detaining, raping, torturing, conducting forced labour and executing community members. Last month the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stated that the Rohingyas may be the victims of crimes against humanity and the Rohingya are often described by international media and human rights organizations as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. China: By many measures, human rights in China have worsened under President Xi Jinping. Freedoms of expression and religion have been increasingly curtailed and the detention of political dissidents and human rights activists have expanded. Beyond this, ethnic Tibetans and Uighurs in Tibet and Xinjiang, respectively, have faced heightened levels of discrimination, repression and curbs on fundamental human rights. Philippines: In May, Rodrigo Duterte was elected the 16th president of the Philippines on a platform that included combating the illegal drug trade through violent measures including the killing of criminal suspects. The President kept his campaign promise by initiating the Philippine Drug War and supporting and praising the extrajudicial killings of thousands suspected of being involved in the drug trade, commenting in a recent interview that he did not give a sh*t if the new drug war violated human rights. Thailand: Since the May, 2014 military coup, restrictions (and in some cases, bans) have been placed on freedom of expression, public gatherings and political activities. Additionally, the authorities have engaged in arbitrary arrests and have used military courts to try civilians, political dissidents in particular. Human rights activists have also criticized Thailand for the alleged exploitation of migrant workers from neighboring Burma, Cambodia and Laos. Indonesia: It is not uncommon for Islamic extremists to harass and engage in violence against religious minorities, and Islamic ordinances such as Indonesias blasphemy law, article 156a to persecute non-Muslims. At present, Jakarta Governor Basuki Ashok Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian, is fighting a highly publicised blasphemy legal case against him relating to his quote of a Quranic verse while campaigning in elections for the Jakarta governorship. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia: In each of these countries, fundamental human rights are restricted such as freedom of the press, religion, speech and association, and law enforcers often resort to torture and beatings to extract confessions. Beyond this, ruling governments maintain monopolies on political power and are mired in corruption. The pressing matters of our time in the Asia-Pacific economic growth, international security, human development, geopolitics, the environment do not always lend themselves to discussions of human rights. At times overarching objectives demand that Washington do business with actors who do not share its values, and we must acknowledge that not every meeting between Asias and Americas leaders will address the human condition, nor would it be appropriate to do so. Yet, with resolve, a sense of purpose and an understanding of his counterparts, Mr. Trump can position himself to be an effective human rights proponent in these key ways: As the world saw over the past week with the fall of Aleppo, diplomacy without leverage is a fools errand it can leave even superpowers like the United States without the means to effect desired outcomes. Yet, unlike in Syria, the United States enjoys considerable leverage in Asia in the military, economic and geopolitical realms, among others. Going forward, the U.S. must use its leverage in these areas to exact human rights concessions from partners and adversaries alike. Longing for access to lucrative American markets and foreign aid? Cut down on arbitrary detentions, stop the extrajudicial killings and recommit to the rule of law. Interested in U.S. and US-made naval capabilities to protect your countrys maritime claims? Ease up on the enforcement of religious bylaws that persecute religious minorities. Eager for closer military-to-military relations with Washington to deter a larger neighbour who threatens to throw his weight around? Stop the ethnic cleansing within your borders. Want to ensure the survival of your regime and stave off another famine? Abandon your nuclear weapons programme and shut down your gulags. (Granted, easier said than done this ones complicated.) And so forth. Public lecturing of regional states on human rights concerns have dealt past administrations with setbacks if not outright failure. Human rights concerns ought to be conveyed respectfully and privately to allies and non-allies, away from public view. Governments seldom respond well to open accusations and loss of face, and Asian states are no exception. Part of any effective negotiations requires an understanding of the other party. Washington will need to devote considerable effort towards learning the concerns, interests, strengths and weaknesses of its Asian counterparts and what keeps them up at night their fears, their burdens, their aspirations, their desires. This will require sustained outreach, a listening to the players involved, a closer look at relevant philosophies and histories and a commitment to a surge of new strategic thinking. A failure of imagination by Washington will put it at a disadvantage with the various ethical and practical concerns in human rights talks. As Asias dynamism brings with it challenges and opportunities for the United States, there is arguably no better time for Mr. Trump to use the bargaining chips of American power, prestige and wealth to employ his self-touted deal making skills to work for improvements to the human condition in Asia. Making good on Americas responsibility in the human rights domain is a worthy endeavor amid the new administrations stated aspiration to reassert US prominence in the 21st century. Long term, it will also help Washington engage the Pacific community where it will continue to have vital interests for generations. The writer is Instructor of Political Science at Central Texas College, U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Have you wondered why AAP spokespersons have virtually vanished from prime time TV debates? The banishment of AAP from evening discussions seems to be the result of a silent war declared by the BJP on Arvind Kejriwals party. Apparently, BJP spokespersons are under strict instructions not to appear on TV debates in which AAP spokespersons are also part of the panel. One of the first questions BJP spokespersons ask channel guest coordinators who invite them to join the evening debates is whether an AAP representative will be taking part in the discussion. They agree to appear on the channel only if the answer is no. Otherwise they impose conditions. They say they will only participate if AAP is dropped from the panel. By now, TV channels have got the message. All of them have virtually cut out AAP from their evening shows. After all, the voice of the ruling party is far more important than that of a small Delhi-based party, even if its leader Kejriwal punches above his weight. The BJPs tactic is proving to be a huge loss for AAP as it is unable to get its point of view across even when the discussions revolve around elections in Punjab and Goa where the party is a contender. TV channels are now wondering what they will do on polling day and counting day if the BJP persists with its excommunication policy. AAP leaders trace their banishment back to the point when Kejriwal raised the Sahara-Birla diary entries in the Delhi assembly and made a direct corruption charge at Narendra Modi. They say the BJP has escalated the war since then. Miffed Yogi BJPs firebrand saffron MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath created a stir when he staged a protest walkout from the just concluded National Executive meet in New Delhi. He was annoyed because he wasnt allowed to speak. But the real cause of his annoyance is that he has been left out of the state election committee which will shortlist names of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls. Adityanath fancies himself as a future chief minister so to be omitted from this important committee is real humiliation. To make matters worse, new entrants from other parties like Rita Bahuguna Joshi from the Congress and Swami Prasad Maurya from the BSP have been nominated to the committee. The high command rubbed more salt into his wounds when it decided to include Uma Bharati in the committee at the last minute. Her name was not there in the first list. It was added later. Adityanath was so incensed that he protested to the high command about his exclusion but he was given short shrift. The last straw was Amit Shahs refusal to permit him to speak at the National Executive meet. Adityanath is a crowd puller and strongman of Gorakhpur. Leaving him simmering with rage could prove costly to the BJP in UP. Enemys enemy After Mamata Banerjee lent her support to Rahul Gandhi when he fired his corruption salvos at Modi, the Congress has returned the favour by backing her protest against the centre for unleashing the CBI on her MPs. While the Left is out on the streets trying to mobilize public opinion against Mamata on the corruption issue, the Congress has declined to join the protests. Interestingly, in the beginning, West Bengal Congress leaders did join hands with their Left comrades in the anti-Mamata protests. The Congress high command quickly dispatched West Bengal in charge C P Joshi to Kolkata with strict instructions to tell party workers to support Mamata, not criticize her. Joshis message to the Congress West Bengal unit was very clear. He told party workers that the larger fight in national interest was against Modi and the BJP, not Mamata and the Trinamool Congress. He said the Congress and Trinamool were allies in this fight and their unity should not be disrupted by local rivalries. Glaring miss There was a glaring omission in Modis speech at his mammoth Lucknow rally last week. He showered praise on former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh but made no mention of Rajnath Singh who was also chief minister of the state for nearly one and a half years, from October 2000 to March 2002. Although Rajnath Singh was present by his side at the rally, Modi chose to refer to two other BJP icons from UP, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Kalyan Singh. He said that if they were watching the rally on TV, they would have been thrilled by the huge turnout. He probably did not mention Rajnath by name because the home minister was on the dais. But in BJP circles, this is being seen as a wrongful omission. Modi used Vajpayee to reach out to the Brahmins and Kalyan Singh to reach out to the OBCs. This is the social combination the BJP hopes will power the party to victory in UP. Rajnath is a Thakur, which is also a key caste for the BJP. Some in the party feel that Modi is taking the support of this caste for granted whereas he is unsure of the Brahmins and OBCs who have a history of switching their loyalties from election to election. It is not surprising that the Central Reserve Police Force should decline to respond to an RTI petition to furnish details of the use of pellet guns for crowd-control in the Kashmir Valley ~ earlier the producers of that highly-controversial weapon, the Indian Ordnance Factory Board, had cited security reasons for not presenting details of the gun, although its website virtually advertised much heavier weaponry. The refusal of both user and producers only adds up a confirmation that they are actually ashamed of the use of pellet guns, but are short of the moral courage required to withdraw it from service. Although officially categorised as non-lethal, the guns are known to have killed in a few instances, but what is worse is that hundreds of persons have lost their eyesight when the pellets were fired directly into their faces. And neither the CRPF nor the J&K police have tried the collateral damage excuse to explain away the devastating impact of the guns first used when stone-throwing mobs crippled the Valley some years back when the National Conference (now the main Opposition party in the state) was in power. There may be some political element to the (mis)use of the pellet-guns, yet in reality they are universally hated and have played no minor role in the disruptions this summer which saw curfews being imposed for unprecedented lengths of time. While both the CRPF and the IOFB have relied on technicalities to circumvent the RTI Act, they stand discredited in the public eye ~ not just in J&K, human rights activists across the board have been appalled and likened the use of pellet guns with the unleashing of dogs on black protesters when apartheid prevailed in South Africa. The role of the central government has been dubious. Five months back the home minister promised that an alternative would be found ~ a promise that has not been kept. Even the assurance that their use would be restricted to the rarest of the rare instances has proved hollow. When an all-party delegation visited the Valley, its Left party members condemned pellet guns, but thereafter Yechury and his comrades have looked the other way. The chief minister has joined others in slamming the fact that pellet guns have not been used anywhere else in the country: which suggests that the folk in the Valley are second-class citizens, or worse. Alas, Mehbooba Mufti has not mustered the guts to order the state police to keep those guns in the armoury. Yet there can be no two opinions that the complex situation in the Valley will never be resolved until those guns are discarded. They are, unquestionably, a weapon of shame. The homologous recombination is based on DNA breakage-and-exchange but it does not in itself provide much information concerning the underlying molecular mechanisms. One of the simplest breakage-and-exchange models that might be envisioned would involve the cleavage of two homologous, double-stranded DNA molecules at comparable locations, followed by exchange and rejoining of the cut ends. This model implies that genetic recombination should be completely reciprocal; that is, any genes exchanged from one chromosome should appear in the other chromosome, and vice versa. For example, consider a hypothetical situation involving two genes designated P and Q. If one chromosome contains forms of these genes called P1 and Q1, and the other chromosome has alterna-tive forms designated P2 and Q2, recipro-cal exchange would be expected to gene-rate one chromosome with genes P1 and Q2, and a second chromosome with genes P2 and Q1. Although this reciprocal pattern is usually observed, recombination has been found to be non-reciprocal in some situations. For example, recombination might generate one chromosome with genes P1 and Q2, and a second chromosome with genes P2 and Q2. In this particular example, the Q1 gene expected on the second chromosome appears to have been converted to a Q2 gene. For this reason, non-reciprocal recombination is often referred to as gene conversion. Gene conversion is most commonly observed when the recombining genes are located very close to one another. Because recombination between closely spaced genes is a rare event, gene conversion is most readily detectable in organisms that reproduce rapidly and generate large numbers of offspring, such as yeast and the common bread mould, neurospora. Neurospora is an especially convenient organism in which to study gene conversion, because its meiotic cells are enclosed in a small sac, called an ascus, which prevents the cells from moving around and thus allows the lineage of each cell to be easily followed. Initially, each ascus contains a single diploid cell. Meiotic division of this cell produces four haploid cells that subsequently divide by mitosis, yielding a final total of eight cells. Since the final division is mitotic, it should produce two identical progeny cells for each cell that divides. Yet in a significant number of cases, this mitosis produces two cells that are genetically different. Such unexpected results are most often observed with genes that are close to a site of genetic recombination. How can mitosis produce two cells that are genetically different? The most straightforward explanation is that a chromosome contains one or more genes in which the two strands of the DNA double helix are not entirely complementary. When the two DNA strands in such a non-complementary region split apart and serve as templates for DNA replication, the two newly forming DNA molecules will have slightly different base sequences in this region and will thus represent slightly different genes. The writer is associate professor, Head, Department of Botany, Anand Mohan College, Kolkata and also Fellow, Botanical Society of Bengal. Except the romantic French who prefer 'heart' emoji, people worldwide love the 'grin' emoji the most, reveals new research that looked at 427 million messages from nearly four million smartphone users in 212 countries. 'Grin' is the most popular emoji, comprising 15.4 per cent of the total symbols in the study, followed by 'heart' and 'love' emojis. Using a popular method app, "Kika Emoji Keyboard", available in 60 languages, researchers from University of Michigan analysed millions of messages to see if emoji use was universal or differed based on user location and culture. "Emojis are everywhere. They are becoming the ubiquitous language that bridges everyone across different cultures," said Wei Ai, doctoral student at University of Michigan. Twenty per cent of messages of French include at least one symbol, followed by Russians and Americans. "Countries with high levels of individualism use more happy emojis. Countries where ties between individuals are integrated and tight use more emojis expressing sadness, anger and negative feelings," the findings showed. As French are perceived romantic, they mostly use "heart" emojis while people from other countries prefer face-related emojis. "Our report shows that users from different countries can have various preferences to use emojis. The rank of emojis shown in the input methods should be country-aware to users," said associate professor Qiaozhu Mei. The research, presented at Ubicomp conference 2016 in Germany recently, input methods could be developed to suggest relevant "next-to-use" emojis to users. In sunny Israel, solar energy supplies only a small percentage of the nations power needs, leaving it far behind countries with cloudier and colder climates. Now the fledgling solar industry is trying to make a leap forward with a large-scale project boasting the world's tallest solar tower, as a symbol of Israel's renewal energy ambitions. With Israel traditionally running its economy on fossil fuels, renewable energy has long been hobbled by bureaucracy and a lack of incentives. But the country is starting to make an effort, setting a goal of generating 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, up from the current 2.5 per cent. The Ashalim project, deep in the Negev desert, is made up of three plots, with a fourth planned for the future, each with a different solar technology. Together, the fields will be Israel's largest renewable energy project when completed by 2018. They are set to generate some 310 megawatts of power, about 1.6 percent of the countrys energy needs enough for about 130,000 households, or roughly five per cent of Israel's population, according to Israels Electricity Authority. Its the most significant single building block in Israel's commitment to CO2 reduction and renewable energy, said Eran Gartner, chief executive of Megalim Solar Power Ltd, which is building one part of the project. The centerpiece is a solar tower that will be the world's tallest at 820 feet. Solar towers use a method differing from the more common photovoltaic solar panels, which convert sunlight directly into electricity. Instead, towers use a solar-thermal method thousands of mirrors focus the suns rays onto the tower, heating a boiler that creates steam to spin a turbine and generate electricity. Encircling the Ashalim tower are 50,000 mirrors, known as heliostats, in a shimmering blanket of glass over the desert. The tower is so tall because the panels were squeezed together to maximise use of the land and the closer the panels are the taller the tower must be, Gartner explained. Another solar-thermal plot at Ashalim will be able to store energy even when the sun goes down. A third plot will use photovoltaic solar technology to produce energy. Yaron Szilas, chief executive officer of Shikun and Binui Renewable Energy, the lead developer of the second solar-thermal plot, said combining the three technologies was a wise move because each has its own advantage. The amount of electricity it produces will be comparable to large-scale solar fields in California and Chile. There are around a dozen solar tower fields around the world, the largest being the Ivanpah plant in California with some 170,000 heliostats around three 140-metre-tall 460 feet towers. Israel has developed some of the worlds most advanced solar energy equipment and enjoys a nearly endless supply of sunshine. But Israeli solar companies, frustrated by government bureaucracy, have mostly taken their expertise abroad. Countries with cooler climates have outpaced Israel. Germany, for example, gets nearly 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources. Israel has a potential to be a sunshine superpower," said Leehee Goldenberg, director of the department of economy and environment at the Israel Union for Environmental Defence, a non-governmental organisation. Despite some steps in the right direction, Israels government hasnt really been pushing to reach its small goals regarding solar energy. Israel has often been reluctant to hand out huge parcels of land, a necessity for large-scale solar power production, Gartner said. Large projects also demand access to state-owned infrastructure like gas, water and electricity, and connecting to those utilities out in remote plants in the Negev desert often takes time. Israels finance ministry said that the price of generating solar power has come down, and the ministry has pushed new laws to promote the industry. Recent legislation has also provided incentives and cut down some of the bureaucracy for Israelis wanting to install solar panels on their roofs. The ministry said if Ashalim is successful, it will aim for more such facilities. The developers in the project say they want Israel to step up its renewable energy goals. With all the sun that we have and how progressed we are in technology, these goals are very, very, very modest, Szilas said. But these are the goals that were set, and we are working toward it. The Jakarta Post/ ANN Yahoo News reports that Aoun arrived in the Saudi capital of Riyadh with a delegation of ministers on Monday night. This is his first trip to the country since his November election ended the two-year deadlock between Iran- and Saudi-backed blocs in the Lebanese parliament. Aoun said during an interview with Saudi state news channel Al-Ekhbaria, that his ministers of foreign affairs, education, finance and information would meet with their counterparts to find some fields of cooperation. Aoun and King Salman held talks over lunch on Tuesday, but the official Saudi Press Agency gave no details of their content. A Maronite Christian former army chief, Aoun clinched the presidency with Saudi ally Saad Hariris surprising support. Hariri is a leading Sunni figure, who in return was named prime minister. After concerns about the role Hezbollah played in the Lebanese government, analysts say Saudi Arabia is hoping for a more stable Lebanon. The Iranian backed Shiite militant group has fighters supporting forces of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Saudi Arabia, Irans regional rival, backed rebels opposed to Assad. Last March Riyadh declared Hezbollah a terrorist organization and urged its citizens to leave Lebanon. In February, a $3 billion program of military aid to Lebanon was halted to protest what it called the stranglehold of Hezbollah on the state, which would have provided vehicles, helicopters, drones, cannons and other military equipment from France. Its aim was to stabilize a Lebanon weakened by internal divisions and threatened by jihadists. When Ekhbaria asked about the agreement, Aoun said, Of course we will discuss all the possible issues. The six-year civil war in Syria has been a major divisive issue in Lebanese politics, and there are more than one million Syrian refugees in the country. Also in the interview, Aoun said that Lebanons partners have agreed to build Lebanon, regardless of the results in the other countries, because building Lebanon is for all, and secondly, security and stability is for all. He stated that his countrys internal political situation has improved, and expressed confidence that balance can be maintained. The state must realize, and maintain, security and stability for individuals and groups even if there are different political visions regarding neighboring and regional countries, he said. Like health care providers deal with smoking or alcoholism cases, internet addiction needs the same approach to help online hookers cut their time on social media, researchers report. To address this, a team of researchers has developed a framework using a theory known as cognitive dissonance which is the discomfort felt by those whose actions conflict with their beliefs. Isaac Vaghefi, Assistant Professor from Binghamton University and Hamed Qahri-Saremi, Assistant Professor at DePaul University, developed a model showing that the degree of users' cognitive dissonance can make a difference in their willingness to quit online addiction. "Dissonance is what we need to work on and what we need to help increase for users to make sure that they will do some action to limit their control," said Vaghefi. Vaghefi tested the model on data collected from 226 students at Binghamton University who said how much they were intending to either stop or continue their usage of social networking sites. The findings show that a plausible way to help individuals to reduce or quit usage is to increase their cognitive dissonance. Making users aware of their addiction, in particular the consequences on personal, social, and academic lives caused by addiction, increases their cognitive dissonance about their behaviour. "People have already looked at the role of guilt in regard to technology use and how we can change it," noted Vaghefi. It's through cognitive dissonance that a negative emotional state of mind that, once created, can actually have an impact on the actual behaviour and intention of people to stop or discontinue their usage habit. "Once people see those negative consequences, they will act on them and will be motivated to exert self-control," said Vaghefi who presented the paper at the 50th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences recently. Vrindavan finds mention in epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata as the playground of Lord Krishna. This is where he spent his childhood and performed various unfathomable miracles. The land still holds a spiritual aura and a profound religious charm but a darker, less-attractive side also haunts the city. Thousands of widows have been making their way here. With figures rising every year, the land of Krishna is now also known as "the city of widows". Cast out by their families, or simply alone in the world, some travel hundreds of miles to get there. And nobody quite knows why. Mostly, the surrendered souls in Vrindavan are from Bengal. The glories of Kashi and Vrindavan are a part of religious culture and to die in Vrindavan is a goal of Vaishnavas, male or female. For someone who believes in the spiritual glories of Vrindavan, there is no substitute and this is one of the important factors for the continuous rise in the number of widows flocking to Vrindavan. Also known as "Dharm Nagari", this city is the spiritual abode of Hindus. And driven by the force of spirituality and compassion, the widows are not barred from entering the city either by the locals or the authorities. The widows find their shelter either in old-age homes, streets or "Bhajan Ashrams". Many unwritten stories can be found in Bhajan Ashrams, one of them near the Rang Mandir in Vrindavan. The pictures appear in dark shades, where one can easily find some widows lamenting their pitiful conditions and some dancing and chanting the name of Krishna, trying to find peace and solace. Speaking about Bhajan Ashrams, Madan Das, one of the caretakers of the ashram informed, "The ashram opens at seven every morning. Widows from nearby areas come here and they are served tea and Rs 5 as a token from God. They all sing and pray to God with Mai." The latter takes care of their health and other conditions. The routine bhajans at the ashrams are conducted by "Mai", an old senior lady, who resides in Bhoot Gali, in a quarter allotted to her by the government with a monthly pension of Rs 2,000. The keertan ends at 7 pm and the ladies are given Rs 7 as token, which is generally collected through donations and charities. "To arrange food and clothes for the ladies is not possible for us as the donations in small ashrams are very low. But some old-age homes, which are supported by NGOs and government, do provide them. The number of widows rise every year, reaching 15,000-20,000 this year," said a keeper of the ashram. Old-age woes "After my sons got married, they and their families did not treat me well and I was often left to starve. I suffered many indignities because of my situation, most of which were by my very own family. When they started beating me, I left my home because I could not bear the dishonor shown towards me by my own sons and my daughters-in-law. I came to Vrindavan four years ago and have stayed in dilapidated hovels ever since. To survive, I worked as a domestic help and am forced to beg at times for food. My day starts with praying and ends with praying. After all, I am left only with, what is called 'hope'," narrated a widow, who refused to divulge her name. The untold stories of the widows are a testimony to Vrindavan's glories. In the modern world, there is, under the country's laws, no place for mistreatment of women at any stage of life. Today's sensibilities advocate equality of women, they also demand that they be safe and protected ~ in this it is no different from the ideal expression of traditional Hindu society. Women at each stage of life were meant to be protected but after taking a glance at the ordeals widows have to go through in the twilight of their life, the picture of a perfect society looks tainted. There are many things, which need to be improved for the betterment of the current plight of the widows in Vrindavan but right now it is not the society but only God who is their keeper in the city. A day after an international meeting in Islamabad to pave way for peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, Afghanistan launched a stinging attack on Pakistan for aiding terrorist groups and asked the Security Council to take action on governments promoting extremist violence. The Security Council could devise a method to identify "elements in some 'State institutions' (that) facilitate violence and extremist activities by non-state proxies as a means to advance their foreign policy agenda," Afghanistan's Permanent Representative Mahmoud Saikal said Tuesday. Speaking at the Council debate on Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace, he did not mention Pakistan, but it was clear that he was referring to Islamabad's activities in the region. "The cycle of violence and insecurity in Afghanistan, and our part of the world is inextricably linked to the presence of sanctuaries and safe-havens in the region, from which extremist groups are sustained and enjoy an incessant flow of political, financial, material and logistical support for the continuation of their malicious activities," he said. On an issue with bearing on the meeting in Islamabad on Monday by Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US to facilitate peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, Saikal declared that interactions with "armed groups" active in his country should have Kabul's approval. He said, "Any kind of talks on the situation in my country has neither any value nor legitimacy without the participation and approval of our government which is the most democratically elected administration in the history of our nation." Without naming Islamabad, he added, "We have expressed strong reservations in regards to open declarations by some in our region of their contacts with armed opposition groups active in Afghanistan, conducted without the consent of the Afghan government." US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he has "no deals, no loans, no nothing" with Russia on the heels of the publication of an unverified report that alleged Moscow has supported him for years. Trump tweeted that Russia "has never tried to use leverage over me. I have nothing to do with Russia no deals, no loans, no nothing!" The refutation comes in the wake of an unverified report published by BuzzFeed earlier on Wednesday which alleges that Russia has been "cultivating, supporting, and assisting" Trump for at least five years, and has compromising information on him. Among the alleged dirt was a claim that Trump has "personal obsessions and sexual perversion", and that he once had Russian prostitutes urinate on each other in a hotel bed. The dossier also suggests that Russian officials offered Trump lucrative deals in order to win influence over him ahead of the presidential election. Trump said the report was "paid for by political opponents", and added that Russia has called it a "complete and total fabrication, utter nonsense" and "very unfair". The President-elect also blasted the intelligence agencies for allowing the "fake news" to be leaked into the public, calling it "one last shot" against him. The Kremlin has indeed stated that the report is a "total bluff", and that it has no compromising information on Trump. "The Kremlin has no compromising information on Trump. This report does not correspond to reality and is nothing but an absolute fiction," deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Peskov said. "This is a total bluff, an absolute fabrication, complete nonsense," he added. BuzzFeed has been slammed by journalists and media executives across the globe for publishing the report without verifying it. The story was refused by other media outlets, though CNN did report that US intelligence chiefs had given Trump and President Obama a two-page summary of the report last week. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday said five of its diplomats were killed in an attack in Kandahar city in Afghanistan. A statement from the UAE Foreign Ministry said they were targeted while on a mission regarding development, humanitarian and educational projects in Afghanistan, Efe news agency reported. India on Wednesday provided assistance of about NRs.619.6 million (IRs.387.5 million) to Nepal's Ministry of Irrigation for construction of embankments on the Kamala, Bagmati and Lalbakaiya rivers. These rivers have been creating perennial flood crisis on the Indian side of the border and India has been providing financial assistance since 2008 for the embankments along these rivers. India's Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae handed a cheque of the assistance amount to Minister for Irrigation Deepak Giri amidst a programme at his ministry here. On the occasion, highlighting various dimensions of the Nepal-India relations, Minister Giri praised the Indian assistance for river control works in Nepal. The Indian Ambassador pledged the continuation of the Indian support and assistance in Nepal's development endeavours and efforts to control natural disasters, including the water-induced ones, in the days ahead. Construction of embankments is an important activity aimed at flood control and water resources management, which benefit several million people inhabiting the watershed of these rivers, said an Indian Embassy statement. With the present assistance, the total grant assistance already disbursed for embankment construction along these rivers stands at over Rs.4.5 billion. Indian Rs 100 is equivalent to Nepali NRs.160. India-US defence relationship is on the right path and the two nations are discussing ways to develop this partnership through technology sharing, co-production, America's outgoing Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on Wednesday. "We're on the right path. It's just a matter of taking those steps. And they involve deepening our cooperation in lots of ways. I mean, there's exercises and other kinds of operational activities," Carter told reporters at final Pentagon news conference. In various capacities, Carter has been closely involved in building India-US defence relationship over the years and in the last few years he gave a great impetus to the ties between the two largest democracies of the world. Last summer he was instrumental in US declaring India as a major defence partner. "There is something that I think Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and Defence Minister (Manohar) Parrikar have been equally intent upon as President Obama and myself, which is the development of defence relationships for new technology, which involve technology sharing, co-production, and so forth," Carter said in response to a question. "We have a great number of projects. I was in New Delhi not long ago and discussing all these, and there are many of them so too many to enumerate. All of them on course. They all have their own schedules and sort of technical timelines to them," he said. "But this is a relationship which is, I've said many times, is destined for the future because of the nature of our two societies, the values that we share; the human relationship between our peoples," Carter said US President Barack Obama warned in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that "unfettered support" for Israel's settlement policies would lead to a "worsening situation" over time between Israelis and Palestinians. The interview with Israeli TV program "Uvda" comes 10 days before Obama, who has been an outspoken critic of Israeli settlements, hands over to President-elect Donald Trump, who is expected to pursue a starkly different approach to the conflict. Trump's election has buoyed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his pro-settler government. "If the notion is that unfettered support for Israel or more specifically support for the Netanyahu government's policies no matter what they are, no matter how inimical they may be to the prospects for peace if that's what qualifies as a good friend, then I think that we will see a worsening situation over time," Obama said during the interview, filmed in Washington last week. Netanyahu has accused the Obama administration of colluding with the Palestinians when it abstained last month from voting on a UN Security Council resolution condemning settlements. On Tuesday, Netanyahu reiterated that claim, saying Israel had "solid information" that proved the U.S. was behind the drafting of the resolution. The White House has denied the allegations, and Israel has not publicly provided evidence to back them up. Obama defended the abstention in the interview, saying "I believe it was the best move for peace." Nearly 600,000 settlers now live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories the Palestinians want as part of a future state. Much of the international community as well as the Palestinians view settlements as illegitimate and an obstacle to peace. Netanyahu routinely dismisses international criticism of the settlements, saying the conflict predates them. While Trump has indicated a willingness to help broker peace, his election platform did not mention a Palestinian state and he has taken steps that show he plans to side with Israel. He has appointed an ambassador to Israel with deep ties to the settlements and he has pledged to relocate the US Embassy to Jerusalem, a move likely to enflame tensions and anger the Palestinians. Most recently, Trump has appointed his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a senior adviser expected to focus on Middle East issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Kushner's family's foundation has supported settlement causes. Russia "cultivated" and "supported" Donald Trump for years and has collected compromising information on his personal life and finances, multiple media reports said on Wednesday, even as the President-elect dismissed the claims as a "political witch hunt". The allegations were presented to Trump and outgoing President Barack Obama last week by the heads of four premier US intelligence agencies, including FBI and CIA, and were part of the report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump responded by describing the news as fabricated. "FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" Trump tweeted after The Washington Post broke the story. A senior US official with access to the document said that the allegations were presented at least in part to underscore that Russia appeared to have collected embarrassing information on both major candidates but released only material that might harm Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. This is a reflection of Russian motivation that bolstered US spy agencies' conclusion that Moscow sought to help Trump win the presidential election, the daily said. The two-page synopsis further claimed that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, a CNN report said. Popular news website BuzzFeed reported that an "explosive" but "unsubstantiated" dossier, which alleged that Russia has been "cultivating, supporting and assisting" Trump for years and gained compromising information about him, has been circulating among elected officials, intelligence agents, and journalists for weeks. Buz Feed also released a copy of the 35-page report. "The document was prepared for political opponents of Trump by a person who is understood to be a former British intelligence agent," the website said. Trump's attorney Michael Cohen told Mic Network that the allegations were absolutely false. "It's so ridiculous on so many levels. Clearly, the person who created this did so from their imagination or did so hoping that the liberal media would run with this fake story for whatever rationale they might have," he said. The New York Times said the uncorroborated summary says that Russia had salacious information about Trump. It is based on memos generated by political operatives seeking to derail Trump's candidacy. Earlier, a declassified intelligence report released on Friday has concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an "influence campaign," that included hacking of Democratic party groups, in an effort to help Trump's electoral chances by discrediting Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign. British Prime Minister is facing calls to reveal details of her investments after it emerged that she has shares in a "blind trust", a newspaper here reported. May had set up a blind trust when she became the PM, despite previously serving in the Cabinet for six years as Home Secretary, said the report in the Independent on Wednesday. Downing Street insisted that May used what is a "well-established mechanism" when she set up the trust to manage her financial interests on becoming Prime Minister. "I'm sure the Prime Minister has nothing to hide but the public has a legitimate interest in what companies she invested in and who runs the trust," Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron was quoted in the newspaper as saying. "Theresa May promised the most transparent government in the world. This is an early test to see if her deeds match her words," he said. Shadow minister without portfolio Andrew Gwynne said: "If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, then she needs to reveal immediately where she has existing financial interests." The placing of shares in a blind trust means ministers have no knowledge of how their interests are being invested, to avoid accusations that their decision-making is unduly influenced. But while ministers use the trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, six serving members of the government hold them. It also means they do not have to reveal their investments in full in the list of ministerial interests, said the report. "Blind trusts are a well-established mechanism for protecting ministers in the handling of their interests, as they are not involved in any decisions on the management, acquisition or disposal of items in the trust. She set it up when she became Prime Minister," a Number 10 spokeswoman said. The spokeswoman also said the Prime Minister did not require a blind trust while she was Home Secretary, adding: "The Prime Minister has a far wider set of public duties than the Home Secretary." The arrangement has proved controversial in the past. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair attracted criticism in 2002 after it emerged his wife Cherie had used money from his blind trust to buy two flats in Bristol. Outgoing President Barack Obama on Tuesday said goodbye to the US citizens in a dramatic reinterpretation of a presidential farewell address. "I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties, still trying to figure out who I was; still searching for a purpose to my life," CNN quoted Obama as saying. "This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it," added Obama. He said that he received a lot of messages and it was his turn to say thanks. While noting that America was a better place now, Obama told his supporters that they made him a better President. "After eight years as your President, I still believe that, and it's not just my belief. It's the beating heart of our American idea our bold experiment in self-government," he said. Instead of the Oval Office or East Room for his last formal set of remarks, Obama chose Chicago the city where he declared victory in 2008 and 2012 to address a sold-out crowd of supporters. Earlier, he wrote on Facebook that he was returning to the city "where it all started." Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. President-elect Donald Trump talks with reporters after meeting with Alibaba Executive Chairman Jack Ma at Trump Tower in New York, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Organisation: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Position No.: 10026823 Vacancy Notice: 003/2017 Reports to: Supply Officer Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Post Grade: GL5 About UNHCR: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCRs mandate under the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to lead and co-ordinate action for international protection to refugees; seek permanent solutions for the problems of refugees and safeguard refugee rights and well-being. UNHCR has an additional mandate concerning issues of statelessness, as it is given a designated role under Article 11 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities: The Snr Supply Assistant (Warehouse) will set-up internal system to ensure warehousing processes are systematically conducted. The incumbent will also store and control items in stock. Accurately record the location of stock on appropriate shelf cards and stock cards. Regularly update storage locations, all systems and documentation. Regular conduct stock checking thus include recording goods going in and out, stock inspections and physical inventory check. The incumbent will ensure stock management system established. Regularly update stock inventory in MSRP Evaluate Purchase Requests and authorizations to ensure that specifications, budget data and other requirements are in order. Draft and despatch quotation requests and tenders. Evaluate offers and prepare bid tabulations. Prepare proposals for award of contracts to the Contracts Committee. Offer support in the coordination of and reporting on the deployment of Non -Expendable Property. Ensure safety and security of stock. Performs other duties as required. Key Performance Indicators: UNHCR Uganda attains and maintains proper internal control system in the warehouses; UNHCR Uganda maintains accurate records on the locations, movements and levels of the stocks; Proper procurement procedures are adhered to. Safety and security of stocks is maintained throughout the warehouse cycle. Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience: The ideal candidate for the United Nations UNHCR Snr Supply Assistant (Warehouse) job placement should secondary School education with post-secondary training/certificate in Business Administration, Logistics, Warehousing or a related field; At least five years of previous relevant professional job experience; Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position such as the Supply Chain Learning Programme (SCLP); Good computer skills (MS Office and People soft) Prior exposure and experience in customs formalities Previous experience in logistics or warehousing Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language. How to Apply: All interested Ugandan nationals who wish to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to click on the link below and follow the application instructions after reviewing the job details. Deadline: 21st February, 2017 Some war stories are narrated over and over again, and some are never heard of. The Ghazi Attack, directed by Sankalp Reddy and co-produced by Karan Johar, is inspired from one such story that was confined to the depths of the sea, until now. That's probably why the poster of the movie comes with the tagline: 'The war you did not know about'. The bilingual movie, which Johar presented as India's first war-at-sea film, will release in Hindi and Telugu on February 17. The plot is inspired by a classified mission of the Indian Navy and the sinking of the Pakistani submarine PNS Ghazi, off the coast of Visakhapatnam during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. PNS Ghazi, originally USS Diablo, was leased from the United States in 1963 to be Pakistan's first fast-attack submarine. To this day, the submarine's sinking remains a controversy and an enigma in the annals of war. The upcoming movie rekindles the debate on what exactly caused the sinking of the PNS Ghaziattack from the Indian Navy, or an accident as claimed by the Pakistani Navy. On November 14, 1971, PNS Ghazi set off from the Karachi harbour into the Arabian Sea on a secret missionto destroy India's flagship aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. After it received signals that Vikrant was somewhere near Visakhapatnam, Ghazi began a focused sail to the eastern coast of India. But little did the Pakistani Navy realise that they were being taken for a ride, crafted by master planner Vice Admiral N. Krishnan, the then commanding flag officer of the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command. Krishnan, who got information about Ghazi's mission, was determined to try out all deceptive measures to keep the submarine off from Vikrant. He called upon Lt Commander Inder Singh, captain of INS Rajput, an ageing WWII destroyer, which was sent to Visakhapatnam for decommissioning. Rajput now had a new missionit was to pretend to be INS Vikrant and sail out of the Vizag port. The smart commander also sent off Vikrant and its crew to Port X-Ray, a secret location in the Andamans. He ordered Rajput to generate heavy wireless traffic, convincing Ghazi about the location of Vikrant. To make it look all the more convincing, the Indian Navy intentionally sent a signal in the form of a message allegedly from one of Vikrant's sailors, inquiring about his mother who was critically ill. As planned, Ghazi fell for the bait and arrived in Vizag on November 27, in the hope of finding its elusive target. The PNS Ghazi submarine What happened on the night of December 3 is where the mystery lies. The PNS Ghazi exploded, blowing open its bow and cracking open its water-tight compartments, sinking the submarine and the entire crew. What caused this explosion is the point of debate. While the Indian Navy claims that it was caused by depth attacks by its destroyer ship INS Rajput, Pakistan says the explosion was a result of Ghazi underestimating its position at night and accidentally crashing into the mines that the submarine itself was laying around the Vizag harbour. The sinking of their flagship submarine was a major blow for Pakistan during the war, which is also said to have tilted the scales in India's favour. To this day, the submarine Ghazi lies on the Vizag seabed. The spot has been marked on navigational maps to help passing ships avoid the wreck. Inspired by the sinking of Ghazi, with a hint of fiction, The Ghazi Attack traces the experiences of an executive naval officer of Indian submarine S21, which is said to have destroyed Ghazi, and his team who remained underwater for 18 days. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ravana and said that the Ramayana character also had wide chest and broad shoulder which Modi claimed to have. Our prime minister speaks while clapping. He says he has a broad shoulder and a big chest. Yes, Ravana also had broad shoulder and wide chest, Mamata said addressing a rally in front of the eastern headquarters of the Central Bureau of Investigation in Kolkata. The Trinamool Congress supremo also claimed that the central government tried to kill her through air crash. Just imagine, my life was at stake. They only suspended two pilots and did nothing else. Pilots blamed air traffic controller and vice versa, said Mamata, referring to the incident in which a private airline plane carrying the chief minister hovered for over half an hour in the sky before landing at Kolkata airport, though the plane was flying short on fuel. Mamata went on with her tirade against Modi and called the prime minister as todays Jallahad (executioner). She cited names of her partymen, who, according to her, are possibly under the scanner of the CBI, and claimed they did nothing wrong. What Mukul, Sovon, Subhendu, Bobby, Satabdi and Rituparna did? They did nothing wrong, said the chief minister. Mukul Roy and Subhendu Adhikary are party MPs and Sovon Chatterjee is mayor of Kolkata. Bobby Hakim is a minister while Satabdi Roy is an actor-turned-politician and MP. Leading Bengali actor Rituparna Sengupta, however, is not a party member. Stepping up her offensive against the demonetisation decision, Mamata asked the people not to go for plastic cards for money transactions. I am warning you, dont do that. Your entire savings will go away. Rely on cash economy. Its safe, said Mamata. Top 7 Vendors in the Output Management Software Market from 2017 to 2021: Technavio Technavio has announced the top seven leading vendors in their recent global output management software market report. This research report also lists nine other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170110006110/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global output management software market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) The need to reduce the operational costs in IT departments is driving the market for output management software, globally. The market will grow at a CAGR of 2.56% during the forecast period. The increased demand for printer management and documentation in the BFSI and healthcare sectors will drive the market growth. Competitive vendor landscape Global output management software market is highly fragmented due to the presence of many vendors in the market. The market is highly competitive with all the players competing to gain more market share. Intense competition, rapid advances in technology, and frequent changes in consumer preferences constitute significant risk factors for the vendors in the market. "To survive and succeed in this intensely competitive environment, it is imperative for vendors in the market to distinguish their product and service offerings through a clear and unique value proposition. The development of innovative products by the vendors is expected to help the market grow during the forecast period," says Ishmeet Kaur, a lead enterprise application research analyst from Technavio. Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=55494 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. Top seven output managemen software market vendors HP HP provides IT products, software and hardware solutions, and services. The company's customers include small and medium-sized enterprises, individual consumers, and large enterprises including customers in the healthcare, government, and education sectors. It is the world's second largest PC provider after Lenovo (News - Alert). The major offerings of the company include PCs, imaging and printing devices, enterprise IT infrastructure solutions, and related services. It also provides outsourcing services, technology support and maintenance, and consulting services. The company designs solutions for the security, mobile, and big data sectors by leveraging the diversity of its offerings and strength and capabilities of its individual business units. KYOCERA The company manufactures electronic components and equipment. It also manufactures a wide range of products, such as materials, components, devices and equipment, and related services. Its product portfolio consists of semiconductor parts, electronic devices, ceramic components, and telecommunications and information equipment. The company's products find application in environmental protection, telecommunications, energy generation, and information processing. KYOCERA manages R&D facilities in the US and Japan and manufacturing facilities in China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, El Salvador, France, the Czech Republic, and the US. Lexmark International (News - Alert) Lexmark International is a leading company that provides laser printers and business process and content management solutions. Its products, services, and solutions are available in over 170 countries worldwide. It operates through two major businesses: imaging solutions and services (ISS) and perceptive software. LRS In September 2016, LRS announces the acquisition of Cirrato Technologies AB (Cirrato). After this acquisition, Cirrato Group became a part of the Enterprise Output Management division of LRS. Pitney Bowes Pitney Bowes is one of the largest geospatial equipment and mailing service providers in North America. The North America Mailing unit comprises of revenue and related expenses from rental, sale, and financing of mailing equipment and supplies provided to small and medium businesses to formulate mail and evidence postage in Canada and the US. Ricoh (News - Alert) Ricoh is a leading provider of MPS. It provides a wide range of image processing equipment and managed printing services. It has a strong operational presence across the globe. Rochester Software Associates Rochester Software Associates is the developer of QDirect one of the major output management software in the market. Organizations and educational institutions, such as University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), use a combination of QDirect and custom software for check printing. Browse Related Reports: 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 ITO and BPO, IT security, and IT hardware. 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, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170110006110/en/ In what could be a grave concern for the Indian security forces, the CPI (Maoists), in its last central committee meeting in December, has adopted a resolution to support the call for independence given by the Kashmiri separatists and Pakistan-based terror groups. The party statement, written after central committee meeting at Dandakaryna zone by its spokesman Abhay, says, Let us declare to the people of Kashmir, you are not alone. Oppose the Indian occupation in Kashmir and also oppose the state terrorism by the Indian armed forces. We support the struggle of the Kashmiri nation for Azadi! The left-wing terror outfit also came to the support of Pakistan and said, (We) demand to stop the war mongering, chauvinism and aggression against Pakistan by Indian forces and by Hindutva fascists to further their expansionism. We also demand to stop threatening and intimidating Pakistani artists and their citizens living in India. The central committee met last week of December and came out with their statements, which is accessed by THE WEEK, on January 2, 2017. The CPI (Maoists) appealed to both India and Pakistan to stop deployment of heavy forces on the Line of Control, saying, People on both sides of the LOC would be hurt by this. It condemned Modi government for carrying surgical strikes (though exact casualty has not been established) and taking away the birth right of people of Kashmir, which is self determination. Maoists feel that unless Indian government understands the reality, attacks like Uri would keep happening. The link of Maoists and Kashmir-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba did come up five years back. The Central governments open statement acknowledging the Pakistans role in unsettling peace in Kashmir had affirmed such reports of the past. Maoists also criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs flip-flop stand on Kashmir. Sharifs reluctance to support the Kashmir liberation movement, his military action against Islamic groups in Pakistan and adopting of liberal economic policies in the country created huge resentment among the people of Pakistan. As a result of that, various class parties in Pakistan, which had come together in the past, are coming together again now, the spokesman of CPI(Maoist) said. The outfit said that an alarming condition was prevailing in India as the BJP government was trying to cash in on its anti-Pakistan policies during election in five states. After its defeat in assembly election in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducheri (only consolation is Assam), the BJP and Sangh Parivar are desperately drumming up anti-Pakistan pseudo nationalist rhetoric to serve its own vested interests before election, said the statement. Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat [January 10, 2017] Ingenium Software to Speak at FaxCore European Partner Conference in Malta MADISON, Ga., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingenium Software, a leading provider of secure information exchange, cyber security and infrastructure as a service, today announced that their president, Doug Olive will be a guest speaker at the FaxCore European Partner Conference in Malta on January 17th, 2017. FaxCore allows Ingenium Software to meet the growing and ever-changing faxing demands of its customers and prospects providing internet ready, next-generation fax software from FaxCore for cloud and on-prem implementations, including highly reliable and secure "fax boards in the cloud" from etherFAX. As a Platinum FaxCore Partner, Ingenium Software offers its clients mission critical fax solutions and migrations from other outdated fax server software platforms. "FaxCore is a next-generation fax server company with a dealer-first, dealer-only strategy that focuses all its efforts towards technical innovation, application integration, sales and support initiatives that help our global partners succeed on all levels. FaxCore is committed to fostering solid relationships with our partners so they can deliver the most innovative and advanced fax solutions to their customers," said Tom Linhard, president of FaxCore. "With the increasing landscape of the way people are relying on fax for secure document transmission, organizations of all sizes need a fax software company that's on the frontline of developing highly reliable and secure fax server solutions that are simple to use and maintain. Ingenium Software is one of our top US Partners and we look forward to our continued success in helping thir client's implement FaxCore." "Our experience working in partnership with FaxCore has been tremendous since the beginning, and it's only getting better. FaxCore has been the most reliable and comprehensive fax server offering that Ingenium has ever offered," said Doug Olive, president of Ingenium Software. "Our customers take one look at FaxCore and quickly realize what they have been missing from their current outdated fax solution. From the two way AD integration that adds and removes users from AD automatically, the full audit trail that displays security logins and all processes from users, to the native .Net and robust XML integration, FaxCore makes faxing extremely reliable and cost effective for any size company. We have experienced a new benchmark from FaxCore's technical support team. They are always readily available and extremely responsive." FaxCore is an all web based, N-tier fax server solution that leverages Microsoft IIS and SQL Server. It can be deployed fully on a virtual machine, on-prem, cloud or partly cloudy hybrid environment. FaxCore's core product offering includes an email gateway, a very powerful and high performance rendering engine, encryption for documents at rest, with full security monitoring and audit trail capabilities. FaxCore's multi domain support allows an organization to leverage one fax server for multiple business units and departments, without having to deploy extensive server resources. Their first to market integration with etherFAX, allows customers to eliminate costly fax cards and gateways, normally associated with an on-prem fax server solution. FaxCore is used by organizations of all sizes from around the world. About Ingenium Software Ingenium Software is a leading, trusted integrator of fax server, secure information exchange, cyber security, and infrastructure platforms that serves its clients spanning nearly every industry. Ingenium has the unique expertise and demonstrated experience to help you solve your most critical faxing requirements. Learn more about Ingenium Software at www.ingeniumsw.com. About FaxCore No fax server is better architected to take advantage of today's Internet age and cloud computing. Since 2002, FaxCore has been ready for cloud deployments and is used worldwide by telephone companies to provide hosted fax services. FaxCore is used by Fortune 500 and Fortune Global 500 companies for enterprise wide faxing and secure document distribution. FaxCore has a solution for your faxing needs today and in the future. Learn more about FaxCore at www.faxcore.com. Media Contact: Rob Soncrant Phone: 770-936-0600 ext. 2009 Email: [email protected] 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/ingenium-software-to-speak-at-faxcore-european-partner-conference-in-malta-300389012.html SOURCE Ingenium Software [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] DarkMatter Becomes Associate Member of the Leading Mobile Operator Group, GSMA LONDON, ABU DHABI and DUBAI, UAE, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Membership will allow DarkMatter to interact with more than 800 telecom operators globally, as it develops end-to-end secure communications offerings DarkMatter, the international cyber security firm headquartered in the UAE, announces it has become an Associate Member in the GSMA, the global organisation that represents the interests of the mobile telecom industry. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/456368/Faisal_Al_Bannai.jpg ) DarkMatter's membership will permit the firm to become active in GSMA working groups such as Fraud and Security, Web and SIM. These three groups address issues such as safeguarding SIM cards, encryption on the internet, the introduction of HTTP2, mobile malware, cloud service risks and controls, and SS7 security. The GSMA includes nearly 800 operators and another 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem. The Association, which also produces a range of events that convene the mobile industy, such as Mobile World Congress, has 13 global offices, including one in Dubai. As an Associate Member of the GSMA, DarkMatter further benefits from the GSMA's resources and can participate in working groups of GSMA programmes such as Personal Data and Connected Living, which are relevant to the firm's own efforts to help secure mobile and Internet of Things devices, and create secure access to online services. Commenting on the membership, DarkMatter's Founder & CEO, Faisal Al Bannai said, "This is DarkMatter's first substantive industry membership, and we are proud that it is with an organisation as esteemed as the GSMA. Mobile communications have transformed the way in which we work and live, and with the growth in connectivity, and the expansion of applications that are going mobile, it is imperative we secure this fundamental environment from cyber threats." Faisal Al Bannai continued, "The convergence of mobility, IT, and the web means millions of connected devices are being added to the digital ecosystem on a continuous basis. At DarkMatter we have enjoyed success in developing end-to-end secure communications applications, and we hope to leverage our membership in the GSMA to further establish our activities in this area, while exchanging valuable insights with the leading mobile operators globally." In addition to DarkMatter's collaboration to help improve the security of the mobile ecosystem, the firm will also benefit from GSMA networking opportunities, access to knowledge databases, and best-practice guidelines and industry intelligence and insight. Membership also offers DarkMatter the opportunity to participate at events and marketing opportunities. The significance of becoming a part of the GSMA cannot be overstated. The industry body brings together operating companies serving 4.8 billion unique mobile subscribers globally, in an industry that generates over a trillion dollars of revenue annually. Picture caption - Faisal Al Bannai is Founder and CEO of DarkMatter. He may be contacted on Twitter handle @albannai_faisal [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] At a VIP ceremony this Thursday, 14 Teves, the Palermo Archbishop is to announce return of the site adjacent to ruins of the citys ancient synagogue to the Jewish community. More than 500 years after the Jews were expelled from Sicily, the nascent Jewish community of Palermo will celebrate its rebirth this week with the formal transfer of ownership of a facility owned by the church and monastery of St. Nicolo Tolentino, which sits atop the ruins of the Great Synagogue of Palermo. The transfer results from a request by the Jerusalem-based nonprofit Shavei Israel and the Istituto Siciliano di Studi Ebraici (ISSE, or Sicilian Institute of Jewish Studies). The handover, to take place at an official ceremony this Thursday marking the anniversary of the Jan. 12, 1493 expulsion of the islands Jews, will usher in the opening of the first local synagogue in Palermo, Sicilys capital, since the 15th century. The move comes as growing numbers of people throughout Sicily are rediscovering their Jewish roots. In a VIP ceremony that is expected to draw hundreds of dignitaries and local residents, the archbishop of Palermo, Corrado Lorefice, will officially deliver part of the complex to the local Jewish community, which numbers some 60-70 people, represented by the ISSE, which is affiliated with Shavei Israel. It is with great joy that we have responded to this request to have a place of study and worship for the Palermo Jewish community, said Lorefice. The new synagogues location atop the ancient ruins of Palermos Great Synagogue makes this historic moment all the more exciting. This transfer is the product of a genuine friendship and ongoing dialogue between the church and Palermos Jewish community. The churchs historic decision to help revive the Palermo Jewish community comes after more than five years of tireless lobbying by Shavei Israels founder and chairman, Michael Freund. Freunds ultimate vision to revitalize Palermos once-vibrant Jewish community for the first time since 1493 is now finally being realized. Ever since I learned about Sicilys history, my goal has been to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the first Jewish community in Palermo in more than five centuries, said Freund. That is what makes this weeks ceremony so important: we will be establishing together with the ISSE the first synagogue and Jewish house of study in Palermo since the expulsion. I am very moved that it will be located adjacent to where the Great Synagogue of Palermo once stood and I am grateful to the Archbishop of Palermo for having the vision and courage to make such a grand gesture of reconciliation towards the Jewish people. Freund added: It is a miracle that after more than 500 years there are still people in Sicily who proudly cling to their Jewish roots and it is testimony to the fact that neither the expulsion nor the Inquisition was able to extinguish the eternal Jewish spark in their hearts. With G-ds help, the sounds of Sabbath hymns and Jewish prayers will once again be heard in the streets of Palermo. The synagogue, which will include a study center, or Beit Midrash, and a Jewish heritage center, will be operated primarily by Shavei Israel, which strengthens ties between the Jewish people, the State of Israel and the descendants of Jews around the world. It will be overseen by Shaveis emissary to Sicily, Rabbi Pinhas Punturello, who serves as the rabbi to the local Jewish community. Punturello also serves as a board member of the ISSE. Shavei Israel has been working closely with a growing number of Sicilians descended from Iberians whose forefathers were forced to convert to Catholicism in the 14th and 15th centuries yet secretively preserved Jewish traditions and are now rediscovering their Jewish roots. There are believed to be thousands of such crypto-Jews, called Bnei Anousim or the forced ones, across Sicily. About Sicilian Jews and Bnei Anousim The history of Jews in Sicily dates back more than two millennia, to the Second Temple period. According to some scholars, the first Jews in Sicily were slaves brought to the island by the Roman legion after the capture of Jerusalem. Despite enduring various periods of legal restrictions and persecutions over the ensuing centuries, the Jews of Sicily flourished and produced many great scholars and rabbis. In the late 14th century, Sicilys Jews were confined to ghettos and faced increasingly harsh decrees as well as massacres and forced conversions to Catholicism. These measures culminated in 1492 with the Edict of Expulsion, which ordered the remaining Jews to leave. At the time, Sicily was under the control of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. There were at least 52 Jewish communities spread out across Sicily, numbering more than 37,000 people. After a series of delays, the deadline for their expulsion was set at January 12, 1493. But large numbers of forcibly converted Jews were compelled to remain behind, where they suffered under the heavy hand of the Inquisition. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Baltimores mayor says her administration is close to an agreement with the federal government to overhaul police practices. The Baltimore Sun reports that Mayor Catherine Pugh said Monday that their goal is to be done this week. Last month, Attorney General Loretta Lynch put pressure on Baltimore saying the ball is in the citys court to conclude negotiations soon. Pugh says the consent decree will place civilians on trial boards that hear officers disciplinary cases, upgrade technology and provide a public selection process for an agreement monitor. The city and the federal government reached an agreement in principle when a Justice Department report was released in August, finding pervasive civil rights violations. The Justice Department is looking to conclude the process before the Obama administration ends. (AP) Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik made a Nazi salute as he walked into a courtroom at a high-security prison where judges on Tuesday began reviewing a ruling that his solitary confinement is inhumane. Dressed in a dark suit, the bearded Breivik stared briefly at reporters while making the salute but didnt speak. Judge Oystein Hermansen asked him not to repeat the salute, saying it insulted the dignity of the court. It also disturbs what we are dealing with here, Hermansen said, brushing aside attempts by Breivik to defend his action. The 37-year-old right-wing extremist, who killed 77 people in a bomb and shooting rampage in 2011, sued the government last year. He argued that his solitary confinement, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed during the early part of his incarceration violated his human rights. But lawyers representing the government said that he enjoys better prison conditions than some inmates in Norway. They also warned that he remains a threat and should continue to be held in solitary confinement. The government is appealing a surprise decision in April by the Oslo District Court, which sided with Breiviks claims that his isolation in the maximum-security Skien prison breaches the European Convention on Human Rights. The ruling said the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society. This applies no matter what also in the treatment of terrorists and killers. It also ordered the government to pay Breiviks legal costs of 331,000 kroner ($41,000). However, it dismissed his claim that his right to respect for private and family life was violated by restrictions on contacts with other right-wing extremists. Speaking for the state, Fredrik Sejersted said the governments view is that Breiviks prison conditions dont violate his human rights in any actual or legal sense. Describing the killer as Norways most expensive prisoner, Sejersted said that in many ways they are better than (those) of other prisoners to compensate for the fact that he cannot make contact with other inmates. That is far from violating human rights, he said. Breivik was convicted of mass murder and terrorism in 2012 and given a 21-year prison sentence that can be extended for as long as hes deemed dangerous to society. Legal experts say he will likely be locked up for life. He is being held in isolation in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise. He has also complained about the quality of the prison food, having to eat with plastic utensils and not being able to communicate with sympathizers. The government has rejected his complaints, saying he is treated humanely despite the severity of his crimes and that he must be separated from other inmates for safety reasons. Breivik had carefully planned the attacks on July 22, 2011. He set off a car bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens. Dressed in a police uniform, Breivik then drove to the island of Utoya, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labor Partys youth wing. Sixty-nine people there were killed, most of them teenagers, before he surrendered to police. At the time of the attacks, Breivik claimed to be the commander of a secret Christian military order plotting an anti-Muslim revolution in Europe, but now describes himself as a traditional neo-Nazi who prays to the Viking god Odin. He also made a Nazi salute to journalists at the start of his human rights case last year. The massacre shocked the oil-rich, quiet Scandinavian country and many feel Breivik has had too much attention and visibility. Sejersted described Breivik as Norways most dangerous man at the time of the attacks and warned of the difficulty to assess how dangerous he will be tomorrow, next year or in 10 years. But he has strengthened his right-wing beliefs, Sejersted told the court. The hearing continues Wednesday in a makeshift courtroom in the gym of Skien prison in southern Norway, where Breivik is incarcerated. Government attorneys will continue to state their case before Breivik is heard on Thursday. Six days have been reserved for the hearings by the Borgarting Court of Appeals. A ruling is expected in February. (AP) A man who as a teenager was seen on surveillance video proclaiming his commitment to jihad was sentenced on Tuesday to 13 years in prison despite his tearful pleas to a judge that he was a disillusioned and immature high school student at the time he plotted to join al-Qaida. I am not the monster that the government says I am, Justin Kaliebe told U.S. District Court Judge Denis Hurley before being sentenced. I never intended to hurt anyone. Thats not who I am. Kaliebe, now 22 years old, also faces 20 years of post-release supervision. The judge said Kaliebes offense is very serious. He was radicalized to the nth degree, the judge said. He was a very dangerous individual. People who engage in this type of activity must recognize that serious consequences will follow. Kaliebe was a 16-year-old high school student who had recently converted to Islam from Roman Catholicism when he landed on the radar of undercover agents on the hunt for would-be radicals on suburban Long Island. FBI agents and New York City police officers watched him for 18 months before arresting him four years ago after he went to John F. Kennedy International Airport intending to fly to Yemen, where he would join the militant group al-Qaida. Kaliebe pleaded guilty within a month of his arrest. His sentencing was delayed for four years while the court held hearings into whether he understood the gravity of his crime. He said Tuesday he has renounced Islam, received his high school diploma while in prison and teaches fellow inmates to read. Kaliebes attorney argued he has Aspergers syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum, and had developmental and psychological issues and a troubled home life. He may have committed himself to a violent cause, but hes not a violent man, said the attorney, Anthony La Pinta, who pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy. The judge, who noted that Kaliebe appeared to be basically a nice young man, could have sentenced him to 30 years. Federal prosecutors asked for a 24-year sentence, conceding that Kaliebe had psychological, physical and emotional issues but arguing a stiff sentence needed to serve as a deterrent to society. They said the undercover agents interacting with Kaliebe made video recordings of him talking admiringly about Anwar al-Awlaki and Osama bin Laden as leaders who bore witness to the truth with their blood. Just days before Kaliebes arrest, he pledged in one of those secretly recorded conversations that he would rather go to prison than abandon his plan to join Islamic militants. One of my highest goals in life is to fight with the mujahedeen, he said. And I define victory as martyrdom or victory on the ground. When the agent asked Kaliebe to reconsider and stay home, Kaliebe refused. If the cops were to come right now and would force me out of this car and arrest me, it would still be better for me to go to prison than for me to stay here and live a life, a demeaning life, he said. Kaliebe briefly cooperated with prosecutors after his arrest but then declined to help in their investigation of another Long Island man, Marcos Alonso Zea, who ultimately was convicted of helping the teen develop his plan to link up with militants in Yemen. Zea is now serving 25 years. His attorney said Tuesday that Kaliebe stopped cooperating after being warned in prison that informants could face retribution from fellow inmates. In a letter to the judge, prosecutors conceded that Kaliebe had painful childhood experiences, but they said he knew what he was doing when he allied himself with Zea, an extremist. They said the teenager willingly chose a violent path and knew what he faced if arrested. Rare is the case where a defendant is so aware of the unlawfulness of his conduct as to actually quote the federal criminal code that applies to him during the commission of his offense, prosecutors said. (AP) A Rabbanut Beis Din gave a bill of divorce get to a woman which the Chief Rabbinate of Israel today wishes to disqualify. The matter came before Israels High Court of Justice on Wednesday, 13 Teves, while several dozen womens activists protested outside the courtroom. The court was hearing a petition filed by the Mavoi Satum organization represented by a member of its leadership, attorney Batya Kahana-Dror. The petitioner is seeking to have Rishon LTzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita removed from the case as he is acting in his capacity as Av Beis Din on the Chief Rabbinate Supreme Beis Din and wishes to disqualify the get retroactively. Among the women protesting in support of the petitioner outside the court was MK Aliza Lavie of the Yesh Atid party. She insists the Rabbinate is now acting contrary to halacha and Judaism as well as compromising the Chief Rabbinates integrity as dayanim in the future will fear issuing a get for it might be overturned. She adds that fewer couples will wish to get married via the Chief Rabbinate as well, wishing to distance themselves from the state system. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has ruled that the Chief Rabbinate Supreme Beis Din may not hear the case, opening the door for the Supreme Court hearing. Mandelblit ruled that the Supreme Beis Din played no role in the case to date and therefore cannot be called upon to involve the body today against the beis din that ruled in the case originally. He warns of widespread serious ramifications including a stranger would be entitled to have his voice heard in regard to a divorce between two people. The Tzfat get case began in 5767 when a Tzfat resident was injured in a vehicular accident. The persons condition was very serious and he remained in a coma. His wife filed for divorce five years after the accident, and the Tzfat Beis Din decided to grant the get base on . In its ruling the beis din wrote The beis din is interested in releasing the woman and not having locked in the marriage while that marriage has come to an end. This led to a . Following the ruling, a Jerusalem resident totally disconnected to the case decided to file an appeal with a beis din, calling to disqualify the get, insisting it is (flawed) from beginning to end. The Jerusalemite filed the appeal in the name of the comatose husband. He explained that due to the status of the husband, he was unable to obtain power of attorney as is required. His request was turned down but two years later, the Rabbinate Supreme Beis Din accepted the case and agreed to hear the appeal filed on behalf of the husband. Rabbi Yosef was siding to invalidate the get based on a ruling from his father, HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZTL and the petitioners headed to the Supreme Court in the hope of sparing the woman the trauma of having her get invalidated. Her plight and the involvement of the Rishon LTzion has prompted the womens rights organizations to become involved. The High Court issued a 21-day order freezing the situation and prohibiting the Supreme Beis Din from addressing the case during the time period unless another decision is handed down indicating otherwise. The court will contemplate the case during the three-week period. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Arguing America must reassert its interests, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for secretary of state, Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, tried on Wednesday to allay concerns that a Trump administration will pull back from the world or ignore threats from rivals. He said Russia poses a danger to the nation. A friend of the Kremlin and foe of sanctions in his corporate life, Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he would help usher in a new era of U.S. leadership on the global stage as Americas top diplomat. Unlike Trump, who has played down the allegations of Russian malfeasance in the presidential campaign, Tilllerson said recent Russian actions disregarded American interests and alarmed U.S. allies, even if cooperation between Washington and Moscow remained desirable on a range of issues. He also took aim at the outgoing Obama administration for failing to live up to good intentions, withdrawing from critical areas and sending mixed signals to both friends and adversaries. China has emerged as an economic power in global trade, and our interactions have been both friendly and adversarial, he said in remarks prepared for his hearing. While Russia seeks respect and relevance on the global stage, its recent activities have disregarded American interests. Radical Islam is not a new ideology, but it is hateful, deadly, and an illegitimate expression of the Islamic faith. Adversaries like Iran and North Korea pose grave threats to the world because of their refusal to conform to international norms. Despite Tillersons broad assessment of threats, Russia was sure to be foremost on senators minds. Several lawmakers have spoken about scrutinizing his and Exxons two-decade relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and others in Moscow. The claims by U.S. intelligence agencies of Russian hacking in the election, and an unsubstantiated account that Russia had assembled a dossier with salacious charges against Trump, were only likely to reinforce those concerns. Tillerson, who has a two-decade relationship with Putin and received from him the Order of Friendship in 2013, said the former Cold War adversary poses a danger that must be taken seriously. We must also be clear-eyed about our relationship with Russia, Tillerson said in his opening comments. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests. It has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia. The oil man represents a break in a longstanding tradition of secretaries of state with extensive military, legislative, political or diplomatic experience. Yet his supporters, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, point to Tillersons lengthy career as a senior executive in a mammoth multinational company as proof he has the management and negotiating skills to succeed in the State Departments top post, particularly with tough rivals. Defenders such as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and arms control expert and former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., said his understanding of Russia is a benefit. The Democratic National Committee argued otherwise Wednesday. We need a secretary of state willing to stand up to Russia, senior adviser Zac Petkanas said. One area in which Trump has called for cooperation with Russia is in counterterrorism. Tillerson said the Obama administrations counterterrorism approach was unrealistic. We need to be honest about radical Islam, he said. It is with good reason that our fellow citizens have a growing concern about radical Islam and murderous acts committed in its name against Americans and our friends. In the Asia-Pacific region, Tillerson pointed to North Koreas nuclear and missile programs as urgent threats and said that Chinas illegal taking of disputed areas in the South China Sea must be acknowledged and confronted. Democrats and even some traditional GOP hawks were expected to zero in on Exxon and its subsidiaries activities in Iran and Iraq as well as Tillersons environmental views and suspicions his focus will be driven by corporate interests, not the nations. As chief of Exxon, Tillerson opposed sanctions championed by both Democrats and Republicans on Russia imposed after its annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Exxon ended up losing hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of the economic restrictions. The severity of any challenge to Tillersons nomination is unclear. Already, some leading Democrats who met privately with him have voiced relief at his views, notably on Russia, climate change and trade, even if they appear not to mesh with those of the president-elect. (AP) A criminal misconduct complaint against Republican Gov. Chris Christie over the 2013 George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal should be tossed for procedural violations and a lack of evidence, an attorney representing the governor told a judge Wednesday. The complaint by former Teaneck firefighter William Brennan charges Christie with failing to act to reopen the lanes that were ordered closed in an alleged political revenge plot to punish a mayor who didnt endorse Christie in 2013. The scandal has had a negative effect on Christies poll ratings, and was considered a factor in his not being chosen as running mate for then-GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump last year. Two of Christies former aides were convicted in a federal trial in November, and a third pleaded guilty in 2015. In October, while the federal trial was underway in Newark, a different judge ruled there was probable cause for the complaint to go forward. That ruling was flawed, attorney Craig Carpenito argued Wednesday, because the sole evidence cited in the complaint testimony in the federal trial by David Wildstein, the co-conspirator who pleaded guilty didnt show Christie knew about the motive behind the closing of access lanes to the bridge in September 2013. Wildstein testified he and co-conspirator Bill Baroni told Christie about the traffic jams at a Sept. 11 memorial event in New York and that Christie laughed and made a sarcastic comment when told the mayor of Fort Lee wasnt getting phone calls for help returned. Youd have to go through mental gymnastics to assume Christie knew what was going on and had a duty to reopen lanes he didnt even know were closed, Carpenito told state Superior Court Judge Bonnie Mizdol. No witness implicated the governor in knowing the purpose of the plot. Carpenito also argued the probable cause ruling was in error because Brennan had no personal knowledge of details of the alleged plot, and wasnt cross-examined at the October hearing, but merely authenticated the testimony he plucked from the federal trial. Brennan, who attended the hearing but didnt speak before the judge, accused Carpenito of mischaracterizing Wildsteins testimony. He also said the law doesnt even require a complainant to testify at a probable cause hearing. Theyre trying to re-litigate the entire probable cause hearing, he said. They are changing the process for one defendant, and thats not what our system is about. Mizdol said shell rule on the issue by Friday. Previously, she rejected Brennans motion to have a special prosecutor appointed to the case, ruling that he didnt have the authority to request that step. Brennan had argued the entire state attorney generals office, as well as each county prosecutors office in New Jersey, would have a conflict of interest because they owe their jobs to Christie. Official misconduct is punishable by a potential prison term of five to 10 years upon conviction. Before Christie could face a criminal trial, prosecutors would have to collect evidence and present it to a grand jury, which would have to hand up an indictment. (AP) [COMMUNICATED CONTENT] Bar Ilan includes the largest electronic Library of Torah texts in the world. It is also one of the greatest Jewish technology projects carried out in history, bringing long lost texts back into circulation. Over 110,000 Responsa, thousands of Volumes, hypertext and linked to original sources all on a tiny Micro Chip and does not need any internet all self contained use it anywhere in the world! The texts included in the Library cover thousands of years of writing, from the Bible and the Talmud, through the Midrash and Halacha, the Seforim of the Geonim, the Rambam (Maimonides), Shulhan Aruch and their commentators, all to the Rabbis of our time. ( For the full listing of texts click here and well email it to you.) Bar Ilan is so appreciated there is virtually no Yeshiva that does not have one. Bais Medrash Gevoah, Ponevezh, Yeshiva University everyone is using and relying on the Bar Ilan Judaic Library in their daily study. Rabbis across America and around the world, use Bar Ilan in their daily work. It is common for Bar Ilan to get calls from Rabbis just to say, Yasher Koach Thanks. This project, which is one of the brightest jewels in Bar-Ilan Universitys crown, commenced approximately 53 years ago has become a veritable treasure that is accessible to all on one tiny micro chip USB which is searchable and printable truly nothing compares. To view Library click To visit Bar-Ilans Responsa Project click. TO SAVE MONEY TRY THE AUCTION for details click PS: Principals, Administrators & Teachers please note Bar Ilan is Approved by NYSTL For all BOE Funded Titles click Latest Torah Apps check this link FREE OFFER Would you like to learn how to TYPE HEBREW FAST without having to look at the keyboard? Now Learn to Type both Hebrew & English click. [January 11, 2017] With New Embedded "Extrovert" Modem, Logic Supply Fills Market Demand for Pre-certified 4G LTE Connectivity for Industrial PCs Protection of customized industrial computers from temperature, moisture, dust, and vibration is the backbone of Logic Supply's hardware offering. Now, customers can link the company's rugged embedded systems to the 4G LTE cellular network without the time and cost - several months and as much as $50,000 - associated with system certification. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005162/en/ Logic Supply's NWK100 with pre-certified 4G connectivity saves time and as much as $50,000 associated with system certification. (Photo: Business Wire). The company's new Extrovert line of 4G SIM card-based modems are pre-certified to work on major carrier networks. The solution is platform-agnostic and allows companies to connect Logic Supply hardware to the network, no matter their software, computer model, or configuration. "Our customers wanted 4G connectivity without the frustration, complexity, and cost of the certification process," said Roland Groeneveld, CEO of Logic Supply. "This product was driven by a challenge brought to our engineers by a customer who needed connectivity for embedded appliances distributed throughout North America. The Extrovert line resulted and we're excited that this work will benefit all customers requiring just this kind of 4G connectivity" Application developers use the LTE network for primary connectivity in remote locations, and failover connectivity in areas accessible by WiFi or hardwired internet. Depending on the application, data flows bidirectionally: an industrial automation engineer can, for example, push updates to M2M devices while bypassing firewalls, while an operational professional can receive real-time machine updates to guide predictive maintenance decisions. "Enabling 4G LTE connectivity is critical for several burgeoning Internet of Things applications but, in many cases, is not an existing competence within the broader embedded engineering community," says Dan Mandell, Senior Analyst at VDC Research. "The potential savings on time and development resources from leveraging the combination of pre-certified Extrovert modems and Logic Supply embedded systems cannot be overstated." In addition to the Extrovert line, Logic Supply will also offer customers the ability to preload SIMs from a range of carriers. Customers can then establish their accounts directly with the cellular service providers. "While some customers have pre-existing carrier relationships, many are looking for a complete, out-of-the-box solution that includes wireless connectivity," said Murat Erdogan, Senior Product Manager at Logic Supply. "For these customers, we've smoothed the way." Tech Specs Extrovert combines industry-leading modules from Sierra Wireless and u-blox (News - Alert) with a SIM slot, integrating both into the Mini PCIe expansion card standard. The result is a module that fits inside the smallest of form factors, including Mini-ITX, NUC, and other Logic Supply compact embedded box PCs. The Extrovert lineup includes two core modem models, the NWK100 and NWK200. The NWK100, based on the u-blox TOBY-L2, offers connectivity to the AT&T (News - Alert) and T-Mobile networks and adds $191 to the price of compatible systems. The in-development NWK200, powered by the Sierra AirPrime EM/MC module, enables connectivity to the AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint (News - Alert), and Verizon networks, as well as leading European carriers like Vodafone, Orange, and Telefonica. The modems will carry all the required certifications and tests including PTCRB (News - Alert), FCC/CE, and GCF registrations. For more information about the Extrovert line from Logic Supply, and for a complete list of compatible industrial PC systems, visit www.logicsupply.com/products/features/4g-computers. Contact Logic Supply by emailing [email protected] or calling +1 802-861-2300 in the US, or +31 85 2733760 in the EU. Logic Supply will also be demonstrating the Extrovert line at the upcoming RSA (News - Alert) Conference in San Francisco, February 13-17. Visit them at booth #S2048. About Logic Supply A leading Industrial PC company, Logic Supply designs highly-configurable computers engineered for reliability. Its systems operate in the harshest environments and power innovation in the evolving Internet of Things. Fueled by a unique direct-to-customer business model that combines vertical integration, modular product design and a powerful online platform, Logic Supply offers computers "designed to last, built to order, and delivered in days." Founded in 2003, the company has served over 60,000 customers. Logic Supply has offices in the US, the EU, and Taipei. See why today's technology companies Depend on Logic at www.logicsupply.com and on Twitter @LogicSupply. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005162/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Enough of this shoddy service: it's time we all took a stand against the ghastly firms running our railways. As any Southern Rail commuter unable to get to work this week will testify, the most infuriating part is the helplessness you feel. Most passengers aren't interested in the rights and wrongs of Southern's dispute over whether the guard or driver operates the doors; they're just fed up with being pawns in the quarrel with unions. A passenger stands next to an information board informing passengers that a platform used by Southern Rail is closed at Clapham Junction station in London Strikes that wreck the lives and livelihoods of innocent customers can never be justified in my book. Train operators effectively have monopolies on sections of track, meaning when there's a strike, delay, cancellation or just terrible service there's nowhere to turn. Eight in ten passengers don't bother to claim compensation. Many have no idea they can do so, while others reason that getting 2.50 for a 15-minute delay isn't worth it. But this is about more than money or our time. The only way to stop the rail giants treating us like dirt is to tie them up in red tape. The answer must be to bombard them with thousands of compensation claims even if you'll only get a paltry amount back. It's vital we don't stop complaining when the strikes end. The service on commuter trains is often miserable at best. I've relied on some lines that have been late by five to ten minutes almost every day for weeks. Not enough for compensation, but still annoying. Trains are often crowded and getting a seat feels like a privilege. One toilet is always out of order, and stressed staff, who lack support, sometimes become desperate and rude. When there's a crisis it's junior staff, rather than their fatcat bosses, who have to face enraged customers, with little insight or power to help. Anyone who has travelled by train abroad knows rail travel can be better and cheaper. It costs 114 to travel 5,778 miles by rail from Moscow to Vladivostok. Yet 145 to go 247 miles from London to Newcastle. The train to Vladivostok is third class; that to Newcastle is standard, but sometimes you'll have to stand, even if you reserved a seat. By contrast, on the Russian train you get a bunk bed that turns into a sofa in the day. It's clean, there's a kettle for hot drinks and an attendant for each carriage. I'd love to hear from anyone who tries to claim compensation for substandard train journeys under the Consumer Rights Act. Give it a go it could make all the difference. Pensions riddle Among the usual garbage released last week by civil servants was a Treasury graphic on ways to save. It had tips on putting cash away for your children's future, buying a house and preparing for old age. Suggestions included premium bonds and Isas but there was no mention of saving into a pension. How odd. Pensions have more generous tax relief than Isas and are more efficient for saving for retirement, so why exclude them? After all, pensions were included in last year's version of the graphic. The Treasury might claim otherwise, but the gaffe suggests ministers want rid of pensions for good. Money Mail campaigned last year to stop former Chancellor George Osborne ditching this tax perk. It looks like the new Lifetime Isa, which gives the under-40s a 25 per cent top-up on up to 4,000 a year, was just a Trojan horse that will in time replace pensions tax relief. Pensions minister Richard Harrington, interviewed for Money Mail before the offending graphic went to print, must be seething. Treasury graphic: While Isas, Child Trust Funds and Premium Bonds are mentioned, pensions are not Prime problem Have you signed up to Amazon Prime without realising it? I was buying a last-minute birthday gift the other day and decided to try the 7.99 a month service for its next day delivery (surprise, surprise standalone one-day delivery was the same price). Gobsmacked at how easy it was one click and it was done I can't even remember a notification saying the money would be coming out of my account monthly. Luckily I know to cancel before the next payment is taken, but I fear others might not. Worth checking if you bought gifts from Amazon for Christmas. Top Thai To kick off this year's tales of terrific customer service, may I present my local Thai restaurant. On paying the bill, I was given a card that said: '2 off if you pay cash.' The waitress said it was because banks charge the restaurant extra for credit card payments. In other words unlike councils, airlines and nasty holiday websites that levy 3 per cent fees for paying by card the restaurant adds a bit extra to everyone's bill and deducts a chunk to tempt you to pay by cash. I much prefer the fee that way round. More tales welcome. Donald Trump's presidency is going to be a rollercoaster ride for financial markets if latest events are any guidance. Generally, governments on both sides of the Atlantic are exceedingly careful to avoid the leakage of price-sensitive information. Indeed, former Financial Conduct Authority chief executive Martin Wheatley partly lost his job because of leaks of likely action directed at insurers which wiped 3billion off their market value. The President-elect has no such sensitivity. At his first press conference since July he took aim at big pharma, arguing that US citizens are paying too much for medicines and complaining there is very little price competition in the drug marketplace. Hold tight: Donald Trump's presidency is going to be a roller-coaster ride for financial markets if latest events are any guidance It was a comment which had an immediate impact on the share prices of pharma and biotech companies, with GlaxoSmithKline among those affected. Similarly, Trump's pledge to simultaneously sweep Obamacare into the sea and replace it with Trump-plan cannot but have an impact on the drugs industry. Trump's ability to change corporate behaviour has been evident in the car industry, with Ford, Fiat Chrysler and others rethinking plans to move production to low-wage Mexico. Those who do move production south of the US frontier will face a 'border tax' or import levy. This will indirectly pay for the President-elect's Mexico wall, which he wants to start building on January 20. Cost overruns on defence equipment are also in the firing line, with Lockheed Martin getting both barrels over the rising price of the F-35 stealth fighter jet. Mark Carney says the Bank of England is monitoring Trump's words and Twitter feed closely. Central banks and traders have little choice. A Trump-led administration is making Brexit look like a financial sideshow. Green bank betrayal Among the virtually unnoticed acts of the Cameron Government in May 2016 was moving responsibility for government stakes in commerce from the Department of Business to the Treasury. Such bureaucratic reshuffling can have nasty side-effects. HM Treasury is driven by lowering the budget deficit and asset sales are an important part of what it does. It chose to sell down the Lloyds bank stake to City institutions rather than the taxpayer because it was a speedier way of filling Government coffers. Now it has set its sights on selling the profitable Green Investment Bank to 'vampire kangaroo' Macquarie because it wants a quick and clean deal. But Macquarie's poor history as an owner of UK assets and an apparent intention to break up the GIB and sell off its assets bit by bit have provoked a mighty political row. Someone in the Treasury or the Climate Change Minister Nick Hurd, who has been put to the sword in the Commons, should have recognised that selling to Macquarie is not a responsible act. At Thames Water, the firm is best known for taking out fat dividends for its own investors and paying insufficient attention to the deficit in the pension fund. There are other choices. The second short-listed party, Sustainable Development Capital, has invested in green projects and assembled 2billion to do the deal. Paradoxically, the cornerstone investor in the bank would be the Pensions Protection Fund. It is willing to put up 20 per cent and has an interest in long-term investments which can stretch decades into the future. GIB is a perfect match in that most of its investments, such as offshore wind power and biomass, are for the long term and offer decent and socially responsible returns. Precise details of the value of SDCL's bid are a little vague but it is not thought to be very different to the Macquarie offer. It would leave GIB in British hands, focused on sustainable technologies. Alternatively, the Treasury could look at the possibility of a merger with the enlarged British Business Bank and eventually a partial privatisation. Foreign takeovers of our infrastructure have been destructive for the UK. The sale by National Express of the Essex line c2c to Italy's Trenitalia means another chunk of our railways being run from abroad. It will leave management beyond the reach of most stakeholders and outside the tax system. Both the Green Bank sale to Macquarie and the c2c disposal should be stopped. Sainsbury fightback So many acquisitions go wrong that it is encouraging to see J Sainsbury making its takeover of Argos work well. Argos's same-store sales roared 4 per cent ahead in the third quarter and the logistics of its hub-and-spoke system of distribution held up to the pressure. Argos concessions in Sainsbury's stores are doing well and the plan is to move clothing ranges such as Sainsbury's popular Tu range to the platform. Late again? We want you to claim every penny rail firms owe you in compensation Today we call on rail passengers to fight back against the misery caused by Britain's rotten train companies. We want you to claim every penny you are owed for delays, cancellations and dire service. At the moment just one in five eligible passengers submits a claim, according to watchdog the Office of Rail and Road. But it's only by hitting the rail firms in the pocket and tying them up with red tape that we'll get the service we deserve. Our guide explains how you can claim for everything from delays and cancellations to overcrowding, faulty wi-fi and even broken toilets. Yesterday Southern Rail workers went on a three-day strike over the role of guards and whether they or the train driver should open doors. They are expected to strike again on January 24, 25 and 27. Train staff elsewhere in the country are considering similar action. Each day of strikes is estimated to cost the economy 20 million. They're causing half a million travellers to be late for work and spend hours on what should be short journeys. Many have been forced to spend hundreds of pounds on extra childcare, taxis and hotels. Even when there are no strikes, one in eight trains across the UK arrives late every day, with crammed commuters forced to stand in the doorway of graffiti-daubed loos or crouch on dirty floors. Like most rail firms, Southern hiked ticket prices at the start of the year by 1.8 per cent. On average, season tickets in the UK now cost 2,493. A Southern Rail passenger would pay 4,536 for an annual season ticket between London and Brighton. Yet figures from its parent company GTR show that less than 0.2 per cent of its annual 1.2 billion revenue or around 2.2 million is paid out in compensation. Now it's your chance to turn the tables. Commuters attempt to board a full Southwest train carriage toward central London as others alite at Clapham Junction station in London yesterday YOUR RIGHTS IF YOU ARE DELAYED All train companies must pay compensation if your journey is delayed or cancelled under industry rules known as the National Conditions of Carriage. These state you are entitled to claim back 50 per cent of the value of your ticket if you arrive at your destination more than one hour late. The reason for the delay must be within the train company's control. So you can claim if the train breaks down or is late due to signalling errors, for example, but you may struggle to get anything if the delay was caused by bad weather or vandalism. If your train is cancelled you should get a full refund. And if a delay means you had to cancel your journey entirely, you should also be able to claim a refund. But these are only the minimum standards required by transport law. The vast majority of companies with the exception of Chiltern, Great Western and Grand Central go a step further. All train companies must pay compensation if your journey is delayed or cancelled They are signed up to a more generous scheme called Delay Repay, which is run by the main train companies. Under this scheme travellers can claim a refund even when the train is delayed and it's not the company's fault. So if you have been delayed as a result of the recent Southern Rail strikes you should be able to claim. The exception is trains run by Transport for London so sufferers of the Tube strikes on Sunday and Monday will get no redress. How much you get back usually depends on the length of the delay. Typically you'll get 50 per cent of the ticket price for ones of more than 30 minutes and a full refund if you are over an hour late. Virgin, for example, says it will refund 50 per cent of your fare if you are delayed between 30 and 59 minutes. Once the delay hits 60 minutes you'll get all of your money back. If you bought a return, you'll be refunded for the relevant part of the journey. But if you are delayed for more than two hours on either leg of the trip you can claim a refund for the total cost of the return ticket. New rules unveiled by the Department for Transport in October also mean that in the future, customers should be able to claim back a quarter of their ticket price for shorter delays of between 15 and 30 minutes. Those rules apply only to firms signed up to the Delay Repay scheme and there is no deadline on when companies must introduce them. So far only Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink are paying out for delays of less than 30 minutes. If your train is cancelled you should receive all your money back although different rules apply if you have a season ticket (see below for more on this). Companies are also not allowed to leave you stranded. You should be allowed to get the next running train even if you don't have the correct ticket. And if the last train of the evening is cancelled, train companies are expected to arrange a taxi or overnight accommodation if you can't get home until the next day. Claim a payout for shoddy service Under the Consumer Rights Act introduced last October customers should be able to claim compensation for poor service on trains. The rules state that train companies must provide a service with 'reasonable care and skill'. If they fail to do so you could be entitled to money back. A passenger stands next to an information board informing passengers that a platform used by Southern Rail is closed at Clapham Junction station in London Lianna Etkind, of the Campaign for Better Transport, says: 'If a train toilet is broken, a service is dangerously overcrowded or you have been led to believe there would be free Wi-fi and there wasn't, in theory you should be able to claim using these rules.' You may also be able to claim for extra costs you faced as a result of the delay such as loss of earnings or childcare bills. However, the rules have not yet been tested. And it will likely take a court case to open the floodgates. Experts say if a court case were successful it could mean train firms end up paying billions of pounds in compensation to disgruntled passengers. And even if you don't get any money back, if enough people complain about poor service, train companies could be pressured into mending their ways. Write to the train company's consumer complaints department and explain what went wrong with your journey. Include your ticket and any other evidence such as photographs demonstrating severe overcrowding or broken toilets. State that you are demanding compensation under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 because the train firm failed in its duty to provide a service with reasonable care and skill. There are no guidelines as to how much you can claim, so ask for a refund for your ticket. If the train company refuses, you can take your case to the Small Claims Court. It costs 25 to submit a claim for up to 300. However, there are other charges such as a hearing fee if your case is seen before a judge. If you lose you may have to pay the others side's expenses, which could outstrip the value of your ticket. The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the major train companies was unable to explain to Money Mail how firms plan to deal with this type of compensation claim. HOW IT WORKS FOR SEASON TICKETS If you pay for a weekly, monthly or annual season ticket you should still be able to claim If you pay for a weekly, monthly or annual season ticket you should still be able to claim back some money. However, under the National Conditions of Carriage rules you are not entitled to a fixed payout. It depends on the individual train company's policy, which you will need to look up before you claim. Most work out how much to pay for cancellation by first dividing the value of the ticket by the number of journeys they would expect someone to make during that period. For example, if you have a 100 weekly season ticket, Great Northern presumes you make ten journeys five to work and five home again. So it values each journey at a tenth of a weekly ticket price or 10 in our example. It uses the same logic to say that each journey is worth a fortieth of the monthly ticket price and 1/120 of a quarterly ticket. It pays 50 per cent of that journey value for each delay of more than 30 minutes. That's 5 in the example where a weekly season ticket costs 100. For delays between 15 and 29 minutes it pays 25 per cent of the single journey value or 2.50 in our example. Other firms give season ticket holders a discount if they fall below their own minimum standards. Great Western Railway gives its customers 5 per cent off when they come to renew their season ticket if it misses the punctuality or reliability targets set out in its passenger charter. If it misses both, you get a 10 per cent discount. MY JOURNEY WAS PARTLY DELAYED Some passengers cut train costs by buying a separate ticket for each leg of their journey. This tactic is known as ticket splitting and can knock up to a third off the total cost of your trip. Commuters wait on a platform to catch a train toward central London at Clapham Junction station For example, if you want to travel from London to Manchester it costs 169. But if you book a ticket from London to Tamworth at 90.50 and then from Tamworth to Manchester at 31 you'll pay just 121.50 a 47.50 saving. However, this can complicate matters if you suffer a delay on part of your journey. You should still be able to get a refund for the whole journey, but you might have a fight on your hands as the rules aren't clear. If you booked with two companies, contact the firm responsible for the delay. WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A CLAIM You have 28 days from the date of the delay to claim. Each company has a different process which is detailed on its website though it is often hidden away. Most require you to download a form to fill in and post back. If you don't have the internet you can call their customer service team and request one. You'll be asked for details such as what station you were travelling from and to, and how long you were delayed. If you aren't sure what time you arrived at your destination, you can check using the website recenttraintimes.co.uk this will show when the train you took actually arrived and when it was supposed to. You will also need to post the original ticket and, where applicable, a copy of your season ticket photo card. Make copies of everything for your records. When your claim is approved some firms will put the money straight into your bank account while others may send a cheque. Some may try to fob you off with vouchers, but under the rail conditions of travel introduced in October for all train companies, you can demand cash instead. Virgin will automatically refund you if you bought an advance ticket online. But if you bought any other type of ticket you need to post a form as usual. C2C, which runs trains between London and around Essex, will also automatically refund passengers who use an electronic card preloaded with cash instead of a paper ticket. If your refund is refused don't give up. Lodge an official complaint with the train company and explain again why you think you are entitled to a refund. If the firm won't back down, contact rail watchdog Transport Focus on 0300 123 2350 or via its website, trans portfocus.org.uk. It can ask the train company to look again at your complaint and, if necessary, escalate the case to senior management. However, it cannot order a train firm to pay out. Addressing the strikes, a Southern Rail spokesman says: 'We are deeply sorry for the utterly unnecessary and unwarranted disruption these disputes are causing.' Rail Minister Paul Maynard says: 'We want to strengthen the rights of rail passengers to get compensation for poor service. 'We have also brought forward a provision in the Consumer Rights Act so passengers can challenge compensation amounts awarded for delays and cancellations where the train operator is at fault in the same way that other transport providers can be challenged. Savers tempted to put money into the stock market could be investing just as the risk grows that shares will tank, experts warn. This week, the FTSE 100 closed at an all-time high for the ninth day in a row a new record finishing at 7,275 last night. So savers who invested a year ago have made 23.9 per cent, turning 10,000 into 12,390. Stock market highs tend to encourage many small investors to throw caution to the wind, as they chase down gains. But now experts are warning that the run might not last. We have spoken to a number of highly-regarded analysts who believe that share prices may be close to peaking. They say huge uncertainty around Theresa May's Brexit negotiations, Donald Trump's rise to power in the U.S. and the outcome of the elections in other European countries later this year could hit the stock market. As a result, investment gurus say you should avoid piling large amounts of your money into the stock market at the moment. However, there is no need to panic about a crash just yet, as it's far from certain that the market will go into freefall. So the advice for those who want to invest is to keep drip-feeding your savings into a broad range of investments to spread your bets. Savers who were already planning to cash in investments soon might want to act quickly to lock in the gains they've made. But if you don't need the cash in the near future, resist the temptation to plunder your nest egg. Justin Urquhart Stewart, founder of broker Seven Investment Management, says: 'It's getting more and more likely that the market has peaked. I think there will be a significant pull-back in share prices this year. I just don't know when So I would say, why not take a bit of the profit you've made this year and keep the rest invested for the long term? 'I'd be holding off on major new investments for the time being, until we start getting some news about exactly what Brexit will involve and how Donald Trump will be as President. 'I think there will be a significant pull-back in share prices this year. I just don't know when.' WHY HAVE UK SHARES SOARED? The FTSE 100 stumbled after the Brexit vote came in, but since then London's leading shares index has powered ahead. The Footsie closed at 6,338 on 23 June 206, the day of the EU referendum, and after falling 6 per cent to 5,982 on 27 June, it began its rise. The FTSE 100 is now up 15 per cent on its closing level on the day of the Brexit vote. One of the drivers of this has been the fall in the value of the pound, which has dropped 18 per cent against the US dollar and 11.5 per cent against the euro. The FTSE 100 is packed with big international companies, many of which derive a large amount of their earnings from overseas. When these earnings are translated back into sterling they will be worth more in pounds and pence, sending profits up. The Footsie has also benefited from the bounce back in mining and the rise in the oil price, with a slice of its large companies operating in these sectors. Current advice is to keep drip-feeding your savings into a broad range of investments David Buik, of stockbroker Panmure Gordon, says: 'I don't think we are quite at the top of the market, but we may be somewhere near it. 'However, I can't think of any good reason to bail out and sell your holdings at this time with the pound still very weak. I can't think of any good reason to bail out and sell your holdings at this time... when you're getting a dividend of 3 to 4 per cent, why would you want to leave shares? 'When you're getting a dividend of 3 to 4 per cent, why would you want to leave shares?' Jason Hollands, of broker Tilney Bestinvest, says: 'There are some positives that suggest the market could keep increasing for a little while, but then there are also problems that have not gone away. 'China still has a worrying debt mountain and shares are not cheap. Make sure you don't get caught up in the euphoria do the sensible thing: drip feed in money using a monthly savings scheme.' The funds for investors to consider Mark Dampier, of broker Hargreaves Lansdown, says investors should be looking for income funds paying dividends, because that way you're still getting a return even if your investment shrinks in size. He tips Newton Global Income, which has been paying an income of nearly 3 for every 100 invested over the past year. The fund has also turned 10,000 into 19,930 over the past five years. One of manager Nick Clay's favourite stocks is Western Union, with 3.36 in every 100 of customers' money invested in the international money transfer firm. It recently signed a deal with Malaysian bank Maybank to provide it with digital services for sending large sums abroad. Another of his top picks is Switzerland-based drug company Novartis, which has teamed up with Ionis Pharmaceuticals to licence two heart disease drugs in a deal worth around 821 million. Mr Hollands tips JO Hambro UK Opportunities. Its manager, John Wood, aims to protect investors' capital, which is helpful if markets do fall. He has turned 10,000 into 17,320 in the past five years. Mr Wood currently has 27 in every 100 in cash, so he has a war chest to scoop up bargain stocks if the market slips back. He invests 3.52 in every 100 in Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker whisky manufacturer Diageo, which last month agreed a deal with food delivery service Deliveroo to expand into alcohol. His biggest holding is oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, whose share price has grown by two-thirds to 22.47 over the past year. Darius McDermott, of research firm Fund Calibre, picks Evenlode Income. The fund favours so-called defensive stocks that pay good dividends and whose performance is not tied to the wider economy. Its managers, Hugh Yarrow and Ben Peters, have turned 10,000 into 19,650 in the past five years. Just over 5 in every 100 is invested in Microsoft, which announced recently that it plans to make a new range of software to be installed in cars, allowing drivers to use popular programmes such as Skype and Cortana, a virtual personal assistant that reacts to its user's voice while they drive. Tom Stevenson, of broker Fidelity International, says investors should be looking to developed markets such as Britain and the U.S. in 2017. He tips Old Mutual North American Equity, which has turned 10,000 into 26,700 in the past five years. Amadeo Alentorn, the fund's manager, favours technology companies, which make up four of his top ten picks. These include Apple, Google and Nvidia Corp, which creates graphics chips for computers. INSURER FINED Royal and Sun Alliance has been fined 150,000 after the personal information of nearly 60,000 customers was lost. The Information Commissioner's Office said the fine followed its probe into the theft of a hard drive from the insurer's offices in West Sussex containing names, addresses and bank account details. BUSINESS BOOST Small firms are more confident despite seeing profits hit by higher fuel costs and the falling pound. A survey of more than 1,000 of its members by the Federation of Small Businesses found confidence had 'bounced back' to levels seen before last year's EU referendum campaign. SKINCARE SIGN-UPS Beauty firm L'Oreal has ploughed further into the skincare market by buying three brands from Canadian pharma firm Valeant. The French company yesterday revealed it had agreed to buy CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi from Valeant for 1.1billion. TILE TROUBLE Topps Tiles has reported sluggish sales in the first quarter, after performance was hit by 'softer trading conditions'. The company said sales across stores open for more than a year had risen by just 0.3 per cent in the 13 weeks to December 31. WOMEN STEREOTYPED More than half of female entrepreneurs have been subject to gender stereotyping in the workplace, according to research by NatWest. Of those questioned, 52 per cent claimed they were unfairly labelled. SALES UP Storage company Big Yellow Group saw sales edge up but remained cautious about Britain's economic outlook. Sales were up 7 per cent to 27.4million in the three months to December 31, despite the period being traditionally weaker. PAY RECORD Consumers made nearly 6.3billion payments worth 4.8trillion using direct debit group Bacs last year. It handled 109.3m payments in a record-breaking day in September. BIKE DEAL Raleigh will start distributing Lapierre bikes in the UK from August 1. Both are part of the Accell Group, and said the relationship meant they could help boost the French company's brand in the UK. CAIRN ROLE Oil and gas explorer Cairn Energy has appointed former General Electric executive Nicoletta Giadrossi as an independent non-executive director. FRAUD UP Reported fraud hit a five-year high in 2016, according to accountant BDO. Authorities recorded 2billion-worth of the crime, a 31.5 per cent rise on the previous 12 months. A trio of traders who dubbed themselves the 'cartel' will be charged following a US probe into foreign exchange rates, sources said. The Department of Justice was last night expected to charge Chris Ashton, a former Barclays worker; Rohan Ramchandani, who previously worked for Citigroup; and ex-JPMorgan employee Richard Usher. It is claimed they plotted on internet chat rooms to fix currency prices at artificially low or high levels in a bid to boost profits. The Department of Justice was last night expected to charge Chris Ashton, a former Barclays worker Rohan Ramchandani, who worked for Citigroup and ex-JPMorgan employee Richard Usher Former UBS and Standard Chartered trader Matt Gardiner, another member of the group, is said to have cooperated with the investigation. Banks around the world have been hit with more than 8billion of fines over the scandal, which caused outrage when it was uncovered in 2013. An investigation by the UK's Serious Fraud Office was dropped last year, and the Americans will probably have to extradite the traders before they can stand trial. The latest charges follow a series of high profile investigations by the US Department of Justice. The UK, US and European Union need to strike a grand bargain to thrive after Brexit, the boss of the London Stock Exchange has said. Xavier Rolet yesterday warned that the EU was so keen to punish Britain for Brexit that it might seek to damage the City even if this crippled its own economy. Instead he urged the bloc to work with the UK and US on a 'grand bargain' which would benefit all sides. Warning: Xavier Rolet yesterday warned that the EU was so keen to punish Britain for Brexit that it might seek to damage the City Speaking at a Treasury Select Committee hearing yesterday, Rolet agreed the EU would be 'cutting off its nose to spite its face' if it put up barriers to restrict UK trade. Politicians on the Continent see the vote to leave as an opportunity to steal business from the City particularly the prized euro clearing operation handled by the stock exchange. Rolet said foreign authorities were already threatening his customers in a bid to make them move operations abroad. And he repeated a claim in a report by accountancy giant EY last year that the loss of euro clearing would cost Britain 232,000 jobs. But the chief executive claimed any attempt to prise the operation away from London would deal a grievous blow to financial stability, cut European firms off from vital sources of funding and most likely drive business to New York. Brexit, he said, was a chance to show an alternative to the stagnation and factionalism which blights the eurozone. Rolet called on European leaders to focus on boosting the economy instead of protectionism. Businesses across the Continent were already telling politicians not to damage trade, he said but there was a danger they would simply be ignored. 'Greater focus on economic competitiveness could be the gift of the UK to the EU as it leaves,' he said. MPs also heard from HSBC chairman Douglas Flint, who repeated previous warnings it could move 1,000 jobs to Paris if the right Brexit deal was not struck. VoIP Supply to showcase the RenegadePBX Mini, Partner Program and VoIP Fulfillment February 8-10 at worlds leading business technology show Buffalo, NY January 11, 2017 VoIP Supply, North Americas leading Voice over Internet Protocol solutions provider, announced today that it will be showcasing its RenegadePBX Mini, Partner Program and VoIP Fulfillment at ITEXPO, held February 8-10, 2017 at Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. ITEXPO is the worlds leading business technology tradeshow, and will converge education, innovation and networking across the entire community of IT professionals and thought leaders. Meet VoIP Supply at ITEXPO at booth 428 to learn more about the RenegadePBX Mini, Partner Program and VoIP Fulfillment. At ITEXPO, executives, technology buyers, sellers, resellers and manufacturers from companies of all sizes and industries will assemble to forge new business partnerships, collaborate and learn together and from one another. Dozens of conference sessions, keynotes and panels will be focused on helping attendees move their businesses forward. We are very excited to be participating as a Platinum Partner at ITEXPO this year, said Paula Griffo, President and CFO of VoIP Supply. It is a great opportunity for us to showcase our RenegadePBX Mini and programs to the technology community. Since 2002, VoIP Supply has provided expert knowledge to the VoIP industry, its customers, and has also provided unmatched product availability to over 125,000 customers. In early 2015, Founder and CEO Ben Sayers saw a need in the current VoIP market for a simple, universal, and unique appliance that would meet the demands of a growing industry. With our RenegadePBX line, we are able to provide our customers with an affordable solution for VoIP that allows them the freedom to choose the model that best fits their needs. The VoIP Supply Partner Program is designed to assist all of our partners who want to offer the perfect telecommunications solution to their clients. Our straightforward program and commission structure makes it easy for you to choose what is best for your business. And lastly but certainly not least Fulfillment by VoIP Supply. The team behind VoIP Fulfillment has been providing provisioning and fulfillment to VoIP Service Providers since the industry's beginning. Our services have continued to evolve and improve over time, leveraging current technologies and passing along the access and efficiency to our customers. Registration for ITEXPO is now open. For the latest ITEXPO news, updates and information follow the event on Twitter at @ITEXPO. About VoIP Supply: VoIP Supply, LLC (www.voipsupply.com) is your trusted source for everything VoIP; from our large selection of name-brand hardware to our CloudSpan Marketplace. VoIP Supply provides you with a fully staffed inbound call center with licensed, certified and highly trained VoIP experts that can help you with any problem you might have. Whether you are a home user, business, reseller or service provider, VoIP Supply has the products, experience and expertise to make your deployment a success. VoIP Supply is a three-time Inc. 500/5000 honoree, listed by Business First as one of WNYs Most Admired Companies, as well as being consistently ranked one of Western New York's Best Places to Work. VoIP Supply is also the first Certified B Corporation in Western New York. Our dedicated Solution Specialists are here to help, so call us today at 1-800-398-VoIP or visit our website at www.voipsupply.com About TMC Global buyers rely on TMCs content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. This presents branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities for vendors/sellers. TMCs Marketplaces: Unique, turnkey Online Communities boost search results, establish market validation, elevate brands and thought leadership, while minimizing ad-blocking. boost search results, establish market validation, elevate brands and thought leadership, while minimizing ad-blocking. Custom Lead Programs uncover sales opportunities and build databases. uncover sales opportunities and build databases. In-Person and Online Events boost brands, enhance thought leadership and generate leads. and boost brands, enhance thought leadership and generate leads. Publications, Display Advertising and Newsletters bolster brand reputations. and bolster brand reputations. Custom Content provides expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts. provides expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts. Comprehensive Event and Road Show Management Services help companies meet potential clients and generate leads face-to-face. For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit www.tmcnet.com. TMC Media and Analyst Contact: Jessica Seabrook Marketing Director 203-852-6800 x 170 [email protected] Share this Page Edited by Alicia Young The stock market's stellar run saw the FTSE 100 smash another record. The blue-chip index finished at a record-breaking high for nine consecutive days for the first time ever. Yesterday it climbed another 0.52 per cent, or 37.7 points, to 7275.47. The market has risen for 11 straight days, something it has only achieved three times before in 1997, 2004 and 2009. Finish up again today, and there will be no records left to smash. Miners were among the top risers of the day. Anglo American advanced 7.2 per cent, or 83p, to 1237.5p as the price of copper climbed 3 per cent, while Kaz Minerals gained 7.2 per cent, or 28p, to 414.6p after Canaccord Genuity raised it to a 'buy'. The blue-chip index finished at a record-breaking high for nine consecutive days for the first time ever While insurers were at the bottom of the pile for the day (Direct Line down 3 per cent, or 11p, to 357p and Admiral off 2.6 per cent, or 48p, to 1780p), a maiden trading update from comparison site GoCompare hit the right note with investors. In its first news since the firm split from parent company Esure in November, the business said revenue climbed 19 per cent in 2016 to 142million. Adjusted operating profit was up 30 per cent to 30million, at the top end of expectations, and the firm has reduced its debt by almost a third. Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'It's still early days for GoCompare as a standalone business but rapid growth in both revenue and profit is impressive in a competitive market.' Shares in the comparison website soared 12.2 per cent, or 8.25p, to 76p. Cinema chain Everyman Media was a blockbuster hit as it gave a confident update for the year ahead. The firm has doubled its number of sites to 20 over the past two years, with openings in Harrogate, Bristol and Chelmsford with more set to open this year. Everyman said better than expected performance at new venues and improvements at existing locations meant performance in the 52 weeks to December 29 was above expectations. Shares leapt 7.6 per cent, or 7.5p, to 106.5p. Recruitment firm Robert Walters defied the odds as it reported full year pre-tax profit was ahead of expectation. STOCK WATCH - WEY EDUCATION Wey Education operates an online independent secondary school. Yesterday it climbed as it reported a rise in student numbers in the year and an uptick in turnover as a result. Wey said a new IT system would enable the firm to further increase numbers. Following the update Paul and Jacqueline Daniell, principal of the online InterHigh and director of the firm respectively, snapped up 2.6million shares, spending a total of 101,654 and taking their total combined stake in the business to 13.3 per cent. Shares surged 10 per cent, or 0.38p to 4.12p. The sector was expected to be hit hard after the Brexit vote as investors feared a slowdown in the economy would see companies put a freeze on hiring. But Robert Walters said gross profit was 76.1million in the final three months of the year, up 11 per cent on the year before. The group, which expanded into Canada and Portugal in the final quarter, said around 70 per cent of its fee income now comes from outside the UK. Nevertheless income from the UK was up 16 per cent year-on-year and climbed 32 per cent in the US and Middle East. Shares gained 1.5 per cent, or 5.25p, to 362.25p. Oil and gas outfit Serica Energy rocketed as it revealed production at its North Sea oil site was above expectation. The firm said its Erskine Field had produced an average of 3,800 barrels of oil per day in December. The production increase, which comes after a six-month shutdown at the site earlier in the year, has the added benefit of occurring as the oil price has started to recover. Serica shares rocketed 16.3 per cent, or 2.62p, to 18.75p. Cloudcall climbed as it reported revenue was up by almost 50 per cent. The software firm, which provides telephony services, said results would be in line with expectations for the year to December 31. Revenue will be around 4.9million for the year and customer churn rate the percentage of subscribers who discontinue their subscriptions was at a record low level. Shares leapt 17.8 per cent, or 11.5p, to 76p. K3 Business Technology, another software provider, had less reason to be cheerful. Shares plunged as the firm revealed full-year earnings would be around 3.5million less than estimated after trading in December was not as strong as expected. It had made 'important progress' in its reorganisation in the first half of its financial year, which should increase sales and reduce costs. Takeover: Deutsche Borse is seeking to seize control of 216-year-old LSE A German takeover of the London Stock Exchange faced a fresh barrier last night after European bank chief Mario Draghi raised questions about the 21billion deal. Deutsche Boerse is seeking to seize control of 216-year-old LSE in what both sides call a merger of equals. But Deutsche shareholders will get a controlling stake and their chief executive will run the business. European Central Bank president Draghi is concerned the business could pass out of EU oversight. 'When a merger leads to a change in ownership of a euro area bank, as could be the case for entities within Deutsche Boerse and LSE Group that are licensed as banks, the ECB has to analyse it carefully,' he said. 'The UK's withdrawal from the EU may lead to a loss of oversight and supervision of UK central counterparties by the ECB. 'Thus, it will be important to find solutions that at least preserve, or ideally enhance, the current level of supervision and oversight.' Tax officials are spying on eBay and Airbnb customers' accounts to obtain their names, addresses, bank account numbers and details of what they buy and sell online, Money Mail can reveal. HM Revenue & Customs quietly acquired powers in September which allow it to snoop on anyone who uses so-called marketplace websites that connect buyers and sellers. It means teams of investigators now have extensive access to websites such as Etsy where craft-makers sell items like homemade cards and knitting and eBay, as well as property and holiday letting sites including Booking.com and Airbnb. Target: Tax officials are spying on eBay and Airbnb customers' accounts to obtain their names, addresses, bank account numbers and details of what they buy and sell online They can also see customers' online shopping and sales receipts with payment firms such as PayPal and Worldpay. Under new laws, these websites can now be forced to hand over millions of customers' details whenever the taxman asks. Officials don't need any evidence that you have done something wrong to see your data, nor need they ask your permission or inform you that they're snooping. HMRC can feed this information into a sophisticated new computer system that flags up anyone who appears to be evading tax. The powers are part of a drive to catch tax cheats who make a tidy profit from so-called 'sharing economy' websites. Millions of people are making cash online, thanks to a boom in such sites. These online marketplaces allow any number of sellers to flog goods, services or even a room in their home. The middleman site takes a small cut of the proceeds. But accountants say many sellers do not realise they owe tax on the profits they make. Accountants say many sellers do not realise they owe tax on the profits they make Last year, around 870,000 people including people making small sums online failed to submit self-assessment returns before the January 31 deadline. The number for 2017 is expected to top a million. Money Mail understands that HMRC has five major data analysis centres across Britain. According to its website, it has been hiring 'data analysts' and 'intelligence analysts' on salaries between 27,000 and 38,000. Insiders say these officials can obtain detailed files on you, which include information on where you holiday and even how much cash you got for selling that old dining table on eBay. They claim some of this comes from social media sites such as Facebook and business network LinkedIn. Experts say the taxman is looking for internet sellers who make regular profits or run successful businesses, rather than part-time hobbyists. But the crackdown will still concern those who sell second-hand furniture or handmade crafts, who may be snooped on even though they owe no tax at all. Bill Dodwell, of accountancy Deloitte, says: 'Lots of the data will be for perfectly honest, straightforward transactions. But, in the middle of it, HMRC may find evidence of tax evasion. 'However, it will not be going after the small-time sellers, such as someone getting rid of an iPhone on eBay. It's looking for patterns. 'For example, if you are selling dozens every month, that would suggest you are running a business.' Clampdown: Selling a few unwanted household items on eBay or Gumtree could now bring you the attention of HMRC's snoopers The law that lets the taxman check up on you Under the laws passed last September, the taxman can force auction and payment sites to hand over your name, address, online username, email address, phone number, whether you are a registered business, your VAT number and national insurance number. It can obtain your bank account details and even the branch where the account is held, as well as the value and volume of any transactions you have made. The details can be added to a database called Connect, which already contains billions of pieces of information about you from government records, banks and building societies, the Land Registry and DVLA data. Until recently, HMRC could demand information on people's online activity from sites such as eBay and classified ad site Gumtree only if it had launched an inquiry into an individual or had reason to suspect a business of evading tax. However, the 'bulk' data collection rules introduced in the Finance Act in September let it bypass this requirement. Target: Experts say the taxman is looking for internet sellers who make regular profits The Electronic Money Association (EMA) which represents members such as eBay, Airbnb, PayPal and Worldpay says the new powers are disproportionate and an administrative burden. It claims that the powers mean HMRC can collect data monthly and use it for 'any purpose'. It is also concerned about customers' data being well-protected and their privacy safeguarded. Dr Thaer Sabri, chief executive of the EMA, says: 'Customers may see firms as facilitating an intrusive power.' The taxman is consulting on plans to extend its powers to cover payment transfer services, such as MoneyGram, which lets you send money abroad. Guy Smith, of Abbey Tax, which represents small business owners in tax investigations, says: 'In the same way that HMRC used to target cash traders, such as newsagents and fish and chip shops, it wants to root out hidden earnings on the internet.' Mr Smith says the files that data analysts compile for inspectors on individuals include data from Facebook and LinkedIn. For instance, if someone says they're a high-flying accountant on their CV on LinkedIn, but files a tax return mentioning only occasional consultancy work, it would raise suspicions. We had a client who received a letter from HMRC detailing the number of transactions she had made on eBay and asking why she had not paid tax on them - Guy Smith, Abbey Tax 'Equally, if someone is flying off on luxury holidays, but claiming they earn 10,000 a year, that could raise a red flag,' he adds. 'We had a client who received a letter from HMRC detailing the number of transactions she had made on eBay and asking why she had not paid tax on them.' Accountants say only the most active sellers are likely to be targeted in the crackdown. For example, someone who has sold an old sofa, a TV and a handful of clothes on eBay this year will not be affected. And, from April, sellers running small businesses online will not be taxed on the first 1,000 they make. However, the allowance will come too late for sellers filing tax returns this year, which covers earnings between April 2015 and April 2016. A spokesman for HMRC says: 'This is about businesses who are trading without paying the tax they owe. 'Those who are declaring their income to HMRC as the law requires have nothing to worry about.' Vintage jewellery is increasing in value more quickly than house prices, according to the latest research. Art Deco necklaces, brooches and rings, dating from the Twenties and Thirties are highly sought after. So is Belle Epoque jewellery from between 1890 and 1915, which has soared in value by 88 per cent, on average, since 2006. Glittering profits: Vintage jewellery is increasing in value more quickly than house prices. Pictured: A Cartier necklace from 1947 More modern jewellery, especially that which dates from 1945 to 1975 has risen in price by 70 per cent on average over the past ten years, according to auction house Bonhams. By comparison, house prices in England have risen by 47 per cent over the past decade, according to statistics from the Office for National Statistics. Experts say many people in Britain have no idea of the true value of the old jewellery they possess. Jean Ghika, head of jewellery for UK and Europe at Bonhams, says: 'People tend to think designer pieces are very obviously branded by their creators, but that's not always the case. 'The identifying marks of many leading designers can be incredibly subtle and, therefore, hard to spot. 'Hallmarks, signatures, initials even a name or a code on the back of a precious piece can signify that a piece of jewellery has come from a highly sought-after house. 'These could include names such as Cartier or Van Cleef & Arpels and these signatures can make a huge difference to the eventual selling price.' Britain's exit from the European Union no longer poses the biggest threat to financial stability, the Bank of England's governor Mark Carney has said. But, speaking to MPs on the Treasury Select Committee this afternoon, Mr Carney added the process of adaptation to life outside the EU could 'amplify' those risks for the UK once again. Carney's assurances came as the Footsie 100 index breached the 7300 mark this afternoon with a new record and the pound dropped to a its lowest against the US dollar since last year's 'flash crash' - and its weakest in more than three decades if that is taken out of the equation. Questions to answer: Mark Carney taking questions from the Treasury Select Committee about Brexit this afternoon Asked by MPs if Brexit remains the biggest risk to the UK's financial stability, Carney said: 'Strictly speaking, the view of the committee is no.' He added: 'In the run-up to the referendum we said it was the largest risk because there were a serious of positions and possibilities in the financial sector, things that could have happened, that could have had financial stability consequences. 'So because we viewed it as the biggest domestic risk that was why the 250 billion of capital was prepositioned with us. 'We would like to say this had some success. 'But having got through the night and the day after, the scale of the amount of the risks around Brexit has gone down to the UK, but the process can amplify.' Critic: Pro-Brexit MP Jacob Reed-Mogg told Carney the UK's economic performance since Brexit had proved the Bank's gloomy forecasts to be wrong MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has previously clashed with Carney over his Brexit stance, claimed the UK's economic performance since June's vote showed the Bank's gloomy forecasts had been proved wrong. Last week, the Bank's chief economist, Andy Haldane, admitted that economists are embroiled in a forecasting crisis, branding the predictions a 'Michael Fish moment.' Carney said the Bank's risk analysis around Brexit was right and the mitigating steps that it took helped reduce the severity of the risk. 'Missing the financial crisis is a big deal, a couple of good quarters is nice to have,' he added. Disruption to the dominant services sector during Brexit would lead to 'shortfalls in capacity' and capital liquidity being in the wrong place, which could have a greater impact on the EU than in the UK, Carney said. He added: 'I am not saying there are not financial stability risks in the UK, and there are economic risks to the UK, but there are greater short term risks on the continent in the transition than there are in the UK.' The Bank's governor told MPs it was in the interests of both the UK and EU to thrash out a transitional deal for the financial services sector as soon as possible. 'If there is not such a transition put in place, which in our view will have consequences, we will work to mitigate those consequences as much as possible', Carney said. Get a deal: The Bank's governor told MPs it was in the interests of both the UK and EU to thrash out a transitional deal for the financial services sector as soon as possible Asked by MPs whether the Bank monitors Donald Trump's Twitter account, Carney said: 'Yes. We monitor your Twitter account, chairman. So yes we follow it. We look forward to working with the new US members.' In November, the Bank of England said the UK's post-Brexit outlook in terms of financial stability 'remains challenging.' Earlier this week, the Treasury Select Committee asked the bosses of the London Stock Exchange, HSBC and Allianz about Brexit. He's watching: Mark Carney confirmed the Bank of England is watching Donald Trump's Twitter account Xavier Rolet, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, said thousands of jobs in Britain's finance sector will be at risk if a deal for post-Brexit operations in the sector isn't drawn up soon. Since the vote to leave the EU last June, the pond has lost over 18 per cent of its value against the US dollar and 10 per cent of its value against the euro. An analysis has shown that sterling's performance in the past 200 days has been worse than that seen in the aftermath of Black Wednesday in 1992. MBABANE Choral music lovers should brace themselves for an exciting year in the industry as choirs have been told to gear up for a tighter competition in this years first choral music competition. The choirs have been told to work hard this year as the Swaziland National Choral Music Association (SNCMA) intends to send more choirs to international competitions. This means their standard of judging will be even stricter as they expect a flawless, harmonious rendition each time a choir takes the stage. Some of the international competitions in which Swaziland participates include the Old Mutual Choral Music Festival and the Melting Pot Festival. The first competition is scheduled for April 30 and over 13 choirs are expected to participate. Among the choirs that choral music lovers want to see competing are the Royal Swaziland Police, Sweet Sounds, His Majestys Correctional Services Choir, Manzini Choir and Mbabane Methodist Church Choir. While expected to compete in the standard section are the Royal Swazi Spa, Sishayingoma Choristers, Giant Clothing and Florence Catholic Church Choir. The choirs have been advised to start working hard as early as the year begins, so that by the time the competition starts, choristers are ready. Jozana Maziya, SNCMA Chairperson said the whole idea was for them to try and improve the choral music industry and the choirs are expected to play a role in this. Most choirs start their rehearsals very late, which we do not encourage. For a choir to be ready, it has to start preparations on time as the choristers need enough time to rehearse the songs, he said. MBABANE Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Paul Dlamini has taken interest in the matter of Ngcoseni Central High School sexy teachers. The teachers are scheduled to meet the DPMs Social Welfare Department officers. This meeting is expected to take place tomorrow at the school where all 54 teachers have been summoned despite it being school holidays. According to a number of the teachers who are contracted to teach at the school, they received calls from their heads of department, who informed them that they were all expected to report to the school to meet the officers. The meeting comes after pupils of the school fingered their sexy teachers as one of the primary causes of their failure. A total of 166 pupils failed their Junior Certificate examination last year. Male pupils said some of their female teachers wore miniskirts and exposed their cleavages through their low-cut garments and this contributed to their poor performance. The pupils claimed that this resulted in some of them losing concentration in class. Other concerns raised by the pupils were that some teachers came to class just before the period ended for the subject. They also claimed that they were usually given homework, with the teachers informing that they knew the syllabus. This was exposed by this publication last week after speaking with some pupils, who were repeating the Form III class last year. In the schools Form III class of 2015, a total of 94 pupils failed but 78 of them came back to repeat. However, they were separated from the group that came from Form II as they learnt in two classrooms. MANZINI The Mbabane businessman, who is alleged to have defrauded the First National Bank (Pty) Ltd Swaziland of about E5 million, yesterday surrendered himself to the police. Sifiso Zulu, whose businesses deals with automobiles and trucks, was handed over to the Mbabane Regional Headquarters by his attorney, Mangaliso Nkomondze of Nkomondze Attorneys. Zulu was charged by the police, through his company, for allegedly defrauding the bank an amount of E4.8 million. It is alleged that he colluded with some senior employees at Wesbank though none of them have been charged yet. Wesbank is a division of FNB that provides motor vehicle and business finance. Before he was handed over to the police, the businessman was spotted by reporters from this publication in an upper class restaurant in Manzini, where he was having breakfast with his attorney and a family member. From there, the three boarded a top of the range South African registered grey Jeep Wrangler, which headed to Ezulwini where he had a brief meeting with an identified acquaintance. After about two hours, he boarded the same vehicle and headed straight to the Mbabane Police Regional Headquarters. Upon arrival, Zulu alighted from the vehicle and headed to the reception area, where his attorney requested to meet with the arresting officer, one Mshubegaca Dlamini. The businessmans attorney was allegedly informed that they would have to wait downstairs as the officer was still having his lunch. About 30 minutes later, Zulu was taken to the investigation offices upstairs, where he was questioned by a team of officers alone, while his attorney allegedly waited outside. In an interview with his attorney, Nkomondze said the decision to hand over the businessman was after seeing media reports about the alleged fraud matter. PIGGS PEAK High tax revenue is the solution to beef up the countrys domestic income, which is still very low, according to Prime Minister (PM) Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini. The PM was speaking during the launch of the Cabinet ministers retreat at Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino yesterday. For the past few years, the retreat has become an annual mandatory event for the minsters. Dlamini said periodically, it was essential for Cabinet to review its progress on respective programmes and plan ahead for the future. The PM said the country still relied on the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) for revenue. SACU receipts account for over 50 per cent of the countrys revenue. However, the PM said the latest strategies should be applied to accelerate the rate of tax compliance to boost the domestic revenue. That should be the first point of reference before considering any increase in tax rates and their deterrent effect on new investment, said the PM. He said government should emulate what takes place in First World economies to maximise tax compliance such as the integration of data bases, ensuring that all commercial and other transactions were correlated with tax identification numbers. Dlamini said raising of domestic income was linked to faster economic growth from new and expanded investment within the country. He reminded ministers that big issues like infrastructure, labour stability, corporate tax rates and other financial incentives lure big investors. The PMs assertion on taxes come at a time when many Swazis were of the view that they were quite high. Some of the countrys taxes include Pay As You Earn (PAYE), which stands at 33 per cent; Value Added Tax (VAT) at 14 per cent and Corporate Tax. A section of those who had come to apply at His Majestys Correctional Services (HMSC) Headquarters yesterday. MBABANE Among the thousands of people who applied for posts at His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) yesterday was a ministers daughter. Nomvula Ngcamphalala is the daughter to Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs David Cruiser Ngcamphalala. She is among the close to 15 000 job seekers who crammed the various offices of HMCS to apply for the warders and wardresses positions. Like all the other job seekers, Nomvula was found queuing patiently, waiting for her turn to submit her documents to the officers. In a brief interview, Nomvula revealed that she had arrived at 10am and joined the already long, winding queue to submit her application. She currently resides at Selection Park with her parents and siblings. She is also a student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology where she is pursuing a Degree in Architecture. When asked why she applied for the post, she mentioned that she wanted to try other options in life. She explained that she wanted to fend for herself and make her parents proud. My dad doesnt even know I am here and this is mainly because I do not want to use his status in society or position to my favour, Nomvula said. She conceded that if her application was accepted, she would not miss the opportunity to join His Majestys Correctional Services. When reached for comment, the minister said he was not aware that his daughter was applying for a post at the Correctional Services. However, he mentioned that education was very important in every aspect of life and he had given his children the education they deserve. He said they were free to search for greener pastures to better their lives. MATTOON -- The Lake Land College Board of Trustees voted Monday to declare the college's intent to issue $1.33 million in bonds to fund infrastructure improvements on the main campus. Board Vice Chairman Dave Storm said the board's finance committee has recommended moving forward with a bond issue, and this declaration and the related public notice are part of the process. The board is scheduled to take a final vote on the proposed bond issue at its Feb. 13 meeting. Vice President for Business Services Bryan Gleckler has said the bonds will provide funding for parking lot repairs and road resurfacing on campus. He also has said this will pay for updating the West Building's air handling units and connecting them to the campus geothermal heating and cooling system. Gleckler has said Lake Land recently made the final payment of $928,000 on a $6.67-million, five-year bond issue. He has said annual payments on the proposed $1.33-million, three-year bond issue will take the place of this past bond issue within the college's annual budget expenditures. In other matters, the board voted to revise the college's policies regarding recordkeeping of student complaints. Vice President for Student Services Tina Stovall reported in a memo to the board that this revision resulted from the college's ongoing Higher Learning Commission self-study. "College staff have identified an opportunity to improve our policies and procedures for responding to student complaints and ensuring that information obtained is utilized to improve processes for the future," Stovall wrote. Lake Land will combine separate related policies into a single "student complaints" policy. The college also will publish its complaint resolution procedures in the student handbook and "right to know" information that are emailed to all students every semester and available in print copy by request. History instructor David Seiler thanked the board for including faculty in the planning process for the student complaint policy revisions. He said faculty members have not always been included in such efforts in the past. "Hopefully, in the future, we can have more collaboration like this. This is good," Seiler said, adding that he and many other faculty are Lake Land alumni and longtime residents in the community. "We have an interest because we want the college to succeed." In other matters, the board approved the college's human resources report for January. President Josh Bullock said this report includes Colleen Winchester being named as the new human resources generalist. Winchester will replace Dustha Wahls, who was recently appointed director of human resources. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Bill Lewis The New York State Conservative Party, at its state committee meeting earlier this year, endorsed Donald Trump for president. Mike Long, the state chairman of the Conservative Party, felt that there were two issues that dominated the campaign. These were the national economy and illegal immigration. In terms of the economy, Long believes Trump will give important direction to increasing jobs for Americans, which will boost our prosperity. Long thinks that improving the economy will help make America great. He believes that economic growth, by improving the job structure, will strongly benefit the United States. Long thinks Trump will grow in political importance and expects the Conservative Party to support the administration and work with President Trump. It is a time when we have an opportunity to improve our countrys economy. Earlier in 2016 Trump helped rally people to the conservative cause. His actions gave a political base on which to operate for future political gains. Long, in his many years as state chairman, has supported many winning candidates. This time he has backed a major presidential candidate who has been victorious. He indicated that an important factor in gaining a majority of voters were the rallies that dominated Trumps campaign appearances. It gave voters a chance to attend the rallies and participate in a growing movement. The 2016 election brought out an unusual number of people who participated in the political presidential campaign. I have never seen a campaign season like this where people took the election process as seriously as they did. It is hard to find a campaign in which citizens contributed so much in time and resources. It will be interesting to see what the future holds politically. Questions arise as to whether it is possible to continue this type of political success. It has helped create a growing conservative movement. In the final analysis, if there is success in bringing us a winning economy, Trumps public political strength will increase immeasurably. We have never had a president with the type of business background that Trump holds. Blue collar workers have been mainly supporting the Democratic Party since the 1930s. This year, however, they have overwhelmingly joined the Trump conservative movement. The next four years will tell the story of how the new movement turns out. We will find out if it is the political success that a significant amount of people believe in. We have seen a political group take over the U.S. government with many promises that could lead to success. We wish that that can be true. Let us hope that we will have a peaceful transition as we move forward. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Philip Newman Thomas Prendergast, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority since 2013 who presided at the opening of the Second Avenue subway in recent days, has confirmed his intent to resign within weeks as head of the sprawling transit system. Opening the Second Avenue subway this weekend was a crowning achievement for the MTA and I am proud to have been part of such a historic moment, Pendergast said in in a statement released through Gov. Cuomos office. The governor, who heavily promoted completion of the long delayed Second Avenue project, said Prendergast will be remembered for improving the commute, and the lives, of millions of New Yorkers who depend on our mass transit system. Prendergast, a native of Chicago, spent more than 25 years with the MTA, where he was president of New York City Transit overseeing the subways and buses and later the head of the Long Island Rail Road. He took over the the MTA when Joseph Lhota resigned as head of the MTA to enter politics as the Republican candidate for mayor in 2012. CHECK Pendergast pushed hard to obtain $29 billion in capital funds to expand the citys transit system. He has also won kudos for bringing the damaged system back into operation after Hurricane Sandy flooded the East Side tunnels, took the A train out of service to the Rockaways and shut down subway stations in Lower Manhattan. But his most visible and widely celebrated achievement was the opening of the Second Avenue subway after nearly 100 years on various drawing boards under many administrations. The on-time completion of the Second Avenue Subway would have been impossible without Tomd leadership and relentless commitment to meeting the goal and is an incredible way to end his long and successful career, Cuomo said. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Mark Hallum NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, who was paralyzed after being shot in the line of duty more than 30 years ago, died Tuesday afternoon. He was 59. The Queens Village native inspired many after he not only forgave the youth who shot him with a .22 caliber revolver in 1986 and left him quadriplegic, but for continuing his work for the NYPD and speaking on behalf of peace worldwide. McDonald had been unconscious since he was struck by a heart attack Friday at his Malverne, L.I., home and died about 1 p.m. at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island. No one could have predicted that Steven would touch so many people, in New York and around the world, Police Commissioner James ONeill said. Like so many cops, Steven joined the NYPD to make a difference in peoples lives. And he accomplished that every day. He is a model for each of us as we go about our daily lives. He will be greatly missed and will always remain a part of our family. The incident, which left him wheelchair-bound and on a respirator, happened as he patrolled Central Park just four days shy of his two-year anniversary as a cop. Shavod Jones, 15 years old at the time, went to jail for attempted murder. Upon being released from prison in 1995, Jones died in a motorcycle accident just days later. New York City is heartbroken by the loss of NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, who for 30 years has been this citys greatest example of heroism and grace. I will forever cherish my last conversation with Detective McDonald late last year. His words encouraged all of us to continue to bring police and communities closer together, de Blasio said. The story of Detective Steven McDonald needs to be understood across the United States, especially as we work to heal the wounds of the past. There is no greater example of honor and service to others. Spreading his message of forgiveness took McDonald near and far, from local schools, to centers of global conflict such as Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Israel. He is succeeded in the NYPD by his son, Detective Sergeant Conor McDonald. CHARLESTON -- Coles County's work to update property value records for commercial and industrial sites continues to draw questions and criticism. Several business owners and other property owners attended the Coles County Board's meeting Tuesday night to question the project that's aimed at updating the values for the first time in 16 years. While some of the comments mirrored what the board heard about the matter last month, one new development was the first explanation from a county official as to why the assessments weren't kept more current over the years. State's Attorney Brian Bower addressed some of the issue's legal matters and said the board couldn't "dictate" how the county supervisor of assessments does his or her work. "We've had a turnover in assessors, which created more and more problems," he said. The decision to do the commercial and industrial reassessment came shortly after current Supervisor of Assessments Karen Biddle was appointed to the position in November 2015. Biddle, a longtime employee of the assessment office, has said the work started about 15 years ago but wasn't completed. Before Tuesday, there had been no other public explanation of why the property wasn't reassessed since 2001, when a countywide reassessment of all property took place. Biddle wasn't available for additional comment Wednesday. During Tuesday's meeting, county board Chairman Stan Metzger noted that reassessments are supposed to take place every four years and that's the duty of township assessors, but said that was "not completed." But Charleston business owner James DiNaso questioned how property owners could handle the corresponding tax increase that could come with the new assessment values. "How do I absorb that in one year?" he said. "Where's that money going to come from? We're going to be run out of town." The county hired local appraiser Bob Becker to do the reassessment and decided to divide the county into four sections for the work. Mattoon Township was reassessed first and business property owners there received notices of their new values last month. Metzger said the board opted for the four-year approach to spread out the cost of the project, and the Illinois Department of Revenue informed the county that was an acceptable method. He said the board contacted local state lawmakers about some kind of relief but it's not possible with the current state law. "Once implemented, it cannot be stopped, prorated or reversed," Metzger said. Mattoon business Mike Johnson questioned the accuracy of the new assessments. He said there are "for sale signs everywhere" and he can't get offers on property he has for sale because of its value for property taxes. As he did in response to similar comments, Metzger said a property owner can appeal an assessment to the county Board of Review. Johnson said he didn't think he should have to take another step when "you guys are telling me what the property's worth," but Metzger replied: "That's the process." Contacted Wednesday, Becker said he's basing the new assessment on sales prices of comparable property, which he described as a "general reassessment" method. He said the larger changes have been to lots for which the assessment was "incorrect to begin with." He said one property that had an assessed value of $350,000 sold two years ago for $3.5 million. "I didn't think there would be as large a change as there was," Becker said. He said the reassessments in Charleston Township should start next month. That should take about three months with Lafayette Township to follow, and the entire reassessment could be done by the end of the year, he said. Beaver County preparing for robust Election Day turnout As the Nov. 8 midterm election approaches, nearly 114,000 people are registered to vote in Beaver County. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany One Capital Region transportation project received critical funding Wednesday from the Cuomo administration. But another continues to wait. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $15 million in state funds to build a new downtown train station for Schenectady, replacing a smaller facility that dates from the 1970s. Planning for a new station has been underway for several years, but when a request for proposals received just one bid that exceeded the $15 million budget by $10 million, it was back to the drawing board. Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy, who attended the governor's State of the State address at the University at Albany Wednesday afternoon, said he understands the latest announcement is new money that, with the previous funds, now gives the state Department of Transportation $30 million to work with. Track work and new platforms are already in progress. The new money, McCarthy said, should be enough to build a temporary station, demolish the existing station, and then build the new station. "I'm hopeful we can get this underway this year and complete it in 2018," he said. At Albany International Airport, officials are hoping to attract the last of the five $40 million improvement grants Cuomo said would be awarded on a competitive basis to upstate airports. On Wednesday, he announced that Plattsburgh International Airport would receive the fourth grant; earlier, airports in Syracuse, Rochester and Elmira received awards. Albany has identified a number of improvements, including a new 1,000-car parking garage, that it wants to make. "We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and his staff for recognizing the importance of New York's airports," Albany airport spokesman Doug Myers said Wednesday afternoon. "We are confident that the governor is allocating the state's resources where they will have the most economic impact, and we look forward to working closely with the state through the design and construction phase of the new airport Interstate 87 exit." Myers also said the airport would continue planning to develop more parking and make terminal and other infrastructure improvements. eanderson@timesunion.com 518-454-5323 Albany Four down, two to go. Gov. Andrew Cuomo will wrap up his six-city State of the State regional rollout tour on Wednesday with speeches in Syracuse and the University at Albany Performing Arts Center. That speech, which is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., will mark the first time since Gov. Al Smith began the tradition of giving State of the State speeches that the address will be delivered somewhere in the city other than the state Capitol complex. Traditions aside, it's the substance of Cuomo's speech that will chart his course at the Capitol for the months ahead. Over the past week the governor has outlined plans for free tuition at state colleges, child care tax credits and voting reforms, among others and over the past two days regional plans for New York City, Buffalo, the Hudson Valley and Long Island. In his first four speeches, Cuomo has stressed the need to create efficiencies in local governments, to provide clean drinking water to New Yorkers, to have ride-hailing services outside of New York City and to address anger from the middle class to continue New York's service as the progressive beacon of the nation. Nearing the finish line of his tour, notably absent from the governor's rhetoric thus far have been ethics and government reform. Politico New York reported earlier this week that Cuomo is saving his reform proposals for the speech in Albany, where they likely are to resonate the loudest among residents with inside-the-beltway mindsets. The Cuomo administration did not tip its hand on Tuesday as to what is in store for ethics. It's likely the governor would re-purpose some of the proposals he pushed both during the 2016 legislative session and as he negotiated an ultimately ill-fated trade for a pay raise for state lawmakers late last year. Cuomo has sought restrictions on lawmakers' outside incomes and term limits, limits on campaign donations from those involved in the state contracting process and more review of potential conflicts of interest involving the outside incomes of lawmakers and the executive. Reforms of the state procurement process have emerged in the wake of an upstate economic development corruption scandal that involves men with long-standing relationships with the governor. The New York Public Interest Research Group's Blair Horner said there are three areas still in need of more reform: The use of legislative offices for private gain, pay-to-play schemes involving the executive and independent oversight of government. "They're all feasible if the governor wants to try to make them happen," Horner said. "But for example when he was pushing for the ethics proposals during the discussion over the pay raise, he didn't do anything to galvanize the public. When he wanted a $15 minimum wage increase and paid family leave, he did a whole dog and pony show across the whole state. ... Ethics at the moment is more of a priority on the public relations side and less of a priority on the policy side, not just for the governor but for the Legislature as well." As the governor closes out his speech tour, he has built up his 2017 agenda as addressing middle class anger. Appearing at a SUNY school, Cuomo will tout his plan to provide free tuition to SUNY and CUNY colleges to those who come from families with annual income less than $125,000 per year. He also will hit on New York's economic progress in terms of added private-sector jobs and lower unemployment, his affinity for the Regional Economic Development Council (for which he is proposing another round of awards worth $750 million) and some sort of regionally focused plan for the Albany area. "The question is: When he faces voters a year-and-a-half from now, what's more important to them?" Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said. "All the various ethics proposals that he passed and didn't get passed? Or is it jobs? Is it the economy? Is it getting things moving forward? To me, I think that's what voters are going to be paying more attention to than ethics in government." mhamilton@timesunion.com 518-454-5449 @matt_hamilton10 Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed Tuesday a local-government efficiency program that would require county executives to bring together local officials to develop a cost-savings plan that would be put to the voters on this November's ballot. The plan, presented during Cuomo's third of six regional State of the State speeches, is aimed at applying pressure via the ballot box on local officials to find a way to decrease the local tax burden. County officials must meet with local officials and submit a draft plan for shared services and efficiencies to county legislatures by Aug. 1, under the governor's proposal. Legislatures would have 45 days to review the plan, and if they don't act, it automatically would be placed on the ballot. If the plan is not approved by a majority of voters this November, the county government would have to prepare a new plan for consideration in November 2018. More Information Cuomo's big picture for New York unfolds Additional proposals from the governor's 2017 plans include: Civil rights/criminal justice: Cuomo wants to create a new hate crimes unit and develop a public-private partnership with the legal profession to ensure that new immigrants receive legal help if they need it. He spoke of boosting legal services for indigent New Yorkers. Last month, he vetoed a bill that would have had the state pick up those costs, which are now borne by counties. He said it would have been too costly. Boosting life sciences research and development: Cuomo wants to grow the nonprofit New York Genome Center, which explores genetics' role in life sciences and health care. He plans a $650 million package of tax breaks, grants and private investment to create a life sciences cluster for use by pharmaceutical firms and others in the health care field. Environmental protection: Cuomo called for eastern states that are part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade program, to further reduce emissions. Women's rights: Cuomo reiterated his support for abortion rights. He backed a ban on employers asking job-seekers about their past pay, and he said he will seek to require state contractors to report the gender and pay of employees. - Rick Karlin and Matthew Hamilton See More Collapse Cuomo's office said the plan would require legislation to implement. "I need you to call your senators and say, 'You work for me; get this done otherwise you can pay my property taxes next time,'" Cuomo said later in the day in a speech on Long Island, the fourth of the tour. At Farmingdale State College, the governor proposed the creation of recovery high schools aimed at helping students recovering from addiction finish their education. This is not the first time the state has weighed the creation of such high schools, which was discussed during the work of a task force the governor convened on addiction at the end of the last legislative session. The schools are part of a six-point addiction plan Cuomo unveiled Tuesday afternoon. The governor wants to add fentanyl to the state's controlled substances schedule and eliminate prior authorization requirements to make substance use disorder treatment available to all. Cuomo's latest proposals also included linking existing multi-use trails that run along the Erie Canal and Hudson Valley and building out extensions to cover central tourism areas of the state with a path for biking, walking and other activities. The 750-mile Empire State Trail would run from Buffalo to Albany and from New York City to the Canadian border and would include 350 miles of new trail. The full cost for it is $200 million, and Cuomo plans to seek $53 million for the first of three phases of construction in the upcoming state budget with construction completed by 2020. mhamilton@timesunion.com 518-454-5449 @matt_hamilton10 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Washington Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's lonesome opposition to granting defense nominee James Mattis a waiver is running headlong into confirmation reality: The crusty former general may be the best answer to Donald Trump's inexperience in the national security arena. Gillibrand has praised the one-time commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan as an "extraordinary general'' but believes the need for civilian control of the military supersedes Trump's pick of Mattis to lead the Pentagon. Mattis retired in 2013 after four decades in the Marine Corps. U.S. law stipulates defense nominees, absent a waiver, must be out of uniform for at least seven years. The last recipient of such a waiver was Gen. George C. Marshall, who became defense secretary in 1950 as the U.S. entered the Korea conflict. Gillibrand is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which holds a confirmation hearing for Mattis on Thursday. On Tuesday, the committee met to weigh the need for civilian control of the armed forces, a tradition that dates back to Revolutionary times. A panel of two scholars weighed the reasons for keeping recently retired generals out of the post, including the example it sets for developing nations where the line between civilian and military power is not so clearly drawn. But Eliot Cohen, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University, said there was a compelling reason to make an exception for Mattis: Because of Trump's lack of experience and alarming statements about foreign policy and defense matters, "there is no question in my mind that a Secretary Mattis would be a stabilizing and moderating force, preventing wildly stupid, dangerous or illegal things from happening.'' Under questioning by Gillibrand, Cohen cited the example of Trump's embrace of torture against of terrorism suspects and the killing of their families, a position from which Trump has since retreated. "That's outrageous, illegal and it's profoundly immoral, and I think a Secretary Mattis would refuse to comply with that order and that's very important,'' Cohen said. Asked by Gillibrand whether the commander in chief could compel the defense secretary to torture, Cohen replied the secretary is under no obligation to follow an illegal order. Cohen acknowledged being one of the "ringleaders" who orchestrated letters by Republican national security experts and former officials who warned during the campaign that Trump would "put at risk our country's national security and well-being.'' Committee chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and ranking Democrat Sen. Jack Reed both praised Mattis, with McCain saying: "There is no military officer I have met in my lifetime with a deeper understanding of civilian-military relations than James Mattis.'' Gillibrand said Cohen's suggestion that a waiver would provide stability inside the incoming Trump administration is "an enormously weighty and serious statement.'' Nevertheless she called civilian control "essential to our democracy'' and indispensable from "our Founding Fathers' concept for what our democracy would look like.'' But none of the concerns expressed by Cohen and shared by other senators appeared to alter Gillibrand's intention of opposing the waiver. "I haven't seen the case for why it is so urgently necessary,'' Gillibrand said after the hearing. And if the waiver is granted, Gillibrand still intends to vote against Mattis. "She doesn't support Mattis' confirmation,'' said her spokesman, Marc Brumer. dan@hearstdc.com Albany A newly privatized computer help desk for state employees is based in Buffalo but officials admit some of the calls are going to workers in Boulder, Colo., raising questions about the initiative to boost western New York's tech sector. At the end of 2016, the state Office of Information Technology Services finalized plans to replace state employees with IBM workers to staff the Level I "Break-Fix'' help desk calls in which state agency employees receive basic assistance with computer problems. State employees who had been filling that role were reassigned. So far, OITS says they've hired 134 help desk support specialists in Buffalo, who have been handling an average of 1,340 calls per day. They said a "minimal overflow'' of calls were being routed to the Colorado location. Neither state officials nor IBM would say precisely how many calls were going to Colorado. They said no calls are going to North Carolina, although some state workers said they believed that was the case. "This is not the first time a disgruntled 'source' is providing false information about ITS and IBM operations, simply to support their personal agenda of protecting bureaucracy and hurting taxpayers,'' OITS officials said in a prepared statement responding to inquiries about the new help desk. "All calls are going to the Buffalo call center, none are handled from North Carolina, and in the rare event there is an overflow there will be a smaller number handled from Colorado.'' Regardless, there are questions about the program given that it's part of a highly touted new IBM Innovation Center the state is subsidizing in Buffalo to help boost that region's underdeveloped tech center. The help desk contract with IBM, which was obtained under a Freedom of Information Law request, notes that the service is part of the Innovation Center initiative. Under that program, $55 million in state funds is being tapped to help create 500 tech jobs in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area by 2020. If 130 of those are relatively low-paying Level I, or basic help desk positions, one has to wonder how much bang the state is getting for its dollar, said John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany. The group has been critical of some state economic development efforts. "What it sounds like to me is that, basically, you've transferred a call center function from the Albany public sector to the Buffalo private sector,'' Kaehny said. "The state should be taking a step back and ask 'what's our goal here?' '' The contract between IBM and the state notes that Buffalo is to be the primary location, but a table outlining how many jobs are in each city was redacted from the version given to the Times Union. Included in the contract materials is a transcript of an IBM video featuring Carrie Fisher, who died Dec. 27, explaining Watson, an IBM computer system that uses artificial intelligence to help answer questions. Watson helps run the help desk. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It happens every year: the high spirits and arrival of fresh blood in January, the near-stasis of February, the furious rush to the budget deadline in March, recuperation in April, stepped-up action and rearrangement of chess pieces in May, and then another sprint to the finish, all of it ending on a late night (or early morning) sometime in late June. That's the life cycle of a legislative session in Albany, in miniature. But what happens in the legislative chamber tells only half the story the most important half, to be sure, but only a portion of the demanding, pleading, reasoning and arm-twisting that takes place in and around the Capitol over the first six months of the year. Here's a look at some of the dates and events that will matter from legislative deadlines to lobby days and revered Albany traditions: Jan. 17: Deadline for the submission of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Executive Budget proposal. Jan. 23: The Business Council Legislators' Reception at the Hilton Albany, 6 p.m. Feb. 12-13: New York State PTA Key "Advocacy Partner Training" and lobby day. Feb. 14: New York Student Aid Alliance advocacy day. More Information Session days Both houses of the Legislature are scheduled to meet on the following days: Jan.: 4, 9, 10, 17, 18, 23, 24, 30, 31 Feb.: 6, 7, 13, 14, 28 March: 1, 2, 6-8, 13-15, 20-23, 27-31 April: 2-5, 24-26 May: 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24 June: 5-8, 12-15, 19-21 See More Collapse Feb. 14: Families Together in New York State, which advocates for the needs of children with emotional, behavioral, and social challenges, Legislative Awareness day, including a gathering at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Feb. 17-19: The state Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators 46th annual Legislative Conference at. Special guests slated to attend include journalist and pundit Roland Martin and labor leader Lee Saunders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. March 1: Independent Pharmacists and Pharmacy Owners lobby day, The Egg. March 1: New York Library Association advocacy day, Legislative Office Building. March 7: The state Council of School Superintendents lobby day. March 8: Lobby day for the Medical Society of the State of New York and the state Turfgrass Association, aka "green industry professionals." March 8-9: The state Business Council annual conference on state taxation at the Renaissance Hotel. March 13: Lobby day for the state Academy of Family Physicians and the Women Builders Council. Also the final scheduled day of winter operation for the skating rink on the Empire State Plaza. March 20: The Northeast Federation of Temple Youth, an organization of Reform Judaism, advocacy day. March 22: The scheduled opening date of the Albany Capital Center, the long-gestating convention center nestled below the Empire State Plaza and above the Times Union Center. March 24-26: The 30th annual Somos el Futuro gathering, dedicated to issues of import to the state's Hispanic community, in and around the Empire State Plaza. March 28: New York State Social Work Education Association lobby day. March 28: Deadline for budget bills to be given to lawmakers in order for them to be passed on time without "messages of necessity," which waive the three-day aging period for any piece of legislation. March 31: The deadline for the state budget to be passed in order for it to be considered "on time." This year, it falls on a Friday. April 1: Beginning of the new state fiscal year. April 12: Pharmacists Society of the State of New York lobby day, The Egg. April 16: Easter Sunday, when the governor is expected to hold his second annual egg hunt for children at the Executive Mansion. April 25: New York Physical Therapy Association lobby day. May 3: New York State Right to Life's "Lobby for Life Day," Legislative Office Building. May 15: Deadline for politicians and other public officials to submit their 2016 financial disclosure forms to the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics. May 17: American Institutes of Architects New York State advocacy day, beginning at the Renaissance Albany hotel, later moving to the Capitol building. May 24: The 117th Annual LCA Show at The Egg. It's also lobby day for the United New York Ambulance Network. June 21: Final scheduled legislative day of the 2017 session. Compiled by Stefan Lembo Stolba and Casey Seiler This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY - A motorcyclist who lead troopers on a high-speed chase that topped 130 mph on the Thruway is wanted by State Police who said he tried to run off after he crashed his bike and was caught with cocaine after troopers tracked him down. Carlos A. Sued, 39, is one of several people troopers highlighted in their release Wednesday of fugitives wanted in New York state. Sued is wanted on felony drug possession charges by State Police in Albany. Troopers said Sued was riding a motorcycle on the Thruway when he fled police on April 23, 2014. Sued allegedly lost control of the bike when he tried to make a u-turn and ran from troopers. They said he was apprehended a short time later and found with cocaine and charged with first- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance as well as resisting arrest and fleeing an officer. Rodney B. Coulon is wanted by troopers and the town of Collins Court on a warrant issued on Nov. 21. State Police said Coulon was involved in a Jan. 19, 2015 traffic stop where he was caught with Hydrocodone pills and no valid drivers license. He is charged with drug possession, disorderly conduct and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Jay French, 42, is wanted by the State Police on an arrest warrant issued Jan. 7 in town of Sullivan Court. Charged with criminal contempt and aggravated harassment, French is wanted for violating an order of protection filed against him by an ex-girlfriend. Herbert Gibson, 33, is wanted by State Police in Valley Stream for alleged drunken driving on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau County. Gibson's car was stopped on the highway in 2014. He is wanted in First District Court in Nassau County. Jermaine D. Hughley, 24, is wanted by State Police in Cortlandt for alleged falsification of business records, reckless endangerment, and unlawful fleeing of an officer in a motor vehicle. Troopers said on Dec. 27, Hughley led police on a chase. Troopers said he crashed the vehicle on Route 6 before fleeing the scene on foot to evade police who wanted to arrest him on a warrant charging him with falsifying business records. Carlos A. Sued, 39, is wanted on felony drug possession charges by State Police in Albany. Troopers said Sued was riding a motorcycle on the Thruway when he fled police on April 23, 2014. Sued allegedly lost control of the bike when he tried to make a u-turn and ran from troopers. They said he was apprehended a short time later and found with cocaine and charged with first- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance as well as resisting arrest and fleeing an officer. Cadidra N. Thomas, 32, is wanted by State Police in Woodbury after troopers said she failed to appear in Orange County Criminal Court in connection with a traffic stop on the Thruway and the subsequent discovery that she was allegedly wanted on a stolen vehicle charge in Virginia. Thomas failed to return to court to answer the charges and a warrant was issued for her arrest, troopers said. Willie R. Thompson, 37, is wanted by State Police in Binghamton on charges tied to a May 2013 arrest. State Police said Thompson was arrested after violating an order of protection filed against him in town of Barker Court. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Troopers said Thomspon has several tattoos including stars, a crown amd the words "Adonis" and "Lathisa." Joseph T. Austin, 44, is wanted by State Police in Horseheads for charges of harassment, resisting arrest and child endangerment. On Feb. 4, 2015, Austin was arrested in connection with a domestic incident that allegedly occurred in the town of Erin. Austin allegedly resisted arrest and is wanted for failing to appear in court. Crews were working Tuesday to clear an avalanche that hit a few houses in the area of Alpine Meadows, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP says nobody was injured, but resident Siig Steven's Facebook posts above suggest some serious challenges for people in the area. Lyle S. Houston spent 26 years working a boring state job so he could fulfill a dream that requires getting up at 3 a.m. He probably could have managed it after only 24 years, but as the dream neared realization, he was struck by a car and severely injured. Later, in a psychological setback, vandals sprayed anti-gay graffiti on his house. And yet, despite lasting physical effects from the accident and his new middle-of-the-night waking hour, Houston has never been happier. He is, finally, a baker with his own shop. Fifth Tier Baking Studio opened Dec. 12 at 54 Columbia St., in downtown Albany. It is a tiny place: 250 square feet, nowhere to sit, no kitchen (Houston bakes in the restaurant across the street). But due to its location, a short walk from big offices on North Pearl Street, State Street and Broadway, during December Houston was selling up to 100 scones a day, in flavors savory and sweet, plus cookies, cupcakes, baked doughnuts and gluten-free dog biscuits. More Information If you go Fifth Tier Baking Studio Where: 54 Columbia St., Albany Hours: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays for the winter Info: 650-7240, www.fifthtierbakingstudio.com, www.facebook.com/fifthtierbakingstudio See More Collapse "We were bombarded with business," he says, estimating that a dozen times a day he crosses Columbia Street to the Hollow Bar & Kitchen, where he bakes his own fare and desserts for the Hollow and the forthcoming 3Fish Coffee in Albany. (Even though Columbia is a one-way street, he looks both directions before crossing: Vehicles regularly go the wrong way, and he's not getting hit again.) Every morning he assembles a list of what he's going to make that day, writing in marker on parchment paper stuck to the fridge with blue painter's tape and gathering ingredients from regional suppliers (Cabot dairy products, King Arthur flour, coffee from Capital City Roasters in Gloversville, tea from Harney & Sons in Millerton). Scones are a must every day. Recent savory versions have been feta, rosemary and black pepper; ham, cheddar and scallion; and the toppings familiar from everything bagels, then stuffed with goat cheese. Among the sweet scones: cranberry with almond and orange. "The scones just fly out of here," he says. (As well they should: I adored the feta-rosemary-black pepper creation.) Also on the best-selling list: gooey, lip-smacking cinnamon buns, which a lawyer with an office nearby told Houston are so indulgent he was inclined to a morning nap after eating one. Because his display case is by necessity small, Houston plans to install more shelving for the room-temperature goods and turn the case later this month into a chilled home for new items such as cheesecakes, flourless chocolate cakes and the like. Houston, 44, started as a state employee at 18, ultimately ending up in a finance department in an office on Broadway, about a block from his new shop. "It bored me," he says, but the job offered security and benefits; when he turns 55, a full pension awaits him. He attended night and weekend culinary classes at Schenectady Community College, followed by the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, earning a degree in 2004. "Right from graduation, the dream was always to have my own shop," he says. Lunchtime walks around downtown Albany acquainted him with the neighborhood's flow, and when a shoe store closed in the diminutive Columbia Street space, he signed a lease in August 2014. The plan originally was to open by the end of that year, but, on the Monday before Thanksgiving, on the way back to the office, a distracted driver ran a light and struck Houston. Recovery took many months, and even today the long hours on his feet required of baking as opposed to sitting at an office desk leave him pained and exhausted. The following summer, as Houston was beginning to feel better, he and John R. McEnerney, his partner of 13 years, had their Wynantskill home vandalized with anti-gay slurs. The responsible parties, who have been never been identified, also stole briefcases with important papers for the under-development bakery, smashed Houston's laptop, broke two mixers intended for the bakery and did other damage. "It was just so upsetting, so hurtful," says Houston. He suffered from depressive episodes. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. "The accident and then that it was so traumatic," he says. "I wanted to give up (on the bakery) so many time, but I was determined not to be a failure." And so he stayed at his state job until November, continuing to develop recipes and carrying the rent on the Columbia Street space for two and a half years until being able to open last month. Now he's baking every weekday morning, fueled by about 10 cups of coffee daily. McEnerney, who built some of the fixtures for the shop, opens it for business at 7 a.m., while Houston is still at his ovens; their lone employee comes in early as well. "I knew it would be well-received. I just didn't know how well," says Houston, who adds that his former colleagues are among his best customers. (When asked how many pounds he's helped some of them put on over years of being his guinea pigs and now his patrons, he says, "I won't ask, because I don't want to know.") He's already looking for a space for a production kitchen, perhaps in a suburban strip mall with a retail component, because he needs a home for the beloved 60-quart Hobart professional mixer that won't fit in his present space. He'd also like another storefront in an Albany neighborhood. The goal, some 15 years hence, is semiretirement on Cape Cod with a small bake shop in Provincetown. Until then, "I love seeing people's reaction when they first come in, first try something, but it's even better when they come back in day after day," he says. "It makes me want to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning the next day and do it all again." sbarnes@timesunion.com 518-454-5489 @Tablehopping http://facebook.com/SteveBarnesFoodCritic This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The name of the show, "Urinetown," is bad enough. But then there's the tagline for the upcoming production by Schenectady Light Opera: "It's a privilege to pee." "The first time I heard the title, I thought, 'That's disgusting,'" admits director Marc Christopher. "But then you see the show, and it's so much fun. It's a comedy about love in the world of politics, business and corruption." A brief synopsis explains that title. An American town has been under severe drought conditions for some 20 years. In order to discourage the consumption of water, private restrooms have been outlawed. When people have to do what people have to do, they're at the mercy of a big corporation that holds the monopoly on public amenities. Taking a leak anywhere else means imprisonment or worse. "The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer," explains Christopher. "In the midst of all that, there's a kind of 'Romeo and Juliet' tale." More Information If you go "Urinetown" When: Opens 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, and runs for six more performances through Jan. 29. Where: Schenectady Light Opera Company, 427 Franklin St., Schenectady. Tickets: $22-$28. Info: (877) 350-7378; http://www.sloctheater.org. See More Collapse Once again Schenectady Light Opera is working with a generous-sized cast. According to Christopher, "Urinetown" is often performed by a cast of 10 to 12 people, but the new production has 23 performers. Many of them perform multiple roles on both sides of the great economic divide. The division of populations is visually reinforced by the colors used in the new production. The poor are seen wearing gray colors against a black-and-white set. Christopher, who also painted the sets, describes the feel as "grungy" and akin to the look of a political cartoon. Contrast that to the corporate headquarters of the Urine Good Co., which is depicted in brilliant tones of gold and yellow. If that seems a little obvious, then you're catching on to how "Urinetown" works. "It's written like a melodrama where everything is played to the extreme," says Christopher. "The jokes are very campy, with actors facing the audience and mugging." Greg Kotis, who wrote the book and lyrics, got the idea for the script while traveling in Europe and encountering one pay toilet after another. "Urinetown" debuted in the New York International Fringe Festival in June 2001 and opened on Broadway less than two weeks after 9/11. It went on to win three Tony Awards, including best original score for composer Mark Hollmann. The theme of rich versus poor has brought comparisons to the agitprop works of the early 20th century, namely Kurt Weill's "Threepenny Opera" (1928) and Marc Blitzstein's "The Cradle Will Rock" (1938), which is being revived by Opera Saratoga in July. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. Numerous other Broadway shows of more recent vintage are both spoofed and honored throughout "Urinetown." From midcentury there's "Guys and Dolls," "West Side Story" and "Fiddler on the Roof," and from more recently there's "Evita" and "Chicago." The references come through the nature of the material, such as plot and situations, but also in overt borrowing or lifting of specific material that's redeployed in the book and the score. Finally, new productions of "Urinetown" tend to build on this rather postmodern device, with directors and choreographers adding in layers of still more shows. "Our Act I finale plays on 'Les Miserables,' 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar,'" says Christopher. "Our choreographer Trish Dembling pays homage to 'West Side Story' during 'Snuff that Girl,' which is a great dance number. There are so many shows that I just can't think of them all." If this is starting to sound like an evening-long feast for musical theater lovers, then you're again tuning in to at least part of the appeal of "Urinetown." But the material definitely stands on its own, while sometimes evoking moments of deja vu. "The way it's delivered by the cast, you'll enjoy it even if you don't know all the references," says Christopher. "It's such a funny show." Joseph Dalton is a freelance writer based in Troy. Over 300 local people enjoyed train trips to Limerick-on-Ice over the Christmas holidays. The North Tipperary Rail Community (formerly known as Nenagh Community Rail Partnership) began these annual trips 12 years ago. As their popularity has grown over the years, the event has grown from one date to three. We are delighted with the numbers who travelled and that it featured a mix of young and old, families and friends, said Nenagh organiser Virginia O'Dowd. Very often, these trips are the first introduction young people have to travelling by train. Some adults, too. Ms O'Dowd added: The partnership between North Tipperary Rail Community and Limerick on Ice also works very well. We would like to thank the management and staff for their co-operation and for giving our groups a reduced entrance fee. Events like this show the potential of our local line for similar events, such as community or school outings. Cloughjordan organiser Duncan Martin said: We had to run two trips to meet the demand. Seventy-four people traveled on the first day, 106 on the second. Irish Rail treated us to one of their newest Intercity Rail cars for the return trip. to accommodate the numbers in 'express train' comfort. This initiative was greatly appreciated. Mr Martin reported that many travelers were impressed by the fares: 6 adult return, with children at 3 - far cheaper than the fares stated on Irish Rail's website. These great value fares to Limerick apply every day except Sunday, from anywhere on the North Tipperary line. He hoped that the experience would encourage people to use the local line more often to visit Limerick - or Dublin. [January 11, 2017] 15,000th Supemarket Refrigeration System Retrofitted With Honeywell's Lower-Global-Warming Refrigerant JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) recently announced that the 15,000th supermarket has retrofitted its refrigeration systems with Honeywell's Genetron Performax LT, making the refrigerant one of the most widely adopted hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) retrofit products in recent years. Genetron Performax LT, also known as R-407F, was introduced in 2009, and is a non-ozone depleting and lower-global-warming refrigerant designed to replace R-404A, R-507, R-407A and R-22 refrigerants that are being phased out due to regulation in Europe aimed at reducing global warming impacts from refrigerants. It can be used in retrofits and new supermarket installations. During a long-term test conducted by ASDA, one of the leading supermarket chains in the United Kingdom, Genetron Performax LT consumed 9 percent less energy than systems using R-407A, and around 14 percent less than systems running R-404A in medium temperature. "The global refrigeration industry has made a major commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions(GHGs), as evidenced by the estimated EURO50 million in energy savings to-date that it has secured for customers. Genetron Performax LT has the best combination of capacity, GWP, efficiency and mass flow to help customes achieve energy saving and emission reduction," said Dr. Patrick Amrhein, marketing director for Honeywell Fluorine Products in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. Honeywell projects that by end of 2016, Genetron Performax LT has saved more than 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, equal to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from more than 5 million cars. "Indonesia is seeking for more energy efficient and environmental preferable refrigerant with the stringent requirements from the national government for sustainable development. We're confident that Genetron Performax LT will be an ideal solution for our Indonesian customers with its superior performance and meet Indonesia's growing demand," said David Chen, marketing director for Honeywell Fluorine Products in Asia Pacific region. In the EU, systems that were placed on the market before 2022 can be retrofitted with Genetron Performax LT, and service is available indefinitely. Genetron Performax LT can be used in new systems for commercial use below 40kW and in all industrial installations after 2022. Honeywell is committed to continuously developing the broad portfolio of low-global-warming-potential (LGWP) refrigerants that are available immediately to support customers' goals of reducing emissions. In addition to Genetron Performax LT, Honeywell offers a suite of products for liquid and gaseous blowing agents, stationary and mobile refrigerants, solvents and propellants. Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] ExaGrid, Next Generation Disk-Based Backup Storage Appliance Vendor, Reports Record Quarterly Revenue for Q4-2016 and Record Annual Revenue for 2016 Company announces best quarterly revenue in its history and achieves 12th consecutive cash positive quarter WESTBOROUGH, Massachusetts, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ExaGrid, a leading provider of disk-based backup storage with data deduplication solutions, today announced record revenue for Q4 2016. In addition, Q4 was the company's 12th consecutive cash positive quarter. ExaGrid grew double digits over the previous quarter and same quarter of the prior year as well as for the full year of 2016 over 2015. ExaGrid is growing faster than the overall market and continues to grow its market share position. Marking continued success in its upmarket move into enterprise accounts, ExaGrid also achieved a record number of six-figure new customer opportunities in the 4th quarter. "ExaGrid had a strong record quarter in both North America and EMEA, and was cash positive for the 12th consecutive quarter," said Bill Andrews, CEO and President of ExaGrid. "We are seeing a record number of customers move to ExaGrid's next generation approach from the first generation inline/scale-up deduplication appliances as well as from backup software with deduplication to dik. Customers that deal with the day-to-day complexities of backup understand the unique value that ExaGrid's scale-out architecture with landing zone brings to their data center environment." ExaGrid is the only second generation backup storage company that overcomes the three compute challenges of backup storage with data deduplication. All backup storage vendors reduce storage and bandwidth to varying degrees but provide slow ingest rates due to the fact that they perform data deduplication 'inline.' In addition, because they only store deduplicated data, restore speeds and VM boots are also very slow. ExaGrid's ingest is three times faster - and restores/VM boots are up to ten times faster - than its closest competitor. In addition, since each ExaGrid appliance adds compute with capacity, the backup window remains fixed in length as data grows. Only ExaGrid uses a scale-out architecture with a unique loading zone, which addresses all the scalability and performance challenges of backup storage. For the year 2016, ExaGrid: achieved a record bookings and revenue year maintained cash positive status across all four quarters and for the year overall announced the addition of three new strategic partnerships with Zerto, Nimble Storage, and Pure Storage won Storage Magazine's "Gold Product of the Year, Backup Hardware" was voted SVC Awards' "Product of the Year, Backup and Recovery/Archive" was rated #1 "Recommended Deduplicating Backup Appliance" in DCIG's 2016-17 buyer's guides "ExaGrid has over 300 published customer success stories on its website, which is more than all other vendors in the space combined," said Andrews. "This demonstrates how satisfied customers are with ExaGrid's architectural approach, product, and customer support." About ExaGrid Organizations come to us because we are the only company that implemented deduplication in a way that fixed all the challenges of backup storage. ExaGrid's second generation product offers a unique landing zone and scale-out architecture providing the fastest backup resulting in the shortest fixed backup window, the fastest local restores, fastest offsite tape copies and instant VM recoveries while permanently fixing the backup window length, all with reduced cost up front and over time. Learn how to take the stress out of backup at www.exagrid.com or connect with us on LinkedIn. Read how ExaGrid customers fixed their backup forever. ExaGrid is a registered trademark of ExaGrid Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Media Contact: Christine Murphy ExaGrid [email protected] 508-898-2872 x248 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151117/288171LOGO [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Seven out of 10 Consumers Globally Welcome Robo-Advice for Banking, Insurance and Retirement Services, According to Accenture Seven in 10 consumers around the world would welcome robo-advisory services - computer-generated advice and services that are independent of a human advisor - for their banking, insurance and retirement planning, according to a new report by Accenture (News - Alert) (NYSE:ACN). Yet, a large number of consumers still want human interaction for their more complex needs, leaving firms challenged with blending a physical presence with an advanced digital user-experience, as they look to integrate robot and human services. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005924/en/ The global Distribution & Marketing Consumer research by Accenture, which includes a survey of nearly 33,000 consumers in 18 countries and regions, found that the vast majority are willing to receive exclusively robo-generated advice for certain banking and insurance products. Consumers are now open to robo-advice to help determine which bank account to open (71 percent), which insurance coverage to purchase (74 percent), and how to plan for retirement (68 percent). Nearly four out of five (78 percent) consumers said they would welcome robo-advice for traditional investing, where the technology first emerged. Consumers also Expect First-Class Human Interaction However, the study also found that nearly two-thirds of consumers still want human interaction in financial services, especially to deal with complaints (68 percent) and advice about complex products such as mortgages (61 percent). Piercarlo Gera, senior managing director, Accenture Financial Services, said: "We found strong consumer demand exists today for robo-advice in all areas of financial services - banking, insurance and financial advice. While financial institutions may expect to benefit from internal cost reduction by providing customers with a 'robo' option, our research found that consumers also expect first-class human interaction. Successful financial services firms will therefore need a "phygital" strategy that seamlessly integrates technology, branch networks and staff to provide a service that combines physical and digital capabilities and gives consumers a choice." Consumers indicated the main attractions for using robo-advice platforms is the prospect of faster (39 percent) and less expensive (31 percent) services, and because they think computers/artificial intelligence are more impartial and analytical than humans (26 percent). The research found that the countries with the biggest appetite for robo-advice are in the emerging economies of Indonesia (92 percent), Thailand (90 percent, Brazil (86 percent) and Chile (84 percent) - all markets where it is already common to use a smartphone or other digital device as the primary vehicle for financial services interactions. Even in the countries with the lowest demand - Canada (56 percent), Germany (59 percent) and Australia (61 percent) - more than half of consumers surveyed said they are willing to use robo-advice. Non-traditional Providers Hold Strong Appeal The survey also found that consumers are willing to switch to non-traditional providers for financial services. Nearly one-third would switch to Google (News - Alert), Amazon or Facebook for banking services (31 percent), insurance services (29 percent) and financial advisory services (38 percent). For consumers aged 18 to 21 years old, the number willing to switch banking services to one of these companies only rises to 41 percent, indicating that many younger consumers see value in traditional financial institutions. Tech giants are not the only ones putting pressure on financial service firms; nearly the same percentage of global consumers would also consider switching to a supermarket or retailer for their banking (31 percent) and insurance (30 percent) services. Alan McIntyre, senior managing director, head of Accenture Banking, said: "Consumers expect nearly all of their transactions to be on par with the service they receive from GAFA (Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple (News - Alert)) companies, which poses a challenge for banks in particular. Banks need to create branches that provide an advanced digital experience combined with convenient locations, while also developing an online digital experience that can compete head on with the tech giants. The vast majority of today's consumers view their bank relationships as entirely transactional; in order to gain customer loyalty, banks have to be more assertive in using technology to provide tailored, personalized offerings when, where and how customers want them." Personalization The survey found nearly two-thirds of consumers are interested in personalized insurance (64 percent) and banking (63 percent) advice based on their individual circumstances, and when asked about wealth management advice, that increases to 73 percent. Nearly half of consumers (48 percent) want banks to play a supporting role in the purchasing process for non-banking products, such as a house or new car or services related to those purchases (i.e. insurance products, assistance with the sale and/or closing process). Consumers indicated that banks could assist with these important decisions by sending helpful information based on consumer location data, price range and other personal preferences. Data as Currency The survey also found that consumers are willing to share their data with financial services providers in exchange for benefits like less expensive and faster services. Globally, 67 percent would grant their bank access to more personal data, but 63 percent want more tailored advice and demand a priority service - such as expedited loan approvals - or a monetary benefit, such as more competitive pricing, in return for the information they share. More than half (57 percent) of consumers would grant their insurance provider access to personal data, but 64 percent want more tailored advice in exchange. Three consumer personas Accenture identified three distinct consumer personas from the research with specific characteristics around what they value most from their financial service providers, how they want to access services in the future, and how they would like to embrace digital innovation. Nomads: Highly digitally active group, ready for a new model of delivery, represents 39 percent of consumers surveyed, but significantly more in less developed economies, such as Brazil where Nomads were more than 60 percent Hunters: Searching for the best deal on price, represents 17 percent of consumers surveyed and tend to skew a little older Quality Seekers: Looking for high quality, responsive service and data protection, represents 44 percent of consumers The full report can be downloaded at www.accenture.com/FSConsumerStudy. Methodology Accenture surveyed 32,715 respondents across 18 countries and regions including the US, Canada, Benelux, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Nordic countries, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. Respondents were consumers of banking, insurance and wealth management services; they were required to have a bank account and an insurance policy and were asked if they used an Independent Financial Advisor, Wealth Manager or Asset Manager, with total financial advisory responses totaling 9,987. Respondents covered multiple generations and income levels. The survey was conducted during May and June 2016. About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions - underpinned by the world's largest delivery network - Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With more than 394,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005924/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Strong Employer Brands Lead To More Resumes And Lower Salary Requests From Job Candidates, According To Study MILL VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A recently published academic study finds that companies with positive online employee reviews may hold a recruiting advantage with job seekers as opposed to companies with neutral or negative reviews. The study, developed by University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain looked at whether online employee reviews influence job seekers' opinions of an employer, and finds that they do. In addition, the study uncovers how positive versus negative employee reviews can impact the quantity of job applicants an employer receives, salary requirements that candidates request, along with other job seeker behaviors and sentiments that can impact an organization's recruiting efficiency. To substantiate their findings, the authors used and studied online employee reviews on Glassdoor, one of the world's largest jobs, recruiting and employee review sites. Currently, Glassdoor offers millions of employee reviews and insights on more than 600,000 companies (including reviews of companies and ratings, CEO approval ratings, salary reports, interview questions and reviews, and benefits reviews) in 190 countries. More Interest in Applying to Companies with Positive Reviews One of the key findings from the study confirms that online employee reviews do matter to job seekers. The study's research concludes that workers view online reviews by employees as a reliable source of information, and that they form opinions and intentions to apply for jobs based on those reviews. In fact, participants said they are more interested to send their resume to a company after seeing a positive review versus a neutral or negative review (Figure 1). The study indicates that since job seekers are influenced by online employee reviews, companies concerned with attracting and retaining quality employees should pay attention to and engage with online reviews. Job Seekers Required Less Money to Work at Companies with Positive Reviews In addition to how online employee reviews influence people applying to jobs, the study also finds reviews carry salary implications. Participants in the study who were shown positive employee reviews required the smallest pay raises to work at that employer, as opposed to those who saw neutral or negative reviews. Participants shown positive reviews required an average pay increase of between 35-40 percent for a job similar to the one they are doing now. But participants shown neutral reviews of a company required a higher average pay increase (45-50 percent more), while those who saw negative employee reviews required an even higher pay increase (55-60 percent more) (Figure 2). This data shows that job seekers are willing to work for a lower salary at a company where employees are more satisfied in their jobs, according to online reviews. Reviews More Influential Than Awards The study also finds emloyees give more importance to online reviews than awards, categorized in the study as recognitions awarded to firms for their human resource management practices. The participants of the study agree that online reviews are more reliable than prizes and recognition awarded to a company. The authors further conclude that such prizes employers receive should be supported and accompanied by positive online reviews, to reinforce credibility. Unlike most other awards that require nomination, the annual Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards for the Best Places to Work is based solely on employee feedback gathered year round at thousands of companies. Employers Should Engage on Review Sites The authors of the study concluded that online reviews matter to job seekers, and companies should use sites like Glassdoor. First, the authors advise employers to visit sites like Glassdoor to post information about why people should consider working there, and update this information as necessary. This recommendation reinforces Glassdoor's own research that 74 percent of Glassdoor users are more likely to apply to a job if the employer actively manages its employer brand (e.g. responds to reviews, updates their profile, shares updates on the culture and work environment).[1] Second, the authors recommend that when negative employee reviews appear, employers should respond, including addressing the criticism and offering solutions already or soon to be implemented. Glassdoor's own data shows that nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of Glassdoor users agree their perception of a company improves after seeing an employer respond to a review. [2] Plus, one negative or one positive review alone does not make or break a job seeker's opinion of a company, as Glassdoor data shows that the majority of Glassdoor users read at least seven employee reviews before forming an opinion of a company. Third, the authors conclude that both positive and negative reviews should be used as an opportunity for companies to better understand and improve their HR and recruiting practices. Employer Brand Crucial In Tight Recruiting Market These findings come as many employers are facing a tougher recruiting climate. According to Glassdoor Chief Economist Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, the U.S. economy is currently experiencing one of its strongest job markets in a generation. For companies competing for top talent, a strong job market means that any advantage that can help boost recruiting matters. This report particularly underscores the importance of companies creating and maintaining a strong employer presence and practice on Glassdoor's platform. "This study is more proof that there is real value for employers in engaging on Glassdoor, and that an investment in your employer brand may be worth its weight in recruiting gold," said Kirsten Davidson, head of employer brand at Glassdoor. "This research, in addition to our own data, confirms that by simply monitoring an employer page, responding to reviews and making company updates on Glassdoor, companies can better compete in today's tight recruiting market." This academic report was conducted by Santiago Melian-Gonzalez and Jacques Bulchand-Gidumal with the Institute of Tourism and Sustainable Development at University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain. While the authors used Glassdoor online employee reviews to conduct their study with participants, the study was run independently without involvement from Glassdoor. EMPLOYERS: Check out Glassdoor's free eBook The Proven Value of Employer Brand. Claim your free Employer Account to respond to reviews, update your Glassdoor profile, receive basic HR analytics and more. Here's how you can use your free Employer Account to help manage your employer brand. INTERVIEWS: Glassdoor's head of employer brand, Kirsten Davidson, is available to provide commentary and best practice advice on how companies can build, manage and improve their employer brand to support recruiting and retention efforts. Please contact [email protected] to speak with a Glassdoor spokesperson. [1] Glassdoor Data Labs, August 2016 [2] Glassdoor Data Labs, August 2016 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. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/strong-employer-brands-lead-to-more-resumes-and-lower-salary-requests-from-job-candidates-according-to-study-300389145.html SOURCE Glassdoor [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Top 5 Vendors in the Stun Gun Market From 2017 to 2021: Technavio Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recent global stun gun market report. This research report also lists four other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005609/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global stun gun market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) Over the last couple of decades, the use of non-lethal weapons has been on the rise, due to concern over undesired fatalities from the use of lethal weapons. Along with other types of non-lethal weapons, like pellet guns, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades, the use of stun guns or CEW has been gaining acceptance among law enforcement agencies, riot control forces, and correction centers. Competitive vendor landscape The primary users of stun guns are law enforcement agencies and special forces who are shifting their focus from quantity to quality of impact. There is also an increased emphasis on the use of next-generation stun guns that are less hazardous to the health of the targets. Simultaneously, cost-efficiency remains as one of the major challenges that vendors may face during the production. "Maintaining a balance between cost and quality while providing adequate supply to address the requirement of the modern law enforcement agencies can be a significant challenge for the vendors. Therefore, vendors are required to ensure multidirectional raw material supply networks to avoid cost overrun and a shortage of raw materials," says Moutushi Saha, a lead defense analyst from Technavio. Similarly, the manufacturers of commercially available stun gun are also required to adhere to certain standards, both in the production and marketing. The increase in the use of commercially available stun guns has also raised concern among law-enforcement agencies. Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=55590 Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain mltiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Top five stun gun market vendors Euro Security Products (ESP) ESP produces and supplies a comprehensive array of security-related products and solutions to the law enforcement agencies and private citizens for self-defense applications. The company exports over 90% of the products to more than 30 countries across the globe. The company manufactures and markets stun guns and associated weapons primarily in the European countries including Germany, France, the UK, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Owing to the growing demand from Germany and France, the company has been engaged in enhancing its production capability to supply an adequate number of stun guns to the law enforcement agencies of countries. MARCH GROUP MARCH GROUP held a share of around 60% in the Russian civilian stun gun market as of November 2016, where it has been a major vendor since last 20 years. It supplies stun guns and associated components to over 150 private security providers across the globe. As of November 2016, the company had supplied over 200,000 stun guns and 170,000 shoot cartridges globally. The company, through its distributors and representatives, exports products to over 10 countries including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, France, India, Argentina, and Jordan. Nova Security Group Nova Security Group offers stun guns and associated devices to both law enforcement and private citizens in the US. The use of such devices in emergency situations delivers less lethal effects on the targets while incapacitating the targets. Shyh Sing Enterprise Shyh Sing Enterprise manufactures and sells stun guns like multi-function stun guns, mini stun guns, expandable stun guns, stun batons, and high voltage stun guns. The multi-function guns are integrated with pepper spray, flashlight, and alarm capabilities to ensure enhanced protection. The company offers stun guns to militaries, law enforcement agencies, and private security companies. TASER International The company designs, develops, and markets CEWs that transmit an electrical current to the suspect's body that affects the motor and sensory functions of the peripheral nervous system of the suspect. The advantage of using TASER weapons is a less lethal countermeasure against hostile individuals. As per the company's claim, since the launch of its first TASER weapon in 2000, it managed to prevent fatalities or serious injuries over 160,000 times as of December, 2015. Such weapons are used by the law enforcement agencies, military police agencies, correction centers, and private individuals. Browse Related Reports: Global Sensor-Based Gun Systems Market 2016-2020 Global Small Arms Market 2016-2020 Global Smoke Grenade Market 2016-2020 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 aerospace, homeland security, and space. 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, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005609/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 10, 2017] Health Tech Could be the Key to a Fitter, Healthier Workforce LONDON, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New online YouGov survey reveals a big majority (57%) of the British workforce would be open to monitoring their health with technology at work as long as their employer supplied a device to do so The majority want to 'get fit and keep fit' with encouragement from their bosses Only 5% of workers have already been provided with health tech by employers The workplace could be the best place for the mass adoption of health tech in the UK helping to improve and maintain employees' health through company wellness programmes - if only workers got more support from their employers. And, despite the recent explosion of health tech ownership in the UK, leading to lots of personal data being generated, there are doubts from data academics about whether this information is being used to the best effect by individuals alone.[1] The third annual AXA PPP Health Tech & You State of the Nation online survey shows that 57% of the British workforce would be open to wearing a company paid-for fitness band or similar device during working hours to help monitor their health and wellbeing, as long as this was supplied to them free of charge by their employer. This figure increases to nearly two-thirds (63%), if employers offer workers the device and a financial bonus for wearing it at work. However, only a small number of working Brits (5%) say their employer currently provides health technology to workers - despite the potential benefits. Data sharing One of the most surprising findings from this latest survey is that employees aren't shy about sharing their health data with their employers to help them improve the health and wellbeing of the workforce. Of those who would be likely to wear a fitness band at work, over half (58%) said they would be comfortable to share the data generated with their employer if it helped with the organisation's employee health and wellbeing programmes. Dr Chris Tomkins, Head of Proactive Health, AXA PPP healthcare, said: "The increased use of health tech within the workplace could so easily be a win-win for both employer and employee. For the first time it is possible to support an individual throughout their journey from better understanding of their health to actual improvements through smart digital platforms. Furthermore, there are often staff schemes with open platforms that enable individuals to use and share information from their own personal devices, ensuring their contribution is recognised. "Of course, some individuals are naturally concerned about how their data i used and employers are keen to have a clear separation between themselves and such personal data. Therefore, both employer and employee could benefit from the expertise of using an independent third-party provider who can ensure privacy." he said. The State Of The Nation survey was commissioned by AXA PPP healthcare as part of the AXA PPP Health Tech & You programme. Now in its third year, the YouGov survey questioned over 2,000 adults. The findings documented in this release relate to 1,249 working adults within the survey sample. Richard Cooper, Head of Digital Marketing, AXA PPP healthcare, states: "The findings of the State of the Nation survey suggest that most employees are open to wearing health tech in the workplace to monitor their health, fitness and wellbeing. During the last three years, the AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards programme has identified many new and emerging health tech innovations that we have not only been able to highlight but also share knowledge of with our members and with our client partners for the benefit of their employees via our Proactive Health Gateway service." "As part of our activities for 2017, we continue to seek the best in health tech and encourage developers, innovators and designers to enter this year's AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards programme." There are six categories for the Health Tech & You Awards programme 2017. Each has a distinct focus from identifying health tech that can support specific needs in society, having the most positive impact for health care providers and identifying individual innovators and organisations that are pioneers within the health technology for the benefit of individuals. Each of the six categories has its own judging and entry approach. To enter, please visit http://www.healthtechandyou.com. The closing date is Monday 16th January 2017. The Trending Award The Future Award AXA PPP Health Tech & You Challenge The Health & Care Professional ' s Choice The Health Tech & Age Award The Wow! Award AXA PPP Health Tech & You will be showcasing this year's finalists and winners at a dedicated exhibition at the Design Museum from the 25th April to 8th May 2017, offering visitors the chance to see and interact with the latest in health tech and innovation. Notes to Editors About the research Survey by YouGov All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,094 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29-30 November, 2016. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). About AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards 2017 There are six categories for the Health Tech & You Awards 2017. Each has a distinct focus from identifying health tech that can support specific needs in society, having the most positive impact for health care providers and identifying individual champions, innovators and organisations that are leading the health technology revolution for the benefit of consumers. Each of the six categories has their own judging and entry approach. The deadline for entries is Monday 16 January, 2017. About AXA PPP healthcare AXA PPP healthcare - one of the largest and most experienced private medical insurance providers in the UK - has been helping people to access healthcare services since 1940. Today it forms the UK healthcare arm of AXA and provides cover for medical and dental care for individuals and employers, and employee wellbeing, counselling, occupational health and rehabilitation services through its specialist Health Services division. AXA PPP healthcare has been named the Best Healthcare Provider for three years running in the Your Money Awards and, in June 2015, was awarded the prestigious accolade of European Large Contact Centre of the Year at the 2015 European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards, followed in September 2015 by the Best Customer Experience accolade in the Large Contact Centre category of the UK Customer Experience Awards 2015. References 1. Hansel, K., Wilde, N., Haddadi, H. and Alomainy, A. (2015) 'Challenges with Current Wearable Technology in Monitoring Health Data and Providing Positive Behavioural Support', MOBIHEALTH'15 Proceedings of the 5th EAI International Conference on Wireless Mobile Communication and Healthcare, pp. 158-161. http://www.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/~hamed/papers/mobi_health.pdf For further information on the State of the Nation Survey or the AXA PPP Health Tech & You programme please contact: Nina Bass - Trio Health on +44-(0)207-947-9635- [email protected] Chloe Nichols - Trio Health on +44-(0)207-947-9632 - [email protected] Visit the AXA PPP Health Tech & You website http://www.healthtechandyou.com Follow us on Twitter @healthtechyou #HealthTechAwards [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 10, 2017] Sungrow Wins a Contract Supplying 200MW PV Inverters to Blue Capital Management Co., Ltd. in Japan TOKYO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the world's leading PV inverter manufacturer, has recently signed an agreement with Blue Capital Management Co., Ltd, a Japanese developer, for the supply of 200 MW of central inverters in Japan. Tokyo-based developer Blue Power noted that they felt confident in the agreement "as Sungrow has excellent manufacturing operation and provides reliable inverters with proven quality". The plant will be completed in three years. And Blue Power plans to build total 500MW in the future. The project will employ Sungrow's SG2000 central inverter. The nverter features a containerized design which saves costs related to logistics and installation. The SG2000 enables all components to be accessed without entering the container, and like all other Sungrow products, reaches up to 99% efficiency. "Sungrow remains dedicated to bringing green and effective energy to markets in need all around the world. We will continue to offer class-leading products and services to our Japanese partners." said Professor Renxian Cao, President of Sungrow. About Sungrow Sungrow is the world's leading PV-inverter manufacturer with over 26GW installed globally. Founded in 1997 by the University Professor Renxian Cao, Sungrow is the global leader in research and development in solar inverters, with numerous patents and a broad product portfolio offering solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. With a 20-year track record of growth and success, Sungrow's products are available in over 50 countries, and have maintained a market share of over 30% in China. In 2015, Sungrow successfully occupied a over 20% market share in Germany. Sungrow topped the world with PV inverter shipments in 2015 totaling 8.9GW. To learn more about Sungrow, please visit http://www.sungrowpower.com. Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161228/0861614133 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 10, 2017] CohBar, Inc.'s CEO Simon Allen to Present at the 9th Annual Biotech Showcase in San Francisco CohBar, Inc. (OTCQX: CWBR and TSXV: COB.U), a preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing mitochondria based therapeutics (MBTs) to treat age-related diseases, announced today that the Company will present at the 9th Annual Biotech Showcase Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 11th, 2017 at 2:30pm Pacific Time. CohBar's Chief Executive Officer, Simon Allen, will discuss the Company's recent announcements about its clinical development program and its ongoing discovery of new biologically active peptides in the mitochondrial genome. About the Biotech Showcase Biotech Showcase is an investor and partnering conference devoted to providing private and public biotechnology and life sciences companies with an opportunity to present to, and meet with, investors and pharmaceutical executives in one place concurrently with the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, one of the industry's largest annual healthcare investor conferences. Investors and biopharmaceutical executives from around the world gather in San Francisco during this critical week, which is widely viewed as setting the tone for the coming year. About CohBar's Clinical Development Program CohBar's lead clinical development program is based on MOTS-c, a mitochondrial-derived peptide discovered in 2012 by the Company's founders and their academic collaborators, whose research has shown that MOTS-c plays a significant role in the regulation of metabolism. The Company has developed optimized analogs of the MOTS-c peptide, CB4209 and CB4211, as drug candidates for advancement into IND-enabling activities. These drug candidates have demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in preclinical models for the treatment of obesity, with additional ongoing studies to determine their therapeutic potential for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an dvanced form of fatty liver disease, and as an add-on to other drugs for the treatment of Type-2 diabetes. About CohBar CohBar (OTCQX: CWBR and TSXV: COB.U) is a preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on the research and development of mitochondria based therapeutics (MBTs), an emerging class of drugs for the treatment of age-related diseases. MBTs originate from the discovery by CohBar's founders of a novel group of peptides within the mitochondrial genome, which regulate metabolism and cell death and whose biological activity declines with age. CohBar's efforts focus on the development of these mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) into clinically relevant MBTs that offer the potential to address a broad range of age-related diseases, including obesity, fatty liver disease, Type-2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. To date, the Company and its founders have discovered more than 50 biologically active mitochondrial peptides. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements concerning the company's plans and prospects, including statements regarding potential development of MBTs into disease therapeutics. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including the possibility of unfavorable research results and CohBar's ability to obtain capital, retain key personnel, expand its research operations, and successfully advance its drug discovery and development programs. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian securities regulators, which are available on our website, and at www.sec.gov or www.sedar.com. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and CohBar does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. 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. For additional company information, please visit www.cohbar.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170110006487/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Sectra to Implement Unique Nationwide Telepathology Solution in the Netherlands LINKOPING, Sweden, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- International medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company Sectra(STO: SECT B) has signed a contract with the organization Pathology Projects (SPP) in the Netherlands to offer all 50 pathology labs in the country to connect to a shared telepathology solution. Sectra's cloud-based image-sharing solution will enable pathologists to efficiently share digital pathology images on a national scale. This is the first pathology project of its kind in the world. With the solution for efficient sharing of images, pathologists will be able to easily consult with other pathologists throughout the country or to ask for second opinions. The solution also makes a patient's previous images easily available, regardless of where the study was carried out. In addition, the solution makes information readily available for panel discussions and supports their execution. All in all, the nationwide telepathology solution could greatly improve cancer care in the Netherlands. The telepathology project was initiated by the Dutch Society of Pathologists (NVVP) and the nationwide network, Stichting PALGA. The project will be implemented by Sectra, together with the subcontractors Deutsche Telecom Healthcare Solutions and RAM IT. The Pathology Image Exchange solution is based upon a SaaS (Software as a Service) model. Pathology labs which choose to participate will be connected in the coming years. "Implementing a pathology solution on this scale requires integration between several different IT solutions throughout the 50 labs. Sectra's philosophy and proven track record of implementing standard-based integration is a core strength for us, which makes me extra proud to be part of this unique project," says Dr. Torbjorn Kronander, President and CEO of Sectra. Sectra's digital pathology solution Sectra provides a complete solution for primary diagnostics in pathology, including archiving and an advanced review workstation. The solution allows pathologists to make their diagnoses and carry out reporting with higher precision and less time spent per case, thereby improving cancer care. Sectra's high-end review workstation provides pathologists with the right environment and tools to perform their work in a digital system and to reduce the pain-points associated with time-consuming and labor-intensive manual workflow. Sectra's digital pathology solution also allows seamless sharing of digital slides and patient data in multi-hospital environments, enhancing the workflows around consultations, frozen sections and second opinions. In the US, digital pathology for primary diagnostics is still pending FDA approval. Read more about Sectra's digital pathology solution. CONTACT: For further information, please contact: Dr. Torbjorn Kronander, CEO and President Sectra AB, 46 (0) 705 23 52 27 Marie Ekstrom Tragardh, Executive Vice President Sectra AB and President Sectra Imaging IT Solutions, 46 (0)708 23 56 10 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/sectra/r/sectra-to-implement-unique-nationwide-telepathology-solution-in-the-netherlands,c2163766 The following files are available for download: http://news.cision.com/sectra/i/sectra-s-digital-pathology-solution,c2053442 Sectra's Digital Pathology Solution To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sectra-to-implement-unique-nationwide-telepathology-solution-in-the-netherlands-300389268.html SOURCE Sectra [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Accenture Helps Syngenta Transform its Global Logistics with New Digital Operating Model to Drive Efficiencies, Cost Savings and Improved Customer Experience Syngenta, a leading agriculture company, has collaborated with Accenture (News - Alert) (NYSE:ACN) to design and implement a new digital logistics operating model across all modes of transportation, including sea and air freight globally and road freight in North America and Europe. It will enable Syngenta to more effectively manage increasingly complex logistics networks and operations with lower costs and higher service performance. Accenture Strategy in collaboration with Syngenta Global Logistics designed a "4PL" global operating model that features a network of control towers coordinating regional and global transport orchestrated by external fourth-party logistics providers (4PL). These providers manage all transportation activities on Syngenta's behalf, leveraging their detailed logistics expertise and regional market knowledge. "In the current business environment, dominated by disruption, organizations need an operating model strategy that can totally transform how they deliver value to customers and shareholders," said Bernd Kreutzer, managing director, chemicals and natural resources, Accenture Strategy. "Taking advantage of an expanded ecosystem to bring in capabilities from partners, and employing a combination of cloud and analytics technologies to enable data-driven decisions in real-time, will help Syngenta drive innovation, efficiency and competitive advantage." The new model, implemented through the partnership of Accenture Consulting and the Syngenta Logistics team, will enable greater visibility through insightful dashboards, connected through a hybrid cloud. This will provide Syngenta with accurate, timely information about its logistics operations, with the aim of improving business insights, transport planning and delivery performance for its customers. "This new solution allows us to capitalize on external expertise that is otside our core business, bringing agility, global scale, and simplification to our global logistics program," said Marion Matthewman, Head of Global Logistics at Syngenta. "This will facilitate quick reactions to changing market conditions and enable future growth. In the process, it will reduce transport costs, contribute to our targets for carbon footprint reductions and help create a stronger customer experience." The strategic initiative is powered by a cloud-based supply chain collaboration platform, provided by GT Nexus. This network connects Syngenta's Enterprise Resource Planning Systems with its external logistics partners, holds all relevant data worldwide in a secure shared environment, and enables seamless data exchange and analysis. Syngenta will maintain the key logistics knowledge and data ownership for monitoring and governing these providers. "Our collaboration with Syngenta to combine local expertise and centralized control brings the company one step closer towards having a world-class logistics organization," said Matthias Hegele, managing director for Resources at Accenture in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. "The consolidated global data allows for greater application of analytics to help Syngenta achieve business insights for efficiencies and cost savings." Syngenta chose Accenture based on its deep industry and logistics expertise, its global reach and its ability to manage massive transformation projects end-to-end across continents. The global implementation across Syngenta's two business units follows a successful pilot in North America and Europe in October 2015. About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions - underpinned by the world's largest delivery network - Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With more than 394,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com. Accenture Strategy operates at the intersection of business and technology. We bring together our capabilities in business, technology, operations and function strategy to help our clients envision and execute industry-specific strategies that support enterprise wide transformation. Our focus on issues related to digital disruption, competitiveness, global operating models, talent and leadership help drive both efficiencies and growth. For more information, follow @AccentureStrat or visit www.accenture.com/strategy. About Syngenta Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more, visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005025/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Panopto Introduces the Easiest Way to Create Interactive Video Quizzes SEATTLE, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Panopto today announced the latest release of its enterprise video platform. The release continues Panopto's focus on interactive video with the introduction of a new quizzing tool. The quiz maker enables instructors to test comprehension, reinforce key concepts, and improve knowledge retention. Also included in the release are new video editing capabilities, inside-video search for German and Spanish, enhanced webcasting to mobile devices, and improvements to video captioning. Making it easy to create interactive video quizzes For teachers and trainers, quizzes provide instant feedback on learner comprehension and challenging course content. For students, online quizzes have been shown to significantly improve engagement and knowledge retention. With today's Panopto release, instructors can create an online quiz and add it to a video in under a minute. The Panopto quiz maker supports multiple choice, checkbox, and true/false questions. It supports the ability for students to retake quizzes, review grades, and learn more about correct answers. And it enables instructors to access real-time reports of student performance. "Interactive video helps people retain information by applying concepts that they've just learned," said Eric Burns, co-founder and CEO f Panopto. "With the introduction of video quizzing, students and employees can absorb new material at their own pace, and then transfer that knowledge to new contexts." Additional improvements across the platform Today's release of Panopto includes a number of additional updates, including: New video editing capabilities : Panopto's HTML5-based video editor now enables users to create custom preview images, add slide decks to existing video recordings, and synchronize individual slides within the video timeline. In addition, the editor now includes simple camera switching, allowing events to be recorded from multiple angles that can be changed in post-production using the Panopto editor. Automatic speech recognition for Spanish and German videos : Panopto's industry-leading Smart Search technology now supports two additional languages. This enables businesses and universities to automatically index the speech of German or Spanish-language videos uploaded to their Panopto video library. Users can then find and fast-forward to any word spoken within these videos. Webcasting to more mobile devices : Panopto now supports live streaming to Android devices. Building on its existing support for iOS live streaming, Panopto can now reach over 95% of the world's mobile devices with live video. More flexible video captioning : Customers can now access Panopto's automatic speech recognition technology for any recording and correct the machine-generated captions in the video editor. In addition, users can customize the color, position, and size of video captions during playback. All of the updates in today's release are available to existing Panopto customers at no additional cost. For more information on the release, check out the Panopto blog. About Panopto Panopto helps businesses and universities create searchable video libraries of their institutional knowledge. Since 2007, the company has been a pioneer in video capture software, video content management systems, and inside-video search technology. Today, Panopto's video platform is the largest repository of expert learning videos in the world. Headquartered in Seattle with offices in Pittsburgh, London, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Sydney, Panopto has received industry recognition for its innovation, rapid growth, and company culture. For more information, visit www.panopto.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/panopto-introduces-the-easiest-way-to-create-interactive-video-quizzes-300389128.html SOURCE Panopto [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] SunAmerica Mutual Funds Rebrand to AIG Funds American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) today announced the rebranding of its retail mutual fund family to AIG Funds from SunAmerica Mutual Funds, effective February 28, 2017. By rebranding its retail mutual fund family, AIG is able to provide financial professionals and consumers diversified investment and income products under a single brand. "We are committed to creating a leaner, more profitable and focused insurer," said Kevin Hogan, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of AIG's Consumer Insurance. "By aligning the SunAmerica brand more closely with AIG, we are able to leverage the strength and scale to build greater awareness and visibility among our core audience of financial professionals and consumers." The name and logo under which the retail mutual funds are marketed is being transitioned to the AIG brand. Each fund series, or registrant, will retain "SunAmerica" in its name. There will be no change to the retail mutual funds' adviser (SunAmerica Asset Management, LLC) or to the funds' investment goals or strategies, portfolio managers, ticker symbols or CUSIPs in connection with the transition. In addition to the product rebranding, a new website will be available on February 28, 2017 at www.aig.com/funds. Effective February 28, 2017, the funds will be named: SunAmerica Series, Inc. AIG Focused Dividend Strategy Fund AIG Active Allocation Fund AIG Multi-Asset Allocation Fund AIG Select Dividend Growth Fund AIG Strategic Value Fund SunAmerica Equity Funds AIG International Dividend Strategy Fund AIG Japan Fund SunAmerica Income Funds AIG Flexible Credit Fund AIG Strategic Bond Fund AIG U.S. Government Securities Fund SunAmerica Money Market Funds, Inc. AIG Government Money Market Fund SunAmerica Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. AIG Senior Floating Rate Fund SunAmerica Specialty Series AIG Commodity Strategy Fund AIG Glbal Trends Fund AIG Focused Multi-Cap Growth Fund AIG Focused Alpha Large-Cap Fund AIG Income Explorer Fund AIG Small-Cap Fund Funds are distributed by AIG Capital Services, Inc. (ACS (News - Alert)), a FINRA Member. More information can be found at www.safunds.com. Mutual funds are subject to risk including market risk as well as additional risks, which vary depending on the type of fund. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be higher or lower than the original cost. Investors should carefully consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. The prospectus, containing this and other important information, can be obtained from your financial adviser, or by calling the Sales Desk at 800-858-8850, ext. 6003. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading global insurance organization. Founded in 1919, today AIG member companies provide a wide range of property casualty insurance, life insurance, retirement products and other financial services to customers in more than 100 countries and jurisdictions. These diverse offerings include products and services that help businesses and individuals protect their assets, manage risks and provide for retirement security. AIG common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Additional information about AIG can be found at www.aig.com and www.aig.com/strategyupdate | YouTube (News - Alert): www.youtube.com/aig | Twitter (News - Alert): @AIGinsurance | LinkedIn (News - Alert): www.linkedin.com/company/aig. These references with additional information about AIG have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty, life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American International Group, Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aig.com. All products and services are written or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. Products or services may not be available in all countries, and coverage is subject to actual policy language. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties. Certain property-casualty coverages may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds, and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005370/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Verifone Announces the Sleekest, Most Advanced Multilane Payment Device Ever NRF Retail's BIG Show Booth #3543 - Verifone (NYSE:PAY), a leader in payment and commerce solutions, will debut the Verifone M400, the sleekest, the most advanced and intuitive multilane payment device ever, at the 2017 NRF Retail's Big Show in New York City. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005546/en/ Verifone M400- The Sleekest, Most Advanced Multilane Payment Device Ever. (Photo: Business Wire) Offline and online commerce are rapidly converging. Brick & mortar retail models are rapidly changing. And consumers are increasingly demanding simple, fun and secure experiences no matter where or when they shop. Multilane merchants need a platform capable of supporting their vision for the future including digital offers, loyalty and payment, targeted marketing and seamless omni-channel connectivity. Verifone designed the M400 to enable this for its department store, specialty retailer, grocery store, hotel, quick service restaurants and convenience store clients. "The M400 represents an entirely new level of design innovation for multilane merchants," said Glen Robson, EVP of Verifone Solutions. "We have the advantage of working with the world's best retail brands, and leading technology companies. And we spent countless hours working with our clients and partners to develop a device capable of fueling their vision for the future of retail commerce." Welcome to Advanced Commerce The Verifone M400 is designed to serve as a cornerstone of a complete vertical solution. It will easily integrate with Verifone's Point Payment Solutions; Verifone Estate Manager (formerly VHQ); the Verifone Commerce Platform; Verifone e-Series mobile devices; and other Verifone Engage family devices. The M400 expands on the success of Verifone's industry-leading MX series while incorporating new innovations and features for unprecedented investment protection, consumer engagement capabilities, and a seamless transition for merchants using MX 900 series devices. Benefits for merchants include: Accept any payment: EMV-capable, with integrated NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for acceptance of all popular mobile wallets EMV-capable, with integrated NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for acceptance of all popular mobile wallets Safe and secure: fully-supported PCI (News - Alert)-certified device, compatible with Verifone end-to-end encryption and tokenization solutions for multi-layered security fully-supported PCI (News - Alert)-certified device, compatible with Verifone end-to-end encryption and tokenization solutions for multi-layered security Designed for consumers: sleek design, smaller footprint than Verifone MX series devices, and an enhanced, multi-touch, intuitive user interface sleek design, smaller footprint than Verifone MX series devices, and an enhanced, multi-touch, intuitive user interface A marketing machine: stunning 5-inch display, split screen capabilities, increased memory to support full-motion video and hi-resolution graphics stunning 5-inch display, split screen capabilities, increased memory to support full-motion video and hi-resolution graphics In-store targeting: Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support for identifying consumers and delivering personalized offers via beacons Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support for identifying consumers and delivering personalized offers via beacons Build once, port multiple: highly secure Linux-based OS, development tools and App Marketplace, seamless porting of MX900 series to M400 highly secure Linux-based OS, development tools and App Marketplace, seamless porting of MX900 series to M400 Backwards compatibility: Verifone MX clients can leverage their existing installation to simplify upgrades (e.g.: cable, stand), saving on unnecessary costs Verifone MX clients can leverage their existing installation to simplify upgrades (e.g.: cable, stand), saving on unnecessary costs Retail ready: extreme durability for high-traffic multilane environments "The Verifone M400 is an impressive solution that is ideal for meeting the growing demands of merchants and consumers in markets such as the Nordics that are serious in their efforts to drive advanced commerce," said Hans Petter Hoel, CEO of Retail Payment, a Norway-based payment acceptance platform provider owned by the country's leading retailers. "Our common goal is to ensure that future payments are customer-friendly, secure and cost efficient. As Retail Payment introduces an open omni-channel platform to the market as the de facto standard infrastructure for future payments, innovations such as the M400 improve the customer experience in store." Demo the Verifone M400 at the NRF Retail's Big Show, January 14-17 in New York City. It will be available mid-summer 2017, initially in the U.S. and Norway. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for VeriFone Systems, Inc. This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs and on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of VeriFone Systems, Inc., including many factors beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those associated with: successful rollout of our new M400 solution, execution of our strategic plan and business initiatives and whether the expected benefits of our plan and initiatives are achieved, short product cycles and rapidly changing technologies, our ability to maintain competitive leadership position with respect to our payment solution offerings, our assumptions, judgments and estimates regarding the impact on our business of the continued uncertainty in the global economic environment and financial markets, our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our business and operations, our ability to protect against fraud, the status of our relationship with and condition of third parties such as our contract manufacturers, distributors and key suppliers upon whom we rely in the conduct of our business, our dependence on a limited number of customers, the conduct of our business and operations internationally, our ability to effectively hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, and our dependence on a limited number of key employees. For a further list and description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the operations of our business, see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date such statements are made. Verifone is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise. About Verifone Verifone is transforming everyday transactions into opportunities for connected commerce. We're connecting payment devices to the cloud-merging the online and in-store shopping experience and creating the next generation of digital engagement between merchants and consumers. We are built on a 35-year history of uncompromised security with approximately 29 million devices and terminals deployed worldwide. Our people are known as trusted experts that work with our clients and partners, helping to solve their most complex payments challenges. We have clients and partners in more than 150 countries, including the world's best-known retail brands, financial institutions and payment providers. Verifone.com | (NYSE:PAY) | @verifone View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005546/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Atom Tickets Partners With UberEATS For Free Private Screenings Of New Movie "The Founder" LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the innovative movie ticketing platform Atom Tickets announced that it is partnering with UberEATS, the on-demand food delivery network powered by Uber, to host six free private screenings of the upcoming film The Founder. The screenings will take place in six different cities across the Western U.S. and are presented in association with the film's distributor The Weinstein Company. The advanced film screenings will take place on National Popcorn Day, January 19, 2017, at local theaters in Dallas, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. Reservations for the screenings will be available exclusively to UberEATS app users in the six locations on a first-come, first-serve basis starting January 15. A reservation includes two free tickets to the advanced private screening, free round-trip Uber rides to and from the theater plus a free popcorn and drink. Atom Tickets is a game-changing mobile app and website that is revolutionizing the movie ticketing industry to make movie experiences faster, easier and more social than ever. Atom lets users pre-order movie tickets and concessions and provides a VIP experience that includes bypassing lines at theaters. The user-friendly platform also lets moviegoers watch trailers, read reviews and coordinate movie outings with friends while allowing each person to pay separately with just a few simple taps. "Atom Tickets and UberEATS both simplify everyday activities and save people time, and we're really proud to be collaborating with a company that we admire," said Matthew Bakal, executive chairman and co-founder of Atom Tickets. "We're excited to treat these communities to this exceptional movie while supporting a fellow app in the process. It speaks to the forward-thinking culture we're creating at Atom." This is the first partnership between Atom Tickets and UberEATS, a top food delivery app that leverages the Uber technology to quickly deliver quality food from local restaurants in over 50 cities across the world. "At Uber, we are committed to providing a unique, customer-focused experience. This special promotion and partnership with Atom Tickets offers users a fun way to experience this food focused movie and celebrate National Popcorn Day," said Allen Narcisse, General Manager for UberEATS Southern California. THE FOUNDER private screenings will be held at the following locations: Dallas (AMC Northpark 15) Los Angeles (ArcLight Santa Monica) Orange County (Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21) San Diego (AMC Fashion Valley 18) San Francisco (AMC Van Ness 14) Seattle (Regal Meridian Place 16) The Founder is the true story of how Ray Kroc, played by Michael Keaton, maneuvered himself into a position to buy the 1950s burger operation of Mac and Dick McDonald and create a billion-dollar fast food empire. The movie is scheduled to release nationwide on January 20. For those unable to participates in these special events, Atom Tickets is gifting new customers $5 off their purchase of movie tickets to see The Founder nationwide at Atom enabled theaters when they use promo code "FOUNDER" starting January 20. How Atom Tickets Works: Atom Tickets re-imagines the most convenient way for users to plan a night out at the movies. The free app and website provide relevant reviews, trailers and synopses to help customers make the best decision on what to see. Moviegoers may then invite friends (via Facebook or their contact lists) to purchase their own tickets to join them. Atom offers streamlined ordering of tickets and concessions from any Android or iOS phone. At the theater, users go directly to the ushers and concession counters, where they simply scan a QR code at tablet kiosks. Paper tickets and IOUs have been replaced by Atom's innovative platform, which keeps all plans, messaging, payment and tickets in one place. About Atom Tickets: Atom Tickets is the first-of-its-kind theatrical mobile ticketing platform. Through its patent pending recommendation and personalization technology, Atom Tickets allows consumers to search for films instantly, invite friends, buy tickets, pre-order concessions and more. Enabled on 15,000 screens across the U.S., the platform's innovative marketing capabilities help studios, exhibitors and brands maximize revenue opportunities. Atom Tickets is available as a free app in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store and online at atomtickets.com. About UberEATS: UberEATS is an on-demand food delivery network, powered by Uber. We partner with the best local restaurants to get you the food you want, delivered at Uber speed. What started in 2014 as a small food delivery pilot in Los Angeles is now available in over 50 cities around the globe through a stand-alone app and ubereats.com. Customers can enjoy fast and reliable delivery from thousands of restaurants serving everything from sushi, to pizza, to healthy staples, and every cuisine in between. About The Weinstein Company: The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein. During Harvey and Bob's tenure at Miramax and TWC, they have received 351 Oscar nominations and won 82 Academy Awards. Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; SCRE4M; SPY KIDS: THE KING'S SPEECH; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; THE MASTER; SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK; DJANGO UNCHAINED; SCARY MOVIE 5; LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER; PHILOMENA; THE IMITATION GAME; PADDINGTON; WOMAN IN GOLD; SOUTHPAW; CAROL; THE HATEFUL EIGHT; SING STREET, HANDS OF STONE, and LION. Upcoming releases include THE FOUNDER, and GOLD. TWC boasts an active television production division which garnered twelve Emmy nominations in 2015. TWC Television produces the reality powerhouse Project Runway, with its spin-off series Project Runway All Stars, hosted by Alyssa Milano, Project Runway Jr, featuring supermodel Hannah Davis and fashion critic Kelley Osbourne Under The Gunn, and Threads. Scripted series include John Fusco's Marco Polo with Netflix, going into its second season, and War & Peace, which debuted on Lifetime, A&E and HISTORY in 2016. Scripted projects in development include Ten Commandments, Daniel Stashower's The Hour Of Peril and military drama Six. TWC will also launch several new projects in 2016 across several networks, including MTV, Lifetime, and AMC. Atom Tickets Press Kit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atomtickets Twitter: https://twitter.com/atomtickets Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomtickets/ Atom Tickets PR Contacts: Jackie Crystal Shannah Miller Rogers and Cowan Atom Tickets [email protected] [email protected] 310-854-8157 310-779-9800 UberEATS PR Contact: Eva Behrend [email protected] 323-839-9391 The Weinstein Company PR Contact: Emma Parker 212-845-8690 [email protected] For more information on The Weinstein Company, please visit: Twitter Facebook Instagram Official Website To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atom-tickets-partners-with-ubereats-for-free-private-screenings-of-new-movie-the-founder-300389202.html SOURCE Atom Tickets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Goodwin Boosts Private Equity and Funds Platform with the Addition of a Significant Private Investment Funds Team in London Goodwin, a leading Global 50 law firm, announced today the expansion of its Private Equity and Private Investment Funds practices with the appointment of six new partners, 15 associates and five trainees in the London office, all of whom join from the London office of King & Wood Mallesons ("KWM"). The group comprises the bulk of the market-leading and former SJ Berwin investment funds team and includes Michael Halford, Ed Hall, Laura Charkin, Shawn D'Aguiar, Patrick Deasy, and Ajay Pathak. These specialists join Goodwin as partners. "A fully built-out, integrated private investment funds offering is instrumental to the continued growth of Goodwin's international private equity practice," said David Evans, Chair of Goodwin's European offices. "We are very fortunate to have attracted this remarkable team of fund experts for the benefit of Goodwin's fund management and investment clients. We look forward to welcoming Michael, Ed, Laura, Shawn, Patrick, Ajay, and their colleagues to the Goodwin family." "With the addition of this talented group of lawyers, we reinforce Goodwin's commitment to providing truly sector-wide private funds formation coverage to clients across multiple gographies," said A.J. Weidhaas, Co-Chair of Goodwin's Private Equity Practice. "This talented team joins our growing international private equity platform of more than 150 lawyers, and - coupled with a number of other recent appointments across Goodwin's offices - significantly augments our leading private equity, real estate and investment fund formation capabilities." The group brings the following expertise to Goodwin: Michael Halford specializes in private equity and investment fund structuring and acts for managers and investors covering a wide range of funds, incentive schemes and coinvestment arrangements. He served as Head of Investment Funds at KWM. specializes in private equity and investment fund structuring and acts for managers and investors covering a wide range of funds, incentive schemes and coinvestment arrangements. He served as Head of Investment Funds at KWM. Ed Hall specializes in the formation of private equity funds, acting for both general partners and investors. He has a particular focus on mid-market and large private equity funds, infrastructure funds and carried interest/coinvestment arrangements. specializes in the formation of private equity funds, acting for both general partners and investors. He has a particular focus on mid-market and large private equity funds, infrastructure funds and carried interest/coinvestment arrangements. Laura Charkin is a fund taxation expert with deep experience in structuring private funds, executive incentivization arrangements, and investment management platforms. is a fund taxation expert with deep experience in structuring private funds, executive incentivization arrangements, and investment management platforms. Shawn D'Aguiar specializes in private equity and investment fund structuring and formation. He covers a wide range of funds including emerging markets, Shariah-compliant funds, incentive schemes and co-investment arrangements. specializes in private equity and investment fund structuring and formation. He covers a wide range of funds including emerging markets, Shariah-compliant funds, incentive schemes and co-investment arrangements. Patrick Deasy regularly acts for limited partners and has particular expertise in emerging markets, infrastructure, private equity real estate and renewable energy funds. He served as Co-Head of the Africa Group at KWM. regularly acts for limited partners and has particular expertise in emerging markets, infrastructure, private equity real estate and renewable energy funds. He served as Co-Head of the Africa Group at KWM. Ajay Pathak advises hedge fund managers, private equity houses, financial institutions, broker-dealers, custodians, clearing and settlement agents, and trading platforms in the hedge funds, financial markets, private equity and infrastructure sectors. He also led KWM's India Business Group. Goodwin's London presence has grown to more than 75 lawyers. On January 9, the firm moved to a new office building at 100 Cheapside, EC2, more than doubling its previous space at Tower 42. About Goodwin At Goodwin, we use law to achieve unprecedented results for our clients. Our 900 plus lawyers across the United States, Europe, and Asia excel at complex transactions, high-stakes litigations and world-class advisory services in the financial, life sciences, private equity, real estate, and technology industries. We partner with our clients to practice law with integrity, ingenuity, agility and ambition. To learn more, visit us at www.goodwinlaw.com and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at @goodwinlaw and on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005656/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Artificial Intelligence Startup Makes Breakthrough towards Image and Object Recognition POTOMAC, Md., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Z Advanced Computing, Inc. ("ZAC") makes technical breakthrough towards Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI), where the various attributes and details of objects can be recognized in images efficiently, enabling a multi-tier deep image search in a wide variety of applications. "The unique features of our technology can give Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Baidu, Facebook, and other search engine companies the capability to discover a lot more details about the objects in images," said Dr. Bijan Tadayon, CEO of ZAC. "Our revolutionary image recognition technology can also help Walmart, Target, Staples, Amazon, Alibaba, E-Bay, JD.com, and other e-commerce or online retailers find products in their inventories, just from images. Furthermore, it can help Uber, Nissan, Google, Nvidia, Tesla, Volvo, Toyota, and other autonomous car companies extract more details from the surrounding of driverless cars. We are also very proud that our technology can in the near future help medical imaging companies, like Siemens and GE, detect medical abnormalities in images for better diagnosis," said Dr. Saied Tadayon, CTO of ZAC. Following an angel round of funding in 2014, ZAC obtained funding from the State of Maryland (TEDCO) in 2016 for its shoe recognition platform. ZAC has an impressive team of scientists and developers. The software development is headed by Saied Tadayon, a veteran software developer and scientist, who got his PhD from Cornell at age 23. One of ZAC's inventors is Prof. Lotfi A. Zadeh ("The Father of Fuzzy Logic"), a pioneer computer scientist at U.C. Berkeley. Other world-renowned advisors include Prof. David Lee (Nobel Laureate in Physics), Prof. Mory Gharib (Vice Provost of Research for Caltech), Prof. Robert Buhrman (Sr. Vice Provost of Research for Cornell), Prof. Ronald Yager (Director of the Machine Intelligence Institute), Prof. Mo Jamshidi (Founding Director of NASA Center for Autonomous Control Engineering at Univ. of Texas), and Dr. Marv Langston (First CIO of US Dept. of Navy). ZAC's intellectual property portfolio comprises over 450 inventions, including 10 issued US patents, which cover Machine Learning and Image and Pattern Recognition. Contact: Bijan Tadayon, PhD, JD CEO, Z Advanced Computing, Inc. Tel.: 301-294-0434 [email protected] www.ZAdvancedComputing.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artificial-intelligence-startup-makes-breakthrough-towards-image-and-object-recognition-300388976.html SOURCE Z Advanced Computing, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Adam Davis Joins oTMS as VP of Managed Services SHANGHAI, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Adam Davis, former General Manager of C.H. Robinson TMC (APAC), announced on January 6, 2017 that he would join oTMS, which will celebrate its fourth anniversary this year. Adam will be the VP of Managed Services in oTMS, overseeing its Managed Services which consists of three parts: SaaS TMS, Transportation Process Management and Consulting Sevices. Different from the traditional forms of transportation outsourcing, Managed Services is a type of management outsourcing based on TMS that helps clients maximize the value of SaaS TMS, implement Process Management, and continuously improve the transportation performance with professional tools and Data Mining. In this area, TMC, as the core department of CH Robinson serving its key accounts, is one of the leaders in the world. As for the scope of Managed Services, clients are responsible for carrier selection, price negotiation, and contract signing, while outsourcing the management of the whole transportation process to TMS. This includes order creation, data cleansing/verification, order assignment, in-transit tracking, exception management, and bill reconciliation. Adam joined C.H. Robinson in 2000, and had held various management positions for 16 years in different functions; involving Business Development, Operational Management, and Strategic Accounts Management. Since August 2010, Adam had been the General Manager of TMC Asia Pacific, of which 5 of those years were spent in Shanghai where he was responsible for the business development and accounts management in APAC, and aligning TMC's Global Service with management of C.H. Robinson's North America, Europe and South America divisions. Based on the 16-year experience in C.H. Robinson, Adam believes: "As the middle class continues to grow in China and throughout Asia their demand for goods will increase at an exponential rate. This will challenge companies to be more efficient in all aspects of their business in order to stay relevant in a hyper-competitive market place, and especially so withi their supply chains. A best practice that the best-in-class companies are leveraging is the implementation of a TMS. The implementation of a TMS allows a shipper to execute their transportation processes with greater automation and efficiency, which results in increased hard and soft savings. To take these savings to the next level many shippers are procuring managed services from a third-party to execute their transportation processes, which allows them to have an increased core focus on their business. For many companies implementing a TMS plus managed services is the ideal solution to achieve their supply chain goals and to ensure their network is optimized and as efficient as possible." When commenting on his decision to join oTMS, instead of seeking other opportunities, Adam said: "As the demand for TMS solutions continues to grow in China, oTMS has quickly become a market leader since their inception in 2011 and I am very excited to join their leadership team. The entrepreneurial culture led by Mirek and David with a focus on the customer and creating a best-in-class product is what really attracted me to oTMS. The great growth of the company over the past five years has been very impressive and I look forward to working with the rest of the leadership team to continue this trend." The joining of Adam is an important step for oTMS in improving its new ecosystem. Several days ago, oTMS announced launching its first product in Managed Services - Transport Control Tower which follows closely recent product launches like oSuper, RFQ platform, Insurance, and Finance. This Managed Services product focuses on maximizing the clients' benefits for internal use, while helping them strengthen the process control, and using all kinds of data to machieve continuous optimization. So far, all the products for oTMS' new ecosystem have all been unveiled: Omni-Channel TMS; oSuper: the logistic solution for Municipal Commercial Circle, to connect the seller in the upstream and to empower the courier/o2o distributor in the downstream; E-RFQ: the online bidding platform, offering better experience in powerful bidding tools, high quality resources, and in-depth intuitive data tools; Insurance: insurance for the whole process of the transportation, to offer an guarantee for different stakeholder in this supply train, and say bye-bye to duplicate insurance Finance: quick loans for maximizing the value of corporate data, enabling digital credit and stabilizing the clients' capital chain. Transportation Control Tower: Business Process Outsourcing Moreover, while these products can work together as a whole to bring synergy, they can also be used independently and connected to each other later on. For Example, BESTSELLER, LiNing, and Toredo have been longtime users of Otms before onboarding oSuper, while Balabala adopted oSuper first before moving to SaaS TMS fulltime. Likewise, YIHAI KERRY and Whaley were powerusers of oTMS SaaS before opting for RFQ platform, while Goodbaby implements RFQ platform first and then connected to SaaS TMS. This phenomenon is more typical in insurance products, as we can see that the value of policy for merchandise from contracted enterprises, has exceed 5 billion RMB just in a few weeks after its launch, and most of these enterprises are user of SaaS TMS. This forms a continuously improving ecosystem for oTMS, just like a well-managed shopping center which offers diverse features to attract consumers; including restaurants, fashion retailers, toys stores, bookshops and etc. In turn, these various shoppers come together and become connected and synergized. For more information, please visit: www.otms.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adam-davis-joins-otms-as-vp-of-managed-services-300389403.html SOURCE oTMS Transport Connected [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Exelon Appoints Thomas S. O'Neill as Senior Vice President and General Counsel Exelon today announced that Thomas S. O'Neill has been promoted to senior vice president and general counsel. O'Neill was formerly senior vice president, Energy and Regulatory Policy and general counsel at Exelon utility ComEd. While at ComEd, O'Neill played a key role in the development and passage of two major pieces of Illinois legislation, the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2011 and the Future Energy Jobs Bill, passed in 2016. Prior to joining ComEd, O'Neill served as senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer of Exelon Transmission Company, and held leadership roles with Exelon Nuclear Partners and Exelon Nuclear. In his new role, which he assumed on January 1, O'Neill will serve as the top legal advisor to Exelon's senior management and oversee the company's legal and corporate governance departments. O'Neill replaces Darryl Bradford, who retired at the end of 2016 after a 13-year career with the company. O'Neill will report to William A. Von Hoene, Jr., Exelon's seior executive vice president and Chief Strategy Officer. "Tom's broad knowledge of the business, strategic approach and proven leadership will be a great asset to the company as we continue to lead the transformation of the energy industry through a focus on innovation, technology and investment in smart energy infrastructure," said Chris Crane, president and CEO, Exelon. O'Neill received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and his law degree from University of Notre Dame Law School. Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC) is a Fortune 100 energy company with the largest number of utility customers in the U.S. Exelon does business in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Canada and had 2015 revenue of $34.5 billion. Exelon's six utilities deliver electricity and natural gas to approximately 10 million customers in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania through its Atlantic City Electric, BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO (News - Alert) and Pepco subsidiaries. Exelon is one of the largest competitive U.S. power generators, with more than 32,700 megawatts of nuclear, gas, wind, solar and hydroelectric generating capacity comprising one of the nation's cleanest and lowest-cost power generation fleets. The company's Constellation business unit provides energy products and services to approximately 2.5 million residential, public sector and business customers, including more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100. Follow Exelon on Twitter (News - Alert) @Exelon. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005747/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] ABLYNX INITIATES THE PHASE IIb "RESPIRE" STUDY OF ITS WHOLLY-OWNED, FIRST-IN-CLASS, INHALED ANTI-RSV NANOBODY, ALX-0171, FOR THE TREATMENT OF RSV INFECTIONS IN HOSPITALISED INFANTS ALX-0171 is a first-in-class inhaled Nanobody developed for the treatment of RSV infections ALX-0171 was safe and well tolerated in a Phase IIa study in hospitalised infants with a RSV infection ALX-0171 had an immediate and significant impact on viral replication and an encouraging initial therapeutic effect in a Phase IIa study in hospitalised infants with a RSV infection[1] GHENT, Belgium, 11 January 2017 - Ablynx [Euronext Brussels: ABLX; OTC: ABYLY] today announced that it has dosed the first patient in the Phase IIb "RESPIRE" dose-ranging efficacy study of ALX-0171, its novel inhaled drug candidate to treat RSV infections. Topline results from this Phase IIb study of inhaled ALX-0171 are expected in the second half of 2018. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections and the leading viral cause of severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide. It is the primary cause of infant hospitalisation and virus associated deaths in infants, with estimated global annual infection and hospitalisation rates of 34 million and 3-4 million respectively[2]. Current treatment of RSV infections is primarily focused on symptomatic relief, hence the need for an effective and specific anti-RSV therapeutic. This Phase IIb study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international, multicentre dose-ranging study of three different doses of inhaled ALX-0171 in approximately 180 infants (aged 1-24 months) diagnosed with RSV and hospitalised for a lower respiratory tract infection. ALX-0171 will be administered once daily for three consecutive days. The study consists of a sequential dose escalation part, which is expected to enrol approximately 36 infants, followed by a parallel part in which approximately 144 infants will be randomly assigned to one of the three dose groups of inhaled ALX-0171, or placebo. The primary endpoint of the study is to evaluate the anti-viral effect of treatment measured in nasal swabs. Secondary endpoints include safety, pharmacokinetics, clinical activity with assessment of composite clinical scores such as the Global Severity Score (using data on feeding intolerance, medical interventions, respiratory distress, apnoea, general condition and fever)[3], and time to clinical response (i.e. time needed to achieve adequate oxygen saturation and oral feeding ). Dr Edwin Moses, CEO of Ablynx, commented: "Ablynx is a pioneer in the development of a specific treatment for RSV infections. The start of this efficacy study in hospitalised infants with a RSV infection is another important step forward. If recruitment goes to plan then the study is expected to be completed in the first half of 2018 with results anticipated by the end of 2018." About the RESPIRE study The primary objective of the recently reported first-in-infant Phase I/IIa study in 53 hospitalised RSV-infected infants, aged 1-24 months, was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of an inhaled dose (1.5 mg/kg) of ALX-0171, administered once daily for three consecutive days. The results from this study demonstrated that ALX-0171 was safe and well tolerated, had a significant and immediate impact on viral replication and that it had an encouraging initial indication of therapeutic effect. The benign safety profile of inhaled ALX-0171 observed so far supports the study of increased doses of inhaled ALX-0171 in the Phase IIb RESPIRE efficacy trial, to evaluate the maximum potential of this novel drug candidate and to support selection of the optimal dose for future development and commercialisation. The RESPIRE study will consist of two parts. The first part will be a sequential dose escalation that will include three cohorts of 12 subjects each of whom will be randomly (3:1 ratio) assigned to receive inhaled ALX-0171 or inhaled placebo. The first cohort will evaluate the safety of inhaled ALX-0171at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg. After the last subject in this cohort has completed treatment, an independent data monitoring committee (DMC) will review the safety data and advise the Company on proceeding to the next cohort with a dose of 6.0 mg/kg, and the same procedure will then be used prior to the third cohort which will be dosed at 9.0 mg/kg. Recruitment will be paused while the DMC reviews each data set. Following completion of the sequential dose escalation part, the remaining 144 subjects will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to one of the three dose groups of inhaled ALX-0171 (3.0 mg/kg, 6.0 mg/kg and 9.0 mg/kg) or inhaled placebo. Subjects will receive once daily doses for three consecutive days and the total study duration per subject will be 28 days. The primary endpoint of the study is to evaluate the anti-viral effect of inhaled ALX-0171 measured in nasal swabs, which will be determined by the time needed for the viral load (as assessed by plaque assay) to drop below the quantification limit. Secondary endpoints include safety, pharmacokinetics, clinical activity with assessment of composite clinical scores such as the Global Severity Score (using data on feeding intolerance, medical interventions, respiratory distress, apnoea, general condition and fever)[4]; and time to clinical response (i.e. time needed to achieve adequate oxygen saturation and oral feeding ). About RSV and ALX-0171 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections and the leading viral cause of severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide. It is the primary cause of infant hospitalisation and virus associated deaths in infants, with estimated global annual infection and hospitalisation rates of 34 million and 3-4 million respectively2. It is associated with an estimated 3,000-8,500 deaths in infants <2 years globally per year[5], and it has been linked to an increased risk of asthma development later in life[6]. Current treatment of RSV infections is primarily focussed on symptomatic relief, hence the need for an effective and specific anti-RSV therapeutic. Ablynx's ALX-0171 has been developed to address this unmet medical need and is a potential breakthrough for the treatment of RSV infection. This wholly-owned trivalent Nanobody binds to the F-protein of RSV, thereby inhibiting viral replication and neutralising RSV activity by blocking virus uptake into cells. The physical robustness of the Nanobody allows administration via inhalation directly to the site of infection, i.e. the respiratory tracts. ALX-0171 has shown a potent anti-viral effect against a broad range of RSV strains in vitro and it has demonstrated a marked therapeutic effect following administration via nebulisation in a neonatal animal model for infant RSV infection[7]. Repeated daily inhalation of ALX-0171 was proven to be well-tolerated in multiple Phase I clinical studies in adults and a Phase I/IIa study in hospitalised infants with a RSV infection. In addition, repeated daily inhalation of ALX-0171 had an immediate and significant impact on viral replication and an encouraging initial therapeutic effect in a Phase I/IIa study in hospitalised infants with a RSV infection. About Ablynx Ablynx is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of Nanobodies, proprietary therapeutic proteins based on single-domain antibody fragments, which combine the advantages of conventional antibody drugs with some of the features of small-molecule drugs. Ablynx is dedicated to creating new medicines which will make a real difference to society. Today, the Company has more than 45 proprietary and partnered programmes in development in various therapeutic areas including inflammation, haematology, immuno-oncology, oncology and respiratory disease. The Company has collaborations with multiple pharmaceutical companies including AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eddingpharm, Genzyme, Merck & Co., Inc., Merck KGaA, Novartis, Novo Nordisk and Taisho Pharmaceuticals. The Company is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. More information can be found on www.ablynx.com. For more information, please contact Ablynx: Dr Edwin Moses CEO t: +32 (0)9 262 00 07 m: +32 (0)473 39 50 68 e: [email protected] Marieke Vermeersch Director IR & Corporate Communications t: +32 (0)9 262 00 82 m: +32 (0)479 49 06 03 e: [email protected] Follow us on Twitter @AblynxABLX Ablynx media/analyst relations FTI Consulting: Julia Phillips, Brett Pollard, Mo Noonan, Matthew Moss t: +44 20 3727 1000 e: [email protected] [1] Webcast presentation of 3 May 2016 [2] Nair et al, Lancet 2010 [3] Based on the ReSVinet Scale: Justicia-Grande et al, Plos One, June 2016 [4] Based on the ReSVinet Scale: Justicia-Grande et al, Plos One, June 2016 [5] Byington et al, Pediatric 2014 [6] Sigurs et al, Thorax 2010; Backman et al, Acta Pediatr 2014 [7] Oral presentation at the 9th International RSV Symposium (November 2014); presentation available on the Ablynx website Attachments: //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/56e5b828-4894-4a4f-9430-c7fbeca5e3fd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Ransomware Protection Market by Solution, Service, Application, Deployment, Organization Size, Vertical, Region - Global Forecast to 2021 LONDON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "The rise in phishing attacks and security breaches will drive the ransomware protection market" The ransomware protection market size is expected to grow from USD 8.16 billion in 2016 to USD 17.36 billion by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.3% during the forecast period. The ransomware protection market is driven by factors such as rise in phishing attacks and security breaches, and emergence of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model. Whereas, the availability of free anti-ransomware tools, may limit the growth of the ransomware protection market. "Secure web gateway solution is expected to have the largest market share, during the forecast period" Secure web gateway solution is expected to contribute the largest market share in the ransomware protection market, during the forecast period. As web and internet access to employees is business critical and cannot be avoided, enterprises have been encouraging the application of secure web gateways for real time protection against dynamic malwares such as ransomware and enforcement of strong company policies. "Managed services segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during forecast period" Both SMEs and large enterprises are rapidly growing their partnership networks to deploy the ransomware protection solutions across the globe. Thus, the managed services segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. However, professional services segment is expected to have the largest market size in 2016. "Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period" APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the high secuitry spending by nterprises in major countries such as China, Australia, India, Singapore, and Japan, for ransomware protection. Furthermore, North America is expected to have the largest market size in 2016, as they are the early adopters of the security technologies. In-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs, marketing directors, innovation & technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the ransomware protection market. - By Company Type: Tier 1: 55%, Tier 2: 20%, Tier 3: 25% - By Designation: C-Level: 60%, Director Level: 25%, Others: 15% - By Region: North America : 10%, Europe : 20%, APAC: 40%, RoW: 30% The report includes the study of key players offering ransomware protection solutions such Intel Security, Symantec Corporation, Trend Micro, FireEye, Sophos, Bitdefender, Kaspersky Lab, Malwarebytes, Zscaler, SentinelOne, and others. Research Coverage: The report provides a picture on ransomware protection solutions and associated services across different verticals and regions. It aims at estimating the market size and future growth potential of this market, across different segments such as solution, services, application, deployment mode, organization size, verticals, and regions. Furthermore, the report also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market along with their company profiles, SWOT analysis, recent developments, and key market strategies. Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall ransomware protection market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitor landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses, and to plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities, in the ransomware protection market. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4604333/ 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 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ransomware-protection-market-by-solution-service-application-deployment-organization-size-vertical-region---global-forecast-to-2021-300389486.html SOURCE ReportBuyer [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Pixium Vision Achieves Implantation of 10 Patients in Its Clinical Trial with Its Innovative 150 Electrodes IRIS II Bionic Vision System Regulatory News: Pixium Vision (Paris:PIX), a company developing and commercializing innovative bionic vision systems with the intention to allow patients who have lost their sight to lead more independent lives, announces completion of 10 implants in its IRIS II study. All implanted patients will now follow their re-education program as defined in the ongoing European multi-centric study for IRIS II which was launched in January 2016. Khalid Ishaque, CEO of Pixium, said: "The completion of enrollment demonstrates important interest in our innovative IRIS II bionic vision system. Many in the ophthalmology and artificial vision community look forward to the interim updates which can be expected later in 2017 which will be important for Pixium Vision's development of retinal implant systems. The company is dedicated to conceive, develop and bring meaningful bionic vision innovations to surgeons, which shall enable them to treat patients who have lost sight to retinal dystrophies." ABOUT IRISII IRISII is a bionic vision system equipped with a bio-inspired camera and a 150 electrodes epi-retinal implant with a proprietary design intended to be explantable and eventually upgradable for patients who have lost sight due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). The Company received CE mark for IRISII at the end of July 2016, enabling Pixium to launch its commercial activities subject to reimbursement availabilities. CE mark approval for IRISII system enables the company to file for national reimbursements. The Company is working initially with public reimbursement authorities for innovative technologies for medical devices in France (under "Forfait Innovation") and in Germany (with NUB). ABOUT THE CLINICAL STUDY The study referenced NCT02670980 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov) evaluates performance and safety of IRISII in 10 patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, Usher Syndrome, Cone-Rod dystrophy, choroideremia will be included and followed for a minimum of 18 months, with additional 18 months follow-up, subject to patient consent. The IRISII clinical trial, initiated in January 2016, is a multi-centric, open label, non-randomized prospective Eurpean study to assess effectiveness of the IRISII bionic vision system as treatment intended to compensate for blindness, by eventually providing a form of perception for blind persons and enabling them greater autonomy and quality of living. The trial is conducted in prestigious ophthalmology centers in France, the UK, Spain, Austria and Germany. http://www.pixium-vision.com/en/clinical-trial/participating-centers ABOUT PIXIUM VISION Pixium Vision's Mission is to create a world of bionic vision for those who have lost their sight, enabling them to regain partial visual perception and greater autonomy. Pixium Vision's bionic vision systems are associated with a surgical intervention as well as a rehabilitation period. The company is developing two bionic retinal implant systems. IRISII, the company's first bionic system, obtained CE mark in July 2016. In parallel, Pixium Vision has recently completed the pre-clinical study phases for PRIMA, a sub-retinal miniaturized wireless photovoltaic implant platform, and is planning to initiate first-in-human trials. Pixium Vision collaborates closely with academic and research partners spanning across the prestigious Vision research institutions including the Institut de la Vision in Paris, the Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory at Stanford University, and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. The company is EN ISO 13485 certified. For more information, please visit: www.pixium-vision.com; And follow us on: Twitter: @PixiumVision; Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/pixiumvision LinkedIn (News - Alert): www.linkedin.com/company/pixium-vision Pixium Vision is listed on Euronext (Compartiment C) in Paris ISIN: FR0011950641; Mnemo: PIX IRIS is a trademark of Pixium-Vision SA Pixium Vision shares are eligible for the French tax incentivized PEA-PME and FCPI investment vehicles. Disclaimer: This press release may expressly or implicitly contain forward-looking statements relating to Pixium Vision and its activity. Such statements are related to known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could lead actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements to differ materially from Vision Pixium results, financial conditions, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Pixium Vision provides this press release as of the aforementioned date and does not commit to update forward looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a description of risks and uncertainties which could lead to discrepancies between actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements and those contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer to Chapter 4 "Risk Factors" of the company's Registration Document filed with the AMF under number R16-033 on April 28, 2016 which can be found on the websites of the AMF - AMF (www.amf-france.org) and of Pixium Vision (www.pixium-vision.com). IRIS is a trademark of Pixium-Vision SA View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005902/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] Netherlands Minister for Economic Affairs and Dutch Prince Strengthen Economic Ties With Silicon Valley SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Executives from two dozen California companies convened last night with Netherlands Minister for Economic Affairs, Henk Kamp, Prince Constantijn van Oranje and other members of a Dutch delegation who visited Silicon Valley this week to spur major tech companies and early-stage entrepreneurs to invest in Holland. The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), which helps international companies establish and expand operations in the Netherlands, organized an investment dinner at the Silicon Valley Capital Club to discuss the Dutch investment climate. Attendees included executives from Dolby, GoPro, LinkedIn, Netflix, Oracle, DuPont, Applied Medical, Google, Uber and other California companies that have business facilities in the Netherlands. The dinner was part of an economic mission to California led by Netherlands Minister for Economic Affairs Henk Kamp. Prince Constantijn, who serves as Special Envoy for Startups, was the guest of honor at the dinner. TechCrunch recently called the Netherlands "The World's High-Tech Startup Capital." With the Netherlands an Silicon Valley both at the forefront of innovation, Minister Kamp and NFIA officials met privately during the week with a number of California companies with existing operations in the Netherlands. With a strong reputation for being pro-business and a strategic gateway to Europe for North American companies, the Netherlands attracted numerous high-profile investments from the U.S. and Canada in 2016. Official results will be released at the end of January, but projects included construction of a new Medtronic facility in Heerlen, which will add 140 jobs to the existing 1,000 employees at the company's adjacent Center of Excellence; an announcement by Oracle that it will open its new Cloud Sales Center in Amsterdam in June 2017, adding 450 jobs there to those already at its European headquarters in Utrecht; and Canadian start-up Handle Hands announced in October that it will establish its European headquarters in Rotterdam. Continuing the momentum, Willamette Valley Company (Wilvaco) announced at the dinner that it will establish manufacturing operations in the Netherlands in 2017. Based in Eugene, Oregon, the company develops coatings, fillers, paints and other solutions for a wide variety of applications. "Silicon Valley companies value the Dutch business proposition and have found our country to be fertile ground for growth," said Jan-Emile van Rossum, Executive Director for NFIA North America. "The Netherlands offers remarkable technology strengths, world-class infrastructure, a highly educated workforce that speaks English fluently, a creative mindset and supportive corporate tax structure. The Netherlands has become a beacon of trust, with our stable business environment and NFIA's commitment to long-term collaboration with our current investors," he continued. "That's why so many companies are going Dutch and NFIA North America has supported more than 2,200 companies with their expansions to Europe." The NFIA has offices in North America in Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, New York City, San Francisco and Toronto. For more information, visit www.investinholland.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netherlands-minister-for-economic-affairs-and-dutch-prince-strengthen-economic-ties-with-silicon-valley-300389644.html SOURCE Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 11, 2017] New Innovative In-home Treatment Program for Addiction Comes to New Hampshire Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire announced today it is offering coverage for an innovative new drug and alcohol addiction treatment program located in Bedford. Aware (News - Alert) Recovery Care has shown a high rate of success in Connecticut, and has been called the future of addiction treatment by Yale researchers1. Based on the outcomes in Connecticut, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield urged Aware to expand in New Hampshire. "The ongoing opioid epidemic has cast a bright light on the importance of treatment capacity and access. That is why we have worked to not only increase access, but to actually build treatment capacity by expanding our network of substance use disorder providers," said Lisa Guertin, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire. "Our collaboration with Aware Recovery Care continues those efforts and has been driven by a shared spirit of innovation to meet the challenges of this very serious problem. We are very excited about supporting Aware's addiction treatment programs as they provide new, evidence-based options for our members, delivered in the home setting, where they are likely to be of most benefit." "We are excited that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire will be providing its members the opportunity to experience successful addiction recovery in the privacy and security of their homes," said Steve Randazzo, CEO and founder of Aware Recovery Care. "Recovery from addiction is possible - when the problem is properly treated as a chronic disorder for an extended period of time." Research in New England reveals that 87 percent of patients admitted to detox units have previous admissions; over half have been there more than five times.2 Similar data exists for long term residential programs where 75 percent of patients have been there multiple times. Recent studies by leaders in addiction medicine show that those who can maintain abstinence from alcohol and drugs for a full year gain a much better chance of achieving sustained recovery.3 How the program works: Extensive research has shown that receiving medical care and monitored support in the home promotes faster recovery, improves outcomes, and increases the patient's overall physical and psychological well- being. Aware Recovery Care provides private, personalized care for people seeking individualized drug and/or alcohol addiction rehab treatment while living in their own homes. For those currently receiving inpatient care, Aware Recovery Care provides a seamless home transition. Built on the visiting nurse model, Aware Recovery Care provides a multi-disciplinary team for each client. The Aware Recovery Care multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team for each client is led by an addiction psychiatrist and supported by an addiction nurse, a licensed marriage and family therapist, an individual therapist, and a certified recovery advisor (CRA). These care-teams will be dispatched in New Hampshire's six southern counties to deliver advanced addiction rehab services in the home. The goal of the team is to assist each client learn the new skills and daily habits they must have to lead lives free of alcohol and/or drugs - in the comfort and privacy of the communities where they live. "For most of the last 75 years, addiction treatment has been defined as a process involving a fixed amount or duration of treatment, such as a week in detox or a month in rehab, in the steadfast belief that this approach will 'fix the problem,'" said Steve Randazzo, Chairman and Founder of Aware Recovery Care. "Working with addiction specialists at Yale, Aware Recovery Care has developed a new model that provides private and comfortable care for people seeking individualized addiction treatment while living in their own homes." Aware Recovery Care clients experience the freedom and independence of outpatient care with the intense diagnostic curriculum and accountability of inpatient care. 1 "The substance abuse treatment industry will completely change within the next ten years, and Aware Recovery Care will be at the forefront." Ellen Lockard Edens MD, MPE Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Director of the Addiction Psychiatry Residency - Yale University School of Medicine 2 The Gosnold Treatment Center, a National Council member, reports that in its home state of Massachusetts, 87 percent of patients admitted to detox units have been there before. Of the 215,000 days patients spent annually in detox, half were accounted for by patients with five or more previous stays. 3 Kirshenbaum AP, Olsen D, Bickel W, A quantitative review of the ubiquitous relapse curve. J Substance Abuse Treatment. 2009;26:8-17 About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire is available at anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/AskAnthem or twitter.com/AnthemPR_NH, on Facebook (News - Alert) at facebook.com/AskAnthem. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111006073/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The experiences of five former speakers of the Legislature show there's very little new under the dome of the state Capitol, despite the tendency with term limits to think each year is unique. Their message at an event at the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel, hosted by First Five Nebraska, was relationships and a willingness to jump in to solve big problems provide the best outcomes. During their 17 combined years as speakers, they oversaw state financial difficulties, big questions on sales, income and property taxes, fights over state aid to education, messy legislation and daily challenges that came from the mix of personalities elected from across the state. Doug Kristensen, speaker from 1997 to 2002, said the first half of his first session as speaker, senators did not move a bill past second reading. He felt like a failure, he said. Then an ice storm hit and the 28 members there began to focus on the priorities. "It's hard for me to remember every fight," he said. "I remember the process." Mike Flood, speaker from 2007 to 2012, came in with the first wave of term limits and dealt with hot issues such as a botched safe haven law; the One City One School District move by Omaha Public Schools to absorb 25 schools in other districts within the Omaha city limits; and major legislation on the death penalty, wind energy and groundwater. But it was how senators worked to get things done that defined his tenure. "I saw what worked and what didn't work," he said to the audience, which included many current senators. He worked with several members who stewed and wrung their hands on every vote, trying to decide how that vote would help them get to the next step in their political careers, he said. They took no chances, they followed the safe course and listened to the polls. And the minute it got sticky, they were nowhere to be seen. Those who do that end up forfeiting one of the best experiences of their lives, on the hope of a better opportunity down the road, Flood said. Problems don't get fixed if senators don't jump in, take a chance, and put their names on the line long enough to sort through the facts and find a solution, he said. Galen Hadley, speaker from 2015 to 2016, said what he'll miss most in the Legislature are the many people he met in eight years that he would never have known otherwise. And Kermit Brashear, speaker in 2005 and 2006, said every day on the legislative floor, even if it was a bad day, was a great day. "I can't describe it any other way than having fun," he said. All the speakers talked about the importance of early childhood education, for which First Five Nebraska advocates. Curt Bromm, speaker in 2003 and 2004, spoke from personal experience about adopting a child at age 4 from Nicaragua who suffered from severe malnutrition and neglect. She is doing well now as an adult, he said. "But those first four years were a terrific challenge to overcome," he said. "So if you can make the first four years better, you've just got a whale of a lot better chance of realizing your potential." There are scores of robot kits designed to help children and teens learn about science and engineering. However, many of these sets use proprietary technology like Lego pieces or littleBits modules that students will never encounter once they graduate to the world of adult electronics. Enter STEMI Hexapod, a very powerful $349 build-it-yourself robot that employs the same standard motors, circuits and boards that makers use in the real world while also teaching you how to use each part. (Image credit: STEMI Hexapod (Credit: Jeremy Lips)) The Hexapod the first product from Croatian startup STEMI looks like an electric crab as it walks along the floor on six highly-articulated legs. Each leg has three different servo motors, for a total of 18. The robot's brain is an Arduino-compatible microcontroller, the same kind that many serious developers use. A rechargeable battery promises one hour of walk time. MORE: The Best Drones and Quadcopters on Any Budget Designed for users aged 14 and up, the Hexapod comes with a series of detailed instructional videos that teach you how to put the robot together, control it and even program it. Though you may have to screw some parts together, the robot does not require any soldering. STEMI Co-Founder Josip Vukicevic told us that some students have completed the initial build in as little as 5 to 6 hours. After you've put the Hexapod together, you can move it around or make it dance, using an Android or iOS app on your phone. The device itself connects via Wi-Fi. (Image credit: STEMI Hexapod (Credit: Jeremy Lips)) More ambitious users can expand the robot by adding additional sensors or appendages. In a brief demo at the company's CES booth, Vukicevic showed us a Hexapod with a gripper arm he had added to it. You can also create your own applications for the robot and write them in C or Java. So far, STEMI has only shipped 150 Hexapods and most of them have gone to schools in Croatia, Vukicevic said. However, the company plans to send out a few hundred more units to early backers this spring, with mass production coming by the end of 2017. You can pre-order a device from the next batch by signing up for the wait list on STEMI's website. (Image credit: STEMI Hexapod with extra sensors (Credit: Jeremy Lips)) Though the Hexapod is simple enough for a teenager to build, the kit is definitely flexible and intriguing enough for an adult. No matter how old you are, you'll have a lot to learn from STEMI's kit. CHECK THIS QUICK TOP 5 OF KANSAS CITY ADVANCES UNDER PREZ OBAMA!!! - Obamacash and national streetcar efforts powered Kansas City's toy train . . . - A host of Kansas City activists were inspired by the rise to power of the Prez . . . - There was that "GREEN" trunk company that is going bankrupt. . . - Kansas City has it's own HEALTH LEVY just like Obamacare and it'll probably last longer . . . - Sadly, "post-racial" Kansas City never materialized and neither denizens of the left nor right are counting on much mutual culture war understanding in the next 4 years . . . WILL KANSAS CITY DO BETTER UNDER PREZ TRUMP THAN PREZ OBAMA??? For better or worse, tonight the nation listens to Prez Obama's farewell remarks.Checkit:Aftermath:Accordingly . . .And so we turn it over to our blog community . . .You decide . . . EU diplomats worry that Turkey will be able to affect EU affairs through the Turkish-Cypriot constituent state As a new round of negotiations on the resolution of the Cyprus dispute is about to start in Geneva, there are growing voices inside the EU that point out the dangerous possibility Turkey will be able to influence EU policies through the Turkish-Cypriot constituent state after a possible solution. EU diplomats are warning that Turkey will not miss such an opportunity, thus holding Europe on an indirect political captivity. It is well known that the Turkish-Cypriot community leaders are totally depended and controlled by Turkey, especially after the crack down that followed the failed coup has made clear to everyone that whoever goes against the will of President Erdogan is running the risk of simply ending up in jail The sources from Brussels do not hesitate to use the word Trojan Horse when talking about a post-solution island. The problem is that Turkey demands as part of the solution the provision of a veto to all decisions by the minority Turkish-Cypriot state. That in turn could result to Turkey, via Cyprus as an EU member state, vetoing European decisions! The negotiations will start again in Geneva this Thursday, January 12th. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report The Chief of Police informed the two politicians The Greek Minister of Public Order Nikos Toskas called the leader of the main opposition political party New Democracy to inform him of Roupas plans. Earlier he had spoken to ex-Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. According to the evidence found in terrorist Pola Roupas hideouts, her team was following the two politicians mapping their moves and routines. In the hideouts they found notes with sensitive security details. License plates, addresses of offices and homes, routs etc. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Work has started on the sub-sewerage network in AAli Road 4812- Block 748 in Bahrain as part of a key government initiative to improve infrastructure in the kingdom. The project involves extension of 820m long main connections, 700m long sub-connections besides construction of 70 inspection chambers and linking of 50 houses and real estates to the network in Block 748, said Asma Murad, the sanitary engineering assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning. The BD153,371 ($403,948) project was awarded to Tylos Excavations Company. The project, which aims to connect 50 real estates to the network, is considered to be part of the Ministrys Strategic Plan for the Sanitary Sector.-TradeArabia News Service SSG Matthew Ryan Bauer, joined us in this world on September 1, 1980. He was 36 years old when he found his eternal rest on January 5, 2017. Matt was a loving and devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, comrade and friend. Matt continued his education at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. He went on to become a journeyman electrician at Kidwell in Lincoln. He enjoyed spending time at the lake with family and friends. He was a runner who liked training with his faithful companion, "Hutch". He often ran for charitable causes and events that were important to him. Matt was a "mamma's boy and wanna be country boy" whose heart and contagious smile, will be missed by many. His courageous and joyful spirit will never be lost. SSG Matthew Bauer, enlisted into the Nebraska Army National Guard on September 12, 1998. He answered America's call and served two tours in support of "Iraqi Freedom". During his service he was awarded two Army Accommodation medals; an Army Achievement medal and the Army Good Conduct medal. He was proud of his 18 years of service to his country. We are forever indebted to him for his servant leadership to our country. Matt is survived by his loving family; wife Jaimy Bauer, parents Kimberly and Myron Gerdes, sister Catherine Gerdes, sister and brother in-law Amanda and Christopher McEntarffer, nephews Jason and Jacob McEntarffer, brother and sister in-law Justin and Lori Bauer, niece Zoe Bauer and Michael Bauer, Matt's father. The family will be present for visitation to greet friends and relatives from 5-8 p.m. on January 12, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln NE 68512. Matt's memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on January 13, at the same location. There will be an open luncheon from 12-3 p.m. to honor Matt, at the VFW, Miller Long Post #3606 at 3340 West A Street, Lincoln, NE 68522. Memorials suggested to the family for later designation. Condolences may be left at lincolnfh.com. Residents of the UAE can now apply for visas to Belgium at the new visa application centre launched in Abu Dhabi. The centre was inaugurated by Dominique Mineur, Ambassador of Belgium to the UAE, on January 10. Abu Dhabi is the second city in the Middle East, after Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, where applicants can seek visa to Belgium. The launch of a Belgium Visa Application Centre in Dubai will follow at a later date, a statement said. As part of our focused commitment towards the global rollout of Belgium Visa Application Centres, VFS Global launched the centrally located and modern centre in Abu Dhabi, for increased convenience and ease of visa applicants travelling from the UAE. The new centre in Abu Dhabi is located at the Joint Visa Application Centre, Level 25, Shining Tower, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, Adjacent to Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi. Services at this location commenced on the December 12. VFS Global offers visa services for 25 client governments in the UAE, since commencement of operations in the region in 2004. The centre's helpline is: +971 (0) 42055716 and email: [email protected] Speaking at the launch, Mineur said: The launch of the new Visa Application Centre is a step forward in Belgiums goal to serve our clients in a better and quicker way. Abu Dhabi is the first step and Dubai will follow. Our collaboration with VFS Global is also part of a more global plan to promote Belgium as an interesting country for tourism and business. Our collaboration with VFS Global is a long lasting and based worldwide, and I am convinced that together we can achieve these goals. Vinay Malhotra, COO Middle East & South Asia, VFS Global, said: We are honoured to partner with the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium and further extend visa services in Abu Dhabi. It is also a great privilege to be a part of the journey towards advancement of travel between the beautiful country of Belgium and the UAE. We are confident the centre will help us achieve our common goal of providing added convenience and accessibility to UAE residents applying for a visa to Belgium. - TradeArabia News Service Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Good morning, everyone! The winds have changed, so were driving a little more. It was still dark outside as the lights flashed on inside the bus to illuminate this stranger who had just joined us. Dont worry, you can go back to sleep, he said. In groggy confusion, I was vaguely aware that our plans had changed. The wake-up call had come at 5:00 that morning at our hotel in Punta Cana, which really isnt so early for a hot air balloon ride, but the whir of the bus engine and the quiet of the Dominican Republic countryside had lulled us back to sleep. But now I was awake. As we continued on, I wondered what this adventure would bring. Id been lucky to experience hot air balloons a handful of times before, so I was ready for the lightness at takeoff and the surge of the fire that would come as we rose. Any anxiety Id ever had was replaced by eager anticipation long ago. But as much as the mechanics of balloon rides are similar, each is unique. From the mass of baskets filling the sky as we sailed over Turkeys fairy chimneys to the do-it-yourself approach we experienced in the suburbs of Lithuania, every ride has a story. As the black night sky turned to the deep blue of early morning, the story of our ride in the only hot air balloon in the Caribbean was just beginning to unfold. After another half-hour of driving, the paved roads wed been on turned to the rutted, packed dirt paths cutting through the sugar cane fields. We passed through the workers community, watching families in the midst of their morning routines until the road ended in an open field. In the middle was a giant basket and a team already hard at work prepping for our ride. Quickly, our group tumbled from the van ready to photograph the sun just beginning its ascent above the horizon. The bright colors of the balloon spilled over the field. We were a lot of excitement and a bit of a spectacle as we rolled into this working community. Within moments, the field was ringed by adults and children all wondering at our unusual presence and the gradually growing balloon. It didnt take long before the balloons massive basket began to tip upright. We jumped in and within a few seconds were grazing the tops of the sugar cane as we began to climb and the spectators on the ground waved goodbye. For over an hour, we floated over the eastern part of the Dominican Republic. We gazed at the white buildings of Higuey and hovered over the ponds. We watched the mountains in the distance and saw our shadow move over the ground below. We passed trees that looked like broccoli from our vantage point in the sky, sometimes hanging low over fields that seemed almost within reach. While we floated, our pilot Luis told us about his passion for flying and his training with the famous balloon pilots in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The struggle to start his business in the Dominican Republic was a long one, but he persevered because he wanted to share his love of flying and his love of his country with visitors to the Caribbean. With all the natural beauty in this part of the world, Luis is the only one who can show guests an aerial view like this. During our hot air balloon ride, we seemed to attract the attention of almost every living thing on the ground. Chickens and cattle scattered as we passed overhead. Dogs let us know what they thought about our being there. We watched as nature responded to our colorful, massive presence above the landscape. And then there were the people. Farmers and field workers stopped and waved while children yelled out their schoolhouse window as we passed. Trucks and vans slowed to a near crawl on the highways as drivers leaned out their windows to get a better look. Some even stopped on the shoulder, iPhones in-hand to take photos as we floated by. Everyone was so intrigued by the unusual sight of our balloon, its like we stopped their lives for just a moment. When our 90 minutes was up, we landed in a place similar to where wed started a sugar cane field. The crew collected us and returned us to the Dominican Balloons headquarters for a breakfast of fruit, amazing Dominican avocados, and homemade cheese. With a champagne toast to a successful flight, the end of our hot air balloon story was written. Hot Air Balloon Ride Cost Sunrise hot air balloon rides near Punta Cana are available from Dominican Balloons for $275 per person for a group. Prices for other rides vary. From arrival through breakfast, the time commitment of approximately 4 hours is worth every minute. We were the guests of the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. All opinions of the fantastic and peaceful are our own. The champagne toast photo is courtesy of Nick Argires on behalf of GoDominicanRepublic.com. In order to control traffic, Uber has made an app which shows travel times between two key city destinations at various hours of the day and is made available to the public. The app, called Uber Movement, takes information on the everyday rides that Uber has completed. Andrew Salzberg, Uber's chief of transportation policy, said "We don't manage streets. We don't plan infrastructure, so why have this stuff bottled up when it can provide immense value to the cities we're working in?" He also added that the app has a very "valuable but untapped resource for understanding a city's transportation infrastructure." The app will roll out in three cities of the globe, namely, Washington D.C., Manila, Philippines; and Sydney, Australia. USA Today stated that it will also release in cities where Uber and policymakers don't seem to see eye to eye. Like Google Maps where it features how long one would arrive at a particular destination, however, Uber presented more like spotting roads or transit where most are particularly in traffic due to the interval times of the day or whether an infrastructure problem has occurred. Boston's chief information officer, Jascha Franklin-Hodge, told USA Today, "For us in the planning context, it's very interesting. "Oftentimes, cities and state transportation systems use things like toll transponders to show how long it takes to get from one place to another. But those are on fixed routes. What's interesting is this allow (sic) us to look at a lot of different routes," he said. This is not the first time an app was created as such. For example, Waze has already been on the market and is considered as the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app. Although Google does not do with time intervals, some people prefer using it too. "While the data isn't comprehensive enough to allow city planners to rely solely on it, it will be helpful. It also should be a boost to public engagement with planners," said Hodge. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 In the northern highlands of Tanzania, where the Ngorongoro crater is found, a new camping lodge is opened that bears a Swahili name,"asilia". It is a Swahili word meaning natural or authentic. The owner of the lodge Luraschi believes that you can come to the crater several times and even change your tour planner but what you see will still be the same. The asilia camp makes what you see new and amazing through changing how you see it. According to Forbes, the lodging camp has an arrangement for its visitors to have a chance to visit a Maasai "boma". Boma is where a Maasai family lives. They do not have a single specific family that is paid a visit to; rather it allows visitors to visit various families and gives them a chance to interact. The fun part about these visits is that both sides meaning the Maasai family and the touring visitors are excited to learn each other's cultures and are eager to ask questions to each other about several ambiguities they have. The lodging camp not being selfish about sharing the natural wonder of the crater, in the afternoon after morning drives through the crater, a mobilization to meet a group of Maasai women is made. In this women gathering, the visitors on safari have a chance of learning how to make the Maasai cultural jewelry beads. The class is filled with shyness and laughter as they watch the visitors struggling to make the beads which are as easy as taking a glass of water to the Maasai women. The question now roaming in your head is where exactly do I find the camping lodge? As reported by Tanzaniaodyssey, the lodge is found on the slopes of the Olmoti crater a 45 minutes drive from the Sopa crater lodge. The camp has seven rooms in a form of dome-shaped tents. The bed is at the center which offers a clear view of the whole area. This place is great for both adventure lovers and lovers wanting to spend a luxury honeymoon since it is surrounded by cool forest worth a picnic. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 , Ssese Island beaches were not made for swimming but the beaches are "magical." Uganda has its own share of white-sand beaches where bonfires are allowed. In the middle of Lake Victoria are beach hotel resorts run by locals. Travelers have a choice to relax in backpacker-oriented boutique apartments and hotels all facing the beachside or even more upscale choices. According to Lonely Planet Planning an itinerary for a 3-nation 7-day vacation is a daunting task especially if you don't know much about the countries you are about to visit. Fortunately for you, we have the best travel tips on how to maximize your time if you're planning a Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore budget trip. Days 1 To 3: Bangkok, Thailand Book a flight that will have you arrive late at night at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to avoid the usual vehicular traffic on your way to the hotel, spend the night resting and preparing yourself for the adventure ahead. The next day, explore Thailand's famous temples: the Wat Arun Temple (The Temple of Dawn), which according to CNN, is one of the most revered icons in Thailand, the Wat Pho temple (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), and the Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). After sampling the local Thai food for lunch, return to action by exploring the Khlongs of Thonburi (Bangkok Canals) via public ferries. Spend the rest of the afternoon taking in the sights at the Grand Palace, one of the world's most visited palaces and castles according to CNN. Cap off the day by learning about Thailand's history via the Siam Niramit Show. On your second day, explore another world famous landmark in Bangkok, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Visit the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo, the Crocodile Wrestling Show and the Elephant Theme Show, and then go shopping at the Bangkok Weekend Market. Cap off the day with a Royal Chao Phraya Cruise Dinner Cruise. Have a good night's rest to prepare for your flight to your next destination the following day: Malaysia. Days 4 And 5: Malaysia After an early flight, you'll arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at around noon. Check in at your hotel and then go out and explore Kuala Lumpur's famous landmarks. Go to Merdeka Square, the Menara Telecommunications Tower, the Titiwangsa Park, Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC, Petrosains (Petroleum Discovery Centre), Galeri Petronas (located at the 3r floor Suria KLCC), the Philharmonic Hall (located at the Twin Towers podium level). End the day by shopping and dining at Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur's well-known night market. Check out early next day and book a bus-ride to Singapore. Day 5 To 7: Singapore Day 5 starts with the bus-ride from Malaysia to Singapore will have you arriving at around noon. After checking in to your hotel, go out exploring Esplanade, Fullerton Heritage, The Raffles Place, Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands and Bugis Village. End the day by visiting the Fountain of Wealth at Suntech City. Day 6 starts by taking in the sights at the parks then relaxing at the Resorts World Sentosa. End the day by going off a tour in the Night Safari. Day 7 and your last day in Singapore will be spent at the Universal Studios. Enjoy the theme park's blockbuster movie and television series-themed rides. Want more travel tips? Visit our website to find out more! See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Nancy C. Darling passed away unexpectedly in her home in Mountain View, Calif., on November 17, 2016. She was born in Auburn to Mervalyn (Pasco) and Joe Darling on May 5, 1939. Joe moved the family to Falls City where he ran the Darling Transfer. Nancy graduated from Falls City High in 1957 where she was best remembered as being called "Jake". She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1961, where she was affiliated with the Phi Mu Sorority. After graduation she worked at the Downey V.A. Hospital in the Chicago area as a recreational therapist. Nancy returned to school and earned a master's degree in Orientation and Mobility Therapy from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. Nancy's career working with persons that were disabled began in St. Augustine, Fla., where she prepared blind patients to attend public schools. Her success in this field resulted in her being the first female to be hired as a mobility therapist at the Blind Rehabilitation Center at the V. A. Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. where she taught veterans mobility skills. Nancy received the award for Outstanding Service to Veterans by the Veterans Administration Hospital at Palo Alto. It was her move to California that turned her into a die-hard 49ers fan. When Nancy retired she volunteered as a docent at the Ana Nueva, Calif., State Park and the Mammal Rehabilitation Center helping rescued sea lions and seals. Her kindness extended beyond giving her time as she also contributed to the Marine Mammal Society, Monterey Bay Society and Yosemite National Park, her favorite place. She will be truly missed by her family and friends who will be gathering at Monterey Bay, Calif., to celebrate her life on her birthday May 5, 2017. Nancy is survived by her sisters, Patricia (Ed) O'Grady, Deanna (Glen) Mellage, Vicki (Jim) McMurray, Gail (Ron) Sears, Linda (Marlin) Boden and brothers Dale Darling and Larry (Faye) Darling, many nieces and nephews. Even though there is no title yet for the Han Solo spinoff movie in the "Star Wars" film franchise, fans are already anticipating on the adventures of the dashing smuggler who captured Princess Leia's heart. The movie will begin filming by next month, and reports indicate that it will be shot in Spain. iDigital Times reports that Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, has described the Han Solo movie as a heist and Western film. And it seems that a perfect location has been chosen for the movie as El Blog de Cine Espanol, as cited by Star Wars News Net, reports. The island of Fuerteventura in Spain was apparently chosen as one the important film locations. Fuerteventura is found in the Canary Islands near Africa and boasts of not only beautiful beaches and coastlines but also of volcanic mountains and lavascapes. The Han Solo film seems to be taking the route that the previous "Star Wars" film has taken by filming in out of the way locations. Fans will know that the recent movies had shots filmed in places like Tunisia, Maldives and Skellig Michael as reported by Screen Rant. Aside from Spain, it was reported that the movie will also shoot in the UK, and speculations say that Italy has also been chosen although no specific place has been cited. The movie, which is set to be released on May 25, 2018, will be directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Starring in the titular role is Alden Ehrenreich, who will bring to life a young Han Solo. Joining him in his adventures, set between the movies "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope", are actors Emilia Clarke and Donald Glover, who will be playing a young Lando Calrissian. With "Rogue One" currently enjoying massive success all over the globe since its release, it would be safe to say that the next "Star Wars" film will be welcomed with the same excitement as its predecessors. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Mainly, the beautiful city of Hong Kong is flocked because of Disney Land, while affordable shopping ranks second. Though here will be unexplored travel ideas travelers didn't know much until today. Apparently, there more unfamiliar places and adventures to try in the place! These are recently discovered "Fragrant Harbor" jewels that people will love. According to TripAdvisor, the most common activities tourists enjoy in Hong Kong are scenery sightseeing, cultural & historic tours, and nightlife venturing. Apparently, the place is really rich with things to enjoy for those who want to spend time strolling around. With regards to the unfamiliar Hong Kong travel ideas, there are two of them. The first is about the city's newly opened Morty's, though out of Chinese tradition and it bursts with American delicacy. Notably, vacationers don't need to worry because Founder & Owner Gerald Li is a Chinese. Indeed, the food will be an interesting mix of cultures. For the last one, it's all about shopping! Definitely, vacationers come in Hong Kong because of it. And here the unfamiliar part will all be the city's best places and goodies to get, surely everyone wants to know where to get the finest deals. Remarkably, Mong Kok is the only place to see when searching for souvenirs; it's just divided in different districts. Moving on, Toy collectibles and tech gadgets, Mong Kok Computer Centre and marketplace are the parts for them. Whereas Sneaker Street is the shoe addicts' haven, it boasts all the international brands at very low price. On the other side, Fa Yuen Street amazingly sells diverse products of fashionable clothing to fresh produce. Lastly, the Ladies Market will be all women's dream binge place! Although, this area is the most known for counterfeits as well. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Two wanderers on a mission shared their insights on how they traveled the world for free. Here are the details. Laura Bingham Born as a natural adventurer, Laura Bingham, left her home at 18 years old to explore the world. She traveled through the Greek Islands, Continental Europe, Africa, Asia, North and Central America before eventually landing in Mexico. In Mexico, she taught English and took on stimulating conservation work to safeguard the Jaguars who are in danger of extinction. Laura pushed herself even further when she and a crew of two men and a cat, sailed back home to England across the Atlantic in a 38ft Trimaran. Laura cycled 7,000km across South America, July 2016. From scavenging for food scraps in trash cans to fishing for piranhas, Laura somehow has fueled her human-powered journey. And she made it all without spending money. In a report by The Guardian, Laura said that those who are planning a cycle trip should travel very light. Weight will hold you back and you will be amazed by the amount of stuff you do not need. I would recommend Gore gloves and rain jacket, as they are lightweight. I also loved my down jacket, which kept me warm and worked as a pillow too. Finally, it is vital to stay positive, she said. I was raising money for a charity called Operation South America and the thought of them got me through the trying days. Moreover, download some motivational videos or podcasts, she remarked. Rob Greenfield Rob Greenfield went to 72 money-free days traveling from Brazil to Panama. He said that when going on a travel without spending money one must be prepared. He added that you must have the drive to be mostly self-sustaining. Furthermore, he said that you must bring a tent and sleep gear as well as the water purifier, cooking equipment, and comfortable clothes. He added that you should travel light and leave behind what you do not need. In addition, he noted that you must create connections for places to stay and get meals through websites such as wwoof.org, helpx.net, and workaway.info. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Eleanor Lou Francke was born November 21, 1930, to John Victor and Erna (VonSeggren) Erickson in Scribner. She was a lifelong Lutheran, baptized at St. John Lutheran Church, Scribner, and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran in Pender. Eleanor married Gervase H Francke, her college sweetheart, in 1953. Eleanor was educated in District 21, a one-room school. She was elected governor of Girls' State while attending Wisner High School, and named valedictorian of her 1948 graduating class. Eleanor attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she was initiated into Mortar Board and graduated with a BS in Home Economics/Education in 1952. She was then employed by International Harvester in Iowa as a home economist. Eleanor later received an MS degree and a Doctorate in Secondary Education from UNL in 1967 and 1971. Eleanor was employed by the Lincoln Public Schools where her career spanned four decades beginning in 1961 until her retirement in 1998. She taught English at Irving and Mickle Junior High Schools and at East High. She transitioned to administrative roles in 1973, first in the Instruction Department, and then with the English as a Second Language Program, directing the ESL Program from 1991-1998. She received the prestigious Scottish Rite Teacher of the Year Award in 1967, while teaching at Irving. Eleanor was active in many community and civic activities including the New American Task Force, helping immigrants and refugees in the Lincoln community; and the Lancaster County Planning Commission from 1984-1995. Through her generosity and vision, Eleanor brought one of the most remarkable firsthand encounters to the Lincoln Children's Zoo in the creation of Laura's Butterfly Pavilion. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Gervase, in 1983. She will be missed by many friends and family and is survived by brother, John Erickson, sister Joan Diedrichsen, nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14, at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 "O" Street, Lincoln. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be given to LPS Backpack Extra Mile Walk, c/o Food Bank of Lincoln, 4840 Doris Bair Circle, Suite A, Lincoln, NE, 68504. Online condolences may be left at www.wyuka.com The discovery of Zenkerella insignis brings growth in tourism to Bioko Island (TRAVPR.COM) NEW YORK - January 11th, 2017 - Early this week, Minister of State, Charged with Tourism, Tomas Mecheba Fernandez Galilea, received in his office the United States Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Julie Furuta Toy, in order to look at matters regarding bilateral cooperation. The ambassador placed emphasis on matters regarding ecotourism on the Island of Bioko, in view of its huge biological reserves and protected areas. Furuta Toy, who was accompanied at the meeting by two experts in biodiversity, believes that Equatorial Guinea could contribute in the fight to preserve species. Ecotourism was bolstered with the discovery of Zenkerella insignis, the critter caught on Bioko, which is one of the world's most ancient and mysterious mammals. Until now, it was known only by its fossils and 11 scattered specimens, many of which had been languishing in natural history collections for over 100 years. Researchers who were interested in the species had little to go on aside from a hind limb here, a few teeth there. No scientist in history has ever seen it alive. The discovery means that, for the first time, scientists were able to examine the genome of one of the bizarre mammals, and finally figure out where Zenkerella fits in our evolutionary family tree. Equatorial Guinea tourism sector development is a part of the Horizonte 2020 Development Plan, a vision of H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, to transformed this tiny country into an emerging economy. The discovery of Zenkerella insignis brings growth in tourism to Bioko Island, said Victor Mooney, Spirit of Malabo Group. Online: spiritofmalabo.net ### 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. Since the dawn of time, Tim Thomssen said, beer has required four key ingredients. Lite is not one of them. "Malted barley, water, yeast, hops are the four ingredients that define beer," said Thomssen, head brewer at Boiler Brewing Company, 129 N. 10th St., No. 8. "And only since Louis Pasteur have we recognized (yeast). For millennia, brewers made beer kind of like a sourdough -- they just kind of repitched a little bit of the successful batch into the next one. And I dont know if it was an offering to the gods, or how they thought of it, but they were repitching yeast and they didnt know it." The Cornhusker States pioneers might have succeeded in brewing up some beer that included all the main ingredients, said Thomssen, a fifth-generation Nebraskan. But hes pretty confident that Boiler Brewing's latest offering, Nebraska Native, is the first-ever craft beer made entirely from Nebraska-grown products. He is certain that this is his moon landing. And he said he couldn't have done it without luck and friends. Here, ranked by degree of difficulty in locating them, are the ingredients that went into Nebraska Native, and the people who helped Thomssen along the way. 1A, barley. Technically, yeast should probably be ranked the most difficult ingredient to get in Nebraska, Thomssen said. Acquiring wild yeast typically involves foraging, trial-and-error, pure luck or some combination of the three. But Thomssen wouldnt have ever considered the idea of making an all-Nebraska brew without a malted barley producer walking into Boiler Brewing Company and shattering notions of what was and wasnt available around here. So malted barley gets top billing today. In the early part of last summer, Zach Davy introduced himself to Thomssen at Boiler Brewing and volunteered that he was trying to get a malted barley company going in Nebraska. He had a family farm up by the South Dakota border, in Lynch, and lives in Omaha, where his malting company, Missouri Valley Malt (facebook.com/MissouriValleyMalt) is based. So he stops in the bar one day and says, Hey man, would you be interested in Nebraska-grown malted barley? Thomssen recalled. Im like, Hell yeah, I would. Because theres no Nebraska-available malted barley. Theres no malting company. There is barley grown in Nebraska, but its not being malted. It only took about a millisecond to realize what I would do with Nebraska-malted barley. I would make an all-Nebraska beer. I didnt have to think about it. So I cant claim to be smart or visionary. Maybe opportunistic is the word. 1B, yeast. Think about the dusty white fuzz that covers a blueberry. That (fuzz) youre looking at is wild yeast, Thomssen said. Thats its ecosystem. It hangs out on the skin of a fruit, and its a spoilage organism for a fruit. Eventually the skin breaks down, it gets in there and it can consume the sugar from the fruit. Its blowing everywhere, he said, Nebraska included. Its very common, but -- theres a big but," Thomssen said. Youve got a couple things going against you when youre foraging for wild yeast -- its either gonna taste bad or its not going to ferment beer, or both. So youve got to get lucky to get both of those factors. Or you could be friends with a microbiologist. Some five years ago, Thomssen, a Lincoln Lagers member well before Boiler Brewing Company opened downtown, was at a fellow homebrewer's place for a club meeting/brewing session. During that gathering, the Lagers later determined, the English ale Kim Theesen was brewing was contaminated by some wild yeast. (There were 80 apple trees on the property, and the owner, Doug Finke, had just made cider.) Months later, when they cracked open bottles of Theesen's beers made during that gathering, the English ale didn't taste at all like an English ale. It had these wild, funky, earthy, tropical fruit and citrus flavors that were unexplained and not supposed to be there," Thomssen said. Before they dumped the beer in the sink, Jason McLaughlin, a Lager and certified cicerone, said to hold that thought. The carnival of flavors that wild fermentation yeast sometimes brings to the brewing process are more and more attracting -- and these are Thomssen's words, spoken proudly -- "the nerds." "Adventurous brewers and adventurous drinkers like Brettanomyces," he said, referencing a specific type of wild yeast. "It produces new and unusual flavors that you are not accustomed to having in beer. McLlaughlin said this botched English ale hid some of those qualities, and suggested holding onto a yeast sample from that brew for further experimentation. A sample ended up in the freezer of Aaron Carnes for the next five years. He is a talented homebrewer and, conveniently, a microbiologist, Thomssen said of Carnes. So hes a guy you want in your corner on a project like this. "I had forgotten about this wild yeast. So I said: Hey Aaron, Im thinking about trying to forage for wild yeast. Is this something youd be willing to collaborate with us on doing?' He said: 'Yeah, Id love to. By the way, remember that wild Brett from (Doug) Finkes house five years ago? Ive still got that in the freezer.' Carnes was able to isolate the funky yeast and it ever-so-slowly fermented in a trial run. "It was at that point we knew it was going to make beer," Thomssen said. "Its happening. We can do this. 2, hops. Compared to yeast, hops is cake. Well in Nebraska, there is a pretty good hop industry, Thomssen said. Its young, but its growing -- theres (farmers) growing hops. You can get Nebraska-grown hops, no problem at all. For the Nebraska Native, Thomssen didnt have to look far. At all. The hops is from my neighbor," said Thomssen, who lives on an acreage west of town. 3, water. The waters the easy one, Thomssen said. You just turn on the faucet. Bonus ingredient: Aronia berries. You dont need aronia berries, aka chokeberries, to brew a beer. In fact, many brewers would shy from the sour-tasting berry. But for a unique Nebraska-centric offering with weird, wild reanimated yeast and experimental barley, the berry belonged. Thomssen got his from Herz Aronia Farm in Plattsmouth. "Thats just one more ingredient that will make it more interesting, more local and a pretty color," he said. "It turns out its kind of a rose. The final product, Nebraska to its core, filled two 31-gallon barrels. Boiler Brewing Company will begin selling the small batch of 32-ounce Nebraska Native bottles on Jan. 23. Thomssen said the people who helped him create this beer might get an early sample, though. Were definitely going to treat our friends right, Thomssen said. Because we couldnt have done it without our friends. The decision by Sen. Ben Sasse to leave the Senate Agriculture Committee is puzzling and unsettling. Its been almost a half-century since Nebraska was without representation on the committee. Its members are in a prime spot to look out for one of the states major interests. One in four jobs in the Cornhusker State is connected directly or indirectly to agriculture. And with prices for commodity crops like corn and soybeans near the cost of production, profits in the states agricultural sector are projected to drop to almost half what they were in 2013. The next big job for the committee will be writing a new farm bill, according to Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas. But Sasse has chosen to take his talent and energy to the Senates Armed Service Committee and the Judiciary Committee. He will keep his seat on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. In a statement, Sasse said that he had been asked to serve on the committees. Theres little doubt that his service there could be invaluable, especially in strengthening Americas defenses in the age of cyber warfare. Sasse promises that cyber security will be his constant focus on the Armed Service Committee. He will be a member of the Judiciary Committee at a time when some worry that constitutional protection of individual rights will be in jeopardy. On the Judiciary Committee Sasse also will be in a position to play a role in the confirmation of President Donald Trumps nominee(s) to the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as other federal judgeships. As Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson told the Journal Star, there are lots of ways for congressmen and senators to serve Nebraska. A Judiciary Committee member, for example, is in a position to restrain executive branch action on agricultural regulations. In addition, Sen. Sasse will continue to work on ag issues, and is making no changes to his agriculture policy team, according to spokesman Tyler Grassmeyer. He also noted that Sasse has received six times as many calls and letters about the direction of the U.S. Supreme Court than about issues related to the next farm bill. Nonetheless, Sasses selection of roles is peculiar, exemplified by the fact that Sasse had to get a special waiver to join the Armed Services Committee, where Sen. Deb Fischer already has years of service. If Sasses achievements on his new committees fail to justify his choices, hell have a lot of explaining to do to his constituents. G Parthasarathy WHEN India first tested its three-stage Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Agni V on April 20, 2012, Chinas reaction was remarkably restrained. China and India are both emerging powers. We are not rivals, but cooperative partners. We should cherish the hard-earned momentum of cooperation, Liu Weimin, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson, said, adding that the two countries have a sound relationship. During the (recent) 4th BRICS meeting, the leadership of the two countries agreed on a consensus to further strengthen cooperation. Even the normally aggressive Chinese government mouthpiece, The Global Times, was relatively restrained, asserting: India should not overestimate its strength. Even if it has missiles that could reach most parts of China that does not mean it will gain anything from being arrogant during disputes with China. India should be clear that Chinas nuclear power is stronger and more reliable. For the foreseeable future, India would stand no chance in an overall arms race with China. When India conducted the fourth and final pre-operational test of Agni V on December 26, 2016, Chinas reaction the next day was belligerent and hostile. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Hu Chunying, referred to the UN Security Council Resolution 1172 of June 6, 1998, issued after nuclear tests by India and Pakistan. The resolution called on India and Pakistan to immediately stop their nuclear weapons development programmes; to refrain from weaponisation and the deployment of nuclear weapons; to cease the development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and end any further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. Hu also asked India to spell out its intentions. China seemed to have forgotten that the Security Council Resolution Hu referred to was a Chapter 6 resolution, which was not binding on India. The reaction of The Global Times was vicious. Referring disparagingly to Indias economic potential and pointedly equating India with Pakistan, it observed: Currently, there is a vast disparity in power between the two countries and India knows what it would mean, if it poses a nuclear threat to China. Responding to Chinas assertion that Indias missile programme adversely affected nuclear stability in South Asia, Indias spokesman Vikas Swarup noted: Indias strategic autonomy and growing engagement contribute to strategic stability. There are a number of reasons for the change in the Chinese reactions to Agni V missile tests between 2012 and 2016. China militarily seized the Scarborough Shoal, located within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines, in 2012. It thereafter, contemptuously rejected a verdict of the UN tribunal which declared its maritime boundary claims along its so-called Nine Dotted Line as a violation of international law. The tribunal thereby held Chinas territorial claims on Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, as similarly being in violation of international law. China has, in the meantime, converted a large number of rocks across the South China Sea into islands, where it has based missiles, armed personnel and military aircraft, using its military might. The Obama Administration took virtually no action in response to Chinese belligerence against the Philippines a longtime military ally. Worse still, the US recently acquiesced in the seizure of one of its unmanned underwater vehicles close to the Philippines. Chinese belligerence is paying off. President Duterte of the Philippines has quietly acquiesced to Beijings territorial demands. ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Cambodia are following suit. Myanmar is being pressured by China, by permitting Chinese territory to be used by armed ethnic groups from Myanmars bordering Shan and Kachin states. It is clear that a belligerent China is no longer prepared to tolerate any challenges to its dominance and hegemony across Asia. Agni IV, currently operational, with a range of 4,000 km, can hit targets in southern China, while Agni V, with a range of 5,500-8000 km, can hit even at the farthest points in China. The submarine-launched Sagarika missile, currently operational, has a range of 750 km. Its variants under development can hit across China from the Bay of Bengal. China, in turn, has transferred the designs and knowhow of the Shaheen range of missiles to Pakistan. These missiles can hit targets across India. Moreover, Karachi and Gwadar will be used, not only to base the eight submarines China is supplying to Pakistan, but also serve as bases for Chinese nuclear and conventional submarines that are now venturing increasingly into the Indian Ocean. The range of missiles being developed by India clearly signals to China that it will find any effort to use Pakistan as a nuclear proxy against India very costly and perhaps unaffordable. Agni V is virtually invulnerable as it is mobile and housed in canisters. New Delhi needs to be far more active in insisting that a comprehensive nuclear dialogue with China is essential for strategic stability across Asia. China is loathe to enter into such a dialogue as it evidently wishes to not formally accord recognition to Indias nuclear weapons status, even as it peddles nuclear weapons and ballistic missile designs and materials to Pakistan, while helping Pakistan to develop both uranium and plutonium-based nuclear weapons. These transfers to Pakistan are in total disregard of Chinas responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. India has been far too defensive and avoided exposing the Sino-Pakistan nuclear/missile nexus in important world capitals, notably Washington, London, Paris, Moscow and Tokyo. A far more determined effort on this score would be necessary once the Trump Administration assumes office and settles down to looking at the world. Within Asia, Chinese hubris and arrogance would need far closer consultations and dialogue with countries like Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia. There appears to be a sentiment growing slowly in Tokyo that in the face of Chinese territorial and geopolitical ambitions, Japan should review its nuclear policies. The incoming Trump Administration has also indicated that allies like Japan need to do more to defend themselves, rather than depend excessively on the US. A nuclear-armed Japan can certainly play a key role in moderating Chinese behaviour and hubris. This is an issue that needs to be looked at carefully. All this has to be combined with a vigorous dialogue with China, which includes maintenance of peace and tranquility along our borders, expanding equitable trade and economic ties and promoting peace and stability across the entire Indo-Pacific Region. Tribune News Service Jammu, January 11 The Army foiled an infiltration attempt in Poonch sector by killing two terrorists on the Line of Control. The alert troops present on the LoC detected the movement of two terrorists along the Betar Nala in the wee hours of January 10 and engaged them with heavy automatic fire. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) While one terrorist was eliminated by afternoon of January 10, the second was eliminated on January 11. The bodies of the slain terrorists along with their weapons continue to lie on the LoC. Pakistan has shown no restraint in its support to aiding and abetting infiltration across the LoC. The latest attempt comes close on the heels of the terror attack at Battal in the Akhnoor sector where three labourers were killed in the GREF camp on January 9. The Army is keeping a strict vigil and is prepared to thwart the nefarious designs of the Pakistan sponsored terrorists. New Delhi, January 10 The Delhi High Court today granted 18-day parole to Manu Sharma, who is undergoing life term for killing model Jessica Lall in 1999, to pursue his LLB course and get his marriage registered. Justice AK Pathak allowed Sharma to remain on parole till January 31, after he urged the court that he has to attend his personal contact programme in connection with LLB course he is pursuing and re-establish social ties. Keeping in view that petitioner (Sharma) has been granted parole by this court earlier also, the court is inclined to give him the relief till January 31, the court said. The convict, who has been given parole six times since September 2009, has completed a post-graduate diploma in Human Rights and is now pursuing a Bachelors in Law from Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu. Sharma, son of former Union Minister Venod Sharma, was awarded life term in December 2006 for killing Jessica Lall in 1999. PTI Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 11 Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi provoked many journalists on Wednesday when he became a tad too candid about what he thought of the media under the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP. When Dr Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister and Mr P Chidamabram was Finance Minister, the media spoke freely (dil khol ke bolte the) but not any longer, Gandhi said referring to retrenchments by a section of media houses post demonetisation and also to what he called a general atmosphere of fear under BJP. Through his two speeches at Congress national convention against note ban at a packed Talkatora stadium, Gandhi repeatedly accused journalists of being meek, triggering latent protests in media benches. Some of my media friends come to me and tell things. They say we should understand. We understand the medias nervousness. Ab hawa badal gai hai (now times have changed), Gandhi said in his opening address today. He was referring to demonetisation woes and insinuating that the media did not cover note ban consequences as freely as it should have. Journalists hearing him, however, protested sporadically saying even he would not have known what was happening due to note ban had TV channels not aired serpentine queues outside banks and ATMs. Oblivious of mixed reactions to his speech, Gandhi went on, While we understand your problems, you have a responsibility. I know you are under pressure. Some of you have told me. Few journalists expressed an urge to ask the Gandhi scion to name the ones that complained to him about restrained speech under the new dispensation. Later in the day when Gandhi returned from a two hour lunch break to deliver the valedictory address to the daylong convention, he again teased the media for being too harsh to him. No matter what you write about me, I will never intimidate you..We respect you (the media). Perhaps we respect you too much, was Gandhis refrain. The Amethi MP on the cusp of ascendance as Congress president was speaking in the aftermath of critical reports about his 11-day absence from the country when five states are due for elections beginning February 4. The Congress leaders, too, have expressed concerns about Gandhis absence at a critical time when the party is battling an electoral drought. Barring Bihar where it won in alliance with JDU and RJD, Congress has not won a single state by itself since the 2014 Lok Sabha election rout. Even this time, the party is facing tough rivals everywhere, with insiders wondering why Gandhi took off when the Congress was yet to decide tickets for Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. As for Gandhis run-ins with the media, these are not new. Routine critiques on Gandhi, the reluctant politician apart, media was the one to reveal his South East Asian whereabouts during the much talked about introspection leave he took after partys LS defeat in 2014. Post that revelation, Gandhi has made it a habit to announce his travels publicly. When he took off for a New Year holiday on December 31, last, he announced the same on Twitter. The return was however left to media to figure. That wasnt difficult to determine since Congress Central Election Committee, which is yet to announce tickets, was awaiting his arrival. He came in on January 10, and the CEC met within hours of his return. Surat, January 11 Post demonetisation, several stories related to it have come to light, varying from colleges organising fashion shows to support the currency ban, to villages going cashless. In a similar development, a cloth trader in the city has got a new design of sari made, with the print of the newly introduced pink-coloured Rs 2,000 note. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Women can now clad themselves in the new currency note by wearing this sari. Being six metre in length, each sari has print of 504 notes and costs Rs 160. Trader Shiv Shaini came up with the idea as he wanted to try something new. Rs 2,000 note is new in India. A few days back, a sari with Modijis face was also launched. So, we thought of coming up with this sari. The reason was to try something new. Saini said the demand for the sari is more in the five poll-bound states--Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand. Demonetisation, whether accepted or not, the people of India have fully utilised this announcement for their business and benefit. ANI With state revenues plummeting, its appropriate that Gov. Pete Ricketts turned to the cash reserve to stave off deeper cuts in state services to Nebraskans. The reserve is often called the rainy day fund, and its raining. In unveiling his plans for plugging the hole in this years budget, Ricketts last week proposed $276 million in adjustments, including a $92 million transfer from the cash reserve. As newly elected Appropriations Chairman John Stinner put it, Thats really your economic shock absorber, is that rainy day fund. So, using thats the prudent thing to do. Good thing theres still some money there. The drain on the reserve has been opened regularly in recent months. In the last session of the Legislature, senators drew down the rainy day fund, pulling out $50 million for the infrastructure bank, $13.7 million for levee improvements and $27 million for corrections. Actually, Ricketts originally had proposed taking $150 million from the rainy day fund for the infrastructure bank, but prudent senators on the Appropriations Committee held their ground. The fund looked healthy at the time, but storm clouds were on the horizon. Not long after senators adjourned for the year, the rain began. In fact, it ended the fiscal year June 30 about $95 million short of projections. The governor said that according to projections the state would still have a cash reserve of about $550 million at the end of 2019. The governor has spoken of $500 million as a good target for the reserve. But it should be quickly noted that the sum is less than recommended by the legislative fiscal office, and about 14 percent lower than recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association. Its entirely possible that current revenue projections may be optimistic, and that the projected amount for the cash reserve will evaporate in coming months. Nebraskas Economic Forecasting Advisory Board revised projections downward in October, and when November receipts came in, they were still $18.6 million, or 4.9 percent less than the forecast. The spending adjustments proposed by Ricketts last week were envisioned to lay the groundwork for state senators to work on the next biennial budget. But what happens if revenue receipts keep dropping? What if the starting point for the next biennial budget keeps going down? Senators ought to be cautious as they consider tax cuts and revenue needs. A go-slow approach might allow them to get a clearer picture of the states economy and the future revenue stream. The rainy day fund is providing a welcome cushion, but at the rate its being spent it wont last long. New Delhi, January 11 Don't call me a jailer, says a smiling Anju Mangla, the first woman incharge of a men's prison in high-security Tihar jail. Two women, Kiran Bedi and Vimla Mehra, have served as DG of Tihar but it's for the first time that a woman has been appointed as the superintendent of a men's jail here and has a one-to-one interaction with male inmates on daily basis. Mangla, who is looking after around 800 prisoners in the age group 18-21 years, is not your quintessential tough jailer. The affable officer says she prefers to be called a Superintendent rather than a "jailer", a term that she feels creates an image of a "harsh" person. Having served as the superintendent of the women's jail, she says her mantra is to create a personal rapport with the prisoners, whether male or female. "The inmates are like children for me. They are quite vibrant, young and full of energy but they have been on the wrong side of the law," she adds. Mangla prefers to call her jail a 'gurukul' or a 'hostel' where the inmates are given education. "It's a challenge but our DG Sudhir Yadav Sir reposed his faith in me. And I have accepted this challenge. How you treat other human beings makes all the difference," said the officer, who has been in service since 1990 and has served in Tihar for over three years. There has to be an understanding that most of the prisoners lack formal education as well as love and bonding from their families, she says. "Imparting a disciplined way of life in a Gurukul sort of way is what we are doing here. They live like hostellers do," she says. The inmates have been segregated into groups based on what level of education they need. For instance, there is a group of people who have never received formal education and they are taught as per their requirements, she says. After classes, the inmates also get to play field games like volleyball in the evening. Mangla says her focus is to ensure that the inmates are able to continue their education when they are in jail. "During the recent Constitution Week, we even organised a mock Parliament where the inmates raised various issues concerning women and children," she says. "During the festivals, we have day-long events with participation of all inmates," she says. PTI Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 11 Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and his colleague in the UPA government P Chidambaram on Wednesday predicted a sharp fall in Indias GDP on account of the governments demonetisation with Singh saying the worst is yet to come. I venture to say that the worst is yet to come, Manmohan said at the partys national convention against demonetisation. Describing the PMs claims of a rise in national income as hollow, Singh said various rating agencies of the world are projecting a fall in GDP over the previous estimate of 7.6 per cent. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Agencies are projecting GDP growth rate of merely 7.1 per cent with some agencies projecting the GDP as low as 6.3 per cent, the former PM said after Chidambaram explained what this fall meant for the country. One per cent GDP rate fall implies the loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, which means loss of jobs, incomes and livelihoods, Chidambaram said earlier, adding that there was no record of any Cabinet meeting on demonetisation on November 8. Where is the cabinet note? There is none. The RBIs reputation is at risk. Instead of the RBI advising the government on economic policy, the government advised the RBI to consider demonetisation. When did the RBI hold its directors meet? When did it send notices to independent directors? The RBI is not giving us any information, Chidambaram said, questioning Modis cashless India pitch. The former FM said no government could force itself on issues of personal wealth. How I spend my money is my right, Chidambaram said citing how the worlds most developed nations--Germany, France and the US--continued to use more and not less cash. The Congress also passed a condolence resolution on the alleged 100 demonetisation deaths during November and December. Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 11 The Aam Admi Party (AAP) on Wednesday cancelled the candidature of its Amritsar (Central) nominee Darbari Lal after serious allegation of corruption surfaced against him, a party statement said. After due verification, the party decided to cancel his candidature, it said. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Earlier in the day, AAP state convener Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi has said that Lals candidature was cancelled due to his ill health and the new candidate will be announced shortly. Lal was admitted to a hospital since last three days and was unable to campaign in the area, Ghuggi said. Its a second time within a week that AAP has changed its Amritsar (Central) candidate. On January 6, the AAP had nominated Darbari Lal, a former Congress leader, replacing Rajinder Kumar with less than 24 hours after it had announced Kumars name. Lal, who is a former Congress leader, reportedly join the Congress party again in New Delhi today. The AAP has announced candidates for 110 seats while its ally Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) is contesting on the remaining seven seats. With PTI inputs Tribune News Service Patiala, January 11 After speculation that Arvind Kejriwal could be the Punjab Chief Minister with Manish Sisodia pitching for votes in his name, Kejriwal on Wednesday made it clear that the CM of Punjab would be from Punjab itself. Addressing a rally here, Kejriwal said he was the Chief Minister of Delhi and had huge responsibility. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) However, he said that who ever is made the Punjab CM, it will be his personal responsibility that all promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party were fulfilled. He said they could make him personally accountable for the affairs in the state. He mocked Sukhbir Badal, saying he woke up thrice yesterday night after nightmares about him being Punjab Chief Minister. Read: Punjabi vs outsider rift post Sisodias Kejri pitch Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia, on his first day of campaigning in Punjab, on Tuesday reportedly urged people in Mohali and Anandpur Sahib to cast their ballot for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as if they are voting for Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister, triggering a Punjabi versus outsider debate. New Delhi, January 10 BJP leader Avinash Rai Khanna has withdrawn consent for his appointment as a member of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Supreme Court was told. Additional Solicitor General Atamaram Nadkarni, appearing for the Centre, informed the apex court that the BJP vice-president has expressed his unwillingness to work as a member of NHRC due to domestic exigencies. After having gone through the letter given by the Additional Solicitor General, nothing remains in the writ petition and the same is dismissed. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this case, the question of law is kept open, a Bench comprising Justices PC Ghose and RF Nariman said yesterday. The court had earlier issued notice to the Centre on a PIL filed by Anupriya Nagori, a student, as to why the name of an active politician was recommended for the job. The petition alleged that information about Khannas political background was not circulated to members of the selection committee. The post of member, NHRC, had been vacant since March 1, 2014. PTI Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 10 Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, on his first day of campaigning in Punjab, today reportedly urged people in Mohali and Anandpur Sahib to cast their ballot for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as if they are voting for Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister, triggering a Punjabi versus outsider debate. While AAPs state leadership refused to elaborate, the SAD and Congress claimed there was a conspiracy to anoint Kejriwal as Punjab CM through the back door. Atishi Marlena, AAP spokesperson in Delhi, said Sisodias remarks had been twisted out of context. He (Sisodia) said vote as if Kejriwal is going to be CM. He did not say Kejriwal will be CM, Marlena explained. A senior AAP leader claimed Sisodia had been misunderstood. He sought votes in the name of Kejriwal as he is the man behind the AAP movement. He refused to make an official statement. There has been much speculation on AAPs chief ministerial candidate, with one of the aspirants, Bhagwant Mann (Sangrur MP) seeking peoples backing for his claim to the top post at election rallies. However, Sanjay Singh, the partys political affairs incharge, says it will be up to the elected MLAs to chose their CM. Sisodia, who it is believed will take over as Delhi CM if Kejriwal moves to Punjab, told the media that Kejriwal alone could solve Punjab's problems, taking on the Centre till all demands were met. Dr DS Cheema, SAD spokesperson, and partys Delhi leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed that by projecting Kejriwal as AAPs face in Punjab, the party leadership had accepted that none of its state leaders were worthy of the CMs chair. Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh said Sisodias statement was no surprise as the Congress had all along maintained that Kejriwal had his eyes on Punjab. It would be suicidal for Punjab if his nefarious design succeeds, he added. (With inputs by Kulwinder Sangha in Mohali and Arun Sharma in Anandpur Sahib) QUOTES AAPs conspiracy to foist an outsider on Punjab is now out in the open. It has chosen a Haryanvi who has already bartered away interests of Punjab on SYL. Sukhbir Singh Badal, sad chief and deputy CM It is sheer manipulation of the electorate. Sisodias statement makes it clear that Kejriwal is scheming to become Punjab CM. This is a mockery of the democratic process, and AAP will have to pay for it. Preneet Kaur, Congress leader It may be an attempt to create a media hype around Kejriwal. But if they are serious, it will not only be disrespect to the people of Delhi, but also to the political acumen of Punjab and Punjabis. Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, patiala MP Chicago, January 10 With a final shout of his campaign mantra Yes We Can, President Barack Obama on Tuesday urged Americans to stand up for US values and reject discrimination as the country transitions to the presidency of Republican Donald Trump. In an emotional speech in which he thanked his family and declared his time as president the honour of his life, Obama gently prodded the public to embrace his vision of progress while repudiating some of the policies that Trump promoted during his campaign for the White House. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are, Obama told a crowd of 18,000 in his hometown of Chicago, where he celebrated his historic 2008 election as the first black US president. Trump, who takes office on January 20, proposed that the United States temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country, build a wall on the border with Mexico, upend a global deal to fight climate change and dismantle Obamas health care reform law. Obama made clear his opposition to those positions during fiery campaign speeches for 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, but he has struck a more conciliatory tone with Trump since the election. In his farewell speech, he made clear his positions had not changed. I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans, he said in a clear reference to Trump, drawing applause. If anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements weve made to our health care system, that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it, he said in another prodding challenge to his successor. Trump has urged the Republican-controlled Congress to repeal the law right away. An unrealistic vision Obama, who came to office amid high expectations that his election would heal historic racial divides, acknowledged that was an impossible goal. After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America, he said. Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. But the president said he remained hopeful about the work that a younger generation would do. Yes we can, he said. Yes we did. First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, and many current and former White House staff members and campaign workers attended the speech. Obama wiped his eyes as he addressed his wife and thanked his running mate. The Chicago visit is his last scheduled trip as president, and even the final flight on the presidential aircraft was tinged with wistfulness. It was Obamas 445th mission on Air Force One, a perk he has said he will miss when he leaves office, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. All told, Obama will have spent more than 2,800 hours or 116 days on the plane during his presidency. Obama plans to remain in Washington for the next two years while his younger daughter, Sasha, finishes high school. Sasha did not attend the speech. The Obamas older daughter, Malia, was there. The president has indicated he wants to give Trump the same space that his predecessor, Republican President George W Bush, gave Obama after leaving office by not maintaining a high public profile. Reuters Washington, January 11 Donald Trump was on Wednesday hit by sensational claims that he was cultivated by Russia for years and Moscow has compromising information on him, drawing an angry response from the President-elect who dismissed it as a witch hunt and likened it to as living in Nazi Germany. The allegations were part of the classified report presented to outgoing US President Barack Obama and his successor Trump last week by the heads of four premier US intelligence agencies, including FBI and CIA. They were part of the report on Russian interference in the 2016 polls, reports said. Trump responded by describing the news as fabricated. FAKE NEWSA TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Trump tweeted after The Washington Post broke the story. A senior US official, with access to the document, said the allegations were presented at least in part to underscore that Russia appeared to have collected embarrassing information on both major candidates but released only material that might harm Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. This is a reflection of Russian motivation that bolstered US spy agencies conclusion that Moscow sought to help Trump win the presidential election, the daily said. The two-page synopsis further claimed that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, a CNN report said. Popular news website BuzzFeed reported that an explosive but unsubstantiated dossier, which alleged that Russia has been cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for years and gained compromising information about him, has been circulating among elected officials, intelligence agents, and journalists for weeks. BuzzFeed also released a copy of the 35-page report. The document was prepared for political opponents of Trump by a person who is understood to be a former British intelligence agent, the website said. Russia, however, denied claims that it had gathered compromising information on Trump. The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump, President Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow. He called the claims as total fake and an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations. Peskov also denied allegations that the Kremlin gathered compromising information on Clinton. The Kremlin spokesman described the dossier as pulp fiction. After Russias rebuttal, Trump again tweeted, saying, Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. Very unfair!. Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIANO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! he said. Trump also slammed intelligence agencies, saying they should never have allowed this fake news to leak into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany? PTI On Nov. 25, 1972, one of the most perceptive newspaper columnists observing the U. S. was Alistair Cooke, an Englishman who was a long-time resident in the U.S. He wrote in a column following that year's election, "I cannot see how the widening gap between the prosperous majority and the poor and bitter minority will keep the minority from protest...we should leave open the question whether militant America is calming down once for all or whether it is pausing...I think there's a danger in the present lull of overlooking the hazard in front of our eyes." Photo of Clarity Fuel Cell courtesy of Honda. Honda will launch a new hybrid vehicle in 2018 and plans to eventually offer a hybrid pickup truck, the automaker announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The vehicles are part of the Honda Electrification Initiative to expand the companys list of electrified vehicles. The new hybrid will utilize Hondas two-motor hybrid system, which is currently deployed in the Accord Hybrid that's achieved a rating of 49 mpg in city driving from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Half of the all-new models Honda will launch in the U.S. in the coming two years will be electrified vehicles," said Takahiro Hachigo, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. "In the long term, electrified vehicles are key to the future of carbon-free mobility." Honda has set a global target for two-thirds of its sales to come from electrified models by 2030 and hopes to halve its carbon-dioxide emissions by 2050. In December, Honda launched the zero-emissions vehicle Clarity Fuel Cell as the first part of its Clarity series. Originally posted on Automotive Fleet It was the first day back on air this year for Neighbours on Monday but new 2017 credits contained three boo-boos, misspelling cast names. Colette Mann was billed as Collette Mann, Zoe Cramond was billed as Zoe Crammond and Ryan Moloney, who has nearly 22 years with the show, inadvertently became Ryan Maloney. Fans quickly spotted the errors and took to social media. FremantleMedia was quick to correct the errors. Unfortunately the opening titles of Neighbours which aired on Monday, January 9, 2017 contained some spelling mistakes, a spokesman said to news.com.au. It was human error and we sincerely apologise. This has since been rectified. Or as the UK FremantleMedia blamed on the Aussies. one too many sherries over Christmas! Many Thanks to our Advertisers When choosing between competing products and services, please consider our advertisers, who help support Brand New. The Code Your Future School in action in London. Alice Rowsome Code Your Future, a London-based start-up helping refugees to learn computer programming for free, meets weekly at an office in Old Street provided by a tech firm. Volunteer tutors, all professional developers themselves, spend their Sundays helping the refugee students to gain valuable coding skills and connect them with tech companies. Inspired by a similar programme in the Netherlands, founder German Bencci wanted to help refugees and, coming from a tech background himself, knew that the industry was crying out for coders. Whats beautiful about the project is all the people coming forward to help, explains German. We started with zero funding. Now we have been given a space to use for free, laptops and professional developers who give their weekends to teach. Whats beautiful about the project is all the people coming forward to help. We started with zero now we have a space, laptops and professional developers who give their weekends to teach. In a way it was a blessing to start with nothing that way we have met so many amazing people who share what they have. Collaborating and sharing is the spirit of this project. Coding is all about collaboration. Its a myth that its just you and a computer sitting alone coding into all night, says German. On Day 1, students are already building their own web pages Alice Rowsome The students are from a range of cultural and professional backgrounds. Some have experience in tech and computer science, some are graduates of courses like English Literature. There is an accountant, someone else who used to work in a sock factory. German maintains that anybody can learn to code. At Code Your Future we dont care about peoples backgrounds as long as people want to learn they are welcome! At Code Your Future we dont care about peoples backgrounds as long as people want to learn they are welcome! Refugees come to us with skills, experiences and expertise that can really benefit the host community, says Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, UNHCR Representative to the United Kingdom. Integration is a two-way process thats why its great to see both refugees and communities across the UK innovating in this way. Its projects like these that enable refugees to take part fully in the social, economic and cultural life of their new homes. "I come from Aleppo in Syria. I think the city is quite well known now but not for very good reasons. I guess it's a well-known city for anyone that follows the news. Since claiming asylum, I have been looking for work. Sadly my speciality area is English language teaching and so it's not the best speciality to have here in the UK! After the course, I hope to teach coding here in the U.K." Alice Rowsome Some of the tutors are refugees themselves, such as Kash, a software engineer. Kash volunteers as a tutor with Code Your Future as he strongly believes it can help refugees improve their lives in the UK. He also thinks that by bringing together people from different backgrounds, with a range of different skills, Code Your Future will benefit the UK tech industry. Code Your Future is important because a lot of people hear about refugees coming to Europe in such a negative light, Kash explains. Projects like this take something that appears to be a problem and turns it into something good for society. Projects like this take something that appears to be a problem and turns it into something good for society. The students are dedicated to learning and are passionate about moving forward. They help each other learn in the class and meet up outside of the classroom too. We introduce them to concepts and then leave them to work through them together, says Kash. The most rewarding thing for me is seeing the students argue over a piece of code No, thats not the right way to do it! Do it like this! I love to see them learning for themselves and trying to outdo each other! "My name is Bridget. I am part of Room to Heal [a group that supports refugees who have survived torture and other forms of organized violence]. They put me in touch with the Helen Bamber Foundation, who suggested that I apply to this program and everything went from there!" Alice Rowsome Of course, many of the students are facing huge challenges, such as being separated from their families or dealing with their asylum case. Its amazing what you can achieve when people come together with a great idea and lots of positive energy! Its hard to tell someone to do their homework when they have all this to worry about! But its a space for them to escape it, and make friends, join a community and be productive its a really positive experience for them, Kash explains. For me this is personal. My family went through this process and it wasnt easy. When I first came to England I didnt speak English very well, I spent lots of time on the computer and learnt English that way. It used to be just a hobby, but now computers are my career. I hope they can be for some of our students too. "My life wasn't safe in Afghanistan. I was living in a very difficult situation there. My brother is also in the UK and he was very sick. This course will help me provide for me and my brother." Alice Rowsome All of the tutors are very proactive and want to contribute to society outside of their work. They come from lots of different backgrounds and have a lot of different skills to offer. Its amazing what you can achieve when people come together with a great idea and lots of positive energy! says Kash. Im very excited to see it happening. We hope to grow throughout the UK, replicating the project with groups of volunteers to build a communities of local people helping refugees gain valuable skills. Find out more about Code Your Future. Code Your Future is part of a series of stories exploring the incredible ways people across the UK are showing refugees and asylum seekers a #GreatBritishWelcome. Dr. Russell Trood We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Russell Trood. We had the pleasure of working with him over the years he was President of the United Nations Association of Australia and admired his dedication to strengthening that organization. We will remember him for his strong and articulate support of the United Nations and all that it stands for, as well as a colleague who was there for advice and reasoned opinion, quietly undertaken. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends. Christopher Woodthorpe Thomas Albrecht Director, UN Information Centre Regional Representative, UNHCR Child refugee Zoera, in faded red dress with green headscarf, attends class at Djabal camp in Chad. UNHCR/S.Cherkaoui DJABAL REFUGEE CAMP, Chad, Dec 14 (UNHCR) - Anas, 10, and Zoera, eight, leap out from under their mosquito net into the cool morning air. It is only 6:45 when brother and sister rush through the sandy lanes of the labyrinthine Djabal refugee camp in eastern Chad. "Quick, quick, we need to get to school!" Zoera urges Anas with excitement. Both are Sudanese children born in exile in Chad. When war broke out in Darfur in 2003, their parents were forced to flee their home to escape the violence there that has claimed more than 480,000 lives and displaced 2.4 million people. While the crisis and its dire humanitarian consequences have all but faded from international headlines, Chad continues to host 120,000 Sudanese refugee children of school age. They have not been forgotten by the Government of Chad or the UN Refugee Agency. An important change began in 2014, when the Ministry of Education decided to include refugees into the national school curriculum as a means to foster their integration, improve the quality of education and help them make the most of future opportunities. As soon as Anas and Zoera reach the school playground, they line up with the other children and join in singing Chad's national anthem in a cheerful cacophony. When the song ends, the children rush to the classrooms, where they receive instruction in Arabic - one of Chad's two official languages, along with French. There is a shortage of desks, and Anas and his 30 classmates unroll mats on the floor. As in most classes, only the teacher has a text book, although UNHCR is working to provide a text book for every child in the near future. Once the teacher enters the classroom it is time for a reading lesson in Arabic. Pupils, aged six to 10 promptly raise their hands to answer the teacher's questions. Meanwhile, in her classroom, Zoera studies maths, and is busy solving an equation. The long-term strategy of integrating refugees into the national curriculum - which includes training Sudanese refugees as teachers - is seen as essential to sustainability, coming after many families have spent 10 years or more in exile, with chances of returning to Sudan still appearing slim. UNHCR's partnership with the Educate A Child Programme (EAC) of the Education Above All Foundation - which was today renewed for three years - is key to tackling the challenges linked to this critical transition. So far, the programme has helped over 1,700 unqualified refugee teachers to attend training and adapt to Chad's curriculum. A further 167 refugee teachers were provided with a condensed course and obtained the appropriate diplomas. Ibrahim Issakh Khamiss, 46, is one of them. "After the training I received, my teaching has become more fun, livelier and, as a result, my pupils pay more attention," he said. There is little question that Ibrahim's class is the most enthusiastic. His students' voices resonate in the courtyard with cries of "Ustad, Ustad! - Teacher, Teacher!" Sudanese refugee and schoolteacher Ibrahim Issakh Khamiss teaches a class at Djabal camp in Chad. UNHCR/S.Cherkaoui The heat is at its peak when the bell rings. The students pack up their mats and rush home. Anas and Zoera feast on a plate of beans. They both know how lucky they are to have parents who send them to school. "Many of our friends do not study, they work in the fields with their families," Anas laments. But other school comrades and their families do benefit from specific programmes. UNHCR has supported vulnerable households with micro-loans so that families are able to cover the costs of sending their children to school. This allows families to start small businesses, improve their living standards and let the children go to school. So So far, over 13,000 children were enrolled with the support of the EAC programme. And a further 30,000 out-of-school children are expected to be enrolled over the next three years, including supporting over 22,000 out-of-school children with education grants. While Sudanese refugees are taught Arabic, they still need to learn French as a second language. To that end, 256 Chadian teachers have been deployed in the camps to teach French. Zoera and Anas are not learning French yet, but that's not enough to discourage them. At nightfall they meet with a French-speaking refugee and ask him jokingly: "Comment ca va, Monsieur?" "You see!" Anas said. "In no time we'll be able to speak like a Chadian!" The first results of this curricular transition are already visible. At the exams ending middle and high school, refugee students have fared well above the national average, thus giving hope to many students of eventually entering Chadian universities. Ibrahim is proud of this achievement. "Ignorance led to the war in Darfur," he muses. "It is against this ignorance that we are fighting. Children need education for, when we return to Darfur, it will be the only guarantee of peace." You can learn more about the Education Above All Foundation here. By Baptiste de Cazenove in Chad MOUNT PLEASANT On Jan. 4, Daniel Meyer, automotive instructor at Case High School, attended a meeting at Park High School titled Automotive Pathway Meeting. Meyer, 63, thought the meeting, organized by Dan Thielen, chief of secondary school transformation for the Racine Unified School District, would be about how to fine-tune the districts automotive classes. Dan Thielen came out and said that we are going to be closing the Case High School auto shop and that all automotive students ... were going to be based from here on forward at Park High School, Meyer said. I was in shock I was just blown away. The rest of the staff at Case, 7345 Washington Ave., was informed of the changes on Tuesday at a meeting after school. All the automotive classes are going to happen at Park, Meyer said. (The district) wants to set up the entire automotive academy at Park High School. The purpose of the Academies of Racine, as they continue to be implemented throughout the district, is to get students thinking about careers beyond graduation by providing pathways to different fields. The district course and planning guide for the 2017-18 school year states that the automotive pathway will be housed only at Park, 1901 12th St., which has a state-of-the-art automotive lab. My understanding is if they (the student) choose they want to go automotive (pathway) after one year, theyre going to have to transfer to Park High School as full-time students, Meyer said. Busing involved Meyer said that next school year, Case students who want to take automotive classes will be bused during the day to and from Park, a point that isnt made clear, according to the language in the course and planning guide. They deserve more than to be packed on a bus and farmed out to another high school, Meyer said, adding he believes its a waste of taxpayer money. These kids do not have to go to Park High School to get that instruction, they can get that instruction right here in 2017-18 we have the tools to teach the classes as written right now. Meyer teaches three classes of power systems a class that introduces students to small engines. Enrollment in those classes totals 47 students, with another 16 students in the capstone, an advanced class. Meyer believes the reason for this change is due to a decline in enrollment at Park High School. Even though theyve got that big automotive facility over there theyre still struggling with numbers, Meyer said. Which is why theyre coming after ours. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in 2011-12 the enrollment at Park was 1,766 and in 2015-16 it is 1,522. The 2015-16 enrollment at Case was 1,940. Meyer said hes reached out to the School Board members but hasnt directly contacted the administration on this issue. He said he also has not spoken with Case High School Directing Principal Jody Bloyer. Park auto-lab Stacy Tapp, Racine Unifieds chief of communications and community engagement, said the district currently buses students from Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive, to Park and has been doing that for years. We want to be responsive to what the student interest is at each high school, Tapp said, adding this is part of transitioning to the academy system. Eventually youll see that some schools have more of a demand for some academies than others. Tapp said district administrators believe Park is the best place for students who want to pursue the automotive pathway. Weve always touted Park as the best site for automotive (pathway), Tapp said. It has a really great auto lab. Tapp said the district is in the process of communicating with middle-school counselors about the changes so that incoming freshmen are aware. Since 2000, Meyer has taught the automotive classes at Case. This semester could be his last one with the district. This is not about me. Im not crying wolf about the job, Meyer said. My heart goes out to these kids. Weve had a strong automotive program here for 50 years and I dont want to see it dissolve. Meyer said he does not want to take anyones job teaching automotive classes in the district, but he was told he could apply for a different position within the district. My goal is to do everything in my power to keep the automotive classes here in the fall, Meyer said. Even if Im not here. Cathy Adduci who lives near the Concordia University and is the village president said that Verizon needs to provide better coverage in the area. Adduci said that she even had to go to a window to use her mobile phone because there is no coverage. In the same manner, Concordia University Vice President of Administration Dennis Witte said that both the school's staff and students complain constantly about the lack of signal. Witte points to the north east corner of the village as the site that needs coverage improvement. And she is not the only one complaining. A lot of people in the area have already complained that they are not getting any signal. Which is why Verizon is now seeking approval to install a cellphone tower inside the campus. According to the university officials, Verizon Wireless personally approached them months ago with plans to install a new antenna, as reported by Chicago Tribune. Concordia University revealed that they have plans to increase the height of one corner of its parking garage in order to make way for a new Verizon Wireless cellphone tower. Verizon wireless has proposed that the southwest corner of the campus will increase from 65 feet to 75 feet. The increase in height will allow a new antenna. Verizon will share spaces with T-Mobile. However, it still needs village approval before any installation can begin. University officials and Verizon have already approached the River Forest Village board on Monday. The village board needs to give its final approval at a future board meeting. This is not the first time Concordia University has pushed to install cellphone towers. A while back, there was a need to boost AT&T and T-Mobile cellphone service in Oak Park and River Forest using a pair of stealth modifications to the campus parking space. In this way, Concordia's students have benefited on an increased signal coverage as well as pocketing income on the side, as reported by Oak Park. Check out the Concordia University Campus below: The American Cancer Society has estimated that there are almost 13,000 women in America that would be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. This was the recorded number in 2016 alone. Plus, there is a recorded 4,000 who are dying from the human papillomavirus (HPV) disease which is the cause of cervical cancer. Now, the University of South Carolina researchers led by Carolyn E. Banister, Kim E. Creek, Phillip J. Buckhaults, Changlong Liu and Lucia Pirisi, found that there is a new sub-type of the HPV that are not susceptible to standard therapies (chemotherapy and radiation therapy). According to Banister, currently, cervical cancer patients are being treated in a uniform manner with the use of standard chemotherapy and radiation treatments. However, 33 percent of these patients are not responding to the standard procedures, as reported by EurekAlert! This is because there is a sub-type of cervical cancer that has different genetic features. This means that these cervical cancer patients may benefit from a different form of treatment instead. The University of South Carolina researchers analyzed 255 cervical cancer samples and found that there are two HPB oncogenes, thought to be important for cervical cancer growth, which were at either higher levels or little to nothing, as published in Impact Journals. Banister now advises doctors managing cervical cancer patients to test for HPV oncogene expressions. After finding out the type of oncogene expression, they should consider personalized treatment of the HPV. The study hopes to provide better treatment to the thousands of women affected by cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Socitety, Latin and African-American women are more likely to develop the disease than Caucasian women in America. Banister and her team at the University of South Carolina are also looking for the genomic reason as to why this is so. Want to know more about University of South Carolina? Check this video below: RAYMOND The Priests of the Sacred Heart plan to open a residence and chapel here for novices studying to become Catholic priests in a home designed by the late prominent architect John Randal McDonald. The Priests of the Sacred Heart have an accepted purchase offer for the property at 8409 Three Mile Road. Pending approvals, the Catholic religious order would use the two-story, 5,600-square-foot home as a novitiate: a residence that will house individuals interested in joining the order. David Nagel, a deacon with the Roman Catholic religious order, said the orders proposal is about a $900,000 endeavor, including the purchase price and some planned renovations. Wendy Kaprelian, the listing agent for Shorewest Realtors, said the house was the last designed by McDonald before he died, and he dubbed it The Hawkeye. The home was built for more than $1 million with construction starting in 2004, she said. It is set on 12.3 acres and invisible from any road. After some internal modifications, the residence would house three to seven novices at a time; they would live and study there during their one-year program before taking their religious vows to become priests. During the novitiate year of study, an individual is initiated into religious life as it is lived in a community setting, the permitting application explains. The novice studies the life and writings of the founder and learns more about the Roman Catholic Church and the Priests of the Sacred Heart from the perspective of the neighbors, the home will simply be used as a residence. Two part-time employees would be on the premises during the day, sharing the role of cook/housekeeper. The orders planned main renovations would be internal, to increase the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Also, a chapel for the use of the residents would be created by modifying the existing carport. About the order The Priests of the Sacred Hearts mission is to make known the profound love that Jesus has for all people through prayer, service, education, social action and outreach among the poor and neglected, the application states. Nagel said the future Catholic priests would spend part of their year as novices working in missions; locations could include Milwaukee, Chicago, Houston and American Indian reservations in South Dakota. Nagel said the order hopes to close on the building purchase at the end of this month, have it ready for the first novices to prepare there in July and formally start their one-year program in August. The orders application for a conditional-use permit is scheduled to go to public hearing before the Racine County Economic Development and Land Use Committee at 6 p.m. Monday at the Ives Grove Office Complex auditorium, 14200 Washington Ave., Yorkville. A 47 year old Nigerian scholar named Wale Adebanwi has become the first black African to be given a chair at Oxford University since its conception 60 years ago. Adebanwi now holds the Rhodes Professorship in Race Relations. The chair is placed in the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies at Oxford University. As a backgrounder, the Rhodes Professorship in Race Relations is named after Cecil Rhodes. Rhodes was a Prime Minister of Cape Colony in South Africa in the 1890's. Because of his work in mining and business, the Rhodesian Selection Trust Mining Company established the professorship in 1954. Wale Adebanwi's chair comes from a long line of professorships but he is the first black African scholar. Previously, Professors Kenneth Kirkwood, Terence Ranger and William Beinart held the position, as reported by the Vanguard. But before he takes his position at the University of Oxford, he is currently wrapping up his work at the University of California, Davis, United States. He is described to be a scholar of international distinction. He has an amazing record of of leadership in teaching and research. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. He also holds a Ph.D and Master's degree in political science from the University of Ibadan. As well as a Master's degree and Ph.D in social anthropology from the University of Cambridge. He also worked as a journalist and writer for multiple Nigerian publications. Aside from his outstanding educational record, he was also praised by Bill Gates. Adebanwi was a former Gates Scholar and Bill Gates's scholarship funded his education at Cambridge. He will become a fellow of St. Anthony's College at Oxford this July 2017. He will also become the next Director of the African Studies Center which is Britain's oldest university, as reported by the Nigerian Tribune. Interested in joining Oxford University? Check out this 30 second video below: Monmouth University will become the new official home of Bruce Springsteen's works. This will pave the way for more research on the artist. Asbury Park Press reported that Monmouth University and the iconic artist have confirmed the creation of The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. The announcement was made during "A Conversation with Bruce Springsteen" at the school's Pollak Theatre on Tuesday. The school is set to become the official repository of the artist's written works, photographs, periodicals and artifacts. The collaboration is intended to broaden the current relationship of Springsteen and Monmouth University. The school has been the home of the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection since 2011. The archive will also support and hold the legacy of other music icons such as Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, Hank Williams and Frank Sinatra. University president Paul Brown has said that the school is excited for this opportunity. He also stated that Monmouth's location "brilliantly captures" the essence of Springsteen's music. According to the New York Times, executive director of the Grammy Museum Robert Santelli was one of the people who played a major role in bringing the archives to the university. He will be taking on a leadership role at the new center. The publication noted that this comes after "rock-related archives" have increased in value to museums, universities as well as other cultural institutions. These archives are typically used for scholarly study or to attract tourists. Last year, Rolling Stone reported that Bob Dylan's archives, which includes handwritten lyrics, contracts and private letters as well as video and audio recordings, were sold by the artist to the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the University of Tulsa. It was priced at an estimated $15 to $20 million. Dylan's archive will be housed at the Gilerease Museum in Tulsa. However, only scholars and experts on the artist will be allowed access to it. In this era of information technology, nothing is impossible, not even getting an undergraduate or MBA degree in the comforts of your own home at your own pace and at your own time. The challenge, however, is which institution offers the best programs, one that gives value for your money. The U.S. News & World Report has recently released their list of the best online MBA and undergraduate programs. Check them out below: Best Online Undergraduate Programs The top three educational institutions with the best online undergraduate programs are Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University - Worldwide in Florida, Temple University, and the University of Oklahoma. Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University - Worldwide Although they are an aeronautic university and they major on the subject, Embry-Riddle also has the best programs on Business Administration and Journalism. Founded in 1993-1994, one of the advantages of the school is its rolling deadline. Moreover, they also keep their lectures archived just in case a student wants to access and learn more from it much later. Temple University Temple University can be considered a babe having started only in 2012-2013. However, it hasn't stopped this educational institution from rising at the top. Some of its top undergraduate programs include Business Administration, Accounting, and Marketing. University of Oklahoma To complete the top three is the University of Oklahoma which offers undergraduate programs in the Liberal Arts, Homeland Security, and Health Professions. Although open to everyone, the main target of the University of Oklahoma are those who are in the military service. Best Online MBA Programs Under the MBA programs, Temple University tops the list followed by Carnegie Mellon University, and Indiana University - Bloomington. Getting an online MBA program gives you an advantage of furthering your education without disrupting your career at the moment. Here's a closer look at what each of these programs offer. Temple University Temple University offers two advantages - they have a rolling deadline and their online MBA programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is considered the gold standard when it comes to business school accreditation. Carnegie Mellon University (Temper) If you are considering to enroll at Carnegie Mellon, their deadline is April 23. What makes the MBA programs of Carnegie Mellon is its blended format. Students are given the opportunity to immerse with the culture of the school through their on-site learning. This allows students to interact personally with their professors and their fellow students. Indiana University - Bloomington Like Temple University, Indiana University has a rolling deadline. The university offers a flexible program allowing students to finish between 2 - 5 years depending on their schedule. The MBA teaching staff are also some of the best in the country with most of them teaching in the program for more than 10 years. When it comes to business schools, the names that immediately come to mind are Wharton, Stanford, and Harvard. They're one of the best, of course, but they can also be quite difficult to afford However, that does not leave you without any choice. For the last few years, many colleges have taken big leaps in improving their programs resulting in more enrollment as well as significant outcomes in terms of graduate employment and salaries. Here are four of these business schools to watch out for in 2017. The list does not come in any particular order. Northwestern University - Kellog Before you get impressed with its MBA program, Kellog's $220-million Global Hub building which will debut in winter will become the envy of every MBA program. Structure aside, Kellog ranked second in recruiter survey conducted by the U.S. News this year. Moreover, its graduates are landing high-paying jobs in some of the most prestigious companies like Amazon and Microsoft. According to Poets and Quants, its 2016 class has experienced the highest starting pay and sign-in bonus which is $139,747 per annum. University of Illinois One of the biggest come-on the University of Illinois offers is its $22,000-worth iMBA program, an online MBA program which gives students the opportunity to earn an MBA with flexibility. Partnering with Coursera, the University of Illinois is offering more than just a glorified MOOC program. Proof of that is their retention rate where 265 students continued with the course out of the 270 who enrolled during the first year. Duke University - Fuqua Duke University has had a pretty rough time when it comes to rankings. In 2014, it topped the surveys but it tumbled down to eighth place in a ranking conducted by Bloomberg Businessweek the year after. However, Duke proved their critics wrong when it bounced back to third place in 2016. The recent Duke University graduates enjoy getting offers above the average pay mark. One MBA graduate received a $225,000 starting salary. INSEAD "The Business School for the World" - that is INSEAD's tagline which the institution takes to heart with a population comprised of 73 nationalities. INSEAD is based in France and has campuses in Singapore and Abu Dhabi as well. INSEAD is currently the top business school in the world edging out Harvard Business School. RACINE A Pennsylvania man who took part in a con here involving fake, colored currency, will spend a year in jail for the crime. Solomane Bility, 32, was one of three men arrested by Racine Police in April after officers reportedly found them trying to execute a black money scam at a furniture store in the 1600 block of Washington Avenue. In a black money scam also known as a black-dollar scam or a wash-wash scam con artists try to convince victims that piles of banknote-sized paper are actually currency notes that have been dyed to avoid detection by authorities. Victims are then persuaded to pay fees and purchase chemicals to remove the dye, with the promise of a share in the proceeds. The men were charged with felony theft and forgery. On Monday, three months after pleading guilty to the theft charge, Bility was sentenced in Racine County Circuit Court to a year in the Racine County Jail. Under the terms of the sentencing the court ordered that Bility, a Liberian immigrant, be released directly to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when he is done serving his time. According to Assistant Racine County District Attorney Christopher Steenrod, Bility had already lost his refugee status and was slated to be deported when he was arrested in Racine. Bilitys codefendants cases are still working their way through the system. Samba Soumare, 27, was found guilty by a jury in October and has yet to be sentenced. Malcom T. Nimleys case is slated to go to trial this spring. RACINE A Racine man is facing charges that he assaulted a Starbuck Middle School student on Monday after a dispute over stolen gym shoes. Eugene Taylor Jr., 35, of the 1400 block of Russet Street, was charged on Tuesday with physical abuse of a child, disorderly conduct and possession of narcotic drugs. According to the criminal complaint: Taylor, who was identified as the father of another student, allegedly punched the 14-year-old victim in the face just before 5:30 p.m. Monday at the school, 1516 Ohio St. The victim told police he was receiving Facebook messages from Taylor accusing him of stealing shoes in the school locker room prior to the incident. When confronted by Taylor and his son during the incident, the victim told the two he denied taking the shoes. Thats when Taylor allegedly punched the child in the nose. Responding police officers searched Taylor and reported finding oxycodone without a prescription, which led to the drug charge. Taylor also was charged with disorderly conduct for causing a disturbance on school grounds. On Tuesday, Racine County Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch set his bond at $500. If convicted on the most severe child abuse charge, Taylor faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. His next court appearance, a preliminary hearing, is scheduled for Jan. 19. Taylor remained in Racine County Jail as of Tuesday night, according to online jail records. Published: January 11, 2017 Can Song Help You Learn a Second Language? Read more features in the Winter 2017 Journal Anyone who has ever studied a foreign language knows the struggle to retain vocabulary. But what if there was a simple tool that could help? In her study, Singing to Speak: an Examination of Adult L2 Learners and Vocabulary Learning Through Song, Vanessa Rukholm, assistant professor of languages and linguistics, examined the effectiveness of song on the acquisition of Italian vocabulary among adult learners. The study examined the performance of 66 participants on a vocabulary test both before and after listening to a song containing the terms. Her findings, which were published in Italica, suggest music did in fact have an impact on participants scores. Song can promote the rehearsal of language, a necessary ingredient in vocabulary retention, said Rukholm. The idea of using song to aid in acquiring foreign language vocabulary first began germinating for Rukholm in high school when she was taking Italian for the first time. Her teacher would often include cultural elements, one of which was Italian pop music. Rukholm found it was much easier to remember vocabulary when it was part of a melody. Fast forward many years and this idea of examining whether melody could impact language learning became my thesis topic, she said. For the study, Rukholm tested five groups of University of Toronto undergraduate students enrolled in a second-term introductory Italian course. All participants took a pretest on 20 vocabulary words chosen from an Italian pop song with a repetitive melody. Then, one group listened to a recorded reading of the lyrics of the song (no melody) and one group listened to the song itself. A third group was read the lyrics as a poem, but also given activities to do with the words (find them in an Italian dictionary, for instance). Similarly, a fourth group listened to the song, and was also given activities. A control group just took the tests. Post-tests were given two and four weeks later. The process was very nerve-racking, but I had a good feeling I was onto something, said Rukholm. So, did the song groups perform better? The results showed that the group who listened to the song and completed the activities using the target words scored highest on both post-tests. Going through the post-tests, we found that not only did participants in that group know the words, but it was also the only group to use them correctly in a sentence even after only a few exposures to the vocabulary, said Rukholm. Though more studies would be needed before large-scale changes to language curriculum could be implemented, Rukholm said foreign language instructors should consider the use of music in their classes. I introduce song all the time, she said. Students enjoy it, and while hearing the music they are also learning to think in a second language and getting into the cultural mindset of a native speaker. By Kiley Mallard, Writer/Editor BURLINGTON Fire crews from three counties responded Tuesday night for a report of a fire at the Nestle chocolate plant on the city's south side. Crews from the City of Burlington, Town of Burlington and Burlington Rescue Squad were dispatched at about 8:55 p.m. to a report of a fire in a roaster machine at the plant, 637 S. Pine St. Radio reports from the scene later indicated that firefighters were conducting some operations on the plant's roof and smoky conditions were reported. At about 9:15 p.m., the city Fire Department called for mutual aid from surrounding communities including Waterford, Rochester, Kansasville, Lyons, Lake Geneva and Twin Lakes and Salem. Several mutual aid companies were being sent home at about 10 p.m. and Burlington crews were reported finished at the scene just after 10:30 p.m. More information will be posted as is becomes available. RACINE House Speaker Paul Ryan on Wednesday downplayed reports surrounding President-elect Donald Trump and Russia-related intelligence, calling them illegitimate and unsubstantiated. In a phone interview with The Journal Times, Ryan cast doubt on the reports because they originally stemmed from opposition research meant to hurt Trump politically and were not a product of the intelligence community. CNN reported Tuesday that Trump was told that Russia has compromising personal and financial information about him. That information was allegedly presented to Trump and President Barack Obama during intelligence briefings, CNN also reported. Trump has denounced the reports. There should not be legitimacy conferred on these unsubstantiated allegations which do not come from the intelligence community. I think its very important people put this in its proper perspective, said Ryan, R-Wis., whose district includes Racine County. There are those who would love to do harm to his presidency before he takes his hand off the Bible. Im sure partisans will try to take advantage of this. Its a shame because, again, these are unsubstantiated allegations from political opposition researchers for a political opponent. Still, Trump speaks in softer terms about Russia than Ryan and most others in federal government. In recent weeks, Trump has dismissed claims that Russia influenced the election despite universal agreement among federal agencies and he has spoken warmly about President Vladimir Putin. Ryan referred to himself a Russia hawk but said he is not bothered by Trumps Russia statements. I think he has a bigger strategic vision in mind when he thinks about Russia, and I think hes applying that, Ryan said. Obamacare repeal on tap Ryan also said Wednesday he expects the Affordable Care Act to be repealed and replaced in the first quarter of this year, despite media reports that Republicans are not close to reaching consensus on a replacement. Weve already been drafting (a replacement plan). We were working on it all of 2016, Ryan said. I think theres some in the media who try to suggest otherwise, but we ran on a replacement plan of Obamacare. Now were putting procedures in place to execute that plan. Department of Health and Human Services officials say signups in the current enrollment period are at 11.5 million as of Dec. 24, 2016, an increase of about 286,000 compared to last year. In a call with reporters Tuesday, DHS officials pushed back on an assertion made by Ryan and others that the marketplace is collapsing, saying it is actually on track for growth. But Ryan pointed to increasing rates and said he expects insurers to continue leaving the market if the law is left intact. We feel the need to engage in a rescue mission, to rescue the American people from a collapsing law and to stop the damage as fast as we can, Ryan said. The speaker also said health care legislation will include a measure stripping funding for Planned Parenthood and allocating it to other health centers, noting Congress passed a similar measure last year. There are more community federally qualified health care clinics, far more than Planned Parenthood, who produce the same services for women without all of the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood, Ryan said. We think those dollars can be better directed to those clinics. After eight incredible years of star-studded events, Fighters Only Magazine today is proud to announce that the ninth edition of its annual World MMA Awards inside The Venetian Las Vegas is now underway (Pictured: Last years Fight of the Year Winner Robbie Lawler). The official fan voting website, worldmmaawards.com, will go live starting next Monday, January 2 and will feature all of the 2017 Nominees who made the past year another MMA success story. Voting will conclude on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the awards taking place on Thursday, March 2 back on Las Vegas Boulevard inside the world-famous Venetian Theatre. The Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Awards honor the fighters and the executives who make history for the sport each year. The whos who of the MMA always grace the red carpet ceremony, along with familiar names and faces in music, television and film. Fighters Only designates a panel of MMA industry experts to select the award nominees, and in true MMA tradition, the fans choose winners by casting their votes online at worldmmaawards.com throughout the month of January. The most anticipated awards include Fighter of the Year, Knockout of the Year and Upset of the Year. In celebration of the many outstanding Clark County School District educators in the Las Vegas community, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts will host the second annual Heart of Education Awards, powered by The Rogers Foundation on Saturday, April 29. With 800 teachers already nominated, The Smith Center and The Rogers Foundation encourage the Las Vegas community to continue to submit nominations for deserving CCSD teachers through Tuesday, Jan. 31. Anyone not related to the teacher is eligible to nominate a teacher and can do so by visiting TheHeartofEducation.org. For more information, interested participants can also visit TheSmithCenter.com. The Heart of Education Awards was created to celebrate Clark County School District teachers who have been recognized as outstanding educators and leaders in their schools, with more than 800 teachers honored last year. Taking place just days before the start of National Teacher Appreciation Week, the gala event will feature a red carpet arrival, special performances and more. In honor of their achievements, 20 teachers will also be awarded $5,000, a Heart of Education trophy and a $1,000 cash prize to be used for a program of their choice at the winning teachers schools. Expanding on their support from last years inaugural event, the Las Vegas Review-Journal will award three Peoples Choice Awards, amounting to $10,000 ($5,000 for First Place, $3,000 for Second Place and $2,000 for Third Place). Foreign firms join e-commerce bandwagon Japanese retail company Aeon entered Vietnams e-commerce market through its website on January 1st. The website named AeonEshop.com is designed as a business-to-consumer (B2C) platform with most of the products imported from Japan. The company started operations in Ho Chi Minh City and will later expand throughout the rest of country. An English version of the site is expected along with a mobile app version by mid-2017. Apart from its home country Japan, Aeon also has a presence in Malaysia. Additionally, Lotte also recently launched its e-commerce website in Vietnam and plans to invest US$25 million per year; by 2020, it targets a 20 percent market share in the country. Similarly, Thai based Central Group has taken over e-commerce site Zalora, while Chinese based Alibaba has entered the market by taking a controlling stake in online retailer Lazada Group for US$1 billion. While several foreign retailers still operate through traditional brick and mortar stores, Vietnamese consumers increasingly prefer to shop at grocery stores to make orders and have it delivered to their homes, as this helps in saving time and eliminates the necessity to carry large packages themselves. Analysts have stated that businesses will have to pursue an omnichannel retailing experience, which combines online shopping with traditional stores. RELATED: Dezan Shira & Associates Corporate Establishment Services Vietnam one of Asias top expat destinations Vietnam has come on top for expat career opportunities in Asia, hereby surpassing several countries in the continent compared to last years figures. The results were released in HSBCs Expat Explorer survey published on January 4th. The report ranked Vietnam 28th globally in terms of career opportunities, overtaking Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. Around four in five expats said their employment package comes with benefits. In relation to work-life balance, Vietnam ranked second in Asia only behind Thailand, with 57 percent of expats saying they enjoyed a great work-life balance. The report also stated that expats in Vietnam are compensated well with higher salaries, around 50 times more than the average wage in their home countries. Employers also place a higher value on retaining foreign employees. The study was based on eight criteria: skill acquisition, career progression, job security, earnings, benefits packages, work-life balance, work culture, and fulfilment at work. The development bodes well for the country and this trend is likely to continue in the near future. RELATED: Opportunities for Urban Infrastructure Development in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City to attract higher FDI Ho Chi Minh Citys Industrial Zones (IZ) will attract US$500 million (VND 10.9 trillion) of foreign direct investments in 2017, according to the HCM Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA). HEPZA is planning to expand and develop the Le Minh Xuan IZ, Hiep Phuoc IZ and the Automotive-Mechanical IZs while focusing on four key industries, namely mechanical engineering, electronics and IT, chemicals and food processing, and supporting industries. FDI in 2016 reduced to US$255.61 million (VND 5.57 trillion) as more industries focused on high-tech industries rather than labor-intensive sectors like textiles and footwear. Even the domestic investments saw a 14 percent decline in 2016 to US$237.71 million (VND 5.2 trillion). IZs and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) exports stood at US$5.86 billion (VND 133.2 trillion). Currently operating in the IZs and EPZs are 1,382 projects worth US$9.22 billion (VND 209.6 trillion), which includes 535 FDI projects worth US$5.41 billion (VND 123 trillion). Employment stands at 285,700, including 2,346 foreign nationals. Concurrently the city is also seeing a rise in demand for workers according to Ho Chi Minh Citys Center for Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labor Market Information (FALMI). The city will require 40,000 new workers in January and February, and the total amount of new vacancies is expected to reach 140,000 in 2017, indicating a rise of 7.7 percent compared to last year. Demand for sales and marketing professionals, food processing, domestic workers, security, ornamental plant takers, tour guides, and delivery services will see a rise in the first quarter. The city will also require skilled employees for the textile and garment, leather shoes making, food processing, and construction industries. Rate of workers changing jobs stands at 15 percent in the country, which reduces further after the Tet Holidays (Lunar New Year) as workers will have better job security and bonuses that encourage workers to stay. 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 vietnam@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. Annual Audit and Compliance in Vietnam 2016 In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we address pressing changes to audit procedures in 2016, and provide guidance on how to ensure that compliance tasks are completed in an efficient and effective manner. We highlight the continued convergence of VAS with IFRS, discuss the emergence of e-filing, and provide step-by-step instructions on audit and compliance procedures for Foreign Owned Enterprises (FOEs) as well as Representative Offices (ROs). Navigating the Vietnam Supply Chain In this edition of Vietnam Briefing, we discuss the advantages of the Vietnamese market over its regional competition and highlight where and how to implement successful investment projects. We examine tariff reduction schedules within the ACFTA and TPP, highlight considerations with regard to rules of origin, and outline the benefits of investing in Vietnams growing economic zones. Finally, we provide expert insight into the issues surrounding the creation of 100 percent Foreign Owned Enterprise in Vietnam. Tax, Accounting and Audit in Vietnam 2016 (2nd Edition) This edition of Tax, Accounting, and Audit in Vietnam, updated for 2016, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in Vietnam, 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 Vietnams complex tax and accounting landscape in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their Vietnam operations. According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, the floods, described as the worst experienced by the region in almost 50 years, have so far claimed 25 lives while two people have gone missing. "About 1.1 million residents from 369,680 families in 12 provinces of southern Thailand were affected by the flooding," said the department's chief, Chatchai Promlert, in his daily update on the disaster on Tuesday (Jan 10). The 12 provinces of southern Thailand affected by the floods are Pattalung, Narathiwat, Songkhla, Pattani, Trang, Yala, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumpon, Ranong, Prachuab Kiri Khan and Krabi. 'LOST EVERYTHING' In flood-hit areas of Surat Thani province, a tourist gateway to the party islands of Samui and Phangan, villagers said a week of rain had brought an unprecedented deluge. "Every year it floods, but not like this," Chamnan Ingkaew, a village leader in Chaiya district told AFP. "There are 100 houses in my village, but we all had to leave and everything inside was lost ... the water kept coming and coming, almost two metres high." Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha on Tuesday said residents should have heeded evacuation warnings issued ahead of the floods. "Many people do not want to leave, they want to stay home," he said, adding that their reluctance was making the relief effort more pressing. The widespread flooding has damaged five government installations, 218 roads and 59 bridges. A heavy downpour in Prachuab Kiri Khan province on Monday night also caused the Phetkasem Highway, a major artery in southern Thailand, to be cut off when one of the bridges linking to it was swept away by swift currents. The government has started building a temporary bridge to replace the damaged bridge, said the province's chief administration officer, Somporn Patchimphet. He also said that the province's Bangsapan district hospital was flooded on Monday night, forcing the authorities to evacuate the patients to higher floors and to nearby hospitals. The flooding has also shuttered the airport in Nakhon Si Thammarat and trains to the deep south. Meanwhile, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said the disaster will only have a minimal impact on the economy as the losses from the flooding were estimated to be not more than 15 billion baht (US$421 million). The disaster will not have a big impact on the country's Gross Domestic Product, FTI chairman Chen Namchaisiri told local media. Southern Thailand is a major rubber producing region and its islands are a major attraction for foreign tourists. Capping his eight years in office, US President Barack Obama returned to his adoptive hometown of Chicago to recast his "yes we can" campaign credo as "yes we did" AFP/Joshua LOTT Capping his eight years in office, Obama returned to his adoptive hometown of Chicago to recast his "yes we can" campaign credo as "yes we did". He also called on supporters to pick up the torch and forge a new "social compact". "Democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity," he said. "For all our outward differences, we are all in this together," he said. "We rise or fall as one." "There have been moments throughout our history that threatened to rupture that solidarity," the president said. "The beginning of this century has been one of those times. A shrinking world, growing inequality; demographic change and the specter of terrorism - these forces haven't just tested our security and prosperity, but our democracy as well," he warned. President Obama also called for the rejection of discrimination against Muslim Americans to loud applause. "Protecting our way of life requires more than our military. Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. "That's why, for the past eight years, I've worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firmer legal footing. That's why we've ended torture, worked to close Gitmo, and reform our laws governing surveillance to protect privacy and civil liberties. That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans," he said. Turning to climate change, President Obama warned denying the reality of global warming amounted to a betrayal of generations to come. "We can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem," he told the crowd in Chicago. "But to simply deny the problem, not only betrays future generations, it betrays the essential spirit of this country, the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our founders." The rebranding is the next step in the process of TCC acquiring Metros entire wholesale operations in Vietnam, including all 19 stores and related real properties for an enterprise value of 655 million back in January 2016. From January 10, Metro Cash and Carry Vietnam officially changed into MM Mega Market Vietnam The new logo is a symbolisation of MM Mega Markets mission to provide the newest unseen experiences for customers and this is achieved through the following ideology 5M Meet, More, Magnificent, Meaningful, Manner - which represents the five dots above MM. MM Mega Market will finish rebranding its entire 19 stores nationwide this year. After a-year transition from the former Metro Cash and Carry Vietnam to TCC, its now time we finally renamed the business and unveil the new brand name MM Mega Market Vietnam, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, TCCs chairman. Not only will we continue to further the values that Metro Cash and Carry Vietnam had been working hard to build over the last 14 years in Vietnam, we will commit ourselves to making strong investments here to develop a new brand name MM Mega Market that is better in every way, from services to products, to serve our customers in Vietnam to the best of our capabilities. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi - TCCs chairman speaking at the grand opening As one of the most important Thai investors in Vietnam, through MM Mega Market, TCC is destined to invest in human resources and bolster partnership with domestic suppliers and farmers, to elevate the values of sustainable supply chains for the ultimate goal of offering our customers with safe and quality products, while creating jobs for local workers and advance sustainable development for the Vietnamese people. Through MM Mega Market's systems, we will strengthen the marketing and distribution of products from Vietnam to Thailand as well as other markets in ASEAN where TCC is present, Sirivadhanabhakdi stressed. BJCs chairman Aswin Techajareonvikul at the grand opening Phidsanu Pongwatana, managing director of MM Mega Market Vietnam, said: MM Mega Market follows the new concept of a modern warehouse outlet. The market consists of various wholesale and retail products. Its modern design not only provides convenience to the customers but also gives them a sense of fun-filled excitement while browsing through a varied range of goods and services. Our goal is to develope MM Mega Market as an ideal shopping place with dedicated staffs and excellent services for our customers in Vietnam. Phidsanu Pongwatana - Managing director of MM Mega Market Vietnam Accordingly, MM Mega Market will go through earth-shattering changes in all spheres, from improved image and store setup, to the development of new products and reinforcement of food safety control through the development of safe food supply chains. We will further develop two Meat Platforms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in addition to the existing Fish Platform in Can Tho, while targeting enlargement of farm land for safe vegetable production under our partnership with local farmers to 250 hectares, double that of 2016, added Pongwatana. One of first things we do right after the launch of the new identity is to further cooperate and grow together with local suppliers, develop more new products to serve our professional (HORECA) customers, while creating some of the most competitive product categories in the market, in order to offer even more benefits for customers, he said. In Ohio in 2009, a high-profile county prosecutor took a salary cut to help offset budget cuts, then took a part-time job with a private law firm. The move by Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, a former state treasurer, was legal and not all that unusual in Ohio, but office holders who do it have to be extremely careful about the appearance of a conflict of interest, the Associated Press reported. Its in the publics best interest, in Ohio or Wisconsin, to keep its lawyers its district attorneys, assistant district attorneys and public defenders out of potential conflicts of interests by compensating them fairly for their work. We should all want prosecutors and public defenders to be able to devote all their working hours to government practice. In the interest of justice for proving that those not guilty are exactly that, for convictions that dont get overturned on appeal we want the best and the brightest to stay in government practice. The lure of a higher salary in private practice is strong an American Bar Foundation study found that, among young lawyers surveyed who were in local/state government practice in 2002, 43 percent of the women and 37 percent of the men had left government practice by 2007 but dedicated individuals will stay longer in the offices of district attorneys and the State Public Defender if their pay doesnt lag too far behind. For those reasons, we support the budget proposal by state Attorney General Brad Schimel to give a raise to every prosecutor in the state in each of the next two years. Schimel said hes asked Gov. Scott Walker to use $4.8 million in revenue from a consumer protection lawsuit settled by the Department of Justice to pay prosecutors. Schimel said this proposal concentrates on recruiting and retaining prosecutors. Schimel has also asked for about $16 million to add 113 prosecutor positions around the state. District attorneys have also asked for $7.9 million to fund pay raises for assistant district attorneys and deputy district attorneys. We were far less receptive to Wisconsin Chief Justice Patience Roggensacks proposal to raise state judge pay by 16 percent, which would cost the state $6.4 million more per year. Under Roggensacks plan, pay for circuit judges would rise from about $131,000 to about $152,000; for appeals court judges from about $139,000 to about $161,000; and for Supreme Court justices from about $147,000 to about $171,000, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Lets keep the judges where theyre at in the $130,000 to $175,000 range. We believe there will still be qualified applicants for the bench, and that the prospect of moving a bit higher in the six-figure range wouldnt deter anyone who truly wants to take off the robe. To our state legislators, we say: Give counsel for the people whether on the prosecutors side of the courtroom or the defense a raise. The judges will be fine. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Professor Thomas Vallely of Harvard University in Ha Noi yesterday.Photo dantri.com.vn Receiving Professor Thomas Vallely of Harvard University in Ha Noi, the PM also said the nation looked forward to having FUV emerge as model institution that would facilitate the creation of jobs and start-ups. According to Phuc, Viet Nam needs to continuously boost educational co-operation with the US, a world leader in advanced education, as the country mobilises all of its efforts to achieve three crucial breakthroughs in development targets: rapid and sustainable development alongside the development of high quality human resources. The two sides have worked together to set out all legal procedures for the FUV project. "Viet Nam backs the universitys independent and non-profit higher education model in line with international practices," he added. Prof. Vallely said the US Government would provide funds for building the FUV. The US side was focusing on establishing an appropriate management mechanism for the university to make it a leading educational institution in the region and the world, he added FUV training programmes would mainly concentrate on startup development and global economic linkages, including connections with Silicon Valley, Vietnamese entrepreneurs and scientists in the US, Valley said. Vallely said American public opinion welcomed the recent phone call between PM Phuc and US President-elect Donald Trump as a step towards strengthening bilateral relations. illustration photo According to information publised by QNS, on December 27, Foremost Worldwide Limited bought an additional 224,900 shares, raising its holding from 4.86 to 4.98 per cent, while VOF Investment Limited bought another 69,000 shares, raising its holding from 0.11 to 0.15 per cent. QNSs products include soymilk (Vinasoy and Fami brands), Biscafun confectionery, and Thach Bich bottled water. As of the end of December 2015, Vinasoy and Fami together held about 84 per cent of the Vietnamese branded soymilk market, according to market research firm Nielsen. QNS soymilk factories currently have a combined annual capacity of over 300 million litres. In the first nine months of this year, QNS earned a total VND5.3 trillion ($237.67 million) in revenue and VND807 billion ($36.2 million) in net profit, a year-on-year decrease of 12 and 19 per cent, respectively. The soymilk operations contributed over half of the revenue and profit. However, according to an analysis by Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation, in the period between 2011 and 2015, the company enjoyed an average growth rate of 18.3 per cent in revenue and 20.8 per cent in net profit. QNS started trading 187 million shares on UPCoM on December 20 at the initial price of VND80,000 ($3.6) a share. On January 10, 2017 the stock closed at VND107,500 ($4.8) apiece. An acrylic painting by an 18-year-old artist, which depicts police as animals, has been returned to a Capitol complex wall. when he was a student at Cardinal Ritter College Prep high school is stirring up controversy. after its display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. The painting, Untitled #1, in May had won an annual contest sponsored by U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo. It is a symbolic representation of injustice, inequality and the unrest in Ferguson, and, among other things, depicts police officers as animals. (Photo courtesy Office of Lacy Clay) The National Park Service states that marijuana, regardless of state laws, remains illegal in federal public lands such as at the Cathedral Rocks in Yosemite in California. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Attorney General-designate, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., holds one of his granddaughters as he sits behind Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., left, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, right, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday before his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The 300-member Wisconsin Association of Retired Conservationists on Wednesday urged Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature to reject a proposal to break up the state Department of Natural Resources. In a three-page letter that Association president Laurel Steffes said was emailed to Walker and state lawmakers, the association warns that dividing agency programs would be costly to taxpayers while reducing the value of natural resources and environmental protections. It echoes the message of a letter sent to Walker on Monday by five former DNR secretaries. The proposal by Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, to split up the DNR surfaced last month. Jarchow wants to spread DNR fisheries, wildlife, pollution control, forestry, parks and other programs among two new state departments and three existing ones, saying it would allow better focus. The DNR was created in the 1960s through consolidation of two agencies to create efficiency and save taxpayers money. The conservationists said DNR effectiveness can be seen in the states top ranking for hunting and fishing, its popular parks and trails, and its revival of endangered species such as the osprey. They also pointed to cleanups of contaminated rivers and harbors in Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Racine and Marinette, and said the close cooperation of recreation and environmental programs in a single agency was responsible for making Wisconsin an attractive place. These high-quality natural resources that make Wisconsin a vacation, hunting and fishing destination, a healthy place to raise our children, and a quality of life attraction to businesses were the direct result of an integrated DNR, the letter says. Stepping backward from that successful and proven structure is a mistake. A spokesman for Jarchow didnt respond when asked for details about how breaking up the DNR would benefit the state or whether the representative had found co-sponsors for his proposal. I agree with Governor Walker that we should continue working and winning for Wisconsin, Jarchow said in a statement issued by staff member Mitch Sands. That means addressing difficult challenges like (reining) in the DNR. I look forward to continuing this important discussion. Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the governor continues to find the proposal interesting. Legislative leaders have said they are open to it. The DNR has drawn criticism from Republican elected officials who control state government. In the last budget they cut 90 DNR positions. Half the departments senior research scientists were cut because Walker and others opposed research done on mine pollution and ways the state can adapt resource management to climate change. The conservation group said it was made up of retired foresters, conservation wardens, wildlife managers and biologists, parks and recreation managers, air and water quality professionals, and others. Retired Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly testifies during the Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on his confirmation to be secretary of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday. In 2000, Suy Senglim met a French journalist who inspired in him a passion for photography. To put this new-found passion to good use, since 2012 he began to capture images of Cambodias vast variety of birdlife. (Click to view photo gallery.) Worried by the loss of biodiversity in his hometown of Mukh Kampul in Kandal province, Senglim created a photography project through which he hopes to raise awareness of the loss of habitat in Cambodia. He logs methodically each new species he photographs: the common name, scientific name, its identifying features, whether the species is endangered or not. Now the 35 year old aims to educate Cambodians about the importance of bird species and the ongoing impact of development on the countrys natural heritage. The biggest issue is damage to habitat and poaching. Besides that, it is due to the demand from the rich who desire wild meat and who consider mild meat chemical-free, he said. The Giant Ibis, Cambodias national bird, is currently critically endangered with its population fluctuating every year, he said. Through his photography work he has also discovered a lack of education and law enforcement compounding the problem. At the root of Khmer culture, Senglim says, is hunting. However, he notes, in ancient times the animals were more plentiful and the people fewer. If we look at the root of our culture, we can see that Khmer people have been consuming wild meat for thousands of years. And back then, the number of wildlife exceeded that of the people. Thus, consumption was possible. Now it is the opposite. There are more people than wild animals, he said. Educating Cambodians about the need for conservation is of utmost importance to Senglim. Education is very limited. And in terms of legal enforcement, only one institution is standing out, and that is Wildlife Alliance, which has conducted a string of successful crackdowns so far. However, there are few big-scale clampdowns on wildlife hunting as a whole. Chhit Sam Ath, executive director of WWF Cambodia, said that economic land concessions and deforestation are a cause behind the dramatic decrease in the number of trees that naturally serve as the birds habitat. We can see that Cambodia contains a vast array of wildlife along with enormous natural resources and forests. And we also know that after recent development such as economic land concessions, loggings, etc., some of which do not comply with the law, these activities severely affects the wildlife. Forests inside protected areas have disappeared as fast as forests elsewhere in the country. In addition to this broad-scale habitat loss, poaching and hunting is also a significant cause of forest biodiversity loss in Cambodia, according to Fauna and Flora International. Chhit Sam Ath said that Prime Minister Hun Sen recently agreed to increase the number of forest and park rangers to curb poaching and deforestation on top of the current measures which he hopes will help limit deforestation. Recently, the premier has consented to increase the number of forest and park rangers to hold back illegal poaching and logging. Moreover, the government also created a special task force to crack down on those illegal acts on top of the law and governing policies in each protected area. Like Senglim, the WWF Cambodia executive director said that a lack of education concerning wildlife leads to reckless hunting by the people. He also appealed for an end to the wild meat trade. I think we should enhance education among the people in order to make them understand more and love wildlife... I want to call on the people that it is time to help protect the wildlife in our nation. Chantha Nasak, a wildlife specialist with Fauna and Flora International, an international conservation group, said that his organization is still carrying out a study of the number of both abundant and endangered species of animals in Cambodia. However, he said that without proper conservation and protection, Cambodian wildlife is facing a crisis. Through research by some NGOs and institutions on wildlife in Cambodia, we have recorded a huge number of wildlife. There are two categories of wildlife: abundant and endangered... The number of endangered species, such as elephants, can face further decreases if there are no conservation measures taken. To Chantha Nasak, damage to wildlife habitat is the main factor behind the drop in the number of wild animals in Cambodia. He said that the threat to wildlife habitat could be the result of deforestation, land reclamation for agricultural and economic and industrial purposes, and climate change. Through study and observation, there are many factors that threatens wildlife in the country. Those include damage to habitat, exploited use of land, land reclamation for business purposes and climate change. Yet, the one that stands out most is damage to habitat, which could be the result of commercial logging, farming practices and land reclamation for agriculture. Between 2001 and 2014, acceleration of forest loss in Cambodia was the highest in the world with a 14.4 percent increase in the rate of annual forest loss. An estimated 60 percent of the country was forested in 2009, but this had reduced to 48 percent by 2014, according to Fauna and Flora International. On top of the establishment of agreements between some NGOs and the government to help protect wild species in Cambodia, Nasak also said that there is cooperation with communities in an effort to protect endangered wildlife in the country. All Cambodian citizens should join hands in the protection of wildlife, not just the NGOs and the government. It should be everyone. Senglim is preparing to compile a book on 100 significant bird species from the some 400 species he has so far photographed, which he hopes will be published in early 2018. He says he looks forward to teaching in high schools and colleges to inspire a new generation of nature-lovers. I think its time to change the attitude, he says. The U.S. senator picked to be Donald Trump's attorney general told his colleagues Tuesday that as a Southerner he saw racial discrimination and he knows it's wrong. Senator Jeff Sessions, once denied a federal judgeship over allegations of a racist past, was grilled by senators on his conservative views, some of which conflict with established law or the policies of the outgoing Obama administration. VOA's Michael Bowman reports. For Ethem Salli, life in what he still calls one of the greatest cities on earth has been pared back to little more than his commutes to and from work. These days, with a string of extremist attacks targeting Istanbul still fresh in his memory, the 41-year-old environmental engineer doesn't venture outdoors much. I am afraid just like everyone else around me. Because I don't feel the government is able to provide much security, Salli said Monday as he trudged through a snow-blanketed park near the Bosporus Strait. Now everyone is mainly feeling that anything can happen to anyone anywhere. And so Turkey and Istanbul have become scary places. It's not just Turkey and Istanbul. From Berlin to Brussels, Florida to France, deadly attacks on public places are leaving citizens wondering whether they need to adjust their daily routines out of fear of a possible future attack. Back to normal? In France, Parisian cafe society is largely back to normal after the Nov. 13, 2015, attacks targeting the city's nightlife, but many schools still limit outings for children, fearing they will become targets. Belgium remains on its second highest alert level, with soldiers and extra police now a routine sight on the streets. Belgians remain cautious about going out, and a national poll conducted by the country's traffic security authority found that a third changed their behavior last year because of attacks in Brussels, including avoiding venues like cinemas and shopping malls. In Germany, where a truck attack on Berlin's Christmas market claimed 12 lives, people are warming to the kind of pervasive camera surveillance already found in other European countries but previously frowned upon there due to the country's 20th century history of totalitarian dictatorships. A grim year In Istanbul, the deadly New Year's shooting spree by a gunman at a swanky nightclub on the banks of the Bosporus Strait struck at the city's wealthy elite and foreign visitors, but it also dealt yet another blow to the hopes and grand ambitions of this metropolis of more than 15 million that stands proudly at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The deadly attack on the Reina nightclub, claimed by the Islamic State group, left 39 dead. They were far from the only victims of a grim year in the historic city. In some of the other attacks, 10 German tourists were killed in a suicide bombing in the city's historic heart on Jan. 12, 2016, and dozens of people were killed at the city's main airport in June. The country's leaders have gone out of their way to urge frightened Turks not to succumb to fear. Our citizens should not change their daily flow of life, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said last week. If they do so, they will serve the agenda of these terrorist organizations. Their aim is to slow life down, to stop it, to make people afraid. Shoppers are staying home People don't appear to be listening. On a recent day, it wasn't just heavy snow that was hurting trade at the cramped kiosk where the 21-year-old Rumeysa Acar sells everything from tobacco to gum, to razor blades and even sunglasses. The attacks, she said, are keeping people at home. We now think things like will a bomb go off here? she said. Will something happen to us? Will we be able to make it home? We are afraid when we go out. It has hurt our psychology. In addition to the demoralizing wave of terror attacks, the country is still hosting some three million migrants fleeing war in neighboring Syria and Iraq and the nation remains under a state of emergency and crackdown launched by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a failed coup in July. Turkey's once-strong economy is suffering, as the Lira currency plunged to an all-time-low against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday. Social groups are suffering Ferhat Kentel, a sociology professor at Istanbul's Sehir University, said that the multiple problems assailing Turkey are demoralizing the country. Tragedies have been prevalent in this country from the past. The latest incidents indicate that we are in a new traumatic process, Kentel told The Associated Press in a recent interview. The attempted coup, what happened after the coup attempt, measures taken by the government and the state, the declaration of a state of emergency. All of this I think, combined with economic problems, wear down and corrode the souls of social groups as well as the individuals. Erdogan also has sought to reassure the country. In his first public statement after the New Year's attack he told his shocked nation: No one's lifestyle is under systematic threat in Turkey. But that's not how it feels for some. For Salli, the recent snow storm was welcome as it left Macka Democracy Park all deserted but for a few students tossing snowballs at one another. Of course. We try to be in less crowded places, he said. Speaking for myself, my life has practically become going from work to home, from home to work, which isn't satisfying in a place like Istanbul. Because Istanbul is one of the greatest cities in the world. The U.S. military might not shoot down a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile test if the missile is not a threat to the U.S. or its allies, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday. Speaking in his final news briefing at the Pentagon before leaving office later this month, Carter told reporters the military potentially could glean intelligence on North Korea's capabilities during any test launch. If the missile is threatening, it will be intercepted. If it's not threatening, we won't necessarily do so, because it may be more to our advantage to, first of all, save our interceptor inventory and, second, to gather intelligence from the flight, Carter said. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford agreed with the defense secretary's assessment. As the top U.S. military officer, Dunford will continue in his military post after President-elect Donald Trump takes office next week. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a televised address earlier this month that Pyongyang is in its last stage of preparation for testing an intercontinental ballistic missile. Some intercontinental ballistic missiles are capable of traveling the distance from North Korea to the continental United States. Russia Hacking When asked about the U.S. response to alleged Russian hacking in order to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election outcome, Carter hinted that more U.S. actions in response might lie ahead. Some responses have been made. I think you should regard that as a start and not the end, said Carter. President Barack Obama has issued sanctions against Russia and expelled 35 suspected Russian spies for what he called malicious cyber-enabled activities and for Russian harassment of U.S. diplomats in Moscow. Austrian center-left Chancellor Christian Kern on Wednesday launched a bid to win back voters from the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), presenting a 10-year plan focused on creating jobs, boosting public investment and taxing multinationals. The far-right FPO, whose candidate achieved a record score in Austria's presidential election last year, is running first in opinion polls with support of roughly a third, helped by fears about immigration and rising unemployment. Many of its new voters are former supporters of Kern's Social Democrats frustrated by the coalition with the conservative People's Party, an alliance marked by frequent bickering that is widely seen as ineffective. "Those who no longer believe in us, those who are disappointed by us, those who are perhaps angry, I hear your message and I understand your disappointment," Kern said in a landmark speech to hundreds of supporters in Wels, the biggest town in Austria run by an FPO mayor and a former SPO stronghold. "From today we will change course," said Kern, who headed the national rail company until he took over as chancellor in May. His 146-page plan covered a range of issues including core SPO themes like health care and raising the minimum wage. "I want 200,000 extra jobs," Kern said, calling for greater public investment and measures to help start-ups, but without spelling out how that figure would be achieved. Workers The FPO has made political hay out of Europe's migration crisis, which Austria was swept up in more than a year ago when hundreds of thousands of people swept through the country, many fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond. Kern, however, focused more on immigration from eastern European countries, saying he would push for measures within the EU to restrict practices under which companies can send eastern European workers to Austria without paying full Austrian taxes. "We have a situation where these eastern European countries are exporting their joblessness to Austria," said Kern, whose party is supported by roughly 27 percent of voters, polls suggest. Kern's plan, which stretches well beyond the coalition's term expires in autumn 2018, said he would push within the EU for candidates in Austria to be given priority for jobs in sectors that are particularly under pressure. Taxes Picking up on another FPO theme, Kern criticized multinationals, denouncing firms that base themselves in an EU country with a low tax base so they can avoid or reduce their tax bill in other EU states they operate in. His plan called for a "punitive" tax of more than 25 percent to be imposed on companies that book profits from sales in Austria in other European countries to avoid paying Austrian tax. He also said online companies like Google should have to pay the same tax on advertising revenue as newspapers. How these proposals would play with the People's Party was not immediately clear, but Kern seemed to dismiss persistent speculation that their coalition will collapse this year, forcing a snap parliamentary election. "I am convinced that there remains enough for us to do until autumn 2018," Kern said. China has taken a wide technological lead to help bolster its control over much of Asias most contested tract of sea, an advantage that analysts say will help keep less equipped countries away from Beijings massive maritime claims. Beijing showed its technological reach in the South China Sea last month when one of its naval lifeboats picked up a U.S. underwater scientific research drone 93 kilometers from the Philippines, which has a weaker navy and said it was unaware of the incident. The U.S. government protested and China which accuses Washington of trying to contain its expansion -- eventually returned the drone. Ability to monitor activity China can handily detect the activity of other countries with advanced technology such as radars, aerial drones and at least one satellite covering parts of the seas Paracel and Spratly island chains, analysts say. Other countries lack the budget or the knowhow to vie with Chinas maritime technology, which is has unfolded since around 2010 for an undisclosed amount of money. China can use their technology or use defense to claim that we have strengthened our holding or our control, or administration or even our scientific research in the South China Sea, said Yun Sun, East Asia Program senior associate at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington. In the long run it is one way that could matter. Tech strengthens legal claims Use of superior technology may bolster any future challenges to Beijings legal claims, Sun said. A world court arbitration tribunal ruled in July against Chinas claim to about 95 percent of the sea using historical records. China rejected the verdict. The Chinese can come up with a list of the equipment they deployed in the region and show that as evidence of sovereignty, she said. The tropical sea covers 3.5 million square miles stretching southwest from Taiwan past China to Singapore. Its rich in fisheries, shipping lanes and possible fossil fuel reserves. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines also make claims. The United States is not a claimant but insists on freedom of navigation. American military technology can, at the very least, match Chinas. But Washington does not make any permanent deployments of assets in the South China Sea. China ahead of all others Vietnam, which has sparred with China occasionally at sea since the 1970s, owns viable technology for use above the ocean surface but lacks Chinas underwater sophistication, said Collin Koh, a maritime security research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Other claimants lag further, he said. The other claimants, they are more or less still stuck with the more traditional forms of surveillance such as the case of aerial and surface technology, Koh said, Were faced here (with) a very a non-uniform, uneven proliferation of new technologies in the South China Sea. Chinese technology can gauge which islets are suitable for tourism, commerce or land reclamation, Sun said. Much of it developed at home, Chinese high-tech equipment is expected someday to create barriers around existing military facilities at sea. Chinese military will benefit Beijings China State Shipbuilding Corp. proposed last year deploying a network of ship and subsurface sensors to deter foreign vessels, defense publication IHS Janes 360 reported. That network aimed at bulking up Chinas long-term ability to control the sea was named an Underwater Great Wall Project. The same company has systems for marine observation, underwater robotics and ship support, IHS Janes 360 says. Specific components, it says, include sonar systems, underwater security equipment and underwater unmanned equipment. Drones designed in China for use in the disputed sea can do complicated surveying, the Chinese state-controlled Peoples Daily online said in September. One drone can fly up to 1,400 kilometers and stay airborne 30 consecutive hours, the news outlet said, calling the design especially stealthy. Tech helps claims for sovereignty A month after the world court verdict against Chinese claims, Beijing deployed its Gaofen 3 satellite to capture high-resolution images of islets, ships, oil rigs and weather at sea, the official China Daily newspaper said. China might eventually invite foreign representatives to visit a future high-tech installation at sea, a way to flex its claim to sovereignty, Sun said. Other claimants, especially Vietnam and the Philippines, have protested against Chinas militarization of the sea, especially as Chinese vessels enter the ocean exclusive economic zones demarcated by those countries. In Malaysia, which claims part of the Spratlys and has been ranked as the seas top oil and gas prospector, much of the public worries about a buildup of Chinese technology, said Ibrahim Suffian, program director with Kuala Lumpur-based polling group Merdeka Center. Theres a general understanding that Malaysia is a small country with limited ability, so the best strategy is avoid a conflict, Suffain said. They do not like the idea of China increasing the military hardware and technology in that area. They also do not want other powers like say the U.S. to increase its presence. China's top corporate executives are divided about how to handle investments in United States under the forthcoming Donald Trump presidency. Opinions being voiced are as diverse as chocolate and poison. Some prefer collaboration with the new administration, while other business leaders advocate retaliation if Trump takes adverse actions against the country's interests. The first chief executive officer to take a stand was Wang Jianlin, China's richest businessman and owner of the biggest theater chain in the U.S. (AMC Theaters). Wang has threatened to withdraw his $10 billion in U.S. investments if Washington imposes curbs on Chinese businesses. China's state-run media have also been advocating strong adverse action if Washington acts against Chinese business and political interests. Chinese auto glass tycoon Cao Dewang takes the opposite view, saying he will shift part of his business and create jobs in the U.S. Cao complained of the high and "deadly" rate of taxation in China and was immediately dammed by thousands of people in Chinese social media as a "traitor." Government agencies reacted by saying that taxes were not really very high compared with those in the U.S., and one agency promised help to lower manufacturing costs. Some business analysts are not convinced about Cao's reasons for continuing to invest in the U.S. "If Cao Dewang, who supplies tons of U.S.-based automobile facilities with auto glass, is moving a facility to the American Midwest, there are a lot of other factors involved besides taxes," said Jeffery Towson, a Peking University professor and author. "Companies rarely move major operations solely for tax reasons. They factor in things like required expertise, infrastructure, labor costs, transportation issues, energy costs, regulations and such." Ma's offer The debate took an interesting turn on Monday when Trump, who has promised punitive action against China for "stealing" American jobs, held a 40-minute meeting the first with a Chinese CEO since the election with Jack Ma, head of Chinese giant Alibaba Group. Alibaba officials confirmed Ma has offered to create 1 million American jobs by selling goods manufactured by small businesses in the U.S. Midwest in China and Southeast Asia through his online shopping platform. An important question is whether the Alibaba chief was speaking for himself or representing, in an implicit manner, Beijing's interest in softening Trump's stance toward China as a whole. The Communist Party newspaper, Global Times, ran a commentary on Tuesday indicating an official hand might have been involved. "The Chinese side must have maintained communication with Trump's transition team. But Ma is the first Chinese mainlander that met with Trump in public, and perhaps one of the few Chinese entrepreneurs that Trump is keen to meet, given the possible boom Ma can bring to the American job market," it said. Ma's promise to create 1 million American jobs in five years is about 20 times higher than the offer made by Masayoshi Son, the CEO of Japanese tech giant SoftBank. Son pledged to infuse funds to create 50,000 jobs. Interestingly, Trump's response to Ma was subdued compared with the excitement he showed after meeting Son in December. Trump told reporters after the meeting that he and Ma would "do some great things." Zhang Zhouping, chief analyst at the China E-commerce Association, said Ma "is using jobs as a bargaining chip in exchange for better treatment and favorable polices in the U.S." Calling for retaliation During the election campaign, Trump promised to create barriers against Chinese investments in the U.S., impose a 45 percent tax on Chinese imports and declare China a currency manipulator. China's official media have been asking the government to be prepared for retaliation if Trump implements those promises. The Global Times also exhorted the government to "take revenge" against the U.S. if it persisted in treating Taiwan as an independent country. But business experts say it would not be easy for Beijing to retaliate by curbing the flow of investments, because there is a lot at stake for Chinese companies. "I doubt that the Chinese government would focus its actions on Chinese business investment in the United states," Barry Bosworth, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington policy research group, told VOA. "The primary form of any retaliation for trade restrictions would be to raise taxes on the purchase of U.S. capital goods in China in favor of Europe and Japan," Bosworth said. "A good example would be the substitution of the Airbus for Boeing aircraft. China is now one of the world's largest markets, and while the U.S. does not directly export much to China, U.S. firms have a very large stake in the country." Nor is it easy for Chinese business to avoid the U.S. market. In fact, many Chinese businessmen intrigued by Trump's promise to slash taxes to 15 percent believe it might make the U.S. a more attractive investment destination than China, said Scott Kennedy, director of the Project on Chinese Business and Political Economy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "Chinese companies invest in the U.S. for a variety of other reasons: acquisition of technology and management skills, being close to a target market, finding a stable safe haven for funds relative to China's slowing and volatile markets, and avoiding tariffs and non-tariff barriers," Kennedy told VOA. There are signs China is trying to adjust to the reality of a harsh Trump administration and find ways to soften his stance by offering enhanced Chinese investments that would create more American jobs. China is also in competition with businesses from other countries, notably Japan, which may be equally eager to expand in the U.S. market if there is tax reduction. In an unprecedented display of dissent, prominent African-American Democratic lawmakers testified Wednesday in opposition to the nomination of a colleague, Republican Senator Jeff Sessions, tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to be attorney general. If confirmed, Senator Sessions will be required to pursue justice for women, but his record indicates that he wont, said Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, speaking before the Senate Judiciary Committee that is considering the Sessions nomination. He will be expected to defend the equal rights of gay and lesbian and transgender Americans, but his record indicates that he wont. He will be expected to defend voting rights, but his record indicates that he wont. Moments later, Democratic Congressman John Lewis, an icon of the civil rights movement, said America has made great strides towards equality and justice, but we are not there yet. We want to go forward. It doesnt matter how Senator Sessions may smile, how friendly he may be. We need someone who will stand up and speak out for the people who need help, for people who have been discriminated against, Lewis added. We need someone as attorney general who will look out for all of us. Breaking with tradition Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas took to Twitter to call Bookers testimony a disgraceful breach of custom. Booker himself acknowledged he is breaking with Senate tradition, but said in the choice between standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country. Earlier in the day, the committee heard from a variety of Americans with unique and vastly different perspectives on the nominee, a long-serving senator from Alabama once denied a federal judgeship over allegations of a racist past. Sessions vehemently and repeatedly denied any racial prejudice in hours of testimony Tuesday. Former attorney general Michael Mukasey, who served in the George W. Bush administration, described Sessions as principled, intelligent, knowledgeable, thorough, modest, and thoroughly dedicated to the rule of law and to the mission of the [Justice] Department, which is to enforce the law and preserve our freedoms. Cornell Brooks, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), noted that the next attorney general will serve during perilous times. With racial divisions deepening, hate crimes rising, with state-imposed, racially-motivated voter suppression spreading in state legislatures, with police-involved shootings reduced to hashtag homicides and viral videos, it is critical that this committee examine Senator Sessions entire record, Brooks said. The NAACP firmly believes that Senator Sessions is unfit to serve as attorney general, he added. Senator Sessions record reveals a consistent disregard for civil and human rights of vulnerable populations, including African Americans, Latinos, women, Muslims, immigrants, the disabled, the LGBT community and others. 'Mischaracterized and distorted' By contrast, the commissioner of the non-partisan U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Peter Kirsanow, said, Senator Sessions approach to civil rights is consistent, legally sound, intellectually honest, and (he) has an appreciation and understanding of the historical bases for civil rights laws. Several aspects of Senator Sessions record unfortunately have been mischaracterized and distorted to portray him as somehow being indifferent, if not hostile, to civil rights. The facts emphatically show otherwise, Kirsanow added. Several witnesses spoke in opposition to Sessions based on their lifes stories. My father raped me at least once a week from age four to age 12. I endured psychological, verbal and physical abuse from him for years, said Amita Swadin of Los Angeles, California. I live with complex post-traumatic stress disorder and struggle every day to be well. Swadin objected to Sessions initially having downplayed the significance of an infamous video that surfaced during the presidential campaign in which Trump bragged about groping women. It directly and negatively impacts me when people minimize sexual assault, she said. So to hear Senator Sessions initially say President-elect Trumps comments do not constitute sexual assault, and then to consider him leading the Department of Justice has been incredibly worrisome. Mechanical engineer and Afghanistan war veteran Oscar Vazquez spoke about having been brought to the United States from Mexico as a child. President Barack Obama signed executive orders shielding hundreds of thousands of undocumented child arrivers from deportation, and Sessions has said he backs Trumps pledge to rescind them. Our countrys top law enforcement officer must be someone who understands that immigrants make our country stronger, Vazquez said. Most Americans agree that its not right to deport someone who was brought here as a child deport them to a country they might not even remember. We need an attorney general who will protect the American people from those who would do us harm, but who will also show mercy to those who deserve it. Kenyas electoral body says the technology to be used in this years elections will not fail. The opposition is warning of unspecified consequences if elections are rigged for the ruling Jubilee party. Kenya is preparing for its sixth general election in August. Political tensions are high, and fear the country will see a repeat of the deadly violence that followed the 2007 election is growing. But the electoral commission says it is up to the task of delivering a credible election reflecting the will of the people. Previous system collapse The commission is still haunted by its handling of the 2013 polls, in which most of the electronic equipment collapsed a few hours into election day. The head of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, executive officer Ezra Chiloba, says the failures were partly due to the late arrival of the election kits. Transferring voter register from the main database to here, it was chaotic. That is why some of the machines were not used in the last general election. But during by-elections we have used these ones, and they work very well, said Chiloba. Commission technology administrator Meikan Gabriel says the equipment did not fail in 2013; it was the people using it. I remember I was in the field, and what I can attest is transmission went well up to a certain time until when the network was so congested. When it came to sending, some people gave up sending the results," said Gabriel. "It was portrayed though as the technology had failed, but the lack of patience even for those who have been transmitting contributed to the entire thing. Conducting dozens of by-elections in the past couple of years, the electoral body has been able to deliver credible and fast results; but, many wonder if the commission will be able to conduct the national vote the same way. Addressing opposition supporters in Nairobi, former prime minister Raila Odinga said his party will not accept rigged elections. I wish to urge all opposition supporters to discard the fears that Jubilee [party] will steal August elections," he said. "They will not. We shall not allow it. We shall make it impossible for anyone to steal the election. We are also sending a word to Jubilee again the cost of stealing this election will be regrettable. The fear of rigged election has been exacerbated by the electoral law that allows the commission to use the manual system in case the technology fails. Senator Kipchumba Murkomen of the ruling Jubilee party accused the opposition of preparing the country for political violence. We do not want them to hype the country towards violence, because really we have enough issues to debate and campaign on. On Jubilee, we have enough programs and development agenda. Our political competitors can look for manifesto points that they can challenge us, said Murkomen. The opposition has called for its supporters to register in large numbers. Voter registration begins January 16 and ends February 14. Four female suicide bombers were killed Wednesday after crossing into northern Cameroon from Nigeria, according to local officials. The news underscores the continued threats in Nigeria's border areas. The governor of Cameroons Far North region, Midjiyawa Bakari, told VOA that self-defense groups spotted the four young women crossing the border in pairs early Wednesday. Three of them detonated their suicide vests, killing only themselves, the governor said, while the fourth was shot and killed by soldiers. He said he is congratulating the military and self defense group who have dedicated their lives to fight the terrorists. He said the population should know that the war against Boko Haram has not ended, so they should double their vigilance knowing Cameroon is still fighting the war. Cameroon Minister of Communication and government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma told VOA that troops have been pushing back on the cross-border threat. He said a series of joint raids by Cameroonian and Nigerian troops begun in mid-December has destroyed a Boko Haram logistical base in Goshe. He said the base was used to mount deadly cross-border attacks on civilians. "Several manufacturing units of explosive devices were destroyed. A dozen explosive devices were neutralized. Training camps were dismantled. Hundreds of terrorists were definitely neutralized. Over 30 fighters were captured and handed over to Nigerian forces. Hundreds of hostages were freed and handed over to Nigerian forces," said Tchiroma. VOA could not immediately verify that information. Access to combat zones remains restricted, and mobile communications are spotty. Tchiroma said the military gains have not come without a cost. He said three Cameroonian soldiers were killed last week, one by a bomb and two others during heavy fighting. In December, Nigeria announced that it had flushed Boko Haram out of key strongholds in the Sambisa forest and the border between Cameroon and Nigeria was completely reopened for the first time in three years, a key sign of progress. But officials cautioned border towns remain vulnerable. The Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009 in northeastern Nigeria, but has since spread to three neighboring countries. More than 25,000 people have been killed and close to 2.3 million displaced, according to international aid agencies and rights groups. Gambia's outgoing president has issued a warning to foreign leaders not to interfere with his country's electoral process as several other African presidents are scheduled to meet with him on Thursday. Yahya Jammeh, who has ruled Gambia for 22 years, said Tuesday on state-run television the country can figure out for itself whether he should give up power after he lost an election in December, and he warned against "propaganda and misinformation" aimed at discrediting him. Jammeh unexpectedly lost the presidential election to opposition candidate Adam Barrow on December 1, but has refused to accept the results of the election, citing what he calls "an unprecedented level of foreign interference." "I believe we can ask Gambians to come together to resolve this and any other matter without undue external interference," said Jammeh. Initially he accepted the results of the election, but Jammehs political party filed a legal complaint against the electoral commission about a week after the election, citing voting irregularities. Gambias Supreme Court was expected to rule on the case January 10, but postponed the ruling until May because it was unsure that a peaceful political transition would take place. Now, several west African leaders from the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) are set to speak with Jammeh to try and persuade him to step aside peacefully. Jammeh indicated that he will attempt to wait until the Supreme Court ruling is handed down before he accepts the election results. If he follows through, it will put him on a path to confrontation with Barrow, who has said he plans to move forward with inauguration plans set for January 19. Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas has settled on Los Angeles for the home of his $1 billion storytelling museum, after pulling the project from Chicago last year. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Tuesday that the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art would be located in Exposition Park in downtown Los Angeles. "I believed in the vision for the Lucas Museum, and we went after it with everything we have because I know that L.A. is the ideal place for making sure that it touches the widest possible audience," Garcetti said in a statement, thanking Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson. The museum was initially planned for Chicago, but Lucas ran into legal challenges from an open-spaces group and pulled the project. Garcetti immediately moved to woo the filmmaker to house the museum in Los Angeles. The proposed museum, valued at $1 billion and funded by Lucas, would feature exhibitions of Lucas' collection of paintings, illustrations and digital art from the blockbuster Star Wars movie franchise he started in 1977. "South Los Angeles' Promise Zone best positions the museum to have the greatest impact on the broader community, fulfilling our goal of inspiring, engaging and educating a broad and diverse visitorship," the museum's board of directors said in a statement. The proposed site for the museum is next to the University of Southern California, where Lucas studied film and met future collaborators, including Steven Spielberg. Lucas sold his Star Wars franchise to Walt Disney Co. in 2012 for $4 billion. Disney rebooted the franchise with six new films, including a new trilogy in the space saga commencing with 2015's The Force Awakens, and standalone stories such as December's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Millions of immigrants have come to the U.S. with the dream of assimilating and contributing to a new American way of life. While that dream remains intact for many, others have given up mental health, trauma, language obstacles, family instability, and the rising cost of living are among many contributing factors. Haitian-American Philip Malebranche, who was an essay-writing tutor with a college degree in sociology, used to be one of them. Following a series of evictions and 17 years of enduring hardship between shelters and streets, Malebranche finally has a safe place in New York City to rest at night. And the change couldn't have come soon enough. Across the nation's largest city, officials have struggled to meet the record demands of its shelter-seeking homeless population, now more than 60,000 a figure that has swelled 82 percent from 10 years ago with the worst weeks of winter still ahead. While the makeup and stories of those affected represent the diversity of New York City, homeless immigrants and minorities often find themselves at an even greater disadvantage struggling to overcome discrimination, in addition to everyday hardship and stigma. "If an immigrant happens to be homeless, he or she has the double problem of suffering from the stereotype involved in both groups," said Malebranche, whose parents migrated from Haiti to New York in the 1950s. Once a victim of violence, Malebranche says his survival gives him the energy and courage to volunteer and fight against the criminalization of homelessness, despite a struggle to change minds and attitudes. "Being poor is to have experiences with trauma regularly," he said. "Being disrespected, either on the street or in the city agencies, or anywhere, people view you a certain way and they will easily disrespect you." WATCH: Once-homeless Man Addresses the Struggles Undocumented and young Jeff Foreman, director of policy at Care for the Homeless, a nonprofit social service and health care agency, explained to VOA that undocumented immigrants are especially vulnerable. "We constantly hear of our clients who have worked hard, but not gotten paychecks," he explained "When a person doesn't speak English as their first language, and is not familiar with all the cultural customs of society, it is much easier to take advantage of them." Nicole Bramstead, director of policy at Urban Pathways, calls the rate of homelessness a national crisis, which she says is exacerbated by the rising cost of housing in cities like New York. But immigrant youth, she says, bear the brunt of problems that extend beyond housing affordability and income inequality. "Youth homelessness, in my opinion, isn't something that we really grasp as well as we should," Bramstead said. "Losing a parent, having a difficult childhood growing up; having instability there could impact them." Touch of luck Daje Singh, a Trinidad-born resident of Indian descent, nearly experienced the same fate as Malebranche. "I was living in my apartment in Queens. I lived there for seven years, and then the landlord sold the building. They said everybody had to go," she said. That same week, Singh was laid off from work, and couldn't find a place to stay. "I didn't know what to do, because my family, none of them lives here," she recounted. With a stroke of good luck, however, Singh's outlook turned around immediately. She interviewed for a nurse's aide position and was hired the same day. "I call it saved by the bell,'" Singh's said, with tears in her eyes. "I got a job, and the person wanted me to stay with them. So I was staying with them in Manhattan and working, too. I was lost, but thank God, God helped me." WATCH: Near-homeless Woman Talks About Luck National figures of homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), have declined 14 percent since 2010. But as Foreman notes, the numbers are difficult to document and don't apply across all regions. Any long-term solution, he says, must include housing. "There's a real need for subsidized housing, for supportive housing, and for more public housing, if we are going to solve the homeless crisis in New York City," Foreman said. In Singh's case, the American dream remains intact. Soon she will become a United States citizen. And one day, she dreams of traveling to India, her motherland. Amid all of her recent good fortune, her perception of the homeless community around her will remain forever changed. "Homelessness could happen to anybody at any time," Singh said. "Homeless people are nice people; they just have bad luck sometimes." Iran decided not to escalate a stand-off over the extension of U.S. sanctions at a meeting of diplomats overseeing the nuclear deal it reached with world powers in 2015, senior Russian and Iranian diplomats said after the session Tuesday. Tehran threatened last month to retaliate against a U.S. Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), saying it violated the landmark agreement reached with six major powers under which the Islamic Republic curbed its disputed nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions. "Iran explained its concern on the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act ... as being a reintroduction of sanctions. I think the joint commission took Iran's concern very seriously," Abbas Araqchi, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, told reporters. When asked whether Iran used the meeting of the so-called Joint Commission to trigger a dispute resolution mechanism set out in the accord for cases where one participating country feels there is a breach of the deal, Araqchi said, "No." The bill extending U.S. sanctions against Iran for 10 years became law in December without President Barack Obama's signature, but U.S. officials said its passage would not affect implementation of the nuclear accord. The European Union lifted all nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions on Iran. The regular commission meeting on the nuclear deal took place 10 days before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump enters the White House amid great uncertainty about how he, as a fierce critic of a deal that Obama counts as a significant diplomatic achievement, will handle any future difficulties with Iran. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in December that he had renewed waivers of relevant sanctions, though he was not required to do so, "to convey to all stakeholders that the United States will continue to uphold our commitments." Alluding to these waivers, Araqchi said that participants in the Joint Commission meeting "insisted that this cessation of application should continue, otherwise it would be a significant non-performance of the [deal]." Vladimir Voronkov, Moscow's ambassador to U.N. missions in Vienna including the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is monitoring the deal's implementation, said the ISA was "not a very favorable act, but life is life. "The common approach from all the countries ... was that it was necessary to do everything possible to avoid damage [to] implementation of the [nuclear deal]," he told reporters. Gov. Scott Walker's administration, continuing a high-level shakeup of the state Department of Transportation, has named a former lobbyist for a high-profile mining company to the department's number-two position. Shortly before Walker delivered Tuesday's State of the State Address, the DOT issued a news release announcing Bob Seitz will be its deputy secretary. He was tapped by Dave Ross, who succeeded Mark Gottlieb as the department's secretary this week. Seitz is a former lobbyist and spokesman for Gogebic Mining, which proposed -- but withdrew -- a massive iron mine in northern Wisconsin. Most recently, Seitz was executive assistant at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, as well as the commission's chief operating officer and advisor to its chairwoman. The DOT shakeup follows the departure of Gottlieb, a former Republican state lawmaker and engineer who appeared, at times, to be at odds with Walker on transportation funding. The issue also is dividing statehouse Republicans heading into the 2017-2018 legislative session, when it's expected to be among the most contentious and high-profile issues in the crafting of the state's next budget. Gottlieb had pushed for an infusion of funding for the state's transportation network, while Walker is vowing to hold the line on taxes and fees that likely would supply those funds. Weeks before announcing his resignation, Gottlieb told Assembly lawmakers that a transportation-funding blueprint such as the one Walker says he will propose for the next two years puts Wisconsin's roads and bridge on course to deteriorate badly during the next decade. French investigators have released a chauffeur for Kim Kardashian West and two other people in their probe into the robbery of more than $10 million worth of jewelry from the star's Paris apartment in October. The driver's brother and 13 others remained in custody Wednesday after a round of arrests this week, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. Authorities are focusing on the possibility that the robbery was an inside job. Officials say brothers Michael Madar, 40, and Gary Madar, 27, worked for the same car service company and were among those arrested Monday. One of them is believed to have driven Kardashian the night of the robbery. Authorities are focusing on the possibility that the robbery was an inside job. French officials did not name the three people they freed. The suspects arrested Monday ranged in age from 23 to 72 and included several people known for prior robberies and other crimes, according to a police document seen by The Associated Press. A French investigating judge may travel to the United States to speak with Kardashian West. The jewels have not been recovered. In neighboring Belgium, the Antwerp prosecutor's office would not comment Wednesday on reports that the stolen goods might have been smuggled to Antwerp, a major jewel trading center. Thieves are believed to have forced their way into the private apartment where Kardashian West was staying during Paris Fashion Week, tied her up and stole the jewelry. Kardashian West has not commented publicly since Monday's arrests. John Kerry, the most traveled secretary of state in U.S. history, will make a final round-the-world trip before he steps down next week. Kerry will go overseas for six days, with stops in Vietnam, France, Britain and Switzerland. He starts Friday in Vietnam, where he will deliver a speech on U.S.-Vietnam relations and visit the Southeast Asian nation's Mekong Delta to discuss environmental issues. Kerry then travels to Paris to attend a conference on Middle East peace, and on to London, where he will meet British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to discuss Syria. He rounds out his trip by attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Since Kerry became the top U.S. diplomat in 2013, he has traveled 1,395,606 miles and visited 91 countries. More than 500 delegates from over 50 countries attended the International Water Resources conference in Vientiane, Laos last week focusing on water resources and hydropower development across Asia. The conference centered on the development and engineering of regional hydropower with China, India, Russia, Malaysia and Pakistan boasting some of the largest dams and power plants globally. But environmentalists fear the impact of increasing numbers of proposed dams on the regions river systems and communities, especially along the Greater Mekong River. Among the highlights was Asias potential in developing clean renewable energy, with the associated water storage seen as providing benefits to local communities. In an address to the conference, Naruepon Sukumasavin, the regional intergovernmental Mekong River Commission director of planning, said hydropower was recognized as an important development opportunity for the region. But Naruepon said the accelerating pace of hydropower development also posed challenges for regional cooperation. Environmental concerns According to conference documents, Laos, one of the poorest nations in the region, is moving forward with the construction of over 350 hydropower projects with private sector backing and will add more than 26,000 megawatts of new capacity to the regional grid. Laos has already been engulfed in controversy over construction of the $3.8 billion Xayaburi dam in northern Laos along with the planned $600 million Don Sahong dam for the Siphandone (Khone Falls) in Chamapasak province, just two kilometers upstream from the Lao-Cambodia border. Environmentalists say the Don Sahong dam will damage vital fisheries while Vietnam raised alarm over the dams impact on water flows to the Mekong Delta, the nations rice bowl and home to 20 million people. Producing electricity Laos said some 50 projects of around 4,000 megawatts are being implemented largely for domestic supply while more than 20 schemes are in the pipeline for electricity exports totaling 15,000 megawatts. Agreements, the government says, have already been signed with Thailand covering the purchase of 7,000 megawatts of power. Concerns that local opinions about the dams will be ignored But activists, such as Premrudee Daorung, coordinator with Project Sevana South East Asia, says the high profile role of the private sector undermines the ability of local communities to raise concerns over the impact the dams will have on the environment. The concern is that the private sector will never really pay attention to the laws of the resources, all they want is the benefit. So they dont care what is going to happen to the river, she said. The question is how can the local people in the area get information or getting even to complain on the project if they want to? Premrudee said the concern is the region has entered an era of big investment in water resources led by the private sector rather than the government, a trend she describes as very dangerous, especially on issue of public accountability. Australian international lawyer professor Ben Saul from Sydney University, co-author of a book assessing the role of international agreements in settling the environmental debate for dams in the Mekong Region, said the outlook to monitor dam development is pretty bleak. Yes, theyre never going to stop dams and I think thats fantasy land at this point in any country apart from Thailand to think that dams will just stop as a result of [treaties]. But [the law] leads to improvements in resettlement programs, better compensation for villages, if it leads to fish ladders being installed even if the fish cant swim up them at least there is more attention to environmental problems, he said. Dam construction in the Mekong River region remains a highly polarized debate. Groups such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) are warning of the impact on communities and local food supplies affecting millions of people across the region. But the Lao government says it remains committed to what it terms developing clean, renewable hydropower. Lebanese President Michel Aoun said after a visit to Saudi Arabia that his country's close ties to the kingdom's archrival Iran should not impede relations with the wider Arab world. "We have normal relations with Iran," which "shouldn't be a barrier in the face of normal relations with the Arab world," Aoun said in remarks published by the pan-Arab and Saudi-run Asharq al-Awsat newspaper on Wednesday. Iran is a longtime supporter of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which represents much of Lebanon's Shi'ite community and has a military capability rivaling that of the army and police. Aoun, whose Christian party is allied with Hezbollah, said Iran's support for the group "could continue indefinitely.'' Saudi Arabia halted a $3 billion arms deal with Lebanon in February and banned Saudis and other Gulf nationals from traveling there after what the Saudis described as Beirut's failure to condemn attacks on Saudi missions in Iran by demonstrators angered by the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Weeks later, Lebanon abstained from an Arab League vote branding Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Hezbollah is fighting alongside President Bashar Assad's forces in Syria, while Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries support the rebels. Aoun said he discussed the arms deal with Saudi officials, without elaborating. He said "the decision about the return of the tourists has been taken," which means a "return to normal relations." Aoun flew from Saudi Arabia to Qatar on Wednesday, said QNA, the official Qatari news agency. Aoun was elected in October after a 29-month vacuum in the country's top post. Lebanon's political factions are deeply divided, with some, like Aoun's party and Hezbollah, aligning with Iran, and their opponents siding with Saudi Arabia. In December, the parliament approved a national unity government headed by Lebanon's top Saudi ally, Saad Hariri. He endorsed Aoun, ending the deadlock. Eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar was given a tour of a Russian aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, Russian media reported, a show of Kremlin support for the faction leader who opposes Libya's U.N.-backed government. Russia's courting of Haftar, who some Libyans see as the strongman their country needs after years of instability, has prompted some to draw parallels with Syria, where the Kremlin stepped into a chaotic civil war to prop up President Bashar al-Assad. Haftar was welcomed on board the aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, as it was on route from the coast off Syria, where it has been taking part in operations, back through the Mediterranean to Russia. He was greeted by the ship's officers, given a tour, then spoke via video-conference from one of the ship's wardrooms with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Russia's RIA news agency cited the Defense Ministry as saying. "They discussed pressing issues in the fight against international terrorist groups in the Middle East," the agency quoted the ministry as saying. Libya splintered into rival political and armed groupings after the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. It remains deeply divided between factions based in the east and west that back rival governments and parliaments. Haftar, who is aligned with the eastern parliament and government, has been fighting a two-year military campaign with his Libyan National Army against Islamists and other opponents in Benghazi and elsewhere in the east. Many suspect he seeks national power. In November last year he met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow and asked for Russia's help in fighting Islamist militants at home. The Kremlin has not said if it will offer Haftar military support. A U.N. arms embargo in place since 2011 prohibits the transfer of weapons into Libya. Only the country's U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, which Haftar opposes, can bring in weapons and related materiel with the approval of a U.N. Security Council committee. "They took my father for only a mobile phone," said 11-year-old Hamad before bursting into tears. The crowd of adults in a quiet corner of the refugee camp all knew what he meant without asking: Islamic State militants arrested his father for owning a phone. Later in their family tent, his mother, Umm Hamad, tells VOA the story of her husband's kidnapping and her flight from Mosul. It was a hot night, so we were sleeping on the roof of our house when they came. It was around midnight four months ago. They climbed the wall and jumped on the roof, carrying pistols, AK-47s and other weapons. I saw four Islamic State militants, but I don't know how many more there were. One grabbed Ikram, my four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and held a pistol to her head. "Where is your father?" he shouted at her. Another grabbed my oldest son, Mohammad, who is 12, and threw him off the roof. Then they saw Ahmed, my husband, and handcuffed him and shoved him down the stairs. Ahmed is not his real name. I don't want to use his name, just in case he is still alive. I wasn't wearing a veil because it was the middle of the night, but I pulled a scarf over my head. One man yanked on my hair and said, "You are disgusting, sleeping with that man. He is a traitor." Mobile phones are forbidden by IS, and they already knew we had one. They thought Ahmed was using it to contact his brother in the Iraqi army. They thought he was passing information to the army that would help them fight IS. He was. "When you go to your relatives in the Iraqi army, tell them we are coming to cut off their heads," a militant shouted. Another man grabbed my children. I lunged and bit him. He punched me in the stomach. I was a month-and-a-half pregnant. I lost the baby. From the roof, the children and I could see them beating and whipping Ahmed for a long time. I could see his nose was broken. He was bleeding, and he looked close to death. He was moaning and an IS militant called out from the roof: "Tell him to shut up. I have the authority to kill him now if he doesn't be quiet." Then they took him away. All of my six children saw this. Please, ask little Ikram "Where is your father?" Even she knows. Flights When they left with Ahmed, they told me not to even open my front door until noon the next day. "Don't ever go looking for him or we will arrest you, as well," they told me as they left. A week later, when the IS patrols were no longer surrounding my house, I snuck out at 3 a.m. with the children and fled through the cemetery to another part of Mosul. But we were not safe there either. One neighbor told me, "Be careful, I think they are coming to take your son." We ran away again to my family outside the city, in another area controlled by IS. IS would not arrest my son there, but my family did not want to take care of my children. They said the children were my husband's family's responsibility. I didn't know what to do. No one had jobs or money. There wasn't enough food to feed the children. My husband's family had all fled IS two-and-a-half years ago because they are all connected to the Iraqi army. To get to them, I'd have to escape IS territory alone with six small children. I stayed with my family for two months, making paste with flour and water so the children would have something to eat. Two weeks after the Iraqi army recaptured my family's town, I ran away again. I was afraid IS would come back, and I needed to go someplace where I could find food. I still want to join my husband's family, but they are at a different camp. We can't move there because IS stole our identifications. We can't go elsewhere because they stole all of our money. Before Ahmed was taken, we had $2,300 and some gold. When we arrived here two weeks ago, all we had was the clothes we were wearing. But it was raining, and even the clothes were ruined. I know we are safe here in this camp, but still, I'm scared. I cannot sleep. We can never go back to Mosul. I am alone raising six children in a tent with nothing. What should I do? The top Republican in the Senate outlined a series of actions he hopes President-elect Donald Trump will take to overturn environmental regulations imposed by President Barack Obama, including a rule to protect streams from coal-mining debris. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky urged Trump in a letter to scrap a rule to protect small streams and wetlands from development and other regulations that the GOP considers overly burdensome. He also asked Trump to drop a legal defense of the Clean Power Plan, Obama's signature effort to limit carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants. The plan, the linchpin of Obama's strategy to fight climate change, is on hold awaiting a court ruling. In a January 4 letter to the president-elect, McConnell said Trump "inspired the American people with your vision of less regulation, free and fair competition, and enhanced job opportunities." McConnell said he personally appreciated Trump's public commitment to "provide relief for coal communities" such as Kentucky, the state that is the third-largest producer of coal in the U.S. 'War on coal' McConnell's letter decried what he and other Republicans describe as Obama's "war on coal," a series of regulations that the GOP says has made coal more expensive to mine, transport and use for energy production. U.S. coal production has declined sharply in recent years amid stiff competition from cheap, easy-to-produce natural gas. But McConnell said those who attribute coal's decline simply to low gas prices "are not seeing the full picture," which he said includes costly federal regulations that place an unfair burden on coal. McConnell called the stream-protection rule "a direct assault on coal-mining operations" that "must be stopped." He pledged to use the rarely invoked Congressional Review Act to overturn the stream rule and asked for Trump's support in that effort. The review act requires a simple majority of both chambers and the president's signature to make a recently enacted regulation invalid. The Congressional Research Service estimates that rules submitted on or after June 13 are subject to disapproval by Congress. The stream rule was finalized in December. Clean Power Plan Separately, McConnell urged Trump to drop legal defense of the Clean Power Plan and the clean-water rule, calling each "an abuse of power" and harmful to coal communities. McConnell also urged Trump to scrap a separate rule targeting future power plants and to boost technology that captures and stores carbon dioxide, a key contributor to global warming. Carbon-capture technology is considered crucial to development of so-called clean coal, a concept that Trump has supported in the past. The technology is expensive and unproven, but it has long been a goal of coal producers and their supporters in Congress. McConnell asked Trump to work with lawmakers to ensure long-term health benefits for retired coal miners, including at least 16,500 who face a loss of benefits at the end of April. Democrats, including Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, have made retention of coal benefits a top priority and criticized a four-month extension McConnell and other GOP leaders pushed for in December. Democrats want to extend health benefits for at least a year and are seeking to ensure hundreds of millions of dollars in pension benefits they say are at risk because of a host of coal-company bankruptcies. McConnell's letter to Trump does not address pension benefits. For more than 30 years, the bones of Josef Mengele, a German doctor who conducted horrific experiments on thousands of Jews at Auschwitz, lay unclaimed inside a blue plastic bag in Sao Paulo's Legal Medical Institute. Dr. Daniel Romero Munoz, who led the team that identified Mengele's remains in 1985, saw an opportunity to put them to use. Several months ago, the head of the Department of Legal Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo's Medical School obtained permission to use them in his forensic medical courses. Today, his students are now learning their trade studying Mengele's bones and connecting them to the life story of the man called the "Angel of Death.'' "The bones will be helpful to teach how to examine the remains of an individual and then match that information with data in documents related to the person," Munoz said recently, flanked by students. Mengele died nearly four decades ago when he drowned off the coast of the state of Sao Paulo. He had been on the run for years, hiding while being pursued for performing experiments on inmates and sending thousands of them to the gas chambers during World War II. Mengele's life on the run, and the mystery surrounding his whereabouts, are part of what make his bones a useful teaching tool, Munoz said. "For example, examining Mengele's remains, we saw a fractured left pelvis," he said, adding that "information found in his army record said that he fractured his pelvis in a motorcycle accident in Auschwitz," the notorious Nazi death camp in Poland. Holding Mengele's skull, Munoz pointed to a small hole in the left cheek bone, which he said was the result of long-term sinusitis. Munoz said that a German couple who harbored Mengele in Brazil told police that he often suffered from dental abscesses that he himself would treat with a razor blade. "I don't know what I feel" about Mengele's bones being studied, said Cyrla Gewertz, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor. "I already have too many painful memories of him and what he did to me and others at Auschwitz. These are memories I cannot erase from my mind." After the war, Gewertz, who said she was also interned in other concentration camps like Ravensbruck and Malchow, went to Sweden, where she lived for seven years and where she met and married her husband with whom she came to Brazil in 1952. Originally from Poland, Gewertz has a tattoo on her left arm identifying her as an Auschwitz prisoner: A24840. She said she came face to face with Mengele on several occasions. "[Mengele] told me to strip and step inside a large vat with extremely hot water," said Gewertz during an interview in her Sao Paulo apartment. "I said the water was too hot and he said if I didn't do what he ordered, he would kill me. After that I had to step into a vat with freezing water." Gewertz said she once saw Mengele kill a newborn baby girl by throwing her off the roof of the camp's barracks. "He was an evil, perverse man," she said. "He was a torturer." After the war, as leading members of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich were put on trial for war crimes, Mengele fled to Argentina and lived in Buenos Aires for a decade. He moved to Paraguay after Israeli Mossad agents captured Holocaust mastermind Adolf Eichmann, who was also living in Buenos Aires. In 1960, he arrived in Sao Paulo, where he received shelter from German couple Wolfram and Lisolette Bossert and a family of Hungarian immigrants. Mengele, then 67, died while swimming in a beach in the coastal town of Bertioga in 1979. The Bosserts buried him in Embu on the outskirts of Sao Paulo under the false name of Wolfgang Gerhard. Years later, German authorities intercepted a letter sent by the couple to Mengele's family with news of his death. They alerted Brazilian authorities. In 1985, his body was exhumed. Teams from Germany, Israel, the United States and Brazil confirmed it was Mengele, using methods including the vetting of personal accounts from people who knew him in Brazil, comparing handwriting in seized letters and analyzing the recovered cranium to see if it matched old photos of Mengele. Professor Maria Luiza Tucci Carneiro, a historian who coordinates the University of Sao Paulo's Laboratory for the Study of Ethnicity, Racism and Discrimination, said she hopes the classroom learning eventually goes beyond the science to history and ethics. Students should also learn "how physicians, psychiatrists and other leading scientists were in the service of the Reich, lending their knowledge to exclude the ethnic groups classified as belonging to inferior races," said Carneiro. "An exclusion that culminated in genocide." While North Koreas recent claim of an imminent intercontinental ballistic missile test is spreading alarm globally, U.S. experts see it as a bid for attention and a gambit to intimidate the incoming U.S. administration. On Sunday, the Norths state-run news agency, KCNA, reported that the country can fire off an ICBM anytime and anywhere, reiterating the position that the communist state is bolstering nuclear arms capabilities for self-defense against the U.S. The announcement was met with sharp criticism from the U.S. State Department, which said the U.S. military retains substantial capability to defend the U.S. and its allies, and it is prepared to use that capability when necessary. I think its just a statement of fact that we can launch it anytime rather than a threat of imminent activity, said Bruce Klinger, senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at The Heritage Foundations Asia Studies Center. Pressure against Trump Klinger, who spent almost two decades in the U.S. intelligence community, said the latest saber rattling from Pyongyang appears to be an attempt to push President-elect Donald Trump and his national security team, whose policy toward North Korea still remains under wraps, to comply with its own terms. Pyongyang has long urged Washington to accept the country as a nuclear state, abandon the strategic alliance with South Korea, and pull U.S. troops out of the Western Pacific region. They are trying to influence the incoming administration just like theyve tried to influence the past several administrations, Klinger said. Its the same game plan that Pyongyang has been pursuing for quite some time. Bruce Bennett, senior defense analyst with the RAND Corporation, said the regimes intention is not only to grab the medias attention, but also to appeal to Trump that North Korea is a current threat that needs to be ranked at the top of the U.S. security agenda. He [Kim] also wants the American people to know hes very strong and he poses a threat potentially, even though he hasnt demonstrated he can yet, Bennett said. He wants to create that image so that we treat him as someone whos important. Despite North Koreas claimed ICBM capability, it is unclear where Pyongyang stands on the ability. Capability unknown The U.S. State Department said last week the North has yet to acquire the ability to outfit an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead. In an email sent to VOA this week, Justin Higgins, State Department EAP Press Office Director, stressed that the U.S. is determined to improve its missile defense capability. Robert Manning, senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, is doubtful that Pyongyang can pull off a successful ICBM test at the moment. Getting an ICBM to work, getting re-entry vehicle to land and hit a target with a nuclear warhead on it is a very difficult idea, and in order to achieve that you have to do a lot of testing, said Manning. He added that it will take North Korea at least four or five years to acquire the capability. Ambassador Joseph DeTrani, former U.S. special envoy for negotiations with North Korea, however, warned the North Korean threat is impending. They are talking about test-launching an ICBM, which is a real possibility in 2017, DeTrani said. Its a threat to the region and to the United States also, given the fact that it could deliver a nuclear weapon. Increased sanctions Recently, the U.S. has been upping pressure on the North in coordination with South Korea and Japan, in hopes of disarming the regime and bringing it back to negotiations. [We] sent a very clear message that the international community will not tolerate a nuclear North Korea and that the Kim regime will face ever-increasing consequences for its callous and reckless nuclear and missile pursuits, said Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken at deputy-level trilateral talks with Seoul and Tokyo last week. The statement was made in reference to the latest U.N. resolution adopted last November. Poland's conservative ruling party appeared to prevail Wednesday in an ongoing standoff in parliament as the Senate approved a budget that centrist opponents said was passed illegally. In an unprecedented political crisis, opposition lawmakers have occupied the plenary hall in the Sejm, the lower house of Poland's parliament, since Dec. 16. The main point of contention was a budget vote which two centrist opposition parties said was held illegally. They had demanded a repeat vote. But the ruling Law and Justice party held firm in refusing to have the budget reconsidered in the lower chamber. The Senate - which is dominated by the ruling party - passed the budget on Wednesday without making any changes. Under parliamentary procedures, the Senate vote precludes another vote in the Sejm. Opposition lawmakers denounced the Senate's move as a crowd of anti-government protesters gathered outside parliament and expressed anger at what they see as anti-democratic practices taking hold in Poland. "We have a budget that is illegal," said Katarzyna Lubnauer, a lawmaker with Modern, one of the two centrist opposition parties. But ruling party chairman Jaroslaw accused the protesting lawmakers of being the ones to violate democratic norms with their blockade. He declared the budget a closed matter. Kaczynski suggested that the lawmakers who remained in the Sejm could be forcibly removed. But Speaker Marek Kuchcinski postponed a possible confrontation by briefly opening the first session of the year and then calling a recess until Thursday morning. Kaczynski is working to reinforce the country's nationalist and Catholic traditions. His opponents say his populist methods are increasingly authoritarian and they have argued the blockade of Parliament is necessary to defend democratic standards. The centrist Modern and Civic Platform parties began their occupation around the speaker's podium in the main hall to protest government attempts to limit media access to parliament. Attention shifted to the budget after ruling party lawmakers approved it in a side room to get around the blockade. The opposition argues it was not clear if a quorum of lawmakers was present during the initial budget vote. Votes were cast with a show of hands instead of through the electronic machines normally used. A corruption crisis unfolding in Moldova has given a boost to Russia-leaning political parties, say analysts, even as the country remains on a pro-Europe path. Protesters in January stormed the parliament building in the capital, Chisinau, and demanded new elections after the closed-door, midnight inauguration of Pavel Filip, the third prime minister in the past year. The pro-European coalition is connected to Moldovas most powerful oligarch, Vladimir Plahotniuc, who is accused of running the country through bribes and intimidation. Moldovas president, Nicolae Timofti, publicly accused Plahotniuc of pressuring him and his family in an attempt to be nominated prime minister. From the very beginning, from the times when this so-called pro-European coalition was created, Mr. Plahotniuc exercised control on [the] general prosecutor, [and on the] anti-corruption center, says program director at the Institute for Public Policy in Chisinau, Oazu Nantoi. Mr. Plahotniuc has a number of docile judges. He is the owner of media holdings, he says. So, Mr. Plahotniuc has a very strong tool for small Moldova... to manipulate public opinion and to use first of all justice in [his] own interest, concludes Nantoi. Anti-corruption not anti-EU The political establishment has been shaken since a 2014 corruption scandal in which $1 billion, nearly 13 percent of GDP, disappeared from banks in Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries. The embezzlement came to light just before Moldova signed a landmark association agreement with the European Union, along with Georgia and Ukraine. The missing funds led to a financial crisis, street protests and the arrest in September of former prime minister Vlad Filat. His successor lost a vote of confidence. Political analysts say the pro-European coalitions tainted reputation has led to a shift that could see Russia-leaning parties gain power; but, it is corruption, not a European future, that Moldovas public is moving against, says Carnegie Endowment visiting scholar Balazs Jarabik. The country is leaning toward Europe. That's a fact by any polls, he says. He adds, There's nobody [who] wants a Putin rule in Moldova. That's what the protest is about, right? We shouldn't have an oligarch, a shady oligarch, in the government telling us how to live. Moldovan banks have also been flagged for Russian money laundering. It is suspected that as much as $20 billion, more than double Moldovas annual GDP, went through Moldovan banks between 2010 and 2014. Even if Russia-leaning parties eventually gain power in Moldova, says Jarabik, they are not likely to try to undo the association agreement with the European Union. I don't see a sweeping Russian support for making such a U-turn, he says. Also, the Ukrainian case is showing the Moldovans [that] U-turns may have heavy casualties, literally. Moldova similar to Ukraine An ongoing protest camp in Chisinau, and rumors of Russian funding, have raised reverse comparisons with Ukraine's 2013-2014 Maidan uprising that led to the ouster of a Russia-backed president. Political analysts say there are similarities with Ukraines uprising, although violence seems less likely in Moldova as both the protesters and government are showing restraint. Both movements, however, were against corruption and oligarchy and punctuated by locally broadcast Russian state media propaganda demonizing the EU. Moldova also has a separatist region of Russian-speakers in Trans-Dniester, which broke away in 1990, with Russian troops and the desire to join Russia. I think Russia could do much more harm if Russia would like to, says Jarabik. I think it's much more in the case of Moldova, particularly after Ukraine, that Russia is kind of much more restrained than using its potential soft power and other tools. He adds, I think we kind of see a similar reaction from the West. Both the European Union as well as the U.S. government are much more restrained when it comes to statement(s) on what is happening now. So, I think the Ukrainian crisis is clearly making the geopolitical actors much more careful when it comes to a very small country. While Ukraines population is about 17 percent ethnic Russian, Moldovas is much less at about 6 percent. And while political divisions in Ukraine were stark, in Moldova, both pro-EU and pro-Russian opposition have teamed up to demand new elections. Nantoi says although the unity is "fragile," it will only last until elections, the positive precedent has been set that the target is Moldovas corrupt politicians. Corruption is the most dangerous phenomenon in the case of Moldova, says Nantoi, not Putin's Russia. One by one, family members of nine slain black parishioners confronted Dylann Roof for the last time Wednesday, shouting at him, offering forgiveness and even offering to visit him in prison as he awaits execution for the slaughter. The 22-year-old avowed white supremacist, who was formally sentenced to death, refused to meet their gaze and simply stared ahead, his head tilted down slightly as it had been for much of his trial. "Dylann," Janet Scott said quietly as she started speaking. "Dylann! DYLANN!" she said, her voice rising. Toward the end of her remarks, she said, "I wish you would look at me, boy." Scott, an aunt of 26-year-old Tywanza Sanders, the youngest victim killed in the massacre, demanded that Roof look at her as she talked about her nephew's "great big heart," which could not be donated because of the police investigation. The final statements came a day after jurors sentenced an unrepentant Roof to death. The gunman had one final opportunity to ask for mercy but instead told jurors he still "felt like I had to do it." Although family members testified at Roof's trial, the formal sentencing hearing was intended gave them a chance to speak directly to him, without prosecutors or the judge interrupting or asking questions. Roof also had an opportunity to speak but declined to say anything. He is the first person ordered executed for a federal hate crime. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said, "This hate, this viciousness, this moral depravity, will not go unanswered." Some of the relatives looked directly at Roof. Others chose to look at jurors, who did not have to be in court Wednesday but told the judge they wanted to attend. Sheila Capers, the sister-in-law of Cynthia Hurd, said she prayed for Roof's soul to be saved. "If at any point before you are sentenced and you're in prison and you want me to come and pray with you, I will do that," Capers said. Felicia Sanders, who survived the attack, said she forgave Roof, echoing comments she made after the shooting. But, she noted, Roof did nothing to save himself. He served as his own attorney during the sentencing phase and never explained the massacre or asked for his life to be spared. Sanders brought the bullet-torn, bloodstained Bible she had with her on the night of the June 17, 2015. She told Roof he still lives in her head, and that when she hears a balloon pop or fireworks, it returns her to that night. "Most importantly, I can't shut my eyes to pray," Sanders said. On the night of the shooting, Roof sat through a 45-minute Bible study session at the black church known as Mother Emanuel with 12 others. He opened fire as they stood and closed their eyes for a final prayer. In all, he fired 77 shots. Each victim was hit at least five times. Three people survived. Roof told one of them he was sparing her life so she could tell the world he was killing the worshippers at Emanuel AME because he hated black people. The willingness of some of the relatives to forgive the gunman was widely discussed in the days after the killings. But that did not mean they felt his life should be spared. And there are others who said forgiveness is still a work in progress. "You are Satan. Instead of a heart, you have a cold, dark space," Gracyn Doctor, the daughter of DePayne Middleton-Doctor, said, expressing hope that Roof would "go straight to hell." When he was arrested, Roof told FBI agents that he wanted the shootings to bring back segregation or perhaps start a race war. Instead, the slayings had a unifying effect as South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its Statehouse for the first time in more than 50 years. Other states followed suit, taking down Confederate banners and monuments. Roof had posed with the flag in photos. The jury convicted Roof last month of all 33 federal charges he faced. He insisted he was not mentally ill and did not call any witnesses or present any evidence. Shortly after reports surfaced in the media Tuesday that Russian operatives have compromising personal and financial information on Donald Trump, the president-elect tweeted "FAKE NEWS!" Trump's full tweet read "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" He previously has denied that Moscow had any influence in the election, while defending closer ties with that country. The reports said Trump was told last week by the heads of domestic intelligence agencies that Russian operatives claimed to have the information. Trump was given a two-page synopsis of the information last Friday, when he also was given a classified briefing on alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, according to the reports, which cited unnamed sources who had knowledge of the briefing. President Barack Obama was given the information on Thursday. CNN, which first reported the story Tuesday, did not give details of the so-called compromising information. That information had been known since late last year among some journalists and politicians in Washington, the media reports suggested. Several media have reported on the intelligence report, but the information has not been corroborated. The allegations against Trump came, in part, from memos compiled by a former British intelligence agent with extensive Russian contacts, and whose previous work for the U.S. has been considered credible, according to media reports. The FBI was given the information in August, months before the November election, CNN reported. "What has changed since then is that U.S. intelligence agencies have now checked out the former British intelligence operative and his vast network throughout Europe and find him and his sources to be credible enough to include some of the information in the presentations" to Trump, CNN said. FBI Director James Comey, who was testifying at a Senate hearing regarding Russian election hacking Tuesday, refused to say whether his bureau is investigating any possible ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign, citing policy not to comment on what the bureau might be doing. In late October, Comey angered Democrats when he announced 11 days before the election that the FBI was looking at more emails as part of its investigation of Hillary Clinton, who then lost the presidential election to Trump. The rumors were seemingly supported when former U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid directed a letter to Comey regarding the Clinton investigation. In the letter, he said, "It has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors and the Russian government -- a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States, which Trump praises at every opportunity. The public has a right to know this information." The Trump campaign had yet to respond to the media reports. But he previously has denied that Moscow had any influence in the election, while defending closer ties with that country. U.S. intelligence agency chiefs last week testified to the Senate that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an operation to meddle with the U.S. election with the aim of hurting Clinton's campaign and boosting that of Trump. A rooster at Singapore's Jurong Bird Park inspired visiting Chinese tourists to make a few resolutions on Wednesday, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. The holiday, which ushers in the "Year of the Rooster" in the Chinese zodiac is an important festival in several Asian nations, where Chinese traditions hold sway. The bird park's two-year-old rooster was fed extra helpings of mealworms as visitors looked on. "This rooster brings me back to nature," said Chinese tourist Wang Jian. "I hope that our lives will also be able to slow down a bit, to return to a more natural pace." The holiday begins on Jan. 28 and sees millions of Chinese return home or travel abroad. U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Wednesday he told President-elect Donald Trump the intelligence community did not create a document featuring claims Russia compiled information to attempt to compromise him. CNN, which first reported the unsubstantiated allegations Tuesday, did not give details of the compromising information. But the BuzzFeed digital media site posted online what it said was the full dossier alleging Russias government had been cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for years. In his statement, Clapper said the intelligence community has not made any judgment that the information is reliable, and that he emphasized to Trump that he does not believe it was leaked to the media by intelligence sources. Clapper said it is part of his obligation to make sure policymakers have the most complete picture possible of matters that might affect national security. Trump was given a two-page synopsis of the unsubstantiated information last Friday, when he also was given a classified briefing on alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election. President Barack Obama was given the same information during a Thursday briefing. Trump angrily rejected the reported claims during his first news conference as president-elect Wednesday. I think it is a disgrace that information would be let out. I saw the information. I read the information outside of that meeting. Its all fake news. Its phony stuff. It didnt happen, he said. The president-elect's attorney, Michael Cohen, told reporters the allegations in the document are false and were invented to malign Trump. In Moscow, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday the claims are meant to hurt U.S.-Russian relations. "No, Kremlin doesn't have any compromising information on Trump. This information [the report] does not correspond to reality and is nothing else [but] an absolute fabrication," he said. Intelligence briefing House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters Wednesday any financial or personal allegations against Trump "cannot have an impact on the national security of the United States of America." Pelosi declined to get into the details of the latest revelations alleging ties between Russia and Trump, noting the information had been in circulation among journalists for some time and had remained uncorroborated. Pelosi did say she had broader concerns about the president-elect's approach to the U.S.-Russia relationship. "I always wondered what did Russia have on Donald Trump?" she told reporters. Pelosi cautioned that her judgments were based on information in the public domain and not on any classified briefings she has received. The House Democratic leader declined to speculate on the consequences of the allegations if they are found to be true. Russia 'assisting' Trump Such materials, known in Russian as "kompromat," are frequently prepared by some intelligence agencies to create negative publicity for purposes of blackmail and to ensure loyalty. "It should not be a surprise to anyone that the Russians are always looking for dirt on any politician," House of Representative intelligence committee chairman Devin Nunes told reporters. "I would not jump to any conclusions. This seems maybe taken a little out of context," added Nunes, a Republican who has worked with the Trump transition team. U.S. intelligence agency chiefs last week testified to the Senate that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an operation to meddle with the U.S. election with the aim of hurting Clinton's campaign and boosting that of Trump who won the decisive electoral college count but lost the popular vote to Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The rusty patched bumblebee has become the first bee species in the continental U.S. to be declared endangered after suffering a dramatic population decline over the past 20 years, federal officials said Tuesday. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told The Associated Press it was adding the bee to the endangered list, and would develop a recovery plan encouraging people to provide more habitat and reduce pesticide usage. Many of the steps needed to rescue the rusty patched bumblebee might also help other struggling bees and monarch butterflies, which pollinate a wide variety of plants, including cultivated fruits and vegetables, officials said. Pollinators are small but mighty parts of the natural mechanism that sustains us and our world, said Tom Melius, the service's Midwest regional director. Without them, our forests, parks, meadows and shrublands, and the abundant, vibrant life they support, cannot survive, and our crops require laborious, costly pollination by hand. The rusty patched bumblebee buzzed across the East Coast and much of the Midwest in high numbers as recently as the 1990s. Today, only scattered populations remain in 13 states Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario. The bees historic range and the number of observed colonies have plummeted by about 87 percent since the late 1990s. Cause of decline unknown The crash happened so quickly that few researchers took notice until the damage was largely done. They're investigating a number of potential causes, including disease, pesticide exposure, habitat loss, climate change and the domino effect of falling populations making it harder for bees to find suitable mates. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, which petitioned the government to list the rusty patched bumblebee as endangered, previously said the bumblebee's decline probably was caused by the spread of bacteria or viruses from bumblebees raised commercially to those in the wild. The group, based in Portland, Oregon, also blamed widespread use of long-lasting insecticides. The Fish and Wildlife Service has relied upon the best available science and we welcome this decision, Rich Hatfield, the society's senior conservation biologist, said Tuesday. Addressing the threats that the rusty patched bumblebee faces will help not only this species, but countless other native pollinators that are so critical to the functioning of natural ecosystems and agriculture. Continent-wide concern Fish and Wildlife Service biologists agreed there probably were overlapping factors behind recent declines of bumblebees, honeybees and monarchs raising concern for all 48 bumblebee species in North America. The agency in September placed seven species of yellow-faced bees in Hawaii that state's only native bees on the endangered list. A study continues on whether to list the monarch butterfly, agency spokeswoman Georgia Parham said. Bees and other insects provide billions of dollars' worth of pollination services in the U.S. each year, benefiting crops such as tomatoes, cranberries and peppers. Even plants that can pollinate on their own generate bigger fruit when bumblebees do the job instead. They also support growth of flowers and wild plants that produce fruits, seeds and nuts essential for natural food chains. The Endangered Species Act prohibits significant modification or degradation of habitat that leads directly to death or injury of listed species. Officials said they would encourage individual landowners and local organizations to adopt bee-friendly practices, including use of native flowering plants for landscaping, planting flowers and trees that bloom from spring through fall, and avoiding use of pesticides that harm bees. The brother of the man who with his wife killed 14 people in a shooting rampage at a government building in San Bernardino, California, pleaded guilty to immigration fraud Tuesday in connection with his sister-in-law's marriage. Syed Raheel Farook, 31, entered his guilty plea to a single count of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Riverside. He faces up to five years in federal prison when he is sentenced in November. Prosecutors have said that Farook lied on immigration documents so that his sister-in-law, Mariyah Chernykh, could engage in a sham marriage with Enrique Marquez Jr. Chernykh and Marquez are facing trial later this year on immigration fraud charges in connection with their marriage. Marquez is also accused of supplying Farook's brother, Syed Rizwan Farook, with two assault rifles that were used in the San Bernardino massacre and with plotting with him in 2011 and 2012 to execute similar attacks that were never carried out. Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, opened fire at a holiday gathering of Farook's co-workers on Dec. 2, 2015, killing 14 people and wounding 22. Syed Rizwan Farook, the U.S.-born son of Pakistani immigrants, and Malik, a Pakistani native he married in Saudi Arabia in 2014, died in a shootout with police four hours after the massacre. Authorities have said the couple were inspired by Islamic extremism. It was one of the deadliest attacks by militants in the United States since the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks. Serbia has formally requested the extradition of a former Kosovo prime minister from France to face war crimes charges after his arrest there on a Belgrade warrant. Ramush Haradinaj, a former guerrilla fighter in Kosovo's 1998-1999 war for independence from Serbia, was detained last week at Basel Mulhouse Freiburg airport. A French court has ruled that Haradinaj should stay in custody until it decides whether to turn him over to Serbian officials. Cleared twice of war crimes Haradinaj was cleared of war crimes charges in two trials by a U.N. war crimes tribunal. But Serbia accuses him of committing war crimes including kidnappings, torture and killings against Serb civilians when he was a senior rebel commander in western Kosovo. Kosovo's Parliament also held an 11-hour debate on Tuesday on a resolution seeking Haradinaj's unconditional release. The two opposing political groups failed to reach consensus on the final language. The governing majority of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli did not agree with the draft proposed by the opposition, including Haradinaj's Alliance for Kosovo's Future party. European Union asked to help The opposition language sought an interruption of Kosovo's European Union-brokered dialogue with Serbia, which is aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries. Tensions between Serbia and its former province of Kosovo have soared since the arrest. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Serbia has not recognized. Kosovo lawmakers also called on the European Union Tuesday to directly intervene to secure Haradinaj's freedom and called on France to release him. President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be attorney general, the top U.S. law-enforcement officer, told U.S. senators examining his qualifications for the office that he would stand up to the president on issues where they disagree, and that he would follow the law at all times. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, one of the most conservative members of the upper chamber of Congress, testified Tuesday that he would swallow his own disagreements and follow rulings that have already become "settled law" in the United States, such as women's right to abortion. Here are some of the issues discussed during Sessions' eight-hour appearance on Capitol Hill: Abortion rights 'law of the land' Asked about his own comments in the past denouncing the Supreme Court's 1973 ruling on abortion rights as "one of the worst, colossally erroneous" decisions ever by the high court, Sessions said: "It is. I believe that it violated the Constitution and really attempted to set policy and not follow law." However, he added, "It is the law of the land. It has been so settled and established for quite a long time. And it deserves respect, and I would respect and follow it." Similarly, Sessions said he would enforce a law forbidding as torture the interrogation technique known as waterboarding, even though he voted against the law before it was passed. Opposes torture, but will fight against terrorism The 70-year-old senator promised he would prosecute illegal immigration, gun violence and "radical Islamic terrorism" once in office. But he also said he would not support banning Muslims or any other group from the United States on the basis of religion - an idea that Trump proposed months before the U.S. election, then later backed away from. Sessions strongly rejected accusations that he formerly professed racist views as "damnably false charges," and said any suggestion that he once was sympathetic toward the violent white-supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan was false. "I abhor the Klan and what it represents and its hateful ideology," the Alabama senator said. Rejects 'race-based ideas' Protests marred the confirmation hearing Tuesday on several occasions, including when two men dressed in a version of the KKK's all-white robes stood and disrupted the proceedings. Racially charged comments Sessions reputedly made during the 1980s, when he was a U.S. prosecutor, derailed Sessions' nomination for a federal judgeship. He reiterated this week that he was innocent of such beliefs: "I did not harbor the kind of animosity and race-based ideas that I was accused of. I did not." Sessions said he is the same person now that he was three decades ago, but perhaps a little wiser. Somalias lower house of parliament re-elected its speaker Wednesday, the first top official chosen in an election process marred by delays and allegations of vote-buying. Mohamed Osman Jawari won election in the first round with 141 out of 259 votes. His closest challenger, Abdhirashid Mohamed Hiddig, received 97 votes. The election was originally scheduled for August 20 but postponed because of delays in electing the 275-member lower house of parliament, a process criticized by the international community for alleged malpractices that included bribery and intimidation. Some seats remain unfilled as Somali politicians attempt to work out disputes. The 54-member upper house of parliament will elect its speaker in the coming days. The two houses will then elect a president in a date yet to be specified. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is seeking a second term as head of the long-troubled Horn of Africa nation. The election of Jawari, 71, was expected as he has led the parliament through turbulent times, including the ousting of two prime ministers in two years. Jawari's opponents say he is an ally of the president because he helped quell a move by some MP's to impeach Mohamud in late 2015; but, his supporters consider him a pragmatist who led on consensus through endless political crises. South Africas Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with senior officials in Lesothos coalition government Tuesday to try to help resolve political disagreements that have created tension and instability in the southern African kingdom, according to Khoabane Theko, Chief Whip of Lesothos senate. Theko said Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has too much power stipulated in the constitution. But he rejected calls for an amendment that would empower King Letsie III to help resolve political disagreements. In our constitution, there is nowhere, where the prime minister is obliged maybe to consult when he does anything with his partner in the coalition. So we still have that problem on the ground, said Theko. I dont want to put the monarchy in danger. I dont want my king to be beheaded like Charles I in England in the old times. Mediation efforts Thekos comments came as neighboring South Africa was backed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to act as mediator to find a solution to Lesothos political stalemate. The crisis led to an alleged attempt to overthrow Prime Minister Thabanes coalition government. Theko expressed concern that the ongoing political dispute between Prime Minister Thabane and Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing is creating tension and insecurity for the Basotho people. It is very unsettling because nobody is sure what is going to happen. There was an attempted coup [and] that has made the people very unsettled on our political spectrum, said Theko. There is so much uncertainty and of course business is not doing well because ... Every time its 6 Oclock in the evening everybody wants to get to his household to make sure that he does not meet a bullet or something like that. Increased tension Some Basotho say Lesothos political tension heightened after former army Chief Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli refused to step down when Thabane replaced him with Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao as head of Lesotho Defense Force. Senate chief whip Theko said the countrys insecurity could be reduced if the dismissed army chief peacefully steps down. I must say [the tension] is not settled until Kamoli himself really relinquishes power and maybe make way for Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao, said Theko. Rivals in the coalition government accused Thabane of a power grab after he suspended parliament, allegedly to avoid a vote of no confidence. Theko said the lack of constitutional provision to address disagreements in a coalition government is to blame for the political stalemate. He warned that the crisis could worsen if parliament is re-opened only to hold a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Thabane. There are a lot of people who are in a hurry so that they can call for a motion of no confidence against the incumbent prime minister, which I think is a very quick fix consolation that cannot help Basotho at all, said Theko. Trade Union groups in Swaziland are considering nationwide demonstrations to pressure the administration in Mbabane to increase public sector workers pay. The government released a salary review report which the unions say increases salaries of mostly senior officials in the public sector but see very little increase for ordinary workers. Public sector workers in Swaziland have called for increased pay for the last 10 years. The government has often said the global economic downturn has made it difficult to meet those demands. King Mswati's government has called on Swazis to tighten their belts this year. But, the unions are holding consultations with members to decide when to begin protests, according to Wandile Dludlu, national coordinator for a pro-democracy group known as the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF). All the public sector workers unions have reacted in a very shocked way in the sense that they have not accepted most of the recommendations of the salaries review report because it seems to give more money to the upper section of the civil service, and very little to the ones that need it the most, which is the middle and the lower sections of the public service. [They] have been calling for the last 10 years... So that is what has basically caused shock waves in most of the public sector unions, said Dludlu. So far, the reaction points to a possible mass rolling action in terms of protests to force government to concede [by] giving more salary increment to the middle and lower sections of the civil service, as most have been calling for. Dludlu says the government appears not to heed its own warning to tighten its belt because of the challenging economic conditions in the kingdom. This after the administration announced it has budgeted $6 million ($6,211,983) to buy a new jet for King Mswati. Members of parliament had urged the government to consider buying the king a new jet to replace the current DC-9. Local media reported the government also aims to seek $9 million from the international community to help pay for drought relief after months of poor rain in parts of the country. Dludlu says Swazis are scared of the repercussions if they were to publicly challenge things that are meant for the kings use, which he adds might not be beneficial to the citizens. [People] are silent on that, not because Swazis are not necessarily angry or shocked about the confused priorities in the sense that on one hand the country is plunging into a drought disaster, on the [other] hand the king has called in his speech on the throne that there must be tightening of belt by everybody. But government is seen loosening the belt on the spending on [the] kings needs and wants, said Dludlu. There has been quite an interesting reaction. On one hand public servants have been very angry openly against the prime minister in the issue of the salary review. But there have been quite silence on the other facts around on the reservation of money to be spent just on a jet for the king that is not quiet shocking for some of us because they are afraid to challenge the king openly. The government plans to buy new cars for use by visiting heads of state and government when Swaziland hosts the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting in August. Pro-democracy groups say the planned purchases, which they estimate at more than $11 million, reflect misplaced government priorities. Supporters of the government insist the administration has an obligation to host the summit as a member of the regional bloc. But Dludlu argued that the administration cannot legitimately spend extravagantly on the summit while claiming it cannot afford to increase the pay of public sector workers. The reason why we are putting this demand is that on one hand they are saying the workers must tighten their belt, but they at the top are loosening their own belt, by spending more, buying new cars, a fleet of cars [to host] the SADC meeting. The expenditure of the monarchy is going up, but they are saying to the workers, we must tighten belt. It is on the basis of that is why we are not listening to them at all, because they seem not to walk their talk, said Dludlu. The summit cannot be done at the expense of the abject poverty that continues to ground and grind Swazis. The United Arab Emirates has confirmed the killing of five of its diplomats in Tuesdays bomb attack in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar. The blast killed a total of at least 11 people and wounded 16 others, mostly top Afghan government officials. Provincial governor Homayun Azizi and UAE ambassador to Kabul, Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi, were among those wounded. There is no justification humane or moral or religious to bomb and kill those who seek to help people .. God bless our martyrs and acceptance with him in righteous, Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE's prime minister and vice president, said on Twitter Wednesday The UAE foreign ministry said Tuesday that its ambassador traveled to Kandahar on a humanitarian mission aimed at helping Afghan orphans and announcing scholarships. Taliban denies involvement The Taliban insurgency has denied involvement, saying it did not plant the bomb and instead blamed an "internal local rivalry" for the attack. Presidential spokesman, Haroon Chakhansuri, told reporters in Kabul that a high-powered team led by the national security advisor has been sent to Kandahar to investigate the terrorist attack. Some Afghan commentators have accused neighboring Iran of being behind the bombing. They cited recent arrests of several Iranian nationals in western Herat province and allegations by the governor of neighboring Farah province that the Taliban is receiving Iranian military assistance. Both the Afghan provinces border Iran. Tehran denies the charges it is helping the Islamist insurgency militarily though it has admitted maintaining "political" contacts with the Taliban. Until the investigations are concluded, we cannot say anything at this stage. When the probe is over, we shall be able to share its details with you be it about Herat, Farah or for that matter yesterdays Kandahar incident, said Chakhansuri when his attention was drawn to Irans alleged role. Kabul bombings The Kandahar attack occurred shortly after twin suicide bombings in the Afghan capital killed 37 people and wounded 98 others. The Afghan Health Ministry issued the revised figures Wednesday. The victims included government employees, security officials, pedestrians and lawmakers. The bombers targeted a convoy leaving parliament offices. A Taliban spokesman swiftly claimed responsibility, saying a suicide bomber blew himself up moments before another bomber detonated his explosives-laden car. The United States has strongly condemned the violence in Afghanistan. An attack on parliamentarians is, frankly, an attack on democracy. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured, State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in Washington. He reiterated that Washington stands strongly with the Afghan nation and remains firmly committed to building a secure, peaceful, and prosperous future for Afghanistan. The Taliban also claimed a gun-and-bomb attack on a security meeting in Lashkargah, the capital of the southern Helmand province. That attack killed 10 people and wounded 10 others, mostly top security officials. The United States named Indonesia's most prominent pro-Islamic State group a "terrorist" organization, imposing sanctions on the hundreds-strong network including freezing its U.S. assets. The State Department said in a statement on Tuesday that Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) was a "specially designated global terrorist" organization, effectively allowing U.S. authorities to block its funding and banning Americans from engaging with the group. JAD is an umbrella organization that Indonesian authorities estimate includes hundreds of Islamic State sympathizers across the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. JAD members have in recent months have been arrested for possession of explosives and for planning suicide bombings in and around the capital Jakarta. Indonesia has been on edge amid a recent resurgence in home-grown militancy that has been inspired in part by Islamic State. Beth Morrison is determined to make opera as popular in the 21st century as it was in the 19th, when the form was led by visionaries like Verdi, Wagner and Puccini. This modern impressaria has been commissioning new works from some of the hottest young composers for a decade. This is a new golden age of American opera," she insists. "And I truly believe that. I think it is a great moment in America for opera. Listen: Jeff Lunden report Her passion for this passionate art form is palpable. She says she has one rule of thumb when it comes to commissioning a new project. It always, for me, starts with the composer," she explains. "So, I will not do anything unless I am, like, mad crazy about the music and the composer and really feeling like they are contributing something to the field that is different than what somebody else is contributing. And their voice is 100 percent true and unique. And those voices are contemporary. The operas Morrison commissions reflect the times, telling wide ranging tales, from a dystopian future to politics in Pakistan. Beth Morrison is interested in relevance and the current, you know, topics of the day," says composer Mohammed Fairouz, who finds musical inspiration in literary and philosophical sources from around the world. "So, that is, I think, part of what appeals to her. The Arab-American artist is currently working with Morrison on an opera about the life of assassinated Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The story itself is so larger than life that only the, sort of, ridiculous spectacle of the operatic theater seems to be able to contain it, he says. His opera, Bhutto, will premiere at the Pittsburgh Opera next year. Partnerships Morrison collaborates with producers as well as composers. She runs her non-profit from her apartment in Brooklyn, but partners with arts organizations throughout the United States to present new work. Watch the trailer for Dog Days, which follows an American family in the near future who slowly starve as war rages. David T. Little's post-apocalyptic opera Dog Days has played in venues across the country. It was one of several pieces he developed under Beth Morrisons collaborative eye. She really trusts the artists to know what they need, first of all, from a development process, and to know what the work needs to be. And views her position as supporting that vision and offering feedback on that vision, but really trusting that the artist has the correct vision that needs to be brought to life. Every January, Morrison co-produces an opera festival called "Prototype" in New York City. One of the works featured this year was Missy Mazzolis Breaking the Waves, based on Lars von Triers 1996 film about a couple struggling with disability and intimacy. I feel like Beth creates the conditions for us to create our best work, Mazzoli says, noting that the film was ripe for operatic treatment, with its potent combination of sex, religion and transgression. Breaking the Waves ... is a story that is about big ideas; it is about the nature of goodness, the nature of loyalty, the nature of faith. And what happens when all these things sort of contradict each other, or get in the way. What do you do in that impossible situation to still be a good person? A full season Beth Morrison may well be one of the busiest producers in the opera world. This year we have five world premieres," she says, "we are doing nine tours and our Festival, and then, some workshops for some things coming up. But that is not enough for her. Even as she has six new works in various stages of development, Morrison is also actively looking for as yet unknown composers to produce. I think my challenge now is to identify the next generation. And that is exciting, and we are working on that. So the golden age can continue. As the United States prepares to inaugurate its 45th president, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a visiting Liberian delegation that while new faces will be popping up throughout the government in the coming days, Washington's commitment to stand together with Liberia will remain as firm as it has been for over 170 years. Speaking at a ceremony where a joint statement was signed on the U.S.-Liberia partnership dialogue Thomas-Greenfield vowed the U.S. will continue helping the West African nation. Our joint statement affirms our commitment to work together to address the challenges that Liberia currently faces and acknowledges the importance of these issues for Liberias overall economic development, she said Tuesday at the State Department. Liberia is still recovering from two brutal civil wars which ended in 2003 and an Ebola outbreak that killed about 4,800 people between 2014 and 2016. 3rd round of US-Liberian dialogue This is the third U.S.-Liberia partnership dialogue, including joint talks on how to expand agricultural production and trade, enhance the West African countrys investment climate and infrastructure and strengthen its post-Ebola recovery and healthcare efforts. The challenge for Liberia, Thomas-Greenfield says, is to make as much progress as it can in the time it has. Your challenge is to send a clear message to the rest of the world that Liberias prioritization of embracing reform and focusing on infrastructure development means that Liberia will be ready for business, she noted. The partnership dialogue was divided into group sessions focused on how the U.S. can help Liberia diversify its economy away from commodity-driven exports and support private-sector growth through expanded financial services and credit facilities, according to Liberian Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara. In response to a request from our minister of finance and development planning for support in attracting private equity to Liberia, particularly in structuring sovereign bond guarantees, the U.S. offered to provide such support," she said. "This will go a long way to enhance Liberia's capacity to finance critical infrastructure deficit, especially in energy and roads." Cooperation boosts agrobusiness Kamara said there were fruitful discussions on expanding farm production and developing Liberias agro-business sector. Through building the agrobusiness value chain, enhancing regional trade and exports and implementing land reform," the foreign minister said, "theres no doubt the third dialogue will enhance the progress of the previous dialogue deliberations in this sector, add value to agriculture production and trade as well as enhance food security in Liberia." As the West African country gears up for presidential elections in October, a recent survey of more than 1,500 people by the aid agency Catholic Relief Services (CRS) says that half of all Liberians think their country could plunge back into conflict more than a decade after the civil war ended. Worries about corruption, unemployment Liberians told CRS they see three main factors that could incite violence: systemic corruption in the public sector, tiffs over land ownership and high rates of youth unemployment. Kamara voiced that she hopes the discussions this week and subsequent follow-up actions will help meet key objectives. For her part, Thomas-Greenfield said there is strong bipartisan U.S. support for Liberia, whether the U.S. is ruled by a Democratic or Republican administration, because Liberia has been a strong partner of the U.S. on issues of concern before the United Nations and regional bodies, and has been a stalwart partner in working together to fight transnational crime, promote democracy and protect citizens in both our countries." At Tuesday's funeral in Tehran of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a key figure in the 1979 Islamic Revolution who later pushed for reconciliation with the West, reformist mourners not only chanted for the release of hunger-striking rights activists held in Iranian jails but also called for an end to their country's burgeoning alliance with Moscow. Video clips posted on social media sites showed groups of mourners shouting "Death to Russia" and "The Russian Embassy is a nest of spies" as they passed Moscow's diplomatic mission in downtown Tehran. It was an indication of their fear that collaboration between Iran and Russia won't help advance reform. After the 1979 overthrow of the shah, "No East, No West" was a popular refrain in Iran, but in the past few years an alliance at times shaky between Moscow and Tehran has developed. Since 2014, Iranian-Russian ties have strengthened as the pair closely coordinated battlefield efforts to save Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a mutual ally. A durable alliance? For Iran, the cooperation has amounted to the most significant military engagement it has had with another country since the shah's ouster. Last August, Iran allowed Russia the use of one of its air bases for airstrikes inside Syria. The country's defense minister, Hossein Dehghan, has visited Moscow half a dozen times in the past three years. With the city of Aleppo back fully in Syrian government hands because of brute Russian air power and Iranian-organized ground forces, questions are left hanging over the Middle East. Is the alliance between Russia and Iran durable now that Assad's survival has largely been assured? Do the two countries have common interests beyond Syria? With the death of Rafsanjani, a backer of the Iranian nuclear deal and a proponent of more political openness, some reformers predict Moscow's and Tehran's hard-liners will reinforce each other in ideological hostility to the West. They see Iran embracing Russia as a counterforce to the United States, and Putin viewing Iran as a useful ally as he seeks to reassert his country on the world stage. "For the past 10 years, within the upper echelons of power, Rafsanjani was the main protective shield for Iranian reformists and other similar factions currently out of power," according to Reza Haghighat Nejad of IranWire, a group of exiled Iranian journalists. He argues it remains to be seen whether anyone will be able to replace Rafsanjani as a brake on prominent hard-liners, who back closer Russia ties. An early test of the durability of the alliance between Moscow and Tehran may come soon with a clash over the Iranian nuclear deal. Under that landmark accord reached between Iran and six major powers, the Islamic Republic agreed to curb its disputed nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions. Criticism from Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledged on the campaign trail to "dismantle" the agreement, which was struck in July 2015. Critics have called it "the worst deal ever negotiated." And Trump's nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo, tweeted the day before his nomination: "I look forward to rolling back this disastrous deal with the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism." Some Iranian hard-liners, who point to past Russian double-dealing, have publicly worried that Russian President Vladimir Putin could side with Trump in the event the incoming U.S. president decides to rip up the nuclear deal especially if Washington offers, in exchange, recognition of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Those worries may be misplaced, say analysts. "Russia has more financially to gain with the deal being in place, or at the very least the arms embargo being lifted in a few short years," said Boris Zilberman, an analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "They are lining up billions in arms deals." Michael Rubin, an analyst with the American Enterprise Institute, a research group, agreed. "Russia wants the Iran nuclear deal to persevere," he said. "The Kremlin recognizes the nuclear deal empowers Iran relative to the United States and its allies." Rubin, who served as Iran country director in the office of the U.S. secretary of defense during George W. Bush's first presidential term, predicted the Russia-Iran alliance would outlast the Syria conflict. "The warmth in ties between Russia and Iran has expanded beyond the short-term tactical," he said. Weapons deals "The Iranians hope to purchase Russian weaponry in a few years when the Iranian nuclear deal allows them to do so, and this will make more permanent the relationship as Iran becomes reliant on Russia for spare parts and training. We may very well be in a generational detente," he told VOA. Still, he added that "the confluence of interests between Moscow and Tehran may not be permanent and that Putin, when it is in his interests to do so, could throw Iran under the bus." Russia and Iran have not been natural allies. "Iranians hold a deeply rooted historical mistrust of Russia," argued Mohsen Milani, a professor at the University of South Florida, in an article recently for Foreign Affairs magazine. The mistrust dates to the period after World War II, when the Red Army refused to leave Iran, and has been reinforced by Russia's past use of Iran as a bargaining chip in its dealings with the United States. Zilberman said, "I don't think either of them trusts each other. It is a partnership of convenience and largely transactional. Many in Moscow view Iran as a partner but explicitly not an ally. They work together where their interests align." U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday the country is a "better, stronger place" than when he took office in 2008, pointing to the reversal of a recession, passage of his landmark healthcare program and the legalization of gay marriage as achievements the American people have won through his message of change. That section of his farewell address drew huge applause from a crowd of thousands in Chicago, delivered a few kilometers from the site where he gave his acceptance speech the night he won his first term in the White House. With less than two weeks before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Obama had directed his team to craft an address that would speak to all Americans, including those who voted for Trump. Obama said in his speech it is up to all Americans to make sure the government can meet the country's many challenges and that he has committed to making the transition to the new administration as smooth as possible. "Understand, democracy does not require uniformity," he said. "Our founders quarreled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity -- the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together." Obama is the first black man to serve as U.S. president, and he noted that after his election many spoke of what they called a "post-racial" America. But he said race is still a "potent and often divisive force," and stressed the need to uphold anti-discrimination laws. He urged minorities to connect their own struggles to challenges faced by refugees, immigrants, the rural poor and transgender Americans, and for the country's white population to acknowledge that laws that discriminated against African-Americans have effects that endure 50 years after they were abolished. "So regardless of the station that we occupy; we have to try harder; we all have to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do; that they value hard work and family like we do; that their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own." Obama listed economic achievements such as cutting the number of people who lack health insurance, a growing economy and a lower unemployment rate. But he said those are not enough and that economic inequality hurts the country's democratic principles. "While the top one percent has amassed a bigger share of wealth and income, too many families, in inner cities and rural counties, have been left behind," he said. Obama told U.S. military members that serving as their commander-in-chief was the honor of his lifetime, and he pointed to successes in the fight against terrorism, including the killing of former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and the ongoing coalition effort against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. The president said the United States has to guard against weakening its values in the face of fear, further noting his efforts to ban torture, reform government surveillance laws and close the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans," Obama said, drawing perhaps his loudest applause of the night. He said he is more optimistic about the country than when he began his presidency. But he also urged people to take an active role in democracy, saying the system depends on Americans "accepting the responsibility of citizenship regardless of which way the pendulum swings." During his 2008 campaign, Obama used as one of his slogans, "Change we can believe in." He returned to that idea at the end of his address Tuesday. "I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours," Obama said. In Photos: Gibraltar and Gorhams Cave Feature in New York Times Magazine A long article on the Neanderthals, published by the New York Times Magazine online today, features Gorhams Cave and Gibraltar. Writer Jon Mooallem tracks the history of the Neanderthals and how our perception of them has changed since the early discoveries of the 19th Century, which included the famous Gibraltar Woman in 1848. The writer explains his impromptu visit to Gibraltar last June when he heard that an excavation was in progress at Gorhams Cave. His description includes a snapshot of Gibraltar at the time of the Brexit Vote and the writer immerses himself in Gorhams and Vanguard Caves where he is taken back to a remote time. The article is part description and part reflection of humanity, parallel humanities and the fate of peoples past, with a strong connection to the world today. The author describes a visit to the Gibraltar Museum to see the then recently-inaugurated Nana and Flint and then went on to interview the artists Kennis and Kennis in their home in Holland. Overall, the article gives an up-to-date perspective of our current views of the Neanderthals and places Gibraltar at the centre of the work which is changing the old views. The article is illustrated with photographs of Nana, Flint and the caves. The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, said: I am delighted that the high standard of work being carried out by Clive Finlayson and his team continues to receive the international attention that it deserves. In the process, the New York Times magazine has also painted a wider picture of Gibraltar which blends the past and the present very effectively. The article can be found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/magazine/neanderthals-were-people-too.html Musician the Edge (L) and Bono of U2 perform onstage at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Though word was already out that U2 would be headlining Bonnaroo this summer in honor of the 30th anniversary of their album The Joshua Tree, today the festival revealed the rest of its 2017 lineup. And like always, its a doozy. This summer the Weeknd, Chance the Rapper, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Major Lazer, the XX, and Lorde are just a few of the acts heading to Manchester, Tennessee. Check out the full list below. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images During Barack Obamas final speech in office, and in the moments after, many celebrities took to social media to pay their respects to the 44th president. While some chose to share personal memories of meeting POTUS, others commented on the speech itself. Of course, more than a few also got in a few jabs both direct and lightly veiled at the next guy taking over the job. Donald Trump has yet to respond to Obamas speech; he might be a bit preoccupied right now. Hope you enjoyed Obama's speech. You won't hear anything so cogent and kind for a long time. So, with complete sincerity: THANKS, OBAMA. Stephen King (@StephenKing) January 11, 2017 So grateful to you @POTUS for all you have done for us these last 8 years! Your dignity and strength. God Bless you and your family. Kathy Bates (@MsKathyBates) January 11, 2017 YES WE CAN #obamafarewell kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 11, 2017 We have a lot of work to do to earn you, @POTUS Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) January 11, 2017 This #ObamaFarewell is beautiful. The love. Could Trump soak up all this warmth? Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 11, 2017 From here with the Young Senator from Chicago to tonight. #obamafarewell. We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/B9pPJ3p1CC Sharon Stone (@sharonstone) January 11, 2017 Watching Obama's final address, and realizing how very, very far we are about to descend. Farewell, O Captain my Captain! Heavens save us. George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 11, 2017 .@POTUS @BarackObama I love you more than I have space on Twitter to describe. #ObamaFarewell Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 11, 2017 The beauty you don't deserve jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) January 11, 2017 Me right now https://t.co/gW55C1wrwd KATY PERRY (@katyperry) January 11, 2017 Thank you, thank you, thank you from my heart, Mr. President. @BarackObama pic.twitter.com/AV9yNUwmaR Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) January 11, 2017 I will miss @Barackobama so much he has a big heart, represents everything that is America, and has limitless compassion for the people Jay Pharoah (@JayPharoah) January 11, 2017 champagnepapi As a Canadian that calls America home for part of the year I will always carry your words and the memory of your time in office with me as inspiration. Big up yaself O. Cheryl Strayed. Photo-Illustration: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images Dollar figures can be misleading. That was the disheartening lesson learned by Cheryl Strayed, the New York Times best-selling author of Wild, in 2003 with her debut novel, Torch. Despite receiving a sizable-seeming advance for the book, she remained deeply in debt for years even as Wild, her subsequent memoir, landed on the best-seller list, Strayed and her husband, documentary filmmaker Brian Lindstrom, struggled to pay the rent. Strayed is just one of many notable authors including Roxane Gay, Jonathan Franzen, Jennifer Weiner, and Susan Orlean who opened up with Manjula Martin, the writer and editor of Scratch: Writers, Money and the Art of Making a Living, about success and attempting to make a living with words. Many of the sections in Martins book originally appeared in the magazine Scratch, which she founded and edited from 2013 to 2015. Her interview with Strayed, reprinted in full below, was among them. *** Faith, Hope, and Credit: Cheryl Strayed in conversation with Manjula Martin MM: Before this interview, we were talking a bit about how taboo it still is for writers to discuss income. You said that, even though you believe in talking openly about money, you were nervous about doing the interview. Why is it important to you to talk about the financial side of being a writer? CS: I feel strongly that were only hurting ourselves as writers by being so secretive about money. Theres no other job in the world where you get your masters degree in that field and youre like, Well, I might make zero or I might make $5 million! We dont have any standards in that way, and we probably never will. There will always be such a wide range of what writers are paid, but at least we could give each other information. What was the financial experience like for you when you sold your first novel, Torch? I was paid a $100,000 advance for Torch. That sounds so huge to me. Yes. It was November 2003, and I was at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts at a residency, and I distinctly remember yellingshriekinginto the phone to my husband, A hundred thousand dollars! A hundred thousand dollars! And we were both just flipping out. We were like, Our life is changed. And oh my god, I was so grateful. And I know how lucky I was to get that. I understand that Im very fortunate. But I do think its helpful to share information, so I want to talk about what that kind of advance really means. Please do. First of all, you dont just get a check for $100,000. You get four checks: one on signing, one on deliveryand thats not just when you finish the draft, but after the editing process, when its going to the printer. I learned that lesson the hard way. And then you get another check on publication of the hardcover, and another check on publication of the paperback. So, I sold Torch in 2003. I got that first $25,000. My agent took fifteen percent, and then I had around $21,000. But I didnt think about taxes. And if youre a writer who has, like, no money, and then you cash a check for $25,000, youre going to be taxed fully on that. Did you put it in an IRA or anything like that? I needed it to pay my rent. I had accrued $50,000 in credit card debt to write that book. The same thing happened later with Wild, only I was in deeper debt. So I got that check for Torch, and it was gone the next day. I actually paid my credit card bill. Poof! Then I did revisions, and I had a baby, and the next check didnt come until 2005. I got my third check in February 2006, when it was published, and my final check when the paperback came out in 2007. So I sold my book for $100,000, and what I received was a check for about $21,000 a year over the course of four years, and I paid a third of that to the IRS. Dont get me wrong, the book deal helped a lotit was like getting a grant every year for four years. But it wasnt enough to live off. So, I guess it was a humbling lesson! How did you live during those years? I taught, did freelance journalism, wrote essays for magazines that payall the things I usually do for money. My husband is a documentary filmmaker, so he doesnt make any money either, but he would take work for money, too, and we scratched together a living. And all those years we qualified for food stamps. We never applied for them. Why not? I grew up poor, and I did get food stamps as a kid, so there was a sense of shame about it. And I also acknowledged that we were poor by choice. Here we were, two people with masters degrees, choosing to keep faith with our art, and because of that we were poor. Thats different from being poorreally poor, actually poor. And I know that because I came from those people. And I just couldnt take in that way from our society. At the end of the day, if I had really needed to get a job that paid the bills, I could have. And I always chose not to, because I wanted to write. So I didnt feel entitled to public assistance. And you were in worse debt at the time that you sold Wild? We almost lost our house before I sold Wild. I think we had about $85,000 in credit card debt by the time I sold that book. I can say that now because I dont have any debt, but I was so ashamed of that. How did that debt stack up? It was really interesting. By the time Torch was published, we had two kids under the age of two. So here I was, trying to write my second book with two babies, and we were just busting our asses. During those years we were spending more on childcare than I was making. And we would always be so broke and ashamed and putting things on the credit card. Really getting into trouble. Heres another thing thats so interesting about money that people never talk about: there are all these invisible advantages and privileges people have. Parents who help out with a down payment, or a grandparent who takes the kids every Tuesday. Parents who pay for college. We didnt have any of that. I also had student loan debt from my undergraduate degree that I finally paid off on my forty-fourth birthday, thanks to Wild. When I started to write Wild, I started to feel like I could sell this book. I just needed time to write it. So I was always fighting to try to find time to write the bookwith the kids and earning a living and teaching and all those things. By the end of 2008, I had finished the first 130 pages or so. How did you sell it? What was that process like? In November 2008, I took Wild out to sell, and I had to take it to Houghton Mifflin because they published Torch and had right of first refusal. I was reluctant because my editor there had been let goand I could have refused their offer, but I was so destitute. My agent called me and said, Theyre working up an offer, and I said, Oh my god! Whatever it is, Ill accept it, and please put a rush on the check because we need the money! But these were the darkest days of the publishing industry. I then got a call saying they couldnt make the offer, because as of that day there was a freeze on acquisitions at the company. It made the New York Times; it was a big deal. And I think I was one of the first authors to know about it because my book deal disappeared that day. So by the time I took it out again in April 2009, my former editor, Janet Silver, had become an agent, and I decided to have her represent me. She took it out, and within a couple of days I was speaking to several editors who wanted the book, and I sold it to Knopf for $400,000. And thats when I was like, Oh my god. Thank you. Thank you. Again, the great, funny irony about that was that I got my first check, and we spent it all on credit card bills. Did you at least go out to dinner or something? We went and had sushi. But our life didnt change. We only got out of credit card debt. But it changed in that way, trust me. As anyone whos been in severe credit card debt knows, it was a nightmare. All these financially minded people said we should apply for bankruptcy. But it was like the food stamps, you know? And I finished the book within the year. Then it went through this long wait to be publishedtechnically it was done a year before it was published. So I had to twiddle my thumbs for a year. And during that time, Dear Sugar stepped into the breach. And Dear Sugar, your advice column, was for free? Labor of love. But thats the thing about both Wild and Torch. Theyre no different from Dear Sugar. I would have written those books whether I was paid for them or not. Theyre all labors of love. Of course, that doesnt mean Im not totally ambitious. Im really ambitious. Did you aspire to be a famous writer? I want to be recognized for beautiful work, for good work, for real work. I really want to be recognized for that. Which is different from saying I want to be famous. If you want to be famous, dont be a writer. When I was first thinking of myself as a writer back in my teens, the shorthand for that was fame. But then I started to really understand what writing was and who writers were. Who were the writers I valued the most as a young woman learning to write? They were people like Alice Munro, Raymond Carver, Richard Ford, Mary Gaitskill, and Toni Morrison. Those people I just named are super-famous in our world, but most of the world doesnt know them. So pretty quickly, to me it wasnt about fameit was about accomplishment. Once you let go of that fame thing, its the first step in really being able to focus on doing good work. Because you cant fake it. Thats the deal with writing. You cant fake it. You read an Alice Munro storyand its there or its not, you know? So I let that go pretty early on. With fame, you have to get over it. You do. Because you will actually not succeed because of it. An experience thats often paired with being famous is being rich. What has it been like for you to realize you are making money off your books? Did you have any idea beforehand that Wild would sell well? I mean, usually there are some signs that a book will be big. It was like a train that was approaching and the roar kept getting louder. Because the publisher had sat on it for so long, booksellers and magazine editorsall the people who tell people what books to readhad a chance to read Wild. So I did have a sense that it was going to get a lot of coverage. But what makes a book successful is if readers actually buy it. We see lots of books get huge amounts of press and then disappear. That first week that Wild debuted at number seven on the New York Times bestseller list, all I knew was that that was enough. I didnt even allow myself ever to dream that dream, and it came true. It was a beautiful moment. And then it stayed on the list. What did that feel like? To see that this might become a longterm thing, being a best-selling author? Having a book become a best seller was a more complicated process than most people would assume. For example, in April 2012 the book had been out a month. I was on my book tour, and I was traveling around, and everyone was treating me like this big glorious best-selling author, and my husband texted me saying, Our April rent check bounced. Why did it bounce? And I replied, Because we dont have any money in our checking account! And we laughed until we cried. Because we couldnt complain to anyone, and no one would believe us, but it was like, my book is on the New York Times bestseller list right now and we do not have any money in our checking account. The first royalties I received for Wild were in January 2013. So it was almost a year before my life actually changed. You were raised working class. Have you switched classes now? You know when I switched classes? When I was eighteen and I went to college. I mean, I think you can go to college and stay working class, but I culture-hopped. After the experience of college, even though I was poor all those years, I occupied a different place in the culture than I had before. I had an education. I had a subscription to the New Yorker. I was friends with amazing people who were accomplished in all kinds of fieldsessentially the elites of our world. And some of those people were poor and some were millionaires. I havent actually changed in that regard at all since Wilds success. The difference is, now, in that same tribe Ive been in since I was eighteen, Im one of the people who has money instead of one of the people who doesnt. The only thing thats changed is that I can pay my bills. I can afford to not be desperate anymore. I can buy boots not in thrift stores! But the culture and the community and the things I think about people and the world and the way I feel about myself and my familynone of that has changed one iota. Theres this narrative we have, that if you have success, you become a different person. You leave behind the little people. And its like, No, no, I dont even believe there are little peoplehow could I leave them behind? I am the little people. When Wild first came out, I recall some of the press and stories about your life and career seemed to imply youre a late bloomer. How do you feel about that phrase? Well, I think its hilarious. Thats such a strange way to think of a writer. I wrote Wild when I was, like, forty. And my writing career has actually followed a very smooth trajectory: I knew passionately from a very young age I wanted to be a writer. I majored in English, and I spent my twenties apprenticing myself to the craft. I came out of my twenties knowing that I needed the shelter a fully funded graduate program would offer me. The MFA program at Syracuse allowed me three years, essentially, to have a grant and write. I wrote my first book there; a couple of years out of grad school, I sold it, and a few years later, I sold my next book . I think theres nothing late about it! So its not like, Oh, Im just over here germinating like a little quiet seed, and then ta-da, Im blooming! Once, on my Facebook page, somebody said I had come out of nowhere with Wild, and that made me mad. I wasnt mad for myself, I was mad for the community of writers I feel very much a part of, who all knew me before Wild was published. Im talking about the community of people who go to AWP [the Association of Writers & Writing Programs annual conference], the people who are writers, poets, creative writing teachers, etc. Those people knew about me: I was publishing essays, a novel, I was teaching. And just because suddenly a whole bunch more people knew about my work, that doesnt negate the people whove known about me all along. So I hated that phrasingout of nowhere. Because it implied that where I was was nowhere. Just because our culture doesnt recognize most of those twelve thousand people who gather at AWP every year doesnt mean those people arent incredibly successful. How do you define success? The way I define and measure success, all through my life and still to this day, is, can I answer the questions: Have I done the work I needed to do? Did I do it as well as I could? Did I give it everything I had? If you can say, Yes, I did, thats success. And then other stuff happensyour book is on the bestseller list, or Oprah callsor maybe not. Maybe it gets trashed in the New York Times. Or maybe its absolutely ignored by everyone, which happens. Those things are not about success. Those are about things that happen to you. One thing Ive tried to do as Sugarand something all books do or should dois encourage people to be able to hold many truths at once, because together they form a greater truth. So on one hand Im apologetic that were sitting here in this beautiful house that Wild bought. But I know I did the work; I know I earned it. I also know that thousands of other writers out there, working away as we speak, have worked equally hard. They earned it, too. And they didnt have that magic bunny come along and make their book a best seller, so they didnt get that thing. Both experiences are true. Life aint fair, as they say? You have to take what youve been given and make the best of it and use it for good in the world. And that would be my belief whether I were applying for food stamps tomorrow or not. Excerpted from SCRATCH: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living by Manjula Martin. Copyright 2017 by Manjula Martin. Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Personally I would also accept a spin-off called Fiefdom. Photo: Chuck Hodes/FOX Lee Danielss empire, built around the success of Empire, is looking to expand. While promoting Star, which isnt really an Empire spinoff, at the Television Critics Association, Daniels discussed his plans for an actual Empire spinoff. Were in talks, Daniels said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Were finally figuring it out. It takes a minute, you know? We just really had to build the foundation of Empire, so we then try to figure out what that B-chorus is. It looks like its going to happen. Daniels has discussed the possibility of an Empire spinoff before and mentioned a series focused on a young Cookie Lyon. Clearly, the solution is making that a stoner drama and calling it Half-Baked. Hotel For Dogs. Photo: Dreamworks Some of Hollywoods leading animals apparently arent getting the red-carpet treatment. After production wraps, the animals that populate leading movie and TV sets are prone to mistreatment at a specific animal facility an hour north of Hollywood, PETA alleges. The organization has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture against Birds & Animals Unlimited, one of Hollywoods leading facilities for animal training and handling, accusing the company of several violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. According to PETAs complaint, which was released to The Hollywood Reporter, several animals in BAUs care have either died or been mistreated due to the companys negligence: Three pigs (including one seen in College Road Trip) were underweight with overgrown hooves, animals were inhumanely forced to lose weight for productions, and dogs (including one from Hotel for Dogs) slept outside without bedding as overnight temperatures dropped below 49 degrees. A kangaroo with a broken jaw also died after being unable to eat, PETA alleges, and BAU reportedly fabricated paperwork to cover up the animals death. In a statement to THR, BAU countered some of the allegations and questioned the veracity of information obtained from a whistle-blower. The animal-training firm did identify one area for improvement, however: its birdcages, which PETA alleged remained uncleaned for as long as six weeks. The USDA told THR it is examining PETAs claims to make sure animals arent being mistreated between gigs. Eddie Vedder kicks off #ObamaFarewell in Chicago https://t.co/i8QAwYRjhC Weijia Jiang (@weijia) January 11, 2017 While millions of Americans watched Barack Obamas farewell address on screens, an estimated 18,000 went in person to McCormick Place, in Chicago, to see the presidents last speech. Opening for POTUS was none other than Pearl Jam front man and Illinois native, Eddie Vedder. During the set, Vedder performed Rockin in the Free World, Something Inside So Strong, Rise, and, with the help of the Chicago Childrens Choir, People Have the Power. Its been a big year for Vedder in Chicago the rocker also sang his support for his beloved Cubs at a World Series game at Wrigley Field. The videos currently available from tonights speech were all recorded and uploaded by attendees on social media. Excerpt from The Amazing Spider-Man No. 337. Art by Erik Larsen, Terry Austin, and Bob Sharen. Photo: Marvel Entertainment When we last delved into the high-flying history of ornithological Spider-Man antagonist the Vulture, we talked about a villainous super-team known as the Sinister Six. In his half-century of comic-book existence, Spider-Mans most-feathered foe has often been portrayed as a member of that band of evildoers, and there were once plans to have the team star in their own feature film. It did not come to be, but the Vulture lived on hell appear as the primary bad guy in this years Spidey re-reboot Spider-Man: Homecoming. If were to understand the madmans long history, we cant ignore his cohort. Lets crunch the Sixs numbers. Whats their basic deal? Theyre a group of Spider-Man villains who put aside their differing agendas to focus on fighting the web-slinger. Thats it? They dont have some specific gimmick? Shouldnt they be obsessed with the number six and throw grenades shaped like six-sided dice or meet in a secret headquarters they call the Hexagon? Nope. Theyre just people who hate Spider-Man and work together. Thats a little disappointing. Who are the members? The original Sinister Six consisted of Doctor Octopus (a guy with mechanical murder tentacles), Electro (a dude who uses electricity as a weapon), Kraven the Hunter (a big-game hunter who tracks down the most dangerous game), Mysterio (master of illusions), Sandman (a man made of sand), and the Vulture. Subsequent iterations have included a dizzying array of enemies, including top-tier folks like Venom, Rhino, Shocker, and Lizard, but also jabronis like Boomerang, Hydro-Man, Speed Demon, and Living Brain. Wait, thats way more than six people. Correct. The lineup is ever-changing, which makes sense, given the whole their only gimmick is that they hate Spider-Man thing. In fact, there have been variations with even more members: the Sinister Seven, the Sinister Twelve, the Sinister Sixteen, and even the Sinister Sixty-Six. Eesh! Are there members who appear in a plurality of the incarnations, at least? Mainly the Vulture and Doctor Octopus. They havent been in every Sinister [Insert Number Here] team, but theyre in more of them than anyone else. How long have they been around? A good long while! The first Sinister Six appeared in 1963s Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 1, penciled by Steve Ditko and co-written by Ditko and Stan Lee, the two men whod invented Spidey just a few months before. That initial story is delightfully lighthearted, in its way: Doc Ock is sick of being humiliated by Spider-Man, so he sends out messages to all of his fellow villains, and only five of them respond, then they draw lots to figure out the order in which theyll fight the hero. There was a massive time gap between that tale and the next iteration of the team, which popped up in 1990. But after that, various versions of the team have appeared more than a dozen times in various stories, both in comics and in animated series and video games. Excerpt from The Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 1. Art by Steve Ditko. Photo: Marvel Entertainment So they must be pretty important for the Spider-Mythos, huh? Yeah! Its an easy concept to make work, and theres maximalist fun to be found in any team up between existing characters of any moral stripe. What was the deal with their movie? Will it ever actually happen? It conceivably could. The original and very public plan was for them to appear in a Drew Goddardhelmed sequel to 2014s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Sony even went so far as to include a little end-credits teaser for it. But the financial underperformance of that Andrew Garfieldled flick, as well as a lucrative offer from Marvel Studios to bring Spidey into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, led to the scuttling of those plans. The Garfield-verse was unceremoniously killed and has been replaced by one starring Tom Holland. That said, Sony is, oddly enough, allegedly mulling the launch of yet another Spider-verse, though itd be one without the actual Spider-Man. The studio still owns the film rights to all Spidey-adjacent characters and wants to exploit that fact without having to constantly play ball with Marvel Studios, so a Venom movie might be on the way. Given that, its not inconceivable that some form of the Sinister Six could follow, although the presence of Vulture in the MCU would probably mean hed be left out of this other cosmology, just so as not to confuse people. Are they the best team of Spider-Man villains? Absolutely not. That title goes to the Superior Foes of Spider-Man, who recently debuted in a titular comics series, written by Nick Spencer and penciled by Steve Lieber. They were much goofier and spent a significant amount of time trying to steal a severed head. Plus, there were only five of them, which means there was way more villainy per capita. A man with five child sex abuse convictions was found to be a sexually violent predator Tuesday and will be committed to a state sex offender facility after his release from prison. Jurors in Wacos 54th State District Court deliberated 20 minutes before determining Howard Lynn Thompson, 54, constitutes a likely threat to offend again if he is released from prison. The jurys unanimous verdict led Judge Matt Johnson to order Thompson to enter a Texas Civil Commitment Center in Littlefield after he is released from prison in 2019. The two-day trial marked the first time in a McLennan County courtroom that the state sought to civilly commit a repeat sex offender. Before a law was changed in 2015, all such civil trials were held in a Montgomery County state district court. Now, they are held in the court of conviction for the offenders most recent sex offense. Thompson denied many of the allegations for which he was convicted or tried to minimize his actions during testimony Tuesday. He stood with his hands shackled to a waist chain and just shook his head as the judge read the verdict. After he is transferred to the treatment center, Thompson will be evaluated and can petition for his release every two years. A judge will review his case to see if he can be released or if it is appropriate to modify his treatment plan. The judgment says he is to remain committed until the behavioral abnormality has changed to the extent that he is no longer likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence. Thompson, a former landscaper, pleaded guilty in Waco to four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child in 2000 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison on each count. Trial testimony showed he was convicted of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl he was baby-sitting at the Uptown Motel in Waco in 1999. Thompson also was convicted in 1991 for molesting a 7-year-old girl in Glynn County, Georgia. He was baby-sitting that child, also. Jurors heard from just two witnesses before being asked to determine Thompsons fate: Thompson and Sheri Gaines, a psychiatrist from Walker County who examined Thompson for two hours and reviewed 1,000 pages of police reports, prison records, witness statements and a deposition Thompson gave in October as part of the civil trial. Offenders with two or more sexually violent convictions who have been diagnosed with a behavioral abnormality and who are deemed to be risks to offend again can be subject to the civil commitment proceedings. Like Thompsons testimony Tuesday, he was evasive and difficult during Gaines examination and denied or tried to mitigate his involvement in the child sex offenses, she said. Thompson is starting a nine-month sex offender treatment program in prison that he must finish before he can be released. Gaines said Thompson admitted in December that he is sexually attracted to young girls, which she said is the first step in a lengthy, difficult process of change. But he has a long, long way to go, Gaines said. Her opinion that he is a sexually violent predator and a risk to re-offend will not change even after he completes the sex offender treatment, Gaines said. Testimony During his testimony Tuesday, Thompson denied he is sexually attracted to children and said the improper contact for which he was convicted on all five counts was accidental. Maureen Whittmore, an attorney in the State Special Prosecution Units civil division, told jurors that someone must admit they have a problem before they can start to change. Whittmore said Thompsons continued denials, which contradict statements he has made in treatment and in his depositions, mean he remains a threat to children and is not ready or is unwilling to change. Texas has 407 civilly committed sex offenders. All are men. Thompson was defended by Charles Martin and Tom Brewer of the State Counsel for Offenders, an arm of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. The repossession of electronics led to an arrest of a man previously convicted of a child pornography charge after a rental company found several files containing child pornography on a cellphone in the mans possession in November, Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said. A U.S. Marshals task force arrested Patrick Garcia, 36, on Tuesday after a lease-to-own business repossessed a cellphone and an iPad from another man in November. When employees went to the lessees home to retrieve the electronics, the man told them he had given the property to his brother, Garcia, who was staying at the Scottish Inns, 500 Interstate 35. Investigators went to Patrick Garcias residence at the Scottish Inns, and the employees were able to obtain the iPad and phone back from him, Swanton said. Patrick was very reluctant in giving the cellphone up and actually tried to stop them when they had it in their possession, but (employees) were able to get the property back to the store. Swanton said employees were familiar with Garcia, who was convicted on another child pornography charge in 2015 after a rental company found child pornography on a phone he had. Garcia was sentenced to five years probation, according to Texas Department of Public Safety records. After repossessing the devices in November, employees suspected they may have contained inappropriate material and called police, Swanton said. Officers collected the electronics and found several videos of child pornography with young children and animals. Marshals and Waco police Crimes Against Children detectives arrested Garcia at the Scottish Inns on six third-degree felony charges of possession of child pornography. Swanton said additional charges may be pending. Garcia remained in McLennan County Jail on Wednesday with bonds listed at $120,000. Two people have been arrested in San Antonio after a joint investigation by several law enforcement agencies into a string of vehicle burglaries and thefts in McLennan and Hill counties last month, West Police Chief Darryl Barton said. Nathaniel Alexander Wilson, 23, and Amber Lynn Decker, 17, both of San Antonio, were arrested after between 20 and 30 vehicles were broken into and six others were reported stolen on or about Dec. 21 throughout Hill and McLennan counties, Barton said. Officials with the McLennan County Sheriffs Office, West Police Department, Bellmead Police Department, Hill County Sheriffs Office, Hillsboro Police Department and San Antonio Police Department contributed to the effort. They continue to look for a third suspect, Kaleub Lathyn Reynolds-Smith, 18, of Killeen, Barton said. About two weeks ago, a red Ford Mustang that was stolen from West was used in a robbery in San Antonio and fled from officers, Barton said. The suspects crashed the car, and the driver, Wilson, was arrested, he said. The passenger, Reynolds-Smith, fled the crash and is still at large. San Antonio police arrested Decker on Friday after their investigation tied her to the burglaries, Barton said. Decker and Wilson remain in custody in San Antonio. Officers were able to recover each of the stolen vehicles and are still searching for other stolen property, including weapons. With the joint effort . . . in creating this task force, we were able to move on all these cases and let everyone know what was going on in their communities, Barton said. This was a great effort with everyone involved, and we currently have a warrant out for (Reynolds-Smith). Reynolds-Smith is considered armed and dangerous, Barton said. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the West Police Department at 826-5311. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his Jan. 20 inauguration and the GOP readies to control both the executive and legislative branches of government, the future of the Affordable Care Act is the big, hairy issue, U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, said Tuesday. Flores, who started his fourth term representing the 17th Congressional District last week, said he hopes President Barack Obamas signature health care legislation will be repealed and replaced this year. If I had all my druthers, what Id like to do is see repeal and replace all done at the same time so nobody can make a claim that you broke something without having the replacement product in place. . . . What were going to try to do is to repeal as much of Obamacare as we can under these arduous Senate rules related to reconciliation, Flores said. Then well have as much replacement in that same vote as we can. An example would be expanded health care savings accounts, so that a family could save for their health care on a tax advantage basis that allows them to pay those higher out-of-pockets that theyve been experiencing under Obamacare. Thats an example of something we could probably do under what we call repeal plus. He said other replacement elements will come later this year. Trump told The New York Times on Tuesday that a repeal vote should happen next week, and a replacement vote very quickly or simultaneously, very shortly thereafter. A successful replacement of the Affordable Care Act would have improved access and improved affordability, Flores said. Today we have more people covered, but the taxpayers are picking up tens of billions of dollars in extra costs to do that, he said. A lot of these people really dont have coverage because what theyve got is an insurance card. But when they go to the doctor, they find out theyve got $14,000 worth of out-of-pockets theyve got to pay before you have any coverage. Flores said a replacement plan would allow markets to produce a health care product for consumers and doctors to have holistic conversations with patients. Under pressure GOP lawmakers feel pressure to solve the issue, Flores said. We all feel compelled to execute our solutions we ran on and to do it as quickly as we can, he said. The challenge we have is there are so many issues to be dealt with so quickly that we need to make sure everybody is keeping their head down and moving forward together to execute these things. Weve got to deal with Obamacare, the same time were dealing with the regulatory environment, the same time were trying to deal with tax reform, the same time were trying to deal with national security. Weve got to be attacking all these challenges on a simultaneous basis, and we dont have the luxury of being able to do them sequentially. Flores also said tax reform, border security, national security and poverty elimination are vital issues. Energy is another of Flores priorities. He said visiting both small and large businesses in his district has shown him what he believes are restrictive policies that stunt job creation. We are going to be looking aggressively at the (Environmental Protection Agencys) actions over the last eight years to create environmental policies that work: environmental policies that keep our environment clean but also do not destroy jobs in the process. Id call it a much more balanced, more right-sized approach, he said. Flores said he will explore a 21st-century energy strategy friendly to all sources. The good thing for the 17th District is that I am on the two principal subcommittees (of the Energy and Commerce Committee), energy and environment. Im pretty excited about the opportunity to change the things people have to deal with today. Flores said lawmakers will work with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., for a reformed, congressionally mandated appropriations process. He said, for example, costs incurred by potential flooding damage at Lake Waco should be taken to appropriations officials, not handled by the agency responsible for the lake. The last six years, I was having to go sit down and twist the arms of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he said. This will put Congress back in charge of appropriations but yet not do it in a way where you have the earmark abuse you had through Republican and Democratic congresses in the decades before. With a tight state budget and plenty of controversial topics on the docket, state lawmakers Tuesday kicked off the 85th Texas Legislature in Austin. The session will last 140 days, and the Tribune-Herald reached out to the three state lawmakers whose districts include McLennan County to find out their priorities. Sen. Brian Birdwell, Rep. Charles Doc Anderson and Rep. Kyle Kacal each said they have education issues on their radar for the session, and other topics on local representatives minds range from Medicaid spending; immigration reform; and a convention of states, to insurance for career and technology training; first responders use of ATVs; and presentations allowed in schools. Heres what they had to say: Sen. Brian Birdwell Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, started his fourth legislative session Tuesday with a focus on taking control away from the federal government and bringing more local control at the state level. My first priority always in session is good government. What are the things that make good government? Accountability, efficiency and making sure its performing its proper role and function, Birdwell said before the 85th Legislature kicked off midday Tuesday. The biggest thing, the biggest bill I have got going on is the convention of states. Along with two other state representatives, Birdwell filed legislation in early December to call for a convention of states and define the steps state legislatures would need to take to appoint delegates for such a gathering, according to a press release by Birdwells office. Texas is the eighth state with a convention of states proposal, and Birdwells goal is to impose fiscal restraints, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and to add term limits for federal officials and members of Congress, according to the press release. The states created the federal government and the states must rein it in, Birdwell said. Birdwell also has several other controversial topics he plans to focus on, he said. He is operating under the assumption he will serve on the same committees he did in the last session, and his priorities directly align with those assignments, he said. If assignments remain the same, he will be chair of the Committee on Nominations; chair of the Subcommittee on Border Security; co-chair of the Joint Committee on Border Security; chair of the Select Committee on State Real Property Data Collection, Reporting and Assessment; and a member of the Committee on Finance, among others. Birdwells work on border security will depend largely on what action President-elect Donald Trumps administration takes, he said. Ill also focus on due process in dealing with the ethics commission, Birdwell said. Its very much a needed committee, but the standards of due process and its policies need to be tightened up. For example, he said those who are accused of violating election policies need to be treated with the same due process found in civil court cases. Facing a 2.7 percent decline in total revenue compared to last session, Birdwell said he and his staff are up to the challenge during his first session with a full term on the Finance Committee. He has previously served as an interim member. He will weigh funding for transportation and education, with heavy talk expected this session about school vouchers. Local educators and school board members spoke out against the idea in December, saying state lawmakers should oppose state vouchers until the Texas Legislature comes up with school funding reforms that are more than a Band-Aid approach. All we want is a level playing field, and thats not what were seeing now, Waco ISD board member Cary DuPuy said last month. We want this to become a topic of discussion for lawmakers. Birdwell said hell weigh vouchers and other education issues this session. Rep. Charles Doc Anderson Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco, said he is interested in joining efforts to rein in Medicaid spending, stem illegal immigration and fund public education. But so far the bills he has filed are more narrow in scope. For example, House Bill 639 would authorize public schools to buy insurance coverage for career and technology training, such as the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy. House Bill 544 would help give small water suppliers administrative assistance in applying for state water grants. House Bill 545 would allow patriotic societies such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to present information to students while at school. Anderson said he also would work to reverse cuts made in the last legislative session to Medicaid funds used to provide therapy to disabled children. The $350 million cut took effect in December after months of delays because of lawsuits from affected groups. Anderson said lawmakers voted for the cuts because of an impression that providers were overcharging, but the cuts went too far and hurt families. I think there was a misunderstanding in that they used data from other states about service providers, he said. I think that process was flawed. The bottom line is that we definitely should be taking care of the weakest among us. Anderson said he would try to ensure adequate funding for public schools, though he was noncommittal on how much could be available. State funding per pupil has declined during the last decade, while property-tax-supported local school funding has increased sharply. Anderson said he will continue pushing for money to reconstruct and widen Interstate 35 through Waco, a project that would cost $433 million if it were bid all at once. Anderson said he is hoping next month to get a funding commitment from the Texas Transportation Commission for the project, but he said the project likely will have to be broken into phases. Anderson said he supports the border wall Trump has advocated. Trump has suggested it would cost $12 billion to build, but other estimates have put the cost at triple that amount. A wall would help control illegal immigration, Anderson said, comparing the proposed border wall with the one Israel has built along the West Bank. It makes a statement and makes it easier to patrol. Anderson said he also would support ending in-state tuition for unauthorized migrants who have grown up in Texas, and he would oppose so-called sanctuary cities that dont cooperate with federal officials in enforcing federal immigration laws. However, he said he is not anti-immigration. We need to encourage legal immigration. It shouldnt take five years and $10,000 to get a green card. . . . People are abused and raped and beat up trying to get here. We need to bring some humanity and common sense to immigration. The whole ag industry needs qualified labor, but we need to do it properly. Anderson, a retired veterinarian, represents District 56, which encompasses most of Waco and western McLennan County. He has served since 2005. Rep. Kyle Kacal Tuesdays launch to the 85th Legislature was busy but not as stressful as his first two sessions, Rep. Kyle Kacal, R-College Station, said Tuesday evening, no longer a freshman House member. Kacal said he has his eye on several topics as the session convenes, including controlling spending in the budget, improving public education, securing agriculture, water and private property rights. His district includes Falls, Limestone and Robertson counties and portions of Brazos and McLennan counties. Kacal has filed three bills of his own. There are 32 great schools and superintendents in his district that have great teachers working with leaders of the future, Kacal said. The A-through-F academic rating system that has caused angst among local school districts needs to be addressed immediately, he said. Almost 30 area public and charter school superintendents met last week at the Region 12 Education Service Center and blasted the new ratings system, which isnt finalized and wont go into effect until August 2018. The system was passed during the 84th Legislature. Kacal said he thinks Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, who received all 150 House members vote of support in re-election, said it best Tuesday that it is their responsibility to take care of the public education system. The state must continue to fight to make the school system as good as it can be to secure the future of youth and area residents. He was very adamant. This is our responsibility to take care of public education, said Kacal, who was first elected to the House in 2012. The Texas A&M University graduate filed House Bill 921, which would require local officials to verify the immigration status of an arrested individual, then coordinate with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain them if necessary, he said. He also filed House Bill 919, which covers workers compensation insurance coverage for members of the Texas A&M Forest Services Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System and members of Texas Regional Incident Management Teams. Kacal said he holds first responders near and dear to my heart, and especially since his district includes West, this is a positive bill for his office. The Legislature in 2015 passed a fertilizer safety bill, written by Kacal, that was inspired by the April 17, 2013, fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. plant. Kacal also filed House Bill 920, which relates to the operation of ATVs and off-highway vehicles by peace officres. Representing a district with large rural areas, it is important to provide first responders with the equipment they need to fight fires and perform their duties, Kacal said. The bill states first responders, including volunteer firefighters, can operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public street, road or highway that is not an interstate if part of their official duty. Kacal filed a similar bill during the 84th Legislature, but it died in the Senate. He said hes pursuing the bill again because it is important to his district. Democrats have a plan to distract Republicans from repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. You might call it Democrats on drugs. They know its unlikely they can procedurally stop the repeal-and-replace effort, but Democrats may be able to sidetrack Republicans by demanding that they include extraneous provisions that divide the party, thereby making it more difficult, if not impossible, to pass repeal-and-replace legislation. On Dec. 20, Sens. Sherrod Brown and Al Franken sent a letter, co-signed by 17 others, to President-elect Donald Trump outlining steps they claim will control the price of prescription drugs. Its the usual grab bag of issues they have demanded for years: let the Department of Health and Human Services negotiate read: dictate drug prices; impose price controls; allow government bureaucrats to determine what it costs to develop new drugs; and open the door to importing drugs from other countries. What Democrats hope no one will remember is that they controlled the House, Senate and White House in 2009-10. If prescription-drug price controls and importation were a priority, why didnt they pass the legislation then? They didnt even include those provisions in Obamacare. And it wasnt because they would lose Republican votes, since no Republicans voted for the law. By now, Democrats surely know prescription-drug importation is a failed policy. In the mid-2000s, seven states and two cities created some type of importation program. But they all shut down within a few years because of cost and lack of consumer interest. And theres Maine. On Jan. 5, a federal judge overturned Maines 2013 law allowing Mainers to buy prescription drugs by mail from other countries because federal law trumps state law and federal law strictly limits importation. Plus importation is unsafe. Counterfeiting prescription drugs is a huge and growing business. If importation becomes the law of the land, that would send a message to U.S. patients that every prescription-drug website with a Canadian-flag icon on it can be trusted. Counterfeiting would explode. In contrast to the failed drug-importation schemes, Democrats know that the Part D prescription-drug benefit, passed in 2003 with bipartisan support, has worked. The Congressional Budget Office reported in 2014, A combination of broader trends in the prescription-drug market and lower-than-expected enrollment in Part D has contributed to much lower spending for the program about 50 percent lower in 2013 than CBO projected when the MMA [Medicare Modernization Act] became law in 2003. When was the last time a major federal program came in under budget? But Democrats, who swore repeatedly that Obamacare would lower health-insurance premiums while maintaining your right to keep your policy and your physician, now tell us they can negotiate a better deal on prescription drugs. So Democrats want Republicans to embrace a failed policy, importation, and fundamentally change a successful one, Part D. Democrats recognize their inability to stop Obamacare repeal if Republicans are united. And so their strategy is to create disunity by demanding that Republicans pass provisions like importation, drug-price negotiations and price controls that Democrats never included when they ran Washington. Democrats passed Obamacare. It failed. Now Republicans seek to pass something that will lower premiums and improve access to coverage and care. They should ignore Democratic efforts and stay focused on the issue at hand: repealing and replacing Obamacare. Merrill Matthews is resident scholar of the Institute for Policy Innovation, a conservative think tank based in Dallas dedicated to individual liberty, limited government and free markets. Words can lead their creators into different directions, so perhaps its no surprise that The Word Gallery, a forum for Waco poets, writers and creatives, marks its first year anniversary Saturday in a new place and time. The open mic group started as a Monday night get-together at downtown Wacos Croft Art Gallery, but the closing of the Austin Avenue venue in November and a fall drop-off in attendance led to a move to Lorenas Enchanted Cedar store. Thats where the anniversary celebration, with music from Waco singer-songwriter Ryan Pickop, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Gallery founder and organizer Jennifer Alumbaugh, who goes by her nom de plume Jenuine Poetess, said the changes are part of the ebb and flow of creative ventures. Attendance fluctuated through the year, but The Word Gallery has a core of about 10 Waco-area writers and poets who meet to read and share work, she said. As Alumbaugh considered the Gallerys next step after Croft Art Gallery announced its move, she found a kindred spirit in the offerings and programs of Lorenas Enchanted Cedar and approached owner Brooke Hampton about relocating the Gallery there. The new venue not only is open to community use, but is a seller of adult and childrens books, has a kitchen area to prepare vegan and gluten-free food and holds its own open mic nights, solstice celebrations and drum circles. Theres also a deck area and fire pit outdoors, which Alumbaugh plans on using as the weather warms. Those pluses and a location closer to some members than downtown Waco should offset any losses from the location change, she said. I think a definitely good number of participants also will follow us to that space, she said. Word Gallery will shift to the third Saturdays of the month and its organizer already has featured writers and musicians scheduled for much of 2014. A monthly meeting also will allow participants more time to prepare, she added. Her womens writing group, In The Words Of Womyn, which preceded the Word Gallery on Monday nights at the Croft gallery, also is moving this month, with a new host in Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 4909 W. Waco Drive, beginning this Monday. The poet and Gallery participants have supported other efforts throughout the year to promote creative writing, she noted, such as the Waco Word Fest, a subfestival of the annual Waco Cultural Arts Fest in early fall; particpation in national emphases such as 100,000 Artists For Change and November as National Novel Writing Month. This year, The Word Gallery also will man a monthly informational booth with writing activities at the Downtown Waco Farmers Market and support of young writers is a goal for 2014, she said. Alumbaugh also is behind the Waco Poetry Societys Facebook page, created to provide a sense of identity and community for Waco-area poets. Reponse from local writers and Gallery participants have fed her passion to support those involved in writing and spoken word arts. When state lawmakers in 2015 passed legislation mandating the grading of public school districts and individual campuses across Texas on an A-through-F basis, it had the welcome potential to help parents better interpret the quality of instruction their children received. It also had the potential of coming off as punitive if executed improperly. Only the latter interpretation seems likely if a trial run is any indication. When 28 school superintendents gathered in Waco to publicly express reservations about the system last week, we suspect one reason only a few spoke is because many in the room couldnt easily explain the grading system. That means its possibly beyond the comprehension of many parents. In fact, when the Texas Education Agency released grades for more than 1,000 school districts and more than 7,000 K-12 campuses, it couldnt release single letter grades for them because it had measured only four of the five domains determining overall letter grades. So this statewide work-in-progress instead gave four letter grades for individual markers that only confused matters further. Some superintendents wondered aloud if the systems chaotic trial run and the release of uninspiring if not dismal letter grades for many schools was timed to bolster legislators now pushing hard for school vouchers. Some education experts fear vouchers will siphon much-needed money from public schools to private schools that they complain dont abide by the same state rules. Given statewide outcry, its no wonder that Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath put out a statement Friday: No inferences about official district or campus performance in the 201516 school year should be drawn from these ratings, and these ratings should not be considered predictors of future district or campus performance ratings. Our interpretation: OK, we havent got this thing figured out yet, so dont take any of what we just released too seriously. We can understand why Commissioner Morath would be quick to urge calm, given so many school officials insist the letter grades dont accurately reflect learning on their campuses and penalize schools with high enrollments of students in poverty. Its ultimately up to Morath to better explain why this letter system, whenever perfected for implementation in 2018, not only accurately reflects our schools but fulfills legislators demand for something parents can grasp. That may be tough. One problem for years has been that busy parents are confused by many admittedly legitimate factors that determine whether a school or district meets state expectations or falls short. Yet if one needs a masters degree to understand how his or her neighborhood school is doing, then state education officials are missing the mark. ASHLAND Three people have been arrested in connection to the theft of air conditioning units at two Ashland churches. Copper coils and other parts from air conditioning units at Word of Hope Lutheran Church and two entire units from American Lutheran Church were stolen some time last week. Charles Briemmer, 36, was arrested for felony theft, felony destruction of property and possession of burglary tools while officers were executing a search warrant at an Ashland apartment on Jan. 8. Jennifer Salcedo, 36, was also arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Joseph Nihsen, 23, was apprehended later that night, according to Ashland Police Chief Joe Baudler. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine and other charges related to the theft. Pastor Wilson Metz of Word of Hope Lutheran Church noticed the theft from the churchs air conditioners when he was sweeping snow on the morning of Jan. 6. Five of the six units were damaged as the thieves stole copper coils and pipes from the units. Metz said there were foot prints in the snow, indicating the theft occurred after the snow had fallen in Ashland on Wednesday night. On Saturday morning, Metz attended a meeting with other pastors and informed them of the theft. After the meeting, Pastor Steve Lindley of American Lutheran Church noticed that the churchs air conditioning units had been stolen. I went outside and looked and there it was, Lindley said. Two entire units had been removed, Lindley said. They just picked up the whole (air conditioning) unit and took it, he added. Baudler said they believe the thefts occurred over more than one day. It took hours to do that, he added. By the time the second theft was discovered, police were well into the investigation of the first theft and were pursuing leads. Baudler said Officer Travis Herbolsheimer had suspects in mind as soon as he started investigating the Word of Hope theft. Herbolsheimer began looking into the suspects activities and Ashland police set up surveillance of Nihsens apartment at 102 S. 19th St. Nihsen moved to Ashland a couple of months ago, Baudler said. Before moving to Ashland, Nihsen lived in Fremont, Baudler said. Briemmer is from South Dakota and Salcedo from Omaha, he added. After developing probable cause, the police executed the search warrant on the morning of Jan. 8. Nihsen was not at home when the search warrant was served, but Briemmer and Salcedo, who had been staying with Nihsen for about a week, were there. Nihsen was arrested after returning to the apartment that evening. Baudler said when Nihsen returned, his vehicle contained stolen parts from the air conditioners, although the items of value had already been sold. Nihsen also had stolen IDs and bank cards in the vehicle. We suspect they were taken from other thefts, Baudler said. Baudler said the thefts may be part of a string of robberies and narcotics-related incidents in the Omaha area. Churches and other businesses from towns in and around the Omaha metro area may want to check the current status of their air conditioning units condition and if damaged contact the police, he said. Baudler said the damage to the air conditioning units for both churches is estimated to total over $24,000. However, the copper and other scrap metal the thieves were after was worth much less. Less than $200 was made off the scrap metal recovered from the air conditioning units, he said. Baudler encouraged anyone with information on the thefts to contact the Ashland Police Department at 402-944-2222 or the Saunders County Crime Stoppers with details. The Crimestoppers website is http://www.saunderscountycrimestoppers.com/. VALPARAISO A rural Valparaiso man missing since Jan. 1 was found dead Tuesday in a creek in Saunders County. The cause of death for Sean Eddy, 42, is under investigation, although foul play is not suspected, Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz said Tuesday afternoon. An autopsy has been ordered. Eddy lived with his mother and step-father and was reported missing by them on Jan. 6. Eddys 2005 GMC Envoy SUV was found near the intersection of County Road A and Nebraska Highway 79, Stukenholtz said. The vehicle was located about three miles west of Eddys home. Were 99.9 percent sure that the body is of Sean Eddy, he said. The creek is just south of where (Eddys) vehicle was located. With the help of the Nebraska State Patrol, a ground and air search for Eddy was conducted on Saturday. Another search was scheduled for today. On Monday, Stukenholtz said environmental factors such as temperature change, snow and nearby open water had changed since the first search. Todays ground search was conducted with about 40 people from the Saunders County and Butler County Sheriffs offices, as well as the Ceresco and Valparaiso fire departments. A Nebraska State Patrol helicopter searched from the air before the body was found about 1:30 p.m. We searched the area for about four or five hours on Saturday but didnt find him, Stukenholtz said. We got together, set up a plan and started searching again today. The sheriff reported Monday that Eddy was an Uber driver and that a witness reported seeing his car at the intersection of highways 79 and 92 on Jan. 1. (Wahoo Newspaper Reporter Sam Farmer contributed to this report.) WAHOO Legislative District 23s new representative had a busy week last week. The first week of the 105th Nebraska Legislature included orientation and committee appointments, and Bruce Bostelman of Brainard was also settling into his new office in Lincoln. Its been very good so far, Bostelman said. Bostelman will be serving on at least two committees, Natural Resources and Transportation and Telecommunications. There are also some optional committees he might serve on, but he wont find out about those until next week. With the first week encompassing transitional logistics and getting positions and technical things together, Bostelman has been working on his bills. Bills are being dropped right now, the state senator said. He has not submitted any bills yet, but plans to do so next week. Bostelman was not ready to comment Monday on the bills he is working on. Of the bills already submitted by other senators, Bostelman said hes not identified any he would consider as priority bills yet. Its wait-and-see on priority bills, he said. Well see what comes up through committees on what needs priority status. That will come further along in the session. But, all bills being presented have the budget in mind, Bostelman said. Gov. Pete Ricketts will present his budget this week and then appropriations will look at it, he said. Two of the governors stated priorities are balancing the budget and delivering tax relief. One of Bostelmans priorities is property tax relief. Ive had discussions with different senators, especially on ag land. Its very important, Bostelman said. Other transitions for the new senator include getting his staff acclimated. His staff of two includes Legislative Aid Loguen Blazek from Valparaiso and Administrative Assistant Andrea Mick from Bellwood. Mick has legislative experience and Blazek is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincolns law college. Both had their official orientation on Jan. 10, but have been involved in other things as well, Bostelman said. 15,000 migrants stranded due to row over medical fees A recent decision of the Gulf Approved Medical Centres Association to charge $10 from the Gulf-bound Nepali migrants before their medical check-ups has created a row, leaving thousands of workers preparing to go to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain stranded in Kathmandu. 28 pairs of bulls to lock horns this Maghi Sakranti Twenty-eight pairs of bulls will be taking to the arenas during the annual bullfighting festival on Maghi Sakranti, first day of the Nepali month of Magh (January 14) at two venues in Nuwakot district. Bafi Bill endorsed by massive majority Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Bank and Financial Institution (Bafi) Bill which is expected to strengthen corporate governance in the banking industry after it is signed into law. Barack Obama delivers farewell address in Chicago US President Barack Obama is giving a farewell speech in Chicago, reflecting on his time in office. China aircraft carrier crosses Taiwan Strait amid tension China's only aircraft carrier has led several warships across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's defence ministry said. BHP Billiton's chairman and chief executive have met with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss the mining giant's role in the US. "BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser and chief executive Andrew Mackenzie had a productive meeting with President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Pence today in New York City," BHP said in a statement. "They discussed a wide range of subject areas, including the global resources sector, and BHP Billiton's investment in the US. The company looks forward to working with the new administration." BHP owns extensive oil and gas assets in the US, a legacy of its expensive 2011 push into the US shale market. It also owns stakes in deepwater blocks in the Gulf of Mexico. CPN-UML leaders want holiday on Prithvi Jayanti Supporting the demand of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, leaders from the main opposition have also asked the government to declare Poush 27 (January 11 this year), the birth anniversary of king Prithvi Narayan Shah, a public holiday to celebrate it as the national unity day. Like it or not, family backgrounds matter a lot. But sometimes their influence plays out in unexpected ways. Take the investment industry for instance. It turns out the best fund managers, more often than not, come from poorer families. That might seem counterintuitive but there's a compelling explanation. Because it's so difficult for those from disadvantaged backgrounds to break into the lucrative funds management business, the only ones that actually do are so capable and skilled they outdo their peers. Research by Dr Oleg Chuprinin, from the University of NSW, and Denis Sosyura, from the University of Michigan, shows that investment managers who grew up in poor families made two percentage points higher returns each year, on average, than their counterparts from the wealthier families. That can add up to a lot of money over time. Court fine defaulter held after 11 yrs Police on Wednesday arrested Laxmi Prasad Acharya of Jhapa for defaulting on court debts. At the invitation of the Maltese Presidency of the European Union (EU), WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya addressed delegates from the 28 EU Member States attending the meeting of the Customs Union Group on 11 January 2017 in Brussels. Congratulating Malta on assuming the role of the EU Presidency for the first time, Secretary General Mikuriya wished the Presidency and delegates every success as they faced a challenging year for Customs. He outlined the extensive work programme of the WCO for the coming year, putting particular emphasis on Customs role in the fight against terrorism, the security of trade, the safety of countries citizens, trade facilitation, and cooperation with the private sector, tax authorities and police. The Secretary General also said that work would continue on e-commerce, Digital Customs, data analysis, and the fight against infringements of intellectual property rights (IPR). In order to deliver this extensive programme, the WCO would look to EU Member States for assistance, particularly with regards to the delivery of capacity building. The WCO would also continue to raise Customs profile, enabling its role in economic development to be recognized. A number of events, such as the IT Conference, the Technology & Innovation Forum and fora on origin and transit, would be organized, allowing further discussions on important topics. Mr Stephen Quest, the Director General of the European Commissions Taxation and Customs Union Directorate (DG TAXUD), explained the main issues arising for the EU in the coming year. He stressed the important challenges posed by security issues, and noted the convergence and complementarity between the objectives of the EU and those of the WCO. Director General Quest recalled the many highlights of 2016 that underpinned much of the work for the coming year. He said that great importance would be assigned to the implementation of the Union Customs Code taking into account the need for a digital solution, while acknowledging the constraints on financial resources. In addition, the Director General said that there was a need for enhanced cooperation with other bodies, including the police, other border agencies and tax authorities. Finally, Mr Quest emphasized the global role of the EU in assisting in the implementation of various agendas of interest to Customs, highlighting the Trade Facilitation Agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a prime example. Secretary General Mikuriya thanked the Maltese Presidency for the opportunity to address the Customs Union Group in what had now become a feature of the first meeting of the Customs Union Group every year. Fire guts restaurant in Pokhara A fire broke out at the Three Star Restaurant at Barahi Chowk of Pokhara last night. Govt official found dead Kamal Prasad Gautam, chief of Soil Conservation Office in Syangja, was found dead of an apparent suicide in a forest in Ramnagar, Chitwan, on Monday night. Govt urged to bring private sector into fertiliser trade Lawmakers have urged the government to boost the supply of subsidised chemical fertilisers so that more farmers can benefit and bring private firms into the fertiliser trade in order to prevent recurring shortages of the vital farm input. 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. Editor, We hear more than enough, in my view, about Majority Rule and its advent in the Bahamas tagged to January 10th 1967. I think that it is important for all people to understand that January 10th 1967 WAS NOT the first time that the majority black population voted in the Bahamas, but was simply the first time that a majority of House of Assembly Members were of African descent. Well, all but one. The African Diaspora to the Bahamas by Larry Smith, ( an extract from Bahamian historian Keith Tinkers book ) puts the date at 1832 when people of colour were granted the same rights, privileges and immunity as white people (paraphrased). That included voting, but he goes on to say that the right to vote was not exercised until 1834. The key take-away from that statement, is that people of colour , in the Bahamas, had been VOTING for 134 years prior to January 10th 1967. If one takes the view, as one must I think, that Majority Rule can only mean that the majority ethnic Bahamian population (people of colour) have elected members to the House of Assembly for a great many more years than fifty. What is quite interesting also is that Keith Tinker also notes from his earlier publication The Migration of Peoples from the Caribbean to the Bahamas : Perhaps the greatest legacy of the migration of West Indians of African descent to the Bahamas was the achievement of majority rule in 1967, under the leadership of the son of a Jamaican policeman named Lynden Pindling. So are we a nation of a majority of West Indians, Black American Loyalists, Black Bermudians or what ?. The picture becomes quite blurred at this stage. Strangely, perhaps because of his subsequent disenchantment with the Progressive Liberal Party, a far more significant, and less dubious breakthrough for the majority of Bahamians, was Sir Etienne Dupuchs accomplishment in breaking down the barriers of racial discrimination that remained in the Bahamas in 1956. That single event, perhaps more important than even the emancipation of slaves, or yet the election of a majority of people of colour, to the House of Assembly, has benefitted black Bahamians far more than can anything else. Another Government must seriously consider redefining this holiday ( Majority Rule Day ) into something that all Bahamians, of every Race, Creed, Sex, or Ethnicity can be proud of and fully partake in. Bruce G. Raine January 7, 2017 Hindu-Muslim dispute upsets harmony of Kapilvastu village A Hindu-Muslim dispute is threatening the social harmony of Basbariya settlement of Bidhyanagar VDC in Kapilvastu. Why no Powerball winner? It's luck, and smaller sales By WestKyStar & WKCTC Staff Jan. 11, 2017 | 01:01 PM | PADUCAH, KY The photo competition and exhibition complement other community-related One Book activities leading up to the author's two-day visit and public programs at WKCTC March 28-29. Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) and WKCTCs Clemens Fine Arts Center are sponsoring the contest that will feature cash awards for first, second and third place winners. Winners will take home $100, $75 and $50 respectively, and will be announced during Grennans opening reception March 28. Readers are encouraged to create works of art that relate to Grennans book about the breaking and mending of children and families in the remote Himalayan country of Nepal. Photographers might simulate a scene from the book; create an image or portrait study that speaks to the challenges of separation or broken families; explore the promise of mending and the power of love; discovery or personal growth through travel; or any related source of inspiration generated by the book. We welcome photographers of all skill levels to enter the contest, and hope to see both traditional and nontraditional photo entries, said Paul Aho, PSAD dean. We encourage everyone to start developing their ideas for their photos now. Works will be accepted February 28 at the Clemens Fine Arts Center Gallery on the WKCTC campus. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 am to 4 pm. An exhibition of all submitted works will open in the Clemens Gallery March 16. Entry forms, contest details, loan agreement and One Book information are available at http://westkentucky.kctcs.libguides.com/onebook, click on the Little Princes 2016-17 tab. This years One Book Read is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kentucky Arts Council. Paducah School of Art and Design, a division of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, offers an Associate in Fine Arts degree, as well as studio art classes for students of all levels and disciplines. Classes are offered on WKCTCs campus, 905 Harrison Street and 919 Madison Street in historic Lower Town. For more information about PSAD, call 270-534-3901. Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) has opened its annual One Book Read Photo Contest and invites the community to participate in West Kentucky Community and Technical Colleges 2016-17 read of Little Princes by New York Times bestselling author Conor Grennan. The contest is free to enter and open to the public. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 11, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 11, 2017 | 07:30 AM | PADUCAH, KY It looks like western Kentucky may dodge a bullet when it comes to the icy winter weather in the forecast for portions of Illinois and Missouri later this week. The National Weather Service office in Paducah indicates a large ice event could be unfolding especially over central and southeast Missouri, along with southern Illinois. Under the current forecast models, the Illinois counties along the Ohio River should be spared any freezing rain. Off to the north and west, however, a Winter Storm Watch has already been issued, and ice accumulations of at least a half inch are in the forecast over a multi-day event through possibly Monday. The half inch mark for ice is usually when power outages and other damage starts, exponentially getting worse as you make your way toward an inch of accumulation. As of right now, forecasters say Paducah and all of western Kentucky is in the clear, but they advise everyone to stay tuned in case the models begin shifting the ice forecast further south. 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. Indian woman dies in wild tusker attack An Indian tourist died after being attacked by a wild elephant inside the Chitwan National Park on Tuesday. Indias sole priority economic development, says envoy Rae Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae has said a peaceful and stable neighbourhood is crucial to achieving economic development goals. JC fails to pick judges for High Courts, set to meet tomorrow again After failing to recommended judges for High Courts, the Judicial Council (JC) has postponed its meeting until Thursday. Mahindra unveils its latest all-electric car Agni Energy, the authorised distributor of Mahindra Vehicles for Nepal, launched its latest all-electric car, e2o sportz, in the Nepali market on Tuesday. Maiti Nepal rescued 136 women from Chitwan in past one year A total of 136 women were rescued from Chitwan while being trafficked to India in the past one year. MoH receives over 10 applications for VC posts at three health academies The Ministry of Health (MoH) has received more than 10 applications for the posts of vice-chancellor of three health institutions. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/01/2017 (2123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Since the announcement last March of a community collaboration to establish a national centre for the commercialization of machine learning in Winnipeg, the words machine learning have started appearing much more often in the mainstream. The creation of the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI) was not the impetus for the increased interest in machine learning, but clearly the Manitoba contingent that envisioned EMILI were on the ball and maybe ahead of the curve. Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence, uses mathematical models, (algorithms) to identify trends and patterns in data to predict the possibility of future outcomes, the EMILI website states. The fact big data and the Internet of Things is starting to pump out massive volumes of data means the application of machine learning is all of a sudden becoming entirely applicable in so many fields. For instance, Farmers Edge, the Winnipeg precision agriculture solutions provider, deploys machine learning. In 2013, its operations were collecting data from 575,000 acres. At the end of 2016 it was up to 8.4 million acres from around the world. It expects to double that coverage by the end of 2017. Wade Barnes, founder and CEO of the company, said deploying algorithms now produces three times better outcomes than a couple of years ago. Machine learning will be utterly game-changing for agriculture, he said. In 2013, Farmers Edge was one of the biggest precision ag providers in the world with 575,000 acres, But to use machine learning (then) we cant really tease out the trends When you are at 8.4 million acres, that is something different. The folks in Winnipeg were clearly not the first or the only ones to identify this. But their initiative, which was in the planning stage even before the Trudeau government announced its intention to set up an $800 million innovation fund, now seems even more on the ball as groups in Toronto and Montreal have emerged, making a case for federal funding. EMILI is looking for $100 million in funding over five years. The expectation is a funding commitment one way or the other will be made in the Trudeau governments spring budget. Canada is a big country, said Vince Barletta, president and CEO of Yes! Winnipeg and an EMILI board member. There are a lot of interesting activities taking place around machine learning in Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and other parts of the country. At the end of the day the government of Canadas Innovation Fund will place multiple bets. They wont put all their chips on one square on the board We are highly optimistic one of those investments will be in Winnipeg. Ray Bouchard, CEO of Enns Brothers and the chairman of the EMILI board said since Manitoba has such a diversified economy, it could concentrate on development of machine learning applications for instance, in agriculture, resource development, construction and manufacturing sectors. The Toronto and Montreal hub proposals seem to focus on academic institutions. The EMILI proposal also has an emphasis on commercialization in what is ultimately a general purpose technology platform. Absolutely there is a lot of great work being done in machine learning and deep learning across the country, Bouchard said. Lots of initial work has left the lab. But if we cant commercialize it and embed it (into commercial operations) we will miss out on the biggest opportunities. With all of the big technology companies like Google and Apple and Amazon ramping up machine learning applications, its not to say Winnipeg is ahead in that regard, but it does have some smart companies blazing trails in their own fields like Farmers Edge, Precision Weather Solutions, Sightline Innovation and Invenia. Those companies are all enthusiastic about the prospects of a machine learning centre of excellence in Winnipeg. Suzi Bonk, president and CEO of Precision Weather Solutions, said her company needs to attract researchers, scientists, technologists and all sorts of human resources to the space. Doing it at an individual company level is not impossible, she said. But to do that kind of work we need institutions and organizations like EMILI that can mobilize the entire ecosystem for that kind of skill set here. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/01/2017 (2124 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A civic committee instructed the administration Tuesday to develop a road safety strategy designed to eliminate all traffic fatalities. No deaths are acceptable, said Coun. Marty Morantz, chairman of councils public works committee. We need to be striving towards zero (fatalities). Prompted by a proposal from St. Norbert Coun. Janice Lukes, the committee instructed the public works department to develop a strategy designed to eliminate all traffic fatalities on Winnipeg streets. JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES City administration has been tasked with developing a road-safety strategy designed to eliminate traffic fatalities. Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) said she was pleased the committee endorsed her suggestion, adding she expects it will involve a public consultation process and a greater emphasis by the city to improve existing roadways identified as problematic. Lukes had been pushing city hall to adopt a Swedish strategy, known as Vision Zero, which has been embraced by many countries and other Canadian municipalities. However, at the suggestion of Morantz, the committee wants city staff to develop a strategy based on a federal government initiative, known as Towards Zero, which is also based on the Swedish initiative. Lukes dismissed the significance of the name change, adding the objective is the same to eliminate traffic fatalities. Road safety is extremely serious, Lukes said Officials in the public works department said it will take at least a year to develop the strategy, which Morantz said he hoped will be eventually adopted and approved by city council. City staff said Winnipeg already follows international best practices when it comes to designing roadways and the proof is the number of traffic fatalities on city streets compared to the rest of the province. Luis Escobar, the citys manager of transportation, said while the majority of the provincial population resides in Winnipeg, the city has only a small portion of traffic deaths. Manitoba Public Insurance said there were 112 traffic fatalities across the province in 2016, with 20 of those occurring in Winnipeg; for 2015, there were 79 traffic fatalities province wide, with 13 deaths in Winnipeg. Data provided by Manitoba Public Insurance shows that while the province averaged 79 traffic deaths annually in the years 2010-2014, Winnipeg averaged 15 traffic deaths annually during the same time period. We are doing a lot of things to improve road safety and thats reflected in the level of injury and level of fatality compared to other cities across Canada, Escobar told the public works committee. He said the city and city staff are members of national and international road safety committees Escobar noted measures designed to minimize accidents and fatalities, such as: traffic signal poles with break-away bases, which minimize the severity of injury during collision; the installation of pedestrian count-down signals at high-priority intersections; road safety audits. Lukes is holding a public seminar on traffic safety at the end of the month at the Millennium Library. Shes bringing in experts to talk about the Swedish plan and what steps cities need to take in roadway design and other initiatives to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities. aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/01/2017 (2124 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The longer the NDP caucus deliberated on Mohinder Sarans fate, the less likely it became that anything good was going to come from it. For more than six hours on Tuesday, the 13-member NDP caucus tried to figure out what to do with Saran, the Maples MLA recently accused of sexual harassment by a female staff member and suspended from participating in caucus proceedings since December. When they finally emerged from the nearly day-long meeting, it was to announce that they had not been able to reach a decision about what to do. Saran is still suspended, but not banished from the party. He will remain in limbo until a process of reconciliation and healing has unfolded between the MLA and his accuser. No timetable was given on how long this would take, but caucus spokesman and MLA Rob Altemeyer said the aim was to get Saran back into the fold at some point in the future. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rob Altemeyer, MLA and NDP caucus chair spoke to media after a NDP caucus meeting to discuss the fate of Mohinder Saran, Tuesday. All that time, all that talk, and the decision is to essentially do nothing at all. The inability of the NDP to take decisive action against a MLA accused of a serious offence is a clear sign that the NDP has become completely and utterly dysfunctional, bereft of effective leadership or a sense of purpose. No one should fault the NDP caucus for showing restraint when the political career of a colleague is at stake. Still, there are aggravating circumstances here that required the party to do something meaningful. At the top of the list of other factors to be considered is the fact that this is not the first time Saran has been accused of sexual harassment. A previous complaint, which arose while the NDP was in government, was handled very quickly and quietly. Without alerting his caucus, cabinet, former Premier Greg Selinger or his senior political staff, a woman who made an earlier complaint was reassigned from Sarans office. As a result, he faced no discipline of any kind nor was the event ever publicized. Two incidents of this kind do not make a pattern of behavior, per se. But taken together they still require more than a wait-and-see response. Furthermore, there is something disturbing about the use of the term reconciliation as it is applied in the Saran incident. Altemeyer, speaking on behalf of the NDP caucus, seemed to suggest that the outcome of a reconciliation process a term that is most definitely and intimately connected in this country to the Residential School issue would be a factor in whether Saran would be allowed back in caucus. On this matter, Altemeyer and the other NDP MLAs have completely mashed up their priorities. Reconciliation is a process where the victims are given a chance to come to terms with the perpetrators of offences against them. This is done for the benefit of the victim, and not the perpetrator. It is a process that is supposed to unfold regardless of whether the perpetrators face consequences, either administrative or criminal. To suggest that those consequences can be reduced or eliminated simply by participating in a reconciliation process is a horrible misuse of the word and the concept. If Saran is flatly denying the allegations against him, both in the past and more recently, then perhaps it is more appropriate to take a wait-and-see approach. However, there is no evidence that Saran has denied the allegations, even if he disputes the way his accusers are characterizing his behavior. In fact, his lawyer issued a letter in December indicating that the MLA had agreed to undergo sensitivity training in a bid to get re-instated to his caucus. Not reading too much into that one gesture, but it certainly appears that he has taken some responsibility for what led up to the complaint. More importantly, it is not the NDP caucus responsibility to adjudicate the complaint against Saran, or to play any role whatsoever in a possible reconciliation between Saran and his accuser. The legislative branch human resources department is handling that task. The caucus sole job is to decide whether Saran is fit to serve as a NDP MLA. And on that important question, the NDP appears to be too afraid to make that difficult decision. There is no doubt that this is a bad time for the NDP to lose a caucus member. Particularly one who holds an important, strategic seat in northwest Winnipeg, and who has been an effective organizer in the citys Indo-Canadian community. However, this is a time when party politics and electoral strategy need to take a back seat to basic human decency. There are those who will argue it is unfair to throw Saran under the proverbial bus and kick him out of the NDP caucus over an allegation into which we may never gain full insight. They are not wrong. Politicians have to deal with a lot of unfairness. They must live exemplary lives, free from missteps or significant foibles. As elected public servants, they are held to higher standards that the rest of society. That is inherently unfair in many respects. But that is what the people who elect them expect. Moreover, Saran agreed to live within the constraints of those expectations when he accepted the job as legislative representative for The Maples. Given the choice of honouring public expectations or dithering over Sarans political future in order to save a seat, the NDP caucus has chosen the latter. And for that, they are less credible now than they were just a day earlier. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/01/2017 (2124 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Twenty-four Manitobans have died with the legal assistance of doctors since the service started last March, double the number health officials predicted would request assisted dying. To accommodate the unexpected demand, Manitoba has increased the number of doctors who are willing to help the terminally ill to die, adding four more physicians to the three who had initially been named to its Manitoba Assistance in Dying team (MAID). The majority of the two dozen patients who were successful in their request to die were cancer patients older than 65 years or older. Initially, Manitoba expected there would be about a dozen deaths a year. In total there have been 102 requests for the service. We really werent sure when we started in February of 2016, what to expect, said Dr. Brock Wright, vice president and chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA). A real guesstimate was made that maybe one patient a month would go all the way through the process and actually request the procedure, Wright said. The MAID team travels where patients are located, but health officials wont say where outside Winnipeg the team has delivered the service, out of a sensitivity that people in small towns could be identified. The locations cover hospitals, personal care homes and private homes, although some facilities with faith-based objections have been granted exemptions from performing the service. Winnipeg hospitals that have exercised the right to be conscientious objectors are St. Boniface General and Concordia as well as Misericordia Health Centre. Even as they ban the service, however, these facilities have agreed to respect the right of patients to choose it. The WRHA has printed up cards with information doctors can hand out, and a bilingual card is also in the works. They resemble over-sized post cards, about five inches by seven inches. The cards ease the ethical concerns of doctors who oppose the service and still allow patients to act on their wishes. The law requires a physician or a nurse practitioner to administer the final injection. In all the Manitoba cases, the doctor has been accompanied by a nurse and a social worker on the provincial team to provide the patients and families with psychosocial support, Wright said. The actual injection is a combination of drugs, the names of which health authorities arent disclosing to the public. Every patient and their family is thoroughly briefed on what the drugs are to be used. Once the drugs are delivered, death follows in less than an hour, sometimes in as little as 15 minutes. The MAID team started with three physicians, two nurses, two social workers and two pharmacists. It now has seven physicians, including two in rural areas that health officials wont name to protect the identity of patients who live in small towns. Three of the doctors are bilingual. What I really need to stress is all the physicians are doing this part time. These are people with other roles in the system and theyre not full-time doing this. I dont see this as a full-time role, Wright said. Even the team leader, Dr. Kim Wiebe, spends about half her time on medical assistance in dying and she has the largest time commitment, Wright said. In February 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that patients in unending pain had the right to end their lives with the help of a doctor. Manitoba developed a formal policy, modelled on guidelines established by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba to allow the practice without a court petition. alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/01/2017 (2124 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. RCMP seized 202 bottles of whisky, one bottle of vodka and packaged marijuana and arrested a 33-year-old man earlier this week at a home in Little Grand Rapids First Nation. The northern First Nations community is dry; possessing alcohol in the community is illegal. RCMP executed a search warrant at the residence Sunday and found the alcohol and drugs. The man has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking marijuana and unlawful possession of liquor. He was released and will appear in court in Little Grand Rapids in March. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/01/2017 (2123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. After two refugee claimants from Ghana nearly froze to death Dec. 24 walking into Canada, the Ghanaian community in Manitoba is warning others of the dangers. There may be more in the U.S.A. planning similar trips but we have informed those here not to encourage others to make similar trips due to the dangers involved during this time of the year, said Frank Indome, vice-president of the Ghanaian Union of Manitoba. Community members have visited the two men at the Health Sciences Centre, where Seidu Mohammad expects to lose his fingers to frostbite. We do provide information to those out there but we cannot prevent them from making the trip, Indome said, acknowledging the desperation of some people to get to a safe country they can call home. A man named Mohammad and his travelling companion were rescued by a trucker after trudging for more than seven hours from North Dakota into Manitoba through hip-high snow when it was -20 C. Mohammad told the Free Press he fled to Canada after his asylum application in the U.S. was rejected. He feared being returned to Ghana because hes gay. Carol Sanders / Winnipeg Free Press Files Seidu Mohammad, a 32-year-old refugee claimant from Ghana, expects tolose his fingers to frostbite after he walked for more than seven hours toward theCanadian border Dec. 24. In Ghana, it is a crime to be gay under the criminal code, said Winnipeg immigration lawyer Bashir Khan. A person convicted of having unnatural carnal knowledge involving sexual intercourse with a person in an unnatural manner faces up to three years in prison, a 2014 report by the Global Legal Research Center of the U.S. Law Library of Congress said. Outside the legal system, the punishment for Ghanaians can be even worse thanks to religious taboos concerning homosexuality, said Khan. Manitoba has seen a rise in the number of refugee claims from Ghana, according to statistics compiled by the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (MIIC). At Welcome Place, the council has a worker who helps process inland refugee claims. In the last three months of 2016, MIIC helped 77 people who crossed into Canada file refugee claims, including 18 from Ghana. In November alone, 10 Ghanaians filed refugee claims. Previously, there had been so few they didnt rank a mention. Khan has represented some of them. In 2012, it was victims of fighting between two tribes who feared for their safety if they were returned to Ghana, he said. In 2014, it was two women who were accused in Ghana of being witches and feared theyd be put to death if they were sent back. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says the vast majority of African refugee claimants in Manitoba are from Somalia. The total number of refugee claimants showing up in the province has been on the rise for several years from 68 in the 2013-2014 fiscal year to 410 in the first nine months of the 2016-2017 fiscal year, CBSA data shows. More are risking life and limb swimming in the hazardous Red River and wading through snow in the freezing cold because they have an even greater fear of being sent back to the country they fled, said Khan. Ive heard the same story from Somali and Ghanaian people over the last five years, he said. After months of journeying by sea and air and over land through South and Central America and Mexico, they get to the U.S. and file an asylum claim. The asylum seekers are sent to huge immigration detention centres where theyre held for months. Without funds for a lawyer, English-language proficiency or access to supporting evidence, their claims are most often denied. If they have money for a lawyer, they can file an appeal but must remain in detention and wait many more months for their appeal to be heard. If they dont appeal it, they have to be released because, by law, a refugee claimant who has been denied asylum must be released within six months, Khan said. They cant be returned to their country of origin until they have proper travel documents such as a passport, and that can take a long time to get from their home countries. During the wait, U.S. Homeland Security has them on strict reporting conditions, said Khan. At any time, they could be scooped up and put on a plane back to the country they were so desperate to escape. Thats when they head for Canada. Its their last hope and chance for the fair hearing they never had, said Khan, adding that Canadas immigration system abides by the UN Convention on Refugees. It says that no state can prohibit or criminalize the entry of a refugee claimant for the act of entering the state. Its incorrect to say that refugee claimants are illegally entering Canada, and its why theyre not charged with that offence when they arrive in Canada. Many have a legitimate claim and can prove it if theyre given the chance. Those who cant are returned to their country of origin. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/01/2017 (2123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A daring drive-by shooting that killed one man, injured another and rained bullets and shattered glass through a River-Osborne-area intersection a month before Christmas has prompted Winnipegs homicide unit to appeal to the public for more information. Using surveillance video footage captured from cameras at nearby businesses, investigators have spotted two vehicles that were close to the victims sedan when the shots were fired Nov. 26 at about 3 a.m. at Donald Street and Stradbrook Avenue. Police cant tell if the gunfire came from either of the vehicles, homicide unit Sgt. John ODonovan said during a news conference Wednesday. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Police are asking anyone with information regarding a Nov. 26 shooting. Theyve zeroed in on a newer model light grey or silver SUV possibly a Jeep Cherokee or a Range Rover that looked like it was being driven by a Caucasian woman, as well as a four-door newer model black BMW sedan with several people inside. Police are still trying to identify the people in both passing vehicles, ODonovan said. They wouldve seen the glass that pretty much exploded when bullets broke through the windows of the grey 2013 Acura ILX, killing 32-year-old Edmonton resident Theodoros Teddy Belayneh, ODonovan said. These people knew something happened in that intersection. Please come forward. Please help us out. We need to know a little bit more about who shot Teddy Belayneh, he said. Belayneh was in the Acuras passenger seat with an unidentified male driver after attending an Ace Hood hip-hop show at the Reset Interactive Ultralounge on Pembina Highway. They were heading north on Donald and were in front of an apartment block when several shots were fired in a brazen and daring drive-by shooting that was likely meant to kill both men, ODonovan said. The driver was seriously injured but has since been upgraded to stable condition. Theres no doubt about it that their intention was to kill the occupants of that vehicle, ODonovan said. Its not something that were used to seeing in Winnipeg. We do have a lot of murders in Winnipeg this is different. Its structured differently, he said, drawing a comparison to gun violence that has rocked U.S. cities such as Chicago. A black BMW was observed to have several occupants at the time of the shooting. Theres people sleeping behind those windows in that apartment block. Theres other residences close by. There (were) people walking in the area, he said, gesturing to a video the homicide unit filmed at the scene. This is Winnipeg, its not Chicago, so we cant allow that to continue. Weve got to step up and get some help to make sure that we get the people responsible. Police still dont know why Belayneh was targeted. Investigators determined, with help from people who were at the concert, that he was involved in a silly dispute there, but it was nothing that should have led to a shooting, ODonovan said. Speaking to some girls for too long and probably got under somebodys skin, he said, saying investigators dont believe the shooting was connected to something that happened at the club. Belayneh does have a criminal record, but police havent determined whether he was involved with a gang or the drug trade. His friend, the driver who is recovering after the shooting and is extremely lucky to be alive has been as helpful to police as he can, ODonovan said. He hasnt given us any indication of why this might have happened or who might be responsible. Investigators are attempting to identify the people who were in these vehicles, in particular, a newer model, smaller, light grey or silver SUV, possibly a Jeep Cherokee or Range Rover. It is believed that this vehicle was being operated by a Caucasian female. Police have spoken in-depth with Belaynehs family, who didnt have any information on the 32-year-olds criminal involvement, ODonovan said. Police have no information to suggest the fatal shooting is linked to other gang violence in Winnipeg, he said. As much as there is a gang issues in the city, there is no huge violent rivalry that has erupted or anything like that at this point in time that would lead us to believe that. And there hasnt been any repercussions after this killing that would lead us to believe that, either. Police are asking anyone with information to call 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477. Investigators are attempting to identify the people who were in these vehicles, in particular, a newer model, smaller, light grey or silver SUV, possibly a Jeep Cherokee or Range Rover. It is believed that this vehicle was being operated by a Caucasian female. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/01/2017 (2123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The province of Manitoba has a fairly long history of investing in community renewal, whether as an equal partner with the other two levels of government or through provincial intitiatives. In partnership, a combined total of $196 million was invested through the Winnipeg Core Area Initiatives (1981-1991). Manitoba has more recently led provincial initiatives such as Neighbourhoods Alive! (2000-present). Neighbourhoods Alive! has three main programs: neighbourhood development assistance, providing core operating funding to 13 neighbourhood renewal corporations (NRCs) located in Winnipeg and seven other Manitoba communities; funding renewal projects with community organizations; and funding renewal projects in inner-city Winnipeg. These three programs had a combined investment of $4.9 million in 2015-16. In November 2016, the province of Manitoba announced that it is under review. In 2000, national news media described the North End of Winnipeg as the arson capital of Canada. The West Broadway neighbourhood was experiencing a perceived rise in violent crimes and the Winnipeg Free Press described it as murders half-acre. Inner-city Winnipeg neighbourhoods such as William Whyte and Spence were in decline, losing about 40 per cent of their populations between 1971 and 2001 (1986 being the only year both neighbourhoods had a slight population increase during that time), according to the City of Winnipegs Neighbourhood Profiles (based on Statistics Canada census data). Since 2000, the North End has seen a significant decrease in crimes such as arson and West Broadway has become an increasingly safe and desirable neighbourhood. Both William Whyte and Spence experienced population increases in 2006 and 2011, and the 2016 census should indicate whether that trend is continuing. There are several factors that may be involved, such as the work of the Winnipeg Arson Task Force, increased property values in neighbourhoods such as West Broadway, and increased immigration to Manitoba, with many newcomers settling in Winnipegs inner city. Neighbourhoods Alive! has also supported the work of NRCs committed to improving conditions in their respective communities during the past 16 years. Communities outside of Winnipeg are also exhibiting signs of renewal. Brandon has developed affordable-housing units in response to a growing demand. Thompson has been redeveloping its community spaces. Other communities are involved in a wide range of renewal efforts. The key feature of Neighbourhoods Alive! has been its community-led development model and partnership with NRCs. In 2001, Neighbourhoods Alive! entered into its first core funding agreements with five NRCs in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. By 2011, it was providing core operating funding to 13 NRCs across the province, ranging from $75,000 per year for single-community NRCs outside of Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson to $350,000 per year for the North End Community Renewal Corporation (serving five neighbourhoods). While NRCs receive core operating funding through this program, they remain independent not-for-profit corporations. At least three are currently registered charities. NRCs often receive funding from other levels of government, charitable foundations and donors, and own-source revenue (for example, property rental). While some NRCs are small, the North End Community Renewal Corporation currently has an annual budget of about $5 million and employs about 50 full- and part-time staff. NRCs are involved in co-ordinating a wide range of community renewal efforts. Neighbourhoods Alive! requires NRCs to develop five-year neighbourhood renewal plans that include improvements to local housing, safety, recreation and economic development. NRCs partner with local businesses and community organizations and involve local residents in developing community renewal projects. These projects often involve cost-sharing with the three levels of government and charitable sources, as well as the contribution of numerous volunteer hours. The 2010 Community Outcomes Evaluation, conducted by EKOS Research Associates, illustrated the wide-ranging impact pf the the program in partnership with NRCs across Manitoba. It concluded the community-led development model and partnership with the NRCs had resulted in both increased capacity for revitalization and improvements in the communities, although there remain areas for improvement. In 2016, the Coalition of Manitoba NRCs released The Collective Impact of NRCs in Manitoba, illustrating the work of each of the organizations. Some of the highlights include claims that NRCs have leveraged more than $30 million for housing renewal projects, created more than 1,000 jobs and engaged thousands of local residents and other volunteers in the community renewal process. The provincial government has stated a commitment to address its current $1-billion deficit. It is in the process of reviewing overall government expenditures, including programs such as Neighbourhoods Alive!. There is some evidence that these communities have benefited from provincial investments and demonstrate signs of renewal, but there also remains much to do in those communities, and perhaps others. The renewal of Manitoba communities should continue to be a priority for the provincial government, and programs that do that in a cost-effective manner should be considered necessary investments. Richard Dilay is a self-employed organizational consultant and retired Manitoba civil servant. For more than a decade, between 2000 and 2014, he was the Neighbourhoods Alive! manager. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/01/2017 (2123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The United States presidential campaign had been mean-spirited. Supporters of each candidate hurled insults and made outlandish accusations, even going so far as to suggest the spouse of one contender had committed adultery and was a bigamist. The candidate regarded by his elitist opponents as uncouth, a hero of the mob and a shameless and lawless gamester emerged the victor. Sound familiar? This is not, in fact, a summary of what just transpired in the recent presidential campaign between U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, which was as nasty. It was a recap of the presidential election of 1828, which pitted the incumbent, John Quincy Adams, against his archrival and the victor, Andrew Jackson, a hero of the Battle of New Orleans, the last great conflict of the War of 1812. On the field of battle, Jackson was said to have been as tough as old hickory wood and thereafter he was known by the nickname Old Hickory. Adams represented the Democratic-Republicans, the anti-federalist faction that dated back to Thomas Jefferson, and Jackson was the candidate of the recently established Democratic Party. During the campaign, Jackson was constantly referred to by supporters of Adams as a jackass. Instead of being angry about it, Jackson embraced the label and promoted the notion that he was strong-willed. Political cartoonist Thomas Nast later used the donkey to symbolize the Democrats, and it stuck. He also came up with the elephant to symbolize the modern Republican Party, formed in 1854. MARK HUMPHREY / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Former U.S. president Andrew Jackson horrified Washington political elites of his day when he was elected to the White House. Part of the animosity in the 1828 campaign owed to the fact that in 1824, in what was the craziest election in American history, none of the four candidates including Jackson and Adams received a sufficient number of electoral votes to be declared the winner. In such a case, according to the U.S. Constitution, the final decision is made by the House of Representatives. And though Jackson had received a higher percentage of the popular vote, the congressmen made Adams the president. Jackson never forgave that slight. Like Trumps inexplicable persona as a man of the people, Jackson was not quite the commoner he portrayed himself as. In South Carolina, and then in Tennessee where he lived, he fancied himself a southern gentleman. He owned slaves and was a lawyer, land speculator, congressman and senator. Nevertheless, the Washington establishment was aghast at the thought of Jacksons inauguration in 1829, as much of the Washington elite is holding its collective breath at the thought of Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20. In 1829, the ruling classs fear proved correct. Jackson offended custom by not wearing a hat to the ceremony. Worse, thousands of Jacksons common-folk supporters showed up to cheer him on. Once he took the oath, this rabble mob stormed the podium and then the White House. In presidential rankings, historians place Jackson high on the list. In office until 1837, however, he was as polarizing a figure as Trump is apt to be. Still, he used patronage to appoint hundreds of his loyal supporters to government positions, treated indigenous Americans abysmally, got rid of the Bank of the United States and maintained Adams protectionist trade policies against the wishes of the southern states. Alexis de Tocqueville, the French diplomat who visited the U.S. in the early 1830s and later wrote about it, provided a more nuanced portrait of Jackson, arguing that as president he was not the despot European leaders believed. At the same time, in words that ring true today, de Tocqueville added that Jackson was supported by a power with which his predecessors were unacquainted; and he tramples on his personal enemies whenever they cross his path with a facility which no former president ever enjoyed; he takes upon himself the responsibility of measures which no one before him would have ventured to attempt: (and) he even treats the national representatives with disdain approaching to insult. And he did this all without the commanding force of Twitter. Nearly two centuries ago, Americans survived and even prospered during Jacksons presidency. Heres hoping that history is about to repeat itself. Now & Then is a column in which historian Allan Levine puts the events of today in a historical context. His latest book is The Bootleggers Confession: A Sam Klein Mystery. Nepal will play proactive role: President President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said today Nepal wishes to play a proactive role to protect biodiversity and mitigate the climate change effect. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/01/2017 (2123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Unlike his August tune-up to cabinet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet shuffle Tuesday was a large one, affecting almost a third of his ministers. One of the casualties is Kildonan-St. Paul MP Maryann Mihychuk, who had her portfolio cut in half in the August shift and has now been dumped from cabinet altogether. This leaves Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr as the lone Manitoba minister. The decision to drop Ms. Mihychuk did not surprise many on the inside, who suggested she had trouble getting work done. Mr. Carr, by contrast, who has the Natural Resources portfolio, is viewed as a competent and capable minister. For the Liberals, its all about getting ready for a new relationship with Canadas largest trading partner, the United States, as president-elect Donald Trump is taking over next week. SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland The new minister in Foreign Affairs is Chrystia Freeland, who was formerly the International Trade minister and is considered one of Mr. Trudeaus stars. Ms. Freeland takes over from Stephane Dion, whose future is unclear. Sources suggest he turned down two ambassador posts. This is a good strategic move by Mr. Trudeau. Ms. Freeland is a former economics journalist with impressive contacts in the U.S. She helped negotiate a trade deal with European leaders in October, while they were still reeling from the Brexit vote. Ms. Freeland is a welcome contrast to Mr. Dion, who was seen as too combative at times and who struggled in his role. Ms. Freeland told the Hill Times at the beginning of the new year she felt the Trump administration and her government may have more in common on trade and the economy, despite the inflammatory rhetoric to the contrary. Ms. Freelands competence in getting an EU trade deal could help Canada as it faces the uncertainty of a Trump presidency, particularly with his announced intent to tear up NAFTA, which is now more than 20 years old. Canadas openness to trade deals while other countries are shutting down borders could play to an advantage, particularly as the markets move to Japan, China and other Asian countries, including ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. As well, the opportunity to revisit NAFTA with an eye toward Canadas interests in services and data would mean an opportunity to rewrite what has become a somewhat outdated document to modernize it for the new business reality. Thats not a bad thing, but the difficulty may be in trying to negotiate with what many see as an unstable personality in Trump. Luckily, Ms. Freeland will find help. According to Foreign Policy, former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney, who is a neighbour of Mr. Trumps in Palm Beach, has been recruited by Mr. Trudeau to help sell Canada. As well, Mr. Trudeaus principal secretary, Gerald Butts, his chief of staff, Katie Telford, and Canadas U.S. Ambassador David MacNaughton have met with Steve Bannon, former Breitbart boss and incoming White House strategist, and Jared Kushner, Mr. Trumps soon-to-be senior adviser and also his son-in-law, in what some are calling a charm offensive. There are many who suggest Mr. Trumps attempts to shut down free trade between the United States, Canada and Mexico could hurt rather than help the American economy, translating into higher prices for U.S. consumers without saving any jobs. However, Canada wont want to risk upsetting a bilateral partnership worth $2 billion a day in trade. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/01/2017 (2123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Statesmanlike. In an era when political discourse has largely been reduced to partisan posturing, advantage-seeking untruths, ill-timed and inflammatory tweets and, closer to home, the pointless pursuit of selfie gratification, its a term that strikes the ear with a faint echo of quaintness. But with his final presidential address to an American public that seems as bitterly divided as it has ever been, U.S. President Barack Obama exited the political arena with statesmanlike demeanour, delivering a 53-minute speech that opted for dignified reflection rather than soaring oratory, favouring praise for the average but essential citizen over extended self-congratulation while dispensing both hopeful outlooks and dire warnings about the future of the United States. And on a night when his successors contribution to the public dialogue was a shout-tweeted FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! in response to new revelations in the Russian-hacking realm, one cant help wondering if Mr. Obamas address also represented either the end of an era or, at very least, the beginning of an extended hiatus for statesmanship. NAM Y. HUH / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS President Barack Obama waves as he arrives to give his presidential farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago. Mr. Obamas oratorical skill has long been one of his greatest strengths as a politician, and Tuesdays speech afforded Democrats an opportunity to cheer and chant at a time when their resoundingly defeated party has precious little else in the way of reasons to celebrate. But Mr. Obamas farewell was crafted as a big-tent affair that invited figuratively, if not physically Americans of all political stripes to reflect on the past eight years. One could hardly begrudge the outgoing president a few self-administered back pats economic recovery, auto-industry salvation, record job-creation rates, a new relationship with Cuba, the elimination of Osama bin Laden, marriage equality and the extension of affordable health care to millions but this muted roll call of accomplishments carried with it the implicit understanding that the very people he was encouraging to join him in this gauzy-lensed reminiscence will, in just over a weeks time, get down to the business of dismantling much of what Mr. Obama was citing as cause for celebration. This is, after all, a U.S. president who was elected on the strength of a hope-driven desire for change; after spending six of his eight years in office hamstrung by a Republican opposition whose sole agenda was to impede that change by blocking every legislative effort regardless of its merit, Mr. Obama exits the White House having just witnessed the rejection of his party and the election of the unlikeliest of presidential successors by an almost unprecedented demand for you guessed it change. Public cynicism about politics and politicians is at an all-time high, and the reduction of what passes for lively debate to anonymous sniping on social-media platforms and the trading of lies dressed up as news makes it seem very unlikely that the next four years will bring a rosier outlook. Near the end of his address, Mr. Obama offered a final message that should be heeded anywhere free people have the right to cast votes and choose leaders: Democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If youre disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself. Perhaps that should be everyones mantra. At the Elks annual fall car show, money was raised for the Freedom Honor Flight. The Freedom Honor Flight flies veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the war memorials. The cost per veteran is $500, and the Elks raised $584 at the car show to help with the veterans cost to go to the memorials. There is no cost to the veterans because of fundraisers like this. Broadband internet will continue expanding in Winona County, this time into the Pickwick area. Winona County received one of 42 grants from a $34 million state grant program, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Gov. Mark Daytons office announced Wednesday. The county will get $416,000 to continue broadband expansion into areas of Wilson, Homer, Richmond, Pleasant Hill and Wiscoy townships. The total project cost is estimated to be $868,000, with a match by HBC covering the rest. The project is expected to reach 111 households, 112 unserved businesses, and two community institutions currently unserved or underserved. Winona County administrator Ken Fritz said the county would like to continue using the programs if the state continues providing grants. The idea is to pursue providing broadband across the county, Fritz said. Fritz said the use was contingent on HBC being willing to continue to provide the match for the project, and invest in expanding their infrastructure to different areas. Lt. Gov. Tina Smith said in Wednesdays announcement that the $66 million in public investment over the past several years has leveraged over $81.7 million in private funding to assist schools, medical assistance, farmers and businesses in rural Minnesota. Smith said the governors office plans to continue advocating for internet expansion in 2017 as a priority for boosting rural families and economies. This expansion will level the playing field and expand education, health and job opportunities for thousands of Minnesotans, Smith said in a statement. Its not fair when almost 20 percent of greater Minnesota households dont have access to opportunity because they dont have the same broadband connections as their friends and family in the cities. According to the governors office, nearly 26,000 households, 3,200 businesses, and 250 community institutions have been served by broadband expansion in rural Minnesota since 2014. The Governors Task Force on Broadband, a nonpartisan group charged with analyzing Minnesotas broadband needs, recommended $100 million in ongoing biennial funding for the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program in its 2016 annual report. In 2015, the group determined a total investment of at least $900 million is needed to bring broadband all across the state. Last year the county was awarded $314,500 to a project to expand broadband into the Witoka and Wilson areas, with HBC covering the rest of the near $1 million project cost. That project started in spring 2016 and affected an estimated 256 households, 117 businesses, 90 farms, nine commercial and industrial businesses, 18 home-based businesses, a school and other public institutions. In 2015 the county also received $247,000 for broadband expansion in Elba and Norton townships, including Whitewater State Park. The overall project is estimated to cost nearly $775,000. That project will provide improved internet to an estimated 135 households, 70 businesses, Whitewater State Park, Whitewater Wildlife Management Area, Crystal Springs Fish Hatchery, a school and other public institutions. This expansion will level the playing field and expand education, health and job opportunities for thousands of Minnesotans. Lt. Gov. Tina Smith The county will get $416,000 to continue broadband expansion into areas of Wilson, Homer, Richmond, Pleasant Hill and Wiscoy townships. Several local business sales were recorded in the last several months, including two well-known bars. Andre Klonecki purchased the property and building of the Black Horse in mid-November for $598,000, according to county documents released this month. Klonecki has been involved with the business for several years, first as manager for four years, then as owner of the business for the past two. He said he plans to continue to manage the bar and restaurant the same way, since his role of proprietor hasnt changed. Its not going anywhere, Klonecki said. This is fantastic. The business was started in 1982 by Bill Kozlowski, who sold it in 2000 and then regained it in 2010. The location will continue to host bands, comedians and other events year-round, including its popular sand volleyball leagues. In late December, another long-time Winona watering hole also changed hands, according to the county documents. Rosies Pub was sold to Katie and Dustin Zimmer of Winona, for $112,000. Now called Katies Place, the owners are hoping to keep the friendly east-end neighborhood vibe in their new bar. Katie Zimmer, the bars namesake, said they live nearby and the only operating change will be opening at noon instead of 2 p.m. on weekdays. Zimmer said she has a decade of experience working in bars, and liked the small-town feel where everyone knows everybody. We frequented the bar and really liked the place, Zimmer said. They received their liquor license transfer from from the Winona City Council in early-December and it went into effect on Dec. 20. Two other properties sold A parcel of land to the east of Rogans Shoes and OReilly Auto Parts along Hwy. 61 has been sold for $505,000. According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the company, Strifex LLC, commonly develops lot for restaurant or fast-food businesses. A representative for Strifex couldnt be reached, and the Omaha, Neb. company hasnt started any development yet. Finally, 101 Johnson St, which houses Engravs Decorating Center, was sold to John Alexander for $400,000 in the end of November, according to the county documents. Alexander said Engravs would continue to operate in the building, and that he had not bought the business. He is in the process of fitting the property for a chiropractors office. Were doing a build-out right now, Alexander said. Christopher Scott Muellers death brought the man more attention than he likely ever earned while alive. His story is a complicated one that balances mental or physical health with standards for living. His demise highlights the fact that the government doesnt have the easy answers. It has been reported Mueller lived on his property in the town of Bear Creek without electricity, heat, or even a functioning septic system. Mueller had acquired junk vehicles and other items which caused the Sauk County Conservation, Planning and Zoning Department to declare his property a public nuisance, despite being at least 600 feet from the nearest road. The county contacted Mueller in January 2015, beginning the legal process to force him to remedy the situation. Despite several attempts, no serious legal action was taken. Eventually, Mueller was found dead in a mobile home on his property Oct. 26, 2016, in the town of Bear Creek. Sheriffs deputies found the body after a neighbor reported he could not make contact with Mueller. The partially decomposed body indicated he had been there for some time. October weather had been moderate with mostly sunny weather with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s the week before his body was discovered. Some might have even considered this perfect camping weather. Sauk County Coroner Greg Hahn determined Mueller died of natural causes. Others, including Sauk County Board Supervisor Jean Berlin asked, Why should someone live without heat? The Baraboo News Republic reported her saying. He didnt have indoor plumbing. He lived like an animal. Berlins comments came in an attack against Sauk County Corporation Counsel Todd Liebman because there was no legal action by the county for nearly 11 months before Muellers body was discovered despite another visit from an inspector just 20 days earlier. Mueller made some life decisions that were questionable at best, but one could not reasonably argue that Liebmans inaction lead to the death of a man who may have had more serious problems than living in a trailer out in the middle of nowhere. Some people would consider this style of living ideal and question why the government should even get involved. Muellers case isnt about someone living in the woods minding his own business. His nearest neighbor reported that the man was well educated but inconsistent in temperament. Liebman said, We try to seek voluntary compliance with every individual. The steps taken were appropriate under the circumstances. What theoretically would have been the result? If we had ejected him, where would he have gone? Liebman concluded, He would have died in his car, or he would have died in a hotel somewhere. More likely, he would die homeless on the streets. According to the News Republic, a memo from Sauk County Assistant Zoning Administrator Steve Sorenson reported, Mueller spoke non-stop for 45 minutes, expressing concerns for his health that included suicidal thoughts. The story continues, But he never answered Sorensons questions about whether he intended to clean up the property. Sorenson wrote that Mueller believed staying in the house for another winter would kill him. His feet were swollen, and he thought he had cancer. Mueller was a sick man. One could question his sanity, but clearly he was ill. One thing is for certain, this was not a job for the zoning department. Berlin was quick to blame the countys legal counsel, but even her comments werent compassionate considering the man appeared to have other issues. Her concern was that the man lived like an animal? Why wasnt she concerned that this matter was in the hands of the zoning department rather than being pursued by the health department? Liebman was right to delay prosecuting this matter. He recognized Mueller had other issues. Those issues may have resolved themselves if Mueller could have received the medical attention he actually needed. Mueller would have been better served by the countys health department and, even if we can assume they helped him to their fullest, it was not compassionate to evict this man to a situation more dangerous than living in a mobile home without heat in October. Zoning laws are intended to protect the neighbors from nuisances, but it is only reasonable that the zoning department, in coordination with legal counsel, proceed in a manner that is consistent with the violators capacity to deal with the situation. Situations like the Mueller case dont always fall on one side of the hard line or the other. Cases like Muellers dont always provide the easy answers. The culvert replacement project on Cooper Street in Beaver Dam is on hold due to weather conditions and rising ice and water levels on Beaver Dam Lake. According to the news release from MSA Professional Services, detour signs will still be present and Cooper Street will continue to be closed. Mike Laue, project engineer, said over the phone that this could amount to a month-long delay and the added cost is unknown. The weather today wont help lake levels, Laue said. He said until lake water levels are lower, the work zone is shut down. Rob Minnema, utilities director said over the phone that the water level on Beaver Dam Lake is high. He added that the lake has been above average water height since the holidays due to weather conditions and discharge from Fox Lake that Minnema said is beyond Beaver Dams control. Before we do anything we need to get back to that level, Minnema said. He did not say exactly what the current the water level is. The city of Beaver Dam controls the dam and through that control must meet certain water level goals as determined by an order issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It has caused us to step up and re-evaluate the ability to get this project done, Minnema said. The culvert replacement project started in October. Last summer, Beaver Dam Common Council accepted a $425,000 Community Development Block Grant. The Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of House awarded the grant to Beaver Dam for disaster relief and long-term recovery. The federal funds went toward the Cooper Street culvert replacement. Beaver Dam was awarded the funds in February 2016 and the council approved MSA to manage the Cooper Street project for the low bid of $17,850. WAUPUN Waupun is looking for a new police officer for the fifth time in a little more than a year. Waupun Police Chief Dale Heeringa told the Waupun City Council Tuesday that a recently hired officer decided to step down after a short time on the job. Waupun Police Department has 17 sworn officers and 1.5 clerical positions. After the meeting Heeringa said there have been a number of reasons for vacancies. Some older officers retired, a few moved to other departments and some left law enforcement. It is a problem that Heeringa said extends beyond the Waupun Police Department. Heeringa said a law enforcement career website used by Wisconsin police agencies, shows there 60 police and sheriffs departments in Wisconsin currently seeking officers. He said his department has also been getting contact from recruiters from other states looking for officers. Heeringa attributed some of the challenge to fewer people entering law enforcement perhaps because of negativity about police in recent years but said there also has been some instances when people have not understood the nature of the job which involves personal risk and difficult hours. According to Heeringa, when jobs have been posted in the past year he got 25 to 30 applicants. In the past the pool was as many as 60 or 70. Its a great time for some young person looking to get into law enforcement, Heeringa said. In the meantime, Waupun Police Department has had to make up for the open position and regular turnover. That means there is more overtime and more time spent training new officers. Heeringa said he is concerned that will lead to some burnout for officers who have had to help fill the gap and he hopes to move quickly filling the latest opening. Disorderly conduct Sunday at 10:52 a.m., a 20-year-old man was arrested and cited with domestic disorderly conduct in the 300 block of East Third Street. Retail theft Sunday at 11:55 a.m. someone reported that three people were shoplifting at Wal-Mart Supercenter, 120 Frances Lane. Intoxicated person Sunday at 9:52 p.m., a 22-year-old man was cited with operating a vehicle while intoxicated near the South Roosevelt Drive and Hillcrest Drive intersection. Fight Monday at 9:37 a.m., a 20-year-old woman and a man were involved in a fight in the 300 block of Rosendale Drive. Retail theft Monday at 11:37 a.m., an 18-year-old man was cited with retail theft at Shopko, 822 Park Ave. Theft Monday at 12:33 p.m., a man was reported for a possible theft of cash at Wal-Mart Supercenter, 120 Frances Lane. Retail theft Monday at 1:42 p.m., someone at Fleet Farm, 1815 N. Spring St., reported the theft of power tools. Disorderly conduct Monday at 4:22 p.m., a woman in the 400 block of West Burnett Street told police that a man left in a vehicle a threatened to crash it. Drugs Monday at 4:25 p.m., someone at Fleet Farm, 1815 N. Spring St., reported a retail theft. A person was arrested and cited with retail theft, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Vandalism Monday at 8:52 p.m., a man told police that someone broke the back window of his vehicle in the 500 block of Gould Street. Drugs Monday at 11:58 p.m., during a traffic stop near the Madison Street and Lakecrest Drive intersection, a man was cited with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Accident Tuesday at 7:35 a.m., a school bus slid into a car near Beaver Dam Middle School, 108 Fourth St. The car had minor damage. Hit and run Tuesday at 8:05 a.m., someone reported that a vehicle lost control and hit a light pole near the North Spring Street and Front Street intersection. The vehicle was later driven away. Accident Tuesday at 8:15 a.m., an officer saw a damaged vehicle near the intersection of Walnut Street and University Avenue. Vandalism Tuesday at 10:41 a.m., someone called police to report that the back window on her vehicle was broken near the 100 block of Frances Lane. Retail theft Tuesday at 11:40 a.m., someone at Menards, 121 Frances Lane, told police that a person took a faucet off the shelf and went to return it. Accident Tuesday at 7:38 p.m. there was a vehicle accident near the Monroe Street and Park Avenue intersection. Prithvi Jayanti marked in Kathmandu (in photos) Different organisations and political parties on Wednesday organised vairous programmes in Kathmandu to mark the 295th birth anniversary of Prithvi Narayan Shah, also known as National Unity Day. Items are listed under the day of the event only, running as space permits prior to the event. To submit items, call 745-3511, email jcutsforth@capitalnewspapers.com or visit www.portagedailyregister.com. Include name and phone number. TODAY Bingo: 5:30 p.m. 131 Restaurant, North Main Street, Pardeeville. Bingo will be played every Wednesday, except the first one of the month. Clinic: 8 a.m. to noon, Columbia County Public Health Walk-In Clinic, Columbia County Division of Health, 2652 Murphy Road, Portage. Use door No. 4. Bring childs immunization record. Visit www.co.columbia.wi.us for more information. Free blood pressure screenings: 1 to 5 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. No appointment necessary. Call 745-6405 for more information. Do not eat, smoke, drink caffeine or exercise for 30 minutes prior. St. Vincent de Paul free medical clinic: 9 a.m. to noon. Wilz Drugs lower level, 140 E. Cook St., Portage. No appointments needed. Information needed is name, date of birth and a contact number. A chiropractor is available from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. A foot clinic is available every week. The clinic can do exams and prescribe medications. Physical therapist available. Discounted medications are available at Wilz and Walmart. Call Bonny Oestreich, RN, at 608-234-0159 for information. Zumba/Zumba Toning: 5 p.m. Montello. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or 4dreamers@frontier.com. Zumba: 5:30 p.m. 1208 Northport Road (the former Freedom Carpeting building). This is a $5 drop-in class. For more information, contact Deb at DJMACK00001@yahoo.com or Rena at 697-6713. THURSDAY, JAN. 12 Cookie sale: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. front lobby, Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. On the second Thursday of each month, the Volunteer Partners of Divine Savior bake Smart Cookies. Cookies are 50 cents each or $5.50 per dozen. Cookie selection varies month to month, but chocolate chip is always available. All proceeds benefit scholarships for students educating in healthcare-related fields. Full moon hike: Ice Age Trail Alliance Lodi Valley Chapter full moon hike. Meet at the South side Merrimac Ferry Landing parking area at 7 p.m. For directions visit https://goo.gl/maps/5SdNk. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy shoes. This will be a short and child appropriate walk. Leashed dogs are welcome. Due to possible slick conditions walking sticks are recommended. We will have extra available for you to use. For information, call Bill at 843-3926. Library event: 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Toddler Thursday story time for children ages 18 to 36 months, Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Its a Crayon Colors story time that will help toddlers learn their colors through a story, activities and a crayon craft. Registration is recommended to ensure enough supplies. For more information, call 742-4959 ext. 211. Museum: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Portage World War II Museum, 119 E. Cook St., Portage. Free tours for veterans every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The tours take 2 1/2 hours. For information, call 608-697-3690. VFW Auxiliary Post 1707: 6 p.m. VFW Hall Post 1707, 215 W. Collins St., Portage. FRIDAY, JAN. 13 Seniors Bowling Social: 1 p.m. Fireball Lanes, 817 E. Wisconsin St., Portage. Cost is $6 and includes three games of bowling and shoe rental. Unique Singles: 5 p.m. B&B Hitching Post, West Wisconsin Street, Portage. All single men and women older than age 50 welcome. The group is strictly social with no dues or officers. SATURDAY, JAN. 14 Endeavor Wisconsin Committee to Protect All Pensions: 10 a.m. Endeavor/Moundville Fire Station/Bingo Hall, 631 S. Limits Road, Endeavor. Active workers, retirees, spouses and all people concerned about stopping retirement theft are invited to attend. For more information, visit http://mycspensionhandsoff.com. Meat raffle: 3 to 5 p.m. Jacks Tap, 1207 Dunn St., Portage. Sponsored by the Portage Lions Club, this event is a scholarship and project fundraiser. Religion class: 5 p.m. Deliverance ministry classes with Pastor Dale Smalley, Outreach Bible Church, 235 Northridge Drive, Portage. All welcome. SUNDAY, JAN. 15 Bingo: 3 to 5 p.m. VFW Hall, 215 W. Collins St., Portage. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Hard cards are $1 and chips are available. All are welcome. Runs the first and third Sunday of each month. Pancake breakfast: 7 to 11 a.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, 918 Silver Lake Drive, Portage. Menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, potatoes, gravy and beverage. Cost is $6. Poynette Inch United Methodist Church: Open House and Dedication of the Remodeling and Addition of the Church, 1 to 3 p.m. Poynette Inch United Methodist Church, 402 S. Main St., Poynette. Light refreshments will be served. Open to the public. Dedication service at 1:30 p.m. Zumba: 5:30 p.m. Rusch Elementary School, Portage. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or 4dreamers@frontier.com. MONDAY, JAN. 16 Blood drive: Randolph Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. First Reformed Church, 406 S. High St., Randolph. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required. Clinic: 8 a.m. to noon, Columbia County Public Health Walk-In Clinic, Columbia County Division of Health, 2652 Murphy Road, Portage. Use door No. 4. Bring childs immunization record. Visit www.co.columbia.wi.us for more information. Clinic: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Marquette County Immunization Clinic, Marquette County Health and Human Services Building, 428 Underwood Ave., Montello. Bring childs immunization record. Parents must accompany all children under 18 years of age. If this is not possible, call the Marquette County Health Department at 608-297-3135 prior to the clinic. Fundraiser: Portage Family Skatepark Project fundraiser at Papa Murphys Pizza, 2936 New Pinery Road, Portage. Mention the PFSP and 10 percent of your purchase will benefit the PFSP. Zumba/Zumba Toning: 6 p.m. Harrisville. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or 4dreamers@frontier.com. TUESDAY, JAN. 17 Blood drive: Columbus Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Columbus Community Hospital, 1515 Park Ave., Columbus. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required. The Lake Wisconsin Alliance: 6 to 8 p.m. educational meeting, Merrimac Village Hall, 100 Cook St., Merrimac. The program is titled The Merrimac Railroad Bridge: Past, Present, and Future. Virgil Kasper will talk about the railroad history in Sauk County, the current status of the Merrimac bridge and the importance of the railroad to the economy of Sauk County. In August, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation approved a $17 million plan to repair the bridge. For more information, call Melissa Keenan at 608-355-4838. Library event: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tech Tuesday, Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. This is a drop in session where patrons bring their tablets, phones, gadgets, Overdrive questions, etc. for help.Zumba Toning: 4:30 p.m. Woodridge Primary School, Portage. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or . TriEnda Holdings has acquired The PendaForm Company, creating a partnership thats expected to bring 50 new jobs to Portage. TriEnda is officially controlled by Oklahoma-based Kruger Brown Holdings, which purchased TriEnda in April 2014. TriEndas purchase of PendaForm occurred in late December. TriEnda specializes in heavy-gauge plastic pallets and shipping containers. PendaForm makes pickup bed liners and accessories. TriEnda is located at N7660 Industrial Road, and PendaForm is located at 2344 W. Wisconsin St. The merger means TriEnda now has 500 employees in Portage between the two plants. In addition to previous duties, TriEnda CEO John Brown becomes the new CEO of PendaForm, and TriEnda President David Kruger becomes PendaForms new president. The two companies together are expected to generate more than $200 million in annual sales, Kruger said. TriEnda had in 2015 reported sales of $51.5 million, according to Plastics News. It means my days a lot busier, Kruger said of the merger. Were excited about the opportunity. Its good for Portage. This makes both companies stronger and brings growth to our area, Kruger said. Our biggest challenge is we need more employees. TriEnda has 40 immediate job openings and PendaForm has 25. Kruger expects more job openings throughout the year as a result of the merger, since our business is going to grow. All in all, the merger is expected to generate 50 new jobs in Portage. Moreover, the merger wont result in cuts. Everybodys keeping their jobs. Adding more jobs in Portage creates a trickle-down effect that helps everyone, Portage Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marianne Hanson said. Its a unique partnership. Were always excited to hear when we can add jobs in the community thats always good for us. Its not just adding to one aspect of economy, since more jobs means selling more gas, food, clothing it does many good things in the community. TriEnda is looking for operators, assistant operators and entry-level finishers, Kruger said. Interested job seekers can contact the companys human resources department at 608-742-5303, ext. 2336. Were excited about the opportunity, Kruger said. The jobs, he added, involve new incentives for hourly employees. At the end of every month, however the company does, everyone gets a bonus. Were pushing to increase wages in the area, because we need employees. Despite being based in Oklahoma, Kruger said he and Brown are in Portage all the time. Im here in Portage usually every week, he said. This is good for the area, and this is good for the community. According to a news release from Kruger, the company is the largest heavy-gauge thermoformer in North America, with 47 heavy-gauge thermoforming machines, 13 extrusion lines and a 14th extrusion line planned for 2017. PendaForms customer base and capabilities combined with TriEndas material expertise gives the company endless possibilities in business. Overturning two lower court rulings, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck a blow Jan. 4 for government secrecy. The courts 5-2 decision in the case involving state Attorney General Brad Schimel was mistaken twice and came from the same swamp that produced state GOP legislators efforts in 2015 to draw curtains on government transparency. First, it was mistaken because the public should have access to the training videos Schimel was keeping under wraps. Schimel made the videos for the Department of Justice when he was Waukesha County district attorney. The Democratic Party filed suit to see whether Schimel had made any questionable comments. He hadnt, according to the lower cort judges. But those judges also ruled that the public nevertheless should have access to the videos because there was nothing in them that wasnt otherwise known and the public had a right to see what the government did to protect children from predators. The second mistake came when Justice Rebecca Bradley, writing for the majority, ascribed a partisan purpose to the Democratic Party in seeking release of the videos. Of course the Democrats had a partisan purpose. So what? The motive of those seeking to open government records is never the question; the only question is whether the records legitimately belong to the public. Would those justices deny records to the Republican Party if it sought records from Democrats or a Democratic administration? Who asks for a record and the motive for asking for that record are not legitimate questions under the states open records law. Nor should they be. The courts must consider all such requests objectively and equally; it must not deny them to certain groups because they may be partisan or for any other motive. Doing so makes a mockery of the states laws. The court also bought Schimels argument that the videos should be kept hidden to protect law enforcement techniques and prevent victims from being re-traumatized by the release of information about what they went through. We understand Schimels point, and we dont think hes trying to hide something nefarious. But two lower courts had decided that the videos did not reveal any particularly sensitive law enforcement techniques. And prior court decisions have recognized that the public has a right to records that reveal how law enforcement is performing. In her dissent, Justice Shirley Abrahamson contended the majority went too far in keeping the two Department of Justice videos from the public. Today, the majority opinion significantly dims the lights on transparency in government and shuts off some lights by concluding that the Department of Justice may withhold both of the videos in their entirety, she wrote. Abrahamson got it right. The majority got it wrong, and sent a disturbing message about this courts commitment to protecting the publics right to know how its officials conduct their business. On a beautiful spring day in May 2016, Kaitlin Hewitt found herself sitting in the Sauk County jail for the second time in eight months. She had stolen from work. She had no money, no job and nowhere to go when she got out. She had broken relationships with her friends and family. She had been kicked out of a sober living home. Hewitt, now 25, was a recovering heroin addict. It was an eye opener; I realized I could either stay in the drug court program and stay straight or sit in jail, the Baraboo resident said about that day in May. I realized staying with the program had to be better than what I was doing. And I was right things are so much better now. Hewitt already was a participant in the Sauk County Drug Court, a program that just reached the one-year mark at the start of this month. The court is a collaborative effort by the Sauk County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council that aims to break the cycle of addiction and reduce crimes associated with drug use such as forgery, theft and robbery. Participants undergo a comprehensive assessment and treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues, are subjected to intensive supervision, random drug and breath testing, regular court appearances and sanctions or incentives based upon their behavior. Proponents say the program is built upon honesty and individual accountability. Warning sign In September 2015, Hewitt was arrested for the first time. She was charged with felony forgery after stealing checks from her grandfather to buy drugs, misdemeanor criminal damage to property and misdemeanor theft for breaking in to his home. Looking back two years ago was the worst part of my addiction, Hewitt said. I only cared about myself and how to get more money for drugs. She said her grandfather pressed charges because he wanted her to get help. At that point, Hewitt knew she needed it. I was offered a signature bond but I turned it down because I wanted to get help, but I didnt know how to get it, she said. So I decided to sit in jail. People thought I was crazy. Thats when Hewitt met Janelle Kruger, Sauk Countys Criminal Justice Coordinator, who thought Hewitt might be a good prospect for the countys new rehabilitation program. My first instinct was not to go to drug court because honestly theres a lot to do to be a part of it, she said. But of course looking back now, Im so glad I decided to do it. High risk Krueger said the program specifically targets high-risk drug users who have the greatest need for intervention. Evidence has shown us where we want to focus our resources, Krueger said. Those low-risk, low-need individuals have a greater chance of self-correction. If we can break the cycle of recidivism, you see the greatest savings within the system. Krueger said the program is very intentional in selecting medium to high-risk people for the drug court program, which is tailored specifically to their needs. Also interesting is that research has shown us that mixing those two populations increased the likelihood the low-risk individuals will get in trouble again, she said. New approach Sauk Prairie Police Chief Jerry Strunz is a member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and said anyone who has been charged with a drug-related crime can seek to have their case reviewed by the drug court. Circumstances of the case are considered and used to determine whether that person would be a candidate for the program or be kept in the traditional criminal justice system. Once part of the program, participants in the Sauk County Drug Court can remain involved for 18-24 months, depending on their progress. The program provides a great deal of structure for the individual and they are immediately connected with the resources they need, Strunz said. Participants are assigned a probation and parole agent as well as a drug court case manager, who help them make living arrangements. They also ensure they participate in any prescribed treatment, attend appropriate meetings and show up for court appearances. Sauk County Circuit Judge Michael Screnock presides over the drug court, typically held at 10 a.m. on Fridays at the Sauk County Courthouse. Way back society thought that these people needed to be punished and prison was the default mechanism, Screnock said. But of course we were finding this was not helping them. Strunz said thats because the criminal justice system wasnt dealing with the root cause of the criminal behavior: addiction. We needed to be addressing whats driving them to commit these crimes, he said. Screnock said part of the evaluation process to be accepted into drug court is finding people who are willing to change. They have an entire team of professionals working with them toward that goal, he said. Its help and support at a level they wouldnt have otherwise. Not only does drug court offer people the help they need to fight their addiction, it also aims to lower the rate of crimes associated with drug use such as burglary and other property crimes as well as forgery. Part of the support in addition to treating addictive behaviors is helping the individual get set up with a job, learn budgeting skills, have housing lined up so they have a platform where they are then able to go and succeed in life, Screnock said. Last chance The fifth time Hewitt used heroin, she overdosed. That wasnt even enough to open her eyes. But that second time she landed in jail, something changed. I felt like an idiot going back there. I was worried I wasted an opportunity, Hewitt said. In my mind what I did stealing from work wasnt a big thing because I wasnt using. Her case manager saw it differently. The people in the drug court program realized I was already starting back mentally with my addictive behavior, Hewitt said. It really was the biggest thing for me because the week I sat in there I didnt know what was going to happen; my mind really started running. It was me sitting in there with my own thoughts. Ultimately, Hewitt lost her job for stealing. However, because the business owner did not seek further criminal action against her, she was allowed to stay in the drug court program. Strunz said the programs heavy oversight of participants isnt designed to find a reason to kick them out. Were trying to help them do the right thing, not catch them doing something bad, Strunz said. Sauk County District Attorney Kevin Calkins said in the past when someone like Hewitt repeatedly offended, they would be sentenced, released and often come right back under similar circumstances. The old process of catch and convict wasnt working. he said. It was lather, rinse repeat and it wasnt stopping the behavior. Calkins said the program ends the cycle by working with participants and not turning them away after they have finished their sentences. We started treating addiction like a disease rather than punish people for being addicted, he said. Measuring success Not everything has gone smoothly during the first year of the drug courts implementation. Some participants havent been able to meet the expectations. Hewitt nearly became one of them. Krueger said the county sought to have 30 participants in the program in the first year. So far, the program has enrolled 22. Krueger said the program has faced staffing constraints, which prevented it from ramping up to full capacity. We knew we might not reach 30, Krueger said. But we have always been very interested in making sure we are putting the right people in this program. Screnock said there are more barriers to success for participants than many realize. In addition to any individual challenges, issues such as a lack of health insurance, transportation and housing are difficulties faced by many in the program. Its been interesting to me to see the numerous barriers that can pop up at any given time, any of which can derail the success of these individuals, Screnock said. Hewitt is one of the lucky ones. After serious consideration, her father let her move into his Baraboo home. That keeps her close to all the resources she needs and to her job housekeeping at a local hotel. Since I have been sober, the relationships I have with my family have been better, she said. Some people dont have family to depend on. Its nice to have that support, even when they can be tough on you. I dont think I would have gotten through this without the support of my family and of course, the drug court team. Changing the game Some people have now reached one year of sobriety or more in the program. To see that transformation and the amount of pride they have in their own recovery is really rewarding to see, Strunz said. People who may have been written off have proven even they can come back from addiction. The single most gratifying thing I hear is with law enforcement officers who have known these individuals for a long time that they truly never thought that individual could succeed and now they see the changes in them and have hope for them, Screnock said. For Calkins, its all about breaking the cycle of addiction. I am coming up on my 29th anniversary, and I am seeing the third generation of addiction in some of these families, he said. And think about all of the crimes that have been committed in the name of addiction. The pull is very strong. Krueger said there is an entire team working to help participants put it all together. Nothing compares to what these people do every day to make that recovery lifestyle fit, said Krueger. I really give credit to the professionals who commit so much time to making drug court a priority. Hewitt is working on her own independence as she finishes the drug court program. Shes making her own money, walking to work and other places she needs to be instead of depending on others. But most of all, shes clean and sober and accountable. If I could go back and tell myself something, Id just say, Open your eyes, what are you doing? You are either going to end up in jail, an institution or dead, Hewitt said. And frankly, I was on my way to all three of them. When she first started the program, Hewitt said she didnt know how she could live without drugs and alcohol. But I have, she said. Now I can say Ive been clean for 14 months without a single relapse in the program. During the American Revolution, it was proper to address George Washington as General. But sometimes, in keeping with the European tradition of addressing the commander in chief of an army, Washington was called His Excellency. With the ratification of the Constitution and the embarking of a new republic, the question of how to address the new leader arose. Some suggested that Washington now officially be called His Excellency. Others offered the title of Your Highness. Some went further and recommended Your Most Benign Highness. The official preferences became more and more ludicrous as His Exalted Highness and Most Illustrious and Excellent President were solicited. John Adams volunteered the incredibly verbose HIs Highness the President of the United States, and Protector of the Rights of the Same. In time, more rational minds prevailed, and the simple, but understated dignity of Mr. President became the name of our duly elected head of state. That tradition has prevailed unto this day. Part of the reason for the term Mr. President being so appropriate was that all the other names sounded far too regal. Having just revolted against a monarchy, and even writing into the Constitution that no American could hold a royal title, something that reflected the honor of the position, yet did not suggest royalty, was needed. A few weeks ago Donald Trump received a holiday greeting from Vladimir Putin. The letter also included the hope that the damaged relationship between the two countries could be restored and an improvement of bilateral relations reestablished. Putin addressed the letter to His Excellency, Donald Trump. As was just explained, that term has not been used since addressed to George Washington. Trump is no Washington. In fact, Trump is probably not even Milliard Fillmore. The new understanding and bilateral relations seems to have reached a whole new and potentially horrifying level. Bloomberg, USA Today, Fox News Online, and several other sources all reported further Russian hacking into American systems. A Bloomberg headline from Dec. 30 states, Russian Hacking Code Found in Vermont Power Utility Company. Alerted by the Department of Homeland Security, providers of electricity were warned to check their computers. Running security scans through their computers, Burlington Electric Company found one of their laptops was infected with malware. The malware, called Grizzly Steppe, has more than once been traced back to Russian sources by American intelligence agencies. Fortunately, the hacked computer was not online and no threat was posed at that time. Fox News Online quotes Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the worlds leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, and safety. Yet, Trump shows a complete disinclination to accept the seriousness of Russian activity. Even after the intelligence community issued its Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent US Elections on Jan. 6, Trump, rather than acknowledge the facts of the document, tweeted a statement that misdirected the truth. Trump said the document noted that there was no influence on the outcome of the election. It does not. The document stated, We did not make an assessment of the impact that Russian activities had on the outcome of the 2016 election. But he has attacked the media, called their reporting a witch hunt and asked that NBC be investigated. The document does state, Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign aimed at the US presidential election. Russias goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary [Hillary] Clinton, and harm her electabilityWhen it appeared to Moscow that Secretary Clinton was likely to win the election, the Russian influence campaign began to focus more on undermining her future presidency. It goes on to say, Russias intelligence services conducted cyber operations against targets associated with the 2016 US presidential election including targets associated with both major US political parties. So there can be no better way for Putin to reinforce the self-image of one who exhibits the signs of narcissistic personality disorder than offer the acclamation of His Excellency. A man with NPD is not going to disparage the very person who feeds his egotistical need. Finally, it is interesting to note, King George III is reported to have asked his ministers what Washington would do now that the colonies had won their independence. When assured that Washington had no greater desire than to go back to his plantation at Mount Vernon, the story says that George III said, If he does that, then he is the greatest man who ever lived. How much of that humbleness will His Excellency Trump demonstrate? With the hacking scandal increasing, not much so far. Protests on in Khotang against LLRC proposal Locals in Mahuregadhi of Khotang district continued their protest against the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC)s proposal on the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday. The following companies are subsidiares of Transocean: 15375 Memorial Corporation, Agon Shipping Inc., Aguas Profundas Limitada, AngoSantaFe - Prestacao de Servicos Petroliferos Limitada, Angola Deepwater Drilling Company (Offshore Services) Ltd, Arcade Drilling AS, Asie Sonat Offshore Sdn. Bhd., Barents Rigco Limited, Blegra Asset Management Limited, Blegra Financing Limited, Caledonia Offshore Drilling Services Limited, Challenger Minerals Inc., Covent Garden - Servicos e Marketing Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Deepwater Drilling (Transocean Ghana) Limited, Deepwater Drilling North Africa LLC - Free Zone, Deepwater Pacific 1 Inc., Deepwater Supply Inc., Drillship Alonissos Owners Inc., Drillship Hydra Owners Inc., Drillship Kithira Owners Inc., Drillship Kythnos Owners Inc., Drillship Paros Owners Inc., Drillship Skiathos Owners Inc., Drillship Skopelos Owners Inc., Drillship Skyros Owners Inc., Eastern Med Consultants Inc., Entities Holdings Inc., GSF Leasing Services GmbH, Global Marine Inc., Global Offshore Drilling Limited, GlobalSantaFe (Labuan) Inc., GlobalSantaFe B.V., GlobalSantaFe C.R. Luigs Limited, GlobalSantaFe Denmark Holdings ApS, GlobalSantaFe Drilling (N.A.) N.V., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company (Overseas) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Operations Inc., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Services (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Trinidad LLC, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Venezuela C.A., GlobalSantaFe Financial Services (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., GlobalSantaFe Group Financing Limited Liability Company, GlobalSantaFe Holding Company (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Hungary Services Limited Liability Company, GlobalSantaFe International Drilling Corporation, GlobalSantaFe International Drilling Inc., GlobalSantaFe International Services Inc., GlobalSantaFe Nederland B.V., GlobalSantaFe Offshore Services Inc., GlobalSantaFe Operations (Mexico) LLC, GlobalSantaFe Saudi Arabia Ltd., GlobalSantaFe Services (BVI) Inc., GlobalSantaFe Services Netherlands B.V., GlobalSantaFe Servicios de Venezuela C.A., GlobalSantaFe South America LLC, GlobalSantaFe Tampico S. de R.L. de C.V., GlobalSantaFe Techserv (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe U.S. Holdings Inc., Indigo Drilling Limited, Inteliwell JV GP Limited, Inteliwell JV LP, Kalambo Operations Inc., OCR Falklands Drilling Inc., OR Norge Operations Inc., Ocean Rig, Ocean Rig 1 Inc, Ocean Rig 2 Inc., Ocean Rig Canada Inc., Ocean Rig Cuanza Operations Inc., Ocean Rig Cubango Operations Inc., Ocean Rig Deepwater Drilling Limited, Ocean Rig Investments Inc., Ocean Rig Management Inc., Ocean Rig Operations Inc., Ocean Rig UDW Inc., Ocean Rig UDW LLC, Offshore Ghana Transocean Limited, Offshore Rig Operations AS, Olympia Rig Angola Holding S.A., Olympia Rig Angola Limitada, Orion Holdings (Cayman) Limited, Orion RigCo (Cayman) Limited, P.T. Santa Fe Supraco Indonesia, PT. Transocean Indonesia, Platform Capital N.V., Platform Financial N.V., Primelead Limited, R&B Falcon (A) Pty Ltd, R&B Falcon (Caledonia) Limited, R&B Falcon (M) Sdn. Bhd., R&B Falcon (U.K.) Limited, R&B Falcon B.V., R&B Falcon Deepwater (UK) Limited, R&B Falcon Drilling Co. LLC, R&B Falcon Exploration Co. LLC, R&B Falcon International Energy Services B.V., RBF Rig Corporation LLC, Ranger Insurance Limited, Reading & Bates Coal Co. LLC, SDS Offshore Limited, Safemal Drilling Sdn. Bhd., Santa Fe Braun Inc., Santa Fe Construction Company, Santa Fe Drilling Company of Venezuela C.A., Saudi Drilling Company Limited, Sedco Forex International Inc., Services Petroliers Transocean, Servicios Petroleros Santa Fe S.A., Ship Investment Ocean Holdings Inc., Songa Offshore Delta Limited, Songa Offshore Drilling Limited, Songa Offshore Enabler Limited, Songa Offshore Encourage Limited, Songa Offshore Endurance Limited, Songa Offshore Equinox Limited, Songa Offshore Equipment Rental Limited, Songa Offshore Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Songa Offshore Management Limited, Songa Offshore Pte. Ltd., Songa Offshore Rig 2 AS, Songa Offshore Rig 3 AS, Songa Offshore SE, Songa Offshore SE, Songa Offshore Saturn Limited, Songa Offshore T & P Cyprus Limited, Songa Saturn Chartering Pte. Ltd., Spitsbergen Rigco Limited, Sub-Saharan Drilling Inc., T. I. International Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TILAM Holdings Limited, TRM Holdings Limited, TSSA - Servicos de Apoio Lda., Transocean Africa Drilling Limited, Transocean Asia Services Sdn Bhd, Transocean Asset Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Asset Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Asset Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Atlas Limited, Transocean Barents ASA, Transocean Brasil Ltda., Transocean Britannia Limited, Transocean Canada Drilling Services Ltd., Transocean Conqueror Limited, Transocean Conqueror Opco LLC, Transocean Corporate Services Limited, Transocean Cyprus Capital Management Public Limited, Transocean Cyprus Drilling Operations Public Limited, Transocean Deepwater Drilling Services Limited, Transocean Deepwater Holdings Limited, Transocean Deepwater Inc., Transocean Deepwater Mauritius, Transocean Deepwater Nautilus Limited, Transocean Deepwater Seafarer Services Limited, Transocean Discoverer 534 LLC, Transocean Drilling Enterprises S.a.r.l., Transocean Drilling Israel Ltd., Transocean Drilling Limited, Transocean Drilling Namibia Inc., Transocean Drilling Offshore S.a.r.l., Transocean Drilling Sdn. Bhd., Transocean Drilling Services (India) Private Limited, Transocean Drilling U.K. Limited, Transocean Eastern Pte. Ltd., Transocean Employee Support Fund, Transocean Enabler Limited, Transocean Enabler Rigco Limited, Transocean Encourage Limited, Transocean Encourage Rigco Limited, Transocean Endurance Limited, Transocean Endurance Rigco Limited, Transocean Entities Holdings GmbH, Transocean Equinox Limited, Transocean Equinox Rigco Limited, Transocean Finance Limited, Transocean Financing (Cayman) Limited, Transocean Financing GmbH, Transocean Guardian Limited, Transocean Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Hungary Holdings LLC, Transocean Hungary Investments LLC, Transocean Hungary Ventures LLC, Transocean Inc., Transocean Innovation Labs Ltd., Transocean International Holdings Limited, Transocean International Resources Limited, Transocean Investimentos Ltda., Transocean Investments Holdings LLC, Transocean Investments S.a.r.l., Transocean Ltd., Transocean Management Services GmbH, Transocean Minerals Holdings Limited, Transocean Nautilus Limited, Transocean North Sea Limited, Transocean Norway Operations AS, Transocean Offshore (North Sea) Ltd., Transocean Offshore Canada Services Ltd., Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc., Transocean Offshore Deepwater Holdings Limited, Transocean Offshore Drilling Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea II Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea VI Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea VII Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea XII Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea XIII Limited, Transocean Offshore Holdings Limited, Transocean Offshore International Limited, Transocean Offshore International Ventures Limited, Transocean Offshore Limited, Transocean Offshore PR Limited, Transocean Offshore USA Inc., Transocean Onshore Support Services Limited, Transocean Orion Limited, Transocean Phoenix 2 Limited, Transocean Phoenix 2 Opco LLC, Transocean Pontus Limited, Transocean Pontus Opco Inc., Transocean Poseidon Limited, Transocean Poseidon Opco Inc., Transocean Proteus Limited, Transocean Proteus Opco LLC, Transocean Quantum Holdings Limited, Transocean Quantum Management Limited, Transocean Quantum Rig Holdings Limited, Transocean Quantum Sentry Holdings Limited, Transocean Rig 140 Limited, Transocean Rig Management Limited, Transocean SPSF Holdings Limited, Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited, Transocean Sentry Limited, Transocean Services (India) Private Limited, Transocean Services AS, Transocean Services UK Limited, Transocean Skyros Limited, Transocean Spitsbergen ASA, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Support Services Limited, Transocean Support Services Nigeria Limited, Transocean Support Services Private Limited, Transocean Technical Services Egypt LLC, Transocean U.S. Holdings LLC, Transocean UK Limited, Transocean Voyager 1 Limited, Transocean Voyager 2 Limited, Transocean West Africa Holdings Limited, Transocean Worldwide Inc., Triton Asset Leasing GmbH, Triton Capital I GmbH, Triton Capital II GmbH, Triton Capital Mexico GmbH, Triton Conqueror GmbH, Triton Corcovado LLC, Triton Financing LLC, Triton Gemini GmbH, Triton Holdings Limited, Triton Hungary Asset Management LLC, Triton Hungary Investments 1 Limited Liability Company, Triton Industries Inc., Triton KG2 GmbH, Triton Management Services LLC, Triton Mykonos LLC, Triton Nautilus Asset Leasing GmbH, Triton Nautilus Asset Management LLC, Triton Offshore Leasing Services Limited, Triton Pacific Limited, Triton Poseidon GmbH, Triton Voyager Asset Leasing GmbH, and Wilrig Offshore (UK) Limited. Read More Slain forest guard's family receives support The bereaved family members of forest guard, Ganesh Shahi, who was murdered in the line of duty on January 1 in Taplejung have received government support. Robert Half International Inc. provides staffing and risk consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Temporary and Consultant Staffing, Permanent Placement Staffing, and Risk Consulting and Internal Audit Services. It places temporary services for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping; temporary and full-time office and administrative personnel consisting of executive and administrative assistants, receptionists, and customer service representatives; full-time accounting, financial, tax, and accounting operations personnel; and information technology contract professionals and full-time employees in the areas of platform systems integration to end-user technical and desktop support, including specialists in application development, networking and cloud, systems integration and deployment, database design and administration, and security and business continuity. The company also offers temporary and full-time employees in attorney, paralegal, legal administrative, and legal secretarial positions; and senior-level project professionals in the accounting and finance fields for financial systems conversions, expansion into new markets, business process re-engineering, business systems performance improvement, and post-merger financial consolidation. It is involved in serving professionals in the areas of creative, design, marketing, advertising, and public relations; and placing various positions, such as creative directors, graphics designers, web designers, media buyers, front end developers, copywriters, digital marketing managers, marketing analytics specialists, brand managers, and public relations specialists. The company provides internal audit, technology consulting, risk and compliance consulting, and business performance services. It serves clients and employment candidates. Robert Half International Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. The Chemicals segment produces and markets ethylene and other olefin products; aromatics and styrenics products, such as benzene, cyclohexane, styrene, and polystyrene; and various specialty chemical products, including organosulfur chemicals, solvents, catalysts, and chemicals used in drilling and mining. The Refining segment refines crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, such as gasolines, distillates, aviation, and renewable fuels at 12 refineries in the United States and Europe. The M&S segment purchases for resale and markets refined petroleum products, including gasolines, distillates, and aviation fuels primarily in the United States and Europe. This segment also manufactures and markets specialty products, such as base oils and lubricants. The company was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Newell Brands Inc. designs, manufactures, sources, and distributes consumer and commercial products worldwide. It operates in five segments: Commercial Solutions, Home Appliances, Home Solutions, Learning and Development, and Outdoor and Recreation. The Commercial Solutions segment provides commercial cleaning and maintenance solutions; closet and garage organization products; hygiene systems and material handling solutions; and home and security, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms products under the BRK, First Alert, Mapa, Quickie, Rubbermaid, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, and Spontex brands. The Home Appliances segment offers kitchen appliances under the Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee, Oster, and Sunbeam brands. The Home Solutions segment provides food and home storage; fresh preserving; vacuum sealing; and gourmet cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and home fragrance products under the Ball, Calphalon, Chesapeake Bay Candle, FoodSaver, Rubbermaid, Sistema, WoodWick, and Yankee Candle brands. The Learning and Development segment offers writing instruments, including markers and highlighters, pens, and pencils; art products; activity-based adhesive and cutting products; labeling solutions; and baby gear and infant care products under the Aprica, Baby Jogger, Graco, NUK, Tigex, Dymo, Elmer's, EXPO, Graco, Mr. Sketch, NUK, Paper Mate, Parker, Prismacolor, Sharpie, Waterman, and X-Acto brands. The Outdoor and Recreation segment provides outdoor and outdoor-related products under the Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, ExOfficio, and Marmot brands. It serves warehouse clubs, department and drug/grocery stores, mass merchants, home centers, office superstores and supply stores, contract stationers, and distributors, e-commerce, sporting goods, specialty, and travel retailers. The company was formerly known as Newell Rubbermaid Inc. and changed its name to Newell Brands Inc. in April 2016. Newell Brands Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. Read More Energizer Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes household batteries, specialty batteries, and lighting products worldwide. It offers lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, nickel metal hydride, zinc air, and silver oxide batteries under the Energizer and Eveready brands, as well as primary, rechargeable, specialty, and hearing aid batteries. The company also provides headlights, lanterns, and children's and area lights, as well as flash lights under the Energizer, Eveready, Rayovac, Hard Case, Dolphin, Varta, and WeatherReady brands. In addition, it licenses the Energizer and Eveready brands to companies developing consumer solutions in gaming, automotive batteries, portable power for critical devices, LED light bulbs, generators, power tools, household light bulbs, and other lighting products. Further, the company designs and markets automotive fragrance and appearance products, including protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products, air fresheners, and washes to clean, shine, refresh, and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces under the brand names of Armor All, Nu Finish, Refresh Your Car!, LEXOL, Eagle One, California Scents, Driven, and Bahama & Co; STP branded fuel and oil additives, functional fluids, and other performance chemical products; and do-it-yourself automotive air conditioning recharge products under the A/C PRO brand name, as well as other refrigerant and recharge kits, sealants, and accessories. It sells its products through direct sales force, distributors, and wholesalers; and through various retail and business-to-business channels, including mass merchandisers, club, electronics, food, home improvement, dollar store, auto, drug, hardware, e-commerce, convenience, sporting goods, hobby/craft, office, industrial, medical, and catalog. Energizer Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri. The following companies are subsidiares of Marsh & McLennan Companies: 8WORKS INC., 8WORKS LTD, A. Constantinidi & CIA. S.C., A.C.N. 000 951 146 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 001 572 961 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 076 935 683 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 102 322 574 Pty Limited, ACE Insurance Agents Limited, ACE Insurance Consultants Limited, ACE Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Limited, AD Corretora de Seguros, AFCO Premium Acceptance Inc., AFCO Premium Credit LLC, Access Equity Enhanced Fund GP LLC, Admiral Holdings Limited, Agnew Higgins Pickering & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd, Aldgate Investments Limited, Aldgate Trustees Ltd, Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited, Alpha Consultants Limited, Alta SA, Altius Real Assets (GP) LLC, Amal Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Anda Insurance Agencies Pte Ltd, AssetVal Pty Ltd, Assur Conseils Marsh S.A., Assurance Capital Corporation, Assurance Services Corporation, Australian Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Australian World Underwriters Pty Ltd., BBPS Limited, Barney & Barney Orange County LLC, Beaumonts (Leeds) Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Services Limited, Beneficios Integrales Oportunos SA, Benefitfocus Inc., Blue Marble Micro Limited, Blue Marble Microinsurance Inc., Bluefin, Bluefin Insurance Group Limited, Bluefin Insurance Services Limited, Boulder Claims LLC, Bowring (Bermuda) Investments Ltd., Bowring Marine Limited, Bowring Marsh (Bermuda) Ltd., Bowring Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Bowring Marsh Asia Pte. Ltd., Bowring Marsh Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Bowring Marsh Limited, Broderick Piller Pty Ltd, Broker 2 Broker Limited, BuildPay LLC, Burke Ford Trustees (Leicester) Limited, C.T. Bowring Limited, CMC-Belgibo NV, CPRM Limited, CPSG Partners LLC, Carpenter Marsh Fac Chile Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Carpenter Marsh Fac Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Carpenter Marsh Fac Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.C., Carpenter Marsh Fac Re LLC, Carpenter Turner Cyprus Ltd, Carpenter Turner S.A., Cascade International Holdings C.V., Cascade Regional Holdings Limited, Central Insurance Services Limited, Charter Risk Management Services LLC, Chartwell Healthcare Limited, Chronos Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Claims and Recovery Management (Australia) Pty Limited, Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers Limited, Client Provide Limited, Colombian Insurance Broking Wholesale Limited, Consultores 2020 C.A., Cronin & Co Insurance Services Limited, DVA - Deutsche Verkehrs-Assekuranz-Vermittlungs GmbH, Dawson Insurance, DeLima Marsh S.A. - Los Corredores de Seguros S.A., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Managing General Agency Corporation, Dovetail Technology Service India Private Limited, Draw Connect Limited, Draw Create Limited, Draw Group London Limited, Eagle & Crown Limited, Echelon Australia Pty Limited, Echelon Claims Consultants Sdn Bhd, Echelon New Zealand Limited, EnBW Versicherungs Vermittlung GmbH, Encompass Insurance Agency Pty Ltd., English Pension Trustees Limited, Epsilon (US) Insurance Company, Epsilon Insurance Company Ltd., Eustis Insurance & Benefits, Evolution Management Ltd, Exchange Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Exmoor Management Company Limited, Faulkner & Flynn LLC, Freedom Trust Services Limited, GC Genesis LLC, GCube Insurance Services Inc, GCube Underwriting Limited, Gama Consultores Associados Ltda., Gem Insurance Company Limited, Global Premium Finance Company, GrECo International Holding AG, Gracechurch Trustees Limited, Gresham Pension Trustees Limited, Group Promoters Pty Limited, Guy Carpenter & Cia (Mexico) S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter & Cia. S.A., Guy Carpenter & Co. Labuan Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company AB, Guy Carpenter & Company Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Guy Carpenter & Company Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company GmbH, Guy Carpenter & Company LLC, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Ltd./Guy Carpenter & Compagnie Ltee, Guy Carpenter & Company Participacoes Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company Private Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Proprietary Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Pty. Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A. (Uruguay), Guy Carpenter & Company S.A.S., Guy Carpenter & Company S.r.l., Guy Carpenter (Middle East) Limited, Guy Carpenter Bermuda Ltd., Guy Carpenter Broking Inc., Guy Carpenter Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter Insurance Brokers (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Guy Carpenter Japan Inc., Guy Carpenter Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, HAPIP GP 2009 LLC, HAPIP GP LLC, HSBC Insurance Brokers International (Abu Dhabi) LLC (in liquidation), Hamilton Bond Limited, Hansen International Limited, Hayward Aviation Limited, INSIA Europe SE, INSIA SK s.r.o., INSIA a.s., INSURANCE BROKERS OF NIGERIA LIMITED, IRC Asia Insurance Brokers Limited, InSolutions Limited, Industrial Risks Protection Consultants, Ingeseg S. A., Ingeseg S.A., Insbrokers Ltda., InsurTech Alliance LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC [BAHRAIN BRANCH], Insure Direct - Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, International Catastrophe Insurance Managers LLC, International Loss Control Services Limited, International Risk Consultants (Asia) Limited, Invercol Limited, Irish Pensions Trust Limited, Isosceles Insurance (Barbados) Limited, Isosceles Insurance Company Limited, Isosceles Insurance Ltd, Isosceles PCC Limited, J&H Marsh & McLennan Limited, J.W. Terrill Benefit Administrators Inc., JI Holdings Limited, JIB Group Holdings Limited, JIB Group Limited, JIB Holdings (Pacific) Limited, JIB Overseas Holdings Limited, JIB UK Holdings Limited, JL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co. KG, JLM Verwaltungs GmbH, JLT (Insurance Brokers) Limited, JLT Actuaries and Consultants Limited, JLT Advisory Limited, JLT Affinity Colombia Solutions SAS, JLT Agencies Limited, JLT Asesorias Ltda, JLT Asia Holdings BV, JLT Asia Shared Services Sdn Bhd, JLT Belgibo, JLT Benefit Consultants Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Bermuda Ltd, JLT Brasil Holdings Participacoes Ltd, JLT Chile Holdings SpA, JLT Colombia Retail Limited, JLT Colombia Wholesale Limited, JLT Consultants & Actuaries Limited, JLT EB Holdings Limited, JLT EB Services Limited, JLT Employee Benefits Holding Company (PTY) LTD, JLT Employee Benefits SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Financial Planning Limited, JLT France Holdings, JLT Group Services Pty Limited, JLT Holdings (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Holdings (NZ) Limited, JLT Independent Insurance Brokers Private Limited, JLT Insurance Agencies Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited ( Shanghai Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Beijing Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Guangzhou Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Ireland Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers SA, JLT Insurance Group Holdings Ltd, JLT Insurance Management Malta Limited, JLT Intellectual Property Limited, JLT Intellectual Property [UK Branch], JLT Interactive Pte. Ltd., JLT Investment Management Limited, JLT LATAM (Southern Cone) Wholesale Limited, JLT Latin American Holdings Limited, JLT Life Assurance Brokers Limited, JLT Management Services Limited, JLT Marine (Pty) Ltd, JLT Mexico Holdings Limited, JLT Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., JLT Netherlands BV, JLT Norway AS, JLT PLA, JLT Pension Trustees Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Holdings Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Limited, JLT Peru Reinsurance Solutions Limited, JLT Peru Retail Limited, JLT Peru Wholesale Limited, JLT QFM Services Limited, JLT RE Brasil Administracao e Corretagem de Resseguros Ltda, JLT Re (French Branch), JLT Re (Northern Europe) AB, JLT Re Argentina Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.U., JLT Re Labuan Limited, JLT Re Limited, JLT Re Pty Ltd, JLT Reinsurance Brokers GmbH, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited [French Branch], JLT Risk Management Limited, JLT Risk Solutions AB, JLT Risk Solutions AB Branch - Germany, JLT SA IB Holdings Company (Pty) Limited, JLT SCK Affinity Administracao e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., JLT SCK Corretora e Administradora de Seguros, JLT Secretaries Limited, JLT Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerlii A.., JLT Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., JLT Specialty France, JLT Specialty Insurance Broker A/S, JLT Specialty Limited, JLT Specialty Limited [DUBAI BRANCH], JLT Specialty Pte. Ltd., JLT Towner Insurance Management (Anguilla) Limited, JLT Trust Services (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Trustees (Southern) Limited, JLT Trustees Limited, JLT UK Investment Holdings Limited, JLT Vantage Risk and Benefit Consulting Private Limited, JLT Wealth Management Limited, JLT do Brasil Corretagem de Seguros Ltda, JLTPCS Holdings Pte. Ltd., JMIB Holdings BV, JSL Securities Inc., Japan Affinity Marketing Inc., Jardine IBR Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson (Proprietary) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Asia Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Australia Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada Inc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited (UK Branch Office), Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance Consultants Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Inc., Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Holdings Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Unlimited Company, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Korea Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited [Macao Branch], Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS (Dubai) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS SA, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Sdn Bhd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Valencia y Iragorri Corredores de Seguros SA, Jardine Pension Trustees Ireland Limited, Jardine Risk Consulting Co. Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited [Macao Branch], Jardines PF- Consultoria Em Gestao De Risco Limitada, Jelf, Jelf Commercial Finance Limited, Jelf Financial Planning Limited, Jelf Insurance Brokers Limited, Jelf Limited, Jelf Risk Management Limited, Jelf Wellbeing Limited, John Lampier & Son Ltd, Johnson & Higgins (Bermuda) Limited, Johnson & Higgins Limited, KESSLER & CO AG, Kepler Associates Limited, Kessler & Co Inc., Kessler Consulting Inc., Kessler Prevoyance Inc., Key Underwriting Pty Limited, Kroll, Lambert Brothers Holdings Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Employee Benefits) Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Hong Kong) Ltd, Laterlife.com Limited (in liquidation), Lavaretus Underwriting AB, Lavaretus Underwriting AB (BRANCH - Denmark), Libra Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Lloyd & Partners Limited, Local Government Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Lomond Macdonald Limited, Lynch Insurance Brokers Limited, M&M Vehicle L.P., M.P. Bolshaw and Company Limited, MAG JLT SpA, MERCER ALTERNATIVES LIMITED, MM Risk Services Pty Ltd (for dissolution), MMA Mid-Atlantic Employee LLC, MMA Securities LLC, MMB Consultores S.A., MMC (Singapore) Holdings Pte. Ltd., MMC 28 State Street Holdings Inc., MMC Borrower LLC, MMC Brazilian Holdings B.V., MMC Capital Inc., MMC Cascade Regional Holdings LLC, MMC FINANCE (EUROPE) LIMITED, MMC FINANCE HOLDINGS LTD, MMC Finance (Australia) Limited, MMC Finance (Singapore) Limited, MMC France Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., MMC GP III Inc., MMC Group Services sp. z o.o., MMC Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, MMC Holdings (New Zealand) ULC, MMC Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC International Finance (Barbados) SRL, MMC International Holdings LLC, MMC International Limited, MMC International Treasury Centre Limited, MMC Middle East Holdings Limited, MMC Poland Holdings B.V., MMC Realty Inc., MMC Regional Asia Holdings B.V., MMC Regional Caribbean Holdings Ltd., MMC Regional Europe Holdings B.V., MMC Regional LATAM Holdings B.V., MMC Securities (Europe) Limited, MMC Securities LLC, MMC Treasury Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC UK Group Limited, MMC UK Pension Fund Trustee Limited, MMOW Limited, MMRC LLC, MOW Holding LLC, MPIP III GP LLC, MPIP IV GP LLC, MPIP V GP LLC, MPIP VI GP LLC, Mangrove Insurance Europe PCC Limited, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC Limited, Manoel Management Services Ltd, Marchant McKechnie Insurance Brokers Limited, Marine Aviation & General (London) Limited, Marsh & McLennan (PNG) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agencies AS, Marsh & McLennan Agencies Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency A/S, Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, Marsh & McLennan Agency Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency Pty Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Argentina SA Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh & McLennan Colombia S.A., Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Funding Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Asia Pacific Treasury Center Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies BVBA/SPRL, Marsh & McLennan Companies Finance Center (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies France S.A.S., Marsh & McLennan Companies Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., Marsh & McLennan Companies Regional Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Services B.V., Marsh & McLennan Companies UK Limited, Marsh & McLennan Europe S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan GP I Inc., Marsh & McLennan Global Broking (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Holding GmbH, Marsh & McLennan Holdings (Canada) ULC, Marsh & McLennan Holdings Inc., Marsh & McLennan Incorporated (for dissolution), Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings II, Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Limited, Marsh & McLennan Insurance Services Limited, Marsh & McLennan Ireland Limited, Marsh & McLennan Management Services (Bermuda) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Risk Capital Holdings Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Servicios S.A. De C.V., Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Canada Limited, Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Corporation, Marsh (Bahrain) Company SPC, Marsh (Beijing) Risk Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Marsh (China) Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd., Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh (Insurance Brokers) LLP, Marsh (Insurance Services) Limited, Marsh (Malawi) Limited, Marsh (Middle East) Limited, Marsh (Namibia) (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh (Pty) Ltd, Marsh (Risk Consulting) LLP, Marsh (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Marsh A/S, Marsh AB, Marsh AG, Marsh AS, Marsh Advantage Insurance Holdings Pty Ltd, Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd., Marsh Africa (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Argentina S.R.L., Marsh Associates (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Austria G.m.b.H., Marsh Aviation Insurance Broking Pty Ltd (for dissolution), Marsh B.V., Marsh Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh Brockman y Schuh Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Marsh Broker Japan Inc., Marsh Broker de Asigurare-Reasigurare S.R.L., Marsh Brokers (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh Brokers Limited, Marsh Canada Limited/Marsh Canada Limitee, Marsh Company Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Compensation Technologies Administration (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Isle of Man Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Malta Limited, Marsh Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Marsh EOOD, Marsh Egypt LLC, Marsh Emirates Consultancy LLC, Marsh Emirates Insurance Brokerage LLC, Marsh Employee Benefits Limited, Marsh Employee Benefits Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Marsh Eurofinance B.V., Marsh Europe S.A., Marsh FJC International Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh For Insurance Services S.A.E., Marsh Franco Acra S.A., Marsh GSC Servicos e Administracao de Seguros Ltda., Marsh GmbH, Marsh Holding AB, Marsh Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Marsh India Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Marsh Insurance & Investments LLC, Marsh Insurance Brokers, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Macao) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Private) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers AO, Marsh Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh Insurance Consulting Saudi Arabia (in liquidation), Marsh Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers LLC, Marsh Intermediaries Inc., Marsh International Broking Holdings Limited, Marsh International Holdings II Inc., Marsh International Holdings Inc., Marsh Investment B.V., Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited, Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited (UK Branch), Marsh Ireland Holdings Limited, Marsh Israel (1999) Ltd., Marsh Israel (Holdings) Ltd., Marsh Israel Consultants Ltd., Marsh Israel Insurance Agency Ltd., Marsh Israel International Brokers Ltd. (in liquidation), Marsh JCS Inc., Marsh Japan Inc., Marsh Kft., Marsh Kindlustusmaakler AS, Marsh Korea Inc., Marsh LLC, Marsh LLC Insurance Brokers, Marsh LLC [Ukraine], Marsh Lda., Marsh Limited, Marsh Limited [Fiji], Marsh Limited [New Zealand], Marsh Limited [PNG], Marsh Ltd. [Wisconsin], Marsh Management Services (Bahamas) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Dublin) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Labuan) Limited, Marsh Management Services (MENA) Limited, Marsh Management Services (USVI) Ltd., Marsh Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Management Services Guernsey Limited, Marsh Management Services Inc., Marsh Management Services Isle of Man Limited, Marsh Management Services Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Marsh Management Services Malta Limited, Marsh Management Services Singapore Pte. Ltd., Marsh Management Services Sweden AB, Marsh Marine & Energy AB, Marsh Marine Nederland B.V., Marsh Medical Consulting GmbH, Marsh Mercer Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Marsh Nest Inc., Marsh Oman LLC, Marsh Oy, Marsh PB Co. Ltd., Marsh Philippines Inc., Marsh Privat A.I.E., Marsh Private Client Life Insurance Services, Marsh Pty. Ltd., Marsh Qatar LLC, Marsh RE S.A.C. Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh Rehder Consultoria S.A. (MRC), Marsh Rehder S.A. Corredores de Seguros, Marsh Resolutions Pty Limited, Marsh Risk Consulting B.V., Marsh Risk Consulting Limitada, Marsh Risk Consulting Ltda., Marsh Risk Consulting S.L., Marsh Risk Consulting Services S.r.L., Marsh Risk and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, Marsh S.A. Corredores De Seguros, Marsh S.A. Mediadores de Seguros, Marsh S.A.S., Marsh S.p.A., Marsh SA [Argentina], Marsh SA [Belgium], Marsh SA [Luxembourg], Marsh SA [Uruguay], Marsh SIA, Marsh Saldana Inc., Marsh Saudi Arabia Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers, Marsh Secretarial Services Limited, Marsh Semusa S.A., Marsh Services Limited, Marsh Services Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Marsh Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Szolgaltato Kft., Marsh Takaful Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Treasury Services (Dublin) Limited (in liquidation), Marsh Treasury Services Limited, Marsh Tunisia S.a.r.l., Marsh UK Limited, Marsh USA (India) Inc., Marsh USA Borrower LLC, Marsh USA Inc., Marsh Uganda Limited, Marsh Venezuela C.A. Sociedad de Corretaje de Seguros, Marsh Vietnam Insurance Broking Company Ltd, Marsh Zambia Limited, Marsh Zimbabwe Holdings (Private) Limited, Marsh d.o.o. Beograd, Marsh d.o.o. za posredovanje u osiguranju, Marsh for Insurance Services - Jordan, Marsh i-Connect (Pty) Ltd, Marsh s.r.o., Matthiessen Assurans AB, Mercer (Argentina) S.A., Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer (Austria) GmbH, Mercer (Belgium) SA-NV, Mercer (Canada) Limited/Mercer (Canada) Limitee, Mercer (China) Limited, Mercer (Colombia) Ltda., Mercer (Danmark) A/S, Mercer (Finland) OY, Mercer (France) SAS, Mercer (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer (Ireland) Limited, Mercer (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Mercer (N.Z.) Limited, Mercer (Nederland) B.V., Mercer (Norge) AS, Mercer (Polska) Sp.z o.o., Mercer (Portugal) Lda, Mercer (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer (Sweden) AB, Mercer (Taiwan) Ltd., Mercer (Thailand) Ltd., Mercer (US) Inc., Mercer Administration Services (Australia) Pty Limited, Mercer Africa Limited, Mercer Agente de Seguros S.A. de C.V., Mercer Asesores de Seguros S.A., Mercer Asesores es Inversion Independientes S.A. de C.V., Mercer Broking Ltd., Mercer Career Unipessoal Lda, Mercer Consultation (Quebec) Ltee., Mercer Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Consulting (Chile) Limitada, Mercer Consulting (France) SAS, Mercer Consulting (India) Private Limited, Mercer Consulting B.V., Mercer Consulting Group Inc., Mercer Consulting Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Mercer Consulting Limited, Mercer Consulting Middle East Limited, Mercer Consulting S.L.U., Mercer Consulting Venezuela C.A., Mercer Corredores de Seguros Limitada, Mercer Corretora de Seguros Ltda, Mercer Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi, Mercer Deutschland GmbH, Mercer Employee Benefits - Medicacao de Seguros Unipessoal Lda., Mercer Employee Benefits Limited, Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Financial Services Limited, Mercer Financial Services Limited liability company, Mercer Financial Services Middle East Limited, Mercer Global Investments Europe Limited, Mercer Global Investments Management Limited, Mercer HR Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer HR Services LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, Mercer Holdings Inc., Mercer Holdings Inc. [Philippines], Mercer Human Resource Consulting Ltda, Mercer Human Resource Consulting S.A. de C.V., Mercer ICC Limited, Mercer Investment Consulting Limited, Mercer Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mercer Investment Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Investments (Australia) Limited, Mercer Investments (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer Investments (Japan) Ltd, Mercer Investments (New Zealand) Limited, Mercer Investments LLC, Mercer Ireland Holdings Limited, Mercer Italia Srl Socio Unico, Mercer Japan Ltd., Mercer Korea Co. Ltd., Mercer LLC, Mercer Limited, Mercer MC Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer Master Trustees Limited, Mercer Mauritius Ltd., Mercer Oliver Wyman Holding B.V., Mercer Outsourcing (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Outsourcing S.L.U., Mercer Pensionsfonds AG, Mercer Pensionsraadgivning A/S, Mercer Philippines Inc., Mercer Private Investment Partners IV General Partner S.a.r.l., Mercer Private Markets AG, Mercer Private Markets Advisers (US) AG, Mercer Services Poland Sp. z.o.o., Mercer Sigorta Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Mercer South Africa (Pty) Limited, Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited, Mercer Switzerland Inc., Mercer System Services LLC, Mercer Technology Acquisitions Limited, Mercer Treuhand GmbH, Mercer Trust Company LLC, Mercer Trustees Limited, Mercer WorkforcePro LLC, Mercury Insurance Services Pty Ltd, Moola Systems Limited, Mountlodge Limited, Muir Beddal (Zimbabwe) Limited, NERA Australia Pty. Ltd., NERA Economic Consulting GmbH, NERA Economic Consulting Limited, NERA S.R.L., NERA SAS, NERA UK Limited, NERA do Brasil Ltda. (for dissolution), National Economic Research Associates Inc., NetComp Insurance Corp., Neuburger Noble Lowndes GmbH, Normandy Reinsurance Company Limited, Northern Alliance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), OWL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co.KG, OWL Marine Verwaltungs GmbH, Oliver Wyman (Bermuda) Limited, Oliver Wyman (Hong Kong) Limited, Oliver Wyman AB, Oliver Wyman AG, Oliver Wyman Actuarial Consulting Inc., Oliver Wyman B.V., Oliver Wyman Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Oliver Wyman Consultoria em Estrategia de Negocios Ltda., Oliver Wyman Energy Consulting Limited, Oliver Wyman FZ-LLC, Oliver Wyman Group KK, Oliver Wyman Inc., Oliver Wyman LLC, Oliver Wyman Limited, Oliver Wyman Limited Liability Company, Oliver Wyman Limited/Oliver Wyman limitee, Oliver Wyman Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pte. Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pty. Ltd., Oliver Wyman S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman S.A.S., Oliver Wyman S.L., Oliver Wyman S.r.l., Oliver Wyman SNC, Oliver Wyman SPRL/BVBA, Oliver Wyman Sdn. Bhd., Oliver Wyman Services Limited, Oliver Wyman Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman sp. z o.o., Omega Indemnity (Bermuda) Limited, Organizacion Brockman y Schuh S.A. de C.V., Osbornes Insurances Oxford Limited (in liquidation), PFT Limited, PI Indemnity Company Designated Activity Company, PT JLT Reinsurance Brokers, PT Jardine Lloyd Thompson, PT Marsh Indonesia, PT Marsh Reinsurance Brokers Indonesia, PT Mercer Indonesia, PT Nexus Asia Pacific, PT Oliver Wyman Indonesia, PT Quantum Computing Services, PT Quantum Investments, PT Quantum Support Services, Pallas Marsh Servicos Ltda., Pavilion Alternatives Group (Singapore) PTE. Ltd, Pavilion Financial Corporation Holdings UK Limited, Pavilion U.S. Investments Holdco LLC, Pension Trustees Limited, Pensionsservice Benefit Network Sverige AB, Perils AG, Personal Pension Trustees Limited, Pet Animal Welfare Scheme Limited, Portsoken Trustees (No. 2) Limited, Portsoken Trustees Limited, Potomac Insurance Managers Inc., Premier Pension Trustees Limited, Premium Services Australia Pty Limited, Professional Claims Handling Limited (in liquidation), Profund Solutions Limited, Promerit AG, Promerit Hungary Kft, Promerit Schweiz AG, Pymetrics Inc., R G Ford Brokers Limited, R R B Beratungsgesellschaft fuer Altersversorgung mbh, R. Mees & Zoonen Holdings B.V., Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters LLC, Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters Limited, Resource Benefit Associates, Rightpath Reinsurance SPC Ltd., Risk Management Australia Pty Limited, Rivers Group Limited, Rockefeller Risk Advisors Inc., Rutherfoord International Inc., SAFCAR-Marsh, SBJ Holdings Limited, SCIB (Bermuda) Limited, SCM Global Real Estate Select GP LLC, SCM Infrastructure General Partner S.a r.l., SCM International Private Equity Select III GP LLC, SCM LT General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE II GP Ltd., SCM PE II Scotland GP Ltd, SCM Strategic Capital Management (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., SICAR Marsh S.a.r.l., SME Insurance Services Limited, Sail Insurance Company Limited, Scalene Re Ltd, Seabury & Smith Borrower LLC, Seabury & Smith LLC, Secure Limited, Sedgwick (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Consulting Group Limited, Sedgwick Dineen Group Limited, Sedgwick Financial Services Limited, Sedgwick Forbes Middle East Limited, Sedgwick Group, Sedgwick Group (Australia) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Group (Bermuda) Limited, Sedgwick Group (Zimbabwe) Limited, Sedgwick Group Limited, Sedgwick Internationaal B.V., Sedgwick Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Singapore) Pte Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes (UK) Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Group Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Limited, Sedgwick Overseas Investments Limited, Sedgwick Private Limited, Sedgwick Re Asia Pacific (Consultants) Pte Ltd (for dissolution), Sedgwick Trustees Limited, Sedgwick UK Risk Services Limited, Sedgwick Ulster Pension Trustees Limited, Settlement Trustees Limited, Shanghai Mercer Insurance Brokers Company Ltd., Shorewest Insurance Associates LLC, Sirota Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Sirota Consulting UK Limited, Smith Long Term Disability Management Group Inc., Societe d'Assurances et de Participation Guian SA, Software Underwriting Systems Limited (in liquidation), Southern Marine & Aviation Inc., Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters Inc., Sudzucker Versicherungs-Vermittlungs GmbH, Sumitomo Life Insurance Agency America Inc., Sylvite Financial Services, TBX Solutions Limited, Talent Tech Labs LLC, The Benefit Express Holdings Limited, The Benefit Express Limited, The Carpenter Management Corporation, The Insurance Partnership Holdings Limited, The Insurance Partnership Services Limited, The Positive Ageing Company Limited, The Purple Partnership Limited, The Recovre Group Pty Ltd, Thomsons Online Benefits (HK) Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits Inc., Thomsons Online Benefits Limited, Thomsons Online Benefits Pte Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits S.R.L, Torrent Government Contracting Services LLC, Torrent Insurance Services LLC, Torrent Technologies, Torrent Technologies Inc., Tower Hill Limited, Tower Place Developments (West) Limited, Tower Place Developments Limited, U.T.E. AMG, U.T.E. Marsh - Caja Castilla La Mancha Junta de Comunidades, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus (in liquidation), U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus 2012, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Vila-Seca 2010, UAD BB Marsh Lietuva, Vezina & Associes Inc., Vezina Assurances Inc., Victor Insurance Europe B.V., Victor Insurance Holdings Inc., Victor Insurance Italia S.r.l., Victor Insurance Managers Inc., Victor Insurance Managers Inc./Gestionnaires d'assurance Victor inc., Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd., Victor O. Schinnerer & Company Limited, Victoria Hall Company Limited, Wellnz Limited, William M. Mercer (Canada) Limited/William M. Mercer (Canada) Limitee, William M. Mercer AB, William M. Mercer Comercio Consultoria e Servicos Ltda., Wortham Insurance & Risk Management, everBe SAS, and realright GmbH. Read More Stakeholders blame lack of coordination among govt agencies Lack of coordination among more than 30 government authorities present at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has led to rampant smuggling, stakeholders have said. The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Dosatron International SAS, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Proprietary Limited, FlexEnergy Holdings LLC, Frigoblock Grosskopf Gmbh, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First (UK) Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings II Inc., GD Global Holdings Inc., GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., GPS Industries, Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Tyson Foods: APF Legacy Subs LLC, Advance Food Company LLC, AdvancePierre Foods, AdvancePierre Foods Holdings Inc., AdvancePierre Foods Inc., Aidells Sausage Company Inc., Allied Specialty Foods Inc., American Proteins Inc, Artisan Bread Co. LLC, Australian Food Corporation Pty Limited, Australian Food Corporation Trust, BRF, Barber Foods LLC, Bosco's Pizza Co., Bryan Foods Inc., C.S. Grain LLC, C.V. Holdings Inc., CBFA Management Corp., Central Industries Inc., Chefs Pantry LLC, Clovervale Farms LLC, Cobb (Hubei) Breeding Co. Ltd., Cobb (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Cobb Ana Damizlik Tavukculuk Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cobb Columbia S.A.S., Cobb Europe B.V., Cobb Europe Limited, Cobb Peru (Andina) S.A.C., Cobb-Heritage LLC, Cobb-Vantress Brasil Ltda, Cobb-Vantress Inc., Cobb-Vantress New Zealand Limited, Cobb-Vantress Philippines Inc., Coominya AFC Pty Limited, Coominya AFC Trust, DFG Foods Inc., DFG Foods L.L.C., Don Julio, Egbert LLC, Equity Group - Georgia Division LLC, Equity Group - Kentucky Division LLC, Equity Group Eufaula Division LLC, Equity Meat Corp., Flavor Corp., Flavor Holdings Inc., Foodbrands America Inc., Foodbrands Supply Chain Services Inc., Gallo Salame Inc., Global Employment Services Inc., Grow-Out Credit LLC, Grow-Out Holdings LLC, Haimen Tyson Poultry Development Co. Ltd, Hudson Foods Company, Hudson Midwest Foods Inc., Hybro Genetics Brasil Ltda, IBP Caribbean Inc., IBP Foodservice L.L.C., IBP Inc., International Affiliates & Investment LLC, Jiangsu Tyson Foods Co. Ltd, Keydutch Finance B.V., Keydutch Holdings I LLC, Keydutch Holdings II LLC, Keydutch Investments B.V., Keystone CLJV Holdings Limited, Keystone County House Road LLC, Keystone Foods, Keystone Foods (AP) Limited, Keystone Foods Holdco LLC, Keystone Foods Intermediate LLC, Keystone Foods LLC, Keystone Foods Pty Limited, Keystone Management Inc., Keystone Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, LD Foods LLC, M & M Express LLC, M&M Restaurant Supply (MI/OH) LLC, MFG (USA) Holdings Inc., Mac Food Services (Malaysia) SDN. BHD., Madison Foods Inc., McKey Food Services (Hong Kong) Limited, McKey Food Services (Shandong) Limited, McKey Food Services (Thailand) Limited, McKey Food Services Limited, McKey Luxembourg Holdings APMEA S.a.r.l., McKey Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., McKey Luxembourg S.a.r.l., McKey VI Holdings Limited, Myung Seung Food Company Ltd., National Comp Care Inc., New Canada Holdings Inc., Oaklawn Capital Corporation, Oaklawn IT Solution Private Limited, Original Philly Holdings Inc., PBX inc., Pierre Holdco Inc., River Valley Ingredients LLC, Rizhao Tyson Foods Co. Ltd, Rizhao Tyson Poultry Co. Ltd, Rural Energy Systems Inc., Sara Lee - Kiwi Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Diversified LLC, Sara Lee Foods LLC, Sara Lee Household & Body Care Malawi Ltd., Sara Lee International LLC, Sara Lee International TM Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Mexicana Holdings Investment L.L.C., Sara Lee TM Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Trademark Holdings Australasia LLC, Saramar L.L.C., Shandong Tyson-Da Long Food Company Limited, Smart Chicken, Southern Family Foods L.L.C., Southwest Products LLC, TF 20 B.V., TF 5201 B.V., TFA Leasing LLC, TFA Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, TFI of California Inc., Tecumseh Poultry LLC, Texas Transfer Inc., The Bruss Company, The Hillshire Brands Company, The IBP Foods Co., The Pork Group Inc., TyNet Corporation, Tyson (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Tyson Americas Holding Sarl, Tyson Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Tyson Breeders Inc., Tyson Chicken Inc., Tyson China Holding 2 Limited, Tyson China Holding 3 Limited, Tyson China Holding Limited, Tyson Deli Inc., Tyson Europe Holding Company, Tyson Farms Inc., Tyson Farms QOZB LLC, Tyson Foods Brasil Investimentos Ltda., Tyson Foods Canada Inc., Tyson Foods Europe (Netherlands) B.V., Tyson Foods Europe GmbH, Tyson Foods France S.A.R.L., Tyson Foods Germany GmbH, Tyson Foods Group Limited, Tyson Foods Holland B.V., Tyson Foods Huadong Development Co. Ltd, Tyson Foods Iberia Alimentos S.L.U., Tyson Foods Italia S.p.A., Tyson Foods Korea, Tyson Foods Netherlands B.V., Tyson Foods Products Limited, Tyson Foods Scotland Europe Limited, Tyson Foods Scotland Sales (Europe) Limited, Tyson Foods UK Limited, Tyson Foods Wrexham Limited, Tyson Foods oosterwolde B.V., Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats Sales and Distribution LLC, Tyson Global Holding Sarl, Tyson Hog Markets Inc., Tyson India Holdings Ltd., Tyson International APAC Ltd., Tyson International Company Ltd., Tyson International Holding Company, Tyson International Holding Sarl, Tyson International Service Center Inc., Tyson International Service Center Inc. Asia, Tyson International Service Center Inc. Europe, Tyson Mexican Original Inc., Tyson Mexico Trading Company S. de R.L. de CV., Tyson New Ventures LLC, Tyson Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, Tyson Pet Products Inc., Tyson Poultry Inc., Tyson Prepared Foods Inc., Tyson Processing Services Inc., Tyson Refrigerated Processed Meats Inc., Tyson Sales and Distribution Inc., Tyson Service Center Corp., Tyson Shared Services Inc., Tyson Storm Lake Holdings LLC, Tyson Warehousing Services LLC, Tyson of Wisconsin LLC, Uninex SA, Universal Meats (UK) Limited, WBA Analytical Laboratories Inc., Wilton Foods Inc., Xamol Consultores e Servicos, and Zemco Industries Inc.. Read More What will happen to facilities enjoyed by unfit Karki? Two days after the Supreme Court (SC) annulled Lokman Singh Karkis appointment as the chief commissioner of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), declaring him unfit to hold the post, questions are being raised about the facilities he had enjoyed. And more than that, there are issues related to propriety. The state's environment cabinet has awarded more than $1 million in grants to Kentucky counties to clean up illegal dumps across the state. Energy and Environment Secretary Charles Snavely announced Monday that $1.06 million in grant funding will be distributed to 25 counties to help remediate more than 100 illegal open dumps. The money for the Illegal Open Dump Grant program comes from the Kentucky Pride Fund, collected from a $1.75 fee for every ton of garbage disposed of at municipal solid waste facilities. To qualify for the funding, counties must agree to match 25 percent of the grant amount. The Energy and Environment Cabinet can choose to waive the match on an illegal dump that costs more than $50,000 to remediate. A Michigan doctor accused of sexually abusing gymnasts has been hit with a new lawsuit by 18 women and girls who say they were molested by him, mostly at his clinic at Michigan State University. The lawsuit against Dr. Larry Nassar was filed Tuesday in federal court in western Michigan. It also names Michigan State and USA Gymnastics. Nassar was affiliated with the group. Rachael Denhollander of Kentucky says she was sexually assaulted by Nassar in 2000 when she was 15. The Associated Press usually doesn't name people who allege sexual abuse, but Denhollander is talking publicly about the lawsuit. Nassar now faces at least five lawsuits. Through lawyers, he's denied the allegations. He's also charged with possessing child pornography and sexually assaulting a girl at his Lansing-area home. Nassar is in jail without bond. W&M Libraries acquires rare book on natural history Title page of Ferdinand Seidels "Natural History in copper plates, with explanatory text following Buffon" Image courtesy of W&M Libraries Photo - of - Hide Caption William & Mary Libraries recently acquired an 1805 edition of Ferdinand Seidels Naturhistorisches Kupferwerk: mit erklarendem Texte nach Buffon, or Natural History in copper plates, with explanatory text following Buffon. The edition is the only one in the U.S. and one of three in the world belonging to a library, according to WorldCats global library catalog. Not only very rare, it appears the edition has had several owners closely connected to the court of Crown Prince Ferdinand of Denmark in the 19th century. The book bears the signatures of G. Muller and E. Bodenhoff. During research conducted as part of the cataloging process, we found that Muller and Bodenhoff are most likely General Frederik Gotthold von Muller and Ernst Emil Bodenhoff, both of whom were connected to the royal court of Denmark, Mueller as courtier and Bodenhoff as his biographer, said Archivist Ute Schechter. Schechter credits Ellen Cloyed, library specialist in the cataloging department, for her diligent work in tracing the ownership. Unlike Buffons 10-volume standard scientific work, Seidels one volume (the planned second volume was never published) intended to reach a more general audience: lovers and amateurs of natural history, as well as juveniles. Newspaper advertising and reviews emphasize that the heavily illustrated volume would both educate and entertain. Given that there are more copperplate engravings 179 than pages of explanatory text 155 Seidel was likely right on track to achieve that goal, said Schechter. Reviews praise the quality and quantity of the illustrations, though at least one reviewer would have preferred if Seidel had copied not the black and white "Buffon-style" illustrations but instead had chosen illuminated copperplates. Nevertheless, the artists and engravers of Seidels natural history volume were well-known men, like Jacques de Seve, Jean-Baptiste Oudry, Johann Martin Bernigeroth and maybe more surprisingly, at least one women: Johanna Dorothea Phillip, who had learned the art of copperplate engraving from her father, Johann Christoph Sysang. Now more than 200 years after Seidels Natural History was first published, the library is doing its part to assure the enduring value of the volume, so it can continue to fulfill the authors mission to educate and entertain, said Schechter. Library users can view the book in Swem Librarys Special Collections Research Center. For more information, contact spcoll@wm.edu 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 US regulator has no safety concerns over Areva-supplied parts 11 January 2017 Share A list of large reactor components supplied to US nuclear power plants by Areva's Creusot Forge in France has been released by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). However, the regulator said it has no immediate safety concerns regarding the parts supplied to 17 US reactors. The upper and bottom heads of the reactor pressure vessel for the EPR under construction as unit 3 of France's Flamanville site were manufactured at the Creusot facility in September 2006 and January 2007, respectively. A high carbon content in those parts prompted Areva to review the company's quality process in 2015. In May 2016, the French nuclear safety regulator said the ongoing quality audit at the Creusot forge - which Areva bought in 2006 - had identified "irregularities" in paperwork on some 400 plant components produced there since 1965. The issues "comprise inconsistencies, modifications or omissions in the production files, concerning manufacturing parameters and test results", it said. The NRC said Areva provided a list of US reactors for which vendors placed orders for forgings from Creusot Forge. The list shows that components with forgings from Creusot Forge were supplied to 17 reactors at 13 US sites, directly by Areva or through third-party vendors. The components, it said, are mostly replacement reactor vessel heads, replacement steam generator components or pressurizers. The NRC said it informed Areva on 30 December of its intention to publish the list of components. In a 10 January statement, Areva said it supported the release of this information. Areva noted that not all of the components supplied to US plants were installed or put into service. It added, "First and foremost, evaluations to this point confirm the quality and safety of components that Areva directly provided to US utilities." In a blog post, NRC public affairs officer David McIntyre said: "We are confident at this time that there are no safety concerns for US nuclear power plants raised by the investigations in France." He added, "Our confidence is based on the US material qualification process, preliminary structural evaluations of reactor components under scrutiny in France, US material aging-management programs, our participation in a multinational inspection of Creusot Forge, and information supplied by Areva about the documentation anomalies. Also, the components supplied to US plants have performed well and inspections during their operating life have revealed no safety issues." McIntyre said, "Because there are no immediate safety concerns, there is no justification for the NRC to order plants to shut down or inspect components, as some groups have suggested." However, he noted, "Should new information raise a specific safety concern, the agency will take appropriate action." Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics The Gobi Desert is a vast desert spanning parts of Southern Mongolia and Northern China. The word "Gobi" itself means very large and dry in the Mongolian language. Rocky outcrops and barren gravel plains constitute the landscape of the Gobi Desert. The summer temperatures of the desert rise as high as 40C and winters might experience temperature falls as low as -40C (-40F). The Gobi Desert area was once home to dinosaurs and now hosts several dinosaur fossil sites of great value to paleontologists. However, although the Gobi Desert is the largest desert in Asia, occupying an area of 1,300,000 square km, and has a harsh climate, it still hosts a significant diversity of species. The animals inhabiting the Gobi Desert are well-adapted to survive in the extreme desert climate. Some of the iconic species living in the Gobi Desert are the snow leopard, black-tailed gazelle, Gobi viper, jerboa, Gobi bear, Gobi ibex, wild Bactrian camel, and more. Here we list the animals living in the Gobi Desert. 10. Jerboa - A jerboa. Image credit: Iman.Ebrahimi/Shutterstock.com The jerboas are hopping desert rodents that live throughout parts of Northern Africa and Asia, and are also found in the Gobi Desert. The jerboa prefers to inhabit hot desert habitats. These animals are fast runners and can run when chased at up to 24 km per hour. Jerboas also possess a strong sense of hearing. These animals eat plants, beetles, insects, etc. 9. Gobi Pit Viper - Central Asian Pitviper (Gloydius intermedius), Nemegt, Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Image credit: Nick Longrich/Wikimedia.org The Gobi pit viper (G. i. stejnegeri) is a venomous subspecies of the Central Asian pit viper Gloydius intermedius. The Gobi pit viper can be sighted at the edges of the Gobi Desert. The range of this snake stretches from the southeastern parts of Inner Mongolia into China. 8. Wild Bactrian Camel - A wild Bactrian camel in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Image credit: joyfull/Shutterstock.com Another iconic animal of the Gobi Desert is the wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus). These camels are large, even-toed ungulates which live in the central Asian steppes and are characterized by a double hump. These camels were thought to have descended from the domestic camels that escaped to establish feral populations. However, recent scientific research has suggested that wild Bactrian camels diverged as a separate species long before domestication. Today, these wild animals have a very restricted range in the wild, remote parts of the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts. These camels wander for long distances in groups of 2 to 15 members or even more. The wild Bactrian camels are a critically endangered species today, and only about 1,400 individuals remain in the wild today. Hunting, poaching, wolf attacks, hybridization with domestic camels are the factors catalyzing the disappearance of the Bactrian camels. 7. Golden Eagle - A golden eagle in the Gobi. Image credit: De Visu/Shutterstock.com The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the most notable birds that can be viewed soaring in the sky above the Gobi Desert. The bird of prey build nests at high altitudes in the desert, and feeds on the rodents and other small mammals, reptiles, etc., living in the desert. 6. Mongolian Wild Ass - Mongolian wild ass (Equus hemionus hemionus), also known as Mongolian khulan in early spring. Image credit: Popova Valeriya/Shutterstock.com The Mongolian wild ass (Equus hemionus hemionus) is found in northern China and Mongolia. The animal is a herbivore which can live on the sparse vegetation found in the arid habitat of the Gobi Desert. The Mongolian wild ass was recorded as a Near Threatened species by the IUCN in 2015, and about 23,000 mature individuals are estimated to live in the wild. Poaching and competition for food offered by grazing livestock are the two biggest threats to the Mongolian wild ass population. 5. Gobi Ibex - Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), also Altai or Gobi ibex is found in the Gobi Desert. Image credit: Igor Pushkarev/Shutterstock.com The Gobi ibex is a species of wild goat that lives in the mountains of the Gobi Desert in Mongolias south and southwest region. The length of the ibex varies between 4.3 feet and 5.5 feet, and the body color is light brown. Sadly, the animal is hunted for pleasure and organized hunts of the Gobi ibex are arranged by the trophy hunting industry operating in the region. 4. Marbled Polecat - A marbled polecat. Image credit: Zhiltsov Alexandr/Shutterstock.com The marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) is a small mammal that is found in the arid, semi-arid, and grassland habitat of western China and southeastern Europe including the Gobi Desert. The cats can easily adapt themselves to a wide variety of habitats and can also survive in open deserts. The animals feed on rodents, insects, and birds in their habitat. The marbled polecat is classified as a vulnerable species due to a 30% reduction in the population of this species because of a declining prey base and habitat destruction. 3. Black-Tailed Gazelle - A black-tailed gazelle. Image credit: yabaninizinde/Shutterstock.com The black-tailed gazelle or the goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) is an animal living in the Gobi Desert and is also found in parts of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkey. Within its range, the goitered gazelle inhabits limestone plateau and gravel plains and migrate seasonally in search of food. 2. Gobi Bear - The Gobi bear (Ursus arctos gobiensis) is a brown bear subspecies that is found in the Gobi Desert region of Mongolia. It is the rarest subspecies of bear and is listed as Critically Endangered. Gobi bears are omnivorous in nature and consume roots, berries, plants, and occasionally large mammals. Adult Gobi bears weigh around 96.0 to 138.0 kg and females weigh around 51.0 to 78.0 kg. 1. Snow Leopard - A pair of snow leopard. Image credit: Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock.com Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is the top predator in the Gobi Desert. The animal is distributed in many parts of Central and South Asia and is also present in the Gobi Deserts mountain ranges such as the Tian Shan range. The Gobi ibex serves as the main prey of the snow leopard. Male snow leopards can attain a length of 1.3 meters and weigh about 57 kg. Female leopards are, however, relatively smaller in size. The animals are highly endangered, and fewer than 500 are left in the Gobi Desert. Hunting by humans and human-animal conflict has triggered the population decline of these leopards. Lionel Desmond with his daughter By: Wayne Morin WorldWideWeirdNews.com A family in Canada, was found dead and police said that they were killed during a domestic violence incident. The Family of Nova Scotia, was killed by a former soldier who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving his country during his tour in Afghanistan. Lionel Desmond shot and killed his wife Shanna, their 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah, and his mother Brenda. After they were all dead, the 33-year-old man committed suicide in the village of Upper Big Tracadie. The funerals for the four will be paid for by the federal government. Desmond received treatment after his tour in Afghanistan in 2007 when he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, his family members claim that the treatment was not enough to heal him, particularly upon his return to the island of Nova Scotia 18 months ago. His family said that the debilitating mental illness and the lack of treatment, were the main reasons for Desmonds terrible actions. Angela Diaz (left) Michelle Hadley By: Mahesh Sarin WorldWideWeirdNews.com (Scroll down for video) A woman of California, was arrested after being accused of posting advertisements on Craigslist, asking men to rape her former boyfriendas new wife. However, three months after her arrest, all charges against her were dropped and her former boyfriendas wife, who claimed to be the victim, was arrested. The ordeal began when 31-year-old Angela Diaz, who is the wife of a U.S. Marshal, filed a complaint with police, saying that two men came to her home and attempted to rape her. The men told Diaz that they were responding to her Craigslist ad, in which she was seeking men to rape her as part of a fantasy. Diaz told police that her husbandas former girlfriend Michelle Hadley of Ontario, was the one who posted the ads to Craigslist. Hadley was arrested, and she was held for three months in prison before being exonerated. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said in a press release that Diaz was arrested and that aHadley is an innocent victim of a diabolical scheme.a Rackauckas said that Diaz went to great lengths to frame Hadley by posing as her in emails and on Craigslist. However, the scene was uncovered by detectives and Diaz was arrested. She was charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, falsely reporting crimes, perjury, grand theft and forgery among other charges. She was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, where she is awaiting extradition. A woman in Nigeria, filed for divorce because her husband refused to stop having sex with her young daughter, according to court documents. Olamide Bola of Akure, filed for divorce in the family court on Tuesday. She told the court that her husband, Ogunlana Bola, began having sex with her 11-year-old daughter months ago. He kept having sex with the girl despite her pleas for him to stop. This week, she decided to divorce in order to save her daughter from the abuse. The two have been married for five years, and they have a 4-year-old son. The woman also claimed that she can no longer tolerate her husband wild sexual demands towards her or her daughter. Check The Waiting Times of Your Nearest Emergency Department Via App! This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 11th, 2017 People in North Wales who need treatment for an injury can now get up to the minute information on waiting times for Emergency Departments via their smartphone or tablet. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has teamed up with the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust who have developed an app that allows people find out how many people are waiting at different and hospitals and the current waiting times for patients needing non-urgent treatment. For example a person wishing to visit the Wrexham Maelor Emergency Department can search for the hospital on the app and see the current wait time and how many people are currently waiting to be seen. The Live Wait Times app, which can be downloaded for free from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, also provides opening times, contact details and directions to the different units, as well as outlining the types of care they provide. Liz Rix, Chief Nurse at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, said: This is an innovative way of helping the public choose which health provider best suits their needs, whether thats an A&E or a local minor injuries unit. Its often the case that patients with minor conditions can be treated without the need to visit an acute hospital. The app gives real-time information on waiting times and show how busy the departments are at any time during the day. This is about empowering patients to make the most appropriate choice for them. North Wales is the first area to join in with this development since it was initially set up for Staffordshire. It is hoped that by making this information easily available to the public, will help people choose the best place to get help when they have suffered an injury. Even if it involves a longer journey, in many cases more rapid care is available by going to a Minor Injuries Unit, rather than a major hospital Emergency Department which always has to prioritise the care of people with urgent and potentially life-threatening conditions. Nigel Lee, who is the Health Boards Director of Secondary Care said: With the winter upon us we know that our Emergency Departments are going to be incredibly busy over the next three months, dealing with many people who are seriously ill. This can mean that people whose conditions are not urgent can face long waits to be seen. But the NHS in Wales offers many ways to get healthcare quickly local pharmacists are qualified health professionals who can advise on treatments for many common illnesses using simple over-the-counter remedies, while our minor injuries units are a way for people who have suffered less-serious injuries to get the care they need. This app is a great way for people who have been injured to work out where is the best place to go to get seen with a minimum of delay. The app can be downloaded for free right now from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store by searching for Live Wait Times. A version for Windows phones will also be developed. Update: We have had a fiddle and created a bot that puts the info for the Maelor on twitter https://twitter.com/WrexMaelorBot Tweets by WrexMaelorBot A tragedy that took place at the beginning of January in Upper Big Tracadie, a small and isolated town in northeastern Nova Scotia, has shed light on the consequences of the increasingly aggressive domestic and foreign policies of the Canadian ruling elite. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed last Friday that 33-year-old Afghan war veteran Lionel Desmond shot himself after killing his mother, Brenda, 52; his wife, Shanna Desmond, 31; and their 10-year-old daughter, Aliyah. The murder-suicide has left the community, located some 200 miles from Halifax, in shock. Relatives confirmed that Desmond suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after he came back from Afghanistan, where he was deployed from January to August of 2007 as an infantry soldier in the Royal Canadian Regiment. He joined the armed forces in 2004 and was released 18 months ago. This latest tragedy is an indictment of the entire ruling class and military apparatus that have used young men and women as cannon fodder to advance Canadas imperialist interests around the globe. When these youth come back home, usually traumatized by the cruelty of war and the atrocities inflicted on the civilian populationoften with their own participationthey are left with inadequate health care and other vital services due to decades of budget cutting by all of the establishment political parties. Desmond wrote on his Facebook page last month that he had hit his head on a light armoured vehicle and suffered back spasms after falling off a wall while in the military. He said he had been told he had post-concussion disorder as well as PTSD. Desmonds sister-in-law explained that he recently decided to stay at his grandparents house because he was getting so out of control, and that he was verbally aggressive with his wife. Rev. Elaine Walcott, another relative, said, Lionel loved his mother, his family, and he was a victim of post-traumatic stress disorder and the memories he didnt want to have. Lionels sister, Cassandra Desmond, told CBC News: My brother suffered in silence for 10 years fighting demons that we dont even know, seeing things, replaying events in his head... According to Shanna Desmonds aunt, Catherine Hartline, when Lionel Desmond returned from Afghanistan he sought treatment in Montreal but did not get the adequate assistance. The poor guy needed help and they sent him up to Montreal and put a little Band-Aid on him and sent him back. It was also revealed that Desmond tried to check himself into a mental health facility at St. Marthas Regional Hospital in Antigonish the day before the tragedy, but he was apparently told there were no beds and that the hospital did not have his files. This revelation prompted Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil to claim that his government, in conjunction with health authorities, would find out what may or may not have happened at St. Marthas. In another token gesture, the Canadian government announced that it would pay the costs of the funeral of Desmond and his family members. The government is clearly seeking to wash its hands of the situation and cover up the fact that the lack of services at St. Martha is the result of years of austerity measures imposed on public services by successive Liberal, Conservative and NDP provincial governments. An emergency room doctor who works at the hospital, Dr. Maureen Allen, told CBC how budget cuts had impacted the services provided. Allen said emergency rooms are inundated with people struggling with mental health and addiction issues, and that the facility no longer has a dedicated budget for mental health services. Under both the previous Harper Conservative government and the current Liberal Trudeau government, Veteran Affairs Canada has slashed millions of dollars, translating into hundreds of job cuts, closed offices that previously provided assistance to veterans and cut back on medical marijuana. In power, the Conservatives eliminated lifetime pensions for Afghanistan veterans and clawed back benefits. The number of VA employees shrank 21 percent between 2008 and 2014, resulting in the departments smallest workforce since 1998. Many ill and injured ex-soldiers must wait for months to find out if they qualify for benefits. Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show that just over half of the 6,000 veterans who applied for disability benefits between April and July last year received a decision within 16 weeks. Veteran services have also been targeted for privatization. The most recent job cuts imposed by the Liberals will now force veterans to deal with Medavie Blue Cross, a for-profit private insurance company, for their benefit claims. According to reports, Desmond received treatment from a joint personnel support unit for a year prior to his release from the military in July 2015. The JPSU, which is meant to provide support to physically and mentally ill soldiers, is severely under-funded. The horrific event in Upper Big Tracadie is the latest in a string of similar tragedies involving war veterans. According to a Globe and Mail investigation, at least 62 soldiers and veterans have killed themselves after serving on the dangerous Afghanistan mission. The most recent reported case took place in 2015, when Robert Giblin, a veteran of two Afghanistan tours, jumped to his death after stabbing his wife and throwing her body from a high-rise apartment in Toronto. Nearly one in 10 Canadian military personnel who took part in the mission in Afghanistan (about 3,600 out of 39,000) are now collecting disability benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, experts say the prevalence of the illness is likely much higher among Canadas combat troops. There are probably many ex-soldiers who have not reached out for benefits, and others who have never been diagnosed. Calls by the media and politicians for better help for veterans are highly hypocritical. Above all, they seek to obscure the real cause of the Upper Big Tracadie tragedy: Canadas participation in imperialist carnage in Central Asia and around the globe. In fact, after wiping their crocodile tears, the Canadian ruling class and the media will continue to push for a more aggressive foreign policy. The Afghan war played a critical role in the reassertion of aggressive Canadian militarism. It marked the definitive end of a period in which, for their own geopolitical interests, the Canadian ruling class presented itself on the global stage as a peacekeeping nation. Military strategists and government advisers celebrated the Afghan intervention, which saw the Canadian Armed Forces assume the leadership role in counter-insurgency operations in Kandahar. In the words of one official, this was a revolution in Canadian foreign policy. The ruling class is not about to allow what it views as collateral damage to the lives of veterans and their families to get in the way of the ruthless assertion of its interests. Desmonds fateand the high number of soldiers suffering from PTSDpoints to the real character of the Afghan war. Launched in 2001 shortly after September 11 as part of the US-led so-called war on terror, the Afghan war has revealed itself as a neocolonial war in which the major powers sought to destabilize and dominate the entire energy resource-rich region. The Conservatives and the iberals both supported Canadas participation in the war. For its part, the union-backed New Democratic Party, which made the withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan one of its main progressive policy planks, made an about-face in the 2008 election campaign when it sought a coalition with the Liberals and pledged to back Canada playing a leading role in the conflict through 2011. Since then, the Canadian government has joined every military adventure led by the United States. Far from backing down from this war drive, the Trudeau government will soon announce a new deployment of Canadian troops in Africa to join US and French-led counter-insurgency missions and has already sent Canadian forces to Eastern Europe to menace Russia. Last week, Le Monde published extracts of Erreurs fatales, a book released a week ago by investigative journalist Vincent Nouzille. After his first book on this subject in 2015, The Killers of the Republic, Nouzille gives further details in his new book on how President Francois Hollande and top army staff regularly order extrajudicial murders, including of French citizens. According to Fatal Errors, the Socialist Party (PS) government has vastly stepped up the French states murder program, assassinating at least 40 people on Hollandes kill list. This program, carried out behind the backs of the French people and violating basic constitutional rights in a country where the death penalty is illegal, underscores the enormous dangers posed by the crisis of French democracy. Nouzille writes, Since his election in May 2012, Francois Hollande intends to pursue a more martial policy than his predecessors, even if the price to be paid is leaving the strict framework of legality. He has decided to systematically react in this fashion to hostage-taking situations and to attacks that impact on French people throughout the world. Hollande has given a green light to the army and external intelligence agency, the General Directorate for External Security (DGSE), to kill individuals identified as High Value Targets (HVT) or High Value Individuals (HVI). The French daily Le Monde reported, Surrounded by military advisers who tend towards aggressive action, including his personal chief of staff General Benoit Puga, and members of [Defense Minister] Jean-Yves Le Drians staff, Francois Hollande has given clear directives on the matter to the military general staffs and to the DGSE: they have a green light to kill abroad, including through clandestine operations, terrorist leaders and other alleged enemies of France. In The Killers of the Republic, Nouzille exposed the assassination programme of successive French governments. He revealed the existence of a clandestine cell in the DGSE whose commandos are trained to carry out Homo [i.e., homicide] operations. Hollande himself admitted that he had ordered targeted assassinations. Speaking to journalists Gerard Davet and Fabrice Lhomme in their book A president should not say that, released last October, he said: The army, the DGSE have a list of people who presumably were responsible for hostage taking or acts against our interests. I was asked. I said, Well, if you catch them, of course, Hollande said. He has approved at least four targeted killings of Islamists abroad. Nouzille states, however, the extent of the program has been minimized: At least 40 HVT were executed overseas between 2013 and 2016by the army, or the DGSE, or even more directly by allied countries based on intelligence provided by France. This is a tempo of about one operation per montha tempo not seen since the end of the 1950s, during the Algerian war. According to Nouzille, French extrajudicial murders are carefully prepared, based on electronic intelligence, interrogation of prisoners, and imaging analyses. Once identified, the target is tracked in order to select the most opportune time to trigger the assassination. The French army deliberately targeted and extra-judicially murdered a Frenchman, Salim Benghalem, near Raqqa, Syria, on the night of 8-9 October 2015, during the bombing of an Islamic State (IS) training camp. Several relatives of Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the Islamist who took responsibility for a hostage-taking after the attack on the Tiguentourine gas field near Amenas, Algeria, were apparently killed on PS orders. They include Abu Moghren Al-Tounsi, in September 2013; Faycal Boussemane and the Mauritanian Al-Hassan Ould Al-Khalil, the son-in-law and spokesman of Belmokhtar, in November 2013; and Belmokhtars right-hand man, Omar Ould Hamaha, in March 2014. The PS government has defended and promoted extrajudicial killings, claiming that this aims to defend the population from terrorist attack. In opposition to accusations by sections of the judiciary that Hollande is effectively reintroducing the death penalty and moreover without trial, Le Monde notes, As the Elysee [presidential palace] and the general staffs see it, on the other hand, war against far-off, fanatical enemies justifies the primacy of military operations rather than uncertain recourse to French courts. The admission by Le Monde, a paper politically aligned with the PS, that Hollande and his top officials are ordering extrajudicial murders of people a court of law would not convictacting quite literally as judge, jury, and executioneris a warning to the working class. In line with the turn to drone murder and mass surveillance by the United States government and its allies across Europe, Hollande is giving extraordinary powers to the military/intelligence apparatus, laying the basis for the transformation of France into an authoritarian police state. The state murder campaign takes place amid a state of emergency imposed after the 2015 Paris terrorist attack, and amid the development of an unprecedented mass spying program by US and European intelligence agencies, including French intelligence, targeted at the entire population. The observation that the French state is murdering people at a tempo unseen since the Algerian war, when it deployed mass torture against the Algerian people, itself testifies to the escalating criminality of official French politics. No faction in the political establishment is campaigning against the assassinations arbitrarily decided by the executive without even the fig leaf of a legal decision. Extrajudicial executions are systematically hidden from the public. Pseudo-left parties like the New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA), which called for a Hollande vote in the 2012 presidential elections and backed the war in Libya and Syria, are silent on the French states assassination program. The program is not aimed at stopping Islamist terrorist groups, which continue to serve as tools of French and NATO foreign policy in the Syrian war and beyond. Rather, the French state is using the continuing activities of terror networks it is well acquainted with and closely monitors in order to justify the build-up of its police powersincluding, most threateningly, the head of states ability to order murders at will. The terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 were committed by individuals, like the Kouachi brothers involved in the attack on the Charlie Hebdo editorial office, who were well-known to French intelligence authorities. The Islamist networks they were a part of were cultivated by France and other NATO powers as they backed various Islamist elements in the regime change war in Libya and Syria. Speaking on Thursday to Europe1, Nouzille said that many terrorist operatives, from Toulouse shooter Mohamed Merah to the Kouachi brothers who carried out the attack on Charlie Hebdo, were spotted but then disconnected by French intelligence. Since the attack on a Christmas market in Berlin on December 19, 2016, politicians from all of the German parliamentary parties have been vying with each other in their demands for a massive increase in state powers and a harsher crackdown on refugees. The most recent highpoint of this right-wing campaign was an interview with the parliamentary group leader of the Left Party, Sahra Wagenknecht, in the weekly magazine Stern . Wagenknecht ascribes shared responsibility to Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU, Christian Democratic Union) for the terrorist attack in Berlin. There is a shared responsibility, but it is more complex, said Wagenknecht. In addition to the uncontrolled opening up of the [German] borders, the police have been cut to the bone, having neither the staff nor technical equipment appropriate to the risk situation. Wagenknechts call for expanding the police, her cheap propaganda against refugees and her attack on the Merkel government from the right hardly differ from the hate slogans of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Consequently, she promptly received praise from the ranks of the extreme right-wing party. Markus Pretzell, the North Rhine Westphalian state chair of the AfD, and the partner to party chair Frauke Petry, shared Wagenknechts positions on Twitter and described her as a wise woman. Pretzell himself had already sent a provocative Tweet shortly after the attack reading, These are Merkels dead! Although it is now clear that the suspected assassin, Anis Amri, prepared his crime under the noses of the security agencies and was possibly even actively supported by them in order to precipitate a sharp political turn to the right in Germany, Wagenknecht says not a single word about the dubious role of the secret services. Instead, she positions herself at the head of a right-wing campaign and agitates against Merkels refugee policy in best AfD style. In the Stern interview, she castigates the uncontrolled opening up of the [German] borders, which has been criticised throughout Europe. Although there is a fundamental right to asylum in Germany, it was irresponsible to allow a situation where we do not even know who is coming into the country. Wagenknecht further asserted that Merkels uncontrolled opening of the borders created an incentive and lured many refugees into the country thereby generating a lot of uncertainty and anxiety and boosting the AfD. In response to the remark by Stern that Wagenknecht was herself advancing AfD positions, and had been challenged to join the AfD by the spokesman of the ethnic-national wing, Andre Poggenburg, she answered angrily: Shall we cede sovereignty over our positions to the AfD? Can anything that a Poggenburg could concoct, whether right or wrong, no longer be said? That is absurd. We cannot just pretend it was easy to integrate one million people. If we leave the definition of the problems to the AfD, then good night! In reality, the Left Party itself bears full responsibility for the growth of the AfDand this is true in many respects. First, as a party of governmentcurrently in Brandenburg, Thuringia and Berlinit has helped create the social misery driving many workers, especially in eastern Germany, into despair. Second, the fact that it pursues right-wing, capitalist policies under the label of being a left-wing party creates political frustrations that can be exploited by right-wing demagogues. Under conditions of a deepening social and political crisis in Germany and internationally, Wagenknecht and the Left Party increasingly rely on the open xenophobia and nationalism of the extreme right to divide the working class and advance the interests of the German banks and big business against their international competitors. Asked by Stern if as a government politician in a possible SPD-Left Party-Green government there was anything she would not change in this country under any circumstances, because it is so fantastic, Wagenknecht responded: Some things are actually better in Germany than anywhere else. Take the savings banks (Sparkasse), which still halfway know, in contrast to Deutsche Bank, that their job is to be a servant of the real economy. Speaking to Stern regarding foreign policy, Wagenknecht advocated Berlin take an independent line from the US and Russia. Lets not kid ourselves, both the US and Russia operate an imperial policy. Both have not intervened in the Middle East because they are concerned with human rights and democracy. But for zones of influence. In Syria, undoubtedly, war crimes were committed by Russia too, but the indignation of German politicians regarding civilian casualties was fairly implausible as long as Merkel keeps sending the Bundeswehr [Armed Forces] into new wars; and making possible US drone murders with German logistics. To put it plainly: Wagenknecht criticises the Bundeswehr war missions mainly because they are (still) heavily subordinated to American war policy. Once, however, it comes to the implementation of the interests of German imperialism against Washington and Moscow, Wagenknecht will have just as little scruple about sending German soldiers on combat missions abroad and trampling international law and human rights underfoot, as the representatives of the Merkel government. As part of her campaign for a possible coalition with the SPD and Greensthe parties that instigated massive attacks on welfare and workers rights, and sent Germany to war for the first time since 1945Wagenknecht and the Left Party are building links with high-ranking German military figures. For example, in September last year, the Left Party parliamentary group invited the former inspector general of the Bundeswehr and chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Harald Kujat, to their group meeting in Hanover. According to media reports, the invitation of the former highest-ranking German officer was a direct initiative of group chair Wagenknecht. In June, there will be a joint appearance at Ettersburg Castle of Wagenknecht with the right-wing Humboldt Professor Jorg Baberowski, who enjoys close ties to the army, and, among other things, worked for the Military History Research Office (MGFA) on two publications intended as mission orientation for German soldiers. Baberowski has acted as a mouthpiece of the extreme right, incessantly railing against refugees and several times calling for Merkel to resign. Significantly, the subject of the Ettersburg dialogue between Wagenknecht and Baberowski is the centenary of the October Revolution. What brings the former Stalinist Wagenknecht and ex-Maoist Baberowski together, in addition to their rejection of refugees and their penchant for a strong state, is their hostility towards an independent revolutionary movement of the working class, which, in 1917 in Russia under the leadership of the Bolsheviks, foremost Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, conquered political power and overthrew capitalism. This month, 2,000 members of Iron Workers Local 17 of Cleveland, Ohio are being forced by their union to choose whether to lose half of pension benefits on February 1, or all of them when their underfunded multi-employer pension fund runs out of money in 2024. At the same time, 800 Honeywell retirees from UAW Local 533 are bracing for the loss all retiree health benefits. In each case, workers are under attack by the courts, the Republican and Democratic parties, and the trade unions, whose corporatist orientation allowed companies to underfund pensions for decades while the unions were integrating themselves into the structures of management. The voting process thrust upon the Cleveland iron workers is blackmail, and a mockery of democracy. The choice offered to the workers is this: Give up half of pension benefits now, or lose everything in less than a decade. This pits active workers, who will get nothing if the fund goes bankrupt, against retirees, who will be thrust into poverty by the proposed cuts. The 21-day mail-in voting period ends January 20. All votes not received will be counted as votes in favor of the cuts. Of the locals 2,000 voting members, fewer than 700 are active. Of the remaining 1,300, many have either retired or moved to other jobs, making them more difficult to reach, and increasing the likelihood of a yes vote in favor of cuts. The pension payouts for a career Local 17 ironworker currently amount to roughly $2,500 monthly, after a $600 deduction for spouse healthcare. A 50 percent cut would mean an annual income of about $15,000, below the federal poverty level for a family of two. The Iron Workers Local 17 fund currently has $223 million in liabilities with only $90 million in assets, due in large part to a shrinking workforce and decades of underfunding. Iron Workers Local 17 announced the vote on pension cuts in early December 2016, after receiving approval from the US Treasury Department under authority of the Kline-Miller Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (MPRA), sighed by Obama in 2014. This law allows union-run multi-employer pension funds to cut retiree benefits for underfunded pensions, but only if the Treasury Department deems that the cuts would prevent insolvency. The Treasury Department rejected a similar 2016 proposal by the Teamsters Central States, Southeast & Southwest Areas Pension Fund on the grounds that the cuts were unlikely to prevent insolvency. Although the AFL-CIO and individual unions largely voiced opposition to the MPRA, the bill was in fact mostly based on a proposal drafted in 2013 by the National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans and signed by the trade unions themselves, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Pensions for Iron Workers Local 17 retirees are organized through a multi-employer pension fund, common among workers in construction, trucking and other trades in which workers tend to have multiple employers throughout their career. Unlike single-employer pension funds, distressed multi-employer pensions cannot be absorbed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, largely due to concerns that the PBGC, which is itself on course to run out of money within ten years, would be bankrupted by absorbing large multi-employer obligations. Approximately ten million US workers are covered by multi-employer pension funds. Of these, about one million are covered by funds likely to run out of money in the next two decades. The trade unions have profited greatly from these multi-employer funds, which are often operated at least in part by the unions themselves. Over the past several decades the unions have collaborated with management to offload retiree pension and healthcare obligations into similar underfunded entities, some of which unions were able to use as investment vehicles to line their own pockets while imposing cuts to workers benefits. In a particularly striking example, between 2002 and 2005, the United Steelworkers union collaborated with Wilbur Ross, President-elect Trumps pick for Commerce Secretary, to offload over $15 billion in retiree pension and healthcare obligations for hundreds of thousands of steelworkers in this manner, all in the name of improving the international competitiveness of the US steel industry. Meanwhile in Fostoria, Ohio, one hundred miles west of Cleveland, defense and aerospace giant Honeywell is preparing to terminate retiree health benefits for 800 members of UAW Local 533. Honeywell, which sold the now-shuttered Fostoria vehicle components factory in 2011, is arguing, based on contract language, that its healthcare obligations were only valid through the three-year contract period. Workers at the Fostoria plant have held lifetime retiree healthcare since the 1960s, when Ford Motor Company owned the plant. Honeywell purchased it in 1973. In recent decades, workers have given up substantial concessions with the understanding that retiree healthcare was guaranteed for life. If it is indeed true that the latest contract did not include lifetime health insurance, a claim the UAW denies, this is a devastating exposure of the UAW. The UAW has asked Fostoria retirees to rely on the courts, seeking to isolate them from other workers, particularly the 317 Honeywell workers in South Bend, Indiana who spent most of 2016 in contract negotiations, and have been locked out since May 9. On December 16, Senior US District Judge James G. Carr, a Clinton appointee, dismissed a class action lawsuit filed by the UAW against Honeywell, rejecting the claim that contract language guaranteed benefits for life. Similar lawsuits by Honeywell retirees in Michigan won a preliminary injunction on December 14 against analogous benefit cuts for those workers, while a judge in Greenville, Ohio allowed another similar lawsuit by other Honeywell workers to proceed. In each case, the final ruling will be influenced by the Supreme Courts 2015 decision that retiree health benefits be resolved through the ordinary rules of contract negotiation, bucking the previous precedent of operating with the thumb on the scale in favor of retirees. The iron workers and Honeywell retirees are facing precedent-setting attacks through methods that will soon be used to rob millions more workers of their retirement benefits. Under the Obama administration, workers have had eight years of stagnant or falling wages, as well as forced benefit cuts in the auto bailout and the Detroit bankruptcy. The incoming Trump administration and its cabinet of billionaires, warmongers and quasi-fascists is preparing to continue and intensify this war on the working class to boost corporate competitiveness. The corporatist trade unions will continue to serve as willing accomplices in this assault, working to stifle working-class resistance to cuts, smothering strikes and seeking to redirect workers into the dead end of the courts and appeals to management and the Democrats or Republicans. Epitomizing the incestuous relationship between the corporate elite, the political establishment and the unions, Honeywell CEO David Cote, who visited Obamas White House more than 50 times, sits on the White House Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, a corporate competitiveness committee, alongside United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard. Workers and retirees can defend the right to a secure retirement only by exercising their own strength, through democratically-controlled rank-and-file committees, independent of and in opposition to the pro-company trade unions and the whole big-business political establishment. In a town hall event broadcast Monday by CNN, Bernie Sanders praised Donald Trump for bucking the political establishment. He also stressed his willingness to work with the far-right president-elect in implementing an economic nationalist agenda that will pit American workers against their fellow workers in China, Mexico and other countries. The main thrust of Sanders remarks was to assure the incoming administration that he and his Democratic Party allies will do nothing to seriously oppose Trumps right-wing policies. The former challenger for the Democratic presidential nomination, who presented himself as a socialist and opponent of the billionaire class during the primaries, only to endorse and campaign for the corrupt personification of the establishment, Hillary Clinton, emphasized his rejection of the obstructionist and hostile posture adopted by the Republicans toward the Obama presidency. At one point, Sanders declared, Donald Trump did something extraordinary. Trump took on the Republican establishment, took on the Democratic establishment, took on the media establishment and he ended up winning the election to become the president of the United States. At another point he said, I will work with Mr. Trump. I will work with anybody who wants to work together to develop a trade policy which tells corporate America they have to look beyond their greed. This offer of collaboration was addressed to a multi-billionaire speculator who has stacked his cabinet with fellow billionaires, corporate CEOs, ex-generals and ultra-right stooges of the US financial oligarchy. Trump has pledged to drastically slash corporate taxes and income taxes for the wealthy, and has appointed fascistic ideologues who oppose public education, Medicare and Social Security, the minimum wage and all forms of business regulation. So much for telling corporate America to look beyond their greed! With these remarks, Sanders thoroughly discredited his principal justification for supporting Clinton and exhorting his primary voters, particularly young workers and students, to do the same: the claim that a Trump victory would be a catastrophe that had at all costsincluding electing the Wall Street crony Clintonto be prevented. Whats more, he praised Trump for doing what he was not prepared to dooppose the political establishment. These remarks highlighted a performance that thoroughly exposed Sanders unscrupulousness and political bankruptcy. It should be pointed out that the congressional Republicans, on behalf of their far-right agenda, decided to seriously fight Obama despite the fact that Obama had routed his Republican opponent, John McCain, winning both the popular and electoral vote by wide margins. In contrast, Sanders mentioned only in passing the fact that Trump lost the popular vote, never hinting that this deprived the incoming president of a political mandate to impose the far-right policies he has mapped out. In fact, Trump lost by nearly three million votesthe biggest popular vote deficit in US history for a candidate who won the electoral vote. At the same time, Sanders branded Trump as a pathological liar who ran a campaign whose cornerstone was bigotry. He made no attempt to reconcile these charges with his offer to work with the new president. (As in his other post-election appearances, Sanders dropped the term working class, reverting to the middle class mantra more acceptable to the Democratic Party, into whose congressional leadership the supposed independent socialist has been elevated.) Sanders said nothing during the program to warn his audience about the incoming Trump administration, which will be the most right-wing in American history. His suggestion that this administration is capable of carrying out policies that improve the lives of the American people is designed to politically disarm the working class. Through all of his opportunist political gymnastics, one constant has been Sanders support, stretching back decades, for American imperialism. During his primary campaign, he repeatedly declared his support for the Obama administrations wars of aggression in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria and defended Obamas program of drone assassinations. On Monday night, asked about the claimscompletely unsubstantiatedof the CIA, FBI and other US intelligence agencies that the Russian government hacked Democratic Party emails in order to swing the election in Trumps favor, Sanders said the agencies were virtually unanimous and the evidence is overwhelming. He underscored his support for the warmongering propaganda campaign against Moscow, stating, And, we should be clear, this is not just the first time theyve done it, and I suspect theyre working on other efforts as well in other countries around the world. This was a way for them to help elect the candidate of their choice, Mr. Trump. And, I think it was also an effort to try to undermine, in a significant way, American democracy. So, I think the evidence is very clear that Russia did play a very harmful role, unacceptable role, and its something that we have got to deal with. I think what Mr. Trump appears to be saying is that, no, its not true, its not accurate, he doesnt trust the intelligence committees, and, I think that is an unfortunate position to hold. Far more than his populist rhetoric, such statements demonstrate the real orientation of Sanders politics. His support for imperialist intrigue both at home and abroad brands him as a political supporter of the American ruling class and an enemy of the working class in the United States and internationally. Sanders reiterated his support for Trumps national chauvinism, blaming foreign workers for job losses and poverty in the United States. In response to a question on whether he would work with Trump to bring jobs back to the United States, Sanders declared, Absolutely. And its an area where, youre right, Trump and I talked about many of the same issues. He continued: I dont think you can be a great nation if youre not producing a lot of what we consume. We cant get everything from China and Mexico. You know, occasionally youve got to buy a product made in the United States of America. So I will work very hard, not only with regard to NAFTA, but with regard to PNTR [Permanent Normal Trade Relations] with China, to transform our trade policy. Sanders, even more than Trump, is an experienced defender of economic nationalism, a central element of his politics for a quarter century. One of his first pieces of legislation in Congress was a bill that he co-sponsored to restrict Chinas trade status on the fraudulent grounds of human rights. Time after time, Sanders collaborated with right-wing Republicans to put forward legislation seeking to curtail trade with China, calling on the US to withdraw from the World Trade Organization (a position substantially in line with Trumps pick for US trade representative), and attacking the federal work visa program in the name of protecting American jobs. For all of his hand-wringing over Trumps bigotry, it was Sanders who was praised by the racist, anti-immigrant talk show host Lou Dobbs as one of the few straight talkers in Congress for his nativist opposition to immigration programs. Neither Sanders nor Trumps promotion of American First nationalism has anything to do with protecting American workers. It is designed to disorient, immobilize and divide the working class in order to carry out further attacks on wages, jobs and living standards. Economic protectionism and national chauvinism have been the stock-in-trade of the trade union bureaucracy, which has used them to justify union-management jointness and the imposition of endless wage- and job-cuts, speedup and concessions on US workers, designed to slash labor costs and increase the profits and competitiveness of US-based corporations. Sanders performance in the CNN town hall was yet another exposure, if another one was needed, of his boundless cynicism and political opportunism. The first hearing on confirmation of a Trump cabinet selection, Senator Jeff Sessions, the nominee for attorney general, demonstrated two central facts of American politics in 2017: the Trump administration will be the most right-wing and repressive in American history, and the congressional Democrats will do nothing to oppose it. At Tuesdays hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sessions defended a long litany of ultra-right positions hostile to democratic rights. These include his support for the Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act and his embrace of state actions to limit voter access to the polls in the name of fighting nonexistent vote fraud. Sessions declared his backing for keeping open the US detention camp at Guantanamo Bay and for the panoply of anti-democratic measures undertaken by the Bush and Obama administrations in the name of the war on terror: the Patriot Act, mass surveillance of the Internet and telecommunications, drone-missile assassinations and the like. Asked about the detention of American citizens indefinitely without a trial, if the government asserts that the individual is linked to a foreign terrorist organization, Sessions said there had to be a habeas corpus proceeding to review evidence, but left open the possibility that this review could be through a military tribunal or other expedited procedure, rather than through a court proceeding where the defendants constitutional rights were observed. Sessions is an implacable opponent of abortion rights. While he claimed that he would enforce current laws, he reiterated his longstanding position that the Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling was wrongly decided and should be overturned. He suggested a similar attitude towards the more recent Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage. Much of his opening statement sounded a law and order theme, dovetailing with Trumps entirely false depiction of the United States as overrun by a wave of violent crime. It is a fundamental civil right to be safe in your home and your community, he said. It will be my priority to confront these crises vigorously, effectively and immediately. He criticized the publicity given to police murders of young people, and particularly African-Americans, saying, In the last several years, law enforcement as a whole has been unfairly maligned and blamed for the actions of a few bad actors and for allegations about police that were not true. Sessions is opposed to even the token measures taken by the Obama administration on police brutality, suggesting that the consent decrees negotiated with particularly flagrant local police departments, as in Cleveland, Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri, should be reviewed. He concluded that to smear whole departments places those officers at greater risk. Sessions distanced himself from the pronouncements of President-elect Donald Trump in only two areas, giving carefully rehearsed answers that were undoubtedly cleared with the Trump transition team in advance. He said he would oppose banning immigrants and visitors from the United States because they were Muslim, and conceded that current US law (which he voted against) prohibits waterboarding as a form of torture. After prolonged wrangling with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Sessions said he had no reason to disbelieve the conclusion of the report issued last week by US intelligence agencies that the Russian government had intervened in the US elections by hacking the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign. Despite his ultra-right views, there is little prospect that Sessions will be rejected either by the Judiciary Committee or the full Senate. All 52 Republicans are expected to vote for confirmation, along with at least a smattering of Democrats. The biggest display of opposition is expected to come Wednesday, with testimony before the committee by leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus. But this is entirely for show, to be followed by the rubber-stamping of the nomination. One of the first issues discussed at the hearing was the prospect of the new attorney general appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server while secretary of state in the Obama administration. Trump repeatedly threatened such an action during the campaign, prompting his supporters to chant lock her up, lock her up at rallies, including many where Sessions appeared side by side with Trump. Sessions said that he would recuse himself from any decision in relation to Clintons email or the Clinton Foundation because his comments during a contentious campaign could place my objectivity in question. While declaring, We can never have a political dispute turn into a criminal dispute, he continued with language that left open the possibility for such a politically-motivated prosecution: This country does not punish its political enemies but this country ensures that no one is above the law. Sessions grew up in rural Alabama, just outside of Selma, and was 19 years old at the time of the 1965 civil rights march there. There is no indication that he broke personally or politically with the racist politics of that time. On the contrary, he joined the College Republicans at the time when segregationist Democrats were switching to the Republican Party en masse because of their opposition to civil rights reforms. Thirty years ago Sessions was rejected by the same Judiciary Committee when Ronald Reagan nominated him to become a federal district judge because of allegations of racism based on his role in prosecuting civil rights workers for helping elderly black voters to cast their ballots. The allegations against Sessions were supported by testimony from African-American co-workers. Sessions went on to make a political career as a conservative Southerner allegedly victimized by Northern liberals, winning election first as Alabama state attorney general and subsequently, in 1996, winning an open US Senate seat. He has been on the extreme right of Senate Republicans ever since, and was the only senator to endorse Donald Trump prior to the string of primary victories that won the billionaire real estate mogul the Republican nomination. In his opening statement to the committee, Sessions denounced the charges of racism that torpedoed his judicial nomination in 1986 and proclaimed himself a supporter of civil rights, including the right to vote, for all US citizens, including African-Americans. He maintained this posture despite repeated protests from members of the hearing audience, with more than a dozen dragged out by Capitol Hill police after they denounced him as a racist and an anti-gay bigot. As a long-time member of the Judiciary Committee, Sessions was treated with unctuous courtesy, not only by the Republican members of the committee, but also by nearly all the Democrats, many of whom prefaced their token criticisms with professions of personal affection and high regard. The real attitude of Senate Democrats to Trumps policy of mass repression and attacks on democratic rights was shown at a second confirmation hearing, held Tuesday afternoon, for retired General John F. Kelly, nominated to head the Department of Homeland Security. General Kelly was treated to a bipartisan love fest, with an introduction to the committee by Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Thomas Carper, and an opening testimonial by former Bush and Obama defense secretary Robert Gates. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the committees top Democrat, gushed over General Kellys credentials and made no objection to putting a career military officer in charge of the largest police force in the United States, an agency that includes the Border Patrol, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a dozen other units responsible for repressive actions of one kind or another. McCaskill asked Kelly about the intelligence agency report on Russian hacking in the US election and Kelly immediately declared that he endorsed its conclusions with full confidence. At the same time, in response to Republican questioning, he outlined a perspective of border defense going far beyond the wall proposed by Trump. In his view, Kelly said, defense of the southwest border starts about 1,500 miles further south. Based on his experience as head of the Pentagons Southern Command, which covers most of Latin America, Kelly cited the importance of gaining the cooperation of the right-wing governments in Central America and the Andean countries of South America to halt the movement of immigrants and drugs. London was brought to a standstill Monday by a 24-hour strike of London Underground staff, employed on the capitals subway. Up to 4,000 station and ticket staff, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) walked out at 6pm on Sunday. The workers struck in opposition to over 800 job losses, the closure of many safety-critical control rooms, displacement of staff, grading issues and the chaos and safety hazards brought about by the closure of hundreds of ticket offices. Mondays tube strike was followed Tuesday with the start of a 48-hour stoppage by drivers at Southern Rail, run by the Govia Thameslink Railway franchise. The industrial action by around 1,000 Aslef union members and a small number of workers from the RMT brought Southerns scheduled services to a halt. Just 16 trains were able to run, compared to the usual timetabled 2,242 services. The Southern rail network is one of the most critical in the country, with many of its passengers commuting to London. A further 24-hour strike is scheduled for Friday. Southerns workers are protesting the companys government-backed decision to impose Driver Only Operated (DOO) trains, first by eliminating the role of conductors in opening and closing doors and reducing their mandate to collecting fares. The move, endangering public safety, is aimed at the eventual elimination of conductors on the railways. Also on Tuesday, 2,900 cabin staff employed by British Airways (BA) at Heathrow Airport began a 48-hour strike to demand a pay increase. The Unite union members are employed under the airlines mixed fleet low-pay system and receive starting pay of just over 12,000 a year--plus 3 an hour flying pay--a miserly amount deemed enough by BA to cover their expenses such as food. The strikes have broken out in defiance of a relentless government-corporate onslaught on jobs, wages and conditions. More fundamentally, all three strikes are in opposition to the betrayal of previous struggles by the unions and the Labour Party, which have allowed the employers to go on the offensive. These strikes follow substantial mobilizations by tens of thousands of junior doctors and other substantial sections of the British working class last year. As a result of Mondays strike by tube workers, many stations were forced to close, including some of the networks busiest in central London. No services ran from the key interchange stations including Victoria, Kings Cross, Waterloo, Paddington, Euston, Bank and London Bridge. No service at all was available on the busy Victoria and Waterloo & City lines. According to the BBC, based on data obtained from Transport for London (TfL), 120 tube stations--out of 270--were closed by the strike. The train driver union Aslef was not involved, so trains still were still running. TfL tried to play down the widespread impact of the action by claiming that services were still running but was forced to admit that only a limited service was available on 10 out of 11 Tube lines. As the BBC reported, 81 of the closed stations had trains running through them but not stopping. Pavements throughout the capital were crowded with hundreds of people seeking alternative forms of transport, with many crowding onto buses. The 150 extra buses deployed by TfL had virtually no impact, with many journeys taking hours due to the increased traffic on roads. On Monday evening, hours after the strike ended, some stations remained closed. At Holborn Underground station, speaking in the lead-up to the strike, Jean, a member of the station staff, said, The strike is against job cuts, a consequence of the closure of the ticket offices. This has led to an increase in irate passengers and assaults on staff have significantly increased. At another busy central London station, Alice, a customer service assistant said, I have an impression that managers dont mind the strike as long as trains are running. But I hope it will be like the last time [four days of strikes last summer] when everything was shut down. Explaining the intolerable conditions facing staff and the unsafe situation at Underground stations following mass job losses and office closures, Alice said, All stations now are barely staffed, if not at all. Look at this station, there are only three of us [staff] here now. It is a massive station, near a daily busy shopping area. If a fire or an incident happens, we dont have enough people to safely evacuate passengers to safety. She continued, Customers have become more angry in regards to ticketing. There are two lines and four platforms here and just three of us. This station sees 200,000 passengers a day on average. Tube management claims to have recruited 600 station staff but these are all part-time positions. Alice explained, We are mostly part-time and work during either mornings or evenings. At Oxford Circus station, subway worker John said that staff had to carry out regular security checks. We have a security round of 45 points to check at this station, one of the busiest on the network, he explained. It must be done hourly. But there are no extra staff so the concourse is left deserted and most platforms too. The human side of the job is gone. Passengers have their money taken by the company and are left to fend for themselves. This is especially bad for the elderly and the disabled and groups of school kids visiting London. The demands of the strikers come into conflict with the rotten role of the trade unions. On London Underground, for example, the unions collaborated in the closure of all 265 London Underground ticket offices--completed in December 2015--with the loss of more than 800 jobs. Labours nominally left leader Jeremy Corbyn said not a word about the Underground strike Monday. So as to pose no threat to a weakened and crisis-ridden government, Corbyn calls on the Conservative government to take charge of resolving the disputethis addressed to the very same party that has strengthened anti-strike legislation and is threatening to go further. On Tuesday, Corbyn reiterated that what Im saying to the government is get together with those who travel on the trains, who work on the trains, to get a solution. Labours hostility to the Underground strike was openly declared by the partys London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Khan stated, I say to the trade unions I think youve made a big mistake today, it was unnecessary, lets talk about the differences there still are. Speaking to Sky News, Khan said, [T]here should be no strikes on our public transport if they can be avoided. He boasted, Since my election in May weve had 92 [percent] fewer days lost through strike action [in London] than under the previous mayor.... Khan warned, I said I want zero hours of strike while Im mayor and I still stand by that, I want zero hours of strike going forward. This assertion--from Labours most senior national politician after Corbyn--chimes in with legislation to be enacted in March by the government that will effectively outlaw strikes in important public services, including transport. Government figures and big business representatives denounced the strikes as damaging the drive to create a globally competitive UK economy, following last Junes referendum vote to leave the European Union. Tim Loughton, Tory MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, and an advocate of even more repressive anti-strike laws said, At a time when the Government is doing everything it can to show Britain is open for business post-Brexit, resurgence in union activity doesnt help that message. We dont want this to be seen as a back-door way for the unions to try and undermine Brexit. Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, This is the wrong time to send out a message across the world that London isnt open for business, as it is being closed by ongoing strikes Strikes like this go to the very heart of undermining companies efforts to make a real success of Brexit. The strikes, which take place in context of the right-wing, nationalist hysteria whipped up around the UKs vote to leave the European Union, make clear that despite the sharp move to the right by the British political establishment, there exists substantial opposition to the reactionary policies of the big business Labour and Tory parties in the British working class. The rail union has done everything in their power to inject a parochial and nationalist orientation to the strikes, with the TSSA and Pro-Corbyn momentum organization producing and publicising a video presenting the populations of Europe as benefiting from the privatization of the British rail system. In reality, the interests of British workers are the same as those of the whole of the European working class, which was mobilized in France last year in mass protests against a bill to gut labour protections, and in strikes at the German airlines Lufthansa and Eurowings. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat now in the middle of his second term in office, unveiled a proposal for free tuition at all schools in the State University of New York and City University of New York systems on January 3. The proposal would come into effect over the next three years and eventually cover an estimated 200,000 students whose families have incomes under $125,000 a year. SUNY and CUNY are the second and third largest public higher education systems in the US, with almost 90 campuses throughout the state and about 700,000 students between them. SUNY is partially funded by the state, while CUNY is partially funded by both the state and New York City, resulting in lower tuition at these public universities compared to private counterparts. Cuomo announced his plan at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. Joining him for the event was Senator Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clintons rival for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 2016. Free public college education was a prominent element of Sanders platform and a factor in his overwhelming support among young people. The proposal, if adopted by the state legislature, would fund the Excelsior Scholarship, which would cover any tuition not already covered by federal Pell Grants or New Yorks state Tuition Assistance Program. Tuition for a full-time student at a four-year SUNY school is currently $6,470; full-time students at the two-year community colleges in the SUNY system pay $4,350 in tuition. Tuition has gone up $300 a year between 2011 and 2015, and SUNY is currently seeking similar increases in tuition for the next four years. Tuition at CUNY schools is roughly the same. Cuomo has said that he would like to begin the program for the fall 2017 semester for families with annual incomes under $100,000, and fully implement the program with a $125,000 cap by 2019. Cuomos proposal met with general praise in the media. The promise of free tuition is also seen as a way to revive the fortunes of the Democrats, licking their wounds after Hillary Clintons loss to Donald Trump. An editorial in the New York Times called it an exciting possibility, while Sanders called it revolutionary. A closer examination of the new proposal, however, shows that it falls far short of the needs of students from working class families. It does not cover room, board, books or other college-related expenses, which far outweigh tuition for most on-campus SUNY students. Room and board at SUNY Binghamton for the 2016-2017 school year is $14,348, for example, more than double the cost of tuition. While most students in the CUNY system can continue to live at home, for the SUNY campuses room and board will continue to weigh heavily in annual expenses. Despite the relative affordability of New Yorks vast public university systemsfour-year SUNY schools tuition is about a third below the national average for public schoolsNew York students still graduate with an average debt of almost $30,000. There are numerous other questions raised by Cuomos initial announcement. The governor estimated that his program would cost $163 million per year in 2019, when it is completely phased in, although this is quite likely a low estimate. A 2015 analysis by New York Citys Independent Budget Office estimated that a similar program at CUNY schools would cost $232 million. This is almost $70 million higher than Cuomos proposal, and does not include SUNY schools, with an overall enrollment that is significantly higher than that at CUNY. Previous bills to provide free tuition to state residents at SUNY and CUNY have failed to make it out of legislative committees in Albany, where corrupt Democratic and Republican politicians share control, the Republicans with a majority in the State Senate and the Democrats in the Assembly. The full plan will be included in Cuomos executive budget proposal, which is due January 17, and the budget deadline is April 1. A weakening of Cuomos limited proposal is quite likely. A 2014 bill, according to Politico, required community service and state residency and employment for a period of five years after degree completion. It is possible that whatever is eventually passed will include such severe restrictions. Finally, there is the question of higher education funding overall. Confronted with rising costs for the tuition program, the representatives of big business can be expected to cut costs in other areas, as well as in social services generally. Even the abovementioned New York Times editorial, while attempting to present the proposal in a positive light, was forced to warn that the Legislature has a responsibility to make sure that the state funds all of the costs associated with this proposal without hurting the university system. Whether or not Cuomos proposal is enacted this year, it is clearly aimed at appeasing the anger among workers and young people at the growing inequality and attacks on living standards. This found partial reflection in the significant support for Sanders, a self-described socialist. The presence of Sanders at Cuomos New York City announcement is an indication that sections of the Democratic Party will use Cuomos and similar proposals to lyingly claim once again that this party of Wall Street and war can be pressured to respond to the interests of the working class. While Cuomo is now posturing as the defender of the middle class, he vetoed a bipartisan bill to fund the states public defenders on New Years Eve. New York currently places most of the funding burden for public defenders on counties, resulting in a haphazard and underfunded system that the New York Civil Liberties Union says is unconstitutional. NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman called the vetoed bill the most important criminal justice reform legislation in memory. The discussion of free tuition must also be understood in its historical context. CUNY was founded in 1961, but the origins of the system go back to the 1840s. For nearly 130 years it was tuition-free, and in the first half of the 20th century was sometimes called the Harvard of the proletariat. Tuition was imposed for the first time during the financial crisis and near-bankruptcy of the city in 1976. SUNY, the statewide system, was founded in 1948, and expanded greatly during the postwar boom of the next two decades, particularly in the administration of Governor Nelson Rockefeller, who served as the states chief executive from 1959-1973. SUNY was not tuition-free, but tuition costs began to mount by the 1970s. The destruction of tuition-free education in 1976 was one of the initial elements in what has become four decades of social counterrevolution. It is worth pointing out that Andrew Cuomos father, Mario Cuomo, who was governor from 1983 to 1994, presided over a massive prison expansion, while the state and city university systems were kept on tight rations. Cuomos tuition proposal amounts to a pittance when compared to the incredible wealth accumulated by the hedge funds and investment banks of Wall Street. It is a far cry from the free, high-quality public education at every level that must be fought for as part of the basic rights of the working class. This can never be won through appeals to the political representatives of the super-rich. It will require a break with the Democrats, including Cuomo and Sanders, and turning to the working class in the fight for the socialist reorganization of society to meet human needs instead of private profit. See also: The American student loan racket (also available as a printed pamphlet or PDF ) British workers have experienced an unprecedented assault on their living standards, wages and social conditions. Working class communities have witnessed severe attacks on basic public services, with welfare benefits slashed for the poorest in society. While austerity ravages the lives of workers and their families, the super-rich continue to rake in gargantuan levels of wealth. The New Year began with a bonanza for the super-rich and corporations as the stock market hit record levels. On January 9 in early trading, the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) was up 29 points to an all-time high of 7,239. The FTSE consists of the 100 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange with the highest market capitalization. Traders rejoiced when the index closed last week after experiencing its longest run of record closes in 20 years. Only one year ago, the FTSE 100 ended the first week of January at 5,912 points. By the first week of 2017, the FTSE had climbed 22 percent to 7,208 points. Two of the FTSE firms, Anglo American and Glencoe, are mining corporations and beneficiaries of the protracted market rally. Central to this has been the plummet in the value of the British pound since the referendum vote to leave the European Union (EU) last summer. The persistent fall in the value of sterling has boosted multinational companies listed on the FTSE 100, when their foreign earnings are converted into pounds. In the time it took between the FTSE 100 Share Index opening trading on the first Monday morning of the New Year and reports of its continuing rise arriving across news desks by midday, the UKs most highly remunerated CEOs had already received more money than most workers earn in a year. The High Pay Centre (HPC) which conducts research and analysis on issues relating to the incomes of the super-rich compared the earnings of CEOs at FTSE 100 firms with UK average wage rates. Its informed estimate is that British-based CEOs are paid approximately 1,000 an hour, in comparison to the National Living Wage of 7.20. They calculated it would take approximately 28 hours of employment in the New Year for them to equal the UK average wage of 28,200. This means that by lunchtime on Wednesday January 4, the average FTSE 100 CEO had surpassed the average annual workers salary in less than 48 hours. The top bosses now receive 129 times more than their employees. Pointing to the further enrichment of the super-rich, a report by the public spending regulator the National Audit Office (NAO) suggests that Her Majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was chasing nearly 2 billion in taxes that have potentially gone unpaid by those more than capable of affording them. In 2009, HMRC set up a specialist unit, following widespread public anger and criticism that it was failing to seriously tackle tax avoidance by the wealthiest. Seven years after HMRC launched this crackdown on the super-rich, it emerges that they are now paying even less income tax than before. More than half of the estimated 2 billion in missing taxation was linked to tax avoidance schemes the likes of which were partially exposed by the release of the Panama Papers last year. The NAO research shows that since 2009, while the total amount of income tax collected in Britain has risen by 23 billion to 273 billion, the amount paid by the super-rich has fallen by 900 million to 3.5 billion. In 2014, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government cut the top rate of income tax to just 45 percent and subsequently the numbers of the super-rich, whilst still tiny in absolute termsthe British population is approximately 60 millionrose sharply from 5,900 to 6,500 individuals. The heads of the HMRC recently gave evidence to parliaments public accounts committee, following the publication of the NAOs research. Some MPs felt obliged to go through the motions and question why tax inspectors assigned to deal with the super-rich were known euphemistically but accurately as customer relationship managers. Questions were asked about why the richest individuals in society received only suspended fines rather than serious penalties for their infringements and breaking of the law. The 380-strong HMRC unit had prosecuted just one super-rich tax avoider since the team was established back in 2009. It aims to prosecute 100 individuals by 2020. However, on the basis of its record so far, prosecuting just 100 more would take hundreds of years! According to the HMRC, the super-rich paid just 4.4 billion in income tax and National Insurance in 2009-2010, but that fell further to 3.5 billion in the year to April 2015. During the same timeframe, the total amount collected by the Treasury increased from 250.1 billion to 272.9 billion, a 9 percent risewith the share paid by Britains richest falling from an already derisory 1.8 percent to 1.3 percent. Standing reality on its head, HMRC saw fit to release a statement suggesting that the potential tax paid by rich taxpayers would have been negatively affected by the economic downturn. In fact, the incomes of the super-rich have been entirely unaffected and indeed have grown, not shrunk, since the beginning of the 2008 global financial crisis. Nothing will be done to ensure that the super-rich hand over taxes due. HMRC all but confirmed this when stating that really everyone should be grateful for what they do deign to pay. It stated, Today, the top 1 percent of earners pay more than quarter, 27% of all income tax, and the National Audit Office makes it clear that each year HMRC has increased the amount of tax it chases from the very wealthy that would have otherwise gone unpaid. While the sated rich are allowed to avoid and evade the taxes necessary to fund vitally-needed services for millions of people, the government continually devises the means to extract ever more from the working class. Last month, Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May approved a measure allowing local authorities to hike up council tax from the currently permitted 1.99 percent each year to an extra 6 percent over the next two years. This is to offset massive cuts in central government funds. The amount expected to be raised nationally through this measure is 900 millionexactly equal, according to HMRC, to the amount the super-rich have got away with paying in income tax in recent years. A council tax increase on this scale means that a household in an average council B and D propertywhich already pay 1,530 a yearwould face a nearly 100 increase over the next two years if the full 6 percent is levied. This would be on top of a general increase of 2 percent set to be imposed by councils. Councils are already planning to enforce the increase. For example, Manchester City Council is to increase council tax by the maximum 4.99 percent in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, and then by 1.99 percent in 2019-2020. For a property in band D, this results in a council tax increase of 178.20 between now and 2020. This regressive tax is justified on the basis that it is needed to fund social care. But it comes after overall social care funding has been slashed by 12 percent in real terms over the past five years. Tens of thousands of people with physical disabilities and mental health problems have been the victims of social care cuts. By 2013, after years of austerity since 2008, more than 1.5 billion had been cut from the social care budget and an estimated 483,000 elderly and disabled people had either lost their care support, or were no longer eligible. The cuts have resulted in a fall in the number of available care homes overall in England. From more than 18,000 available in September 2010, just over 16,600 remained by July last year. A US B-52 bomber carried out an air strike in Idlib province in northern Syria last week, which claimed the lives of 20 civilians, according to Russias Ministry of Defense. Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Jerasimov said at a news conference that the attack, launched against Sarmada in Idlib, took place without Russia being notified. He compared it to the strike against Syrian army units in September, which killed over 60 Syrian soldiers near Deir Ezzour, enabled Islamic State fighters to launch an offensive and torpedoed a US-Russian brokered ceasefire deal. The Russian report contradicted initial US claims that its bombing raids on Idlib last week killed a senior al-Nusra Front commander and around 20 al-Nusra combatants. The US has not responded to Russias allegations of civilian deaths during the airstrike. It is widely recognized that the US has vastly undercounted the civilian death toll resulting from the thousands of air strikes it has carried out in Syria since the fall of 2014. In October, Amnesty International estimated that the US-led coalition had killed at least 300 Syrian civilians and warned that more would follow in neighboring Iraq as the Mosul offensive got under way. Since then, tens of thousands of civilians have been forced from their homes in and around the Iraqi city of 1.5 million people as a result of the US-backed attack and an unknown number have lost their lives. Amnestys death toll is comparatively low in relation to estimates provided by other rights groups, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights suggesting that between 600 and 1,000 civilians have died from US-led coalition air strikes. In one incident near Manbij in northern Syria last July, the US military belatedly acknowledged that it had killed two dozen civilians several months later. But estimates from Syrian human rights groups put the number of dead from anywhere between 75 to over 200. This record demonstrates once again the utter hypocrisy of the US political establishment and its media lackeys, who raised a hue and cry about atrocities carried out by Russian and Syrian forces during their assault on the rebel-held areas of eastern Aleppo during the latter half of 2016. While Syrian and Russian air strikes undoubtedly killed substantial numbers of civilians and were brutally conducted, they pale in comparison alongside the crimes of US imperialism, which fomented the Syrian civil war with the aim of bringing about regime change in Damascus and bears chief responsibility for its more than 400,000 casualties. The incessant propaganda focusing on Russian war crimes was used to stampede public opinion behind a campaign for a military escalation against Russia that carries the danger of triggering a wider war between the major powers. The debacle suffered by the US-backed rebels, which were dominated by the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front, has only intensified the demands from the corporate-controlled media and significant factions of the political and military establishment for a more aggressive policy towards Russia. The New York Times reported Monday with concern on renewed Turkish-Russian cooperation in Syria, which it feared threatened to sideline the United States in determining the outcome of the civil war. On Sunday, US special forces were deployed in a rare ground operation in eastern Syria, ostensibly with the aim of capturing a mid-level ISIS operative. The troops, based in Iraq, spent around 90 minutes on the ground and killed up to 25 in a firefight, according to independent estimates disputed by the US military. The Pentagon refused to provide more details on the operation, but the comments of spokesman Captain Jeff Davis were significant. Referring to the ground operation and providing an indication of the support within the military for a substantial escalation of the Syrian war, he told the press, We have done them before and we will do them again. The real target of the US military intervention in Syria is the Assad regime in Damascus, which Washington has been seeking to remove for almost six years. With its strategy of backing Islamist militias now in tatters, and with Russia aligning with Turkey to establish a peace deal that could see the US excluded from talks due to commence later this month, the option of a more direct military intervention is being considered. A more frequent presence of US special forces on the ground would add yet another combustible element to the already explosive situation in Syria. US and Russian warplanes have repeatedly been involved in near misses in the crowded skies over the conflict zone, any one of which could have supplied the spark for a major escalation between the two nuclear-armed powers. While all of the major imperialist powers, including Germany, France and Britain, are part of the US-led coalition against ISIS, they are all pursuing their own predatory interests in Syria and the broader region. One area where US special forces could be deployed in the immediate future is in the northwest near the town of al-Bab, where Turkish troops are trying to seize the strategically-important location from ISIS. Control of al-Bab would give Turkey significant influence over the subsequent push to take the ISIS capital of Raqqa. Speaking anonymously to the Washington P ost, US defense officials confirmed that work was underway to lift restrictions on US special forces personnel supporting the Turkish operation. Currently, US support troops only operate ten miles inside the Syrian border. Turkish officials said they are pushing for the US to break off ties with the Kurdish YPG, which Ankara views as a terrorist group. Washington continues to supply the YPG with arms via Iraq and is deliberating on providing the militias with more direct support. US warplanes are also increasing their presence in the area, bringing a greater risk of a direct clash with Russia, which has been bombing ISIS locations around al-Bab in support of Turkey for several weeks. Flying anywhere in Syria is complicated. Flying up in that area where everyone seems to be flying would require some work, a defense official told the Post. I wouldnt say we arent worried about it. This highly explosive situation is being further exacerbated by the push of substantial sections of the US political establishment for more punitive measures against Russia. US senators from both the Republican and Democratic parties tabled legislation Tuesday calling for stepped up sanctions on Moscow. The bill was sponsored by Republican Senator John McCain and Democrats Ben Cardin and Robert Menendez. According to Reuters, the legislation would impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals who engage in significant activities undermining the cybersecurity of public or private infrastructure and democratic institutions. There are unconfirmed reports that Russia has responded to the anti-Russian campaign in the US and the push for a more aggressive stance on Syria by increasing its own military deployments to the country. The Kremlin publicly announced the withdrawal of its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, from the Eastern Mediterranean last week. But according to the satellite imaging firm ISI, Iskander ballistic missile systems have been detected at Russias Latakia airbase in Syria. These systems would make it possible for Russia to fire nuclear-capable weapons throughout Syria and beyond. The Australian and East Timorese governments issued a joint statement on Monday declaring that they are entering negotiations through the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to settle a permanent maritime border. The statement also announced the termination of the 2006 Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS), under which the border was to be left unresolved for 50 years while the Timor Seas energy reserves were divided through a mechanism heavily weighted in favour of Australia. Canberra had previously resisted, tooth and nail, attempts by East Timor to nullify CMATS. The announcement represents a significant tactical shift by Australian imperialism. Since 1975, when Indonesia invaded and subsequently annexed the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, successive Labor and Liberal governments in Australia have been satisfied to leave the Timor Sea maritime border undetermined. The same policy underwrote Canberras predatory relationship with independent East Timor, following the Australian military deployment in 1999 under the bogus pretext of humanitarian intervention. The unresolved maritime border has allowed Australia to exert geostrategic influenceand extract lucrative oil and gas resourcesfar beyond the median point between Australia and East Timor, where the border ought to be established under international law. The full implications of the joint Australian-Timorese statement remain to be seen. Carefully worded throughout, the statement appears to allow Canberra ample opportunity to drag out negotiations indefinitely on a maritime border. It declared that during meetings in The Hague last October: The governments of Timor-Leste and Australia agreed to an integrated package of measures intended to facilitate the conciliation process and create the conditions conducive to the achievement of an agreement on permanent maritime boundaries in the Timor Sea The governments of Timor-Leste and Australia look forward to continuing to engage with the [Permanent Court of Arbitrations] Conciliation Commission and to the eventual conclusion of an agreement on maritime boundaries in the Timor Sea. None of this signals a retreat from Australian imperialisms long record of provocations and lawlessness against East Timor. Immediately prior to formal Timorese independence in 2002, Canberra withdrew from a key aspect of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in order to prevent any juridically determined border in the Timor Sea. This blatant contempt for international law has not prevented the current Australian government from hypocritically echoing US criticisms of China for failing to recognise a dubious Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) finding last year on territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Having barred the PCA from ruling on the Timor Sea, the Australian government last year sought to block the court from allowing the East Timorese government to proceed with a compulsory arbitration case. This was to involve compulsory conciliation, with the PCA considering the rival sea boundary claims and then issuing non-binding recommendations aimed at providing the basis of a negotiated settlement. In September, the court dismissed the Australian legal challenge to this process. Talks on the process of negotiating a maritime border began the following month. One of the Australian governments aims in agreeing to Timorese demands for a permanent border is likely to prevent further scrutiny of the now defunct CMATS treaty. The Timorese government had mounted a separate legal challenge in The Hague to CMATS, based on the argument that the treaty was unlawful because of illegal Australian intelligence operations during the treatys negotiations. In 2004, Australian intelligence operatives posed as humanitarian construction workers helping to build Timorese government offices. Listening devices hidden in the buildings were then used to eavesdrop on Timorese cabinet discussions. Responding to the Timorese legal challenge, in December 2013, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) raided the offices of East Timors Australian-based lawyer, Bernard Collaery, also stealing sensitive Timorese government documents. Attorney-General George Brandis threatened Collaery with serious criminal charges for allegedly divulging official secrets. The government seized the passport of a former Australian intelligence operative turned whistleblower, in order to prevent him from testifying at The Hague. All of these provocations and dirty tricks are now being swept under the carpet. The Timorese government has welcomed the termination of CMATS and the announcement of negotiations on a permanent maritime border. It is entering into the discussions amid a worsening economic and social crisis in East Timor. The massive Greater Sunrise gas fields that were previously covered by the CMATS treaty remain untapped. Australias Woodside Petroleumwhich heads a consortium of Australian, American, and Japanese oil and gas giants that has the rights to exploit the reserveshas flatly refused Timorese government demands to extract the gas and pipe it to southern Timor for refining and export. The protracted standoff over whether Greater Sunrise gas ought to be processed in Australia, Timor or in a floating facility in the Timor Sea has coincided with a plunge in gas prices worldwide. The rise of fracking in the US and other countries, and the development of gas mega-projects off northwest Australia and in other regions has led to a glut in global supply that has raised questions about the viability of bringing Greater Sunrise online. The Timorese state currently relies on the far smaller Bayu Undan oil and gas field for about 90 percent of all its revenue. Bayu Undan is expected to run dry within the next decade. Moreover, a Timorese sovereign wealth fund that is currently valued at $16 billion is being depleted by higher government spending. The so-called national unity government of Xanana Gusmaos CNRT and Fretilin has sought to dissipate social tensions in impoverished East Timor by providing limited cash grants and other entitlements to different sections of the population. According to some reports, if current trends continue, the sovereign wealth fund will be exhausted by the late 2020s. Timorese government hopes for significant concessions in border negotiations will be dashed. For Australian imperialism what is at stake is not just the fate of the Greater Sunrise reserves but its wider geostrategic standing in the region. Sections of the Australian media have this week openly tied the resolution of the border issue to the ongoing efforts to minimise Chinese economic and political influence in Dili. Another important consideration is the Indonesian response to an Australian-Timorese border. Canberra finalised its maritime border with Indonesia in 197172, just five years after Australia supported the Indonesian military coup that saw the mass murder of up to one million workers and peasants associated with the Communist Party. In the negotiations, the junta accepted Australian claims that the border ought to follow an underwater continental shelf that extends close to Indonesian land. Since the 197172 treaties, international law has largely rejected claims based on purported continental shelves, instead favouring borders equidistant between states land masses. Australian officials fear that a negotiated Timorese border could trigger an Indonesian attempt to force a renegotiation of its border with Australia. The redrawing of this border in accordance with contemporary international law would see Australia lose swathes of maritime territory adjacent to some of the worlds most critically important naval trade chokepoints. This would have significant implications amid accelerating moves by US imperialism for a military confrontation of China. US media outlets on Tuesday reported the existence of a previously undisclosed document from a former British intelligence official alleging secret contacts with officials in Moscow by Donald Trump and his campaign team. The document includes salacious details on Trumps personal activities. The document, initially prepared last year at the request of Republican and Democratic opponents of Trump, was reportedly obtained in December by Republican Senator John McCain, one of the most vociferous advocates of aggression against Russia. McCain then passed the document on to US intelligence agencies. A summary of the document was included in the report given last week by top US intelligence officials on alleged Russian interference in the US election to President-elect Trump and President Barack Obama. The release of the document is the latest and most explosive episode in an escalating political struggle within the state apparatus that is without precedent. The conflict is centered on foreign policy issues, with sections of the state, led by the CIA, concerned that Trump will shift away from an aggressive stance toward Russia in favor of a more immediate focus on China. The release of the document appears to be a last-ditch effort by sections of the intelligence apparatus to prevent the inauguration of Trump, which is only 10 days away. There will likely be congressional hearings into the allegations that could begin even before Trump takes office, assuming that he is inaugurated. The document was leaked on the eve of Trumps first scheduled press conference since July, slated for Wednesday. Trump responded to the reports with a Tweet Tuesday night: FAKE NEWSA TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! CNN first reported on the document Tuesday evening, citing multiple US officials with direct knowledge of the briefings to Obama and Trumpthat is, intelligence officials. One hour later, Buzzfeed published the full 35-page document prepared by the British intelligence official, from which a two-page summary was produced for the Obama and Trump briefings. According to the Guardian, it and other media outlets had access to the revelations several weeks ago but declined to publish because there was no way to independently verify them. The full document alleges an extensive conspiracy between Trumps campaign team and the Kremlin, organized by Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. It asserts that Trump was aware of Russian involvement in the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails, and that in return for the leaks agreed to sideline Russian involvement in Ukraine as a major campaign issue. The document also claims that Russian officials had obtained evidence of Trumps perverted sexual acts while he was staying at a hotel in Moscow in 2013, and that the officials used the information to blackmail the current president-elect. According to the media reports, the document was assembled by the former British intelligence official hired by a Washington research firm working for opponents of Trump during the 2016 election campaign. The official gave the information to the FBI sometime during the campaign, but FBI Director James Comey decided not to make it public. McCain reportedly found out about the document last month and again presented it to Comey and likely to other intelligence agencies. The release of the document follows the publication last Friday of an unclassified version of the report by US intelligence agencies on allegations of Russian hacking of Democratic Party emails. The report contains no actual evidence of the charges, but it has been used by the media and those sections of the political establishment favoring aggression against Russia to demand harsher measures. McCain has repeatedly called the hacking an act of war, while his close ally in the Senate, Republican Lindsey Graham, demanded over the weekend that Trump make Russia pay a price for trying to interfere in the election. This author also recommends: The media campaign on Russian hacking and the US debacle in Syria [9 January 2017] TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - American actor and playwright, Keith Hamilton Cobb, visited Florida A&M University's campus today for rehearsal. "American Moor" is an 85-minute one-person play that examines the experience of black men in America through the metaphor of William Shakespeare's Othello. Show dates are Thursday and Friday at Lee Hall Auditorium on FAMU's campus. We caught up with Cobb as he was rehearsing earlier today. The production is being sponsored by the "Southern Shakespeare Company" in partnership with various artist organizations at Florida A&M University. Reserve your tickets before time runs out: http://bit.ly/2hjQBV6 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated this season. With the flu season in full swing, officials said that it's critical that all Floridians get the flu vaccine to protect themselves and prevent spreading illness to others. While most time the flu is mild, the Florida Department of Health said that they have confirmed the first two influenza-associated pediatric deaths of the 2016-2017 flu season in a 7 year-old and a 17 year-old. We are saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the family and friends of these children, said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip. Although most people view the flu as a minimal threat, Floridians should take flu infection seriously as it can cause severe illness, even death, in some cases." They said that the annual flu vaccine is safe and is the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu. The flu vaccine is offered in many convenient locations, including doctor's offices, clinics, health departments, retail stores, pharmacies, health centers and by many employers and schools. Visit the departments flu shot locator page to search for a flu vaccine location near you. For further information regarding influenza surveillance information, messaging and guidance, visit the influenza homepage at http://www.floridahealth.gov/floridaflu. JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Troopers have identified the Good Samaritans that saved a passenger involved in a fatal Jackson County crash. The Florida Highway Patrol said that on Monday around 1 p.m., Melanie Faircloth was traveling on County Road 162 when she saw Gary Murphy's car lose control and hit an embankment before overturning near White Pond Road. The car ended up on its roof and caught fire. Realizing the car was still occupied, Faircloth attempted to rescue the trapped people. When Mrs. Faircloth was unable to reach the trapped occupants she was able to flag down another passing motorist. Justin Morrison was in his ADT Security Services Vehicle when he stopped and helped Faircloth break the car's front right window. The two were able to pull out the passenger Pamela Austin of Tallahassee. Troopers said that, "Austin would have been fatally injuries as a result of the crash had it not been for the heroic efforts of both Mrs. Faircloth and Mr. Morrison." Austin was transported to Mobile, Alabama where she is undergoing treatment for serious thermal injuries sustained prior to her rescue. There is a possible third good Samaritan that has not been identified as of yet. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Your kid's favorite PBS show is coming to a channel and live stream near you. WFSU Public Media has announced that it will launch new, free localized 24/7 childrens services on Jan. 16. The free services include a new TV channel and live stream on digital platforms. The new 24-hour channel will be called WFSU KIDS 360 and will be complemented with a live stream so that Big Bend area children will easily be able to watch their favorite PBS shows after school. Viewers will be able to watch the WFSU Public Media branded live stream through pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS Video App, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and tablets. PBS is the nations most trusted provider of educational media for children and WFSU Public Media has been an education leader in the community for years, said David Mullins, general manager of WFSU Public Media. Providing 24/7 access to quality education programming offers new opportunities to support educational goals for all of our families. WFSU Public Media will provide the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel on Channel 11.4 in the greater Tallahassee area and Channel 56.4 in Panama City. PBS KIDS 24/7 will also be on Comcast Channel 203. Their primary channel will continue to feature a PBS KIDS day part but said the schedule of childrens programming on the primary WFSU channel will be different from the 24/7 channel, offering families a variety of options. The full local schedule is available here. They have noted that because the channel is an entirely new stream, over-the-air-only TV access will need to rescan their antenna. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Grade-school children are being exposed to a variety of employment and profession options during Career Week at Tallahassee's Oak Ridge Elementary. As part of the Tuesday career sessions, WTXL Chief Meteorologist Casanova Nurse discussed his broadcast meteorology journey to two fifth-grade classes in the school's music center. Cas detailed his early interest in weather, his education path, internships, and weather and news reporting highlights. He also stressed the importance of commitment and dedication to making and reaching goals, despite obstacles that will appear through the course of life. Killeen, TX (76540) Today Windy with scattered thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. A few storms may be severe. High 81F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 45F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. This is "Call of the Flute IV" by Deepali Mahanta Kayal, whose paintings will be featured in a solo Larson Gallery exhibit, "Ishaan Raga," opening Thursday. (Courtesy of Larson Gallery) The facts in the case have now been determined. Sgt. Elor Azaria has been found guilty of manslaughter. While not premeditated, the court found him guilty of intentionally killing a wounded terrorist who no longer posed a threat to other human life. In doing so, Sgt. Azaria violated Israeli military law and the moral foundations on which our army stands. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The facts in the case have now been determined, and the noise has begun. "Azaria is our son." "We dont leave our soldiers behind." "Azaria may be guilty, but he deserves an immediate pardon." Azaria is indeed our son, a part of our family. Family membership, or for that matter citizenship in our society, is not contingent or dependent on one's actions. We ask our children to defend us and send them into harm's way. We are in their debt, and they remain our children, whether they are in the right or in the wrong. Azaria flanked by his girlfriend and parents at court (Photo: Flash90) Being our child demands love, loyalty, care, and compassion. It does not demand that we morally acquiesce and accept everything that our children do. In fact, we are derelict in our duty as parents and family if we do so. Sgt. Azaria is our son, but he is a rebellious son, a son who broke the law and our moral code. It is true that we do not leave soldiers behind. I remember in the first Lebanon War our frantic race to reach our fellow soldiers who we thought were wounded and were going to be killed or taken captive. I remember our inability to fulfill this responsibility to the members of our unit who fell in the Battle of Sultan Yaakov. I remember the body of my brother-in-law, who our army was unable to retrieve. To use this most basic axiom of Israeli society in the context of Sgt. Azaria is a desecration of all those who were wounded and died in valiant efforts to ensure that we brought our fellow soldiers home, and no one was indeed left behind. It is nothing short of sinful emotional manipulation. We send our children into the army to fulfill some of the most difficult tasks imaginable. We challenge them in ways that no 18 year olds should be challenged. We do so, because we have no choice. An army, like civil society, is governed by laws and regulations meant to ensure soldiers' safety, rights, and responsibilities. On a daily basis, soldiers break some of these laws, are tried and punished. Is every soldier in military prison today a soldier who was "left behind"? Do any of us posit that our family loyalty and debt to our children in the army must circumvent the rule of law? If guilty, why does Sgt. Azaria deserve an immediate pardon? Because he is our son? Because to fail to do so means we are leaving a soldier behind? The only grounds for a pardon is an argument that while he may be legally culpable, his actions were not morally flawed. He killed a terrorist who was willing to die as a "shahid" (martyr) in order to kill one of our children in the army. If this is indeed the argument, let's stop the political posturing, emotional manipulation, and competition over who truly loves our children, and debate the issue. Do we want to put our children in an army which sanctions the killing of prisoners? Do we feel that our military code of ethics and the demand that we maintain the "purity of arms" serve our children, our army, and the interests of our country, or endanger and threaten them? Over and again, we declare that our army is the most moral army in the world. Is that a declaration we inherit by right, or a responsibility we must earn? One of our greatest challenges is that our national rebirth has occurred in one of the most violent and morally challenged places on earth. We must learn to survive in the Middle East, but without becoming yet one more Middle Eastern phenomenon. Living by our moral principles, that all human life is sacred and can only be taken in an act of self-defense, is not merely our challenge, but our greatest strength. Our children, who we send to defend us, must be given the best training and equipment that our resources can provide. But as a soldier, I knew that my greatest strength lay in my certainty in the justice of my cause and in the moral fortitude of my country and my army. It was with this certainty that I sent my children to the army. It was with this certainty that I knew that in the deepest sense, my children would be OK. Since Sgt. Azaria and all the soldiers in our army are indeed our children, our greatest act of care and loyalty is to guarantee that they will serve in an army that truly aspires to be the most moral in the world. In the rabbinic legal discourse, the rebellious son is punished now, because of what he might become. Sgt. Azaria must be held accountable, for if we pardon him, I fear what we may become: A society that has lost its moral compass, that has survived the dangers of the Middle East, only to become of the Middle East. Sgt. Azaria has been found guilty, but he is also a victim. Our children, whom we send to protect us, must endure moral challenges that are often too great for their young shoulders to bear. He is a victim, because while our army is crystal clear on its rules of engagement and of the moral standards it demands of its soldiers, our civil society is not so clear. It has become acceptable for political, religious, and social leaders to advocate for actions and policies of revenge and retribution. Despite our immense power and success, fear has penetrated into the heart of our reality, and legitimized advocating for the abrogation of human rights. Sgt. Azaria is guilty, but he is also a victim. It would be a great miscarriage of justice if the severity of his sentence had to reflect the enormity of the issue, which his actions unleashed. Let the sentence reflect the fact that he is both guilty and a victim. Let us then go on from the debate around the fate of our rebellious son to a debate around the future of who we ought to become. On July 12, 2007, in one of Baghdads suburbs, two of Reuters news agency's local staffers were killed in an airstrike carried out by American helicopters along with 14 other people, including children. The US Army argued that all the victims had died in bitter battle in a crowded area full of terrorists, and that there was no video documentation of the incident. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter But there was, and it was leaked to WikiLeaks later on. The video shows people walking on the street, including the photojournalists marching calmly with cameras which are clearly not a weapon, and the American helicopters conducting a massacre with 30-millimeter bullets. When 12 people were already lying dead on the dusty street, one of the Apache crewmembers was heard saying, Look at those dead bastards, and another crewmember replied, Nice. Then they went on to bomb a car that had arrived to try to help the wounded. The Hebron shooting (Photo: Imad Abu Shamsiya) The publication of the video sparked an international row, which was followed by a scathing investigation in the US Army and which turned Julian Assange into a person who cannot be ignored. Imad Abu Shamsiya is not an anarchistic hacker like Assange. He is a Hebron resident who volunteers in a number of human rights organizations. From one of them, Human Rights Defenders, he received a Panasonic Full HD camera. Abu Shamsiya lives 50 meters away from the IDF post in Tel Rumeida. On March 24, 2016, upon hearing voices, shouts and gunshots, he quickly grabbed the camera and ran outside. He handed the seven video segments he had filmed in the following minutes to the main organization he volunteers in, BTselem, which immediately handed them over to the Israeli Military Police. The segments stirred a storm as big as the one created by the WikiLeaks footage. Later on, Abu Shamsiya testified at the Military Court, where Sergeant Elor Azaria was convicted of manslaughter . The judges were apparently impressed by his account, and even stated in the verdict that the material provided by BTselem, which the conviction was primarily based on, was completely authentic and that no one had attempted to edit or fabricate part of it. In between, Abu Shamsiya received death threats, but when he arrived at the Hebron police station to complain, he was rejected for several days before being kicked out. The police refused to accept his complaint. Is the massacre in Iraq similar to the Elor Azaria affair? No, but its safe to assume that an investigation into the Hebron shooting incident, if one had even been launched, would have also ended in nothing if it were not for Abu Shamsiya and his camera. The Military Police would have found it very difficult to reach the truth without the film as a road map. The witty defense claims made by Azaria and his lawyers would have seemed much more reasonable: He thought that the terrorist, Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, was lying on a bomb and posed a danger, he acted according to the rules of engagement, or the terrorist was already killed by the initial gunfire. All of these claim were only contradicted thanks to the video. Now, after Azaria's decisive verdict, we should thank Abu Shamsiya and BTselem for making all of this possible. A person who carried out such a serious offense has been prosecuted and convicted. If it were not for these legal proceedings, the al-Sharif death affair would have likely reached the International Criminal Court in The Hague and cast a horrible moral stain on the State of Israel. If it were not for BTselem, which has been serving for many years as a source of information seen as a reliable and serious resource by IDF investigation and prosecution officials that helps them launch and establish many criminal cases, the public reaction over the Azaria affair would not have erupted and a difficult truth about Israeli society would not have been exposed. In its clear statement regarding the severity of Azarias actions, the court nailed the importance of the organization that exposed them. This becomes all the more important in light of the delegitimization, incitement and abashment campaign launched by right-wing politicians, and those fawning over the Right, against BTselem. They thinkjustifiablythat the majority of the public supports them, that the majority of the public believes BTselem outcry should be gagged, that its members are Israels enemies and act to humiliate Israel in the world, that they are leftist traitors. But they, of all people, are the brave ones, the real defenders of democracy in Israel, the ones ensuring that we dont lose our humanity. Top intelligence officials last week told President-elect Donald Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him, a US official said Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not allowed to publicly discuss the matter. The report's most graphic allegation details how, during a trip to Moscow, Trump supposedly witnessed prostitutes perform a "golden showers (urination) show" for him in the presidential suite of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. The alleged reason for the show was that the act was performed on a bed where President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle had slept during one of their trips to Russia. The briefing about the document was first reported by CNN. A summary of the allegations was separate from a classified assessment of Russia's attempts to meddle in the US presidential election. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence community's findings last week. Photo: AFP Shortly after news reports were published about the briefing, Trump tweeted: "FAKE NEWSA TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" Trump was expected to hold a previously scheduled news conference Wednesday to discuss his future plans regarding his role with the Trump Organization. The unsubstantiated dossier on Trump was compiled by a former Western intelligence operative as part of an opposition research project originally financed by a Republican client who opposed Trump, and later funded by Democrats, according to Mother Jones, which published an article about the report in October and said the operative had turned over the report to the FBI. The New York Times reported the operative had previously worked for British intelligence. The Associated Press has not been able to substantiate the information in the dossier, which misspelled the name of Russia's largest bank. It's unclear why the intelligence officials decided to brief the president and Trump on the uncorroborated information at this time, but lawmakers and others have repeatedly noted that Russia collects intelligence on both Democrats and Republicans. "The Russians also hacked systems associated with the Republicans. They just chose not to release that material yet," Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, said Tuesday. "There's nothing that prevents them from doing so at a time of their choosing in the future." The report had been circulating in Washington for months. In October, former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wrote the FBI asking the bureau to publicly disclose what it knew about the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. Reid was aware of the dossier before he wrote the letter, according to a person knowledgeable about the subject who spoke on condition of anonymity because this person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. FBI Director James Comey refused earlier Tuesday to say whether the FBI was investigating any possible ties between Russia and Trump's presidential campaign, citing policy not to comment on what the FBI might or might not be doing. Comey was pressed by Democrats on the committee about whether the FBI was conducting an investigation. There was no mention during the hearing about the summary of the dossier, which was attached to the classified hacking assessment. "I would never comment on investigations -- whether we have one or not -- in an open forum like this so I can't answer one way or another," Comey told the panel during his first public appearance before Congress since the election. In late October, Comey angered Democrats when he announced 11 days before the election that the FBI was looking at more emails as part of its investigation of Hillary Clinton. Trump and Putin (Photo: MCT, Reuters) Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden said the American people had a right to know about whether there is an FBI investigation into the Trump campaign's ties with Russia. An active FBI investigation of the next president for ties between his campaign and a nation accused of meddling in the presidential election could further stoke mistrust in the legitimacy of the democratic process. It could also put Trump's own FBI in the awkward position of examining the conduct of those closest to the commander-in-chief. The FBI was among three US intelligence agencies that collaborated on last week's report on Russia's election activity. It tied Russian President Vladimir Putin to the hacking of email accounts of the Democratic National Committee and individual Democrats like Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta. It said there was no evidence the Russians tampered with vote tallies; the agencies said they couldn't assess if Russia succeeded in influencing Americans to vote for Trump. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who opposed Trump in the GOP primary, said Russia's activity wasn't guided by its support for Trump, but rather "to influence and to potentially manipulate American public opinion for the purpose of discrediting individual political figures, sowing chaos and division in our politics, sowing doubts about the legitimacy of our elections." Democrats at the committee hearing focused their toughest questions on Comey, who was widely criticized for breaking FBI policy in his decision to notify Congress about additional information that came up related to Clinton. He is in the fourth year of a 10-year term, meaning he is expected to stay on in the Trump administration. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said Comey set a new standard by discussing the bureau's activity related to Clinton's private email server. That standard, she said, is the FBI discusses ongoing investigations when there is a "unique public interest in the transparency of that issue." The intelligence agencies' findings on Russian hacking fit that standard, she argued. "I'm not sure I can think of an issue of more serious public interest than this one," Harris said. "This committee needs to understand what the FBI does and does not know about campaign communications with Russia." Sitting beside Comey, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said, "Fair point." Sgt. Elor Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter last week after shooting a neutralized terrorist in Hebron, was portrayed in the testimonies presented to the Military Court as a positive young man and an outstanding combat soldier, the chief prosecutor in the case, Lt. Col. (res.) Nadav Weissman, wrote Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Military prosecution team, however, expressed its reservations over a request made on Tuesday by Azarias defense attorneys to the military court to delay by a week the legal proceedings that were supposed to take place on Sunday during which the defense teams would seek to mitigate his sentence while the prosecution team would seek a harsher pubishment. Elor Azaria in court last week The soldiers lawyers, Ilan Katz and Eyal Besserglick, submitted the request saying that they required more time in order to prepare the character witnesses who have agreed to testify in favor of Azaria in order to help mitigate his sentence. Weismann wrote in response to the request that the prosecution leaves the decision on this request to the courts discretion. There is, however, a public interest in completing the legal proceedings, and this interest is combined with a desire to prevent the defendant from suffering a delay of justice. Lt. Col. Nadav Weissman (Photo: Yariv Katz) The prosecution stressed that it completely respects Azarias right to bring character witnesses on his behalf. The prosecution further agrees that the testimonies presented to the court prove that until he carried out the offense, Azaria was thought of as a positive young man and as an outstanding combat soldier. In regards to this matter, the prosecution brought the defendants commanders and asked them to describe their appreciation towards him to the court. As this is an indisputable point, the prosecution has also informed the defense that it accepts the submission of written evidence as to the defendants character. The prosecutor concluded by saying that because the defenses request refers entirely to character witnesses, and in light of the prosecutions agreement, the justification for delaying the discussion is diminished. The sentencing discussions were originally scheduled to take place on January 15 but the prosecutor has suggested a number of alternative datesJanuary 19, 24 or 27. Meanwhile, Azarias family members met with his commander recently. The IDF Spokespersons Unit said in a statement that the goal of the meeting was to inquire on any aid required by the family. Sgt. Azaria is entitled to a clean and pressure-free legal proceeding and is regularly taken care of by his commanders like all other IDF soldiers, the statement said, adding that Sgt. Azaria received proper conditions and beyond during the months he spent in open detention at a military camp. Azarias defense attorneys have complained to Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman that during a meeting held Monday between the soldiers father, Charlie Azaria, and Kfir Brigade Commander Col. Guy Hazut, Azaria was asked not to appeal the conviction but rather to favor a pardon or sentence mitigation and replace his lawyers. The attorneys referred to the request as faulty and outrageous conduct that crosses every line and seemingly violate the law. These claims were denied by the IDF Spokespersons Unit however, which said the meeting focused on financial and social assistance to the Azaria family. The Arab-Israeli newspaper Kul al-Arab reported that Qatar is mediating between Israel and Hamas for a prisoner exchange deal. According to the report, Hamas made the talks conditional upon the release of 60 prisoners who were released in the Shalit deal and who were arrested at various stages after its implementation. The report suggests that Israel agreed on the condition that they are expelled to the Gaza Strip or Qatar. This suggestion however, was apparently rejected by Hamas. An official close to Hamas told Ynet that Qatars ambassador to the so-called Palestinian territories Mohammad al-Amadi, who often visits Gaza and occasionally meets with Israeli officials, is involved in the negotiations. The Arab-Israeli newspaper Kul al-Arab has reported that Qatar is mediating between Israel and Hamas in a potential prisoner exchange deal that would secure the release of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin and Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, who were both killed during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The deal may also involve the return of Avraham 'Abera' Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli reportedly held hostage by Hamas after he was seen crossing the border into Gaza out of his own volition in 2014. According to the report, Hamas made the talks conditional upon the release of 60 prisoners who were released in the Shalit deal and who were subsequently arrested at various stages following its implementation. Hadar Goldin (L), Oron Shaul (C), Abera Mengistu (R) The report suggests that Israel agreed to the demand on the condition that the released prisoners are expelled to the Gaza Strip or Qatar. This suggestion however, was apparently rejected by Hamas. An official close to Hamas told Ynet that Qatars ambassador to the so-called Palestinian territories Mohammad al-Amadiwho is responsible for rehabilitation projects in Gaza, often visits pays visits there and occasionally meets with Israeli officialsis involved in the negotiations. The Mengistu family said however, that they were unaware of any such talks. The family is not updated on the issue. Until we see Abera, the publications do not console us, they said. Oron Shauls mother, Zahava also said that she had not been informed of the negotiations and called on the prime minister to act to bring back my son Oron from the war. Dont leave my son with Hamas. The report comes just days after the family of Hadar Goldin issued a scathing statement over what they described as the governments failure to engage in any serious negotiations to secure the release of their sons body, or that of Oron Shaul. Unfortunately, the prime minister waved a white flag at Hamas and gave up on bringing Hadar and Oron home. The Israeli government is demonstrating terrible weakness to Hamas, the statement said. While the two sit in Hamas captivity, the family said, Netanyahu releases bodies of terrorists, while Hamas prisoners receive deluxe conditions and the government pays the salaries of Hamas terrorists. A general strike was launched in the Arab sector Wednesday morning in protest of the demolition of nine homes in the city of Qalansawe on Tuesday. The strike, which will include the closure of all schools, businesses and public places, was announced by the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A demonstration is expected to take place at the entrance to Qalansawe on Wednesday afternoon in solidarity with the families whose homes were demolished. Another major protest will be held after the Friday prayers in the presence of residents from all Arab communities. A closed school in Tayibe Former Knesset Member Mohammad Barakeh, head of the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, said he hoped the government gets the message. It cant just catch an Arab citizen on his own and destroy his home. We see the demolition of homes in Qalansawe as a matter relating to the future and life of the entire Arab public. Barakeh added that the Arab sector leaders would convene on Saturday to decide on the next move on the local and political level, as well as on the international level. In addition, they are considering staging a protest outside the Prime Ministers Office and are preparing to help the families whose homes were demolished by providing them with a temporary roof over their heads until the houses are reconstructed. Strike in Qalansawe House demolished in Qalansawe, Tuesday Diya Mahluf, whose home was demolished, said that he a,nd members of his family, were having trouble processing everything we have gone through. We didnt sleep all night, and this morning it was very difficult to see the demolished homes. Its a massacre. This state keeps destroying our homes and our future. We are left with nothing. So far, he added, I chose to do things decently, but after the demolition I have decided to become a criminal. If youre not a criminal in this country, they step all over you. Tayibe Mayor Shuaa Masarwa Mansur called on the Arab sector to unite to stop the demolition of homes. Its time for our voice to reach the Israeli government. It must regulate the outlined plan in order to allow the families to build. I call on people not to build in forbidden places until this whole issue is regulated, but its very painful to see homes demolished after the families put years of effort into them. He said he had personally called on Tayibes residents to go on strike in solidarity with Qalansawes residents. I hope that these moves will speed up the process of receiving our rights. The IDF, Shin Bet and Israel Police are registering marked success in an intense crackdown over the last few months against clandestine Palestinian factories in which weapons are illegally manufactured, as cost of acquiring such weapons have soared since the operations inception. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The activities have increased throughout the West Bank due to the rise in the number of terror attacks involving the use of guns, such as that which took place in Tel Avivs popular Sarona Market in which four Israelis were murdered, along with many others. While the majority of weapons that are produced in the West Bank are purchased for criminal purposes, the ease with which terrorists are also able to lay their hands on a gun in the area has prompted authorities to take greater efforts to thwart the phenomenon of the widescale illicit industry Weapons available to criminals and terrorists in the underworld (Photo: Shin Bet Spokesperson's Unit) Indeed, perhaps one of the most alarming facts about the limited resources that go into purchasing a weapon can best be exemplified by the fact that the suits worn by the Saron terrorist cost more than the weapons they used to carry out the attack. Equally worrisome is the fact that in 2016, 45 illegal weapons and bullets manufacturing sites were shut down while 450 weapons were confiscated. The reinvigorated efforts by the security forces however are paying dividends, as is evinced by the fact that the cost of such weapons have doubled or more than tripled as a result of the crackdown which has made made their availability increasingly scarce. For example, the cost of a homemade Carlo sub-machine gun that just one year ago cost NIS 1,500, today costs NIS 7,000. Similarly, the cost of a handgun that once cost NIS 10,000 has now doubled while improvised Kalashnikov assault rifles would have been purchased in the underworld for NIS 25,000 as opposed to today, which typically requires a payment of NIS 40,000. Moreover, purchasing an M-16 machine gun would have set a buyer back by NIS 50,000 one year ago, whereas today buyers will need to part with NIS 80,000. The weapons manufacturing sites have been repeatedly built underneath homes which can be entered through a concealed and small opening in the floor. President Barack Obama has bid farewell to the nation in an emotional speech that sought to comfort a country on edge over rapid economic changes, persistent security threats and the election of Donald Trump. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Forceful at times and tearful at others, Obama's valedictory speech in his hometown of Chicago was a public meditation on the many trials the US faces as Obama takes his exit. For the challenges that are new, Obama offered his vision for how to surmount them, and for the persistent problems he was unable to overcome, he offered optimism that others, eventually, will. "Yes, our progress has been uneven," he told a crowd of some 18,000. "The work of democracy has always been hard, contentious and sometimes bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back." Obama bids farewell (: ) X Yet Obama argued his faith in America had only been strengthened by what he's witnessed the past eight years, and he declared: "The future should be ours." Brushing away tears with a handkerchief, Obama paid tribute to the sacrifices made by his wifeand by his daughters, who were young girls when they entered the big white home on Pennsylvania Avenue and leave as young women. He praised first lady Michelle Obama for taking on her role "with grace and grit and style and good humor" and for making the White House "a place that belongs to everybody." Soon Obama and his family will exit the national stage, to be replaced by Trump, a man Obama had stridently argued poses a dire threat to the nation's future. His near-apocalyptic warnings throughout the campaign have cast a continuing shadow over his post-election efforts to reassure Americans anxious about the future. Indeed, much of what Obama accomplished during his two termsfrom health care overhaul and environmental regulations to his nuclear deal with Irancould potentially be upended by Trump. So even as Obama seeks to define what his presidency meant for America, his legacy remains in question. Even as Obama said farewellin a televised speech of just under an hourthe anxiety felt by many Americans about the future was palpable, and not only in the Chicago convention center where he stood in front of a giant presidential seal. The political world was reeling from new revelations about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about Trump. Obama made only passing reference to the next president. When he noted he would soon be replaced by the Republican, his crowd began to boo. "No, no, no, no, no," Obama said. One of the nation's great strengths, he said, "is the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next." Earlier, as the crowd of thousands chanted, "Four more years," he simply smiled and said, "I can't do that." Still, Obama offered what seemed like a point-by-point rebuttal of Trump's vision for America. Obama in tears (Photo: EPA) He pushed back on the isolationist sentiments inherent in Trump's trade policies. He decried discrimination against Muslim Americans and lamented politicians who question climate change. And he warned about the pernicious threat to US democracy posed by purposely deceptive fake "news" and a growing tendency of Americans to listen only to information that confirms what they already believe. Get out of your "bubbles," said the politician who rose to a prominence with a message of unity, challenging divisions of red states and blue states. Obama also revived a call to activism that marked his first presidential campaign, telling Americans to stay engaged in politics. "If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the internet," Obama said pointedly, "try to talk with one in real life. " With Democrats still straining to make sense of their devastating election losses, Obama tried to offer a path forward. He called for empathy for the struggles of all Americans -- from minorities, refugees and transgender people to middle-aged white men whose sense of economic security has been upended in recent years. Paying tribute to his place as America's first black president, Obama acknowledged there were hopes after his 2008 election for a post-racial America. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic," Obama said, though he insisted race relations are better now than a few decades ago. The former community organizer closed out his speech by reviving his campaign chant, "Yes we can." To that, he added for the first time, "Yes we did." He staunchly defended the power of activists to make a differencethe driving factor behind Obama's optimism in the face of so much anxiety, he said. Though the coalition of young Americans and minorities who twice got Obama elected wasn't enough to elect Democrat Hillary Clinton to replace him, Obama suggested their day was still ahead. Photo: AP "You'll soon outnumber any of us, and I believe as a result that the future is in good hands," he said. Steeped in nostalgia, Obama's return to Chicago was less a triumphant homecoming than a bittersweet reunion bringing together loyalists and staffers, many of whom have long since left Obama's service, moved on to new careers and started families. They came from across the countrysome on Air Force One, others on their own -- to be present for the last major moment of Obama's presidency. Unexpectedly absent was Obama's younger daughter, Sasha, who had been expected to join sister Malia at the speech. The White House said Sasha stayed in Washington due to a school exam Wednesday morning. After returning to Washington, Obama will have less than two weeks before he accompanies Trump in the presidential limousine to the Capitol for the new president's swearing-in. After nearly a decade in the spotlight, Obama will become a private citizen, an elder statesman at 55. He plans to take some time off, write a book -- and immerse himself in a Democratic redistricting campaign. Behind the misleading image of a calm in southern Israel, the IDF and Hamas are already preparing for the next war. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Israeli side is focusing on locating Hamas strengths and optimizing the selection of targets. Hamas, on the other side of the fence, is preparing for the use of naval commandos and mini remotely-piloted vehicles, setting off daily sirens in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and bringing thousands of fighters into the network of subterranean tunnels. IAF drops bombs on Hamas weapons depot (: '') X Standing several meters from the fence of Kibbutz Nahal Oz in the northern Gaza vicinity, one can easily see Hamas arms race and recovery taking place. Palestinian tractors and trucks load construction material which has been recycled from what was left of the homes in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood are a common site. The residents have not returned to the homes overlooking the fields and houses of Nahal Oz and Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Gazas eastern neighborhood has turned into the largest concrete factory in the strip. Photo: Reuters Meanwhile, Hamas posts are springing up like mushrooms after rain between the Palestinian villages and towns and the Israeli border. Under the fertile agricultural land on both sides of the border fence, the land is rustling with the sounds of diggings. The sounds of Hamas combat training, the shooting ranges and fitness exercises can be heard clearly on the Israeli side, even in the middle of the night. Two and a half years after Operation Protective Edge, it seems that quite a lot has changed in the approach of both Hamas and the IDF. We plan to turn the enemys tunnels into death traps, into something that will stand in their way, Colonel Yuval Ben-Dov, commander of the Southern Commands Fire Control Center, told Ynet. The next battle wont be just over aerial fire, and fire alone will not win the next war. The Southern Command is preparing for another conflict in Gaza, this time more accurate and less scattered in terms of munition volumes and explosives. Hamas terrorists (Photo: Reuters) All these preparations are subject to the Defense Ministers unequivocal policy to end the next war with a defeat to Hamas rather than buying two or three more years of calm. Until that happens, every few months the IDF targets strategic assets built by Hamas using exceptional offensive planes that drop tons of ammunition from the air. On paper, these sporadic strikes are carried out in response to a rocket fired at an Israeli community. In reality, they are launched in an effort to exploit the opportunity to weaken the recovery of Hamas military wing. A conversation with Southern Command officers outlines the change in the IDFs perception of strikes against Hamas, focusing on efficiency and speed. IDF officials are realizing that the economic distress, which includes a drop in electricity and water supply and a high unemployment rate, along with sewer flooding and a population growth in a small and crowded area, are turning into a time bomb. A source in the Southern Command told Ynet that 95 percent of the strips budget comes from the outside. Hamas understands that and is acting sensibly. Bombs dropped on Gaza weapons depot (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) In recent months, Hamas has arrested more than 30 rebellious activists who disobeyed its orders and fired rockets at Israel. It is taking other organizations in the strip, such as former Hamas or Islamic Jihad members, under its wings and helping them with training and money. Hamas will place importance on kidnapping and murdering Israelis In conversation with commanders for the Southern Command, it is clear that Hamas, like the IDF, will endeavor to fight in a more focused fashion in the next round. The terror organization is planning to carry out simultaneous surprise underground infiltrations via tunnel from which dozens of armed terrorists will emerge from the areas surrounding the Gaza Strip with the sole intent of murdering and kidnapping Israelis. The emphasis placed on such a tactic is designed to create the impression of victory from the first day of fighting and show that the IDF is unprepared for the battle. Hamas intends to allocate the majority of its fighting force to the underground sphere to which it wants to lure Israeli soldiersa sphere which is growing every day. Moreover, the organization is rearming and improving its rocket capabilities, placing particular priority on firing range as part of its overall strategy of ensuring that residents of the Tel Aviv area receive no respite from the sounds of the sirens, indifferent to the interceptions of the Iron Dome. But in addition to Hamass thirst to wreak havoc on Israeli citizens by way of sound, it is also working to do so by poundthat is, by increasing the explosive impact of their rockets. Short-distanced mortars too are expected to cause greater damage which will be earmarked for communities near Gaza and areas containing IDF concentrations. Drone attacks, coordinated from within the tunnels, are also expected to be carried out in the next round, as well as amphibious assaults from commando units launched from the sea. The overall strategy is to take the fight to Israel, rather than defend on home turf. The strategies were already employed, with partial success, by Hamas during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. Whether they will be put to more effective use next time remains to be seen. Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni's office was reported in good condition Wednesday after undergoing angioplasty surgery upon his return from a bilateral meeting in Paris. Gentiloni's office confirmed he was hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital, but wouldn't comment on the nature of the illness. The news agency ANSA said Gentiloni had undergone angioplasty surgery on a peripheral blood vessel Tuesday evening, and was in good condition and alert. The 62-year-old Gentiloni took over as premier last month after the previous government resigned. He was foreign minister in Premier Matteo Renzi's government. Gentiloni met with French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Tuesday on the first of the customary round of official visits by an Italian head of government after taking office. He decided to get checked at the Gemelli after feeling unwell after landing in Rome, ANSA said, adding that he remained "lucid and on his feet." He was scheduled to travel to London on Thursday to meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May. It wasn't yet clear if the trip would be postponed. When Palestinian Fuad Abu Khaled fled Syria's war in 2013, he sought refuge among his own, looking for solidarity among Palestinian refugees based in Lebanon's Shatila camp. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter But instead he found a community already struggling to get by and sometimes resentful of new arrivals who are testing the limited resources of the UN agency dedicated to helping Palestinian refugees. "Despite the fact he's Palestinian and I'm Palestinian, I'm Syrian and he's from Lebanon," said Abu Khaled, who fled the Yarmuk camp in Damascus with his family after fighting began there. "He sees you as coming to take his place, exploit him, take his daily rations," he said at the camp in southern Beirut notorious for violence in the past. Abu Khaled is one of at least 31,000 Palestinians who have taken refuge in Lebanon since Syria's conflict began in March 2011, part of a larger influx of some one million refugees from Syria. And Lebanon was already home to about 450,000 Palestinian refugees, mostly the descendants of those who fled their homes when the state of Israel was created in 1948 following a concerted attack from surrounding Arab nations, or during subsequent conflicts. Seated on a thin mattress in the one-bedroomed flat he shares with his wife and eight children, Abu Khaled said he simply couldn't make ends meet. Abu Khaled (Photo: AFP) Fighting in Syria destroyed the 52-year-old's grocery shop, and the aid he receives from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA and other charity groups has proved insufficient. "I think if the situation continues like this the people could explode," he said. 'Not welcome any more' In another part of the camp, Najah Awad sits in a modest room where she has lived with her three children since fleeing Yarmuk in 2013. In the beginning "they welcomed us. But not any more," she said. "Now they see us as taking their jobs, taking their livelihoods." UNRWA Syria's director Matthias Schmale acknowledged the struggles faced by Palestinian refugees from Syria, as well as those in Lebanon hosting them. "The longer this displacement from Syria lasts and the more pressures grow on UNRWA and indeed the host population of Palestine refugees from Lebanon, I think we cannot rule out tensions," he said in English. But he stressed Palestinian refugees in Lebanon had displayed impressive generosity under difficult circumstances, sharing resources and in some cases even hosting Syrian Palestinians. "It takes a lot of solidarity if you yourself live below the poverty line," he told AFP. Some five million Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza are registered to receive help from UNRWA, which was created after Israel's creation, originally to assist all refugees but which morphed into a unit almost entirely dedicated to Palestinians. Naja Awad (Photo: AFP) The organisation is frequently underfunded, but has come under new pressure with the conflict in Syria, where some 410,000 Palestinians now depend entirely on UNRWA handouts. In response, the agency launched a $410 million (390 million euro) emergency funding appeal on Monday. For Palestinians in Lebanon, including those coming from Syria, the hardships are exacerbated by tight restrictions on their ability to work. Surviving on half needs Abu Khaled is breeding canaries, hoping to sell the noisy chicks squeaking in a cage in his living room for up to $30 (28 euros) each. His wife is still recovering from a hernia operation. While UNRWA paid half the hospital bill, he struggled to raise the rest of the money. Some 90 percent of Palestinian refugees from Syria in Lebanon live under the poverty line, a 2016 study by UNRWA and the American University in Beirut found. Nine percent cannot meet even their basic food requirements. Najwa Hazeneh, a Palestinian from Yarmuk who works with charities in the camp, said some families have only 50 percent of their needs. Shatila Refugee Camp (Photo: AFP) "They might cover that by going into debt, and usually they go without lots of things. Some people go without medical treatment. The mother becomes the doctor of the family. Sometimes they go without certain foods." Abu Khaled said he knew people struggling to meet their most basic needs. "It's a catastrophe for those forced to flee. A family in a good situation gets two meals a day. An average one gets one. I know some that get none," he said. Despite the hardships, Mohammed Abu Ali of Fatah al-Intifada, one of several Palestinian armed factions that control Shatila camp, said Lebanese Palestinians were committed to helping their brethren. "We share everything. We can't have them being in the dark while we have electricity, or them not having water while we do," he said, sitting in military fatigues under a Palestinian flag at his office. "We hope UNRWA sees that they need to help us both." The Shin Bet and the Judea and Samaria Police Division of Nationalistic Crimes have been conducting an investigation involving suspicion of a planned attack on Arabs. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A gag order was placed on the precise details of the investigation while the Petah Tikva Magistrates Court Ruled Wednesday that besides the fact that an investigation was underway, all additional details are to remain classified. Price tag attacks saying 'Revenge' The Shin Bet and the police are treating the matter seriously and have described the investigation as being complicated. In recent years the Shin Bet and Judea and Samaria District Police have sought to crack down on right-wing extremists who have either planned or succeeded in carrying out terror attacks against Palestinians. In the past two years, a number of open hate cases have been cracked by security forces, some of which have remained open for years. Security forces are also recording a drop in "price tag" attacks. Among other things, indictments and other measures were taken against the perpetrators of attacks against Palestinians such as the acts of arson in Beitillu and Duma, in which members of the Dawabsheh family perished. Despite controversy, administrative detention was also employed against two of the Jewish suspects. ST. PAUL -- A Minnesota man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for lying to the FBI about his social media exchanges with Islamic State group recruiters. Twenty-three-year-old Abdul Raheem Ali-Skelton, of Glencoe, pleaded guilty in April to lying about his communications with the group. Prosecutors argued Tuesday for a five-year sentence. Minnesota Public Radio reported that Assistant US Attorney Charles Kovats said Ali-Skelton maintained secret contact with "the worst of the worst of terrorist organizations." Ali-Skelton apologized and distanced himself from ISIS ideology, saying he never supported terrorism. His attorney cited mental health issues, saying communicating with the group made Ali-Skelton feel important. TALLINN -- Lithuania's public television has apologized for a live show in which a popular actress made gestures to represent Adolf Hitler's moustache while raising her arm in a Nazi-style salute. Virginija Buneviciute, a spokeswoman for Lithuanian National Radio and Television LRT, said Wednesday the contract with the production company behind the popular "Guess the Melody" show was immediately terminated. During Friday's contest which actress Asta Baukute was about to win, she jumped off her seat when recognizing a melody by a Lithuanian composer of Jewish heritage. She then made the gestures and yelled "Jew, Jew, Jew" in Lithuanian. Local media said Baukute, a former lawmaker with a populist party in Lithuania, later apologized and said she didn't want to hurt anyone. She was not immediately available for comments. Haaretz's news website reported on Wednesday that Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin (Likud) was called in by the National Fraud Investigations Unit to give testimony last Sunday, regarding the Netanyahu-Mozes affair. Levin confirmed to Haaretz his being summoned but refused to discuss the content of his testimony. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter According to the publication, Levin, who served in 2014 as chairperson of the Knesset House Committee, was considered together with current Likud Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Minister of Environmental Protection Ze'ev Elkin Netanyahu's as confidant in matters pertaining to passing bills into law. It is assumed that Levin was summoned by the police to check whether Netanyahu approached him regarding what Netanyahu had allegedly promised Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet owner Arnon "Noni" Mozes : namely, that Netanyahu would act to secure the passing of a law that would have forced the free newspaper Yisrael Hayom to charge readers for its purchase. This would have weakened Yisrael Hayom's power and strengthened Yedioth Ahronoth, which Mozes owns. The assumption is that the police wanted to check with Levin whether Netanyahu nevertheless approached him about passing such a law. Minister Yarin Levin Channel 2 and Haaretz reported that the proposed deal between the publisher and prime minister included a drastic change in the way that Yedioth Ahronoth's news outlets covered stories related to Netanyahu, who would act to promote legislation that would have severely damaged the competing free newspaper, Yisrael Hayom. Lawyers Navit Negev and Iris Niv-Sabag, who represent Mozes in this matter, stated that "We are prohibited from responding details of the investigation, and therefore we will not respond to the various publications, both past and future. We suggest waiting until the end of the investigation, when the picture will become clearer. It should be understood that this response should not been interpreted as confirmation of what has already been published." As part of the Hamas' internet espionage activities, the terrorist organization's cyber collections unit managed to hack dozens of cell phones belonging to IDF combat soldiers in an attempt to gather intelligence for military operations and preparations on the Gaza border. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Investigations by the Shin Bet and the IDF's Information Security Department and Cyber Defense Unit discovered that dozens of cell phones belonging to soldiers and officers in both active and reserve duty had been hacked by Hamas. Several of the women Hamas has imitated (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) Hamas operatives would pose as attractive, young Israeli women by assuming their identities and making contact with soldiers, mainly through Facebook. Following contact with soldiers, the Hamas operatives would attempt to engage in an intimate virtual relationship and convince soldiers to download an "application" that would allow for video chatting. The "application" was a Trojan horse, which gave Hamas total control over the device and allowed the terrorist organization to activate the camera and microphone, access contacts, videos and photos, and even Whatsapp conversations and emailsall without the soldier being aware. Moreover, Hamas also managed to delete the application from the devices, while simultaneously installing more sophisticated monitoring and control applications without leaving a trace. Chat transcript wherein Hamas operative attempts to entice soldier with a picture of "herself" (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) Dozens of soldiers whose cell phones were hacked were questioned by the IDF's Information Security Department and the affected devices were also confiscated in order to determine the extent of the damage. Tests by the IDF and Shin Bet revealed that the damage was minimal, but acknowledged that Hamas acquired images that resembling IDF war rooms, tanks and armored vehicles, observation devices and locations of soldiers in the border area. In response to the cyber attacks, the IDF has decided to release the images of 16 characters Hamas is using in the attempt to entice soldiers into giving up information. At this time it is not known whether or not soldiers will face disciplinary action as a result of falling in a trap, but consultations with the Military Advocate General will make the final ruling on the matter. Hamas members in reservists' groups on Facebook Monitoring activities by the IDF's Information Security Department in 2016 uncovered Hamas attempts to enter open and closed Facebook groups of reserve soldiers who were attempting to keep in touch with their platoons and units. Information gathered by the IDF demonstrates that Hamas built reliable profiles based on forged identities of soldiers. Posing as soldiers, Hamas operatives asked about recent training exercises and attempted to glean as much information as possible. IDF training exercises (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) Following the increase of Hamas cyber activity, the IDF has decided to tighten guidelines for soldiers on the use of social media. From here on out, all soldiers in possession of a top secret security clearance will be forbidden from uploading any pictures related to military service or register as a soldier. Additionally, all officers above the rank of captain will also be required to abide by the same guidelines. Given the impact of social media on the IDF in recent years, military officials have also decided to increase mandatory briefings and training on how to use social media as a soldier and the threat posed to security. 3,000 IDF-based Facebook groups Despite the exposure of the Hamas operation, the IDF believes that the ongoing Hamas campaign will seek to employ more sophisticated means of gathering intelligence. The IDF has also refused to comment on whether or not the situation on the northern border is worse due to the technological capabilities of Hezbollah, which utilizes both Iranian and Russian technology. However, the IDF has acknowledged that efforts against internet and cellular espionage are ongoing. IDF Cyber Unit (Photo: IDF Spoksperson's Unit) The IDF has identified 3,000 unofficial Facebook groups currently in operation. As a result, officials have decided that additional measures are necessary in order to avoid future lapses in security. Measures being discussed include more precautions such as permission to start groups and stricter guidelines for accepted friend requests. As part of this operation, the IDF has opened a special command post available 24/7 where soldiers can report suspicious online activity. Victims of the current cyber attack are identified mostly as low-ranking soldiers, with several officers included. WASHINGTON -- The US Treasury Department said on Wednesday it had added seven North Koreans and and two North Korean government entities to its sanctions list. The department said in a statement its Office of Foreign Assets Control added the six men and one woman, all officials of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, along with the Ministry of Labor and the State Planning Commission, to the Specially Designated Nationals List. A recording of Kfir Brigade Commander Guy Hazut was made public on Wednesday, in which he is heard pushing Charlie Azaria, the father of Sgt. Elor Azaria to cut a deal with the defense, in an effort to lighten Elor's sentence, due to be announced in a month's time. The conversation was recorded on Monday, and was revealed by Channel 2 News journalist Amit Segal. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter On Tuesday, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit denied that Hazut had offered Azaria a deal in exchange for him waving his right to appeal the manslaughter verdict for killing of neutralized terrorist Abed al Fatah al-Sharif, but the aforementioned recording presents the opposite case, with Hazut going as far as telling the senior Azaria that he is acting as a representative of the IDF. L to R: Elor, Etti and Charlie Azaria (Photo: AP) "I can offer you the following," Hazut is heard saying the Charlie. "I can get you a meeting with the chief military prosecutor and have him lay out the ways in which you can move forward with the IDF prosecution, be it counseling or adding someone to the defense team. I don't have a legal education. All I know is what I've read over the last weekend, and this line of defense, at least from what I've read, hasn't been very successful so far." After Hazut offers him to meet "as soon as tonight" with the IDF Manpower directorate, the assistant to the IDF chief of staff and the GOC Central Command, in addition to the chief military prosecutor, Charlie responded to Hazut's offer by telling him, "I won't have my 21-year-old son convicted of manslaughter when he's done nothing but serve his country. If God forbid they would've told me, 'Listen, a Palestinian walked down the street and he shot him,' I would've said 'Are you crazy?' As far as I'm concerned, if there's no manslaughter count, then I've got no problem with it. I don't want to cause the army any damage, on the contraryI want to come out and tell soldiers that they should enlist, that we don't have any other country." "When I hear soldiers calling me and saying, 'Listen, Charlie, I don't know when to shoot and when I shouldn't. If I don't shoot they'll tell me I didn't act in an operational manner, and if I do shoot, I'll be standing in your son's shoes,' what can I tell them? I don't want that damage. When I saw the event (Sunday's vehicular terrorist attacked), I felt ashamed. To this day my heart aches. It's burned with the knowledge that we're burying four soldiers now." The IDF Spokesperson's Unit issued a statement following the release of the recording. "The IDF Spokesperson wishes to clarify that he will not detail the content of the meeting that took place between the family of Sg.t Elor Azaria and his commander, but he denies the false report of Channel 2 News, which insinuated that a deal was offered in regard to a lighter punishment or to the appeal or any other interference in the legal proceeding." The IDF Spokesperson continued to say that "Sgt. Elor Azaria is entitled to a clean legal proceeding that is free of added pressures and that is treated by his commanders in a continuous and smooth manner as it would be for any other IDF soldier." He added that "The point of the meeting was to see whether the family needed additional assistance." Following the recording being made public, Azaria's legal representatives petitioned Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman with claims that the Hazut's conduct was "outrageous, infuriating and wrong," and that it "crosses any rule or supposed law." Their appeal comes after Lieberman's own statements over the past week, in which he said that "Anyone seeking Azaria's best interests should sit quietly now and stop all the commotion. We're doing everything possible to protect IDF values and Azaria. Anything beyond that will only cause damage." Residents from the Ofra settlement arrived at the Knesset Wednesday to protest the High Court ruling to demolish nine homes built illegally on privately-owned Palestinian land. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In a letter distributed throughout the halls of the Knesset, residents said, "We demand a change in the status of the land once and for all. The impotence and inaction of the government and the prime minister will not cause us to lower our heads and humbly accept the destruction of homes in Ofra." Construction in Ofra (Photo: Amit Shabi) An Ofra official added, "Those who ignore Ofra and come riding on a bulldozer will be in for a determined struggle." The community is confident that the prime minister can prevent the damage and regulate the legal status of Ofra. Residents met with Knesset members Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid), Yoav Kish (Likud), Rachel Azaria (Kulanu), Amir Ohana (Likud) and Moti Yogev (ayit Yehudi) to demand that they prevent the planned demolitions. Currently, the chances of regulating the statuses of the homes in question in order to prevent demolition are weak. While residents understand this, they are claiming that it is time to promote the Regulation Bill, which will resolve the status of Ofra. Several days ago, officials from the Ministry of Defense met with the owners of the nine houses slated for demolition and tried to persuade them to leave voluntarily and even offered assistance in doing so. Residents rejected their proposal. Greetings and Happy New Year! I hope everyone was able to spend time with loved ones during the Christmas season. The 105th legislative session kicked off on Wednesday, Jan. 4. This year we will conduct a 90-day session, also known as the long session, with the expected adjournment date in early June. There are many changes to the makeup of the legislative body. We welcome 17 new senators in the freshman class, and 10 of the 13 standing committees will have new chairpersons leading the way. In a close Speaker of the Legislature race, we had two excellent candidates, but Jim Scheer of Norfolk defeated Matt Williams of Gothenburg by a close vote of 27-22. Notable chair races include Mike Groene of North Platte defeating Roy Baker of Lincoln for chair of the Education Committee; and Merv Riepe of Omaha defeating Sara Howard of Omaha for chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. A few other important chairmanships were John Stinner of Scottsbluff was elected Appropriations Committee Chairman, Jim Smith of Omaha was elected Revenue Committee Chairman, and Laura Ebke of Crete was elected Judiciary Committee Chairwoman. Without opposition, I was unanimously re-elected as chairman of the Retirement Committee. Moving forward in my role, I intend for the Retirement Committee to continue its work in protecting the plans assets, responsibly managing taxpayer dollars via the states contribution to the plans, while fulfilling the promised return to our retirees. This year, I will again serve on the Health and Human Services Committee. However, instead of serving on the Agriculture and General Affairs Committees, I will be a member of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee. I will also serve on the Committee on Committees which is a committee that assigns senators to committees. The legislature faces many challenges this year, the greatest being a significant budget shortfall to the tune of roughly $900 million. Governor Pete Ricketts and the legislature will have to work hand in hand in order to make difficult, yet appropriate funding cuts to balance the budget. The legislature will also examine tax reform while taking a close look at ways to find property tax relief. The Revenue Committee will also consider the elimination of some tax exemptions for certain items and services. I know taxes are an important issue to all Nebraskans, and we will work diligently to find solutions to our tax challenges. The first 10 days of session is the only time senators are allowed to introduce legislation. While we do not know all the bills that will be introduced during this time, some of the bills and issues expected to garner attention this year in addition to tax reform include the discussion for new correctional facilities, staffing concerns within the Department of Corrections, and tourism reform. As always, if we can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My door is open and I have made it a goal to be accessible to the constituents of our district. Please stop by any time. My e-mail address is mkolterman@leg.ne.gov, and the office phone number is 402-471-2756. David and Katie are always available to assist you with your needs. If I am not immediately available, please do not hesitate to work with them to address any issues that you may need assistance. Please continue to follow me on Facebook at Kolterman for Legislature and on Twitter at @KoltermanforLegislature. YORK -- Starting this spring, York College will offer a new area of study. Building on the success of the existing business department, agriculture courses are being added to create an opportunity unlike any other in Nebraska: an agribusiness program in a Christian college setting. Stacie Turnbull, assistant professor, will be directing the new program, which grew out of conversations with local businesses and York College administrators. So much of the area surrounding our campus is agriculture, said Turnbull. The need for many businesses in our area is employees with ag expertise and a four year degree. They have employees with two year degrees that cant progress in the company without additional education. Across Nebraska and throughout the U.S., there is a shortage of qualified employees in this industry. They cant fill all the positions with the current workforce. There are not enough students wanting to go into agriculture, Turnbull said. This is especially true in the York area, where there is the added challenge of attracting a skilled workforce to a small town in a rural area. Local industry partners, including banks and seed companies, are very excited about this new area of study at York College. Turnbull will teach some of the courses required for the degree and others will be taught by adjunct instructors from area businesses. Our industry partners are the experts. They know what our students need to know. These are bright people with great skills and a lot of knowledge to share with students, Turnbull said. The added benefit of working with these industry partners is that staying current in agricultural technology is very expensive. No college can keep up with the cost of the rapidly changing technology, but our industry partners can. Our students will have access to the best and newest information and tools due to these partnerships. One core component of the program will be an emphasis on precision agricultureself-driving tractors, GPS enabled sensors that can check crop nutrient and moisture needs, drone photography, and the like. Technology is making agriculture more efficient and more environmentally friendly, said Turnbull, who gave the example of using drones to pinpoint where in a field there is a problem and treating only the affected section and not surrounding plants. This is what the future of agriculture will be, says Turnbull. Students will need to know about more than growing plants and animals to be successful in this arena. They also need to be equipped to handle developing technology and advanced mathematical modeling. The key differentiator for the program will be the Christian element, said Turnbull. For students who want to pursue a degree in agriculture, but want to learn in a Christian environment, York College is their only option in Nebraska. York College is also the only college among Church of Christ schools to offer this degree, and one of only a few in the country. We'll teach current agricultural skills - but with a knowledge of the gifts God has provided and a responsibility to sustain others, said Turnbull. The program at York College will be practical and hands-on, versus theoretical and research-focused. Students will graduate with the skills needed to make an impact in the industry immediately. A vital part of the agribusiness degree will be an internship with an area business where students will learn the day-to-day operations of different positions in the industry. For animal science classes, students will visit working farms in the area. There are hog and cattle operations as well as a number of hobby farms with sheep, goats, chickens, and horses in York County. There are also companies working with animal nutrition and health. York Colleges small size is an asset in this venture, said Turnbull. You cant easily take 300 students on an industry tour. But you can take 10 and have a really great, interactive experience. Turnbull brings with her a wealth of knowledge, experience, and contacts. After earning a bachelors degree at UNL in agricultural education, she taught high school agriculture classes for a number of years and worked with the National FFA Organization. She completed a masters degree at Iowa State University in agricultural education and is nearing completion of her PhD in the same field. She does consulting work for UNLs Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, developing curriculum for high school classrooms in biotechnology and plant genetics. She is a frequent presenter on topics pertaining to biotechnology. I get really excited about agriculture, says Turnbull, who touts the benefits of this kind of applied science education. Turnbull plans to work with other faculty members in a cross-disciplinary approach to infuse agriculture into every subject for students in her program. For example, in a statistics class, she could provide data from industry partners, so that students could work with real world models rather than hypothetical number sets. Papers and projects in other classes, from English to ethics, could have an agricultural component as well. For more information, contact Stacie Turnbull, program director, at smturnbull@york.edu or call (402) 363-5678. CHADRON -- The Chadron State College President's list, which requires a 4.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, consists of 288 students. Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours of coursework during the semester to qualify. Chadron State College, which was founded in 1911, is the only four-year, regionally-accredited college in the western half of Nebraska. As a public institution with its roots in teacher education, Chadron State takes pride in its accessibility and affordability. More than 3,000 undergraduate, graduate and online students currently attend Chadron State and its curriculum has grown to offer programs and courses in more than 50 majors and endorsements and 11 master's degree programs. YORK After his probation was revoked due to non-compliance, Alan Loeffler, 21, of York, was sentenced to a term of one year in jail for drug possession. According to court documents and the factual basis earlier presented by York County Attorney Candace Bottorf, the case started when Loeffler was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by law enforcement. The arresting officer said in his affidavit that he saw Loeffler reach for a back pack and refused the officers commands to take his hands away from the item. The officer said there was already an active warrant for Loeffler, so he was arrested. Officers said that when Loefflers back pack was searched, they found a bag with a powdery substance that tested positive as methamphetamine, a bag of psilocybin mushrooms, a digital scale, a bag of syringes and a knife. Initially, Loeffler was charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, a Class 2 felony; possession of psilocybin mushrooms with the intent to deliver, a Class 3 felony; possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, an infraction; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. As part of a plea agreement, the charge involving the psilocybin mushrooms remained but the other counts were dismissed. Two weeks ago, Judge James Stecker explained to Loeffler the allegations against him, pertaining to alleged non-compliance with terms of his probation. Those allegations included that he failed to make appointments with his probation officer, that he didnt show up for appointments, that he didnt answer for home visits, that he didnt respond to notices from the probation office, that he moved to Geneva without permission, that he tested positive for marijuana and methamphetamine, that he admitted to smoking marijuana and intravenously using methamphetamine, that he failed to report for testing, that he hadnt made any fee payments and owed $1,650, and that he had provided no verification that he had been going to treatment programs or meetings. Loeffler admitted to the allegations. This week, York County Attorney Candace Bottorf said the state is recommending a straight sentence. He was afforded an opportunity for probation but he failed to comply and theres no reason to believe he will now be able to fulfill the terms of probation. My client has spent 285 days in jail so hes had sufficient time to think and get clean here, said York County Public Defender Nancy Waldron. We are asking for probation so he can go to treatment and stay sober. I know I messed up big with probation, Loeffler said. I wont deny any of that. Im asking for a chance now that my head is clear. You failed to report, you tested positive, you sought no treatment, you paid no fees, you didnt attend any AA meetings, you are not fit to continue with probation, Judge James Stecker told Loeffler. He then sentenced him to a term of one year in jail to be followed with 18 months of post-release supervision. Loeffler was also given credit for time served. The 459th Air Refueling Wing is scheduled to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade, Jan. 20. Ninety Citizen Airmen will take to the streets of Washington D.C., representing 69,000 reservists as they march in honor of the newest President of the United States.Its a privilege to be able to represent the entire Air Force Reserve Command, said Lt. Col. Rebecca Fox, 459th ARW executive officer. In the parade, there will be 360 Active Duty, Guard, Reserve and Air Force Academy Airmen, so the complete formation will represent the entire Air Force. We are a total force and its great to showcase our camaraderie on such a big platform as the inauguration.In preparation for the inauguration, 459th members took part in drill and ceremony training conducted by the Air Force Honor Guard. Airmen also underwent a uniform inspection to ensure they were compliant with dress and appearance standards.Its important we retrain drill and ceremony to this group of reservists so they have the ability to project the bearing, precision, and confidence that makes the United States Air Force the premier air service that it is, said Tech. Sgt. Matt James, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard training flight superintendent. There is very little room for failure when you are under the microscope of so many at an event like this. Its our new president's first impression of the service and its important that we strive to perfect all movements so we earn and maintain the confidence of our commander in chief and the American public.Service members involved in the Presidential Inauguration represent all branches of service and their support is comprised of musical units, marching bands, color guards, salute batteries and honor cordons, which render appropriate ceremonial honors to the commander in chief.This year, 40 organizations of 8,000 marchers, including military, veterans groups and law enforcement, as well as the Boy Scouts of America, will participate in the 58th Presidential Inauguration. While the 459th can only have 90 Airmen in the parade, there are other opportunities for those who volunteered to get involved.The great thing about being stationed at Andrews is we have Air Force One right across the flightline, said Fox. So those who arent able to march in the parade will get to take part in the departure ceremony for the outgoing president. It gives me chills to think about how we are able to support these historic events.The U.S. Armed Forces has provided support for official presidential inaugural ceremonies dating back to April 30, 1789, when members of the Continental Army escorted George Washington to the first U.S. presidential swearing-in ceremony at Federal Hall in New York City. Arizona Air Force components collaborate The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command joined forces during a Joint Medical Operational Training Initiative exercise. The bench mark event took place here, Jan 7, at the home of the 161st Air Refueling Wing. The 161st ARW provided a KC-135 aircraft and crew along with transportation equipment during the joint patient movement training exercise for the simulated scenarios. The 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron commanded by Col. Alfred Rossum provided the bulk of medical manpower with specific patient medical scenarios. Their primary mission is training Airmen to provide care, staging, and movement of patients worldwide. It is never just one person or unit that bears the responsibility of making a mission successful, said Capt. Chrystina Rutter, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron chief of medical readiness and exercise coordinator. Its the cooperation of multiple people and units working together. That was what we wanted to focus on. The event marks the first time that an exercise like this has been conducted and the first time the Air National Guard and AF Reserve units in Arizona worked together on an exercise. Normally, exercises like this are conducted within component groups. Weve never had an experience so similar to what it will be in real life, said Senior Airman Ashlynd Vaughn, 944th ASTS medical technician. The ability to work with a real plane and do this exercise on an actual flight line helped take our training from a classroom to real world. Together both wings worked toward an objective of strengthening relationships between components and effectively collaborated to support patients to and from airframes and during transportation. This training was invaluable to those Airman preparing to deploy, said Rossum. The exercise gave both units an opportunity to experience Total Force Integration between the ANG and AFRC resulting in a greater appreciation of each others mission and the necessity for team work. Both Wings leadership were excited about this unique opportunity and have already started looking at dates for next year to repeat this event. It seems that this is just the beginning of a long relationship between the two groups. This joint patient movement training exercise was yet another great opportunity to showcase the total force partnership between the AF Reserve and the Air National Guard. It provided a realistic, hands-on training environment for both organizations personnel that will be very important to future federal and civil support missions of this type, said Col. Hoyt Slocum 161st ARW vice commander. He noted that members from the 944th ASTS and 197th Air Refueling Squadron demonstrated great teamwork, expertise and learned a great deal about each others mission capabilities. He added that he believes this will be the first of many such future collaborations between the 944th Fighter Wing and 161st ARW. Goldwater Air National Guard Base is attached to Sky Harbor International Airport in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Their primary mission is to organize, train, and equip units and individuals to meet worldwide requirements in support the Air Forces Global Reach mission. The 944th ASTS is part of the 944th FW commanded by Col. Kurt Gallegos at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The mission of the 944th is to train and provide combat ready Airmen, anytime, anywhere. Airmen from the 944th ASTS are schedule to deploy later this summer and this training was in preparation for what their Airmen may encounter while overseas. Despite stricter regulations, foreign investment in Australian commercial property remains strong, hitting a record $10 billion last year. Foreign demand is not expected to peak in the near future as international buyers continue to scan the local market and finance rates remain low. An analysis of 2016 transactions carried out by JLL shows that Singaporean buyers were particularly active last year, leading two of the top three most valuable deals. Singapores ARA Asset Management Limited bought the landmark Southgate complex in Melbourne from Dexus Property Group for $578 million in August. This riverfront complex consists of HWT Tower and IBM Centre, as well as a shopping centre and carpark. Other notable transactions include the Woolworths headquarters at Bella Vista in Sydneys north-west (which was sold for $336.45 million to South Koreas Inmark Group), and Innovation Place at 100 Arthur Street in North Sydney (which was sold to Singapores Ascendas-Singbridge for $313.2 million). JLL estimates that foreign companies were involved in 40% of total transactions in 2016. Offshore investors sold $2.2 billion worth of assets in 15 transactions over a 12-month period. Stephen Conry, chief executive at JLL, expects overseas interest in Australian property to remain strong in 2017, despite growing valuations. The offshore investors have accounted for a rising proportion of major transactions in recent years, he said. According to Conry, 2016 was no exception, with foreign investors accounting for a record number of transactions across the Australian commercial property sector. We are detecting no decline in offshore interest in the Australian market, but the limiting factor is a scarcity of stock. We are certainly finding that offshore investors are willing to broaden their mandates, both in terms of locations and sectors. Sydneys diversified inner-city property market remains one of the best performing in the Asia-Pacific region after rents surged across the board in 2016. A report by Colliers International found that Sydneys premium net effective rents rose 28.4% in the year to September, which is well above the 4.7% annual average growth rate over the past decade. A-grade rents increased by 27.8% while B-grade rents increased by 33.7%. Colliers International said lower-tier Sydney rents were elevated because several buildings were acquired to make way for the NSW governments major infrastructure developments across Sydney. John Marasco, Colliers International capital markets managing director, said Australias political stability meant it would remain a premier international capital destination. Its safe to say that 2016 has dealt its fair share of shocks to the global economy, with the standouts being Britains referendum to leave the European Union (Brexit) and a pending Trump presidency, he said. These economic shocks further cement Australias position as an appealing global destination for foreign capital deployment. Australia has and will continue to resonate with foreign investors due to our consistent economic growth through cycles, transparent financial system, together with sound political and legal frameworks. Related Stories: REIWA lauds latest changes to the national foreign investment framework Foreign investors make up lion's share of CBD property The hot panel topics and presenters across the three days include Chris Gray (who will discuss how parents and grandparents can help young Melbournians break into the housing market), and Arthur Namoudis (who will discuss how $50k can get investors a Toorak property with the help of fractional property investment). Other featured Australian property experts include Effie Zahos, Editor of Money Magazine; Margaret Lomas, Managing Director of Destiny Financial Solutions; and Ben Kingsley, CEO of Empower Wealth. Being such a dynamic industry, its important that we remain at the forefront of the issues and opportunities facing property buyers, said Kylie Mayer, organiser of the Property Buyer Expo. Hence our unrivalled line up of industry-leading speakers and extensive list of exhibitors to give attendees tools, tips and insights to help them build wealth through property. With so many leaders, decision-makers and influencers under one roof, the Property Buyer Expo is a must-attend event for those wanting to either break into the market, increase the value of their home or build extra wealth through property investment. Related stories: New property investment expo to launch in Melbourne next year How to successfully navigate the property market in 2017 Newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung and television channels NDR and WDR claim two "crucial witnesses" told US investigators that both Winterkorn and current group chairman Herbert Diess knew about the circumvention software "from the end of July 2015" Top Volkswagen officials knew about the company's "dieselgate" emissions-cheating software at least a month before they claim to have discovered the scandal, German media reported on Tuesday. VW looks set to pay $4.3 billion (4.1 billion euros) to settle a US criminal case after admitting to fitting out 11 million diesel cars worldwide with software that reduces emissions under testing to pass controls, but then switches off under real driving conditions. That meant they released up to 40 times the permitted pollution levels. Previously, VW claimed that former group chairman Martin Winterkorn was only made aware of the issue in late August to early September 2015, just before the scandal broke out in September 2015. But newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung and regional television channels NDR and WDR claimed that two "crucial witnesses" have told US investigators that both Winterkorn and current group chairman Herbert Diess knew about the circumvention software "from the end of July 2015". "The directors took no measures to inform American authorities about these manipulations", wrote Sueddeutsche Zeitung on its internet site. Of the up to 11 million vehicles affected, 600,000 were in the US alone. Although Volkswagen admitted to installing the software, Winterkorn denied responsibility. According to German media, one of the two witnesses was the head of the manufacturer's diesel service and told US authorities about the cheating software in August 2015. Despite the scandal, VW Group -- which includes the brands Audi, Porsche and Skoda -- said on Tuesday it had sold a new record 10.3 million cars worldwide last year. The latest revelations came just 24 hours after a former Volkswagen executive was charged with fraud and conspiracy. Oliver Schmidt, who ran VW's US regulatory compliance office from 2012 to March 2015, is accused of lying to US regulators. Volkswagen has already settled civilian charges related to the scandal, agreeing to a $14.7 billion payment that allows nearly 500,000 vehicle owners to sell back their cars or get them fixed. CYBERSPACEApparently aware that the Republican-led U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations was about to release a report condemning Backpage.com, its CEO Carl Ferrer and site co-founders James Larkin and Michael Lacey, and in light of new criminal complaints made against the company and its personnel by the California Attorney General's office, Backpage has shut down its online adult advertisements section. "We believed we would secure Backpages free speech rights in the courts, and we did," said Larkin and Lacey in a statement released Monday. "What we did not foresee is that a vindication of Internet speech and privacy rights in the federal courts would lead to what Judge Richard Posner of the Seventh Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals called illegal 'official bullying' by government actors aimed at the 'suffocation' of Backpage. This effort is spearheaded by headline-hunting politicians who understand that government-regulated banks and credit card companies wont lift a finger to protect the First Amendment rights of websites and Internet users from government intrusion. Judge Posner said that the 'analogy is to killing a person by cutting off his oxygen supply rather than by shooting him.' ... Today, the censors have prevailed. We get it." The subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) with Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) as the ranking minority member, came to three basic conclusions after a series of hearings stretching back more than 18 months. "Backpage has knowingly concealed evidence of criminality by systematically editing its 'adult' ads," the report's Executive Summary states. "As early as 2006, Backpage executives began instructing staff responsible for screening ads (known as 'moderators') to edit the text of adult ads to conceal the true nature of the underlying transaction. By October 2010, Backpage executives formalized a process of both manual and automated deletion of incriminating words and phrases, primarily through a feature called the 'Strip Term From Ad Filter.' At the direction of CEO Carl Ferrer, the company programmed this electronic filter to 'strip'that is, deletehundreds of words indicative of sex trafficking (including child sex trafficking) or prostitution from ads before their publication. The terms that Backpage has automatically deleted from ads before publication include 'lolita,' 'teenage,' 'rape,' 'young,' 'amber alert,' 'little girl,' 'teen,' 'fresh,' 'innocent,' and 'school girl.' When a user submitted an adult ad containing one of these 'stripped' words, Backpages Strip Term From Ad filter would immediately delete the discrete word and the remainder of the ad would be published. While the Strip Term From Ad filter changed nothing about the true nature of the advertised transaction or the real age of the person being sold for sex, thanks to the filter, Backpages adult ads looked 'cleaner than ever.'" The other conclusions basically state that Backpage "knows that it facilitates prostitution and child sex trafficking," and that despite their denials, Larkin and Lacey still exercise control over Backpage's content, even though they supposedly sold their interests to Ferrer in 2014. "We reported the evidence that Backpage has been far more complicit in online sex trafficking than anyone previously knew," Portman said in a statement. "Backpage's response wasn't to deny what we said. It was to shut down their site. That's not 'censorship'it's validation of our findings." Or possibly a recognition that the subcommittee would keep coming after them no matter what they did or said. "Like the decision by Craigslist to remove its adult category in 2010, this announcement is the culmination of years of effort by government at various levels to exert pressure on Backpage.com and to make it too costly to continue," Backpage said in a statement. "But the shut-down of Backpages adult classified advertising is an assault on the First Amendment. We maintain hope for a more robust and unbowed Internet in the future." Along with the report, the subcommittee also released an 840-page appendix consisting largely of memos and other internal communications at Backpage, many of which indicate that the staff did indeed exercise more control over ads' contents than company officials had previously admitted. What didn't make it into the subcommittee's report, however, was the fact that several agencies involved with aiding trafficked youth, including the FBI, have lauded Backpage for its help. For example, Lois Lee, founder and president of Children of the Night, an agency devoted to rescuing children from prostitution, called Backpage a "critical investigative tool" that has helped authorities arrest pimps and recover missing children, while a spokesperson for the Denver Police Department reportedly stated, "I know your company is vilified nationally because it is an easy target. I have told numerous people that Backpage is law enforcement friendly and does not support human trafficking." That isn't an idea easily squared with the 40-count criminal complaint filed on December 23 by then-CA Attorney General Kamala Harris, which includes 26 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to commit same, based in the concept that Backpage and its employees received money for ads which they knew or should have known were for prostitution services, and 13 counts of pimping and conspiracy, on the theory that since the alleged prostitutes allegedly used money they obtained from providing sexual services to pay for the ads, Backpage employees were therefore the women's "pimps." Those charges may be difficult to prove in court, and a lot will depend on whether the state can prove that Backpage exercised control over the ads it published, since Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which generally exempts website owners from liability for material posted on their site by its usersa proof which might just have become easier in light of the Senate subcommittee's publication of Backpage's internal memos. A federal judge had thrown out Harris's earlier complaint against the company on the basis of the Section 230 protections. "By creating an online brothela hotbed of illicit and exploitative activityCarl Ferrer, Michael Lacey, and James Larkin preyed on vulnerable victims, including children, and profited from their exploitation, Harris said. Backpage's closing of its adult services section even prompted a response from legal brothel owner Dennis Hof, owner of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, which described Backpage as an "enabler of the illegal sex trade." "The shuttering of Backpage.com will mark the beginning of the crumbling of America's modern illegal prostitution infrastructure, and reinforce the necessity that prostitution be legalized throughout the United States, beyond the rural areas of Nevada where regulated prostitution has proved to be a successful, safe, and sustainable socio-economic construct for consenting adults desiring to engage in pay-for-play sex," said Hof, as part of a blog post titled "Good Riddance Backpage.com! You Were the Fuel That Helped to Make the Sex Trafficking Machine Run" that he penned on the matter for BunnyRanch.com. "The revelation that the people who run Backpage.com are morally bankrupt individuals who, through their business practices and procedures, worked to support sex traffickers for years, speaks volumes about the dangers of not having regulated prostitution throughout the United States. Its time to take a good, hard look at the cesspool that is the illegal prostitution industry, and start to change things for the better." It appears that the Senate subcommittee itself does not intend to bring any specific charges against Backpage.com, Ferrer, Larkin or Lacey, since they appear to have broken no federal laws, but even with Kamala Harris now a U.S. Senator, her office will be pressing this latest complaint, though it's unclear whether there is enough evidence alleged to survive a summary judgment motion by the defendants. Pictured: Carl Ferrer LAS VEGASBeth Liebling, founder and owner of Houston Heights-based luxury boutique Darling Way, will be participating in a panel discussion on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the upcoming AVN Novelty Expo in Las Vegas. Dubbed the CES of sex toys by Wired magazine, the trade-only show for pleasure product professionals takes place at the Paradise Tower in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and will be restricted to trade attendees. It's my absolute pleasure to share what I have learned about running my business with colleagues from across the country; this is how I pay forward the guidance I have received from so many others, Liebling said. There is no replacement for the camaraderie, support, and experience one gains from attending ANE, and it's an honor to be included as a speaker. Liebling will be participating in Mo Money, Mo Problems from 11 a.m. to noon at Festival Hall C near Paradise Tower, which discusses financial issues that face adult companies. Too often, adult-related businesses are turned down for everything from merchant accounts, to loans to basic checking accounts just because of the nature of the business, reads the panel discussion. Find out how to avoid these pitfalls when it comes to dealing with transaction processors, banks, venture capital groups and more. Also learn tricks of the trade to maximize e-tailing profits and maximizing customer retention. Liebling will be joined by Kelly Shibari of ThePRSMGroup, Kim Airs of Grand Opening, Mitch Farber of NetBilling and Gary Jackson of CCBill; the panel will be moderated by Sherri L. Shaulis, AVN senior editor of pleasure products. For the entire AVN Novelty Expo seminar schedule, visit NoveltyExpo.com/seminars. For more information, visit DarlingWay.com. Phoney offshore investments. Unregistered sources. Deceptive online advertising. These are among the top five risks that investors need to avoid in 2017, says the provincial securities regulator. The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) says its annual list, released on Tuesday, is based on information compiled by the enforcement team and its public inquiries office. ASC's top five investor risks for 2017: 1) Unregistered sources: Anyone selling securities in Alberta, with only a few exceptions, must be registered. This helps protect investors, since "securities regulators will only register firms and individuals that meet certain proficiency, integrity and solvency requirements," the ASC said in a release. Investors can check the registration of a person offering securities investments for free at www.aretheyregistered.ca 2) Binary options scams: These are essentially bets on whether the value of an asset will increase or decrease in a fixed time frame. The ASC says the average Albertan, who falls prey to these scams, loses more than $20,000. There are no registered binary options dealers in Alberta or Canada. "Binary options companies invest a lot of money into advertising designed to lure investors, which may appear attractive given Alberta's current economic downturn," the ASC said. 3) Offshore investments: The ASC says being asked to send money to companies with supposed offices in foreign countries should always trigger a red flag. "When investors send their money overseas and something goes wrong, it can be difficult or impossible to get the money back, and unfortunately regulators and agencies in Alberta can do little to help," the ASC said. 4) Deceptive online advertising: Scammers frequently use social media, pop-up adds on websites and even text messages to promote their fraudulent schemes, the ASC said. Fake celebrity endorsements are often used to convince investors that the scams are legitimate. Story continues 5) The 'next big thing': Don't be fooled by hype surrounding something that's being touted as an emerging industry, the ASC said. A lack of information about new companies can make it easy for scammers to spread false information. "Be aware that stocks in emerging industries are highly speculative," the ASC said. 'Just another type of theft' Ken Parker, a former director of capital markets with the ASC, says people always need to be on the lookout for fraudsters, whether times are good or the economy is in a downturn. "There have always been people out there who think the best way for them to make money is to steal someone else's money," he said. "And investment fraud is really just another type of theft." Many investment scammers get away with their cons because victims don't report them, Parker said. "They usually count on the fact that people, when they recognize that they've been a victim of fraud, that they're embarrassed," he said. It makes it more difficult for regulators, such as the securities commission or for the police, to investigate. Because even if they hear about it, they hear about one case, one victim, when in fact there may have been dozens or hundreds of victims." - MORE ECONOMIC NEWS | 'The worst it's been': Small business owners urge action as costs mount - MORE ECONOMIC NEWS | NEB confirms review panel for Energy East pipeline proposal An industry reorganization among Canada's largest dairy producers will see 346 people in Atlantic Canada laid off. Agropur Dairy Cooperative and Saputo Inc., both based out of Quebec, will be laying off 128 full-time employees in the region and 218 part-time workers, beginning April 1. That's when the two companies will begin realigning their sales and merchandising structure. Employees losing their jobs work in distribution depots and stock store shelves. Retailers will now be taking on the responsibility for ordering dairy product and handling it once it is delivered to stores. "It's the case in other regions of the country where retailers have the responsibility for ordering and merchandising our products," said Veronique Boileau, Agropur's vice-president of communications. "It's like that everywhere in Canada and we believe it was the right decision for our business." Cutting costs In all, Agropur is laying off 62 full-time and 97 part-time workers. Of those 159 jobs, 78 of them are in Nova Scotia, 57 in New Brunswick and 24 in Newfoundland and Labrador. Saputo confirmed it is laying off 66 full-time and 121 part-time workers. It did not detail in what parts of Atlantic Canada those jobs will be lost. Agropur made the decision to reduce its costs. "It's true we look for efficiencies in what is a very highly competitive environment in Canada," said Boileau. "We are always focused on that for sure." In 2015, Agropur made $5.9 billion in sales between its 38 plants across North America, according to its website. Its brands include Iogo, Natrel and Farmers, and it recently struck a deal to acquire Nova Scotia-headquartered Scotsburn. Saputo produces a range of dairy products, including cheeses and fluid milk. Agropur said it will work with employees to provide them with a variety of support programs and an opportunity to apply for other positions at Agropur facilities. A Saputo official declined an interview. The parents of a missing Canadian are travelling to Peru to try to find their daughter, Kimberlee Suzanne Kasatkin, who went missing from Lima in late November. The 41-year-old mother was last heard from on Nov. 26, 2016, according to Abbotsford police. "Kimberlee was last seen in Lima, Peru where she has been living for the past three-and-half years with her boyfriend and their two minor children," said one of the social media posts. "She has not been in contact with any members of her family in Peru or in Canada. This is very uncharacteristic of her. Her family in Canada has tried every method they can think of to contact her," the post continued. Kasatkin splits her time between Abbotsford, B.C., and a home in Peru that she shares with her two children and partner, who police describe as her common-law husband. On Wednesday, Kasatkin's parents, Kathleen and Alexander Kasatkin are planning to make a public appeal for information and answer questions from the media at the Abbotsford Police Department. The couple is then expected to go directly to the airport where they'll begin their trip to Lima in search of information. The Abbotsford Police Department assisting the family along with Interpol and Peruvian police agencies. Anyone with information about Kasatkin is asked to call the Abbotsford police at +1-604-859-5225 or send a text message to 222973 (ABBYPD). Members of a Thornhill, Ont., family stuck in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after Friday's deadly airport shooting are finally back home, after alleging they were in the middle of a bureaucratic tug of war between Air Canada and Aeroplan when neither took responsibility for them being left stranded. Andrew and Rachel Laderman, who along with their two-year-old son Lev were visiting family, the beach and Disney World in Orlando over the holidays, said they ended up paying more than $1,800 total to get them all on an American Airlines flight home Tuesday night. Their 11 a.m. flight Friday had been delayed, and then they heard gunshots. In the end, five people died and several were seriously wounded. The Ladermans said they spent the next 10 hours being shuffled between the tarmac and the terminal. They claimed nobody from Air Canada could be found. The Ladermans say they tried calling Air Canada while the airport was on lockdown, but the wait to speak to an agent was more than three hours. The couple worried they would drain their phones' batteries so they waited until they could leave the terminal, which meant they were unable to call the airline until after midnight. It took two hours to get through to an agent, Laderman said and that's when she was told that because the family booked tickets using Aeroplan points, they would have to deal with the rewards program instead. But when she called Aeroplan, a representative told her she had to go through the airline, Laderman says. "So they were both going back and forth blaming each other," she said. "Nobody wanted to help us." When contacted Tuesday, Aeroplan referred CBC Toronto to Air Canada. But Peter Fitzpatrick, a spokesman with the airline, said the family should have worked with Aeroplan. Later in the day, an Aeroplan spokeswoman got back in touch and said the company was still trying to get a hold of the Ladermans to understand what happened. "What I can tell you is that in these types of situations, we want to help get everyone home as quickly and safely as possible, without any added fees," Christa Poole said in an email. "If the member you've spoken to didn't get that experience, that would be a mistake in the significant work to help everyone as quickly as possible, and we're sorry. Story continues After this story was first published, Rachel Laderman said she received a call from an Air Canada representative who apologized and told her that the airline should have rebooked the family since they had already checked in for the flight. "He said they're looking into the details of our experience with their agents ... to see how and why exactly this went wrong," Laderman wrote to CBC Toronto Wednesday evening. 2-week wait Aeroplan offered to rebook the Ladermans on another flight, but said the next one from Fort Lauderdale wouldn't be for two weeks, the family said. There were flights out of Tampa to Toronto, but Rachel Laderman said Aeroplan told her that the shortest wait would be between five and seven days. But Andrew Laderman said he's both the owner and sole employee of an optical store in Toronto, and the business was losing "thousands of dollars a day" while it was closed. Instead, Aeroplan offered to refund the family their points. The Ladermans still had to find a flight home, however. Their travel insurance on their credit card wouldn't cover cancellations in cases where travel is booked through a rewards program, said Rachel Laderman. 'Seems like they're gouging everybody' When they first started looking for another way to get back home, the Ladermans said the cheapest tickets they could find through Air Canada Rouge were $1,300 each for a one-way flight. "I really don't understand it, because people were flying home and telling us that their flights were empty or that there were tons of seats left," Rachel Laderman said. "It just seems like they're gouging everybody." While she considered renting a car, neither wanted to drive for several days with a toddler. Instead, they found the American Airlines flight, which left Miami on Tuesday night. The Ladermans did not heard back from Air Canada, after leaving voice messages and being asked by the airline to send them a direct message through social media, until after they got home. Fitzpatrick said "it is regrettable" that the airline couldn't reach the family in a "timely manner" through social media, but noted Air Canada had received a surge in messages because of travel disruptions caused by the airport shooting. He also said Air Canada flights leaving Florida last weekend might have been more expensive because of "high demand and limited capacity." A midwife can be an invaluable person to have around for pregnant women before they give birth and its no different for goats. But Copper, who is expecting her kids in the near future, doesnt have a human or even a goat midwife she has her very own cat. The moggy, named Pretty Boy, has taken something of a shine to Copper, who lives at a farm in West Virginia. In fact, Pretty Boy acts as a masseuse and is helping Copper out as she readies herself to give birth. New mum: Copper has given birth to three kids with a little help from Pretty Boy (Facebook/Operation Fancy Free) MORE: Put your money where your mouth is! Indian restaurant charges customers 2 if they dont eat all their dinner MORE: Train driver dragged passenger with hand stuck in the door along the platform Cat rescue group Operation Fancy Free wrote on Facebook: Copper the goat is due to deliver babies any time now. Pretty Boy thinks hes a midwife and is massaging Copper through her contractions trying to help Copper have her babies. The cat is a one-goat midwife he is apparently ignoring all the other pregnant goats on the farm to devote all his attention to Copper. The goat has now given birth to two boys and one girl and she couldnt have done it without Pretty Boy! Top pic: Facebook/Operation Fancy Free Engineering Camps Ford Funds Creation of Electric Vehicle Summer Camp Michigan-based Ford Motor Company is donating $32,000 to introduce high schoolers in its community to the science of electric vehicles. The program will become part of a summer camp run by Kettering University, a Flint-based institution that offers programs in engineering, mathematics, business and science. The new Flint Schools Summer Day Camp will take place in July 2017 and be open to 20 high school students. The camp will help students learn about and create model electric vehicles. The funding will cover registration fees, supplies and transportation for the students. The idea for the camp came about when a father who works at Ford came with his son to a computer engineering camp held at the university last summer. Prashant Javkar manages Ford's STEAM Experience strategy and programs, which for three decades has supported programs to engage students in STEAM careers. "When I visited the campus, I loved the energy of the close-knit community of students and had a fun time witnessing the camp participants compete in the concluding challenge," Javkar said in a prepared statement. That visit, he added, "reinforced the fact that there was a great opportunity to design a summer camp for the Flint community students." Bob Nichols, who directs the FIRST Robotics Community Center at Kettering, said he was "blown away" when the carmaker approached him to sponsor the summer camp. "I was impressed that they recognized the value of the STEM learning opportunities at the camps," he noted. "There's no secret Ford is so involved in STEM. This allows them to make an impact in the Flint community." Besides the STEM activities, the camp will also offer SAT training to students, according to Nichols. Distance Ed Texas School Issues Scholarships to Vets for Online Courses A Texas university has joined up with an online course company to hand out access to courses to American veterans and their spouses. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is working with ed2go, a Cengage Learning company, to fulfill a Joining Forces commitment. Joining Forces is a White House initiative launched five years ago, calling on Americans to rally around service members and their families in the areas of wellness, education and employment. Last year Cengage committed to handing out 100 scholarships to military recipients and partners as part of the program. The community in which the university operates has a sizable population of active and retired military personnel. Under the new arrangement, it will work with ed2go to identify possible recipients for the "full-ride" scholarships. So far, according to the company, seven non-active duty students have received aid intended to advance their work at A&M-Corpus Christi. "As a veteran, I understand the hardship of furthering my education when having to change duty stations more than once," said Danell Reilly, lead for the career and professional education in the university's Office of Community Outreach. "Joining Forces provides an incredible opportunity to provide more military families a higher education and professional credentials using the best online career development and training opportunities to support portable career goals." The courses provided with ed2go cover career training available through institutions of higher education, including Rutgers, George Mason University and Maricopa Community Colleges, as well as companies, such as the Home Depot and Walmart. An application for the A&M scholarship program is available on the ed2go website here. By David Ljunggren and Andrea Hopkins OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau picked a Russia critic as the country's new top diplomat on Tuesday to work with the incoming U.S. Trump administration and handle potentially fraught trade challenges. Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland was appointed foreign affairs minister but also retained responsibility for the Canada-U.S. relations portfolio, including the trading relationship. The change is part of a wider shuffle of Trudeau's inner circle as he tries to position Canada for a new relationship with its largest trading partner and demote underperformers in his 14-month-old Liberal government. Canada's relationship with its neighbor could be tested in coming years, with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump promising to renegotiate the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) aimed at removing tariff barriers between Canada, Mexico and the United States. "Obviously, the new administration to the south will present ... both opportunities and challenges, as well as a shifting global context," Trudeau told reporters after the announcement. The shuffle also included the promotion of a Somali-Canadian who came to Canada as a refugee to immigration minister and the departure of two of Trudeau's most experienced ministers. The move came ahead of Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration and shortly after Trudeau's senior staff met with Trump's transition team. Freeland, who wrote a book critical of plutocrats, said her views would not create awkwardness when dealing with a Trump Cabinet that features several billionaires. "I don't think it's baggage ... the new American administration's concerns are not that different from those of our government," she told reporters. The shuffle was the first major change Trudeau has made to the Cabinet he appointed after leading his party to an election victory in October 2015. The appointment of Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent, to the foreign affairs file could be thorny as she has been a harsh critic of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president whom Trump has repeatedly praised. "We have some tough things coming up with Russia," said John Wright, senior fellow at pollster Angus Reid, citing Arctic sovereignty as one potential conflict. "I think it's a good thing that (Freeland) is tough." Moscow banned Freeland in 2014 as part of a series of retaliatory sanctions against Canadian officials, a move which prompted her to tweet "It's an honor to be on Putin's sanction list". In 2015, she wrote an article in Quartz magazine entitled "My Ukraine, and Putin's big lie". Ottawa had earlier blacklisted many Russian officials to punish the country for its annexation of Crimea. Trudeau sidestepped a question from reporters over whether Freeland's rocky relationship with Russia would have an impact. Freeland, who once lived in Moscow, said whether she will be able to travel to Russia as foreign minister was not up to her. "That's a question for Moscow," she said. "I am a very strong supporter of our government's view that it is important to engage with all countries around the world, very much including Russia." Before running for election in the Canadian parliament, Freeland worked for Reuters, a unit of Thomson Reuters. Freeland, an author and former reporter who has been a top performer in Trudeau's Cabinet, replaced Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion who quit active politics on Tuesday. Immigration Minister John McCallum was named ambassador to China and was replaced by Ahmed Hussen, a Muslim who came to Canada as a teenaged refugee from war-torn Somalia. Among other moves, Francois-Philippe Champagne, parliamentary secretary to the finance minister, was named trade minister. (Additional reporting by Leah Schnurr, Writing by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Sandra Maler; Editing by Howard Goller and Alan Crosby) "If the American imperialists provoke us a bit, we will not hesitate to slap them with a pre-emptive nuclear strike," Kim once said. North Korea's dictatorial leader Kim Jong Un turns 33 Sunday, and in his five years of rule, he has proven willing to make provocative comments aimed at putting the West on notice. Under Kim, the isolated nation has increasingly put its focus on developing its nuclear capabilities, which the leader has regularly boasted about on the world stage. Just this week, Kim claimed that North Korea was nearly ready to test an intercontinental ballistic missile, which caused concern in the West at large and elicited a response from President-elect Donald Trump. Such comments are not out of the norm for Kim, who has adopted an aggressive public posture during his time leading North Korea, especially towards the U.S. Listed below are 10 quotes from Kim as the leader turns 33, collected from the New York Times, Brainy Quote, CNBC and past International Business Times articles. 1. "[North Korea] can tip new-type intercontinental ballistic rockets with more powerful nuclear warheads and keep any cesspool of evils in the earth, including the U.S. mainland, within our striking range." 2. "The military might of a country represents its national strength. Only when it builds up its military might in every way can it develop into a thriving country." 3. "If the American imperialists provoke us a bit, we will not hesitate to slap them with a pre-emptive nuclear strike. The United States must choose! Its up to you whether the nation called the United States exists on this planet or not." 4. "The industrial revolution in the new century is, in essence, a scientific and technological revolution, and breaking through the cutting edge is a shortcut to the building of an economic giant." 5. "The party's revolutionary armament means we are ready to fight any kind of war waged by the U.S. imperialists." 6. "The wicked Japanese imperialists committed such unpardonable crimes as depriving Korea of even its standard time." Story continues 7. "Research and development of the cutting-edge tech weapons are actively progressing and strengthening our defense capabilities, including last stage preparation of tests for Intercontinental Ballistic rocket launch have been continuously succeeding." 8. "The days are gone forever when our enemies could blackmail us with nuclear bombs." 9. The American movie "The Interview" is a film "abetting a terrorist act while hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership." 10. "The massacres committed by the U.S. imperialist aggressors in Sinchon evidently showed that they are cannibals and homicides seeking pleasure in slaughter." Related Articles English Estonian The Management Board of AS Silvano Fashion Group, registry code 10175491, registered address Tulika 15/17, 10613 Tallinn, (hereinafter SFG) convenes an Extraordinary General Meeting (hereinafter: EGM) of shareholders on 2nd of February 2017 at 12:00 (Estonian time) in Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel conference hall C.R.Jakobson located at Toompuiestee 27/ Paldiski mnt 4, Tallinn, Estonia. The registration of participants of the Extraordinary General Meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. (Estonian time). I Agenda The agenda of the EGM is the following: 1. Amendment of the terms and conditions of the share buyback program, approved by the shareholders of AS Silvano Fashion Group on June 29th 2016 II Proposals of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board The Supervisory Board of SFG has approved the agenda of the EGM as proposed by the Management Board. The Management Board and the Supervisory Board make the following proposals to the shareholders with regard to the agenda: 1. Amendment of the terms and conditions of the share buyback program, approved by the shareholders of AS Silvano Fashion Group on June 29th 2016. Proposal of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board: 1.1 To amend the terms and conditions of the share buyback program, approved by the shareholders of AS Silvano Fashion Group on June 29th 2016 as follows: 2.1.1. The maximum share price applicable for share buyback of own shares is 3.30 euros per share. III Organizational questions The list of the shareholders entitled to participate in the EGM shall be fixed 7 days prior to the date of the meeting, i.e. on 26th January 2017 at 11:59 p.m. (Estonian time). At the EGM, a shareholder is entitled to receive information from the Management Board about the activities of SFG. The Management Board may decide to withhold information if there is a reason to believe that the disclosure of information may cause significant damage to the interests of SFG. If the Management Board refuses to disclose information, the shareholder may demand from the EGM to adopt a resolution regarding to the lawfulness of the information request or file a petition to a court of law within two weeks of the EGM requesting the court for the ruling requiring the Management Board to disclose the information. The shareholders whose shares represent at least 1/20 of the share capital may request for additional items to be included in the agenda of the EGM, if the respective request is submitted in writing at least 15 days prior to the EGM. The shareholders whose shares represent at least 1/20 of the share capital may present their draft resolutions to each item in the agenda in writing no later than 3 days before the EGM. Draft resolution regarding to the agenda items and other documents presented to the EGM (including annual report, report of the sworn auditor, profit distribution proposal and report of the Supervisory Board) are available for examination on every working day as of the notification of the EGM until the business day preceding the day of the EGM at the headquarters of the Company at Tulika 15/17, Tallinn on business days from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Estonian time). On the day of the EGM the materials related to the agenda of the General Meeting are available for examination at the venue of the EGM as of the opening of registration of participants until the end of the EGM. In order to examine the documents: (1) the shareholders who are natural persons are required to present a document verifying their identity and their representatives are additionally required to present the power of attorney in written form; (2) the representatives of the shareholders who are legal entities shall present (a) an extract from the registry where the legal entity is registered; and (b) a document verifying the identity of representative; and (c) in case of representation on the basis of proxy, also a power of attorney. Documents and data which are disclosed according to Article 2941 of the Estonian Commercial Code and the templates of power of attorney are available on the homepage of the Company: http://www.silvanofashion.com. The following documents must be submitted to participate in EGM - the shareholders who are natural persons shall present a document verifying their identity and their representatives shall present the power of attorney in written form; - the representatives of the shareholders who are legal entities shall present (a) an extract from the registry where the legal entity is registered; and (b) a document verifying the identity of representative; (c) in case of representation on the basis of proxy, also a power of attorney. Unless otherwise provided by a foreign agreement, a document issued by a foreign authority shall be duly apostilled or legalized. Documents in foreign language should be accompanied by the translation into Estonian, verified by relevant institution. Prior to the EGM the shareholder may notify the Company of the appointment of a representative or the revocation of the representative's authority by sending a digitally signed e-mail message to info@silvanofashion.com or by delivering the information in person on workdays between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Estonian time) or via mail to AS Silvano Fashion Group, Tulika 15/17, 10613 Tallinn, Estonia by 5 p.m. (Estonian time) on the business day preceding the day of the EGM. For any information regarding the EGM or the agenda items, please contact Mart Meerits (e-mail info@silvanofashion.com; phone +372 684 5000). Jarek Sargava Board Member Silvano Fashion Group E-mail: info@silvanofashion.com Tel: +372 684 5000; Fax: +372 684 5300 Address: Tulika 15/17, 10613 Tallinn, Estonia http://www.silvanofashion.com By Damali Mukhaye Education Minister Janet Museveni will tomorrow release the 2016 Primary Seven national examination results. This is after the Uganda National Examinations Board briefed her on the pupils performance at State House Nakasero. This will be the first Primary Leaving Examinations results the First Lady releases since she was appointed political head of the ministry last year. It will also be Daniel Odongs first time to oversee the administration of the national examination as UNEB Executive Secretary after he took over from Mathew Bukenya in April. The ministrys spokesperson, Patrick Muinda has also confirmed that the results will be released tomorrow from Office of the Prime Minister at 11am. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ By Ritah Kemigisa Opposition Democratic Party President Nobert Mao has called for a defiance campaign condemning the injunction issued by Deputy Chief Justice,Steven Kavuma. According to Mao justice Kavuma acted unconstitutionally abusing the professional conduct of judges who are supposed to exercise powers judiciously without injuring public interest. He says his injunction was unprecedented and that it prohibits democratic debate. He adds that as a party they believe in rule of law and that they will stand strong in defiance and thus appeal to all Ugandans to do the same and not admit to succumb to a judicial system that is impartial and wants to divide the nation. On Monday this week the Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma issues passed an order, stopping Parliament or any individual from inquiring into the Shs6b oil cash bonanza. The resident city Commissioner Kampala District Deborah Mbabazi has called upon Kampala capital city authority leaders to rethink their decision of suspending the budget process because the government cut their budget. The leadership of KCCA yesterday suspended the budget process pending appearance of the minister for Kampala Betty Kamya to explain why the government cut the authoritys budget from 563 billion to Sh314 billion. Now speaking to KFM, Mbabazi said that the leaders should always understand the constraints government is facing and concentrate on sensitizing communities to raise more revenue for the government. She explained that the leaders made decision basing on partism and attacked each other forgetting that what they did is so suicidal hence they should rethink their decision. Agago North MP Ogenga Latigo wants the executive arm of government to apologise for allegedly planting mischief against parliament. Latigo says that that it is without doubt that the executive has asserted a lot of influence on the judiciary with an aim of frustrating parliaments independence and its oversight role. He has hailed the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga for upholding the legislative immunity and independence of the house, adding that top leaders of cabinet must come out and apologise to both parliament and the public. Yesterday Kadaga directed the Attorney General to appeal the court order issued by the Deputy Chief Justice that bars the parliament or any individual from inquiring into the 6 billion-shilling presidential handshake paid out to a select team of 42 government officials who took part in negotiating a Capital Gains Tax Dispute the government brought against Petroleum giants Tullow and Heritage. In 2015 the arbitration Court in London ordered the two companies to pay Uganda a total of Shs2.4 trillion. It is part of this money that was given out to the officials as a token of appreciation for their effort. BY FELIX BASIIME & MORIS MUMBERE The Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere has asked that a similar meeting held on Sunday between President Yoweri Museveni and Rwenzururu veterans be held in his presence. The jailed king says he believes a lot of the issues discussed during Sundays meeting at State House Entebbe were lies. According to a message he sent to our sister paper Daily Monitor through his kingdom spokesperson, Clarence Bwambale shortly after attending a court session in Jinja on Tuesday, Mumbere says he finds some statements uttered by some of the veterans misleading and nonfactual. He was responding to statements by some Rwenzururu veterans who confessed to president Museveni as having been behind the agitation for the Yiira State establishment and also responsible for the conflicts in the Rwenzori region. The veterans have committed themselves in writing that they are responsible for the killings in Kasese and asked for pardon. The king is jointly charged with more than 150 of his royal guards who are currently on remand in different prisons over charges arising from the raid on his palace in Kasese which was bombed out on November 27 by a combined squad of the police and the army. More than 100 people were killed. He will re-appear in court on Thursday for the ruling on his bail application. You know that old saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? If I were president, I'd want to keep the White House press corps right where they are now, in the building, where I could keep an eye on them. All of you are my friends, of course, and I'll always keep you close. But I have to take my leave until next week -- our time is up for today. Thanks for a great discussion, and I'll see you again next Tuesday! By ROBERT MUHEREZA The police in Kabale district have stopped the Forum for Democratic Change from holding a planned mobilization campaign ahead of the forth coming LCI and II elections. The party had set January 12th to begin the campaigns. However, yesterday, the Kabale District Police Commander Dickens Bindeeba issued a letter addressed to the Kabale district FDC chairperson Lydia Turyahumura advising the party against carry out any such activities on grounds that the elections will not be held in January as had earlier been anticipated. However the Kabale district FDC acting general secretary Richard Muhanguzi says the planned mobilization activities shall continue as scheduled adding that postponement of the voting date does not stop community mobilization. The Electoral Commission is yet to release a roadmap for the grassroots elections after parliament yesterday passed the Local Government Amendment Bill 2016, which now awaits presidential assent. The house also adopted a committee report that recommends that Local council elections be held not later than March 15th 2017. Asgard archaea form a group with the eukaryotes in the tree of life. Credit: Eva Fernandez-Caceres In a new study, published in Nature this week, an international research group led from Uppsala University in Sweden presents the discovery of a group of microbes that provide new insights as to how complex cellular life emerged. The study provides new details of how, billions of years ago, complex cell types that comprise plants, fungi, but also animals and humans, gradually evolved from simpler microbial ancestors. Life on our planet can be divided into three major groups. Two of these groups are represented by tiny microbes, the Bacteria and the Archaea. The third group of organisms comprises all visible life, such as humans, animals, and fungicollectively known as eukaryotes. Whereas the cells of bacteria and archaea are generally small and simple, eukaryotes are made up of large and complex cell types. The origin of these complex cell types has long been a mystery to the scientific community, but now an international collective of researchers led by Uppsala University has identified a group of microorganisms that provides a unique insight into the evolutionary transition from simple to complex cells. Based on pioneering work from the acclaimed biologist Carl Woese, it has been known that eukaryotes at some point shared a common ancestor with archaea. It was also clear that symbiosis - a process involving an intimate collaboration between two cell typesplayed an important role in this process. Most scientists share the view that a symbiosis in which an archaeal host cell took up a bacterium ultimately gave rise to eukaryotes. Yet, whether this symbiosis was the cause or rather the consequence of the evolution of complex cells remained an open question. In this weeks' edition of Nature, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden, along with collaborators from the USA, Japan, Denmark and New Zealand report the discovery of a new group of Archaea, the Asgard archaea, which reveal important details on how eukaryotic cells evolved their complexity. "The evolution of complex cell types has been a long and complicated process that is poorly understood. By using new methods to obtain genome data from microbes that cannot be grown in the laboratory, we identified a new archaeal group that is related to the host cell from which eukaryotic cells evolved. These are very exciting times," says Thijs Ettema at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, who lead the scientific team that carried out the study. In 2015, Thijs Ettema and colleagues published a breakthrough study in which genomic data was described of 'Loki', an archaeon living in the ocean floor that represented the closest living micro-organism of complex cellular life. In the current study, which corroborates these previous findings, several new Loki-related archaea are described. "These organisms are our closest microbial relatives, and we know next to nothing about them. Current methods allow us to take a first genetic sneak peek. It is really exciting!'' says Thijs Ettema. Artist impression on the evolution of complex cells. Credit: Blair Lyons, Stroma Studios "Our findings are based on analysis of genetic material that was directly obtained from the environment. We have actually never seen these cells", says Jimmy Saw, researcher at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, and co-lead author of the paper. "We named these new archaea Thor, Odin and Heimdall after the Norse gods, and together with Loki, they form the Asgard archaea. Interestingly, these new groups are found in various environments all over the world, and not only in the deep sea, as Loki. So far they are most abundant in sediments," says Eva Fernandez-Caceres, co-lead author from Uppsala University. The study provides strong evidence that eukaryotes evolved from a lineage that was related to these Asgard archaea. "Asgard archaea form a well-supported group with the eukaryotes in the tree of life. This indicates that they share a common ancestry", says Kasia Zaremba-Niedzwiedzka, another co-lead author involved in the study from Uppsala University. "This part of the study was rather complicated, and we would clearly benefit from having more data. This is not the end of the story, rather the opposite!" But the main surprise was found when Asgard genomes were analyzed in more detail. "We found that Asgard archaea share many genes uniquely with eukaryotes, including several genes that are involved in the formation of structures that give eukaryotic cells their complex character. Such genes had thus far only been found in eukaryotes, indicating that these archaea were somehow primed to become complex. However, the picture is far from being clear on exactly how this could have happened," says Anja Spang, researcher at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University. Studying Asgard archaea in more detail represents a prioritized goal for Thijs Ettema and his research group. The present study shows that these archaea can be found in many more environments, and not just in the ocean floor as thought before. This makes this goal much more tractable. "It would be great if we could isolate or grow Asgard cells, and study them under the microscope. I am convinced that this will reveal more important clues about how complex cells evolved. Ultimately our microbial ancestry will be uncovered," concludes Thijs Ettema. More information: Katarzyna Zaremba-Niedzwiedzka et al, Asgard archaea illuminate the origin of eukaryotic cellular complexity, Nature (2017). DOI: 10.1038/nature21031 Journal information: Nature Chinese electronics maker Hisense could double its South African staff numbers after becoming the countrys biggest TV seller for the first time in 2016. This is according to Hisenses general manager for South Africa Youbo Li who spoke to Fin24 last week along the sidelines of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Hisense first came to the South African market in 1996. It had a TV making factory in Midrand, Johannesburg but later moved this capacity to a facility in Atlantis, Cape Town. The company is already the biggest TV seller in China. But for the period January to November 2016, the company overtook brands such as Samsung and LG in South Africa in terms of total TV units sold, according to local industry research cited by Li. Especially this year (2016) our TV market share is already 22%, Li told Fin24 about the companys South African market. When youre talking about unit share, volume, we are number one already, he said. The industry research, which Hisense cannot fully disclose, further indicates that Hisenses next biggest competitors market share has fallen from 33% to 19% from 2015 to 2016. However, Li said that while Hisense is selling more televisions than any other manufacturer in South Africa, the company is still not tops yet in terms of sales value. This means that its other competitors are selling televisions at a higher price, but Hisense cautions that its still not the cheapest in the South African market. But amid its total sales volumes growth, Hisense is holding discussions to possibly double or even triple its factory size in country. If talking about the staff, definitely we will double as well, Li told Fin24. Hisense also intends to launch all its latest televisions, debuted at CES last week, to the South African market, said Li. Last week, Hisense said it plans to sell a 100-inch, $12 999.99 (R176 000) 4K laser projection TV system later this year. Other devices launched by Hisense at CES include the companys H9D and H9D Plus 4K ULED Smart TV, which feature wide colour gamut, edge-lit local dimming and UHD upscaling. Concerns over economic growth Despite its television sales growth in South Africa, Yi told Fin24 that Hisense does have some concerns about the local market. Forecasters last year said the South African economy would struggle to grow beyond 1%. Amid this backdrop, the countrys total television market shrank 5% last year, according to Li. And he said the company is very concerned about the impact the countrys struggling economy will have on purchasing power. The market will basically be shrinking. That is our biggest concern for South Africa, Li told Fin24. But for Hisense South Africa, I think our advantage is we have the investment there and also the brand is growing, he said. Hisense is also selling to other African countries to offset a potentially sluggish South African market. In 2015, Hisense further introduced its smartphone brand to South Africa to diversify its product range. Li didnt have official numbers on the companys phone market share in South Africa but he estimated it to be around 6-7% after Hisense sold one million units in 2016. The company is now targeting selling two million smartphones in South Africa during 2017, Li said. Its quite good; we are very happy, Li said. That will definitely be our future focus. Im looking for 100% growth, not 200%, 300%, which we can do, Li told Fin24. Fin24 The United Arab Emirates has announced plans to invest $163bn in projects in a bid to generate almost half the countrys power needs from renewable sources. The UAE is a top oil exporter, but has taken steps to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels to generate power, including building nuclear facilities. Our aim is to balance our economic needs with our environmental goals, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, UAE prime minister, said on Twitter as the Arab Gulf state unveiled its Energy Strategy 2050 on Tuesday. The countrys energy mix by 2050 will comprise 44 percent from renewables, 38 percent from gas, 12 percent from clean fossils and six percent from nuclear energy, said Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the UAEs vice president and the ruler of the emirate of Dubai. The plan aims to increase usage efficiency by 40 percent and increase clean-energy contributions to 50 percent, he wrote. In June, Dubai announced plans to build a 1,000 megawatts (MW) solar power plant by 2030, the year it aims to turn to renewable energies for 25 percent of electricity needs. In 2013, Abu Dhabi opened the worlds largest operating plant of concentrated solar power, which has the capacity to provide electricity to 20,000 homes. South Korean firms are also building four nuclear reactors west of Abu Dhabi, which are expected to generate 1,400MW by 2020. The UAE produces around 2.99 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil, of which it exports around 2.44 million bpd, according to OPEC statistics. Al Jazeera Now read: Apple is the greenest tech company in the world U.S. says G7 countries realize need for coordinated response to China Borrell says they can't put China and Russia on same level Olaf Scholz calls on China to influence Russia G7 foreign ministers express 'unwavering commitment' to protecting Ukraine, criticized PRC and IRI Kalin: Armenia is constructive about normalization of relations Poland asks EU to suspend fines Putin: Situation in Ukraine was deadly for Russia Portugal to test a four-day workweek US embassy in Armenia issues statement ahead of November 5 protests in Yerevan Dollar, euro go up in Armenia Baku authorities once again refuse to allow PFPA to hold protest rally Iranians commemorate anniversary of US embassy seizure Richard Kauzlarich: Azerbaijan, Armenia FMs meeting in Washington 'will send message to Putin' Russia ratifies protocol on requirements for length of service of EEU bodies' employees for pensions Armenia deputy defense minister in Russia, discusses military cooperation Yerevan receives proposal to hold Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan interparliamentary talks Health minister: We will work with fallen Armenia detainees relatives one more time after which bodies will be buried Putin allows mobilization of citizens with unexpunged criminal record for serious crimes Arnika, NESEHNUTI NGOs of Czech Rep. issue joint statement on plan to expand gold mine in Armenias Karaberd Putin urges to evacuate civilians living in Kherson from the war zone Iran parliament speaker to visit Armenia Ruling force MP: Canada is opening embassy in Armenia because we are one of worlds most democratic countries Girl with Armenian roots ends up in Vladimir orphanage Erdogan says he has agreed with Putin to supply grain to needy countries for free Armenia President, UK envoy agree to continue cooperation, close contacts Armenia FM receives EU Monitoring Capacity Spanish MPs don't approve agreement with Baku as a sign of solidarity with Armenia Japan says North Korea may go ahead with nuclear test Armenia government to allocate about $5M to Karabakh refugees support program Belarusian border service: Border guards intercepts Ukrainian training drone President appoints Ruben Vardanyan as Karabakh Minister of State US embassy expresses concern about human rights violation in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan continues muscle play on Iran border Ibrahim Kalin says Turkey will become an important gas center one way or another Biden: We're gonna free Iran Reuters: G7 countries and Australia agrees on fixed price for Russian oil World oil prices dropping Wizz Air to launch new flights between Venice, Yerevan EU assesses Armenia, Azerbaijan border commissions meeting in Brussels as constructive Artsakh President convenes enlarged working consultation Envoy: China supports Armenians Azerbaijan MOD disseminates disinformation, Armenia army did not fire Armenia ruling party recounts congress voting results Quake jolts Turkey Newspaper: Armenia PM once again manipulates topic of negotiations, Karabakh conflict Newspaper: Studies underway on Armenia MPs business involvement US wants to prevent Germany, other allies from working together with China Protests turn violent in Iran's Alborz Province Portugal is considering abandoning golden visa scheme Biden and Erdogan to meet at G-20 summit NATO supports normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and welcomes EU efforts Bank of England raises interest rates by largest amount since 1989 Scholz says Berlin must change its attitude toward China Cavusoglu and Stoltenberg disagree over Sweden's and Finland's fulfillment of commitments Turkish Vice President to visit Azerbaijan and occupied Shushi Britain buys 250 million pounds worth of oil from Azerbaijan from July 2021 to June 2022 Yair Lapid congratulates Benjamin Netanyahu on winning election Armenian MOD: Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense spreads another disinformation ENISA: War in Ukraine, geopolitics fuel cyberattacks Armenian MFA: Yerevan and Baku agree to speed up work on agreeing procedure of Commissions' activities Zelenskyy will not participate in G20 summit if Putin participates in it WP: Man who attacked Pelosi's husband was in the U.S. illegally At Upper Lars, 30 cars are allowed through per day instead of previous 300: What are authorities doing? Bloomberg: Turkey unlikely to sign Sweden's bid for NATO membership before the end of the year Military servicemen in Armenia to be attested: Discussion at parliamentary standing committee IEA calls for urgent action on gas shortages in Europe French Senate to consider resolution demanding immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian territory Papikyan: The final number of dead will be published after the identification is complete Armen Grigoryan presents to Patrushev consequences of Azerbaijani aggression Indonesia reveals its own kamikaze drones UN: Russia resumes participation in inspection of ships in Black Sea Grigoryan: Armenia interested in using communication routes through Azerbaijan Investigative Committee: 10 officers charged in Armenia FT: Azerbaijan demands EU funding and long-term contracts for gas supplies Security Council Secretary: Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenian territory US becomes 2nd largest gas supplier to EU Russian Defense Ministry reports release of 107 Russian servicemen from Ukrainian captivity How U.S supports Azerbaijan in 20 years by suspending 907th Amendment? Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will receive less funds in 2023 than in previous two years German government urges its citizens to leave Iran Armenian MFA: Unblocking infrastructures is one of the main directions of talks Armenia MFA: We expect positive results in relations with Turkey in near future Armenia to open diplomatic representations in several countries in 2023: Uruguay among them Former Pakistani Prime Minister injured in shooting of election motorcade Russian MFA: Great Britain transferred underwater drones to Ukraine Armenia FM: International community has sent very clear signal to Azerbaijan Prime Minister receives Arin Karapet, Swedish MP Dollar, euro drop in Armenia Armenia FM: In few days there will be meeting between me, Bayramov, Blinken in Washington IRNA: Iran's IRGC eliminated a group that was planning attacks on government agencies Lawcoster 'Pobeda' to resume flights to Armenia at end of this year Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: One cannot despair, struggle must continue Deputy FM: Armenia can make some progress in simplifying visa regime with EU Turkey says Russia assures not to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine CSTO deputy chief: Armenia-Azerbaijan escalation, confrontation risk remains Armenian MFA: Cautious optimism in restoration of diplomatic relations with Hungary Uzbekistan refuses to resume operation of Mir cards in country Belarus Council: If Poland unleashes aggression, war will spread throughout Eastern Europe Peskov: It is up to the Ministry of Defense to increase the term of military service Valerie Boyer: Corrupt, racist Azerbaijan is attacking Armenia borders, seeking to continue ethnic cleansing, genocide A group of civil society activists took a collective appeal to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) members, on the eve of the winter session of the Assembly. They urged the Assembly to investigate the facts of political corruption at PACE, and which had become known after the launching of a criminal case in Italy against the Assembly former Vice President Luca Volonte, and the publicizing of the European Stability Initiative report: The European Swamp (Caviar Diplomacy Part 2), according to Contact.az news agency of Azerbaijan. The appeal recalls that Volonte is being investigated by the Milan public prosecutors office for allegedly accepting 2.39 million in bribes from two Azerbaijani members of PACE, Elkhan Suleymanov and Muslim Mammadov. The petitioners called on PACE to immediately expel these two members of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Assembly, pending a full investigation. Furthermore, they urged PACE to suspend the voting rights of the Azerbaijani delegation, which they believe were completely aware of the bribery but failed to take a step to stop it. By Moses Kyeyune The Uganda Law Society has condemned the infamous court order by Deputy Chief Justice Stephen Kavuma restraining parliament and any section of the public from holding debate or investigating the controversial Shs6bn cash bonanza. A statement issued by the Uganda Law Society President Francis Gimara, blames Kavumas actions as a dangerous constitutional precedent with serious negative effect of legislative practice. Gimara has also blamed parliament for glossing over reservations raised by the Judicial Service Commission over Justice Kavumas re-appointment as Deputy Chief Justice. The law society has vowed to challenge the court order but cautions parliament and all decision makers to learn from this incident about the need to strengthen the vetting process for the appointment of judicial officers. YEREVAN. New clashes are not ruled out in the Karabakh conflict zone, Caucasus Institute Deputy Director, political scientist Sergey Minasyan, stated at a press conference on Wednesday. In his words, the Armenian side to this conflict should not have illusions that there will be some changes in the stance of Azerbaijan. At the same time, however, Minasyan expressed a view that Azerbaijan now keeps a low profile after early April 2016, when it had unleashed a large-scale military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). Either Azerbaijan has actually made serious conclusions after the escalation [of tension] in April [last year], or its just preparing for new [military] actions, he stressed. The analyst also said it is clear that the military threat is maintained. But we need to recognize this as a certain backdrop, concluded Sergey Minasyan. The Azerbaijani side uses this for simulation. YEREVAN. The wine and brandy being produced in Armenia need to undergo a proper verification of authenticity, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Garnik Petrosyan, told Armenian News-NEWS.am. In his words, Armenian wines and brandies with same labels, but purchased from two different stores, often differ in quality. To note, brandy alcohol is imported more to Armenia, and the alcoholic beverage received from its substance is presented as Armenian brandy. For that reason, today, they start not to recognizeand even disregardsome of our products, in the Russian market, said Petrosyan. And this means that we [i.e. Armenia] may lose our positions in the market. Sadly, producers dont always conduct an independent test to check the authenticity of ingredients. As per the ex-official, however, this is the case when the respective factories in Armenia are earning more than the farmers. The [Armenian] states attitude does not change toward the farmer and his work, Garnik Petrosyan added, in particular. Pursuant to an agreement reached with Gazprom Export LLC, if needed, Georgia will receive natural gas from Russia for $185, instead of $215, per 1,000 cubic meters. Minister of Energy of Georgia, Kakha Kaladze, stated the aforementioned, according to Sputnik Georgia. Until now, Georgia was receiving 10 percent of the Russian gas being supplied to Armenia, and as a transfer fee. The respective contract between Georgia and Gazprom Export had expired on January 1. The contract renewal negotiations were being prolonged because Gazprom Export was asking to pay for the gas transfer with money, instead of natural gas. As for the transfer fee that has to be paid to Georgia, it will be the highest in the European countries, the Georgian minister stressed, in particular. Kaladze also noted that a two-year respective contract will be signed with Gazprom Export. The outgoing President of the US Barack Obama delivered his farewell speech in Chicago, from where he began his political career, reports RBC. The president referred to the achievements, registered during his office, threats that pose to the US, also spoke about Russia and China. Overcoming recession If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history if I had told you that we would open up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Irans nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, take out the mastermind of 9-11 if I had told you that we would win marriage equality and secure the right to health insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens if I had told you all that, you might have said our sights were set a little too high, Obama spoke about the achievements of his administration. After Obama had assumed the Presidency in January 2009, the US unemployment rate was the highest since 1983: 9.9 per cent. However, this figure went down during the years of his presidency and in the end made 4.7. 15.8 million jobs have been created since the beginning of 2010. Obama introduced no figures in his speech about the economic growth, but it is known, that the US economy began recovering from the economic crisis and registered a growth, after he had taken the office. When in 2008 the GDP growth rate was negative, -0.29 percent, it showed positive trends, and made 2.6 percent from January of 2009 to 2015, according to the World Bank. GDP per capita increased, reaching 57.17 thousand dollars in 2016, in comparison with 48.5 thousand dollars in 2009. The budget deficit fell by almost 1 trillion dollars. At the same time, the disputes about the role of the Obama administration in the US continues, and there is registered an increase in the total debt of the federal government. Climate, war against terrorism and Russia Obama, in his farewell speech, tried to defend the UN climate agreement, which was signed in 2015 in Paris. The US President-elect Donald Trump, during his electoral campaign, casted doubts on both climate change and the necessity of the agreement. But without bolder action, our children wont have time to debate the existence of climate change. Theyll be busy dealing with its effects, noted Obama. Obama also announced, that it was possible to decimate the leader of Al Qaida Osama Ben Laden, and prevent further possible terrorist acts in the US thanks to the policy of his administration. It is important to continue fighting against terrorist, said Obama, calling the IS as the main enemy. ISIL will try to kill innocent people. But they cannot defeat America unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight. Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for, and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors, he said. It is also bigots, who are posing a threat to the US, claiming to speak on behalf of Islam, as well as autocrats from foreign capitals, who consider the free market, open democracy, and civil society as a threat. Obama did not mention any specific countries. Under these conditions, the US can not give up the fight for global expansion of democracy, human rights, and LGBT community members. Future threats The US continues to be an exclusive country, since it has shown some capability to change, said the US president. Though, all the Americans should continue fighting to provide their prosperity. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the American democracy, whereas its development is impossible without equal opportunities for all. Our economy doesnt work as well or grow as fast when a few prosper at the expense of a growing middle class, and ladders for folks who want to get into the middle class, said Obama. According to Obama, the second threat is Russias discrimination. The first black president in the US history, admitted that the situation has improved in recent years, but the work must continue. Obama urged to spare money for the education of children of immigrants, because it will be them to provide the prosperity of US-born children. The outgoing president considers it necessary to uphold a law against discrimination in hiring. Obama assured, that his administration would provide a mild change of regime, as did President George W. Bush. The world of transferring the power to Trump raised a negative response in the hall. During Obama's speech, the audience was chanting. "Four more tears" "I cannot do that," replied Obama from the stage. The President finished his speech with the words of gratitude to his family and Vice President Joe Biden. He ended his speech with applauses and "Yes, we did. Yes, we can, " phrases, recalling his campaign slogan. The U.S. military on Tuesday began soliciting bids from companies interested in developing biodegradable ammunition carrying projectiles -- as well as seeds that eventually sprout into plants. Specifically, the objective of the Small Business Research Innovation program is to "develop biodegradable training ammunition loaded with specialized seeds to grow environmentally beneficial plants that eliminate ammunition debris and contaminants," according to an announcement posted on the Small Business Association website. The news was previously reported on Fox News and PCMag.com. The type of projectiles are not rifle rounds, but rather larger munitions including low-velocity 40mm grenades; 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortars; shoulder launched munitions; 120mm tank rounds; and 155mm artillery rounds, the notice states. "The projectiles, and in some circumstances the cartridge cases and sabot petals, are either left on the ground surface or several feet underground at the proving ground or tactical range," it states. "Components of current training rounds require hundreds of years or more to biodegrade." The proposed solution, then, is to develop a biodegradable material to replace the current training rounds -- and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already conducted research that shows bioengineered seeds can be embedded into biodegradable composites, according to the announcement. This effort "will make use of seeds to grow environmentally friendly plants that remove soil contaminants and consume the biodegradable components developed under this project," it states. "Animals should be able to consume the plants without any ill effects." The notice didn't specify what types of plants the rounds will shoot into the ground. In addition to the Army, other participating organizations include the Navy, Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Chemical and Biological Defense, Defense Health Agency and Defense Logistics Agency, according to a separate document on a Defense Department website. YEREVAN. - It is necessary to open more nurseries with grape seedlings for struggling against phylloxera. Foreign Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Garnik Petrosyan told the aforementioned to Armenian News NEWS.am. He recalled that the Armenian legislation, particularly the Law ''On grape-made alcoholic beverages'' bans planting phylloxera-resistant seedlings in Ararat plain. But the disease has spread here as well, although traditionally it wasn't there. ''Thus, it is necessary sprigs instead of seedlings. Since they were not in contact with the ground, the contamination is minimal during disinfection,'' Petrosyan said. Pursuant to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) program, about 12,000 sprigs of different sorts will be imported to the republic. They will later be tested in isolated conditions to rule out contamination and adapt them to local conditions. ''The work is very important, but this is not enough. In due time our colleagues and we prepared a development project in the conditions of phylloxera. But that project was not accepted. The basis is being laid now but the scale should be expanded. The state should think about this,'' the expert added. YEREVAN. - It would be desirable for Georgia to acquire additional volumes of gas from Iran, but the Russian side seems not to leave Tbilisi another choice by using its monopoly position in the gas and transportation system of Armenia. Economist Ashot Yeghiazaryan told the aforementioned to Armenian News News.am. Touching on the agreement reached between Georgia and Gazprom Export LLC, the economist noted: One thing is clear: Although Georgia agreed to receive gas not in physical volumes, the monetary payment of the Russian side will be adequate to the payment by raw material. From this perspective, Georgia shouldnt incur losses. Secondly, it is apparent that Russia itself seeks to be a gas supplier for Georgia to the extent allowed by additional demand in our neighbors country. Currently, it will be incorrect to say that this is a comprehensive agreement, which satisfies the sides. This may be a transitional decision, since the acting agreement has expired, Yeghiazaryan noted. Energy Minister of Georgia, Kakha Kaladze, stated that according to the agreement reached with Gazprom Export LLC, his country will receive gas from Russia for $185 per 1,000 cubic meters instead of $215, if needed. Georgia has so far received 10 percent of the general volume of Russian gas supplies to Armenia as a payment for transit. The agreement of Georgia with Gazprom Export expired on January 1. The talks lingered, since Gazprom insisted on the payment for transit to be made by money and not gas, as proposed by Georgia. YEREVAN. - Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan on Wednesday held a consultation with the participation of the heads of agencies concerned. At the meeting, the investment packages related to Gegharkunik province were discussed in accordance with the arrangement reached in the framework of Prime Ministers regional visit. Detailed reference was made to each of the business programs, which related to the expansion and development of manufacturing of cheese, dairy and farm products, as well as involvement of foreign investors in separate business programs. Underscoring the importance of promoting and implementing investment programs in provinces, the Prime Minister noted that the Government will co-fund and support the programs, which are promising, have economic feasibility and assessed risks and can thus turn into an efficient business, creating new jobs and ensuring multiply effect. Summing up the results of the discussion, Karen Karapetyan instructed the Ministries of Agriculture, as well as Economic Development and Investments to consider the possibility of providing support through their institutions in order to accelerate the implementation of the approved programs. He proposed the aforementioned to the Central Bank as well. It has also been proposed to establish a platform together with the Central Bank in order to hold business courses and training programs, which will contribute to drawing up more substantiated and efficient investment programs. The Government will next discuss program packages from other provinces. YEREVAN. - The issue of including the name of Armenian Prime Minster Karen Karapetyan in the proportional list of deputy candidates of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has not been discussed yet. Chairman of the Organizational Commission of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Ruben Tadevosyan, who is also a member of the party's executive body, stated the aforementioned to Armenian News NEWS.am. Meanwhile the RPA executive body is discussing the issue of including Prime Minister in their list, it is to be noted that the new Constitution already bans this: under Article 48, any person who has attained the age of twenty-five, has held citizenship of only the Republic of Armenia for the preceding four years, has been permanently residing in the Republic for the preceding four years, has the right of suffrage and has command of the Armenian language, may be elected as a Deputy of the National Assembly. However, Karapetyan held top offices in Gazprom from 2011 to 2016, that is, he didn't permanently reside in Armenia. The requirement of permanent residence in Armenia for the last four years also relates to the prime minister but this provision will enter into force only starting from 2018. Thus, after the parliamentary elections on April 2, the RPA may nominate Karen Karapetyan to the post of the Government head. If the latter assumes that post then, he will continue his work only till 2018. New Chair Approved for Nanotechnology Advisory Panel Dr. Ajit Jillavenkatesa, Ph.D., of NIST has been approved as chair of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 229, Nanotechnologies. ISO TC 229 has five working groups, including health, safety, and environment (WG 3). ANSI announced Jan. 6 that Dr. Ajit Jillavenkatesa, Ph.D., of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been approved as chair of the American National Standards Institute-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 229, Nanotechnologies. Jillavenkatesa replaces Steven Brown, formerly of Intel Global Environmental Health and Safety, who had served as chair since 2011. Administered by ANSI, the committee is responsible for formulating all U.S. positions and proposals with regard to ISO standardization in the field of nanotechnology. ISO TC 229 has five working groups focused on the development of international standards in the areas of terminology and nomenclature (WG 1); measurement and characterization (WG 2); health, safety, and environment (WG 3); materials specifications (WG 4); and products and applications (WG 5). Jillavenkatesa is a materials scientist by training and co-chair of the ANSI-Nanotechnology Standards Panel. He joined NIST in 1997 as a post-doctoral fellow and now serves as the senior standards policy adviser with the standards coordination and program coordination offices and as a member of Commerce's digital economy office. He specializes in standards and technology related policy issues in South Asia, Asia-Pacific and Europe, with a particular focus on China, Japan, and India, and in emerging technologies such as nanotechnology and information and communication technologies/digital economy technologies. ANSI's announcement said he is an active participant in international standards development activities who has been involved with the TC 229 U.S. TAG for more than a decade and has been an active participant in WG 1 and a contributor to WGs 3 and 4. "The U.S. has been an active participant and effective leader within ISO TC 229 since the formation of the committee in 2005, playing a key role in influencing the strategic and technical direction of the committee's standardization initiatives," said Fran Schrotter, senior vice president and chief operating officer at ANSI. "As TAG Chair, Dr. Jillavenkatesa not only brings to the table his professional and technical expertise, but also strong diplomatic skills, which promise to help the U.S. achieve consensus on positions that will be beneficial to industry and government. We look forward to continuing to work with him in this new leadership role." Participation on the committee is open to all materially affected U.S. national interested parties. For more information, contact the TAG administrator, Heather Benko, at [email protected] Fully operational since July, Electrochaea's one-megawatt BioCat facility near Copenhagen converts excess electrical power from wind turbines and waste CO2 from the neighboring water treatment plant into methane for the natural-gas grid. Credit: Ronnie Ranch Hedegaard, courtesy of Electrochaea One of the biggest challenges to wider adoption of wind and solar power is how to store the excess energy they often produce. A technology developed at the University of Chicago, and now being commercialized by a University startup, is addressing the intermittent nature of these renewable sources. It uses a selectively evolved, unicellular microorganism that helps convert electricity into methane gas. That gas can be stored, transported and used wherever natural gas is used, including for the generation of power on demand. Laurens Mets, associate professor of molecular genetics and cell biology, began developing the technology in the late 1990s. From it, the startup Electrochaea was born with support from the University's technology transfer office, which is now part of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. "Direct scaling at this pace and scale is rare in the energy field," Mets said. "But we found this technology to be eminently scalable, so I'm very confident about its commercialization." Electrochaea was selected for the 2014 Global Cleantech 100a list of 100 private companies with the greatest potential to solve the clean energy crisis according to the market intelligence firm Cleantech Group. It has experienced a string of successes, including a large-scale demonstration facility that delivers methane to Denmark's pipeline grid and a commercial-scale plant announced in October to be built in Hungary. "The disruptive energy storage technology developed by Dr. Mets in his lab has been validated by Electrochaea and is now being shown to scale in a commercially meaningful way," said Cristianne Frazier, senior project manager of technology commercialization and licensing at the Polsky Center. Electricity into methane At the center of the power-to-gas technology is a strain of methanogenic Archaeaa microorganism that Mets adapted for industrial use. The above equations show the process of converting electricity and carbon dioxide to methane gas. Credit: University of Chicago The process starts with surplus electricity that is coming from a wind farm or solar array, but isn't needed immediately. That power is used to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is combined with waste carbon dioxide from any of a variety of sources, such as a biogas or an industrial process, in a proprietary bioreactor in which the microorganisms efficiently catalyze conversion of the mixture into methane and water. The resulting methane can be transported in existing pipelines or converted into compressed natural gas or liquid natural gas, making it available to generate electricity. The technology offers a large carrying capacitymore than competing bulk-energy storage systems, such as batteries, pumped hydroelectric and compressed air, according to Mets. The technology enables increased use of variable electricity sources such as wind and solar by storing excess power, thus smoothing out the variability and making renewables more feasible and economically viable. The carbon dioxide produced by burning the methane product of the process was waste from its original source and would have been released into the atmosphere in any case. The power-to-gas technology is thus carbon-neutral in its primary impact on the environment. It has the additional important impact of displacing net carbon emissions from burning of fossil fuels for energy generation with energy derived from renewable wind and solar sources. The potential of the patented power-to-gas technology is significant, according to Seth Snyder, leader of the Water-Energy-Sustainability Initiative at the Argonne National Laboratory. "Methane could be the primary source for much of society's energy needs including electricity, heating, industrial processes and transportation," he said. "Therefore a robust way to create clean methane from renewable sources has the potential to transform our energy systems." Mets continues his research at the University and aims to refine the novel technology. He hopes to adapt it to produce gasoline and jet fuel. "What's so interesting is that Electrochaea is demonstrating that a very fundamental process in nature can be harnessed and adapted to address an immediate societal challenge," Snyder said. "If done correctly, the benefits could be significant in Europe and Asia." Company develops technology The links between the company and the University are numerous. The University recognized the importance of Met's discoveries early on and filed several families of patent applications that would be licensed to Electrochaea and become central to the startup's intellectual property portfolio. "The technology commercialization and licensing team at the Polsky Center, Electrochaea and Dr. Mets have worked collaboratively on everything from company formation and technology development to Series A financing and patent prosecution, and I believe those relationships have helped foster a successful company," Frazier said. Created in 2006, Electrochaea first validated the process in its laboratory in St. Louis. It began field testing Mets' power-to-gas technology in 2011. Three years later, Electrochaea started constructing a large-scale demonstration facility at a wastewater treatment plant outside Copenhagen, with the treatment plant providing the waste carbon dioxide used in the conversion process. Based on the success of that project, which is called BioCat and went live in June, Electrochaea is building a 10-megawatt plant in Hungary that will be the world's first commercial-scale power-to-gas plant. "Electrochaea ramped up very quickly, with several steps, from the one-liter reactor in my lab at the University, through the one-megawatt BioCat project and now the 10-megawatt commercial plant in Hungary. The microbes have proven to be very robust," Mets said. The Hungarian plant will be built by Electrochaea and Magyar Villamos Muvek, that country's largest energy provider. As with BioCat, the new plant will provide methane directly to the existing system of natural gas pipelines. Electrochaea plans to build an additional plant in Switzerland and envisions plants with up to 1,000 megawatts of capacity. Meanwhile, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is building a small demonstration plant at the National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado. Scientists on Tuesday revealed the "highly unusual" behaviour of a male monkey filmed trying to have sex with female deer in Japana rare case of inter-species nookie. Sex between animals from different species is uncommon, but exceptional cases are known to occur, chiefly in domesticated and captive animals, scientists reported in the journal Primates. Mating is usually driven by the need to procreate, while sex across the species line is mostly fruitless or yields sterile offspring. For the new studyonly the second on the phenomenon of inter-species sexa Japanese macaque or "snow monkey" was filmed mounting at least two female Sika deer much larger than itself. Without penetration, the young monkey makes sexual movements while riding on the does' backs on Japan's Yakushima Island. On some occasions its impertinence was tolerated but at other times the deer bolted and ran. The monkey ejaculated on the backs of the does, which licked the seminal fluid, researchers said. "No ambiguity is possible, it is clearly sexual behaviour," study co-author Marie Pele of the University of Strasbourg, France, told AFP. Furthermore, the monkey appeared to "guard" the targets of its affection, chasing away other male macaques. The scientists speculated the behaviour may be driven by "mate deprivation" in a community where competition for females is stiff, boosted by a surge of hormones in the breeding season. "Sometimes young males, like the one in the study, do not have access to females in their social group as these are claimed by older males," said Pele. "This young macaque... did not have access to females, but was very excited. It took advantage of the presence of the doe." Snow monkeys and Sika deer live in close proximity at Yakushimathe deer eat food the monkeys drop from the trees, and sometimes feed on their faeces. The team said further study is necessary to understand the origins of interspecies sexual behaviour, including zoophiliawhen humans are sexually attracted to animals. The only other published scientific study on inter-species sexual behaviour was the much-publicised 2014 report of fur seals forcing themselves on penguins in Antarctica, the authors said. A video of the monkey and the deer can be seen here: www.edge-cdn.net/video_1106810?playerskin=37016 More information: Marie Pele et al, Interspecies sexual behaviour between a male Japanese macaque and female sika deer, Primates (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s10329-016-0593-4 Marie Pele et al. Interspecies sexual behaviour between a male Japanese macaque and female sika deer, Primates (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s10329-016-0593-4 Journal information: Primates 2017 AFP A man walks under snowfall in a forest in Strasbourg, eastern France, on January 10, 2017, as a cold wave hits most parts of Europe Sub-freezing temperatures across swathes of Europe have claimed almost 60 victims in recent daysnotably in Poland, Romania and the Balkanswith migrants and the homeless among the most vulnerable, officials said on Tuesday. Six people died in Poland and seven more in the Balkans over a 24-hour period as temperatures plunged across Europe, while Romania announced six deaths in recent days. Authorities in Warsaw said the toll of hypothermia deaths in the country since November 1 had now risen to 71. Polish police urged people to help those most vulnerable, especially the homeless, as the mercury sank to below minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in some regions. "Another six people died due to exposure over the last 24 hours," the centre for national security (RCB) said on Tuesday in a statement. Local authorities have also issued smog alerts across Poland, urging children and the elderly to remain indoors as coal and waste-fired home furnaces drive up air pollution to the highest levels recorded in years. Last winter in Poland was unusually mild but still claimed 77 lives in the nation of 38 million, compared to 78 in 2013-2014 and 177 in 2012-2013. Miraculous rescue In the Balkans, a father and son were amongst at least seven people reported to have died in the last 24 hours, local media saidthree each in Serbia and Macedonia, and one in Albania. Aerial view shows round pieces of ice, so-called "Pfannkucheneis" (pancake ice), floating on the river Oder between northeastern Germany and Poland on January 10, 2017 In the south of Serbia, where temperatures have fallen below minus 20 Celsius and a state of emergency has been declared, an 88-year-old father and his 64-year-old son died of the cold in the village of Duga Poljana. But in the east of the country there was rare good news as national television station RTS reported the miraculous survival of a man in the village of Smoljinac who survived for two days in temperatures reaching minus 20 Celsius after falling down a well. Finally rescued by a neighbour, he was taken to hospital. The current deep freeze sweeping Europe has also killed six people in Romania in recent days, according to first official figures released by the health ministry there. This raises the total number of deaths across the continent to almost 60 in recent days, with many of the victims being migrants or homeless people. Illustration of the effects of cold on the human body No heating In Greece, which has more than 60,000 mainly Syrian refugees on its territory, many migrants have been moved to prefabricated houses and heated tents. It has also sent a landing craft to Lesbos to pick up refugees and migrants currently living in miserable conditions in the Moria refugee camp, navy spokesman Spyridon Pollatos told AFP. The craft "should arrive on Wednesday and can house 500 people", Pollatos said. More than 2,500 people, "including children, women and disabled people" are living "in tents, without either hot water or heating" at the Moria camp, said Apostolos Veizis of Doctors Without Borders. Since Friday, Greece has been hit by an unusually cold snap and heavy snowfall. Heavy snowstorms reached Turkey over the weekend, paralysing its biggest city Istanbul where almost 65 centimetres (25 inches) of snow fell Meanwhile, traffic on the Danube between Romania and Bulgaria was halted indefinitely on Tuesday as temperatures plunged to below 30 degrees Celsius. Schools remained closed in large parts of Romania, with more snow storms forecast for Tuesday evening. Heavy snowstorms also reached Turkey over the weekend, paralysing its biggest city Istanbul where almost 65 centimetres (25 inches) of snow fell, forcing hundreds of flights to be cancelled on Saturday. The Russian capital recorded its coldest Orthodox Christmas Night for 120 years at the weekend, according to media reports. Two people died of hypothermia in Moscow between December 31 and January 9, Russian news agencies reported on Monday. 2017 AFP MIAMI, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ CaribShopper, the Caribbeans premier m-commerce and e-commerce solution announced today its partnership with MatchMove, Singapores leading finance technology firm. CaribShopper will be integrating MatchMoves award-winning Wallet OS and offer virtual and physical prepaid cards to CaribShoppers users. The integration will enable CaribShoppers users to top up their prepaid cards, check balances, and make payments with the MatchMove-powered prepaid Mastercard. Customers can simply go the CaribShopper website and apply, where they will be instantly approved for a virtual card. No credit check or verification of income is necessary. MatchMove is the perfect partner as its innovative and scalable cloud-based platform is exactly what we wanted, said Kadion Preston, CEO of CaribShopper. We constantly strive to provide our customers with improved services and by giving them access to both virtual and physical Mastercards with a simple click of a button, we will change the way the Caribbean shops. CaribShopper provides those living in the Caribbean a platform through which to purchase items directly from over 150 US retailers, such as eBay, Macys, Ralph Lauren, Amazon and Walmartcompanies, that, otherwise, would be inaccessible to the Caribbean population. By managing every aspect of the order cycle, CaribShopper offers its customers a simple, secure and convenient solution to online shopping directly from many of the best brands in the world. We are delighted to have CaribShopper choose us as its preferred Wallet OS provider and be our first partner in the Caribbean. This partnership further expands our footprint in the region, as we continue to drive our business globally, says Shailesh Naik, CEO, MatchMove. Gitesh Athavale, SVP & GM, MatchMove, commented, With our agnostic, independent and easy-to-integrate APIs, we enable enterprise partners like CaribShopper to have the ability to offer secure digital payment option to their customers without having to invest in additional hardware, saving them time and money. About CaribShopper CaribShopper, is the only complete e-commerce solution for the Caribbean. The platform enables residents access to US retail websites, offers local payment options and door-to-door delivery and provides one price that incorporates the customs and duties fees. For more information about the company, visit www.caribshopper.com. About MatchMove Pay MatchMove Pay is a financial technology company that provides innovative, end-to-end enterprise payment solutions to help startups and large enterprises increase revenue and boost user engagement through its patented technologies. Our proprietary cloud-based MatchMove Wallet OS enables any company to easily offer their customers a fully branded, secure mobile wallet solution that includes P2P transfer, Remittance, Top Up channels, Virtual Payment Cards, Loyalty Points & Rewards, Promotions & Offers amongst many other features. MatchMove has consistently been recognised internationally for its outstanding innovation. MatchMove Pay is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, India and The Philippines. In early 2017, MatchMove will open new offices in South Africa and Miami to support its global growth. www.matchmove.com Other Point of sale news: CHERRY MX Board Silent Quiet Keyboard Helps Noisy Offices Proven Technology Meets Innovation Auerbach, 5th January 2017 CHERRY, the specialist for computer input devices, has unveiled the MX Board Silent at CES 2017. This new keyboard is based on the G80-3000, which has proven itself over the years to be precise as well as reliable. CHERRY combines this product with its new MX Silent switches to create a product that will keep keyboard noise in a hectic office space to an absolute minimum. Combining G80-3000 With the Latest MX Technology The G80-3000 has been one of the most popular mechanical keyboards on the market for decades, having become a true classic. Thanks to a purist feature set, a timeless design and its outstanding precision, the G80-3000 remains a bestseller. To continue its success, CHERRY updated this proven keyboard with the latest MX Silent technology. The result is a straightforward, high-end keyboard, which is ideally suited for even volume-sensitive environments such as large rooms or community offices, enabling silent keystrokes with CHERRYs patented noise reduction technology without giving up on its uncompromising writing performance. Also implemented is N-Key Rollover functionality, which allows up to 14 keys to be pressed simultaneously without ghost keypress effect. MX Silent for Minimal Keyboard Noise The MX Silent-switches have a uniquely shaped rubber pad compared to conventional switches. The integrated 2-component stem reduces audible clicks at the bottom-out and top-out to a minimum. Instead of relying on third-party products, CHERRY relies on a self-developed, innovative solution that preserves the special properties of each individual switch. As with every other MX switch, these features include a sturdy housing made of plastic polymer, a precise spiral spring, and the unique Gold Crosspoint contact technology. This exclusive production process guarantees a precise release and a service life of over 50 million keystrokes. MX Board Silent Available in MX Red or MX Black The MX Board Silent is offered in two versions, so the consumer can choose between two variants of the noise-reduced MX Silent switches. Both exhibit linear switching characteristics but differ in the required release force: 45 centinewtons for the MX Red Silent and for those who prefer a slightly higher resistance, 60 centinewtons for the MX Black Silent. Like all MX switches, the bounce is less than a millisecond, allowing for precise and instantaneous input. The MX Board Silent is only available in international EU layout and colours grey and black for an MSRP of $149. About CHERRY CHERRY, with its headquarters in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany, is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of computer input devices with an emphasis on office, industrial and security markets, as well as switches for mechanical keyboards among others for PC gaming. More POS news: Hyperwallet Expands to London as Europes Gig Economy Swells Payout provider opens UK office to connect with digital marketplaces and on-demand companies abroad. San Francisco, California Hyperwallet, a top global payout provider to the new economy, revealed today that it has opened an office in London, the next step in the companys plans to accelerate global expansion and capitalize on growth of the gig economy abroad. Aran Brown, a payments industry veteran with more than a decade of experience in strategic business development, is spearheading the initiative as Hyperwallets Managing Director in Europe. Hyperwallets recent successes demonstrate that our platform offering is resonating both with independent earners and the many companies that rely on them, Brown said. The gig economy is growing fast, and all indicators suggest that it will constitute a significant portion of the global economy within the next decade. Drivers, taskers, developersbusinesses need a fast, flexible, and reliable way to pay these large communities of workers, and were confident that the Hyperwallet platform is best-equipped to fill that role. Prior to joining Hyperwallet, Brown served as Chief Commercial Officer for FC Exchange, an international money transfer firm based in London. Brown has also held prominent roles with Western Union Business Solutions, Skrill, and Travelex, among others. Reporting directly to Hyperwallets CEO Brent Warrington, Brown is coordinating the rapid hiring of Hyperwallets London-based payments team and will lead the companys sales efforts in the United Kingdom and Europe. Our company grew considerably in 2016, explained Warrington. Weve added a number of major clients, registered millions of new payees, and have nearly doubled our total number of staff during the last 12 months alone. To facilitate that growth and position ourselves for future success, Hyperwallet will continue to build its global footprint in the coming year. Warrington on Hyperwallets overseas expansion plans: Our push into the United Kingdom is only the beginning. Well be opening a series of overseas locations to support our existing payout operations and recent client signings, but also to better connect with the prominent gig economy companies that are cropping up all around the world. London is first, and Sydney is coming soon. After that, you can expect to see Hyperwallet offices in Asia later in 2017. For more information, please contact press@hyperwallet.com About Hyperwallet Hyperwallets payout platform provides growing organizations with a frictionless, transparent, and reliable way to manage payments and enhance the payees experience anywhere in the world. Trusted by enterprise, ecommerce, and on-demand platforms, Hyperwallet makes it easy to pay up to 7 billion people in a singular payment environment. Put your payees in control with enhanced financial management tools, integrated payment tracking technology, and user-friendly compliance and identity verification. Hyperwallet has offices in San Francisco, Austin, London, and Vancouver. You can learn more at http://hyperwallet.com Other Point of Sale blogs of interest: The actual reason former Governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema, is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to ensure that the 'cabal' in the All Progressives Congress (APC) incapacitates opposition figures in the country financially before the 2019 general elections. Fayose says Shema is a victim of Buhari's plot for re-election in 2019 Governor Fayose described the trial of Shema as planned to derail the opposition adding that President Mohammadu Buharis second term ambition will not be realised on the basis of intimidation, harassment and persecution of figures in the PDP as well as the annihilation of their financial strength. Instead of running after those that they perceive as threat to the presidents 2019 ambition, they should rather save Nigerians from hunger and sufferings now ravaging the land, Fayose said. READ ALSO: Just In: EFCC seals 3 houses belonging to ex-governor Shema In a statement made available to Legit.ng by Lere Olayinka, his spokesperson, Fayose Fayose said: It is also obvious that those holding power in Katsina state presently are finding it difficult to match Shemas unprecedented performance while in office and have opted for his persecution just to cover up their failure." He lamented that all actions of the APC-led federal government were geared towards the achievement of President Buharis second term and not the well-being of Nigerians, many of whom can barely feed owing to bad policies of the government. "It is another sad experience in democratic governance in Nigeria that someone like Alhaji Shema, who performed remarkably well as Katsina state governor and even left over N3 billion in the states treasury is now being humiliated ostensibly just because some people believed that the only way they can perpetuate themselves in power beyond 2019 is by destroying opposition. READ ALSO: Alleged N74.6billion fraud: Wanted ex-governor turns himself in Despite that Alhaji Shema made himself available to the EFCC on September 16, 2016, he was kept in detention for more than two weeks just to humiliate him as directed by those who presently hold power in Katsina and Abuja. "Even when Alhaji Shema was arraigned in court on Tuesday, EFCC even went to the extent of asking the court to remand him in prison. This is ridiculous! He said. The governor called on the international community as well as the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, and other world leaders to help in saving Nigeria's democracy. "This continuous use of EFCC and other agencies of the federal government to humiliate and oppress those perceived as threat to the APC hold on power beyond 2019 is a threat to democracy in the country and must not be allowed to continue. READ ALSO: Land fraud: APC chieftain seeks transfer of court case The international community should ask President Buhari why only opposition figures are the ones being arrested and tried by the EFCC. "What has happened to all those petitions submitted to the EFCC against close aides of the president and serving members of his cabinet? Obviously, EFCC now exists as the APC Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and those foreign organisations donating funds to the commission should be mindful of their funds being used to persecute opposition, the statement said. Source: Legit.ng By Isla Binnie and Francesca Piscioneri ROME (Reuters) - Italy's Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected a bid by the country's biggest trade union to force a referendum on former prime minister Matteo Renzi's law making it easier to fire workers. The ruling is likely to prove a relief for new Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who has pledged to build on his predecessor's reforms, and it also spares Renzi the humiliation of having his two flagship projects thrown out in referendums. Italy's bond yields fell, while the euro and Italian stocks rose after the ruling. Renzi stepped down last month after losing a referendum on constitutional changes. He flagged the 2015 "Jobs Act" and the planned constitutional reform as vital measures to revive Italy's economy, the most chronically stagnant in the euro zone. Big businesses welcomed the scrapping of a rule that gave people fired from large private sector companies the right to be re-hired if a court deemed their dismissal unjustified. Under the reform they only receive financial compensation. The CGIL union, which opposed most aspects of the Jobs Act from the start, asked the court to approve a referendum on restoring the right to re-instatement and extending it to smaller companies. CGIL leader Susanna Camusso said the union would consider appealing to the European Court of Justice. "We are convinced that this battle must continue," she told a news conference. Renzi hoped making dismissals easier would prompt firms to hire, but the unemployment rate rose in November to its highest since June 2015, shortly after the measures began to be applied. The judges did however approve two other referendums proposed by CGIL: on the use of vouchers to pay workers who have no contract and on extending the rights of people working on projects assigned by tender processes. Italy has one of the highest jobless rates in the euro zone and almost 40 percent of people aged between 15 and 24 are unemployed. Story continues Work vouchers, which are worth 10 euros (dollars) each and give workers no rights to sick pay, holidays or leave, were introduced as an experiment in 2008, but their use shot up 70 percent in 2015. Governments across Europe have allowed greater labour flexibility to boost employment as their economies slowed, but Italy has acknowledged the voucher scheme is out of control and is planning to take action to curb its use. The two referendums permitted by the court could now take place on a Sunday between April 15 and June 15, unless new laws on the topics in question are passed before then. (Editing by Gavin Jones and Louise Ireland) A Swiss banker was jailed for seven months in Singapore on Wednesday for money laundering and other offences related to a corruption scandal involving neighbouring Malaysia's state fund 1MDB. Jens Fred Sturzenegger, 42, who headed the Singapore branch of Swiss lender Falcon Private Bank, was also fined Sg$128,000 ($89,000) after he pleaded guilty at a district court, making him the first foreigner linked to the scandal convicted in Singapore. Allegations that huge sums were misappropriated from 1MDB have triggered a scandal which has embroiled Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, though the leader has denied any wrongdoing. Three Singaporean private bankers from another Swiss lender, BSI, were jailed last year in relation to the affair. Among them was Yeo Jiawei, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison for witness tampering and obstructing the 1MDB probe. Other money laundering charges are set for an April trial. It was revealed during Yeo's trial that he worked closely with Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, a family friend of Najib. Najib founded the 1MDB fund while Low helped set it up and played a key role in its decisions. Low has also denied wrongdoing. State prosecutors said Sturzenegger lied when he told Singapore investigators he did not know it was Low who owned the Falcon bank accounts involved in the suspicious transactions. Low had used the alias Eric Tan in his dealings with Falcon, but the prosecutors said Sturzenegger was aware of it and had even met the Malaysian businessman. Prosecutors also said that despite having suspicions of "astronomical sums" of more than $1 billion moving into Low's accounts at Falcon, Sturzenegger did not file a suspicious transaction report to financial regulators. Singapore, a regional financial hub known for its transparency and tough stance on corruption, last year kicked out Falcon Bank and BSI for what regulators called massive lapses in financial controls. Both banks were allegedly used to transfer illicit funds. The United States and Switzerland have also launched investigations into the 1MDB fund but only Singapore has meted out convictions so far. - 'Extremely modest' salary - Sturzenegger was initially slapped with 16 charges, including six for allegedly failing to report suspicious transactions totalling $1.7 billion in March 2013. Another 10 charges were for giving false information to Singapore authorities who were investigating the use of the city-state's banking system as a conduit for the transfer of illicit funds involving 1MDB. He pleaded guilty to three charges related to money laundering and three charges of giving false information. The other charges were taken into consideration in the sentencing. Sturzenegger's lawyer told the court in a mitigation plea before the sentencing that his client did not personally profit from the transactions. He also said the Swiss banker's annual salary of Sg$400,000 ($278,000) was "extremely modest" compared with that earned by the BSI bankers implicated in the 1MDB case. Defence lawyer Tan Hee Joek told reporters after the hearing that his client was "unlikely" to appeal the sentence and that Sturzenegger would start serving the jail time on Wednesday. In his sentencing, Judge Ow Yong Tuck Leong said he agreed with the prosecution to impose a deterrent sentence as Sturzenegger had shown "persistent deceitful conduct". But he also acknowledged that Sturzenegger "fully cooperated" with the investigation and was a first-time offender. AFP News Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was recovering in hospital Friday after a gunman shot him in the leg, with his supporters vowing the assassination attempt will not derail his "long march" bid to return to power. The attack on his convoy, apparently by a lone gunman, killed one man and wounded at least 10, significantly raising the stakes in a political crisis that has gripped the South Asian nation since Khan's ousting in April. Khan "was stable and he was doing fine" at Shaukat Khanum hospital in the eastern city of Lahore, his doctor Faisal Sultan told AFP Friday. Seemi Bokhari, a lawmaker with Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, said after visiting Khan the former premier was in high spirits. "The doctors are allowing him to move ... He is feeling perfectly well and he will soon be discharged," she told AFP. The 70-year-old former international cricket star had been leading a campaign convoy of thousands since last week from Lahore to the capital Islamabad when he was attacked. Khan suffered at least one bullet wound to his right leg when a gunmen sprayed pistol fire at his modified container truck as it drove slowly through a thick crowd in Wazirabad, around 170 kilometres (105 miles) east of Islamabad. "Everyone who was standing in the very front row got hit," former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, who was standing behind Khan, told AFP. Senior aide Raoof Hasan said it was "an attempt to kill him, to assassinate him". Chaudhry said party officials would meet later Friday to discuss the immediate fate of Khan's campaign march. "The real freedom long march will continue and the movement for people's rights will remain until an announcement on the general elections," he tweeted. - Threats - Party officials also called for supporters to stage rallies and marches across the country after Friday afternoon prayers, the most important of the week. Protesters lit fires and blocked roads in several cities late Thursday as news of Khan's shooting spread. His campaign truck has become a crime scene for now, cordoned off and guarded by commandos as forensic experts comb the area. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said Thursday the attacker had been taken into custody. Officials shared an apparent confession video that was circulating online. "I did it because (Khan) was misleading the public," says a dishevelled man in the leaked video, shown with his hands tied behind his back in what appears to be a police station. He says he was angry with the procession for making a racket during the call to prayer that summons Muslims to the mosque five times a day. Pervaiz Elahi, the chief minister of Punjab, said officers who leaked the video would be disciplined. Pakistan has been grappling with Islamist militancy for decades, with right-wing religious groups having huge sway over the population. It has been no stranger to assassination attempts during decades of political instability, and the powerful military has led the country several times. Pakistan's first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was shot dead at a rally in Rawalpindi in 1951. Another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, was killed in 2007 when a huge bomb detonated near her vehicle as she greeted supporters in the city of Rawalpindi. - Kicked from power - Khan was booted from office in April by a no-confidence vote after defections by some of his coalition partners, but he retains huge support. He was voted into power in 2018 on an anti-corruption platform by an electorate tired of dynastic politics, but his mishandling of the economy -- and falling out with a military accused of helping his rise -- sealed his fate. Since then, he has railed against the establishment and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government, which he says was imposed on Pakistan by a "conspiracy" involving the United States. Khan and Shehbaz have for months traded bitter accusations of corruption and incompetence, raising the political temperature in a nation that is frequently at boiling point. Khan has repeatedly told supporters he was prepared to die for the country, and aides have long warned of unspecified threats made on his life. The attack drew international condemnation including from the United States, which had uneasy relations with Khan when he was in power. "Violence has no place in politics, and we call on all parties to refrain from violence, harassment and intimidation," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. sjd/fox/ecl/pbt/dhc AFP News Zhang Yao recalls the moment he realised something had gone deeply wrong at the Chinese mega-factory where he and hundreds of thousands of other workers assembled iPhones and other high-end electronics. In early October, supervisors suddenly warned him that 3,000 colleagues had been taken into quarantine after someone tested positive for Covid-19 at the factory. "They told us not to take our masks off," Zhang, speaking under a pseudonym for fear of retaliation, told AFP by telephone. What followed was a weeks-long ordeal including food shortages and the ever-present fear of infection, before he finally escaped on Tuesday. Zhang's employer, Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn, has said it faces a "protracted battle" against infections and imposed a "closed loop" bubble around its sprawling campus in central China's Zhengzhou city. Local authorities locked down the area surrounding the major Apple supplier's factory on Wednesday, but not before reports emerged of employees fleeing on foot and a lack of adequate medical care at the plant. China is the last major economy committed to a zero-Covid strategy, persisting with snap lockdowns, mass testing and lengthy quarantines in a bid to stamp out emerging outbreaks. But new variants have tested officials' ability to snuff out flare-ups and dragged down economic activity with the threat of sudden disruptions. - Desperation - Multiple workers have recounted scenes of chaos and increasing disorganisation at Foxconn's complex of workshops and dormitories, which form a city-within-a-city near Zhengzhou's airport. Zhang told AFP that "positive tests and double lines (on antigen tests) had become a common sight" in his workshop before he left. "Of course we were scared, it was so close to us." "People with fevers are not guaranteed to receive medicine," another Foxconn worker, a 30-year-old man who also asked to remain anonymous, told AFP. "We are drowning," he said. Those who decided to stop working were not offered meals at their dormitories, Zhang said, adding that some were able to survive on personal stockpiles of instant noodles. Kai, a worker at in the complex who gave an interview to state-owned Sanlian Lifeweek, told the magazine Foxconn's "closed loop" involved cordoning off paths between dormitory compounds and the factory, and complained he was left to his own devices after being thrown in quarantine. TikTok videos geolocated by AFP showed mounds of uncollected rubbish outside buildings in late October, while employees in N95 masks squeezed onto packed shuttle buses taking them from dormitories to their work stations. A 27-year-old woman working at Foxconn, who asked not to be named, told AFP a roommate who tested positive for Covid was sent back to her dormitory on Thursday morning, crying, after she decided to hand in her notice while in quarantine. "Now the three of us are living in the same room: one a confirmed case and two of us testing positive on the rapid test, still waiting for our nucleic acid test results," the worker told AFP. Many became so desperate by the end of last month that they attempted to walk back to their hometowns to get around Covid transport curbs. As videos of people dragging their suitcases down motorways and struggling up hills spread on Chinese social media, the authorities rushed in to do damage control. The Zhengzhou city government on Sunday said it had arranged for special buses to take employees back to their hometowns. Surrounding Henan province has officially reported a spike of more than 600 Covid cases since the start of this week. - Distrust - When Zhang finally attempted to leave the Foxconn campus on Tuesday, he found the company had set up obstacle after obstacle. "There were people with loudspeakers advertising the latest Foxconn policy, saying that each day there would be a 400 yuan ($55) bonus," Zhang told AFP. A crowd of employees gathered at a pick-up point in front of empty buses but were not let on. People in hazmat suits, known colloquially as "big whites" in China, claimed they had been sent by the city government. "They tried to persuade people to stay in Zhengzhou... and avoid going home," Zhang said. "But when we asked to see their work ID, they had nothing to show us, so we suspected they were actually from Foxconn." Foxconn pointed to the local government's lockdown orders from Wednesday when asked by AFP if it attempted to stop employees from leaving, without giving any further response. The company had on Sunday said it was "providing employees with complimentary three meals a day" and cooperating with the government to provide transport home. Eventually, the crowd of unhappy workers who had gathered decided to take matters into their own hands and walked over seven kilometres on foot to the nearest highway entry ramp. There, more people claiming to be government officials pleaded with the employees to wait for the bus. The crowd had no choice as the road was blocked. Buses eventually arrived at five in the afternoon -- nearly nine hours after Zhang had begun his attempt to secure transport. "They were trying to grind us down," he said. Back in his hometown, Zhang is now waiting out the home quarantine period required by the local government. "All I feel is, I've finally left Zhengzhou," he told AFP. bur-tjx/oho/je/mca/cwl SAO PAULO (AP) For more than 30 years, the bones of Josef Mengele, a German doctor who conducted horrific experiments on thousands of Jews at Auschwitz, lay unclaimed inside a blue plastic bag in Sao Paulo's Legal Medical Institute. Dr. Daniel Romero Munoz, who led the team that identified Mengele's remains in 1985, saw an opportunity to put them to use. Several months ago, the head of the Department of Legal Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo's Medical School obtained permission to use them in his forensic medical courses. Today, his students are now learning their trade studying Mengele's bones and connecting them to the life story of the man called the "Angel of Death." "The bones will be helpful to teach how to examine the remains of an individual and then match that information with data in documents related to the person," Munoz said recently, flanked by students. Mengele died nearly four decades ago when he drowned off the coast of the state of Sao Paulo. He had been on the run for years, hiding while being pursued for performing experiments on inmates and sending thousands of them to the gas chambers during World War II. Mengele's life on the run, and the mystery surrounding his whereabouts, are part of what make his bones a useful teaching tool, Munoz said. "For example, examining Mengele's remains, we saw a fractured left pelvis," he said, adding that "information found in his army record said that he fractured his pelvis in a motorcycle accident in Auschwitz," the notorious Nazi death camp in Poland. Holding Mengele's skull, Munoz pointed to a small hole in the left cheek bone, which he said was the result of long-term sinusitis. Munoz said that a German couple who harbored Mengele in Brazil told police that he often suffered from dental abscesses that he himself would treat with a razor blade. "I don't know what I feel" about Mengele's bones being studied, said Cyrla Gewertz, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor. "I already have too many painful memories of him and what he did to me and others at Auschwitz. These are memories I cannot erase from my mind." Story continues After the war, Gewertz, who said she was also interned in other concentration camps like Ravensbruck and Malchow, went to Sweden, where she lived for seven years and where she met and married her husband with whom she came to Brazil in 1952. Originally from Poland, Gewertz has a tattoo on her left arm identifying her as an Auschwitz prisoner: A24840. She said she came face to face with Mengele on several occasions. "(Mengele) told me to strip and step inside a large vat with extremely hot water," said Gewertz during an interview in her Sao Paulo apartment. "I said the water was too hot and he said if I didn't do what he ordered, he would kill me. After that I had to step into a vat with freezing water." Gewertz said she once saw Mengele kill a newborn baby girl by throwing her off the roof of the camp's barracks. "He was an evil, perverse man," she said "He was a torturer." After the war, as leading members of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich were put on trial for war crimes, Mengele fled to Argentina and lived in Buenos Aires for a decade. He moved to Paraguay after Israeli Mossad agents captured Holocaust mastermind Adolf Eichmann, who was also living in Buenos Aires. In 1960, he arrived in Sao Paulo, where he received shelter from German couple Wolfram and Lisolette Bossert and a family of Hungarian immigrants. Mengele, then 67, died while swimming in a beach in the coastal town of Bertioga in 1979. The Bosserts buried him in Embu on the outskirts of Sao Paulo under the false name of Wolfgang Gerhard. Years later, German authorities intercepted a letter sent by the couple to Mengele's family with news of his death. They alerted Brazilian authorities. In 1985, his body was exhumed. Teams from Germany, Israel, the United States and Brazil confirmed it was Mengele, using methods including the vetting of personal accounts from people who knew him in Brazil, comparing handwriting in seized letters and analyzing the recovered cranium to see if it matched old photos of Mengele. Professor Maria Luiza Tucci Carneiro, a historian who coordinates the University of Sao Paulo's Laboratory for the Study of Ethnicity, Racism and Discrimination, said she hopes the classroom learning eventually goes beyond the science to history and ethics. Students should also learn "how physicians, psychiatrists and other leading scientists were in the service of the Reich, lending their knowledge to exclude the ethnic groups classified as belonging to inferior races," said Carneiro. "An exclusion that culminated in genocide." RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) Lebanese President Michel Aoun said after a visit to Saudi Arabia that his country's close ties to the kingdom's archrival Iran should not impede relations with the wider Arab world. "We have normal relations with Iran," which "shouldn't be a barrier in the face of normal relations with the Arab world," Aoun said in remarks published by the pan-Arab and Saudi-run Asharq al-Awsat newspaper on Wednesday. Iran is a longtime supporter of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which represents much of Lebanon's Shiite community and has a military capability rivaling that of the army and police. Aoun, whose Christian party is allied with Hezbollah, said Iran's support for the group "could continue indefinitely." Saudi Arabia halted a $3 billion arms deal with Lebanon in February and banned Saudis and other Gulf nationals from traveling there after what the Saudis described as Beirut's failure to condemn attacks on Saudi missions in Iran by demonstrators angered by the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Weeks later, Lebanon abstained from an Arab League vote branding Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Hezbollah is fighting alongside President Bashar Assad's forces in Syria, while Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries support the rebels. Aoun said he discussed the arms deal with Saudi officials, without elaborating. The former general also said that "the decision about the return of the tourists has been taken." Saudi officials told The Associated Press that the Saudi king has promised to review the restoration of the aid package to the Lebanese army but without giving a timetable. They also said that the king has assured Aoun that he will give instructions to the powerful Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman to "give attention to the issue." A senior Lebanese official told the Associated Press that Saudis have conditions to unblock the military aid to Lebanon, including assurances that such assistance won't end up in the hands any Lebanese parties a reference to Hezbollah, which the Saudis view as a terrorist organization. Story continues All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the press. Aoun flew from Saudi Arabia to Qatar on Wednesday, said QNA, the official Qatari news agency. Aoun was elected in October after a 29-month vacuum in the country's top post. Lebanon's political factions are deeply divided, with some, like Aoun's party and Hezbollah, aligning with Iran, and their opponents siding with Saudi Arabia. In December, the parliament approved a national unity government headed by Lebanon's top Saudi ally, Saad Hariri. He endorsed Aoun, ending the deadlock. No Yes, a light case Yes, two or more light cases One serious case Two or more serious bouts Vote View Results AFP News Pope Francis warned the world is on the edge of a "delicate precipice" and buffeted by "winds of war" as he held inter-faith talks with one of Sunni Islam's top leaders in Bahrain on Friday. The 85-year-old Argentine decried the "opposing blocs" of East and West, a veiled reference to the standoff over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in a speech to religious leaders in the tiny Gulf state. "We continue to find ourselves on the brink of a delicate precipice and we do not want to fall," he told an audience including Bahrain's king and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Cairo's prestigious Al-Azhar mosque. "A few potentates are caught up in a resolute struggle for partisan interests, reviving obsolete rhetoric, redesigning spheres of influence and opposing blocs," he added. "We appear to be witnessing a dramatic and childlike scenario: in the garden of humanity, instead of cultivating our surroundings, we are playing instead with fire, missiles and bombs." The pope's visit, aimed at strengthening relations with Islam, comes with the Ukraine war in its ninth month, and as tensions grow on the Korean peninsula and in the Taiwan Strait. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who met Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in September, told journalists that there had been "a few small signs" of progress in negotiations with Moscow, warning that peace initiatives should not be "exploited for other goals". Francis, who is on his second visit to the wealthy Gulf, later met privately with al-Tayeb, with whom he signed a Muslim-Christian manifesto for peace in the United Arab Emirates in 2019. "This meeting has great symbolic importance, both locally and internationally, for promoting peace and peaceful co-existence between different religions and civilisations," said Hala Ramzi Fayez, a Christian and member of Bahrain's parliament. - Sunni, Shiite talks? - Leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, Francis has placed inter-faith dialogue at the heart of his papacy, visiting other Muslim-majority countries including Egypt, Turkey and Iraq. Al-Tayeb, who met with the pope on previous Middle East visits, also called on Friday for talks between Islam's two main branches, Sunni and Shiite, to settle sectarian differences. Later, the pope addressed 17 members of the Muslim Council of Elders, an international group of Islamic scholars and dignitaries, at the mosque of the Sakhir Royal Palace. He told them dialogue was "the oxygen of peaceful coexistence". "In a world that is increasingly wounded and divided, that beneath the surface of globalisation senses anxiety and fear, the great religious traditions must be the heart that unites the members of the body," he said. He also struck out at the arms trade, a "commerce of death" that he said was "turning our common home into one great arsenal". The pope, who is using a wheelchair and a walking stick due to long-standing knee problems, began the first papal visit to Bahrain on Thursday by hitting out at the death penalty and urging respect for human rights and better conditions for workers. Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Bahrain's minister of finance and national economy, insisted the country has "led the region" with its criminal justice reforms. "We have some of the most robust and wide-ranging human rights and criminal justice protections in the region," the minister told AFP on Friday. "There are very well-established channels through which any of these critics can go, well established institutions of accountability," he said, adding that the pope's comments on the death penalty did not single out Bahrain. "It is important to note that that reference... was a general reference to countries around the world," the minister said. Bahrain has executed six people since 2017, when it carried out its first execution in seven years. Some of the condemned were convicted following a 2011 uprising put down with military support from neighbouring Saudi Arabia. cmk-lar/par/ho/th/dwo Charles Town, W. Va., didnt have much of an online presence before Van Applegate showed up. Now the town and all of its local merchants have found a way to truly benefit from technology, promoting their town online. Applegate is a photojournalist for ABC News who commutes from Charles Town to his job in Washington, D.C. He originally started Charles Town Now because he wanted a way to feel more connected to his town. He said in a phone interview with Small Business Trends: I wanted to make this place more of a home. I thought about starting a small business, but I just didnt feel like I had that kind of savvy. So I thought maybe I could take some of my social media skills and lend them to a town that didnt have much of an online presence. He started out with a simple Twitter account aimed at promoting Charles Town to potential visitors. Applegate mainly used Twitters search features to find users who were visiting or planning to visit Charles Town so he could interact with them one-on-one. He said: I think social media is most effective when you use it to create personal connections. We mainly talk to people one-on-one instead of sending mass messages. Lots of people out there are already looking for whatever it is you have to offer, but you have to seek them out instead of waiting for them to come to you. He eventually built a following and then signed up for Facebook and Instagram accounts as well. He even built a website for the project using tools from GoDaddy. And more recently, Charles Town Now merged with local non-profit Discover Downtown Charles Town to further promote the town and its businesses. But while he was doing all of this for the Charles Town Now brand, he also was working to help individual small business owners in the community. He tried to demonstrate how each one could benefit from social media. At first, this was met with some resistance, particularly from businesses that had been there for years and had always done well without it. But he was able to open some eyes. In particular, he recalled one instance where he was demonstrating Twitters advanced search feature to a local locksmith. He entered the towns zip code along with a few search terms including lock, car, and Charles Town. He uncovered a recent tweet from a local resident who had locked his keys in his car at the Charles Town Walmart. Applegate sent a tweet that included the locksmiths name and phone number to the man. Almost immediately, the locksmiths phone rang. It worked so well that he thought Applegate had set the whole thing up himself. There have been plenty of opportunities for Applegate to show off the power of social media to local business owners. He said that over the last year the community has really learned to embrace it as a useful tool. They dont just use it to promote their own businesses, but also neighboring businesses and the town as a whole. The local businesses have even banded together to host third Thursday events downtown each month. Charles Town Now and local businesses promote the events on social media and then host a street fair type of happening each month in the downtown area. Applegate explained: Learning Resources Pennsylvania Launches Pinterest of Educational Resources The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today launched a Pinterest page of K12 educational resources in an effort to reach more students, families and educators across the state. The Pinterest page (under the handle @PADeptOfEd) features boards that organize original and shared content, including: STEM; Art; Music; Reading and Writing; College & Career Readiness; Food and Nutrition; Physical Fitness; Educational Apps; Driver Safety; and Classroom Ideas. The STEM board, for example, has pinned a list of 60 STEAM apps (organized by grade level) that educators can use to teach concepts like geometry and chemistry. Another pin offers ideas for at-home science projects. Additionally, the College & Career Readiness board features infographics on the college application process, as well as how to receive federal funding for college. "By engaging students, families, and educators digitally, the Department is using new and innovative ways to meet communities where they are," said Pedro Rivera, secretary of education for PDE, in a prepared statement. "Pinterest is a powerful planning tool that provides significant value to users. The Department is proud to offer this new platform to residents of the commonwealth, and hopes that Pennsylvanians will engage with the helpful resources provided." Blended Learning What Effective Blended Learning Looks Like A high school algebra teacher in Lawrence, KS, has her students watch Khan Academy videos for homework, and when they come to class the next day, she gives them a choice of what to do: They can work together on a problem set that puts the lesson into practice, teaching and learning from each other. They can work independently on the same problem set. Or, they can listen to the teacher go over the lesson herself in a more intimate, small-group setting. In Sonoma County, CA, high school students in Catlin Tuckers N.E.W. (Next Evolution in Work-based Learning) School classroom rotate through various stations as they learn concepts related to a cross-curricular theme. At some of the stations, students work offline by reading handouts or attending small-group skill labs. Other stations have students working online, such as doing internet research or reading digital texts from McGraw-Hills StudySync or other sources. Then, students break into groups to collaborate on solving a real-world challenge of their own design. In Meriden, CT, school district leaders have completely reimagined their approach to instruction. Middle school students can take online courses for high school credit, and high school students can plan their own independent studies with the help of a faculty advisor. Meriden is also redesigning its learning spaces so that students can work in a variety of configurations, and district leaders have shifted their spending from printed textbooks to online content to allow for more self-paced, personalized learning. All three of these scenarios are examples of effective blended learning in action. Blended learning combines the best of face-to-face and online instruction in ways that can customize the learning experience for each student, while making content more accessible. As these diverse models suggest, blended learning can look very different from one classroom to the next. But when blended learning is done well, it typically involves some form of student choice or agency in their own learning, experts say and there are other commonalities as well. Michael B. Horn, co-founder and distinguished fellow of the Christensen Institute, said at least three-fourths of United States school districts have implemented some form of blended learning and he estimated about 10 million students are benefiting. Besides giving students a choice in how they learn best, Horn said, effective blended learning shares the following characteristics: The teacher has an engaged role and is using the technology to get to know students better. There is a strong classroom culture in place that is widely shared and practiced. Every routine, from asking for help to moving from one activity to the next, is very crisp and well understood by students, Horn said. There is a clear purpose to every learning experience. There should be thoughtfulness and intentionality behind the use of each mode or activity, he said. Its not done ad hoc. Instead, there is a strategy behind it: Im using this modality to accomplish this specific purpose and heres why. Redefining the Teachers Role In the Lawrence Public Schools, we have blended learning classrooms at all grade levels and in all subject areas, said Jerri Kemble, assistant superintendent for educational programs and technology. A few years ago, district leaders created a program in which teachers could apply to become blended learning instructors. Applicants received training in how to lead a blended learning environment, and their classrooms were equipped with iPads, MacBooks and collaboration stations featuring flat-panel displays. We started with eight blended learning classrooms in 2013; now, we have more than 200, Kemble said. Blended learning looks different in each of these classrooms. Some teachers, like the high school algebra instructor, have taken a flipped classroom approach, Kemble said, while others have adopted a station rotation model. Elementary classrooms are really well suited for that because theyve always used that kind of model in setting up various learning stations, she said. Blended learning takes more time to plan, she said, because teachers must prepare multiple activities that will appeal to students various abilities and learning preferences. To support its blended learning instructors, the district has assembled a group of teachers on special assignment who curate open educational resources for other teachers to use. These course shells reside in Blackboard, our learning management system, Kemble said. Teachers can pull those and use as much or as little of the content as theyd like. Its a really nice resource for teachers who are just starting to blend their classrooms. Tucker, who teaches at Windsor High School in Sonoma County, said she agrees that blended learning requires more work up front. Youre designing these multiple learning experiences for kids, she said. That can be daunting for teachers. But I have to say, its so rewarding on a level I never could have imagined when I spent my days using a stand-and-deliver model. Tucker co-teaches within a unique blended learning model that she developed with her colleague, Marika Neto. She takes the lead on science; I take the lead on technology and social media, and then we both share the responsibility for teaching English, Tucker said. We share 60 students in two adjoining rooms, and we co-teach for four and a half hours. Instead of teaching those subjects in isolation, were teaching them in concert around big issues. For example, our first unit was focused on nutrition, food production and the human body. Students were reading The Omnivores Dilemma and were doing labs and experiments related to the bodys digestive system and how your body responds to things like sugar. Tucker and Neto have access to a Chromebook cart with about 30 devices, and students are encouraged to use their own personal devices as well. Even if we had a fully 1-to-1 scenario, we wouldnt have kids go online for every task, Tucker said. I think a healthy variety of online LUANDA (Reuters) - Angola said on Wednesday it had recorded its first two cases of the Zika virus, just three months after a yellow fever epidemic that killed at least 400 people was brought under control. Zika, a viral disease carried by mosquitoes, has spread to more than 60 countries and territories since an outbreak was identified in Brazil in 2015, raising alarm over its ability to cause the rare birth defect microcephaly. "Up until two months ago, we didn'tt have any detected case, but, now, we have two cases of Zika," Health Minister Jose Luis Gomes Sambo told reporters in the Angolan capital Luanda. "We have to take preventable measures, especially in the anti-vectorial fight against the mosquitoes." Angola is only just recovering from a yellow fever outbreak, which began in a densely-populated Luanda slum before rapidly spreading across the southwest African country and into neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Nearly 12 million people were vaccinated against yellow fever last year in Angola and the DRC in a campaign led by the World Health Organization. (Reporting by Herculano Coroado; Writing by Joe Brock; editing by Mark Heinrich) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form NAMPO, North Korea (AP) North Korean officials and factory managers are scrambling to answer a call from leader Kim Jong Un for an all-out, nationwide effort to build up the country's economy in 2017. Along with vowing to make yet more advances with nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles, including an intercontinental ballistic missile, Kim called for the push to improve the economy in his annual New Year's address. Now, in something of a New Year's tradition, economic officials are rushing to make plans to fill that very tall bill. "Last year, we made many achievements in the science and technology field and we made a lot of steel," Kim Kil Nam, vice chief engineer at the Chollima Steel Complex, told The Associated Press on Saturday. "We are trying to consolidate those achievements and make even more steel this year, too, after hearing the marshal's New Year's address." Kim Jong Un is often referred to as the marshal, one of his many titles. The sprawling Chollima complex south of Pyongyang, the capital, is a focal point of North Korea's effort to expand the economy and lift the nation's standard of living. One of seven North Korean steel works, Chollima has more than 8,000 workers and is among the North's showcase enterprises. Built by the Mitsubishi company during Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945, it was destroyed and then rebuilt. Production resumed soon after the Korean War ended with an armistice in 1953. Kim, the engineer, said the complex produced 120,000 tons of steel last year. But he noted that was partly the result of two "loyalty campaigns" of 70 and 200 days each. Such campaigns, which were also common in the Soviet Union and other communist countries, are designed to boost output, but are almost by definition unsustainable. Even so, Kim said, with technological improvements, the plant hopes to produce 150,000 tons of steel this year. He said demand is high, in large part because of major high-rise construction projects in Pyongyang. Story continues The North's economy, though far behind its neighbors, appears to have been growing slowly in the five years since Kim Jong Un assumed power. But it continues to be weighed down by the inefficiencies of central planning and bureaucratic red tape, and a scarcity of resources and energy. Such problems are exacerbated by the country's outsize military budget, along with the cost in lost trade opportunities because of sanctions over its nuclear weapons program. Kim said most of the Chollima plant's production is intended for domestic use, so it has not been significantly impacted by sanctions. "We have been living with sanctions for a long time, so we are used to that," he said. By Michele Kambas and Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - Leaders of Cyprus's ethnic Greek and Turkish communities exchanged maps outlining rival proposals for territorial boundaries on Wednesday in a groundbreaking move diplomats hope could form part of a deal ending decades of division. Presented, submitted and then sealed in a United Nations vault, territorial adjustments form an integral part of solving the decades-old Cyprus conflict which has kept Greece and Turkey at loggerheads and obstructs Turkey's membership bid to the European Union. Rival sides did not disclose detail. Both maps will form the basis for more intensive discussions on defining boundaries. "Never before have we had an exchange of maps, or a presentation of maps, created by the delegations themselves," Espen Barth Eide, the United Nations envoy for Cyprus, said before the handover. Eide said the talks, aimed at creating a bizonal state with some form of shared central administration, were "on track". The island has been split since Turkish forces invaded in 1974 in response to a short-lived coup by Greek Cypriot militants seeking union with Greece. "We have dealt with some of the most difficult issues. We have touched upon almost all of them, we have solved many of them and we are close to resolving some other issues," said Eide. Emotions still run high over over issues such as territorial exchange and restoration of property lost on both sides as the island was partitioned amid bloodshed in 1974. Diplomats say Greek Cypriot leader and President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, two moderates, have a unique opportunity to settle a dispute which has dragged on for decades. The foreign ministers of Greece, Turkey and Britain, guarantor powers of Cyprus's independence, were scheduled in Geneva on Thursday to discuss security parameters of any deal. MOVING BOUNDARIES Turkey has 30,000 troops in northern Cyprus. Their presence will be strongly contested by the Greek side, which says a deal is not possible without them pulling out. The Greek Cypriots want the guarantor system dismantled, calling it an anachronism which could keep the island under the perpetual influence of Turkey. Turkish Cypriots, fearful of past experiences since the 1960s when they were targeted by Greek Cypriot nationalists, want Turkish guarantees to continue. Any adjustment would modify the existing ceasefire boundary splitting Cyprus east to west and limit territory under Turkish Cypriot control from about 36 percent to just under 30 percent. Past peace negotiations have reached a ballpark range of between 28.2 and 29.2 percent of Cypriot territory remaining under Turkish Cypriot control. There are about 800,000 Greek Cypriots and 220,000 Turkish Cypriots. Greek Cypriots want an arrangement which would see the maximum possible number of their internally displaced returning to their homes under Greek Cypriot control. The 1974 invasion uprooted 165,000 Greek Cypriots, while about 40,000 Turkish Cypriots were displaced in intercommunal violence in the 1960s and a population transfer in 1975. Property ownership in Cyprus is well defined and virtually impossible to dispute, a legacy of Britain's Lord Kitchener who established the country's land registry more than a century ago. (Editing by Ralph Boulton) BANJUL (Reuters) - African judges due to help Gambia's supreme court hear a challenge by President Yahya Jammeh's electoral defeat last December failed to show up on Tuesday, forcing the chief justice to adjourn the session. Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle delayed the hearing until Jan. 16, meaning the court will hear the challenge filed by Jammeh's ruling APRC party only two days before the end of the long-ruling president's mandate. Legal sources said the foreign judges named to the court have not yet arrived in the West African country. Outside the courtroom, hundreds of people wearing green for the ruling APRC put on a show of support not seen since the polls for the eccentric and repressive ruler. Jammeh initially accepted his defeat but later questioned its validity. "No to cheating," the crowd chanted, echoing Jammeh's speech rejecting the poll outcome. The legal challenge has shone a rare light on the idiosyncrasies of Gambia's legal system, which opponents say has long been manipulated by Jammeh. The supreme court has not sat in over a year, partly because would-be judges are too afraid of being confronted with unpredictable charges themselves. Two chief justices have been dismissed since 2013, one of them being arrested and jailed. Because of this, the court hired four foreign judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone to hear the appeal. But the absence on Tuesday of these "mercenary judges", as the opposition calls them, raised questions about that option as well. A document seen by Reuters and signed by Nigeria's acting chief justice said that the timing of the extraordinary January session was "unfavourable". Gambia's supreme court normally sits in May and November. Fagbenle confirmed the document and said he had received a similar one from the chief justice in Sierra Leone. The question of whether the tiny country can overcome its current political impasse and instate President-Elect Adama Barrow next week is seen as a test case for African democracy in a region used to coups and autocratic rule. The presidents of Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia will visit Jammeh on Wednesday in a second attempt to press him to hand over power. While many Gambians as well as Western powers have publicly called for Jammeh to step aside, and even hinted at removing him by force, the army and most of the cabinet have remained loyal. Many Gambians are afraid of Jammeh's brutal security forces, who have been accused of locking up hundreds of opponents during his 22-year rule. Others believe he has mystical powers. Jammeh boasts that he can cure both AIDS and infertility through herbal medicine. (Reporting by Lamin Jahateh; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Newsflare Two aggressive pit bulls escaped their home and attacked a man working in a shop in Thailand's Samut Songkhram province on October 29. CCTV footage shows the man desperately trying to defend himself from the ferocious attack and beating the two pets with his hands. The video also features images of a few boxes falling from the shop shelves as the man is mauled. The worker used a chair to escape the room and then called his mother to tell her not to get into the shop. The woman said: "I was about to enter the store when my son shouted not to go in since he had been bitten by the dogs". Town mayor Direk Nakatham said: "The dog's owner seemed to have no idea that their pets had escaped from their home". According to the mayor, the owner agreed to pay for the man's medical expenses amounting to around 40,000 THB, which is around 1,058 dollars. The victim, who has not been named, declined to press charges on the condition that the dogs were relocated from the neighbourhood. The mayor said that this was not the first pit bull attack that had happened in the area: "In May 2018, a pack of five to six pit bulls attacked monks". The pet owner, who is currently on holiday in the Maldives, said the settlement will be discussed further once they return to Thailand. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Hundreds of thousands mourned former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Tuesday, wailing in grief as his body was interred at a Tehran shrine alongside the leader of the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Rafsanjani's final resting place near the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, reflected his legacy as one of the pillars of Iran's clerical-dominated political system, as he served in later years as a go-between for hard-liners and reformists. But even his hourslong funeral highlighted the divisions still at play. Parts of the crowd along his funeral procession at one point chanted in support of opposition leaders under house arrest. Other politicians did not attend the memorial. Throngs filled main thoroughfares of the capital, with many chanting, beating their chests and wailing in the style of mourning common among Shiite Muslims. The funeral for Rafsanjani, who died Sunday at age 82 after a heart attack, drew both the elite and ordinary people. Shops and schools were closed in national mourning. Top government and clerical officials first held a funeral service at Tehran University. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed by Rafsanjani's casket, as other dignitaries knelt before the coffin on which his white cleric's turban was placed. Mourners reached out their hands toward the coffin. Just behind Khamenei was President Hassan Rouhani, whose moderate administration reached the recent nuclear deal with world powers. Rouhani, who is all but certain to run for re-election in May, is viewed as embodying Rafsanjani's realist vision. Hard-liners also took part in the ceremony Tuesday, like the head of Iran's judiciary, Sadeq Larijani, who stood near his moderate brother, parliament speaker Ali Larijani. Also among them was Qassem Soleimani, a general who heads the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force, which focuses on foreign operations like the war in Syria. Story continues Both Soleimani and Rafsanjani are from Iran's southeastern province of Kerman and worked together during the war with Iraq in the 1980s. "In my opinion, Mr. Hashemi remained the same person from the beginning until the end and held his line in all stages of his life," Soleimani told state television in a rare public interview. "Nevertheless, Mr. Hashemi sometimes used different tactics." Apparently banned from the funeral was former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, a reformist who remains popular among the young but is deeply disliked by hard-liners. State media have banned the broadcasting of any images of Khatami. There was also no word of hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attending the ceremony, though he offered condolences Monday. There was no love lost between the two as Ahmadinejad defeated Rafsanjani in Iran's 2005 presidential election and later drew his dismay over the crackdown following his contested re-election in 2009. Outside, mourners carried posters bearing Rafsanjani's image as his casket slowly made his way through the crowds in the streets. "I rarely attend religious ceremonies, but I am here as an Iranian who cannot forget Rafsanjani's contribution to developing the political sphere in favor of people in recent years," said Nima Sheikhi, a computer teacher at a private school. "I am here to say goodbye to a man who dedicated his life to making Iran better," said Reza Babaei, a cleric from the eastern town of Birjand near the Afghan border. "He founded the university in my city and developed our region when he was in power." Officials put the number of participants in the funeral at over 2 million, though that figure could not be independently verified. Iran's internal politics also were on display. The semi-official ILNA news agency said that on the sidelines of the funeral, prominent moderate lawmaker Ali Motahari was asked by several mourners to free opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi from the house arrest the two have been under since 2011. "Our message is clear: The house arrest should be lifted," some chanted. Police and security forces did not react to the chants, nor others that followed and could be heard in state television footage. Rafsanjani's casket later arrived at the ornate, massive shrine to Khomeini, who led the revolution that toppled the American-backed shah. Rafsanjani's interment there marked a rare privilege inside of Iran's system, where clerics dominate the levers of power. Only Khomeini's son Ahmad, who died in 1995 and served as a close aide to his father, had been buried next to his tomb before Tuesday. Rafsanjani, a close aide to both Khomeini and Khamenei, served as president from 1989 to 1997. He helped launch Iran's nuclear program and then pushed for reconciliation with the West. Internally, however, his legacy remains mixed. He was massively wealthy and a veteran at maneuvering within Iran's opaque political system. He was considered a protector of the moderates, but others distrusted him because he was such an insider and because of accusations he was involved in killing dissidents during his eight-year presidency, which he always denied. Hard-liners distrusted him because of his support of moderates and sought to sideline him, with little success. His absence in balancing the competing powers, however, will affect Iran going forward, especially as the country edges closer to picking a new supreme leader. "The unexpected death of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani could be the first scene in Iran's nascent leadership transition theater, whose subsequent acts are probably yet to be written," said Mehdi Khalaji, a fellow at The Washington Institute. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The mugshot of Hmidi Saber, who was already in jail in Rome serving another sentence, some bullets and a gun confiscated by police in his house, are shown during a press conference at the police headquarters in Rome, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Italian police issued a new arrest warrant to the Tunisian man who allegedly had links with Ansar Al Sharia and IS and was recruiting and radicalising Muslim inmates in prison. (Massimo Percossi/ANSA via AP) ROME (AP) Police in Rome say they have issued a new arrest warrant for an inmate who allegedly tried to radicalize fellow Muslims in Italian prisons. Mauro Fabozzi, who heads Rome's anti-terrorism police unit, alleged Tuesday that 34-year-old Saber Hmidi carried out "aggression" toward Catholic inmates and exulted after Islamist extremists attacks in Europe. Hmidi, who is from Tunisia, was arrested in 2014 after pointing a gun at a police officer during a traffic stop in Italy. He is serving a sentence of 3 years and 8 months. Authorities alleged in the new warrant Tuesday that he belongs to Ansar-al-Sharia terror group. Hmidi now risks being tried on terrorism charges. Italy has launched a program to aggressively monitor Muslim prison inmates for signs of radicalization. By Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters) - A South Korean political vacuum and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's concerns about his conservative political base have rekindled a feud over wartime history, just as tension over North Korea makes cooperation between the U.S. allies as vital as ever. The row over "comfort women", as those forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels are known, coincides with uncertainty over Donald Trump's stance towards North Korea, which has launched a series of nuclear and missile tests in defiance of U.N. sanctions, when he takes over as U.S. president on Jan. 20. A spat over wartime history that flared in 2012 sent Japan-South Korea ties into a deep chill, delaying a deal on military intelligence sharing and preventing a summit. A rerun could hamper efforts to upgrade security cooperation but with regional stakes high given North Korea's threat to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), experts are hopeful fallout can be contained. "(North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un said in his New Year speech that North Korea will finalise the process of developing an ICBM, so South Korea knows security cooperation with Japan and the United States is pretty important," said former defence official Narushige Michishita, now a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. "But if they are to upgrade cooperation ... the political problem might affect a decision to go ahead, especially on the Korean side," he said, citing efforts to integrate U.S.-Japan and U.S.-South Korea missile defence systems as an example. A senior Self-Defence Force officer said that strained ties with South Korea could affect security arrangements with Japan. "For example, we may not get information quickly if North Korea launches a missile," he said. "Given the distance from Japan, it's hard for the Self-Defence Force to monitor, so Japan relies on South Korean or American military information. That might be affected." Also, negotiations could stall over evacuating Japanese citizens by Self-Defence Force planes in case of an emergency on the Korean peninsula, he said. Japan on Friday said it was temporarily recalling its ambassador to South Korea over a statue near the Japanese consulate in Busan city commemorating Korean comfort women. Japan also suspended talks on a new currency swap arrangement. Tokyo says the statue, put in place late last year, and another near the Japanese embassy in Seoul, violate a December 2015 agreement stating the issue - which has long plagued ties - would be "irreversibly resolved" if all conditions were met. "If the Japan-South Korea agreement breaks down, this would be a problem with serious mutual spill-over effects," Masahiko Shibayama, an adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, told Reuters, noting the two countries were important security and economic partners. Abe has apologised and a $1 billion yen fund to aid victims has been created. This week he repeated his call for Seoul to keep its end of the deal by removing the statues. But South Korea's government has been seriously weakened by the impeachment last month of President Park Geun-hye over an influence-peddling scandal. The tough stance by Abe, who before taking office had questioned a landmark 1993 Japanese apology over the issue, is due partly to criticism from his conservative supporters of the 2015 agreement, several experts said. "The present leadership in Japan is beholden to a rather strong nationalist movement," said Andrew Horvat, visiting professor at Josai International University. Still, Tokyo's steps fell short of the harsher action of withdrawing the ambassador and on Tuesday, South Korean Acting President Hwang Kyo Ahn called for restraint. "The tension over the comfort woman statue can only be temporary especially when North Korea is escalating its threats," said Jeon Kyong-mann, an analyst at the Institute for Korean Integration of Society in Seoul. (Additional reporting by Nobuhiro Kubo and Tetsushi Kajimoto in Tokyo and Cynthia Kim in Seoul; Editing by Nick Macfie) BERLIN (AP) The Latest on Europe's migration influx (all times local): 2:45 p.m. Serbia's authorities are urging all migrants to move to the Balkan country's asylum centers during the cold spell that has gripped the country bringing heavy snow and extremely low temperatures. Hundreds of migrants have remained in makeshift shelters for the past several days braving polar conditions with temperatures way below zero even during the day. They have occupied an abandoned warehouse and train wagons in central Belgrade, the Serbian capital. The Serbian government's refugee agency says that around 400 people have agreed to move away from the streets since the weather worsened last week. The statement says that no women and children are sleeping rough in parks or unofficial shelters. Many migrants are reluctant to seek official help, fearing they wouldn't be able to move on toward Western Europe. ___ 1:15 p.m. Greece's navy has sent a tank landing ship to the island of Lesbos to house refugees and migrants during a cold snap that has triggered public health warnings. The vessel has docked and is due to provide accommodation for about 500 migrants. A medical association on Lesbos said Tuesday that conditions at the main camp there were "inhuman" with migrants in tents exposed to freezing temperatures. Schools have been closed on Lesbos because of the bad weather, as a state of emergency was expanded to other areas in northern Greece, where snow has blocked roads and caused power and water outages. ___ 12:10 p.m. Germany's Interior Ministry says that about 280,000 new asylum-seekers arrived in the country last year far below the influx of 890,000 in 2015. Arrivals declined sharply with the closure of the Balkan migrant route in March and the subsequent agreement between the European Union and Turkey to stem the flow across the Aegean Sea to Greece. Asylum applications have lagged well behind arrivals and many people who came to Germany in 2015 applied only last year. The figures released Wednesday showed that 745,545 formal asylum applications were made last year 268,869 more than in 2015. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) The killing of five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates in a bombing in southern Afghanistan marks the deadliest attack ever for the young nation's diplomatic corps, though it's too soon to tell who was behind it or if the Gulf envoys were even the targets. The federation of seven sheikhdoms, founded in 1971 on the Arabian Peninsula, said it would fly the nation's flag at half-staff for three days in honor of the dead from the attack Tuesday in Kandahar. The Taliban denied planting the bomb, even as the insurgents claimed other blasts Tuesday that killed at least 45 people. No other group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Kandahar, a province in Afghanistan's Taliban heartland. The bomb targeted a guesthouse of Kandahar Gov. Homayun Azizi, who was wounded in the assault along with UAE Ambassador Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi. The attack killed 11 people and wounded 18, said Gen. Abdul Razeq, Kandahar's police chief, who was praying nearby at the time of the blast. Razeq said investigators believe someone hid the bomb inside a sofa at the guesthouse. He said an ongoing construction project there may have allowed militants to plant the bomb. "Right now we cannot say anything about who is behind this attack," he told The Associated Press, while adding that several suspects had been arrested. On Wednesday, broken glass from the powerful blast still littered the blood-stained ground outside of the guesthouse, with thick black soot still visible on the building. Some furniture sat outside, apparently moved as part of the construction. Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the UAE prime minister and vice president, offered condolences for the families of the dead and condemned the attack. "There is no human, moral or religious justification for the bombing and killing of people trying to help" others, he wrote on Twitter. Story continues On the Afghan side, authorities said the dead included two lawmakers, a deputy governor from Kandahar and an Afghan diplomat stationed at its embassy in Washington. The attack inside the heavily guarded compound represents a major breach of security, even in Afghanistan, a country long torn by war. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday condemned the attack and ordered an investigation. The Taliban is usually quick to take credit for attacks, particularly those targeting the government or security forces. They claimed attacks earlier on Tuesday in Kabul at a compound of government and legislative offices that killed at least 38 people and wounded dozens. Another Taliban-claimed suicide bombing on Tuesday killed seven people in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. But on Wednesday, the Taliban issued a short statement blaming an "internal local rivalry" for the Kandahar attack. The Taliban have denied some attacks in the past that diplomats and security forces later attributed to the group. Other insurgent groups, including an Islamic State affiliate, also operate Afghanistan. A Taliban attack targeting Emirati officials would be surprising. The UAE was one of only three countries, along with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, to recognize the Taliban government during its five-year rule of Afghanistan. Emirati combat troops deployed to Afghanistan after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaida before and after the Sept. 11 attacks. The UAE had troops there for years as part of the NATO-led mission, training members of the Afghan armed forces and often winning the support of locals by praying with them in community mosques and respecting their traditions as fellow Muslims. Multiple daily commercial flights link the countries, with Dubai serving as an important commercial hub for Afghan businessmen. Over the years, Taliban and Afghan officials also have met in Dubai to try to start peace talks. Although the UAE is only 45 years old, Emirati diplomats have come under attack in the past, some felled by assassins' bullets. Saif Ghubash, the UAE's first minister of state for foreign affairs, died after being shot in an October 1977 attack at Abu Dhabi International Airport, an attack that apparently targeted Syrian Foreign Minister Abdul-Halim Khaddam. Khaddam later blamed the attack on Iraq. In 1984, the UAE's ambassador to France was assassinated outside his Paris home by a gunman. A diplomatic club was named in honor of the slain envoy, Khalifa al-Mubarak, in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, in 2015. Another Emirati diplomat was wounded in a shooting in Rome in 1984. Reports at the time linked those two attacks to the Arab Revolutionary Brigades, a Palestinian militant group. Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said Tuesday's attack wouldn't stop the UAE's humanitarian efforts abroad. He wrote on Twitter: "We will not be discouraged by despicable terrorist acts carried out by the forces of evil and darkness." ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez and Amir Shah in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Adam Schreck in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap . His work can be found at http://apne.ws/2galNpz . ASUNCION, Paraguay Pope Francis began the third and final leg of his South American pilgrimage Friday by honoring Paraguays democratic progress after leaving the most outcast members of Bolivian society inmates at its notorious Palmasola prison with a message of hope and solidarity. Francis has sought to encourage the poorest and most marginal during his three-nation trip, and his stop in Paraguay will showcase life in the countrys flood-prone shantytowns alongside the simple popular faith of its people. Francis knows Paraguay well, having ministered to Paraguayan immigrants in the slums of neighboring Argentina when he was archbishop. His affection for its people was on display upon his arrival in Asuncion, praising the Paraguayan women who were so important to the countrys recovery after a devastating regional war in the 1860s wiped out more than half the population, most of it male. He encouraged Paraguays moves toward a stable democracy and economic growth after the violent 1954-1989 dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner, and called for unceasing efforts to crack down on corruption. A tiny land-locked country of just under 7 million, Paraguay has long had problems with government graft. I know that there is the firm desire to banish corruption, he told President Horacio Cartes at the presidential palace. May there be an end to violence, corruption, drug trafficking. The pope started the day in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where he listened as inmates told how they ended up at Palmasola and of the judicial terrorism that lets the wealthy bribe their way to freedom while the poor languish in squalor. Two children of inmates sat at Francis feet as he looked out to a mass of prisoners in one of the prisons many walled areas. You may be asking yourselves Who is this man standing before us?' the pope told them. The man standing before you is a man who has experienced forgiveness. A man who was, and is, saved from his many sins. Francis has made prison ministry a focus of his life as a priest and now pope, and has denounced the widespread abuse of pre-trial detention and called life sentences a hidden death penalty. He has also met with prisoners to offer them encouragement and as pope continued to check in on a group of Argentine inmates he ministered to when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. On Friday, he acknowledged the wretched conditions that the inmates face: overcrowding, the slow pace of justice, violence and few opportunities for education or rehabilitation. He said Bolivian institutions need to address those ills. But he urged the inmates not to despair and to not let their suffering lead to violence. Dont be afraid to help one another, he said. The devil is looking for rivalry, division, gangs. Francis also urged prison officials and guards to rehabilitate prisoners and not humiliate them. Palmasola is the most notorious of Bolivias 32 prisons, built to detain some 800 people but housing 5,000, more than four in five still awaiting trial. Inmates have the run of the place, drugs are cheaper than on the street and money buys survival. Two years ago, 36 people died in a fierce battle between rival gangs using machetes and homemade flamethrowers. One of the victims was a 1-year-old. Monsignor Jesus Juarez, in charge of pastoral care for Bolivias prison system, drew applause from the inmates when he told Francis of the scandal that 84 percent of Bolivian inmates havent been tried and that prisons are 300 percent beyond capacity. Analia Parada broke into tears as she told the pope of all the mothers, children and grandmothers some terminally ill who live in Palmasola with no hope. She complained that prison administrators were deaf to their plight and failed to apply even the basics of Bolivian law. She accused authorities of converting Bolivian justice into judicial terrorism directed at people of scarce economic resources who cant buy justice. Leonidas Rodriguez said he had watched how they killed a companion and left him wrapped in a blanket. No authority did anything about it. And inmate Andres de Jesus Cespedes described his astonishment arriving at the prison to find so many people sleeping on the ground like animals. Bolivia has a notoriously corrupt judiciary, with some 1,000 judges and 300 prosecutors under investigation or on trial for corruption. U.S. businessman Jacob Ostreicher spent 18 months in Palmasola after being arrested for suspected money laundering. Ostreicher, who was released in 2012 when it was revealed that he had been extorted by a ring of prosecutors, judges and government lawyers, said he doubted Francis would get to see the real Palmasola. WARSAW, Poland Chinas President Xi Jinping said Monday that he sees an important role for Poland as his country looks to increase commercial ties with Europe. Xi spoke during a visit to Warsaw that was intended to boost Chinese investment in infrastructure and energy and open the Chinese market to Polish food producers. Poland has been Chinas largest partner in central and eastern Europe, with trade worth tens of billions of euro. But Poland is chiefly an importer and is hoping to boost its economy by increasing exports, mainly of farm products and especially beef and apples, banned by major importer Russia. I am convinced that Poland can continue to have a very important role in building ties between China and Europe, Xi told a news conference. There is a very high convergence between Chinas initiative (to develop European ties) and Polands development plan. Xi noted that Chinas new approach to its own economic development is based on new technologies and environmental projects. He and Polish President Andrzej Duda signed an agreement to step up bilateral ties. Some 40 deals and memoranda of understanding were signed Monday, mostly related to construction, raw materials, energy, new technologies, finance and science. I hope that for China, Poland will become a gateway to Europe, Duda said, noting that Polands biggest port in Gdansk has potential to handle large volumes of trade. Dudas adviser, Krzysztof Szczerski, said that Poland wants to have a role in upgrading and creating new land and sea transport links between China and the European Union. Talks were also to include human rights issues in China and global security, he said. Jacek Bartosik, an expert with the Jagiellonian Clubs Analysis Center, said its important for Poland to establish strong links with fast-growing economies outside of Europe. The center of gravity of the world economy is no longer in Europe, but on the Pacific coast, he said. Xi and Duda were due to attend the arrival of a China Railway Express cargo train in Warsaw, in a symbolic opening of a land connection between China and Europe. They will also attend an economic forum and meet Prime Minister Beata Szydlo and Parliament speakers. Xi and his wife arrived late Sunday from Serbia and had dinner with Duda and the First Lady. On Tuesday, hell fly to Uzbekistan. A group of human rights activists protested Sunday in front of the Chinese Embassy. The last visit to Poland by a Chinese president was in 2004, by Hu Jintao. SEOUL, South Korea A South Korean Buddhist monk is in critical condition after setting himself on fire to protest the countrys settlement with Japan on compensation for wartime sex slaves, officials said Sunday. The 64-year-old monk suffered third-degree burns across his body and serious damage to vital organs. Hes unconscious and unable to breathe on his own, said an official from the Seoul National University Hospital, who didnt want to be named citing office rules. The man set himself ablaze late Saturday during a large rally in Seoul calling for the ouster of impeached President Park Geun-hye, police said. In his notebook, the man called Park a traitor over her governments 2015 agreement with Japan that sought to settle a long-standing row over South Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japans World War II military, police said. Under the agreement, Japan pledged to fund a Seoul-based foundation that was set up to help support the victims. South Korea, in exchange, vowed to refrain from criticizing Japan over the issue and try to resolve the Japanese grievance over a bronze statue representing wartime sex slaves in front of its embassy in Seoul. The agreement has so far come short of bringing a closure to the emotional issue. The deal continues to be criticized in South Korea because it was reached without approval from victims, and students have been holding sit-in protests next to the Seoul statue for more than a year over fears that the government might try to remove it. Japan announced Friday it would recall its ambassador to South Korea and suspend economic talks in response to the placing of a comfort woman statue representing wartime sex slaves in front of its consulate in the Korean port city of Busan. A similar statue had been previously placed in front of Japans embassy in Seoul. On Sunday, Japans foreign minister called on South Korea to fully implement its part of the 2015 settlement. Fumio Kishida said during a visit to Prague that his country is sorry about the new statute, adding Japan implemented its part of the deal. On Friday, the Japanese government reacted angrily to the placing of the statue in Busan, announcing a recall of its ambassador to South Korea and suspension of economic talks. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged South Korea to remove the statues and implement the 2015 agreement. It has been mutually confirmed that this is a final and irreversible agreement. Japan has sincerely fulfilled its obligation, Abe said on a NHK news talk show aired Sunday. He said that Japan had already paid 1 billion yen ($8.5 million) in compensation. Next, I think South Korea must firmly show its sincerity, he said, adding that the agreement should be implemented regardless of leadership change as a matter of credibility. At the time of the deal, Seoul said there were 46 surviving South Korean victims. ___ Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Tokyo contributed to this report. An American who allegedly shot and wounded a U.S. diplomat in Mexico has been charged in federal court in Virginia. Zia Zafar, 31, of Chino Hills, California, was arraigned Tuesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Alexandria on a charge of attempted murder of an internationally protected person. Christopher Ashcraft, vice consul at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, was leaving a gym there Friday evening when he was shot by Zafar, according to prosecutors. Authorities did not offer any possible motive in the shooting, and it was unclear if Zafar and Ashcraft were known to each other. The bald, slim suspect said little at a brief hearing, telling a judge only that he understood the charge against him and could not afford a lawyer. He will be jailed until Friday, when prosecutors will argue for prolonged detention. Security video from the night of the attack shows the gunman, wearing blue scrubs, dark sunglasses and what looks like a wig, appearing to follow Ashcraft as he exits the gym and pays for his parking. The man is later seen pacing, with his right hand in his pocket. As Ashcrafts car pulls up the exit ramp, the man fires into the vehicle and then runs. Ashcraft was hit in the chest. Mexican officials said Zafar arrived in Guadalajara from Phoenix in late November. A spokesman at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara has said Zafar was enrolled there. Ashcraft is in his first posting with the State Department, according to a friend who spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity. According to the friend, the assailant reportedly asked for Ashcraft by name at the gyms reception area. Ashcraft has no idea what happened, said the friend, who has been in contact with Ashcraft since the shooting. But it wasnt random. In an interview from a hospital, where he remains in stable condition, Ashcraft told FBI agents that when he left the gym that evening, he sensed that a person was waiting for him, according to court documents. He walked to a kiosk to pay for his parking. When he turned to walk to his car, he said, he noticed the person was following him, so he walked to a populated part of the garage. Seeing that the person was no longer following him, Ashcraft said he got into his car and drove toward the garage exit. According to an affidavit from FBI agent David DiMarco, Zafar was identified a day later by another security video, showing him making a purchase at a Starbucks about an hour before the shooting. Law enforcement got a copy of his receipt, signed with the name Zafar Zia. Officials say Zafar entered Mexico on a student visa and holds a U.S. passport. He has a California drivers license and a Honda Civic with California plates. The Post was unable to reach any of his family members in the United States. Mexican law enforcement searched Zafars local residence, recovering a pistol, a pair of sunglasses and a wig, according to court documents. The shooting alarmed the top levels of the Mexican government. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray was in contact with the U.S. ambassador, Roberta Jacobson, and the hospitalized Ashcraft was under guard in Guadalajara, according to Mexican officials familiar with the case. This was a heinous thing, one Mexican official said. The office of Ashcrafts father, Larry Ashcraft, a leader of the Salvation Army in Cincinnati, referred questions about his son to the State Department. In a statement after Zafars arrest, Secretary of State John Kerry thanked the Mexican government for the prompt and decisive arrest of a suspect in the outrageous attack on one of our colleagues. If convicted, Zafar could go to prison for up to 20 years. Partlow reported from Mexico City. Gabriela Martinez in Mexico City contributed to this report. Squirrels like nuts. Nuts go well with chocolate. So do squirrels like chocolate? The Logan Avenue squirrels of Toronto apparently do. In recent months, at least two of them a typical gray one and a roguish-looking black one have been caught on surveillance camera slipping through the front door of a convenience store on the street, snatching candy bars, and leaving as quickly as they came. Their tastes lean toward Kinder Bueno, OHenry and other bars commonly sold in Canada: Crispies, Wonderbar and Crispy Crunch. The daughter of the couple who own Lukes Grocery, Cindy Kim, told the Toronto Star last week that the sneaky rodents had stolen about 48 candy bars during the fall season. She added that although her family finds the bandits very, very cute, it does not appreciate their growing tab. In a bid to prevent the pillage, Kim started a Reddit thread three months ago. Its title: How to stop squirrels from stealing chocolate bars? She explained that her family likes to leave the store door open because it gets stuffy indoors. Animal control authorities hadnt been helpful, she wrote. And sprinkling red pepper flakes on the bars might deter the squirrels, but it would also be hazardous for human, paying customers. Though we cant see it the moment it commits the theft (because the bars are displayed below the counter, on the customers side), we can hear a distinct rustling. When we come around the counter to try to catch it, we can see the squirrel running off with the bar in its mouth, Kim wrote. We tried running after it, but its still faster. A couple times, [passersby] and customers tried chasing after it with us, but once it goes up a tree, its game over. Reddit users offered other ideas for controlling the squirrels which are also known for stealing inedible objects such as a screen door or owl decoys. But the suggestion that took off was: Make those squirrels go viral, drum up some business, and solicit donations to cover the lost income. And so Kim has. She filmed the thefts. She put them on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and elsewhere. And she set up a donation page that asks people to Buy a squirrel a chocolate bar! A document obtained by the Journal projects nearly $2 billion in fiscal and economic impacts for the new Facebook data center in Los Lunas over a 10-year time period. The study was prepared by David Taussig & Associates, a California-based consulting firm, which was retained by the Village of Los Lunas. The document is dated December 2016, more than a month after Facebook broke ground on the data center. A spokesman for the states economic development department said last month the department had not yet prepared its own economic impact study. The report states that the goal of the study was to determine whether the project is expected to generate enough revenues for the Village to fully offset expenditures for Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) assistance as well as services provided on its behalf by the Village. Note, however, that the study does not address the cost of water rights or additional Village infrastructure needed to service the project. To incentivize the social media giant to choose New Mexico for its new data center, Facebook was offered $10 million in state Local Economic Development Act funding in addition to a gross-receipts tax reimbursement from Los Lunas of up to $1.6 million annually and $30 billion in industrial revenue bonds. Facebook is responsible for repaying the bonds, which provide a property tax break for the company. Among the previously undisclosed information in the report: Total economic output over 10 years, which include both the temporary impacts of the construction project and the more permanent impact of the data center, is projected to reach $1.88 billion if indirect and induced impacts are also included. That number reflects the creation of 5,660 jobs countywide and the addition of $234.77 million in wages. Assuming the maximum six buildings are constructed, the projected is expected to generate a net of $2.17 million per year in revenue for New Mexicos general fund, $21.71 million over 10 years Los Lunas is expected to net nearly $28 million in gross receipts tax revenues related to the construction project over a decade-long period, a figure that accounts for the amount forgiven in the incentive package. Total gross receipts tax revenues are projected to total $83.41 million over the same period. The project will require significant new infrastructure . . . ultimately owned by the Village and maintained by the Villages general fund and financed through public or private funds, including water main extensions, additional fire hydrants and sewer improvement. As reported previously, PNM is also building a high-voltage electrical line and several solar facilities for the data center. In its executive summary, the report states the net impact of the project will likely be a positive one: Although the project is expected to require a considerable amount of public infrastructure, the project is also expected to generate significant new revenues for the Village of Los Lunas. A spokesperson for Facebook declined to comment on the report. Facebook Data Center FEIS Report by Marie C. Baca on Scribd WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump is reviving long debunked attempts to link vaccines to autism, meeting with a vocal skeptic to discuss chairing a commission on vaccination safety a move that alarmed child health experts. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York on Tuesday, and told reporters that he had agreed to lead the effort, whatever form it takes. President-elect Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies and he has questions about it, Kennedy said, adding that we ought to be debating the science. To pediatricians, theres nothing left to debate. Vaccines have been part of the fabric of our society for decades and are the most significant medical innovation of our time, Drs. Fernando Stein and Karen Remley of the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement Tuesday. Scientists have ruled out a link between vaccines and autism. But Kennedy, the son of the late U.S. attorney general and senator, has long argued that vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal may cause autism, and has advocated for parents to more easily opt out of childhood vaccinations. Trump also has voiced vaccine skepticism, on Twitter and during one of the primary debates when he said that autism has gotten totally out of control. In that debate he went on to say, I am totally in favor of vaccines, but I want smaller doses over a longer period of time. A Trump spokeswoman said late Tuesday that while he enjoyed his conversation with Kennedy, he had not yet commissioned a panel. The president-elect is exploring the possibility of forming a commission on autism, which affects so many families; however no decisions have been made at this time, said Hope Hicks. Those are views unsupported by scientific evidence and dismissed as conspiracy theory by experts who find their revival alarming. Vaccination prevents millions of deaths around the world each year. Once common childhood killers can return if support for immunization wanes: During a 2015 measles outbreak that started at Disneyland, many who fell ill were unvaccinated. Repeated scientific studies in the U.S. and abroad have found no evidence that vaccines in general or those with thimerosal cause autism. That preservative has been removed from routine childhood immunizations; while it remains in some flu vaccines, there are thimerosal-free versions. The science has spoken. Thimerosal is a dead issue, said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine researcher at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and a critic of anti-vaccine groups. It is concerning. You have as a president-elect a science denialist. Beyond thimerosal, research has discredited concerns that children get too many vaccines at once. Delaying vaccines only leaves a child at risk of disease, said Stein and Remley of the pediatricians group. Its not just children who gain, they noted: Widespread vaccination lowers the spread of disease that also threatens the elderly or people with weak immune systems. lts not clear what Kennedy described as a commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity would do. Already, there is a National Vaccine Advisory Committee that advises the government on vaccine safety and other issues, in addition to regulation and oversight by scientists at the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Academy of Pediatrics offered to work with the incoming Trump administration to share the extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the safety of vaccines. ___ Lemire reported from New York. TUCSON, Ariz. Authorities say a Tucson woman is accused of child abuse after her 5-year-old daughter was badly burned by hot water in a bathtub. Pima County Sheriffs officials say 28-year-old Samantha Osteraas is the girls adoptive mother. Shes been booked into the Pima County jail on two counts of suspicion of child abuse. It was unclear Tuesday if Osteraas has a lawyer yet. Sheriffs deputies went to the womans home on the night of Dec. 29 and the girl was immediately taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Detectives with the crimes against children unit took over the investigation and determined the burns werent accidental. Authorities say the girl remains in critical condition. The Arizona Department of Child Safety has removed Osteraas three other children from the home. Incoming White House national security adviser Michael Flynn said Tuesday that the Trump administration plans to examine and potentially re-baseline U.S. relationships around the world but will keep in mind the sacrifices and deep commitments that many of our allies have made on behalf of our security and our prosperity. Implementing President-elect Donald Trumps vision . . . of making America great again, Flynn said, would be achieved overwhelmingly through a policy of peace through strength. But in his first extensive public remarks since the election an address to a U.S. Institute of Peace conference on Passing the Baton Flynn largely flew above specifics, with no mention of individual countries or planned policies. His goal, one Trump transition team official said, was not to make news, and he largely succeeded. Unlike Trump, and Flynn himself on many occasions, he offered no direct criticism of the Obama administration. The closest he came was noting that the American people, faced with some of the darkest days of civil and foreign wars, economic depression . . . weak leadership at home and hostile threats abroad, have always retained their faith in the American experiment . . . the greatest model for liberty the world has ever known. Before the election, when he advised Trump on national security issues, Flynn repeatedly charged that Obama and Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state, were weak and dishonest in combating and explaining to the American people the threat posed by what he and Trump defined as radical Islamic extremism. Like Trump, Flynn has been accused of an unhealthy closeness to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, at whose side he sat at a gala dinner in Moscow in 2015. But unlike Trump, Flynn has also sharply criticized Russia, accusing Moscow of forming an enemy alliance with Iran and questioning its provocative military actions on its western border. Appointed by Obama as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency after a distinguished career in military intelligence, Flynn, a three-star general now retired from the Army, was pushed to resign after two years because of what administration officials said was a bad management style. Flynn has acknowledged that he clashed with Obama officials but attributed mutual dissatisfaction to the White Houses refusal to acknowledge the extent and definition of the extremist threat. Speaking Tuesday about the U.S. role in the world, Flynn said that America might have its ups and downs, but the assumption has long been that America would always be there . . . reliable, strong, present and ready. We have always been the indispensable nation, and we always will be. While he spoke of reexamining U.S. global partnerships, Flynn also said that alliances are one of the great tools that we have, and the strength of those alliances magnify our own strengths. His remarks appeared aimed at reassuring European and other allies, concerned by Trumps campaign comments disparaging NATO and calling on all partners to begin paying more for the U.S. defense umbrella. He began his speech by complimenting the current national security adviser, Susan Rice, who preceded him with remarks of her own. Rice, he said, after the two shook hands on stage and smiled for the cameras, had spoken with a grace, a dignity, an elegance and a commitment to this country that goes beyond some of our wildest imaginations. Sacrifices made by Rice and former Clinton administration secretary of state Madeleine Albright, who also spoke, transcend who we are, Flynn said, calling for extra rounds of applause for both. While he has a reputation as a bull in a China shop, Flynn spoke in tones . . . respectful and complimentary, said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In terms of substance, Alterman observed from the audience, Flynn intentionally didnt say anything. In her own address, Rice listed what she described as the Obama administrations foreign policy successes, praising the presidents successful efforts to get our economic house in order as a crucial precursor to national security. Even as he was revitalizing the economy, Rice said, Obama wound down wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, . . . averted the prospect of a dangerous and costly new war with the Iran nuclear agreement, put in place a sustainable counterterrorism strategy, negotiated groundbreaking nonproliferation and climate agreements, provided humanitarian aid, and fought Ebola and AIDS. While praising Obamas rebalance of attention and military resources toward Asia, Rice said that failure to move forward on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal which Trump has said is dead in the water would erode U.S. leadership in the region, with China standing to gain strategically and economically. Rice said that she has had constructive meetings with Flynn since the election. This was a tough and hard-fought election, she said, but our national security is and must always remain above the fray. Speaking at the conference earlier Tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry said he had not yet met with his nominated successor, Rex Tillerson. In less conciliatory terms, Kerry said he worried that the new administration, among other things, would turn away from important foreign aid and other initiatives around the world and warned of the danger of an America first policy. What worries me the most is that I wont be there, Kerry said, quickly insisting that he was just joking. PHOENIX The Latest on a challenge to Tucsons gun destruction policy (all times local): 5 p.m. The Arizona Supreme Court needs more information from lawyers before it can decide whether a Tucson law requiring seized guns to be destroyed violates state law. The court met Tuesday to consider whether to take up a case filed by Attorney General Mark Brnovich that is the first use of a new state law withholding state funds from cities if they enact laws conflicting with state laws. The court asked Brnovich and Tucsons lawyers to say if it should first consider the laws constitutionality. Tucson says the 2016 law isnt unconstitutional. If Tucson loses, it must rescind the gun destruction law or lose millions in state shared revenue. Tucson also says a 2013 state law requiring seized guns be sold doesnt apply to it as a charter city. Brnovich said the law may apply and is asking the high court to decide. 3 a.m. The Arizona Supreme Court is set to consider a case marking the first use of a new state law that withholds state funds from cities if they enact laws conflicting with state laws. The high court is being asked by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to find that Tucson is illegally destroying seized guns instead of selling them. A lawmaker complained that conflicts with a 2013 law requiring guns be sold. Rep. Mark Finchem complained to Brnovich, who reviewed the case and determined the Tucson ordinance may violate state law. Under a law passed last year, hes asking the Supreme Court to decide. Tucson says it can destroy guns it owns and that the 2016 law unconstitutionally infringes on local rights. The court considers whether to take the case Tuesday. SANTA FE Anticipating the inauguration of Donald Trump as president next week, the Santa Fe City Council on Wednesday will consider a resolution reaffirming the citys commitment to its values and those established in the state and U.S. constitutions. This is different from another pending resolution reaffirming Santa Fes status as a so-called sanctuary city cities with policies protecting undocumented immigrants from immigration enforcement that was approved by the advisory Immigration Committee last week and which is scheduled for City Council consideration later this month. This one mentions Trump by name, saying he has made threats to sanctuary cities and espouses beliefs that are contrary to and undermine our community values. Those values include dignity, diversity, civil and human rights, and inclusivity, according to the resolution. It says the city expresses a firm intent to repudiate any actions and policies that threaten our community and values and violate the principles of the U.S. and state constitutions. If approved, the values resolution would hold no binding effect. It would, however, be distributed to members of the New Mexico delegation In Washington, D.C., other congressional leaders, members of the state Legislature and the governor. At least one city councilor thinks the proposed resolution is an over-reaction.I dont think we need a resolution to restate our values, City Councilor Mike Harris said in a phone interview. I think its well intended, but I also think its a bit of partisanship that doesnt serve us well. The resolution takes aim at some of the pillars of Trumps presidential campaign platform, such as building a wall on the southern border, and alludes to traits Trump critics attribute to him, such as promulgating hate speech and objectifying women. Trump has said he will withhold federal funding from cities that maintain sanctuary city policies. Both resolutions are co-sponsored by City Councilors Joseph Maestas and Renee Villarreal. Maestas said during the recent Immigration Committee meeting that the City Council was thumbing our nose at the Trump administration. Villarreal said she wouldnt put it that way. Thats not the goal of this; that part doesnt matter to me, she said of the mention of Trump in the resolution, something she said could be removed during discussion. To me, I think it reiterates the progressive values the city has supported for a long time Its not just focused on immigrants but all people who are a part of our community. The resolution states that Santa Fe has been a national leader in progressive values that is determined to secure the continuity of cultural values, personal freedoms, and well being. It also condemns hate speech and crimes, gender-based bias, the rights of the LGBTQ community, and discrimination and disparate treatment of individuals and groups on the basis of religion. The resolution states the city supports the core American ideal of welcoming immigrants. Noting Santa Fe was for 27 years of its history a part of Mexico, the resolution states that the city rejects the idea of adding to the physical barriers between the two countries and rejects the idea that our neighbors south of the border are threats to our safety (and) livelihood. The resolution states the citys citizens have benefited from the Affordable Care Act, believes climate change exists and supports efforts to divert non-violent offenders from the criminal justice system and rehabilitate and reform them to be productive members of our community. Councilor Harris says his take is that Trump sometimes speaks, or tweets, to provoke a reaction. I have felt for a long time that this is his style, but also a tactic, he said. Harris said he rather focus on setting a positive agenda. I dont think its necessary, he said of the proposed resolution. I think its distracting from the work we do. The most interesting person to watch in ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillersons confirmation hearing for secretary of state Wednesday after Tillerson himself is without question Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The Florida Republican is likely to reveal what kind of future he wants in President-elect Donald Trumps Washington, and there are two broad possibilities. He could play a lead role in trying to torpedo Trumps pick for the nations top diplomat, by turning his question-and-answer sessions with Tillerson into an aggressive attack on his economic ties to Russia and the honors bestowed upon him by President Vladimir Putin. Or Rubio could be, well, more diplomatic, tempering his questions about Tillersons global philosophy and Trumps own views toward Putin and paving the way for an easy confirmation. Rubios fellow hawks on national security issues will be watching closely to see which path he takes. Several of them have joined Rubio in criticizing Tillersons credentials, but Rubio is the most prominent among them on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is tasked with vetting the oil titans qualifications. That puts equal parts of pressure on Rubio to voice that perspective and to be careful about his relationship with the incoming administration. I will most certainly watch for Senator Rubios questions and want to hear how that interchange goes, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who is not on the committee but has concerns about Tillerson said Tuesday. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who are allied with Rubio on defense issues, have already staked out positions as antagonists toward the incoming president and his pick for secretary of state, seeking to keep the Republican Party on a more traditional stance of foreign policy. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., meanwhile, the committee chairman, is playing the opposite role: serving as adviser to the incoming president and to Tillerson and trying to shape their views through positive persuasion. Rubio has yet to signal which direction hell take Wednesday, despite early claims of serious concerns about Tillersons nomination. A forceful attack on Trumps seemingly friendly stance toward Russia would win credit with many traditional GOP foreign policy experts, but it could renew the personal battles with the president-elect that played out during the Republican nominating contest. Once considered a rising star within the GOP, Rubios presidential ambitions ended last year in an acrimonious trade of personal insults with Trump. As word spread last month that Tillerson was the likely nominee, Rubio took to Trumps most preferred means of communication, Twitter, to criticize the CEO for being awarded the Order of Friendship by Putin a few years ago because of ExxonMobils energy contracts in Russia. Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState, Rubio tweeted. Rubio issued a more detailed statement suggesting that the next secretary of state must have moral clarity and be free of conflicts of interest. Several elder statesmen in the Republican foreign policy establishment quickly mounted a private campaign to quell Rubios concerns on Tillerson, and Rubio has been circumspect ever since. He said little of substance Monday evening on his way to a meet Tillerson in his Senate office. A statement released later merely thanked the nominee for coming by; on Tuesday, Rubio told reporters only that he was going through the process of assessing the nominee. The most critical line of questioning will likely come on Tillersons views on sanctions against Russia, including new economic measures imposed by President Barack Obama in the wake of election meddling last year that the U.S. intelligence community has concluded was overseen by Moscow. Tillerson has previously opposed sanctions that would have hurt ExxonMobils economic interests in Russia, and Trump has signaled his intent to have a better relationship with Putin than Obama. He has only begrudgingly accepted the intelligence communitys conclusion that Russian operatives tried to influence the presidential election. McCain and Graham, neither of whom are on the committee, have already signaled their votes would likely depend on how Tillerson handles the Russia questions. Some Democrats hope to shape those questions to divide the Trump and McCain wings on foreign policy and imperil the nomination. I think wed be fools not to think about the issues that may end up weighing on Republicans on the committee, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the committee, said in an interview. I cannot imagine how John McCain or Lindsey Graham or Marco Rubio could vote for Tillerson if he does not make a firm commitment to continue and expand U.S. sanctions against Russia. And yet I dont know how he makes that commitment given Trumps positioning. Corker said the business executive is ready after his final meeting Tuesday with the nominee to prep him for the hearings, adding that as chairman he has followed up with most members of the committee after they met Tillerson. Its up to Tillerson to win over people, and my observation is he likely will, Corker told reporters. Theres nothing in our conversations with Tillerson that would point out to me he is outside the mainstream of Republican thinking on Russia. Corker acknowledged that Rubios exchanges would have an extra layer of significance, particularly on Russia, but he expects Tillerson to more than meet the moment. My guess is youre going to have people on both sides of the aisle, over and over again, pounding on issues like that, and my sense is that he will do a good job in responding. He certainly did in my office, Corker said. President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for homeland security secretary struck a markedly different tone from the president-elect on some of Trumps signature issues on Tuesday, calling for increased outreach to Muslims and saying the controversial southwest border wall might not be built anytime soon. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly made the remarks at his confirmation hearing before a Senate committee that was unusual for its bipartisan tone during a highly partisan era. Kelly was greeted warmly by Republicans and Democrats alike and appeared to be on his way to an easy confirmation for the high-profile post of running the Department of Homeland Security. Long known for his blunt manner, the former chief of the U.S. Southern Command added several layers of uncertainty to Trumps promised crackdown on illegal immigration, which was the centerpiece of the president-elects campaign and which Kelly would oversee at DHS. Kelly appeared to play down the importance of Trumps promised wall, telling senators that a physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job and that technology such as drones and sensors are also needed to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. He said the structure might not be built anytime soon because it is such an immense project, appearing to contradict Trump, who has said building the wall is easy and can be done inexpensively. House Republicans said last week they plan to fund the wall, which some experts have estimated will cost more than $20 billion. Kelly said he would keep an open mind on the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA. The 2012 initiative has given temporary protection from deportation to hundreds of thousands of people who arrived in the United States as children. Trump vowed during the campaign to reverse it. The rhetorical difference between Trump and his prospective DHS chief was perhaps most striking on the subject of Muslims. While Trump once called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States as a counterterrorism measure, Kelly noted that when he was a Marine officer in Iraq, his forces secured stability in part by reaching out to clerics and other Muslim leaders. I dont believe it is appropriate to target any group of people solely based on religion or ethnic background, including through the development of a registry, Kelly told the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. His remarks, which also included a vow to promote tolerance, seemed to reinforce his declaration during his opening remarks that he would always give those in power his full candor. Though he never openly broke with the future commander in chief, his words helped win over Democrats concerned about Trumps incendiary remarks. Sen. Claire McCaskill, Mo., the committees ranking Democrat, thanked Kelly for your service to this country and said his vow to speak truth to power had been music to my ears. She added that the committee is not here to participate in some partisan or political exercise. I very much believe in that principle, and I think we all anticipate that you will need it in your next job, McCaskill said, noting her belief that Trump has used some of his most extreme and divisive rhetoric on issues under DHS jurisdiction. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., the committees chairman, called Kelly just an extraordinary individual, a great American who has served faithfully and sacrificed mightily for this nation.He called for a quick confirmation, adding that he cant think of a single individual more qualified to run DHS than Kelly. Trumps team was drawn to Kelly because of his experience at the Southern Command, where he oversaw military operations across Central and South America and worked with several DHS agencies. Kelly is also a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, which advises the DHS secretary on a variety of security issues. In documents released Tuesday by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Kelly said that upon his confirmation he would resign from DynCorp International, a McLean military contractor where he has worked since June as an adviser at a salary of $166,000. He also vowed to resign from advisory or board positions at two other defense contractors and a private equity firm, which are paying him a combined $73,000. Kelly also said he owns a consulting business, Oak Square Perspectives, but that it is dormant and has never had clients. He said it would remain dormant during his time at DHS. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former Defense Secretary Robert Gates introduced Kelly at the confirmation hearing, with Gates calling Kelly one of the finest people Ive ever known. I would trust him with my life. Kelly was a senior military adviser to Gates and also former defense secretary Leon Panetta during the Obama administration. His role in the current administration and his typically blunt style led to clashes over women in combat and plans to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Kelly opposed President Barack Obamas failed plans to close Guantanamo, people familiar with his views said, and he has strongly defended how the military handles detainees. In a 2014 interview, he told The Washington Post that criticism of their treatment by human rights groups and others was foolishness. He also publicly expressed concerns over the Pentagons order in December that opened all jobs in combat units to women, including the most elite forces such as the Navy SEALs. Theyre saying we are not going to change any standards, Kelly told reporters at the Pentagon. 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? Even before he left the Obama administration, Kelly was sounding the alarm in terms reminiscent of Trumps campaign rhetoric about drugs, terrorism and other cross-border threats that he said that he sees as emanating from Mexico and Central and South America. He has described the militarys counterterrorism operations abroad as a war against a savage enemy who would gladly launch more deadly attacks. Yet Kelly has also stressed the importance of supporting human rights, and did so again during Tuesdays hearing. Kelly is widely respected at the Pentagon for his personal sacrifice and deep knowledge of the pain suffered by many military families. His son, 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, died in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban in 2010. Kelly also repeatedly stressed the need to reduce the demand for illicit drugs in the U.S. as a way to diminish the flight of undocumented immigrants from central and South America. The Latins will tell you that because of your recreational use, thousands and thousands of Latins die every year that shouldnt die, he said. Theres no such thing as non-violent use of recreational drugs. As DHS secretary, Kelly would take on a major management challenge in what is considered to be one of Washingtons most challenging jobs, in part because the agencys employee morale is among the federal governments lowest. He said in his remarks that he recognizes the many challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security, and he vowed to tackle the departments complicated and diffuse culture. SANTA FE With New Mexico still reeling from a prolonged revenue slump, Gov. Susana Martinez outlined a spending blueprint Tuesday that relies on more state government belt-tightening and no tax increases to fix a projected $69 million deficit for the current budget year and carry the state through the fiscal year that starts in July. Its up to New Mexico state government to tighten its belt not New Mexico families, Martinez said while unveiling the plan at an Albuquerque charter school. Specifically, the two-term Republican governors plan would trim take-home pay for state workers and teachers, divert money from school district reserves and various government accounts, and halt a hold harmless state subsidy for cities and counties that enacted the maximum-allowed tax increase under the terms of a 2013 tax package. It would also extend for another year sweeping spending reductions enacted last fall by the Legislature, and enact even deeper cuts for New Mexico colleges and universities and the legislative branch. Top-ranking Democratic legislators and union leaders quickly criticized several parts of the governors solvency plan, most of which would require legislative approval during the 60-day session that starts next week. Carter Bundy, the political and legislative director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union in New Mexico, said the union will fight the proposal to require more than 20,000 state workers plus teachers to funnel more of their paychecks into their retirement plans. Taxpayer-funded contributions would decrease by 3.5 percentage points. She is proposing taking money out of the pockets of middle-class and poor New Mexicans and giving it directly to big out-of-state corporations and billionaires, Bundy told the Journal. Martinez has stuck to a no tax increase stance since she first took office in 2011, and she vowed Tuesday to veto a proposal to make online retailers collect gross receipts taxes or other tax hike bills sent to her desk by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. We have many, many options to solve the budget deficit, the governor said. We dont have to raise taxes. We dont have to penalize families. Plunging revenues New Mexico revenue levels have plummeted in the past two years, largely because of decreasing oil and natural gas prices, and state cash reserves have been all but wiped out. That has led to a downgrade of the states top bond rating and prompted the Legislature to approve a mix of spending cuts and one-time budget fixes during a special session last fall. However, Martinez accused the Legislature on Tuesday of not going far enough during the 2016 special session, saying lawmakers from both political parties took the easy way out in a year in which all 112 legislative seats were up for election. I wont sugarcoat it difficult decisions were avoided in an election year, Martinez said, referring specifically to her administrations proposal to take, or sweep, up to $120 million in reserve funds from school districts statewide. Such a move would still leave more than $130 million in school reserves available, top administration budget officials said. Lawmakers considered dipping into the school district reserves during last falls special session, but the then-GOP-controlled House ultimately backed away from a Senate-approved plan that called for $25 million to be diverted. Democrats won back control of the House in the November general election. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said Tuesday he was concerned by the governors proposal, adding it was disheartening for the governor to refer to the school reserves as a slush fund. But he said he was glad to see Martinez put forward a solvency plan, as she had faced criticism from Democratic lawmakers for not doing so before last falls special session. Medicaid boost In all, the plan unveiled Tuesday by Martinez would generate an estimated $268.5 million in one-time savings, and roughly $59 million in year-over-year savings. That would be enough to backfill the budget deficit for the fiscal year that ends in June and provide for a nearly $6.1 billion budget for the coming year. However, the $6.1 billion budget would be roughly $137 million less than the original appropriation level for the current budget year before lawmakers signed off on 5.5 percent spending cuts for most agencies during the special session. Under the governors budget plan for the coming year, one of the few proposed spending increases would be for Medicaid, the joint federal-state health care program that covers more than 880,000 New Mexicans, the funding for which would go up by about $26 million. Some other agencies, including the Department of Public Safety and the Corrections Department, would avoid budget cuts but would receive little or no additional funding. Our budget shortfalls are not as large as several other oil-producing states, Martinez said Tuesday. However, we have a lot of work to do, and Im committed to continue fighting to rein in state government spending. Going into the budget year that starts in July, the governors plan would leave the state with about $230 million in cash reserves or about 3.8 percent of total state spending that could be used as a budget buffer if state revenue levels continue to sag. The Legislative Finance Committee is expected to unveil its own budget recommendation today. Both proposals will then be weighted during the coming session, which begins Tuesday. Highlights Gov. Susana Martinezs $6.1 billion budget plan includes solvency measures that would: It makes sense from financial, ethical and public safety perspectives to provide a transition-planning resource center to many inmates being released from the Metropolitan Detention Center. It makes sense in 2017. Just as it did in 2009. Because more than half of the people booked into MDC receive psychiatric services, and when they are released without treatment and a safe place to go, they often quickly re-offend, creating a revolving door of crime-arrest-jail. Eight years ago, Bernalillo County drew heavy criticism for its policy of dropping newly released inmates Downtown in the wee hours without so much as a pay phone available to them. It came to a head after a young woman struggling with drug addiction overdosed shortly after the transport van dumped her in the dark. So the county spent roughly $1.6 million renovating the old Downtown Metro Court building on Roma and the city kicked in $150,000 for a public safety processing center giving released inmates a safe place to make a call and start to get their lives back on track and police and sheriffs officers could save taxpayer time and money by taking arrestees to a central pickup site rather than all making trips to the jail, which is 18 miles from the city core. And only part of that happened. New County Manager Julie Morgas Baca says that, while Albuquerque police officers drop off arrestees at the center, sheriffs officers still rack up around $2 million a year in overtime, plus vehicle wear and tear, driving to and from the jail from all corners of the county. And there are no on-site case managers to help ensure that just-released inmates plug into community services everything from food stamps to follow-up medical and behavioral health care to housing. That makes it more likely they will steal your car or kick in your door and burglarize your home. So now, eight years later, Morgas Baca is proposing and the County Commission is considering making the Transition Planning and Re-Entry Resource Center at 401 Roma NW a reality. This time, the tab is $300,000 for renovations, with a recurring operational cost of around $1 million a year. Its past time for the county to make good on its promise to do better by those inmates who quite literally have nowhere to go or nowhere good when they get out of the jail. And its important that all the ongoing and new efforts to assist Albuquerque-area residents struggling with behavioral health and substance abuse issues be integrated, streamlined and tracked so taxpayers know exactly what they are paying for and what they are getting. Because on top of a potential total processing center tab, taxpayers are also spending: Around $61 million a year on MDC and its psychiatric services. At least $14 million a year for city behavioral health programs. Around $90 million a year in property taxes to the University of New Mexico Hospital, a portion of which is used for mental health programs. At least $4 million a year for services to help people who struggle with mental illness or addiction, but are not in the criminal justice system. Around $1.1 million, along with grant money from sources including the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance, to house up to 75 mentally ill homeless inmates upon their release, and work to get those men and women reintegrated into society. That program is supposed to include intensive case management, mental health counseling, life skills education, vocational services, access to public benefits and family unification assistance many of the same things the proposed processing center is supposed to offer. County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins said last year that the county will require data on outcomes from and evaluate the effectiveness of programs for behavioral health. It needs to, and it needs to make that information public, especially now that there is a dedicated public funding stream. In 2015, county commissioners adopted a behavioral health gross receipts tax that rakes in around $17 million a year. A 2015 report from Arizona-based Community Partners Inc. on Albuquerque-area behavioral health services found that there had been little to no cohesiveness and accountability in fact, at that time, the county couldnt even cobble together a list of its programs. For almost a decade, Bernalillo County has had the right idea and intention for helping released inmates get on a better path. For inmates, the public and taxpayers, lets hope this time officials pull it together and help turn the jails catch-and-release into a catch-and-reintegrate program. 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. WASHINGTON Black lawmakers said Wednesday that Sen. Jeff Sessions at times has shown hostility toward civil rights, making him unfit to be attorney general, as a 1986 letter from the widow of Martin Luther King Jr. surfaced strongly expressing opposition to the Alabama senator. In the second day of confirmation hearings, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Sessions colleague, and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., who was beaten when he marched for civil rights in the 1960s, warned that Sessions could move the country backward if confirmed as Donald Trumps top law enforcement official. Booker said the arc of the universe does not just naturally curve toward justice, we must bend it, and the country needs an attorney general who is determined to bend it. Senator Sessions record does not speak to that desire, intention or will, Booker said, noting his opposition to overhauling the criminal justice system and his positions on other issues affecting minority groups. Lewis told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the country needs someone whos going to stand up, speak up and speak out for the people that need help, the people who have been discriminated against. And Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, urged senators to reject Sessions eventual nomination because he has advanced an agenda that will do great harm to African-Americans. The lawmakers criticism echoed Cornell Brooks, the head of the NAACP, who told the panel earlier in the day that the organization firmly believes Sessions is unfit to serve. The Alabama Republican was rejected by the Judiciary panel in 1986 for a federal judgeship amid accusations that he had called a black attorney boy which he denied and the NAACP and ACLU un-American. Sessions on Tuesday called those accusations damnably false and said he is totally committed to maintaining the freedom and equality that this country has to provide to every citizen. The lawmakers testimony brought two days of confirmation hearings for Sessions to a close. He has solid support from the Senates Republican majority and from some Democrats in conservative-leaning states, and is expected to easily win confirmation. But Democrats are using the hearings to try to show that Sessions and Trumps administration wont be committed to civil rights, a chief priority of the Justice Department during the Obama administration. On Tuesday, the NAACP released a 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King, widow of the civil rights leader, in which she said that Sessions actions as a federal prosecutor were reprehensible and that he used his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters. Mr. Sessions has used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens in the district he now seeks to serve as a federal judge, Mrs. King wrote. Mrs. King died in 2006. Richmond complained during his testimony that putting the all-black panel at the end of the hearings was akin to being made to go to the back of the bus, a reference to 1960s segregation laws. During his testimony, many members of the Congressional Black Caucus sat in the audience. Not everyone on the panel criticized Sessions. Three men who had worked with Sessions in Alabama and Washington, all black, testified in support. Jesse Seroyer, a former U.S. marshal for the Middle District of Alabama, said Sessions is a good honest person who is going to give all he has to make sure everyone is treated fairly under the law. Earlier in the day, Attorney General Michael Mukasey also came to Sessions defense at the hearing. He wrote in his testimony that of all the insidious practices that have crept into our politics in recent times, I know of none more insidious than casual and unjustified accusations of racism, smears that once leveled are difficult to wipe clean. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The nations only Latina governor is avoiding attacking President-elect Donald Trump over not appointing a Hispanic cabinet member. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, who clashed with Trump during the election, said Tuesday the new president has the right to pick the best and the brightest for his team even if that means there wont be a Latino in his cabinet. None of Trumps cabinet picks is Latino. The Trump administration could be the first one in three decades not to have a Hispanic cabinet secretary. Martinez had been part an initiative with the Republican Party to recruit more Hispanics and women to run for office. She openly clashed with Trump for his comments about Mexican immigrants. FORT WAYNE The increase in development along Coldwater Road, south of Gump Road, is forcing Northwest Allen County Schools to adjust its attendance boundaries for the first time in nine years. The change will affect all students who move into one of three new developments Fox Hollow, Aslan Passage and Bonterra and place them into the Perry Hill attendance boundary. Currently, two other schools in the same area Oak View Elementary School and Cedar Canyon Elementary School are at capacity, NACS Superintendent Chris Himsel said. Perry Hill is currently at 78-79 percent capacity, and Himsel said the ideal range is 82-86 percent. Himsel also said that the new boundaries will not affect any current students. We just want people who are purchasing homes there to know up front that their children will attend Perry Hill, at least until we decide what to do with classroom space, Himsel said. Then we will revisit the attendance areas from a more holistic perspective. We have to free up space at Huntertown. We have to free up space at Cedar Canyon and we have to free up space at Oak View. We are limited in that we dont have extra space at Eel River and we have limited amounts of space at Hickory Center and Perry Hill. We will have to add on classroom space. There is not enough space to account for all the development that is happening. The big question facing the district now is whether to build new or expand on existing facilities. Another temporary option at Perry Hill would include relocating the NACS Central Office which is located on the southwest corner of the Perry Hill building and turn that space into classroom space. Himsel said the current central office space is the equivalent of four classrooms which he equated to 100-120 kids. On a whole, it is typical that adult spaces are cheaper to build than kids spaces are, because of the number of codes, Himsel said. Its classroom space we wont have to build. We are considering it, but where we land, we dont know. Himsel also said that the district will still take inter-school transfer requests for special situations. In November, Himsel said that the district will likely have to install portable classrooms at Huntertown Elementary School for the 2017-18 school year to handle the capacity. Oak View was another school on the list to potentially see portable classrooms. Huntertown Elementary School had two portable classroom units, each with two classrooms, during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years. Total enrollment for the district in the fall was 7,342. That number was 7,125 in the fall of 2015. A five-year projection forecasts enrollment at 7,950 and a 10-year forecast balloons that number to 8,240. During the downturn of the economy in 2008, enrollment was 6,083. The recent Carroll High School renovation and expansion project of 2007 and 2008 has a student capacity between 2,750 and 2,800, according to NACS Business Manager Bill Mallers. Under the current forecast, the building would be adequate to handle the increased enrollment. Obviously, we want to disrupt as few lives as possible. At the same time, we have to make a decision that puts us in the best position long term, Himsel said. The last time the district changed its attendance boundaries was the 2008-09 school year, prior to the opening of Eel River Elementary School. We need to say thank you to (former NACS Superintendent Dr. Steve Yager) and all the other board members at the time who made decisions on those attendance areas. Its been nine years since we have had to make an adjustment. They did a great job with that, Himsel said. Fox Hollow will feature a 224 lots for single-family homes as well as villas, Aslan Passage totals 61 lots and Bonterra is a 228-unit apartment complex south of the Falcon Creek subdivision. In other board news: Kent Somers was re-elected board president for 2017. Elizabeth Hathaway will serve as vice president and Ron Felger will serve as secretary. Salary for NACS board members was approved at $1,900 for the year and $56 per extra meeting and executive session. President Barack Obama had been in office for only five months when he relieved Army Gen. David McKiernan as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The new president made the move on the recommendation of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who told the president that he wanted fresh thinking and fresh eyes in Afghanistan. McKiernan was the first top wartime commander to be dismissed since Harry S. Trumans removal of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1951. We have a new strategy, a new mission and a new ambassador. I believe that new military leadership is also needed, Gates said at a hastily convened Pentagon news conference. Gates elevated Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who had played a central role in Iraq leading U.S. Special Operations troops who conducted a relentless campaign to destroy the leadership of the al-Qaida affiliate in Iraq, as well as Iranian-backed Shiite militia forces that were attacking U.S. troops. McChrystal was summoned to meet with Obama on Air Force One in Copenhagen to discuss a major change in strategy in Afghanistan. Just days earlier, McChrystal had given a speech in London suggesting that a major military buildup was needed in the country. In a public question-and-answer session after the address, he had been dismissive of a scaled-down war plan, backed by Vice President Joe Biden, to shift the focus of the American effort from defeating the Taliban to a narrower campaign aimed at hunting down al-Qaida. McChrystals remarks had infuriated some in the White House. His 25-minute talk with Obama in October 2009 was his first in-person meeting with the president since taking command that June. A month later, Obama authorized sending more than 33,000 new forces to Afghanistan, where they would conduct the broader campaign that McChrystal advocated, but Obama insisted that they would start to come home after 18 months. The long review process sowed mistrust between the White House and the presidents top commanders. Many of Obamas top aides believed that the military had boxed Obama into the larger troop surge. In his memoir, Duty, Gates accused the vice president of poisoning Obamas relationship with his generals. I thought Biden was subjecting Obama to Chinese water torture, every day saying the military cant be trusted, he wrote. McChrystal was fired in June 2010, one year into his command, after he and his staff were quoted in a Rolling Stone magazine profile making derisive remarks about top White House officials, including Biden. Obama replaced McChrystal with Gen. David Petraeus, who had risen to fame as the top commander in Iraq when President George W. Bush shifted strategy and put Petraeus in charge of a surge in troops into the country. In 2008, Obama, still a candidate, flew over Baghdad with Petraeus and discussed the U.S. war strategy there with him. In Iraq, Obama and Petraeus were never completely in sync on strategy. Petraeus wanted to employ a large-scale counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan that involved protecting the Afghans from the Taliban, improving governance and rebuilding the countrys economy. Obama had his doubts about the costly approach. In his memoir, Gates recounted a tense 2011 meeting with the president in the White House Situation Room: As I sat there, I thought: The president doesnt trust his commander, cant stand Karzai, doesnt believe in his own strategy and doesnt consider the war to be his. For him, its all about getting out. Gen. John Allen took command in Afghanistan in July 2011. Faced with an order from Obama to withdraw 23,000 troops during his first year in command, Allen hastily transformed the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan. Instead of trying to continue large U.S. counterinsurgency operations advocated by his predecessors, he accelerated a handover of responsibility to Afghan security forces. He ordered U.S. and NATO troops to push Afghans into the lead fighting roles across much of the country, even in insurgent-controlled areas. My instruction to my commanders is to get the [Afghans] into the fight, Allen told The Washington Post. The sooner I can get them there, while I still have the time and the combat power, the more I can catch them if they fall. Gen. Joseph Dunford took over command from Allen in February 2013 and managed the withdrawal of American forces for the next 18 months. The Marine general earned respect at the White House through his efforts to balance the ongoing fight against the Taliban with the political demands of home, where officials were eager to curtail the military footprint before Obamas departure in 2017. With some reluctance, Dunford signed off on the White Houses plan to cut the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan to 1,000 by the end of 2017. Eventually, Taliban gains and the struggle of the Afghan Security Forces led Obama to abandon that plan. His latest approach called for reducing troop numbers in Afghanistan from 9,800 to about 5,500 in his final year in office. Dunford, who was appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was expected to play a critical role in helping determine whether such a withdrawal was still feasible. Gen. John Campbell led U.S. troops from July 2014 through March 2016. He played a critical role in helping to persuade Obama to drop his promise to end the Afghan war before he left office and reduce the American presence to a Kabul-based force of about 1,000 troops. Campbell led U.S. troops at a time when Afghan forces were pressed to do the vast majority of the fighting and often struggled to keep the territory from the Taliban. Campbell was a fierce advocate for keeping the U.S. force at 9,800 troops. He also pressed for loosening some of the rules of engagement so that U.S. planes could provide more air power to the struggling Afghans. The requests were not welcomed by Obama. We arent going to get more people politically theres no appetite because we are downsizing, Campbell told The Post in the spring of 2016. So the only thing I can affect is my authority to strike different groups and my authority to provide different enablers to the Afghans. Gen. John Mick Nicholson, who had served multiple tours in Afghanistan, took command in March of 2016 and assumed responsibility for helping the Afghan troops hold ground as he oversaw further American withdrawals from the country. Nicholson suggested that he wanted to keep 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan through the end of the fighting season in the fall of 2016 and potentially longer. As Obamas tenure drew to a close, Nicholson was still reviewing the American strategy in Afghanistan. It was not clear what kind of response his requests for maintaining higher troop levels would receive from the White House. BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinpings delegation to next weeks World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos is open to meeting with President-elect Donald Trumps team, an official said Wednesday. Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong told reporters at a briefing that there are open channels of communication with Trumps team. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the annual gathering of business leaders, politicians and cultural icons are still being finalized, but China would look into what sort of arrangements could be made as long as the schedule permits and if there is the wish, he said. Trump has accused China of unfair trade practices and threatened punishing tariffs and upended diplomatic protocol by speaking by phone with the president of Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Xi, the first Chinese president to attend the Davos meetings, will champion multilateralism at a time of global economic uncertainty and worries that countries will turn inward to trade protectionism an issue that has risen in prominence with Trumps pledges to restrict access to American markets to promote the U.S. manufacturing industry. On Tuesday, Xi will give a speech urging leaders to steer globalization in the direction of more inclusiveness and mutual benefit, Li said. Western countries and companies accuse Beijing of maintaining its own protectionist practices, for example subsidies for its bloated steel industry that have led to trade tensions over Chinese exports of low-priced steel. Li said accusations of trade protectionism against Beijing were unjustified, and that China has always opposed such measures. Trade protectionism will lead to self-isolationism and it is in the interests of no one, he said. Xis attendance at Davos is part of an official four-day visit to Switzerland that begins Sunday. He will also visit the U.N., World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee, and discuss with Swiss officials how to deepen trade cooperation following the signing of the 2013 China-Switzerland free trade agreement, as well as how to encourage their business communities to collaborate on innovation. In the past, Chinese delegations at Davos were led by Premier Li Keqiang. China has sought to be more influential globally and present itself as a force for stability and champion of globalization while opposing rising protectionist sentiment in the West. The Davos forum takes place during a week when the United States, the worlds largest economy, will be focused on Donald Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration as president. Preparing to go to war in 2011, President Obama laid out a case for involvement in the mounting crisis in Libya. Without strong Western action, he told Americans, the conflict in Libya would trigger a humanitarian crisis and destabilize a fragile region. Most acutely, the presidents senior aides worried that failing to launch military action would allow dictator Moammar Gaddafi to follow through on promises to exterminate Libyans demanding political rights and also extinguish hopes for democracy across the region. U.S. and allied aircraft began bombing government forces in a United Nations-backed operation that marked a high-water moment for the Arab Spring. If the 2011 Libyan intervention was the moment that Obama proved his willingness to use American military power in protection of foreign civilians, then Syria was also the place where he revealed his core instincts against doing so. The presidents decision to back away from plans to strike Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2013 revealed his determination to avoid getting more embroiled in foreign conflicts. That decision has provided fodder for critics who believe Obama has been too restrained with the use of American military power, even when the cause is just. But it has also shielded the presidents legacy from the toxic fallout of another Middle Eastern intervention like that in Libya, where strife and lawlessness have plagued its post-revolution era. The two decisions reveal differences within Obamas inner circle and the presidents fundamental skepticism that military power can transform conflicts whose roots and players the United States may never fully understand. In Libya, Obama acceded to arguments from advisers including Susan E. Rice, then-ambassador to the United Nations; Samantha Power, then a White House adviser who advanced the responsibility to protect; and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. They saw Gaddafis moves to quash uprisings in the cities of Benghazi and Misrata as a chance to show that the United States had a stake in preventing mass killings, even in countries where American interests were marginal. Five months of NATO-led strikes helped disparate and poorly trained groups of rebels advance into Tripoli, ending Gaddafis 40-year rule. Obama characterized the turmoil that followed as his chief foreign-policy regret.Over time, U.S. officials saw Libyans unity fall away and watched as a lack of government know-how undermined the countrys attempts to rebuild. By the summer of 2014, the country had slipped into another civil war. Absorbed with the other crises in the Middle East and hopeful that European nations, with their proximity to North Africa and historic ties to the region, would take responsibility for nurturing a new democracy there, the United States took a limited post-revolution role in Libya. Speaking in an interview that year, Obama said it wasnt that the intervention was the wrong decision, it was that he had underestimated what Libya would need the day after. The day after questions had been foremost on Obamas mind since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011. As the uprising turned to armed insurrection to civil war, Obama resisted calls from his chief advisers, including Clinton, then-CIA Director David H. Petraeus and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, to arm rebels against the Assad government. Obama and other senior aides thought it was improbable that a poorly armed peoples army would succeed against Assads robust military and his Russian and Iranian backing. The calculus changed in August 2013, when U.S. intelligence officials concluded that Assads military had used rockets to launch a sarin gas attack on Ghouta, a rebel-controlled suburb of Damascus. Images filmed shortly afterward showed victims at least 1,000 people, including scores of women and children convulsing or dead from exposure to deadly airborne chemicals. In an Aug. 31 speech, Obama described the massacre as an assault on human dignity. The president, who had promised in 2012 that the use of chemical weapons would be a red line for U.S. action in Syria, ordered his military to prepare for strikes on regime military targets. Then, in a decision that blindsided even his top advisers at the Pentagon and State Department, the president changed course. After a lengthy discussion with Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, who, like Obama, was disposed against intervention, Obama announced that he was ready to launch an attack on Assad but would first secure congressional approval. It never materialized. In an explanation he later gave to the Atlantic, Obama stood by his decision. He was a believer in humanitarian intervention, but only in a narrow set of circumstances that presented a direct threat to the United States. Since then, the conflict has ground on. , and the death toll now approaches half a million. In the years that followed, the Islamic State gained strength, Russia plunged in to shore up its ally Assad and millions of refugees have flowed into Europe. Although the Ghouta attack resulted in a deal to empty Syrias chemical arsenal, some of those weapons have been used since against civilians. Weve got to be hard-headed at the same time as were big-hearted, and pick and choose our spots, and recognize that there are going to be times where the best that we can do is to shine a spotlight on something thats terrible, but not believe that we can automatically solve it, he said. In contemplating direct attacks on Assads forces, the president was worried that a punitive strike would enhance the Syrian leaders standing and lengthen the war. More important, a U.S. attack on Assad may have provoked unknowable consequences and drawn the United States further into the war and farther away from the presidents core priorities. The bloodshed in Ghouta was a tragedy just not one, in the presidents eyes, that was Americas to own. The Muslim boy who found himself in the national spotlight after he was wrongfully arrested for bringing a homemade alarm clock to school has lost in a defamation lawsuit against conservative media companies and personalities. The lawsuit accused Fox Television Stations, LLC, TheBlaze Inc., television and radio personalities, such as Glenn Beck, Ben Ferguson and Ben Shapiro, and others of airing and making false statements accusing Ahmed Mohamed and his family of being terrorists. The 21-page complaint alleged that the defendants misled the public and, in doing so, fanned the flames of fear and anger toward Muslims and immigrants. Fox; TheBlaze Inc. and its founder, Beck; the Center for Security Policy, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank and its executive vice president, Jim Hanson; television and radio personalities Ferguson and Shapiro; and Beth Van Duyne, mayor of the Texas city where the Mohameds lived, were all sued by the boys father, Mohamed Mohamed, in Dallas County in September. Over the last two months, a judge has tossed out the cases against all but two of the defendants, with the last round of dismissals happening on Monday. Van Duyne, the mayor of Irving, Tex., and Shapiro, a national columnist and radio talk show host, are the two remaining defendants. A hearing on Shapiros motion to dismiss is scheduled for Jan. 30. Van Duynes motion was heard earlier this week, according to an online docket, but the judge has not issued a ruling. The judge found that the defendants are protected under the Texas Citizens Participation Act, a state law designed to fight Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, also known as SLAPP. The statute, enacted in 2011, protects citizens from defamation lawsuits on the basis of rights to free speech. The Mohameds attorney was not immediately available for comment. Mike Grygiel, who represents Beck and TheBlaze Inc., said in a statement that his clients are pleased that the court applied the law to protect free speech through the summary dismissal of unmeritorious defamation claims. Hanson, of the Center for Security Policy, said in a statement that the ruling reaffirms our most fundamental liberty the right to free expression and punishes Mr. Mohammed and his allies for attempting to suppress ideas they oppose. The defamation lawsuit was filed about a year after Ahmed was arrested and interrogated by Irving police in September 2015, when he brought an alarm clock that a teacher thought to be a bomb. Libelous statements about the then-13-year-old were made in the media shortly after, according to the complaint. The broadcasts aired by Fox and the Blaze are the very definition of yellow journalism,' the complaint said. To broadcast inaccurate, biased and sensationalized falsehoods in the guise of news is an offense, not just to the victims of the defamatory statements, but to the public. Ahmed had developed a love for robotics and was known for creating elaborate contraptions and bringing them to school to please his teachers, the complaint said. One day, he brought an alarm clock he created out of old batteries, a pencil box he had when he was in middle school and other gadgets he found in his familys garage, and showed it to his geometry teacher at MacArthur High School. The teacher thought the device was a bomb, and took the alarm clock from Ahmed, telling him she would hold it for him for the rest of the day, according to the complaint. Several hours later, police officers showed up at the school. Ahmed was pulled out of his chair during class, handcuffed and escorted out of the school, according to the complaint. He was brought to the police station, where his mug shots and fingerprints were taken. During a 1 1/2 hour-long interrogation, Ahmed repeatedly told officers that he brought an alarm clock to school, not a bomb, the complaint says. Despite repeated pleas to talk to his parents, he was told he couldnt. The Irving police chief later admitted that the arrest was a mistake. The charge possession of a hoax bomb was dropped. According to an internal police department email obtained through a public records request, one of the officers said that that thing doesnt even look like a bomb, the complaint says. Still, Ahmed was disciplined and suspended for three days for code of conduct violation and possession of prohibited items. The incident has since prompted the U.S. Department of Justices civil rights division to investigate the Irving Independent School District. That investigation remains pending. The incident turned the teenager into a viral sensation and earned him the nickname Clock Boy or Clock Kid. That same month, TheBlaze aired a show in which Beck, who is the host, and guests Hanson, of the Center for Security Policy, and Van Duyne, the Texas mayor, discussed Ahmeds arrest. My theory is that for some reason Irving is important to the Islamists, not the Muslims, but the Islamists. It could be as simple as the progressives trying to turn Texas blue, and this is just the place where theyre just going to start planting the seeds and taking a stand, Beck said on the show. Van Duyne said on the show that Ahmed was not forthcoming to police and school officials about what hed brought to school, and that his family didnt respond to requests for records from the city. The lawsuit claims that wasnt true. In response to Beck, Hanson said that Ahmeds arrest was a publicity stunt by terrorists, and that someone persuaded the boy to bring the device to school. They wanted people to react, and they wanted to portray this kid as an innocent victim, Hanson said. I think he was a pawn potentially by his father. Over the next two months, Shapiro and Ferguson made similar statements on Fox News and Fox 4 News, respectively. I think he used his son. He is one of those, you know, Im gonna point out anyone thats against Islam type of guy. Im going to cause problems. They preplanned this. It looked like a bomb. He also didnt create a clock. He took a clock apart and he put it in a mini-briefcase to make it look like a bomb, said Ferguson, who also said that Ahmed loved his newfound fame and compared him to the Kardashians. In an earlier email response to The Washington Post, Hanson repeated statements hed made about Ahmeds father, saying hes using his son as a pawn in a political game. This lawsuit is just another example of that and worse an attempt to silence the truth tellers who expose the Islamist agenda, Hanson said. They will not silence us and we hope that others who may fear to speak up will be heartened when he prevail, and we will. The centers general counsel, David Yerushalmi, called the lawsuit frivolous, an example of malicious prosecution and Islamist lawfare. The lawsuit demanded that the defendants publicly retract statements theyd made about Ahmeds arrest. Ahmeds family also recently filed a civil rights lawsuit against his former Texas school district, the principal of the high school and the city of Irving. The boy and his family left Irving and moved to Qatar in October, 2015. One of the best things about the 1988 comedy Big was Tom Hanks main character, a kid stuck in an adults body who used his playful imagination to rise through the ranks of a toy company. At one point, he pitches the idea of a robot toy that turns into a bug, arguing that kids will prefer something thats both unexpected and fun. The premise of Monster Trucks is in that same spirit. What would happen, the film wonders, if cute, otherworldly creatures operated hulking cars (which already appeal to children)? The idea is unabashedly silly, yet Monster Trucks is more involving than it sounds. Characters and conflicts are sharply defined, and director Chris Wedge handles the action with clarity. Lucas Till plays Tripp, a sullen high school student who dreams of escaping the North Dakota hamlet where he lives. Tripp has a part-time job in a junkyard, where, during an evening shift, he makes a startling discovery: a giant, oil-guzzling monster with tentacles is hiding there, scrounging through scrapped vehicles for any drop of oil it can find. The monster was once living deep beneath Earths surface until a greedy oil executive named Reece (Rob Lowe) destroyed its underground habitat. Tripp nicknames the monster Creech (short for Creature), becoming buddies with it, since it is smart and has big, dopey eyes and a friendly disposition. When the monster takes refuge inside the metal body of the vintage pickup truck Tripp is restoring, the boy sees an opportunity. He rigs the truck so that Creech can serve as its de facto engine. In addition to Lowe, Monster Trucks features many familiar character actors in supporting roles. Danny Glover, Amy Ryan, Barry Pepper and Thomas Lennon all make appearances, dialing down their screen personas so that younger audiences can focus on the plot. Since the oil company wants to destroy the monsters the presence of a new species would mean they must halt drilling operations the film turns into a contest of wills between Tripp and the evil corporation. Help comes from unexpected sources: Lennon plays a scientist who joins the good guys, and Jane Levy plays Meredith, the plucky if stereotypical girl next door. Screenwriter Derek Connolly shrewdly uses archetypes for many characters, while also leaving room for modest surprises. Motivations may not be complex exactly, but they bear a satisfying resemblance to actual human behavior. The special effects strike an admirable balance between the cutesy and the creepy. Creech, for example, is less humanoid than E.T., but the CGI character designers give him personality and heft. More importantly, Wedge uses the monster-in-a-truck conceit as a springboard for some imaginative chase sequences. With Creech inside, Tripps truck can jump, tilt and even climb walls. Unlike Michael Bay of Transformers fame, Hedge shoots these sequences carefully, so that we always understand where Tripp is in relation to his pursuers. Camera placement and editing are coherent, not chaotic. (Note to more serious action filmmakers: You could learn a thing or two from this films respect for spatial elegance.) Monster Trucks is far from deep. The good guys dont experience major life lessons, and the comeuppance meted out to the bad guys is only perfunctory. But the conflict is simple enough so that kids can recognize whats at stake. Broad gags are thrown in alongside sly jokes including asides that suggest that the filmmakers know that the 26-year-old Till is way too old to play a teenager. This is a film where adults neednt count the minutes until the end credits. Monster Trucks does not rely on bright, flashy colors to maintain the attention of the intended audience. Long after the novelty of the premise runs out of gas, its sheer moviemaking craft that fuels this effects-driven action-family hybrid. Two and one-half stars. Rated PG. Contains some violence and creatures that may be a little scary for toddlers. 104 minutes. Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time. Advance fri jan. 13 New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Matt Geisel said he expects his agencys legislative priorities to face opposition in the upcoming session that begins Jan. 17. Were going to be playing defense, said Geisel at a recent Economic Forum meeting at the Albuquerque Country Club. There will be a little bit of offense, and hopefully well protect the economic development progress weve made during this administration. Geisel said his department would focus on preserving three incentives for companies looking to expand and relocate to New Mexico: the states Local Economic Development Act fund, the Job Training Incentive Program and the High Wage Tax Credit. Without these tools, we would not be able to compete with some 35 other states for projects, said Geisel. Though economic developers frequently cite the power of the incentives, lawmakers have been thus far unwilling to commit to keeping the programs intact. The states revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal year are $300 million less than this years original spending levels. Geisel said he would like to turn LEDA into a $50 million evergreen fund that businesses know will be accessible each year. The fund currently has about $35 million. He also said the department needs $12 million to meet JTIPs backlog, as well as $180,000 to support seven business incubators, among other funding needs. Geisel said he vehemently disagreed with the idea of such incentives being corporate welfare, and on the contrary felt funding such programs was key to solving the states economic woes. Were able to solve so many of societys ills through job creation, he said. The true beneficiary of these programs is the New Mexico workforce. New Mexico currently has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country at 6.7 percent. President-elect Donald Trump acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that he believes Russian operatives hacked the Democratic Party during the election, but he continued to dispute intelligence reports that Moscow acted to help him win. I think it was Russia, Trump said at a news conference in New York when asked who was responsible for the public leaks of Democratic emails during the campaign. But Trump emphasized that he believes Russia also would have released damaging information about him had they obtained such information. He angrily denounced news reports that U.S. officials had obtained an unsubstantiated dossier of potentially compromising personal information Russia has allegedly gathered about him, citing denials from the Kremlin that it has any such intelligence. U.S. officials reportedly included a two-page summary of the dossier in classified briefings of Russias meddling in the election to President Obama and, separately, to Trump last week. Trump and his aides, including Vice President-elect Mike Pence, called the leaks of the information a smear campaign that aimed to damage Trump politically. Its a disgrace that that information would be let out, Trump said. I saw the information; I read the information outside that meeting. Its all fake news phony stuff. It didnt happen. Trump also addressed questions about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has expressed a desire to improve bilateral relations. If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what folks, thats an asset not a liability, Trump said. I dont know if Ill get along with Vladimir Putin . . . but even if I dont does anyone in this room think Hillary Clinton would be tougher on Putin than me? Give me a break. Trump made his remarks in his first news conference as president-elect, ending a period of 167 days since he has fielded questions from the full media contingent. Past winners of the presidency have traditionally faced the media much earlier. An estimated 250 journalists were crowded into the lobby of Trump Tower, where Trump aides had set up 10 American flags in front of a blue curtain. During the news conference, Trump announced that he has tapped David Shulkin, a physician who is serving in the Obama administration as Veterans Affairs undersecretary, to lead VA. And he detailed plans to shift his business assets into a trust managed by his sons and give up management of his private company, a step that will help the business executive move closer to resolving potential conflicts of interest. He also again resisted the idea that he should release his tax returns, saying the only ones that care about my tax returns are the reporters and suggesting the public does not care about the issue. Earlier in the day, Trump had charged via Twitter that his crooked opponents are trying to undermine his electoral victory. He accused the intelligence community of leaking the information to get in one last shot at me, saying, Are we living in Nazi Germany? At the news conference, Pence and Sean Spicer, who has been tapped to be White House press secretary in Trumps administration, also denounced news organizations for their reports on the unsubstantiated dossier. Trump and his aides took particular aim at CNN, which broke the story that intelligence officials had included it in their briefings, and BuzzFeed News, which published a copy of the dossier in full. Trump refused to allow a CNN reporter to ask a question. You are fake news, Trump said to the reporter, Jim Acosta, who had shouted out in an attempt to be called upon. The president-elect called BuzzFeed a failing pile of garbage. Its a disgrace what took place, and I think they ought to apologize to start with, he said. U.S. officials said that intelligence agencies have not corroborated the allegations contained in the dossier but believed the sources involved in the reporting were credible enough to warrant inclusion of their claims in the highly classified report on Russian interference in the presidential campaign. Earlier Wednesday, a spokesman for Putin called the allegations that Russia has collected compromising information about Trump an absolute fantasy. Soon after, Trump tweeted: Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. Very unfair! Speaking Wednesday on MSNBCs Morning Joe, Trump adviser Reince Priebus called the BuzzFeed report phony baloney garbage. He denied that Trump had engaged in compromising behavior in Russia and that Trump aide Michael Cohen had traveled to Prague to meet with Russian officials. Both allegations were contained in the document published by BuzzFeed. There was no craziness in Russia. There was no meeting in Prague, Priebus said. It is not an intelligence document. Cohen has never been in Prague. And all of this stuff isnt even fit to print in the New York Times. In an interview Tuesday night with NBC News, Obama said that he had not seen the reports and declined to comment on classified information. On immigration, Trump insisted he will build a wall not a fence along the southern U.S. border with Mexico, reiterating that Mexico will reimburse the United States for the cost after it is initially funded by taxpayers. Republican leaders in Congress have been working with Pence and other Trump aides to develop legislation to start the process, which is projected to cost billions of dollars. Mexico, through some form . . . will reimburse us, Trump said. That will happen. Whether its a tax or whether its a payment. Whats the difference if the payment is a reimbursement, Trump added. I want to get the wall started. I dont want to wait a year and a half until I make my deal with Mexico. Wrapping up the news conference, Trump pointed to a work table piled with a massive stack of folders bursting with papers that was set up next to the lectern. The documents related to his business holdings, Trump said, and they represented some of the assets he would turn over to his sons Donald Jr. and Eric to oversee under the new arrangement in which he will not be involved in management decisions. I hope at the end of eight years Ill come back and say, Oh, you did a good job, Trump said, before falling back on a catchphrase he made famous on his television show, The Apprentice. Otherwise, he added, if they do a bad job, Ill say, Youre fired. Drew Harwell, Jena McGregor and John Wagner contributed to this report. President-elect Donald Trump will retain ownership of his company while shifting assets into a trust managed by his sons, a step that Trump and his advisers said will eliminate potential conflicts of interest between his public duties and private business. The move, announced Wednesday in Trumps first news conference since July, followed weeks of criticism from ethics experts and congressional Democrats who have said his financial entanglements could improperly steer his presidential decision-making. The announcement included a pledge from a Trump lawyer that the company would make no new foreign deals whatsoever during Trumps presidency and that any new domestic deals would undergo vigorous review, including approval by an independent ethics adviser. In addition, Trump is giving up his position as an officer at the company, the Trump Organization, ceding all management responsibilities and agreeing to what his lawyers described as strict limits on communications with company executives beyond receiving regular profit-and-loss statements. Sheri Dillon, a tax adviser at global law firm Morgan Lewis, said Trump has sought to isolate himself from the business that will be managed by Trumps sons Donald Jr. and Eric and company executive Allen Weisselberg. Trump, she said, will only know of a deal if he sees it in the paper or on TV. She added that Trump also terminated all pending international deals. But Trumps continued financial stake in a global real estate and branding company is likely to remain a point of contention between the president-elect and federal ethics officials, who have said that full divestiture remains the only way to prevent conflicts. Dillon, who also wrote a widely shared letter last year that asserted Trumps tax returns were under audit, argued that taking steps recommended by some vocal ethics experts would trigger additional problems. A sell-off would have created additional conflicts, she said, while a blind trust would have been unrealistic for a real estate company with high-profile assets. President Trump cant unknow he owns Trump Tower, Dillon said, and he should not be expected to destroy the company he built. The announcement inspired an unusual, and highly critical, response from the top federal official at the agency that works closely with presidential transition teams to ensure they abide by ethics requirements. Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics, took the stage at a Wednesday event for the Brookings Institution think tank to say that Trumps decision doesnt meet the standards . . . that every president of the past four decades has met. Shaub, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2013, said the trust adds nothing to the equation because its not even close to a blind trust, and he called other Trump provisions wholly inadequate. Shaub, whose agency administers financial disclosure filings and advises executive-branch officials on avoiding conflicts of interest, does not have the power to force Trumps hand. The director said he spoke out in hopes the president-elect would fully divest. Some ethics experts also expressed alarm Wednesday that the changes leave plenty of room for foreign interests and others to enrich the president and affect U.S. policy. Richard Painter, who was ethics counsel in the George W. Bush White House, said the setup will not prevent Trump from knowing his businesss sources of revenue or block him from receiving income from the trust. Trump Tower projects still stand, for instance, in the Philippines, Turkey, Uruguay and other hot spots where foreign buyers or governments could lavish money on the Trump brand. He still has businesses all over the world, and we still do not know who is financing those businesses and who hes indebted to, Painter said. Referring to the yet-unnamed expert who would be hired to sign off on new deals, Painter added: That ethics adviser is going to have a lot of work to do. Sounds like hell need air support. Trump also retained his ownership share of the luxury hotel he opened last year in the Old Post Office Pavilion down the street from the White House, despite criticism that foreign leaders might try to curry favor with the administration by doing business there and at his other hotels, possibly violating the Constitutions emoluments clause. The clause has never been tested in the courts, but it is upheld by threat of impeachment, and some scholars say Trump risks violating it the day hes sworn into office. The Washington hotel, of which Trump owns 76 percent, has been frequented by foreign diplomats since the election. Trump himself has signed for hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate loans from foreign banks and is currently involved in deals with foreign investors across several continents. Dillon, Trumps attorney, dismissed the suggestion of a problem, saying the clause would not apply to arms-length transactions the president-elect has nothing to do with, such as hotel stays for foreign diplomats. Nevertheless, Dillon said, the hotel would donate all profits from foreign government payments from the Trump International Hotel to the U.S. Treasury. In his news conference Wednesday at Trump Tower in Manhattan, Trump showcased his signature theatrics. He stood by several stacks of what he said were legal papers related to the Trump Organization changes. He noted repeatedly that the president is not covered by any conflict-of-interest laws and that he was sure he could do a good job leading both the company and the country if he so chose. I could actually run my business and run government at the same time, he said. But, he added later, I dont want to take advantage of something. I have something that others dont have. And if his sons do a bad job, Trump added, he will tell them his catchphrase from The Apprentice: Youre fired. Trump said his commitment to focus on the presidency has already cost him business, adding he had in recent days turned down $2 billion to do a number of deals in Dubai with Hussain Sajwani, the billionaire chairman of the Damac Properties development firm and a man Trump has called a friend. A Damac executive said the company confirms that the discussions took place as stated in the media briefing but the proposals were declined by the Trump Organization, and that the proposals were for a variety of different property deals. Trumps plan will also include tapping a chief compliance counsel at the Trump Organization who will monitor the Trump businesses for any actions that could be perceived as exploiting the office of the presidency, Dillon said. Neither Trump nor Dillon said who would fill the position, and requests to speak with company representatives were not immediately returned. The Trump Organization is a vast, worldwide collection of golf courses, hotels, condo towers and other commercial holdings spread across more than 500 business interests, financial filings show. Much of the companys revenue stems from deals with real estate developers and merchandisers, who pay the company millions of dollars to use Trumps name and image. Presidents are exempt from conflict-of-interest laws that force virtually all other executive-branch officials to sell off their business interests, as well as recuse themselves from public decision-making that could benefit their private finances. The president must still abide by bribery, fraud and corruption laws that could arise from potential financial conflicts. Modern presidents have followed a tradition of selling potentially problematic assets or sequestering them into a blind trust, overseen by an independent manager with unassailable control. The trust agreement outlined Wednesday will not be truly blind, critics said, due to Trumps family relationship to its leaders, his sons. Trumps daughter Ivanka also will step down from management of the Trump Organization and her name-brand fashion, jewelry and licensing companies, lawyers said. She will also restructure her involvement in potentially profitable Trump Organization deals and, instead, receive fixed payments from the revenue of what lawyers called a diversified pool of unidentified projects. Fixed-income agreements are common approaches to addressing conflicts for spouses of those stepping into government. But, like her father, Ivanka Trump has not committed to selling off her ownership stake, leaving one of her largest conflicts unresolved. Ivanka Trumps husband, Jared Kushner, whom Trump will name as a White House adviser, will sell off much of his New York real estate and media fortune and resign from the family business to avoid conflicts, his lawyers said this week. Many questions remain. Trump has not released his income tax returns, which would give the most precise look yet at Trumps holdings, business interests and foreign accounts. Trump has blamed several years of Internal Revenue Service audits, among other factors, for his reluctance to release the returns. Presidents, by law, are audited every year and are not required to release their returns. Trumps sons, too, have already run into the minefield of potential conflicts awaiting the presidents family. Eric Trump said recently that he will leave his foundation, following worries that donors could receive special access or favors from the Trump administration. Congressional Democrats on Monday introduced a law that would force Trump and future presidents to divest their business interests and other potential conflicts. But their Republican counterparts have largely stayed silent on Trumps entanglements or said they trust his judgment, drawing the laws success into question. The Washington Posts Jonathan OConnell contributed to this report. WASHINGTON Secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson called U.S. intelligence findings of Russian interference in the presidential election troubling Wednesday but said he has not yet seen classified information about allegations that Russia intended to help President-elect Donald Trump. Tillerson, the former top executive at ExxonMobil, also declined to strongly denounce Russian military actions in Syria that have led to civilian deaths or to broadly condemn alleged human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. He conceded that climate change is man-made and needs to be addressed by world powers but also that theres very little he can do to control the potential global fallout of Trumps tweeting. Tillersons hearing was the marquee event on a busy day amid a consequential week for the incoming Trump administration as the president-elects top Cabinet picks begin the confirmation process. As Tillerson testified, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., Trumps choice for attorney general, was sitting for his second day of hearings with the Judiciary Committee and Elaine L. Chao, Trumps choice for transportation secretary, testified before the Senate commerce panel. Lawmakers were also keeping tabs on Trumps long-anticipated news conference in New York, his first since winning the presidency, where he conceded that Russia had meddled in the U.S. election. Tillersons sometimes testy confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee gave the 64-year-old Texan his first chance to address concerns that ExxonMobil put profits ahead of human rights, environmental and policy concerns, and to explain his relationship with Russia. I understand full well the responsibilities and the seriousness of the job, Tillerson said. I dont view this as a game in any way, he said, rejecting a characterization that he might view problems and policies as transactional. Sharp inquiries by senators in both parties signaled that Democrats and Republicans are still skeptical about whether Tillerson is suited to be the chief U.S. diplomat alongside a president with no government experience, particularly at a time of increasingly strained relations between the United States and Russia. With his smooth baritone voice, he assured senators that he would set aside a profit-driven worldview born of 41 years as an oil executive and would recuse himself from decisions involving his former employer, the worlds largest oil company. Tillerson retired Dec. 31 and has pledged to sell his remaining ExxonMobil stock. But Tillerson seemed constrained and at times reluctant in answering questions about some of the most controversial positions adopted by Trump during the presidential campaign. In some cases he said he does not yet have sufficient information to comment in detail, as with the Russian presidential hacking allegations clouding Trumps ascension to the presidency now, and in other cases he said the incoming administration has not yet settled on its views. In my conversations with him on the subjects we have discussed, hes been very open and inviting of my views and respectful of those views, Tillerson said of Trump. My sense is that were going to have all the views presented on the table. Tillerson called himself a pragmatist about Russia, which he said is not a friend of the United States but can be a partner. Moscow has been emboldened in Ukraine and elsewhere by a void in strong U.S. leadership, Tillerson said, and he pledged a tough stance with both Russia and China over territorial ambitions. We have stumbled, he said. In recent decades, we have cast American leadership into doubt. He was most critical of foreign policy decisions made by President Barack Obama, but he also found fault with the Iraq War launched by Republican President George W. Bush. He declined to label Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal or to condemn Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over human rights abuses the leader himself claims he committed. He seemed to stun some senators by saying he had not yet discussed Russian action in Aleppo, Syria, with Trump. He frustrated others by appearing to stonewall questions about ExxonMobil lobbying against economic sanctions, especially concerning Russia, where the company does extensive business. Tillerson said he never lobbied on the issue and fumbled over whether ExxonMobil ever had. At one point he said that to the best of his memory, ExxonMobil had not done that. Democrats on the committee produced lobbying records that show ExxonMobil had said it was lobbying over various economic sanctions measures, including tough sanctions on Iran in 2010 and more recently over sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea. Under questioning by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a 2016 GOP presidential candidate, Tillerson did not dispute intelligence officials findings on Russia, saying that he had reviewed the unclassified report that U.S. agencies released last week on Russian interference in the election. More detailed classified versions of that report were presented to Trump and to President Obama. That report clearly is troubling and indicates that all of the actions you just described were undertaken, Tillerson said. Rubio is the only Republican on the committee who has suggested he might oppose Tillerson a move that could imperil the former executives nomination. Any GOP resistance could endanger the nomination in the Senate, which Republicans hold with 52 seats. As the hearing concluded, Rubio signaled he has not made up his mind. I have to make sure Im 100 percent behind whatever decision that I make, because when I make it, it isnt going to change, he told reporters. It is not clear that any Democrats on the committee will vote for Tillerson. But some Democrats were wondering, given how much Tillerson differed with some of Trumps past statements, whether Tillerson is the best nominee that Democrats can expect from the president-elect, according to one Senate Democrat closely following the hearings. Rubio has become a proxy for other GOP senators voicing similar concerns about Tillersons views on Putin and Russia. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who do not sit on the panel, have indicated reluctance to vote for Tillerson, as have others. McCain said Tuesday that he had no plans to attend the proceedings but that he intended to send Tillerson written questions regarding Russia and other matters. Concerns with Tillersons ties to Russia include that he accepted an Order of Friendship award given personally by Putin in 2013 and because he has met with the Russian leader and other senior government officials numerous times. Tillerson appeared to break with Trump over the whether Russia was justified in annexing the Crimea region of Ukraine, the value of an international climate agreement and the wisdom of expanding the number of countries that possess nuclear weapons, among other issues. He also appeared to depart from the president he would serve in support for the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and rejection of any blanket ban on Muslim immigration or registry. Tillerson hedged on his views on the human role in climate change and the extent of the threat it poses, although he did say he thinks the United States is better served by remaining a party to the international agreement on climate change brokered under the Obama administration. Trump has vowed to cancel U.S. participation in the accord, in which hundreds of countries collectively agreed to slash carbon emissions to help mitigate the effects of global warming. Under clipped questioning about Trumps business dealings and Exxons views on climate science from Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who was the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2016 election, Tillerson repeatedly answered I have no knowledge. Kaine asked whether the response came from a lack of knowledge or a refusal to answer; Tillerson said with a smile, a little of both. Tillerson flashed his blunt style again when asked by Sen. Todd C. Young, R-Ind., how he might urge Trump to check his prolific tweeting to preserve foreign relations. I dont think Im going to be telling the boss how he ought to communicate with the American people. Thats going to be his choice, Tillerson said, adding that he expects to be in sync with Trump on world affairs. If theres any disagreement, I have his cellphone number, Tillerson added. And hes promised me hell answer and he does. The Washington Posts Karoun Demirjian, Karen DeYoung and Steven Mufson contributed to this report. Donald Trump took questions from the media Wednesday for the first time since he was elected president on Nov. 8. And he quickly put to rest the idea that his rapidly approaching presidency would fundamentally change his tone, style or basic approach to issues and the media. Consider: Trump through a lawyer said he would not put his assets in a blind trust, the traditional way in which presidents wall off their private interests from their public obligations. Trump was also quick to note that as president it is impossible for him to, legally speaking, have a conflict of interest and, therefore, any steps he takes to separate his business interests from his presidency were above and beyond the call of duty. (This was a similar line of logic used by Trumps lawyer to explain how he would deal with the Emoluments clause.) Trump refused to offer a timetable for the release of his tax returns. He insisted that the only people who care about his tax returns are reporters. (Not true!) As evidence that no one cares about his tax returns, Trump offered this: I won. Given the chance to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump did not. Instead, he said it was an asset that Putin allegedly likes him. When asked directly about the Russian hacking of the election, Trump acknowledged it was probably Russia which is further than he has gone before but quickly pivoted to emphasize that Putin wouldnt be doing these sorts of things under a Trump administration. Trump began his news conference with somewhat surprising words of praise for the media and their discernment in not publishing allegations in a Russia dossier. (BuzzFeed did publish the full dossier, even though the allegations are unsubstantiated and have not been corroborated by any major news organization to date.) But, by the end of the news conference, Trump was back to his old, media-hating self; he shouted down CNNs Jim Acosta, who repeatedly tried to ask him a question eventually telling Acosta that he was fake news. Those four examples and those were only the four that immediately sprang to mind make very clear that Trump has absolutely no plan to pivot when he assumes the presidency. He is who he is. There is no Trump but Trump. Ive long believed that talk of a pivot or an unveiling of a more presidential Trump, which has been a nonstop subject since it became clear Trump would be the Republican presidential nominee last spring, is an absolute misjudgment not only of Trump but of what his many victories over the past 18 months have taught him. Ask yourself this: How many 70-year-old men fundamentally change their personality? How about 70-year-old men who have been extremely successful? Is there a number less than zero? That was true even before Trump started to win primaries and caucuses over the course of 2016. What his primary win taught him was that he was right and the Republican brain trust was wrong. What his general election victory taught him was that he was right and that everyone in the political class elected officials, consultants, the media was wrong. Why the hell would Trump change his approach to politics and policy after the year he has had? The simple answer is he wouldnt. For Trump, the ends justify the means. In winning, he showed that everything from tax returns to blind trusts to cordial relations with the media were immaterial to regular people. How can it be bad/wrong if I won? is the Trump thought on, well, everything. His news conference on Wednesday proved that basic belief wont be changing when the president-elect becomes the president in nine days. Cillizza writes The Fix, a politics blog for The Washington Post. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is accepting applications for the 70th Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsins agricultural ambassador. In this highly visible and fast-paced position, the 70th Alice in Dairyland will cultivate relationships with various television, radio and print media outlets across the state; write and deliver speeches at large and small events; and utilize social media to tell the stories of Wisconsin agriculture. Additional duties include developing and executing marketing plans, delivering educational presentations, and networking with industry professionals. Alice must also learn and retain information about the diversity of Wisconsin agriculture and be able to tailor that information to educate both urban and rural audiences. Alice in Dairyland is an honored guest and speaker at many notable Wisconsin events, including State Fair, World Dairy Expo, county fairs, dairy breakfasts, conferences and more. She completes hundreds of television and radio interviews each year, and has a daily presence on multiple social media platforms. This public relations position serves as a premier spokesperson and is ideal for a professional woman eager to step into the limelight to promote Wisconsin agriculture. Applicants should have considerable interest in Wisconsin agriculture; at least three years experience, education or training in communications, marketing, education, or public relations; and public speaking experience. Applicants must be female, Wisconsin residents, and at least 21 years old. This one-year, full-time contractual position starts June 5. The position holder will be headquartered in Madison and travel extensively throughout the state. The annual salary for Alice in Dairyland is $45,000 and includes holiday, vacation and sick leave, as well as use of a sponsor-provided vehicle for official business. Reimbursement is provided for an individual health insurance premium up to $450 a month, as well as professional travel expenses. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and summary of qualifications to DATCP by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6. Application materials are available at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Growing_WI/BecomingAlice.aspx. Qualified applicants will be invited to a preliminary interview in Madison in mid-February. Top candidates will be required to attend the two-day program briefing and press announcement March 16-17, and the three-day final interview process during which the new Alice will be selected May 11-13 in Brown County. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Alice in Dairyland Program Director Ti Gauger at 608-224-5115 or Ti.Gauger@wisconsin.gov. ORLANDO, Fla. The Latest on the fatal shooting of an Orlando police officer (all times local): 3:30 p.m. Authorities have arrested the niece of a fugitive wanted in two killings, including the shooting of an Orlando police officer. Online court records show that 27-year-old Lakensha Smith-Loyd was arrested on a charge of accessory Wednesday, a day after the fugitives supervisor at a fried chicken restaurant was arrested on a similar charge. Smith-Loyds uncle, 41-year-old Markeith Loyd, is the focus of an intense manhunt that began Monday, when he allegedly shot Master Sgt. Debra Clayton as she approached him outside a Wal-Mart. Loyd had been wanted previously for the slaying of his pregnant ex-girlfriend in mid-December. An arrest affidavit for Loyds supervisor, Zarghee Mayan, says that Smith-Loyd collected money from Mayan on behalf of her uncle just days after the slaying of the ex-girlfriend. ___ 12:15 p.m. Orange County Sheriffs Office deputies have arrested a man they say helped a fugitive now sought in two murders, including the fatal shooting of an Orlando police officer. Zarghee Mayan faces a charge of accessory after the fact for allegedly helping 41-year-old Markeith Lloyd, his former co-worker at a fried chicken restaurant, by driving him around, giving him food and offering him money. The affidavit prepared for Tuesday nights arrest says Mayan met with Loyd at least two times after the slaying of Loyds pregnant girlfriend in mid-December. Loyd remains the focus of an intense manhunt that began Monday, when he allegedly shot Master Sgt. Debra Clayton in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Deputies say Mayan has told conflicting stories, but at one point said that he met with Loyd two days before Clayton exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The affidavit says Mayan said he hugged Loyd on Saturday and could tell he was armed and wearing a bulletproof vest. ___ 11:25 a.m. Hundreds of deputies and officers in Florida are searching for a suspect wanted in the fatal shooting of an Orlando police officer, but authorities say a jumping off point for his capture may come from a call center staffed by five workers. Authorities in Orlando are hoping tips from the public into a Crimeline call center can help lead to 41-year-old Markeith Loyd, the focus of a manhunt that entered its third day on Wednesday. Barb Bergin, Crimelines executive director, says the $100,000 being offered as a reward for a tip that leads to Loyds arrest is unprecedented for the local Crimeline. Authorities believe tips may be especially important in locating Loyd since they believe others are helping him hide. Bergin says all tips are being followed up. Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was fatally shot Monday morning after she approached Loyd in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart store. Police Chief John Mina says federal, state and local authorities are taking part in the manhunt. Mina isnt giving any details about search tactics but he says law enforcement agencies in Florida and around the nation are on alert for Loyd. ___ 3:20 a.m. A suspect whos the focus of a manhunt following the fatal shooting of an Orlando police officer has a lengthy criminal record dating back two decades. Authorities on Wednesday were starting a third day of the manhunt for 41-year-old Markeith Loyd, who had been wanted in the weeks leading up to the sergeants killing for questioning in the slaying of his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said Tuesday that deputies came close to catching Loyd but he had eluded them, and arrest warrants were being prepared for people who likely helped him. Authorities raised the reward for information leading to his arrest from $60,000 to $100,000. Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was fatally shot Monday morning after she approached Loyd in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart store in northwest Orlando. Facebook announced Wednesday that its launching its own journalism project, continuing its efforts to change the way media organizations work with the social network. The move could be seen as an extension of its vow earlier this year to crack down on fake news on the site. The Facebook Journalism Project is made up of several smaller projects each of which Facebook is working on with a variety of media partners on different projects, including The Washington Post, Fox News, Germanys BILD and Spains El Pais. In a company blog post provided to The Post ahead of time, Facebook said it will be collaborating with news organizations to develop products, learning from journalists about ways we can be a better partner, and working with publishers and educators on how we can equip people with the knowledge they need to be informed readers in the digital age. Facebook outlined 10 key points that it hopes to address with the project. They include working with news organizations on new storytelling formats and ways to present stories which, in turn, will show up in users news feeds. The company will host hackathons dedicated to news problems. It will work with journalists to teach them how to use Facebook for reporting, including how to verify eyewitness accounts of breaking news. Facebook is also putting out a call for local news outlets to be more involved on the social network, to give its users more information about the world immediately around them. The social media network will also undertake some projects to help improve the media literacy of its users a key suggestion that media scholars offered the site as it continues to grapple with the problem of misinformation. Facebooks struggle with defining its place in the media world has played out publicly over the past several months, coming to a head just after the election when some raised questions about whether fake news articles passed around on the site could have influenced it. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg dismissed that possibility as extremely unlikely in the days after the election. But continued questions about Facebook and other tech firms responsibility to vet news or curtail misinformation eventually led to Facebook announcing it would begin submitting stories reported as false to third-party fact-checking sites, and labeling stories that were found to be disputed for all its users. The new project has the same philosophy as Facebooks announcement late last year that it felt it had a responsibility to reduce fake news on its site, said Justin Osofsky, Facebooks vice president of global operations and media partnerships. This is, in some ways a continuation of those efforts, he said. But its bringing it together in a way that gives us more playback from publishers and journalists. What, exactly, any of this will look like is yet to be determined. Wednesdays announcement is meant to spark discussions, Osofsky said, and lead to new partnerships. This is us announcing a road map, he said. We cant have all the answers. Key congressional Republicans offered support for President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, after initial confusion and alarm among rank-and-file members over news reports about compromising material Russia has allegedly gathered on Trump. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill addressed the unconfirmed allegations cautiously, as they called for a deeper look at them and urged against politicizing the situation. Republican leaders, on the day of Trumps first news conference in months and hearings for his Cabinet nominees, did not clamor to bring the issue of Trump and Russia to the fore often offering support when questioned by reporters, as well as criticism of news organizations or accusations that the U.S. intelligence community was acting politically. There are politics being played, from my standpoint, it certainly appears that way. There seems to be an effort somewhere to undermine the legitimacy of this election, said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. It was yet another example of Trump and congressional Republicans delicately working together while trying not to be consumed by the latest controversy related to the president-elect. Republican leaders started the day by digesting news reports and communicating by phone and email with Trumps advisers in New York, in particular with incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus. At the same time, they fielded some skittish and incredulous text messages from members seeking clarity, according to people close to the leadership. Priebus assured Republicans that the allegations included in the dossier are false and that Trump would be defiant in battling them, the people said. They were not authorized to speak publicly about the conversations. A classified report presented to President Obama and Trump last week included a section summarizing allegations that Russian intelligence services have compromising material and information on Trumps personal life and finances, according to U.S. officials. The officials said U.S. intelligence agencies have not corroborated those allegations but believe the sources involved in the reporting to be credible enough to warrant inclusion of their claims in the highly classified report on Russian interference in the presidential campaign. At his news conference, Trump went aggressively after the media for publishing what he believes is questionable intelligence. Last month, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who had been provided with information about the claims, personally delivered it to FBI Director James B. Comey. In a statement early Wednesday, McCain said that upon examination of the contents, and unable to make a judgment about their accuracy, his only involvement in the issue was to hand the information over to authorities. Priebus appeared Wednesday morning on NBCs Today, where he described the wild accusations as phony baloney garbage and shameful. The interview was widely seen by Capitol Hill Republicans as guidance for their responses. Some House Republican leaders swiftly started echoing his words. The first time I saw it is when I sat down in my office and my staff printed it out for me last night, said Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a Trump ally. Priebus had made a similar comment on Today, when he said he first saw it when someone printed it off the BuzzFeed website. BuzzFeed News published a document supposedly created by a former British intelligence official. The information it contains has not been verified. Nunes said that while he has been holding briefings on Russia for his committee, he had been working from intelligence documents that were broader in scope about the intelligence communitys conclusions and that he had not been briefed on the specifics in the dossier. There are obviously more questions to ask now, starting with Why were we not getting this?' he said. And if this was real, why would they have not given it to us as we review the intelligence report? Nunes said his next steps would be asking for all of the underlying data behind those broader reports and combing through it. What we have been looking at is a major, finished intelligence project. Thats part of our ongoing work and now we have a lot more work to do. Our job is to provide oversight, and itll take time to do this right. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., a former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, defended the intelligence community and federal law enforcement officials, who have been criticized by some Trump supporters for collecting the information in the dossier and including aspects of it in their briefings for Trump and others. I trust Comey, King said. People put together these reports, which are done all the time by our people overseas to gather information. Thats what people in these agencies are assigned to do. King said he first read the news late Wednesday after House votes: I was on my phone leaving the House floor and someone said CNN broke a story on Trump and the Russians. I didnt really think much of it since there are stories like that breaking all of the time these days. So I had no reaction. He continued: When I got back to my apartment, I read BuzzFeed and the first thing I thought was, This is the sort of thing that floats around all of the time on people in public life. Our intelligence community is constantly dealing with reports, tidbits from overseas agencies, reports from allies, forgeries, phony information. So I dont think the media should have published it since there is no indication that any of it is accurate, like most other rumors. Democrats treated the matter carefully Wednesday morning. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., declined to say whether she was briefed on the allegations as part of the congressional Gang of Eight leaders privy to highly classified intelligence updates. She said it was unfortunate that uncorroborated information was released on the matter. But she called on the intelligence community to release more about its assessment of ties between Trump and Russia and said she hopes there would be an investigation into those issues. The more you can declassify, the more truth gets out to the American people, she said. Pelosi mused: I always wondered, what did Russia have on Donald Trump that Donald Trump would question our sanctions that we have imposed? This is essential to our national security, essential to NATO. What is it that hes appointed a secretary of state thats not only violated those sanctions but didnt even think that they should maybe exist. Asked about the implications if the allegations are verified, she said, I dont want to go there. When asked Wednesday morning about the reports, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., responded, Im not commenting. Speaking later on the Senate floor, Schumer said that the reports of the past 24 hours are extremely troubling. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., openly worried that the revelations could be used as an excuse to further undermine or weaken the credibility of our intelligence community. He called for a cautious, bipartisan independent investigation to avoid that. If the outcome of this is a widening of the gap of trust between the intelligence community and the incoming administration and president, then Vladimir Putin will have gotten what he wanted, Coons said. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Mich., who leads Senate Democrats messaging wing, said her party needed to be careful to avoid politicizing the matter. Its extremely serious and needs to be taken extremely seriously not politicized, but focused on the facts, she said Wednesday in the Capitol. Stabenow encouraged investigators to follow the facts and said it was crucial that the allegations be corroborated or debunked. But she said the allegations could not be dismissed entirely at this point. I have good confidence in the CIA, and I dont believe they would be putting forth information that had no basis in fact, she said. And so we need more information, but this is very serious. This is a potential compromise to the American government in a way that is unprecedented. Asked what the implications would be if the allegations are corroborated, Stabenow said, Well see. Its very serious. Its way beyond politics. Karoun Demirjian, David A. Fahrentold, Abby Phillip, Greg Miller, Rosalind S. Helderman, Tom Hamburger and Steven Mufson contributed to this report. Secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson on Wednesday said he believes the risk of climate change does exist, and the consequences could be serious enough that action should be taken. But while the Obama administration and other world leaders have aggressively pursued efforts to slash carbon dioxide emissions and stave off global warming, the former ExxonMobil chief executive expressed little such urgency when testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill. Asked by Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., about his personal position on climate change, Tillerson said he formed his views over about 20 years as an engineer and a scientist, understanding the evolution of the science. Ultimately, he said, he concluded that increasing greenhouse-gas concentrations in the atmosphere are having an effect on the earths climate. But he added, Our ability to predict that effect is very limited, and precisely what actions nations should take seems to be the largest area of debate existing in the public discourse. Tillersons statements on climate change were in line with views he has expressed in the past: In short, that climate change is real and could pose problems for humans, but the degree of threat remains unclear. Tillerson sees climate change primarily through the eyes of an engineer, as something that must be solved largely through innovation and ingenuity. Scientists, though, would dispute his claim that we have a very limited ability to predict what is happening to the planets climate due to our emissions it is warming and unless action is taken will warm well beyond 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. And theyd also dispute his refusal to firmly link climate warming to specific weather events, an area where the research is becoming increasingly clear that some attributions are possible, in a statistical or risk-based way. At another moment, he said that when it comes to climate change, I dont see it as the imminent national security threat that perhaps others do. Tillerson shared his views which run counter to President-elect Donald Trumps brazen skepticism, but also fall far short of a cry of urgency in multiple segments of questioning as the subject surfaced repeatedly during his lengthy confirmation hearing on Wednesday. At one point, he had a testy exchange with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., the former vice presidential candidate, about whether ExxonMobil had for decades concealed from investors and the public what it knew about the science of climate change going as far as paying outside groups, Kaine said, to raise doubts about the growing scientific consensus around the problem. Im in no position to speak on behalf of company executives, Tillerson said, dodging the senators questions about the company where he worked for 40 years. You would have to speak to them. Kaine continued to press Tillerson about his knowledge of ExxonMobils history on climate change. Tillerson continued to refer him to the company he led until recently. At one point, Kaine asked, Do you lack the knowledge to answer my question, or are you refusing to do so? A little of both, Tillerson responded. Kaine later tweeted, Its shameful Tillerson refused to answer my questions on his companys role in funding phony climate science. Bottom line: #ExxonKnew . Early in the hearing, Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., asked Tillerson if he thought the United States should continue to play a leading role in a global climate agreement signed in Paris in late 2015. Trump has vowed to cancel U.S. participation in the accord, in which hundreds of countries collectively agreed to slash carbon emissions to help mitigate the effects of global warming. Its important that the U.S. maintains its seat at the table about how to address the threat of climate change, which does require a global response, Tillerson said. No one country is going to solve this on its own. It was a brief exchange, with little new information about how the incoming administration might actually approach the issue. But Tillerson said multiple times Wednesday that the incoming president, who in the past has called climate change a hoax, had solicited his opinion on the subject. The president-elect has invited my views on climate change, and he has asked for them, and he knows that I am on the public record with my views, Tillerson said. And I look forward to providing those, if confirmed, to him, and in discussion around how the U.S. should conduct its policies in this area. Ultimately, Tillerson said, he would carry out the new presidents policies, but I think its important to note that he has asked, and I feel free to express those views. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., also pressed on whether the United States would continue to be a primary player in the Paris accord. Tillerson echoed Trumps position that any international agreement would above all need to benefit the United States. Im sure that there will be opportunity. . .to do a fulsome review of our policies around engagement on climate issues through global accords, global agreements, he said. I also know the president as part of his priority in campaigning was America first. So theres important considerations. . .as we commit to those accords, are there any elements of that that put America to a disadvantage? While Tillerson is admitting the role of greenhouse gas emissions in causing climate change, his circumlocutions about climate policy and the Paris agreement so far leave the impression that as Secretary of State he will be to the somewhere to the right of Exxon on these key issues, said Paul Bledsoe, a former Senate staff member and Clinton White House adviser, of the performance. In the past, Tillerson has articulated a more nuanced position on climate change than other Trump cabinet nominees. He repeatedly has acknowledged the potential consequences of climate change and the impact of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, but has questioned the reliability of climate models and suggested humanity has bigger problems to tackle. Still, Tillerson and ExxonMobil generally have supported the Paris climate accord in the past, calling it an important international framework for tackling the problem. At ExxonMobil, we share the view that the risks of climate change are serious and warrant thoughtful action. Addressing these risks requires broad-based, practical solutions around the world, he said in a speech last year in Abu Dhabi. Importantly, as a result of the Paris agreement, both developed and developing countries are now working together to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, while recognizing differing national responsibilities, capacities and circumstances. The best hope for the future is to enable and encourage long-term investments in both proven and new technologies, while supporting effective policies. Thats a far different position than that of Tillersons predecessor at ExxonMobil, Lee Raymond. On the Charlie Rose show in 2005, for instance, Raymond said natural variability could affect climate and said the science wasnt sufficient to determine whether climate changes amount to anything more than that. Such statements help explain why many scientists and environmentalists have continued to criticize ExxonMobils past record on climate change. The man known as the father of community policing says Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been a proponent because his philosophies were in line with the concept. Lee Patrick Brown, a criminologist, former police officer, police commissioner, college teacher, author and the first black mayor of Houston, said, Dr. King was an apostle of nonviolence, which is the philosophy of community policing. Further, he said, community policing relies on the role of the police in protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens and the communitys interest in controlling crime. Brown will be the keynote speaker at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon, sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of New Mexico. The event will be held in the Rio Rancho High School cafeteria on Monday. Community policing is far more than just having officers walk a beat in a specific neighborhood, where they get to know the residents on a personal basis. Community policing is a partnership between the police and the community, in which they identify problems in the neighborhoods, and design solutions to those problems and then implement those solutions, Brown said. And, if those solutions dont work, you go back to the drawing board and find ones that do. King, he said, stood for bringing together people of all races to make life better and he accomplished this using the principles of nonviolence modeled by Indias Mahatma Ghandi during the independence movement in British-ruled India. Community policing, Brown said, has the same objective of bringing people together, and improving the lives of those people and those communities. Brown said his luncheon address will focus on Kings life and on community policing as a means of addressing not just crime, but other problems in the community. He said he also will share some of his experiences as the first African-American police chief in Houston, the first African-American police commissioner in Atlanta and New York, and the first African-American mayor of Houston. As mayor of Houston, Brown said he took community policing a step further with neighborhood-oriented government, in which the city was divided into 88 neighborhoods, each with a neighborhood council that was charged with identifying problems in those neighborhoods which it wanted the city to address. Brown subsequently gathered the appropriate city officials and department heads to meet with the neighborhood councils and find solutions to address the problems. Had community policing been used in communities where police shootings of black residents led to protests and riots, Brown said, those shootings might have been avoided in the first place. Youre less likely to shoot someone who you know, he said. SANTA FE A budget battle could be brewing at the Roundhouse, as an influential New Mexico legislative panel on Wednesday unveiled a nearly $6.1 billion spending plan for the coming year that contains some key differences from a budget blueprint released Tuesday by Gov. Susana Martinez. Although the total spending levels are close, ways to get there differ. The governors proposal contains no tax increases, while the Legislative Finance Committee doesnt recommend them but opens the door to possible increases in such areas as the state gasoline tax which was last adjusted in 1995 and online retail sales. We both agree on the numbers, but we disagree on how thats going to be raised, said the LFCs chairman, Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming. One issue thats already triggered verbal sparring is Martinezs proposal to reduce take-home pay for state workers and teachers, as the LFC did not include it in its spending plan. Senate budget guru Smith said the two-term Republican governors proposal could exacerbate high job vacancy rates across state government the statewide vacancy rate was 15.7 percent as of October. The governors had a real disdain for state employees and teachers, so that doesnt really surprise me, Smith told the Journal. But its going to meet some stiff opposition. Under the governors plan, all state employees there were nearly 22,000 as of last fall and teachers would have to divert an additional 3.5 percentage points of their salaries into their retirement funds, so that state-funded contributions could be decreased by a corresponding amount. For an employee making $40,000 per year, the proposal could mean about $54 less per biweekly paycheck. But workers would be able to get the money back if they left their job and, upon retirement, would not see a decrease to their pension benefits. The proposal would generate an estimated $100 million annually in state savings, according to the Governors Office. Meanwhile, a Martinez spokesman blasted the Legislative Finance Committees proposal to cut funding for public school initiatives overseen by the Public Education Department current initiatives include pre-kindergarten and teacher stipends by $25 million. The governor used her line-item veto authority last fall to prevent a similar proposed cut to PED initiatives. Its disappointing that the LFC proposal takes away millions of dollars in classroom spending and programs that help struggling students learn, and at the same time makes families pay more on gas, groceries, and medicine, Martinez spokesman Michael Lonergan said. While the Legislative Finance Committees budget recommendation does not explicitly call for tax increases, it would rely on roughly $123 million in savings that would have to come either from additional budget cuts or revenue increases. Potential tax hikes identified in the LFCs budget plan include increasing the states gas tax rate, prodding online retailers to collect gross receipts tax from New Mexico consumers and reinstating a food tax, but only on junk food items. Similarities Although the governors spending plan has some key differences from the Legislative Finance Committees plan, there are also similarities. Just like Martinezs proposal, the LFC budget recommendation would extend for another year sweeping spending cuts enacted last fall. Most state agencies were hit with 5.5 percent spending cuts during a special session last fall, though the Department of Public Safety and the Children, Youth and Families Department were among several agencies that were exempted from spending reductions. New Mexico is facing a projected $69 million deficit for the current fiscal year, and top-ranking lawmakers have expressed a need to address the situation quickly once the 60-day legislative session starts next week. However, the Legislative Finance Committee proposal released Wednesday did not propose a solvency fix for this year, as did the Martinez administration plan. An LFC solvency proposal is expected to be unveiled later this week. Meanwhile, lawmakers will also have to pass a budget for the fiscal year starting in July, and more belt-tightening is expected as state revenues are on track to come in roughly $300 million less than original spending levels for that year. The drop in revenue levels over the past two years largely due to decreasing oil and natural gas prices has led to the states top bond rating being downgraded and cash reserves being all but wiped out. Disputes likely After having signed off on deep budget cuts and other one-time fixes in the past year, some lawmakers say state services are suffering. Its important that we right-size state services, but we cant grow a sound economy without some investment in the people of the state, Rep. Jimmie Hall, R-Albuquerque, the LFCs vice chairman, said in a Wednesday statement. Unlike the governors plan, the Legislative Finance Committee spending recommendation calls for modest budget increases for the judicial branch. Some state courts would get more funding, as would the cash-strapped Public Defender Department. However, the LFC plan would keep state spending levels on Medicaid largely flat. Martinezs proposal calls for spending on the joint federal-state health care program that covers more than 880,000 New Mexicans to increase by $26 million during the budget year that starts in July. Budget disputes could be a prominent theme in the coming legislative session, as Martinez vowed earlier this week to veto any proposed tax increases approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Its up to New Mexico state government to tighten its belt not New Mexico families, Martinez said during a news conference to unveil her own spending proposal. Both the governors plan and the LFC proposal will be considered when lawmakers begin work on next years budget. The 60-day session starts Tuesday. Highlights Some key provisions of the $6.1 billion budget proposal released by the Legislative Finance Committee compared to Gov. Susana Martinezs proposal: Spending cuts of 5.5 percent for most state agencies would be extended, while even more would be cut from the University of New Mexico and other higher education institutions. That is similar to the governors proposal. Unlike the governors proposal, the LFC plan calls for a modest funding increase for the judicial branch, though that would not fully offset recent cuts. Roughly $123 million would be generated either from additional spending cuts or revenue measures, such as tax hikes. The governor said she would veto any tax increases. The LFC does not specify how it would come up with the $123 million. Top-ranking LFC members are opposed to the governors proposal to raise about $100 million through increased pension contributions by state employees. The LFC did not take a stance on Gov. Martinezs proposal to divert $120 million from school district reserve funds statewide. Mark Hunts loss to Brock Lesnar in UFC 200 was overturned to a no contest last year, but now he plans to win in court. On Tuesday, the heavyweight fighter filed a lawsuit against UFC, its President Dana White and Lesnar alleging they broke a federal law that was originally set up to prosecute mafia racketeers in the 1970s. Cheaters deserve nothing! Hunt said via his website on Wednesday. These guys are cheating and they should be in court for it. [They should] lose all of their money if theyre cheating, because if I die in [the octagon], whos going to look after my family? Hunt is seeking damages totaling at least Lesnars disclosed $2.5 million purse, plus a share of the pay-per-view payout from the July 9 event, citing damage to his reputation, fight career and marketing abilities, as well as lost opportunities to engage in fair competition. Hunt is also seeking lawyers fees and other relief under the guise that the defendants violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which Congress passed in 1970 to tie mafia bosses to the corrupt actions of their lower-ranked employees. The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Nevada, alleges the UFC, Lesnar and White violated RICO by running a scheme that resulted in clean fighters unfairly facing fighters who the promotion knew were using performance-enhancing drugs. It also alleges the promotion engaged in these activities to the detriment of the health and safety of all fighters, and to the monetary benefit of [the UFC] and others involved in this scheme. The lawsuit says UFC, Lesnar, White and others affirmatively circumvented and obstructed fair competition for their own benefit by willfully disregarding the promotions anti-doping policy. Defendants have accomplished this by means including but not limited to various and rampant purported use exemptions, drug testing exemptions and by failure to enforce its own policies, states the lawsuit filed in a U.S. District Court in Nevada on Tuesday. Hunts case rests on the UFCs anti-doping policy, which is overseen by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Under the policy, retired fighters are supposed to undergo four months of random drug testing before being allowed to once again compete. The UFC, however, granted an exemption for Lesnar under a clause that allows the promotion to waive the mandatory tests under exceptional circumstances. Given Lesnar last competed in UFC on December 30, 2011, long before the UFC Anti-Doping Policy went into effect [on July 1, 2015], for purposes of the Anti-Doping Policy, he is being treated similarly to a new athlete coming into the organization, the promotion stated (via Bloody Elbow) in June, when Lesnar announced hed be coming back for the one-off bout. Lesnar was later found to have failed both an out-of-competition and in-competition test for the two banned substances commonly used in conjunction with anabolic steroids. The lawsuit alleges the exemption came just a month before UFC sold for more than $4 billion to Hollywood talent agency WME-IMG, and accuses UFC of wrongfully jeopardizing fighter health and safety for profit. Thats corrupt s, man, said Hunt, who made $700,000 for the UFC 200 bout. These mother should be penalized hard. Dirty, scummy, cheating scum. Lesnar, who agreed to pay a $250,000 fine is currently serving a one-year ban for the failed tests, was the third straight opponent Hunt faced that was later found to have failed a drug test. UFC declined to comment, while Hunts lawyers were not immediately available for comment. The Washington Post is attempting to contact Lesnar. Agents with the state Attorney Generals Office raided the office of a southwestern New Mexico district attorney who was stopped for suspected drunken driving last summer but never charged. I can confirm that the Office of the Attorney General has executed warrants at the 6th Judicial District Attorneys Office in Grant County. This is an ongoing investigation based on a public referral, AG spokesman James Hallinan told the Journal. Agents served search warrants Tuesday and seized a state car driven by District Attorney Francesca Martinez-Estevez. One warrant executed by the Attorney Generals Office and obtained by the Journal includes an affidavit that shows agents were seeking any and all records related to a blue Dodge Charger that is a 6th Judicial District Attorneys Office vehicle, and the document mentions video and other evidence gathered just before and during the June traffic stop. At this time probable cause exists to believe (Martinez-Estevez) recklessly drove a state vehicle, failed to provide immediate notice of an accident, and acted in violation of the New Mexico Governmental Conduct Act, according to the affidavit. It cited video evidence of the Charger later determined to being driven by Martinez-Estevez swerving along the highway at 70 mph to 100 mph, crossing the yellow line at least 10 times, driving on the shoulder of the road and appearing close to crashing, according to an officer following her. Her attorney, Jim Foy, said in a follow-up interview after the stop that his client was driving on undisclosed personal business in a state vehicle and that she has been ordered to use the state vehicle for such business. No information was provided on who or what entity might have issued such an order, according to the affidavit. Martinez-Estevez also told investigators she was driving above the posted speed limit of 60 mph in part as an effort to establish whether her tire was flat, according to the affidavit. Foy called the raid and investigation by Balderas absolutely unprecedented and said he had never heard of the attorney generals office prosecuting allegations of speedy and reckless driving. Months ago, Ms. (Martinez-Estevez) was stopped by the police, and the matter was investigated by two police agencies, Foy said. And neither chose to charge (her with) any crimes. He called the attorney generals actions purely political grandstanding. Foy previously said Martinez-Estevezs car problems were caused by a flat tire and she does not drink alcohol. Two Silver City Police Department officers who didnt conduct field sobriety tests on Martinez-Estevez during the traffic stop were later disciplined. Silver City and State Police officers at the time were walking on eggshells trying to figure out what to do about Martinez-Estevez, her car with a flat tire and a civilian reporting Martinez-Estevez as a drunken driver on U.S. 180 driving recklessly toward Silver City based on videos that were released. After more than an hour with officers in a parking lot near local government buildings and a brief visit to the scene by Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds officers arranged for Martinez-Estevez to get her flat tire fixed and sent her on her way, even though one officer said she appeared loaded. Silver City police officers at the scene kept turning their lapel cameras on and off during their interactions with Martinez-Estevez, who already had won her Democratic Party primary election contest and was unopposed for another term in Novembers general election as top prosecutor for Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties. A new analysis of labor data offers insight into why Donald Trump delivered surprise wins in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Yes, he swept the Rust Belt. But more specifically, he won over voters in counties that were most dependent on blue-collar work including hordes of longtime Democratic voters. The report from Emsi, a labor market advisory firm, found nearly every Rust Belt county with a higher-than-average concentration of manufacturing, mining or agriculture jobs backed Trump, including some that had supported liberal contenders since 2000. The numbers show a striking dominance. In the six states examined Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Pennsylvania 437 of 489 counties picked Trump. In 93 of those counties, the share of manufacturing jobs is three times higher than the national average, according to co-author Josh Wrights calculations. All 93 went for Trump. Wright, an economic modeling specialist, said areas with dense manufacturing sectors particularly pulled for Trump, perhaps because he came to represent hope for a struggling industry. Traditional manufacturing jobs in the United States have sharply declined since 2001, dropping, by his calculations, from 12 percent of the workforce to todays 8.2 percent. His message struck a chord with a lot of people in that region, Wright said. Theres a nostalgic sense of wanting to hold onto jobs that are hard to keep in the long term. Wisconsins Kenosha County, for example, has endured a 34 percent drop in manufacturing jobs since 2001 and it broke 16 years of Democratic voting this election in favor of Trump. The states Adams County, which experienced a 24 percent decrease in manufacturing jobs during that period, broke an identical Democratic streak. So did Luzerne County in Pennsylvania, where manufacturing employment has fallen 34 percent. A complicated blend of automation, trade and shifting market demands sparked the decline, and the job loss hurt a Heartland version of the American dream. In the 60s and 70s, Wright said, people didnt have to have a ton of education to get really solid-paying jobs on the factory floor. These days, finding decent pay without a college degree is harder. An areas deepening reliance on manual labor also turned out to be strongly predictive of how it would vote. Every county in the analysis that saw growth of factory, mining or agriculture jobs over the last 15 years supported Trump. Just two with twice the national share of such positions voted for Hillary Clinton. The Rust Belt counties that swung her way tended to have more economic diversity, or, in other words, they wouldnt face as large of an employment crisis if a factory or two closed. Trump promised throughout the campaign to bring back American jobs, the kind vanishing across the Rust Belt. Exit polls and interviews suggest voters believed him. The president-elect wielded his White House influence in late November, reaching a deal with Carrier, an air conditioning company, to keep 800 factory jobs earmarked for Mexico in Indiana. He has continued to apply pressure to companies across the country, particularly those in the auto industry, threatening to impose steep tariffs on firms that ship goods from south of the border. It is unclear how the Trump administration will impact the economy, considering automation took out more U.S. manufacturing jobs over the last two decades than trade. But the voters who put him in office say theyre holding him to his word. WASHINGTON The Latest on activities in Congress (all times EST): 10 p.m. An aide to a Florida congressman who was wheeled out of the Capitol on a stretcher Wednesday says he did not suffer a heart attack, but he continues to be evaluated by doctors. Kelly Simpson, Rep. John Rutherfords chief of staff, says he is is conscious, alert, and in good spirits. The 64-year-old Republican worked in law enforcement for 41 years and served as sheriff in Jacksonville, Florida, before being elected to Congress last November. He represents Floridas 4th Congressional District. Simpson says further updates on Rutherfords condition will be provided once doctors have finished their evaluation. ___ 7:10 p.m. A freshman congressman from Florida, John Rutherford, has been wheeled out of the Capitol on a stretcher. No other information is available about Rutherfords condition. His office did not immediately return requests inquiring about his condition. The 64-year-old Republican worked in law enforcement for 41 years and served as sheriff in Jacksonville, Florida, before being elected to Congress last November. He represents Floridas 4th Congressional District. ___ 6:50 p.m. The GOP-led House has approved a bill that would overhaul how government regulations are enacted by prohibiting the most costly rules from taking effect until courts can resolve litigation challenging their enactment, among numerous other changes. The bill has passed, 238-183. It is the third regulatory overhaul passed in the House during the first two weeks of the 115th Congress, but all three measures face difficult prospects in the Senate. The legislation incorporates several measures passed by the House in previous sessions. Republicans say the changes sought would reduce costs on businesses and make it easier for businesses to hire workers and grow the economy. Opponents say the bill would make it difficult, if not impossible, to put in place any new safeguards for the public, no matter the issue. ___ 6:20 p.m. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, President-elect Donald Trumps choice for energy secretary, says he has stepped down from the boards of two energy companies that are developing the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline project. Perry said in a letter to ethics officials that he stepped down Dec. 31 from the boards of directors of Energy Transfer Partners LP and Sunoco Logistics Partners LP. The companies are developing the proposed 1,200-mile crude oil pipeline that has stoked mass protests in North Dakota. Perry said he still owns stock in the companies but will divest the stock within three months of his confirmation. He says he will not take part in any decisions involving the two companies for at least two years. ___ 6 p.m. Sen. Marco Rubio is frustrated with how Donald Trumps choice for secretary of state handled his confirmation hearing. Rubio says Rex Tillerson didnt seize the opportunity to forcefully rebuke countries failing to respect human rights. Rubio is lecturing the former Exxon Mobil CEO on the importance of being the nations top diplomat and the need to stand up for people around the world. Rubio says, They look to the United States. The Florida Republican says he is discouraged Tillerson didnt declare Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal or call Saudi Arabia and the Philippines human rights violators. Rubios opinion could prove pivotal when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes on Tillersons nomination. The panel is comprised of 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats. ___ 5:55 p.m. A Missouri congressman tells House Speaker Paul Ryan hes concerned the speaker will follow up on vigilante censorship in the House by removing a painting thats at the center of a dispute about its appropriateness to be displayed on Capitol Hill. Democratic Rep. William Lacy Clay says in a letter to Ryan that removal of the painting, after hanging six months without controversy, would be a naked and unprecedented act of censorship and thought control that would lead to litigation. The painting won a student arts competition in Clays district and depicts a scene involving police officers pointing their guns at an African-American man. One of the officers resembles a pig, with an elongated face and tusks. Some GOP lawmakers and police groups say its offensive. ___ 4:30 p.m. Rex Tillerson says he doesnt agree with President-elect Donald Trumps suggestion that the world would be better off if countries like Japan and South Korea had nuclear capabilities. Trumps choice for secretary of state is telling the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he doesnt believe anyone advocates for more nuclear weapons on the planet. Sen. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, pressed Tillerson to respond to Trumps musings during the presidential campaign about Americas allies in the Pacific having the means to defend themselves from the growing nuclear threat in North Korea. Do you agree with that or disagree with that? Markey asked. I do not agree, Tillerson responded. ___ 3:55 p.m. Donald Trumps choice for secretary of state likens Chinas island building in the disputed South China Sea to Russias annexation of Crimea. He says it has to stop. Rex Tillerson says in his confirmation hearing that Chinas actions are extremely worrisome and the U.S. failure to respond has allowed them to keep pushing the envelope. He says the U.S. must make clear to China that access to the islands wont be allowed. His remarks are sure to anger China, which claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea. Over objections by the U.S. and rival claimants, China has reclaimed thousands of acres of land and constructed military-grade infrastructure, and reportedly installed weaponry. ___ 3:30 p.m. Rex Tillerson says Islam is a great faith and he doesnt support the blanket rejection of people from the United States because of their religion. President-elect Donald Trump said during the presidential campaign that if elected, he would implement a total ban on Muslims entering the United States. Trump has since proposed extreme vetting. Tillerson, Trumps choice for secretary of state, is telling the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the U.S. has to be very clear-eyed about the threat posed by the Islamic State and other extremist groups. ___ 2:18 p.m. Rex Tillerson is telling senators he would work closely with Congress on any new Russia sanctions. Trumps choice for secretary of state says he would cooperate on the construct of new sanctions after Moscows alleged interference in the presidential election and aggression in other parts of the world. Tillerson also says the Trump administration will be committed to seeking support from Congress for major military actions. He says Trump believes it is important that we not just lightly go into these conflicts and would seek the engagement and support of Congress, either through a resolution or legislation to authorize the use of force. Tillerson says: Its much more powerful when the U.S. shows up with everyone aligned. ___ 2:00 p.m. The Republican-led Senate is poised to take a step toward dismantling President Barack Obamas health care law despite anxiety among some GOP senators that their party still hasnt come up with an alternative. A procedural budget vote slated for late Wednesday or early Thursday would trigger committee action to write repeal legislation that could come to a vote next month. A full replacement would follow sometime after that if Republicans can come up with one. The nearly seven-year-old law extended health insurance to some 20 million Americans, prevented insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions and steered millions to the states for the Medicaid health program for the poor. ___ 1:39 p.m. Democrat Cory Booker says his Senate colleague Jeff Sessions has at times exhibited hostility toward civil rights. Booker is taking the highly unusual step of testifying against President-elect Donald Trumps pick for attorney general on the second day of Sessions confirmation hearings. The New Jersey senator said an attorney general must bring hope and healing to the country and this demands a more courageous effort that Sen. Sessions demonstrates. Booker added the Alabama Republicans opposition to reform of the criminal justice system, among other issues. Sessions was rejected by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1986 for a judgeship amid accusations that he called a black attorney boy which he denied and the NAACP and ACLU un-American. Sessions called those accusations damnably false. ___ 1:14 p.m. A Republican congressman has asked the architect of the Capitol to review whether a high school students painting of the events in Ferguson, Missouri, should be displayed on Capitol Hill. The painting has the image of a pig in a police uniform aiming a gun at a protester. It hangs among hundreds of other works of art chosen in last years Congressional Arts Competition. In a letter on Wednesday, Republican Rep. Dave Reichert of Washington state says its not his desire to censor an individuals right to freedom of speech and expression. But Reichert says the painting is in clear violation of the competitions official rules, which state that exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalist, or gruesome nature are not allowed. The painting has set off a battle in Congress, with several Republicans taking it down and Missouri Democrat William Lacy Clay of Missouri putting it back up. Clay maintains that the paint represents free speech. Republicans call it offensive to law enforcement. ___ 12:58 p.m. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says she doesnt know what has been reported or corroborated regarding reports that Russia obtained compromising information about President-elect Donald Trump, but shes long been curious about what information Russia had. Pelosi says Ive always wondered what did Russia have on Donald Trump that Donald Trump would question whether we should support our sanctions that we had in Europe. A U.S. official says top intelligence officials told Trump about an unsubstantiated report on him last week. A dossier contains unproven information about close coordination between Trumps inner circle and Russians about hacking into Democratic accounts. It also contains unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump, among other suggestions attributed to anonymous sources. The Associated Press has not authenticated any of the claims. Pelosi was speaking on a jobs bill when asked about Trump. Lawmakers have introduced a measure calling for the Muslim Brotherhood, one of the oldest Islamist organizations in the Middle East, to be designated a foreign terrorist organization, and for the first time in recent years they are optimistic that the administration will sign on. The Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, introduced this week by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., on both sides of Congress, advocates for the designation on the grounds that the Muslim Brotherhood espouses a violent Islamist ideology with a mission of destroying the West. It marks the fifth straight year that lawmakers have introduced legislation to this effect; previous administrations, as well as experts, have not viewed the group, which has held elected political office across the Middle East, as a threat, and have preferred to engage it diplomatically. President-elect Donald Trump, his supporters say, sees things differently. Rex Tillerson, Trumps nominee for secretary of state and the person who would make such a designation on Wednesday referred to the Brotherhood as an adversary during prepared remarks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but stopped short of calling for a terrorist designation. Tillerson said the administrations top priority in the Middle East must be defeating the Islamic State, which has been implicated in the murders of thousands of people, but suggested the Brotherhood would come next. The demise of ISIS will also allow us to increase our attention on other agents of radical Islam like al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood and certain elements within Iran, Tillerson said Wednesday during his confirmation hearing. ISIS is another name for the Islamic State. If the Trump administration adds the Brotherhood, it would mark the first time that the U.S. government has pursued the terrorist designation on ideological grounds, experts say. It is also likely to have a far-reaching impact on American Muslims at a time when Muslim community leaders say the religious minority is facing the worst harassment it has seen since the aftermath of 9/11. Proponents of the measure, including members of Trumps incoming administration, have long used the Muslim Brotherhood label as shorthand for Muslim organizations, politicians and government officials who they disagree with, and civil rights advocates fear those allegations could be used as pretext to investigate and alienate those who challenge the governments treatment of Muslims. Supporters of the designation have wielded it most frequently against advocacy groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which regularly files lawsuits on behalf of Muslims who have experienced discrimination, as well as charities. They have also used it to attack Democratic members of Congress, Muslim government officials, longtime Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin, and the Gold Star father Khizr Khan, who criticized Trump at the Democratic National Convention in the summer. Corey Saylor, who oversees CAIRs response to Islamophobia, describes the allegation of a connection as pure conspiracy theory, but worries that a formal terrorism designation for the Brotherhood could then be used as a pretext to essentially go into organizations, shut them down, and say were investigating them.' Years later, [theyll say] Oh sorry theres nothing there. But the effect is, those organizations no longer exist, he said. The label, he added could also be used to isolate organizations and drive away potential allies. Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York, said he viewed the move as part of a two-step process to delegitimize a great swathe of American Muslim advocacy organizations. This is sort of a massive cudgel, if it were passed, that could really be used to question, to target to harass advocacy organizations, he said. Supporters of the designation have suggested as much. In announcing the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, Cruzs office cited a widely discredited 1991 memo from a Muslim Brotherhood member as evidence that the group is working to eliminate Western civilization from within, and referred to CAIR as an affiliated organization. Experts on the Brotherhood say it poses no threat to the United States typically one of the criteria for designating a foreign terrorist organization and many have also questioned the extent to which it is alleged to participate in violence. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood is widely viewed as the mother of political Islamist movements. In its modern incarnation, it has sought to implement Islamic law and governance in several Middle East states through participation in democratic elections. It has also spawned dozens of offshoots, including some extremist groups like the Palestinian militant group, Hamas and al-Qaeda, which broke from the Brotherhood long ago. Other offshoots like Tunisias Ennahda party and Turkeys AKP whose agenda Trumps national security adviser retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn has lobbied for hold elected office. The Brotherhood won Egypts first democratic elections following the 2011 ouster of strongman Hosni Mubarak, but was later ousted itself in a military coup, and remains the target of an intense military crackdown. After Egypts military overthrew the elected Brotherhood government in 2013, President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi and regional allies, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, that have also viewed the group as a political challenger, designated it a terrorist organization, and have urged the United States to do the same. Michele Dunne, a Middle East and foreign policy expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that if successful, Cruzs effort would signify the first time that the United States would declare an organization to be a foreign terrorist organization on ideological grounds. Typically, she said, the designation is reserved for groups that have actually carried out acts of terrorism against civilians or U.S. citizens. The Cruz bill certainly doesnt establish that the Brotherhood has done anything like that, she said, adding that the designation would therefore put Washington on a slippery slope. I think it would put the United States on a course to be subject to demands from a lot of governments around the world to get their ideological enemies to be declared terrorist organizations, she said. In the United States, experts and civil rights advocates also wondered if the terrorist designation could be used to prosecute sympathizers. Domestically, theres a whole slew of Muslim American organizations, some of which have members, Im sure, which are sympathetic to the Brotherhood [or] schooled in the Brotherhood, said Nathan Brown, an expert on the organization and Egyptian politics at George Washington University. Calls for Trump to deport, annihilate or expel the Brotherhood along with a list of other organizations, CAIR in particular, have lit up social media in the weeks since the November election, and CAIR officials said their offices have been inundated with calls and emails warning them that their time is almost up. I think President Trump should expel every member of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood on day one. Send them back to their sandbox, tweeted one person under the screen name housecracka, who is followed by Flynn, as well as Cruz. (CAIR is an American organization). Others hashtagged their warnings to the Brotherhood with #MSA for the Muslim Student Association, #ISNA for the Islamic Society of North America and #MPAC, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, too. Cruz and Diaz-Balarts bill has three co-sponsors in the Senate, and 20 in the House, including Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Michael McCaul (R-Texas). Three of Trumps Cabinet nominees, including his picks for CIA director and attorney general, are previous co-sponsors of the bill. Flynn and his deputy K.T. McFarland, as well as defense secretary nominee, retired Gen. James Mattis, have also previously blasted the Brotherhood and political Islam. All three, along with Trump, have praised Egypts authoritarian leader Sissi. Former speaker of the House and Trump adviser Newt Gingrich said he thinks that unlike President Obama, the incoming Trump administration will go ahead and designate the Brotherhood a terrorist organization, severing all diplomatic interaction and opening up the opportunity to go after people in the United States. My guess and it is purely a guess, is that the administration would lean toward that designation because I think theres a sense in large parts of the world that groups that are affiliated with [the Muslim Brotherhood] are terrorist organizations, Gingrich said. The formal label would put pressure on the groups that have been willing to affiliate with the Brotherhood, he added, naming CAIR as one such group. It would certainly put them on the defense psychologically. The world is changing. Digital today is not just a word, but a phenomenon that has changed the way of life. Leveraging on this insight, Adgully in association with ad:tech has initiated the DIGIXX Awards. The DIGIXX Awards are designed to recognise and celebrate excellence in Digital Marketing & Advertising. The Awards seek to set industry-wide benchmark in digital engagement. DIGIXX Awards will be a true marker for digital initiatives that are innovative, creative and effective. The Awards will be judged by an independent panel of highly acclaimed leaders from the advertising and marketing ecosystem. Part of the esteemed jury for DIGIXX 2017, Vivek Bhargava is CEO of DAN Performance Group, where he is responsible for all the Digital Performance Agencies of Dentsu Aegis Media. Bhargava is the founder and Managing Director of iProspect Communicate 2. About 20 years ago, Bhargava actualised his entrepreneurial edge by founding Communicate 2, which emerged to be one of Indias largest Search and Social Media Specialist organisations. In 2012, Communicate 2 was acquired by iProspect (Aegis Media). On being asked about DIGIXX 2017, Bhargava said, These are exciting times, where digital has become a way of life and not just a mere marketing medium. ad:tech and Adgully are names to reckon with in the advertising and marketing space the DIGIXX Awards is a great joint initiative undertaken to recognise deserving digital professionals in our country today and the work done by them. Im glad to be a part of the jury and looking forward to witnessing some superior campaigns created in the digital realm. Bhargava has spent the last 20 years guiding the Digital Strategies of the likes of MTV, Newscorp, Citi Bank, TCS, HDFC Bank, ClearTrip, and Reliance in both Indian and Global Markets. He is a regular speaker at global events such as Ad-tech, SES, SMX, I-com, and the Apex Digital conferences in India. The screening committee of the DIGIXX Awards 2017 comprises senior marketing and media professionals, who will evaluate and score each submission. Every entry is evaluated by multiple committee members to ensure an accurate, thorough review. The top five entries with the highest scores will be selected Finalists for each category. The DIGIXX Awards will be premier during the ad:tech conference in New Delhi, to be held on March 9 and 10, 2017. It is being widely welcomed by industry leaders. Entries to the Awards is now open. Last date to submit the entries is January 31, 2017. For further details and to enter your nominations, please visit https://www.adgully.com/digixx-awards-2017. In 2016, about 69 million consumers purchased online and the number is expected to cross 100 million by 2017 with the rise of digital natives, better infrastructure in terms of logistics, broadband and Internet-ready devices to fuel the demand in e-commerce, according to an ASSOCHAM-Resurgent India study. As per the findings of the joint study, Bangalore has left behind all other cities in India shopping online in the year 2016. While Mumbai ranks second, Delhi ranks third in their preference for online shopping. In cities like Bangalore, 69 per cent of its population chose to buy daily routine products through e-shopping in 2015-16, which will go to 75 per cent this year for apparel, gift articles, magazines, home tools, toys, jewellery, beauty products and sporting goods categories. Likewise, Mumbais share was 65 per cent in the last year, which might go up another 70 per cent in this year for electronic gadgets, accessories, apparel, gifts, computer peripherals, movies, hotel booking, home appliances, movie tickets, health & fitness products and apparel gift certificates, etc., whereas, in Delhi, 61 per cent of its population chose to buy daily routine products through e-shopping in 2015-16, which is expected to go up to 65-68 per cent by the year end. The ASSOCHAM-Resurgent India joint study reveals that Indian e-Retail looks even more promising, which is up from $3.59 billion in 2013 to $5.30 billion in 2014 (an increase of 48 per cent), by the end of 2018, it is expected to touch $17.52 billion (with growth of 65 per cent). The e-retail sale continues to register an unprecedented growth and increase by leaps and bounds over the 2013-2018 period. In 2017, mobile commerce will become more important as most of the companies are shifting to m-commerce. Mobile already accounts for 30-35 per cent of e-commerce sales, and its share will jump to 45-50 per cent by 2017, the report further stated. E-commerce is big business and is getting bigger every day. Online shopping has been embraced by Indians, with close to 25-30 million adults making a purchase via the internet in the last year. The paper said, online shoppers and buyers starting with a base age of 18 are become more involved with e-commerce in their early teens. In 2016, it showed that a higher amount was being spent on average for popular categories such as apparel by 85 per cent, mobile phones by 68 per cent and cosmetics by 25 per cent, when it comes to online shopping. There was also a significant increase in spending on categories such as watches by 75 per cent and artificial jewellery by 65 per cent. Computer and consumer electronics, along with apparel and accessories, account for the bulk of Indias retail e-commerce sales. There is a surge in the number of people shopping on mobile across India with Tier 2 and 3 cities displaying increased dominance. In fact, 50 per cent of the traffic is coming from mobile and a majority of them are first time customers, adds the paper. The year 2017 will see large scale growth in the Indian e-commerce sector with increased participation from people across the country. This industry will continue to drive more employment opportunities and contribute towards creating more entrepreneurs through the e-commerce marketplace model, noted the study. As per the joint study, the total retail sales in India will likely to increase from the $717.73 billion during CY 2014 to touch $1,244.58 billion by 2018. The total retail sales is growing at a rate of 15 per cent, registering a double digit growth figure year after year. The Challenges The phenomenal growth of the e-commerce sector is accompanied by certain challenges: Absence of e-commerce laws Low entry barriers leading to reduced competitive advantages Rapidly changing business models Urban phenomenon Shortage of manpower Customer loyalty The Opportunities Reduction of money transactions in all sectors Improvement of Net banking facilities across the country Implementation of demonetisation policy Government policies on banking and financial sectors Today, Zirca Digital Solutions, announced that the company will expand its current partnership with Microsoft and in addition to Display Ad Sales will also act as Bings sales partner for search advertising sales in India. ZIRCA will now work on showcasing Microsoft Bings strength as a credible challenger in the INR 3000 crore1 search market bringing in new audiences and new searches. Bing Networks business success is growing fast with 28 straight months of profitability and revenue growth; powering nearly 1 in 3 searches in the US, over 25% of searches in the UK and over 10% in ten additional markets including and 1 out of every 7 searches in Asia. With a 6% share of search in India, Bing has grown by 70% in the last 2 years . In 2015, search advertising contributed to 29% share3 of the total online ad market in India. The Bing Network connects advertisers and consumers; powering search for Yahoo to Aol, Apple to Amazon and including Microsofts Cortana, voice search in Xbox One and Windows 10, Bing intelligence brings deep insights to marketers and valuable opportunities to reach the right audience at the right time. Zircas strong network and understanding of the Indian market will enable Bing with the best advertising options carefully identified through the companys talented campaign management and media planning professionals. The fact that the Bing engineering team operates out of India, makes new formats and executions more relevant to the market. The proximity of the coders to market characteristics results in a better yield on investments. Bings robust strategy to target mobile users and savvy customers in Tier 2 cities, along with Microsofts global strategy to grow search is resulting in Bing increasing its share of wallet in India and from India. Bings increasing popularity in India, especially among well-informed audiences, provides the perfect catalyst for marketers to engage with a large, diverse population, said Grant Watts, Regional Director of APAC, Microsoft Search Advertising. Zircas strong heritage in providing smart advertising and marketing solutions to brands with great strategic frameworks will support our mission of increasing our presence in the Indian market and deepening our relationships with customers in the country. Were extremely proud to exclusively represent Microsoft Bing in India. We have seen Bing gaining significant momentum and adoption among the Internet users in the country and a major uptake amongst brands for their domestic and international search marketing. In the last 6 months we have seen a significant 150% growth in wallet share, said Neena Dasgupta, CEO, Zirca Digital Solutions. This win fortifies our relationship with Microsoft, further demonstrating our expertise in bringing successful digital partnerships to India, she added. We are delighted to partner with Microsoft Bing search advertising business in India. This partnership will provide advertisers and marketers with a unique opportunity to make the most of one of the worlds most innovative global search platforms. Additionally, it will also help us understand how search is powering next- generation technology solutions, said Karan Kumar Gupta, Managing Director, Zirca. Vikram Pawah has been appointed as the President of BMW Group India effective March 1, 2017. He brings more than 25 years of international experience, both in the automotive and non-automotive industries. He started his career at Jay Engineering Works, India and has held multiple leadership positions within Honda Cars in India and Australia. Most recently, he was Managing Director of Harley-Davidson India. Having completed his assignment, Frank Schloeder, acting President, BMW Group India, will return to BMW Group Headquarters in Germany, where he will assume the position of Head of Business Steering - Luxury Class. During his assignment of over three years, Schloeder has held the position of Director - Marketing, where he effectively steered the BMW brand in India. In his tenure as acting President, BMW Group, increased both its sales and market share in the Indian luxury car segment. India is a growing market with great potential for mobility products and services. With his broad experience in the automotive industry and his country specific know-how, Pawah brings excellent preconditions to strengthen our position in the Indian market. We would like to thank Schloeder for his remarkable accomplishments and wish him the best for his new role, said Hendrik von Kuenheim, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific and South Africa, BMW Group. Pawah has graduated in Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Delhi University and holds a MBA in International and Strategic Management from Victoria University in Melbourne. Musafir.com, UAEs first Online Travel Agency (OTA) and a leading player in the Indian OTA category, today announced the appointment of Rajesh Pareek as its new Group CEO, as the Company gears up for its first major round of business financing. Rajesh joins the Company from Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where he had served as Chief Financial Officer from January 2011 to December 2016. In his new position, Rajesh will lead Musafir.com with a focus on international expansion and the Company's next round of fundraising activities. In the last three years, the Company has seen compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 40% for the overall business, with the online business growing at above 150% CAGR. During this time, Musafir.com has also quadrupled the number of employees from 100 to more than 400. In November 2016, Musafir.com announced the launch of dedicated operations, and Arabic websites in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with further expansion planned across India, GCC and MENA regions in the near to medium term. Musafir.com is a business built on an ambitious vision and we are delighted to welcome Rajesh as the Group CEO, commented Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman and Co-founder of Musafir.com. In Rajesh, we have found someone who shares our vision and we look forward to his contribution in delivering the next phase of growth for Musafir.com. Rajesh will play an instrumental role in strengthening our business model, raising capital, and exploring new mergers and acquisitions. Rajesh brings a wealth of experience to the Company, which will benefit our employees, customers and partners, alike added Sachin Gadoya, Co-founder and Managing Director of Musafir.com. Rajesh's key priority will be to ensure that the Company delivers business results and ultimately establish Musafir.com as the number one OTA in the MENA region. During his time at DIFC, Rajesh oversaw the financial performance of the DIFC Authority and its related companies, including DIFC Investments LLC (DIFCI). He spearheaded the refinancing of the US$1.25 billion DIFCI Sukuk in 2012. In 2014, he led issuance of US$700 million DIFCIs award-winning investment grade rated Sukuk. Rajesh received Middle East CFO of the year award for his achievements in 2015. Operating under a unique hybrid business model which combines both online and offline services, Musafir.com has grown continuously over the past decade, and has established itself as a beacon of excellence for the regions travel industry, Rajesh said. Looking ahead, we have a highly ambitious growth plan and I am delighted to join the Company at such an important stage in its journey. I look forward to playing my part in establishing Musafir.com as the number one OTA in the MENA region and one of the fastest growing OTA in India, thus cementing its place as the industry leader in innovation. It was just over 75 years ago, when on Nov. 16, 1941, a group of Christians gathered for the first time in La Crescent to worship the Lord, hear his word, and begin a ministry that still thrives today. But why, you might ask? Members of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge, thought that it would be possible that their minister conduct services for them in the village of La Crescent. They said, It would be more simple for one man to travel to La Crescent than to have all the families traveling up S. Ridge Hill, especially in the winter time. But why, when there was only about 500 residents of La Crescent and other congregations in existence? Already serving Immanuel, South Ridge; Emanuel, Brownsville; and Zion of Hokah, the Rev. E.G. Hertler trusted the Lords presence and promise to lead these Christians to start a confessional Lutheran congregation in La Crescent. Words from Gods word inspired and encouraged this pastor and parishioners: (Jesus said) Take courage! It is I. Dont be afraid. Matthew 14:27 What a great message to hold onto when starting a ministry. What a powerful message from which to receive power when your numbers are few. What a comforting message to trust when the future is unknown. Jesus gives courage and removes fear with the message that he is with his church. This is what First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crescent is celebrating in 2017 the fact that Jesus has been and forever will be with his church. The members continue to gather around the Gospel in word and sacrament. They continue to proclaim the unchanging message of the Holy Scriptures in whatever form or function the ministry may take. They continue to serve with all courage and without fear. They do so trusting that the Lord Jesus is with them and will continue to bless the proclamation of his word. This message from Jesus in Matthew 14 is also one of great value as each of us begins to focus on the New Year. These words from Jesus are from the account of Peter walking on the water. When Peter was focused on his savior, he could do all things. When his focus looked to his own weakness and inabilities, he sank. What a great reminder as we begin 2017, to focus on our savior Jesus. Keep his word first and foremost in your lives. Stop doubting and focusing on what you cant do, but instead, keep focused on Christ and what you can do in him. Take courage and dont be afraid, for the Lord Jesus has lived and died for your sins and lives victoriously. He promises to be with his people. Take courage and dont be afraid as you keep Christ first in 2017. With the 2017 legislative session kicking off this week in St. Paul, Winona-area legislators are getting their priorities in order and have returned with several carryover goals from 2016. While the last session failed to yield significant results in taxes, transportation and bonding, many hope to get closer this year. Still, questions remain about a Legislature divided: DFL Gov. Mark Dayton will finish out his last term, while the Senate came under Republican control to match the existing Republican control of the House. Heres a look at some of the top issues local legislators plan to focus on: HEALTHCARE With skyrocketing costs for health insurance coming to the forefront this year, legislators and the governor have started off 2017 concentrating on reducing costs. Dayton introduced proposals this week to provide as much as a 25 percent reduction in health insurance premiums through rebates for the more than 125,000 Minnesotans facing significant increases in the individual market. The issue is also on the table in the House and Senate. Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, said the first legislation introduced in the Senate after they convened Tuesday was to address healthcare relief and reform. Miller said southeast Minnesota is seeing some of the highest premium increases in the state, and while lawmakers are looking at providing millions of dollars to alleviate the burden, reforms are needed to prevent healthcare costs from continuing to rise. We cannot afford to be in the same position next year, Miller said. He noted as Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, did regarding discussions on healthcare in the House that many of the reforms will still have to come at the federal level. TAXES Partially a carryover from the previous session, legislators will make a second attempt at a tax reform bill. Davids, the House Tax Committee chair, said he saw a lot of support for the bill the first time around, so he expected it to be similar this year. Youll see many elements of the very popular 2016 tax bill, Davids said. In addition to property tax breaks for small businesses, the bill included reform that would have let farmers off the hook from disproportionally being taxed in school district referendums as well as relief for student debt. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS A bonding bill was also in the works last session, but didnt make it past the Senate following the last-minute inclusion of funding for high-speed rail. The governor has already introduced his bonding and spending proposals, totaling around $1.5 billion, and the House and Senate will be working on their own proposals. Rep. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona, said they have similar goals as last year and will hopefully be able to implement them. The governors proposal included funding for WSUs Education Village. Other area projects in the proposal are the Lanesboro Dam and funding for improvements to Winonas port. Pelowski said the state needs to move forward with the projects, in part because there is a backlog of projects and investment across the state at the moment. We need to clear the deck, Pelowski said. We have other projects that need to move up. So far the goals of the Legislature and governor align well with what greater Minnesota cities are saying theyd like to see in 2017. The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities has said that increasing local government aid funding, funding road and infrastructure improvements, and a bonding bill will be their lobbying priorities. Bradley Peterson, senior lobbyist for the CGMC, said Thursday that legislators saw a pushback in the 2016 election that indicated rural and smaller municipalities didnt feel they were being heard. Peterson noted that the tax bill, transportation funding and bonding bill that failed to materialize last year would have all had significant positive impacts for the greater Minnesota. If these things are addressed it will go a long way toward addressing the feeling in greater Minnesota of being left out, and left behind, Peterson said. Specifically, Peterson said that the coalition would like to see local government aid increased by $45.5 million dollars back to 2002 levels to address the fact that it has been stagnant while costs have continued to rise. They are also seeking $369 million for infrastructure improvements to reduce bottlenecks and barriers to freight on the highways, $50 million in funding to help cities repair their crumbling streets. Modified On Jan 11, 2017 02:34 PM By Arun for Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2016-2020 The engine is shared with the Discovery Sport Petrol Tata-owned British SUV maker, Land Rover has introduced the petrol variant of the svelte Evoque. Available only in the 'SE' variant, it is priced at Rs 53.20 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Power is courtesy a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that develops 240PS of power and 340Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a nine-speed transmission, which channels power to all four wheels. A 0-100kmph sprint is taken care of in 7.6 seconds, whereas top speed is rated at an appreciable 217kmph. It also gets Land Rover's Terrain Response system, that lets you select between preset modes that include Grass, Snow, Sand and Rocks. Features include leather upholstery, an eight-way electric adjust for both front seats, and front and rear parking sensors. Infotainment duties are handled by an eight-inch 'inControl Touch' unit, which supports navigation as well. There are a bunch of feel-good features as well, that include rain-sensing wipers, a tyre pressure monitoring system, cruise control and dual-zone automatic air-conditioning. On the safety front, there's a total of seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, and ISOFIX mounts for the child seat. Rohit Suri, president, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd (JLRIL), said, We are excited to introduce the 2017 Model Year New Range Rover Evoque with a 2.0 l petrol derivative. The addition of the 2.0 l petrol derivative reinforces our commitment towards customers who aspire to drive this fabulous vehicle with a powerful petrol engine. At Rs 53.20 lakh, the petrol variant is a full lakh cheaper than the equivalent diesel version. That said, we do wish the Evoque petrol was offered in the top-spec HSE/HSE Dynamic variant as well, for all the bells and whistles. Needless to say, we will be driving the Evoque petrol soon. Do stay tuned for our driving impressions. Read More on : Range Rover Evoque Contact: Emily Staub, The Carter Center, Emily.Staub@cartercenter.org, +1 404-420-5126 Watch Live: The press conference will be livestreamed at 10:15 a.m. ET on Facebook.com/CarterCenter. En francais ATLANTA In 2016, only three countries Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, reported a total of 25 human cases of Guinea worm disease. For the first time, Mali reported none. In 2015, four countries Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan had reported 22 cases. In 2016, there were 16 human cases in Chad, three (3) in Ethiopia, and six (6) in South Sudan. The cases were in 19 isolated villages, and all were contained within their countries of origin. These provisional numbers are reported by the respective countries ministries of health and tracked by The Carter Center. When The Carter Center joined the fight against Guinea worm disease, there were about 3.5 million cases in 21 countries, said former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. This remarkable progress is due to the commitment of many partners and supporters, most especially the ministries of health in endemic nations. Mali, the most recent nation to record zero cases for one year, should be commended for its success. Considered a neglected tropical disease, Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) is contracted when people consume water contaminated with tiny crustaceans that carry Guinea worm larvae. The larvae mature and mate inside the patients body. The male worm dies. After a year, a meter-long female worm slowly emerges through a painful blister in the skin. Contact with water stimulates the emerging worm to release its larvae into the water and start the process all over again. Guinea worm disease incapacitates people for weeks or months, reducing individuals ability to care for themselves, work, grow food for their families, or attend school. No vaccine or medical treatment exists for Guinea worm infection in humans. Instead, the ancient disease is being wiped out mainly through community-based interventions to educate and change behavior, such as teaching people to filter all drinking water and preventing contamination by keeping patients from entering water sources. The progress we have seen in restricting Guinea worm disease to these few cases in only three countries is a testament to the dedication of people in endemic areas to caring for their health and that of their communities, said Dr. Dean Sienko, the Carter Centers vice president of health programs. Its a privilege to partner with them as we tackle this challenge together. While there was a slight increase in cases from 2015, the containment rate (cases that were identified before the disease could spread) increased from 36 percent in 2015 to 56 percent in 2016, an important indicator of future eradication results. The ministries of health of the four countries are to be commended for their persistence and skill in tracking down cases and rumors of cases, often in insecure areas. Many generous foundations, corporations, governments, and individuals have made the Carter Center's work to eradicate Guinea worm disease possible, including major support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID); Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) - United Kingdom; the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; and The Federal Republic of Germany. Major support from the United Arab Emirates began with Sheikh Zayed and has continued under Sheikh Khalifa and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. The DuPont Corporation and Precision Fabrics Group donated nylon filter cloth early in the campaign; Vestergaard's LifeStraw donated pipe and household cloth filters in recent years. Abate larvicide (temephos) has been donated for many years by BASF. Key implementing partners include the ministries of health in endemic countries, The Carter Center, WHO, CDC, and UNICEF. Remaining Countries These last few cases of Guinea worm disease remain because they are the most difficult to reach, often appearing in conflict areas or among remote, disenfranchised populations, said President Carter. The Carter Center is bringing to bear all of our experience and every resource available to track down, isolate, and treat these last remaining cases. Every case and every person counts when eradication is the goal. Chad Seven years after the reoccurrence of infections in Chad, Guinea worm transmission there remains in humans and has shown an emergence in dogs in recent years. Although the worms in Chad are genetically indistinguishable from those in other countries, this unusual epidemiology has not been seen at this level in other nations: Chad has seen an escalation of infections in dogs, while human cases are consistently sparse and random. Human cases in 2016 (16) and 2015 (9) have been found in remote villages, many spread over hundreds of miles along the Chari River. Chad reported 1,013 infected dogs (January-December). The human cases of 2016 have few obvious ties: The 16 patients reside in 12 different villages, are of 11 different ethnicities, and speak 11 different languages. The Chad Guinea Worm Eradication Program is doing extensive investigation: As of October, it had 1,497 villages under active surveillance, including 316 given high priority. The program continues to offer cash rewards, expand surveillance, refine health education messages, and implement new research, including two canine drug trials. Ethiopia In 2016, Ethiopia reported three cases from Gog district in the Gambella region, which remains the nation's only Guinea worm-endemic area. Ethiopia is well positioned to stop transmission in 2017. It also reported three cases in 2014 and 2015. Continued political will, security, and sensitive surveillance are critical to ending Guinea worm disease in Ethiopia once and for all. Mali For the first time since it began in 1992, the Mali Guinea Worm Eradication Program has not reported any human cases for more than 12 consecutive months, reducing its total number of cases from 16,024 in 1991 to zero in 2016. Currently, 698 villages or settlements in five regions remain under active surveillance. Some of these are in areas at high risk for insecurity, which poses a serious challenge to program operations. Public awareness of cash rewards leading to the discovery of a case is nearly 85 percent; the Guinea worm program investigated 515 of 516 rumored cases (January-October) within 24 hours of the worms emergence, thus preventing potential contamination of water sources. Malis minister of health, Mme. Marie Madeleine Togo, personally visited health workers and former sufferers in the field. The welcome news of Malis apparent success is tempered by two challenges to demonstrating that interruption of the disease has been achieved, namely: constraints to surveillance posed by continued insecurity in parts of the country, and recent detection of Guinea worm infections in dogs in an isolated area. To assure elimination in humans, Mali will need to continue interventions to wipe out infections in dogs. South Sudan The South Sudan Guinea Worm Eradication Program reported six cases in 2016. It reported five cases in 2015, compared to 70 cases in 2014, a reduction of 93 percent. The program also achieved nine months reporting zero Guinea worm cases in 2016. This success remains noteworthy as the program continues to function effectively despite continued political turbulence. The number of Guinea worm cases in South Sudan has been reduced by 99.98 percent since 20,582 cases were reported in 2006. Thousands of community-based health workers demonstrate daily acts of courage to improve the lives of their families and neighbors, often under dangerous circumstances. Most international program staff were evacuated as a safety precaution in July. However, under the leadership of South Sudan Guinea Worm Eradication Program Director Samuel Makoy Yibi, South Sudanese nationals already working at the village level continue to implement interventions and surveillance. In September 2016, South Sudan Minister of Health Dr. Riek Gai Kok visited the endemic areas in Wau State to personally distribute cash rewards to three individuals. South Sudan is on the verge of breaking transmission; immediate and sustained peace is needed to complete elimination and achieve WHO certification. Steps to Eradication "We've navigated plenty of challenges including wars over the 30 years we've been working to eradicate Guinea worm, said Dr. Donald Hopkins, Carter Center special advisor for Guinea worm eradication. "Sporadic infections in animals constitute another puzzle to be solved, and we are working with a host of partners to confirm the best interventions to prevent this. The Carter Center leads the international Guinea worm eradication campaign and works in close partnership with national programs, the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and many other partners. The Carter Center provides technical and financial assistance to national Guinea worm eradication programs to interrupt transmission of the disease. When transmission is interrupted, the Center provides continued assistance in developing or strengthening surveillance in Guinea worm-free areas for three years and helps prepare nations for official certification by the WHO. CDC provides technical assistance and verifies that worms from these final patients are truly Guinea worms. The presence of Guinea worm disease in an area usually indicates abject poverty, including the absence of safe drinking water; UNICEF mainly assists countries by helping governments provide safe sources of drinking water to priority areas identified by the national Guinea worm eradication programs. The WHO is responsible for certifying countries as Guinea worm-free and is the only organization that can officially certify the eradication of a disease. For a disease to be eradicated, every country must be certified, even if transmission has never taken place there. Only eight countries remain to be certified globally. Editor's Notes: Translation Le Mali annonce labsence de cas de ver de Guinee et le Carter Center declare que la maladie ne subsiste que dans trois pays ### "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. Theresa May has branded the British Red Cross irresponsible and overblown during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons for saying the NHS is experiencing a humanitarian crisis. The Red Cross issued a warning on Friday about the pressure being faced by A&E departments and the social care system. It has since said that it stands by its original statement. Mike Adamson, chief executive of the charity, said: The British Red Cross is on the front line, responding to the humanitarian crisis in our hospital and ambulance services across the country. We have been called in to support the NHS and help get people home from hospital and free up much-needed beds." Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Party leader, used the term during a question to the Prime Minister. She said: I have to say to him that I think we have all seen humanitarian crises around the world and to use that description of a National Health Service, which last year saw 2.5 million more people treated in A&E than six years ago, was irresponsible and overblown. The charity has also been criticised for its choice of wording in the Times. Columnist Melanie Phillips used the charitys claims as an example in an article calling for charities to be less political. Red Cross: 'When we speak out it is because we have evidence' A spokesman for the charity issued a statement saying that it stands by its original comments. It said: The British Red Cross is part of a worldwide humanitarian network with a mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering, wherever it may be found. We are dedicated to ensuring that people in crisis get the help that they need, whether thats here in the UK or overseas. We have over 30 years experience running health and social care services in the UK and every year we reach over 80,000 people with home from hospital and support at home services. In addition each year we lend out more than 100,000 mobility aids and train thousands of people in first aid. Whenever we speak publicly we do so on the basis of humanitarian concern, on the basis of evidence, including what we are seeing from our work on the ground. We witness first-hand the human cost of a health and social care system under exceptional pressure. In recent days, we have reiterated our call on the government to ensure sufficient funding for both health and social care - including for preventative services. We have also advocated for the need for a long term, person-centred solution, developed in partnership across parties, professions and other sectors. Two trustees from an aid charity have been permanently removed and barred from being trustees of any charity in the future, after investigations found several instances of misconduct. OSCR, the Scottish charity regulator, opened a statutory inquiry into Scottish aid charity Scotia Aid Sierra and published an interim report in July last year. The charity had already been subject to investigation by South Lanarkshire Council. The council investigation found that only 13 pence in every pound was being spent on charitable activities. OSCR found that payments had been made by the charity to companies connected to trustees. It found those payments were excessive and have not been sufficiently explained. OSCR found that the charity was raising money it may not have been entitled to by claiming it was the tenant on empty properties saving the landlords business rates in exchange for donations. The regulator removed the trustees on an interim basis. On 23 December last year the Court of Session, Scotlands highest court, granted a motion to permanently remove the trustees and permanently appoint a judicial factor an external, court-appointed manager to run the charity. The order for removal has the effect of permanently disqualifying the individuals concerned from acting as charity trustees of any charity. Martin Tyson, head of casework at OSCR, said: After considering all of the available evidence, we became concerned that there was misconduct in the administration of the charity, and took necessary action to protect its assets. The Court of Session granting our motion will help ensure that funds will be used more appropriately in the future. Individuals who are a risk to a charity have been prevented from acting as trustees for any other charity. Trustees should always act in the interests of the charity with reasonable care and diligence. As this announcement shows, where trustees fail to do this, we will use our powers and take appropriate action. KAZ Minerals PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing copper and other metals primarily in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. It operates through Bozshakol, Aktogay, East Region and Bozymchak, and Mining Projects segments. The company operates the Aktogay and Bozshakol open pit copper mines in the east region and Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan; three underground mines in the east region of Kazakhstan; and the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. It also develops greenfield metal deposits; operates Koksay deposit in Kazakhstan, and the Baimskaya licence area in the Chukotka region of Russia; and produces and sells various by-products, such as gold, silver, molybdenum, and zinc. In addition, the company supplies and distributes heat, water, and electricity; and offers construction, project management, financing, management, sales and logistics, and repairs and maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Kazakhmys PLC and changed its name to KAZ Minerals PLC in October 2014. KAZ Minerals PLC was founded in 1930 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. In recent years, there have been several studies which show that getting physical exercise can help counteract the development of depression. However, researchers have predominantly focused on adults and adolescents when conducting trials. To widen the scope, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and NTNU Social Research have tested how exercise can affect children's mental health. The findings show that allowing children to run around and actively play lowers the risk of depression as well. "Being active, getting sweaty and roughhousing offer more than just physical health benefits. They also protect against depression," said first author Dr. Tonje Zahl. Protecting against depression The researchers analyzed 800 children over a four-year period between the ages of six and ten. At three intervals, childrens physical activity levels were measured with accelerometers. Parents were also interviewed to gauge childrens mental health. The results showed that physically active six- and eight-year-olds had fewer signs of depression when they were reassessed two years later. The researchers believe this correlation could be important for parents when it comes to encouraging certain hobbies and activities. "This is important to know, because it may suggest that physical activity can be used to prevent and treat depression already in childhood," said co-author Silje Steinsbekk. Less active kids may not be depressed While the study does corroborate past research that extolls the benefits of physical activity, it also differs in some respects. Perhaps most notable is the finding that depressed children tend to also be less active; previous studies on adults had correlated a sedentary lifestyle with depression, but that did not seem to be the case with children. "We also studied whether children who have symptoms of depression are less physically active over time, but didn't find that to be the case, said Steinsbekk. So, what can parents take away from all of this? The researchers say encouraging physical activity is the main thing to keep in mind, but limiting TV and computer time may also be wise. The full study has been published in Pediatrics. How big of an impact could Jackson County have made in the 2016 election? Politico seems to think it made a significant one. Politico editorial researcher Taylor Gee compiled a list of nine places that really mattered in 2016, and through his research, Gee landed on Jackson County as the number one place that mattered saying, [A]mong the battleground states that went for Trump, Wisconsin was arguably the most surprising, and so it made sense to include a county from Wisconsin toward the beginning of the article. Jackson County has historically leaned more Democratic, but in the wild year that was 2016 there was a complete switch. According to the polling data, Jackson County swung 26 points to land in favor of Trump. The percentages are almost a complete opposite of the 2012 election where President Obama defeated Mitt Romney 57 percent to 42 percent; 2016 saw President-elect Trump defeating Hillary Clinton 53 percent to 42 percent. Other counties swung more see Rusk County but a solidly blue county swinging solidly red is more interesting than a slightly red county swinging deeply red, Gee said. Experts say this large swing is due in part to Trumps appeal to the working class and multiple visits to Wisconsin, notably stopping in Eau Claire which is right next to Jackson County, and the Clinton campaigns decision to not stop in the state. There are likely a number of things that factored in to Trumps win from poor turnout in bigger cities such as Milwaukee to a more aggressive campaign strategy, but the president-elect did flip a larger number of counties along the Mississippi river from Iowa to Minnesota and over to Detroit. As Gee said, City slickers couldnt get excited about Clinton, and thats why Trumps strategy to energize rural voters in places nobody thought matteredlike Jackson County paid off. According to the county clerks office though, the county didnt see an increase in voter turnout. The 2016 election saw 9,341 voters show up to the polls, which is actually down 18 people from 2008. The biggest difference between the two years is the amount of Republican voters who showed up and the number of Democrat voters who didnt. Comparing the two elections, 2016 saw about 400 fewer Democrat voters showed up to the voting booth this year while Republican voters increased by more than 2,000, leading to victory for every Republican who ran for any office in Jackson County. This increase was also represented by how districts in Jackson County went as well. In 2008, only one district went to the Republicans and in 2016 the number jumped to 14, and 12 other districts where too close to be decided. There was no one factor that led to a Trump victory in Jackson County, but an amalgamation of many: distrust and disillusion of the Democratic party overall, a strong ground presence by the local Republican party, and the mass appeal and refreshing nature of Trumps rhetoric to Independent voters all made some difference in this election and contributed as to why Jackson County made a difference in the 2016 election, according to William Laurent, chairman of the Republican Party of Jackson County. Officials of the Democratic Party of Jackson County declined to comment. Our team enjoyed participating in community events throughout the summer, Laurent said. Each week we built relationships and had constructive conversations with voters. Laurent said Republicans success was because a lot of people were either disheartened with the Democratic Party after the convention or concerned about an overreaching government. The Bernie Sanders write-in votes indicated Clinton had lost some votes as a result of the collusion between the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee to rig the primary election; however, the amount was minuscule compared to Trumps margin of victory, Laurent said. These rural independent voters generally oppose the federal government dictating how Wisconsinites should live their lives, he added. The socialist policies the Democrat Party has adopted in recent years have less appeal to rural independent voters than classical liberalism. Republican voter presence has been growing steadily over the years. Between the 2008 presidential election and the 2014 gubernatorial race, there was already a large surge in voter turn-out for the Republicans. There are a lot of independent voters in the area that we reached out to, Laurent said. We also really worked to get out there and really make ourselves a part of the community. The rising numbers arent solely because of the Republican Partys presence, he said, but also because of a lack of presence by the Democratic Party. On top of a physical presence, some credit the Republican surge due in part to Gov. Scott Walker and how many of his conservative reforms have appealed to rural voters. Laurent said those positive reforms joined with concerns of gun-control legislation, environmental and other policies adopted by the Democratic Party were enough to swing a large number of the countys independent voters. It's that time again: the annual 3-day Eurosonic Festival, which showcases emerging pop-rock talent from across Europe opens on Wednesday 11 January in the northern Dutch city of Groningen. The EBU has acted as a major partner for 29 years, with its Members broadcasting the festival throughout Europe. Some 26 Euroradio organizations supporting 29 acts will participate in this year's edition, which will include a special focus on Portugal. The live recordings will be available on M2M next week. With over 350 showcases and more than 4,000 delegates attending the day time conference sessions, this edition promises to be even bigger than before. As usual, the festival will open with the European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA), which go to emerging European pop acts who enjoy success in Europe outside their own borders. More information about the EBU supported acts can be found in this press release. Margaret Werner-Washburne, Regents Professor Emerita of Biology at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and principal investigator of the UNM-IMSD program, will receive the Lifetime Mentor Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The distinction honors her work in mentoring and research that led to a significant increase in Hispanic and Native American doctorates in the biological sciences. In almost 30 years of scientific research, Werner-Washburne has mentored over 118 underrepresented students who have Ph.D.s or are working toward Ph.D. degrees, AAAS noted. Of those who have earned Ph.D.s, 41 were Hispanic/Latino, nine Native American and three African-American. Werner-Washburne mentored undergraduate students in her laboratory through programs that encouraged underrepresented racial and/or ethnic minority students to pursue doctorates and through the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science SACNAS. Her mentees have gone on to work in academia and industry, in fields from computer science to genomics and biochemistry to chemical engineering, and are becoming leaders in STEM research, education, and diversity, according to AAAS. In 2004, Werner-Washburne became principal investigator of UNM's NIH-funded Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD), an undergraduate mentoring program that prepares students for graduate school. Over 300 students have participated in the initiative since 2004. In recent years, well over 70 percent of the students have entered Ph.D. programs. Werner-Washburne attributes the success of her program to the lessons she learned from her family. One of the most important steps in the program is for each student to "know their heart" or find out what they love. Once students know that, they have self-motivation and the rest is fun, said Werner-Washburne. Several years ago, Werner-Washburne added a mentoring program for freshmen, sophomores and transfer students, targeting Native American students. The program, Pathways Scholars, has increased the retention/graduation rate significantly for all students, but, most importantly, by almost 70 percent for Native American students. In the future, Werner-Washburne hopes to find ways to replicate the Pathways Scholars Program in other schools, including tribal colleges. Werner-Washburne was nominated by Juan C. Meza, dean of the School of Natural Sciences at the University of California, Merced. Meza has worked with Werner-Washburne on the board of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), where she was president in 2013 and 2014. In a nomination letter sent to AAAS, Meza wrote that Werner-Washburne has been a "selfless and dedicated mentor to many hundreds of students" throughout her career. Meza said, "I was especially honored to work with Maggie during her time as president of SACNAS. She worked tirelessly initiating new activities and served as an incredible role model to students in all areas." One former IMSD student, Erik Arellano, arrived at the University of New Mexico in 2008 after eight years of military service. Arellano, a Hispanic first-generation college student, was in IMSD as an undergraduate and wrote in his letter of support that he felt severe anxiety and insecurity upon entering his first lab. He wrote that Werner-Washburne helped him realize that he was "not only good enough to be in a high-end research lab, but that [he] could excel in that environment." Because of Werner-Washburne, Arellano wrote that he found the boldness to dream bigger than the life of poverty in which he was raised. "Having spent eight years leading men into conflict, I can honestly say that Dr. Werner-Washburne's ability to recognize and repair deep-seeded and complicated issues in her mentees is of the highest order," Arellano wrote. Werner-Washburne stays in touch with many of her mentees and is happy to see so many are successful mentors themselves. "Imagine," she said, "if the first 300 mentees all mentor 100 students, in 3 generations, we'll have touched the lives of 300 million people." In 1999, Werner-Washburne received the National Science Foundation Director's Special Service Award. Werner-Washburne was also honored by Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. She received the Presidential Young Investigator Award from the first President Bush in 1990 and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math, and Engineering Mentoring from his son in 2004. She was elected a Fellow of AAAS in 2006 and served on the AAAS Biological Sciences Steering committee from 2008 to 2012. In addition, she has served on the National Institute of General Medical Sciences Advisory Council and as a board member and president of SACNAS. She has also been affiliated with the American Society for Cell Biology and the Genetics Society of America. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Stanford University in Stanford, California in 1971 and her Master's degree in Botany from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii. Werner-Washburne earned her Ph.D. degree in Botany from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1984, where she also did her post-doctoral research. Her research career focused on HSP70s and stationary phase in yeast. She has been a co-principal investigator for the model organism database FlyBase at Harvard. Werner-Washburne's scholarly work and service were recognized in 2011 with the Harvard Foundation's Scientist of the Year Award. "One can think of few people who have done more to advance the goal of increasing underrepresented minorities and women in the biological sciences than Dr. Werner-Washburne," said Meza. "She has provided mentorship and guidance to countless students, who will doubtless go on to have their own successes in science. Her impact will be felt for many years to come." The AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement honors AAAS members who have mentored significant numbers of underrepresented students working toward completion of a Ph.D. in STEM and/or are significantly affecting the climate of a department, college or institution, or field in such a manner as to significantly increase the diversity of students pursuing and completing Ph.D.s in STEM fields. To be considered for the Lifetime Mentor category, candidates must demonstrate scholarship, activism and community building. Nominees must have more than 25 years of mentoring experience. The award includes a $5,000 prize, a commemorative plaque and complimentary registration to the AAAS Annual Meeting, as well as reimbursement for reasonable travel and hotel expenses to attend the meeting. The award will be bestowed upon Werner-Washburne during the 183rd AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, Feb. 16-20, 2017. The AAAS Awards Ceremony and Reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 17, in the Republic Ballroom of the Sheraton Boston Hotel. ### The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world's largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science as well as Science Translational Medicine, Science Signaling, a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances, Science Immunology, and Science Robotics. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes nearly 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world. The non-profit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to "advance science and serve society" through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For the latest research news, log onto EurekAlert!, the premier science-news Web site, a service of AAAS. See http://www.aaas.org. For more information on AAAS awards, see http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/. MINNEAPOLIS - Before epilepsy surgery, doctors may consider using brain imaging to locate language and memory functions in the brain instead of the more invasive procedure that is commonly used, according to a guideline published by the American Academy of Neurology in the January 11, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. It is the first evidence-based guideline that systematically reviewed all evidence for such an evaluation. Guideline authors noted, however, that the evidence for the recommendations is weak, since many of the studies had relatively small numbers of patients with similar types of epilepsy and were conducted at only one institution, so the results may not be generalizable to everyone with epilepsy. Epilepsy surgery is considered when medication does not control seizures. Doctors may either remove the area of the brain where seizures begin or use various surgical techniques to limit the spread of seizure activity. It's important to map the brain prior to surgery to prevent damage to language and memory abilities. For the guideline, authors compared evidence for fMRI and the more commonly used procedure, intracarotid amobarbital procedure, also known as the Wada test, which is performed during angiography. For the Wada test, one side of the brain is put to sleep by injecting a medication into the carotid artery, the main artery in the neck. Because the test is invasive, there are risks and discomforts. Functional MRI is an imaging procedure that detects brain activity by measuring blood flow. It is non-invasive and considered safe. The purpose of both tests is to ensure language and memory abilities will not be affected as a result of surgery. "Because fMRI is becoming more widely available, we wanted to see how it compares to the Wada test," said lead author Jerzy Szaflarski, MD, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "While the risks associated with the Wada test are rare, they can be serious, including stroke and injury to the carotid artery." The guideline found weak evidence that fMRI may be a possible alternative for the Wada test to evaluate the language functions in the brain for people with medial temporal lobe epilepsy, temporal epilepsy in general or extratemporal epilepsy. There was not enough evidence to make a recommendation for people with temporal neocortical epilepsy or temporal tumors. There was moderate evidence that fMRI of verbal memory or language encoding should be considered for predicting verbal memory outcome for people who are being evaluated for left medial temporal lobe surgery. The guideline found weak evidence that fMRI using nonverbal memory encoding may be considered for predicting visuospatial memory outcomes for people being evaluated for temporal lobe surgery. "Larger studies need to be conducted to increase the quality of available evidence," said Szaflarski. "Plus, neither fMRI nor the Wada test have standardized procedures. Doctors should carefully advise patients of the risks and benefits of fMRI versus the Wada test." ### The guideline was supported by the American Academy of Neurology and endorsed by the American College of Radiology and the American Epilepsy Society. To learn more about epilepsy, visit http://www.aan.com/patients. The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with 30,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube. GeoSpace People aren't the only beneficiaries of power plant carbon standards A new study in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres shows carbon emission standards for the power sector also benefit crops and trees. Snowflake variability has significant impact on remote sensing of snowfall rates Every snowflake is unique--and that could have a big effect on determining how much snow is falling using remote sensing measurements, finds a new study in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. Eos.org Seeking signs of life and more: NASA's Mars 2020 mission The next Mars rover will be able to land near rugged terrain, giving scientists access to diverse landscapes. It will also cache core samples, a first step in the quest to return samples to Earth. Transforming satellite data into weather forecasts A NASA project spans the gap between research and operations, introducing new composites of satellite imagery to weather forecasters to prepare for the next generation of satellites. Research Spotlights Smoke signals in the Amazon Forest fires can occur naturally, but in the world's largest rain forest, fire can signal large-scale deforestation, finds a new study in Global Biogeochemical Cycles. Boulders limit transport of sand and gravel in steep rivers Mountain rivers and streams actively reshape landscapes by eroding material from uplands and depositing it in lowlands. Scientists can now predict this transport in very steep streams, according to a new study in Water Resources Research. ### Find research spotlights from AGU journals and sign up for weekly E-Alerts, including research spotlights, on eos.org. Register for access to AGU journal papers in the AGU newsroom. The American Geophysical Union is dedicated to advancing the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. AGU is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization representing more than 60,000 members in 139 countries. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and our other social media channels. The BioScience Talks podcast features discussions of topical issues related to the biological sciences. For more than 100 years, eucalypts--woody plants that range in size from shrubs to trees--have been transported from their natural ecosystems in Australia to plantations across the globe. This unique history provides a novel lens for viewing the spread of pathogens and may shed light on future outbreaks as ecosystems face growing pressure from climate change. In this episode of BioScience Talks, we spoke with Dr. Treena Burgess of Murdoch University in Western Australia, who also holds an adjunct appointment with the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She describes her recent article in BioScience, written with Michael Wingfield. In it, the authors articulate seven scenarios of pathogen movement and disease epidemics, as well as the biosecurity risks that arise from poorly controlled germplasm movement. The dangers are significant, with economically important eucalypt plantations and native ecosystems both facing significant threats. To hear the whole discussion, visit this link for this latest episode of the BioScience Talks podcast. ### Coca-Cola's "Happy Holidays" truck tour should be banned, given the growing evidence of the effect that marketing of unhealthy food and drink has on children, say public health experts in The BMJ today. In 2018, the UK government will introduce an industry levy on full sugar soft drinks as part of its childhood obesity strategy. This Christmas the truck visited five locations in north west England in the first week of December and received substantial coverage in the major local newspapers in Liverpool and Manchester. Visitors could have their photo taken with the vehicle while being given free product (including a 150 ml can of standard Coca-Cola containing 15.9 g of sugar - nearly four teaspoons). But Robin Ireland, Director of Food Active - a campaign based in north west England to tackle increasing obesity levels - points out that 34% of 10 to 11 year olds in the north west are overweight or obese. Further 33% of 5 year olds have tooth decay, largely down to their consumption of sugary drinks. Many public health departments have launched campaigns about sugary drinks to try to help their communities reduce their consumption, so Coca-Cola's campaign was scarcely welcomed by local directors of public health, medical professionals, educationalists, or indeed members of the public, he adds. Such was their concern that Food Active organised a letter stating "We can celebrate without allowing Coca-Cola to hijack Christmas by bringing false gifts of bad teeth and weight problems to our children." The 108 signatories included five public health directors and the current and past presidents of the Faculty of Public Health. The letter received no coverage in either Liverpool or Manchester. "It is of huge concern that no alternative views were provided in the face of a concerted commercial marketing campaign by Coca-Cola, writes Ireland. "Apparently Coca-Cola's voice counts more than those of directors of public health." He believes that this form of advertising and marketing should be banned and will continue to push for national action to stop similar campaigns next Christmas. ### Editorial: Happy corporate holidays from Coca-Cola http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.i6833 About BMJ BMJ is a healthcare knowledge provider that aims to advance healthcare worldwide by sharing knowledge and expertise to improve experiences, outcomes and value. For a full list of BMJ products and services, please visit bmj.com Policy is a 'best buy' for governments around the world, say researchers A government policy to reduce salt intake by 10% over 10 years would be highly cost effective in nearly every country in the world, even without accounting for healthcare savings, finds a study published by The BMJ today. The researchers say that this low cost policy combining targeted industry agreements and public education to reduce salt intake is a "best buy" for governments around the world. Most adults exceed the World Health Organization recommended maximum salt intake of 2g per day, resulting in an estimated 1,648,000 annual deaths from heart diseases worldwide. Previous studies in selected countries show that national policies to reduce excess salt intake can be highly cost effective for lowering blood pressure and reducing heart disease. But for most countries, the cost effectiveness of such a policy is unknown. So a team of US and UK based researchers led by Tufts University in Boston, set out to measure the cost effectiveness of a "soft regulation" strategy combining targeted industry agreements and public education to reduce salt intake by 10% over 10 years in 183 countries. To account for differences, they modelled the costs and health effects of a range of salt reductions by age and sex within each country. They then estimated the number of disability-adjusted life years or DALYs (a measure of years lost due to ill-health) that would be averted by the policy in each country for each year between 2011 and 2020. Program costs for each country were estimated in international dollars or I$ (equivalent to the country's purchasing power of US dollars). Potential healthcare savings from averted events were not evaluated to provide conservative estimates. The results show that worldwide, a 10% reduction in salt consumption over 10 years within each country was projected to avert approximately 5.8 million DALYs per year related to cardiovascular diseases, at a population weighted average cost of I$1.13 per person over the 10 year intervention. Globally, the estimated average cost effectiveness ratio of the 10 year intervention was around I$204 per DALY saved (not accounting for potential healthcare savings from averted events). This compares favourably with cost effectiveness ratios for many drugs used to prevent cardiovascular disease, say the authors. They point out some study limitations, but say their results, together with prior studies in selected countries, "provide evidence that a national policy for reduction in sodium intake is highly cost effective, and substantially more so than even highly cost effective medical prevention strategies." This suggests that a national reduction in sodium intake is a "best buy" for governments, deserving careful consideration for adoption by countries worldwide, they conclude. ### Research: Cost effectiveness of a government supported policy strategy to decrease sodium intake: global analysis across 183 nations http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.i6699 About BMJ BMJ is a healthcare knowledge provider that aims to advance healthcare worldwide by sharing knowledge and expertise to improve experiences, outcomes and value. For a full list of BMJ products and services, please visit bmj.com A researcher from the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas has been awarded a $2.7 million grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) under the Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program. The grant, awarded to Dr. Daniel Krawczyk, deputy director of the Center for BrainHealth, will fund research, via a virtual technology platform, to improve cognitive and functional deficits for veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The project is a follow-up effort from a Cognitive Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trial Award previously given by the DoD's Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program. It was conducted under the strategic oversight of the DoD's Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine and Military Operational Medicine Research programs. "Those who experience a traumatic brain injury often struggle with working memory, planning and cognitive control, which impacts real-life functionality," said Krawczyk, associate professor of cognitive neuroscience and cognitive psychology and Debbie and Jim Francis Chair in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. "Utilizing an innovative virtual-reality platform, we hope to improve cognitive difficulties in individuals with chronic TBI by training strategies to accomplish complex real-life tasks." The study will include more than 100 veterans, regardless of service status, who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. The research team will collect structural and functional brain imaging, and neuropsychological evaluations from participants before and after training. The team also will use Expedition, a virtual-reality platform developed by Virtual Heroes, a division of Applied Research Associates Inc., to establish training remotely over a four-week period. The real-life training scenarios include packing for a trip, planning and executing various modes of transportation, selecting and remembering locations as well as money and time management. "The project represents a great opportunity to leverage the innovative work Virtual Heroes has done in serious gaming to address a critical need for this important and highly vulnerable population of veterans," said Greg Rule, professional engineer, project manager with Applied Research Associates. "The program must be tailored to the audience, entertaining enough to encourage them to use it, but capable of collecting the necessary data on cognitive performance of the users." "The unique design and approach of Expedition may also provide for quantifiable performance data throughout the intervention itself, not just the traditional 'before' and 'after,'" Krawczyk said. "The possibility of getting a peek inside the historic 'black box' of traumatic brain injury research may assist in the development of more effective or customizable interventions and more sensitive evaluation methods." Note: This work is supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command under Contract No. W81XWH-16-1-0053. The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this news release are those of The University of Texas at Dallas and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy or decision unless so designated by other documentation. ### NEW YORK NY (January 11, 2017)-- To cement a new partnership advancing oral health through community-based research, education, and care, Deans Christian S. Stohler, DMD, DrMedDent, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM), and Ana N. Lopez Fuentes, DMD, MPH, School of Dental Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday. This partnership between two preeminent schools--CDM, one of three Ivy League dental schools, and UPR, the only bilingual dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), will pool academic and research resources to yield tremendous opportunities for students and faculty to develop joint ventures. The agreement identifies shared interests, such as community needs assessment and continuous care, oral health literacy, research on biomedical services and management technology, smartphone and mobile medical apps and systems, as well as student educational programs. Each project will be designed to strengthen dentists' attention to specific community needs, both in Puerto Rico and on the mainland U.S. "As any clinician treating a new population discovers, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to care," said Dean Stohler. "We hope that our community-based collaborations lead to more informed approaches to addressing oral health needs." In addition to research, student opportunities may help address the shortage of Hispanic and Spanish-speaking dentists in the continental U.S., as identified by organizations including the Hispanic Dental Association in a 2013 white paper. Dean Lopez Fuentes sees a unique role this partnership can play in addressing the issue. "We are the leading educational institution for oral health professionals in Puerto Rico and Latin America," she said. "By working with communities in Puerto Rico and New York City, we will encourage cultural competence in future clinicians. I believe this can help strengthen care for underserved Hispanic communities throughout the nation." The two schools are uniquely suited for this partnership, which continues a longstanding relationship developed when Columbia helped found the UPR dental school 60 years ago, said Dean Lopez Fuentes. Furthermore, noted Dean Stohler, the two schools' visions dovetail, taking a holistic and evidence-based approach to patient care, strengthened by their positions within academic medical centers. "We strongly believe that oral health is essential to overall health, and must be advanced by research, creating an evidence-based approach to care." Continuous collaboration between the two deans, both academic leaders committed to expanding the partnership in years to come, will be a key asset. Dr. Stohler has served in his role since 2013 after 10 years as dean of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. At both schools, he has been a driver for technological and research advances. Dr. Lopez Fuentes has been in her role for two years and on the faculty of UPR for 29. As dean, she has forged numerous public and private partnerships and led advances in the school's technological resources. She also serves on the Council of Deans Administrative Board to the American Dental Education Association and will become the chair/president of the council. She is the first dean of the UPR system to hold that position. The two schools also both celebrate landmark anniversaries this year, UPR celebrating 60 years and CDM a century. ### Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, among the first university-affiliated dental schools in the United States, was founded in 1916. As part of a world-class medical center, the school trains general dentists and dental specialists in a setting that emphasizes the interconnection between oral health care and overall health for both individuals and communities. The school supports research to advance personalized, evidence-based oral health care and contribute to the professional knowledge base for future leaders in the field. In its commitment to service learning, the school provides dental care to underserved communities of Northern Manhattan and also engages in dental and oral health care capacity-building initiatives abroad. Its faculty has played a leadership role in advancing the inclusion of oral health programs in national health care policy and has developed novel programs to expand oral care locally and in developing countries. For more information, visit dental.columbia.edu. Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. The campus that Columbia University Medical Center shares with its hospital partner, NewYork-Presbyterian, is now called the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. For more information, visit cumc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org. The School of Dental Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico is a leading academic institution and a predoctoral and postdoctoral Dental Education Center for Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Ibero-America. It is a teaching center that promotes the development of intellectually inquisitive students, geared towards self-learning, sensitive to the needs of their patients and competent in his/her profession. It is committed to respond promptly to the internal and external demands in order to become a transforming agent of its environment, with emphasis in the solution of the oral health needs of the Puerto Rican population as an integral component of the health of the individual. The School is responsible for fostering the development of new knowledge and alternative models for the rendering of services. Norma Anderson died Jan. 8, 2017, after 98 years of love for her family and many friends. She was born July 4, 1918, on a family farm near Osnabrock, N.D., the daughter of Charles and Julia Lundeby, and had two sisters, Muriel and Clarette. Norma attended Osnabrock High School and Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, N.D., where she met and married Lyle Anderson. Norma and Lyle had two children, Susan and Eric, and were very active in the Grand Forks community while their children were growing up. They moved to La Crosse in 1965, when Lyle was named president of Batavian National Bank, now known as U.S. Bank La Crosse. They were longtime members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and supported a scholarship fund for church youth. During the 1980s, they served several three-month assignments abroad in Trinidad-Tobago, Kenya and Cameroon, through the International Executive Service Corps. She lost Lyle, her husband of 56 years, in 1998. Norma found fulfillment during her half-century in the La Crosse community through her close friendships with other members of her bridge, mahjong and investment clubs, as well as the La Crosse Country Club and Chapter BI PEO, which honored her as a 50-year member. In 2001, the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups named Norma as an Ageless Hero, and she wrote her autobiography, Nannas Book: From 1918 to the 21st Century. In 2011, she received the Pope John Award for community service from Viterbo University. In her later years, she found great comfort in a close friendship with Oscar Peterslie and in Sunday morning breakfast gatherings with their friends at the Hungry Peddler. Norma is survived by her children, Susan and Eric; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and her sister, Clarette. Susans family includes her husband, Dick Crockett, their two sons, Eric (Amy) and Seth (Alyssa) and their grandchildren, Catherine, Nicklas, Emma, Leif, Lily and Fritz. Erics family includes his wife, Janalee Aurelia, two sons, Peter (Sarah) and Nathan, and grandchildren, Abigail and Owen. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, with visitation at 1 p.m. and service at 2 p.m. A reception in remembrance of Norma will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, after the memorial service, at La Crosse Country Club, 300 Marcou Road, Onalaska. The Dickinson Family Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Experiments at Berkeley Lab confirm that structural defects at the periphery are key in catalyst function Defects and jagged surfaces at the edges of nanosized platinum and gold particles are key hot spots for chemical reactivity, a team of researchers working at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel confirmed with a unique infrared probe. Experiments like this should help researchers to customize the structural properties of catalysts to make them more effective in fostering chemical reactions. The study, published Jan. 11 in Nature, is an important step in chronicling how the atomic structure of nanoparticles impacts their function as catalysts in chemical reactions. Catalysts, which play a role in the production of many industrial products, such as fertilizers, fuel, and plastics, are materials that can speed up chemical reactions and make them more efficient while remaining unchanged in the process. Scientists have known that materials can behave differently at the nanoscale than they do in larger quantities, and that customizing their size and shape can enhance their properties for specific uses. This new technique pinpointed the areas on single metallic particles -- which measure about 100 nanometers (100 billionths of a meter) -- are most active in chemical reactions. Researchers combined a broad spectrum of infrared light, produced by Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source (ALS), with an atomic force microscope to reveal different levels of chemical reactivity at the edges of single platinum and gold nanoparticles compared to their smooth, flat surfaces. They used a unique capability at ALS, dubbed SINS (for synchrotron-radiation-based infrared nanospectroscopy), to explore the detailed chemistry occurring on the surface of the particles, and achieved resolution down to 25 nanometers. "It allows you to see all of this interplay in chemistry," said Michael Martin, a senior staff scientist in charge of infrared beamlines at the ALS. "That's what makes this special." Hans Bechtel, a research scientist at Berkeley Lab who works at the ALS infrared beamlines, added, "You can simultaneously see reactants and the products formed in reactions." In the experiment, researchers coated the metallic particles with a layer of reactive molecules and focused the ALS-produced infrared light onto the tiny tip (25 nanometers in its diameter) of the atomic force microscope. The microscope's tip, when coupled with the highly focused infrared light, worked like an extremely sensitive antenna to map the surface structure of individual nanoparticles while also revealing their detailed surface chemistry. "We were able to see the exact fingerprint of molecules on the surface of the particles and validate a well-known hypothesis in the field of catalysis," said Elad Gross, a faculty member at the Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who led the study along with F. Dean Toste, a faculty scientist in the Chemical Sciences Division at Berkeley Lab and professor in UC Berkeley's Department of Chemistry. Knowing the precise level of energy that's needed to trigger chemical reactions (the activation energy) is key in optimizing reactions, and can reduce costs at the industrial scale by conserving energy use. "This technique has the ability to tell you not only where and when a reaction occurred, but also to determine the activation energy for the reaction at different sites," Gross said. "What you have here is a tool that can address fundamental questions in catalysis research. We showed that areas which are highly defective at the atomic level are more active than smooth surfaces." This characteristic relates to the small size of the particles, Gross noted. "As the particle size is decreased, the structure is less uniform and you have more defects," he said. Smaller particles have higher surface area per particle than larger particles, which means that more atoms will be located at the edges. Atoms at the edges of the particles have fewer neighbors than those along its smooth surfaces, and fewer neighbors means more freedom to participate in chemistry with other elements. As the studied chemical reactions occur very rapidly--in less than a second--and the ALS technique can take about 20 minutes to scan a single spot on a particle, the researchers used a layer of chemically active molecules, which were attached to the surface of the particle, as markers for the catalytic reactivity. The catalytic reaction in the study was analogous to what occurs in gasoline-powered vehicles' catalytic converters. Catalytic converters use platinum particles and other materials to convert car exhaust into less-toxic emissions. Future experiments planned using the SINS technique will focus on documenting active chemical processes that use controlled flows of gases or liquids to trigger reactions, researchers said, and future experiments may use varying pressure and temperature to gauge effects. "I think this is going to be a very interesting tool for further experiments and analyses that can answer a lot of questions that couldn't be answered before," Gross said. "This tool gives us the capability to get better resolution by three orders of magnitude than some other techniques, which has opened a very wide field for catalysis and surface-chemistry studies." Future studies could also conceivably combine infrared- and X-ray-based methods at the ALS to gather richer chemical information, researchers said. There are already plans for a new infrared beamline at the ALS that will increase the capacity and capabilities for infrared chemical studies and also launch infrared-based 3-D structural studies at the ALS. ### The ALS is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. This work was supported by the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world's most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab's scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel Prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. For more, visit http://www.lbl.gov. DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov . Tanzania, perhaps best known for safaris over its vast open plains, has ambitious plans for diminutive freshwater wildlife with enormous, untapped potential. Tilapia, second only to carp as the world's most frequently farmed fish, live in huge numbers in the Great Lakes (Victoria, Tanganyika, Malawi/Nyasa) that cover six percent of the country. The lakes are considered a global biodiversity hotspot - one of only 25 worldwide - due to the hundreds of species of cichlid fish, including some of the 30-odd known subspecies of tilapia that are found in Tanzania. However, Tanzanians eat on average only 8kg of fish per year, less than half the international average of 17kg. Around a third of children under five are deficient in iron and vitamin A, contributing to stunting, while about a third of women between 15-49 years old are deficient in iron, vitamin A and iodine. Fish also provide nutrients in a more efficient way than other sources of animal protein because they convert more of their food into body mass. Some types, such as tilapia, are particularly attractive because they can be reared largely on inexpensive vegetable matter and agricultural waste, while many of the fish species reared in the developed world have to be fed on fish meal. At the moment, tilapia farming in Tanzania is mostly for subsistence or for small-scale markets and often uses non-native species, such as Nile tilapia. Around half of the world's tilapia species are native to Tanzania, but 99% of commercial production is currently in China, Honduras and the US. To develop an aquaculture strategy for Tanzania, 30 scientists representing Tanzanian stakeholders as well as international research organisations met for a three-day workshop in Zanzibar. The meeting was funded by the Swedish "Agriculture for Food Security 2030" (AgriFoSe) program and jointly organised by University of Dar Es Salaam, Worldfish Malaysia, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Participation of scientists from Bangor University and Earlham Institute was supported by a BBSRC award from the Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF). The main outcome of this workshop was a new consortium between the partners, committed to establishing a National Aquaculture Development Centre (NADC). The NADC could help triple the contribution that aquaculture makes to the economy, double the production of fish in the country by 2025 and improve access to fish as a protein source - especially for women. Tilapia species from a broad range of ecosystems - including lakes, river systems, reservoirs and fish ponds across the country - will form the focus of the research. Genetic analysis of 31 species, including 26 that are found nowhere else on the planet, could reveal important traits for creating the country's own commercial broodstock. Using native species could also help secure the nation's biodiversity. For example, it eliminates the risk of non-native strains escaping and hybridising with wild species. One species, Singida tilapia, is virtually extinct in its natural habitat since Nile tilapia and perch were introduced in the 1950s. Lessons learned from the worldwide aquaculture industry, which in 2013 overtook beef production, will help ensure that sustainable practices are adopted from the start. Tanzania's unique tilapia could become as valuable as the country's gold but with more people able to experience the benefits more equally. Yohana Budeba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MALF), United Republic of Tanzania, says: "Tanzania attained a GDP per capita of USD 1,043 by 2014 and it is considered to be at the threshold of graduating from Low to Middle Income Country (MIC) by 2025 when the GDP per capita is expected to reach USD 3,000 (nominal)(NFYDP II, 2016). To realize this, Tanzanians must work hard to achieve the development aspirations articulated in the Tanzania Development Vision 2015. The agricultural sector, which supports more that 70% of the national economy, is well placed to contribute significantly to the expected rise in the GDP per capita. The Fisheries sub-sector currently contributes 4.5% of the national GDP and this contribution is expected to rise with the development of semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture in the country. The Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, therefore takes this opportunity to welcome the Zanzibar Resolution on Aquaculture Development in Tanzania and the international support to aquaculture development in the country. We hope that this support will spur aquaculture development and bring tangible benefits to the country's economy." Charles Mahika, Director of the Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MALF), United Republic of Tanzania, says: "We have a chance to increase our country's share in aquaculture's blue revolution, an industry growing faster than any other food-production sector in the world. Tilapia production could help meet the nutritional demands of our growing population in a sustainable way as well providing a surplus for export. Tapping our own rich diversity will reduce our dependence on external markets, increase food security and make the final product more appealing to Tanzanian consumers. We aim to triple the contribution of aquaculture to GDP from 1.4% to 4.2% by 2025." Federica Di Palma, Director of Science, Earlham Institute (EI), says: "By sharing the results of genetic analysis and helping to build expertise, we can make a real contribution to helping to grow a national industry. A Tanzanian aquaculture seed bank could also be valued by breeders worldwide, for example by offering strains adapted to harsh environments. I am grateful to our Global Research Challenge fund awarded by BBSRC, which have allowed us to contribute to this amazing effort and lay the foundations for aquaculture development in Tanzania. It has been an inspiring and humbling experience to be part of this endeavour." George Turner, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, says: "I have been studying cichlid fishes for over 30 years and their incredible speciation is not only fascinating for research and worth protecting, but could also harbour valuable traits for developing an independent aquaculture industry. With Earlham Institute we are developing a phone app to help fish farmers check the authenticity of any fingerlings. It could help identify regions particularly rich in pure species, where conservation measures could be put in place. It could also flag up regions with a high number of hybrids that pose a biosecurity risk." John Benzie from WorldFish says: "We aim to help transform the productivity of Tanzanian aquaculture while minimising impacts on the environment. We can share best practice from around the world and help train a pool of geneticists in cutting edge breeding technologies that can be used to develop new commercially-viable strains of tilapia. For example, these technologies can be used to isolate beneficial traits such as fast growth while discarding negative traits such as susceptibility to disease." Melanie Welham, BBSRC Chief Executive, says: "Investment from the UK's Global Challenges Research Fund can help Tanzanian experts, working with UK researchers, harness their natural resources to sustainably alleviate undernutrition. We are delighted that the workshop held in October has produced an ambitious resolution to improve fish production." Dirk-Jan De Koning from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), says: "The provision of healthy fingerlings (young fish) of varieties that are well adapted to local production environments is a key requirement for aquaculture in any country. To establish and maintain a brood stock to supply the industry with fingerlings requires long-term investments in infrastructure and training. Matern Mtolera, Deputy Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, says: "Our modest success in the past decade in stimulating marine and freshwater tilapia farming include the emergence of enthusiastic small and medium aqua-enterprises that are eager than ever to farm tilapia. With the support from the UK's Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) that brings with it a unique set of global expertise joining our effort, Tanzania has a unique opportunity to successfully address her aquaculture farmers' limitations particularly on unavailability of reliable seed and lack of skills in genetic management of stock." ### Notes to Editors 1. Tanzanian institutes including the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM); the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology (DASFT) and Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS); Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA); the Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS); the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI); the Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA) and Dodoma University, came together at the Stakeholder's Workshop in Tilapia Aquaculture in Tanzania to propose the establishment of a National Aquaculture Development Centre (NADC), with sub-centres in all relevant academic institutions. 2. Accompanying images, descriptions and credits in following Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qzncofs3h6w33sl/AACGASGElBZqGb4kWgKIcMkUa?dl=0 3. For further information and press queries, please contact: Hayley London Marketing & Communications Officer, Earlham Institute (EI) +44 (0)1603 450 107 hayley.london@earlham.ac.uk 4. About Earlham Institute The Earlham Institute (EI) is a leading research institute focusing on the development of genomics and computational biology. EI is based within the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) - 6.45M in 2015/2016 - as well as support from other research funders. EI operates a National Capability to promote the application of genomics and bioinformatics to advance bioscience research and innovation. EI offers a state of the art DNA sequencing facility, unique by its operation of multiple complementary technologies for data generation. The Institute is a UK hub for innovative bioinformatics through research, analysis and interpretation of multiple, complex data sets. It hosts one of the largest computing hardware facilities dedicated to life science research in Europe. It is also actively involved in developing novel platforms to provide access to computational tools and processing capacity for multiple academic and industrial users and promoting applications of computational Bioscience. Additionally, the Institute offers a training programme through courses and workshops, and an outreach programme targeting key stakeholders, and wider public audiences through dialogue and science communication activities. http://www.earlham.ac.uk / @EarlhamInst 5. About AgriFoSe The AgriFoSe2030 programme targets the UN Sustainability Development Goal 2 - "End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture" in low-income countries. We synthesize and translate existing science into policy and practice, and develop capacity to achieve this. The programme contributes to sustainable intensification of agriculture, increased market access for small-holders and strengthen the role of women and youth. The AgriFoSe2030 programme is developed by a consortium of scientists from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Lund University, University of Gothenburg and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). Read more about the programme at http://www.slu.se/agrifose 6. About Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) The IMS stands as a pioneer, most established and the leading institution in mariculture researches in Tanzania, with considerable experience in assessment of genetic stocks, carrying out comparative growth trials between different stocks and species and dissemination of its research outputs (outreach). It has successfully stabilised seaweed farming in Tanzania that was introduced in early 1990s, promoted innovative clusters for seaweed value addition since 2005 and has carried out finfish and shell fish mariculture studies since 1996 focusing mainly on milkfish, marine and freshwater tilapia and oyster pearls' farming. Provides their on farm mariculture support to thousands of fisherfolks since 2005. Aquaculture farmer's limitations in Tanzania include unavailability of reliable seed, lack of genetic management and poor hatchery procedures thus affecting the performance of farmed species through inbreeding, genetic drift and uncontrolled hybridization, diseases, etc. The institute's aquaculture research agenda for 2014-2023 emphasizes on (i) promoting integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) with the view to stabilizing tilapia (inland and marine) and shellfish farming; (ii) developing high quality low cost feeds; (iii) promote research based selective breeding programme for tilapia and shellfish based on growth performance and robustness; and (iv) scientific foundation for evaluating and developing techniques associated with high quality seed production. The EU introduced the new "greening" instrument into the Common Agricultural Policy in 2015, with the intention to slow the rapid loss of biodiversity in agricultural areas. The idea is quite simple: in return to the subsidies they receive, farmers must now implement measures to protect wild animals and plants on their land. A group of scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the University of Gottingen and other German, Austrian and French institutions examined how effective the flagship greening measure called "Ecological Focus Areas" actually is. Their conclusions, now published in the scientific journal Conservation Letters, are sobering: Ecological Focus Areas are implemented in a way that provides little benefit for biodiversity or farmers, and yet come at a high price to tax payers. However, there are many possibilities to improve the measure for the benefit of all sides. Skylark populations are nosediving, bumblebees and butterflies are disappearing, and even the once-common bright blue cornflower is becoming a rarity in Central Europe. The biodiversity of European farmland has declined markedly in recent decades. In an attempt to stop this decline, the EU introduced a new instrument in the last reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). With new "greening" requirements, since 2015 farmers have had to implement certain environmental protection measures in return for the payment that they receive (which, in Germany, is around 86 Euro per hectare). What is greening? There are three main elements to greening. One is maintaining permanent grassland. The second is increasing the diversity of crops planted: farms with between 20 and 30 hectares of arable land must plant at least two different crops, and larger farms must have at least three crops. The third, flagship measure of greening, is the requirement for farms with more than 15 hectares of arable land to dedicate at least 5 % of it to "Ecological Focus Areas" (EFA). The EU has prescribed 19 different types of land use that may count as EFA. Farmers can, for example, leave land lying fallow, create buffer strips without agricultural production along water bodies, or maintain landscape elements such as hedges or ponds. They may also plant legumes like peas, beans or lupine, which fix nitrogen from the air into the soil. Or they can plant 'catch crops' like mustard or rape-seed to cover the soil surface over the autumn and winter to prevent soil erosion between harvest and the next planting. "Each Member State chose which of the 19 options is eligible for that country or region, but each farmer makes the final decision about which option he or she will implement" explained Guy Pe'er, the lead author of the paper. Quite a few farmers objected this new instrument, criticising the EU for creating yet more regulations that are too complicated to implement. Ecologists, in turn, don't consider the Ecological Focus Areas ambitious enough. These discussions are now beginning to heat up again in preparation for the mid-term review of greening, which will take place in March 2017. This will be a major opportunity to change some of the requirements. However, we need to know how Ecological Focus Areas perform in reality. Greening under scrutiny Researchers from the UFZ, together with colleagues at the Universities of Gottingen, Vienna, Bern, Klagenfurt and Toulouse, as well as the Institute for Agroecology and Biodiversity in Mannheim, have scrutinized the performance of Ecological Focus Areas. "We wanted to know, first of all, what experts think of EFAs in terms of biodiversity", said Pe'er. The team collected responses from 88 experts in agricultural ecology from 17 European countries. These experts judged the effects of the different EFA options on animals and plants, on a scale from plus 5 (very positive) to minus 5 (very negative). "The experts gave highest scores for buffer strip and for leaving the land fallow, indicating that these options are highly profitable for biodiversity", said Guy Pe'er. Landscape elements like hedges or traditional stone walls were also considered by the experts to have positive effects for many species. On the other hand, several options were judged as quite ineffective. "Catch crops or nitrogen-fixing crops like legumes don't benefit biodiversity much, especially if farmers use pesticides on these areas", said Pe'er. "However, these two options proved to be highly popular among farmers", added the agricultural economist Sebastian Lakner of the University of Gottingen. This was the finding of the second part of the study, in which the researchers analysed data from agricultural ministries in eight EU member states, as well as from each of the German federal states. Their results showed that around 45 % of the EFA in the EU is used for growing nitrogen-fixing plants. A further 27 % is used for catch crops: in Germany, this option makes up as much as 68 % of EFA. Fallow land, covering around 21 % of EFA, was the only option that was considered by both ecologists and farmers as worthwhile implementing. In contrast, very few farmers chose buffer strips or landscape elements, which can be highly beneficial for biodiversity. "In other words, there was a poor matching between what ecologists recommend and what farmers implement", summarised Guy Pe'er. This means that overall, currently around three quarters of all EFA in the EU is managed in a way that brings little or no benefit for biodiversity. "We don't lay any blame on the farmers for this" emphasises Sebastian Lakner. "They are simply making the most economically rational decision and trying to minimise the risks involved". Cultivating catch crops and nitrogen-fixing plants is very attractive because they are simple and cheap to manage. Buffer strips and certain landscape elements, in contrast, are more expensive and even time-consuming to maintain. In some cases, there are also administrative barriers, for example if parts of the same hedge belong to different farmers. Most importantly, several EFA options are made unattractive by the complexity of EU regulations attached to them. For example, farmers must register the exact width of a flowering strip. "Many farmers fear, unfortunately rightly, that any error in calculating the width of a strip could lead to sanctions by the authorities", explained Sebastian Lakner. How can greening be improved? Both farmers and ecologists are unhappy with the current greening rules. The researchers think that the taxpayers should be too: "while Member States spend a lot of money on agricultural subsidies, society still gets very little back in terms of biodiversity", said Sebastian Lakner. Only extending the area of EFA from five to seven percent of arable land, as currently being discussed by the EU Commission, will not be enough to significantly improve the situation according to the scientists. So how can the measure be changed to improve the situation for all involved? The researchers provide several mid- to long-term recommendations. First, they suggest, the EU should promote those EFA options that bring the greatest benefit for biodiversity, such as buffer strips and landscape elements, and remove, or at least limit the extent, of less beneficial options like catch crops. "Reducing the number of options by removing less useful options would also make the greening simpler, as has been justly demanded by farmers", said Yves Zinngrebe of the University of Gottingen, who coordinated the study. Additional recommendations were to ensure that buffer strips are included in the list of eligible options in all member states, which is not the case at the moment. "Finally, it is of course essential to forbid the use of pesticides on EFA", said Guy Pe'er. "It makes no sense to harm biodiversity in areas that are explicitly designated to protect it". The researchers also question if greening is, in fact, the right approach to stop biodiversity loss in our countryside. At EU level there are also agri-environment programmes that aim to promote ecologically sensitive farming, tailored to different types of habitat. "It is an established policy instrument that is based on positive incentives rather than undesirable regulations, and often performs quite well in achieving its stated goals, so there is a lot one could learn from them", said Yves Zinngrebe. "They are also cheaper than greening", added Sebastian Lakner, "so in the long run, expanding the budgets for targeted agri-environment programmes may actually be the most effective way forward". "Whether through greening or agri-environmental programmes, all authors and many of the experts that contributed to this study share the opinion that budgets for environmental protection must be dedicated more to measures that are known as highly effective for biodiversity, cover sufficient extents of arable land and grasslands, and are agreeable and practical for farmers to implement", concluded Guy Pe'er. "We therefore hope that our recommendations will therefore be taken note of in Brussels and by the Members States". ### Further information: Dr. Guy Pe'er Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) Department of Conservation Biology Mail: guy.peer@ufz.de Dr. Sebastian Lakner University of Gottingen Department for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development Mail: slakner@gwdg.de Dr. Yves Zinngrebe University of Gottingen Department for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development Mail: yzinngr@gwdg.de Boston, MA - U.S. chain restaurants participating in a National Restaurant Association initiative to improve the nutritional quality of their children's menus have made no significant changes compared with restaurants not participating in the program, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Among both groups, the researchers found no meaningful improvements in the amount of calories, saturated fat, or sodium in kids' menu offerings during the first three years following the launch of the Kids LiveWell initiative in 2011. They also found that sugary drinks still made up 80% of children's beverage options, despite individual restaurant pledges to reduce their prevalence. The study will be published online January 11, 2017, in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. "Although some healthier options were available in select restaurants, there is no evidence that these voluntary pledges have had an industry-wide impact," said lead author Alyssa Moran, a doctoral student in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard Chan School. "As public health practitioners, we need to do a better job of engaging restaurants in offering and promoting healthy meals to kids." In 2011 and 2012, more than one in three children and adolescents consumed fast food every day, according to the study. For kids, eating more restaurant food is associated with higher daily calorie intake from added sugar and saturated fats. This is the first study to look at trends in the nutrient content of kids' meals among national restaurant chains at a time when many were making voluntary pledges to improve quality. By 2015, more than 150 chains with 42,000 locations in the U.S. were participating in Kids LiveWell--which requires that at least one meal and one other item on kids' menus meet nutritional guidelines. Using data obtained from the nutrition census MenuStat, the researchers examined trends in the nutrient content of 4,016 beverages, entrees, side dishes, and desserts offered on children's menus in 45 of the nation's top 100 fast food, fast casual, and full-service restaurant chains between 2012 and 2015. Out of the sample, 15 restaurants were Kids LiveWell participants. The researchers found that while some restaurants were offering healthier kids' menu options, the average kids' entree still far exceeded recommendations for sodium and saturated fat. Kids' desserts contained nearly as many calories and almost twice the amount of saturated fat as an entree. And even when soda had been removed from children's menus, it was replaced with other sugary beverages such as flavored milks and sweetened teas. The authors would like to see the restaurant industry adhere to voluntary pledges and consider working with government agencies, researchers, and public health practitioners to apply evidence-based nutrition guidelines across a broader range of kids' menu items. They also suggest tracking restaurant commitments to determine whether restaurants currently participating in Kids LiveWell improve the nutritional quality of their offerings over time. ### "Trends in Nutrient Content of Children's Menu Items in U.S. Chain Restaurants," Alyssa J. Moran, Jason P. Block, Simo G. Goshev, Sara N. Bleich, Christina A. Roberto, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, online January 11, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.11.007 Visit the Harvard Chan School website for the latest news, press releases, and multimedia offerings. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people's lives--not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at Harvard Chan School teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as America's oldest professional training program in public health. Researchers at the RI-MUHC have made a discovery that could improve care for about 15% of patients with head and neck cancer linked to alcohol and tobacco use Montreal, Jan. 11, 2017 - A team of researchers at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) has found an epigenetic modification that might be the cause of 15% of adult cancers of the throat linked to alcohol and tobacco use. This is a first in the field of epigenetics and the researchers are hopeful that the discovery can blaze a path in the development of new, targeted, more effective treatments that could arise over the next few years. "This discovery was absolutely unexpected since it seemed highly improbable that the kind of alterations of the epigenome that we had previously found in other types of tumours in children and young adults could also target an epithelial tumour like throat cancer that occurs only in adults," explains Dr. Nada Jabado, a researcher at the RI-MUHC and one of the principal authors of the study published in Nature Genetics. Head and neck cancers, also called oropharyngeal cancers or throat cancer often have devastating consequences. Standard treatments involve surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the side effects of these treatments are significant and relapses are common. That's why oncologists are searching to develop more effective treatments that will be less harmful and have fewer deleterious effects. The discovery of this epigenetic modification opens new treatment possibilities. In fact, some promising drug molecules are already on the market for other illnesses and could possibly be tested for head and neck cancers as well as other cancers like multiple myeloma and lung cancer. Dr. Jabado, who is also a pediatric hemato-oncologist, has hopes that this discover will have positive repercussions for pediatric cancers as well. "Now that we've identified this cohort of patients, we can move quite quickly since in the case of adults, as opposed to children, there are more patients and lots of clinical trials. The medicines could then be tested on children afterward." About the discovery Dr. Jabado's work focuses on epigenetics in pediatric cancers, and more specifically on the mutations of histone H3. Histones are proteins that package the structure of our DNA and regulate the expression of our genes. For this group of researchers, collaboration between scientists and access to the vast genomic databases of patients around the world is essential. They were particularly intrigued by a 2015 publication by the Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas Consortium (TCGA) on head and neck cancer that mentioned one of the genes that regulates H3. "We made use of the same data but took a completely different approach. Instead of concentrating on genetic mutations, we looked at the effect of these mutations on histone H3 proteins. That's when we discovered that the histone H3 protein was abnormal or incorrectly modified in about 15% of patients with head and neck cancer. The data were there, but this fact had gone unnoticed," explains Dr. Jacek Majewski, a researcher at McGill University and one of the principal authors of the study. "It's crucial to have access to public data, because it allows us to advance faster and go further in our analyses. In our case, this discovery revealed a sub-group of patients who might benefit from a therapy that targets the epigenome. This could improve the treatment of more than one in five patients suffering from devastating oropharyngeal cancer," points out Dr. Jabado. "We are currently collaborating with two big groups specializing in head and neck cancer with the goal of finding treatments." Epigenetics The body is composed of a large number of different types of cells (neurons, skin cells, fat cells, immune system cells, etc.) Even though they differ, all these cells have the same DNA or genome. Scientists have only recently discovered that their differences can be explained by epigenetics, i.e. what triggers activity in each cell. To illustrate her research, Dr. Jabado compares the genome to notes of music and our epigenetics to a musical score. "Using the same scale, you can create many different melodies. Like a sheet of music that dictates which notes to play and in which order, epigenetics organizes and provides meaning to our genes. If an error makes its way into the score, there's going to be a problem with the music." Epigenetics can provide explanations for why environmental factors, like tobacco or alcohol, can induce changes in the expression of our genes without actually modifying our DNA. ### About the study The study Impaired H3K36 methylation defines a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas a was co-written by Simon Papillon-Cavanagh, Chao Lu, Tenzin Gayden, Leonie G. Mikael, Denise Bechet, Christina Karamboulas, Laurie Ailles, Jason Karamchandani, Dylan M. Marchione, Benjamin A. Garcia, Ilan Weinreb, David Goldstein, Peter W. Lewis, Octavia Maria Dancu, Sandeep Dhaliwal, William Stecho, Christopher J. Howlett, Joe S. Mymryk, John W. Barrett Anthony C. Nichols, C. David Allis, Jacek Majewski, Nada Jabado GARP could be a novel diagnostic marker for cancer and targeting it with an antibody prevented metastasis to the lungs in a mouse model of breast cancer, report scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina in an article in Cancer Research Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) have designed an antibody-based therapy that could target the functions of TGF-beta that cause cancer. The therapy targets TGF-beta where it is particularly dangerous -- docked on the surface of tumor cells. The team began by examining how TGF-beta grows out of control in the first place, according to Zihai Li, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and principal investigator on the project. "TGF-beta is an old story. The new spin is that there is a docking receptor for TGF-beta that increases the activity of the cytokine, and this molecule is called GARP," said Li. TGF-beta is a cytokine, or secreted protein, that controls the cell cycle and is used by regulatory T cells (Tregs) as a signal to tell immune cells not to attack normal cells in the body. However, TGF-beta has become a widely studied cancer cytokine. Malignant tumors release large amounts of TGF-beta, which allows cancer cells to divide rapidly and to push Tregs to suppress immune cells that fight them. It has been uniquely difficult to design therapies that block TGF-beta, mainly because healthy cells cannot function without it. Enter GARP. GARP is the only known receptor that allows TGF-beta to dock on the surface of cells. In this way, GARP helps cells to store TGF-beta. Importantly, Li knew that GARP could bind and activate TGF-beta and then float off the surface of cells that express it. Could this be a way that cancer cells store and release TGF-beta? The Li laboratory decided to find out. In the December 15, 2016 issue of Cancer Research, Li and his colleagues, including first author and student Alessandra Metelli, report that levels of GARP were much higher in biopsies of human breast, lung, and colon tumors than in normal tissue. With this finding, it was reasonable to hypothesize that these higher levels of GARP provided more storage capacity for the TGF-beta needed for enhanced tumor growth. To examine if GARP had a direct role in cancer development, the MUSC team next deleted the gene for GARP from mice with mammary tumors and found that, without GARP, breast cancer tumors grew more slowly and were less able to metastasize to the lungs. Further experiments showed increased TGF- signaling, tumor growth, and metastasis after the gene for GARP was inserted into mouse mammary tumor cells expressing high levels of GARP. Mice with more GARP also had more TGF-beta-releasing Treg cells. This meant that GARP promoted both cancer-intrinsic (metastasis) and -extrinsic (immune suppression) effects in breast cancer. These were the first clues that GARP could be a diagnostic marker for cancer, according to Li. It also created an opportunity to develop new treatments. The MUSC team immunized mice with human GARP in order to grow antibodies that could potentially block it. Only one antibody, 4D3, directly blocked human TGF-beta from binding to GARP expressed on cell surfaces. While 4D3 did not prevent growth of primary mammary tumors in mice, it did suppress the spread of these tumors to their lungs. However, 4D3 combined with cyclophosphamide chemotherapy curbed both primary tumor growth and metastasis. This means that combination immunotherapy with GARP antibody might boost the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy in breast cancer. Li acknowledged that blocking GARP might also block the natural ability of Tregs to suppress the immune system, which could potentially lead to inflammatory autoimmune reactions. "Clinically some of the proven immunotherapies do induce some degree of autoimmunity," he said. "When cancer is cured and patients stop immunotherapy, the autoimmune manifestations completely disappear as well." An accurate biomarker for GARP could offer an opportunity for earlier detection of other aggressive cancers, given that GARP levels increase before metastasis, according to Li. As part of their work, the group also showed that life expectancy was decreased in patients with colon or lung cancer whose biopsied tissues showed high levels of GARP. The challenge resides in the development of an antibody accurate enough to detect it in humans with cancer. There have been great advances in cancer immunotherapies in the past decade, but there is still vast room for improvement. GARP suppression represents a novel addition to established cancer immunotherapies that also use antibodies to wake up the immune system to fight cancer. "This discovery is fundamentally important to how TGF-beta utilizes GARP to promote cancer and down-regulate the immune system, but it also creates an opportunity for both diagnostics and therapeutics," said Li. From the perspective of Li and his colleagues at the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, they have only just scratched the cell surface. ### About MUSC Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $2.2 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (a National Cancer Institute designated center) Level I Trauma Center, and Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit muschealth.org. About MUSC Hollings Cancer Center The Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina is a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and the largest academic-based cancer research program in South Carolina. The cancer center comprises more than 120 faculty cancer scientists with an annual research funding portfolio of $44 million and a dedication to reducing the cancer burden in South Carolina. Hollings offers state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities, therapies and surgical techniques within multidisciplinary clinics that include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation therapists, radiologists, pathologists, psychologists and other specialists equipped for the full range of cancer care, including more than 200 clinical trials. For more information, visit http://www.hollingscancercenter.org. What can a beetle tell us about good design principles? Quite a lot, actually. Many insects and crustaceans possess hard, armor-like exoskeletons that, in theory, should weigh the creatures down. But, instead, the exoskeletons are surprisingly light -- even allowing the armor-wearing insects, like the beetle, to fly. Northwestern Engineering's Horacio D. Espinosa and his group are working to understand the underlying design principles and mechanical properties that result in structures with these unique, ideal properties. This work could ultimately uncover information that could guide the design and manufacturing of new and improved artificial materials by emulating these time-tested natural patterns, a process known as bio-mimicry. Supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI), the research was featured on the cover of Advanced Functional Materials. Postdoctoral fellows Ruiguo Yang and Wei Gao and graduate student Alireza Zaheri, all members of Espinosa's laboratory, were co-first authors of the paper. Cheryl Hayashi, professor of biology at the University of California, Riverside, was also a co-author. Though there are more than a million species of beetles, the team is first studying the exoskeleton of the Cotinis mutabilis, a field crop pest beetle native to the western United States. Like all insects and crustaceans, its exoskeleton is composed of twisted plywood structures, known as Bouligand structures, which help protect against predators. Fibers in this Bouligand structure are bundles of chitin polymer chains wrapped with proteins. In this chain structure, each fiber has a higher density along the length than along the transverse. "It is very challenging to characterize the properties of such fibers given that they are directionally dependent and have a small diameter of just 20 nanometers," said Espinosa, the James N. and Nancy J. Farley Professor in Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering. "We had to develop a novel characterization method by taking advantage of the spatial distribution of fibers in the Bouligand structure." To meet this challenge, Espinosa and his team employed a creative way to identify the geometry and material properties of the fibers that comprise the exoskeleton. They cut the Bouligand structure along a plane, resulting in a surface composed of closely packed cross-sections of fibers with different orientations. They were then able to analyze the mechanics of the fibers. "With more than a million species, which greatly vary from each other in taxomic relatedness, size, and ecology, the beetle is the largest group of insects," Hayashi said. "What makes this research exciting is that the methods applied to the Cotinis mutabilis beetle exoskeleton can be extended to other beetle species." By correlating the mechanical properties with the exoskeleton geometries from diverse beetle species, Espinosa and his team plan to gain insight into natural selection and better understand structure-function-properties relationships. ### Air Products and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology sign exclusive license agreement on CO2 capture technology developed at the university Air Products has signed an exclusive license agreement with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for membrane technology for CO 2 capture. NTNU, through its commercialization arm NTNU Technology Transfer, announced on 10 January that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Air Products (NYSE:APD). The agreement allows Air Products the rights to use NTNU's proprietary fixed site carrier (FSC) membrane technology in conjunction with Air Products' proprietary PRISM membrane technology for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture applications. The FSC membrane allows for a highly energy-efficient way of capturing CO 2 from flue gas and biogas to produce a high-quality CO 2 offgas. Air Products and NTNU foresee great potential for the application of this technology in areas such as coal-fired power plants and the cement industry, as well as other combustion processes. "The combination of Air Products' PRISM membranes and NTNU's fixed-carrier technology moves carbon dioxide capture to a new level of efficiency that makes economic sense," said Charles Page, director of Air Products' PRISM Membranes division. "Air Products is committed to developing solutions that enable our customers to minimize the impact of their operations on the environment. We are confident that our license agreement with NTNU will provide Air Products the technology to manufacture gas membrane separators that are revolutionary in CO 2 capture." Page also commented that the new agreement may open a new field of opportunity for the Norwegian affiliate of Air Products in Kristiansand. This special membrane technology has been developed over the years at the Department of Chemical Engineering, NTNU, by Professor May-Britt Hagg and her research group and supported by Gassnova, the Research Council of Norway (CLIMIT and FORNY2020) and the European Union. Air Products (Norway and U.S.), Statoil, Norcem, Alberta Innovates, DNV-KEMA and SINTEF have also been important collaborators. "NTNU is proud to have the Air Products PRISM Membranes business, a significant international membrane producer, as the exclusive licensee of the FSC membrane technology," said Trond Gifstad, Head of Technology Licensing at NTNU Technology Transfer. "Air Products' industrial expertise and extensive commercial network is a perfect match to ensure that this technology reaches the market. This is a great example of how academia and the commercial sector can work together to bring new technology to market." ### In a study newly published in Nature Communications, A research team led by Dr. Ke Zen and Chen-Yu Zhang from Nanjing University reports that pyruvate kinase type M2 promotes tumor cell exosome release through phosphorylating synaptosome-associated protein 23. As a mechanism to communicate with the microenvironment, tumor cells actively release large amount of microvesicles (MVs) particularly exosomes. These tumor-released MVs, which are abundant in the body fluids of patients with cancer, play a critical role in promoting tumor growth and progression. The mechanism underlying the active exocytosis of exosomes by tumor cells, however, remains incompletely understood. It has been reported that cellular exocytosis activity is increased during tumorigenesis, but the molecular basis to switch on the exocytosis process in tumor cells has not been identified. In the present study, Nanjing University team showed that PKM2, an enzyme involved in the tumor cell's reliance on aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect), plays a critical role in promoting the release of exosomes from the tumor cell. In specific, they identify SNAP-23, which controls the dock and release of secretory granules or exosome-containing multivesicular bodies (MVBs), is a substrate of PKM2 in tumor cells. During exocytosis, phosphorylated PKM2 is recruited to secretory granules or MVBs near cell's membranes where it associates with SNAP-23 and phosphorylates SNAP-23 at Ser95, leading to upregulation of exocytosis in tumor cells. This study demonstrates for the first time that PKM2 plays an essential role in not only switching tumor cell metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis, but also promoting tumor cell exocytosis via directly phosphorylating SNAP-23. Given that Warburg effect switched on by PKM2 is also an important metabolism mechanism for many non-tumor cells, such as immune cells, the PKM2-mediated secretion may also play a significant role in modulating the secretion or degranulation process in these cells under inflammatory stimuli. ### The researchers of this project include Yao Wei, Dong Wang, Fangfang Jin, Mingzhen Li, Chaoyun Pan, Dihan Zhu, Limin Li, Chen-Yu Zhang and Ke Zen from State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Nanjing University Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), Nanjing University School of life sciences (163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210046), and collaborators Dr. Gang Hu from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China), and Drs. Yuan Liu, Zhen Bian and Lei Shi from Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA, USA). This work was supported by grants the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2012CB517603 and 2014CB542300). Columbus, OHIO - Recognizing a critical need to improve national vaccination rates for the human papillomavirus (HPV), The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital a Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James) has again united with each of the 69 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers in issuing a joint statement in support of recently revised recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, incidence rates of HPV-associated cancers have continued to rise, with approximately 39,000 new HPV-associated cancers now diagnosed each year in the United States. Although HPV vaccines can prevent the majority of cervical, anal, oropharyngeal (middle throat) and other genital cancers, vaccination rates remain low across the U.S., with just 41.9 percent of girls and 28.1 percent of boys completing the recommend vaccine series. In Ohio, those rates are even lower with 35 percent of girls and 23 percent of boys completing vaccination. The new guidelines from the CDC recommend that children under age 15 should receive two doses of the 9-valent HPV vaccine at least six months apart. Adolescents and young adults older than 14 should continue to complete the three-dose series. Research shows there are a number of barriers to overcome to improve vaccination rates, including a lack of strong recommendations from physicians and parents not understanding that this vaccine protects against several types of cancer. "Parents rely heavily on the recommendations of their child's health care provider for appropriate vaccination, and the medical community simply isn't consistently recommending the HPV vaccine like they do other public health prevention vaccines. This represents the No. 1 barrier to HPV vaccination and must change to reduce the burden of HPV-associated cancers in our community," says Electra Paskett, PhD, associate director for population sciences at the OSUCCC - James. In an effort to overcome these barriers, NCI-designated cancer centers have organized a continuing series of national summits to share new research, discuss best practices, and identify collective action toward improving vaccination rates. The original joint statement, published in January 2016, was the major recommendation from a summit hosted at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer in November 2015, which brought together experts from the NCI, CDC, American Cancer Society and more than half of the NCI-designated cancer centers. "We have been inspired by the White House Cancer Moonshot to work together in eliminating cancer," adds Paskett. "Improving HPV vaccination is an example of an evidence-based prevention strategy we can implement today to save thousands of lives in the future." The updated statement is the result of discussions from the most recent summit, hosted this summer by the OSUCCC - James. Nearly 150 experts from across the country gathered in Columbus to present research updates and plan future collaborative actions across NCI-designated cancer centers. Paskett notes that, like all vaccines used in the United States, HPV vaccines have passed extensive safety testing before and after being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine is given in childhood in order to given the child maximum protection against HPV infection before transmission contact occurs. "As a global community, we need to unite around HPV vaccination as a true means of cancer prevention. I am a cancer control researcher but I'm also a parent of three boys. The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention and our best defense in stopping HPV infection in our youth and preventing HPV-associated cancers in our communities. Don't let your kids become our cancer patients." ### To read the full consensus statement, visit cancer.osu.edu/HPV. 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. A new study has found that trees worldwide develop thicker bark when they live in fire-prone areas. The findings suggest that bark thickness could help predict which forests and savannas will survive a warmer climate in which wildfires are expected to increase in frequency. Trees in regions where fire is common, such as savannas and the forests of western North America, tend to have thicker bark, while trees in tropical rainforests have thinner bark, researchers at Princeton University and collaborating institutions reported Jan. 9 in the journal Ecology Letters. Bark protects the inside of the trunk from overheating and is one of a handful of adaptations that trees use to survive fire. "We found large-scale evidence that bark thickness is a fire-tolerance trait, and we showed this is the case not just in a particular biome such as a savanna, but across different types of forests, across regions and across continents," said first author Adam Pellegrini, a NOAA Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University who led the study while a graduate student in Princeton's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The research suggests that the link between bark thickness and fire resistance should be included in global climate models, Pellegrini said. "Trees from regions that burn frequently could still become vulnerable if the risk of fire increases," he said. "The open question is whether the bark is thick enough to help trees survive." Pellegrini and his colleagues looked at 572 tree species in regions across the globe. They compared bark thickness from trees in areas that experience frequent wildfires -- and where rain falls only seasonally -- to trees in regions where fires are rare, such as tropical rainforests. They found that in areas where fires are frequent, most trees, no matter the species, have thicker bark than closely related tree species growing in low-fire areas. The study suggests that tropical rainforests -- which are mostly composed of thin-barked trees -- may have a more difficult time recovering from fire, whereas savannas and seasonal forests with thickly barked trees should be able to better withstand fire. A savanna was defined as land with continuous grass cover that is 20 to 80 percent trees, while a forest was defined as having complete tree coverage and little to no grass. Periodic fires are necessary for the health of some types of savannas and forests. Fires burn off excess plant matter such as dead wood and grass -- as well as competing fire-sensitive species -- and rejuvenate the soil so that the dominant, fire-resistant plant species can flourish. However, fires also can be detrimental to the environment by releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere, and causing the decades-long loss of a valuable carbon-storage system. The researchers also addressed the question of where thick-barked trees come from: Did they evolve to have thick bark in response to living in a fire-prone region, or do thick-barked trees come from plant families with species that all tended to develop thick bark irrespective of fire activity? To find out, the researchers compared related tree species that live in fire-prone areas against those that are found in non-fire-prone regions. The researchers found that the bark thickness of closely related species is linked to whether the species lived in a fire-prone or non-fire-prone region, which provided further evidence that bark thickness is an evolutionary adaptation to fire. Tim Coulson, a professor of zoology at Oxford University, said that the study illustrates how climate change could create conditions that already-endangered ecosystems cannot withstand. "As periods of drought begin to be seen more frequently in tropical forests -- the lungs of our planet -- the risk that these ecosystems will burn increases," said Coulson, who is familiar with the study but had no role in it. "Because the species found there are not well-adapted to cope with fire, the consequences could be devastating," he said. "[This] work highlights that the changes we are making to our climate can put ecosystems at risk to factors, such as fire, that they are poorly equipped to deal with." ### Pellegrini, who received his Ph.D. from Princeton in 2016, worked with Stephen Pacala, the Frederick D. Petrie Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a member of the Princeton Environmental Institute; former Princeton postdoctoral research fellow William Anderegg, who is now an assistant professor at the University of Utah; Tyler Kartzinel, a former Princeton postdoctoral research fellow and NatureNet Science Fellow who is now an assistant professor at Brown University; and former Princeton graduate student Sam Rabin, who earned his Ph.D. in 2016 and is now a postdoctoral scientist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. Co-authors C.E. Timothy Paine at the University of Stirling, Douglas Sheil of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Augusto Franco of the Universidade de Brasilia and William Hoffmann of North Carolina State University provided the data on bark thickness used for the study. The paper, "Convergence of bark investment according to fire and climate structures ecosystem vulnerability to future change," was published Jan. 11 by Ecology Letters. ARLINGTON, Va.-January 11, 2017- Research!America urges the 115th Congress and Trump Administration to move swiftly on several research and innovation priorities this year to combat deadly and disabling diseases that threaten the health of our nation, economy and global competitiveness. Congress should provide robust funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and our nation's other federal health agencies in FY17 and FY18; implement and continuously fund the 21st Century Cures Act; re-authorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fees; sustain the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF); and repeal the medical device tax. The future of the PPHF and fate of the medical device tax are uncertain as Congress considers repealing the Affordable Care Act. The nonprofit advocacy alliance also calls on the Trump Administration to appoint leaders with strong scientific backgrounds to key positions including but not limited to Science Advisor. The continuing resolution (CR) for FY17 flat-funded most government agencies through April, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The CR includes initial funding for the 21st Century Cures Act to support the NIH's Precision Medicine and BRAIN Initiatives, the Cancer Moonshot and the FDA. User fees, a collaboration between private industry and the FDA to speed medical advances to patients, should be re-authorized and not subject to sequestration which will resume in full force in FY18 if Congress doesn't pass a budget deal. A strong majority of Americans (77%) agree that it is important for Congress to assign a high priority to putting research and innovation to work to assure continued medical progress, according to a survey commissioned by Research!America. "A full-year CR would squander crucial opportunities for faster medical progress and shortchange other national priorities," said Mary Woolley, president and CEO, Research!America. "Congress should pass an omnibus bill that reflects important budget deliberations that occurred over the last year. Robust funding for medical and health research will support President-elect Trump's call for a safer, better and more prosperous nation." The Prevention and Public Health Fund, authorized in the ACA, helps states keep communities healthy and safe by providing support for immunizations, cancer screenings, and chronic disease prevention among other health programs. "It's a strategic investment in our nation's public health infrastructure," Woolley said. About half of all adults in the U.S. have one or more chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to the CDC. The 2.3% medical device excise tax initiated under ACA was suspended for two years through December 2017 as part of the 2015 tax extenders package. "There is bipartisan opposition to this tax because it discourages the research and development we need to fuel medical progress and save lives," said Woolley. "It should be repealed this year to ensure medical progress is unhindered." Seventy-three percent of Americans surveyed say it is important for the federal government to support incentives for private sector investments in new treatments and cures. ### About Research!America Research!America is the nation's largest nonprofit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, Research!America is supported by member organizations representing 125 million Americans. Visit http://www.researchamerica.org. Bone fractures in diabetic mice heal better in the presence of a protein that stimulates the activity of skeletal stem cells, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The protein counteracts a decrease in stem cell activity that the researchers observed both in mouse models of diabetes and in bone samples from diabetic patients who had undergone joint replacements. The researchers hope the discovery will lead to ways to help people with diabetes heal more efficiently from broken bones. "We've uncovered the reason why some patients with diabetes don't heal well from fractures, and we've come up with a solution that can be locally applied during surgery to repair the break," said Michael Longaker, MD, co-director of Stanford's Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. "Diabetes is rampant worldwide, and any improvement in the ability of affected people to heal from fractures could have an enormously positive effect on their quality of life." The study will be published Jan. 11 in Science Translational Medicine. Longaker, a professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery, shares senior authorship of the study with Charles Chan, PhD, an instructor at the stem cell institute. Postdoctoral scholar Ruth Tevlin, MD, is the lead author. Healing difficulties Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by the inability to either produce or to respond appropriately to insulin. It affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is increasing in prevalence. In addition to causing dangerous swings in blood sugar levels after meals, the condition leads to many other debilitating symptoms, including an impaired ability to heal soft tissue injuries and skeletal fractures. The precise molecular reason behind this impaired bone healing has been unknown, however. Longaker, Chan and Tevlin built on previous research in which they and colleagues in the laboratory of co-author Irving Weissman, MD, professor of pathology and of developmental biology, identified and described a population of cells in the bones of mice that serve as skeletal stem cells, or SSCs. These adult stem cells can become all components of the skeletal system, including bone, cartilage and a part of the bone marrow known as the stroma. They subsequently showed that fracture healing in mice was severely impaired when these stem cells were depleted. That finding got them thinking. "We wanted to apply what we knew about skeletal stem cells to the problem of impaired bone healing in people with diabetes," said Chan. "Does the disease affect fracture healing by somehow modulating the activity of these stem cells?" The researchers used a mouse model of Type 2 diabetes, in which the disease arises when the animals are about 4 weeks old. Prior to the development of the disease, the prediabetic mice were able to heal leg bone fractures as effectively as wild-type mice, the researchers found. In contrast, after the disease had manifested itself, the repaired bone was significantly weaker and less dense than the bone in the control animals. When they compared the numbers of SSCs in the healing bone seven days after fracture, they found that the diabetic mice had significantly lower numbers of these cells than did the control animals. Signaling problem A series of experiments ruled out a systemic reason for this reduction in stem cell numbers, and also confirmed that the cells themselves were fully functional. That left only a potential problem with the signals the cells were receiving from the surrounding environment, or niche. When Tevlin and her colleagues analyzed that environment, they found that the diabetic animals produced significantly lower levels of a family of signaling proteins called hedgehog that are known to play a critical role in many biological processes, including embryonic development and tissue regeneration. The researchers collaborated with co-author Philip Beachy, PhD, professor of biochemistry and of developmental biology, to test whether artificially blocking the hedgehog signaling pathway could impair bone healing in nondiabetic mice. They found that control mice exposed to a molecule that blocked the pathway regrew bone that was weaker and more brittle -- just like the diabetic animals. "Next we had to test whether adding the hedgehog signaling proteins back into the local environment in diabetic animals restored their ability to heal fractures," said Longaker. The researchers collaborated with co-authors Fan Yang, PhD, assistant professor of bioengineering and orthopaedic surgery, and postdoctoral scholar Xinming Tong, PhD, to devise a biologically friendly hydrogel into which the hedgehog signaling proteins were embedded. The gel was applied directly to the fracture site. "And these animals healed just like normal mice," said Longaker, who holds the Deane P. and Louise Mitchell Professorship in the School of Medicine. Clues in human bone samples Finally, the team reached out to co-author Stuart Goodman, MD, PhD, professor of orthopaedic surgery, to obtain bone samples from patients with diabetes who were undergoing joint replacement for osteoarthritis. They compared the expression of proteins important to the hedgehog signaling pathway from these samples with others obtained from non-diabetic patients. Normally this tissue would be discarded by the surgeon, but in this case it held important clues. "What we saw in these human samples completely echoed what we saw in the mice," said Chan. "The bones from the diabetic patients displayed significantly reduced expression of these important signaling proteins." Longaker, Chan and Tevlin believe the inhibition of the hedgehog signaling pathway arises from diabetes-associated inflammation that causes high levels of a molecule called tumor necrosis factor alpha. TNF-alpha levels are known to be elevated in patients with diabetes, and the researchers observed a corresponding increase in their mouse models of the disease. They also showed that these increased levels of TNF-alpha inhibited the expression of some hedgehog family members. Directly inhibiting all TNF-alpha activity, however, could have other dire consequences for an animal or a human patient because TNF-alpha plays many important biological roles. "Here we've devised a feasible strategy for reversing a tissue-specific pathology -- the inability to heal skeletal fractures efficiently -- in a complex metabolic disease like diabetes, through the local application of a compound to stimulate the activity of adult stem cells," said Longaker said. "We anticipate that hedgehog-mediated molecular therapies that directly target stem cells in human patients could be therapeutic." More research is necessary before trying this approach in humans, but the researchers are hopeful that local application of hedgehog proteins will be shown to be both safe and effective. Their findings further validate the idea that tissue-specific stem cells are likely to play vital roles in tissue regeneration and response to injury. "This research represents a significant step forward toward realizing the promise of Proposition 71, which established the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine," said Chan. "We've looked to stem cells to learn why people with diabetes don't heal bone fractures properly, and come up with an approach that we are excited to try in the clinic." ### The paper provides a complete list of the Stanford co-authors of the study. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants R56DE025597, R01DE021683, R21DE024230, R01DE019434, RC2DE020771, U01HL099776, R21DE019274, U01HL099999, 5R01CA86065, 5 R01L058770 and R01DE024772), the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the National Institute on Aging, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Oak Foundation, the Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, the Gunn/Olivier Research Fund, the National Science Foundation, the Stanford University Transplant and Tissue Engineering Center, the Plastic Surgery Foundation/Plastic Surgery Research Council and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons. Stanford's Department of Surgery also supported the work. The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation's top medical schools, integrating research, medical education, patient care and community service. For more news about the school, please visit http://med.stanford.edu/school.html. The medical school is part of Stanford Medicine, which includes Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children's Health. For information about all three, please visit http://med.stanford.edu. Just one session of interval weight-training can improve the risk of Type 2 diabetes complications, according to a UBC Okanagan study. This is encouraging news for those starting the New Year with good intentions. Jonathan Little, an assistant professor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences at UBC Okanagan's campus, says the study demonstrates that a series of simple leg exercises, involving weights, can improve blood vessel function of people with and without diabetes. "Individuals with Type 2 diabetes are up to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those without," says Little, the study's senior researcher. "After completion of just one bout of exercise, we saw an improvement in blood vessel function, an indicator of heart health and heart attack risk. "With further study, this information could provide a new safe and cost-effective tool to help people manage their disease." In the study, Little and his research team compared the effect of two types of interval training--resistance (leg press, extensions and lifts) and cardiovascular (stationary bicycle) exercises--on blood vessel function. Both of these alternated periods of high and low intensity effort, in a one-to-one work/rest ratio. Thirty-five age-matched study participants were assigned into one of three groups; people with Type 2 diabetes, non-exercisers, and regular exercisers without diabetes. Each group performed a 20-minute exercise routine, which included a warm up and seven one-minute, high-intensity efforts with a one-minute rest between each interval. "All exercisers showed greater blood vessel function improvement after the resistance-based interval training," says Monique Francois, a UBC graduate student and the co-author of the study. "However, this was most prominent in the Type 2 diabetes group." "Resistance training was introduced to this group because it's relatively easy and can accommodate individuals who are new to exercising. This study shows that resistance-based interval training exercise is a time-efficient and effective method with immediate effects." According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, there are 11 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating, and sometimes fatal disease, in which the body cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that controls the amount of sugar in the blood. ### The study, published in American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology, was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Researchers at the University of California San Diego have demonstrated the world's first laser based on an unconventional wave physics phenomenon called bound states in the continuum. The technology could revolutionize the development of surface lasers, making them more compact and energy-efficient for communications and computing applications. The new BIC lasers could also be developed as high-power lasers for industrial and defense applications. "Lasers are ubiquitous in the present day world, from simple everyday laser pointers to complex laser interferometers used to detect gravitational waves. Our current research will impact many areas of laser applications," said Ashok Kodigala, an electrical engineering Ph.D. student at UC San Diego and first author of the study. "Because they are unconventional, BIC lasers offer unique and unprecedented properties that haven't yet been realized with existing laser technologies," said Boubacar Kante, electrical engineering professor at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering who led the research. For example, BIC lasers can be readily tuned to emit beams of different wavelengths, a useful feature for medical lasers made to precisely target cancer cells without damaging normal tissue. BIC lasers can also be made to emit beams with specially engineered shapes (spiral, donut or bell curve) -- called vector beams -- which could enable increasingly powerful computers and optical communication systems that can carry up to 10 times more information than existing ones. "Light sources are key components of optical data communications technology in cell phones, computers and astronomy, for example. In this work, we present a new kind of light source that is more efficient than what's available today in terms of power consumption and speed," said Babak Bahari, an electrical engineering Ph.D. student in Kante's lab and a co-author of the study. Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are phenomena that have been predicted to exist since 1929. BICs are waves that remain perfectly confined, or bound, in an open system. Conventional waves in an open system escape, but BICs defy this norm -- they stay localized and do not escape despite having open pathways to do so. In a previous study, Kante and his team demonstrated, at microwave frequencies, that BICs could be used to efficiently trap and store light to enable strong light-matter interaction. Now, they're harnessing BICs to demonstrate new types of lasers. The team published the work Jan. 12 in Nature. Making the BIC laser The BIC laser in this work is constructed from a thin semiconductor membrane made of indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorus. The membrane is structured as an array of nano-sized cylinders suspended in air. The cylinders are interconnected by a network of supporting bridges, which provide mechanical stability to the device. By powering the membrane with a high frequency laser beam, researchers induced the BIC system to emit its own lower frequency laser beam (at telecommunication frequency). "Right now, this is a proof of concept demonstration that we can indeed achieve lasing action with BICs," Kante said. "And what's remarkable is that we can get surface lasing to occur with arrays as small as 8 8 particles," he said. In comparison, the surface lasers that are widely used in data communications and high-precision sensing, called VCSELs (vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers), need much larger (100 times) arrays -- and thus more power -- to achieve lasing. "The popular VCSEL may one day be replaced by what we're calling the 'BICSEL' -- bound state in the continuum surface-emitting laser, which could lead to smaller devices that consume less power," Kante said. The team has filed a patent for the new type of light source. The array can also be scaled up in size to create high power lasers for industrial and defense applications, he noted. "A fundamental challenge in high power lasers is heating and with the predicted efficiencies of our BIC lasers, a new era of laser technologies may become possible," Kante said. The team's next step is to make BIC lasers that are electrically powered, rather than optically powered by another laser. "An electrically pumped laser is easily portable outside the lab and can run off a conventional battery source," Kante said. ### Full paper: "Lasing action from photonic bound states in continuum." Authors of the study are: Ashok Kodigala*, Thomas Lepetit*, Qing Gu*, Babak Bahari, Yeshaiahu Fainman and Boubacar Kante of UC San Diego. *These authors contributed equally to this work. This research was supported by a National Science Foundation Career Award (ECCS-1554021), the Office of Naval Research Multi-University Research Initiative (N000014-13-1-0678) and UC San Diego. A new study suggests that lending conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund in West Africa squeeze "fiscal space" in nations such as Sierra Leone - preventing government investment in health systems and, in some cases, contributing to an exodus of medical talent from countries that need it most. Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine analysed the IMF's own primary documents to evaluate the relationship between IMF-mandated policy reforms - the conditions of loans - and government health spending in West African countries. The team collected archival material, including IMF staff reports and government policy memoranda, to identify policy reforms in loan agreements between 1995 and 2014, extracting 8,344 reforms across 16 countries. They found that for every additional IMF condition that is 'binding' - i.e. failure to implement means automatic loan suspension - government health expenditure per capita in the region is reduced by around 0.25%. A typical IMF programme contains 25 such reforms per year, amounting to a 6.2% reduction in health spending for the average West African country annually. The researchers say that this is often the result of a policy focus on budget deficit reduction over healthcare, or the funnelling of finance back into international reserves - all macroeconomic targets set by IMF conditions. The authors of the new study, published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, say their findings show that the IMF "impedes progress toward the attainment of universal health coverage", and that - under direct IMF tutelage - West African countries underfunded their health systems. "The IMF proclaims it strengthens health systems as part of its lending programs," said lead author Thomas Stubbs, from Cambridge's Department of Sociology. "Yet, inappropriate policy design in IMF programmes has impeded the development of public health systems in the region over the past two decades." A growing number of IMF loans to West Africa now include social spending targets to ensure that spending on health, education and other priorities are protected. These are not binding, however, and the study found that fewer than half are actually met. "Stringent IMF-mandated austerity measures explain part of this trend," said Stubbs. "As countries engage in fiscal belt-tightening to meet the IMF's macroeconomic targets, few funds are left for maintaining health spending at adequate levels." The study also shows that the 16 West African countries experienced a combined total of 211 years with IMF conditions between 1995 and 2014. Some 45% of these included conditions stipulating layoffs or caps on public-sector recruitment and limits to the wage bill. The researchers uncovered correspondence from national governments to the IMF arguing that imposed conditions are hindering recruitment of healthcare staff, something they found was often borne out by World Health Organisation (WHO) data. For example: * In 2004, Cabo Verde told the IMF that meeting their fiscal targets would interrupt recruitment of new doctors. The country later reported to the WHO a 48% reduction in physician numbers between 2004 and 2006. * In 2005, a series of IMF conditions aimed to reduce Ghana's public sector wage bill. The Ghanaian Minister of Finance wrote to the IMF that "at the current level of remuneration, the civil service is losing highly productive employees, particularly in the health sector". Wage ceilings remained until late-2006, and the number of physicians in Ghana halved. "IMF-supported reforms have stopped many African countries hiring, retaining or paying healthcare staff properly," said co-author Alexander Kentikelenis, based at the University of Oxford. "Macroeconomic targets set by the IMF - for example, on budget deficit reduction - crowd out health concerns, so governments do not adequately invest in health." The IMF's extended presence in West Africa - on average 13 out of 20 years per country - has caused considerable controversy among public health practitioners, say the researchers. "While critics stress inappropriate or dogmatic policy design that undermines health system development, the IMF has argued its reforms bolster health policy," said Stubbs. "We show that the IMF has undermined health systems - a legacy of neglect that affects West Africa's progress towards achieving universal health coverage, a key objective of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals." ### Nudging people toward better behavior through policy can be effective, but can face resistance if people feel their autonomy is threatened. Despite advances in neuroscience and genetics that raise questions about the limitations of free will, people hold strongly to their sense of autonomy, according to a study by University of Florida marketing professor Joe Alba and post-doctoral student Yanmei Zheng. Alba's and Zheng's work, co-authored with Cornell University professor and former UF marketing Ph.D. student Stijn van Osselaer, is not an analysis of whether free will exists, but rather an examination of our impressions of free will, and the implications of those impressions on opinions regarding policy. "It's a ripe question because developments in the sciences seem to throw more and more challenges to the notion that we have free will," Alba said. Alba and Zheng conducted a series of experiments in which participants were asked to gauge an individual's personal control in a variety of situations. In one experiment, Alba and Zheng compared responses based on four behaviors: obesity, shoplifting, financial fraud, and drunk driving. The study found that people were more likely to accept obesity as a consequence resulting outside the individual's control (perhaps based on a poor metabolism) than the other three behaviors--despite the fact that the authors included similar genetic and environmental forces in each scenario. Similar findings were present in the study's other experiments. The study found, for the most part, that people believe free will--even in the face of significant physical constraints--would prevent them from engaging in unethical behavior. "When we pose questions like, 'Why wouldn't you behave in this way under these physical constraints?'" said Alba, "they start to appeal to their nonphysical mind or to their superior soul. So they'll have noncorporeal (non-physical) explanations of their decisions." The findings support the philosophy of libertarian paternalism, an idea that blends organizational intervention with people's desire for freedom of choice, as a guide for policy makers. Considering the study's findings of people's steadfast belief in free will, Alba said policy makers must be careful to not threaten autonomy, even if it is for the public good. Alba cites New York City's efforts to ban the sale of 16-plus-ounce sugary drinks in 2014. Although studies have linked sugary drinks to obesity, the ban was overturned by the New York State Court of Appeals. "[Policy makers] want to create contingencies in the environment for people to behave in a better way," Alba said. "But people don't like being manipulated. So the dilemma for the policy maker is how do I get people to behave better without them feeling their autonomy is threatened? That's a hard problem to solve. Because once people detect that you're putting constraints on them--even though you're doing it for their own good--they rebel against it." Alba said the subtle nudges of libertarian paternalism provide a potential solution to this dilemma. A classic example of libertarian paternalism is the "opt-in vs. opt-out" arrangement where, for example, a company enrolls an employee in its 401K program unless the employee expressly exempts himself or herself. The situation blends the company's intention of doing what's best for the employee while still allowing the employee the freedom to say no. "When you cast doubts on the existence of free will, you shake people's worldview," Alba said. "The notion that we don't have free will is not only counterintuitive but also threatening to people's notions of their essence." ### The study, "Belief in Free Will: Implications for Practice and Policy," appears in the December issue of the Journal of Marketing Research. University of Guelph researchers have pinpointed the North American birthplaces of migratory monarch butterflies that overwinter in Mexico, vital information that will help conserve the dwindling species. The researchers analyzed "chemical fingerprints" in the wings of butterflies collected as far back as the mid-1970s to learn where monarchs migrate within North America each autumn. The largest percentage of monarchs migrated to Mexico from the American Midwest, but the biologists were surprised to find that the insects' origins were spread fairly evenly throughout Canada and the United States. "We expected the vast majority of monarch butterflies to be found in the Midwestern states," said Tyler Flockhart, lead author and Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow at U of G. "However, just 38 per cent come from that part of the U.S.A. If we just focus conservation activities on this area, this research shows we will be missing a large number of butterflies born elsewhere in North America." This is the first detailed look at where overwintering monarch butterflies are born over multiple years, he said. Monarch numbers have dropped significantly in recent years, likely due partly to the eradication of milkweed, which began in the mid-1990s. Monarchs feed on milkweed and lay their eggs on the plants. Analyzing more than 1,000 samples, the research team looked at chemical isotope signatures showing where the butterflies were born in the previous summer and fall. They found that 12 per cent of the insects were born in the northwestern U.S. and Canadian Prairies, 17 per cent in the north-central States and Ontario, 15 per cent in the northeastern U.S. and the Maritimes, 11 per cent in the south-central U.S. and eight per cent in the southeastern States. "We didn't see the decline in the proportion of monarchs we expected in the breadbasket of the U.S. -- the Midwestern states -- due to the loss of milkweed, but that could be because monarch numbers dropped across North America," said Flockhart. Co-author and integrative biology professor Ryan Norris said the study shows monarch conservation efforts must begin immediately throughout North America. He called for better collection and analysis of butterflies in their Mexican overwintering grounds to monitor the effects of conservation efforts. "We're facing a growing crisis of species extinction, not just with monarchs," said Norris, co-author of the new paper. "While the Midwest U.S.A. is top-priority, effective conservation of monarchs will require initiatives to restore and conserve habitats across the species range, which means there must be coordinated international initiatives." The Guelph researchers worked with collaborators at Western University in London, Ont., the University of Georgia, Sweet Briar College in Virginia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Environment Canada and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Most of the older monarch samples were collected by Lincoln Brower of Sweet Briar College, who has studied the butterflies for more than 50 years. ### The study was published this month in Global Change Biology. LAWRENCE -- A $100,000 grant from the David B. Jones Foundation will help to develop a new generation of paleontologists at the University of Kansas, enabling students to pursue fieldwork in locations such as Wyoming and Turkey aimed at solving some of evolution's deepest mysteries. "This money can be used flexibly and broadly to support research training and educational outreach relating mainly to graduate and some undergraduate students at KU in vertebrate paleontology," said K. Christopher Beard, Distinguished Foundation Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and senior curator at the KU Biodiversity Institute, who is heading up work under the new grant. Beard's research focuses on the early evolution of mammals, including primates. He said the first three David B. Jones Fellows in Vertebrate Paleontology -- Matt Jones, Spencer Mattingly and Ryan Ridder -- would begin training this spring. "It's often hard to get federal funding to support participation by graduate and undergraduate researchers, especially in my kind of research, which is field-based," Beard said. "Costs can escalate, especially with international fieldwork, airfare and procurements beyond lodging and food -- it really can skyrocket. But in paleontology, one of the most important components is to get students access to work in the field." The researcher said that student work and training would center on two locations: Wyoming and the nation of Turkey. In Turkey, Beard's students will have the opportunity to piece together the ancient migration of mammals in the geographically unique Pontide region, which researchers believe 45 million years ago was an island treasure house of biodiversity, something like today's Madagascar. "We're trying to determine if the Pontide terrain played a role in how animals were able to move back and forth between Asia and Africa, close to the appearance of anthropoid primates," Beard said. "The more fossils we collected there, the weirder they got. This Pontide island had a unique fauna never found anywhere else but a couple of animals that clearly came from Africa. The most common mammals we've found there are primitive hoofed mammals, clearly related to animals common in western Europe, but millions of years earlier -- and we've got a bat that seems related to Asia." In terms of migration of these animals, Beard sees the ancient Pontide region less as a stepping stone between Asia and Africa and more of a "cul-de-sac." "Animals were getting to the islands, but not leaving so much -- they seemed to get stuck there," he said. Before undertaking fieldwork in Turkey, the David B. Jones Fellows will travel to Wyoming to conduct research to establish how mammals during the late Paleocene responded to a warming climate. "We're using Wyoming fieldwork as a proving ground to give students experience in somewhat exotic but not crazy-exotic setting before we take them internationally," Beard said. "In the southwestern part of the state, we're establishing a record of how mammals evolved in response to climatic change in the Paleocene, right after the dinosaurs have died and mammals are beginning to evolve rapidly, and comparing that to other findings from the Bighorn Basin." Beard said his students would be surveying for fossils, excavating sites and screen-washing sediment for minuscule fossils, as well as partnering with geologists to learn to read the landscape. "They'll pick up how to interpret sedimentary rocks, to understand what the ancient environment would have been," he said. "Are you looking at ancient marsh, lake, seashore or river floodplain? Those are basic skills associated with areas like sedimentology and stratigraphy." In addition to work in the field domestically and internationally, the David B. Jones Fellows studying with Beard will be trained in the full "assembly line" of paleontological research, including restoration of fossils, and learning how to mold and cast fossil specimens. The training will be carried out under guidance from David Burnham, preparator at KU's Natural History Museum. Further, with KU's Oscar Sanisidro, the fellows will learn techniques of scientific illustration. A key goal of the grant is facilitation of student publishing of findings in peer-reviewed journals. "We want to stimulate scholarly research on part of the graduate students," Beard said. "KU paleontology already has a great reputation, but we want to push it to the top of the mountain nationally, and one way is to have graduate students publishing scholarly work and giving presentations at conferences. In this grant, there's funding to support that as well." Additionally, the grant provides funds for KU paleontology students to receive training in pedagogy. "It's something I faced as a graduate student," Beard said. "I wound up learning a lot about research, but nobody taught me anything about how to teach. Skills in basic pedagogy are too often lacking in an overall graduate curriculum." Finally, the students will develop and lead outreach programs and events at KU's Natural History Museum to engage the public and young people. Public outreach is a key goal of the David B. Jones Foundation, with its mission to further "educational, research and charitable activities working in the science of paleontology who primarily promote those activities within the United States of America." "David B. Jones was an amateur paleontologist who was involved in using fossils to get kids interested in science in general," Beard said. "For instance, he was active in the Boy Scouts. I think this lines up so well with the agenda of the foundation." ### A vast peatland in the Congo Basin has been mapped for the first time, revealing it to be the largest in the tropics. The new study found that the Cuvette Centrale peatlands in the central Congo Basin, which were unknown to exist five years ago, cover 145,500 square kilometres -- an area larger than England. They lock in 30 billion tonnes of carbon making the region one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth. The UK-Congolese research team spent three years exploring remote tropical swamp forests to find samples of peat for laboratory analysis. Their research, published today in Nature, combined the peat analysis with satellite data to estimate that the Congo Basin peatlands store the equivalent of three years of the world's total fossil fuel emissions. Co-leaders of the study, Professor Simon Lewis and Dr Greta Dargie, from University of Leeds and University College London first discovered the peatlands', existence during fieldwork in 2012. Professor Lewis said: "Our research shows that the peat in the central Congo Basin covers a colossal amount of land. It is 16 times larger than the previous estimate and is the single largest peatland complex found anywhere in the tropics. We have also found 30 billion tonnes of carbon that nobody knew existed. The peat covers only 4 per cent of the whole Congo Basin, but stores the same amount of carbon belowground as that stored above ground in the trees covering the other 96 per cent. "These peatlands hold nearly 30 per cent of the world's tropical peatland carbon, that's about 20 years of the fossil fuel emissions of the United States of America." Dr Dargie said: "Our 2012 discovery of the Congo Basin peat gave us just enough insight to refine our searches. In 2014, when we found the deepest peat deposits in the most remote areas of swamp we realized the importance of the Cuvette Centrale peatlands. "The sheer expanse of these peatlands makes central Africa home to the world's most extensive peatland complex. It is astonishing that in 2016 discoveries like this can still be made." Professor Lewis added: "Our new peatland map is the first step in understanding this vast ecosystem. These swamp forests have been wrongly classified in all previous maps. I hope our work encourages much more investment in this neglected region to better understand the role of peatlands within the global carbon cycle and the climate system." Peat is an organic wetland soil made from part-decomposed plant debris, more commonly found in cool environments. Healthy peatlands act as carbon sinks, removing carbon from the atmosphere through plant growth. Further decomposition of the peat is prevented by its waterlogged environment, locking up carbon. Year-round waterlogging is needed for peat to form in the tropics. If peatlands dry out, either through changes in land use such as drainage for agriculture or reduced rainfall, further decomposition resumes, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Professor Lewis said: "Peatlands are only a resource in the fight against climate change when left intact, and so maintaining large stores of carbon in undisturbed peatlands should be a priority. Our new results show that carbon has been building up in the Congo Basin's peat for nearly 11,000 years. "If the Congo Basin peatland complex was to be destroyed, this would release billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere." The study places the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (RoC) as the second and third most important countries in the world for tropical peat carbon stocks. In first place is Indonesia, as it contains tropical peatlands across the islands of Borneo, Sumatra and New Guinea. These Asian islands have suffered damage or loss to about 94,000 km2 of peatland mostly by forest fires or drained for agricultural use over recent decades. Because of their remote location, the peatlands in the Congo Basin are relatively undisturbed. But they could face threats from drainage for agricultural plantations, particularly for palm oil, as is happening in Indonesia. Because the Congolese peatlands are so newly-discovered, they do not feature in conservation plans to ensure they remain undisturbed. The peat may also be vulnerable to the effects of climate change in two ways, if rising temperatures increase evaporation, or if average rainfall is reduced, to a level when the peat begins to dry out. At this point the peat would begin to release its carbon to the atmosphere. Study co-author Dr Ifo Suspense, from the Universite Marien Ngouabi in the RoC capital Brazzaville, said: "The discovery of the Cuvette Centrale peatlands could have a large impact on the climate and conservation policies of the Congo. The maintenance and protection of this peatland complex, alongside protecting our forests, could be central Africa's great contribution to the global climate change problem. "It is of the utmost importance that governments, conservation and scientific communities work with the people of the Cuvette Centrale to improve local livelihoods without compromising the integrity of this globally significant region of Earth." In addition to their status as a globally important region for carbon storage, the Congo Basin swamps are refuges for endangered species including lowland gorillas and forest elephants. Dr Emma Stokes, Director of the Central Africa Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society said: "This research highlights the immense significance of these swamp forests for the stability of our climate. However, these forests, in the geographical heart of Africa, are also a vital refuge for many thousands of great apes, elephants and other large forest mammals that are threatened by developments in the surrounding landscape. "The RoC government is considering the expansion of Lac Tele Community Reserve, a move that could safeguard an additional 50,000 square kilometres of swamp forest - much of it overlying peat - from future disturbance. We strongly support this move and commend the RoC government for this initiative. We urge both countries to continue efforts to protect these habitats from industrial transformation." Dr Greta Dargie said: "With so many of the world's tropical peatlands under threat from land development and the need to reduce carbon emissions to zero over the coming decades, it is essential that the Congo Basin peatlands remain intact." The study details the researchers' use of core samples to confirm the presence of peat soil and determine its depth. The average depth was 2.4 metres but at its deepest, it reached 5.9 metres - roughly the height of a two-storey building. The study used field measurements that confirmed the presence of peat, and the vegetation that overlies it, to determine that only two specific forest types have peat underneath: a year-round waterlogged swamp of hardwood trees and a year-round waterlogged swamp dominated by one species of palm. The researchers then used data from US and Japanese satellites to map the two specific peat swamp forest types across the whole region to determine the boundaries of the Congo Basin peatlands. Combining this area with peat depth and peat carbon content from the laboratory analyses allowed the total carbon stocks to be calculated. The Cuvette Centrale wetlands occupy about 10 per cent of the Congo Basin. About 40 per cent of the total extent of all the Cuvette Centrale wetlands has peat underneath. ### Further information Images Download from https://goo.gl/fbdrBY Images credit: Simon Lewis, University of Leeds The research paper, "Age, extent, and carbon storage of the central Congo Basin peatland complex" is published in Nature on 11 January 2017 (DOI 10.1038/nature21048) The discovery of the Cuvette Centrale peatlands was made possible by a Philip Leverhulme Prize awarded to Professor Simon Lewis in 2011. Dr Greta Dargie's PhD and the radiocarbon dates were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. Wildlife Conservation Society Congo also contributed funds to the PhD. Satellite image analysis was performed at the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with Dr Edward Mitchard, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council Satellite image data was provided by the USGS, NASA and JAXA, and partially processed by OSFAC in Kinshasa, DRC. For interviews, or video footage of the peatland please contact the University of Leeds press office via a.martinez@leeds.ac.uk or +44 (0)113 34 34196. Natural Environment Research Council NERC is the UK's main agency for funding and managing research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences. Our work covers the full range of atmospheric, Earth, biological, terrestrial and aquatic science, from the deep oceans to the upper atmosphere and from the poles to the equator. We co-ordinate some of the world's most exciting research projects, tackling major issues such as climate change, environmental influences on human health, the genetic make-up of life on Earth, and much more. NERC is a non-departmental public body. We receive around 330m of annual funding from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). http://www.nerc.ac.uk The Leverhulme Trust The Leverhulme Trust was established by the Will of William Hesketh Lever, the founder of Lever Brothers. Since 1925 the Trust has provided grants and scholarships for research and education; today it is one of the largest all-subject providers of research funding in the UK, distributing approximately 80 million a year. For more information: http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk University of Leeds The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK, with more than 31,000 students from 147 different countries, and a member of the Russell Group research-intensive universities. We are a top 10 university for research and impact power in the UK, according to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, and positioned as one of the top 100 best universities in the world in the 2015 QS World University Rankings. We are The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2017. http://www.leeds.ac.uk Research carried out by Plymouth University into the experience of dementia in farming and farming families, and its impact on their businesses and home lives, has identified four areas of concern which need to be addressed if dementia in the countryside is to be managed. It is the first time that research has addressed this issue in farming. The year-long study was undertaken by Dr Claire Kelly and Dr Richard Yarwood from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at Plymouth University with support from Ian Sherriff, Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia at the University and Chair of the Prime Minister's Rural Dementia Friendly Task and Finish Group. It was funded by the Seale Hayne Educational Trust with support from the Farming Community Network. The four areas of concern identified by the study were: the farm environment; a reluctance to ask for help; support services, and; changing rural communities. The areas of concern emerged after listening to farmers and their families about their experiences of dementia and how it impacts on their business and home lives. Sixteen farmers from across Devon were interviewed, along with seven professionals from different organisational perspectives working with, and supporting, farmers living with dementia. Concerns about the farm environment related to the hazardous nature of farms themselves, with opportunities for people to be crushed by animals, fall into slurry pits and be trapped in or under machinery. The interviews showed that it can be hard for farmers affected by dementia to maintain standards of animal health and welfare, and that running a farm while at the same time caring for a family member living with dementia can lead to enormous strain on other family members. The interviews also showed that farmers can be reluctant to ask for help, which can lead to isolation and a desire to hide problems from the outside world. Farmers were often concerned about what might happen to the farm but reluctant to take steps to address the issue. The unique social and economic context of farming means that often, farmers continue working long after the state retirement age. As a consequence health issues such as dementia, which show increased prevalence amongst older populations, can be particular issues for farm businesses. As farms are generally homes as well as businesses, this can also lead to additional strain and financial pressures on the wider family if plans to hand-on the business to the next generation have not been made. Linked to this is the fact that few had made plans about what would happen to their farms when they stopped farming. There was a lack of knowledge about crucial legal steps such as setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney to cover when they were no longer able to run the farming business. Few had kept their wills up-to-date. Dr. Claire Kelly said: "Farming and the farm itself are more than merely business interests; they are an important part of lifestyle and identity. There is therefore justifiable fear that a diagnosis of dementia can lead to the loss of the farm, the home and everything that is familiar. Taking over financial responsibility for the farm can take many months to sort out if someone becomes incapacitated but in the meantime, the farm needs to continue to function as a business, so fodder needs to be bought, animals bought and sold, etc, which can be very difficult if the farm business is solely in the name of the person living with dementia." Many farmers were unaware of the support and help available to them. Some organisations strive to provide help but are stymied by this lack of awareness and/or joined-up thinking between relevant agencies such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Rural Payments Agency, Trading Standards and Social Services. Often there is no engagement by these agencies until a formal diagnosis of dementia is made, which can sometimes be quite late on when the farm is already in crisis. The cost of accessing services was also an area of concern, in that the cost in time and money of taking people to and from appointments can be particularly prohibitive for farmers, especially in remote rural areas. Dr. Richard Yarwood said: "There was a perception that types of support are often urban-focused and inappropriate for people who have lived and worked outdoors all their lives and been very independent. Pride, a tradition of self-reliance and the desire for privacy often prevent people from asking for help." Underlying these concerns was one regarding changes in rural communities. Farming is an isolated job and has become more so as the composition of rural communities has changed. Fewer people living in the countryside work on the land and consequently, a reliance on the availability of community help may be misplaced as many community members lack knowledge of farming. Equally, some farmers may not know members of their local community, decreasing the likelihood that they will seek help there. Based on the research the team from Plymouth University have made the following recommendations: Where possible farmers should plan ahead for the eventuality of ill health (including dementia) or retirement. This should include Lasting Powers of Attorney, succession planning and so on. There is a need for joined up thinking and working between statutory agencies, dementia support organisations and rural communities, with initiatives such as dementia friendly parishes. Farmers can be reluctant to ask for help, fearing a loss of privacy, yet they need help to network with each other. Mutual support and experience-sharing is a particularly valuable way for farmers who are reluctant to engage with formal agencies, to gain access to farming-specific help and information on living well with dementia. Allowing farmers to share experience with other farmers in other areas of the UK, for example, would provide that mutual support without having to share information with those close to home or on neighbouring farms. There is a need for all agencies working with farmers to undergo dementia training. Agencies working with farmers can become dementia friends. Lessons can be learnt from initiatives to combat farming stress. Main concern is for farmers and their families to recognise issues and seek support. Ian Sherriff commented: "Dementia is a growing health problem, with an anticipated increase in the number of cases of 156 per cent between now and 2051, according to statistics from the Alzheimer's Society. This equates to two million people, and the burden will fall on rural areas where there are significantly higher proportions of elderly people. The burden will impact farming businesses, communities and the rural economy, yet little is known about how this impact will manifest itself and what kind of specialist care networks will need to be in place to tackle it. Our research has gone some way to identifying and addressing concerns, and we are looking forward to working with the farming community and the agencies and organisations that support it, to implement our recommendations." ### Imagine a "DNA photocopier" small enough to hold in your hand that could identify the bacteria or virus causing an infection even before the symptoms appear. This possibility is raised by a fundamentally new method for controlling a powerful but finicky process called the polymerase chain reaction. PCR was developed in 1983 by Kary Mullis, who received the Nobel Prize for his invention. It is generally considered one of the most important advances in the field of molecular biology because it can make billions of identical copies of small segments of DNA so they can be used in molecular and genetic analyses. Vanderbilt University biomedical engineers Nicholas Adams and Frederick Haselton came up with an out-of-the-box idea, which they call adaptive PCR. It uses left-handed DNA (L-DNA) to monitor and control the molecular reactions that take place in the PCR process. Left-handed DNA is the mirror image of the DNA found in all living things. It has the same physical properties as regular, right-handed DNA but it does not participate in most biological reactions. As a result, when fluorescently tagged L-DNA is added to a PCR sample, it behaves in an identical way to the regular DNA and provides a fluorescent light signal that reports information about the molecular reactions taking place and can be used to control them. In order to test their idea, Adams and Haselton recruited Research Assistant Professor of Physics William Gabella to create a working prototype of an adaptive PCR machine and then they tested it extensively with the assistance of biomedical engineering undergraduate Austin Hardcastle. A description of the technique and their test results are described in the paper "Adaptive PCR Based on Hybridization Sensing of Mirror-Image L-DNA" published in the journal Analytical Chemistry. Although the technology is generally considered to be mature, PCR machines have proven to be complicated to operate and hypersensitive to small variations in the chemical composition of samples and environmental conditions. That is largely because there has been no direct way to monitor what is taking place at the molecular level. As a result, the adaptive approach for controlling the PCR process promises to make it simpler to operate, improve its reliability, reduce its sensitivity to environmental conditions and shrink it from desktop to handheld size. As a consequence, it could free PCR from the laboratory setting and allow it to work in the field or at the bedside where it could be used to identify different diseases by their DNA signatures. The difficulty lab technicians have operating current PCR technology was captured by Ernesto Llamas, a Ph.D. student at the Center for Research In Agricultural Genomics in Barcelona, who draws cartoons about science on his Sketching Science Facebook page. In a cartoon titled, "PCR Protocol," he shows a researcher running a sample through a PCR machine. The panels are titled "get the reagents; prepare the mix; set up conditions; analyze the gel; negative result; cry." "PCR machines are pretty finicky," said Adams, giving an example: "We have three commercial PCR machines in our lab. For awhile one of them wasn't working. When we put identically prepared samples in all three machines, two of them worked and one didn't. As I was discussing this problem on the phone with one of the company's technicians, she asked me if the problem machine was within eight inches of a wall. It turned out it was. According to the technician the wall was interfering with the air flow to the machine. She was right because when I moved it out from the wall it began working properly!" Laboratory technicians have found methods to compensate for these problems. The machines are kept in temperature-controlled rooms. They purify the DNA samples so they have a uniform chemical composition. Even so, it can take operators several weeks to optimize the machines to run samples from new sources. And, even when optimized, they run samples in triplicate, just in case one of them fails. To appreciate Adams and Haselton's innovation, first you need to understand how PCR works. There are five core "ingredients" required for PCR: a DNA template to be copied; primers, short stretches of DNA that initiate the PCR reaction that are designed to bind to either side of the section of DNA that you want to copy; DNA nucleotide bases, the building blocks of DNA that are needed to build new strands of DNA; DNA polymerase, a special enzyme that builds new DNA strands; and a buffer that provides the proper chemical conditions for the reaction. A sample containing these ingredients is first heated almost to its boiling point, the temperature at which double-stranded DNA separates into two single strands: a process called denaturing. Next, the sample is cooled to a temperature where the primers attach to the single strands: a process called annealing. Once the annealing is complete, the temperature begins to rise and the DNA polymerase automatically begins making new strands of double-stranded DNA using the single strands as templates: a process called elongation. The end result is two exact copies of the original double-stranded DNA. When the process is complete, the cycle repeats: The temperature ramps up again to the sample's boiling point, causing the two double-stranded DNA to separate into four single strands which act as templates. In this fashion, the two copies of DNA become four copies, four copies become eight copies and so on. The cycle is repeated as many as 30 to 40 times, producing more than a billion exact copies of the original DNA segment. Temperature and chemical composition are the critical factors in the PCR process. The requirement to heat the sample to precise temperatures has led to PCR machines with sophisticated heating systems and heavy insulation. Nevertheless, small changes in air circulation and room temperature can throw them out of kilter. Similarly, variations in the chemical composition of the samples can significantly change the temperatures required for the various steps. For example, differences in levels of salts, sugars and alcohols - chemicals often used in sample preparation - all can alter the temperature at which the DNAs attach and dissociate. As a result, technicians must go through an extensive calibration process to optimize the chemicals and cycle temperatures, and then precisely maintain those conditions for each new sample. Adaptive PCR sidesteps all these variables by relying on the fluorescent L-DNA to determine the ideal cycle temperatures for annealing and denaturing. L-DNA sequences are commercially available. So the first step is to order L-DNA with the same sequence as the right-handed DNA that you want to amplify along with left-handed primers. The L-DNAs are ordered with a fluorescent dye on one strand and a "quencher" on the other strand. The quencher suppresses the fluorescence of the dye. So, as the L-DNA strands separate in the denaturing step, the quencher and dye also separate which causes the fluorescence level in the sample to increase. By analyzing the rate of change of the fluorescent level, a microprocessor can determine when virtually all of the DNA has separated. Similarly, a dye quencher is attached to the left-handed primers. So as the process moves into the annealing step and the primers attach to the L-DNA strands, the quenchers they carry begin suppressing the fluorescent dye on the L-DNA. This provides a dimming signal that can be analyzed to identify the point when the primers are attached to virtually all the DNA strands. The amount of L-DNA in the sample remains constant from cycle to cycle because it does not participate in the amplification step. The researchers report that experiments with the prototype system have demonstrated that the technique duplicates the results of conventional PCR machines in controlled conditions and can efficiently amplify DNA under conditions that cause standard PCR to fail. "These advantages have the potential to make PCR-based diagnostics more accessible outside of well-controlled laboratories, such as point-of-care and field settings that lack the resources to accurately control the reaction temperature or perform high quality sample preparation." Vanderbilt University has applied for a patent on adaptive PCR and its representatives are in active discussions with several companies about licensing the technology. ### The development was supported in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through its Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative in Diagnostics program and the Vanderbilt-Zambia Network for Innovation in Global Health Technologies (VZ-NIGHT) program funded by the National Institutes of Health. Haiti - Politics : Portrait of Jovenel Moise, 58th President of Haiti Jovenel Moise, the 58th President of the Republic of Haiti which will be invested to the Supreme Magistrature of the Nation on February 7, 2017, was born on June 26, 1968 in Trou du Nord (Northeast Department) in a modest family (father farmer and mechanic, mother seamstress). In July 1974, he settled with his family in Port-au-Prince where he continued his primary education at the National School Don Durelin, then his secondary education at Lycee Toussaint Louverture first and then at theCultural Center of the College Canado Haitien. Later, he attended the Faculty of Educational Sciences of the University Quisqueya. Despite his future already mapped as educator, he changes direction to engage in entrepreneurship. In 1996, he left the capital and moved to Port-de-Paix, with the dream of developing the hinterland. With very little investment capital, he created his first business at Port-de-Paix, "JOMAR Auto Parts", still in operation today. The same year, his love of the land directs its efforts towards the establishment of an agricultural project. Jovenel sets up a plantation of 10 hectares of bananas in the Northwest Department. Shortly after then father, he became aware that access to clean water is a major issue in the hinterland and embarked on a new project. In 2001, strengthened by his experiences, he decided to find a solution to this problem. He starts in partnership with the company Culligan of Port-au-Prince and combine loans from financial institutions and individuals, with difficulty, he started a water plant for distribution of drinking water in the North-West and North-East. From his success in the business world and his desire to support community development, Jovenel became in 2004 a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Industry (CCINO). In no time, he was elected president of the CCINO. His ability to build a group synergy allows him to become Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti (CHIC) where he played a significant role in integrating the regional Chambers of Commerce, to ensure their full and fair representation within the CCIH. Interested in regional electrification, he formed in 2008 with more partners, the Haitian Energy Company SA (COMPHENER SA), which aims to bring solar and wind energy to 10 communes of the Northwest department. In 2012, in Trou du Nord, he founded AGRITRANS SA, bringing the agricultural project NOURRIBIO to become the first Haitian Agricultural Zone Franche. With this project, Jovenel Moise has transformed a site dedicated to the abandonment of an integrated sustainable development project, a model for the development of agriculture in Haiti. Recall that the project NOURRIBIO has already enabled the emergence of more than a dozen agricultural projects that have created almost 3,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs. This project is the most innovative in Haiti and the largest that the Caribbean has seen so far. In 2015, the President Michel Martelly, designates Jovenel Moise as presidential candidate of the political party he founded, the Haitian Tet Kale Party (PHTK). Wherever he goes, Jovenel Moise sold his vision of a bio-ecological agriculture as the engine of the Haitian economy, creates jobs and generates wealth for a population whose over 50% is rural. He proposes agriculture as the basis for economic recovery. His policy also includes elements that have been the workhorse of Martelly: education for all, access to health, energy reform, the rule of law, the creation of sustainable jobs, environmental protection, and development of Haiti come a tourist destination by adding eco-tourism and agro-tourism. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19699-haiti-flash-address-to-the-nation-of-president-elect-jovenel-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19698-haiti-presidential-2016-final-results-jovenel-moise-58th-president.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19690-haiti-flash-bcen-rendered-its-final-decision.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Senator Guy Philippe extradited to the USA Recall that Thursday, shortly before 4:00 in the afternoon, elected Senator Guy Philippe (Grande Anse) was arrested by members of the Office for the Fight against Drug Trafficking (BLTS), while leaving the radio Scoop FM while taking a crowd bath in the middle of sympathizer before rejoining his vehicle https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19720-haiti-flash-arrest-of-senator-guy-philippe.html Subsequently, he was taken to the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) in the early evening where was deployed a massive security device. Note that he has been arrested under an international arrest warrant issued against him for several years for his alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking. In the evening, Guy Philippe was taken to Toussaint Louverture Airport where, surrounded by armed agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), boarded handcuffed a non-commercial white plane N5888k, to be extradited to Florida in the United States to face the charges brought against him. Me Mario Delcy, Guy Philippe's lawyer confirmed that the latter was extradited by agents of the DEA last night to the United States and called on parliamentarians to mobilize against this arrest. It should be noted that Senator Guy Philippe was arrested while he did not yet have all the immunities conferred on him by his function, Article 114 of the Constitution stipulates that "Members of the Legislative Body are inviolable from the day of taking the oath until the expiry of their term of office, subject to the provisions of Article 115." No Haitian authority has made an official statement on this arrest and on the extradition of Guy Philippe. Camille Junior Edouard, the Minister of Justice remains until now silent as the Presidency and the American Embassy. The Senators should launch a convocation against the Minister of Justice in the coming hours for more explanations. For the moment, the exact charges against Guy Philippe are unknown. At the announcement of the arrest of Guy Philippe, in the departments of the South and Grand'Anse, protesters went down the streets to demand his release. We have reports that flaming tire barricades were erected on roads in these two departments, also police stations also have been victims of attacks of unidentified individuals without more details or exact balance on the very tense situation. Jean Henry Ceant "Renmen Ayiti", said he was revolted by this arrest and pointed finger at the de facto President Privert as one of the main artisans of this arrest. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19720-haiti-flash-arrest-of-senator-guy-philippe.html SL/ TB/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Migration USA : Statement by Congressman Henry Cuellar Following the release of immigrants from Central America to Laredo (Texas border town with Mexico) by the Department of Homeland Security with a notice of appearance before an immigration judge, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) issued the following statement : "The Department of Homeland Security is releasing immigrants, mostly from Central America, in the Laredo area where they are free to go with relatives or sponsor organizations while they are given a Notice to Appear for an asylum hearing before an immigration judge on a certain date. These immigrants were previously processed to be deported before being reprocessed with a Notice to Appear and therefore released on their own recognizance. Our law enforcement on the border have a tremendous job at hand. I recently spoke with Roman Macaya, Costa Rican Ambassador to the United States, regarding information that about 40,000 migrants from Haiti, as well as Africa, Asia and the Middle East, will be on their way to the United States southern border via Central America and Mexico. I continue to stress the need to be more proactive and work with our neighbors in both Mexico and Central America to curb these huge waves of illegal immigration to the United States. Our taxpayer dollars, and more importantly, our border communities, are bearing the burden of providing emergency shelter and food for many of these immigrants who have been coming to the border and pleading asylum in record numbers. This past year, Congress provided $750 million in aid for Central America specifically to help deter illegal immigration to the United States. Furthermore, Im working with my colleagues to provide our justice system with the immigration judges and necessary infrastructure to cut down on the backlog of immigration cases. In FY16, we were able to provide the U.S. Department of Justice with 55 new immigration judges and had a deal worked out in the FY17 House Appropriations Act to provide 25 more. I will continue to work with my colleagues to find solutions to make changes to these processes at the border." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Americans attacked, houses burned down ! Missionaries and foreign workers mostly American from an orphanage in southern Haiti were attacked by unidentified individuals, supporters of elected Senator Guy Phillipe, arrested and extradited to the United States on 5 January for federal charges of cocaine trafficking and money laundering between 1997 and 2003 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19721-haiti-flash-senator-guy-philippe-extradited-to-the-usa.html Moreover, according to the information available, individuals burned the homes of American missionaries, chanting death threats. The Americans had their lives saved thanks to the intervention of the authorities of Jeremie (South). The situation in the South of the country which remains very tense since January 6, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19757-haiti-flash-violent-reprisals-of-guy-philippe-s-supporters.html has forced the deployment of special brigades of the Haitian National Police (PNH) from Port-au-Prince, the municipal authorities in the relevant departments, not having enough staff to protect in the long term the persons concerned. At the judicial level, information is circulating that the lawyer of Senator Guy Philippe, Richard Dansohva could invoke at the arraignment hearing in the United States on Thursday, January 13, 2017, the immunity enjoyed by his client https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19731-haiti-flash-guy-philippe-the-charges-are-known-appearing-on-january-13-2017.html . To this end, he should go to Haiti to gather the documents to support his pleadings. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19757-haiti-flash-violent-reprisals-of-guy-philippe-s-supporters.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19731-haiti-flash-guy-philippe-the-charges-are-known-appearing-on-january-13-2017.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19730-haiti-justice-guy-philippe-appeared-the-minister-of-justice-convened.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19721-haiti-flash-senator-guy-philippe-extradited-to-the-usa.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19720-haiti-flash-arrest-of-senator-guy-philippe.html SL/ HaitiLibre LOCAL BRIEFS: DAR Good Citizen, Kiwanis surprise, Frostbite race Shown, from left, are Veritas Christian Academy guidance counselor Margo Prechter, Good Citizen winner Hana Barazi and Nedra Moles, chair of the DAR Good Citizens Committee. Related Stories DAR Good Citizen The Abraham Kuykendall Chapter, NSDAR, of Flat Rock, honored the 2016 DAR Good Citizen Winner Hana Barazi , a senior from Veritas Christian Academy, on Dec. 8. Shown, from left, are Veritas Christian Academy guidance counselor Margo Prechter, Barazi and Nedra Moles, chair of the DAR Good Citizens Committee. The award winner was nominated by her guidance counselor for her leadership, dependability, service and patriotism. Her essay was on the topic of Our American Heritage and our Responsibility to Preserve It. She presented her essay at our chapter meeting and received $100 and her certificate. The DAR Good Citizen Award was also presented to Addie Elizabeth Lynch, of Polk County High School, and Michael Scott Woolard, of East Henderson High School. Library launches program to encourage early reading The Henderson County Public Library is partnering with Smart Start of Henderson County to launch its 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program in January. The program is geared toward increasing the early literacy skills of preschool children in Henderson County. 1,000 Books before Kindergarten is the result of numerous studies that demonstrate the connection between reading and early stimulation in improving brain development. The program helps guide parents to grow a reader by making reading a regular part of the day. All babies, toddlers and preschoolers are encouraged to participate and invited to the program kickoff from 10:30 a.m. until noon Jan. 3 at the Main Library and at the Etowah branch. Every attendee will get their first reading log and a bright balloon. If parents read just one book a day with their child, theyll reach the 1,000 book goal in less than 3 years. For more information, please contact Kathy Kirchoefer at 828-697-4725 x. 2313. Thrive director speaks at Democratic breakfast The Henderson County Democratic Party will hold its monthly breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Democratic headquarters, 905 Greenville Hwy. Guest speaker is Kristen Martin, executive director of Thrive, a local mental health agency. All-you-can-eat buffet is $9 for adults $4.50 for children under 10. First time attendees eat for free. Frostbite race set for Sunday, Feb. 19 Henderson Countys annual 25th annual Frostbite Races will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Leila Patterson Fitness & Aquatics Center, 1111 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher. Presented by Trace and Company, the Frostbite event is oldest and largest footrace in Henderson County. The distance events provide views of Hutch Mountain and are on hilly to challenging terrain, with some steep inclines on both the 10k and 5k courses. A flat and fast 1-mile course makes this premier racing event an opportunity for all running levels and ages. Registration is now open at https://racesonline.com/events/frostbiteraces. Those who register three or more family members online (at one time) get 15 percent off youre the entry fee. A portion of event proceeds will be used for the benefit of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and their mentor programs for underprivileged kids in our area. For more information, or to volunteer to help out, contact events@idaph.net or visit http://idaph.net/events/frostbite-races/. Kiwanis Club gets Christmas surprise The Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville received an unexpected Christmas gift at its weekly meeting last week it announced the winner of its first Drawing for Kids raffle. On Dec. 8, the club drew the winning name for the $5,000 prize. The winner was Worthy Association Management LLC, which manages the Wolfpen subdivision on Chimney Rock Road. Kiwanis member Dick Lepak, a resident of Wolfpen, had sold the winning ticket to Worthy Association Managements manager, Marion Bachand. Lepak was present at the drawing and called Bachand to let her know her company had won the ticket. When Kiwanis President Elizabeth Moss presented Bachand the $5,000 check, she accepted it, then told the club she had something she would like to present. Bachand handed over $5,000 check from Worthy Management to Moss. Her generous act brought the Kiwanians to their feet in a raucous ovation. Thanks to Worthy Management and Bachand, the Kiwanis Club raised more than $10,600, doubling the funds raised for Kiwanis programs that help local children such as Terrific Kids, the Shoes and Socks program and need-based scholarships for graduating high school seniors. Credit Union raises $1,385 to pay forward United Federal Credit Union donated $1,385 to local families and organizations across North Carolina during the 2016 Pay It Forward initiative. As part of the Pay It Forward program, UFCU provides $15 to every employee to give to a needy individual, family, or organization of their choice. Many times departments and branches combine funds to create a more substantial donation. Employees in Fletcher, Hendersonville, Asheville and Statesville raised money to benefit local familiessome dealing with medical or financial difficultiesas well as a variety of institutions that help local children like Hall Fletcher Elementary School in Asheville and the Blessings in a Box program held in Hendersonville. In 2016 through the Pay It Forward initiative, UFCU collectively donated more than $11,500 to 34 different individuals and community organizations across the six states where branches are located. McGrady commits to sponsor rollback of costly class size law State Rep. Chuck McGrady vowed to lead the charge in the state House to roll back a K-3 class size law that local school leaders say will cost the county $3.5 million and potentially eliminate music, art and P.E. or force bigger classes in higher grades. Related Stories McGrady, who showed up at the Board of Commissioners budget workshop on Tuesday, said he will file a bill that would modify the requirement in a way that local school districts have described as doable and affordable. Henderson County School Board members vowed in a Jan. 9 meeting to step up appeals to state legislators to retreat from a class-size mandate that would cost the school system $3 million next school year and could force the elimination of programs like music, art and phys-ed or result in bigger classes in higher grades.Henderson County and other school systems across the state are already beginning budget planning for the fiscal year that starts July 1 and the 2017-18 academic year. When they ran the numbers on a law the Legislature enacted last summer on class sizes in grades K-3, they calcuated that the mandate would require elementary schools to hire 48 teachers by August. It will have a profound impact on the school system, said Scott Rhodes, chief human resources officer for the county schools. We want to make it clear. We favor smaller class sizes but we also have to talk about the ripple effect of decisions made through the General Assembly and what those may be. At a cost of $52,740 per teacher a figure that includes benefits and payroll taxes the school system would have to come up with $2,531,520. The schools would also have to add 21 mobile units to accommodate the new classes, at a cost of $966,000, for a total cost of $3.5 million. And all of that money the state is going to give us, right? said School Board Chair Amy Lynn Holt. Rhodes said no. Oh, I thought they would if theyre requiring this, she said facetiously, aware that the state mandate had come with no funding. The options for meeting the smaller class-size mandate, School Board members said, are worse. The schools could lay off art, P.E. and music teachers in the primary grades, cut middle and high school teachers, increase class sizes in grades 4-12 or devise some combination of those options. School Boards across the state favor a compromise in the House that rolled back the class size requirement, allowing both higher average class sizes and maximum class sizes. That formula brings the total number of new teachers to 11, at a cost of $580,140. The parents in our school system need to be aware of the possible ramifications as we have been made aware so they can contact our representtives and maybe other representatives across the state, said board member Rick Wood. I dont even want to think about having to do some of the things weve heard that we might have to do tonight. We need to be talking about adding to some of our programs, not taking away. Im very concerned about it. Before the new mandate, the state allotted money at a ratio of 1:18 for kindergarten, 1:16 for first grade and 1:17 for grades 2 and 3 but allowed local schools to have larger average class sizes by three students in kindergarten, five in the first grade and four in grades 2 and 3. School systems used the margin to fund other programs. Thats how were funding a lot of our P.E. and arts teachers is due to the fact that we can go to 24 as a maximum class size, Superintendent Bo Caldwell said. If the law is not changed, school systems across the state will need to hire teachers quickly. We have a teacher shortage in North Carolina where we are struggling to be able to hire new teachers, Rhodes said. In the past, hiring a kindergarten and first grade teachers has not been a problem. Now its becoming one. Caldwell said he had gotten a positive response from state Sen. Chuck Edwards. He gets it. He understands, Caldwell said. I think the information we provided as far told, he certainly said hed see what he could do. School administrators are appealing for quick action from the Legislature to roll back the requirement. You cant change this in July, Caldwell said. Weve got planning and weve got budgets. Doing Homework on Vaccines this Back-to-School Season? Here are 10 Ways to Separate Fact from Fiction. Cork Airport and tourism chiefs will also pursue German and Swiss tourists, as it emerged from a Failte Ireland survey that there is a drop in optimism for 2017 from the tourism industry because of Brexit and other factors. Icelandic carrier Wow Air will fly from Cork to Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York City, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington DC this summer via Reykjavik, and an aggressive social media and local radio campaign in those areas will attempt to lure North American visitors to visit Ireland. Norwegian Air International is set to fly from Cork Airport to New Hampshires Portsmouth International Airport and TF Green Airport in Rhode Island. Even though they are both 100km away from traditional Irish-American tourism strongholds of Boston and New York, businesses relying on tourism in Cork are confident that they can entice visitors from that new market. Tourism industry sentiment, which has been on the rise for the last few years, may now be plateauing as concerns about Brexit take hold, according to Failte Irelands latest Tourism Barometer Survey. Only 76% of tourism businesses remain optimistic for 2017. Thats down from the 80% who said they were optimistic a year ago. Failte Ireland said business sentiment across the tourism sector remains buoyant but optimism was tempered by caution for 2017, fuelled mainly by Brexit. Four in five accommodation providers along the Wild Atlantic Way say that the brand will be positive for them in 2017. The newer Irelands Ancient East brand is also expected to have a positive impact for 57% of operators in the region it covers. Managing director of Cork Airport Niall MacCarthy said that Brexit would be a challenge, but it meant opportunities in the US, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland. We are already engaged with Tourism Ireland North America and we will see active social media and radio campaigns looking to entice tourists to Cork from these areas, he told the Irish Examiner. There is evidence that although bookings from Britain remain the same, there is a 20% drop in discretionary spending. We will keep our focus on Britain but also the American, Canadian, German, and Swiss markets. Interns Start Work During Busy Accounting Season Jan. 11, 2017 Colin Gogoel (left) and Gail Mar are two of the students interning now with public accounting firms. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. While their classmates enjoyed a few more days of winter break, 17 Illinois Wesleyan University accounting majors stepped into the work force as paid interns with public accounting firms. Over the past decade more than 200 students have participated in Illinois Wesleyans unique and popular winter internship program, which allows students to work alongside full-time CPA associates during the firms busy seasons and stay on track to finish their Illinois Wesleyan coursework in four years. Students at other universities often take a full semester off just to intern, said Laurie Diekhoff, associate director for career engagement at the Hart Career Center. At Illinois Wesleyan, our program is designed to allow students to experience a 10-week full-time internship for academic credit, then return to campus for five weeks of intensive classes before the semester ends, so students get a full four units of credit for the semester. The five weeks of accounting classes are affectionately called boot camp within the accounting department. Taking boot camp courses allows students to stay on track to complete the 150 hours of university course credits in order to register for the CPA exam, rather than taking five years to complete those credits, which is common at many other universities. That structure was instrumental in Gail Mars decision to attend Illinois Wesleyan. Knowing she planned to major in accounting, Mar (Northbrook, Ill.) talked with students at other universities who would need a full five years to graduate. Here we can graduate in four years and complete a prestigious, paid internship, so that flexibility really had an impact on my decision to attend Illinois Wesleyan, said Mar, who is interning at PwC in Chicago. In addition to PwC, Illinois Wesleyan students are interning at the other Big Four professional services networks that perform the majority of the worlds auditing services. These include Deloitte, EY and KPMG. Mid-level firms and Fortune 500 companies participate in the winter internship program as well. This semester the public firm of RSM selected eight Illinois Wesleyan students for its internship program. Colin Gogoel of Elgin, Ill., will work in audit at RSM. Although he had taken accounting in high school and enjoyed it, Gogoel came to Illinois Wesleyan as a business major unsure of a career path. After earning high grades in Accounting for Decision Making II, however, Gogoels professor encouraged him to strongly consider an accounting major. The winter internship program was significant for me to declare the accounting major, Gogoel said. I dont like uncertainty, so this major was very appealing to me in terms of having direction. At the end of the 10-week internship, Gogoel said he will know whether public accounting is the right fit for him. Having the opportunity to work in the industry before I graduate is huge for me, said Gogoel. I will have a sense of direction for my career. He may have more than a sense of direction. Jerry Olson, chair of accounting and financial services, said winter accounting interns generally receive full-time offers from their organizations at the end of the program. Matt LaLonde 14 was one of those students receiving an offer at the end of his internship in 2013. LaLonde interned with KPMG and was even selected for KPMG LLPs Global Internship Program, working for several weeks as part of the U.S. Tax desk at KPMGs Paris office. The winter internship program is Busy Season 101, where you learn things about real life and having a real job that arent taught in college, said LaLonde, who is now based in Chicago as a senior associate, State and Local Tax at KPMG U.S. The classroom is a safe environment to become familiar with new concepts, but its outside the classroom where youre forced to juggle, balance and multi-task your way through the learning process, and thats where the real growth begins. The winter internship program is a chance to test-drive a career, he added. The combination of strong academic talent and quality internship experiences prepare Illinois Wesleyan accounting graduates for success, said Diekhoff. Illinois Wesleyan accounting graduates traditionally perform well on the CPA exam, University officials said. TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 11, 2017) - Rockcliff Copper Corporation ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:RCU) (FRANKFURT:RO0) (WKN:A142TR) is pleased to announce that the Company's exploration program continues to identify high grade gold mineralization from known historic surface quartz veins at its Laguna Gold property. Additionally, the Company has contracted a state of the art drone airborne magnetometer survey to be completed over the entire Laguna Property. The Laguna Gold property is part of Rockcliff's high grade base metal and precious metal Snow Lake Project located within the prolific world class Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt." Ken Lapierre President & CEO stated "The detailed drone survey will aid in the potential identification of new structurally controlled high grade gold rich environments under the property's thin overburden cover as well as follow the known areas of gold mineralization. With multiple high grade, gold-rich, quartz veins throughout the Laguna property and no diamond drilling completed since the 1940s, the present exploration program is the first systematic, scientific exploration program on the property in over 70 years. We look forward to advancing this high grade gold property to its first drill program in a very long time." Sampling Program Additional sampling at Laguna was completed prior to winter freeze-up and has identified further evidence of an extensive and high grade gold rich environment over considerable distances. The "gold mine trend" now covers over 6.0 kilometres within the property boundary. A total of 25 grab samples from four vein systems are tabulated below. Please note that grab samples are selected samples that are not representative of the overall gold grades on the property. Quartz vein system Gold g/t Comments Quartz Vein System Gold g/t Comments Laguna S 0.82 wall rock Laguna 2.06 quartz Laguna S 8.85 quartz Laguna 0.01 quartz Laguna S 17.9 quartz Bingo 0.80 wall rock Laguna S 1.40 wall rock Bingo 2.88 quartz-wall rock Laguna S 0.64 quartz Bingo 1.24 wall rock Laguna S 0.70 quartz Bingo 0.01 wall rock Laguna S 0.05 wall rock Bingo 0.07 wall rock Prospect 3.91 quartz-wall rock Bingo 0.02 wall rock Laguna 34.77 quartz Bingo 4.36 quartz Laguna 0.19 wall rock Bingo nsv quartz Laguna 1.08 wall rock Bingo 1.49 quartz-wall rock Laguna 25.00 quartz bingo 0.30 wall rock Laguna 0.32 quartz-wall rock State-of-the-Art Airborne MagnetometerSurvey A total of 1,116 kilometres of tightly spaced lines between 25 metres and 50 metres spacing will be completed at Laguna by A.I.R. Inc. from Flin Flon, Manitoba. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) used is a state-of-the-art Canadian designed and built helicopter style UAV which slings a potassium magnetic sensor underneath. Helicopters offer many advantages over other kinds of UAVs: Vertical Take-off and Launch, highest aerodynamic efficiency in forward flight as well as the best size vs payload vs flight time available. A GPS guided autopilot coupled with ground elevation data allows it to fly accurate survey lines that hug the terrain. With the implementation of a UAV over conventional ground and airborne surveys, you can now economically fly extremely tight line spacings with high density ground sampling distances without the need for linecutting. It is now possible to resolve individual magnetic anomalies that were previously indistinguishable when surveyed using conventional ground and airborne surveys - perfect for structurally controlled gold exploration targets like that at the Laguna property. Ultimately, magnetic surveys done from a UAV deliver higher quality magnetic data at a decreased cost while reducing environmental impact. Laboratory QA/QC Rock samples were taken in the field, packaged and shipped directly from Rockcliff's field office to TSL Laboratories (TSL), Saskatoon, SK. TSL is a Canadian assay laboratory and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025. Each bagged rock sample was dried, crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh and a 250g pulp was pulverized to 95% passing 150 mesh for assaying. A 0.5g cut was taken from each pulp for base metal analysis (if needed) and leached in a multi acid (total) digestion and then analyzed for copper, lead, zinc and silver by atomic absorption. Gold concentrations were determined by fire assay using a 30g charge followed by fire assay gravimetric an atomic absorption finish. Samples greater than an upper detection limit (3000 ppb) were reanalyzed using a 1 AT charge. Rockcliff inserted certified blanks and standards in the sample stream to ensure lab integrity. Ken Lapierre P.Geo., President and CEO of Rockcliff. a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release. About the Laguna Property The Laguna property hosts the Laguna gold mine, a high grade former gold mine in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake mining camp. Historical, intermittent gold mining from the Laguna vein between 1916 and 1939 of approximately 101,012 tonnes averaged 20.5 g/t (0.60opt) and produced over 60,000 ounces of gold. The Laguna gold mine infrastructure consists of a three compartment vertical shaft to 381 metres and 8 levels totalling over 3.0 kilometres of underground drift and stope development. The Laguna property now includes 34 contiguous mining claims totalling 3,499 hectares covering 6.0 kilometres of prospective strike length of the gold-rich mine trend. The property is strategically located 20 kilometres from a fully functional, non-operating, 2,150 tonne per day gold mill facility in Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada. The gold mineralization on the Laguna property is metallogenically controlled by subsidiary thrust faults attributed to the major Crowduck Bay Fault which crosses the entire length of the property a distance of 6.0 kilometres. The gold-rich quartz veining and stock work systems along the northwest limb of the Herb Lake Syncline typically occur where the subsidiary faults intersect quartz-feldspar and biotite porphryry stocks that intrude Missi Group sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Quartz-iron carbonate-albite-sericite alteration commonly overprint peak regional metamorphic assemblages within auriferous vein margins. Mineralization in quartz and surrounding quartz stockwork wall rock consists of pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite, native gold and telluride. Typical gangue minerals include tourmaline and fuchsite. Please visit our website at www.rockcliffcoppercorp.com for additional information. About Rockcliff Copper Corporation Rockcliff is a Canadian resource exploration company focused on the discovery, advancement and consolidation of the highest grade unmined metal deposits in the prolific Flin Flon - Snow Lake (FF-SL) greenstone belt specifically centered on Snow Lake, MB. The Snow Lake Project, totalling in excess of 45,000 collective hectares is located in and around the Snow Lake mining camp and hosts the highest grade unmined NI 43-101 copper deposits (the gold-rich Talbot copper deposit and the Rail copper deposit), the highest grade unmined historical zinc deposits (the Lon zinc deposit, the Bur zinc deposit and the Morgan zinc deposit), includes a high grade former lode gold producer (Laguna) and a Net Smelter Return Royalty (NSR) on the Tower property which includes the T-1 copper deposit in the FF-SL greenstone belt. Rockcliff also owns the near surface MacBride zinc deposit located north of Snow Lake near Leaf Rapids, Manitoba. Additionally, Rockcliff owns a zinc-silver rich NI 43-101 Resource (the Shihan deposit) in Ontario and a royalty on two gold properties in Colombia, South America. Rockcliff is well funded with approximately CDN$2.0 million in its treasury and no debt. Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2017) - Carube Copper Corp. (TSXV: CUC) announces that pursuant to its press release of September 21, 2016, the company has finalized a definitive agreement with OZ Minerals Limited to acquire 100% of OZ Minerals' holdings in Jamaica, which include: OZ Minerals' 70% interest in the Bellas Gate Joint Venture licenses covering 84 square km; and OZ Minerals' 100% interest in five other licences covering 276 square km. Subject to the impending transfer of the licenses by the mining authorities, Carube Copper will then own a 100% interest in eleven licences covering over 535 square km (subject to underlying royalties). These licences cover the best copper-gold prospects identified to date by Carube and OZ Minerals in Jamaica. Jeff Ackert, President and CEO of Carube Copper comments: "The signing of the final agreement now paves the way for Carube Copper to fund our own exploration and/or enter partnerships for exploration on any of our 100% owned copper and gold licenses. We have already received serious interest in these assets and we are reviewing a number of strategic alternatives. We are very pleased to see this enthusiasm in the geology and copper mineralization on our Jamaican package and the fact that we have high priority targets ready to drill." Carube Copper's Exploration Licences in Jamaica During OZ Minerals' tenure at the Bellas Gate JV, over 14,000 metres of drilling was completed on 11 of the more than 20 prospects at Bellas Gate. Additional work was completed, including: high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys, 46 line kilometres of Induced Polarization (IP) surveying, geochemical soil sampling which included analysis of 4,000 soil samples and geological mapping which included assaying of over 400 rock samples. Carube Copper and OZ Minerals systematically investigated the myriad of copper porphyry prospects on the Bellas Gate property. Of those showings, 12 targets were drilled with 6 of them having intersected significant porphyry copper/gold mineralization; examples of each are summarized below including the corresponding graded copper equivalent (CuEq). Provost: Hole PVT-16-002 339m of 0.34% CuEq (0.28%Cu, 0.12 g/t Au), including 10m of 1.79% CuEq (1.28%Cu, 0.90 g/t Au) Connors: Hole CON-14-005 --294m of 0.56% CuEq (0.41%Cu, 0.27 g/t Au), including 96m of 1.00% CuEq (0.67%Cu, 0.58 g/t Au) Geo Hill: Hole GOH-14-001-- 220m of 0.28% CuEq (0.24%Cu, 0.07 g/t Au), including 40m of 0.41% CuEq (0.33%Cu, 0.14 g/t Au) Hendley: Hole HEN-15-003 -- 261m of 0.26% CuEq (0.22%Cu, 0.07 g/t Au), including 24m of 0.45% CuEq (0.39%Cu, 0.11 g/t Au) Mab Hill: Hole MAB-15-001 -45m of 0.27% CuEq (0.20%Cu, 0.11 g/t Au) Camel Hill: Hole CH12-007 -- 207m of 0.35% CuEq (0.27%Cu, 0.15 g/t Au), including 20m of 0.66% CuEq (0.46%Cu, 0.35 g/t Au) *The intervals do not necessarily indicate true width of mineralization, as their geometry is not known. Copper equivalents are calculated using a US $3.00/lb. copper and a US$1200 per ounce gold price assuming unlimited internal dilution and 100% recovery of both metals. Note: full details of results previously published at www.carubecopper.com/projects/jamaica/bellas-gate.htm Under the terms of the final agreement: 1. In relation to the Bellas Gate Project, Carube will: pay OZ Minerals $8,500,000 within one year of commencement of commercial production; pay a further $4,000,000 within two years of commercial production; and grant OZ Minerals a 2% NSR with a buy-back of 2/3 of the NSR for $1.3M with royalty payments capped at $20M. 2. In relation to the five OZ Minerals licenses, Carube will: pay OZ Minerals $1,500,000 within a year of commencement of commercial production on any of the five licenses (one-time payment); and grant OZ Minerals a 2% NSR with a buy-back of 1/2 of the NSR for $0.5M on any of the licenses. In other corporate matters, the company announced that it has awarded 473,750 Restricted Share Units to certain officers and consultants under the corporate RSU/DSU Plan. The Units will vest in January 2018 at which time they will be convertible into common shares on a one for one basis. QP Statement: This press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Vern Rampton, P. Eng. in his capacity as a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101. Carube Copper Corp. (TSXV: CUC) is a Canadian exploration company focused on the exploration and development of copper and gold projects in Jamaica and Canada. In Jamaica, Carube Copper holds a 100% interest in 11 licenses, totalling 535 square kilometres. In Canada, it holds a 100% interest in three porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum properties, totalling 593 square kilometres within the Tertiary-aged Cascade Magmatic Arc in southwestern British Columbia. Exploration continues on these properties with the goal of joint-venturing them to larger exploration and mining companies. Carube Copper continues to seek opportunities in Canada and the Caribbean for acquisition and development. VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - January 11, 2017) - Balmoral Resources Ltd. ("Balmoral" or the "Company") (TSX: BAR) (OTCQX: BALMF) today announced the discovery of two new shallow zones of gold mineralization, down-plunge extensions to the Bug North and Lower Steep gold deposits and the deepest high-grade gold results to date from its wholly owned Martiniere Property, part of Company's Detour Gold Trend Project, in west-central Quebec. "Today's results are like that gift that arrives in the mail after Christmas from your favorite relative -- worth waiting for and a great way to usher in the New Year," said Darin Wagner, President and CEO of Balmoral. "We got a very good bang for our drill dollars from these holes with two new shallow gold discoveries, extensions to the Bug North and Lower Steep gold deposits, continued confirmation of the ME-23 Zone and our deepest high-grade gold intercepts to date." Drill hole BLD-16-03, designed to extend the Lower Steep gold deposit to depth, intersected two new, near surface gold zones. These two discoveries, which include an intercept of 5.80 metres grading 10.51 g/t gold within a broader 18.06 metre wide gold zone (see Table below), are located at vertical depths of only 45 and 110 metres. The new discoveries occur in a largely untested area of the property, approximately 450 to 500 metres east of the Bug Lake Gold Trend (see Figure 1 and Figure 2). Winter drilling, anticipated to begin within the next three to four weeks, will follow-up on these shallow gold discoveries and continue the delineation of the Bug Lake gold deposits. BLD-16-03 also successfully extended the Lower Steep deposit returning multiple high-grade gold intercepts. These include high-grade Footwall Zone intercepts extending to the end of the hole at a vertical depth of 740 metres. This represents a 200 metre, or 37% vertical extension, to the known high-grade gold mineralization along the Bug Lake Gold Trend. These deep intercepts are part of an open-ended, 52 metre wide, zone of anomalous gold mineralization in which the hole terminated having reached the maximum capacity of the drill rig. All deposits along the Bug Lake Gold Trend, and the overall system, remain open to depth for continued expansion. "Our widely spaced deep drilling to date has confirmed that the Bug Lake gold system, like most sizeable gold systems in the Abitibi region, exhibits extensive vertical and down-plunge continuity. High-grade gold mineralization has now been intersected from the bedrock surface to a vertical depth of 740 metres," said Mr. Wagner. "It's a great problem to have when the gold in the hole continues beyond the depth capacity of your drill rig. The upcoming winter drill program provides the opportunity to continue to extend the deposits to depth with larger equipment." Hole MDE-16-236 extended the Bug North gold deposit 90 metres down-plunge, to approximately 460 metres, with an Upper Bug Zone intercept of 11.71 metres grading 6.06 g/t gold, including 2.32 metres grading 27.74 g/t. High-grade gold mineralization was also intersected in the Hanging Wall and Lower Bug Zones. It also returned a number of shallow gold bearing intercepts which may correlate with similar intercepts in the ME-23 Gold Zone 170 metres to the north, including an intercept of 6.91 metres grading 4.22 g/t gold at a vertical depth of < 35 metres. Hole Northing Easting Dip From To Interval* Gold Zone Number (Metres) (Metres) (Metres) (g/t) Lower Steep Deposit BLD-16-02 5+50N 0+75W -50 66.90 67.25 0.35 7.70 287.59 288.00 0.41 5.47 675.78 676.50 0.72 9.29 BLD-16-03 0+85N 2+45E -53 29.15 41.62 12.47 0.55 New including 38.00 38.76 0.76 3.89 " 138.79 156.85 18.06 3.84 New including 140.20 146.00 5.80 10.51 " which includes 144.71 146.00 1.29 39.87 " 516.20 534.51 18.31 0.22 HW 583.76 610.59 26.83 0.37 Upper Bug 671.07 714.28 43.21 1.02 Lower Bug including 674.11 674.49 0.38 9.39 " and 680.75 682.57 1.82 4.17 " and 690.87 692.17 1.30 7.78 " and 712.03 712.84 0.81 3.28 " 732.60 747.00 14.40 0.62 Footwall 845.00 897.08 52.08 0.52 Footwall including 862.44 862.83 0.39 34.60 " and 895.21 895.65 0.44 8.73 " Bug North Deposit MDE-16-236 1+35S 0+10W -61 26.52 32.02 5.50 3.42 ME 23 including 27.23 30.25 3.02 5.58 " 39.03 45.94 6.91 4.22 ME 23 including 44.31 45.94 1.63 11.58 " 55.66 61.43 5.77 1.77 ME 23 300.07 311.17 11.10 0.77 HW including 307.98 308.58 0.60 9.13 " 322.33 334.04 11.71 6.06 Upper Bug including 329.30 331.62 2.32 27.74 " 341.18 362.16 20.98 1.50 Lower Bug including 354.99 362.16 7.17 3.20 " which includes 360.20 362.16 1.96 7.75 " * Reported drill intercepts are not true widths. At this time there is insufficient data with respect to the shape of the mineralization to calculate true orientations in space although the reported intercepts are estimated to range between approximately 55 and 80% of true thickness. All values presented uncapped. Drill hole BLD-16-02 was drilled beneath the projected plunge line of the Lower Steep deposit. It intersected several high-grade gold veins in a mixed sequence of sedimentary, intrusive and volcanic rocks. This rock sequence, located north-east of the main Bug Lake Trend and immediately south of the Lac du Doigt fault system has seen very little previous testing, but as indicated by the results from BLD-16-02, also has the potential to host high-grade gold mineralization. Quality Control Mr. Darin Wagner (P.Geo.), President and CEO of the Company, is the non-independent qualified person for the technical disclosure contained in this news release. Mr. Wagner has supervised the work programs on the Martiniere Property since inception, visited the property on multiple occasions, examined the drill core from the holes summarized in this release, discussed, reviewed the results with senior on-site geological staff and reviewed the available analytical and quality control results. Balmoral has implemented a quality control program for all of its drill programs, to ensure best practice in the sampling and analysis of the drill core, which includes the insertion of blind blanks, duplicates and certified standards into sample stream. NQ sized drill core is saw cut with half of the drill core sampled at intervals based on geological criteria including lithology, visual mineralization and alteration. The remaining half of the core is stored on-site at the Company's Martiniere field camp in Central Quebec. Drill core samples are transported in sealed bags to ALS Minerals' Val d'Or, Quebec analytical facilities. Gold analyses are obtained via industry standard fire assay with atomic absorption finish using 30 g aliquots. For samples returning greater than 5.00 g/t gold follow-up fire assay analysis with a gravimetric finish is completed. The Company has also requested that any samples returning greater than 10.00 g/t gold undergo screen metallic fire assay. Following receipt of assays, visual analysis of mineralized intercepts is conducted and additional analysis may be requested. ALS Minerals is ISO 9001:2008 certified and the Val d'Or facilities are ISO 17025 certified for gold analysis. TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 11, 2017) - Cordoba Minerals Corp. (TSX VENTURE:CDB) ("Cordoba" or the "Company") and its joint-venture partner, High Power Exploration Inc. ("HPX"), a private mineral exploration company indirectly controlled by mining entrepreneur Robert Friedland's Ivanhoe Industries, LLC, are pleased to announce that drilling at the San Matias Copper-Gold Project in Colombia has significantly expanded the volume of near-surface copper-gold mineralization at the Alacran Deposit. Copper mineralization at Alacran has now been intersected over a strike length of 1.3 kilometres, to widths of up to 400m, and extends from surface to depths of more than 260 metres below surface. Recent Alacran drilling highlights (refer to Table 1 for complete drilling results): ACD028: 24 metres (m) @ 1.64% Copper (Cu) + 0.62g/t Gold (Au) (from 42 m), including: 6 m @ 1.97% Cu + 0.91g/t Au (from 50 m), and 4 m @ 3.69% Cu + 1.06g/t Au (from 62 m) ACD032: 66 m @ 1.20% Cu + 0.23g/t Au (from 46 m), including: 14 m @ 3.31% Cu + 0.26g/t Au (from 60 m), and 6 m @ 1.95% Cu + 0.72g/t Au (from 98 m) ACD033: 108 m @ 1.26% Cu + 0.87g/t Au (from 0 m), including: 26 m @ 1.48% Cu + 1.37g/t Au (from 20 m), and 26 m @ 3.18% Cu + 1.62g/t Au (from 62 m) ACD035: 34 m @ 0.75% Cu + 0.47g/t Au (from 6 m) , including: 18 m @ 1.20% Cu + 0.74g/t Au (from 22 m) 60 m @ 0.40% Cu + 0.21g/t Au (from 122 m) Hole ACD033 (108 m @ 1.26% Cu + 0.87g/t Au) has returned one of the best intersections to date on the project with mineralization outside the current Inferred Mineral Resource shell. The recent drilling results demonstrate the potential to significantly increase the current inferred mineral resource at Alacran of 53.5 million tonnes of 0.70% copper and 0.37 g/t gold announced in a press release January 5, 2017 (see Figure 7). The area around hole ACD033 is a priority target to follow-up with additional drilling to the east, where the mineralization remains open. Prior to the current drilling program, the mineralization at Alacran was believed to be striking in a north-south direction, with a sub-vertical westerly dip. This drilling campaign has shown that the mineralization dips more moderately to the west, conformable to the host stratigraphy, adding additional shallow mineralization up-dip to the east. Moving from north to south, the host stratigraphy appears to steepen while the mineralization changes from pyrrhotite-pyrite-chalcopyrite to magnetite-chalcopyrite. Based on magnetic and induced polarization surveys, attractive exploration targets remain down-plunge and along strike. Mario Stifano, President and CEO of Cordoba, commented: "These drill results highlight the potential for Alacran to host a large high-grade, open-pittable, copper-gold deposit. Current drilling at Alacran will continue to test the eastern extensions of the deposit as well as priority exploration to identify and target the potential source for the mineralization at Alacran." Alacran Copper-Gold System The Alacran copper-gold system is located within the San Matias Copper-Gold Project in the Department of Cordoba, Colombia. The San Matias Copper-Gold Project comprises a 20,000-hectare land package on the inferred northern extension of the richly endowed Mid-Cauca Belt in Colombia. The project contains several known areas of porphyry copper-gold mineralization, copper-gold skarn mineralization and vein-hosted, gold-copper mineralization. The Alacran system is located on a topographic high in gently rolling topography, optimal for potential open-pit mining. Access and infrastructure are considered favourable. Alacran is approximately two kilometres southwest of the Company's Montiel porphyry copper-gold discovery, where drilling interested 101 metres of 1.0% copper and 0.65 g/t gold, and two kilometres northwest of the Costa Azul porphyry copper-gold discovery, where drilling interested 87 metres of 0.62% copper and 0.51 g/t gold (Figure 1). The copper-gold mineralization at Alacran is associated with stratabound replacement of a marine volcano-sedimentary sequence in the core of a faulted antiformal fold structure. The deposit comprises moderately to steeply-dipping stratigraphy that is mineralized as a series of sub-parallel replacement-style zones and associated disseminations (Figure 2). The copper-gold mineralization is composed of multiple overprinting hydrothermal events with the main ore phase comprised of chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite-pyrite that appears to overprint an early magnetite metasomatic event. Technical Information The technical information has been reviewed and verified by Christian J. Grainger, PhD, a Qualified Person for the purpose of NI 43-101. Dr. Grainger is a geologist with over 15 years in the minerals mining, consulting, exploration and research industries. Dr. Grainger is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Copper-equivalent values have been calculated using a US$1,300 per ounce gold price and US$2.50 per pound copper price. Cordoba utilizes a comprehensive industry-standard QAQC program. HQ and NQ diamond drill core is sawn in two halves, and one half is sampled and shipped to a sample preparation laboratory. The other half of the core is stored in a secure facility for future assay verification. All samples are prepared at ALS Minerals Laboratory in Medellin, Colombia, and assayed at ALS Minerals Laboratory in Lima, Peru. ALS Minerals operates in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025. Gold is determined by 50 g fire assay with an AAS finish. An initial multi-element suite comprising copper, molybdenum, silver and additional elements is analyzed by four-acid digest with an ICP-ES or ICP-MS finish. All samples with copper values over 2000 ppm are re-assayed by a method for higher grades, which also uses a four-acid digest with an ICP-ES finish. Cordoba also performs check assays on a regular basis at an independent laboratory. The company regularly conducts independent onsite reviews and laboratory audits to ensure procedural compliance for maintaining industry-standard best practices. Selected samples of elevated gold grades have been submitted to ALS Lima for metallic screen analysis for the possible presence of coarse gold, assays are pending. Joint Venture Agreement The San Matias Project is a joint venture between Cordoba and HPX. HPX has earned a 51% interest in the San Matias Project by spending a cumulative total of C$19 million on exploration expenditures on the project. Cordoba and HPX have entered Phase Three of their Joint Venture Agreement, whereby HPX can earn a 65% interest in the project by completing a Feasibility Study. About High Power Exploration (HPX) HPX is a privately owned, metals-focused exploration company deploying proprietary in-house geophysical technologies to rapidly evaluate buried geophysical targets. The HPX technology cluster comprises geological and geophysical systems for targeting, modelling, survey optimization, acquisition, processing and interpretation. HPX has a highly experienced board and management team led by Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Friedland, President Eric Finlayson, a former head of exploration at Rio Tinto, and co-chaired by Ian Cockerill, a former Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields Ltd. For further information, please visit www.hpxploration.com. About Cordoba Minerals Cordoba Minerals Corp. is a Toronto-based mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and acquisition of copper and gold projects in Colombia. Cordoba has a joint venture with High Power Exploration on the highly prospective, district-scale San Matias Copper-Gold Project located at sea level with excellent infrastructure and near operating open-pit mines in the Department of Cordoba. For further information, please visit www.cordobaminerals.com. Table 1: Diamond drillhole results at the Alacran Project* HoleID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) % eCu Summary %eCu Cutoff ACD023 46 55 9 0.41 9m @ 0.22% Cu + 0.25g/t Au (from 46m) 0.30% 83 91 8 1.08 8m @ 0.77% Cu + 0.41g/t Au (from 83m) 0.30% including 83 90 7 1.19 7m @ 0.87% Cu + 0.42g/t Au (from 83m) 1.00% and 83 85 2 2.19 2m @ 1.72% Cu + 0.62g/t Au (from 83m) 2.00% 101 133 32 0.33 32m @ 0.3% Cu + 0.04g/t Au (from 101m) 0.30% 147 165 18 0.35 18m @ 0.27% Cu + 0.11g/t Au (from 147m) 0.30% ACD024 0 11 11 0.52 11m @ 0.22% Cu + 0.39g/t Au (from 0m) 0.30% 19 29 10 0.37 10m @ 0.31% Cu + 0.08g/t Au (from 19m) 0.30% 93 117 24 0.69 24m @ 0.45% Cu + 0.32g/t Au (from 93m) 0.30% including 93 103 10 1.08 10m @ 0.65% Cu + 0.57g/t Au (from 93m) 1.00% 141 173 32 0.50 32m @ 0.42% Cu + 0.1g/t Au (from 141m) 0.30% including 169 173 4 1.25 4m @ 1.03% Cu + 0.28g/t Au (from 169m) 1.00% ACD025 0 6 6 0.54 6m @ 0.3% Cu + 0.31g/t Au (from 0m) 0.30% 86 112 26 0.72 26m @ 0.32% Cu + 0.52g/t Au (from 86m) 0.30% including 92 96 4 1.43 4m @ 0% Cu + 1.88g/t Au (from 92m) 1.00% and 108 110 2 2.23 2m @ 1.6% Cu + 0.83g/t Au (from 108m) 2.00% 122 134 12 0.59 12m @ 0.33% Cu + 0.34g/t Au (from 122m) 0.30% 254 260 6 1.46 6m @ 1.23% Cu + 0.3g/t Au (from 254m) 0.30% including 254 258 4 1.78 4m @ 1.53% Cu + 0.32g/t Au (from 254m) 1.00% and 256 258 2 2.51 2m @ 2.14% Cu + 0.49g/t Au (from 256m) 2.00% ACD026 30 40 10 0.52 10m @ 0.49% Cu + 0.04g/t Au (from 30m) 0.30% 48 84 36 0.79 36m @ 0.56% Cu + 0.31g/t Au (from 48m) 0.30% including 64 80 16 1.38 16m @ 0.95% Cu + 0.58g/t Au (from 64m) 1.00% 98 132 34 0.75 34m @ 0.41% Cu + 0.45g/t Au (from 98m) 0.30% including 126 132 6 1.50 6m @ 0.38% Cu + 1.47g/t Au (from 126m) 1.00% ACD027 18 54 36 1.16 36m @ 0.85% Cu + 0.4g/t Au (from 18m) 0.30% including 22 42 20 1.64 20m @ 1.28% Cu + 0.47g/t Au (from 22m) 1.00% and 22 24 2 3.09 2m @ 2.32% Cu + 1.01g/t Au (from 22m) 2.00% and 38 40 2 2.93 2m @ 2.49% Cu + 0.58g/t Au (from 38m) 2.00% 118 140 22 0.58 22m @ 0.46% Cu + 0.16g/t Au (from 118m) 0.30% 164 174 10 0.33 10m @ 0.3% Cu + 0.04g/t Au (from 164m) 0.30% ACD028 0 30 30 0.40 30m @ 0.29% Cu + 0.14g/t Au (from 0m) 0.30% 42 66 24 2.11 24m @ 1.64% Cu + 0.62g/t Au (from 42m) 1.00% including 50 56 6 2.67 6m @ 1.97% Cu + 0.91g/t Au (from 50m) 2.00% and 62 66 4 4.49 4m @ 3.69% Cu + 1.06g/t Au (from 62m) 2.00% ACD029 178 190 12 0.91 12m @ 0.53% Cu + 0.51g/t Au (from 178m) 0.30% including 184 190 6 1.16 6m @ 0.76% Cu + 0.53g/t Au (from 184m) 1.00% ACD030 192 260 68 0.66 68m @ 0.43% Cu + 0.31g/t Au (from 192m) 0.30% including 210 212 2 3.41 2m @ 1.49% Cu + 2.53g/t Au (from 210m) 2.00% and 218 222 4 1.72 4m @ 0.91% Cu + 1.06g/t Au (from 218m) 1.00% ACD031 0 10 10 0.36 10m @ 0.24% Cu + 0.15g/t Au (from 0m) 0.30% 20 34 14 0.64 14m @ 0.59% Cu + 0.06g/t Au (from 20m) 0.30% 44 54 10 0.76 10m @ 0.62% Cu + 0.19g/t Au (from 44m) 0.30% 84 90 6 0.86 6m @ 0.36% Cu + 0.66g/t Au (from 84m) 0.30% 98 112 14 1.49 14m @ 1.29% Cu + 0.26g/t Au (from 98m) 0.30% including 98 102 4 3.92 4m @ 3.66% Cu + 0.35g/t Au (from 98m) 1.00% and 100 102 2 6.29 2m @ 5.8% Cu + 0.64g/t Au (from 100m) 2.00% ACD032 4 16 12 0.37 12m @ 0.33% Cu + 0.06g/t Au (from 4m) 0.30% 46 112 66 1.37 66m @ 1.2% Cu + 0.23g/t Au (from 46m) 0.30% including 48 54 6 1.53 6m @ 1.18% Cu + 0.45g/t Au (from 48m) 1.00% and 48 50 2 2.10 2m @ 1.59% Cu + 0.67g/t Au (from 48m) 2.00% and 60 74 14 3.51 14m @ 3.31% Cu + 0.26g/t Au (from 60m) 1.00% and 62 74 12 3.79 12m @ 3.58% Cu + 0.27g/t Au (from 62m) 2.00% and 98 104 6 2.50 6m @ 1.95% Cu + 0.72g/t Au (from 98m) 1.00% and 98 102 4 3.12 4m @ 2.51% Cu + 0.8g/t Au (from 98m) 2.00% 120 138 18 0.60 18m @ 0.44% Cu + 0.22g/t Au (from 120m) 0.30% ACD033 0 108 108 1.89 108m @ 1.26% Cu + 0.87g/t Au (from 0m) 0.30% including 20 46 26 2.52 26m @ 1.48% Cu + 1.37g/t Au (from 20m) 1.00% and 24 40 16 3.18 16m @ 1.89% Cu + 1.7g/t Au (from 24m) 2.00% and 62 88 26 4.26 26m @ 3.18% Cu + 1.62g/t Au (from 62m) 1.00% and 64 84 20 5.24 20m @ 3.91% Cu + 1.99g/t Au (from 64m) 2.00% and 104 108 4 1.28 4m @ 1.03% Cu + 0.32g/t Au (from 104m) 1.00% ACD034 0 48 48 0.61 48m @ 0.46% Cu + 0.2g/t Au (from 0m) 0.30% including 42 48 6 1.29 6m @ 1.14% Cu + 0.2g/t Au (from 42m) 1.00% 156 180 24 0.81 24m @ 0.59% Cu + 0.29g/t Au (from 156m) 0.30% including 164 170 6 1.16 6m @ 0.84% Cu + 0.42g/t Au (from 164m) 1.00% ACD035 6 40 34 1.10 34m @ 0.75% Cu + 0.47g/t Au (from 6m) 0.30% including 22 40 18 1.77 18m @ 1.2% Cu + 0.74g/t Au (from 22m) 1.00% and 22 24 2 2.92 2m @ 1.29% Cu + 2.14g/t Au (from 22m) 2.00% and 30 34 4 2.16 4m @ 1.18% Cu + 1.29g/t Au (from 30m) 2.00% and 38 40 2 2.14 2m @ 2.03% Cu + 0.15g/t Au (from 38m) 2.00% 98 108 10 0.76 10m @ 0.53% Cu + 0.3g/t Au (from 98m) 0.30% including 100 104 4 1.33 4m @ 0.87% Cu + 0.61g/t Au (from 100m) 1.00% 122 182 60 0.56 60m @ 0.4% Cu + 0.21g/t Au (from 122m) 0.30% including 170 174 4 3.05 4m @ 2.27% Cu + 1.03g/t Au (from 170m) 1.00% and 170 172 2 4.59 2m @ 3.59% Cu + 1.31g/t Au (from 170m) 2.00% *Intercepts calculated using a: 0.3% eCu cutoff with 6m maximum internal dilution and a 6m minimum width. 1.0% eCu cutoff uses 4m maximum internal dilution and 4m minimum width. 2.0% eCu cutoff uses 2m maximum internal dilution and 2m minimum width. The "includes" & "and" intercepts are found within the preceding intercept, and represent higher grade portions therein. True width intervals of the mineralization are interpreted as being between 90-100% true widths from oriented diamond drill core and sectional interpretation. Copper equivalent (eCu) calculations assume a US$2.50/lb copper price and a US$1300/Oz gold price. For intercept calculations: sample assays of copper, gold and copper equivalent are all capped to 10% Cu, 10 g/t Au, and 10 % eCu. Project Location and licenses on magnetics Figure 2: Labelled drill collars' results Figure 3: Two zoom in areas of labelled drill collars' results Figure 4: Section 855880mN Figure 5: Section 855570mN Figure 6: Section 855250mN Figure 7: January 2017 resource shells showing intercepts outside the conceptual whittle pit Elderly women hang out on an apartment stoop on Munsu Street in Pyongyang in 2011. It is a familiar sight in South Korea, except one of these women appointed to monitor visitors according to the publisher. / Photo by Martin Tutsch By Jon Dunbar The cover of "The North Koreans" shows two North Korean women transporting goods by bike along the Pyongyang-Nampo expressway in 2008. One woman makes a face as she notices the photographer. / Photo by Martin Tutsch Three women wearing joseonbok (North Korean traditional dress) walk through Pyongyang in 2009. / Photo by Martin Tutsch The internet is flooded with galleries of "rare," "secret" and "forbidden" pictures "smuggled out of North Korea" that "Kim Jong-un doesn't want you to see," but most are from tourists taking the same five-day group tour of the secretive country. But "The North Koreans: Glimpses of Daily Life in the DPRK" easily lives up to its promise. The 252-page book, published by Dutch publisher Primavera Pers in November, gives an extensive, almost exhaustive overview of the side of North Korea the tourists don't get to see, or at least are rushed past on tour buses. This collection of 333 images is culled from 22 photographers, mostly rounded up on Flickr. Many supplied only one image, with the vast majority coming from three central figures. The top contributor provided 147, nearly half. Each photographer brings unique strengths to the book, with some offering incredible insight into the country, while others take great portraits and others focus on landscapes, infrastructure or buildings. The collective image they form is vivid yet distant and alienated from the people while yearning for closer contact. Buildings appear cold and uninviting and transportation infrastructure is dilapidated. Some pictures focus on wood-burning trucks that run on firewood, a technology long since forgotten in the South if it ever existed here. The countryside is an eroded wasteland, further emphasized as a high number of pictures were taken in winter, when the land is barren, rather than during tourist season. But still North Koreans are seen living a recognizably mundane daily life: carrying umbrellas in the rain, cramming into buses just like rush hour in Seoul, or having a family picnic in a city park. One picture shows a group of older women hanging out in front of their apartment where they can watch people come and go, a familiar scene in South Korea as well although the book mentions one is specially appointed to do this work. The mundane side of North Korea shows that it hasn't drifted that far culturally from the South, which is all the more heartbreaking. Some pictures depict the miserable conditions North Koreans face, such as one showing people carrying backpacks loaded with what is identified as feces for fertilizer. Another shows boys playing on a playground surrounded by drying charcoal briquettes. Other photographs focus on the ubiquitous propaganda and homeless orphans. Workers are transported by truck to a rural area in 2007. / Photo by Raymond Cunningham Jr. The book is divided into nine chapters, ranging from daily life and the informal market economy to infrastructure and industry. This covers a lot of ground, while ignoring topics of popular fixation such as official propaganda events and lavish monuments. Each chapter begins with a thorough introduction written by publisher Evelyn de Regt, who has visited North Korea herself. According to de Regt, some of the main photographers only wanted to supply photos but didn't want to get further involved, with some even hiding behind pseudonyms. Some are known or have reasons to hide their identities. French citizen Eric Lafforgue, one of the main contributors, is no longer welcome in the country. Willem van der Bijl, a Dutch consultant on the book, spent time in a North Korean jail cell after repeated business trips to Pyongyang. Mystery shrouds Martin Tutsch, rumored to be a diplomat who posts on Flickr under the username Moravius. Many others continue to visit North Korea and don't wish to risk that. So rather than highlight the minor contributors at the expense of the top photographers, de Regt decided the book would treat everyone equally by not talking about them. But de Regt isn't worried about unfavorable attention from the regime, pointing out only 1,000 books are being printed and many pictures have had more views online. She also takes to heart advice from van der Bijl, "not to overestimate one's importance with respect to North Korea." "North Koreans are far more interested in their own enormous problems, than in some photobook published in the West," she said. The book is distributed in South Korea by Idea Books. Passengers rush to make the train's first departure in Djibouti. By Laura Zhou Inaugural journey on 750km line from Djibouti and the Suez Canal to landlocked Ethiopian capital A multibillion-dollar China-built rail line linking the Horn of Africa with the continent's vast interior was officially launched on Tuesday, an important milestone for China's burgeoning influence in the region. The 750km line connects port city Djibouti and Addis Ababa, the capital of landlocked Ethiopia, the fastest-growing economy in Africa. The railway is expected to reduce the travel time between the two cities, from three days by road to just 12 hours by train. It is also widely seen as the start of a trans-African railway project, in which a 2,000km track will connect Djibouti, a gateway to the Suez Canal and one of the world's busiest shipping routes, with the Atlantic Ocean. The railway was 70 per cent financed by China's Exim Bank and built by two large Chinese state-owned companies China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway Construction Corporation. It is the latest symbol of China's growing presence in Africa, a continent that has been traditionally under the influence of the West. The line was the first standard-gauge electrified railroad on the continent built with Chinese standards and technology. During the inauguration ceremony yesterday morning, Yuan Li, the president of CCECC, said that the launch of the new railway was a "dream come true" and "another symbol of China-Africa friendship". The high-speed electric line is expected to one day be part of a railway connection stretching across the continent. He also pledged to increase the company's investment in Djibouti and Ethiopia. China has been putting down roots in Africa over the past decade as part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road project, an ambitious initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping to revive China's trade connections with the Middle East, Europe and Africa. In Tanzania yesterday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China would help African nations boost their infrastructure. Djibouti alone, a tiny country with a population of less than a million that lies on the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, has hosted several projects by Chinese state-owned companies. These notably include: a US$590 million multi-purpose port; a cross-border pipeline that channels drinking water from Ethiopia; and China's first overseas naval base, which Beijing insists is only a logistics hub for China's naval presence in the Gulf of Aden. Developments like these have triggered concerns China is following in Western footsteps and pursuing a path of colonial economic development in Africa. But Aden Ahmed Douale, the counsellor to the president of Djibouti, said that such concerns were "ridiculous". "You cannot trade without infrastructure," Douale said yesterday. "The European countries didn't want to help the African countries develop their infrastructures and their economies, only the Chinese did," he added. "Now it's too bad for the Europeans, but it is good for China and it is good for Africa." By Choe Chong-dae I become very nostalgic whenever I think about Gyeongju, the city where I was born and raised. Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient Shilla Kingdom for millennia. It is an ancestral cradle of Korean culture and is still alive with the artistic spirit of the period. When I was younger in the 1960s and early 1970s, I would travel to Namsan (South Mountain) in Gyeongju whenever an opportunity arose. Mt. Namsan in Gyeongju is a veritable open-air museum, a treasure house of Shilla culture. It is comprised of innumerable cultural relics such as 150 ancient Buddhist temple sites and shrines, including 110 Bodhisattva statues, 96 stone pagodas, 13 royal tombs, four fortresses and other relief carvings and stone lanterns, which are of very high artistic value on an international scale. Accordingly, Namsan is also known as a treasure of Buddhist culture and a holy ground that reflects the spirit of the Shilla people, as a protector of the Korean nation and as an integral part of our artistic world. It has become a vestige of the past that lives in my heart. Many historians assert that "you cannot say that you know Gyeongju without exploring Namsan." Namsan was not only the Shilla people's paradise and a holy Buddhist Land from ancient times but also a sacred place for prayer for relief from suffering. People who made the pilgrimage to Namsan were concerned with attaining happiness in this and future lives. They circled around Buddhist statues and pagodas in fervent prayer. They believed that those who pray to Buddhist figures on Namsan on the first and 15th day of each month of the lunar calendar achieve their desires. When Shilla culture was in full bloom, its greatest cultural heroes and eminent scholars such as Jajang, Wonhyo, Uisang, and Choi Chi-won are known to have studied at various temples on Namsan for significant parts of their careers. Zen Master Choongdam Seonsa, a famous Buddhist priest who lived during the reign of Gyeongdeok, the 35th King of Shilla, studied at a temple on Samhwa Peak on the slopes of Namsan. Rev. Choongdam, a devotee of tea and its spiritual healing properties chanced on King Gyeungdeok on his way back to town from Namsan after offering tea to Maitreya Buddha. Deeply impressed by the spiritual power of Chungdam, the King was imbued with the peace and equanimity that foreshadows a prosperous reign. The King asked the monk to compose a song for the Shilla people on the theme "Peaceful Reign." Accordingly, the monk composed a poem and presented it to the King in 765 A.D. The poem, "Song of a Peaceful Reign," follows. It is good for the Korean people to keep this song in mind now. "The King is the majestic father; the vassal is the affectionate mother. The people are the happy children. Accordingly, the people should recognize their parents' loving-kindness. Since the noble parents feed and reign over myriad creatures (people), who would leave home and journey elsewhere? The people should remain in their native land. If the King, vassals and people all perform their duty, peace will reign in our land.'' In later times during the Joseon Kingdom, Kim Si-seup (1435-1493), better known by his penname Maewol-dang, stayed at Yongjangsa Temple on Namsan from 1465 to 1470. While there, Kim wrote the first novel in classical Chinese in Korea, titled "Geumo Sinhwa" (New Stories from Geumo Mountain) as well as other books. Namsan is called Geum-o Mountain in this work. Standing at a temple site on Namsan during a recent visit to Gyeongju, I was inspired by the fabulous legacy of Shilla culture and a dream-like state of virtual utopia, and could put Korea's current bizarre political crisis aside. 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 Author Talk | "The Rhythmic Imagination in African Music" THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017 at 7 PM Montpelier Room Get free tickets from Eventbrite (tickets available 01/04/2017, beginning at 10 AM) Kofi Agawu, PhD, Professor of Music, Princeton University Professor Agawu will speak about his new book, The African Imagination in Music, with a special focus on chapter 4, The Rhyhmic Imagination in African Music. About The African Imagination in Music: The world of Sub-Saharan African music is immensely rich and diverse, containing a plethora of repertoires and traditions. In The African Imagination in Music, renowned music scholar Kofi Agawu offers an introduction to the major dimensions of this music and the values upon which it rests. Agawu leads his readers through an exploration of the traditions, structural elements, instruments, and performative techniques that characterize the music. In sections that focus upon rhythm, melody, form, and harmony, the essential parts of African music come into relief. While traditional music, the backbone of Africa's musical thinking, receives the most attention, Agawu also supplies insights into popular and art music in order to demonstrate the breadth of the African musical imagination. Close readings of a variety of songs, including an Ewe dirge, an Aka children's song, and Fela's Suffering and Smiling supplement the broader discussion. The African Imagination in Music foregrounds a hitherto under-reported legacy of recordings and insists on the necessity of experiencing music as sound in order to appreciate and understand it fully. Accordingly, a Companion Website features important examples of the music discussed in detail in the book. Accessibly and engagingly written for a general audience, The African Imagination in Music is poised to renew interest in Black African music and to engender discussion of its creative underpinnings by Africanists, ethnomusicologists, music theorists and musicologists. And so the Bonaparte of Momentum was born. At a stroke, Momentums democratic structures have been abolished; the tireless work of thousands of Corbyn supporters over the past year-and-a-half thrown out the window. Overnight, grassroots activists have been shunted to the side in what can only be described as a coup. Momentums rank-and-file members must not stand for this behaviour a sickening imitation of that seen from the Blairite mafia in the Parliamentary Labour Party last summer. Members and activists must organise emergency local meetings immediately and call for the originally planned Momentum conference to go ahead on 19th February, to discuss the way forward for the Corbyn movement and the fight for a socialist Labour government. Lansmans dictatorship As we have reported previously (here and here), a divide has opened up in Momentum in the recent period, nominally over the issue of whether the organisation should be based on elected and accountable representatives or on a horizontal network of activists that make decisions through one member, one vote (OMOV). Rising above these factional disputes, however, Jon Lansman the Momentum boss has now imposed himself as dictator, presenting a fait accompli to the grassroots that is the worst of all worlds, both scrapping democratic structures and disenfranchising members in one fell swoop: precisely what nobody is calling for! In an email sent out last night, at approximately 9pm, Momentum members and supporters were informed of a new constitution for the organisation, designed to deliver the kind of action-focused, campaigning organisation that our members want. But, under the guise of reducing bureaucracy and increasing transparency, the most basic elements of democracy within Momentum have been quashed. The bureaucracy has most certainly been reduced to a dictatorship of one! And in a very transparent way! Momentums entire democratic structure has been turned to dust: the regional committees, National Committee (NC), and even the Steering Committee (SC) have been dissolved, replaced by an amorphous mix of a National Coordinating Group (NCG), Members Council, and Digital Democracy Platform. Even the networking tools that did exist for local organisers have been axed; as a result, even those rank-and-file activists who supported the idea of an OMOV-based organisation are up in arms. The new democratic structures outlined in the Lansman constitution, such as they exist, are a complete stitch-up. The NCG is a farcical copy of the old Labour Party electoral college, with 14-out-of-26 places guaranteed to Labour MPs, MEPs, councillors, etc., appointed by trade unions, and chosen by affiliated organisations including opaque groups such as Compass, which doesnt even support Corbyn [!], and Left Futures, which is essentially nothing more than Jon Lansmans personal blog [!!]. In effect, such proposals (unilaterally foisted upon the membership) are designed from the outset to guarantee the Lansman leadership a majority in all decision making. In turn, all sorts of barriers have been erected to prevent activists from challenging the bureaucracy, with the signatures of 5% of the members (approximately 1,000 members, at current figures) required just for constitutional amendments to even be heard and discussed further. For those who are unhappy with the new constitution, members are politely informed that if you wish to opt-out, you can emailto cancel your membership. In other words, either shut up or get out! Is this, one must ask, the horizontal network and campaigning movement that Paul Mason, Owen Jones, and other so-called Lefts had in mind when they used their privileged position in the press to admonish new Momentum members against the old ideas proposed by experienced trade unionists and Labour Party activists? A coup in all but name This move has all the hallmarks of a premeditated coup, clearly planned and orchestrated over a period of weeks. The Lansman clique, clearly feeling that control over Momentum was slipping out of their hands following the decisions of the December NC to move ahead with a delegate-based structure and national policy conference, have moved quickly behind the backs of the grassroots in order to regain a firm grip on the organisation. Members have been informed by email that the new constitution comes off the back of a consultative survey and a vote on the Momentum Steering Committee but the SC has not met for weeks, and was merely informed of the latest bureaucratic decision in writing, where Lansman in fact admits that he alone has decided on the way forward. Furthermore, the survey (and its results) used to justify this latest bureaucratic move were clearly devised from the beginning to overturn the votes taken on the National Committee, with numerous emails sent out from Jeremy Corbyn including leading questions and statements clearly intended to elicit a certain response. And even then, the imposed constitution does not meet the basic democratic demands made by those who support the idea of OMOV. Most scandalously, these undemocratic actions by the Lansman bureaucracy come only hours after the elected Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC) (also now ditched) had announced plans for the first ever Momentum national conference, to take place in Rugby on Sunday 19th February. Any differences over policy, tasks, and structures could have been discussed, debated, and decided upon by elected and accountable delegates, based on discussions amongst rank-and-file members in local Momentum groups, at this conference. But now this too has been cancelled, in favour of an 18th February conference organised from on high that will focus on the theme [of] Momentums role in Labours General Election Strategy, and that will be a day of activist training, political education workshops, networking, political discussion and debate, with no room for genuine discussion and, most importantly, decision making over motions and the real issues at stake. Following these latest manoeuvres and shenanigans, it is clear that Lansman and his clique have lost all confidence amongst ordinary Momentum activists and Corbyn supporters. Grassroots members and activists must act urgently to overturn these bureaucratic moves, calling emergency local meetings and electing representatives to go to the originally-planned national conference, scheduled for the 19th February in Rugby. This meeting must be used to democratically decide the way forward for the Corbyn movement with or without the Lansman gang in the fight against the Tories, against austerity, and against capitalism. Below is a model motion to be raised in local Momentum groups: This branch of Momentum condemns in the strongest possible terms the moves by Jon Lansman and his clique to usurp and undermine the democratic decisions made by the majority of the Momentum National Committee. These undemocratic, behind-the-scenes manoeuvres demonstrate that Lansman and co. can no longer be a trusted and should be replaced immediately by accountable representatives, elected through the previously existing democratic structures of the Regional and National Committees. The newly imposed constitution is completely undemocratic and should be withdrawn immediately. Instead, the plans drawn up by the previously elected Conference Arrangements Committee should be used as the basis for a national conference of elected delegates to discuss and decide upon the way forward for Momentum and the Corbyn movement. We call for: The immediate restoration of all democratic structures within Momentum. The national conference to proceed in its previously agreed form, as a democratic conference to discuss motions and decide policy on the basis of elected delegates from local groups. For an emergency National Committee to discuss this coup and hold those responsible to account. The politics at root As we have underlined previously, the current chaos within Momentum is at root not down to organisational questions, but political ones. The real divide is between Lansman and other so-called Lefts such as Mason, Jones, et al. on one side, who want a passive Corbyn movement that is respectable and willing to compromise with Labours right wing; and an increasingly radicalised grassroots on the other, who have been pushed into action in the wake of last years chicken coup, unwilling now to sit back and let the Blairites slowly strangle Corbyn and the movement against austerity that he represents. Indeed, throughout all these events, one thing stands out: the desire by the self-appointed Momentum leadership to mollify the Blairites, clip the claws of the Corbyn movement, and turn Momentum into a toothless tiger. From the beginning, cold water has been poured over any bottom-up initiative from Momentums rank-and-file. At the last Labour Party National Conference, all the chickens came home to roost, and the Momentum leaderships paralysis was met with a thumping victory for the right wing in all the decisive votes. As a result, Corbyn has become increasingly isolated and impotent at the top of the Party, unable to provide a lead on major issues such as Brexit, and unwilling to take the fight to the Blairite saboteurs that infest the PLP. Indeed, the vital task of kicking out the Blairites has, in turn, been knocked on the head by Lansman, who has publically came out against the call for mandatory reselection, to the visible delight of Tom Watson and the gangsters he represents. Faced with this lack of leadership, however, Corbyn supporters have begun to take matters into their own hands, organising locally to revitalise Momentum, gain control from the right wing in Labour branches and CLPs, and transform the Labour Party from the ground up. This process, however, has started to put pressure on the Momentum leadership to take action. They could feel their control of the movement slipping through their fingers. They can see that a grassroots-led movement has the potential to go far further than what they intended or wanted in terms of its organisation and demands. Recent votes over policy on the Momentum NC, on issues such as migration and the Labour purge, for example, posed a genuine threat to Momentum leaders and their hopes of compromise with the Labour right. This could not be tolerate by the Lansman gang. The logic of the situation that is, the class antagonism between the Blairite Establishment and the anti-austerity, anti-war demands of workers and youth means that a full-on confrontation with the Labour right wing, however, is inevitable at a certain point. Either the Left is victorious in Labours civil war, or Corbyn will be dead and buried, forced to capitulate and eventually stand down on the back of demoralisation and defeats. This latter outcome, in turn, would deal a shattering blow against the movement, potentially sending it back years. It is clear that all the actions by Lansman and co. are designed to appease the right wing and avoid a split. Indeed, in the latest correspondence from the Momentum head office, it is openly stated that the new constitution is designed to allow Momentum to officially affiliate to the Labour Party. But for what good? Such an affiliation would be meaningless; and yet the Momentum leadership is willing to bend over backwards to accommodate the Labour bureaucracy and ingratiate themselves with it. For example, in order to qualify for affiliation, the imposed constitution states that all Momentum members must be members of the Labour Party. Anyone who has been expelled from the Labour Party in the McCarthyite purges of the past 18 months such as Socialist Appeal activists, amongst others will, in turn, be expelled from Momentum! As well as proving the respectability of Momentum towards the Labour Establishment, for Lansman and the other chief bureaucrats this is also a convenient way of removing the most troublesome members from Momentums books. In effect, then, the unaccountable Momentum leadership has handed control of the organisation and its membership over to the even more unaccountable Labour right wing, who with the push of a button could disband Momentum by fabricating some flimsy excuse and declaring all of its members to be in breach of the Labour Party rulebook. The latest actions by the Lansman clique, therefore, are, at best, naively short-sighted; and, at worst, consciously and criminally crippling Momentum and prostrating the Corbyn movement before the Blairites. Kick out the Blairites! Kick out the Tories! Kick out capitalism! Without the organised pressure of the masses behind him, Corbyns weakness and limitations are quickly multiplying and being exposed. The latest flip-flopping over Brexit and the question of the free movement of labour, and on the idea of a maximum pay cap also, has only added to the disillusionment towards the Labour leader, who has, truth be told, been virtually invisible since winning an increased mandate in last years party leadership contest. By remaining silent, in an attempt to placate his opponents and keep the peace, Corbyn only ends up appearing confused and rudderless. Precisely when boldness is required to go on the offensive against the divided Tory government and finish them off, we instead see nothing but indecision, vacillation, and a constant pandering to the Blairites, who in turn are nothing but a pale imitation of the Conservatives and UKIP. The mood clearly exists for an anti-establishment leader who throws caution to the wind, exposing the crimes and contradictions of the Tories and the rotten system that they defend. But even here, the actions of the respectable ladies and gentlemen amongst Corbyns team of advisors is laughable, as demonstrated by the recent announcement that Labour strategists would relaunch the Party leader as a left-wing populist this year. If youre going to pose yourself as a left-wing populist (whatever this means), you dont announce it in a slick press statement you get on your soapbox and rally against the corrupt elite that holds society to ransom under capitalism! The objective situation is indeed calling out for such a leader. But this requires militancy and audacity; firmness and resolve; an unflinching determination to follow through with the programme that the vast majority of Labour Party members and supporters have twice now voted for. The genie is nevertheless out of the bottle. No matter what Lansman, Watson, or whoever desire, the movement of workers and youth has been awoken from its slumber. The task now is to get organised; to transform the Labour Party from top to bottom; to build a mass political movement capable of fighting for a socialist alternative to the Establishment and their broken status quo. Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com. A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving metals market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets. Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials. If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details. Music publisher Enock Agyepong has added his voice to the debate going round that payola discourages musicians from promoting their music. He declared that any radio DJ or presenter who takes payola from a musician before airing his or her song on radio should be condemned. He condemned the host of Hitz FM's Drive Time programme, Merqury Quaye, for saying that Ghanaian DJs will continue to take payola from musicians before they promote their (musicians) songs on air. Speaking in an interview with BEATWAVES yesterday, Enock Agyepong who is also the chief executive officer of Speech Music Productions disagreed with Merqury Quaye that payola is a way of promoting music and, therefore, cannot be said to be something bad. Merqury Quaye who had earlier stated that he sees payola as a way of promoting music through radio, stressed that Ghanaian musicians are solely responsible for the promotion of their songs and they must pay for it. He added that Ghanaian DJs will continue to take payola from musicians if they want their songs to be promoted on radio. Commenting on Merqury's statements, the music producer said the presenter should feel ashamed for openly endorsing payola which has contributed significantly to the collapse of the Ghanaian music industry. According to the music producer, it is morally wrong and a crime to encourage the payment of payola which has also forced a number of musicians and producers out of music business because they could not afford it. To support his argument, Enock Agyepong disclosed that last year July, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) sacked one of its presenters on Ukhozi FM, DJ Vukani Masinga, also known as Chilli M, for taking payola from South Africa music group, Street Boys. He said the termination of DJ Masinga follows an investigation into allegations of payola. Mr Masinga admitted to accepting some form of enticement in exchange for playlisting music of the people who enticed him. By George Clifford Owusu Three people have been released without charge by French police investigating a Paris jewellery robbery that targeted TV reality star Kim Kardashian West. They include her chauffeur in Paris, Michael Madar. The three were among 17 people arrested in co-ordinated raids across France on Monday. The drivers brother is still being questioned by police, reports say. Kardashian West was held at gunpoint and tied up by the robbers while staying at a hotel in Paris in October. She was targeted at the exclusive flat near Place de la Madeleine while her bodyguard looked after her sister at a nightclub. The gang stole 9m (8m; $9.5m) of jewellery, including a diamond ring valued at around 4m. Criminals with experience by Hugh Schofield in Paris Image copyright AFP Police are investigating whether the gang had inside information before the raid at an exclusive Paris hotel The two witnesses to the robbery Kardashian West herself as well the night-watchman apparently both told police that their aggressors were men of a certain age. CCTV footage on the street outside also provided crucial evidence. We would expect the people who carried out a job like this to be criminals with a certain degree of experience. They would need the connections to be able to dispose of the jewels once they had got their hands on them, one police source told the BBC. Throughout the inquiry, police have been investigating whether the gang was tipped off that Kardashian Wests bodyguard was not at the hotel residence at the time of the robbery. Among those arrested on Monday were several figures in their 60s and one in his 70s. The raids took place mainly in the Paris region and at Rouen in the north. An Algerian, identified as 72-year-old Pierre B, was detained at Grasse on the French Riviera. Although there has been no trace yet of Kardashian Wests missing jewellery, police did recover an estimated 300,000 during Mondays raids. Sorry, we can't find the content you're looking for at this URL. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The Catholic bishop behind a key political deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo appealed for support at the UN Security Council on Wednesday as a top UN official warned of potential pitfalls for the accord. The New Year's Eve deal calls for the appointment of a new prime minister and the appointment of a transitional body to pave the way to elections in December 2017 that could bring an end to the rule of President Joseph Kabila. The agreement was reached after months of violence and could set the stage for the first peaceful transfer of power in the DR Congo since its independence in 1960. Archbishop Marcel Utembi told the council that the Congolese people were counting on international backing to turn the deal into reality. "I ask one thing of the international community," said Utembi, who spoke by video-conference. "To help the people do everything to ensure the success of this accord, from its implementation to the organization of presidential and legislative elections according to the agreed timetable." UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous pointed to potential hurdles, from opposition groups who have yet to sign on to the accord to the reservations expressed by Kabila's party. Without the full backing of all sides, "the implementation of the accord will be difficult and will have harmful consequences on the political and security aspects," said Ladsous. Ladsous expressed concern over recent violence in the vast resource-rich country that has been ruled by Kabila since 2001, when he took over from his father Laurent who was assassinated. At least 40 civilians died in "alleged extrajudicial killings" during clashes on December 19 and 20 between opposition demonstrators and security forces, said Ladsous. French Ambassador Francois Delattre pointed to a "very positive dynamic, positive momentum" for the agreement but said the council must weigh in. "I believe it's the responsibility of the Security Council to promote the agreement, with respect to the appointment of the new prime minister, with respect to the definition of a new electoral calendar, and regarding the respect of human rights," Delattre told reporters. The United Nations has some 20,000 troops in the DR Congo, its biggest peacekeeping mission. Tunisian youths throw stones towards a police station on January 11, 2017, in the Tunisian southern border town of Ben Guerdane, as locals protest the closing of a border crossing with Libya vital to the region's economy. By FATHI NASRI (AFP) 11.01.2017 LISTEN Zarzis (Tunisia) (AFP) - Clashes erupted on Wednesday in Tunisia's border town of Ben Guerdane between police and protesters demanding the free flow of vital trade with neighbouring Libya, witnesses said. Protesters set fire to tyres and blocked the road between Ben Guerdane and the border crossing of Ras Jedir about 30 kilometres (20 miles) away, they said. They gathered outside official buildings in Ben Guerdane and security forces intervened after they were targeted by stone-throwers, witnesses said. Private radio station Mosaique FM reported the police fired tear gas to break up the protest. The interior ministry told AFP police broke up a "protest of around 150 people" in a "legal way". There were no immediate reports of any arrests or casualties. Ras Jedir is the main crossing between western Libya and southeastern Tunisia, a region whose economy is largely dependent on cross-border trade, both legal and illegal. Tensions have been high in recent months, with a part of the population accusing the authorities of ignoring their plight. The authorities have said the issue is thorny in view of the political chaos and fighting between militias in Libya. In May last year, security forces used tear gas against hundreds of people in Ben Guerdane protesting against the closure of the Ras Jedir crossing by Libyan authorities. Two months earlier, Tunisia closed two border crossings with Libya for a fortnight in response to a deadly jihadist attack on Ben Guerdane. Thousands of Tunisians are believed to be fighting with jihadist groups abroad including in Libya. Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe has denied seizing three properties from a Lebanese businessman who she claims duped her in a messy $1.35 million diamond ring deal. President Robert Mugabe's wife was taken to court by Zimbabwe-based Jamal Ahmed who says she allegedly seized three of his properties late last year, demanding he pay back the money for a ring she later decided she did not want. In court papers seen by AFP on Wednesday, Grace Mugabe stated that Ahmed's properties were being guarded by police officers who were investigating him for alleged crimes. "I therefore deny forcibly taking over the said properties," she stated. "The police are not my agents. They are state officers who enforce the law and investigate unbecoming behaviour. This is why they are protecting these properties." Grace Mugabe said she bought the ring from family business proceeds and that it was a gift from her husband for their 20th wedding anniversary on August 20 last year. Ahmed alleged that Grace Mugabe, who is known for her love of jewellery and extravagant shopping trips abroad, placed an order for the ring in April 2016 through his wife who lives in Dubai. Grace Mugabe says she was sent pictures of several stones to make a choice but never had the ring delivered. "I smelt a rat," she said, according to court papers. The first lady "then refused to take delivery of the diamond and instead demanded a full refund." Ahmed said he had offered to repay the money in instalments, just to avoid trouble, but in court papers Grace disputed his claim that he had so far paid back $150,000 (143,000 euros). She said he has paid $120,000. Ahmed who is not currently in Zimbabwe, claims to have received threats from officials from Zimbabwe's spy agency -- the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) as well from Grace and her son Russell Goreraza from her first marriage. She has denied the allegation. This is not the first time Grace Mugabe has been involved in controversy. In 2011 she was caught in a spat over a $1-million truck deal with South African businessman Ping Sung Hsieh. Grace, 51, married Mugabe in 1996. She now heads the ruling ZANU-PF party women's wing. She has said that she has the right to rule the country like any other Zimbabwean and is now seen to be among those angling to replace her husband. President Nana Addo Dankwa Aufo-Addo and the Chief Justice (left) 11.01.2017 LISTEN State coffers are not for victorious political parties. I promise to protect the public purse President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. I've always hoped this day would come. I've on many occasions prayed to the Bearded Old Man above to make me see this day. But trust me when I say I never knew it would come so soon. I never knew I would see this beautiful day. The day that the Short man and the most vilified politician in the country would hold high the sword of office. That beautiful day when the Elephant would walk majestically back to its natural habitat, the bush. It is a day that would forever be etched in my memory. The joy most of my compatriots felt was evidently shown by the infectious smiles on their faces. Thousands travelled from various towns and villages to the Independence Square to be part of the investiture of the so-called Short Man. Without a doubt, it is the most celebrated presidential inauguration in the history of this country. It is very difficult for me to shed tears, be they tears of pain or joy. But I shed tears that fateful Saturday. I just cannot describe the feeling I had when I saw the Short Man lift high the golden sword, which symbolizes the authority of office of the president of the Republic. All I saw was tears moving sneakily from my eyes and moving down my cheek. Yes, I shed tears; and I'm not ashamed to say so! Here is a man who has lived a very principled and dignified life. Even his harshest critics and political opponents know that he is a man of integrity. Yet blinded by partisanship and robbed of good conscience, all manner of vices were ascribed to him. He was called all manner of names. Some even decided to play God and gave damning verdict about the man. They said he could never and would never ever become a president in this country. As I watched his investiture, I told myself that was the moment some people thought could never happen in this country. Omane Boamah was bold enough to be at the investiture but the broken eggs on his face were very visible. As I shed tears, I wondered if the likes of Kwaku Anyidoho were watching the investiture of the Short Man in the beautiful kente cloth. It was indeed a beautiful spectacle to behold! The President's speech was inspiring, to say the least. It is arguably the most inspiring inaugural speech I've ever heard. And trust me when I tell you that I've heard all the inaugural speeches under the Fourth Republic. I was most inspired by two key points in the speech. The first is the vow to protect the public purse as quoted at the beginning of this piece. That is very refreshing considering numerous create, loot and share schemes we witnessed under the erstwhile Ogwanfunu government. His call on his compatriots to wake up and redefine what he calls The new Ghanaian is also stimulating. Indeed, we cannot continue doing the same things and expect a different outcome. We can only get different outcomes when we do things differently, as the President had espoused. I've heard and read from many of my compatriots who are willing and ready to heed the President's call. But not our friends from the Zu-za family. They saw nothing good in the inspiring speech. What they saw from the 19-page speech was a so-called plagiarized line. Funny, isn't it? Who told them that is how they can warm their way back into the hearts of the electorate? The electorate is anxiously waiting to see how the new government would fulfill its promises, which would in turn help ease their suffering. As for the noise about plagiarism, it only sounds like 'pito' music in our ears. Whether plagiarism or not, the Short Man is now the President of the Republic and the Great Elephant is back into the bush. I've had the occasion to criticize the title of Arthur K's book, Chasing the Elephant into the Bush. I still maintain the stance that a true member of the Kukrudu family should have titled it, Chasing the Elephant from the Bush. After wandering in unfamiliar environment for eight years, the Elephant has finally found its way back into the bush. With the greedy hunters and poachers now chased away from the bush, the Great Elephant can have the peace of mind to cater for its children. As the Great Elephant walks majestically back into the bush, its children are concerned about one thing only: How their lot would be improved by the return of their mother. Only a fool would think otherwise. See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente! Poor communication will destroy even a good leader. In war, it is important to maintain communication with your superiors. It is also important to maintain very good communication with your colleagues and subordinates. A good leader knows that war takes place in an atmosphere of confusion, loud noises, poor visibility, misunderstanding and chaos. The war atmosphere is very prone to misunderstandings, offenses and hurts! Unless you communicate properly, you are going to get hurt and offended very soon. Every good leader masters the art of communicating properly. And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt; And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. And the men took of their victuals, and ASKED NOT COUNSEL AT THE MOUTH OF THE LORD. -Joshua 9:9-14 The commonest sign of a pastor who will not do well, is someone who does not stay in touch or someone who does not communicate properly. Through communication and dialogue you will understand what is happening and what is not happening. You can clarify things you do not understand and you can ask questions when you need to. War and conflict are full of misunderstanding, miscommunication and confusion. A good leader is very careful in situations that can lead to hurts and offences. A good leader knows that he could mistakenly attack and accuse the very person he needs. A good leader may not be able to avoid situations in which hurts and offenses develop but he fights to maintain communication and to avoid the worst. A good leader does not break communication! A good leader does not break fellowship. A good leader does not break lifelong friendships. A good leader does not break contact with his spiritual family. A good leader does not break contact with his fellow workers! Not communicating with God means being prayerless. Not communicating properly with your coequals means you have an independent and separatist spirit. What happens to such a leader? Such a leader soon becomes isolated. Isolation is a dangerous state to fall into. Isolation and non-communication will kill your ministry. Evil spirits enter the church because of poor communication. Sometimes asking a question and getting a genuine answer will drive away all forms of misunderstanding. We are to walk in the light as He is in the light and we are to have fellowship with one another. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. -1 John 1:7 It is not easy to overcome hurts and injuries when they come from your own colleagues. Being hurt is the open door to evil spirits of unforgiveness and bitterness. A good leader learns the importance of clarifying issues. He learns the importance of not jumping to conclusions too quickly. A good leader knows or learns the importance of not attacking his own friends. You can lose wonderful people due to misunderstanding. You can lose life-long friends because they did not bother to clarify issues. It's time to communicate properly! Be a leader who communicates properly! Be a leader who avoids situations in which hurts and offenses develop. Be a leader who does not break fellowship and lifelong friendships. Be a leader who does not break contact with his spiritual family and fellow soldiers! Be a leader who does not break communication! [email protected] The Art of Leadership By Dag Heward-Mills On Saturday January 7 2017, I took one of my last executive actions as a High Commissioner. I took down President Mahama's portrait at its place of honour on one of the walls of the Head of Mission's residence. I followed up with a whatsApp instruction to the Head of Chancery to do the same at the chancery building first thing Monday morning. After bringing down the portrait, I looked round the room and the flag of Ghana and Coat of Arms stared back at meThere was no taking them down. There may have been a change of portraits, but Ghana remains Ghana and our loyalty to flag and country inviolable. This simple action activated my mind's search engines to throw up some flashbacks of my encounters with Electoral Fortunes at home and internationally over the years. If I have to place a finger on a time line, I will surely put it on 1969 when I got a card for voting. That was when Dr. K.A. Busia and Mr. K.A. Gbedemah were drawing huge rally crowds as they went round the country campaigning. I do not remember voting, though members of my rather big extended family were split in the middle between the Progress Party of Busia and the National Alliance of Liberals of Gbedemah. Even then, it was an Abudu-Andani affair for them! The UNIGOV referendum was another early voting experience. Those were exciting and rebellious times. We rallied behind the No campaign and dealt poor General Acheampong a devastating blow. Mr. Amarteifio (Mr. No)already known in sporting circles gained more visibility when he led a fearless crusade against UNIGOV. Other names including those of General Afrifa, Nana Akufo-Addo, Sam Okudzeto, and many others featured promptly in the anti-Acheampong movement In the '79 elections, which sent Dr. Hilla Limann to the Presidency, I voted. Dr. R.P. Baffour, the Hon. Fritz Baffour's father was my preferred choice. I wonder how many people remember him as a Presidential Candidate.In the run-off between Hilla Limann and Victor Owusu, I put my ballot in for Victor Owusu. The Rawlings coup truncated things and the next encounter with a ballot box was in 1992 when we were asked to approve of a new constitution The 4th Republican Constitution. I went along with those who said NO and refrained from voting. A highly revered institution even boycotted the consultative assembly that brought it into being. The referendum passed and the document became our basic law. The irony for me is that some of the staunchest interpreters of the constitution today led the resentment against it when it was being put before the people. I remember us making much about the Transitional Provisions, especially the section that indemnified our coup makers a pity because a firing squad had already dispatched many of them. After the referendum, the scene was set for our first election in a decade. December 1992 generated excitement and great expectations. The PNDC Chairman Jerry Rawlings morphed from his military drills into civil garb to contest. Arrayed against him were stalwarts like Prof Adu Boahen, Dr. Hila Limann, General Erskine and others. Those elections ended in a Stolen Verdict according to the NPP and I went along with those who said we should not participate in the parliamentary elections to follow so I did not vote. In Presidential Elections, I have voted for Prof. Adu Boahen, J.A. Kufuor, Dr. Nduom/Nana Akufo-Addo and John Mahama. Voting is supposed to be a civic duty so there should be no shame in where one's conscience and convictions have led one's vote to. Elections may or may not turn out our way but democracy works, even as it also sucks! Some say politics is a dirty game: it need not be. There are many reasons why people vote and elections can be won or lost on those reasons. I am curious to know how many people voted in our last elections on the grounds of their appreciation of Liberal or Social Democracy which the NPP and NDC espouse respectively. Many things did come up: perception of corruption, ethnocentricity, one village one dam, utility prices, infrastructural development, security, etc., and to some, the eight-year political itch! Some of the campaign ads said 8 years of the NDC is enough and so on. It was in the final days of the campaign period when I published my testament on ethnocentricity and earned the title of Prostitute to add to my MOV! On the international scene there have many eye-popping electoral fortunes too in the past and in recent times: Why did Neil Kinnock lose to John Major in 1992 in the UK elections that were widely expected to go the Labour Leader's way? Still in the UK, when the Scots held a referendum to decide on whether to leave the UK or not, I did not fancy a UK break-up and applauded when they decided to staybut after Brexit, I am no longer sure. On Brexit itself I did not expect the outcome and would have preferred for our former colonial master to remain in Europe. After all they are Europeans. Their royal family, which they hold so dear, was the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (German) before it became The House of Windsor during WWI. William III (of Orange) was partially Dutch. In culture, a great British icon in fact one of the most beloved George Frederick Handel was originally German. His oratorio, The Messiah with the heavenly Hallelujah Chorus remains one of the most inspired human achievements of all time. I have never quite understood British Euro skepticism and the vote to leave the EU. Another landmark European polling event, as if it never even took place because it has so soon receded into history was the Greek referendum on its bailout conditions last year. Alexis Tsipras, the Prime Minister, had thrown the decision to his people and to the chagrin of the country's creditors, the Greek people voted to support their Prime Minister's strategies. Greece has survived and even as its Grexit was expected it never materialized. Angela Merkel's refugee policy is affecting her electoral fortunes; Jacob Zuma has just seen the ANC's electoral fortunes dip badly. And just before our elections in December the Americans went to the polls and the world held its breath: Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton? I know of many who are yet to recover from the direction those electoral fortunes took! Our ECOWAS neighbour, The Gambia, at the time of writing, was in the grips of uncertainty with a defeated incumbent still insisting on clinging to power. In many parts of Africa, elections and term limits are still extremely hard to come to terms with and in some cases have resulted in much social trauma. On the diplomatic front, Ghana remains the toast to democracy. For those who wanted a regime change and those who wished for a Mahama continuity, one thing is agreed on: Ghana is now among the best of them in the practice of democracy. Many of my diplomatic colleagues in Windhoek have very touchingly expressed their disappointment at my leaving but in the same vein, have congratulated Ghana for again showing its growing maturity in democracy. The fact still remains: democracy neither pleases nor satisfies everybody! Some would jubilate and some would sulk, but either way, it does not make you any more or less of a citizen. Democracy can build and can also destroy. By a quirk of democracy, the acknowledged criminal of all time, Adolf Hitler, was the product of an exercise in voting In many living rooms one would often see a wall hanging proclaiming, Home Sweet Home and when confronted with political extremism, we would often proclaim that Ghana is the only Home we have. In all the polls I have been privileged to participate in, we really have not done badly at all, these 60 years. We have opted for democracy; the next crucial stage is to accept some of the key fundamentals that make it work: 1. Different ideologies competing for broad acceptance by the people. 2. Even within the same party, there can be different shades of opinion on a given ideology, strategy, policy or even leadership. 3. Tolerance for fair (and unfair?) comment. These ensure the growth of democracy with time and over generations. Fundamentallydemocracy does not condone the demonization of citizens who disagree. Within a political party or outside of it or even if they do not espouse membership of any political party, the national space is for all citizens. Orwellian four legs good, two legs better cannot be democracy by any stretch of the imagination. In the end, Ghana is the only home we have. Home Sweet Home! That is why when taking down portraits you do not touch the flag and Coat of Arms. They remain By A Harruna Attah 11.01.2017 LISTEN The Kumasi-based broadcast journalist working for ASHH FM, who went into hiding after the December polls, has been sacked by his employer. He had gone into self-imposed hibernation, which created uneasy calm across the media landscape in the Ashanti Region and beyond. The Human Resource Manager of Ashh FM, Umar Kamil, who confirmed the dismissal of the journalist, explained that the reasons given by the under-fire broadcaster necessitated his dismissal from the radio station. Yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ashh FM, Kennedy Agyapong, concurred the decision to sack Daasebre for behaving irresponsibly. On December 7, 2016, Daasebre Agyei Dwamena, 54, a broadcaster of Ashh FM, mysteriously disappeared into thin air after casting his ballot during the December 7, 2016 general elections. Ken Agyapong bemoaned that the disappearance of his employee opened the floodgates for people to say many things about him, which are not true. He indicated that people went to the extent of saying he (Agyapong) had used Daasebre for juju rituals, which enabled the New Patriotic Party to come to power. Meanwhile, some livid people in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, are calling for the arrest of Daasebre Agyei Dwamena for creating unnecessary tension and panic. Mr. Kwabena Botchway, who spoke to The Chronicle, said what the broadcaster did was not sensible, and his outfit must sack him for creating fear and panic. Worried Botchway was of the view that if such aberrations are not nipped in the bud, others will emulate this bad behaviour, and it can result in the deaths of people, since it will keep them mulling. This could raise their blood pressure, thereby complicating their healthcare. Madam Rebecca Ocansey also added her voice and called for the Ashanti Regional Police Command to question Daasebre, since what he did is quite bad, and kept people on tenterhooks. Patritus Ayirendine demanded police interrogation, since the conduct of the broadcaster is questionable, an appeal, he said, should not be swept under the carpet. Their grievances come in the wake of a journalist who went into hiding, keeping the people of the Ashanti Region, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on tenterhooks, has finally appeared into public. His disappearance left people reading a lot of meanings into what was possibly going on in Kumasi, following the death of a Kumasi-based journalist, Confidence K. Baah, ,who died amid colossal rumours. Announcing his comeback on Kumasi-based Ashs FM, Daasebre Agyei Dwamena, who is a father of seven, told the host that after casting his ballot, he parted ways with his family, telling them that he was embarking on an assignment, which they know as being usual of him as a broadcaster. According to him, in as much as he defends the NPP on radio, he also prayed for the party, adding that it became necessary that some people devote their life and soul, by embarking on a terrific prayer mission. He defended his actions that per the rate at which tension and evil spirits could derail the chances of the NPP, there was the need for intercessory prayers, hence his decision to devote body and soul. He added: It came to fore that I have to go somewhere and pray all alone. Responding to a question, he noted: No one beat me .I was not arrested, neither was I intimidated; I am in good health. From Richard Owusu-Akyaw, Kumasi Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, 53, is the Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, subject to the approval of Parliament. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, made the announcement, on Monday, January 9, when a Chinese delegation paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House. Madam Botchway is a Communication Consultant, Politician, Public Relations Practitioner, Marketer and a Journalist. She was born on the 8th February, 1963 and hails from Gbawe-Accra. According to information the GNA sourced from various websites, Madam Botchway holds a Master of Arts Degree in Public Communication from the University of Westminster (2002) and Masters in Business Administration in Project Management from the University of Ghana (2004). She is the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowotuom in the Greater Accra Region. She has been in Parliament since 2005 and has served in a number of Parliamentary Committees including, Gender and Children, Committee of Selection, Committee on Members Holding Offices of Profit Communications. Under the Kufuor Administration, Madam Botchway was a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State at the Water Resources, Works and Housing. She is married with two children, and also a staunch Christian (Anglican). Madam Botchway has supported her constituents in so many ways, including the construction of a clinic at a cost of GH 80,000.00 at Sowutuom in the Ga Central Municipality. The clinic, the first public health facility in area, was funded through the MP's Common Fund with support from the Municipal Assembly and the Ghana Health Service. GNA Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has registered its displeasure over the use of force by the Ivorian military against the government and civilians, in the advancement of their demands. The Commission said it was dismayed by the news on the mutiny by ex-combatants in the barracks in a number of cities of CAte d'Ivoire, notably in BouakA, Daloa and Korhogo on Friday, January 6. 'The ECOWAS Commission stands strongly with the government and people of the Cote d'Ivoire in this moment of national apprehension and calls on the Armed Forces to maintain law and order, while channelling their grievances through appropriate official channels,' a statement issued by the Commission in Abuja, Nigeria on Monday and made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said. 'The ECOWAS Commission strenuously urges the mutineers to conduct themselves in a civil manner and engage in dialogue in order to preserve the achievements made in post-conflict reconstruction and the climate of peace in the country.' The mutineers seized weapons from two police stations in the country's second city, Bouake, and took up positions at its entry points, while gunfire was also reportedly heard in Daloa town. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN A GNA feature by Julius K. Satsi Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - The discovery of natural mineral resources has brought a lot of blessings to many countries, as well as bottlenecks. Countries like Finland with little or without mineral resources have been able to tap into the blessings of endowed countries with their adequate and efficient human resources. According to a global finance on the poorest countries in the world for 2015, Ghana placed 48 position with $ 4338. 37 out of 185 countries, despite the rich natural mineral resources. The rankings, which were published by Valentino Pasquali in 2015 were based on the Gross Domestic Product as well as purchasing-power-parity per capita of a country, which compared the generalised differences in the cost of living and standards between countries. The ranking for the richest countries left Ghana at 138th position out 185 countries. It is not far from truth to believe that natural mineral resources in a country or a community should bestow a blessing rather than a bane. Ghana is blessed with minerals resources which can be grouped into Metals [gold, bauxite, iron, and manganese], Precious stones [diamond], Industrial minerals [solar salt, limestone and dolomite]. A visit to Prestea Bogoso in the Western Region in January 2016 revealed that the indigenes were being subjugated at the expense of their naturally endowed Gold dust deposit. One would feel the grief and the distrust in the minds of the people living in communities endowed with natural mineral resources against the government due to past experiences. Ghanaian leaders should care more for the people who voted them into power than themselves or their offices. The reality on the ground pointed to the fact that rightful owners of natural resources are being denied their benefits. A Ghana News Agency (GNA) story dated November 10, 2016 headlined: 'Ada Songor Salt, Women call for government intervention,' pointed to the women calling on the government to intervene on the issues surrounding the Songor lagoon. This is an issues echoing in other parts of the country. In an interaction with the GNA at what the people called the National Forum, which was on the theme: 'Songor for all,' the women expressed disappointment that the chiefs were not present at the forum even though they were invited. Mr Albert Apetorgbor, an opinion leader and a Songor Lagoon Advocate, alleged that the chiefs and other dignitaries invited to the forum were warned by the government not to attend. Meanwhile, upon further interrogation, it was revealed that the chiefs made a claim that they were not served with official invitations to the programme. Mr Apetorgbor however said even though the notices got to them late, the government and chiefs representatives could have sent a delegation to represent them. Narrating the history of the Songor lagoon, Mr Apetorgbor who is a also former Civil Servant, said there had been horrific moments where pregnant women had been shot dead due to armed military men sent to the community for the sake of the salt in the lagoon. This story was identified with that of Prestea as was narrated by Mr Dominic Nyame on January 2016 during a field trip. This is not the situation of only Prestea and Ada Songor but it cuts across the entire nation as could be seen from the areas with rich natural resources like Keta, Ketu and Obuasi. The Way forward The government must ensure the implementation of the laws binding mineral resources like the Provisional Defence Council Council (PNDC) Law 287, which entitles the people of Songor to be major beneficiaries of the mineral resources. When this is done, the people living in rich lands can also be rich and provide the needs of the home. If Ghana wants to benefit from the abundant natural resources, the nation must develop the human capital to take over the exploitation of the mineral resources God has blessed the country with. The government should enact implementable laws to prevent the tremendous siphoning of the country's resources into other economies. Considering the resources that the Ghanaians are endowed with, there is nothing more that is needed than competent leadership and adequately developed human resources in a corruption-free atmosphere. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN Ho, Jan. 10, GNA - The Volta Regional Office of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has proposed the establishment of a cassava processing plant in the Ho Municipality in line with government's 'one district one factory' policy. Mr Emmanuel Nyaku, NBSSI Regional Manager, said farmers in the middle belt of the region have increased their acreage in view of the rising industrial demand for cassava and that a processing plant in the regional capital would be welcomed. He said such a facility would change the face of farming in the peri-urban area and expand the local economy with opportunities for small scale industries to venture into agribusiness. Mr Nyaku, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, said players in the small and medium scale enterprises were expectant and hopeful that factories to be established in the region would be agro based in view of the agricultural potential of the region. 'The mainstay of the economy is agriculture and Volta Region produces a broad variety- salt in the south, cassava, maize and palm in the middle and rice, yam, legumes and other cereals in the northern parts of the region', he said. Mr Nyaku urged government to make real its promise to support agriculture and agribusiness to create jobs and ensure food security. He said factories needed to be strategically sited to prevent post-harvest losses and promote ready markets. The Volta Region is said to have recorded surpluses in cassava production over the years, with the crop gradually moving from being a food security commodity to an income generating commodity. Figures from the Department of Agriculture indicate that in 2015, the Region recorded 1,350,633.30 metric tonnes of cassava against a regional consumption of 365,490.85 metric tonnes, resulting in a surplus of 548,088.25 metric tonnes. The Ho municipality is a major cassava growing area with pockets of large scale cassava farms located at the outskirts of the regional capital. Caltech Ventures, a cassava cropping and processing company at Hodzo, near Ho, is reported to have started the production of cassava-derived ethanol. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN By Francis Ameyibor, GNA Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - The Convention Peoples' Party (CPP) has tasked all Constituency and Regional Executives to immediately initiate the process of evaluating the Party's performance in Election 2016. 'We need constructive recommendations, scientific solutions, and technical examination of Election 2016'. Professor Edmund N. Delle, CPP Chairman in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, called on all CPP officials, and sympathizers to rally behind the National Leaders to revamp the Party for the way forward. 'We must begin the process of building a viable, mass moment with committed vanguards to lead the process of restructuring the CPP. This is a moment for sober reflection and not time to play the blame game or panic reaction we must stop the media war, cease personality attacks. 'CPP members who have something to contribute towards revamping the Party must use internal mechanism and structures to table their recommendationswe have poll of resourceful, committed, hardworking vanguards,' Prof Delle stated. Prof Delle, explained that the National Executives will soon issue directives to the Regional and Constituency Executives to immediately start broad-based stock-taking engagement to pragmatically come out with issues which contributed to the success, defeat or poor performance of the Party. He said the task of the Constituency Executives will be to evaluate the correlation between the Presidential and Parliamentary votes in Elections 2008; 2012 and 2016. 'We must also analyze the campaign messages across board, campaign methodology, role of Presidential and Parliamentary Candidates. 'Constituency Executives are also to examine the use of technology, media, foot-soldiers, public engagements, campaign material, and other campaign strategies'. All Constituency Executives are to work in collaboration with polling station officers, CPP opinion leaders, parliamentary candidates where applicable and other stakeholders. Prof Delle who is also the CPP Leader also tasked the Constituency Executives to forward outcomes to their respective Regional Chairmen for onward evaluation, and forward to National Officers in Accra. He said after the Constituency and Regional Evaluation, the National Executives will form a Strategic CPP Evaluation Committee to undertake comprehensive examination of the issues and recommendations from the regions. Prof. Delle said a report will then be tabled before the Steering Committee for the development of a roadmap for transforming, revamping and strengthening of the Party. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN By Joyce Danso, GNA Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - The case of three persons, including two policemen, allegedly involved in the robbery of a bullion van belonging to the GCB Bank Limited at Mame Krobo in the Eastern Region has been adjourned to January 24. When the case was called at the District Court, General Corporal Solomon Elvis Mensah and General Lance Corporal Daniel Kissi Abrokwa, who are now serving 36 month jail term each for escaping lawful custody, were absent. However, their accomplice, Hafisu Mohammed, aka Danjuma, a mechanic, was present. Mohammed, when asked about the whereabouts of his counsel, said: 'My lawyer is working on my bail.' Chief Inspector Simon Apiorsonu, who held brief, said they were still waiting for the advice from the Attorney General's Department. General Corporal Solomon Elvis Mensah and General Lance Corporal Daniel Kissi Abrokwa had been sentenced to 36 months each by the Mpraeso Circuit Court. They are said to be serving their jail term at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons for allegedly attacking the bullion van leading to the death of Daniel K. Sarpong, the driver of the bullion van. The two officers are being held on the charges of attempted robbery, conspiracy and murder. Mohammed has been charged with conspiracy. The pleas of the accused persons have been reserved by the court. The facts, as presented by prosecution earlier, indicated that the police officers were stationed at Donkorkrom. The officers hatched a plan of robbing the bullion van and on August 16, the police officers, who were on duty at the GN Bank and GCB, discussed the robbery with Mohammed, who was a friend to the two and also a taxi driver. The officers then armed themselves with AK 47 rifles and laid ambush at a spot between Tease and Mame Krobo at about 1030 hours on that fateful day. Mohammed drove his taxi with registration number 1860-09 towards Ekye Amanfrom to monitor the arrival of the bullion van. The prosecution said 20 minutes after the bullion van arrived, Mohammed signaled the police officers who then opened fire, killing the driver of the van. Prosecution said a police officer on board the van who got injured managed to return fire compelling the two robbers to take cover in the bush. The attackers called Mohammed who picked them with his car in their bid to escape. The Police Command at Donkorkrom got wind of the robbery incident and mobilised men who arrested the three accused persons on board the cab. The prosecution said two AK 47 rifles, 23 rounds of ammunitions, a cutlass, and two metal bars were retrieved from the taxi. The deceased's body had since been deposited at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital awaiting autopsy. Three other occupants of the bullion van, however, escaped unhurt while the policeman on guard was treated and discharged at the Donkorkrom Presbyterian Hospital. GNA Accra, Jan.10, GNA - Mr Charles Arkuh, the Vice President of Groupe Ideal, has called on the financial sector to take strategic decisions in order to sustain the industry as the advent of the mobile money transactions is transforming the sector. 'But it will take critical thinking to take advantage of this creativity', he said and urged the industry to come up with products to enable them take advantage of the development to boost their business. Mr Arkuh, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on developments in the financial sector, especially the emergence of mobile money transactions; advised financial institutions to partner or collaborate with players in the telecommunications sector to maximize the potential of the use of technology. On the issue of non-performing loans in the financial service sector, Mr Arkuh said it is an area of great concern to all financial institutions; citing instances where prospective borrowers attempted to outwit the processing procedure through the presentation of fake documents. He urged banks and other financial industry players to strengthen risk management practices to minimize default risks saying 'there should always be the issue of trust in both ways for the clients and the institution. 'Customers must check the basic regulators requirement before investing with financial institutions to avoid the recurrence of the DKM scandal. And financial institutions need to undertake thorough checks before giving out loans'. He urged the public to spend wisely and remember always to save and invest with one of Ideal Financial Holdings subsidiaries like Ideal Finance Limited, FirsTrust Savings and Loans, and Ideal Capital Partners Limited, an investment and assets management firm. GNA By Maxwell Awumah, GNA Hohoe, Jan. 10, GNA - Global economic growth is forecast to accelerate moderately to 2.7 per cent in 2017 after a post-crisis low last year as obstacles to activity recede among emerging markets and developing economy commodity exporters. Domestic demand would remain solid among emerging and developing commodity importers, the World Bank said in a report released on Tuesday. Growth in advanced economies was expected to edge up to 1.8 per cent in 2017, the World Bank's January 2017 Global Economic Prospects report available to the Ghana News Agency said. The report said fiscal stimulus in major economies, particularly in the United States, could generate faster domestic and global growth than projected, although rising trade protection could have adverse effects. It said growth in emerging market and developing economies as a whole should pick up to 4.2 per cent this year from 3.4 per cent in 2016, amid modestly rising commodity prices. Nevertheless, it said the outlook is clouded by uncertainty about policy direction in major economies. It noted a protracted period of uncertainty could prolong the slow growth in investment that is holding back low, middle, and high income countries. GNA By Belinda Ayamgha, GNA Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - The Bank of Ghana (BOG) has inaugurated a Payments Systems Council (PSC) under its Payments Systems Department to help drive the development of efficient and safe electronic payment systems in Ghana's financial sector. The nine-member council is an advisory body composed of stakeholders in the payments systems sector. It would provide information and advice to the Bank of Ghana in its work to promote an effective and secure payments system. Dr Johnson Asiama, the Second Deputy Governor of the BOG, who inaugurated the Council on behalf of the Governor, said Ghana had made strides in the development of payment systems in the past decade. They include the development of the Ezwich payment system, and the Automated Clearing House for direct and debit credit funds transfer. These, he noted, had resulted in increased international confidence in Ghana's payments systems, explaining that the inauguration of the PSC was another milestone in the Bank's efforts at creating a payments environment that was inclusive and met international standards. 'Credit Cards issued in Ghana, which were formally not accepted for international transactions, are now being accepted in Europe and the USA, among other places,' he said. 'A number of banks are also now issuing credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard on account of renewed confidence in payments systems,' he said. Dr Asiama reiterated the important role of payment systems as a financial market infrastructure both in monetary and fiscal policy and stressed the BOG's commitment to developing payment systems on account of their support to the economy and the promotion of financial sector stability. He said the BOG, in collaboration with the banking industry, was in the process of migrating all payment cards from the magnetic strips standards to Europay, MasterCard, and Visa/ENV chip and pin standard to enhance security and reduce fraud in the industry. Dr Settor Amediku, the Head of the Payment Systems Department of the Bank of Ghana, said the council would work under the Bank with a secretariat in the Payment Systems Department. It would be assisted by four thematic working groups, Covering Standards, Automation and Technology, Operations, and Pricing and Legal. The working groups would consist of relevant stakeholders and it would submit reports to the council to inform policy decisions. Dr Amediku stressed that the main aim of the council was to ensure the protection of consumers in the payments sector. Stakeholders represented in the PSC are the Ministry of Finance, Ghana Revenue Authority, Controller and Accountant General's Department, State Enterprises Commission, Chamber of Telecommunications, Ghana Association of Bankers, National Insurance Commission, National Communications Authority and the National Pensions Regulatory Authority. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - Mr Stephen Ashitey, Leader of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) says non- payment of the ex-gratia of some 3,000 laid off workers of the facility by the Mahama administration, was in bad faith. He said during Ex-President John Dramani Mahama's last State of the Nation Address, he said government was a vehicle for the progressive implementation of policies from one regime to another. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra, he said on July 13, 2012 the late President John Evans Atta Mills gave a directive that the workers who were retrenched 14 years ago should be paid compensation. 'We expected that President Mahama would have pursued the progressive implementation process to pay us our ex-gratia. So far only five our colleagues had received the money,' he said. "Families have been destroyed, some of our colleagues have turned to begging while others are living under trees,' he added. GNA By Iddi Yire, GNA Bunso (E/R), Jan. 10, GNA - Apostle Joseph Felix Kwesi Mensah, the Chairman of the Apostolic Council of the Great Commission Church International (GCCI), has called for teamwork in churches, in order to facilitate their growth and expansion. He said the success of the church and ministry work depends largely on developing a strong team with a deep sense of team spirit. He said divisions among Church Board Members, often leads to the stunting of the Church's growth, because the team members were working as individuals and not as a team. 'A team is a group of people with a common vision and an accepted leader, who sets out to achieve a common goal by a common strategy as they help one another,' Apostle Mensah said in his homily at the end of the 26th Annual General Council Meeting (AGCM) of the GCCI held at Bunso in the Eastern Region. The four-day meeting on the theme: "Imitating Jesus Christ", is being attended by over 120 participants including all members of GCCI Ghana Executive Council and their spouses, trustees, pastors, presiding elders, and delegates from Togo and Benin. He appealed to Christian leaders to work as a team and to care for one another adding that God is a team - Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and, therefore, Christians must work as a team. He said the task of world evangelism could be accomplished within some few years if Christians would work as a team. He said life is full of challenges, but if one learns teamwork, one could breakthrough over his enemies. Apostle Mensah said teamwork is built on factors such as strong relationships, clear communication, complementary spiritual gifts and well defined roles. He said for every team to excel, there should be an accepted leader; stating that "when you have a team, where everybody is equal, you cannot achieve your target". Apostle Mensah admitted that team leaders sometimes make mistakes; however, he explained that: 'The wisdom of heaven is that it is better to have a leader, who sometimes makes mistakes in a team than to have a team without a leader'. Apostle Professor Samuel Asuming-Brempong, the Chairman of the Executive Council of GCCI -Ghana, urged Christian leaders to preach Christ centred gospel messages. "We should not just preach anything but rather the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we should copy Jesus in everything we do," he said. Apostle Prof Asuming-Brempong urged Christian leaders to promote teamwork at all levels of the church. He said the GCCI in 2016 marked its silver jubilee celebration and expressed gratitude to God for seeing them through. He also expressed gratitude to GCCI's Board of Trustees, the Apostolic Council, the Executive Council Ghana, Pastors, Elders, Deacons and all church members for their support. The 26th AGCM after deliberating on the GCCI Constitutional Review Committee's Report, which was chaired by Reverend Godson Gbloe, approved its drafting. The GCCI draft constitution would then be presented to the Apostolic Council for their approval, for it to be put to a referendum at the 27th AGCM in January, 2018. GNA Accra, Jan 10, GNA - The African Cancer Organisation (ACO) dedicated to the fight against cancer in Africa has joined the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to help promote the global cancer control mission. A statement signed by Mr Paul Opoku Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ACO and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the invitation for membership into UICC was in recognition of the organisation's dedication towards the control efforts of the disease in Africa. In a welcome address, Mr Cary Adams, the CEO of UICC said the ACO was joining the international Cancer fighting fraternity at the appropriate time as the UICC was strengthening its efforts on delivering a suite of capacity building services to make its members more competent for the fight against the disease. 'We entered 2016 with strong foundations following the inclusion of a target to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the United Nations' new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)', he said. 'This is a new era of international development and an opportunity for UICC to work together with our members to combat cancer', he added. Mr Opoku Agyeman, thanked the UICC for the membership and said the collaboration was timely as the ACO was transforming itself into a digital health and cancer organisation 'with deep knowledge to optimise cancer control in Africa using data analytics to promote prevention, advocacy and research'. He gave an assurance that the ACO would utilise its membership by exploring all areas of the cancer control continuum to help transfer knowledge, skills and several years of experience from well-developed structures while adapting them for improved implementation in Africa. 'Such efforts will give ACO the needed leverage to promote its cancer information service, comprehensive screening, cervical cancer control, cancer registries and needs assessment programmes being developed', Mr Opoku Agyeman said. He called for public support in the fight against the disease and added that the time had come for every individual, business and the government to put resources together to not only help more Africans prevent cancer but also diagnose cancers at an earlier stage where cure was often possible. UICC is the largest cancer fighting organisation with its priority areas of work shaped by the World Cancer Declaration which aims to reduce global cancer burden by 2025. UICC is committed to delivering the targets by taking the lead in coordinating high-impact global capacity building projects - when there is an identified need for an international approach, working with partners across all continents. Other actions of UICC include putting cancer on the global health and development agenda through an advocacy by encouraging global leaders to make the strongest possible cancer control commitments. It also seeks to help with the implementation and hold them accountable for the promises they have made at a global level whiles uniting the cancer control community through global events and initiatives. GNA By Nana Osei Kyeretwie, GNA Kintampo (B/A), Jan.10, GNA - Professor Ahmed Adu-Oppong, the former Head of Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC), is now the Director of the Kintampo College of Health and Well-Being (CoHK). Prof Adu-Oppong, whose appointment took effect in the later part of August 2016, took over from Mr Isaac Azindow who retired after almost 25 years of dedicated and meritorious service to the College. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kintampo in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Prof Adu-Oppong said the institution was in transition to become a health university, saying the immediate challenge was for both staff and students to work harder to attain high academic standards towards achieving that goal. He advised teenagers, adolescents and the youth in the country's rural farming communities to be well-focused for success in life since to become responsible adults, accomplished and successful professionals of any field of human endeavour was determined by commitment to task and hard work. 'I am glad to be back home in Kintampo and being part of the College of Health family as that is a dream come through and hope that my presence will serve as a motivation for the children growing on farmland in the region'. He said children residing in farming communities must be motivated by their circumstances to concentrate seriously on their education to attain greater heights in life because 'being on a farm is not a sentence for deprivation and success is not measured by the heights one attain in society but by the depth that you have risen from'. Prof. Adu-Oppong, a native of Kranka in the Nkoranza North District of the Brong Ahafo Region, was brought up in a small farming community at Kwadua in the Kintampo North Municipality established by his parents Alhaji Alhassan Oppong and Hajia Mariama Fabeah. He had his primary education at Kwadua and later at the Kintampo Methodist Middle School where at form two he passed the common entrance examination to proceed to the Sunyani Secondar for the Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates. Prof. Adu-Oppong migrated to the United States of America (USA) where he obtained his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Microbiology and Biochemistry from the University of Texas, Arlington and received Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Texas Health Science Centre in Houston in Public Health 'with concentration in Management, Policy Science and Community Health'. He did his Administrative Fellowship with the Texas Department of Heath attached to the State Legislature in Health issues working with the then Governor of Texas, now ex-president George Walker Bush Junior. Prof. Adu-Oppong holds three masters degrees in Science (MSc), University of Houston Clear Lake in 'Biology with concentration in Molecular Biology, Health Care Administration with concentration in Community and Hospital Administration and Business Administration with concentration in Public Administration. Before joining the UCC School of Medical Sciences team to establish the school, Prof. Adu-Oppong was an Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University in Georgia, USA where he served in the capacity as the Director of Doctorial Programmes at the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. He is the founder and the Executive Director of Sankofa Health Incorporated, a community-based non-profit agency helping to develop HIV/AIDS prevention capacity and health-care infrastructure to treat HIV patients in developing countries. Prof-Adu-Oppong also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Street Clinic in Houston, and his experiences include international consulting on Health Care Infrastructure, capacity building for governmental and non-governmental organisations. Prof-Adu-Oppong has received several awards including HIV/AIDS Leadership Excellence from the Harris Country Commissioner, YMCA Leadership Award 2005, YMCA Minority Achiever 2002 and Urban League Scholastic Award 1998. He is the author of over 30 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, posters and book chapters while his research interests includes HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Modalities, Health Care Financial Economics, TB and Malaria prevention in developing countries, healthcare delivery models, access to care, utilisation and infrastructure assessments. Prof Adu-Oppong is a member of the Medical Group Management Association, American College of Health Care Executives, American Society of Clinical Pathologists and National Public Health Association. Prof Adu-Oppong is married to Mrs Akua Ahyia Adu-Oppong with seven children. GNA President Nana Akufo Addo has named persons to lead key business related ministries under the NPP government. They include Ken Ofori Atta, Alan Kyeremanteng, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Boakye Agyarko. The four have been named as minister designates for Finance, Trade, Agriculture and Energy and Petroleum respectively. The announcements were made at a brief ceremony at the Flagstaff House on Tuesday. Ken Ofori Atta Ken Ofori Atta Mr. Ken Ofori Atta will be replacing Seth Terkper who served under the immediate past administration. He is Co-Founder of Databank Financial Services Limited and served as its Executive Chairman from 1990 to February 14, 2012. Announcing his appointment at the Flagstaff House, Nana Akufo Addo described Mr. Ofori Atta as someone who has the capacity and insight to move modern economies. Mr. Ofori-Atta has experience in finance and administration. He has worked with Salomon Brothers and Morgan Stanley, on debt and equity issues and financing for a variety of industries. He is a Co-Founder of the African Leadership Initiative of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. He serves as the Chairman of both Trust Bank Limited as well as Family Ventures and Offices. Alan Kyeremanteng Mr. Alan John Kyeremanteng is a businessman, and a politician who served as a Trade and Industry minister in the erstwhile John Kufour administration. Currently, at age 61, he played an integral role in the success of the New Patriotic Party in the 2016 general elections that saw the party defeat the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. He proceeded to the University of Ghana, Legon for a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Alan Kyerematen also holds a Law degree, LLB from the Ghana Law School at the same university where he qualified as a Barrister-at-Law. He was called to the bar in Ghana, and is a practicing attorneyat-law in Ghana. In addition, he is a Hubert Humphrey Fellow of the School of Management at the University of Minnesota, U.S.A, having completed one year management studies under the Fulbright Fellowship program at that institution. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto is a former Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso constituency. He was the Minority spokesperson on agriculture in the 6th Parliament. Dr. Owusu Afriyie is an Agric Economist and holds certificates from various recognised universities, both home and abroad. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Agric Economy from the University of Ghana, Legon. He further obtained his Master of Science (Msc) and Doctorate in Philosophy (PHD) in Agric Economics from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. The MP has served on a number of international organisations, and has undertaken several consultancy services as a result of his expertise in Agriculture and Agric Economy. Until 1999, Dr. Owusu Afriyie was the Chief Economic Advisor to the International Coffee Organisation under the United Nations, having served the position for 17 good years, before entering the Parliament of Ghana. Boakye Agyarko Mr. Agyarko who is heading for the energy ministry, was a Policy Advisor for the 2016 campaign team of the New Patriotic Party(NPP). He is a successful banker, having worked as banker in New York for several years. He has also worked as an investment banker for years, with enormous experience in negotiations and managerial skills. The major challenge Mr. Agyarko will face if approved by parliament will be his ability to prevent a power crisis. Describing him, as man who is very good with figures, President Akufo-Addo disclosed at the Flagstaff House that Mr. Agyarko has enormous experience in energy sector contracts. According to President Akufo-Addo, Mr. Agyarko could be described as a person with deep understanding of financial transactions that will help the country's numerous power deal and agreements. Mr. Agyarko attended Mfantsipim School. Meanwhile other business related appointments yet to be named include; communications, transport and roads and highways. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced a merger of the Ministries of Energy and Petroleum and Power. Nana Addo made the announcement on Tuesday when he presented the first list of his ministerial appointments of thirteen (13) people, and named Boakye Agyarko as minister designate for the merged Ministry of Energy. The President said having one individual to have oversight responsibility of the entire sector with the support of a formidable supporting staff, will produce the results needed. He expressed the hope in the ability of Mr. Agyarko to lead a team of competent persons who can tackle the challenges facing the energy sector. Boakye Agyarko and Nana Addo. There were all kinds of problems about the duplication of activities and the need for us to rationalize the infrastructure our energy sector. So I think that Boakye Agyarko is in the position to undertake that task and do it successfully, so he's the one that I am recommending to parliament for approval. We are pitting back petroleum and power to have one person head the various institutions. The Ministry of Power was created in 2014 by Ghana's former President John Mahama, in the heat of the worsened power crisis. Dr. Kwabena Donkor, MP for Pru East and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, was made the Minister of Power, but he resigned a year after he failed on his own promise to tackle the deepened power crisis at the time, christened 'dumsor'. At the time, the Office of the President explained that the new Ministry was to bring about a sharper focus on the generation, supply and efficiency of power to match the growth the economy was experiencing. With this new development, the former Ministry of Power is defunct, to make way for the Ministry of Energy, which will deal with both petroleum and power issues. By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has named Boakye Agyarko as the Minister Designate for Energy. Mr. Agyarko was a Policy Advisor for the 2016 campaign team of the New Patriotic Party(NPP). He is a successful banker, having worked as banker in New York for several years. He has also worked as an investment banker for years, with enormous experience in negotiations and managerial skills. The major challenge Mr. Agyarko will face if approved by parliament will be his ability to prevent a power crisis. Describing him, as man who is very good with figures, President Akufo-Addo disclosed at the Flagstaff House that Mr. Agyarko has enormous experience in energy sector contracts. Mr. Agyarko with President Nana Akufo-Addo According to President Akufo-Addo, Mr. Agyarko could be described as a person with deep understanding of financial transactions that will help the country's numerous power deal and agreements. Nana Akufo Addo also announced that the Ministry of Petroleum, and the Ministry of Power has been merged into one Ministry of Energy. Mr. Agyarko attended Mfantsipim School. By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana President Akufo-Addo has named some 13 persons as ministers-designate for various portfolios, to serve in his government. Making the announcement at the Flagstaff House today [Tuesday], Akufo-Addo noted that, the individuals he named were persons he trusted and was confident in their ability to help improve the various sectors in which they will be serving. He said his government will revert to having a portfolio of a Senior Minister, as it was in the erstwhile John Kufuor Administration. He said Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, a retired banker, engineer and former Minister of State, would occupy the portfolio of Senior Minister. Among the changes, Akufo-Addo announced, was a merger of the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Power, to be led by Boakye Agyarko. Ken Ofori-Atta and Nana Addo Find the full list below: Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah Minister of Trade and Industry Alan Kyeremanten Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta Minister of Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto Minister of Energy Dr. Boakye Agyarko Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul Minister of Interior Ambrose Dery Minister of Foreign Affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchway Attorney General Gloria Akuffo Minister of Local Government Hajia Alima Mahama Minister of Education Matthew Opoku Prempeh Minister of Health Kwaku Agyemang-Manu Akufo-Addo noted that, on Wednesday and Thursday, he will announce more names of individuals who will serve in his government. The Ministers-designate named by the President will vetted and confirmed to serve in their respective offices as Ministers, if they are found qualified by the vetting committee of Parliament. Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has urged parliament to effectively scrutinize all his appointees and not rubber stamp them in wholesale as qualified. By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @jnyabor The Deputy Volta Region Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has proposed the delivery of helicopters to all ten regions of Ghana to aid firefighting. Enoch Amegbletor says this will help facilitate efforts to save lives and properties during fire incidents. He said helicopters will prove more efficient than fire tenders that usually arrive late to fight fires. Mr Amegbletor made the suggestion after the ICT department of Leklebi Senior High School was razed down by fire. The Volta region has reached attained the potential as a tourism destination. The government is wasting so much money buying fire tenders for all districts. Why dont we use that money to buy helicopters which can be equipped [with fire fighting bucket] for every region? he said. He said comparing the cost of a modern fire tender to a well-equipped helicopter, helicopters win the value-for-money test. It will take just a few minutes for a helicopter to get to a particular district to put out the fire, he said. Even though enough input has been made into the firefighting sector, Mr Amegbletor believes the provision of helicopters to every region will make firefighting more proactive. Amegbletor said he is confident the Nana Akufo-Addo-led NPP administration will bring some innovation to curtail the number of causalities and property destruction through fire outbreaks nationwide. Meanwhile, the assistant chief fire officer in charge of the Ho station of the Ghana National Fire Service, Daniela Mawusi Sarpong, has asked the public to be cautious when using fire. According to her, many people do not take precaution with regards to fire during the Harmattan season. Ghana has recorded 2,469 fire outbreaks within the first quarter of 2016 as against 2,036 within the same period in 2015, representing 21.27 percent increase. The Member of Parliament for Madina, Alhaji Abubakar Siddique Boniface says he was not being picky with constituencies following his successful move from the Salaga South constituency in the Northern Region, to the Madina constituency in the Greater Accra Region to contest for parliament. Alhaji Siddique Bonifaces move to the Madina constituency followed his defeat in the parliamentary polls in the Salaga South Constituency during 2012 general elections, where he contested on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He, however, made his way down south to the Madina constituency where he defeated the National Democratic Congress' incumbent MP, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho securing 54.98% of the vote. Speaking on Eyewitness News, Alhaji Siddique Boniface insisted that he had always had ties with the people of Madina, and that his move to the area to contest the parliamentary seat was completely organic. I didn't run to Accra. I have stayed in Madina for 32 years. Even before I went to Salaga, the people of Madina wanted me to contest in Madina and these are the same people who accepted me. When I lost, the good people of Madina said; look, we have never rejected you. We still like you come I never ever in my life went constituency shopping. It was those constituencies who were looking for me. If you check my profile, I cut across about six regions in this country, the MP said. Alhaji Siddique Boniface noted further that, he had ties to Nkonya in the Volta Region, Obo in the Eastern Region, Saltpond in the Central Region, and Gonjaland in the Northern Region via various kinship ties. By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana I write to bring to the attention of the president, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to reject the plea of former president Mahama, requesting the building meant for the nations vice president as his own. Ghana has come a long way but there is less to show for it apart from the peaceful atmosphere we enjoy which I believe strongly is a divine gift from God. How many buildings in Ghana can we boast of by saying that this particular building has hosted 7 presidents, or vice presidents, speakers of parliament or chief justices continuously? To mention a few national monuments which keeps our pride as a nation and provides a heritage to posterity, are the polo grounds where the first president of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah stood on the eve of independence to declare freedom for Ghana our motherland, Peduase Lodge which serves as a place of relaxation for the sitting president especially in times of leave periods, the various castles and forts, just to mention a few. One would say that no one can claim to have any of these mentioned above, to be given to him or her as his personal property. However, national properties, irrespective of their nature, whether it generates revenue for the country or it siphons money from the nations money basket, continue to remain a national property. In view of this, I raise red flags to oppose the giving of the residence meant to be occupied by the Vice President of Ghana, to be given to the erstwhile president, H. E. John Dramani Mahama. I once upon a time heard that H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo rejected an opportunity to purchase a government bungalow, stating that it is a criminal offence to acquire a property that belongs to the entire nation. I Stand for correction on Nana Addos rejection, be it true or otherwise. I suppose the principle behind that is simple, if all state properties were purchased by or requested and claimed or given to leader of old, where would be the remaining national properties to serve the ever new leaders of our nation as time passes? I guess some amount of money should be given to the former president, Mr. John Dramani Mahama to acquire a building for himself and vacate the building where he resides currently for the use of the new Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia. I, however, want to say that the nation should find former President Mahama a suitable office space to operate from, since he is going to serve national interest and perform other international assignment which he has started already, in line with the Gambia negotiations on behalf of the president of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. 11.01.2017 LISTEN Yes! What do you pray for? How do you pray? I ask this because what you pray for and how you pray matters! The Bible says let your requests be made known to God. - Phil 4:6 . The Amplified says continue to make your wants known to God. In other word let all be known to God, continually! This means when you pray, also pray for little things, and be specific. Breakdown The Prayer Points Dont just pray for your job, but say what you want or even what you think. For example, to work well with others, for joy and peace at work, for my project to finish on time etc. Its okay to pray to be a great person, but also tell God your weaknesses. Break down your prayer into specific little things. This is how you eat an elephant, piece by piece! Thats how you become great. Pray for your insecurity or that God, I feel depressed or unhappy sometimes, tell Him that my mind tends to wonder around or I want to be a focus person. Open your heart to God! Saying I want to be a great person may not be answered immediately, but these small little things will be answered quite fast. And they are the little things makes a great person! Thats why the Bible recommends prayer to be a private ( Matt 6:6 ), because its an intimate conversation between a child and a father! God is the only person you can tell my mind and he always ready understands. After all He made you the way you are. Set Your Environment Through Prayer In a taxi/combi, if you are not happy with the atmosphere, what do you do? Pray for it and let your request be known to God. Tell God I want peace and cast out the vulgar atmosphere! Learn to control the situation with your faith instead of being cornered by evil as a victim. Use your faith to turn things around for your good. Perhaps at a function when you are given a seat you dont like, pray for the situation. And surprisingly, a terrific neighbour can come and sit next to you and turn around the atmosphere. Or someone can come and say, Can you come and sit here. Pray for all your relationships because relationships have a way of getting to your heart, and can hurt. This can be your marriage relationship, relatives, friendships and social media friends. Pray for your in-laws and people who you are in strife with. Allow Gods to turn the strife and ego into valuing and respecting each other. So, pray for specific things you are not happy with and listen to Gods direction. At times you will be directed to extend grace so that you can receive that peace you desire. We used to be taught to pray for one hour each day. But now, it was discovered that praying every hour is more powerful. Be prayerful always, releasing you faith as you go. There is no point in having faith and not use it! Use it on yourself, use it on someone. When you are in a queue and its moving slowly, what do you do? Pray for the environment and the people standing with you. Carry with you a small Christian booklet you can read as you wait, instead of plunging into to negativity and complaining thereby choking your spiritual life. This always happens. Satan stops the queue to frustrate you. And the moment you instead use the stoppage time to pray, he will quickly release you because you are doing more harm to him! So if ever you get stuck in a queue, instead of being sad, pray! Do not get into strife. Pray with all your faith and see what happens! 99% something good will happen! Forgive and Receive And if you have anything against anyone, forgive. Make peace with people. Unforgiveness hinders your prayers by bring a curse into your situation. Let go of those who offended you. Mind you, it is for your own good. You will be amazed how Christians do not pray for things. Most times people say they want to do this or that, and if you ask have you prayed about it? Most of the time, they do not even answer the question. No wonder they always get into problems and things seems not to work. They normally say You dont understand the situation. Yes, I dont but God does. If your situation is bad, I mean very bad, the best thing you can do is to involve God in it. Actually you would not be in the mess if you had consulted God in the first place and follow his guidance! Many people do not want God to interfere in their situations, especially if there is a green valley in sight ( Gen 13:10-11 ). How foolish people can be! If you want to succeed or to know the secret of true endless joy; committee and pray for everything as much as you can, especially if its something bothering you! Hear what God says about it and do it! Stop Criticising And Judging, And Simply Pray Instead of criticising, judging, pray for the situations. And the situations normally changes. If it does not change, its you who is changed or God will give you a divine understanding or revelation concerning the situation. One person asked me as a Christian what I think about presidents four wives and what the Bible says. I reply I dont have four wives. I have one wife. In the Bible many people also had many wives. The person was not happy with my answer because it did not create the strife he expected. Instead of wasting energy and drain your spirit arguing whether someone must have one or four wives, there are better productive things you can do to your life and people around you. Another question people ask me is. What do you think about gay rights? Does it mean the world is ending? I always say. As a Christian it does not really bother me. Actually this is not new. This behaviour was there in Bible times right in the book of Genesis. My aim is to make people know Christ. When they have Christ, He will tell them how to live. After all you Christians, you have got a lot of sins behind your back. As Christians our business is to change people not to condemn them. Condemnation does not change people but prayer does. As a student, dont just pray I want to pass. That is everyones prayer. But pray give me the ability to understand, the ability to remember what I read and to be able to recall and present it in the examination. Pray for insight and revelation. Pray for time to be created to study. Pray for your lecturers, the college and other students. As you pray for your education, cast out mind binding spirits/demons. These are demons that bind minds and cause people not to think clearly or in a Gods designed way. They cause dullness. In Marriage Situation For married couples, when the in-laws are at home or when you visit them, the tenseness and strife that clouds the visit can be broken by prayer. Pray for it instead of participating in the strife. If you find yourself urging with your spouse, take time out for a minute or two to pray a bit and hear Gods direction. You will be surprised when you come back to continue the discussion your spouse will be calm. It is not about whose decision. It is about a God decision. Husbands, you might be saying my wife does not even listen to me. Yes its true. Upgrade your authority by submitting to God. Hence, God will do the talking for you. If you think you can change you wife, I have one word forget! It is God who changes people, mostly through your faith accompanied by your good behaviour. You are the leader, be the first to do what is right. Remove your stupid ego and be the first to submit to God. And she will follow. If she insists that she want the red dress, but you know you should save the money, then go to God about the matter. Strife wont work. You will be surprised after you pray she will come back from shopping saying All dresses I saw could not fit me. I think lets save the money. Now who is in charge here and who will be respected, it is you! Prayer is the weapon that must be used effectively! Finally put God first in all the situations. If you run your life, God will not. Put down your arms, start with the husband. Lay down your weapons and fire power; and let God do the firing for you. You see, your spouse cannot blame you or accuse you because its an act of God! Let God do it! Well, I ask again, What do you pray for? How do you pray? Have a great day! If you enjoyed this article, share it with your most favourite friends! Please share your thoughts, ideas and comments below! Copyright 2015 by Its My Footprint, www.itsmyfootprint.com . About Taka Sande: Taka Sande is an author, an entrepreneur and development activist. He has a passion for making a difference by influencing and adding value to peoples lives. He is the founder of the blog Its My Footprint, http://www.itsmyfootprint.com /. His personal website is www.takasande.com . On 22 July 1994 he invaded peaceful Gambia political space with dangerous weapons and dislodged the nations serving elected government by coup. Yaya Jammeh raised hope of Gambians that he came not to stay in power but for correction of wrongs. One of the bigger wrongs according to Jammeh was about longevity of deposed President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, 30 years government. Jammeh also lambasted the ousted Jawara regime for what he called rampant corruption and flamboyant lifestyle. Specifically, Jammeh cited occasional travels of deposed President Jammeh and his cabinet ministers accusing them for grossly abusing state power. We are soldiers with a difference was Jammehs claim to bringing salvation. Here is what happened soon afterwards and in later years: Transparency, Accountability, and Probity To win public confidence that he was serious about fair play in governance, Yaya Jammeh began with loud pronouncements chanting Transparency, Accountability, and Probity. People of Gambia easily fell for the sweet talk with higher expectation that the nascent junta that staged military coup to dislodge an elected sitting government was truly ready for business beyond usual up and down for nothing. The expectation was to see government business running in the most accountable, transparent, and open probity. What that means in practice is a situation where the public having access to information through vigorous scrutiny without any fear or hindrance. Before any long in office, the junta government became so protective of sharing public information by ways resembling they preferred doing things under cover of thick darkness. Financial information about how much the junta found in government coffers remains in dark until today, more than 22 years after that infamous 22 July 1994 toppling of elected sitting government. To shield himself from public view, Yaya Jammeh raised high walls all around the State House mass of land. All private building windows facing the State House were ordered for immediate closure to prevent anyone from seeing whatever the junta regime kept out of public eyes. Transparency, Accountability, and Probity remained political slogans for only short while. That was the period when Yaya Jammeh and his junta government rounded deposed ministers lined up for Algali Commission of Enquiry about their properties. It was dramatic moment for most people. Worst situation came up when it was time to announce the countrys first annual budget since military takeover. The Finance Minister Ousman Koro Ceesay who was to deliver state of finance did not finish his task as anticipated. Ceesay was murdered and set ablaze in his official car at outskirts of a village far from his regular route. Up to this moment, government of Gambia under Yaya Jammeh fails to produce any credible report about how Finance Minister Ousman Koro Ceesay died. No arrests are carried. The rest remains tongue biting gossip till the perpetrators and their victim meets in better place. Retirement from army to contest elections Having tasted power and all the economic inducements going with it, Yaya Jammeh back tracked from his earlier promise of returning to military barracks after a transitional government term. Just as he busied himself promoting members of Gambia Armed Forces and appointing state ministers during his final days after December 2016 electoral defeat, Jammeh is repeating his old steps. A consultative committee came up with recommendations in 1994 that Jammeh and his junta coup mates were allowed a transition of 2 years. This was later adjusted to 4 fours. During that period, Jammeh began his white elephant projects of building schools, rural hospitals and modernising the airport terminal building. He promised delivering finished project every six months. With free access to public finance, Jammeh carried out his white elephant projects regardless of feasibility study or planned documentation. Before end of the transition rule from military to civilian government, Yaya Jammeh decided to carry out rapid promotion in ranks for himself and members of his coup making comrades. Shortly after their self-promotion Jammeh found another avenue of opportunity to stay in power. He announced his retirement from the army to remain Chairman and Head of military government. Within a span of time, Jammeh organised some influential persons in Gambian public to act as though they appealed for him to contest election slated for 1996. The Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) that Jammeh led as Chairman and Head of Government was renamed to become Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC). Nothing changed in the military character and ways from AFPRC to APRC. Jammeh contested elections in 1996 and was declared winner. That gave him hope of demolishing all structures and systems, grossly flawing regulations required for orderly dispensation required for good governance. Broken structures, policy failures and lack of systematic operations With strong determination to lay iron fist of control over the way government runs, Yaya Jammeh began by abolishing systems and structures designed for orderly dispensation. He renamed the post of Gambian presidency as Chairman of the 22 July 1994 revolution, referring to that infamous coup. Gambia has since not benefitted from a genuinely committed serving president. Systematic dispensation could not sustain without regulations, policy and procedures. That is exactly how Yaya Jammeh carved his way into becoming full blown dictator with free access to public resources and institutions and not observing rules or regulations. For purpose of instilling fear in public sector workers and state ministers Yaya Jammeh assigned himself the principal role in hiring and firing. Through that he managed to subdue the entire public sector work force. Extending his sphere of authority and influence over the public sector, key revenue generating institutions became financial milking pot to fuel Jammehs wild desire in getting rich quick and big. Financial regulations have been seriously flawed as nobody dared raise questions about the insatiable money grabbing misconduct of a government leader who sees everything as his personal belonging. In 22 years, entire economy and finance of Gambia collapsed under heavy weight of Jammehs mismanagement and his lethal bleeding claws. Over time he became richer than the state. As way of sustaining his financial possession, Yaya Jammeh opened business in all sectors reserved for genuine entrepreneurs. His range of private business activity extends to selling onion, sugar, vegetables, meat, fish, beach sand, public transport service, commercial farming, land, including housing. In all parts of Gambia Jammeh runs commercial business using public sector workers to carry out his private business activities. That is all possible because there are no regulations observed as Jammeh preferred taking undue advantage of the nations highest public office; Gambian presidency without being scrutinised or subjected to regulations. Money from World Bank of Allah Nobody apart from Yaya Jammeh and his inner cabal could tell how much money they found in government coffers at the time of their coup. There was no clean Balance Sheet of cash inflow and outflow. When asked how he was able to fun his lavish spending, Yaya Jammeh told Gambians that he was getting money from Allahs World Bank. That was the time some development partners advised Jammeh and his military cohorts for return to barracks. Unwilling to accept just as he treats the ECOWAS advice after his 1 December 2016 electoral defeat Jammeh insisted that people of Gambia want him to rule. He bragged that without development support from external partners, Gambia will still develop relying on Allahs World Bank. Vision 2020 the promise of Economic Superpower Confident that his money supply will never run out Jammeh promised transforming Gambia into world class economic superpower in 20 years. He called that Vision 2020. It is already beyond 22 years. While Gambia degenerates to high scale poverty the man who controls public finance and resources as president is richer than country he insists on misruling at all cost to life and property. It turned out that Jammeh was tapping money from generous handouts by oil rich Libyan leader Gaddaffi. When Jammeh broke ranks with his chief cashier at the purported Allahs World Banks, cash flow health began to deteriorate. Perfect opportunity fell on Jammehs way as international drug traders and arms dealers found out about the money grabbing president of poor African nation Gambia. Through illegal arms dealings, money laundering and drug trade, Yaya Jammeh found his gold dig more lucrative. The world already knows so much about Jammehs high profile money laundering and other illicit dealings. Jammeh therefore has good reason why he preferred clinging on power as unconstitutional President of Gambia. Time however is not on his side last round though. Creation of Police State in Gambia Disappearance without trace, detention beyond legal limit, extrajudicial killing of opponents perceived or real are the ways Yaya Jammeh maintained his grip on power over 22 years. Creating a police state as way of inducing fear has to some extent worked for Jammeh. All around Gambia there are secret detention points. Families have been denied access to see their loved lost ones and over time they could not ascertain being dead or alive. Political opponents have been subjected to routine arrests, torture, and on extreme occasions being killed. There are so many skeletons hiding in Jammehs cupboard that fuels his worry for leaving power. Apart from his gross financial misappropriation, Yaya Jammeh for over 22 years presided over police state operations against Gambians and visitors alike. He has so much at stake when night turns into day for Yaya Jammeh by occasion of his eventual unseating. Situation of Gambia is one of most terrifying police state with killer squats operating under cover of darkness dictated by Commander In Chief Yaya Jammeh. Lifelong Presidency ambition for 1 Billion Years Drunk with power, Yaya Jammeh told a BBC reporter that he will rule Gambia for 1 Billion years. He said so while keeping confident about his fraudulent electoral mechanism that kept him going for over 22 years. Not knowing that his secret winning card has already been exposed, Yaya Jammeh agreed to spot counting as show of transparency he bragged about in the past. Everything closing on Jammeh, the spot counting turned a sharp slap on his cheeks. His dream of 1 Billion years runs on fast track to unexpected disgraceful ending. As matter of fact, Jammeh has failed in delivering his promise transforming Gambia from peanut fuel economy to world class economic superpower. With that failure already certain, it appears Jammehs 1 Billion years rule is on fast track to unhappy end for him and his cohorts. Surprising election defeat Being in power for over 22 years, Jammeh was already too confident of another sweeping victory. Months before election, he arrested and detained leader of largest political party Ousainou Darbo. While Jammeh carried out his campaign freely, opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darbo and his entire executive were serving unlawful prison sentence. This was organised by Yaya Jammeh as scheme to create extremely unfavourable atmosphere for any other political grouping. Plans for sweeping victory came under threat when members of various Gambian opposition parties agreed on a coalition flag bearer to contest against incumbent Yaya Jammeh. Not so many thought there was any chance of unseating Jammeh through the ballot. The coalition led by property entrepreneur Adama Barrow still carried on with support from Gambians in the Diaspora. Social network was largely utilised as campaign outreach strategy and it worked so well within very short span of time. While Jammeh carried on his monopoly of state media, the internet and mobile phones became tool of information sharing for Gambia media and civil society in what has been once described as progressive partnership. Before Jammeh could realise the power of social media capable of influencing votes, it was already too late for him. Information flow was overwhelming and at speed beyond imagination. On 1st December 2016, Jammeh was eventually defeated in an election he was too confident to win. At first he conceded defeat. Later he changed his mind by rejecting not only the final results but insisted on another election. GAMBIA HAS DECIDED. There was jubilation resembling how Saddam Hussein and Gaddaffi were unseated. Jammeh already knows Gambians had more than enough of him in his over 22 years misrule with iron fist dictatorship. Choice of war over peaceful handover With a choice of handing over to President Adama Barrow peacefully, Jammeh insisted on war against Gambians who rejected him openly. He was approached by ECOWAS for peaceful handing over. The last option of military intervention has been put on the table just in case Jammeh prefers that too. Failure of Vision 2020 marked by Drive for War Presdient Yaya Jammeh who promised transforming Gambia into economic superpower of world class standard is now insisting he will cling on power until war tears him apart from high seat of Gambian presidency. Critics of Jammeh are proven correct that the man has only selfish economic interest in seizing political power. After all the personal money and materials that Yaya Jammeh amassed over 22 years he still wants more. For Jammeh, his dream of 1 Billion years rule has to be fulfilled otherwise he will put Gambia in flames. According to Gambian constitutional provisions, Jammehs official occupation of Gambian presidency expires on 18 January 2017 when President Adama Barrow will be sworn in. If Jammeh still insists clinging on power, ECOWAS already made their position clear. The international community also backs ECOWAS in support of Gambian electorates who rejected Jammeh by the ballot while he insists on war through the bullet. It is now matter of time. Whether or not Jammeh chooses bullet over ballot admitting defeat, Thursday 19 January 2017 will be another Gambia where people power reigns for better times ahead. It was on Tuesday, the 3rd of January, the first work day of 2017 when President Salva Kiir Mayardit inked the polemical appointment of Gen. Gregory Deng at J1. It was exactly the third day of the New Year and the New Years wishes were still fresh in everyones mind. With that appointment, President has controversially coloured the wishes of the New Year. For some in Gogrial state (Pres. Kiirs own state) who thought that 2016 was not fair to them economically and politically because of former governor Gum being in power, and they were wishing the New Year to come with many desirable items on its menu ranging from political to economical, I want to say congratulations! President Kiir has served you with Gen. Gregory on gubernatorial plate as your best New Year wish on the 2017 political menu. Maburuk! to those who tie their political fortunes to the political success of Gen. Gregory that, please, enjoy but dont forget that there are many challenges lying ahead there and if you dont work hard to maintain this seat by delivering what is expected of you to the people of Gogrial state, then be mindful what brought Gregory may take him away any time. To those who are mourning the removal of Gum and thinking that it is the their end and a bad kick start of 2017, I want to tell them that, be strong, PINY ATOU ALONG DET President Gives and President Takes! Arguably, the appointment of Gen. Gregory as a governor for Presidents home state has glimmered a lot of debate on social media. The appointment did not only draw mixed reactions from Gogrial state natives but throughout the country with some SPLM politicians, writers and analysts defining it in their own terms. I disagree sharply with the Presidents decision to appoint his brother-in-law as the governor of Gogrial state. This decision is against the SPLM principle of equality and Justice; it is a clear sign of bad governance because this post is electable and any appointment cant be done based on marital/social or any similar blood/favoritisms relations, blasts Suzanne Jambo, former SPLM secretary for external affairs (now a opponent of the president). Meanwhile, Agel Riing Machar, a senior member of SPLA-IO (Vice-president Tabans faction) Military Council and a former youth leader, chipped in: The debate should focus on his capability and track records rather than his relationship with the President. He is an excellence choice for the portfolio. The people of Gogrial state can benefit from his connections and influence at the National level as well as regionally and internationally in areas of business and governance. To define this appointment based on South Sudanese standard, there is no way that it would fit in any description rather than nepotism given the way we view things with our tribal or communal/sectional lenses where ones relationship with an employer always triumphs ones capability. However, to define this appointment based on law, it is on meritocracy. In America, when President John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, Robert, as an attorney General, some media pundits and analysts described the appointment as based on nepotism rather than on merits. Robert Francis was argued to be under-qualified for the job because he was only 35 years old with a few years of legal service as legal counsel to two senate committees; however, with the backing of his brother, he passed the senate vetting. It is not simply good enough to name a bright young political manager, no matter how bright or how young or how personally loyal, to a major post in government, the New York Times editorialized after the nomination. A member of Senate later observed, it was nepotism, I mean; he was the brother of the President. Anthony Lewis, a veteran courts reporter said though it was simply awful idea, Kennedy was a zealot with no understanding of the terrible responsibilities of an attorney General. After the assassination of President Kennedy, his successor, President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 was prompted by the appointment of Robert to lobby and sign into law a Nepotism statue prohibiting a President from appointing a family member. Legally speaking, it is generally agreed among legal scholars that Nepotism, for purposes of the law, refers to the hiring and advancement of un- or under-qualified relatives simply by virtue of their relationship with an employer or officer. In other words, its only restricted if the appointee is not qualified for the position. So, given how nepotism is viewed legally, and therefore could be argued in court, for the purpose of law, Gregory has both academic merits and experiences that can qualify him not only for gubernatorial portfolio but for any portfolio in Kiirs government or in any other government to come. The question of nepotism can be licit only if we have anti-nepotism law in our constitution like in the U.S.A and if he were under-qualified for the job. Unfortunately, with the absolute absence of such law as of now in our constitution, we can only objurgate the appointment made by any public officials such as the President, ministers, or governors as based on nepotism only if the appointee has no merits or under-qualified to claim that post. It is also up to our legislators to legislate an anti-nepotism law if they see that the appointment of Gregory could possibly open a Pandora box of nepotism and may be of advantage to some corrupt public officials who might use it as an ambiguity to employ their unqualified relatives. Therefore, it is upon our legislators whether to legislate it or not or the public should shut up feeble and incoherent arguments of fanciful articles in our constitution being infracted by the appointment of relatives by public officials. Gregory didnt become Presidents brother-in-law in 2017 nor did he divulge his political ambitions to lead people (in various capacities) after Kiir assumed presidency. Gregory got his first political assignment in 2002 by late Dr. John Garang as the first commissioner for Gogrial East County. He is brilliant, thoughtful, politically ambitious, undoubtedly articulate, and wondrously learned with good qualities of a leader; however, the history of defunct Warrap politics of stabbing the back and his previous records in commissionership office can be the best guide to foretell his success or failure, politically, socially, and security-wise. He has his own political ambitions to achieve and he had laid bare his desire many times to be a governor of the defunct Warrap state before and after 2010 elections. In 2010, Gregory was among the three gubernatorial aspirants for Warrap state whose names were sent to SPLM political bureau in Juba for final nomination of one candidate to battle it out with other candidates in 2010 General Elections. Unluckily, Gregory lost the nomination to Nyandeng Malek, however, he accepted the decision of political bureau and campaigned vigorously for Nyandeng to win the election. Sometimes later after her election, Gregory fell out with Nyandeng and joined the voices calling for her removal. Debatably, with the election time remaining uncertain and the life span of the presidency that you cant predict, Gregory had run out of long wait for General Election to contest but to lobby Gogrial community and other political deities to support him and convince the President that it is now a high time for Gregory to govern Gogrial state. Gregory is an entity, a person with his own political ambitions different from Kiirs and has a right to enjoy all the rights and privileges that every citizen in South Sudan is entitled to in our constitution; and it is unfair to divest him of these rights because of his mere relationship with the President. Therefore, what matters the most is not how Gregory is related to the President but whether or not he has what it takes to be in that position; for example, does he have clear track records; does he understand the values and ideals of the state that he is going to govern; does he understand the urgent need of the people of Gogrial state; does he understand that he is now a politician and his high military ranks cant immune him from being condemned if he does something wrong; does he understand that the military philosophy of whatever your boss says is true doesnt work in politics; and does he understand that in politics, critics or dissents are not jailed, intimidated, prosecuted, or exiled, but are given freedom of expression and debate them with open mind and challenge them with your achievements? In conclusion, Gregory has been looking for this job for so long and now he has it. It is incumbent on him to clearly spell and work out his programs why had he been after this job for so long. Gregory must take this assignment as a full time job and prove it to all people that he has political agendas in mind to implement and he is capable of holding any other senior government position than gubernatorial post. In fact, many rich politicians like him often go for politics to top up their richness with power while others go for politics to change the lives of their people. Whether he is going to top up his riches with power or transform the lives of the people of Gogrial state, only time will tell. Mr. Governor, dont smile too much, they will think otherwise; remember always, all eyes are on you! Simon Yel Yel is co-editor (with Paanluel Wel) of the book of the President Kiir speeches and essential writings published in two volumes as Salva Kiir Mayardit: The Joshua of South Sudan He can be reached at [email protected] or +211914474471 I am straining to understand the logic behind and justification for some of the retirement perks given to our former Presidents. I will attempt a fuller critique of the legality, logic, purpose and morality of that package and question the conventions and precedents that are said to have guided its framers sometime soon. Of particular and immediate worry however is the provision of retirement homes and offices to retired Presidents. Why does our poor country assume such a burden? This piece is occasioned by the request of Ex-President John D. Mahama to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Transitional Team to be allowed the use of his current state owned abode at East Cantonments as his retirement home. I am one of several thousands of Ghanaians strongly opposed to his request to be allowed to keep that house and live there in retirement, and personally 100% opposed to the whole idea of giving retirement homes and offices to our Ex-Presidents. But Im saddened by the fact that Ex-President John D. Mahama knows or ought to know, that his continued stay in that house three days after the swearing in of our new President is in violation of our laws, he being enjoined to vacate the premises a day before the swearing in of our new President. Couldnt he simply comply with the Transition Law and move out of the building to his own home and start negotiating that it be granted to him from his own home. A lot of his dignity is being lost and his shine quickly dwindling. Dr. Omane-Boamahs characteristically brusque and illogical rationalization of present and future accommodation allocation arrangements for our new Vice-President, Dr. Bawumiah and Ex-President Mahama are out of order, out of turn and beyond his power to determine. His new private position as Head of Communications in the former Presidents office, clothe him with no such license. It appears Omane-Boamah is still unaware that the old order changeth yielding place to new1 and is still under the billowy illusion that he still has that often abused, unfettered, unquestioned and unquestionable authority, improperly used discretion, full control and easy unbridled access to state assets, and unwise and illogical use and wanton allocation of our States resources. Omane-Boamah doesnt seem to realize that since the December 2016 election results were announced, there is a new steely resolve among Ghanaians that therell be no more abaabas332. He doesnt realize that the suddenly reborn Ghanaian is determined that we must now comply with law, spelt out procedure and due regard for the public interest, and that his painfully irrational and absurd justifications for all manner of his boss and the former governments reckless and contemptuous actions and inactions which he regularly hurled at us, are now a thing of our painful past and that he cannot transport that madness to this new dispensation. Somebody wake Omane up! The law is the law and it was tardy for Mr. Mahama, presumably poorly advised by the brazen and unguarded likes of the afore mentioned young, power possessed spin Doctor, Goebbels Omane-Boamah to allow what should have been a quiet, compliant, exemplary and dignified departure from the house he had lived in for eight years to develop into to such a ridiculous, embarrassing and painful fester. It is noteworthy that only a few days after the NDC lost the election, the former Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Doe-Adjaho disclosed in an interview that he had packed his personal belongings from his official residence. I will not dwell on the gossip of why Mr. Mahama failed/ forgot/refused to make adequate provision for more suitable and preferable presidential status accommodation after serving as President. Nor will I speculate on why he did not live at Flagstaff House during his tenure as President which would have made a more polite request (than Julius Debrah made) to be allowed to return to and retire in that same house which he had previously lived in as Vice-President for four years much easier to consider and accept. Such gossip and speculation is the job of social media and our time and energy consuming, rumour filled Whatsapp trail. Why we give ex-Presidents retirement homes and offices in addition to the long, luxury perk filled list of other entitlements is my worry. I think, the convention, practice or norm should rather be that presidential candidates kwatrekwa3 who do not own their own humble homes to which they can return after defeat at the polls or to which they can safely retire are, unfit/unqualified for contesting for the high office of President. Period! Lets scrap this expensive, resource draining practice of bequeathing unnecessary, underserved goodies and bestowing undue honor on our former Presidents. The whole concept of rewarding our former Presidents with houses, offices, cars and liveried servants etc., must be thoroughly reviewed to suit our beggar nation status. Why should we give an ex-President a retirement home and office? Please tell me. This lopsided Mobutu, Bokassa type rewards scheme must be scrapped. Various committees charged to do this have been unable to provide a reasonable and balanced package so far and we the citizens must stop being spectators and demand that this reward scheme for our Ex-Presidents is critically and dispassionately looked at again, openly with input from the public. It can be re-worked without unduly emasculating them of their dignity, honor and justifiable and defendable perks. For example instead of providing them with buildings expensively maintained by the state as offices, we can make state facilities, guest lodges, conference rooms etc available to them when they meet high powered delegations or important visitors. Of course, this proposed arrangement is premised on the ground that an ex-President must be able to run a small personal office at home, in his study or elsewhere, calling for the States support only when there is an absolute need. It must be stressful, the dilemma the new NPP government finds itself in; How can we evict a former President from a home he so covets? What use is there in bickering over a $2.0 million house in a resource rich country as Ghana? Wont kicking him out subject him and us as a government to both domestic and international public attention and ridicule? Such questions and many more must be bothering our three day old government. But our suddenly militant people are now not subjects but citizens demanding that law and due process applies in everything and that Mr. Mahama vacates the house without delay. I pity John Mahama, no one is saying a word in his defense. Mmere dane We are a small, broke country. Lets stop the too known and cut our coat according to our cloth; Tanzania and Rwanda style. Johnny Blukoo-Allotey, Accra, Ghana. REFERENCES 11.01.2017 LISTEN The United States recently had an election which saw the "unlikely" candidate Donald Trump win against the "likely" candidate Hilary Clinton. After the victory of Trump, scores of Americans took to the streets in major US cities (New York, California etc.) demonstrating their displeasure of Trump's win. Some of the protests turned violent. Although such events were reported in the news, I was very surprised because I was not expecting this kind of reaction from a country which had practiced democracy for over 200 years. Ghana, a small country in West Africa, also went to the polls on December 7, 2017 barely a month after America's historic elections. There were tensions prior to the elections which saw the likes of the US Embassy and the British High Commission caution Ghana to ensure peace during the elections. Ghana conducted herself very well and lived up to expectations of the world as a beacon of hope in Africa in terms of democracy. However, this remarkable feat did not catch the attention of many western media. CNN captured it without touting Ghana's democratic credentials but chose to report that Ghanaians queued for food in Ghana which is not only false, but also had nothing to do with the elections. Fast forward, Ghana swore in their President in a colorful event. However, the occasion seems to have been marred by a plagiarism allegation. Ghanaians have made a lot of noise about it (which is not surprising). The shock of it was that the western media (Washington Post, Reuters, Al Jazeera etc) have now seen the need to report about this issue of plagiarism. Why didn't they report so much about the elections which in my view was less violent than the aftermath of the US elections. Ironically, some Ghanaians are happy seeing Ghana in the news for the wrong reasons, so they surf online looking for western media who have reported it so that they can share it to buttress their point. Ghanaians who have done this sort of thing in the past or now in the name of partisan politics should bow down their heads in shame. If you think or thought that you would jubilate about Ghana's downsides so that your party can come to power and bring back the "glory" then you must indeed be a "stupid" person. The reason being that governments would come and go but Ghana is still Ghana. So the dirt which is being heaped on Ghana in the name of plagiarism which you are happy about would be an indelible one which your government would also come and meet. So indeed, the western media is full of hypocrisy but don't also be stupid. Individuals suspected of committing war crimes including killing and rape during the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) are evading investigation and arrest, and in some cases live side by side with their victims, Amnesty International said in a new report released today. The organization is calling for major investment to rebuild the countrys justice system and establish the Special Criminal Court (SCC) to help bring perpetrators to account. Thousands of victims of human rights abuses across CAR are still waiting for justice to be served, while individuals who have committed horrific crimes like murder and rape roam free. This is impunity on a staggering scale, and it is undermining efforts to rebuild CAR and create a sustainable peace, said Ilaria Allegrozzi, Amnesty International Central Africa Researcher. The only long-term solution to this entrenched impunity is the comprehensive overhaul of CARs national justice system, including by rebuilding its courts, prisons and police force. In the meantime, sustainable funding for the Special Criminal Court, including robust witness protection programmes, is an essential step towards justice. The long wait for justice: Accountability in Central African Republic highlights how dozens of people suspected of having committed crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations and abuses have avoided effective investigation and arrest. Efforts to ensure accountability have been hampered by a lack of capacity both within CARs government and the UN peacekeeping force in the country. The justice system in CAR, which was weak before the conflict, was further undermined by the fighting as records were destroyed and legal personnel were forced to flee. There are few functioning courts outside of the capital Bangui, and just eight out of 35 prisons in the country are functional. Detainees are kept in crumbling buildings in crowded and insanitary conditions. Poor security has led to repeated prison breaks. A national recovery and peacebuilding plan presented to a conference of international donors in Brussels in November 2016 requested US $105 million over five years to strengthen the domestic justice system and operationalize the SCC. A member of civil society in Bangui told Amnesty International: They [suspected perpetrators] live side by side with their victims. They take the same taxis, shop in the same shops, and live in the same neighbourhood. None have been arrested or prosecuted, and such a climate of impunity only reassures the perpetrators. The UN peacekeeping force in CAR helped national authorities arrest 384 people for crimes linked to the conflict between September 2014 and October 2016. However, this includes only a handful of high-profile individuals suspected of having committed the most serious crimes, while 130 escaped from prison in September 2015. This impunity has contributed to a rise in violence since September 2016, including one attack in Kaga-Bandoro in October, in which ex-Seleka fighters killed at least 37 civilians, wounded a further 60 and forced more than 20,000 people to flee their homes. Recommendations for the Special Criminal Court (SCC) Important progress has been made in recent months in establishing the SCC, a hybrid court of national and international judges and staff that will try individuals suspected of having committed crimes under international law during the conflict. However, Amnesty Internationals report makes key recommendations to make sure that the SCC is set up as rapidly as possible in a way that ensures effective investigations and fair trials. While $5 million of the $7 million required for the first 14 months of operations has been secured, more needs to be done to ensure sustainable support for the first five years of the courts operation. Donor countries should also help by nominating qualified judges and other legal staff during current and future recruitments. The SCC is essential to ensure that victims of some of the conflicts most serious crimes will have a chance to see justice done in CAR, and should be given every support, said Ilaria Allegrozzi. It is also vital that a robust victim and witness protection programme is developed to ensure their safe participation in the proceedings. Defendants must also have the right to all safeguards ensuring a fair trial, including legal aid. It is time to put an end to the climate of fear that has enveloped CAR for too long. Gov. Scott Walker's promise to cut tuition for University of Wisconsin students was met with uncertainty from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle following his State of the State address on Tuesday. Walker pledged to go beyond his four-year tuition freeze and "cut that's right, cut" tuition for all in-state undergraduate students in the UW System. His speech didn't offer any details on the size of the cut or how it would be funded. Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the cut "will be paid for," with details forthcoming in Walker's budget proposal, due next month. "Governor Walker is committed to lowering the cost of college for students at our UW campuses. This isn't just talk," Evenson said. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said he is "open-minded" to the idea, but he is not yet convinced a tuition cut will be a priority for lawmakers as they consider the 2017-19 budget. "My focus is on making sure we have access to make sure students get to graduate in four years and that we have a reasonable price for tuition," Vos told reporters after the speech. Vos said he hopes the governor's budget will fully fund the UW System's request, which adds up to about $42.5 million. About half of that would fund a "Focus on the Educational Pipeline" initiative designed to help lead more students to pursue a college education. The initiative would offer more college credit options for high school students, expand access to academic, career and financial advising, make transferring credits easier, expand access to financial aid and help prepare students for the workforce. "Of course I think there should be strings with that. I want to have better diversity of thought on campus so every perspective is represented when you go to take a class or listen to a lecture," Vos said. "Probably back in the early heyday it wasnt easy to find women to teach, but we made an effort and said its important to have diversity of gender, its important to have diversity of sexual orientation," Vos said. "All of those things I think add to a better education on a college campus, and having only half of the perspective on any topic, I think, really hurts the opportunity for students to get the best education." The funding could also be tied to performance metrics including four-year graduation rates, Vos suggested. Joint Finance Committee co-chairman Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, said he supports those proposals in theory, but isn't sure how intellectual diversity would be defined or measured. Nygren said Republicans are proud of the tuition freeze, but he was reluctant to signal support for Walker's proposed cut. "Its not that Im against it, its just that as a budget chair I need to look at the budget in totality against other priorities such as K-12 funding, Medicaid, other big ticket items," Nygren said. Democrats were skeptical of Walker's proposal, but expressed cautious optimism. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said Democrats support tuition freezes and cuts as long as they are funded with state support. "If he's willing to fund it, that's something we would be very open to," Barca said. But Rep. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Kenosha, said Walker's other college affordability measures fell flat and were short on specifics. Walker, in his speech, touted an announcement made this fall that he said would give more student loan borrowers the opportunity to refinance their loans. UW Credit Union announced in September it would expand its membership eligibility to include any current or former college students who currently live in Wisconsin. The credit union has offered refinancing and consolidation to its members for about three years, but previously, membership was available to past and current University of Wisconsin System students. "Here's the good news: we found a better way to help people with high debt. Our administration has worked with Wisconsins very own financial institutions to promote refinancing options available to those with student loan debt," Walker said, contrasting the credit union option with a Democratic proposal to create a state student loan refinancing authority. The liberal group One Wisconsin Now, a driving force behind the effort to create a refinancing authority, accused Walker of giving "recycled advice instead of solutions." Hesselbein argued Walker's answer to student loan debt amounted to telling borrowers to "call a bank." "I want to know how he's going to fund technical colleges and universities," Hesselbein said. Those answers will likely come within the next few months. 11.01.2017 LISTEN ExLA Group wishes to send its congratulatory message to the newly sworn in President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who emerged winner in a keenly contested election held on December 7, 2016 which involved the immediate past President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama. Prior to that, the President had been a known figure in the history of the nations human rights movements and political reforms within and without government. Most prominent among them is the repealing of the criminal libel law which saw our democracy take on a more meaningful shape. As Attorney-General & Minister of Justice and later Minister of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration in the erstwhile President John Agyekum Kufuor administration, H.E. Nana Akufo Addo is applauded for serving with dignity deflating suspicions and any further allegations of corruption and negligence. As a leadership organisation in Ghana and with particular focus on the development of women and youth in Africa, ExLA Group acknowledges the patience, love for peace and respect for rule of law as exhibited by the new President of the republic of Ghana. It is within this contest that the organisation awarded H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo the ExLA Gold Award for Peace and Consensus Building on 10th December, 2014 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana. We therefore trust the leadership of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to continue to uphold the principle of our democracy and accord the youth and women an appreciable level of attention especially in areas of employment and equal opportunities in his government. We also look forward to working with the new administration with keen focus on leadership, corporate and entrepreneurial skills development training, funding for start-ups, empowerment of women and girls, youth focused research and continental awarding schemes for distinguished achievements. We agree with the saying that everything rises and falls on leadership. We therefore wish H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo a successful term in office as he has fully taken on the administration of our beloved nation. Long live Ghana! Signed Daniel Osei Tuffuor Executive Director of ExLA Group. Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo Group Board Chair H. E. Nana Addo's Office 1 H. E. Nana Addo's Office 3 Lawyer Yaw Oppong 11.01.2017 LISTEN A Legal Practitioner, Lawyer Yaw Oppong says Ghana cannot continue to spend a huge sum of Ghanaian Cedis to build a mansion for the countrys former Presidents all in the name of retirement benefits at the expense of ordinary Ghanaians. Lawyer Yaw Oppong , is therefore, suggesting for the nation to a have a place he called a Presidential Villa , where our former Presidents can relocate to, after their term in office as Presidents have come to an end. Ghanas immediate past president, Mr. John Dramani Mahama through his former Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah had informed the Akuffo Addo,s led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, to allow him (Mahama) to keep his Bungalow No 3 , Prestige Link Cantonments , Accra and its adjoining facilities as his official retirement home. The former President request came on the back of recommendations made by the Prof Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh Committee tasked to review emoluments of Article 71 office holders, including the former presidents retirement package. The committee recommended that the former president should not be given a house in Accra and another location of his choice outside the capital , as has been the norm, but instead Mahama should rather receive 40 percent of his salary to paid monthly . Speaking on the SPACE FM MORNING FLIGHT show on Tuesday, Lawyer Yaw Oppong said, the nation can build mansions outside Accra and a very conducive place, purposely for our former presidents where they can use them as their residence and offices. He said they can use that place as their museum if they do not want it to be their residence and offices. Although the former president request has not accepted or approved by the current government, Lawyer Yaw Oppong believes the request will be accepted by the Akuffo Addo, s Government. He said the Bungalow will be given to the former president to pave the way for the government to find a suitable place for the former president, Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour , who has not receive any official facility from the former government as his residence and offices. He suggested to the countrys former presidents to reject some government bungalows as their retirement benefits in a very diplomatic way, so that, the newly Members of Parliament (MPs) or any judge who had been transferred to Accra can use those facilities as their offices or residences. President Barack Obama has called on Americans to defend their democracy in his farewell speech in Chicago. By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was eight years ago when he took office, he told thousands of supporters. But he warned democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. He implored Americans of all backgrounds to consider things from each others point of view, saying we have to pay attention and listen. The countrys first black president, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a message of hope and change. His successor, Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of Mr Obamas signature policies. He will be sworn into office on 20 January. Raucous chants of four more years from the crowd were brushed aside by the president. I cant do that, he said with a smile. US presidents are limited to two terms by the constitution. No, no, no, no no, he said, when the crowd booed the prospect of Mr Trump replacing him. Striking an upbeat tone, Mr Obama said that the peaceful transfer of power between presidents was a hallmark of American democracy. But, he outlined three threats to American democracy economic inequality, racial divisions and the retreat of different segments of society into bubbles, where opinions are not based on some common baseline of facts. If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life, he said to laughter and applause. In his closing remarks he said he had one final request for Americans as president: I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours. Returning to Chicago, where he first declared victory in 2008, Mr Obama delivered a mostly positive message to Americans after a divisive election campaign which saw Mr Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Mr Obama said that young Americans including those who worked on his campaigns, and who believe in a fair, just, inclusive America left him feeling even more optimistic about this country than I was when we started. In choosing Chicago, Mr Obama had earlier said he wanted to return to where it all started for him and First Lady Michelle Obama, instead of delivering the speech from the White House. Yes we can. Yes we did. A bookend to the speech he delivered on the night he won the presidency in Grant Park, Chicago, Barack Obamas farewell address contained much of the same hope and optimism that were hallmarks of his candidacy while at the same time outlining his legacy. But it was also an elegantly worded warning: about the countrys broken politics, its naked partisanship, its stark economic inequalities, its social and racial dislocation. Though he did not mention the President-elect by name, much of it obviously read like a rebuttal to Donald Trumps campaign. Obama called for respect for the science of climate change and drew one of his biggest applause lines when he noted: I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans. The line democracy can buckle when we give in to fear, could easily be interpreted as being aimed at Donald Trump. This speech highlighted a stark difference between the two men: Obamas preference for delivering reflective and historically literate orations, and Trumps penchant for expressing himself in Tweets. Mr Obama said that it was in Chicago as a young man, still trying to figure out who I was, still searching for purpose in my life, that he witnessed the power of faith and dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss. This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved and they get engaged and they come together to demand it, he said. After eight years as your president I still believe that. Some 18,000 people attended the farewell address at McCormick Place, the largest convention centre in North America and the venue for Mr Obamas speech after he defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. The tickets were given out free, but were selling online for more than $1,000 (820) each hours ahead of the speech. As he leaves the Oval Office, President Obama is viewed favourably by 57% of Americans, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, a similar level to Bill Clinton when he left office. The Minister of Health nominee, Kweku Agyeman Manu has said the New Patriotic Party will be in trouble if it does not revive the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the shortest possible time. Though Mr. Manu said he would ensure the scheme is revived within six months if given the mandate as the sector minister, he said his work would be much easier if government injects more funds into the NHIS to help address its current challenges. Within the shortest possible time we will solve the problems but like all of them will be based on how much money is provided for us to do what we think should be done. I have told some of my colleagues that within the next six months if we are not able to invest into the health insurance area for people to begin to see elements of something new happening in that sector, my party and my government will be in trouble, he said. Ghanas president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, prior to his election on December 7, 2016 promised to revive the scheme which he said was collapsing. A lot of Ghanaians also complained about some inefficiencies in the scheme. Speaking to Citi News after his nomination by the President, Mr Agyeman Manu said he will champion the revival of the NHIS. I have been the chief executive of health insurance once before, though a short and very limited timeabout four or five months so I know what is in there and I know what we are going to do in there, he added. By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin A statement coming from the Minority Caucus in Parliament and signed by the Deputy Minority Leader Hon. James Klutse Avedzi that they demand a withdrawal of President Akufo Addo's inaugural address is very unfortunate. Agenda for Change- Volta (AFC) is disappointed in Hon. James Klutse Avedzi for making that demand because we believe there are more pressing issues he needs to push in order to bring a direct benefit to Ghana especially for Ketu North and the Volta Region than this unnecessary and unproductive thing. Hon. Avedzi has been in Parliament for a very long time yet he has nothing to account for in the region and his constituency. The unemployment rate in the region is very high that we always have to travel outside the region after graduation to look for greener pastures. Will the withdrawal of a Speech from Parliament bring Voltarians jobs in the region? AFC will advise the Honorable to use his authority as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Minority leader to attract investors into the region so as to help bring job creation into the region than making unnecessary demands that won't put food on our table. It's a pity the Volta region can't boast of a single industry even though they have been loyal to the NDC since 1992. Aside that, our careful study of the article he pushed showed it had lots of mistakes in it, badly arranged, badly written with a very shallow content. It just felt as if he just wanted to be heard without any justifiable reason. It was just a junk of a combination of big English vocabularies with no head and tail. We now see the reason why Hon. Avedzi was robbed of his Minority leader title for this young Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, because Hon. Haruna would never push such a meaningless and disgraceful article, and may be a reason why even though he is the Minority leader and you being his Deputy, he still left it for you to make a big disgrace of yourself and the whole of Volta region, instead of him as the leader to have pushed it in his name. Thank you In God We Trust! ............SIGNED............. AGENDA FOR CHANGE-VOLTA .....SPOKESPERSONS..... Innocent Supremo Tetteh (Writer) +233243266937 Christo Klutse Wisdom (Coordinator) +233207463363/+233243801996 Daniel Yao Baker +233242330068 Dunyo Edward Confidence +233242049867 Nana Kwadwo Akwaa (Co-writer) +233246913908/+233209676414 The Ashanti regional secretariat of the Ghana Muslim Students Association, on behalf of the entire Muslim students, particularly in Ashanti region, congratulates you on your inauguration as vice president of the republic of Ghana on 7th January 2017. We also wish to commend you and express our pride and respect for your commitment, perseverance and support for the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which projected you as a good ambassador of Islam and its values. Your comportment and demeanor over the years has gone a long way in promoting all that you represent, foremost among which is Islam. Your excellency, as you go about your business as vice President of our country, we will like to remind you of the high expectations of the Muslim community from you and your family, as we see you as our representative and that everything you do is a reflection of us all, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: "A Muslim is a mirror to another Muslim" [Abu Dawud]. We therefore plead with you not to disappoint us and the teeming majority of Ghanaians, especially the masses, who sacrificed their time, energy and lives because their hope hangs on you and the President. We urge you to beware of those who hail you and reflect on the criticism of your critics. We further urge you to remain steadfast and committed to team Ghana. Your government has promised a lot and the Muslim community expects you and your able President, H.E Nana Addo Danqwah Akuffo- Addo to work tirelessly in delivering on those promises. We shall make ourselves agents of progress and support you to the best of our ability. It is our fervent prayer that the Almighty Allah endows you with more knowledge, wisdom and courage to help move Ghana to a greater level. We wish you success while hoping that the change for which Ghanaians voted for you and your President, will ultimately materialize. Thank you and God bless. Yours in Islam, ---Signed---- Issaka Abdul- Aziz President GMSA Ashanti Region Turbulence on flight can give the worst experience, especially if you are the type who already has a phobia for flying. It is difficult not to get distressed and frightened by the sudden side to side or up and down movements even worse, erratic shaking of the aircraft. Turbulence is a frequent occurrence on domestic flights in Nigeria. While it is a huge concern for anyone who is nervous about flying, there are ways it can be managed to ensure it does not become a nerve-wrecking experience. Jumia Travel , Africas No.1 online hotel booking service offers top 5 ways to handle turbulence on local flights Breathe deeply as often as you can Deep breaths can be very helpful while enduring an episode of turbulence. Rather than fret and worry, close your eyes, inhale and exhale deeply as frequently as you can. Also, you can carry a paper bag which you can use as an anti-hyperventilating device as well. It is very good in reducing anxiety. Remain buckled to your seat The most important thing to do when there is turbulence is to stay buckled to your seat. Refrain from walking around or moving from one corner to the other. No matter how afraid you are, sit still and ensure you only raise your hand if you need to signal an air hostess for anything. Sitting still rather than walking around helps you stay calm and reduce chances of injury or accidents in the case of severe turbulence. Try the rubber band technique This is not a common technique and might not work for everyone. The rubber band technique is such that you wear a rubberband around your wrist and snap the rubber band against your skin anytime you feel yourself becoming agitated such that the pain is a reality bite that takes your mind off any particular situation that makes your anxious or gives you a fright. Adopting this method helps with turbulence. It distracts you from it and cuts out chances of you being traumatized by the movements. Listen to slow, calming music The fear for turbulence has a way of kicking up fear inside of you, making it hard for you to be calm or focused on any flight. You find your mind consumed on the possibility of turbulence, how it could lead to crash and how it would mean the end of your life or worse, a maimed body. Your mind wanders and perfectly normal flight noises seem like sounds that do not exist. Listening to peaceful and calming music help you manage yourself on the flight and even when an actual turbulence is going on. It occupies your mind and takes off a lot of stress that comes with turbulence. Avoid caffeine products Caffeine products, especially coffee may seem like the perfect drink for a long flight, but it can cause an overly hyper state of mind and this will only exacerbate your anxiety when you have to deal with turbulence. Avoid taking any caffeine product before or while you are on the flight; instead, go for other liquids that will keep you hydrated. A glass of one can be very good for calming the nerves. Some Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) in parliament have described as old wine in new skin President Akufo-Addos first batch of ministerial nominees released Tuesday. They dont expect anything new from the administration over the next four years as the Minority doubt the Ministers would be any helpful to the President in steering the affairs of the country. The President on Monday announced a list of 13 ministers designate who are to be vetted by parliamentary as the first batch of his appointments. They include New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 2012 Campaign Manager, Boakye Agyarko as Energy Minister-designate; Member of Parliament (MP) for Bimbilla Constituency, Dominic Nitiwul as the Defence Minister-designate and MP for Nandom, Ambrose Derry as the Interior Minister-designate. The rest are former MP for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as Education Minister; Albert Kan-Dapaah as National Security Minister-designate and MP for Anyaa-Sowutuom, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway as Foreign Affairs Minister-designate. Kwadaso MP Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who has been the President's childhood friend, has also been appointed as the Agriculture Minister-designate while Kwaku Agyemang Manu was appointed as Health Minister-designate and former Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo as Senior Minister-designate. Deputy Minority Leader James Klutse Avedzi says some of the appointees have shown they are competent enough to do the job judging from their performance in parliament. He is, however, wary of how well they will do in helping the NPP deliver on its campaign promises. More soon... Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim |[email protected] It has been widely reported that the Nigerian economy is in a recession. In fact, economic experts and commentators have apprised Nigerians to cut their spending. Despite this, it seems Nigerians have largely ignored this advice especially when it comes to weddings. This is because, during some weekdays and weekends, event centres are filled out with guests, family members and friends present to witness the grand wedding. And some of them spend had currencies at these weddings. Of course, you know the amount expended on weddings. This has made some people doubt if Nigeria is actually in a recession. So why have Nigerian weddings defied the recession? Jumia Travel shares 5 reasons. Nigerians naturally love to party Although the Ijebus in Ogun state, south-west Nigeria, are born party-lovers, partying seems to be in our DNA. Hence, no matter how difficult things are in the country, Nigerians will find time merry and rejoice. Some do not even mind if they spend their earnings or borrow money to satisfy their party urge. Consequently, it will not stop them from organising weddings. Family crowdsourcing of finance This is one of the exciting things of being a Nigerian. When you organise weddings or any other event, you will never carry the burden alone. Your family and friends will support you. Hence, if you want one of the biggest weddings in Lagos, you will definitely have their support morally and financially. But remember, after the wedding, you are on your own when it comes to settling your debts after all the merriment. It's one of the couple's happiest moment Getting married to your heartthrob is one of the happiest moments in the life of the couples. Even if you are not going to break the bank for your wedding, you will try as much as possible to celebrate to the fullest. So, recession or no recession, the wedding goes on. After the wedding, both you can spend time at Intercontinental hotel Lagos. You can make money from the wedding to settle expenses Nigerians have evolved creative ways to make money during their weddings. How? It is through dancing. Whether the couple knows how to dance or not, they must hit the dance floor because that is one of the ways to make money and settle some expenses. This why there is always a music band and someone who will pick the money on standby. 1&2: The found head of Sarah Korkor Mormorbi Wormenor 11.01.2017 LISTEN The missing head of the 38-year-old woman, who was alleged to have been beheaded by her boyfriend, Kingsley Adowa Kisseh at Bedeku-Kpornya, a suburb of Kasseh in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region, has been found. The head of the deceased, Sarah Korkor Mormorbi Wormenor, was reportedly found in a container, 50 meters away from the suspect's house at an alcoholic distillery, which belongs to the brother of the suspect, one Emmanuel Wormenu. The decapitated head has been deposited at the mortuary of the Police Hospital in Accra together with the lifeless body, pending autopsy. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Juliana Obeng, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Tema Regional Police Command, who confirmed the story to DAILY GUIDE, said the police were yet to conclude investigations for the suspect to be arraigned before court. It would be recalled that news broke on Monday that an unemployed woman, Sarah Korkor Mormorbi Wormenor, was found decapitated in a bush with multiple sharp object wounds on her body. While the corpse of the woman was at the Police Hospital for autopsy, police launched investigation into the matter to unravel the cause of the bizarre death of the woman. Some indigenes of the area, who heard about the incident, quickly rushed to the house of the suspect where he was arrested and reportedly subjected him to severe beatings. It took the intervention of the assembly member of the Bedeku Electoral Area, George Ahuahey, to rescue the suspect from the angry youth. Kingsley Adowa Kisseh was quickly handed over to the Kasseh District Police to continue with investigation. The suspect was said to have taken Madam Wormenor out on January 8, 2017 at about 10:10 pm. The following morning, her relatives noticed that she had not returned home the previous night with her boyfriend. They therefore headed straight to the residence of Kingsley Kisseh, which is about 300 meters away from the victim's house, to find out why she had not returned home, only to be told by the suspect that they met and had a nice time on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at about 10:00 pm after which they went home separately. About an hour later, the townfolks found the headless body of Wormenor and the supposed knife apparently used to commit the dastardly act. From Vincent Kubi, Tema 11.01.2017 LISTEN By Priscilla S. Djentuh, GNA Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - Acrylic wool hair products, which were introduced recently onto the Ghanaian market, are gaining preference over existing hair braiding materials because of their affordability and good quality, hairdressers at Tema Station in Accra, have said. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Fuseini Abdulah, a hairdresser, said since the products were introduced, her clients had gone for them because though they were less expensive, they gave a lustrous appearance to the hair. They were also easier and faster to work with, she explained. Dora Manu, also a hairdresser, said her clients preferred the acrylic product because of its soft and shiny nature. 'I use the product because it matches with my natural hair, thereby keeping my natural hair neat even after weeks of braiding. Most of the previous products appear 'rubber-like' and when used on the hair look artificial and odd.' Amavi Aseidu, a patron, also explained that the acrylic wool could be reused many times over and that made them even cheaper. They are priced for two Ghana cedis each and five cedis for three smaller sizes. Some traders told the GNA that they were making good profits because the wholesale prices were very low. The product comes in different colours but the most patronised ones are black, brown, white and wine. Adowa Abdulah, another trader, said clients needed two to three of the pieces to dress their hair, depending on preference of style. She said most clients preferred the 'twist-braids'' compared to the 'rasta-braids''. 'Some clients also like their corn-rolls in them,' she said. The acrylic wool hair and hand knitting products are mainly manufactured in China, Australia and Brazil. The wool is generally used for knitting, weaving and hand-knitting and reported to be of high quality. GNA President Akufo-Addo 11.01.2017 LISTEN Our chiefs, no, some of them, are reported to be pleading with President Nana Akufo-Addo to 'go slow' on corruption. This, coming at a time when corruption is a major source of Ghana's woes, erodes their already low-rated deference in society. They are known to have taken pittances from politicians so they would do their bidding, unfortunately times have changed and chiefs cannot direct their subjects about how to vote. The level of humiliation some of them have inflicted upon themselves at the peak of the campaign season a few months ago is still fresh in our memories and we would prefer not to recall them. Our chiefs, custodians of our heritage, should ordinarily be spared the kind of harsh references used on politicians and public officials because they represent our forebears and, therefore, heritage. For holding such traditional positions in society, they should regard themselves as special and so avoid untoward predispositions. To ask those who stole from the public kitty to return the loot is a duty President Nana Addo should discharge, regardless of cheap chiefs who want to mortgage Ghana. What precedence are we establishing by this crazy demand on the President? We are disappointed in chiefs who have decided to tread on this trajectory and would rather they do not near such subjects because when they do there would be no reason not to descend upon them. Anything which threatens the stability and economy of the country is fair game for attack by Ghanaians who have their country at heart, and would therefore want it to move away from the bad old ways which cost us our progress and national dignity. We can appreciate it better why the constitution insulates them from active politics. Although we are not against their counseling politicians, these should nonetheless border on shielding political crooks, whose actions have hemorrhaged the state and robbed citizens of their dignity. Asking a President who won election on the promise of changing the status quo of corruption, not to deal a fatal blow to the cankerworm, is to ask him to drink poison. We are in total disagreement with the manouvres of these chiefs who benefitted from the car and gifts largesse of the old political order, to have President Nana Akufo-Addo drop his sword against corruption. To succumb to the demands of the bad chiefs is to disregard the wish of Ghanaians who outnumber the traditional authorities in this country. We want our lethargic country to work again through the implementation of the programmes set out by the new government. In the implementation of these, no interference should be brooked from chiefs who appear oblivious to the challenges of the country and would rather the business as usual model is allowed to flourish even if it is detrimental to the country. The challenges of Ghana, many of them self-inflicted, are too complex to be toyed with by irresponsible and unpatriotic chiefs. Osafo Boabeng, lawyer for businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome, yesterday had a hectic time justifying his failure to respond to pleadings in the case in which Martin Amidu, a former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, is seeking to orally examine Woyome over the GH51.2 million judgement debt paid to him by the state The lawyer, whose initial intention was to ask the seven-member panel of Supreme Court judges presided over by Justice Sophia Akuffo, for an adjournment, was bombarded with questions from all angles by the judges. Mr Boabeng had requested the judges to be given ample time to respond to some documents filed by Mr. Amidu in December last year in the interest of justice, insisting that he was out of the country when the said papers were served on his client. Judge Angry! This infuriated Justice Akuffo who ordered the lawyer to respond to the application, although Woyome's lawyer claimed that he was handicapped in responding to the issues raised on point of law. The judge fumed, We are dealing with the case now! Please resume your seat! The judge opined that the response to the issues raised was fundamental and that Osafo needed no special time to respond to the claims, especially when he had squandered the opportunity to do so. Justice Akuffo said, We are considering the matter now, don't tell us that (he traveled). Take this matter seriously and don't trifle with us. Gambler The 'no nonsense' judge retorted, If you feel handicapped tell us the nature of your handicapwe are unimpressed, we don't take it kindly when lawyers at the Bar who have not lived up to their duties come and dance in court. Justice Jones Dotse on his part, said the decision by Mr Osafo Boabeng not to file any response to the case was a gamble, adding that This is not a place for 'chacha.' He averred that Woyome's lawyer had not been candid with the court. Objection Mr. Amidu said his preliminary objection to the case as filed by David Kwadzo Ametefe, was that decisions, orders or directions of a justice of the Supreme Court whether sitting alone or not in exercising judicial power cannot be questioned directly or by any means of camouflage by invoking the original jurisdiction of the court. He stated that the subject matter for which the writ was issued was by a decision of a single judge pursuant to Article 134 of the Constitution. Mr. Amidu aka Citizen Vigilante, quoting Article 127 (3) of the Constitution, maintained that no suit could be instituted against a judge who is exercising judicial power. Citizen Vigilante stated that the writ had made it clear that steps had been taken to seek possible review of the decision of the judge in a motion filed in the court to review the decision of the single judge. He said David has no locus standi, even under Article 21 to commence the action. The court adjourned ruling on the matter until February 1, 2017, and ordered Lawyer Osafo Boabeng to file his response on or before January 17. Background Woyome, through his counsel, Ametefe, sought to discharge or reverse the ruling by Justice Anin-Yeboah which paves the way for Mr. Amidu to question him (Woyome) over the GH51.2 million judgement debt paid to him by the state. Woyome was also seeking to stay proceedings at the court pending the determination of the instant action, a relief the court, presided over by Justice Anin Yeboah, gave. In the latest action, Ametefe is seeking a declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Articles 2 (1), 128, 130 and 134 of the 1992 Constitution, a single justice of the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to determine matters involving the interpretation of the Constitution. Woyome's lawyer is also seeking a declaration that the ruling by Justice Anin Yeboah sitting as a single judge of the Supreme Court delivered on 16 November, 2016 in the case granting the opportunity to Mr. Amidu to execute the judgement in the case (Martin Alamisi Amidu vrs. the Attorney-General & 2 others) in suit number J7/10/2013, is inconsistent with the provision of the said Articles of the Constitution. Stay Withdrawn In a related development, Osafo Boabeng has also withdrawn the application to stay proceedings in the matter, a request the court granted and awarded a GH5,000 in favour of Mr. Amidu. By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson [email protected] Management of Ghanas premier family shopping centre, MaxMart on Tuesday,10th January 2017 donated GH5,000 to Food for All Ghana Sustainable Farms Fund as initial capital to build a community livestock farm for deprived communities within the Afram Plains South District of the Eastern region of Ghana. The donation was as a result of a month long Waitrose Buy More Feed More Christmas project carried out by Food for All and MaxMart to raise awareness on the economic and environmental impact of food waste and hunger in Ghana. It was to also involve Ghanaians and stakeholders in creating sustainable means of nutrition for beneficiaries under the Food for All Africa programme.Through the month of Christmas, MaxMart donated 3% of Waitrose branded product prices for which its customers bought. Receiving the cheque from manager of the supermarket,Chef Elijah Addo,founder of Food for All Africa programme reiterated the need for community partnership towards addressing hunger and food waste in Africa. He quoted facts from the 2016 Cost of Hunger in Ghana report published in August by National Development Planning Commission which shows that Ghana loses GH 4.6 billion which is equivalent to 6.4% GDP annually to hunger among children and 24% of all child mortality cases in Ghana are associated with under nutrition. He indicated that the choice of Afram plains for the community farm project was as a result of the number of children in the community who are out of school due to a lack of regular means of nutrition.He appealed for individuals and corporate bodies to donate to the Food for All Ghana Sustainable Farms Fund to create sustainable means of nutrition for vulnerable communities in Africa. General Manager of MaxMart , Mr. Omar Naboulsi indicated MaxMart believes community participation plays a critical role in solving the economic and environmental impact of food waste and hunger in Ghana. It is in that regard that as sole distributors of Waitrose brand in Ghana ,they involved their customers during Christmas to raise funding in support of the good work Food for All in undertaking to ensure a means of nutrition for the vulnerable in Ghana.MaxMart is a socially responsible business and will keep supporting social intervention programs such as Food for All in Ghana. Berlin (AFP) - The German government decided Wednesday to raise the number of troops deployed to Mali as part of a UN mission that is known as the world's most dangerous. The UN's Mali mission, also known as MINUSMA, regularly comes under attack from jihadists. Last year alone, more than 30 troops were killed, more than in any other UN peacekeeping mission. MINUSMA is tasked with monitoring a peace deal between the government and northern rebels in the west African country. The German cabinet agreed Wednesday to raise the limit for troop deployment to the country from 650 to 1,000. The additional soldiers are meant to take over an emergency rescue mission in northern Mali that is currently under the command of the Netherlands. Four helicopters for transporting injured as well as four combat helicopters will also be deployed. Northern Mali fell under the control of Al-Qaeda-linked groups in 2012. The Islamists were largely ousted by a French-led military operation launched in January 2013, but large swathes of Mali remain lawless and prone to attacks. If Berlin does end up sending 1,000 troops to Mali, then the deployment would be Germany's biggest abroad. To date, its biggest deployment has been to Afghanistan, where around 890 German soldiers are currently stationed. The cabinet also extended to January 2018 a mission in northern Iraq, where 150 German soldiers are training Kurdish fighters for combat against Islamic State jihadists. The German army has already trained around 12,000 Kurdish fighters, as well as others from groups such as the Yazidi minority. The new deployment plans would still require parliamentary approval, but are unlikely to meet with any resistance as Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling right-left coalition has a crushing majority. Rig World International Services, a wholly owned Ghanaian intermediary oil and gas industry operator has officially become a listed member of the Trace companies worldwide to affirm its commitment of ensuring international commercial transaction transparency. This again positions Rig World as a credible and formidable giant in the countrys fast growing oil and gas industry. The company already operates on an International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 14001, 9001 and OHSAS 18001 Certified. Rig World International Services which has crafted an enviable reputation in its field of operations as a company that prides itself in the wellbeing of its employees, and satisfying its client with excellent services, as a leader in professional placement, recruitment and human resource management services in the oil and gas industry in Ghana and West Africa, and with a benchmark for health and safety performance with a safety record of zero lost time accidents, Recognizing its Achievement in the countrys oil and gas upstream operations, its peers awarded the company with five major recognition at the just ended Ghana Oil and Gas Awards (GOGA) held at the plush Kempinski hotel, Ridge- Accra early November 2016. The awards includes Excellence In HSEQ (Up-Stream), Promising Oil and Gas Award of the year (Up-Stream) to DAMCO- RigWorld GH Ltd, Rising Star Award to Dr. Kofi Amoa- Abban the CEO of RigWorld GH Ltd. , Oil and Gas Personality of the year award (Upstream) was also won by Dr. Kofi Amoa-Abban the CEO of RigWorld GH Ltd and lastly the Oil and Gas Service Company of the year (Catering) went to TransAtlantic Catering Services a subsidiary company of RigWorld International Services. RigWorld International Services was again honoured for its excellent contributions to its fast growing Oil and Gas industry at the Oil and Gas Ghana Awards (OGGA) 2016 held at the Holiday Inn hotel in Accra on the 28th October 2016. The company won four major awards out of the five nominated slots. These includes, the Indigenous Oil and Gas Company of the year award, Labour/Recruitment form of the year, the Transatlantic Offshore Catering won the Catering Company of the Year award and finally the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Kofi Amoa-Abban took home the coveted C.E.O. of the Year Award in the upstream. The companys CEO Dr. Kofi Amoa-Abban also won the Extraordinary Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 award by Tema Excellence Award Foundation and the company also won the 2015 Indigenous Company of the Year Award and the Offshore Catering Company of the Year Award. Rig World is an upstream Oil & Gas Service Logistics Company that proficiently provides offshore, onshore and near shore logistics services to E&P, drilling contractors and production companies in Ghana and West Africa and has been operating in Ghana and West Africa for the past six years. The company has subsidiary companies which includes TransAtlantic Catering Services that provides onshore and offshore catering services, Master Alarms, RigWorld Security Services (RSS), Burj Homes and Pressure Tech Engineering which is the engineering services and solutions segment of the company. Patricia Sappor, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB), has called for the recruitment of professional bankers into the banking sector. This, according to her, will reduce, if not end, fraud and bring professionalism into the banking sector as well. Mrs. Sappor, who was speaking in an interview with BUSINESS GUIDE after CIBs 5th end-of-year Thanksgiving Service in Accra said, It is very important for the banking sector to recruit professional bankers because they have been through the mill and cannot afford to compromise on their integrity. The professional bankers know that they could be de-listed from CIB membership if they engage in any fraudulent act, so they will work with honesty and integrity. She further explained that when banks use such professional bankers, there will be high level display of integrity and professionalism in the banking industry. In view of that, Mrs. Sappor, who is also the Head of Corporate Communication, Ecobank Ghana and Anglophone West Africa said, CIB will collaborate with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to ensure that at least certain positions in the banking sector are occupied by professional bankers. This is because they have the requisite knowledge in those areas due to the training they have acquired at the institute, she said. The positions, she mentioned, include branch manager, operations, trade services and funds transfer. Mrs. Sappor was elected in September 2016 as the first female president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana. Reverend Sappor is an experienced banker with 31 years in the industry, having worked with Bank for Housing and Construction (BHC) for 11 years and over 20 years in Ecobank. She also promised to continue the good works of her predecessors. [email protected] By Cephas Larbi Some of the members of the chamber with Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante of the Peace Council The United States of America-Africa Chamber of Commerce has launched its regional office in Ghana. The chamber has been established to deepen trade relations between businesses in Ghana and the United States in a peaceful environment. It is expected to operate as a not-for-profit business association which will empower small and medium enterprises in Ghana and Africa with resources, links and exposure needed to form international partnerships for growth and development. The Chamber will work actively with all stakeholders to help deepen Ghana's democracy and business and financial sectors. They also used the occasion to launch I-Change Nations (ICN), a professional institution that promotes, honours and builds the capacity of people to aspire for change. At the launch at the Executive Hall of Crystal Capital & Investments Limited in Accra under the theme: 'Engendering Growth and Development through Peace and Cooperation,' Martin Ofori, an economist, who is the Chair of the U.S.A-Africa Chamber of Commerce (Ghana), called for strategic partnership to make African economies grow. He said, Do not regard the Golden Rule as an after-thought or academic exercise but rather as the center of your business strategy. Historically, it has been proven that treating your competitors, customers, the environment and other stakeholders right is not just the good thing to do it is also the profitable thing to do. And we expect nothing less from members of the U.S.A-Africa Chamber of Commerce (Ghana). He also called on politicians to consider the Golden Rule to show their love for the country that they want to lead. Charles Bennin Botse, Co-Chair of the U.S.A-Africa Chamber of Commerce and Kofi Ansah, Director of the U.S.A.-Africa Chamber of Commerce, stressed the need for a peaceful and conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Founder and President of ICN, Dr. Clyde Rivers, on his part, said the success of every economy depends on political stability of the country. There is a dialectical relationship between political stability and a robust economy that must be studied and nurtured at all times to ensure that businesses in this country will have the right environment to attract and form partnerships with the international business community, he said. A Business Desk Report 11.01.2017 LISTEN The release of the first batch of ministers announced yesterday by President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should signal to Ghanaians that the new occupant of Government House means business. It has taken the new President only two days of work to name his first batch of ministers. We commend him for that. The calibre of personalities named yesterday, tells much about how this administration means business. There is 'Oyeadieyie' Yaw Osafo-Maafo, who is going to lead the ministerial team as Senior Minister, an innovation pioneered in local politics by the Kufuor administration. A financial guru in his own right, Mr. Osafo-Maafo is credited with leading this country into the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, and reaching the completion point in a record time of two and a half years. His rich experience would be needed to complement that of world-renowned financial guru Ken Ofori-Atta, Co-Founder of Data Bank, as Finance Minister. With Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, one-time Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, heading the Government's Economic Management Team, there is every assurance that these three technocrats could pull their knowledge together to get Ghana out of the economic woods. The average Ghanaian is aware that the National Democratic Congress left this nation a huge debt. But the disclosure yesterday, that the Mahama administration left a debt profile of 72 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) is alarming. There is a serious job to do. But the triumvirate of Bawumia, Osafo-Maafo and Ken Ofori-Atta, leading from the front, gives this nation hope for revival. All the President's men and women announced for various ministries are people of integrity. The Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, for Education, is expected to shake the Education Ministry and lead the reforms that would introduce Nana Addo's much touted fee-free education, from basic to second cycle level, for the mean time. There were a few murmurs when Mr. Dominic Nitiwul, immediate past Deputy Minority Leader, was named to head the Defence portfolio. It is a very challenging task for the young man. But many are those who hold the view that the young man has demonstrated in Parliament over the period, that he is capable of leading from the front and curb any disquiet in the barracks. Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu made hay while the sun was shining as Chairman of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee. Many believe his background in accounts and finance would serve him well to lead the restructuring exercise at the Ministry of Health. So is the choice of Mr. Ambrose Dery, one-time Upper West Regional Minister, to head the Interior Ministry. He is a tried and tested lawyer and a seasoned politician. The three women Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey for Foreign Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, Local Government and Gloria Akuffo (Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice) are proven personalities in their various fields. As The Chronicle pointed out the other day, there is a bit of disquiet over the choice of Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, one-time Energy and Defence Minister, to control the security portfolio, as a result of the small matter of the cocaine which turned into cassava flour during his tenure as Minister for the Interior. The Chronicle would like to believe that the new Interior Minister would take the lessons learned from that episode to his new job. On the whole, Ghanaians cannot be disappointed with the list of the first batch of ministers announced yesterday. The men and women available to the President to choose from makes selection a very difficult task. The Chronicle would like to believe that the criteria used in arriving at the first batch of ministers would serve the President well, as he picks from the long list of qualified applicants to fill the other ministerial vacancies. We urge Parliament to expedite action in getting the Parliamentary Appointments Committee in place, in time to begin the task of vetting our ministers to begin work immediately. The people of Ghana are yearning for the kind of change promised by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party on the campaign trail. There is serious job to do. The urgent matter of dealing with the 72 per cent debt to GDP ratio bequeathed to this country by the bungling administration of the NDC, calls for urgent action. Cape Town (dpa/GNA) - The small West African nation of Gambia has been plunged into a political crisis since autocrat Yahya Jammeh refused to accept the result of presidential elections which saw him lose power to Adama Barrow. Jammeh - who ruled Gambia for 22 years with an iron fist - has filed a petition to challenge the results and seems bent on staying in office. Barrow is scheduled to succeed Jammeh on January 19. December 1, 2016: Gambia holds presidential elections. December 2: Barrow is declared winner. December 9: Jammeh rejects the election results despite having admitted defeat a few days earlier. December 13: West African leaders arrive in Gambia to convince Jammeh to leave office. Chief of defence staff, Ousman Badjie, announces he will stay loyal to Jammeh. December 14: The ruling party files a petition to the currently disfunctional Supreme Court to challenge the election results. December 19: Barrow announces he will take office on January 19. January 3, 2017: The head of the electoral commission flees Gambia amid death threats. January 9: Authorities close the fourth radio station within a week. January 10: The Supreme Court postpones hearing for Jammeh's election challenge due to lack of judges. January 11: Jammeh appoints mediator to arbitrate between himself and Barrow. GNA. By Florence Mensah, GNA Ejisu (Ash), Jan 11, GNA - A leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Kwaku Ntim Twumasi, has scolded supporters of the party acting outside the law, describing their conduct as completely unjustified and tasteless. Ghana, he said, needed to work for everybody and that nobody must be made to feel harassed or persecuted. 'The wrongs and mistakes of the past could not and must never be repeated. We must get right with the law.' Mr. Twumasi, hugely popular and respected by the rank and file of the party in the Ejisu Constituency, was interacting with some NPP youth in the area. This comes amid reported attempts to forcibly take over state property including the Passport office, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and Youth Employment Agency (YEA) offices in parts of the country by alleged over-zealous party supporters. He counseled that they stepped back from any acts of misconduct and allowed things to be done properly. Mr. Twumasi called for patience, tolerance and genuine commitment towards national reconciliation. That, he indicated, was the way forward to sustain the nation's democracy on the path of growth. GNA By Josephine Nyarkoh, GNA Kumasi, Jan 11, GNA - A group of supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has kicked against the request by former President John Dramani Mahama to be allowed to keep his official Cantonments residence in Accra as part of his retirement package. The group made up of past regional officers of the Tertiary Students' Confederacy (TSCON) of the NPP in the Ashanti, appealed to the new government not to grant it. This was contained in a statement signed by the Convener, Nana Osei Owusu Bempah, a copy of which was made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi. It said if found the move by the former President wrong, adding that, public officials must stop targeting state resources. The group made reference to a similar request by former President John Agyekum Kufour that was denied by the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and wanted to know what had changed. If it was thought wrong to allow then exiting President Kufuor to go with a bungalow, it could not be right now for ex-President Mahama to continue occupying the official residence. 'We are calling on President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo to give true meaning to his belief that national resources are not meant for the enjoyment and pleasure of those who seek to lead.' GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Jan 11, GNA - The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has hailed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's proposed Ministerial team responsible for the affairs of national security and defence, saying it is a reflection of his positive recognition of the sector. Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, a former Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, and a Former Minister of the Interior, is the Minister-Designate for National Security, while Mr Dominic Nitiwul, the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, who has trained in Germany in Defence Issues, is to handle the Defence portfolio. Mr Ambrose Dery, an experienced lawyer, a former Deputy Minister of Justice, and Upper west Regional Minister has been nominated for the Interior Ministry. Ms Afi Yakubu, the Executive Director of FOSDA, said the calibre of persons nominated by the President indicated that he held in high esteem the peace and security of the nation. "We believe in his integrity and sense of judgement, and the people he has nominated have what it takes to deliver on the job," Ms Yakubu stated in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, in Accra. She congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his election to the highest office of the land, and urged the President to live by his words that he would embrace every Ghanaian as the "Father for All". Ms Yakubu also urged the incoming security sector ministers to collaborate effectively with the relevant stakeholders to address the issue of small arms proliferation. She said the just before the December 7 General Election, there were some reported incidents of the arrest of people with small arms in the country, which she advised must be looked into. She urged the incoming ministers to tackle the situation which causes acts of vandalism that follow the declaration of election results, and also deal swiftly with the miscreants involved in the recent one, no matter their political party affiliations. She explained that this would send a clear message to all Ghanaians that no one could break the laws of the land and go scot free. Ms Yakubu called for the adequate resourcing of the security sector, especially, the Police, to enable them to deliver on their mandate. FOSDA was established in 2001 by a group of diaspora's concerned about the conflicts in West Africa at the end of the 20th Century. It is a non-for-profit organisation formed to examine the causes of these conflicts and strengthen the capacity of African institutions and Civil Society Organisations in the field of human security and development. FOSDA is devoted to conducting research and providing training on issues that affect the development of the West African sub-region and provides a forum for the exchange of theoretical and practical knowledge and experiences for the enhancement of human security. GNA By Prosper K. Kuorsoh, GNA Wa, Jan. 11, GNA - The Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists Association (GARDJA) has said it is about time that government used its vast purchasing power in the interest of the Ghanaian farmer over the Chinese or American producer. The Association therefore wants the newly inaugurated government to issue a directive it suggested should read: "Government funds must only be used to buy foodstuff from local producers unless the capacity to produce is non-existent." GARDJA stated this in a letter to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo which was jointly signed by Richmond Frimpong, President; Joseph Opoku Gakpo, Policy Director and Ernest Kofi Adu, Secretary General of the Association. The Association urged government to ensure that such a directive was introduced at Senior High Schools and the School Feeding Programme to make the difference. The Association is however happy that the New Patriotic Party's (NPP's) manifesto promised to expedite the full implementation of an active Commodity Exchange using its purchasing power to create demand for locally-produced food items. "GARDJA is expecting government to fulfill that pledge to the fullest," the letter said. It said some of the challenges were more inherent and required medium to long term solutions, noting that the country's annual food import bill recently hit an unprecedented two billion US Dollars. It added that what was even more frightening was that majority of the foods imported were foods which could be produced locally including rice. "We imported 527,058 metric tonnes of rice into the country this year, representing 54 percent of the total amount of rice we consumed. Why should this be so?" it questioned. The story is the same with the poultry industry as government continues to heavily import chicken for consumption at the expense of the local poultry industry which was struggling to stay afloat, the letter read. The GARDJA pointed out that the biggest challenge farmers' face in Ghana today was how to get their produce to the market at competitive prices. It added that most farmers in rural areas were forced to sell their produce at hugely discounted prices, or lose them entirely as they go rotten because of the absence of market, whilst "we import food from other countries to feed the urban population". "In fact, this country loss more than 400 million US Dollars annually through post-harvest losses, mostly at the farm gates, so you can imagine how many farmers are suffering because of the absence of market for their produce. This problem has to be fixed one way or the other," GARDJA said. GNA YaoundA (AFP) - Cameroon said Wednesday its military offensive against Boko Haram across the Nigerian border has made major progress, with scores of jihadists killed and hundreds of hostages freed since December. But in a sign of continuing jihadist trouble, four would-be human bombs -- two young boys and two teenaged girls -- tried to strike in Cameroon's Far North province Wednesday. Only the bombers died in the attempted attacks which were foiled by security forces and local vigilantes. Since Nigeria announced a key victory against Boko Haram jihadists in December, claiming the group had been routed from its Sambisa Forest bastion, its ally Cameroon has intensified operations along its northern border. Cameroonian troops have in recent weeks killed some 100 Boko Haram fighters and freed "hundreds of hostages" held by the group, Cameroon's government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary said Tuesday. Some 30 other jihadists have been taken prisoner and returned to Nigeria. "Hundreds of freed hostages have (also) been sent back," Tchiroma said. With access to the combat zones tightly controlled, it was impossible to verify the government's claims. Cameroonian troops have been conducting cross-border operations alongside their Nigerian allies in the Nigerian village of Ngoshe since December 19, Tchiroma said. "Unfortunately ... three (Cameroonian) soldiers lost their lives" in January, he said. One was killed in a blast, the other two in fighting. The operation, Tchiroma said, is being carried out "in perfect synergy with the (Nigerian) army command". He described it as a response to repeated incursions into Cameroonian territory by Boko Haram. On Wednesday, four young suicide bombers were killed in the restive Far North province, located just across the border from the epicentre of Boko Haram's insurgency in Nigeria, regional governor Midjiyawa Bakari said. Two vigilantes supporting the armed forces were lightly injured, he added. Cameroon's Far North province has been the frequent target of suicide attacks, with many of them carried out by children. Boko Haram's brutal insurgency, launched in northern Nigeria in 2009, has spread across the border to Cameroon, Chad and Niger. At least 20,000 people have been killed and some 2.6 million displaced in the violence. 11.01.2017 LISTEN Former Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey has been named as the Minister nominee for the newly created Railways & Development ministry. The nomination was announced by Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye in Parliament on Wednesday. Joe Ghartey is the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan constituency in the Western region. He served as Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament in the Sixth Parliament under the Fourth Republic. The former Deputy Attorney General is a lawyer, academic and politician. Some key expectations of Joe Ghartey's administration will be the completion of the Boankra inland port project and the Eastern Railway Line. The project which is a Public Private Partnership seeks to facilitate the transportation of goods between the North (Tamale) and South (Takoradi and Tamale ports). The project would require a private contractor to build and finance a port 27 km from Kumasi. Also, the Minister nominee will be expected to find a lasting solution to the recurring issue of labour unrests in the sector. The latest involve an eleven day strike after all efforts aimed at getting their salary arrears and pension contributions from the Ministry of Finance failed. He hails from Shama, in the Western Region. Meanwhile Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has been nominated as Minister nominee for the Transport Ministry. He will replace the MP for Ketu South Fiifi Kwetey as the sector minister. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana 11.01.2017 LISTEN The Senior Minister designate, Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo has revealed that Ghana is currently a heavily indebted but not a poor country. On the basis of this, he says the country cannot apply to enjoy the benefits of a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC). Speaking to the media after President Akufo-Addo had addressed a press conference to announce the first batch of his ministers, the former finance minister said though the immediate past National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration left Ghana a debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 72%; it is still a lower middle income country, with per capital income of $1300. He, however, expressed concern over the previous government's inability to fulfill some of the conditions laid down in the programme, entered into with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He noted, for example, that deficit per the agreement, should have been brought down to 5%, but at the end of December, the figure stood at 8%. According to the Bank of Ghana, Ghana's public debt stood at GHC110 billion at the end of July last year, which was 66% of the total value of the economy at the time. This means that in less than a year, the debt to GDP ratio has moved up by 6% from 66% to the current 72% announced yesterday by Mr Osafo Maafo. Despite the gloomy nature of the economy, Mr Maafo insists that it is still fundamentally strong, except that it has suffered from years of mismanagement at the top and that the Akufo-Addo administration would work around the clock to make it healthy. This, he continued, is a huge challenge to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration because they promised to reduce some of the taxes, which he described as nuisance and at the same time work around the clock to raise revenue for the development of the country. To overcome the first hurdle, Maafo said Nana Addo's economic Management team would carefully study and block all the revenue leakages without compromising on the promise to reduce taxes. Ghanaians have always been complaining about huge taxes that have been imposed on them. Somewhere last year, the former government, led by the Finance Minister; Seth Terkper, introduced the energy sector levies which resulted in the upward adjustment of electricity and petroleum tariffs. The government argued then that, the new tax was necessary to raise funds to offset the huge debts that had accumulated in the energy sector. Former President John Mahama himself defended the new levy, arguing that it was a necessary evil to save state intuitions like the VRA and ECG from collapsing. In August last year, the former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, announced at a news conference in Accra that the new levy had raked in 350 million Ghana Cedis. Though the levy was helping the government to balance its books, majority of Ghanaians were not happy, since it resulted in the upward adjustment of energy tariffs and the concomitant effect on the other sectors of the economy. Following this protest from Ghanaians, the then Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo promised to cut down on some of the taxes to ease pressure on the tax payer a promise Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo has promised to fulfill. President Akufo Addo had earlier told news men at the Flagstaff House that the poor economy was a major problem confronting Ghanaians, hence his resolve to assemble a crack team of economists, led by his Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, which also includes Mr Osafo Maafo, who he described as the best Finance Minister in Ghana's history, to tackle the problem. By Emmanuel Akli Works and Housing Minister-designate, Samuel Atta Akyea says the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) would complete housing units started by previous governments. He says the rate at which projects are abandoned in the country whenever there is a change of government contradicts the position of the 1992 Constitution. "I do not know why you will start a whole project. We should complete all housing unit," he told Joy News' Flagstaff House Correspondent, Elton Brobbey Wednesday. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced 12 nominees as part of his second batch of Ministers-designate to serve in his government. They include Monitoring and Evaluation Minister-designate, Dr Anthony Osei Akoto, Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere, Dan Kwaku Botwe as Regional Re-organisation Minister-designate, and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister-designate, Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng. The rest are Ignatius Baffuor Awuah as Employment and Labour Relations Minister-designate, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah as Transport Minister-designate, Kwesi Amoako Arthur as Roads and Highways Minister-designate. NPP's National Women Organiser, Otiko Afisa Djaba has been nominated as Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister-designate, Ablekuma West MP, Ursula Owusu as Communication Minister-designate, and Joseph Kofi Ada as Sanitation and Water Resources Minister-designate. NPP's Volta Regional Minister, John Peter Amewu has been nominated as the Lands and Natural Resources Minister-designate, and former Attorney-General under erstwhile President John Kufuor, Joe Nana Ghartey as Railways Development Minister-designate Mr Atta Akyea who would be heading the Works and Housing Ministry if his nomination is approved by Parliament said he would work to improve the housing situation in Ghana. Ghana's housing deficit is estimated at 1.7 million units with urban areas such as Accra and Kumasi being the worst places to reside. Attempts by previous governments to address the problem have not yielded positive results. Former President Kufuor launched the "Affordable Housing Unit" in 2005 to provide at least 12,000 families with a decent accommodation. However, the project was truncated when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came to power in 2009. Former President John Mahama also contracted Brazilian Construction firm, Messrs Construtora OAS Limited to put up 11,000 flats at $ 200 million in the Saglemi township at Prampram. Mr Atta Akyea said the NPP government would finish "every old project" left by previous governments in the country. He said he would ensure that the houses when completed are affordable and could be purchased by families. "Who will build a house that cannot be purchased," he quizzed. Mr Atta Akyea, however, noted that what has given rise to the high cost of accommodation is that demands for housing units exceed the structures on the market. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | [email protected] 11.01.2017 LISTEN President Nana Akufo-Addo has named six more nominees for business related ministries under his administration. They include; Joe Ghartey, Akoto Osei and Kwaku Ofori Asiamah. The three have been nominated for Railways development, Monitoring & Evaluation and Transport Ministries respectively. Other nominations include; Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Atta Akyea and Kofi Addah who have been tipped for Communications, Works and Housing and Water Resources and Sanitation Ministries respectively. Ursula Owusu Ekuful The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West has been nominated for the Communications Ministry. Mrs.Ursula Owusu Ekuful served as Managing Consultant, N. U. Consult Legal, Governance and Gender Consultants. She has also been Director of Vodafone Ghana Company Limited since October 1, 2004. The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West also serves as a member of Ghana Bar Association. As a gender advocate, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is Executive Member of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana; Member, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) Ghana; Member of African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Ghana. She is a Barrister/Solicitor by profession. She holds Bl; LLB. Atta Akyea Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea is the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South in the Eastern region. He will be heading to the Works and Housing Ministry. According to him, his focus will be to complete all the affordable housing units started by the NPP government. In his view, there will also be the need to provide mortgages that will enable people with low end income access affordable housing. Currently the country's housing deficit stands at about 1.7 billion. Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea holds a BA (Law and Philosophy), UG, 1989; BL (GSL), 1993. Joseph Kofi Kowe Adda Joseph Kofi Adda has been named as the Minister nominee for the newly created Water Resources and Sanitation ministry. He was a former Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central in the Upper East region. Joseph Adda is a Financial Economist and a Management Consultant. He worked as an Executive officer at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana in 1979. Between 1983 and 1984, he worked as a Research Analyst intern at the Third World Trade Institute, New York, USA. Over the next two years, he was an account Executive and Management trainee at the Equitable Financial Service, Inc., in New Jersey, USA. He was appointed the Minister for Manpower Development and Employment by President John Kufuor in 2005. But subsequently moved to head the then Energy Ministry in 2006. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana Paris (AFP) - A swampy forest in central Africa the size of England covers previously unknown carbon stocks equivalent to three years' worth of global CO2 emissions, scientists revealed Wednesday. Draining these peatlands for agriculture, or reduced rainfall due to climate change, would release massive amounts of planet-warming greenhouse gases, they warned in a study published in Nature magazine. "We found 30 billion tonnes of carbon that nobody knew was there," said Simon Lewis, co-lead author of the study and a professor at the University of Leeds. "If the Congo Basin peatlands were to be destroyed, it would release billions of tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere," he told AFP. "Keeping that carbon locked up" should be a priority, he added. Peatlands are carbon-rich ecosystems that cover three percent of Earth's land surface, but store about a third of all soil carbon. Most peat -- dense, dark-brown muck composed of decaying plants -- is located in Canada, Scandinavia and Siberia, but the tropics hold large stores as well. Until the mid-20th century, it was often cut into bricks, dried and burned as a fuel. More recently, however, scientists have understood that peatlands, which are at least 30 centimetres (a foot) thick, harbour vast stores of carbon in the form of the greenhouse gases that are driving global warming. The Congo Basin peatland average about 2 metres (six feet) in thickness. Most climate change in caused by burning oil, gas and coal to power our economies, but a tenth of global emissions come from land use, mainly deforestation and agriculture. In Southeast Asia -- notably in Indonesia -- vast expanses of peatland have been stripped of wetland forests and drained to make way for commercial crops, especially palm oil. That process not only releases CO2 and nitrous oxide -- another potent greenhouse gas -- into the atmosphere, it also creates health-wrecking pollution when forests are burned. Haven for gorillas Mountain gorillas are seen in the jungle at Bukima in Virunga National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo The Congo Basin's Cuvette Centrale peatlands -- astride the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo -- "are currently relatively undisturbed," said Emma Stokes, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Central Africa programme. "But palm oil is starting to happen in Africa," she said by phone, referring to the possibility of peatlands being sacrificed to make the way for plantations. "It is not an immediate risk, but we can't all sit back and not worry about it," she said by phone. And while there is some concern among climate scientists that global warming many be decreasing the area's rainfall, there is not enough evidence so far to know. Simon, who discovered the massive peatlands and helped map its contours, explained how a 145,500 square kilometre (56,000 square mile) patch could escape notice for so long. To start with, the buried organic matter does not form near rivers, which are often the only transport arteries in sparsely populated tropical forests. "You have to trek deep into the swamp to find it," Simon said. "Also, you can see peat from space." But you can distinguish ground cover. So once Simon and his colleagues realised that certain vegetation only grew on top of peatlands, they used satellite images to help map the Cuvette Centrale's contours. A small portion of the peatlands -- some 4,500 square kilometres (1,750 square miles) -- is already protected as part of the Republic of Congo's Lac Tele Community Reserve. Stokes, who lives nearby, is in discussions with the government about extending its boundaries, she said. "The area is home to some of the highest densities of gorillas in the world," she said. Forest elephants -- also threatened -- and many water birds also find haven there, partly because it is so remote from human population centres, she added. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines New Years resolution as a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop something bad from the first day of the year. Every fresh year marks the beginning of great expectation and 2017 is no exception. Since the year has just begun, many would normally make their New Years resolution with the hope of sticking to it. And this is characterised by setting goals, vision, renewal of vows and a fresh start. According to history, the ancient Babylonians were the first people to introduce New Years resolution dating 4,000 years back. The early Romans also made promises to their god Janus each year, for whom the month of January is named. Meanwhile, it is quite intriguing to learn that the ancient Babylonian calendar began in mid-March and not January. As part of their religious festival known as Akitu, the people of Babylon made vows to their gods at the beginning of each year that they would return any items they had borrowed and settle their debts. In Ghana and other parts of the world, crossover or watch-night services on December 31 has become a solemn occasion, as many people keep vigil to welcome another year. It is not surprising that most churches across the country record high attendance. This is because members who have not been regular put in an appearance at the last night service of the year in their numbers. As a consequence, many worshippers across the country offer thanksgiving, prayers and seek divine blessings for the forthcoming year. Essentially, the last night of the year offers many people an opportunity to make peace with their Maker. In reality, there is no achievement without goals hence the need to start off with a set of resolutions. A renowned founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, was right on point when he said that If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail! Habits & lifestyle As stated by ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit. Frankly, New Years resolutions have become a common global practice in which a person resolves to change or resort to doing things the right way. Habits and lifestyles are building blocks that have the tendency of affecting ones action, decision and choice in all spheres of human endeavours. A habit is a pattern of behaviour that is repeated instinctively, and it becomes typical of somebody. Most people find it difficult to break bad habits as it becomes part of their routine behaviour. I have on several occasions interacted with a couple of people who gave a thousand excuses for their flawed habits. Undoubtedly, it is an established fact that most of the New Years resolutions across the globe are generally geared towards getting rid of unhealthy habits and lifestyle. One such alarming habit that leaves much to be desired is sexual immorality, especially among the youth. Notably among the examples of lustful acts are fornication, adultery, homosexuality and lesbianism, prostitution, masturbation and pornography. There are also a number of people who are grappling with their physical well-being. For this group, some of their challenges may include gluttony, overweight, lack of exercise, unhealthy foods, too much sugar, smoking and oral hygiene. In fact, there are many more habits or lifestyles that draw us back such as extravagant lifestyle, alcoholism, drug addiction, anger, laziness, Internet addiction, poor time management, lack of self-discipline, gossips/ lies and quarrelsome behaviour. As it is said, It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break or control them. If habits are not well managed, they will develop into unhealthy lifestyle. The people you associate yourself with can influence your behaviour, so choose friends who exhibit healthy habits. Successful people are simply those with successful habits Brian Tracy. Sticking to your resolutions Most resolutions do not thrive due to lack of commitment, self-discipline and misplaced priority. It is also estimated that more than 80 per cent hardly make it into the month of February without breaking their New Years resolution. Nonetheless, it is not impossible for the average person to accomplish their goals or resolutions through determination. I am optimistic because of the adage that, Setting goals is the first step of turning the invisible into the visible. How are your New Years resolutions faring? Or have you abandoned your resolutions? Its not too late to revisit it or start all over again. I hope readers who are struggling to stick to their resolution will find the following tips useful: Be specific; vague resolutions are impossible to accomplish. Reduce the time span and start with short-term goals. Be positive about your resolutions. Do it your way or style; do not copy others. Be committed to your resolutions for the first 4 weeks. Dont reward or punish yourself excessively in the course of implementation. Dont overcommit yourself because its not feasible to change bad habits all at once. Evaluate your progress or success periodically. It is worth sticking to your resolutions and goals because nothing is impossible for those who exhibit the right habits and attitude. Even though we have a new government in power, Ghanaians should not expect change if we dont change our ways. Happy New Year! ASP James Annan Prisons Headquarters [email protected] I dont know why sometimes I succeed in confusing myself. I dont drink, I dont smoke, I exercise a lot, but I am still in the habit of feeling tipsy, why? I am tempted to think it might be due to the overdose of Simpa obienku (Winneba kenkey). It gets fermented when it overstays in the kitchen, and the alcohol content in one ball of the obienku could be equivalent to one tot. So if I took in four balls of kenkey in a day, it would have meant four tots of adonko bitters just gone down. So in the run up to the 2016 elections I was so determined to behave myself. I took in less kenkey, I avoided crowded locations, and never gave in to anything that will block the relationship between myself and Jesus Christ. To the extent that I made sure I attended all Sunday church services, made sure I gave offerings, including regular Kofi na Ama. I wrote well, I spoke well, and I made sure that I condemned corruption. I was one of the most critical Journalists who made sure that the Woyome corruption scandal never died. So I was on course in catching the eyes of the then opposition leader. When the elections were over, I knew I had been a good boy, so I had no doubt of making it to President Akufo-Addos first batch of ministerial appointments. Now Nana Akufo-Addo is President. I was expecting him to announce the Ministry of Woyome Affairs, make Martin Amidu the Minister, make Manesseh Azuri Awuni the Deputy Minister, and make me the Chief Director. Trust me, we are capable of collecting that money from Woyome within two days. It is the easiest of all the ministries, being asked to collect the money Woyome is keeping, which the Supreme Court has already ruled that he must refund, is so simple, so much so that even toddlers will know how to do it. But it is not the task of collecting Woyomes money that is important to me. I am looking at the number of V8 vehicles that could be at my disposal. I am looking at twice being called honorable, one for me being an MP, the other for me being a Minister, and probably a third one for the road. In the meantime, there shall be a pile of young people queuing in my house, in the mornings, and I will take my time to wake up from bed, and I will insult them, heavily, letting them know that they are lazy. In fact I will temporary forget that it is these same lazy young boys and girls who enabled me to win the elections, and for me to be called Honorable, after all, they will soon forget that I insulted them; Ghanaians forget so easily; dont they? Then I will distribute a few hundreds of Ghana Cedis (out of the monies I have started stealing), and give them task to do; one to attack those government offices, National Health Insurance, School Feeding, NADMO district offices, National Youth Employment, I will ask them to seize the toilets, and I will make sure that they make reference to some eight years ago when the NDC also did the same things when they won power, thereafter they will seize all tollbooths in sight. I will remember that when the NDC won power, their foot soldiers mistakenly seized Nana Akufo-Addos private car, so I will ask them to draw close to Asiedu Nketiah, and all those very poor people who suddenly became rich when their government won power; I will ask them to seize their cars. While the rage is ongoing, and the exuberant youth are vandalizing public and private properties, I will turn around to issue a statement asking for calm, creating the impression that I have no knowledge of what is happening. I will ask my constituency Chairman to ensure that the boys return to barracks; after they have caused enough damage. While I dealt with the issue of the barrack boys, I chanced upon a request from Ghanas Ex President John Dramani Mahama, to have had the Vice Presidential house for keeps. This is a house he stayed in when he was the Vice President, and continued to stay in when he became the president, and he wanted to keep it, now that he is an Ex President; I am told, that, that house dey biii papah! I have been told by Hanna Tetteh that Bawumias residence is bigger than the one the ex President John Mahama wanted to keep. With my honorable title dangling on my chest, I approached Hanna Tetteh. I initially wanted to ask if she was still honorable, but I was told once an honorable, always an honorable, even if you stole money. Thereafter I told the Honorable Hanna Tetteh that it is not about the size of the house. It is about the principle. Why is Ex President Kufuor, who served two terms of eight years, and has been an ex president for eight more years, why is he not in his official ex presidential house? Why did you refuse to provide a house for an ex president for eight good years, yet you are fighting for a house for a one-term ex president of one week standing? Do we have conscience? In the course of all of these, I came across a short opinion piece written by Kojo Adu-Asare, a former presidential staffer, and one of those who cried during the Brazil corruption scandal probe, in an article titled let it go sir, my humble appeal to ex-President Mahama. In that opinion piece Mr Adu-Asare wrote, For all the myriads of your achievements for this nation and the sacrifices you made during your tenure of service as president, if Ghanaians cant reward you with a state property for you and your family to live in, then I guess we have a long way to go in finding people to respect and implement our own statutes and laid down procedures. This means that Ex President Kufuor only came to sleep in his office when he was president, right? Ex President Kufuor only came to fart in his office. He sung hyms and Psalms in the office. Ex President Kufuor did not achieve anything as President. He only kept snoring in the office, right? Ebufuws3m! Were you in this country when the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange was built? Were you in this country when the George Bush Highway was built? Were you in this country when the Mallam to Cape Coast road was built? Were you in this country when the very seat of government, the Golden Jubilee house where you were working, was built? Were you in this country when the NHIS, GYEEDA, School Feeding program, Capitation grants were all set up? Were you in this country when the Bui Dam was built? Were you in this country when Kufuor was president? And were you in this country when Gbovlo Lartey ejected Kufuor in a Rambo style from his retirement house? Mr. Kojo Adu-Asare, please wake up! That is why when we receive power, we have to know that that power is not absolute. Sometimes we are tempted to believe that just because we have won power makes everyone else a fool; we the elected are the only wise persons alive, right? My brother, let us be honest and straightforward; we cannot provide whole houses for all of our former presidents. Let us determine that Rawlings is the only ex President who we would have given a house, for some special and unique circumstance; the rest we will support their lifetime. I will like to quote Honorable Kojo Yankah, your own former NDC colleague, it is wrong for the ex-President to convert his official residence into a personal one. Even if Parliament approved of it and the new President gave a nod, it is still wrong. The principle is bad. When late Obetsebi Lamptey even paid for his official residence it was considered bad enough. The precedence is dangerous and should not be allowed to stand. Mr ex President Mahama, you will recall that when you made your request to keep your current residence, Dela Edem, your own NDC party Communicator, was one of the first to disagree with you. Dela made a solid point, that we cannot allow you to occupy the vice Presidents accommodation. He continued to say that if it was wrong for Kufuor to have been given an accommodation, it is equally wrong for you to be given this specific house that you were asking for, and for me, it is the right thing you have now done to have withdrawn your request to keep that house; I celebrate you for that courage to let it go, enough for that final conscience... James Kofi Annan The Minister nominee for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea has stated that the NPP government will introduce a housing fund to subsidize the cost of housing for low income earners. According to him, financing is one critical factor that has impeded Ghana's efforts at reducing the widening housing deficit. Mr. Atta Akyea also believes the high cost of housing units has made it unattractive for real estate developers to build more housing units over fear of low occupancy levels. If the income levels are low by virtue of the economic situation, then there should be a Housing Fund in which the people are interested are interested in building housing will not be motivated to build houses that people will not occupy ,he said. Mr. Atta Akyea further explained that the Housing Fund should help restructure the current mortgage system that makes it difficult for low end income earners to meet their monthly obligations. What is critical is how to cushion the end user from a mortgage arrangement that will not dent his pocket. Mortgages are usually a factor of one's income; somebody cannot afford an eight bedroom house while another can afford a single bedroom house. But the income levels should just be enough to take care of the mortgage payments to make every month, Lawyer Atta Akyea made the remarks when he spoke to journalists after his nomination on Wednesday. The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South also identified his priority to be to pursue government's affordable housing agenda upon his approval by Parliament. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana 11.01.2017 LISTEN Sister of Trade Minister nominee, Alan Kyeremanten, Bridget Darko has passed away. Bridget Darko died from her injuries from the recent La Gas explosion. She was hospitalized after the incident. The apartment where Bridget was before the explosion About ten were confirmed dead with more than 40 injured in the explosion that occurred in December 2016. Preliminary investigations have pointed to a gas leakage at the station which led to the explosion according to the Ghana National Fire Service. This is how the apartment looked after the explosion About Bridget Darko Mrs. Bridget Darko is the Executive Director of Aid to Artisans, Ghana (ATAG), a non-governmental organization (NGO) that was established in 1989 to support the development of the Craft Industry in Ghana. She read Development Planning for her first degree, and has a post-graduate diploma in Industrial Management from KNUST, Ghana. She subsequently acquired an MBA (Finance) from University of Ghana and completed the Programme on Investment Appraisal and Management (Harvard Institute for International Development). She has since then participated in a number of other training programs. She has had extensive work experience in both the public and private sectors. She worked in the Cocoa Sector as a Projects Officer, and later joined the Ministry of Finance and worked with a team on its Private Sector Reform. She left the Ministry to join ATAG in 1993, and has since headed the organization. She has assisted with the development of new products for the craft industry and search for new raw materials to sustain production. She has worked on the expansion of the external market for craft products, the infusion of new technology, including ICT into the industry, provision of credit facility for producers, industry collaboration with tertiary education and the enhancement of the human capacity and professionalism within the industry. She is well traveled and has gained considerable experiences from her travels to USA, Canada, Holland, England, Israel, India, Honduras, Ecuador, Morocco, Bourkina Faso, Nigeria, Cameroon, Tanzania, Kenya, Benin, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Senegal, etc. By: citifmonline.com/Ghana 11.01.2017 LISTEN The Asanteman Council has Wednesday announced arrangements for funeral rites of the late queen mother of Asanteman, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Apem II but a warning issued is causing a stir in Kumasi. Residents in the Ashanti regional capital have been told to stay indoors on Thursday, Jan 19 from 8 p.m to Friday, January 20, 4 a.m to enable the traditional authorities to perform the necessary rites in giving the late queen a befitting burial on her journey to the 'village' According to Manhyia Palace, the burial and final funeral rites would take place from January 16 -19. The late Nana Afia Kobi Serwa Ampem II, mother of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II passed in November 2016 at age 111. She was enstooled in 1977 as the 13th queen mother of the Asante Kingdom since 1695 after the late Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko II who reigned from 1945 to 1977. She saw the reign of the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II as Asantehene who reigned from 1970 to 1999. The traditional authorities are against people obstructing the customary rite and the Manhyia Palace has debunked rumors it will offer human sacrifices to its ancestors as part of the funeral rites. Asantehenes Mawerehene, Baffour Hyiaman Brentuo VI said the ban is not to encourage human sacrifice which was abolished some 200 years ago. He tells Nhyira FMs Ohemeng Tawiah the order is to protect the residents from unscrupulous people who will hide behind tradition to cause trouble. "Earlier times when this type of funeral took place, there was the belief that people were virtually massacred to go with the dead. Those things are past," he said emphatically. He explained that because of the impression created about human sacrifices, "once someone gets missing, they think that probably we have taken the person. That is why we are warning people to stay away. "If you come out and someone pretends to be part of us and creates that falsehood that the missing person has been taken by us, it would be unfortunate as there is nothing of this sort. That is what we want to avoid, that is why we want people to stay indoors," he stated. Meanwhile, some residents of Kumasi Nhyira FM spoke to said they will respect the order issued by the Manhyia Palace. "I am going to stay indoors because I am an African and I follow and respect tradition. If that is what is coming from Manhyia Palace, I have no option but to respect it," one resident said. "In Ashanti, we know they have their rich culture as well as their rules and regulations so regarding this ban of not going out on Thursday as the queen mother goes to the village, once I live here I have no option but to heed to that," another resident said. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim |[email protected] Accra, Wednesday January 11, 2017 The Young Diplomats of Ghana (YDG) congratulates Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Member of Parliament for the Anyaa Sowutuom constituency on her appointment as Minister Designate for Foreign Affairs. YDG is of the firm conviction that Hon. Ayorkor Botchway is the best candidate to steer the affairs of the Ministry. With her all round experience as a Communication Consultant and Public Relations Practitioner, coupled with her law making experience, her work as the Ranking Member and Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs from 2009 -2013 as well as her service to the nation as a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs places her in an unparalleled position for the job. We believe that Hon. Ayorkor Botchway would work to consolidate and strengthen Ghanas diplomatic relations and foreign policy to promote and protect the interest of Ghana, establish a just and equitable international, economic, political and social order and also promote respect for international law and treaty obligations, among others as envisaged by Article 40 of the 1992 Constitution. We hope the Minister Designate would continue with the good work of the immediate past minister; Hon. Hannah Tetteh to maximize the potentials of our diplomatic relations and her office to the benefit of the country. We look forward to her confirmation by parliament and to working with her to attain the objectives and mission of YDG in advancing the development of a new generation of aspiring leaders and diplomats in Ghana equipped with the needed know-how and expertise to transform the country and the continent through diplomacy and policy advocacy. The institution of parliament has been cast in a corruption brewing factory mold by anti-corruption crusader, Mr Martin A B K Amidu. I know parliament, as one of the three arms of government, is jealous of its reputation and must at all material times protect its sanctity. I don't have any shred of evidence to confirm the jaw dropping allegation Mr Amidu has levelled against the institution of Parliament; neither do I have any contrary claim to rubbish his assertion. The surest way for Parliament to flip out of this startling corruption revelation is to haul Mr Amidu before the Privileges Committee to back his claims with concrete evidence. I believe, Mr Amidu himself will be more than willing to honor such invitation. It is true that the allegation was levelled against the 5th and 6th parliament, but as we all gleaned from the outcome of the December 7 election, majority of members who served in the 5th and 6th parliament is still in Parliament. They may perpetuate same alleged heinous crimes if they are not exposed and subsequently marched out of our law making house. Parliament cannot be a convenient abode for well-dressed educated criminals. Ghanaians deserve to know which officials of the previous government offered bribe, and which member of the previous Parliament accepted same to undertake a job he was elected to do. These latest corruption allegations by the renowned anti-corruption crusader cannot be treated as one of the usual over exuberant jokes of a ranting mad horse. The name of our law making house has been tainted with corruption and that is very scaring. Poor tax payers monies are squeezed from them to take care of Parliamentarians, and it will constitute another dizzy height of democratic "landguardism" if our MPs, for fear of being exposed, fail to haul Mr Amidu before its Privileges Committee. To Mr Amidu, I urge him to make further moves to prove these rib cracking allegations. Nobody forced him to make these allegations. He has to prove it even if Parliament decides not to invite you. This is not the first time corruption allegations against the legislature have been made. Hons PC Appiah Ofori and Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin have in the past made similar allegations. Their colleagues in parliament, for reasons best known to them, treated them with kid gloves. When Black Rasta made his "wee smoking" allegation, Parliamentarians were up in arms and invited him to the House. He was humiliated and made to retract and apologize because he was unable to substantiate his allegation. Same treatment was visited on Prof Dodoo. What could be more damaging and denigrating of our law making House than corruption allegation leveled against it? When ace investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, came up with his expose, the legislature, another arm of government, came under severe censor from the public. At the end, some judges were fired. We cannot talk about corruption in government (executive) and judiciary without talking about same in the legislature. The laws of this country have in the past been cast wide to drag officials of the executive and judiciary to jail, and sometimes vacate their positions. The same courtesy, however costly and painful, must be extended to the legislature. Now that we have one bold soul in the caliber of Mr Amidu coming out with these allegations, he must be put to strict proof so we can deal with our legislators. Like I said, our legislators can only wash themselves off this corruption dirt if Mr Amidu is invited to the Privileges Committee to back his words with evidence. Parliamentarians should not confirm my fears that Mr Amidu may end up exposing them so they will turn blind eyes to his allegations. Let the political Hallelujah boys and girls shout Amen if they support this call. NB: No part of this write-up should be plagiarized. Amos Blessing Amorse [email protected] Asabaham-Accra Former First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama has been commended and awarded by UNAIDS for her dedication and hard during her term in office as the President of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibi who presented the certificate to the First Lady in Accra said her leadership has helped to transform OAFLA by bringing in a new vision. Some of the vision, Mr Sidibi mentioned, include bringing AIDS out of isolation, making link with all critical issues that have not been addressed directly such as young girls, women position in society, dealing with human rights issues, linking HIV to cervical and breast cancers among others. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) is the main advocate for accelerated, comprehensive and coordinated global action on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The mission of UNAIDS is to lead, strengthen and support an expanded response to HIV and AIDS that includes preventing transmission of HIV, providing care and support to those already living with the virus, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV and alleviating the impact of the epidemic. UNAIDS seeks to prevent the HIV/AIDS epidemic from becoming a severe pandemic. The former First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama has worked with UNAIDS through OAFLA for the past three years. Through her foundation, OAFLA and the Ghana AIDS Commission, Mrs Mahama has organised series of free medical health screening across the country. People are screened for HIV, Syphilis, breast and cervical cancers and other reproductive diseases. The UNAIDS Executive Director stated, "The First Lady is a model. She helped to take OAFLA to a different level by bringing in other First Ladies, using the OAFLA platform to move the agenda of making sure to end mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS and also didn't lose the opportunity to deal with position of women in society and young girls". Mr Sidibi described Mrs Lordina Mahama as humble, quiet but very strategic. He said UNAIDS will continue to work with Mrs Mahama since she is a genuine leader for the fight against HIV/AIDS and global health in general. For his part country Director of UNAIDS, Firma Haile was full of praise for Mrs Lordina Mahama. According to him, apart from being the premiere ambassador of UNAIDS, she added cervical and breast cancer campaign and her foundation, the Lordina foundation was also based on that principle. Mr Haile noted that Mrs Mahama has played a major role in advancing and attaining some of the major results UNAIDS has achieved in Ghana. Considering the performance of Mrs Mahama, the Ghana Country Director said UNAIDS is looking at starting a culture of involving former first ladies at OAFLA of which Mrs Lordina Mahama is the best candidate. Technical Adviser to Mrs Mahama, former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur said she was not surprised that the Executive Director of UNAIDS came to Ghana to congratulate the former First Lady for her leadership, commitment, compassion and the level she has taken OAFLA to. Nana Oye believes OAFLA will never be the same considering the extent to which she has rallied around all First Ladies and in each African country work is ongoing. " OAFLA has partnered UNAIDS so there is lots of advocacy works going on and there is funding for the works " Nana Oye added. A Group Picture Of Former First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama And Some Officers Of Unaids Country Director Of Unaids Ghana Reading The Citation On Mrs Mahama's Award Executive Director Of Unaids Michel Sidibi Happy To Meet Mrs Lordina Mahama Executive Director Of Unaids Michel Sidibi Presenting The Award To Former First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - The Ghana Union Traders' Association (GUTA), has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's government to restore the three per cent flat Value Added Tax (VAT) rate which was increased to 17.5 per cent by the past administration. Mr Joseph Paddy, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), GUTA told the Ghana News Agency that high taxes and import duties were not helping the growth of their businesses. He lauded the nomination of Ken Ofori-Atta as Minister of Finance and Alan Kyeremanteng as Minister of Trade and expressed the hope that their concerns would be addressed. The PRO said, the Association was of the view that their concerns on the influx of foreigners on the country's local business scene would also be addressed. 'Alan Kyeremanteng is on top of trade issues, so we have confidence in him,' he added. He also prayed the new administration to reduce the high taxes that he alleged crippled most businesses during the past government. Mr Paddy said the Association was ready to collaborate with the government to move the economy forward to build and develop the nation per the growth of their businesses. He said the Minister nominee should bring the public-private partnership together to grow the economy. He said economic power should be in hands of Ghanaians. 'We want all governments to succeed so theyto help address our grievances,' he added. GNA Last week, I stood with other state Senators from across the state and pledged to uphold the constitutions of both the United States and the state of Wisconsin. It was a humbling moment, and one that made me think about the events of the past year that had led to that point. Specifically, I thought about all of the people that I met while traveling throughout central and western Wisconsin interviewing for the job of state Senator. Their stories could be heartbreaking or uplifting, but they were always captivating. I remembered the woman in Sparta, a senior citizen, who was worried about her property taxes. After working all of her life to raise a family, she was now on a fixed income, and the possibility of increased property taxes threatened her ability to stay in the home that she had grown to love. She wanted a government that wouldnt take her stable, secure future away from her. I thought about meeting a small business owner in the Stevens Point area who has a now hiring sign in front of his business, but cant find employees with the right level of training to do the job. Hes ready to create jobs, but the workforce isnt providing what he needs. He thought we could do a better job preparing young people for the jobs that are available in our region. Of course, I also considered the many veterans that Ive met over the past year, particularly one gentleman in Wood County. He was one of the nearly 600 people who was treated by the Tomah VA dentist who did not properly sterilize a piece of equipment, and as a result, he may have been exposed to infectious diseases. After sacrificing years of his life for his country, he deserves better. These people and their stories make me consider both my responsibilities as a state Senator, and our governments responsibilities to society. A government that taxes more than people have the ability to pay cannot be said to be functioning in the best interests of the people. At the same time, we need to make sure that our educational institutions have the tools they need to prepare a 21st century workforce. We need to take care of our veterans, because they have taken care of us. Everybody has a story, and those stories are worth listening to. As your state Senator, my focus will be on the people of the 24th district, and doing what I can to increase the number of opportunities that we have to succeed. My door is always open, I want your input. Feel free to email my office at Sen.Testin@legis.wi.gov or call at 608-266-3123. I want to hear your story. Republican Patrick Testin, Stevens Point, represents the 24th state Senate District. 11.01.2017 LISTEN By Hafsa Obeng, GNA Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - A Bicycle Repairer, Jamil Osman was on Wednesday sentenced to six years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court for causing harm to three persons at Nima in Accra, on January 6. Jamil who was arraigned for robbery and causing harm to Abdul Nasiru Abubakar, Frant Tetteh Quaye and Sumaila Amisu, pleaded not guilty to the charge of robbery but guilty to the charges of causing harm. He however explained to the Court that it was not his intention to harm them, but he was under the influence of alcohol and the three attempted to prevent him (convict) from entering his mother's room, adding that he only saw the phone on the floor and picked it. The Court presided over by Mrs Abena Adjin Doku Oppong sentencing said Jamil was convicted on his own plea taking into consideration his explanation. She sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment each on all three counts of causing harm. The sentences are to run consecutively. He is also to pay an amount of GHE500.00 to all three victims. On the charge of robbery which Jamil pleaded not guilty, the Court has adjourned trial to January 31. Prosecuting, Superintendent Kweku Bempah, told the Court that the complainant is a 17 year old student of Kokomlemle Two Junior High School, whilst the convict is a bicycle repairer living at Nima, in Accra. He said on January 6, at about 1900 hours, the complainant was on the veranda in their house cooking with her siblings, when her brother, a witness in the case came from outside the house to inquire whether the convict who was standing at the gate was waiting for her. He said the complainant answered in the negative and his brother left for the bath house. Jamil on seeing that the complainant was there alone making a call with her mobile phone, hurriedly entered the house and ordered the complainant to hand over the mobile phone to him. The prosecution said the complainant refused and Jamil pulled out a jack-knife and threatened to stab her in the chest. Superintendent Bampah said the complainant out of fear, handed over the Sony mobile phone worth GHE250.00 to the convict and he bolted with same. The complainant raised an alarm which drew the attention of people. He told the Court that Jamil, used the knife he was holding whilst running to stab anybody who attempted to stop him. He stabbed all three victims inflicting various degrees of injury on them. Jamil run and sought refuge in his mother's room when he was chased by the angry mob. He was arrested with the stolen phone in his hand. The Prosecution said the convict admitted the offence in his caution statement. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN Agona Kwanyako, (C/R), Jan. 11, GNA - Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Rtd), Human Development Security Coordinator at the Office of the Former President John Mahama, has handed over a police station worth GHa 350,000.00 to the chiefs and people of Agona Kwanyako. The project was as a result of Mr Mahama's directive when he visited Kwanyakohene's palace in 2016 during his election campaign tour in the Central Region. The request for a police station was made by the Chief of Kwanyako, Nana Ampim Darko V to ensure the reduction of the increasing crime wave in and around the town. Brig Nunoo-Mensah appealed to politicians to endeavour to fulfill social contracts they made to the people, adding that public expectations should always be met. He said the time had come for politicians to stop their extravagant lifestyles and abandon the needs of the people, since government alone could not provide everything. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr John Kudalor, who inaugurated the police station, commended Brig Nunoo-Mensah, for the project. The station has been assigned a Chief Inspector and Ammunition offices, Criminal Investigation Department, two fortified cells, Charge office, toilet and urinal facility. He said the Police administration had a department, which addressed problems that might occur between the Police and the civilian population for amicable settlement. The IGP said a police vehicle and personnel would be provided to the new police station and called for cooperation between the Police and the residents. He said the 2016 elections, were over and asked the people to avoid issues that could spark off violence in the area to ensure peace and tranquility. Nana Ampim Darko, who is also Kyidomhene of Nyakrom Traditional Area, thanked the Former President Mahama and Brig Nunoo-Mensah for the provision of the police station. GNA By Christabel Addo - GNA Accra, Jan 11, GNA - Professor Benjamin Jabez Nyarko, Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has applauded the President's nomination of Mr Boakye Agyarko as the Minister of Energy. He also commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for also nominating Mr Albert Kan Dapaah as the Minister of National Security. Prof. Nyarko described the two nominees 'as very fine gentlemen', saying they were knowledgeable in their respective fields of studies and careers, with great expertise that could be brought on board to achieve the expected national development anticipated by Ghanaians under the President Akufo-Addo-led government.' The Director-General who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Wednesday, said: 'I am confident that Mr Dapaah cannot fail because he demonstrated his high capabilities when he held a ministerial position in the President Kufuor-led administration.' He said as the country was struggling with its current energy challenges, it was expected that the new Energy Sector Boss would provide great leadership direction towards the adoption of alternative sources of power to help strengthen industry and promote development. He urged Ghanaians to remain committed and supportive of the Government in order to move forward the development agenda of the country and make it more prosperous. The two ministerial nominees are among the first batch of 13 appointees announced by President Akufo-Addo on Tuesday. Their names have been submitted to Parliament for vetting and approval. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - Mauritius is co-operating with Ghana to develop the economy in the areas of technology, sugar production and poultry and its by-products. The cooperation is also to strengthen bilateral ties that existed between the two countries. Mr Vishnu Lutchmeernaraidoo, the Mauritius Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in an interview with the Ghana News Agency commended Ghana for a smooth transition. 'The transition has been made in an incredible way which needs public commendation,' he added. The Minister was in the country to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Akufo-Addo and also to extend an official invitation to the President, as the Chief Guest at Mauritius Independent Day ceremony to be held on March 12. He said Mauritius has a lot to learn from Ghana's deepening democracy and was impressed with its depth and width together with its beautiful division of powers. He said when it comes to Ghana-Mauritius; the relationship has come a long way based on mutual cooperation in a win-win situation for all. He reaffirmed Mauritius support and commitment to the new government, since they were dealing with the government of the day. As part of the Visit, the Minister will meet Mauritius business community in Ghana and pay a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House. GNA By Laudia Sawer, GNA Tema, Jan 11, GNA - Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Tema and its environs are eagerly awaiting the appointment of new chief executive officers to offer direction and supervision. Checks by the Ghana News Agency indicated that assembly works at the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA), Kpone-Katamanso District Assembly (KKDA) and the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly (NIPDA) had virtually slowed down. Mr Rex Mainoo Yeboah, Public Relations Officer for NIPDA, said the Assembly was dull as workers were only engaging in old and unfinished schedules. Mr Yeboah stated that even though the outgoing chief executive officers came to the office once a while, he was not performing any official duty as he prepares to handover to his successor. He appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to fast track the process of nominating a new chief executive officer for the Assembly to render the needed services to residents. Mr Kwesi Adu-Gyamfi, Public Relations Officer for ASHMA, indicated that work pace seemed normal since the Coordinating Director was now in charge of the Assembly. Mr Adu-Gyemfi however added that major decisions and signing of documents which should have been done by a chief executive officer, was being referred to the Regional Coordinating Council for approval. Mr Frank Asante, TMA Public Relations Officer, on his part said work was on going even as they await the appointment and confirmation of a new MCE who would implement government's policies and programmes. Mr Asante indicated that the outgoing MCE was no longer coming to office adding that his handing over notes had also been prepared awaiting the new MCE. Officials at KKDA also confirmed the slowing down of assembly works as workers looked forward to who would be nominated to head the affairs of the place. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - Mr Justice Patamia, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Blackhand Impressions Ltd, an Accra based Advertising Agency, has appealed to Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, Minister- designate for Trade and Industry, to prioritise the concerns of the fashion industry. He said the Ministry must invest into making the industry viable as it is an avenue for job opportunities and could contribute in the fight against youth unemployment. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Patamia said the Ghanaian youth have the passion to pursue ventures in fashion but lack financial support and this has militated against their efforts to succeed in the industry. 'Fashion is a great business venture, but the least funded sector in Ghana', he said. He expressed unhappiness with the lack of attention from government and said: 'successive governments have given little attention to the fashion industry in spite of its potential advantage to the economy." Mr Justice Patamia called on government to support any policy that would be championed by the Ministry to accelerate the growth of the industry. He said the Blackhand Impressions Ltd would hold a Fashion Exhibition Show dubbed, 'Beach Exhibition and Fashion Show 2017' early next month. The event slated to take place at the Titanic Beach in Accra on the February 11, 2017 would attract various people including fashion designers, models and dealers in fashion sales to exhibit their talents and items for patronage. 'Lovers of fashion should take advantage of this opportunity to gain enough exposure', Mr Patamia said. GNA By Gideon Ahenkorah, GNA By Joyce Danso, GNA Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - David Hesse a 40 year old cafA attendant accused of defiling an eight year old girl anytime the infant went to play games at the cafA has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court. Hesse charged with defilement pleaded not guilty to the offence. The court presided over by Mrs. Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku remanded Hesse into Police custody to reappear on January 25. Prosecuting, Police Inspector Judith Asante said the complainant is the mother of the victim and live with the accused persons in the same vicinity at Teshie. Inspector Asante said during the month of December, last year, Hesse always lured the victim to the cafA which also served as his sleeping place and had sex the victim According to prosecution, on January 3, this year the complainant was bathing the victim and in the course detected that some white fluid emerging from her vagina. Based on that prosecution said the complainant became suspicious and quizzed the victim who told her that for some time now the accused person has been having sex with her any time she visited the cafA to play games. However prosecution said the victim said the accused warned hery not to inform anyone or suffer death. Inspector Asante said the complainant sent the victim to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service at Nungua. The complainant was issued with a medical form and she took her to the hospital where the victim was examined. GNA By Benjamin Mensah/ Christopher Arko, GNA Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - Parliament on Wednesday announced a break 'to afford Leadership and the Committee of Selection the opportunity to compose other committees of the House for the effective conduct of parliamentary business.' The break, would last for two weeks, and the House will reconvene on January 24, 2017. Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu, announced the break in the Business Statement for the Second Week, ending Friday, 27th January, 2017, on the floor of the House. This brief break would also afford the Appointments Committee ample time to conduct the public hearings, report on present reports as well as consider the nominations made by President Nana Akufo-Addo for ministerial positions, and subsequently report to the House for consideration. The President has informed Parliament of 25 nominations of persons for ministerial positions in his administration. The Majority Leader said there would be a residential induction seminar for new legislators and those who have not benefited from any induction programme at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) from Friday, January 27 to Monday, January 31, 2017. 'The seminar would afford especially new members the opportunity to be equipped with the necessary guidelines that will facilitate their work as Members of Parliament,' Mr Kyei- Mensa- Bonsu said. He said the Leadership of the House, would as soon as practicable after the first seminar, arrange another induction and orientation seminar for all Members of the Seventh Parliament. The Speaker of the House, Reverend Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye, at Wednesday's sitting, cautioned that the House would seriously observe the dressing code, which could be African, Oriental, or European but formal. 'Let's be mindful of that, and do it well,' the Speaker said. Meanwhile, the House on Wednesday, as the day before, spent quite some time in the correction of names and constituencies wrongly spelt. A number of members also drew the attention of the Speaker as having being marked absent, while they had been present. The Speaker on the previous day had allowed the corrections, to allow especially new members to develop confidence. However, it was the consensus of the House that members consulted the Table Office to effect the necessary corrections, as well as members to write their names in the Attendance Book, for the correct spellings of their names and their presence to be captured. GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - IMANI Centre for Policy and Education has advised the new Government to spend within the national budget and crack the whip on ministers who engage in wasteful expenditures. Mr Franklin Cudjoe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the policy think tank, who was speaking with the Ghana News Agency, on Wednesday, lauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing personalities with deep expertise to serve as ministers. He expressed the belief and confidence in Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister-designate for Finance Ministry, whom he said, had a solid track record in the private sector and he would, therefore, perform well to address Ghana's economic woes. He described Mr Ofori-Atta as 'a fine gentleman who has proven track record in the financial sector' and urged him to apply the same level of diligence and detail at the Ministry when approved by Parliament. He said the Minister ought to first understand the dynamics and politics at the Ministry in order to synchronise it with the policies that the Government would roll out. He challenged the Finance Minister-designate to critically examine the resources available and take decisions that would be in the best interest of the country. Mr Cudjoe stated that the first step in stamping out corruption in the public sector should start with the President's Office by that office being transparent and accountable in the procurement of items for the Presidency. 'As to whether the President's Office is complying with the Local Content Law and whether the items being bought are produced locally, we need to know,' he said. The CEO also said the Government must come clear on the optimal level of taxes it intended to charge since it pledged to cut taxes in order to boost confidence of the business community. He expressed optimism that the person that would be appointed to preside over Monitoring and Evaluation would be empowered to enforce the rules in order to cut down wastefulness in the public sector. Dr Anthony Osei Akoto, a Former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, has been nominated to lead the efforts of Monitoring and Evaluation. Mr. Cudjoe charged the Government to institute measures that would plug the loopholes in the public revenue management sphere to maximise revenue mobilisation drive. He noted that though President Akufo-Addo had appointed relatively elderly and experienced persons to head the ministries, the President should consider blending the older folks with young ones. 'We must be reminded that being old does not necessarily make you smart, therefore, we must be cautious so that there will be a fair balance along the way between the old and the new,' he added. He dismissed reports that the role to be performed by the newly appointed Senior Minister would conflict with that of the Chief of Staff. GNA By D.I. Laary/Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA 11.01.2017 LISTEN Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday announced the second batch of ministerial nominees. The Ghana News Agency hereby submits the brief profiles of the 12 nominees. DR ANTHONY AKOTO OSEI - MONITORING & EVALUATION Anthony Akoto Osei is 64 years, and is the Member of Parliament for the Old Tafo constituency. He obtained a PhD from Howard University in 1987, a Master of Arts degree in Applied Economics from the American University in 1980. He had earlier obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Economics from Oberlin College in Ohio in 1978. He is the current Ranking Member for the Committee on Finance, and a member of the committee of Interior and Defence. Anthony Akoto Osei has been described "as one of the finest Economist in recent years" acquiring his experience from providing consultancy services for the World Bank (Korea Division) in 1987, teaching at Dillard and Howard Universities from 1984 to 1995 as an Associate Professor in Economics and as a Research Fellow for the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) from 1996-2001 in Ghana. In the erstwhile Kufour Administration, he was made first, (from 2001-2003) a Special Advisor to the Minister of Finance and Economic planning and later appointed a Deputy Minister of the same Ministry in 2003 later elevated to Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, a position until December 2008. DAN BOTWE - REGIONAL REORGANISATION & DEVELOPMENT Dan Botwe is 58 years old, and a product of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 1984. He worked as a computer analyst at the Ghana Cocoa Board from 1985 to 1993, before moving into private business as Director of DanMaud Ltd and Palb Pharmaceuticals. His political career began on KNUST campus, when he was elected National Secretary of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) in 1982. As a member of the interim executive of the national youth wing during the formation of the NPP, he was later on appointed Director of operations and research at NPP headquarters from 1996 to 1998. In 1998 he was elected as the General Secretary of the NPP and re-elected for a second term in 2001. In 2005, he was appointed as Minister of information by President John Agyekum Kufuor. Dan was elected in 2008 as the Member of Parliament for the Okere constituency, a position he holds till date. From 2013-2016 he was made Minority Chief Whip of the 6th Parliament. He is married with three children. KWABENA FRIMPONG BOATENG - ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is 67 years old. He graduated from the University of Ghana Medical School in 1975 with MB, ChB degrees, and qualified as a as general surgeon, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon after undertaking his postgraduate studies at the Hannover Medical University, Germany in 1978. He subsequently worked as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and was one of the pioneers of the heart transplantation programme in Hannover. In 1985, he was recognized as the first black person to perform a heart transplant. He returned home in 1989 to establish the National Cardiothoracic Centre and the Ghana Heart Foundation. He was a former CEO of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, past President of the Ghana Red Cross Society and immediate past Chairman of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC). He established the National Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and was its founding Director. Currently, he is the President of the Ghana Heart Foundation. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng has received several local and international awards in recognition of his medical work and service to humanity. In 1999 he was the Ghana Chartered Institute of Marketing's Marketing Man of the year and also, a recipient of the Millennium Excellence Award. In 2005 the Millennium Excellence Foundation awarded him as Personality of the Decade. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng was the winner of the 2012 edition of the prestigious African Heroes Award, presented by Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, USA, on February 12, 2012. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng is married and has five children JOHN PETER AMEWU - LANDS & NATURAL RESOURCES John-Peter Amewu is 48 years old, and holds an MBA (Finance) from University of Ghana. He also has a Post Graduate Degree (Executive MBA in International Energy Industry Management), and Masters in Petroleum Law and Policy from University of Dundee (UK). He has more than 15 years' experience in Government, Private Sector, Civil Society and International Development Organizations. He has participated and undergone several mining professional training and attained various certificates from some Australia's prestigious Universities (University of Sydney and University of Western Australia). He is a Cost Engineer by profession with broader knowledge in the Energy and Mining Industry. He is a Co-founder of Africa Center for Energy Policy - ACEP; and also worked as the Director of Policy and Research where he provided pro-active and comprehensive policy related advice to support a variety of Government and Private Sector Projects. He is the Chairman of Board of Directors of major private institutions in Ghana and a professional international consultant in his area of expertise (Mining and Petroleum). His contributions in providing solutions to the problems in the Energy Sector in Ghana have earned him both local and international acclamation and recognition. He is currently the Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Volta Region. He is married with three children. OTIKO AFISA-DJABA - GENDER & SOCIAL PROTECTION Otiko Afisah Djaba is 54 years old. She studied Information Systems in the UK, communications in Eygpt and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrated Development Studies at the University of Development Studies in Ghana. She also was the National Facilitator for the Campaign for Greater Discipline under Former Vice President Aliu Mahama in 2004. She worked as a Consultant in Children's Rights and rural women's development for Plan Ghana in extremely deprived rural communities in Sissala districts and in Wa. In 2008 she was the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Bole-Bamboi constituency, and is currently the Women's leader of the New Patriotic Party and has held the position since 2010. She is a polyglot, who speaks 8 Ghanaian dialects. She has 4 children IGNATIUS BAFFUOR AWUAH - EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL WELFARE Ignatius Baffuor Awuah is 51 years old, and hails from Nsoatre in the Brong Ahafo Region. He is a graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration (Accounting option). He also holds a post graduate diploma in management (IPMA) London, and certificate in Civil Service Management from the Galilee College, Israel. From 1996 to 2001, he worked as the Operations Manager at Nsoatreman Rural Bank 1996-2001; Municipal Chief Executive of Sunyani from 2001 to 2005; before being appointed Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister by President Kufuor between 2005-2006 and landed the top job in the region in 2006, when he was appointed Brong Ahafo Regional Minister. He has been the Member of Parliament for Sunyani West since 2009, and whilst in parliament has been the Deputy Ranking Member for Finance, a member of the Local Government Committee, a member of the committee on Environment, Science and Technology, and also the Second Deputy Whip of the Minority in parliament. KWAKU OFORI ASIAMAH - TRANSPORT Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah is 47 years old. He is a graduate of University of Cape Coast and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree. After his National service with Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Tema, in 2000, he worked as Marketing Manager at Household Aluminium Company Ltd. He has also worked at Quest Resource Development Consultancy Ltd, and General Manager of Josa Plus Ventures. He served as a member of NPP campaign team in the Central Region in 2008, 2012 and 2016. He also served as a member of National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from 2009 to date. He is married with four children. JOE GHARTEY - RAILWAYS DEVELOPMENT Joe Ghartey is 55 years old, and a graduate of the University of Ghana, where he obtained an LLB (Hons) in 1986, before being called to the Bar in Ghana in 1988. He then joined the Law Firm of Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co. as a Pupil and subsequently became an Associate. In 1995, he founded his own law firm, Ghartey & Ghartey. He has taught Company Law at the Ghana School of Law, Securities Industry Law at the Ghana Stock Exchange, Investment Law at the Ghana Business School, University of Ghana and Corporate Governance at the Ghana Institute for Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He is currently an Adjunct Senior Lecturer of International Trade and Investment Law, as well as Company Law, at the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Coast. He has authored the leading Ghanaian text book on doing business and investing, 'Doing Business and Investing in Ghana: Legal and Institutional Framework'. He entered Parliament in 2005 as the Member of Parliament of the Essikado-Ketan Constituency. In June 2006, he was appointed Deputy Attorney-General and Deputy Minister of Justice. From June 2006 to January 2009, he was the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. In 2009 and 2012 he was re-elected as Member of Parliament for the Essikado-Ketan Constituency. During the Sixth Parliament, he was the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament. He returned to Parliament for the fourth time as the Member of Parliament of Essikado-Ketan Constituency in 2017. He is married with five children. KWASI AMOAKO-ATTA - ROADS AND HIGHWAYS Kwasi Amoako-Atta is 65years old. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration, and was called to the Ghana Bar in 2002. In 2004, he obtained an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA). He worked with the then Meat Marketing Board from 1979-1985 as a Marketing Manager. He also joined Unilever in 1985, and over a 20 year period occupied very senior management positions such as Head of Department in Sales, Marketing and Logistics. He is currently the Member of Parliament for Atiwa West. He is married with four children. URSULA OWUSU-EKUFUL - COMMUNICATIONS Ursula Owusu Ekuful is 52 years old, and a product of the University Of Ghana And The Ghana School Of Law. She was called to the Ghana Bar in October 1990. She also holds a certificate in Government Integrity from the International Law Institute, Washington DC, a Project Management and Planning Certificate from GIMPA, and a Masters in Conflict Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, and was adjudged the overall best student in 2015. She worked for 10 years as an Associate at Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co., Legal Practitioners and Notaries Public. From Sept 2005 to May 2008, she was was the acting Managing Director, Western Telesystems (Westel), and from April 2008 to January 2009, she was the Corporate and External Affairs Director, ZAIN Ghana. She has also been the NPP Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma West Constituency since 2012. In the run-up to the December 7, 2016 elections, she served as the Chairperson for the Social Development Sector Committee - a committee responsible for the development of policy interventions for women, children, persons with disability, the aged and all social intervention policies and programs for the NPP manifesto 2016. She is married and has one child. KOFI ADDA - WATER RESOURCES & SANITATION Kofi Adda is 60 years old. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Political Science from the Indiana Wesleyan Univerity, USA; a Masters in International Affairs (specialising in International Finance and Banking); and a Certificate in Energy Economics from the University of Texas. He was a Project Manager for the Public Financial Management Reform Programme of the World Bank and Ministry of Finance from 1996-2000; Client Service Director and Manager at Deloitte and Touche; amongst others. Under the government of President Kufuor, he was Minister for Energy from 2006 to 2008 under President Kufuor's government, and prior to that was Minister for Labour and Social Development from 2005 to 2006. It was under his tenure in office as Minister for Labour that the National Youth Employment Programme, which created 150,000 jobs was conceptualized and introduced. He is the Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, and is married with two children. SAMUEL ATTA AKYEA - WORKS & HOUSING Samuel Atta Akyea is 53 years old. He was called to the Ghana Bar in 1993. He has worked at the Attorney General's Department, at Akufo-Addo Prempeh & Co. He has been at Zoe, Akyea & Co., for a period of 14 years. He has been a Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South since January 2009. He has served on the Finance, Public Accounts Judiciary and Appointments Committees of Parliament. He is married with 3 children. GNA The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Major Derrick Oduro has assured Ghanaians that members of the 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic will not be a Parliament of rubber stamp, where they will approve any Bill send to the floor of the House by the government. Major Derrick Oduro who has been the MP for the people of the Nkoranza North constituency since 2007 when the former MP for the area, Mr. Eric Amoateng vacated the seat when he was arrested in the United States of America (USA) on the 11th December, 2005 and tried for possession of heroin and subsequently convicted and jailed for ten years which he served and released on the 30th of July, 2014, said they will support the Akuffo Addo government to succeed. The MP said they will do due diligence when Bills of the government are sent to them for considerations. He said because the NPP have the majority Members of Parliament in the Legislature, does not mean that the government will have a free day on the floor of the House when the policies, programs, business and Bills of the ruling government are table before them. He stated that before the government will bring anything before Parliament, they will do their home work well to avoid any embarrassment from the Minority side in the House. The Nkoranza North MP said this when he was speaking on the SPACE FM THE BIG QUESTION program Major Derrick Oduro added that the previous administration led by the former President, Mr. John Dramani Mahama went on borrowing spree which had landed the country into extremely heavily indebted. He said they will not push the government into excessively loans and grants borrowing which could have serious and negative consequences on the lives of the ordinarily Ghanaians. He said they will fast track the approval of budget for the various ministries, agencies and departments for their smooth running. Major Derrick Oduro was optimistic that the various committees in Parliament will also handle the business of the government with all the seriousness it deserves. Space fm sunyani It is with great pleasure, joy, satisfaction and a high sense of relief that we welcome William of the House of Akuffo-Addo, Second of His Name, 5th President of the 4th Republic of Ghana, Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, Protector of the Realm covering the 10 regions and its land, water and air space, Defender of the Constitution of the Republic, Speaker of Orgasmic English and Father of Elephants. As the President of the Republic of Ghana and Commander In Chief of Ghanas Armed Forces, Nana automatically becomes the new leader of our community. We have just said bye bye to the one dollar President. It is trite knowledge that the out-gone leader was the most disappointing head of our community. Apart from the incompetence, corruption and mismanagement of all national resources that our former leader exhibited, he has left a much divided community. The divide-and rule tactics that our former leader, John Mahama adopted have polarized all the Security Services along NDC and NPP lines. The hawks in the NDC ensured that clear lines were drawn between us (the NDC) and them (the NPP). Our community had become a policed place. Members of our community had to look over their shoulders before speaking or else they would be reported to the powers-that- be to be victimized. The machineries of the National Security Secretariat and the Defence Intelligence had been turned into agencies for oppression and suppression rather than providing protection for members of our community. With the Komlagas, Mustaphas, Agbekas, Ametepis, Boimahs, Dzisis, Allohs, Beick-Baffours, Kporkus, Adus, Adokpas, Ayamdos, Adetis, Fiawvos, Datsas, Fianyas, Seidu-Adams, Issakas, Adorkors, Akou-Adjeis, Gbedawos, Ntems, Parbeys, Gbetanus, Gagakumas and several others coordinating, planning and executing well defined policies of inclusion, favouring the babies of the Umbrella, and exclusion destroying the perceived babies of the elephant, our community lost all its mechanisms for team work, cohesion esprit de corps and comradeship. Indeed, the bonds of brotherliness and friendship that were the hallmarks of barracks life had been broken by the deliberate strategies and tactics of the triangulation of Seidu-Adams, Senchim, Akou-Adjei/Beick-Baffour in the military. As a matter of fact, as soon as Brigadier General Seidu Adams took over from Commodore TS Appiah in 2009 as the Military Secretary while John Mills was alive, he partnered Colonel Senchim, who was then the over-aged Army Secretary, to destroy most of the finest Akan Generals and Colonels. Most Akan Generals (the likes of Emmanuel Okyere, Richard Debrah, Oppong- Kyekyeku, RO Sackey, Owusu-Ababio, Oppong- Otchere, Dan Frimpong, JS Nkrumah, JK Forkuo and several others) and a few non-Akans suspected to belong to the elephant fraternity were rushed to the abattoir for slaughter while in their places criminally-minded, incompetent, morally-corrupt, professionally inept, bankrupt in ideas but highly ethnocentric officers were appointed and prompted to the enviable ranks of Generals and Colonels to promote, enhance and sustain the hidden agenda of the aforementioned triangulation. The story was much the same during the short-lived and uneventful period of then Colonel Francis Vib-Sanziri as the Army Secretary. These architects of Ewe and Northern hegemonies wanted the best for themselves and their kinsmen but left the others to perish and rot. Only the best appointments were given to themselves while the others got the carcass. Again, the best courses were shared among themselves while the others got the irrelevant courses. The high profile courses (career and professional) were reserved for themselves. The smartest thing that General Seidu-Adams did was to ensure that he got the appointment of Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attache (DMNAA) to Washington DC in the United States of America. A similar strategy was adopted by Colonel Johnson Kofi Akou-Adjei (GH/2268). Having destroyed a lot of Akan officers, Colonel JK Akou-Adjei got himself selected to go to the War College in USA where he ensured that Brigadier General Alhassan Abu got the appointment of DMNAA in order to cater for his welfare and well-being. Thus, in rapid succession, a Gonja brother of the out-gone One Dollar President hands over to another Northerner as DMNAA Washington DC! The details of several other appointments that became, and continue to be, the preserve of the two cabals under the presidency of our former leader-as Vice President and Chairman of the Armed Forces Council under President Mills; President to complete John Mills mandate and President in his own right from January 7th 2013 to January 6 2017-would be given. For instance, how on earth could our former leader grant Colonel Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono (GH/2495) study leave for two years to do a Masters Degree in Law in the United States of America just before he left office? Would that reward not deepen the suspicion that ordinary and well informed members of the Ghanaian society have that our former leader probably had a reckless disregard for the life of President John Mills? Members of our community should not forget that then Lieutenant Colonel PS Tanye-Kulono was the Presidents Security Coordinator (PSC) at the Osu Castle during the Mysterious death of President Mills. The obvious question that objective-minded Ghanaians asked was where were the Security Officers of the President on that fateful Tuesday 24th July 2012? Obviously, the PSC Lieutenant Colonel PS Tanye-Kulono, the ADC, Colonel EL Lawson and Liaison Officer at the Chief of Staffs Office at Osu Castle, Colonel LL Attachie stand accused. Interestingly, the ADC Colonel El Lawson is also on official duties in the USA. Apart from promoting then Lieutenant Colonels LL Attachie and PS Tanye-Kulonyo to Colonels, the latter has been rewarded with a local course in Law in Ghana and a Masters Degree in law in USA ostensibly to assist him to defend himself when the Enquiry or Commission into the unnatural death of Prof. JEA Mills is inaugurated! It is obvious from some of the appointments, promotions, selection for courses (local and foreign) and discrimination in releases that various forms of anomalies, unfair treatment and victimization have occurred in the Ghana Armed Forces. Similar things have happened in the other Security Services, namely the Police Service, the Prisons Service, Fire Service and Immigration Service. Some of the officers, who were wrongly victimized after 7th January, 2009 are now Colonel Joseph Aduko Aphour-a Northerner perceived to be a sympathizer of the NPP- and Lieutenant Colonel Adjaye Gaisie (Rtd). The two gentlemen were the Commanding Officers of the 6th and 1st Infantry Battalions in Tamale and Tema respectively during the 2008 general elections. As Commanding Officers, they had over all command and control responsibilities over troops in their Areas of Responsibility, the Northern and Eastern Regions respectively. Because they performed their duties professionally and therefore stepped on the toes of the National Democratic Congress whose rigging machinery, animalistic behaviour of violence, brutalities and atrocities and intimidation were in full gear in various parts of the Northern and Eastern Regions in the 2008 general elections, they became the enemies of the umbrella fraternity immediately John Mills was sworn into office. Then Lieutenant Colonel JA Aphour lost his command of the 6th Battalion and was posted to the Army Headquarters without any appointment and office initially. His command over 6 Battalion was thus very short-lived lasting less than a year having been appointed the Commanding Officer in 2008. As if that was not enough punishment Lieutenant Colonel JA Aphour was sent to a very volatile mission area for peace support operation for a very long period before he was cleared to return to his home establishment. Since then, he has been languishing at the Department of Logistics at the General Headquarters. If the case of Lieutenant Colonel JA Aphour was undesirable, then that of Lieutenant Colonel Adjaye Gaisie was more pathetic, bizarre and painful. For the various roles that he played to deny the likes of Former Honorable Baba Jamel and others enough room to maneuver in their bid to win Parliamentary Seats and enough votes in the Presidential elections, Lieutenant Colonel Adjaye Gaisie was earmarked for destruction. A well orchestrated plan was hatched by the Attachies, Lawsons, Gbekles and Tanye-Kulunos. He was accused of alienating some of the military lands near the 1st Battalion at Michel Camp to some private estate developers and thereby appropriating some to himself. He was denied an opportunity to send his battalion on peace support operations in Chad and stripped of his command. He was hurriedly posted to Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) as a member of the Directing Staff during the tenure of office of General Samuel Anum Odotei as the Chief of Army Staff. Within a very short time, he was attached to the headquarters of the Southern Command of the Ghana Army at Teshie for a Board of Inquiry to be instituted against him. Various intimidating and humiliating processes and procedures were adopted against Lieutenant Colonel Gaisie in order to extract evidence from him. At that time Brigadier General Ahiaglo and Major General Adinkrah (a Ga-Adangbe) had been appointed GOC Southern Command and Chief of Army Staff respectively. For several months, various forms of summary of evidence, Extract of Evidence, examination and cross-examination of witnesses including Chiefs and Officials of Estate Companies took place. It was obvious from the time lines of the investigation that the powers-that-be were patiently waiting for the poor officer, who has served his nation very professionally and diligently, to reach his compulsory retiring age in order to be released at the age of 53 years. With alacrity, Colonel Akou-Adjei and his brother Commodore Beick-Baffour got the hard working officer released from the Armed Forces honorably. The question that agitated the minds of the objective members of our community was that if indeed there was enough evidence of probative value would the authorities release him honorably without a trial at the General Court Martial as they had threatened from the beginning? Certainly No. These two examples are just the tip of the iceberg as far as unfair treatment, victimization, witch-haunting and injustices are concerned in the crusade by the NDC powerbrokers in the Ghana Armed Forces against their perceived political opponents. In order to perpetuate these types of selective justices, unfair and ill-treatment, the politically-minded appointments and promotions were made on 1st July 2016 and 2nd November 2016. The promotions of Major Generals William Azure Ayamdo and Sampson Kudjo Adeti in particular and those of Air Vice Marshal Maxwell Mantserbi-Tei Nagai and Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo and several others in general were aimed at perpetuating the old order of the P/NDC. It may be deceptive to think that only Major General SK Adeti is the red devil. He might have been open enough to attract the attention of members of our community and the nation at large through his actions especially in the run up to the Parliamentary and Presidential elections of 2016. There is no doubt that the main architects of rigging in favour of our former leader and his NDC using the military machinery and other coercive forces of the State were many and very powerful. However, some others such as Generals Adokpa, Fiawoo, Ametepi, Agbeka, Ayer, Ofori, Kporku, Boimah and Adu were also deeply involved in various forms of inappropriate and unprofessional practices that could have landed our peaceful nation into chaos and disintegration. The master strategists managed to put their men at the helm of all the affairs of strategic and tactical importance before the elections. Some of such appointments include the Military Secretary which was given on silver platter to Brigadier General Christopher Kwadwo Gyasensir, to continue from where Commodore Beick-Baffour left off. Both General Gyasensir and Commodore Beick-Baffour are from the Mid-North Volta Region Area, have and pursue the same interests. With their own in charge of Joint Operations, Support Services Brigade, Army Training Comd, PRxD, Logistics and Defence Financial Controller, the stage has been prepared, nourished and activated to ensure that even though the NPP has won political power, the NDC would continue to pull the strings and call the shots. But is that what the real and positive changes are about? No. Source: prahprince-prince.blogspot.com/DAYBREAK It is that dusty wind and cold time of the year again, harmattan! It is the dusty wind from the Sahara that blows towards the Western coast of Africa during the winter. Ice rain fall in Jos, Nigeria Nigerians during this weather out rightly have a physical affection for their bed, particularly in the morning. They feel lazy to get out of bed because of the coolness of the wind. Therefore, harmattan in Nigeria make people do what they will not do ordinarily any other time of the year. They tend to kit up in cardigan, head warmer, socks and scarfs for warmth. They even become lovers of tea, People do funny things to protect themselves during harmattan. Here are 8 Nigerian states that feel the coldness of harmattan. 1. Enugu Harmattan in Enugu is usually experienced at the lasting few weeks of December and January. The weather is usually around 25C, the air is filled with dust and it brings harshness to the skin. You see ladies wearing socks on any of their outfits to prevent their skin from the harshness of the weather and a thich outfit to prevent the cold. 2. Sokoto The weather in the state during the harmattan period is always cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon. As hot as Sokoto could be during the year, harmattan could cause its temperature to be as low as 19C. The intensity of coldness within those few hours in the morning will make you appreciate the importance of shelter. If you step out of your room at this time you will hear blowing in a rush like its going to get you off balance. READ ALSO: HILARIOUS VIDEO: This is the only way to bath this harmattan 3. Ekiti This western state in Nigeria, Ekiti has other communities like Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, Aramoko-Ekiti, Omuo-Ekiti that can relate with the coldness of harmattan. As at today its weather reads 23C. Some of these communities which are dominated by Hausa traders usually invest in tea trading for profit turnover during this period. Many people flock to tea joints early in the morning to drink hot tea and fight the cold. 4. Abuja The capital city of Nigeria, Abuja is not exempted from the brief interlude of dusty and coldness of harmattan. The states weather temperature during this period is around 22C. How beautiful and lovely would it be if snow happens to fall in a place like Abuja, lol. 5. Kaduna Kaduna is also know with hotness and dryness climatic weather but the abrupt change in weather during harmattan will make you doubt how a place like kaduna can also be cold too. During harmattan the states weather early in the morning is should around 19C. That is when koko(pap) and kose(beans cake) become their favourite meal just to drive the cold away. READ ALSO: Nigerians are not smiling! These 14 hilarious reactions to harmattan will make your day 6. Katsina In recent time in Katsina state, the highest recorded temperature in December has been 39C. The state temperature at this time of the year can also be as low as 7C. The weather as at today reads 18C. The harmattan period can also subject the atmosphere to foggy conditions. 7. Jos If you visit Jos during the harmattan period, you will mistook the state for London because the coldness of the weather, it is like that of the winter. The weather temperature as at today reads 17C. This is why Jos from colonial times till present day is a favourite holiday location for both tourists and expatriates based in Nigeria. 8. Kano Although Kano is typically very hot throughout the year but from December through February, the city is noticeably cooler. Night-time temperatures are cool during these few months with average low temperatures of 11 to 15C. In the weather forecast this morning, Kanos weather reads 17C. Source: Legit.ng The Niger Delta Freedon Fighters has written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari over the plight of the people in Akwa Ibom. In the letter exclusively obtained by Legit.ng, the group claimed the governor of Akwa Ibom was siphoning the states fund. In the letter signed by one self-styled General Hakuna, the group said Governor Udom Emmanuel was mismanaging the state security vote and urged President Buhari to intercede. Read the letter below: We respectfully write to remind you of the previous open letter to you Mr. President by NIGER DELTAS Freedom Fighters whose mission is to fight for our Right, especially our immediate plight in Akwa Ibom State where we are treated like slaves in our father land. We will still like to use this medium to congratulate you in the job well done in area of corruption and strengthen other abnormalities in the Country. It will be a commendable development if the mechanisms put in place to fight corrupt leaders are also stretch across the whole, mostly Akwa Ibom State to investigate the level of governance and how the funds are being managed. READ ALSO: Deadly new militant group emerges in Niger Delta The Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been squandering the money illegally without focus in the name of sponsor pre-election campaign towards 2019 for the selfish interest, whereas the State is underdeveloped. Moreover, the governor is spending 2 Million Naira to each ward in all local governments of the State made up of 310 wards multiplied by 2 Million is the huge sum of money considering the economy situation of the Country; it is also on record that the State Governor still paid the sum of 2 Billion Naira every month to the former governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio,300 Million to his wife and 100 Million Naira to Ibanga Akpabio. In the same vein removed his security Vote of 2 Billion without any interference or obstruction. It is also on record that the State Governor has purposely refused to conduct Local Government Council elections. I like to state and like which Country or State Governor can be so fraudulent to considered his pocket in the name of Security Vote, are we fighting war? Like Liberia, Angola, Israel or Somalia that is fighting war, which can promote the governor to be terrified on order to be secured? Mr. President, its obvious unscrupulous to spent money that is meant for development especially the neglected areas like Oro Nation which is made up of five Local Government Areas that is deeply neglect, marginalized and abandoned. The roads are so bad, no electricity, or any important projects. With pains and tears in our eyes, we pleaded for immediate intervention from the Federal Government before mayhem or destruction of life and properties the State and Country are done. NIGER DELTAS Freedom Fighters want all our belongings that have been siphoning to other part of the State and Country back to our land and fully implemented. While have we are hated so much, our land is being exploited for oil that makes Akwa Ibom what it is, but no good recognition and due attention to ameliorate the poor situation of Oro Nation is done. It is on this background that we plead and agitated for a New Atlantic State where we can manage our resources and also develop our areas that are dilapidated and under-developed. READ ALSO: Buharis government may soon unfreeze Tompolos account- investigation Since the inception of our dear Governor there is increased of hunger on the land, workers salaries have not been paid, pensioners has been abandoned, especially the Primary School Teachers and other Sectors are not looked into since 2011 implementation of allowances refused to be attended to vividly. Mr. President we have stated categorically in our previous letter to have an Atlantic which was already deliberated during the administration of our late President Yar-Adua, unfortunately the sudden death of President Yar-Adua stop the processes from actualization. We are still on that for a new state to separate us from Akwa Ibom State but still in Nigeria to avoid jeopardize marginalization and frivolous enslavement from Ibibio and Annang ethnicities. We therefore solicit your kind intervention to end this war that is about showcasing to stabilized peace, harmony and unity in the Country. Sign by General Hakuna Source: Legit.ng The Viroqua Eagles will continue its tradition of hosting cancer telethon events to raise money for cancer research. This years telethon activities begin with a lutefisk and meatball dinner held at the clubrooms, 216 S. Rock Ave., Saturday, Jan. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. The meal is open to the public. Serving the dinner on Saturday is a change from past years, when it was held on Wednesday. Vern Britt of the Eagles Club said the change was made because of the parking situation. The fundraising continues Saturday, Jan. 21, when the Eagles host a live broadcast of some of the areas local talent originating from the aeries clubrooms. The telethon will be broadcast on Vernon Communications Channel 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. People may phone in pledges during the telecast by calling 638-1000. As many phone pledges as time allows and other information will be shared on the air. During the telecast, the Eagles will present a check for $20,000, raised in 2016, to Dr. Eric Gundersen and Katie Berkedal of the Gundersen Medical Foundation of La Crosse to be used for cancer research. The public is invited to the Eagles club Saturday to watch the talent perform. Lunch will be available at a minimal cost, with proceeds donated to the telethon. The Eagles will serve their famous Lumberjack Breakfast Sunday, Jan. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost per meal is $7, with 10 years and younger paying $4 per meal. In addition, there will be raffle drawings (including many unique Packer items), Chinese raffles, and a live auction of donated items starting at 12:30 p.m. When the money raised in 2016 is presented to the Gundersen Medical Foundation, Viroqua Eagles Aerie 2707 and Auxiliary will have donated more than $545,000 for cancer research. The Eagles have been raising money for cancer research since 1974. The money for the effort comes from the communities of Viroqua, Westby, Cashton, Readstown, Viola, Soldiers Grove, Gays Mills, De Soto, Genoa and Stoddard. - A group in the Niger Delta has called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to address the issue of the menace of Fulani herdsmen in the state - The group's call followed the recent killings of people in Delta and the continuous destruction of properties in the state - The group is unhappy that despite the killings and destruction, the state governor has remained mute over the plight of his people For allowing Fulani herdsmen to go free while killing people in Delta state, a group under the aegis of Indigenous People of Niger Delta has come hard on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, saying he either bans the herdsmen or step down as governor of Delta state. Fulani herdsmen The group which went furious over the killing spree of the Fulani herdsmen in the state, challenged Niger Delta governors to emulate their counterpart in Ekiti state, Governor Ayo Fayose, for his courage to ban the activities of herdsmen and liberate his people from fear of untimely death. In a statement by the publicity secretary of the group, Dr. Harrison Ebelo, the group condemned the silence of the government over their activities, especially with the recent killings of six farmers in Abraka and Obiaruku area of the state. READ ALSO: Blood flows as residents, Fulani herdsmen clash Recall that four farmers were reportedly murdered in Abraka last week Wednesday, January 4 just as two others were slain at Obiaruku on the same day, both in Delta state. In the statement titled: "Abraka/Ubairuku Fulani Herdsmen Killings: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other Niger Delta governors should emulate Governor Ayo Fayose and stop acting like cowards", the group wondered why most governors of the region had remained silent over the incessant killing of innocent farmers by suspected Fulani herdsmen, noting that the situation is both worrisome and unacceptable. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state The statement read in part: "The Indigenous People of Niger Delta (IPND) has been thrown into mourning nationwide, with the news of the killing of our brothers and sisters in Abraka and Obiaruku by the bloodthirsty tools of islamization, popularly called Fulani herdsmen. "This is not only unacceptable but a sacrilege by a group we have shown great deal of hospitality. It is an attempt to stoke insurrection in us and perhaps stretch our patience beyond its elastic limit. "Under normal circumstance, the people are the government since power lies in their hands to decide who they will give the mantle of leadership. READ ALSO: Gunmen assassinate Kogi state chairman of Miyetti Allah However, and sadly, we are experiencing an era of governance where the mouth piece of the people becomes the underground perpetrator of cowardice. "We have wondered endlessly why the Governor of Delta will continually keep mute on the issue of herdsmen invasion and incessant massacres/killings in the state. Where in the world, is animal life more valued than human life? "It only seems that the people's life is not important to our politicians. We the Indigenous People of Niger Delta have taken this into heart as we mourn our victimized brothers and sisters whose fate has been decided by some illegitimate animals in human forms, from the northern caliphate. "We, in our mourning mode hereby call on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to stop the cowardice and emulate Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state to ban the activities of Fulani herdsmen henceforth. We are also calling on Mr. President to arrest all of them and prosecute them immediately and or otherwise expect us to do whatever it takes to protect our land. Source: Legit.ng As Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continue to probe the $153m loot by former minister of petroleum resources, Alison Diezani-Madueke, the commission might declare Ben Otti a former Deputy Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation wanted. 153m Diezani loot: EFCC guns for ex-NNPC director According to a report by Punch, Otti, who served as director of finance and accounts at the NNPC, is central to the investigation into the $153m that was allegedly diverted from the account of the NNPC by the then minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in 2014. READ ALSO: JUST IN: 4 dead, several others injured as Fulani herdsmen attack in Niger A source within the EFCC the managing director of Fidelity Bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo told operatives of the EFCC that he received the money from Otti sometime in 2014. When we arrested Okonkwo last year, we were informed that Otti was the one who brought the money to Okonkwo on the instructions of Diezani. We have been looking for Otti for several months but he seems to be out of the country. We believe he might be in London, where Diezani is. He is aware that we are looking for him. If he refuses to show up, then, we may have no choice but to declare him wanted. Meanwhile, EFCC sources also said the commission will decide the fate of the bank executives who were allegedly involved in the fraud. Some of the bank heads, who were arrested by the EFCC last year include Okonkwo, Wigwe and the Sterling Bank boss, Mr. Yemi Adeola. The Executive Director, Public Sector Account, First Bank, Dauda Lawal, was also investigated. READ ALSO: Fulani herdsmen takeover Ojukwus university In two weeks time, the court will decide if the forfeiture of the $153m will be permanent. Once we can secure victory, the next step is for the EFCC board to meet. It is the board that will determine the fate of all the bank chiefs that have been indicted, a source at the EFCC said. Source: Legit.ng - Sources claim that former Benue state governor Gabriel Suswam has concluded plans to leave PDP - He is said to be negotiating with the powers in APC in the state for his possible defection - But according to a former speaker of the State House of Assembly, David Iorhemba, Suswam may be heading to the Action Democratic Party (ADP) The former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam, is set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), The Guardian reports. According to the report, sources claim that the former governor aims to actualize his senatorial ambition come 2019 on the platform of the APC. He is said to be negotiating with the powers in the ruling party in the state for his possible defection. READ ALSO: APC suffers huge loss as 2000 members join PDP Ex-governor Gabriel Suswam set to dump PDP A close ally to the ex-governor speaking on the condition of anonymity said: We are not sure how the stalemate in the PDP will end up so we do not want to take chances that is why we have begun preparations to have a smooth sail in the forthcoming election. A former speaker of the State House of Assembly, David Iorhemba who is the national acting legal adviser of the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP, has also admitted Suswams plans to leave the PDP. Although he noted that the former governor is bound to leave the PDP, because of its unending crisis that has put the party in a disadvantaged position in the forthcoming elections, the former speaker dispelled insinuations that Suswam is defecting to the ruling APC. According to Iorhemba, Suswam may be heading to the Action Democratic Party (ADP). READ ALSO: How Benue governor is massively looting state fund - Suswam He said: We are not sure of what will become of the PDP at the end of the day so we will have to leave but certainly not to APC, we are going to Action Democratic Party ADP. Recall that Suswam had sought to represent Benue states North East senatorial district at the National Assembly as he ended his eight-year tenure as governor. However, he was deprived by a former national chairman of the PDP, Barnabas Gemade, who defected to the APC to get a second term. The ex-governor is now considering dumping the PDP following the recent defections into the APC by former chieftains of party like former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu and Patrick Ifeanyi Uba, chairman, Capital Oil and Gas. Source: Legit.ng Have you ever met someone who wants to destroy air and water? We havent. Nevertheless, despite air and water quality getting better in Wisconsin, this is the attack consistently leveled against us. We even managed to make a special interest groups dishonor roll and have been labeled environmental lightning rods. Why? Because we have the audacity to take on the environmental left. Perhaps its easier to engage in personal attacks than actually debate the issue at hand. We both relish a good fight, but thats actually not why we engage in crafting environmental policy. Deep down, the reason we get involved in these fights is because they are incredibly important to the people we represent in rural and northern Wisconsin. While we have an abundance of natural resources, job opportunities can be very limited. Smart policies can have a dramatic impact on economic growth and job opportunities in northern Wisconsin. Why? Its a matter of scale. Imagine if a new business opened in a suburban Milwaukee community and it provided 100 middle class jobs (loaded wage rates of $30 per hour). This would be great, but it would barely be a drop in the bucket in a vast urban metropolis. On the other hand, where we live, many communities have less than 1,000 people. Imagine if a paper mill or frac sand facility employing 100 people at that same wage rate opened in that community. Itd be huge! Just one good business can be the lifeblood of an entire community. Its not just the direct jobs, but its the indirect jobs truckers, electricians, plumbers, contractors, restaurant, and gas station owners, bankers, car dealers, realtors. Again, its a matter of scale. The reality is that our rural communities live or die with decisions suburban legislators make in Madison. An ill-suited, overly-restrictive rule can literally ruin a community. Thats why we are so stridently opposed to Madison and Washington rules and regulations that kill job opportunities in farming, manufacturing, forestry, and tourism. If you live downstate or in a more urban or suburban community, you may think these issues dont impact you. They do. If people in northern Wisconsin cant find family-sustaining jobs, they will be more dependent on government programs (which your tax dollars will fund) and there will also be a deficiency in our tax base, meaning you will also fund our schools. So, yes, the northern Wisconsin economy matters to you, even if you dont live there. This session, we will continue to press for legislation that runs afoul of the dogmatic beliefs held by many so-called environmentalists. We intend to further streamline some rules and regulations and repeal those that dont make sense. Its a matter of life and death for our communities. When the attacks come from the self-proclaimed environmentalists, we hope our friends and neighbors across the rest of the state will stand with us, because it matters to you too. Editor's note: Tobi Owolabi, the Legit.ng partner blogger, in this piece explains why Nigerians should not discriminate against one another. Tobi Owolabi, is a Lagos-based blogger, a political observer, a consultant and director of ThriveKonsult. He could be reached through his e-mail thrivekonsult@gmail.com. You can also follow his blog thrivingwords.blogspot.com. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise (Galatians 3:27-29). Some Christians protecting Muslims while praying in Kano READ ALSO: Do you seek help from man or God? Discrimination is a treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favour of or against a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing is perceived to belong to rather than on individual merit. Discrimination is increasingly becoming a big problem even in the body of Christ. As an employer, you favour your own ethnic group to other people. Politicians will divide the electorate along the lines of religion and ethnicity. Discrimination is not of the Lord. You are not to discriminate people of other religion as well. We are one body in Christ. Every human being, every race, every gender is created by the same God and because you are in a place of position doesnt give you the authority to discriminate. Imagine if Jesus were to discriminate, would you have been saved. The Word of God says Whosoever believes in Jesus (John 3:16). The word Whosoever is an open invitation, anyone, anybody is free to partake of the goodness of God. So, should you as well not discriminate against anyone based on their gender, race, colour, position, class? Even the government is a culprit in this, favouring one region against the other. You are reading this because you have to say no to discrimination. Though we are many, diverse, we are one body. We are to show no partiality (Romans 2:11). Because someone is of the other faith apart from yours, doesnt mean you should discriminate him/her on that. And because someone is working for you doesnt mean you should discriminate against such a person. Sultan of Sokoto speaking with Christian leaders on religious harmony READ ALSO: Who is your enemy? Show love to everybody. We all have the same red blood flowing in our system. The western world shouldnt discriminate against the under developed countries. It is high time everybody said no to discrimination. We are all equal before God. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng. Legit.ng welcomes writers, bloggers, photographers and all sorts of noise makers to become a part of our Bloggers network. If you are a seasoned writer or a complete newbie apply and become Nigerias next star blogger. Send us some info about your career, interests and expertise and why youd like to contribute to the Blogger Network at blogger@corp.legit.ng Also, please send us the link to your blog and three examples of your work. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers. Source: Legit.ng - The Nigerian Senate has condemned the ongoing killings in the southern area of Kaduna - The Senate set up a committee to investigate the killings - The Senate is yet to name members of the committee The National Assembly on Tuesday, January 10, condemned the killings in southern Kaduna, where no fewer than 808 persons were reportedly killed in 53 villages; 57 people injured, farm produce worth about N5.5 billion destroyed and 1,422 houses and 16 churches allegedly razed by herdsmen. Senate sets up a committee to probe southern Kaduna Killings READ ALSO: Mimiko, Jegede stopped PDP from challenging Akeredolu's victory The Senate resolved to set up a committee that would carry out a holistic investigation into the killings, just as the upper chamber of the National House of Assembly bemoaned that since 2011, various communities in southern Kaduna have been consistently attacked by herdsmen. This came as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, said there was urgent need to crush Boko Haram as the spate of killings across Nigeria is fast becoming unbearable. Dogara said: Many developments in the polity require legislative and executive responses. An enduring solution can only be attained if all of usnortherners, southerners, Christians, Muslims, politicians, the apolitical, traditional rulers and religious leaders accept the fact that we are responsible and rise to confront and rid our communities of these evils. Though it was yet to announce membership of the committee, the resolutions of the Senate on the ongoing killings were sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma Laah (PDP, Kaduna south). In his presentation, Senator Laah said: The Senate notes that since 2011, various communities in Southern Kaduna senatorial district of Kaduna state have been consistently attacked by herdsmen, resulting in deaths, injuries, loss of property and displacement of the communities. According to him, since December 23, 2016, communities of Ambam, Gaska, Dangoma, Tsonje, Pasankori, Gidan Waya and Farin Gada of Iamaa and Kaura councils have been under attack by the herdsmen. While presenting the statistic, Laah said: In southern Kaduna, 808 persons were killed in 53 villages across the four councils, while 57 people were injured, farm produce estimated at N5.5 billion destroyed and 1,422 houses and 16 churches burnt. In the last one year, we have witnessed a harvest of killings by these marauding herdsmen with several cases of massacre in Agatu, Benue tate; Uzo Uwani, Enugu state, with several attacks in Taraba, Delta and Edo states, to mention a few. Following a recommendation by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, that the motion should not be debated so as to avoid bad blood, additional contributions were not accommodated. READ ALSO: Nigerian economy to grow by 1% in 2017 - World Bank In his remarks, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said: We condemn in totality the depravity being exhibited on the streets of Kafanchan. This Senate will not pay lip service to it, neither will it sit idly by and watch innocent Nigerians being killed on the basis of their religion, ethnic group or political persuasion. Meanwhile, Taraba state governor, Architect Darius Ishaku has urged Christians across the country to rise up and defend themselves. The statement was made during a thanksgiving service organised by the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Taraba state to celebrate New Year and to pray for victims of southern Kaduna massacre and other victims of terrorism across the country. The governor said the deliberate and systematic massacre of Christians in southern Kaduna, the North-east and other parts of the country by terrorists over the years has called for actions on the part of the people. Source: Legit.ng Nigeria is a place where people belief that conforming to acceptable standards seems to be a strange attribute. The developing status of the country has turned lawful rights of its citizens to become a favour from the government. Here are 13 struggles majority of Nigerians can relate with. 1. Electricity palava When you don't expect light at home after long day at work It is the responsibility of the government to provide adequate power supply to its community. In Nigeria, it is an irony because an average Nigerian will have in their mind that they will not meet light at home after a long day at work. This is so absurd! 2. Nigerian weather Man sweating profusely Although there is no winter or snow in Nigerian, but the dry season experience will make you realise that the weather alone is enough to show hardship. The intensity of the temperature will leave you convinced that someone left the gates of hell open. The time you wished had an AC car in traffic. READ ALSO: 7 bad habits every Nigerian politician has (No 1 is very common) 3. Female drivers A female driver No matter the level of education, every Nigerian man has the tendency to show supremacy in whatever they do. As a female driver you cannot even drive in peace without getting a little complain for male drivers. You get to hear word like, no wonder! She is a woman. Like is a crime to be a female driver? READ ALSO: 9 significant incidents of political violence in Nigeria in December (LIST) 4. Crime issues It so strange that in Nigeria, victims get blamed for culprits action. You are blamed for being molested or kidnapped. It was however believed that you were not dressed properly or not mindful of where you were walking. Now it is my fault! 5. Nigerian time An average Nigerian never keep to time Our punctuality is nothing to be proud of because it is collectively believed that Nigerians do not come early. If you live in Lagos you blame it on the traffic. Meanwhile you are still in your comfort zone. Lateness is perceived as a norm in Nigeria. 6. Traffic Traffic is a bit difficult to separate from Lagos live. This is why the state government has not totally eradicated street trading. It is hilariously said that Lagosians have their breakfast and dinner in the traffic. There is nothing you cannot buy in traffic. 7. Customer services Customers are always right but this is a skeptical approach in Nigeria. All customer service agents, especially those in the banking and communication sector think they are above doing their jobs. Customer care indeed! 8. Nigerian politicians Nigerian supposed leaders do not even respect the peoples opinion anymore. You are used to their unattainable promises and they still go away with it. Are we still practising democracy? 9. National cake People (top officials) are stealing money yet everybody else is broke. Imagine somebody with millions of dollars in their possession. The nations wealth has been termed with national cake that everyone want to have a bit at the barest opportunity. Time of selfless leadership is gone. 10. Landlord wahala Can you imagine how landlords will want you to pay 2 years rent upfront. This is so ridiculous because if you had had that money you should be living in your own mansion. Even most of these houses will not be in look shape, you will still do some fixtures yourself. 11. Social media Social media in Nigeria has become trendy among young and old, so an individuals comment on their account can be a debate for general deliberation. And you wonder why on earth should another person take a painkiller for your headache. Is it your concern? 12. ATM queue Queue at Nigerian banks It is only a Nigerian that will be scare to use the ATM to withdraw his/her own hard earned money. The queue that will welcome you will make you run without looking back to see if anything is chasing you. And there is no money! So what are people withdrawing? 13. Work experience When your employer ask for five years experience after graduation The biggest problem faced by most Nigerian graduates is the work experience embargo placed on every job advert. Is it possible to graduate from the university with same years of study? But it is so unfortunate that no one wants to listen. Source: Legit.ng The special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, has come under social media attack for denying reports circulating in the media that he endorsed popular Ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM). Femi Adesina, has dismissed reports that he has endorsed popular Ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM). The presidential aide who made the denial on Twitter on Tuesday, January 10, described the reports linking him with MMM as false. Adesina said the false report was the work of impostors and identity thieves. But soon after Adesina made the statement, some Twitter users seized the opportunity to take swipe at the presidential aide over the economic and security situation in the country. READ ALSO: Ponzi schemes' members at war! Would you put your money in MMM or Ultimate cycler? One commentator even claimed that Femi Adesina was his guider in MMM. See reactions below: Ivana: "He's really good at calling people names, isn't he? "Impostors and identity thieves" @DoubleEph @FemAdesina." Alugbue Justice :@FemAdesina imagine d swiftness to which u reacted to dis, if u had reacted 2d carnage in S/K lives wud've bin saved. Misplaced priority." Innunknoww: "@FemAdesina the person who did that was stupid.. you of all Liars. The guy just crashed his 419 by adding you to it. You of all idiots??? Ogoh ediri: "@FemAdesina @BashirAhmaad imagine d rubbish tins u know how to react to immediately, n u keep mute on important issues." Quadri Lateef Deyemi: @FemAdesina I wonder ur quick response 2 MMM allegation while u closed ur eyes on other sensitive issues dt needed ur attention. Nawa o!" READ ALSO: 6 facts about the MMM new form of payment, bitcoin Biade Fola: "@FemAdesina @NGRPresident only if you can remain silent until after Jan 14." David Olorogun: "@FemAdesina @NGRPresident who would want to credit u with MMM endorsement?.. Looking for empathy from Nigerians. Oga go sleep." Iyanda Okin Esq: @FemAdesina well, may be because endorsing MMM and endorsing PMB are almost the same! Don Christopher: @FemAdesina @NGRPresident Puppet like you. You talk before you reason. @alugbue_justice You are a True Child of ur Father. Blessed u Bro. Oluboba ezekiel: "@FemAdesina @APCNigeria haba oga Femi, but, you're my guider in MMM." Isah Gamba: "@FemAdesina @APCNigeria MMM has helped with liquidity in our banking system. We have witnessed banks technically freezin during Christmas" Dominic Williams: "@FemAdesina who you endorsement epp? Abeg we don't need your endorsement to do anything.You have no single influence on any Nigerian." Recall that MMM has been in the news since the Ponzi scheme froze accounts of participants for on December 12, 2016, with a promise to return on January 14, 2017. Ahead of its anticipated resumption, MMM, announced some of its comeback plan which includes, the introduced of Bitcoin as part of its payment mode. What is is view on the issue, did Femi Adesina do anything to deserve this treatment? Source: Legit.ng Exercise class for working women! Would you like to get in 25 minutes of exercise in the morning, but cant seem to get it done? Bekkum Library is hosting exercise sessions each Monday and Thursday at 7:45 a.m. in the Westby Community Room below the library, beginning Jan. 23. This is a free class, and participants are responsible for knowing their bodies! We will not have a live instructor, but we will be following the exercise techniques of Miranda Esmonde-White by video, either with one of her DVDs or online streaming. I will be able to project on the wall, so Miranda will be readily viewable and easy to follow. Miranda Esmonde-White is a former ballerina from Montreal who has hosted PBSs Classical Stretch exercise show for over 10 years. The library has several of her DVDs. There are tai chi, yoga, Pilates and ballet influences throughout her workouts. The first nine participants will receive a complimentary pair of Pilates socks! Call the library at 634-4419 to register or for more information. Congratulations to Adey Oliver, the closest counter in our Gingerbread Man Counting Contest. Adey, Alyssa Foss and the Diefenbaugh sisters, Grace, Josie and Maggie, each took home a gingerbread house. Five other children placed in the contest and were also eligible to take home a house. (I am choosing not to print those names, just in case Mom took the message and decided she didnt want a candy-shedding edifice in her home!) Preschool story hour has resumed, and our winter-spring session is well under way. April led a group of fun loving penguins for our January kickoff, and this week we boogied! Next week features mustache and beard fun with April. Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Rumble and Read continues to meet Tuesdays after school until 5 p.m. This group does not meet when Westby schools have been canceled. Join Alisha for fun! April now hosts Tech Tuesdays. Each Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. come to the library for assistance with your personal devices and computers. Need help downloading books from Overdrive, navigating files in Windows 10 or just figuring out where your pictures went? April can help you out! Fourth Friday Editions book group resumes in January after a holiday break. We will be reading William Kent Kruegers Iron Lake, his first in the Cork Corcoran series. Krueger is also the author of Ordinary Grace, our popular Vernon County Read last summer. We will meet to discuss Iron Lake Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. Copies are available at the checkout desk, on paper or Kindle. - The 21 recently released Chibok girls have narrated their ordeal in the captivity of their Boko Haram abductors to a clergy, Pastor Bulus - They told Bulus they were not immediately taken into the forest after capture but to a house in Borno Government Residential Area (GRA) in Maiduguri where they stayed for two months - From the GRA, the girls said they were taken to Gwoza where they claimed that a top politician allegedly housed them in one of his residences for about 8 months - The girls also reportedly said that some of the Chibok girls never made it to Sambisa forest as they were killed in Gwoza by a bomb allegedly dropped on the house they were staying by a Nigerian Airforce fighter jet The 21 recently released girls pictured here have told a clergy man of how politicians played a major role in their disappearance for over two years. The recently released Chibok girls have revealed details of how some politicians allegedly sponsored the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast for their personal gains. According to a Chibok clergy called Pastor Bulus Baba from Kaya community in Chibok local government area of Borno state, his discussions with some of the girls revealed that some politicians reportedly played an active part in their abduction. READ ALSO: Nigerian Army rescues another Chibok girl with baby near Sambisa In an interview with Daily Post in Maiduguri, Pastor Bulus said the politicians reportedly did this in order to frustrate the administration of past president Goodluck Jonathan. First, he said, the girls claimed they were not immediately driven into the forest as widely believed, but were first taken to a house in Borno Government Residential Area in Maiduguri where they stayed for two months before they were taken to Gwoza where they claimed that a top politician allegedly housed them in one of his residences for about 8 months. President Buhari, Vice president Osinbajo with the girls. The federal government said none of the girls was abused. They were however forced to head into Sambisa forest after a bomb was dropped on the compound by a Nigerian Airforce fighter jet. Some of the Chibok girls and other women abducted along with them were allegedly killed in the attack. Bulus said: The girls said, they spent over 8 months in Gwoza local government area along with other abducted women. They said they were kept at a resident of one of the top politicians in that local government area until at a point when a fighter jet dropped bomb that touch part of the house killing some of the girls. The Boko Haram had released a video some time ago and claimed that the Nigerian Armed Forces mistakenly killed some civilians while dropping bombs. But the Nigerian Airforce denied killing civilians in its attack. READ ALSO: BringBackOurGirls threatens showdown with Buhari over remaining Chibok girls The girls said that after leaving Gwoza, they were divided into groups and while some severely sexually abused and others were forced to marry the militants. The federal government however declared (upon release of 21 girls) that none of them had been abused. Pastor Bulus said: It was a sad story, we believe that those behind this evil will never go unpunished. For us in Chibok, we will keep praying that, those of them who are still being held by their captors shall gain freedom and be reunited with their families like these ones that came home. Meanwhile, in its determined counter-terrorism efforts, the Department of State Services says it has recorded major successes against criminal gangs, kidnap syndicates and Boko Haram terrorists across the country. The agency says the successes have further degraded the capability of these elements to operate in the county. Source: Legit.ng The Nigerian Senate has temporarily put a hold on the ban on the importation of used vehicles into the country through land borders. The ban on the importation of used vehicles into the country through land borders began on January 1, 2017. The decision was taken at the Senate plenary on Wednesday, January 11, to allow a grace of three months for those whose vehicles were affected by the earlier January 1, 2017, deadline. The New Telegraph reports. READ ALSO: Dealers, agents in last minute rush to beat vehicle importation ban Recall that the federal government had last year announced the ban on the importation of used vehicles, popularly known as tokunbo, through land borders. The implementation, through the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) was to become effective on January 1, 2017. However, a grace of three months was granted for those who must have placed their orders to complete the clearing process. READ ALSO: 7 imported goods FG increased tariff on Many car dealers had their vehicles stuck at borders as Customs kick off land import ban on January 1, 2017. The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had kicked off the implementation of the banning of vehicle importation through land borders on January 1 and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Seme Chapter is reported that many vehicles were trapped at the borders due to the implementation of the policy. Source: Legit.ng Two soldiers of the Nigerian Army have been killed by Boko Haram terrorists on Tuesday, January 10. Major-General Luck Irabor, theatre commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole, confirmed the death of the soldiers as well as the capture of the terrorists' doctor and a commander. Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Major-General Lucky Irabor confirmed the deaths of the gallant soldiers during a press briefing in Maiduguri, Borno state capital. READ ALSO: Mass arrest of youngsters suspected to be Boko Haram members According to Irabor, the attack occurred late on Tuesday in area called Mate in Borno state. He did not give the name of the gallant soldiers who died battling the insurgents. The Army, he said killed several of the terrorists but sadly, the two soldiers paid the ultimate price. The Army also presented two Boko Haram terrorists that it captures during its operations. The terrorists were a commander (Amir) and another man who served as the insurgents' doctor. They were arrested while trying to get medication from town to treat the terrorists. The terrorist's doctor and (Amir) commander captured by the Army and presented to the media. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Borno chapter on Tuesday, January 10, said it had discovered Count down Timer used by Boko Haram terrorists to detonate explosives. The commandant of the corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen. Source: Legit.ng - Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose has allegedly ordered the Nigeria Security Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ekiti state chapter to vacate its commands headquartes or pay N27.5 million - The governor allegedly said he can no longer provide support for a Buhari-led Government Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state has allegedly ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to vacate its state command headquarters located along Afao Road with immediate effect or pay N27.5 million rent to government coffers within 5 days. Governor Fayose orders Ekiti NSCDC headquarters in Ekiti READ ALSO: APC senator advises Deputy Senate President to decamp According to Nigeria Bulletin who reported the news, the state government during the administration of Chief Segun Oni allocated the facility to the NSCDC in 2010 to ease the accommodation problems faced by the security agency and other federal government institutions. The complex was initially constructed by the Fayose during his first stint in office and was commissioned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo but was abandoned after Fayose was impeached from office in 2006. A source who quoted Governor Fayose said the governor said: The need became necessary because the State may find it difficult to pay salaries of civil servants in 2017 despite just received N8.8 billion Paris Club refund. Governor Fayose allegedly said that: The era of government providing accommodation for the security outfits in Ekiti is gone, stressing that he cannot be providing counterpart support for a Buhari-led Government agency as an opposition leader. An anonymous source said: During a visit by the Commandant of the Corps with the governor, the government had valued the facility at N27.5m and every effort to appeal to the Governor to tarry a while to get the Corps organised was rebuffed by Fayose. Tension rose at the Command Headquarters as the NSCDC officers were infuriated that despite the N250m monthly security the governor collects and no logistic support whatsoever since 2014 when Mr Fayose was sworn-in, it was a rude shock that he could shut down the Command Headquarters within such a very short notice. The source also said: As it stands, the officers of the Corps as law-abiding and highly disciplined public servants will not take laws into her hands as law enforcement officers, rather, we have commenced the process of contributing half of our salaries and will also solicit for funds to buy the place for our comfort." READ ALSO: Femi Adesina denies endorsing Ponzi scheme, comes under attack Meanwhile, some civil society organizations have called on the federal government to arrest the Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayose for his alleged role in the arms deal scandal. The CSOs a coalition of five anti-corruption organizations under the aegis of Corruption and Democracy Watchers in Nigeria said the governor must first be impeached and then arrested. Source: Legit.ng 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 No charges will be filed against a police officer who was shown on video fatally shooting an unarmed black man in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon in September. On Tuesday afternoon, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced that her office had ruled that the shooting of Alfred Olango was justified, reports The San Diego Union-Tribune. On September 27, El Cajon Police officers encountered 38-year-old Alfred Olango in a parking lot after reports that the man had been acting "erratically." After refusing to comply with orders from officers, Olango "drew an object from his front pants pockets, placed both hands together on it and extended toward the officers," according to El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis, and was shot multiple times by Officer Richard Gonsalves. It was determined that the object Olango pointed at officers was a vape pen. "The law recognizes police officers are often forced to make split-second decisions in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving. As prosecutors we have an ethical duty to follow the law and only charge individuals when we have proof beyond a reasonable doubt," Dumanis said at the press conference. "The only reasonable conclusion was the officer's actions were justified," Dumanis added. Family members say Olango was mentally ill, and Olango's sister was one of the individuals who had called police over her brother's behavior that day. A video taken in the immediate aftermath of the shooting shows her at the scene weeping and saying, "I called for help. I didn't call you guys to kill him." The shooting led to several nights of protests in the San Diego suburb, and officials eventually released two videos of the shooting due to the "escalating aggression" of the protests. Olango was a Ugandan refugee who emigrated to the United States in 1991 at the age of 12. He had previous encounters with law enforcement officials over drug and weapons charges. Friends and family say he was distraught over the death of a friend, leading to his behavior before getting shot. - Habiba Ishaku eloped and converted from Christianity to Islam to get married without her parents consent - The girl claimed to be 18 years old at the moment of her marriage - Now court is considering a suit instituted on her behalf where she is described as a minor Habiba Ishaku, whose exact age is yet to be established, ran away secretly in order to get married to Jamilu Lawal without parental consent. The girl reportedly dumped Christianity and turned to Islam in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina state. During the court sitting on Wednesday, January 11, Habiba dissociated herslef from a suit allegedly filed on her behalf by Trustees of Stefanos Foundation and the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) over her conversion to Islam. READ ALSO: No person with common sense should be a Christian - Nigerian guy Habiba presented a letter to the Katsina High Court where he insisted that she is actually 18 years old. However, the girl's father Mr Ishaku Tanko and the representatives of ECWA and foundation claim that Habiba is underage. Mr Bawa Yakubu, the counsel to the plaintiff, urged the court to disregard the letter as it was written in Hausa language and should not be admitted as a document before the court. READ ALSO: Sultan lied, gender equality bill is not anti-Islam by Jude Ndukwe Mr Abu Umar, the defence counsel, argued that since the letter translated in English language, then, it can stand as concrete document before the court. He said:"Even if she is a minor as argued by the defence, there is no law that prevent a minor from expressing his or her views according to the Nigerian Constitution. Habiba also told the court in her letter that she is 18 years and not 14 years, as been speculated." The judge, Justice Baraka Iliyasu-Wali, summoned Habiba to appear in court on January 25 to confirm or deny authorship of the letter. Watch related video: Source: Legit.ng Nigeria has finally overtaken Angola to reclaim the position as Africas top oil producer after the latter had held the position for seven months. Angola had led with 1.7 million barrels produced per day which was above Nigerias 1.5 million barrels. Legit.ng studied OPEC's regular report and came up with the following conclusions: READ ALSO: Defence Headquarters warn militant not to carry out bombings According to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) December 2016 Monthly oil Market report (MOMR), crude oil production from Nigeria surpassed Angolas production. This is happening even before the planned cut in crude oil production agreed by OPEC and non-OPEC producers. Nigeria overtakes Angola as Africa's top oil producer Angolas production is expected to be cut by 78,000 barrels per day in an agreement which was agreed in late 2016. Nigerias takeover of Angola is by 94,000bd as information from primary sources in the MOMR stated that Nigeria produced 1.782mb of oil as against Angolas 1.688mb. Acording to OPECs December MOMR, A new OPEC-14 production target of 32.5mb/d as per 1 January 2017 represents a reduction of around 1.2mb/d from October production levels. Nigeria lost its place to Angola earlier in 2016 following attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region which affected the countrys output. The notorious Niger Delta Avengers finally agreed to a cease fire later in the year following the appointment of Chief Edwin Clark to negotiate on its behalf. READ ALSO: Militants write letter to Buhari The federal government launched a military operation in the region tagged Operation Crocodile Smile to put an end to militancy while President Muhammadu Buhari also met with the Clark-led group where he was presented with a 16-point agenda. Nigeria overtakes Angola as Africa's top oil producer The Avengers have vowed to renew hostility after it accused the federal government of not following with earlier agreements although the army countered with a statement warning that oil saboteurs will be dealt with. Source: Legit.ng Sorry! This content is not available in your region Mr. Oxandabarat said the release order came after members of the court visited prisoners at Campanero last week as part of a routine annual review. After re-examining Mr. Campianis case, they determined that he should be released on parole. Part of the reasoning was that Mr. Campiani had already been in prison for nearly half the time for which he could be sentenced in the event he were found guilty of fraud. There is no conviction yet, Mr. Oxandabarat said. He added that Mr. Campiani was able to reduce his time in prison by good conduct and through work or study. Though Mr. Campiani is on the verge of being released, his prolonged detention exposed flaws in the Uruguayan justice system. Uruguay is one of just a few countries that allow for lengthy imprisonments of people not formally charged with a crime. Uruguay has served justice and finally respected the right to due process, said Luis Moreno Ocampo, an Argentine lawyer and a former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court who has reviewed the case. Its a victory for human rights. This week, the head of the Supreme Court acknowledged there were problems with the system. The Uruguayan criminal process is outmoded, the courts president, Jorge Chediak, said in an interview with El Observador, a newspaper in Montevideo. It has become obsolete. He added that the court was working to draft a new penal code that it hoped to enact in 2017, noting that the current criminal process has been criticized by international organizations. Reached in prison on Thursday, Mr. Campiani said he was eager to go home but remained frustrated by the Uruguayan justice system. MOSCOW A senior police commander from Tajikistan who vanished last month has reappeared in an online video, saying he had defected to join the Islamic State group in Syria. The development on Thursday raised concerns of growing extremism in Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic that Russia supports as a bulwark against militant Islamism. The officer, Col. Gulmurod Khalimov, was the commander of the elite OMON division of the Tajik national police. In the video, shot in high definition at an unnamed location, the colonel is seen declaring his intention to wage jihad in Central Asia. Wearing a black turban and holding a sniper rifle, Colonel Khalimov says in the video that he traveled to the United States three times and received training there from Blackwater, the security company that was once a major contractor for the American government in Iraq and elsewhere. (The company is now known as Academi.) BERLIN Europes migration crisis took on new dimensions Thursday as at least three countries announced added security measures to address the biggest movement of refugees and migrants seen here since the aftermath of World War II. The sheer numbers of migrants are now clogging critical choke points across Europe. In July alone, 107,500 migrants entered the 28-nation European Union, according to Frontex, the blocs border management agency. That was more than three times the number in the same month last year. The latest country to be overwhelmed by the surge was the tiny Balkan nation of Macedonia. It declared a state of emergency on Thursday and said it would deploy the military to restore calm to its southern border with Greece and its northern frontier with Serbia. Many of the refugees are fleeing the wars in Iraq and Syria and had recently made their way from Turkey to Greek islands. They have flooded into Macedonia almost 42,000 in the past two months according to the nations Ministry of Interior as they head north to seek asylum in wealthy countries like Austria, Germany, Britain or Sweden. DAKAR, Senegal After a nerve-racking countdown, Sierra Leone celebrated a national milestone on Saturday that government officials hoped would help the country finally leave behind a grim chapter in its history: It was officially declared free of Ebola transmissions. The World Health Organization made the announcement at an official ceremony in Freetown, the capital, after the nation had passed 42 days, or two incubation periods for the virus, without an Ebola case. The news marks a joyous but tense moment in Sierra Leone, where Ebola has crippled the nations economy and officials worry the virus could re-emerge at any moment. Saturdays ceremony was broadcast on radio and television stations across the country and included an emotional story from an Ebola response worker who survived being infected with the virus. Its kind of like a mixed emotion, said Tunis Yahya, director of communications for the countrys National Ebola Response Center, speaking by phone from the official ceremony, attended by President Ernest Bai Koroma. People are happy, but also many are depressed because they lost their families. Though the new fence threatens to block the route again just as winter is approaching, migrants have largely been able to find their way around such obstacles. Officials are anticipating that asylum seekers may now turn to Albania and Italy as an alternative routes to more prosperous European countries in the north. Most of the migrants moving through the Balkans have gone on to Austria and then Germany. Slovenia has been saying that it could manage the influx of about 6,000 to 8,000 asylum seekers a day as long as roughly the same number moved on each day. But Austria said recently that it could accept only 6,000 people a day from Slovenia, and Germany has started to tighten some controls on arrivals. As a result, the Slovenian prime minister, Miro Cerar, said that it was very likely that many of the 30,000 migrants who were traveling north from Greece could become stranded in Slovenia, which has limited room to accommodate them. Its a big number, Mr. Cerar said at a news conference on Tuesday, after the government approved construction of the fence. If we dont act now, we could have a humanitarian catastrophe on the territory of Slovenia, he said. PARC CADEAU 2, Haiti Along this arid strip of borderland, the river brings life. Its languid waters are used to cook the food, quench the thirst and bathe the bodies of thousands of Haitian migrants who have poured onto its banks from the Dominican Republic, fleeing threats of violence and deportation. These days, the river also brings death. Horrid sanitation has led to a cholera outbreak in the camps, infecting and killing people who spilled over the border in recent months in hopes of finding refuge here. Nearly 3,000 people have arrived in the makeshift camps since the spring, leaving the Dominican Republic by force or by fear after its government began a crackdown on illegal migrants. Some, born in the Dominican Republic but unable to prove it, cannot even speak French or Creole, Haitis main languages, showing how wide a net the Dominican government has cast. Haitian officials have done almost nothing to support them. The population is scattered across the drought-racked southwest border, mostly barren plains. Families of eight sleep in tents fashioned from sticks and cardboard. They drink river water, struggle to find food, and make do without toilets or medical attention. MEXICO CITY The Guatemalan authorities on Wednesday arrested 18 former military officers on charges related to massacres and disappearances during the 1980s, the bloodiest period of the countrys 36-year civil war. The arrests pose a direct challenge to the president-elect, Jimmy Morales, a political neophyte who ran as the candidate of a party dominated by former officers. Among the men who were arrested was retired Gen. Manuel Benedicto Lucas Garcia, 83, who was the army chief of staff during the dictatorship of his brother, Gen. Romeo Lucas Garcia. A former military intelligence chief, Manuel Antonio Callejas y Callejas, was also detained, as was one of the generals who ousted General Lucas Garcia in a 1982 coup. These are the big fish, said Victoria Sanford, an anthropologist at Lehman College of the City University of New York who has studied human rights violations committed during the 1960-96 war, when security forces razed whole villages as they pursued leftist guerrillas. ALGIERS The air was festive on a recent morning as families moved into their new apartments, courtesy of the Algerian government. Womens shrieks of joy sounded from the balconies as children tried out the swings beneath a large banner that declared, Our aim, Algiers, a capital without slums. But the celebrations were quickly followed by disappointment, even anger. The construction was shoddy. Water coursed down the walls of the main hallway. And the apartments, at Cite Kourifa, were too small for families that had grown in the many years since they had applied for government housing. Last night, I had to spend the night in the car, said Ali Mehdad, 60, a retired taxi driver who had moved in the previous day with his family of eight, including a grandson. One son is 35 and cannot get married, because how can you add more people here? The government program, one of the most ambitious in the region, is Algerias answer to galloping population growth, rapid urbanization and a housing crisis that, many argue, lies at the base of much of the countrys despair. Radio Free Asia, which is financed by the United States government, reported on Thursday that the attack had taken place at a road construction site and that work on the project stopped afterward. The blast was the third in the area in a month, the report said, and soldiers defused a roadside bomb in the area on Dec. 30. One witness reported driving past the bomb site shortly after the attack and seeing about 10 soldiers inspecting a damaged truck with the dead and wounded Chinese inside, Radio Free Asia said. The report also quoted an official with the road construction company saying it was removing its equipment from the construction zone. Hua Chunying, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said in a regularly scheduled news conference in Beijing on Monday that consular officials from the embassy in Vientiane had visited with the wounded person, and that China had urged the Laotian government to solve the case as soon as possible. The ministry also advised Chinese citizens in Laos to take more precautions. Ms. Hua did not offer any potential motives for the attack. China is one of the biggest trade partners and foreign investors in Laos, a landlocked country ruled by the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party, which is Communist. A growing number of Chinese businesspeople are working in Laos, and that has led to resentment among some Laotians. One signature investment project by China is a 260-mile China-Laos railway that is expected to cost more than $6 billion and that will connect Vientiane with Chinese cities. China has a 70 percent stake in the project, which officials say will be in operation by 2020. Chinas long-term goal is for the train to connect Kunming, in Yunnan Province, with Singapore, which is far south of Laos. Montevideo, Uruguay Because here nobody is better than anybody else. The phrase, one of this small South American countrys most cherished sayings, dates back to the 19th century and is often repeated by its thinkers, presidents and everyday citizens. As a simple expression of the democratic spirit, it sums up how Uruguayans feel about their homeland. With only 3.3 million inhabitants, Uruguay is the smallest nation by population in Latin America. Its giant neighbor Brazil, by contrast, has a population of more than 200 million. But what it lacks in numbers, Uruguay makes up for by ranking as the least corrupt and most democratic country in Latin America as well as only one of two, along with Chile, rated as a high income country by the United Nations. Uruguay used to be known as the Switzerland of South America, in part because of its banking secrecy regulations. But the phrase also speaks to a deep respect for the rule of law. In a region where democracy is increasingly tested by economic mismanagement, political corruption, drug cartels and environmental crises, Uruguay is the only Latin American country ranked among the worlds 20 full democracies, according to The Economists 2015 democracy index ahead even, by one place, of the United States. NDJAMENA, Chad President Idriss Deby of Chad won a fifth term in office, the national election commission announced late Thursday, soundly defeating more than a dozen challengers to remain leader of a country that is central to Africas fight against Islamic militants. Mr. Deby earned 61.5 percent of the votes cast on Election Day, April 10, according to provisional results that need to be ratified by the Constitutional Council. He needed more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff. The announcement came one day after a visit by Samantha Power, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, and by top American military officials that highlighted Chads prominence in the fight against Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram. The country serves as the headquarters for a five-nation regional force intended to defeat the Nigeria-based group, which has carried out multiple attacks on Chads territory, including suicide bombings in the capital, Ndjamena. She was very religious, very sincere, said Adriana Palma, a friend since childhood. The vigil was being held under the rubble of the bell tower. With the church closed, the only place for the memorial was outside, Ms. Palma said. That night, the damage of the church seemed to weigh on people at the vigil almost as much as the deaths in Montecristi. The cross at the top of the bell tower used to be the first thing people would see when they approached the town from the road, said Ms. Palmas mother. Even sailors could spot the white church against the mountains when they came from sea. It is the pride of this town, said Fabricio Quijije, a neighbor. Times like these were precisely when Montecristi would turn to Our Mother of Monserrate for solace and guidance. According to local legend, the statue was sent to South America by King Charles V of Spain, as part of a pair with a statue called the Virgin of Mercy. The king intended the second statute to remain in Ecuador, while Monserrate was supposed to make its way to the viceroy in Lima. In Honduras, drug trafficking is politics, Mr. Sabillon said. I arrested eight drug traffickers and extradited them to the United States, he said. And then businessmen, politicians and even the son of a president have fallen. Mr. Sabillon said he had testified at the attorney generals office about the links between organized crime and politicians. With all the formalities, I handed over important documents to the prosecutor that involve political personalities in organized crime, he said. The leaked documents do not suggest that Mr. Sabillon had any role in the assassinations. But they do indicate that he was aware of the documents and asked for them to be kept under guard. He argued that his signature was faked, and that he did not have the authority at the time to make such a request. He said the documents had been written later by someone in the police force. His reason for speaking out now, he said, is that he wants to end the work I began, referring to the extradition of drug traffickers. He said the fabrication and leak of the report were part of an effort to neutralize the Honduran national police, which is not in favor of the government. He accused the government of handing control of the security forces, including the police, to the military in an effort to shore up control as President Juan Orlando Hernandez seeks re-election. In response to the documents, Mr. Hernandez appointed a commission last week that he put in charge of purging the police. Late Thursday, the commission recommended that Mr. Sabillon, along with a police chief named as a chief conspirator in the documents, Ricardo Ramirez del Cid, be suspended during the investigation. Ebal Diaz, an adviser to the president, told Honduran reporters that Mr. Sabillon had been suspended for criticizing the government on television. The 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Ecuador in April that killed at least 410 people and injured more than 2,000 emotionally devastated the country and caused enormous damage. A disaster that severe can often lead to a downturn in tourism, but that may not be the case in Ecuador. Travel specialists say that the earthquake likely wont affect tourism because the epicenter of the quake was on the countrys northwest coast, a region dotted with beachfront resorts that are popular getaways for locals but not with international tourists. Although about half of these hotels were destroyed, according to Gabriela Sommerfeld, the general manager of Quito Tourism, Ecuador travel representatives say that their clients are still interested in visiting the country. Ginny Caragol, an Ecuador expert at the New York City-based travel consulting firm Valerie Wilson Travel, said that none of her clients with coming trips to the country had canceled or postponed their plans. The earthquake was devastating, but it happened in a pocket of the country where not many international travelers go, she said. With its open-air marijuana stalls festooned in psychedelic colors and its freewheeling, self-governing structure, the Christiania neighborhood in Copenhagen has been for decades emblematic of Danish liberalism and tolerance. On Friday morning, however, a symbol of hippie hedonism came crashing down at least temporarily. At about 9 a.m., hundreds of residents began dismantling the drug market on Pusher Street in the heart of the city, where men in masks usually peddle marijuana and hashish from stalls. Video footage showed residents hauling away plants and using saws, drills and bulldozers to demolish the stands. Signs saying no photography allowed were ripped down. The decision to tear down the market, which for decades has been a popular spot for curious tourists and Copenhagen residents alike, came after Mesa Hodzic, 25, a Danish citizen born in Bosnia who was a suspected drug dealer, shot two police officers and a bystander this week, according to the authorities. Both officers and the bystander survived. The shootings occurred when officers tried to arrest him, the police said. Mr. Hodzic fled, and the police eventually confronted him on Thursday in a suburb of Copenhagen. Officers shot him when, they said, he resisted arrest. He died of his wounds on Friday. Santa Cruz, Calif. Around midnight on March 2, the indigenous peoples rights and environmental activist Berta Caceres was shot dead by gunmen who entered her residence in La Esperanza, Honduras. A longtime campaigner against illegal logging operations, Ms. Caceres had been repeatedly threatened because of her opposition to the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project, one of the largest of its kind in Central America. I have no doubt that she has been killed because of her struggle, and that soldiers and people from the dam are responsible, I am sure of that, her 84-year-old mother told a local radio station. I hold the government responsible. On June 21, The Guardian reported the testimony of a Honduran soldier who said that his elite unit of United States-trained special forces had been given a hit list of activists to be killed that included Berta Caceres. (He had deserted from the army, he said, rather than comply with the orders.) Six men have subsequently been arrested in connection with her case, including a serving army officer and two retired members of the military, but it remains to be seen if whoever commissioned the crime will be brought to justice. It took the brutal assassination of Ms. Caceres to finally provoke a public debate in the United States over the Obama administrations funding of Hondurass dangerous police and military forces. On June 14, Representative Henry C. Johnson Jr., Democrat of Georgia, and co-sponsors introduced the Berta Caceres Human Rights in Honduras Act, which called for the immediate suspension of security aid to Honduras. In response, the Obama administration has tried to justify continuing its support by pointing to an array of initiatives that are, at best, weak and token, and that, at worst, may even be harmful. We are in some interesting crossroads between the East and the West, Vlatko Stefanovski, the globally renowned guitarist and Skopje resident told me over Skype on a break between European gigs. Mr. Stefanovski, who mixes traditional and popular styles, was a stalwart of the Yugoslav rock scene in the 1970s and 1980s. We have influences from the old Byzantine music, we have influences from the Ottoman times, and we also have influences from the classical music of Europe. And in recent times we have big influences of pop music and rock and jazz. As my week came to a close, I put aside a day to visit two places that highlight the citys strengths: Matka Canyon and Sektor 909, a seminal nightclub opened in 2003. I first headed to the canyon, 10 miles southwest of Skopje. The gorge, cut by the Treska River, covers nearly 20 square miles. Around the river and lake, created by the Matka Dam, trails wind through forests that act as arboretums with 77 butterfly species. Trekking along one path, I watched climbers and a kayak competition. I passed three monasteries, wedged into rocky nooks, built between the 14th and 17th centuries. By the time I arrived back in Skopje, there were already murmurings of marches to protest the countrys ruling party, which was under investigation for offenses including wiretapping, blackmail and electoral fraud. However, when I walked into Sektor 909, thoughts of protests dissolved with the beats pulsing through the mirrored space bathed in seductive red strobes. Dancers mixed with off-duty D.J.s checking out the competition. When we started, a few promoters fought for different styles of music we were Detroit Funk House, the owner, Ognen Uzunovski, told me. Mr. Uzunovski said one reason he continued to promote eclectic styles was because he had a role to educate young people, especially in this political situation. The Colorful Revolution, as it has become known, began the next day. Men and women, young and old, all took to the streets. Frustration and creativity intersected in the form of peaceful marching, plastic whistles and, definitively, paint. Within a week the bedizened emblems of kitsch became vehicles for Pollock-esque, purposeful art as protesters hurled balloons filled with paint on government buildings, the Equestrian Warrior, the Triumphal Arch. The symbols of corruption became the substrata for liberation. The shell was cracked. Beneath the surface, an ancient capital on the verge of a Renaissance was making its debut. The architect Francis Kere was born in a poor village in Burkina Faso where there was no school, no electricity and no access to clean drinking water. His father, the village chief, decided that his son should be the first in the family to learn how to read and write, so he sent him at age 7 to live with an uncle in a distant city, where he sat with 150 other students in an unventilated classroom in 110-degree heat. During his free time, like many of his peers, Mr. Kere had to work, spending hours fixing crudely built homes, which were in a perpetual state of disrepair. In my heart, I felt even then that I wanted to build things better one day, so that kids like me would be free to learn, he said. Mr. Kere won a scholarship to study in Germany and worked his way into architecture school at the Technical University of Berlin. For his first student project, in 2001, he raised $50,000 to build an elementary school in his native village of Gando. He enlisted the help of local villagers, drawing blueprints for them in the sand. He dug up red clay and compressed it into bricks. Fifteen years on, the school has grown into a large educational complex, and Mr. Kere, 51, has earned many laurels for his pathbreaking designs, including the prestigious Aga Khan architectural award. While he is based in Berlin, has taught at Harvard and exhibited at the Venice Biennale, most of Mr. Keres architectural activity is still concentrated in West Africa, where he has built not only a number of schools but also medical centers, cultural spaces and, in Mali, even a national park. Recently, Mr. Kere has been devising ways of rebuilding the parliament building in Burkina Fasos capital of Ouagadougou, which was set on fire during the countrys 2014 uprising. In the following edited interview, Mr. Kere explains how his style of community architecture can play a part in preventing further violent clashes while also giving people the tools to improve their lives. GRAND FORKS, N.D. Cameras on drones stare down at the Canadian border from as high as 28,000 feet, scanning vast stretches of mountains, rivers and forests for potential terrorists and drug smugglers. The drones are intended to compensate for the Department of Homeland Securitys lack of personnel and other surveillance equipment to adequately patrol the longest international border in the world. Equipped with high-tech cameras and radar, and capable of staying in the air much longer than planes flown by humans, the drones fill a critical gap in border security, officials with Homeland Security say. While the bulk of the departments drones are flown on the more troubled American border with Mexico, the ones here are used to surveil remote parts of the 5,500-mile border with Canada that are too risky for ground access or normal aircraft. The use of drones has been criticized by government auditors as costing too much about $60 million a year and producing too little, less than 2 percent of all apprehensions and drug arrests by the Border Patrol. In addition, privacy activists say that the government may be taking video of people who are not engaged in criminal activity. Mr. Palsson, who used to sell Iceland as a place to see the Northern Lights, employs an astronomer in his hotel. He has also invested in three expensive telescopes that are powerful enough for guests to see the rings on Saturn or the fuzzy glow of a distant dying star. Landsbref, a fund management company that was spun off from one of three failed Icelandic banks, set up a $37 million tourism fund. Reykjavik looks like a Scandinavian version of Singapore: compact, clean, orderly, and rich. Streets are lined with Crayola-color houses and Mercedes cars. Chic coffeehouses sell kale-and-date sandwiches, and play Ethiopian jazz. Restaurants offer inventive Nordic cuisine using local ingredients like puffin and shark. (One chef also proudly announced that Iceland now grows cucumbers, albeit in a greenhouse.) The 101, a boutique hotel that was once an exclusive hangout for bankers (101 is also the citys richest postal code), is now filled with tourists. In a possible dig at the hotels former denizens, a sculpture of what looked like a gray-suited banker hung on one wall, with a cryptic instruction, Disconnect the battery, remove the rear hood and hinge brackets, inscribed beneath it. Tourists come from as far as Hong Kong. They chase the Northern Lights. They scale glaciers. They dive in the Arctic Circle with puffins, go horseback riding or take helicopter tours listening to ethereal, whale-like sounds by the Icelandic band Sigur Ros. Fans of Game of Thrones flock to filming locations around the island, some, apparently, genuinely in search of Wildlings. Outside the capital, thick white plumes of steam, which are harnessed for Icelands energy needs, rise in the sky, as if the earth were vaping. Hot springs are everywhere, even in peoples backyards. WASHINGTON The escalating American military engagement in Somalia has led the Obama administration to expand the legal scope of the war against Al Qaeda, a move that will strengthen President-elect Donald J. Trumps authority to combat thousands of Islamist fighters in the chaotic Horn of Africa nation. The administration has decided to deem the Shabab, the Islamist militant group in Somalia, to be part of the armed conflict that Congress authorized against the perpetrators of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to senior American officials. The move is intended to shore up the legal basis for an intensifying campaign of airstrikes and other counterterrorism operations, carried out largely in support of African Union and Somali government forces. The executive branchs stretching of the 2001 war authorization against the original Al Qaeda to cover other Islamist groups in countries far from Afghanistan even ones, like the Shabab, that did not exist at the time has prompted recurring objections from some legal and foreign policy experts. The Shabab decision is expected to be publicly disclosed next month in a letter to Congress listing global deployments. It is part of the Obama administrations pattern of relaxing various self-imposed rules for airstrikes against Islamist militants as it tries to help its partner forces in several conflicts. The move has displeased some, including Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, a member of Parliament who feels that selecting one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in Reykjavik was irrational. The banks should respect that their business is a risky one, he said. And unfortunately the cost of bankruptcy ends usually with taxpayers carrying the cost. Runar Palmason, a representative for Landsbankinn, noted that the new headquarters consolidated operations, saving the company about $6 million a year. The buildings footprint will be 46 percent smaller than those of the separate offices combined. One of the largest challenges for all of the East Harbor projects is that legally they are considered one plot because they share underground parking. That means they have to coordinate development and design plans, making for a very complicated ownership structure, said Oli Orn Eiriksson, the head of economic development for the city. You have so many different parties building on the same plot at the same time. There is also concern about striking a balance between visitors and locals. The downtown has changed dramatically, said David Mar Sigurdsson, a sales and marketing manager for the Icelandic company TG Verk, which owns the Harbor Square development and has invested $130 million in it. I feel like a foreigner when I go there. There are so many visitors. While Reykjavik is buzzing with tourism, and construction cranes dot the skyline, it is also feeling the strain of the surge of visitors. The East Harbor developers hope the new offices and apartments will balance out the visitors with locals. Dec. 21, 2016 Italy Overwhelmed The Aegean route is mostly closed, but the migrants keep coming, from Eritrea, Ethiopia and elsewhere. They cross the Mediterranean to Italy, a country struggling to deal with the influx. A political crisis is blooming, and the countrys institutions are straining to keep up. The Italian Coast Guard has its hands full responding to the barrage of calls for rescue placed over satellite phones by distressed migrants at sea. Local municipalities have no housing for the migrants who try to keep moving north, and the police face the gruesome task of identifying the waterlogged bodies of those who die before they reach shore. The European Unions flailing response to the migrant crisis is driving political upheaval in Italy, where voters are taking a critical look at the countrys membership in the union. Anti-European parties like the Five Star Movement and the Northern League led the opposition to a package of measures endorsed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi that voters rejected in a referendum on Dec. 4, prompting Mr. Renzi to resign. Still, some Italians refuse to give up trying to help the migrants, seeing the humanity in their plight. These videos explore the overwhelmed Italian institutions, and the individuals fighting for the migrants. SEOUL, South Korea A senior North Korean official who defected to the South told reporters on Tuesday that the North viewed 2017 as the best time to advance its nuclear program because it could take advantage of leadership changes in the United States and South Korea. The official, Thae Yong-ho, North Koreas No. 2 diplomat in London, is the most senior North Korean official to defect in nearly two decades. At a news conference with South Korean reporters his first meeting with outside journalists since his defection in August he cautioned that as a diplomat, he was not privy to the status of North Koreas nuclear weapons program. Yet he said North Korea was also confident that China would not punish it too harshly for its nuclear program, out of fear that the Norths collapse would create a pro-American, unified Korea on its border. North Korea knows this weakness of China, Mr. Thae said. As long as Kim Jong-un is in power, North Korea will never give up its nuclear weapons, even if its offered $1 trillion or $10 trillion in rewards. MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay Gen. Gregorio Alvarez, the last leader of Uruguays brutal dictatorship of the 1970s and 80s, died here on Wednesday while serving a prison sentence for human rights abuses. He was 91. The militarys health service said he died at the Central Hospital of the Armed Forces. Under General Alvarez, Uruguay was part of the secret alliance of South American dictatorships known as Operation Condor, in which military leaders cooperated in persecuting and killing one anothers dissidents. General Alvarez, himself the son of a general, participated in the 1973 coup that dissolved Uruguays legislature amid a government crackdown on the Marxist Tupamaro rebels, who were trying to seize power. One of General Alvarezs brothers had been killed by Tupamaro attackers in 1972. General Alvarez became chief of the army in 1978 and president in 1981. His government imprisoned democratic critics and censored the news media. SEOUL, South Korea North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, said on Sunday that his country was making final preparations to conduct its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile a bold statement less than a month before the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump. Although North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests in the last decade and more than 20 ballistic missile tests in 2016 alone, and although it habitually threatens to attack the United States with nuclear weapons, the country has never flight-tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM. In his annual New Years Day speech, which was broadcast on the Norths state-run KCTV on Sunday, Mr. Kim spoke proudly of the strides he said his country had made in its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. He said North Korea would continue to bolster its weapons programs as long as the United States remained hostile and continued its joint military exercises with South Korea. We have reached the final stage in preparations to test-launch an intercontinental ballistic rocket, he said. BUCHAREST, Romania The Romanian Parliament approved a new left-leaning coalition government on Wednesday, ending weeks of uncertainty about who would lead a country that has been a staunch member of the European Union and NATO. Sorin Grindeanu, 43, a former minister of communications and a compromise candidate, was named prime minister. He beat his Social Democratic Partys first choice, Sevil Shhaideh, a member of the countrys Tatar minority who would have become the countrys first female and first Muslim prime minister. The Social Democrats came to power in a national election on Dec. 11 on the promise of increasing government spending for health care, salaries and pensions. On Wednesday, Mr. Grindeanu said his government would raise the minimum wage and improve access to free prescription drugs. He also promised to create better-paying jobs so that Romanians would not seek work abroad. The president, Klaus Iohannis, swore in the new cabinet and urged its members to strengthen the countrys judiciary and shore up its foreign relations. ATHENS Eight Turkish military officers who may or may not have been involved in the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last July are now at the center of a tense standoff between Greece and Turkey. At a time when Greeces economy is still in limbo and Turks are caught between an increasingly authoritarian government and a surge in terrorist attacks, neither country can afford such a distraction. Yet the two neighbors find themselves at odds once again. The men two majors, four captains and two noncommissioned officers turned up in the northern Greek town of Alexandroupolis in a military helicopter the day after the attempted coup. They have claimed that they were not knowingly involved in the rebellion that they followed orders but were not aware a coup was in progress but fled to escape persecution, asking for political asylum. The government in Athens, one of the first to condemn the coup attempt while it was developing, was flustered. On the day the men turned up in Greece, Turkeys foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, spoke by telephone with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Kotzias, and demanded their extradition. On Twitter, he wrote that Mr. Kotzias told him that eight traitors who fled to Greece will be returned to Turkey as soon as possible. The Greek Foreign Ministry said the asylum request would be examined on the basis of the provisions of Greek and international law, but it will be borne very seriously in mind that the arrested parties stand accused in their country of violating constitutional legality and attempting to overthrow democracy. Since then, the officers have become a touchstone by which many Greeks are testing the independence of their own judiciary and their countrys democratic principles. Those Greeks feel that even if the eight were involved in trying to topple a legitimate government, they should not be sent back to face a judicial system that, they fear, cannot guarantee fair trials. For the Turkish government, however, the eight are traitors, and their flight to Greece was in itself a provocation. How did you first become aware of the film? I was not aware of this film or of this entire episode in my fathers life until 1984, when he was 85 or 86 and I was in my 20s. [He died in 1993.] I called my mother and said, Did you know anything about this? and she had no idea. It was a complete and utter revelation. Granada Television made a documentary about it called A Painful Reminder and I actually ended up being responsible for selling that documentary into distribution in the United States in 1985. That was the first time I saw the footage, and that was the time he told me that the biggest regret of his life was that he had never been able to finish the film. Why hadnt he said anything about it all those years? The reason he gave at the time was that he was under military command when he made it, that it was shut down while he was an officer and it was not to be spoken about. It wasnt until the information and footage came to light through the releasing of public records that he was comfortable talking about it. Its a very hard film to watch. How do you think audiences will respond? The first time I saw the complete restored film, I flew over from New York to London on the night flight and I went straight to the British Film Institute. And I was dreading it I wish I hadnt come, I dont want to watch it. What struck me then was that as gruesome as many of the images are, theres so much humanity in the film. Its hard to say theres something positive about it, but I think it isnt just an atrocity film. I think you come away with a sense of incredible cameramen doing wonderful work. You really get a sense of a whole team of Allies really working to get at something restorative. Do you worry whether viewers might find the images of naked bodies being dragged and thrown about depersonalizing or exploitative? Look, I hope that people dont react to it that way. Im sure there are some who will. I think that its important as historical evidence, thats why a lot of it was filmed that way. And theres still a lot of Holocaust denial, and I think they were anticipating that. I think we have to have those images as a reminder that these atrocities really, really, really did happen. TSIHOMBE, Madagascar She is just a frightened mom, worrying if her son will survive, and certainly not fretting about American politics for she has never heard of either President Obama or Donald Trump. What about America itself? Ranomasy, who lives in an isolated village on this island of Madagascar off southern Africa, shakes her head. It doesnt ring any bells. Yet we Americans may be inadvertently killing her infant son. Climate change, disproportionately caused by carbon emissions from America, seems to be behind a severe drought that has led crops to wilt across seven countries in southern Africa. The result is acute malnutrition for 1.3 million children in the region, the United Nations says. Trump has repeatedly mocked climate change, once even calling it a hoax fabricated by China. But climate change here is as tangible as its victims. Trump should come and feel these childrens ribs and watch them struggle for life. Its true that the links between our carbon emissions and any particular drought are convoluted, but over all, climate change is as palpable as a wizened, glassy-eyed child dying of starvation. Like Ranomasys 18-month-old son, Tsapasoa. BEIJING For millions of Chinese, the new year opened under an oppressive shroud of smog that has closed highways, delayed or canceled hundreds of flights and shut down schools, forcing some students to follow their lessons from home through online streaming. The toxic air has also drawn attention to a poem written by a Chinese surgeon from the viewpoint of an ambitious lung cancer that revels in the delicious mist and haze. The poem was first published in English in the October issue of Chest, the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, under the title I Long to Be King. Excerpts from the poem were posted in Chinese this week in The Paper, a news website, and widely reported on by other Chinese media. The author, Dr. Zhao Xiaogang, 40, who is deputy chief of thoracic surgery at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital of Tongji University, opens with a ground-glass opacity, an image of a CT scan of fluid in the lungs that can indicate a range of disorders, but in this case is the first indication of what will develop into a triumphantly lethal cancer. It is abetted by its hosts unhealthy habits, but also the hosts smoggy environment: I long to be king, With my fellows swimming in every vessel. My people crawl in your organs and body, Holding the rights for life or death, I tremble with excitement. It continues: None cared when I was young, But all fear me when full grown. Ive been nourished on the delicious mist and haze, That sweetly warmed my heart The Chinese version of the poem has attracted hundreds of comments on Weibo. One Weibo user sarcastically wrote, The government should be proud. We have information about Chinas air pollution published in the U.S.! More literary works should be shared in international publications! Another said of Dr. Zhaos poem, When China has a surge in cancer in a few years, well appreciate how right the author was. GIVEN what President-elect Donald J. Trump has said about his energy strategy he favors coal and wants to end federal subsidies to the clean energy industry does it still make sense to invest in wind, solar and other alternative sources of power? The answer is an emphatic yes, according to investment advisers, who say clean energy companies will continue to thrive during a Trump administration, regardless of what the president says or does. The sector has become as much about getting returns on investments and catching the next technological boom as it is about reducing greenhouse gases and helping the environment. And clean energy is creating jobs in every state, not just the ones that have oil or gas in the ground. Even the most politically conservative states, like Kansas and Iowa, are leaders in wind power and are likely to continue investing in it. No longer is there a trade-off between what you believe in and what you can make money off of, said Nancy Pfund, a founder and managing partner of DBL Partners, which made early investments in SolarCity and Tesla. SACRAMENTO A 57-year-old convicted killer serving a life sentence in California is the first inmate in the United States to receive state-financed sex-reassignment surgery, the prisoners lawyers said. California prison officials agreed in August 2015 to pay for the surgery for the inmate, Shiloh Heavenly Quine, who was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and robbery for ransom and has no possibility of parole. Ms. Quines case led the state to become the first to set standards that will allow other transgender inmates to apply to receive state-financed sex-reassignment surgery. It also prompted a federal magistrate to require California to provide transgender female inmates housed in mens facilities with more female-oriented items like nightgowns, scarves and necklaces. Dont get me started on the Amazon, Mr. Lima said, referring to the vast river basin where, the authorities say, the expansion of Brazils ranching frontier has illegally destroyed large tracts of the rain forest. Ive flown over the Amazon in a small plane, and all I saw for hours was trees. Trust me, we can deforest a lot more if we have to. Mr. Limas readiness to voice publicly what many Brazilians say in private reflects, perhaps, a yearning for the spotlight. As he roams the backlands rodeo circuit in his Mitsubishi Titan pickup, the competitions where Mr. Lima works are often as much about him as they are about bull-riding buckaroos. At a rodeo here in Goiania on a recent Friday night, scantily clad female dancers warmed up the arena before Mr. Lima burst onto the scene around midnight, his arrival heralded by fireworks, a nightclub smoke machine, cannons discharging confetti into the air and a dance involving a good deal of strutting by Mr. Lima himself. After singing Brazils national anthem, he led competitors in a lengthy prayer before getting on with the event. He often cracks jokes, exudes pride in Brazils ranching culture and bursts into song while describing the technical aspects of the cowpokes competing for prize money. I love the United States and recognize how much we owe to the rodeo scene up there, but the folks in Brazil expect a little more from their rodeo announcers, he explained. What am I, essentially? A storyteller. Mr. Lima got into radio announcing after studying three things: law, journalism and how to be a clown. He said it was during his time at clown school in Rio, when he was trying to find a way into show business, that I learned the valuable lesson of laughing at my own failures. LONDON Prime Minister Theresa May, who has for many weeks evaded debate over how Britain will exit from the European Union with the phrase Brexit means Brexit, promises more clarity in a speech later this month. She is expected to speak two months before she intends to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, formally beginning a two-year negotiation with Brussels on leaving the European Union, and just after the Supreme Court rules on whether Parliament must approve that invocation. The Supreme Court, the United Kingdoms highest court of appeal in civil cases, is expected to rule against the government and require that Parliament have a say. A short bill has already been prepared, however, and no one expects lawmakers of either house to oppose the result of the June Brexit referendum at this stage. So Mrs. May will speak. But what will she say, especially when she insists that she does not want to give away her bargaining position with Brussels too early? And how will she calm down the fervid, angry and partisan atmosphere around the whole topic both in the country at large and, more important, in her own Conservative government? LOS ANGELES When George Lucas spoke to Mayor Eric Garcetti about opening his Museum of Narrative Art here in Exposition Park, the filmmaker said he was captivated by the potential of being just steps away from a bevy of other museums. The California Science Center would be just next door, housing the Endeavor Space Shuttle. Mr. Lucas loved the idea of being able to see space travel imagined and space travel realized in the same park, Mr. Garcetti said in an interview Wednesday. And his decision to open the museum in Los Angeles instead of San Francisco offers a tremendous boon for the city, Mr. Garcetti said. Javier Camarena, who has one of the sweetest tenor voices in opera, is singing just two more performances of his calling-card role: the wily, debonair Count Almaviva in Rossinis evergreen comedy Il Barbiere di Siviglia. (You might know it as The Barber of Seville.) After shows on Friday and Jan. 18 at the Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Camarena will retire Almaviva, the part that introduced him to audiences around the world. Yet if you want to hear him and if you love opera, you should I wouldnt take the bait and rush to this genial but scattered Barbiere, which opened at the Met on Monday. Instead, take a deep breath and wait a month. Starting on Feb. 10, Mr. Camarena will be starring alongside Diana Damrau, Alexey Markov and Luca Pisaroni in the companys revival of Bellinis gorgeous I Puritani, an altogether better showcase for his talents. That is partly why he is giving up Almaviva. Mr. Camarenas voice has changed, his publicist wrote in an email, and hes moving on from Rossinis fireworks to more lyrical parts, like Arturo in I Puritani and (for the first time later this year, in Barcelona) the Duke in Verdis Rigoletto. Norway, where terrestrial radio remains quite popular, was among the first countries to adopt digital radio in the 1990s. The governments current effort is aimed at improving audio quality. That was also a goal in the creation of FM radio, which offers staticless, high-fidelity broadcasting. Edwin Armstrong, an American inventor, is credited with figuring out how to transmit sound by modulating the frequency of electromagnetic waves (FM) instead of their amplitude (AM). He later built his own FM station to prove its worth to skeptics, though his triumph was marred by legal battles over patents. The New York Times called Armstrong one of the great inventive geniuses in electrical engineering after his death in 1954. He always preferred to be the master of his own laboratory. That he was. _____ Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings. What would you like to see here? Contact us at europebriefing@nytimes.com. BuzzFeed News became the center of a swirling debate over journalistic ethics on Tuesday after its decision to publish a 35-page document carrying explosive, but unverified, allegations about ties between the Russian government and President-elect Donald J. Trump. The document, a dossier prepared by a former British intelligence officer hired by Mr. Trumps political opponents, had been circulating among high-ranking politicians and some journalists since the fall. Intelligence officials recently presented a two-page summary of the allegations to Mr. Trump and President Obama, CNN reported on Tuesday. But CNN declined to include the specific allegations contained in the dossier such as collusion between Mr. Trumps team and Russian operatives saying that its journalists could not independently verify them. Roughly an hour later, BuzzFeed, in a break from typical journalistic practice, posted the document that fully detailed the unverified allegations to which CNN had alluded. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court has rebuffed an effort by some of the countrys largest banks to halt several financial crisis-era lawsuits that could result in tens of billions of dollars in legal costs. The banks, including Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank, had asked the justices to review an appeals court ruling that regulators filed their claims against the banks in a timely manner, despite a 1930s securities law that gave them only three years to do so. The claims were related to billions of dollars in mortgage-backed securities that banks packaged and sold to other institutions before the financial crisis in 2008. On Monday, the court rejected the banks petition, returning the case to the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York. Were disappointed and hope the court decides to review this important legal issue in a later case, Robert J. Giuffra Jr., of Sullivan & Cromwell and the lead lawyer for the banks, said. This experiment is probably telling us much the same thing, Mr. Dube added in an email. But if we want to know what would happen if N.Y. or C.A. raised its minimum wage to 15/hr, I doubt that this online experiment neat as it is will shed much light. When the minimum wage goes up for everyone, it is not so easy for employers to substitute better-skilled workers because the new minimum would not offer a more attractive wage. In many cases, more highly skilled workers see their wages rise after minimum-wage increases to keep them above the new minimum, making it all the more difficult to lure them away. Zane Tankel, chief executive and equity partner in a group that owns and operates several dozen Applebees restaurants in the New York City area, said replacing low-skilled workers with higher-skilled ones after the states recent minimum-wage increases is not something that we try to do. Mr. Tankel argued that differences in the productivity of low-level workers in his industry are not very big. Its just a lot more money for the exact same job description, he said. He is accelerating automation in his restaurants, including tablet devices for ordering certain items and payment, to offset the costs of the higher minimum. Mr. Horton is quick to acknowledge that there are many reasons his experiment might not capture employer behavior in the wider economy. But he says a higher minimum wage could attract more highly skilled workers who were not previously in the labor market say, college students. At the same time, less-skilled workers might lose their jobs and drop out of the labor force. More broadly, he said, the contribution of his paper is to show that one impulse of many employers in the face of a minimum-wage increase will be to find more productive workers, even if there are limits on how much they can follow through on this desire. There are lots of reasons to think this is probably happening and we havent detected it because we dont have the data, he said. I know in my career, people have fine-grained opinions about whos better than who, and we talk about them endlessly. Were constantly ranking. But when we talk about other labor markets, we pretend the same distinctions dont exist. Breitbart News, the right-wing news and opinion website that burst into prominence during the presidential campaign, has been aggressively seeking to capitalize on the victory of Donald J. Trump that its readers helped to propel. In recent months, the website has talked of expanding its coverage in Washington and elsewhere in the United States, and of opening bureaus in foreign cities including Paris and Berlin. In its latest push to extend its appeal and compete more directly with a mainstream media that had largely dismissed it, Breitbart has hired John Carney, an experienced business reporter from The Wall Street Journal, to run a finance and economics section that will focus on news, commentary and analysis. The addition of Mr. Carney a former corporate lawyer who has also worked at Dealbreaker, an irreverent Wall Street blog; Business Insider; and CNBC shows Breitbart trying to broaden its audience beyond its loyal, hard-right readers. To comply with government ethics rules that require him to divest his stake, and to compensate Mr. Tillerson for his shares that have not yet vested, Exxon has constructed a creative solution: If he is confirmed, the company will cancel the shares and move a pile of cash with roughly the same value into a newly created trust with Mr. Tillerson as the beneficiary. The trust will invest the cash in Treasury securities and other permitted assets and then make payments to Mr. Tillerson gradually over the next decade. Mr. Tillerson will owe taxes at ordinary income rates as he receives the payments, the company expects, mimicking the tax treatment he would have received if he had stayed with the company. Tax advisers, however, question whether that is the right way to handle it. Robert J. Jackson Jr., a law professor and executive compensation expert at Columbia University and a former Obama administration Treasury Department official, said Mr. Tillerson should owe the full tax up front because the cash will effectively be his, with little realistic chance that he will lose it. Everything in the trust is his property today, which means he must pay tax on it, Professor Jackson said. The notion that Mr. Tillerson should defer the tax is a loser of a position in front of the I.R.S., he added. He should pay income tax this year. Here is why: Incentive compensation plans like the ones at Exxon Mobil usually mean executives receive stock with restrictions on when they can sell. In Mr. Tillersons case, he has about two million Exxon Mobil shares or the right to shares that will vest over the coming decade. Released in 1964, before the presidential election, the book went as viral as anything could in an analog age. We might think that by then the country had moved beyond the McCarthy era of the 1950s, with astronauts circling the globe, and polio and measles on their way to being eradicated with mass vaccination campaigns. But the Cold War was going strong. That year, Mr. Hunt was a sophomore at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx. When we were freshmen, one of the teachers told us that if communists invaded the United States, as members of the Catholic intelligentsia, we would be lined up and shot, Mr. Hunt said. So when the book came out the next year, it was a big item that a lot of kids were talking about. Mr. Stormer stuffed his tale of conspiracy with anecdotes and examples of what he said was communist infiltration of school boards, courthouses, the State Department and the White House. Franklin D. Roosevelt was quoted as saying that some of his best friends were communists, with the Congressional Record cited as the source. Mr. Hunt said his English teacher, Lawrence Schaefer, had heard the chatter among the boys. They defended the reliability of the book by pointing to its 800 footnotes. He brought us to the library, Mr. Hunt said, and told the students to dig into the sources in the footnotes. They soon found a dog chasing its own tail. The Congressional Record did, in fact, contain Roosevelts supposed remarks on his friends the communists. But it wasnt quoting him; they were in an essay by a man Roosevelt had driven from office, and who did not reveal this supposed conversation for 12 years after the deaths of all the other people he claimed had been present. A Long Island engineering company and one of its former executives pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges that they had deliberately falsified engineering reports of homes battered by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. HiRise Engineering of Uniondale, N.Y., and Matthew Pappalardo, a former director, were accused of falsifying engineering reports that were used to determine the structural damage to homes caused by the storm. Those reports were evaluated by flood insurance adjusters and federal officials, and homeowners were reimbursed based on them. As a consequence, numerous flood claims may have been undervalued or denied under the National Flood Insurance Program, a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The issue came to the fore in 2015, after investigations by The New York Times and the CBS News program 60 Minutes. Eric T. Schneiderman, the New York attorney general, secured the indictment of the company and Mr. Pappalardo last summer and referred evidence of crimes outside New York to the federal Justice Department. On Tuesday, the New York case concluded when Mr. Pappalardo pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized practice of engineering, a Class E felony, while the company admitted to a criminal-solicitation violation. TRENTON Gov. Chris Christie said on Tuesday that he would focus in his final year in office on New Jerseys drug epidemic, including promising to limit the supply of opioid drugs that doctors could initially prescribe and seeking legislation to require insurers to pay for at least six months of drug treatment. Mr. Christie, a Republican, turned the majority of his seventh State of the State address, usually an hourlong speech about the governors priorities, into an impassioned speech laying out his plans to tackle a drug crisis that is claiming hundreds of lives a year in the state. I will not have the blood of addicted New Jerseyans on my hands because we waited to act, Mr. Christie said. I will not willingly watch another 1,600 of our citizens die and watch their families mourn and suffer. Nearly 1,600 people in New Jersey died from drug overdoses in 2015, an increase of about 20 percent over 2014, according to data from the state medical examiners office. Most of those came from opioids, including heroin and fentanyl. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey violated federal securities laws when it borrowed money to repair a bridge and roads in New Jersey that its lawyers thought were beyond its bounds, securities regulators said on Tuesday. The agency, which operates bridges, tunnels and airports in and around New York City, agreed to pay a $400,000 fine in a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The commission, which polices sales of stocks and bonds, said the Port Authority had admitted to wrongdoing in the matter, making it the first issuer of municipal bonds to do so. But John J. Degnan, the chairman of the Port Authority, said the agency had not admitted to willful wrongdoing, only to negligence in its failure to disclose all of the risks faced by buyers of its bonds. I was shocked when I saw the release, Mr. Degnan said, referring to the commissions announcement of the settlement. A lawyer representing the Port Authority, James Sottile, sent a letter to the commission demanding a retraction of its news release. Mr. Sessions also said he would recuse himself from any further investigation of Hillary Clinton over her private email server or the dealings of the Clinton Foundation while she led the State Department. His strong criticisms of the F.B.I.s handling of those matters during the campaign, he admitted, could lead people to question his objectivity. During the hearing, Republicans were ready with lavish praise and defenses of his character against charges of racism, while Democrats rarely offered more than tepid and predictable criticisms. Meanwhile, outraged protesters repeatedly interrupted the hearing with denunciations of Mr. Sessions and Mr. Trump before being dragged out by Capitol police officers. A large dose of outrage is certainly called for, given the damage four years of a Sessions-led Justice Department would likely inflict on the hard-won yet fragile advances made for civil rights, racial and gender equality and humane justice. The prospect is particularly stark coming after President Obamas Justice Department, which has aggressively defended and expanded civil rights for people and groups who were previously unprotected. Mr. Sessions did nothing on Tuesday to dispel the understandable fears that he would stall if not reverse much of that progress. His defense against charges of racism that caused the Senate to reject him for a federal judgeship in 1986 was largely to say it hurt his feelings to be called racist, but his two decades in the Senate provide little hope that he has changed. He focused largely on the law-and-order themes of the Trump campaign emphasizing the need to combat a rising crime rate and show greater respect to police officers. He showed little interest in standing up for the rights of the most vulnerable Americans: say, poor and minority voters disenfranchised by strict and unnecessary voter-ID laws (he has been a strong proponent of those laws). He grudgingly acknowledged a womans constitutionally protected right to an abortion, but he stood by his belief that Roe v. Wade was one of the worst, colossally erroneous Supreme Court decisions of all time. On Tuesday, Donald J. Trump said he wanted Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act right away and replace it with a new plan very shortly thereafter. But before they abandon all the work that has gone into the health care law since 2010, President-elect Trump and Republicans in Congress owe Americans a detailed explanation of how they plan to replace it. They should not repeal the law until they have submitted their replacement proposal for analysis by nonpartisan authorities like the Congressional Budget Office and the Tax Policy Center to determine how it will affect health insurance coverage, state and federal finances and individual tax burdens. Vague promises are not enough when we are considering enormous changes in this countrys $3 trillion medical economy. Here are seven important questions that Congress must answer about its replacement plan before repealing the Affordable Care Act: 1. How many millions of Americans will lose coverage? The A.C.A. expanded Medicaid coverage to around 12 million people in 31 states and the District of Columbia, and provided financial assistance for moderate-income Americans to buy insurance. These measures have reduced the percentage of Americans who are uninsured to the lowest levels in history. Proposals by Tom Price, Mr. Trumps choice to run Health and Human Services, and by the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, would repeal the expansion of Medicaid and replace the A.C.A.s income-based subsidies with less generous tax credits. Another plan from the House Republican Study Committee would offer deductions. We particularly need to know how this would affect low-income Americans, to whom tax deductions are nearly worthless, and who would generally not be able to afford coverage under these plans. 2. Will people over 55 pay higher health premiums for the same coverage? Under the health care law, premiums for older people cannot be more than three times as much as premiums for younger people. But the Ryan plan would let insurers charge older people five times as much. This change, combined with smaller tax credits or deductions that would not compensate for the increased cost, would significantly increase health care costs for many older Americans. 3. Will the new plan let insurers charge women higher premiums than men while offering them less coverage? Before the A.C.A. banned gender-based premiums, insurers in many states charged women more than men of the same age some as much as 50 percent more. The A.C.A. also required all insurers to cover preventive health services without co-payments; for women, this includes birth control, Pap smears, mammograms and a host of other crucial services. Maternity care is fully covered as well. Republican replacement plans offer no such protection. And many Republicans want to defund Planned Parenthood, too, which would deprive women not just of coverage but also of care. Lucky Penny is an autobiographical show, written by and starring the actor David Deblinger, but while Mr. Deblinger unfolds the story of his life, he disappears so often into the other colorful characters in the tale that he himself almost seems to be a supporting player. The spine of the show, presented by the Harold Clurman Laboratory Theater, is Mr. Deblingers relationship with his father, whom we first meet when he is all but incommunicative, hospitalized and suffering from dementia. Later we learn that while Mr. Deblinger was performing in San Francisco, he had gotten a call from his sister saying that their father had suffered a stroke. When his sister holds the phone up to their fathers ear, so that Mr. Deblinger can speak encouraging words of love even though his father had by this point been rendered mostly speechless his dad suddenly perks up: San Francisco? Thats exciting. But their relationship was not always a simply loving one. Although his father would sentimentally tell his young son how much he loved his mother, his parents were often engaged in simmering fights that Mr. Deblinger was naturally pulled into once to the extent of drawing a knife on his father, who dared him to use it. He didnt, of course, but its clear where he got his flair for drama. Also his seemingly effortless ability to slip into the voices of other people: His father had an affection for mimicry, and would stage scenes with his son with their new video camera including one about a German child molester in which the young Mr. Deblinger was cast as the child. Ahem. Clearly not your average upbringing, but perhaps good early training for Mr. Deblingers career. A police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man in El Cajon, Calif., in late September will not face criminal charges in the killing, prosecutors said on Tuesday. Bonnie Dumanis, the San Diego County district attorney, described the officers decision to shoot Alfred Olango, 38, who the police said had been behaving erratically, as reasonable, even if the circumstances surrounding his death were tragic. He told me he has a number of friends who are affected, Mr. Kennedy said of the conversation with the president-elect, describing 2-year-old children who had received a battery of vaccines and then exhibited a high fever followed by changes in behavior. They all have the same story. Mr. Kennedy said Mr. Trump believes in those anecdotal stories about the dangers of vaccines. He said the president-elect says if you have enough anecdotal stories saying the exact same thing, that you cant dismiss the validity. He said a commission would probably last a year and be made up of a mix of science people and other people hopefully from the media and other prominent Americans who hopefully dont have a position going in. Mr. Kennedy wrote a book in 2014, Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak, arguing that a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal, found in vaccines, was responsible for causing autism in children. On his website, he accuses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of being a cesspool of corruption, mismanagement and dysfunction that has led the agency to overlook the affects of vaccines. With the research, regulatory and policy-making agencies captured, the courts closed to the public, the lawyers disarmed, the politicians on retainer and the media subverted, there is no one left to stand between a greedy industry and vulnerable children, except parents, Mr. Kennedy wrote. Such claims have been fueled over the past several years by social media, sometimes embraced by actors or fringe political candidates, often to the dismay of public health officials, who say the commentary is contrary to the facts. The actress Kirstie Alley has written on Twitter that not all vaccines are harmless. Erin Brockovich, an environmental activist, wrote on the site in 2015, Ill be damned if any government is going to tell me what to put in my or kids bodies. In 2011, Michele Bachmann, then a member of Congress from Minnesota and a Republican presidential candidate, called the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer dangerous. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, said Tuesday on the Senate floor, This new hearing schedule is a very good first step, but we still have a ways to go. Mr. Trumps aides have been pressuring the ethics office to expedite its processes, even though it did not get the necessary paperwork from most of his nominees until recently, putting Republicans in a difficult position of either pushing forward with hearings without proper vetting something most of the chairmen are loath to do or delaying them in some cases indefinitely. Trump is the latest president-elect to begin the process in contemporary history, said Paul C. Light, a professor of Public Service at New York University who worked on Capitol Hill as an adviser on transitions. This puts the Republicans under pressure and sets up possible problems down the road. Mr. Trump is asking the Senate to make up for his own failures here. The conservative organization America Rising PAC took aim at Mr. Shaub on Monday, highlighting his history as a Democrat and the double standard he employed as head of the agency, highlighting his political donations to President Obama as well as his offices utter incompetence in policing financial matters related to Hillary and Bill Clinton. The PAC chided Mr. Shaub for wading into the politics of the transitions, saying his public comments and criticisms had become fodder for Congressional Democrats to try and score points. The PAC noted an informal and ill-advised series of postings on Twitter from the offices official account congratulating Mr. Trump on divesting from his real estate business a move he had not made. The head of President Obamas ethics department has absolutely zero credibility to criticize others, Scott Sloofman, a spokesman for America Rising PAC, said in an email, adding that Mr. Shaubs outburst over the weekend reeks of partisan politics from an embittered Democrat still reeling from Novembers election result. WASHINGTON The chiefs of Americas intelligence agencies last week presented President Obama and President-elect Donald J. Trump with a summary of unsubstantiated reports that Russia had collected compromising and salacious personal information about Mr. Trump, two officials with knowledge of the briefing said. The summary is based on memos generated by political operatives seeking to derail Mr. Trumps candidacy. Details of the reports began circulating in the fall and were widely known among journalists and politicians in Washington. The two-page summary, first reported by CNN, was presented as an appendix to the intelligence agencies report on Russian hacking efforts during the election, the officials said. The material was not corroborated, and The New York Times has not been able to confirm the claims. But intelligence agencies considered it so potentially explosive that they decided Mr. Obama, Mr. Trump and congressional leaders needed to be told about it and informed that the agencies were actively investigating it. Intelligence officials were concerned that the information would leak before they informed Mr. Trump of its existence, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. WASHINGTON The prospects for James N. Mattis to serve as secretary of defense in the Trump administration received a boost on Tuesday when two experts in military policy recommended that an exception be made so Mr. Mattis, a retired four-star general, can assume the top Pentagon post. Military officers are barred by law from serving as defense secretary unless they have been retired for seven years. General Mattis left military active duty in May 2013. Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who leads the Senate Armed Services Committee and has strongly supported General Mattiss nomination, convened a hearing on Tuesday that was intended to give committee members, particularly Democrats, a chance to explore the issue of civilian control of the military, including the legislation that would be needed to enable General Mattis to take the Defense Department job. Eliot A. Cohen, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, who served as the State Department counselor during the administration of George W. Bush, said at the hearing that the principal of civilian control of the military is precious. WASHINGTON Gen. John F. Kelly, President-elect Donald J. Trumps choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security, easily maneuvered through his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday, drawing bipartisan support for what is likely be a smooth approval process by the full Senate. Still, despite the welcoming nature of the hearing, the senators pressed General Kelly, a retired Marine Corps four-star general, for his views on many of Mr. Trumps statements about immigration and border security, and General Kelly offered opinions differing from those expressed by the president-elect. Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, asked General Kelly about Mr. Trumps much-debated calls to build a wall along the border with Mexico, questioning whether a barrier alone would be sufficient to stop the flow of immigrants and drugs. A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job, General Kelly said. General Kelly made it clear that the United States would have to deal with factors in South and Central America that fuel northward migration especially drugs and related violence and that the nation should look to bolster law enforcement in those countries. He also expressed a notable degree of empathy for those who seek refuge in the United States. WASHINGTON Federal prosecutors asked a judge on Tuesday to sentence James E. Cartwright, a retired Marine Corps general and former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to two years in prison for lying to F.B.I. agents about his discussions with reporters about Irans nuclear program. The Justice Departments request to Judge Richard J. Leon, of Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, was significantly harsher than what prosecutors had agreed was the normal sentencing guideline range a year of probation to six months in prison when General Cartwright pleaded guilty to that charge in October to settle a four-year leak investigation. Although the general was convicted only on a charge of lying to investigators as part of his plea deal, prosecutors argued that his case should be seen as a leak case and that a two-year sentence would serve as a deterrent by showing that disclosing such information to persons not authorized to receive it has severe consequences. Lawyers for General Cartwright told the judge their client should not go to prison. They said he had already suffered grievous damage to his reputation and significant lost income and should be sentenced to a year of probation and 600 hours of community service. Leaving the hearing after his third round of questioning, Mr. Rubio would not commit to supporting or opposing Mr. Tillerson, telling reporters that he was prepared to do whats right even if fellow Republicans lined up behind Mr. Trumps nominee. Tillerson favored arms for Ukraine Mr. Tillerson also told the committee that if he had been serving in office when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, he would have recommended that the United States provide arms and intelligence support to the government of Ukraine, and said the Obama administrations reaction was viewed in Moscow as a weak response. Mr. Tillersons prescription came in the opening two hours of his confirmation hearing, where he went out of his way to portray himself as a hard-liner in confronting Russia an effort to defuse questions about his business relationships with Mr. Putin. But in doing so, he put himself in direct opposition to the position taken by Mr. Trump, who said in interviews with The New York Times last year that he doubted the utility of the sanctions the United States led against Russia. Tethered to Trump As the questioning wore on, some senators nodded at the lengthy and, at times, rocky proceedings. Im glad you came back after lunch, Mr. Tillerson, joked Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire. She thanked Mr. Tillerson for outlining his efforts to disentangle himself from Exxon Mobil while seeking a role in government. But she added that his approach stands in stark contrast to what we heard from President-elect Trump today about his own business conflicts, referring to the news that Mr. Trump will not divest himself of his business empire. Ms. Shaheen also asked Mr. Tillerson to weigh in on some of Mr. Trumps most explosive campaign positions, like calls for a ban on Muslim immigration. Photographs recently released by the Australian government show that light anti-armor weapons seized from a smuggling vessel near Yemens coast appear to have been manufactured in Iran, further suggesting that Tehran has had a hand in a high-seas gunrunning operation to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The weapons, a selection of at least nine rocket-propelled grenade launchers, were among thousands of weapons seized by an Australian warship, the Darwin, in February from an Iranian dhow that was sailing under the name Samer. The photographs of the weapons, a sample of the much larger quantity of arms, were obtained by the Small Arms Survey, a Geneva-based international research center, after a long open-records dispute with the Australian military. Iran has been repeatedly accused of providing arms helping to fuel one side of the war in Yemen, in which rebels from the countrys north, known as the Houthis, ousted the government from the capital, Sana, in 2014. The United States and other Western governments have provided vast quantities of weapons, and other forms of military support, to the embattled government and its allies in a coalition led by Saudi Arabia, contributing to violence that the United Nations said last year had caused more than 10,000 civilian casualties. Matthew Schroeder, an analyst for the survey, said a study of the weapons characteristics and factory markings had showed that they match Iranian-made rocket-propelled grenade launchers previously documented in Iraq in 2008 and 2015, and in Ivory Coast in 2014 and 2015. I felt like I had to do it, Mr. Shepherd said. And I was interested in the why of why I didnt want to. All of these works are part of a decade-long series, numbering in the hundreds, portraying people in the news including Michael Brown, who died after being shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo.; Sandra Bland, who died during police custody in Texas; as well as pop-culture heroes like the Beatles producer George Martin. But the works strive to be more than tributes, said Amanda Hunt, who curated a show including Mr. Shepherds work at the Studio Museum in Harlem. That exhibition, The Window and the Breaking of the Window, showcases protest art, including Mr. Shepherds portraits of the Charleston victims and other targets of racist violence. (The painting of Mr. Roof is not in the Studio Museum show.) The exhibition was conceived to address the Black Lives Matter movement, Ms. Hunt said, and to connect that moment, represented here by several large prints from Devin Allens 2015 series of photographs of demonstrations in Baltimore, with some of the history embodied in the museums collection. Deborah Grants 56 Blows recalls the beating of Rodney King by the police in Los Angeles. And there are text-based prints by Kerry James Marshall, showing famed cries of resistance: By any means necessary and Burn baby burn among them. Mr. Shepherds works, by comparison, are far more tender. His subjects smile with confidence at the viewer. Another distinction is the way they are displayed at the museum. Mr. Shepherds works are being shown in series, with a different portrait each week for the duration of the show, which runs through March 5. Last week, Myra Thompsons image was on view. Two more Charleston portraits will follow: the Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor and the Rev. Daniel Lee Simmons Sr. When the German painter Katharina Grosse talks about working large, its rarely metaphorical. In New York alone, she has made the Metrotech Commons in Brooklyn into an exploded technicolor landscape, filled with jagged forms that suggested an Abstract Expressionist canvas turned into scree, and she transformed a derelict Army building in the Rockaways in Queens into a magenta-and-white-streaked waterside mirage, using a hydraulic lift and power sprayer to do the job. (The most interesting thing about the spraying from a big industrial gun, Ms. Grosse said, is that it makes you so much bigger.) Now she arrives on perhaps the biggest commercial stage in the New York art world. Her first gallery show in the city, at Gagosian in Chelsea, opening Thursday, Jan. 19, features work from the past year that continues to blur the distinction between two and three dimensions, borne of the conviction, as she once said, that paint has to be voluminous if it is to achieve presence. (Through March 11; gagosian.com.) Image Another untitled work by Ms. Grosse from 2016. Credit... Katharina Grosse und VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2016, via Gagosian Laura Owens, one of the most celebrated painters of her generation and a force in the Los Angeles art world, will have her first major New York retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art opening in November, the museum announced. Ms. Owens, 46, is known for an unpredictable, often gleeful style that mixes painterly and pop-culture elements, some of which are screen printed instead of being created with brushes. The novelist Rachel Kushner once wrote that while many young artists struggle with paintings weighty past, Ms. Owens seems to have opened her umbrella and floated over the art-historical baggage collecting on the tarmac. Scott Rothkopf, the Whitneys chief curator and deputy director for programs, who is organizing the show in close collaboration with Ms. Owens, described her as a central figure in the growing debate about contemporary painting. When I talk to artists, young and old, shes someone everyone is looking to, he added. And it made perfect sense that she should be the artist for the first midcareer survey to be presented in our new downtown home. Although Victoria has a romantic sensibility, at its heart it is about a concept so modern that it still frightens people: a young woman in power, who had direction over her life that one doesnt expect in a period drama, Ms. Goodwin said. Ms. Goodwin, who studied history with a focus on the Victorian at Cambridge University, said that her vision of the adolescent, impetuous Victoria came in part from being a parent. I have a 16-year-old daughter, and we had a row one day, and I thought, what if we woke up and she was the boss of me? Ms. Goodwin said. Initially, she planned to write a novel about Victoria. I had read her diaries and had a sort of epiphany about her friskiness as a young girl, she said. I began to work on it, but Im not really equipped to be a novelist alone. I soon thought, why has no one done this as a TV series? The production company Mammoth commissioned a script, and PBS committed to the production at an early stage. Rebecca Eaton, the executive producer of Masterpiece, said that she and her colleagues were looking for a show that could reach a nontraditional audience of young women, as well as fill the large coronet-shaped hole left by Downton Abbey. She said that Victoria distinguished itself with its singular focus both on and behind the camera. This is an opportunity for an arresting, truly memorable performance by an actress, as Glenda Jackson delivered with Elizabeth R, or Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect, Ms. Eaton said. And Daisy Goodwin, not a roomful of writers, as the single creative force at the heart of the story is an opportunity for a very personal, deeply felt piece of work. Ms. Goodwin said she knew she would begin the series (and her novel, which she wrote simultaneously) with the day Victoria learned she was queen. (It was June 20, 1837.) When she got the power, she didnt hang around, Ms. Goodwin said. She replaced the name she was known by, Alexandrina, with Victoria, a name that didnt exist in England at the time. You have to think that this was self-determinism, victory over her childhood. That childhood was an unhappy and lonely one, dominated by her mother and Sir John Conroy, her mothers manipulative adviser. Her resistance to that tells you a lot about her; this absolute, obstinate nature of hers was vital in getting her through her reign, said Ms. Coleman, who played the companion to Doctor Who from 2012 to 2015. If Donald J. Trump continues to hold press conferences when hes president, we may need a new term for them. Press conflicts? Press confrontations? The president-elects appearance on Wednesday came six months after his last news conference, and one day after word broke that Mr. Trump had been briefed by intelligence officials on the possibility that Russia had collected compromising information on him. Those reports as well as BuzzFeeds publication of unsubstantiated, salacious details of the supposed Russian kompromat had already set Mr. Trump on a Twitter tear, in which he asked Are we living in Nazi Germany? and declared the reports FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! He showed up at Trump Tower still in caps-lock mode. Sean Spicer, his incoming press secretary, opened by blasting BuzzFeeds decision as shameful and disgraceful. And Mr. Trump, alternately strutting and seething, went hard after his questioners. Or his nonquestioners, in the case of Jim Acosta of CNN, who got in a shouting match with Mr. Trump for freezing him out, apparently because CNN had been first to report about the intelligence briefing. The ABC sitcom black-ish, whose Tracee Ellis Ross just won a Golden Globe for best actress in a television comedy, re-examines the I Have a Dream speech. Nature ventures into a winter wonderland with animals built for survival and yes, theyre pretty darn cute. And Michelle Obama and Stevie Wonder visit The Tonight Show. Whats on TV BLACK-ISH 9:30 p.m. on ABC. Dre and his colleagues find they cant get any work done after the presidential election. And Pop gives a history lesson when Junior is asked to deliver the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream speech at school in his role as class president. SNOWBOUND: ANIMALS OF WINTER 8 p.m. on PBS. Nature snuggles up to animals in the worlds most frigid regions a menagerie that includes the arctic fox, the bison, the reindeer, the lynx, the weasel, the polar bear, the penguin and the woolly bear caterpillar as they navigate long, dark, cold winters. That means growing fur thats 200 percent thicker than their summer coats; cooling the blood in their paws to reduce heat loss; subsisting on fat reserves; and scoping out prey with ultraviolet vision and superkeen hearing. NINO SANTO 10 p.m. on NBC Universo. Some young doctors head to southern Mexico to treat villagers plagued by an unknown epidemic. But theyre met with resistance from the residents, who put their faith in a mystical healer eventually leading their visitors to wonder what he knows that they dont. This Spanish-language series is inspired by the life of Jose Fidencio de Jesus Sintora Constantino, an early-20th-century healer said to have performed surgery without anesthesia. Like Coretta Scott King, they operated within a regime that was both punishing and exhausting for being so utterly beholden to the politics of respectability. The pressure to disprove pervasive cultural stereotypes of slovenliness, ignorance, criminal threat and rapacious sexuality meant striving for perfection always. One could not risk being charged with the slightest human fallibility for fear of deadly retribution. The harshly unforgiving surveillance of the larger white community was reiterated within black communities as the stress of constant, and sometimes cruel, self-surveillance. Living with terror is the thread that runs through My Life. This is a tale of church assaults before Dylann Roof, of cattle prods before there were tasers, of nooses before there were chokeholds, of Cointelpro before there was Breitbart, of voter suppression before anyone bothered to deny it. Kings earliest memories include her parents home being burned down when she was 15 years old. As she grows up, neighbors disappear. Bodies are found hanging from trees. Among the in-laws, her husbands mother was shot and killed in the middle of a church service by a mentally disturbed man; his brother was found floating in a pool under suspicious circumstances; and when his father, Martin Luther King Sr., passes away at the age of 84, it marked the first time any senior member of the King family had died a natural death. Some say that religion is, at base, a mechanism to handle the human response to mortality and loss. And for all the death and tragedy in My Life, it is Kings grounding in her husbands theology of peaceful resistance that enables her survival against excruciating odds. Nonviolence, she reiterates, is not a matter of passively accepting whatever happens. It is active. It is a practice. As her husband preached: Justice is really love in calculation. That power, of love as calculation, composes King, binds her together, time and again. Her practice of such belief is meditative, and becomes reflected in her diction: She speaks of endurance, overcoming, soul-sustenance for the long term. There is little in the way of open sadness in this book; after her husbands assassination, she turns to the project of creating the King Center as a monument to him, filling the emptiness with boxes of his notes and speeches. By the same token, there is a marked absence of expressed joy, other than at the birth of her children. Her emotions are muted in a way that is intriguing rather than off-putting. This disposition also presents the reader with a different way of looking at the world one of extraordinary calm and the purest resolve. It is restful somehow, and generous, in a manner that is unfashionable in our culture of 24/7 emotional display. Kings language does not privilege personal happiness, private delights, exuberant emotional extremes of any sort. Rather, her life is filtered through prescribed priorities, devotions, principles, commitments. This is life lived in service to others rather than with concern for individual regard or even personal safety. Americans seem to be forever undergoing a crisis of civility. Year after year, were told that the norms dictating decent behavior are eroding; that weve lost sight of the basic regard we owe our fellow participants in public life; that the contentiousness of our culture threatens to undermine our democracy. Worrisome stuff, of course but a little vague. If, as any historian will tell you, people in all times and places have been alarmed by this development (the ancient Romans called it pugna verborum, or the battle of words), you might wonder how urgent, or even actual, the trouble really is. Then theres the problem of definition. One mans civility is another mans repression. Were the Act Up protesters in the 1980s so indecorous as to disqualify themselves from political conversation, as their critics charged? Or were they the ones demanding civility, in the form of simple recognition of the lives of people with AIDS? Is Donald Trump dangerously boorish? Or is he, too, resisting an ersatz decorum, one he and his supporters call political correctness, which they claim honors the feelings of everyone but the beleaguered white working-class male? One response to these complexities is to abandon the quest for civility, deeming it a historically fanciful, hopelessly imprecise ideal. Another response, exemplified by the political scientist Keith J. Bybees slim and artful treatise HOW CIVILITY WORKS (Stanford Briefs/Stanford University, paper, $12.99), is to suggest we continue to fight for civility but learn to think of it less romantically. Given how nasty and intractable the conflicts in our society can be, Bybee argues, it is naive to imagine we can somehow transcend our clashing sets of values and miraculously agree on what counts as acceptable behavior and tolerable opinion. After all, if we could find common ground on something as fundamental as that, we wouldnt have the sort of nasty and intractable conflicts we call on civility to manage in the first place. For better or worse, we must accept that civility does not exist outside of politics as an independent force, Bybee writes, but rather is just as much the subject of political struggle as everything else. This solution has a paradoxical cast. The whole point of civility, you might think, is to have a consensus, not on any particular issue of debate, but on the manners that govern disagreement. For Bybee, though, that is a misguided belief. Ultimately, civility is about establishing the rules of social belonging: Whose views and interests merit consideration? That is a quintessentially contestable question. Bybee himself favors more inclusive and egalitarian conceptions of civility. But there are also hierarchical conceptions that require a social pecking order, like that of Warren Farrells mens rights movement. For Bybee, that broader notions of respect arent universal is less a sign of civilitys weakness than a reminder that there is political work to be done. This view is intended to be hardheaded and unsentimental, but the political theorist Teresa M. Bejan would presumably find Bybees conception of civility, rooted as it is in ideas of respect, no less idealistic. In her penetrating and sophisticated study MERE CIVILITY: Disagreement and the Limits of Toleration (Harvard University, $45), Bejan champions an even harder-headed view, that of the 17th-century religious radical Roger Williams. His conception of mere civility was based on mutual contempt rather than mutual respect. As the founder of the famously inclusive colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Williams understood firsthand that a tolerant society was not necessarily a pleasant, harmonious or particularly peaceful place. He himself tolerated Jews, American Indian pagans, Muslims, Catholics and myriad Protestant sects, but not because, like some proto-multiculturalist, he wanted to celebrate or dignify their differences. Instead, Williams worried that if these groups (which he found most abhorrent) were excluded from public life and common conversation, he wouldnt be able to convert them from their strange and filthy ways. 1. I think it was Russia. That was President-elect Donald Trump at his first news conference since July, conceding for the first time that Russia was behind the hacking of Democrats during the campaign. Other highlights: he will turn over his business to his two oldest sons and an associate; he insisted Mexico will pay for a border wall; he criticized the pharmaceutical industry, and will seek to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act immediately. (Want to get this briefing by email? Heres the sign-up.) Good morning. Heres what you need to know: Trump to hold news conference. President-elect Donald J. Trump took questions from reporters this morning, his first formal news conference since July. Here are some of the highlights. It came a day after news that U.S. intelligence agencies presented Mr. Trump with unsubstantiated reports that Russia had collected salacious information about him. FAKE NEWS, he responded on Twitter. On Wednesday, the Kremlin denied having any compromising material on the president-elect. Dina H. Powell, who runs many of Goldman Sachss philanthropic initiatives, will soon leave the company for a new role as adviser in the Trump White House, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. Ms. Powell, a former State Department official and White House aide during the George W. Bush administration, has been in close dialogue with Ivanka Trump, the daughter of President-elect Donald J. Trump, about the presidential transition in recent weeks, according to one of the people familiar with the matter and to previously published reports. Although Ms. Trump has a been a crucial contact for Ms. Powell, this person added, Ms. Powells formal role is likely to be that of adviser to the president himself. Ms. Trump does not immediately plan to take a role in the White House. However, according to a person briefed on the new role, Ms. Powell will work closely with both Ms. Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, who will be a senior adviser to the president. Ms. Powell has worked with Ms. Trump in recent weeks on developing policy proposals related to womens economic empowerment, the person briefed on the new role said. JPMorgan Chase inappropriately retaliated against a former employee who raised questions about the banks sales tactics and investment products, the Labor Department found. The bank was ordered to pay back wages and damages to Johnny Burris, a former broker at one of its Arizona branches. A letter released on Tuesday by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a division of the department, said that JPMorgan had violated provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley law designed to protect whistle-blowers. A spokeswoman for JPMorgan, Patricia Wexler, said the bank planned to appeal the findings. Ms. Wexler noted that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the industrys self-funded regulator, had previously ruled against Mr. Burris when he told an arbitration panel that he was fired as retaliation. Mr. Burris was fired in late 2012 after resisting managers who were pressuring him to sell JPMorgan investment products that were not suitable or were too risky for his mostly elderly clients. A little more than a year ago, Instagram opened its photo feed to advertisers large and small. Now, more ads are coming to the free app this time through Instagram Stories, a successful feature it introduced in August. The company, owned by Facebook, said 150 million accounts a day were now using Instagram Stories, which made waves for its mimicry of Snapchat Stories. That is half of Instagrams 300 million users a day. While people might post carefully filtered photographs of their new dogs to Instagrams regular mobile feed, the Stories feature enables them to showcase a more spontaneous collection of images and short videos, which disappear after 24 hours say, a clip of tug of war and images of a dogs snout and eyes with silly captions and emojis. Ads will now show up between some Stories, which take up the full phone screen and otherwise seamlessly transition from one account to the next. (Snapchat, which has 150 million daily users over all, runs similar ads.) Instagram will soon begin with ads from more than 30 companies including General Motors, Netflix, Airbnb and Capital One before expanding to all advertisers in coming weeks. It will monitor feedback to determine how often the ads will appear, said James Quarles, the vice president of Instagram Business. Antionette Brown-Hall, who is 67 and a widow in Philadelphia, said she was desperate when, about two years ago, the government began docking $197 from her monthly Social Security check of about $1,300, to cover a federal student loan she had taken out three decades earlier. The benefit must cover her mortgage, utilities, telephone bill and food, she said. When the deductions began, she said, I literally did not have any money to eat with. Ms. Brown-Hall, a former tax preparer, said she had borrowed to attend a business school that took her money, but soon closed. The loan of about $5,200 had ballooned to nearly $17,000 by early 2015. With the help of a lawyer at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, she was able to stop the offset and enroll in a federal student loan repayment program that reduced her monthly loan payments to zero, because of her limited income. The catch: She must remember to file paperwork each year to remain eligible for the program. Im on it, she said. Ms. Canan urged older borrowers to contact their loan servicers as soon as they encountered problems making payments to discuss flexible repayment options before they fall too far behind. The bureau said borrowers also complained that servicers often misallocated payments they made on loans they co-signed for children and grandchildren. (Student loans from private lenders often require co-signers.) One borrower, for instance, said his payment was allocated to all of the borrowers loans, rather than the specific loan that he co-signed. Borrowers have the right to see account information if they are co-signers, the bureau said, to make sure the payments are correctly applied. Here are some questions and answers about older borrowers and student loans: What if I want to co-sign a student loan for a child or grandchild? Ms. Canan urged older people to be cautious about co-signing student loans. Many people do not understand that they are not just vouching for the borrower, but are in fact agreeing to be responsible for the loan. Theres a lot of confusion about co-signing, she said. If the primary borrower runs into financial difficulty, you as the co-signer are responsible for the full amount of the loan. Really think it through, she advised, and co-sign only if you think you will be in a position to repay the loan down the road, if needed. If I took out a Parent Plus loan, can I enter a flexible repayment plan? Borrowers of Plus loans, the only federal loans available to parents of undergraduates, have fewer flexible repayment options and people must jump through some hoops to qualify for them, said Lauren Asher, president of the Institute for College Access and Success. Parent Plus loans must first be consolidated into a new loan to become eligible for a federal program offering lower payments. The program, known as income-contingent repayment, is less robust than options for other types of loans, Ms. Canan said, but may still offer relief to older borrowers. Can my Social Security check be docked if I fail to pay a private student loan? Generally, no. Borrowers have complained about threats by debt collectors to reduce their Social Security payments if they fail to repay private student loans, which are made by banks or lenders other than the federal government. But such offsets can occur only with federal debts. The bureau said, Debt collectors may not offset your Social Security benefit in order to repay a private student loan. Saddled with $40,000 in college loans, Catherine Berendsohn, 29, struggled to get a web design business off the ground after graduating from Florida State University in 2010. Ms. Berendsohn, an artist-entrepreneur, wanted to rent a storefront and start a roving studio in Monterey, Calif. Her student loans, however, prevented her from getting the money she needed. As she tried to expand her business, Ms. Berendsohn was denied a personal credit card. Her college loan payment was $400 a month at the time. She took on a website project and began to accept other clients in Carmel Valley Village, Calif. But then she lost a commission for a local mural project. Unable to continue to pay her monthly expenses, she shut down her business after three months and moved back home to Miami. Because of the corrosive impact of student debt on start-ups, millennials seem to be the new lost generation of entrepreneurs. Although it is difficult to pin down a direct relationship between college loans and entrepreneurial activity, the weight of student debt appears to be deterring some would-be business owners. You mention James Chance, who is such a talented musician. The consistency and sincerity of his work, unaffected, is extremely comforting to me. This is a million miles away from social media culture. He or other artists in the photographic essay might be unknown to the general public, however they genuinely embody a sense of New York, a living energy and pulse that seems vulnerable and precious to me, let alone today. This legendary community could, more than ever, inspire upcoming generations of artists and prevail. A creative redemption from current conservatism, an inner sense of artistic activism in New York re-enacted. Do you relate to the people you photograph, or identify with them in some way? Are they generally people you know or friends before you shoot them, or do you meet them through the sitting? It is very specific. I do relate to their work, almost all the time. I do not really identify though, but feel more comfortable in this context. Some have been my friends for quite some time. Do you think of these images as being fashion pictures? Occasionally, I would shoot fashion photography, but it is a photographic repertoire of its own, and about a certain romanticism, precisely composed, with a production, groomers, stylist, etc. I havent shot any fashion photography since I left Saint Laurent in March. When youre at school, can you point in the direction of your home? Or vice versa? Right now, do you know which direction north is? If you ever get lost in an unfamiliar place, do you have confidence that you can find your way to where youre going without using a smartphone? How good is your sense of direction? In To Improve Your Sense of Direction, Lose the Technology, Christopher Mele writes: Are you one of those people who get lost in walk-in closets? Do you build in extra travel time to account for getting lost? Is your sense of direction like a weather vane spinning in strong winds? For the directionally challenged, getting from Point A to Point B can be a frustrating, time-wasting ordeal. If the idea of trying to get someplace unfamiliar makes you anxious, fear not: Experts say there are steps you can take to improve your sense of direction. One of the suggestions in the article is to put the technology away: Experts say that technology like GPS devices or apps on smartphones can be crutches that inhibit the development of a better sense of direction. The devices can be good adaptive strategies to navigate to unfamiliar places, Dr. Kelley said. However, it can be challenging to learn on our own if we rely too heavily on them. David R. Widman, a professor of psychology at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., said in an interview that paper maps, with their foldout pages, offer a better overview of where you are headed than the small screens of smartphones. He recalled that during a trip his family took from central Pennsylvania to Vermont, the GPS device never made it clear that they would have to cross Lake Champlain. The trip ended up taking 11 hours. The GPS is as likely to get you to where you want to go as it is to get you lost, he said. Students: Read the entire article, then tell us: How good is your sense of direction? Do you get lost easily? Or can you usually find your way around a new place without much trouble? How much do you rely on technology like GPS devices or smartphone apps to get from place to place? Would you lose your bearings without these tools? Is having a good sense of direction a worthwhile skill to possess or cultivate? Is it worth the effort to learn how to navigate without digital tools, and instead rely on old-school technology like paper maps and compasses? Why? What do you think of the suggestions offered in the article for improving your sense of direction? Will you try one or more? Our daughter has been dating a young man for five years. She is a senior at a public university. Her boyfriend has completed two years of community college and one semester of private college and recently tried to transfer to her public university. He owes the private college tens of thousands of dollars. The private college wont release his transcript without full payment, so he couldnt provide the transcript to the public university, and thus it denied him final admission. Three months ago, our daughter asked us to help. We offered to give him $10,000, which he was reluctant to accept but then agreed to after our urging and reassurances. Two and a half months went by as we waited for him to raise the rest of the money and negotiate terms with the private college and its collection agency. However, two weeks ago, we withdrew our offer after discussing the issue with our friends and family, who strongly warned us against such a financial entanglement. My wife, friends and family feel certain that we did the right thing. Their reasoning is that creating a financially dependent relationship in which Mom and Dads money can be counted on whenever it is needed is a bad precedent to set for our daughter. Others have said that her boyfriend will eventually be grateful that we did this: If he finds a way to pay off the loan and go to the university, he will value it more and be more proud of himself. Further, my wife says that my daughter should be doing more herself to help him rather than asking us for the money. I agree with all that, and yet I really feel for her boyfriend as a person, a young man, who has had to deal with many family misfortunes not of his making. He has paid for all his community college himself. He screwed up by going to the private college and not making payments. I dont see him as the right person for my daughter in the long term. Weve never felt really close to him. And yet I feel as though we handled this poorly and there may still be another option. What are your thoughts? Name Withheld Its worth noting the background problem here: This young man was drawn into debt he cant afford by the private college that he attended. Taking advantage of vulnerable people in this case, a young man with ambitions and neither money nor family support is a paradigm of exploitation. Nor is the colleges decision to withhold his transcript entirely rational, because that reduces the probability that the college will be paid in the end. Our president-elect has said he wants to help with student debt, but the plans he has described so far do not suggest a program that will solve this young mans problem, and recent Republican orthodoxy runs against plans for college-debt refinancing or forgiveness. I doubt, in short, that theres relief for him in sight. None of this is your fault, of course. But I agree that youve handled this situation poorly. Making an offer and then withdrawing it was unkind worse, surely, than never having made the offer. And Im puzzled at the notion that creating a financially dependent relationship is a bad precedent to set for your daughter. She hasnt proposed that she should be able to rely on you whenever she needs to for the rest of her life. Shes asking for help for the man I assume shes planning to make a life with, so that he can get on with his education. With the right start in their life together, in fact, theyre much less likely to have to ask for help in future. But the rest of your circle probably wouldnt feel as they do if your daughter were the one in trouble. I suspect that theyve misdescribed their objection: What they really think is that its not worth investing in a young man if he isnt going to end up in your family. Thats not a crazy thought, especially given your doubts about him. So I suggest you tell your daughter the truth. And if she stops speaking to you for a while, you can reassure your wife and friends that she wont be asking for money from you again anytime soon. Anthony J. Friscia, a member of Vassars board of trustees and co-chairman of the committee that scouted its next president, said the college made a decision about 10 years ago to increase diversity on campus on several fronts. Under Dr. Bradleys predecessor, Catharine Bond Hill, who left the college last year after a decade as its president, Vassar has been at the forefront of an effort by elite colleges to admit more low-income students. In 2015, The New York Times produced a College Access Index, ranking colleges based on factors like the percentage of their students who receive Pell grants, a form of federal student aid that goes to the poorest students. Vassar ranked first among private institutions. The percentage of minority students has also increased during that time. In the 2006-07 academic year, 22 percent of those enrolled were minority students, Vassar said. This year, 34 percent are. Dr. Hill left to become managing director at Ithaka S+R, an educational nonprofit that is among several organizations participating in an effort that Bloomberg Philanthropies announced in December called the American Talent Initiative, which is aimed at increasing the number of low- and moderate-income students enrolled at top colleges. Vassar was among the first colleges to sign on. But just getting a more diverse pool of students on campus is not enough, many colleges say. In the last few years, many colleges have seen protests over the treatment of racial minorities on campus. Students at Yale have fought hard for, among other things, renaming one of the universitys residential colleges, Calhoun, which was named after John C. Calhoun, a former student and a politician from South Carolina who was virulently in favor of slavery. So far, the name remains. Gender issues have also come to the forefront, as transgender students have increasingly come out on campuses and pushed for colleges to address their needs, said Genny Beemyn, director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a resource group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Those might include the availability of gender-neutral bathrooms, whether hormones are covered by the campus health insurance or what name is used on a students records. Its of the immigrant community, of people of color, its broader than people who are first generation, said Muzna Ansari, 28, the immigrant policy manager for the New York Immigration Coalition. A child of Indian immigrants, she is Muslim. Its a moment of connection, too. There are black immigrants who we dont talk about. Ninaj Raoul, a founder and executive director of Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, said she had seen the immigration rights movement focus on the ultra-organized Latino community since the 2012 election. But black immigrants, who are far less likely to be undocumented, have pressing issues of their own, she said. Now more than ever its important for the Haitian voice to be heard in this movement, Ms. Raoul said. Not just for the incoming government, where we have so many reasons to be worried, but for the current government because of the actions theyve taken on Haitian immigrants. Over the last several months more than 80 Haitian immigrants have walked into her Brooklyn office seeking help, she said, anguished by the shifting American policy that has left them separated from family members. And those living in the city because of temporary protection granted after their countrys 2010 earthquake do not know how long that will last. Migrants from Haiti have flooded the southern border of Mexico since last spring, many making dangerous journeys through nine countries after fleeing South America. In September, the Obama administration detained Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico border arriving without visas and ordered deportations. Some pregnant women and mothers with children were given a temporary humanitarian reprieve to stay, but their husbands were deported. In early 2014, after years apart, she returned to his side when his cancer returned. His family asked Ms. Rudolph to sing at his funeral in Atlanta. She not only honored the request, but Ms. Rudolph also decided to remain in Georgia with Dominque to see what opportunities they might find. She and her husband had separated in 2010, and money became so scarce that the family was on the brink of homelessness. She did not want Dominique to experience that despair, so she sent her to live with her father in Arkansas. That was the hardest decision I ever made, to see her go, Ms. Rudolph said. But all I could think about was her opportunities to come. I wanted her to have the best in life. A short time later, a former producer called her to say that My Grandmother Prayed for Me was restarting a national tour in January 2015. Ms. Rudolph returned to the roles she played as an understudy years ago and added a third, on a tour that ended in New York. After the show ended, Ms. Rudolph faced a choice: Return to the South or stay in New York. Im not going back, Ms. Rudolph said. Theres something here for me to do. I dont know what it is; Im going to figure this thing out. Without a place to stay, she wound up in a shelter in the summer of 2015. The decision to remain in New York came with consequences, especially missing holidays with her family, but she does not regret it. In the Mad Men era, power was traded on Steak Row, a boulevard of chop houses around East 45th Street in Midtown Manhattan. Pietros, which opened in 1932 and operates without fanfare from a window front obscured by curtains on 43rd Street, may be the last of them. Blue-jacketed waiters toss Caesar salads at a worn wooden station. Ghosts of the expense-account days linger as business types polish off deals over lunch. The decor is New York time capsule, and just to avoid confusion a gold plaque states: This Place Has Been Here Since May 1, 1932. The restaurants strip steak, presented regally to customers on a platter before serving, was declared by Ruth Reichl, the former New York Times restaurant critic, in 1994 the single best steak I have had in New York. But that vaunted distinction seems forgotten to time. Although lamenting vanishing New York has become a macabre pastime for some, Pietros remains strangely uncanonized. Steak Row legends like Pen & Pencil and Christ Cella are long gone, and the other noted survivor, the Palm, has over 20 locations including steakhouse outposts in Las Vegas and at Kennedy International Airport. As such, Pietros is the last of its ilk. To the Editor: Re Trumps Anti-C.I.A. Crusade, by Michael J. Morell (Op-Ed, Jan. 7): As a retired intelligence analyst and linguist with a 30-year career at the National Security Agency behind me, I am at a total loss to explain why Donald Trump appears bent on biting the hand that will both feed him and make him truly smart in the way that only good intelligence can, making him forearmed and forewarned in a complex and volatile world. Having served under five presidents and numerous defense secretaries, I have been playing a little game with myself lately, picking a crisis du jour or hot intelligence topic from any of those five administrations during my N.S.A. career and imagining what would have transpired if the president at the time were uninformed or willfully ignorant of the intelligence available before, during and after the fact. In some instances, hours if not minutes are the difference between life and death, success or failure. The idea that the people around Mr. Trump will catch him up if something serious occurs is absurd. There is no substitute for current situational awareness. Lets spin the dial and see what we come up with the Soviet Unions invasion of Afghanistan; the terrorist airline plot originating from Britain; the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait; ethnic cleansing in Kosovo; the list goes on and on. A lack of foresight or a deep understanding of any of these events would have been fraught with additional serious consequences. Now that forces supporting the Syrian government have completed the takeover of Aleppo, and Russia, Turkey and Iran have negotiated a tenuous cease-fire, it is more than likely that President Bashar al-Assad and the regime he oversees will continue to govern Syria, in one form or another. In an interview with French media published last week, Mr. Assad stated that Aleppo signaled a tipping point in the course of the war and that the government is on the way to victory. But if that is the case, what will Mr. Assad actually win? Lets take a look at the numbers. (While the following statistics are estimates, they will, if anything, get worse with the continuing matrix of wars in Syria.) More than 80 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line. Nearly 70 percent of Syrians live in extreme poverty, meaning they cannot secure basic needs, according to a 2016 report. That number has most likely grown since then. The unemployment rate is close to 58 percent, with a significant number of those employed working as smugglers, fighters or elsewhere in the war economy. Life expectancy has dropped by 20 years since the beginning of the uprising in 2011. About half of children no longer attend school a lost generation. The country has become a public health disaster. Diseases formerly under control, like typhoid, tuberculosis, Hepatitis A and cholera, are once again endemic. And polio previously eradicated in Syria has been reintroduced, probably by fighters from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Upward of 500,000 are dead from the war, and an untold number of Syrians have died indirectly from the conflict (the price for destroying hospitals, targeting health care professionals and using starvation as a weapon). With more than two million injured, about 11.5 percent of the prewar population have become casualties. And close to half the population of Syria is either internally or externally displaced. A 2015 survey conducted by the United Nations refugee agency looking at Syrian refugees in Greece found that a large number of adults 86 percent had secondary or university education. Most of them were under 35. If true, this indicates that Syria is losing the very people it will most need if there is to be any hope of rebuilding in the future. The cost of reconstruction will be astronomical. A March 2016 study estimated that the total economic loss as a result of the conflict was $275 billion; industries across the country are decimated. Added to this will be the cost of needed repairs to infrastructure, which the International Monetary Fund estimates to be between $180 billion and $200 billion. Paying for rebuilding would require uncharacteristic generosity from the international community, but there is no reason to believe other countries would want to reward Mr. Assad for out-brutalizing the other side. His allies Russia and Iran have their own economic woes and are unlikely to be of much help. To the Editor: I listened to Donald Trumps first news conference in six months and was appalled that America could have elected such a man. In contrast to President Obamas farewell speech on Tuesday evening, Mr. Trumps statements and answers to reporters questions were an affront to the intelligence and the dignity of all Americans. Under his administration truth, honesty and integrity will no longer be basic to our democracy. Mr. Trump brings a table full of documents that his lawyers say completely dissolve his business conflicts, and he expects us to believe that his sons will have no discourse with him involving the Trump Organization. He denies any business interests or dealings with Russia, but refuses to release his tax returns, which could prove his claims, using the same tired bromide that the returns are under audit. I only hope that some person or organization proves the claims that Russia has evidence of major wrongdoing by the president-elect, and that Congress will find such an offense impeachable. America cannot afford four years, or even one year, of such a scoundrel. LONDON The British Labour Party is in meltdown. After reviving the center-left in the 1990s, and then dominating British politics until 2010, Labour now faces the gravest challenge in its 116-year history. One of the oldest social-democratic parties in the world is fighting to survive; there is no guarantee it will. Labours crisis is a microcosm of the test that confronts social democracy at large. In polling, Labour has fallen to its lowest level in generations. Shortly before Christmas, the partys support dropped to 24 percent, which if repeated in a national election would mark its lowest share of the vote since 1918. Forecasts suggest that the number of Labour seats in Parliament could slip from the 232 the party won in 2015 to 190 in 2020, its poorest showing since 1935. The bad news does not end there. In a recent election to fill a vacant parliamentary seat, Labour suffered the humiliation of failing to reach even 5 percent of the vote. In Scotland, where Labour lost all but one of its seats in 2015, leaked internal polling not only put the party a distant third behind the Scottish nationalists and the Conservatives, but also offered this ominous warning: There is no such thing as a core Labour vote anymore. This week, a report from the center-left Fabian Society suggested that the Labour vote could fall in the 2020 general election to as low as 20 percent because in previous elections it has underperformed its midterm polling by an average of 8 points. This would leave the main opposition party with only 140 to 150 seats in Parliament. The report spoke of insignificance, even of looming death. President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican leaders may be determined to repeal the Affordable Care Act immediately, but a few more sensible members of the party are now trying to slow down this runaway train. They recognize the danger in destroying a program that directly benefits 22 million Americans and indirectly millions more by controlling costs without a plan to replace it. That perhaps obvious insight has yet to penetrate Mr. Trumps reality distortion field. He said on Tuesday that Congress should vote to repeal the law as early as next week and replace it with new legislation very shortly thereafter. His statements once again demonstrated cluelessness or indifference to how laws are made, especially in a field as complicated as health care. Most experts think that it could well take years for lawmakers to replace a law that requires insurers to sell affordable policies to people with pre-existing medical conditions, provides subsidies to help people buy insurance and encourages doctors and hospitals to reduce unnecessary and expensive medical procedures. The House speaker, Paul Ryan, claimed on Tuesday that Republicans would try to repeal and replace the law concurrently. He offered few details, but his statement suggests Congress wont repeal the A.C.A. for several months at least. On Monday, five Republican senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rob Portman of Ohio faced up to that reality. They proposed slowing down a budgetary process designed by congressional leaders to effectively kill the most important parts of Obamacare by defunding them. Two Republican governors, John Kasich of Ohio and Rick Snyder of Michigan, have said that Congress ought to preserve parts of the law, like its expansion of Medicaid, which has improved care for the poor and reduced the heavy burden of charity care at hospitals. About 665,000 people in Ohio and 614,000 in Michigan gained coverage under Medicaid expansion as of December 2015, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. FRONT PAGE An article on Tuesday about the planned Womens March on Washington referred imprecisely to Gloria Steinems role in a town hall meeting planned during the march. She will be a participant, not the host, of the event. (The National Domestic Workers Alliance will host the meeting.) INTERNATIONAL A Times Insider article on Friday about a 6-year-old boy in Cameroon who was hit and killed in April by a vehicle in a convoy of American officials referred imprecisely to the motorcade at the time of the accident. While most of the vehicles continued down the road, the S.U.V. that hit the boy as well as an ambulance pulled over briefly before rejoining the convoy; it is not the case that the entire motorcade did not stop. An article on Dec. 13 about a report from the Committee to Protect Journalists that said a record number of journalists had been jailed around the world in 2016 misstated the overall total and the totals in Eritrea and Ethiopia. The overall total was 259, not 257; Eritreas was 17, not 16; and Ethiopias was 16, not 14. An article on Dec. 11 about Turkeys crackdown on Kurdish politicians, schools, news outlets and charities omitted part of a comment by Feleknas Uca, a member of Parliament from the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party, explaining why so many young Kurds had fled to the mountains. They did so to avoid curfews imposed this year in parts of eastern Turkey, she said, not just since the arrests of Selahattin Demirtas, the party co-chairman, and Figen Yuksekdag, the co-chairwoman. If Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were to revisit the site of their famous duel in Weehawken, N.J., today, they would have a far different view than they did when Hamilton was mortally wounded there in 1804. In place of the wide-open cliffs and marshlands which later became a maze of railroad tracks and industrial junkyards there are now large swaths of new condominiums and apartment buildings, a light rail line, a walking path and a ferry terminal where passengers can catch an eight-minute ride across the Hudson River to Manhattan. Yiran Kang, 28, and Yang Han, 31, who are newly married, moved here in November, trading a one-bedroom rental in the Midtown East neighborhood of Manhattan for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium on the waterfront, built in 2008. We looked in the city, but the prices were too high, said Ms. Kang, an accountant, describing their $900,000 home. For the same amount, we got a bigger place, and the waterfront is very beautiful. Every morning, the couple walk three minutes to a bus stop, sharing the 11-minute bus ride into the city to work. For weekend outings they bought a car, which they use to explore what is sometimes referred to as New Jerseys gold coast, the string of rapidly developing riverfront towns that stretch from Fort Lee to Jersey City. Weehawken is less urban than its southern neighbors Hoboken and Jersey City, and has none of the high-rise buildings found farther north. The lack of high-rises didnt happen by chance; it was the result of a concerted effort by local officials to preserve the towns spectacular views of Manhattan. Dr. Peter C. Nowell, who with a colleague discovered the first genetic defect proven to cause cancer, died on Dec. 26 in Newtown Square, Pa. He was 88. The cause was complications of Alzheimers disease, his daughter Kristin said. The finding, published in 1960, took cancer research in a new direction, leading to an extraordinary advance by other scientists three decades later: the drug Gleevec. For many patients, Gleevec transformed chronic myeloid leukemia from a fatal disease to a chronic one that can be kept under control for many years. Before the report, written by Dr. Nowell and David A. Hungerford, few scientists had believed that flawed genes could lead to cancer. The notions of cancer were so bizarre, said Dr. Mark I. Greene, the director of the Immunobiology and Experimental Pathology Division at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Nowell spent most of his career. It was a total conundrum. There was no consistent theory at that time that was even recognized. On a Tuesday afternoon, James Fuentes revels in an empty office. It is what Im used to, the art dealer says, before catching himself. Of course, I like it when everyone is here, too. Fuentess namesake gallery celebrates its 10th anniversary this January, and hes in the midst of preparing for an exhibition dedicated to those who have supported his gallery over the last decade but havent necessarily been exhibited there. I knew I wanted to do a group exhibition to commemorate the moment where Im at, Fuentes says. I thought it would be interesting to feature artists who have had little to no presence in the program but are almost the invisible artists around the gallery, those that have really buttressed my program. That group encompasses everyone from loyal opening attendees and customers to friends and friends of friends. The forthcoming anniversary exhibition will be a living model for Fuentess historically inclusive philosophy. Younger artists like Diamond Stingily and Lucas Blalock will be joined by more established voices, including David Altmejd, Cecily Brown, Jim Drain and Dana Schutz. What is great about a show like this is that its free from a didactic theme, Fuentes says. In no other context would these artworks be shown alongside one another. That is when the sparks usually fly. When I can surprise myself, that is when things really get interesting. Fuentes opened his first gallery on the Lower East Side at age 21 in a space that served as an apartment, too. It was in the tradition of the off space, or artist-run space, Fuentes says. I was just trying to figure it out and experiment. After a short run as his own boss, Fuentes worked for Jeffrey Deitch and Lombard Freid Gallery; but the dealer couldnt stay away from the LES for long, and in 2007, he opened his eponymous space. When we opened, it was much harder to get people to come, even New York museum curators, he says of early days. Now its mandatory. SAN FRANCISCO Facebook is increasingly owning up to its role as one of the worlds largest distributors of information by taking more responsibility for the millions of stories that flow through its site. On Wednesday, the social network made its latest move to acknowledge that role by announcing the Facebook Journalism Project. The effort calls for the company to forge deeper ties with publishers by collaborating on publishing tools and features before they are released. Facebook will also develop training programs and tools for journalists to teach them how to better search its site to report on news and events. And Facebook wants to help train members of the public to find news sources they trust, while fighting the spread of fake news across its site. The project will begin in coming weeks in partnership with publishers including The Washington Post and Vox Media. (The New York Times is not among the initial partners for some parts of the test, but it has been invited and plans to participate in the project.) There is no point acting defensive. The solution is to hire superb professional cleaners. Relay any negative feedback from guests to your cleaners so they improve over time. Set Prices Based on Demand Depending on where your house is, demand may be higher at certain times of year. If you hope to ever make a profit, you will want to set prices higher during peak rental seasons, and reduce prices during slow seasons. But constantly changing prices on your listing can be daunting. I use a dynamic pricing tool, BeyondPricing.com, that automatically adjusts prices based on demand, including factors like holidays, peak travel season and the day of the week. (Airbnb provides its own dynamic pricing tool called Smart Pricing, but in my experience it chooses rates that are too low.) Get the Guests You Want Last year, Airbnb introduced an anti-discrimination policy that urged hosts to welcome guests regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender and age. That makes sense, since Airbnb wants to connect hosts with travelers from all over the world. But it doesnt mean you should let just anybody into your home. Hosts reserve the right to decide what types of groups they would like to host, especially when taking into consideration city laws. For my rental, city law forbids loud parties past 10 p.m. When guests request the house, I ask them the purpose of the visit and ask them to carefully read and agree to my house rules, including one about loud noise. I am less inclined to book a group of college students looking to have a party than I am to book a family planning a winter vacation. (Though if the students promised to stay quiet, I would probably book them.) Mr. Ribbers, the Airbnb Superhost, said he preferred families or couples staying in his two-bedroom apartment in Amsterdam partly because of the size constraints. He also typically accepts bookings only from guests who already have positive reviews themselves. When guests reserve his home, he reads their profiles to get a sense of their personalities and check if they have verified their identities with Airbnb by providing drivers license information, among other documentation. Some vetting is permitted by Airbnbs nondiscrimination policy, which says hosts can decline to rent based on factors that are not prohibited by law so my rejection of those planning to have loud parties fits the bill. Back in 2007, Harriet Walter thought she was done with Shakespeare. Over the decades, the British actress had taken on some of his major female characters, including Viola, Lady Macbeth and Beatrice, and she had just completed a successful West End run in Antony and Cleopatra opposite Patrick Stewart. I felt I was just getting comfortable, Ms. Walter recently said, smiling slightly. But then basta! The problem wasnt that this actors actor, revered by her peers, had lost interest. The problem was that she was nearing 60 and the playwright just didnt offer big roles for older women. So she turned to his men. Since 2012, Ms. Walter has played Brutus in Julius Caesar, the title monarch in Henry IV and now Prospero in The Tempest. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, these productions originated at Londons Donmar Warehouse before limited runs at St. Anns Warehouse in New York The Tempest is there until Feb. 19. Ms. Walter and Ms. Lloyd had been looking for another project after their hit collaboration on Mary Stuart, which earned them Tony nominations in 2009. They decided to do Shakespeare, but with a twist. Unlike, say, Deborah Warners recent King Lear with Glenda Jackson in the West End, their show would feature only women. It would also be set in a contemporary prison. We booked the late-February cruise on the Steigenberger Minerva through the tour operator SEEgypt and the World Travel, paying $450 a person, not including flights, drinks or tips. And there were plenty of tips for the staff and our guide, drivers and the turbaned attendants at monuments who led us to hidden hieroglyphics and posed for pictures. Our itinerary included a motorboat ride to Philae, begun by a pharaoh in the fourth century B.C. and abandoned by pagans in the sixth century A.D. As we meandered through its courtyard, pylons and sanctuary with our guide, Ahmed A. Kader, an Egyptologist, it became clear that this trip was going to be filled with a bewildering array of dynasties and deities. I did commit to memory a god we would be running into a lot Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, often depicted as falcon-headed. And I took note of the menus etched in the stone doorway of the pylon, with Mr. Kader explaining that the five vessels held the ancient Egyptians beverages of choice milk, water, honey, wine and beer. Alas, there was no bar at the temple. As we traveled downriver the next day, stopping at temples of the crocodile god Sobek and Horus the hawk at Kom Ombo and Edfu, it became somewhat clear how centuries of raids, desecration and time had turned once beautifully adorned monuments into ruins. From countless walls and columns, vandals had hacked away the heads and legs of the gods. We dont know who or when, said Mr. Kader, adding there was evidence of mutilation by early Christians and Muslims. We sailed to Luxor as a brilliant sunset painted the sky and Susan tried to read in our cabin. Its just too hard to focus, she said from an armchair near the open glass door that framed passing scenes of fishermen in rowboats, a little girl with a donkey waving hello, water buffaloes lolling on the riverbank. Its probably been like that for hundreds of years, and they dont care about me being on this big fancy boat. After sunset, as the boat emerged from a lock south of Luxor, we looked two stories down and saw a powder-blue rowboat tethered to the ship. The white-robed pilot spread out a prayer rug on the back. He steadied himself as he stood and folded his arms over his chest, bowed, knelt and touched his forehead to the mat. He repeated the ritual, the boat hopping along, his djellaba fluttering in the wind. Dinner was at 7:30. The low-ceilinged dining room had white tablecloths and cushy purple armchairs, and at each meal we circled the buffet island selecting duck or Florentine fish, couscous or rice, stuffed zucchini or mixed vegetables. The food was good and the staff attentive. And the cleaners were creative, making a crocodile or a monkey out of our bathroom towels daily and posing them in our cabins. If the November election was intended as a rejection of elites, of expertise and of the sort of technocratic advice that economists often give, its a punch that has landed. In somber analyses, huddled hallway conversations and pointed asides during endless panel sessions at the annual conference of economists last weekend in Chicago, the major theme was a sense of anxiety about the incoming Trump administration. This foreboding was evident in roughly equal measure among conservative and liberal economists. But it is in direct contrast with the feelings of small-business owners and Wall Street traders. Most of my fellow economists remain convinced that university-trained economists can offer useful insight to the new administration. Few believe it will matter. The life force that animates the econ tribe that what theyre doing matters has been drained away. Few see useful channels for influence. Partly this reflects President-elect Donald J. Trumps legislative plans. On issues like restricting trade, directly intervening to assist specific industries or corporations, targeting tax cuts to the wealthy, his agenda stands as a rejection of the advice that mainstream economist have typically offered. Thats the moment the Laguna Beach jumper was born. Over the next months, Mr. Armer, 28, became an internet sensation by filming himself making dozens of heart-stopping leaps into water from structures across the region. He seemed to flirt with death, rocketing within inches of rocks and ledges. His YouTube videos have raked in more than 23 million views and drawn attention from around the world. Comedy Centrals Tosh.0 ran a segment. Much of the online reaction has been withering, with some people criticizing Mr. Armers judgment and predicting a bad end. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, and it happened. Launching himself from a rooftop, he struck the edge of a hotel swimming pool and badly shattered both of his feet. But Democrats have long suffered from a consuming obsession with the presidency at the expense of other elections, said Mr. McAuliffe, a former national party chairman. Weve got to be smarter about how were building the future of this party. We have been decimated at the state level, and its at the state level that they draw the maps, he said, adding: We raise all this money in the presidential, and then everybody goes away. The next round of congressional redistricting is still years away, after the next decennial census in 2020. But the officials drawing the maps in most states will be chosen in elections well before then, starting with the election for governor in Virginia this year. Democrats ruefully acknowledge now that before the 2010 census, riding high after Mr. Obamas 2008 victory and seemingly secure in their hold on Congress, they were far less prepared than Republicans in gearing up for legislative reapportionment. The Republican Party mounted a ferocious state-by-state campaign that gave it overwhelming control of redistricting, allowing it to lock in many victories in the 2010 midterm elections. In the run-up to 2020, Democrats say, their goal in many places will be not to seize control of redistricting, but merely to capture one or two key offices to keep Republicans from locking them out of the process. Right now, there are 25 states in which Republicans control the whole government the governorship and the legislature versus just six wholly controlled by Democrats. Mr. Holder said his initiative would unfold on three fronts: In court, where Democrats will challenge Republican-drawn maps they see as violating the law; on the campaign trail, where they will seek to win offices that influence redistricting; and through ballot referendums in states that allow voters to give direct approval to laws mandating new procedures for legislative apportionment. Mr. Holder said he was also prepared to take an unaccustomed leap into electoral politics, campaigning for candidates around the country who can affect the redistricting process. A career prosecutor, Mr. Holder has quickly emerged as a leading figure in Democratic efforts to fight Mr. Trump; he has been retained by the Democratic-led California Legislature to help in any battles with the Trump administration. CHICAGO President Obama, delivering a farewell address in the city that launched his political career, declared on Tuesday his continued confidence in the American experiment. But he warned, in the wake of a toxic presidential election, that economic inequity, racism and closed-mindedness threatened to shred the nations democratic fabric. We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others, Mr. Obama said, when we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt, and when we sit back and blame the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them. Speaking to a rapturous crowd that recalled the excitement of his path-breaking campaign in 2008, Mr. Obama said he believed even the deepest ideological divides could be bridged. His words were nevertheless etched with frustration a blunt coda to a remarkable day that laid bare many of the racial crosscurrents in the country. On Capitol Hill, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama presented himself as a moderate in his confirmation hearing for attorney general, while his critics denounced him as a racist. In Charleston, S.C., Dylann S. Roof, the white supremacist who shot nine black churchgoers, was sentenced to death. Damac is a major developer in the Persian Gulf region. It is building the Trump International Golf Club Dubai and an adjacent luxury housing development, which does not bear the Trump name. The project has been in the works since 2013, with the Trump Organization managing the golf club after it opens, scheduled for February. Damac has some ties to the Emirati government any big business in the Emirates does but its founder, Hussain Sajwani, is not part of the social and political elite. His father owned a small shop in Dubais market that sold midrange watches and pens, and the family was solidly middle class, and even today Mr. Sajwani remains an outsider among the tightly knit old families that control the Emirates. In many ways, Mr. Sajwani is a lot like Mr. Trump. He has a flair for showmanship he once tried to attract buyers for a new development by offering a free Bentley with every apartment and his best customers tend to be rich outsiders who are trying to buy their way into the elite, like moneyed Iranians and well-off Indians. This time, Big Pharma gets to panic Admittedly, the president-elect was a little vague, but for the nations pharmaceutical giants, he was clear enough: The drug industry, Mr. Trump said, is getting away with murder. Pharma has a lot of lobbies and a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power, and theres very little bidding on drugs. Were the largest buyer of drugs in the world and yet we dont bid properly and were going to start bidding and were going to save billions of dollars over a period of time, he said. During the early months of the campaign, before less substantive issues swamped the debate, Mr. Trump broke with his party and said the federal government should be using its purchasing power to negotiate drug prices for Medicare and Medicaid. Democrats have been pressing that for years it was in an early version of the Affordable Care Act. But Republicans, backed by the drug industry, have adamantly opposed, and thwarted, every effort to give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that authority. WASHINGTON Senator Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican nominated for attorney general, came under sharp attack from black leaders Wednesday over his record on minorities, as Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a luminary of the civil rights movement, charged that he could set back racial progress by decades. We need someone as attorney general whos going to look out for all of us, and not just some of us, Mr. Lewis, a Democrat, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on the second and final day of testimony for Mr. Sessionss nomination. The emotional testimony from Mr. Lewis and other black leaders provided some dramatic moments at the hearing, but there was no indication that it would slow Mr. Sessionss confirmation in the Senate, which appears all but certain. Republican members on the committee came to his defense at the hearing and said that he was being unfairly tarnished over accusations of racial insensitivity that have dogged him since the 1980s. WASHINGTON The good news for Representative Mike Pompeo of Kansas, President-elect Donald J. Trumps nominee to run the Central Intelligence Agency, is that he appears to share the same adversarial view of Russia as most American spies. The bad news for Mr. Pompeo is that he will have to square his views with those of Mr. Trump, who has denigrated American intelligence agencies, praised President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and is now contending with a dossier of unsubstantiated reports that Russia has collected compromising and salacious personal information about him. Known as a pugnacious Republican partisan by his colleagues in Congress, Mr. Pompeo is going to have pull off the political balancing act of his career to keep the confidence of the Trump White House while winning over the C.I.A., an agency that is notoriously hostile to outsiders in the best of times. His Senate confirmation hearing, scheduled for Thursday before the Senate intelligence committee, will be the first test of whether he has the diplomatic finesse to manage it. Mr. Trumps aides will no doubt be keeping close watch for any signs that they cannot rely on Mr. Pompeo, while Democrats on the committee will be eager to look for any daylight between the nominee and Mr. Trump. That will be especially true when it comes to the assessment by intelligence agencies that Russia used cyberattacks and disinformation to undermine American democracy and promote the candidacy of Mr. Trump. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald J. Trumps aides often cite his appearances at professional wrestling matches as an inspiration for his outsize political speaking style, and his buoyantly belligerent news conference in New York on Wednesday proved he has no plans to betray his brawlers roots in the service of seeming more presidential. Mr. Trump delivered a stream-of-consciousness survey of his transition to the presidency and an update on the state of his psyche, holding forth on his being a germaphobe, his belief that many foreign governments secretly videotape Americans in the strangest places inside hotel rooms, and his low opinion of BuzzFeed, which published an unsubstantiated report prepared by the intelligence community that Russia had collected compromising information on him. With Hillary Clinton vanquished, Mr. Trump trained his ire on the ripest adversary at hand, the left-wing news media. The news conference began with Sean Spicer, who will soon occupy the dual roles of White House press secretary and communications director, acting as an angry M.C., berating the news media for following up on the unverified report. Then Mr. Trump shouted down a CNN correspondent, accusing the network of broadcasting the same fake news. How did American intelligence officials come to brief President Obama, President-elect Donald J. Trump and lawmakers about supposed Russian plans to blackmail Mr. Trump? There are far more questions than answers. But here is a look at the story so far. What We Know In September 2015, a Washington political research firm, Fusion GPS, paid by a wealthy Republican donor who did not like Mr. Trump, began to compile opposition research on him standard practice in politics. Last June, after evidence of Russian hacking of Democratic targets surfaced, Fusion GPS hired a retired British intelligence officer, Christopher Steele, to investigate Mr. Trumps ties to Russia. After it became clear that Mr. Trump would be the Republican nominee, Democratic clients who supported Hillary Clinton began to pay Fusion GPS for this same opposition research. A Tennessee woman jailed for more than a year after trying to use a coat hanger to abort her 24-week-old fetus pleaded guilty on Monday to one felony count in exchange for her immediate release from jail. The woman, Anna Yocca, 32, sought medical care at a hospital after attempting the at-home abortion in September 2015, according to National Advocates for Pregnant Women, an advocacy group that helped with her defense. She was later arrested and was initially charged with attempted murder. Under an agreement reached with prosecutors, she pleaded guilty this week to attempted procurement of a miscarriage and was given credit for time served. Her case has alarmed abortion-rights advocates concerned by increasingly strict state abortion laws and the election of Donald J. Trump, who has expressed support for overturning Roe v. Wade and once said during the presidential campaign that women who have abortions should be punished. This case sends a dangerous message, said Lynn M. Paltrow, executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, who called the prosecution of Ms. Yocca a misuse of the existing criminal law system. DHAKA, Bangladesh It was nothing special just a cafe in a shopping mall supermarket but when an elegant matron named Aisha Sattar walked into the newly reopened Holey Artisan Bakery on Wednesday, a sweet, reminiscent look came over her face, as if she werent sure it was all real. Rocky, one of the waiters, caught his breath when he saw her and trailed off in the middle of a sentence: She was Auntie Nini, one of the regulars. The whole day had been like this. A few customers, an owner said, walked in, stepped behind the counter and wordlessly hugged the staff. One woman burst into tears and bought every last pastry and yogurt carton still on sale. Six months have passed since anyone thought of the Holey Artisan Bakery with anything but horror. It was once among the most beloved restaurants in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, situated in its diplomatic quarter and popular with expatriates and locals alike. Until, as the dinner crowd was settling in on July 1, five gunmen burst in carrying heavy bags of weaponry, including grenades and rifles. Diners and waiters and cooks and busboys scattered throughout the building. The gunmen calmly sorted them, explaining that their intention was to kill only foreigners and non-Muslims. They killed the hostages one by one, using guns and machetes, and used the victims phones to publish images of the bodies on social media. Dozens of American envoys will leave office next week, but few of them are as prominent as Ms. Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy. Over the last three years, she helped manage relations with one of Americas most important allies, but her status as the first woman to hold the post may have been just as consequential for traditionally male-dominated Japan. I just think being a woman ambassador, and I think visible women in positions of leadership, does help change attitudes, Ms. Kennedy said in an interview this month in her office at the United States Embassy in Tokyo. The historic nature of Ms. Kennedys tenure is evident in an alcove down the hall from her office, where 30 portraits of past American ambassadors hang in three neat rows. Going all the way back to Townsend Harris, the first envoy to Japan in 1856, they are all men. In Japan, where few women hold positions of authority and married women cannot use their original surnames, Ms. Kennedy, a trained lawyer and mother of three, was a role model for combining power and family as well as a vital supporter of the agenda of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has said he wants women to play a larger role in business and politics. Her influence as ambassador stemmed from who she was not just a woman, but the daughter of President Kennedy, a beloved figure here as he is in the United States. BEIJING For generations, the Eight-Year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has been ingrained in the minds of Chinese schoolchildren. Revolutionary hymns evoked the bloody years, from 1937 to 1945, of what is known outside China as the Second Sino-Japanese War. Chinese documentaries denounced Japans eight years of belligerence. Now the war is getting a new name, and an extended time frame. In a move aimed at stirring up nationalism and support for the ruling Communist Party, President Xi Jinpings government has ordered educators to rewrite textbooks to describe the conflict as the 14-Year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, lasting from 1931 to 1945, the authorities said in a statement on Wednesday. Under the decision, the Second Sino-Japanese War will be described as having started in the fall of 1931, when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Manchuria. Previously, the wars beginning had been traced to the Marco Polo Bridge incident, a skirmish in 1937 between Japanese forces and Chinese troops along a rail line southwest of Beijing that represented the beginning of full-scale conflict. The Chinese Ministry of Education said the decision to add six years to the war sought to promote patriotic education and to highlight the Communist Partys core role in resisting Japanese fascism in the prelude to World War II. It also seemed intended to rally support for the party among young people as Mr. Xi vigorously promotes Communist history and thought in schools. The impoverished Himalayan nation has a history of political volatility, which has not abated despite the urgent need to rebuild. It has had three prime ministers since the quakes, with uneasy parliamentary alliances cobbled together for brief administrations. A new Constitution, which took effect in the fall of 2015 after a decade of political turmoil, has failed to unify Nepals quarreling political parties or smooth the rebuilding effort, and its adoption led to grisly violence in parts of the country. The government reinstated the previous head of the authority, Govind Raj Pokharel, who was appointed by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala in August 2015 and then removed just months later under the next government, led by Prime Minister K. P. Oli. The current government, led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, has been in charge since August. Analysts suggested that Mr. Gyewali, a civil engineer with decades of experience, had been removed for political rather than performance reasons. It is completely insane that a C.E.O. is labeled inadequate after a year of his tenure, said Sridhar Khatri, a former executive director of the South Asia Center for Policy Studies in Kathmandu, the capital. He accused the government of playing with politics and not caring about the needs of the people. This kind of act, where the needs of people are neglected, is almost criminal, he said. Mr. Gyewali contested the governments accusation that he had failed to expedite reconstruction late last month. In a news release, he said that more than 60,000 houses had been reconstructed during his tenure using aid from the government, and that more than 470,000 families had received the first installment of government rebuilding aid, which is 50,000 Nepali rupees, or about $450. But no one has yet received the second installment, 150,000 rupees. Mr. Gyewali said he would appeal his removal in court. I have been working tirelessly and gave all the details asked by the government, Mr. Gyewali said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. This will affect reconstruction work. KABUL, Afghanistan Abdul Ali Shamsi had already covered a lot of ground before he moved to Kandahar Province to become deputy governor a year and a half ago. Mr. Shamsi was at the vanguard of a new generation of Afghan leaders. From an early job as a security guard in Kabul, he became a security expert in Helmand Province and moved up in the provincial government there. And he helped found the Afghanistan 1400 youth political movement, starting public campaigns to console victims of violence around the country and to raise support for Afghan governance. These efforts have two impacts: One is we stand up against things we believe are wrong, but the other more important factor is we project courage, he told The Guardian newspaper a few years ago, as he was spearheading an effort to clean up and reopen a lakeside picnic spot in Kabul after a Taliban attack. We enable people to stand up against violence, people who in many ways have been passive because of fears instilled among the population. On Tuesday, Mr. Shamsi, 38, became a victim of the kind of violence he had helped others withstand, killed along with 10 other people when explosives placed within the Kandahar governors guesthouse detonated during a reception for visiting Arab officials. HONG KONG In the early 1960s, a young ornithologist successfully persuaded Vietnams top leaders, including its founding president, Ho Chi Minh, to designate a tract of land near the capital as the countrys first national park. They listened to this guy who goes out and watches birds, said Pamela McElwee, an associate professor at Rutgers University who is an expert on Vietnams environmental history. I think thats a sign of how significant he was. His name was Vo Quy, and he died on Tuesday in Hanoi at 87. Over a half-century career, Dr. Quy was known for his pioneering studies on Vietnams wildlife and his efforts to restore tropical habitats that had been destroyed by defoliants during the Vietnam War. You really could call him the father of conservation in Vietnam, said David Hulse, who directed the Hanoi office of the international environmental group WWF from 1992 to 1999. If a politician or businessman knows that the K.G.B. can publish embarrassing photos of him or send them to his wife, this person is very easy to control, Mr. Ehasalu said in a telephone interview. Businessmen who fell into this trap, he said, all went back home and said life in the Soviet Union was fine and that Finland should make more business with the Soviets. An early victim of kompromat was Joseph Alsop, an influential American newspaper columnist who, during a 1957 visit to Moscow, fell into a gay honey trap set by the K.G.B., which filmed his encounter with a young Russian man at his hotel. In his own account of how two K.G.B. officers stormed into his room shortly after he finished having sex, Mr. Alsop said he was told that there were photographs of the act and that he needed to help them a little if they are going to help me. He informed the American Embassy and hastily left the Soviet Union. Russia, unlike Estonia, has hardly turned its back on Soviet-era methods. The F.S.B., the successor agency to the K.G.B., lost much of its influence in the early 1990s, but has reasserted itself forcefully since Vladimir V. Putin took power 16 years ago. Before becoming president, Mr. Putin played a prominent role in a particularly successful kompromat operation. As head of the F.S.B. in 1997, he won the trust of President Boris Yeltsin by helping destroy the career of Russias prosecutor general, Yury Skuratov. After starting an investigation into Kremlin corruption, the prosecutor was disgraced on national television by the broadcast of a video that showed a man who looked like him in bed with two young women. Mr. Putin certified in public that the man in the video, widely believed to have been arranged and then filmed by the F.S.B., was indeed the prosecutor general. Mr. Skuratov resigned, the corruption investigation ended and a grateful Mr. Yeltsin named Mr. Putin prime minister, clearing his path to the presidency. Unlike entirely fabricated reports of criminal or simply embarrassing behavior, kompromat is generally true, though photographs and videos are sometimes tinkered with to heighten the embarrassment. This makes it a particularly blunt and dangerous weapon that can easily backfire. Germany, once seen as Europes most welcoming country, rejected or deported thousands of asylum seekers last year, as public support for migrants waned in the wake of terrorist attacks by assailants from Muslim-majority countries. About 280,000 new asylum seekers arrived in Germany in 2016, substantially down from the 890,000 migrants who, fleeing war or seeking economic opportunities, entered the country in 2015, the interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, said on Wednesday. As the rate of new arrivals declined, Mr. de Maiziere said, the rate of rejected asylum seekers increased. About 80,000 people either left voluntarily or were deported in 2016, he said, twice as many as in 2015. The new figures were released just weeks after a terrorist attack at a Christmas market in Berlin, in which 12 people were killed by a Tunisian asylum seeker, and days after the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed policy changes that would increase the polices ability to monitor migrants and hasten deportations. First it was the icy snow. Now comes the freezing rain. An arctic blast that has reached as far south as the Mediterranean is generating perilous conditions for thousands of refugees in overcrowded migrant camps in Greece and prompting the European Union to declare the situation untenable. On Wednesday, a Greek navy ship docked at Lesbos island to take on as many as 500 refugees. They have been struggling to survive the subzero temperatures in the severely overcrowded main camp in Moria, using pup tents that were supposed to be temporary when they were set up last year in warmer weather. Video and photos taken by migrants inside the camp and posted to social media showed flimsy shelters sagging under a blanket of snow, and people waiting in long lines in the falling snow for food and to use bathrooms. In one video, a man identifying himself as a migrant shows people lifting the flaps of snow-covered tents near a slushy pathway. Look at how human beings are living, said the man, speaking French. For a country of just 300,000 inhabitants, forming a government in Iceland has been strangely laborious. But on Wednesday, after more than two months of negotiations among seven political parties, this island finally up its mind a three-party coalition, no less, whose leadership includes a lawmaker who used to play with a punk rock band called Dr. Spock. It took a long time, so everybody is just relieved that we have a government and that there is somebody to rule the country, said Fridrik Palsson, a businessman in the capital, Reykjavik, who supported the conservative Independence Party. The center-right government, headed by the Independence Party and its junior partners, Regeneration and Bright Future, together hold a slim majority just 32 seats out of 63 in Parliament. VALLETTA, Malta It is a ritual of the European Union, rich in symbolism even if many Europeans are not paying close attention: Every six months, the presidency of the 28-nation bloc rotates among its member countries, giving small nations a chance to help set an agenda that is usually dominated by larger countries like Germany and France. This time, it is Maltas turn, and the tiny country, made up of an archipelago of islands in the Mediterranean, is trying to meet the challenge with a sense of urgency. There is a huge disconnect right now between political classes around the world and the lives of normal people, Joseph Muscat, Maltas prime minister, said at a news conference on Wednesday at the Auberge de Castille, an 18th-century Baroque building in Valletta, the capital. If anything, his prognosis may be an understatement. The European Union, an economic and political alliance without an exact parallel in the world or in history, faces existential challenges. A surge of migration from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia has strained the blocs unity and cohesion. Voters in Britain narrowly decided in a June referendum to leave the bloc the first country to do so. Populist parties will try to gain power in national elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany, partly by portraying the European Union as elitist and out of touch. OSLO Norway opened a chapter in telecommunications history on Wednesday, becoming the first country to cease FM radio broadcasting. The switch, to digital broadcasting, is intended to save money, but critics are worried about the effect on drivers and listeners of small radio stations. The move to radio digitization was decided by Parliament in 2011, and a timetable was announced in 2015. At 11:11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 a time chosen because it was easy to remember, according to the national broadcaster, NRK nationwide radio channels began stopping FM broadcasts, switching to a system known as digital audio broadcasting that proponents say offers a wider range of broadcasting options and greater sound quality. The change is occurring county by county, starting with Nordland, in the north of Norway. Oslo, the capital, will turn off FM broadcasting in September, and the process will be completed nationwide by Dec. 13. Norways Culture Ministry estimated that it would save 180 million kroner a year, or about $25 million. TEL AVIV It usually started with a bit of cyberflirting. A direct message was sent through Facebook or another social network from an unknown woman to an Israeli soldiers smartphone. Then, according to Israeli military officials, it developed into a chat in flawless Hebrew, heavily peppered with millennial slang. Good morning (smiley emoji), one typical chat began. Whats up? Do we know each other? the soldier replied. Alluring photos soon followed. Only the correspondents were apparently not who they said they were. Instead, senior Israeli intelligence officials said on Wednesday, they were Hamas operatives who set up fake profiles and trawled social networks, befriending naive soldiers and enticing them to download applications that effectively turned their cellphones into tracking devices and tools for spying. The assertions of the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under Army rules, could not be independently verified. Hazem Kassem,a spokesman for Hamas, the Islamic militant group that holds sway in the Gaza Strip, declined to comment. We do not want to respond to what some Israelis say about us, he said. ISTANBUL The domes of the great mosques, covered in white. The soaring minarets that draw Istanbuls singular skyline, peeking out behind a gray haze of flurries. The street carts selling roasted chestnuts, the old tram making its way slowly, the street cats huddling around heaters in cafes all gave the city the feel of an old black-and-white photograph. Snow in Istanbul always feels magical, but for a few days this week and last, a blizzard at more than a foot, it was the heaviest snowfall since 2009 was just what the city needed. It acted as a balm for the chronic fear and anxiety that had taken over amid terrorist attacks, political instability and the deep purges of civil society that began after a failed coup last summer. This all blends into a feeling of suspension of normal daily life, said Orhan Pamuk, a Nobel laureate who coincidentally wrote an acclaimed novel called Snow. And perhaps this time, because of horrors of politics tens of thousands of professors and people are being fired from their jobs, and journalist and writer friends are being pushed into prisons at least for five minutes this is a consolation. Everyone could use a bit of good news nowadays. From the new President-elects war on Meryl Streep to celebrity deaths, weve all got reasons for feeling down of late. But for all the bad, something is happening that should excite (at least) progressives: A revolution; a rebirth of Democratic politics. This past weekend, Berniecrats took over the Democratic Party in California, winning 618 of 1120 seats in the Assembly District Election Meetings (ADEM) and 44 of 80 executive boards. From activist Lauren Steiner: These results reveal a profound shift in energy and excitement within the Democratic Party. The establishment, dominated by neoliberals, is fading. The 2016 election exposed the limits of the neoliberal imagination. First there was the skewed primary, or what could more accurately be described as a flawed coronation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, given the revelations of the leaked DNC and Clinton campaign emails. And then there was Secretary Clinton herself, who spoke frankly about what was possible within the current political climate, but rejected calls for systemic overhaul. Working class voters, feeling disconnected as they struggled to make ends meet despite economic gains at the top being touted by media and Democrats as recovery, made a value judgment about the party. They weighed calls for minor tweaks to President Barack Obamas limited achievements against the scope of their hardship, and it contributed to the feeling that government was unresponsive to their concerns (but not to those of economic elites). These voters rejected Clintonism in favor of a man who promised the kind of change they had been waiting for for years. Even those not necessarily in dire straits are waking up to the reality that status quo Democratic politics are untenable. There is no such thing as recovery from a loss to the least popular presidential candidate in generationsespecially after purposefully stacking the deck in favor of your candidate because you knew she was the best option. Recognizing this, notorious Clinton attack dog David Brock penned an apology to Senator Sanders and his supporters in Medium. Looking back, I recognize that there were a few moments when my drive to put Hillary in the White House led me to take too stiff a jab, he wrote. I own up to that, I regret it, and I apologize to you and your supporters for it. The writing is on the wall. Although the establishment has doubled down, appointing status quo Democrats to leadership positions within the party, its control will be short-lived. California represents the start of the next stage of the progressive revolution: The #DemEnter, as it has been dubbed on social media. There have those on the left arguing that there is no hope for changing the Democratic Party. These supporters of #DemExit argue that Sanders was denied a fair primary, and thus the only solution is establishing a third party. Indeed, major party politics do inevitably involve some questionable power plays. Even in California, in Carson, establishment Democrats used the police to prevent progressive delegates from voting, and it workedin Carson. The state as a whole, however, is evidence that with enough ground support and organization, there is nothing the old guard can do to stop the revolution. In fact, change is possible. While California provides a roadmap for progressives in the other 49 states, Berniecrats can take the lessons and apply them federally as well. They have the momentum building for an unstoppable sweep in 2018. If we want a new era in American politics, this is how it begins. With Donald Trumps totally normal-sized hands about to grab the presidency, the future of our planet is in grave peril, because Trump has already shown little to no interest in tackling the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Trump has already stated that he plans to renegotiate the Paris Accords, which was a landmark development in the fight against climate change, and that he believes climate change is a hoax created by the Chinese government. The latter he claims was a joke, but, as with so many of the proclamations Trump makes, its never quite clear at any given moment what Trump actually believes and what he says because he thinks it will get a crowds approval. A line of his can be a joke one moment, a policy position the next. However, what is clear is that those around Trump, ranging from the GOP Congress to his pick for the Environmental Protection agency, Scott Pruitt, are either still unconvinced by the science of climate change or outright believe it is an invention by liberal scientists. Furthering this catastrophe is that the actions Obama took to combat climate change were not nearly enough; in order to stop climate change, not only would the next president have to uphold Obamas changes, s/he would also have to institute new, more daring measures. Theres little chance of this happening while Trump and his merry band of climate deniers roam the halls of DC. This represents a grave danger for the entire world, considering that America is the second largest polluter in the world, but it is up to the American public to do its best to reverse course. Will a Democratic president in 2020 be too little too late? Most likely. But its not impossible that the worst effects of climate change can still be avoided. The key to that is for the Democrats (or some unheard of third party that magically arises within the next four yearshey, Trump is president, so stranger things have happened) to activate a voting bloc that will have a vested interest in curbing climate change: millennials. Older voters, who already tend to vote conservative, do not have to fear seeing the most drastic effects of climate change in their lifetimes; millennials most certainly do. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why so many millennials flocked to Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary. While millennials are as divided as most generations on the question of climate changes legitimacy, those who do believe in it are well aware of how it will affect their lives. During the primary, most of the attention on Sanders focused on his calls for economic overhaul, but just as strong were his cries to take actions against climate change. He issued a specific policy piece on what he planned to do, and he made sure to bring it up in the Democratic debates, repeatedly pointing to the fact that his positions were stronger than Clintons. Clinton herself talked about climate change in order to beat Sanders and show she was as progressive as him, but once she gained the nomination, her mentions of it declined. Not surprisingly, millennials were not as keen on her candidacy as she would have liked. Democratic pundits started to pick up on this in the lead-up to the election, hoping millennials would get in line. Perhaps Clinton should have spoken about this key issue facing them. Hearing Sanders rhetoric on climate change no doubt played a part in millennials decision to vote for him over Clinton in the primary. For millennials who pay attention, climate change is a piano dangling over their futures. As one such millennial, I can attest that it is strange to establish myself in an economic system that will probably be in complete upheaval due to global warming within the next few decades. Many coastal areas, including the area near where I live, will be flooded as the world hits the 2 temperature increase or, as is increasingly possible, the 4 increase. This will require mass movements that will affect most areas of the country. After all, where will the people on the coasts go? Inland. And, of course, that is just the United States. Flooding and climate abnormalities will hit other areas of the globe even harder, thus forcing more migration. Recall how chaotic the situation with Syrian refugees has been and how much debate there has been over who should and should not harbor them. Multiply that conflict several times over and just try and guess how that will be handled. The United States, whether it likes it or not, will absolutely be involved in dealing with the refugees caused by climate change. Then factor in the United States obsession with becoming involved in whatever violent conflict crops up; migration due to climate change is sure to cause conflicts as nations are destabilized. Do millennials want to have their country involved in that, too, along with the unending war on terror? Even assuming mass movements are not as chaotic as they sound, millennials can look forward to a massive bill: $8.8 trillion, to be precise. As Vice notes, this bill will likely come due when millennials are in their prime earning years. With retirement not too far away, millennials will not want to be smacked with a massive bill; right now, however, it seems to be a certain future. Ostensibly, the Democrats are willing to fight against climate change. In reality, its an issue that they have not embraced to the extent they should have. With the Republicans views on science akin to an intellectual wasteland, the Democrats could paint a sharp contrast between themselves the party that is willing to let the world flood so they can get a little more of that sweet oil industry money. This would require the Democrats to sell climate change as an important issue, and the audience they would have to sell it to the most is millennials. Not known for taking risks, the Democrats are unlikely to do this. However, they have also lost complete government control after losing an election many of them thought was a safe bet. So now, more than ever, is the time for them to try a new tactic. This would require them explaining to the American public what climate change isfar too many seem focused on the idea that it will just feel a little warmer outsidein terms the layperson can understand. It will also require laying out the consequences I listed above, and the policies that would prevent them. If this sounds like a hard task for a political party still reeling from a massive loss, it is. But its not impossible. Thousands and thousands of millennials came out to hear Sanders deliver policy speeches on economic inequality and global warming. He didnt give soundbites, and none were expected of him by the audience. Yet still they came, listened, learned, and voted. Right now, the Democratic National Committee is in upheaval over who will run it. Whoever it turns out to be would do well to listen to a staffer named Zach who became famous for telling off Donna Brazile just after Clintons loss. He told Brazile, You and your friends will die of old age and Im going to die from climate change. Zach knows what faces millennials in this country, an issue almost entirely ignored in the 2016 presidential election. If the DNC can respond to this concern then they have a much better chance of bringing out voters not just in 2020, but also in 2018 and 2022, midterms years, the type of year Democrats often struggle when it comes to getting out the vote. Instead of focusing peoples attention on a specific figure, like Barack Obama, the Democrats could rally their base around individual issues. In the early and mid 00s, the Republicans used this strategy by invoking the specters of gay marriage and stem cell research. In the 80s, they used crime. Democrats have tended to lay their hopes on a personality instead of an issue that excites (or terrifies) voters; this mistaken tactic has led them to where they are now. At this point, millennials cant do much other than ignore climate change in their day-to-day lives. Without a political apparatus to challenge it, it would appear hopeless to the average person, the person who is not active on the ground but votes every few years. Hearing the effects of climate change is an almost overwhelming feeling for those of us who will be alive when it takes full effect. Even while doing research for this article, I found myself struggling to conceptualize the damage that climate change will wreak on our world. I also struggled to conceptualize the fact that so few political organizations are devising strategies to curb climate change. It appears to be a hopeless situation. But imagine being the party that offers some hope, that gives solutions to what could be the most destabilizing event in the recent history of our planet. That, to me, sounds like a party that could actually win elections on a consistent basis both up and down the ticket. But if the Democrats continue to ignore the issue then so, too, will millennials, too depressed to contemplate the future. Yet, thoughts of the future will still slip in, little bits of fear when the latest environmental report comes out or when another super storm smacks into the East Coast. Or maybe itll be a quiet moment, like last summer, when I jogged on the boardwalk at the beach just ten miles south of where I live. I paused for a moment to regain my breath and looked out at the waves eating away at the sand as high-tide came in. It hit me then how this area wouldnt be here for much longer. Id seen the maps that showed the areas that would succumb to climate change, and the boardwalk would be one of them, well underwater. Barring an injury, Ill still be jogging in my fifties, but I wont be jogging on that boardwalk. Itll be long gone. Id love to be given some hope that more wont go with it. The United States is helping Saudi Arabia bomb the poorest country in the Middle East. We need to stop. The nation of Yemen stands on the brink of starvation. Serious famine could result from the continued application of American might; we will be party to even more serious crimes if we continue to back the Saudi regimes agenda. Yesterday, a primary school was hit in an air strike by Saudi forces. Last fall, the Obama administration decided to block arms deals to Riyadh. Thats not enough. Our fingerprints are all over this one. The Yemen conflict started on March 26 of 2015, but the strife is one with a long backstory. The simplest version goes like this: to quote the World Bank, An Arab coalition of nine countries led by Saudi Arabia initiated a military campaign to restore President Hadis government to power. In other words, the Saudis and their friends, including America, are intervening in Yemen. The Saudis are afraid that Iran is setting up a new puppet government there, so they want to put the old moderate government back in charge. Thats the clinical explanation. Whats actually happening is that a lot of poor people are being killed by missiles, and bombs, and other munitions. Washington nods, and smiles, and gives the go-ahead. Americans refuel Saudi aircraft. Americans provide coordination with the Saudi military. Americans offer the Saudis a hundred other little favors. We are co-conspirators. As a wise man once said, there are two powers in the world, America, and global opinion. A good rule of thumb for understanding world politics: whenever an American ally makes a big move in the realm of foreign affairs, the ally usually clears it with the American government first. This is not universally true, but its usually the safe way to bet. Thats why this country is tangentially complicit in so many different kinds of human rights outrages. America pretending to have clean hands in world politics is like the beat cop pretending to not notice organized crime operating under his nose. Where our allies are concerned, we have a huge amount of influence. Example: until recently, the Americans peddled all kinds of munitions to the Saudi military; we sold $20 billion of them in 2015. We only stopped on Dec. 13, 2016, when the Administration halted a sale by Raytheon to the Saudi Kingdom. The White House was getting it from human rights groups and couldnt proceed as before. In fact, the Obama administration, to quote Reuters, has sold the Arabian Kingdom over $115 billion in various war goods, more than any U.S. administration in the 71-year U.S.-Saudi alliance. Remember, this is all being done under the watch of a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, so its totally morally cool. Twenty-three illegal air strikes, using our weapons, have killed children and other civilians. This all got noticed, by the way, when our weapons flattened over one hundred and forty people last October, during a funeral in Yemen. The funeral in question occurred in the al-Sala al-Kubra community hall during the mourning for Ali al-Rawishan, the father of the governments interior minister, Jalal al-Rawishan. The funeral time and guest list was announced on Facebook on Oct. 7. The two munitions, dropped at 3:30 PM, wereit is allegeddeliberately planned to land during the peak hour of mourning, when the civilian population would be the greatest. According to Human Rights Watch: Human Rights Watch identified the munition used as a US-manufactured air-dropped GBU-12 Paveway II 500-pound laser-guided bomb. The identification was based on a review of photos and footage of an intact guidance fin assembly with legible manufacturers markings and other weapon remnants. The photos and video were taken at the scene of the attack by Mwatana, a leading Sanaa-based human rights organization, journalists from the British news channel ITV, and a local activist, who visited the site on October 9. As NPR points out, although our efforts in Syria and Iraq are famous, our involvement in Yemen is not so well-known: Since March 2015, the U.S. has been providing support to a Saudi-led military coalition fighting Houthi rebels. The Houthis ousted Yemens government and forced the president, Abed Mansour Hadi, to flee to Saudi Arabia. Initially the Saudis thought they could easily uproot the Houthis, but the conflict has ground on much longer than the Saudis expected. The Washington Post described a bloody and futile intervention in Yemen by Saudi Arabia: Pushed by its ambitious, 31-year-old deputy crown prince, the kingdom plunged into Yemens civil war in 2015 and since then has carried out some of the most brutal attacks in a war-ravaged Middle East with substantial American support. Human rights groups have accused the Saudis of bombing hospitals, schools and other civilian sites and of employing cluster munitions, all in violation of international law. According to writer Ben Norton, a famine monitor created by the U.S. government has said the conflict is responsible for creating the gravest food security crisis on the planet. If youre surprised that this is happening, and that were involved, its understandable. This isnt the kind of conflict you see on the nightly news; it doesnt make an inspiring story. Beltway opinion likes the Saudis very much, and so most of the mainstream media prefers to keep quiet about our morally-compromised alliance with an absolute monarchy. But in the past several months, our involvement has become too problematic to deny. What follows is a lot of names and information you might find strange, and details that may at first seem boring. I promise this is important. These are real people. This is a real place. Look at a map of the Arabian Peninsula. See the lower left corner of that region, the part that touches Africa? Thats Yemen, home to 24 million people. Yemen is a Muslim country. Fifty-five percent of the citizens of Yemen are Sunni; the rest are Shia. Yemen had a revolution in November 2011, an Arab Spring of their own. The uprising threw out a strongman named Saleh. This led to a new government being put in place, by Salehs deputy, Hadi. Hadi became President. The government in Yemen was Sunni, and was recognized as legitimate by the international community. As you might imagine, there are a lot of problems for a new government in an ex-authoritarian, impoverished country. To quote the World Bank again, Yemen was facing challenges on several fronts that have been exacerbated by the conflicthigh population growth, severe urban-rural imbalances, food and water scarcity, female illiteracy, widespread poverty, and economic stagnation. There is a clan inside Yemen named the Houthi, who follow a version of Shia Islam, like Iran. After Hadi took over, his Sunni government struggled to maintain control of its territory. Houthis seized parts of the north, and eventually took over the capital. Hadi and his regime fled. Heres where it gets a little tricky. The Houthis are an independent sort of people. They fought against Saleh when he was in power. They are currently fighting the Hadi government. But guess who also wants the new Hadi government gone? The former boss, Saleh. He is now in an alliance with the Houthi. If this seems confusing and contradictory, welcome to Middle Eastern politics. It is alleged that Iran is funding and giving weapons to the Houthi. Per the International Business Times: The degree to which the Houthis are being funded by Iran is unclear, although most Yemen watchers believe Tehran is funnelling both weapons and military advice to the rebels. Just like its backing of Lebanese militia group Hezbollah, the Houthis make an excellent proxy on the border of Irans most significant ideological and geopolitical enemy, Saudi Arabia. But analysts equally see the hand of Saleh behind the Houthi advance, which may also serve to explain why the Houthis have been willing to spread so far from their north-western heartlands. As you may know, in the Middle East, there is a long-running struggle for power between Saudi Arabia (Sunni Islam) and Iran (Shia Islam). As the IBT points out, the Saudis do not want an ally of Iran on their doorstep. They have struck an alliance with the Yemeni government to fight the Houthi rebels. So its the Saudis, various allies, and the government of Yemen on one side, and Iran and the Houthi on the other. In steps the United States, friend to Saudi Arabia. In other words, this conflict comes down to a fight for power in a small country in the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Is it worth this cost? We should care that thousands of ordinary people are being killed in the crossfire, and we are still helping. Were like a man who shut down his dog-fighting ring Tuesday and declares himself ready for sainthood on Wednesday. According to the BBC, More than 6,800 people have been killed and 35,000 injured since March 2015, the majority in air strikes by a Saudi-led multinational coalition that backs the president. The conflict and a blockade imposed by the coalition have also triggered a humanitarian disaster, leaving 80% of the population in need of aid. Just under half of the population is below eighteen. The BBC continues: The UN says 3.1 million Yemenis are internally displaced, while 14 million people are suffering from food insecurity and 370,000 children under the age of five are at risk of starving to death. More than 1,900 of the countrys 3,500 health facilities are also currently either not functioning or partially functioning, leaving half the population without adequate healthcare. There is no clear victor yet, and twenty-one months of fighting have not changed the position of the combatants. The last hope for a peace settlement was in Kuwait in April 2016. Three months later, the discussions failed, and everyone went back to the knife. Forget the other issues: that Yemen sits atop the Bab al-Mandab strait, a water-passage that most of the worlds oil passes through. Choke that one point, and you could slowly starve the engines of the world. This conflict could destabilize the region, to use the easy phrases of international relations, but forget that too. We can rationalize away any malfeasance if we throw the net of justification wide enough. Instead, we should focus on the important details: the deaths we have directly caused, and the damage to the infrastructure of Yemen, which is about to develop into a humanitarian crisis. We must stop playing in, and paying for, this game. This once, perhaps we ought to focus on the only side that really mattersthe peoples. What is up with Australian air right now? Less than a year ago, it was so pure Aussies were selling it to China in goddamn cans. But since that ridiculous entrepreneurial endeavour in May, things have kind of gone to shit. Melbourne had their tragic, worlds worst episode of thunderstorm asthma in November, and now New South Wales Health has issued a warning for fucking toxic ozone gas? #Sydney air pollution health alert: https://t.co/Kbgcrnh8zt If you have asthma follow your Asthma Action Plan & take medication if necessary NSW Health (@NSWHealth) January 9, 2017 Created through a mix of high temperatures, still weather, and air pollution, these excess levels of harmful ozone are being reported in Sydneys western suburbs. Ozone is the colourless, pungent gas created by car exhaust and industrial fumes, and while its normally flushed away by winds, it can become a respiratory hazard on still days like today. As you might remember, its also the stuff that inhibits harmful ultraviolet rays in our stratosphere (and the thing were currently depleting thanks to increased air pollution). NSW Health issued the aforementioned warning for anyone with respiratory problems, such as asthma, to exercise caution around western Sydney. Their Director of NSW Healths Environmental Health Branch, Dr Ben Scalley, also stressed that ozone levels are higher outdoors than indoors and that parents should limit the time their children with asthma play outside appropriately: Ozone levels reach their peak around 7pm in the evening and tend to be lowest in the morning, so its best to plan outdoor play in the morning when the day is cooler. Asthma sufferers need to follow their Asthma Action Plan and take their relieving medication where necessary. If symptoms get worse, asthma sufferers need to seek medical advice. And as we wrote in our guide to protecting yourself during thunderstorm asthma, prevention can also include things like carrying an inhaler, disposable dust masks, and DIY castor oil packs. However, anyone having trouble breathing should call 000 immediately. Scalley also mentions that people can arrange to have air quality alerts sent to them via SMS or email through the Office of Environment and Heritage website and subscribing to air quality index daily forecasts. Source: ABC. Photo: Matt Blyth / Getty. Our sprawling west coast state, Western Australia, has produced many trendsetting Aussie icons: Heath Ledger, Tame Impala, Emu Export and Tim Minchin. What they never expected, though? To be responsible for an intended informative video that blew everyones goddamn minds. Moora a tiny WA shire of only 2,000 people has a Facebook page created to provide their locals with regular information about, I dont know, shire stuff. In December they uploaded a video showing how a road is surfaced, thinking itd be a bit interesting the councils social media profile got so much attention that they are now the second-most liked FB page for WAs local areas, coming second only to the City of Perth. The drone-shot footage has been viewed a whopping 14 million times and shared a casual 361K times. We had a lot of views by Christmas, might have been about 5000 which we thought, Geez, thats a lot, but around New Year it just took off, said Mooras chief executive and all-round legendary Strayan bloke Alan Leeson. With the staggering rise in numbers almost too much for the Shire of Moora to handle, the truly decent Leeson thought it only best to suss the whole thing out. We thought, oh, weve been hacked, but its all been checked. While the footage may sound as exciting as watchin some paint dry, its a cracking viewing experience yknow, the classic this is a mundane daily task that looks mind-blowing from a birds eye view thing. I suggested we film the work because a lot of people dont have a perspective about how roads are bitumised, Leeson said. Now that the vid has made Moora so bloody famous, they have 58K likes on Facebook, destined for even bigger and greater things. By the sounds of it, we need a frank guy like Alan Leeson to be running this country your call, mate. Source: WA Today. Photo: Facebook / Shire of Moora. Calling the Clock with Matt Broughton Sponsored by KO Watches January 11, 2017 PokerNews Staff Beginning as a cutting-edge brand active in design, manufacturing and distribution of quality-finish watches from young Mexican entrepreneurs, KNOCK OUT -KO- Watches works to distinguish itself with its quality and clean design, allowing people to use time they have as they wish and without interruption. With our sponsor, KNOCK OUT -KO- Watches in mind, we're now going to "Call the Clock" on Matt Broughton. PokerNews Sarah Herring called the clock on EPT Commentator Matt Broughton, giving him two minutes to answer as many questions as he can at the last EPT Prague. Would you ever bungee jump? I have done that. Yes. Where? In Normandy, off a collapsed viaduct. Would you do it again? Yes. Whats your favorite cereal? Shreddies. Most memorable career moment? I dont think I have one because I cant remember anything about my career ever. No! I once got mistaken for Arnold Schwarzenegger in LA. Oh wow. Thats huge! Thats top. First poker player that you considered a friend? Still waiting. Still waiting Yeah, a bunch of punks. Whats the first thing you notice about people when you first meet them? Their eyes. Whats the last thing you ate? Their eyes. UmmI had a Kit Kat about five minutes ago. Best thing about being a commentator? Not having a proper job. Fair. Last film you watched? The Founder. Michael Keaton. The McDonald story. Excellent. Hes very hot right now. Michael Keaton. From what I hear. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple. Whats the worst thing about being a commentator? Not being a crayon. Summer or winter? Winter. Favorite room in your house? The kitchen. Stones or The Beatles? The Beatles. Best video game? Laser Squad. Best video game player? Me! Favorite player to commentate on? [Daniel] Negreanu. You dont have to say anything for three hours. So true. Book youve read more than once? The Light of Other Days by Arthur C. Clarke. Its my favorite book ever. Sounds great. Have you ever been on TwoPlusTwo? Yes. Have you ever searched yourself? No. No. Never go there. Snap call. Bull. I dont believe it. I dont want to know. If theyre saying something about me, its not going to be good. Thats the last place I go. So you dont Google yourself either? No. Way too scared to ever do that. I would rather guess that people dont like me then know they dont like me. When the clocks stops, time comes to life. Get your hands on a Knock Out -KO- watch right here. Sirius Real Estate takes advantage of the favourable market situation to raise money for further nationwide acquisitions in Germany. The company will sell its Munich Business Park on Rupert Mayer Strasse 44 in the quarter of Obersendling for 85 million. Thus the selling price will be nine per cent over [] The scrappage of notes of denominations INR 1,000 and INR 500 has taken the nation by storm. The sudden announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8th Nov, 2016 threw citizens into a quandary and even though this would be a short-term impact, its ramifications would be felt throughout various sectors. In the automobile sector, the scrapping of INR 1,000 and INR 500 notes has had a huge effect. In the month of November itself the bookings were down 50%. The results for December 2016 have come out and they are even more shocking for the auto makers. Vehicles sales in India are down to a 16 year low. For Dec 2016, vehicle sales declined to 1,221,929 units. This is a 18.66% decline. India last reported these kind of vehicle sales back in December 2000. Dealerships across the country have reported a drastic dip in walk-ins and inquiries, in both urban and more particularly in rural areas. Business in Gujarat, Punjab and NCR has been more affected with buyers in these regions preferring to make payments by cash. Customers opting for finance options also make down payments in cash which has hence brought down sales considerably. This drastic dip in demand is even more pronounced in the luxury car market. In rural areas, sales of automobiles have dipped by around 40% and are expected to go down 60% as the cash crunch continues and as most farmers prefer to make payments by cash. To boost sales, auto dealerships have been introducing various schemes. On the spot discounts to customers and hefty incentives to company sales teams who convert inquires to sales have also been offered. The dip in sales has also prompted auto manufacturers to bring down production. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India have stated that production is being rationalized to control inventories while Honda Cars India is also said to align production to contend with slower sales. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai India have also cited notable dip in demand but have yet to confirm whether they will be putting brakes where production is concerned. Besides automakers, component suppliers too have been hit by demonetization and have been adjusting production to tackle the situation while the situation is worse for the second hand car market and service stations. Earlier it was thought that demonetization will effect largely the expensive cars. But that is not the case. From affordable two wheelers to expensive cars, the entire segment has been affected. At the same time, it is to be noted that this is a welcomed move by the government and a bold step in weeding out black money. It will have adverse effects in the short term due to inconvenience caused to citizens but will be a major leap in cashless economy and Digital India and will bring about more transparency into the system in the future. Kia unveiled their new small car called Picanto. Based on the Grand i10, this new 5 door hatchback could also be launched in India in the future. Kia Picanto is designed at the Kia European Design Center in Germany. On board features include projector headlamps, vertical tail lamps and front fog lights along with rear parking sensors and rear defogger some of which could only make its way into the higher variants. The Kia Picanto dimensions have increased compared to old version. 15mm added to wheelbase which now measures 2,400mm while length stays the same as its earlier counterpart at 3,595mm. Interiors boast of a simple design with centrally mounted touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity while steering mounted controls and telephone buttons will also be evident. Kia Picanto will also be seen with automatic climate controls, AUX/USB ports, heated front seats and comfortable seating with seats done up in contrasting red and black. The company has refrained from giving any details of engine lineup though the new Kia Picanto could continue to sport the 1.0 liter petrol engine and a 1.0 liter T-GDI 3 cylinder turbo engine as seen on the Ceed. Speaking about India launch, it has already been reported that Kia Motors, Hyundais sister brand, is currently in talks with a few Indian state governments to set up its local manufacturing facility. Meanwhile, the company has already started work on developing India-spec models with the help of its Hyderabad R&D facility (owned by Hyundai). According to a note in Kias recent annual report, the R&D centre in Hyderabad supports design and evaluation of automobiles with a focus on developing localised products. The Hyderabad R&D centre will help Kia localize its product for India. It is unconventional for an automaker to start with its R&D operations before the commencement of retail sales. This highlights the strong conviction Kia has on the Indian market. Kia and Hyundai share the platform to benefit from economies of scale and turn profitable quickly. Almost all of Kias products share their platform with Hyundai and hence, the positioning needs to be clearly defined. Now that Hyundai clearly made a shift to the premium end of the market with its Grand i10, i20, Creta and upcoming Tucson, Kia is likely to take up the cost sensitive space previously occupied by its sister company and lead the charge against Maruti Suzuki. Such a strategy would be in contrast to the market positioning of these two brands in the international markets. Kia is positioned above Hyundai globally. Kia is in talks with a few Indian state governments to set up a manufacturing plant. The government officials of Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh are reported to have offered land for Kia to set up its plant. We would be knowing about the automakers final decision on the location of its India plant sooner than later. Kia Niro Hybrid Photos After receive a minor nip and tuck, the Renault Dusters rebadged sibling, Nissan Terrano facelift was launched in India last year. Today, the company announced a special edition based on this facelifted Terrano Sport Edition. The Terrano Sport features cosmetic updates both on its exteriors and interiors though engine specs are to remain the same. The Terrano SPORT edition gets dynamic body decals with an all-black roof wrap, black wrapped pillars and new wheel-arch claddings. Bold new stripes have been emblazoned on the SUVs hood, fenders, rear bumper, and front and rear doors. The new crimson-stitched seat covers and floor mats with crimson highlights further add to Terranos reputation of being a stylish SUV. While engine specifications remain the same, the new Nissan Terrano Facelift will continue to be powered by a 1.6 liter petrol and 1.5 liter diesel engine. The diesel engine will be presented in two variants base and top end. The 1.6 liter petrol engine will offer 85 bhp power at 3,750 rpm and 200 Nm torque at 1,900 rpm while the 1.5 liter diesel engine will be in two states of tune, offering 85 PS and 110 PS peak power. These engines will be mated to 5 speed manual which will be standard with the petrol and 85 PS diesel engine while the 110 PS diesel engine gets mated to a 6 speed MT and AMT. Commenting on the launch, Jerome Saigot, Managing Director, Nissan India Private Limited said, Inspired by our global SUV heritage, the all new Terrano Sport Edition makes a bold statement and entry on the road. The sporty exteriors clubbed with the smart, luxurious dual tone interiors make it a great package for the customers who are looking for an SUV that complements their achievements and reflects their adventurous lifestyle. With this new launch, the company will be hopeful to see an increase in market share as well. Shrinking the investigation of objects down to the nanometer scale often reveals new properties of matter that have no equivalent for their bulk analysis. This phenomenon is motivating many current studies of nanomaterials which can reveal fascinating new phenomena. It inspired a group of researchers at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) to explore the extent of our knowledge about fundamental properties of fluids, which demands reconsideration with the increasing use of fluids in the decreasing sizes of new devices, where their flow is confined into ever-smaller capillary tubes. As the group reports in The Journal of Chemical Physics, from AIP Publishing, they discovered a peculiar state of miscible, or mixable, fluids contained within nanochannels. This peculiar state "corresponds to a well-ordered, concentric arrangement of two coexisting liquid regions of different composition," said Denis Morineau, director of research at CNRS, in Rennes. "One region forms a shell surrounding a second liquid core, both of which have a radial thickness of only one to four molecular sizes. "[The phenomenon] is known as 'microphase separation' because it doesn't imply that the constituents of the two liquid regions will indeed phase separate," he said. "They actually form a unique homogenous liquid phase during normal conditions. In fact, this hidden tendency of binary fluids to form spontaneous supramolecular ordered structures is revealed only at the microscopic scale." In primary school, many pupils experiment with droplets of ink from, say, a fountain pen to observe their dispersion in a glass of water. Eventually, the droplet disperses fully and the miscible combination leads to the formation of a homogenous, light-blue solution. advertisement "This shows that two liquids are fully miscible and their binary mixture forms a single liquid phase at thermodynamic equilibrium," said Morineau. "Now, by combining different pairs of simple solvents, we've shown that this inherent property of fully miscible binary liquids is invalidated when the container size is scaled down." Effectively, they directly measured how small is too small for a sample of two miscible liquids to be considered a combined solution. This phenomenon was first observed during a neutron scattering experiment performed at the French Neutron National Source Orphee in the Laboratory Leon Brillouin (LLB). The study was further developed at LLB in collaboration with the European Large Scale Facility (Institute Laue-Langevin). "Scattered neutrons reveal where atoms are in the sample with a spatial resolution that reaches the nanometer scale," Morineau said. "The unique method is sensitive to the isotopic nature of atom. Unlike X-rays, they provide a clear distinction between hydrogen and (the hydrogen isotope) deuterium." The group applied this method to study the structure of simple solvents such as hydrocarbons and alcohols, impregnated within synthetic, porous solids made of silica glass. The glass featured a honeycomb-like arrangement of parallel, eight nanometer wide cylindrical channels. The porous material served as a collection of nanometer-sized test tubes. advertisement Morineau's group mixed molecules of the same liquid, but differing in the total number of neutrons from the exchange of hydrogen atoms with its heavier isotope, deuterium. With the right proportions, the mixture can be tuned to scatter neutrons matching the scattering from the glass tubes, making the two indistinguishable. "We first used this trick to prepare and confine liquids that have the same interaction with neutrons as the silica glass nanocapillaries. Under this contrast-matching condition, the neutron is blind to the liquid and the measured scattered intensity is cancelled," Morineau said. "[With ink this would] correspond to the situation in which both the inked solution and the glass container have exactly the same color, making them indistinguishable." The group had a surprising observation for some confided binary liquids, where they expected neutron matching behavior, but the signal was higher than ever. "This was the first direct proof that the paradigm of homogenous composition in a fully miscible mixture must break down within nanochannels," said Morineau. For real applicability, the group extended a series of carefully designed experiments to establish methods of labeling the components of binary liquids. "Combined with the development of a computational model, it shows excellent agreement with our present experiments," Morineau said. "We've provided a handy method to assess the original structures of fluids imbibed in nanometer-scale environments." Manipulating liquids in nanostructured pores is an activity common to many chemistry and materials science processes, but also plays a significant role in biological environments where the researchers expect their work to have broad applicability. "Our study suggests that microphase separation, as a new type of nanostructure, results from the concomitant effects of specific surface interactions and spatial confinement," said Morineau. "So we're excited by the opportunity the modulation of both elements offers to promote a new control on supermolecular assembling of complex mixtures." They plan to further investigate the dynamics, out-of-equilibrium properties and fluid flow within such systems. "These are fundamentally of interest, as well as for the development of nanofluidic devices," he said. "We're now collaborating with two research groups from Hamburg to explore these different perspectives." Researchers at the University of Twente, in cooperation with commercial parties, are developing a portable device for detecting type 1 or type 2 diabetes at an early stage. The STW Technology Foundation is funding a research proposal submitted by Sonia Garcia Blanco of UT's MESA+ institute. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a prototype of the device. Some 420 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with diabetes, while a further 180 million individuals have diabetes, however they are as yet unaware of their condition. If we were able to detect diabetes even earlier than is now possible, a great deal of suffering and care expenses could be avoided. UT researchers are therefore endeavouring to develop a cheap and portable device that will use a small drop of blood to detect diabetes at an early stage, enabling any GP to diagnose the condition either in its actual or impending form. Furthermore, the new device will distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Biomarkers At the core of the device is a chip that can detect biomarkers in the blood. Biomarkers are substances that can indicate the presence of a specific disease, physiological process or other biological state. The chip is equipped with an integrated optical sensor. The sensor will initially scan the drop of blood for three different biomarkers. According to project leader Sonia Garcia Blanco, the first challenge is to devise tiny sensors that are sensitive enough to detect biomarkers in a minuscule quantity of blood. The second, but equally daunting challenge, is to design a device that is both portable, robust and easy to use. Garcia Blanco specializes in developing integrated optical components such as sensors that can be integrated on a chip. She is currently involved in several projects in which she is developing optical sensors to detect specific biomarkers for various diseases. Her work is part of the 'sensoring and early diagnostics' research line at the University of Twente's MESA+ institute. Societal benefit The research project focuses on more than just the technology involved. The University of Twente attaches great importance to ensuring that society as a whole benefits from our research and expertise. The commercial potential of this technology was therefore a key aspect from the project's very inception. Dr. Kasia Zalewska, from NIKOS (the Dutch Institute for Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship) is involved in the project in various capacities from the outset. For example, she will conduct market research and ensure effective knowledge transfer between the researchers and the commercial parties involved. Research consortium Alongside the UT researchers, five Dutch companies are affiliated with the project: BioVolt, PhoeniX B.V., VTEC, Technobis and MEDLON. These five companies represent the entire production chain, from chip design to end-user, and all the steps in between. The STW Technology Foundation has provided a grant of 235,000 for the project as part of its High Tech Systems and Materials programme. STW has instituted this programme to provide support to researchers who work with commercial parties on technological breakthroughs and innovative applications. The affiliated companies are also contributing more than 100,000 to the project in cash and services. Researchers who developed a safe and effective procedure to remove thick clogs in children's airways are now reporting similar success in adult patients. In this rare condition, called plastic bronchitis, patients develop thick, caulk-like casts that form in the branching paths of their airways. The researchers developed new imaging tools and a minimally invasive catheterization technique to treat a form of plastic bronchitis caused when abnormally circulating lymphatic fluid dries into solid casts. "In some cases, the cause of this condition is unknown, but this new study suggests that most adult patients with plastic bronchitis have abnormal pulmonary flow of lymphatic fluid that we can safely treat," said study leader Maxim G. Itkin, MD, a radiologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Itkin and his co-author Yoav Dori, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at CHOP and Penn Medicine, co-lead a specialized team at the Center for Lymphatic Imaging and Interventions jointly operated by CHOP and Penn. They collaborated on the current study with pulmonologist Francis X. McCormack, MD, of the University of Cincinnati, in a paper in the October 2016 issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. The study reports on seven adults with a mean age of 50 years old who presented with branching bronchial casts, associated with chronic cough and/or asthma. Using a customized type of magnetic resonance imaging called dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography (DCMRL), the team found that six of the seven patients had abnormal lymphatic flow, which they now propose designating as pulmonary perfusion syndrome, as distinct from idiopathic plastic bronchitis, in which the cause is unknown. The team treated the six patients with lymphatic embolization, which involves inserting a combination of glue and coils through catheters to halt the flow of lymphatic fluid. Five patients reported immediate and complete resolution of symptoms, and the sixth patient reported significant partial improvement. Four patients had minor abdominal pain, which resolved after treatment with painkillers. The average follow-up was 11 months after initial treatment. Earlier this year, Itkin and Dori reported a retrospective case study of 18 children who had plastic bronchitis as a complication of palliative surgery for single-ventricle heart disease. While rare, plastic bronchitis can cause life-threatening respiratory distress in children. In adults, the condition may go undiagnosed for years in patients who may initially be diagnosed with asthma or chronic cough. Plastic bronchitis has a long medical pedigree -- the Greek physician Galen described a form of it in the second century. "This was a small study, and a first report of this treatment in adults with lymphatic plastic bronchitis," said Dori. "Longer follow-up will be needed to confirm the long-term risks and benefits of this procedure." Hospitals are less likely to admit children covered by public insurance such as Medicaid than privately insured children with similar symptoms, especially when hospitals beds are scarce. But the disparity doesn't appear to affect health outcomes, according to Princeton University researchers who analyzed information on tens of thousands of children who came to New Jersey emergency rooms between 2006 and 2012. "In the end, I think we came to kind of a surprising conclusion that maybe the problem isn't that too few publicly insured children are being hospitalized," said Princeton health economist Janet Currie . "Maybe the problem is that too many privately insured children are being hospitalized when they don't really need it." The research was conducted by Currie, the Henry Putnam Professor of Economics and Public Affairs, chair of the Department of Economics, and co-director of the Center for Health and Wellbeing, and Diane Alexander, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago who earned her Ph.D. at Princeton. Their article, titled "Are Publicly Insured Children Less Likely to Be Admitted to Hospital Than the Privately Insured (and Does it Matter)?," was published Dec. 9, 2016, by the journal Economics and Human Biology. A PDF is available on request. Currie, who has done extensive research on patients covered by Medicaid, said she was drawn to the project by the challenge of understanding whether hospitals treat people insured by Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) differently than people with private insurance. On average, hospitals receive lower payments for treating publicly insured children than privately insured ones. To answer the question, Currie and Alexander examined records on all children between the ages of 3 months and 13 years who came to a New Jersey emergency room over seven years. The researchers recorded whether the child was admitted to the hospital and whether hospital beds were in high demand at the time because of local influenza outbreaks. advertisement They found that publicly insured children were less likely to be admitted to the hospital overall, even when controlled for factors such as their diagnosis and characteristics of the hospitals. The disparity widened when hospital beds were scarce. "That sounds kind of sinister, but we see absolutely no evidence it results in any increased return trips to the emergency room or that those who return are sicker," Currie said. "As far as we can see, yes, people are being turned away because they have public health insurance, but there's no health consequence." Why does the disparity in admission rates matter? Unnecessary hospital admissions have important consequences, Currie said, including the risk of hospital-acquired infections and other complications, the cost of hospitalization, and the time children are away from school. Anna Aizer, an associate professor of economics and public policy at Brown University who studies health outcomes for the poor, pointed to the finding that privately insured children may be over-treated as especially significant. "This is an important finding that is likely to spur more research examining whether similar patterns are evident in other contexts," Aizer said. "The results will likely have important implications for policymakers interested in understanding and addressing both rising health care costs and disparities in health." Currie said the research is part of a larger project that is examining how health care is allocated in a range of situations, including heart attacks and cesarean sections. "There are people who are getting things they don't need and then there are people who do need treatments but aren't getting them," Currie said. "So, in some sense, the procedures aren't being matched properly to the patients. If you kept the same amount of care and allocated it better, you could have better health outcomes for the same overall cost." University of Guelph researchers have pinpointed the North American birthplaces of migratory monarch butterflies that overwinter in Mexico, vital information that will help conserve the dwindling species. The researchers analyzed "chemical fingerprints" in the wings of butterflies collected as far back as the mid-1970s to learn where monarchs migrate within North America each autumn. The largest percentage of monarchs migrated to Mexico from the American Midwest, but the biologists were surprised to find that the insects' origins were spread fairly evenly throughout Canada and the United States. "We expected the vast majority of monarch butterflies to be found in the Midwestern states," said Tyler Flockhart, lead author and Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow at U of G. "However, just 38 per cent come from that part of the U.S.A. If we just focus conservation activities on this area, this research shows we will be missing a large number of butterflies born elsewhere in North America." This is the first detailed look at where overwintering monarch butterflies are born over multiple years, he said. advertisement Monarch numbers have dropped significantly in recent years, likely due partly to the eradication of milkweed, which began in the mid-1990s. Monarchs feed on milkweed and lay their eggs on the plants. Analyzing more than 1,000 samples, the research team looked at chemical isotope signatures showing where the butterflies were born in the previous summer and fall. They found that 12 per cent of the insects were born in the northwestern U.S. and Canadian Prairies, 17 per cent in the north-central States and Ontario, 15 per cent in the northeastern U.S. and the Maritimes, 11 per cent in the south-central U.S. and eight per cent in the southeastern States. "We didn't see the decline in the proportion of monarchs we expected in the breadbasket of the U.S. -- the Midwestern states -- due to the loss of milkweed, but that could be because monarch numbers dropped across North America," said Flockhart. Co-author and integrative biology professor Ryan Norris said the study shows monarch conservation efforts must begin immediately throughout North America. He called for better collection and analysis of butterflies in their Mexican overwintering grounds to monitor the effects of conservation efforts. "We're facing a growing crisis of species extinction, not just with monarchs," said Norris, co-author of the new paper. "While the Midwest U.S.A. is top-priority, effective conservation of monarchs will require initiatives to restore and conserve habitats across the species range, which means there must be coordinated international initiatives." The Guelph researchers worked with collaborators at Western University in London, Ont., the University of Georgia, Sweet Briar College in Virginia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Environment Canada and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Most of the older monarch samples were collected by Lincoln Brower of Sweet Briar College, who has studied the butterflies for more than 50 years. The study was published this month in Global Change Biology. Researchers from the Messerli Research Institute of Vetmeduni Vienna and University Vienna and University of Lincoln discovered that brumation -- the period of winter dormancy that is observed in cold-blooded animals, similar to the process of hibernation in mammals -- does not seem to adversely affect the memory of salamanders. This key finding differs dramatically from previous studies of mammals, which show that hibernation often causes animals to forget some of the memories they formed prior to their period of inactivity. Effect of hibernation on cognition unknown for coldblooded Ludwig Huber, head of the Unit of Comparative Cognition of the Messerli Research Institute of Vetmeduni Vienna and the University of Vienna and Anna Wilkinson, University of Lincoln, explained: "Long-term torpor is an adaptive strategy that allows animals to survive harsh winter conditions. However, the impact that this has on cognitive function is poorly understood. We know that in mammals, hibernation causes reduced synaptic activity and can cause them to lose some of the memories they formed prior to hibernation, but the effect of brumation on memory has been unexplored, until now. Salamanders remember after torpor, mammals do not after hibernation The researchers trained twelve salamanders to navigate a T-maze and remember the path they needed to take to reach a reward. Half of the animals were then placed into brumation, while the other half continued under normal keeping conditions. A post-brumation memory retention test revealed that animals from both conditions recalled how to navigate the maze. "We demonstrated that each of the animals solved the task using memory, rather than sensory cues such as smell of the reward," Huber said, The scientists therefore confident that the period of brumation did not impact on their ability to remember. "For these animals, memory retention is essential for survival as it allows them to recall important information about the environment, such as the location of food and the presence of predators," explains Wilkinson. Type of dormancy obviously directs cognition The researchers suggest that the differences in retention observed between mammals and amphibians could be caused by their different learning and memory processes, or the nature of their torpor. Mammals regularly rouse from their hibernation and enter intervals of sleep, whereas cold-blooded animals are dependent on the temperature of their surroundings during brumation and are therefore forced to stay torpid until temperatures rise. Biomedical engineers at Duke University have recruited an unlikely ally in the fight against the deadliest form of brain cancer -- a strain of salmonella that usually causes food poisoning. Clinicians sorely need new treatment approaches for glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. The blood-brain barrier -- a protective sheath separating brain tissue from its blood vessels -- makes it difficult to attack the disease with drugs. It's also difficult to completely remove through surgery, as even tiny remnants inevitably spawn new tumors. Even with the best care currently available, median survival time is a dire 15 months, and only 10 percent of patients survive five years once diagnosed. The Duke team decided to pursue an aggressive treatment option to match its opponent, turning to the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium. With a few genetic tweaks, the engineers turned the bacterium into a cancer-seeking missile that produces self-destruct orders deep within tumors. Tests in rat models with extreme cases of the disease showed a remarkable 20 percent survival rate over 100 days -- roughly equivalent to 10 human years -- with the tumors going into complete remission. The results appeared online on December 21, 2016, in the journal Molecular Therapy -- Oncolytics. "Since glioblastoma is so aggressive and difficult to treat, any change in the median survival rate is a big deal," said Jonathan Lyon, a PhD student working with Ravi Bellamkonda, Vinik Dean of Duke's Pratt School of Engineering, whose laboratory is currently transitioning to Duke from Georgia Tech, where much of the work was completed. "And since few survive a glioblastoma diagnosis indefinitely, a 20 percent effective cure rate is phenomenal and very encouraging." Previous studies have shown, quite accidentally, that the presence of bacteria can cause the immune system to recognize and begin attacking tumors. However, follow-up clinical trials with genetically detoxified strains of S. typhimurium have since proven ineffective by themselves. advertisement To use these common intestinal bacteria as tumor-seeking missiles, Lyon and Bellamkonda, working with lead co-author Nalini Mehta, selected a detoxified strain of S. typhimurium that was also deficient in a crucial enzyme called purine, forcing the bacteria to seek supplies elsewhere. Tumors just so happen to be an excellent source of purine, causing the bacteria to flock to them in droves. Then, the Duke engineers made a series of genetic tweaks so that the bacteria would produce two compounds called Azurin and p53 that instruct cells to commit suicide -- but only in the presence of low levels of oxygen. And since cancerous cells are multiplying so energetically, the environment around and within tumors has unusually low oxygen. "A major challenge in treating gliomas is that the tumor is dispersed with no clear edge, making them difficult to completely surgically remove. So designing bacteria to actively move and seek out these distributed tumors, and express their anti-tumor proteins only in hypoxic, purine rich tumor regions is exciting," said Ravi Bellamkonda, Vinik Dean of Duke's Pratt School of Engineering and corresponding author of the paper. "And because their natural toxicity has been deactivated, they don't cause an immunological response. At the doses we used in the experiments, they were naturally cleared once they'd killed the tumors, effectively destroying their own food source." The researchers tested the modified bacteria by injecting them directly into the rats' brains. While this may sound like an extreme delivery option, the first course of action usually performed with glioblastoma is to surgically remove the primary tumor, if possible, leaving the opportunity to directly deliver therapeutics. The treatment worked in 20 percent of the rats, causing complete tumor regression and extending their lives by 100 days, which translates to roughly 10 human years. In the 80 percent that did not survive, however, the treatment didn't change the length of time the rats survived. After testing for common signs of resistance to the anti-tumor compounds and finding none, the researchers concluded the ineffectiveness was likely due to inconsistencies in the bacteria's penetration, or to the aggressive tumor growth outpacing the bacteria. But every rat showed initial signs of improvement after treatment. "It might just be a case of needing to monitor the treatment's progression and provide more doses at crucial points in the cancer's development," said Lyon. "However, this was our first attempt at designing such a therapy, and there is some nuance to the specific model we used, thus more experiments are needed to know for sure." The researchers now plan to program their bacteria to produce different drugs that cause stronger reactions in the tumors. These will be more difficult to implement, however, as other drugs are not as specific to tumor cells as those used in this study, making potential side effects more of a concern. Page Content Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin signed a bill on Jan. 7 making the Bluegrass State the 27th right-to-work state in the country. "Closed shops" that require union membership as a condition for being hired and for continued employment were outlawed under the Taft-Hartley Act in 1947. But "union shops" are still permissible under federal law. Union shops require employees to either join a union or pay certain membership fees within a specified timeframe after being hired. For example, a collective bargaining agreement might stipulate that new bargaining unit members must pay dues after 30 days, explained Mark Neuberger, an attorney with Foley & Lardner in Miami. [SHRM members-only HR Q&A: What was the purpose of the Labor Management Relations Act?] Federal labor law, however, allows states to establish "right-to-work" laws. Kentucky's right-to-work law essentially "outlaws the union shop," said Tom Birchfield, an attorney with Fisher Phillips in Louisville. "This means that it will be illegal for a company and union to agree that union membership or the payment of any union dues is a condition of employment." Kentucky's law gives employees the right to decide whether they want to join a union and/or pay dues, said David J. Pryzbylski, an attorney with Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis. "Accordingly, the primary issue unionized employers in Kentucky need to account for now is seeking to alter any clauses in their collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join a union and/or pay union dues as a condition of employment," he noted. "For employers that have current labor contracts, however, the law does not require the company and union to change anything until the current labor contracts expire," Birchfield explained. "From that point forward, it will be illegal to have a union shop provision in a labor agreement." Neuberger said it could therefore take as long as two to three years for Kentucky's law to have an impact on currently unionized workforces. The new law also contains a provision preventing public employees from striking. Right-To-Work State Map: Right-To-Work States Right-To-Work States 'Mixed Bag' Under federal labor law, a union must represent all workers in a bargaining unit regardless of their membership status, Neuberger explained. Labor organizations tend to argue that right-to-work laws promote "free riding," meaning that employees get the benefits of union membership without paying their "fair share." In a right-to-work state, a union's economic and political strength may decrease because it won't have as much revenue from dues payments, Neuberger said. Proponents of right-to-work laws, however, view it as undemocratic to make workers pay for representation they may not wantparticularly for lobbying efforts, he added. Neuberger said the new law is a "mixed bag" for employers. For nonunionized workforces, there is now less incentive for a union to try and organize because it can't guarantee a revenue stream, he said. Although right-to-work laws may diminish a union's economic strength, the new law might make negotiations harder for currently unionized workforces in Kentucky, he noted. It may strain an employer's relations with the union, and at least in the short term, the union might bargain harder over other aspects of the labor contract. However, if the right-to-work law really does attract more business to the state, that's good for all Kentuckians, he added. What's Next? Until the last five years, there was a fairly fixed group of about 20 southern and western states with right-to-work laws, Neuberger said. Then as Republicans gained control in state legislatures, they pushed for these laws in northern states such as Michigan, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. "It is definitely possible that we will see additional right-to-work legislation in the near future," Pryzbylski said. "Republicanswho almost always are the ones to introduce and pass these lawssaw many gains in state elections this past fall, including in Kentucky." There are already efforts to enact such laws underway in Missouri and New Hampshire, he added. "So we could see at least two more states joining the right-to-work ranks soon." Olia Hercules, Stories On Our Plate (SOOP), Dr Emma-Jayne Abbots and others As people and communities move, so do the food and stories that shape their cultural heritage and identity. This event explores the role that food and stories play in constructing narratives of "home", and the richness, benefits and challenges of expressing food culture in new environments. It also looks at the ways food is used as a tool for economic and social opportunity by migrants and refugees, against a backdrop of increasing hostility and politicisation of migration. Come for an enriching panel talk featuring food writer Olia Hercules, Stories On Our Plate (SOOP), Social Anthropologist Dr Emma-Jayne Abbots, and more. On arrival, you will be treated to a light vegan brunch by the talented 'This is what we are made of'. The event will also feature a food stories photography exhibition by artist and SOAS alumni Caroline Hobkinson. SOOP will also be sharing with you it's current crowdfunding campaign for their upcoming pilot culinary training programme for refugee chefs in April 2017. Donations to the SOOP campaign are greatly welcome. Brunch will be served from 11am, with the panel talk starting at noon and lasting for approximately 90 minutes. Tickets can be purchased here . Organiser: Stories On Our Plate (SOOP), the Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies, SOAS Food Studies Centre Contact email: cb92@soas.ac.uk This page may have been moved, deleted, or is otherwise unavailable. To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. 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The company operates through two segments, Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group. The Sally Beauty Supply segment offers beauty products, including hair color and care products, skin and nail care products, styling tools, and other beauty products for retail customers, salons, and salon professionals. This segment also provides products under third-party brands, such as Wella, Clairol, OPI, Conair, and L'Oreal, as well as exclusive-label brand merchandise. The Beauty Systems Group segment offers professional beauty products, such as hair color and care products, skin and nail care products, styling tools, and other beauty items directly to salons and salon professionals through its professional-only stores, e-commerce platforms, and sales force, as well as through franchised stores under the Armstrong McCall store name. This segment also sells products under third-party brands, such as Paul Mitchell, Wella, Matrix, Schwarzkopf, Kenra, Goldwell, Joico, and Olaplex. As of September 30, 2021, the company operated 4,777 stores, including 134 franchised units in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany. It also distributes its products through full-service/exclusive distributors, open-line distributors, direct sales, and mega-salon stores. Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Denton, Texas. The following companies are subsidiares of Vodafone Group Public: 360 Connect S.A., 3@ Telecom, A-ccelerator B.V., A-ccelerator Holding B.V, AAA (Euro) Limited, AAA (MCR) Limited, AAA (UK) Limited, Acorn Communications Limited, Africonnect (Zambia) Limited, Ag Mercantile Company Private Limited, Al-Amin Investments Limited, Amsterdamse Beheer- en Consultingmaatschappij B.V., Apollo Submarine Cable System Limited, Array Holdings Limited, Asian Telecommunication Investments (Mauritius) Limited, Aspective Limited, Astec Communications Limited, Autoconnex Limited, Aztec Limited, BelCompany BV, Bluefish Apac Communications Pte. Ltd, Bluefish Communications, Bluefish Communications Limited, Business Serve Limited, C&W Worldwide Nigeria Limited, C.S.P. Solutions Limited, CCII (Mauritius) Inc., CGP India Investments Ltd., CGP Investments (Holdings) Limited, COOP Mobil s.r.o, CT Networks Limited, CWGNL S.A., CWW Operations Limited, Cable & Wireless Access Limited, Cable & Wireless Americas Systems Inc., Cable & Wireless Aspac Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless CIS Services Limited, Cable & Wireless CIS Svyaz LLC, Cable & Wireless Capital Limited , Cable & Wireless Communications Data Network Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Communications Starclass Limited, Cable & Wireless Communications Technical Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd (Beijing Branch), Cable & Wireless Europe Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless GN Limited, Cable & Wireless Global (India) Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Business Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Holding Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Telecommunication Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Holdco Limited, Cable & Wireless Networks India Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Trade Mark Management Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Waterside Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Pension Trustee Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Voice Messaging Limited, Cable & Wireless a-Services Inc, Cable & Wireless a-Services Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited Indian Branch Office, Cable and Wireless Nominee Limited, Cable and Wireless Worldwide South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cavalry Holdings Ltd, Celfocus Solucoes Informaticas Para Telecomunicacoes S.A, Cellops Limited, Cellular Operations Limited, Central Communications Group Limited, Central Telecom (Northern) Limited, Centurion GSM Limited, Chelys Limited, City Cable (Holdings) Limited, Cobra do Brasil Servicos de Telematica ltda., Commnet Cellular Inc., Complete Network Technology, Connect (India) Mobile Technologies Private Limited, Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited, Dataroam Limited , Device Insight, Digital Island (UK) Ltd, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, East Africa Investment (Mauritius) Limited, Emtel Europe Limited, Energis (Ireland) Limited, Energis Communications Limited, Energis Holdings Limited, Energis Local Access Limited, Energis Management Limited, Energis Squared Limited, Erudite Systems Limited, Esprit Telecom B.V., Eudokia Limited, Euro Pacific Securities Ltd., Eurocall Holdings Limited, Europolitan Holdings AB (now Europolitan Vodafone AB), FB Holdings Limited, FM Associates (UK) Limited, FinCo Partner 1 B.V., FireFly Networks Limited, Flexphone Limited, GS Telecom (Pty) Limited, Gateway Communications Africa (UK) Limited, Gateway Communications Tanzania Limited, General Mobile Corporation, Generation Telecom Limited, Ghana Telecommunications, Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, Global Cellular Rental Limited, Globe Limited, GrandCentrix GmbH, Grupo Corporativo ONO S.A.U., H3ga Properties (No 3) Pty Limited, HBO Nederland Cooperatief U.A., HBO Netherlands Channels sro, HBO Netherlands Distribution B.V., Hellas Online, How2 Telecom Limited, Hutchison Essar Ltd, Indus Towers Limited, Intercell Communications Limited, Internet Network Services Limited, Invitation Digital Limited, Ipergy Communications NV, Isis Telecommunications Management Limited, Jaguar Communications Limited, Jaykay Finholding (India) Private Limited, Jupicol (Proprietary) Limited, KABELCOM Braunschweig Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, KABELCOM Wolfsburg Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, Kabel Deutschland, Kabel Deutschland Holding, Kabel Deutschland Holding Erste Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Holding Zweite Beteilgungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Neunte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Siebte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabelfernsehen Munchen Servicenter GmbH & Co. KG, LG Financing Partnership, LGE HoldCo V B.V., LGE HoldCo VI B.V., LGE HoldCo VIII B.V., LGE Holdco VII B.V., LLC Vodafone Enterprise Ukraine, Le Bunt Holdings Limited, Legend Communications Limited, Liberty Global, Liberty Global Content Netherlands B.V., London Hydraulic Power Company, M-PESA Foundation, M-PESA Holding Co. Limited, ML Integration Group Limited, ML Integration Limited, ML Integration Services Limited, MV Healthcare Services Private Limited, Mannesmann AG, MetroHoldings Limited, Mezzanine Ware Proprietary Limited (RF), Mirambo Limited, Misrfone Trading Company LLC, MobiFon S.A., Mobile Commerce Solutions Limited, Mobile Phone Centre Limited, Mobile Wallet VM1, Mobile Wallet VM2, Mobile by Sainsburys Limited, Mobiles 4 Business.com Limited, Mobileworld Communications Pty Limited, Mobileworld Operating Pty Ltd, Mobilvest, Motifpros 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Multi Risk Indemnity Company Limited, Multi Risk Limited, ND Callus Info Services Private Limited, Nadal Trading Company Private Limited, Nat Comm Air Limited, National Communications Backbone Company Limited, Navtrak Ltd, Netforce Group Limited, Netgrid Telecom SRL, Number Portability Company (Proprietary) Limited, ONO, Omega Telecom Holdings Private Limited, Oni Way Infocomunicacoes S.A, Oskar Mobil S.R.O., Oxygen Solutions Limited, P.C.P. (North West) Limited, PPL Pty Limited, PT Network Services Limited, PTI Telecom Limited, Peoples Phone Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Group Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Limited, Plex Limited, Plustech Mercantile Company Private Limited, Prime Metals Ltd., Project Telecom Holdings Limited, Quickcomm Software Solutions, Radio Opt GmbH, Rian Mobile Limited, SBC SMART CITY 1517 B.V., SMMS Investments Pvt Limited, Safaricom Limited, Safenet N.P A., Sarmady Communications, Scarlet Ibis Investments 23 (Pty) Limited, Scorpios Beverages Pvt. Ltd, Silver Stream Investments Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Ltd., Singlepoint Payment Services Limited, Siro Limited, Spar Aerospace (Nigeria) Limited, Sport TV Portugal S.A, Starnet, Stentor Communications Limited, Stentor Limited, Storage Technology Services (Pty) Limited, T.W. Telecom Limited, T3 Telecommunications Limited, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern Beteiligungs GmbH, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG, TNAS Limited, TSM NZ Limited, Talkland Airtime Services Limited, Talkland Australia Pty Limited, Talkland Communications Limited, Talkland International Limited, Talkland Midlands Limited, Talkmobile Limited, Tele2 Italia SPA, Tele2 Spain, Telecom Investments India Private Limited, Telecommunications Europe Limited, Ternhill Communications Limited, The Cobra Group, The Eastern Leasing Company Limited, The Old Telecom Sales Co. Limited, Thus Group Holdings Limited, Thus Group Limited, Thus Limited, Thus Profit Sharing Trustees Limited, TnT Expense Management LLC, Tomorrow Street GP S.a r.l., Tomorrow Street SCA, Torenspits II B.V., Townley Communications Limited, Trans Crystal Ltd., UMT Investments Limited, UPC Nederland Holding I B.V., UPC Nederland Holding II B.V., UPC Nederland Holding III B.V., Unified Communications, Uniqueair Limited, Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH & Co.KG, Usha Martin Telematics Limited, VAPL No. 2 Pty Limited, VBA (Mauritius) Limited, VBA Holdings Limited, VBA International (SL) Limited, VBA International Limited, VEI S.r.l., VM SA, VND S.p.A, VSSB Vodafone Shared Services Budapest Private Limited Company, Verwaltung Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH, Victus Networks S.A., Vizzavi Finance Limited, Vizzavi Limited, Voda Limited, Vodacall Limited, Vodacash s.p.r.l., Vodacom (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business (Angola) Limitada, Vodacom Business (Ghana) Limited, Vodacom Business (Kenya) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa (Nigeria) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group Services Limited, Vodacom Business Cameroon SA, Vodacom Business Cote Divoire S.A.R.L., Vodacom Congo (RDC) SA, Vodacom Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Group Limited, Vodacom Insurance Administration Company (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Insurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom International Holdings (Pty) Limited, Vodacom International Limited, Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Life Assurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom Payment Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No.2 (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Tanzania Limited Zanzibar, Vodacom Tanzania Public Limited Company, Vodacom UK Limited, Vodafone (NI) Limited, Vodafone (New Zealand) Hedging Limited, Vodafone (Scotland) Limited, Vodafone 2, Vodafone 4 UK, Vodafone 5 Limited, Vodafone 5 UK, Vodafone 6 UK, Vodafone Albania Sh.A, Vodafone Alternatif Telekom Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Americas 4, Vodafone Americas Virginia Inc., Vodafone And Qatar Foundation L.L.C, Vodafone Asset Management Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Automotive Electronic Systems S.r.L, Vodafone Automotive France S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Iberia S.L, Vodafone Automotive Italia S.p.A, Vodafone Automotive Japan K.K, Vodafone Automotive Korea Limited, Vodafone Automotive SpA, Vodafone Automotive Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, Vodafone Automotive Telematics Development S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Telematics S.A, Vodafone Automotive UK Limited, Vodafone Belgium SA/NV, Vodafone Benelux Limited, Vodafone Bilgi Ve Iletisim Hizmetleri AS, Vodafone Business Services Limited, Vodafone Business Solutions Limited, Vodafone Canada Inc, Vodafone Cellular Limited, Vodafone Central Services Limited, Vodafone China Limited (China), Vodafone China Limited (Hong Kong), Vodafone Connect 2 Limited, Vodafone Connect Limited, Vodafone Consolidated Holdings Limited, Vodafone Corporate Limited, Vodafone Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Czech Republic A.S., Vodafone DC Pension Trustee Company Limited, Vodafone Dagitim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Data, Vodafone Distribution Holdings Limited, Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E., Vodafone Elektronik Para Ve Odeme Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Empresa Brasil Telecomunicacoes Ltda, Vodafone Empresa Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Vodafone Enabler Espana S.L., Vodafone Enterprise Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Austria GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Bahrain W.L.L., Vodafone Enterprise Bulgaria EOOD, Vodafone Enterprise Chile SA, Vodafone Enterprise Communications Technical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Denmark A/S, Vodafone Enterprise Equipment Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited Czech Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited DubaiI Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Finland OY, Vodafone Enterprise France SAS, Vodafone Enterprise Germany GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Global Businesses S.a r.l., Vodafone Enterprise Global Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network HK Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network Pte. Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Hong Kong Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Italy S.r.L, Vodafone Enterprise Korea Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Luxembourg S.A., Vodafone Enterprise Netherlands BV, Vodafone Enterprise Norway AS, Vodafone Enterprise Regional Business Singapore Pte.Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Singapore Pte.Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Spain S.L.U. Portugal Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Spain SLU, Vodafone Enterprise Sweden AB, Vodafone Enterprise Switzerland AG, Vodafone Erste Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Vodafone Espana S.A.U., Vodafone Euro Hedging Limited, Vodafone Euro Hedging Two, Vodafone Europe B.V., Vodafone Europe UK, Vodafone European Investments, Vodafone European Portal Limited, Vodafone Finance Limited, Vodafone Finance Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Finance Sweden, Vodafone Finance UK Limited, Vodafone Financial Operations, Vodafone Financial Services B.V., Vodafone Fixed Ltd, Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone Foundation Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Gestioni S.p.A, Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited, Vodafone Global Content Services Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Hong Kong) Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Italy) S.R.L., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Japan) K.K., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Vodafone Global Enterprise Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Russia LLC, Vodafone Global Enterprise Taiwan Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Telecommunications (Hellas) A.E., Vodafone Global Network Limited, Vodafone Global Network Limited Slovakia Branch, Vodafone Global Services Private Limited, Vodafone GmbH, Vodafone Group (Directors) Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Pension Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Services GmbH, Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited, Vodafone Group Services Limited, Vodafone Group Services No.2 Limited, Vodafone Group Share Trustee Limited, Vodafone Hire Limited, Vodafone Holding A.S., Vodafone Holdings (Jersey) Limited, Vodafone Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Holdings Europe S.L.U., Vodafone Holdings Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Finance Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Receivables Pty Limited, Vodafone IP Licensing Limited, Vodafone India Digital Limited, Vodafone India Limited, Vodafone India Services Private Limited, Vodafone India Ventures Limited, Vodafone Institut fur Gesellschaft und Kommunikation GmbH, Vodafone Intermediate Enterprises Limited, Vodafone International 1 S.a.r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone International 1 S.a r.l., Vodafone International 2 Limited, Vodafone International Holdings B.V., Vodafone International Holdings Limited, Vodafone International M S.a r.l., Vodafone International Operations Limited, Vodafone International Services LLC, Vodafone Investment UK, Vodafone Investments (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Investments Australia Limited, Vodafone Investments Limited, Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Ireland Distribution Limited, Vodafone Ireland Ltd., Vodafone Ireland Marketing Limited, Vodafone Ireland Property Holdings Limited, Vodafone Ireland Retail Limited, Vodafone Italia S.p.A., Vodafone Jersey Dollar Holdings Limited, Vodafone Jersey Finance, Vodafone Jersey Yen Holdings Unlimited, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Field Services GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Kundenbetreuung GmbH, Vodafone Kenya Limited, Vodafone Leasing Limited, Vodafone Libertel B.V., Vodafone Limited, Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone M-PESA SH.P.K., Vodafone M-Pesa S.A, Vodafone M.C. Mobile Services Limited , Vodafone Magyarorszag Mobile Tavkozlesi Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Vodafone Malta Limited, Vodafone Marketing UK , Vodafone Maroc SARL, Vodafone Mauritius Ltd., Vodafone Mobile Commerce Limited, Vodafone Mobile Communications Limited, Vodafone Mobile Enterprises Limited, Vodafone Mobile NZ Limited, Vodafone Mobile Network Limited, Vodafone Mobile Operations Limited, Vodafone Mobile Services Limited, Vodafone Multimedia Limited, Vodafone Nederland Holding I B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding II B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding III B.V., Vodafone Net Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Network Pty Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Limited, Vodafone Next Generation Services Limited, Vodafone Nominees Limited1, Vodafone ONO S.A.U., Vodafone Oceania Limited, Vodafone Old Show Ground Site Management Limited, Vodafone Overseas Finance Limited, Vodafone Overseas Holdings Limited, Vodafone Panafon International Holdings B.V., Vodafone Panafon UK, Vodafone Partner Services Limited, Vodafone Payment Solutions S.a r.l., Vodafone Portugal Comunicacoes Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Procurement Company S.a r.l., Vodafone Property Investments Limited, Vodafone Pty Limited, Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., Vodafone Retail (Holdings) Limited , Vodafone Retail Limited, Vodafone Roaming Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Romania S.A, Vodafone Romania M - Payments SRL, Vodafone Romania Technologies SRL, Vodafone Sales & Services Limited, Vodafone Satellite Services Limited, Vodafone Servicios SL.U, Vodafone Servizi E Tecnologie S.R.L, Vodafone Servicos Empresariais Brasil Ltda., Vodafone Shared Services Romania SRL, Vodafone Specialist Communications Limited, Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland Gemeinnutzige GmbH, Vodafone Technology Solutions Limited, Vodafone Teknoloji Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Tele-Services (India) Holdings Limited, Vodafone Telecel-Comunicates Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Telecommunications (India) Limited, Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S, Vodafone Towers Limited, Vodafone UK Content Services Limited, Vodafone UK Investments Limited , Vodafone UK Limited1 , Vodafone US Inc, Vodafone Ventures Limited1 , Vodafone Vierte Verwaltungs AG, Vodafone Worldwide Holdings Limited, Vodafone Yen Finance Limited , Vodafone m-pesa Limited, Vodafone-Central Limited Vodaphone Limited, Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A., VodafoneZiggo Group Holding B.V, Vodata Limited , Vouchercloud SA (Pty) Ltd, Wataneya Telecommunications S.A.E, Waterberg Lodge (Proprietary) Limited, Wayfinder, Wheatfields Investments 276 (Proprietary) Limited, Wireless Interactions & NFC Accelerator 2013 B.V., Woodend Cellular Limited, Woodend Communications Limited, Woodend Group Limited, Woodend Holdings Limited, XB Facilities B.V, XLink Communications (Proprietary) Limited, Your Communications Group Limited, ZUM B.V., ZYB, Zelitron S.A., Zesko B.V., Ziggo B.V., Ziggo Bond Company B.V., Ziggo Deelnemingen B.V., Ziggo Finance 2 B.V., Ziggo Financing Partnership, Ziggo Holding B.V., Ziggo Netwerk B.V., Ziggo Netwerk II B.V., Ziggo Services B.V., Ziggo Services Employment B.V., Ziggo Services Netwerk 2 B.V., Ziggo Zakelijk Services B.V., and Zoranet Connectivity Services B.V.. Read More Consolidated Edison, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,555 customers in parts of Manhattan. The company also supplies electricity to approximately 0.3 million customers in southeastern New York and northern New Jersey; and gas to approximately 0.1 million customers in southeastern New York. In addition, it operates 533 circuit miles of transmission lines; 15 transmission substations; 64 distribution substations; 87,564 in-service line transformers; 3,924 pole miles of overhead distribution lines; and 2,291 miles of underground distribution lines, as well as 4,350 miles of mains and 377,971 service lines for natural gas distribution. Further, the company owns, operates, and develops renewable and energy infrastructure projects; and provides energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers, as well as invests in electric and gas transmission projects. It primarily sells electricity to industrial, commercial, residential, and government customers. The company was founded in 1823 and is based in New York, New York. AutoZone, Inc. retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company offers various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Its products include A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, bearings, belts and hoses, calipers, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition and lighting products, mufflers, radiators, starters and alternators, thermostats, and water pumps, as well as tire repairs. In addition, the company offers maintenance products, such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluids; brake drums, rotors, shoes, and pads; brake and power steering fluids, and oil and fuel additives; oil and transmission fluids; oil, cabin, air, fuel, and transmission filters; oxygen sensors; paints and accessories; refrigerants and accessories; shock absorbers and struts; spark plugs and wires; and windshield wipers. Further, it provides air fresheners, cell phone accessories, drinks and snacks, floor mats and seat covers, interior and exterior accessories, mirrors, performance products, protectants and cleaners, sealants and adhesives, steering wheel covers, stereos and radios, tools, and wash and wax products, as well as towing services. Additionally, the company provides a sales program that offers commercial credit and delivery of parts and other products; sells automotive diagnostic and repair software under the ALLDATA brand through alldata.com; and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through autozone.com. As of August 27, 2022, it operated 6,168 stores in the United States; 703 stores in Mexico; and 72 stores in Brazil. The company was founded in 1979 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee. AAR Corp. provides products and services to commercial aviation, government, and defense markets worldwide. The Aviation Services segment offers aftermarket support and services; inventory management and distribution services; and maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as engineering services. This segment also sells and leases new, overhauled, and repaired engine and airframe parts, and components; and provides inventory and repair programs, warranty claim management, and outsourcing programs for engine and airframe parts and components, as well as performance-based supply chain logistics programs in support of the U.S. department of defense and foreign governments. In addition, it offers airframe inspection, maintenance, repair and overhaul, painting, line maintenance, airframe modification, structural repair, avionic and installation, exterior and interior refurbishment, and engineering and support services; and repairs and overhauls components, landing gears, wheels, and brakes. The Expeditionary Services segment provides products and services supporting the movement of equipment and personnel by the U.S. and foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations. This segment also designs, manufactures, and repairs transportation pallets, and various containers and shelters; and provides engineering, design, and system integration services for command and control systems. The company serves domestic and foreign passenger airlines; domestic and foreign cargo airlines; regional and commuter airlines; business and general aviation operators; original equipment manufacturers; aircraft leasing companies; aftermarket aviation support companies; and domestic and foreign military customers. It primarily markets and sells products and services through its employees and foreign sales representatives. AAR Corp. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois. Aetna Inc. operates as a health care benefits company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Health Care, Group Insurance, and Large Case Pensions. The Health Care segment offers medical, pharmacy benefit management service, dental, behavioral health, and vision plans on an insured and employer-funded basis. It also provides point-of-service, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, and indemnity benefit plans, as well as health savings accounts and consumer-directed health plans. In addition, this segment offers Medicare and Medicaid products and services, as well as other medical products, such as medical management and data analytics services, medical stop loss insurance, workers' compensation administrative services, and products that provide access to its provider networks in select geographies. The Group Insurance segment offers life insurance products, including group term life insurance, voluntary spouse and dependent term life insurance, group universal life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance products; and long-term care insurance products, which provide the benefits to cover the cost of care in private home settings, adult day care, assisted living, or nursing facilities. The Large Case Pensions segment manages various retirement products comprising pension and annuity products primarily for tax-qualified pension plans. The company provides its products and services to employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates. Aetna Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut. Fifty wild horses were just rounded up by helicopters that corralled them into holding areas. This isn't unusual - it's been going on for years, as the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been trying to figure out how to manage the booming population of wild horses across the American west. Steve Paige/Return to Freedom This latest roundup occurred at the Frisco Horse Management Area in Utah, as people from Return to Freedom, an advocacy group dedicated to protecting the horses, attended as "humane observers" to document the roundups and keep pressure on the government to find a better solution. Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Rescued Wild Horse Loves To Play With A Little Donkey Steve Paige/Return to Freedom "Documenting roundups also provides a key way to help policymakers and the public understand how tax dollars are often being misused to fund an inhumane, costly and ineffective system of removing wild horses and burros from the range and placing them in off-range facilities when on-range management alternatives may be viable," the group wrote. But because the BLM has been using this capture tactic for decades, it has tens of thousands of horses in holding facilities - and has no idea what to do with them. Steve Paige/Return to Freedom Last September, when an advisory board recommended killing the 45,000 wild horses and burros currently in federal holding facilities, thousands of people spoke up to stop it. BLM finally responded that it had no current plans to kill the animals and that it has not yet formally replied to the advisory board's proposal. It will do so at its next meeting, which is set to take place in April. Steve Paige/Return to Freedom Until then, the agency continues to round up the horses, putting many of them in holding areas, which advocates have criticized for lacking space and shelter from the elements. BLM plans to capture 1,575 in January and February alone. "Some Frisco wild horses will be returned to the range outfitted with radio collars as part of an ongoing population study," RTF said in a statement, "but most of the wild horses and burros in upcoming roundups will tragically never see their home ranges again." Steve Paige/Return to Freedom Steve Paige/Return to Freedom Some say the feds have made a mess by rounding up wild horses in the first place, and they need to change their management plan, relying more on birth control methods, like vaccinations for the wild horses, instead of roundups. After the board's lethal recommendation last fall, animal advocates encouraged everyone to keep their eyes on BLM. "There's a worry that if we all get quiet right now, they could change their mind," Gillian Lyons, wild horse and burro program manager for the HSUS, told The Dodo back in September. And that's just what we intend to do. Steve Paige/Return to Freedom BLM did not immediately reply to The Dodo's request for comment. To donate to RTF's Wild Horse Defense Fund, click here. Update 8/22/2019: Lady Cherie's family has recently learned that her missing front paw is a result of trauma and not a birth defect. She needs urgent surgery to remove the bones in her leg that are causing her pain. If you want to help save Lady Cherie's leg, you can make a donation here. Tyrella Frank and her best friend Renee Bourne had intended to adopt a black dog at a local adoption event in San Antonio, Texas. Instead their eyes fell on Lady Cherie a white Lab mix with a missing paw, and a sign on her kennel that said, "Experienced handlers only." "We kind of just fell in love," Frank told The Dodo. Renee Bourne cuddling up to Lady Cherie | Ty Frank Lady Cherie, however, was terrified of people. No one could get close to her. Frank and Bourne had to spend hours on the floor with her until they gained her trust. But eventually, Lady Cherie crawled onto Bourne's lap. Renee Bourne getting Lady Cherie's trust | Ty Frank While no one really knows what happened in Lady Cherie's past, her fear of people and her physical condition when she was first rescued could suggest that she was abused. Ty Frank "People found her at an apartment complex," Frank explained. "She was bloody and had 12 puppies with her." Animal control seized Lady Cherie and her babies, and took them to a city shelter. If left there, they would have been euthanized, according to Frank. Luckily, a volunteer from a local rescue group pulled all 13 animals out. Dodo Shows Wild Hearts Guy And Wild Shark Have Been Best Friends For Decades Lady Cherie and her puppies at the city shelter | Ty Frank When the puppies were old enough to be spayed and neutered, the rescue group's volunteers made sure they were all adopted into loving homes. But Lady Cherie was harder to place with a family, and her medical issues probably had a lot to do with it. Ty Frank Besides her scarred body and missing paw, Lady Cherie is deaf and vision-impaired. She suffers from anxiety and isn't friendly to other dogs. For a while, she also had severe heartworm disease, and needed extensive and expensive treatment. She was adopted and returned to the rescue group 10 times, according to Frank. "She was a handful that not many people could handle," she said. Ty Frank Even Frank and Bourne didn't want to adopt her they only offered to foster her. But after spending a week with Lady Cherie, they knew they couldn't let her go. Ty Frank "She learned how to play in that week, and she learned what treats were," Frank said. "She started opening up and really learning how to be a dog, and learning that she didn't always have to watch her back all the time. It was really uplifting to see. She learned what love actually is." Ty Frank With Frank and Bourne's love, care and kindness, Lady Cherie's anxiety issues have started to dissipate, although some of her physical issues have gotten worse. Ty Frank Since adopting Lady Cherie, she's had acute pancreatitis and recurring UTIs. Then last year she injured her legs so much so, she can't walk anymore. Ty Frank Frank and Bourne aren't deterred by these new obstacles, however, and Lady Cherie doesn't seem to be either. While they wait for Lady Cherie to get surgery on her legs, Frank and Bourne carry her around, or pull her in a wagon they got from Home Depot. Ty Frank "We've got a foam mat at the bottom, a comforter and then a dog bed and toys in it," Frank explained. "She loves it. She's like, 'Pamper me. Pull me around.' One of her favorite things is car rides, so this is kind of like a car ride inside the house." Ty Frank Now Frank couldn't imagine life without her pampered princess. Ty Frank "In the morning, when we get up, she's immediately happy," Frank said. "Her tail's wagging, and she's whining and talking to us. She can't walk, but she's still happy. Everything evolves around her, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Neither of us would. She's just worth it." Ty Frank To learn more about this very special dog, you can follow Lady Cherie's Facebook page. To visit his friend, Rick Anderson has to strap on an oxygen tank, put a regulator into his mouth and dive into the ocean off the coast of Nobbys Beach in New South Wales, Australia. Anderson's friend is a 6-foot female Port Jackson shark. She doesn't have a name, but Anderson recognizes her by her markings. Rick Anderson And she always recognizes him, according to Anderson. "I started playing with her about seven years ago when she was just a pup about 6 inches long," Anderson told The Dodo in 2017. "I approached her carefully so as not to spook her, then began to gently pat her. Once she got used to me, I would cradle her in my hand and talk soothingly to her through my regulator." Rick Anderson "I did this each time in the first season she was here," he said. "Then over the following seasons, she'd recognize me and would swim up to me for a pat and cuddle. She soon got used to me to the point where she will swim up to me when I'm going past, and tap me on the legs until I hold my arms out for her to lay on for a cuddle." Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Couple Meets A Beach Dog In Mexico Who Changes Their Life Rick Anderson "Most divers seeing this for the first time can't believe it," he added. "I don't feed her or any of the other sharks I play with I basically treat them like I would a dog." Rick Anderson Rick Anderson Anderson, who's been scuba diving for more than 30 years and runs a dive school, hopes his friendship with this Port Jackson shark will make people less fearful of sharks. Anderson cuddling with a banjo shark | Rick Anderson "The biggest misconception about sharks is that they are all mindless killers lying in wait for people to enter the water so they can be devoured," Anderson said. Besides Port Jacksons, Anderson dives with other shark species, such as banjo sharks, grey nurse sharks, tiger sharks, bull sharks, hammerhead sharks and even the odd great white shark. Anderson diving with a grey nurse shark | Rick Anderson "I have always felt comfortable swimming with these animals," he said. When the family that owns a convenience store in Toronto, Canada, finally found out who was behind a rash of chocolate bar thefts, their reaction was bittersweet: Gimme a break. The candy thieves, the Kim family learned, were none other than a local band of squirrels. Their sticky-fingered ways - often slipping into the store when the door was left open - has led to dozens of chocolate bars disappearing from the shelves of Luke's Grocery and Snack Bar over the years. And Cindy Kim says her parents have only themselves to blame. About five years ago, her father, who runs the store, started doing a little community outreach - namely feeding the birds who gathered outside. But his generosity may have drawn another element to the neighborhood. "The squirrels started coming and eating the sunflower seeds and such," Kim tells The Dodo. "I suppose they started getting used to coming to our store for food. But those seeds don't last forever. So I think they started robbing us." Dodo Shows Cat Crazy Fluffy Cat Wants To Sit On His Dad At All Times Last fall, she notes, there was a dramatic increase in the heists, with about 40 candy bars in all being squirreled out of the east-end store - "mostly chocolate bars." "We don't catch them all the time," Kim adds. "We're guessing that they come and go and we don't even know about it." While the thieves appear to have learned just when to hit the store, Kim's parents have also wised up their ways. "They would look outside and catch a squirrel hanging out in front of the store," Kim says. Then there's a soft, rustling sound. A hint of movement. And... Payday. "It's difficult to catch them in the act," Kim explains, although her parents and even customers have tried to catch the thieves. The trouble is, by the time anyone can react, the thief is halfway down the street, chocolate bar in mouth. ANTIGONISH, N.S.A senior medical official in Nova Scotia is challenging allegations that a former soldier who killed his family before committing suicide was turned away from an Antigonish hospital in the days before the killings. Dr. Minoli Amit issued a statement Tuesday, saying no person was refused services or turned away from St. Marthas Regional Hospital. Amit was responding to a comment made last week by a relative of Lionel Desmond, the former infantryman who fatally shot his wife Shanna, their 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah and his mother Brenda before turning the gun on himself last week in Upper Big Tracadie, N.S. A day after their bodies were found in the family home on Jan 3, Rev. Elaine Walcott said she couldnt understand why Lionel Desmond was refused treatment at St. Marthas mental health unit before the shootings. Walcott said Desmond was told there were no beds available at the facility. Amit, a senior medical supervisor at St. Marthas, said the hospitals emergency room has never been closed, and hospital staff routinely work through bed shortages to provide care to anyone seeking help. Our deepest sympathies go out to their extended families, friends and community as well as to the co-workers of Mrs. Desmond who was employed at our hospital, Amits statement said, referring to the fact that Shanna Desmond was a nurse at the hospital. We cannot comment on the specifics of this situation but will be reviewing all aspects of our involvement from many perspectives. We would like, however, to confirm that no person was ever refused services or turned away from care at St. Marthas Regional Hospital. Amit declined to be interviewed after releasing the statement. Some of Lionel Desmonds relatives have said he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour in Afghanistan in 2007, and had received treatment from the military. But the relatives have also said he did not get the help he needed when he returned to Nova Scotia about 18 months ago. A retired soldier who served in Afghanistan with Desmond has said his friend had the classic symptoms of PTSD, but appeared to be dealing with them. Later on Tuesday, the Nova Scotia Health Authority issued a statement insisting that the provinces hospitals will not turn away anyone who requires admission, as assessed by a psychiatrist. If no bed is available in a persons community, a bed is found elsewhere, the statement said. The tragedy would be compounded if anyone in Nova Scotia were to not seek care because they have formed an impression that help is not available or that they may be turned away if a facility is busy. Help is available, in many forms. The authority said a triage process ensures anyone who is in serious need, but does not require emergency services, is seen within five working days. Last Thursday, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said an investigation will look into how the provinces health-care system dealt with Lionel Desmond. The first of two Desmond family funerals will be held Wednesday at St. Peters Church in Tracadie, N.S. The service for Lionel Desmond and his 52-year-old mother is scheduled for 11 a.m. The funeral for Desmonds 31-year-old wife and their daughter is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. MORE ON THESTAR.COM 'I will fix it,' ex-soldier wrote on Facebook before Nova Scotia murder-suicide Former soldier and wife were working to be a family Funerals for Nova Scotia family killed in murder-suicide to be held this week We cant ignore the role of family violence in N.S. murder-suicide, professor says Lionel Desmond was 'a hero,' says fellow Afghanistan vet Read more about: SHARE: FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA.Actor and longtime environmental activist Jane Fonda says Canada should listen to the concerns of indigenous people about resource development. First Nations people are again telling us, You cant keep doing this because its going to destroy everything, not just human beings, all different species, Fonda said Tuesday during a visit to the oilsands hub of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta. The U.S. film star and Oscar winner said she made the visit to learn about the impact of oilsands development on First Nations and to support their opposition to pipelines that would export bitumen to the United States or overseas. Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government recently approved the Kinder Morgan pipeline to move bitumen to the B.C. coast and hearings are about to resume on the Energy East proposal for a line heading the other way. And U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has said he will revisit an American decision against the Keystone XL pipeline that would go all the way to Texas. We dont want these two new pipelines (Kinder Morgan and Energy East) and we dont want any future agreements between Trump and Trudeau to go back into the issue of the Keystone XL, Fonda said. Its not to the benefit of anyone except the oil companies. Fonda said shes aware some First Nations support pipeline development and that many families depend on the industry for a livelihood. When people are very poor, theyre very vulnerable, she said. I dont pretend to be an expert, but I do listen carefully. And I come here with tremendous compassion for people who work in the tarsands and who will be laid off when the work is done or when the price of oil drops even more. We have to reach across class lines and see what we have in common and see how we can work together to find a solution where everyone will win. She suggested that renewable energy developments offer much greater economic spinoffs than what she calls a fossil fuel industry on its way out. Fonda is the latest in a long string of prominent people who have visited the oilsands, including musician Neil Young, Hollywood director James Cameron, actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Each visit, including Fondas, has been accompanied by a backlash on social media and political criticism. Its still worth it, Fonda said. As a celebrity, theres always the contradictions I flew here on an airplane but our lives are rife with contradiction. Does my coming and speaking out outweigh the use of carbon to get me here? I feel that it does. We have to spread the message. Fonda said the aboriginal pipeline protest at Standing Rock, N.D., had been almost completely ignored by mainstream media until she visited and did an interview. That interview went all over the country. That wouldnt have happened if I wasnt there. Allan Adam, chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation downstream from the oilsands, joined Fonda on a helicopter tour of the area. He said he is grateful for her support. His band cant get anybodys attention on issues such as environmental recommendations made for projects that include Shells Jackpine mine expansion, he said. (We havent) gotten anywhere over the last two years with this Alberta government or any movement within industry. If high-profile people want to come around and come and talk to me, my people say thatll be OK. Alberta government spokespeople said Fondas office had made no attempt to contact them, although the province has offered information on its new climate plan. Nor had Fonda reached out to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said spokesperson Chelsie Klassen. Wed welcome a discussion. Klassen pointed out that Albertas industry has spend hundreds of millions of dollars on environmental research and is required to consult with First Nations. Alberta has had some form of carbon tax for nearly a decade, she added. Read more about: SHARE: WINNIPEGThe Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has doubled the number of doctors working to meet patient demand in Manitoba for medically assisted dying. The authority says 102 patients, or their families, had contacted the program as of Friday. A clinical team that travels across the province now consists of seven physicians, three social workers and a speech pathologist. The team is also looking to add to its two nurses. Everyone works part time. Dr. Brock Wright, vice-president and chief medical officer with the health authority, says interest has been increasing month over month across Manitoba. I think none of us know where the demand for this or where the interest for this service will level out, Wright said Tuesday. It has obviously been increasing over the course of the year. We cant predict what the numbers will be in the longer term, but will adjust as necessary and involve additional care providers as the need dictates. Of the 102 individuals who have contacted the program, 24 received assistance and 18 cases were declined. Of the 18 patients that were declined, five of them had a mental illness as their underlying condition, and that precludes them from accessing the ... service. The other 13 patients had an underlying physical illness, but death was not foreseeable, which is one of the requirements in the federal legislation, Wright said. Fourteen cases remain active, 28 people died unassisted and 18 were inquiries only. Anyone seeking assisted death must be assessed twice in person attended by two physicians. Both assessments must agree before medical help in dying is granted. A patient must also make a written request for a medically assisted death. It must also be determined that death is reasonably foreseeable and that a patient is mentally competent to provide consent. Medically assisted deaths became law in Canada last June. Read more about: SHARE: Stephane Dion has always been every Liberal leaders special gift. When Justin Trudeau announced a renewed Liberal cabinet that had no place for Dion, it was clear Dions refusal to accept the sinecure Trudeau had offered simultaneous appointments, it is reported, as ambassador to Germany and to the European Union was putting a serious cramp in Trudeaus style on a big day. But then, on his best days as on his worst, Dion has always been about cramping somebodys style. The bookish, pugnacious, deeply emotional political scientist entered politics 21 years ago this month on the personal initiative of Jean Chretien. Not even Chretiens closest advisers, Jean Pelletier and Eddie Goldenberg, knew at first that Chretien had seen Dion defending federalism on television and called to invite him to Ottawa. Dion was on Chretiens doorstep at 24 Sussex Drive a day after Chretien called. When he showed up wearing heavy boots and a toque, covered in snow and carrying a knapsack on his back, I thought to myself, Oh my God, what have I got myself involved with? Chretien wrote later in his memoirs. The question would later occur to other Liberal leaders. The features that commended Dion to Chretiens attention mastery of detail, limitless stamina, and a physical inability to feel fear made him so indispensable as Chretiens lead minister on national unity that Dion briefly became a political target when Chretiens rival, Paul Martin, ousted Chretien to become the new prime minister. Martin declined to put Dion in his first cabinet, and did not even have the grace to call and let Dion know he was out. He authorized efforts to defeat Dion for the Liberal nomination in the Montreal riding of Saint-Laurent. But Dion had already earned the loyalty of Montreal Liberals for his work on the anti-secession Clarity Bill. Realizing he had a fight on his hands, Martin told his organizers to down tools and let Dion stay. After the 2004 election, he made Dion his minister of the environment, and again Dions doggedness made him a cabinet star. A lesser star in a lesser government, but still a force to be reckoned with. His own tenure as Liberal leader was a disaster rendered less vivid in hindsight because his successor, Michael Ignatieff, made even more of a mess. But Dion sure was a challenge for his handlers. In the 2006 leadership race, he ran against Ignatieffs signature environmental proposal, a carbon tax. Heaped scorn on it. Then, having defeated Ignatieff, he decided Canada needed a carbon tax. That proposal would be hard for even a silver-tongued and charismatic leader to defend. Youll note that in 2015, Justin Trudeau didnt bother to try, waiting until after hed won an election to go into any detail at all about carbon pricing. Dion had neither the silver tongue nor the charisma. Stephen Harper made short work of him. And then, in the days after the 2008 election, Dion went to ground for a full week, neither appearing in public nor making any public declaration. It later emerged that he had called around, looking for support for a bid to remain as Liberal leader even after he had led the party to its worst popular-vote score in history. It would have been handy if he had made more friends. One senior adviser got the call. What should I do? Dion asked. You never took my advice before, the staffer told him, acidly. Why should I expect you to start now? There followed another visit to the outer reaches of Liberal legitimacy, as Dion abstained from most public comment on most issues for the duration of Ignatieffs troubled tenure as leader. It was an act of kindness: Dion knew his presence, for some reason even his very existence, freaked Ignatieff out, and he was trying to cut the new boss some slack. After Ignatieff was routed in 2011, Dion took on a more public role once again. It would have been surprising indeed if he had been left out of Trudeaus first cabinet. It is less surprising that he has not lasted long. Very early, rumours began circulating that Dion was impatient with less-experienced ministers, which was most of them. At meetings of cabinet committees, he would make no effort to hide his towering disdain for positions he didnt share. Now, a willingness to say no can be a virtue, but Dion was otherwise unsuccessful at distinguishing himself. His attempt to brand his vision of foreign policy anyone? Anyone? He called it responsible conviction did not resonate at all. On Trudeaus most high-profile early foreign policy successes his close relationship with Barack Obama, his rock-star turn at Davos Dion was not a factor. On Trudeaus next big challenge, figuring out what to do with Donald Trump, Dion did not seem like part of a solution. Im keenly aware, as I write this, that I am damning one of 21st-century Canadian liberalisms household gods with faint praise. Its hard for me to write this stuff, too: During Dions first decade in politics, he often stood to me as an example of the finest virtues any outsider can bring to politics. Fierce intelligence, conviction, a persistent willingness to engage in debate instead of seeking to shut it down. But there was a second decade. And today, Dions departure from politics comes as less of a disappointment. It seems almost to offer solace. Perhaps, eventually, even to him. SHARE: The grand chief of 49 northern First Nations is calling for a national suicide strategy after the loss of two 12-year-old girls since Sunday. The small indigenous community of Wapekeka is in mourning after the suicide of a 12-year-old girl on Sunday and another 12-year-old girl on Tuesday. There is concern that more children will try to take their lives. A crisis team has flown into the Oji-Cree community, which is about 450 kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout, in northwestern Ontario. Another four girls were to be flown out of the community on medical charter flights, said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. Wapekeka First Nation is a Treaty 9 First Nation and one of NANs 49 communities. Treaty 9 was signed in 1905 by First Nations leaders and the Crown in northern Ontario; it covers an area roughly the size of France. Fiddler said NAN held an emergency call Tuesday with federal and provincial representatives to plan a co-ordinated response. But holding emergency calls and flying in teams when suicides spike should not be the answer to a crisis that has gripped indigenous communities for decades, he said, adding that whats needed is a national strategy that sees stable and consistent help. It shouldnt just be during times of crisis and stress when we all come together, which is what we do now We need to develop a more comprehensive strategy, something that can be applied across the country not just in NAN territories. Nunavut and Manitoba are also struggling, he said. Wapekeka went through a suicide crisis in the 1990s but the community came together, developed a strategy and stuck to its programs, he said. Then funding became a problem, and Wapekeka struggled. As the community tries to come to grips with what has happened and make sure other youth are safe, Wapekekas band council is asking for privacy. Northern First Nations have struggled with suicide epidemics for decades. There were more than 500 suicides across NAN First Nations from 1986 to 2016 and more than 70 of them were children aged 10 to 14, while another 200 were young people between the ages of 15 and 20. Last year, Attawapiskat First Nation declared a state of emergency after there were 11 suicide attempts in one evening. Wapekeka is devastated, said Fiddler. We are working non-stop to co-ordinate an emergency response and are doing everything possible to ensure that the necessary mental health and counselling supports are made available immediately, especially for high-risk youth who need urgent medical attention and specialized care, said Fiddler. While there is no information as to the circumstances of what happened and why, Wapekeka has had a troubled past. The remote community was one of the areas convicted pedophile Ralph Rowe targeted for nearly two decades. Rowe was a pilot, a Scout leader and Anglican minister. Recently, a documentary called Survivors Rowe, focused on three of Rowes abuse victims and how the consequences of the abuse they experienced has affected their lives. The film was shot at Wunnumin Lake, Wapekeka and on the Big Trout Lake First Nation. The documentary alleges hundreds of boys were sexually abused by Rowe in a variety of northwestern Ontario indigenous communities. The true number may never be known as many victims have not wanted to disclose their pain. But indigenous leaders acknowledge Rowes legacy has led to many suicides in the region. Its always been an issue for the community. A lot of it stems from Ralph Rowe. This was one of the communities where he was most active, Fiddler said. In 1994, Rowe was convicted of 39 counts of indecent assault on 15 boys aged 8 to 14. He was sentenced to six years in prison but served only 4.5 years. Part of Rowes 1994 plea deal shielded him from facing more charges of a similar nature. However, in 2006, Rowe faced another 31 alleged victims and 75 charges, wrote Justice Erwin Stach in a July 2006 court document, the Star reported in 2011. After preliminary hearings, the number of charges fell from 75 to 57 and complainants from 31 to 25. Five went to trial and only two cases resulted in convictions. Rowe was sentenced to three years in prison one three-year sentence and another one year concurrent. SHARE: CALGARYThe new president of Calgarys police union says a crime wave in the city is largely responsible for a record number of officer-involved shootings last year. Les Kaminski, of the 2,200-member Calgary Police Association, said Wednesday that officers want to address the black eye the force has received over the last 18 months. Unfortunately, its our members who are the people involved in those incidents. When youre the person at the pointy end of the stick, youre the person who ends up having to take the brunt of the blame, he said. In 2016, Calgary recorded 10 shootings by police five of them fatal as well as complaints of sexual harassment and bullying of some female officers. Kaminski said an increase in drug use has led to a jump in property crimes and car thefts. There have been serious, unprecedented issues happening in Calgary, particularly over the past year and a half. Calgary is in the midst of a crime wave. Our citizens and the media have legitimate concerns after 10 police shootings in the year 2016 and ... they have a right to ask questions. Our officers are deeply affected by each of these tragic occurrences and we share those same concerns. Kaminski said that with 2,200 members, there is always the possibility of a few who break the rules. But he noted that most officers in Calgary take pride in doing a good job. There are incidents where theres no denying our members are treated badly. The vast majority of our members are absolutely solid individuals. Its not systemic, he said. Every good cop in this city doesnt want the bad cops here. It paints us all with a really bad brush. The vast majority of our members are absolutely outstanding police officers. Kaminski said his association has met with the Calgary Police Commission and executive members of the Calgary Police Service. More discussions are to be held on a regular basis in the future. He hopes that the police force will listen to suggestions from his members, including one to focus on the kind of crimes that have led to violent encounters. If we dont lower the amount of car thefts, our officers are going to find more stolen vehicles, and half of the police shootings last year involved stolen vehicles. If we cut those stolen vehicles in half, were going to have less police shootings. It just stands to reason. Calgary recorded the highest number of police shootings in any Canadian city a concern to police Chief Roger Chaffin, who has called for an independent probe to investigate why. I believe theres something wrong, Chaffin said in an interview with The Canadian Press last month. Something I can affect. Something that our leadership can affect. I dont put it on the officers. MORE ON THESTAR.COM Woman dead in Calgarys 10th police-involved shooting this year Read more about: SHARE: Unionized city garbage collectors will fight Mayor John Torys efforts to outsource more than 200 of their jobs while reluctantly mulling a bid to hold onto the work if a Scarborough contract is tendered. The best option is to keep it in public hands, we dont want to start selling off public services or public assets. This is ours. This is what we work for in Toronto, Matt Figliano, vice-president of CUPE Local 416 which has an anti-privatization Kicked to the Curb lobbying campaign, told reporters Wednesday. The city union is not structured to bid on work, Figliano said, but he will ask his 18-member board if it should take part in the managed competition should city council vote to outsource Scarborough collection, as recommended in a city staff report released Wednesday to applause from Tory. Senior management that wrote this report, that is favoring privatization, now expects us to make a bid with them. Thats a little unusual and cruel punishment, he said. But I will take this back to my executive board and well make a decision when the time is right. Before Toronto amalgamated, Etobicoke outsourced its trash collection. In 2012, then-mayor Rob Ford convinced council to contract out the rest of the citys west half, from the Humber River to Yonge St. a move city staff say saves taxpayers $11 million a year. The new report, to be debated by a committee next week, recommends council consider outsourcing pickup in Scarborough but leaving, for now, east downtown with city workers. The union could bid against private companies to retain the work. Managed competition procurements strike an excellent balance between conflicting positions, namely privatization and maintaining in-house service delivery, as they provide a platform to compare costs within a competitive procurement process, the report says. If CUPE Local 416 declines to participate, staff recommend that the city continue to engage in a traditional procurement process to secure bids, from third party contractors qualified to provide this service. Tory, elected in 2014 promising to privatize collection across Toronto, summoned reporters to an Etobicoke driveway to make the case for private workers replacing some permanent city staff. The market needs to be tested to see if the same service can be done for less, Tory said. The only way to do that, he added, is to ask people to tell you how they would do it and how much they will charge you for doing it. The city is presently saving millions of dollars each year by contracting out garbage collection in the west end, and I want to save money in the east end as well. He defended not pushing to privatize everything east of Yonge, noting the report raises logistical reasons for leaving one zone with city staff, and said he is fine with a citywide mix of private and public collectors competing to be the best. Staff pushing privatization is an about-face from a September 2015 report that found privatizing east-end collection may actually cost the city more. At that time, Tory and others challenged the staff report, criticizing the analysis for, Tory said, leaving unanswered questions. The staff report was reviewed by third party Ernst & Young, which found the analysis to be reasonable. The head of solid waste stopped working for the city shortly after the reports release, and her replacement was tasked with taking another look at the privatization issue. The new report says that, since 2015, a number of circumstances changed including revised fleet costs that have been completed as part of the 2017 budget. As a result, cost per tonne and cost per household forecasts have been revised from the original numbers presented in 2015. Council will have final say, and it appears Tory has sufficient support from his right-leaning and centrist allies. Anthony Perruzza said the information has been all over the map on this. I thought we had an honest and fair assessment in the last report that basically said theres no value to proceeding with any further privatization. We can do it just as efficient and competitive a job internally. Perruzza added while public sector workers might be slightly better paid and have better benefit packages, thats okay if they can provide the service at a competitive rate Why should we run them out just for ideological belief? SHARE: There was no shouting, no protest, no sharp declaration of unfairness or illegality. Xiu Jin Teng, 41, remained completely silent as a jury found her guilty of the first-degree murder of her husband Dong Huang after a bizarre trial in which she represented herself. On Friday, she will receive the mandatory sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. After the jury, which deliberated for six hours Wednesday, was dismissed, Teng had a brief conversation with the lawyer appointed by the court to protect her rights, packed her paperwork into a large plastic bag, and smiled serenely as she was handcuffed and led out of the courtroom. Her mind is likely already on the next stage of the legal process: appealing the verdict and the various rulings she repeatedly and loudly denounced as unfair, illegal and a violation of her rights. Teng was accused of using a ligature to strangle her husband Dong Huang and hiding his body, wrapped in plastic and doused in bleach, in a closet in their Scarborough basement apartment in February 2012. The Crown alleged she intended to collect up to $2 million in life insurance. Huangs body was discovered by Tengs landlords before it could be disposed of using various items Teng purchased from Canadian Tire, prosecutor Joshua Levy told the jury. The unusual trial which began in November proceeded in fits and starts as Teng harangued Justice Ian MacDonnell over his refusal to toss out her charge due to delay, demanded a defence lawyer and accused the court and Crown of illegal behaviour. The jury was not told why Teng did not have a defence lawyer, although MacDonnell did tell the jury her frequent claim that she was being denied a lawyer was simply not true. Outside the jurys presence, court heard that Teng fired her first lawyer after several months and, after going through three more lawyers, switched to lawyer Devin Bains in 2013. Her trial was initially set to begin in September 2015. Just before it began, Bains informed the court that, after consulting senior counsel at the Law Society of Upper Canada, he needed to be removed due to a breakdown in his relationship with Teng. Teng maintained to the court she wanted him to continue as her lawyer. Arrangements were made for another lawyer to take over and for the trial to proceed in November, but Teng refused this. The next available date for a trial was at the end of October 2016. Teng still would not hire a new publicly-funded lawyer despite the urging of the court, altthough she did speak to several. Eventually, the Ministry of the Attorney General filed materials indicating that, should she hire a lawyer, they would oppose an application for funding, as that would reward her efforts to abuse the system. Before the trial began, Teng tried to have her charges stayed due to unreasonable delay, pointing out that it would be almost five years from her arrest in March 2012 to the end of her trial. (It has now been four years and 10 months.) She cited the Supreme Court of Canadas recent landmark decision, which set a 30-month time limit for cases to go from arrest to the end of trial in Superior Court, a ruling shed heard about from a fellow inmate. Teng argued the delay has had serious consequences for her. One is that she has been unable to see her young daughter, who now lives in China with her husbands family. If the criminal case had proceeded faster, the Childrens Aid Society might not have made that custody decision, she said. Crown prosecutor Robert Fried argued Teng was trying to manipulate the court, after being responsible for the delays that came from changing her lawyers many times. The only thing that is unreasonable has been the conduct of Ms. Teng and her attempt to use her Charter right as a sword, not a shield, he said. MacDonnell did not stay the charge, finding that the long period of time was justified under the legal framework that existed prior to the Supreme Court of Canadas ruling. During the trial, Tengs interruptions occasionally prompted MacDonnell to order she be removed from the courtroom and placed in a room with a video-link where she could see the proceedings, but not participate. You are wrong! You are wrong! she yelled on one occasion. You do everything illegally in this courtroom. You are an illegal judge. As MacDonnell continued to speak, she pretended to ignore him, while furiously making notes, then kept asking him to repeat himself because she couldnt hear him. On other occasions, she declared she was going to nap, sarcastically applauded and held up various objects to block her view of the judge who she sometimes addressed as Your Majesty. Teng refused to inform the court of the witnesses she intended to call in her defence and why, and failed to produce any of the witnesses in court. MacDonnell ruled as a result that they would proceed directly to closing arguments. When Teng announced she needed time to prepare to apply for a mistrial, MacDonnell put his foot down. Ms. Teng that is enough, he snapped. It is hard to describe the number of things you have raised that have prevented this trial from proceeding in an orderly fashion. We are continuing with your jury address . . . . I am done playing games with you, Ms. Teng. Im finished. Over two days, Teng urged the jury to acquit her, claiming there are many holes in the Crowns theory, while referring to herself in the third person. It is much easier to kill a policy than to kill a person, she said of the pricey life insurance policy the Crown argues was her motive for the murder. Suddenly breaking into a singsong she said: My dear jury. Have to. Acquit Ms. Teng. In his final instructions to the jury, the judge reminded them they could not take Tengs behaviour in court, from her demands that the Crown be fired to her declaration that he is evil, into consideration. SHARE: A man posing as a sympathetic journalist was paid to spy on workers rights groups campaigning against asbestos with a key focus on activities in Canada, court documents allege. According to testimony in the English High Court, a British man identified as Rob Moore was paid more than $700,000 to conduct a four-year espionage campaign against key figures in the global movement to ban asbestos, gathering confidential information about its funding, aims and strategies, including litigation strategies. The subterfuge was designed to pass information to a corporation with interests in the asbestos industry, the documents claim. The court heard that Moore identified anti-asbestos groups plans for Canada, as well as Thailand and India, as key areas of focus as early as 2012, when he was contracted through an intelligence consultancy firm called K2 on behalf of a corporate client believed to be based outside the U.K. There is currently a publication ban on that clients identity. The claimants, who are prominent figures in the international anti-asbestos movement, are seeking aggravated damages for breach of confidence and misuse of private information. Moore, K2 and the anonymous client are all defendants in the civil suit. The allegations have not been proven in court. The U.K.s Guardian newspaper reported in December that K2 is expected to argue that the amount of confidential information collected was tiny and was only intended to better understand the anti-asbestos movement. In an email to the Star, Moore called the legal dispute unfortunate and complicated. He said he would be able to address any allegations when more details of the case were presented by the claimants. When I can do that, my role in the issues contained in the claim should become more clear. In short, this case has not even properly begun and the full facts are not yet known, he said. I intend to follow the courts process and procedure. Meanwhile, it would not be right to argue the case through the press. Any further comment would be premature. Laura Lozanski, the Health and Safety Officer for the Canadian Association of University Teachers and anti-asbestos advocate, told the Star she was contacted by Moore and met with him in September in her Ottawa office. She said he claimed to be a filmmaker with an interest in producing a documentary about the campaign against asbestos, even sending her a link to a short film on YouTube about asbestos victims in India he apparently made for the World Health Organization. He seemed to be quite legitimate, so we didnt think anything more of it, said Lozanski, who subsequently referred him to other Canadian anti-asbestos campaigners. It was a key period for the movement, as it ramped up political pressure that ultimately resulted in the federal government banning the cancer-causing substance in December. Weve seen and heard about the tactics and corruption that take place to keep this product circulating so in a way it wasnt a surprise but it was certainly not something we had experienced, Lozanski said. The Star has previously investigated the impact of asbestos exposure on former factory workers who used it in a variety of manufacturing processes. The negative health effects of the carcinogen, a lucrative Canadian export until the last mine closed five years ago, were well-known by the 1920s and linked to lung cancer by 1955. Asbestos has been linked to the deaths of 2,000 people in Canada each year, according to studies funded by the Canadian Cancer Society. Russia is now by far the worlds largest producer of the carcinogenic mineral, followed by China, Brazil and Kazakhstan. Lozanski said she and her colleagues had talked to Moore generally about their campaign to ban asbestos. In December, she said she received a tip that there was somebody going around interviewing people that was now being sued in the U.K. for being a corporate spy. It was him. It was the same person, she said. Linda Reinstein said she felt personally betrayed when she learned of the allegations against Moore, who she met in her capacity as the founder of the U.S.-based Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. She established the group after her husband Alan was diagnosed with mesothelioma an aggressive form of lung cancer that is almost always caused by workplace exposure to asbestos. Reinstein told the Star she invited Moore, who she then believed to be a journalist, to attend ADAOs annual conference in 2013 and 2015, even paying $1,000 toward his flight and waiving his registration fees. Reinstein and Lozanski both said they did not know what Moore or his client could have gained from his alleged spying. It doesnt really make sense. Were not hiding anything, and everybody knows what were doing said Lozanski. The claimants in the U.K. case include Laurie Kazan-Allen, co-ordinator of the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, and a lawyer working with asbestos victims in a developing country who has been granted anonymity because he fears for his safety. According to a witness statement provided to the High Court in November by Richard Meeran, a partner at the prestigious British law firm Leigh Day, Moore appeared to be trying to uncover information that could be used to suggest the (anti-asbestos) network was being funded by those with a vested financial interest in it namely lawyers and/or those in the asbestos substitute market. The aim, Meerans statement said, was to smear and discredit the network in the eyes of the states and organizations it sought to influence. The witness statement also quotes from a report allegedly written by Moore about the plan, codenamed Project Spring. Ive been able to identify several news stories, angles, pegs and themes that would be of genuine interest to a documentary filmmaker, and I am confident that I can enter this world relatively easily and with a high level of legitimacy and credibility, he writes. He also allegedly suggests approaching the groups with a number of documentary themes to make my entry seem less deliberate and less suspicious. If you read the IBAS website you very quickly detect a degree of (justified) paranoia about the underhand tactics deployed by the asbestos industry to undermine and harass its critics. According to the Guardian, lawyers for the intelligence firm that hired Moore told the High Court that anti-asbestos campaigners could also be ruthless and argued there was a need to counter the impression that this is a contest between virtue and vice. Lozanski said her network of Canadian campaigners was a broad and inclusive coalition made up of labour groups, health experts and asbestos victims. She said the encounter with Moore was a lesson to be a little more cautious in the future about someone were not familiar with. But its not going to stop our work, she added. Its not going to have an impact on us continuing to do what we need to do. SHARE: About 10 minutes into Barack Obamas farewell speech in Chicago Tuesday night, the outgoing U.S. president mentioned race. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society, he said, taking on upcoming spectre of a president-elect hostile and contemptuous of Americans of colour. As Obama delivered yet another high-stakes speech, this time to a politically and racially divided America, he had to make a case for his legacy and sound a note of optimism for the future. Ive lived long enough to know race relations are better than they were 10 or 20 or 30 years ago no matter what people say, he said. The man who was the hope of black America, the symbol of white Americas progressiveness, and the flag bearer of a new racial equality appealed once again to peoples hearts. Hearts must change, he said, if our democracy is to work the way it should in this increasingly diverse nation. Unlike any other president in history, this one has had to balance a racial tightrope between white and black, yes, but also between black and not-black-enough. Despite his scandal-free presidency and his exemplary morals, he was often lambasted for favouring the other side. In April 2015, when he spoke a day after the funeral of Freddie Gray, a young black man who died of spinal-cord injury while in police custody, white Americans viewed him as anti-police for saying the crisis was not new. It has been going on for decades. Black Americans heard the same speech but came away criticizing him for calling Baltimore rioters criminals and thugs. On Tuesday night, Obama appealed for empathy, channelling Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk in it. Perhaps it was optimism that underpinned the audacity of Obamas hope that he stood for all Americans. Perhaps it was naivete. A black man with deep roots in the white world, author Ta-Nehisi Coates said recently in a lengthy article in the Atlantic. In a country where 75 per cent of white Americans have no friends of colour and 65 per cent of black Americans have no friends who are not black, he was always the president of the divided states of America. On Tuesday, he appealed to their reason. To people of colour he said, think of the middle-aged white guy who from the outside may seem like hes got all the advantages, but has seen his world upended. To whites, he said, The effects of slavery and Jim Crow didnt suddenly vanish in the 60s . . . when minority groups voice discontent, theyre not just engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness. Obama knows first hand what alienation feels like. A few months into his new presidency, when Obama remarked that a police officer acted stupidly for arresting a black Harvard professor who was attempting to open the door to his own home, his favourability ratings among white Americans dropped. It became apparent very quickly after that the animosity toward Obama was not partisanship as usual. On Sept. 9, 2009, while Obama was delivering a health-care speech to Congress, Republican House member Joe Wilsons showed shocking contempt when he shouted, You lie. When white Americans saw their president, they saw a black man at ease with the hip-hop culture, shooting hoops, and instinctively singing Amazing Grace in the style of the black church after nine African-Americans were gunned down by a white supremacist in 2015. They saw a president who invited black activists to the White House, who waded into the controversial acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of an unarmed black teen by saying, If I had a son, hed look like Trayvon. For this and more, he was called a race-baiter, accused of favouring blacks over whites, and even, of not being American. What white Americans did not see was the man who would excoriate black Americans in his speeches to majority black audiences, telling them to pull up their socks and stop blaming white people for their problems. They didnt see him looking askance at absent black fathers. They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men, he once said. They didnt hear him tell a town hall on race It cant just be all on the police. It also got to be on the community. They didnt hear his no room for excuses graduation speech at the historically black Morehouse College. Barack Obama is, indeed, the president of all America, but he also is singularly the scold of black America, Coates said in another article in 2013. Over the years, Obama rebuffed the pressure to be a black activist, but he made strides in reforming the criminal justice system that is used as a tool to oppress blacks. He signed into law the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which reduced the disparity between tougher sentences for crack cocaine (that targeted blacks) and lighter sentences for powder cocaine (favoured by wealthier whites). He was the first president to visit a federal prison, and he oversaw guidelines to reduce solitary confinement in federal prisons. Yet all the optimism in Obamas farewell speech could not mask this troublesome fact: ordinary white men still saw a classy, brilliant black man occupying the countrys highest seat of power for eight years as inferior to them. If he could not reverse or stem the tide of racism, what lies ahead? Shree Paradkar tackles issues of race and gender. You can follow her @shreeparadkar MORE ON THESTAR.COM Obama farewell warns of threats to American democracy Full transcript: Barack Obamas farewell speech SHARE: GDANSK, POLANDThe Gdansk shipyard, the heart of the Solidarity movement that grew into a revolution and toppled European communism, is not what it once was. Legions of Poles, dressed in one-piece blue coveralls and carrying lunch buckets, used to pass through the gates early each morning, beginning a day of back-breaking work constructing the steel ships of the Soviet empire. In 1980, nearly 20,000 people worked at what was once known as the Lenin Shipyard; today, fewer than 2,000 remain. The Ukrainian steel magnate Sergei Taruta, who owns nearly 75 per cent of the shipyard, and the Polish government are reportedly at odds over how it should be managed. As indecision rages, the yard loses money and struggles to make payroll. It is at risk of tipping into a third bankruptcy. It is ironic that the new Poland and free-market economics, the very thing for which Solidarity fought, are responsible for the shipyards demise. Now, many of the giant green cranes throughout the yard stand motionless among abandoned buildings. Occasionally a cruise liner or a container ship docks, but most days the shipyard is silent. After a failed push to put the Gdansk shipyard, known in Polish as Stocznia Gdanska, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the idea of preserving it as a symbol of Polish triumph over tyranny dimmed. Instead, the City of Gdansk and Danish developers have come up with a development plan called the Young City, which it hopes will transform 26.4 hectares of the shipyard into a hip tourist and shopping attraction. In order to build the condos, shopping, bars, hotel and redeveloped waterfront, a new road must be constructed through the heart of the shipyard, demolishing several historic buildings, such as the 19th {+-} century villa that was once home to the shipyards director. The road has been under construction for a year and is two-thirds complete. But not everyone likes the gentrification. A growing group of contemporary Polish artists Grzegorz Klaman, Iwona Zajac, curator Aneta Szylak and photographer Michal Szlaga says the plans are a slap in the face to Polish history. They are fighting to preserve the glory of what once was. We cant spend our lives crying about what is lost, but we can work to save what we have, says Szylak, director of the Wyspa Institute of Art in the Gdansk shipyard. The mother of your concern is local. It inspires your thinking. You learn every day from this space and time, says Szylak, sweeping her arms around the former shipyard office in which she is sitting. Feelings are always local. What does it mean to be intellectually connected? Nobody understands this as much as we do. If we dont do this, it will all be gone. On Aug. 14, 1980, electrician Lech Walesa, on the run from the secret police, scaled the shipyard gates and joined nearly 17,000 workers who had locked themselves inside in an act of defiance against the Polish communist state over a sudden increase in food prices. Government troops laid siege at the gates for more than two weeks as tanks rolled down the streets of Gdansk. The strikers had 21 demands, chief among them was the right to strike. Another was the right to construct a monument to the shipyard workers who had died protesting communist rule in 1970. With a bloodbath the only other option, the government began negotiations with the strikers, led by Walesa. Seventeen days later, it agreed to the workers demands, signing the Gdansk Agreement on Aug. 31, 1980. According to Radio Free Europe, Walesa emerged from the conclusion of talks and said: We have an independent, self-governing trade union! We have the right to strike! In September 1980, the Solidarity union was sanctioned as official and, over the next year, its membership quickly grew to nine million. But by late 1981, Moscow would tolerate no more. The Polish prime minister, Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski, outlawed Solidarity, declared martial law and arrested most of the union leaders, including Walesa. (He was released in 1982.) But Solidarity did not give up. The movement went underground, plotting non-violent and peaceful ways to topple its communist masters. Outside Poland, Pope John Paul II, himself a Pole, was a powerful ally, along with the American trade unions. In 1983, Walesa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Afraid to leave Poland for fear he would never be readmitted, he sent his wife to Stockholm to collect the prize and deliver his speech. Mounting pressure both inside and outside Poland along with worsening economic conditions finally caused Jaruzelski to capitulate and launch talks with Solidarity in early 1989. The democratic rumblings could no longer be ignored and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev turned a blind eye as Poland became the first communist bloc state to hold free elections in June 1989. By November, the Berlin Wall fell. The shipyard workers had helped free hundreds of millions of Eastern Europeans from a failed ideology. Gdansk-based artist Iwona Zajacs father, Jan, was among the shipyard workers behind the barricades during that 1980 strike. As a small child, she would sneak food to him and other strikers. She remembers tanks rolling down the streets during the day and the sounds of helicopters flying overhead at night. I remember when Solidarity was coming . . . I was young but I could feel something important was happening, Zajac says. In 2004, Zajac created a giant mural on a wall in the shipyard, inscribed with the faces and words of those who once worked there. For months, she stood in the yard, interviewing workers about their lives. She then inscribed their words on the mural. On one wall, an anonymous shipyard worker says: Ive been working in the shipyard since 1963. When I began, I was 14 years old and had my head in the clouds. I missed home and my mother . . . I didnt think I would work for so long here. Forty-two years in one place. I settled down here, thats it. A part of me is in every ship. Theres even a kind of joy when a ship comes to our shipyard to be renovated. I will miss this place for sure. A year ago, on Jan. 18, 2013, the mural was demolished to make way for the new, main road that cuts directly through the yard. But in collaboration with Radio Gdansk, Zajac posted the interviews to a website of the mural www.stoczniaweterze.com The developer is not a devil. But this was also my city, she says at the Galeria Miejska, a small gallery in the old town area of Gdansk. She has had a studio in the shipyard for 12 years. Zajacs current exhibit is a co-production with British artist Delaine Le Bas, titled Other Sisters. The show is a retrospective of the artists childhoods. Le Bas is a Roma who grew up in Margaret Thatchers Britain. They are both in their early 40s. The exhibit is a dialogue between her and I . . . But Thatcher was a hero because she visited Gdansk in 1980 and spoke with Lech Walesa. When she visited the shipyard they cheered for her, she says. The idea for the exhibit came after her father died in 2009. It is so emotional, so difficult to say a story about this. You find these things in his archives, in his files, and you have to deal with your emotions and make something. Outside Gate #2, there is a stark memorial to the more than 40 workers who died during anti-government protests in 1970. Anger had been ignited by a rise in bread prices. (Walesa had been a shipyard worker during the December 1970 clash and he was briefly detained by police.) The monument was erected on the spot where the first three workers were killed. Standing 42 metres in height, the 139-tonne steel sculpture features three pillars that reach high like a fist. On top of each pillar sits an anchor. The shipyard workers wanted a monument the communists could not easily demolish. Walesa said of the statue: (It is) a harpoon driven through the body of a whale. No matter how hard the whale struggles, it can never get rid of it. At its base is an inscription that reads: A token of everlasting remembrance of the slaughter (of) victims. A warning to rulers that no social conflict in our country can be resolved by force. A sign of hope for fellow citizens that evil need not prevail. Gate #2 has become a tourist attraction. A souvenir shop sells white ceramic mugs emblazoned with the red Solidarity logo and T-shirts. Every day, someone ties fresh flowers to the gates. A framed picture of Pope John Paul II hangs beside a portrait of the Black Madonna. (During the darkest days of the 1980 strike, many workers took comfort in their Catholic faith.) It is often said that the history of the shipyard is the history of Gdansk. The Baltic port city is 1,000 years old. It is known for its red brick churches, the most famous being St. Marys, founded in the 14th century and said to be one of the largest brick churches in the world. It can hold 25,000 people and has 31 chapels. During the 1980s, Solidarity leaders hid inside. Today, the winding streets of old Gdansk are full of stalls selling amber to tourists, restaurants and bars peddling Polish beer and cuisine, along with Japanese restaurants, kebab stands and vegetable markets. The brightly coloured buildings lining Ulica Dluga, or Long Street, look centuries old but most were painstakingly reconstructed after the Second World War. Gdansk has survived many lifetimes of wars, insurrections and takeovers. When Gdansk fell to the Germans, it was called Danzig, but at the end of the Second World War, Danzig became part of Poland. Walesa, who runs the Lech Walesa Foundation and speaks internationally, still lives in the city he helped transform. And, chances are, any cab you climb into in Gdansk is driven by a former shipyard worker. Polish photographer Michal Szlaga has been documenting the gradual decline of the shipyard since 1999. Szlaga is a descendent of those who worked in the yard. As soon as he stepped into that world to photograph it, he fell in love. In 2002, he moved into the colony of artists established by the shipyards owners. The permanent presence of a group of artists gradually caused a change in how the shipyard was perceived, namely, as a symbol of industrial decline, and we, although acting in good faith, became a propaganda tool in the hands of investors, Szlaga writes in his book, Stocznia Szlaga, or Shipyard Szlaga. I believed that everything would work out perfectly, that the shipyard would be reborn elsewhere and that the local decision-makers, descended from the Solidarity movement after all, and enjoying the support of trusted, excellent architects, scientists and planners, would create something special. It did not work out that way, Szlaga says through a translator. On some mornings, Szlaga has breakfast on the 14th floor of a Gdansk university tower that has a striking view of the vast shipyard, which stretch from one end of the Gdansk seaport to the other. It is a shame for us. The government thinks this is not worth preserving, he says as he stirs his coffee. He argues no comprehensive research was conducted on how to properly incorporate the historical value of the yard into the new. The traffic plan for the Young City essentially demolishes an integral historic part of the yard. The artists try to make their voices heard at municipal meetings, but no one listens. It seems likely that the birthplace of Eastern European freedom will be paved over. All the changes were made by the shipyard workers. The shipyard workers were the main power here, but the revolution ate them. That is the paradox. SHARE: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.A New Mexico girl was strangled to death on her 10th birthday before she was dismembered and her remains set on fire, according to an autopsy released months after police uncovered the sexual abuse they say she suffered at the hands of her mother and others leading up to her killing. The slaying of Victoria Martens sent shockwaves across the state in August and made national headlines as her mother, Michelle Martens, the mothers boyfriend and his cousin were charged. They have pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges and are in custody pending an October trial. The autopsy results, made public Monday, included evidence of prior sexual abuse and indicated that the girl was raped and strangled before her body was dismembered Aug. 23. Her spine was fractured, and she suffered both blunt and sharp injuries. Some of her organs were removed. Police found the girls body in a bathtub, wrapped in a smouldering blanket. They were initially called to the apartment complex over a disturbance involving the suspects, unaware of what they would find inside the home. Michelle Martens claimed that her daughter was drugged to relax her, but toxicology tests did not turn up any drugs, only alcohol. The amount of alcohol in Victorias system would have been enough to cause cognitive and physical impairment, according to the autopsy report. Authorities allege that Michelle Martens watched as Fabian Gonzales raped and killed her daughter. Gonzales and his cousin, Jessica Kelley, are accused of dismemberment, according to court documents. Gonzales has denied having anything to do with Victorias death. His attorney, Tom Clark, said Tuesday that he had reviewed the autopsy results, and they did not appear helpful for the states case. Its tragic that this little girl was killed, but my position is Fabian Gonzales played no role in her death, Clark said in an interview. Michelle Martens attorney, Gary Mitchell, said he received the autopsy results and that some of that information in there we think is very beneficial to us and our defence, declining to go into details. Kelleys attorney, Mark Earnest, had no comment. According to search warrants, Michelle Martens told police she looked for men online to have sex with her daughter. The documents say the mother told investigators that she had set up encounters with at least three men before the girl was killed. Albuquerque police have not identified any of those men. Its not clear whether any more arrests have been made. SHARE: President-elect Donald Trump pressed Republicans on Tuesday to move forward with the immediate repeal of the Affordable Care Act and to replace it very quickly thereafter, saying: We have to get to business. Obamacare has been a catastrophic event. Trumps position undercuts Republican leaders who want a quick vote to repeal President Barack Obamas signature domestic achievement but who also want to wait as long as two to three years to come up with an alternative. But he was also challenging the resolve of nervous Republicans in Congress who do not want any vote on a repeal until that replacement exists. Trump, who seemed unclear about the timing of already scheduled votes in Congress this week, demanded a repeal vote probably some time next week, and said the replace will be very quickly or simultaneously, very shortly thereafter. That demand is very likely impossible. Republicans in Congress are nowhere close to agreement on a major health bill that would replace the health law. Several Republicans in the House and Senate have said publicly that they want to hold off on voting to eviscerate it until a replacement measure can be negotiated. For now, the Senate is planning to vote Thursday morning on a budget resolution that would set up parliamentary protections for a health-care repeal bill that would have to emerge from House and Senate committees by Jan. 27. The House would vote Friday if that budget measure clears the Senate. That plan is under pressure from Republicans who want to slow the process as they struggle for an agreement on what would follow repeal. But Trump said there is no cause for delay, adding he would not accept a delay of more than a few weeks before a replacement plan is voted on. Long, to me, would be weeks, he said. It wont be repeal and then, two years later, go in with another plan. That directly contradicts House Speaker Paul Ryans plans. Ryan, who met privately Monday with top transition officials, agreed with Trump on the state of the Affordable Care Act, saying Tuesday that its marketplaces were in a death spiral. But he has argued that politicians need time to write a bipartisan health bill that would replace it. In fact, new enrolment numbers from the Obama administration undercut that claim. Despite increasing premiums and a torrent of negative news about the future of the health law, enrolment under the acts health care plans has continued to grow. There are now 11.5 million people who have chosen the marketplace plans for this year, nearly 300,000 more than at this time last year. Those numbers do not represent surprising enrolment growth they are roughly in line with projections put out by the administration a few months ago but they do suggest that higher prices have not scared away consumers. The proportion of young adults signing up has held steady, a sign that the mix of people buying insurance this year is unlikely to be substantially sicker and more expensive than the people enrolled in plans last year. Todays data show that this market is not merely stable, it is actually on track for growth, Aviva Aron-Dine, a senior counsellor to Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the secretary of Health and Human Services, said in a conference call with reporters. Today we can officially proclaim these death spiral claims dead. The data released Tuesday did not capture all Americans who buy their own insurance plans. While enrolment in health-care plans under the act is growing, it will take time to know whether people are continuing to purchase similar plans sold directly by health insurance companies. Those plans have also been subject to large price increases and the people buying them do not have access to federal subsidies to bring down their premiums and deductibles. But Trump showed no sign of willingness to accept the health law any longer. Its a catastrophic event, he said. I feel that repeal and replace have to be together, for very simply, I think that the Democrats should want to fix Obamacare. They cannot live with it, and they have to go together. Read more about: SHARE: FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.Metres from where workers finished the cleanup from the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting, a Windsor, Ont., girl was reunited Tuesday with the teddy bear she left behind while fleeing. Courtney Gelinas, 10, smiled as Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport spokesman Greg Meyer opened the trunk of his SUV to reveal Rufus, the teddy bear the fifth grader had received from her dying grandfather a decade ago. When Meyer handed her Rufus, she held the bear tight. Courtney was with her parents and siblings and about to board a plane home when officials say Esteban Santiago fatally shot five people one floor below them Friday. Rufus, a brown bear dressed in a red devil costume, was left behind as the family fled onto the tarmac with hundreds of others. Her mother, Kim Lariviere, said Courtney has not slept well since. It is exciting and I am happy to have him back, the bashful girl said as she pressed against her mothers legs. The airport has returned a substantial portion of the 25,000 stranded items left behind by fleeing passengers, including luggage, cellphones, baby strollers and lots of Hello Kitty backpacks, Meyer said. The airport was nearly back to normal Tuesday. The long lines from the weekend caused by delayed flights are gone. Only the area around the baggage carousel where the shooting happened remained sealed off as workers replaced carpeting, Meyer said. Santiago, a 26-year-old Iraq War veteran with the Puerto Rico National Guard, remains jailed without bond on federal charges. Santiago, who had been living in Alaska, could face the death penalty if convicted. Officials say he had arrived on a connecting flight from Anchorage, retrieved his gun from its checked carrying case and began randomly shooting people. Courtney lost Rufus in the confusion. Lariviere, a middle school teacher, said she, her husband, firefighter Locky Gelinas, and their other daughter, 7-year-old Kacie, had come to the airport to return from a holiday cruise to the Caribbean. They had settled near the gate for their flight to Detroit, Windsors neighbouring city, when Lariviere said a rush of people screaming for their lives came like a tsunami at us. We threw our children under our seats and we lay on top of them. After a about a minute, Lariviere said her husband decided they needed to run, so they went down a jetway and then took stairs to the tarmac. After about an hour, they were allowed back into the terminal only to have to flee again minutes later when false rumours of another gunman caused another stampede to the exits. She said the family split from the mass, feeling that would be safer, and began walking around the airports perimeter until they found a hole in the fence and a police officer let them through. They walked to a small rental car office, where the employees helped about 40 people who had fled the airport book hotels and drove them there. She said Courtney felt so much stress Friday night, she vomited all over the floor even though she hadnt eaten. She said she never lost hope that they would find Rufus, but we are in a hotel with nothing. Everything we are wearing is from Walmart. We knew he had to be here somewhere. It was just a matter of waiting. Lariviere turned to Twitter on Monday in an effort to get Rufus back: The sheriffs office echoed the call for help a few minutes later: And, by Tuesday morning, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport had good news: Lariviere said it was unnerving to return to the airport and pass by the black curtains shielding the area where the shootings happened. It could have been anybody down there. My deepest respect and condolences to all of you who are without their grandmothers and their moms and their brothers, uncles and aunts, Lariviere said, weeping. Lariviere said she and her husband have been open and honest with their daughters about what happened so they wouldnt find out about it when they return to school. I dont think we are going to see normal for a while. I dont think it has registered what we went through on Friday because we are still here, still living it. I think when we get home, well feel it, she said. With files from Jackie Hong SHARE: American President-elect Donald Trump has a news conference this morning, when hes expected to answer a shocking new wave of allegations that Russia collected information that could be used to compromise him. The allegations run from the time before Trump entered the political stage, when he developed business interests in Russia up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election. What are the allegations? The allegations are that Russia has collected compromising sex videos and personal information about President-elect Donald Trump. The allegations reportedly centre around memos delivered to Trump and out-going U.S. President Barack Obama last week by intelligence chiefs. The memos suggest that for many years the Russian government has looked for ways to influence Trump, who has travelled repeatedly to Moscow to investigate real estate deals or to oversee the Miss Universe competition, which he owned for several years. The memos describe sex videos involving prostitutes with Trump in a 2013 visit to a Moscow hotel. The videos were supposedly prepared as kompromat, or compromising material, with the possible goal of blackmailing Trump in the future. The memos also suggest that Russian officials proposed various lucrative deals, essentially as disguised bribes in order to win influence over the real estate magnate. The memos also describe several purported meetings during the 2016 presidential campaign between Trump representatives and Russian officials to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta, campaign chairman for Trumps presidential rival, Hillary Clinton. Are they proven? No. Whats Trumps reaction? On Tuesday night, Trump responded on Twitter: FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! A spokesperson for the Russian government also categorically denied the allegations as totally false. Why are they circulating if they arent proven? The material was not corroborated, and the New York Times has not been able to confirm the claims. But intelligence agencies considered it so potentially explosive that they decided Obama, Trump and congressional leaders needed to be told about it and informed that the agencies were actively investigating it. Intelligence officials were concerned that the information would leak before they informed Trump of its existence, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the summary is classified and talking about it would be a felony. What are allegations based upon? The memos were generated by political operatives seeking to derail Trumps candidacy. The two-page summary of the memos was presented as an appendix to the intelligence agencies report on Russian hacking efforts during the election, sources told The New York Times. Who drew up allegations? The memos were prepared mainly by a retired British intelligence operative for a Washington political and corporate research firm. The firm was paid for its work first by Trumps Republican rivals and later by supporters of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. The Times has checked on a number of the details included in the memos but has been unable to substantiate them. The former British intelligence officer who gathered the material about Trump is considered a competent and reliable operative with extensive experience in Russia, U.S. officials told The Times. But he passed on what he heard from Russian informants and others, and what they told him has not yet been vetted by U.S. intelligence. When did Trump hear them? Obama and Trump were presented with a summary of the unsubstantiated reports last week by the chiefs of the U.S. intelligence agencies, The Times reports. How does Buzzfeed enter into this? Buzzfeed published what they call a copy of the allegations online. The website said it did this, even though the allegations arent proven so that Americans can make up their own minds about allegations about the president-elect that have circulated at the highest levels of the US government. With files from The New York Times Read more about: SHARE: WASHINGTONDonald Trump finally held a press conference. A large chunk of it was about the evils of the press. A rare chance to interrogate an opaque president-elect turned Wednesday into a hostile cross-examination without precedent in recent American history outside of the Trump campaign. In his first major scheduled media availability in six months, Trump showed no less fury than he did at the lowest moments of his run. He was under pressure this time from three institutions: the media outlets that published explosive stories Tuesday about concerns over his unproven links to Russia, the intelligence officials who appear to have leaked recent stories about him, and the ethics office that has told him to sell his business. His decision, as usual, was to attempt to delegitimize institutions. Nine days from control of a unified Republican government, and from an inaugural address his aides say will seek to unite the country, Trump decided to proceed with the demonization politics that have served him so well to date. It was a fact-challenged display of dominance that thrilled hardline supporters with no fondness for the unpopular political media or traditional Washington decorum. Yet it had others, such as veteran political scholar Norm Ornstein, warning of autocratic behaviour. Experienced Middle East reporters for the Wall Street Journal said they had never even heard an autocrat speak that way about the press at a press conference. At the conference and on Twitter, Trump likened the people who leaked intelligence about him to Nazis, drawing condemnation from Jewish groups. He refused to take a question from a CNN reporter whose outlet he called fake news. He called BuzzFeed a failing pile of garbage and said the website would suffer the consequences of a controversial decision to publish unverified material. He dismissed official unemployment data. And without provocation, he mocked Hillary Clinton, the opponent he defeated in the general election, and then Sen. Lindsey Graham, whom he defeated in the Republican primary. I think there is no question that hes in search of villains. He gets a question about Sen. Lindsey Graham introducing a bill to have tougher sanctions (on Russia). And he basically goes after Graham as if hes still running a presidential campaign, said Ornstein, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. I cant say its bizarre anymore. Its pretty clear theres no pivot to being presidential. Its just Trump. Trump indirectly offered a rationale for the non-pivot. At one point, he was pressed to release tax returns that would help prove him independent of Russian influence. He said Americans didnt care about such things. His explanation: I won. It is not clear how well Trumps scorched-earth transition is working for him. His approval rating, near 40 per cent, is more than 20 points worse than the usual standing of presidents-elect at this time, when the country typically rallies around the incoming commander-in-chief. I dont think, in the long run, this is likely to play particularly well, said Marc Hetherington, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University. With his fans, its going to be great. But hes going to repel a lot of people. Midway through the chaotic proceedings, Trump turned the podium over to a lawyer, who outlined the plan for Trumps business assets: maintain ownership while handing over control to his two sons, who have been sitting in on official meetings during the transition. This was a significant departure from his campaign promise to create a blind trust. The lawyer said Trump would incur unreasonable losses if he sold the business. Dismissing the pleas of the governments own ethics office, which has told him he must divest, Trump said at one point, I have a no-conflict situation because Im president. Trump is correct that federal conflict laws do not cover the president. Ethics experts from both parties, though, said the plan fell far short of eliminating actual conflicts. And they said it left him vulnerable to immediate violations of the constitutional clause against accepting payments from foreign governments. The plan the president-elect has announced doesnt meet the standards that the best of his nominees are meeting and that every president in the last four decades has met, Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics, said in a speech later in the day. No, I dont think divestiture is too high a price to pay to be the president of the United States of America. Trumps venue, the lobby of his Trump Tower in Manhattan, was peppered with cheering employees, a made-for-television stunt atypical of official presidential media events. Trumps turn at the lectern was preceded by an unusual lecture from vice-president-elect Mike Pence, who warned the media that with freedom comes responsibility. Their ire was focused on the stories about Trump and Russia. CNN and other outlets reported Tuesday that top intelligence officials had briefed Trump on the claims of Russian operatives to have compromising information on him. Later Tuesday, BuzzFeed published a dossier, compiled by a former British intelligence employee hired by Trump opponents, that included a series of detailed but unverified claims about what the material might be. Its all fake news. Its phoney stuff. It didnt happen. And it was gotten by opponents of ours sick people, and they put that crap together, Trump said. Asked about one of the most serious claims that Trumps team had regular contact with Russia during the campaign he ignored the question and answered another. Trump did address some of the specific allegations. In the most colourful moment, the president-elect denied a claim in the dossier about Russia supposedly filming a hotel liaison between him and prostitutes. He said he had always been careful to warn his associates that they might be filmed by hidden cameras in foreign hotel rooms. Im also very much of a germophobe, believe me, he added in denying a particular detail of the supposed encounter. Trump has lavished Russian President Vladimir Putin with praise throughout the campaign and transition. Until Wednesday, he had steadfastly refused to endorse the conclusion of U.S. intelligence officials, and independent experts, that Russia was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons campaign chairman. On Wednesday, he conceded, As far as the hacking, I think it was Russia. But he proceeded to offer a kind of partial defence for the unprecedented intrusion on a presidential election, saying, Hackings bad and it shouldnt be done but look at what was learned from that hacking. He backed down from his concession later in the session, saying, It could have been others. And he said again that it would be an asset, not a liability if Putin liked him. Trump provided little clarity on key policy matters. He declined again to outline his preferences for an Obamacare replacement plan, saying only that Americans will be proud of the plan. He did say he wanted the repeal of the current law and passage of the replacement law to happen at the same time, splitting from some Republicans in Congress. He insisted again that Mexico would eventually pay for the construction of a wall on its border. It was more likely, he said, that the money would come through a tax than through a voluntary payment. Read more about: SHARE: VATICAN CITYThe Knights of Malta, the ancient Catholic lay order, is refusing to co-operate with a Vatican investigation into the sacking of a top official over a condom scandal and is warning its members to toe the line if they choose to speak with investigators. In a statement Tuesday, the Knights called Pope Francis investigation legally irrelevant and aimed at limiting its sovereignty. It insisted that the ouster of its grand chancellor, Albrecht von Boeselager, was an act of internal governance that in no way involves religious superiors. The order told its members that if they speak with Vatican-appointed investigators, they cannot contradict the decision of the orders leadership to replace Boeselager. Boeselager was suspended Dec. 8 after he refused a demand by the top Knight, Matthew Festing, to resign over revelations that the orders charity branch distributed tens of thousands of condoms in Burma under his watch. Church teaching forbids the use of artificial contraception; Boeselager has said he didnt know about the condom distribution program and eventually stopped it when he learned of it. Boeselager has said Festing in the presence of conservative Cardinal Raymond Burke indicated that the Holy See wanted him to quit. But the Vaticans secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has since said the pope wanted no such thing. Burke, who is a top critic of Francis but also the pontiffs ambassador to the Knights of Malta, is a hardliner on enforcing church teaching on sexual morals. As a result, the dispute in some way reflects the broader ideological divisions in the Catholic Church that have intensified during Francis papacy, which has emphasized the merciful side of the church over its doctrinaire side. In a more narrow sense, though, the scandal within the ancient aristocratic Catholic group is about a power struggle and the possibly questionable application of promises of obedience within a religious order. As a second-class knight, Boeselager promised obedience to his superior. But Boeselager has said church law doesnt require him to obey an act that violates the Knights own constitution. He maintains that Festing committed a series of legal and procedural errors in demanding his resignation that violated the orders constitution. Festing and Burkes allies have justified the ouster by arguing that Boeselagers refusal to obey Festing was disgraceful and that the condom scandal represented an irredeemable breach. The conservative, anti-abortion Lepanto Institute, for example, compiled a detailed dossier of United Nations reports that showed the orders Malteser International group distributed thousands of condoms through anti-HIV and family planning programs. Members sympathetic to Boeselager, meanwhile, have denounced what they consider a coup and reminded Festing that he, too, took a vow of obedience: to the pope. They welcome the Vaticans investigation, but canon lawyers have cautioned that the sovereign nature of the Knights of Malta makes Vatican intervention problematic. The Order of Malta has many trappings of a sovereign state. It issues its own stamps, passports and license plates and holds diplomatic relations with 106 states, the Holy See included. But in its Dec. 22 announcement of its investigation, the Vatican cited its status as a lay religious order that is at the service to the faith and the Holy Father. The knights trace their history to the 11th century with the establishment of an infirmary in Jerusalem that cared for pilgrims of all faiths. It now counts 13,500 members and 100,000 staff and volunteers who provide health care in hospitals and clinics around the world. SHARE: PYONGYANGNorth Korea has been getting some pretty high praise lately from the stoner world. Marijuana news outlets including High Times, Merry Jane and Green Rush along with British tabloids, which always love a good yarn are hailing the North as a pothead paradise and maybe even the next Amsterdam of pot tourism. Theyve reported North Korean marijuana to be legal, abundant and mind-blowingly cheap, sold openly to Chinese and Russian tourists at a major market on the Norths border for about $3 a pound. But seriously, North Korea? Baked? The claim that marijuana is legal in North Korea is not true: The penal code lists it as a controlled substance in the same category as cocaine and heroin. And the person who would likely help any American charged with a crime in North Korea emphatically rejects the idea that the ban is not enforced. There should be no doubt that drugs, including marijuana, are illegal here, said Torkel Stiernlof, the Swedish ambassador. The United States has no diplomatic relations with the North, so Swedens embassy acts as a middleman when U.S. citizens run afoul of North Korean laws. One cant buy it legally and it would be a criminal offence to smoke it, Stiernlof said. He said that if a foreigner caught violating drug laws in North Korea happened to be an American citizen, he or she could expect no leniency whatsoever. Americans have been sentenced to years in North Korean prisons for such seemingly minor offences as stealing a political banner and leaving a Bible in a public place. Even so, the claim that North Korea is a haven for marijuana smokers has cycled through the internet in various incarnations with great success over the past few years. Radio Free Asia, a U.S.-government-funded news service, lit up the latest round of stoner glee last month with a story that Chinese and Russian tourists are stocking up on North Korean pot by the kilo in Rason, a special economic zone on the countrys northernmost frontier that has a large, bazaar-style marketplace. The same market was the setting for one of the earliest blogs on the topic, a first-person account of getting high in the North from 2013. Categorically confirming or denying such claims is difficult because foreigners access to the market is restricted. But where theres smoke, there usually is at least a little fire. Troy Collings, a frequent traveller to North Korea and managing director of Young Pioneer Tours, offered a more mundane explanation: Its just hemp. Ditchweed. Nebraska no-high. Ive seen and even purchased hemp, but it doesnt contain any THC and is just sold as a cheap substitute for tobacco, he told The Associated Press in an email. It grows wild in the mountainous regions of the North and people pick it, dry it and sell it in the markets, but it doesnt get you high no matter how much you smoke. Hemp is grown in North Korea with official sanction. Its used to make consumer goods including towels, cooking oil and noodles, as well as and military uniforms and belts. Its also used as rabbit fodder. The rabbits are grown for food. But industrial hemp is generally so low in THC, the active ingredient found in its cannabinoid cousins, sativa and indica, that its useless for medicinal or recreational purposes. Its even cultivated in a different manner, focusing on male plants that do not produce buds. Its the buds of female plants that recreational users are most after. The Pyongyang Hemp Processing Factory actively markets hemp products as environmentally friendly and perfect for the 21st century. An official at the plant told The Associated Press that while several varieties of hemp grow in North Korea, all are very low in THC. No one smokes this in our country, she said, requesting she not be named because of the sensitive nature of talking to the American media. Its only used for making things. North Korea grows something else that might be confused with marijuana: a mix of brown and greenish leafy tobacco that is used in pipes and sold openly in Pyongyang and elsewhere. Smoking a lot of that could certainly give someone a buzz and probably a bad headache. But from the nicotine. Nevertheless, Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours, another agency that specializes in bringing foreign tourists to the North, said the idea marijuana is legal in North Korea has become so widespread that its not uncommon for prospective tourists to ask what to expect. We apologize, but have to inform those inquiring about this that weed is not legal. They are not going to be able to get any there, he said. The idea that the country is full of stoners blissfully getting high in a legal-weed paradise is not an accurate one, he added. Not having seen or done something doesnt mean it is never seen or done, of course. But I have never seen this. Read more about: SHARE: SKIEN, NORWAYNorwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in a 2011 bomb-and-shooting rampage, is in touch with fellow right-wing extremists from behind bars, a government attorney said Wednesday, arguing that he must be held in solitary confinement. Attorney General Fredrik Sejersted spoke during the Norwegian governments appeal against a court decision that ruled Breiviks isolation in prison violated his human rights. Sejersted said the self-proclaimed neo-Nazi continues to spread extremist ideology through voluminous writings and that his correspondence should still be monitored and his letters opened. Officials maintain the 37-year-old right-wing extremist is still dangerous and must remain isolated from inmates in the high-security prison in Skien, 135 kilometres southwest of the capital, Oslo, where the appeals case was being heard in a makeshift gym. Breivik is to take the floor Thursday in court. Breivik sued the government last year, arguing that his solitary confinement, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed in the early part of incarceration violated his human rights. In a surprise verdict, the Oslo District Court in April sided with Breivik, finding that his isolation was inhuman (and) degrading and breached the European Convention on Human Rights. It ordered the government to pay his legal costs. But it dismissed Breiviks claim that his right to respect for private and family life was violated by restrictions on contacts with other right-wing extremists, a decision that Breivik is appealing. Sejersted told the court that Breivik continues to try to find ways of bypassing the censorship of his correspondence, including in an ad to find a marriage partner. The text is structured like a personal ad, because he knows that personal ads have special protection in Strasbourg, the seat of the European Court of Human Rights. Sejersted also said Breiviks prison conditions are better than for many other inmates. He has a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise, in compensation for his solitary confinement. He is served coffee and newspapers, often plays video games on the Xbox console, watches movies and spends much time studying. But Sejersted told The Associated Press that Breivik is still very deeply engaged in his political right-wing, extremely neo-Nazi project after the July 2011 bomb attack at government headquarters where eight people died, followed by the Utoya island shooting spree where he shot and killed 69 other people. He is continuing the same plan that he laid down 10 to 12 years ago before the massacre at Utoya, that he would do this terrorist action and then if he was not killed during the operation and ended up in prison he would continue as a fascist, right-wing extremist ideological leader, Sejersted said. That is what hes trying to do now. Breivik arrived in court in a black suit with a shaved head and beard. He refrained from making a Nazi salute as he did on the first day of the hearing when he was admonished by the judge. Breivik was convicted of mass murder and terrorism in 2012 and given a 21-year prison sentence that can be extended for as long as hes deemed dangerous to society. Legal experts say he will likely be locked up for life. Breiviks lawyer, Oystein Storrvik, said the case against the state was important because in reality, it will have significance for the rest of his life and that his conditions should be as humane as possible. One can say with great certainty that he will never get a parole hearing, Storrvik said. At the time of the 2011 attacks, Breivik claimed to be the commander of a secret Christian military order plotting an anti-Muslim revolution in Europe, but now describes himself as a traditional neo-Nazi who prays to the Viking god Odin. Six days have been reserved for the hearings by the Borgarting Court of Appeals. A ruling is expected in February. SHARE: ORLANDO, Fla. - Police leading a massive manhunt for the suspected killer of an Orlando officer on Wednesday collected hundreds of tips and announced the arrests of two people who allegedly aided the fugitive, promising to reward anyone who turns him in, and punish anyone who helps him hide. Court records show that Markeith Loyds niece, 27-year-old Lakensha Smith-Loyd, was arrested on an accessory charge Wednesday, a day after the fugitives supervisor at a fried chicken restaurant, Zarghee Mayan, was arrested on the same charge. Mayans arrest affidavit said Smith-Loyd collected money from him to give to her uncle in the days after the slaying of his ex-girlfriend in mid-December. Smith-Loyds affidavit says she contacted deputies after the ex-girlfriends murder and promised to help them find her uncle if they first told her whether a firearm had been recovered from the murder scene. Then she stopped co-operating even as she contacted others on her uncles behalf, the affidavit said. Mayan is accused of supplying restaurant food to his former co-worker, driving him around and offering him money, despite knowing he was wanted in the slaying his pregnant ex-girlfriend, the affidavit said. Mayan did so with the intent that Markeith Demangzlo Loyd avoid or escape detection, arrest, trial or punishment, the arrest affidavit said. Mayan told authorities his most recent encounter with Loyd was last Saturday, two days before Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was fatally shot in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Mayan said he noticed that Loyd was armed and wearing body armour when they embraced, according to his arrest affidavit. During another encounter, right after Loyds ex-girlfriend was killed in mid-December, Mayan said Loyd came into the restaurant with a gun, pointed at Mayan and said, Drive me or I will kill you, I just did something real bad, the affidavit said. Mayan said he drove Loyd to several locations, including the home of Loyds estranged wife, where Loyd told him to knock on the door. Mayan said he only walked to the door without knocking because he was afraid Lloyd would shoot her, according to the affidavit, which noted that Mayan told conflicting stories about his encounters with Loyd. The 41-year-old ex-convict has been the focus of a massive manhunt involving hundreds of officers and deputies since Mondays shooting. More than 500 tips have come in from the public, which authorities believe may be particularly important, since others may be helping him hide. If you know where he is at and you call us 3 oclock in the morning, 3 oclock in the afternoon, we will have people prepared to dispatch and go capture him, said Barb Bergin, executive director of the local Crimeline. Orlando Police Chief John Mina, meanwhile has warned that anyone helping Loyd will be put behind bars and brought to justice as well. Mayan, 33, was arrested Tuesday by Orange County Sheriffs Office deputies on a charge of accessory after the fact. Jail records show no bond had been set, and court records showed no name of a defence attorney listed for him. Mina said federal, state and local authorities were taking part in the manhunt. Mina wouldnt give details about search tactics but he said law enforcement agencies in Florida and around the nation are on alert. There are many things going on behind the scenes that our community is not aware of and that we are not at liberty to discuss, Mina said. After Clayton was shot, many of her colleagues immediately joined the pursuit; among them was a sheriffs Deputy First Class Norman Lewis, who died when he was thrown from his motorcycle in an accident. Funerals were planned for Lewis for Friday and Clayton for Saturday. MORE ON THESTAR.COM Orlando authorities raise reward for capture of suspect in fatal shooting of officer SHARE: For years, friends said, Tara OShea-Watson had been a victim of domestic violence. She had shown up on their doorsteps, battered and bloodied after alleged violent encounters with her estranged husband, they said. She had talked to them about taking her children and fleeing from their home in Commercial Township, New Jersey, but the courts reportedly would not let her move them out of state. She had taken out a restraining order but her estranged husband allegedly broke into her home and assaulted her. She had seen him get indicted on burglary and domestic-violence charges, and then walk free. She didnt have a voice, a friend, Penny Morey, recently told NJ.com. Nobody cared. She wanted to be heard, and nobody heard her. Domestic violence is real. On Dec. 18, just a month after the domestic-violence charges were dropped, authorities said Jeremiah Monell stabbed OShea-Watson numerous times in her body, face and neck, killing her, according to a criminal complaint. Early the next morning, a neighbour called 911, saying that OShea-Watsons son had come to the neighbours house and told him, Moms dead, according to 911 audio obtained by the news site. According to this 911 call, Tara O'Shea-Watson was found by her son, murdered, on December 19, 2016 in Commercial Township, N.J. Her estranged husband, Jeremiah Monell, has been charged in the killing and has been on the run since. She is dead, the neighbour confirmed to the dispatcher. My wife just found her on the living room floor, the neighbour said in a steady voice. Her ex-husband was over here last night doing brake line work on her truck. The man went on to tell the dispatcher that OShea-Watson was wrapped in a blanket, so he did not see any blood or signs that she had been injured. The dispatcher then asked him whether it appeared that she had just died in her sleep. Yeah, the man replied, hesitantly. Then, he said paramedics had arrived. Oh, my God, she was murdered! he suddenly called out. I need a state trooper out here now. New Jersey State Police troopers responded to the scene and soon started searching for Monell, who led them on a two-week manhunt before he was finally found in a wooded area in Folsom, New Jersey, according to NJ.com. The 32-year-old has been charged with murder. Just a month before Monell was accused of killing OShea-Watson, prosecutors had dismissed the burglary and domestic-violence charges relating to an April 2016 incident, in which authorities said Monell broke into OShea-Watsons home and assaulted her, according to the Daily Journal. Monell was indicted on a charge of second-degree burglary and fourth-degree criminal contempt because he was found to be in violation of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. It is unclear why the charges were dismissed. The Cumberland County prosecutors office did not give a reason at the time. New Jersey State Police officials said Tuesday they could not comment on an active criminal investigation. When Monell allegedly went to OShea-Watsons home last month, he did knowingly violate a final restraining order by being at the residence ... and being involved in a domestic dispute, causing injury to the victim which resulted in her death, according to a complaint cited by NJ.com. OShea-Watson, 35, had taken out a restraining order and filed for divorce, one of her friends told the Press of Atlantic City. Family members and friends said she wanted to protect herself and her children, two of whom she had with Monell. According to the Press of Atlantic City, her cousin, Bryan Dunn, said she wasnt going to leave them behind. We all told her to run anyway, Morey, her friend, told NJ.com. To go anyway. It was living hell, Jen L. Messeck, another friend, told the website. He beat her. She was constantly on the run from him. She wanted nothing more than to get out of here. The friends said OShea-Watson wanted to move to Tennessee to be near family, but a judge told her she could not move her children. A 2013 report from the World Health Organization states that more than one in three women worldwide have been victims of physical or sexual violence most at the hands of intimate partners. About one in four adults say they were physically abused as children, according to a 2014 report, and one in five women say they were sexually abused as children. Such violence contributes to lifelong ill health particularly for women and children and early death, according to the report, which was published in 2014 by WHO, the UN Development Program and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Many leading causes of death such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and HIV/AIDS are the result of victims of violence adopting behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, and unsafe sex in an effort to cope with the psychological impact of violence. Violence also places a heavy strain on health and criminal justice systems, social and welfare services and the economic fabric of communities, the report states. An obituary for OShea-Watson said she is in Heaven now and is no longer afraid. Monell, who appeared in court this month, is charged with OShea-Watsons murder and related weapons offences, according to NJ.com. Attorneys for Monell could not immediately be reached to comment. Since OShea-Watsons slaying, her mother, Emily OShea, has been speaking out against domestic violence. It didnt need to happen, she said during a vigil last month, according to NJ.com. People knew what was going on. The police department knew what was going on. The court system knew it was going on. Why? Theres no sense in it. SHARE: WASHINGTONBarraged by questions about Russia, Donald Trumps pick for secretary of state promised a far more muscular approach toward the Kremlin on Wednesday, abandoning much of the president-elects emphasis on improving ties between the Cold War foes. Instead, Rex Tillerson suggested the outgoing Obama administration responded too softly to Moscows takeover of Ukrainian territory. The surprising shift in tone by Tillerson, a former Exxon Mobil CEO and Russian Order of Friendship recipient, reflected the difficulty Trump will have in persuading Democrats and Republicans to broach a broad rapprochement with President Vladimir Putins government. Calling Russia a danger to the United States, Tillerson said he would keep U.S. sanctions in place and consider new penalties related to Russian meddling in the presidential election. Although he said he hadnt read last weeks classified assessment by the U.S. intelligence community, Tillerson said it was a fair assumption that Putin would have ordered the operation that purportedly included hacking, propaganda and Internet trolls to harm Hillary Clintons candidacy and advance Trumps. But in a puzzling revelation, Tillerson conceded he hadnt yet talked with Trump about a Russia policy. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests, Tillerson told the Senate foreign relations committee. He added that Trumps administration would be committed to the defence of Americas NATO partners, an obligation the president-elect called into question during the campaign if allies failed to meet defence spending pledges. While his prepared statement reflected some of Trumps desire for improved ties, Tillerson quickly pivoted under pressure from both sides of the aisle. On Russias 2014 annexation of the Crimea region, he said, That was a taking of territory that was not theirs. Still, he criticized President Barack Obamas sanctions on Russia, which ended up costing Exxon hundreds of millions of dollars. And he declared that he would have responded by urging Ukraine to send all available military units to its eastern border with Russia and recommending U.S. and allied support through defensive weapons and air surveillance, to send a message to Moscow. That is the type of response that Russia expects, he said in a response to questions from Sen. Marco Rubio, Tillersons toughest GOP inquisitor, who later lectured the oil man on human rights and hinted he might withhold his support. If Russia acts with force, Tillerson said, they require a proportional show of force. Trump offered a sharply different account of Ukraine during the presidential campaign and never proposed a show of U.S. military force in Ukraine. In an August interview, he claimed Russia would not enter Ukraine, not seeming to know Russian troops were already there. He suggested Crimea didnt count because the peninsulas people preferred being part of Russia, restating Putins reason for taking the territory in 2014. Like Trump, Tillerson vowed complete support for Israel, which he called Americas most important ally in the Middle East. He said the new administration would undertake a full review of the Iran nuclear deal to deny the Islamic republic the ability to acquire an atomic weapon. He said that might only be possible if Iran can no longer enrich uranium, which the accord permits under strict constraints and without which Tehran wouldnt have made the deal. Some of the questioning reflected the traditional friction between a Congress that wants to prescribe foreign policy and an executive branch that traditionally seeks to maintain broad flexibility in its international affairs, tinted by Tillersons vocal opposition to economic sanctions as a business leader. Addressing some of Congress most experienced architects of U.S. economic pressure, Tillerson called sanctions a powerful tool in deterrence that could, however, also project weakness if applied poorly. He said neither he nor Exxon had lobbied against sanctions. But the company did try to influence sanctions legislation on Russia two years ago, congressional records and data from the Center for Responsive Politics show, and Tillerson made numerous White House visits, to no avail. Given a second chance on the subject, Tillerson sought to clarify his answer by saying he had expressed concerns related to security in shutting down an Exxon operation newly prohibited under the sanctions. Tillerson represents a break in a long-standing tradition of secretaries of state with extensive military, legislative, political or diplomatic experience. Yet his supporters point to Tillersons lengthy career as a senior executive in a mammoth multinational company as proof he has the management and negotiating skills to succeed in the State Departments top post, particularly when facing tough foreign governments. Its brilliant what hes doing and what hes saying, Trump said of Tillerson during a news conference in New York that occurred as Tillerson was testifying. He ran incredibly Exxon Mobil. When there was a find, he would get it. His Exxon experience, however, has been criticized by Democrats for possible conflicts of interest because of the companys far-flung business dealings. Tillerson, who stepped down as CEO at the end of 2016, said he understood being secretary of state meant different responsibilities. He pledged to be a steward for U.S. national interests rather than corporate ones. If all 10 Democrats on the committee vote against Tillerson, and Rubio or any other Republican joins them, the nomination would then be referred to the full Senate with no recommendation. That would be an embarrassment for such a high-profile cabinet nominee and could signal a larger confirmation battle. Read more about: SHARE: The Obama era will be remembered as one of opportunities lost and promise unfulfilled. It began with high hopes. The decision by U.S. voters to elect their first black president suggested that maybe just maybe the racial divide plaguing America had finally been bridged. The new president seemed to embody hope. At 47, Barack Obama was young, charismatic and eloquent. To a weary world, he seemed everything that his predecessor, George W. Bush, was not. Foreigners adored Obama. The Norwegians awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 well before hed had a chance to do anything even remotely deserving. During the early years, he wowed crowds from Berlin to Cairo. Canadians were particularly enthralled. Even as late as last summer, rapturous MPs gave Obama a standing ovation in Parliament. But throughout, there was always a nagging problem: the reality of Obama was rarely able to match the presidents soaring rhetoric. Perhaps nothing exemplified this more than his failed efforts to close the controversial U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay. To Obama, Guantanamo was a stain on America. Situated on land leased from Cuba, it was a place where alleged terrorists could be jailed indefinitely without ever being charged. By keeping the prison open, Obama said, We have compromised our most precious values. In his second day in office, Obama pledged to close the prison within a year. Almost eight years later, it is still open. The reasons are many: there were disputes within the administration; Obamas attention shifted to other priorities; as time wore on, Congress became increasingly reluctant. But the bottom line was that the president couldnt get it done. Americas commander-in-chief was unable to shut down a prison run by his own soldiers. In a sad way, Guantanamo became a metaphor for Obamas presidency. He promised to win the war in Afghanistan. Eight years later, the conflict against the Taliban remains a draw. He promised to get American troops out of Iraq. Eight years later, they are back and fighting again as they are in Syria and Libya. He began his presidency by calling on Israel to freeze settlement-building in the West Bank. He ended with the same plea. But in the interval, he put little practical pressure on Israel to achieve this goal. Instead, he provided it with more money and weapons than had any of his predecessors. Even his signature achievement, the Affordable Care Act a.k.a. Obamacare is being dismantled. In part this is not Obamas fault. Last November, Americans chose to hand control of the presidency and Congress to a Republican Party that has vowed to destroy Obamacare. But in part, Obama is culpable. In an effort to appease drug and insurance companies, Obama had devised a health-care plan so complex and flawed that it never won the loyalty of rank and file voters. If Obamacare were as popular as, say, social security (the old age pension) Republicans would find it far harder to undo. None of this is to say Obama was a dud. He did have recognizable accomplishments. On the international front he never let his antipathy toward Russian President Vladimir Putin get in the way of working with Moscow as in the successful agreement to curb Irans nuclear program. And while the U.S. remains entangled in at least five wars (Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Libya), Obama is to his credit a reluctant combatant who understands the limitations of American power. Put simply, it could have been worse. On the domestic front, he was hamstrung during most of his tenure by Congressional Republicans who refused to legislate his agenda. But even when Obamas Democrats did control Congress, as they did in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the president preferred caution to boldness. His professed love affair with Canada was also more talk than action. Obama may have praised this country and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But that very public bromance produced little concrete. Canadas softwood lumber industry is still in Americas crosshairs. The Keystone XL pipeline project to bring oil from Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico will remain blocked until Obama is replaced by his Republican successor, Donald Trump. Obama was bold in the sphere of executive action. He involved the U.S. in wars without getting explicit Congressional approval, an act that is arguably unconstitutional. He authorized the assassination by drone of more than 3,400 foreigners and U.S. citizens, actions that were arguably war crimes. He bypassed Congress to fight climate change. The goal might have been virtuous but the means were of dubious legality. In a strange way, Obama ended up being the kind of imperial president he once railed against. How will he be remembered? He is a rational and thoughtful man so perhaps he will be remembered for that. He was Americas first black president and he will be surely remembered for that. But there is also a hauntingly sad quality to Obama a sense of unmet expectations. He will be remembered for that as well. Thomas Walkom appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Read more about: SHARE: What are victims worth? When theyre women and children, not much. Theyre dead, they only have us to defend them, and were doing a poor job. Marco Muzzo, a heavy-drinking baby man born into great wealth, has asked a court to cut the damages claimed in a lawsuit by the remaining family of those he killed while driving very drunk in Vaughan in 2015. The victims were Daniel Neville-Lake, 9, Harrison, 5, and Milagros, 2, as well as their 65-year-old grandfather, Gary Neville. The childrens grandmother, Neriza Neville, was seriously injured as was her mother, Josefina Frias. Muzzo survived. Still in prison he may serve only three years he wants $10 million taken off the $25 million the parents are seeking, appearing to suggest there should be no punitive damages because he is already being punished. Muzzos family is worth about $1.8 billion. It is difficult to quantify the worth of dead children. They wont need anything ever again; theyre dead. But the parents, Jennifer Neville-Lake and Edward Lake, will endure a life of pain. The reaction to horrific crimes is sometimes warped by a refusal to face hard facts. Fact: Muzzo is monstrous. Fact: the Neville-Lakes cannot work, will need psychological help and may wish to move far away. They are broken and money will help. Similarly, the reaction to Nova Scotia ex-corporal Lionel Desmond, who killed 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah, wife Shanna and mother Brenda three generations of women in one family has been warped by a misplaced sentimentality and a misunderstanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. The killer, who then killed himself, was often uncontrollably violent, although it seems treatment at a local hospital was in fact available to him. But look at how he was described in news reports. He was a hero, one of our go-to guys who always had a smile on his face. He was just the guy to light up a room. One story referred to his tragic unravelling. But we dont know if he unravelled or was ever ravelled or if he had PTSD, which is usually more of an internal torment than an invitation to slaughter. It haunts many fine Canadian veterans and they deserve treatment. But why praise Desmond? Shanna feared him. Maybe seeing death in Afghanistan made Desmond want to see more of it at home. PTSD doesnt turn sufferers into beasts. And as columnist Elizabeth Renzetti wrote recently, PTSD has made us forget VAW, violence against women. Fact: Desmond was not a victim, he was a family annihilator. Why was he allowed to have a gun? Heres an equally troubling case: why did news stories discuss the brilliance and talent of a doctor who allegedly beat and strangled another doctor, the mother of his three children, put her corpse in a suitcase and dumped it? His particular medical talent was spines. Did he break Dr. Elana Frics neck? Did he break the hyoid bone, a sign of strangulation? Why are men like him praised? I want to hear about the victim. She was a fine physician, intelligent, a loving mother who delighted in the world, a devoted runner trusting enough to take long paths throughout the city. Domestic violence is often the precursor to extreme violence. The most dangerous time is when women prepare to leave or have left these fragile, angry hateful men. Do police know this? Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, who killed 86 people on the Nice promenade, beat his wife and his mother-in-law and regularly had violent outbursts, reports Huffington Post. Why was he free? Omar Mateen of Orlando beat his wife before he committed the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Tamerlan Tsarnaev had been arrested for assaulting his girlfriend before the Boston bombing? Other mass killers had restraining orders, Peeping Tom arrests, and even faced charges of murdering their wives. In the hierarchy of worth, men tend to rate women lowest yet cannot bear rejection by these base creatures. Though the Fort Lauderdale Airport alleged killer had been arrested twice for domestic violence, he was not prosecuted and jailed. After he was held by the FBI in Alaska and appeared deranged, he was released and given back his gun. Controlling men are the worst. They kill and the signs were often in plain sight. Yet we coddle them and make excuses for them, even as the bodies of women and children are lowered into the ground. SHARE: Two men have their fingerprints on Tuesdays remake of the Trudeau government. The first is, quite obviously, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself, who showed that behind all the affability he can move decisively to cull the weak players from his team and move stronger ones into front-line positions. The second, a bit less obviously, is Donald Trump, whose explosive impact on the political order is having its effect all over the world Ottawa included. Theres no doubt Chrystia Freeland owes her promotion to foreign minister to Trudeaus anticipation of the shock-waves he fears will be coming our way after Jan. 20, when Trump takes over the White House. As international trade minister, she showed a strong grasp of the economic transformations that are reshaping politics in the United States and around the world. And she demonstrated she can negotiate deals on behalf of Canada, as she did last fall in overcoming the hurdles to signing a landmark trade treaty with Europe. The prime minister clearly wants someone smart enough and politically agile enough to deal with the Trump team as it starts in on its agenda to remake the United States trading relationship with other countries. Freeland is well-placed to meet that challenge and deserves the confidence Trudeau has put in her. Also key will be newcomer Francois-Philippe Champagne, who steps into Freelands old job at international trade, and John McCallum, who becomes ambassador to China. This takes him out of cabinet, but the line is that he will lead efforts to forge a stronger economic relationship with Canadas second-biggest trading partner. Regardless of McCallums role, thats wise; Canada has no choice but to explore other options with Trump disrupting our familiar arrangements with the U.S. As for Stephane Dion, who leaves foreign affairs and the cabinet itself, he has been yesterdays man for a very long time. Canada will always owe him a debt of gratitude for taking on the forces of Quebec separatism head-on in the 1990s when federalism lacked convincing spokesmen. But that fight is long past, and since then he has gone from disappointment to disappointment, starting with his unlikely and ill-fated tenure as leader of the national Liberal party from 2006 to 2008. As Trudeaus foreign minister over the past 14 months, he was decidedly underwhelming. It was high time for him to go. The prime ministers other big move was to bring to a merciful close Maryam Monsefs painful tenure as the minister in charge of democratic reform. This was a poisoned mandate from the beginning, starting with the Liberals ill-advised campaign promise to replace the current voting system in time for the next election in 2019. But Monsef took a bad situation and made it even worse with repeated stumbles. The only surprise is that she has been given a chance to redeem herself as minister for the status of women. Her replacement is the rookie MP for Burlington, Karina Gould. Its not clear whether Gould will be expected to quietly bury electoral reform for the duration of this Parliament, or somehow breathe new life into it. For the sake of the governments reputation, the best she could do now would be as little as possible, and make sure voting reform disappears from Ottawas radar screen for the foreseeable future. Trudeau has disappeared another problematic minister (MaryAnn Mihychuk from employment) and taken a chance by elevating another promising rookie to an important ministry. Ahmed Hussen, MP for York South-Weston, is the first Somali-born member of Parliament, who came to Canada as a refugee at the age of 16 and will serve as minister of immigration in place of McCallum. His story is the Canadian immigrant dream from refugee to community builder, lawyer and now cabinet minister. It speaks to the strength of the Liberals backbench that Trudeau can bring forward such impressive people when he wants to make a change, without falling back on the old warhorses still in his caucus. The one minister Trudeau cant shuffle is himself. Aside from the fiasco of electoral reform, the governments biggest stumble of 2016 involved cash-for-access and the prime ministers insistence theres no problem when he and his top ministers troll for party donations among the billionaire class. Tuesdays shuffle shows the prime minister is attune to where the trouble spots are in his cabinet, and is prepared to fix them. Its still not clear whether he is equally aware of the problems that are his responsibility, and his alone. SHARE: Editors' pick: Originally published Jan. 12. Investors can be guilty of thinking of the beverage industries in the ways the products are grouped in the convenience store or supermarket aisle: There's a case where the soft drinks are displayed and another, separate, display for beer. The two product categories are kept apart like battling siblings on a long car trip. When, point of fact, there's a lot of cross-pollination of the soft drink and suds businesses. And if analysts are right, there's about to be more. There's a lot of talk among beverage analysts of a brewing mega merger, one that could slide Coca-Cola (KO) into the stable of Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) . "This is indeed our core thesis that drives our global view of every beverage company," Carlos LaBoy, beverage industry analyst at HSBC, said in an email response to a question from TheStreet that asked the likelihood of a Coca-Cola merger with Anheuser-Busch. He added that a transaction, which he figured could take place before 2020, will leave a mark on just about every player in the beverage business. Certain characteristics bear out the presumptions. For one thing, Anheuser-Busch InBev is largely an asset of 3G Capital, the Brazilian private equity fund that has invested in a boatload of iconic American consumer brands, including Burger King and the assets that it combined to create Kraft Heinz (KHC) , with an assist from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) , (BRK.B) . Berkshire Hathaway, not incidentally, already holds a 9% stake in Coca-Cola, and Warren Buffett is known to be a big fan of the company's products, especially the cherry flavored concoction. In a little bit of palace intrigue, Buffett's son, Howard, currently a member of the Coke board, said last month that he won't stand for reelection at the April shareholder vote, leaving analysts to scratch their heads over the implications of the departure. Ali Dibadj, the beverage analyst at Bernstein, suggested several ramifications from Howard Buffett's departure, one of which would be nudging Coke management toward a linkup with Anheuser-Busch. However, the analyst also suggested that it could mean that Berkshire Hathaway is copacetic with the glidepath that Coca-Cola is on, and feels the company doesn't need a transformative event like a takeover by Bud. Or ... that it sees an even more outside the box idea, like an Anheuser-Busch consolidation with Coke rival PepsiCo (PEP) , a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS portfolio. Obviously there are a lot of moving parts to this initiative. Of course, the departure of Howard Buffett is far from the most significant change in Coke's management. Early last month, Coca-Cola said James Quincey, currently president and chief operating officer, will assume the role of chief executive from Muhtar Kent in May. It's a move that's got a lot of implications for what Coca-Cola will look like going forward. Quincey is seen as supportive of the pricing increases that have helped the soft drink company offset waning demand for sugary soft drinks, and is a proponent of the cost-cutting initiatives that current management has been installing. But perhaps more importantly, the ascension of Quincey takes out one roadblock to a consolidation with Anheuser-Busch: as Bernstein's Dibadj noted in a recent report, "Kent was initially resistant to much of the positive change at KO - including an ABI-KO deal." These changes in management -- as well as some other structural developments at Coca-Cola -- don't immediately translate into a Bud-Coke consolidation. As Bernstein's Dibadj said recently, Coca-Cola "is scared of an acquisition by Anheuser-Busch." So scared that when Anheuser-Busch completed its mega-brew acquisition of SABMiller, Coca-Cola used the change in control to trigger a clause in a contract it had with SABMiller to repatriate its deal under which Miller helped bottle most Coke products in Africa. The thinking was that Anheuser-Busch has similar bottling responsibilities for Pepsi in Europe. Coke didn't want an ally of dreaded rival Pepsi using its African bottling rights as a way to get a peek under the hood of Coca-Cola operations and financials. See why we said at the jump that there are more intersections in the brewing and soft drink businesses than the untrained eye might have expected? Ultimately, an Anheuser-Busch deal with Coca-Cola makes sense. Both the soft drink and suds businesses have been gasping for growth. Bud's best avenue has been diving into the craft beer market, a tough maneuver inasmuch as it requires Anheuser-Busch to effectively disguise that its DNA is all over the product. (Beer geeks reflexively dismiss anything that smacks of mass merchandising.) Meanwhile, Coke has a strong brand and what amounts to an annuity stream. As its own management has identified, there are huge opportunities to cut costs - perhaps even well beyond the $3 million currently targeted. Both Anheuser-Busch's and Coke's supply chains - things like bottles and cans, not to mention bottle caps - can be rationalized, along with what would become a magnificent integrated distribution system. (One truck per supermarket loading the beer and soft drink aisle instead of two? That sounds like we've just cut costs 50%.) Then there's the takeover mechanism. 3G is said to love Coke. Warren Buffett, who worked with 3G to put the assets of Heinz and Kraft together, already established his affection for what once billed itself as "the real thing." Given all the moving parts in the Anheuser-Busch operation, it is, after all, still contending with integration of the freshly minted Mega-Brew transactions, it may not happen immediately. But don't be surprised if you're someday buying a refreshing bottle of Coca-Cola and it's brought to you by Anheuser-Busch. Joe Papa on Tuesday made his latest attempt to convince investors that ValeantPharmaceuticals (VRX) is not the troubled company it was about eight months ago, before he began calling the shots. "We've done a lot of M&A in the past," the CEO said during a presentation titled "The New Valeant" at the 35th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. "That's not going to be something we're looking at in the future." Papa, who joined Valeant after resigning from all roles at Perrigo (PRGO) , touted that the Canadian drugmaker has made good on the various commitments promised to investors in August, including streamlining its portfolio via divestitures, stabilizing its sales force, paying down debt and reshaping the company's leadership team. Regarding growth of internal assets in 2017, Papa indicated that the pharmaceutical company would concentrate on specialty-driven markets including dermatology, eye care and gastrointestinal, or GI. Other potential catalysts for Valeant include new product launches and growth in China and Japan, an area in which the company is gaining momentum, Papa said, with plans such as reentering the cosmetic lens segment in Japan. The CEO also acknowledged that the estimated impact on Valeant's pending loss of exclusivity of U.S. diversified products in 2016 and 2017 totals about $800 million. In a final effort to distance Valeant from the problems inherited from its previous management team, Papa ended his presentation with a slide titled "Fact v. Fiction" -- asserting, among other things, that the company has a strong R&D program despite public perception. Conveniently, the comments from the executive at the San Francisco's Westin St. Francis Hotel came just hours after Valeant unveiled plans to unload another pair of assets. Valeant announced a deal to sell its skincare assets, which include the CeraVe, AcneFree and AMBI brands, to L'Oreal (OR) in a $1.3 billion all-cash deal. Separately, it disclosed an agreement to divest its Dendreon Pharmaceuticals unit to Sanpower for $819.9 million. Papa didn't offer much detail on future streamlining efforts other than to say that "there's still more to do there on asset sales" as it continues to address its massive debt pile. While Valeant in November confirmed that it has considered selling its Salix unit, other potential divestitures could include its dental business as well as its interests in "select geographies," The Deal, a sister publication of TheStreet, reported on Tuesday. Upon completion of the deals announced on Tuesday, Valeant will have generated total asset sale proceeds of $2.35 billion up front or up to $2.7 billion, including total potential additional future milestones, Papa said. Corning Incorporated engages in display technologies, optical communications, environmental technologies, specialty materials, and life sciences businesses worldwide. The company's Display Technologies segment offers glass substrates for liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diodes used in televisions, notebook computers, desktop monitors, tablets, and handheld devices. Its Optical Communications segment provides optical fibers and cables; and hardware and equipment products, including cable assemblies, fiber optic hardware and connectors, optical components and couplers, closures, network interface devices, and other accessories. This segment also offers its products to businesses, governments, and individuals. Its Specialty Materials segment manufactures products that provide material formulations for glass, glass ceramics, crystals, precision metrology instruments, software; as well as ultra-thin and ultra-flat glass wafers, substrates, tinted sunglasses, and radiation shielding products. This segment serves various industries, including mobile consumer electronics, semiconductor equipment optics and consumables; aerospace and defense optics; radiation shielding products, sunglasses, and telecommunications components. The company's Environmental Technologies segment offers ceramic substrates and filter products for emissions control in mobile, gasoline, and diesel applications. The company's Life Sciences segment offers laboratory products comprising consumables, such as plastic vessels, liquid handling plastics, specialty surfaces, cell culture media, and serum, as well as general labware and equipment under the Corning, Falcon, Pyrex, and Axygen brands. The company was formerly known as Corning Glass Works and changed its name to Corning Incorporated in April 1989. Corning Incorporated was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Corning, New York. Summit Midstream Partners, LP focuses on owning, developing, and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets primarily shale formations in the continental United States. The company provides natural gas gathering, compression, treating, and processing services, as well as crude oil and produced water gathering services. Its unconventional resource basins include the Utica and Point Pleasant shale formations in southeastern Ohio; the Williston Basin that consists of the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in northwestern North Dakota; the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which include the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado; the Permian Basin that comprise the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp shale formations in New Mexico; the Piceance Basin, which include the Mesaverde formation, and the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in western Colorado; the Barnett Shale formation in north-central Texas; and the Marcellus Shale formation in northern West Virginia. The company also owns an ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, which owns and operates natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization facility in the Utica Shale in southeastern Ohio. It serves natural gas and crude oil producers. Summit Midstream GP, LLC operates as a general partner of the company. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Validus Holdings, Ltd. provides reinsurance coverage, insurance coverage, and insurance linked securities management services worldwide. It operates through three segments: Reinsurance, Insurance, and Asset Management. The Reinsurance segment underwrites property reinsurance products on a catastrophe excess of loss, per risk excess of loss and proportional basis; and aerospace and aviation, agriculture, composite, marine, technical lines, terrorism, trade credit, workers' compensation, and other specialty lines, as well as casualty and financial lines. The Insurance segment underwrites property, accident and health, agriculture, aviation, contingency, marine, and political lines insurance products; bankers blanket bond, commercial crime, computer crime, cyber- crime, professional indemnity, and directors' and officers' insurance products for various financial institutions and other companies; and commercial and institutional risks comprising general, professional, and product liability, as well as miscellaneous malpractice insurance products. This segment also underwrites marine and energy liability, and political risk insurance products, as well as insurance products for repair, maintenance, and upkeep of aircrafts and premises for small companies. The Asset Management segment manages capital for third parties through insurance-linked securities, and other property catastrophe and specialty reinsurance investments. Validus Holdings, Ltd. was founded in 2005 and is based in Pembroke, Bermuda. The Romanian Foreign Ministry advises the Ukrainian citizens to restrict travel by car to Bucharest and several counties due to heavy snowfall. This has been reported by the Department of Consular Service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Facebook. "Due to the deterioration of weather conditions in central, southern and eastern regions of Romania (heavy snow, ice) that led to slow traffic movement and traffic jams, the Department of Consular Service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry recommends citizens of Ukraine to be careful and restrict travel by car to Bucharest and several counties," reads a statement. The Foreign Ministry also advises the citizens of Ukraine to monitor recommendations of the rescue services and the latest news. ish One Ukrainian soldier was killed, and three servicemen were wounded in the ATO area in eastern Ukraine in last day. Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a press briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "One Ukrainian soldier was killed, and three servicemen were wounded as a result of military hostilities in Donbas in last day," Motuzianyk said. ish In 2016, Ukraine exported tomatoes worth $ 17.2 million, which is by 65% ($ 6.8 million) more compared with the figures in 2015, Latifundist.com reports, referring to the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine. Most of Ukrainian tomatoes exports, over 94%, were sold to Belarus and Poland. In particular, 79.4% ($ 13.7 million) of total tomatoes exports was delivered to Belarus, and 14.8% ($2.5 million) to Poland. At the same time, Ukraine imported tomatoes from Turkey and Spain to the amount of $30 million in 2016. In particular, imports from Turkey totaled $26 million (88.1% of total tomatoes imports) and from Spain - $ 1.9 million (6.5%). As earlier reported, in January-August 2016, 2.3 tonnes of Ukrainian tomatoes were shipped to the European market, while for the same period in 2015, Ukraine managed to export only 243 tonnes to the EU countries. iy The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will do everything possible in 2017 to improve the living standards of Ukrainians. Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said this at a Cabinets meeting on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "I would like to emphasize that people should feel the changes. I want to stress that the government and I as Prime Minister will do everything possible in 2017 to ensure that people see positive changes in their lives," Groysman said. The Prime Minister recalled that the salaries of teachers, doctors, workers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine would be significantly increased this year. ish Over the first ten days of 2017, Ukrainian consumers of all categories used 1.609 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, which is by 12.2% less compared with the same period last year, the press and public relations department at PJSC Ukrtransgaz reports. In particular, Ukrainian consumers used 0.6 bcm of natural gas of domestic production, 0.4 bcm of natural gas imported from Europe, 0.6 bcm of selected natural gas from storage facilities, Ukrtransgaz specified. A reminder that the general volume of natural gas used by all categories of Ukrainian consumers in 2016 totaled 30.3 bcm, which is by 4% less compared with the figures in 2015. iy The World Bank has left unchanged its forecast for economic growth in Ukraine for the next three years, and it noted the progress in the implementation of reforms, in particular in the system of public finance, debt management, energy and banking sectors. The World Bank predicts the economic growth of Ukraine at the level of 2% in 2017 and at the level of 3% in 2018 and 2019, according to the report "Global Economic Prospects". "Among oil importers, output in Ukraine, which returned to expansion in 2016, is expected to grow as the security situation improves and domestic economic reforms gain traction. Growth in 2017 is projected at 2 percentunchanged from the June projection," the report says. According to the document, while Ukraine made progress in reforming public finances, debt management, energy subsidies, and the banking system, efforts to address government ineffectiveness, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and pension reform have been delayed. The authors of the document said that an escalation of geopolitical tensions would set back growth. Risks include rising tensions in Eastern Ukraine, the conflict in Syria, and the refugee crisis. If geopolitical and domestic political tensions delay the implementation of necessary reforms and discourage investment, long-term growth prospects would also be adversely affected. ish After Chrystia Freeland became a new foreign minister of Canada Ottawas support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine will not change. Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko said this to an Ukrinform correspondent. "Canadas support for our territorial integrity and freedom will certainly not change," Shevchenko said. However, he did not make far-reaching conclusions about a future dialogue between Ottawa and Moscow. "A resumption of the dialogue with Russia is a strategy. I think we need to wait and see what strategy minister Freeland will build in the future," the ambassador said. As a reminder, Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland was appointed Canada's foreign affairs minister on Tuesday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet, putting a Russia critic on the front lines of working with the incoming U.S. Trump administration. ish UNICEF/UN018341/Jahaf SANAA, Yemen, 10 January 2017 One girl is confirmed dead and four others injured in two attacks this morning near a school in the Nihm district outside the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. This is the latest example of how attacks on civilian areas continue to kill and injure children in Yemen. Instead of learning, children are witnessing death, war and destruction. "Since the escalation of the conflict in March 2015, the United Nations has recorded the deaths of nearly 1,400 children. Over 2,140 others have been injured. The actual numbers are likely to be much higher. Nearly 2,000 schools in Yemen can no longer be used because they are destroyed or damaged, shelter displaced families, or are being used for military purposes. Schools should be zones of peace at all times, a sanctuary where children can learn, grow, play and be safe. Children should never risk their lives only to attend school. UNICEF renews its call on all parties to the conflict in Yemen and those who have influence over them to protect children and stop attacks on civilian infrastructure including schools and education facilities, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law. ### The Center for Health + Technology will partner with the Defense Department to develop tools that will allow patients to provide insight into the merit of promising therapies for four chronic, ... BANKS Biggest fourth-quarter trading haul expected Wall Street firms are expected to post the biggest fourth-quarter trading haul since the financial crisis as the U.S. election triggered a frenzy of global markets activity. Fixed-income and stock-trading revenue at the five biggest U.S. investment banks rose 20 percent from a year earlier to $17.3 billion, fueled by a 32 percent surge in bond trading, according to analysts estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The rebound probably will be strongest at Morgan Stanley, the groups smallest bond shop, with revenue projected to climb 82 percent to $1 billion. The question analysts have for bank executives is whether the fourth quarter heralds a return for bond trading traditionally the biggest driver of Wall Street profits or a false dawn created by President-elect Donald Trumps surprise victory in November. The election upended expectations for interest rates, economic growth and financial regulation, factors that support higher trading volumes if Trump realizes his economic goals. Investors will need reason to believe further gains are possible, given that the KBW Bank Index climbed 23 percent since the Nov. 8 election. We need to hear from management on how much potential upside there is for profits in trading and other areas, including lending, said Fred Cannon, head of research at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, especially on the sustainability of trading increases. (Jayne Orenstein/The Washington Post) Driven by higher trading results, particularly on rates and currencies desks, banks total fourth-quarter profit is expected to rise 17 percent to $20.7 billion. Bank of America, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase are scheduled to post results on Friday. Morgan Stanley, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs will report next week. The election boosted stock-trading volumes as institutional investors snatched up shares of financial firms and smaller companies. Banks are expected to post $6.39 billion in equities-trading revenue, 4 percent more than the previous year, driven by gains at JPMorgan and Citigroup. The coming year could be the first since 2012 that both trading and dealmaking revenue increases, Barclays analysts, led by Jason Goldberg, wrote in a note this month. Fixed-income trading will expand as companies reprice debt and big U.S. banks gain market share from European firms. Investment banks fee-generating businesses will be boosted as mega-mergers are completed and stock sales pick up following a lull, the analysts predicted. One note of caution is coming from the banks themselves. Morgan Stanley President Colm Kelleher said hes seen over-exuberance about how well trading desks were doing. While the first quarter is typically the strongest for traders, in 2016 it was unusually weak as uncertainty over global growth roiled markets. If you look at underlying flows, yes, theyve picked up, particularly since the election, but the overall fee pool that relates to fixed income and equities is only marginally up on the year, Kelleher said in a Bloomberg Television interview last month. Bloomberg AUTO industry Carmakers see no end to boom in sales 2017 has been tabbed in Detroit as the year that will mark the end to a nearly decade-long boom in U.S. auto sales. And maybe it will. But theres little sign of that right now. One after another this week, the worlds biggest carmakers signaled that they dont see an end to their prosperity anytime soon. General Motors on Tuesday projected another year of profit growth and heaped a $5 billion share buyback plan on top of the $9 billion it started repurchasing in 2015. Hours later, Ford Motor added $200 million cash to its regular first-quarter dividend. Japanese and German carmakers also joined the hometown players at this weeks Detroit auto show in expressing optimism. Nissan Motor just two months after calling a U.S. market peak now sees an even better 2017 after the election of Trump and the rise in consumer confidence thats followed. BMW AG pointed to the good times rolling on Wall Street as one reason luxury vehicle sales will be sustained. The optimism is translating into returns for shareholders. U.S. automakers and suppliers have outperformed the Standard & Poors 500 Index since the beginning of the year, with gains of 7.2 percent at GM and 5.9 percent at Ford. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, benefiting from a bet on shifting its lineup almost exclusively to light trucks, has surged 19 percent in part on speculation that its more likely to get a pass from a loosening of environmental regulations under Trump. Bloomberg Also in Business Bloomberg Coming Today Two-thirds of the nations police officers say the deaths of black Americans during encounters with police are isolated incidents, not a sign of broader problems between law enforcement and black citizens, according to a Pew Research Center poll released Wednesday. The findings underscore a stark disconnect between many rank-and-file officers and the public and reveal that scrutiny since the 2014 fatal police shooting of Michael Brown has prompted many officers to be less aggressive in day-to-day policing. The survey of nearly 8,000 local officers is the first nationally representative measure of police reaction to the debate about officers treatment of black Americans that followed Browns shooting in Ferguson, Mo., and sparked a national protest movement. The survey, which drew on departments with at least 100 officers, was administered from May to August 2016 by the National Police Research Platform in partnership with Pew. It reveals in detail how officers view their jobs and the scrutiny they face: More than 8 in 10 officers say the public does not understand the risks and challenges of their jobs, and a similar number say their departments are understaffed. Half reported concerns about their safety. Our goal was to measure how police think about these issues, said Rich Morin, senior editor at the Pew Research Center. And to offer an insight into police lives, both the good and the challenges. When a separate Pew poll asked Americans overall about black individuals who died in police encounters, 60 percent said the deaths represent broader problems between police and black citizens. But only 31 percent of police officers say the same, Pew found. Police expressed cynical views of protests across the country following controversial deaths. The poll finds that 92 percent say protests have been motivated at least in part by long-standing anti-police bias; only 35 percent say protesters were motivated by a genuine desire to hold officers accountable. Officers say the high-profile deaths have changed the way they do their job and have made it harder. More than 7 in 10 say officers have become more timid about stopping to question suspicious people, roughly three-quarters say fellow officers report they are more reluctant to use force when necessary, and more than 9 in 10 say fellow officers have grown more worried about their safety. How officers see their job and how they perform on their job has changed as a result of these high-profile incidents and the resulting protests, Morin said. The degree to which the nations officers reject the notion of systemic racial issues and dismiss protests surprised some policing experts, including some chiefs and union officials. Several said that the gulf in perception between police and the public underscores a much deeper divide. I wish the community had a greater understanding of why the police do what we do, and sometimes we have to do a better job of putting ourselves in their shoes as well, said Don De Lucca, the chief of police in Doral, Fla., and president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Were at a crossroads, and we both need to be willing to listen. In the survey, most officers say their departments have tried to improve relations with black citizens and that many officers have been trained to de-escalate potentially deadly situations. Two-thirds support the use of body-worn cameras by officers. At the same time, only 1 percent of officers say their departments rules on using force should be stricter, while more than 7 in 10 say they are about right. If we climb into the mind-set of police officers who are going to keep doing this job, if they are policing from a defensive stance, then it changes the nature of police and citizen encounters and not in a positive way, said Cara Rabe-Hemp, a criminal justice professor at Illinois State University. What were seeing is that this divisiveness is likely to lead to increased violence rather than the lessening of violence. Rabe-Hemp said that Pews findings underscore a theme she has heard often from officers: What youre hearing is the police saying that were already accountable. For decades, white and black Americans have expressed divergent views toward police and violent encounters between officers and black citizens. But Pews new survey of officers reveals even wider racial divisions among officers. Seventy-two percent of both white and Hispanic officers say they see blacks killed in police altercations as isolated incidents, but only 43 percent of black officers agree. A majority of black officers say those deaths are a sign of broader problems between police and black citizens. On racial equality, 92 percent of white officers say the country has made the changes needed to achieve equality between black and white citizens, compared with only 29 percent of black officers. Among the public, 57 percent of white people and 12 percent of black people say the necessary changes have been made. In the survey, black officers also express more sympathy than their white colleagues toward protesters nearly 7 in 10 black officers say protests are driven by a genuine desire for accountability, while fewer than 3 in 10 white officers say so. More than half of the officers surveyed said they have become more callous since joining law enforcement. If officers feeling like all of these guys are calling me racist then they shut down and go into defensive mode, said Daniel Linskey, the former superintendent in chief of the Boston Police Department. It becomes us versus them. Im just going to come in every day, make my arrests and go home safe. While the vast majority of officers say high-profile shootings have made their jobs harder, 67 percent say they agree that most people respect the police, seven percentage points more than in a similar survey that ended in early 2014. Yet, 75 percent of officers say that interactions between police and black citizens have become tenser, and there are signs relations may be worse than many officers think. Six in 10 white and Hispanic officers alike say their departments police have a positive relationship with the black community, but only 32 percent of black officers say the same. The police are the most visible component of a failed government system in those communities, and were taking the brunt of it, some of it well deserved, said Garry McCarthy, the former superintendent of the Chicago police. McCarthy said that the public needs to understand how relatively rare killings by police are, less than one half of 1 percent of the gun deaths last year in Chicago. And, he said, police need to be willing to acknowledge that many residents and protesters have legitimate complaints about encounters with law enforcement. In many cases the police have earned the distrust, McCarthy said. The Pew Research Center National Survey of Law Enforcement Officers was conducted online May 19-Aug. 14, 2016, among a national sample of 7,917 police officers in local police and sheriffs departments with at least 100 sworn officers (excluding state agencies). The margin of sampling error is between two and three percentage points for many questions but is as high as nine points for department-specific questions. General public results based on a survey of 4,538 U.S. adults conducted online and by mail Aug. 16-Sept. 12, 2016; the error margin is plus or minus 2.4 percentage points. Emily Guskin contributed to this report. A wooden bridge leads into Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The sanctuary offers wildlife exhibits at its visitor center and hiking paths to observe deer, ducks, groundhogs and other winter visitors. (Photos by Ann Cameron Siegal) When trees are bare and frozen ground crunches under your feet, its a good time to explore the wide-open spaces and scenic views of the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary. A short drive from Route 4s traffic in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, its a world away in the serenity it offers. The sights and sounds of being outdoors in nature in winter are quite different from the ones you find in warm-weather outings. Start at the visitor center its open only on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 to 4, until May to learn the history of local pirates and Piscataway Indians, to touch a snake or to study an antler and a jawbone with the teeth still attached. What animal did they belong to? This is a please touch kind of place, but with no buttons to push or videos to watch. The visitor center offers quiet, hands-on experiences requiring your imagination and senses. Discovery boxes challenge visitors to feel hidden objects and guess what they are. Have a seat in front of the centers picture window and watch the antics of cardinals, blue jays and other winter birds hovering around the feeders outside. Birdwatching is mesmerizing, said ranger Danny Jones. Binoculars and guidebooks are provided to help you with identification. This injured screech owl has a forever home at Merkle and is now part of the sanctuarys education program. Here, AmeriCorps volunteer Tiana Morris allows visitors to see the wee owl up close. A screech owl has a forever home at the visitor center. It lost an eye in an accident when it got too close to the road while trying to grab a piece of gum dropped by a visitor. (That is a good reminder to always discard food properly: Leave no trace.) Visitors are often very surprised that owls can be so tiny, said Danielle Helmes, 22, part of a Maryland Conservation Corps crew working at Merkle. Screech owls arent much bigger than robins. Several easy paths lead through woods to ponds and marshes and along the Patuxent River. Keep your eyes and ears alert for groundhogs, deer, ducks, foxes or large flocks of geese that frequent the park. The Paw Paw Trail, just over a mile long, is a family favorite. In the fall, pawpaw trees produce the largest native fruits in the United States. They are oval and yellowish green, with a custard-like edible center that tastes like a combination of mango and banana. During the winter, you might find pawpaw seeds on the ground to examine. Theyre dark brown and look like lima beans. (Dont eat them; they can make you sick.) The two-mile, moderately hilly Mounds Trail offers views over Lookout Creek and is named for several man-made mounds that, park officials note, are believed to be either early boundary markers or defenses built by soldiers during the War of 1812. Leashed dogs are welcome in the park. Mary Owen of Calvert County and her dog Romeo enjoy the view. Access to an observation tower, where a beautiful view of marshes is worth climbing six flights of stairs, is available only on Sundays, when the Critical Area Driving Tour is open from 10 to 3. A one-way four-mile auto loop begins in the nearby Patuxent River Park, crossing a wooden bridge over Mattaponi Creek and onto the Merkle property, ending at the visitor center. Feel free to bring your leashed dogs along on your hiking adventures at Merkle; they will enjoy the exercise and exploring as much as you will. Just be sure to clean up after them. Again, leave no trace. Where does transparency meet irresponsibility? Right at the line that BuzzFeeds editor Ben Smith approached Tuesday and decided to step over in the name of serving citizens best interests. With caveats and explanations aplenty, Smith published a 35-page dossier actually just a bunch of scurrilous allegations dressed up as an intelligence report meant to damage Donald Trump. Smith said he did so because his, and BuzzFeeds, preference and philosophy is, essentially, When in doubt, publish. But at many other news organizations, the rule is caution: When in doubt, leave it out. In this case, the doubt should have prevailed. News organizations and government officials have known for months that this information, if it can be called that, existed. But despite many attempts, the claims about Trumps behavior and relationships in Russia could not be verified. Thus, major newspapers and magazines sat on them. In October, the Washington bureau chief of Mother Jones, David Corn, wrote a story based on the file but stopped well short of publishing the specifics. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Why? Because he couldnt verify them. So what changed and blew this out into the public eye? Not just BuzzFeeds data dump, but a series of events. Intelligence agencies summarized the dossier and included it in material given to Trump and President Obama. CNN published a story Tuesday saying that much. And with the door cracked open, BuzzFeed pushed through. In doing so, the digital behemoth which for years has balanced a tension between its start as a lighthearted click factory and, under Smith and a serious news team, a purveyor of investigative journalism and breaking news set off a fierce debate. Publishing this dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017, Smith wrote. In other words, readers are grown-ups and deserve to be treated as such, not paternalistically protected from information that might upset them. True enough, but it avoids the larger point: Its a bad idea, and always has been, to publish unverified smears. The decision certainly resulted in clicks. It also brought approval and disapproval, in some cases from unexpected quarters. Richard Tofel, president of ProPublica, praised the decision: Kudos to @buzzfeedben and his team for publishing the dossier. Once CNN story out, citizens should have evidence to consider for themselves. Journalist Michael Tracey noted that while WikiLeaks had been relentlessly attacked for publishing verified, authentic information, BuzzFeed was being cheered for publishing what appears to be a total sham. (The Washington Post) And in the New York Post, columnist and longtime magazine editor John Podhoretz made a solid point: In my experience, there is no source of whom you need to be more skeptical, and whose information you need to verify to the letter before you can even begin to think of publishing it, than an intelligence source. Once BuzzFeed published, of course, the dam burst. Slate followed, publishing the documents itself, and anyone in the world had access with a few keystrokes. Trump who gave his first news conference Wednesday immediately took to Twitter to brand the information fake news and to blame a political witch hunt. The publication of the documents does, indeed, give fuel to the notion that the press is out to get him. Most mainstream outlets, including The Washington Post, even now are staying away from the specifics of the report, said to be prepared by a former British intelligence official. Those media organizations dont get much credit these days for skepticism and editorial judgment, but for the most part, they have shown it here. I dont fault BuzzFeed for lack of skepticism here. Smith was clear with readers that the information he was publishing couldnt be verified and, indeed, there was no reason to believe that much of it was true. What I fault him for was plunging down a slippery ethical slope from which there is no return. In an era when trust in the media is already in the gutter, this does absolutely nothing to help. But even that isnt the core point, which is far simpler: Its never been acceptable to publish rumor and innuendo. And none of the circumstances surrounding this episode not CNNs story, not Trumps dubious history with Russia, not the fact that the intelligence community made a report on it should change that ethical rule. For more by Margaret Sullivan, visit wapo.st/sullivan. Anne Arundel County The following incidents were reported by the Anne Arundel County police. For information, call 410-222-8050. GLEN BURNIE AREA ROBBERIES Quarterfield Rd., 7700 block, 9:02 a.m. Jan. 2. A man with a knife stole cash from a woman and fled on foot. MILLERSVILLE AREA ROBBERIES Old Mill Rd., 400 block, 6:40 p.m. Jan. 2. A male grabbed cash from a register at a convenience store and fled on foot. SEVERN AREA ASSAULTS Mead Village Cir., 1700 block, 10:01 p.m. Jan. 2. During a fight with a group of females, a woman, 20, was stabbed in the leg. ROBBERIES Annapolis Rd., 9:02 p.m. Jan. 3. An armed male robbed a pharmacy and fled on foot. Canter Ct., 7800 block, 3:18 p.m. Jan. 4. Two armed males and a female robbed a pizza delivery driver and fled on foot. A male youth from Baltimore, 16, was charged with armed robbery, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and third- and fourth-degree burglary. A male and female were still being sought. Annapolis These were among incidents reported by the Annapolis Police Department. For information, call 410-268-9000. HOMICIDES Kimberwicke Pl., 1800 block, 1:44 p.m. Jan. 2. A man, 55, was shot and killed outside his home. THEFTS/BREAK-INS Belle Dr., 1700 block, 9 a.m. Dec. 29 to 9:45 a.m. Dec. 30. Two fire extinguishers were stolen from a building. Bowman Dr., 1800 block, 6 p.m. Jan. 2 to 8:30 a.m. Jan. 3. Two wallets were stolen from an unlocked vehicle. Center St., 200 block, 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 2. Cash and a watch were stolen from an apartment. Crows Nest Ct., 1200 block, 4:30 p.m. Jan. 3 to 6:30 a.m. Jan. 4. An unlocked vehicle was entered; nothing was reported stolen. Norman Dr., 1000 block, 6 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 28. A hammer was used to damage a door to gain entry into an apartment. An Annapolis man, 63, was charged with burglary and destruction of property. Parkwood Ave., 700 block, 6 p.m. Jan. 2 to 8:30 a.m. Jan. 3. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle. S. Cherry Grove Ave., 1 to 6:30 a.m. Jan. 3. Cash was stolen from an unlocked vehicle. Spa Rd., 900 block, 4 p.m. Dec. 28 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 31. A rear door at a home was forced open; nothing was reported stolen. State St., 11:40 p.m. Jan. 1. A man was found inside a home. An Annapolis man, 31, was charged with fourth-degree burglary. Summerfield Dr., 3 a.m. Jan. 4. An unlocked vehicle was entered; it was unclear whether anything was stolen. Tucker St., 100 block, 8 a.m. Dec. 31 to 7:15 p.m. Jan. 2. Jewelry was stolen from a home. Windwhisper Lane, Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. A package found in the 100 block of Dogwood Rd. had been stolen from a residence. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS Cedar Ridge Ct., 1000 block, 11:50 p.m. Dec. 26 to 10:45 a.m. Dec. 28. A dark gray 2006 Acura MDX SUV was stolen. Forest Hills Ave., 900 block, 3:30 to 7:30 a.m. Dec. 30. A Honda Civic was stolen. It was recovered on Silverwood Circle on Dec. 31. Windwhisper Lane, 900 block, and Yachtsman Way, 900 block, 6 p.m. Jan. 3 to 8 a.m. Jan. 4. Two vehicles were entered; nothing was reported stolen. Yachtsman Way, 900 block, 6:40 p.m. Jan. 3 to 8 a.m. Jan. 4. A Toyota Tacoma was stolen. The vehicle was recovered on Cypress Road at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 4. Howard County These were among incidents reported by the Howard County Police Department. For information, call 410-313-2236. CLARKSVILLE AREA MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS Oakcrest Lane, 7400 block, 3:16 p.m. Dec. 28. A 2013 Suzuki motorcycle was stolen. COLUMBIA AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Centre Park Dr., 8800 block, 9:24 a.m. Jan. 3. Coins were stolen from a business. Columbia Rd., 4900 to 5400 blocks, Dec. 28 to 29. Airbags, a speedometer, rims and tires were stolen from vehicles. Tamar Dr., 8800 block, 10:55 a.m. Jan. 4. An acquaintance of a homeowner forcibly entered the home armed with a knife, demanded cash and fled. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS College Square, 10300 block, 7:40 a.m. Dec. 30. A gray Acura was stolen. Little Patuxent Pkwy., 10300 block, 12:07 a.m. Jan. 1. A 2002 Nissan Pathfinder was stolen and recovered. Wyndham Cir., 5800 block, 5:34 a.m. Jan. 2. A 2014 black Hyundai Accent was stolen. ELKRIDGE AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Waterloo Rd., 6400 block, 9 p.m. Dec. 29. Two males jumped a counter at a pharmacy, stole prescription drugs and fled. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS Blackbird Lane, and Port Capital Dr., 2:30 p.m. Dec. 28. An attempt was made to steal a green Chevrolet Tahoe. ELLICOTT CITY AREA ROBBERIES Montgomery Rd., 4200 block, 10:13 p.m. Dec. 29. An armed male robbed a gas station and fled. THEFTS/BREAK-INS Baltimore National Pike, 8100 block, 2:17 p.m. Jan. 4. Tools were stolen from a shed. Brittany Dr., 4400 block, 9:23 p.m. Dec. 31. A side door was kicked in at a home. College Ave., 3700 block, 12:08 a.m. Dec. 30. A door was damaged at a home. Dorsey Hall Dr., 4700 block, 1:10 a.m. Dec. 31. A male broke glass in the front door of a business. An police officer was in the area, and the man was quickly arrested. An Ellicott City man, 30, was charged with second- and fourth-degree burglary and malicious destruction of property. Hale Haven Dr., 4800 block, 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31. Jewelry and cash were stolen from a home. Marybeth Way, 8500 block, 5:14 p.m. Dec. 29. Jewelry, cash, a handgun and ammunition were stolen from a home. Old Annapolis Rd., 9400 block, 1:51 a.m. Jan. 3. Bottles of liquor were stolen from a store after a window was broken to gain entry. Pebble Beach Dr., 3000 block, 10 a.m. Jan. 3. Someone entered a home, took keys and used them to steal a purse out of a vehicle parked at the home. The keys were returned to the house. Resort Rd., 11000 block, 8:35 a.m. Jan. 3. Wine was stolen from a business. Stonecrest Dr., 4300 block, 3:09 p.m. Jan. 1. A home was entered through a basement window; nothing was stolen. Town & Country Blvd., 8700 block, 5:39 a.m. Jan. 1. Cigarettes were stolen from a food mart. A window was broken to gain entry. VFW Lane, 4200 block, 6:36 a.m. Jan. 1. Liquor was stolen from a store; a window was broken to gain entry. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS Crest Pl., 4200 block, 7:27 a.m. Dec. 28. A black 2013 Acura MDX was stolen. Walker Dr., 3400 block, 10:04 a.m. Dec. 28. A white Honda Odyssey was stolen. Whitebark Ct., 8300 block, 7:18 a.m. Dec. 29. A 2012 red Jeep Wrangler was stolen. LAUREL AREA MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS Washington Blvd., 9900 block, 7:54 a.m. Dec 26. A Nissan Altima was stolen. Compiled by Bonnie Smith A group helps push a strangers truck after it became stuck in the snow on 16th Street NW during the Snowzilla blizzard in Washington in January 2016. (Craig Hudson/For The Washington Post) D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowsers administration spent more than $40 million on snow removal for a single major storm last year, hiring contractors at whatever price they named and paying nearly $700,000 for hotel rooms and meals for workers in violation of federal procurement law, according to an audit. In addition, more than $93,000 of the cost came from bank fees because officials charged tens of millions of dollars for snow removal on city credit cards, sending the balance on the governments account soaring to roughly 20 times its usual level. [D.C. spent record amount on snow removal, prompting emergency actions to pay creditors] JPMorgan Chase took the unprecedented step of shutting off the Districts line of credit until some of the card balances could be paid, as The Washington Post reported last year. In a letter to D.C. Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), who requested the audit released Wednesday, D.C. Auditor Kathleen Patterson wrote that the costs, combined with the violation of federal rules, raise doubts about how much the federal government might reimburse the District under a federal disaster declaration that was issued by President Obama. 1 of 54 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad What the D.C. area looked like after the epic blizzard of January 2016. View Photos The storm has stopped, and the cleanup is only beginning but not without a snowball fight or some sledding first. Caption The storm has stopped, and the cleanup is only beginning but not without a snowball fight or some sledding first. Jan. 26, 2016 Mike Mazza and his son Gabriel stand outside their subdivision attempting to get plow service for their street in Gaithersburg, Md. Gary Cameron/Reuters Wait 1 second to continue. As the Jan. 22, 2016, storm, nicknamed Snowzilla, dumped as much as 22 inches of snow on the city, D.C. officials signed deals with dozens of construction companies, the auditor wrote. The hourly rates paid for dump trucks, loaders, drivers and other support were often far in excess of past practice. They could be inconsistent. Some contractors were paid as much as 77 percent more than others for using the same type of equipment and providing the same services. Officials at the citys Department of Public Works indicated that they did not seek to negotiate costs at all, and merely engaged independent contractors at the price they offered, the audit said. It appears likely that the District paid substantially more than was necessary for snow removal services and the failure to set maximum prices or engage in negotiations raises the possibility that such overpayment will occur in the future, the report said. Patterson urged city leaders to negotiate with contractors before winter arrives and create controls on how much the contractors are paid. Asked about the audit, Bowser (D) said she had not yet seen it, even though her administration submitted a detailed written response to the auditor two weeks ago. At a Wednesday news conference on a different matter, the mayor said her administration was committed to fiscally sound decisions and had already identified areas for improvement. She also said she was proud the city was able to recover fully from the storm within a couple of days. (Lee Powell/The Washington Post) One thing that the auditor probably didnt cover was that weve had an expectation in our city that we shut down for snow, and I think we have to change that expectation. I have changed it for our administration, Bowser said. My expectation is that children will be able to go to school and that government will be able to open, and that businesses will be able to do business. The mayor challenged the auditors assertion that the city broke federal procurement rules, which are binding on the District and prohibit employees from being provided free food or lodging at their workplaces. She said it was proper to provide lodging and food for contractors who worked 12-hour shifts. Some members of the D.C. Council criticized the administration for failing to follow well-known restrictions on the provision of food and lodging, thereby jeopardizing the citys ability to qualify for federal reimbursement. Former mayor Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) was among those who were most critical. Gray returned to city government this week as a council member. One can hope that they have learned something about planning from this, he said. We had rehearsals when I was mayor. There used to be a lot of planning and preparation and experience that went into handling these events. He added: This was almost a panic reaction, and the shame of it is that theres not much we can do to recoup some of the $40 million that was spent. Kevin Harris, the mayors spokesman, responded with a dig at Gray. This wasnt about planning, rehearsals or experience, he said. The fleet we inherited from the previous administration was inadequate, and the mayor wasnt willing to have the city be crippled because of that. Some of the companies that received the most generous compensation have made large political donations to the mayor as well as to a now-defunct political action committee created on her behalf. Among them was Fort Myer Construction, which was paid more than $5 million for providing dump trucks and other services. Bowsers administration has been battling accusations that it unsuccessfully tried to steer contracts for stadium work to Fort Myer. The company was paid $265 an hour for each of its dump trucks $100 more than city guidelines allowed for such work in the past, and as much as $115 more an hour than the city paid to some other major contractors for the same equipment. A company official reached by The Post on Wednesday declined to comment. According to company literature, Fort Myer conducts snowplowing operations on the Capital Beltway and Dulles Toll Road in Virginia and has a large staff of round-the-clock mechanics, refueling trucks and other support equipment that could have contributed to the higher cost. [Fired D.C. employee claims Bowser administration tried to steer contracts to donor] The audit also found that the District hired Capitol Paving another contractor at two different rates for identical services. The hourly rate paid to Capitol Paving for dump trucks retained during the storm was double the rate that the city had agreed to pay earlier in the year to have trucks on retainer for the job. Calls to Capitol Paving were not immediately returned Wednesday. The owners of Capitol Paving and Fort Myer Construction have family ties. The costly scramble resulted in part from the citys having a combined 143 city-owned and contractor plows at the onset of the storm, just over half the number required under the citys snow plan. The city responded by contracting with numerous private businesses to provide a total of 403 pieces of additional equipment, including 40 heavy snowplows, 48 loaders and 181 dump trucks. Within two days, and as rising temperatures began to melt the snow, the District had more equipment than it could use, with scores of trucks idling along 16th Street NW north of the White House at one point as crews awaited orders. The total cost was almost $41 million, according to the audit. By comparison, in six of the nine years leading up to last winter, the District spent $6.2 million to $6.3 million, which was sufficient to handle up to 25 inches of snow for the entire season, the auditor wrote. In 2010, when the city faced a series of storms that some called Snowmaggedon, the city spent $25 million to remove more than 56 inches of snow. With other storms last year, the city spent a total of $48 million for the season. Cheh said in a statement that she was encouraged that Bowsers administration had begun taking steps to regularize its procurement practices. I believe the Mayor handled [the storm] effectively and Im interested in further exploring how we can best control costs, eliminate overpayments, and implement better negotiation practices with our contractors, she said. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Tuesday that he plans to ask the General Assembly to consider making interest on student loans tax-deductible and capping tuition increases at state colleges and universities at 2 percent. Earning a college education often comes hand in hand with accumulating crippling college debt, Hogan said during the announcement at the University of Maryland. This financial burden is preventing many young Marylanders from achieving financial security. Hogan said nearly 60 percent of college students are graduating with student debt that averages more than $27,000. The loan-interest tax-credit program, which would be available to state residents earning less than $200,000 and couples earning less than $250,000, would cost about $20 million each year. Hogan also announced plans to cap tuition at state colleges and universities at 2 percent. He said universities asked to raise tuition by as much as five percent. The rate increases over the last several years have averaged between 2 and 3 percent. Last year, a student loan debt bill pushed by Democrats was enacted without the governors signature. Hogan did not sign the measure because it included $34 million in mandated spending over four years. That law gives a tax credit of up to $5,000 to residents who have a student-loan debt that exceeds $20,000. The legislation also created a small matching-fund program for families who use the states college saving program. Also on Tuesday, Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) joined several Democratic lawmakers and health care advocates at a news conference in Annapolis to push for a bill to make prescription drugs more affordable. The bill would require prescription drug companies to disclose how they come up with their prices; notify the public of significant price hikes; and authorize the state attorney general to take legal action to prevent price-gouging. Sen. Joan Carter Conway (D-Baltimore City) and Del. Eric Bromwell (D-Baltimore County) plan to introduce the legislation. Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative, said the issue needs to be dealt with a state level because there is little expectation of action on a federal level. Some say this is a national problem . . . but we dont believe there is a national solution, DeMarco said. Thursday, Jan. 12 Play date at the library For preschool-age children accompanied by an adult. STEM/STEAM activities, fun with Duplos, blocks and matching and sorting games. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase. 240-773-9590. Free. Allan Lichtman political discussion The scholar, who has correctly predicted outcomes of U.S. presidential elections since 1984, will discuss his prediction system. 7:30 p.m. Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase Village. 301-656-2797. friendshipheightsmd.gov. Free; registration required. Storyfest Short Slam Puberty Ten storytellers share funny personal stories about puberty as they compete for first prize of $100, voted on by the audience. 7:30 p.m. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda. 301-654-8664. wapo.st/storyfestpuberty. $10. Ambiguity of Light The group exhibition, a visionary play with light, features photography from Photoworks Coffee and Critique members. Through Jan. 22. Glen Echo Park, Photoworks Gallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. 301-634-2274. glenechophotoworks.org. Free. Cocktails, Lipstick & Jazz exhibit This exhibition of Roaring Twenties memorabilia includes vintage clothing, music and more. Thursday-Sunday at noon-4 p.m., Beall-Dawson House, 103 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville. 301-762-1492. montgomeryhistory.org. $5; seniors, students and active military $3; younger than 6 free. La Vie en Bleu and Crossfade Blue-themed juried exhibition and an abstract group show of emerging Baltimore artists. Through Feb. 19. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100. strathmore.org. Free. Glenview Mansion exhibit Landscape prints, colored pencil abstracts, paintings and more from Eric Westbrook, Dustine Hayes, Leela Payne, David Brosch and Heidi Sheppard. Through Feb. 10. Glenview Mansion, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville. 240-314-8682. rockvillemd.gov. Free. Love & Harmony The mixed-media exhibition features bright and vivid work that captures love and harmony interpretations in nature, relationships, spirituality, hope and transformation. Through Feb. 20. Artists reception Feb. 2. Bohrer Park Activity Center, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394. gaithersburgmd.gov. Free. Overeaters Anonymous meeting Meets weekly at 7:15-8:30 p.m. Call Linda for details. Rockville Church of Christ, 1450 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville. 301-641-9508. oa-dcmetro.org. Free. Friday, Jan. 13 Twelve Angry Men Sandy Spring Theatre Group performs Reginald Roses drama about a jury deliberating a murder trial. Recommended for age 12 and older. Fridays-Saturdays 8 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m. Through Jan. 22, Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Rd., Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394. gaithersburgmd.gov. $20; age 14 and younger $12. Blue Moon Cowgirls The Washington-area country quartet performs with acoustic accompaniment at the Tree of Life Cafe. Free coffee. Food and drink will be available. 8-10:30 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Dr., Rockville. 301-424-4523. mh.holmes@verizon.net. uucr.org. Suggested donation $15; students $10. Potomac After Hours For ages 11-13, an obstacle course, board and carnival games. 9:15-11 p.m. Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Rd., Potomac. 240-777-6956. activemontgomery.org. $5; registration required. Two For the Road opening reception Color photos by Kate Stillwell and black-and-white photos by Wil Scott offer artistic interpretations of people, places and events. Reception Friday 6 p.m. Through Feb. 4. Waverly Street Gallery, 4600 East-West Hwy., Bethesda. 301-951-9441. waverlystreetgallery.com. Free. Amelia Toelke exhibit opening The artist uses jewelry, architectural ornament, and signage in her exhibition of sculpture and installation. Through Feb. 12. VisArts at Rockville, Common Ground Gallery, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. 301-315-8200. visartsatrockville.org. Free. Bethesda Restaurant Week For the next 10 days, some of downtown Bethesdas top restaurants will offer two-course lunch menus for $16 and three-course dinner menus for $36. Sponsored by Bethesda Magazine. Through Jan. 22. Visit the website for participating restaurants. Downtown Bethesda, Wisconsin Avenue and Old Georgetown Road and surrounding areas, Bethesda. 301-718-7787. bethesdamagazine.com. Saturday, Jan. 14 Disneys Beauty and the Beast closing Last weekend to see Imagination Stages live version of the 25-year-old animated musical. Suggested for age 4 and older. Saturday at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m.; Sunday at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. 301-280-1660. imaginationstage.org. $17-$40. Holiday Wonderland The community center welcomes winter and the New Year with Blue Sky Puppet Theatres The Three Not So Little Pigs, arts and crafts, a photo booth and a puppet workshop. Light refreshments. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Jane Lawton Community Center, 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase. 240-777-6855. activemontgomery.org (activity No. 30037). Free. Comedy Shows: Joe Clair & Friends Joe Clair presents two evening shows with Rallo Boykins, Esaw McGraw, Ali Saddiq and music from Sound of the City. 7 and 10 p.m., Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. 240-330-4500. bethesdabluesjazz.com. $30; $25 in advance. National Philharmonic The orchestra performs an all-Bach program featuring soloists Colin Sorgi and Henry Flory on violin and oboist Mark Hill. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100. nationalphilharmonic.org. From $23; kids 7-17 free. Brain Benders For individuals with disabilities ages 14 and older at 10 a.m. and individuals with disabilities ages 7 to 13 at 11 a.m. Fun games will test visual perception, pattern recognition, spatial relations, problem solving, matching and memory skills, and brain teasers. The program offers varying degrees of challenging games. The ratio of staff to participants is 1 to 4. Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Rd., Silver Spring. 240-777-6820. activemontgomery.org. $30 for six sessions. Registration required (course No. 25201 or 25200). Sunday, Jan. 15 Lunar New Year Tet Festival Marylands largest Vietnamese celebration will feature traditional dances, a fashion show, adult and childrens pageants, a raffle, adult karaoke contest, Vietnamese foods and more. Traditional Vietnamese attire suggested. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Northwood High School, 919 W. University Blvd., Silver Spring. 301-588-6862. www.avaus.org. $3, children and seniors $2, younger than 5 free. Widowed Persons Service of Montgomery County John Creel, of Montgomery Countys Office of Consumer Protection, will discuss scams aimed at seniors and offer tips to avoid becoming a victim. Light refreshments will be served. 2-4 p.m. Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda. 240-777-0970. $4 donation requested. Martin Luther King Spirit Experience An interfaith multicultural service will feature excerpts from Dr. Kings writings, interfaith prayers and reflections by area clergy. Music by the Howard University choir. 4 p.m. Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda. 301-493-8300. Freewill offering. Village Jazz Band The ensemble will play the music of Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller and others who created traditional New Orleans style jazz and blues. 4:30 p.m. St. Annes Episcopal Church, 25100 Ridge Rd., Damascus. 301-253-2130. Freewill offering. Monday, Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Ceremony Modern Day Dream is the theme of the 45th annual celebration featuring keynote speaker Gregory E. Bell, supervisor of diversity initiatives for Montgomery County Public Schools who will reflect on how the 1963 I Have a Dream Speech still resonates. Interactive and multicultural performances, recognition of community members who are carrying on his legacy. Reception will follow. 10 a.m. Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Dr., Rockville. 240-314-8316. rockvillemd.gov. Free. The celebration will be broadcast on Rockville 11 at 8 p.m. Wounded Veterans Zumbathon The fourth annual event raises funds for wounded veterans through the Fisher House Foundation of MD. Cash or checks should be made payable to Damascus Senior Center Inc. In the memo, please note For Fisher House Foundation. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Damascus Senior Center, 9701 Main St., Damascus. 240-777-6995. mymcmedia.org. $20 donation requested, or whatever you can afford. Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremony Modern Day Dream is the theme of the 45th annual celebration featuring keynote speaker Gregory E. Bell, supervisor of diversity initiatives for Montgomery County Public Schools, who will reflect on how the 1963 I Have a Dream Speech still resonates. The celebration will include interactive and multicultural performances and recognition of community members who are carrying on Kings legacy. Reception will follow. 10 a.m. Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Dr., Rockville. Free. The celebration will be broadcast on Rockville 11 at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 Dreams and Recollections Works from Alexandria artists Jenny Davis, Tanya Davis, Rachel Kerwin and Marilynn Spindler feature fluid textures, rich colors and a dreamlike quality. Through Jan. 25, Artists & Makers Studios, 11810 Parklawn Dr., Rockville. 240-437-9573. artistsandmakersstudios.com. Free. Afternoon Grief Support Group A six-week group for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Meets Tuesdays at 1:30-3 p.m. Sponsored by Montgomery Hospice. Faith United Methodist Church, 6810 Montrose Rd., Rockville. 301-921-4400. Free; registration required. Wednesday, Jan. 18 Works on Paper closing Local artists Roxie Munro, March Avery, Howard Mehring and others present work in watercolor, lithography, color and ink, gouache, and more. Closes Wednesday. Marin-Price Galleries, 7022 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase. 301-718-0622. marin-pricegalleries.com. Free. PiYo For age 16 and older, instructor Monique Tyes leads a medium-pace yoga and Pilates vinyasa flow. Take a yoga mat. 6-7 p.m. Bauer Drive Community Center, 14625 Bauer Dr., Rockville. fitaddictm@gmail.com. 301-468-4015. activemontgomery.org. $40 for four sessions. Registration required (activity No. 21942). Square dance lessons and dancing Dancers of all experience levels are welcome. Casual dress. Wednesdays at 7:30-9:45 p.m. North Chevy Chase Christian Church, 8814 Kensington Pkwy., Chevy Chase. 301-598-2574. $7. Resonating Objects Margaret Nobles exhibition about the echoes of time includes objects, installations and performances. VisArts at Rockville, Gibbs Street Gallery, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. 301-315-8200. visartsatrockville.org. Free. Thursday, Jan. 19 Friday Morning Music Club concert Between November and May, the Friday Morning Music Club performs classical music by various composers. Thursdays at 11 a.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100. fmmc.org. Free. Compiled by Lisa M. Bolton TO SUBMIT AN EVENT Email: mxliving@washpost.com Fax: 301-279-5665 Mail: Community Calendar, Montgomery Local Living, The Washington Post, 51 Monroe St., Suite 500, Rockville, Md. 20850 Details: Announcements are accepted from public and nonprofit organizations only and must be received at least 14 days before the Thursday publication date. Include dates, times, exact address, prices and a publishable contact phone number. Lois Dickson Rice speaking with her daughter, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, at a Brookings Institution event in 2015. Ms. Rice helped establish the Pell Grant program of federal financial aid for college students. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Lois Dickson Rice, a corporate executive and education policy expert who earned the moniker mother of the Pell Grant for her role in shaping the federal financial aid program that benefits millions of students each year, died Jan. 4 at a hospital in Washington. She was 83. The cause was pneumonia and cancer, said her daughter, National Security Adviser Susan E. Rice. Ms. Rice was an executive with the College Entrance Examination Board, now known as the College Board, when she pushed for the creation of the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant program in 1972. The program, which later was renamed for its legislative sponsor, Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.), annually provides undergraduates with up to several thousand dollars of tuition money as much as $5,920 for the 2017-18 cycle. Ms. Rice worked directly with Pell to design the program and, as vice president of the College Board from 1973 to 1981, lobbied and testified before Congress to ensure that the grants remained intact. This program was not inevitable, and it would not have come into existence without her, nor survived in the decades since without her passionate advocacy, Clay Pell IV, a grandson of Pell and former deputy assistant secretary in the federal Education Department, said in a statement. Lois Dickson Rice, her daughter Susan Rice and then-Sen. Barack Obama at a Brookings Institution event in 2006. (Ralph Alswang/Brookings Institution) Beginning in 1992, Ms. Rice was a guest scholar at the Brookings Institution, where she led studies on federal higher-education policies and oversaw an initiative to promote racial diversity at public policy organizations. Ms. Rice served on the boards of the tire and rubber company Firestone, the publisher McGraw-Hill and the supercomputer firm Control Data Corp., among many other corporations and nonprofit organizations. She was also a trustee of the Urban Institute and the federally funded Center for Naval Analyses, and under President Bill Clinton was a member of what was then called the Presidents Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Lois Dickson was born in Portland, Maine, on Feb. 28, 1933. Her father, a janitor, and mother, a maid, were Jamaican immigrants who did not graduate from high school but instilled in her an appreciation for the transformative power of higher education, her daughter said in a phone interview. Ms. Rice earned a bachelors degree in history and literature from Radcliffe College in 1954. She directed counseling services at the National Scholarship Service and Fund for Negro Students before joining the College Board in 1959. Her first marriage, to economist Emmett J. Rice, who later served on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, ended in divorce. She married Alfred B. Fitt, general counsel to the Congressional Budget Office, in 1978. He died in 1992. Survivors include two children from her first marriage, Susan Rice of Washington and E. John Rice Jr., who leads the nonprofit Management Leadership for Tomorrow, of Bethesda, Md.; four stepchildren, Craig Fitt of New York, Anne Fitt of Wake, Va., Ben Fitt of Buffalo and Cate Fitt of Richmond; and four grandchildren. Thursday, Jan. 12 Not for Glory: Manassas Veterans and the Wars in Iraq and AfghanistanThis exhibit, produced in partnership with the Freedom Museum, uses first-person narratives to tell the stories of local veterans who served in the countrys most recent conflicts. Through Feb. 19. Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas. 703-368-1873. manassasmuseum.org. Free. Off the Wall The annual Prince William County student exhibition is sponsored by Lockheed Martin. Through Jan. 20. Center for the Arts, Caton Merchant Family Gallery, 9419 Battle St., Manassas. 703-330-2787. center-for-the-arts.org. Free. Out of the Classroom, Into the Hall An exhibit of paintings from Creative Brush Studio students. Through Jan. 27. Manassas City Hall, 9027 Center St., Manassas. 703-257-8200. Free. Turning Over A New Leaf An exhibit of colored pencil drawings by David Cochran of Alexandria and jewelry by Tyler Kulenguski of Annandale. Through Feb. 6. Artists Undertaking, 309 Mill St., Occoquan. 703-494-0584. theartistsundertaking.com. Free. Friday, Jan. 13 American Legion dinner The public is invited to dinner with a different special every week. Proceeds support local veterans and the community. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Woodbridge American Legion, 3640 Friendly Post Lane, Woodbridge. 703-494-4304. vapost364.org. $5-$15. Saturday, Jan. 14 Affordable health-care application help Health Care Navigators from Enroll Virginia help attendees complete Affordable Care Act applications. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge. 703-792-8330. Free. Home buyer seminar Presented by local real estate broker Bob Hummer. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Strayer University, 13385 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge. 703-878-4866. www.military-realestate.com. Free. Family Day Explore Marine history from 1775 to today. Make an origami character, try on uniforms and examine historical equipment. Noon-3 p.m. National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Triangle. 877-635-1775. usmcmuseum.com. Free. Fearless You: Teen Girls Vision Board A workshop for girls ages 10-17 focused on goal-setting and the power of action. Lunch may be ordered from the venues menu. Noon-3 p.m. Blu 1681, 13188 Marina Way, Woodbridge. 703-586-3399. fearlessteenvisionboard.eventbrite.com. $18, registration required. Preschool fair Sponsored by Lake Ridge Moms Club. Representatives from community, public and private preschools will answer questions. 1-3 p.m. Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge. 703-792-4800. Free. Mulan, Jr. Center for the Arts Pied Piper Theatre performs Disneys musical. 2 and 7 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas. 703-993-7759. hyltoncenter.org. $20; age 12 and younger $15. Sunday, Jan. 15 Dale City farmers market 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dale City Commuter Lot (behind Center Plaza Shopping Center), Dale Boulevard, Dale City. 703-670-7112 ext. 227. pwcparks.org. Free. Catharpin Run stream monitoring Join certified monitor Elaine Wilson and her team to monitor the water quality in the Gainesville area. Sponsored by the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District. Noon-2:30 p.m. James S. Long Park, 4603 James Madison Hwy., Haymarket. 571-330-7422. elaine.wilson@dcwater.com. pwswcd.org. Registration required. Author Chris Mackowski A discussion of his book Hell Itself: The Battle of the Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864. 1:30 p.m. Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas. 703-368-1873. manassasmuseum.org. Free. Bingo Proceeds support local veterans. On Sundays, doors open at noon, games begin at 2 p.m. On Mondays, doors open at 5:15 p.m., games begin at 7:15 p.m. Woodbridge American Legion, 3640 Friendly Post Lane, Woodbridge. 703-494-4304. $15 minimum. Monday, Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest Middle and high school student finalists present their speeches. Sponsored by the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 11 a.m. Hylton Memorial Chapel, 14640 Potomac Mills Rd., Woodbridge. 703-590-0076. pwcacdst.org. Free. Job-search network group Discussion of various topics related to the search process. 1-3 p.m. House of Mercy, 8170 Flannery Ct., Manassas. 703-659-1636. Free. Bingo Proceeds support Dale City Knights of Columbus activities and charities. Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7:30 p.m. VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Rd., Dale City. 703-491-2378. $9 minimum. Lake Jackson Mid County Lions Club meeting 6:30 p.m. Great American Steak and Buffet, 8365 Sudley Rd., Manassas. 703-369-6791. Free. Tuesday, Jan. 17 Friends of Leesylvania Park Regular meeting, new members welcome. The group raises money and supports park programs such as the Junior Rangers, free kids fishing tournaments and Haunted History hikes. 7:30 p.m. Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge. friendsofleesylvania@gmail.com. 703-583-6904. Wednesday, Jan. 18 Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club Members 18 and older develop their public speaking and leadership skills. 7:30-9:15 p.m. Tall Oaks Community Center, 12298 Cotton Mill Dr., Lake Ridge. 703-491-3020. contact-8913@toastmastersclubs.org. lakeridge.toastmastersclubs.org. $34-$64 membership fee. Compiled by Sarah Lane To submit an event Email: pwliving@washpost.com Fax: 703-392-1406 Details: Announcements are accepted on a space-available basis from public and nonprofit organizations only and must be received at least 14 days before the Thursday publication date. Include event name, dates, times, exact address, prices and a publishable contact phone number. The District government has agreed to pay about $1 million to settle a federal class-action lawsuit brought by homeowners to stop tax-lien investors from taking homes in the city through foreclosure, attorneys for both sides said. In a proposed settlement made public in court Tuesday, the District agreed to pay up to 65 percent of a propertys assessed value to homeowners or surviving relatives whose residences were taken by an often-abusive tax-collection system in which even small tax debts triggered property sales, said class attorney Bill Isaacson of the Boies, Schiller & Flexner law firm. [The Washington Post 2013 series: Homes for the taking] The agreement calls for average payments of tens of thousands of dollars each to 21 known class members, 13 of whom have been found, Isaacson said, including lead plaintiff Bennie Coleman, an 81-year-old veteran who lost his home over a $134 bill. Owners of blighted properties who did not reside in the homes that were sold would receive 35 percent of assessed value. It is a pretty momentous occasion . . . especially for those affected, said U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, who would need to approve the expected motion to settle the case. Officials in the office of D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine (D) confirmed the deal and said it is expected that Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) will sign off on it. Her approval is needed because the settlement exceeds $1 million. The lawsuit was brought after a 2013 Washington Post investigation identified problems in a city program that imposed liens on properties when homeowners failed to pay their tax bills. The liens then were sold at public auctions to private investors who drew a profit by charging owners interest on top of the tax debt until the money was repaid. The Post found that some investors also demanded thousands in fees from homeowners that far exceeded the owners original tax debts and then took homes when owners couldnt pay. About 500 properties were lost since 2005, The Post found, most in the citys poorest neighborhoods and about one-third from owners who owed less than $1,000. [Left with nothing: How you could lose your home] It was tough on my mother and our family when she lost her home . . . but we are pleased to get this settlement to help others in the same situation, Wendell Robinson, son of Jean Robinson, whose estate is a plaintiff, said in a statement. Robert Bunn, the court-appointed conservator and guardian for Coleman, said the settlement will help him and others live out their lives in peace. Were also grateful that the D.C. Council took action to make sure that this injustice does not happen again. Coleman stands to receive $70,000 to $125,000 from the settlement, based on his homes $197,000 value and proposed sliding scale set by the agreement. Isaacson, working pro bono, said it was an unconstitutional abuse of power for the government to allow investors to strip owners of all of the equity in their homes over small tax debts, particularly owners incapable of caring for themselves, such as Coleman, who has severe dementia. When individual cases were identified, problems would be resolved, Isaacson said, but advocates had difficulty tracking down the bigger pool of people affected. We never had anybody to sue for, and the [Post] articles found people who had fallen through the cracks, Isaacson said. This is what the press does well, what groups like Legal Counsel for the Elderly do well, and every once in a while, private lawyers help. Then-D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) stopped some home sales, and in 2014, the D.C. Council amended the law to give property owners with unpaid tax bills various protections for at least some of their equity. Now, any money left over from a property sale after the collection of costs such as back taxes, interest and fees must go to the individuals displaced. As those changes were being made by elected officials, attorneys for the city fought the long-running suit brought by owners who had lost properties, arguing the owners gave up their constitutional rights when they failed to pay their tax debts on time. Legal analysts had said the case raised interesting legal questions about city and state programs that shift responsibility for recovering unpaid property taxes to private investors. [Citing abuses, federal lawmakers call for examination of tax-lien programs nationwide] The settlement leaves open those questions. but Isaacson said he felt the clock ticking to get payments on behalf of many plaintiffs who were elderly or in failing health. I dont want to litigate this issue for years and give the money to a bunch of estates, Isaacson said. Coleman, a retired Marine sergeant, forgot to pay a $134 tax bill on a duplex in Northeast Washington in 2006, prompting the city to sell a lien to an investor. The purchaser eventually demanded $4,999 in legal fees and court costs, and in 2011, after Coleman couldnt pay, armed U.S. marshals ordered him off the property. Coleman then spent months dwelling on the front porch of his former home, telling neighbors that he had been locked out and flagging down passing police cars and firetrucks. Retired Marine Gen. James Cartwright arriving at U.S. District Court in Washington on Oct. 17 for his guilty plea. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) U.S. prosecutors are asking for a two-year prison sentence for a retired four-star Marine Corps general who served as the nations second-ranking military officer and who pleaded guilty in October to a felony count of lying to the FBI in a classified leak investigation. James E. Hoss Cartwright, who was vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before he retired in 2011, admitted to falsely telling investigators he did not confirm classified information to reporters writing about the Stuxnet computer worm and a covert U.S.-Israeli cyberattack on Irans nuclear program. [Leak investigation stalls amid fears of confirming U.S.-Israel operation] In the governments sentencing request Tuesday to U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon of Washington, prosecutor Leo J. Wise cited the need for deterrence. This was not a mistake or an error in judgment, wrote Wise, who handled the case with U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein of Maryland at the request of then-Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. Those entrusted with highly sensitive classified information . . . must understand that disclosing such information to persons not authorized to receive it has severe consequences, Wise wrote. Cartwright, 67, requested probation, and included letters seeking to help him avoid prison from two journalists whose interviews formed the basis of charges, from the former executive editor of The Washington Post, and from a bipartisan group of current and former senior government officials, members of Congress and military leaders. The false-statements charge against Cartwright carries a maximum prison term of five years. Cartwright has also filed a pardon request with the Justice Department. Cartwright was to be sentenced Jan. 17, but Leon last week postponed it to Jan. 31, after the Obama administration leaves office. In his contacts and communications with American journalists, General Cartwright was motivated by a desire to save secrets, not to disclose them, wrote Cartwrights attorneys, Gregory B. Craig and Clifford M. Sloan. To add incarceration to the injury and humiliation that he has already suffered would result in gross sentencing disparities with other cases, they said. In his letter to the sentencing court dated Dec. 16, New York Times reporter David E. Sanger said he already had a detailed understanding of events when, near the end of his reporting, he was advised by the White House to contact Cartwright for a June 2012 article and for his book, Confront and Conceal, which detailed the development of the U.S. cyber-campaign against Iran. Throughout the interview, [General Cartwright] consistently showed his concern that information damaging to U.S. interests not be made public, Sanger wrote in his letter to the court. . . . I have no doubt he was trying to act in the best interests of the United States. Cartwrights attorneys also submitted a letter under seal from the other reporter who spoke with the retired general, Newsweek correspondent Daniel Klaidman, now with Yahoo. As part of the larger set of supporting letters, Leonard Downie Jr., executive editor of The Washington Post from 1991 to 2008, wrote that it has been common practice for The Post, the New York Times and other responsible news outlets to consult with officials before publishing classified information obtained elsewhere, drawing a distinction from the WikiLeaks posting of 92,000 government and military documents in their raw form in 2010. Prosecuting officials for engaging in these discussions would greatly increase the risk of harm to national security by leaving journalists less knowledgeable about the potential risk in publishing the information they possess, Downie wrote. In a statement after his Oct. 17 plea, Cartwright denied being the source of the stories but accepted full responsibility for misleading the FBI in a voluntary interview on Nov. 2, 2012. His attorneys said he corrected his statements within days. [Justice Department targets general in leak probe] Prosecutors gave new details of the interview, saying Cartwright apparently had an attack of conscience and blacked out when confronted with email exchanges that indicated he had lied to investigators about not providing classified information to Klaidman, and when he said Sanger approached him through his office instead of directly. Cartwright was taken to a hospital where he stayed overnight. Quoting an FBI investigative report, prosecutors wrote that after reading the emails, Cartwright explained that he did not recall Klaidman asking about the matter, but then stated, I think I divulged classified information. He additionally took off his glasses, started rubbing his eyes, and told interviewing agents, you got me. Scanning an exchange with Sanger, they added, Cartwright was shaking, losing color in his face, and clearing his throat. Cartwright attempted to explain the email; however, his speech became slurred and he subsequently slumped over in this chair and lost consciousness. Cartwrights sentencing is likely to stir controversy whatever his punishment. First Amendment and whistleblower groups said the Obama administration was continuing a crackdown on disclosures of sensitive details that has led to more than twice as many prosecutions for leaking than during the tenure of all of his predecessors combined. Other observers who work with government technical experts saw the felony prosecution of Cartwright once known as Obamas favorite general as a rebuttal to critics who accused the administration of going easy on politically influential officials. Those critics cited the 2015 misdemeanor plea deal for ex-CIA director and retired Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, who admitted mishandling classified information in materials he shared with his former mistress and biographer. [How David Petraeus avoided felony charges and possible prison time] Petraeus also had admitted lying to the FBI but was not charged with that offense. He was sentenced to two years of probation and a $100,000 fine. Construction is underway at the Capitol for the inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies for President-elect Donald Trump. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press) While Donald Trump is being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20, David Harris will be with his wife on Easter Island, a remote Polynesian isle possessed by Chile. There will be no cellphone service. No easy access to Internet. No way for him to follow what is going on more than 5,000 miles away in the nations capital. We found it attractive to be on the most isolated, uninhabited island in the world, said Harris, 47, a former Democratic political operative turned small-business owner who lives in Cleveland Park. I dont have to participate in the pageantry of that day. D.C. residents have a front-row seat to inaugurations every four years. But in a city where 76 percent of the registered voters are Democrats, that prime seat can be rebuffed when a Republican president is elected particularly, it seems, when the president being sworn in is Trump. Just 4 percent of D.C. voters selected Trump on their ballots, lower than his share in any state. By comparison, about 9 percent of D.C. residents voted for George W. Bush in 2000. Residents who are still reeling from Trumps unexpected victory and who have some extra cash to burn are fleeing the nations capital so they dont have to witness the history they never wanted to happen. And with D.C. Public Schools closed that Thursday and Friday, many families are using the long weekend for a vacation. David Nemeth, an electrical engineer who lives in the District, is traveling with his wife and two children to Chicago to see the musical Hamilton. Nemeth said they know another D.C. family that will make the same trip. They all made their plans a few days after the election after seeing a special offer for the theater tickets. [President Trump, dont count on a visit from the welcome wagon.] It wasnt so much that we lost, it was that the election was so nasty and the rhetoric was so nasty, Nemeth said. So to have that victory lap right in front of me felt really egregious, kind of like rubbing salt in the wound. Nemeth said hes had more time to process the election, and had he waited a few more weeks before booking the plane tickets, he would have considered sticking around to attend the Womens March on Washington the day after inauguration. But, he said, hes still glad hes going and views it as a fun family vacation. I definitely understand peoples right to come here, he said. And thats why Im leaving. Not all D.C. residents plan to skip inauguration. Following tradition, the Districts top local government official, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), has said she plans to attend. She met with Trump privately after the election and said she left with an optimistic message for the citys residents. The one thing I know emphatically that he said is that he is a supporter of the District of Columbia, hes familiar with the District of Columbia and he wants to be supportive, Bowser said after the meeting. Still the mere possibility of a new D.C. ally in the White House isnt enough to sway some locals to stay. On the day after the election, Tim Krepp, a tour guide who lives on Capitol Hill with his family, took to Facebook to say that he was thinking of taking the train to New York for the weekend and asked whether anyone else wanted to coordinate a trip with him. On inauguration weekend, Krepp and three other D.C. families will be sharing four hotel rooms in Manhattan. Krepp said he hates the crowds that inaugurations bring, no matter the political affiliation of who is being sworn in. But, he said, had Hillary Clinton won, his wife and daughters would have likely wanted to stay in D.C. to see the first female president sworn in. To put it mildly, it has been an emotional event for a lot of people here, and we dont want to watch him sworn in, he said. Krepp quipped that at the moment Trump is sworn in, hes considering going to New York Citys Tenement Museum. [Trump is a D.C. supporter, mayor says after meeting with president-elect] Kate Niehaus, 43, an aviation consultant who lives in Arlington with her husband and children, is flying solo to New Zealand to visit her younger sister. She visits her sister there occasionally, and after Trump clinched his victory, she thought inauguration weekend would be a convenient time to go. Niehaus, who described herself as not super-partisan, attended George W. Bushs second inauguration and Barack Obamas first one in 2009. She said that ever since the Access Hollywood tape leaked of Trump making lewd remarks about women, she cant stomach the thought of him as president. I cant believe he is going to be sworn in, Niehaus said. Its disgusting, and I dont want to watch it. For Chrissie Hendrickson, the decision to travel that weekend was practical, not political. Her office in downtown D.C. is closed Friday, Jan. 20, for the inauguration, presenting an opportunity for her to travel to New Orleans with friends for a warm weekend. And, she said, she wants to avoid the chaos that comes with the city hosting inauguration. I wanted to be out of here, she said. Its less about personal views and more just knowing there will be a lot of crowds, protests and mayhem. But even the most ardent Trump detractors escaping the District to avoid the inauguration will have to eventually face that Trump is the White Houses new occupant. For a minute, we can go away, look at pretty scenery, and then come back and deal with reality, Harris said. Thursday, Jan. 12 Sea Squirts program: Wacky Weather Drop-in program for ages 18 months to 3 years. 10-10:30 a.m. Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 Solomons Island Rd., Solomons. 410-326-2042 or calvertmarinemuseum.com. Free. Friday, Jan. 13 American Legion ham and oyster dinner Hosted by Sons of the American Legion Stallings Williams Post 206. 5:30-7 p.m. American Legion Post 206, 3330 N. Chesapeake Beach Rd., Chesapeake Beach. 301-855-6466 or alpost206.org. $12. Saturday, Jan. 14 Asbury Solomons yard sale Includes Bettys Closet, with gently used clothing and accessories. Proceeds benefit the communitys Benevolent Care Fund. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Asbury Solomons community, 11100 Asbury Cir., Solomons. 410-394-3466. Calvert Artists Guild workshop Acrylic painting, with a focus on composition, given by Pamela Callen. Bring brushes, paper and acrylic paints. Some supplies available. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mount Hope Community Center, 104 Pushaw Station Rd., Sunderland. 301-863-9663 or gbwood2@verizon.net. $45, members $35. Calvert Marine Museum: Unplugged Leave your electronic devices behind and reconnect with family and friends. Classic games include checkers and jacks. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 Solomons Island Rd., Solomons. 410-326-2042, ciminita@co.cal.md.us or calvertmarinemuseum.com. Free with admission: $9 adults, $7 age 55 and older, military and AAA members, $4 ages 5-12, free for members and children under 5. Solomons dog and cat adoption event St. Marys and Calvert County animal rescue groups will be on hand. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Peppers Pet Pantry, 13372 H.G. Trueman Rd., Solomons. 410-326-4006 or pepperspetpantry.com. CalArt artists reception Meet artist Suzanne Sheldon and view her series on Route 4. The exhibition runs through Feb. 5 and features landscapes of Route 4, then and now. Reception snow date is Jan. 21. 2-6 p.m. CalvART Gallery, 110 Solomons Island Rd., Prince Frederick. 410-535-9252, suzanne@sheldonstudios.com or calvartgallery.org. Free. Contra dance Caller Greg Frock and Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance host this square dance party. People of all skill levels are welcome. 7-10 p.m. Christ Episcopal Church, 37497 Zach Fowler Rd., Chaptico. 301-884-3451 or smtmd.org. $10. American Legion country dance Lessons at 7 p.m. dancing 8 p.m.-midnight. American Legion Post 206, 3330 N. Chesapeake Beach Rd., Chesapeake Beach. 301-855-6466, lbloyer@verion.net or alpost206.org. $15. Includes soft drinks or draft beer and light snacks. Sunday, Jan. 15 American Legion bluegrass series Music from the Lonesome River Band, plus dinner, a raffle and door prizes. 2 p.m. American Legion Post 238, 6265 Brandywine Rd., Hughesville. 301-737-3004 or americanlegionabluegrass.com. $20, age 12 and younger free. Family skate night 2-5 p.m. Leonard Hall Recreation Center, 23145 Leonard Hall Dr., Leonardtown. 301-475-4200, Ext. *1800. $5, skate rental $2.50. Monday, Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Marine Museum Discussion on life in the United States during desegregation. African American highlight tours at 2 and 3 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 Solomons Island Rd., Solomons. 410-326-2042 or calvertmarinemuseum.com. Free with admission to the museum. Adults $9, seniors, military and AAA members $7, ages 5-12 $4, ages 5 and younger and members free. Martin Luther King, Jr. prayer breakfast Includes keynote speaker and a day of service. Breakfast 6:30 a.m., program 8 a.m., day of service program 10 a.m. St. Marys College of Maryland, 47645 College Dr., St. Mary's City. 240-895-4310 or events@smcm.edu. smcm.edu. Breakfast $10. Tuesday, Jan. 17 Library iPhone and iPad class For beginners to age 16 and older. Learn the basics of settings, downloading and borrowing books from the library. 2-4 p.m. Charlotte Hall Library, 37600 New Market Rd., Charlotte Hall. 301-884-2211 or stmalib.org. Free; registration required. American Legion steak dinner Includes sides, drink and roll. 5:30-7 p.m. American Legion Post 206, 3330 N. Chesapeake Beach Rd., Chesapeake Beach. 301-855-6466 or alpost206.org. $15. Wednesday, Jan. 18 Computer classes Age 16 and older. Introduction to computers and Windows 7. Parts 1 and 2 in a four-part series. 2-4 p.m. Lexington Park Library, 21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park. 301-863-8188 or stmalib.org. Free; registration required. Thursday, Jan. 19 Waldorf National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association meeting Chapter 1972. 12:30 p.m. Mid-Atlantic Seafood Restaurant, 3331 Plaza Way, Waldorf. 301-645-3077. Free. Calvert County National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association meeting Chapter 1466. Includes a presentation from Mark Trice of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on the health of the Chesapeake Bay. 1-2 p.m. Calvert Pines Senior Center, 450 W. Dares Beach Rd., Prince Frederick. 410-610-8069, narfe1466@gmail.com or narfe.org. Free. St. Marys public schools annual tech expo Parents and students can learn about career options, meet staff members of the Forrest Center and learn about available programs. Inclement weather date is Jan. 25. 5:30-8 p.m. Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center, 24005 Point Lookout Rd., Leonardtown. 301-475-0242. Free. Understanding Fake News Information expert Ryan OGrady will discuss debunking myths in the news. 7 p.m. Calvert Library, 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862 or calvert.lib.md.us. Free. Compiled by Bonnie Smith To submit an event Email: smliving@washpost.com Details: Announcements are accepted from public and nonprofit organizations only and must be received at least 14 days before the Thursday publication date. Include dates, times, address, prices and a publishable contact phone number. One person died in the January 2015 Metro incident in a tunnel outside the LEnfant Plaza Metro station after scores of riders were trapped aboard a train as it filled with smoke. One person died in the January 2015 Metro incident in a tunnel outside the LEnfant Plaza Metro station after scores of riders were trapped aboard a train as it filled with smoke. One person died in the January 2015 Metro incident in a tunnel outside the LEnfant Plaza Metro station after scores of riders were trapped aboard a train as it filled with smoke. Nearly two years after a deadly smoke incident at LEnfant Plaza, Metro is taking legal action against the D.C. fire department, arguing that emergency responders were largely to blame for the tragic results of the Yellow Line calamity, which resulted in the death of a rider. The allegations are laid out in documents filed Monday in U.S. District Court in response to a civil suit filed against Metro and the District by dozens of passengers who suffered injuries while stuck inside the smoke-filled tunnel Jan. 12, 2015. The family of 61-year-old Carol Glover, who died of smoke-related respiratory failure in the episode, is among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. On Monday, attorneys for Metro sought to have the suit dismissed, arguing that the agency has legal immunity because of its role in providing a public service. But in a cross-claim filed simultaneously, the transit agencys attorneys also argue that most of the casualties occurred because of the chaotic and ineffective response by firefighters and other emergency responders and that Metro bears no role in evacuating or assisting passengers in an emergency situation. If Metro is found responsible for Glovers death or any of the injuries suffered by other riders, they said, the city should help pay the victims. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) called a news conference late Tuesday at a fire station across the street from Metro headquarters presumably to respond to Metros allegations. But after making reporters wait more than 30 minutes, Bowser declined to comment on the litigation or answer questions about the citys relationship with Metro. (Saleh Damiger/YouTube) Instead, Bowser said simply that she has confidence in the Fire and EMS Departments ability to handle emergencies. It was my belief then and it is now that our firefighters ran into harms way to make sure that they served and saved people and but for their actions, we dont even know what the severity of that incident could have been, she said. The D.C. Firefighters Association released a statement late Tuesday that called Metros accusations outlandish. Although the [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority] is quick to blame the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department, the confession in their cross-claim that should be most alarming to everyone that rides Metro is: Metro expressly denies that it owes a duty to WMATAs passengers to assist, rescue and/or evacuate passengers on Metrorail trains in the event of a fire-emergency situation, the union said. It is most unfortunate WMATA continues to play the blame game, failing to take responsibility for incidents occurring on their public transportation system that have ended in tragedy, the statement said. [What Metro train operator heard in tunnel: Yelling, screaming, kicking and banging] In its cross-claim, Metro asserts that emergency response officials failed to follow proper protocol as the incident unfolded, sending a battalion commander to the scene who was unfamiliar with Metros underground tunnel network and lacked requisite training. That battalion commander, they said, did not establish a unified command procedure to communicate with officials from Metro and Metro Transit Police a step that Metros lawyers say would have allowed him to quickly realize the magnitude of the disaster unfolding. Instead, the legal document says, D.C. Fire and EMS officials did not immediately understand that there were people trapped inside the immobile train and that the tunnel was quickly filling with smoke. Emergency responders delayed [their] response, resulting in a substantially longer exposure to smoke by passengers on Train 302, thereby exacerbating the nature and extent of each passengers injuries, Metro alleges. The lawsuit piggybacks on findings included in the National Transportation Safety Boards report on the incident, which was released last year. In the report, federal investigators concluded that communications between the Districts incident commander and Metro officials were delayed and inefficient. And they said D.C. Fire and EMS was unprepared to respond to a mass casualty event on the WMATA underground system. The NTSB also concluded that it took at least 15 minutes from the time that Metro first reported smoke for transit officials to call the fire department and request emergency responders. According to the NTSB, the event unfolded as follows: An electrical malfunction involving defective power cables generated a mass of smoke on tunnel tracks just south of the LEnfant Plaza station. A Pentagon-bound train encountered the smoke and stopped. Lacking sufficient electrical power the power had been cut and the cables burned the train could not back up. Because of confusion among poorly trained controllers in Metros rail operations center and a lack of published guidelines, the crisis rapidly grew worse. Controllers botched the remote operation of ventilation fans in the tunnel, pushing noxious fumes toward the train instead of away from it. And because of Metros 15-minute delay in summoning firefighters, riders were stuck on the train for more than 35 minutes, fighting for air. [Communication breakdowns undercut response in deadly Metro incident] D.C. Fire Chief Gregory Dean, who attended the news conference with Bowser, said his department has made significant strides in improving communication and coordination with Metro in the two years since the calamity including training more than 1,000 emergency responders in Metros tunnels and posting a fire department official in Metros operations control center round-the-clock. Some of those improvements have been guided by the findings in the NTSB report, he acknowledged. Were trying to learn from that as much as possible. We took their findings, and were trying to put them into action currently, Dean said. As for Metros assertions in the lawsuit, he said, that was their opinion. We have our opinion. We think we have a great fire department. We think our people are well-trained and ready to go, and well continue to improve on that. Metros court filing also places blame on the District for problems with underground radio communications that were highlighted by the NTSB. The Districts emergency radio system was not functioning inside the tunnel. In the days before the smoke incident, the District delayed providing access to this site for WMATAs technicians because . . . it was not convenient, Metro wrote. But if the Districts battalion commander had coordinated with Metro officials, they would have been able to use the working Metro Transit Police radios to communicate with emergency responders inside the tunnel, Metro said. Instead, the commander used messengers running in and out of the tunnel to relay information, which the transit agency said wasted precious time. The communication gap also prolonged the process of shutting down the electrified third rail so that passengers could be evacuated, Metro said. The cross-claim alleges that the commander appeared to willfully ignore information coming from Metro about the fact that people were stuck inside the train in an increasingly perilous situation. The Metro Transit Police Deputy Chief tried to communicate this critical piece of information to the Incident Commander several times, and each time the Incident Commander rolled up his vehicle window and drove off instead of engaging a fellow agency senior official, Metros attorneys wrote. In total, the cross-claim alleges 10 counts of indemnity and contribution to the incident based on negligence. Metro wants the District to be held financially responsible for any damages that are awarded to the LEnfant Plaza victims. Metro also wants a lawsuit filed by Glovers family and the surviving victims dismissed. The agencys attorneys argue that critical decisions made before, during and after the crisis about tunnel fan ventilation systems, about the electrified third rail and about radio equipment were difficult choices that were fraught with public policy considerations that should grant Metro immunity. These were governmental decisions of a discretionary variety that are entitled to immunity protection, Metro said in the motion to dismiss. Patrick Regan, an attorney for Glovers family and other passengers in the lawsuit, declined to comment on the specifics of Metros filing but said he is fully confident that Metro will be held legally responsible for not only the death of Carol Glover, but also the injuries they caused to all the other passengers. In a statement, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel declined to comment on the agencys cross-claim and motion to dismiss, but he said that both Metro and the District have taken significant steps to prevent such a tragedy in the future. With regard to emergency response, a function on which Metro relies on the jurisdictions, riders are safer today as a result of Mayor Bowsers efforts since the incident to improve training, interagency coordination, and fire department radio testing in the District of Columbia, Stessel said. The District is expected to file its own motion to dismiss the case in the coming weeks. RICHMOND Yes, its true that Virginias statehouse served as the capitol of a hostile breakaway confederacy that enslaved other humans and engaged in a bloody war with the United States. But until Thursday, that was the only thing the federal government officially recognized as historic about the Virginia State Capitol. And as any Virginian can tell you, at great length, theres a whole lot more. The feds are finally onboard with that, as the National Park Service has changed the State Capitols designation as a National Historic Landmark. Now the Capitol is recognized for the full sweep of its historical and architectural significance, which goes far beyond one of the darkest periods in U.S. history. To wit: It was designed by Thomas Jefferson (with the help of French architect Charles Louis Clerisseau). Inspired by the symmetrical beauty of a Roman temple in France, the building ushered in the whole era of Neoclassical construction in American monumental buildings (youre welcome, Washingtonians). The cornerstone was laid in 1785, with Gov. Patrick Give me liberty, or give me death Henry in attendance. Its walls have seen the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791 and the treason trial of former vice president Aaron Burr in 1807, presided over by Chief Justice John Marshall. Yes, Robert E. Lee assumed command of Virginias Confederate forces there, and Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the Confederate States. But the building was also the site of the swearing in of L. Douglas Wilder in 1990 as the first African American elected governor of any state. The Confederate historic designation was awarded in 1960, when the country was poised to observe the centennial of the outbreak of the Civil War. Virginia had tried several times since then to have its recognition changed, without success. So while the official change seems like semantics the Park Service now designates the site as the Virginia State Capitol instead of as the Capitol of the Confederacy it means a lot to a state trying to wrestle with the weight of its past. As legislators convened in the building Wednesday for the 2017 session of the General Assembly, they were fond of noting that they are part of the oldest deliberative body in America heirs to the House of Burgesses, which formed in Jamestown in 1619. State leaders were pleased that the change in national landmark status comes before 2019, the legislatures 400th anniversary. One of the nations largest drug distributors has agreed to pay $44 million in fines to resolve allegations that it failed to alert the Drug Enforcement Administration to suspicious orders of powerful narcotics by pharmacies in Florida, Maryland and New York. The agreement on monetary penalties comes more than four years after the DEA reached an administrative settlement with the mammoth drug wholesaler Cardinal Health over alleged misconduct at its Lakeland, Fla., drug distribution warehouse. Officials have said that the company and the Justice Department have been negotiating the fine since the May 2012 settlement was reached. These agreements allow us to move forward and continue to focus on working with all participants addressing the epidemic of prescription drug abuse, Craig Morford, Cardinals chief legal and compliance officer, said in a Dec. 23 news release. [How drugs intended for pain patients ended up in the wrong hands] Under federal law, narcotics distributors must alert the DEA when they see evidence of suspicious orders by their customers, which include retail drugstores, hospitals, nursing homes and other places where opioids are dispensed. The system is designed to combat diversion of legal narcotics from those places to the black market. Under the settlement, Cardinal acknowledged that between 2009 and 2012 it did not comply with some of those reporting requirements in Florida and Maryland. A subsidiary of the company acknowledged the same violations between 2011 and 2012 in New York City. The deal also resolves an investigation in Washington state into whether Cardinal kept adequate records on painkillers there. The company did not admit to those allegations but agreed to settle them anyway. In 2008, Cardinal paid a $34 million penalty to settle similar allegations at seven warehouses around the United States. Under the 2012 administrative settlement, Cardinals DEA license to distribute narcotics from the Lakeland warehouse was suspended for two years. More than 16,000 people died of overdoses of prescription opioids, including methadone, in 2015, and more than 180,000 have perished since 2000. Cardinal, one of the three major drug distributors in the United States, is ranked 21st on the Fortune 500 list of top U.S. companies, with more than $102 billion in annual revenue last year. Publicly disclosed fines against distributors for similar violations have been as high as $150 million. In October, The Washington Post reported that beginning in 2013, the DEA significantly slowed enforcement actions against major distributors despite the growing opioid epidemic and the surge in overdose deaths. Members of Jordans Muslim Brotherhood protest the Islamic State and carry a banner with pictures of police officers killed by the Islamic State, in Amman, Jordan, on Dec. 23. (Jamal Nasrallah/European Pressphoto Agency) U.S. lawmakers have introduced a measure calling for the Muslim Brotherhood, one of the oldest Islamist organizations in the Middle East, to be designated a foreign terrorist organization, and for the first time in recent years they are optimistic it will get signed into law. The Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, introduced this week by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) in both chambers of Congress, advocates for the designation on the grounds that the Muslim Brotherhood espouses a violent Islamist ideology with a mission of destroying the West. It marks the fifth straight year that lawmakers have introduced legislation to this effect. Previous administrations as well as counterterrorism analysts and political scientists who study the Brotherhood have not viewed the group, which has held elected political offices across the Middle East, as a threat, preferring to engage it diplomatically. President-elect Donald Trump, his supporters say, sees things differently. Jordanians protest against the Islamic State after Friday prayers in Amman, Jordan, on Dec. 23. (Jamal Nasrallah/European Pressphoto Agency) Trumps nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, the person who would make such a designation, on Wednesday referred to the Muslim Brotherhood as an adversary during his confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but he stopped short of calling for a terrorist designation. Tillerson said the incoming administrations top priority in the Middle East must be defeating the Islamic State, which has been implicated in the murders of thousands of people, but he suggested the Muslim Brotherhood would come next. The demise of ISIS will also allow us to increase our attention on other agents of radical Islam, like al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood and certain elements within Iran, Tillerson said. ISIS is another name for the Islamic State. If the Trump administration adds the Muslim Brotherhood, it would mark the first time that the U.S. government has pursued the terrorist designation on ideological grounds, analysts say. It is also likely to have a far-reaching impact on American Muslims at a time when Muslim community leaders say the religious minority is facing the worst harassment it has seen since the aftermath of 9/11. Proponents of the measure, including members of Trumps incoming administration, have long used the Muslim Brotherhood label as shorthand for Muslim organizations, politicians and government officials with whom they disagree, and civil rights advocates fear those allegations could be used as pretext to investigate and alienate those who challenge the governments treatment of Muslims. Supporters of the designation have wielded it most frequently against advocacy groups such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which regularly files lawsuits on behalf of Muslims over alleged discrimination, as well as against charities. They have also used it to attack Democratic members of Congress, Muslim government officials, longtime Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin and the Gold Star father Khizr Khan, who criticized Trump at the Democratic National Convention in the summer. [Fact Checker: Does Huma Abedin have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood?] Corey Saylor, who oversees CAIRs response to Islamophobia, describes the allegation of a connection as pure conspiracy theory but worries that a formal terrorism designation for the Muslim Brotherhood could then be used as a pretext to essentially go into organizations, shut them down, and say, Were investigating them. Years later, [theyll say] Oh, sorry, theres nothing there. But the effect is, those organizations no longer exist, he said. The label, he added, could also be used to isolate organizations and drive away potential allies. Baher Azmy, legal director with the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York, said he viewed the move as part of a two-step process to delegitimize a great swath of American Muslim advocacy organizations. This is sort of a massive cudgel, if it were passed, that could really be used to question, to target, to harass advocacy organizations, he said. Supporters of the designation have suggested as much. In announcing the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, Cruzs office cited a widely discredited 1991 memo from a Muslim Brotherhood member as evidence that the group is working to eliminate Western civilization from within, and referred to CAIR as an affiliated organization. Frank Gaffney Jr., a former Reagan administration official, who advised Cruz on foreign policy during the 2016 presidential campaign, has often cited that document in arguing his view that the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the United States with the intention of waging civilization jihad. [Reinvention of Jordans Brotherhood involves women and Christians] Experts on the Muslim Brotherhood say it poses no threat to the United States typically one of the criteria for designating a foreign terrorist organization and many have also questioned the extent to which it is alleged to participate in violence. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood is widely viewed as the mother of political Islamist movements. In its modern incarnation, it has sought to implement Islamic law and governance in several Middle East states through participation in democratic elections. But it has also spawned dozens of offshoots, including some extremist groups, such as the Palestinian militant group Hamas and al-Qaeda, which broke from the Muslim Brotherhood long ago. [Trumps pick for national security adviser brings experience and controversy] Meanwhile, other Muslim Brotherhood offshoots such as Tunisias Ennahda party and Turkeys Justice and Development Party, or AKP whose agenda Trumps pick for national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, has lobbied for hold elected office. Tillerson also said Wednesday that he supports stronger ties with Turkeys President Recep Tayyib Erdogan. We have to reengage with President Erdogan in Turkey, he said. This is a long-standing NATO ally that in the absence of American leadership . . . turned to an ally in Russia. The Muslim Brotherhood won Egypts first democratic elections following the 2011 ouster of strongman Hosni Mubarak but was later ousted in a military coup and remains the target of a military crackdown. Egypt has been racked by bombings and assassinations in the years since the coup. The government has blamed the Muslim Brotherhood; the groups leadership has offered conflicting messages on whether it now supports the use of violence. [2013: Egyptian military ousts Morsi, suspends constitution] After Egypts military overthrew the elected Muslim Brotherhood government in 2013, President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi and regional allies, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, that have also viewed the group as a political challenger designated it a terrorist organization and have urged the United States to do the same. The U.S. bill cites former FBI director Robert Muellers 2011 testimony before the House Intelligence Committee in which he said: I can say at the outset that elements of the Muslim Brotherhood both here and overseas have supported terrorism. To the extent that I can provide information, I would be happy to do so in closed session. But it would be difficult to do in open session. Diaz-Balart, who introduced the bill in the House, said that in subsequent closed briefings, he has seen enough information to warrant a designation. Mueller declined to comment on whether he agrees with that assessment. Michele Dunne, a Middle East and foreign-policy analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that if successful, Cruzs effort would signify the first time that the United States would declare an organization to be a foreign terrorist organization on ideological grounds. Typically, she said, the designation is reserved for groups that have carried out acts of terrorism against civilians or U.S. citizens. The Cruz bill certainly doesnt establish that the Brotherhood has done anything like that, she said, adding that the designation would put Washington on a slippery slope. I think it would put the United States on a course to be subject to demands from a lot of governments around the world to get their ideological enemies to be declared terrorist organizations, she said. Which groups make the terrorist list is not always clear-cut. For example, Hamas and al-Qaeda are both on the list, but the Taliban and the Peace Brigades, both groups that have killed scores of their fellow nationals and U.S. troops, are not listed. (Some of the Talibans subgroups are listed, as are other Iraqi Shiite militias that are similar to the Peace Brigades, formerly known as the Mahdi Army.) In the United States, analysts and civil rights advocates have also wondered whether the terrorist designation could be used to prosecute Muslim Brotherhood sympathizers. Domestically, theres a whole slew of Muslim American organizations, some of which have members, Im sure, which are sympathetic to the Brotherhood [or] schooled in the Brotherhood, said Nathan Brown, an expert on the organization and Egyptian politics at George Washington University. [Trumps security picks deepen worries about an anti-Islamic White House] Calls for Trump to deport, annihilate or expel the Muslim Brotherhood along with a list of other organizations, CAIR in particular have lit up social media in the weeks since the November election, and CAIR officials said their offices have been inundated with calls and emails warning them that their time is almost up. I think President Trump should expel every member of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood on day one. Send them back to their sandbox, tweeted one person under the screen name housecracka who is followed by Flynn, as well as Cruz. (CAIR is an American organization). Others hashtagged their warnings to the Brotherhood with #MSA for the Muslim Students Association, #ISNA for the Islamic Society of North America and #MPAC, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, too. Cruz and Diaz-Balarts bill has three co-sponsors in the Senate and 20 in the House, including the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.). Three of Trumps Cabinet nominees, including his picks for CIA director and attorney general, are previous co-sponsors of the bill. Flynn and his deputy-to-be K.T. McFarland, as well as Trumps defense-secretary nominee, retired Gen. James N. Mattis, have also previously blasted the Muslim Brotherhood and political Islam. All three, along with Trump, have praised Egypts authoritarian leader Sissi. Former House speaker and Trump adviser Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said he thinks that unlike Obama administration, the Trump administration will go ahead and designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, severing all diplomatic interaction and opening up the opportunity to go after people in the United States. My guess, and it is purely a guess, is that the administration would lean toward that designation because I think theres a sense in large parts of the world that groups that are affiliated with [the Muslim Brotherhood] are terrorist organizations, Gingrich said. The formal label would put pressure on the groups that have been willing to affiliate with the Brotherhood, he added, naming CAIR as one such group. It would certainly put them on the defense psychologically. [How anti-Muslim conspiracy theories went mainstream] SOUTH CAROLINA Emotions displayed at Dylann Roof hearing White supremacist Dylann Roof, who was given the death penalty for the brutal mass shooting at a Charleston, S.C., church, heard forgiveness and fury at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday from grieving loved ones of the nine slain black parishioners. Some victims family members called Roof, 22, evil and deserving of the sentence for the June 17, 2015, attack at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest African American congregation in the South. I want your soul to burn in hell, said Gayle Jackson, a niece of 87-year-old victim Susie Jackson. Others said their faith required them to forgive. Those words echoed comments at Roofs first court appearance after the shooting 19 months ago, where several relatives of victims shocked the country with their merciful tone toward the suspect. A jury of nine whites and three blacks last month found Roof guilty of 33 federal charges, including hate crimes and obstruction of religion. On Tuesday, the jurors recommended he be put to death. Wednesdays sentencing is a formality. Roof, who also faces a death sentence if convicted of state murder charges, is unlikely to be executed in the near future because of the lengthy appeals process. Reuters FLORIDA Arrests in connection with officers shooting The niece and supervisor of a murder suspect were arrested for allegedly helping him evade capture before the fatal shooting of an Orlando police officer. Online court records show that Lakensha Smith-Loyd, 27, was arrested on a charge of accessory Wednesday, a day after the fugitives supervisor at a fried chicken restaurant, Zarghee Mayan, was arrested on the same charge. An arrest affidavit for Mayan said that Smith-Loyd collected money from him to give to her uncle, Markeith Loyd, 41, just days after the slaying of his ex-girlfriend. Mayan, 33, is accused of supplying restaurant food to his former co-worker, driving him around and offering him money, despite knowing he was wanted in the slaying of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, the affidavit said. Mayan told authorities his most recent encounter with Loyd was last Saturday, two days before Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was fatally shot in a Walmart parking lot. Loyd, an ex-convict, has been the focus of a massive manhunt involving hundreds of officers and deputies since Mondays shooting. More than 500 tips have come in from the public, which authorities think may be particularly important because others may be helping him hide. Crimeline is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Loyds arrest. Associated Press IRAN Rafsanjani interred next to Khomeini Hundreds of thousands mourned former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Tuesday as his body was interred in Tehran alongside the leader of Irans 1979 Islamic revolution. Rafsanjanis final resting place near Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini reflected his legacy as one of the pillars of Irans clerical-dominated political system. Throngs filled main thoroughfares of the capital, with many chanting, beating their chests and wailing in the style of mourning common among Shiite Muslims. Rafsanjani died Sunday at age 82 after a heart attack. Top government and clerical officials first held a funeral service at Tehran University. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prayed by Rafsanjanis casket. Just behind Khamenei was President Hassan Rouhani, whose moderate administration reached the recent nuclear deal with world powers. Rouhani, all but certain to run for reelection in May, is viewed as embodying Rafsanjanis realist vision. Rafsanjanis casket later arrived at the ornate shrine to Khomeini. Rafsanjanis interment there marks a rare privilege inside Irans clerical system. Only Khomeinis son Ahmad had been buried next to his tomb before Tuesday. Rafsanjani served as president from 1989 to 1997. He helped launch Irans nuclear program and then pushed for reconciliation with the West. Associated Press GAMBIA Court delays Jammehs election challenge Gambias political crisis spun into deeper uncertainty Tuesday as a court delayed the ruling partys challenge to presidential election results until Monday, three days before the declared winner expects to be inaugurated and the chief justice said the court probably cannot sit until May because it is short of judges. Meanwhile, Nigeria announced that a West African delegation to Gambia would be pushed back from Wednesday to Friday, as the bloc tries to persuade longtime President Yahya Jammeh to step down. Nigeria said the delay was at the insistence of Jammeh. Jammeh initially conceded his loss in the Dec. 1 election, then changed his mind over alleged irregularities. As thousands of members of Jammehs party descended near the courthouse on Tuesday, the case was postponed. The court said neither President-elect Adama Barrow nor the electoral commission had been served with the ruling partys petition. It gave the party until Monday to do so. The court does not have enough judges to hear the case. It has been dormant for more than a year. It is not clear what will happen if next weeks inauguration goes ahead and the court later rules in favor of Jammehs party. Associated Press EUROPE Danube shipping halted amid deadly freeze Officials suspended shipping along Europes second-longest waterway on Tuesday as a polar spell gripped a large swath of the continent, causing hardship especially among migrants, the homeless and the elderly. The deep freeze has led to at least 61 deaths since it began last week, a third of those in Poland. Romanian police halted shipping at midday for an undetermined period along a 565-mile stretch of the Danube River. Croatia and Serbia also stopped river traffic on the Danube. In Serbia, shipping was banned on the Sava River because of icy conditions. After strong criticism from aid agencies and others, authorities on the Greek island of Lesbos said they would move 250 refugees from tents at camps into hotel rooms as heavy snow continued. The government also said it was sending a navy ship to Lesbos, to serve as a floating shelter for residents of a snowbound camp. Associated Press 8 fishermen killed by suspected pirates in Philippines: Eight Philippine fishermen were fatally shot by at least five suspected pirates who boarded their boat in the southern Philippines, officials said. Seven other crew members survived the attack near Zamboanga City by jumping off the boat and swimming away, said the head of the Philippine coast guard. Two of the survivors reached land and reported the massacre to a village leader, who alerted the coast guard. S. Korean leaders friend snubs impeachment trial: A longtime friend of disgraced South Korean President Park Geun-hye who is at the center of a corruption scandal refused to testify at Parks impeachment trial. The Constitutional Court had expected to hear from Choi Soon-sil, who is jailed and on trial herself for allegedly using her ties to Park to extort money and favors and interfere with government affairs. But Choi said she could not testify because she had to prepare for her own trial. From news services TO COMBAT global warming, you need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and you have to do so at reasonable cost, because everyone relies on affordable energy. The principles are simple, but the policy is hard to get right. See, for example, the debate the leaders of Maryland are waging. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and the Democrat-dominated General Assembly agreed last year that the state should cut greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 2006 levels by 2030. But Mr. Hogan then vetoed a policy that would help achieve the goal: expanding how much of Marylands electricity must come from renewable sources. The existing mandate requires the state to reach 20 percent renewable by 2022; the vetoed bill would have upped that to 25 percent by 2020. The General Assembly is likely to try to override the veto in its new session, beginning Wednesday. There were some good reasons for Mr. Hogan to be concerned. Marylands Department of Legislative Services estimates the mandate would add between $0.77 and $3.03 to the average monthly energy bill in 2020, the costliest year of implementation. More efficient policies, such as a carbon tax or cap-and-trade program, would reduce emissions at lower cost by eliminating government micromanagement. But Mr. Hogan did not propose a market-based alternative; in fact, his counterproposal is worse than the legislatures. The governor would spend on green-jobs training, electric car tax credits and a Green Energy Institute at the University of Maryland. At a cost of $65 million, his initiatives might not prevent a single ton of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. Mr. Hogan, that is, would micromanage more and accomplish less. The legislatures plan is less than ideal but possibly the best that current politics allow. The governors is not much of a plan at all. Hydraulic fracturing is the other major energy issue the General Assembly will take up. Here, the tables are turned: Some lawmakers appear determined to push through a senseless ban on the technique, which is used to extract oil and natural gas from underground shale formations. Mr. Hogan counters that fracking should be allowed to proceed, with serious regulation. The governor is right. Frackings major risks can be regulated to a minimum, as the Obama administration, various Western-state governors and others have concluded. Natural gas, meanwhile, burns much cleaner than coal, its direct competitor. The fracking revolution has made the fuel very affordable, and substituting gas for coal has reduced carbon and other pollution. The legislature should be working with the governor to finalize fracking rules, not indulging unfounded anti-fracking absolutism. Mr. Hogan, meanwhile, should be pushing the legislature to make Marylands climate change policy more efficient, instead of acting as a roadblock to significant emissions-cutting policy. SO THE government won. Dylann Roof has been sentenced to death. Most Americans, when polled, will probably support the outcome. If ever a crime called out for the maximum punishment, this one was it. We do not join in the celebration. That is, in part, because we do not believe the government should be in the business of taking the lives of its prisoners. But it is also because of what now stretches ahead: years of appeals and arguments, extended fights over whether Mr. Roof should have been allowed to represent himself in the penalty phase of the trial, millions of dollars of court costs, immeasurable pain for survivors and grieving families. To us, that does not seem preferable to a choice the government could have accepted from the start: life in prison for Mr. Roof, who deserves nothing better than to be locked away and forgotten. Even before a federal jury delivered its unanimous decision on Tuesday, it seemed inevitable that he would receive the death sentence for his murderous assault on a historic African American church in Charleston. There was a particular horror to the murder of people as they were gathered in prayer. There was never any question of Mr. Roofs guilt. There was no doubt that he acted out of racial hatred. He showed no remorse, telling the jury in his final argument, I still feel like I had to do it. It took the jury of nine whites and three blacks just three hours to reach its decision in the penalty phase of the case involving the June 17, 2015, attack at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in which nine people were murdered. The jury last month found Mr. Roof guilty of 33 counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of justice. Before the trial began, Mr. Roof had offered to plead guilty in exchange for life in prison without possibility of parole. The government rejected that offer even though some of the people whose lives were directly affected by Mr. Roofs actions favored it. Not only did they show extraordinary grace in their ability to forgive the then-21-year-old gunman, but they didnt want the trauma of endless appeals that would force them to relive the events of that terrible night. Mr. Roof sidelined his court-appointed defense attorneys during the penalty phase. He called no witnesses and presented no evidence. So concerned was he that no one say he had psychological problems, he likely denied himself the one viable defense that might have spared his life. Some have speculated that perhaps he actually preferred execution to a long lifetime in a cell. If so, he may get his wish though, chances are, not for many years. If Death lingers in courtroom corridors awaiting sentences, this historic citys federal courthouse was surely a top destination. On Tuesday, the Reapers patience was rewarded with the jurys return of the death sentence for Dylann Roof. Roof, who insisted on representing himself during the sentencing phase of his 33-count murder trial, was found guilty last month for the slaughter of nine black parishioners at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in June 2015. Roofs self-lawyering is still mystifying, considering he had at his disposal one of the nations best death-penalty lawyers, David Bruck, who did represent Roof during the guilt phase that ended last month. Bruck was allowed only to advise Roof during the penalty phase, which began last week, but briefly addressed the judge Tuesday when Roof requested that Bruck address objections. [Dylann Roof is a loser] (Gillian Brockell,Monica Akhtar,Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) While the governments case seemed airtight in covering all the requirements for the death sentence, Roofs remarks Tuesday took less than five minutes. Wearing slacks and a blue cable-knit sweater his bowl-cut hair obviously recently shaped Roof approached the lectern with a single, yellow, letter-size sheet of paper for his closing argument. Barely audible and his pauses were longer than his sentences he made essentially two suggestions seemingly aimed at creating doubt about his alleged hatred of black people and his intent in carrying out his mission, which he himself previously identified as wanting to incite racial violence. I think its safe to say nobody in their mind wants to go into a church and kill people, he began. Then he contradicted other confession statements in which he said he had to do what he did. In my [FBI confession] tape, I told them I had to do it. . . . Obviously thats not true. Nobody made me do it. What I meant when I said that was I felt like I had to do it, and I still feel like I had to do it. Clarity isnt his strong suit. [Death would be too easy for Dylann Roof] Next, Roof challenged the prosecutions claim that hes filled with hatred, one of the statute-required aggravating factors in capital cases. He referred to his confession when an FBI agent asked him if he hated black people. Roofs reply was: I dont like what black people do. To the jury, he posited, If I was really filled with as much hate as I allegedly am, wouldnt I just say, Yes, I hate black people? Finally, Roof said its fair to say that the prosecutors hate him since theyre seeking the death sentence. Then he tutored the court that people hate because theyve been misled. He also said that people think they know what hatred it is, but they dont know what real hatred looks like. Does Roof? Is this because some hate-filled person misled him? Or did he merely look in the mirror? Not once during his very brief remarks did Roof say he regretted his actions, which might have elicited some empathy from those burdened with determining his fate. Indeed, in a jailhouse journal, he wrote that he isnt sorry and that he hadnt shed a tear for the innocent people I killed. Tuesday, as he attempted to take on a battery of lawyers hellbent on ultimate justice, he seemed ever the evil child who, rather than acknowledging the horror and the agony of what he did, was somehow above the process. Expressionless and aloof, as he had been throughout the trial, he was anything but a sympathetic character and certainly no advocate for his continued access to life. Throughout the proceedings, my mind kept wandering to an earlier case I covered when Bruck was fighting another death sentence the trial of Susan Smith, the young mother who in 1994 rolled her car into a Union, S.C., lake, drowning her two small children. The crime was heinous and the trial heart-rending. At one point during the fathers testimony, the judge had to call for a break because nearly everyone in the courtroom, including the media, was weeping. The father had been talking about his 3-year-olds favorite Disney movie, which the child called One-o-one Dalma-hay-tions. Smith threw herself across the defense table, loudly sobbing with the agony of regret and the sorrow of inconsolable loss. Yes, she was responsible for her childrens deaths, but there was no questioning her remorse or doubting that her life in prison would be an endless night of piercing pain. For death-penalty opponents including me, this seemed a far more just end than death would have been. With Roof, theres plainly no sense of sorrow now or to come. In the end, evidence of sincere remorse, which is to say humanity, can be the difference between life and death. Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook. THE LASTING foreign policy legacy of a president often doesnt become clear until years after he leaves office. That may be particularly true of President Obama, because some of his most distinctive initiatives were, in large part, bets on long-term results. The ultimate success of the nuclear deal Mr. Obama struck with Iran assuming it is preserved by the Trump administration will depend on whether the Islamic regime sets aside its ambition to build nuclear weapons during the coming decade. Similarly, the presidents decision to reopen relations with Cuba without requiring any political liberalization by the Castro regime will be judged on whether greater engagement with the United States eventually helps to bring about that change. For now, the Iran deal has at least temporarily restrained Tehrans push for nuclear weapons, but two years of detente with Cuba have delivered almost no positive results. Repression against the political opposition has escalated even since the death of Fidel Castro, whom some had blamed for the regimes continuing hard line. Last week the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation said it had documented a total of 9,940 arbitrary detentions in 2016, the most since 2010. There were 82 long-term political prisoners in June, it said just 18 months after the Obama administration boasted that the jails had been emptied as part of the renewal of relations. The regimes attacks have been focused on groups seeking a democratic opening, including the Ladies in White, who are regularly assaulted and beaten for attempting to stage peaceful assemblies, and the National Patriotic Union of Cuba, a pro-democracy organization centered in the city of Santiago that was the target of a major sweep shortly before Christmas. Danilo El Sexto Maldonado, an internationally renowned dissident artist, has been imprisoned since Nov. 26, when he responded to Fidel Castros death by painting the words he is gone on a wall. The White House calculated that keeping faith with the democratic opposition was less important than opening avenues for foreign investment and trade. But there has been little progress in those areas either. U.S. exports to Cuba have shrunk, totaling only $370 million between December 2014 and October 2016, according to a report in the Miami Herald. Obama administration officials tout the increased flow of remittances by Cuban Americans, saying they have bolstered the private sector. But since the middle of 2015, the number of self-employed Cuban workers has increased by only 7 percent to 535,000, or less than 5 percent of the population. President Raul Castro announced that the economy as a whole shrank by nearly 1 percent in 2016, largely because of the loss of subsidies from Venezuela. In the same speech, he reiterated that the regime was not going, and will not go, toward capitalism. The absence of results may tempt a President Trump to scrap Mr. Obamas opening. Mr. Trump should instead improve on it. A break with Havana would dash the hopes of millions of Cubans who still expect the United States to use its leverage to promote real change. Mr. Trump should freeze contacts with the regimes security agencies and link any further U.S. economic concessions to an increase in political freedom. Jose A. Cabranes, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, was Yale Universitys first general counsel and later served as a trustee of Colgate, Yale and Columbia universities. Sixty years ago, Chief Justice Earl Warren warned our nation that we had a choice. Either teachers and students must always remain free to inquire, to study and to evaluate, or our civilization will stagnate and die. There was no third option. Today, we face this choice again. Recent attempts to shame professors for unpopular views and to curtail the due process rights of those accused of misconduct are cause for alarm. Especially when academic freedom is endangered at places such as Yale long celebrated as a leader on freedom of expression we know that the erosion of academic freedom has become a national problem. Academic freedom and the tenure system that protects it can seem unnecessary, even perverse, to the many Americans who lack job security. Why should professors be harder to fire than anyone else? The short answer is that academic tenure is essential to democracy itself. A free society depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition, as the American Association of University Professors noted in 1940. Tenure allows professors to pursue the truth and teach it without fear of retaliation. Until recently, attacks on tenure came mostly from the political right. Cold War hard-liners pressured universities to crack down on subversive activities in the faculty lounge. Conservative intellectuals such as William F. Buckley Jr. derided the superstitions of academic freedom as protecting only anti-Christian and anti-capitalist lunatics. The tables have turned. Academic freedom now attracts opposition largely from the left, while conservative organizations including, ironically, the William F. Buckley Jr. Program at Yale defend it most vigorously. Certainly, todays critics of academic freedom rarely deny that professors should be able to write and teach freely. But they nonetheless insist that professors should exercise such liberty in the shadow of other values, such as civility, sex equality and social justice. While these are worthy ideals, they can become tools for suppressing free expression just as anti-communism once was. No one can doubt that we should strive for civility. But problems arise when we are told that uncivil speech has made a campus unsafe and that university officials should make a campus safe again by punishing uncivil speakers. To combat these threats to safety, campus administrators have morphed into civility police. On some campuses, bias response teams investigate professors online comments. Several universities, including Yale, may soon introduce a smartphone app that lets users anonymously report offensive remarks. These anonymous reports will allow university bureaucrats and perhaps even the public to compile a directory of subversive professors in the spirit of dictatorial regimes. One can easily imagine dueling watchlists compiled by liberal and conservative activists with the shared aim of chilling unwanted speech. At Yale and elsewhere, reports of sexual misconduct (and soon, perhaps, other offenses as well) end up in the hands of a centralized bureaucracy, which has the self-appointed obligation to retain them indefinitely and to sift them for patterns of deviationism. The result is a university in which an unknown percentage of faculty members have been accused of something but dont yet know it. Its not hard to see how unscrupulous administrators might come to value the new surveillance university as a tool for policing the teaching and research of the professoriate. Im not naive. As Yales first general counsel, and later a trustee, I know that professors are no more virtuous than the rest of us, and that universities have a right, and often a duty, to detect and punish their offenses. The crucial question is not whether universities should discipline professors, but how. Until recently, Yale insisted that accused professors enjoy basic due process, including the rights to a public, recorded hearing; to legal representation; to present evidence; to question opposing witnesses; and to a presumption of innocence unless convicted by clear and convincing evidence. Today, however, Yale and other universities routinely ignore or limit these rights, which the American Association of University Professors has described as essential in any fair proceeding. Yale now adjudicates sexual misconduct proceedings in secret. The standard of proof is reduced to a preponderance of the evidence, the lowest possible bar. And Yale made these changes without the formal consent or approval of its faculty. Nobody can doubt that sexism, along with other forms of pernicious discrimination, can create problems on campuses. But universities can fight these evils without sacrificing the due process rights that have long guarded professors freedom to teach and write. Yale knows this from experience. In the 1960s and 1970s, student activists demanded that Yale exclude noxious speakers from campus, including the segregationist governor George Wallace of Alabama. In response, Yales president appointed a committee chaired by the eminent historian C. Vann Woodward to examine freedom of expression at Yale. The Woodward Committee issued a report that celebrated freedom of expression as a universitys primary obligation. Yale can and should create an inclusive campus, the report argued, but never at the cost of intellectual freedom. Our universities today must pay more than lip service to free expression. They must develop and maintain procedures that protect professors ability to teach and learn without fear of retaliation. While political alignments may have flipped, the choice remains the same: academic freedom or civilizational decline. Two men in white sheets and hoods stood on chairs in the Russell building caucus room seconds after Jeff Sessions entered the room for his confirmation hearing. Jefferson Beauregard, Im here for you, one called out in a fake Southern accent, using the attorney general nominees proper name. The heckler thanked the Alabamian for being with us. Sessions smiled. Police descended on the men and dragged them from the room. You cant arrest me Im a white man, one shouted. Do I have to wait until the inauguration? The protests in the audience continued through the morning and into the afternoon. Some 15 hecklers, white, black and brown, were led out after calling the nominee a racist and a fascist pig and chanting No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA! One woman was led out by no fewer than four Capitol police officers for the offense of laughing when Sessions was praised for treating all Americans equally. But if the activists were expecting Sessions to live up to his reputation, they would have been disappointed. The man in the witness chair sounded more MLK than KKK. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) What Sessions said at his confirmation hearing did not always align with what he had said and done in the past. It may not comport at all with what he will do as attorney general. But, at least for a day, Sessions took pains to present himself as inoffensive. He did perhaps more than he needed to, because the Republican majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee a committee on which Sessions sits gave every sign that they will confirm their colleague. Sessions promised to recuse himself from decisions involving the Clinton emails and the Clinton Foundation. He said he would respect legal abortion and same-sex marriage, and he acknowledged that women and gay people are victims of hate crimes. Unlike his new boss, he said Muslims as a group could not be denied entry into the United States, and he didnt dispute the intelligence communitys findings that Russia interfered in the election. He said the administration would not seek to deport all immigrants here illegally. He opposed waterboarding. He pledged to enforce gun and environmental laws. He said the NAACP does tremendous good. He called the Voting Rights Act one of the most important laws, embraced proper deference to the media by prosecutors and boasted about working with Ted Kennedy. The Department of Justice must never falter in its obligation to protect the civil rights of every American, particularly those who are most vulnerable, Sessions said, promising to ensure access to the ballot for every eligible American voter. The nominee said he would honor the promise that our government is one of laws, not of men. Those assurances may amount to nothing. But for those who fear that Donald Trump will run roughshod across the federal government, the nominees testimony offered a slim hope that he will provide at least some brake on the new presidents worst instincts. There are other small signs of encouragement: Several Republican senators have objected to their leaderships pell-mell rush to repeal Obamacare without a replacement. After objections that Trumps nominees are being rushed through without the required vetting, the GOP majority agreed to postpone hearings for two nominees. Noteworthy, too, is the way Sessions and the Trump transition team decided to handle his confirmation hearing. Sessions didnt mention Trump in his opening statement other than to thank him for the nomination. And even before senators questioned him about the allegations of racism that led the GOP-controlled Judiciary Committee to reject his nomination to the federal bench in 1986, Sessions preemptively defended himself against damnably false charges. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) The guest seats were filled by the likes of Al Sharpton, Khizr Khan, members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), now the top Democrat on the panel, noted that there is so much fear in this country . . . particularly in the African American community. Sessions said the caricature of me in 1986 was wrong. I did not harbor the kind of animosities and race-based discrimination ideas that I was accused of. I did not. The senators, even Democrats, were almost all gentle in questioning their colleague, and Sessions actively avoided arguments. He opposed the Violence Against Women Act in 2013 but now says the law has many powerful provisions that Im glad [were] passed. His boss made scapegoats of Muslims, but Sessions proclaimed that we have great Muslim citizens. Sessions said it was very painful to be identified as a racist. He said he saw systematic and powerful racism in the South. I know we need to do better, Sessions said. We can never go back. Does he believe that? Well see. For now, its a small comfort that he felt the need to say it. Twitter: @Milbank Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Donald Trump Jr., left, hunts pheasants with friend Doug Hurley last year in Iowa. Hunting, fishing, the outdoors has been good to me, Trump Jr. has said. (David Weigel/The Washington Post) Soon after House conservatives kicked off a new effort last week to reduce the amount of wilderness and other lands protected by the federal government, a leading conservationist quickly dashed off an email to an ally with especially close ties to the incoming Republican administration. The note went to Donald Trump Jr., eldest son of President-elect Donald Trump and a member of several hunting and fishing groups, who promised fellow hunters during the campaign that he would press his father to protect federal lands that are popular for outdoors activities. Donald Trump Jr. has been great on this issue, said Whit Fosburgh, president of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, who wrote the email. Hes a legitimate outdoorsman. I think its part of who he is and how he identifies himself. The urgent appeal to Trump Jr. reveals how hunting and conservation groups plan to rely on the 39-year-old to serve as their champion in his fathers administration on an issue that puts him in direct opposition to many conservatives who are counting on a GOP president to scale back federal control over millions of acres where drilling, grazing and other private uses are restricted. The outcome of the unfolding lobbying campaign will shed light on what kind of influence Trump Jr. could wield behind the scenes after his father takes office, as well as his willingness to oppose Republican lawmakers taking aim at what they describe as federal mismanagement of public lands. It also will signal how much Trump Jr., who along with his brother Eric are taking over management of the familys real estate empire, will push personal policy interests that his father can influence. (Footage provided by SilencerCo/YouTube) [Gun silencers are hard to buy. Donald Trump Jr. wants to change that.] The president-elect announced Wednesday a long-awaited plan explaining how he will wall off his business interests from his governing and hand the reins of his company to his sons. Even as Trump Jr. has been preparing to take on new business responsibilities, he has already had a significant imprint on the incoming administration. A dedicated hunter and angler who retreats with his wife and their five children to their Catskills cabin nearly every weekend, he helped handpick Ryan Zinke (R), a fellow hunter, public lands advocate and Montanas lone House member, as nominee for interior secretary. His impact could extend beyond that appointment. Throughout the campaign, Trump Jr. pledged that if his father were elected, he would be a vocal advocate for those who rely on federal parks and streams for recreation. I will be the very loud voice about these issues in my fathers ear, he told Wide Open Spaces during the GOP primaries. Neither Trump Jr. nor transition officials responded to repeated requests for comment this week. Trump Jr.s pull and willingness to use it is now being tested after the House passed a measure last week that makes it easier to transfer federal land to the states. The move caught Trump transition officials off guard and upset conservation groups, who were heartened when both Trump and his son expressed opposition to such transfers during the presidential campaign. [House GOP rules change will make it easier to sell off federal land] I dont like the idea because I want to keep the lands great, and you dont know what the state is going to do, then-candidate Trump told Field & Stream in January 2016, as Donald Jr. sat by his side. I mean, are they going to sell if they get into a little bit of trouble? And I dont think its something that should be sold. We have to be great stewards of this land. This is magnificent land. Collin OMara, president of the National Wildlife Federation, said the early move by the House cuts entirely against the president-elects priorities. What appears to be an arcane fight which government authority should manage public lands has become an article of faith for many Western lawmakers, who are determined to wrest power from Washington. The movement, described by many as a new sagebrush rebellion, has enjoyed a recent resurgence in states such as Utah, Nevada and Oregon, where lawmakers and ranchers complain that federal bureaucrats have blocked unfettered access to tapping resources in vast swaths of territory. There are several dozen bills in states across the country aiming to take control of federal land. In Wyoming, for example, the legislature is considering a constitutional amendment that would enable the state to manage any federal land transferred to it by 2019. Meanwhile, a group of Western GOP members of Congress wants to roll back monument designations and other public land protections laid down by the Obama administration legislation that will also seek to transfer more federal land to the states. The effort is being spearheaded by lawmakers such as Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) in Utah, where about two-thirds of the land is owned by the federal government. They are terrible managers, he said. Any proposed land transfers, he added, would have to provide assurances to hunters such as Trump Jr. that they would still have access once the land is under state control. If we cant, we probably arent going to get very far, Chaffetz said. Hunting and conservation groups are skeptical of such promises, noting that financial pressures have sometimes prompted states to sell off much of the public land they have taken over from the federal government. Any new bill to transfer federal lands will trigger a hue and a cry unlike anything ever heard from people who hunt and fish on public land, said Chris Wood, president of the group Trout Unlimited. Among his groups 155,000 members: Donald Trump Jr. After the presidential election, Wood wrote a letter to Trump Jr. offering to take him fishing or hunting in Washington and brief him on ways to help make your father a great conservation success. We are a tight clan, people who love to hunt and fish and who love the outdoors, Wood said. It remains to be seen how the Trump administration will deal with the renewed efforts by Western lawmakers to transfer federal lands. After the House vote, Zinke told Land Tawney, president of the Montana-based Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, that his stance hasnt wavered on public lands and nothing like this is going to happen, according to Tawney. Zinke declined to comment. Tawney, seeking further assurances, said he also reached out to Trump Jr., a member of his group. On occasion, the two men exchange hunting stories and photos via text. So far, Trump Jr. has not indicated to conservation allies whether he will wade into the debate. But friends said it is hard to imagine him suddenly refraining from speaking out on the issue of public access for hunters. He really understands how important it is to keep those traditions alive and to have places to hunt and fish, said Jay Dewing, a real estate broker in Palm Beach, Fla., who frequently hunts quail with both Trump brothers. A lot of these creatures we like to chase around dont have much space anymore, Dewing added. Having a public figure like himself to be able to increase the availability of public land shoot, I dont think theres a better guy to get that done. During the campaign, Trump Jr. served as a powerful surrogate for his father with hunters and anglers, visiting shooting ranges, gun shops and outdoors outfitters in states such as Ohio, Maine and North Carolina. Last January, when he and his brother Eric took reporters along as they shot pheasant in the Iowa countryside, Trump Jr. compared their fathers support for conservation to that of President Theodore Roosevelts. Trump Jr. has said that his love of the outdoors took root as a young child when he and Eric accompanied their maternal grandfather, a blue-collar electrician, on long summer visits to his native Czechoslovakia, then under communist control. It was basically, you know, Here, let me teach you how to shoot an air gun. Heres a knife, go have fun. Heres the woods, Ill see you at dark, he told the website Bowsite.com last year. He started hunting in earnest at boarding school in central Pennsylvania, where he sampled clay shooting, fly fishing and upland forest shoots, he said. After graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Trump Jr. spent a year working as a bartender in Colorado, spending much of his time fly fishing and hunting elk. Nowadays, friends said, he is known for tramping around the woods or crawling through muddy fields nearly every weekend, reloading his own guns and fletching his own arrows. I dont just hunt once a year to talk about it at a cocktail party, he told Bowsite.com. Its really part of my life. Fosburgh, a former fly-fishing champion, said that Trump Jr. caught more trout than he did when they spent a day last June angling in Colorados Cache la Poudre River. The next day, Trump Jr. spoke on behalf of his father at a presidential forum hosted by the Roosevelt partnership, reassuring hunters and anglers that a Trump administration would fight attempted land transfers. This is where weve probably broken away from a lot of traditional conservative dogma on the issue, in that we do want federal lands to remain federal, he said. Trump Jr. said he was open to having the states play a larger role managing the public land, but that maintaining federal control was important. Otherwise, its sold off for development purposes or whatever it may be, never to be touched by the citizens of this country, who that land belongs to, he added. He promised that he would make sure there were people in his fathers administration who understand our policy. Hunting, fishing, the outdoors has been good to me, Trump Jr. said. Its been good to my brother. Were both very avid guys in this world. And its frankly probably kept us out of a lot of trouble we would have gotten into growing up as, you know, lets say, rich kids in a big city. . . . I want to make sure that its around for the next generation, and the next generation following that. David Fahrenthold contributed to this report. President-elect Donald Trumps first news conference in six months was a vintage performance. He was self-assured, aggressive, combative, at times willing to offend and at times trying to sound conciliatory. What it added up to was a reminder of the challenges he will face in gaining and maintaining full public trust once he is sworn in as president. No president in memory has come to the brink of his inauguration with such a smorgasbord of potential problems and unanswered questions, or with the level of public doubts that exist around his leadership. Though he dealt with the issues directly on Wednesday, what he could not answer what he cannot answer until he is in the Oval Office is whether he can avoid having these kinds of questions plague and possibly debilitate his presidency over the next four years. Trump and his advisers have dismissed much of the pre-inaugural controversy as part of an effort to delegitimize his election victory and undermine his presidency even before he takes office. Still, the questions swirling around him as he came to the lobby of Trump Tower were an unprecedented mixture of the personal, the financial and the substantive. Has he been compromised by the Russians, the most explosive and newest of allegations? (He denied all as fake news.) Are he and his party in conflict over U.S.-Russia relations? Will he truly separate himself from his sprawling business empire in a way that avoids conflicts of interest? Can he and Congress find common ground on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act? Will he live up to the promises he made as a candidate? The news conference put on display everything the country has come to recognize in Trump from the presidential campaign. For those who responded to his message from the start, for those who came to his side later in the campaign and for those who didnt but are prepared to give him some benefit of the doubt, it was a performance that no doubt went down well. (The Washington Post) Right from the start, he swung back hard against salacious and unsubstantiated claims of personal misbehavior contained in a document prepared by a former Western intelligence officer and now in the hands of the federal government. He aggressively chastised BuzzFeed for publishing the entire document online and CNN for promoting the story about its existence (though CNN did not publish the document). On the business side, he introduced Sheri Dillon, a tax attorney with the firm Morgan Lewis, to walk reporters through the steps he is taking to try to assure the public that he will serve its interests as president and not those of the Trump Organization and to explain why many of the ideas proposed by outsiders arguing for taking bigger steps were impractical and likely to create their own potential conflicts. He said he is confident that he can keep his pledge to have Mexico pay for the border wall he intends to build, even if taxpayers initially foot the bill. He put Congress on notice that replacing Obamacare should go hand-in-glove with votes to repeal it. No easy task. He put drug manufacturers on notice that they cannot expect to do business as usual when he is in office. He offered the same message to companies that move production out of the country. On those matters, Trumps performance was at once giving no quarter to his tormentors, reminding his core supporters that he will make good on his campaign promises no matter what the skeptics may say, and at the same time trying to offer some reassurance to critics who worry about the possibilities for ethical abuses by the businessman turned president. In other ways, Trump also seemed eager to show that he has been hearing the criticisms of how he has handled the transition. For weeks he has been dismissive of intelligence findings that the Russians mounted a comprehensive campaign to meddle in the election and did so with the expressed aim of undermining Hillary Clinton and thereby aiding Trump. For the first time, he gave ground on that question, saying that he believed the Russians were behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the private emails of John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign chairman. He also warned Russian President Vladimir Putin not to engage in such activities when he is president. But with each step in that direction, he quickly walked back the other way. While he said the Russians were behind the hacking, he said the United States gets hacked all the time by foreign entities. Critics worry that he would cozy up to Putin. He said that if Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability. 1 of 18 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Photos from Trumps first news conference in six months View Photos President-elect Donald Trump took questions in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City. Caption President-elect Donald Trump took questions in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City. Jan. 11, 2017 President-elect Donald Trump, accompanied by his family, arrives for the news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. He declared flatly that he has no business dealings with the Russians, but again held out against greater transparency about his business. He dismissed calls to release his tax returns, a posture that puts him at odds with past presidents who have routinely done so. He claims that more can be learned by examining his financial disclosure statements, but financial tax experts disagree. While he was willing to accept the intelligence findings that the Russians did the hacking during the election, he still appears far from calling a truce in what has been an ongoing war with the intelligence community. He as much as accused senior intelligence officials of leaking to the public. That fraught relationship ought to be a matter of grave concern to Trump, to the intelligence community and most important to all Americans. Despite his six-month hiatus from meeting with reporters, Trump appeared anything but rusty. He came to the lobby of Trump Tower ready to go on offense against his critics and his questioners. Yet remarkably, he offered kind words for news organizations namely those that refrained from publishing the details of what it is claimed the Russians have gathered to compromise him. He recalled how much he had enjoyed the give-and-take in the campaign, which he said he stopped because we were getting quite a bit of inaccurate news. In eight days, Trump will take the oath of office. He will do so with the public far from confident that he is up to the job ahead. Gallup measured him on several questions asked about other presidents as they were entering office. Trumps scores were notably low. Not quite half of those surveyed said they have confidence he can handle an international crisis. That compares with 7 in 10 who expressed confidence in President Obama, former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton in the weeks before their inaugurations. Just over half said they believe he can manage the executive branch effectively. For Obama and Bush, it was in the neighborhood of 8 in 10. And on whether Trump can prevent major scandals, just 44 percent said they were confident that he could do so, compared with 74 percent for Obama and 77 percent for Bush. All presidents come to the Oval Office with questions about their ability to handle the complexities of the job. Obama arrived with limited experience on the national stage. George W. Bush took the oath after a contentious recount and controversial Supreme Court decision. Trump makes those situations look mild in comparison. Public trust is the currency that all president must have to succeed. Trump might well have helped himself with his performance Wednesday, but there are enough challenges and questions surrounding him to make what is already an enormously difficult job all that much harder. He was interrupted, many times, by strident protesters. He was grilled about the 2016 presidential campaign everything from cries of lock her up to Donald Trump boasting about an unwanted sexual advance, on tape. When one senator asked attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions to explain an old quote about criminal sentencing, the Alabama senator bristled. I think thats rather unfair, based on our relationship and how we work together, Sessions told Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Senatorial courtesy, the unwritten tradition by which a senator nominated for a Cabinet post typically wins easy confirmation, may be the latest norm lost in the tumult of President-elect Donald Trumps victory. On Monday night, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced plans to become the first senator ever to testify against a colleague. On Tuesday morning, he watched the first few hours of the day of Sessionss hearings from a seat right behind the committees Democrats. To remain silent at this time to me is unacceptable, Booker told The Washington Post. Even if it means breaking norms on issues of this kind of gravity, I could not have sat well with my own self to remain silent on issues that are the core of our conceptions of justice. Inside the hearing room, protests broke out at quiet moments. Several in the audience called Sessions and Trump racists or fascists; one simply laughed loudly when Sessions was praised for his character. Outside the room, Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza a Hispanic civil rights group cheered Bookers decision to take the unprecedented step of testifying against a fellow senator. I think everythings fair right now, she said. Were seeing a senator who has said that in some ways hes changed since what we saw in 1986, but what we have heard and what he has said hasnt reflected any changes, particularly as it relates to the Hispanic community and immigrants. Sessions is not quite the first senator to face stiff opposition from his peers. In 2013, Republicans blistered a former Nebraska senator, Chuck Hagel, on his way to the Pentagon. And in 2001, Democrats nearly blocked the nomination of former Missouri senator John Ashcroft to lead the Justice Department. The last Cabinet nominee to lose a high-profile confirmation battle, in 1989, was former Texas senator John Tower. Sessions, well-liked personally in the Senate, did not arrive at the hearing under any new cloud of scandal. Instead, Democrats and outside groups had spent the months since his nomination raking over the issues that had torpedoed his 1986 bid for a judgeship and his senatorial views of the Department of Justices civil rights enforcement. On Tuesday, a letter surfaced from the widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who had urged Congress to block Sessionss nomination for the judiciary. [Read the letter Coretta Scott King wrote opposing Jeff Sessionss 1986 federal judgeship nomination] Senate Democrats, often prefacing their remarks by describing their friendship with the senator, went on to see where Sessions would back away from his record or from Trump. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who said that Democrats would not misrepresent Sessions certainly dont want to do that to our colleague used much of his time to establish that Sessionss defenders had overstated his role in prosecuting some voter discrimination cases. Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.) asked Sessions repeatedly to reject the idea of a registry or database for Muslims in America. This experience is a difficult one, not only because youre a colleague, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) I consider you to be a friend. From there, he asked Sessions if he would appoint special counsels to investigate possible Trump conflicts of interest, and got inconclusive answers. 1 of 51 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Photos from the Jeff Sessions confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill View Photos Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) cast himself as a strong protector of law and order at his confirmation hearing, promising that as attorney general he would crack down on illegal immigration, gun violence and the scourge of radical Islamic terrorism. Caption The Senate is getting an early start on the president-elects choices for several top jobs in his administration. Jan. 12, 2017 Ben Carson, the nominee to be the Housing and Urban Development secretary, pauses while answering questions from the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. But Bookers plans, which first surfaced Monday, represented the highest-profile challenge to Sessions. On Monday night, Republicans quickly began circulating clips of the New Jersey senator praising Sessions at a ceremony last year. The two had worked with other lawmakers to ensure that activists whod marched for voting rights earned the Congressional Gold Medal. I feel blessed and honored to have partnered with Sen. Sessions in being the Senate sponsors of this important award, Booker said at the event last February. In an interview, Booker said that he would address his past praise of Sessions in his testimony. I am really proud to have worked with Jeff Sessions on awarding that medal to those marchers, he said. I am really grateful for the collegial relationship that he and I have had, the frank conversation, the decorum with which he had greeted me and I hope that he thinks I have greeted him. I met with him [Monday] with staff there, and that feeling of goodwill was there and he knew I was going to testify. Current and former senators expressed surprise at Bookers decision, and at the work Democrats and allied groups were doing to weigh down Sessions with his voting record and quotes. It does show the partisan divide in the Senate today, said former Republican senator Mike DeWine, who is now Ohios attorney general. That was starting when I was here, we had certainly some of that. It appears to me to have gotten worse. I think its sad. DeWine added that he thought Bookers testimony would have no impact on Sessionss ultimate confirmation. So did Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who said that Sessionss surprise announcement that he plans to recuse himself from any Justice Department dealings with former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and her ties to her familys charitable foundation, ought to give those who had an issue with him some comfort. Flake had arrived in Washington as a congressman in 2001; DeWine reached the Senate in 1995. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) pronounced himself very disappointed that Senator Booker has chosen to start his 2020 presidential campaign with the testimony. Sen. Booker says he feels compelled to speak out because Sen. Sessions wants to keep criminals behind bars, drugs off our streets, and amnesty from becoming law, Cotton wrote. Sen. Booker is better than that and he knows better. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the chambers only black Republican senator, announced late Monday that he would be voting to confirm Sessions. He did so after months of consideration that included research of his colleagues past statements and a visit with Sessions to meet with law enforcement and religious leaders in Charleston, S.C. I thought it was my responsibility to be painstaking on understanding and appreciating what has been said and what is true about Sessions, Scott explained. And then, do enough research to come to a conclusion based on people who know him intimately and what they say as well. Scott said he spoke with Albert Turner Jr., whose parents were prosecuted by Sessions for voter fraud an incident that senators cited as a reason to reject Sessions for a federal judgeship in 1986 and who has endorsed Sessions for attorney general. Scott said he also spoke with other Alabama Democrats and civil rights leaders who were supporting Sessions despite their decades of work that might seem counter to the Alabama senators positions. After that careful study, I think I have a pretty clear picture of who he is, and with that information it was easy for me to conclude that the reality of Jeff Sessions is different than what people are protesting today, Scott said. I like Cory Booker, and I think its an unusual, obviously unique first time I think its been done I think well know what this means 20 years looking back. Booker is set to testify alongside Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights icon who marched with King through Selma, Ala., in 1965, and Cedric L. Richmond (D-La.), the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group has promised to be a forceful critic of the Trump administration in the coming years. President-elect Donald Trump acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that he believes Russian operatives hacked the Democratic Party during the election, but he continued to dispute intelligence reports that Moscow acted to help him win. I think it was Russia, Trump said at a news conference in New York when asked who was responsible for the public leaks of Democratic emails during the campaign. But Trump emphasized that he believes Russia also would have released damaging information about him had they obtained such information. He angrily denounced news reports that U.S. officials had obtained an unsubstantiated dossier of potentially compromising personal information Russia has allegedly gathered about him, citing denials from the Kremlin that it has any such intelligence. U.S. officials reportedly included a two-page summary of the dossier in classified briefings of Russias meddling in the election to President Obama and, separately, to Trump last week. Trump and his aides, including Vice President-elect Mike Pence, called the leaks of the information a smear campaign that aimed to damage Trump politically. Its a disgrace that that information would be let out, Trump said. I saw the information; I read the information outside that meeting. Its all fake news phony stuff. It didnt happen. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Trump also addressed questions about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has expressed a desire to improve bilateral relations. If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what folks, thats an asset not a liability, Trump said. I dont know if Ill get along with Vladimir Putin . . . but even if I dont does anyone in this room think Hillary Clinton would be tougher on Putin than me? Give me a break. Trump made his remarks in his first news conference as president-elect, ending a period of 167 days since he has fielded questions from the full media contingent. Past winners of the presidency have traditionally faced the media much earlier. An estimated 250 journalists were crowded into the lobby of Trump Tower, where Trump aides had set up 10 American flags in front of a blue curtain. During the news conference, Trump announced that he has tapped David Shulkin, a physician who is serving in the Obama administration as Veterans Affairs undersecretary, to lead VA. And he detailed plans to shift his business assets into a trust managed by his sons and give up management of his private company, a step that will help the business executive move closer to resolving potential conflicts of interest. He also again resisted the idea that he should release his tax returns, saying the only ones that care about my tax returns are the reporters and suggesting the public does not care about the issue. Earlier in the day, Trump had charged via Twitter that his crooked opponents are trying to undermine his electoral victory. He accused the intelligence community of leaking the information to get in one last shot at me, saying, Are we living in Nazi Germany? 1 of 18 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Photos from Trumps first news conference in six months View Photos President-elect Donald Trump holds the meeting in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City. Caption President-elect Donald Trump took questions in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City. Jan. 11, 2017 President-elect Donald Trump, accompanied by his family, arrives for the news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. [Intelligence chiefs briefed Trump and Obama on unconfirmed claims Russia has compromising information on president-elect] At the news conference, Pence and Sean Spicer, who has been tapped to be White House press secretary in Trumps administration, also denounced news organizations for their reports on the unsubstantiated dossier. Trump and his aides took particular aim at CNN, which broke the story that intelligence officials had included it in their briefings, and BuzzFeed News, which published a copy of the dossier in full. Trump refused to allow a CNN reporter to ask a question. You are fake news, Trump said to the reporter, Jim Acosta, who had shouted out in an attempt to be called upon. The president-elect called BuzzFeed a failing pile of garbage. Its a disgrace what took place, and I think they ought to apologize to start with, he said. U.S. officials said that intelligence agencies have not corroborated the allegations contained in the dossier but believed the sources involved in the reporting were credible enough to warrant inclusion of their claims in the highly classified report on Russian interference in the presidential campaign. Earlier Wednesday, a spokesman for Putin called the allegations that Russia has collected compromising information about Trump an absolute fantasy. Soon after, Trump tweeted: Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. Very unfair! Speaking Wednesday on MSNBCs Morning Joe, Trump adviser Reince Priebus called the BuzzFeed report phony baloney garbage. He denied that Trump had engaged in compromising behavior in Russia and that Trump aide Michael Cohen had traveled to Prague to meet with Russian officials. Both allegations were contained in the document published by BuzzFeed. There was no craziness in Russia. There was no meeting in Prague, Priebus said. It is not an intelligence document. Cohen has never been in Prague. And all of this stuff isnt even fit to print in the New York Times. In an interview Tuesday night with NBC News, Obama said that he had not seen the reports and declined to comment on classified information. [Two cities, two dramas and one day of tests for Donald Trump] On immigration, Trump insisted he will build a wall not a fence along the southern U.S. border with Mexico, reiterating that Mexico will reimburse the United States for the cost after it is initially funded by taxpayers. Republican leaders in Congress have been working with Pence and other Trump aides to develop legislation to start the process, which is projected to cost billions of dollars. Mexico, through some form . . . will reimburse us, Trump said. That will happen. Whether its a tax or whether its a payment. Whats the difference if the payment is a reimbursement, Trump added. I want to get the wall started. I dont want to wait a year and a half until I make my deal with Mexico. Wrapping up the news conference, Trump pointed to a work table piled with a massive stack of folders bursting with papers that was set up next to the lectern. The documents related to his business holdings, Trump said, and they represented some of the assets he would turn over to his sons Donald Jr. and Eric to oversee under the new arrangement in which he will not be involved in management decisions. I hope at the end of eight years Ill come back and say, Oh, you did a good job, Trump said, before falling back on a catchphrase he made famous on his television show, The Apprentice. Otherwise, he added, if they do a bad job, Ill say, Youre fired. Drew Harwell, Jena McGregor and John Wagner contributed to this report. Donald Trump faces a crucible Wednesday as two dramas play simultaneously on two stages, thrusting to the fore many of the controversies that have swirled around him since Novembers election. How he and his allies perform could set the course for the early weeks of his presidency. In New York, Trump will hold his first news conference since the summer, tangling with reporters he frequently derides and confronting the flash points of his transition phase. He is expected to announce how he intends to disentangle himself from his businesses to avoid possible conflicts of interest, and he is likely to face questions about Tuesday nights explosive reports about compromising information that Russia may have gathered about Trump. In Washington, one of Trumps most controversial Cabinet nominees his pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who as ExxonMobil chief executive had extensive dealings with Russia and other adversarial countries is among those who will face scrutiny at their Senate confirmation hearings. It is poised to be a whirlwind day of political whiplash, with a new season and cast of the Trump show set to premiere. On Capitol Hill, Republicans are on edge about the unexpected as they ready an ambitious agenda, seeking to avoid distractions or unintentional distance between them and the president-elect. View Graphic Donald Trumps Cabinet confirmation hearings, in 5 minutes Were quickly moving away from a transition and taking one step closer to governing, Republican strategist Kevin Madden said. Senate Republican leaders worked closely with the Trump transition team to schedule confirmation hearings with many at first set to be held on the same day a move designed, several Republicans said, to move nominees quickly and to avoid any one becoming a damaging news storm. That plan has already run into problems. Hearings for some Trump picks, such as education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos, have been postponed until after this week amid Democrats complaints about the lack of time to vet the candidates financial records and backgrounds. How smoothly Wednesday runs in New York and Washington could indicate whether Republicans who will soon control both chambers of Congress and the White House can stay united and govern efficiently, and whether they can successfully coexist with Trumps relentless and extemporaneous personality. Trump is scheduled to appear before hundreds of reporters at 11 a.m. in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. His turn at the lectern will signal how much hostility he still harbors toward the media, whose coverage of his rallies and disruptions initially gave rise to his candidacy, only to become one of his favorite punching bags. It has been six months since Trump gave a formal news conference, during which he made headlines by inviting Russian hackers to release Democratic opponent Hillary Clintons private emails. [Trump invites Russia to meddle in the U.S. presidential race with Clintons emails] (The Washington Post) Trump has delayed his post-election news conference for weeks as he worked with his lawyers and advisers to restructure his businesses and separate them from his public duties, both to satisfy ethics experts and meet the expectations of voters. Asked about some of these matters on Monday, Trump told reporters to stay tuned. Well talk about it on Wednesday, the president-elect said. All I can say is its very simple, very easy. Sean Spicer, the incoming White House press secretary, said Trump plans to lay out the case for how hes going to resolve a lot of this at Wednesdays event. Hes going to lay out the steps that hes taken to go above and beyond whats required, Spicer said. Because he is going to be president, he doesnt need to do this, but hes going to do it. Trumps allies are eager to see him turn the page on questions about conflicts of interest to focus on governing. The more transparency, the more open, the more responsive he is to the press and the American public, the better, said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). I wish I knew what it was like to be a billionaire, but I dont. So I dont know how complicated its going to be to unwind, but hes got to get into specifics. [One administration, two styles: Trump the brawler and Pence the cajoler] Wednesdays moment Trump at center stage with no script, answering whatever questions come his way is rife with complications for congressional Republicans. Lawmakers will be watching to see whether he trumpets their political tune on taxes and health-care policy as well as a readiness to do difficult legislative work, or goes astray on other issues such as the Russian cyberattack or Trumps feud with actress Meryl Streep. This is going to be the introduction of Donald Trump the president, said Sam Nunberg, a former Trump adviser. What you dont want is that Alec Baldwin Saturday Night Live caricature. . . . He has to make sure he leaves the impression that he is ready on Day One to start making America great again. The tone in which Trump speaks about Congress will also be considered by members, many who barely know him. Already busy and at times tense about legislative roadblocks ahead, they have widespread concerns about the pace Trump expects from Congress and how quickly he wants to make sweeping changes during his administration. Trump and his team are building warm relations with Republican congressional leaders, of whom they have long been wary. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) met privately with Trump on Monday in New York to discuss the upcoming confirmation hearings, among other topics. And House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) worked with Trumps senior advisers into the night Monday at the Capitol, over platters of Italian noodles and salad, for more than two hours of preliminary talks on tax reform, which is a priority for the speaker and his members. [Trump advisers to begin tax talks with Speaker Ryan] Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who has watched presidents up close for five decades, said of Trump: A lot of people are interested in every doggone thing that he says. He predicted that Trumps answers on the foreign policy problems popping up on a regular basis were of high interest to fellow Republicans, and that he is particularly focused on what Trump might say about Russia and intelligence matters. Other Republicans are less eager to hear Trump delve into such topics. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, slightly raised an eyebrow when asked what he wanted to hear from Trump on foreign policy a possible indication that Senate Republicans and Trump are not formally coordinating their messages. Russia? I thought he was going to talk about his finances, Corker said. When told the news conference likely would be wide-ranging, Corker said, I dont know if I want to get into that. For Trump, news conferences are like sport. He loves the thrill of it, the bright lights and the combat. Throughout the campaign, he would swat back questions with a mix of assertiveness, misdirection and defiance, jousting with network correspondents and offering pitched commentary about their reporting and questions. I think Donald Trump will be Donald Trump, said Barry Bennett, a former adviser on Trumps campaign who recently founded a Washington lobbying practice. If someone asks a stupid question, hes going to say its a stupid question. I would expect a blunt, unbridled Donald Trump. After an initial burst of skittish and incredulous text messages and phone calls, many congressional Republicans on Wednesday offered support for President-elect Donald Trump in the wake of news reports about compromising material that Russia has allegedly gathered on the incoming president. On a busy day of Trumps first news conference in months and hearings for several Cabinet nominees, Republicans did not clamor to bring the issue of Trump and Russia to the fore. They offered support for him when questioned by reporters, as well as criticism of news organizations and accusations that the U.S. intelligence community has acted politically. There are politics being played . . . from my standpoint, it certainly appears that way. There seems to be an effort somewhere to undermine the legitimacy of this election, said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. It was yet another example of the president-elect and his allies in Congress delicately working together while trying not to be consumed by the latest Trump-related controversy. Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill, meanwhile, addressed the unconfirmed allegations cautiously, as they called for a deeper look into the situation and urged against politicizing it. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Questions about Russias relationship with Trump have been swirling on Capitol Hill for months, and they continue to be a focal point. A briefing for all House members about Russian operatives hacking the Democratic Party during the 2016 campaign has been scheduled for Friday morning, according to a House GOP aide with knowledge of the plans. A classified report presented to President Obama and Trump last week included a two-page summary of allegations that the Russian government possesses compromising material on Trump, according to U.S. officials. The officials said U.S. intelligence agencies have not substantiated those allegations. [Intelligence chiefs briefed Trump and Obama on unconfirmed claims Russia has compromising information on president-elect] Late Tuesday and early Wednesday, Republican leaders were in close communication by phone and email with Trumps advisers in New York, in particular with incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, according to the people close to the leadership. Priebus assured Republicans that the allegations about Trump were false and that Trump would be defiant in disputing them, the people said. They were not authorized to speak publicly about the conversations. At his news conference, Trump went after the media aggressively for publishing what he called questionable intelligence. He declined to comment on classified information. BuzzFeed News published a series of reports totaling 35 pages allegedly created by a former British intelligence official and the basis for the two-page intelligence report. The Washington Post has tried unsuccessfully for several weeks to substantiate the details of the reports. (Sarah Parnass,Glenn Kessler/The Washington Post) [Russia says it does not gather dirt on foreign leaders, but history of kompromat says otherwise] Congressional Republicans seemed to follow Priebuss lead after his Wednesday morning interview on NBCs Today, when he described the wild accusations as phony baloney garbage and shameful. The first time I saw it is when I sat down in my office and my staff printed it out for me last night, said Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a Trump ally. Priebus had made a similar comment on Today, when he said he first saw it when someone printed it off the BuzzFeed website. Nunes said that he had not fully reviewed the 35 pages, but he cast some doubt on its reliability. It doesnt look like a very good intelligence product to me, glancing at it, he told reporters. Nunes said his next steps would be asking for all of the underlying data behind broader intelligence reports he has seen and combing through it. [Inside Trumps financial ties to Russia and his unusual flattery of Vladimir Putin] Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), a former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, defended the intelligence community and federal law enforcement officials who have come under criticism from Trump and some allies. King said he first read the news about the allegations regarding Trump late Tuesday after House votes. When I got back to my apartment, I read BuzzFeed, and the first thing I thought was, This is the sort of thing that floats around all of the time on people in public life. Our intelligence community is constantly dealing with reports, tidbits from overseas agencies, reports from allies, forgeries, phony information, King said. So I dont think the media should have published it since there is no indication that any of it is accurate, like most other rumors. [Trump acknowledges Russian involvement in meddling in U.S. elections] Democrats treated the matter carefully Wednesday. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declined to say whether she was briefed on the allegations as part of the congressional Gang of Eight leaders privy to highly classified intelligence updates. She said it was unfortunate that uncorroborated information was released on the matter. She called on the intelligence community to release more about its assessment of ties between Trump and Russia and said she hopes there would be an investigation into those issues. The more you can declassify, the more truth gets out to the American people, she said. Pelosi mused: I always wondered, what did Russia have on Donald Trump that Donald Trump would question our sanctions that we have imposed? This is essential to our national security, essential to NATO. What is it that hes appointed a secretary of state thats not only violated those sanctions but didnt even think that they should maybe exist. Asked about the implications if the allegations are verified, she said, I dont want to go there. When asked Wednesday morning about the reports, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) responded, Im not commenting. Speaking later on the Senate floor, Schumer said that the reports of the past 24 hours are extremely troubling. Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.) openly worried that the revelations could be used as an excuse to further undermine or weaken the credibility of our intelligence community. He called for a cautious, bipartisan independent investigation to avoid that. If the outcome of this is a widening of the gap of trust between the intelligence community and the incoming administration and president, then Vladimir Putin will have gotten what he wanted, Coons said. Rep. Adam B. Schiff (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee and a member of the Gang of Eight, again called for the establishment of an independent commission or at least a congressional panel to investigate the allegations of hacking and influence by Russia in the U.S. political system. Nunes dismissed those suggestions, as he has previously: No, theres not going to be any select committee. Why not? Because we have a committee that does the work. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), who helps lead the Senate Democrats messaging wing, said her party must be careful to avoid infusing the situation with politics. Stabenow encouraged investigators to follow the facts and said it was crucial that the allegations be corroborated or debunked. But she said the allegations could not be dismissed entirely at this point. This is a potential compromise to the American government in a way that is unprecedented, she said. Asked what the implications would be if the allegations are corroborated, Stabenow said, Well see. Its very serious. Its way beyond politics. Karoun Demirjian, John Wagner, Tom Hamburger, Rosalind S. Helderman, Greg Miller, Steven Mufson, Abby Phillip and David A. Fahrenthold contributed to this report. Read more at PowerPost Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), left, and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are generally aligned on national security issues. McCain would like the GOP to maintain a more traditional stance on foreign policy. (Alex Brandon/AP) The most interesting person to watch in ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillersons confirmation hearing for secretary of state Wednesday after Tillerson himself is without question Sen. Marco Rubio. The Florida Republican is likely to reveal what kind of future he wants in President-elect Donald Trumps Washington, and there are two broad possibilities. He could play a lead role in trying to torpedo Trumps pick for the nations top diplomat, by turning his question-and-answer sessions with Tillerson into an aggressive attack on the nominees economic ties to Russia and the honors bestowed upon him by President Vladimir Putin. Or Rubio could be, well, more diplomatic, tempering his questions about Tillersons global philosophy and Trumps views toward Putin and paving the way for an easy confirmation. Rubios fellow hawks on national security issues will be watching closely to see which path he takes. Several of them have joined Rubio in criticizing Tillersons credentials, but Rubio is the most prominent among them on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is tasked with vetting the oil titans qualifications. That puts equal pressure on Rubio to voice that perspective and to be careful about his relationship with the incoming administration. I will most certainly watch for Senator Rubios questions and want to hear how that interchange goes, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), who is not on the committee but has concerns about Tillerson, said Tuesday. Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), right, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, talks with Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil chief executive and nominee for secretary of state, on Capitol Hill last week. (Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images) [How Exxon, under Rex Tillerson, won Iraqi oil fields and nearly lost Iraq] Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), who are allied with Rubio on defense issues, have already staked out positions as antagonists toward the incoming president and his pick for secretary of state, seeking to keep the Republican Partys more traditional stance on foreign policy. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the committee chairman, meanwhile, is playing the opposite role: serving as an adviser to the incoming president and to Tillerson and trying to shape their views through positive persuasion. Rubio has yet to signal which direction hell take Wednesday, despite early claims of serious concerns about Tillersons nomination. A forceful attack on Trumps seemingly friendly stance toward Russia would win credit with many traditional GOP foreign policy experts, but it could renew the personal battles with the president-elect that played out during the Republican nominating contest. Once considered a rising star within the GOP, Rubio saw his presidential ambitions end last year amid an acrimonious trade of personal insults with Trump. As word spread last month that Tillerson was the likely nominee, Rubio took to Trumps most preferred means of communication, Twitter, to criticize the CEO for being awarded the Order of Friendship by Putin a few years ago because of ExxonMobils energy contracts in Russia. Being a friend of Vladimir is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState, Rubio tweeted. Rubio issued a more detailed statement suggesting that the next secretary of state must have moral clarity and be free of conflicts of interest. Several elder statesmen in the Republican foreign policy establishment quickly mounted a private campaign to quell Rubios concerns about Tillerson, and Rubio has been circumspect ever since. He said little of substance Monday evening on his way to meet Tillerson in his Senate office. A statement released later merely thanked the nominee for coming by; on Tuesday, Rubio told reporters only that he was going through the process of assessing the nominee. [At the center of the pitch for Tillerson: Richard Cheney and Marco Rubio] The most critical line of questioning will probably come on Tillersons views on sanctions against Russia, including new economic measures recently imposed by President Obama in the wake of election-meddling last year that the U.S. intelligence community has concluded was overseen by Moscow. Tillerson has previously opposed sanctions that would have hurt ExxonMobils economic interests in Russia, and Trump has expressed his intent to have a better relationship with Putin than Obama did. He has only begrudgingly accepted the intelligence communitys conclusion that Russian operatives tried to influence the presidential election. McCain and Graham, neither of whom are on the committee, have already signaled that their votes will probably depend on how Tillerson handles the Russia questions. Some Democrats hope to shape those questions to divide the GOPs Trump and McCain wings on foreign policy and imperil the nomination. I think wed be fools not to think about the issues that may end up weighing on Republicans on the committee, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the committee, said in an interview. I cannot imagine how John McCain or Lindsey Graham or Marco Rubio could vote for Tillerson if he does not make a firm commitment to continue and expand U.S. sanctions against Russia. And yet I dont know how he makes that commitment, given Trumps positioning. After his final meeting Tuesday with the nominee to prep him for the hearings, Corker said the business executive is ready, adding that as chairman he followed up with most members of the committee after they met with Tillerson. Its up to Tillerson to win over people, and my observation is he likely will, Corker told reporters. Theres nothing in our conversations with Tillerson that would point out to me he is outside the mainstream of Republican thinking on Russia. Corker acknowledged that Rubios exchanges will have an extra layer of significance, particularly on Russia, but he expects Tillerson to more than meet the moment. My guess is youre going to have people on both sides of the aisle, over and over again, pounding on issues like that, and my sense is that he will do a good job in responding. He certainly did in my office, Corker said. Read more from Paul Kanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Most buyers and sellers assume the standard commission rate is 6 percent but the national average was 5.26 percent in 2015. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The average commission rate paid on American home-sale transactions continues to decline and could dip below 5 percent within the next few years. Thats the conclusion of Real Trends Consulting, a research and advisory company that monitors hundreds of realty brokerage firms and compiles data on sales and commission rates of 450,000 sales agents across the country. While you may have assumed that the standard commission rate is 6 percent and it is, indeed, the preferred rate at many full-service, traditional brokerages the actual national average was 5.26 percent in 2015. Based on preliminary data, its likely to decline further when the final numbers are tallied for 2016. Steve Murray, Real Trends president, told me that we are headed for [a] sub-5 percent overall rate within the next few years. In 2010 and 2012, the average rate was 5.4 percent and in 2013, 5.36 percent. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the standard sometimes was 7 percent, depending on the local market. [More Harney: Mortgage insurance deduction for middle-income homeowners expired at the end of 2016] What has been causing the drop in fees? Multiple factors, probably: Rising numbers of agents are working for brokerages that allow them to negotiate lower commission rates, with no set minimum. Murray says 2016 appears to be the first year when the percentage of all agents working for brokerages that do not impose some floor on commissions exceeds the percentage of agents working for firms that do. Tech-savvy discounters such as Redfin, which is now active in 83 markets, are offering their lower charges a 1 percent listing fee in Chicago, Denver, Seattle and Washington, D.C., and 1.5 percent elsewhere putting pressure on competing firms agents to be more flexible on fees. Redfin also offers refunds to shoppers who buy through one of their agents. During 2015 and 2016, some major markets saw severe shortages of homes available for sale, making traditional agents more willing to negotiate lower fees to obtain listings. [More Harney: Home equity increased a lot in the past year. Heres what you can do with it.] Commissions in real estate are always negotiable. Typical transactions involve splits among the brokers and agents involved. If the total commission in the listing contract is 6 percent, normally that gets split in half between the listing agents brokerage and the brokerage that brought in the buyer. Each of the slices gets further split between the brokerage firm and the agent. If the listing fee gets negotiated down to 2.5 percent and the fee to the buyers agent is 3 percent, the listing brokerage and agent get to split only the 2.5 percent. Discount firms offer a variety of alternative models. Around Denver, Trelora charges a flat $2,500 to list a house regardless of price, and it offers a flat $2,500 to the buyers agent. Although such terms are controversial among the areas commission-based realty firms, Treloras sales volume soared by 30 percent in 2016, according to Joshua Hunt, the companys chief executive. Some limited-service alternative firms offer to put listings on the Internet for anywhere from $49 up but dont do much beyond that. Traditional brokers argue that by skimping on fees when they work with discounters, sellers often end up with poor marketing efforts, inadequate photography, newbie agents with minimal experience and the risk of losing more money on the final sale price than they save in fees. Traditional brokers also question how much of an impact lower-fee competitors are having on their business. David Howell, executive vice president at McEnearney Associates, a Northern Virginia brokerage firm, cited survey data from the National Association of Realtors indicating that 83 percent of recent buyers and sellers chose full-service brokers for their transactions, while just 17 percent chose brokers who offered some form of limited service. Some large firms notably Re/Max, which has more than 111,000 affiliated agents worldwide give their sales associates total flexibility on what they can negotiate. Susan McFarland, an agent with Re/Max Realty Group in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, says she frequently works with sellers who seek lower total fees. But given the heavy marketing costs she incurs and her decades-long experience, she says, there are limits on how low commission charges can go. Bottom line: If you plan to sell in 2017, explore all your fee options and the pros and cons each involves. Talk to multiple competing agents about which services they provide, how much they charge and how it gets split. Most important, be aware that there is no standard fee in real estate and that average charges nationwide have been declining. Ken Harneys email address is kenharney@earthlink.net. Afghan soldiers patrol at the scene of clashes with Taliban militants in Helmand province in 2015. (Noor Mohammad/AFP/Getty Images) The Taliban released a video Wednesday purportedly showing two Western hostages, including an American, tearfully urging President-elect Donald Trump to negotiate with their captors to secure their release. American Kevin King and an Australian, Timothy Weeks, were abducted in August outside Kabuls American University of Afghanistan, where the two worked as English professors. U.S. Special Operations forces almost immediately launched a raid to rescue them but did not find the hostages at the compound where they were thought to be held. The video emerged hours after the United Arab Emirates announced that five of its diplomats were killed Tuesday in blasts in Kandahar, underscoring the threats to foreigners working and living in Afghanistan. The 13-minute video could not be independently verified, but it was emailed to reporters by a Taliban spokesman and circulated by the groups social-media accounts. Sitting in front of a light purple curtain, the two professors wept as they urged the U.S. government to agree to a prisoner exchange that would allow them to go free. The men appeared pale and were short of breath when speaking, and they often sobbed. They gave the date as Jan. 1 and said they had been here for five months, without specifying their location. No other people were shown in the video. This is a message for the President-elect Donald Trump, the 49-year-old Weeks said to the camera. I ask you, please . . . please negotiate with the Taliban. If you do not negotiate with them, we will be killed. The Taliban, he said, wanted its members released from detention centers at Bagram air base and Pul-i-Charki prison, outside Kabul. [Attack on Bagram base raises questions about security] I dont know how much longer I can go, Weeks said, rubbing his eyes. I dont want to die here. How Trump plans to handle Afghanistans deepening political and security crises is unclear. About 10,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan, training Afghan forces and carrying out counterterrorism operations. The United States announced this month that it would send an additional 300 Marines to the southern province of Helmand to advise and assist Afghan troops. On Tuesday, more than 50 people were killed in a string of bombings in three major cities, including the capital. At a meeting between Afghan and Emirati officials in Kandahar, three bombs exploded in quick succession, wounding the governor of Kandahar and the UAEs ambassador to Afghanistan. Twelve others were killed. The Kandahar region is a Taliban stronghold, but the militants denied responsibility for the explosions, instead blaming them on an internal dispute between Afghan government officials. The group often denies roles in attacks that could provoke a local backlash. [U.S. Marines heading back to southern Afghanistan] However, the militants did assert responsibility for two bomb attacks Tuesday in Kabul and the Helmand provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Together, those blasts killed more than 40 people and injured close to 100. The Kandahar bombing was the deadliest attack on UAE diplomats in that countrys 45-year history, and it struck at a nation with deep and complicated relations in Afghanistan. The UAE has given billions of dollars in aid to the Western-backed governments that took over after the Taliban fell in 2001. But, before that, the UAE was among the few nations that recognized the Taliban government, and the UAEs financial hub, Dubai, has come under scrutiny as a haven for money funneled out of Afghanistan. The UAE also contributed combat troops to the NATO mission training Afghan security forces. The Emirati diplomats were in Kandahar, along with several high-level Afghan officials, on a humanitarian mission, the UAE Foreign Ministry said. It added that the UAE government planned to finance a technical institute and offer scholarships to Afghan students. The slain diplomats were helping the weak, children, and the needy, Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of the emirate of Dubai, wrote on Twitter. Maktoum is also vice president of the UAE. [Humanitarian crisis looms in Afghanistan] Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ordered a special team of investigators, headed by his national security chief, to probe the attack. The security chiefs spokesman, Tawab Ghorzang, said an initial investigation revealed that explosives had been placed underneath couches in the building, which served as the governors guesthouse. The Kandahar governors spokesman, Samim Khpelawak, said three blasts occurred inside the two-story guesthouse, which has multiple layers of security and regularly hosts foreign dignitaries and senior Afghan officials. There were screams, smoke and fire in the room. The power went out, Khpelawak, who escaped with minor injuries, said by phone. Kandahars provincial police chief, Gen. Abdul Raziq, told reporters that construction was recently completed on part of the building, suggesting that the bombs may have been smuggled in by laborers. A former Taliban official, Waheed Mozdah, said he doubted that the group carried out the attack. Taliban leaders have close ties with Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, said Mozdah, who now works as a political analyst. Its unlikely that they would target Arab diplomats. Cunningham reported from Istanbul. Heba Habib in Stockholm contributed to this report. Read more: Gallery: Dozens dead after twin bombings in Kabul Thousands of Marines fought in Afghanistan. Now, the service is going back. Afghanistans vice president, known for brutality, may have gone too far Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news He is against Western sanctions on Russia and recently got a phone call from President-elect Donald Trump with an invitation to the White House in April. He has said there is no such thing as a moderate Muslim, hates political correctness and does not rule out the possibility that the U.S. Embassy in Prague secretly organized a protest against him. His name is Milos Zeman, the 72-year-old president of the Czech Republic. Formerly a member of the ruling Social Democratic Party, today Zeman is the honorary chairman of the Party of Civic Rights and a contentious leader known for attempting to pump up the powers of the traditionally ceremonial president. He was elected in 2013 and previously served as prime minister from 1998 to 2002. He sat down Wednesday for an exclusive interview with The Washington Post. From an olive-colored room in Prague Castle, heres what he had to say, redacted for space. Q. Youve been invited by President-elect Donald Trump to visit the White House. How did that come about? A. I was the single European head of state who publicly supported Trump before the president elections. I stress before, because there are many politicians who admired Trump after the elections, when courage is cheap. . . . My reasons, my arguments for such public support? At first, it is just his courage. Politicians should be courageous and not hesitate . . . and he has courage. Second, he has a similar position [to mine] on the fight against Islamic terrorism and illegal migration. And third, you know the term political correctness, so I will give you one example only. Political correctness is to say international terrorism. Courage is to say Islamic terrorism. So it will be a pleasure to meet Donald Trump in the White House for those reasons. Q. When will you be going? A. The second half of April. Q. Did Donald Trumps people call you? A. Donald Trump called me. Q. Personally? A. Direct line. It was a private discussion. . . . He said that he knows the Czech Republic. He visited the Czech Republic because of his former wife [the Czech-born Ivana]. And that is why he said that the Czech Republic is a very beautiful country. And I have agreed. Q. Why did an invitation never come from Obama? A. I disagree with his position toward Israel. . . . I dislike any hesitation in this area. And more than that, the situation in the Middle East. Obamas policy destroyed practically all the Middle Easts structures and countries. Q. You have been called pro-Russian. Are you? And do you support an end to the Western sanctions against Russia? A. This is the standard slogan of my opponents. . . . Do you know why I am against sanctions? Because they represent a lose-lose strategy . . . because I am against the sanctions, they understand me as a pro-Russian politician. Thats all. Q. Then it is untrue? You are not pro-Russian? A. I am not financed by Russia . . . no vodka from Russia, no money from Russia. . . . They say that I am even paid by Russians, but in fact I am only an agent of Czechia, the Czech Republic. Q. One of your top aides, Martin Nejedly, was a former partner with Lukoil, the Russian oil giant, in a Czech subsidiary. Lukoil even paid a large fine for Nejedlys firm after a failed fuel deal. A. Probably, yes. It is a problem of the Lukoil company. Not my problem. Q. An unsubstantiated report from a pro-Kremlin news site emerged claiming that the U.S. Embassy in Prague was behind a 2014 protest against you on the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. Do you believe it? A. I dont know. Q. So you think its possible? A: Everything is possible. Q. In 2016, Czech intelligence issued a report stating that the Russians were perpetrating covert infiltration of Czech media for the purposes of spreading propaganda and fake news. Do you agree with their assessment? A. If you have some views, for instance, Russians have some views and you want to formulate it publicly in the media, it is not misinformation, it is not propaganda. Let us take, for instance, political parties. There are exchanges of arguments, sometimes politician slogans. I understand it is a normal situation because I believe in the common sense of citizens, in the Czech Republic and in America. And more than that, I dislike journalists. Because they understand their view as something superior compared to the views of the rest of the population, probably 99 percent. So if they have some views, please let us argue. But if they declare their superiority, that is a mistake thats why I dislike journalists. Q. The Czech Interior Ministry recently created a new unit to monitor fake news. I hear you are not a fan? A. Nobody has the monopoly on truth. This part of the Ministry of Interior, approximately 15 people, who not only do not have a monopoly on truth, but they have no qualifications for analysis for what is true and what is false. Q. Unsubstantiated reports have emerged that Donald Trump adviser Michael Cohen and others from his team met with Russian officials in Prague during the presidential campaign. Donald Trump has denied this. Do you have any knowledge of any such meeting? A. If this meeting has been realized, what is his name, Michael Cohen, was very impolite, because there was no meeting with me, the president of the Czech Republic! It is very impolite indeed! Q. So you have no knowledge of any meeting between the Russians and anyone from Donald Trumps team? A. No, not at all. I think it is nonsense. Q. You have said there is no such thing as a moderate Muslim. Can you explain? A. Let me start with Nazi Germany. In the 30s in the last century, the Germans were decent people. The nation of Goethe and Schiller and so on. In only three years, they became the fanatic Nazis. They all were not victims of this ideology but strong supporters of this ideology. And now, just imagine, you have a Muslim community of approximately 2 billion people. If the Germans were able to be . . . radicalized during three years only, there is a serious danger that those people you might call them moderate Muslims might be radicalized by, for instance, Islamist State. Q. You have also said you do not believe Muslims can assimilate into European cultures. A. There is a strong difference between American and European culture and Muslim culture. And this is the attitude toward women. For Muslims, the women are, well, inferior, inferior beings. So, this is unacceptable in European culture. I could give you other examples, but I think this concerns a half of the population. Read more: German politicians demand new deportation centers, more police powers and revetting of migrants Allahu akbar-chanting mob sets alight Germanys oldest church? Shocking story, if it were true. Suspect in Berlin market attack was radicalized in an Italian jail Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news In 1994, President Bill Clinton stands between German First Lady Christiane Herzog, left, and Hillary Rodham Clinton, gestures to photographers while German President Roman Herzog, right, looks on, from the steps of the Hammerschmidt Villa, the German Presidential House in Bonn. (Marcy Nighswander/AP) Roman Herzog, who as president pressed Germany to embrace economic reform in the 1990s and also stressed the importance of remembering the Holocaust, died Jan. 10 in Bad Mergentheim, Germany. He was 82. President Joachim Gauck announced Mr. Herzogs death, without giving details. In a message to Mr. Herzogs widow, he described the former head of state as a distinctive personality who advocated readiness for reform and at the same time stood for preserving the tried and tested. Mr. Herzog, a jovial Bavarian, served as the chief justice of Germanys highest court before winning the presidency in 1994, four years after reunification. He was one of the first leaders to address Germanys resistance to reform and its growing economic stagnation at a time when veteran conservative Chancellor Helmut Kohls 16-year tenure was coming to a close. Germany was struggling with double-digit unemployment, amid worries that its labor market was too inflexible. Mr. Herzog drew an unfavorable comparison between the dynamism of Asia and the stagnation in Germany, pointing to problems with bureaucracy and regulation, and a resistance to change. Roman Herzog in 2014. (Andreas Rentz) Germany must feel a jolt, Mr. Herzog said in a 1997 speech, urging Germans to set aside greed and pull together to overcome a sense of paralysis. Pessimism has become a normal mindset in our country, he said. Those who want to delay or prevent major reforms need to be aware that our nation will pay a high price for this. However, the president, while seen as the nations moral conscience, has a largely ceremonial job, and reform was slow to come. The following year, center-left Chancellor Gerhard Schroder came to power saying that one of his governments tasks would be to modernize the country and deal with a reform backlog. But it would still be several more years before Germany embarked in earnest on painful reform of the welfare state. The reforms that Schroder finally implemented were unpopular at the time, but they have been widely credited with putting Germany in good shape to weather economic crises. Mr. Herzog, who succeeded Richard von Weizsaecker and is remembered for urging his country to confront its dark past, also instituted an annual day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust, setting it on Jan. 27, the anniversary of the Auschwitz death camps liberation. Announcing the decision in 1996, he said remembrance must remind future generations to be vigilant. Germanys Jewish community praised Mr. Herzogs commitment to ensuring that Nazi atrocities not be forgotten. Mr. Herzog also reached out to countries that suffered under Nazi occupation, pleading for forgiveness when he traveled to Poland on the 50th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. He spoke out firmly against lingering property claims by some Germans in regions that were part of Germany before its borders were moved westward at the end of World War II. Mr. Herzog left office when his first term expired in 1999 and was replaced by Johannes Rau, a member of Schroders Social Democrats. Roman Herzog was born in Landshut, Germany, on April 5, 1934. His father worked at a snuff factory and later directed the local museum. After studying law, he taught at the University of Munich and the Free University of Berlin, among other schools. He was brought into politics by Kohl, then governor of Rhineland-Palatinate state, who named him the regions chief representative in Bonn in 1973. He later served as culture minister and interior minister in the southwestern state of Baden-Wurttemberg. Mr. Herzog was named vice president of the Federal Constitutional Court in 1983 and was elevated to chief justice in 1987. His first wife, the former Christiane Krauss, died in 2000. Survivors include his wife, Alexandra Freifrau von Berlichingen; and two sons from his first marriage. Associated Press Painted matryoshka dolls, or Russian nesting dolls, bearing the faces of President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are on sale at a souvenir shop in Moscow. (Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters) The Kremlin on Wednesday dismissed as a total fake allegations that Russian intelligence agencies collected compromising information about President-elect Donald Trump a denial that was echoed by much of Russias establishment. But when President Vladimir Putins spokesman went further saying the Kremlin does not engage in compromising material it was widely greeted by the rolling of Russian eyes. Gathering kompromat, the Russian word for potentially embarrassing information that can offer leverage, has a long history reaching back to Soviet days. It was raised to a high standard by the KGB, the predecessor of Russias Federal Security Service and the agency in which Putin and many of his closest allies started their careers. One sex tape toppled a prosecutor general on an anti-corruption crusade. Other tapes have targeted opposition politicians. And Russia, said one Federal Security Service colonel, has not lost its taste for kompromat, despite the flat-out denial by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Without a doubt, we gather kompromat. . . . In the Kremlin, theres piles of it, as there are in all the security agencies, said Gennady Gudkov, also a former legislator who was forced out of parliament for his opposition to Putin. As a rule, the special services collect information on everyone, like a vacuum, picking up anything and everything. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) This in itself does not confirm the allegations, summarized in a classified report U.S. officials said was delivered to President Obama and Trump last week, that Russian intelligence services have compromising material and information on Trumps personal life and finances. [Trump and Obama briefed on unconfirmed claims Russia has compromising information on president-elect] But the deep roots of kompromat add another layer to the probes into the credibility of the reports about a Trump dossier. Trump himself rejected the allegations, first in tweets and then during a news conference in New York. Its all fake news, he told reporters. Its phony stuff. It did not happen. Russias strong denials are directly at odds with the report and were reminiscent of previous Kremlin rebuttals after U.S. intelligence agencies said Russia had a hand in hacking Web accounts of the Democratic Party and top campaign figures for Hillary Clinton. Russia, however, has made no attempt to hide its support for Trump, whom many Russian leaders see as less adversarial than Clinton. At the news conference, Trump acknowledged for the first time that he thinks Russia was responsible for hacking the Democratic National Committee. In Washington, Trumps pick for secretary of state, former ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson, called the intelligence findings of Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election troubling. But Tillerson said he has not yet seen the classified information on the alleged compromising material. Nikolai Kovalyov, a current legislator and former director of the Federal Security Service, said that agents would not have collected material on Trump while he was visiting Moscow in 2013 to help run a Miss Universe pageant. 1 of 74 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Heres what President-elect Donald Trump has been doing since the election View Photos He has been holding interviews and meetings as he prepares to transition into the White House. Caption He has been holding interviews and meetings as he prepares to enter the White House. 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 Wait 1 second to continue. Who is interested in gathering compromising material on a man who came here to organize a beauty contest? Kovalyov said. I can tell you from my professional experience that Russia does not have such practices. [Trump: Good relations with Putin an asset] Gudkov disagreed. If Trump stayed in a hotel room equipped with surveillance equipment a plus room, Gudkov said spy agencies call them there is every reason to believe his actions could have been recorded, he said. Jonathan Eyal, director of international security studies at the London-based think tank Royal United Services Institute, said that it would be inconceivable that Russian intelligence wouldnt try to gather information on Trump if he came there. Among the allegations contained in the report is that surveillance captured Trump in a hotel room with prostitutes. This has not been confirmed. Before the trip to Russia in 2013 mentioned in the report, Trump said: I told many people: Be careful, because you dont want to see yourself on television, cameras all over the place. Not just Russia, all over. Does anyone believe that story? Im also very much of a germaphobe, by the way. Believe me. Sex tapes, and their use as leverage, have a long history in Russian politics. In 2010, hidden-camera videos of opposition politicians and journalists having sex or using cocaine in various hotel rooms were leaked online. The targets included opposition politician Ilya Yashin, satirist Viktor Shenderovich and others. Yashin blamed the Kremlin. Last year, five months before parliamentary elections, a tape emerged with opposition politician Mikhail Kasyanov, leader of the RPR Parnas party, having sex with a woman who was not his wife. The video helped lead to a schism in the party from which it did not recover. Its the ABCs of the work of any secret service, to get information which is important for operations, including political ones, said Alexei Kondaurov, a former lawmaker and major general in the Soviet-era KGB. Karla Adam contributed to this report from London. Natalya Abbakumova contributed from Moscow. Read more: Trumps financial ties to Russia and flattery of Vladimir Putin FBI agrees with CIA that Russia aimed to help Trump win White House Putin won 2016, but Russia has its limits as a superpower Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Israeli soldiers attend the Jan. 9, 2017, funeral in Tel Aviv of a comrade killed the day before in a truck attack in Jerusalem. EPA/ABIR SULTAN The Israeli military said Wednesday that its archenemy Hamas, the militant Palestinian Islamist group that runs the Gaza Strip, used a series of fake Facebook accounts to connect with young recruits in an attempt to gain access to sensitive army information. A senior intelligence officer, who could not be identified under Israeli army rules, told journalists that over the past few months, dozens of soldiers, mostly from combat units, were enticed into chatting with people they believed were young, attractive women in Israel and abroad. Using Facebook as the main medium to engage the soldiers in intimate conversations, those running the fake accounts encouraged the soldiers to download a chat application to their cellphones. The app, for both Android and iPhone, was used by Hamas to access vital data on the phones contacts, personal text messages and photographs. The app also allowed Hamas operatives to listen to conversations and take covert photos, the officer said. The officer said the army discovered the hack after several soldiers reported strangers attempting to befriend them on Facebook and lure them into intimate conversations. In one case, said the officer, a young Israeli woman discovered that her photo had been used in one of the fake Facebook accounts. [Heres what a Hamas training camp for teens looks like] In a video released by the Israel Defense Forces, a soldier with his face blacked out said he had received a Facebook message from someone he believed was a young Israeli woman. She sent me a message on Facebook. We spoke a lot over a few days. She said she was a prison guard, and I told her I was in the army, he said. Then she asked me to download this chat app so that we could talk more. I downloaded it, but it did not work. I tried to reach her again on Facebook, but she didnt answer. The soldier then described how the app was actually a gateway for Hamas into his life, collecting information about him and his activities in the army even when the phone was switched off. Saying the information was sensitive, the army would not reveal any more key details of the hack, including how investigators ascertained that Hamas was behind it, or whether it emanated from Hamas operatives in Gaza or elsewhere. The intelligence officer also could not explain how those behind the scheme managed to carry out such intimate conversations, in colloquial, slang-filled Hebrew, without making grammatical mistakes. There is a lot of information that we cannot reveal because it is sensitive, said the officer. But we know it came from Hamas. [Israel says Palestinians smuggled cameras to Gaza] He said the army managed to close down the fake accounts and contain the threat. So far, the damage is minimal, but we believe this could lead to great danger and compromise the army, he said. We decided the best way to deal with the threat is to raise awareness to the problem. The officer said the army is reevaluating social media guidelines for service members. He acknowledged, however, that because military service is mandatory for most Israelis at age 18, it is impossible to restrict social media use. Israel has fought three wars with Hamas over the last eight years, the most recent in the summer of 2014. Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by both Israel and the United States, still holds the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed during that war. Israel has the remains of 19 Hamas fighters. Periodically, rockets are fired from Gaza into communities in southern Israel, and Israel responds with airstrikes. Skirmishes regularly break out along the border between Israel and the coastal enclave. Hamas representatives in Gaza declined to respond to the Israeli army claims. Read more Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news A classified report delivered to President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump last week included a section summarizing allegations that Russian intelligence services have compromising material and information on Trumps personal life and finances, U.S. officials said. The officials said that U.S. intelligence agencies have not corroborated those allegations but believed that the sources involved in the reporting were credible enough to warrant inclusion of their claims in the highly classified report on Russian interference in the presidential campaign. Trump, however, replied Tuesday night with a tweet declaring: FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Early Wednesday, he accused the intelligence community of taking one last shot at me. In Moscow, the Kremlin called the report an absolute fantasy. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that its dissemination was an evident attempt to damage our bilateral relations. [Russia says it does not gather dirt on foreign leaders, but history of kompromat says otherwise] (Senate Judiciary Committee) A senior U.S. official with access to the document said that the allegations were presented at least in part to underscore that Russia appeared to have collected embarrassing information on both major candidates but released only material that might harm Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton a reflection of Russian motivation that bolstered U.S. spy agencies conclusion that Moscow sought to help Trump win. The inclusion of such unsubstantiated allegations in the election report, a development first reported Tuesday by CNN, adds a disturbing new dimension to existing concerns about Russias efforts to undermine American democracy. And it adds another bizarre twist to an already strange election year, injecting new controversy over the Trump teams relations with Russia just when the president-elect is trying to consolidate and launch his new administration. [Republican leaders cast doubt on Trump improving relations with Russia] If true, the information suggests that Moscow has assembled damaging information known in espionage circles by the Russian term kompromat that conceivably could be used to coerce the next occupant of the White House. The claims were presented in a two-page summary attached to the full report, an addendum that also included allegations of ongoing contact between members of Trumps inner circle and representatives of Moscow. The Russian Embassy did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night. Officials in Moscow this week dismissed the intelligence report on Russian interference in the election, and the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said its accusations have no substance. U.S. officials said the claims about Russian possession of compromising material were based not on information obtained through traditional intelligence channels but research done by an outside entity engaged in political consulting work and led by a former high-ranking British intelligence official. The material was first mentioned in a Mother Jones report in October. U.S. officials said that while the FBI had so far not confirmed the accuracy of the claims, U.S. officials had evaluated the sources relied upon by the private firm, considered them credible, and determined that it was plausible that they would have firsthand knowledge of Russias alleged dossier on Trump. The CIA, the FBI and the White House declined to comment on the matter. After CNNs report Tuesday, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Trumps nominee to be the next attorney general, was asked at his confirmation hearing about the allegations in the intelligence report. If its true, its obviously extremely serious, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said, after reading from the CNN report. And if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do? Sessions responded that he was not aware of any of those activities. While saying he had not spoken to Trump about the reports, he said allegations get made about candidates all the time, and theyve been made about President-elect Trump a lot. Dossiers compiled by the former British intelligence official have been circulating in Washington for months. Several news organizations, including The Washington Post, have been attempting to confirm many of the specific allegations without success. One U.S. official said that Trump was briefed on the allegations because they were already circulating widely and it was mostly a courtesy to let him know they were out there. Compiled initially in mid-2016 and supplemented during and after the campaign, the reports include detailed allegations that the Russians hold compromising material about Trump, some of it obtained while Trump visited Moscow in 2013 for the Miss Universe pageant and on a previous visit to Russia. Other reports compiled by the former intelligence official allege contacts between Trump personnel and business officials and Russian officials during the campaign. The former intelligence official was at one point paid to explore Trumps ties to Russia by anti-Trump Republicans and later by supporters of the Democratic Party. If I was the Clinton campaign, I would be reaching out to these people who put together the dossier, and Id ask for my money back, Trump Organization Executive Vice President Michael Cohen told The Washington Post last week. Its wrong. Theres no accuracy. Theres not an ounce of validity to anything that exists in that file. Last month, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who had been provided with the information, personally delivered it to FBI Director James B. Comey. In a statement early Wednesday, McCain said that upon examination of the contents, and unable to make a judgment about their accuracy, his only involvement in the issue was to hand the information over to authorities. A source familiar with the matter said the FBI had it well before then and had interviewed the former intelligence official last fall. Clintons former campaign spokesman, Brian Fallon, appealed for a congressional inquiry. Mitch McConnell, you must let a Select Committee investigate these allegations, as @SenJohnMcCain has been urging for weeks, Fallon wrote on Twitter. K.T. McFarland, Trumps designated national security adviser, declined to respond to a question about the report. I dont know about the story that youre talking about thats broken, she said during participation in a panel Tuesday at the United States Institute of Peace. I know in Washington people prefer to talk about something about which they know nothing, but Im going to refrain. Im not going to say what Donald Trump thinks about the election and what involvement the Russians had. I think Id just say what [Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr.] said, which is that nothing the Russians did had any effect on the outcome. Clapper, however, testified that the report never attempted to assess what effect the Russian intervention had on the election result. The two-page summary was attached to the most highly classified of three versions of the report on Russian election interference that were circulated in Washington last week, including an abbreviated declassified draft that was made public. It was unclear whether the claims in the summary were even considered by FBI, CIA and DNI analysts who were responsible for the main body of the report, or whether the information from the outside group had any influence on those analysts conclusions. Senior lawmakers who were briefed on the most classified version of the report declined to comment. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a member of the Trump transition team, said that we cant comment on what goes on in classified briefings, but he added that the idea that Moscow would seek to gather incendiary material on U.S. leaders should not be a surprise to anyone. The Russians are always looking for dirt on any politician, Nunes said. That wouldnt be news. Asked whether he was aware of any contacts between the Trump team and Russia, Nunes said, No. I found that hard to believe. I have not heard that. News to me. Mike DeBonis, Karen DeYoung, Ellen Nakashima, Matt Zapotosky and Alice Crites contributed to this report. Read more: Trump acknowledges Russian involvement in meddling in U.S. elections Tillerson calls U.S. intelligence findings on Russian interference in election troubling Do campaign statements and tweets add up to a Trump foreign policy strategy? The Iran nuclear deal was written with several sunset provisions setting expiration dates, some of them 15 years into the future, when restrictions on the Islamic Republics nuclear program would lift. Then Donald Trump was elected president, and a sunset on the deal itself became possible. During the campaign, Trump regularly denigrated the Iran agreement. He vowed, at turns, to walk away from the 2015 accord, or renegotiate it, or enforce it so rigorously that it might collapse on its own. Trump is expected to take a more confrontational approach with Iran, showing no tolerance for even small breaches of what was agreed upon. The strategy seems designed to increase pressure on Iran, stopping what critics consider backsliding or cheating, but also to compel it to moderate its actions elsewhere in the region. [Key moments in the long history of U.S.-Iran tensions] I was skeptical that the deal would survive, even if Clinton were elected, but the chances of it reaching its expiration date under Trump are very slim, said Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran analyst with the Carnegie Endowment. I could see a scenario where Iran continues to do provocative things. Both Trump and Congress respond with new sanctions. And Iran says, You just abrogated your end of the deal, therefore were going to put our foot on the gas again and reconstitute our nuclear program. But the likelihood that either side gratuitously walks away from the deal is very low. Neither side wants to be blamed for ripping it up. Trump will take office a year and a half after the agreement was reached in Vienna, limiting Irans ability to amass enough material to build nuclear weapons without the world receiving advance warning. Although some aspects will remain in force for 10 or 15 years, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Iran would be required to grant inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency access to its nuclear facilities forever. [Assessing the Iran nuclear deal one year later] In exchange, Iran got relief from nuclear-related sanctions and received about $100 billion in previously frozen money. U.S. sanctions related to missile testing, human rights abuses and the support of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah remain in place. The Obama administration, eager to preserve the viability of one of its legacy achievements, worked hard to ensure that the deal did not falter. When Iran complained that it was not reaping enough economic benefits, Kerry reached out to wary bankers and foreign companies to outline what is permissible. And when Iran surpassed the agreed-upon limits for heavy water used in some nuclear reactors, the U.S. government bought the excess for commercial resale. Some clerics and officials in Tehran have also been anticipating the deals collapse. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, has said the agreement once again proved the pointlessness of negotiating with the Americans. Others, however, have an interest in its success, including President Hassan Rouhani, who promoted the negotiations. Ditching the deal would be highly unpopular with the countries that negotiated it alongside the United States Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. Since the accord was reached, Britain has reopened its embassy in Tehran. Many European companies have made tentative trips to Tehran to explore business opportunities. And Russia, which is allied with Iran in the Syrian conflict, would also oppose any effort to abandon it, which, in addition, could complicate Trumps desire to improve relations with Moscow. Most of the world doesnt want to cut off ties with Iran, said Alireza Nader, an Iran analyst with the Rand Corp. That really constrains the United States using its economic leverage. Unless Iran does something that disappoints the international community, like electing a hard-liner as the next president. A more likely policy, analysts say, would be to seize on any Iranian violations of the nuclear deal, even relatively minor ones that the Obama administration worked with the Iranians to correct. Theres a recognition in the incoming team that the regime cheats incrementally, not egregiously, even though the sum total of cheating turns out to be egregious, said Mark Dubowitz, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a prominent critic of the agreement. Trump should show a zero-tolerance policy to cheating. Which means, at a minimum, using U.S. sanctions to respond. At a maximum, it means building up a case theres a history of incremental violations, and move to snap back sanctions. Underscoring how quickly tensions can ratchet up, Tehran last month announced it would start developing nuclear-powered ships and submarines after Congress voted to renew the authorization of sanctions against Iran a measure designed to ensure that the sanctions that were lifted can be reimposed quickly. What Id like to see is them going along with the deal, but subtly antagonizing the Iranians enough so the Iranians want to scrap it, said Michael Rubin, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation. More non-nuclear sanctions. Pushing the IAEA to inspect more. We can force them to be the ones to pull the trigger. That kind of analysis is being closely read in Tehran. The deal is in tremendous danger, said Trita Parsi, head of the National Iranian American Council, who has been a strong supporter of the agreement. Iranians are building up their case to make sure that once the deal falls apart, they can point to a strong record of the U.S. causing it. Its going to be part of the cost the administration will have to decide if its willing to pay. Read more: Do campaign statements and tweets add up to a Trump foreign policy strategy? Trumps generals, hardened by war, see militant Islam, Iran as dire dangers Sen. Cory Booker testified Wednesday that Sen. Jeff Sessions is the wrong man to lead the Justice Department, saying the Alabama Republicans lengthy record in Congress exposed views that are inconsistent with the venerated job he is seeking. In a passionate speech from the witness table, the New Jersey Democrat ticked off issue after issue, asserting in each instance that Sessions would not seek justice as the U.S. attorney general. If confirmed, Senator Sessions will be required to pursue justice for women, but his record indicates that he wont, Booker said. He will be expected to defend the equal rights of gay and lesbian and transgender Americans, but his record indicates that he wont. He will be expected to defend voting rights, but his record indicates that he wont. He will be expected to defend the rights of immigrants and affirm their human dignity, but the record indicates that he wont. [Cory Booker on why hes testifying against Jeff Sessions] The remarks marked the first time a sitting senator has testified against a colleagues nomination for a Cabinet post, and they were among the most notable in Sessionss two-day confirmation hearing. In total, legislators heard testimony from 15 supporters and detractors, and Sessions answered questions over more than 101/2 hours. Nothing that was said was likely to stop the Republican-controlled Senate from confirming him, with Democrats failing to land anything close to a fatal blow during the hearing. Booker said he could not stay silent, even though he knew some colleagues arent happy that I am breaking with Senate tradition. In the choice between standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country, he said. And he came after Sessions perhaps more forcefully than any witness before him. Senator Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requisite of the job to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights and justice for all of our citizens, Booker said. In fact, at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility toward these convictions. Sessions is generally well liked in the Senate, despite views that draw polarized responses. To those in law enforcement and conservative legal circles, he is an honorable man, dedicated to enforcing the law no matter his personal feelings. To civil rights advocates, immigrant advocates and others, his record makes him a troubling selection to lead the Justice Department. Former attorney general Michael Mukasey testified Wednesday that Sessions is thoroughly dedicated to the rule of law and the mission of the department. Peter Kirsanow, a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, said his voting record and actions demonstrate an unwavering commitment to equal protection under the law. But David Cole, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said that record raises serious questions about the fitness of Senator Sessions to be an attorney general for all American people. And Amita Swadhin, a rape survivor, attacked Sessions for saying that grabbing a woman by the genitals does not necessarily constitute sexual assault. That comment by Sessions came after the a video that recorded Trump talking about such conduct went public. Millions of sexual-assault survivors were triggered in the wake of these events, Swadhin said. The senator has since said his remarks were bungled, and on Tuesday he asserted unequivocally that grabbing a woman by the genitals is sexual assault. [Sessions emphasizes the primacy of the law over his political views] In his testimony, Sessions sought to persuade his colleagues that he would assiduously enforce the law. He said that although his politics may indicate otherwise, he would abide by the Supreme Court decision underpinning abortion rights and would similarly follow the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. He said he understands that the waterboarding of terrorism suspects to elicit information is absolutely improper and illegal. Finally, he declared that he would recuse himself from any Justice Department investigations of Hillary Clintons email practices as secretary of state or her familys charitable foundation mindful that his previous comments could place my objectivity in question. Trump said this of his nominees performance: He was brilliant. Democratic lawmakers used the witnesses to highlight some of Sessionss more controversial stances, such as his opposition to a hate-crimes bill and his expression of support for a Supreme Court decision that invalidated parts of the Voting Rights Act. Republicans, meanwhile, tried to cast those opposed to the nominee as biased and unwilling to give him a fair chance. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) debated with the ACLUs Cole over whether a critical report the group released on Sessions left out key details. Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) questioned NAACP President Cornell William Brooks about his organizations low rating of Sessions, noting that virtually all Republicans received poor marks. I hope that doesnt make us all racist, Graham quipped. Oscar Vazquez told legislators how he had come to the United States with documents when he was just 12, taking a bus with his mother from Mexico. He said he always considered the United States home, but when he sought to enlist in the Army near the end of high school, a recruiter told him he couldnt, because of his immigration status. Vazquez would go on to enroll at Arizona State University, marry a U.S. citizen and eventually get the documentation he needed to serve in the military, including in Afghanistan. He said undocumented immigrants are worried about Sessions as attorney general, especially those who took advantage of an executive action by President Obama allowing people who came to the United States illegally as children to receive work permits. There is a lot of fear, most of all, Vazquez said. [Coretta Scott Kings letter opposing Sessionss 1986 federal nomination] But supporter Chuck Canterbury, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, spoke of how Sessions would improve relations between federal authorities and local police and perhaps not be so quick to judge officers involved in high-profile incidents. The lines of communications will be more direct than they have been, Canterbury said of the Justice Department under Sessions. Sessions talked Tuesday of improving morale in local police departments, which he maintained had been unfairly maligned, and he notably refused to commit to leaving unchanged consent decrees mandating changes at certain departments. On Thursday, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch is scheduled to travel to Baltimore to announce such a decree in Baltimore, where the 2015 death of a black man in police custody led to riots. Read more: The facts about the voter fraud case that sank Jeff Sessionss bid for a judgeship At the Justice Department, Sessions could play a key role on immigration 10 things to know about Jeff Sessions, Donald Trumps pick for attorney general A drone sits at a French army base in Niamey, Niger. France and the United States have ramped up their cooperation in Africa to counter terrorist threats. (Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images) The Pentagon is preparing to open a drone base in one of the remotest places on Earth: an ancient caravan crossroads in the middle of the Sahara. After months of negotiations, the government of Niger, a landlocked West African nation, has authorized the U.S. military to fly unarmed drones from the mud-walled desert city of Agadez, according to Nigerien and U.S. officials. The previously undisclosed decision gives the Pentagon another surveillance hub its second in Niger and third in the region to track Islamist fighters who have destabilized parts of North and West Africa. It also advances a little-publicized U.S. strategy to tackle counterterrorism threats alongside France, the former colonial power in that part of the continent. Although the two allies have a sporadic history of quarreling when it comes to military action, U.S. and French troops have been working hand in glove as they steadily expand their presence in impoverished West Africa. Both countries are alarmed by the presence of jihadist groups, some affiliated with al-Qaeda, that have taken root in states whose governments are unable to exert control over their own territory. In Niamey, Nigers capital, U.S. and French forces set up neighboring drone hangars last year to conduct reconnaissance flights over Mali, where about 1,200 French soldiers are trying to suppress a revolt that erupted in 2012. View Graphic Map showing where the United States and France have expanded their military presence in West Africa In Chad, the U.S. Air Force has been flying drones and other aircraft from a French military base to search for hundreds of schoolgirls abducted by Islamic militants in northern Nigeria. The White House approved $10 million in emergency aid on Aug. 11 to help airlift French troops and provide midair refueling for French aircraft deployed to West Africa. Analysts said the monetary sum was less important than what it symbolized: U.S. endorsement of a new French plan to deploy 3,000 troops across the region. We have this confluence of interests where both countries are working much more closely than would have been thought possible just a couple of years ago, said J. Peter Pham, an expert on African security at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank. The cooperation is a turnabout from early 2013, when France deployed troops to northern Mali to try to prevent the country from breaking apart. The Obama administration was slow to respond to requests to provide crucial logistical support to French troops, a reflection of how the two countries have sometimes worked at cross-purposes on security policy. France is protective of its economic and political interests in West Africa. Yet in 2008 it shrank its military presence on the continent and instead opened a base in the Persian Gulf, an area that the U.S. military sees as its sphere of influence. Around the same time, the Pentagon created an Africa Command and expanded its training partnerships with French-speaking countries on the continent, to the annoyance of some officials in Paris. In July, however, French President Francois Hollande announced that his country would again bulk up its forces in West Africa. Under Operation Barkhane (a term for a crescent-shaped sand dune), France will permanently deploy 3,000 troops at bases in Mali, Chad, Niger and Burkina Faso. French leaders consulted closely with U.S. officials before the operation. Pentagon officials said they were happy to let France take the lead on the ground, enabling the U.S. Air Force to focus on drone flights and other airborne missions that it is better equipped to handle. At the start of a news briefing on Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby gave more details about U.S. strikes in Iraq and Somalia. He said the Pentagon is monitoring reports of the execution of an American journalist by Islamic State militants. (AP) They have a similar strategy and aim about what they are doing, said Sarah Covington, a sub-Saharan Africa analyst at IHS Country Risk, based in London. The French have been in that region for decades now and have an extremely strong presence. The new base in Agadez will put U.S. drones closer to a desert corridor connecting northern Mali and southern Libya that is a key route for arms traffickers, drug smugglers and Islamist fighters migrating across the Sahara. The city was once a magnet for adventure tourists from Europe seeking a taste of nomad culture. But rebellions by Tuareg tribesmen in recent years and an influx of Islamists have made it a more dangerous place. In a written response to questions, Benjamin A. Benson, a spokesman for Africa Command, called Agadez an attractive option for a base, given its proximity to the threats in the region. In February, records show, the Pentagons Defense Logistics Agency solicited bids for the delivery of more than 7 million gallons of jet and diesel fuel to Agadez later this year. In July, the Air Force posted a separate solicitation to upgrade the Agadez airport runway, a project estimated to cost between $5 million and $10 million. Documents cautioned that the project was still awaiting authorization from the government of Niger. The next month, Mahamadou Issoufou, the president of Niger, traveled to Washington to attend the Obama administrations U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. On Aug. 7, the day after the summit, Issoufou gave final approval to the Agadez drone base during a meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work; Army Gen. David Rodriguez, the leader of Africa Command; and several other participants, according to Nigerien and U.S. officials. Benson, the Africa Command spokesman, declined to say how many drones or U.S. military personnel will be deployed to Agadez, saying the operation is still in the planning stages. The Pentagon continues to broaden its drone operations in Africa, despite growing demand for the aircraft in other conflict zones. Since June, surveillance drones have been redeployed from bases in the Middle East to fly dozens of sorties a day over Iraq. The aircraft are also sorely needed in Afghanistan as the U.S. military draws down its forces there, as well as for counterterrorism missions in Yemen and Somalia. The Pentagon also keeps watch over northern Libya with Predator drones that cross the Mediterranean from a U.S. base in Sicily, Italy. The U.S. military would like to increase its reconnaissance flights over Libya, where Islamist factions and tribal militias have shattered the country. Having a drone base in Agadez will make it easier to reach the vast desert terrain in southern Libya, where many itinerant Islamist fighters have regrouped after being expelled from Mali, according to security analysts. It is unclear whether the Pentagon will continue to operate drones from Niamey, the capital, about 500 miles southwest of Agadez, though some officials said it was unlikely. About 120 U.S. troops are deployed there at a Nigerien military base adjacent to the international airport. French forces keep their own, small drone fleet in nearby hangars. It consists of two U.S.-built Reaper aircraft, purchased last year, and an older-model Harfang drone. In contrast to the U.S. military, which is secretive about its drone operations, the French have been eager to show off their spy aircraft. When Hollande visited Niamey in July to tout Operation Barkhane, news photographers were permitted inside the French drone hangar. Secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson called U.S. intelligence findings of Russian interference in the presidential election troubling Wednesday but said he has not yet seen classified information about allegations that Russia intended to help President-elect Donald Trump. Tillerson, the former top executive at ExxonMobil, also declined to strongly denounce Russian military actions in Syria that have led to civilian deaths or to broadly condemn alleged human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. He conceded that climate change is man-made and needs to be addressed by world powers but also that theres very little he can do to control the potential global fallout of Trumps tweeting. Tillersons hearing was the marquee event on a busy day amid a consequential week for the incoming Trump administration as the president-elects top Cabinet picks begin the confirmation process. As Tillerson testified, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Trumps choice for attorney general, was sitting for his second day of hearings with the Judiciary Committee and Elaine L. Chao, Trumps choice for transportation secretary, testified before the Senate commerce panel. Lawmakers were also keeping tabs on Trumps long-anticipated news conference in New York, his first since winning the presidency, where he conceded that Russia had meddled in the U.S. election. Tillersons sometimes testy confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee gave the 64-year-old Texan his first chance to address concerns that ExxonMobil put profits ahead of human rights, environmental and policy concerns, and to explain his relationship with Russia. I understand full well the responsibilities and the seriousness of the job, Tillerson said. I dont view this as a game in any way, he said, rejecting a characterization that he might view problems and policies as transactional. Sharp inquiries by senators in both parties signaled that Democrats and Republicans are still skeptical about whether Tillerson is suited to be the chief U.S. diplomat alongside a president with no government experience, particularly at a time of increasingly strained relations between the United States and Russia. With his smooth baritone voice, he assured senators that he would set aside a profit-driven worldview born of 41 years as an oil executive and would recuse himself from decisions involving his former employer, the worlds largest oil company. Tillerson retired Dec. 31 and has pledged to sell his remaining ExxonMobil stock. But Tillerson seemed constrained and at times reluctant in answering questions about some of the most controversial positions adopted by Trump during the presidential campaign. In some cases he said he does not yet have sufficient information to comment in detail, as with the Russian presidential hacking allegations clouding Trumps ascension to the presidency now, and in other cases he said the incoming administration has not yet settled on its views. In my conversations with him on the subjects we have discussed, hes been very open and inviting of my views and respectful of those views, Tillerson said of Trump. My sense is that were going to have all the views presented on the table. Tillerson called himself a pragmatist about Russia, which he said is not a friend of the United States but can be a partner. Moscow has been emboldened in Ukraine and elsewhere by a void in strong U.S. leadership, Tillerson said, and he pledged a tough stance with both Russia and China over territorial ambitions. We have stumbled, he said. In recent decades, we have cast American leadership into doubt. He was most critical of foreign policy decisions made by President Obama, but he also found fault with the Iraq War launched by Republican President George W. Bush. He declined to label Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal or to condemn Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over human rights abuses the leader himself claims he committed. He seemed to stun some senators by saying he had not yet discussed Russian action in Aleppo, Syria, with Trump. He frustrated others by appearing to stonewall questions about ExxonMobil lobbying against economic sanctions, especially concerning Russia, where the company does extensive business. Tillerson said he never lobbied on the issue and fumbled over whether ExxonMobil ever had. At one point he said that to the best of his memory, ExxonMobil had not done that. Democrats on the committee produced lobbying records that show ExxonMobil had said it was lobbying over various economic sanctions measures, including tough sanctions on Iran in 2010 and more recently over sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea. Under questioning by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a 2016 GOP presidential candidate, Tillerson did not dispute intelligence officials findings on Russia, saying that he had reviewed the unclassified report that U.S. agencies released last week on Russian interference in the election. More detailed classified versions of that report were presented to Trump and to President Obama. That report clearly is troubling and indicates that all of the actions you just described were undertaken, Tillerson said. Rubio is the only Republican on the committee who has suggested he might oppose Tillerson a move that could imperil the former executives nomination. Any GOP resistance could endanger the nomination in the Senate, which Republicans hold with 52 seats. As the hearing concluded, Rubio signaled he has not made up his mind. I have to make sure Im 100 percent behind whatever decision that I make, because when I make it, it isnt going to change, he told reporters. Late Wednesday the committees top Democrat, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, said he would need more time and research before he could vote for Tillerson. He called the nominees answers on sanctions and human rights issues troubling and confusing and said Tillerson seemed unwilling to fully separate himself from his former employer. Rubio has become a proxy for other GOP senators voicing similar concerns about Tillersons views on Putin and Russia. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), who do not sit on the panel, have indicated reluctance to vote for Tillerson, as have others. McCain said Tuesday that he had no plans to attend the proceedings but that he intended to send Tillerson written questions regarding Russia and other matters. Concerns with Tillersons ties to Russia include that he accepted an Order of Friendship award given personally by Putin in 2013 and because he has met with the Russian leader and other senior government officials numerous times. [What is the Russian Order of Friendship, and why does Rex Tillerson have one?] Tillerson appeared to break with Trump over the whether Russia was justified in annexing the Crimea region of Ukraine, the value of an international climate agreement and the wisdom of expanding the number of countries that possess nuclear weapons, among other issues. He also appeared to depart from the president he would serve in support for the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and rejection of any blanket ban on Muslim immigration or registry. Tillerson hedged on his views on the human role in climate change and the extent of the threat it poses, although he did say he thinks the United States is better served by remaining a party to the international agreement on climate change brokered under the Obama administration. Trump has vowed to cancel U.S. participation in the accord, in which hundreds of countries collectively agreed to slash carbon emissions to help mitigate the effects of global warming. Under clipped questioning about Trumps business dealings and Exxons views on climate science from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who was the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2016 election, Tillerson repeatedly answered I have no knowledge. Kaine asked whether the response came from a lack of knowledge or a refusal to answer; Tillerson said with a smile, a little of both. Tillerson flashed his blunt style again when asked by Sen. Todd C. Young (R-Ind.) how he might urge Trump to check his prolific tweeting to preserve foreign relations. I dont think Im going to be telling the boss how he ought to communicate with the American people. Thats going to be his choice, Tillerson said, adding that he expects to be in sync with Trump on world affairs. If theres any disagreement, I have his cellphone number, Tillerson added. And hes promised me hell answer and he does. Karoun Demirjian, Karen DeYoung and Steven Mufson contributed to this report. White House national security adviser Susan E. Rice shakes hands with her successor, Michael T. Flynn, during the Passing The Baton conference at the U.S. Institute of Peace on Jan. 10. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Incoming White House national security adviser Michael T. Flynn said Tuesday that the Trump administration plans to examine and potentially re-baseline U.S. relationships around the world but will keep in mind the sacrifices and deep commitments that many of our allies have made on behalf of our security and our prosperity. Implementing President-elect Donald Trumps vision . . . of making America great again, Flynn said, would be achieved overwhelmingly through a policy of peace through strength. But in his first extensive public remarks since the election an address to a U.S. Institute of Peace conference on Passing the Baton Flynn largely flew above specifics, with no mention of individual countries or planned policies. His goal, one Trump transition team official said, was not to make news, and he largely succeeded. [Do campaign statements and tweets add up to a Trump foreign policy strategy?] Unlike Trump, and Flynn himself on many occasions, he offered no direct criticism of the Obama administration. The closest he came was noting that the American people, faced with some of the darkest days of civil and foreign wars, economic depression . . . weak leadership at home and hostile threats abroad, have always retained their faith in the American experiment . . . the greatest model for liberty the world has ever known. Before the election, when he advised Trump on national security issues, Flynn repeatedly charged that Obama and Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state, were weak and dishonest in combating and explaining to the American people the threat posed by what he and Trump defined as radical Islamic extremism. Like Trump, Flynn has been accused of an unhealthy closeness to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, at whose side he sat at a gala dinner in Moscow in 2015. But unlike Trump, Flynn has also sharply criticized Russia, accusing Moscow of forming an enemy alliance with Iran and questioning its provocative military actions on its western border. Appointed by Obama as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency after a distinguished career in military intelligence, Flynn, a three-star general now retired from the Army, was pushed to resign after two years because of what administration officials said was a bad management style. Flynn has acknowledged that he clashed with Obama officials but attributed the mutual dissatisfaction to the White Houses refusal to acknowledge the extent and definition of the extremist threat. [Trumps pick for national security adviser brings experience and controversy] Speaking Tuesday about the U.S. role in the world, Flynn said that America might have its ups and downs, but the assumption has long been that America would always be there . . . reliable, strong, present and ready. We have always been the indispensable nation, and we always will be. While he spoke of reexamining U.S. global partnerships, Flynn also said that alliances are one of the great tools that we have, and the strength of those alliances magnify our own strengths. His remarks appeared aimed at reassuring European and other allies, concerned by Trumps campaign comments disparaging NATO and calling on all partners to begin paying more for the U.S. defense umbrella. He began his speech by complimenting the current national security adviser, Susan E. Rice, who preceded him with remarks of her own. Rice, he said, after the two shook hands onstage and smiled for the cameras, had spoken with a grace, a dignity, an elegance and a commitment to this country that goes beyond some of our wildest imaginations. Sacrifices made by Rice and former Clinton administration secretary of state Madeleine K. Albright, who also spoke, transcend who we are, Flynn said, calling for extra rounds of applause for both. While he has a reputation as a bull in a china shop, Flynn spoke in tones . . . respectful and complimentary, said Jon B. Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In terms of substance, Alterman observed from the audience, Flynn intentionally didnt say anything. In her own address, Rice listed what she described as the Obama administrations foreign policy successes, praising the presidents successful efforts to get our economic house in order as a crucial precursor to national security. Even as he was revitalizing the economy, Rice said, Obama wound down wars in Afghanistan and Iraq . . . averted the prospect of a dangerous and costly new war with the Iran nuclear agreement, put in place a sustainable counterterrorism strategy, negotiated groundbreaking nonproliferation and climate agreements, provided humanitarian aid, and fought Ebola and AIDS. While praising Obamas rebalance of attention and military resources toward Asia, Rice said that failure to move forward on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal which Trump has said is dead in the water would erode U.S. leadership in the region, with China standing to gain strategically and economically. Rice said that she has had constructive meetings with Flynn since the election. This was a tough and hard-fought election, she said, but our national security is and must always remain above the fray. Speaking at the conference earlier Tuesday, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said he had not yet met with his nominated successor, Rex Tillerson. In less conciliatory terms, Kerry said he worried that the new administration, among other things, would turn away from important foreign aid and other initiatives around the world and warned of the danger of an America first policy. What worries me the most is that I wont be there, Kerry said, quickly insisting that he was just joking. A picture taken on Dec. 28, 2016, shows the U.S. Embassy building in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. (JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) As Inauguration Day draws near, U.S. allies in the Middle East, alongside Palestinian leaders and American diplomats, are warning President-elect Donald Trump to forget his campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. A top government minister in Jordan, Israels pro-Western neighbor, said the embassy move from Tel Aviv to the contested city of Jerusalem would have catastrophic consequences, inflaming religious passions and rallying extremists in the region. The Palestinians have also called the move a red line that would dash hopes for a two-state solution to their long-running conflict with the Israelis. Palestinian leaders are now pleading with Trump not to do it. They have asked mosques around the world to offer prayers on Friday against the move. This is a message of protest, said Mohammad Shtayyeh, a senior Palestinian official and former peace negotiator. (William Booth,Carol Morello,Jason Aldag/The Washington Post) The call for prayer is to say we dont accept this, he said, signaling how quickly the issue had moved from the diplomatic realm to the sectarian street. The Palestinians also want churches to ring their bells Sunday in protest of the proposed move. Shtayyeh said that if Trump moved the embassy to Jerusalem, the Palestine Liberation Organization would consider revoking its recognition of the state of Israel. If such a threat is carried out, it would mark the collapse of the 1993 Oslo accords. [Israeli leaders congratulate Trump, then tell him to hurry up and move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem] Advocates for the embassy move say that Trump should not be cowed by threats of violence. Israels ambassador in Washington, Ron Dermer, has said the move would send a strong message against the delegitimization of Israel and of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. In Israel, speculation is rife that a move could happen on May 24, the national holiday of Jerusalem Day, which marks the citys reunification after the 1967 war. But some U.S. diplomats, including former Middle East peace negotiators, say the move would do little to advance U.S. interests in the region. It was and is a symbol of American policy, which has always been that the status of Jerusalem should be resolved through negotiations, and any effort to move it unilaterally would be disruptive and dangerous for everyone, said Philip Wilcox, the U.S. consul general in Jerusalem from 1988 to 1991. Its playing with fire, Wilcox warned. It would quite likely incite acts of Palestinian violence and terrorism, not only there but everywhere. It would alienate other Muslim states and make our role in trying to preserve some stability and peace more difficult. It would alienate the international community. And all it would accomplish is the goodwill of the Israeli right wing. Every U.S. administration has wrestled with the embassy issue since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, when Israel captured the eastern, Arab half of Jerusalem from Jordan in six days of fighting. Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal, undivided capital. In election after election, American presidential candidates have vowed to relocate the U.S. Embassy, then demurred once in office. Every embassy in Israel is in Tel Aviv. But Trumps transition team has signaled that he may actually carry out his promise. Trumps bankruptcy attorney, David Friedman, the designated U.S. ambassador to Israel, has said he expects to take up his post in Jerusalem. Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway called it a major focus. [Israel says theres never been a more right-wing U.S. ambassador than Trumps pick] Jerusalem is like no place else, its history sacred and bloody. The city has been seized, razed, lost and fought over for 3,000 years. It not only is a center of three world religions but remains a disputed city today, divided between the occupied Palestinian villages and refugee camps in the east and the Jewish neighborhoods in the west. For most countries, the United States included, the final status of Jerusalem awaits a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who want the eastern half as the capital of a future state of Palestine. Moving the U.S. Embassy from seaside Tel Aviv would likely be interpreted by many as a tacit acknowledgment that the United States recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the whole city. Behind the diplomatic optics, the practical needs of a modern-day U.S. embassy revolve around security. After a string of embassy bombings elsewhere, Congress embraced the idea of American missions as fortresses to protect diplomats. It passed regulations mandating a 100-foot perimeter. [Did Obama just sign the last waiver before Trump moves the embassy to Jerusalem?] If Trump decides to relocate the embassy, he has several options. The most costly would be starting from scratch on a site already leased by the U.S. government. That could take four years or longer. Or it could be as simple as erecting a new sign on the U.S. Consulate in West Jerusalem and calling it the embassy. It could even be a virtual embassy, with the Trump administration announcing that all ambassadorial duties will henceforth be conducted in Jerusalem and the ambassador could meet people in the lobby of the King David Hotel, for example, if he wished. Until recently, the Arab governments have been mostly silent on the prospect. Diplomats confessed that they did not really believe that Trump was serious about moving the embassy; they thought it was just a campaign boast. Now the Palestinians are taking what they see as a threat seriously. This is something huge, said Majdi Khaldi, a senior adviser on diplomatic affairs to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He warned of a tsunami if the embassy were moved. The peace process in the Middle East, and even peace in the world, will be in a crisis we will not be able to come out from, he said. Jordans usually low-key minister of information, Mohammed al-Momani, said that moving the embassy to Jerusalem would have catastrophic consequences and be a gift to extremists. Jordan plays an outsize role in Jerusalem, serving as custodian of Islams holy sites in the Old City, including the golden shrine of the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque, considered the third-holiest site in Islam. These Muslim sites are built on the location that Jews consider the holy of holies and the place where their first two temples, now destroyed, once stood. Today, Jews pray at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. The Obama administration opposes the embassy move. Secretary of State John F. Kerry has warned of an absolute explosion in the Middle East if it happens. In addition, Kerry told CBS that moving the mission would have profound impact on the readiness of Jordan and Egypt to be able to be as supportive and engaged with Israel as they are today. Jordan and Egypt have peace treaties with Israel. Among Israelis, there is broad support for moving the embassy to West Jerusalem, where Israels parliament, supreme court and government ministries are located. Alan Baker, an Israeli diplomat and former peace negotiator with the Palestinians, said: This should not be a problem for the Palestinians, but they are turning it into a problem and turning the whole of Jerusalem into a problem. Its a tactic of fear they threaten fire and brimstone, so everyone is afraid. Morello reported from Washington. Ruth Eglash contributed to this report. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter declared on Sunday that North Koreas nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs constituted a serious threat to the United States. He warned that the US military was prepared to shoot down any North Korean missile launched if it were coming towards our territory or the territory of our friends and allies. Carters remarks came after an announcement by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on January 1 that his country was planning to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would potentially have the range to hit continental United States. Last Sunday, the North Korean foreign ministry declared that an ICBM would be launched anytime and anywhere as determined by supreme headquarters. The foreign ministry spokesman blamed the US for pushing North Korea toward developing an ICBM through its anachronistic policy hostile toward the DPRK [North Korea] for decades. As in the past, Pyongyang is attempting to use the development of new weapons systems in a bid to break down the US-led diplomatic isolation and economic blockade of the country. Washington is certainly responsible for repeatedly ratcheting up tensions with North Korea so as to justify its military build-up in East Asia and to pressure China. However, the Pyongyang regimes militaristic response only heightens the danger of war, sows divisions in the international working class and plays directly into the USs hands. As Donald Trump prepares to assume the US presidency, the American and international media has been awash with commentary on how to disarm North Korea. Trump himself tweeted that a North Korean ICBM test wont happen but gave no indication as to how his administration intends to proceed. Writing in the Washington Post last weekend, former US Defence Secretary William Perry voiced concerns that Trumps tweet suggested he might take military action against North Koreas missile program. After concluding that North Korea is likely to have an operational nuclear-armed ICBM within a few years, Perry called for negotiations, urging Trump to talk first, get tough later. He concluded: Time is of the essence. If we dont find a wayand soonto freeze North Koreas quest for a nuclear ICBM, this crisis could all too easily spin out of control, leading to a second Korean War, far more devastating than the first. Perry was part of the Clinton administration, which was on the brink of war with North Korea in 1994 over its nuclear programs, but pulled back at the last minute when advised by the US military of the enormous scale of likely casualties. Negotiations resulted in an Agreed Framework under which North Korea agreed to dismantle its nuclear program in return for two power reactors, the curtailment of sanctions and eventual diplomatic recognition. The US never kept its side of the bargain and the agreement was effectively scuttled by the Bush administration in 2001. There is no indication, however, that Trump is prepared to negotiate with Pyongyang, other than a throw-away line suggesting a chat with North Korean leader Kim over a hamburger. Trump has on several occasions accused China of failing to do enough to rein in its ally North Korea through crippling economic sanctions. While agreeing to punitive UN sanctions on North Korea, Beijing has been reluctant to take action that could precipitate the collapse of the Pyongyang regime and create a crisis on Chinas northern border. Carters threat to shoot down any North Korean ICBM heading toward the US or an ally has been placed in doubt by the latest annual report from the Pentagons weapons testing office. As reported yesterday by Bloomberg, the network of radar-guided interceptors based in California and Alaska has demonstrated only a limited capability to defend the US homeland from small numbers of simple ICBMs. It stated that the reliability and availability of the operational interceptors was also low, as new flaws and failure modes were exposed during testing. The question mark over the US anti-ballistic missile systems has already led to calls for pre-emptive military action against North Korean nuclear and missile facilities. Speaking at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) last month, General Walter Sharp, former head of US Forces Korea, declared that the US had to demonstrate the capability to destroy North Korean missiles both on the ground before they were launched, and after launch. Any North Korean retaliation, Sharp suggested, should be met with an overwhelming military attack. We have to make sure... he [Kim] knows that if he responds after we take one of his missiles out that there is a lot more coming his way. The US and South Korean militaries have adopted a joint operational planOPLAN 5015in the event of war with North Korea. The plan shifted from a nominally defensive stance to an offensive one. Agreed in November 2015, the plan reportedly includes pre-emptive strikes on North Koreas nuclear and missile sites, as well as decapitation raids by special forces units to assassinate key figures in the Pyongyang regime, including the top leader Kim. South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday that the formation of a specialised assassination brigade of 1,000 to 2,000 US and South Korean special forces troops would be speeded up. Originally slated for 2019, its establishment has been brought forward to sometime later this year, according to a high-ranking government official. The unit would operate inside North Korea in a time of war to eliminate leaders and paralyse the regime. Having declared that a North Korean ICBM wont happen, Trump, the right-wing populist and braggard, is now on the brink of assuming office and putting words into actions. His propensity for recklessness and militarism will only heighten the danger that tensions on the Korean Peninsula, one of the worlds most dangerous flash points, will spiral out of control and lead to a conflict that will drag in other powers. This is the second and concluding part of a series. Part 1 was posted January 9. The largest single part of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, and perhaps also its strongest one, is devoted to the Holocaust in Poland. Poland was not only home to the worlds largest Jewish population, but it also became the main site of the killing of European Jewry by the Nazi regime. It is here that the six death camps (Auschwitz-Birkenau, Majdanek, Sobibor, Treblinka, Bezec and Chemno) were established in which a total of some 2.5 million Jews were murdered. In the conception of this part of the exhibition, emphasis is laid on conveying the horrors that the Jews in Poland went through during the German occupation. The historians supervising this gallery chose to focus on the Warsaw Ghetto, in which some 400,000 Jews were kept. Of those, some 100,000 died of hunger and disease in the first one-and-a-half years of the ghettos existence. Most of the remaining 300,000 Jews were gassed in Treblinka. The story of the Warsaw Ghetto is told through the diaries and documents of two of its key figures, Adam Czerniakow, the head of the ghettos Jewish Council, and Emanuel Ringelblum, a socialist Zionist and head of the ghettos archive Oyneg Shabes. (See Samuel Kassows Who Will Write Our History?) Separate small rooms show artefacts from this period such as food stamps. Valuable video footage includes explanations on the impact of starvation and epidemics, as well as the efforts of the population to hold on to some of its cultural traditions to find a way to escape from the horrors of the ghetto. The rooms of the gallery, connected by a long, jagged corridor, have uneven walls and are extremely small, trying to convey the impression of being trapped in tiny, overcrowded conditions like the inhabitants of the ghetto. One particularly well-done element of the exhibition is the reconstruction of the bridge that united the large and the small ghettos of Warsaw, which were divided by a large street that formed part of the Aryan side of the city. Crossing the bridge, visitors can look down on pictures from the life in occupied Warsaw outside of the Ghetto walls. The question of Polish anti-Semitism, which continues to be hotly debated in Poland, is raised in passing but not highlighted. On one wall, three quotes from different eyewitnesses seek to portray different ways of reacting within Polish society to the Holocaust. Whereas one expresses horror at what is going on, another betrays indifference, while a third speaks to the views of some Polish nationalists that Hitler was to be congratulated upon finally doing away with the Polish Jews. Addressing the example of Jedwabne, a town in northeastern Poland where sections of the local population murdered dozens of Jews in the summer of 1941, a small wall also raises the question of Polish pogroms against Jews following the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union and the German occupation of Eastern Poland. Another section of the gallery portrays the difficult life of Jews who tried to survive on the Aryan side. Those who went into hiding often had to pay their saviors, some of whom eventually handed the Jews over to the Gestapo or killed them themselves. (The hiding of Jews was punished with execution by the Nazi occupiers.) The post-war period The section on the post-war period has been by far the most controversial and is also the weakest. Many of the problems of the exhibition find their most concentrated expression here, even though the authors of the gallery no doubt tried to be as objective as possible in their presentation. Having all but ignored the impact of the Russian Revolution on inter-war Poland and its relation to the Jewish question, the exhibition not only cannot provide an answer to the seeming paradox of Stalinist anti-Semitism, which was particularly strong in Poland, but prevents it from even being raised as an issue. Indeed, the fate of Polish Jews in the Polish Peoples Republic was perhaps the most difficult issue for the historians to tackle. Poland after World War II was not only economically and socially devastated, but also presumably the largest cemetery in the world. Over 4 million European Jews had met their violent deaths on Polish soil, in addition to an estimated 800,000 Soviet prisoners of war and some 6 million Poles. Following the advance of the Red Army to Eastern Poland, Stalin, who was responsible for the murder of thousands of Polish Communists in the 1930s and the dissolution of the Polish Communist Party in 1938, created the so-called Lublin Committee to take over power in Poland. The aim was both to control the country, which had formed a buffer of imperialism against the USSR in the inter-war period, and at the same time to prevent a growing movement of the working class from taking revolutionary dimensions. In the summer of 1944, the committee issued the so-called Lublin Manifesto. It proclaimed a number of social reforms, including a land reform, but at the same time insisted on the reinstitution of parliamentary democracy and made clear that there was no intent on the part of Moscow to abolish capitalism in Poland. Until the late 1940s nearly civil war conditions prevailed in the country, as nationalists from the Polish underground were fighting military units organized by the Polish Peoples Party. In the first part of this gallery, the main emphasis is laid on the void left by the extermination of Polish Jews and the major difficulties confronting the survivors. A wall with search formulas, which surviving Jews used to try to find other surviving members of their families, seeks to demonstrate the scale of the genocide. A quote by the Holocaust survivor and pianist, Wadysaw Szpilman, sums up the difficulties of the surviving Jews in starting a new life after all the horrors they had been through: How does one start a new life when all thats behind is just death? (1946). The disturbing phenomenon of numerous pogroms and terrorist attacks against Holocaust survivors in the immediate post-war period is addressed by the example of the notorious Kielce pogrom on July 4, 1946. Some 42 Jews were killed in this pogrom, the largest in post-war Poland. The exhibition introduces the names of the victims of the pogrom, shows a contemporary government-sponsored movie on the funeral, and quotes numerous reactions and interpretations of the pogromby the official press, representatives of the Catholic Church, and other contemporaries. (A section of the 1946 film is available on YouTube with English subtitles). In a statement characteristic of the role of the Catholic Church, the Bishop of Kielce stated in a letter to the US ambassador to Poland of the time: Jews themselves must take the lions share of responsibility for the hatred surrounding them. The Kielce pogrom sparked a mass wave of emigration by the horrified Jewish community. Within months, thousands left the country. However, it was difficult to emigrate since, as the exhibition notes, the post-war world did not open its doors to refugees. Immigration quotas had been reduced by most countries, including Britain and the United States, which left many Jews with no other option but to emigrate to Israel. The exhibition addresses the little known chapter of a relative flourishing of the surviving Jewish community in Poland in the immediate post-war period. Until around 1948 the Stalinist government allowed for a certain amount of political and cultural autonomy for the Jews through the Central Committee of Jews in Poland, which included representatives from the Bund, Zionist organizations and the United Polish Workers Party. One of the main achievements of the committee was its formation of the Central Jewish Historical Commission, which undertook an enormous effort to safeguard critical documents on the extermination of Polish Jews. It uncovered the remnants of the Ringelblum Archive that had been gathered in the Warsaw Ghetto, and created one of the most significant libraries on Jewish history in Europe, that of the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw. To this day, research on the history of Polish Jews relies significantly on these early efforts at historical documentation. In a brief film, the exhibition deals with the anti-Semitic stereotype of the Zydokomuna, the Jewish commune, i.e., the threat of Communism allegedly represented by the Jews. It explains that the Lublin Manifesto for the first time in Polish history guaranteed full civil rights to the Jews, and made it possible for them to get whatever job they wanted without any restrictions. While this explanation is not wrong in and of itself, it begs the question of how the Stalinist government could then itself become a major force in the fostering of anti-Semitism throughout the post-war period. The exhibition fails to explain or even openly address this question. Fundamentally, the anti-Semitic tendencies in the Stalinist bureaucracy, which emerged as early as the 1920s, were a result of its nationalist orientation and social base in a privileged caste and layers of the middle class. This becomes clear by the extent to which anti-Semitism was used by the Stalinist faction in the USSR in its struggle against the Left Opposition under the leadership of Leon Trotsky, which defended the internationalist program of the October Revolution against its nationalist betrayal by Stalinism. [1] In the purges of the 1930s, anti-Semitic stereotypes were used in the persecution of Left Oppositionists, real or alleged, and in particular in the campaign against Leon Trotsky himself. [2] In the post-war period, the Kremlin bureaucracy actively tried to appease nationalist forces in Poland and other satellite states by adopting parts of their program. The building of the Polish Peoples Republic took place on the basis of borders that had been envisaged by Polands ethnic nationalists before World War II. The Polish Stalinists also engaged in the ethnic cleansing of southern Poland of the substantial Ukrainian population. Thus, the Polish Peoples Republic was largely ethnically homogeneous. Around 1955, the new Gomuka government in Poland started initiating a thaw, a short time before the Soviet government under the leadership of Khrushchev did so. The thaw included not only, as the exhibition notes, more artistic and political freedoms, but also pro-market policies and the promotion of anti-Semitism in the official press. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, a small-scale anti-Semitic purge of the party apparatus took place, with many Jewish party members being removed from important positions. As it became possible for the first time since the 1940s to leave the country, some 50,000 Polish Jews chose to emigrate between 1956 and 1960, mostly to Israel or the United States. The next major wave of anti-Semitism occurred within the context of the 1968 student protest movement in Poland. Unfortunately, like most events of the post-war period, this is treated in the exhibition outside of the broader international context. However, it was precisely the international wave of workers struggles and student protests that accounted for the extremely aggressive reaction of the United Polish Workers Party (PZPR) to the March 1968 student protests in Warsaw. The protesters were subject to a witch-hunt in the official press, which published the alleged names of the protest leadersall of which sounded Jewish. In a notorious televised speech that is also shown in the museum, the incumbent general secretary of the ruling PZPR, Wadysaw Gomuka, suggested that the protests were provoked by Zionists (i.e., Jews) and encouraged the Jewish population of Poland to leave the country. (A section from the original speech in Polish is available on YouTube.) In the following two years, many Jews were forced to emigrate and deprived of their Polish citizenship. Those who remained in the country often lost their jobs. The people purged included more than one former fighter of the Communist underground in the ghettos under Nazi occupation. This wave of forced emigration, involving some 13,000 people, left Poland with a Jewish community of only a few thousand who were careful not to display their Jewish origins. For the Stalinist bureaucracywhich recruited not least of all from backward layers of the middle class and peasantry, where anti-Semitism had a certain traditionthe whipping-up of anti-Semitic sentiments was a vehicle to both mobilize nationalist and far-right elements against the working class and student protests, and at the same time promote nationalism to divide the working class. In light of developments in France, where student protests had prompted a revolutionary movement of the working class, the Stalinist bureaucracy was horrified at the prospect of an internationally unified struggle of workers that would be directed both against imperialism and the rule of the Stalinist bureaucracy. It was this prospect more than anything else that animated its viciously nationalistic and reactionary anti-Semitic purge. The leading force behind the anti-Semitic witch-hunt was the Interior Ministry, headed by Mieczysaw Moczar. Moczar, formerly an agent of the Soviet secret service NKVD in the 1930s and 1940s, was a long-time ally but later rival of Gomulka. He was notorious for his anti-Semitism and Polish ethnic nationalism. In the witch-hunt of 1968, he worked closely together with Bolesaw Piasecki, a former member of the fascist organization Falange in the 1930s. From 1945, Piasecki had maintained ties with Gomuka, who had encouraged him to publish a newspaper in the early Peoples Republic. Piaseckis right-wing, Catholic Stowarzyszenie Pax (Pax Union) was tolerated, if not encouraged, by the Stalinist bureaucracy for decades. In its concluding section, the exhibition points to a growing interest in Jewish history and the Holocaust within the political opposition. The trade union movement Solidarity, which at its peak had, with 10 million people, more members than the PZPR, included both an anti-Semitic wing and one that fostered political discussion of and historical research into the history of Polish Jews. The gallery ends somewhat abruptly with two films about people in contemporary Poland and their association and identification with being Jewish. The political context Despite some weaknesses outlined above, the museums core exhibition provides a remarkably objective account of the life and fate of Jews in Poland. It is the result of the efforts of Polish and international scholars to come to grips at this point with this complex and tragic history. The core exhibit was developed by a team of internationally renowned scholars, headed by Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, a professor of performance art at New York University. This team included the Polish expert on the history of the Warsaw Ghetto, Barbara Engelking; Samuel Kassow, an American professor of history who specializes in the history of Yiddish culture and politics in Poland during the first half of the 20th century; and Hanna Zaremska, a leading expert on the history of Polish Jewry in the Middle Ages. The museum was founded by both the Polish state and a number of private donors from various countries. The head of the core exhibition, Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, has emphasized that POLIN is a museum of life and that the makers of the exhibition wanted to avoid the impression that all of Polish-Jewish history was inevitably leading to its horrible conclusion, the Holocaust. The exhibitions main message is that the Jews were an intrinsic and important part of Polish society for a thousand years and that the extinction of this life constitutes an extraordinary loss for Polish and European civilization. The museum thus seeks to form a certain counterpoint to the existing memorial sites in Poland, which are almost exclusively devoted to the Holocaust. The name of the museum, POLIN, is symbolic of this aim. In its original meaning in Hebrew, Polin signifies stay here (in contemporary Hebrew, it designates the country Poland.) The museum faced numerous attacks from various sides, both from Zionists, who felt that Jewish life in Poland was painted in too rosy a light, and from right-wing political tendencies in Poland. To this day, it is common for Polish politicians, not only from the official far-right, to voice anti-Semitic sentiments and ridicule the Holocaust. In particular, the bogeyman of the Zydokomuna still plays a role in Polish politics and historiography, with many pseudo-intellectuals still blaming the Jews (or American Jews) for the rule of Stalinism in Poland and denying or justifying Polish participation in anti-Semitic pogroms. These tendencies have been actively encouraged more recently under the government of the right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS). To this day, the history of the Holocaust has not been made an obligatory part of history lessons in Polish schools. The political pressures bearing down on the project of the POLIN Museum are apparently reflected in that it carefully avoids addressing the major impact of the Russian Revolution on Jewish life and Poland more generally in the inter-war period. Unfortunately, on this crucial question it seems that the makers of the exhibition adapted to the political climate of virulent anti-communism in Poland, where any objective, let alone positive reference to the October Revolution and the Communist movement in Poland or elsewhere is considered a taboo. Nevertheless, there is no question that the museum will contribute significantly to the education of youth, intellectuals and workers about this history. The intellectual efforts of leading scholars that went into creating the POLIN exhibit, and the fact that the Polish government felt compelled to eventually support the museum, can only be explained by the emergence of a broader, healthy desire among sections of the working class and intelligentsia to remember Jewish life in Poland and uncover the truth about the horrendous crimes that were committed in World War II and its aftermath. Since the 1990s, and even more so during the 2000s, numerous grassroots projects, initiated by workers and intellectuals in Polish cities, have sought to raise awareness about the fate of Polish Jews in the 20th century and their contribution to Polish society and culture. Thus, in Kielcewhich had a substantial Jewish population before the war and became the site of one of the most atrocious and notorious post-war pogroms after the warposters of Jewish inhabitants from the inter-war period were put up in the street where the pogrom of June 1946 was committed. Numerous book projects, chief among them a multi-volume Polish edition of the Ringelblum archives, have also been launched. The growing interest in this history was reflected in the museums remarkable success in reaching broad layers of the population. The museum indicates that within the first year of its work, in 2014-2015, some 2.5 million people participated in its educational programs. This included some 430,000 school students who participated in educational activities at the museum or online, 1,500 workshops, walking tours, meetings with witnesses of history for schools, and 80,000 visitors to the Museum on Wheels travelling exhibit. Some 2 million people used the Virtual Shtetl web site that was launched by the museum. Concluded Notes: [1] William Corey noted in an essay on the subject: In early 1926, during the bitter intraparty warfare, N. Uglanov, then a Stalin aide in charge of the Moscow party organization, sent out agitators to party cells to incite workers against both the Zinoviev Opposition and the Trotsky Opposition. The agitators hinted at the Jewish origin of the leaders of the two oppositions and suggested that the struggle was between native Russian socialism and aliens who sought to pervert it. Trotsky wrote to Bukharin on March 4 expressing shock that anti-Semitic agitation should be carried on with impunity. See: William Corey: The Origins and Development of Soviet Anti-Semitism: An Analysis, in: Slavic Review, vol. 31, no. 1 (March 1972), p. 115. [2] For an exploration of anti-Semitism in the Stalinist purges see the chapter: The Anti-Semitic Subtext of the Moscow Trials, in: Vadim Rogovin: 1937. Stalins Year of Terror, Mehring Books 1998, pp. 154-178. The NGO Szlachetna Paczka (Noble Package), which helps poor families during the Christmas holidays, released a report in December 2016 documenting extreme levels of poverty in Poland. The report is based on the work and experience of volunteers of the organization. Since its founding in 2001, Szlachetna Paczka has helped, according to its own numbers, some 112,000 families. Another 20,000 families were added in 2015. The report reveals the miserable living conditions facing broad sections of the working class and the peasant population who, a quarter century after the restoration of capitalist relations, lack access to basic elements of civilized life. The living conditions of millions are more reminiscent of the conditions facing the working class in England in the period of early industrialization in the 19th century, than the 20th or 21st centuries. In contrast to other reports on poverty, this one includes not only numbers but also offers an insight into the deprivations in everyday life brought about by poverty. Szlachetna Paczka examined the situation of groups of the population that are particularly affected by poverty: infirm pensioners, families with more than one child or with a single parent, the self-employed, as well as families with one or more member who is seriously ill. The resulting picture is devastating. Every third ailing pensioner in Poland cannot spend more than 7 Zloty ($1.69) per day in order to not go in debt. Every second family with more than one child has problems paying its bills and debt. Every fifth family with more than one child lives together in one room. Every sixth family with more than one child does not have its own bathroom. Of these families, 60 percent have to pay off a long-term loan. 15 percent of the families with a seriously sick or disabled member have only 1.6 Zloty ($0.39) per person per day. This is not even enough to buy a loaf of bread in Poland. The interviewees often lacked the possibility to relax and rest, and suffered from low self-esteem. The elderly and sick, in particular, suffer from loneliness. Conditions are particularly outrageous for elderly people dependent on the meagre payments from the state. A 83-year-old lady, Pani Zofia, has to spend 300 Zloty ($72.40) every month on medication and does not have enough money to pay for more than two hours of heat every day. An elderly man, Pan Kazimierz, has laryngeal cancer and therefore had to give up his work before reaching the official pension age. For this reason, he has to live on only 600 Zloty ($145) per month. He was told by the government official at the office: You will get your pension in heaven. Another elderly lady, Pani Czesia, has to pay off debts of 5,000 Zloty ($1,207) following the suicide of her husband. The son suffers from a mental ailment and is currently in psychiatric care. For breakfast she eats of piece of bread and drinks a glass of milk which she gets from a neighbour. A single man, severely disabled since age 21, must live on about 700 Zloty ($169) per month. This is hardly enough to pay for the basic food, the bills and the help offered by his neighbour. Families with more than one child or a single parent are particularly affected by poverty. According to official estimates, 1.4 out of 8.9 million children and young people aged under 24 lived in poverty in 2014. This means that every fifth child has no hot meal during the day, no books, toys, new clothes or access to dentists, not to mention vacations. The report cites the example of a single mother with three children who lives in a remote village in the countryside. The youngest son suffered an electric shock and has since then been unable to speak and walk. In order to feed her children, the mother has to knit socks and collect mushrooms in the forest. Some families with more than one child were asked about the impact of the governmental program 500+ on their financial situation. The program was introduced by the ruling right-wing government of the Rule and Justice Party (PiS), in an effort to mitigate social discontent in the face of the rapid preparations for war and the buildup of a police state. The program provides for a monthly payment of 500 Zloty ($121) for every child after the first. The report shows that the meagre payment signifies a certain relief for many families, though not solving their everyday struggle for existence. In one of the families introduced in the report, the mother has to raise five children on her own after the death of her husband. One of them is severely ill. They are all sleeping together in one bed to keep warm as the family cannot afford heat. The additional money from the government program pays for the children to go on school trips. She still struggles to pay for the medication for her sick child. The examples provided in the report by Szlachetna Paczka reflect the social reality of millions of working people in Poland, which remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. In 2013, the GDP per capita in Poland of 13,349 Euros was three times lower than that in neighboring Germany (45,000 Euros), putting Poland behind even Russia, Croatia, Greece or Chile. The persistent poverty has driven more than three million Poles since 1989 to leave the country. Most of them work for low, but still better, pay in Germany or Great Britain. The unemployment rate in Poland is still around 8 percent. According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS), 7.4 percent of the population lived in extreme poverty in 2015 with an income of less than 545 Zloty ($132) per month. Another 16.2 percent lived in relative poverty, which means for a family of four that is has less than 2056 Zloty ($496) per month to live on. Figures by the Institute for Work and Social Questions (IPiSS) which preceded from a somewhat higher, but still low minimum for social existence of 1080 Zloty ($261) per person and 2915 Zloty ($704) for a family of four per month, corroborate this picture. In 2015, 42.7 percent of Poles live beneath these very low living standards. According to IPiSS, this includes 64.9 percent of peasants (some 40 percent of the population still live in the countryside), 55.4 percent of infirm pensioners, and 41.9 percent of workers. There is a wide social gulf between the city and the countryside in Poland. Thus, in big cities such as Warsaw, or Cracowthe centres for the social elites and the middle classesonly about 1 percent of the population live in extreme poverty, whereas in the countryside it is about 11 percent. Dairy Queen was quick to take action against an owner of one of their franchise locations following reports that the man verbally attacked a customer with racial slurs after she asked for a refund. The company said in an online statement that the franchise rights of the owner of the Zion, Illinois, Dairy Queen location are in the process of being terminated. According to the Washington Post, Deianeira Ford stopped by the Dairy Queen location last Wednesday, but after receiving her order realized part of it was wrong and part of it was missing. Ford then asked owner James Crichton to correct the order, according to a police report obtained by the Chicago Tribune, but he refused. She requested a refund for the $5 order, but Crichton, a white man, allegedly responded by calling Ford, who is biracial, and her children racial slurs. He called me and my children n; he said I can go back to where I came from, Ford told the Post. He took out his flip phone and he said he would take a picture and put it on Facebook because he wants to show the world what kind of n he has to deal with. Then he shut the window and walked away. Ford called 911 from the parking lot, and the responding officer wrote in the police report that Crichton boastfully told me he would be happy to go to jail over the issue and proudly admitted to calling Ford a n. He added that he is fed up with black people. While the store owner faces no criminal charges, Zion Police Chief Stephen Dumyahn told the Tribune in a statement, Im disgusted and discouraged by the comments made by this business owner. I reached out to Miss Ford to tell her that this does not represent the diverse community of Zion. According to the Post, after Ford shared her experience on Facebook, Dairy Queen took action. In the companys statement, they said, The recent actions of this franchisee are inexcusable, reprehensible, unacceptable and do not represent the values of the Dairy Queen family, our employees, fans and other independent franchisees around the world. Story continues Dairy Queen closed the Zion location until further notice, adding, We expect our franchisees and their employees to treat every single person who walks through their doors with the utmost dignity and respect. Nothing less is acceptable. In another statement made last week that was released by Dairy Queen and obtained by the Post before his rights were terminated Chrichton said, I would like to sincerely and humbly apologize for my recent words and actions. I have let my family, friends, employees, our system and this community down with what I have done. On New Years Eve, Lamar Austin of Pittsfield, N.H., had a decision to make: Should he attend the birth of his new son, Cainan, or show up for a shift at his new security guard job? Because he had missed the births of his other three children, it wasnt that tough of a choice, Lamar, 30, tells PEOPLE. I told my boss that I wanted to be there for my wife when she had the baby she was more important. I wanted to do good by my family. Lamars employer, though, didnt see it that way. His supervisor at Salerno Protective Services in Manchester, N.H., where hed started a part-time job three weeks earlier, told him that if he didnt report to work by 8 a.m. the next morning, he would be fired, says Lamar. When they actually did it, I was stunned, he tells PEOPLE. But then I thought, Okay, Im not going to pass judgment on this man. I couldnt be two places at once. I had to be at the place where I thought I was most needed with my wife, Lindsay. Although the couple made headlines in New Hampshire for giving birth to the towns first child at Concord Hospital in 2017, those stories were soon followed with the unhappy news about Lamars job loss. And then something heartwarming happened: The community rallied around the Austins through a GoFundMe account to help pay their bills, and flooded Lamar with new job offers. I was fortunate to have my husband with me for the birth of both our daughters, and we both had flexible schedules, which made all the difference, Sara Pereschino, who started the account, tells PEOPLE. I was so moved by their story. Nobody should have to choose between their family and their job. Its been inspirational to see support coming in from across the world, including Scotland, Australia and Japan. Lamar is now sifting through nearly two-dozen local job offers, including one as an electrical apprentice. That would be a dream job for me, with a good future, he says. Im thinking of taking them up on it. Im at a loss for words to describe how touched I am. There are a lot of good people out there. Story continues Officials at his former employer didnt respond to PEOPLEs request for an interview, but in a statement posted on their website, a Salerno Protective Services spokesperson says, Our silence is due to the fact that we have not had an exit interview with (Lamar). In no way did it have anything to do with his childs birth. The timing of the termination was poor, but it was necessary for operation purposes. Salerno will be looking into revamping its termination policies to avoid such misunderstandings in the future. Says Lamar, Hey, Im not holding any grudges. They did what they felt they had to do, and I did what I felt I had to do. My family is my life. Originally from Newark, N.J., where he was the oldest of five children raised by a single mom, I lived in a dangerous neighborhood and knew it wasnt a place for me to stay when it came time to raise a family, adds the former Army ammunition specialist. After he met Lindsay, 26, on an online dating site and the couple married and moved to New Hampshire, Lamar spent several years shuttling back and forth to New Jersey to work until he took an assembly line job in New Hampshire. In December, when he was hired by the security firm, it seemed perfect, with flexible shifts and hours, he says. But if I have to choose, Ill take my family, any day. For now, hes enjoying some bonding time with Cainan, who at 7 pounds, 3 ounces, was the best New Years gift we could ask for, Lamar tells PEOPLE. My children just love having a new little brother. Were all very happy and grateful. I might have lost my job, he says, but I gained something so much better. On Jan. 21, one day after Donald Trump takes office as president, more than 200,000 people are expected to participate in the Womens March on Washington. Protest rallies are also planned across at least 30 cities nationwide, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The purpose of the march is to send a bold message to the new administration and the world that womens rights are human rights. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem and performer-activist Harry Belafonte are serving as honorary co-chairs of the march. Organizers are quick to point out that the Womens March on Washington is not an anti-Trump protest. Were not targeting Trump specifically. Its much more about being proactive about womens rights, said Cassady Fendlay, spokeswoman for the march. The event began as a Facebook page calling for women to show up in D.C. to protest Trumps inauguration, but it quickly evolved into a mass movement. The marchs organizers say it will allow people to stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families while recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country. Click on the video above to find out which female celebrities are participating in the march or have expressed their solidarity. Interested in a similar story? Find out which stars rallied to Meryl Streeps defense after Donald Trump called her overrated: Tell us what you think! Share your comments with us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Julissa Bermudez, on Twitter. Kim Kardashian West's chauffeur that the reality star was using at the time of her robbery in Paris has been released by police, after being detained on Monday. A spokeswoman for the Paris prosecutor confirmed to CBS News reporter Elaine Cobbe on Wednesday that the driver, along with two more of the 17 who were picked up by police in connection with Kim's robbery during raids in France on Monday, have now been released. Those held can be in police custody for up to 96 hours for questioning. WATCH: Kim Kardashian 'Deeply Relieved' After 17 People Detained in Paris Robbery A spokeswoman for the Paris prosecutor confirmed to CBS News on Monday that several of the 17 police that were taken into custody are known to police and have links with major crime. According to the spokeswoman, police found DNA traces at the scene of the robbery, which led to Monday's raids. Meanwhile, Kim is getting back to the spotlight in 2017. A source close to the 36-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians star and her husband, 39-year-old Kanye West, told ET on Tuesday that Kim is "deeply relieved to know that this horrible ordeal will all come to an end soon." WATCH: Kardashians' DASH Store Robbed, More Than $1000 in Merchandise Stolen On Monday night, the couple went on a sushi date in Beverly Hills, California, following the news that 17 people had been detained in Paris. Watch below: Related Articles Norway began the process of switching off its FM signals as part of the country's permanent shift toward digital audio broadcasting. Norway became the first country to switch off some of its FM radio signals today, in a move to replace traditional radio with digital audio broadcasting (DAB), the BBC reported. The Scandinavian country aims to use DAB exclusively by the end of 2017. DAB may provide a higher quality and more cost-effective radio signal in Norway, which had poor FM signals partly due to its mountainous terrain. For that reason, combined with the better clarity and convenience of DAB, nearly 70 percent of Norway's population had already migrated to digital audio before the switch today. While the prevalence of DAB technology is growing, however, some Norwegians are concerned about the immediate costs of switching technology. The BBC reported that it my cost the equivalent of $500 to upgrade car radios to DAB-capable units. People who say they cannot afford to switch are concerned they won't have a radio signal in their cars, according to the Guardian, which reported that 2.3 million car users in Norway have no DAB sets. "Norway is not prepared for this. There are millions of radios in homes, cottages and boats that won't work anymore and only around 25% of cars in Norway have digital radios or adapters," Svein Larsen of the Norwegian Local Radio Association told the BBC. Nevertheless, the debate to move to DAB is spreading. The United Kingdom and Switzerland are among other major nations considering going digital. In the United Kingdom, 30 percent of the population has DAB access. When that figure reaches 50 percent, lawmakers will begin the transition from FM, which was invented in the United States by electrical engineer Edwin Armstrong in 1933, to digital. Related Content: Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f345556%2ff0a8d019-677d-435c-9638-9e970f50360f Here's to you, Obama. Barack Obama, aka the coolest president America has ever had the pleasure of knowing, is stepping down after eight years in office. With the Jan. 20 inauguration only a week away, we felt it was time for a heartwarming tribute to Obama's phenomenal legacy through GIFs, of course. SEE ALSO: Let us now remember 11 of Michelle Obama's coolest moments We've compiled a few of Obama's maaaaaany most glorious moments that prove his presidency was truly one of a kind. 1. When he and Michelle constantly defined relationship goals "Michelle ... Michelle LaVaughn Robinson of the South Side," Obama addressed FLOTUS during his farewell address while the world broke down in tears. "For the past 25 years you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend." "You took on a role you didnt ask for. And you made it your own with grace and with grit and with style, and good humor," he said. "You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody and a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model." Are you not crying yet? "You have made me proud, and you have made the country proud." #UltimateRelationshipGoalsForever 2. When he kicked it with our favorite celebs From Beyonce and Jay Z to Chance the Rapper, Ellen and Oprah, Barack hanging out with so many of our favorite celebrities has only made us love them more. I mean, he even freestyle rapped with Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda. 3. When he taught us invaluable lessons When people went low, Obama never had any trouble going high. Though he has spoken countless words of wisdom during his time in office, this GIF of Obama teaching Kid President about the importance of kindness and respect really speaks to us. 4. When he formed a life-long friendship While VP Joe Biden and POTUS may be going their separate ways, the bromance like no other will live on forever in our hearts and our memes. Story continues At Obama's farewell address in Chicago, he addressed Biden, "the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delawares favorite son." "You were the first decision I made as a nominee, and it was the best. Not just because you have been a great vice president, but because in the bargain I gained a brother. And we love you and Jill like family. And your friendship has been one of the great joys of our lives," Obama said. We're not crying, you're crying. 5. When he cracked some legendary dad jokes Sasha and Malia have one hell of a dad. Barack never shied away from embarrassing his two girls with a hearty dad joke, especially on holidays. 6. When he dropped the mic on many occasions King of the mic drop, Obama has made so many legendary speeches and performances during his time as president that it reached a point where he literally decided to drop the mic. Obama first showed off his bold move on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2012, and chose to revive it years later. The GIF above shows the president at his final White House Correspondents' Dinner in April 2016, where he ended his speech with the iconic words, "Obama out." *mic drop* 7. When he showed off some smooth moves Over their eight years in the White House, Barack and Michelle busted countless moves, proving they are, in fact, cooler than us. 8. When he never stopped reminding America it's already great While Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again," has been used ad nauseum, in Obama's eyes, the nation and the people in it have never stopped being great. 9. When he campaigned to help make history, yet again Barack Obama became America's first black president, and when it came time to step down he made extraordinary efforts to help Hillary Clinton become the nation's first female president. This GIF of the two arm in arm at Clinton's Democratic National Convention will always give us some serious feels. 10. When he asked us to never stop believing On Jan. 10, Obama delivered his inspirational farewell address in Chicago. After reflecting on the amazing eight years he and his family spent serving in the White House, Obama thanked his fellow Americans and simply asked that we never stop believing. " ... Whether you are young or whether youre young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your president the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago," he said. "I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours." Excuse us, we're out of tissues. Do you enjoy a good gothic novel? Do you wonder what it would have been like to be a part of a trio of three gifted sisters living a lonely... LOS ANGELES (AP) Hollywood might still be patting itself on the back for its 2016 films, but there's a lot to look forward to in film this year in all genres. Here are 10-ish films to put on your radar for the year. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 (Feb. 10), THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS (April 14) Two franchises, both unlikely, both silly and both endlessly watchable get new installments this year. Keanu Reeves is back as the vengeful hit man John Wick in the sequel to the 2014 sleeper hit. And the Fast and Furious crew is joined by Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren in movie No. 8, directed by "Straight Outta Compton's" F. Gary Gray. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (March 17) "Harry Potter's" Emma Watson stars as the beautiful, bookish Belle in director Bill Condon's live-action, musical adaption of the fairy tale, which he promises will include nods to both Disney's animated feature as well Jean Cocteau's black and white classic. "Downton Abbey's" Dan Stevens plays the Beast opposite a strong supporting cast of Luke Evans, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Emma Thompson and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (May 5 ), SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (July 7), THOR: RAGNAROK (Nov. 3) What superhero fatigue? The studios have assembled some formidable talent behind some of the year's most high profile sequels (and reboots). Taika Waititi will bring his comedic edge to the "Thor" world, while James Gunn tries to recreate that mixtape magic with "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." One film that doesn't require any catch-up work is "Spider-Man: Homecoming," yet another reboot of the web-slinging teen, but a promising one star Tom Holland upstaged even the likes of Robert Downey Jr. when introduced in "Captain America: Civil War." Director Jon Watts says his "Spider-Man" will be in the vein of classic high school films. ALIEN: COVENANT (May 19), BLADE RUNNER 2049 (Oct. 6) Story continues Ridley Scott is back to playing his old hits this year, with a twist. Scott directs the sixth installment in the "Alien" universe with "Alien: Covenant," about a crew traveling to a remote part of the galaxy in search of paradise, only to find something much more horrifying. Katherine Waterston stars with Michael Fassbender. As for "Blade Runner 2049," Scott's only producing "Arrival" and "Sicario" director Denis Villeneuve is directing the longtime-coming sci-fi sequel, set 30 years after the original film. Ryan Gosling stars as a new LAPD officer who needs to find Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard. WONDER WOMAN (June 2) Gliding by the crazy fact that it's taken until 2017 for one of the most popular characters in comic book history to get her own feature film, this one also looks like it packs the potential to define this whole modern era of DC Comics adaptations ("Justice League," out Nov. 17, could too). "Wonder Woman" has the promising team of "Monster" director Patty Jenkins at the helm and Gal Gadot wielding the iconic lasso in this World War I-set origin story. THE BEGUILED (June 23) Sofia Coppola is making a Western, and not just any Western a remake of Clint Eastwood's 1971 film (itself an adaptation of "A Painted Devil" by Thomas P. Cullinan) about an injured Union soldier in an all-girls Confederate boarding school whose presence causes rifts among the women. Kristen Dunst, Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell and Elle Fanning star. DUNKIRK (July 21) Christopher Nolan is perhaps the only filmmaker working on this level whose movies are events in and of themselves. He doesn't need the stamp of Intellectual Property to make his a must-see (regardless of what you think of "Interstellar"). "Dunkirk" takes us to the beaches of France early in WWII when the Allied forces were surrounded and evacuated. Newcomer Fionn Whitehead leads the cast, which includes Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance and even Harry Styles (yes, that Harry Styles). VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (July 21) Most Americans probably aren't familiar with the French comic source material Valerian and Laureline, but don't let that dissuade you from checking out Luc Besson's ("Lucy," ''The Fifth Element") wildly ambitious sci-fi epic starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as a pair of space and time travelling agents. BABY DRIVER (Aug. 11) So Edgar Wright didn't get to do "Ant-Man." The maestro behind "Hot Fuzz" and "The World's End" has his own action pic up his sleeves, and an original one at that, about a getaway driver (Ansel Elgort), the girl he wants to leave it all behind for (Lily James) and the crime boss (Kevin Spacey) who might destroy it all. STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII (Dec. 15) At the rate of one new Star Wars film (spinoff or otherwise) a year for the foreseeable future, it's hard to imagine that The Force Awakens-level excitement can be sustained, but "Episode VIII" has its own credentials separate from the nostalgia of that galaxy far, far away. Simply: It's a Rian Johnson film, the mind behind "Looper" and "Brick," and he's setting the story for the final two films of the main trilogy (he's writing Episode IX but ceding directing responsibilities to Colin Trevorrow). There's also the bittersweet knowledge that it'll feature one of Carrie Fisher's final performances, fittingly in her most iconic role. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr Obama crying Here is what you need to know. The World Bank says global growth will pick up slightly in 2017. The World Bank has lowered its 2017 global growth forecast to 2.7% from its June outlook of 2.8%, but that would still be ahead of the 2.3% growth that was experienced in 2016. US oil output is expected to rise in 2017 and 2018. A report released by the US Energy Information Administration on Tuesday showed US crude-oil production was expected to increase by 110,00 barrels a day in 2017 to 9 million and by another 300,000 barrels a day in 2018. West Texas Intermediate crude oil is higher by 0.8% at $51.20 a barrel. The Turkish lira tumbles to another record low. The currency is down 2% at 3.8657 per dollar, running its 2017 loss to about 9% just eight trading days into the new year. The lira slumped 17% in 2016. Francois Fillon is ahead in the French polls. The conservative former prime minister holds a 64%-to-36% edge over far-right leader Marine Le Pen and a 52%-to-48% lead over independent Emmanuel Macron. The runoff is scheduled for May. Italy's 5-Star Movement has reentered its alliance with UKIP. The antiestablishment party was rejected in its bid to form an alliance with pro-European Union Liberals, and it has reentered its alliance with the UK's UKIP party, Reuters says. The US has charged 3 FX traders with currency rigging. Traders Richard Usher, who worked at Royal Bank of Scotland and JPMorgan; Rohan Ramchandani, an-ex Citi banker; and Christopher Ashton, a former employee of Barclays, were charged with "conspiring to fix prices and rig bids for US dollars and euros exchanged in the FX spot market," the Department of Justice said in a statement. Jeff Gundlach says the bond bull market is dead if the 10-year hits 3.00%. During the presentation of his 2017 outlook, Gundlach said a move to 3.00% and above would have "a real impact on market liquidity in corporate bonds and junk bonds." Story continues Part of the New York Stock Exchange is going electronic. Floor trading on the New York Stock Exchange's NYSE MKT exchange, which lists about 250 small-cap names, will soon be fully automated thanks to new technology, Reuters reports, citing a regulatory filing. Stock markets around the world are higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng (+0.8%) paced the gains in Asia, and Germany's DAX (+0.3%) is out front in Europe. The S&P 500 is set to open little changed near 2,268. Earnings reports trickle out. KB Homes will report after markets close. More From Business Insider With 24: Legacy, Fox is rebooting its action-drama series without star Kiefer Sutherland as franchise hero Jack Bauer. The new series revolves around Courtney Hawkins as Eric Carter, a young veteran of the War in Afghanistan who finds himself the target of a terrorist group. Hawkins, who is African-American, spoke about the cultural significance of his casting Wednesday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. The script happened to be amazing when I read it, Hawkins said. It lifted off the page, and my mind just started going with where you can take it and what it means in television to be a hero and look like I look. Hawkins rejected one reporters question about whether he thought elements of Carters story such as a love triangle with a relative who is also a gang leader represent racial stereotypes. Its not just about his skin color, its about his culture, Hawkins said. Its about where he grew up. Its about what does it mean, what are the alliances growing in Washington, D.C. southeast, where I happen to personally have grown up. The show, Hawkins said, tries to be authentic to that aspect of Carters backstory. Growing up, we never got to see a hero who didnt have superpowers who looked like us, that you could kind of look to and say, I could be that guy one day. I could be a patriot. I could be a soldier. I could work in the government and be a hero.' As for the love-triangle story line, Hawkins added, Its Erics reality. Its just where he comes from. Executive producer Howard Gordon dismissed the idea that Hawkins had been cast specifically for diversity. We didnt just want to do it, as you say, because someone said Lets cast a black guy, or an Asian guy, or a Hispanic guy,' Gordon said. It was very much Who is this character?' Jimmy Smits, who plays presidential candidate John Donovan, fielded a question about representing the Hispanic population in the new show. Story continues Im representing the Hispanic population because I am of Hispanic background, Smits said. My name is Smits. Character name is Donovan. Having an ethnically diverse cast, he added, has been part of the legacy of this show. Asked about diversity in the shows writers room, Hawkins said, We had very long conversations actually about making sure our voice is in the writers room, and we do have black writers in our writers room. Im very proud of that. We have women writers, strong writers. He added, We are a diverse people, man. And this show is a reflection of that, as it always has been. Related stories Lee Daniels Discusses Exploring Racism, Classism on 'Star': 'We're in a Difficult Time in America' 'Scream Queens' Season 3? Fox Execs Give an Update Fox Reviving 'Love Connection' Dating Show With Host Andy Cohen Kinshasa (AFP) - Over two dozen people have been killed since the start of the year in clashes pitting the Democratic Republic of Congo's security forces against supporters of a slain tribal chief, a local governor said in a statement. "The death toll since the start of 2017 is 26 people killed including four civilians, nine members of the security forces and 12 militia fighters," Kasai-Central provincial governor Alex Kande said in a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday. The wife of one of the militia leaders was also killed, Kande added. The United Nations mission in the country responded by saying it would send at least 100 peacekeepers to the Kasai-Central region. The latest casualties add to a soaring toll of at least 140 dead in spiralling clashes in central DR Congo since tribal chief Kamwina Nsapu was killed in mid-August, according to the UN. In a statement last week, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said tens of thousands of civilians were caught in a "cycle of violence" in the mineral-rich nation's central provinces. "The situation is worsening by the day," it said. In his statement, governor Kande said: "Kamwina Nsapu's movement has morphed in total anarchy into a deadly guerrilla force." He accused Nsapu's supporters of forcibly recruiting minors and of using women and children as human shields in their fight against the government. "Six AK-47 (rifles) and 14 homemade shotguns have been seized," the governor's statement said. On Monday, fresh clashes erupted when schools reopened in Kananga, the provincial capital of Kasai-Central, pitting the security forces against Nsapu's supporters, who sought to prevent children from attending classes, a local official said on condition of anonymity. After the clashes, the bodies of three adults, most likely militia fighters, were found in a river, the official added. "What's happening in that area is starting to become a major worry," said Felix-Prospere Basse, spokesman for the UN's Monusco mission to the DRC. Story continues Basse added that "a hundred men or more" depending on the reality "on the ground" would be deployed to the region. The troops would "prohibit the activities of armed groups and ensure an efficient protection of people and their possessions, but also of UN personnel and installations in the area", Basse said. Nsapu was killed in a police operation on August 12 last year, soon after he made his first call for the "liberation of Congo" in an audio message that was posted online. DR Congo has for months been mired in a political crisis over President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down. But the vast nation has continued to suffer unrest unrelated to the crisis over Kabila's rule, with ethnic and religious clashes raging in several parts of the country. Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report showing that the number of borrowers age 60 or older with student loan debt has quadrupled in the last 10 years. Other data show that borrowers over age 30 owe more than half of all student loan debt and that this number has continued to grow. The bottom line is that despite how we tend to talk about student debt, the assumption that this issue is one for the younger generation is no longer the reality. One reason is the increase in enrollment of nontraditional students. A traditional student is an individual who becomes a full-time college student right after high school graduation. A nontraditional student is just about everyone else. They are older students going back to finish a degree ; laid-off workers who want additional credentials to improve their job prospects; or 30-something office workers who realize they've always wanted to be a teacher or who need higher degree to move up in their chosen career path. [Consider these FAFSA tips to help nontraditional students pay for college. ] More recently, older students enrolled in college because of the economic downturn in 2008. A ccording to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2007, 1.9 million students between the ages of 40 and 64 were enrolled in college. In 2011, that number had increased to 2.3 million and is now decreasing as the economy recovers. The big difference between traditional and nontraditional students is time. Nontraditional students often have to juggle families and full-time jobs along with their studies. As such, they tend to enroll part time. Recent statistics show that the reten tion rate for students attending college full time is significantly greater that of those only attending part time, and those who don't complete their education are three times as likely to default on their student loans. Because of that, older borrowers need to be even more careful when making decisions about college debt. Here are some specific traps that nontraditional students need to avoid. Story continues [Consider your student loans before dropping out of college.] -- Not completing: Students who don't complete their degree are far more likely to default on their student loans. Defaulting leads to ruined credit and possible wage and tax refund garnishment, in addition to these borrowers having no degree or the benefits of a degree. Before starting a postsecondary program, think about the long term and ensure you have safeguards and commitments in place to help ensure your success. If you're not sure about the program, do everything possible to attend without taking out loans , even if that means taking longer to complete your credential. Consider that more employers are offering tuition and student loan reimbursement benefits to employees. Restricting your costs to th e amount your employer will reimburse is a good way to ensure that no matter what happens, you won't be left with debt and no degree. [Find out why student loan repayment may be the newest employee benefit.] -- Becoming too dependent on student loans: Many nontraditional students return to school to improve their financial situation in the long term, but even those who complete their credential can find that the amount of debt they took on may not have been worth it. Due to their age and existing income, many nontraditional students do not qualify for the grant and scholarship aid that traditional students tend to receive. This means a greater dependence on both federal and private loans to pay the cost of tuition and other expenses. Since financial aid can be used to help pay for room and board, some nontraditional students and their families find themselves inadvertently becoming dependent on the financial aid to pay their regular household bills. These students can end up taking on more debt than they can comfortably afford to repay, especially with the postgraduation loss of the aid that was being used to help pay household bills. -- Forgetting to balance debt with retirement: While all students may receive the same benefits from a postsecondary credential and take on similar debt levels, there's a big difference in how that debt can affect traditional and nontraditional students in the long term. Making student loan payments for 10 years or more when you're a 20-year-old recent graduate is very different from doing so when you're 45 years old and hoping to retire in 20 years. When making the college debt decision, be sure to budget your anticipated debt far into the future and include your retirement goals. To be on the conservative side, consider budgeting for these debt payments based on the assumption that your salary does not increase as a result of your college experience. Your student loans will be due and payable regardless of whether your salary increases or you find a job in your field down the line. Although going back to school can be much harder as an older adult, the benefits -- including your income -- can still be worthwhile. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average salary for those with a high school diploma but no college is about $35,000, while the average salary for those with a bachelor's degree is just under $60,000. The unemployment rate for those with a college degree is half of that of those without. Both are great reasons to return to school if you are considering it. As with any large financial investment, ensure you fully understand the long-term implications of taking on student loan debt. 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. Though Clara Cedeno is an MBA student at the Syracuse University Whitman School of Management, her classmates aren't just New York state residents -- far from it, in fact. That's because the 43-year-old consultant is enrolled in the online MBA@Syracuse program. Students live around the world -- from Dubai to Alaska -- and work in a range of professions. They interact through discussion boards and videoconferencing, with additional opportunities to connect in person. "Everybody comes from a different place with a different experience," says the Fayetteville, New York, resident. "That could actually enhance your own learning." Experts say prospective online MBA students should expect geographic and professional diversity among their classmates. Most students already have several years of work experience under their belts and either hope to advance to a management role or switch fields entirely to business. [Discover how online learning can help adults switch careers.] " Students can cull from a broader range of peer knowledge and experiences," says Doreen Shanahan, a marketing professor at the Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business, which offers an online MBA. Aside from regular virtual interaction during class, here are five things students typically gain from their classmates in an online MBA program. 1. Insight from various professions: Given their different career goals, online MBA students' typically work across disciplines -- including business but also in specialties ranging from health care to information technology. That professional diversity teaches students to analyze business problems i n unique ways, says Matt Bullion, a Graziadio online student and California-based brand marketing manager. "Myself as a sales and marketing guy -- I may have one way of approaching a problem," he says. "But a medical doctor might come at it from a completely different perspective." Story continues 2. Perspectives from different business cultures: Because online MBA students might live or regularly travel during their program, they provide insight into how businesses function across the country and overseas, experts say. That's different from many on-ground programs, where "they're not actually currently enmeshed in Silicon Valley, or Miami, or the business world of New York, or whatever it may be," while also pursuing an education far away, says Bob Monroe, director of the hybrid MBA program at the Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business. Monroe says current part-time, hybrid MBA students in Tepper's program reside in 25 states with a few living abroad. [Explore what to expect in a top online MBA program.] "When they're working in a foreign country, the rules, the regulations are so different , and they're working under different conditions and situations -- that brings a different perspective on how business is conducted in other places," says Dilip Jain, a physician who earned an MBA partially online from the University of Massachusetts--Amherst Isenberg School of Management. 3. Broad business networking opportunities: The fact that online MBA students live and work worldwide opens up opportunities for networking nationally and internationally -- a contrast with the experience of on-ground MBA students, where classmates generally live locally. Nick Alaga, a Calfornia-based student in the MBA@Syracuse program, says he connected with a classmate about a job opening on the East Coast, for instance. Given the experience and connections that working online MBA students already have, these programs allow for effective networking across fields within business. "The folks that we have working in tech jobs in Silicon Valley can actually talk with the people doing finance jobs in Boston and people doing operations jobs in Denver," says Monroe from Tepper. 4. Chances to build relationships in person: In addition to live course components requiring students to virtually attend class at a specific time, many online MBA programs also have on-campus requirements and opportunities to explore businesses by traveling internationally. These allow online students to interact face to face. During CMU Tepper's regular "access weekends" on its main and satellite campuses, online students together attend networking sessions, among other activities. And in the MBA@Syracuse program, Cedeno traveled to Dublin, Ireland for a residency to learn about business in the country. "You actually get to meet a lot of people you see on camera in person," Cedeno says. "You really establish a connection." [Consider an online MBA program with a residency component.] 5. Experience with virtual collaboration: Experts say many online MBA programs require students to solve larger business problems through virtual group assignments -- similar to a workplace environment. Bullion, the Pepperdine student, says he completed a five-person team project in his corporate finance class on a publicly traded company's free cash flows. He and his team members communicated via videoconferencing and phone. "We really do get to know each other," he says. "I've made some great friends in this program already." Trying to fund your online education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News Paying for Online Education center. Jordan Friedman is an online education editor at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at jfriedman@usnews.com. Donald Trumps win as the U.S. President and the most sought-after OPEC output deal has actually set the tone of 2017 investing. Many are bullish on the prospect of oil price this year though rising U.S. supplies can anytime thwart the winning momentum in the oil patch. However, Trump-backed hopes are still in fine fettle. Added to these, there are plenty of other events across asset class and regions that could prove to be game-changers this year. In view of this, we intend to highlight a few ETF trends that are likely to be prevalent in 2017: Stocks to Be Bullish Overall The year can be attributed to stocks. The first and foremost reason for it is an end to earnings recession. Earnings growth entered into the positive territory in Q3 of 2016 following five consecutive quarters of decline. For the upcoming Q4 earnings season, the S&P 500 is expected to score 3.3% earnings growth on 4.1% revenue growth. Earnings for Q1 of 2017 are expected to surge 10.3% for the S&P 500 on 7.5% higher revenues, as per the Earnings Trends issued on January 4, 2017. The earnings growth trend is expected to stay firm even for Q2, Q3 and Q4 of this year with an expectation of 9.8%, 8.2% and 12.5% on revenue growth of 5.7%, 5.5% and 4.8% (read: Ten Predictions for the ETF Industry in 2017). Along with earnings recovery, stabilization in the oil patch after a prolonged rout and a Trump-induced fiscal boost along with lower taxes should augur well for stocks this year. Still, withmarkets appearing overvalued by some measure and the President-elect Trump yet to roll out promised measures, cautious investors with a long-term notion can opt for value ETFs over growth. Investors should also note that a stronger U.S. dollar is likely to take some shine off the S&P 500 index as the components are heavily exposed to foreign currencies. Investors should note that SPDR S&P 500 Value ETF SPYV has a positive weighted alpha of 23.00 while SPDR S&P 500 Growth ETF SPYG has it at positive 13.90. This indicates a higher growth potential in SPYV. Story continues Currency-Hedged Foreign ETFs to Rule The U.S. dollar is presently at a multi-year high on bets over faster Fed policy tightening and an improving U.S. economy. On the other hand, foreign economies are also gaining momentum. Business and consumer sentiments in the European Union are at about six-year highs. Business conditions in the Japanese economy are also improving. An upside is more likely for European and Japanese stocks given the ultra-easy monetary policy over there, which will keep their currencies low against a soaring greenback and boost those economies. As a result, currency-hedged ETFs like WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity ETF DXJS, WisdomTree Japan Hedged Quality Dividend Growth ETF JHDG and O'Shares FTSE Europe Quality Dividend Hedged ETF OEUH will likely rule the year ahead. More Factor-Based ETFs to Come On Line Factor-based products have been quite a trend in 2016 as the fashion for plain vanilla ETFs is gone. Issuers are coming up with a more striking investment objective which can create a winning combination in the present investing environment. All in all, smart beta and multifactor ETFs will likely carry forward the legacy of the ETF world. An example of recently launched factor-based ETFs is ALPS Dorsey Wright Sector Momentum ETF SWIN (read: 6 ETF Ideas Most Favored by Issuers in 2016). More Players to Enter ETF Industry Be it big banking giants or hedge fund managers, players are increasingly entering the ETF industry. We have already have seen J.P. Morgan and Goldman venturing into the ETF world and now Wells Fargo is also eyeing the space with its first-ever multi-factor ETF. Saba Capital Management, a New York-based hedge fund manager, is also planning to foray into the ETF space with an ETF related to closed-end funds. Expense Ratio Cut With rising competition among issuers for market share, expense ratios are increasingly being slashed. So long, Charles Schwab and Vanguard ruled the world of low-cost ETFs. But last year, BlackRock and Fidelity enacted steep fee cuts for several of their products. A new set of rules under the Department of Labors fiduciary standard, which asked advisors to give precedence to their clients interest over their own also played a role in this burgeoning trend. For example, BlackRock lowered fees for its S&P 500 tracking ETF, iShares Core S&P 500 IVV, from 0.07% to 0.04%. The fee cut made IVV less expensive than other popular ETFs in its domain. Even a relatively new-comer like Hartford Funds, which launched Lattice Strategies and its ETF operations earlier in 2016, announced that it will lower the expense ratio on four of its smart-beta funds effective January 1 (read: Buy These ETFs as BlackRock Cuts Fees). Bitcoin ETF to Hit the Market? Even if we are yet to have a bitcoin ETF, one is expected to hit the market in 2017. Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust has filed for one to make it easy for investors to bet on this soaring digital currency. As per CNBC, bitcoin is a very volatile asset but doesnt have a strong correlation with other classes. Bitcoins value beat the $900 mark in late December for the first time since February 2014 (Also read: Explaining Bitcoin and Crypto Currency). India's demonetization also gave a boost to bitcoin trading volumes. Moreover, trading volumes in China have been solid with the government taking proactive measures against illegal money transfer. With this, investors expect to see an approval of the first bitcoin ETF in 2017. Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it 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 SPDR-SP5 VL (SPYV): ETF Research Reports ISHARS-SP500 (IVV): ETF Research Reports WISDMTR-JP HSCF (DXJS): ETF Research Reports OS-FT EUR QDH (OEUH): ETF Research Reports WISTR-JP HQD (JHDG): ETF Research Reports SPDR-SP5 GR (SPYG): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 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 Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis will have his confirmation hearing for secretary of defense on Jan. 12. I have made it clear that I oppose this nomination. Not because Mattis lacks the necessary knowledge of defense issues after a 41-year career in the military, there are few who have more experience. But his confirmation would put into that office only the second high-ranking military officer ever to serve as secretary, a direct violation of the principle of civilian control of the military. The only precedent, Gen. George Marshall, served as secretary in 1950 for only a year, and his appointment was considered so unprecedented that Congress wrote a special and specific law making it clear that the appointment was exceptional and should not happen again. Well, it seems to have been a precedent after all. Given the wildly unpredictable and controversial president-elect, some now argue that when it comes to issues of peace and war, Mattis will be a moderating influence and a steady hand in the Situation Room. Of course, if Donald Trump wanted a steady hand at the heart of the military, he could have appointed Mattis as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the normal perch for military advisors to the president. Despite the unprecedented nature of this appointment, Senate Democrats have left Mattis off their hit list and seem prepared to vote in favor of the waiver he will require to assume the office only three years after retiring. But senators, especially Democrats (and the one independent, Maines Angus King) on the Armed Services Committee, are obliged to try to find out if Mattis will truly be the adult in the Situation Room. So here are seven critical national security issues that should be front and center during the confirmation hearings: 1. The president-elect has said he would reinstitute the use of waterboarding, among other forms of torture, a practice prohibited by President Barack Obama. Mattis is on record as saying that torture is not a very useful way to obtain information in interrogations. But will the real Jim Mattis stand up to Trump when the issue of torture, or other extreme measures, inevitably comes up? Story continues 2. Trump has called for the United States to strengthen and expand its nuclear capabilities. Mattis is on record as favoring a strict deterrence-only role for nukes and suggesting that land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) might be retired. Former Secretary of Defense William Perry has argued that the United States should step back and review its nuclear policy and capabilities, in particular, retiring ICBMs and not proceeding with a destabilizing nuclear-armed cruise missile program. The Defense Departments own 2013 nuclear employment strategy says deterrence would be assured with even fewer than the 1,550 strategic warheads allowed by the New START agreement, regardless of what the Russians do. Will Mattis oppose expanding the nuclear arsenal, retire the ICBMs, and halt the nuclear cruise missile program? 3. Trump has excoriated Islam and warned of security risks from Muslim immigrants to the United States. His national security advisor, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, has called Islam a cancer and argued that Fear of Muslims is RATIONAL. Mattis has said: The fundamental question I believe is, Is political Islam in our best interest? If not, what is our policy to authoritatively support the countervailing forces? As secretary of defense, Mattis would lead the organization at the cutting edge of combat with terrorist organizations. Does he share Trump and Flynns extreme characterizations of Islam? 4. Trump has said the United States will no longer intervene militarily around the world and that we are done with nation building. At the same time, he calls for a global war on the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations. Mattis has been at the heart of interventions, counterterrorism operations, and nation-building efforts by the U.S. military. Does he agree with Trump that nation building should not be a military mission? How will he square that with the demand for a war on terrorist organizations, which are necessarily interventionist? Would he withdraw U.S. special operations forces from any of the more than 80 countries where they are currently engaged in nation-building activities (e.g., governance advice, counterterrorism training, local economic projects)? 5. Trump has condemned the nuclear agreement with Iran as a bad deal and has said he would renegotiate it. Mattis appears to share Trumps distrust of Iran and dislike of the agreement, which suggests he might not be a moderating influence here. Is he prepared to help tear up that agreement? Should the agreement collapse, would he endorse U.S. military action or support an Israeli attack were Iran to renew its nuclear program? Should it be required, would he advocate a U.S. invasion of Iran to ensure that the nuclear program is shut down? 6. Trump advocates closer cooperation between the United States and Russia and has suggested that Article 5 of the NATO treaty (on mutual defense) might not be inviolable if member nations spend too little on defense. Mattis has spoken out forcibly about the dangers posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, including the risk that NATO could be taken apart. Does Mattis think a friendly relationship is possible with a country that has seized Crimea, destabilized Ukraine, intervened militarily on behalf of Syrias dictator, and buzzed NATO forces with its aircraft? Does Mattis view Russian intentions and capabilities along its western border with the Baltic states and the central European nations as in any way threatening? Would Mattis suspend application of Article 5 to countries that fail to meet a 2 percent of GDP defense spending goal? 7. Trump has called for the elimination of the cap on defense budgets and a major increase in the size of the U.S. military force. Since eliminating the budget caps will require 60 votes in the Senate and the Democrats will only agree if domestic spending goes up as well there is a high prospect that the caps will remain in place. That would force Mattis to execute Trumps program under fiscal constraints. What would be his priorities? Which programs or forces would he cut? Would he tackle the Pentagons large back office over resistance from the service chiefs? Would he favor or oppose using the Overseas Contingency Operations budget to fund base requirements, as has been done for the past several years? Lets hope that the senators of the Armed Services Committee have enough backbone to ask these tough questions. And lets hope that James Mattis has enough backbone to disagree with Trump, when his expertise and experience in military matters requires airing a difference in opinion. I dont believe that this recently retired general should be secretary of defense. But if he is, good luck, Mr. Secretary, when push comes to shove in the Situation Room. Photo credit: Sen. Kirsten Gellibrand (D-NY) meets with retired General James Mattis on January 4. AARON P. BERNSTEIN/Getty Images Secretary of State John Kerry will join world leaders at a conference in Paris on Sunday. The conference is to be one of Kerry's last missions as U.S. secretary of state. Kerry will try to save what is known as the two-state solution. The two-state solution refers to a political deal in which Israel and a Palestinian state exist next to each other. Many experts believe that the possibility of a two-state solution is disappearing. Neither Israeli officials nor Palestinian representatives will attend the Paris conference. Israeli officials concerned about the conference Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters in Washington are concerned about the conference. Last month, the United States allowed the passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution that was critical of Israel. Resolution 2334 demands an end to Israeli settlements. It calls these settlements a violation under international law." The United States has blocked similar resolutions in the past. Kerry explained the action in a speech on December 28. He said, "We cannot properly defend and protect Israel if we allow a viable two-state solution to be destroyed before our own eyes." Israel worries the resolution could help the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions , or BDS movement, which aims to put economic pressure on Israel. Last week, the House of Representatives voted to condemn resolution 2334. Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said this action was, in part, "to head off any more moves the Obama administration might have in the next few days." To head off means to stop something from happening. The Netanyahu government and its supporters still worry that during his remaining days in office, U.S. President Barack Obama might take some action related to the two state issue. They are concerned he might formally declare recognition of a Palestinian state or support a French resolution in the U.N. Security Council that declares two states. Ron Kampeas is the Washington bureau chief for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. He says he thinks such an action by the Obama administration is not likely. President-elect Donald Trump made it clear that he differs from the Obama administration on American policy toward Israel. After Resolution 2334 passed, for example, Trump wrote on Twitter, "As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20th." David Friedman, Trump's choice for ambassador to Israel, supports Israeli settlements. He has also said he opposes the two-state solution. Is there a new Palestinian plan? Uri Savir is an Israeli diplomat. He also established the Peres Center for Peace. He said a person inside the Palestinian Liberation Organization, or PLO, who did not want to be identified described a new Palestinian plan. Savir wrote that PLO officials have developed a plan for a temporary agreement. The agreement would establish a Palestinian state until permanent negotiations could be launched a year from now. Michele Dunne is director of the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She says this proposal probably does not interest the Israeli government. The Palestinians are not unified, she said. "So even if the current Palestinian Authority Leadership were to accept an initiative like this, many in Israel and elsewhere would say 'Well, the Palestinian Authority doesn't represent that many people anyway." Dunne says the proposal sounds like an attempt to keep the two-state solution alive. Im John Russell. Cecily Hilleary wrote this story for VOA News. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story mission n. a task or job that someone is given to do settlement n. the act or process of moving to a new area or place to live there divestment n. the act of selling or giving away (possessions, money, etc.) head off phrasal verb to stop something from happening It's an old joke that's quickly becoming reality for many student loan borrowers: "I'll be paying off my student loans until I die." During the past decade, there's been a stunning rise in student loan debt owed by older Americans. The number of Americans aged 60 or older with one or more student loans quadrupled from 2005 to 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau revealed last week. The average debt load on that group has swelled from $12,000 to $23,500. And there has been a near five-fold increase in the number of retired Americans who see their Social Security checks auto-deducted to pay off federal student loans in default. Ken Stumpf, a 70-year-old borrower from Colorado, lays out the stark reality he and his wife face. "We are both buried from our own student debt. Nothing to do but pay until we die," he said. Stumpf spent 33 years in the U.S. Army, mostly working in the Signal Corps as an information technology specialist. His mixture of federal and private student loans are current, but there's no chance he'll ever pay them off. In the mid-1990s, he went to graduate school to earn a master's in Recreation and Park Administration. He borrowed $70,749 to pay for that degree. After a combination of deferrals and minimum payments, today his monthly student loan bill is a fairly reasonable $227. But his outstanding balance is $81,000 more than he initially borrowed. Stumpf's wife, who is 65, is a little worse off. She borrowed $71,175 to get her college degree back in 1999. Her payment is $332; the balance is now $95,844. "We both went back to school later in life to try to improve our marketability and get better jobs. Worked for me, sort of, not so much for her," Stumpf said. He's philosophical about the debt. "It drives us crazy But I think we both realize that, short of winning the lottery, we won't ever pay off $176K in student loans. And it did help me get into a career field that isn't going away for a while," he said. At age 70, he's still working 25 hours a week in IT. "There are a whole lot worse off than us," Stumpf said. Story continues The New Normal A new report issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finds that this may be the new standard. The share of all student loan borrowers that are age 60 and older increased from 2.7% to 6.4% between 2005 and 2015, the bureau said. "It is alarming that older Americans are the fastest growing segment of student loan borrowers," CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a press release. Older student borrowers have special problems, some of which are obvious. Incomes usually drop in retirement and 401K balances start to come under pressure, while health care costs rise. The bills can pile up. In 2013, for example, 63% of older student loan borrowers also owed mortgage debt, 67% owed credit card debt and 45% owed auto loan debt, the CFPB said. (You can see how your current debts are affecting your credit by viewing two of your free credit scores, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com.) Still, a shocking number of older Americans aren't paying for their own schooling, like Stumpf they are paying off kids' and grandkids' loans. Around 73% of student loan borrowers age 60 and older told the CFPB that their student debt is owed for a child and/or grandchild. The wear on finances of older Americans is showing. The proportion of delinquent student loan debt held by borrowers age 60 and older increased from 7.4% to 12.5% from 2005 to 2012; and nearly 40% of federal student loan borrowers age 65 and older are in default. Social Security benefits being "offset" to repay a federal student loan increased from about 8,700 to 40,000 borrowers from 2005 to 2015, the CFPB said. It should come as no surprise that older Americans, when deciding which bills to pay and which to postpone, are sometimes neglecting their own health care. In 2014, for example, 39% of consumers age 60 and older with a student loan said that they skipped health care needs like prescription medicines, doctors' visits and dental care. Only 25% of older consumers without a student loan did the same, the CFPB said. Another problem facing older borrowers: Available options for relief, such as income-driven repayment, can be confusing. (You can go here to learn more about income-based and other student loan repayment options.) And the CFPB warns that loan servicers don't always make getting help easy. Its report found several shortcomings in servicer treatment of older borrowers. Per the press release, a survey of complaints filed with the CFPB found older borrowers complain that servicers are: Is Help on the Way? "Many of these older Americans are helping to finance their children's or grandchildren's education while living on a fixed income," Cordray said. "We are concerned that student loans are contributing to financial insecurity for many older Americans and that student loan servicing problems can add to their distress." The CFPB is advocating for new rules that would protect student loan borrowers; these could ease the burden on the over-60 student loan debtor group. The rules would make income-driven payment plans easier to access and maintain, for example. But for now, older consumers are on the hook for an estimated $66.7 billion in student loans, and long-term solutions for borrowers like Stumpf seem far, far away. "At our age, we know we will pass before they are paid," he said. More From Credit.com: Adacia Chambers, who authorities say killed four people when she intentionally crashed her car into spectators at the 2015 Oklahoma State University homecoming parade, has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Chambers, 26, had been charged with four counts of second-degree murder and 46 counts of felony assault, with a trial set to begin Tuesday. But under a plea agreement, she pleaded no contest that same day to all of the murder charges and 39 of the assault charges. She apologized to her victims in court. If only I could change the past. My prayers are always with the victims, she said. I was suffering from psychosis that day. Some of her victims also made statements in court describing the crash as an evil act of violence. One woman, who was injured along with her 18-month-old daughter, said, I never feel safe anymore. I want to feel safe again. A Fatal Crash In October 2015, Chambers ran a red light and drove around a police barricade before crashing into the homecoming parade, killing four people and injuring 50 more. The fatalities were Nikita Nakal, a 23-year-old MBA student, married couple Bonnie Jean Stone and Marvin Lyle Stone, both 65, and 2-year-old Nash Lucas. Among the dozens more injured were nine children under the age of 10. More than 50 bystanders were taken to local hospitals for treatment, and in court on Tuesday a surviving victim described people being thrown like rag dolls by the collisions. Chambers was initially charged with driving under the influence, but a screening showed that she had just a .01 blood alcohol content, under the legal limit. Chambers attorney, Tony Coleman, insisted that she was not impaired and was battling mental illness. A judge, however, ruled that she was competent to stand trial. In a news conference shortly after the crash, Chambers father, Floyd Chambers, told reporters his daughter had been in a mental institution two years earlier. Chambers attorneys did not return PEOPLEs call for comment. They have not filed any paperwork to appeal her sentence. Issues Full Status Update, Planned FDA Submission Pathway and Business Plan for 2017 and Beyond KENNEWICK, WA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation ("AMI") (ADMD), a late stage radiation oncology focused medical device company, would like to release a letter from Its CEO to its shareholders. Dear shareholders, As the new AMI President and CEO, it is important to have regular information sharing with our owners. With this first letter, I would like to share our plan for our near-term future. During the past month, I have been assessing the company's baseline status. Based on this due diligence, my assessment is that the company must fine-tune its direction and become more action oriented and implement a well-defined plan. FDA STATUS AND SUBMISSION STRATEGY: AMI has tried unsuccessfully to obtain regulatory approval for its products for over five years without a specific indication for use. It is my intent to listen to the Food and Drug Administration's previous guidance and narrow our indications for use (This is FDA lingo for the specific cancers that we want to target for treatment). We believe that RadioGel has broad potential to treat a variety of non-resectable (non-operable) tumors; however, gaining approval on such a wide range of therapies requires an unrealistic amount of testing. In order to secure approval in a timely manner, AMI will submit our next FDA application for a single type of cancer therapy. When successful, we will then apply for approval for the next therapy, and the next, in sequence over a period of three or four years. We are in active discussion with external medical experts and our Medical Advisory Board under the Chairmanship of Dr. Barry Pressman, a neuroradiology expert at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Past-President of the American College of Radiology to select the optimum first indication for use. It is important to get this right by assessing all the therapy options in detail for both clinical and commercial reasons. Story continues Since the FDA-required-testing is the longest activity on the critical-path timeline, we will determine and then start performing the required testing as a priority after we select our cancer target. We intend to formally engage the FDA during this process to ensure that they agree with our proposed testing protocols. ISOPET, OUR VETERINARY ONCOLOGY DIVISION: Our household pet cancer therapy path forward under the IsoPet component of our company is also in the process of refocusing. We are pleased that Dr. Alice Villalobos, a founding member of the Veterinary Cancer Society, has agreed to remain as the Chair of our Veterinary Medicine Advisory Board. She has already given us expert advice during my discussions with her in December, which we have just started implementing. With her guidance, we have selected the first cut of three potential cancer types for pet therapy at up to three university centers. These will be assessed for a final selection in the relatively short term and will require a visit to those facilities. We do plan to continue our effort treating feline sarcoma at Washington State University Veterinary center. As we have previously announced, our initial test at Washington State University to treat a feline sarcoma (cancer of the connective tissues in cats), was initiated to verify our procedures and to confirm there were no toxicity effects. There is an obvious synergy between the human and household pet markets, and these animal therapies will build the confidence of the medical community. I will be communicating to you, the AMI owners, on a regular basis as we proceed along our plan. We have to earn your confidence that we have a sound plan and we are delivering on implementing that plan. I took this job only because I believe that RadioGel has the potential to save lives. I feel I have a responsibility to bring this promising product to those people and those pets with a sense of urgency. Sincerely, Mike Korenko President and CEO (acting), Advanced Medical Isotope and IsoPet About Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation (ADMD) is a late stage radiation oncology focused medical device company engaged in the development of yttrium-90 based brachytherapy devices for the treatment of non resectable tumors. The IsoPet Solutions division is focused on establishing the infrastructure necessary to provide product to veterinary clinics including regulatory clearances and compliance as well as providing product awareness and education to veterinary oncologists. Brachytherapy uses radiation to destroy cancerous tumors by placing a radioactive isotope inside or next to the treatment area. The Company intends to outsource material aspects of manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing for its products in the United States and to enter into licensing arrangements outside of the United States, though the Company will evaluate its alternatives before finalizing its plans. For more information, please visit our websites: www.isopetsolutions.com and www.isotopeworld.com. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimates," "projects," "intends," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to successfully execute its expanded business strategy, including by entering into definitive agreements with suppliers, commercial partners and customers; general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technical advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, regulatory requirements and the ability to meet them, government agency rules and changes, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. CONTACT: Company Contact: Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation Michael Korenko, CEO 1021 N Kellogg Kennewick WA 99336 509-736-4000 Investors: Circadian Group IR Tyler Troup, B. Comm info@Circadian-group.com 877-950-8300 SOURCE: Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation ALMATY (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's veteran leader Nursultan Nazarbayev gave the green light on Wednesday for constitutional reforms that could dilute the sweeping powers he has amassed as president and force his eventual successor to share power with other institutions. Kazakhstan, an exporter of oil and metals, is the only former Soviet republic that is still run by its communist-era leader. Now aged 76, Nazarbayev has so far not identified a clear successor and investors fear what may come after him. His office said in a brief statement that Nazarbayev had set up a working group tasked with drafting legal reforms to redistribute powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The group includes members of the cabinet, parliament, Supreme Court and other bodies, it said, without elaborating. Nazarbayev has governed the vast Central Asian state of 18 million people with a firm hand since 1989, first as regional Communist Party chief and then, after the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991, as the president of a newly independent nation. The decision to revise the constitution follows the death last September of Islam Karimov, president of neighboring Uzbekistan who had also been in power since 1989. Among the people viewed as potential successors to Nazarbayev are his eldest daughter Dariga, who is a parliamentary deputy, Deputy Prime Minister Imangali Tasmagambetov and Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev, speaker of the Senate. Under the Kazakh constitution, Tokayev would automatically assume the presidency in the event of Nazarbayev's death pending fresh elections. (Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Gareth Jones) Toulouse (France) (AFP) - Airbus on Wednesday said it had outstripped its own delivery expectations in 2016, closing the gap with Boeing, and beat its US archrival on orders. The European aerospace company said it delivered a record 688 commercial planes, beating its own target which was hiked in November from 650 to 670. The figures were lifted by a last-minute surge in December when it handed over 111 aircraft. It also booked a total of 731 net orders, beating Boeing but showing a significant drop of nearly a third on the previous year when it logged demand for 1,036 aircraft. Last week, Boeing confirmed orders of 668 planes throughout the year, down 13 percent on 2015 when net orders reached 768. "2016 was a year in which we managed to not only achieve our objectives but to surpass them," said Airbus chief executive Fabrice Bregier. It was the 14th consecutive year in which the firm chalked up record deliveries. Although it remains behind Boeing, which saw deliveries fell modestly to 748 in 2016, the European group is closing the gap. Delivery figures are of interest to analysts and investors as it is at that stage when manufacturers receive the bulk of payment. - Supply chain issues - "2016, particularly the first six months, was particularly difficult... we had more (production) difficulties than expected," Bregier said, referring to supply chain bottlenecks with its A350 long-haul jets. But the company almost reached its delivery target for the aircraft, handing over 49 of the 50 planned deliveries, and two more submitted for flight testing. It also delivered 545 of its single-aisle A320 jetliners, 66 A330s and 28 of its A380 double-decker superjumbos, the production of which is due to be halved next year. In July, Airbus said it would cut the production rate of its A380 to one a month from 2018 to reflect reduced demand. In 2015, the manufacturer handed over 27 planes but next year aims to deliver just 12. Story continues The group has seen a slowdown in demand for long-distance carriers due in part to falling fuel prices which have impacted on the renewal of ageing fleets, but also as a result of weakening demand from Gulf carriers which peaked in recent years. Airbus ended the year with a backlog of 6,874 planes with a list price of $1 billion. - IranAir gets first delivery - Among the contracts signed in December was an order for 72 A320neo passenger jets from budget Indian airline GoAir, in a deal worth $7.8 billion, the aircraft maker said. Also Wednesday, Airbus delivered the first of an order of 100 planes to IranAir in a deal with a list price of around $20 billion which was finalised after international sanctions on Tehran were lifted. "It's a new, magnificent chapter and a great day" for ties between Iran and the EU, said IranAir's chief executive Farhad Parvaresh at a ceremony in Toulouse, where Airbus is based. The "distance between us caused by political adversities have been narrowed by hard work of the international peace keepers," he said. Bregier also hailed the renewal of ties with Iran, saying the "renaissance of Iran aviation sector is one of the most important developments for our industry for many years." The jets will bolster Iran's ageing passenger fleet with the addition of 46 A320 planes for medium-haul routes, 38 long-haul A330s and 16 A350s. This airline will fly you out to Europe for $70, yes we are serious Travelling to Europe is on many peoples bucket lists, but often people get put off by just how much it costs to cross the proverbial pond and live your best Carrie Bradshaw/Hilary Duff (okay, Lizzie McGuire) life in Paris or Rome. Well, this airline is offering $70 trips to Europe, so now your dreams could legitimately become a reality. In a press release shared on Tuesday (January 10th), WOW air, Icelands ultra-low cost transatlantic airline, said that they would be releasing a bunch of flights from just $69.99 travelling daily from the West Coast to Europe! The airline offered a similar deal last year, but seems to have dropped their prices by a further $30. The limited-time one-way fares were available from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Bristol, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland. WOW airs goal is to enable everybody to fly by offering the lowest fares on the market, Skuli Mogensen, founder and CEO of WOW air, said. Its exciting to be driving change in the industry and to stimulate the market by offering these super low fares across the Atlantic. I am very proud that by offering $69.99 USD fares we are enabling thousands of people to travel that otherwise could not afford it. If making a pilgrimage to Stockholm to make your thanks to the gods of pop, Abba, isnt *really* your thing, Wow air is also offering one-way tickets to Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Frankfurt for $149 and $129 respectively. Seriouslyyou dont want to end up as Lauren Conrad in The Hills, do you? The various deals are running on fares between January 15th, 2017, to April 5th, 2017. It appears that most flights will also include a stop-over at Keflavik International Airport, the main airport in Iceland. And, as KTLA 5 reports, return flights are priced *slightly* more than the discount at regular rates. You can book your ideal European getaway from www.wowair.com. Time to start that EPIC trip youve always planned doing Nearly 100 inmates who escaped a week ago during the Philippines' biggest jailbreak remain on the run with some being protected by Muslim rebels or bandits, authorities said Wednesday. One guard was killed as dozens of gunmen raided a dilapidated jail in the strife-torn south of the country, with murderers and rapists among the 158 prisoners who took advantage of the chaos to escape. Authorities said they had carried out an extensive manhunt in vast farmlands and isolated villages surrounding Kidapawan city where the jailbreak took place, which netted 51 of the escapees and killed 10 others. However 97 remained on the run, provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Peralta told AFP on Wednesday. He said some inmates may have taken refuge in camps of various Muslim armed groups that are based in the region, with the rebels refusing to shelter any of the Christian escapees. "That is what some of those who were recaptured are saying. They (the escaped Christians) are told to separate from the Muslim inmates because they are not allowed inside the camps of those they are hiding with," Peralta said. The head of provincial jails, Superintendent Simeon Dolojo, gave a similar assessment. "According to some reports coming from the Philippine police and military, they are coddled by armed groups, definitely, Muslim armed groups," Dolojo told AFP. He did not specify who was believed to be sheltering the escapees, saying many different rebel groups or gangs were based in the area. The southern region of Mindanao is the ancestral homeland of the largely Catholic Philippines' Muslim minority. Muslim rebels have waged a separatist insurgency since the 1970s, with the conflict claiming more than 120,000 lives. While the major rebel organisations have for years observed a ceasefire with the government as part of peace efforts, there are breakaway factions opposed to compromise and other gangs that have declared allegiance to the Islamic State group. Story continues The area where the jailbreak took place, about 900 kilometres (560 miles) south of Manila, has a mixed Christian and Muslim population. Von al-Haq, military spokesman of the largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), denied to AFP on Thursday it was involved in the jailbreak or that it was sheltering any of the inmates. Militants have attacked the Kidapawan jail repeatedly. In 2007, gunmen freed 49 inmates there. Among those who escaped was Khair Mundos, one of the main leaders of the Abu Sayyaf, which is blamed for the Philippines' worst terrorist attacks. He was recaptured in 2014. PARIS, Jan 11 (Reuters) - An Alstom and Bombardier consortium has won a French train contract estimated to be worth 1.16 billion euros ($1.22 billion) for the consortium, the companies and French authorities said on Wednesday. Alstom and Bombardier had been the only bidders left after rival CAF dropped out last year. The contract will see the consortium - in which Alstom owns 70 percent and Bombardier 30 percent - work to supply commuter trains for the Paris region. The part state-funded contract is worth 3.75 billion euros in total. ($1 = 0.9506 euros) (Reporting by Emmanuel Jarry and Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Richard Balmforth) PARIS (Reuters) - An Alstom and Bombardier consortium has won a French train contract estimated to be worth 1.16 billion euros ($1.22 billion) for the consortium, the companies and French authorities said on Wednesday. Alstom and Bombardier had been the only bidders left after rival CAF dropped out last year. [nL8N1D373E] The contract will see the consortium - in which Alstom owns 70 percent and Bombardier 30 percent - work to supply commuter trains for the Paris region. The part state-funded contract is worth 3.75 billion euros in total. (Reporting by Emmanuel Jarry and Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Richard Balmforth) In his final speech as president, Barack Obama said he is more hopeful now than when he was first elected. He called for unity and for all Americans to stay involved in the countrys democracy. Obama went home to Chicago, Illinois to give his last speech as president. He leaves office on January 20. Chicago was where his political career started more than 20 years ago. On Tuesday night, he spoke to thousands of supporters. "Thank you! It's good to be home! Thank you!" Obama took a look back on his eight years as president. He said the United States is a better, stronger place than when he took office in 2009. People cheered as he listed some of the things his administration has done. "If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our historyif I had told you that we would open up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Iran's nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, and take out the mastermind of 9/11if I had told you that we would win marriage equality, and secure the right to health insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens ... if I had told you all that, you might have said our sights were set a little too high..." Recognizing the current political divide in the country, Obama urged Americans to seek common ground with one another. He said that while "democracy does not require uniformity," it does "require a basic sense of solidarity." Obama is the first African American to serve as president of the United States. After his election, there was talk of a post-racial America one where race is not important. But Obama said race is a still a potent and often divisive force -- meaning that it is still a strong issue, and one that divides people. The president warned that the nation faces threats to democracy, such as issues of economic and racial inequality. Obama said the United States has to guard against weakening its values because of fear. One of the loudest cheers he received was when he said he rejects discrimination against Muslim Americans. The president said he was more hopeful about the country now than when he took office. He called on Americans to stay involved in the democratic process. "I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes, We Can..." It was a return to his 2008 campaign saying Yes, we can. Some observers say the presidents comments sounded more like a campaign speech than a traditional farewell address. Larry Sabato is a political scientist with the University of Virginias Center for Politics. He told VOA the speech was different from others given by presidents before they left office. Certainly, it was untraditional, weve never had a farewell address like this. One can only imagine what George Washington, or for that matter Dwight Eisenhower, who had the most famous farewell address, would have thought of this manner of delivery. It was more like a political rally. Sabato says Obama leaves office with a mixed record. He thinks the president achieved a fair amount, but he adds, "its also true that were more divided than ever. And he notes, most of the speech was about positions and actions that Donald Trump wants to amend or end in the coming years. When we think back on this speech, were going to realize that most of what President Obama talked about is no longer reality... In less than two weeks, Trump will be sworn-in as president. And Barack Obama will return to being a private citizen. Obama says he will stay involved as a citizen. He plans to stay in Washington while his youngest daughter finishes high school. Im Anne Ball. Anne Ball wrote this story for Learning English with material from VOA reports. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story common ground n. basing something on a common interest or agreement uniform adj. having the same form solidarity n. unity that is based on community interests or beliefs divisive adj. creating disunity abolitionist n. a person who works toward the end of slavery creed n. a statement of beliefs farewell adj. of or related to a wish of well-being when leaving someone or something address n. a speech (Corrects parargaph 1 to say that American Airlines raised its forecasts for the 'fourth' quarter, not the 'current' quarter) Jan 11 (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc raised its forecasts for a key industry revenue measure and pretax margin for the fourth quarter, citing improving average fares. American, the No.1 U.S. airline by passenger traffic said on Wednesday it now expected its fourth-quarter unit revenue to be flat to up 2 percent. The company's previous forecast ranged from a decline of 1 percent to an increase of 1 percent. Unit revenue compares sales to how many seats an airline flies and how far it flies them. The airline said it now expected its pretax margin excluding items to be between 7 percent and 9 percent, up from its previous forecast of 6 percent to 8 percent. (Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Editing by Ted Kerr) By Allison Lampert and Jessica DiNapoli MONTREAL/NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Apparel LLC's made-in-the-U.S. heritage is uncertain after Canadian apparel maker Gildan Activewear Inc (GIL.TO) won a bankruptcy auction to acquire the edgy fashion retailer for about $88 million in cash. Gildan said on Tuesday it will buy manufacturing equipment and intellectual property rights related to American Apparel, but the Canadian company did not assume the leases of the retailer's California manufacturing plants, fuelling questions over where the clothing will be produced. Reuters reported late on Monday that Gildan had won the auction, which also attracted bidders such as California-based apparel maker Next Level Apparel and had garnered interest from Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) and Forever 21 Inc. Gildan's stalking-horse bid of $66 million for American Apparel, an offer that set the floor for competing bidders, included an option to acquire the company's manufacturing operations. Gildan had planned to maintain some operations as recently as last week, but then reversed course. Garry Bell, a Gildan spokesman, said the company would decide where to make the clothing when it completes its integration plan. "We felt it was best to not assume these leases while we worked through that plan, he said, adding details will be outlined Feb. 23. American Apparel had insisted in the weeks leading up to its bankruptcy and auction that any deal would keep its manufacturing plants in the United States. On Tuesday, a spokeswoman said that "the manufacturing facilities were always a part of negotiations, and any decision by the buyer to not assume these operations is at their discretion." Gildan, which manufactures yarn in North Carolina and Georgia, has no "apprehension about investing in the United States," Bell said. However, close to 90 percent of Gildan's 42,000 employees are in low-cost Caribbean and Central American countries, and the company does not manufacture clothes other than socks in the United States. Story continues HOT-BUTTON ISSUE Keeping jobs in the United States has become a hot-button political issue since the election of Donald Trump, who campaigned on stopping manufacturing jobs from moving overseas. Trump's transition team did not immediately return a request for comment. Bell said American Apparel's U.S. manufacturing heritage is a component of the brand, but Gildan's plan for it will also consider factors like transportation and energy costs. While Bell said Gildan is considering hiring some workers in product design and merchandising, approximately 3,500 American Apparel employees have received notices that they could be laid off as soon as this month, according to California public notices. American Apparel's Los Angeles plants are some of the largest private garment-making operations in the United States, and the mostly immigrant employees from China, Central America and Mexico are paid minimum wage and receive extras like bonuses and subsidized public transportation, said worker Irma Fuentes. "We don't know now what's going to happen," Fuentes said by phone on Tuesday. Gildan, whose branded apparel and printwear basics compete with Hanes Brands Inc (HBI.N), has also said it will not buy any of the 110 American Apparel retail stores. However, existing American Apparel stores will continue selling the clothes for the next 100 days as Gildan decides how to make the products available to consumers, Bell said. Analysts said Gildan's focus on just the brand, coupled with its vast distribution network and an ability to control costs, would benefit American Apparel, which spent heavily on its stores and racy marketing campaigns. Gildan is very good at sticking to what they are good at, said an analyst who asked not to be identified. They know they have no business running retail stores or being a marketing machine. American Apparel filed its second Chapter 11 in November with about $177 million in debt after the failure of a turnaround plan. It filed for its first Chapter 11 in October 2015, and emerged from bankruptcy early last year. The deal, which is subject to approval from a bankruptcy court on Thursday, pushed Gildan shares up in Toronto and New York on Tuesday. (Additional reporting by Siddharth Cavale and Komal Khettry in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Matthew Lewis) Immigration is one of several issues that John Ridley and his team will tackle on the upcoming season of ABC's acclaimed anthology drama American Crime. However, the Oscar winner insists it has nothing to do with the anti-immigrant rhetoric of President-elect Donald Trump. "I'll just say for me, personally, the urgency that I approach storytelling, the issues that are out there, they've been out there. They're always there," he told reporters Tuesday at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour. "This story would have been told irrespective of who's in the Oval Office." Ridley also emphasized his hope for the series to reach beyond just what issues are dominating the national dialogue and also expand to a more global conversation. "It's not about tweaking or changing or trying to be oh-so-current that we miss the bigger picture or the longer game. Immigration, that issue is not new, it's not relegated to the United States of America," he said. "Even though it's called American Crime, it plays across the world." Like the other two seasons before it, the third season of American Crime also looks at multiple issues and how they intersect and affect others in surprising ways. Set in North Carolina, season three explores labor issues, economic divides, individual rights and modern servitude. Ridley said the issues he and the writers decided to tackle this season were topics "that we felt we didn't address in the previous season. There are so many voices out there that are normally not given any kind of a platform," he said. "How do we find new territory?" Read more: Sandra Oh Plots TV Return With ABC's 'American Crime' (Exclusive) In addition to new territory, there are also several new faces joining Ridley's ever-expanding returning ensemble, including Sandra Oh, Dallas Roberts, Cherry Jones and Tim DeKay. Now that the series has two seasons, and several awards, under its belt, executive producer Michael J. McDonald said it's been easier to lure new individuals. Story continues "We get people who come through our doors that maybe wouldn't come through network doors," he said. Returning faces for the new season include Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton and Regina King, who has won two Emmys for her two very different roles. Huffman praised the range between her roles on all three seasons of the series, as well as the partnership she has now established with Ridley. "I would never be cast in the role that I was in the third season," she said of her part, in which she plays a woman whose family farm must cut back on labor costs in order to remain competitive. "It's been my favorite job and I think it's been my favorite role, because I think it's so foreign to me. She's not in my lexicon. She's not in my family. I don't know women like this. It was a joy, and I'm really grateful that I got that shot, because this is the only guy [Ridley] that would give me that shot." Fellow returning actor Richard Cabral, however, also pointed out the similarities between seasons. "The outer layer, the landscape, what we look like, that is different," he said, "but the inner is that soul, is that spirit and that is ... what always keeps me focused and keeps me striving for excellence." Ridley says his ultimate goal for this season of American Crime hasn't altered since season one, despite the changing cast, locations and central stories. The takeaway "is that we are connected," he said. "That there is a cascade effect. That we need to stop thinking of ourselves as isolated individuals." American Crime's third season is set to launch Sunday, March 12, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. The annual gathering of dance artists, fans, and industry reps at the Amsterdam Dance Event has become one of the most favored moments on the electronic calendar. When ADE returns for its 22nd edition Oct. 18 to 22 of 2017, organizers expect 375,000 visitors both from within the Netherlands and from around the globe. It's become the largest such congregatin in the world. "Amsterdam is the centre of the global electronic music scene during ADE, a hotbed for cultural and technological innovation," ADE director Richard Zijlma is quoted in a press release. "It's amazing to see that thousands of delegates and music enthusiasts are spending more and more time in the city each year." Sounds like a good time to expand to overseas markets, so ADE will continue its international growth with ADE Global Sessions Mumbai, India, from Feb 23 to 25, as well as with a showcase at SXSW in Austin, Tx. Mumbai's Global Sessions will include Q&As, strategy meetings, master classes, plus networking and speed dating events - in case you're looking for the industry professional of your dreams - and more. ADE will also co-present India's concurrent Biggest Guestlist Club Festival. Check the official ADE 2017 after movie below, and head to ADE online. Modern medicine often feels like magic: A technician pricks your skin, draws a drop of blood and whisks it away into another room. Oftentimes, this gives the doctor enough information to make a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment. But for people in developing countries, these kinds of diagnostics can be more science fiction than reality. Modern medicine relies heavily on technology, like centrifuges, that are costly, bulky and require electricity. In many places around the world, this kind of equipment can be hard to come by. But in a new study published online today (Jan. 10) in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, researchers described an inexpensive, hand-powered centrifuge that's based on an ancient toy and could help doctors working in developing countries. The centrifuge is the workhorse of modern medical laboratories. The device spins samples at high speeds to separate particles or cells based on size and density, effectively concentrating specific components. Most diagnostics "are like looking for a needle in a haystack," said Manu Prakash, lead researcher on the new study and an assistant professor of bioengineering at Stanford University. A centrifuge, Prakash said, puts all the needles in one place, making them easier to find. [10 Technologies That Will Transform Your Life] Unfortunately, even the simplest modern centrifuges are burdensome for doctors in the field. Prakash, who won a 2016 MacArthur "genius" award, is a leader in the so-called frugal science movement, which aims to devise low-cost solutions for complex technologies. Prakash is best known for developing the Foldscope, an origami-like paper microscope that costs about $1.50. In the past, researchers explored common household items, such as egg beaters and salad spinners, as alternatives to the centrifuge, but these devices gave poorer results than modern diagnostic tests. A simple blood test using these tools required more than 10 minutes to separate cells, compared with 2 minutes for commercial centrifuges. So instead of using these items, Prakash and his colleagues focused on spinning toys. Story continues "We tested many toys, like the top and yo-yo," study lead author M. Saad Bhamla, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, told Live Science. "We wanted to find the most effective way of converting physical energy into rotational energy." The researchers found that a toy known most commonly as the whirligig had the greatest potential as a centrifuge. By tweaking the basic design, they were able to achieve speeds of up to 125,000 revolutions per minute (RPM), the fastest speeds reported for a hand-powered device, the researchers said. (They have submitted an application to the Guinness World Records, they wrote.) Also known as a button spinner, buzzer or spinning disk, the whirligig is one of the most ancient toys and can be found all over the world. It is a simplistic child's toy, with a button or disk threaded through two strings that are affixed to handles. A child begins by winding the strings and then pulling on the handles to make the threads unwind and the button spin. Pulling and relaxing the strings repeatedly makes the button spin faster. [The Cool Physics of 7 Classic Toys] Using a paper disk and fishing wire, the researchers modified the whirligig, turning it into a hand-powered centrifuge that costs about 20 cents to make. They called their device a "paperfuge" and tested it against modern centrifuges to measure red blood cell counts. To do so, Prakash and his team loaded a finger prick of blood into a capillary tube and placed that into a sealed plastic straw that was mounted onto the paper disk. "With a conventional centrifuge, the [blood test] will take about 2 minutes and that [centrifuge] will cost about $1,000," Bhamla said. "And in a minute and a half, we can achieve the exact same result at a cost of $0.20 without electricity." The researchers' results were similar in tests for malaria parasites. To better understand how the paperfuge works and how to optimize it for different types of diagnostics, Prakash and his colleagues generated a mathematical model for the movement of the disk. "It is quite an unconventional centrifuge," Prakash said. "It's an oscillatory centrifuge, so it flips direction." Most centrifuges spin in only one direction but the paperfuge reverses during its spin, which may limit the volume of liquid that it can separate, he added. Prakash and Bhamla also found that the toy is essentially self-winding. The spinning disk has inertia that causes the strings to twist. When a person adds force by pulling on the handles, the strings become supercoiled, with twists looping back on themselves, Prakash said. "These supertwists give torque and result in twisting of the disk," he said. "It is amazing how little force it takes." Prakash and his team are now taking the paperfuge out into the field. "Our current work has put about 100 paperfuges into the hands of clinical partners and health care workers in Madagascar," Prakash said, "in the front line of developing countries where almost nothing is available." At the same time, the researchers are testing other versions of the paperfuge, using 3D-printed plastics and different designs in hopes of applying the technology to other diagnostic tests, Prakash said. Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect is calling upon President-elect Donald Trump to apologize for comparing the United States to Nazi Germany. Steven Goldstein, the executive director of the center, released a scathing statement on Wednesday saying the celebrity businessmans comment was an insult to Americans and victims of Adolf Hitlers Third Reich. It is a despicable insult to Holocaust survivors around the world and to the nation he is about to lead, that Donald Trump compares America to Nazi Germany, Goldstein said. The president-elect has denigrated our nation and its commitment to freedom on the eve of his inauguration. He must retract his tweet and apologize to survivors and to our entire nation. The Anne Frank Center is the U.S. chapter of a worldwide network of organizations dedicated to fighting prejudice and honoring Anne Franks diary and legacy. The Trump statement that provoked such a strong reaction was characteristically posted to Twitter. Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to leak into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany? Trump wrote Wednesday morning. President-elect Donald Trump takes questions on Wednesday in New York during his first news conference since the election. (Photo: Seth Wenig/AP) Trump has frequently disparaged the U.S. intelligence community ever since top officials announced that Russia had launched a multilayered propaganda campaign to interfere with the U.S. presidential election and undermine Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. He decided to compare the U.S. to Nazi Germany the morning after BuzzFeed published a scandalous, unverified dossier purportedly compiled by a former U.K. intelligence agent who alleged that Moscow has compromising information on him. Trump vehemently denies the accusation. The BuzzFeed article followed a CNN report claiming that U.S. intelligence heads told Trump that Russian operatives indicated that they had compromising information about him. Russia and Trump both say this is not true. Trump defended the tweet on Wednesday during a news conference in New York. Story continues I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out. I think its a disgrace, he said when asked about the tweet. And I say that. And I say that. And thats something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also took issue with Trumps Nazi quip. Anne Frank (Photo: ullstein bild via Getty Images) Jonathan A. Greenblatt, the chief executive of the ADL, said in a statement that the analogy was inappropriate and that it coarsens political discourse and diminishes the horrors of the Holocaust. There are legitimate questions on all sides regarding foreign influence in the 2016 presidential race, he said. But the United States has democratic elections, a free press, rule of law and a civil service including our intelligence agencies that is deeply loyal to the U.S. Constitution. These facts invalidate any analogies between America and totalitarian societies. Greenblatt went on to say that glib comparisons to Nazi Germany are offensive and trivialize the Holocaust, the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately 11 million people, including 6 million Jews. We have a long record of speaking out when both Democrats and Republicans engage in such overheated rhetoric, he said. It would be helpful for the president-elect to explain his intentions or apologize for the remark. Read more from Yahoo News: The Daily Beast Getty Images/TwitterJoshua Primo, the shunned NBA newcomer cut amid allegations he regularly exposed himself to a team therapist, said Thursday that his accuser was using ugly stereotypes and racially charged fears for her own financial gain.Primo made the bizarre claim just hours after Dr. Hillary Cauthen filed a lawsuit in Bexar County, Texas, against Primo and the San Antonio Spursa lawsuit in which she explicitly stated that shes not seeking monetary damages.Instead, Cauthen, a 40-year-o In an attempt to refine its pets business and progress on growth, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company ADM inked a deal to buy Crosswind Industries Inc. The deal is expected to be concluded in the coming weeks. Given the growing significance of the global pet food market and Archer Daniels robust resources, we believe that this move will benefit the latter. Well, Archer Daniels already has a strong presence in the pets space, evident from the fact that the company sells over 50 ingredients and products that are used by over 70% of all North American pet food companies. Hence, the buyout of Crosswind Industries will add another leaf to Archer Daniels global growth story. Based in Kansas, Crosswind Industries is a manufacturer of dry-expanded, dual-texture, semi-dry and semi-moist treat items for pets. Further, the company is a leading name in the contract and private label pet treats and foods products space. With a solid workforce, Crosswind Industries operates five processing lines across five Kansas facilities. Additionally, the company possesses nine ready for retail packaging networks. Clearly, Crosswind Industries superb network and product assortments will perfectly complement Archer Daniels Animal Nutrition business, alongside adding to its wide array of pet products. This, in turn is likely to enrich customers experience by offering them wider choices. Archer Daniels has long been focused on expansion via mergers and acquisitions. With regard to its Animal Nutrition business, since 2015 the company has closed a number of domestic and international organic growth and improvement projects. Also, the buyout of Lyrco Nutritions and joint venture with Alliance Liquid Feeds reflect the companys focus on solidifying this business, which has been gaining considerable traction. Notably, the pet industry constitutes a market of roughly $60 billion, and remains poised to grow thanks to the solid pet ownership fashion and owners growing kindness toward them. We recently saw Tractor Supply Company TSCO tapping this opportunity and fortifying its presence in the pet specialty space, by acquiring 100% stake in Petsense LLC a leading specialty retailer of pet supplies and services. Coming back to Archer Daniels, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has substantially outperformed the broader consumer staples sector in the last six months, mainly driven by its focus and progress on such strategic initiatives. The companys shares have jumped 30.2% in the last one year, substantially ahead of the Zacks categorized consumer staples sector that grew just 4.5% in the same time frame. Story continues Other Stocks to Consider Other well-ranked stocks worth considering in the same space include Calavo Growers, Inc. CVGW with a Zacks Rank #1 and Adecoagro S.A. AGRO with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Calavo Growers has a favorable industry rank that ranks in the top 3% out of over 250 industries. Further, the company has seen positive estimate revisions in the last 30 days and has a solid earnings surprise history. Adecoagro has a favorable industry rank that ranks in the top 3% out of over 250 industries. Further, the company has a value score of B that makes it a good choice for value investors. Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017? Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank.Be among the very first to see it>> 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 Calavo Growers, Inc. (CVGW): Free Stock Analysis Report Tractor Supply Company (TSCO): Free Stock Analysis Report Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM): Free Stock Analysis Report Adecoagro S.A. (AGRO): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Damascus (AFP) - The Syrian government has reached a deal for the army to enter a rebel-held region near Damascus and restore the capital's water supply, the provincial governor said Wednesday. Opposition sources denied there was any such deal, but a source inside the Wadi Barada region reported several hundred civilians were leaving under an agreement. Wadi Barada, some 15 kilometres (10 miles) northwest of Damascus, provides most of the water to the capital, but mains supplies have been cut since December 22, causing shortages for millions. President Bashar al-Assad said this week he was determined to retake the area and secure the water supply, and fighting has continued there despite a nationwide truce in place since December 30. Provincial governor Alaa Ibrahim told state news agency SANA there was now a deal to allow the government to retake control of the region. "The agreement that was reached in principle requires the militants to give up their heavy weapons and for non-local militants to leave the area of Wadi Barada," he said. "(Then) the Syrian Arab Army will enter the area to clear it of mines and bombs to prepare for the entry of maintenance teams... to fix the damage caused to the water pumps and pipes by the terrorists' attacks." But Ahmed Ramadan, an official with the opposition National Coalition, denied any such deal had been reached. "This information is untrue and is a part of the (regime and its allies') psychological warfare," he told AFP. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, also said the government had not reached a comprehensive deal with rebels. But it reported that residents wishing to leave were being offered safe passage on an individual basis. And a source on the ground in Wadi Barada said Wednesday that some 600 civilians had left, passing through a makeshift tent where government officials were checking documents. Syria's government accuses rebels, including former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, of deliberately cutting the supply to the capital. Story continues But the rebels say regime strikes damaged pumping facilities and deny that Fateh al-Sham, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, has forces in the area. The government has concluded dozens of so-called "reconciliation deals" with rebel-held areas in Syria in recent months, particularly around the capital. The deals usually offer civilians and rebels safe passage to opposition-held territory elsewhere in exchange for surrendering the area to the army. The opposition says it is forced into such deals by government sieges and assault, and terms them a "starve or surrender" tactic. oscar vazquez Army veteran Oscar Vazquez delivered a powerful testimony against Donald Trump's attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions on Wednesday, arguing the Republican senator would not protect immigrants in the United States. The testimony came as Democrats and civil-rights advocates wage a confirmation battle to block Sessions from the nation's top law-enforcement post. Vazquez was born in Mexico, and immigrated to the US with his mother at age 12 when they crossed the border into Arizona. During his testimony, he made indirect criticism of Sessions' hardline stance against immigration reform, particularly his opposition to the DREAM Act, a proposal that would open a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants. "Our country's top law-enforcement officer must be someone who understands that immigrants make our country stronger," Vazquez said. "We need an attorney general who will protect the American people from those who will do us harm, but who would also show mercy to those who deserve it." Vazquez said his undocumented status initially prevented him from joining the military, and only became a citizen following a lengthy legal battle that involved leaving his American wife for a year to re-immigrate to the US. After gaining citizenship, he joined the Army as a paratrooper and served two tours in Afghanistan. "I was following in the footsteps of countless other immigrants who have proudly served the United States," Vazquez said. He continued: "In Afghanistan, I fought side by side with my Army brothers. We wore the same uniform, wore the US flag on the same shoulder. It mattered more that we were willing to die for each other and our country than where we came from." Vazquez, now living with his family in Texas, said he plans to join the US Army Reserve, and said he felt he was "living the American dream." He insisted to the Senate Judiciary Committee that other undocumented immigrants must be shown similar leniency. Story continues "Having legal status changed my life," Vazquez said. "I can't imagine what it would be like to have that taken away from me." Watch Vazquez's testimony below: NOW WATCH: Trump answers reporters' questions in his longest news conference since winning the election More From Business Insider Pristina (AFP) - The arrest in France of Kosovo's former prime minister Ramush Haradinaj on suspicion of war crimes threatens to derail fragile negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo and ramp up tensions between the former foes. Serbia wants to try the former leader of the insurgent Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) for alleged atrocities committed against civilians during the 1998-1999 conflict against Belgrade forces. After the conflict, which killed 13,000 people, the predominantly ethnic Albanian province of Kosovo became a United Nations protectorate and declared independence a decade later -- a move that has never been recognised by Belgrade. The Serbian justice ministry on Tuesday requested the extradition of the former guerrilla fighter Haradinaj following his arrest by French police on January 4 at the eastern Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport, under an international arrest warrant. On Thursday, a French court will consider a request for the 48-year-old's release on bail. For his compatriots, Haradinaj is a hero for his efforts to win independence from late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic, and he is known as "Rambo" at home for his stocky build and military prowess. "Haradinaj is Kosovo" read the placards of hundreds of war veterans who rallied against his arrest in front of the French embassy in Pristina last week. Protesters gathered again on Wednesday, despite subzero temperatures, in several towns across Kosovo and in neighbouring countries with significant ethnic Albanian populations. - Slow progress - Haradinaj has twice before been acquitted of war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. He was elected premier in 2004 but resigned after 100 days in power to surrender to the United Nations judges. Since his acquittal he has become a political opponent to powerful President Hashim Thaci and a resolute opponent of a historic 2013 agreement, brokered by the European Union, to normalise relations between Pristina and Belgrade. Story continues The fragile talks have made progress in terms of the movement of people and goods, but it has never had great popular support, having been imposed by political leaders under pressure from the EU, which both sides aspire to join. The dialogue advances laboriously, as illustrated by Kosovo's reluctance to set up an association of municipalities for its ethnic Serb minority -- around 100,000 people out of a population of 1.8 million. In October, with the support of Belgrade, ethnic Serb MPs boycotted both the government and parliament to protest against the nationalisation of the Trepca mine, whose ownership is disputed, in tense northern Kosovo. In a parliamentary session over the Haradinaj affair on Tuesday, Kosovo's opposition called for the suspension of all negotiations with Serbia "until all arrest warrants are waived against leaders or members" of the KLA. - 'Block imports' - "Serbia is working openly and on a daily basis to destroy the state of Kosovo. The government should immediately block imports from Serbia," said Ismajl Kurteshi, an MP with the opposition Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) party. The group's methods to protest against the Serb association of municipalities -- which they fear will increase the influence of Belgrade -- have included repeatedly releasing tear gas in parliament. Kosovo's Prime Minister Isa Mustafa said arrest warrants such as Haradinaj's were "completely illegal and unjust" with the consequence of "provoking tensions and conflicts, and damaging the European (integration) process in the region". For its part, Serbia considers Kosovo the cradle of its identity in religion and affirms its guardianship its constitution. To think otherwise is politically taboo in Belgrade. "Serbia will not give up on prosecuting Haradinaj or anybody else who has committed crimes against Serbs. The Serb people like all others deserve justice," Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic warned. He said he had information about plotting among the Albanian diaspora to occupy Serbian diplomatic premises by force in Europe and the United States. Pristina has denied this. The Haradinaj case comes as an international court is being set up at The Hague to try Kosovo rebels for war crimes. There is speculation over whether President Thaci himself could appear, after a 2011 Council of Europe report accused him of heading a mafia-style network involved in assassinations, unlawful detentions and even trafficking captives' organs. He strongly denies the charges. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f344221%2f1ebee39b-11dd-4abb-9902-fa9277916547 Activists planning to fight Trump for the next four years will use their blood, sweat and tears literally. llma Gore is a member of the guerrilla art collective INDECLINE, responsible for the naked Trump statues that appeared in five different cities late last year. Now, Gore's got an even wilder anti-Trump project planned, one that involves actual human blood. SEE ALSO: Can we please stop branding compassion as 'liberal elitism?' Gore hopes to use the blood of activists and artists to make a painting called RISE UP THY YOUNG BLOOD, VICE reports. The official blood drive, which Gore hopes will attract "high profile donors," will begin on Jan. 13. Details about the project won't be revealed until two days later. "Its important for Trump to know his actions will be met with resistance from the leaders of the art world," INDECLINE told VICE. "Its unlikely that he realizes how inspired most artists have become to fight back as a result of his gaining the presidency. We will be the shadow that follows Trump and provides the checks and balances our government fails to." The creators stressed that blood and watercolor paint are identical, except one "smells a little weird." Though the creators understand the importance of donating blood for medical reasons, they also believe that blood-based artwork will send a uniquely powerful message to the Trump administration. Today in 5 Lines Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, Donald Trumps pick for attorney general, on his civil-rights record during the first day of Senate confirmation hearings. Retired General John Kelly, Trumps choice to head the Department of Homeland Security, said he has high confidence in the U.S. intelligence communitys conclusion that Russia interfered in the presidential election. Republicans postponed Senate confirmation hearings for Betsy DeVos, the nominee for education secretary, Representative Mike Pompeo, the nominee for CIA director, and Andrew Puzder, the nominee for labor secretary. James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, said findings on Russian interference in the 2016 election come from a wide range of sources, including human sources, technical collection, and open-source information. Dylann Roof was sentenced to death for fatally shooting nine black parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina in 2015. President Obama will deliver his farewell address at McCormick Place convention center in Chicago at 9 p.m. ET. Recommended: Donald Trump Meets, and Assails, the Press Today on The Atlantic A Tough Choice: Conservative women who oppose Donald Trump have a decision to make: Should they stay in a political party they feel betrayed by, or should they leave the GOP? While some feel compelled to leave the party, others are still holding out hope for the incoming administration. (Clare Foran) When Conservatives Attack: Meryl Streep quickly received pushback from Republicans for her criticism of Donald Trump at Sunday nights Golden Globes. But, Conor Friedersdorf writes: Every American ought to be glad that Streep delivered the core of her message, knowing as we do that A-list celebrities have the president-elects attention. Taking a Gamble: Repealing parts of the Affordable Care Act that massively contribute to state and local economies would remove millions of jobs and contract economic activity across states, according to several reports. Despite the research, experts cannot determine the exact effects of a repeal. (Vann R. Newkirk II) Follow stories throughout the day with our Politics & Policy portal. Snapshot A protester dressed as a Klansman disrupts the start of a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for U.S. Attorney General-nominee Senator Jeff Sessions on Capitol Hill. Kevin Lamarque / Reuters Recommended: The Biggest Intelligence Questions Raised by the Trump Dossier What Were Reading The Legacy Will Live On: Despite Republican criticism and proposals to dismantle key policies of Barack Obamas administration, Jonathan Chait argues that the president enacted careful, deep, and mostly popular solutions that wont be easy to do away with. (New York) Across the Pond: A number of reports show that the United Kingdom saw a surge in hate crimes following the Brexit vote last June. Seven months later, the United States has experienced a similar trend following the 2016 election. Can America learn from the British response to the uptick? (Patrick G. Lee, ProPublica) Easier Said Than Done: Ahead of his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump, along with his family and advisers, has attempted to find ways to avoid potential conflicts of interest, but his approach is unlikely to eliminate all of the potential pitfalls stemming from the complex web of his private interests. (Drew Harwell and Rosalind S. Helderman, The Washington Post) Behind the Movement: On January 21, thousands of protesters will head to the nations capitaland to other major cities across the countryto participate in the Womens March. Meet the women who organized it. (Julia Felsenthal, Vogue) More Trouble at Fox?: The New York Times reports that Fox News quietly settled sexual harassment claims brought by a former employee against host Bill OReilly last July. Documents obtained by the Times show that when the employee rebuffed his advances, he tried to derail her career. (Emily Steel and Michael S. Schmidt) Recommended: The Trouble With Publishing the Trump Dossier Visualized The Road Ahead: Senate confirmation hearings for Donald Trumps Cabinet picks began Tuesday. Check out this graphic to see the process nominees typically go through in order to be confirmed. (Kevin Uhrmacher, The Washington Post) Question of the Week Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Trumps Cabinet nominees began on Tuesday. Whats the one question youd be afraid to answer honestly at your own confirmation hearing? Send your answers to hello@theatlantic.com, and our favorites will be featured in Fridays Politics & Policy Daily. -Written by Elaine Godfrey (@elainejgodfrey) and Candice Norwood (@cjnorwoodwrites) Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. A man who police say shot himself while handcuffed in the back of a locked police car in Austin, Texas, died Monday from his injuries. Zachary Anam, 19, was arrested Sunday for shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance at Barton Creek Square, a local shopping complex, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The arresting officer was transporting Anam to police headquarters for fingerprinting when Anam began expressing suicidal thoughts. Police said when the arresting officer asked Anam if he was armed, he replied yes, before withdrawing a gun from his waistband and putting it to his head, KVUE in Austin reported. The officer pulled the cruiser over and after a six-minute standoff, Anam shot himself in the head. He succumbed to his injuries at University Medical Center Monday, a family spokesman told the Statesman. If this individual had chosen to remove that weapon and fire at the officer instead of saying something, we could be here discussing a very different incident, Austins interim police Chief Brian Manley told local news station KXAN. Police did not detect the gun Anam used to end his life because the arresting officer, an 11-year veteran of the force, did not search him, both KVUE and the Statesman confirmed with Austin police. Anam had already been cuffed by a Macys employee. The incident was captured by the dashboard camera of the police vehicle following behind the cruiser that carried Anam, police said. Austin police issued a warrant for Anams arrest in May 2016, after police say he burglarized and stole vehicles with three other suspects over the course of several months. Anam is not the first suspect who managed to shoot himself in the head while handcuffed in the back of a police car. In 2012, Chavis Carter, 21, shot himself while in police custody with a gun police missed during two different searches of his person. Carter had been arrested by the Jonesboro, Arkansas, police who found $10 worth of marijuana on him. Carters hands were cuffed behind his back. The Arkansas State Crime Lab ruled Carters death a suicide. Related Articles By Francois Murphy WELS, Austria (Reuters) - Austrian centre-left Chancellor Christian Kern on Wednesday launched a bid to win back voters from the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), presenting a 10-year plan focussed on creating jobs, boosting public investment and taxing multinationals. The far-right FPO, whose candidate achieved a record score in Austria's presidential election last year, is running first in opinion polls with support of roughly a third, helped by fears about immigration and rising unemployment. Many of its new voters are former supporters of Kern's Social Democrats frustrated by the coalition with the conservative People's Party, an alliance marked by frequent bickering that is widely seen as ineffective. "Those who no longer believe in us, those who are disappointed by us, those who are perhaps angry, I hear your message and I understand your disappointment," Kern said in a landmark speech to hundreds of supporters in Wels, the biggest town in Austria run by an FPO mayor and a former SPO stronghold. "From today we will change course," said Kern, who headed the national rail company until he took over as chancellor in May. His 146-page plan covered a range of issues including core SPO themes like healthcare and raising the minimum wage. "I want 200,000 extra jobs," Kern said, calling for greater public investment and measures to help start-ups, but without spelling out how that figure would be achieved. The FPO has made political hay out of Europe's migration crisis, which Austria was swept up in more than a year ago when hundreds of thousands of people swept through the country, many fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond. Kern, however, focussed more on immigration from eastern European countries, saying he would push for measures within the EU to restrict practices under which companies can send eastern European workers to Austria without paying full Austrian taxes. "We have a situation where these eastern European countries are exporting their joblessness to Austria," said Kern, whose party is supported by roughly 27 percent of voters, polls suggest. Kern's plan, which stretches well beyond the coalition's term expires in autumn 2018, said he would push within the EU for candidates in Austria to be given priority for jobs in sectors that are particularly under pressure. Picking up on another FPO theme, Kern criticised multinationals, denouncing firms that base themselves in an EU country with a low tax base so they can avoid or reduce their tax bill in other EU states they operate in. His plan called for a "punitive" tax of more than 25 percent to be imposed on companies that book profits from sales in Austria in other European countries to avoid paying Austrian tax. He also said online companies like Google should have to pay the same tax on advertising revenue as newspapers. How these proposals would play with the People's Party was not immediately clear, but Kern seemed to dismiss persistent speculation that their coalition will collapse this year, forcing a snap parliamentary election. "I am convinced that there remains enough for us to do until autumn 2018," Kern said. (Reporting by Francois Murphy; editing by Ralph Boulton) Photo credit: YouTube From Cosmopolitan After stints in Washington D.C. and Tampa, The Beach - an interactive event made up of more than 1.1 million white recyclable polyethylene balls - has reached Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Sydney Festival attendees will be able to swim at The Beach for just 15 Australian dollars (~$11) until Jan. 29. The project comes from New York-based art collective Snarkitecture, whose partner Ben Porto suggests you Jump in, swim around or just lie on top for that contemplative floating on water feeling. The balls are like water in that they hold you but also it's hard to walk through quickly. We say be crazy in it. Photo credit: SydneyFestival.au Snarkitecture decided to bring The Beach to Australia after immense success at its first two locations (more than 160,000 people came to the D.C. pop-up). That said, bringing the balls down under was a mammoth exercise, SMH reports. They had to be shipped to Sydney in about 1,500 cardboard boxes. Now they rest in a 200-foot basin that emulates a beach, with sloping entrances and varying depths (though it only gets about 3 feet at its deepest). Sydney attendance numbers havent been released yet, but Porto told the paper hes seen all sorts of things happen in the pit: "We've had people proposing in there and, one time, there was a flash wedding. They suddenly turned up and had this quick ceremony in the balls." He notes other proposal attempts havent gone as well - an engagement ring got lost among the balls in D.C. Phones are lost constantly as well, as is loose change. Therefore, Snarkitecture suggests you empty your pockets before jumping in. Otherwise, the only rule is that there is no eating or drinking at The Beach. Its also recommended your shoes come off before swimming. The lax rules havent prevented anyone from having a ball. No word yet on where the next Beach will be, so live vicariously, be nostalgic, etc., until then. Follow Tess on Twitter. You Might Also Like Bangladesh's Prime Minister on Wednesday asked Myanmar to take back tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled a military crackdown in the Buddhist majority nation's Rakhine state, an official said. According to the UN, at least 65,000 people belonging to the Muslim minority have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar -- a third of them over the past week -- since a military operation was launched in October following attacks on police posts. The figure marks a sharp escalation in the numbers of Rohingya fleeing a military campaign which rights groups say has been marred by abuses so severe they could amount to crimes against humanity. The sudden influx has put enormous strain on impoverished Bangladesh, with Dhaka under pressure to open its border to the refugees. But it has instead reinforced its border posts and deployed coastguard ships to prevent fresh arrivals. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for a resolution to the crisis during a meeting with Myanmar's deputy minister for foreign affairs Kyaw Tin in Dhaka. "She said Myanmar should take back the Rohingya who migrated to Bangladesh," Hasina's spokesman Ihsanul Karim said. Last month the Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned Myanmar's ambassador to express "deep concern at the continued influx" and called for the repatriation of some 300,000 Rohingya who have been living in the Muslim-majority nation for years -- most of them illegally. The most recent arrivals have brought harrowing accounts of rape, murder and arson at the hands of Myanmar's army or police. Their stories have raised global alarm and galvanised protests against Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been accused of not doing enough to help the Rohingya. Myanmar's government has said the claims of abuse are fabricated and launched a special commission to investigate the allegations. Last week the commission presented its interim report, denying accusations of "genocide and religious persecution" and saying there was insufficient evidence that troops had been committing rape. The government refuses to recognise the Rohingya as one of the country's ethnic minorities, instead describing them as Bengalis -- or illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh -- even though many have lived in Myanmar for generations. President-elect Donald Trump is set to hold his first press conference in nearly six months Wednesday from the atrium in Trump Tower, where he promises to unveil how hell try to separate his business interests from his upcoming Administration. It comes as conflicts of interest questions linger over his upcoming presidency, and amid reports that Trump was briefed by U.S. intelligence officials on alleged Russian efforts to compromise him. In a tweet Wednesday morning, Trump pushed back on the allegations. Russia has never tried to use leverage over me, he said. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! Trump is aware of the intense media interest in the event, so expect some sort of surprise from him. Trumps expected announcements are set to put him far short of the threshold good-governance advocates have said would mark a sufficient break from his financial interests. He will transfer control, but not ownership, of his businesses to his two adult sons, and the businesses will cease to make new agreements. But hell continue to profit off his existing agreementssome of which have become more valuable because of his electionand hell be free to direct those interested in influencing him to his businesses. President Obamas farewell address Tuesday featured a riotous crowd of 18,000 of his hard-core supporters and staffers, but it contrasted with the more somber message the outgoing president delivered. Warning of threats to democracy from increasing inequality and intolerance, Obama offered a thinly veiled critique of his successor. He concluded with praise for his family, and an appeal to his supporters to continue to remain engaged in the political process. Donald Trumps many, many business dealings in 1 map. Trumps Cabinet picks break with him on Russia, foreign policy, and Muslim registry. And Jeff Sessions says hed recuse himself from investigations into Hillary Clinton. Here are your must reads: Must Reads In His Farewell Speech, President Obama Returns to His Roots as a Community Leader TIMEs Maya Rhodan on Obamas warnings for Democracy Homeland Security Pick John Kelly Splits With Donald Trump Proposals During Senate Hearing Comes out against Muslim ban or registry [TIME] Rex Tillerson Faces a Tough Confirmation Hearing. Heres Why It Wont Matter. The Secretary of States nomination is a proxy for Democrats anger, TIMEs Philip Elliott writes Democrats Show Theyre Ready to Fight Donald Trump at California Hearing On everything from immigration to legal marijuana, TIMEs Katy Steinmetz reports Donald Trumps National Security Advisor Praises Foreign Policy Mainstream Touts alliances amid Trump criticism [TIME] Intel Chiefs Presented Trump With Claims of Russian Efforts to Compromise Him Trump denies claims [CNN] Donald Trumps Many, Many Business Dealings in 1 Map An unprecedented ethical quagmire [TIME] Sound Off We must also be clear-eyed about our relationship with Russia. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests. It has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia. Former Exxon CEO and Trumps designated nominee for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at his confirmation hearing Wednesday Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to leak into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany? President-elect Donald Trump in a Wednesday morning tweet Bits and Bites Donald Trump Is About to Face Questions on the Russia Hack and His Business Ties [Associated Press] Youve Made the Country Proud: Watch President Obamas Touching Tribute to His Family [TIME] Read the Full Transcript of President Barack Obamas Farewell Speech [TIME] Jeff Sessions Tells Senators Hed Stand Up to Trump as Attorney General [Associated Press] SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom -- President Obama remains largely popular overseas, particularly in Europe -- despite some deep concerns about many of his policies. So his farewell address Tuesday night -- a speech in which he expressed optimism about the future of American democracy while also warning that the nation remains deeply polarized over issues ranging from race to immigration -- most likely confirmed for most people here their upbeat assessment of the outgoing American president. "I think it played well here on style, though perhaps not so much in terms of substance," says Scott Lucas, a professor of American Studies at Britain's University of Birmingham. Obama rattled off various accomplishments during his two terms, including the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris climate accord and taking out of al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden. However, he didn't mention issues that typically rankle Europeans, including the ongoing strife in Syria and his failure to shut down the terrorism detention center at Cuba's Guantanamo Bay, widely seen as an egregious human-rights embarrassment. What overseas residents probably appreciated about the speech was how it highlighted his personal traits that have won him fans across the world, says Mario Del Pero, a professor of international history at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. "He came across as hyper-decent and sober," he says, and the contrast was stark on a night when the news was filled with reports over unverified claims that Russia has compiled information about compromising and salacious behavior by President-elect Donald Trump. Europeans' overall approval of the president, despite differences with some of his policies, was neatly summed up last weekend by Phillip Alexander, who had just bicycled to an art museum in this south coast English city. "I've always had a positive view of Obama," Alexander said. Though, he quickly added, when it came to some issues -- particularly not closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay -- "he could have done more." But overall, Alexander, 68, says he thinks that Obama's been a success, and that's reflected well on the United States. "I never expected there would be a black man as president," he said. "That gave me a much more positive view of America." In many ways, Alexander's take of the outgoing president's eight years in office coincides with what polls and experts say is the global view of his presidency: That Obama's personal popularity has remained intact, and that's led to a more favorable assessment of the United States overseas. The image of the U.S. took a sharp hit during the previous administration of George W. Bush. "The approval rating for Bush at the end of his term was around 20 percent in Europe," Del Pero says, "and it almost immediately shot up to 80 percent with Obama. And the image of the U.S. itself was restored." The poll Del Pero was referring to was conducted in 2015 by the German Marshall Fund, a public policy think tank. But other recent polls also show Obama's enduring popularity. According to a Pew Research Center survey from last June, 63 percent of Europeans have a favorable view of the U.S. And a Gallup poll taken in 132 countries and released last October found that median approval of U.S. leadership worldwide stood at 45 percent, higher than any other country, and only slightly lower than its 2009 peak of 49 percent. In the U.K., polling by YouGov last year gave Obama a 72 percent approval rating, up one point from 2015. Bush's presidency was marred by his prosecution of the Iraq War -- now widely seen as a costly and pointless war based on false claims of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq -- as well as his presiding over the globe-spanning Great Recession of 2008. "Bush was immensely damaging to America's reputation," Del Pero says. Obama has the same kind of crowd-pleasing glow that the late President John F. Kennedy had, Lucas says. "He's a likable guy and a good orator." He adds, however, that as the British view of America is "changing already. I do get the impression that they no longer think that America can put things right in the world." At the end of the Bill Clinton administration, hope in American leadership was largely intact, only to be tarnished by Bush, Lucas says. It initially rebounded under Obama, but it's eroding again. That's because, Lucas says, there is a dichotomy between the Hollywood version of America, as a dynamic nation where anyone can make it, versus the more grubby reality of a country plagued by mass shootings, racism and a healthcare system that leaves too many in the breach. One of Obama's big foreign policy objectives was to pivot America's economic and military priorities toward Asia and the Pacific. It's an unfinished effort, in part because crises forced him to refocus attention on Europe and the Middle East. And he also failed to win congressional approval of what was supposed to be the pivot's piece de resistance: the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact. "The failure of the TPP, that is the big hole," says Rosemary Foot, an expert on China and Southeast Asia at the University of Oxford. China took a dim view of the pivot, she says. "China was clearly alarmed by it. It saw it as containment." But elsewhere in the region, Foot adds, there was a lot of support for it, in part because Obama was the first president to take multilateralism in the region seriously. So he and his efforts remain appreciated, despite his inability to finish the maneuver. The one area of the world where the reputation of the United States under Obama clearly tanked is in the Arab nations of the Middle East. A Pew poll from 2015 found that vast majorities of Jordanians, Palestinians, Turks and Lebanese had negative views of America. Lina Khatib, head of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, isn't surprised. "When Obama started out, there was a lot of optimism that it would be an era of change and engagement and understanding," she says. But when the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 began, it seemed that his response was"strong indifference," Khatib says. "The people of the Middle East expected more support for democracy. The United States has disappointed them on a number of issues." In particular, he's seen as mishandling the early days of the uprising in Syria and allowing the country to descend into a bloody civil war. The ongoing turmoil in Syria is one of the reasons why Steve Paige, 61, also of Southampton, says he's disappointed with Obama after initially welcoming his election. But then Paige thought for a moment and admitted that, now that Obama is exiting the world stage, "You also realize it's been eight years and no scandals, and he faced strong opposition. I guess there is a sense of, 'We're really going to miss this bloke.'" The chief executive officers of German chemical giant Bayer AG and U.S. seed behemoth Monsanto (NYSE:MON), Werner Baumann and Hugh Grant, are in New York pressing their case with President-elect Donald Trump to approve the massive merger between the two entities and to tout the creation of U.S. jobs if the deal goes through, people with direct knowledge of the matter tell the FOX Business Network. The meeting between the two CEOs and Trump at his transition headquarters in midtown Manhattan took place during a busy day for the President-elect. Earlier he held his first press conference since winning the 2016 election and answered thorny questions about everything from a Russian hacking scandal to plans to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Baumann and Grant left Trump Tower on Wednesday around 2pm ET with investment banker Michael Kramer of Ducera Partners and media specialist Arthur Schwartz. The CEOs are the latest chiefs of multinational companies to tout their business plans in the U.S. and their willingness to work with the President elect to create jobs. "Today, Werner Baumann, Bayer CEO, and Hugh Grant, Monsanto CEO, had a productive meeting with President-Elect Trump and his team to share their views on the future of the agriculture industry and its need for innovation," a Monsanto spokesperson told FOX Business. A spokesperson for Bayer could not immediately be reached for comment; a Trump spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment. The pending deal, terms of which were first reported by FOX Business in September, needs regulatory approval from the European Union and the U.S. Department of Justices Antitrust Division when President-elect Trump takes office later this month. During the meeting, both CEOs touted their plans to create or keep jobs in the U.S., though the exact nature of those efforts could not be immediately determined, these people say. Its also immediately unclear how Trump responded to their plans during the meeting. The CEOs are hoping that the prospect of additional U.S. jobs coming from the merger will be enough incentive for the incoming Trump administration to approve the acquisition. Story continues Since the merger was announced, investors have grown increasingly concerned over the deal getting the necessary regulatory approvals to proceed given the size of the combined entity and the possible antitrust concerns it could produce. Another potential stumbling block for the deal is Monsantos status as the largest producer of genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs a technology that can mass produce food at a relatively low cost. The seed-producing giant has received a wave of criticism from those who believe the development of these crops could lead to severe health problems for those who consume them. Critics believe teaming up with Bayer would further enhance Monsantos GMO business. But a more business friendly Trump administration may be amenable to embracing the deal, particularly with the added incentive that both CEOs are committed to creating jobs in the United States. Since winning the election, Trump has used impromptu press conferences from his Trump Tower transition headquarters as a bully pulpit to press corporate chieftains to create and/or keep jobs in the U.S. In December, Trump met with the chief executive of telecommunication conglomerate SoftBank Group, touting a deal to bring thousands of jobs to the U.S., even if plans were largely crafted before the election. This week, Trump met with the CEO of Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group, Jack Ma, who promised he would help create one million U.S. jobs by allowing small American businesses to sell their products through Alibabas platform. Related Articles DUBLIN (AP) Talks aimed at preventing the collapse of Northern Ireland's unity government faced resistance Wednesday from the Irish nationalists of Sinn Fein, who insisted that the government cannot be saved and an early election must be held. British officials appealed to Sinn Fein to fill their party's top post in the coalition following this week's surprise resignation of Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness as government co-leader. But after meeting Britain's Cabinet minister for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire , on Wednesday at the Stormont government complex in Belfast, Sinn Fein lawmakers stressed that power-sharing must end Monday because of a long list of unresolved disputes. Power-sharing rules require Brokenshire to dissolve the Northern Ireland Assembly if Sinn Fein fails to fill McGuinness' vacant position by then. "What needs to happen next is an election. We are not interested in trying to get into negotiations now," Michelle O'Neill, the government health minister from Sinn Fein, said after the meeting. In London, British Prime Minister Theresa May appealed for Sinn Fein leaders to open talks with their Protestant power-sharing partners, the Democratic Unionist Party led by First Minister Arlene Foster , who has repeatedly butted heads with Sinn Fein during her first year leading the government. "We are obviously treating this with the utmost seriousness," said May, who discussed the crisis by telephone with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny. Forging a coalition between Northern Ireland's British Protestant majority and its Irish Catholic minority was the central goal of the U.S.-brokered Good Friday peace accord of 1998, which sought to end three decades of violence that claimed nearly 3,700 lives. The first coalition led by moderates faced incessant pressure from extremists and fell in 2002. But five years later the two opposite sides Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists forged their own pact. A decade later, peace is incomplete and fragile. Once-daily bloodshed has slowed to a trickle as most outlawed paramilitary groups stick to 1990s cease-fires. But many working-class districts remain divided by high walls dubbed "peace lines" separating Catholic and Protestant turf. IRA splinter groups pose a deadly threat to police, who still patrol some areas in armored vehicles and flak jackets. BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian police detained two people after a house search in Brussels in relation to 2015 attacks in Paris which left 130 people dead, the federal prosecutor's office said on Wednesday. A judge will decide in the coming hours whether charges can be brought against them, the prosecutor's office said in a statement. Many of the perpetrators of the Paris attacks had lived in Brussels, which has been a focus of investigations into militant cells. (Reporting by Julia Fioretti) Bella Hadid escaped the winter blues on Tuesday and traveled to The Bahamas. WATCH: Gigi and Bella Hadid Team Up for Two Major Spring 2017 Fashion Campaigns -- See the Pics! "Posted First job of the year and feeling so lucky Love & Light to all of you," the 20-year-old supermodel captioned a pic of herself surrounded by palm trees. where i belong A photo posted by Bella Hadid (@bellahadid) on Jan 10, 2017 at 11:43am PST Hadid then posted a sunny shot of herself in a black two-piece ViX bikini, flaunting her enviable body on a white sandy beach. "Where I belong," she captioned the photo with the turquoise water in the background. Posted...First job of the year and feeling so lucky...Love & Light to all of you A photo posted by Bella Hadid (@bellahadid) on Jan 9, 2017 at 10:51am PST While this mystery shoot may be her first official work of the New Year, Hadid's career is already flourishing in 2017. WATCH: Bella Hadid Follows Up Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Debut With Even Steamier 'Love' Magazine Advent Video Bella teamed up with her older sister, Gigi Hadid, in a joint ad campaign for the fashion houses Moschino and Fendi. The sisters also walked in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show together, which aired in December 2016. For more on the Hadids, watch the clip below! Related Articles TOKYO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Benchmark Japanese government bonds were steady on Wednesday, as investors shrugged off a decent 30-year sale and awaited President-elect Donald Trump's news conference later in the day. The 10-year JGB yield was flat at 0.055 percent , while 10-year JGB futures edged up 0.06 point to 150.26. "Japanese markets are all more or less rangebound waiting for what Mr. Trump will say tonight," said Naomi Muguruma, senior strategist, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities. "Real money investors are on the sidelines," she said, with traders hedging some positions and putting some steepening pressure on the curve in afternoon trading. Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda voiced optimism over the health of the U.S. economy in a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. "It's kind of a signal to the market that they're keeping an eye on market reactions," Muguruma said. In his first such meeting since September, Kuroda said he received no particular requests from the premier on monetary policy and that there was no specific discussion about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The Ministry of Finance offered 800 billion yen ($6.90 billion)of 30-year JGBs with a 0.60 percent coupon, and 36.9918 percent of the bids were accepted at the lowest price of 96.20. The sale drew bids of 3.33 times the amount offered, up from the previous sale's bid-to-cover ratio of 2.85 times. The tail between the average and lowest accepted prices narrowed to 0.23, compared with that of last month's offering at 0.40, indicating slightly stronger demand for the bonds. After the sale, the 20-year yield rose 1 basis point (bp) to 0.610 percent, while the 30-year yield rose 2 bps to 0.765 percent. But demand for shorter maturities continued to bolster prices at the shorter end of the curve. The yield on two-year JGBs shed half a basis point to minus 0.250 percent, its lowest since Nov. 11, while the five-year JGB yield slipped minus 0.135 percent, its lowest since Nov. 15. ($1 = 115.9800 yen) (Reporting by Tokyo markets team; Editing by Kim Coghill) WWE Network Previously on the Best and Worst of WWF Raw Is War: Bret Hart ended an Owen Hart vs. British Bulldog match by hugging everyone and reforming the Hart Foundation with an anti-American fan slant. The Real Double J made a kid uncomfortable and insulted the Honky Tonk Man, some luchadors nobody remembers did jumping spinning nothings, and The Undertaker got his face burned by a fireball. Note: Our holiday time off put these columns a little behind schedule, so this will be the first of two this week to catch up. Look for the 4/14/97 episode on With Spandex on Friday, followed by regularly scheduled programming on Monday and Wednesday next week. If you havent seen this episode, you can watch it on WWE Network here. Check out all the episodes you may have missed at the Best and Worst of WWF Raw Is War and Best and Worst of WWF Monday Night Raw tag pages. Follow along with the competition here. Notable Re-post: If you want us to keep doing retro reports, share them around! And be sure to drop down into our comments section to let us know what it should say on Bret Harts tombstone. Stone Cold Steve Austin has thoughts on that later in the program.. And now, the Best and Worst of WWF Raw Is War for April 7, 1997. WWE Network Worst: The Legion Of Doom Get Sloppy Up first this week is my favorite Best and Worst of vintage Raw running gag, The Legion of Doom are terrible at insults. If you arent familiar with this, the Road Warriors are two giant, muscular, violent dystopian street punks in spiked shoulder-pads who promise to end your life via bizarrely verbose, G-rated threats. Whereas most guys like this would say Im going to break your legs or maybe, I dont know, Im going to fucking murder you for real, the Legion of Doom will be like, were gonna give you the ol TWENTY-THREE SKIDOO in your STINKY WIENER! The rush theyre always talking about comes from clean humor. This week, we miss the entire finish of the Owen Hart and British Bulldog versus the Godwinns match because Hawk cant say, were going to hurt them, he has to say, what we are going to do is knock the ever so rancid bile right out of your bladders! Road Warrior Hawk is the BLADDEST MAN ON THE PLANET. Story continues To make matters worse, the LOD go straight from biological creative writing to interfering, trying to keep Owen and Bulldog from escaping the Godwinns slop bucket. But oh no, the heels move at the last minute and the Legion of Doom end up getting covered in Phineas and Henrys ever-so rancid bile. That leads to a brawl between the stupid babyface teams, and like four backstage segments of Owen and Bulldog showing the replay and laughing about it. Dont worry, the Hart Foundation will eventually get their comeuppance. Or, as Hawk might put it, A BUN IN THE HAND IS WORTH POO IN THE TUSH, TELL EM ANIMAL. WWE Network Best/Worst: Rockabilly, Premiering Soon Youve been soooah good! Last week, the Honky Tonk Man had a brain aneurysm of something and briefly decided that The Real Double J Jesse Jammes would be a good protege. He gave Jammes (who Im still calling Jammies) a hair-loom guitar, which James dicked around with sarcastically before breaking in front of him. It was v. rude. This week, Honky Tonk Man walks to the ring with Billy Gunn for Gunns match with Stone Cold Steve Austin. You think the point is supposed to be that Gunn is HTMs new guy, but you quickly find out that Gunn hasnt yet agreed to be the protege, and apparently Honky hasnt even talked to him about it. Even though he walked to the ring with him? And it works out great, too, because Austin is hot fire and gives Gunn basically zero offense. For an apparent repackaging, Gunn just gets put through the wringer. Its great. Austin just beats his ass. We find out why this was so one-sided a little later. But yeah, after the match, Honky Tonk Man is like, hey Billy Gunn, Ive been watching you for a while now, and also I walked down to ringside with you like I was giving you away at a wedding, because I want you to be the new Honky Tonk Man. WHATTA YA SAY? Gunn punches him in the face. You know a heel turns starting great when the heel thats turning openly admits its a terrible idea before he turns. WWE Network Wither Sid? So this weeks advertised main event is Sycho Sid vs. Mankind, but theres a small problem Sid isnt here. He shoot no-showed the event claiming back problems, and the timing couldnt be worse as like half the WWFs roster is in South Africa. If youre wondering why this column doesnt have any pictures of Ahmed Johnson in turn of the century pajamas attacking people with lumber, there you go. Gorilla Monsoon asks Stone Cold Steve Austin to fill in for Sid, because hes the only comparable talent in the building. Austin is like, I already wrestled, but if I fill in for Sid now to save your ass, you have to let me fill in for Sid at In Your House and fight Bret Hart again. Monsoon agrees, because what, is he gonna book Mankind vs. L.A. Gore in the main? It actually makes for a much better series of cards, and for booking on the fly it makes a lot of sense. WWF booking is never better than when plans change and they have to come up with something from nothing, instead of sitting on an idea for months, getting what they want, and choosing nothing. WWE Network Worst: Holy Shit, This Roster If you want to know how bad the talent-to-jobber ratio is for this episode, heres a picture-in-picture promo from MMA fighter Vernon White, who I keep calling Vernon Wells, during The Headbangers vs. Barry Horowitz and Freddie Joe Floyd. Good lord. White is here to shoot fight Ken Shamrock in a mixed martial arts exhibition, which neither man is able to convincingly do. They just kinda stand there doing nothing until one of them throws a big slow CM Punk kick and the other side steps it. The crowd murmurs their way through it while Vince McMahon talks about how cage fighters know ju-jitso and are misunderstood by American fans. Vernon busts himself open going forehead-first into the mat for no reason to avoid a takedown, and Shamrock punches him until he wins by tapout. The crowd has no idea what tapping out means yet. After the match, Vader interrupts Shamrocks promo and kinda-sorta challenges him, which eventually leads to Shamrocks first official WWF match and a glorious instance of two guys who are terrible at holding back losing control and just striking the shit out of each other. WWE Network Vader faces Frank Stiletto. I guess he never got the memo. Again, this is how impacted the roster is this week. FRANK STILETTO gets a match against Vader. And he looks just like youd think a guy in 1997 named Frank Stiletto would look, too, with gross body hair on pasty skin, a crusty jobber mullet and underpants that say HANDSOME across the butt. If his catchphrase isnt, forget about it! Id be shocked. This match didnt work, because you cant book a guy named Stiletto to be a face. He has to be a heel. WWE Network Worst: You Cant Handle The Truth Heres the unofficial debut of the Truth Commission, the South African kinda-G.I. Joe military gang who tried to get over doing an anti-American gimmick like two weeks after Bret Hart turned heel and redefined anti-America gimmicks forever. Whoops! This week we meet The Commandant. If you dont remember him, dont worry, he both debut and retired in 1997. He announces that next weeks Raw will happen in his home country of South Africa, shows some footage of Bret Hart carrying around a South African flag, and says that the Caucasians of Domination will teach the United States the true meaning of democracy. He doesnt mention it here, but theyll also teach us how a team can be objectively worse than Los Boricuas. WWE Network Best Worst: Shawn Michaels Is Such An A-Hole The announce team hypes Bret Harts appearance alongside Bart Simpson on an issue of WWF Magazine which WWE Network cant show for some reason, so we get lots of lingering wide shots of the crowd. Backstage, Shawn Michaels is like, oh jeez Bret you know the Simpsons is a CARTOON, right? Come on, Shawn, I know being on an episode of The Simpsons during its glory days is no cameo on Pacific Blue, but give him SOMETHING. A huge portion of the show is dedicated to giving Shawn a live mic and letting him say whatever he wants about Bret Hart while Brets 9,000 miles away. You can imagine how it goes. WWE Network With Bret gone, the story becomes that when Bret was Heavyweight Champion and Shawn was Intercontinental Champion, Shawn took a backseat to Bret and always supported him and wanted the WWF to be great and happy. When it was Shawns turn to be champion with Bret supporting him, Bret only did so kicking and screaming, used WCW as leverage against the worlds greatest man Vince McMahon, and wanted to see WWF fail without him. Shawn also claims WWF never did better business than they did in 1995-1996, which is not super true. But now Bret only cares about the bottom line, and Shawn, the guy who just retired temporarily because he didnt like wrestling anymore, cares the most about wrestling. Its the kind of promo that either makes you want to punch Shawn in the back of the head. If thats not enough, he ends the promo by doing something that would piss Bret off taking off his clothes and humping Vince. Vince gets a look on his face like senpai noticed him. The striptease is interrupted by Owen and Bulldog, who have only been in like five segments already and need to be in a sixth because Savio Vega and Marc Mero are in Africa. WWE Network Best/Worst: Austin And Foley Do The Best They Can I went with a wide shot of the main event, because with the limited roster, the booking plan was, punch each other until everyone the crowds already seen returns. So Austin and Mankind do their best aimless punching and brawling until the finish, which sees the Bulldog and Owen Hart come to the ring AGAIN, followed by the Legion of Doom, followed by Vader. Vader tries to body attack Austin from behind and accidentally hits Mankind, causing a further brawl, and nobody can keep them apartheid. Sorry, apart. Stupid autocorrect. Next Week: Half of Raw comes to you from South Africa, where they dont like flowers, Sid still isnt around, and Crush main events. Hasa Diga Eebowai. SYDNEY (Reuters) - BHP Billiton (BHP.AX)(BLT.L), the world's biggest miner, said its chairman and chief executive held positive talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday, 10 days ahead of him taking office. "BHP Billiton Chairman Jac Nasser and Chief Executive Andrew Mackenzie had a productive meeting with President-Elect Trump and Vice President-Elect Pence today in New York City," the company said in an emailed statement. "They discussed a wide range of subject areas, including the global resources sector, and BHP Billiton's investment in the U.S.," BHP said. BHP's U.S. investments include billions of dollars in onshore shale oil and gas production and deepwater oil stakes in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as an undeveloped copper project in Arizona that it co-owns with Rio Tinto (RIO.AX)(RIO.L). Trump has promised to initiate big infrastructure renewal programs in the United States that would draw heavily on industrial raw materials, such as those supplied by BHP. (Reporting by James Regan and Sonali Paul; Editing by Richard Pullin) Ive spent nearly 20 years looking at intelligence challenges, including failures. That means getting into what I call the silent but deadly organizational causes of failureso while the news tends to gravitate toward the salacious elements of a story like allegations about President-elect Donald Trump that broke Tuesday night, and ask whats true and whats not, there are organizational questions that this new reporting raises about how well the intelligence community is working. With intelligence, the devil really does lie in the details, so its important to distinguish between what we know the community has said, and what they dont know yet. In the case of CNNs report that senior intelligence officials had told both Trump and President Obama Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump, neither the FBI nor the numerous news organizations that have been investigating those allegations have verified their substance. The memos detailing them, released by Buzzfeed shortly after CNNs story broke, came not from the intelligence community itself but from a person claiming to be a former operative with the British intelligence service MI6 who compiled them over a period of months while conducting opposition research on behalf of Trumps political rivals, both Republican and Democrat. That material from the former MI6 official may not be all of what the intelligence agencies have; the compromising information about President-elect Trump that Russian operatives reportedly claim to possess may not be what they actually possess; and what they actually possess may not be completely, or even partially, true. Recommended: How Blackmail Works in Russia Here are my top four unknowns as I read this story: 1) Trump team communications with the Russian government before the election Story continues Did anyone in the Trump orbitintermediaries, campaign staff, family, confidantsknow that the reported information was in the hands of the Russian government before the election? Did anyone in the Trump orbit communicate with Russian government officials before the election as the documents allege? (Trumps lawyer Michael Cohen, for example, was not in Prague in August 2016, when the documents allege he was there meeting with Kremlin officials.) If anyone else in Trumps orbit was, were these new allegations the subject of any communications? 2) Whether the FBI screwed up What did the FBI do once it got the memos in August 2016, when reports say the former MI6 agent first approached an FBI official in Rome? Who took what steps, and why? Why didn't the public hear anything about this matter until five months after the FBI received the memos? One key lesson in intelligence: Information need not be true to be damaging. CNN does not report on when exactly the FBI in Washington got the information; only that the Rome contact took place in August. So it is possible the FBI was slow in reacting to the initial over the transom communication in Rome. Id like to know the precise timeline of activity from the point of first contact to better understand whether the bureau should have been moving with greater effort and urgency on a matter of such significance. Four possibilities: a) Organizational fragmentation. The FBI is highly decentralized into 56 field offices, with a history of left hand/right hand coordination problemswhich explains why, before 9/11, three different field offices each had clues about the plot, but nobody knew what the others knew, so more concerted action was never taken. Was this another case of coordination problems impeding success? Recommended: What Is Marine Le Pen Doing at Trump Tower? b) Cultural pathologies. FBI culture is still rooted in crime-fighting, which means it's slow and careful, oriented toward collecting evidence for a court after something bad has already happened. An intelligence culture, by contrast, is focused on prevention, speed, and integrationpulling and weaving together threads as fast as possible to prevent disaster. c) Misjudgment. FBI Director James Comey misjudged when and with whom to share this information. We've seen this movie before. d) Degree of difficulty. The FBI didnt do anything wrong. The investigation was hardgetting greater confidence and protecting sources and methods took time. 3) Is the two-page intelligence report officials provided to Trump and Obama, which in part summarizes the longer set of memos compiled by the former MI6 agent and made public by Buzzfeed, primarily aimed at the past or the future? Does the revelation that the Russians have this supposedly embarrassing information (whether it is true or false) suggest an ongoing risk that the president-elect could be pressured by a foreign power into taking actions that are not in the best interests of the United States? One key lesson in intelligence: Information need not be true to be damaging. 4) The obvious unknown: Is the embarrassing information about Mr. Trump true? CNN reports that, in the time since the former MI6 operative approached the FBI over the summer, US intelligence agencies have now checked out [him] and his vast network throughout Europe and find him and his sources to be credible enough to warrant briefing the president and president-elect on his findings. Many of Tuesdays reports, in other words, depend on the credibility of one anonymous source and what he told the intelligence community. The cautionary tale there is that Curveball, an Iraqi defector the U.S. relied on to build its case about WMD in Iraq, was also thought to be credibleuntil many of his claims proved false. And, as Buzzfeed notes, the full document contains errors of spelling and fact. Recommended: My President Was Black The fact that the intelligence officials thought the allegations serious enough to bring to the attention of the president and the president-elect is something we need to give serious weight to. But theres also an unprecedented element in this story, which concerns claims about politicization of intelligence. What intelligence officials dont want to have is for news to leak before the president or president-elect sees it directlythey want Obama and Trump to hear it from them first. Then the problem is, once thats happened and the news leaks anyway, it seems to have more credibility precisely because it was brought to such high-level attention. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. By Tova Cohen TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Banc De Binary, one of the biggest and best-known providers of online trading in binary options, which allow investors to bet on short-term moves in financial assets, said it is winding down its business, citing regulatory pressures. "Banc De Binary will be gradually downsizing its operations due to regulatory constraints," the Israeli-owned and Cyprus-registered company said in a statement emailed to Reuters. "For clients that have eligible funds in their account, we are encouraging them to withdraw the remaining balance." Banc De Binary paid $11 million in restitution and penalties in the United States last year over allegations it had signed up U.S. investors illegally. Israel's chief securities regulator Shmuel Hauser said in November he was working with authorities in the United States, Britain, France and Belgium to investigate complaints against Israeli firms selling the risky online options internationally. More than 100 such firms are estimated to be working in Israel. Hauser said the scale and reach of the online binary options business meant regulators must coordinate more closely. A Reuters special report published in September shed light on the extent of the industry and accusations by clients of London-based lawyers who say they have been duped out of vast sums of money by some Israeli firms. While the industry markets itself as a legitimate investment, clients of some firms say they are little more than high-pressure scams. They accuse the companies of transferring money between accounts without approval and in some cases of preventing them from withdrawing funds. Because they are based online and allow trading from smartphones or tablets, the industry has attracted a vast number of users who are not professional dealers. Binary options usually involve betting on whether individual shares, indexes, currencies or other securities will go up or down in a given period of time. The time for the option to "mature" is short - as little as a minute. Story continues The industry is growing fast, with trading in binary options soaring over the last decade in China, Japan, the United States and Europe. Two Israeli trading platforms that supply technology to online brokers say they handle a combined $8 billion in volumes annually. Securities regulator Hauser banned companies from selling binary options in Israel in March and has asked the attorney general to consider changing the law so he can ban Israeli companies from selling binary options abroad. Officials told a parliamentary hearing last week that draft legislation allowing him to do that will be ready in a matter of weeks. An Israeli parliamentary committee that oversees government is expected to meet again on the issue in February. (Reporting by Tova Cohen; Editing by Catherine Evans) Beirut (AFP) - Flights in and out of Lebanon's Beirut airport are at risk because of the large number of birds flying over a nearby garbage dump, the country's transport minister said Wednesday. "Today we face an emergency... we recognise that there is a danger posed to civil aviation movement by the birds," Yusef Fenianos said after a meeting with Prime Minister Saad Hariri. "The presence of the Costa Brava dump has contributed to the increasing number of birds," the minister said, according to a statement released by Hariri's office after the meeting. The Costa Brava dump was created in March 2016, as one of three "temporary" dumps intended to provide an interim solution to the closure of the main landfill receiving waste from Beirut. Under a government plan intended to end the crisis caused by the landfill's closure, the dumps were eventually intended to have waste processing facilities, but that has not happened. As a result, garbage has piled up in Costa Brava, on the coastline close to the runways at Beirut's international airport, reaching nine metres in some places and wafting foul odours nearby. Environmentalists have for months warned that the dump is attracting rodents and increasing numbers of birds, posing potential risk for aviation. In August, the Lebanese pilots' union warned of the possibility of the birds being sucked into airplane engines. "Thank God, up until now, the flights have not encountered any real danger," said Fenianos, who is also minister of public works. He said the problem was being tackled by an increase in the number of devices installed around the airport emitting bird of prey calls in order to scare away the nuisance birds. But the activist movement "You Stink", launched to protest government inaction during the height of the garbage crisis, mocked the measures. "What are you waiting for to close Costa Brava... for a plane to crash or an international decision to shut the airport," they wrote on Facebook. Story continues "The solution is not to scare the birds away," they said, urging the dump be closed. Local media reported that on Tuesday a plane belonging to national carrier Middle East Airlines encountered a large flock of birds as it landed on the airport's west runway, prompting concern. A permanent solution for the waste produced by Beirut and its surroundings has yet to be found, months after the Naameh landfill was shuttered and garbage began piling up on the capital's streets. The issue is one of many outstanding challenges that remain to be resolved by Lebanon's new government, formed on December 18 after some two years of political paralysis. WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trumps pick for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, used strong words in the first day of his Senate confirmation hearings to deny any hints of a racist past. On day two, a group of black lawmakers will speak out against his nomination including New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker, who will take the rare step of testifying against a current Senate colleague. Bookers testimony underscores Democratic unease with the Alabama Republican, who was rejected for a federal judgeship by the Senate Judiciary Committee three decades ago amid accusations of racial impropriety. Sessions on Tuesday called those accusations damnably false, denying that he had ever called the NAACP un-American and saying he had never harbored racial hostility. He said the allegations which included that he had referred to a black attorney in his office as boy are part of a false caricature. It wasnt accurate then, Sessions said. It isnt accurate now. Sessions has solid support from the Senates Republican majority and from some Democrats in conservative-leaning states, and is expected to easily win confirmation. Still, he faces a challenge persuading skeptical Democrats that hell be fair and committed to civil rights, a chief priority of the Justice Department during the Obama administration, as the countrys top law enforcement official. Republicans on the panel defended Sessions, with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz describing how Sessions helped secure convictions in a 1981 murder of a black teenager when he was a federal prosecutor. Two Ku Klux Klan members, Henry Hays and James Knowles, were arrested and convicted. I know we need to do better, we can never go back, Sessions said. I am totally committed to maintaining the freedom and equality that this country has to provide to every citizen, I can assure you. Story continues Booker calls his opposition a call to conscience and said he didnt make the decision to speak at the hearing lightly. The attorney general is responsible for ensuring the fair administration of justice, and based on his record, I lack confidence that Senator Sessions can honor this duty, Booker said. Senate officials searched and could find no other case in the countrys history when a sitting senator testified against a colleague picked for a Cabinet post. Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat, is also expected to testify against Sessions. Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana, also will be appearing, as will David Cole, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union. Sessions also will have advocates in the hearing room Wednesday, including former Attorney General Michael Mukasey. As Sessions was questioned Tuesday, protesters repeatedly interrupted the proceedings. Some loudly called Sessions a racist, and two were dressed as members of the Klu Klux Klan. They were quickly hustled out by police. In his testimony, Sessions laid out a sharply conservative vision for the Justice Department he would oversee, pledging to crack down on illegal immigration, gun violence and the scourge of radical Islamic terrorism. He vowed to stay independent from the White House and stand up to Trump when necessary. He also distanced himself from some of Trumps public pronouncements. Sessions said waterboarding, a now-banned interrogation technique for which Trump has at times expressed support, was absolutely improper and illegal. Though he said he would prosecute immigrants who repeatedly enter the country illegally and criticized as constitutionally questionable an executive action by President Barack Obama that shielded certain immigrants from deportation, he said he did not support the idea that Muslims, as a religious group, should be denied admission to the United States. Trump earlier in his campaign called for a temporary total ban on Muslims entering his country but has more recently proposed extreme vetting. And Sessions asserted that he could confront Trump if needed, saying an attorney general must be prepared to resign if asked to do something unlawful or unconstitutional. He also promised to recuse himself from any investigation there might be into Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom he had criticized during the presidential campaign. Trump said during the campaign he would name a special prosecutor to look into Clintons use of a private email server, but he has since backed away. The FBI and Justice Department declined to bring charges last year. Sessions was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and before that served as Alabama attorney general and a U.S. attorney. Hes been a reliably conservative voice in Congress, supporting government surveillance programs, objecting to the proposed closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility a sharp departure from Obamas Justice Department and opposing a 2013 bipartisan immigration bill that included a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. WASHINGTON (AP) Black lawmakers said Wednesday that Sen. Jeff Sessions at times has shown hostility toward civil rights, making him unfit to be attorney general, as a 1986 letter from the widow of Martin Luther King Jr. surfaced strongly expressing opposition to the Alabama senator. In the second day of confirmation hearings, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Sessions' colleague, and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., who was beaten when he marched for civil rights in the 1960s, warned that Sessions could move the country backward if confirmed as Donald Trump's top law enforcement official. Booker said the "arc of the universe does not just naturally curve toward justice, we must bend it," and the country needs an attorney general who is determined to bend it. "Senator Sessions' record does not speak to that desire, intention or will," Booker said, noting his opposition to overhauling the criminal justice system and his positions on other issues affecting minority groups. Lewis told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the country needs "someone who's going to stand up, speak up and speak out for the people that need help, the people who have been discriminated against." And Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, urged senators to reject Sessions' eventual nomination because he has "advanced an agenda that will do great harm" to African-Americans. The lawmakers' criticism echoed Cornell Brooks, the head of the NAACP, who told the panel earlier in the day that the organization "firmly believes" Sessions is unfit to serve. The Alabama Republican was rejected by the Judiciary panel in 1986 for a federal judgeship amid accusations that he had called a black attorney "boy" which he denied and the NAACP and ACLU "un-American." Sessions on Tuesday called those accusations "damnably false" and said he is "totally committed to maintaining the freedom and equality that this country has to provide to every citizen." Story continues The lawmakers' testimony brought two days of confirmation hearings for Sessions to a close. He has solid support from the Senate's Republican majority and from some Democrats in conservative-leaning states, and is expected to easily win confirmation. But Democrats are using the hearings to try to show that Sessions and Trump's administration won't be committed to civil rights, a chief priority of the Justice Department during the Obama administration. On Tuesday, the NAACP released a 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King, widow of the civil rights leader, in which she said that Sessions' actions as a federal prosecutor were "reprehensible" and that he used his office "in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters." "Mr. Sessions has used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens in the district he now seeks to serve as a federal judge," Mrs. King wrote. Mrs. King died in 2006. Richmond complained during his testimony that putting the all-black panel at the end of the hearings was akin to being made to go to the "back of the bus," a reference to 1960s segregation laws. During his testimony, many members of the Congressional Black Caucus sat in the audience. Not everyone on the panel criticized Sessions. Three men who had worked with Sessions in Alabama and Washington, all black, testified in support. Jesse Seroyer, a former U.S. marshal for the Middle District of Alabama, said Sessions is a "good honest person who is going to give all he has to make sure everyone is treated fairly under the law." Earlier in the day, Attorney General Michael Mukasey also came to Sessions' defense at the hearing. He wrote in his testimony that "of all the insidious practices that have crept into our politics in recent times, I know of none more insidious than casual and unjustified accusations of racism, smears that once leveled are difficult to wipe clean." (Updates with school closures in paragraph 6) By Steve Gorman Jan 10 (Reuters) - An atmospheric river of moisture swept parts of California and Nevada on Tuesday with another bout of heavy rains and snow, swelling streams to flood stage and piling up wind-blown snow drifts several feet high in the mountains. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for ski resort communities in the greater Lake Tahoe area, including the towns of Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, California, and neighboring Nevada enclaves of Stateline and Incline Village. Snow accumulations of 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 meters) were forecast above elevations of 7,000 feet, with fierce wind gusts reaching 100 miles (160 km) per hour along the ridge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Weather Service reported. "This is a life-threatening situation," the weather agency said in a bulletin issued from its office in Reno, Nevada, urging all would-be travelers to stay indoors. "Even a short walk could be deadly if you become disoriented." The blizzard warning was set to remain in effect through Wednesday morning. An avalanche warning was issued for much of the same mountain regions. Schools throughout the region were closed for Wednesday, including the Portland Public Schools district, attended by about 50,000 students. Flood warnings were posted at lower elevations for 21 counties in northern and central California and a half-dozen counties in western Nevada, where creeks and rivers were expected to overrun their banks for a second straight day. A series of floodgates on the Sacramento River, just upstream of California's capital, were opened for the first time in 11 years on Tuesday to divert high water around the city and into a special drainage channel, said Lauren Hersh, a spokeswoman for the state Water Resources Department. Heavy downpours on Sunday night and early Monday forced some 3,000 people to flee to higher ground in California's Russian River valley, while about 400 homes were evacuated in Reno as the Truckee River topped its banks there. Story continues Tuesday's cascade of rain and snow marked the fourth round of extreme precipitation unleashed during the past month by a weather pattern meteorologists call an "atmospheric river" - a dense plume of moisture flowing from the tropical Pacific into California. The storms have brought some sorely needed replenishment to many reservoirs left low by five years of drought, while restoring California's mountain snowpack to 135 percent of its average water-content level for this time of year as of Tuesday, state water officials said. "The wet start of winter makes us cautiously optimistic that drought conditions will be alleviated" in parts of the state, though some areas have remained dry, Water Resources Department spokesman Ted Thomas said. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Bill Rigby and Himani Sarkar) Boeing Co. (BA) first announced its new, fuel-efficient 737 MAX family in 2011. At the introduction the plane was available in three versions: the 737-7 (MAX 7), 737-8 (MAX 8) and 737-9 (MAX 9). In the middle of last year the company said it would study the addition of a fourth variant, the 737-10 (MAX 10), which would be a stretched version of the 737-9. Aviation Week reported Tuesday that Boeing has now decided on the length of the 737-10, which the company hopes will give it a competitor to the Airbus A321neo. Boeing has finalized a design based on a 66-inch fuselage stretch, half the length it said last year that it was considering. ALSO READ: How Boeing Can Overcome Its Bull/Bear Case in 2017 At the proposed length, the 737-10 would seat 189 passengers in a two-class configuration, compared with 193 for the A321neo. In a single-class configuration, the plane would seat 230 passengers. We detailed the issues that Boeing faced last September when the company was reported to be discussing a 737-10 with customers. The biggest issue was and remains getting the new plane to market in time to meet the 2019 delivery of the A321neo. That implied modest changes that did not require wing or engine changes. According to Aviation Week, Boeing could achieve first delivery on the MAX 10 by 2020, a full year earlier than a larger version that would have required wing and engine changes. ALSO READ: Americas Most Hated Companies Boeing is scheduled to begin customer deliveries of the 737 MAX 8 (737-8) later this year and flight testing of the 737 MAX 9 (737-9). Boeing's stock traded down about 0.4% Wednesday morning, at $158.42 in a 52-week range of $102.10 to $160.07. Related Articles By Alwyn Scott SEATTLE (Reuters) - A dispute over $8.7 billion (7.2 billion) in Washington state tax breaks is heating up after Boeing Co (BA.N) joined a new lobbying group set up to preserve the industry incentives, the biggest in U.S. history. The group, launched on Tuesday, opposes efforts to make the aerospace tax breaks, passed in 2013, dependent on Boeing maintaining minimum employment levels in the state. Such "claw-back" bills had failed the past two years, but union leaders and a lawmaker said in interviews on Tuesday they planned to try again in the legislative session that started this week. The new group, Aerospace Works for Washington, will be a "megaphone" to warn that jobs are at risk, said Maud Daudon, chief executive of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, which is leading the effort. "We are in a competition to keep them here," she said. "Any state in the country would die to get these jobs." The group also may oppose European Union efforts to eliminate the incentives under World Trade Organization rules, and may try to extend them to Washington's growing space industry, Daudon said. Chicago-based Boeing, the world's biggest commercial aircraft maker, has its largest factories in Washington, and is the state's largest private employer, with 72,000 workers. As with previous proposals, "Boeing is opposed to any effort to alter the Washington aerospace tax incentives," the company said in a statement on Tuesday. "Changing the parameters of the incentives now would simply increase the cost of building airplanes in this state, and unnecessarily put excellent, family-wage jobs in Washington at risk." SEEKING JOB GUARANTEES Aerospace Works for Washington has more than 30 members, including elected leaders, economic development organizations and chambers of commerce from state regions where aerospace manufacturers have factories. It includes trade groups of retailers, restaurants, hotels and other industries. Story continues Alaska Airlines, owned by Alaska Air Group Inc (ALK.N), is also a member. No labour groups are involved. Daudon said the broad membership signals growing opposition to changing the incentives. Union leaders said their members still support the tax breaks "as long as Boeing doesn't ship jobs out of state," said Larry Brown, legislative director for the International Association of Machinists, District 751. The 2013 tax cuts were designed to "maintain and grow" aerospace employment in the state and are available to any local aerospace manufacturer. Since the law passed, Boeing has eliminated 11,414 jobs in Washington, about 15 percent of its state workforce, the company's employment data showed. In the year through November 2016, the state lost 5,500 manufacturing jobs, largely in aerospace, according to state employment security department data. Boeing said in December that job cuts and movements were necessary to respond to competition from European rival Airbus Group SE (AIR.PA) and years of constricted U.S. defence spending. Boeing said it fulfilled its commitment in the 2013 law to locate the assembly line and wing factory for its new 777X jetliner in the state. (Reporting by Alwyn Scott; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Richard Chang) By Alwyn Scott SEATTLE (Reuters) - A dispute over $8.7 billion in Washington state tax breaks is heating up after Boeing Co joined a new lobbying group set up to preserve the industry incentives, the biggest in U.S. history. The group, launched on Tuesday, opposes efforts to make the aerospace tax breaks, passed in 2013, dependent on Boeing maintaining minimum employment levels in the state. Such "claw-back" bills had failed the past two years, but union leaders and a lawmaker said in interviews on Tuesday they planned to try again in the legislative session that started this week. The new group, Aerospace Works for Washington, will be a "megaphone" to warn that jobs are at risk, said Maud Daudon, chief executive of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, which is leading the effort. "We are in a competition to keep them here," she said. "Any state in the country would die to get these jobs." The group also may oppose European Union efforts to eliminate the incentives under World Trade Organization rules, and may try to extend them to Washington's growing space industry, Daudon said. Chicago-based Boeing, the world's biggest commercial aircraft maker, has its largest factories in Washington, and is the state's largest private employer, with 72,000 workers. As with previous proposals, "Boeing is opposed to any effort to alter the Washington aerospace tax incentives," the company said in a statement on Tuesday. "Changing the parameters of the incentives now would simply increase the cost of building airplanes in this state, and unnecessarily put excellent, family-wage jobs in Washington at risk." SEEKING JOB GUARANTEES Aerospace Works for Washington has more than 30 members, including elected leaders, economic development organizations and chambers of commerce from state regions where aerospace manufacturers have factories. It includes trade groups of retailers, restaurants, hotels and other industries. Alaska Airlines, owned by Alaska Air Group Inc , is also a member. No labor groups are involved. Daudon said the broad membership signals growing opposition to changing the incentives. Union leaders said their members still support the tax breaks "as long as Boeing doesn't ship jobs out of state," said Larry Brown, legislative director for the International Association of Machinists, District 751. The 2013 tax cuts were designed to "maintain and grow" aerospace employment in the state and are available to any local aerospace manufacturer. Since the law passed, Boeing has eliminated 11,414 jobs in Washington, about 15 percent of its state workforce, the company's employment data showed. In the year through November 2016, the state lost 5,500 manufacturing jobs, largely in aerospace, according to state employment security department data. Boeing said in December that job cuts and movements were necessary to respond to competition from European rival Airbus Group SE and years of constricted U.S. defense spending. Boeing said it fulfilled its commitment in the 2013 law to locate the assembly line and wing factory for its new 777X jetliner in the state. (Reporting by Alwyn Scott; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Richard Chang) By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Stanley White TOKYO (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda voiced optimism over the health of the U.S. economy in a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. In his first such meeting since September, Kuroda said he received no particular requests from the premier on monetary policy and that there was no specific discussion about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. "Today's meeting is one of the meetings that I regularly hold with the prime minister," Kuroda told reporters after the meeting. "I explained recent developments in the global economy. We did not specifically talk about Trump," he said. Kuroda also said he told Abe the U.S. economy was growing steadily. The BOJ has kept monetary policy steady since revamping its policy framework in September last year to one better suited for a long-term battle against deflation. (Writing by Leika Kihara; Editing by Chris Gallagher & Shri Navaratnam) By Stephen Kalin MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - The rubble of a bridge blown up by Islamic State in Mosul to block advancing Iraqi forces has become a lifeline for civilians as more and more of the northern city breaks loose from the grip of the ultra-hardline militants. Men and women, children and the elderly scramble down the banks of the Khosr River, a tributary of the Tigris some 30 meters wide and a meter deep which counter-terrorism forces crossed last week in a nighttime raid. Lumbering over ladders and pipes, civilians crawl onto the span of the bridge, which has collapsed into the murky water, and shimmy up the opposite bank along a dirt path. Those escaping east to Zuhur district drag suitcases along with strollers and wheelchairs. Those returning west to Muthanna carry sacks of rice, potatoes and onions, cartons of eggs and packs of baby diapers. The journey in either direction is usually several kilometers. "Now there are people entering and people leaving," Major General Sami al-Aridi told Reuters this week after touring both sides of the river on foot. "The ones who left are returning, and those who are leaving now are coming from ... neighborhoods where there are currently clashes." He said he expected the latest evacuees to return in a day or two as Iraqi forces pushed further west. The United Nations had warned that the U.S.-backed campaign to kick Islamic State out of Mosul, their largest urban stronghold in Iraq or Syria, could displace up to 1.5 million people. But with much of the eastern half of the city now under government control, most residents have stayed in their homes or moved in temporarily with relatives in other neighborhoods. That has complicated the task of the military, which must fight among civilians in built-up areas against an enemy that has targeted non-combatants and hidden among them. HARSH CONDITIONS The offensive, involving a 100,000-strong ground force of Iraqi troops, members of the autonomous Kurdish security forces and mainly Shi'ite militiamen, is the most complex battle in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. When it launched the offensive in October, the government hoped to have retaken the city by the end of 2016 but Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in December it could now take another three months to drive the militants out. Fawaz, a 46-year-old schoolteacher going back across the ruptured bridge to his family's home in Muthanna on Monday, held a jerry can filled with fuel in one hand and a bag of fresh food in the other. "We spent two months without food, just what we had stored up," he said, describing the harsh conditions that many residents faced after the Mosul campaign began in mid-October. Fawaz said he lost some 30 kg (66 lb) in that period. He crossed the river earlier in the day to buy supplies and check in with his old workplace but was returning before nightfall to his neighborhood, where Iraqi forces are now in charge but mortars fired by Islamic State still land. He shrugged off the danger with a laugh and, expressing the deep faith that Mosul residents say sustained them through 2-1/2 years of brutal Islamic State rule, said: "God is present." ACCUSTOMED TO VIOLENCE Along a road running west towards the city's ancient ruins, black armored Humvees race down one side, transporting soldiers to and from the frontline where they're fighting Islamic State suicide attackers with machine guns, rockets and air strikes. Civilians, including infants and the disabled, pad along the other side. Many are fleeing clashes with only their most prized possessions but others are pursuing more mundane tasks such as shopping for groceries or reconnecting electricity cables. A Humvee rushes down the road to reinforce the troops. Behind, a man wearing a grey hoodie bicycles in the dust kicked up by the vehicle. Two more Humvees pass in the opposite direction carrying disabled civilians in their open beds. "You see with your own eyes: one hand fights, one hand helps," said a soldier guarding a forward command post. A corner grocery has opened on the street and a school-age boy sells packets of sunflower seeds to soldiers. Young children, one grasping a Barbie doll, play in side streets where orange trees hang low under the weight of ripened fruit. A general clad in black uniform hands out chocolates. The kids do not flinch at the sound of explosions or gunfire. During a particularly heavy spell of clashes nearby, two boys no older than 10 stop in the road where stray bullets occasionally land. They scan the skyline. "There, there is the Apache (attack helicopter). There, it's coming! It's going to work them in," said one, turning to add: "We've become accustomed." AVOID CAMPS Mosul residents say that despite the obvious dangers, they prefer their homes to camps outside the city where conditions are austere and movement heavily restricted. About 135,000 people have fled to camps outside Mosul run by the government and aid groups. Rapid advances have accelerated displacement in the past two weeks but the figures are still a fraction of the total population. "We've haven't stayed in our homes and endured all this bombardment and everything just to live in tents," said Abu Ahmed, visiting his family in Zuhur at the weekend. The war raging just down the road doesn't worry him. "God willing, there is nothing," he said before dropping to the ground and running for cover at the buzz of a missile overhead. The street he was standing in suddenly clears of civilians and soldiers. Fifteen seconds later, the rocket explodes about a kilometer away sending a plum of grey smoke into the sky. Cracks of gunfire replace the greetings and serendipitous reunions that had filled the street just moments earlier. Abu Ahmed stands up again with a chuckle and brushes himself off. "A rocket," he said. "Thanks and praise to God." (Editing by David Clarke) In his first business network interview of the new year, DoubleLine Founder and CEO Jeffrey Gundlach said the Euro and its multi-nation zone could face grave danger as early as this year. Speaking to FOX Business after an exclusive taped interview, Gundlach, who boasts $101 billion in assets, said the common currency that 19 member states of the European Union use won't survive. "It was a bull market idea. A group hug of sorts but when push comes to shove, I knew Paris wouldn't take orders from Brussels, Italy is a disaster, there are countries that will never pay their debts. I'd put a 35 to 40 percent bet that something could even happen this year. (In the upcoming French elections) Marie Le-Pen could win. She's said she'd put France's membership up to a referendum and if that happens... I'd be surprised if it survive another 5 years," he said. Gundlach, who called Donald Trump as the victor in the U.S. presidential election even before the primaries, also spoke to FOX Business exclusively on a multitude of other major potentially market-moving issues: Future trade war with China: "I don't see it. The possible happy scenario is that Donald Trump's just a deal guy. He strikes deals. China doesn't want a trade war so Trump dangles it out there and then softens his position on China in exchange for something. China has some control over North Korea. Maybe he strikes a deal to back off a trade war in exchange for China keeping a lid on North Korea (and its nuclear ambitions). But to start a trade war only makes things like apparel more expensive for consumers. Why would you want to do that?" Trump's effect on business sentiment and his attacks on U.S. companies doing business overseas: "It's incredible. We've seen a complete 180 degree change in sentiment since he was elected. Trump is symbolic guy. He picks symbols like Carrier and Ford. They're very small issues but he makes them seem very big. His pushing them leads to incredible optimism. Did you see uptick in Small Business sentiment? Story continues On forcing businesses to keep plants in America: "(Trump) can impose tariffs, he can promise that America will get a bigger share of the pie. But that's about it. Companies might stay here but they'll use more robots. The robots won't go away. Dark factories? It's already happening. There's a massive technology shift and you can't stop it." On President Obama's relationship with business owners: "That was the most frustrating thing. People don't want to be lectured to for being entrepreneurs. When Obama said in 2012, 'If you've got a business, you didn't build that, you didn't create those jobs,' I can tell you I've created 200 jobs. So I didn't appreciate that." On Trump's plan to cut taxes and spend on infrastructure: "It's a very bad time to launch a deficit explosion. It's like drinking a ton of coffee in the morning. You'll feel pretty good for awhile but in the afternoon, you're gonna crash hard." Related Articles Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival returns to the Farm in Manchester, Tennessee for the 16th time this June, and now the fest has announced its headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Weeknd, Chance the Rapper, and U2, who revealed their slot earlier this week when announcing the Joshua Tree anniversary tour. Red Hot Chili Peppers previously performed as headliners in 2012 and Chance the Rapper was a major presence at the fest last year, guesting during J.Coles headlining set and appeared during Bryson Tiller, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and Miguels sets. This will be both The Weeknd and U2s first times performing at Bonnaroo. Lorde, Major Lazer, Flume, the xx, and Travis Scott are also billed on the round-the-clock schedule, which features more than 100 artists. Nodding to the fests jam band roots, South Bend, Indianas Umphreys McGee who teamed up with livetronica stars Big Gigantic at the 2012 Roo for one of the best surprises of that weekend will play, as will Brooklyn-based funk act Turkauz. Nearby Nashville will also be well-represented: Cam, newcomer Luke Combs, and Margo Price are all slated to perform. Ed Helms will also return to host the Bluegrass Situation Superjam, though the more famous Saturday night Superjam theme and host has not yet been announced. The annual four-day event will take place June 8-11 and tickets are currently on sale at the Bonnaroo website. Check out the full lineup below. To dive into the events lustrous backstory, check out EWs uncensored history of Bonnaroo right here. The Bonnaroo 2017 lineup is here! Tickets on sale NOW: https://t.co/tl6mDbjEX1 pic.twitter.com/vRtdaB8Jlr Bonnaroo (@Bonnaroo) January 11, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Washington (AFP) - Democratic US Senator Cory Booker took the unprecedented step Wednesday of testifying against a Republican colleague nominated to be Donald Trump's attorney general, saying Jeff Sessions's civil rights record deserved scrutiny. Booker -- who may be seeking to highlight his progressive bona fides ahead of a potential 2020 presidential run -- apparently became the first sitting US senator to testify against another senator nominated to a cabinet post. Booker, 47, acknowledged that some of his colleagues "are unhappy that I am breaking with Senate tradition to testify on the nomination of one of my colleagues." But he insisted that Sessions was unfit to become the nation's top law-enforcement officer at a time of heightened concern about race in America following the divisive 2016 presidential election campaign. Appearing alongside other Congressional Black Caucus members, Booker said Sessions was not prepared to stand up for America's marginalized. "Senator Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requisite of the job: to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights and justice for all of our citizens," Booker said. "In fact at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility towards these convictions," he added. "In the choice between standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country." The two men are worlds apart. Sessions, 70, is from a different generation, a genteel white former federal prosecutor from Alabama in the Deep South. Booker is the first African American elected to the Senate since current President Barack Obama in 2004. He grew up near Newark, New Jersey, where he later served as mayor, and said he has "seen unimaginable violence on American streets." Sessions stands accused of making racially charged comments toward African-Americans and about civil rights early in his professional life, and his 1980s nomination to a federal judgeship was torpedoed over the allegations. Story continues On Tuesday, the hearing's first day, Sessions strongly rejected the charges as "damnably false." Two African Americans testified in support of Sessions Wednesday, including lawyer Willie Huntley, who said that "at no point in the time that I've known Jeff has he demonstrated any racial insensitivity." Booker's testimony comes at a dispiriting juncture for Democrats, with their nemesis Trump, who defeated Hillary Clinton in November, taking office in nine days. The party -- soundly beaten in federal, state and local races in recent years -- has struggled to find fresh talent, but Booker is seen as a rising star. Along with Senator Elizabeth Warren and possibly Vice President Joe Biden, Booker is viewed as a potential frontrunner for his party's 2020 nomination. Republican Senator Tom Cotton was dismissive of Booker's testimony, writing on Facebook that "this hearing simply offers a platform for his presidential aspirations." Photo credit: Willy Vanderperre for Dior From Harper's BAZAAR For spring, Dior Homme tapped a lineup of diverse, multigenerational artists to front its campaign. Creative director Kris Van Assche looked to New Romantics icon Boy George, Mr. Robot actor Rami Malek, rapper A$AP Rocky and model Ernest Klimko to star in the ads photographed by Willy Vanderperre. Van Assche embellished on the inspiration behind the campaign to WWD: "I really tried to translate what I think Dior Homme is right now. It's about music, it's about cinema, it's about fashion...Boy George, when I was a kid, was one of the first to have this message about difference being okay; he was such a major influence on my generation. That idea of freedom and being a rebelwhich he still isis really something that has stayed with me." Photo credit: Willy Vanderperre for Dior Also starring in the ads is Rami Malek, the handsome Mr. Robot actor whose spot in the campaign marks his first major fashion gig. Photo credit: Willy Vanderperre for Dior And making his return to Dior Homme is none other than A$AP Rocky, who starred in the brand's Fall 2016 campaign as well. Unlike Boy George and Malek's studio photos, A$AP's ads are shot in the streets of Paris, the perfect backdrop for the swoon-worthy rapper. Photo credit: Willy Vanderperre for Dior In conjunction with the new campaign, Dior Homme also launched an Instagram account (@diorhomme), which will undoubtedly offer up plenty of dapper, well-dressed men that we could all use a little more of in our feeds. You Might Also Like SAO PAULO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Fundacao Cesp, Brazil's largest private-sector pension fund, is considering the partial or full sale of a 200 million-real ($62 million) stake it owns in Vale SA, the world's largest iron ore producer, Valor Economico said on Wednesday. Funcesp, as the Sao Paulo-based fund is known, is the smallest member of a group of domestic pension funds that form part of Vale's controlling bloc. Funcesp has 1.1 percent of Litel Participacoes Ltda, an investment vehicle grouping peers Previ Cauixa de Previdencia, Petros Fundacao and Funcef Fundacao dos Economiarios. "I think that if the opportunity arises, we could consider, indeed, selling," Martin Glogowsky, president of Funcesp, told Valor in an interview. "We would only move towards a sale from the standpoint of returns." Glogowsky's remarks come as the agreement that groups Vale's largest shareholders in a common bloc is poised to expire. The agreement that created Vale's controlling bloc was written in 1997, when the mining giant was privatized. A press representative for Funcesp confirmed Glogowsky's remarks. Preferred shares of Vale rose 1.6 percent to 26.58 reais in early morning trading in Sao Paulo. The stock has more than tripled over the past 12 months. ($1 = 3.2172 reais) (Reporting by Guillermo Parra-Bernal; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) Skien (Norway) (AFP) - The Norwegian state, found guilty of treating mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik "inhumanely" in prison, said Wednesday his limited contact with the outside world was necessary because he is trying to spread his ideology from prison, including in dating adverts. On the second day of an appeals case into Breivik's prison conditions, Attorney General Fredrik Sejersted told the court the right-wing extremist, who killed 77 people in twin attacks in 2011, was following the script outlined in his 1,500-page anti-immigration manifesto he published just before his killing spree. "He has completed the active phase, and now he is working on his project as an ideologist and a writer to create networks," Sejersted said. "There is unfortunately reason to believe that Breivik's ideological project is unfolding as planned." The 37-year-old has considered the possibility of using "national-socialist dating adverts" as a means of spreading his ideology, since their content is protected under the European Court of Human Rights, Breivik noted in a letter read, like all of his correspondence, by prison officials. "Basically, I consider the writing of dating adverts such a lame activity that it should be criminalised," Breivik wrote in a letter to supporters in August 2015 and from which Sejersted read excerpts to the court. "But in a bid to break the blockade on information at almost any price, I envisage an experiment. Paradoxically, there is no other type of text that is as protected as the publication of a dating advert," Breivik wrote. In an advert penned as an example in the letter, Breivik insists that the object of his affections must "facilitate the publication" of one of his texts. The appeals court is examining Breivik's case after a lower court in Oslo ruled in April that his rights had been violated and he was subjected to "inhumane" and "degrading" treatment in prison, largely because he has been isolated from other inmates for five-and-a-half years. Story continues For security reasons, the appeals case is being heard in the gymnasium of the Skien prison where Breivik is incarcerated. In July 2011, Breivik tracked and gunned down 69 people, most of them teenagers, at a Labour Party youth camp on the island of Utoya, shortly after he killed eight people in a bombing outside a government building in Oslo. He said he killed his victims because they valued multiculturalism. He was sentenced in 2012 to 21 years in prison, which can be extended indefinitely as long as he is considered a threat. - Still considered dangerous - In his preliminary remarks, Sejersted has argued that the strict prison conditions imposed on Breivik are justified by the danger he poses and the need to prevent him from building a network capable of carrying out new attacks. "There would have to be long lasting, dramatic changes for him to be considered as no longer dangerous," psychiatrist Randi Rosenquist said in a report in December, cited by Sejersted. "The fact that he conducts himself in exemplary fashion in prison provides no guarantee," she added. On Wednesday, Breivik refrained from repeating the raised-arm Nazi salute that he made at Tuesday's opening of the hearing, and which earned him a reprimand from the judge. Breivik is scheduled to testify on Thursday, and the hearing is expected to wrap up on January 18. While Norway attempts to turn the page on this traumatic episode in its history, survivors and victims' families have largely remained silent and stayed away from the media frenzy surrounding Breivik, of which they are highly critical. Skien (Norway) (AFP) - The Norwegian state, found guilty of treating mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik "inhumanely" in prison, said Wednesday his limited contact with the outside world was necessary because he is trying to spread his ideology from prison, including in dating adverts. On the second day of an appeals case into Breivik's prison conditions, Attorney General Fredrik Sejersted told the court the right-wing extremist, who killed 77 people in twin attacks in 2011, was following the script outlined in his 1,500-page anti-immigration manifesto he published just before his killing spree. "He has completed the active phase, and now he is working on his project as an ideologist and a writer to create networks," Sejersted said. "There is unfortunately reason to believe that Breivik's ideological project is unfolding as planned." The 37-year-old has considered the possibility of using "national-socialist dating adverts" as a means of spreading his ideology, since their content is protected under the European Court of Human Rights, Breivik noted in a letter read, like all of his correspondence, by prison officials. "Basically, I consider the writing of dating adverts such a lame activity that it should be criminalised," Breivik wrote in a letter to supporters in August 2015 and from which Sejersted read excerpts to the court. "But in a bid to break the blockade on information at almost any price, I envisage an experiment. Paradoxically, there is no other type of text that is as protected as the publication of a dating advert," Breivik wrote. The appeals court is examining Breivik's case after a lower court in Oslo ruled in April that his rights had been violated and he was subjected to "inhumane" and "degrading" treatment in prison, largely because he has been isolated from other inmates for five-and-a-half years. For security reasons, the appeals case is being heard in the gymnasium of the Skien prison where Breivik is incarcerated. Story continues In his preliminary remarks, Sejersted has argued that the strict prison conditions imposed on Breivik are justified by the danger he poses and the need to prevent him from building a network capable of carrying out new attacks. In July 2011, Breivik gunned down 69 people, most of them teenagers, at a Labour Party youth camp on the island of Utoya, shortly after he killed eight people in a bombing outside a government building in Oslo. He said he killed his victims because they valued multiculturalism. He was sentenced in 2012 to 21 years in prison, which can be extended indefinitely as long as he is considered a threat. London (AFP) - Britain on Wednesday set out the legal basis for drone strikes against terror suspects overseas, saying new technology meant some terror attacks were developing too quickly for traditional law enforcement to react. Attorney General Jeremy Wright, the government's top legal officer, said international law must adapt to "changing times" where social media was used to inspire and train militants within a short space of time. The government's policy has come under scrutiny since an unprecedented RAF drone attack killed two Britons fighting with the Islamic State group in Syria in August 2015. In a major speech, Wright will set out how decisions are taken when Britain can act in "self-defence", including assessments of the immediacy, nature and probability of the suspected attack. "The situation we face today does not always allow for the possibility of using criminal law enforcement measures to stop attacks," he will say, according to extracts of the speech obtained by AFP. "We are a long way from being able to see troops massing on the horizon. Technology has made it easier for terrorists to carry out attacks. The law has to keep up with the changing times." The likelihood that there will be other opportunities to act that might "cause less serious collateral injury, loss or damage" is also a factor -- an acknowledgement of potential civilian deaths from drone strikes. Other issues to be considered include whether the anticipated attack is part of a concerted pattern of continuing armed activity, and its likely scale. The government must also consider the loss or damage likely to result from failing to act, Wright will tell the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Former prime minister David Cameron revealed the 2015 RAF drone strikes in a speech to parliament, saying it was Britain's first such action in a country where it was not involved in military operations. He said that one of the targets, 21-year-old Reyaad Khan, had been planning "barbaric" attacks in Britain on high-profile public events that summer. British security services and counter-terrorism forces say they have foiled at least 10 attacks in Britain in the past two years. (Reuters) - British Columbia said on Wednesday it had given the green light to an environmental review of Kinder Morgan Inc's plans to expand the Trans Mountain oil pipeline, which runs from Canada's oil sands through the province to a marine terminal on the Pacific Coast. The province's environmental assessment office had recommended 37 conditions be attached to the approval to address concerns raised by communities and aboriginal groups, British Columbia environment minister Mary Polak and natural gas development minister Rich Coleman said in a statement. "The conditions we have attached will make sure ongoing consultation with First Nations occurs and also provides further protection of wetlands, wildlife habitat and caribou and grizzly populations," the ministers said. The Canadian government in November approved Kinder Morgan's proposal to more than double the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, which would help ensure oil exports from the oil sands in the neighboring province of Alberta reach Asia. Although inter-provincial pipelines fall under federal jurisdiction, if provinces are opposed they could impose conditions that would make it onerous for a company to build a pipeline. In 2012 British Columbia Premier, Christy Clark, outlined five conditions that any company wanting to build pipelines in the province would need to meet to win approval. With the environmental approval, only two more approvals are outstanding on Trans Mountain: a marine response plan to oil spills and the province getting a "fair share" of jobs and economic benefits from the pipeline. (Reporting by Nicole Mordant in Vancouver; Editing by Bernard Orr and Chris Reese) 7 year old Katie Rough who was murdered near her home in York is seen in an undated image handed out by North Yorkshire Police, in Britain, January 10, 2017. North Yorkshire Police Handout via REUTERS LONDON (Reuters) - A 15-year-old girl appeared in court on Wednesday accused of murdering a 7-year-old girl in the northern English town of York, a case that shocked the nation and drew expressions of sympathy in parliament. The suspect, who cannot be named because she is a minor, is charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon, North Yorkshire Police said. Police had earlier named the victim as Katie Rough and released a picture of a smiling girl in a light blue school uniform dress, clapping her hands. After an eight-minute appearance at York Magistrates Court during which she did not speak, the suspect was remanded in custody in secure accommodation, local media reported. She is due to appear on Friday before Leeds Crown Court, which handles serious crimes. Officers were called on Monday afternoon to an address in the Woodthorpe area of York, and said they found Katie with life-threatening injuries at a scene nearby. She was taken to hospital but died shortly after arriving there. Local media reported she was found on a path leading to a playing field, and published pictures of a wooded area with a white forensics tent and a police cordon. Reports said flowers and cards had been placed near the field and television footage showed distraught residents crying at the scene. In parliament, where Prime Minister Theresa May was appearing for a weekly questions session, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn expressed condolences to Katie's family. May responded: "I join (Corbyn) in expressing condolences to the family and friends of little Katie who died so tragically." It is unusual for any comment to be made in parliament about a criminal case when a trial is pending. (Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Stephen Addison) Brown-Forman Corporation BF.B is renowned for its solid brand portfolio, expansion endeavors and shareholder-friendly moves. These factors have been driving the company's performace even in the face of strong currency headwinds. Brown-Forman is a major producer and distributor of premium alcoholic beverages in the world and it commands a strong portfolio of globally recognized brands. The company currently owns and produces a multitude of popular spirit brands, with Jack Daniels and Finlandia Vodka being among the most popular ones. We expect the companys continued focus on pricing, product innovation and expanding operations in emerging markets to boost its operational performance and strengthen its market position. With regards to expansion, the company plans to boost Jack Daniel's share in the developed markets such as France and the U.S. as well as in emerging markets like Russia, Poland, and Mexico where the whiskey category is in the early stages of development. Further, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is looking to enter the fast-growing spirit category Irish Whiskey with the purchase of all the shares of Slane Castle Irish Whiskey Limited in Ireland. In another development, the company acquired two historic properties at West Main Street in Louisville, KY to boost its Old Forester brand. Also, as part of its portfolio management and prioritization of strategic brands, the company concluded the sale of its Southern Comfort and Tuaca trademarks to Sazerac. These moves highlight Brown-Formans focus on achieving growth through prudent expansions. Looking at financials, we note that the company has a track record of returning cash to its shareholders through regular dividend payouts and share repurchases. This demonstrates Brown-Formans ability to boost earnings and cash flows over the long term, alongside underscoring its commitment toward shareholders. While these factors have been driving Brown-Formans performance, the companys significant international presence exposes it to currency movements, which have been hurting its results for quite some time. Given these currency woes, Brown-Forman has underperformed the Zacks categorized Consumer Staples sector, with its shares falling 5.1% year over year, compared with the sectors 4.5% increase. Story continues Though the company anticipates currency headwinds and unstable emerging market conditions, along with an uncertain global economic and geopolitical environment, it remains confident of growth in underlying net sales and operating income in fiscal 2017. Brown-Forman expects its results to improve on the back of robust worldwide demand for its authentic American whiskey brands, consumer interest in flavored whiskey and growth momentum in premium spirits. Key Picks Better-ranked stocks in the broader Consumer Staples sector include Constellation Brands, Inc. STZ, Campbell Soup Company CPB and Conagra Brands, Inc. CAG, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Constellation Brands earnings have outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 6.7% in the trailing four quarters. Moreover, its long-term earnings per share (EPS) growth rate of 19% and positive estimate revisions over the past seven days bode well. Campbell Soup has seen positive estimate revisions for the current fiscal year over the past 30 days. The companys VGM score of B bodes well. Conagra Brands, with a long-term EPS growth rate of 8%, has posted positive earnings surprises in three out of the past four quarters now. Also, the company has seen its estimates move north in the past 30 days. Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017? Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>> 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 Brown Forman Corporation (BF.B): Free Stock Analysis Report ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG): Free Stock Analysis Report Campbell Soup Company (CPB): Free Stock Analysis Report Constellation Brands Inc (STZ): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Bruce Springsteen's archives will be housed at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, The New York Times reports. The rocker's personal collection of written works, photographs, magazines and other artifacts from throughout his career will make up the new Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. Monmouth is fittingly located near the Jersey Shore, not far from Springsteen's hometown of Freehold and even closer to Asbury Park, the beach town where his career began. "The establishment of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music celebrates and reinforces the Jersey Shore's legacy in the history of American music, while providing a truly transformative experience for our students," said University President, Paul R. Brown. While Springsteen's collection will be the primary focus, the Center will reportedly also promote other legendary American musicians such as Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, Hank Williams and Frank Sinatra. The materials will be available to classes throughout the University, especially its music business program. Prior to gaining Springsteen's personal archives, Monmouth established the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection in 2011. The collection began at the Asbury Park Public Library and now boasts nearly 35,000 items, many of them donated by fans. Robert Santelli, the executive director of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles and a Monmouth alum, helped his alma mater secure that collection and was reportedly involved in bringing Springsteen's archives to the University as well. Santelli is expected to take on a leadership position at the new Springsteen Center Monmouth did not disclose any financial details about the new Springsteen Center, though both the interest in and price of rock archives has grown. Last March, the George Kaiser Family Foundation purchased a trove of 6,000 artifacts from Bob Dylan's private collection for an estimated $15 to $20 million. Related Content: By Jemima Kelly LONDON (Reuters) - A delegation from Belgium's financial technology sector came to London with its finance minister this week to set up a "fintech bridge" with the British capital that will enable cooperation on the burgeoning sector. "B-Hive", the part-government-owned platform set up to facilitate innovation between Belgium's fintech sector and the traditional financial and technology sectors, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Innovate Finance, the trade body for Britain's fintech sector, it said on Wednesday. The initiative follows similar "fintech bridges" Britain has signed with Australia, Singapore and South Korea. Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt told Reuters that the project had come about as a result of a working group that he had set up when he took up his post two years ago, and that he saw London-based Innovate Finance as a role model for B-Hive. Britain's vote to leave the European Union last year raised some worries that start-ups will relocate. Financial firms rely on the EU's "passporting" system, which allows them to sell their services across the bloc while being registered and regulated just in Britain, thus saving huge amounts of money by not having to set up shop in each member state. But Van Overtveldt said his intention in coming to London was not to lure talent away from the fintech sector, and that London would remain the main centre for finance and fintech in Europe. "London is the financial sector of Europe theres a lot of infrastructure..., there's a huge talent pool that is there, there's the capital availability that is there, so of course even with Brexit, that wont go away just like that. Its an important change but we should not underestimate the resilience of London as a financial (and fintech) centre." In 2015 Britain's fintech sector, whose ranges from app-based payment services to crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending firms, employed over 60,000 people and generated 6.6 billion pounds ($8 billion) in revenue, according to the Treasury. ($1 = 0.8248 pounds) (Reporting by Jemima Kelly; editing by Mark Heinrich) Rome (AFP) - Silvio Berlusconi will learn by the end of this month if he is to stand trial for allegedly buying the silence of call girls and others who attended his infamous "bunga bunga" sex parties. The expected timing of a keenly awaited ruling emerged Wednesday as the trial of 23 people accused of conspiring to protect the 80-year-old former prime minister was opened and immediately adjourned until July 3 for procedural reasons. Among those accused of perjury, accepting bribes and other offences is Karima El-Mahroug, an exotic dancer known as Ruby the heart stealer who was allegedly showered with gifts worth seven million euros ($7.4 million) by Berlusconi. The billionaire tycoon was cleared in 2015 of having paid for sex with Ruby when she was 17. A judge at Italy's highest appeal court quashed an earlier conviction on the grounds that Berlusconi could not have known Ruby was under 18 and that he was therefore committing a crime. Frustrated prosecutors emerged from that trial determined to prove that many witnesses had lied under oath in return for lavish gifts in the form of cash, jewellery, holidays and even properties. Ruby testified that she had not sex with Berlusconi, claiming she was lying when she was recorded on a wiretap telling friends the contrary. Proceedings against Berlusconi are lagging behind those for the rest of the accused because of his need for medical treatment following open-heart surgery in June. The media magnate has beaten numerous criminal charges over the years with his only definitive conviction to date being one for corporate tax fraud, which led to him being kicked out of parliament. He remains the leader of his Forza Italia party but, with its fortunes on the decline, Berlusconi's political influence has also waned. Even if convicted, there is little chance of him ending up behind bars because of Italy's restrictions on penal sanctions against the elderly. Donald Trump BuzzFeed on Tuesday published a slew of unverified claims that were contained in a 35-page dossier documenting Russia's alleged attempts to compromise Donald Trump. The dossier, which was reportedly compiled by a former British intelligence agent, included unsubstantiated claims that Trump cooperated with Russian officials in operations meant to target his political opponents. BuzzFeed's report also notes "graphic claims of sexual acts" that allegedly occurred in Trump's presence while he was in Russia. President Barack Obama and Trump were given a briefing about the claims made in the dossier. BuzzFeed said it published the document in its entirety "so that Americans can make up their own minds about allegations about the president-elect that have circulated at the highest levels of the US government." Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed, sent a note to employees on Tuesday explaining the decision: "As we noted in our story, there is serious reason to doubt the allegations. We have been chasing specific claims in this document for weeks, and will continue to. Publishing this document was not an easy or simple call, and people of good will may disagree with our choice. But publishing this dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017." Mother Jones' David Corn came across the reports and included details about them in an October 2016 story, but he said he did not to publish them because he could not confirm the details. Following the bombshell report, Trump denied its veracity, calling it "fake news" and a "total political witch hunt." NOW WATCH: 11 facts that show how different Russia is from the rest of the world More From Business Insider LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A police officer was legally justified in shooting dead an unarmed black man in El Cajon, California, in September, and will not be charged criminally, the county's top prosecutor said on Tuesday. Ugandan refugee Alfred Olango was shot four times by officer Richard Gonsalves in the parking lot of a taco stand in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon after pulling a metallic vaping device from his pocket and pointing it at police. The incident, the latest in a string of shootings of mostly unarmed black men by police, touched off days of protests and calls by activists for a federal investigation. "After carefully reviewing the facts, the evidence and the law, weve determined the officers use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances and he bears no criminal liability for his actions," San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis told reporters at an afternoon press conference. Dumanis said the shooting was legally justified because it was reasonable to conclude that Gonsalves, a 21-year veteran of the El Cajon Police Department, believed his life was in danger from Olango. Gonsalves and a second officer, who fired a Taser device at Olango, were both placed on administrative leave during an investigation into the incident by the district attorney's office. Two El Cajon police officers encountered Olango after receiving calls about a "mentally unstable" man walking in traffic. Olango's mother later told reporters she believes her son was having a mental breakdown because of the recent death of a friend. Police have said Olango ignored commands to take his hand out of his pocket before pulling out an object later determined to be a vaping device used to inhale nicotine. Olango assumed a "shooting stance" and pointed the device, police said. No gun was found at the scene. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb) * Canadian dollar at C$1.3235, or 75.56 U.S. cents * Bond prices mostly higher across the maturity curve TORONTO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened slightly against its U.S. counterpart early on Wednesday, with investors bracing for clues about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's likely trade, tax and fiscal policy direction at a morning news conference. The loonie, as the currency is colloquially known, has settled at the strong end of a recent range in the last few trading sessions. At 8:49 a.m. ET (1349 GMT), the Canadian dollar was trading at C$1.3235 to the greenback, or 75.56 U.S. cents, weaker than the Bank of Canada's official Tuesday close of C$1.3227, or 75.60 U.S. cents. The currency's strongest level of the session was C$1.3219, while its weakest was C$1.3255. Canadian government bond prices were mostly higher across the maturity curve, with the two-year up half a Canadian cent to yield 0.75 percent and the benchmark 10-year adding 9 Canadian cents to yield 1.671 percent. Prices for oil, a major Canadian export, rose for the first time in three days following news of Saudi supply cuts to Asia, but persistent doubt over output reductions and signs of rising shipments from other producers kept gains in check. (Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn) By Allison Lampert and Andrea Hopkins MONTREAL, OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian auto industry executives are asking government ministers on Wednesday to mitigate the costs of reducing carbon emissions under a new program designed to help fight climate change, two sources familiar with the matter said. The demand has taken on greater urgency with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's talk of rolling back environmental regulations, which would subject automakers in Canada to costs not imposed in the United States, the sources said. At a meeting in Detroit on Wednesday, executives will urge federal and Ontario government ministers to ensure that the province's cap-and-trade program will not hurt the Canadian auto industry's long-term competitiveness with U.S. rivals. Under the program, which came into effect on Jan. 1, companies that are the biggest polluters must buy permits if they exceed set limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Automakers and other large companies are exempt from the plan until 2020 and some want that exemption to be extended, a third source said. They also want federal and provincial governments to share the cost of investments in new technology that would cut emissions and energy consumption, the person added. All three sources spoke on condition of anonymity before the closed-door meeting. Canada's automakers, the country's largest exporters, received a boost in 2016, after they agreed to C$2 billion ($1.5 billion) in investments during union negotiations. "This could be more burdensome for manufacturers, if Canada is doing cap-and-trade but Trump is cutting back regulations," said one of the sources. Stephen Carlisle, managing director of General Motors Co in Canada, said automakers are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but described potential higher costs from cap-and-trade after 2020 as "headwinds." He would like governments to support automakers which invest in technological improvements to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Jerry Dias, president of Unifor, which represents Canadian autoworkers, noted a deal this week by the Ontario and Canadian governments to defray up to 17 percent of Honda Motor Co's <7267.T> C$492 million investment to modernize its Alliston paint shop. The investment, which would reduce Honda's emissions and energy costs, could serve as a model for other automakers, he said. The Honda investment "fits in well with the direction we're going in," said Ontario Economy Minister Brad Duguid in an interview on Tuesday. Duguid said Ontario would ensure cap and trade is "done in a way that they (companies) are not placed at a competitive disadvantage with other jurisdictions." (Reporting By Allison Lampert; Editing by Richard Chang) Don't mess with Cara Delevingne, especially if you don't have your facts straight. The 24-year-old actress found herself at the center of attacks from a Twitter troll on Saturday, who told her to focus her energy on finding a "real job," which as you can imagine, didn't go down so well with Delevingne. WATCH: Rihanna and Cara Delevingne Bring the Heat in 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets' Teaser Trailer It all started after the Suicide Squad star tweeted about an "incredibly exciting" undisclosed project that she was "very nervous" for. On my way to do something incredibly exciting and I am very nervous Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 Soon after, however, the troll took aim, writing, "@Caradelevingne hopefully an interview for a real job. Your looks will fade, Cara. You can't cash in on your eyebrows forever." @Caradelevingne hopefully an interview for a real job. Your looks will fade, Cara. You can't cash in on your eyebrows forever. BradTheLadLong (@BradTheLadLong) January 7, 2017 WATCH: Cara Delevingne Names Angelina Jolie as Her '#GirlHero': 'I Admire Anyone Who Transforms Their Pain Into Power' That's where Delevingne stepped in,defending herself and the project. "You will regret saying that," she wrote. "I am actually trying to do something good. This has nothing to do with my 'looks.'" You will regret saying that. I am actually trying to do something good. This has nothing to do with my 'looks' https://t.co/93LTs3aKsB Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 "You are just a another thirsty man who puts people down for attention on twitter and who thinks that looks are all that's important," she followed up, after the person continued to criticize her. "Try doing something for the world, period! I have no time no another man trying to tear down a woman for being successful." Story continues You are just a another thirsty man who puts people down for attention on twitter and who thinks that looks are all that's important https://t.co/93LTs3aKsB Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 Try doing something for the world, period! I have no time no another man trying to tear down a woman for being successful. https://t.co/TXqkzEnDMz Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 RELATED: Cara Delevingne Gets Her Creepiest Tattoo Yet -- See Her Fresh Ink! After telling the troll to go read a book, the the follower responded by telling Delevingne it was simply a bit of "career advice." "Stop being rude, Cara. I am just giving you career advice to help you succeed. Maybe listen to it. Might get you somewhere," the person wrote, before bragging about having a "very successful career," being "very famous," and only wanting to help. @Caradelevingne Well I am very famous so maybe you should update yourself on celeb culture. Anyway, I tried to help. Whatever. BradTheLadLong (@BradTheLadLong) January 7, 2017 "Good for you!," Delevingne replied. "I hope that makes you happy. You certainly have an interesting way of trying to help people." @BradTheLadLong good for you! I hope that makes you happy. You certainly have an interesting way of trying to help people. Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 RELATED: Cara Delevingne Clarifies She's Not Quitting Modeling, Talks Depression: 'I Am So Lucky for the Work I Get to Do' After all was said and done, the British star's secret project was finally revealed, as UN Foundation Girl Up announced that Delevingne was with them meeting with refugees in Uganda. We're in Uganda with @GirlUp Champion @Caradelevingne and UNHCR! Follow our trip all week at #WithRefugees to go inside refugee settlements. pic.twitter.com/9xE4gFjsne Girl Up (@GirlUp) January 8, 2017 Refugee girls spoke about challenges they face & hopes for the future w/ @Caradelevingne & @MsAnnaBlue at Palorinya settlement #WithRefugees pic.twitter.com/RIdgbHuGKM Girl Up (@GirlUp) January 10, 2017 WATCH: Cara Delevingne Poses Nude, Recalls Spending a Night Naked in Forest to Prepare for 'Suicide Squad' Related Articles Photo credit: Girl Up / Twitter From Harper's BAZAAR Although she isn't attending premieres or walking on runways at the moment, that doesn't mean Cara Delevingne isn't keeping busy. In fact, the model and actress is currently amidst in what she calls "the most incredible experience of my life." In partnership with the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up campaign, the 24-year-old is spending some time in Uganda with refugees who have fled South Sudan. After arriving a few days ago, Delevingne has openly shared her experiences on social media. We're in Uganda with @GirlUp Champion @Caradelevingne and UNHCR! Follow our trip all week at #WithRefugees to go inside refugee settlements. pic.twitter.com/9xE4gFjsne - Girl Up (@GirlUp) January 8, 2017 Over 450,000 refugees have entered Uganda from South Sudan since last July, according to Girl Up. Delevingne has gotten to know some of them and shared their stories during her stay. "This is 17 year old Mary who is holding her two months old child after fleeing from South Sudan to Uganda. Something I have seen here and have been completely blown away by is the unparalleled strength of the mothers," she posted on Instagram. Story continues She also visited a school in the Bidibidi refugee settlement, where she was greeted with a special performance. Delevingne got to join in on the dancing, too. "So incredible to meet with #SouthSudan refugee girls today at Bidibidi refugee settlement in Uganda. Their schools are crowded and they need uniforms, pens and paper, chairs, even walls for the school, yet they had big smiles and hope for the future," she said. She also got to spend time playing with children, and talking to women and mothers about their hopes for the future. The resilience of refugee girls is amazing. Add girlupcampaign on Snap for today's story #WithRefugees, UNCHR & @Caradelevingne in Uganda. pic.twitter.com/1j5RDmuNwr - Girl Up (@GirlUp) January 9, 2017 Refugee girls spoke about challenges they face & hopes for the future w/ @Caradelevingne & @MsAnnaBlue at Palorinya settlement #WithRefugees pic.twitter.com/RIdgbHuGKM - Girl Up (@GirlUp) January 10, 2017 Since 2013, violent conflict in South Sudan has forced millions to leave their homes, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR). The unrest has included violations of international human rights laws such as rape, sexual and gender-based violence, extrajudicial killings, recruitment of child soldiers and more. The UNHCR aims to protect the rights of refugees, helping to provide resources like education and health care. Girl Up, the UN Foundation's adolescent girl campaign, is currently doing work in Uganda to help displaced girls enroll in school and pursue an education. Delevingne has been a Girl Up champion since October 2016. You Might Also Like By Ed Stoddard JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Scientists say a recently discovered area of peatland straddling the two Congos contains 30 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 20 years of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and must be protected to prevent major environmental damage. The British and Congolese teams, who made the discovery in 2014, say it is the largest known tropical peatland - home to rare gorillas and forest elephants - and in Wednesday's edition of Nature they say development there would release the gas. Carbon dioxide is linked to climate change and peatlands, formed from the accumulation of dead plant material, act as "carbon sinks." Peat does not decompose in a water-logged state but when it dries, the organisms that break down plant material revive and the carbon seeps back into the atmosphere. "Peatlands are only a resource in the fight against climate change when left intact, and so maintaining large stores of carbon in undisturbed peatlands should be a priority," Leeds University ecologist and one of the study's authors, Simon Lewis, said. The heavily forested and swampy terrain has kept development to a minimum - there is virtually no mining activity - but scientists say similar peatlands in rugged parts of Indonesia have been threatened by agriculture. "It's very remote but what we've seen in south-east Asia is that these once-remote areas have been dried out and converted to oil palm plantations and rice plantations and other forms of industrial agriculture causing a huge release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere," Lewis told Reuters. The researchers combined space-age technology with old-fashioned exploration both to discover and to map the area. They used satellite imagery as well as slogging into the swamps and drilled by hand with coring devices to collect samples and identify the peat. Seen from above, the swamp unfurls into a leaf-like shape from the Congo River into the northeast of the Republic of Congo and the remote western reaches of the Democratic Republic of Congo. For a graphic please click http://tmsnrt.rs/2ijODTO (Editing by Louise Ireland) By Sonali Paul MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Carnegie Clean Energy expects annual revenue to surge 17-fold over a two-year period, its managing director told Reuters, thanks to a push into solar power with the recent purchase of fellow Australian firm Energy Made Clean (EMC). The company, which recently changed its name from Carnegie Wave Energy, sees revenue rocketing from A$1.7 million last year to more than A$30 million by 2018, mainly due to the targeted revenue growth of solar and battery company EMC. "That is a game changer for Carnegie, where we've gone from being an R&D company to being a company with rapidly growing revenues," Managing Director Michael Ottaviano said in an interview on Tuesday. Initially announced in October, the A$13 million acquisition was completed last month. The firm has also teamed up with one of the country's biggest residential developers, Lendlease Group, to bolster its position in Australia. Carnegie's share price has doubled to A$0.07 since the deals, recently hitting a more than three-year high of A$0.079. Before the acquisition, Carnegie was mainly focused on developing a reliable way to tap waves for power, but decided to diversify as the technology was years away from hitting the market. "We saw (the acquisition) as a way to broaden the offering of the company, bring in revenues earlier and mitigate risk," Ottaviano said. Now he sees the company expanding in tandem with the fast-growing microgrids market, which Navigant Research estimates will grow at 50 percent a year to an estimated $20 billion by 2020. Microgrids are electricity supply systems that can work independent of existing grids or linked to them, which can help secure cheap and reliable power for remote locations. Ottaviano said he saw opportunities in Australia and Southeast Asia. Carnegie's partnership with Lendlease Group is aimed at winning Australian contracts to design, supply materials and build solar and battery storage systems. Lendlease tied up with Carnegie after working with EMC to develop a residential community called Alkamos in Western Australia, where every house has solar panels connected to a centralised array of batteries. Meanwhile Carnegie is developing its wave energy technology, with a 9.6 million pound ($11.7 million) grant from the European Regional Development Fund for a UK project, plus funding from Canberra and Western Australia for a project at home. The dream is to eventually tie wave power into microgrids, along with solar and batteries. (Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Randy Fabi) Carrie Fishers beloved French bulldog, Gary, has been a furry shoulder for the family to lean on in the wake of the actress death. The late Star Wars stars half-sister Joely Fisher documented her time with the pooch in a Twitter photo on Tuesday, uploading a snapshot of Gary with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Auntie Joely got to hang w/ @realgaryfisher today he is happy and well cared for, Joely, 49, wrote alongside the photo. He sends big love 2 all his fans. Carrie died on Dec. 27 at age 60, four days after suffering a heart attack while on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Her mother, legendary Singin in the Rain star Debbie Reynolds, died just one day later after being rushed to the hospital following a stroke. She was 84. Auntie Joely got to hang w/ @realgaryfisher todayhe is happy and well cared for. He sends big love 2 all his fans @carrieffisher pic.twitter.com/wUWpI7YkAo Joely Fisher (@MsJoelyFisher) January 10, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Little Gary, Carries most trusted sidekick, was by his owners side during her hospitalization. He was spotted outside the hospital amid reports he was watching over her in the days before she passed. RELATED VIDEO: Debbie Reynolds Died After Stroke, Death Certificate Reveals but More Tests Pending for Carrie Fisher Now, hes lending his support skills to the rest of the family. In the days following Carries death, Joely penned a moving tribute to her half sister. You all lost Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher; I lost my hero, my mentor, my mirror, she wrote in a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter. OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Carube Copper Corp. (TSXV: CUC) announces that pursuant to its press release of September 21, 2016, the company has finalized a definitive agreement with OZ Minerals Limited to acquire 100% of OZ Minerals' holdings in Jamaica, which include: OZ Minerals' 70% interest in the Bellas Gate Joint Venture licenses covering 84 square km; and OZ Minerals' 100% interest in five other licences covering 276 square km. Subject to the impending transfer of the licenses by the mining authorities, Carube Copper will then own a 100% interest in eleven licences covering over 535 square km (subject to underlying royalties). These licences cover the best copper-gold prospects identified to date by Carube and OZ Minerals in Jamaica. Jeff Ackert, President and CEO of Carube Copper comments: "The signing of the final agreement now paves the way for Carube Copper to fund our own exploration and/or enter partnerships for exploration on any of our 100% owned copper and gold licenses. We have already received serious interest in these assets and we are reviewing a number of strategic alternatives. We are very pleased to see this enthusiasm in the geology and copper mineralization on our Jamaican package and the fact that we have high priority targets ready to drill." To view an enhanced version of Carube Copper's Exploration Licences in Jamaica, please visit: [http://www.accesswire.com/uploads/24457_a1484142256347_26.jpg] Carube Copper's Exploration Licences in Jamaica During OZ Minerals' tenure at the Bellas Gate JV, over 14,000 metres of drilling was completed on 11 of the more than 20 prospects at Bellas Gate. Additional work was completed, including: high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys, 46 line kilometres of Induced Polarization (IP) surveying, geochemical soil sampling which included analysis of 4,000 soil samples and geological mapping which included assaying of over 400 rock samples. Story continues Carube Copper and OZ Minerals systematically investigated the myriad of copper porphyry prospects on the Bellas Gate property. Of those showings, 12 targets were drilled with 6 of them having intersected significant porphyry copper/gold mineralization; examples of each are summarized below including the corresponding graded copper equivalent (CuEq). Provost: Hole PVT-16-002 -- 339m of 0.34% CuEq (0.28%Cu, 0.12 g/t Au), including 10m of 1.79% CuEq (1.28%Cu, 0.90 g/t Au) Connors: Hole CON-14-005 --294m of 0.56% CuEq (0.41%Cu, 0.27 g/t Au), including 96m of 1.00% CuEq (0.67%Cu, 0.58 g/t Au) Geo Hill: Hole GOH-14-001-- 220m of 0.28% CuEq (0.24%Cu, 0.07 g/t Au), including 40m of 0.41% CuEq (0.33%Cu, 0.14 g/t Au) Hendley: Hole HEN-15-003 -- 261m of 0.26% CuEq (0.22%Cu, 0.07 g/t Au), including 24m of 0.45% CuEq (0.39%Cu, 0.11 g/t Au) Mab Hill: Hole MAB-15-001 -45m of 0.27% CuEq (0.20%Cu, 0.11 g/t Au) Camel Hill: Hole CH12-007 -- 207m of 0.35% CuEq (0.27%Cu, 0.15 g/t Au), including 20m of 0.66% CuEq (0.46%Cu, 0.35 g/t Au) *The intervals do not necessarily indicate true width of mineralization, as their geometry is not known. Copper equivalents are calculated using a US $3.00/lb. copper and a US$1200 per ounce gold price assuming unlimited internal dilution and 100% recovery of both metals. Note: full details of results previously published at www.carubecopper.com/projects/jamaica/bellas-gate.htm Under the terms of the final agreement: 1. In relation to the Bellas Gate Project, Carube will: pay OZ Minerals $8,500,000 within one year of commencement of commercial production; pay a further $4,000,000 within two years of commercial production; and grant OZ Minerals a 2% NSR with a buy-back of 2/3 of the NSR for $1.3M with royalty payments capped at $20M. 2. In relation to the five OZ Minerals licenses, Carube will: pay OZ Minerals $1,500,000 within a year of commencement of commercial production on any of the five licenses (one-time payment); and grant OZ Minerals a 2% NSR with a buy-back of 1/2 of the NSR for $0.5M on any of the licenses. In other corporate matters, the company announced that it has awarded 473,750 Restricted Share Units to certain officers and consultants under the corporate RSU/DSU Plan. The Units will vest in January 2018 at which time they will be convertible into common shares on a one for one basis. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts Jeff Ackert, President and CEO 1-613-839-3258 jackert@carubecopper.com Vern Rampton, Executive VP of Corporate Development 1-613-839-3258 vrampton@carubecopper.com Alar Soever, Chairman 1-705-682-9297 asoever@carubecopper.com www.carubecopper.com QP Statement: This press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Vern Rampton, P. Eng. in his capacity as a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101. Carube Copper Corp. (CUC.V) is a Canadian exploration company focused on the exploration and development of copper and gold projects in Jamaica and Canada. In Jamaica, Carube Copper holds a 100% interest in 11 licenses, totalling 535 square kilometres. In Canada, it holds a 100% interest in three porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum properties, totalling 593 square kilometres within the Tertiary-aged Cascade Magmatic Arc in southwestern British Columbia. Exploration continues on these properties with the goal of joint-venturing them to larger exploration and mining companies. Carube Copper continues to seek opportunities in Canada and the Caribbean for acquisition and development. DISCLAIMER & FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Carube Copper Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors which cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements". IMPORTANT NOTICE: By reference herewith, Carube Copper incorporates into this release the entire disclaimer set forth on its website at http://carubecopper.com/disclaimer.htm SOURCE: Carube Copper Corp. The Center for Investigative Reporting is launching Glassbreaker Films as an initiative to support women in documentary filmmaking, Variety has learned exclusively. The project, which has been in the works for about a year, reflects CIRs commitment to increase the representation of women in both filmmaking and investigative reporting areas which the center characterizes as being remarkably underrepresented by women. The program has been made possible with a grant from the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation to celebrate the late Browns spirit of innovation, independence and commitment to forceful storytelling. Under the program, five female filmmakers Penny Lane, Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Dawn Porter, and Ann Shin will produce a documentary series about women taking control, taking power, and taking chances. The initiative includes a filmmakers-in-residence program with a digital video team led by a senior digital video producer and staffed by three early-career filmmakers for creating short films for web and mobile audiences. Those films should start appearing within six months. The filmmakers in residence are Debora Silva, whose work has appeared on KQED, Fusion, Univision, PBS, BBC, and Al Jazeera; Olivia Merrion, who has produced online videos for NPR, PBS, Recode, the Associated Press, Discovery Communications, and Slate; and photojournalist Emily Harger, who has focused on telling stories from rural Appalachia, especially around the drug epidemic. Additionally, the center will also provide a BridgeUp: Film educational project to provide training and mentorship in journalism and visual storytelling to high school girls in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are thrilled to launch Glassbreaker Films, a result of this deeply dynamic, game-changing gift from the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation, said CIR executive chair Phil Bronstein. Brown published Sex and the Single Girl in 1962 and became editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan in 1965. She died in 2012. Story continues This new and profound relationship between the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation and CIR is one that Helen would have understood completely and embraced, said Kim St. Clair Bodden, a trustee of the foundation. Helen, more than anyone, operated her whole career at the juncture of empowering women of all ages, encouraging journalistic boldness and strong, sustainable business outcomes. CIR is the perfect environment for realizing and sustaining that dream and for honoring her legacy. CIR head of studio Christa Scharfenberg said in statement, Glassbreaker Films will bridge the gap between rigorous investigative reporting and powerful cinematic documentaries. These films, told from the unique perspectives of women filmmakers with full support from CIRs journalistic expertise and distribution efforts, will have the potential to engage across the ideological divide and make an impact. Helen Gurley Browns commitment to bold storytelling and indefatigable support of women will be central to this initiative. Obaid-Chinoys credits include A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, which she directed for HBO and won the 2016 Academy Award for best documentary short subject. The movie prompted Pakistans parliament to pass a bill banning honor killing. Porters first feature documentary, Gideons Army, won a Sundance Film Festival editing award in 2013. Her latest project Trapped, which explores the impact of laws regulating abortion clinics in the South, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the special jury award for Social Impact Filmmaking. Lanes most recent film, Nuts!, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where it won a special jury prize for editing. Her debut feature documentary, Our Nixon, had its North American premiere at South by Southwest and won the Ken Burns Award for best of the festival at the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Shins most recent film, My Enemy, My Brother, was nominated for a 2016 Emmy and shortlisted for an Academy Award. Her previous film, The Defector: Escape from North Korea, won best documentary and best documentary director at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards. McMillion Sheldons interactive documentary Hollow received a 2013 George Foster Peabody Award and a 2014 Emmy nomination. She is the co-creator of She Does, a biweekly audio documentary series that follows creative womens journeys and is in production on a feature-length documentary about the opioid epidemic in Appalachia. The nonprofit Center for Investigative Reporting is based in Emeryville, Calif., and is dedicated to public service journalism. CIR, in partnership with PRX, produces the weekly radio show Reveal, which has received five national Emmy Awards in recent years and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2012 (for local reporting) and 2013 (for public service). Chance the Rapper may idolize Kanye West, but he admits he doesn't want to be anything like him -- personality-wise, that is! Rocking a light blue bomber jacket, dark-wash jeans and, of course, his signature '3' cap, the 23-year-old Chicago native is all smiles on the cover of GQ's February issue. In his accompanying interview with the magazine, he gets candid on his private conversations with the notoriously outspoken "Famous" rapper, and the downside to being a celebrity. WATCH: 2017 GRAMMYs: 6 Biggest Snubs and Surprises Presenting GQ's newest cover star, Chance the Rapper. Read the interview and see more photos at the link in bio. ( @ericraydavidson) A photo posted by GQ (@gq) on Jan 11, 2017 at 5:59am PST "I don't think I ever wanted to be like Kanye in personality," Chance, who has been nominated for seven GRAMMYs this year, explains. "I think I definitely want to, have always wanted to, have his boldness or assurance in myself. But I've definitely seen Kanye do things where I was like, 'I'd never do that.'" "I've always been able to defend Kanye. When everybody's like, 'Kanye's a nut, Kanye's a nut,' I'm one of those guys saying, 'No, he's saying some real s**t.' Like when he went onstage with Taylor [Swift], I was, like, well, Beyonce kind of deserved that,'" he jokes. "I'm rationalizing everything that he does, but I can't say that in the same position I would do the same things." "Being around Kanye, Kanye says crazier s**t in private than he does in public, which is hard to believe because he says the craziest things in public," Chance adds. "He does have a filter. He's not a liar or somebody that is going to sugarcoat things when he does speak. But Kanye's said some crazy s**t to me where I respond, 'No, I don't feel you at all.' I always wanted to be more of a person that people enjoy. Somebody that will make you laugh. I'm talking about just my personality, not necessarily how my music sounds. Because I believe I'm a disrupter like Kanye in a lot of ways." Story continues RELATED: The Songs that Saved 2016 Chance also tells GQ that he doesn't consider being a musician the same thing as being a celebrity. "If I go to a frozen-yogurt spot, and I get my yogurt, and I put on my toppings, and I go to the front, and the cashier freaks out, she's like, 'Oh my God, oh my God, you're Chance the Rapper. You're Chance the Rapper,'" he explains. "And then the other lady there, she says, 'I don't know who you are.'" "It's the difference in those two reactions," he continues. "Like, this one girl might fan out, and this other girl might not care at all. But then in a few seconds, this girl's going to start making it very apparent that she doesn't know who I am, making jokes about it and asking me who I am, what do I do. And then, in the end, she's going to ask for a picture, too. And remind me after she took the picture that she doesn't know who I am. It's like today was different in her life because she saw a celebrity. And that sucks. And the pressure of being right and presentable as a celebrity kind of sucks." WATCH: 2017 GRAMMY Awards Nominations Revealed He then reflects on what it was like growing up, detailing a specific conversation he had with his father about wanting to be a rapper one day. "My dad used to always say, 'You need to change your name to Chance the Artist. This song, this is different,'" he recalls. "I remember one day I was with Justin -- my best friend, who has always been really good at school, really smart, really good at speaking to people. I remember my dad would introduce us to folks and they would ask, 'What are you going to be when you grow up?' Justin's f**king 7 years old talking about, 'I'm going to be a biomedical engineer.' You know, he's just that guy. And I remember they asked me, and I said a rapper. And my dad laughed it off, like, 'No, he doesn't' You know?" "And I remember that s**t used to bother the f**k out of me, because I thought Kanye West was the smartest man in the world," he adds. "The best poet in the world. The freshest-dressed in the world. That's what a rapper was to me, and I wanted everybody to feel that way about the word 'rapper.'" "I'm a rapper!" he exclaims. "You should be able to say that s**t and, like, make someone scared in a good way. Like, 'Oh s**t, you might know the president!' It should feel that way." WATCH: Chrissy Teigen, Nick Jonas, Olivia Wilde and More Bid Farewell to President Barack Obama Over the weekend, Chance was one of many celebrities who bid farewell to President Barack Obama at his final star-studded bash at the White House. Hear more in the video below! Related Articles Chance the Rapper is here to comfort Democrats about the upcoming Donald Trump presidency: In the latest issue of GQ, which features the Chicago M.C. on the cover, he talks about how hes not afraid of a Trump presidency because the good usually wins. You gotta just understand, like, s has been fed up, right? Like, Make America Great Again, thats not a real thing because s aint really switched up for them, Chance told GQ, referring to the president-elects campaign slogan. Its not really going that bad for you. If you feel like youre the under-represented, under-appreciated side of Middle America that is white quote me you need to, uh, toughen up, n-! Somebody gotta punch you in the chest, because s is sweet for you. I would say to everybody, you know, the world is coming together, he continued. Like theres every day people are becoming more and more, Im not using this word in terms of emotion, but sensitive to real issues and aware. People are raising their kids to be more and more knowledgeable and understanding. I would say the main reason not to be afraid is that Im making music for your kids now. Im coming so clean-cut with the message of hope and understanding, and the Word, that its like: What could you be fearful of? This mentality is a departure from the message in Jingle Barack, a pre-taped Saturday Night Live sketch Chance featured in when he was the shows musical guest this past December. The clip, a parody of Run-D.M.C.s Christmas in Hollis, centered around its stars saluting President Barack Obama on his last Christmas in office and preparing for the potential negative consequences of a Trump presidency. This year I bought four Christmas trees, stockpiled all the Home Alone DVDs, Chance rapped. I got batteries, canned food, everything I need, there will probably never be another Christmas Eve. Chance has been an outspoken supporter of Obama, and recently performed at the White Houses National Christmas Tree Lighting. The feelings mutual: Obama just hosted Chance at his final White House party, and included 2013 track Acid Rain on his summer playlist. Read more from Chances GQ profile, which also includes the rapper talking about the craziest s Kanye West says in public, here. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel on Wednesday announced new charges against the Gaza head of a major US-based NGO accused of diverting millions of dollars in aid to Hamas. Mohammed al-Halabi, the Gaza director of Christian humanitarian charity World Vision, is alleged to have funnelled aid money to the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip. He is due in court again in the southern city of Beersheba on Thursday. On Wednesday an updated charge sheet was published with two additional charges, including "aiding and abetting the enemy in a time of war" and "passing information to the enemy". World Vision said was it was aware of the new charges and was "surprised to see them added at this stage in the process." An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman declined to comment on the additional charges. Halabi is expected to plead not guilty on Thursday after negotiations over a plea deal collapsed, a source close to the case said. His legal team said Wednesday they still have not had access to much of the evidence against their client. On January 4 a United Nations worker from Gaza was sentenced to seven months in jail for aiding Hamas "without intention." Charleston (United States) (AFP) - A US federal judge on Wednesday formally sentenced white supremacist Dylann Roof to death over the racially-charged killings of nine black churchgoers in South Carolina, one day after a jury decided he should be executed. Before the sentence was handed down, more than 30 people addressed the court to honor Roof's victims and detail the pain caused by his shooting rampage on June 17, 2015. Roof sat silently, staring straight ahead at a wall, as he was berated by angry and tearful family and friends of the victims, who told him he would "rot in hell." Others called him "the devil," "the spawn of Satan" or Satan himself, a "subhuman miscreant" who was "filled with evil and hate." Roof fired at least 77 bullets in the deadly attack carried out at the end of a Bible study session in the basement of the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston. "This trial has produced no winners, only losers," US District Judge Richard Gergel said before issuing his formal sentence. Relatives of the victims addressed the 22-year-old directly during the proceedings on Wednesday, castigating him for not looking their way or reacting to their words. He remained impassive, as he did for the entirety of his trial, which began in November and saw him convicted of 33 federal crimes associated with the massacre, including hate crimes resulting in death. "For you to sit there every day and never apologize it's hurtful," said Gayle Jackson, a relative of 87-year-old victim Susie Jackson. "I pray that your soul goes to hell." - 'Taught me to be strong' - But some extended forgiveness to Roof -- with the sister-in-law to victim Cynthia Hurd, Sheila Capers, offering to visit him in prison and pray with him. "I pray that God sends someone to you to reach you," said Capers, "so when you are executed, you'll be able to go to heaven, too." Story continues Many urged Roof, who prior to the crime published an online manifesto outlining his extensive racist beliefs and posed in photographs with a gun and assorted racist symbols, to repent and find religion. "The only thing wrong with him is his heart," said Blondell Gadsden, a sister to victim Myra Thompson. "I ask God to please work on his heart." Roof and his lawyers elected not to address the court following the witness remarks. The defense did not call on any relatives or anyone else to speak on Roof's behalf. The convict said little during the proceedings except to ask for new lawyers, having sidelined his legal counsel for parts of the trial in order to represent himself. His request was denied by the judge. Beyond the anger, relatives and friends of the victims spoke of the resilience of their families and their resolve to move forward in their lives while continuing to honor the fallen. "At the end of the day I'm still gonna be strong because my momma taught me to be strong," said Esther Lance, daughter of victim and church caretaker Ethel Lance. She was followed by her sister, Sharon Risher, who told how her mother's murder had caused fissures within the family -- rifts that she is determined to bridge. "That fabric that you tore, Dylann Roof, it will be mended no matter how long it takes," said Risher. ORLANDO, Fla. For all his talents, Javier Hernandez does not have a great history with penalty kicks. Before the winter break, the Bayer Leverkusen star missed a last-minute spot kick against Freiburg that cost his team two points, and it contributed to his current run of 17 games without a goal. [ FC Yahoo: Which league appeals to Chicharito: MLS or Chinese Super League? ] He also missed a potential equalizer against Eintracht Frankfurt in September, and his embarrassing slip from 12 yards against Club Brugge in 2015 may have contributed to his eventual demise at Manchester United Remember the glance that Louis van Gaal and Ryan Giggs gave each other? Unfortunately, things havent improved for Chicha during Bayer Leverkusens winter break in Florida. In a penalty shootout at the conclusion of Bayers Florida Cup clash with Estudiantes on Sunday, the 28-year-old saw his low effort saved. For some reason, theyre just not going in for Hernandez at the moment a trend that appears to extend to training sessions, too. At an open session before the Bundesliga sides match against Brazils Atletico Mineiro on Wednesday, training ended with penalty practice. While several of his colleagues found the net with thundering efforts, Hernandez attempted an audacious-but-severely-underpowered Panenka chip, which was easily saved by Leverkusens backup goalkeeper Niklas Lomb. (@RyanJayBailey) When a player is low on penalty confidence, perhaps a Panenka is not the best option? To compound the situation, FC Yahoo witnessed Chicha take a second practice penalty shortly afterwards, which he also missed. An Orlando Chick-Fil-A is honoring the fallen officer who was killed Monday during a manhunt for a felon who allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend and another police officer. Norman Lewis, an 11-year-veteran of the force, reportedly visited the fast food restaurant twice a week. Read: Moms Donate Breast Milk to 4-Month-Old Baby After Police Officer Mom Is Slain in Line of Duty Lewis was assisting with the manhunt for 41-year-old Markeith Loyd, who police say shot and killed an officer who confronted him outside a Walmart store on Monday, when he was killed in car crash. The staff decided to pay tribute to Lewis with that they called a Missing Man Table, draped in a white table cloth, with Lewis framed photo, a single rose, a bible, and a candle. The table also had the empty containers for his favorite menu selection, a 12-count nugget meal with a fruit cup. Read: Man Wanted for Murdering Cop Was Already on the Run for Fatal Shooting of Pregnant Ex-Girlfriend For our restaurant, it is especially heartbreaking loosing (sic) such a loyal guest, a fellow UCF Knight, and a raving fan, Deputy Norm Lewis, the location wrote on their Facebook page. We've had the pleasure of serving Norm regularly for lunch... Deputy Lewis, a gentle giant, could always be seen cutting up with our cashiers. Police are still searching for Loyd and have raised the award to $100,000 for his capture. Watch: Hundreds Attend Funeral of Slain Baton Rouge Police Officer Shot by Ex-Marine Related Articles: SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) Chilean authorities have evacuated about 160 female inmates from a prison in Valparaiso after wind carried in sparks from a nearby wildfire. Valparaiso Police Chief Jaime Barria said Wednesday that there were some pregnant women among those evacuated. He said an undetermined number of male prisoners were moved to the jail's gymnasium. The fire broke out in an area called La Polvora in the hills surrounding Valparaiso. The city is home to Chile's national legislature and is about 78 miles (127 kilometers) northwest of the capital, Santiago. It has a vibrant port and is known for its colorful, tightly packed neighborhoods that hug steep hillsides. Chile's government issued a state of emergency Wednesday for Valparaiso following a string of fires that began last week amid a heat wave. SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China will add 89,000 new hospital beds and train 140,000 new obstetricians and nurses in order to deal with the strains on its healthcare system brought about in part by the relaxation of its "one-child policy", state media said on Wednesday. Worried about its aging population, China issued guidelines in late 2015 allowing all parents to have two children and now needs to meet fresh demand for public services such as child healthcare and primary education, the official Xinhua news agency said. As part of its 2016-2020 health "five-year plan", China aims to raise its total number of nurses to 4.45 million by the end of the decade, Xinhua said. The new plan, published late on Tuesday, said demographic problems were likely to become more pronounced in the coming five years as a result of China's aging population, rising urbanization rates and healthcare coverage gaps in some regions. It said China's average life expectancy was expected to rise one year to 77.3 years by the end of 2020, while its population was forecast to rise to around 1.42 billion, up from 1.37 billion at the end of 2015. China also aims to cut infant mortality rates to less than 18 per 100,000 births, down from 20.1 in 2015, and death rates from diseases such as cancer and diabetes were also expected to fall 10 percent over the 2016-2020 period. (Reporting by David Stanway) BEIJING (Reuters) - China will bring forward the start date of the country's war with Japan by six years in education textbooks, a move which will bolster patriotic education, state media reported. The Chinese War Against Japanese Aggression, China's name for its war with Japan, will be now be 14 years long, from 1931 to 1945, not the previously taught eight years, China's education ministry told schools on Jan. 3. All classes, textbooks and courses in elementary, middle-schools, high-schools and universities will be altered to bring them in line with history experts, said a letter published on Tuesday on the WeChat account of the People's Daily, the Communist Party's flagship paper. The changes make the 1931 Mukden incident, an explosion near a Japanese-owned railway line in northern China that led to Japan's invasion and occupation of Manchuria, into the starting point for the war, the People's Daily said. Previously, the 1937 Marco Polo Bridge Incident, a battle between the Japanese army and China forces near Beijing, had marked the beginning of the war. Linking the two events makes it clear how the regional occupation of north China's Manchuria later lead to the national war, the paper said, adding the move will also bolster patriotic education. Sino-Japan relations have long been affected by what China sees as Japan's failure to atone for its war-time actions. Japan changed school textbooks in 2016, revising some references to the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, prompting China to lodge an official protest with Japan in March that year. China says Japanese troops killed 300,000 people in its then capital, but a post-war Allied tribunal put the death toll at about half that number and some Japanese conservatives say that accounts of the massacre are a fabrication or exaggerated (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Michael Perry) SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's trading exchanges are still rife with illegal behaviour despite a recent crackdown by authorities, the official China Securities Journal reported on Wednesday, citing a recent meeting of the country's securities regulator. The paper said a government-led rectification campaign had helped to bring the situation under control, but there has been a "resurgence" of regulatory breaches at some exchanges. It said some precious metal and crude oil trading venues were suspected of engaging in illegal futures trading activities, while others were suspected of a range of offences including manipulating market prices and defrauding investors. Regulators attending the meeting will work to rectify the problems over the next six months, the newspaper said. China has put its exchanges under greater scrutiny after blaming a crash in its stock markets in 2015 on widespread irregularities, including price manipulation. The China Securities Regulatory Commission has also been accused of allowing the families of its officials to trade in stocks.. China's police authorities set up five specialist units last year to deal with financial crimes. (Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) (Adds reaction from U.S. industry, background) By Josephine Mason and Hallie Gu BEIJING, Jan 11 (Reuters) - China has increased punitive tariffs on imports of a U.S. animal feed ingredient known as distillers' dried grains (DDGS) from levels first proposed last year, potentially escalating a trade spat between the world's two largest economies. The ruling is a major victory for China's fledgling ethanol industry, which had complained the U.S. industry was unfairly benefiting from subsidies, and followed a year-long government probe. It also deals a blow to U.S. ethanol manufacturers already bracing for Beijing's higher import taxes on their main product. DDGS are a byproduct of the corn-based biofuel that have become a key contributor to profits. The industry is pumping out record volumes of biofuel and is facing domestic political uncertainty as they wait for President-elect Donald Trump to take office. In a final ruling, the Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday that anti-dumping duties would range from 42.2 percent to 53.7 percent, up from 33.8 percent in its preliminary decision in September. Anti-subsidy tariffs will range from 11.2 percent to 12 percent, up from 10 percent to 10.7 percent. Beijing said it found the domestic DDGS industry had "suffered substantial harm" due to subsidised imports from the United States. China is the world's top buyer of DDGS and buys almost all of its needs from the United States, the largest exporter. The U.S. Trade Representative did not respond to request for comment. U.S. Grains Council President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Sleight said in a statement on Wednesday the group is "deeply disappointed" by the news and by the increase in China's ethanol import tariffs from 5 to 30 percent. The moves are "effectively stopping a growth market for U.S. farmers and ethanol producers," he said. U.S. producers have been seeking new markets, notably China. Companies hit by the new tariffs include global traders Archer Daniels Midland Co (ADM) and Louis Dreyfus, biofuel producer Poet LLC, oil refiner and ethanol producer Valero Energy Corp and grains group Andersons Inc . Story continues The penalty hike was larger than experts expected, and came amid growing tensions between the two countries over China's corn subsidies and its steel and aluminium exports. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese goods coming into the United States. Many Chinese businesses have already started to wind back imports of U.S. DDGS since the preliminary ruling in September, switching to domestic suppliers or alternatives like soymeal. "I don't buy DGGS from the U.S. anymore and have turned to domestic DDGS, soymeal and rapemeal," said Mr. Hu, who is in charge of buying protein in southern China for feed manufacturer New Hope Liuhe. He declined to give his first name as he is not authorised to speak to the media. Shipments in October and November fell to 135,000 tonnes and 163,000 tonnes respectively, about a third of the total in August before the first ruling. The new rates will take effect from Thursday and be in force for five years. (Reporting by Josephine Mason and Beijing newsroom; Additional reporting by Chris Prentice in New York and Michael Hirtzer in Chicago; Editing by P.J. Huffstutter and Andrew Hay) BEIJING, Jan 11 (Reuters) - China has increased dumping tariffs on imports of a U.S. animal feed ingredient known as distillers' dried grains (DDGS) from levels first proposed last year, potentially escalating a trade spat between the world's two largest economies. In its final ruling, the Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday that anti-dumping duties will range from 42.2 percent to 53.7 percent, while anti-subsidy tariffs will be between 11.2 percent and 12 percent. That's up from anti-dumping duties of 33.8 percent and anti-subsidies of 10 percent to 10.7 percent in its preliminary decision in September. The rates will take effect from Thursday and be in force for five years. (Reporting by Josephine Mason and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Richard Pullin) (BEIJING) China said Wednesday it was committed to promoting peace and stability in Asia, even as it sent an aircraft carrier battle group through the Taiwan Strait amid heightened tensions between Beijing and the self-ruled island. The statement in the preface to a Cabinet report on Chinas policies on Asia-Pacific security cooperation follows heated criticism from the U.S., Japan and others over Beijings increasingly robust assertions of its maritime claims, particularly in the South China Sea. The report made no direct reference to such concerns while casting Beijing as a force for economic development and conflict reduction. China is committed to promoting peace and stability in this region. It follows the path of peaceful development and the mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, the report said. It has participated in regional cooperation in an all-round way and taken active steps in response to both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, contributing to lasting peace and common prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, it said. The report reiterated Chinas claims over South China Sea islands and waters, as well as territories in the East China Sea controlled by Japan. It also expressed strong opposition to the deployment by the U.S. and South Korea of an advanced missile defense system to counter threats from North Korea, saying that would seriously damage the regional strategic balance and the strategic security interests of China and other countries in the region. However, the emphasis was firmly on Chinas contributions to security and willingness to cooperate with others on improving the regional security framework. China has actively pushed for peaceful solutions to hotspot issues such as the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the Afghanistan issue, and played its due role as a responsible major country, the report said. Story continues Despite such rhetoric, Chinas rapid military modernization has raised concerns about its intentions, particularly regarding Taiwan, which it claims as its territory. Earlier Wednesday, Taiwans Defense Ministry said it was keeping an eye on Chinas sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, and its battle group as it passed through the 160 kilometer- (100 mile-) wide strait separating Taiwan from southeastern China. A ministry statement said the Liaoning was traveling northwest along the center line dividing the strait and urged the public not to be alarmed. China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949 and Beijing has never renounced its threat to use force if it considers that necessary to prevent the islands permanent independence from the mainland. Relations have deteriorated since Taiwanese elected independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen last year, and Chinese officials have warned of more turbulence ahead unless she endorses Beijings view that Taiwan is part of China. China has been steadily ratcheting up pressure, discouraging Chinese tourists from visiting the island of 23 million and intervening to prevent its participation in international forums. Looking ahead in 2017, the development of cross-strait relations faces increased levels of uncertainty and the challenge of risk has risen, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Cabinets Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters Wednesday. Ma said he had no information on the Liaonings passage through the Taiwan Strait and referred questions on the matter to the Defense Ministry, which did not immediately respond. The significance of the carriers passage through the strait was open to interpretation, said Zhao Gancheng, director of the Asia-Pacific Center at Shanghais Institute for International Studies. China has now acquired numerous means to pose threats to Taiwan. If the Taiwan side interprets it as a threat, thats a matter for Taiwan, said Zhao, adding such missions would grow more frequent as the Chinese navy gained new capabilities. However, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said the issue wouldnt affect relations between the sides. Chinas navy does not pose a threat to the security of this region or to neighboring countries, said Liu, speaking at a news conference to discuss the Cabinet report. Taipei (AFP) - China's only aircraft carrier has entered the Taiwan Strait in a highly symbolic show of strength, but Taiwan insisted Wednesday there was no need for panic even as tensions boil over the island's diplomatic status. Beijing has upped its military drills near the island in recent weeks after being incensed by a congratulatory phone call from Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen to US president-elect Donald Trump, and by a subsequent transit stop by Tsai in the US. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be brought back into its fold. The US is the island's most powerful ally and main arms supplier, despite having no official diplomatic relations since recognising Beijing in 1979. The Liaoning aircraft carrier has not entered Taiwanese waters but has gone into an area covered by the island's air defence zone, Taiwan's defence ministry said. Beijing responded that it was "very normal" for the Liaoning to pass through an international waterway as part of drills. "Every year, in this season, China's navy has a few exercises in the near seas and other maritime regions. These exercises are all for training," said Liu Zhenmin, vice minister of foreign affairs. Taiwanese media said that F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft were dispatched Tuesday night to monitor the Chinese carrier group. The defence ministry would not confirm those reports. Tsai, who is currently on a visit to Central America, has been regularly instructing the national security team and the defence ministry by phone, presidential office spokesman Alex Huang said. "The military is monitoring the whole situation and will act as necessary. We urge Taiwan's people to be at ease," the defence ministry said in a statement. "There is no need for us to overly panic," said the chairwoman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which handles the island's relationship with Beijing. Story continues "The national security council has a good grasp of the situation. We are doing what is necessary," Chang Hsiao-yueh told reporters at an end-of-year briefing. "The government has sufficient capabilities to defend our country's safety," she added. - 'Reactive measures' - Experts have said the manoeuvres of the second-hand, Soviet-built Liaoning are "symbolic" rather than any real military threat. The Liaoning has been carrying out its first exercise in the Pacific and already passed south of Taiwan last month. It entered the southwest of Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) at 07:00 Wednesday local time (23:00 GMT), the defence ministry said, along with escort vessels. By midday it was moving north along the mainland's coast, the ministry said. Local media said the carrier was expected to move out of the strait later Wednesday. "There is currently no navy or air force activity out of the ordinary," it added. Tsai visited the US at the weekend on a transit to Central America, despite protests from Beijing. She stopped in Houston on Saturday and met with Republican Senator Ted Cruz during her stay, which was slammed by Beijing as an attempt to "undermine China-US relations." Tsai is this week visiting Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador -- among the dwindling number of states that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of with Beijing. While the focus of her visit is to bolster ties with allies, her US stopovers are being closely watched with speculation she may make contact with Trump and his team. Tsai has faced a mounting backlash from Beijing since she took office in May because she has refused to recognise that Taiwan is part of "one China". All official communications with Taipei have been severed by Beijing and tourist numbers have plummeted as Chinese visitors are discouraged from travelling to the island. MAC's Chang said Wednesday that Taiwan was taking "relevant reactive measures" against military, diplomatic and economic actions by China since Tsai came to power. "We urge China (to understand) the hopes of people on both sides to maintain peaceful and stable development in relations," she added. * Chinese electric cars can cost just $8,000 after subsidies * China Nissan Leaf model too expensive by comparison - CEO Subsidies reduced 20 pct this year, phased out by 2020 * China electric car makers have large-scale advantage - BYD By Jake Spring BEIJING, Jan 11 (Reuters) - More electric cars are sold in China than in the rest of the world combined, but are mainly locally-branded models that are cheaper and have a shorter range than those offered by foreign automakers such as Tesla and Nissan. The Chinese-branded electric vehicle (EV) market is propped up by huge government subsidies as part of Beijing's policy to build global leadership in cleaner energy driving. China has spent billions of dollars on subsidies to help companies including Warren Buffett-backed BYD and BAIC Motor achieve large-scale production of plug-in vehicles, which are gaining traction among urban drivers as well as taxi fleets and government agencies. Sales of battery electric and plug-in hybrids increased 60 percent in January-November, to 402,000 vehicles. By 2020, China wants 5 million plug-in cars on its roads. The domestic EVs don't have the 'wow' factor of a fast, longer-range and luxury-style Tesla. They sell on price. In Shanghai last year, a two-door battery electric Chery eQ cost around 60,000 yuan ($8,655) after subsidies. Without subsidies, the eQ would cost an additional 100,000 yuan or so. At this week's Detroit auto show, General Motors showed off its latest Bolt EV, which costs around $30,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. "EV cars are very cheap (in China), you'll only spend a little money to buy a car. If you just go to work or use an EV in the city, it's OK ... for using within 100 kms (62 miles)," said Xie Chao, who works for a chemical company in Shanghai. Xie said he has bought three EVs since 2015 - an Anhui Jianghuai Automobile iEV4, a BAIC EV160 and a Geely Automobile Emgrand EV - one for him to use, one for his wife and one he rents out. Story continues Most Chinese electric cars come with similar specifications, so price is the deciding factor, said Dawei Zhang, CEO of EVBuy, a dealer. The eQ has been the top seller in recent months, with decent enough quality at a low price, he said. "It's a transport tool. It's purely for mobility rather than for showing off, having a big car for all the family, or for any technology factors," he added. Some EV buyers in Beijing and Shanghai said they primarily bought plug-in vehicles to easily get a license plate. Half a dozen of China's biggest cities tightly control license plates for traditional gasoline cars, but freely award plates that can only be used by plug-in vehicles. For those set on buying a plug-in, price is key. "I only considered BYD and BAIC. I definitely can't afford the 300,000-600,000 yuan price of a luxury-style Tesla or Denza," said Qu Lijian, a 31-year-old government worker in Beijing, who eventually opted for a BYD Qin pure electric car. Denza is a Chinese brand produced by a joint venture between BYD and Daimler. SUBSIDY SLOWDOWN China's cocktail of pro-electric policies is a challenge for global automakers, as foreign manufacturers can access subsidies only via joint ventures with local partners, producing cars under new made-for-China brand names such as Denza. But those brands lack the cachet of established foreign marques, and cost more than most local brands even after subsidies. That's in part because Chinese automakers are more aggressive in lowering their costs regardless of quality, said an executive at a multinational auto parts firm. "The lowest price wins (the contract). That's the process, no questions asked," said the executive, who declined to be identified to avoid impacting future contract bidding. "And when you win, they come back and ask you for another price reduction," the executive added, noting less stringent safety regulations in China also help keep costs lower than in the United States. The version of the Leaf that Nissan's joint venture with Dongfeng Automobile offers in China, under the Venucia brand, "isn't selling very well," Nissan's global chief Carlos Ghosn told Reuters in November. Chinese EV buyers don't want to spend much more than $8,000, after incentives, and the Nissan vehicle is too expensive, Ghosn said. The playing field for foreign brands in China should, though, gradually even out as subsidies are phased out by 2020. This year, subsidies have been reduced by a fifth, likely adding about 15,000 yuan to the price of a Chery eQ, though official 2017 subsidies for individual models aren't yet clear, notes EVBuy. Local EV manufacturers have, with the help of subsidies, been able to build economies of scale, pushing down their cost per unit and allowing them to spend more on research and development, Li Yunfei, BYD's deputy chief of branding and public relations, told Reuters. "By 2020, China will have no subsidies, but your scale has expanded, your costs have come down, and you'll be able to hit a price that consumers can accept," he said. While China has grabbed early-mover advantage, global automakers plan to quickly ramp up their plug-in offerings in the world's biggest market. GM's local joint venture, for example, promises to spend 26.5 billion yuan ($3.8 billion) on electrification and developing 10 "new energy" models by 2020. It won't be one-way traffic. Chinese brands such as GAC Motor and BYD are looking to advance on global rivals' home turf. GAC Motor, part of Guangzhou Automobile Group, debuted its pure electric GE3 sport utility vehicle, among other models, at the Detroit show on Monday. A spokeswoman told Reuters that the company plans to enter the United States by 2019, delaying from an initial target of 2017, without further explanation. Shenzhen-based BYD already sells its electric buses in Africa, Europe and South America and has a factory in the United States. The company is preparing "on all fronts" to enter foreign passenger car markets, Li said, without elaborating. "Because Chinese companies have this large Chinese market, when they have big enough scale and their power grows, their products improve and they increasingly understand foreign markets," he said. "In the future, they will definitely take the world stage. The potential is huge." ($1 = 6.9322 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Jake Spring, with additional reporting by Joseph White in DETROIT; Editing by Ian Geoghegan) By Christian Shepherd and Tom Miles BEIJING/GENEVA (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping will promote "inclusive globalization" at this month's World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and will warn that populist approaches can lead to "war and poverty", Chinese officials said on Wednesday. This year's forum, from Jan. 17-20, is expected to be dominated by discussion of a surge in public hostility toward globalization and the rise of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose tough talk on trade, including promises of tariffs against China and Mexico, helped win him the White House. Trump will be sworn in on Jan. 20. Xi is the first Chinese president to ever attend the WEF's annual forum in Davos, which brings together top-level political and business leaders. Jiang Jianguo, head of the State Council Information Office, told a symposium hosted by the World Trade Organization in Geneva that President Xi would go to Davos to push for development, cooperation and economic globalization in order to build "a human community with shared destiny." "With the rise of populism, protectionism, and nativism, the world has come to a historic crossroad where one road leads to war, poverty, confrontation and domination while the other road leads to peace, development, cooperation and win-win solutions," Jiang said. At a briefing in Beijing on the Davos visit, Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said China would respond to the international community's concern over globalization by putting forward Beijing's opinions on how to "steer economic globalization toward greater inclusiveness.". Li said criticism of trade protectionism leveled at China, by Trump and others, was unjust. "Trade protectionism will lead to isolation and is in the interest of no one," he said. "Channels of communication are open" between China and Trump's transition team at the forum, Li said, but warned that scheduling a meeting might be difficult. Days after Trump's victory, Xi vowed to fight protectionism and to push forward with multilateral trade deals. Foreign businesses in China have long complained about a lack of market access and protectionist Chinese policies. Story continues Xi will attend the Davos forum on Jan. 17, part of a three-day state visit to Switzerland from Jan. 15 to 18. The United States will be represented at Davos by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, days before they leave office, as well as someone from the Trump transition team, the WEF said on Tuesday. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Michael Perry and Raissa Kasolowsky) BEIJING, Jan 10 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping will seek to promote "inclusive globalisation" in his keynote speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, later this month, China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. "Economic globalisation is facing resistance," vice foreign minister Li Baodong said at a briefing on Xi's Davos visit. Beijing will respond to the international community's concern over globalisation by putting forward China's opinions on how to "steer economic globalisation towards greater inclusiveness", he said. This year's forum, from Jan. 17-20, is expected to be dominated by discussion of an outbreak of public hostility towards globalisation and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose tough talk on trade, including promises of tariffs against China and Mexico, helped win him the White House. Trump will be sworn in on Jan. 20. Li said criticism of trade protectionism levelled at China, by Trump and others, was unjust. "Trade protectionism will lead to isolation and is in the interest of no one," he said. "Channels of communication are open" between China and Trump's transition team at the forum, Li said, but warned that scheduling a meeting might be difficult. Days after Trump's victory, Xi led a forum of Asia-Pacific leaders in Peru in November, vowing to fight protectionism and to push forward with multilateral trade deals. Xi's attendance at the Davos forum on Jan. 17, part of a three day state visit to Switzerland from Jan. 15 to 18, makes him the first Chinese president to attend the forum. Foreign businesses in China have long complained about a lack of market access and protectionist Chinese policies. These include a Made in China 2025 plan that calls for a progressive increase in domestic components in sectors such as advanced information technology and robotics. Other global leaders, including WEF regular German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will not attend this year's Davos forum. Story continues European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was also absent from the line-up published on Tuesday, but there were many presidents, prime ministers and central bankers among the 3,000 participants, which includes 1,800 executives from 1,000 companies. The United States will be represented by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, days before they leave office, as well as someone from the Trump transition team, the WEF said on Tuesday. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Michael Perry) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Chinese H-6 strategic bomber flew around the Spratly Islands over the weekend in a new show of force in the contested South China Sea, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. It was the second such flight by a Chinese bomber in the South China Sea this year. The first was on Jan. 1, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The flight could be seen as a show of strategic force by the Chinese, the official said. It comes after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a tougher approach to China when he takes office on Jan. 20, with tweets criticizing Beijing for its trade practices and accusing it of failing to help rein in nuclear-armed North Korea. Commander Gary Ross, a Pentagon spokesman, said he had no specific comment on Chinas recent bomber activities, but added: "we continue to observe a range of ongoing Chinese military activity in the region. In December, China flew an H-6 bomber along the nine-dash line it uses to map its claim to nearly all of the South China Sea, a strategic global trade route. That flight also went around Taiwan, which China views as a renegade province. In August, China conducted combat patrols near contested islands in the South China Sea. Trump has enraged Beijing by breaking with decades of U.S. policy and speaking to the Taiwanese president by telephone. A state-run Chinese newspaper warned Donald Trump on Sunday that China would "take revenge" if he reneged on the U.S. one-China policy, only hours after Taiwan's president made a controversial stopover in Houston. Last week China said that a group of Chinese warships led by its sole aircraft carrier was testing weapons and equipment in exercises this week in the South China Sea, where territory is claimed by several regional states. U.S. warships conducted what they call "freedom of navigation" patrols through the South China Sea over the past year amid growing concern about Chinese construction of air strips and docks on disputed reefs and islands. (Reporting by Idrees Ali and David Brunnstrom; Editing by James Dalgleish) BEIJING (AP) Chinese President Xi Jinping's delegation to next week's World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos is open to meeting with President-elect Donald Trump's team, an official said Wednesday. Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong told reporters at a briefing that "there are open channels of communication" with Trump's team. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the annual gathering of business leaders, politicians and cultural icons are still being finalized, but China would look into what sort of arrangements could be made "as long as the schedule permits and if there is the wish," he said. Trump has accused China of unfair trade practices and threatened punishing tariffs and upended diplomatic protocol by speaking by phone with the president of Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Xi, the first Chinese president to attend the Davos meetings, will champion multilateralism at a time of global economic uncertainty and worries that countries will turn inward to trade protectionism an issue that has risen in prominence with Trump's pledges to restrict access to American markets to promote the U.S. manufacturing industry. On Tuesday, Xi will give a speech urging leaders to "steer globalization in the direction of more inclusiveness and mutual benefit," Li said. Western countries and companies accuse Beijing of maintaining its own protectionist practices, for example subsidies for its bloated steel industry that have led to trade tensions over Chinese exports of low-priced steel. Li said accusations of trade protectionism against Beijing were "unjustified," and that China has always opposed such measures. "Trade protectionism will lead to self-isolationism and it is in the interests of no one," he said. Xi's attendance at Davos is part of an official four-day visit to Switzerland that begins Sunday. He will also visit the U.N., World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee, and discuss with Swiss officials how to deepen trade cooperation following the signing of the 2013 China-Switzerland free trade agreement, as well as how to encourage their business communities to collaborate on innovation. In the past, Chinese delegations at Davos were led by Premier Li Keqiang. China has sought to be more influential globally and present itself as a force for stability and champion of globalization while opposing rising protectionist sentiment in the West. The Davos forum takes place during a week when the United States, the world's largest economy, will be focused on Donald Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration as president. HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) A criminal misconduct complaint against Republican Gov. Chris Christie over the 2013 George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal should be tossed for procedural violations and a lack of evidence, an attorney representing the governor told a judge Wednesday. The complaint by former Teaneck firefighter William Brennan charges Christie with failing to act to reopen the lanes that were ordered closed in an alleged political revenge plot to punish a mayor who didn't endorse Christie in 2013. The scandal has had a negative effect on Christie's poll ratings, and was considered a factor in his not being chosen as running mate for then-GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump last year. Two of Christie's former aides were convicted in a federal trial in November, and a third pleaded guilty in 2015. In October, while the federal trial was underway in Newark, a different judge ruled there was probable cause for the complaint to go forward. That ruling was flawed, attorney Craig Carpenito argued Wednesday, because the sole evidence cited in the complaint testimony in the federal trial by David Wildstein, the co-conspirator who pleaded guilty didn't show Christie knew about the motive behind the closing of access lanes to the bridge in September 2013. Wildstein testified he and co-conspirator Bill Baroni told Christie about the traffic jams at a Sept. 11 memorial event in New York and that Christie laughed and made a sarcastic comment when told the mayor of Fort Lee wasn't getting phone calls for help returned. "You'd have to go through mental gymnastics" to assume Christie knew what was going on and had a duty to reopen lanes "he didn't even know were closed," Carpenito told state Superior Court Judge Bonnie Mizdol. "No witness implicated the governor in knowing the purpose of the plot." Carpenito also argued the probable cause ruling was in error because Brennan had no personal knowledge of details of the alleged plot, and wasn't cross-examined at the October hearing, but merely authenticated the testimony he plucked from the federal trial. Story continues Brennan, who attended the hearing but didn't speak before the judge, accused Carpenito of mischaracterizing Wildstein's testimony. He also said the law doesn't even require a complainant to testify at a probable cause hearing. "They're trying to re-litigate the entire probable cause hearing," he said. "They are changing the process for one defendant, and that's not what our system is about." Mizdol said she'll rule on the issue by Friday. Previously, she rejected Brennan's motion to have a special prosecutor appointed to the case, ruling that he didn't have the authority to request that step. Brennan had argued the entire state attorney general's office, as well as each county prosecutor's office in New Jersey, would have a conflict of interest because they owe their jobs to Christie. Official misconduct is punishable by a potential prison term of five to 10 years upon conviction. Before Christie could face a criminal trial, prosecutors would have to collect evidence and present it to a grand jury, which would have to hand up an indictment. By Elinor Comlay (Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, trying to redeem himself at home and nationally after a scandal-tarred 2016, said on Tuesday he will make tackling New Jersey's spiraling drug-abuse epidemic the focus of his last year in office. Beginning his eighth and final year as governor, the former Republican presidential contender touted achievements - including reducing the size of state government, trimming taxes and lowering the unemployment rate - in his annual State of the State address. Christie's approval rating has tanked to 18 percent in his home state in the most recent polls after he spent much of 2015 traveling outside of New Jersey during his presidential campaign. He is not eligible for a third term and will stand down next January. His national political career has also waned since the Bridgegate scandal involving his former top aides tarnished his reputation. After a trial late last year, two of Christie's former aides were convicted of fraud and conspiracy and have asked for a new trial in the politically motivated scheme to close traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge, the world's busiest. While Christie has not been charged and denied having advance knowledge of the scheme, the controversy helped diminish his role on President-elect Donald Trump's transition team. New Jersey had also not recovered jobs after the recession as quickly as neighboring states and suffered 10 credit rating downgrades during Christie's tenure. Democrats, who control the state legislature and could retake the governor's office in the state's November election, said they would work with Christie to lower drug abuse deaths, according to Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. Christie said tackling drug addiction also touches schools, law enforcement and residents' financial security. "Drug addiction is a disease. It is not a moral failing. It is a disease that can be treated," he said. He wants to limit prescription of painkillers and said the state Attorney General should, "if necessary," open an investigation into doctors' prescribing practices and their interactions with drug makers. "Profit, by physicians or the pharmaceutical industry, must never be a rationale for contributing to the death of our citizens by overprescribing of these drugs," he said. With several major pharmaceutical and biotech companies headquartered in New Jersey, it has long been considered the "medicine chest of the world," though it has experienced job declines in recent years. The state is launching a website, reachnj.gov, and a hotline, among other measures to battle addiction. (Reporting by Elinor Comlay in Ventnor, N.J.; Additional reporting by Bill Berkrot in New York; Writing by Hilary Russ in New York; Editing by Daniel Bases and Phil Berlowitz) Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders may not remember much about the rallies they each held last year in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But officials at Green Bay City Hall sure do. And theyre miffed the three politicos have stiffed them on police protection bills totaling $24,000. We appreciate, and we feel honored, when the candidates come to Green Bay, said Celestine Jeffreys, chief of staff to Mayor Jim Schmitt. We are also very appreciative when they honor their debts. Green Bay is no anomaly. At least three-dozen municipal governments and law enforcement agencies say presidential campaigns have ignored hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding bills stemming from police security for campaign events from Vallejo, California, to the University of Pittsburgh. Thats according to a Center for Public Integrity analysis of federal campaign disclosures and municipal invoices, as well as interviews with more than 60 local government officials. Presidential campaigns asserted in communications with some city governments that theyre not responsible for many security costs. But this widespread failure to pay follows an election season when many presidential candidates particularly Trump argued that law enforcement deserved both more resources and more respect. Local cops also found themselves in the midst of numerous unruly, even violent, Trump rallies, with Trump himself sometimes directing security to eject protestors and hecklers. Trumps campaign alone hasnt paid nearly $204,000 worth of police-related invoices, according to municipal billing records obtained by the Center for Public Integrity. And Trump arguably owes more. Thats because the Trump campaign despite receiving demand letters and collection notices doesnt acknowledge in federal campaign financial disclosures that it owes cities a cent. Nor does the Clinton campaign, which hasn't paid at least $25,000 in bills. The Sanders campaign, in contrast, says in federal campaign filings that it owes $449,409, spread among nearly two-dozen municipalities and law enforcement agencies. Story continues The differing approaches make it difficult to determine just how many security-related bills have been sent to the major White House hopefuls since their campaigns began touring the nation in earnest in mid-2015. The Trump, Clinton and Sanders campaigns wouldnt comment. Complicating cities collection efforts: local officials often cant force campaigns to pay unless they signed a formal, contractual agreement with the campaigns, which many have not. Contract or not, many mayors, police chiefs and city managers say presidential candidates who profess to support law enforcement should back up their words with dollars. There shouldnt be much debate about it cities across America provided protection at a cost and should be reimbursed for it, said Mayor John McNally of Youngstown, Ohio, which is still waiting for the Sanders campaign to pay a nearly $6,000 bill for security the city provided at a March 14 campaign event. This story is part of Buying of the President. Tracking the candidates, political committees and nonprofits that are making this presidential election the most expensive in history. Click here to read more stories in this investigation. Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. The City may pursue all of its remedies Rhetorically, Trump supports police with aplomb. The police in our country are not appreciated. We do not give them the kind of respect that they have to have, Trump said in a campaign video from February. Several prominent law enforcement organizations later endorsed him. On Monday, Trump marked National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day by tweeting six pictures of himself standing with police offers and other emergency personnel. Thank you to all of the men and women who protect & serve our communities 24/7/365! Trump wrote. But Tucson, Arizona, officials say Trump owes them $81,837 for security and traffic control services during his Make America Great Again Rally on March 19 at the Tucson Convention Center. Spokane, Washington, is still waiting for Trumps campaign to pay a bill of $65,124. And in Wisconsin, where Trump beat Clinton by fewer than 23,000 votes, city officials in Eau Claire want Trump to cough up $47,398. Green Bay leaders are seeking $9,380. Tucson, which signed a contract with the Trump campaign, is particularly adamant. The March 18 contract signed by then-Trump Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski and Tucson Convention Center General Manager Glenn Grabski stipulated that the Trump campaign was financially responsible for security, crowd and traffic personnel that convention center staff deemed necessary. The contract also stated that convention center staff reserved the right to increase or change its security arrangements and that the Trump campaign shall promptly comply with such request and pay any additional fees. You are responsible for these payments, Tucson City Attorney Mike Rankin reiterated to the Trump campaign in a Sept. 20 letter, sent six months after the original bill. If you fail to remit payment in a timely manner, the City may pursue all of its remedies, including suing the Trump campaign. On Oct. 27, Trumps campaign lawyer Don McGahn now incoming White House counsel wrote Rankin back. In his letter, obtained by the Center for Public Integrity, McGahn disputed Rankins interpretation of Tucsons contract with the Trump campaign and even criticized the Tucson polices performance at the rally. The campaign was, in fact, frustrated by the refusal of Tucson Police to do anything to control the violent and angry protestors outside the Convention Center, McGahn wrote. The Campaign has had numerous reports from people who attended the event that the on-site police officers refused to do anything to control protestors or otherwise protect attendees of the event. As of early January, Trumps campaign had not paid its bill, and Tucson officials are still weighing their options. Officials in Eau Claire are similarly steamed, noting in a Sept. 27 demand letter to Trumps campaign that his visit on April 2 incurred a significant amount of costs for the city of 68,000. The charges range from calling in help from three nearby police departments to providing cops with pizzas while they stood guard throughout the day. In Green Bay, officials said the Trump campaign paid a $1,403 police bill for hotel security on March 29 and a $9,550 bill for an event Oct. 17. But the campaign hasnt settled up on the $9,380 security tab from an Aug. 5 rally, and the city could not explain why. The Trump transition team did not respond to numerous requests for comment regarding its unpaid police protection bills or how it determined which police bills to pay or not pay. The Fraternal Order of Police, the worlds largest law enforcement officer organization, which endorsed Trump during the general election, also did not respond to requests for comment. ( Update, 12:10 p.m., Jan. 13, 2017: In an email, Fraternal Order of Police President Chuck Canterbury said his organization has not taken a position on whether candidates should pay municipalities' bills for police protection.) The Trump campaign in December disclosed having more than $7.6 million remaining in its account. The only debt it reported was a $766,756 campaign polling expense that it labeled as contested in federal filings. Cities also want Clinton, Sanders to pay Clinton, like Trump, talked a blue streak about boosting law enforcement. I want to support them, our police officers, with the resources they need to do their jobs, to do them effectively, to learn from their efforts and to apply those lessons across our nation, Clinton said in August during a meeting with law enforcement officials. Everyone is safer when there is respect for the law and when everyone is respected by the law. But Clintons campaign, too, has failed to pay some police bills. Philadelphia officials, for one, sent the Clinton campaign a $2,678 invoice for security and other services surrounding an April 25 campaign rally at Philadelphia City Hall. No response. Three months later, it sent the campaign a debt collection letter. Still no response. Officials are about to try one more time with a final collection letter and additional steps to contact Clintons campaign committee. If that fails, the matter will be sent to the citys legal department for collective action at the appropriate time, said Ajeenah S. Amir, a spokeswoman for Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. Curiously, Clintons campaign did pay Philadelphias $8,500 security bill from a Nov. 5 event Clinton conducted with musician Katy Perry at Mann Music Center, Philadelphia officials said. Related: Letter from Trump campaign to Tucson, Arizona Related: Tucson letter to Trump campaign Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. In Wisconsin, Green Bay officials say the Clinton campaign has yet to pay off bills from events in March, September and November totaling nearly $12,800. Eau Claire, Wisconsin, says Clinton wont pay a $6,812 from a visit in April. Spokane wants $2,793. Clintons campaign committee has enough money to pay its bills, having last month reported carrying a more than $838,000 surplus on its books. It did not report police bills from Philadelphia, Green Bay or any other locality as campaign debt. Clinton campaign officials would not talk about the campaigns non-payment of police bills despite several calls and emails requesting comment. ( Update, 1:08 p.m., Jan. 12, 2017: A former Clinton campaign official, who declined to be named because he is no longer associated with the Clinton campaign committee and does not speak for it, said in an email that "any security-related questions should be referred to U.S. Secret Service. [Hillary for America] did not control and therefore did not request any additional security." In March, as the Democratic presidential primary raged, the pro-Sanders Veterans for Bernie organization chided the Clinton campaign for local news reports indicating Clinton was slow to pay her bills for police protection. It likewise boasted that the Sanders campaign showed an understanding and respect for the challenges faced by municipalities and local police departments by reimbursing local governments for police protection. Many police departments would disagree: The Sanders campaign in December reported to the Federal Election Commission that it owed 23 local governments and law enforcement agencies a combined $449,409 for event security. In its filing, the Sanders campaign doesnt dispute the debts. The cities of Santa Monica, California ($117,047), Irvine, California ($67,000); Tucson ($44,013), Spokane ($33,318) and Vallejo, California ($28,702) are listed as Sanders campaigns top creditors. Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs declined to comment, referring questions to the Secret Service. But Sanders campaign lawyer Brad Deutsch, in responding to a demand letter from Tucson, argued that the Sanders campaign shouldnt have to pay bills for services that the Secret Service not the campaign itself requested. Tucson assigned 76 police officers to staff Sanders March 18 campaign rally at Tucson Arena. The Campaign did not contract for, not did it request or arrange for the Tucson Police Department to provide public safety at the Campaign event, wrote Deutsch, who declined to speak on the record for this story. The level of security or public safety requirements anticipated for any particular event were not dictated by the campaign. In Pennsylvania, Chief Mark Toomey of the Upper Providence Township Police Department attempted to convince Sanders campaign to pay a $25,620 invoice related to a Democratic primary campaign event in April. No luck. They said [the bill] was exorbitant and too high, and that they didnt ask for the manpower, Toomey said. What if I said, Look, youre on your own, have fun, and a fight breaks out, or something terrible happens? Im the one who gets skewered the negatives are endless. Ultimately, the Sanders campaign gave the Upper Providence Township Police Department $2,250, and the two sides settled, Toomey said. Toomey added that he considered taking the Sanders campaign to court for non-payment but decided against it. Who wants to get bogged down in that? he asked. My goal is to make sure the candidate gets in and out regardless of money or who they are safely. Sheriff John R. Gossage of Brown County, Wisconsin, wasnt pleased when Casey Sinnwell, Sanders national director of scheduling and advance, told him to contact the Secret Service to collect on a $2,883 event security bill. I am concerned that the campaign was overly selective as to what service/organization they would reimburse for protective services rendered, Gossage wrote back, noting that the Sanders campaign did pay one of its bills all $11,472 of it that Green Bays city government sent it. What happened then? I received no reply, Gossage said. Two-thousand miles away, Deputy Sheriff Christine Castillo of the Solano County Sheriffs Office in California says the Sanders campaign never once responded to the more than $22,100 worth of invoices it sent after staffing campaign events before the states Democratic primary on June 4. We of course would like them to pay the invoices that we sent previously, she said. Sanders could conceivably pay all his police bills immediately: His campaign in December reported having more than $4.71 million cash on hand. Who should pay for candidate safety? When a barnstorming presidential candidate sweeps into a city for a campaign rally, often on just a few days notice, if that, its often unclear whos financially responsible for securing the event. Heres how events typically unfold: Before a campaign event, the U.S. Secret Service, which is primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of presidential candidates, asks local police departments or other public safety agencies to assist them. Local governments almost never refuse. Theyll then deploy officers to serve a variety of functions: crowd control, perimeter patrols, closing streets, escorting dignitaries. After the candidate comes and goes, the host city sometimes bills the presidential campaign for police officer overtime and other related costs. Related: Spokane letter to presidential candidates Why bill the campaign and not the Secret Service? Because the Secret Service doesnt reimburse local police jurisdictions, even when it asked for the help. So why not? Blame Congress. The U.S. Secret Service is not funded during the appropriations process to reimburse state and local police departments assisting the Secret Service in protective operations, Secret Service spokeswoman Cathy L. Milhoan said in a statement. Senate Appropriations Committee spokesman Stephen Worley concurred, noting that Congress also does not provide funding to reimburse state and local law enforcement agencies for presidential visits, heads of state or other high-level dignitaries. The prevailing argument has been that state and local law enforcement are responsible for protecting public safety in these circumstances, just as they would around any other event, Worley said. Its a situation that, for Mayor Dwight Jones of Richmond, Virginia, is perplexing. When Trump conducted a last-minute rally on June 10 in Richmond, the city coughed up more than $41,000 for public safety efforts and police personnel. In a July letter to Douglas Mease, special agent-in-charge of the Secret Services Richmond Field Office, Jones argued that his city should be compensated for the coordinated and massive planning and operational effort by a number of local public safety agencies. Richmond has yet to recoup its money, and Jones has now left office. During presidential candidate events, police forces and municipalities arguably provided governmental services for which campaigns absent a contract or other security services agreement arent financially responsible, said Eric Wang, a Washington, D.C.-based election lawyer at Wiley Rein LLP and former counsel to current Federal Election Commission Vice Chairwoman Caroline Hunter. Reasonable people could certainly dispute whether there is any disputed debt to be reported here, Wang said. Just because the local police departments and governments may want the campaigns to reimburse them for the additional security costs doesnt necessarily mean that, as a matter of law, there is a debt. After all, if candidates had to pay (or at least publicly disclose as debt) any bill they received, what would stop someone, particularly scam artists or unscrupulous political actor, from attempting to bleed a campaign of money it doesnt owe? Federal law doesnt offer much clarity. Theres a significant amount of ambiguity in FEC regulations regarding what candidates must publicly disclose as debt, said Brett Kappel, a D.C.-based election lawyer at Akerman LLP. Deciding whether to fight A city governments decision to invoice a presidential campaign for police and security services depends on the city government itself. While some do, others dont even bother. Officials in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Detroit; Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee; Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida, for example, said their municipalities generally do not bill presidential campaigns for police protection they provide at campaign events staged within their cities limits. Some officials explained that the exercise is pointless, as campaigns over the years have rarely paid them back. Others consider police protection of political events part of their taxpayer-funded responsibilities similar to policing a holiday parade, or a peaceful public protest. Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. In the interest of public safety and managing traffic, we just do the job, said Steve Hegarty, spokesman for the Tampa Police Department in Florida. Another reason for not sending bills: Local officials dont want to dampen the economic benefits full restaurants, busy storefronts, happy hoteliers of an event attracting thousands of people. Some local officials said they feared the campaigns might go elsewhere if they haggled over bills. Mayor Paul Finley of Madison, Alabama, estimated that his little city provided the Trump campaign $30,000 worth of city services related to a large rally in February. But officials chose to not bill the Trump campaign for them. (The Trump campaign paid up front and in full when renting Madison City Stadium.) City Manager Tom Barwin of Sarasota, Florida, says his city also chose not to bill presidential campaigns for police protection they provided to Trump when he twice visited last year. Offering presidential candidates security while they speak publicly to city residents is part of our basic public safety mission, Barwin said. We are also, however, not averse to being reimbursed, he added. We do realize that our communities face unique circumstances and costs may start to become oppressive in todays world in which all communities around the globe harbor concerns over foreign and/or domestic terrorism. Just ask New York City. Since Election Day, its been in a fight with the federal government to recoup what it says are the roughly $500,000-per-day costs of securing Trump Tower in Manhattan, where the president-elect conducts much of his transition business. While the financial condition of U.S. cities is returning to pre-Great Recession levels of health, municipal governments last year ranked public safety costs among factors that most negatively affect their budgets, according to the National League of Cities 2016 City Fiscal Conditions report. Many municipal governments face great difficulty in purchasing necessary public safety equipment because of budget constraints, the National League of Cities further asserted in a resolution aimed at newly inaugurated federal lawmakers. New duties placed on law enforcement related to federal homeland security mandates, as well as difficulty securing federal funds, have also constrained city budgets, the National League of Cities wrote. It should be the purview of individual municipalities to decide whether they want to bill presidential candidates for police services they provide the candidates, said Darrel Stephens, executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, which represents top police officials in the United States and Canada. And if a city government decides to bill a presidential campaign for its campaign-related police work? The campaigns ought to respect a citys decision, whatever it may be, Stephens said. The campaign should pay for the services. Related: Eau Claire letter to Trump campaign Morally, its the thing to do One presidential campaign that municipal officials across the country consistently lauded for paying its local police-related bills was that of Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Back in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for example, which continues to wait for Trump, Clinton and Sanders to pay up, the Cruz presidential committee long ago settled a nearly $1,200 security bill related to Cruz campaign events in March and April, according to city records. Cruz spokeswoman Catherine Frazier declined to comment on the other presidential candidates debt situations, but said Cruz, who quit the presidential race in May, put a high value on running an organized campaign that promptly paid vendors and creditors. Through November, Cruzs still-technically-operational presidential committee reported owing no money to anyone, including municipal governments. It had nearly $255,000 remaining it its account. Many past presidential candidates, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, former Sen. Rick Santorum, the Rev. Al Sharpton and ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, remain in debt to a variety of non-law enforcement creditors. And its impossible to know how many presidential candidates of yore never paid police bills they received and never reported them as debt. The senator wants to treat people well, Frazier said, noting that paying bills is ultimately a reflection on him. For his part, Mayor Dan Devine of West Allis, Wisconsin, which twice hosted Trump campaign events last year, wishes all presidential candidates would follow suit. Devine notes that candidates often conduct campaign fundraisers before and after public events, and they receive municipal police services for them, too. While West Allis, population 60,000, didnt bill presidential candidates for event security costs during the 2016 election, Devine says hell push to change that. Morally, its the thing to do, he said of candidates paying for local police protection. City resources are already stretched thin without presidential candidates visiting. Ill definitely be doing my homework before late 2019. Versions of this story appear on NBC News, Public Radio International, the Buffalo News, WisconsinWatch.org, VTDigger.org, the Janesville (Wis.) Gazette, the Superior (Wis.) Telegram and Urban Milwaukee. This story is part of Buying of the President. Tracking the candidates, political committees and nonprofits that are making this presidential election the most expensive in history. Click here to read more stories in this investigation. Related stories Copyright 2017 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C. Zarzis (Tunisia) (AFP) - Clashes erupted on Wednesday in Tunisia's border town of Ben Guerdane between police and protesters demanding the free flow of vital trade with neighbouring Libya, witnesses said. Protesters set fire to tyres and blocked the road between Ben Guerdane and the border crossing of Ras Jedir about 30 kilometres (20 miles) away, they said. They gathered outside official buildings in Ben Guerdane and security forces intervened after they were targeted by stone-throwers, witnesses said. Private radio station Mosaique FM reported the police fired tear gas to break up the protest. The interior ministry told AFP police broke up a "protest of around 150 people" in a "legal way". There were no immediate reports of any arrests or casualties. Ras Jedir is the main crossing between western Libya and southeastern Tunisia, a region whose economy is largely dependent on cross-border trade, both legal and illegal. Tensions have been high in recent months, with a part of the population accusing the authorities of ignoring their plight. The authorities have said the issue is thorny in view of the political chaos and fighting between militias in Libya. In May last year, security forces used tear gas against hundreds of people in Ben Guerdane protesting against the closure of the Ras Jedir crossing by Libyan authorities. Two months earlier, Tunisia closed two border crossings with Libya for a fortnight in response to a deadly jihadist attack on Ben Guerdane. Thousands of Tunisians are believed to be fighting with jihadist groups abroad including in Libya. CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) -- Antonius Cleveland scored 24 points on 9-for-9 field goal shooting and Southeast Missouri State never trailed while knocking off Tennessee Tech 83-78 in Ohio Valley Conference play Tuesday night. Southeast Missouri State (7-12, 2-2) built leads as large as 20 points before Tennessee Tech (7-12, 3-1) whittled it down to 75-73 after a Kajon Mack 3-pointer with 1:54 to play. But Cleveland, Daniel Simmons and Tahj Eaddy went 6-for-6 at the foul line - with Simmons adding a clutch jumper with 10 seconds left for good measure. He finished with seven points, Eaddy 13, Trey Kellum 11 and Denzel Mahoney10 for the Redhawks. Mack scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting for the Titans - scoring eight in the last two minutes. Mason Ramsey matched his career best with 19 points, Aleksa Jugovic added 12 points and Savonte Frazier 10. Southeast Missouri shot 60.5 percent from the field and added 25 points from the free-throw line. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f344799%2f6e5e33c6-cde0-448f-8f8c-e61ae2c3705d With a name like Rex, such a stunt was inevitable. On Wednesday, environmental activists marched around Washington, D.C., in Tyrannosaurus rex suits to show their disdain for Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of ExxonMobil and Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state. SEE ALSO: Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, climate archvillain, to be named secretary of state The protest coincides with Tillerson's confirmation hearing held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "We wont allow our climate diplomacy to be in the hands of a dinosaur like Rex Tillerson," May Boeve, executive director of 350.org, the grassroots environmental group leading Wednesday's march, said in a statement. "By tapping Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, Donald Trump is essentially declaring war on our planet and betting against a livable future." People in the Senate there for Rex Tillerson's confirmation hearing can surely hear us. #RejectRex Say no to Exxon and climate deniers pic.twitter.com/L5DFYXjs3A 350 dot org (@350) January 11, 2017 Climate advocates argue that tapping the long-time leader of a major fossil fuel company to be the nation's top diplomat would undermine U.S. efforts to drive global reductions of greenhouse gases and curb the world's use of oil, coal and natural gas. Tillerson's critics also abhor the idea of appointing the former CEO of a company that's been accused of deliberately misleading investors and the public about the connections between climate change and burning fossil fuels. Clearly these t-Rex's aren't tillerson fans, but they're talented. maybe trump could ask them to perform at inauguration? #rejectrex pic.twitter.com/RTCg24Niqd Zach Weinstein (@zwstein) January 11, 2017 Almost to the Senate building where Rex Tillerson of ExxonMobil is here for confirmation hearing. Our Senators must #rejectREX pic.twitter.com/BLO9sOWR7h 350 dot org (@350) January 11, 2017 Exxon is currently under investigation by the attorneys general of Massachusetts, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands for researching climate change in the 1970s and then spending millions of dollars to spread misinformation through think tanks and friendly politicians. Story continues The movement surrounding the activism and investigations is known by the hashtag #ExxonKnew. Tillerson joined Exxon Company USA in 1975 as a production engineer and spent the next 41 years climbing up Exxon's corporate ladder. Following his nomination as secretary of state, he retired from his positions as CEO and chairman three months earlier than planned, on Dec. 31, 2016. The company has denied climate advocates' accusations. Exxon has said that it accepts the mainstream scientific consensus that humans are causing global warming, and that "the risk warrants action," according to Exxon's website. Sierra Club, another environmental group involved in Wednesday's demonstrations, said Tillerson's long track record in the oil and gas business should should tarnish his reputation, not bolster it. "At a time when the climate crisis is deepening, both the United States and the world deserve much better than having a fossil fuel tycoon run U.S. foreign policy," Michael Brune, Sierra Club's executive director, said in a statement. BONUS: Gov. Jerry Brown says California will build its 'own damn satellite' under Trump jake tapper wolf blitzer CNN distanced itself from BuzzFeed on Wednesday after the digital news outlet published a document that contained unverified claims about President-elect Donald Trump's campaign conduct and personal life. CNN published a report Tuesday that said US intelligence officials had presented Trump with a two-page synopsis of an intelligence report that indicated Russian agents claimed to have compromising information about the president-elect. BuzzFeed quickly piggybacked on the report. The outlet published what it said was the full 35-page memo the two pages were based on. BuzzFeed said in its article it had not confirmed the details of the memo it published. Trump blasted both BuzzFeed and CNN during a news conference on Wednesday, calling BuzzFeed a "failing pile of garbage" and dubbing CNN reporter Jim Acosta "fake news" when he attempted to ask a question. The criticism from Trump prompted CNN to not only defend its own reporting but also detail the differences between its report and BuzzFeed's. "CNN's decision to publish carefully sourced reporting about the operations of our government is vastly different than BuzzFeed's decision to publish unsubstantiated memos," said a statement from the network. "The Trump team knows this. They are using BuzzFeed's decision to deflect from CNN's reporting, which has been matched by the other major news organizations." "We made it clear that we were not publishing any of the details of the 35-page document because we have not corroborated the report's allegations," the statement continued. "Given that members of the Trump transition team have so vocally criticized our reporting, we encourage them to identify, specifically, what they believe to be inaccurate." CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who also worked on CNN's report, rebutted incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who also attacked the cable news network. Tapper said CNN reported only one detail of the memo, and only to disprove that claim's veracity. Story continues "CNN never did that we never provided even one detail from that dossier, except this morning when I said that there was reason to believe that one detail that had been out there because of BuzzFeed was false, involving Trump's attorney Michael Cohen," Tapper said. The CNN anchor suggested that BuzzFeed inadvertently gave Trump cover to undermine CNN's reporting by publishing claims that were uncorroborated and in some cases verifiably false. "When Mr. Trump went after our own Jim Acosta, saying he's fake news and he isn't going to call on him, what I suspect we're seeing here is an attempt to discredit legitimate, responsible attempts to report on this incoming administration with irresponsible journalism that hurts us all," Tapper said, alluding to BuzzFeed. "And the media going forward should keep that in mind." He continued: "It's irresponsible to put uncorroborated information on the internet. I can understand why President-elect Trump would be upset about that. I would be upset about it too. It's why we did not publish it and why we did not detail any specifics from it because it was uncorroborated, and that's not what we do. We are in the business of sussing out what is true and what is false." BuzzFeed defended its decision in a statement shared with its employees. "We stand with Ben on his decision to publish this newsworthy document, which was reported on by multiple news outlets and seen by high-level government officials including the president and president-elect," cofounder and CEO Jonah Peretti said in a staffwide email. He was referring to Ben Smith, BuzzFeed's editor in chief. "As a result of this decision, we were criticized by the incoming administration," Peretti continued. "We are not going to respond to these divisive comments, which put us in great company by the way The New York Times, CNN, and The Washington Post have all been attacked. So has Meryl Streep and the cast of Hamilton, but we'd never compare ourselves to people that talented." "We are going to keep doing what we do best, which is deliver impactful journalism," the BuzzFeed cofounder concluded. NOW WATCH: The story of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, the daughter Steve Jobs claimed wasn't his More From Business Insider Joel and Ethan Coen are the latest big-name auteurs headed to the small screen. The filmmaking brothers are partnering with Annapurna Television on Western anthology The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. The duo, who wrote the script based on an original idea, will direct the project. The pair also will produce the anthology through their Mike Zoss Productions label, with Megan Ellison and Annapurna Television's president of television Sue Naegle also on board as executive producers. "We are very excited to be working with Megan and Sue on this project," the Coens said Tuesday in a statement. Annapurna, for its part, plans to pursue what it is calling "an innovative television and theatrical integrated approach" when it releases the series. The production company behind such films as Sausage Party, American Hustle and Zero Dark Thirty has recently forayed into television, setting a limited series starring Julia Roberts based on Maria Semple's book Today Will Be Different as one of its first projects. The Coens are repped by UTA. Read more: Annapurna Pictures Taps Sue Naegle to Head TV Division United Nations (United States) (AFP) - After some delays, Colombia's FARC rebels could begin disarming in the coming weeks and the laying down of weapons under the historic peace deal could be completed by early June, a UN envoy said Wednesday. Some 5,700 fighters from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are to lay down their weapons under the agreement signed in November to end more than five decades of conflict in the South American country. Jean Arnault told the Security Council that the main focus of the peace effort now was setting up 26 UN-monitored camps where the rebels will gather to hand over their weapons. Once the camps are set up, this "will hopefully allow the arms laydown process to begin in the next few weeks," said Arnault, the head of the UN political mission in Colombia. Colombia's government and the rebel leadership are determined "to do everything possible to meet the original goal of the comprehensive laydown of weapons by early June," he added. An amnesty law passed in late December cleared one of the hurdles in the way of disarmament, but Arnault cited logistical problems linked to the large number and remote locations of the camps among other issues. About 350 of the 450 monitors serving in a UN peace mission have been deployed to oversee the laying down of weapons. Construction has begun on one third of the camps while preparations are ongoing in another third, but the remainder face difficulties, said Arnault. "We do share the perception that an overly protracted process and a loss of momentum would not be in anybody's interest," the envoy said. The UN mission was embroiled in controversy earlier this month when Colombian media broadcast videos of UN monitors dancing with FARC fighters at a New Year's Eve party at a camp. Four monitors were repatriated to their home countries over the incident. Swedish Ambassador Olof Skoog, who holds the council presidency this month, said following closed-door talks on Colombia that "everyone has welcomed the swift action taken by the leadership to rectify the situation." barack obama President Barack Obama delivered an emotional farewell address on Tuesday night, building on the earliest themes of his candidacy in his final major planned speech as president. "You were the change," Obama said in front of a Chicago audience. "You answered people's hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started." He ended his speech with a similar campaign echo: "Yes we can. Yes we did. Yes we can." Obama appeared to tear up while thanking his wife and family toward the end of his address, during which he touted the results of his tenure, noting the lower unemployment rate and millions of new recipients of health insurance covered under the Affordable Care Act, among other achievements. But as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in 10 days, Obama warned of foreign and domestic threats to American democracy, raising the threats of terrorism, economic inequality, and climate change. "A shrinking world, growing inequality, demographic change, and the specter of terrorism these forces haven't just tested our security and prosperity but our democracy as well," Obama said. "And how we meet these challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our kids, and create good jobs, and protect our homeland." He continued: "For all the real progress we've made, we know it's not enough. Our economy doesn't work as well or grow as fast when a few prosper at the expense of a growing middle class. But stark inequality is also corrosive to our democratic principles. While the top 1% has amassed a bigger share of wealth and income, too many families, in inner cities and rural counties, have been left behind the laid-off factory worker, the waitress and healthcare worker who struggle to pay the bills convinced that the game is fixed against them, that their government only serves the interests of the powerful a recipe for more cynicism and polarization in our politics." Story continues Race also stood out as major themes of the final speech from the US's first African-American president. Obama said race relations were far better than in the country's recent history but emphasized the need to uphold housing and hiring antidiscrimination laws, among other civil-rights protections. "After my election, there was talk of a postracial America," Obama said. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. For race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society." He added: "If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves. If we decline to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they don't look like us, we diminish the prospects of our own children because those brown kids will represent a larger share of America's workforce." obama Obama offered a message for white Americans and minorities, citing "To Kill a Mockingbird" protagonist Atticus Finch as a model of empathy. "For blacks and other minorities, it means tying our own struggles for justice to the challenges that a lot of people in this country face the refugee, the immigrant, the rural poor, the transgender American, and also the middle-aged white man who from the outside may seem like he's got all the advantages but who's seen his world upended by economic, cultural, and technological change. "For white Americans, it means acknowledging that the effects of slavery and Jim Crow didn't suddenly vanish in the '60s, that when minority groups voice discontent they're not just engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness, that when they wage peaceful protest, they're not demanding special treatment but the equal treatment our founders promised." Similarly, Obama warned against a stratified media environment that encouraged partisanship, a problem he hoped to transcend when initially elected in 2008. "It's become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or college campuses or places of worship or our social-media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions," Obama said. "The rise of naked partisanship, increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste all this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable. And increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that's out there. "In the course of a healthy debate, we'll prioritize different goals, and the different means of reaching them. But without some common baseline of facts, without a willingness to admit new information, and concede that your opponent is making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, we'll keep talking past each other, making common ground and compromise impossible." The crowd embraced the president's speech, at one point repeatedly chanting, "Four more years." "I can't do that," Obama said, laughing. The president delivered remarks with an uplifting tone that avoided direct clashes with Trump personally, but he championed a message of diversity that contrasted with Trump's inflammatory campaign rhetoric. Indeed, Obama shut down some jeers in the crowd when the president mentioned the transition of power to Trump. "No, no, no," Obama said when the audience began to boo. He added: "I committed to President-elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me. Because it's up to all of us to make sure our government can help us meet the many challenges we still face." Still, the president's speech at times offered a direct rebuttal to the president-elect's campaign message and themes. He appeared to allude to Trump's previous plan to bar Muslims from entering the US, saying Islamic extremist groups "cannot defeat America unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight." He also warned against "giving up what we stand for" and becoming more like the global powers Russia and China. The speech capped weeks of a White House publicity campaign celebrating the president's legacy. In a Medium post last week, the president reflected on the beginning of his first term, including the dire economic environment he inherited when he took office in 2009 amid the financial collapse. "In the depths of that winter, on January 20, 2009, I stood before you and swore a sacred oath," Obama wrote. "I told you that day that the challenges we faced would not be met easily or in a short span of time but they would be met. And after eight busy years, we've met them because of you." George Washington was the first president to deliver a farewell address, releasing a textual farewell at the end of his second term. Though each president has tended to craft his address in his own mold, outgoing presidents have occasionally used the speech to offer a warning. Dwight Eisenhower cautioned the public against the creeping influence of the military-industrial complex, the relationship between the military and the private weapons, equipment, and contracting enterprises granted enormous contracts by the Department of Defense. Obama eschewed the traditional Oval Office setting for the address, opting for a hometown rally in Chicago, where he delivered his 2008 and 2012 victory speeches. Watch the speech below: NOW WATCH: Watch President Obama tear up while addressing Michelle in his farewell speech More From Business Insider Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond blasts Sessions hearing 4 putting black critics at back of the bus. pic.twitter.com/SIv6Ibpeia Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) January 11, 2017 New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker set a new precedent by breaking tradition and testifying against one of his own colleagues during Wednesdays confirmation hearing for Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions. Georgia Rep. John Lewis, meanwhile, reminded the Senate committee about the countrys sordid past and why the next attorney general must stand up for all Americans. As for Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond, however, the incumbent from the southern states second district took the opportunity to criticize the committee for its decision to schedule the Congressional Black Caucus last. Richmonds pointed criticism was awarded with several notable nods and audible cheers during the televised testimony, as well as a trending topic on Twitter. Yet despite the viral fanfare, the Louisiana lawmakers comments werent to be dismissed out of hand, as the Senate confirmation hearing considering Sessions potential as the next attorney general did put Booker, Lewis, Richmond and their colleagues last: I want to express my concerns about being made to testify at the very end of the witness panels. To have a senator, a House member and a living civil rights legend testify at the end of all of this is the equivalent of being made to go to the back of the bus. It is a petty strategy and the record should reflect my consternation at the unprecedented process that brought us here. My record on equality speaks for itself, and I dont mind being last, but to have a living legend like John Lewis handled in such a fashion is beyond the pale. The message sent by this process is duly noted by me, and the 49 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and the 78 million Americans we represent. In addition to his symbolic procedural complaint, Richmond brought up Sessions prosecution record in Alabama especially the case revolving around the Marion Three. According to CNN, then-U.S. Attorney Sessions prosecuted what many believe to be a racially-motivated voter fraud case against Evelyn Turner, her husband Albert, and Spencer Hogue. Story continues History is replete with efforts by those in power, Richmond noted, to legitimize their acts of suppression and intimidation of black voters by recruiting other blacks to assist in bringing trumped up charges against law-abiding citizens who are engaged in perfectly legitimate voter education and empowerment activities. Aside from the splash made in Wednesdays confirmation hearing, however, the Louisiana representatives name may ring a bell because of his role in a recent story about a controversial painting displayed in the Capitol. Per Politico, Richmond said, We may just have to kick somebodys ass and stop them after Republicans repeatedly removed the artwork, which depicts police officers as pigs. The painting was made by high school student from Ferguson, Missouri. (Via CNN) Liberal and conservative lawmakers squabbled Tuesday over whether to hang a controversial social-justice themed painting depicting police officers as pigs in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington. The painting, called "Untitled #1," was the winning submission by high schooler David Pulphus in Democratic Rep. William Lacy Clay's annual art competition in May. Its imagery includes two police officers depicted as anthropomorphic animals, a pig and a horse, pointing guns at what appeared to be a black wolf holding a sign that reads "stop kill." In the background, black human figures can be seen in various positions, including holding megaphones, placed behind bars, seemingly crucified and holding the scales of justice. "The painting portrays a colorful landscape of symbolic characters representing social injustice, the tragic events in Ferguson, Missouri, and the lingering elements of inequality in modern American society," Clay's office said in a press statement last year. Clay, who is a member of the Black Congressional Caucus, reportedly did not have a role in judging the contest. The competition was instead decided by an independent panel in his Missouri district, which includes Ferguson, the city where Michael Brown, an unarmed black man, was shot dead by white police officer Darren Wilson in 2014. The incident sparked protests around the country and helped grow Black Lives Matter, an international activist movement calling for social justice. Republican U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter blasted the painting, which also received criticism from police organizations across the nation, and removed it Friday. The lawmaker reportedly returned the work to Clay's office, calling the picture inappropriate, however, he said he did not touch it after it was rehung Monday. Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn claimed responsibility for taking the piece down the second time around, saying "It doesn't belong here," according to congressional reporter Rema Rahman. Clay threatened to file a police report against Hunter in response for interfering with the artwork before returning it Tuesday. "I will be happy to compare my record to anyone in this building," Clay said Tuesday in response, later emphasizing he that he was not "anti-police." He said the painting was about the constitutional rights of expression, according to Fox News. He reportedly returned the painting to the wall once again after Lamborn removed it. The painting's depiction of police officers as pigs has a history in popular culture. The term "pig" first appeared as a derogatory slang for law enforcement agent in Oxford English Dictionary as early as 1811, however, School for Champions educator Ron Kurtus traces the modern popularity of the slur to an incident that occurred at the 1968 National Democratic Convention. A group called the Youth International Party - whose followers became known as "yippies" - brought a pig to the demonstration, proclaiming it their presidential candidate. When authorities seized the animal, protestors called the police officers "pigs" and media later caught on, cementing the term in popular, anti-establishment youth culture. Related Articles As someone who lives in Wisconsin, I can tell you that in the winter just about everyone with any sense takes a moment to start their car and leave it running for five or ten minutes before they actually depart. The same is true in Michigan, which shares Wisconsins habit of frigid winter. But one unlucky driver ended up on the wrong end of a moody cop near Detroit and found himself with a $128 ticket for doing what virtually every other driver in the state does whenever the weather hits the single digits: warming up his car. Don't Miss: Samsung and LG just got nailed by the US International Trade Commission Nick Taylor, a Roseville, Michigan, resident left his vehicle idling in the driveway of his girlfriends house during the states recent cold snap. He intended to warm the car up enough so that his significant other and her child could comfortably hop in, but a Roseville police office had other thoughts. Instead of walking up to the door of the home or simply ignoring the very common sight of a car warming in a driveway, the officer left a pricey ticket on Taylors windshield for leaving the vehicle unattended. Every person warms up their car, Taylor told local news station WDIV. We live in Michigan! Taylor estimates that he left the car in the driveway for five to seven minutes. In the TV news report on the incident, the street where Taylors vehicle was ticketed appears to be a quiet residential neighborhood not the kind of place youd expect a running vehicle to be stolen in broad daylight and in the dead of winter. In fact, the vehicles spot in the driveway was no more than ten feet from the front door of the home itself. Rosevilles police chief, James Berlin, is standing by the officers decision to ticket the vehicle, stating that warming a car in the driveway with the door unlocked is purely a public safety issue. If cops are indeed cracking down on such a common habit of many cold-weather drivers, its a wonder not more tickets are being handed out. Ive done this every day for seven years, Taylor said, and Im right there with him. Story continues Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com There may as well have been a banner hanging in the grand marble meeting room that housed Jeff Sessions hearings for attorney general: Booker 2020. After 10.5 hours of questioning on Tuesday, Wednesdays panel of witnesses felt less urgent alongside Donald Trumps press conference and Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillersons hearings beginning a building away. But Booker, swarmed by far more cameras than any other witness of the day when he entered the room, used the afternoon to take a splashy stand and lay groundwork for a potential 2020 presidential run. In a choice between standing with Senate norms and standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country, the junior Democratic senator from New Jersey said, acknowledging his unprecedented move. Hes believed to be the first sitting senator to testify against a colleague for a Cabinet post. With members of the Congressional Black Caucus sitting behind him, Booker made an impassioned plea for the committee to oppose Sessions, citing the Alabama Senators record on voting rights, LGBTQ equality, immigration and criminal justice reform. The arc of the moral universe does not just naturally curve towards justice. We must bend it, Booker said, alluding to a favorite line of President Obamas and sounding more like he was delivering a rousing campaign speech than giving sworn testimony in a hearing. Bookers appearance calls to mind similar headline-grabbing actions by young presidential hopefuls of the past: then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama filibustering Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court in 2006, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz leading the government shutdown over the Affordable Care Act in 2013, or Kentucky Sen. Rand Pauls lengthy filibuster of the Patriot Act in 2015. As in those cases, Bookers testimony against Sessions will endear him to his base. Liberal and civil rights groups oppose Sessions nomination; the panel of witnesses Wednesday included NAACP head Cornell William Brooks, ACLU legal director David Cole and former DREAMer Oscar Vazquez testifying against Sessions. And Booker is likely betting that taking a strong stance against the Trump administration early will pay off at the end of the controversial president-elects first term. Story continues The Democratic Party is suffering from a leadership vacuum right now and Cory Bookers efforts place him at the top of the list of national leaders defining themselves and what our party narrative should be, said Brad Bauman, the former executive director of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a Democratic consultant. By taking this extraordinary measure, he is showing that he could have the chops to lead the party, be our standard bearer in 2020 and, at a minimum, it helps define the resistance to Trumps agenda at this critical time. Bookers move, and the possible motivation behind it, has not gone unnoticed by his Republican colleagues. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton released a statement ahead of Bookers testimony calling it a disgraceful breach of custom and saying, Im very disappointed that Senator Booker has chosen to start his 2020 presidential campaign by testifying against Senator Sessions. This hearing simply offers a platform for his presidential aspirations. Bookers time before the Judiciary Committee likely wont make a difference to Sessions, who has the Republican majority to sail through the confirmation vote. But it may well resurface in campaign ads four years from now. With reporting from Philip Elliott Cory Booker Sen. Cory Booker forcefully denounced President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general on Wednesday in a passionate testimony that broke with longstanding Senate tradition. The New Jersey Democrat assailed the record of Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, saying the Republican's voting record suggests a "hostility" toward civil rights and criminal justice reform. "Sen. Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requisite of the job: to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights, and justice for all of our citizens," Booker said before the Senate Judiciary Committee. "In fact, at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility towards these convictions and has worked to frustrate attempts to advance these ideals." Booker's much-publicized testimony was unprecedented in that it may have been the first time one sitting senator testified against another nominated for a Cabinet post. Booker acknowledged the unusual move during his testimony. "I believe, like perhaps all of my colleagues in the Senate, that in the choice between standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country," he said. Democrats and civil rights advocates have pounced on Sessions' record, which includes criticism of the Voting Rights Act, which banned racial discrimination at the polls, as well as concern over the Justice Department's promotion of minority rights. "The next attorney general must bring hope and healing to this country, and this demands a more courageous empathy than Sen. Sessions' record demonstrates," Booker said. "If one is to be attorney general, they must be willing to continue the hallowed tradition in our country of fighting for justice for all, for equal justice, for civil rights," he added. Story continues Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers remained skeptical of Booker's intentions, including Rep. Chris Collins, a vocal Trump supporter. "It's not surprising at all that Cory Booker is the one pulling this off," Collins said on Tuesday. "What Cory Booker is doing is nothing but being self-serving, grabbing the headlines." Sessions' nomination, however, is expected to be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate. Watch Booker's testimony: WATCH: Complete statement from Senator @CoryBooker, first Senator to testify against fellow Senator's cabinet nomination. pic.twitter.com/ZNqhL3cjQF CSPAN (@cspan) January 11, 2017 NOW WATCH: Here's how Jesus Christ is depicted in Islam More From Business Insider Photo credit: Tyler L. Main / U.S. Marine Corpsundefined From Popular Mechanics Last month, President-elect Donald Trump created (another) storm of controversy when he tweeted that, because of the spiraling cost of the F-35, he had asked Boeing to "price out a comparable F/A-18 Super Hornet." Based on the tremendous cost and cost overruns of the Lockheed Martin F-35, I have asked Boeing to price-out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet! - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2016 Trump's tweet is likely little more than a negotiating tactic, shining a very public light on the F-35's cost. Still, the point about the Joint Strike Fighter is a fair one, so let's consider his idea. What would this souped-up Super Hornet look like? Super Duper Hornet There are some things the F/A-18 just can't do. Simply put, today's Super Hornet isn't even comparable to the short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities of the F-35B, the Marines' version of the Joint Strike Fighter, and it never will be. The Marines currently fly older F/A-18s, but without an STOVL F-35B to succeed the AV-8B Harrier, they would have no airplane to put on the Navy's 11 amphibious assault ships. Without the F-35B, those ships (essentially light aircraft carriers) are far less potent. But let's set aside the Marines' problem for a moment, because the idea of an alternative Advanced Super Hornet is neither new nor implausible. Boeing put forward and tested an Advanced Super Hornet (ASH) concept in 2013. With conformal fuel tanks and an enclosed weapons pod, this improved Super Hornet is 50 percent stealthier than the current model. The added fuel tanks also increase range and would be paired with enhanced engines that boost thrust by 20 percent. Along with improved avionics and better cockpit displays, the Advanced Super Hornet would be a significant upgrade to America's aerial arsenal. Story continues Trump was actually late to the party in this case-the Navy, in particular, has already responded to F-35 delays and cost overruns by considering more F/A-18s. "That's a debate that's already been had and in some senses, already resolved in the Super Hornet's favor," aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia told Popular Mechanics. "It's been four years now wherein the Navy has been procuring [Super Hornets] at a ratio of four to one over F-35Cs." But not all armed forces are the same. Aboulafia adds that President-elect Trump probably hasn't considered the fact that an Advance Super Hornet would need serious modifications to work for the U.S. Air Force and replace the F-35A. He also points out that there's another proposed Boeing alternativethe F-15 Silent Eagle-which has many of same enhancements as the ASH but with even better stealth, range, and airframe performance. So where does that leave us? Photo credit: Boeing Sacrificing Stealth Neither the Advanced Super Hornet nor the Silent Eagle would be as stealthy as the F-35. They simply weren't optimized for it. But is the F-35's stealth the significant advantage proponents claim? According to the Israelis, the F-35's stealth capabilities will only be effective for 5 to 10 years-a point they made more than four years ago. Since then, they've added their own electronic warfare systems to the F-35 to combat this coming obsolescence. As a recent piece in the National Interest pointed out, the U.S. Air Force acknowledges that electronic warfare will become increasingly necessary to support stealth aircraft. Both the Chinese and Russians are developing low-frequency radars that can effectively track stealth aircraft. As these low frequency radars proliferate, even airplanes like the F-35 will have to be supported and escorted by specialized electronic warfare aircraft like the Super Hornet-based EA-18G Growler. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Story" customtitles="Why%20the%20F/A-18%20Hornet%20Is%20Such%20a%20Badass%20Plane" customimages="" content="article.24538"] Far less discussed is the fact that stealth airplanes are maintenance nightmares. Preserving their stealth attributes (coatings, skin materials) is tough on land and even more difficult at sea. Current Super Hornets and the ASH would largely circumvent this challenge. It's one of the unspoken reasons why the Navy has resisted buying large numbers of F-35Cs. So if stealth can be increasingly countered, is it best to invest in a stealth fleet if you have to comprise airframe performance and cost efficiency in the process? Photo credit: Jacob G. Kaucher / U.S. Navyundefined Better Eyes and Ears The F-35 has significant jamming/attack capabilities of its own thanks to its active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Though F-35's AESA radar can act as a jammer, it can only do so within a fairly limited range of frequencies. The Super Hornet and EA-18G also have their own AESA radar, so an Advanced Super Hornet could leverage such capability. Likewise, it could take advantage of Raytheon's Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) currently being developed for the Super Hornet, which can jam more frequencies than an AESA radar. The F-35 has embedded antennas around its fuselage which provide an internal BAE Systems receiver with a detailed picture of electronic threats (surface to air radars, jammers, airborne radars). Current Super Hornets don't have this level of threat awareness but an ongoing Navy avionics upgrade would move them closer the F-35. However, an ASH could integrate the F-35 threat system or, better yet, adopt the Growler's Northrop Grumman ALQ-218 package, which would make it even more capable than the F-35. Lockheed Martin also prides itself on the F-35's ability to combine all its sensor data into a single intelligible display. The F/A-18E/F can't do that, but the Navy is working on a Multi Sensor Integration (MSI) system that would give it similar sensor powers. The large area cockpit displays proposed for the ASH could be reworked to use this new MSI system. Also, adding more sensors would be much easier on a Super Hornet than an F-35. Without needing to preserve stealth, such sensors can simply be pod-mounted on one of the Super Hornet's wing stations or even within an external fuel tank. The ease of integration makes updating technology far more practical on a Super Hornet. A Lean, Mean Data Machine The F-35 is designed to capitalize on information from external networks and pass it to other F-35s, F-22s, or 4th-generation fighters like the F/A-18. However when it transmits information, it potentially gives away its position, a concern not as relevant to an Advanced Super Hornet. Moreover, the F-35s Link-16 and Multifunction Advanced Datalink don't provide enough bandwidth to send as much info as its sensors can produce. Along with a better sensor system, the Navy is also working on a very high data rate Tactical Targeting Network Technology datalink for the Growler. Like most war technology we've mentioned, this datalink could also be easily integrated into the current Super Hornet fleet or future ASH. Of course Boeing wouldn't tell Popular Mechanics what it is preparing for President-elect Trump, but replacing a good number of F-35s with an Advanced Super Hornet is not only possibleit actually makes some sense. Although Boeing's F-15SE would be a more logical choice, says Aboulafia, he acknowledges it's much more expensive plane. Actually, there's other aircraft that might be an even better option. "I'm still convinced, re-birthing the F-22 line is a good idea," he says. If President Trump wants some attention, nonchalantly tweeting "bring back the F-22" would certainly do the job. You Might Also Like By Amanda Ferguson BELFAST (Reuters) - After a decade of bitter compromises over paramilitaries and policing, Northern Ireland's power-sharing government finally fell apart this week over the abuse by farmers of a green-energy grant to burn fuels such as wood pellets instead of coal. The confrontation has exposed a growing rupture in trust between Catholic Irish nationalists and pro-British Protestant unionists whose cooperation underpins the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement that ended three decades of bloodshed. While there is no sign of a return to violence that killed 3,600 people, the political crisis looks set to paralyze government in the province for months at the same time as Britain's exit from the European Union threatens simultaneous shockwaves to its economy and constitutional status. "I'm not sure that power-sharing can be restored now," Jeffrey Donaldson, a senior member of the ruling pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) told Irish state radio RTE on Tuesday, a day after Irish nationalist, and ex-Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, resigned over the affair. "I really don't think that Martin and his colleagues have begun to contemplate the damage the decision they made yesterday has done to the prospect of power sharing in the future." The Good Friday Agreement, negotiated by former U.S. senator George Mitchell and ratified in May 1998, effectively ended the "Troubles" that had torn apart Northern Ireland and was based on a power-sharing pact to govern by cross-community consent. McGuinness's resignation means a snap election is more than likely, bringing the power-sharing government to the brink of collapse. McGuinness raised the prospect of a lengthy renegotiation of any power-sharing, saying there would be "no return to the status quo" after an election. There has been a decade of power-sharing between Sinn Fein, once the political arm of the IRA, and the DUP which have overcome fierce disagreements over rival marches, the legacy of the Troubles and constitutional issues. The green energy scandal proved to be the final tipping point. "CASH FOR ASH" For months Northern Irish media have reveled in stories of farmers heating barns night and day to burn as many wood pellets as they and other business owners could to take advantage of a subsidy that gave them 1.60 pounds for every 1 pound spent. Unlike a similar scheme elsewhere in the United Kingdom legislation lacked a cap and could cost taxpayers up to 490 million pounds ($595 million), almost 5 percent of the region's annual budget. First Minister Arlene Foster, who launched the scheme four years ago, apologized, but insisted her party closed it as soon as flaws became apparent. While her refusal to resign was the trigger for the first collapse of the government since McGuinness agreed to share power with rivals a decade ago, all sides admit that the political fissures go much deeper. "The heating scandal is the occasion for the resignation, it's not the cause," said Brian Feeney, a columnist for Irish nationalist newspaper the Irish News. "They have a long list of grievances and they have just decided it's not going to go on any longer." While the power-sharing deal calls for a partnership of equals, Sinn Fein says the DUP has been treating it with "provocation, arrogance and disrespect" culminating, they say, in the scrapping of a 50,000-pound grant for disadvantaged children to learn the Irish language just days before Christmas. "Sinn Fein will not tolerate the arrogance of Arlene Foster and the DUP. We now need an election to allow the people to make their own judgment," McGuinness said after his resignation. ELECTION "HIGHLY LIKELY" An election is the "highly likely" next step, the British government's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire said on Tuesday, unless Sinn Fein agrees to appoint a replacement for McGuinness within seven days, something it has said it will not do. McGuinness recently took a break from some of his duties because of an undisclosed illness. But an election appears likely to just mark the starting gun for a renegotiation of the terms under which the two parties share power. Sinn Fein members in recent days have begun to hint at demands likely to be made including funding additional rights for Irish speakers and the lesbian and gay community, which the DUP has blocked and for inquiries into deaths in the "Troubles". Failure in those talks could cause devolved powers to revert to London and open the possibility of a deeper rethinking of the concept of power sharing. The collapse of the relationship between McGuinness and Foster also risks paralyzing the region's response to Britain's planned exit from the European Union as London prepares to trigger divorce talks. Sinn Fein, which campaigned for Britain to stay in the European Union, says Foster has failed to properly represent the 56 percent of Northern Ireland voters who voted "Remain". Foster, who campaigned to quit the EU, said she must instead respect the opinion of the 52 percent of voters in all of the United Kingdom who wanted to leave. "Brexit is a complete mess and everyone here seems to be ignoring it," said Ollie Woodhouse, a 21-year-old bar-tender walking through central Belfast on Tuesday. "It is definitely time for change in Northern Ireland." EXPOSED TO BREXIT A number of studies have named Northern Ireland, which is the poorest region of the United Kingdom and has its only land border with the European Union, as the most economically exposed to Brexit. "There has seldom been a more important time for all our citizens to have a strong well-functioning Executive," said Angela McGowan, Northern Ireland Director of the Confederation of British Industry. But Brexit's impact could go much deeper, shifting the constitutional architecture on which Northern Ireland's peace deal sits. There are several references to the European Union in the good Friday Agreement and the DUP's Donaldson on Tuesday suggested that Britain's exit from the European Union could undermine the Republic of Ireland's ability to share in the governing of the province under the Good Friday Agreement. In recent days, fears have grown about the return of border posts after suggestions Britain may leave the EU customs union, a development that would anger Northern Irish nationalists and, experts say, provide obvious targets for paramilitaries. "Whilst these negotiations are about to start you have the Scottish government lobbying for Scottish interests, you have the Welsh government lobbying for Welsh interests and who does ... (prime minister) Theresa May pick up the phone to in Northern Ireland?," asked University politics lecturer David McCann. "Northern Ireland cannot afford to be stuck in neutral." ($1 = 0.8226 pounds) (Writing by Conor Humphries; Additional reporting by Padraic Halpin and Alistair Smout, editing by Peter Millership) By Amanda Ferguson BELFAST (Reuters) - After a decade of bitter compromises over paramilitaries and policing, Northern Ireland's power-sharing government finally fell apart this week over the abuse by farmers of a green-energy grant to burn fuels such as wood pellets instead of coal. The confrontation has exposed a growing rupture in trust between Catholic Irish nationalists and pro-British Protestant unionists whose cooperation underpins the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement that ended three decades of bloodshed. While there is no sign of a return to violence that killed 3,600 people, the political crisis looks set to paralyse government in the province for months at the same time as Britain's exit from the European Union threatens simultaneous shockwaves to its economy and constitutional status. "I'm not sure that power-sharing can be restored now," Jeffrey Donaldson, a senior member of the ruling pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) told Irish state radio RTE on Tuesday, a day after Irish nationalist, and ex-Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, resigned over the affair. "I really don't think that Martin and his colleagues have begun to contemplate the damage the decision they made yesterday has done to the prospect of power sharing in the future." The Good Friday Agreement, negotiated by former U.S. senator George Mitchell and ratified in May 1998, effectively ended the "Troubles" that had torn apart Northern Ireland and was based on a power-sharing pact to govern by cross-community consent. McGuinness's resignation means a snap election is more than likely, bringing the power-sharing government to the brink of collapse. McGuinness raised the prospect of a lengthy renegotiation of any power-sharing, saying there would be "no return to the status quo" after an election. There has been a decade of power-sharing between Sinn Fein, once the political arm of the IRA, and the DUP which have overcome fierce disagreements over rival marches, the legacy of the Troubles and constitutional issues. The green energy scandal proved to be the final tipping point. "CASH FOR ASH" For months Northern Irish media have revelled in stories of farmers heating barns night and day to burn as many wood pellets as they and other business owners could to take advantage of a subsidy that gave them 1.60 pounds for every 1 pound spent. Unlike a similar scheme elsewhere in the United Kingdom legislation lacked a cap and could cost taxpayers up to 490 million pounds ($595 million), almost 5 percent of the region's annual budget. First Minister Arlene Foster, who launched the scheme four years ago, apologised, but insisted her party closed it as soon as flaws became apparent. While her refusal to resign was the trigger for the first collapse of the government since McGuinness agreed to share power with rivals a decade ago, all sides admit that the political fissures go much deeper. "The heating scandal is the occasion for the resignation, it's not the cause," said Brian Feeney, a columnist for Irish nationalist newspaper the Irish News. "They have a long list of grievances and they have just decided it's not going to go on any longer." While the power-sharing deal calls for a partnership of equals, Sinn Fein says the DUP has been treating it with "provocation, arrogance and disrespect" culminating, they say, in the scrapping of a 50,000-pound grant for disadvantaged children to learn the Irish language just days before Christmas. "Sinn Fein will not tolerate the arrogance of Arlene Foster and the DUP. We now need an election to allow the people to make their own judgment," McGuinness said after his resignation. ELECTION "HIGHLY LIKELY" An election is the "highly likely" next step, the British government's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire said on Tuesday, unless Sinn Fein agrees to appoint a replacement for McGuinness within seven days, something it has said it will not do. McGuinness recently took a break from some of his duties because of an undisclosed illness. But an election appears likely to just mark the starting gun for a renegotiation of the terms under which the two parties share power. Sinn Fein members in recent days have begun to hint at demands likely to be made including funding additional rights for Irish speakers and the lesbian and gay community, which the DUP has blocked and for inquiries into deaths in the "Troubles". Failure in those talks could cause devolved powers to revert to London and open the possibility of a deeper rethinking of the concept of power sharing. The collapse of the relationship between McGuinness and Foster also risks paralysing the region's response to Britain's planned exit from the European Union as London prepares to trigger divorce talks. Sinn Fein, which campaigned for Britain to stay in the European Union, says Foster has failed to properly represent the 56 percent of Northern Ireland voters who voted "Remain". Foster, who campaigned to quit the EU, said she must instead respect the opinion of the 52 percent of voters in all of the United Kingdom who wanted to leave. "Brexit is a complete mess and everyone here seems to be ignoring it," said Ollie Woodhouse, a 21-year-old bar-tender walking through central Belfast on Tuesday. "It is definitely time for change in Northern Ireland." EXPOSED TO BREXIT A number of studies have named Northern Ireland, which is the poorest region of the United Kingdom and has its only land border with the European Union, as the most economically exposed to Brexit. "There has seldom been a more important time for all our citizens to have a strong well-functioning Executive," said Angela McGowan, Northern Ireland Director of the Confederation of British Industry. But Brexit's impact could go much deeper, shifting the constitutional architecture on which Northern Ireland's peace deal sits. There are several references to the European Union in the good Friday Agreement and the DUP's Donaldson on Tuesday suggested that Britain's exit from the European Union could undermine the Republic of Ireland's ability to share in the governing of the province under the Good Friday Agreement. In recent days, fears have grown about the return of border posts after suggestions Britain may leave the EU customs union, a development that would anger Northern Irish nationalists and, experts say, provide obvious targets for paramilitaries. "Whilst these negotiations are about to start you have the Scottish government lobbying for Scottish interests, you have the Welsh government lobbying for Welsh interests and who does ... (prime minister) Theresa May pick up the phone to in Northern Ireland?," asked University politics lecturer David McCann. "Northern Ireland cannot afford to be stuck in neutral." ($1 = 0.8226 pounds) (Writing by Conor Humphries; Additional reporting by Padraic Halpin and Alistair Smout, editing by Peter Millership) On Wednesday morning, Donald Trump gave his first news conference in nearly six months, and the first since he won the presidency. So naturally, he brought along his lawyer. And his press secretary. And Vice-President Mike Pence. And his children Eric, Donald Jr. and Ivanka. This wasn't a press conference. It was a revue. It's a wonder he didn't have the Temptations backing him up. There were times when Trump seemed effusive toward the press, praising The New York Times for not running with the story and saying that other news organizations that followed suit had "gone up a notch" in his book. But he mostly exhibited a hostility and resentment of the fourth estate that doesn't bode well for the future. Looking annoyed at having to answer questions or explain himself - that's something for mere mortals, his demeanor seemed to indicate - he made it clear that his relationship with the news media during his presidency is likely to make Richard Nixon's seem warm and fuzzy. The chief revelation was that Trump finally admitted, "I think it was Russia," concerning the hacking of the Democratic and Republican campaigns. Except that he claimed that it was really only the Democrats who were hacked, and it was their own fault for being so careless. Trump, it seems, had the wisdom to advise Reince Preibus not to let the Russians hack them. Read more: President-Elect Trump's First Presser: Russian Hacking, "Fake News" Narratives Dominate It's going to be a long four years. For the country, for the press, and most especially, for CNN, which Trump went out of his way to attack for reporting on the previous day's intelligence report, originally released by BuzzFeed, that was particularly salacious. The details won't be repeated here, but suffice it to say that letters to Penthouse are more wholesome. He described BuzzFeed as a "pile of garbage," and when a CNN reporter tried to protest and ask a question, Trump immediately shut him down. "You are fake news," the president-elect hissed at him. So you probably shouldn't be looking for any exclusive Trump interviews on that network anytime soon. Story continues Trump later was asked if he had ever misbehaved while in Russia, which is not a question that would have been asked of, say, Jimmy Carter. After boasting about how well the Miss Universe contest had done in the Moscow area, Trump assured the questioner that he never could have done such things, because as everyone knows, "I'm a germaphobe." Read more: President-Elect Trump's First Presser: Russian Hacking, "Fake News" Narratives Dominate Trump's lawyer was on hand to provide details about his plans to separate himself from his business interests, even though he doesn't really have to, because he's, you know, the president. But out of the sheer goodness of his heart, Trump recently turned down a $2 billion deal in Dubai and now intends to take such steps as leaving the organization in the hands of his two grown sons, with no business discussions between them and their father allowed. So that's going to make for some pretty boring dinner table conversations. The lawyer, who in true Trumpian language said that her client's "business empire is massive," pointed to a huge stack of paperwork as evidence of the complexity involved; as a visual aid, it was at least more appealing than Trump Steaks. She also said that the business would be hiring an "ethics adviser," which, if you're working for Trump, sounds like an oxymoron, and that the law firm would be "building a wall" between Trump and his company, which presumably will be paid for by Mexico. Read more: Donald Trump's First Press Conference as President-Elect: Hollywood Reacts As usual, Trump's language seemed on par with a fifth-grade reading level. Besides constantly referring to himself in the third person, he assured us that his administration would be "fantastic"; "tremendous things [were] going to happen"; it would be filled with "great talent"; "it's going to be a beautiful thing"; everything would be "even better"; "people are so happy"; his cabinet appointees are "top-of-the-line" people who will do a "truly great job"; and he "will be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created." Trump shouldn't be the president; he should be writing children's books. He would have been great at telling his kids bedtime stories, except, of course, that he couldn't be bothered. Trump continued his war with the intelligence agencies, saying that it was a "disgrace" that their reports had been leaked. The dispute will apparently continue at least until his own appointees take charge, after which you can be sure they'll tell him only what he wants to hear. Read more: Media Calls Out Trump's Germophobe Claim, CNN Attack and Tax Return Refusal After Presser The president-elect actually seemed relieved when he was finally asked about his plans to replace Obamacare. Of course, he was happy to provide extensive details about the process. We're going to "repeal and replace," he said, "possibly within the same hour," although he acknowledged that it was "very complicated stuff." He asserted that if he did nothing, Obamacare would "implode" and prove "catastrophic" in 2017. So he was really doing the Democrats "a tremendous service" by taking it off their hands. Meanwhile, Donald Jr. and Eric better watch out. Trump concluded the event by saying that after his presidency is over, he intends to resume control of his business, and if he doesn't like what he sees he intends to tell his sons, "You're fired." And with the way both his administration and Arnold Schwarzenegger's hosting of The Celebrity Apprentice already seem to be going, that may happen sooner than later. Read more: Trump Denies Russia Report, Blasts Intel Agencies Over "Leak": "Are We Living in Nazi Germany?" Israeli President Reuven Ruvi Rivlin met with representatives of the Georgian Jewish community, including Chabad shliach Rabbi Meir Kozlovsky, in the Great Synagogue in Tbilisi Tuesday before he finished his official visit in Georgia and flew back to Israel. The event was attended by the president of the Jewish community, bureau chief Ms. Rebecca Ravitz, Israels ambassador to Armenia, and attorney Mordechai Tzivin. The childrens choir of Chabads Ohr Avner school performed at the event, with President Rivlin joining in to the singing. The President opened his speech by giving condolences to the families of the soldiers who were killed in Sundays terror attack in Jerusalem. From here, from a distance, I send my concern and prayers for the welfare of the wounded, some of whom are fighting for their lives, he said. We cannot give terrorism the power to weaken us. We must stand strong together. Relations between Israel and Georgia are good, but we need to do more to keep them strong, the president said to the community, stressing, Mutual responsibility is the secret behind the strength of Israel, both in the past and today. The Jewish world and Israel are responsible for one another. We will do everything that we can to continue to maintain the warm relationship with you and with and Georgia, and I am sure that we will succeed. Geneva (AFP) - Rival Cypriot delegations will on Wednesday present maps detailing their visions for how internal boundaries should be drawn as they pursue talks aimed at ending Cyprus's 42-year division. UN envoy Espen Barth Eide told reporters in Geneva that the exchange will take place behind closed doors with cartographers from both sides present. "It is a very important moment... Historic," Eide said. It will mark the first time since the eastern Mediterranean island was divided that Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders will have presented maps describing the borders of a reunified country, Eide said. The step comes a day before foreign ministers from Cyprus's so-called guarantor powers -- Britain, Greece and Turkey -- arrive at the UN in Geneva for a conference on security, another bedrock issue in the peace process aimed at creating a two-zone federation. New UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also be at Thursday's conference, in his first foreign trip since being sworn in on January 1. - Locked in vault - Turkish Cypriot leaders have agreed in principle to return some of the land controlled by Greek Cypriots before the 1974 invasion by Turkish troops, which came in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece. Eide said the sides are very close to agreeing on what overall percentage of the island each will control. The thorny issue lies in how the boundaries are redrawn, including around the iconic town of Morphou on the northern coast. Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades has warned that there can be no deal without a full return of Morphou, while some in the Turkish Cypriot camp have declared its return a non-starter. After the maps are reviewed by Anastasiades, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Eide and cartographers, they "will be transferred to a vault and will only be in the possession of the United Nations," the envoy said. The maps swapped Wednesday will not be disclosed publicly, with the UN hoping that both sides eventually agree on a compromise version. Story continues - EU questions - On Tuesday the two sides also tackled the island's relations with the European Union as well as a future system of government. While Cyprus has been an EU member since 2004, Anastasiades's internationally recognised government exercises no control over the northern Turkish-ruled part of the island, and EU legislation is suspended there until a settlement is reached. Eide made clear that the UN process was designed to forge a unified Cyprus that would be a full EU member. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who will also be in Geneva on Thursday, said he was making the trip given the stakes of the meet. "When it's about peace, you have to take the plane," he said in Valletta at the start of Malta's six-month EU presidency. "I really think that, without overdramatising what is happening in Geneva, that this is the very last chance to see (a solution for) the island being imposed in a normal way," he added. Eide has struck an optimistic note during three days of intra-Cypriot talks this week. "We are roughly where we want to be at this stage," he said Wednesday. But the sides appear to remain far apart on how many Greek Cypriots should be able to return to homes they fled in 1974, with Akinci determined to minimise the number of Turkish Cypriots who would be displaced for a second time. There are also still significant differences over security, with Anastasiades wanting Turkish troops to leave the island but Akinci determined to keep a military presence. GENEVA (AP) The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus exchanged maps Wednesday outlining the zones the island's Greek and Turkish communities would control in a hoped-for federation, the first time such a swap has occurred after decades of reunification talks. The maps now have been locked in a United Nations vault due to the sensitive nature of the proposed boundaries, which indicate how many people displaced by the nation's division may be eligible to reclaim lost homes and property relatively quickly. Discussions to thrash out a single, compromise map will be scheduled for a later date, government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said. He said it would be up to Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anasastaides and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to decide when those negotiations take place. "This is not the end of the road," Christodoulides told reporters. "This is the beginning of negotiations on a very important chapter of the Cyprus problem." Turkish Cypriot spokesman Baris Burcu said both maps conformed to already agreed upon criteria for how much of the island's land would go to the Turkish Cypriot zone between 28.2 and 29.2 percent. In the meantime, the talks will move in an international direction on Thursday. The foreign ministers of Cyprus' so-called guarantors Turkey, Greece and former colonial power Britain are set to join a discussion on the pivotal issue of post-unification security arrangements. Anastasiades and Akinci have been meeting in Geneva since Monday to discuss a number of outstanding issues that could restore unity to the island split by ethnic divisions for almost 43 years. Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 in response to a coup aiming to unite the island with Greece. Many residents were stripped of homes and property when Cyprus divided into an official Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish north where Turkey has more than 35,000 troops stationed. Top leaders from the European Union, which counts Cyprus as a member, are also expected to join the talks Thursday that will concentrate on how to ensure and who will oversee post-settlement security. Story continues European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters on Wednesday that the talks were "the very last chance to see the island being recomposed in a normal way." However, United Nations envoy Espen Barth Eide, who is facilitating the talks, sought to downplay expectations. Eide said that the process remains on track to overcome major obstacles. He pointed to "historic" advances happening at the summit, such as the exchange of boundary maps and the participation of the three guarantor powers at such a high-level. But a deal likely won't emerge immediately from the summit since important technical details need to be sorted out before Cyprus' Greek and Turkish communities can vote on an overall agreement, Eide said. "So don't expect that we will be walking home from Geneva or rather flying to Cyprus with a comprehensive settlement in our hands," Eides told reporters. "But we will go home with a sense that it is coming." ___ Hadjicostis reported from Nicosia, Cyprus. Raf Casert contributed from Brussels, Belgium. Valletta (AFP) - Rival Cypriot leaders meeting in Switzerland are facing "the very last chance" to end the four-decades-old division of Cyprus, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday. Juncker urged the two sides to take risks for peace as Turkish and Greek Cypriots held a third round of talks in Geneva after two earlier inconclusive sessions since November. "I really think that, without overdramatising what is happening in Geneva, that this is the very last chance to see (a solution for) the island being imposed in a normal way," Juncker told reporters in Valletta at the start of Malta's six-month EU presidency. Juncker, the head of the 28-nation EU's executive arm, said that explained why he was personally going to Cyprus on Thursday as an observer to the talks if all goes well. "When it's about peace, you have to take the plane," he said. "When it's about peace, you have to take risks. When it's about peace, those who are taking no risk are taking the greater risk," he said. Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded in July 1974 in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece. The three days of talks involving Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades are set to wrap up Wednesday, with the parties presenting maps of their proposals for the internal boundaries of a future bi-zonal federation on the eastern Mediterranean island. If that goes to plan, they will be joined from Thursday for an international conference chaired by the UN's new secretary general, Antonio Guterres, and attended by representatives of the island's three guarantor powers -- former colonial ruler Britain, Greece and Turkey, plus Juncker. But deep divisions remain on core issues such as property, territorial adjustments and security. PRAGUE (AP) -- Czech lawmakers have overridden a veto by President Milos Zeman to approve legislation that limits the business activities of future government ministers. The law bans ministers from owning media organizations, and bars companies in which ministers have more than a 25-percent stake from receiving state subsidies and participating in public tenders. Finance Minister Andrej Babis, who owns two major newspapers and the Agrofert conglomerate which receives state subsidies, fiercely opposed the bill but said he doesn't plan to withdraw from the government. Zeman said the move is not in line with the constitution but Parliament's lower house overrode his veto in Wednesday's 129-49 vote. Babis' ANO movement is a favorite to win parliamentary elections in 2017, paving the way for him to become prime minister. By Jan Lopatka PRAGUE, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The Czech lower house on Wednesday overturned the last obstacle to a law putting limits on ministers' business activities, a rule that will force Finance Minister Andrej Babis to give up direct control of his chemicals and media conglomerate. The lower house voted overwhelmingly 129-49 to overrule a veto by President Milos Zeman and the approved amendment to conflict of interest legislation will enter force within weeks. Babis, billionaire owner of more than 250 companies, entered parliament and government with his ANO movement in 2013 and is the favourite to become prime minister after this October's election, as many Czechs trust his business approach and pledges to weed out graft in the political establishment. As number two on Forbes list of richest Czechs, worth $2.7 billion, Babis has been likened by media to incoming U.S. President Donald Trump or the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The new law will ban ownership of media for ministers, and also prevent firms in which ministers hold more then 25 percent from winning public contracts and discretionary subsidies. Babis's Agrofert group and other firms have received investment aid and have business interactions with the public sector. Babis said he never gained any unfair advantage from his political engagement. He said ANO, as well as Zeman, was likely to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court but he said he would comply with the law, without giving any details how. "I will fight for my rights. It is not normal that traditional parties, rotten with corruption, should close the door to people who have achieved something and want to help our country," he told reporters after the vote. "This law is meant to make me leave politics. I will not give the authors of this dirty trick the pleasure." BIGGEST EMPLOYER The Slovak-born Babis's firms are the country's largest private employer with more than 30,000 workers in sectors ranging from farming to chemicals, forestry and healthcare. Story continues He may transfer his assets, which include two daily newspapers and the most popular private radio station, to a trust fund to comply with the law, without selling the business. This echoes Italy which, under prime minister and media owner Berlusconi, passed a law in 2004 that restricted politicians from taking an active role in running companies. ANO leads most opinion polls with a double-digit margin over Prime Mister Bohuslav Sobotka's Social Democrats. As minister, Babis has introduced a measures to improve tax collection. He has spoken in favour of lower taxes, has been sceptical on adoption of the euro, and criticised Germany's refugee policy, calling for tighter border control. Babis's biggest trouble in office came last year after revelations the European anti-fraud body OLAF as well as Czech police have been looking into the legality of about 2 million euro in 2008 subsidies for his hotel and conference centre outside Prague. There has been no conclusion to the investigations. (Editing by Angus MacSwan) And here's why a university degree is no longer a golden ticket to success. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is looking at ways on how it can advance the construction work of some Build-To-Order (BTO) projects and build them ahead of their sales launches. This is to provide some flats with shorter waiting times to cater to couples in urgent need of new homes. Read full story here. Singapore on Monday demanded the immediate return of nine armoured troop carriers impounded by Hong Kong while in transit from Taiwan, calling the seizure illegal under international law. The November seizure of the Terrex vehicles by Hong Kong customs has triggered a row also involving China, which has sovereignty over Hong Kong and considers Taiwan a renegade island awaiting reunification. Read more here. In recent years, the idea that everyone should strive towards attaining a university degree has become a focus of debate for education in Singapore. Unlike the 80s and 90s, having a degree these days no longer guarantees one a high paying job. According to recent statistics published by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the graduate unemployment rate is currently 4.3% in Singapore, the highest since 2009. But here's why a university degree is no longer a golden ticket to success. More From Singapore Business Review (Corrects Sasse's state to Nebraska in the 7th paragraph) By Lisa Lambert WASHINGTON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - The debate over whether President-elect Donald Trump should fire the head of a U.S. consumer watchdog after taking office came to a boil on Tuesday, with congressional lawmakers sending off strong letters that dug into constitutional law. Republican senators pushing Trump to fire the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Richard Cordray, portrayed the agency as overreaching its authority. Meanwhile, Democrats said firing Cordray would advance a "Wall Street agenda" to escape federal oversight. The bureau, created in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law, was originally proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, to guard individuals against lending fraud. At the heart of the debate is a restriction that the president can only fire the director for cause. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is reviewing a recent court decision that the president should be able to fire the director at will. Some want Trump to remove Cordray for cause soon after his inauguration on Jan. 20, and not wait for the appeals court's decision. That could open the door for Cordray to sue. Senator Ben Sasse, a Republican from Nebraska, started Tuesday's fight with the tweet: "It's time to fire King Richard." Sasse, a member of the Banking Committee, and fellow Republican Mike Lee, of Utah, then released a letter to Vice President-elect Mike Pence saying the CFPB "combines the powers of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches into the hands of a few unaccountable Washington elites." Senator Sherrod Brown, the most senior Democrat on the Banking Committee, shot back with a statement that Cordray should stay until his term expires in 2018. "Under Richard Cordray's leadership, the CFPB has returned $12 billion to servicemembers, seniors, and working Americans who've been ripped off by shady debt collectors, for-profit schools, payday lenders, and huge banks like Wells Fargo," Brown said. Story continues The CFPB recently was part of a $190 million settlement with Wells Fargo, which was accused of creating phony accounts. In the House, 21 Democrats sent a letter to Trump saying no U.S. president has ever removed an independent agency head for cause. "While we understand that many powerful special interests would like to see Director Cordray leave, we urge you not to bow to their demands to initiate costly, meritless litigation, and we stand ready to oppose any efforts you may make to do so," they wrote. 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Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Moscow (AFP) - Nearly one fifth of active Superjet 100 aircraft have been grounded over a technical issue, the plane's Russian maker said Wednesday. After a general inspection ordered by Russian aviation authorities last month, aerospace giant Sukhoi launched a replacement program for stabiliser parts on certain SSJ-100 aircraft, a model launched in 2011 that is used by several Russian airlines as well as Mexico's Interjet and Ireland's CityJet. "The repair works are in process now and by the end of January the problem will be fully resolved," Sukhoi Civil Aircraft said in a statement. The statement said that 16 SSJ-100 aircraft were under repair, a figure that represents 20 percent of the whole fleet. Russian authorities last month ordered all Superjet SSJ-100 aircraft to be inspected after a technical defect was discovered in the stabiliser attachment bands of one aircraft. Sukhoi said at the time that the problem was "not of a systemic nature and can be eliminated within a few days." Russia's aviation agency in 2013 grounded the Superjets -- which have had technical issues with landing gear and leak detection systems since they came into service in 2011 -- before allowing them to resume flights. A Superjet performing at an Indonesian air show in 2012 slammed into a volcano, killing all 45 on board, in a crash Indonesia blamed on pilot error. Three of Sen. Jeff Sessions fellow congressmen took the unusual step of testifying against his nomination to be attorney general Wednesday, arguing in blistering terms that Sessions would roll back civil rights as the nations chief law enforcement officer. Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia and a leader in the civil rights movement, said Sessions call for law and order sounded similar to what he heard growing up in Alabama from pro-segregation officials who wanted to prevent black people from voting. I was born in rural Alabama, not very far from where Sen. Sessions was raised, Lewis said. And there was no way to escape or deny the chokehold of discrimination and racial hate that surrounded us. Lewis outlined in emotional terms the fight activists put up to pressure Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act into law, and said he did not believe Sessions would fight to protect those rights. It doesnt matter how Sen. Sessions may smile, how friendly he may be, how he may speak to you, Lewis said. We need someone who is going to stand up, speak up, and speak out for the people that need help for people whove been discriminated against. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who became the first sitting senator to testify against a colleagues nomination Wednesday, also said he was bothered by Sessions emphasis on law and order. America was founded heralding not law and order, but justice for all, Booker said. Law and order without justice is unobtainable. They are inextricably tied together. The congressmens testimony occasionally showed the tension their decision to speak out against one of their own had created. Booker said some of his colleagues were unhappy with him for breaching Senate etiquette with his decision to testify. I believe in the choice between standing with Senate norms and standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country, he said. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) criticized Bookers testimony on Twitter Wednesday afternoon. Story continues .@CoryBooker attacks on Jeff Sessions are so far-fetched I half-expected his make-believe friend T-Bone to be next witness. Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 11, 2017 Meanwhile, Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana dedicated part of his testimony to protesting Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, chair of the Judiciary Committee, for placing their panel at the very end of Sessions two-day hearing. To have a senator, a House member and a living civil rights [hero] testify at the end of all of this is the equivalent of being made to go to the back of the bus, Richmond said. A spokesman for Grassley said the members request to testify came after the hearing schedule was set, so the senator believed it was fair for them to go last. Each and every senator who casts a vote to confirm Sen. Sessions will be permanently marked as a co-conspirator in an effort to move this country backwards toward a darker period in our shared history, Richmond added. Three African-American witnesses supporting Sessions also shared the panel with the congressmen. After 20 years of knowing Sen. Sessions I have not seen the slightest evidence of racism because it does not exist, said William Smith, a former counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) testifies to the Senate Judiciary Committee as Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) listens during the second day of confirmation hearings on Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) nomination to be U.S. attorney general in Washington, Jan. 11, 2017. Reuters/Joshua Roberts Willie Huntley, who worked under Sessions as a prosecutor in the 1980s, said Sessions never demonstrated racial insensitivity. U.S. senators sometimes sail through confirmation hearings based on their rapport with colleagues. But Sessions, an early endorser of President-elect Donald Trump during the campaign, faces resistance from Democrats and others critical of some of his past statements and actions revolving around race. Still, its likely he will be confirmed, given that Democrats are in the minority in the Senate. Sessions called the Voting Rights Act intrusive in the past though he voted to reauthorize it under President George W. Bush and unsuccessfully prosecuted activists signing up black voters for voter fraud in the 1980s. In his testimony Tuesday, Sessions said he pursued that case at the request of black leaders in Alabama, and emphasized his role prosecuting Klan members for the murder of a black teenager. Sessions also testified that he would fight to protect all Americans rights and that he would uphold all laws, even those he disagreed with, such as the right to obtain a legal abortion. Read more from Yahoo News: New York (AFP) - Donald Trump was combative and in control at his first news conference in months on Wednesday, sticking to his campaign formula -- boasting of his successes, cracking jokes and slamming media he considers hostile. Journalists sat elbow to elbow, knee to knee in the crowded marble lobby of Trump Tower, clamoring with question after question nine days before the Republican is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Branding as "fake" an explosive and unsubstantiated report that claims Moscow holds deeply compromising information about him, Trump picked more than a dozen journalists to ask questions on topics dominated by Russia, but extending to healthcare, tax cuts and conflict of interest. It was vintage Trump: the former reality star and billionaire tycoon who loves nothing more than setting straight the record -- as he sees it -- praising some media outlets and laying siege to others. Through it all he pitched himself directly to his voters, raising his right hand or jabbing his right index finger to hammer home a point and glossing over details at one point as "very complicated stuff." It was standing room only, the lobby back decorated with a blue curtain and 10 US flags, and considerably larger than the briefing room at the White House where Trump will face the media post-inauguration. There were props and visuals: a table groaning with stacks of files over which he waved his arm as evidence of the steps he was taking to isolate himself -- but not divest -- from his company. His smartly dressed adult children stood to his right. Key aides such as son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon watched from the left. -'Germophobe' - A smattering of supporters on the sidelines whooped and applauded when Trump landed particularly funny or biting blows. His performance is a tried and tested formula: deny and deflect. No sooner had he admitted -- in a first -- the Russian hacking of US targets ahead of the election, than he deflected back to attacking his former presidential opponent Hillary Clinton. Story continues He began with politeness and praise for The New York Times and other outlets he previously criticized, for pushing back against the unsubstantiated political research report claiming that Russia holds compromising information about him. There was also defiance, as he called the intelligence services "disgraceful" for allowing "fake" information to be released to the public, saying it was "something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do." He assailed a CNN reporter, refusing to take his question, pointing his finger straight at the network's White House correspondent. "Quiet," he snapped at the reporter. "I'm not going to give you a question," he said. "You're fake news." He trashed BuzzFeed, which published a copy of the unverified report, as "a failing pile of garbage." "Another beauty," he said of the BBC when one of its reporters asked a question. And on the dossier itself, he came out swinging, presenting himself as a wise guy well versed against potential spying on foreign hotel rooms, be they in Russia or anywhere else. "Does anyone really believe that story? I'm also very much of a germophobe by the way. Believe me," he said to more laughter -- his hygiene obsession stuff of legend -- apparently referring to a detail in the report about supposed sex videos involving prostitutes. - 'You're fired!' - Then there was condescending Trump. "Oh gee, I never heard that before," he sniped when a reporter pressed him on his tax returns -- which he continues to resist releasing. Added to the mix was the hyperbole. "I will be the greatest job producer that God ever created," he said. Then were the snippets of Trump vanity such as comparing his wealth to that of Nelson Rockefeller, vice president in the 1970s, and demonstrations of his apparent altruism for the American people. For example, he claimed to have turned down a $2 billion deal last week in Dubai while his lawyer revealed that he would funnel payments from foreign governments to his hotels into the US Treasury. Then there was the "financial loss of millions of dollars" that he and his children had forgone by terminating pending deals at the Trump Organization after winning the election. Rather than personally present his plans to isolate himself from his Trump Organization, he brought out Sheri Dillon, partner in Washington law firm to do so, as he stood to the side. After a whirling hour of back-and-forth with the press, the end was sudden and abrupt: a joke at the expense of his sons, Donald Jr and Eric, who will run his company during his presidency. "I hope at the end of eight years I'll come back and say 'oh, you did a good job.' Otherwise I'll say you're fired!" One of the world's largest full service restaurant companies, DineEquity, Inc. DIN, announced four new multi-unit development agreements in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America. DineEquity operates through its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. Currently, the company has more than 3,700 restaurants combined in 18 countries and U.S. territories and over 400 franchisees. The company plans to double international locations by 2021 and the recently inked agreements covering five countries are likely to assist in the same. In Asia Pacific, the company plans to bring IHOP brand to Thailand and India. Ten locations are set to open in Thailand by 2021, per the multi-unit franchise agreement with King of Pancakes Co., Ltd. Meanwhile, another agreement with Kwals Catering Private Ltd. a subsidiary of Kwality Group calls for 20 locations to open throughout multiple states of Northern and Southern India by 2025. In the Middle East, the company plans to extend growth of Applebees brand via a development agreement with Mohammed Fakhro which includes the opening of six locations in Bahrain and Oman by 2023. Also, in Latin America, the Applebees footprint is planned to expand under an agreement with franchisee Collins Restaurant Group, whereby five new locations will be built in Panama by 2021. Bottom Line Shares of DineEquity have underperformed the broader RetailRestaurants industry over the last year. While the industry grew 0.4%, the companys stock dipped 8.5% in the same time frame. A soft industry backdrop and unfavorable currency translations have been hurting DineEquitys results along with most restaurateurs like YUM! Brands, Inc. YUM, The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc. STKS and McDonalds Corporation MCD, to name a few. Nevertheless, the companys focus on adding new territories based on its strategic growth plan and its 360-degree brand evolution efforts, bode well. It continues to see strong interest in building new restaurants and remodeling existing ones from its international franchisees. All of these should help in reinvigorating the performance of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017? Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>> 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 Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM): Free Stock Analysis Report McDonald's Corporation (MCD): Free Stock Analysis Report DineEquity, Inc (DIN): Free Stock Analysis Report The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc. (STKS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Dino Energy Corporation (OTC PINK: DINO) ("Dino" or the "Corporation"), listed on the US OTC Market, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a conditional and non-binding Letter of Intent ("LOI") dated January 10, 2017 in which Dino intends to acquire a solar power project in India ("Project") from Prestige Ocean Holding and Investments Ltd. ("Prestige"), a Hong Kong based company. On December 2, 2016, Prestige signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the Government of the province of Haryana, India, whereby Prestige plans to invest in a 100 MW solar power project in the province of Haryana. It is intended that Dino will acquire the Project through a vendor take back loan. The purchase price, the terms of the loan, and other relevant conditions will be negotiated and finalized at a later date after Prestige has signed a definitive agreement for the Project. READER ADVISORY: Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements and are based on future expectations, plans, and prospects for Dino's business and operations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Dino's forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof, and the Corporation disclaims any duty to supplement, update, or revise such statements on a going-forward basis, whether as a result of subsequent developments, changed expectations, or otherwise. In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Corporation is identifying certain forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the acquisition of the 100 MW solar power project in India. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause further events or results to vary from those addressed in the forward-looking statement include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties arising from the ability of Dino to successfully carry out the development of the solar power project in India; uncertainties relating to the ability to realize the expected benefits of from the solar power project in India; unanticipated or unfavorable regulatory matters; general economic conditions in the region and industry which Dino operates, and other risk factors as discussed in the Corporation's other filings made by the Corporation from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Story continues FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Dino Energy Corporation Eric Lawson, President and CEO Telephone: (403) 804-0036 Facsimile: (403) 228-3013 SOURCE: Dino Energy Corporation * Felda plantation deal with Indonesia upsets Malay workers * Felda workers say deal with Najib's friend was overpriced * Felda areas account for a quarter of parliamentary seats * Najib expected to call election this year * 1MDB scandal and economy are also headwinds for Najib * Felda planning roadshows to explain deal to settlers By Emily Chow SUNGKAI, Malaysia Jan 12 (Reuters) - The Malaysian plantation district of Sungkai has become an initial - and unlikely - battleground for an election that embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to call this year. Sungkai is home to ethnic Malays who work for the national palm plantation operator, Federal Land Development Authority (Felda). Known as "Felda settlers", they have long been among the beneficiaries of government affirmative action programmes for Malays, who form the majority of the population. The Felda settlers have been a rock solid vote bank for Najib's ruling coalition, even as urban Malays have poured into the opposition camp in recent years, alienated by a series of political scandals. Najib's coalition lost the popular vote in the last general election in 2013, but still won a majority of seats in Malaysia's gerrymandered constituencies. Malaysia's opposition is hoping the settlers could be the next to defect, which was why opposition lawmaker Rafizi Ramli on Sunday night was in Sungkai, a former mining town that now mainly relies on palm oil and rubber planting. The settlers have been angered by Felda's decision to purchase a 37 percent stake in Indonesian palm oil firm PT Eagle High Plantations for $505 million, more than a 100 percent premium based on its closing share price on Wednesday. FELDA'S DEBTS Eagle High is owned by one of Indonesia's richest men, Peter Sondakh, who has done a number of deals in Malaysia and is a longtime friend of Najib. Najib's office did not respond to requests for comment about the deal. Sondakh has not publicly commented about the deal in Jakarta. Story continues Just six months ago, Najib's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party secured a sweeping victory in a by-election in this constituency in northern Perak state. But on Sunday night, more than 300 people gathered on the lawn of a Sungkai resident under a dank tropical night to hear opposition lawmaker Rafizi Ramli tell the cheering crowd: "We will change our prime minister and our government." "Felda's debts are growing ... and the government will use the settlers money to pay it off," said Rafizi, a 39-year-old lawmaker from People's Justice Party (PKR). "If we don't stop this, the debt will be shouldered by our future generations." Felda has said the deal will not impact its existing commitments and programmes to improve the well-being of the settlers. Felda itself is planning a series of roadshows to convince settlers in its plantation areas of the deal's benefits. QUARTER OF PARLIAMENT Felda settlers are the majority voters in at least 54 of the 222 seats in the national parliament, and has helped bring the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition to power in every election since independence in 1957. Even the opposition's attempt to highlight a multi-billion dollar alleged money-laundering scandal at state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) that erupted in 2015 did not resonate with rural voters. The Felda issue, however, affects them directly. "All this while, UMNO has won the elections because there are 54 parliamentary seats in the Felda (settlers) areas. Now I am sure the sentiment has changed," said Mazlan Aliman, president of the National Felda Settlers' Children Society (ANAK). He estimates that over half of his association members and their families will vote for the opposition party if the Eagle High deal goes through. "If this happens, (Barisan Nasional) will lose in the upcoming elections," Mazlan said. Najib has to call elections by 2018, but a government source told Reuters he may do it earlier, possibly in the second half of this year. ELECTION HEADWINDS The prime minister is heading into the next election already saddled with the scandal around 1MDB, which has been investigated in a half-dozen countries for money laundering. His government said nearly $700 million of 1MDB money that wound up in Najib's personal bank account came from an unnamed Saudi. Yet Najib, who has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, retains a tight grip on UMNO by commanding a vast patronage system that spreads the largesse among ordinary Malays as well as party apparatchiks. He is wielding sticks along with the carrots: Anwar Ibrahim, the charismatic opposition leader, remains in jail on sodomy charges, activists and politicians have been charged with sedition, critical news websites have been closed. Rafizi, the lawmaker who spoke at the Sungkai rally, is himself on bail pending an appeal after he was sentenced to 18 months in jail for leaking a confidential 1MDB document. But the prime minister is fighting economic headwinds. The ringgit currency has fallen by more than a quarter over the past two years, prices have risen after state subsidies were slashed and a national goods and services (GST) tax launched, and economic growth is expected to slow in 2017. All that is being felt in rural Malay heartlands such as Sungkai, and is contributing to the sour faces over the Felda-Eagle High deal. FELDA'S FALLEN FORTUNES Felda, created by Najib's father and Malaysia's second prime minister, resettled and employed the rural poor in the palm industry. It helped lead Malaysia to become one of the world's two largest producers of palm oil, along with Indonesia. The settlers leased government land for palm cultivation and many also own shares in Felda Global Ventures (FGV), a unit of Felda that raised over $3 billion in a listing in 2012. But Felda's fortunes have slumped in recent years - its shares fell by over 60 percent since its IPO. The shares plunged another 5 percent on Dec. 23, when the Eagle High deal was announced. "This is a waste of money," said Khalili Kasim, a 64-year-old settler, saying Felda should be providing housing loans, or educational aid instead of putting money into Eagle High. "Land owners should be rich, but why are some of us still struggling and living under the poverty line?" Khalili said. But the opposition will be fighting an uphill battle to secure the votes of Felda settlers, who have long been loyal UMNO supporters. "In the lead-up to the elections, if they (UMNO) can develop measures that can persuade the voters ... then they can still mitigate the concerns arising from the purchase of Eagle High," said Ibrahim Suffian, director of independent opinion polling firm Merdeka Center. "But this is not a done deal; it is a developing story." (Editing by Praveen Menon and Bill Tarrant) Berlin (AFP) - Divers are planning an underwater search of Hamburg's port for missing merchandise manager Timo Kraus, who works for the city's Bundesliga club, local police confirmed on Wednesday. The 44-year-old father of two has not been seen since leaving a riverside bar in the city's port on Saturday night after meeting colleagues. The club has used their official Twitter and Facebook accounts to appeal for any information about Kraus' whereabouts. A signal from his mobile phone was last detected on the banks of the Elbe and police are now assuming he could have fallen into the river. On Tuesday, a police sniffer dog picked up his scent near the water and 100 metres away from the bar where Kraus was last seen. Hamburg police say a dive team will search the port "as soon as the current and weather conditions allow". Police are also eager to speak to the driver of a taxi Kraus got into which took him from the bar to the city centre, before he mysteriously returned to the port around midnight. "In Hamburg there are around 6,000 taxi drivers who do a good job, so it simply can't be that a driver, who is urgently sought as a witness, hasn't yet got in touch," said Hamburg police chief Juergen Schubbert. "A family is missing a husband and a father, a lot of people a friend and work colleague." Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f345042%2f96ad05a2-1a03-4c0f-b8c2-b3acf8474739 Donald Trump has some news for everyone who showered him with pee jokes: he's a germaphobe. During the president elect's press conference at Trump Tower on Wednesday, Trump responded to BuzzFeed's publishing of an unverified intelligence dossier on Tuesday. The document made several shocking allegations about his close ties to the Russian government, along with one very disturbing claim that he hired prostitutes to participate in a sex act on a hotel bed. SEE ALSO: Twitter strikes comedy gold with stream of jokes over Trump report Among the accusations released in the dossier, Trump was said to have hired prostitutes for a "golden shower" party which essentially just a shower of urine on a bed in a Moscow Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Report: Trump allegedly hired prostitutes for a golden shower party on Ritz Moscow bed where Obama/Michelle slepthttps://t.co/kkrva34ixT pic.twitter.com/XtQCX0UxQt Tom Namako (@TomNamako) January 10, 2017 Trump kicked off the press conference by swiftly denying the validity of the dossier, and though he couldn't bring himself to utter the word "pee," he did his best to assure America that specific portion of the document could not be true. Why? Because Trump hates germs, of course. HATES them! "Does anyone really believe that story?" he questioned before admitting, "Im also very much of a germaphobe, by the way." "Believe me, Trump said with a smirk that will probably haunt our dreams. Twitter users swiftly responded to the Germaphobe in Chief's statement, with a great deal of skepticism and of course, more pee jokes. Urine is relatively sterile Science https://t.co/P6sfKigQVg Xeni Jardin (@xeni) January 11, 2017 Trump is a germaphobe. There. It's settled.#TrumpPressConference Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) January 11, 2017 LINCOLN: 4 score and 7 years ago FDR: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself TRUMP: Im very much a germaphobe, when it comes to pee Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) January 11, 2017 If Trump is a germaphobe you'd think he'd be a little more careful about where he grabs women. #TrumpPressConference David Nitzsche (@david_nitzsche) January 11, 2017 things learned during The Presser: 1. hacking is bad 2. it shouldn't be done 3. trump is a germaphobe 4. Mallorie Sullivan (@malloriesullivn) January 11, 2017 Trump IS a germaphobe, fyi. I've personally seen him recoil from shaking hands (not mine, obviously..) many times. Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 11, 2017 'I'm very much a germaphobe' - Trump denies Watergate 2. Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 11, 2017 Regardless of what the people on Twitter think, Trump went on to explain that he couldn't possibly be caught in a situation like this, because he's smarter than technology. Story continues You see, Trump believes there are hidden camera is every hotel room, and basically any other place you'd never imagine. "Be very careful, because in your hotel rooms and no matter where you go youre going to probably have cameras," he warned. He knows a lot about hidden camera's. Maybe want to check Trump Towers if you book in there... Peter Dexter (@PeterDexter2) January 11, 2017 "You have camera in the strangest places. Cameras that are so small modern technology you cant see them and you wont know," he said. The president-elect brought his reflection to a close by offering us all some sage advice: "You better be careful or youll be watching yourself on nightly television." Thanks for the tip, Donald. Mashable reached out to The Trump Organization for comment on hotel camera policy. BONUS: In stunning exchange, Trump refuses to answer reporter from CNN President-elect Donald Trump sharply pushed back on a report that Russian agents had gathered compromising information on him, calling it fake news and crap. Flanked by his children and senior aides and advisers at his first press conference since July, the President-elect called a document that was released publicly by BuzzFeed a fabrication drafted by political opponents. Sick people, and they put that crap together, Trump said. I read what was released and I think its a disgrace, he told more than 250 reporters crammed into the atrium of Trump Tower. Ostensibly prepared by a former British intelligence official on behalf of Trumps primary and general election opponents, the document alleges that Russian agents have compromising material on the President-elect that would make him susceptible to blackmail. The document has circulated among reporters and inside government for months, but they have never been substantiated and suffer from several glaring errors. Nevertheless, intelligence officials briefed Trump on a summary of the report last week during a briefing on Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 campaign, as reported by CNN Tuesday. At the press conference, Trump publicly blamed Russia for the election-related hacks of the Democratic National Committee and a top aide to Hillary Clinton. I think it was Russian, Trump said, after months of repeated and emphatic denials. Trumps refusal to blame Russia for the hacking and damaging leaks drew criticism from even his own party on Capitol Hill, where there is broad bipartisan support for the intelligence communitys conclusions. The Russia comments came less than an hour after Trumps intended nominee for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, faced scrutiny over his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Tillerson admitted that he hadnt spoken with Trump about Russia policy and drew the ire of Republican Sen. Marco Rubio for failing to condemn the Russian leader as a war criminal or the organizer of crimes against his political foes. Tillerson also claimed he had no knowledge that his company engaged in lobbying against Russian sanctions. Story continues Before Trump took to the microphone, incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Vice President-elect Mike Pence delivered even harsher critiques of the press. Spicer called the decision by BuzzFeed to release the report as a sad, pathetic attempt to get clicks that was frankly shameful and disgraceful. Vice President-elect Mike Pence made a similar argument. With freedom comes responsibility and the irresponsible decision by a few news organizations to run with a false and unsubstantiated report can only be attributed to media bias, Pence said. Aides delivered piles of manila folders to a long table next to the lectern before the news conference began, as Trump looked to build the suspense for the event. According to Trump the documents they contain are the paperwork transferring control of his business empire to his adult sons. "Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood" ... "Media is fake!"..."Are we living in Nazi Germany?"..."I love Hispanics!" Perhaps historians will not have to dust off old books, but just surf the tweets of our future entertainer-in-chief. While Barack Obama was the first U.S. president on Twitter, president-elect Donald Trump's mastery of 140 characters is strategically disrupting two elite targets simultaneously: the mainstream media as well as traditional policy-making. First, Twitter gives Trump an unfiltered conversation with his followers who number nearly 45 million across all of his social platforms. Just on Twitter alone, the @realDonaldTrump has 19.5 million followers, compared to 12.9 million on the @POTUS account. He's ranked No. 70 of all Twitter users and his attentiveness score is 74 percent because he is tracked on over 50,000 Twitter lists according to Twitter Counter. This is the "mainstream media" in his world: Trump has more followers than The Economist, Reuters or Fox News. Secondly, social is an efficient medium with broad exposure: During the election, The New York Times estimated that he garnered almost $2 billion in media from his Twitter use, compared to Hillary Clinton's $746 million. Yet in terms of paid media, he only spent $10 million, slightly more than one-third of Clinton ($28 million). He also averaged only 11 tweets per day, compared to Hillary's 27 ( Wall Street Journal), and to a larger audience (Hillary ranks #153) Trump has promised that he will take over the @POTUS account after he is inaugrated and his use of it will be " very restrained." Don't count on it. Because the second target of The Donald's ire are wonky insider D.C. policymakers. And to disrupt them, is to think like a marketer, not a politician. Let's call it a new era of "policy by clickbait." Here, @realdDonaldTrump (the person) can test new strategic directions in real time on diplomacy, policy and public sentiment directly through likes and re-tweets the same way marketers optimize messages based on clicks and engagement. The best thing his approach accomplishes is that he can walk back policy by using the gray area between his personal brand and that of official administration policy. Story continues Consider how Trump , citing the high cost, tweeted a threat to cancel the new Air Force One contract and Boeing's stock dropped in under 20 minutes. The incoming press secretary Sean Spicer claims he will remain very active in continuing his use of this " direct pipeline to the American people." So imagine how the president-elect can influence his legislative agenda by reaching into any lawmaker's district with a late-night tweet. Soon daily press briefings might be more akin to social-media monitoring. That presidents have embraced the latest technology to communicate with the American people is nothing new. From Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats to Barack Obama discussing the Affordable Care Act on "Between Two Ferns" with Zach Galifiankis, Twitter likely will be Donald Trump's next step in the evolution of presidential communications. But as any social media expert knows, bots and trolls could provide misleading tips on what is truly resonating with the public. As Trump himself would tweet, "Sad!" John Gerzema is chairman and CEO of brand strategy firm BAV Consulting, which along with U.S. News & World Report and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, launched the inaugural Best Countries rankings at the World Economic Forum in January 2016. You may follow him on Twitter here. President-elect Donald Trump, who recently went on a Twitter rant following the premiere of Celebrity Apprentice, ended his first press conference in six months with Youre fired, the catchphrase he used while he was the host of the reality show. The sign-off came after the announcement that Trump would be relinquishing control of his business empire to his sons, Eric and Donald Jr., during his time in office so as to avoid conflicts of interest. This is all, so you understand, these papers are all just a piece of the many, many companies that are being put into trusts to be run by my two sons, Trump said at the end of the press conference, gesturing to a large stack of folders filled with paper. I hope at the end of eight years, Ill come back and Ill say, Oh, you did a good job. Otherwise, if they do a bad job, Ill say, Youre fired. Goodbye, everybody. The joke comes less than a week after Trump criticized Arnold Schwarzenegger, the new host of Celebrity Apprentice, on Twitter over the NBCs shows falling ratings. Wow, the ratings are in and Arnold Schwarzenegger got swamped (or destroyed) by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT, he wrote Jan. 6. So much for being a movie star-and that was season 1 compared to season 14. Now compare him to my season 1. But who cares, he supported Kasich & Hillary. Wow, the ratings are in and Arnold Schwarzenegger got swamped (or destroyed) by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT. So much for. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2017 being a movie star-and that was season 1 compared to season 14. Now compare him to my season 1. But who cares, he supported Kasich & Hillary Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2017 The Wednesday press conference, which also featured words from Sean Spicer, Mike Pence, and Trumps attorney Sheri Dillon, lasted slightly under an hour, and saw the President-elect insist Mexico will reimburse the U.S. for the building of the wall which he hopes to build sooner rather than later and dismiss the recent reports that Russian officials have compromising material on him as phony stuff. Fox, meet the henhouse. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday offered his fellow vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. the chairmanship of a commission that will examine "vaccination safety and scientific integrity," Kennedy claimed after meeting with the real-estate mogul. Kennedy said he has accepted that offer but Trump's transition team later said no decision has been made to either form the commission or put Kennedy in charge of it. Both Trump and Kennedy the son of slain Sen. Robert Kennedy have voiced fears about vaccines causing autism, fears that scientists have repeatedly determined to be without merit. "President-elect Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies and he has questions about it," Kennedy told reporters Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York City. "His opinion doesn't matter but the science does matter and we ought to be reading the science and we ought to be debating the science. And that everybody ought to be able to be assured that the vaccines that we have he's very pro-vaccine, as am I but they're as safe as they possibly can be." Hours after Kennedy and Trump met, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks, told NBC News that the president-elect was "exploring the possibility of forming a committee on autism" with Kennedy but that "no decisions have been made at this time." Trump two years ago blamed vaccines for causing autism. He later tweeted that he did not oppose childhood vaccinations, but said "I'm against them in 1 massive dose." "Tiny children are not horses one vaccine at a time, over time." The federal Centers for Disease Control has stated flatly that "vaccines do not cause autism," and specifically noted that there is no evidence that the vaccine preservative thimerosal, which contains mercury, likewise does not cause autism. Kennedy edited a book entitled "Timerosal: Let the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercury a Known Neurotoxin from Vaccines." Story continues That book argues that thimerosal, which has been used for the past nine decades in vaccines, causes autism. Kennedy has fought to allow parents to be given waivers from state policies mandating immunizations for public school children More From CNBC Donald Trump John Kelly Despite the acrimony around many of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet selections, the confirmation hearing for one of them, Homeland Security Secretary candidate Gen. John Kelly, appears to be going smoothly. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates introduced Kelly, saying the former general was "a man of great moral authority" who Gates would trust with his life. During the "lovefest," as Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp called to it, Kelly was asked almost nothing other than what Slate columnist Fred Kaplan called "softballs" and answered them with what Sen. Claire McCaskill, the top Democrat on the homeland security committee, referred to as "good answers." Kelly is the US military's longest-serving general, having retired from a 45-year Marine Corps career in 2016 as a four-star general, with US Southern Command as his last post. As the head of Homeland Security, Kelly would oversee several security and law-enforcement agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, and the Transportation Security Administration. Kelly's previous comments as leader of US Southern Command and statements he made during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday indicate that his approach to the Homeland Security department's duties may not always align with the Trump administration's stated policies. John Kelly Senate hearing During the hearing, Kelly said that he had no issue with"speaking truth to power," and many of his responses indicated that not only would he break from many of Trump's plans for US security policy, but that he also has an understanding of Latin America and the specific dynamics driving events there. Story continues "He does see everything from a really, strictly military perspective. He looks at threats and not so much at political trends or opportunities. So he's always looking at the worst-case scenario things, and you saw that a lot in his words and testimonies over the years," Adam Isacson, the senior associate for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, told Business Insider. "But that does mean that he at least is aware that violence is a problem, corruption is a problem, even sometimes that inequality and poverty are problems," Isacson said. An often-repeated element of Trump's foreign policy has been his intention to build a wall along the US border with Mexico a barrier Trump has said will staunch the flow of unauthorized immigrants as well as the crime and drugs the president-elect claims they bring with them. On this point, however, Kelly seems likely to break with the White House. General John Kelly Marine Corps military When asked about the wall during his hearing, Kelly replied that, "as a military person," he was aware that "physical defenses in themselves would not do the job." "My impression was that as a guy who liked inter-agency work with law enforcement and intelligence, [Kelly] would want more boots on the ground first. He'd probably want more technology first, maybe even more of a sort of a rearrangement around almost a military structure," Isacson said of Kelly's possible approach to border enforcement. "And I think Kelly would probably listen a lot to the people under him who've been doing this their whole careers," Isacson added, "and you don't find a lot of border-patrol agents who want to cover the entire border in a wall." As chief of US Southern Command, Kelly has for years dealt with many of the problems he would confront as Homeland Security chief drug-trafficking, migration, and cooperation with Latin American governments in particular. But Kelly's attitude on addressing issues like drug trafficking and human migration likely go beyond a strictly law-enforcement approach or other one-note, harsh responses offered by Trump or his surrogates. He has said border security cannot "be attempted as an endless series of 'goal-line stands' on the one-foot line at the official ports of entry or along the thousands of miles of border between this country and Mexico." "I believe the defense of the Southwest border starts 1,500 miles to the south, with Peru, which is very active in going after drug traffic," Kelly said in his comments before the Senate on Tuesday. And, during his tenure at Southern Command, he referred to "the near collapse of societies in the hemisphere with the associated drug and [undocumented immigrant] flow" as challenges to US national security. "They, most of the time, dont come here for any other purpose except to have economic opportunity and to escape violence," Kelly said on Tuesday, when asked by people from Latin America head north to the US border. He has supported increasing aid toward economic development and education and an emphasis on human-rights issues as means to address instability in the region, particularly restive parts of Central America. While head of Southern Command, he repeatedly asked Congress to make more money and resources available to the region, saying that countries in the region were turning to others states Israel, China, or Russia for intelligence or surveillance aid. Central American immigrants Kelly is "cognizant of the fact that the intelligence community and law enforcement agencies, as effective as they are, can only do so much," Peter Vincent, a former legal adviser at the Homeland Security department, told Business Insider. "He understands better than most that providing economic development and human rights support to our allies, especially those in the developing world, is absolutely essential to combatting violent extremism," Vincent added. "Assisting our allies in providing real economic and career opportunities to the otherwise marginalized, disaffected and disillusioned citizens of these countries is critically important to protecting the homeland." During his hearing on Tuesday, Kelly also broke from Trump's pronouncements on several key issues. He said he would "absolutely" adhere to laws prohibiting waterboarding and other forms of torture, despite Trump's insistence he would bring back that and "worse" forms of torture. When asked if he thought the World War II internment of Japanese Americans provided a model for a roundup of Muslim Americans, Kelly said it didn't but noted that he wasn't a lawyer. He also pushed back on the targeting of religion. "I don't think it's ever appropriate to focus on something like religion as the only factor (in counterterrorism)," Kelly said. "I don't agree with registering people based on ethnic or religion." John Kelly Iraq Islam Muslim US Army Marine Corps general On the issue of terrorism and security in the Western Hemisphere, however, Kelly's comments have raised questions. When asked why the southern border posed such a threat during a 2015 senate hearing, Kelly, then still the chief of US Southern Command, answered: "... theres 40,000 Americans that die every year from the drugs that move up through my part of the world, and ... into our homeland 40,000 people a year." "You know, since 9/11, there's half a million people have died from narcoterrorism ... Five hundred thousand Americans have died. Very few have died from, you know, traditional, if you will since 9/11. ... So I see that as a huge threat." While it's true that drugs kill about 40,000 people a year, at least one-third of them die from overdoses of legally prescribed opioids, which do not arrive in the US from Latin America. There also doesn't appear to be any official data supporting the claim of a half-million Americans killed by terrorism since September 11, 2001. Philadelphia drug bust seized evidence A 2014 study supported by the Homeland Security department put the number of US deaths from all kinds of post-September 11 terrorism at less than 100, and a RAND Corp. study found US terrorism deaths between 2001 and 2009 to be less than 100. Kelly, in referring to deaths from narcoterrorism since September 11, "is undoubtedly including the countless lives destroyed and lost as a result of drug addiction and overdoses in the United States," Vincent told Business Insider, "especially attributable to the opioid epidemic, as result of the massive amounts of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine trafficked into the United States by these transnational terrorist organizations." "You look at everything he said when he was at South Com he has a tendency toward hyperbole. He liked to use exaggerated phrases," Isacson told Business Insider. "When you're in charge of Southern Command, which is sort of like this little-brother command that doesn't get anywhere near the resources any of the others do, a little hyperbole before congress probably helps you to try to get some resources your way." 'He tells it like it is' While Kelly's oversight of US Southern Command involved many of the issues he will face as head of Homeland Security, the matter of immigration enforcement likely to play a central role of Trump administration policy was outside his remit. "One thing he has no record on is immigration. ... And would General Kelly be an enthusiastic executor of that kind of a policy?" Isacson asked, referring to Trump's proposals to deport millions of people from the US. "I met him many times, and I didn't get that impression of him." central america child migrants During the confirmation process, Kelly has indicated that he would pursue deportations in fitting with the law. "The Congress has passed longstanding laws making foreign nationals without legal status removable from the United States," Kelly said in written responses submitted to the Senate committe prior to his hearing, "and it is proper for DHS, like any other law enforcement organization, to faithfully execute the laws on the books." When pressed on the Trump administration's deportation policies, Kelly demurred, saying he had not been involved in the incoming administration's immigration-policy discussions, but he did say law-abiding undocumented immigrants would "probably not be at the top of the list" and that "the law will guide me." Asked about detaining illegal immigrants who hadn't faced trial previously, Kelly said, "I'm pretty committed to the Constitution." Isacson, who has said he doesn't know Kelly to have "antipathy" migrants, said deportations on the scale Trump says he wants to carry out would be a unique challenge. "Will he willingly and happily be somebody who splits up thousands, tens of thousands of families? I don't know," Isacson told Business Insider. "It's hard to picture." John Kelly Leon Panetta US military general According to many, Kelly seems especially prepared for some of the bureaucratic and organizational challenges he would face at the head of the Homeland Security department. "I found him to be extremely effective in coordinating multi-agency and multi-national efforts to combat both narcotrafficking and counterterrorism matters," Vincent told Business Insider. However, the complexity and cumbersome nature of the department may be exacerbated by the somewhat helter-skelter nature so far, at least of the Trump team's approach to government policy. Whatever the eventual edicts handed down from the White House may be, those who've commanded him seem confident about how Kelly will handle them. "He's a Marine; he tells it like it is," former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, to whom Kelly served as senior military assistant, told The New York Times. "The new administration will benefit from someone like John Kelly." NOW WATCH: Trump's attorney general pick was once denied a federal judge job over alleged racist remarks More From Business Insider UPDATED with CNN statement: I have great respect for the news, great respect for freedom of the press and all that, Donald Trump said today in his first full press conference in more than five months as controversy about Russias role in hacking last years American election swirled anew. While the President-elect praised Marvels CEO today, he certainly had no respect for CNN calling them a terrible organization. Originally scheduled for last month and starting about 15 minutes late, todays nearly hourlong presser was supposed to center on Trumps plan to divest himself from his business interests before taking office. But, as seems to always be the case with the author of The Art of the Deal, other matters have grabbed the spotlight. Its very familiar territory to give news conferences, I think we maybe won the nomination because of news conferences, the former Celebrity Apprentice host said right at the top of the presser. We stopped giving them because we were getting inaccurate news. cnn-logo-2 Thanking the media who didnt run the story that Buzzfeed broke yesterday about Russia having potentially damaging information on him, Trump said that it would be a tremendous blot on the intelligence agencies if it turned out that they leaked the material a theme he returned to many times. Trump later took aim directly at CNN for its reports on the matter and refused to take a question from the cable newser. Im not going to give you a question, he told CNNs Jim Acosta, who repeatedly tried to ask one. You are fake news. Watch a clip of their exchange below. About 15 minutes after the news conference ended, The Lead anchor Jake Tapper read a statement from CNN on the air: CNNs decision to publish carefully sourced reporting about the operations of our government is vastly different than Buzzfeeds decision to publish unsubstantiaed memos. The Trump team knows this. They are using Buzzfeeds decision t deflect from CNNs reporting, which has been matched by the other major news organizations. It represents the core of what the First Amendment protexts, informing the people of the inner workings of their government; in this case, briefing materials prepared for President Obama and President-elect Trump last week. We made it clear that we were not publishing any of the details of the 35-page document because we have not corroborated the reports allegations. Given that members of the Trump transition team have so vocally criticized our reporting, we encourage them to identify, specifically, what they believe to be inaccurate. Story continues Hollywood got a shout-out early on in the press conference on Wednesday. In his opening statement, Trump called Marvel CEO and longtime supporter Ike Perlmutter one of the great men of business, while noting his involvement with improving the lot of veterans. Perlmutter reportedly will serve as an adviser to the Trump administration on veterans healthcare. Trump also announced Wednesday just nine days before hes set to take office that his two adult sons and an longtime adviser will take over the running of his companies in a trust for his time in office. He also reiterated he has no plans to release his tax returns. The gathering at NYCs Trump Tower came as ex-ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, the President-elects choice for Secretary of State, began his confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill. As president, I could run the Trump Organization great great company and I could run the country and Id do a very good job, the ex-reality TV frontman told the media. I dont like the way that looks. RelatedThis Is Us Ratings Hit New Series High, The Mick Slips In Week 2 As Obama Farewell Dominates Earlier in the morning, the social media-loving PEOUTS responded more caustically on Twitter to reports that emerged late Tuesday claiming that both President Obama and Trump recently were made aware by the intelligence community that operatives of the Russian government have compromising personal and financial information about the PEOTUS. Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. Very unfair! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 I win an election easily, a great movement is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to leak into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 In his first significant talk with the assembled media since July when he said that Russia should hack Hillary Clintons emails, after seemingly repeatedly have digitally broken in to her campaign Trump started his remarks with a bullet-point listing of plans and accomplishments, as well as an announcement of who his Secretary of Veterans Affairs nominee will be. Playing the media, as he has done so many times in the past, Trump turned parts of the presser into a dispute about his adversaries. If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset not a liability, the PEOTUS told reporters before again claiming the Obama administration was responsible for the creation of ISIS and asking if Clinton would be tougher with Russia than him. I think it was Russia, Trump conceded of the hacking of the DNC, the Clinton campaign and others during the election, but I think we also get hacked by other counties and people. He added, We have much hacking going on. Hacking is bad and it shouldnt be done. Here is the exchange between Trump and CNNs Acosta: Related stories Obama's Farewell Speech Ratings Score For NBC & CNN 'This Is Us' Ratings Hit New Series High, 'The Mick' Slips In Week 2 As Obama Farewell Dominates Hollywood Bids Goodbye To President Barack Obama: "Here To Show Our Love", Says Shonda Rhimes President-elect Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a news conference. (Pool Video via ABC News) President-elect Donald Trump says hell turn to the tech industry leaders he met with last month to help his administration come up with better measures to guard against hackers in Russia and elsewhere. During todays first formal news conference since his surprise win since the presidential election, Trump referred to the summit that he had at Trump Tower in Manhattan with such luminaries as Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. He said that meeting attracted some of the greatest computer minds in the world. Were going to get those minds together, and were going to form a defense against future computer intrusions, Trump said. Later on, Trump gave a timetable: Within 90 days, we will be coming up with a major report on hacking defense, he said. How do we stop this new phenomenon, this fairly new phenomenon, because the United States is hacked by everybody. That includes Russia, and China, and everybody. Trump referred to a cyber security breach that compromised the personal information of 22 million people inside and outside the federal government. That intrusion, which targeted records held by the Office of Personnel Management, was detected in 2015 and traced to suspected Chinese hackers. He complained that media outlets didnt make a big deal out of that. (They did.) Trump also cited an analysis published last year by SecurityScorecard that ranked federal, state and local government agencies below 17 industry sectors when it comes to cybersecurity. The hacking defense issue came up in response to questions about intelligence findings that Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, tried to influence the election by breaking into email accounts associated with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee. After weeks of questioning the conclusions drawn by U.S. intelligence agencies, Trump signaled that he accepted the findings. Story continues I think it was Russia, but I think we also get hacked by other countries, he told scores of reporters at todays news conference, conducted at Trump Tower. Trump laid some of the blame on the DNC, which he said was totally open to be hacked. They could have had hacking defense, which we had, he said, referring to the Trump campaign. He and his spokesman, Scott Spicer, hit back at reports that the Russians had acquired compromising information about Trumps business dealings and personal life. Referring to Putin, Trump said, If he did have something, they would have released it. They would have released it just like they did about Hillary. Spicer called out BuzzFeed and CNN by name for publishing details about the purported Trump files, which have been circulating in intelligence and media circles for months but have not been independently confirmed. A two-page summary of the files was appended to an intelligence report that was shared with Trump last week, and BuzzFeed provided a more detailed rundown on Tuesday. Its a disgrace that information would be let out, Trump said. Its all fake news, its phony stuff, it didnt happen. He suggested that the information was leaked by maybe the intelligence agencies, who knows. If so, that would be a tremendous blot on their record, Trump said. One reporter asked Trump to confirm that no one connected with him or his campaign had any contact with Russia leading up to the campaign and the election, and then asked what hed say to Putin about Russias hacking campaign. Trump glided over the first question and went right to the second one. He shouldnt be doing it, he wont be doing it, the president-elect said. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when Im leading it than when other people have led it. You will see that. He shouldnt have done it. I dont believe hell be doing it more now. We have to work something out. More from GeekWire: (WASHINGTON) Donald Trumps pick for secretary of state, former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, adopted a tough new line on Russia on Wednesday, calling it a danger to the United States and saying he would have recommended a muscular response to Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea region. Both assertions appeared to contradict the views of the president-elect, who has repeatedly spoken of improving U.S.-Russian ties. Tillerson, a friend of the Kremlin and foe of sanctions in his corporate life, said last weeks intelligence report that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election was troubling and that it was a fair assumption Russian President Vladimir Putin would have personally ordered the intervention. He wouldnt call Putin a war criminal for Russian military actions in Syria, but said hed consider such a designation if he saw evidence. Faced with pointed questions from Democratic and Republican senators about his Russia ties and relationship with Putin, who awarded him the Order of Friendship in 2013, Tillerson sought to allay fears that either he or Trump would go easy on Moscow. But in a surprising revelation, he conceded that he hadnt yet discussed with Trump ideas for a Russia policy. On Russias Crimea actions, he said: That was a taking of territory that was not theirs. He said he had been caught by surprise by the step, while criticizing the Obama administrations response through sanctions on Russia, which ended up costing Exxon hundreds of millions of dollars. Going beyond Obamas approach, however, Tillerson said he would have responded to Russias actions against Ukraine by urging Kiev to send all available military units to its Russian border. He would have recommended U.S. and allied support to Ukraine, through defensive weapons and air surveillance, to send a message to Moscow. Story continues That is the type of response that Russia expects, he said in a response to questions from Sen. Marco Rubio, who offered Tillerson perhaps the toughest Republican questioning. If Russia acts with force, Tillerson said, they require a proportional show of force. Trump offered a sharply different account of Ukraine during the presidential campaign. In an August interview, he claimed Russia would not enter Ukraine, not seeming to know Russian troops were already there. He suggested Crimea didnt count because the peninsulas people preferred being part of Russia, restating Putins reason for taking the territory. As chief of Exxon, Tillerson had opposed economic sanctions championed by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. On Wednesday, he said sanctions are a powerful tool and they are an important tool in terms of deterring additional action. However, he said they could also send a weak message unless carefully crafted and applied on an international basis. Addressing some of Congress most experienced architects of U.S. sanctions, Tillerson declared that neither he nor Exxon to his knowledge had lobbied against such forms of economic pressure previously. But the company did lobby to try to influence sanctions legislation on Russia two years ago, congressional records and data from the Center for Responsive Politics show, and Tillerson made numerous White House visits, to no avail. Given a second chance on the subject, Tillerson sought to clarify his answer by saying his opposition came after sanctions were imposed and that he expressed security-related concerns. Unlike Trump, who has played down the intelligence communitys allegations of Russian malfeasance in the presidential campaign, Tillerson said he had no reason to doubt those conclusions. He stressed that he hadnt yet received a security clearance and read the classified report. After Rubio detailed the allegations of Russian hacking, propaganda and internet trolls to disrupt the electoral process, Tillerson said the public, unclassified report indicates that all the actions you have described took place. On whether Putin directed the initiative, Tillerson said, I think thats a fair assumption. Still, he said cooperation between Washington and Moscow remained desirable on many issues. Its a line that hardly differs from that of the Obama administration. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests, Tillerson said, accusing the outgoing president of failing to demonstrate American resolve and sending mixed signals to both friends and adversaries. TIllerson represents a break in a longstanding tradition of secretaries of state with extensive military, legislative, political or diplomatic experience. Yet his supporters point to Tillersons lengthy career as a senior executive in a mammoth multinational company as proof he has the management and negotiating skills to succeed in the State Departments top post, particularly when facing tough foreign governments. Tillerson stepped down as Exxon CEO at the end of 2016. I think its brilliant what hes doing and what hes saying, Trump said of Tillerson during a news conference in New York that occurred as Tillerson was testifying. He ran incredibly Exxon Mobil. When there was a find, he would get it. ___ Associated Press writer Richard Lardner contributed to this report. Jim Acosta, the senior White House correspondent, has made a name for himself throughout the 2016 presidential election. He monitored Donald Trumps at-home meeting with then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence ahead of his decision to pick the latter for his Republican ticket, snapped the viral photo of Trump meeting with former critic Mitt Romney, and countless other moments. Yet it was the veteran reporters encounter with a clearly agitated Trump during the president-elects Wednesday press conference that caught everyones attention. Following press secretary appointee Sean Spicers condemnation of BuzzFeed for its publication of an unverified report, and his erroneous inclusion of CNN in this line of criticism, Trump launched into a brief tirade against both outlets. When Acosta subsequently tried to ask ask Trump an unrelated question, the president-elect refused: ACOSTA: Since youre attacking us, can you give us a question? Mr. President-elect, since youre attacking TRUMP: No, not you. Not you. ACOSTA: our news organization, can you give us a chance? TRUMP: Your organization is terrible. After few more heated back-and-forths between the two, in which Acosta stuck to his script while Trump repeatedly denied the journalists requests, the latter finally brought the tense moment to an end. Dont be rude, exclaimed the president-elect, adding: Im not going to give you a question. You are fake news. Acosta managed to sneak his question to Trump thanks to ABCs Cecilia Vega, though the exchange beforehand was far more unsettling. The fake news insult repeated Trumps Tuesday night tweet about BuzzFeeds report. It also references, intentionally or otherwise, the Trump campaigns indirect relationship with the troubling social media trend that has popped up in the president-elects claims regarding illegal voting, the so-called PizzaGate conspiracy, and other forms. All of this is troubling in its own right, but Trumps apparent willingness to use the insult as a tool to silence reporters (as both Russia and Syria have done in Aleppo) suggests a far more nefarious future for the state of the press during the next four years. Story continues For starters, as political commentator Sally Kohn quipped on Twitter, the blacklisting of news outlets Trump doesnt like may soon begin. The Trump campaign maintained a media blacklist for much of the election for similar reasons, so why wouldnt the Trump administration do the same? UPDATE #1: CNN tweeted a response to Trumps trashing of their coverage. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f344187%2fcd3ba561-84b7-4965-bc83-c61a270afee0 The world discovered on Tuesday that Donald Trump was exploring the idea of a new commission on vaccine safety, and that the president-elect met to discuss the issue with one Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy is, worryingly, a man well-known for believing vaccines cause autism even though scientists have constantly debunked the claim. SEE ALSO: Trump asked a prominent anti-vaxxer to lead a commission on vaccines It may not surprise you even the tiniest amount to discover that Trump seemingly shares this belief, and has done for some time. While Kennedy and Trump's claims have little to no evidence to back them up, we have the following exhibits: Massive combined inoculations to small children is the cause for big increase in autism.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2012 Lots of autism and vaccine response. Stop these massive doses immediately. Go back to single, spread out shots! What do we have to lose. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2012 Autism rates through the roofwhy doesn't the Obama administration do something about doctor-inflicted autism. We lose nothing to try. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2012 If I were President I would push for proper vaccinations but would not allow one time massive shots that a small child cannot take - AUTISM. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2014 All caps for the people in the back, we guess. Story continues If those tweets, ranging from summer 2012 to 2014, are too dated for you, here's Trump during a 2015 presidential debate on the issue. He says "autism has become an epidemic" and links that epidemic to vaccinations administered in early childhood. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement in response at the time, calling Trump's claims "disproven" and "dangerous to public health." This was the American Academy of Pediatrics response when Trump raised his vaccine/autism theory in a GOP debate last year pic.twitter.com/UYutJegHri Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) January 10, 2017 Who knows what kind of power this new committee, if established, will wield over public policy. But if it does amass significant bureaucratic weight, we know what direction public policy could be headed. BONUS: As predicted, Donald Trump wakes up and rants about Meryl Streep on Twitter The Balmain fashion house, headed by Olivier Rousteing, has unveiled the first shots from its spring/summer 2017 campaign, starring several model recruits from the now famous "Balmain Army." Natasha Poly, Doutzen Kroes and Isabeli Fontana ramp up the glam in this latest series of ads. A single road in a barren desert hints at civilization in this new campaign backdrop picked by Olivier Rousteing. While the warrior spirit that underscored previous campaigns appears to have been toned down a little, this season's stars are still proud conquerors, glamourous yet strong, striding confidently as they showcase the label's spring/summer 2017 collection. Evidently, the label has recruited models from the Balmain army to front the new campaign. Doutzen Kroes, Natasha Poly and Isabeli Fontana -- who all starred in the SS17 runway show -- walk with determination, as if drawn towards a particular goal. Fluid and sensual The three female stars are joined by Spanish model Jon Kortajarena and Canadian model Gabriel Aubry, who also feature in a black and white menswear-only shot with Tony Ward. The campaign photos highlight two distinct lines within the Balmain spring/summer collection. On the one hand, the label's Amazon warriors can been seen adorned in floaty, fluid, semi-sheer attire in shades of khaki and saffron, with wild, almost untamed vibes. On the other hand, the collection's metallic creations shimmer and shine with gold and silver, for a sexier and more glamorous style. The campaign was shot by American fashion photographer Steven Klein, who previously shot the fall/winter 2016-2017 campaign starring Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Alessandra Ambrosio, Sasha Luss, Dilone, Joan Smalls and Jourdan Dunn. SANAA, Yemen (AP) Heavy fighting continued to rage Wednesday near the strategic Red Sea strait of Bab al-Mandab in western Yemen, leaving dozens dead and wounded, security officials said. Since Monday, fighters aligned with Yemen's internationally recognized President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi have been making advances and seizing more territory from Yemen's Houthi rebels, the officials said. Warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition provided air cover for Hadi's forces, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. The battles are part of the so-called Golden Spear operation launched by the coalition and Hadi's government and aimed at uprooting Houthis and allied forces from the western coast, starting from the strait of Bab al-Mandab and extending to the vital Red Sea ports of Mokha and Hodeida. The coalition accuses Houthis of using these ports to receive supplies of arms and ammunition from Iran. Fadl Hassan, commander of the 4th Military District, told The Associated Press that an advanced phase of the operation would be the liberation of the embattled city of Taiz, which is divided between Houthi rebels and pro-Hadi forces. The war in Yemen is entering its second year after Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and forced Hadi to flee the country. The Saudi-led coalition has waged an extensive air campaign since March 2015 aimed at restoring Hadi's government. The northern region remains under Houthi control. In Sanaa, officials and witnesses said that two airstrikes hit a gas station near a school in the Nihm district outside Sanaa, the capital. The airstrikes killed at least six civilians including children. They said that the school itself wasn't targeted in Tuesday's airstrikes. Meritxell Relano, the UNICEF representative in Yemen, condemned the attacks, saying that one child was confirmed dead and four others were wounded. The coalition has come under heavy criticism by international rights groups for carrying out attacks against civilians including schools, markets, hospitals and residential areas. More than 4,200 civilians have been killed and the fighting has left more than three million people displaced. Relano said in a Wednesday statement that a total 1,400 children have been killed and more than 2,140 wounded since the war started. She said about 1,400 of them had been recruited by the warring parties. Over 2,000 schools are no longer being used because they were destroyed, used as shelters for the displaced or occupied by fighters and used for military purposes. "Schools have to be zones of peace at all times, a sanctuary where children can learn, grow, play and be safe. Children should never risk their lives only to attend school," she said. Paris (AFP) - A swampy forest in central Africa the size of England covers previously unknown carbon stocks equivalent to three years' worth of global CO2 emissions, scientists revealed Wednesday. Draining these peatlands for agriculture, or reduced rainfall due to climate change, would release massive amounts of planet-warming greenhouse gases, they warned in a study published in Nature magazine. "We found 30 billion tonnes of carbon that nobody knew was there," said Simon Lewis, co-lead author of the study and a professor at the University of Leeds. "If the Congo Basin peatlands were to be destroyed, it would release billions of tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere," he told AFP. "Keeping that carbon locked up" should be a priority, he added. Peatlands are carbon-rich ecosystems that cover three percent of Earth's land surface, but store about a third of all soil carbon. Most peat -- dense, dark-brown muck composed of decaying plants -- is located in Canada, Scandinavia and Siberia, but the tropics hold large stores as well. Until the mid-20th century, it was often cut into bricks, dried and burned as a fuel. More recently, however, scientists have understood that peatlands, which are at least 30 centimetres (a foot) thick, harbour vast stores of carbon in the form of the greenhouse gases that are driving global warming. The Congo Basin peatland average about 2 metres (six feet) in thickness. Most climate change in caused by burning oil, gas and coal to power our economies, but a tenth of global emissions come from land use, mainly deforestation and agriculture. In Southeast Asia -- notably in Indonesia -- vast expanses of peatland have been stripped of wetland forests and drained to make way for commercial crops, especially palm oil. That process not only releases CO2 and nitrous oxide -- another potent greenhouse gas -- into the atmosphere, it also creates health-wrecking pollution when forests are burned. Story continues - Haven for gorillas - The Congo Basin's Cuvette Centrale peatlands -- astride the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo -- "are currently relatively undisturbed," said Emma Stokes, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Central Africa programme. "But palm oil is starting to happen in Africa," she said by phone, referring to the possibility of peatlands being sacrificed to make the way for plantations. "It is not an immediate risk, but we can't all sit back and not worry about it," she said by phone. And while there is some concern among climate scientists that global warming many be decreasing the area's rainfall, there is not enough evidence so far to know. Simon, who discovered the massive peatlands and helped map its contours, explained how a 145,500 square kilometre (56,000 square mile) patch could escape notice for so long. To start with, the buried organic matter does not form near rivers, which are often the only transport arteries in sparsely populated tropical forests. "You have to trek deep into the swamp to find it," Simon said. "Also, you can see peat from space." But you can distinguish ground cover. So once Simon and his colleagues realised that certain vegetation only grew on top of peatlands, they used satellite images to help map the Cuvette Centrale's contours. A small portion of the peatlands -- some 4,500 square kilometres (1,750 square miles) -- is already protected as part of the Republic of Congo's Lac Tele Community Reserve. Stokes, who lives nearby, is in discussions with the government about extending its boundaries, she said. "The area is home to some of the highest densities of gorillas in the world," she said. Forest elephants -- also threatened -- and many water birds also find haven there, partly because it is so remote from human population centres, she added. The dress Michelle Obama wore to the presidents farewell speech was significant All good things must come to an end, as they say, and last night both Barack Obamas presidency and his wifes years as first lady came full circle. At the presidents farewell speech, Michelle Obama donned a dress by American designer Jason Wu, poignantly wrapping up her years as Americas most beloved modern style icon. The choice of designer was significant. Back in 2009, when President Obama was first elected to office, Michelle wore a dress by the then 26-year-old Wu, at the time a relatively unknown designer, to her first Inaugural Ball with the president. It was a white, one-shouldered silk chiffon gown covered with Swarovski crystals and organza flowers, a dress Wu said he needed four friends to help create by hand. He told reporters at the time, I wanted the dress to reflect hope, fantasy, a dream [because] this is a pretty surreal moment were living in. Obama Home States Inaugural Ball Since then Wu has skyrocketed to success, thanks in no small part to the first ladys choice to wear his dress on that historic night, and to continue wearing his designs regularly since. Which brings us to the final POTUS speech. Looking chic as ever, yet decidedly somber, Michelle once again took the stage with her husband and one of their daughters, 18-year-old Malia (Sasha stayed home to prepare for an exam the next morning), in a custom dress by Wu. She paired the black dress, featuring long sleeves and a delicate lace overlay, with black pointy-toe pumps and delicate jewels for a polished look true to FLOTUS personal style. President Obama in Chicago Viewed next to the presidents dark suit and Malias two-tone black and white frock, the familys look possessed an undeniable funerary quality appropriate, perhaps, for the end of such a beloved presidency. President Barack Obama Holds Farewell Address In Chicago In his speech, Obama tearfully thanked his wife for her years as first lady, saying, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side. For the past 25 years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. You took on a role that you didnt ask for, and you made it your own. With grace and with grit and with style and with good humor. Your words couldnt be truer, Mr. President. Farewell to this incredible family. [Photo: Getty] Today, the Duchess of Cambridge resumed her royal duties for 2017 with a visit to the Anna Freud Centre in London, which shes worked with on numerous occasions to raise awareness of mental health issues. Wearing a 1,650 belted blue coat by Eponine, paired with teamed with her go-to navy pumps by Rupert Sanderson, Kate looked as elegant as ever for the trip to the childrens centre. But what we didnt expect to see was the 35-year-old wearing butterfly clips the hair clips that the female world couldnt get enough of back in the 90s. [Photo: Getty] [Photo: Getty] Back in the day, everyone from Sarah Michelle Gellar to Britney Spears used the iconic clips to twist their hair back and the accessories have made a comeback in the past year since 90s fashion reemerged on catwalks. Its not the first time the royal has brought back a retro trend. Last July, Kate was spotted wearing a hairnet during a commemoration service at the Somme the type a ballerina might wear to fix her perfect bun in place. But hey, anything the Duchess of Cambridge gives the royal seal of approval to must be a-go. So, butterfly clips and hairnets ahoy, we say. The Duchess has kept a fairly low profile over the festive period, stepping out with her family on Christmas Day to attend church and to attend church at Sandringham on Sunday (where she caused a stir by wearing a real fur hat), ahead of her birthday on Monday. Royal controversy erupts as Duchess of Cambridge emerges wearing fur hat Heres what turning 35 might mean for the Duchess of Cambridge Paris (AFP) - Rhinos signal gender, age, and sexual availability in their poo, said a study Wednesday which suggested mammals may use communal dung heaps as social networking sites. It is well known that animals communicate via chemical messages transmitted in urine -- think of dogs marking their territory -- but the data-transmitting role of dung, another waste product, has been unclear. A trio of scientists from South Africa and Germany extracted air from around dung pats of free-roaming white rhinos in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal, then analysed the scent in the lab. The team recreated the signature dung smell of territorial males and of females in heat, then spread the synthetic odours around the park to mimic fresh poo deposits. As expected, free-roaming territorial males, which are solitary, displayed different behaviours in response to distinct smells. When the odour was that of an intruder bull, the males revisited the dung pile often to keep close tabs on the movements of a potential territorial rival, sometimes assuming a "vigilance posture". Faced with the female-mimicking smell, the males spent a lot more time sniffing the odour advertising sexual readiness. The results suggested that dung smells "do transmit key information," the researchers wrote in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. This included the depositor's age, sex, and for females, whether or not they are in heat. "This is a vital step towards understanding why many mammals use communal defecation sites" called middens, said a Royal Society media summary. "It is likely that such sites are used in the same way we use social networking -- to 'read' the posts of others in their network and to leave posts for others." The white or square-lipped rhinoceros is the largest species -- the second largest land mammal after the elephant. It grazes on short grasses, is extremely short-sighted and relies heavily on smells for information on its surroundings. The Eagle Huntress, I Am Not Your Negro, Life, Animated, O.J.: Made in America and Weiner have been nominated for the Directors Guild of Americas award for top feature film documentary. The winner will be announced at 69th Annual DGA Awards on Feb. 4 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The DGA will announce the feature film nominees on Thursday. Its the first DGA nomination for all the nominated directors, who include Otto Bell for The Eagle Huntress, Ezra Edelman for O.J.: Made in America, Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg for Weiner, Raoul Peck for I Am Not Your Negro and Roger Ross Williams for Life Animated. All five films were shortlisted last month by the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its documentary feature award. AMPAS will announce its nominations on Jan. 24. Sony Pictures Classics bought The Eagle Huntress after its Sundance premiere and released the film on Nov. 2. Its grossed $2.5 million in limited release since then. The film is the story of a 13-year-old Mongolian girl named Aisholpan attempting to be the first female eagle hunter in her country. Its narrated by executive producer Daisy Ridley. O.J.: Made in America won the top feature award last month from the International Documentary Association. Its produced and directed by Ezra Edelman for ESPN Films and its 30 for 30 series. Made in America premiered at Sundance and was released in theaters in May before airing on ABC and ESPN. Life, Animated is produced by Julie Goodman and Roger Ross Williams for A&E IndieFilms. Williams won the directing award in the U.S. Documentary category at last years Sundance Film Festival for his story about coming-of-age story about Owen Suskind, who ceased speaking at 3 years old and found in Disney animation a pathway to language and a framework for making sense of the world. I Am Not Your Negro is based on James Baldwins manuscript for Remember This House as an account of the lives and successive assassinations of three of his close friends Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. Baldwin had completed 30 pages at the time of his death in 1987. Story continues Weiner looks at former Congressman Anthony Weiners life following his high-profile sexting scandal, focusing on his 2013 run for Mayor of New York City. Matthew Heineman won the DGAs documentary award last year for Cartel Land, centered on the Mexican drug war. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced 15 films on Dec. 6 as finalists for the Best Documentary Oscar: Cameraperson, Command and Control, The Eagle Huntress, Fire at Sea, Gleason, Hooligan Sparrow, I Am Not Your Negro, The Ivory Game, Life, Animated, O.J.: Made in America, 13th, Tower, Weiner, The Witness and Zero Days. Related stories Directors Guild TV Awards: 'Stranger Things,' 'Atlanta,' 'Westworld' Grab Nominations Directors Guild Selects Its Executive Director Jay D. Roth for Presidents Award 'I Am Not Your Negro' Trailer: James Baldwin Describes Race Relations in America (Watch) CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court on Wednesday approved a freeze on the assets of three human rights activists, one of them said, the latest twist in a five-year-old case in which NGOs are accused of receiving foreign funds to sow chaos. An investigating magistrate had already ordered the asset freezes, but they were subject to court approval. Egyptian rights activists say they are facing the worst assault in their history amid a wider campaign to erase freedoms won in a 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. The court on Wednesday froze the assets of Mozn Hassan, director of the Nazra for Feminist Studies, Mohamed Zaree, head of the Arab Penal Reform Organization, and Atef Hafez, director of the Arab Organisation for Judicial Reform. "They froze my assets today and seized those of my organization, the first time in history a feminist or women's rights organization gets its assets seized," Hassan told Reuters. She said she condemned the inclusion of her organization in the NGO funding case. The case has been revived in recent months, with many activists being summoned for questioning, banned from travel or having their assets frozen. In March, Nazra saw three employees questioned, including Hassan. She has also been banned from travel, which prevented her receiving the 2016 Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the "Alternative Nobel Prize", in person after she and Nazra won it. There was no comment on Wednesday from prosecutors, who have banned reporting on the legal details of the foreign funding case. (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein) From reality TV to mother of three -- Emily Maynard's life has certainly changed since her days of looking for love on The Bachelor. The former Bachelorette star, who rose to fame after getting engaged to Brad Womack on season 15 of The Bachelor, before later getting engaged to Jef Holm at the end of her season of The Bachelorette in 2012, reflected on her time collecting and doling out roses on Tuesday's Good Morning America. WATCH: 'Bachelorette' Star Emily Maynard Welcomes Baby No. 3 While Maynard said that she is watching Nick Viall's current season The Bachelor, and considers the franchise to be "the best TV on TV," she looks back at her time on the show through a difference lens, calling the experience a "train wreck." "I always say I should not give anyone any Bachelor and Bachelorette advice because it has kind of been a train wreck, to be quite honest. My time on the show was a bit of a mess," she confessed, adding that the only tip she would offer the show's current cast would be to "just have fun." Maynard definitely isn't a train wreck these days, but does admit that life with her three little ones is "crazy." The I Said Yes author married Tyler Johnson in June 2014, and the pair have two sons together: Jennings, 17 months, and Gibson, 3 months. She also has a 11-year-old daughter, Ricki, with late fiance Ricky Hendrick, who died in a 2004 plane crash. EXCLUSIVE: Emily Maynard Talks 'Crazy' 'Bachelor' Days, the Best Post-Show Strategy for JoJo, and 'Bad Chad' "I met [Johnson] at church before I did The Bachelorette, he really wanted nothing to do with me," Maynard revealed. "I told my girlfriend I met this guy and he could like, not be less attracted to me, he was in the friends zone." "With Jennings, my older boy, I was on cloud nine, like, everything was perfect. I couldn't wait to have another one. Then I got pregnant when Jennings was 6 months old," Maynard shared. "I was like, I don't have this thing figured out at all. I thought I did, and now it's like too late, we're already in this with a third kid." Story continues ...oh heavenly day... God is good! {Ricki and I are officially outnumbered!} A photo posted by Emily Maynard Johnson (@emilygmaynard) on Sep 17, 2016 at 10:15am PDT "It is crazy at our house all the time, but it's a lot of fun," she continued, adding that Johnson "is like the best dad ever... Jennings is obsessed with him, and I'm sure Gibson will be, too." ET sat down with Maynard at her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month, where she spoke more about adjusting to life with three kids. MORE: 'Bachelorette' Star Emily Maynard Shares Amazing Wedding Video See more in the video below. Related Articles On Tuesday night a love story premiered in the City of Lights! The stars of La La Land attended the Paris premiere of the film, coming off their historic wins at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone On Their Emotional Golden Globes Speeches Emma Stone stepped out in a red embellished Chanel dress and was joined on the carpet by her dapper co-star, Ryan Gosling, who sported a navy three-piece Todd Snyder suit. Gosling told reporters that he was "surprised" by all of the awards the musical picked up at Sunday's show. WireImage "We were just happy to get to make this film," the actor told the Associated Press. "[Director] Damien [Chazelle] worked for a very long time to get if off the ground. You know... I love musicals of the '50s, I thought that that was the thing of the past; I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to make one and so, really, that was enough. And then to see the response to the film and obviously to see all these people that I watched work so hard be acknowledged with these awards, it's certainly a wonderful surprise." La La Land won all seven of the categories in which it was nominated, including Best Actor and Actresses wins for Gosling and Stone. The pals and longtime co-stars caught up with ET's Kevin Frazier right after their wins to talk about preparing for the singing and dancing roles. WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Emma Stone Reacts to Andrew Garfield Kissing Ryan Reynolds During Ryan Gosling's Golden Globes Win "Emma had this in the bag, 'cause she'd just come off Cabaret, so I knew she'd be carrying me," Gosling insisted. "That's not true," Stone quickly interjected. "It's not -- you know it's not." For more from the cast of La La Land at the Golden Globes, watch the exclusive interview below! Related Articles The Lyons are coming back for a fourth season of drama and Cookie-isms. Empire has been renewed for Season 4, it was announced Wednesday at the Television Critics Association press tour by Fox Television Group Chairman and CEO Gary Newman. Alongside Newman, Fox exec David Madden said Season 4 will consist of 18 episodes. The fourth season will return in the 2017-2018 television season. Currently on hiatus, Empire returns with the back-half of its third season this spring on Mar. 22. The renewal is hardly a surprise, as Empire is one of the biggest hits to come to network television in the past decade. In its third season, the primetime family soap ranks as the top broadcast drama among adults 18-49 a title it has held through its entire run. Though its ratings dipped this year, Empire still finished out the first half of its third season with nearly 8 million overnight viewers for the midseason finale. For the 2016-2017 season, the show has averaged almost 16 million total viewers, becoming the show to nab Foxs largest total multi-platform audience. Empire has received numerous Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe nominations through its three seasons, including a Golden Globe win for star Taraji P. Henson, who has received back-to-back Emmy nods. Along with Henson who plays the breakout character Cookie Empire stars Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Yazz Gray, Trai Byers, Grace Byers, Gabourey Sidibe, TaRhonda Jones, Serayah, Bre-Z, Xzibit and Morocco Omari. The series is known for bringing on notable guest stars, including Mariah Carey, Taye Diggs, Phylicia Rashad, Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Marisa Tomei, Naomi Campbell, Ludacris, Adam Rodriguez, Rosie O Donnell and Andre Royo. Empire was co-created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. Ilene Chaiken serves as showrunner. Executive producers are Daniels, Strong, Chaiken, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo and Sanaa Hamri. Imagine Television produces with 20th Century Fox Television. Story continues Related stories Fox Reviving 'Love Connection' Dating Show With Host Andy Cohen 'The Mick' Gets Four More Episodes from Fox Fox Sets Premiere Dates for 'Prison Break,' 'Shots Fired,' 'Making History' Energy Fuels Inc. UUUU was a big mover last session, as its shares rose a little over 14% on the day. The move came after the company announced that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the companys 100%-owned Sheep Mountain Project located in the Crooks Gap Mining District of central Wyoming. This led to far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This breaks the recent trend of the company, as the stock is now trading above the volatile price range of $1.50 to $1.95 in the past one-month time frame. None of the estimates for this stock were revised over the past 30 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate also remained unchanged over the same time frame. Yesterdays price action is encouraging though, so make sure to keep a close watch on this firm in the near future. Energy Fuels currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) while its Earnings ESP is 0.00%. Energy Fuels Inc Price Energy Fuels Inc Price | Energy Fuels Inc Quote A better-ranked stock in the mining-non ferrous space is KAZ MINERALS PLC UNSP ADR EACH KZMYY, sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Is UUUU going up? Or down? Predict to see what others think: Up or Down Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017? Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>> 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 Kaz Minerals PLC (KZMYY): Free Stock Analysis Report Energy Fuels Inc (UUUU): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. By Alastair Macdonald VALLETTA (Reuters) - The prime minister of Malta, who will oversee the launch of Britain's negotiations to leave the EU, warned on Wednesday that the European Parliament could "scuttle" any Brexit deal and must be involved in talks. Joseph Muscat, whose government has the presidency of European Union ministerial councils until June, told a news conference he had rarely seen EU member states as united as they were in preparing to negotiate a deal he said must not leave Britain in a better position than it is in now as a member. Muscat, whose tiny country is a former British colony and traditional ally of London in Brussels, said he could not see that unity among the other 27 breaking down once British Prime Minister Theresa May launches negotiations by March. But he warned that the parliament, whose members will be campaigning for re-election in mid-2019 by the time they are asked to ratify whatever agreement is struck among the member states, posed a risk to completion of the deal. "I do see it as a real concern that a parliament on the eve of a European Parliament election might be in a mood to scuttle the whole deal as good as that deal might be. So I would look forward to the European Parliament to be onboard and kept privy to some of the negotiations." That is an argument which parliamentary leaders have used themselves in pressing for a full role in negotiating with Britain - something the states and the executive European Commission has resisted. They agreed last month to keep the lawmakers informed but that has disappointed the legislature. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, speaking alongside Muscat, said the EU needed to show that the departure of Britain did not mean the end of European integration. "If are considering the Brexit case as the beginning of the end, we would make a major mistake," he said. (Reporting By Alastair Macdonald; additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Jan Strupczewski) (Updates with comments on EU Parliament) By Alastair Macdonald VALLETTA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The prime minister of Malta, who will oversee the launch of Britain's negotiations to leave the EU, warned on Wednesday that the European Parliament could "scuttle" any Brexit deal and must be involved in talks. Joseph Muscat, whose government has the presidency of European Union ministerial councils until June, told a news conference he had rarely seen EU member states as united as they were in preparing to negotiate a deal he said must not leave Britain in a better position than it is in now as a member. Muscat, whose tiny country is a former British colony and traditional ally of London in Brussels, said he could not see that unity among the other 27 breaking down once British Prime Minister Theresa May launches negotiations by March. But he warned that the parliament, whose members will be campaigning for re-election in mid-2019 by the time they are asked to ratify whatever agreement is struck among the member states, posed a risk to completion of the deal. "I do see it as a real concern that a parliament on the eve of a European Parliament election might be in a mood to scuttle the whole deal as good as that deal might be. So I would look forward to the European Parliament to be onboard and kept privy to some of the negotiations." That is an argument which parliamentary leaders have used themselves in pressing for a full role in negotiating with Britain - something the states and the executive European Commission has resisted. They agreed last month to keep the lawmakers informed but that has disappointed the legislature. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, speaking alongside Muscat, said the EU needed to show that the departure of Britain did not mean the end of European integration. "If are considering the Brexit case as the beginning of the end, we would make a major mistake," he said. (Reporting By Alastair Macdonald; additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Jan Strupczewski) By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The United States has not satisfied the European Union's concerns about Yahoo's scanning of all customers' incoming emails for U.S. intelligence purposes, the bloc's justice chief told Reuters in an interview. The European Commission, the EU executive, asked the United States in November for clarifications on the secret court order served to Yahoo as part of its monitoring of a new transatlantic pact facilitating the exchange of personal data by businesses. To clinch an agreement on the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, as the data transfer framework is known, Washington pledged not to engage in mass, indiscriminate surveillance. That allayed Commission concerns for the privacy of Europeans' data stored on U.S. servers raised by disclosures of intrusive U.S. surveillance programmes in 2013 by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden. "I am not satisfied because to my taste the answer came relatively late and relatively general, and I will make clear at the first possible opportunity to the American side that this is not how we understand good, quick and full exchange of information," EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova said in the interview. While Yahoo is not signed up to the Privacy Shield and the scanning took place before the framework existed, the issue is a first test case of how the new system, which underpins $260 billion of trade in digital services, and the U.S. commitments on spying work in practice, an EU official said. The Privacy Shield allows businesses to seamlessly move Europeans' personal data across the Atlantic, whether for completing credit card transactions, hotel bookings or analysing browsing habits to serve targeted ads, while complying with strict EU data protection rules. "I understand that the American side, when it comes to national security issues, cannot be fully concrete," Jourova said. Nevertheless, she said, she still expects more detailed information on what happened and the reasons for which Yahoo was asked to scan customer emails. Reuters reported in October that Yahoo scanned all incoming emails for a digital signature linked to a foreign state sponsor of terrorism at the behest of an order from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The Privacy Shield foresees an annual review to ensure the United States is abiding by its commitments and that the framework is effective. The first annual review will take place this summer, under now President-elect Donald Trump. Jourova said she was not concerned by the incoming Trump administration but that she would closely monitor what he would do with the U.S. government's presidential policy directive on U.S. surveillance activities and a newly established U.S. ombudsperson office in the State Department to handle complaints from EU citizens about U.S. spying. "I would expect that Trump's administration would understand what is good and what is bad for business. This is good for business," she said, referring to the Privacy Shield. "We need to see that we can still trust." (Reporting by Julia Fioretti; editing by Mark Heinrich) By Francesco Guarascio BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The head of the euro zone banking watchdog said on Wednesday she had no concerns about how EU bank failure rules had been applied in the public rescue of Italy's Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. The Italian government and the EU supervisory authorities "are doing a good job" in the Monte Paschi case, Single Resolution Board chair Elke Koenig told a news conference. Rome used a clause in EU rules on banking liquidation to reduce losses on Monte dei Paschi's creditors when it decided to rescue the ailing bank in December. "I would not be concerned by that rule," Koenig said. The European Commission and the European Central Bank will assess the Italian government's rescue plan and the bank's business plan when they are finalised in coming weeks to check their compliance with EU banking and competition rules. Koenig added that the SRB, which is in charge of overseeing the orderly liquidation of failing banks, "is closely following all relevant developments in Italy and also in other member states". The EU's new rules on bank liquidation have been operational since 2016 and are aimed at reducing taxpayers' costs in bank bailouts. They were introduced after euro zone states provided a trillion euros in cash and guarantees to salvage lenders hit by the 2007-08 global financial crisis and the 2009-2012 euro zone debt crisis. Under the rules, a bank's creditors are required to bear heavy losses, in a so-called 'bail-in', before a lender can be bailed out with public money. But the exception to the rules, used by Italy, allows states to provide lenders in extraordinary circumstances funding for a 'precautionary recapitalisation" with lower creditor losses and without triggering a liquidation. Koenig said that some of the conditions for the precautionary recapitalisation were fulfilled, but declined to comment on whether a liquidation of Monte dei Paschi, Italy's third largest lender, would pose a threat to the country's financial stability - another condition for the precautionary recapitalisation. Story continues "Not all bank failures are a threat to financial stability," she said in a general remark about the state of the euro zone banking sector. The Italian government has also devised a mechanism to compensate Monte dei Paschi's creditors that were missold risky bonds. Koenig said compensation for misselling would be in line with EU rules but did not clarify who should bear the cost of such an operation, whether the Italian state or the bank itself. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Toby Chopra) Sofia (AFP) - The death toll from the cold snap hitting parts of Europe rose to at least 65 on Wednesday as Bulgarian authorities reported seven fatalities. They included a couple in their 80s, the only inhabitants of a village in the mountainous region of Smolyan in southern Bulgaria, who were found dead in their home on Saturday. Elsewhere in the country two Iraqi migrants died in a snowstorm, a couple both aged 55 were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty heating and a homeless man froze to death. Temperatures sank to minus 18 Celsius (minus 0.4 Fahrenheit) in the capital Sofia and Bulgarian authorities said electricity and gas demand have reached 20-year highs. Most of the deaths over the past week have been in central and south-eastern Europe, with homeless people and migrants stranded in Greece, Serbia and elsewhere most at risk. In Turkey snow over the weekend paralysed Istanbul, forced the closure to ships of the Bosphorus Strait and the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Maritime traffic on rivers including the Danube, one of Europe's busiest waterways, has also been severely hampered. In Greece on Wednesday, having been caught off guard and facing heavy criticism, the government sent a navy transport ship to the island of Lesbos, to house around 500 migrants still sleeping in tents. Greece also announced a nationwide week-long hunting ban because of the cold weather gripping most of the country. By Shihar Aneez COLOMBO (Reuters) - The European Union's executive on Wednesday proposed that the bloc reinstates a trade concession to Sri Lanka as an incentive to the government to promote human rights and good governance. The move, a victory for the new coalition government, could boost Sri Lanka's exports, which have been falling due to sluggish demand from advanced economies. The European Commission's trade commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, said the move could make a significant contribution to Sri Lanka's development by increasing exports to the EU. "But this also reflects the way in which we want to support Sri Lanka in implementing human rights, rule of law and good governance reforms," she said in a statement. The removal of customs duties was granted again in exchange for Sri Lanka's commitment to ratify and implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour conditions, protection of the environment and good governance. The move would be accompanied by rigorous monitoring, the commission said. It will become effective in four months if the European Parliament and the Council do not raise objections. Sri Lanka lost the concession in 2010 after then-president Mahinda Rajapaksa rejected international demands to address human rights abuses allegedly committed during a 2009 offensive to crush a Tamil insurgency. Since ousting Rajapaksa in January 2015, the coalition government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to address the alleged abuses via an impartial mechanism that meets international standards. Sri Lanka's garment industry, which produces clothes for some of popular brands such as Victoria's Secret, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, and Marks and Spencer, estimates the trade concession helped it save $500 million each year. The EU is Sri Lanka's second-largest importer of goods after the United States, accounting for about a fifth of its total exports. (Reporting by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Angus MacSwan) BRAZZAVILLE (Reuters) - A former opposition leader in Republic of Congo was arrested on Tuesday for arms possession after months in hiding, police said. Okombi Salissa, who lost last year's election to President Denis Sassou Nguesso, but accused the longtime leader of rigging the poll, had an arrest warrant out against him since December for holding weapons. "This arrest was made without violence. It is part of an investigation against (Salissa), concerning an attack on state security," the police said in a statement. The country's chief prosecutor Andre Oko-Gakala in November presented to the public weapons supposedly found at the home of Salissa's wife. The size of the arms cache or its intended purpose was not immediately clear. Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, another opposition candidate, was arrested and charged last June with illegally holding ammunition and arms. (Reporting by Christian Elion and Philon Bondenga, writing by Edward McAllister, editing by G Crosse) Photo credit: Getty Images From ELLE DECOR Donald Trump has tapped his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a senior adviser. Kushner, who is married to Trump's eldest daughter Ivanka Trump, has for the past decade run Kushner Companies, the umbrella corporation that oversees the family's many real estate holdings. Transition officials said Monday Kushner will step down from the post and divest some of his assets in order to comply with federal ethics laws that apply to government employees. Here's a look at what is known about the Kushner family's investments: Real Estate Photo credit: Courtesy of Kushner Companies The Kushner family principally deals in real estate, owning or managing properties in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois and a handful of other states. According to the company's website, Kushner owns or manages 20,000 apartments, 13 million square feet of office space and industrial properties. Its holdings in Manhattan include tenement walk-ups on the borough's Lower East Side, an Albert Wagner-designed historic building in the city's trendy SoHo neighborhood and a 41-story midtown Manhattan office tower he purchased in 2007 for $1.8 billion in a highly-leveraged deal. The company is also building luxury towers in Jersey City, New Jersey, and recently acquired a cluster of buildings previously owned by the Jehovah's Witnesses, including their so-called Watchtower headquarters, along the Brooklyn waterfront. Transition officials say Kushner will resign as CEO of Kushner Companies and divest his shares of the skyscraper, 666 Fifth Avenue, by selling them at market rate into a trust run by his mother. Media Photo credit: Getty Images In 2006, at age 25, Kushner purchased a New York media and culture publication, The Observer, for $10 million. Earlier this year, the publication announced it would cease printing its editions on its trademark salmon-colored paper, instead offering its content exclusively online. The company that owns the National Enquirer, American Media Inc., has denied that it is in talks to take over The Observer. Story continues Last July, during the presidential campaign, Kushner penned a piece in the publication defending his father-in-law against claims he hadn't sufficiently renounced support from anti-Semitic boosters, writing in his opening line: "My father-in-law is not an anti-Semite." Transition officials say Kushner is resigning from his role at The Observer. Other Holdings Photo credit: Getty Images Exactly how all of Kushner's money is invested isn't entirely known. His company also lends money, providing financing to other real estate developers via the Kushner Credit Opportunity Fund, a so-called peer-to-peer lender that isn't subject to the same financial regulations as most banks. His brother, Joshua, is a co-founder of the technology-minded health insurer, Oscar Health, which rents office space in a building that Kushner's company owns. Joshua Kushner also is a partner in a venture capital firm called Thrive Capital that says it invests in technology companies. Jared Kushner has a stake in that business, but transition officials say he'll sell it to his brother. Some of those include Instagram, which Facebook acquired for $1 billion in 2012, an app called Vostu, Paperless Post, Group.Me and a company that rates commercial buildings in the U.S. for their internet connectivity. Transition officials say Kushner is resigning from all of his other partnerships, trusteeships and divesting from 35 investments. You Might Also Like By Faith Hung TAIPEI (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding (BABA.N), which is awaiting regulatory approval for a $45 million fund it is participating in, has promised the Taiwanese government it will not take board seats at local firms the fund invests in, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. The fund is being raised by China Development Financial Holding (CDF) (2883.TW), one of the island's biggest financial holding firms, and the Chinese e-commerce giant is planning to take a 29.99 percent stake. The deal has yet to be approved by Taiwan's Investment Commission despite an application three months ago, raising concern that the fund may be rejected amid a chill in political relations with China. It follows a $300 million Taiwan Entrepreneur Fund that Alibaba founder Jack Ma announced in 2015 but while the start-ups that the fund has invested in so far are based in Taiwan, they are not incorporated in Taiwan. Beijing cut off an official communications channel with Taiwan in June, after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen declined to commit to the "One China" principle that Taiwan is part of China. In a sign of heightened tensions, Taiwan scrambled jets and navy ships on Wednesday as a group of Chinese warships led by China's sole aircraft carrier sailed north through the Taiwan Strait. Other business deals have been affected. In November, Taiwan's ChipMOS Technologies said it scrapped a planned $373 million stake sale to China's Tsinghua Unigroup due to uncertainty about Taiwanese regulatory clearance, the second deal in eight months involving Unigroup and a firm in the island to fall through. The source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject, said Alibaba's investment plans offered benefits to Taiwan startups. "Alibaba can offer Taiwan entrepreneurs assistance to enter markets not only in China but in Southeast Asia as well," said the source. The commission said that it was appropriate to take a more cautious approach to investments from China. Story continues "We welcome foreign investments, and Chinese investments in principle as well," said Emile Chang, the commission's executive secretary. "But the review process is stricter." Representatives for Alibaba did not respond to requests for comment. Other investors in the fund include Quanta Computer (2382.TW), a supplier of Apple Inc (AAPL.O), and Far EasTone Telecommunications , said the source. (Reporting by Faith Hung; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Edwina Gibbs) It's Lisa Rinna vs. Kim Richards round two? Three? Who knows. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars go head-to-head again on Tuesday night's all-new episode. In the preview, the ladies confront each other at Kim's sister, Kyle Richard's, game night. "I never said anything about your husband, [Harry Hamlin]," Kim starts, and immediately there's an issue. Kim did kind of say something about the actor back in season five, when she suggested there was a secret Lisa was hiding about Harry while the cast was in Amsterdam. "Yes, you did," Lisa responds. "How dare you! Are you kidding me?" WATCH: Kim Richards in 'Such a Good Place' After Becoming a Grandma Kim later confessed that she didn't really have any dirt on Harry, and just made the suggestion to fight back against Lisa, who was questioning her sobriety at the time. That topic seemingly comes up again on Tuesday's episode. "Let's talk about your arrest," Lisa fires back, referencing Kim's 2015 shoplifting case. "I really didn't expect it to go down the road it went," Kim told ET in December at the show's premiere party in Beverly Hills. "I wasn't expecting the drama again, the way it did. But you know, it's the Kim and Lisa [dynamic]. What can I say? It happens." "Well, what can you expect from me?" Lisa said at the time. "I will bring it, always." WATCH: Lisa Rinna Gushes Over Model Daughters "Kim and Lisa Rinna, I don't think, will ever be the same after Amsterdam," Kyle offered. "They tried to do the right thing, and be civil and all that, but it just doesn't seem to go well... ever. And I think at some point, you kinda got to say we're just never going to get along and see you later." The ladies' drama will seemingly expand this season to include new cast "friend," Eden Sassoon. At least, according to returning co-star Camille Grammer. Story continues "I have a storyline that weaves in a bit with Kim, and Eden and Lisa Rinna, so we'll see," she said. "There's a lot going on inside of [Eden]. She's a recovering alcoholic and so is Kim, so there's an interesting weave of a storyline there. So, we'll see." Viewers met Eden on last week's episode, when Lisa and Erika Girardi visited her Pilates studio. While Eden was credited as "Lisa's friend," Lisa admitted that's not the case. WATCH: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Cast Reveals Season 7 Secrets "It looks like I bring Eden into the group, but I actually don't," Lisa confessed. "I just happen to live very close to where her Pilates studio is, so let's be at least honest, shall we? We will always be honest. I get to know Eden. I knew who she was, and of course, I always was in awe of her father, [Vidal Sassoon]. I meet her on the show, I do not bring her on the show." Still, that doesn't mean a friendship isn't formed. "I've never had an enemy in my entire life," Eden told ET, but added that her "sassy" personality might not gel with all the women. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo. For more scoop on the new season courtesy of Erika, watch the video below. Related Articles Grey's Anatomy star Camilla Luddington is enjoying her pregnancy journey, and she's even sought out advice from her co-stars as she prepares for the birth of her first child. "What's wonderful about our culture on set is everyone's so supportive of each other. I'm a first-time mummy, so it's been amazing to pick the brains of the other girls and say, 'Is this OK? What do you think of this? How do you like this?" Luddington, 33, told ET at Disney/ABC's Television Critics Association all-star cocktail party. RELATED: 'Grey's Anatomy' Star Camilla Luddington Debuts Baby Bump on Instagram It's been baby central over on the Grey's set; Ellen Pompeo recently welcomed her third child and Caterina Scorsone gave birth to her second child in November. FilmMagic RELATED: 'Grey's' Star Camilla Luddington Pregnant With Her First Child "It's been great to be surrounded by so many moms," the British actress added, revealing that she's already thought about future dream dates on set. "In my head, I'm imagining huge play dates mid-O.R. scene!" But don't expect Luddington's pregnancy to be written into the show. As the actress revealed, it's become increasingly difficult for the producers to find unique ways to hide her growing baby bump. "I'm already in trouble," she admitted. "I think they're getting to the point where they might have to green screen/CGI it out actually, which they really do! Any time Justin [Chambers] hugs me, he's like, 'I can feel the bump!'" Though Luddington was coy about the sex of her baby, she promised that she would be announcing it shortly. "Probably next week," she shared. As for the future of Jo and Alex, Luddington hopes they can resolve their issues and get back together. RELATED: Did 'Grey's Anatomy' Write in Caterina Scorsone's Real-Life Pregnancy? Story continues "I am Team Jolex, but they're just so messy," she said, referencing the fall finale when Alex seemingly decided to turn himself in. "And with the midseason finale, it was really difficult to film. I'm really rooting for them. I know he's doing this for her. It's a dramatic return." Additional reporting by Angelique Jackson. Grey's Anatomy returns Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Related Articles The Trump rally has helped push the broad markets to new highs, and with earnings season kicking off on Friday, we can see what this rally is made of. In the meantime there are a couple of other companies reporting ahead of this that might give some insight on what is to come. Separately, 24/7 Wall St. has put together a preview of the major banks reporting this week that are kicking off the earnings seasons. Here, we have included the consensus earnings estimates from Thomson Reuters and the stock price and trading history, as well as some additional color on each. ALSO READ: JPMorgan Makes Big Changes to US Analyst Focus List for January Keep in mind that the earnings and revenue estimates may change ahead of the formal reports, and some companies may reschedule reporting dates as well. First, Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) is scheduled to report its fiscal fourth-quarter financial results before the markets open on Thursday. The consensus estimates from Thomson Reuters call for $0.82 in earnings per share (EPS) and $9.37 billion in revenue. The same period of last year reportedly had EPS of $1.18 and $9.5 billion in revenue. Wall Street analysts have long lauded Delta for the most extensive hedging policy among the airlines, and it owns and operates a refinery in addition to a sizable hedging book. Merrill Lynch has noted that while the stock has underperformed the broad markets over the past year, if bookings and the economy spike in 2017, the companys stock multiple stands to benefit the most among the major carriers. ALSO READ: SunTrust Has 5 Contrarian Favorite Power/Utility Stocks to Buy for 2017 Shares of Delta were trading on Wednesday at $51.14, with a consensus analyst price target of $59.07 and a 52-week trading range of $32.60 to $52.76. The fiscal second-quarter earnings report from FuelCell Energy Inc. (FCEL) is set for release before the opening bell as well. The consensus estimates predic a net loss of $0.37 per share and revenue of $23.6 million. In the same period of last year, FuelCell reported a net loss of $0.38 per share and $51.45 million in revenue. Story continues Recently, FuelCell announced the acquisition of an operating megawatt-class fuel cell project that generates in excess of 11 million kilowatt hours annually. The installation has been operating for roughly five years, with the owner selling power and steam to Central Connecticut State University under a multiyear power purchase agreement. FuelCell captures recurring and predictable monthly electricity sales by acquiring the project. Although this will not have a significant impact on the earnings report, it will play a role for FuelCells operations going forward in 2017. ALSO READ: Jefferies Has 5 Top Biotech Stocks to Buy for 2017 Shares of Fuelcell were last seen at $1.90. The consensus price target is $3.63, and the 52-week range is $1.60 to $8.88. Related Articles Facebook launched its Journalism Project on Wednesday, as the worlds biggest social media network looks to deepen its relationship with news organizations. The launch comes less than a week after the company said it was hiring former CNN reporter, anchor and host Campbell Brown to lead its news partnerships team. As part of the new project, Facebook said on Wednesday it would focus on improving its current storytelling formats such as Live, 360, and Instant Articles. Facebook said it would test a feature using Instant Articles to allow readers to see multiple stories at a time, as a package, from their preferred news organizations. The company said it would work with third-party organizations to promote news literacy and help users decide which sources are trustworthy and would also continue to work on curbing hoaxes. Facebook faced criticism in the last couple of months that it did not do enough to tackle the problem of fake news stories on its platform during the U.S. presidential campaign. We care a great deal about making sure that a healthy news ecosystem and journalism can thrive, Fidji Simo, director of product at Facebook, said in a blog post. (http://bit.ly/2j6l1u9) Facebook also said on Wednesday it would explore the introduction of advertising breaks in regular videos. The company has previously tested the ad format for Facebook Live. CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) One by one, family members of nine slain black parishioners confronted Dylann Roof for the last time Wednesday, shouting at him, offering forgiveness and even offering to visit him in prison as he awaits execution for the slaughter. The 22-year-old avowed white supremacist refused to meet their gaze and simply stared ahead, his head tilted down slightly as it had been for much of his trial. "Dylann," Janet Scott said quietly as she started speaking. "Dylann! DYLANN!" she said, her voice rising. Toward the end of her remarks, she said, "I wish you would look at me, boy." Scott, an aunt of 26-year-old Tywanza Sanders, the youngest victim killed in the massacre, demanded that Roof look at her as she talked about her nephew's "great big heart," which could not be donated because of the police investigation. The final statements came a day after jurors sentenced an unrepentant Roof to death. The gunman had one final opportunity to ask for mercy but instead told jurors he still "felt like I had to do it." On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel formally confirmed the sentence, saying "This hate, this viciousness, this moral depravity will not go unanswered." Some family members already testified at Roof's trial. The formal sentencing hearing gave 35 of them a chance to speak directly to him, without prosecutors or the judge interrupting or asking questions. Roof also had an opportunity to speak but declined to say anything. He is the first person ordered executed for a federal hate crime. Some of the relatives looked directly at Roof. Others chose to look at jurors, who did not have to be in court Wednesday but told the judge they wanted to attend. Sheila Capers, the sister-in-law of Cynthia Hurd, said she prayed for Roof's soul to be saved. "If at any point before you are sentenced and you're in prison and you want me to come and pray with you, I will do that," Capers said. Story continues Felicia Sanders, who survived the attack, said she forgave Roof, repeating comments she made after the shooting. But, she noted, Roof did nothing to save himself. He served as his own attorney during the sentencing phase and never explained the massacre, expressed remorse or asked for his life to be spared. Sanders brought the bullet-torn, bloodstained Bible she had with her on the night of the June 17, 2015. She told Roof he still lives in her head, and that when she hears a balloon pop or fireworks, it returns her to that night. "Most importantly, I can't shut my eyes to pray," Sanders said. On the night of the shooting, Roof sat through a 45-minute Bible study session at the black church known as Mother Emanuel with 12 others. He opened fire as they stood and closed their eyes for a final prayer. In all, he fired 77 shots. Each victim was hit at least five times. Three people survived. Roof told one of them he was sparing her life so she could tell the world he was killing the worshippers at Emanuel AME because he hated black people. The willingness of some of the relatives to forgive the gunman was widely discussed in the days after the killings. But that did not mean they felt his life should be spared. And there are others who said forgiveness is still a work in progress. "You are Satan. Instead of a heart, you have a cold, dark space," Gracyn Doctor, the daughter of DePayne Middleton-Doctor, said, expressing hope that Roof would "go straight to hell." When he was arrested, Roof told FBI agents that he wanted the shootings to bring back segregation or perhaps start a race war. Instead, the slayings had a unifying effect as South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its Statehouse for the first time in more than 50 years. Other states followed suit, taking down Confederate banners and monuments. Roof had posed with the flag in photos. The jury convicted Roof last month of all 33 federal charges he faced. He insisted he was not mentally ill and did not call any witnesses or present any evidence. Roof, who also faces murder charges in state court, plans to appeal the federal case. Prosecutors say he will remain jailed in Charleston until the state charges are resolved. No trial date has been set. ___ This story has been corrected to show Felicia Sanders was not the survivor Roof spared to spread his message. It also corrects the spelling of Dylann in a headline. ___ Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard and Alex Sanz contributed to this report. ___ Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP . Read more of her work at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/meg-kinnard/ . Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/jeffrey-collins . Fans of Disneyland, we have some major news: You may soon be *paying* for your FASTPASSES No one wants to trek all the way to Disneyland only to then have to stand in line for 45+ minutes for Space Mountain. Thats why its so great that Disney has their FASTPASS system that basically lets you make a reservation to ride a ride. Its pretty cool and can save a lot of time, which is absolutely magical. But, in the true spirit of Disney the one that is constantly evolving, changing, and trying to make things better Disneyland is about to drastically switch up their FASTPASS system and this is BIG. A few years ago, Disney World switched up their FASTPASS system, so that you cannot obtain a FASTPASS ticket at the ride, and instead, have to reserve it in advance (whether way in advance, or day-of). Its actually really convenient for planning out your day. Now, Disneyland is following in Disney Worlds footsteps. The Disney Parks Blog has just announced that, first up, Disneyland is adding two brand new FASTPASS attractions: Disneylands Matterhorn, and California Adventures Toy Story Midway Mania. A photo posted by @simply_shaybay on Oct 25, 2016 at 3:48pm PDT On top of that, youll also be able to book FASTPASS in advance. Hooray for thatbut itll cost you. Yup. Disney has never, ever charged for FASTPASS before, but hey, theres a first time for everything. This new FASTPASS system, Disney MaxPass, is kind of a two-for-one deal available via the Disneyland App: Youll be able to download, and save, all your PhotoPass pictures throughout the day, AND, you can use it to book FASTPASS in advance. However, according to Disney Parks Blog, the MaxPass will cost you $10 a day to use. BEFORE YOU START FREAKING OUT, you can still snag a *free* FASTPASS at the attractions in the park, and itll still be first-come, first-served as to return time. But, being able to book FASTPASS in advance does sound like a pretty good idea A photo posted by FastPass (@fastpassfacts) on Aug 22, 2016 at 6:56pm PDT A photo posted by Disneyland Anaheim (@disneyland_allfun) on May 20, 2016 at 4:40pm PDT Though not spelled out in the Disney Parks Blog post, but this will be a per-person thing. So, if youre going to the park with your family of five, or your five best friends, youll ALL need to have the MaxPass to reserve the same time to ride Space Mountain. Disney MaxPass is expected to launch sometime in 2017, where you can purchase it for the day, your length-of-stay at the parks, or if youre an annual passholder, for the year. While it is certainly shocking to think about paying to secure a time to ride a ride, it also sounds hella convenient. Were kinda excited to try out this new system, even though it might cost us a few extra Disney dollars. The fate of American Apparel has been revealed Sealing the fate of an iconic but flailing (and, over the years, problematic) made-in-the-U.S.A. brand, American Apparel was purchased at auction yesterday by clothing wholesaler Gildan Activewear after filing for bankruptcy twice in the last two years. The Canadian company, based in American Apparel founder Dov Charneys hometown, Montreal, bought AAs intellectual property rights meaning, essentially, the right to its branding and some of its manufacturing equipment for $88 million. Gildan said in a press release that it will separately purchase some of American Apparels inventory to ensure a seamless supply of goods to [Gildans] printwear channel. The Gildan sale did not include any of American Apparels 110 retail locations, however, leaving many wondering where theyll be able to purchase those oh-so-soft cotton basics. American Apparel brand bought at bankruptcy auction by Montreal-based Gildan Activewear. Price of $88M US doesn't include retail assets. CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) January 10, 2017 While AA has famously manufactured its products in Los Angeles since 1997, 90% of Gildans employees are located overseas, mostly in the Caribbean and Central America. And according to the Los Angeles Times, its expected that Gildan will lay off the majority of AA workers in Southern California; American Apparel preemptively warned 3,500 employees in December about the possible layoffs. Things have been going south at American Apparel for the last few years. The company hasnt turned a profit since 2009 and has been racked by scandal after scandal, leading to the oust of Charney its founder and CEO in 2014 and its first Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2015. It emerged from bankruptcy in 2016 but filed again in November that year with a debt of $177 million. Story continues That filing marked the beginning of the bankruptcy court-supervised auction of American Apparel, starting with a purchase bid of $66 million by Gildan. The Canadian company upped its bid after retailers including Forever 21, Amazon.com, and brand licensor Authentic Brands Group expressed interest, ultimately winning the auction. Come to think of it, now that American Apparel is Canadian-owned, we can just shorten it to A-A-Eh?!? DennisVanStaalduinen (@DenVan) January 10, 2017 The sale will be reviewed in bankruptcy court on Thursday, and Gildan says it expects to complete the transaction by early February. After that, the future of American Apparel is uncertain. The father of the 10-year-old boy who was killed in August while riding the worlds tallest waterslide at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, spoke out about the accident on Monday. Kansas State Rep. Scott Schwab, who had just been sworn in as a leader of in the Kansas House, became emotional as he reflected on what happened to his son Caleb. When your bill dies, or your amendment fails let it go, Schwab said according to The Kansas City Star. Life isnt worth wasting too much emotional energy on such things. I just want you to know, it could get worse. Schwab spoke in front of state lawmakers as the Kansas Legislature returned for the first day of the 2017 session. Caleb Schwab was at the water park with his family when he was killed moments after going on Verruck (German for crazy or insane), the worlds tallest waterslide. Local authorities confirmed Calebs cause of death was due to a fatal neck injury later acknowledging that he was decapitated in the accident. In November, Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts issued a statement about the incident, announcing the demolition of Verruckt. All of us at Schlitterbahn have been heartbroken over the tragedy that occurred on Verruckt. In our 50 years of providing an environment for families and friends to gather, weve never experienced this kind of devastating event, the parks statement to PEOPLE read. The safety of our staff and our guests is our top priority. We are parents and grandparents ourselves and many of us have ridden Verruckt with our own children and grandchildren over the years it operated. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. EDENTON, N.C. (AP) A North Carolina father faces a prison term after being convicted in the death of his 9-year-old son in a drunken driving wreck. Robert Altman, 47, was sentenced to between roughly 5 and 7 years behind bars for felony death by motor vehicle in the death of his son, Briar, multiple media outlets reported. Briar Altman was thrown from the pickup truck on Aug. 30, 2014. Robert Altman also was sentenced to two years for drunken driving. Testimony and evidence in Chowan County Superior Court last week showed Altman drove 75 mph on a narrow, rural road after leaving a pig-picking where he drank beer. Evidence also showed he had a blood alcohol content of .21 percent. The legal limit in North Carolina is .08 percent. Also in the truck was Briar Altman's older brother, Mason Bateman, who was 14 at the time. Altman's truck ran off the right side of the road, swerved back into the opposite lane and skidded sideways, flipping at least twice into a bean field, the evidence showed. Altman and his sons were thrown from the truck; none wore seat belts. Briar ended up beneath the cab of the upside-down pickup. Mason Bateman testified he was knocked out, recovered and tried unsuccessfully to lift the truck off his brother. The jurors rejected a second-degree murder charge. Prosecutors brought the charge based on Altman's previous convictions for drunken driving and other vehicle crimes including driving without a license and reckless driving. The prior convictions could have demonstrated malice, a necessary element of the murder charge. Altman cried when photos of his dead son were shown to the jury. Court filings indicate he has appealed the convictions. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Five bodies have been found on a Native American pueblo on the outskirts of Albuquerque, believed to be two missing sisters and their three children, but authorities said Tuesday that foul play wasn't suspected in the deaths. The bodies of a child and an adult woman were found Tuesday on the Santa Ana Pueblo, said Frank Fisher, a spokesman for the FBI in Albuquerque. Another woman's body was located Sunday in a rugged area of the Santa Ana Pueblo, and two children's bodies were discovered Monday in the same area. Fisher said the recovered bodies appear to be two women and three children listed Saturday in an Albuquerque Police Department missing person's bulletin. "Autopsies are pending to determine the cause of each death, but foul play by another party is not suspected at this time," Fisher said in a statement Tuesday night, adding that the Office of the Medical Investigator will attempt to identify the bodies. Authorities have said sisters Vanessa George, 25, and Leticia George, 20, of Albuquerque were missing, along with Vanessa George's two children 4-year-old Zoe Becenti and 1-year-old Chloe Becenti plus Leticia George's 1-year-old daughter. Fisher said the body found Sunday in a rugged area on the Pueblo has been identified by relatives as Leticia George. A white pickup truck with front-end damage was found abandoned in the area where the bodies were discovered, but Fisher wouldn't speculate if the victims died of exposure. "That's part of the investigation going on," he said. "We want to see the autopsy results." The Albuquerque police flyer described Vanessa George as endangered and missing with her children. It also said she was the victim of domestic violence by her estranged boyfriend who was the father of her two children. Court records show the man pleaded not guilty after being charged Dec. 29 with battery against a household member. The police flier said he was released from jail the next day. The man was interviewed and said he last saw the missing people Thursday on the pueblo north of Albuquerque, according to the flier. He doesn't have a listed telephone number. Updated with Nexstar comment: Nexstar Broadcasting has the all-clear for its $4.6 billion acquisition of Media General after the FCC said this morning that it approved the deal waiving a ban on transactions while the agency conducts an auction of broadcasters airwave spectrum. The companies overcame Justice Department objections in September when they agreed to divest seven stations. Nexstar currently owns or operates stations in 62 markets, while Media General is in 48. With the divestitures, the combined company will reach 38.9% of U.S. households, just barely under the national ceiling of 39%. Upon closing the transaction Nexstar will continue its initiatives across the combined entity to deliver superior, unique local content and services to viewers and businesses in each of the communities it serves, CEO Perry Sook says. Regulators rejected objections raised by Cox Communications, Dish Network, the American Cable association, the Communications Workers of America, Free Press and other consumer groups. The distributors said that the merger would give Nexstar too much market power, especially to set prices in retransmission consent negotiations. Others said that the companies hadnt demonstrated that the deal would benefit the public. But regulators said that no substantial and material question of fact has been raised about whether the union would hurt the public. Regarding retransmission negotiations, there is no apparent reason for the Commission to step in without evidence of anticompetitive practices or other wrongdoing not apparent here, the order says. And they determined that a merger could serve the public. For example Nexstar said it would be economically feasible as a result of the merger to create news bureaus in Albany, NY; Austin, TX; and Nashville, TN. It promised to examine the viability of creating state news bureaus in Alabama, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Story continues In addition, Nexstar would have stations in 20 of the top 50 markets to support the Washington DC news bureau, and all of its 171 stationswould benefit from topical Washington DC coverage, the FCC order says. Nexstar shares are up 5.5% in mid-day trading while Media General is up 2.9%. Related stories AT&T And Time Warner Say Their Deal Shouldn't Require FCC Review Big Media Count On Donald Trump To Jolt The Economy & Encourage Dealmaking AT&T Tells FCC: DirecTV Now Data-Free Pricing Poses No Threat To Competition On Jan. 21, one day after Donald Trump takes office as president, more than 200,000 people are expected to participate in the Womens March on Washington. Protest rallies are also planned across at least 30 cities nationwide, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. These are the female celebrities participating in the march or have expressed their solidarity. An emerging feud emerging between CNN and President-elect Donald Trump could break news and the business of producing it. The Time Warner-owned cable-news network found itself in an unusual position Wednesday during a chaotic press conference held by the President-elect. The network that strives to appeal to the broadest swath of viewers, liberal and conservative, was branded as an outlier by the next inhabitant of the nations highest office. Your organization is terrible, Trump said to Jim Acosta, CNNs senior White House correspondent, who tried to get the president-elect to answer a question during a press conference broadcast across many TV and digital outlets. You are fake news! The accusations may have come as a surprise to CNN executives. CNN is as prevalent a news brand as USA Today more so, in an era of continued revenue downturns and employee cutbacks in the newspaper industry. Thanks to recent investments, CNN now has a perch in the digital and social frontiers, as well as on the TV screen. Yet CNNs relationship with the Trump administration isnt just a matter for the journalists who toil on shows like New Day or The Lead with Jake Tapper. Soon-to-be President Trump has made it clear he feels the media is biased. It remains to be seen if the only penalty for incurring his ire is to deny a question, said David Caputo, a professor of political science at Pace University in New York. Looking forward, President Trump and the media will likely have a contentious relationship. How contentious remains to be seen. At issue is a report made Tuesday by CNN, noting that a two-page synopsis of memos containing allegations against Trump had been included in classified materials presented last week to both the incoming president and President Barack Obama. CNN was first to report the memos, but took pains not to reveal their contents, many of which are salacious and unsubstantiated. The matter was complicated by BuzzFeed, a digital-news upstart with which CNN has sparred in recent months. CNN has taken shots at BuzzFeeds business performance on Twitter and recently lured away an influential team of political reporters. Soon after CNN made its report on air and online, BuzzFeed printed the contents of the memos, even though its own team had not substantiated them. Story continues That distinction appeared to elude the incoming Trump administration, and CNN pressed it forward in a statement released Wednesday. We are fully confident in our reporting. It represents the core of what the First Amendment protects, informing the people of the inner workings of their government; in this case, briefing materials prepared for President Obama and President-elect Trump last week, CNN said. We made it clear that we were not publishing any of the details of the 35-page document because we have not corroborated the reports allegations. Given that members of the Trump transition team have so vocally criticized our reporting, we encourage them to identify, specifically, what they believe to be inaccurate. CNN declined to make executives available to elaborate beyond its press statement. On CNNs air, however, anchor Jake Tapper spelled out why the president-elects response was worrisome. When Mr. Trump went after our own Jim Acosta, saying hes fake news and he isnt going to call on him, what I suspect we are seeing here is an attempt to discredit legitimate, responsible attempts to report on this incoming administration with irresponsible journalism. That hurts us all. A breakdown in the networks relationship with Trump could be cause for concern for many parties. A refusal to take questions from a particular media outlet suggests the Trump administration might try to freeze out any outlet that raises issues not to its liking. And the fracas erupts as CNNs parent, Time Warner, has agreed to merge with AT&T, pending regulatory reviews and other conditions, in a deal valued at $85.4 billion. Could a president angered by CNNs journalism work to scuttle the deal? In October, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson made plain that he valued journalistic independence for CNN. Trumps method of handling the press is a break with decades of White House tradition. For an American president, answering questions from the news media comes with the turf, whatever your opinion of the reporter, the outlet or the question itself, said Peter Slevin, an associate professor at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism. It was worrisome enough that Donald Trump had not held a press conference since July, but when he refused, in a fit of pique, to take questions from certain reporters and berated their organizations, he set a lousy example for the country and a troubling precedent for his presidency. CNN is locked in a perpetual battle for viewers not only with TV rivals Fox News Channel and MSNBC, but also national news outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post, as well as a new tranche of digital players, like BuzzFeed. Most relationships between sources and media outlets have their ups and downs. But if Trump continues to slam and cut off CNN, its journalists will have to work harder at other means of gaining information, suggested Slevin. I suspect hell learn the hard way that good reporters react to rejection by pushing harder for answers, he said. Related stories Trump Clashes With Media at First Press Conference Trump Calls BuzzFeed 'Pile of Garbage,' Refuses to Take CNN Reporter's Question at First Press Conference How to Watch Donald Trump's Press Conference Online Throughout the African continent, individual donors are reshaping conservation modelsand transforming the concept of luxury travel. On a day in late January 2016, a team of antipoaching specialists employed by African Parks flew by helicopter to a GPS point deep in the western reaches of Gambella, a 1,954-square-mile national park in Ethiopia close to the border with South Sudan. They were investigating why one of the four elephant collars that African Parks was monitoring in the area had stopped transmitting. When they arrived on the scene, in a floodplain near the Gilo River, they found five dead elephants, including the collared cow. The animals had been shot by poachers, who had attempted to conceal the carcasses in grass but had yet to remove their ivory. After an hours toil in a 5-foot-deep swamp, the African Parks specialists and their colleagues from the Ethiopian Wildlife and Conservation Authority were able to retrieve only one tusk. Recently enlisted by the Ethiopian government, the Johannesburg-based African Parks was functioning with limited resources. The conservation groupwhich works in eight countries across Africa, rehabilitating 23,000 square miles of wildernesslacked the full operational mandate to start the boots-on-the-ground antipoaching work for which it is known. In fact, to have the helicopter present at all when the collars transmission ceased was a curious stroke of luck. The helicopter had been chartered from Kenya for a group of international donors who were visiting Gambella with Peter Fearnhead, the CEO of African Parks. Rather than vacationing at a five-star safari lodge, these five travelers were negotiating a remote swath of the continent to see what this tract of wilderness had left to saveand if it merited their philanthropy. I, too, was in Gambella during the poaching incident. The moment was overwhelmingboth for the beauty of the landscape, peppered with rare Nile lechwe and elegant shoe-billed storks, and for the bleakness of the situation. Witnessing the wet blood on the ivory, and the silence of the rangers when they came back into camp carrying the lone tusk, I experienced an entirely different emotional response than I had at any other time in my years of reporting on poaching and conservation issues. I thought of the glittering fund-raisers I had attended for African wildlife, where Prince William and others cast their celebrity magic dust about the room. All of this helps, of course, but to witness the stench of death in the field, to observe the strength of men and women doing this work, to walk the sun-scorched earth among elephants whose behavior is changing out of fear for their lives, strikes at the core of what makes us human. Story continues It is a story I have been covering closely for the last few years, on trips into parts of the African continent where frontline conservation is taking place but mainstream tourism has yet to penetrate. These assignments, largely for the Financial Times, have taken me to 13 African countries, including Chad, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. At times, the facts and figuresan elephant is killed every 15 minutes, a rhino every 8 hourscan be heart-wrenching. But I have noticed a philanthropic trend reaching over all these stories like an umbrella. In its simplest iteration, the trend involves a high-net-worth individual traveling to a remote area, engaging in its conservation, and writing a checkoften from a foundation the person has establishedto an organization such as African Parks. Taking it a step further are individuals who are leasing massive tracts of land and providing the financial support to restore and protect them. Facilitating both forms of the phenomenon is a new breed of specialists who help broker deals and, equally important, create the travel experiences to expose potential donors to off-the-radar opportunities. I guide all over Africa, experiencing beautiful lodges on $100,000-plus itineraries, said Michael Lorentz, the South African safari specialist who brought me to Gambella and whose company, Passage to Africa, arranged the complex logistics for African Parks donors. (On their return home, the group committed to an annual donation of $1 million to $3 million as a direct result of their trip.) Most guests want to have a beautiful vacation in the African wilderness, but there are also travelers out there with deep pockets who want to be exposed to the issues. So I take them to those places. Its by no means always luxurious, but it is sophisticated. It is about the interaction between tourism, conservation, and philanthropy in parts of Africa where they come together in a very real sense. According to Paul Milton, whose London-based Milton Group advises private family offices on conservation-oriented philanthropy, it is a confluence that gained traction with the financial collapse in 2008. NGOs could no longer fill the gap with small donations from the man in the street with regards to funding the conservation of large, at-risk environments, he said. But there has also been another side to the financial collapse. Families are starting to pay more attention to the future economic sustainability of their investments, and the interest their kids hold in projects for the long term. This next generation cares about the environment; they have a more spiritual, emotional, and holistic approach. Milton has worked with the U.S. hedge-fund manager Paul Tudor Jones, who leases 350,000 acres in Tanzania as part of a luxury tourism and conservation project called Singita Grumeti. This is a well-documented story, not least because of the quality of the lodges Tudor Jones and his South African partner, Singitas Luke Bailes, have put in place. The propertys extravagant suites, swimming pools, spa treatments, and private-guided safaris help lure first-time visitors to Africa in an environment where they can feel safe while still being exposed to some of the conservation issues at play. Offering a completely different perspective is African Parks project in Chad, which I visited in January 2015. Bordered by Libya, Sudan, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic, Chad is a country where security issues and threats to wildlife are very real. In Zakouma National Park, poaching has decimated the local elephant population, which has dropped from around 4,000 to fewer than 500 in the last decade. These numbers have started to improve under African Parks care, but threats and security issues remain. The dangers are not enough, however, to deter Lorentzlast April he made his sixth visit to Zakoumaor the most intrepid of the new philanthropists. James Coleman, an industrialist from the United States, donated funds to build a new high-end tourism venture in Zakouma. Called Camp Nomade, it is as beautiful as anything I have experienced in East Africaeight elegant canvas tents outfitted with rugs from Libya, carved wooden trunks, golden camel bells, and silver jugsin the last place on the continent I expected to find it. The income from every stay is directed 100 percent back into conservation. Zakouma is such an exotic landscape, Coleman told me in an interview for the Financial Times. Theres quite simply nothing else like it. People need to see it for themselves and understand the challenges it has overcome. Colemans point rang true when, a few months later, I traveled to Kenya to join an elephant-collaring exercise close to the Maasai Mara. Veterinarians working with the Mara Elephant Project were darting the elephants and attaching GPS collars so the organization could track the movement of the animals and monitor their safety. (In the Mara, much of the threat to elephants comes from agriculturalists, who kill the animals when they damage crops.) Also present at the collaring event was a representative of the Irish philanthropist Denis OBrien, who committed a six-figure sum to the Mara Elephant Project after taking a safari with Richard Roberts, one of its founders. Roberts launched the organization in 2011 with the Indianapolis-based philanthropist Suzanne Fehsenfeld, who, since falling in love with Africa on safari, has dedicated more than $1 million to the project. Two months later, I visited Garamba and Virunga National Parks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, both of which had received significant funding from the Illinois-based philanthropist Howard Buffett as well as sizable donations from a high-profile philanthropist who visited the parks days before I arrived. In Virunga I was guided by Kate Doty, a managing director at the San Franciscobased Geographic Expeditionsanother specialist in organizing trips for donors. Also tapping into this market is Will Jones of the UK-based Journeys by Design. Jones, who has guided the likes of Ralph Lauren, launched Wild Philanthropy Travel in late 2015 to complement his existing safari business. Like Lorentz, he has seen more customers asking to travel deeper into the issues at play in order to give back on a scale that makes a difference to entire ecosystems, not just specific charities. But while Lorentz has worked mostly with large nongovernmental organizations, Jones pairs philanthropists with private conservation projects. Using an intimate network of contacts on the ground, he looks for tracts of land where communities can be enabled to protect the wildlife. In making an investment, the funder can also be a beneficiary by enjoying access toand even building private homes inareas other travelers cant easily visit. There are other benefits too. The business is set up as a members club, with three tiers of annual fees ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. With membership, any trip booked to conservation areas Wild Philanthropy is engaged with is charged at cost. In addition, all the membership funds are channeled back to support the companys core projects. When I first heard about Wild Philanthropy, which has had a few false starts as Jones finessed the model, I questioned whether the club was as much about conservation as exclusivity. So Jones invited me to join him in Ntakata, a remote forest in western Tanzania, to see the model firsthand. The roadless forest is home to the Watongwe, or the Tongwe people, who consider eastern long-haired chimpanzees to be sacred. (The Watongwe identified apes as humankinds direct ancestors long before modern scientists did.) To elevate our safari experiencethere was nothing luxurious about traveling by bike and foot, camping, and eating bowls of riceJones pulled Roland Purcell out of retirement from his rambling estate in Ireland, where he had settled after nearly two decades in the African bush. Purcell, who is of Irish and Australian descent, left his job as a fine-art auctioneer in Nairobi in 1987 to work with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. In 1989 he built Greystoke Mahale, which remains one of the most exquisite lodges in Africa. The lodge is located on the white-sand beaches of Tanzanias Lake Tanganyika, where Purcell lived for 17 years with his wife, Zoe, and two children. Occasionally he guided at a fee of $1,000 a day, when everyone else in the industry was charging less than half that rate. So when Jones told me he had struck a deal with his old friend to guide me through a hidden forest, which borders the same lake where Greystoke Mahale still thrives, I started to believe he might be offering something off the map. We did the same trip, less a helicopter, that Purcell is leading for Wild Philanthropy members next yearwith the intention of locking in a million-dollar endowment to support the forests protection in perpetuity. Just the 5 percent annual interest on this sum will generate the $50,000 needed to run the entire ranger force, said Purcell, who cofounded the Tongwe Trust in 2002. The forest doesnt need much: some bikes, binoculars, uniforms, and salaries of $100 a month per ranger for a force of 18. The 187-square-mile, village-owned reserve suffers from the slash-and-burn incursions of Burundian refugees, as well as poachers. Purcell introduced us to the issues, but also to the forests lures. We took shade under the flying buttresses of vast 200-year-old trunks. We spent time with the rangers, who carry not weapons but notepads and pens to record the pant-hoots of chimpanzees. We followed the paths elephants had made through thick bush. We lay down and rested by a river close to one of the Watongwes sacred groves to listen to the apes. It was a moment of being in wild nature that returned to me a few days later when I was flying in the R44 helicopter operated by the Friedkin Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization bankrolled by the Texas-based Friedkin family. The Friedkins, who have 5,245 square miles of wilderness under lease in Tanzania, spend more than $3 million of private funds every year on community development and antipoaching, including helicopters, microlites, and staff. We were flying in Moyowosinot far from Purcells stomping grounds, on Lake Tanganyikas shoreshovering over a gallery forest encircled by swamp with a canopy as thick as Ntakatas. Jones, who was with me again, ventured that this relic forest might also sequester chimpanzees; at one time, he said, the chimps would have moved freely between these patches of forest, traveling all the way down this western swath of Tanzania. On the 2018 donor trip, which will include a tour of the Moyowosi forest and the Friedkin concessions, he plans to go searching to see if his theory holds true. We want to inspire our members with modest opportunities like Ntakata, and giant examples like the Friedkins, Jones said. Engaging in Africa is about understanding the bigger conservation mosaic. It is a complicated, textured world. For example, Moyowosi is a hunting area, but the Friedkins are also conservationists on a formidable scale. Not everyone can square the two. There are occasions when I can. All this needs to be discussed in the open with individuals who have enough of a passion for Africa to engage with the realities at the sharp end. The one thing everyone who signs up to Wild Philanthropy needs to understand is that conservation in this century is a dangerous and thankless task. Joness words proved prescient. On the same day I was in Gambella in January, the same R44 helicopter wed flown in Moyowosi was shot out of the sky by elephant poacherskilling the pilot, Roger Gower, with whom I had worked 18 months prior. Thus I was reminded of another reality behind the wild-philanthropy trend at play: how giving is by no means a soft luxury. In modern Africa, it means engaging with the risk of paying the biggest price of all. African Parks (african-parks.org); Friedkin Conservation Fund (friedkinfund.org); Geographic Expeditions (geoex.com); Milton Group (paulmilton.com); Passage to Africa (passagetoafrica.com); Singita Grumeti (singita.com); The Tongwe Trust (tongwetrust.org); Wild Philanthropy Travel (wildphilanthropy.com) More From Robbreport.com Americas Most Expensive Home: Flamboyant Display of Wealth or Ultimate Party Pad? Copper & Kings New Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder This New Los Angeles Restaurant Just Might Convert You to a Vegetarian Lexus Launches a Stunning and Speedy 42-Foot Sport Yacht Whisky of the Week: Craigellachie 17-Year-Old Single Malt Walter Lange, the Man Who Resurrected A. Lange & Sohne in the 1990s, Passes Away at 92 By Saad Sayeed ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A fifth Pakistani social activist has gone missing from the capital Islamabad, a colleagues said on Wednesday, days after four other campaigners disappeared in a way that has alarmed supporters of free speech. Samar Abbas, president of the Civil Progressive Alliance of Pakistan (CPAP), an anti-extremism activist group, went missing on Saturday, according to Talib Raza, who worked with him at the Karachi-based organization. Abbas's brother, also named Talib, told local media on Wednesday that his brother had vanished over the weekend. "The family waited for a few days to inform people. When the stories about other activists disappearing started emerging, it became clear what was going on, Raza told Reuters. It is not known how the four activists went missing last week, but some rights groups and newspapers are questioning whether state or military agencies were in any way involved. The Interior Ministry has said it is doing all it can to recover the missing men. "This government is not in the business of disappearing people and we will not tolerate such disappearances while we are in power," said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, according to English-language Dawn newspaper. A Dawn editorial on Tuesday implicated the state in the disappearance of the missing activists, including poet and rights activist Salman Haider, who has written columns for the newspaper and went missing on January 6 in Islamabad. The other three are social media activists who have often voiced secular or anti-government views. "Now, with the disappearance of Salman Haider and at least three other activists, a dark new chapter in the states murky, illegal war against civil society appears to have been opened, the Dawn editorial said. The United Nations and international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, on Wednesday also voiced concerns about the disappearance. The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted in a statement the difficulties surrounding free expression in Pakistan. Human rights lawyer Jibran Nasir has filed an application with Pakistans Supreme Court requesting judicial intervention. The Supreme Court has not yet responded to his request. "By intimidating and picking up social media activists like this, they have taken away our microphones, Nasir told Reuters. Activists held rallies in several major city across Pakistan on Tuesday calling for the recovery of the missing activists. (Editing by Drazen Jorgic and Tom Heneghan) (Adds more Obama quotes, details, paragraphs 6, 8, 14-16, 20) By Jeff Mason CHICAGO, Jan 10 (Reuters) - With a final call of his campaign mantra "Yes We Can," President Barack Obama urged Americans on Tuesday to stand up for U.S. values and reject discrimination as the United States transitions to the presidency of Republican Donald Trump. In an emotional speech in which he thanked his family and declared his time as president the honor of his life, Obama gently prodded the public to embrace his vision of progress while repudiating some of the policies that Trump promoted during his campaign for the White House. "So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are," Obama told a crowd of 18,000 in his hometown of Chicago, where he celebrated his election in 2008 as the first black president of the United States. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, proposed temporarily banning Muslims from entering the country, building a wall on the border with Mexico, upending a global deal to fight climate change and dismantling Obama's healthcare reform law. Obama made clear his opposition to those positions during fiery campaign speeches for 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, but has struck a more conciliatory tone with Trump since the election. In his farewell speech, he made clear his positions had not changed and he said his efforts to end the use of torture and close the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were part of a broader move to uphold U.S. values. "That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans," he said in a clear reference to Trump that drew applause. He said bold action was needed to fight global warming and said "science and reason" mattered. "If anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we've made to our healthcare system, that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it," he said in another prodding challenge to his successor. Story continues Trump has urged the Republican-controlled Congress to repeal the law right away. RACE AND NOSTALGIA Obama, who came to office amid high expectations that his election would heal historic racial divides, acknowledged that was an impossible goal. "After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America," he said. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society." However, Obama said he remained hopeful about the work that a younger generation would do. "Yes we can," he said. "Yes we did." In an indirect reference to the political work the Democratic Party will have to do to recover after Clinton's loss, Obama urged racial minorities to seek justice not only for themselves but also for "the middle-aged white man who from the outside may seem like he's got advantages, but who's seen his world upended by economic, cultural, and technological change." Trump won his election in part by appealing to working-class white men. First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, and many current and former White House staff members and campaign workers attended the speech. Obama wiped his eyes as he addressed his wife and thanked his running mate. They all appeared together on stage after the address. The Chicago visit is Obama's last scheduled trip as president, and even the final flight on the presidential aircraft was tinged with wistfulness. It was the president's 445th "mission" on Air Force One, a perk he has said he will miss when he leaves office, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. All told, Obama will have spent more than 2,800 hours or 116 days on the plane during his presidency. Obama plans to remain in Washington for the next two years while his younger daughter, Sasha, finishes high school. Sasha, who has an exam on Wednesday, did not attend the speech but her older sister Malia was there. The president has indicated he wants to give Trump the same space that his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, gave Obama after leaving office by not maintaining a high public profile. (Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton and Eric Beech; Editing by Peter Cooney, Richard Borsuk and Paul Tait) By Jeff Mason CHICAGO (Reuters) - With a final call of his campaign mantra "Yes We Can," President Barack Obama urged Americans on Tuesday to stand up for U.S. values and reject discrimination as the United States transitions to the presidency of Republican Donald Trump. In an emotional speech in which he thanked his family and declared his time as president the honor of his life, Obama gently prodded the public to embrace his vision of progress while repudiating some of the policies that Trump promoted during his campaign for the White House. "So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are," Obama told a crowd of 18,000 in his hometown of Chicago, where he celebrated his election in 2008 as the first black president of the United States. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, proposed temporarily banning Muslims from entering the country, building a wall on the border with Mexico, upending a global deal to fight climate change and dismantling Obama's healthcare reform law. Obama made clear his opposition to those positions during fiery campaign speeches for 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, but has struck a more conciliatory tone with Trump since the election. In his farewell speech, he made clear his positions had not changed and he said his efforts to end the use of torture and close the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were part of a broader move to uphold U.S. values. "That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans," he said in a clear reference to Trump that drew applause. He said bold action was needed to fight global warming and said "science and reason" mattered. "If anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements weve made to our healthcare system, that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it," he said in another prodding challenge to his successor. Trump has urged the Republican-controlled Congress to repeal the law right away. RACE AND NOSTALGIA Obama, who came to office amid high expectations that his election would heal historic racial divides, acknowledged that was an impossible goal. "After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America," he said. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society." However, Obama said he remained hopeful about the work that a younger generation would do. "Yes we can," he said. "Yes we did." In an indirect reference to the political work the Democratic Party will have to do to recover after Clinton's loss, Obama urged racial minorities to seek justice not only for themselves but also for "the middle-aged white man who from the outside may seem like hes got advantages, but whos seen his world upended by economic, cultural, and technological change." Trump won his election in part by appealing to working-class white men. First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, and many current and former White House staff members and campaign workers attended the speech. Obama wiped his eyes as he addressed his wife and thanked his running mate. They all appeared together on stage after the address. The Chicago visit is Obama's last scheduled trip as president, and even the final flight on the presidential aircraft was tinged with wistfulness. It was the president's 445th "mission" on Air Force One, a perk he has said he will miss when he leaves office, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. All told, Obama will have spent more than 2,800 hours or 116 days on the plane during his presidency. Obama plans to remain in Washington for the next two years while his younger daughter, Sasha, finishes high school. Sasha, who has an exam on Wednesday, did not attend the speech but her older sister Malia was there. The president has indicated he wants to give Trump the same space that his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, gave Obama after leaving office by not maintaining a high public profile. (Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton and Eric Beech; Editing by Peter Cooney, Richard Borsuk and Paul Tait) Bamako (AFP) - Five Malian soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit a landmine in the centre of the country on Wednesday, military sources told AFP. The explosion occurred between the central Segou and Mopti regions. "We have lost five men. Their vehicle set off a mine. They were all in the same vehicle," a Malian military official said. Another Malian military source confirmed the blast and blamed "terrorists" for the killings, without naming any group. Explosive devices and ambushes have been frequently used against Malian and UN forces, which arrived in 2013 to fight Islamists. Northern Mali fell to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda from March 2012. These forces were driven out of key towns by a French-led military intervention the following year. Barely a week goes by without attacks on security forces despite a peace pact signed following lengthy negotiations between the government, groups backing it and ethnic Tuareg rebels. Half the country is excited about President-elect Donald Trump; half is not. What can he do to win over more Americans? Simple; charge out of the gate on January 21 with a bevy of policies that voters will like. Here are five things Trump should do on Day One: Call for term limits in Congress. Walk away from the TPP. Call for a halt to admitting Syrian refugees until the authorities have the vetting process down cold. Issue an executive order rescinding Congress exemption from Obamacare, an excellent idea proffered by Heather Higgins, President of the Independent Womens Voice. As she suggests, theres nothing like skin in the game to light a fire under legislators. Next, announce that Congress will repeal Obamacare to take effect December 2018. Meanwhile, allow insurers to immediately begin offering state-legal policies without the ACAs expensive and unwieldy mandates. Make it clear that no one will lose coverage. Approve the Keystone Pipeline. For soon-to-be President Trump, there is no single act that could more swiftly satisfy his pledge to Drain the Swamp than calling for term limits. Ethics watchdogs say that nothing is a greater predictor of corruption than time in office. Former Representative Chaka Fattah, recently sentenced to ten years in prison for bribery and corruption, is a perfect example. He has served for 20 years. The longest sentence ever awarded a member of Congress was the 13-year term given to Louisianas William Jefferson in 2009 after $90,000 was discovered in his freezer. He had served for 18 years. In the 2012 listing of Most Corrupt House members by left-leaning ethics watchdog CREW, the average time in office was eight terms. Thats too long to feed at the public trough. A Rasmussen poll in October found that 74 percent of the country backed term limits for members of Congress; in 2013, Gallup concluded that 75 percent of Americans felt the same way. Our founding fathers never imagined career politicians, and we should not accept the notion either. Story continues The Trans-Pacific Partnership multi-nation trade pact, proposed and endorsed by President Obama, has been attacked from right and left. Indeed, denouncing the TPP may have been the only policy that Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton (after some persuasion) and Bernie Sanders all agreed upon. Polling from Pew and a YouGov survey for The Economist shows that most registered voters also oppose the TPP. To explain why he is scuttling the deal, Trump can cite a comprehensive World Bank study -- one of the few done on the pact -- which concludes that Vietnam, Japan and Malaysia will be the big beneficiaries of the agreement. The benefits to the U.S. are described as limited. Much better, Trump can assert, to craft bilateral deals that can actually help the U.S. As for NAFTA, Trump should promise that negotiations to overhaul the agreement will be initiated in his first year. That 1993 deal is woefully out of date; e-commerce, for instance, is not even mentioned. But, jettisoning NAFTA immediately is not feasible. Too many supply chains run across our borders; reckless tinkering would undermine numerous industries. Lofting uncertainty onto U.S. businesses as the Obama White House did was a major factor in slowing the recovery. Trump will not repeat that mistake. In 2015 Donald Trump was pilloried for advocating a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on," a position he took in the wake of the San Bernardino shootings. After reports that Syrian refugees may have been behind terror attacks in Europe, Trump refined his proposal, suggesting we should "suspend immigration from areas of the world when there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe, or our allies. In other words, Trump opposed President Obamas plan to admit at least 10,000 refugees from Syria, a goal the White House exceeded last year. Polling after the Paris terror attacks showed more than half the country agreed with Trump. A more recent survey, taken by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, showed that only 36 percent of the country backed settling Syrian refugees on our soil. Trump should suspend the program to admit refugees from war-torn countries until our intelligence agencies can prove their ability to truly vet newcomers from Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. The United States can and should do more to help settle these struggling peoples in other countries in the Middle East; there is no reason to import trouble. Having pledged to do so, Trump and Republicans in Congress must immediately address Obamacare. On day one, President Trump should support the repeal, but push the effective date to the end of 2018. Congress will be instructed to recraft the failing program in the interim, allowing for more market-based solutions, reducing Obamacares costly and absurd mandates and allowing religious groups more flexibility in providing controversial coverage. Trump must make it clear that no one will lose his health coverage, that the needy will be able to access care and that the changes will target lower costs. He has already promised to keep the popular parts of the ACA, which allow children to stay on their parents program and which guarantee coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Finally, Trump will approve the Keystone Pipeline. A majority of the country backs the pipeline, which has been reviewed ad nauseum, and which will create jobs. Even Obamas State Department could find no authentic reason to oppose it. Trump will let this valuable conduit to one of the worlds largest energy reserves move forward. Even Canadas progressive new leader Justin Trudeau has supported Keystone. This is a slam-dunk. Consumer optimism just hit a twelve-month high. Imagine what this Day One program would do. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Kandahar (Afghanistan) (AFP) - Five UAE officials were among 57 people killed in a string of bombings across Afghan cities, authorities said Wednesday, as Taliban militants step up a deadly winter campaign of violence. The Emiratis were among 12 people killed when explosives hidden in a sofa detonated inside the governor's compound in southern Kandahar on Tuesday, while the UAE's ambassador to Afghanistan escaped the attack with injuries. Just hours before, twin Taliban blasts in Kabul tore through a parliament annexe, which houses the offices of lawmakers, killing at least 38 people and wounding 86 others. And earlier Tuesday, a Taliban suicide bomber killed seven people in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province, as the militants ramp up nationwide attacks in frigid winter months, when fighting usually wanes. The carnage underscores growing insecurity in Afghanistan, where US-backed forces are struggling to combat a resilient Taliban insurgency as well as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants. Kandahar's governor Humayun Azizi and UAE envoy Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi were wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, said provincial police chief Abdul Raziq, who was present when the blast occurred. "I was in the room, but had to leave to offer my evening prayer," Raziq said. "I heard the boom from outside and when I came back I saw people were burning." Kandahar's deputy governor Abdul Shamsi was among the 12 people killed. Raziq blamed Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Taliban-allied Haqqani network for the attack, adding they had long been plotting to eliminate Kandahar's leadership. - Tearful funerals - "The terrorist attack happened at a time when the ambassador and a number of UAE diplomats in Afghanistan were on a trip to Kandahar to lay the foundation stone of an orphanage," the Afghan foreign ministry said. Story continues UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered three days of mourning "in honour of the martyrs who gave their lives in defence of humanitarian causes". President Ashraf Ghani condemned the bombing and ordered an investigation led by Afghanistan's National Security Council chief Hanif Atmar. The Taliban denied responsibility for the Kandahar attack, but said they were behind the Kabul blasts. In the first explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up next to a minibus transporting government employees. As rescuers reached the scene, a car bomb went off. Among the 38 dead were five policemen who were killed in the second explosion when they rushed to help the victims of the first blast. Relatives of the victims held tearful funerals in Kabul amid seething anger over rising insecurity. "It is a pity that our youth die in vain every day," said Feraidoon, the relative of a young victim who got married three months ago. "We spend a lifetime to raise our children and terrorists take them away in an instant." - 'Barbaric attack' - Condemning the Kabul bombings as a "barbaric attack", Ghani lashed out at the Taliban for killing civilians as officials beefed up security in the capital. "Such unprincipled, unlawful and deplorable attacks cause immense human suffering and make the peace that Afghans need and deserve even more difficult to achieve," the UN mission in Afghanistan said. Tuesday's carnage came just ten days before Donald Trump is sworn in as US president. The situation in Afghanistan will be an urgent matter for the new leader, but Trump has given few details on how he will tackle the war. Repeated bids to launch peace negotiations with the Taliban have failed and a fierce new fighting season is expected to kick off in the spring. Afghanistan last week welcomed the Pentagon's decision to deploy some 300 US Marines in the spring to Helmand, where American forces engaged in heated combat until they pulled out in 2014. The deployment to train Afghan forces is the latest sign that foreign forces are increasingly being drawn back into the worsening conflict. NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces were granted greater powers in June to strike at the insurgents as President Barack Obama vowed a more aggressive campaign. Just yesterday FKA Twigs teased something on her Instagram, leading many to believe that something was on the way soon. What we didn't know, however, is that it'd be arriving this soon. Today Twigs has debuted her first project as Creative Director for NikeWomen's Spring Zonal Strength Tights campaign, and she brought along a little gift, too. In the new campaign video titled "Do you believe in more?," Twigs has previewed a new song called "Trust in Me." Shot in Mexico City, Twigs discussed the campaign in a statement on Nike's site. She explained, "Through dance, I've met young people who work really hard and have dedicated their lives to being active. To me they represent 'modern movement,' which I define as exploring any genre of sport without boundaries." Featuring twelve atheletes picked by Twigs, the new campaign video is just as inventive as we've come to expect from her imaginative visuals. Speaking about the song featured in the campaign, she explained, "I made the song in the campaign film, 'Trust In Me,' before I got approached about this project. I realized it would be perfect, because the lyrics say, 'Put your trust in me.' In a way, we're asking people to look at me and the other amazing athletes in the video and trust the way we are. We've worked hard to perfect our crafts and create our own destinies, and were feeling good in our bodies." Watch the campaign video above, and check out her full statement here. Continue Reading On PigeonsandPlanes More from PigeonsandPlanes Former Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) CEO Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for Secretary of State, laid out a plan for the U.S. to take a tougher stance on global terrorism and Russia, as lawmakers grilled the longtime oilman in his confirmation hearing Wednesday. Tillerson, appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, faced questions over business relationships in Russia and his past skepticism of U.S. sanctions on the country. Sanctions imposed in 2014 derailed a large deal between Exxon and Rosneft, Russias state-run oil producer, to drill for oil in the Arctic. Exxon estimates that it lost as much as $1 billion. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) pressed Tillerson, 64, on past statements on the use of sanctions, arguing that the longtime businessman had made broad criticisms. Tillerson, who earlier in the hearing called sanctions a powerful tool to deter actions by countries including Russia, shook his head in disagreement. I have not lobbied against sanctions, Tillerson said, later adding, The use of sanctionscan be a powerful tool as long as theyre constructed to be effective. Tillerson said if confirmed he would keep current sanctions on Russia in place until a long-term strategy is developed. He also said the U.S. should have provided military and intelligence assets to Ukraine in response to Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014. In opening remarks, Tillerson suggested that Russia should face repercussions over its alleged covert attempts to meddle in the presidential race. U.S. intelligence agencies believe Russia orchestrated the hack of the Democratic National Committee, an assessment that Trump agreed with during a press conference Wednesday. Also, reports surfaced this week saying U.S. intelligence leaders presented Trump with unsubstantiated or disproven claims of wrongdoing allegedly held by Russia. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests, Tillerson said. Story continues The U.S. should seek cooperation when possible on reducing the threat of terrorism, but where important differences remain, we should be steadfast in defending the interests of America and her allies, he continued. Russia must know that we will be accountable to our commitments and those of our allies, and that Russia must be held to account for its actions. When asked about the threat of cyber-attacks from countries such as Russia and China, Tillerson pushed for a comprehensive strategy to combat the threat. The U.S. is vulnerable, he argued, because it has not maintained proper IT infrastructure and defenses. Tillerson, a 41-year veteran of the worlds largest publicly-traded oil company, also addressed his departure from Exxon Mobil. I have no reservations about my clean break from private-sector life, he said. Wednesdays hearing began with supporting testimony from fellow Texan Sen. Ted Cruz and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, among others. Darren Woods, formerly the president of Exxon, has replaced Tillerson as chairman and CEO. Tillerson rose to the CEO position in 2006. Stewart Glickman, equity analyst at CFRA Research, noted that succession planning was already well underway because Tillerson was due to reach Exxons mandatory retirement age of 65 in March. If this Rexit proceeds as planned, we think XOM is still in capable hands to steer the company going forward, Glickman wrote in a research note to clients. Exxon shares climbed 1% to $86.79 on Wednesday. Related Articles DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) on Tuesday confirmed that it would be less profitable in 2017 than last year, even as cross town rival General Motors Co (GM.N) on the same day gave a much more upbeat forecast that surpassed Wall Street expectations. Ford, the second largest U.S. automaker, affirmed that it was on track to deliver about $10.2 billion (8.8 billion) in adjusted pretax profit in 2016, matching a forecast it gave previously.. Ford shares initially rose 0.5 percent in extended trading but by early Tuesday evening were flat with their closing value of $12.85. GM shares were also trading near their close of $37.35, up 3.7 percent from the previous day. Ford said profit would improve in 2018 but in 2017 the company would be pressured as it increased spending on "emerging opportunities" like self-driving cars and a rise in other costs. The company last week said it was on course to deliver a "high-volume, fully autonomous vehicle for ride sharing in 2021" and a fully electric small SUV with a range of at least 300 miles on a full charge. GM, the largest U.S. automaker, said it expected 2017 earnings per share in a range of $6 to $6.50. Analysts had, on average, predicted the company would post EPS this year of $5.76, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Ford on Tuesday declared a first-quarter regular dividend of $0.15 per share and a $200 million supplemental cash dividend, or an additional $0.05 per share. The regular dividend matched that of the first quarter of 2016, but the supplemental dividend was below the $0.25 per share payout announced a year ago. (In paragraph 2, corrects year to 2016 from 2017.) (Reporting by Bernie Woodall; Editing by Andrew Hay) This week, Ford generated news at the press previews for the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit with the announced return to the North American market of its iconic Ranger midsize pickup in 2019, with a new Bronco midsize SUV to arrive in 2020. Both trucks will be built at Fords assembly plant in Wayne, MI, the automaker said. Joe Hinrichs, Fords president of The Americas, told media at the show that customers have consistently asked for a generation of trucks that are capable yet fun to drive. Ranger is for truck buyers who want an affordable, functional, rugged and maneuverable pickup thats Built Ford Tough. Bronco will be a no-compromise, midsize 4x4 utility for thrill seekers who want to venture way beyond the city, he said in a statement. Ford Bronco logo Production of the new Ranger, which was discontinued in the U.S. market in 2011 but has been produced in newer versions in many worldwide markets, will begin in 2018. Midsize pickups sold like gangbusters (up double-digits on a percentage basis) last year with a boost from the new Honda Ridgeline, Toyotas latest Tacoma, and GMs newer midsize pickups: Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. The Bronco, which was first produced in 1966 and was deleted from Fords truck and SUV lineup in 1996, will again be produced at the Wayne, MI, plant, although no production timeline was revealed. Additional Research: Abstract: Ford generated news at the press previews for the 2017 Detroit Auto Show with the announced return to the North American market of its iconic Ranger midsize pickup in 2019, with a new Bronco midsize SUV to arrive in 2020. Year: 2 019 Check this if this is NOT an Articles Listing Page: New or Used: New Display Article Date?: Article Is Flipbook: No By Norihiko Shirouzu BEIJING, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co is betting on one of its most distinctively American models, the Mustang muscle car, to boost the company's sales and profits in China. Ford began selling the Mustang in China in early 2015, and it is a niche vehicle, selling at a rate of about 3,000 cars a year. Still, that makes the Mustang, which starts at 399,800 yuan ($57,670) the top-seller in a sporty car segment against more expensive vehicles like the Audi TT and the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Mustang last year outsold the Chevrolet Camaro from General Motors Co by nearly 15 to one. With styling that harks back to 1960s Detroit muscle cars, the Mustang stands out in a Ford lineup dominated by practical sedans and sport utility vehicles. Ford's sales in China grew by 50 percent in 2013 and 20 percent in 2014, but in 2015 the pace slowed to 3 percent. In 2016, Ford added the Lincoln luxury brand to its China lineup and expanded sales by 14 percent. Industry analysts said Ford's China market profits and profitability were relatively healthy, with operating margins for Ford's joint ventures with Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd (000625.SZ) and Jiangling Motors Corp (JMC) (000550.SZ) in the 14-16 percent range over the past three years. But competition in the world's largest car market continues to heat up as global automakers, from GM to Volkswagen AG to Toyota Motor Corp, add more models to product ranges. Indigenous Chinese automakers, too, are launching models that can compete more head-on with global carmakers' products. Ford officials said the company's China operations did not have specific profit objectives but were trying to keep margins in their current "healthy" range. "In terms of having a pricing power on your brand, you want people to be choosing your brand for rational reasons, but if you could also (combine) that with emotional reasons, that's when you get some pricing power," Peter Fleet, Ford's executive in charge of sales and marketing for the Asia-Pacific region told Reuters. Story continues The Mustang and the F-150 Raptor, a high performance version of Ford's F-150 large pickup truck, provide the emotion, he said. The formula works for Dong Zirui, a 27-year-old small rental car business owner in the northeastern China city of Tangshan who bought a Mustang late last year. "The Mustang is a rear-wheel-drive car," said Dong who decided to buy the Mustang when he spotted photos of it online. "It's a savage when you try some drifting stunts with the car." But Dong said he can fit his wife and young son in the car when he needs to. Dealers say the Mustang brings in two types of buyers to Ford stores: younger drivers, mostly younger than 30 years of age, from upper-middle class families, who have recently finished their studies and have financial support from their parents, as well as drivers in their 30s and 40s who have work or life experience outside China. "Ford has a cleaner sheet in China, so there might be an opening for those halo cars to help the company improve its brand image," said James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief for consulting and research firm IHS Markit Automotive, referring to China being a relatively young market. As Chinese consumers typically make car purchasing decisions based on word-of-mouth advice from their family and friends, Mustang buyers can be influential opinion leaders for Ford. Guo Xin, a 30-year-old rally car racer and stunt driver for films and commercials in Beijing, said he liked the Mustang so much that in 2011 he helped form a Mustang Club of China which now has some 2,000 members. "Growing up I used to see the Mustang in movies," said Guo who drives a 2006 Mustang and also owns a 1966 Mustang. Guo's classic Mustang would turn heads even in Detroit. But he cannot take it out on public roads. Used cars brought in from outside China cannot be registered in the country. (Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu in Shanghai and Beijing; Editing by Andrew Hay) Donald Trump The CIA and the FBI would not have briefed the president and the president-elect on claims that Russia has compromising information on Donald Trump if they did not take the allegations seriously, said former CIA operatives and analysts who spoke to Business Insider. "Most of the information that passes across the CIA's desk throughout the day ends up on the cutting-room floor because it's not deemed to be credible or relevant," said Evan McMullin, a former CIA operations officer who ran as an independent during the 2016 presidential election. McMullin, who served as a chief policy director for the House Republican Conference and a senior adviser on national security issues for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, entered the presidential race as a conservative alternative to Trump and has remained harshly critical of the president-elect. "The agency only brings information to the president or president-elect that they believe is highly relevant and that has some level of credibility," McMullin told Business Insider in an interview on Wednesday. "So they knew the information they had was relevant." Classified briefing materials provided to President Barack Obama and Trump by US intelligence officials last week indicated that Russian operatives claimed to have potentially compromising personal and financial information on Trump, CNN reported Tuesday. The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, said in a statement on Wednesday night that, while the intelligence community "has not made any judgment" that the information in the dossier document is reliable, "part of our obligation is to ensure that policymakers are provided with the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security." The intelligence community gleaned the information from a former British intelligence operative, identified by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday as Christopher Steele, who reports said provided the FBI with a series of memos in August 2016 detailing how Russia has tried to cultivate Trump for at least five years. Story continues The unverified information contained in Steele's dossier began circulating among journalists and government officials as early as the summer of 2015. Intelligence officials only presented Trump with a two-page summary of the dossier, CNN reported. Arizona Sen. John McCain said in a statement on Wednesday that he obtained a copy of the dossier late last year and handed it over to the FBI to be evaluated. A spokesman for former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Reid had reviewed the document before he wrote an open letter to FBI Director James Comey in October calling on him to release the "explosive information" he possesses about the "close ties and coordination" between Trump and Russia. FBI Director James Comey testifies before a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. on July 14, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo McMullin, who says he has known about certain details contained in the dossier since last July, said the intelligence community likely didn't brief Obama or Trump about it until after the election because they needed time to vet the information. Once the officials reviewed it, however, they could have concluded that it was more consequential than the thousands of reports and rumors they catch wind of every day. "The vast majority of the information the CIA gets on a daily basis never makes it to a briefing for the president or the president-elect," McMullin said. Glenn Carle, who served 23 years in the CIA as the deputy national intelligence officer for transnational threats, said that he, too, has "known of this information for over a year." "The intel community is not in the business of reporting vague rumors," Carle, an associate fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, told Business Insider on Wednesday. "I know that the CIA and the FBI have been intensively investigating this information for over a year, and perhaps years," added Carle, the author of the book "The Interrogator." "They clearly considered it, in its aggregate, so serious meaning plausible, but perhaps unproven that they briefed only the top eight officials in the US government, known as the gang of eight. It was considered that sensitive." Another former CIA officer, who requested anonymity to discuss the dossier, agreed that the CIA and the FBI do not brief the president or the president-elect about non-vetted rumors. Carle went further, noting that the president, the president-elect, and the gang of eight are only briefed on intelligence that the intelligence community considers to be of "grave national concern." 'The most irresistible intelligence target' Some of the details contained in the dossier were scrutinized in reporting done throughout the presidential campaign. For example, the dossier's claim that former Trump advisers Carter Page and Paul Manafort "managed" the campaign's cooperation with the Kremlin has not been independently verified. The FBI looked into both Page and Manafort, however, last year for their respective ties to Russian officials. Page's extensive business ties to state-owned Russian companies, stemming from his time as an investment banker in Moscow in the early 2000s, were investigated by the FBI last summer. Months later, the bureau reportedly opened an investigation into Manafort's ties to Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs. Manafort served as a top adviser to a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine between 2004 and 2012. Secret ledgers uncovered by an anticorruption center in Kiev revealed that the political party earmarked $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments to Manafort for his work between 2007 and 2012. Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway and Paul Manafort of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's staff speak during a round table discussion on security at Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., August 17, 2016. Picture taken August 17, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri Additionally, the dossier claims that Trump in return for Russia's feeding the documents it hacked from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, to WikiLeaks for publishing "agreed to sideline Russian intervention in Ukraine as a campaign issue and to raise defense commitments in the Baltics and Eastern Europe to deflect attention away from Ukraine." That claim has not been independently verified, either. But ahead of the Republican National Convention in July, the Trump campaign, then led by Manafort, gutted the GOP's policy platform on Ukraine, which called for increasing sanctions on Russia and arming the Ukrainian military against pro-Russian separatists. Trump's staffers, The Washington Post reported at the time, "stripped" the policy calling for the US to provide "lethal defensive weapons" to the Ukrainian army and replaced it with softer language calling for "appropriate assistance." carter page The dossier contains several factual inaccuracies, however, including a claim that Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, met secretly with Kremlin officials in Prague in August 2016. Cohen denied ever having visited Prague. A US government source told CNN's Jake Tapper on Wednesday that a different Michael Cohen, not Trump's lawyer, was in Prague in August and September 2016. The existence of videos of Trump performing sexual acts in Moscow hotel rooms, which the dossier claims are being used by the Kremlin to blackmail Trump, has also not been substantiated. Trump appeared to dismiss those claims during a press conference Wednesday when he mentioned that he was a "germaphobe." "Did anyone really believe that story?" he said. Carle, the former CIA counterterrorism official, said that if he were a Russian intelligence officer he would consider Trump "the most irresistible intelligence target that one could conceivably imagine." "If Im a foreign intelligence officer," he said. "It's my duty to exploit this guy." NOW WATCH: Watch Former CIA director James Woolsey explain why he wont advise the Trump transition team anymore More From Business Insider BERLIN (Reuters) - Former Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn will appear next week before a German parliamentary committee tasked with looking into whether the government had any role in the carmaker's diesel emissions scandal, a lawmaker said. Winterkorn, who ran Europe's largest automaker for almost nine years before he resigned days after Volkswagen's (VW) manipulations emerged in September 2015, will attend a meeting of the Bundestag's committee of inquiry on Jan. 19, lawmaker Herbert Behrens, head of the panel, told Reuters on Wednesday. It will be Winterkorn's first public appearance before a larger audience since his resignation almost 16 months ago. German business daily Handelsblatt reported Winterkorn's plans earlier on Wednesday. The cross-party committee of inquiry was set up last April to clarify whether the German federal government and regulators were involved in VW's manipulation or failed to contribute toward its disclosure. VW plans to plead guilty to criminal misconduct as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and regulators confirmed by the carmaker on Tuesday. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Andreas Cremer; Editing by Susan Fenton) As the shots rang out at Terminal 2 in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Jan. 6, frantic travelers raced away from the gunfire, searching for safety. By the time the bullets stopped, five people had been killed and six injured. Authorities arrested Esteban Santiago, 26, who had served in the National Guard in Alaska and Puerto Rico, and charged him with federal crimes including murder and airport violence. He has yet to enter a plea, and the FBI continues its investigation into how and why the attack took place. Below is a list with updated contact information for all 535 members of Congress so readers can make their voices heard on how to prevent gun violence. ALABAMA Sen. Richard Shelby Phone: 202-224-5744 Twitter: @SenShelby Sen. Jeff Sessions Phone: 202-224-4124 Twitter: @SenatorSessions Rep. Bradley Byrne Phone: 202-224-4931 Twitter: @RepByrne Rep. Terri A. Sewell Phone: 202-225-2665 Twitter: @RepTerriSewell Rep. Gary Palmer Phone: 202-225-4921 Twitter: @USRepGaryPalmer Rep. Mike Rogers Phone: 202-225-3261 Twitter: @RepMikeRogersAL Rep. Martha Roby Phone: 202-225-2901 Twitter: @RepMarthaRoby Rep. Mo Brooks Phone: 202-225-4801 Twitter: @RepMoBrooks Rep. Robert Aderholt Phone: 202-225-4876 Twitter: @Robert_Aderholt ALASKA Sen. Dan Sullivan Phone: 202-224-3004 Twitter: @SenDanSullivan Sen. Lisa Murkowski Phone: 202-224-6665 Twitter: @LisaMurkowski Rep. Don Young Phone: 202-225-5765 Twitter: @RepDonYoung ARIZONA Sen. John McCain Phone: 202-224-2235 Twitter: @SenJohnMcCain Sen. Jeff Flake Phone: 202-224-4521 Twitter: @JeffFlake Rep. Ruben Gallego Phone: 202-225-4065 Twitter: @RepRubenGallego Rep. Martha McSally Phone: 202-225-2542 Twitter: @RepMcSally Rep. Kyrsten Sinema Phone: 202-225-9888 Twitter: @RepSinema Rep. Andy Biggs Phone: 202-225-2635 Twitter: @RepAndyBiggsAZ Rep. Tom OHalleran Phone: 202-225-3361 Twitter: @RepOHalleran Rep. David Schweikert Phone: 202-225-2190 Twitter: @RepDavid Rep. Raul Grijalva Phone: 202-225-2435 Twitter: @RepraulGrijalva Rep. Paul A. Gosar Phone: 202-225-2315 Story continues Twitter: @RepGosar Rep. Trent Franks Phone: 202-225-4576 Twitter: @RepTrentFranks ARKANSAS Sen. Tom Cotton Phone: 202-224-2353 Twitter: @SenTomCotton Sen. John Boozman Phone: 202-224-4843 Twitter: @JohnBoozman Rep. Bruce Westerman Phone: 202-225-3772 Twitter: @RepWesterman Rep. French Hill Phone: 202-225-2506 Twitter: @RepFrenchHill Rep. Steve Womack Phone: 202-225-4301 Twitter: @Rep_SteveWomack Rep. Rick Crawford Phone: 202-225-4076 Twitter: @RepRickCrawford CALIFORNIA Sen. Kamala D. Harris Phone: 202-224-3553 Twitter: @KamalaHarris Sen. Dianne Feinstein Phone: 202-224-3841 Twitter: @SenFeinstein Rep. Mimi Walters Phone: 202-225-5611 Twitter: @RepMimiWalters Rep. Norma Torres Phone: 202-225-6161 Twitter: @NormaJTorres Rep. Ted Lieu Phone: 202-225-3976 Twitter: @RepTedLieu Rep. Pete Aguilar Phone: 202-225-3201 Twitter: @reppeteaguilar Rep. Steve Knight Phone: 202-225-1956 Twitter: @SteveKnight25 Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Phone: 202-225-2095 Twitter: @RepDeSaulnier Rep. Scott Peters Phone: 202-225-0508 Twitter: @RepScottPeters Rep. Juan Vargas Phone: 202-225-8045 Twitter: @RepJuanVargas Rep. Alan Lowenthal Phone: 202-225-7924 Twitter: @RepLowenthal Rep. Mark Takano Phone: 202-225-2305 Twitter: @RepMarkTakano Rep. Raul Ruiz Phone: 202-225-5330 Twitter: @CongressmanRuiz Rep. Tony Cardenas Phone: 202-225-6131 Twitter: @RepCardenas Rep. Julia Brownley Phone: 202-225-5811 Twitter: @JuliaBrownley26 Rep. David Valadao Phone: 202-225-4695 Twitter: @RepDavidValadao Rep. Eric Swalwell Phone: 202-225-5065 Twitter: @RepSwalwell Rep. Paul Cook Phone: 202-225-5861 Twitter: @RepPaulCook Rep. Ami Bera Phone: 202-225-5716 Twitter: @RepBera Rep. Jared Huffman Phone: 202-225-5161 Twitter: @RepHuffman Rep. Doug LaMalfa Phone: 202-225-3076 Twitter: @RepLaMalfa Rep. Ro Khanna Phone: 202-225-2631 Twitter: @RoKhannaUSA Rep. Maxine Waters Phone: 202-225-2201 Twitter: @MaxineWaters Rep. Mike Thompson Phone: 202-225-3311 Twitter: @RepThompson Rep. Linda Sanchez Phone: 202-225-6676 Twitter: @RepLindaSanchez Rep. John Garamendi Phone: 202-225-1880 Twitter: @RepGaramendi Rep. Tom McClintock Phone: 202-225-2511 Twitter: @RepMcClintock Rep. Doris O. Matsui Phone: 202-225-7163 Twitter: @DorisMatsui Rep. Jerry McNerney Phone: 202-225-1947 Twitter: @RepMcNerney Rep. Jeff Denham Phone: 202-225-4540 Twitter: @RepJeffDenham Rep. Nancy Pelosi Phone: 202-225-4965 Twitter: @NancyPelosi Rep. Barbara Lee Phone: 202-225-2661 Twitter: @RepBarbaraLee Rep. Jackie Speier Phone: 202-225-3531 Twitter: @RepSpeier Rep. Jim Costa Phone: 202-225-3341 Twitter: @RepJimCosta Rep. Jimmy Panetta Phone: 202-225-2861 Twitter: @JimmyPanetta Rep. Anna G. Eshoo Phone: 202-225-8104 Twitter: @RepAnnaEshoo Rep. Zoe Lofgren Phone: 202-225-3072 Twitter: @RepZoeLofgren Rep. Salud Carbajal Phone: 202-225-3601 Twitter: @RepCarbajal Rep. Devin Nunes Phone: 202-225-2523 Twitter: @Rep_DevinNunes Rep. Kevin McCarthy Phone: 202-225-2915 Twitter: @GOPLeader Rep. Nanette Barragan Phone: 202-225-8220 Twitter: @RepBarragan Rep. Judy Chu Phone: 202-225-5464 Twitter: @RepJudyChu Rep. Adam Schiff Phone: 202-225-4176 Twitter: @RepAdamSchiff Rep. Brad Sherman Phone: 202-225-5911 Twitter: @BradSherman Rep. Grace Napolitano Phone: 202-225-5256 Twitter: @GraceNapolitano Rep. Xavier Becerra Phone: 202-225-6235 Twitter: @RepBecerra Rep. Karen Bass Phone: 202-225-7084 Twitter: @RepKarenBass Rep. Ed Royce Phone: 202-225-4111 Twitter: @RepEdRoyce Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard Phone: 202-225-1766 Twitter: @RepRoybalAllard Rep. Ken Calvert Phone: 202-225-1986 Twitter: @KenCalvert Rep. Luis (Lou) Correa Phone: 202-225-2965 Twitter: @RepLouCorrea Rep. Dana Rohrabacher Phone: 202-225-2415 Twitter: @DanaRohrabacher Rep. Darrell Issa Phone: 202-225-3906 Twitter: @DarrellIssa Rep. Duncan D. Hunter Phone: 202-225-5672 Twitter: @Rep_Hunter Rep. Susan Davis Phone: 202-225-2040 Twitter: @RepSusanDavis COLORADO Sen. Cory Gardner Phone: 202-224-5941 Twitter: @SenCoryGardner Sen. Michael Bennet Phone: 202-224-5852 Twitter: @SenBennetCo Rep. Ken Buck Phone: 202-225-4676 Twitter: @RepKenBuck Rep. Scott Tipton Phone: 202-225-4761 Twitter: @RepTipton Rep. Jared Polis Phone: 202-225-2161 Twitter: @JaredPolis Rep. Ed Perlmutter Phone: 202-225-2645 Twitter: @RepPerlmutter Rep. Doug Lamborn Phone: 202-225-4422 Twitter: @RepDLamborn Rep. Diana DeGette Phone: 202-225-4431 Twitter: @RepDianaDeGette Rep. Mike Coffman Phone: 202-225-7882 Twitter: @RepMikeCoffman CONNECTICUT Sen. Christopher Murphy Phone: 202-224-4041 Twitter: @ChrisMurphyCT Sen. Richard Blumenthal Phone: 202-224-2823 Twitter: @SenBlumenthal Rep. Elizabeth Esty Phone: 202-225-4476 Twitter: @RepEsty Rep. John Larson Phone: 202-225-2265 Twitter: @RepJohnLarson Rep. Jim Himes Phone: 202-225-5541 Twitter: @JAHimes Rep. Rosa DeLauro Phone: 202-225-3661 Twitter: @RosaDeLauro Rep. Joe Courtney Phone: 202-225-2076 Twitter: @RepJoeCourtney DELAWARE Sen. Thomas R. Carper Phone: 202-224-2441 Twitter: @SenatorCarper Sen. Christopher A. Coons Phone: 202-224-5042 Twitter: @SenCoonsOffice Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester Phone: 202-225-4165 Twitter: @LisaBRochester FLORIDA Sen. Bill Nelson Phone: 202-224-5274 Twitter: @SenBillNelson Sen. Marco Rubio Phone: 202-224-3041 Twitter: @MarcoRubio Rep. Matt Gaetz Phone: 202-225-4136 Twitter: @MattGaets Rep. Neal Dunn Phone: 202-225-5235 Twitter: @Dr. Neal Dunn Rep. Ted Yoho Phone: 202-225-5744 Twitter: @RepTedYoho Rep. John Rutherford Phone: 202-225-2501 Twitter: @JRutherfordFL Rep. Al Lawson Phone: 202-225-0123 Rep. Ron DeSantis Phone: 202-225-2706 Twitter: @RepDeSantis Rep. Stephanie Murphy Phone: 202-225-4035 Twitter: @SMurphyCongress Rep. Bill Posey Phone: 202-225-3671 Twitter: @CongBillPosey Rep. Darren Soto Phone: 202-225-9889 Twitter: @USRepDarrenSoto Rep. Val Demings Phone: 202-225-2176 Twitter: @RepValDemings Rep. Daniel Webster Phone: 202-225-1002 Twitter: @RepWebster Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis Phone: 202-225-5755 Twitter: @RepGusBilirakis Rep. Charlie Crist Phone: 202-225-5961 Twitter: @RepCharlieCrist Rep. Kathy Castor Phone: 202-225-3376 Twitter: @USRepKCastor Rep. Dennis Ross Phone: 202-225-1252 Twitter: @RepDennisRoss Rep. Vern Buchanan Phone: 202-225-5015 Twitter: @VernBuchanan Rep. Tom Rooney Phone: 202-225-5792 Twitter: @TomRooney Rep. Brian Mast Phone: 202-225-3026 Twitter: @BrianMastFL Rep. Francis Rooney Phone: 202-225-2536 Twitter: @FrancisRooney Rep. Alcee L. Hastings Phone: 202-225-1313 Twitter: @RepHastingsFL Rep. Ted Deutch Phone: 202-225-3001 Twitter: @RepTedDeutch Rep. Lois Frankel Phone: 202-225-9890 Twitter: @RepLoisFrankel Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Phone: 202-225-7931 Twitter: @RepDWStweets Rep. Frederica Wilson Phone: 202-225-4506 Twitter: @RepWilson Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart Phone: 202-225-4211 Twitter: @MarioDB Rep. Carlos Curbelo Phone: 202-225-2778 Twitter: @RepCurbelo Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Phone: 202-225-3931 Twitter: @RosLehtinen GEORGIA Sen. Johnny Isakson Phone: 202-224-3643 Twitter: @SenatorIsakson Sen. David Perdue Phone: 202-224-3521 Twitter: @SenDavidPerdue Rep. Buddy Carter Phone: 202-225-5831 Twitter: @RepBuddyCarter Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. Phone: 202-225-3631 Twitter: @SandfordBishop Rep. Drew Ferguson Phone: 202-225-5901 Twitter: @DrewFergusonGA Rep. Henry C. Hank Johnson Jr. Phone: 202-225-1605 Twitter: @RepHankJohnson Rep. John Lewis Phone: 202-225-3801 Twitter: @RepJohnLewis Rep. Tom Price Phone: 202-225-4501 Twitter: @RepTomPrice Rep. Robert Woodall Phone: 202-225-4272 Twitter: @RepRobWoodall Rep. Austin Scott Phone: 202-225-6531 Twitter: @AustinScottGA08 Rep. Doug Collins Phone: 202-225-9893 Twitter: @RepDougCollins Rep. Jody Hice Phone: 202-225-4101 Twitter: @CongressmanHice Rep. Barry Loudermilk Phone: 202-225-2931 Twitter: @RepLoudermilk Rep. Rick Allen Phone: 202-225-2823 Twitter: @RepRickAllen Rep. David Scott Phone: 202-225-2939 Twitter: @RepDavidScott Rep. Tom Graves Phone: 202-225-5211 Twitter: @RepTomGraves HAWAII Sen. Mazie K. Hirono Phone: 202-224-6361 Twitter: @MazieHirono Sen. Brian Schatz Phone: 202-224-3934 Twitter: @SenBrianSchatz Rep. Colleen Hanabusa Phone: 202-225-2726 Twitter: @RepHanabusa Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Phone: 202-225-4906 Twitter: @TulsiPress IDAHO Sen. Mike Crapo Phone: 202-224-6142 Twitter: @MikeCrapo Sen. James Risch Phone: 202-224-2752 Twitter: @SenatorRisch Rep. Raul R. Labrador Phone: 202-225-6611 Twitter: @Raul_Labrador Rep. Mike Simpson Phone: 202-225-5531 Twitter: @CongMikeSimpson ILLINOIS Sen. Richard J. Durbin Phone: 202-224-2152 Twitter: @SenatorDurbin Sen. Tammy Duckworth Phone: 202-224-2854 Twitter: @SenDuckworth Rep. Bobby L. Rush Phone: 202-225-4372 Twitter: @RepBobbyRush Rep. Robin Kelly Phone: 202-225-0773 Twitter: @RepRobinKelly Rep. Daniel Lipinski Phone: 202-225-5701 Twitter: @RepLipinski Luis Gutierrez Phone: 202-225-8203 Twitter: @LuisGutierrez Rep. Mike Quigley Phone: 202-225-4061 Twitter: @RepMikeQuigley Rep. Peter J. Roskam Phone: 202-225-4561 Twitter: @PeterRoskam Rep. Danny K. Davis Phone: 202-225-5006 Twitter: @RepDannyDavis Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi Phone: 202-225-3711 Twitter: @CongressmanRaja Rep. Jan Schakowsky Phone: 202-225-2111 Twitter: @JanSchakowsky Rep. Brad Schneider Phone: 202-225-4835 Twitter: @RepSchneider Rep. Bill Foster Phone: 202-225-3515 Twitter: @RepBillFoster Rep. Mike Bost Phone: 202-225-5661 Twitter: @RepBost Rep. Rodney Davis Phone: 202-225-2371 Twitter: @RodneyDavis Rep. Randy Hultgren Phone: 202-225-2976 Twitter: @RepHultgren Rep. John Shimkus Phone: 202-225-5271 Twitter: @RepShimkus Rep. Adam Kinzinger Phone: 202-225-3635 Twitter: @RepKinzinger Rep. Cheri Bustos Phone: 202-225-5905 Twitter: @RepCheri Rep. Darin LaHood Phone: 202-225-6201 Twitter: @RepLaHood INDIANA Sen. Todd Young Phone: 202-224-5623 Twitter: @SenToddYoung Sen. Joe Donnelly Phone: 202-224-4814 Twitter: @SenDonnelly Rep. Luke Messer Phone: 202-225-3021 Twitter: @RepLukeMesser Rep. Susan W. Brooks Phone: 202-225-2276 Twitter: @SusanWBrooks Rep. Jackie Walorski Phone: 202-225-3915 Twitter: @RepWalorski Rep. Trey Hollingsworth Phone: 202-225-5315 Twitter: @RepTrey Rep. Peter Visclosky Phone: 202-225-2461 Twitter: @RepVisclosky Rep. Jim Banks Phone: 202-225-4436 Twitter: @RepJimBanks Rep. Todd Rokita Phone: 202-225-5037 Twitter: @ToddRokita Rep. Andre Carson Phone: 202-225-4011 Twitter: @RepAndreCarson Rep. Larry Bucshon Phone: 202-225-4636 Twitter: @RepLarryBucshon IOWA Sen. Joni Ernst Phone: 202-224-3254 Twitter: @SenJoniErnst Sen. Chuck Grassley Phone: 202-224-3744 Twitter: @ChuckGrassley Rep. Steve King Phone: 202-225-4426 Twitter: @SteveKingIA Rep. David Young Phone: 202-225-5476 Twitter: @RepDavidYoung Rep. Rod Blum Phone: 202-225-2911 Twitter: @RepRodBlum Rep. David Loebsack Phone: 202-225-6576 Twitter: @DaveLoebsack KANSAS Sen. Jerry Moran Phone: 202-224-6521 Twitter: @JerryMoran Sen. Pat Roberts Phone: 202-224-4774 Twitter: @SenPatRoberts Rep. Kevin Yoder Phone: 202-225-2865 Twitter: @RepKevinYoder Rep. Mike Pompeo Phone : 202-225-6216 Twitter: @RepMikePompeo Rep. Lynn Jenkins Phone: 202-225-6601 Twitter: @RepLynnJenkins Rep. Roger Marshall Phone: 202-225-2715 Twitter: @RogerMarshallMD KENTUCKY Sen. Mitch McConnell Phone: 202-224-2541 Twitter: @McConnellPress Sen. Rand Paul Phone: 202-224-4343 Twitter: @RandPaul Rep. Andy Barr Phone: 202-225-4706 Twitter: @RepAndyBarr Rep. Thomas Massie Phone: 202-225-3465 Twitter: @RepThomasMassie Rep. John Yarmuth Phone: 202-225-5401 Twitter: @RepJohnYarmuth Rep. James Comer Phone: 202-225-3115 Twitter: @KYComer Rep. Harold Rogers Phone: 202-225-4601 Twitter: @RepHalRogers Rep. Brett Guthrie Phone: 202-225-3501 Twitter: @RepGuthrie LOUISIANA Sen. Bill Cassidy Phone: 202-224-5824 Twitter: @BillCassidy Sen. John Kennedy Phone: 202-224-4623 Twitter: @JohnKennedyLA Rep. Garret Graves Phone: 202-225-3901 Twitter: @RepGarretGraves Rep. Ralph Abraham Phone: 202-225-8490 Twitter: @RepAbraham Rep. Steve Scalise Phone: 202-225-3015 Twitter: @SteveScalise Rep. Cedric Richmond Phone: 202-225-6636 Twitter: @RepRichmond Rep. John Fleming Phone: 202-225-2777 Twitter: @RepFleming Rep. Clay Higgins Phone: 202-225-2031 MAINE Sen. Angus King Phone: 202-224-5344 Twitter: @SenAngusKing Sen. Susan Collins Phone: 202-224-2523 Twitter: @SenatorCollins Rep. Bruce Poliquin Phone: 202-225-6306 Twitter: @RepPoliquin Rep. Chellie Pingree Phone: 202-225-6116 Twitter: @ChelliePingree MARYLAND Sen. Chris Van Hollen Phone: 202-224-4654 Twitter: @ChrisVanHollen Sen. Benjamin Cardin Phone: 202-224-4524 Twitter: @SenatorCardin Rep. John Delaney Phone: 202-225-2721 Twitter: @RepJohnDelaney Rep. Jamie Raskin Phone: 202-225-5341 Twitter: @Jamie_Raskin Rep. John P. Sarbanes Phone: 202-225-4016 Twitter: @RepSarbanes Rep. Andy Harris Phone: 202-225-5311 Twitter: @RepAndyHarrisMD Rep. Steny Hoyer Phone: 202-225-4131 Twitter: @WhipHoyer Rep. Anthony Brown Phone: 202-225-8699 Rep. Elijah Cummings Phone: 202-225-4741 Twitter: @RepCummings Rep. C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger Phone: 202-225-3061 Twitter: @Call_Me_Dutch MASSACHUSETTS Sen. Edward J. Markey Phone: 202-224-2742 Twitter: @SenMarkey Sen. Elizabeth Warren Phone: 202-224-4543 Twitter: @SenWarren Rep. Richard E. Neal Phone: 202-225-5601 Twitter: @RepRichardNeal Rep. James McGovern Phone: 202-225-6101 Twitter: @RepMcGovern Rep. Niki Tsongas Phone: 202-225-3411 Twitter: @NikiInTheHouse Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III Phone: 202-225-5931 Twitter: @RepJoeKennedy Rep. Katherine Clark Phone: 202-225-2836 Twitter: @RepKClark Rep. Seth Moulton Phone: 202-225-8020 Twitter: @teammoulton Rep. Michael E. Capuano Phone: 202-225-5111 Twitter: @mikecapuano Rep. Stephen F. Lynch Phone: 202-225-8273 Twitter: @RepStephenLynch Rep. William Keating Phone: 202-225-3111 Twitter: @USRepKeating MICHIGAN Sen. Gary Peters Phone: 202-224-6221 Twitter: @SenGaryPeters Sen. Debbie Stabenow Phone: 202-224-4822 Twitter: @stabenow Rep. Brenda Lawrence Phone: 202-225-5802 Twitter: @RepLawrence Rep. Debbie Dingell Phone: 202-225-4071 Twitter: @RepDebDingell Rep. Dave Trott Phone: 202-225-8171 Twitter: @RepDaveTrott Rep. Mike Bishop Phone: 202-225-4872 Twitter: @RepMikeBishop Rep. John Moolenaar Phone: 202-225-3561 Twitter: @RepMoolenaar Rep. Daniel Kildee Phone: 202-225-3611 Twitter: @RepDanKildee Rep. Tim Walberg Phone: 202-225-6276 Twitter: @RepWalberg Rep. Paul Mitchell Phone: 202-225-2106 Twitter: @RepPaulMitchell Rep. Fred Upton Phone: 202-225-3761 Twitter: @RepFredUpton Rep. Sander Levin Phone: 202-225-4961 Twitter: @RepSandyLevin Rep. Bill Huizenga Phone: 202-225-4401 Twitter: @RepHuizenga Rep. John Conyers Jr. Phone: 202-225-5126 Twitter: @RepJohnConyers Rep. Jack Bergman Phone: 202-225-4735 Twitter: @RepJackBergman Rep. Justin Amash Phone: 202-225-3831 Twitter: @JustinAmash MINNESOTA Sen. Al Franken Phone: 202-224-5641 Twitter: @alfranken Sen. Amy Klobuchar Phone: 202-224-3244 Twitter: @amyklobuchar Rep. Timothy J. Walz Phone: 202-225-2472 Twitter: @RepTimWalz Rep. Jason Lewis Phone: 202-225-2271 Twitter: @Jason2CD Rep. Erik Paulsen Phone: 202-225-2871 Twitter: @RepErikPaulsen Rep. Betty McCollum Phone: 202-225-6631 Twitter: @BettyMcCollum04 Rep. Keith Ellison Phone: 202-225-4755 Twitter: @keithellison Tom Emmer Phone: 202-225-2331 Twitter: @RepTomEmmer Rep. Collin C. Peterson Phone: 202-225-2165 Twitter: @collinpeterson Rep. Rick Nolan Phone: 202-225-6211 Twitter: @USRepRickNolan MISSISSIPPI Sen. Thad Cochran Phone: 202-224-5054 Twitter: @SenThadCochran Sen. Roger F. Wicker Phone: 202-224-6253 Twitter: @SenatorWicker Rep. Trent Kelly Phone: 202-225-4306 Twitter: @RepTrentKelly Rep. Bennie G. Thompson Phone: 202-225-5876 Twitter: @HomelandDems Rep. Gregg Harper Phone: 202-225-5031 Twitter: @GreggHarper Rep. Steven Palazzo Phone: 202-225-5772 Twitter: @CongPalazzo MISSOURI Sen. Roy Blunt Phone: 202-224-5721 Twitter: @RoyBlunt Sen. Claire McCaskill Phone: 202-224-6154 Twitter: @clairecmc Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr. Phone: 202-225-2406 Twitter: @LacyClayMO1 Rep. Ann Wagner Phone: 202-225-1621 Twitter: @RepAnnWagner Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer Phone: 202-225-2956 Twitter: @RepBlainePress Rep. Vicky Hartzler Phone: 202-225-2876 Twitter: @RepHartzler Rep. Emanuel Cleaver Phone: 202-225-4535 Twitter: @repcleaver Rep. Sam Graves Phone: 202-225-7041 Twitter: @RepSamGraves Rep. Billy Long Phone: 202-225-6536 Twitter: @USRepLong Rep. Jason Smith Phone: 202-225-4404 Twitter: @RepJasonSmith MONTANA Sen. Steve Daines Phone: 202-224-2651 Twitter: @SteveDaines Sen. Jon Tester Phone: 202-224-2644 Twitter: @SenatorTester Rep. Ryan Zinke Phone: 202-225-3211 Twitter: @RepRyanZinke NEBRASKA Sen. Deb Fischer Phone: 202-224-6551 Twitter: @SenatorFischer Sen. Ben Sasse Phone: 202-224-4224 Twitter: @SenSasse Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Phone: 202-225-4806 Twitter: @JeffFortenberry Rep. Don Bacon Phone: 202-225-4155 Twitter: @DonJBacon Rep. Adrian Smith Phone: 202-225-6435 Twitter: @RepAdrianSmith NEVADA Sen. Dean Heller Phone: 202-224-6244 Twitter: @SenDeanHeller Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto Phone: 202-224-3542 Twitter: @CatherineForNV Rep. Dina Titus Phone: 202-225-5965 Twitter: @ RepDinaTitus Rep. Mark Amodei Phone: 202-225-6155 Twitter: @MarkAmodeiNV2 Rep. Jacky Rosen Phone: 202-225-3252 Twitter: @RepJackyRosen3 Rep. Ruben Kihuen Phone: 202-225-9894 Twitter: @RubenKihuen NEW HAMPSHIRE Sen. Margaret (Maggie) Hassan Phone: 202-224-3324 Twitter: @SenatorHassan Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Phone: 202-224-2841 Twitter: @SenatorShaheen Rep. Carol Shea-Porter Phone: 202-225-5456 Twitter: @TeamSheaPorter Rep. Ann Kuster Phone: 202-225-5206 Twitter: @RepAnnieKuster NEW JERSEY Sen. Robert Menendez Phone: 202-224-4744 Twitter: @SenatorMenendez Sen. Cory Booker Phone: 202-224-3224 Twitter: @SenBookerOffice Rep. Donald Norcross Phone: 202-225-6501 Twitter: @DonaldNorcross Rep. Frank LoBiondo Phone: 202-225-6572 Twitter: @RepLoBiondo Rep. Tom MacArthur Phone: 202-225-4765 Twitter: @RepTomMacArthur Rep. Chris Smith Phone: 202-225-3765 Twitter: @RepChrisSmith Rep. Josh Gottheimer Phone: 202-225-4465 Twitter: @JoshGottheimer Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. Phone: 202-225-4671 Twitter: @FrankPallone Rep. Leonard Lance Phone: 202-225-5361 Twitter: @RepLanceNJ7 Rep. Albio Sires Phone: 202-225-7919 Twitter: @RepSires Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. Phone: 202-225-5751 Twitter: @BillPascrell Rep. Donald Payne Jr. Phone: 202-225-3436 Twitter: @RepDonaldPayne Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen Phone: 202-225-5034 Twitter: @USRepRodney Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Phone: 202-225-5801 Twitter: @RepBonnie NEW MEXICO Sen. Martin Heinrich Phone: 202-224-5521 Twitter: @MartinHeinrich Sen. Tom Udall Phone: 202-224-6621 Twitter: @SenatorTomUdall Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham Phone: 202-225-6316 Twitter: @RepLujanGrisham Rep. Steve Pearce Phone: 202-225-2365 Twitter: @RepStevePearce Rep. Ben R. Lujan Phone: 202-225-6190 Twitter: @RepBenRayLujan NEW YORK Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand Phone: 202-224-4451 Twitter: @SenGillibrand Sen. Charles E. Schumer Phone: 202-224-6542 Twitter: @SenSchumer Rep. Lee Zeldin Phone: 202-225-3826 Twitter: @RepLeeZeldin Rep. Pete King Phone: 202-225-7896 Twitter: @RepPeteKing Rep. Thomas Suozzi Phone: 202-225-3335 Twitter: @Tom_Suozzi Rep. Kathleen Rice Phone: 202-225-5516 Twitter: @RepKathleenRice Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Phone: 202-225-3461 Twitter: @GregoryMeeks Rep. Grace Meng Phone: 202-225-2601 Twitter: @RepGraceMeng Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez Phone: 202-225-2361 Twitter: @NydiaVelazquez Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Phone: 202-225-5936 Twitter: @RepJeffries Rep. Yvette D. Clarke Phone: 202-225-6231 Twitter: @RepYvetteClarke Rep. Jerrold Nadler Phone: 202-225-5635 Twitter: @RepJerryNadler Rep. Daniel Donovan Phone: 202-225-3371 Twitter: @RepDanDonovan Rep. Carolyn Maloney Phone: 202-225-7944 Twitter: @RepMaloney Rep. Adriano Espaillat Phone: 202-225-4365 Twitter: @RepEspaillat Rep. Joseph Crowley Phone: 202-225-3965 Twitter: @RepJoeCrowley Rep. Jose E. Serrano Phone: 202-225-4361 Twitter: @RepJoseSerrano Rep. Eliot Engel Phone: 202-225-2464 Twitter: @RepEliotEngel Rep. Nita Lowey Phone: 202-225-6506 Twitter: @NitaLowey Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney Phone: 202-225-5441 Twitter: @RepSeanMaloney Rep. John Faso Phone: 202-225-5614 Twitter: @RepJohnFaso Rep. Paul D. Tonko Phone: 202-225-5076 Twitter: @RepPaulTonko Rep. Elise Stefanik Phone: 202-225-4611 Twitter: @RepStefanik Rep. Claudia Tenney Phone: 202-225-3665 Twitter: @claudiatenney Rep. Tom Reed Phone: 202-225-3161 Twitter: @RepTomReed Rep. John Katko Phone: 202-225-3701 Twitter: @RepJohnKatko Rep. Louise Slaughter Phone: 202-225-3615 Twitter: @LouiseSlaughter Rep. Brian Higgins Phone: 202-225-3306 Twitter: @RepBrianHiggins Rep. Chris Collins Phone: 202-225-5265 Twitter: @RepChrisCollins NORTH CAROLINA Sen. Richard Burr Phone: 202-224-3154 Twitter: @SenatorBurr Sen. Thom Tillis Phone: 202-224-6342 Twitter: @SenThomTillis Rep. G.K. Butterfield Phone: 202-225-3101 Twitter: @GKButterfield Rep. George Holding Phone: 202-225-3032 Twitter: @RepHolding Rep. Walter B. Jones Phone: 202-225-3415 Twitter: @RepWalterJones Rep. David Price Phone: 202-225-1784 Twitter: @RepDavidEPrice Rep. Virginia Foxx Phone: 202-225-2071 Twitter: @VirginiaFoxx Rep. Mark Walker Phone: 202-225-3065 Twitter: @RepMarkWalker Rep. David Rouzer Phone: 202-225-2731 Twitter: @RepDavidRouzer Rep. Richard Hudson Phone: 202-225-3715 Twitter: @RepRichHudson Rep. Robert Pittenger Phone: 202-225-1976 Twitter: @RepPittenger Rep. Patrick T. McHenry Phone: 202-225-2576 Twitter: @PatrickMcHenry Rep. Mark Meadows Phone: 202-225-6401 Twitter: @RepMarkMeadows Rep. Alma Adams Phone: 202-225-1510 Twitter: @RepAdams Rep. Ted Budd Phone: 202-225-4531 Twitter: @buddforcongress NORTH DAKOTA Sen. Heidi Heitkamp Phone: 202-224-2043 Twitter: @SenatorHeitkamp Sen. John Hoeven Phone: 202-224-2551 Twitter: @SenJohnHoeven Rep. 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Enzi Phone: 202-224-3424 Twitter: @SenatorEnzi Rep. Liz Cheney Phone: 202-225-2311 Twitter: @Rep_LizCheney Fox News anchor Shep Smith on Wednesday defended CNN after President-elect Donald Trump belittled one of the network's journalists at a press conference over a controversial report. "President-elect Trump today told CNN's Jim Acosta that his organization amounts to fake news," Smith said. Smith referred to CNN's Tuesday report that top intelligence officials presented Trump with information that Russian operatives claimed they possessed compromising information about him. The information presented to Trump, CNN reported, was based on a 35-page dossier which BuzzFeed later published in full on its website. "CNN's exclusive reporting on the Russian matter was separate and distinctly different from the document dump executed by an online news property," the Fox News journalist said. Heres what Shep had to say about @realDonaldTrump 's criticism of the media #TrumpPressConference pic.twitter.com/92umEbMjD3 Shepard Smith (@ShepNewsTeam) January 11, 2017 "Though we at FOX News cannot confirm CNN's report," Smith continued, "it is our observation that its correspondents followed journalistic standards and that neither they nor any other journalists should be subjected to belittling and delegitimizing by the president-elect of the United States." For its part, CNN defended its own coverage in a statement on Thursday, distancing itself from BuzzFeed. "CNN's decision to publish carefully sourced reporting about the operations of our government is vastly different than BuzzFeed's decision to publish unsubstantiated memos," said a statement from the network. "The Trump team knows this. They are using BuzzFeed's decision to deflect from CNN's reporting, which has been matched by the other major news organizations." Story continues The statement continued: "We made it clear that we were not publishing any of the details of the 35-page document because we have not corroborated the report's allegations," the statement continued. "Given that members of the Trump transition team have so vocally criticized our reporting, we encourage them to identify, specifically, what they believe to be inaccurate." In a statement shared with its employees, BuzzFeed defended its decision to release the memo despite hesitation by other media outlets to publish the unverified claims. "We stand with Ben on his decision to publish this newsworthy document, which was reported on by multiple news outlets and seen by high-level government officials including the president and president-elect," cofounder and CEO Jonah Peretti wrote referring to Ben Smith, BuzzFeed's editor in chief. "As a result of this decision, we were criticized by the incoming administration," Peretti continued. "We are not going to respond to these divisive comments, which put us in great company by the way The New York Times, CNN, and The Washington Post have all been attacked. So has Meryl Streep and the cast of Hamilton, but we'd never compare ourselves to people that talented." "We are going to keep doing what we do best, which is deliver impactful journalism," the BuzzFeed cofounder concluded. NOW WATCH: Watch Former CIA director James Woolsey explain why he wont advise the Trump transition team anymore More From Business Insider Paris (AFP) - France has sold a 4.1-percent stake in energy company Engie, pulling in 1.14 billion euros ($1.2 billion) to help finance a state-led rescue of troubled nuclear firm Areva. The sale of 100 million Engie shares was 10 million above the amount initially offered, the APE agency which manages shareholdings for the French state said in a statement late on Tuesday. The sale leaves the French state with 28.7 percent of the capital and 32.6 percent of the voting rights in Engie, the energy and gas company that used to be known as GDF Suez. The agency said the sale would still leave the French state as the top shareholder in the company which is the world's top independent electricity producer and a leading liquefied natural gas importer. Last year, the French government announced it would sell off some shareholdings to raise funds to bail out nuclear reactor firm Areva. The European Commission gave the green light Tuesday to the French state pumping 4.5 billion euros into Areva subject to competition regulators approving the sale of the reactor business to electricity supplier EDF. The French state, which owns 85 percent of EDF, has also undertaken to subscribe to 3 out of 4 billion euros in capital that the company plans to raise this year. As of last April, the French state held stakes in 81 companies, including telecommunications operator Orange and aircraft engine maker Safran. The value of its portfolio was estimated some 90 billion euros. The value of the listed companies fell by 11.5 percent last year to 59.7 billion euros, mostly due to the sliding value of shares in the energy companies EDF, Areva and Engie Is Belgiums King Philippe the most generous monarch of all? In 2016, the royal gave 769 of his subjects 200 Euros (around $211) each, simply because they asked. Belgiums Royal Palace revealed the information about the kings benevolent act on Wednesday as part of an annual review of royal communications, according to Reuters. The kings generosity to his subjects cost him $162,600 during 2016. Thats up from $109,800, which he donated to 520 people the year before. The 56-year-old King of the Belgians, who has ruled since July 2013, received around 50,000 written letters during 2016, a palace statement said. And more than 20 percent of the letters the king received were concerned with what the palace deemed social questions. The majority of letters and emails to the monarch were of a narrative nature, the palace said, with ordinary Belgians wanting to tell the king their stories, or requesting royal acknowledgement of an anniversary or special event. Letters of interest were investigated individually to ensure that their senders appeals for financial help were genuine, the palace said, before any money was sent on the monarchs behalf. Quiberon (France) (AFP) - At first glance, apart from a telltale little hole between its eyes, the inert fish looks like any other dead whiting. But its flesh is much tastier thanks to the ancient Japanese method by which it was slaughtered: ikejime, also known as spiking. Practised for centuries in Japan, the technique has been adopted only recently in France, and 30-year-old Brittany fisherman Daniel Kerdavid is one of only a handful of French purveyors of ikejime-slaughtered fish. Receiving a delivery of Kerdavid's catch of the day, Michelin-starred chef Herve Bourdon exclaims: "Wow, aren't they beautiful!" The use of ikejime "completely changes the taste and texture of the fish," says Bourdon, who serves up pearly white pollock with caramelised carrots at the Petit Hotel du Grand Large restaurant in the seaside Brittany town of Saint-Pierre-Quiberon. "You can feel the muscle," he told AFP. "I don't know if you can imagine the result, something both firm and tender, and it also preserves the original colours of the fish. It's pretty extraordinary." Adopting the technique has enabled Kerdavid to double his prices -- he now charges an average of eight euros (dollars) a kilo for his whiting. But Bourdon says he is not bothered by the expense: "What I'm interested in is quality." And Kerdavid is not looking back: "All my fish have already been sold," he says. Another Michelin-starred chef Kerdavid has reeled in is Christopher Hache of the restaurant Les Ambassadeurs at the storied Hotel de Crillon in Paris. As the majestic hotel undergoes extensive renovations, Hache is on a global mission scouting for techniques and ingredients used by other top chefs -- which turned him into a fan of the ikejime method, Kerdavid says. Donning rubber boots and waterproof overalls, Kerdavid sets sail before dawn from the port of Quiberon on a quest for whiting, pollock and other fish around the island of Belle-Ile. Story continues Each fish he hauls aboard his nine-metre (30-foot) boat -- named Miyabi after the hook that is the main tool of his trade -- meets a sharp, swift fate. With disconcerting self-assurance, Kerdavid sinks a miyabi between the fish's eyes, then pushes a steel spike through the hole into the brain, slicing through arteries as it goes. The blood drains from the fish's body into a bin filled with ice water. The technique destroys the fish's nervous system including the spinal cord in a few seconds while the heart continues to beat. "The fish is still alive. Its internal organs continue to function, especially the heart, which will empty out all the blood," says Kerdavid, who has never set foot in Japan but learned the technique by watching video clips online. "The blood is the main cause of the fish's deterioration," he says. Not only is the flesh tastier with all the blood drained from it, but the fish has a longer storage life. - Not left to thrash about - The technique may seem cruel, but its proponents say it is more humane than allowing a fish to thrash about until it dies. "I kill the fish, I don't leave them to die," Kerdavid says. "From the moment I pull my hook from the fish it feels no more pain." Death by ikejime causes far less stress to the fish, assuring better quality flesh. Kerdavid's haul for the day weighs 91 kilogrammes (200 pounds). The more fragile fish, such as whiting and pollock, are killed onboard. Others such as conger eels, sea bream, rays or smooth-hound sharks are brought ashore to be killed after being kept alive in tanks. As interest in ikejime-slaughtered fish grows among French chefs, Kerdavid wants to branch out, and is now looking into using the technique to kill lobsters as an alternative to boiling the animals alive. Kerdavid has only two competitors in France, fish wholesaler France Ikejime and Damien Muller, a Corsican fisherman who uses ikejime to slaughter his bluefin tuna and swordfish. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Galileo Exploration Ltd. (GXL.V) (the "Company") announces that the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Ronald A. Rieder to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. David Hottman has resigned as CEO to focus on other ventures and will remain as Chairman and a director of the Company. Mr. Ronald Rieder is the current President of Galileo Exploration and has over 30 years of corporate finance and business expertise in strategic resource planning, financing, and corporate communications. As a former President/CEO of Lucky Strike Uranium Exploration, he assisted in the formation of a four company syndicate to explore over 700,000 acres of prospective land in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada. As the former Vice President of Finance for Mineral Mountain Gold, he assisted in raising in excess of $20 million dollars over a three year period. Mr. Rieder's diverse background and ability to assess projects will be an asset to the company as it continues to acquire projects and create shareholder value. "The Company wishes to thank Mr. Hottman for his service as CEO. We are pleased to have his continued contribution as a director moving forward as we continue to build the company portfolio," says Ronald Rieder, Galileo Explorations' new President and CEO. ON BEHALF OF GALILEO EXPLORATION LTD. "Ronald A. Rieder" Ronald A. Rieder President/CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release. This news release has been prepared by management and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. For further information contact: Ronald Rieder, CEO at 604-629-1929 E-mail: rrieder@galileoexplorationltd.com SOURCE: Galileo Exploration Ltd. George Lucas is building a GIANT museum in Los Angeles, and it looks absolutely fantastic Heres some great news for those really into all kinds of art, movie magic, and Star Wars: George Lucas has just named Los Angeles the future home of his epic, sprawling museum, and we seriously cannot wait to check it out. Lucas, who is best known for creating this lil movie called Star Wars maybe youve heard of it? is a huge supporter, and collector, of the arts. For a long time hes been trying to build a museum to house all the pieces hes collected over the years (and some Star Wars artifacts, too). Originally, the project was supposed to land in San Francisco (where Star Wars headquarters, Lucasfilm, is actually located), but that didnt work out. Then he tried to take his project to Chicago (where his wife, Mellody Hobson, is from). That didnt work out, either. So, how about Los Angeles, the OG home of Hollywood? This museum, The Museum of Narrative Art, will be nestled right inside Exposition Park, which is nearby to the University of Southern California (where Lucas actually graduated). If you think youre excited about this, just think of Los Angeles. According to the initial reports, and scope, of the project it will create thousands of jobs for the LA area, and that is ah-mazing. I believed in the vision for the Lucas Museum, and we went after it with everything we have because I know that L.A. is the ideal place for making sure that it touches the widest possible audience, Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti explained in a statement. I am deeply grateful to Mellody and George, and to our educational, governmental, and cultural leaders for their extraordinary support in helping us bring the museum home. Now its time to build the vision. And what will you find inside? Lots of narrative art, duh. But also things like Norman Rockwell paintings and the OG Darth Vader mask. Be prepared for this to become your new favorite go-to museum. After serious flirtations with both San Francisco and Chicago, legendary filmmaker George Lucas has decided that Los Angeles will be home to his long-planned museum of narrative art. The Star Wars creator has amassed a collection of over 10,000 pieces by artists such as Norman Rockwell, along with epic Hollywood memorabilia, which will be housed in a new museum in L.A.s Exposition Park. Though Lucas originally planned for the destination to be part of the San Francisco landscapewhich is the home to Lucasfilm HQthe filmmaker shifted his sights to Chicago in 2014 after he and area officials could not agree on a location. A lawsuit then caused trouble over the proposed location in the Windy City, leading the 72-year-old back to California, where he was born and raised. After entertaining sites in both cities for several months, the board of directors for the museum announced on Tuesday that L.A.s location in a dense cultural district had beaten a plan to house the museum on an island in San Francisco Bay. They said in a statement to TIME that the choice best positions the museum to have the greatest impact on the broader community, fulfilling our goal of inspiring, engaging and educating a broad and diverse visitorship. Lucas has said he will dedicate $1 billion in funding to the project, including building costs. Now we turn our attention to finalizing the details, the board concluded, and building what we believe will be one of the most imaginative and inclusive art museums in the world. Its official: Star Wars creator George Lucas planned art museum is headed to Los Angeles. The board of directors at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art announced Tuesday that the ambitious project will be constructed in L.A.s Exposition Park neighborhood, beating out a competing plan in San Francisco. A previous plan to build the museum in Chicago was scrapped over the summer after months of contentious debate. Featuring fine and popular art from Lucas extensive personal collection, the $1-billion venture will celebrate visual storytelling in its many forms, including narrative painting, illustration, photography, film, animation, and digital art. In Tuesdays announcement, the board said the project will represent one of the most imaginative and inclusive art museums in the world a global destination that all Angelenos and Californians will be proud to call their own. According to a futuristic concept design by MAD Architects, the museum site will feature approximately 100,000 square feet of gallery space and 6-7 acres of green space. Exposition Park is located about 10 miles southeast of Hollywood and is also home to the National History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California Science Center, the California African American Museum, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Concept art for Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (Courtesy of Lucas Museum) By Aaron Crouch, The Hollywood Reporter The Force is with Los Angeles. George Lucas has selected L.A. over San Francisco to be home to his $1 billion museum, with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art set to feature pieces from the filmmakers personal collection, including memorabilia from Star Wars and other films, vintage photographs and an impressive selection of traditional paintings. The museum is eyeing a May 4, 2020, launch, according to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Related: View George Lucas plans for his Museum of Narrative Art After extensive due diligence and deliberation, the Board of Directors of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is pleased to announce plans to build the museum in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, the museums board of directors said Tuesday in a statement. We have been humbled by the overwhelmingly positive support we received from both San Francisco and Los Angeles during our selection process. Settling on a location proved to be an extremely difficult decision precisely because of the desirability of both sites and cities. Lucas Museum will be situated in Los Angeles Exposition Park, adjacent to Coliseum and across from Lucass alma mater, USC (Courtesy of Lucas Museum) Lucas had previously unveiled two different designs for his proposed Museum of Narrative Art, one for Los Angeles Exposition Park and a similar proposal for the same museum to be built on San Franciscos Treasure Island. At one point, Chicago also was in the running, but those plans were scrapped in June after it faced opposition from a local preservation group called Friends of the Parks. Garcetti thanked Lucas and his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson, for selecting Los Angeles. They have a vision that museums should not be foreboding places, but should be welcoming, Garcetti said Tuesday afternoon during a press conference at City Hall. He also noted that this is not a Star Wars museum. Continued Garcetti: This is a collection of narrative art in a city that has the best storytellers and storymakers in the world. The best collection of Norman Rockwell paintings on Earth. Works from R. Crumb. Story continues Related: Lucas Museum Will Bring These Rare Star Wars Art Pieces to L.A. The mayor also singled out Jeffrey Katzenberg, who he said he relentlessly pushed behind the scenes for the museum to come to L.A. Los Angeles County Museum of Art director Michael Govan was another key proponent in the citys lobbying efforts. Do or do not there is no try,' Garcetti said, quoting Yoda. Today, we did it. While Lucas was not made available for comment, accessibility may have been the deciding factor between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Whereas Exposition Park can be reached by several public transportation lines, Treasure Island is a four-acre parcel of land in the middle of San Francisco Bay, accessible only by traffic from the bridge and a ferry. The futuristic design for the museum comes from Chinese architect Ma Yansong. The museums supporters have said it will bring 1,500 construction jobs to the city as well as an additional 350 permanent jobs. (Editors note: This story was updated at 6 p.m. PT with details from Mayor Garcettis press conference.) Related: Watch TV shows, movies and more on Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. George Takei is standing up for Muslims in America. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/WireImage) George Takei is taking aim at Donald Trump and the president-elects Cabinet nominations. The Star Trek star and political activist has started a Care2 petition to gather support for the Muslim community and oppose any policy targeting them based on their religion or national origin. For Takei, 79, some of Trumps threats hit too close to home. When I was just 5, my family was rounded up at gunpoint and forced from our home in Los Angeles into an internment camp, the Japanese-American actor writes. We were prisoners in our own country, held within barbed-wire compounds, armed guards pointing guns down at us. It was an egregious violation of our rights under the U.S. Constitution, all in the name of security. Takei continues, I have spent my life trying to ensure something like this never happens again. But dark clouds once more are gathering. A Trump spokesperson recently stated the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II sets a precedent for Trump to do the same today. And Trump continues to stand by his plans to establish a Muslim registry and ban immigrants from certain Muslim countries from the U.S. It starts with a registry, with restrictions, with irrationally ascribed guilt, and with fear. But we know well where it might lead. National security must never again be permitted to justify wholesale denial of constitutional rights and protections, Takei concludes. If it is freedom and our way of life that we fight for, our first obligation is to ensure that our own government adheres to those principles. Without that, we are no better than our enemies. So far, the petition has 48,000 supporters and counting. This is hardly the first time Takei has taken on Trump or those in his inner circle. Sign George Takeis Petition to Stand Up for Muslims in the U.S. Its getting to be even more worrisome, he told CNN in December. The kind of people hes appointing to major Cabinet positions: Jeff Sessions to head the Department of Justice when he has a history of racism and he was denied a judgeship because of that history? Story continues Takei has also taken to Twitter to share his concern. Yes, I am a liberal. My beliefs are rooted in science and facts. I believe in equality, peace, and ecology. Liberal, liberal, LIBERAL. George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 10, 2017 Jeff Sessions' racist deeds once disqualified him in the eyes of the GOP from being a federal judge. Tell me again why he should now be AG? George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 10, 2017 Berlin (AFP) - A planned meeting between the leader of Germany's anti-immigration AfD party and France's far-right chief Marine Le Pen has sparked open dissent within the German party. Two key AfD members, Georg Pazderski and Alexander Gauland, contested the decision by the party's co-chief Frauke Petry to join the January 21 event in the western German city of Koblenz. The conference is set to gather the main players in Europe's far-right circle, including anti-Islam Dutch MP Geert Wilders and Italy's Matteo Salvini of the Northern League. But Pazderski told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "I find that the National Front does not suit us at all." "The FN is a socialist party. Personally I have reservations," he said. While both parties have hit out against the arrival of hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers to Europe, they differ on economic policies. Le Pen's party advocates a protectionist line, while the AfD, although also anti-euro, has liberal economic leanings. The German party backs the privatisation of some state services and views competitive markets as "preferable to state intervention". The dissenters accused Petry of not waiting for party top ranks to give their opinion on the meeting before she went public with the plan to join in. Petry had announced her participation through Twitter on Monday evening, hours after she sent an email to the party's executives. Gauland, calling it a "rather strange approach," said she should have waited at least a day "out of courtesy". The latest discord underlined a power struggle and ideological tussle within the AfD, with some seeking to tug the party further to the right while others, like co-leader Joerg Meuthen, are striking a more moderate line. Petry refused to engage in "a debate on labels" when asked last year how close her party was to France's FN or Austria's Freedom Party. Story continues Meuthen, however, has distanced the AfD from the FN, saying Le Pen's group was a "party that has fundamentally nationalist and socialist ideas, which are alien to our party". The AfD, which opposes Chancellor Angela Merkel's liberal refugee policy, has enjoyed a surge in support in a series of state elections over the past year. Ahead of general elections which are likely to be held in September, the party is polling at around 15 percent. By Holger Hansen BERLIN (Reuters) - The top priority in Brexit negotiations for the 27 countries remaining in the European Union must be to hold the bloc together, even if this means they suffer one-off economic hits, Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) said in a policy paper. "Were we to allow a 'Europe a la Carte', this would lead to incalculable domino effects that would threaten the unity of the Union," the parliamentary party of the SPD, junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition, said in the paper. "The short-term interests of individual groups or member states, including Germany, must recede behind this long-term and overarching goal if there is a conflict," said the paper, seen by Reuters. It added that foreign investments in Britain could lose value or delivery chains be affected. In the paper, entitled "Strengthening the cohesion of the European Union - our key points for the Brexit negotiations", the SPD said any transitional arrangements for Britain after it leaves the EU should be short-term and tied to tight conditions. "We reject open transitional rules without a precisely agreed time frame or a clear definition of the new ties," said the paper, dated Jan. 9. It is to be discussed - and likely adopted - by the SPD's parliamentary party on Thursday. The paper largely reflects the line taken by conservative Merkel who says there will be no cherry-picking for Britain and that the EU must consider limiting British access to the single market if it fails to accept the bloc's four freedoms in talks. The EU's single market enshrines the four freedoms of movement of goods, capital, people and services. British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants to regain control over immigration, restore British sovereignty, including by pulling out of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), and secure the best possible trading relations with the EU. The SPD said the rules of the single market, which include fair competition, are guaranteed by the ECJ. Story continues "Without recognition of this function (of the Court) of having the last say, participating in the single market will not be possible, also and in particular, for the service sector," said the paper. The SPD also said it was prepared to protect the status of Britons in the EU during Brexit talks, as long as Britain does the same for EU citizens there and urged London to provide more clarity about its goals for Brexit. "Even seven months after the referendum, the contours of the broad goals with which the government in London will enter talks are barely visible," said the paper. (Writing by Paul Carrel and Madeline Chambers; Editing by Catherine Evans) GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's cabinet on Wednesday approved the deployment of eight attack and transport helicopters as well as 350 additional soldiers to Mali as part of a U.N. peacekeeping mission, sources told Reuters. The helicopters will replace those of the Dutch army, and the additional troops will service and maintain the fleet. After the deployment, Germany will have some 1,000 soldiers in Mali taking part in the 15,000-strong U.N. mission that oversees a peace deal agreed in 2015 between the government and rebels. The additional deployments will have to be approved by the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament. The four attack helicopters and a similar number of transport machines will stay in Mali until mid-2018. Some 100 peacekeepers have died in Mali, where France launched a military operation in 2013 to push back Islamists who a year earlier had hijacked an ethnic Tuareg uprising in the north of the country. The cabinet has also approved the extension of a mission in northern Iraq, where some 150 soldiers have been training Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State. That mandate also requires parliamentary approval. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Writing by Joseph Nasr; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) Berlin (AFP) - German companies will be forced to be more transparent about how much they pay male and female employees, under new legislation approved Wednesday in a bid to tackle the gender pay gap. Under the new regulations, workers in companies with more than 200 employees will have the right to know what men and women in equal positions are earning. Businesses with more than 500 staff members will also have to publish regular updates on salary structures to show they are complying with equal pay rules. Women's Affairs Minister Manuela Schwesig hailed the law on salary transparency as "a real breakthrough" that would help millions of women narrow the pay gap. "We finally want to break the taboo that you don't talk about money," she said at a Berlin press conference. "It's very important that we show the women in this country we are taking this issue seriously. It's a question of fairness," she added. Women in Germany earn around 21 percent less than men, according to her ministry. This is worse than the European average of 16.5 percent, according to 2015 data. The discrepancy is in part down to the fact that women in Germany tend more often to work in low-paid jobs or sectors, or only part time. For women with the same qualifications doing the same work as a male colleague the pay gap stands at seven percent, the women's affairs ministry said. Critics have argued that the new regulations will lead to animosity in the office and create unnecessary red tape for employers. Christian von Stetten, a lawmaker from Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, said some 4,000 companies would be burdened with additional bureaucracy because of the law. "The right to demand salary information will foster workplace envy and discontent," he told Die Welt daily. * Buoyant tax revenues, low borrowing costs * Money earmarked for refugee-related expenditure * Merkel's conservatives want to pay off old debt * Co-governing Social Democrats eye more investment (Adds details, discussion about paying back debt) By Matthias Sobolewski BERLIN, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Germany's federal government managed to post a budget surplus of 5 to 7 billion euros in 2016, coalition sources told Reuters on Wednesday, with the extra money already being slated for a fund to finance spending on a record influx of refugees. Germany has welcomed more than 1 million asylum seekers since the beginning of 2015, many fleeing war zones in the Middle East. The government has created a fund to finance the costs of accommodating and integrating the new arrivals. The Finance Ministry will publish the exact figure for the 2016 budget surplus soon, two coalition politicians familiar with the ministry's budget plans said. In 2015, the federal government achieved a budget surplus of nearly 13 billion euros, helped by buoyant tax revenues and record-low borrowing costs. That extra money also went into the special fund created for refugee-related expenditure. From that money, the Finance Ministry originally earmarked 6.1 billion euros for 2016 and 6.7 billion euros for 2017. But the government managed to finance its refugee-related spending last year without tapping the fund, the sources said. This means that there are still nearly 13 billion euros available for refugee-related spending and the budget surplus from 2016 comes on top of this, the coalition sources said. The windfall sparked a debate among Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the co-governing Social Democrats (SPD) about whether to tap the fund for other purposes. Eckhardt Rehberg, budget expert for Merkel's conservatives, said the government should use some of the extra money to pay back old debt and reduce the overall debt burden. "After having a budget without new debt, it would be another cornerstone of fiscal policy to pay off old debt," Rehberg said, adding the conservatives wanted to explore the possibility of changing the budget law for that purpose. Story continues The co-governing Social Democrats (SPD) rejected the idea, saying the extra money should better be used to further increase public investment in education and infrastructure and to reduce taxes for workers on small and medium incomes. "The fund is not the piggy bank of the finance minister," SPD lawmaker and budget expert Johannes Kahrs said. (Writing by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Catherine Evans) Gigi and Bella Hadid are showing love for their mother, Yolanda Hadid, on her special day. The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star turned 53 years old on Wednesday, and both of her daughters took to Instagram to celebrate with adorable childhood throwback pics. "To the most compassionate, supportive, loving, intelligent, creative SUPERmom in the world... I am so lucky to have someone like you to look up to," Gigi, 21, wrote. "Thank you for everything (especially @bellahadid & @anwarhadid), I love you so much! Happy Birthday!!!" WATCH: Gigi Hadid Says She's 'Taking a Break' from Social Media "Today marks the day that our beautiful angel, my best friend and mother was brought into this word!" Bella, 20, also wrote. "Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!!!! Nobody loves you more than me! Happy birthday sweet mama." Today marks the day that our beautiful angel, my best friend and mother was brought into this world! Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!!!! Nobody loves you more than me! @yolanda.hadid Happy birthday sweet mama A photo posted by Bella Hadid (@bellahadid) on Jan 11, 2017 at 8:35am PST And Bella's currently making us all jealous thanks to her amazing bikini shot on Tuesday, posing on a sunny beach despite the winter season. where i belong A photo posted by Bella Hadid (@bellahadid) on Jan 10, 2017 at 11:43am PST WATCH: Gigi Hadid Reveals Battle With Thyroid Disease and How It Affected Her Victoria's Secret Training Of course, Yolanda is a super proud mother to her model daughters, as well as her 17-year-old son, Anwar, who's also a model. ET spoke with her in November at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris, France, where she gushed about both Gigi and Bella walking the runway together. "I'm just so proud, and grateful that we get the opportunity as a family to experience this in this moment in time," Yolanda told ET. "I'm just -- it's amazing. I'm just as fascinated as everybody else." Watch below: Related Articles Jack Bauer cast a long shadow, said 24: Legacy EP Howard Gordon about resurrecting the action TV franchise with a fresh leading man. And in coming up with a new protagonist, Gordon said it was essential to reverse engineer, meaning creating one with different qualities with the broadest possible strokes that distinguished him from Jack Bauer. Its a similar process that Gordon and his writers executed on Homeland in breaking Carrie Mathison, and solidifying that shes completely distinct from Kiefer Sutherlands Bauer. Creator/EP Evan Katz said that Eric Carter (Corey Hawkins), the new guy on 24: Legacy has a youthful idealism that we havent seen in the show. Ultimately its his journey through CTU that turns him into an agent. Said Gordon: It wasnt about, Lets cast a black guy or a Hispanic guy, it was very much who is this character? In 24: Legacy, Eric Carter has come from the battlefield, thrown into a world with gray areas unlike what he has experienced before. Gordon added: The headline of the show is: What does it mean to be American? As a black soldier coming from war? As a high-powered woman who runs CTU (Miranda Ottos Rebecca Ingram)? As a Hispanic candidate running for president (Jimmy Smits)? What does it mean to be an American? Said Hawkins: In regards to diversity in the writers room, I remember we had long conversations about that, making sure our voice was in the writers room. We have black writers in the writers room, but more to the point, we have great writers in the writers room. We.went after writers who understood the vice but, at the same time, also knew how to write for this genre. The actor adds, In terms of the race question, we are a diverse people and this show is really a reflection of that as it has always been. 24: Legacy premieres after the Super Bowl on Fox on February 5 and will play out across 12 real-time episodes. Story continues See a promo for 24: Legacy below: Related stories 'Making History' Looks At The Lighter Side Of Time Travel - TCA Fox Hits Back Again At "Futile" Netflix Efforts In Executive Poaching Suit 'Bones' Celebrates Surviving Fox For 12 Years At TCA A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $160,000 for the family of the teen with special needs who was allegedly kidnapped, beaten and tortured on a Facebook Live video on Jan. 3. The page, which was started by Reddit user Razor Shelden, was authenticated to PEOPLE by Neal Strom, the attorney for the 18-year-olds family, who says his clients appreciate the support and are working together to help their loved one. Its been overwhelming for them, Strom says. What happened was horrific, beyond imagination, but just want to heal. On Jan. 6, four suspects were arrested for the alleged incident on Chicagos West Side, which was filmed on Facebook Live and uploaded to YouTube. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. The video allegedly shows the alleged victim, who is white, tied up with his mouth covered while four people, who are black, are seen kicking and punching him before eventually cutting his forehead with a knife. They can be heard laughing and saying, Donald Trump and white people. Jordan Hill, 18, Tesfaye Cooper, 18, Brittany Covington, 18, and Tanishia Covington, 24, all face felony charges including aggravated kidnapping, hate crime, aggravated unlawful restraint and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. All four have allegedly given statements to police admitting their roles in the attack, according to the Los Angeles Times. During a court appearance on Friday, a Chicago judge denied bail for all four suspects. It is unclear at this time whether the suspects have entered pleas or have been appointed attorneys. According to Strom, multiple groups have reached out to the special needs teens family to show support and offer resources. Every day getting an outpouring of all kinds of support from people that want to do something for them, he tells PEOPLE, adding that he is working for the family pro-bono and feels privileged to have their trust. Story continues Strom is trying to get professional help for the alleged victim and fears he might suffer post traumatic stress from the incident. The family is huddled around him morning, noon and night, but he needs help, he says. For now, while medical resources and experts reach out to Strom, the family is disregarding the controversy surrounding the attack. Weve chosen not to even touch , were not interested in that, we dont see it that way, Strom tells PEOPLE. Its an unfortunate thing between people. 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. The family, who lives in the Chicago suburbs, have asked for their privacy. Were still just trying to get our heads together, the 18-year-old alleged victims brother, Jason Nagel, 32, told PEOPLE last week. Hes doing as well as he can. He was with us all last night hes with my mom now. Were just trying to be there for him. Were so grateful for all the prayers and efforts that led to the safe return of our brother, the teens brother-in-law David Boyd said last week, according to NBC 5 News. Were fully aware of the charges being brought against the offenders. At this time we ask for continued prayers for all those involved and for our familys privacy as we cope and heal. The outlet also spoke to the teens grandmother, Sally Sacksteder, who said, I will not look at the video. I do not want to see it. I dont want to watch him suffer. I know he did. Republicans have long are campaigned on their dislike of Washington, criticizing everything inside the beltway as corrupt or antithetical to freedom. But Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Investigations, has done his colleagues one better. The Utah Republican is proposing to move Washington itself outside the beltway. As part of a proposal that is described as the first step in a process to bring government closer to the people by evaluating which agencies might better serve their purpose elsewhere, Chaffetz on Tuesday introduced H.R. 38, the Divest DC Act. Related: The Best and Worst States for Taxes in 2017 Government needs to be closer to the people it regulates, he said in a statement. As it stands, decision makers at various agencies are largely shielded from the impact of their decisions. Housing federal agencies in a city with one of the highest median incomes in the United States is not only expensive, but keeps federal bureaucrats in an economic and political bubble that offers a distorted view of the realities facing this country. He continued, This resolution is the first step toward decentralizing federal agencies and initiating a process that shares the wealth of stable federal jobs with other communities across the United States. I look forward to working with my colleagues on legislation to identify locations where these agencies can best serve the American people. There are, to be sure, a few impediments to shipping the Commerce Department to Kalamazoo and sending the Pentagon to Peoria. The first is whether or not its wise to think about abandoning the Washington-based infrastructure that the federal government has created for itself over hundreds of years. Employees of different parts of the executive branch frequently meet with each other, and thats much easier to do when it doesnt involve flying across the country. Another is whether or not such a proposal could survive the sustained assault of the lobbyists, government contractors, law firms and others who have grafted themselves so completely to D.C. and the surrounding suburbs over the generations and who would be loath to decamp for somewhere else. Story continues Finally, though, is the question of whether a greatly decentralized federal government would be able to attract the kind of talent it needs to operate effectively. Part of what attracts many young, smart people to federal service is that Washington is a cosmopolitan place with lots of social, cultural and other opportunities for a wide range of people. The same cant be said for all parts of the country. Related: The 9 States (and One District) Americans Are Flocking To Chaffetzs proposal is, in the end, not likely to lead to an actual restructuring of the federal government. But like many pieces of legislation introduced in Washington, then Divest Act is more about symbolism than about actual policymaking. Its a way to win points with conservative voters, and to raise questions about whether the federal government is in touch with the needs of the people. And neither of those requires any real action from lawmakers at all. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: LONDON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The euro zone will go ahead with its bailout programme for Greece with or without the involvement of the International Monetary Fund, Belgium's finance minister told Reuters on Wednesday. Johan Van Overtveldt said the involvement of the IMF - which has said can only happen if it is the last bailout for Athens and includes debt relief for Greece - would be preferable, but that Euro countries would go ahead even without it. "As the Eurogroup, and as a monetary union, we would have to go ahead anyway. Preferably with the IMF, but we will go ahead anyway," he said. "If the IMF really insists on other issues than those that we consider to be important within the Eurogroup, then we have to face the consequences of that. But there can be no doubt that the presence of the IMF is in every respect a very desirable and efficient thing to have." Van Overtveldt added that he was confident that a solution would be found so that the IMF can join the bailout programme. The Eurogroup holds its next meeting on Jan. 26, when Van Overtveldt said the issue of the bailout would be on the agenda. (Reporting by Jemima Kelly; editing by Marc Jones) Air Timor, which from yesterday suspended its flights between Dili and Denpasar (Bali), has blamed the government of East Timor for decisions that led to it losing USD3 million in 2016, the company said in statement in the Timorese capital. Specifically, the company said in the statement, the decision to grant a license to a third party to fly to Dili led to overcapacity on the route, occupancy rates of less than 50 percent and consequent daily losses of $10,000. Over the past eight years, we have built one of the best companies in Timor, we were a big contributor and supporter of tourism and of the government, said Abessy Bento, director of Air Timor, adding in a year the government policy destroyed us. Inacio Moreira, deputy minister of Public Works, Transport and Communications who is mentioned by name in the Air Timor statement told Portuguese news agency Lusa neither he nor the government were responsible for what he considered to be the internal problems of a private company. Air Timor is a private company and the government has no responsibility for private companies, as it only deals with the regulation process, added the deputy minister. In a statement, Air Timor said the governments decision in late 2015 to grant NAM Air (a subsidiary of Sriwijaya Air, which already offered flights between East Timor and Bali) an operating license, led to over-capacity on the route. Air Timor also announced it had reduced flights between East Timor and Singapore from three to two flights per week. MDT/Macauhub LONDON (Reuters) - The euro zone will go ahead with its bailout programme for Greece with or without the involvement of the International Monetary Fund, Belgium's finance minister told Reuters on Wednesday. Johan Van Overtveldt said the involvement of the IMF - which has said can only happen if it is the last bailout for Athens and includes debt relief for Greece - would be preferable, but that Euro countries would go ahead even without it. "As the Eurogroup, and as a monetary union, we would have to go ahead anyway. Preferably with the IMF, but we will go ahead anyway," he said. "If the IMF really insists on other issues than those that we consider to be important within the Eurogroup, then we have to face the consequences of that. But there can be no doubt that the presence of the IMF is in every respect a very desirable and efficient thing to have." Van Overtveldt added that he was confident that a solution would be found so that the IMF can join the bailout programme. The Eurogroup holds its next meeting on Jan. 26, when Van Overtveldt said the issue of the bailout would be on the agenda. (Reporting by Jemima Kelly; editing by Marc Jones) Athens (AFP) - A Greek supreme court prosecutor on Wednesday argued against extraditing two Turkish officers over July's failed coup, in the second of three such hearings this week. Prosecutor Haralambos Vourliotis said the officers "came (to Greece) as supplicants. I do not allow myself and Greek judges to extradite them," a judicial source said. There was applause in the courtroom as Vourliotis made his case, the source added. The case involves eight Turkish military officers who arrived in the northern Greek city of Alexandroupolis on the same helicopter in July, a day after a botched coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The supreme court opened the hearings on Tuesday after an appeals court last month gave contradictory rulings on the case. In three separate hearings under different judges, the appeals court elected to protect five of the officers but ordered the other three to be sent back. After Tuesday's and Wednesday's hearings, the supreme court is scheduled to examine the last four officers on Friday. A judgement is due on January 23, according to a judicial source, but any final decision will rest with Greece's justice minister. Prosecutors on Tuesday and Wednesday said the officers would not receive a fair trial if returned to Turkey, the source added. Defence lawyers released a video of the recent arrest of several judges in Turkey to support their case. On Tuesday, two of the officers said that members of their families have been sacked from their jobs and had their passports confiscated. They deny having taken part in the putsch and claim their lives are in danger. Their applications for asylum in July were rejected but appeals are currently being processed. Since the coup, many Turkish military officers have requested asylum in other NATO countries. Authorities in Turkey have arrested thousands of people since July with many thousands more having been sacked, in particular journalists, teachers and police officers. This case is awkward for Greece, which is working with Turkey to stem the flow of migrants through its territory towards western Europe. ATHENS, Greece (AP) A prosecutor at Greece's Supreme Court has argued against extraditing to Turkey another two of eight Turkish servicemen wanted in their country for alleged participation in last year's failed coup. Haralambos Vourliotis told judges Wednesday the helicopter crewmen faced severe mistreatment in Turkey and could not expect a fair trial there. All eight fled to Greece in a military helicopter a day after the July 15 attempted coup in Turkey and requested asylum. The court is examining their cases separately. In December, a lower court denied Turkey's extradition request for five of the eight, and accepted it for three of them. On Tuesday, another prosecutor recommended that another two of the eight should not be extradited. All eight deny involvement in the coup. The Supreme Court ruling is due Jan. 23. GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala said on Wednesday it expected Taiwan to deepen economic ties with the region, as President Tsai Ing-wen is visiting Central America at a time when China suspects she is seeking formal independence from the mainland. Tsai landed in Honduras and Nicaragua this week on a trip that will also take in El Salvador. She met with U.S. Republican lawmakers in a Houston stopover last weekend, angering China. "I'm sure that her administration will strengthen economic ties and cooperation in the region," Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said at a news conference with Tsai. Beijing was furious when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump broke years of diplomatic tradition by accepting a congratulatory telephone call from Tsai on his surprise election win. Beijing regards the one-China policy as the basis of its relations with the United States. Tsai said at the news conference that Taiwan was ready and able to contribute to the world, needs a more active role, and thanked Guatemala for its support. On Tuesday, Nicaragua said it wanted to secure bigger international recognition for Taiwan. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Christine Murray; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Richard Chang) Griffith Park This 4,300 acre park provides the backdrop for the movie's showstopper A Lovely Night. Mia and Sebastian tapdance on a paved street at Cathys Corner, overlooking the valley. Producers brought in the street lamps and park bench for the sequence, which was filmed in one take. [Photo: Dale Robinette / Lionsgate] After winning big at the 2017 Golden Globes and scooping a hefty amount of nominations for Bafta awards, La La Land is the film on everyone's lips. Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, the musical movie - which lands in UK cinemas this weekend - is also hotly tipped for Oscars glory next month. The film tells the story of aspiring actress Mia (Stone) and jazz pianist Sebastian (Gosling), who are chasing their dreams in Los Angeles - and happen to fall in love at the same time. It features more than 40 LA locations in the City of Angels - and we've picked the best filming spots so you can visit them yourself. After touching down in Tinseltown, make sure you tick off these filming locations for your own La La Land experience. Air New Zealand flies daily from London Heathrow to Los Angeles. The airlines January sale is now on, with return fares from 471. Emma Stones La La Land wardrobe is one style file you should bookmark La La Land director Damien Chazelle chooses five musicals you should see Tel Aviv (AFP) - The smartphones of dozens of Israeli soldiers were hacked by Hamas militants pretending to be attractive young women online, an Israeli military official said Wednesday. Using fake profiles on Facebook with alluring photos, Hamas members contacted the soldiers via groups on the social network, luring them into long chats, the official told journalists on condition of anonymity. Dozens of the predominantly lower-ranked soldiers were convinced enough by the honey trap to download fake applications which enabled Hamas to take control of their phones, according to the official. The official however did not say how the army determined that those behind the scheme were from Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip. Hamas officials could not immediately be reached for comment. "The enemy knows the language of young people and installed viruses that can control the telephones of dozens of soldiers," the official said. The actual damage done to the army was limited and the virus has been dealt with, the official added, but the army has decided to raise the issue publicly to warn soldiers of the potential dangers of social networks. "The existing potential threat can turn into a real threat to the security of Israel," the source said. "We will disseminate and denounce the false profiles of Hamas, impose stricter rules for soldiers who are on social networks and train military personnel to react to attacks before it is too late." Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008. While the border between Israel and Gaza is relatively quiet currently, the two sides remain enemies and technology has previously played a role in the conflict. In March last year a Palestinian from Gaza was charged with hacking into Israeli military drones. On Tuesday, President Barack Obama addressed the nation for the last time as president, and now, the cast of Hamilton is here to teach the rest of us how to say goodbye. In March, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and the stars of the show visited the White House to host a student workshop and Q&A, as well as perform selections from the hit musical for President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other White House staff. Now, with Obamas days in office dwindling, the show has released a full-length video of Christopher Jackson and Miranda performing One Last Time, which chronicles George Washingtons decision to step down as president. Throughout the performance, the camera frequently cuts to the president, vice president, and first lady in the audience, and as Jackson holds the final note, Obama can be seen mouthing whoa and leading the audience in a standing ovation. What an incredible gift these folks have given to the United States of America, the president tells the audience afterward. It is rare where a piece of art can remind us about whats best in ourselves, and thats what these guys have done, and that is a great gift. Last year, EW spoke to cast members Daveed Diggs and Jonathan Groff about the Washington trip, and both of them reflected on how that rendition of One Last Time was not only their personal favorite moment from the White House performance, but the most powerful. Obama, Chris Jackson, George Washington. It was such a trip, Diggs told EW. And he was singing One Last Time! He was singing to a final term president about the first final term president about the decision to make that a thing. Really like, the most American thing we have about our process. The tears all over the building were so real. Watch the full performance of One Last Time above, and see other excerpts from the Hamilton White House performance here. Today we celebrate the birthday of the iconic Alexander Hamilton, Founding Father, politician and belated Broadway star. But we actually dont know in which year Hamilton was born, making the number of candles on his birthday cake a problem. Rare photo of first known Hamilton watercolor portrait. Source: Library of Congress Historians believe Hamilton told friends he was born on January 11 on the Caribbean island of Nevis. His parents were James Hamilton, a Scot who moved to the Caribbean to seek a business career, and Rachel Faucett, a French Huguenot who had left her first husband but was not divorced when Alexander was born. Official birth and christening records dont exist for Hamilton. The controversy about Hamiltons birth year is related to two factors. Hamilton inferred to people he was born in 1757 and his age as listed on his tomb in New York matches that date. But in 1768, after his mother died, a relative testified at a probate proceeding that Alexander Hamilton was 13 years old, which would place his birth year in 1755. (A transcript exists of that hearing.) Ron Chernow addressed the controversy in his well-known biography of Hamilton. Few questions bedevil Hamilton biographers more than the baffling matter of his year of birth, Chernow wrote. While it had been commonly accepted after Hamilton arrived in the British American colonies that he was born in 1757, Chernow points to some other evidence. For example, on April 6, 1771, a poem appeared in the newspaper the Royal Danish American Gazette in St. Croix. It was preceded with this introduction: Sir, I am a youth about seventeen, and consequently such an attempt as this must be presumptuous; but if, upon perusal, you think the following piece worthy of a place in your paper, by inserting it youll much oblige Your obedient servant. The note was signed A.H. Some historians attribute the poem to Hamilton. But there is no direct evidence he was the author. The National Archives, however, believes it is a reasonable assumption that H [meaning Hamilton] was the author. Story continues Chernow thought it was more likely that Hamilton was born in 1755. The late Broadus Mitchell, a historian who wrote several Hamilton biographies, also believed 1755 was a more likely date in his first biography of Hamilton from 1957, called Alexander Hamilton: Youth to Maturity, 1755-1788. Mitchell said that Hamilton told friends he was about sixteen when he came to America. Some historians back in 1957 believed Hamilton arrived on the mainland in 1773, but Mitchell pointed to other evidence that Hamilton arrived here in late 1772. Hamiltons son also believed his father arrived in Boston from Saint Croix in late October 1772. That would put Hamilton at an age of 15 years and almost 10 months in October 1772 if Hamilton were born in 1757. In any event, if Hamilton knew his true age, why would he have reason to lie about it? One theory is Hamilton misstated his age when he submitted that poem in 1771 to gain favor with newspaper publishers. Other theories are that Hamilton said he was younger than his years to impress people in America or to possibly gain an apprenticeship. An interesting clue is a photograph of miniature watercolor and ink portrait in the possession of the Library of Congress. The painting in the picture shows a young Hamilton and it is inscribed on the back with the date of January 11, 1773, the date believed to be his 16th or 18th birthday. It was donated to the Library in 1922. Is it the version of young Hamilton from Saint Croix or the newly arrived in America Hamilton? That is a mystery for another day. Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center. Recent Historical Stories on Constitution Daily 10 essential facts about Alexander Hamilton 12 famous Americans killed, involved in duels Podcast: Hamilton, the man and the musical - By insider Bridgewater, NJ, based Investment company Harding Loevner Lp buys Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, ICICI Bank Ltd, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc, JD.com Inc, WABCO Holdings Inc, sells Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Wells Fargo & Co, AbbVie Inc, Salesforce.com Inc, Amazon.com Inc during the 3-months ended 2016-12-31, according to the most recent filings of the investment company, Harding Loevner Lp. As of 2016-12-31, Harding Loevner Lp owns 73 stocks with a total value of $14.3 billion. These are the details of the buys and sells. New Purchases: CHKP, WBA, WBC, MELI, WB, VEU, GGAL, Added Positions: IBN, JD, TV, BBVA, GRFS, HDB, HSBC, SHPG, REGN, ABC, Reduced Positions: AMZN, BIDU, MMM, CHL, CBD, TSM, CGNX, FRC, SIVB, WPPGY, Sold Out: BUD, WFC, ABBV, CRM, AMX, LAZ, NBL, NVS, AVY, PG, For the details of HARDING LOEVNER LP's stock buys and sells, go to http://www.gurufocus.com/StockBuy.php?GuruName=HARDING+LOEVNER+LP These are the top 5 holdings of HARDING LOEVNER LP Schlumberger Ltd (SLB) - 9,569,043 shares, 5.61% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 2.35% Baidu Inc (BIDU) - 3,962,729 shares, 4.55% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 7.2% Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ITUB) - 56,840,654 shares, 4.08% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 5.67% Tenaris SA (TS) - 15,659,649 shares, 3.91% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 6.38% SVB Financial Group (SIVB) - 2,685,836 shares, 3.22% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 6.86% New Purchase: Check Point Software Technologies Ltd (CHKP) Harding Loevner Lp initiated holdings in Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. The purchase prices were between $76.17 and $86.33, with an estimated average price of $82.03. The stock is now traded at around $88.60. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 2.49%. The holdings were 4,223,418 shares as of 2016-12-31. Story continues New Purchase: Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (WBA) Harding Loevner Lp initiated holdings in Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. The purchase prices were between $77.18 and $87.73, with an estimated average price of $82.69. The stock is now traded at around $83.69. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.96%. The holdings were 1,651,990 shares as of 2016-12-31. New Purchase: WABCO Holdings Inc (WBC) Harding Loevner Lp initiated holdings in WABCO Holdings Inc. The purchase prices were between $96.6 and $113.51, with an estimated average price of $104.55. The stock is now traded at around $106.71. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.78%. The holdings were 1,047,916 shares as of 2016-12-31. New Purchase: MercadoLibre Inc (MELI) Harding Loevner Lp initiated holdings in MercadoLibre Inc. The purchase prices were between $151.3 and $189.83, with an estimated average price of $165.2. The stock is now traded at around $177.58. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.59%. The holdings were 537,180 shares as of 2016-12-31. New Purchase: Weibo Corp (WB) Harding Loevner Lp initiated holdings in Weibo Corp. The purchase prices were between $40.6 and $55.85, with an estimated average price of $47.71. The stock is now traded at around $44.90. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.35%. The holdings were 1,242,345 shares as of 2016-12-31. New Purchase: Vanguard FTSE All World Ex US (VEU) Harding Loevner Lp initiated holdings in Vanguard FTSE All World Ex US. The purchase prices were between $43.12 and $45.59, with an estimated average price of $44.37. The stock is now traded at around $45.53. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.26%. The holdings were 843,841 shares as of 2016-12-31. Added: ICICI Bank Ltd (IBN) Harding Loevner Lp added to the holdings in ICICI Bank Ltd by 656.88%. The purchase prices were between $7.15 and $8.7, with an estimated average price of $7.84. The stock is now traded at around $7.88. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 2.04%. The holdings were 44,970,639 shares as of 2016-12-31. Added: JD.com Inc (JD) Harding Loevner Lp added to the holdings in JD.com Inc by 242.83%. The purchase prices were between $23.71 and $27.93, with an estimated average price of $26.06. The stock is now traded at around $26.66. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.78%. The holdings were 6,188,136 shares as of 2016-12-31. Added: Grupo Televisa SAB (TV) Harding Loevner Lp added to the holdings in Grupo Televisa SAB by 38.64%. The purchase prices were between $19.89 and $26.64, with an estimated average price of $22.97. The stock is now traded at around $20.03. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.76%. The holdings were 18,612,293 shares as of 2016-12-31. Added: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA) Harding Loevner Lp added to the holdings in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA by 172.82%. The purchase prices were between $5.92 and $7.21, with an estimated average price of $6.57. The stock is now traded at around $6.53. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.72%. The holdings were 23,871,131 shares as of 2016-12-31. Added: Grifols SA (GRFS) Harding Loevner Lp added to the holdings in Grifols SA by 69.52%. The purchase prices were between $14.29 and $16.34, with an estimated average price of $15.31. The stock is now traded at around $16.55. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.7%. The holdings were 15,242,535 shares as of 2016-12-31. Added: HDFC Bank Ltd (HDB) Harding Loevner Lp added to the holdings in HDFC Bank Ltd by 7683064.71%. The purchase prices were between $60.01 and $73.14, with an estimated average price of $66.93. The stock is now traded at around $64.03. The impact to the portfolio due to this purchase was 0.55%. The holdings were 1,306,138 shares as of 2016-12-31. Sold Out: Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) Harding Loevner Lp sold out the holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV. The sale prices were between $99.91 and $129.26, with an estimated average price of $112.09. Sold Out: Wells Fargo & Co (WFC) Harding Loevner Lp sold out the holdings in Wells Fargo & Co. The sale prices were between $43.75 and $57.29, with an estimated average price of $50.28. Sold Out: AbbVie Inc (ABBV) Harding Loevner Lp sold out the holdings in AbbVie Inc. The sale prices were between $55.78 and $64, with an estimated average price of $61.04. Sold Out: Salesforce.com Inc (CRM) Harding Loevner Lp sold out the holdings in Salesforce.com Inc. The sale prices were between $68.41 and $77.77, with an estimated average price of $72.57. Sold Out: America Movil SAB de CV (AMX) Harding Loevner Lp sold out the holdings in America Movil SAB de CV. The sale prices were between $11.25 and $13.39, with an estimated average price of $12.11. Sold Out: Chubb Ltd (CB) Harding Loevner Lp sold out the holdings in Chubb Ltd. The sale prices were between $121.88 and $133.32, with an estimated average price of $127.51. Reduced: Amazon.com Inc (AMZN) Harding Loevner Lp reduced to the holdings in Amazon.com Inc by 42.22%. The sale prices were between $719.07 and $844.36, with an estimated average price of $783.7. The stock is now traded at around $793.52. The impact to the portfolio due to this sale was -0.81%. Harding Loevner Lp still held 197,412 shares as of 2016-12-31. Reduced: 3M Co (MMM) Harding Loevner Lp reduced to the holdings in 3M Co by 31.13%. The sale prices were between $164.25 and $179.64, with an estimated average price of $172.58. The stock is now traded at around $177.54. The impact to the portfolio due to this sale was -0.4%. Harding Loevner Lp still held 655,065 shares as of 2016-12-31. Reduced: China Mobile Ltd (CHL) Harding Loevner Lp reduced to the holdings in China Mobile Ltd by 22.05%. The sale prices were between $51.92 and $63.12, with an estimated average price of $56.18. The stock is now traded at around $54.78. The impact to the portfolio due to this sale was -0.39%. Harding Loevner Lp still held 3,083,170 shares as of 2016-12-31. Reduced: Companhia Brasileira De Distribuicao (CBD) Harding Loevner Lp reduced to the holdings in Companhia Brasileira De Distribuicao by 34.35%. The sale prices were between $14.14 and $19.38, with an estimated average price of $16.61. The stock is now traded at around $17.39. The impact to the portfolio due to this sale was -0.37%. Harding Loevner Lp still held 6,146,190 shares as of 2016-12-31. Reduced: Cognex Corp (CGNX) Harding Loevner Lp reduced to the holdings in Cognex Corp by 32.51%. The sale prices were between $49.72 and $64.79, with an estimated average price of $57.3. The stock is now traded at around $65.11. The impact to the portfolio due to this sale was -0.33%. Harding Loevner Lp still held 2,024,510 shares as of 2016-12-31. Here is the complete portfolio of HARDING LOEVNER LP. Also check out: 1. HARDING LOEVNER LP's Undervalued Stocks 2. HARDING LOEVNER LP's Top Growth Companies, and 3. HARDING LOEVNER LP's High Yield stocks 4. Stocks that HARDING LOEVNER LP keeps buyingThis article first appeared on GuruFocus. The director of the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG), Fong Soi Kun, says that the pollution in the city stems mainly from car emissions, according to a report by Macau Daily News. Fong claimed that the number of polluted days in the territory greatly decreased after a series of environmental protection measures the city implemented. The director believes that there is only a small possibility of mainland Chinas pollutants affecting Macau, which means that heavy pollution is not expected to hit the territory. Last week, Macaus air registered a poor quality reading. Fong explained that the situation was not serious. In the same report, Fong also judged that the chances of Macau facing heavy polluted days are very small. UM applications open until January 20 The University of Macau (UM) has announced that its undergraduate programs for the 2017/18 academic year are now open for application and will remain so until January 20. Students who intend to apply to UM, the Macao Polytechnic Institute, the Institute for Tourism Studies or the Macau University of Science and Technology, are required to take the joint admission examination for the four education institutions. The examination covers four subjects, namely Chinese, Portuguese, English and mathematics. An admission examination in physics will be organized separately by UM, according to a statement from the university. Zheng Anting suggests reduction of gaming taxes Lawmaker Zheng Anting has said that by lowering gaming taxes, Macau can attract more high-end customers to spend money in the city. Zheng also believes that doing so can bring more businessmen to Macau. The lawmaker further stated that once all gaming-related parties agree that there should be a tax reduction, the public can discuss how this goal should be achieved. Zheng claimed not to be worried at all about the negative impacts of reducing the taxes, and the consequences for the citys living standards and social welfare system. Guangdong to establish laws to protect sea environment The Department of Environmental Protection of Guangdong Province says that it has already submitted a draft bill regarding the provinces sea trash dumping to the Guangdong provincial government. According to a report by Macao Daily News, the province has been recently dealing with instances of people dumping trash into the sea. The environmental department claimed that, with respect to the Pearl River estuary, the low-level government is not strictly implementing the provinces environmental protection policies, which allowed local domestic trash to flow into the seas. It also considers that the territory lacks a proper administration of punishments to avoid these incidents. Six new local faces to serve Zhuhai CPPCC Fourteen Macau residents started their work as members of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of Zhuhai city. Six out of the 14 are new members of the conference, which is holding a three-day meeting in the neighboring city. Last June, Zhuhais CPPCC chairman Qian Fangli was sacked from her position, and has since been subject to investigations over alleged corruption. Until now, her position has been empty. The CPPCC has elected a new chairman for the conference. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., testifies during his Senate confirmation hearing (C-Span via Video) Alabama GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions faced a wide range of questions during todays Senate hearing on his confirmation as attorney general, including a few that point to potential pressure points in Washington state and other parts of Cascadia. Well focus on three of them here: marijuana, immigration issues and cybersecurity issues. Marijuana Sessions has long been critical of states efforts to legalize medical and recreation use of marijuana, as is the case for Washington, Oregon and now Cailfornia (along with several other states). But as a conservative, hes also a big believer in states rights. Heres how he came down on the issue when asked about it today: One obvious concern is that Congress has made the possession of marijuana in every state an illegal act. If that is not desired any longer, Congress should pass a law to change it. Its not the attorney generals job to decide which laws to enforce. We should enforce the laws as effectively as we are able. That last phrase, about the ability to enforce, could be key. One of the Obama administrations arguments has been that its not worth devoting federal resources to arresting people for possessing small amounts of marijuana as long as the states have the issue under control. Sessions soon-to-be boss, President-elect Donald Trump, has taken a softer stand on pot, and on Fox News, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer signaled that Sessions might be counseled to cool it. When you come into a Trump administration, its the Trump agenda that you are implementing, not your own, Spicer said. And I think that Sen. Sessions is well aware of that. Immigration This is a huge issue on the Trump administrations agenda, and its been a big one for Sessions as well. More than 50 local jurisdictions in Oregon and Washington have limited the extent of their cooperation with federal immigration agencies when it comes to turning in undocumented immigrants, even if theyre facing criminal charges. Story continues Today Sessions pointed to sanctuary-city policies as an indication that the system is failing in a whole lot of ways, and said I think we can do better. Although he opposed instituting a registry for Muslims in the U.S., Sessions hinted that religion could play an indirect role in whether visitors are allowed into the country. I believe that religion as practiced by and understood by an individual could make that individual subject to being denied admission, if that individuals practice of their religion would present a threat to the country, he said. Another immigration issue has to do with types of visas that are typically issued to high-tech workers. Although the issue of H-1B visas didnt come up during the hearing, Sessions has been sharply critical of the visa program as applied at Microsoft and other companies. Perhaps these companies, instead of lobbying for H-1B workers, should hire some of the thousands of tech workers who are being laid off? Sessions said in 2015. This particular issue may be another area in which Trumps views will trump Sessions historical opposition. The president-elect was reportedly sympathetic when Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed H-1B visas during last months tech summit at Trump Tower. Computer privacy vs. security Sessions toed a careful line as he was asked repeatedly about allegations of campaign interference by Russian hackers. He said that he was sure the FBIs conclusions about Russias involvement were honorably reached, and that there should be protocols to ensure a price is paid when other countries interfere with Americas democratic process. Sessions pledged to uphold the Freedom of Information Act as well as USA Freedom Act, which ended the National Security Agencys bulk collection of phone records. But with regard to cybersecurity measures, including those raised by encryption, Sessions promised Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, that he would put the safety and security of the American people first. For more comments from Sessions on cyber issues, plus commentary from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, check out EFFs live blog of the hearing. Extra points from the hearing Sessions said he would recuse himself from any questions involving follow-up investigations of Hillary Clinton, Trumps Democratic foe in the presidential campaign, because we can never have a political dispute turn into a criminal dispute. When asked about campaign chants to lock her up, Sessions said he believed the chants were sometimes humorously done. Trump has suggested that he would bring back harsh interrogation techniques when it comes to questioning suspected terrorists including waterboarding, which is considered a form of torture. But Sessions said current law clearly states waterboarding is absolutely improper and illegal. Referring to allegations that helped sink his nomination to a federal judgeship in 1986, Sessions said that he abhorred the Ku Klux Klan and its hateful ideology, and denied claims that he called the NAACP un-American. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., referred indirectly to an outrageous comment made by Trump that was recorded in 2005 and came to light during the campaign. Is grabbing a woman by her genitals without consent, is that sexual assault? Leahy asked Sessions. Clearly it would be, Sessions replied. In October, Sessions gave a less clear-cut answer (although the issue of consent wasnt included in the question back then). More from GeekWire: Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f345331%2fe2c6e820-d388-49f6-bb1f-25ecb4c51f43 A vast swamp forest in Central Africa contains enough carbon to equal two decades' worth of U.S. fossil fuel emissions, scientists have found. The Congo Basin peatland an area larger than New York State has accumulated around 30 billion metric tons of carbon over the last 11,000 years, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature. The discovery makes the fate of this vast carbon sink an important consideration for climate projections and land conservationists. SEE ALSO: Binge-watching is going to make your carbon footprint soar A team of U.K. and Congolese researchers spent three years roaming the Cuvette Centrale peatland to find samples of peat to test in their labs. They also analyzed satellite data to estimate the amount of carbon stored in the soil. Five years ago, most scientists weren't even aware of the 56,000-square-mile swamp, which is now considered the world's largest tropical peatland. The Cuvette Central peatland. Image: university of leeds Chunk o' peat. Image: University of Leeds "The sheer expanse of these peatlands makes Central Africa home to the world's most extensive peatland complex," Greta Dargie, a geologist at University College London and co-author of the Nature study, said in a statement. "It is astonishing that... discoveries like this can still be made," she said. Peatlands are comprised of partially decomposed, wet plant material that piles up over thousands of years. Peat soil covers about 3 percent of the Earth's surface, but it contains more carbon than is stored in all the plants and trees worldwide. Because they absorb and lock in so much carbon, the destruction of peatlands poses a significant threat to the climate. In Indonesia and Malaysia, where farmers are draining and clearing peatland to make way for palm oil plantations, enough carbon is escaping into the atmosphere every year to equal emissions from nearly 70 coal plants, according to World Resources Institute. Story continues In 2015, massive peatland fires in Indonesia made the country the world's fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter that year. Image: world resources institute Peatlands can also dry out naturally because of declining rainfall, which is happening more frequently because of human-driven climate change. "If the Congo Basin peatland complex was to be destroyed, this would release billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere," Simon Lewis, a professor at the University of Leeds in England and a study co-author, said in a statement. So far, however, the Cuvette Centrale peatland remains relatively intact and undisturbed. The swamp forests are extremely remote and difficult to access, and many local communities depend on the forest system's rivers and streams for fishing and sustenance, said Emma Stokes, who directs the Central Africa program for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). "There's a certain natural protection already afforded to these areas," she told Mashable by phone from Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo's capital city. A simplified map of the Congo Basin peatland: Peat swamp forest (pink); open water (blue); savanna (yellow); other tropical forest (green). Image: university of leeds WCS works with the Republic of Congo to manage the Lac Tele Community Reserve, a legally protected peatland that covers about 1,700 square miles and has one of the world's highest densities of western lowland gorillas. The government is also considering expanding the reserve to include an adjacent 1,930-square-mile area. Stokes said Wednesday's study on the peatlands carbon content could play a crucial role in shaping the government's future land-use development plans or economic decisions. "We're in a good position now," she said. "But there's certainly always a risk." JERUSALEM (AP) Israel's Supreme Court has given the government a month to explain why it prevents women from praying from a Torah scroll at a key Jewish holy site. In the court's ruling Wednesday, it also suggested that an alternative site for women to pray at Jerusalem's Western Wall was insufficient and ordered that searches of visiting women be halted. Israel's government agreed in January to create an equal prayer site after three years of negotiations between Jewish liberal groups, ultra-Orthodox leaders and the government. But the site was never established, with liberal groups accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of caving to pressure from two ultra-Orthodox parties in his coalition. The groups accuse the government of violating the right to equality and freedom of worship by not implementing its decision. (Reuters) - The following are highlights from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's hour-long news conference in New York on Wednesday, nine days before he takes the oath of office. TRUMP ON LATEST NEWS ON RUSSIA AND THE ELECTION Trump blasted the release of an unsubstantiated intelligence report saying he had been compromised by Russia and was vulnerable to blackmail, characterizing it as "nonsense that was released by, maybe the intelligence agencies, who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies ... It should never have been written, it should never have been released." "It's all fake news. It didn't happen. It's phony stuff. It was a group of opponents who got together, sick people, who put that out." "I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there ... That's something that Nazi Germany would have done." He praised some news organizations for not initially reporting on the document. "I just want to compliment many of the people in the room ... I have great respect for the news and great respect for freedom of the press." He strongly criticized CNN for its reporting of the story, refusing to take a question from a reporter for the network, telling him, "I'm not going to give you a question. You are fake news." "Some of the media outlets we are dealing with are fake news ... All I can ask for are honest reporters." Asked whether he accepted that Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to help him win the election, Trump said, "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability." He denied having any business dealings with or in Russia. "I have no loans with Russia at all." TRUMP ON HACKING AND THE ELECTION "As far as hacking, I think it's Russia. But we also get hacked by other countries and other people, and I can say that." On Putin and hacking, Trump said, "He shouldn't be doing it. He won't be doing it." "Within 90 days we will be coming up with a major report on hacking defense, how do we stop this new phenomena." TRUMP ON RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES "Russia will have far greater respect for our country when I'm leading it ... We're either going to get along, or we're not. I hope we get along, but if we don't, that's possible too. "But Russia and other countries, and other countries, including China, which has taken total advantage of us economically... and (taken) advantage of us in the South China Sea ... Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, all countries will respect us far more, far more, than they do under past administrations." TRUMP ON HIS SUPREME COURT PICK Asked about nominating a Supreme Court justice, Trump said, "So, as you know, I have a list of 20. I've gone through them ... They were outstanding in every case ... I'll be making the decision on who we will put up for justice of the United States Supreme Court, a replacement for the great, great Justice (Antonin) Scalia. That will be probably within two weeks of the 20th (of January) ... "It will be a decision which I very strongly believe in. I think it's one of the reasons I got elected." TRUMP ON PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES "We have to get our drug industry coming back" to the United States, he said, adding that companies had been "leaving left and right." Trump also called for new bidding procedures for U.S. drug companies, saying, "They're getting away with murder (with drug prices) ... There's very little bidding for drugs. "We're the largest buyer of drugs in the world and yet we don't bid properly. We're going to start bidding and we're going to start saving billions of dollars." TRUMP ON JOBS AND MANUFACTURERS "I said I will be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created, and I mean that." "You want to move your plant, and you think, as an example, youre going to build that plant in Mexico, and youre going to make your air conditioners or your cars, or whatever youre making, and youre going to sell them through what will be a very, very strong border ... Not going to happen. Youre going to pay a very large border tax. TRUMP ON TALKS WITH MEXICO BEFORE BUILDING BORDER WALL Trump said he would not wait for negotiations with Mexico to be completed before starting to build a wall along the two countries' border. "I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico, which will start immediately after we get into office; but I don't want to wait." TRUMP ON OBAMACARE "We're going to be submitting ... a plan. It'll be repeal and replace; it will be essentially simultaneously; it will be various segments, you understand, but will most likely be on the same day or the same week." "Obamacare is the Democrats' problem. We are going to take the problem off the shelf for them ... we are doing the Democrats a great service." TRUMP ON VETERANS Trump announced the nomination of Dr. David Shulkin as secretary of Veteran Affairs. Shulkin is currently under secretary for health at the VA. "We're going to straighten out the VA for our veterans. I have been promising that for a long time ... We interviewed at least 100 people (for VA head), some good, some not so good ... Our veterans have been treated very unfairly." (Compiled by Jonathan Oatis; Edited by Tom Brown) By Drazen Jorgic KATAS, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated the restoration of an ancient Hindu temple complex in Punjab, a symbolic gesture that may appeal to the Muslim nation's minority communities and soften the country's image abroad. However, the visit and other recent overtures to minority faiths and women, including the passing of pro-women legislation, could also alienate powerful religious hardliners opposed to social change. Sharif's visit to the 900-year-old Katas Raj temples, one of the holiest sites in South Asia for Hindus, comes at a time when relations with Pakistan's Hindu-majority neighbor India are at a low ebb and show few signs of improving. "In my personal view, we are all are equal - Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians - and people belonging to other religions; we are all one," Sharif told Reuters after a Hindu ritual was performed at the temples, located in the village of Katas some 110 km (70 miles) south of the capital Islamabad. At the ceremony, attended by senior Christian, Sikh and Hindu leaders, Sharif chastised hardline Muslim scholars who use "strange interpretations" of Islam to preach hate against other religions. "I believe this is not lawful. No one should try to teach this sort of lesson, nor should anyone heed such lessons," Sharif said. Critics say Sharif's government has not done enough to tackle hardline religious groups inside Pakistan, including some with militant links, and accuse members of the ruling PML-N party of maintaining links with sectarian hardliners. Pakistani officials want to improve the country's image, marred by religious violence and the persecution of minorities, in a bid to lure Western investors who are reluctant to come despite healthy economic growth and improving security. "Pakistan's image, economy, foreign investment, security - they are all interlinked," said an aide to the prime minister. ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR Political analysts say Sharif's visit to the Katas Raj temples was part of an effort to reach out to minority groups ahead of a general election scheduled for 2018, and would also appeal to more liberal, urban voters in Pakistan. Non-Muslims make up only about three percent of the 190 million population, but they are clustered and their votes could swing some seats in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Last month, Sharif re-named a university in honor of Abdus Salam, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who was shunned for decades as he hailed from the small Ahmadiyya community. A mob of about 1,000 people attacked and burned an Ahmadiyya mosque a few days after the renaming, although it is not clear whether the two events were related. Sharif's attempt to burnish progressive credentials comes at a time when his party is confident it can retain power next year, boosted by the economic benefits from China's $57 billion investment in road, rail and energy infrastructure. The government has in the past year passed a bill that removed a loophole in existing law that allowed people convicted of so-called "honor killings" to walk free if they were pardoned by family members. The provincial government of Punjab, which is run by Sharif's bother Shebhaz, also enacted the Women's Protection Act, giving women legal protection from domestic, psychological and sexual violence. "Only a person who is secure about his vote bank can do that," said Nadeem Paracha, a columnist for the English-language Dawn newspaper. Huma Yusuf, an analyst for London-based Control Risks, said Sharif was "testing the boundaries" by pushing a more progressive agenda on issues that appeal to young urban voters, but added this would not herald drastic changes. "PML-N knows Pakistan very well, so they are unlikely to push the boundaries too much," she said. (Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Mike Collett-White) Gen. John Kelly, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for the Department of Homeland Security, presented a number of positions that differ from the incoming commander-in-chief during his Tuesday Senate confirmation hearing. The president-elects proposed policies on Muslims, immigrants, a wall along the Southern border, hacking by Russians in the 2016 presidential election, and torture have concerned many Americans. But his pick for the top immigration and national security enforcement job, a former Marine Corps general who oversaw military operations in Central and South America, said Tuesday he does not believe in registering people on the basis of ethnicity or religion, downplayed the importance of a physical barrier on the border and committed himself to reaching out to Muslim communities if confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary. A physical barrier, in and of itself, will not do the job, Kelly said. It has to be a layered defense. The retired Marine Corps general would not definitively say whether or not he would use information recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, willingly provided to the federal government for enforcement when asked by Senator Kamala Harris of California. The future of the program is unknown under President-elect Trump, who promised to ramp up deportations in office. Ill follow the law, Kelly said Tuesday. We have a limited capacity to execute the law so we would certainly look at the highest priority activities. When probed further, Kelly said that given the limited assets available law abiding individuals probably would not top his priority list when it comes to removals, but he contended that immigration policy discussions for the next administration were ongoing. Kellys positions on immigration enforcement and cyber security dominated the back and forth between the nominee and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Tuesday evening. But the nominee faced faced a relatively deferential Senate committee during the hearing, especially when compared to the hearing faced by his likely cabinet colleague Sen. Jeff Sessions. Story continues In fact, Sen. Harriss was probably the harshest line of questioning faced by Kelly at Tuesdays hearing. Gen. Kelly received three gushing introductions from Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Tom Carper of Delaware as well as former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Nearly every Senator that pressed the nominee offered him some praise. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat from North Dakota, said the Senate committee had hit the cabinet lottery, given Kellys experience and openness to answering questions. Early in the hearing, Ranking Member Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri lauded Gen. Kelly for testifying to his willingness to speak truth to power. That was music to my ears, she said, adding that she anticipates he will have a responsibility to speak truth to the next commander-in-chief. During the hearing Kelly also denounced torture and accepted the intelligence communitys assessment that Russia interfered with the 2016 election via a cyber hack. The nominee did however take a hardline stance on stemming illegal immigration in an effort to combat the flow of drugs like heroin and other opioids into the U.S. He also warned that the U.S. could suffer a seriously catastrophic cyber event and spoke out against sanctuary city policies. I think as a public servant I dont think I have the authority to pick and choose what laws need to be followed. I think its in a lot of ways dangerous, said Kelly. I understand maybe the perspective of some of the local leaders, but I do think the law is the law and I think the law has to be followed. A European court has rejected an appeal by a Turkish-born couple who were fined in Switzerland for keeping their daughters out of mixed-gender, mandatory public school swimming lessons for reasons linked to their Muslim faith The European Court of Human Rights announced a summary of the ruling yesterday. The decision upheld a Swiss federal court ruling that education officials hadnt violated the familys rights of freedom of conscience and religion in the case in Basel dating to 2008. The Strasbourg, France-based court acknowledged interference in freedom of religion, but that public schools had a special role in integration, particularly of children of foreign origin. Under Basel school system rules, attending swim class is mandatory for all grade-school pupils and exemptions are possible only once they reach puberty. The girls were 7 and 9 when their parents first became aware that no exemption was allowed, according to the ruling. The court noted that Swiss authorities had taken steps to ease the familys concerns, such as by allowing for individual, separate showers and allowing for the wearing of a burkini, or body-covering swimwear used by some Muslim women. The girls mother refused that option, arguing that the burkini didnt erase the contours of their bodies, and the family believed that wearing one would stigmatize its wearer, the ruling said. The parents kept their daughters out of the swim classes. Two years after the case emerged, education officials in Basel ordered the family to pay a total of 1,400 Swiss francs (about USD1,400 today) for repeatedly violating the rules. Such issues of compulsory public education and religious belief have prompted similar cases in neighboring Germany and Liechtenstein in recent years. Jamey Keaten, Geneva, AP LONDON (Reuters) - HSBC (HSBA.L) chairman Douglas Flint said some banks may begin triggering their contingency plans in March this year when formal divorce talks start if there is no clarity on whether Britain will retain access to the European single market when it leaves the EU. Flint said banks need guidance from the UK government on its objectives in the EU divorce talks and ensuring trade agreement. "For those businesses that don't have infrastructure already in place in Europe, it will start pretty much immediately on the triggering of Article 50," Flint told parliament's Treasury Select Committee on Tuesday. (Reporting By Andrew MacAskill, editing by Huw Jones) By Marton Dunai BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's main opposition Jobbik party is moving from its roots as a far-right, anti-Semitic radical group to target the mainstream, and plans to challenge ruling Fidesz for power in 2018 elections, its leader Gabor Vona told Reuters. Jobbik has openly vilified Jews, gays and foreigners, and its paramilitaries used to march through areas where Roma people live. It also favored forging ties with Russia, Iran and Turkey rather than the European Union, of which Hungary is a member. But last month Vona sent Hannukah greetings to local Jews. His party had a lot to atone for, he said in an interview this week, insisting the shift would yield substantial political results, elevating the party to government sooner or later. Mimicking a move by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz - which ditched its liberal roots and rose to power as conservatives in 1998 - Vona plans to take voters from the left, where parties are in disarray, and right. "We will need several bridges ... to voters on the left, not to parties on the left," he said. "Jobbik offers a message, a program both to former leftist and former rightist voters." He said the party's new "modern conservatism" borrowed both from progressive and right-wing agendas, such as environmental protection and wage equality across the EU, and countries growing their economies without relying on immigrant workers. Vona also drew a stark contrast between his own party and Fidesz, which has put pressure on independent media and plans to "sweep out" civil society groups. "Independent institutions, checks and balances ... it may have been hard to imagine but a Jobbik government would create a far more democratic political system in Hungary than Fidesz has built in the last seven years." In the latest opinion polls Jobbik scored about 10-13 percent, while Fidesz' support was about 31-36 percent. A large chunk, about 40 percent of the population, is undecided. Jobbik claims its core voter base is about 20 percent of eligible voters, and Vona said the party's own surveys show it as the least unpopular of all major groupings, and voters' most popular second choice. "We have very serious reserves," he said. "I am certain Jobbik will govern Hungary at some point - it is only a matter of time. Obviously we are working to make it happen in 2018." He said the double credibility gap Jobbik had - its hardline supporters felt cheated and its potential new voters need to be convinced - was temporary and natural in a transition phase. "We are growing out of our teenage years," he said. "So many times teenagers realize, wow, I was so wrong... (Jobbik) may be a teenager who collided with brick walls a few times before realizing life is not black and white." He cited the row over his Hanukkah greetings. "We were right to do what we did during the holidays," he said. "If you want to govern you need to partner with all religious and other groups. I will do the same thing (send greetings) in the next holiday season, too." In future, Jobbik would treat Israel like any other nation, he said. "If we disagree, we want to be able to criticize Israel like we criticize Sweden or Germany, but naturally we respect its right to exist, form its own identity, opinions and articulate its interests," he said. (Editing by Louise Ireland) Cue the waterworks. There wasnt a dry eye in the house when identical twin sisters met each other for the first time since being adopted from China by two different families when they were just newborns. Audrey Doering of Wisconsin and Gracie Rainsberry of Washington, both 10, couldnt fight back tears as they embraced on Good Morning America Wednesday, wearing matching pink tops and black-rimmed glasses. The twins, alongside their parents, said they were overwhelmed but excited and happy about the reunion. It felt like there was something missing, so now its complete, Audrey said. Jennifer Doering, Audreys mother, was the one to discover her daughter may have a sibling in the world. As she was doing research on her daughters past, she came across a photo of her daughter as a baby on the lap of her foster mother and a nearly identical baby beside her. As soon as I had that picture, I was desperate to find out who that other child was, she said. WATCH: Incredible moment as two twins, separated at birth, meet each other for the very first time LIVE on @GMA. pic.twitter.com/wILAuUzTem Good Morning America (@GMA) January 11, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js WATCH: The story of two twins, separated at birth and how their families found each other. pic.twitter.com/f7z6mB5Z25 Good Morning America (@GMA) January 11, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Through social media, Jennifer connected with Gracies mother Nicole Rainsberry and realized their daughters were likely related. Dr. Nancy Segal, a psychologist who studies twins, did a DNA test and confirmed Gracie and Audrey were identical twins with 100 percent certainty. Gracie and Audrey, who previously spoke to each other via video message, have already discovered similarities besides their looks. Story continues We both love chicken Alfredo. Thats like one of our favorite foods, Gracie said. And we both love mac n cheese. Both girls also have heart conditions Gracie underwent two heart surgeries after arriving in the United States while Audrey had one. EVERYONE IS CRYING IN THE STUDIO #twins @GMA Ginger Zee (@Ginger_Zee) January 11, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Good Morning America host Ginger Zee tweeted that it was an emotional day for everyone at the show. EVERYONE IS CRYING IN THE STUDIO, the meteorologist tweeted during the emotional reunion. The girls were presented with tickets to School of Rock on Broadway as well as a chance to dine at Planet Hollywood to help them enjoy their time in New York City as sisters. They were also gifted plane tickets by Expedia.com so the twins could spend time together when they returned home. * Makes Imperial a more likely takeover target - analysts * JV to expand West, Davidoff in world's biggest market * Philip Morris, BAT also have agreements in China (Adds context, analysts' comment, bullet points) By Martinne Geller Jan 11 (Reuters) - Britain's Imperial Brands has formed a joint venture with state-owned China National Tobacco (CNTC) in a move to gain a foothold in the world's largest cigarette market. The joint venture announced on Wednesday could boost Imperial's long-term earnings potential and competitive position in the growing e-cigarette market and increase the chances of the world's fourth-biggest tobacco company attracting takeover interest as the industry consolidates, according to analysts. Big tobacco companies are facing shrinking markets due to health concerns and are all investing heavily in developing less harmful alternatives to smoking tobacco. Imperial's shares closed up 1 percent at 3,626.5 pence in London. "We think today's news could make a bid more likely," said Jefferies analysts, citing speculation that Imperial could be swept up in a wave of consolidation brought on by British American Tobacco's $47 billion bid for Reynolds American. The joint venture, Global Horizon Ventures Limited (GHVL), will be based in Hong Kong and link Imperial with CNTC subsidiary Yunnan Tobacco, which controls over one-fifth of the Chinese market. Imperial said the joint venture will expand Imperial's West and Davidoff brands in China, and Yunnan's Jade and Horizon brands internationally. "Further tobacco and next-generation product launches, as well as potential M&A opportunities, will also be evaluated by GHVL in due course," it said in a statement. China is by far the world's largest tobacco market, selling about 2.5 trillion cigarettes a year, or about one in every third cigarette smoked. The market is dominated by state-owned monopoly CNTC, which struck partnerships with Marlboro maker Philip Morris International in 2005 and British American in 2013. Story continues A partnership with China Tobacco could give Imperial more capital and scale with which to expand in the growing market for cigarette alternatives. So far it has stuck to e-cigarettes, which heat nicotine-laced liquid into vapour, unlike Philip Morris and BAT, which also have tobacco-heating devices they say may be more appealing to smokers who can't quit. A successful initial partnership could pave the way for an all-out takeover bid down the road, Jefferies analysts said, noting it also makes Imperial more attractive to Japan Tobacco , long seen as a likely suitor. Imperial was advised by Vermilion Partners and Allen & Overy on the transaction, whose financial terms were not disclosed. BAT is in talks with U.S. peer Reynolds about buying the 58 percent of the company it does not already own. Reynolds' next-generation technology is seen as a key driver for that move, as smoking declines in Western markets due to growing health consciousness. (Additional reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Alexander Smith, Greg Mahlich) By Martinne Geller (Reuters) - Britain's Imperial Brands (IMB.L) has formed a joint venture with state-owned China National Tobacco (CNTC) in a move to gain a foothold in the world's largest cigarette market. The joint venture announced on Wednesday could boost Imperial's long-term earnings potential and competitive position in the growing e-cigarette market and increase the chances of the world's fourth-biggest tobacco company attracting takeover interest as the industry consolidates, according to analysts. Big tobacco companies are facing shrinking markets due to health concerns and are all investing heavily in developing less harmful alternatives to smoking tobacco. Imperial's shares closed up 1 percent at 3,626.5 pence in London. "We think today's news could make a bid more likely," said Jefferies analysts, citing speculation that Imperial could be swept up in a wave of consolidation brought on by British American Tobacco's (BATS.L) $47 billion bid for Reynolds American (RAI.N). The joint venture, Global Horizon Ventures Limited (GHVL), will be based in Hong Kong and link Imperial with CNTC subsidiary Yunnan Tobacco, which controls over one-fifth of the Chinese market. Imperial said the joint venture will expand Imperial's West and Davidoff brands in China, and Yunnan's Jade and Horizon brands internationally. "Further tobacco and next-generation product launches, as well as potential M&A opportunities, will also be evaluated by GHVL in due course," it said in a statement. China is by far the world's largest tobacco market, selling about 2.5 trillion cigarettes a year, or about one in every third cigarette smoked. The market is dominated by state-owned monopoly CNTC, which struck partnerships with Marlboro maker Philip Morris International (PM.N) in 2005 and British American in 2013. A partnership with China Tobacco could give Imperial more capital and scale with which to expand in the growing market for cigarette alternatives. So far it has stuck to e-cigarettes, which heat nicotine-laced liquid into vapour, unlike Philip Morris and BAT, which also have tobacco-heating devices they say may be more appealing to smokers who can't quit. Story continues A successful initial partnership could pave the way for an all-out takeover bid down the road, Jefferies analysts said, noting it also makes Imperial more attractive to Japan Tobacco (2914.T), long seen as a likely suitor. Imperial was advised by Vermilion Partners and Allen & Overy on the transaction, whose financial terms were not disclosed. BAT is in talks with U.S. peer Reynolds about buying the 58 percent of the company it does not already own. Reynolds' next-generation technology is seen as a key driver for that move, as smoking declines in Western markets due to growing health consciousness. (Additional reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Alexander Smith, Greg Mahlich) President Obama acknowledges the crowd as he arrives to deliver his farewell address in Chicago. (Photo: John Gress/Reuters) President Obama warned in his farewell address late Tuesday that only renewed citizen engagement can save American democracy from the threats of economic dislocation, racial resentment, and the toxic partisanship that fester inside insulated bubbles where everyone looks and thinks the same. Thats what our democracy demands: It needs you. Not just when theres an election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime, Obama told a crowd of approximately 18,000 in his adoptive hometown of Chicago. If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If youre disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself. Show up. Dive in. Stay at it. Sometimes youll win. Sometimes youll lose, the president said. More often than not, your faith in America and in Americans will be confirmed. Obama spoke President-Elect Donald Trumps name just once, and quickly quieted a chorus of boos that swelled from the audience in response. But sections of his speech could be seen as a message to the brash entrepreneur who is just 10 days away from taking the reins most notably sections about accepting immigrants, beating back anti-Muslim prejudice and keeping American values safe from attack by autocrats and extremists. The Islamic State will try to kill innocent people, but they cannot defeat America unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight, Obama promised. Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for, and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors. Obamas remarks part of a goodbye to the nation after eight tumultuous, consequential years sometimes felt like a victory lap blended with a campaign rally. He came onstage to U2s City of Blinding Lights, his 2008 anthem, and left to the strains of Bruce Springsteens Land of Hope and Dreams, a 2012 staple. Story continues Yes we can! Yes we did! he said. First lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia embrace as President Obama praises them during his farewell address. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Obama recited his well-worn list of accomplishments the steady, though often unsatisfying, economic recovery from the depths of the Great Recession; the raid that killed Osama bin Laden; his outreach to Cuba; the deal to curb Irans nuclear program. But his speech was perhaps more notable for his warnings. Those admonitions recalled past presidential farewells, whether George Washington telling Americans to beware partisanship at home and entangling alliances overseas, or Dwight Eisenhower deploring the influence of a military-industrial complex over government. Obama warned of growing economic inequality and of the coming economic losses of middle-class jobs to automation. He implored Americans not to embrace divisions based on race. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minority, then workers of all shades are going to be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves, he said. To cure those ills, the president largely stuck to traditional Democratic calls for investments in education, a more generous safety net, stronger unions and higher taxes on the wealthy. But his starkest warning was that Americans must stop sorting themselves into homogeneous enclaves. For too many of us, its become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or on college campuses or places of worship or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions, Obama said. Increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that is out there. And this makes the battle of ideas at the core of American democracy into a battle over basic realities. Without some common baseline of facts; without a willingness to admit new information and concede that your opponent might be making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, well keep talking past each other, and well make common ground and compromise impossible, he said. While he leaves office quite popular nearly 60 percent approve of the job hes doing, according to recent polls and quite young, at 55, Obama gave no hint in the speech of his post-presidency plans. It has been the honor of my life to serve you, he said. I wont stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my remaining days. Indian police said Wednesday they had recovered more than 6,000 freshwater turtles weighing over four tonnes from poachers who planned to smuggle them to Southeast Asia, in the country's largest-ever wildlife haul. The 6,430 flapshell turtles were discovered stuffed into 140 jute bags in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. "Wildlife authorities confirmed that this is the largest haul in the country's wildlife history, both in terms of number and weight -- 4.4 tonnes," Arvind Chaturvedi, head of the state's Special Task Force that rescued the turtles, told AFP. Indian flapshell turtles are not particularly rare but are a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act. Chaturvedi said police had arrested the "kingpin" and were likely to make further arrests. He said the poachers had filled half a truck with the turtles to take them to the eastern city of Kolkata, from where they were to be transported illegally to China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Their meat is considered an aphrodisiac while the bones are powdered for use in traditional medicine and soups. Rachna Tiwari of the US-based Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) said smugglers can earn up to 1,000 rupees ($15) per flapshell turtle, while a bigger softshell -- whose meat is considered a delicacy -- is sold for up to 8,000 rupees. "Enforcement against poaching has improved, but the scale at which these protected turtles are being poached, who knows, they may also soon become endangered," Tiwari told AFP. The turtles are currently at a makeshift sanctuary in the TSA's local centre. Uttar Pradesh is home to 14 of India's 28 endangered turtle species and at least 20,000 are reportedly smuggled out of the state every year. By Suchitra Mohanty NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Supreme Court on Wednesday threw out a case brought by an anti-corruption lawyer that accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of accepting suspicious cash payments, dealing a blow to an opposition leader who had latched on to the case. A panel of judges found that there was too little evidence to go on, deflating Rahul Gandhi's warnings late last year that he would cause an "earthquake" by unveiling proof that Modi was corrupt. In the event, it transpired that the heir apparent to the leadership of the opposition Congress party was referring to a case already before India's highest court that relied on evidence recovered in income-tax raids on two corporate houses. Citing written records, the plaintiff alleged that an individual called "Gujarat CM" had received cash payments from companies totaling at least 400 million rupees ($5.9 million) in late 2013 and early 2014. Modi was the chief minister of India's western state of Gujarat at the time and went on to win election by a landslide in May 2014. "There is not enough evidence to order an inquiry into the case. We are dismissing it," a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra ruled. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, the government's top lawyer, told the court that there was no credible evidence to prove that Modi had been paid off. "Nobody in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Anyone can put the name of anybody on such papers," Rohatgi told the court. Prashant Bhushan, the anti-corruption lawyer who brought the case on behalf of a non-governmental organization called Common Cause, had urged the court to order a probe into the alleged payments made to public officials. "It is sad and unfortunate that the Supreme Court dismissed my plea," Bhushan told Reuters. Indian politicians are often dogged by sleaze allegations and many of the country's elected officials face criminal proceedings. Modi has, however, cultivated a clean image as the son of a humble tea seller. He shook India in November by scrapping high-value banknotes in a bid to purge the economy of "black money" - the proceeds of illicit business, corruption and tax evasion. The move has caused massive disruption to daily life and business throughout the country of 1.3 billion people. Modi's so-called demonetization drive will face the verdict of voters when five of India's federal states hold elections in February and March - most importantly the battleground state of Uttar Pradesh - that will influence his chances of a second term at the 2019 general election. (Writing by Douglas Busvine; Editing by Malini Menon) JAKARTA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Indonesia's finance ministry announced new rules that require primary bond dealers to "safeguard" their partnership with the government and avoid conflicts of interest. Primary dealers "have the duty to safeguard the partnership with the Indonesian government based on professionalism, integrity, the avoidance of conflict of interest, and looking at the interests of the Republic of Indonesia," according to documents uploaded to the ministry's website on Wednesday. The documents, dated Dec. 30, said the finance minister can revoke the license of a primary dealer if it does not fulfill the stated conditions. The finance minister also has the authority to accept or reject an application to be a primary dealer by taking into consideration the track record of the bank or securities firm, including its working experience with the ministry. The Indonesian government cut its business ties with JPMorgan Chase & Co following a November downgrade by the U.S. bank in its Indonesian stocks recommendation to "underweight" from "overweight". (Reporting by Eveline Danubrata and Gayatri Suroyo; Additional reporting by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Richard Borsuk) * Primary dealers must 'safeguard' partnership with govt * Govt can revoke appointment if dealers break the rules * Govt to look at track record of dealership applicants * Fin ministry cut ties with JPMorgan after research downgrade (Adds context) By Eveline Danubrata and Gayatri Suroyo JAKARTA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Indonesia's finance ministry, which recently cut its business ties with JPMorgan Chase & Co , announced new rules that require primary bond dealers to "safeguard" their partnership with the government and avoid conflicts of interest. The regulation is likely to add to analysts' concern about moves to strike back over unfavourable investment commentary after Indonesia punished the U.S. bank for its downgrade of the country's stocks in November. Primary dealers "have the duty to safeguard the partnership with the Indonesian government based on professionalism, integrity, the avoidance of conflict of interest, and looking at the interests of the Republic of Indonesia," according to documents uploaded to the ministry's website on Wednesday. The documents, dated Dec. 30, said the finance minister can revoke the appointment of a primary dealer if it does not fulfill the stated conditions. The finance minister also has the authority to accept or reject an application to be a primary dealer by taking into consideration the track record of the bank or securities firm, including its working experience with the ministry. A primary dealer is a bank or a securities firm appointed by the finance minister that can buy government bonds in auctions and resell them in the secondary market. Indonesia had 19 such dealers as of Nov. 25. Foreigners hold more than 37 percent of Indonesia's government bonds. The local capital market lacks depth and liquidity, making the perception of foreign investors particularly important for Southeast Asia's biggest economy. The Finance Ministry dropped the JPMorgan's services as a primary dealer for domestic sovereign bonds and as an underwriter for bonds sold to the global market. The bank also no longer receives certain transfers of state revenue. Suahasil Nazara, the head of the ministry's fiscal policy office, on Jan. 4 defended the penalising of JPMorgan, saying its research was "not credible and not objective". (Additional reporting by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Richard Borsuk) At least 2,000 people are believed to have been killed after a massive avalanche of rocks and ice buried an entire mountain village and several settlements in north-west Peru. Last night millions of tons of snow, rocks, mud and debris tumbled down the extinct volcano of Huascaran, Perus highest mountain in the Andes range. The village of Ranrahirca and its inhabitants was totally destroyed along with eight other towns. The mayor Alfonso Caballero said only about 50 of its 500 inhabitants survived. In eight minutes Ranrahirca was wiped off the map, he said. Relief efforts are being hampered by the very storms that started the devastating landslide, but there are believed to be few survivors. Colonel Umberto Ampuera, head of emergency services, said the disaster was like a scene from Dantes Inferno. He appealed to the Peruvian Government for aid to restore stricken communications and reach anyone who escaped the landslide. Two Peruvian Air Force planes have carried relief supplies to the area and troops have been sent there to open up roads to Ranrahica and other areas cut off by the avalanche. A massive wall of ice and rocks, about 12 meters high and 1km high, roared down the River Santa. The river rose by eight meters carrying with it everything in its path down the Rio Santa valley. Bodies have been found at the port of Chimbote, 60 miles from the scene of the tragedy, where the river meets the sea. The President of the Peruvian Red Cross, Roberto Thorndike, estimated between 2,000 and 2,500 people were killed. But local authorities believe the death toll is higher between 3,000 and 4,000 people. The region is prone to major avalanches at this time of year when glaciers melt and break off sliding through the quebracas (deep canyons) in the valley below. U Thant, the acting United Nations Secretary General, has offered Peru aid to alleviate the situation. In a telegram to President Manuel Prado he said representatives of the UN technical assistance board and the UN childrens fund would be ready to give any help required of them. Courtesy BBC News In context It is estimated that about 4,000 people died in the avalanche but the final figure will never be known. The 1962 avalanche that caused so much devastation in the Rio Santa Valley was eclipsed in 1970 by another massive landslide. On 31 May a huge earthquake 25km from the town of Chimbote, on the north coast of Peru, triggered off Latin Americas biggest recorded landslide. A wall of ice was dislodged from Mount Huascaran and in three minutes slid down a glacier and travelled another 10km to bury the town of Yungay. The avalanche destroyed Ranrahirca all over again about 20,000 people died and there were just 400 survivors. Wah gwaan? Meet Toya, the worlds first doll to speak the Jamaican patois. (Photo Credit: Facebook/Zuree) Diversity matters, even when it comes in the form of a doll. With research that shows dolls with unrealistically thin bodies have had negative effects on young girls self-esteem, a movement has emerged to develop childrens toys that reflect different body shapes, sizes, and skin tones. But what about language? This was the problem that Saffron Jackson, a 38-year-old Jamaican teacher living in the United Kingdom, encountered in shopping for a doll that looked and sounded like her daughter. So she created Toya, the first doll to speak Jamaican patois and the first doll in Jacksons Zuree Doll line, which represent various ethnicities. This doll is designed to empower young girls of color so they can take pride in their natural beauty and love themselves with their varied shades of dark skin tones and their kinky hair, Johnson told Yahoo Beauty. For too long, many girls of color are left to feel inferior to little white girls because they do not fit the stereotypical image of beauty. I am hoping that Zuree will revolutionize the doll market by producing beautiful dolls, which will change this mindset and create diversity in the doll world. Remember to order your first talking Jamaican Patois Doll NOW at www.zuree.co.uk A photo posted by Zuree (@zureedolls) on Nov 29, 2016 at 8:22am PST Patois is a Creole or varied dialect of a common people within a region and can vary depending on the country, culture, and people. For many people of Caribbean descent, patois is most commonly spoken amongst family, friends, and those within the community. The doll, voiced by a girl from Kingston named Kristina, speaks in patois phrases such as Wah gwaan? Wah yaa seh?, and Me name Toya, and me a wah Zuree Doll from the beautiful island of Jamaica. Toya (which costs about $60) and the forthcoming Zuree Doll line (with brown- and dark-skinned, curly-haired dolls) demonstrates not only the importance of representing different physical characteristics, but promoting a sense of belonging and unity. Story continues According to clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg, seeing a doll that looks like you is important to the fundamental development of a child. It validates a childs very existence and it validates that they are good, and they deserve to be represented and acknowledged. Its wonderful for their self-esteem, she says. A photo posted by Zuree (@zureedolls) on Nov 26, 2016 at 6:17pm PST Greenberg says, [Toya] really fosters a message that you are important, you matter, you are included in our melting pot and culture, and you are important enough to be represented in our toys. Jackson isnt content just to promote diversity with dolls, though; shes also developing a clothing line for the dolls and working on a Zuree Girls book series. A Rasta-talking bear will reportedly be launched around March. Toya is indicative of a larger conversation in the beauty world, allowing all girls to have a doll they truly connect with. May we see, and play with, many more. Read more: Say Hello to the Newest Kinky-Haired Doll for Kids A Mom Made a Breastfeeding Barbie to Teach Kids About Parenting An Australian Woman Is Giving Bratz Dolls Makeunders Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces that it is investigating claims against Sinovac Biotech Ltd. ("Sinovac" or the "Company") (SVA) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws. To get more information about this investigation, please contact Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or via email at brian@lundinlawpc.com. On December 21, 2016, SeekingAlpha.com released an article stating that according to a recent Beijing court judgment, Weidong Ying, Chairman and CEO of Sinovac, paid bribes to Yin Hongzhang, the Deputy Director General of the Center for Drug Evaluation for the China Food and Drug Administration, as well as his wife, with the intention of assisting its vaccine clinical trial and approval. Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contact: Lundin Law PC Brian Lundin, Esq. Telephone: 888-713-1033 Facsimile: 888-713-1125 brian@lundinlawpc.com http://lundinlawpc.com/ SOURCE: Lundin Law PC LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces that it is investigating claims against Endologix, Inc. ("Endologix" or the "Company") (ELGX) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws. To get more information about this investigation, please contact Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or via email at brian@lundinlawpc.com. Endologix's endovascular aneurysm sealing system for treating infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms is Nellix. Endologix noted that it would approve the original Nellix system used in the Nellix investigational device exemption (IDE) clinical trial, the EVAS FORWARD-IDE Study. However, Endologix disclosed that the FDA requested a follow-up on patients in the EVAS-FORWARD-IDE study to evaluate Nellix. On December 27, 2016 Endologix stated that it was temporarily barring AFX Endovascular AAA System shipments, due to a manufacturing investigation. Upon disclosing this information to the investing public, Endologix stock fell sharply, causing shareholders severe harm. Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contact: Lundin Law PC Brian Lundin, Esq. Telephone: 888-713-1033 Facsimile: 888-713-1125 brian@lundinlawpc.com http://lundinlawpc.com/ SOURCE: Lundin Law PC LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit against Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. ("Zimmer" or the "Company") (NYSE: ZBH) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws between September 7, 2016 and October 31, 2016 inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors, who purchased or otherwise acquired Tenet shares during the Class Period, are encouraged to contact the firm in advance of the January 31, 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. Per the complaint, during the Class Period, Zimmer made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about its business, operations, and prospects. The complaint is as follows: that issues within the supply chain caused a decline in order fulfillment, particularly within the knee and hip portfolios; that, because of this, Zimmer would not achieve its revenues and profit as anticipated and; that as a result of the above, the Company's statements regarding its business, operations, and prospects were false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On October 31, 2016, the Company issued a press release reporting third quarter 2016 financial results. Zimmer reported net sales of $1.83 billion, and lowered guidance for the full year 2016 at $7.630 billion to $7.650 billion, a decline from the $7.68 billion to $7.715 billion estimated in July. Zimmer maintains that weak sales are due to a change in the supply chain, leading to a lack of available implants and instrument sets during the quarter. In a conference with investors following the above release, the Company stated: "Third quarter revenue was below our expectations, primarily due to execution issues within our large joint supply chain, which led to a degradation in order fulfillment rates late in the quarter, as well as our performance in dental As a consequence, we underestimated demand for certain key cross-sell brands within our existing customer base, leading to a depletion of our safety stocks and also affecting our ability to capitalize on new customer opportunities." Story continues Following this, shares of Zimmer fell $17.15 per share, or nearly 14%, to close on October 31, 2016 at $105.40 per share, causing investors harm. 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. 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 Paris (AFP) - PSA on Wednesday reported a rise in car unit sales for 2016 thanks to business in Iran which the carmaker is including again after the end to sanctions against Tehran. With the integration of sales from joint ventures and licence agreements in Iran, Peugeot booked a rise in deliveries of 5.6 percent. On a comparable basis, without the integration of the Iranian contribution, the figure dropped by 2 percent from 2015. The group's three brands Peugeot, Citroen and DS, sold just over three million cars last year, of which 233,000 were produced under licence in Iran. In 2015, the group sold 2.9 million units. PSA's post-sanctions return to Iran resulted in joint ventures with local companies Iran Khodro and Saipa, and a partnership with Arian Motor. These partners continued to build and sell Peugeot cars under licence for four years during the sanctions regime, but PSA did not consolidate these sales into its accounts until 2016. The Peugeot brand, which makes up around 60 percent of the group's total, saw a rise of 12.3 percent in sales thanks to Iran, but a fall of 1.4 percent without the Iranian turnover. Global Citroen brand sales dropped 1.7 percent and DS by 16 percent. Sales in Iran were "the result of the good work done by the brand and the Middle East and Africa region to restart business with our colleagues in Iran", Peugeot brand director Jean-Philippe Imparato told AFP. Europe group director Maxime Picat told BFM Business that he was "delighted to see our Iran sales back on the books. And this is just the first stage". The local joint ventures were "the start of a powerful push" in Iran, he said. In Europe, PSA's main market, unit sales grew by 3.6 percent. In China and southeast Asia, however, sales dropped by 16 percent due to "an intensely competitive environment", the company said. In Russia, sales fell by 12.6 percent, in line with the overall car market which has suffered from the country's economic crisis. By Tim Hepher PARIS (Reuters) - The head of IranAir took delivery in France on Wednesday of the first Western airliner under an international sanctions deal, calling it a "sunny day" for relations between Iran and Europe and a memorable one for aviation in the nation of 80 million people. Chairman Farhad Parvaresh invited Fabrice Bregier, the head of planemaking at Airbus, to fly on the new A321 to Tehran, where the airline plans to mark its arrival in its fleet with a ceremony on Thursday. The 189-seat plane, already painted in IranAir's livery, is the first of 100 ordered from Airbus following a deal reached in 2015 between Tehran and world powers to lift sanctions against Iran in return for curbs on the country's nuclear activities. The airline has also ordered 80 aircraft from Boeing and is in the final stages of negotiating an order for 20 turboprops from Toulouse-based ATR, which is jointly owned by Airbus and Italy's Leonardo Finmeccanica . Highlighting Iran's emergence from years of isolation, the Airbus delivery marks the first brand-new jet directly acquired from a Western manufacturer for decades, other than the replacement of an Airbus jet shot down by the U.S. Navy in 1988. Republicans in the U.S. Congress have objected to the nuclear pact, signed by the United States, Britain, Russia, France, China, Germany and Iran. It also faces opposition from hardliners in Iran. Parvaresh said he hoped the United States would not block the agreement under president-elect Donald Trump, who at times has pledged to pull Washington out of the nuclear accord. Both Airbus and Boeing need U.S. export licenses to deliver the jets because of the number of U.S. parts. Both have received licenses but Boeing needs to have the majority extended due to the lengthy delivery period and analysts expect it to point to the Airbus delivery in order to press the case for its sales to remain in force. Story continues "Everything has been done according to the international regulations and rules up to now. We hope that nothing special happens to end this contract, Parvaresh told reporters. The first Airbus aircraft will enter service on Saturday starting on busy domestic routes such as Tehran to Mashhad for the next couple of months, he said. IranAir hopes to receive "at least two more from Airbus" by the start of the Iranian new year in March, and a total of six A320 aircraft in calendar year 2017, he added. It also expects to receive three larger A330 jets in 2017. IranAir could also receive one to two turboprop aircraft by the Iranian new year, but a contract has yet to be signed. "We are very optimistic we can finalize it in January or so," Parvaresh said. The arrival of new aircraft will allow IranAir "step by step" to phase out elderly planes including Fokker 100 regional aircraft serving domestic routes, Parvaresh said. Analysts say IranAir has one of the world's oldest airliner fleets, held together until now by smuggled or improvised parts. (Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta) Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - Iraqi forces have retaken at least 80 percent of east Mosul from the Islamic State jihadist group, the spokesman of the special forces spearheading the campaign said on Wednesday. "I think you can say that we have retaken 80 to 85 percent" of the eastern side of Mosul, Sabah al-Noman, spokesman for the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), told AFP in the city. Tens of thousands of troops launched a huge offensive to retake Mosul, IS's last major bastion in Iraq, and areas around it on October 17. The initial phase of the offensive saw a variety of forces retake significant swathes of land in little time but the going has been tough inside the city itself. After a lull in operations, the CTS and other forces stepped up their coordination and, with increased air and advisory support from a US-led coalition, launched a fresh push just before the New Year. Over the past two weeks, Iraqi forces have overran several districts and reached the Tigris River that runs through the heart of the city for the first time. Combined with the destruction of all bridges over the river, that has made it difficult for IS fighters in east Mosul to resupply or escape to the west bank, which they still fully control. The western side of Mosul, which is home to the old city and some of the jihadists' traditional strongholds, was always tipped as likely to offer the most resistance. DUBLIN (Reuters) - Uncertainty arising from Brexit led to an 8 percent fall last year in Irish food and drink exports to the United Kingdom, by far their biggest market, but the drop was offset by growth elsewhere. The UK is Ireland's largest single trade partner, accounting for about 17 percent of exports. For food and drink, that share leaps to 37 percent, leaving the jobs-rich sector vulnerable to neighbouring Britain's departure from the European Union. Exports to the UK fell by an estimated 8 percent in 2016 to 4.1 billion euros as a weakening of sterling against the euro and resulting competitive pressures impacted trade, Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, said in its end of year report. Total food and drink exports still rose 2 percent year-on-year, marking the seventh successive year of growth for the sector which, according to Bord Bia, employs around 160,000 or one in eight Irish workers. Sales in other European markets, which account for 32 percent of food and drink exports, increased by 3 percent and trade to the rest of the world rose by 13 percent, including a 35 percent jump in China, which now accounts for close to 8 percent of exports, almost as much as North America. Ireland's government has encouraged UK-focussed exporters to diversify into other markets, particularly with the potential that a "hard Brexit", where Britain would make a clear break with the EU's single market in order to control immigration, could end tariff-free trade. Bord Bia said ongoing market uncertainty meant the outlook for exporters was set to remain challenging in 2017, when the British government plans to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to kick off two years of EU divorce talks. "One of the notable features of the achievements (in 2016) is the impact of market diversification in the year in which the UK decided to leave the European Union," Agriculture Minister Michael Creed said in a statement. "The UK will continue to be a critically important market for Irish agri-food products. The triggering of Article 50 and the continued uncertainty around Brexit will present significant challenges for the sector." (Reporting by Padraic Halpin) 11 Jan - "Oro" star Irma Adlawan recently expressed her frustration with how Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson Liza Dino dealt with the issue concerning the movie's dog killing scandal. As reported on PEP News, the actress, who won Best Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival for her role in the movie, stated that Dino's eagerness to share everything on her Facebook has made the situation more dire for the production. "It became a big issue when it blew up on social media. I told Liza Dino that she shouldn't be posting on social media before the meeting. I asked for the meeting with MMFF. I said that this would be the proper venue for us to talk, face to face, and learn the truth," said Adlawan. Nonetheless, Dino decided to discuss the dog killing issue on her Facebook before the investigation even started, prompting the media to begin reporting it. "I mean, for her to be the chairperson of the FDCP, she should know her responsibilities. She should not have posted things like that before the investigation. I told her, talked to her, 'Could we meet up before you react?' But lo and behold, she used it. What else can we do?" Adlawan lamented. She also criticised the MMFF for not backing them up as soon as Dino speaks, and questioned the nature of her power within the MMFF itself. (Photo source: facebook.com/Irma-Adlawan-334484930053) Chinas recent push to clean up its air is leaving some of its neighbors feeling threatened. The Asian countrys road to cleaner air has been gradual, with lead-free gasoline only becoming a requirement in 2000, almost three decades behind the U.S. This month, China imposed new curbs on the amount of sulfur in vehicle fuels to about a fifth of the previous standard, putting it on par with Europe, which has the worlds strictest emissions controls. While the change helps China battle the smog thats choking residents from Beijing to Xian, many of its refiners still produce the dirtier fuel. Thats causing concern in both South Korea and Japan that China will boost exports of low-quality diesel to markets such as Indonesia and Malaysia, where standards are laxer. Both depend on southeast Asia as a key customer for their diesel. Competition will surely heat up next year and we will have to fight to maintain market share, Kim Wookyung, a spokeswoman at SK Innovation Co., South Koreas biggest refiner, said in a telephone interview. Already, China has been aggressively selling refined fuel in the region. In September, its diesel exports jumped more than 50 percent to a record, while its sales to the Philippines soared more than six-fold in 2016 through November to about 17 million barrels, according to Bloomberg calculations based on data from Chinas General Administration of Customs. With the decision to cut sulfur levels, theres no doubt Chinas upgrade to cleaner fuels will be an accelerating factor for China to ship dirty fuel, said Wu Kang, a Beijing-based analyst with industry consultant FGE. Meanwhile, South Koreas southeast Asian sales of diesel, its most-exported fuel, has slumped to its lowest level in six years. Oil- product exports from the country fell 2 percent in the quarter ended in September as shipments to the Philippines, for example, dropped 33 percent in 2016 from the previous year. Japans supply to southeast Asia is poised to be the worst in a decade. The countrys exports of gasoil to the region slid about 15 percent between January and November to 25,580 barrels a day, on course for its lowest annual volume since 2006. The end result: China is likely to overtake South Korea as the regions top diesel exporter by 2020, according to Peter Lee, a Singapore-based analyst at BMI Research. Refiners have also been suffering from lower margins. The profit from turning benchmark Dubai crude into oil products in Singapore averaged less than USD5.50 a barrel last year, compared with $7.72 in 2015, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Not all of Chinas neighbors are concerned. India, the fastest-growing oil consuming nation globally, has been reducing diesel exports in order to meet its own needs, with oil demand there forecast to double through 2040 to 10.3 million barrels a day. Theres not much of a threat to Indian refineries because we are self-consuming, said H. Kumar, managing director of state-run Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. But if theres plenty of diesel coming into the market because of Chinese dumping, that can impact the margins for all refiners. State-owned oil majors PetroChina Co. and Sinopec have been investing heavily in facility upgrades to enable the production of higher-quality fuels, and they are now capable of meeting the new standard, said Amy Sun, analyst with Shanghai-based commodities researcher ICIS-China. That also increases the risk low-sulfur fuel could flow into Japan from China, leading to more competition there as well. The quality of oil products exported from the county has improved to a level similar to those shipped from Japan, said Kosuke Kai, a spokesman at Tokyo- based refiner TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K. We expect competition in Asian oil-product markets will intensify. Heesu Lee, Tsuyoshi Inajima, Bloomberg By Isabel Coles MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - The leaflet dropped from the skies over Mosul urged Islamic State militants to give themselves up. "Who will look after your families if you are killed?" read the message, found on the ground in an apartment complex on the city's northern edge. Sent by the Iraqi government, it appears to have been ignored. At the bottom of a stairwell in one of the apartment blocks lay the corpses of three militants who must have known they would lose against the overwhelming numbers and firepower of their opponents. Iraqi forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition took the Hadba apartment complex several days ago as the campaign to drive Islamic State out of Mosul gains momentum in the city's east. A tour arranged for Reuters to show off the government forces' latest gains showed how the militants, though vastly outnumbered and overpowered, are still putting up a fight for their largest urban stronghold. Beneath blankets thrown over their remains, the militants appear to have fought on even after being gravely wounded. One had a makeshift splint on his leg, and a big skidmark of blood indicated a militant may have dragged himself into cover, or been pulled by the others. The lower half of one insurgent's body was blown off before he had a chance to detonate the suicide belt still tied around his waist. "We came from here and hit him with a rocket," said an Iraqi soldier, retracing his steps through the outdoor passage they used to come up on the militants from behind. The complex is made up of more than 160 blocks -- the three-storey buildings now giving Iraqi forces an added advantage over the enemy, which is being pushed back towards the Tigris river bisecting Mosul from north to south. Some Iraqi units further south reached the banks of the Tigris over the weekend -- a milestone in the offensive that began when the elite counterterrorism service (CTS) pushed into Mosul from the east in October. The western half of the city remains fully under Islamic State control and retaking it from Islamic State is likely to be complicated by narrow alleys. TRIP WIRES The pastel-colored apartment blocks show marks of heavy fighting and the sound of gunfire was audible nearby. Spirits were high among the soldiers, who broke into song and dance for the camera, and posed for photographs with Islamic State flags they had torn down. Victory in Mosul would deal a symbolic and perhaps lethal blow to Islamic State's self-styled caliphate. But the group has recently demonstrated the insurgent tactics to which it will likely revert as it loses territory. Dozens of civilians have been killed in bomb blasts in Baghdad since the start of the year and the militants have attacked security forces in areas retaken from them. Touring the compound, Major-General Najm al-Jubbouri said Islamic State had hit back with four to five car bombs during and after the battle, but they were detonated before hitting their target. Islamic State newsletters were scattered on the ground outside the entrance to the mosque inside the compound, hailing attacks carried out by its fighters against Iraqi forces. A ground floor apartment served as a real estate office for Islamic State, which rented out the apartments of those who fled to people displaced from other parts of Mosul or beyond during the two years they ruled over the city. Another Islamic State flyer warned civilians against informing the security forces about the location of militants. All civilians were evacuated during and after the battle and government soldiers now appear in the windows of their apartments. Sheets are stretched across the balconies -- in some cases for privacy, but also so that Islamic State snipers could see Iraqi forces without being spotted. "Some of the doors were rigged with trip wires," said the head of one of the battalions that retook the apartments, whose name, Colonel Ibrahim, has been graffitied on the walls by his men. He said his men had broken into one apartment and found a discarded suicide belt and a cup of tea, still steaming hot, suggesting at least one of the militants chose to flee rather than fight on. (Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) Jerusalem (AFP) - Arabs across Israel closed businesses and schools on Wednesday in a one-day strike to protest against the demolition of Arab homes built without the required, but hard-to-get, permits. On Tuesday, authorities tore down 11 homes in the Arab town of Qalansuwa, in northern Israel. Arab Israelis say discrimination by the Jewish state that makes it impossible for them to obtain planning permission to expand their communities. The result is that many families resort to building homes without permission, leaving them liable to demolition. Mohammad Barakeh, the head of an Arab Israeli umbrella organisation and a former lawmaker, said observance of Wednesday's strike "exceeded expectations." "There was an excellent response in all Arab villages and towns," he told AFP. The Joint List, a coalition of predominantly Arab parties, condemned Tuesday's demolitions. "The act of demolishing 11 houses, whose owners built on their private lands in Qalansuwa, is an unprecedented crime and a declaration of war against the residents of Qalansuwa and against the Arab community in Israel," it said. The Joint List is the third largest bloc in the Israeli parliament. Arab Israelis make up some 17.5 percent of the country's population, and are descended from Palestinians who remained on their land after the creation of Israel in 1948. Israeli public radio said the strike was widely observed in Nazareth and Umm al-Fahm, the country's largest Arab cities, and in the mixed-population city of Haifa. Israeli daily Haaretz said Qalansuwa mayor Abed al-Bassat Salameh resigned in the wake of Tuesday's demolitions after years of trying in vain to win official approval for an updated town plan. It quoted Mustafa Mahlouf, one of the owners of the destroyed properties, as saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Interior Minister Gilad Erdan "want to talk about enforcement to satisfy the settlers and decided that Qalansuwa would be the first victim." Story continues Netanyahu is facing settlers angry at a court order to evict Israelis from an unapproved settlement outpost in the occupied West Bank found to have been built on private Palestinian land. In a video address last month as the court-imposed deadline to vacate the Amona outpost approached, Netanyahu linked the rogue outpost and Arab construction in Israel. "The law must be equitable; the same law which obliges vacating Amona also obliges removing illegal construction in other parts of our country," he said. "Therefore I have given orders to speed up demolition of illegal construction... in all parts of the country and we shall do that in the coming days." The court later extended the deadline to evacuate the Amona outpost to February 8. JERUSALEM (AP) An Israeli defense official on Wednesday confirmed that the country has developed a new policy in recent years to allow Egypt to quickly beef up its forces in the volatile Sinai peninsula as part of a shared struggle against Islamic militants. The official spoke days after Egyptian President Abdel-Fatteh el-Sissi said there are about 25,000 Egyptian troops operating in Sinai. It was the first time an Egyptian leader has commented on the number of troops battling militants there. His comments, made Monday night in a telephone call to a live TV talk show, underlined the depth of his commitment to the fight against militants, but also reflected the immense challenges Egypt faces. In addition to the troops, Egypt's military is also known to have deployed F-16 fighter jets as well as Apache helicopter gunships and tanks in northern Sinai. Egypt's close coordination with Israel in the fight against IS in Sinai is widely believed to be helping to fuel the insurgency. Israel, which is bitter enemies with the Hamas militant group in the neighboring Gaza Strip, sees Egypt as an important ally in the battle against Islamic militant groups in the region and the two countries have close security and intelligence ties. While their historic 1979 peace agreement limited the number of Egyptian forces in the border area near Israel, it includes provisions to allow Egypt to increase its forces if Israel agrees. The Israeli defense official said that Israel used to treat such requests with caution, but that in recent years has taken on a new policy to approve requests much faster in a reflection of the growing friendship and joint interests. "We do have a new policy and that has to do with terrorism over there," he said. "It's a common threat and a common interest." The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was unable to provide firm numbers on Egyptian troop levels in Sinai, but said they were "significant." "There's a need on the ground that we more than acknowledge," he said. * Gentiloni taken to Rome hospital after return from Paris * Assumed office last month after Renzi resignation * PM tweets that he'll be "back at work soon" (Adds Gentiloni tweet) By Steve Scherer and Antonella Cinelli ROME, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni is making an excellent recovery following a "completely successful" heart procedure at a Rome hospital, doctors said on Wednesday. The 62-year-old, who took office last month, had emergency angioplasty to unblock a blood vessel late on Tuesday. "The full success of the intervention was confirmed this afternoon by the excellent clinical progress being made by the premier," a medical bulletin from Rome's Gemelli hospital said. The procedure, which widens a narrow or obstructed artery or vein by stenting, was done after a CAT scan and blood tests. Gentiloni tweeted that he felt well and would be "back at work soon". It was not clear when he would leave the hospital, but a spokesman for the premier said his trip to London on Thursday to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May had been cancelled. Gentiloni, of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), formed a government after Matteo Renzi stepped down in the wake of a referendum loss over his flagship constitutional reform. He felt unwell after returning from a meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Paris and was examined by a doctor at his office, who sent him to hospital, a government source said. "He left for the hospital on his own two feet," the source said, noting that Gentiloni did not suffer a heart attack. Doctor Pietro Santarelli, a retired cardiologist who worked for years at the Gemelli, said that from the information available he believed Gentiloni could be out of the hospital in a few days. Angioplasty has become a routine procedure, he said. "If the time from the onset of the symptoms and the time that he went into the operating room was too long then perhaps some heart muscle could have been damaged," he said. Story continues Santarelli said the fact that Gentiloni was able to walk to the car that took him to the hospital was a good sign and that the prime minister was likely to have been suffering from "unstable angina," possibly caused by a clot. Doctors would now do enzyme tests and ecocardiograms to see if any permanent damage had been done to his heart, he said. Gentiloni, who was foreign minister until last month, took power during a banking crisis that has already required him to step in to rescue Italy's third-largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, and pledge as much as 20 billion euros ($21 billion) to prop up other lenders. But how long his government may last is unclear. A national election is not due until 2018, but Italy's three biggest parties are calling for a snap vote this year. Whether it is called will depend mainly on whether parliament can adopt a new electoral law over the next few months. (Additional reporting by Philip Pullella and Gavin Jones in Rome; Editing by Louise Ireland) Rome (AFP) - Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Wednesday he was feeling well following emergency surgery on a blocked blood vessel. The surgery was successful and Gentiloni, 62, was likely to remain in hospital for a few days, aides said when announcing the news earlier in the day. "Thanks for the affection and well-wishes. Doctors and medical staff were excellent. I'm well. Soon I'll go back to work," Gentiloni said on Twitter on Wednesday evening. The premier was taken to hospital after complaining of discomfort on his return to Rome on Tuesday from an official visit to Paris, with doctors deciding he should undergo an angioplasty. This is a procedure to widen a blocked or narrowed blood vessel, usually an artery. "We exchanged messages this morning and I am sure that he will be back at work very soon," junior minister Benedetto Della Vedova had told reporters before the premier's tweet. Gentiloni has been conducting a tour of European capitals following his appointment last month to replace Matteo Renzi, who resigned following a crushing referendum defeat. He was in Paris on Tuesday to meet French President Francois Hollande and had been due to fly to London on Thursday to meet his counterpart Theresa May, a trip that has now been postponed. However, Gentiloni is still due to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Rome on Friday. With Hollande, the Italian premier discussed celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary in March of the Treaty of Rome, the accord that established what would eventually become the European Union. Rome (AFP) - Italy's constitutional court on Wednesday rejected a petition calling for a referendum on a key plank of labour market law that was a flagship reform of ousted premier Matteo Renzi. The ruling, which had been keenly-awaited because of its broader political consequences, was a significant setback for the country's labour movement. But it was greeted with relief by the ruling Democratic Party as it prepares for an election due by early next year, and was seen by observers as a boost to Renzi's hopes of a comeback. The court rejected a trade union-sponsored petition calling for a vote to repeal the key provision of a law known as the Jobs Act, which made it easier for companies to hire and fire employees. Made up of a package of reforms adopted in 2014-15, the Jobs Act was seen as the most significant measure adopted during Renzi's nearly three years in office. The centre-left leader quit in December after suffering a crushing defeat in a referendum on unrelated constitutional reforms aimed at streamlining Italy's parliamentary system. The court upheld the unions request for referendums on two other elements of Renzi's labour market reforms - a voucher system that enables small employers to pay workers and payroll taxes in one go, and new rules on public sector tenders. But as reviews of both these elements are already under way, the votes may prove unnecessary and, even if they do go ahead, the stakes will be much lower. Had the court accepted the petition for a referendum on the centrepiece of the Jobs Act, which was signed by 3.3 million people, the vote would have taken place between April and June. Political observers had said that could have prompted the current centre-left government to go to the polls as early as March to avoid the risk of having to fight an election in the aftermath of another referendum setback. - Relief in ruling party - Wednesday's decision was widely seen as a gift to Renzi on what was his 42nd birthday. Story continues The former mayor of Florence wants to lead the Democratic Party into the election but that would have been politically impossible if a reform he had championed had been rejected by voters. Renzi and his allies say the Jobs Act has introduced long overdue flexibility into the Italian labour market. They claim it is already fostering job creation and will, over time, attract investors currently put off by the high costs and bureaucracy involved in trimming labour forces. Its critics say the act has diluted workers' rights with no sign of it generating new jobs. Susanna Camusso, Secretary General of the CGIL union grouping which organised the petition, said her organisation would consider a further challenge to the Jobs Act through the European Court of Justice, without specifying the basis for such a move. "We remain convinced that the interests of the workers we represent are best served by them having security of employment," Camusso said. Lorenzo Guerini, a deputy leader of the Democratic Party, welcomed the court's decision "with respect and great satisfaction." He added: "This will allow us to pursue the reform of the labour market in a way that improves workers' conditions and makes them more efficient." Renzi was replaced in December as premier by close ally Paolo Gentiloni, who is not seen as a potential rival for the leadership of their party. Gentiloni, 62, was recovering in hospital Wednesday after undergoing emergency angioplasty surgery to repair a blocked artery. ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni is in good condition and communicating with his office by phone after undergoing a heart procedure at a Rome hospital, a government source said on Wednesday. Gentiloni, 62, who took office last month, had an angioplasty procedure to unblock a blood vessel of the heart on Tuesday night after feeling unwell. "He is awake and lucid and can communicate by phone," the source said, adding that the prime minister did not have a heart attack. (Reporting by Steve Scherer) By Steve Scherer and Antonella Cinelli ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni is making an excellent recovery following a "completely successful" heart procedure at a Rome hospital, doctors said on Wednesday. The 62-year-old, who took office last month, had emergency angioplasty to unblock a blood vessel late on Tuesday. "The full success of the intervention was confirmed this afternoon by the excellent clinical progress being made by the premier," a medical bulletin from Rome's Gemelli hospital said. The procedure, which widens a narrow or obstructed artery or vein by stenting, was done after a CAT scan and blood tests. Gentiloni tweeted that he felt well and would be "back at work soon". It was not clear when he would leave the hospital, but a spokesman for the premier said his trip to London on Thursday to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May had been canceled. Gentiloni, of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), formed a government after Matteo Renzi stepped down in the wake of a referendum loss over his flagship constitutional reform. He felt unwell after returning from a meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Paris and was examined by a doctor at his office, who sent him to hospital, a government source said. "He left for the hospital on his own two feet," the source said, noting that Gentiloni did not suffer a heart attack. Doctor Pietro Santarelli, a retired cardiologist who worked for years at the Gemelli, said that from the information available he believed Gentiloni could be out of the hospital in a few days. Angioplasty has become a routine procedure, he said. "If the time from the onset of the symptoms and the time that he went into the operating room was too long then perhaps some heart muscle could have been damaged," he said. Santarelli said the fact that Gentiloni was able to walk to the car that took him to the hospital was a good sign and that the prime minister was likely to have been suffering from "unstable angina," possibly caused by a clot. Doctors would now do enzyme tests and ecocardiograms to see if any permanent damage had been done to his heart, he said. Gentiloni, who was foreign minister until last month, took power during a banking crisis that has already required him to step in to rescue Italy's third-largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, and pledge as much as 20 billion euros ($21 billion) to prop up other lenders. But how long his government may last is unclear. A national election is not due until 2018, but Italy's three biggest parties are calling for a snap vote this year. Whether it is called will depend mainly on whether parliament can adopt a new electoral law over the next few months. (Additional reporting by Philip Pullella and Gavin Jones in Rome; Editing by Louise Ireland) James Woods doesnt want his MTV and he doesnt think you should, either, after a personality from the network made light of Alabama senator and attorney-general nominee Jeff Sessions Asian baby. In a tweet published this week, MTV reporter Ira Madison III mocked a photo of Sessions holding a young child, writing, Sessions, sir, kindly return this Asian baby to the Toys R Us you stole her from. While the tweet has since been deleted, the outrage has only increased, with Woods tweeting Tuesday, I ask my 500,000 followers to join with all people of good conscience to boycott @MTV and its sponsors until #racist Ira Madison is fired. Also Read: MTV Writer Insists Jeff Sessions' Asian-American Granddaughter Is 'A Prop' In a statement to TheWrap, an MTV News spokesperson said, The opinions Ira expresses on Twitter are his own and do not reflect the views of MTV News. I ask my 500,000 followers to join with all people of good conscience to boycott @MTV and its sponsors until #racist Ira Madison is fired. James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 10, 2017 According to the National Reviews Michelle Malkin, the child is Sessions granddaughter, one of four from his daughter Ruths marriage to Asian-American John Walk. Also Read: James Woods' Anonymous 'Cocaine Addict' Accuser Must Be Identified, Court Orders Woods continued to hold MTVs feet to the social-media fire on Wednesday, writing, Of course the coward at @MTV deleted his #racist tweet, but here it is. Where are you, @MTV? The actor added, POS @MTV #racist mocks Asian toddler as a toy. Will @MTV fire the scum for his hate speech? #HateSpeech #RacistLiberal. Related stories from TheWrap: Jeff Sessions Really, Really Likes 'Schoolhouse Rock!' Jeff Sessions Flip-Flops, Says Genital Grabbing Is 'Clearly' Sexual Assault (Video) MTV Writer Accuses Jeff Sessions of Using Asian-American Granddaughter as 'a Prop' TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's weather bureau said on Wednesday that the latest La Nina was is expected to end soon, with a 70-percent chance that normal weather patterns would continue during the spring. La Nina, which tends to occur unpredictably every two to seven years, is a weather pattern characterized by unusually cold temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The outlook is in line with a U.S. government weather forecast, which said last month that weak La Nina conditions were present but favored to dissipate in the coming months. (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Joseph Radford) Around the world about 20 countries have reciprocal arrangements to allow their citizens to get visas for working holidays. In Asia these countries include Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia. In Europe, it includes Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. And finally, Canada is also a participant. Generally, if you are a citizen from any of these countries aged 18-31 you can get a working holiday visa to live and work and/or study in any of the other participating countries for up to 1 year. These visas do not allow you to travel with dependents, and you cannot work for the same employer for more than 3-6 months. To me, this seems to be a great system for younger people to see the world and learn what it is like to live and work in different countries. I wish it had been available when I was young. It is increasingly common for young people to take a gap year after finishing high school to decide what they want to do with the rest of their lives. To me, an international working holiday is an excellent way to productively fill this gap. Young people can try out different employment fields, learn about the world, gain confidence and independence, and build a bank-roll for later study. I had a gap year myself in the 1970s before completing 10 years of university study and never felt it was a waste and, if anything, it reinforced my desire to study at university. (There is nothing like working as a day laborer for a year to make you want to go to university to start a career with better pay for using your brain rather than your brawn.) I strongly believe in the value of internships as an integral part of university studies as long as they are well managed. The kinds of work that student interns do needs to be carefully designed and monitored so that it is truly a learning experience, and not just cheap labor. And the quality of the students performance, and the quality of the mentoring given by the employer, also needs to be properly evaluated. I feel that doing an internship in another country would definitely add a great deal of richness and value to the experience. I do think that the age range for these working holiday visas is too restrictive why not also make them available for people over 60? As a semi-retired person, I would be very happy to have the opportunity to live and work in different countries for 3-6 month time periods, while relaxing for the rest of the year. For example, teaching one semester a year, in a different country each year, sounds like a lot of fun to me. I believe that joining this group of countries offering working holiday visas would be very good for Macau, and especially for young people who have grown up here. What is stopping us? Jeff Sessions Sen. Jeff Sessions spent more than eight hours Tuesday in the first day of his Senate confirmation hearing defending his record from accusations of racism, explaining his position on implementation of the law, and answering how he would stand up to President-elect Donald Trump in various scenarios as attorney general. Sessions' hearing to be the nation's top law-enforcement official was viewed as being among the most anticipated hearing of any of Trump's nominees. The Alabama senator was questioned on as varied topics as whether grabbing women by their genitals was considered sexual assault to his thoughts on the Freedom of Information Act. Sessions surprised early in his hearing by saying he would recuse himself from any potential investigation involving Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton because of statements he made as a surrogate along the campaign trail in support of Trump. "Some of the comments I made I do believe could place my objectivity into question," he said, adding, "We could never have a political dispute turn into a criminal dispute." The Alabama Republican also said that, while he disagreed with Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized a woman's right to have an abortion, he would "respect" the law as attorney general, a strong contrast with his voting record in the Senate. He similarly said he would protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans, indicating similar respect for the Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage. Many of Trump's campaign positions came up throughout the hearing, with Sessions saying he did not agree with a proposed indefinite ban on Muslim immigrants entering the country. He said Trump had since clarified his position to mean individuals from countries with a high risk of terrorist activity. Sessions also said waterboarding was "absolutely" illegal, making sure to insist he would not be "a mere rubber stamp" for the president-elect. Sessions reaffirmed his position on immigration amid repeated questions, saying the priority of a Trump administration would be targeting for deportation immigrants in the country illegally who had committed serious crimes. Story continues An expected focal point of the hearing questions regarding past statements Sessions made on race were not pressed against him. But a series of protests erupted periodically with chants of, "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA," before the activists were removed from the hearing by Capitol police officers. Sessions did address concerns over allegations of racism, which derailed his 1986 appointment to a federal judge post. "I never declared that the NAACP was 'un-American' or that a civil-rights attorney was a 'disgrace to his race,'" he said in his opening statement. In his 1986 hearing, he did not contest the allegations. Jeff Sessions Democrats pressed him on issues regarding race, particularly involving his record of pursuing civil-rights cases as well as his voting record on voting rights. In one of the most contentious exchanges, Sessions went back and forth with Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, who suggested the senator had exaggerated his involvement in some civil-rights cases. "Our country needs an attorney general who doesn't misrepresent or inflate," Franken said. On voter-identification laws, Sessions said they were legitimate if written properly. Opponents of the laws say they are intended to curb minority communities from voting. In an exchange with Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Sessions was pressed about his connections with individuals such as activist John Tanton, whom critics have called a white nationalist, and Center for Security Policy founder Frank Gaffney, who has prominently espoused anti-Muslim views. Sessions received awards from both men. "How can Americans have confidence that you're going to enforce antidiscrimination laws if you've accepted awards from these kinds of groups and associated with these kinds of individuals and won't return the awards?" Blumenthal asked. Sessions insisted that it would not interfere with his enforcement of antidiscrimination laws. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the Senate Judiciary Committee chair, interjected to assert that senators receive a ton of awards and should not be accountable for every award they receive. In an interview with MSNBC after the hearing, Franken said he was "very troubled" by Sessions' answers. "Well, we still have got another day of hearings and I'm just going to reserve until I'm able to absorb everything," he said. "I was very troubled by the answers to my line of questioning, particularly on his very much exaggerating, misrepresenting his history in terms of civil-rights cases." "I'm going to digest all of this," he added. "But the attorney general is the person who is his job is to make sure that there's not fraud in elections, but also there's not voter suppression We can't have the chief law enforcement official of our nation who doesn't recognize that there is such a thing as voter suppression." William Smith, the former chief counsel for Sessions on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told MSNBC that his old boss was "crushing it." "I think it's going fabulously for Sen. Sessions," he said. "Only one way to describe it. He is crushing it." NOW WATCH: Mexican architects visualized Trump's proposed $25 billion wall to show how unrealistic it would be More From Business Insider In the midst of an intense hearing for Alabama senator and U.S. Attorney General appointee Jeff Sessions, there was a surprising bit of silliness: Jeff Sessions is a big fan of Schoolhouse Rock! During the hearing, Republican Sen. Ben Sasse said that there was a civics crisis in the U.S. and asked about Sessions thought on Obamas use of executive orders. While arguing that Obamas use of executive power was an overreach, Sessions said that he felt Schoolhouse Rock! was not a bad basic lesson in how the government is supposed to work. Also Read: Jeff Sessions Flip-Flops, Says Genital Grabbing Is 'Clearly' Sexual Assault (Video) This isnt the first time Sessions has voiced his appreciation for the animated education series from the 70s on Capitol Hill. During a debate over an immigration reform bill in 2007, Sessions gave a three-hour speech against the bill in front of a poster depicting one of the cult shows most famous characters: the bill from Im Just A Bill. Sessions used the famous cartoon to criticize the immigration bill, claiming that it had not gone through the proper approval process and betrayed the clean, organized system extolled by the little bill that sang about his dreams of becoming a law. But Schoolhouse Rock! has also been used against Sessions. In the spring of 2016, Sessions was one of several Republican politicians who received VHS tapes of the cartoons civics episode from Generation Progress, the campus outreach division of the liberal think tank Center for American Progress. The tapes were sent after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that the Republicans would refuse to consider any nomination made by President Obama to replace late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Also Read: Protestors Dressed as KKK Interrupt Jeff Sessions Confirmation Hearing (Video) In addition to Im Just a Bill, songs from Schoolhouse Rock! about U.S. civics include The Campaign Trail, a song about how elections work, and The Preamble, a song about the Constitution. But a more appropriate one for this election might be Im Gonna Send Your Vote To College, a song created in the wake of George W. Bushs election in 2000 to help kids understand the electoral college vote. Story continues Or perhaps the biggest lesson Sessions beloved show might impart to kids is the song that explains how the three branches of government work by comparing Washington politics to a circus. Related stories from TheWrap: Jeff Sessions Flip-Flops, Says Genital Grabbing Is 'Clearly' Sexual Assault (Video) Protestors Dressed as KKK Interrupt Jeff Sessions Confirmation Hearing (Video) 7 Reasons Why Jeff Sessions as Donald Trump AG Is Freaking People Out The Writers Guild of America East has named Policing the Police filmmaker Jelani Cobb as the inaugural winner of its Walter Bernstein Award. Cobb will be presented with the honor at the 69th annual Writers Guild Awards at New Yorks Edison Ballroom on Feb. 19. The award is presented to honor writers who have demonstrated with creativity, grace and bravery a willingness to confront social injustice in the face of adversity. Policing the Police, which aired in June as part of the PBS investigative series Frontline, explores the complexities involved in reforming the Newark Police Department and its fractured relationship with the community. Cobb embedded with two detectives in the Newark Police Departments gang unit to witness firsthand how undercover officers operate following a 2014 report from the U.S. Department of Justice that showed Newarks police had engaged in a pattern of unconstitutional conduct. Bernstein, who is 97, became a member of the WGA East in 1954. He was among the writers named to Hollywoods Blacklist in the 1950s and spent the next decade writing under various pseudonyms. Bernstein received an Oscar nomination and won a WGA Award for 1976s The Front, in which a small-time bookie (Woody Allen) becomes the stand-in for a group of blacklisted writers. His other feature credits include Fail Safe, Kiss the Blood off Your Hands, That Kind of Woman, The Money Trap, Paris Blues, Heller in Pink Tights, The Betsy, The Molly Maguires, Yanks, and Semi-Tough. He also wrote the Emmy-winning Miss Evers Boys in 1997, which told the true story about how the U.S. government used poor, rural black men as guinea pigs to test the effects of syphilis. Through his life and career, Walter Bernstein has epitomized what all serious writers aspire to be, combining exquisite storytelling skills with a clear-eyed, fierce commitment to social justice and freedom of expression, qualities we need more than ever, said WGA East President Michael Winship. Story continues Cobb is a staff writer for the New Yorker and has reported on police brutality, the Black Lives Matter movement and attempts to dismantle the Voting Rights Act. Walter Bernstein is an amazing and inspirational figure and a living testament to the power of art and integrity, Cobb said. It is tragic that the lessons of his life regarding art in the face of a hostile political climate remain so relevant today but it reaffirms how significant his example is. Im beyond humbled to be the first recipient of this award. Related stories Steve O'Donnell to Receive Comedy Award From WGA East 'Real Housewives' Producer to Pay $411,000 in Restitution for Unpaid Overtime 'Hairspray' Writer-Director John Waters to Be Honored by Writers Guild East With just one week left before he steps down as vice president, Joe Biden pledged Monday to find a way to cure cancer. His Cancer Moonshot 2020 global initiative seeks to find a cure within five years. Theres an urgent need to continue this momentum, thats why I came to you, I really do mean this. This is too deadly important, he told the 35th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Initially, the idea came from President Barack Obama during his final State of the Union address last year January. Obama asked Biden to lead a new Cancer Moonshot, which was first declared by President Richard Nixon in 1971. According to Biden, at the time, resources were very limited. We didnt have the army organized, didnt have the military intelligence to know the enemy well, and therefore didnt have the comprehensive strategy needed to launch a successful attacknow we do," he wrote in his executive report to Obama. In five years, the initiative will find prevention, diagnosis and treatment for all cancer patients, which will require astronomical in-depth medical research, as well as data collecting, thus putting an end to the leading cause of death worldwide. What the organization is hoping to achieve ultimately takes 10 years of cancer research but they have condensed it to five years. That's because Biden said the country is much more prepared to fight cancer than it has ever been. Because of the progress over the last 45 years we have an army of researchers and oncologists, the powerful technologies and weapons, and immense public support and commitment to action," he wrote. Biden has already gathered up his team from across the nation, according to the White House website. It states: The Vice President convened nearly 400 cancer researchers, oncologists, nurses, patients, advocates and others at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Over 7,000 more came together at hospitals, community care centers, businesses, and in family rooms at more than 300 local summits across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Washington, D.C." Story continues In Bidens executive report to Obama, he mentioned his eldest son and former attorney general of Delaware, Beau, who died from brain cancer in 2015. We had access to the worlds best nurses, physicians, and researchers. And the more time we spent with them, the more we understood that even if we couldnt save our son, the science, medicine, and technology are progressing faster than ever to save countless other sons and daughters. Theres a recognition that the cancer system of the 20th Century must be reimagined for the 21st Century to match the breakthroughs creating an inflection point in this fight, he wrote. The new Cancer Moonshot called, Joe Biden Cancer Initiative, will live on as both he and Obama leave office, Biden wrote. Like President Kennedy challenged the nation before, let this Cancer Moonshot challenge all of us to think anew about what is possible and end cancer as we know it, he wrote. Related Articles Photo credit: Brian Williams From Road & Track Today at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Vice President Joe Biden took a tour of the show floor. He stopped at the displays of all three major US automakers, chatted with executives, and hopped in a number of different vehicles on display. But when he got to the new Corvettes, he started taking care of business-and enlisting the services of Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter. Photo credit: Brian Williams "I have his card now," Juechter told R&T immediately after Biden finished his tour of the auto show. "He's trying to figure out what to buy when he's out of office. He was gonna get a Stingray-he's imprinted on Stingray." Photo credit: Brian Williams Biden famously keeps a 1967 Corvette that he's owned since brand new, though he's only driven it three times in the past seven years. Blame the rules of the Secret Service, which prevent the President and Vice President from operating a motor vehicle, though that prohibition ends for Biden once Present-elect Donald Trump is inagurated in a few weeks. Clearly, Biden's already making plans. Photo credit: Brian Williams "He got in the Grand Sport and was like, 'this is really sweet,'" Juechter told R&T. "I was kind of talking it up and he goes, 'I've gotta get this.'" But as the Secret Service shepherded Biden along, pushing journalists, photographers, and gawkers away from the Vice Presidential entourage as the group toured the displays, Biden kept coming back to the Vettes. "He pulled me out of the crowd three times as he was walking around," Juechter said. "He wants to try the Z06. He's a little worried that it might be over the top for him, but he's definitely interested in trying." Before Biden left, he gave Juechter his card. "Once he gets out and he's allowed to drive on his own, he's psyched to get a new one," the Corvette boss said. As you can tell from these photos, it was difficult to get close to Biden as he toured the show-the Secret Service agents were doing their job. But we managed to stay within eyeshot of the Vice President as he sampled the offerings of the American automakers. Check out our Facebook Live video from Biden's tour: You Might Also Like By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - A New Jersey judge plans to decide by Friday whether to dismiss a citizen's criminal complaint accusing Governor Chris Christie of a role in the "Bridgegate" lane-closure scandal. Prosecutors in Bergen County told Judge Bonnie Mizdol on Wednesday that the case should be tossed on procedural grounds because a different judge who permitted it to advance failed to give Christie's lawyers an opportunity to speak at an earlier hearing. A lawyer for Christie also urged Mizdol to throw out the complaint filed by Bill Brennan, a retired firefighter and activist who recently announced a long-shot bid to succeed the governor in this fall's election. Christie did not attend the hearing in Hackensack, New Jersey. Brennan has accused Christie of knowing about a scheme to shut down access lanes at the George Washington Bridge in 2013 to punish a local mayor for failing to endorse his reelection campaign. Two former Christie associates were convicted in November of federal charges for orchestrating the plot. Christie has denied any knowledge of or involvement in the plan, but U.S. prosecutors presented evidence at trial suggesting he was at least aware of the lane closures while they were happening. Brennan filed the complaint in municipal court in Fort Lee, where the closures occurred. In October, Judge Roy McGeady referred the complaint to prosecutors to determine whether enough evidence existed to support criminal charges against Christie. Christie's lawyer, Craig Carpenito, said in a court filing that the matter should never have gotten that far, calling it "a political stunt from a now-declared candidate for governor." Brennan has said he will refile his complaint if Mizdol, the top judge in Bergen County, decides to dismiss it. Last month, Mizdol denied Brennan's request to have an independent prosecutor assigned to the case. "As of now the defendant controls the prosecutor," Brennan said in an email after the hearing, "and that is a dangerous place for us to be standing." Story continues Despite Christie's denials, the scandal dogged his failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He was once seen as a possible cabinet appointee for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump until the conviction of his former allies prompted a fresh round of negative attention. Bridget Kelly, a former Christie chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, a former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive appointed by the governor, are trying to have their convictions overturned. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn) Visual effects can put a viewer anywhere, but to truly sell the illusion, there also needs to be a skilled sound team to make sure that everything you hear is as believable as what you see. Below, sonic artists describe how viewers were placed on the Deepwater Horizon rig, aboard an Airbus as it made a harrowing landing in the Hudson River, and in an Indian jungle that didn't exist. Disney's The Jungle Book was a virtual production shot entirely on a bluescreen stage in Los Angeles. The result is a film that's entirely photo-real CG with the exception of Mowgli (played by Neel Sethi) and the small bit of set on which he stood. That meant that every sound - from Mowgli stepping on a twig to the rustling of leaves in the trees - had to be created by the sound team. "There was absolutely no production sound, short of the dialogue when they shot onstage," explains supervising sound editor and rerecording mixer Christopher Boyes. "I had to look at it as an animated film, for which you have to provide everything from fur moving to the entire tapestry of the jungle - and the images were so lifelike that the sound had to match. "We decided the best approach was to reach out to naturalists and sound recordists who had documented the Indian jungle," he says of how they focused on details and realism. "We reached out to documentary filmmakers and even went back to years of BBC recordings. Bird vocals, for instance, had to be species that were unique to the Indian jungle, not random birds." Plus, in that jungle, creatures had to talk. "They had to have an animalistic and human side and feel very organic," says Boyes. "It couldn't just be a talking animal movie; it has to have believability." For Deepwater Horizon, Peter Berg's account of the 2010 oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, "our goal was always to involve the ear of the audience in the characters and how involved, difficult and engaging the mission of oil exploration can become," says sound designer Wylie Stateman, adding that research included the examination of rig procedures that were featured in the story. "After all, the story of the Deepwater Horizon is not so much one of only destruction but of the many participants putting life, career and integrity on the line in pursuit of hard-to-reach sources of energy." Story continues The sound team, he says, wanted to create "hold-your-breath tension and a feeling of documentary-like immersion. It's technical, noisy, messy, yet highly coordinated work. Danger lurks everywhere - even with how the environment and machinery sound. All pressure sounds, the fire, the twisting metal and explosions, were developed post-shooting. The alarms, radio and PA announcements were interpreted to enhance confusion and disorientation." For Sully, director Clint Eastwood had to tell the story of the "Miracle on the Hudson" - the Jan. 15, 2009, event when Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger guided his disabled Airbus into New York's Hudson River, saving all 155 lives on board. "The initial impact of the Airbus hitting the water was made from a combination of recordings of a large metal shipping container being dropped into a body of water from various heights, that resulted in not only a massive splash but also provided us with a weighty metallic thud," explains supervising sound editor Alan Robert Murray. "Combining these processed recordings with tidal wave impacts, large wave hits on sea walls and concussive metal crashes gave us the desired effect of not only the weight of the airplane but also the speed of the impact. The resulting wake and rooster tail of the skidding plane were made from a scarab speedboat speeding by and cutting the engine before passing the microphone area, fire hose sprays, and a pontoon plane skidding across the water." K-pop's broadening global appeal has allowed more acts the opportunity to travel overseas and perform around the world each year. Keeping with that trend, the first few months of 2017 will see several popular Korean acts descend on the United States. Although it's only been a few months since they last were stateside, GOT7 will bring their energetic GOT7 Flight Log: Turbulence concert series to five states later this month. Beginning on the Jan. 21 in Miami, the group will perform in Washington DC on Jan. 22, just two days after Inauguration Day. They'll head to Chicago for a show on Jan. 25, followed by stops in Houston and Los Angeles on Jan. 27 and 29, respectively. It'll be the band's first performances in North America since they released their second studio album, Flight Log: Turbulence, in September. Another boy band, B1A4, are the next act to arrive on U.S. shores. The group last held a concert tour in the States in 2014, but the talented quintet is coming back to the country to promote 2016's Good Timing. B1A4's third studio album was entirely composed by the band members, a rarity for K-pop, and balanced the group's affinity for soulful pop-rock and quirky dance tracks. They'll hold shows in New York (Feb. 15), Chicago (Feb. 17), San Francisco (Feb. 19), and Los Angeles (Feb. 20). Recouping from the disbandment of 4Minute, HyunA will be the first female K-pop soloist to hold a concert this year. The starlet commandeered attention around the globe for her sultry rap performances after rising to fame through her appearance in the music video for Psy's "Gangnam Style" and her hit "Bubble Pop." Her shows in Chicago (March 1) and New York City (March 3) will be preceded by shows in Montreal and Toronto in February. The third Korean boy band to hold concerts this year in the US are none other than BTS, who return after headlining KCON NY and KCON LA last summer. Arguably one of K-pop's most popular acts internationally, the septet broke K-pop's record on the Billboard Hot 100 last year. The hip hop-tinged act sold out the two initial concerts, necessitating three more shows being added to the tour. BTS will hold two shows in Newark on March 23-24, then head to Chicago for a show on March 29, and end things in Anaheim, CA, on April 1-2. Rounding things out for the first few months of 2017 is Sistar's Hyolyn, the powerhouse vocalist behind many of the group's hits. She'll appear in Austin in March at this year's South By Southwest, which has increasingly seen more Korean acts in attendance. SXSW has yet to reveal which events Hyolyn will play during the music festival. Balladeer Kim Bum Soo and rapper Paloalto will also be heading stateside early this year to hold their own shows as the demand for more -- and increasingly diverse -- Korean concerts grows in North America. Michael Chamberlain, who waged a decades-long battle to prove his baby daughter was killed by a dingo in Australias most notorious case of injustice, has died, his former wife said yesterday. He was 72. Chamberlain died suddenly, his ex-wife, Lindy Chamberlain, said in a statement. Michael Chamberlains longtime friend and former lawyer, Stuart Tipple, told Australias Fairfax Media that Michael died on Monday night as a result of complications from leukemia. I am on my way today to support and be with our children, Lindy said in a statement. Given Michaels death was unexpected, I would ask that the media please consider that Michaels wife and all of his children are deeply grieving and need some space. Lindy and Michael were wrongly convicted in the death of their 9-week-old daughter Azaria after the infant vanished from their tent during a 1980 camping trip to Uluru, the sacred monolith in Australias Outback. The mystery surrounding Azarias disappearance was the most divisive and sensational legal drama in Australian history. It gained a place in global pop culture after Meryl Streep portrayed Lindy in the movie A Cry in the Dark. The Chamberlains insisted that a dingo snatched their daughter from the tent. But officials doubted the wild dogs were capable of carrying an infant. Instead, prosecutors argued that Lindy had slit her daughters throat and buried her in the desert. There were no witnesses, no motive and no body; Azarias remains were never found. But in 1982, Lindy was nonetheless convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Michael was convicted of being an accessory after the fact and given a suspended sentence. Three years later, Azarias jacket was found in the desert near a dingo den and Lindy was quickly released from prison. A Royal Commission, the highest form of investigation in Australia, later debunked much of the forensic evidence used at trial and the Chamberlains convictions were overturned. In 2012 more than three decades after Azaria vanished a coroner finally ruled that the infant had died as a result of a dingo attack. The trial remains a source of shame for the many Australians who initially doubted the Chamberlains and cast Lindy as a villain largely due to her religious beliefs. Michael Chamberlain was a pastor with the Seventh-day Adventist church, a Protestant denomination that few Australians understood. Rumors flew that Lindy had killed her daughter as part of a grisly religious ritual. Shortly before the coroners ruling in 2012, Michael Chamberlain told The Associated Press that religious bigotry played a large role in the injustice he and his former wife suffered. The church got so smashed up, erroneously, and all through, really, a nasty dose of prejudice, Chamberlain told The AP. I can say that I think our religion definitely impacted quite strongly on the attitude that many Australians developed. Michael and Lindy divorced in 1991. He later married Ingrid Bergner, and went on to become an author and teacher. Actor Sam Neill, who portrayed Michael in A Cry in the Dark, said on Monday that the Chamberlains had been terribly, cruelly wronged. Throughout their cruel ordeal & the years of injustice, [Michael] Chamberlain maintained that quiet unassuming dignity an impressive man, Neill tweeted. RIP. Chamberlain, who was born in New Zealand, is survived by his wife and four children. Kristen Gelineau, Sydney, AP Nice (France) (AFP) - French police suspect that a 72-year-old convicted cocaine dealer was among five masked gunmen who broke into Kim Kardashian's apartment and robbed her of jewels worth millions last year, sources close to the probe said Wednesday. Pierre B. -- nicknamed "Pierrot" -- was arrested Monday at a villa near the Mediterranean in a series of coordinated raids in Paris and the south of the country over the October 3 robbery. Since his conviction for cocaine trafficking in 2006 he had appeared on the police radar "from time to time" over his links to criminal gangs in southern France, a local police source told AFP, asking not to be named. A 60-year-old is also in custody and suspected of taking part in the spectacular heist at a luxury apartment in central Paris when the thieves made off with jewellery worth around nine million euros ($9.5 million). His fingerprints were found on the tape used to gag the US reality star before the gunmen tied her up and locked her in a bathroom. DNA evidence led to a surveillance operation on the other suspects. Investigators say all five suspected robbers and the alleged mastermind are among 14 people being held in custody. The youngest of the suspected thieves is aged 54. Three other people arrested on Monday were released without charge on Tuesday, a legal source said, including a driver used by the Kardashians during their stay in Paris in October. The driver's brother remains in custody on suspicion of providing a tip-off that Kardashian's bodyguard Pascal Duvier was absent on the night of the robbery and giving them details about her residence. Duvier was not with Kardashian because he was providing security for her sister Kourtney at a Paris nightclub. He no longer works for the family. Under French law, those still in custody must be charged or released by Friday. Two suspects who remain at large have been sighted in Antwerp, Belgium, a major centre of the global diamond trade. Story continues - Cash, no jewels found - Of the others still in custody, who include two women, some are suspected of helping to pass off the stolen jewellery. A police source said that nearly all those arrested were known for organised crime. They included three women, including a 65-year-old. The armed and masked men wearing police uniforms burst into Kardashian's residence in the chic Madeleine area of the capital where the 36-year-old and her entourage were staying during Paris Fashion Week. The thieves, whose booty included a ring worth around four million euros, fled the scene on bicycle or on foot. The star's 30,000-euro diamond necklace was found in the street by a passer-by hours after the heist. Searches have turned up 200,000 euros in cash, but none of the other jewels have been recovered, investigators say. The 9.0-million-euro haul was the biggest from an individual in France in two decades. It also generated more unwanted publicity for Paris, which has seen its image damaged by major terror attacks in 2015 and last year. Luxury hotel bookings and foreign tourist arrivals in France are both down. The biggest French jewellery heist ever occurred in July 2013, when robbers attacked an exhibition of "Extraordinary Diamonds" at the Carlton hotel in Cannes and made off with an estimated 103 million euros in jewels. Kardashian, the world's highest paid reality television star, harnessed the power of social media to rise to fame, with nearly 50 million followers on Twitter and 90 million on Instagram. Kellyanne Conway dismissed the unverified report of Russia having compromising information on Trump as "fake" on Wednesday's CBS This Morning. "That's not even fake news, it's just fake," she told co-hosts Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell. Due to her top-secret clearance still pending, Trump's former campaign manager and incoming counselor said she couldn't comment on whether or not Trump had read or reacted to the two-page addendum to the U.S. intelligence report, which contained unsubstantiated accounts of how Russian operatives collected information about Trump's personal and financial activity during his stays in Moscow and St. Petersburg. She did, however, comment on what has been reported on in the media, calling it an "unsubstantiated report from the Internet." BuzzFeed published the alleged memos by a former British intelligence official, which contain unverified allegations that Trump took part in unusual sexual behavior. Read more: Trump Denies Russia Report, Blasts Intel Agencies Over "Leak": "Are We Living in Nazi Germany?" When Charlie Rose asked her if she is saying everything in the appendix is wrong and fake, Conway backtracked. "No, what I'm saying is that 35-page report has clearly come from the Internet," she said. "It's rife with misspellings, it's uncorroborated, it's unsubstantiated." She added, "I was very heartened last night to see so many journalists, even those who were actively against Donald Trump all throughout the campaign, really pushing back on the publication of this type of information when we can't conflate to the American people that this is actually intelligence information." She bemoaned that innocent people were dragged through the mud in the 35-page "non-report report," citing Michael Cohen, special counsel to Trump, and his alleged secret visit to Prague, despite Cohen's saying he had never been out of the country during the time period or to Prague ever. "We know people were chasing these rumors for months and couldn't come up with any verification," she said. Story continues Read more: Trump Lashes Out at Media After Salacious 'Golden Showers' Report Leaks When Conway said the publication of the report was a "violation of basic journalistic standards," O'Donnell agreed. Conway added that it reads like a "grade-B spy novel," When speaking to Seth Meyers shortly after the news broke Tuesday, Conway told the Late Night host, "As an American citizen we should be concerned that intelligence officials leaked [this report] to the press." Trump also took aim at U.S. intelligence agencies on Twitter early Wednesday, tweeting: "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany? Conway said Trump will address the report Wednesday during his preplanned news conference, set to take place at 11 a.m. ET. (Update: Trump addressed the report during the presser, here.) Watch Conway's visit on CBS This Morning below. On Tuesday, President Elect Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway visited Late Night with Seth Meyers. Hours before taping, CNN broke a story that Trump was briefed by four U.S. Intelligence Agencies on Russian efforts to compromise him and claims that his surrogate had to connection to Russian intermediaries. Conway responded that Trump was not briefed on the the information and added, "He has said that he is not aware of that." Meyers jokingly responded, "Well, that concerns me." Meyers then pressed Conway on Trump's reluctance to hold a press conference to address these issues. She said, "The president elect has been very busy forming his government." Meyers joked about Trump having enough time meet with Kanye West. After the two traded jabs, Seth Meyers offered a friendly wager. "I'm gonna make you a bet. I bet in the next 4 years we are not going to see the president elect's tax returns." Conway responded, "I bet that most Americans are gonna care what their tax returns are going to look like after he's been president for four years." Meyers quipped, "I think that means you agree with me." On Tuesday, Kellyanne Conway, President-elect Donald Trumps former campaign manager and current senior adviser, visited Late Night With Seth Meyers. Hours before taping, CNN broke a story that Trump was briefed by four U.S. intelligence agencies on Russian efforts to compromise him and that one of his surrogates had an alleged connection to Russian intermediaries. Conway responded that Trump was not briefed on the information and added, He has said that he is not aware of that. Meyers jokingly responded, Well, that concerns me. Meyers then pressed Conway on Trumps reluctance to hold a press conference to address these issues. She said, The president-elect has been very busy forming his government. Meyers joked about Trumps having enough time to meet with Kanye West. After the two traded jabs, Meyers offered a friendly wager: Im gonna make you a bet. I bet in the next four years we are not going to see the president-elects tax returns. Conway responded, I bet that most Americans are gonna care what their tax returns are going to look like after hes been president for four years. Meyers quipped, I think that means you agree with me. The Late Show With Seth Meyers airs weekdays at 12:37 a.m. on NBC. Watch: Stephen Colbert gossips about political leaders Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Cynthia LuCiette, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Nairobi (AFP) - Kenya's main opposition leaders on Wednesday announced the formation of a super alliance in a bid to unseat incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta in August elections. The country's five main opposition parties said they intend to field a single candidate in the presidential vote under the National Super Alliance (NASA), formed at a gathering attended by thousands of supporters in the Kenyan capital. "We are committed to a joint platform for the forthcoming general elections as a united opposition against the Jubilee administration," read a statement signed by the opposition leaders. If the alliance makes it through the tricky next step of jockeying to choose its flag-bearer, it could pose a serious threat to Kenyatta's bid for re-election. One of the main contenders will be opposition heavyweight and former premier Raila Odinga, 72, who lost out on the top job in 2007 and 2013, both times accusing his opponent of rigging the election. Fears are high of a replay of 2007 when the widespread belief among the opposition that incumbent president Mwai Kibaki stole the vote sparked violence that quickly split along tribal lines and left more than 1,100 dead. While long seen as an oasis of stability, politics in Kenya is strictly divided along tribal lines and the impression of a winner-takes-all system has created deep and dangerous divisions. The spectre of fraud this time around has already sparked tension ahead of the August 8 vote. Many had feared the opposition meeting would result in a call for massive protests against an election law which the ruling party rushed through parliament over Christmas to allow manual vote counting if an electronic system fails. The furious opposition sees this as a bid to rig the election, while the ruling party insists a back-up system is essential. Odinga said the opposition leaders had decided instead to focus on getting millions of unregistered voters to sign up in a final drive starting next week. Story continues "We will deal with election laws ... but you must all go out ... and not rest until everybody you meet is a registered voter," Odinga told the gathering. Election officials have in the past been accused of not doing enough to register voters in opposition strongholds. Authorities are also in the process of vetting new members of the election commission, which stepped down en masse after deadly opposition-led protests in May and June against the body -- seen as biased towards Kenyatta. Kenyatta has overseen strong economic growth -- expected to hit six percent in 2017 -- but the country continues to be strangled by massive corruption, with regular scandals involving eye-watering sums of money hitting the headlines. Youth unemployment is among the highest in East Africa, cost of living has only increased and the country has also faced serious security challenges with a string of attacks by the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group. Melbourne (AFP) - World number one Angelique Kerber spearheads a host of dangerous players looking to halt Serena Williams' bid for an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open next week. The German left-hander stunned the American powerhouse at Melbourne Park last year, upsetting her in the final and ultimately dethroning her as the top ranked player in the world. That win sparked a memorable season for Kerber, who followed it up by claiming the US Open, where Williams crashed in the semi-finals and has barely played since. But Kerber has not had a good start to 2017, falling to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the Brisbane International quarter-finals last week, then slumping out in round two of the Sydney International to Russian teenager Darya Kasatkina. Despite this, she remains upbeat as she prepares to mount her first Grand Slam title defence. "I think Grand Slams are always completely different," Kerber said. "It doesn't matter how you play before." She goes into the tournament as top seed with Williams second, meaning they are scheduled to meet in the final on January 28. Williams, newly engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, heads to Melbourne Park with little match practice after a four-month layoff. Having won Wimbledon last year to match Steffi Graf's Open era-record 22 Grand Slam singles titles, two shy of Margaret Court's all-time mark, she didn't play again after Flushing Meadows in September. She opted for the Auckland Classic as her comeback tournament last week but she was bundled out in just the second round, complaining loudly about the windy conditions. Ahead of the defeat, the 35-year-old made clear that Grand Slams were what mattered at this stage of her career. "Unfortunately I have the highest of goals and obviously that involves winning Grand Slams and that's all," said Williams. - 'Anything is possible' - Despite her recent lack of time on court, nobody will be writing off a veteran who is renowned for her fighting qualities. Story continues Williams entered the Australian Open last year under an injury cloud having played few matches, yet went on to make the final. Melbourne Park has been a happy hunting ground for her. She claimed her first Australian Open title way back in 2003, beating elder sister Venus in the final, and has since won five more. Aside from Kerber, Polish world number three Agnieszka Radwanska, who lost to Williams in last year's semi-finals, Romanian pocket-rocket Simona Halep and Spain's Garbine Muguruza can all pose a threat. Also keen to make her mark is Czech star Karolina Pliskova, who stamped herself as a major contender by winning the Brisbane International. Pliskova had a breakthrough 2016, finishing runner-up to Kerber at the US Open and will start at Melbourne Park as world number five after leapfrogging Dominika Cibulkova in the rankings this week. "The important thing is the draw. I need to have some players which I like, which is also important in a Grand Slam, to just have a little bit of luck with the draw," Pliskova said. "But, I mean, anything is possible. So let's see." Several notable players will be missing from Melbourne, including two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova who was injured by a knife-wielding intruder at her home in the Czech Republic last month. Also out is pregnant two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka, along with five-time major champion Maria Sharapova, who is suspended until April after failing a drugs test at last year's tournament. World number eight Madison Keys is another absentee after minor wrist surgery. The police investigation into Kim Kardashian Wests Paris heist is still going strong and new details have now emerged. According to major French network TF1/LCI, of the 17 suspects arrested Monday in connection with the crime, some have since confessed to being involved. According to the network, police are now aware of the identities of the individuals that were directly involved with the robbery, which took place at the No Address Hotel during the early hours of Oct. 3 and involved the reality star being held at gunpoint by masked men who stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry including a $4 million ring during Paris Fashion Week. The report states that there were six men in total: the five robbers (the youngest age 54, and the eldest age 72) that disguised themselves as policemen and forced their way into Kardashian Wests room, plus a sixth accomplice who was waiting in a car not too far from the hotel that night. According to the network, the sixth individual is actually the son of one of the five robbers. Of those arrested, several are well known by French authorities for previous crimes, including cocaine and counterfeit trafficking as well as diamond theft. In total, 14 people remain in custody as of Wednesday. Among those is a man named Gary M., 27, who was reportedly Kardashian Wests chauffeur in the past. His brother Michael, 40, who was reportedly Kardashian Wests driver throughout Paris Fashion Week, was released Tuesday night and is not being charged. Additionally, two of the suspects, Aomar A-K. and Marceau B., reportedly traveled to Antwerp, Belgium a few days after the heist a city largely known as the diamond capital of the world. However, the stolen jewels, which are valued at around 9 million, have not been located. RELATED VIDEO: Kim Kardashian Is Relieved Paris Investigation Is Progressing But Updates Make Her Relive Robbery, Says Source Meanwhile, a source told PEOPLE on Tuesday that while Kardashian West who officially stepped back into the spotlight after taking a hiatus from the public eye and social media following the incident is relieved that Paris investigators are making progress in the case, the constant reminder of the terrifying incident hasnt been easy on her. Story continues Any updates makes her relive everything, said the insider. Its still very tough for her to deal with. The source tells PEOPLE that while shes thankful that progress has been made by authorities, she gets very upset anytime she talks about the robbery and just wants to move on from it. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, 36, is expected to make her first public appearance since the robbery on Friday at celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovics Master Class in Dubai. The source told PEOPLE she will be flanked by security but is looking forward to the trip. She is excited about the change of scenery, said the source. And shes looking forward to spending time with her fans. Photo credit: Snapchat From Cosmopolitan It's no secret that pre-robbery Kim Kardashian used to flaunt her wealth with gaudy pics of her jewelry on Instagram. It's one of the reasons thieves went after her in the first place in October 2015 - they knew she was traveling with high-price pieces. But in the wake of her awful experience, Kim has vowed to change her lifestyle, not show off her wealth, and wear jewelry that's not quite as flashy. From the looks of a new Snapchat post shared over the weekend, Kim seems to be keeping her word. Instead of choosing one of her diamond chokers to accessorize her outfit, she opted for a gold necklace with the name of her town, Calabasas, on it. TMZ reports that it's a custom piece from XIV Karats, which retails similar items for $500. Yes, it's still pricey, but compared to the $4 million emerald-cut ring that was stolen from her, this is incredibly inexpensive. Another little bauble that's become a staple post-heist is Kim's gold lip ring, which she wears in the center of her bottom lip. It has made multiple appearances on Kim's Snapchat, and she wore it to her family's annual Christmas Eve bash, along with a gold maxi dress, and gothic, cross-themed choker. Meanwhile, the culprits who bound and gagged Kim in her Paris hotel and made off with over $10 million in jewelry have finally been caught by French authorities. The New York Times reported on Monday that police have detained 17 people - based on DNA evidence collected at the scene - that they believe are responsible for robbing Kim at gunpoint. Although none of the alleged perps have been identified, most of the suspects have "long criminal records," and they span in age from 40 to 72, according to the Daily Mail. Arrests made this morning are believed to include criminals who resold Kim's jewels after the fact. Police reportedly think the diamonds eventually made their way to Belgium, where there's another investigation underway. Story continues Get non-boring fashion and beauty news directly in your feed. Follow Facebook.com/CosmoBeauty. Follow Rachel on Twitter and Instagram. You Might Also Like Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik made a neo-Nazi salute as he walked into a courtroom at a high-security prison where judges yesterday began reviewing a ruling that his solitary confinement is inhumane. Dressed in a dark suit, the bearded Breivik stared briefly at reporters while making the salute but did not speak. Judge Oystein Hermansen asked Breivik not to repeat the salute, saying it insulted the dignity of the court. It also disturbs what we are dealing with here, so I ask you not to repeat it, Hermansen said, brushing aside attempts by Breivik to defend his action. The 37-year-old right-wing extremist, who killed 77 people in a bomb and shooting rampage in 2011, sued the government last year, saying his solitary confinement, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed during the early part of his incarceration violated his human rights. But lawyers representing the government said he enjoys better prison conditions than some inmates in Norway. The government is appealing a surprise decision in April by the Oslo District Court, which sided with Breiviks claims that his isolation in the maximum-security Skien prison breaches the European Convention on Human Rights. The ruling said the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society. This applies no matter what also in the treatment of terrorists and killers. It also ordered the government to pay Breiviks legal costs of 331,000 kroner (USD41,000). However, it dismissed his claim that his right to respect for private and family life was violated by restrictions on contacts with other right-wing extremists. Speaking for the state, Fredrik Sejersted said the governments view is that Breiviks prison conditions do not violate his human rights in any actual or legal sense. Describing the killer as Norways most expensive prisoner, Sejersted said that in many ways they are better than [those] of other prisoners to compensate for the fact that he cannot make contact with other inmates. That is far from violating human rights, he said. Breivik was convicted of mass murder and terrorism in 2012 and given a 21-year prison sentence that can be extended for as long as hes deemed dangerous to society. Legal experts say he will likely be locked up for life. He is being held in isolation in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise. He has also complained about the quality of the prison food, having to eat with plastic utensils and not being able to communicate with sympathizers. The government has rejected his complaints, saying he is treated humanely despite the severity of his crimes and that he must be separated from other inmates for safety reasons. Breivik had carefully planned the attacks on July 22, 2011. He set off a car bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens. Dressed in a police uniform, Breivik then drove to the island of Utoya, about 40 kilometers away, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labor Partys youth wing. Sixty-nine people there were killed, most of them teenagers, before he surrendered to police. At the time of the attacks, Breivik claimed to be the commander of a secret Christian military order plotting an anti-Muslim revolution in Europe, but now describes himself as a traditional neo-Nazi who prays to the Viking god Odin. He also made a Nazi salute to journalists at the start of his human rights case last year. The massacre shocked the oil-rich, quiet Scandinavian country and many feel Breivik has had too much attention and visibility. The case is being heard by the Borgarting Court of Appeals in a makeshift courtroom in the gym of Skien prison in southern Norway, where Breivik is incarcerated. Six days have been reserved for the hearings. Judge Hermansen said a ruling is expected in February. Matti Huuhtanen, AP Kim Kardashian West is continuing her social media comeback with more cute family photos. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a heartwarming, retro-filtered photo of her husband, Kanye West, and their 1-year-old son, Saint, which she captioned "My boys," along with a heart emoji. my boys A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jan 10, 2017 at 1:22pm PST WATCH: Kim Kardashian Continues Social Media Comeback With More Personal Family Photos The 36-year-old mother of two also shared a photo showing her lounging around on a green couch while Saint and her 3-year-old daughter, North, play together in the background. A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jan 10, 2017 at 1:20pm PST These cute family pics appear to be from the same set she shared earlier this week. The reality star's return to Instagram kicked off in full at the start of the new year, when she shared her "first selfie of 2017" on Snapchat, posing with her mom, Kris Jenner. WATCH: Kim Kardashian Returns to Snapchat With Her 'First Selfie of 2017' Kardashian took a three-month hiatus from social media following her Paris robbery in October, where she was held at gunpoint in her hotel. On Monday, French authorities announced that 17 people had been detained in connection to the armed robbery, in which millions of dollars in jewels and cash were stolen from her room. WATCH: Kim Kardashian Breaks Silence on Paris Robbery: 'It Makes Me So Upset to Think About It' Kardashian and her husband made a rare public appearance following the news of the arrests, when they went out to dinner at a sushi restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. Check out the video below for more on the adorable family photos the proud mom has been sharing since returning to Instagram a week ago. Watch Entertainment Tonight on Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. Related Articles In late 2014, after nearly a decade of lobbying from disability advocacy groups, Congress passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, creating a tax-advantaged account for people with disabilities, similar to a 529 plan for college. Money in an ABLE account grows and can be spent tax-free on qualified expenses such as medical treatment, transportation, housing, education and assistive technology. Prior to the ABLE Act of 2014, Americans with disabilities who had more $2,000 in their name would lose eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid coverage or Supplemental Security Income (a government program funded by U.S. Treasury general funds that provides stipends to low-income people who are blind, disabled or over age 65). The total annual contribution limit for an ABLE Account is $14,000, in keeping with the federal gift tax exclusion limit. [Read: 7 Ways to Keep Your Health Care Costs in Check.] "People with disabilities often have special health care needs that can only be met by the very robust benefits provided under Medicaid," says Christopher J. Rodriguez, senior public policy advisor at the National Disability Institute. "One of the biggest benefits [of ABLE Accounts] is that it allows individuals to save for their futures without jeopardizing their SSI and Medicaid benefits," he adds. Last year, Ohio became the first state to offer ABLE accounts. As of this writing, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee and Virginia offer ABLE accounts, with programs launching in several states later this year. A consortium of nine states, including Alaska, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, are working together to make ABLE Accounts available to the public. Here's a look at questions to consider before setting up an ABLE Account. Do I or does my loved one qualify? The beneficiary of an ABLE Account must have become blind or disabled before age 26 and meet other criteria for documenting a severe disability. This age restriction excludes many people with disabilities, but Rodriguez says it was deemed necessary to the get the ABLE Act passed; a more inclusive program was thought to be too expensive due to lost tax revenue. Story continues The required age of onset may change in the future, however. "There's lot of activity and support that would take it from [age] 26 to 46," says Mary Morris, CEO of Virginia529 College Savings Plan, which launched Virginia's ABLE plan last month. "It's not supposed to be a Medicare supplement for people who are aging and become disabled because of age alone," she adds. [Read: How Family Caregivers Can Ease the Financial Burden.] Does my home state offer any tax incentives? Like 529 accounts, ABLE Accounts are administered on the state level, but you don't have to open one in your home state. However, some states offer state income tax incentives to residents, so if yours does, look at your state plan first. People in states without an ABLE Plan or without state tax incentives should consider plans in other states, says Todd Sensing, founder and CEO of FamilyVest, a fee-only financial planning firm in Florida that advises families with special needs. "Time is always on your side whenever you go into a savings program," he says. "You want to set up [an account] as early as you can. Most of these can be transferred from one state to another once a year," he explains. Sensing has two sons on the autism spectrum, so he plans to set up accounts for his family, but he won't get a state tax break for doing so because his home state of Florida doesn't have state income tax. (The Florida plan, called ABLE United, is only open to state residents.) What fees are associated with the account? Fees vary by state, so it pays to compare costs. For instance, Ohio charges a $2.50 per month maintenance fee to Ohio residents and $5 to residents of other states. In contrast, Virginia's monthly fee is $3.25 per month regardless of residency, and that fee is waived if you keep an average daily balance of $10,000 in your account. The maintenance fees cover the cost of administering the program, and fees for the underlying investments are an additional cost. Each state's plan offers different investment choices, so make sure to carefully review low-fee investment options to pick a plan that you're comfortable with. What are my needs today and what will my needs be in the future? Sensing suggests thinking about how you'll use the plan, so you can match the best plan to your needs. For instance, if you're not planning to use funds right away, then "debit cards and tracking expense type programs probably wouldn't be the first thing that you need," he explains. "You may like to have a larger limit or different ways of funding the account," he says. For instance, "Michigan has a public crowdfunding site that might work well with families that want to integrate friends and family into the savings plan," he adds. Those who do need more immediate access to funds might want to choose an ABLE Account with a debit card attached. Virginia is one state offering a debit card to use for eligible purchases. Its plan, called ABLEnow, works similarly to a health savings account, Morris says. "With the HSA structure, you have to start with the checking account component, so $2,000 has to be maintained in the checking account," she says. "Anything over and above that can be in investment options," she explains. Participants use the debit card to make purchases directly out of their ABLEnow account rather than filing for reimbursement later, which should streamline payments and record-keeping, Morris says. [See: 8 Easy Ways to Organize Your Financial Life.] While ABLE Accounts have the potential to help millions of Americans with disabilities, some people may still choose to set up a special needs trust, sometimes called a supplemental needs trust, or take other planning steps as well. "ABLE is just one tool among a variety of tools that can help an individual with a disability plan for their financial futures," Rodriguez says. "If you have the means to do so, the benefits of having a special needs trust and an ABLE account combined outweigh having either one individually," he adds. More From US News & World Report In late 2014, after nearly a decade of lobbying from disability advocacy groups, Congress passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, creating a tax-advantaged account for people with disabilities, similar to a 529 plan for college. Money in an ABLE account grows and can be spent tax-free on qualified expenses such as medical treatment, transportation, housing, education and assistive technology. Prior to the ABLE Act of 2014, Americans with disabilities who had more $2,000 in their name would lose eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid coverage or Supplemental Security Income (a government program funded by U.S. Treasury general funds that provides stipends to low-income people who are blind, disabled or over age 65). The total annual contribution limit for an ABLE Account is $14,000, in keeping with the federal gift tax exclusion limit. [Read: 7 Ways to Keep Your Health Care Costs in Check.] "People with disabilities often have special health care needs that can only be met by the very robust benefits provided under Medicaid," says Christopher J. Rodriguez, senior public policy advisor at the National Disability Institute. "One of the biggest benefits [of ABLE Accounts] is that it allows individuals to save for their futures without jeopardizing their SSI and Medicaid benefits," he adds. Last year, Ohio became the first state to offer ABLE accounts. As of this writing, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee and Virginia offer ABLE accounts, with programs launching in several states later this year. A consortium of nine states, including Alaska, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, are working together to make ABLE Accounts available to the public. Here's a look at questions to consider before setting up an ABLE Account. Do I or does my loved one qualify? The beneficiary of an ABLE Account must have become blind or disabled before age 26 and meet other criteria for documenting a severe disability. This age restriction excludes many people with disabilities, but Rodriguez says it was deemed necessary to the get the ABLE Act passed; a more inclusive program was thought to be too expensive due to lost tax revenue. Story continues The required age of onset may change in the future, however. "There's lot of activity and support that would take it from [age] 26 to 46," says Mary Morris, CEO of Virginia529 College Savings Plan, which launched Virginia's ABLE plan last month. "It's not supposed to be a Medicare supplement for people who are aging and become disabled because of age alone," she adds. [Read: How Family Caregivers Can Ease the Financial Burden.] Does my home state offer any tax incentives? Like 529 accounts, ABLE Accounts are administered on the state level, but you don't have to open one in your home state. However, some states offer state income tax incentives to residents, so if yours does, look at your state plan first. People in states without an ABLE Plan or without state tax incentives should consider plans in other states, says Todd Sensing, founder and CEO of FamilyVest, a fee-only financial planning firm in Florida that advises families with special needs. "Time is always on your side whenever you go into a savings program," he says. "You want to set up [an account] as early as you can. Most of these can be transferred from one state to another once a year," he explains. Sensing has two sons on the autism spectrum, so he plans to set up accounts for his family, but he won't get a state tax break for doing so because his home state of Florida doesn't have state income tax. (The Florida plan, called ABLE United, is only open to state residents.) What fees are associated with the account? Fees vary by state, so it pays to compare costs. For instance, Ohio charges a $2.50 per month maintenance fee to Ohio residents and $5 to residents of other states. In contrast, Virginia's monthly fee is $3.25 per month regardless of residency, and that fee is waived if you keep an average daily balance of $10,000 in your account. The maintenance fees cover the cost of administering the program, and fees for the underlying investments are an additional cost. Each state's plan offers different investment choices, so make sure to carefully review low-fee investment options to pick a plan that you're comfortable with. What are my needs today and what will my needs be in the future? Sensing suggests thinking about how you'll use the plan, so you can match the best plan to your needs. For instance, if you're not planning to use funds right away, then "debit cards and tracking expense type programs probably wouldn't be the first thing that you need," he explains. "You may like to have a larger limit or different ways of funding the account," he says. For instance, "Michigan has a public crowdfunding site that might work well with families that want to integrate friends and family into the savings plan," he adds. Those who do need more immediate access to funds might want to choose an ABLE Account with a debit card attached. Virginia is one state offering a debit card to use for eligible purchases. Its plan, called ABLEnow, works similarly to a health savings account, Morris says. "With the HSA structure, you have to start with the checking account component, so $2,000 has to be maintained in the checking account," she says. "Anything over and above that can be in investment options," she explains. Participants use the debit card to make purchases directly out of their ABLEnow account rather than filing for reimbursement later, which should streamline payments and record-keeping, Morris says. [See: 8 Easy Ways to Organize Your Financial Life.] While ABLE Accounts have the potential to help millions of Americans with disabilities, some people may still choose to set up a special needs trust, sometimes called a supplemental needs trust, or take other planning steps as well. "ABLE is just one tool among a variety of tools that can help an individual with a disability plan for their financial futures," Rodriguez says. "If you have the means to do so, the benefits of having a special needs trust and an ABLE account combined outweigh having either one individually," he adds. Susan Johnston Taylor has contributed to the money section of USNews.com since 2011, covering everything from personal finance apps and spending strategies to mortgages, insurance and estate planning. Her articles on business and personal finance have also appeared in or on The Atlantic, The Boston Globe, Learnvest, Entrepreneur and Fast Company. Susan's goal is to offer readers new insights and practical ways to save money, advance their careers or improve their lives. You can find her on Twitter @UrbanMuseWriter. Moscow (AFP) - The Kremlin on Wednesday denied claims that Russia gathered compromising information on US President-elect Donald Trump, saying they were aimed at damaging Moscow's relations with Washington. "The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. He called the claims published by US media outlet Buzzfeed and attributed to a former British intelligence operative a "total fake" and "an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations". The claims are aimed at "keeping relations (with the United States) in a state of deterioration," instead of becoming constructive, Peskov said. He also denied allegations that the Kremlin gathered compromising information on the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, saying that "the Kremlin does not work on gathering compromising information". The Kremlin spokesman described the dossier as "pulp fiction," adding that "undoubtedly you need to react to this with a degree of humour". But he said that it showed that "there are people whipping up hysteria in order to maintain this atmosphere of a witch hunt". He spoke after Trump on Twitter called the allegations "a total political witch hunt." The Kremlin works to "arrange relations of the Russian president with our Western partners firstly in the interests of the Russian people and secondly in the interests of global peace and security," Peskov insisted. ISTANBUL (AP) Kurdish militants have claimed responsibility for last week's car bombing attack that killed a policeman and a courthouse employee in western Turkey. The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, or TAK, says that two members of its "revenge team" died in the Jan. 5 Izmir attack, according to a news agency close to Kurdish militants. Firat News Agency, quoting a statement by the group Wednesday, identified the attackers as "comrades" Mustafa Coban and Enes Yildirim, aged 29 and 25 respectively. TAK threatened "new acts of revenge" against the "fascist" Turkish state, which is fighting Kurdish rebels in the southeast. The two assailants were shot dead after they detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a roadblock and engaged in a shootout with police. Turkish authorities consider TAK to be an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. The PKK has waged a decades-long insurgency and is considered a terror organization by Turkey and its allies, including the U.S. TAK has claimed multiple attacks in the past year, including two bombings that killed 45 people near a soccer stadium in Istanbul last month. Photo credit: undefined From Esquire Last November, after Donald J. was elected president, sneaker brand New Balance made a pro-Trump public statement and people freaked out to the point of burning their NB sneaks. So when news dropped that L.L. Bean's Linda Bean-granddaughter Leon Leonwood and one of 50-plus family members who is part owner-supported a Trump-friendly PAC during the election, a bit of bud nipping by the brand quickly followed. Responding to being added to the "Consider Boycotting" list by #GrabYourWallet, the social movement that circulates a spreadsheet of companies that support Trump or actively do business with the Trump family, L.L. Bean board chairman Shawn Gorman posted an open letter on Facebook disavowing any sort of political agenda. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Story" customtitles="New%20Balance%20Has%20Publicly%20Endorsed%20Trump's%20Policies" customimages="" content="article.50564"] "We were disappointed to learn that Grab Your Wallet is advocating a boycott against L.L.Bean solely because Linda Bean, who is only one of 50+ family members involved with the business, personally supported Donald Trump for President," the statement began. Gorman then went on to point out that L.L. Bean is a 95-year-old company that has regularly donated to non-profits that promote "environmental stewardship, educational attainment and a host of other worthy causes at the local, state and national levels." Photo credit: undefined Most importantly, though, he doesn't feel that the company should be held politically accountable for one person's viewpoint: Like most large families, the more than 50 family member-owners of the business hold views and embrace causes across the political spectrum, just as our employees and customers do. And as every member of the family would agree, no individual alone speaks on behalf of the business or represents the values of the company that L.L. built. Story continues Yesterday, L.L. Bean spokesperson Carolyn Beem elaborated on that point further by saying, "Unfortunately, some have attempted to attribute the personal political activities of one member of a five-generation ownership family to our entire company. That is both illogical and unfair." The founder of #GrabYourWallet, Shannon Coulter, apparently wasn't satisfied with the response and took aim at Gorman in a series of tweets: ... is worth the inevitable damage to your brand & bottom line such activities will have. In the meantime, I'll shop elsewhere. - Shannon Coulter (@shannoncoulter) January 9, 2017 Fair play if you want to boycott a company that has differing political opinions, especially if it works towards political ends as a corporate entity. But boycotting every company that has one or two people in it with whom you disagree? That's a tall order. At that point, you might be better off making your own clothes and shoes at home. Just make sure the company that produced the sewing machine is on the up and up. You Might Also Like President Barack Obama left the stage in Chicago Tuesday night much as he entered the national spotlight eight years ago; as a determined agent of social change with a message for future generations. In his emotional farewell address, Obama called on the nations young and young at heart to pick up where he left off, pushing for social and political progress through grassroots and political involvement. Warning that democracy is at risk without maintenance, the President called on U.S. citizens to assess their own role in politics and community life. It falls to each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy, Obama said. Embrace the joyous task we have been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours because, for all our outward differences, we in fact all share the same proud type, the most important office in a democracy, citizen. Read more: In His Farewell Speech, President Obama Returns to His Roots as a Community Leader In an age of online spats and with an incoming Commander-in-Chief who typically addresses the public through social media, Obama urged his supporters to reach out to those with whom they disagree, suggesting, If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. Obamas own political involvement began as a community organizer working for tenants rights and voter outreach in the South Side of his adoptive hometown, Chicago. Drawing on his own experience, Obama, the first African American President in U.S. history, sought to remind Americans that theyre not so different from their leaders. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing, the President implored. If youre disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clip board, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. The surprising scope of his own political rise and watching the political process up close can energize and inspire, Obama said. And more often than not, your faith in America and in Americans will be confirmed. Mine sure has been. Watch Obamas remarks on public participation above. Chinas President Xi Jinping will attend the World Economic Forum next week, becoming the first Chinese head of state to do so. As part of an official visit to Switzerland, Xi will attend the annual economic meeting in the ski resort of Davos on Jan. 17, a foreign ministry spokesman said yesterday. Xis attendance comes as China has sought to be more influential globally and present itself as a force for stability and champion of globalization and opponent of protectionism. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last month that China would lead the way amid a shakeup in global governance, we will take hold of the situation amid international chaos, we will protect our interests amid intense and complex games. At the same time, while Xi has promised to make the worlds second- largest economy more competitive and productive by giving market forces a bigger role, reform advocates complain Beijing is failing to reduce the dominance of state companies. Foreign companies say regulators are trying to squeeze them out of technology and other promising fields. Ministry spokesman Lu Kang says Xis Jan. 15-18 trip to Switzerland will also include visits to the offices of the United Nations and the World Health Organization in Geneva, and the International Olympics Committees headquarters in Lausanne. AP From Country Living By now you've probably already heard of hygge-the Danish lifestyle trend that supposedly will cure your winter blues by attempting to reach peak coziness. But some people are already sick of this obsession with throw blankets and candles, not to mention the constant chatter about "hoo-gah" since all those books and articles were published in the last few months. Among the many good reasons to be in Norway just now: avoiding all the British people who want to talk about #hygge. - dull thud (@dullthud) December 30, 2016 If you're totally over hygge, we've found another Scandinavian concept might be more your style. Lagom is a Swedish word that roughly translates to "just the right amount" in English. Pronounced 'lar-gohm,' this term is more about frugality and striking a balance in your daily life between work and relaxation. The idea behind lagom is "not too much of one-or-the-other, but more a Goldilocks 'just right'," Kathleen Bryson, a PhD candidate in evolutionary anthropology at University College London, told the BBC. While this might sound a lot less fun than hygge, keep in mind that hygge and lagom don't have to be mutually exclusive. Look at it this way: lagom is about how you live your life on a daily basis, while hygge is more about creating individual moments. So you can have your minimalist apartment and drink your hot chocolate too (sometimes). However, if the over-marketing of hygge is what bothered you, it looks like people are already trying to capitalize on the idea. There's even a Korean skincare brand named after it already and it shares the ethos of "not too little, not too much." You Might Also Like (Reuters) - A massive landslide caused by thunderstorms forced the cancellation of Wednesday's ninth stage of the Dakar Rally in Argentina, organizers said. They said the road to Tuesday's overnight bivouac had been blocked 40km north of Jujuy. The landslide hit the village of Volcan and caused considerable damage. "As the road is cut off, most of the vehicles, competitors, assistance and logistics from the Dakar caravan were diverted on an alternative route through San Antonio de los Cobres, extending the distance ... by about 200 km," the race organizers said in an overnight statement. "They will not be able to reach the Salta bivouac in time to start the race." The competitors will instead spend Wednesday traveling to Chilecito for Thursday's 10th stage. France's Sebastien Loeb leads the car category for Peugeot with British rider Sam Sunderland top of the motorcycle standings. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Richard Lough) President-elect Donald Trump used his first press conference since July to rebuke specific news outlets for publishing reports on Tuesday regarding his campaigns supposed dealings with Russia. In a comment about BuzzFeed, which chose to publish the full unverified dossier of allegations, Trump called the media site a failing pile of garbage. Shortly afterward, CNN reporter Jim Acosta attempted to ask a question. Trump declined, calling the news network fake news. I felt it was only fair if our news organization was going to be attacked, we get to ask a follow-up question, Acosta said after the press conference. Acosta said that incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer told him if he ever acted like that again, he would be thrown out. The president-elects reaction to these latest media reports follows Spicers rebuke to open the press conference. Its frankly outrageous and highly responsible for a left-wing blog that was openly hostile to the president-elects campaign for publishing salacious and flat-out false information on the Internet just days before he takes the oath of office, said Spicer from the lobby of Trump Tower. According to BuzzFeeds own editor, there are some serious reasons to doubt the allegations in the report. The executive editor of the New York Times also dismissed the report by saying it was totally unsubstantiated, echoing the concerns that many other reporters expressed on the Internet. The fact that BuzzFeed and CNN made the decision to run with this unsubstantiated claim is a sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks. The report is not an intelligence report, plain and simple. The Republican National Committee communications director pointed specifically to the line in the report that Trump attorney Michael Cohen had met Kremlin officials in Prague in August. Spicer said Cohens passport shows he did not leave or enter the United States in the months of August and September, confirming a report from CNN Wednesday morning that said a government source had confirmed it was a different Michael Cohen who had visited Prague. Story continues The Associated Press reports that only one seat was saved at the event, as a Republican staffer reserved a front row position for Breitbart, the conservative news organization formerly headed by Trump advisor Steve Bannon. Asked to respond, BuzzFeeds communications team told Yahoo News, We stand by our decision to publish the dossier, and would point you to [editor-in-chief Ben Smiths] email to BuzzFeed News staff about why we decided to publish. Here's the note I sent to @buzzfeednews staff this evening pic.twitter.com/OcAloWzVzb Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 11, 2017 CNN published a story prior to the BuzzFeed story Tuesday stating that intelligence chiefs had briefed both Trump and President Obama about the claims of Russian attempts to compromise the president-elect. The CNN story did not contain the details of the allegations because the organization could not independently corroborate the specific allegations. Following the press conference, CNN issued a statement differentiating its reporting from BuzzFeeds: CNNs decision to publish carefully sourced reporting about the operations of our government is vastly different than Buzzfeeds decision to publish unsubstantiated memos. The Trump team knows this. They are using Buzzfeeds decision to deflect from CNNs reporting, which has been matched by other major news organizations. We are fully confident in our reporting. It represents the core of what the First Amendment protects, informing the people of the inner workings of their government; in this case, briefing materials prepared for President Obama and President-elect Trump last week. We made it clear that we were not publishing any of the details of the 35-page document because we have not corroborated the reports allegations. Given that members of the Trump transition team have so vocally criticized out reporting, we encourage them to identify, specifically, what they believe to be inaccurate. Following the publication of the report Tuesday night, many reporters remarked that the documents released by BuzzFeed had been circulating for months but there had been no way to verify their contents, which were reportedly written by a former British intelligence officer as part of an opposition research commissioned against Trump during the 2016 campaign. In a brief interview in the Times newsroom on Tuesday evening, Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The Times, said the paper would not publish the document because the allegations were totally unsubstantiated. We, like others, investigated the allegations and havent corroborated them, and we felt were not in the business of publishing things we cant stand by, Baquet said. Milan (AFP) - A late penalty from Miralem Pjanic saw holders Juventus scrape through to an Italian Cup quarter-final clash with either AC Milan or Torino after a nervous 3-2 win over high-flying Atalanta. Atalanta travelled to Turin looking to cause an upset as they enjoy their best season in years under Gianpiero Gasperini, who has steered the Bergamo side to within 10 points of Juve's lead in Serie A at the halfway point. But Juventus were clinical in an impressive first-half that saw Paulo Dybala beat Etrit Berisha with a superb first-time strike in the 22nd minute from 25 yards then send Mario Mandzukic on his way to double Juve's lead 12 minutes later. With one eye on Sunday's trip to Fiorentina, and with Croatian starlet Mark Pjaca fully recovered from a recent injury, Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri rested striker Gonzalo Higuain for the entire game. Pjaca, sidelined for the past two months, replaced Dybala on the hour but it was a nervous last half hour for the hosts. Abdoulay Konko pulled one back for Juventus on 72 minutes with a superb snap shot that beat stand-in Juve 'keeper Norberto Neto at the far top corner of the net. Although Pjanic fired his spot-kick past Berisha and into the roof of the net three minutes later following a foul on Stephan Lichsteiner, it was far from over. Emmanuel Latte Lath, an 18-year-old from Ivory Coast, got past Lichtsteiner to reach a low cross that sneaked past Rafael in the 81st minute. Atalanta should have pushed the match to extra-time but Andrea Petagna's curler was finally contained by Neto. Remo Freuler pounced on an error by Hernanes but fired over and defender Rafael Toloi fired wide in the final minutes. Earlier, Federico Bernardeschi netted an injury-time penalty to fire Fiorentina into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Chievo. Chievo looked to have held on for extra time at the Artemio Franchi stadium until the referee pointed to the spot after Bernardeschi was felled from behind by the away side's Massimo Gobbi. Story continues Gobbi earned a caution and Bernardeschi stepped up to send Stefano Sorrentino the wrong way with a crisp low strike into the bottom corner to seal the win. Napoli on Tuesday sealed their place in the last eight with a 3-1 win over second division La Spezia. AC Milan, beaten Cup finalists last year but who beat Juventus in Doha to win the Italian Super Cup three weeks ago, host Torino on Thursday. Inter Milan, Sassuolo, Lazio and Roma all play their last 16 ties next week against, respectively, Bologna, Cesena, Genoa and Sampdoria. WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST): 12:50 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump says he'll begin negotiations with Mexico on funding his promised wall along the southern border immediately after he takes office. Trump's team and Republicans in Congress have been discussing a plan in which American taxpayers would initially cover the costs of the wall. Trump says that's because he wants to get it started fast. He asks, "What's the difference? I want to get the wall started." He adds that, "Mexico will pay for the wall, but it will be reimbursed." Trump is also pushing back on reports that his wall could wind up becoming more of a fence. He insists, "It's not a fence, it's a wall. We're going to build a wall." ___ 12:35 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump says a replacement for "Obamacare" will be offered with the confirmation of his health secretary. Trump says at a Wednesday news conference that his plan for President Barack Obama's health care law would be "repeal and replace," adding that it would be "essentially simultaneously." Trump called the law "a complete and total disaster" and said it was "imploding." He argued that Republicans would do doing a "tremendous service" for Democrats by replacing the law. Trump has repeatedly said that repealing and replacing "Obamacare" was a top priority, but he has never fully explained how he planned to do it. Speaker Paul Ryan has said that the House would seek to take both steps "concurrently." But Trump's promise to repeal and replace the health care law "essentially simultaneously," even in the same day, week or hour, is almost certainly impossible to achieve. ___ 12:25 p.m. Donald Trump is recommitting to plans to impose a border tax on manufacturers who shutter plants and move production abroad. Trump says at a Wednesday news conference: "There will be a major border tax on these companies that are leaving and getting away with murder." Story continues Border taxes may help retain jobs, but they carry the risk of increasing prices for consumers. The president-elect has been meeting with chief executives and touting commitments by United Technologies and others to keep jobs in the United States. Such moves have done little so far to move the dial on job growth for the broader U.S. economy, although Trump stressed that he was using these deals to set a new tone that offshoring would be penalized. Trump says: "What really is happening is the word is now out." ___ 12:20 p.m. Trump's lawyer says the so-called emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution does not apply to foreign payments to his company, as some ethics experts have said. The lawyer, Sheri Dillon, says some have claimed that foreign leaders who pay for rooms and services at his various hotels across the globe would put the president-elect in violation of the clause. Dillon says: "These people are wrong. That is not what the Constitution says." She argues that "fair-value exchange," such as paying for a hotel room, does not run afoul of the Constitutional ban of foreign gifts or payments to the president. Dillon says nonetheless the Trump Organization will voluntarily donate all profits from foreign government payments to his hotels to the U.S. Treasury. ___ 12:05 p.m. Ivanka Trump will not play a management role in the Trump Organization moving forward. Trump attorney Sheri Dillon says Wednesday at a news conference that the future first daughter will have no involvement with or management authority at the family business. Ivanka Trump has been an executive vice president at the company. Ivanka Trump is not taking an official role in her father's administration for now. But her husband, Jared Kushner, will be serving as a senior adviser, and the family is moving to Washington. Dillon says that Ivanka Trump will be focused on getting her children settled in their new home and at their schools. Ivanka Trump is also expected to step away from a leadership role at her own company selling clothes and jewelry ___ Noon President-elect Donald Trump says that the Democratic National Committee was "totally open to be hacked" and argues that if Russian hackers had gotten anything on him they "would have released it." At Wednesday's news conference, Trump took questions about the role he believes Russia played in the election year hacking of Democratic groups. The intelligence community says the interference was intended to help the Republican defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump said the Democratic National Committee could have "had hacking defense." He praised his future chief of staff Reince Preibus, saying he ordered such a defense at the Republican National Committee. Trump also said that "hacking is bad," but added "look at what we learned from that hacking." ___ 11:50 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump says that more factories open in the industrial Midwest, highlighting his direct outreach to companies and repeating his campaign pledge to be "the greatest jobs producer that God created." At his first news conference since his election, Trump beamed over plans by Fiat Chrysler to add 2,000 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio. He also noted that Ford would not be building a $1.6 billion plant in Mexico and would instead update an existing Michigan factory and add 700 jobs. Trump had called on Ford to not open a new factory in Mexico, although economic forces beyond the incoming administration's direct control such as gasoline prices also influenced the decision. Trump said additional factory job announcements would be coming, saying, "I hope General Motors will be following." The president-elect added that he wants to bring overseas pharmaceutical manufacturing jobs to the United States, although he plans to negotiate on the prices the government pays for medication. ___ 11:40 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump says he's finally settled on a candidate to lead the sprawling Veterans Affairs department. Trump says his choice is David Shulkin, who is currently the department's undersecretary for health. Trump made the announcement at a news conference in New York. He says Shulkin is "fantastic" and will do a "truly great job." The president-elect focused on veterans' issues during the presidential campaign. He says veterans have been mistreated under the Obama administration and promises to straighten things out. The VA secretary post was one of two Cabinet posts Trump still has to fill. Agriculture secretary is the other one. ___ 11:31 a.m. Donald Trump plans to put all his business assets in a trust and hand control of his company to his two adult sons and a longtime business executive to allay concerns about conflicts of interest. A lawyer who worked with the Trump Organization on the plan says Trump is planning to make the change by Inauguration Day, relinquish control over the Trump Organization and isolate himself from the business. The lawyer says the company will do no new foreign deals but can pursue domestic ones, and says that the Trump Organization will appoint an ethics adviser to its management team who must approve deals that could raise concerns about conflicts. The lawyer spoke to reporters before Trump's news conference, the first since his Nov. 8 election, and requested anonymity to discuss details of the plan. AP Business Writer Bernard Condon ___ 11:30 a.m. Donald Trump says intelligence agencies will have a "tremendous blot on their record" if they leaked a report claiming top intelligence officials told him about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had about him. Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer also calls a report, first published Tuesday by CNN, "outrageous" and "irresponsible." A U.S. official says top intelligence officials told Trump about an unsubstantiated report last week. A summary of the allegations was separate from a classified assessment of Russia's suspected attempts to meddle in the U.S. presidential election. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence community's findings last week. The dossier contains unproven information about close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians about hacking into Democratic accounts as well as unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump among other suggestions attributed to anonymous sources. The Associated Press has not authenticated any of the claims. ___ 9:55 a.m. The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee says allegations that Russia has collected damaging personal and financial information on Donald Trump "shakes our democracy to its very core" and should be investigated by Congress. In a brief interview, New York Rep. Eliot Engel says if the unsubstantiated charges that the Russians have compromising material on the president-elect are true, "It's a scary thing to have Putin in the driver's seat." Trump and a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin have denied the allegations. Engel says Trump needs to "come clean." He says simply denying the charges is insufficient and says Trump must "tell us everything he knows." A U.S. official told The Associated Press on Tuesday that intelligence officials told Trump last week about the unproven report. __ 9: 15 a.m. The Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee says he received sensitive information last year and turned it over to the FBI, an apparent reference to news that President-elect Donald Trump was told by intelligence officials about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. Sen. John McCain of Arizona said in a statement Wednesday that he examined the contents of the material, was unable to make a judgment about the accuracy and delivered the information to the director of the FBI, James Comey. McCain said: "That has been the extent of my contact with the FBI or any other government agency regarding this issue." __ 8:05 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump is criticizing U.S. intelligence agencies over the leak of an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information on him. Trump tweeted Wednesday that "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" The tweet was part of an early morning Trump firestorm denouncing the reports, in which he said he has "nothing" to do with Russia. Various news outlets reported late Tuesday that U.S. intelligence officials briefed Trump last week on the unverified information Russia was said to have on him. Trump insisted that the media reports were "very unfair" and payback for defeating other Republican presidential hopefuls and Democrat Hillary Clinton. "I win an election easily, a great "movement" is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!" __ 7:50 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump is denouncing unsubstantiated reports that Russia had compromising secret information on him. He tweeted Wednesday morning: "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me." In capital letters, he added: "I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" He called the unverified report paid for by political opponents "A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE." A few minutes earlier, he repeated Russia's denial of the reports, which he called, "Very unfair!" A U.S. official told The Associated Press Tuesday that intelligence officials had informed Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. The briefing about the document was first reported by CNN. The Associated Press has not been able to substantiate the information in the dossier, which misspelled the name of Russia's largest bank. __ 7 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump will hold his first full news conference Wednesday since winning the 2016 presidential election. The last time Trump held a news conference, he was plunging into a heated general election campaign with Hillary Clinton and suggested Russia could help dig up some of his rival's emails. Nearly six months and a presidential campaign victory later, Trump will finally step before reporters again Wednesday to face questions about what role he believes Russia played in the election year hacking of Democratic groups interference the intelligence community says was intended to help the Republican defeat Clinton. Trump has challenged that assessment and has yet to say whether a full briefing with intelligence officials last week did anything to sway A painting depicting police officers as pigs is stirring up controversy on Capitol Hill. Democratic lawmakers put the painting up in the U.S. Capitol building, but it wasnt long before Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), took it down last Friday. It was later rehung, but taken down again on Tuesday, by Hunters colleague. Hunterwho spoke to the FOX Business Networksaid the outrage is not about the actual painting, which was created by an 18-year-old artist from Missouri, Democratic Rep. Lacy Clays district. Does the Congress of the United States support law enforcement? Thats what this is really about, Hunter said. Do we stand behind our men and women in uniform, do we support the thin blue lineespecially with all of these targeted cop killingsdo we support cops or do we not support cops? Related Articles China is tightening border controls in its northwestern Xinjiang region amid rising terrorism threats, the regional governor was quoted as saying yesterday. State media reported Shohrat Zakir made the pledge in a speech at the regions main annual political meeting on Monday, saying increased measures taken in the last year would be further strengthened. The crackdown seeks to prevent suspected insurgents both from leaving Xinjiang to fight abroad and from returning to the region after receiving military training overseas, the official China Daily newspaper said. Xinjiang has long been home to a simmering insurgency against Beijings rule waged by extremists among the native Turkic-speaking Uighur (WEE-gur) ethnic group, who are mainly Muslim and culturally distinct from most Chinese. Many Uighurs already face onerous restrictions on where they can work and travel to, including extreme difficulties in obtaining passports. Xinjiang shares a border with Afghanistan, Pakistan and four nations in the often volatile Central Asian region, whose native populations share ethnic, linguistic and religious links with Uighurs. Uighur extremists have also been reported to have joined the fighting in Syria and were blamed for a deadly attack on a Buddhist temple in Thailand. Xinjiang has been smothered in heavy security since deadly riots in 2009 that pitted Uighurs against ethnic Han Chinese migrants in the regional capital of Urumqi. Those measures were tightened further following a wave of attacks blamed on Uighur separatists striking in Xinjiang and other parts of China, including the capital Beijing. While such incidents have largely been curtailed, three knife-wielding assailants last month attacked staff at a Communist Party office in southern Xinjiangs Hotan region and set off an explosive device, killing two and injuring three others. The attackers were then shot dead by police. The incident was the first publicly reported fatal attack in months in Xinjiang, where information is strictly controlled and reporting access highly limited. Prior to that, police in November 2015 killed 28 people who authorities said had killed 11 civilians and five police officers at a remote Xinjiang coal mine controlled by members of Chinas main Han ethnic group. Additionally, a Chinese state media outlet reported that three alleged assailants wanted in relation with a 2015 terrorist incident in Hotan were killed in a police raid on Sunday. No details were given. Beijings critics say the violence in Xinjiang is prompted by government policies that have marginalized Uighurs in their native region, which has seen a massive influx of Han Chinese who dominate the local economy, security forces and civil service. Some Uighurs are also believed to have been radicalized by extremist jihadi ideologies that have spread from Central Asia to the Middle East. AP Youve read the books, youve seen the Jim Carrey movie. Or maybe you havent. Either way, there are a few things you need to know before deep binge-diving into Netflixs A Series of Unfortunate Events series on Friday, and Yahoo TV got the scoop straight from Count Olaf himself, Neil Patrick Harris. Actually, as seen in the video above, that is scooplet No. 1: NPH plays Count Olaf, a wildly famous actor [who] finds out that these children have lost their parents, and is hellbent on taking their money, at the expense of their physical well-being, he says. Related: Winter TV Preview: The Scoop on 29 New Shows He also assures all fans of author Daniel Handlers writing that the TV series is all about honoring the books. Each book will unfold across two episodes of the series, meaning Season 1 will cover the first four of Handlers 13 books. And if you want NPHs take on the series tone and intended audience, check out that video, in which he also shares how much he loves playing a villain. To play someone that looked awful, and [that] I could hide myself in this dark, messed-up performance, and yet it was still comedy theres a lot of chewing on the facial scenery, Harris says, providing an example of how you have to overact when donning heavy makeup and prosthetics. Harriss co-stars in the series include Patrick Warburton as the titular Lemony Snicket, as well as Joan Cusack, Aasif Mandvi, Don Johnson, Alfre Woodard, Catherine OHara, and Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, and Presley Smith as Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events premieres Jan. 13 on Netflix. Benghazi (Libya) (AFP) - Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar on Wednesday visited a Russian aircraft carrier off the coast of the North African nation in the latest sign of growing relations with Moscow. The visit comes against a backdrop of rising tensions between Haftar's forces, aligned with an administration based in eastern Libya, and militias loyal to a UN-brokered unity government in Tripoli. "Marshal Haftar visited the Russian aircraft carrier off (the eastern town of) Tobruk to meet a Russian military delegation," a military source close to Haftar said without giving further details. Russia's defence ministry confirmed the visit to the Admiral Kuznetsov, which recently completed a two-month mission off Syria supporting President Bashar al-Assad against rebel forces. It said Haftar met Russian officers and crew before speaking by video link with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu about counter-terrorism efforts in the Middle East. The latest sign of closer ties follows a trip by Haftar to Moscow in late November to seek support for an end to the UN arms embargo against Libya. Haftar's forces, which call themselves the Libyan National Army (LNA), have battled jihadists in second city Benghazi for more than two years and control key eastern oil export terminals. UN envoy Martin Kobler has expressed alarm about the tensions between the LNA and western militias who support the unity government and who drove Islamic State group jihadists from the city of Sirte in December. Haftar, accused by his rivals of wanting to install a military regime in Libya, enjoys the support of Arab states including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. MOSCOW (Reuters) - The question of whether Russian sanctions on Canada's new Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland will be removed is one of reciprocity, Russia's RIA news agency cited a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on Wednesday. The source also told RIA that the sanctions on Freeland would not prevent Russian officials from making contact with her. (Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Christian Lowe) When Lin-Manuel Miranda started work on Disney's animated feature Moana nearly three years ago with his musical collaborators, Grammy-winning composer Mark Mancina and Somoan Opetaia Foa'i, Hamilton had yet to hit the stage, much less become a theatrical juggernaut. But as Miranda developed into a household name, he remained captivated by the story of a teenage girl, Moana, who leaves her South Pacific island to rescue her community. Among the most compelling songs in the tale, which has grossed more than $225 million since its November release, are Miranda's yearning, uplifting "How Far I'll Go," and the tribal "We Know the Way," composed with Foa'i, which plays as Moana's proud ancestors guide her on her journey, using the wisdom of the past to bring her into the future. Miranda talked to The Hollywood Reporter from London, where he's working on Disney's Mary Poppins Returns, about creating the music for Moana, possibly becoming the youngest EGOT winner in history and, with Donald Trump's inauguration coming Jan. 20, his tips for handling the next four years. Read more: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Donald Glover, Issa Rae and Damien Chazelle in One Epic Conversation Though Moana is an animated feature, how important was it to get the tone right culturally to represent the Oceanic community? You always want the people, the culture you're writing about, to be able to see themselves in the thing. I felt the same way when I was writing In The Heights. I was representing my neighborhood and a lot of Caribbean rhythms. It wasn't just one island. It was Dominican and Puerto Rican and Cuban and Mexican and Latin American, and how do I write a score that reflects all that and has its own voice? I felt like I met the authenticity bar on that show. Opetaia has made a career out of exploring the music of his islands and his ancestors, so we couldn't have had a better ally and ambassador in him because his gut is right. If I play a rhythm and he makes a face, I know that that's not a rhythm that would come out of this part of the world and I throw it out and start from scratch. Story continues How did revisiting your own teenage sense of yearning for something more help you get into Moana's head when writing "How Far I'll Go?" Where she and I met was having a calling - not necessarily even understanding the calling, but knowing that it's there inside. I knew I wanted a life in some creative endeavor for as long as I can remember. For me, I think the song took the final turn it needed when I realized it's not a song about a young woman who hates where she is and needs to get out, it's a song about a woman who loves where she lives and her family and her culture and still has this feeling. So what do you do with it? I related to that as well and so that was the final insight we needed to get that moment to really strike a chord because it's messier, it's complicated. How did "We Know The Way" come about after Opetaia brought in some initial ideas? It's actually the first song we worked on together, and it worked so organically that it set the template for the rest of our collaboration. That melody is amazing. Opi translated [the words] for us, and we felt this is the perfect thing for the ancestors to sing. One of the things that's so exciting about this part of the world was this idea of wayfinding, the very literal concept of how you have to keep your home island in mind to navigate to where you're headed next. I was just doing my best to communicate that in a way that fit in with Opi's melody. Mark started playing guitar and the chords on the second chorus. That song best represents creating something bigger than the sum of the parts. You've joked that you can't sing very well, but you're singing on "We Know The Way." Were you nervous? I wasn't nervous about it because they're my demo vocals. I didn't think it would ever see daylight, and here I am in a Disney film. Read more: How 'Moana's' Animators Brought a Tattoo to Life Hamilton exploded after you began working on Moana. How did you juggle everything? There's an adage if you want something done ask a busy person to do it because they're already in motion. That's basically how it felt. On the one hand, [Moana] provided an oasis in the general hecticness of my life in the Hamilton era and, on the other hand, I thrive under deadline. Writing is lonely work and, for me, the most fun part is getting to bring it into a room with a bunch of other artists and say, "Let's kick the tires on it and make it better." That's what I got to do every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. [via Skype meetings]. With a lot of these, I wouldn't bring in a finished song, I'd bring in a verse and a chorus and go, "Am I headed in the right direction?", which is a very vulnerable thing to do as a songwriter. But at the same time it was what made the most sense to [my collaborators] because there are so many different art forms being smashed together when you're making an animated film, you want to make sure the blueprints are looking sound as you head down the road. If you win the Oscar, you'd be the youngest Emmy-Grammy-Oscar-Tony (EGOT) winner, surpassing Bobby Lopez, who attended the same elementary and high school as you. Is that in your head at all? You can't worry about that because you have no control over it. Why would you spend time on that? I lived through the thrill of seeing Bobby win the Tony for Avenue Q and it was the first time I saw someone on an award show I knew personally. I was like, "Oh my god, Bobby Lopez is winning a Tony Award!" Then I'm screaming in my house when he completed the EGOT for Frozen, so I've already had all those thrills vicariously through him. I'm good no matter what happens. You're calling from London where you're prepping for Mary Poppins Returns by dancing up to eight hours a day. How's it going? I've had a couple of dates with an epsom salt bath, but it's joyous work. Rob Marshall and his producing partner, John DeLuca, are incredible at what they do. They make you feel safe and like you can do anything, and the result is you give them everything you got. I'm really enjoying that part of my life right now. Read more: Lin-Manuel Miranda Beats Out Beyonce, The Rock as AP's Entertainer of the Year You've also signed on as creative producer and composer for the film and TV adaptations of Pat Rothfuss' The Kingkiller Chronicles. How did that come about? My friendship with Pat Rothfuss is one of the greatest things that came out of Hamilton. We kind of found a mutual admiration society. This is a guy who created a world that thousands of people want to live in. I want to be a part of it, especially because I think he writes about music so beautifully. The main character is a musician, so it's a very daunting task to have to set to music [because] everyone has imagined it in their own individual way when they're reading the book. But that's a really exciting challenge. Your Twitter feed is sometimes political, yet primarily focused on feel-good tweets. What's your advice on how to cope with the next four years given that you were a Clinton supporter? I think it's important to eat your vegetables and I think it's important to eat your dessert. By which I mean, if you go down the wormhole with reading the worst news all the time, you're not going to be of any use to anyone. I think that's for anyone on Twitter regardless of your [politics]. I try to stay as up-to-date on what's going on in the world as possible and yet provide an oasis and positivity on Twitter. I can't control the world, but I can control what I put into the world, so I try to have my timeline be a pretty bright spot for folks who may be fighting great fights elsewhere. Stay informed, but go read a very funny tweet or go read the AV Club - whatever your version of dessert is - but you need to do both. By Andrew MacAskill and Anjuli Davies LONDON (Reuters) - Banks with large London operations say they will step up lobbying European officials because they are running out of arguments to convince the British government the industry needs single market access after Britain leaves the European Union. Banks have focussed on pressuring British officials to push for as much market access as possible since voters decided seven months ago to leave the EU. They held fewer meetings with European officials, according to several senior sources in the financial services industry. The focus is shifting because after scores of meetings and research reports, banks, which say they may begin moving staff and operations out of London in the next few months if there is no clarity, feel they are running out of new points to make. Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she was not interested in Britain keeping "bits" of its EU membership, interpreted by some as signalling she will favour immigration controls over access to the single market. Banks are now planning a new round of lobbying to highlight how a hard Brexit could harm the EU and the UK. They have identified French politicians, EU regulators and government officials, as key groups to win over. "The battle for Britain is over, the battle for France is about to begin," said one senior lobbyist. Another senior lobbyist for one of the major global banks said he will spend more time in Brussels this year to target the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and his teams as well as Didier Seeuws, a Belgian diplomat, who is helping coordinate the Brexit negotiations. Another lobbyist said he is planning to visit Paris to meet with French politicians and regulators later this month. Britain's position as Europe's financial centre is emerging as one of the main collision points in the Brexit talks. Some European politicians see an opportunity to challenge British dominance of finance after decades of viewing its free-wheeling "Anglo-Saxon" model of capitalism with suspicion. Story continues EU leaders like French President Francois Hollande have said they plan to weaken Britain's grip on finance by, for instance, demanding the lucrative business of clearing euros should move to the euro zone. Finance is Britain's most important industry, accounting for about a tenth of its economic output and is its biggest source of business tax revenue. EUROPE'S INVESTMENT BANKER But Britain also acts as "the investment banker for Europe", Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said in November, with more than half the equity and debt raised for European governments and companies done in the UK. Banks will argue that Europe depends on the strength and the depth of the financial sector in London to service its economy and companies. If access to the EU is cut off, regional financial stability could be in jeopardy, they will say. UK-based banks had total outstanding loans of more than 1.1 trillion pounds to European companies and governments at the start of 2016. The British government has also privately appealed to financial organisations to make their case in Europe if they want a transitional period where their ability to operate in the EU would be phased out gradually over several years. Finance minister Philip Hammond told a meeting of finance executives at the end of November they should lobby European governments if they want to secure a post-Brexit transitional deal, according to two people who were present. Hammond made the comments at the annual dinner of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wholesale Financial Markets and Services, attended by executives from the major British and international banks, according to the people who attended. "He basically said we need a transitional deal to avoid a cliff edge effect, but the EU also needs to argue for it," one person at the dinner said. "He was implying that we need to help the government prepare the ground." A Treasury spokesman, when asked for comment, reiterated Hammond's previous statements to lawmakers that Europe will harm itself if they use Brexit to undermine London's position as the region's principal financial centre. Bankers say more work is needed on forging a consensus between Britain and Europe on what any transitional deal may look like. European officials say they will not discuss such a deal before Britain triggers Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to start the process of leaving the EU. "Everyone has a different definition of what it means in Europe and within Whitehall. We're trying to get a common view on what transition means," one of the lobbyists said. THAWING RELATIONS The British government's relationship with business has gradually improved after months of friction after the vote. It hit a low point during the Conservative party conference in October when May attacked a "rootless" international elite and officials privately suggested banks would get no special favours in the Brexit negotiations. Nevertheless, banks feel they have largely finished putting forward their case for single market access. "We feel we've been lobbying the UK government to death. We've presented every piece of evidence, every report, research, you name it," one of the lobbyists said. "We've been repeating ourselves for a month or two now... What else do they really need from us now?" One government official, who asked not to be named, said regular dialogue with the finance sector will continue, but the number of meetings may reduce. "The door is open if people want to talk to us. There is not an arbitrary point at which speaking to people is no longer helpful," the person said. "But it has been intense, as we wanted it to be, and that intensity may ease." (Additional reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Anna Willard) Los Angeles (AFP) - 'Star Wars' creator George Lucas picked Los Angeles over San Francisco as the home of his future $1 billion museum. The Museum of Narrative Art will be located in LA's Exposition Park, near the downtown area, and will house the filmmaker's extensive collection of art and film memorabilia, including some from the "Star Wars" franchise. Lucas has said he will almost entirely fund the museum, which will sit on a seven-acre (three-hectare) location and whose design looks like a huge space ship. Los Angeles beat out competition from San Francisco, which had proposed housing the museum on Treasure Island, in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. Local officials in Los Angeles welcomed Tuesday's announcement, saying it would bring thousands of jobs to the city and draw tourists keen on seeing the original Darth Vader mask along with Norman Rockwell paintings. "Art exists to inspire, to move, to educate, and to excite," mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. "Thanks to George Lucas and (his wife) Mellody Hobson, millions of Angelenos and visitors will enjoy an extraordinary collection anchored in storytelling -- an art that carries so much meaning in the history and legacy of Los Angeles." Lucas, 72, for years had been trying to find a location to house his art collection that includes works by Rockwell, Edgar Degas, Winslow Homer and Pierre-Auguste Renoir as well as memorabilia from the "Star Wars" saga and his other films. The museum's board of directors and city officials had no official date for the opening of the museum. As Hamilton and Havig considered other lifeforms on the snows surface, they found that snow algae are interacting with bacteria and other microorganisms and are taking up nutrients from the local bedrock that get blown onto the surface. At the core, the study shows the snow algae using these carbon, nitrogen and other nutrient sources, turning it all into more organic material and ultimately new algal cells. As we look closer we find that the growth of snow algae and other organic lifeforms on the surface could also be a likely source of the carbon, nitrogen, iron, manganese and phosphorus found in river and stream runoff after glacial retreat and melting, adds Hamilton. The researchers are quick to note that collecting these colorful specimens was not an easy jaunt. On the contrary, Havig, Hamilton and a few field assistants climbed to elevations of up to 9,000 feet, much of it on foot, while sporting 50-pound backpacks filled with camping gear, scientific equipment, food and safety equipment for traversing glaciers. The team gathered samples from Collier Glacier on North Sister and Eliot Glacier on Mount Hood in Oregon and Gotchen Glacier on Mount Adams in Washington after completing the 5- to 10-mile round-trip excursions last summer. We ended up camping on the glaciers so we could spend more time there but it also meant a lot more weight in the pack, says Havig. By packing dry ice we were able to keep some samples frozen until we reached a lab. We were also able to perform other analysis right on the spot. U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo praised Jeff Sessions Tuesday while quizzing him on his views of the proper role of the federal government and federal law enforcement authority. I consider you well qualified and look forward to your service as Attorney General of the United States if you are confirmed, and I expect you will be, Crapo told Sessions, who is president-elect Donald Trumps nominee for that office. Crapo was just named to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which began on Tuesday to hold a confirmation hearing on Sessions, a Republican senator from Alabama. Sessions was one of Trump's earliest supporters in Congress, and his nomination has come under fire from many on the left who are concerned about his record and views on civil rights issues, marijuana laws and other topics. Crapo asked Sessions about his views on several areas where, in Crapos view, the federal government is exceeding its authority, such Operation Choke Point, an initiative whereby the Department of Justice investigates business banks do with businesses believed to be at a higher risk of criminal activity. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation appears to have largely backed off from Choke Point, although reports of banks severing ties with businesses in ways that might suggest it has continued have surfaced since then. Critics such as Crapo believe Operation Choke Point is a way for the Obama administration to attack businesses it doesnt like ideologically, such as firearms and ammunition sellers and payday lenders. While questioning Sessions, Crapo compared Choke Point to the 2002 movie Minority Report, which is about a dystopian future when police know people will commit a crime before they commit it and arrest them. Sessions agreed with Crapos assessment of Choke Point. Fundamentally, a lawful business should not be attacked by having other lawful businesses pressured not to do business with the first business, Session said. Crapo also asked more broadly about Sessions views on federal power. Crapo said his belief that the federal government needs to defer more to the states, pointing to the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which says powers not given to the federal government are to be left to the states or the people. Many of our states feel that the proper respect for their sovereignty is being abused by federal agencies, Crapo said. Not just the Department of Justice, but the Department of Justice often gets involved in this by providing the legal services that it does to our agencies. Sessions agreed with Crapo that the federal government has been overstepping its bounds. He recalled how, when he was a young federal prosecutor in the early 1970s, when he prosecuted a case it would be because it crossed state lines and thus explicitly fell under federal jurisdiction. Sessions gave an example of a stolen vehicle he might have prosecuted it if the theft crossed state lines, but the underlying crime of auto theft would fall under state jurisdiction, not federal. These things have traditionally been totally the responsibility of the states, he said. Now weve forgotten that distinction, that limitation on federal power. Click here for the video of Crapo questioning Sessions. (Spoiler alert for those of who you still haven't seen "Minority Report.") There's a change at the top on MacGyver. Meredith Eaton has joined the cast of the CBS reboot, replacing departed series regular Sandrine Holt, it was announced Wednesday. Holt played Patricia Thornton, the head of the covert agency named the Phoenix Foundation where Mac (Lucas Till) works. The casting comes on the heels of the Jan. 6 episode, in which Holt exited when Patricia was revealed to be a mole. Eaton will play Matty Webber, the new director of operations at the Phoenix Foundation and a legend in Covert Ops. Everyone is excited to meet Matty, except for Jack (George Eads), who worked under Matty for 18 months while on assignment in South America. Matty was known for being able to make anyone, including the director of the NSA, cry. Eaton's first episode will air Friday. "We couldn't be more excited to have Meredith Eaton join the cast of MacGyver," said executive producer and showrunner Peter Lenkov. "Matty Webber is a tough cookie and, despite her history with Jack, she'll have no problem finding her place in the Phoenix team. She may even teach Mac a few new tricks." The cast change is the latest bump in the road for MacGyver, which changed writers and directors several times before making its debut in September. In addition, when CBS scrapped the original pilot for the rebooted series, much of the cast was let go with the exception of Till and Eads. Holt joined the drama in July, along with Justin Hires and Tristin Mays. The reboot has pulled impressive numbers on Fridays for CBS, outperforming every other broadcast series of the night in the 18-49 demo and in total viewers when it debuted in September. The drama earned a full-season pickup a month later Eaton is best known for her recurring roles on NCIS and Boston Legal. She is repped by Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates and Mitch Clem Management. Foreign ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will meet to discuss the Rohingya Muslim crisis next week in Kuala Lumpur, a Malaysian official told AFP Wednesday, as thousands continue to flee Myanmar. Fifty-six OIC representatives are expected to attend the January 19 meeting which will be led by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who recently called on Myanmar to stop the "genocide" of Rohingya Muslims. Buddhist-majority Myanmar refuses to recognise the Rohingya as one of the country's ethnic minorities, instead describing them as Bengalis -- or illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh -- even though many have lived in Myanmar for generations. There has been a large exodus of Rohingya from northern Myanmar's Rakhine state after the army launched clearance operations while searching for insurgents behind deadly raids on police border posts three months ago. Escapees from the persecuted Muslim minority in Bangladesh have given harrowing accounts of security forces committing mass rape, murder and arson. The stories have cast a pall over the young government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, with Muslim-majority Malaysia being especially critical. Myanmar's government has said the claims of abuse are fabricated and launched a special commission to investigate the allegations. In November, Kuala Lumpur summoned the Myanmar ambassador while around 500 Malaysians and Rohingya protested outside the embassy. A senior Malaysian minister has also called on ASEAN, the ten-country Southeast Asia bloc, to review Myanmar's membership, while the foreign ministry has accused Myanmar of engaging in "ethnic cleansing." By Astrid Zweynert LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Mali has eliminated Guinea worm disease bringing the world a step closer to eradicating the debilitating parasitic disease that is now only endemic in three African countries, the U.S.-based Carter Center said, citing provisional government figures. Guinea worm afflicted 3.5 million people 30 years ago but is now only endemic in South Sudan, Chad and Ethiopia, where there were 16 reported cases last year, according to the organization set up by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and his wife. Last November, the doctor leading the fight against the disease which can cause worms up to a meter long to grow before emerging through the skin, said the world had never been so close to eradicating Guinea worm. Carter, 92, has made the fight against the disease for which there is no vaccine or medical treatment, a cornerstone of his organization's work. "The progress we have seen in restricting Guinea worm disease to these few cases in only three countries is testament to the dedication of people in endemic areas to caring for their health and that of their communities," said Dean Sienko, the Carter Center's vice-president of health programs. The disease can cause fevers, blisters and extreme pain when the worms emerge from the body. It is spread by drinking unboiled stagnant water containing the larvae. The Carter Center said the disease is being wiped out through community programs that show people how to filter drinking water and prevent contamination. Although the global number of cases has declined, one worm can cause 80 new cases after its incubation period of 10-14 months, so keeping cases low signals the battle is being won. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the battle to eradicate Guinea worm is being hampered by insecurity in countries where the disease is endemic with health workers and volunteers often venturing hundreds of miles into lawless areas. Another challenge is that dogs - mainly in Chad, but also in the other countries - are picking up Guinea worm infections too. (Reporting by Astrid Zweynert; Editing by Katie Nguyen. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, which covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories) Photo credit: undefined From Harper's BAZAAR President Obama's farewell address was an emotional event for many, from the citizens watching at home and in Chicago, to First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, who sat in the crowd. But it was also a big moment for First Daughter Malia Obama, who, at the age of 18, has spent almost half her life in the White House while her father served as POTUS. As the president gave special shoutouts to those who helped and supported him during his time in office, he stopped for a brief tribute to his two daughters: "Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad." Malia was brought to tears while watching her father speak. President Obama thanks Malia and Sasha: "Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad" https://t.co/gVp2PQ1ucI pic.twitter.com/cqmwGiuJUM - CBS News (@CBSNews) January 11, 2017 Malia Obama crying while watching her dad speak. #ObamaFarewell pic.twitter.com/SFtRIwcNnE - Lost In History (@HistoryToLearn) January 11, 2017 Her younger sister Sasha was home studying for an exam the next morning. Malia, who graduated high school in June 2016, is currently taking a gap year before starting classes at Harvard later this year. Story continues Over the past eight years, the country has witnessed plenty of sweet moments between President Obama and his daughters. Their exchange at the farewell address served as a heartfelt finale. Photo credit: undefined You Might Also Like Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f345243%2f549f917b-75a0-454b-a3ab-14eab857ddb3 A #lifehack fooled police into thinking that a man had a sock full of meth in his car. Ross Lebeau, 24, from Texas was pulled over for a routine traffic stop after he allegedly failed to use a turn signal on Dec. 5. After getting pulled over, the police noticed the distinct smell of cannabis in the car, and Lebeau admitted to having a bit of sticky icky on him. SEE ALSO: Need to take the edge off on Inauguration Day? Light a free joint in D.C. Deputies for the Harris County Sheriffs Office then searched Lebeau's vehicle, where they discovered a sock filled with what they believed to be methamphetamine in the car's trunk. According to a press release boasting the score, "a field test was conducted, and these 'nuggets' tested positive for methamphetamine." "This is another example how a routine traffic stop turned into a significant narcotics arrest in our community and may have kept our children and loved ones free from being introduced to drugs," the Sheriff's Office said in its press release. The total weight of the "meth" was 252 grams, about a half pound, and Lebeau was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and was later released on a $50,0000 bond. "At the time, I didn't know what was in there. But I knew it wasn't meth, or anything that could be drug related or harmful," Lebeau told local news outlet KPRC. It turns out that the meth was actually just kitty litter. Lebeau was unaware that the sock filled with kitty litter was in his vehicle. As it turns out, his father placed the sock in his car to help keep the windows from fogging up. "This was supposed to be a simple life hack to keep the fog out of the inside of your windshield, and then it turns into what they call a meth bust," Lebeau said. Charges against Lebeau have since been dropped, however he wants it expunged from his record and an apology. The Harris County Sheriff's Office released the following statement to ABC 13: CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) A man already serving 20 years in state prison for killing his wife in Missouri could be facing a life sentence if he's convicted on a federal charge for moving her body to Illinois. U.S. District Judge Abbie Crites-Leoni ruled Tuesday that Clay Waller, 46, is mentally competent to stand trial for violating the interstate domestic violence act. The Southeast Missourian (http://bit.ly/2j13Vfg ) reports that the ruling followed two psychiatric reports filed with the court last month. Prosecutors say Waller beat and strangled his wife at their home in Cape Girardeau in June 2011, then took her body in a boat to nearby Devil's Island in Alexander County, Illinois. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Ferrell said the reports concluded that Waller was capable of realizing "what he did was wrong." Waller's attorney, John Lynch, said he had no objection to the findings of the reports. Jacque and Clay Waller were the parents of 5-year-old triplets when she disappeared shortly after the two met with a divorce lawyer. Clay Waller was immediately suspected in the crime, but it was difficult to prove his guilt without a body. Cape Girardeau County prosecutors eventually agreed to a plea deal in which Waller pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and a 20-year sentence. As part of the deal, he agreed to lead police to his wife's body on the island in the Mississippi River. A federal grand jury in May charged Waller with interstate domestic violence. A trial date has not been set, but the maximum penalty is life in prison. Federal prosecutors said Waller's plea deal in Cape Girardeau County did not provide immunity from federal prosecution. The county prosecutor's office said the new charge does not meet the standard of double jeopardy being tried twice for the same crime because the case is being prosecuted by a different agency. ___ Information from: Southeast Missourian, http://www.semissourian.com Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f343244%2f691b7278-0d67-450d-8cbd-1c3efd210003 A Serbian man survived in a 5-meter-deep (16-foot) frozen well for more than two days, until he was discovered by his neighbor, who called the police, the BBC reported. SEE ALSO: Watch an adorable panda delightfully destroy a snowman Jezdimir Milic, who was reportedly suffering from poor vision, fell into a well in the village of Smoljinac while returning from grocery-shopping on Sunday. The well was freezing at -20 Celsius, following a snowstorm that has gripped Serbia and other parts of northern Europe. Milic's neighbor Goran Markovic discovered him when he noticed a bag of groceries lying near the well. Markovic later explained the incident to a local television station. Milic, being hailed the "miracle man," is receiving treatment for hypothermia and abrasions. Hypothermia has already claimed six lives in Poland. And further snow-caused deaths have been reported in Italy, Greece and Turkey. BONUS: Watch this skier straight up trigger an avalanche It appears Manny Pacquiao will fight little known Jeff Horn on April 22 at a site to be determined. (Getty Images) It is not done and there are several variables to sort out, not the least of which is Manny Pacquiaos approval himself, but all indications are that the Filipino senator is headed toward an April 22 showdown with little known Australian Jeff Horn. It all also means that Pacquiao yet again will be skipping on a fight with the best possible opponent, the highly regarded super lightweight champion Terence Crawford. Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum told RingTV on Tuesday that hed come to terms with Dean Lonergan of Duco Events for Horn to fight Pacquiao. There is still no site nor has Pacquiao agreed to face Horn. Arum plans to fly to the Philippines to speak with Pacquiao. Arum also doesnt yet have a U.S. television deal, which will further complicate things. A Pacquiao-Horn fight would almost certainly seem to be a bomb on pay-per-view and in all likelihood would do a smaller figure than the roughly 215,000 sales Pacquiao did on Nov. 5 for his bout with Jessie Vargas. Arum told ESPN that pay-per-view isnt a primary consideration and that there is a chance the fight will be on some form of free television in the U.S. We have an agreement with Horn but its all subject to Mannys approval, Arum told RingTV. And its all subject to getting a site. So its still up in the air but it looks like its headed (to a bout with Horn). Horn, 28, is 16-0-1 but he has beaten no Top 10 fighters when they were in his prime. The biggest names on his resume are Randall Bailey, a power-puncher who was long past his prime when Horn defeated him in April; and Ali Funeka, who lost lightweight title fights to Nate Campbell in 2009 and Joan Guzman in 2010. Arum said he is considering venues in Australia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Idaho's two U.S. senators were among just 14 who voted in favor of a proposal from Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul that, Paul said, would balance the federal budget by 2024 and avoid trillions in new debt that the budget resolution the Senate is considering now would bring. Both Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, the budget bill making its way through the process now, and Paul's proposal would defund the Affordable Care Act. However, Paul's would have frozen most spending for five years. (Social Security would have stayed unchanged.) Paul said SCR 3 would add almost $10 trillion more in federal debt over 10 years. Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch sided with Paul for Monday's vote, as did 12 other Republicans including Utah's Mike Lee and former presidential candidate Ted Cruz of Texas. The Senate is considering SCR 3 now and is expected to start a long series of roll call votes around 4 p.m. Mountain Time. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio hammered former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson during a Wednesday morning confirmation hearing with a steady, hard line of questioning about Russian aggression. Tillersons ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin have been a major point of contention since President-elect Donald Trump picked the longtime oilman to be his secretary of state. The U.S. government has accused Moscow of conducting a multifaceted campaign against U.S. institutions to undermine the democratic process. Trump has declined to condemn Putin and has even praised him much to the disappointment of many national security hawks on both sides of the proverbial aisle. The nomination of Tillerson, who was personally awarded the Order of Friendship by Putin, as secretary of state only strengthened this concern. During the hearing, Rubio interrogated Tillerson over Putins alleged interference with the U.S. presidential election and the Kremlins military aggression in Syria, Ukraine, Chechnya and elsewhere. A simple yet pointed question about Putin perhaps best illustrated Rubios firm and aggressive attack-style approach. Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal? Rubio asked. I would not use that term, Tillerson replied. Well, let me describe the situation in Aleppo and perhaps that will help you reach that conclusion, Rubio said. Rubio detailed how Putin directed the Russian military to conduct a devastating campaign that has targeted schools, markets and other civilian infrastructure killing thousands in the Syrian city. Rex Tillerson and Senator Marco Rubio at Tillersons confirmation hearing for secretary of state in January in Washington, D.C. (Photos: Joe Raedle/Getty Images, /Joshua Roberts/Reuters) As Rubio noted, this is not the first time Putin has been involved in these sorts of campaigns. After Putin was first appointed prime minister, in response to a series of bombings, he directed the Russian air force to bomb civilians in Grozny, the capital city of the Chechen Republic (a federal subject of Russia). He recalled how Putin used scud missiles, cluster munitions and thermobaric weapons like fuel-air explosive bombs that burn the air people breathe. Story continues He used battlefield weapons against civilians, and when it was all said and done, an estimated 300,000 civilians were killed and the city was completely destroyed, Rubio said. Rubio, a former Republican presidential candidate who ran against Trump, said theres a credible body of reporting indicating that the bombing campaign was part of a black flag operation by the Federal Security Service, Russias top security agency and the KGBs primary successor. So, based on all this information and whats publicly in the record about whats happened in Aleppo and the Russian military, you are still not prepared to say that Vladimir Putin has violated the rules of war and has conducted war crimes in Aleppo? Tillerson still would not go as far as Rubio on the issue. Now those are very, very serious charges to make and I would want to have much more information before reaching a conclusion, he replied. I understand theres a body of record in the public domain. Im sure theres a body of record in the classified domain. And I think in order to deal with a serious question like this Rubio interjected: Mr. Tillerson, whats happened in Aleppo is in the public domain. The videos and the pictures are there. I would want to be fully informed before advising the president, Tillerson concluded. Tillerson largely danced around Rubios repeated questions, but the lawmaker kept pressing him for answers, eventually getting him to admit that its a fair assessment to say Putin was behind the recent campaign of propaganda and misinformation against the United States. U.S. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey O. Graham, R-S.C., have also been vocal critics of Tillersons nomination, citing his ties to Russia. Read more from Yahoo News: LONDON (AP) England's pack has been hit with another injury setback ahead of the Six Nations after prop Joe Marler was ruled out for at least a month with a broken left leg. Marler's club, Harlequins, says the player is expected to return in "four to five weeks," a prognosis that could mean he misses England's games against France and Wales in the first two rounds. Fellow prop Mako Vunipola is a big fitness doubt with a knee injury, while back-row forwards Billy Vunipola and Chris Robshaw will play no part in the tournament. England is on a 14-match winning run heading into its defense of the Six Nations title. The tournament starts on Feb. 4. Senator Jeff Sessions Coretta Scott King the widow of civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. implored Congress to block Jeff Sessions' 1986 nomination for federal judge. King's emotional letter condemned Sessions, saying his federal appointment would "irreparably damage the work" of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was assassinated in 1968 after leading a years-long movement for equal rights for African Americans. The irony of Mr. Sessions nomination is that, if confirmed, he will be given a life tenure for doing with a federal prosecution what the local sheriffs accomplished twenty years ago with clubs and cattle prods, King wrote. Her letter, which was previously unreleased and not entered into the Congressional record, emerged as Sessions faces new opposition in 2016, with his nomination as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. King's letter also accused Sessions of questionable behavior while prosecuting voter-fraud cases in Alabama that she stated "raises serious questions about his commitment to the protection of the voting rights of all American citizens. Sessions' nomination that year was ultimately rejected by the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee because of racially charged comments attributed to Sessions, which he denied. His rejection was only the second time in nearly 50 years the committee denied a judicial nomination, according to an estimation published by CNN. NOW WATCH: Here's how Jesus Christ is depicted in Islam More From Business Insider Beijing (AFP) - Alibaba founder Jack Ma and Donald Trump made headlines with the Chinese entrepreneur's attention-grabbing pledge to create one million US jobs, but analysts say the move is more about good PR than substance. The splashy promise at Trump Tower was a strategic decision by Ma to win goodwill from the next US president and hedge against political risks to Alibaba's vast online shopping business over counterfeits, independent e-commerce analyst Li Chengdong told AFP. "We dont have to take the one million job promise too seriously," Li said. In the short term, economists are sceptical. Such a figure would represent almost one percent of all jobs in the United States, making the firm one of the country's largest private employers, said Christopher Balding, professor at Peking University's HSBC Business School. China's largest online shopping portal has been on the defensive since the office of the US Trade Representative last month put its massive electronic sales platform Taobao on its annual blacklist, saying it was not doing enough to curb sales of fake and pirated goods. Although inclusion on the blacklist carries no penalties in itself, it dealt a blow to Alibaba's efforts to improve its image and boost international sales. "This (pledge) is more made to relieve its PR pressure, so Alibaba wont become a target of attack after Trump takes office," Li added. "As Alibabas counterfeits problem is indeed quite serious, it is an easy target." - 'Good relationships' - This month Alibaba filed a lawsuit in China against two vendors for allegedly selling fake Swarovski watches on Taobao, portraying the move as the first time an e-commerce site had taken a counterfeiter to court in the world's second-largest economy. "Jack Ma is a smart guy and if there is anything being a major businessman in China teaches you it is the importance of having good relationships with the leaders," Balding added. Story continues Alibaba and Taobao have long been accused of providing a platform for the sale of knockoff brand-name goods. Items for sale include a variety of Trump-related products, including "Make America Great Again" hats that sell for $25 on Trump's website -- available for 3.5 yuan (50 cents) Wednesday. Analysts say Alibaba wants to enhance its imports of US merchandise for Chinese consumers. "It is not necessarily to create more jobs in the US, it is simply providing one more sales channel for them," Nell Lu, analyst with Shanghai's Business Connect China consulting firm, told AFP. Scandals over food safety and milk powder have eroded Chinese shoppers' confidence in domestic goods, fuelling lively informal grey markets in food, vitamins, and medicines from all over the world. While dominant in its home market, and making forays into Russia and Southeast Asia, Alibaba's efforts in the US have so far failed to find the same success. Its business model as a platform offers US consumers no extra benefits, Li said, and it faces dominant local competitors such as Amazon and eBay. Even so, Ma wants half of Alibaba's revenue to be international within 10 years. The firm's Ant Financial affiliate, which operates digital payments service Alipay, and Tmall International are likely to be its "primary vehicles" for gaining a US foothold, Jeffrey Towson, professor at the Peking University Guanghua School of Management, told AFP. - 'Open-minded' - "Alibaba is serious about the USA," he said, adding the Trump meeting was "good PR" for the firm and introduced Ma to many Americans who had not heard of him. "Every business person in China, and globally, now knows that what Trump wants to hear about is US jobs. So that is what they are all now saying." After the meeting the two multi-billionaires praised one another, with the Chinese tycoon calling the president-elect "very smart" and "very open-minded". Trump's nominee for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Jay Clayton, has ties to Alibaba from working on its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, the largest public offering in history. In May Alibaba disclosed that the SEC was investigating its accounting practices and had opened a probe "into whether there have been any violations of the federal securities laws". China's foreign ministry said Wednesday it had noted reports of the Trump-Ma meeting and said the US and Chinese economies were "highly complementary". An editorial in the China Daily newspaper said the meeting would reassure those worried about "havoc" from the incoming administration. It added that people should not "rigidly interpret" the jobs pledge to mean full-time corporate positions, but rather focus on how it would help small businesses and American farmers sell to the Asian market. These women have come forward to inspire others after they lost a dramatic amount of weight. Read: Check Out the Diet Dr. Oz Swears By for Your New Year's Resolution They are telling their stories in People magazines annual "Half Their Size" issue on newsstands Friday. At first glance, Christina Jordan looks like the picture of health, but she says she used to weigh 271 pounds. Of all things, the motivation behind Jordan's weight loss was a trip to Disneyland. The "happiest place on Earth became a turning point for her when she tried to get onto the Indiana Jones Adventure ride and couldnt fit. "I was too big, I was so mortified, it was one of the most embarrassing days of my life," she told Inside Edition. Right there, in that humiliating moment, she decided to change her life. "I realized I cant live like this. I have to change my life," she said. She lost 134 pounds and is now a svelte 137 pounds. Her transformation even turned into a new career as she became a nutritionist. "I started studying nutrition and I went back to school. I was my first patient," she said. She even returned to Disneyland, and easily fit on the Indiana Jones ride. Read: From Flab to Fab: The Success Stories of Women Who Dropped More Than 100 Pounds Chef Diana Anguh is another amazing weight loss story. She once tipped the scales at 275 pounds but now only weighs 135. Her turning point was the senior prom. Since then, she has made a remarkable change. She told Inside Edition: "The first step I took was cutting all my portions in half and joining the gym." "What is interesting, it is not just about weight loss," People magazines Executive Director of Content Strategy, Zoe Ruderman, told Inside Edition. "They have a whole new lease on life and are much happier now." Watch: See This Dad's Incredible Transformation After Losing 300 Pounds and Having Excess Skin Removed Related Articles: By Anastasia Moloney TAPACHULA, Mexico (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - From morning to night, Mexican banda music blares out from the dingy bars in Mexico's southern border city of Tapachula where thousands of Central American women sell sex to fund their dream of reaching the United States. Rights groups estimate 30,000 migrants, mostly from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, are working in bars in shopping streets and red light districts in the bustling city near the Guatemala border that has become a trafficking hotspot. This includes increasing numbers of women and children fleeing Central America due to the deteriorating situation, said Francesca Fontanini, spokeswoman for U.N. refugee agency UNHCR. UNHCR figures show the number of Central American migrants seeking asylum abroad surged five-fold in the four years to 2015 to around 110,000. The number of families, mostly from Central America, stopped at the U.S.-Mexico border jumped 122 percent in the six months to April 2016 compared to a year earlier as authorities cracked down on security, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. "The majority [of Central American women] come with the hope of crossing the border, looking for the American dream," said Adriana Rebollo, who heads the prosecutor's human trafficking office in Chiapas state where Tapachula is located. But while chasing their dreams, migrants make easy prey for traffickers on their journey north. Often poor and with little education, they are lured with false promises of good jobs in restaurants and hotels. "Migrants are ideal victims for trafficking and prostitution because at one stage they have needs, a need to survive, a need to earn money," said Elsa Simon, a women's rights activist. "A female migrant is the most vulnerable. She has no support networks. She doesn't know her rights." LURKING IN SHELTERS Traffickers, called enganchadores, lurk in migrant shelters on the prowl for potential victims, often young female migrants traveling alone with their children. At the Belen shelter, a poster with a photograph of a man reads: "Enganchador: Be careful of this man." Flor Maria Rigoni, an Italian priest who founded the shelter two decades ago, helps migrants and those who have been rescued from prostitution rings run by organized criminal gangs. The shelter provides weekly talks about the tactics that traffickers use to dupe their victims. "Despite the talks, some still fall into the trap," Rigoni, with a long silver beard, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. It usually starts with a trafficker befriending a migrant, showering her with gifts, kind words and offers of help to cross into the United States and pretending to fall in love with the woman, even marrying her, Rigoni said. "The new boyfriend takes them out for dinner, treats them well for a couple of nights ... Then by the third night a car without number plates and blacked-out windows comes and snatches them away," he said. Over the past six years Rigoni has helped nearly 100 migrants, mostly Honduran women and girls, who have been trafficked into sex work. But, frustrated by government officials, he is closing the program in March. "It's a lost battle. If there's cooperation with the state we can do it but without it we can't," Rigoni said. "As far as the government is concerned, trafficking doesn't exist. They don't follow up on the issue." GOVERNMENT RESPONSE Mexico says it has taken important steps to tackle human trafficking, including a 2012 law that punishes those convicted of the crime to up to 40 years in prison and a free hotline. Rebollo said authorities have stepped up raids across Chiapas, leading to the closure of scores of bars and the rescue of about 670 trafficking victims since 2009. But conviction rates remain low. Of some 330 people charged for trafficking since 2009 only about 87 people were convicted. "The hardest thing for us is for the victim to say she is obligated and to recognize she is a victim," said Francisco de Jesus Esteban, prosecutor and deputy head of the Chiapas office. Local campaigners say corruption, including police accepting bribes, fuels human trafficking and keeps conviction rates low. "In eight out of every 10 cases the police are involved in some way," said Jose Alfredo Zunum, a lawyer who has worked on dozens of cases. According to the U.S. State Department's 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report in Mexico "official complicity continued to be a serious and largely unaddressed problem." SURVIVAL Not all migrants working as prostitutes in Tapachula's bars are victims of trafficking but a blurry line often exists between those who voluntarily engage in adult prostitution, which is legal in Mexico, and those coerced into sex work. Blanca, 45, who fled gang violence in Honduras, says working as a prostitute is the only way she can survive. "I can't get work anywhere else because I don't have the proper paperwork," Blanca, who declined to give her full name, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "If I don't work my kids don't eat and I can't send money back home to my family," said Blanca, who charges $25 for sex with a client of which a female pimp takes a cut. Like many migrants, Blanca had planned to stop briefly in Tapachula to earn money before carrying on to the United States with her three children but eight months later she's still here. "I never imagined I'd be living in Mexico, doing what I do. Some of the other women at the cantina have been here for years," said Blanca. "Only God knows if I'll ever make it to the United States." (Reporting by Anastasia Moloney, editing by Ed Upright. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) MEXICO CITY (AP) A former governor has become Mexico's second female presidential hopeful, a sign that the 2018 presidential election season has already opened. The announcement by Ivonne Ortega that she wants to run for the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party illustrates the big the divisions in the party, known as the PRI. President Enrique Pena Nieto is a PRI member. He recently implemented a deeply unpopular, 20-percent increase in fuel prices. Ortega said in a series of video ads launched Monday she would have done things differently, and gave a list of ten things she would do that Pena Nieto didn't. Former first lady Margarita Zavala has already indicated her desire to run for the conservative National Action Party. Ortega announced her intentions in an interview published Wednesday in the newspaper El Universal. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Pranksters changed the name of Mexico's lower house of Congress to the "Chamber of Rats" on Google Maps on Tuesday in the latest dig at the political class during a testing start to the year for the country's government. The lower house, also known as the Chamber of Deputies, became the "Chamber of Rats", using the Spanish word "rata," which is also slang for thief in Mexico. "Our teams are working fast to resolve this incident," Google Mexico said in a statement, explaining that place names on the online mapping service came from third parties, public sources and contributions from users. It was the second such attack in the space of a few days. Mexican media reported at the weekend that the presidential residence appeared as the "Official Residence of Corruption" on Google Maps before Google Mexico removed it from the map and apologized for "inappropriate content" created by a user. Mexico's government has faced protests, road blocks and looting of shops since the start of 2017, when the cost of fuel jumped sharply on the back of a finance ministry decision to liberalize the market and end state-set gasoline prices. Allegations of corruption swirl constantly around the political class in Mexico. A 2013 Transparency International study showed that 91 percent of respondents felt political parties were corrupt or extremely corrupt. Some 83 percent took the same view of the legislature, the study showed. The credibility of President Enrique Pena Nieto was damaged by a conflict-of-interest row earlier in his six-year term when it emerged that he, his wife, and his then-finance minister had all acquired homes from government contractors. A government-ordered probe cleared all of any wrongdoing. (Reporting by Dave Graham; Editing by Bill Rigby) MEXICO CITY, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Mexico's state oil company Pemex said on Wednesday that updated procurement policies, such as renegotiating service contracts and fewer no-bid purchases, have led to more than 24 billion pesos ($1.10 billion) in savings for the cash-strapped firm. Miguel Angel Servin, the company's top procurement executive, said in a phone interview that beyond the savings, which occurred over the past year, the bigger goal is to minimize acts of corruption in its purchases. "All of the actions that we're taking revolve around more transparency, (contractor) certainty and more competition, and this is how we can minimize possible acts of corruption," he said. "We have to regain confidence. For me, that's what's behind all of it." Servin was tapped to lead Pemex procurement in March, part of the team assembled by new Chief Executive Officer Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, who was appointed to lead the company a month earlier. Last year around 30 percent of all goods and service bought by Pemex were under no-bid contracts, down from more than 80 percent in 2015. The value of its no-bid contracts was 62 billion pesos last year, a drop of more than 70 percent from a year earlier, said Servin. No-bid contracts are only permitted where the company can prove there is just one possible supplier for a given good or service, or if there is an emergency. Servin said the company aims to reduce the use of such contracts further in 2017, though he did not provide a specific target. Over the past year, he added, the company has moved away from in-person or paper-based procurement for myriad goods and services toward an electronic platform. The new platform was launched in November and is now used for all of the company's purchases, including for its exploration and production arm as well as its so-called midstream and downstream Industrial Transformation unit. ($1 = 21.8530 Mexican pesos) (Reporting by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Tom Brown) Among his many accomplishments, Michael Keaton has the rare distinction of starring in back-to-back best picture Oscar winners with Birdman and Spotlight. He is currently on screens now in The Founder, directed by John Lee Hancock (Saving Mr. Banks, The Blind Side) and written by Robert D. Siegel (The Wrestler.) The film tells the story of Ray Kroc, who went from selling milkshake machines to franchising McDonalds restaurants and creating the fast food empire we know today. Up next, the former Batman star will switch sides to play bad guy Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming and appear in Michael Cuestas American Assassin. Did you know the story of Ray Kroc or even the name Ray Kroc before this script came to you? I knew the name Ray Kroc, and its one of those things you kind of know by osmosis. McDonalds is so omnipresent and ubiquitous, its woven into the fabric. When one would walk up to someone and say, Ray Kroc, who is that? Id go, He started it or, he was a guy who and then you kind of go, Im not sure I really know much. Then, when you start to learn about it, which I did and had to do, there was so much I didnt know, and I really didnt know there were McDonalds brothers, their story is so interesting. That story alone is so interesting. And Ray was a divisive figure. Ray was more than a divisive figure. Ray was the following: great, ambitious, authentic, pull yourself up by your bootstraps guy, quintessential American go-getter, and almost sadistic in the end in his terms of what he brought down on the brothers. I mean, cold hearted and brutal. That for an actor, or for me anyway, makes it really interesting, because the front half of Ray, I dig. I respect his work and I think this was not a guy who was given anything, he went out and got it himself. He brought people in. Kind of turns his back on his country club friends. (In the film theres a scene with) a guy selling bibles, I think hes doing it on a weekend or something. He tells him his name and Ray says, Are you Jewish? He goes, Yeah. Ray goes, I like this guy. Come work for me. I just really like that about him. Then, when the greed gets deep, not so much. The movie had so much to say about the American free enterprise system and capitalism and America, and for me, even immigration. Story continues Youve played real people before, such as Robby Robinson in Spotlight. And you actually did spend time with him? Thats a case where I was with him and he was right there to say, Hey, what happened when this went down? Or, How do you say that again? That was great to have. I mean, I could go days and days, where were just mostly talking about life or whats going on politically, or life, you know, and then there were times where I really needed his assistance, and were pals. In the case of Ray Kroc, who passed away in 1984, you obviously didnt have that. So where did you start? Really, from what John started to tell me and what the writer had given me. I watched a documentary on Ray and I wasnt into it long seven or eight minutes and I went, I got it. Its not like, Oh, I got it, I understand everything. It was that I locked into what I thought the essence of the guy was. It immediately put me on the general highway. Then I had to narrow it down, and narrow it down and winnow it down, and get into the details. You never do an impression, and yet I felt somewhat obligated to kind of simulate his attitude and his sound. You know, that Illinois-ish, not quite Chicago-ish Midwest kind of thing. Then once you start looking in his wardrobe and then you start to put on the wardrobe. Weve established Ray wasnt always the nicest guy, and you and John were committed to showing that. I said to him, You know, if were going to kind of like either wink or at the end of the movie go, he (wasnt all that bad), Im really not interested. Lets tell the truth, lets tell the story. I wasnt interested in having it, I hate to use an overly-used word, but sugar-coated. And neither was John. I do think though, in all your roles, you bring an inherent likability, whether you want to or not. Its been a while since you played a truly villainous role. Yeah, Vulture, recently. But not to give too much away, but interestingly, he is and he isnt, that character. Hes a really interesting and more interesting than I thought villain because theres parts of him that you go, You know what? I might see his point. Really, really. It makes it interesting to play. Was there any hesitation, because you had done Batman, going back into the superhero universe? No, I mean, not at all. Its just a thing. A gig. I dont mean its just a gig, its the next job. And you think you can do it or want to do it and in fact I said no, because I couldnt, it didnt work in my schedule. Then Im glad to say, they kind of shifted the scheduling and it worked out. So it fit in and Im glad I did it. Ray was a complex guy, but he did do a lot of good, as well. And his wife did even more good when she inherited the dough after. You know, Joan Kroc is responsible for getting NPR an awful lot of money and the Salvation Army and other really good causes. I really admire the front half of Ray Kroc. Hardworking guy, man. And then ambitious and drive and enthusiasm and sense of humor. John and I were talking about it recently and I said, You know, this has elements of Billy Wilder. Ive since heard that. You look at the great Billy Wilder and his movies and youre going, God thats good and refreshing and snappy and great filmmaking. Then you go, you start thinking about what just happened. He had these layers; he had movies, different movies where its been revealed that he had alternative endings that were dark, and he wasnt afraid of that. He was so smart. Without maybe giving this movie too much credit, it definitely has, some parts of it feel real Wilder-ish to me. Well, Im going to spoil it right now for the audience and let them know that McDonalds becomes wildly successful. So, sorry. Yeah. Spoiler alert. Related stories Michael Keaton to Receive Governor's Award From Society of Camera Operators 'Fifty Shades Darker' Trailer Heats Up Social Media Buzz 'Hidden Fences'? Michael Keaton, Jenna Bush Make 'Hidden Figures' Flub In his farewell address Tuesday night in Chicago, President Obamas most poignant moments were touching thank yous to his wife and daughters. In the same city where Michelle Obama was born, raised and met her husband, the president drew one of the biggest roars of the night for his extended tribute to the first lady. Michelle LeVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side, said an emotional Obama, for the past 25 years, youve been not only my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. You took on a role you didnt ask for and you made it your own with grace and grit and style, and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. Youve made me proud. Youve made the country proud. Michelle sat in the front row as the McCormick Place crowd around her roared, standing for an extended ovation and repeatedly interrupting the speech. One of the appreciative audience members was Malia Obama, who was seated next to her mother and was wiping away tears as her father spoke. The president then turned his attention to his daughters. Malia and Sasha, continued the president, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, you are smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad. Sasha Obama did not make the trip to Chicago due to an exam in Washington on Wednesday morning. Michelle sat next to Malia, arm around her shoulder, eyes beginning to water as her husband addressed their children. Obama saved one more personal tribute for his running mate and vice president of eight years, toasting Joe Biden, who was sitting with his wife, Jill, next to the first family. To Joe Biden, said the president, wiping at a tear on his right eye, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delawares favorite son: You were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great vice president, but because in the bargain I gained a brother. We love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our lives. Story continues Biden responded with a finger point and wink. At the conclusion of the speech, Michelle Obama responded on Twitter with an old photo of the four Obamas. So proud of @POTUS and all that we've accomplished together. An incredible journey filled with remarkable people. I love you Barack. -mo pic.twitter.com/TFUN3GDLyz The First Lady (@FLOTUS) January 11, 2017 Read more from Yahoo News: All eyes were on President Barack Obama on Tuesday evening as he gave his farewell speech in his hometown of Chicago. During his moving address, the president thanked the country for its support for the past eight years and challenged citizens to believe in their ability to bring about change ("Yes, we can. Yes, we did."). Of course, his speech included a memorable shout-out to his wife, Michelle Obama, who took on the role of FLOTUS "with grace and with grit and with style, and good humor." Among Michelle's many contributions as First Lady, her role as an influential storyteller through her style will go down in history. In a nod to symmetry, Michelle chose to wear a custom black lace design by Jason Wu, the same designer she wore to the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Ball. Darren Hauck/Getty Images Michelle's decision to wear Wu's custom, single-shoulder white chiffon gown helped the New York-based designer launch his career. In cinematic terms, on Tuesday night, she faded to black, wearing a dark lace Wu dress to bookend the white one from the Inaugural. "She's touched me and my life in so many ways," Wu told The Hollywood Reporter in September. "I look forward to continuing to have a relationship with her going forward." Over the past eight years, the First Lady has worn Wu's creations several times, including for her 2009 Vogue cover, her first official European trip to London with the President in 2009, at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Ball and the 2016 Canada State dinner. Scott Olson/Getty Images During her farewell speech last week, Michelle also communicated symbolism through her clothing when she wore a fire-engine-red long-sleeve Narciso Rodriguez gown. The first lady's decision to wear the same designer as she had the evening her husband won the U.S. presidency suggested hope and continuity, both messages reflected in her speech. President Barack Obama may have used words to bring the entire nation to tears during his farewell address on Tuesday night, but First Lady Michelle Obama took it up another notch when she shared a touching family photo. In perhaps one of the earliest photographs of the Obama family during POTUS first presidential campaign, the black and white photograph features Malia and Sasha adorably twinning in white outfits while sitting on their parents laps. So proud of POTUS and all that weve accomplished together, Obama writes in the caption. What an incredible journey filled with remarkable people. I love you Barack. -mo. At one point during her husbands speech in Chicago, Illinois, the president thanked his wife for taking on a role you didnt ask for. For the past twenty-five years, youve been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend, he said. He continued, You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. Youve made me proud. Youve made the country proud. FLOTUS teared up during her final speech as first lady on Friday, urging young Americans to always lead by example with hope, never fear. Diversity makes us who we are, Obama said at the 2017 School Counselor of the Year event in the East Room of the White House, where she hosted 50 school counselors and a slew of stars. Dont ever let anyone make you feel like you dont matter, or like you dont have a place in our American story. You do. A Authorities in Louisiana arrested a man who they say accidentally texted a deputy to arrange a drug sale, according to the Associated Press. Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon told local media that on Friday a deputy received the misdirected text message arranging to deliver crystal methamphetamine from 39-year-old Dwayne Paul Herbert of Pierre Part. The officer agreed, then mobilized the Narcotics Division. The sheriff said Herbert showed up carrying crystal meth and two firearms. He now faces charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance, and two counts of resisting an officer. According to the AP, it was unclear if he has an attorney. This isn't the first time a misdial has turned into a drug bust. In October 2015, South Carolina police responding to a 911 hang-up call encountered Larry Anthony Busha. Busha told police he had misdialed 911, but deputies said they noticed a handgun in a holster on a table and signs of illegal drugs at Busha's home, which was near an elementary school. Suspicious, they returned with a search warrant. "During the search, deputies located several firearms, numerous firearms parts, two ounces of meth and other illegal drugs, illegally-possessed prescription drugs and $84,994 in cash; all of which were seized and taken into evidence," Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper said in a statement issued at the time. Misdials are human errors, but on other occasions technology being used for illegal activity has let down its master. In multiple cases, drones being used to transport drugs, weapons and tools, and other contraband into US prisons have crashed. And on the US's southern border, drones and ultra-light aircraft have crashed, sometimes into people's homes, foiling drug-smuggling attempts. NOW WATCH: Kanye West once went 3 years without a cellphone More From Business Insider One mom helped to deliver her baby in a cesarean, rather than be separated from the baby by a curtain. (Photo: Getty Images) Sarah Toyer is one tough mama. The Australian mother of four was able to pull her newborn baby out of her womb and onto her chest during a maternal-assisted cesarean section, calling it the most incredible thing I have ever done on the Birth Without Fear Facebook page. Her candid Jan. 4 post has attracted more than 12,000 reactions and 2,700 shares expressing both support and surprise. In most conventional C-sections, mothers are separated from the action by a surgical curtain. A maternal-assisted cesarean allows them much more involvement, letting them not only witness the entire procedure, but as Toyer explained on Facebook, to reach down and gently lift up the baby for that first, all-important, skin-to-skin contact. According to Yahoo Style UK, the collaborative approach has become more common in recent years for Australian and American women wanting to play a more active role in their C-sections. Troyers first three children had also been born by C-section, and she wanted to experience a more natural childbirth. It was important to me, she told Babble of the birth of her newborn son, Spencer, because I had never been able to push my baby out and experience a normal labor and birth, and thought this would be the closest thing to a natural birth, which I knew I could never have. Determined, Toyer began talking, as she explained on Facebook, to every midwife, doctor, and surgeon about what I wanted to do, but they all said it would depend on the surgeon on call that day. When the day finally came in mid-December, Toyer and her husband found themselves waiting nervously in the hospital after the procedure was postponed for eight hours. Then I was standing there next to the surgeon scrubbing up just as she was, she wrote. Maybe half an hour later I was lying on the operating table watching my sons head being pulled from my womb. I reached down and put my hands under his arms and lifted the rest of him out of my own body. It was the most incredible thing I have ever done. Story continues It was surreal, Toyer said of the life-changing experience. She called her surgeon absolutely amazing and praised her as being genuinely excited for me to experience birthing my child. Toyer shared her story hoping to inspire other expectant mothers not to be afraid to pursue a birth plan that is right for them. I highly recommend you stick to your guns about what birth you want! she says, in closing. Welcome earth side, baby Spencer. Related: Women Are Sharing C-Section Scar Selfies to Challenge Perceptions About Cesareans Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. (Corrects spelling of real estate company's name to Dunes from Dune in paragraph 11) By Beth Pinsker NEW YORK, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Dan and Kelly Neubeck do not know what sunk the deal to buy their dream house in Chicago last fall. The process was rolling along after they signed the contract for a full-price offer, but somehow their love was unrequited. The sellers abruptly pulled out and left them bereft. "It is difficult to not quickly become attached to a home that you really want," said Dan Neubeck, 37, who works for the city of Chicago. "I would definitely advise home buyers to stay open-minded and not fall in love with a property until the whole process is complete." Home sale deals always fall through from time to time, but in today's tight housing market, the numbers are jumping. A new study released on Wednesday from housing website Trulia.com compiled data on homes that were reported to be "in contract" before their status changed back to active. Nationally, the failed sales rate nearly doubled in 2016. Many sales that never closed involved first-time buyers eager to jump into a hot market. Starter and trade-up housing was on the shakiest ground, while deals for new homes and those built before 1920 were the least likely to unravel. Some metropolitan areas exhibited bigger failure rates than others. Since 2014, when Trulia began to aggregate data from local multiple listing services all over the country, Las Vegas has led the pack with 7.6 percent of listings reverting back to "for sale" at least once. Last year, Charleston, South Carolina, had the biggest rise in failure rates, jumping to 10.2 percent from just 1.6 percent in 2015. Other hot spots include Ventura County, California; Tucson, Arizona; and Atlanta. In Charleston, real estate agent Mark Mitchell attributes most of the failed sales to buyers' rushing into an extremely popular market where few homes are available. Mitchell, as associate broker at Dunes Properties, had two sales fail in the last 30 days. One couple was moving to the area from Indianapolis to retire and start a business on the side. Even though Mitchell tried to send them to a mortgage broker before signing a contract, they skipped that step and missed out on a purchase because they did not qualify for the financing they sought. Story continues "They were making an emotional move," Mitchell said, and now they are downsizing their dreams from a $500,000 house to condos in the $250,000 range. Another Charleston broker, Jan Snook of Carolina One Real Estate, said her office had about seven failed contracts out of more than 50 last year. Some were because of mortgage problems on the buyer's side, but more often than not, sales failed because of issues with the houses. One buyer was intent on a house that Snook knew would have problems because of the age and condition of the roof. The client wanted to try anyway, but lo and behold, the inspection said the roof would need to be replaced to qualify for a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration. "It was unrealistic expectations on both sides," Snook said. "But that's why those FHA protections are there." Felipe Chacon, the Trulia housing data analyst who authored the sales failure study, said buyers need to do their homework and be willing to wait for the right home at the right price. "You want to get your preapproval for a mortgage and ask a lot of questions because you don't want surprises to come up," he said. From the seller side, Chacon said the most important thing is to be honest about problems and fix what you can. Also, list the house at a reasonable price so the appraisal does not come back lower than that and cause banks to deny a mortgage. David Liu, a 33-year-old who works in healthcare information technology, learned that lesson when he put a house on the market near San Francisco in 2014. Despite the hot market there, two deals fell through because the buyers had financing issues. He eventually sold the house after several price cuts. Sellers may also want to get a pre-emptive inspection on the property they are trying to sell and start making the needed repairs, said USRealty.com Chief Executive Officer Colby Sambrotto. This is key in a market like Austin, Texas, said Redfin.com agent Andrew Vallejo. He said most of the failures he has seen recently are because the topography of the area causes foundation problems for concrete slab homes that are 50 to 80 years old. Vallejo has hopes for better houses coming on the market this spring. "It almost feels like it was leftovers on the market this past year," he said. (Editing by Lauren Young and Lisa Von Ahn) After a long gestation period, Monster Trucks has finally hatched. And the final result is rather unspectacular. The basic setup of the film should be familiar to anyone whos ever read a YA book. Tripp (Lucas Till) is an adrift young man, something of an outcast in his small town despite being attractive, talented, and well-liked. One night, while working on cars in a local garage, he discovers a magical monster, dislodged from its subterranean home by a ruthless oil company called Terravex. Although he attempts to kill the creature at first, they bond a bit, and he decides to spare it, giving it the not-very-thoughtful nickname Creach. The movies title comes in when Tripp has the idea to host Creach inside the shell of a truck hes been working on. Creachs cilia and many monstrous tentacles are more than enough to make up for an engine. Together with his school tutor/love interest Meredith (Jane Levy) and sympathetic Terravex employee Jim Dowd (Thomas Lennon), Tripp sets out in his new monster truck to return Creach where he belongs, away from Terravexs hired guns. The movie has enough goofy jokes and fun escapades to satisfy its target audience, but a few glaring flaws stand out. One is that the monster, the crux around which the entire movie revolves, is spectacularly ugly. A slimeball of tentacles with teeth like an undersea creature makes sense for the plot (in which the monsters are living deep below the earth) and Nickelodeons long-running slime aesthetic, but its not very fun to fantasize palling around with. Then theres the fact that Tripp is actually a pretty big jerk. He treats Meredith like dirt the whole movie (that is, when he deigns to talk to her at all), even though shes clearly devoted to him. He does the same for Jim and his moms boyfriend Rick (also the town sheriff). He really seems only capable of bonding with Creach, but the possibly interesting implications of that relationship are never explored. Instead, every other character in the film treats Tripp reverently, like a classic hero figure, but he doesnt quite deserve such treatmentdistractingly so. The most interesting aspect of Monster Trucks is actually not the magical/sci-fi element at all. Its the fact that this small town is held completely in thrall to Terravex, a private corporation run by a ruthless businessman (Rob Lowe, in a brief but delightfully seedy performance) and enforced by his paid corps of Blackwater-like mercenaries. At one point, the leader of this private security force (Holt McCallany) even brings the town sheriff to heel, reminding him that Terravex employs most people in the town, so local elections wont go well for him if he tries to interfere. Americans in North Dakota or one of the many small towns left grocery-less by Walmart will probably understand these scenes as the films most realistic portions. C+ By Johnny Cotton PARIS (Reuters) - Further bird flu outbreaks caused by migrating birds are likely to hit Europe in the future after a second outbreak in as many years on the continent that was down to chance, said the head of the world animal health body. A total of 18 European countries have been hit by the contagious H5N8 strain since mid-October, leading to the culling of over 1.5 million poultry so far. France, which has the largest poultry flock in the European Union, has ordered a massive cull of hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese in southwestern France to halt the spread of the virus. It widened the zone on Tuesday. "Bearing in mind that particularly in Asia there are always different viruses bubbling up -- no region is really safe from fresh contamination, particularly from migrating wild birds," Monique Eloit, director general of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), told Reuters. Even so, she said outbreak's like this year's one in Europe depended on the migratory routes of birds from Asia and there was therefore an element of chance as to whether the birds touched down in poultry-heavy areas. "In Asia you have an almost permanent situation of influenza cases," she said. "In Europe, and particularly in western Europe, it's a situation that's particular to this year." Foie gras producers in southwestern France were particularly vulnerable however, she said, because ducks need to spend most of the time outdoors, raising the risk of contamination. Millions of birds have also been slaughtered in South Korea and Japan as a different strain of the virus spreads through Asia, where outbreaks are more common, Eloit said. In China, over 100 cases of human contamination of a different strain -- H7N9 -- have been detected leading to 20 deaths in December according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. But Eloit said the European strain had not been found in humans and there was little chance it would. "Historically H5N8 has never been referenced as posing a potential risk to man," she said. Southwestern France was the center of a severe outbreak of bird flu a year ago - although that turned out to be other strains of the virus - which led authorities to halt foie gras output for several months in a move that producers say cost them 500 million euros ($528.95 million). (Additional reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Richard Lough) The number of property agencies is down 6% as of the start of this year. As the property market currently undergoes major headwinds, smaller property agencies have decided to raise the white flag, with property agents leaving the industry for good. According to the latest data by Council for Estate Agencies, there were 1,286 licensed property agencies and 28,397 registered property agents as at January 2017. These numbers were significantly down from last year's number. The number of property agencies was down 6% from 1,369, while the number of property agents declined 3% from 29,262. Commenting on the overall decline in the number of property agents, CEA director, policy & licensing Heng Whoo Kiat said this could point to a slight consolidation of the industry given the current property market sentiments. "CEA also recognises that the real estate agency industry landscape is evolving. For example, with technological innovations, consumers lifestyles and preferences in handling their property transactions are changing, and this could shift demand for real estate agency services, Heng noted. A total of 95 property agency licences and 3,200 property agent registrations lapsed after December 2016. The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) issued 40 new property agency licences and 1,189 new property agent registrations throughout 2016. More From Singapore Business Review Jan 11 (Reuters) - The following financial services industry appointments were announced on Wednesday. To inform us of other job changes, email moves@thomsonreuters.com. BAILLIE GIFFORD & CO The asset management firm named Karen See as co-manager of its Japanese income growth fund and Felicia Hjertman as co-manager of the Japanese smaller companies fund, effective immediately. AVIVA PLC Aviva Investors, the asset management business of Aviva Plc , appointed Kris McPhail as assistant fund manager on the Lime Property Fund. KEMPEN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT The investment services provider appointed Ben Kramer as director within its institutional relations and marketing team, effective April 1. ERNST & YOUNG LLP The accounting services firm appointed Herb Engert as global private equity leader, effective Jan. 1. PWC The audit and advisory firm said Jim Bichard will lead its UK insurance practice. (Compiled by Laharee Chatterjee in Bengaluru) By Liana B. Baker SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc has promoted investment bankers Ryan Limaye and Nick Giovanni, naming them co-heads of global Technology Investment Banking, according to an internal memo on Tuesday. Limaye had been previously the head of enterprise technology banking since 2014 while Giovanni had been head of Internet banking since 2012. Both are partners at Goldman. "Ryan and Nick will focus on clients and help to set the strategic direction of our technology business as the sector continues to grow in importance for the firm," said Dan Dees and George Lee, two senior bankers who signed the memo. A Goldman Sachs spokeswoman confirmed the contents of the memo. Goldman Sachs was ranked No. 1 in the global technology mergers and acquisitions in the 2016 league tables, according to Thomson Reuters data. (Reporting by Liana B. Baker in San Francisco; Editing by Sandra Maler) Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe has denied seizing three properties from a Lebanese businessman who she claims duped her in a messy $1.35 million diamond ring deal. President Robert Mugabe's wife was taken to court by Zimbabwe-based Jamal Ahmed who says she allegedly seized three of his properties late last year, demanding he pay back the money for a ring she later decided she did not want. In court papers seen by AFP on Wednesday, Grace Mugabe stated that Ahmed's properties were being guarded by police officers who were investigating him for alleged crimes. "I therefore deny forcibly taking over the said properties," she stated. "The police are not my agents. They are state officers who enforce the law and investigate unbecoming behaviour. This is why they are protecting these properties." Grace Mugabe said she bought the ring from family business proceeds and that it was a gift from her husband for their 20th wedding anniversary on August 20 last year. Ahmed alleged that Grace Mugabe, who is known for her love of jewellery and extravagant shopping trips abroad, placed an order for the ring in April 2016 through his wife who lives in Dubai. Grace Mugabe says she was sent pictures of several stones to make a choice but never had the ring delivered. "I smelt a rat," she said, according to court papers. The first lady "then refused to take delivery of the diamond and instead demanded a full refund." Ahmed said he had offered to repay the money in instalments, just to avoid trouble, but in court papers Grace disputed his claim that he had so far paid back $150,000 (143,000 euros). She said he has paid $120,000. Ahmed who is not currently in Zimbabwe, claims to have received threats from officials from Zimbabwe's spy agency -- the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) as well from Grace and her son Russell Goreraza from her first marriage. She has denied the allegation. Story continues This is not the first time Grace Mugabe has been involved in controversy. In 2011 she was caught in a spat over a $1-million truck deal with South African businessman Ping Sung Hsieh. Grace, 51, married Mugabe in 1996. She now heads the ruling ZANU-PF party women's wing. She has said that she has the right to rule the country like any other Zimbabwean and is now seen to be among those angling to replace her husband. YANGON, Myanmar (AP) More than 3,000 people have fled airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Myanmar since the weekend as the government tries to flush out rebel positions, activists said Wednesday. The government prevented a U.N. official from visiting the area on Tuesday as waves of people crossed the border into China to escape the turmoil. The unrest in Kachin state, where rebel groups have been seeking greater autonomy for decades, is just one of the simmering conflicts in Myanmar. The military is also under fire for alleged human rights abuses against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Rakhine state. The government has denied the accusations. Khon Ja, a Kachin activist, said the government is trying to wrest control of rebel outposts in the area using by launching airstrikes. Thousands of people fled across the border to China, she said. Tang San, a rebel Kachin Independence Army battalion commander, also reported government airstrikes. U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Yanghee Lee arrived in Myanmar on Sunday for a 12-day visit. But the government, citing safety concerns, denied her request to visit the town of Laiza in Kachin state, where there are camps for the internally displaced as well as the headquarters for the Kachin Independence Army She is scheduled to visit Rakhine state on Friday, home to most of Myanmar's estimated 1 million Rohingya who face discrimination in the overwhelmingly Buddhist country. By Amanda Ferguson BELFAST, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The potential suspension of Northern Ireland's regional assembly could force Britain to delay its exit talks from the European Union if London's Supreme Court rules Belfast's approval is needed, a lawyer said on Wednesday. Northern Ireland's High Court ruled in October that the province's laws did not restrict British Prime Minister Theresa May's ability to trigger an exit from the European Union, and that the consent of the regional parliament was not required. But human rights activist Raymond McCord appealed against the ruling in Britain's highest judicial body, which will consider the argument when it rules in the next couple of weeks on whether May can begin the process without the approval of the Westminster parliament. Likely snap elections in the British-run province that may be followed by lengthy renegotiations on the terms of the power-sharing government could delay May's plans to begin the talks by the end of March, McCord's lawyer told Reuters. "In the current circumstances, where there is a potential suspension of the institutions, the approval of the devolved institutions would not be possible," Paul Farrell, a partner at McIvor Farrell Solicitors, said in a telephone interview. "Devolution has obviously added a layer of complexity to the constitutional arrangements within the United Kingdom and this case is addressing those complex relationships now." The risk of political paralysis in the region as Britain plans its exit from the EU resulted from Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness' resignation on Monday, effectively collapsing the devolved government. A spokeswoman for May said on Wednesday that the timetable for Britain's triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which kicks off the EU divorce process, was clear, when asked whether anything in Northern Ireland could derail that process. "There's now this limbo before elections can be called, so we're not going to get ahead of ourselves. We have been clear on the timetable for triggering Article 50 and we will be sticking to that," she said. (Additional reporting by Michael Holden and Will James in London, writing by Padraic Halpin in Dublin; editing by Stephen Addison) North Korea now has enough plutonium to make 10 nuclear bombs, South Korea said Wednesday, a week after leader Kim Jong-Un said it was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile. The isolated communist state, which has carried out five nuclear tests and numerous missile launches, is thought to be planning a nuclear push in 2017 as it seeks to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. Analysts are divided over how close Pyongyang is to realising its full nuclear ambitions, but all agree it has made enormous strides since Kim took over as leader from his father Kim Jong-Il who died in December 2011. Seoul's defence ministry said the North is believed to have some 50 kilogrammes (110 pounds) of weapons-grade plutonium as of the end of 2016 -- enough to make about 10 weapons -- up from 40 kilogrammes eight years earlier. The North also has a "considerable" ability to produce weapons based on highly-enriched uranium, it said in a two-yearly white paper, but did not estimate weapons-grade uranium stocks, citing impenetrable secrecy in the state's uranium programme. US think tank the Institute for Science and International Security estimated in June that the North's total nuclear arsenal was more than 21 bombs, up from 10-16 weapons in 2014, based on estimates of plutonium and uranium. The North has boosted plutonium supplies by reactivating its once-mothballed nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, the defence ministry said. North Korea deactivated the Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under an aid-for-disarmament accord, but began renovating it after Pyongyang's third nuclear test in 2013. The type of plutonium suitable for a nuclear bomb typically needs to be extracted from spent nuclear reactor fuel. Kim Jong-Un said in a New Year's speech that Pyongyang was in the "final stages" of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile of the kind that could threaten US territory. The address drew a swift response from US president-elect Donald Trump, who took to Twitter vowing to halt Pyongyang in its tracks. Photo credit: NATOundefined From Popular Mechanics The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has produced a video showing how NATO troops would stop tanks using nothing more than handful of well-placed explosives. The resulting obstacles, known since ancient times as abatis, are capable of slowing armored columns in dense terrain. Taken during NATO exercise Iron Sword last year in Lithuania, the video follows Canadian combat engineers as they attempt to slow down simulated enemy tanks. The engineers used explosives to fell trees across forest roads, creating an area difficult for armored vehicles to cross. Ideally the trees are felled in a web-like pattern, so that an attempt to push through them just piles up more trees to create a more difficult obstacle. The technique actually dates back to Roman times, when it was used to slow down foot soldiers and stop horse-driven vehicles, including chariots and wagons. Back then, tree branches were used instead of whole trees. While the weight of enemy vehicles has increased by a factor of about 30, it's also easier to fell trees due to explosives and-if you watch the NATO video closely-Stihl chainsaws. According to the video the abatis obstacle was enough to make an enemy armored column choose another route. It's nice to imagine that a few trees are all you need to stop an armored invasion, but the reality is that a real invader would know that even if its 30-plus ton armored vehicles could eventually clear the obstacle, there would almost certainly be missiles and artillery fire on the abatis location, making it a bad place to hang out for too long. You Might Also Like Natural progesterone could help women who have suffered two or more unexplained miscarriages to have a successful pregnancy, according to a study published in the journal Fertility & Sterility. Around 25% of pregnant women suffer a miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy. For some women, unexplained miscarriages occur repeatedly with each of their pregnancies. To help these women have successful pregnancies, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA studied the effect of administering micronized natural progesterone two days prior to ovulation on a group of 116 patients who had previously suffered two or more unexplained miscarriages. Natural progesterone is a so-called "bio-identical" hormone with the same molecular structure progesterone produced by the ovaries. "Traditional" synthetic hormones, on the other hand, present certain chemical differences. Progesterone plays an essential role in preparing the uterus for egg implantation and then maintaining gestation. The scientists found that natural progesterone, administered vaginally, led to a higher birth rate in the women studied. In fact, over two thirds of pregnancies were successful in women who received the treatment, compared to less than half for those who didn't. The study suggests that analyzing endometrial health in cases of repeated pregnancy loss could prove useful. It is possible to detect abnormal endometrial development by examining the expression of a molecular marker called nCyclinE. In the future, this kind of test could be used to establish which women could benefit from progesterone treatments and at what dose. A further clinical trial is required to validate the study's encouraging initial findings. The study is published in Fertility & Sterility, the international journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Paris (AFP) - Biologists assessing the natural world sometimes sometimes sound like hard-nosed executives weighing the costs and benefits of an investment opportunity. Species, they reason, can't be endowed with every possible trait. Instead, they get the ones that help them to survive and hand on their genes, even if this comes at a cost. Two studies published Wednesday by Britain's Royal Society shed light on these intriguing natural tradeoffs. Examining 647 types of mammals, Theodore Stankowich and Ashly Romero from California State University Long Beach discovered that species boasting impressive protective gear were also not the brightest of beasts. Pangolins, porcupines and hedgehogs, to name a few, can pretty much go about their business without worrying if they will wind up as some carnivore's midnight snack. Needle-sharp quills or armour provide excellent protection against predators... except, notably, Homo sapiens. "The armadillos..., cooked without their cases, taste and look like a duck," Charles Darwin noted in his diary in 1832. "Very good." But there is an evolutionary price to be paid for all that defensive apparatus. "Their bearers may accrue extensive production and maintenance costs," Stankowich and Romero write in the journal Proceedings B, sounding rather like industrial analysts. "Defended species," they concluded bluntly, "become less intelligent." Other mammals covered by no more than an insulating coat of fur cannot afford to be as carefree as their armoured cousins. But, despite their vulnerability, these species have an advantage. They are far better at detecting potential threats and fleeter of fleet of foot in escaping them. Most critically, they also evolved bigger brains to manage all those tasks, the study found. Again, that advantage came at a cost: brain power is "extremely energetically expensive," which means the animal has to eat more food, or eat food that is more energy-dense. Story continues The only exceptions to the "either/or" rule, the authors found, were some tree-dwelling animals that had developed both bigger brains and some protective apparatus. Navigating branches, they hypothesised, would be difficult for the slow-witted. - Mating game - In the other study, Jenelie Dowling of the University of Montana and Michael Webster of Cornell University uncovered a surprising example of how sexual selection -- the other engine of evolutionary change -- shapes strategies within a single species. They looked at the Australian red-backed fairy wren, Malurus melanocephalus to ornithologists. These wrens are socially monogamous, which means they hang out in pairs. But when it comes to sexual behaviour, males have a choice: be loyal or play the field. If they couple with as many females as possible, they multiply the chances of progeny -- but there's a downside to doing so. The offspring from a fickle father are more at risk, because they lack a male parent who will defend their territory and protect the mother. Loyalty, on the other hand, will produce fewer offspring, but the fledglings will have a better chance of survival The study, published in the Royal Society's Biology Letters, used observation and experiments to show how male wrens use their looks to determine this mating strategy. Males with more colourful plumage -- a sign of fitness -- are more likely to be nest-hoppers, and therefore sire more offspring but at a higher risk of mortality, they found. Drabber males, though, are more inclined to stick to a single mate... if they are lucky enough to find one. Paris (AFP) - Nazi war criminal Alois Brunner, responsible for the deaths of an estimated 130,000 Jews, died in 2001 at the age of 89, locked up in a squalid Damascus basement, a French magazine reported Wednesday. Its investigation -- described as "highly credible" by veteran Nazi-hunter Serge Klarsfeld -- aimed at discovering the fate of one of the most notorious figures of the Holocaust. Three ex-members of the Syrian secret service interviewed by the magazine XXI said Adolf Eichmann's former assistant spent his last years in miserable conditions underneath an apartment block in the Syrian capital. The Austrian-born SS commander was in charge of the Drancy camp north of Paris from which Jews in occupied France were sent to the gas chambers. He remained to the end an unrepentant Nazi and anti-Semite, the sources told XXI. One of his guards said Brunner, who went by the name of Abu Hussein, "suffered and cried a lot in his final years, everyone heard him". The man, identified only as Omar, said he "couldn't even wash". All he had to eat were "army rations -- awful stuff -- and an egg or a potato. He had to choose one or the other." The circumstances of Brunner's final years have remained an enigma for decades. The Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Vienna, which tracks down former Nazis, had declared that he had died in Damascus in 2010. Klarsfeld, a prominent lawyer and historian, flew to Syria with his wife and fellow investigator Beate in 1982 to urge the Assad regime to expel him. Klarsfeld's father was arrested in Nice in September 1943 in an SS roundup led by Brunner. He later died in Auschwitz. - Eichmann's 'right-hand man' - "We are satisfied to learn that he lived badly rather than well," Klarsfeld told AFP. "XXI's investigation is highly credible. They have questioned someone who knew him at close quarters," he added. Eichmann, one of the architects of the so-called Final Solution who was hanged in Israel in 1962, called Brunner his "right-hand man". Story continues Brunner slipped through the Allies' hands at the end of the war. He left Germany for Egypt in 1953 with a passport in the name of Georg Fischer. He worked for a time running guns to the Algerian independence movement, the FLN, before moving to Syria the following year. Sheltered in Damascus, he became an advisor to the Syria secret police, allegedly passing on torture and interrogation methods developed by the Nazis. But the Israeli intelligence services were quickly on his trail. - Survived parcel bombs - He was said to have been killed by a parcel bomb on September 13, 1961. In fact, he lost an eye in that attack and four fingers in another parcel bomb in 1981, although the Syrian authorities continued to deny his existence. He was convicted of war crimes by French courts in his absence in 1954, when he was sentenced to death. In 2001, another French trial, which for the first time included the specific charge of arresting and deporting hundreds of orphans, sentenced him to life imprisonment. The death sentence had been abolished in France in 1981. According to XXI, Brunner was practically under house arrest in his apartment in the diplomatic quarter of Damascus from 1989. It said at the end of the 1990s he was moved for "security reasons" to the basement, and he was confined there until his death. One of the most puzzling aspects of the story -- for which investigators as yet have no answer -- is why having sheltered him for nearly half a century, the Syrian regime decided to get rid of him in such a torturously slow manner. "Once he was in the room, the door was closed and never opened again," his former guard Omar told the magazine. He claimed Brunner was buried secretly in accordance with Muslim rites in the city's Al-Affif cemetery in December 2001. "In a dictatorship like Syria, he was untouchable as long as the dictator didn't want rid of him," said Klarsfeld. "Until the end he kept his hatred of Jews intact, as well as his faith in National Socialism," he added. "He was someone who hated France as much as he hated Jews." Efraim Zuroff, who heads the the Wiesenthal Centre's Jerusalem office, told AFP that they got their information about Brunner's death in 2010 from a German intelligence source. "I would like to believe it (that he died in terrible conditions)... frankly I can't think of a person who deserved it more. But I just don't know." In a short telephone interview in 1987, Brunner is alleged to have told the Chicago Sun-Times that he didn't regret his part in the Holocaust. "All of them deserved to die because they were the devil's agents and human garbage. I have no regrets and I would do it again." Nepal on Wednesday sacked the chief of its earthquake reconstruction body, a move seen by critics as politically motivated and likely to further delay rebuilding following the April 2015 disaster. Sushil Gyewali was appointed head of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) a year ago after months of political wrangling over who should lead the agency. The NRA is tasked with spending the $4.1 billion pledged by international donors to help the impoverished Himalayan nation rebuild following the quake that killed more than 9,000 people and destroyed half a million homes. But a change in government in August saw Gyewali's political backers, the CPN-UML party, shift to the opposition bench and a new coalition of the main Maoist party and Nepali Congress take power. The new government has since been agitating to remove Gyewali, repeatedly questioning his effectiveness and accusing him of missing deadlines. "He (Gyewali) has been discharged," Information Minister Surendra Karki told AFP. "The clarifications he gave in response to the government's concerns regarding reconstruction were not satisfactory. He passed the blame on other agencies rather than accepting responsibilities." Reconstruction following the earthquake has been sluggish -- but critics say that removing Gyewali is unlikely to speed up the process. "This is a politically motivated move. The present government has been looking for grounds to remove him since it came to power -- giving him difficult deadlines and seeking clarifications from him," said Guna Raj Luitel, editor of the Nagarik newspaper. "Gyewali took office when there was nothing but an act for the formation of the reconstruction authority. If we compare what has been achieved in a year... there has been progress," he added. Gyewali could not immediately be reached for comment. Around 450,000 people who lost their homes have received 50,000 rupees ($460) of a promised 300,000 rupee grant to rebuild, but more than 200,000 people have submitted complaints to the NRA saying they have missed out. "Our main concern is that there should be continuity in the process, that it is not put into jeopardy because of his (Gyewali's) removal," Rensje Teerink, the head of European Union's delegation to Nepal -- a major contributor to the country's aid pot -- told AFP. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wave at the audience as they arrive onstage at an event at LaGuardia Community College, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is attempting to make college tuition-free at state universities for hundreds of thousands of low- and middle-income students. The scheme, the first of its kind in the nation, is known as the Excelsior Scholarship. Students from families earning less than $125,000 per year would be eligible for a tuition-free education at any city or state university, including two-year colleges. The Governors Office says students from around 940,000 families would be eligible to participate in the program, which still requires legislative approval. An estimated 200,000 students would take part at a cost of $163 million a year if fully enacted in 2019. During the announcement last week, the governor noted that 70 percent of jobs in the state require a degree. What high school was 75 years ago, college is today, Cuomo said. College is a mandatory step if you really want to be a success. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers his State of the State address in New York City, U.S. January 9, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith Even with skyrocketing prices, a recent report by The College Board found that college pays for itself after about 12 years. College graduates earn on average approximately $400,000 more than a high school graduate over the course of their careers. Gov. Cuomo revealed the plan alongside former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders last week. The Vermont senator was a fierce critic of the rising cost of college and mounting student debt. Some who agree with the idea say Gov. Cuomos plan doesnt go as far as plans proposed by Sanders or even his primary opponent Hillary Clinton. Matt Chingos, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, claimed in a Washington Post op-ed that the scheme does not provide any benefits to low-income students, whose tuition is already covered by existing grants. Sanders and Clinton proposed eliminating tuition while letting students keep their existing grant aid, such as the Pell grants received by low-income students, Chingos wrote. But Cuomo has proposed only covering the difference between tuition and students existing aid, meaning that those who get the most aid benefit the least from the proposal. Story continues Additionally, tuition and fees make up only a small portion of the total cost of attending college. A State University of New York estimate found that on-campus students would face an additional $16,570 in annual expenses. Courtesy of The State University of New York Also among the critics of the plan: private universities. Multiple school officials told the New York Post they fear the plan will hinder enrollment at their schools, which compete with public universities for the same students. Kevin Cavanagh, executive vice president of strategic planning at the College of New Rochelle, told the Post, Weve been already competing with those colleges on costs. Families are making their decision on the bottom line and value. By Enrique Andres Pretel MANAGUA (Reuters) - Nicaragua on Tuesday said it wanted to secure bigger international recognition for Taiwan during a visit by President Tsai Ing-wen at a moment of Chinese suspicions the leader of the self-ruled island is seeking formal independence from China. Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega welcomed his Taiwanese counterpart on a visit that follows complaints by Beijing about the attitude of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump who has questioned the United States' commitment to China's position that Taiwan is part of one China. State media in Nicaragua, which is seeking Chinese investment for a massive canal to compete with Panama's waterway, said Ortega would continue backing Taiwan. "We're still engaged in this battle, which is a just battle, one of principles, so that the people of Taiwan continue to be incorporated in international organizations attached to the United Nations," Ortega said in the state media of Taiwan, which is not a member of the United Nations. Trump broke years of U.S. diplomatic tradition as president-elect by accepting a congratulatory telephone call from Tsai on his surprise election win, clashing with the one China policy that Beijing regards as the basis of U.S.-Chinese relations. The row sparked speculation China could pressure Taiwan's allies to break ties. Since the mid-1990s, almost a third have done so. Taiwan now has formal relations with just 21, mostly smaller and poorer nations in Latin America and the Pacific. Tsai, who was traveling with a business delegation, took part in a meeting of the Taiwan-Nicaragua chamber of commerce, and pledged to deepen trade and investment between the two. "(I want) to thank the allied countries in Central America, especially Nicaragua, because of this constant support for our country to participate in the United Nations," she said in the Nicaraguan state media transcription of her remarks. Nicaraguan General Alvaro Baltodano, one of Ortega's delegates at the meeting with Tsai, said he did not expect her visit to complicate relations with China. "We've always had these warm relations with both China and Taiwan," he said. Nicaragua in 2013 granted Chinese businessman Wang Jing a 50-year concession to build a canal worth 40 billion dollars, although doubts about the project's viability persist. Alongside the presidents of Venezuela, Bolivia and El Salvador, Tsai was due to attend Ortega's inauguration for a third consecutive term in office on Tuesday. (Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Andrew Hay) By Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani and Kieran Guilbert CHIBOK, Nigeria/DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Nigeria is facing mounting pressure to find some 200 schoolgirls abducted 1,000 days ago in Boko Haram's most infamous attack after the rescue of 24 girls raised hopes that they are alive. For more than two years there was no sign of the girls who were kidnapped by the Islamist fighters from a school in Chibok in northeast Nigeria one night in April 2014, sparking global outrage and a celebrity-backed campaign #bringbackourgirls. But the discovery of one of the girls with a baby last May fueled hopes for their safety, with a further two girls found in later months and a group of 21 released in October in a deal brokered by Switzerland and the International Red Cross.. For parents like Rebecca Joseph the return home of the group of 21 girls at Christmas was a bitter-sweet celebration. Her daughter, Elizabeth, is one of an estimated 195 girls still held captive by the jihadist group, which has tried to force some of them to convert to Islam and to marry their captors. "I am happy that some of the girls are returning home even though my own daughter is not among them," Joseph told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in the town of Chibok in Borno state. "My prayer is that my daughter and the rest of the girls will be rescued and returned to their families safe." With last weekend marking 1,000 days since the girls were abducted, President Muhammadu Buhari said he remained committed to ensuring the abducted schoolgirls are reunited with their families "as soon as practicable". "We are hopeful that many more will still return," said Buhari, who came to power in 2015 and replaced a government criticized for not doing enough to find the missing girls. "The tears never dry, the ache is in our hearts," he said in a statement. STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM The Nigerian government said last month that it was involved in negotiations aimed at securing the release of some of the girls as the army captured a key Boko Haram camp, the militant group's last enclave in the vast Sambisa forest. The exact number of Chibok girls still in captivity is believed to be 195 but it has been hard to pin down an exact number since the girls went missing. Academics and security experts say it may be a huge challenge to obtain the girls' freedom given the significance of the abduction for Boko Haram, which has killed about 15,000 people in its seven-year insurgency to set up an Islamic state. "Outside Nigeria, the Chibok girls have come to symbolize the Boko Haram conflict," said Sola Tayo, an associate fellow at the London-based think tank Chatham House. "The global outrage generated by their captivity has added to their value to the insurgents," she added, adding that they were also significant to Buhari because he made their release a key campaign pledge before his 2015 election. The government said in October that it had not swapped Boko Haram fighters or paid a ransom for the release of the 21 girls but several security analysts said it was implausible that the Islamist group would have let the girls go for nothing. "To secure the release of the remaining girls would require concessions by the Nigerian government, which could reverse significant gains it has made against Boko Haram," said Ryan Cummings, director of risk management consultancy Signal Risk. "In addition to detainees, Boko Haram may also demand supplies, weapons, vehicles and even money which they could use to recalibrate and invigorate their armed campaign against the Nigerian state." DEEP DIVISIONS One of the major obstacles to securing the release of all of the Chibok girls who remain in captivity is the deep divisions emerging within Boko Haram, said Freedom Onuoha, a security analyst and lecturer at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka. The militants split last year with one faction moving away from the group's established figurehead Abubakar Shekau over his failure to adhere to guidance from Islamic State to which Boko Haram pledged allegiance in 2015. It is unclear how many Chibok girls are held by the main faction led by Shekau, thought to be based in the Sambisa, and by the Islamic State-allied splinter group - headed by Abu Musab al-Barnawi and believed to operate in the Lake Chad area. "It will be difficult to release most of the remaining girls as each faction will maintain a strong hold on them and would negotiate with state officials on their own terms," said Onuoha. While the deal to free the 21 girls was seen as a huge boost for the government's assertions that it would soon bring home the others, a lack of progress since then has seen public hopes dwindle and frustrations arise, academics said. Although Nigeria has driven Boko Haram out of most of the territory it held, its battle against the militants will not be considered over until the fate of all of the Chibok girls is made clear, said Nnamdi Obasi of the International Crisis Group. "From various indications, it is most unlikely that all the remaining girls will come home alive, but the government owes their parents and the public the fundamental responsibility of accounting for every one of them," the Nigeria analyst said. "In the long run, that's the only way to bring closure to this sad episode." (Reporting by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani and Kieran Guilbert, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org) By Anamesere Igboeroteonwu ONITSHA, Nigeria (Reuters) - A Nigerian oil labour union has begun a nationwide strike hitting petrol stations and oil tankers, while oil industry workers have shut down seven crude flow stations in the Niger Delta, a union official said on Wednesday. The strike is in protest over pay and job losses. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is one of several labour unions that have criticised oil companies for sacking workers in the last few months. "Filling stations, petrol tankers and all NUPENG members are involved," Cogent Ojobo, NUPENG's Warri zonal chairman, said. The union has said the strike would last for three days and involve around 10,000 workers. Ojobo said union officials would hold talks with the labour minister in the capital, Abuja, later on Wednesday. "If the issues at stake are resolved and a communique signed, the strike would be called off," he said. He also said workers had gone on strike at seven crude oil flow stations in and around Oleh, a town in Delta state, which is in the Niger Delta. "Seven flow stations belonging to NPDC were shut by the workers and they are still shut now," Ojobo said. He also said the workers, who are employed by contractors, say they have not been paid. The Labour ministry spokesman was not immediately available to comment. Nigeria has been hit hard by a slump in crude oil prices in the past two years, which helped to push the country into recession. A wave of militant attacks in the southern Niger Delta oil hub throughout 2016 has hampered production. Ndu Ughamadu, a spokesman for Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the state-run oil company NNPC, said checks were being made to establish whether the Niger Delta flow stations had been affected. Last week, NUPENG held a strike at Total's fuel depots in a protest over sackings, but it was suspended after one day after an agreement was reached. No details have emerged about the deal. (Additional reporting by Tife Owolabi in Yenagoa; writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; editing by Jason Neely and Jane Merriman) Warsaw (AFP) - Poland's parliament was paralysed Wednesday as liberal opposition MPs refused to end an unprecedented protest against what they say are anti-democratic actions by the government. Civic Platform (PO) legislators have been occupying parliament since mid-December after the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party announced plans to restrict journalists' right to cover legislative proceedings, a position from which the PiS has since retreated. The opposition then harnessed the protest to this year's budget vote. It wants a re-run of the vote which it says was illegal as the governing party passed it in December in another part of the building because the opposition had taken over the main chamber. The PiS says the vote is legal and wanted parliament to formally launch a new session on Wednesday, the first after the holiday break. PO leader Grzegorz Schetyna on Wednesday called for parliament to be adjourned until January 18 in a bid to buy time to find a way out of the stalemate. PiS parliamentary caucus chief Ryszard Terlecki agreed, but on the condition that opposition lawmakers would first end the sit-in. "In reality, this isn't any kind of new proposal," Schetyna said. "They want us to quit the parliamentary chamber but they're not offering us anything in return." Powerful PiS party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski has slammed the sit-in as "an attempted coup". The opposition has been backed by street demonstrators from the Committee for the Defence of Democracy (KOD) popular movement and other citizen groups. Poland has been mired in political crisis for months. In December, the EU gave the PiS government another two months to reverse changes it made to Poland's constitutional court or face sanctions, warning they posed a "substantial" challenge to the rule of law. This and the crisis in parliament come just over one year after the conservative PiS swept to power and began pushing through legislation that critics allege undermines democracy. Although the moves have sparked mass anti-government street protests, the PiS remains widely supported and has kept well ahead in recent opinion polls due in large part to its generous social spending schemes. PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) North Korea has been getting some pretty high praise lately from the stoner world. Marijuana news outlets including High Times, Merry Jane and Green Rush along with British tabloids, which always love a good yarn are hailing the North as a pothead paradise and maybe even the next Amsterdam of pot tourism. They've reported North Korean marijuana to be legal, abundant and mind-blowingly cheap, sold openly to Chinese and Russian tourists at a major market on the North's border for about $3 a pound. But seriously, North Korea? Baked? The claim that marijuana is legal in North Korea is not true: The penal code lists it as a controlled substance in the same category as cocaine and heroin. And the person who would likely help any American charged with a crime in North Korea emphatically rejects the idea that the ban is not enforced. "There should be no doubt that drugs, including marijuana, are illegal here," said Torkel Stiernlof, the Swedish ambassador. The United States has no diplomatic relations with the North, so Sweden's embassy acts as a middleman when U.S. citizens run afoul of North Korean laws. "One can't buy it legally and it would be a criminal offense to smoke it," Stiernlof said. He said that if a foreigner caught violating drug laws in North Korea happened to be an American citizen, he or she could "expect no leniency whatsoever." Americans have been sentenced to years in North Korean prisons for such seemingly minor offenses as stealing a political banner and leaving a Bible in a public place. Even so, the claim that North Korea is a haven for marijuana smokers has cycled through the internet in various incarnations with great success over the past few years. Radio Free Asia, a U.S.-government-funded news service, lit up the latest round of stoner glee last month with a story that Chinese and Russian tourists are stocking up on North Korean pot by the kilo in Rason, a special economic zone on the country's northernmost frontier that has a large, bazaar-style marketplace. The same market was the setting for one of the earliest blogs on the topic, a first-person account of getting high in the North from 2013. Story continues Categorically confirming or denying such claims is difficult because foreigners' access to the market is restricted. But where there's smoke, there usually is at least a little fire. Troy Collings, a frequent traveler to North Korea and managing director of Young Pioneer Tours, offered a more mundane explanation: It's just hemp. Ditchweed. Nebraska no-high. "I've seen and even purchased hemp, but it doesn't contain any THC and is just sold as a cheap substitute for tobacco," he told the AP in an email. "It grows wild in the mountainous regions of the North and people pick it, dry it and sell it in the markets, but it doesn't get you high no matter how much you smoke." Hemp is grown in North Korea with official sanction. It's used to make consumer goods including towels, cooking oil and noodles, as well as and military uniforms and belts. It's also used as rabbit fodder. The rabbits are grown for food. But industrial hemp is generally so low in THC, the active ingredient found in its cannabinoid cousins, sativa and indica, that it's useless for medicinal or recreational purposes. It's even cultivated in a different manner, focusing on male plants that do not produce buds. It's the buds of female plants that recreational users are most after. The Pyongyang Hemp Processing Factory actively markets hemp products as "environmentally friendly" and "perfect for the 21st century." An official at the plant told The Associated Press that while several varieties of hemp grow in North Korea, all are very low in THC. "No one smokes this in our country," she said, requesting she not be named because of the sensitive nature of talking to the American media. "It's only used for making things." North Korea grows something else that might be confused with marijuana: a mix of brown and greenish leafy tobacco that is used in pipes and sold openly in Pyongyang and elsewhere. Smoking a lot of that could certainly give someone a buzz and probably a bad headache. But from the nicotine. Nevertheless, Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours, another agency that specializes in bringing foreign tourists to the North, said the idea marijuana is legal in North Korea has become so widespread that it's not uncommon for prospective tourists to ask what to expect. "We apologize, but have to inform those enquiring about this that weed is not legal. They are not going to be able to get any there," he said. "The idea that the country is full of stoners blissfully getting high in a legal-weed paradise is not an accurate one," he added. "Not having seen or done something doesn't mean it is never seen or done, of course. But I have never seen this." Northern Ireland is facing its worst political crisis in at least a decade, as a senior ministers shock resignation looks set to dissolve the government, threatening the Good Friday power-sharing agreement that has helped keep peace for almost two decades. Elections now look likely for the government, or Northern Ireland Assembly, after the resignation of deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of republican Sinn Fein, potentially creating a damaging leadership vacuum just as the U.K. prepares to leave the European Union. McGuinness resigned in protest over a costly renewable energy subsidy scheme which has dogged the First Minister Arlene Foster of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Introduced while Foster was minister for enterprise, the scheme was intended to help businesses with the costs of using eco-friendly heating, but reportedly resulted in an overspending of up to 490 million pounds ($595 million). McGuinness and Foster hold equal positions in government as part a power-sharing arrangement that ensures mainly Catholic nationalists and predominantly Protestant unionists share governance along with the British government. So with McGuinnesss resignation, Foster must also now step down. Under the arrangement, if a new deputy First Minister is not nominated within seven days, the London-appointed Northern Ireland Secretary must call an election. Sinn Fein have said they wont be nominating a successor. The next elections had not been due to be held until 2021. Peace has held in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement was reached in 1998, bringing an end to the decades-long conflict know as the Troubles. However, bitter political divisions remain, and McGuinnesss resignation highlights the fragile and fractious nature of politics in Northern Ireland. The relationship between Sinn Fein and the DUP has been fraught for some time. McGuinness, a former commander of the IRA, accused the unionist party of having undermined the institutions and eroded public confidence, adding that Sinn Fein will not tolerate the arrogance of Arlene Foster and the DUP. Story continues Commentators suggested that Sinn Fein have been aggrieved by a number of actions of the DUP including the decision just before Christmas to scrap a grant for disadvantaged children to take part in Irish language courses. Foster said she was willing to keep talks open with Sinn Fein but said she had been disgracefully maligned in a most vicious manner. Speaking in the U.K. Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said an election for the Northern Ireland Assembly was now highly likely. While elections could take place by late February or early March, the government in Northern Ireland could be paralyzed for months as negotiations to form a new government take place. There will be no return to the status quo, said McGuinness after tendering his resignation, signaling that another power-sharing agreement would not be easily reached. This sentiment seemed to shared by the DUP as one of the partys ministers, Jeffrey Donaldson, said on Irish radio that he was not convinced a government could be formed in the next few months. If talks to form a government after an election fail, the Northern Ireland executive would not be able to function and direct rule from Westminster would be restored. The timing couldnt be worse given the British government is due to embark on negotiations in April to decide the terms of its exit from the European Union. If Northern Ireland lacks an executive while the Brexit negotiations take place, it will struggle to contribute to a debate which may determine its future. Northern Ireland is uniquely affected by the E.U. withdrawal; its border with the Republic of Ireland is the U.K.s only land border with the E.U. After 1998, a heavily-fortified frontier slowly transitioned into an open border, one most of the most important symbols of peace in the region. The imposition of any form of hard border could have big economic implications for the region given the importance of cross-border trade, and would resurrect a symbolic wall absent since the last millennium. Analysts fear this issue and others will be overlooked if the government is dissolved when talks begin this year. It will be the British and Irish governments who the people of the north will be relying on to be their voice in the negotiations, said Patricia McBride, a policy and political commentator. There will be no one else to say here are our unique set of circumstances, here is why it is important why we dont have a hard border, here are the safeguards that we need to put in place to ensure that doesnt happen. Its unrealistic to assume Westminster will make those arguments, she added. There is so much more for the British government to negotiate, the position of Northern Ireland really wont concern them a huge amount. Few think Northern Irelands hard-won peace is threatened by this latest crisis, but the power-sharing agreement has long been held up as proof that politicians and communities in the province could overcome years of conflict and distrust in the name of progress. A return to the bitter divisions of the past, just as Northern Ireland needs to present a united front on Brexit, could have troubling consequences. By Amanda Ferguson BELFAST (Reuters) - The potential suspension of Northern Ireland's regional assembly could force Britain to delay its exit talks from the European Union if London's Supreme Court rules Belfast's approval is needed, a lawyer said on Wednesday. Northern Ireland's High Court ruled in October that the province's laws did not restrict British Prime Minister Theresa May's ability to trigger an exit from the European Union, and that the consent of the regional parliament was not required. But human rights activist Raymond McCord appealed against the ruling in Britain's highest judicial body, which will consider the argument when it rules in the next couple of weeks on whether May can begin the process without the approval of the Westminster parliament. Likely snap elections in the British-run province that may be followed by lengthy renegotiations on the terms of the power-sharing government could delay May's plans to begin the talks by the end of March, McCord's lawyer told Reuters. "In the current circumstances, where there is a potential suspension of the institutions, the approval of the devolved institutions would not be possible," Paul Farrell, a partner at McIvor Farrell Solicitors, said in a telephone interview. "Devolution has obviously added a layer of complexity to the constitutional arrangements within the United Kingdom and this case is addressing those complex relationships now." The risk of political paralysis in the region as Britain plans its exit from the EU resulted from Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness' resignation on Monday, effectively collapsing the devolved government. A spokeswoman for May said on Wednesday that the timetable for Britain's triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which kicks off the EU divorce process, was clear, when asked whether anything in Northern Ireland could derail that process. "There's now this limbo before elections can be called, so we're not going to get ahead of ourselves. We have been clear on the timetable for triggering Article 50 and we will be sticking to that," she said. (Additional reporting by Michael Holden and Will James in London, writing by Padraic Halpin in Dublin; editing by Stephen Addison) LONDON (Reuters) - Prime minister Theresa May said on Wednesday that Northern Ireland would continue to have a say in Britain's preparations for leaving the European Union, despite the likelihood of fresh elections in the province. Northern Ireland's deputy leader, Martin McGuinness resigned on Monday, effectively collapsing its devolved government and risking political paralysis in the region as Britain plans its exit from the EU. "In the discussions that we have ... it is still the case that actually ministers are in place, and that obviously there are executives in place, that we are still able to take the views of Northern Ireland people," May said in parliament when asked whether she would consider postponing plans to formally trigger the EU exit process. (Reporting by William James and Kylie MacLellan; editing by Stephen Addison) Norwegian radio hosts Berith Olderskog and Geir Schau shut down the northern part of Norways FM radio network in favor of digital radio at a ceremony in Bodo, Norway January 11, 2017. NTB Scanpix Norway became the first country in the world to phase out its analog radio signals on Wednesday. Starting at 11:11 am local time (5:11 am EST), the Nordic nation began closing down its FM (frequency modulation) signal in favor of digital audio broadcasting, or DAB. National stations will have until the end of 2017 to phase out FM, while local stations have five years to make the move. Proponents argue DAB provides a clearer, higher quality sound and can carry more channels. Furthermore, the aging FM system often struggled to deliver a signal to sparsely populated areas surrounded by mountains and fjords. Approximately 70 percent of Norwegian households already have a digital radio. The country has 26 DAB stations compared to just five on FM. There are critics of the move. A poll published by daily newspaper Dagbladet last month found that 66 percent of Norwegians oppose the move, with just 17 percent in favor of switching off the FM signal. Ib Thomsen, a member of the ruling coalition party, echoed that sentiment, telling Reuters, We are simply not ready for this yet. FM radio is seen inside a car in Oslo, Norway January 10, 2017. By the end of this year the FM network will be shut down in all of Norway. NTB scanpix/ Berit Roald There are 2 million cars on Norwegian roads that dont have DAB receivers and millions of radios in Norwegian homes will stop working when the FM net is switched off. So there is definitely a safety concern, he said. Car radios are a particular area of concern as drivers rely on them for emergency updates during the countrys inclement winters. A digital adapter costs around $170. Despite the concerns, the government is going ahead with the plan, which officials say will save the country 200 million kroner, or just more than $23 million a year. While Norway is the first country to make the switch, its by no means the only nation considering such a move. Switzerland plans to phase out FM radio by the end of 2020, while the United Kingdom plans to make the switch once 50 percent of its radio listeners are using digital. skuli mogensen WOW Air has announced that, for a limited time, it will offer tickets from the West Coast of the United States to Europe for as low as $69.99. The Icelandic low-cost carrier said on January 10 that it will offer the fares on flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Stockholm, Sweden; Bristol, England; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Edinburgh, Scotland. The $69.99 fare is available for one-way flights between January 15 and April 5, 2017. Since the sale is geared towards expanding WOW's US clientele, flights from Europe to the US won't be subject to such extreme discounts. However, even without the sale, WOW's trans-Atlantic flights are generally available, during off-peak months, for less that $200 or 165 each way. "WOW Air's goal is to enable everybody to fly by offering the lowest fares on the market," Skuli Mogensen, the airline's founder and CEO, said in a statement. "I am very proud that by offering $69.99 USD fares we are enabling thousands of people to travel that otherwise could not afford it." WOW's announcement beat fellow European low-cost carrier Norwegian Air to the punch. The Scandinavian airline is expected to launch $69 transatlantic flights later this year when it gets a delivery of new Boeing 737MAX airliners. WOW also announced the introduction of $99 fares from Miami and Boston to Iceland. WOW Air Airbus A330 The West Coast flights will be operated using Airbus A330 wide-body jets, while flights out of the Northeast will use narrow-body Airbus A321s. In the announcement, WOW clarified that the sale prices represent the lowest discount fares offered by the airline which means that not every seat on the plane will be available at that price. However, WOW will make as many discount seats available as the airline's revenue management will allow, Mogensen told Business Insider in a recent interview. WOW's low-price strategy means passengers have to do without some of the amenities traditionally included in a ticket; things like bottled water and checked bags cost extra. Because of low usage rates, the airline declined to install Wi-Fi equipment on any of its aircraft. Story continues That's because Wi-Fi equipment is not only expensive but also heavy, Mogensen said. As a result, his decision to forgo Wi-Fi has cut down on the initial cost of the planes and helped the airline keep fuel costs lower. Wow Air CEO WOW is pretty open about its keen eye on the bottom line and its lack of frills. "You have to be up-front with your customers. This way you won't have problems with expectations," Mogensen said. "They will know ahead of time there is no free food, water, [in-flight entertainment], or Wi-Fi. That's why we tell them to bring their own food, water, and download a movie on your iPad or laptop ahead of the flight." That said, Mogensen believes airfare could one day be free or at least close to it. According to the tech entrepreneur turned airline boss, the industry is headed in a direction in which airfare may no longer serve as the primary means of income. Instead, revenue from ancillary fees and travel expenditures such as hotel bookings, dining, and car rentals could become the main drivers of income. In return, airlines would use cheap flights as a loss leader to get customers in the door. But two things the CEO won't skimp on are service and safety, he said. And in regard to his airline's service culture, Mogensen said, "It doesn't cost money to smile." WOW, which was founded in November 2011, has grown considerably in the past few years. The airline said it transported an estimated 1.6 million passengers in 2016. Mogensen said he expects that number to reach 6 million by 2020. WOW Air Airbus A320 In total, WOW's fleet will boast 17 new Airbus A320-family and A330 airliners by the end of the year. By 2020, Mogensen hopes to expand the fleet to as many as 50 aircraft. This would provide the airline with an added measure of stability and allow WOW to take advantage of some economies of scale. However, Mogensen said that if he has learned anything from his time in the tech industry, it's that a company and its managers must be nimble and willing to adapt to the times. "In today's world, it's important to be constantly willing to change and review and challenge yourself," he said. "What works today won't necessarily work tomorrow. Change is never-ending. There will always be new competitors, new situations." NOW WATCH: Airplane designers have a brilliant idea for the middle seat More From Business Insider By Francesca Landini and Giancarlo Navach ALBA, Italy (Reuters) - The $44 billion palm oil industry, under pressure in Europe after authorities listed the edible oil as a cancer risk, has found a vocal ally in the food sector: the maker of Nutella. Italian confectionery firm Ferrero has taken a public stand in defence of an ingredient that some other food companies in the country are boycotting. It has launched an advertising campaign to assure the public about the safety of Nutella, its flagship product which makes up about a fifth of its sales. The hazelnut and chocolate spread, one of Italy's best-known food brands and a popular breakfast treat for children, relies on palm oil for its smooth texture and shelf life. Other substitutes, such as sunflower oil, would change its character, according to Ferrero. "Making Nutella without palm oil would produce an inferior substitute for the real product, it would be a step backward," Ferrero's purchasing manager Vincenzo Tapella told Reuters. He features in a TV commercial aired in Italy over the past three months that has drawn criticism from some politicians. Any move away from palm oil would also have economic implications as it is the cheapest vegetable oil, costing around $800 a tonne, compared with $845 for sunflower oil and $920 for rapeseed oil, another possible substitute. Ferrero uses about 185,000 tonnes of palm oil a year, so replacing it with those substitutes could cost the firm an extra $8-22 million annually, at those prices. The company declined to comment on these calculations. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said in May that palm oil generated more of a potentially carcinogenic contaminant than other vegetable oils when refined at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius. It did not, however, recommend consumers stop eating it and said further study was needed to assess the level of risk. The detailed research into the contaminant - known as GE - was commissioned by the European Commission in 2014 after an EFSA study the year before, into substances generated during industrial refining, identified it as being potentially harmful. Story continues EFSA does not have the power to make regulations, though the issue is under review by the European Commission. The spokesman for Health and Food Safety, Enrico Brivio, said guidance would be issued by the end of this year. Measures could include regulations to limit the level of GE in food products, but there will not be a ban on the use of palm oil, he added. The World Health Organization and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization flagged the same potential risk that EFSA had warned of regarding GE, but did not recommend consumers stop eating palm oil. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also has not banned the use of palm oil in food. The issue became a hot consumer topic in Italy after the largest supermarket chain, Coop, boycotted palm oil in all its own-brand products following the EFSA study, describing the move as a "precaution". Italy's biggest baker, Barilla, also eliminated it and put "palm oil-free" labels on its wares. The retailers' decisions followed pressure from activists, including Italy's main farming association Coldiretti and online food magazine Il Fatto Alimentare, which called on all food firms to stop using palm oil. High temperatures are used to remove palm oil's natural red colour and neutralise its smell, but Ferrero says it uses an industrial process that combines a temperature of just below 200C and extremely low pressure to minimise contaminants. The process takes longer and costs 20 percent more than high-temperature refining, Ferrero told Reuters. But it said this had allowed it to bring GE levels so low that scientific instruments find it hard to trace the chemical. "The palm oil used by Ferrero is safe because it comes from freshly squeezed fruits and is processed at controlled temperatures," Tapella says in the TV ad, which was filmed at the firm's factory in the northern town of Alba and was accompanied by full-page ads in newspapers carrying the same message. EFSA declined to comment on the possible risks of refining palm oil at lower temperatures. ITALIAN SALES HIT Ferrero is by no means the only big European food firm to keep using palm oil in its products since the EFSA report. The likes of Unilever (ULVR.L) and Nestle (NESN.S) use it in products including chocolate, snacks and margarine. The two companies said they were monitoring the contaminant issue and were working with their suppliers to keep GE at lowest possible levels. Ferrero is the only big European food company to mount such a public defence of the use of the ingredient in its products following the EFSA opinion. The company told Reuters it carried out "hundreds of thousands of tests" on contaminants in both the palm oil it uses and finished products. Retail sales of Nutella in Italy fell by about 3 percent in the 12 months to the end of August, which Ferrero partly blamed on rivals promoting products as palm oil-free. To address consumer concern the company launched its advertising campaign in September and says it is now showing results. Nutella sales in Italy rose 4 percent in the last four months of 2016, said Alessandro D'Este, the head of Ferrero's Italy business. Global Nutella sales have been unaffected by the EFSA opinion and are growing at 5-6 percent annually, the company said. Family owned Ferrero, which is not publicly listed, did not disclose its sales for Europe outside its home market. The group ended its fiscal year to August with total revenue of 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion), of which around 2 billion euros came from Nutella sales. ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS EFSA's 284-page study comes on top of environmental concerns that have dogged the palm oil industry for several years. Green groups have accused the industry of causing deforestation. Several firms using the ingredient, including Ferrero, say they buy palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, which works with producers to reduce the negative impacts of cultivation on the environment. Tapella told Reuters that Nutella had contained palm oil since its creation in the 1960s and that the group relied only on palm plantations certified as sustainable. Ferrero's advertising campaign has drawn some political fire. The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, which is running neck-and-neck with the ruling Democratic Party in opinion polls, has asked the Italian advertising authority to block Ferrero's campaign and fine it for misleading consumers on both health and environmental risks. A spokeswoman for the advertising authority said it had yet to decide whether to reject the 5-Star complaint or take measures against Ferrero, adding that the process could take several more weeks. The palm oil industry, dominated by producers in Malaysia and Indonesia, believes Ferrero is playing an important role in addressing what it regards as misconceptions among consumers. "It is good that Ferrero has clarified that the palm oil they use is safe and sustainable," said Yusof Basiron, chief executive of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council. He said Malaysian producers had not suffered any impact on their European exports after the EFSA opinion. The Indonesian Palm Oil Association also said there had been no impact. (Additional reporting by Emily Chow in Kuala Lumpur, Paul Sandle in London and Silke Koltrowitz in Zurich; Editing by Mark Bendeich and Pravin Char) AP17011085088001 President Barack Obama argued on Tuesday during his farewell speech that America's "retreat" into partisan "bubbles" represents a new "threat to our democracy." "For too many of us," Obama said, "its become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or college campuses or places of worship or our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions." The president continued: "The rise of naked partisanship, increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste all this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable." Obama said that, "increasingly," people "become so secure" in their bubbles that they "accept only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence thats out there." "This trend represents a third threat to our democracy," he declared. Obama noted politics "is a battle of ideas" and explained that he believes debate is healthy for the Republic. "But without some common baseline of facts; without a willingness to admit new information, and concede that your opponent is making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, well keep talking past each other, making common ground and compromise impossible," the president said. Obama has a history of skewering partisan news organizations, such as conservative talk radio and outlets like Fox News. At his year-end press conference in December 2016, for instance, he characterized such media outlets as "domestic propagandists" for supposedly making voters vulnerable to fake news disseminated by foreign governments. During the December news conference, Obama argued the nation "better think about how to make sure that our political process, our political dialogue, is stronger than it's been." Story continues NOW WATCH: Here are some incredible things you didnt know about Putin's life More From Business Insider In his eloquent, nearly one-hour long farewell speech to America Tuesday night, President Obama made just a passing reference to the Affordable Care Act, his signature health care program now under relentless attack by congressional Republicans and his successor, President-elect Donald Trump. Speaking to a crowd of 20,000 adoring supporters at the McCormick Place convention center in his hometown of Chicago, Obama noted that the nations uninsured rate has never, ever been lower, health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years, and for all its problems Obamacares detractors have not yet been able to come up with a better idea as a replacement that can cover more than 20 million previously uninsured Americans. Related: Why Republicans Are Hitting the Brakes on Obamacare Repeal In what seemed like a challenge to Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Obama said that If anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements weve made to our health care system that covers as many people at less cost I will publicly support it. With just 10 days remaining before he relinquishes the White House, Obama sought to celebrate the achievements of his eight years in office while asserting the need for Americans to vigilantly guard their democratic rights and principles. The clear and present danger, he said, is for Americans to succumb to xenophobic fears, racial and religious prejudices and poisoned rhetoric. Democracy can buckle when we give into fear, Obama said. So while the nation must remain vigilant, he added, We must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who were are. The speech was less of a State of the Union-style recitation of his accomplishments than a summoning of the spirit of a badly demoralized Democratic Party. The Democrats suffered one of their worst drubbings in the Nov. 8 election, essentially solidifying Republicans control of the Senate and House while losing the presidency. Story continues Despite his numerous setbacks on the domestic and foreign front with many of his environmental and regulatory initiatives tied up in court and his strategy for dealing with the civil war in Syria and the Middle Eastern hot spots in shambles Obama couldnt resist recalling some of the victories, especially his success in pulling the country out of the worst financial crisis and recession in modern history. Related: 5 Big Promises Trump Wont Be Able to Keep If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history ... If I had told you we would open a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Irans nuclear weapons without firing a shot and take out the mastermind of 9/11 ... you might have said our sights were set a little too high. However, he had almost nothing to say about the Affordable Care Act his centerpiece domestic legislation that is likely to define his legacy more than any other program. More than six years after Obama and the Democrats enacted the program without a single GOP vote in the House or Senate, the program remains highly controversial with the public at large. Polls have consistently shown that a majority of Americans dont approve of the legislation, although most would prefer to see the program fixed instead of repealed. While the program was highly ambitious and addressed a real need for millions of families that have struggled without coverage for years, Obamacare suffered a disastrous, glitch-filled on-line launch four years ago. One problem was that the plan didnt match its promises -- including Obamas pledge that beneficiaries could keep their doctors, there would be plenty of insurance options and that premiums and copayments would be highly affordable. Even while millions of people subsequently benefitted from the subsidized private health insurance plans sold on government-run markets or expanded Medicaid coverage in 31 states and the District of Columbia, the coverage turned out to be a lot more costly in many areas of the country, nearly two dozen experimental insurance co-ops went out of business and major insurers including Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross-Blue Shield pulled out of the program following losses of tens of millions of dollars. Related: Most Americans Dont Want to Repeal Obamacare: Heres What They Want Instead From the very start, Republicans goaded on by McConnell and former House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio denounced Obamacare and staged a series of more than 50 votes over the years to try to repeal the legislation. Rather than seeking to work with the Democrats to fix some of the more glaring problems with the program, they demanded to eviscerate Obamacare and replace it with a less ambitious, more market-oriented program. McConnells take-no-prisoners approach to health care, in which he kept the Republicans united in opposition to Obamacare and sought to thwart the rest of the presidents agenda, proved to be a fateful pivot that impacted Obamas administration and the Democrats political fortunes for the remainder of his time in office. Or as Mike DeBonis of The Washington Post wrote Wednesday, it was the point at which the audacity of hope gave way to the reality and frustrations of divided government. Obama would subsequently sign one more major piece of legislation the Dodd-Frank financial reform law and a fiscal stimulus to try to revive the economy. But after that, the Democrats lost control of the House and the last six years in office were focused largely on budgetary disputes with Congress over spending levels and the debt ceiling. By the last year of his administration, DeBonis noted, Obamas party had lost 14 Senate seats, 68 House seats, 12 governorship and hundreds of state legislative seats. Related: Obamacare Repeal Could Push Rural Hospitals to the Brink Now, on his way out the door, Obama is being treated to the spectacle of House and Senate GOP leaders rushing to repeal Obamacare in the coming weeks, even without a solid replacement plan in hand. The Senate and House are scheduled to take the first important votes towards that end later this week. And by the end of the month, the GOP-dominated Congress may give final approval to legislation that would dismantle most of the key elements of Obamacare, although the effective date may be months or years away. If Obama can take any solace from the situation, McConnell and Ryan are discovering that repealing and replacing Obamacare isnt nearly as easy as they thought. Now a growing number of Republicans in the House and Senate are having second thoughts about the effort, fearing a voter backlash if their efforts result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance and major insurers and hospitals incurring significant financial losses. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: bradley chelsea manning President Barack Obama is seriously considering a pardon for former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, according to a new report from NBC News. Manning was convicted of violations of the Espionage Act and other charges in July 2013 after she stole nearly a million secret documents while working as an intelligence analyst, later giving them to WikiLeaks. The files detailed operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and revealed secret diplomatic cables, some of which were highly embarrassing to the US. A Justice Department source told NBC News that Manning was on the president's "short list" for commutations. The 29-year-old is serving a 35-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth. Edward Snowden, an ex-NSA contractor who leaked his own cache of files to journalists before fleeing to Moscow, tweeted in support of Manning on Wednesday, writing: "Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency as you exit the White House, please: free Chelsea Manning. You alone can save her life." Snowden is also seeking a presidential pardon, though some say he faces a much tougher battle. For Manning, it's most likely her last real shot at a pardon in the final days of Obama's presidency. A decision to pardon the soldier is unlikely to play well with some members of the military, many of whom view Manning with disdain. Still, there is a precedent from Bill Clinton's presidency. In 2001, Clinton pardoned former Navy intelligence officer Samuel Morison for his leaking of classified satellite imagery to Jane's Defense Weekly in 1985, which could be seen in a similar light as Manning's handing of documents to a publisher. Many of those documents were later reported on by major news organizations such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and others. Story continues NOW WATCH: This is how the legal marijuana industry is affecting Mexican drug cartels More From Business Insider Chicago (AFP) - Barack Obama addressed America and the world for the last time as US president Tuesday, in a speech that was both a tearful goodbye and a call to arms. Capping eight years in the White House, Obama returned to his adopted hometown of Chicago to recast his "yes we can" campaign credo as "yes we did." Surveying the staging posts of his presidency -- from the Iran nuclear deal to reforming healthcare -- the speech sought to lift supporters shaken by Donald Trump's shock election. Obama urged them to pick up the torch, fight for democracy and forge a new, fairer, "social compact." "For all our outward differences, we are all in this together," he said, warning that naked partisanship, racism, and inequality all threaten democracy. "We rise or fall as one." "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions." The incoming Republican president has smashed convention, vowed to efface Obama's legacy and hurled personal insults left and right, while in a virtually unprecedented move US intelligence has accused the Kremlin of seeking to tip the election in Trump's favor. Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup. Obama painted the task ahead as a generational challenge. - Emotional finale - "A faith in reason and enterprise and the primacy of right over might," he said, had allowed the United States to "resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression, and build a post-World War II order with other democracies." "That order is now being challenged," said Obama in comments that resonate as Americans ponder whether Russia helped to put Trump in the White House. "First by violent fanatics who claim to speak for Islam; more recently by autocrats in foreign capitals who see free markets, open democracies, and civil society itself as a threat to their power." Story continues "The peril each poses to our democracy is more far-reaching than a car bomb or a missile. " Obama's last trip on Air Force One was a pilgrimage to Chicago, where he addressed a sell-out crowd of some 18,000 not far from where he delivered his victory speech eight years ago. Diehard fans -- many African Americans -- braved Chicago's frigid winter to collect free tickets, which were selling for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist. They were joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill -- who the president described as "family" in an emotional finale to his speech. Wiping a tear from his eye, Obama paid a poignant tribute to his own family, his daughter Malia who was present and Sasha who stayed in Washington because of an exam, and the first lady who he addressed as his best friend. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor," he said. "A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud." Obama also acknowledged that his historic presidency was not a panacea for the country's racist past. "After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America," he said. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society." - Life after White House - With an approval rating hovering around 55 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, Obama still carries considerable political weight. Some 51 percent of Americans polled believe that Trump is doing a bad job as president-elect. Trump's unorthodox politics have thrown the 55-year-old Obama's transition and post-presidency plans into flux. Having vowed a smooth handover of power, Obama has found himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on January 20. After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents. Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obama's second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter -- whose post-presidency remade his image as an elder statesman. Many Obama aides who had planned exotic holidays or coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches. Obama's foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role -- funneling idealistic youngsters into public life. Many aides were in the crowd, having flown into Chicago for celebratory parties. Supporters who had earlier shouted "Four more years! Four more years!" -- lingered in the hall until long after Obama had left. By Karolin Schaps LONDON (Reuters) - Tullow Oil's (TLW.L) long-serving CEO and founder Aidan Heavey is to step down in April and retire within two years, the company said on Wednesday as it announced lower than expected production for this year due to teething issues at a new field. The disappointing trading update sent the shares down around 3 percent in early dealings, erasing all the gains the stock had made earlier this week on the back of a $900 million deal to sell a stake in a Ugandan oil field to Total (TOTF.PA). Heavey, who founded Tullow in 1985 and named it after the Irish town where it was set up, will be replaced as CEO by Chief Operating Officer Paul McDade after the company's annual general meeting on April 26 when Heavey will become chairman for a maximum of two years. "When you're somebody who starts a business it is obviously hard to pull back from it but you know yourself when you reach a stage when it has to be done," Heavey told Reuters, adding he would have left sooner if the oil market had not taken a downturn. Analysts largely welcomed McDade's appointment, saying it cleared up uncertainty about Heavey's future at the company. "I'll bring a fresh approach to our strategy but you shouldn't expect the whole strategy to change," McDade told Reuters. He will take over at a crucial time for Tullow, which brought its multi-billion dollar TEN oil fields in Ghana on stream just five months ago and now needs to turn costly investments into profits. The oil producer, like its peers, was hit hard by a collapse in oil prices that was at its worst a year ago. Tullow said on Wednesday 2016 full-year revenue is expected to have fallen 19 percent year-on-year to $1.3 billion, with net debt at $4.8 billion. The company will publish full 2016 results on Feb. 8. This year's West African production estimate has already been scaled down to 78,000-85,000 barrels per day (bpd), with the flagship TEN fields expected to contribute a lower-than-expected 50,000 bpd due to problems with managing pressure in one of the reservoirs. Story continues Once at full capacity the fields will be able to produce 80,000 bpd. Tullow is also battling production issues at its Jubilee oil field which will have to close for up to 12 weeks this year for modification work. Tullow, fundamentally an exploration company, will bolster its exploration campaign again this year after the weak market forced the company to focus spending on more advanced projects. This year, Tullow said it will drill in Kenya and underexplored Suriname. "It's about us getting back to bold, exciting and big exploration," McDade said. (Editing by Susan Thomas and Elaine Hardcastle) By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices jumped more than 2.5 percent on Wednesday, their biggest daily rise in more than a month, lifted as the U.S. dollar weakened following a news conference by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and on news that Saudi Arabia cut exports to Asia. Oil's sharp rebound off Tuesday's settlement price, the lowest in a month, came despite government data showing a bigger-than-expected weekly build in U.S. crude and fuel inventories. The U.S. dollar collapsed during Trump's remarks, which disappointed investors who had sent the currency to its highest level in a week ahead of the news conference. [USD/] A stronger greenback makes dollar-denominated crude more expensive for users of other currencies. Brent futures (LCOc1) rose $1.46, or 2.7 percent, at $55.10 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (CLc1) gained $1.43, or 2.8 percent, to $52.25 per barrel. Both contracts notched their biggest daily percentage gains since Dec. 1. "The main reason for the oil price rise was that the dollar was down," said Phil Davis, managing partner at PSW Investments in Woodland Park, New Jersey. Davis also said oil rose because some in the market focused more on a 579,000 barrel crude draw from the Cushing, Oklahoma storage hub last week, rather than the bigger-than-expected 4.1 million barrel overall U.S. inventory build in the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) petroleum report. That 4.1 million barrel build topped both the 1.2 million barrel build that analysts forecast in a Reuters poll and the 1.5 million barrel build in data Tuesday from the American Petroleum Institute, an industry group. [EIA/S] [API/S] "It is one the most uniformly bearish reports in some time," said John Kilduff, partner at energy hedge fund Again Capital in New York. Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, told some Asian customers that it will reduce their crude supplies slightly in February. Still, there is plenty of oil to fill gaps left by OPEC. North American drilling is on the rise, while European and Chinese traders are shipping a record 22 million barrels of crude from the North Sea and Azerbaijan to Asia this month. Story continues OPEC's No. 2 producer Iraq plans to raise crude exports from its southern port of Basra to an all-time high of 3.641 million bpd in February. U.S. crude production was projected to rise by 110,000 barrels per day in 2017 to 9 million bpd, according to EIA data. (Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by David Gregorio and Marguerita Choy) Karlie Kloss is very vocal on educating young women about technology. (Photo: Karlie Kloss/Instagram) Karlie Kloss is a respected figure in the fashion industry, as shes walked runways around the world and snagged lucrative endorsements from top brands. However, not many know that she also displays a keen interest in the world of technology. Kloss founded a coding camp and scholarship program for young women, dubbed Kode With Klossy, in 2015. Featured on the cover of the February issue of the American business magazine Fast Company, the 24-year-old discusses her business and technology interests and her keys to success. Kloss discusses her interest in technology in the February issue of Fast Company. (Photo: Fast Company Magazine) The model posted an image of the cover on her Instagram account, captioning the shot, Ive had the privilege of being on many covers in my 10 year career, but theres something especially meaningful about this one. Still so much hard work ahead, but Im incredibly honored and proud to cover @fastcompany February issue. In the issue, the 6-foot-2-inch Victorias Secret model explains that her fascination with technology combined with a lack of knowledge and understanding led her to explore the realm. I follow my nerdy passions, even if they are kind of unexpected, she told Fast Company. Being true to yourself, as cheesy as that sounds, is important. If you dont enjoy what youre doing if youre pretending to be something youre not then its not sustainable. The supermodel and co-founder of the cookie line Karlies Kookies also divulged that she appreciates the idea of a challenge and enjoys creative problem solving. It takes a while to get something to work, she said. It takes a while before you can build an app or even write your first line of code. But these skills seeing a problem and finding the solution using code are so important. [They] help you understand how to think about things. Its a valuable skill set even if you dont become an engineer. Related: One of the Worlds Most Famous Supermodels Is Teaming Up With Bill Nye Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Investors in Hecla Mining Company HL need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jan 13th, 2017 $5 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today. What is Implied Volatility? Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy. What do the Analysts Think? Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Hecla Mining Company shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Hecla Mining Company is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Mining - Silver industry that ranks in the Top 28% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, one analyst has increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while none have dropped their estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from 3 cents per share to 4 cents per share in that period. Given the way analysts feel about Hecla Mining Company right now, this huge implied volatility could mean theres a trade developing. Often times, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected. Looking to Trade Options? Each week, our very own Dave Bartosiak gives his top options trades. Check out his recent live analysis and options trade for the MU earnings report completely free. See it here: Bartosiak: Trading Micron's (MU) Earnings with Options or check out the embedded video below for more details: 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 Hecla Mining Company (HL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Belgrade (AFP) - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Wednesday held talks with a former Bosnian Serb leader who was jailed for 20 years by a UN tribunal for his role in Bosnia's war, a meeting denounced by rights campaigners. Momcilo Krajisnik, 71, was a former key ally of Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb political leader during the 1990s war who was himself sentenced last year to 40 years in prison for genocide and crimes against humanity. The goal of the Belgrade meeting was the "protection of the rights of Serbian people in the region," a statement from Nikolic's office said. The talks also focused on ways to promote cultural ties among Serbs of the former Yugoslavia, it said. A Belgrade-based human rights group immediately slammed the meeting. "By meetings of top state officials with convicted war criminals, Serbia's institutions obstruct the process of confronting the causes and consequences of the 1990s wars... and insult victims' dignity," the Humanitarian Law Centre said in a statement. Krajisnik was arrested in 2000 in the Bosnian Serb wartime stronghold of Pale, just near Sarajevo. Six years later the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague convicted him of persecuting and forcibly expelling non-Serbs and crimes against humanity committed during Bosnia's 1992-1995 war. His initial 27-year sentence was later cut on appeal to 20 years and in 2013 he was granted early release from a British prison. Karadzic was sentenced by the ICTY in March to 40 years in jail last year notably for the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys. Bosnia's war between its Croats, Muslims and Serbs claimed some 100,000 lives. It left the Balkan country split into two semi-autonomous entities -- the Muslim-Croat Federation and the Serbs' Republika Srpska. Nikolic, a former ally of Serbian ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj, was elected president in 2012 at the head of a centre-right party. Russia-oriented Nikolic on Monday took part in ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of the Republika Srpska's creation. A 5-year-old Ohio girl was found dead inside her parents restaurant about a day after she was reported missing, and her parents have been charged in connection to her murder, police said Tuesday. Authorities found the body of Ashley Zhao concealed inside Angs Asian Cuisine in North Canton, Jackson Township Police said in a statement. The discovery came several hours after the police department issued a public call for help in finding the missing girl. The little girls parents told authorities that they believed their daughter wandered out a back door of the restaurant about 9 p.m. on Monday, police said. Jackson Township Police Department Zhaos mother, Mingming Chen, has been charged with murder, and the girls father, Liang Zhao, was charged with complicity to murder and complicity to commit felonious assault, according to the Associated Press. Chen is accused of hitting the child several times with her fist on the morning she was reported missing, the AP reports. Police say the injuries she sustained resulted in her death. The incident is under investigation. The girl had just turned 5 less than two weeks ago, according to the Canton Repository. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f33204%2f2141e564-21f8-4a91-b764-0f1a3aa3705e With President Barack Obama saying his goodbyes on Tuesday night, it's the perfect time for people to reflect on his eight years as commander-in-chief. While some are happily tweeting pithy quotes from his speech in Chicago, Canadian rapper Drake had some #custom Instagram content up his sleeve. SEE ALSO: The Obamas got real emotional at the president's farewell address As a Canadian that calls America home for part of the year I will always carry your words and the memory of your time in office with me as inspiration. Big up yaself O. A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:20pm PST "As a Canadian that calls America home for part of the year I will always carry your words and the memory of your time in office with me as inspiration. Big up yaself O," Drake wrote. While the message is admittedly quite sweet, people can't help but think the Photoshop job is kinda cheesy. this is the worst thing drake has ever done and i dislike virtually everything drake has ever done https://t.co/tgpFRX83L1 Russ Bengtson (@russbengtson) January 11, 2017 Drake intruded on our American celebration of Obama with his special brand of Canadian corniness and meme-ery. Smh. Get him outta here. Boo Radley (@ClauGasol) January 11, 2017 This Persian dude I follow on Instagram kind of looks like Drake had a better Obama tribute than the actual drake pic.twitter.com/wJ2xoL4xQX Hijo de Buki (@speakz) January 11, 2017 Drake really posted that corny shit of him looking like Obama smh. National Champs. (@LiveFrmCarolina) January 11, 2017 Just when I thought Drake couldn't get anymore corny he does this pic.twitter.com/yCWmFhRTWg ThePenseur (@ThePenseur) January 11, 2017 Drake couldn't have just posted a regular picture of Obama.. like why pic.twitter.com/ZdzwbShBBb victoria vega (@lasvegaaa) January 11, 2017 Drake is that dweeb cousin that comes to visit on holidays that you have to take around your friends so he ain't at home playing minecraft Literally Shaking (@NawRob) January 11, 2017 drake: I want to tell obama thanks for everything he did but I don't know how drake: I got it drake: pic.twitter.com/A4KlUs9DMK truman (@trumanphi) January 11, 2017 You just keep doing you, Drake. (Adds context on Petrobras turnaround, paragraphs 5-6) By Marta Nogueira RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Petroleo Brasileiro SA expects to spend 30 percent more in exploration, production and refining projects this year, signaling that efforts to cut debt and preserve cash are helping Brazil's state-controlled oil company regain investment capacity. Chief Executive Officer Pedro Parente told reporters at an event in Rio de Janeiro that capital spending at Petrobras could rise to $19 billion in 2017 from $14.6 billion in 2016. Investments could be maintained around those levels if Petrobras sticks to strict fuel pricing and preserves cash. Petrobras will follow market guidelines and not macroeconomic policy instructions to set prices for gasoline, diesel and other fuel, he said. Cash of about $22 billion should be enough to allow Petrobras to undertake activities for more than two years, Chief Financial Officer Ivan Monteiro said at the event. "Our cash and financial position is a source of tranquility for the time being," Monteiro said. Their remarks indicate to a large extent the success of Parente in turning around a company that a year ago was thought by many analysts to be the target of a state rescue. During his seven months at the helm of Petrobras, Parente has stretched out over $10 billion in debt payments, revamped output, set off accident-reduction goals and overhauled corporate governance. He faces several obstacles to turning around Petrobras, the world's most indebted major oil firm, including oil price volatility, a corruption scandal highlighting governance flaws, and the legacy of policies that forced the company to enter low-yielding, money-losing business segments. One of his top priorities is to cut the company's $130 billion of debt, amassed after years of state-led policies overstretched the company. According to Monteiro, debt-reduction steps are helping the company regain the trust of global investors and the ability to spend wisely on exploration and production. He expects the company's debt ratings, currently below investment-grade, to be upgraded at least once before the end of this year. Story continues Preferred shares, the company's most widely traded in Brazil, shed 0.3 percent to 15.45 reais in late Wednesday morning trading. The stock is up almost 4 percent this year. In September, Petrobras pledged up to $74.1 billion in capital spending for the 2017-2021 period, compared with a $98.4 billion target in the prior 2015-2019 plan. (Reporting by Marta Nogueira; Additional reporting by Roberto Samora in Sao Paulo; Writing by Guillermo Parra-Bernal; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Grant McCool) * FTSE 100 scores longest winning streak on record * Pan-European STOXX index ends up 0.2 pct * Trump comments on drug prices hits healthcare stocks * Mediaset rallies on report of Vivendi boss offer (Live coverage of European markets now available on cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets. Adds details, closing prices) By Danilo Masoni and Helen Reid MILAN/LONDON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - European shares ended off highs on Wednesday as pharma stocks turned lower on worries over pricing pressure in the U.S. following remarks by Donald Trump in his first news conference. Europe's index of healthcare stocks fell 0.7 percent, weighing on the region's benchmark STOXX Europe 600 index which inched up 0.2 percent at the close. In spite of the turn into negative territory of drug stocks, Britain's blue-chip FTSE 100 rose 0.2 percent to a new record high, closing higher for the twelfth consecutive session in its longest winning streak in the index's 33-year history. Cumulative gains however over the period were limited to 3.5 percent. The U.S. President-elect commented on the need for competitive drug pricing saying pharmaceutical companies are "getting away with murder" by charging high drug prices. London-listed drugmakers Shire and Astrazeneca fell 3.2 percent and 1.8 percent, leading losers in their sector, while Swiss heavyweights Novartis and Roche both fell more than 1 percent, causing the SMI index to end with a drop of 0.3 percent. Elsewhere, retail stocks were back in focus after a well-received update from British grocer Sainsbury. Sainsbury's shares rose as much as 7.8 percent after Britain's second-biggest supermarket beat forecasts for underlying sales in its Christmas quarter. The stock however ended off highs with a gain of 1 percent. This followed peer Morrison's strong performance in the previous session after it too reported robust figures. "UK supermarkets seem to be in rude health following bullish statements from both Morrison's and Sainsbury's," said IG analyst Josh Mahony. Story continues Mediaset rose 5.9 percent, topping gainers on the STOXX. Traders cited a report that Vivendi chief Vincent Bollore could offer a stake in the French media group to the Berlusconi family in a bid to end a dispute over control of the Italian broadcaster. Another outstanding gainer was Danish bioscience company Chr Hansen following consensus-beating first-quarter earnings. The stock rose 5.1 percent. But British aero engineering firm Cobham fell 14.9 percent, after it missed its profit target and scrapped its final dividend. Cobham's 2016 trading profit fell short of a target it had cut just two months before the end of the year because of poor trading. It was headed for its worst day ever, through nearly three days' trading in mid-morning. UBS equities analysts said a recent change in management, with a new CEO and CFO, meant further revisions were likely once new managers undertake a deep review of the business. (Additional reporting by Kit Rees) PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Smartphone apps may warn drivers they're too drunk to drive and keep them off the roads, says Philadelphia car accident lawyer Rand Spear. Smart phones have become part of our everyday lives. When we go out with friends and family, our smart phones come with us. We take pictures, videos, and post on social media. If someone had a smart phone app that showed they had too many drinks to safely drive, could social pressure be brought to bear to keep that person, and others, safe? Any technology that can keep an impaired driver, one who's an accident waiting to happen, from driving is worth a look, says Philadelphia car accident lawyer Rand Spear. Kit Delgado sees firsthand the death and injuries caused by drunk drivers on Philadelphia's streets. He's an emergency room physician at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and a professor of emergency medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine. In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer1, Delgado says he's involved in research to help prevent the injuries that bring people to trauma centers. His focus is on cellphone use while driving and drinking and driving. A technology he's studying is personal breathalyzers, which, in one shape or form or another, have been on the market for more than twenty years. These newer, smaller versions of the technology used by police officers are linked to smartphones via apps. They can be purchased online from $35 to $140, says auto accident attorney Spear. The user connects the device to the phone, which accesses the app. You turn the app on, blow into the device, and it measures your breath alcohol concentration (BAC), and the estimated level appears on the screen (the BAC amount that can result in an arrest for driving under the influence is 0.08, while your driving could be impaired at lower levels). Users can get an idea of their BAC levels over time and share them if they want. Story continues To test their effectiveness, the Colorado Department of Transportation provided smartphone breathalyzers to 225 randomly chosen bar patrons, Delgado says. The average BAC reading from 4,823 measurements was 0.087, above the legal limit. Nearly all of the participants, 84%, stated owning a smartphone Breathalyzer lowered their risk of a DUI, adds Philadelphia accident lawyer Spear. Many of the devices on sale are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have not submitted or published data on accuracy, according to Delgado, which is motivating him to do his own testing. If a device's test result is inaccurate and too low, an impaired driver may feel he or she is safe to drive, and it may result in an accident. A device that reports readings that are inaccurate and too high will be ignored and unused. Delgado says his study will be the first objective, rigorous test of the accuracy of smartphone breathalyzers. He advises the public not to buy one unless it's approved by the FDA. Delgado compares these devices to exercise trackers and other connected devices tracking behavior. It puts people on notice of their behavior and measures it, which can result in a positive change, but without a long term strategy to stick with it and change behavior permanently. the devices will only do so much good. In 2017 Delgado will be involved in a study to test behavior strategies that use smartphone breathalyzers, text message reminders, rideshare app credits. and behavior incentives to try to reduce alcohol-impaired driving and excessive drinking. Bar patrons in the Philadelphia suburbs who admit to past drinking and driving will be recruited for the study. The truly smart way to approach drinking and driving is not to drink when you plan on driving. Since that's not always how the situation is handled. a technology that could keep impaired drivers off the roads, reducing the number of people injured and killed, should be developed. and hopefully one day perfected. If you or a loved one has been injured because of an intoxicated or impaired driver, contact an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer right away. Your lawyer can answer your questions and help you determine the next steps in your case. Call Philadelphia vehicle accident lawyer Rand Spear today at 888-373-4LAW today to discuss your case with a knowledgeable vehicle accident attorney. Media Contact: Rand Spear 888-373-4LAW Footnotes 1 Philadelphia Enquirer http://www.philly.com/philly/health/Five-questions-for-Kit-Delgado-about-Breathalyzers-and-smart-phones.html?mobi=true Photo courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Ditri~commonswiki Source: http://randspear.com/2017/01/06/philadelphia-car-accident-lawyer-rand-spear-says-app-may-stop-drunk-drivers/ SOURCE: Rand Spear via Submit Press Release 123 American children's television network Nickelodeon will not be allowed to build an underwater theme park on one of the nation's most pristine islands, the Philippine environment minister said Wednesday. Nickelodeon's parent firm announced Monday it would build a "themed attraction" inspired by its cartoon characters such as Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants as part of a 400-hectare (1,000-acre) development on Palawan, generating alarm from environmentalists. Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said Wednesday she would reject the project. "Lopez says she won't allow the underwater theme park in Palawan. ," the environment department posted on its Twitter account. In an interview with ABS-CBN television, Lopez said she would not allow any project that would damage the environment and the welfare of local communities. "That's our wealth. It's not allowed. You can't kill the corals. For a theme park? No. No way, man," said Lopez, who has been a vocal opponent of mining projects in Palawan. "The commitment of the government is first and foremost and always, always to the benefit of our people." Conservation groups call Palawan the nation's "last ecological frontier" because of its relatively untouched coastlines and forests, which are among the oldest and most diverse in Southeast Asia. Palawan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, a subterranean river and the Tubbataha coral reefs. Monday's statement by Nickelodeon's parent firm, Viacom International Media Networks, said its resort would open in 2020 and feature restaurants and lounges six metres (20 feet) below sea level. It also said the Palawan project would "take its place alongside" other Nickelodeon-branded attractions such as Wet'n'Wild in Australia, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Land in Russia and IMG Worlds of Legends theme park in Dubai. An online petition organised by local environmentalists calling for the project to be stopped attracted more than 125,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. Story continues Viacom's Philippine partner, Coral World Park, issued a statement on Wednesday insisting the development was not a "theme park" and emphasised that it would not all be underwater. The statement also highlighted the project's "ocean conservation focus" and said it would help fund environmental protection in the area. It referred to plans for a marine sanctuary and said the Coral World Park would "be the largest coral reef conservation program in Asia". "There has never been any form of communication from our side mentioning a theme park," said Coral World Park marketing and communications director Susan Lee. By Luke Mintz LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - An iconic photo of three-year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi washed up dead on a Turkish beach had a greater impact on fundraising efforts for Syrian refugees than hundreds of thousands of deaths, a study has shown. The photo of Kurdi appeared in media across the world in the days after he drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in September 2015. His family were Syrian refugees of Kurdish origin, attempting to flee the war to Europe. "People who had been unmoved by the relentlessly rising death toll in Syria suddenly appeared to care much more after having seen Aylan's photograph," said the report, from science research institute 'Decision Research'. The study used fundraising data from the Swedish Red Cross, which showed a significant increase in donations after news of Kurdi's death, as well as data from Google Trends, which showed a major spike in searches for the terms "Syria" and "refugees". Both the number of donors and the total raised increased after the photo circulated. In the week after Kurdi's death, the study said the average number of daily donations to a Syrian refugee fund run by the Swedish Red Cross rose 100-fold. Before the photo circulated, the charity received fewer than 1,000 donations in a day; afterwards, it rose to almost 14,000. It said the average amount raised each day by the fund was 55 times higher, netting an extra 1.9 million crowns ($210,730) per day. While the surge in interest faded quickly, long term donations did rise. The study, authored by Paul Slovic from the University of Oregon, found the "newly created empathy waned rather quickly" after the initial burst of interest in Kurdi's story, but Kurdi's death prompted a 10-fold rise in those signing up for regular monthly donations. Only 0.02 percent of these donors had canceled by January 2016. "The main take-home message of this paper is that emotional reactions ... can influence actual donation behavior strongly," Arvid Erlandsson, a contributor to the report, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Emotional reactions are ... prone to fade out quickly, thus resulting in sharp increases and decreases in helping behavior, despite the existing need being very stable." Erlandsson went on to suggest that charities and governments could try harder to channel "emotional reactions" into their fundraising efforts. The image of Kurdi joins other iconic photos that have come to symbolise human conflicts and tragedies, including Sharbat Gula, or 'Afghan Girl', whose image on the front cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985 is among the most famous of the Soviet-Afghan War. Similarly, the 1972 image of nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc fleeing a napalm attack in Vietnam came to symbolise the horrors of the Vietnam War. Kurdi died in September 2015, along with his five-year-old brother. Their family had fled from their home in the northern Syrian town of Kobani. Shots of the small boy's body being cradled by a Turkish policeman circulated worldwide and galvanized several governments into policy changes, with the German government agreeing to admit thousands of refugees then stranded in Hungary only two days later. Over 5,000 refugees were killed in 2016 while traveling across the Mediterranean, according to the Missing Migrants Project. ($1 = 9.0162 Swedish crowns) (Editing by Lyndsay Griffiths. 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 to see more stories) A 2,400-year-old tomb filled with the skeletons of at least six people has been discovered in northern Iraq. Among the artifacts found in the tomb is a bracelet decorated with images of two snake heads peering at each other. The tomb was constructed toward the end, or just after, the time of the Achaemenid Empire (550 to 330 B.C.), an empire in the Middle East that was conquered by Alexander the Great in a series of campaigns, according to the archaeologists, led by Michael Danti, a professor at Boston University. The excavation results were presented by Kyra Kaercher and Katie Downey, graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania and The Ohio State University, respectively, in November 2016 at the American Schools of Oriental Research's annual meeting. "The snake-headed bracelet was very popular in Achaemenid times," and helped date the tomb, the team of archaeologists told Live Science in an email. [In Photos: Ancient City Discovered in Iraq] It's difficult for archaeologists to tell exactly how many people were originally buried in the tomb, as some of the skeletons were found in a jumbled state. That disarray indicates that someone had entered, and possibly robbed, the tomb in ancient times, the researchers noted. Inside the tomb, the archaeologists also found a pair of bronze earrings and the remains of at least 48 pottery vessels, five of which were still intact. "There were five complete vessels found in the tomb: one bridge-spouted jar, three pitchers and one miniature jar. They were all found near the heads of skeletons," the archaeologists wrote. These intact jars that were found near the heads of skulls in the tomb in Iraq and date back around 2,400 years. Kyra Kaercher This tomb probably didn't belong to noblemen or wealthy individuals. "Based on the ceramics found and the limited amount of metal and other objects, these people were probably from a more modest background," the archaeologists wrote. The archaeologists aren't sure yet whether the people were related to one another. Layers of bones Archaeologists found that sometime between 400 and 1,300 years ago, the tomb, originally the home of the six-plus skeletons found, was reused, and at least five more people (probably more) were buried there. The heads of those skeletons, which were separated from the older bones by a layer of soil, were found facing west. The archaeologists did not find any artifacts dating to the more recent burials. Story continues "Based on the lack of artifacts found with the skeletons and their locations the tomb reuse probably dates to the Early or Middle Islamic period [eighth to 17th century A.D.], but without artifacts or carbon samples, this cannot be proved," the archaeologists told Live Science. The researchers cautioned, however, that the time period for the more recent burials "does not mean these are Islamic burials," they wrote. "Historically, in this region, various religious groups have lived together, including Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, Zoroastrians and many others." Need for preservation A 2,400-year-old bronze bracelet with two snakes facing each other was also found in the Iraq tomb. Michael Danti The tomb was excavated in the summer of 2013, after construction workers who were widening a road discovered it. Numerous archaeologists have told Live Science over the past few years that preservation is critical for the survival of heritage in northern Iraq. Islamic State group (also known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) militants destroyed, damaged and looted many heritage sites after they conquered part of northern Iraq during a military campaign in the spring and summer of 2014. This particular tomb was not in an area they took over. At present, ISIS still controls part of Mosul and a few small cities, towns and rural areas in northern Iraq. Numerous archaeologists have also told Live Science over the past few years that during the rule of Saddam Hussein, archaeologists had little access to parts of northern Iraq and that a number of sites are in desperate need of conservation. Moreover, as construction projects (such as the road widening that led to the discovery of this tomb) take place, new archaeological sites will be discovered. Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations Ree Drummond is mourning the lost of a beautiful friend. The best-selling author, a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman, said goodbye to her beloved Basset hound Charlie on Monday, and took to Instagram to memorialize him. I feel a little funny writing much about this, because Charlie was a dog and because there is so much human tragedy and sadness all around that this cant even begin to compare to, Drummond captioned a photo of the dog walking through grass. But anyone whos ever loved a dog understands this specific sense of loss. I love you, Charlie. Thank you for being the dog of my dreams. The TV personality said the pup the star of a series of childrens books Drummond penned had a full life at the familys Oklahoma ranch with the cows and the rabbits, and Im so grateful he was ours. In a post on her blog, Drummond said the pooch was diagnosed with lymphoma more than one year ago but recently took a turn for the worst. She described his final goodbye on Monday as peaceful and quiet. The sad news struck a chord with Drummond and Charlies fans, who reached out on Twitter to offer their condolences. Of course my five year old daughter and I are reading Charlie the Ranch Dog for our bed time story, one wrote. Will always love him. The messages and likes there were more than 100,000 hearts for her post on Instagram clearly helped mend her broken heart. Thank you to everyone for your kind words about Charlie, she shared on Twitter. Someone told me today that friends double your joy and halve your sorrow. Thank you. The Texas woman who scared off an intruder by shooting at him is speaking out. Read: Grandma Allegedly Shoots at Dad of 2-Year-Old After Custody Battle, Accidentally Shoots Herself Rebbie Roberson, 74, watches TV from her green recliner every night inside her Texarkana home. Next to her always is a .38 caliber pistol. When someone broke into her house on January 1, she showed him how tough a granny she can be. When she came face-to-face with her intruder, the quick-thinking woman grabbed her gun and opened fire. I got my gun, when I did I pointed it at him, she told Inside Edition. "I started shooting at him. When she called 911, she told the operator the burglar did not take anything because he didnt have time because I ran and got my gun." She left bullet holes in the walls and claims she wanted to kill him. Read: Man Allegedly Accidentally Shoots Friend While Drunkenly Playing with Gun Roberson added: "I dont know who I shot at, I dont know if I got him or not." The suspect remains at large. Watch: Teacher Describes Moment She Was Saved by Complete Stranger During Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting Related Articles: * Centrist opposition maintains plenary hall sit-in * European Commission sees threat to Polish democracy (Recasts with reopening of parliament) By Pawel Sobczak and Agnieszka Barteczko WARSAW, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Poland's parliament resumed proceedings after the winter recess on Wednesday in defiance of an opposition blockade of the plenary hall, escalating a stand-off that has raised fears for democracy in the European Union state. The centrist opposition Civic Platform had sought to delay the reopening of the assembly after the Christmas and New Year holidays, vowing to continue a nearly month-long sit-in unless the ruling conservatives agreed to a re-run of a budget vote. The crisis began in mid-December when opposition lawmakers blocked the plenary hall podium to protest at conservative plans for curbs on media access to parliament. It worsened when they accused the ruling party of passing the 2017 budget illegally in a side room without the requisite quorum of lawmakers. Dismissing the accusations, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party held a Senate vote to approve the budget - the next step towards enactment - and reopened the lower house of parliament. "Parliament will continue to operate normally tomorrow," PiS deputy Arkadiusz Mularczyk told private broadcaster TVN24. "I hope we will vote on new legislation. I hope the PO will be reasonable because the protest does not serve Poland well." The stalemate in parliament has laid bare divisions in Poland that have deepened since the eurosceptic PiS ousted the PO from power in the 2015 election. The conservatives remain generally popular among voters thanks to a blend of nationalism, Roman Catholic piety and steps to help poorer Poles who have not benefited much from a decade of heady economic growth in the formerly communist country. But the PiS has also drawn mounting criticism at home and abroad for what many see as a drift towards authoritarian rule. Voicing concern over "a systemic threat to the rule of law" in Poland, the European Commission in December gave the PiS government two months to sort out questions surrounding its moves to assert more control over the judiciary and media. Story continues Standard and Poor's downgraded Poland's debt ratings a year ago, citing increasing questions about the independence of key Polish institutions under the PiS government. The dispute over the 2017 budget began when PiS lawmakers retreated to an auxiliary chamber of parliament in December to sidestep the opposition blockade. The opposition then said it had been prevented from taking part in the proceedings and accused the PiS of lacking a quorum to hold a legal vote. "For the moment, we continue to block the podium. Tomorrow we decide exactly how to proceed with our protest," Joanna Mucha, a PO deputy, told private broadcaster TVN24 after the PiS speaker announced parliament was back in session. This was preceded by hours of emergency meetings among senior party officials seeking to defuse the standoff. In an apparent gesture on Monday to forge a compromise, the conservatives withdrew plans to limit how journalists can cover parliamentary proceedings, a proposal that sparked public protests in December. But the PO said the move was not good enough and again demanded a re-run of the budget vote. (Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Pawel Florkiewicz and Marcin Goclowski; writing by Justyna Pawlak; editing by Mark Heinrich) By Ben Hirschler LONDON (Reuters) - Divided societies, rising populism and fears for the world's climate top the list of risks facing politicians, central bankers and business leaders gathering in Davos next week. The world has changed dramatically in the year since they last met in the Swiss Alps, with Donald Trump's election in the United States and Britain's vote to leave the European Union exposing deep public disenchantment with globalization. "Davos Man" - those who meet each year at the World Economic Forum (WEF) - faces further threats in 2017 too, with elections in the Netherlands, France, Germany and probably Italy all offering scope for an anti-establishment backlash. Ahead of its annual meeting, the WEF's 2017 Global Risks report on Wednesday highlighted rising income and wealth disparity as the trend most likely to determine global developments over the next decade. While the world economy is expected to carry on growing this year - helped by anticipated U.S. tax cuts and infrastructure spending under a Trump administration - the threat of protectionism presents a rising long-term risk. Other dangers have not gone away, with climate concerns moving up the agenda as Trump's arrival as President in the White House casts a shadow over curbing carbon emissions. Extreme weather events are now rated as the single most prominent global risk. "Many of these risks have been highlighted in past reports, except now they are moving in the direction of having a higher impact," said Cecilia Reyes, chief risk officer of Zurich Insurance, one of the report's authors. The Jan. 17-20 Davos meeting will bring together 3,000 participants, including President Xi Jinping, the first Chinese head of state to attend the WEF, and British Prime Minister Theresa May. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, however, have decided to skip the event. Trump, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, will also not be there. The fallout of Trump's pledge to "Make America Great Again" will be debated intensely, however, and his stance on the Middle East and the threat of terrorism is also an area of uncertainty. Another risk in the spotlight is the rise of robots and the threat posed to jobs. The report names artificial intelligence and robotics as the technologies with the greatest potential for both positive and negative consequences, including exacerbating the threat posed by hacking. Without effective governance and retraining of workers, technology may destroy more jobs than it creates at a time when cash-strapped governments can no longer afford historical levels of welfare. The report analyzed 30 global risks and 13 underlying trends over a 10-year horizon by surveying around 750 experts and decision makers. (Editing by Alexander Smith) Barack Obama delivered his final formal address as president of the United States on Tuesday with an impassioned, profoundly moving speech that reflected on all the nation has accomplished during the last eight years and the obstacles that lay ahead. Obama, who spent much of his speech encouraging political involvement and warning against complacency, also shared his thanks with the people in his life who helped him the most over his two terms in office -- First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Sasha and Malia. MORE: The Obama Family's Big 2016: The 12 Best Moments from the President's Last Year in Office "Michelle for the past twenty-five years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend," an emotional Obama said to his wife. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud." Addressing his daughters, the President praised them for how they've handled growing up "under the strangest of circumstances" and in the public eye, sharing, "Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad." WATCH: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and More Stars Remember Barack Obama's Presidency in Moving Tribute Obama also shared his appreciation with his vice president and good friend, Joe Biden, telling the 74-year-old veteran politician, "You were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great vice president, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother." Throughout his elegant and deftly delivered oration, celebrities, politicians and journalists took to Twitter and Instagram to share their love for the outgoing president, as well as the class and statesmanship he brought to the White House. Story continues Thank you, thank you, thank you...a million times...thank you. A photo posted by Zendaya (@zendaya) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:03pm PST Never doubt the power of a beautiful speech. Elegant, calm, smart & positive. #ObamaFarewell Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 11, 2017 Half of America is ugly crying right now. PLEASE DON'T GO @POTUS!!!!!! #ObamaFarewell Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) January 11, 2017 #OneOfOne History will speak it all. Massive love and respect for this magnanimous icon of a man, President Barack Obama A photo posted by Omar Epps (@omarepps) on Jan 10, 2017 at 6:15pm PST I love u @POTUS In good times & bad the buck stopped w you. Thank u for being a true leader & for 8 yrs of astounding, immeasurable progress Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 11, 2017 Glide off into the sunset My Friend... THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT..... for making me BELIEVE... in ME... and US... You will be Missed!!! RESPECT!!! A photo posted by Shemar Moore (@shemarfmoore) on Jan 10, 2017 at 6:29pm PST I will miss @Barackobama so much he has a big heart, represents everything that is America, and has limitless compassion for the people Jay Pharoah (@JayPharoah) January 11, 2017 .@POTUS @BarackObama made me proud to be an American as he reminded us of the power of democracy & unity. #ObamaFarewell Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 11, 2017 Gonna miss them. A photo posted by Chris Colfer (@hrhchriscolfer) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:06pm PST NEWS: Michelle Obama Candidly Reflects on Election With Oprah: 'We're Feeling What Not Having Hope Feels Like' While Obama only briefly mentioned President-Elect Donald Trump by name, it was clear that much of his speech was aimed at the fear and trepidation many Americans are feeling at the prospect of his impending reign. That concern regarding the incoming president was evident in many posts. Barack Obama simply says "My fellow Americans..." and the crowd cheers, because those words will mean something very different in 9 days... Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 11, 2017 This #ObamaFarewell is beautiful. The love. Could Trump soak up all this warmth? Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 11, 2017 You lost me at "the future is in good hands" #ObamaFarewell Natasha Leggero (@natashaleggero) January 11, 2017 However, it was Obama's inspiring words and call to action -- along with his promise that he won't stop fighting for the country and for freedom, even as a private citizen -- that seemed to invigorate people the most, especially when he concluded his speech with the motivating words that became the slogan of his first presidential campaign in 2004: "Yes we can!" Yes We Can, Yes We Did & Yes We Will. Blessings Mr President. Thank You #ObamaFarewell Dule Hill (@DuleHill) January 11, 2017 YES! "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions." @POTUS #FarewellObama Adrian Grenier (@adriangrenier) January 11, 2017 This classy eloquent #ObamaFarewell on the heels of today's latest #PEOTUS crap is invigorating my patriotic soul. #vigilantbutnotafraid Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) January 11, 2017 YES WE CAN #obamafarewell kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 11, 2017 NEWS: Chrissy Teigen, Nick Jonas, Olivia Wilde and More Bid Farewell to President Barack Obama at White House Party Check out even more of the wide range of celeb reactions to Obama's farewell address below. A photo posted by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Jan 10, 2017 at 6:52pm PST You may disagree w/ president on a lot. But Barack Obama & family have given us such dignity & class. Nonpartisan thanks. Scott Simon (@nprscottsimon) January 11, 2017 If you're wondering what Presidential looks like, turn on your TV right now. #ObamaFarewell Raymond Braun (@raymondbraun) January 11, 2017 It was pretty cool to have a president who reads books. #ObamaFarewell Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) January 11, 2017 I hope @realDonaldTrump is watching #ObamaFarewell - b/c @BarackObama is showing how you act presidential. Watch and learn! MazJobrani (@MazJobrani) January 11, 2017 We're a nation of immigrants and a nation of hatred and a nation of love, but mostly we're a nation of people wanting to be loved Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 11, 2017 For eight years of hope, decency, and dedication to the cause of making people's lives better: thanks @POTUS. #ObamaFarewell Al Franken (@alfranken) January 11, 2017 Going from Obama to Trump gotta be the biggest downgrade in history. I can't. #ObamaFarewell pic.twitter.com/gGgFRl2K0M Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 11, 2017 Me watching President Obama speak. pic.twitter.com/4EUT3AwAGB Gabby SidiBae (@GabbySidibe) January 11, 2017 Goose bumps of pride, witnessing history as our magnificent president says farewell. #ObamaFarewell Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) January 11, 2017 This classy eloquent #ObamaFarewell on the heels of today's latest #PEOTUS crap is invigorating my patriotic soul. #vigilantbutnotafraid Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) January 11, 2017 The networks should play this speech on a daily basis for the next four years. #propagandaIcangetbehind #ObamaFarewell Michelle Collins (@michcoll) January 11, 2017 President Obama is a good man who has made our economy, country, & planet safer - & has given us hope. Thank you, @POTUS. #ObamaFarewell Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) January 11, 2017 Walks off to Springsteen's "Land of Hope and Dreams". And now for something completely different... #ObamaFarewell Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 11, 2017 Keeping this in mind... "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." - Martin Luther King Jr. #ObamaFarewell Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) January 11, 2017 My takeaway from this speech is that we must fight fear. We all have a role. We must embrace the role of citizenship. Politics can be better Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 11, 2017 WATCH: Michelle Obama Gives Emotional Final Speech: 'Being Your First Lady Has Been the Greatest Honor of My Life' Related Articles TWIN FALLS Tracie OGorman was voted outstanding student of the year when she earned her bachelors degree from San Diego State University. She traveled through Europe and Africa. And she loved shopping especially for shoes. She did it all between hospitals stays where she underwent seven organ transplants and numerous joint replacements. After a 28-year battle with autoimmune hepatitis, OGorman died Dec. 26 at age 47. The Times-News wrote numerous stories about OGorman and her medical struggles during the late 1980s and 90s. Magic Valley residents rallied around her and raised money to help her pay for medical bills. She made history in 1993 as the first person to ever receive four liver transplants, and through her life, she survived four liver and three kidney transplants. She was always like, OK, lets get it done, her mother, Dee Packer, said. Her daughter often said shed rather be going through it than somebody else. OGorman was 18 when she had her first transplant and 42 when she had her last. But Packer describes her daughter as upbeat and happy. She just inspired all of us, she said. There were many times when OGorman was hospitalized and doctors said she wouldnt survive the night. But each time, shed see her daughter sitting up in bed and eating breakfast the next morning. She could just be so sick, Packer said, but would still smile and was upbeat. Packer recalls one Christmas when OGorman found out she would have a transplant the next day. The family had a holiday dinner and festivities, and then OGorman checked into a hospital at 10 p.m. Christmas night to prepare for surgery. It was a wonderful Christmas, Packer said. Staying positive As a child, OGorman idolized her brother Rodney who is five years older and they had a close relationship through adulthood, Packer said. She was also extremely close with her grandfather. Her birthday was June 4, which usually coincided with Twin Falls Western Days. It was a big birthday party for her, Packer said. After graduating from Twin Falls High School in 1987, OGorman studied abroad in Germany and lived with a wonderful host family, Packer said. OGorman was an excellent student and her dream was to eventually practice international law. But that never happened. After a short time in Germany, OGorman got chickenpox and her body was covered in a blister-like rash a hallmark symptom of the virus. The chickenpox, though, was just the start of her medical problems. When OGorman was home from Germany, Packer noticed her daughters eyes were yellow one day while they were Christmas shopping. But it didnt make any sense. She was just the picture of good health, Packer said. In 1988, OGorman was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, which was triggered by the chickenpox. Its a condition that caused her immune system to attack her own body. Her own body destroyed her own liver, Packer said. After surviving four liver transplants, OGorman found out she needed a kidney transplant. Her mother was one of the donors. She underwent the liver transplants and one kidney transplant at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. She also received two kidney transplants at the University of San Francisco. None of us knew how she stayed so positive, Packer said, especially since she was constantly in pain. A life of learning In her 20s, OGorman got married and moved to California with her husband. They later divorced. OGorman lived in Oakland, Calif., and while in San Diego, she helped with cold case files for the San Diego Police Department and was a nanny for a 6-year-old girl. She loved children, but was unable to have any of her own, Packer said. Despite her medical challenges, OGorman graduated from college with honors in 2002 from San Diego State University. Packer remembers her daughter as an excellent student with gorgeous handwriting who wanted to continually learn. She was like a sponge, she said. She wanted to read and write. After moving back to Idaho, OGorman lived in Eagle and then settled in Twin Falls three years ago where she made many new friends. In Twin Falls, OGorman lived with her parents because she needed around-the-clock care. She was in the hospital a lot, but never spent a night by herself, Packer said, and was surrounded by family. Medical professionals from Nebraska kept in touch with OGorman throughout her life, and they became close friends. That was true of many of OGormans medical providers, from physical therapists to physicians. OGorman loved holidays and at Christmastime, shed make sugar cookies to give to employees at her dialysis appointments. Shed make lists to ensure she didnt forget to deliver cookies to anyone. She also enjoyed trying out new restaurants. Shed get hooked on one at a time and went back again and again, Packer said. For a while, OGorman ate macaroni and cheese at Noodles & Co. every day. The employees knew her by name and sometimes sent cookies to the hospital or bought her lunch, Packer said. OGorman also enjoyed making cards and was part of a book club. She loved cooking from scratch and watching the television show The Pioneer Woman. Packer said people often asked her how the family coped with OGormans illness. But it was OGorman herself who helped the family cope the most: It was because she was so positive all the time. President Obama, delivering his last major address at the end of his history making presidency, warned that divisions within the country could pose a threat to democracy. In an emotional, hour-long speech at Chicagos McCormick Place, before a cheering crowd of supporters, Obama even cited the role of social media and partisan networks in creating a bubble that exacerbate divisions. For too many of us, its become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or on college campuses or places of worship or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions, he said. The rise of naked partisanship, increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste all this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable. And increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence thats out there. While he outlined many of his accomplishments in his eight years in office, his calls for unity and common ground reflected the themes of his presidential campaign that nevertheless often eluded him in the White House. Understand, democracy does not require uniformity, he said. Our founders argued, they quarreled and eventually they compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one. He warned that America is not a fragile thing, but the gains of our long journey to freedom are not assured. During his presidency, social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram exploded. Although his White House capitalized on it as a means of reaching citizens, Obama also spoke of its downside, as its users seek out only information that confirms their own views. Story continues Politics is a battle of ideas; in the course of a healthy debate, well prioritize different goals, and the different means of reaching them, he said. But without some common baseline of facts; without a willingness to admit new information, and concede that your opponent might be making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, well keep talking past each other, making common ground and compromise impossible. Obama teared up as he thanked his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as his two daughters, Sasha and Malia. A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model, he said of the first lady. Obama delivered the speech in Chicago before the rally-like crowd made up of supporters, current and former administration officials, and donors as a kind of return to his roots. His new presidential library will be located there, although the Obamas will remain in Washington for another year and a half so their youngest daughter can finish high school. He mentioned his successor, Donald Trump, by name only once and there were boos when Obama initially mentioned the pending inauguration of his successor. But Obama also signaled some of the fault lines, particularly when it comes to issues like climate change, immigration and healthcare. He hinted that some of what the new administration is planning, with a Republican majority, ignore a factual basis or are hypocritical. How can elected officials rage about deficits when we propose to spend money on preschool for kids, but not when were cutting taxes for corporations? How do we excuse ethical lapses in our own party, but pounce when the other party does the same thing? Its not just dishonest, this selective sorting of the facts; its self-defeating. Because as my mother used to tell me, reality has a way of catching up with you. But he also tried to extend notes of optimism to those dejected by the election results. He acknowledged that our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard, contentious and sometimes bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some. Obama outlined solutions to the divisions, including over the volatile issue of race. He said that talk of a post-racial America after his election was never realistic. Instead, he called for a common dialog after a divisive presidential campaign in which rhetoric seemed to pit the vision of a multicultural America against disaffected working class whites. For blacks and other minorities, it means tying our own struggles for justice to the challenges that a lot of people in this country face the refugee, the immigrant, the rural poor, the transgender American, and also the middle-aged white man who from the outside may seem like hes got all the advantages, but whos seen his world upended by economic, cultural, and technological change, he said. For white Americans, it means acknowledging that the effects of slavery and Jim Crow didnt suddenly vanish in the 60s; that when minority groups voice discontent, theyre not just engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness; that when they wage peaceful protest, theyre not demanding special treatment, but the equal treatment our Founders promised. He pushed back against the cynicism toward politics and public service, and urged Americans to get out of their comfort zones and to recognize the need for public participation beyond 140 character tweets. If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try to talk with one in real life, he said. If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If youre disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. He did end his speech on a hopeful note, characterizing the next generation as yearning to be engaged and repeating his campaign catch phrase, Yes, we can. Watch Obamas farewell speech below: Related stories How to Watch Donald Trump's Press Conference Online Trump's Inauguration Will Have 'Soft Sensuality' Rather Than Stars, Says Tom Barrack Ben Affleck Defends Meryl Streep Against Donald Trump Calling Her 'Overrated' (Watch) President Barack Obama traveled to Chicago Tuesday, where he gave an emotional farewell after eight years in the White House. The two-term Democrat was greeted with chants of "four more years!" as he took the stage at McCormick Place to give his final address as president. Read: Barack Obama's Tearful Final Address As President: 'Yes We Did' [FULL TEXT] "I can't do that," the president said. What he could do was offer one of his signature uplifting speeches that helped kick off his ascent to the highest office in America. "Yes, our progress has been uneven," he told the nearly 20,000 attendees. "The work of democracy has always been hard, contentious and sometimes bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back." But, he added, "The future should be ours." In one of the more tearful moments of the speech, Obama paid tribute to his wife, first lady Michelle Obama. "Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side," the president said to applause. "For the past 25 years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. "You took on a role you didnt ask for. And you made it your own with grace and with grit and with style, and good humor. "And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model." As Obama teared up, so did his wife and daughter Malia in the audience. Noticeably absent during Obama's address was his younger daughter, Sasha. Read: President Obama Serves as Groomsman in Chief at Aide's Wedding After Twitter exploded with the question "Where is Sasha?" the answer came as a kind of affirmation of President Obama's presiding message that the world will keep turning after he leaves office. According to a White House official, the 15-year-old high school student remained in D.C. because she has a Wednesday morning exam. Story continues Watch: President Obama Sings at Daughter Malia's 18th Birthday Related Articles: Jan 11 (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. - Volkswagen AG is on the verge of pleading guilty to criminal charges and paying $4.3 billion in fines, in a deal that would resolve a federal criminal investigation into its cheating on vehicle emissions tests, the automaker said on Tuesday. http://nyti.ms/2jtdNNH - The publisher of The Daily Mirror, a left-wing British tabloid, said on Tuesday it was in early-stage talks to acquire a minority stake in a new company that would include assets of the Northern & Shell Media Group, which publishes two rival right-wing tabloids, The Daily Express and The Daily Star. http://nyti.ms/2j64abm - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is pushing further into the very sector that it helped to disrupt with a $2.6 billion bid for Intime Retail Group Co Ltd, a department store and mall operator in China. Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce behemoth, already owned 28 percent of Intime, which is listed in Hong Kong, and made an offer with Shen Guo Jun, the founder of the department store chain, to take the company private. http://nyti.ms/2j66u27 - Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan have hired a top political operative to lead the next phase of their philanthropic work at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the limited liability company they set up in 2015 to conduct charitable efforts. David Plouffe, who managed Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and is chief adviser and a board member at Uber, is leaving the ride-hailing company to join the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative as president of policy and advocacy. http://nyti.ms/2jtfiLE - John Carlin, who was the Justice Department's top national security lawyer, has moved to the law firm Morrison & Foerster to lead its global risk and crisis management practice, the firm announced on Tuesday. http://nyti.ms/2iDPU6a (Compiled by Rama Venkat Raman in Bengaluru) Princess Kate stepped back into royal duty on Wednesday when she visited one of the key charities in her kids mental health campaign. The royal took to Londons Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families to highlight early intervention for young children with mental health issues. The royal mom of two heard from a group of mothers who underwent a program at the center to help them with issues like abuse and addiction. Parenting is tough, she said. And with the history and all the things and the experiences youve all witnessed, to do that on top of your own anxieties, and the lack of support you also received as mothersI find it extraordinary how youve managed actually. The royal can appreciate life as a busy mom, admitting she just left a full house of her own. I did just leave a room of six under threes, she said, smiling, when she was asked if she was braced to spend the morning with a group of children under 5. Kate, who celebrated her 35th birthday surrounded by family and friends in Norfolk last weekend, was praised as an inspiration by staff and families alike, as her campaign garners attention around the world. The 35-year-old royal saw first-hand how the Early Years Parenting Unit (EYPU) aims to keep families together by offering an assessment and treatment program for groups of parents with personality disorders and their children who are at risk of being taken out of the parents custody. The group works to address the parents personality disorders, childrens developmental needs, and the parent-child relationship. In a statement, Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive of the center, said, We are delighted that Her Royal Highness shares our passion for offering support to parents, as early as possible in the childs life. //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Story continues He added, We are very happy that Her Royal Highness is meeting parents from two of our flagship early intervention services. Her visit is an inspiration to the staff and reinforces the commitment of the families to work to increase their babies chances of a resilient future. The Duchess of Cambridge meets families at a theraplay session pic.twitter.com/nP0Jq1foJ3 Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) January 11, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js But more important, by bringing attention to the real difference that early years programmes can make, The Duchess is stimulating interest in similar services throughout the country and right across the world. The visit underlined what the charity called Kates continued desire to draw attention to child mental health issues, the importance of early intervention and working with the entire family. Prince William and Princess Kates Holiday Card Is Finally Revealed Kate met with parents who have completed the program and heard the stories behind what brought them to the center. She also saw a theraplay session, which promotes the attachment relationship between parents and children. The princess met families who have benefited from the centers early years service, Parent Infant Psychotherapy (PIP) which supports expecting and new parents. Later in the day, she will join Prince William to visit a center run by one of his charities, Child Bereavement UK. Paris (AFP) - French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has come under fire from the far right for showing disrespect for the French language by daring to address a conference in English. Macron, a 39-year-old centrist whose prospects are being taken increasingly seriously, took what amounts to an unusual move in French politics by defending the European Union during a visit to Berlin on Tuesday. And he raised eyebrows further by doing it in the language of "les anglosaxons" -- too much for far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose nationalist instincts are matched by a contempt for the European Union. "Presidential candidate Macron goes to Berlin to do a conference in English... poor France!" she wrote on Tuesday in a tweet personally signed by her. Responding to a tweeted suggestion that Macron's language skills had upstaged his monolingual opponents, Le Pen's loyal lieutenant Florian Philippot went further. "He just shows that he has no respect for our language and that he doesn't believe in France," wrote the vice-president of the National Front party. The French government fiercely protects the language of Moliere, spoken by more than 220 million people worldwide thanks to France's colonial past. While its leaders have a poor record in English -- President Francois Hollande has little command of the language of Shakespeare -- more and more young French people see it as vital. Hollande was mocked in 2012 when he wrote to US President Barack Obama to congratulate him on his re-election and signed off with the words, "Friendly, Francois Hollande." It was an embarrassing mistranslation of the French word "amicalement", used at the end of letters to mean "best wishes." In 2006, then French president Jacques Chirac famously stormed out of an EU summit in protest at a French businessman who had addressed the room in English. Macron, a former banker and economy minister who is running as an independent, claims that his movement "En Marche" is the only pro-European force in France's presidential election this April and May. A recent poll showed him ahead of Le Pen in the first round of the April-May election for the first time under certain scenarios. Analysts see France's election as highly unpredictable, with the final list of candidates still unknown. From Cosmopolitan Deianeira Ford, a biracial 21-year-old woman from Zion, Illinois, visited a local Dairy Queen with her two small children last Wednesday. When her $5 order was wrong, she asked for a refund to which the stores owner Jim Crichton responded by allegedly verbally assaulting Ford and her children, the Washington Post reports. In a post thats since been deleted by Facebook (though its unclear exactly why), Ford detailed the alleged incident. After giving her back the $5, Crichton called me and my children n******; he said I can go back to where I came from," Ford wrote. "He took out his flip phone and he said he would take a picture and put it on Facebook because he wants to show the world what kind of n****** he has to deal with. Then he shut the window and walked away, she told the Post. She also said her 3-year-old daughter whos a little sponge asked her Mommy, we n******? When she asked for his name to file a report, he reportedly replied he was Bill Clinton then said better yet Im Donald Trump." Ford then called the police from the Dairy Queen parking lot. The responding officer wrote later in a report Crichton proudly admitted to using the slur and said he would be happy to go to jail over the issue, according to the Chicago Tribune. He also said he was fed up with black people. The officer noted Crichton used the N-word freely to describe black people in the store. When contacted by the News-Sun the next day, Crichton denied the accusations. "It's 99 percent lies, he said. Her order was confusing, and I told her, 'Here's your money back. This is so far blown out of proportion. Two days after the alleged incident, the official Dairy Queen Facebook account informed those whod complained on behalf of Ford that the Zion Dairy Queen location had been closed until further notice. In a more recent Facebook update, Ford wrote Crichton had his license revoked and subsequently lost his franchise. Story continues Fords attorney continues to meet with people whove allegedly been treated similarly by Crichton, though no one has pressed charges officially yet. Black Lives Matter protestors and other local activists have been organized in front of the Dairy Queen since Saturday. Follow Tess on Twitter. Related: For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. You Might Also Like Heavy rain responsible for floods across southern Thailand eased Wednesday, leaving residents to pick through damaged homes and ruined fields wrought by the 10-day deluge. Record downpours have submerged vast swathes of Thailand's agricultural south since the beginning of the month, leaving at least 31 dead and affecting 1.1 million people. The unseasonal weather has also struck popular beach destinations during Thailand's peak tourist period, sparking travel chaos with flights, railways and roads disrupted. While much of the south remains under water, sunshine finally broke through raising hopes of an end to days of misery. "There is no heavy downpour expected," Surangkana Jongsawat, the chief of Thailand's weather department, told AFP. "The worst is over, now we have to wait for current flood waters to recede," she added. Officials are now focused on delivering aid and rebuilding wrecked infrastructure. Flash floods across the region have left considerable destruction in their wake, knocking down bridges and gouging hundreds of roads. Muddy floodwaters have also inundated rubber and palm oil plantations and are likely to leave farmers with significant losses. The total cost of the damage is still being calculated, officials told AFP. Meanwhile, soldiers have been mobilised to deliver relief by boat and helicopter to swamped villages where the waters have reached roof-high levels in some areas. "Our first priority is life," Charoen Watanasrimongkol, a Royal Thai Air Force captain organising airborne relief missions in Surat Thani province, told AFP. "The current is strong so we need safety equipment to get people to hospital," he said, adding that authorities are focusing on reconstruction now that the rains have eased. After having been absent since 2015, Ralph Lauren will be returning to the official calendar for New York Fashion Week: Men's reports WWD. The designer sent out invitations on Tuesday for a showing of his Purple Label fall collection, which according to the emailed invitation is to be presented on February 1 by private appointment at the company's Madison Avenue headquarters. The line has previously been presented in Milan. Lauren often presents his men's collections privately rather than on the runway, preferring buyers and editors to be able to get up close and personal with the line at a presentation. NYFW: Men's will be held from Monday, January 30 through Thursday, February 2. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Demonstrators dressed in Tyrannosaurus Rex costumes protested against the appointment as US Secretary of State of former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building during Tillersons appointment hearing on January 11. The protesters called on the Senate to Reject Rex! and chanted, Hey hey! Ho ho! Tillerson has got to go! Credit: Twitter/350 via Storyful (Recasts throughout, changes slug from SOUTHKOREA-BAN/) * Ban Ki-moon "knows nothing" about relatives' U.S. bribery case * Indictment filed in U.S. court against Ban's brother, nephew * Former UN chief yet to declare his candidacy for president * Early election looms after influence-peddling scandal By Christine Kim and Se Young Lee SEOUL, Jan 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. bribery case against two relatives has cast a pall over former United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon's planned return this week to South Korea, where he is expected to launch a bid to run for president. Ban, 72, has not declared his candidacy but has had a team of people laying groundwork in Seoul ahead of his planned arrival in South Korea on Thursday afternoon. The former foreign minister consistently polls as a top candidate as South Korea braces for the possibility of an early election following parliament's December impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in an influence-peddling scandal. If South Korea's Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, Park would become South Korea's first democratically elected leader to leave office in disgrace. Lee Do-woon, Ban's spokesman, was quick to distance Ban from the indictment, which was filed against his younger brother and his nephew in a Manhattan federal court. It accuses Ban's relatives of a scheme to bribe a Middle Eastern official for an attempted $800 million sale of a building complex in Vietnam. "Ban was greatly surprised by the news, which he learned from the media. He knows nothing about it," said Lee, who also said Ban would address various concerns directly upon his arrival in South Korea. Ban will take at least two weeks to decide whether he will run for president instead of taking to the campaign trail immediately, as many analysts and observers had expected, Lee told a media briefing. Ban's spokesman also asked his supporters to refrain from greeting him on his arrival at Incheon airport. Ban was not immediately available for comment. While not yet declaring an intention to run for president, he has said he would devote himself to the country after his U.N. tenure ended. Story continues "MUST BE CONVINCING" "What he needs to do is draw a line and say he has nothing to do with (the alleged improprieties), and he needs to be convincing in his explanation. Otherwise people will start doubting him," said Kim Sang-jin, professor of political science at Konkuk University. "If he mishandles this people will start thinking that he is too weak or isn't as clean as they thought he was," Kim said. Ban does not belong to any political party and has been out of the country for most of the past decade. However, a party, funds and political machinery to support him could come together quickly if and when he announces he will run for president on what is widely expected to be a conservative platform. He had until recently been tipped to run as a member of Park's Saenuri party. However, being a Saenuri candidate looks far less attractive now because of the corruption scandal and he has been seen as likely to join with a new breakaway group from the conservative bloc. The former U.N. chief's spokesman declined to comment on which party Ban might join. (Reporting by Christine Kim, Se Young Lee and Ju-min Park; Editing by Paul Tait) * Ban Ki-moon "knows nothing" about relatives' U.S. bribery case * Indictment filed in U.S. court against Ban's brother, nephew * Former UN chief yet to declare his candidacy for president * Early election looms after influence-peddling scandal (Updates with details on relatives, possible rival) By Christine Kim and Se Young Lee SEOUL, Jan 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. bribery case against two relatives has cast a pall over former United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon's planned return this week to South Korea, where he is expected to launch a bid to run for president. Ban, 72, has not declared his candidacy but has had a team of people laying the groundwork in Seoul for a possible presidential campaign ahead of his planned arrival in South Korea on Thursday. The former foreign minister consistently polls as a top candidate as South Korea braces for the possibility of an early election following parliament's December impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in an influence-peddling scandal. If a Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, Park would become South Korea's first democratically elected leader to leave office in disgrace, triggering an election two months later. Lee Do-woon, Ban's spokesman, was quick to distance Ban from an indictment filed against Ban's younger brother and his nephew in a Manhattan federal court. It accuses Ban's relatives of a scheme to bribe a Middle Eastern official for an attempted $800 million sale of a building complex in Vietnam. "Ban was greatly surprised by the news, which he learned from the media. He knows nothing about it," said Lee, who also said Ban would address various concerns upon his arrival in South Korea. Ban would take at least two weeks to decide whether he will run for president instead of taking to the campaign trail immediately, as many analysts and observers had expected, Lee told a media briefing. Lee also asked supporters to refrain from greeting Ban on his arrival at Incheon airport. Ban would be driven to his residence in Sadang in southern Seoul instead of taking public transport, as South Korean media had reported. Story continues Controversy around the building deal linked to Ban's relatives has been previously reported in South Korean media. In September, a Seoul district court ordered Ban's nephew to pay civil damages of about $590,000 to builder Keangnam Enterprises. The court said the nephew had fraudulently led Keangnam to believe that the Qatar Investment Authority was close to buying the Vietnam skyscraper. Ban said during a 2015 visit to South Korea that he had nothing to do with his nephew's business and that he was "embarrassed" by the situation. The two relatives could not be reached for comment and Ban also was not immediately available for comment. "MUST BE CONVINCING" Though Ban has not declared an intention to run for president he has said he would devote himself to the country after his U.N. tenure ended. "What he needs to do is draw a line and say he has nothing to do with (the alleged improprieties), and he needs to be convincing in his explanation. Otherwise people will start doubting him," said Kim Sang-jin, professor of political science at Konkuk University. "If he mishandles this people will start thinking that he is too weak or isn't as clean as they thought he was," Kim said. Ban plans to travel through South Korea to speak to the public until late January, his spokesman said. He will visit the National Cemetery on Friday and then a community centre, Lee said, and will then go to Chungju in North Chungcheong province to visit his mother and other family members there on Saturday. He will also visit a welfare centre for the elderly and homeless before returning to Seoul on Sunday. Ban does not belong to any political party and has been out of the country for most of the past decade. However, a party, funds and political machinery to support him could come together quickly if and when he announces he will run for president on what is widely expected to be a conservative platform. He had until recently been tipped to run as a member of Park's Saenuri party. However, being a Saenuri candidate looks far less attractive now because of the influence-peddling scandal and he has been seen as likely to join a new breakaway group from the conservative bloc. If Ban joins the new group he is likely to have competition. Yoo Seong-min, a prominent lawmaker from the new party announced on Wednesday he would announce a formal bid for the presidency on Jan. 25. Ban's spokesman declined to comment on which party Ban might join. (Reporting by Christine Kim, Se Young Lee and Ju-min Park; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel) Any hope that todays long-awaited press conference with President-Elect Donald Trump would signal a return to normalcy in the relationship between the incoming administration and the media was dashed last night by the surprising decision by BuzzFeeds news division to publish an unverified (and, as the website notes, potentially unverifiable) document containing a raft of allegations against the incoming president. The information, gathered by a foreign intelligence operative who was evidently paid by Trumps opponents in the Republican presidential primary, contains allegations that the Russian government has for years been seeking to gain influence over the President-elect. The methods included the provision of intelligence, offers of lucrative business deals, and most shocking, the filming of compromising sexual activity. Related: Looks Like Flynn Is Manipulating Trump on Russia. Wheres His Pink Slip? Some of the details in the document are clearly incorrect, including a false characterization of a Moscow neighborhood, and misspellings. It also claims that Trump attorney Michael Cohen met with Russian intelligence officials in Prague. Cohen, on Tuesday evening, took to Twitter to deny the charge, saying that not only had the meeting never taken place but that he has never been to Prague in his life. It cant be stressed enough that the material in the dossier published by BuzzFeed could all be fake. Versions of it have been floating around government and media circles in Washington since last year, and until now, no news organization -- including the left-leaning Mother Jones magazine, which is adamantly opposed to Trump -- had felt comfortable publishing the information it contains. That changed last night after CNN reported that Trump himself had been briefed on the dossier by top intelligence officials as part of his meeting with them on Friday. The news network did not reveal the explicit details of the allegations, which it said had also been presented to President Obama. Story continues The long-term impact of the publication of the dossier is impossible to assess at this point. The allegations will become the subject of intense media investigation and speculation. It seems probable that US law enforcement and intelligence services are also probing its claims, though Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey declined to comment on the existence of such an inquiry in a hearing on Capitol Hill yesterday. Related: Five Moves That Can Help Trump Win Big on Day One But its not hard to predict the impact that the revelation will have on Trumps already toxic relationship with the media. The incoming president attacked the report on Twitter Monday night, writing FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! On Wednesday morning, he was back at it, citing official Russian denials of a campaign to gain influence over him. Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. Very unfair! he wrote. Later, he added, Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! Trump, as of early Wednesday, was still expected to appear at an 11 a.m. press conference, his first since July. Whether or not it will happen, given the circumstances, was in question. Indeed, Trump has previously announced press conferences that either never materialized or wound up being extended campaign events at which no actual questions from the media were taken. But if Trump does take questions from the press, it seems likely that the vast number of pressing questions about his impending presidency -- his conflicts of interest, his policy agenda, the role of his family members, the inexperience of his cabinet nominees -- will now take a back seat to the allegations raised in the dossier released last night. Thats a shame because barring substantial corroboration, those allegations will only serve to deepen the impression held by Trump and his strongest supporters that the media is biased against him and untrustworthy. As a result, it will color public perception of future critical reporting about the Trump administration. Expect to hear the FAKE NEWS claim a lot in the weeks to come, whether justified or not. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: RENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Renaissance Gold Inc. (REN.V) ("Rengold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that RenGold's generative efforts have resulted in the staking of two new Carlin-style projects in NE Nevada (see below map). The Diamond Point project is located in Nevada's prolific Carlin trend south of the Pinion-Railroad district where Gold Standard Ventures is having success and northwest of the Bald Mountain district currently operated by Kinross. The primary stratigraphic hosts for gold mineralization in both the Carlin-Type systems in the Bald Mountain district and the Pinion-Railroad district are the silty carbonates above the Devonian/Mississippian unconformity. In all three, gold mineralization occurs along north striking normal faults intruded by Eocene intrusions. This stratigraphy is preserved at reasonable depths under the Diamond Point project and has never been drill tested. The Diamond Point mineral claims are located on BLM land and cover a 4,000-meter strike length of the gold mineralized West Fault projected under shallow alluvial cover. Outcropping gold mineralization along the West Fault occurs in jasperoids with 16 rock chip samples taken by RenGold ranged from 6.7 g/t gold to below detection limit and Carlin-style pathfinder elements including arsenic from 6-1620 ppm and antimony from 4-787 ppm above the favorable host rocks. Along strike to the north, a historic CSAMT survey and 3 broadly spaced historic reverse circulation drill holes define an anticline through the projected target area. In summary, this untested target has gold along strike, structure, and stratigraphy within the prolific Carlin - Bald Mountain trend. The project is available for joint venture. The Spruce East project is at the south end of the evolving Pequop Gold District where the predecessor company to RenGold (AuEx Ventures) had exploration success with Long Canyon, now currently being mined by Newmont. This Carlin-style project is also located on BLM claims. The project was explored by multiple groups in past years but efforts were hampered because of a fragmented land position which is now consolidated, and the poor market for raising funds for exploration. The target is a NE striking antiform dissected by northeast and east-northeast striking normal faults, similar to Long Canyon. The project has seen no exploration drilling since 1990 when Echo Bay defined a > 700-meter strike length of anomalous gold in jasperoid hosted in the Permian Pequop Formation with a shallow drilling program. Rock chips and historic drill holes contain from below detection limit to over 1 g/t gold. Historic drill data has not been verified by a Qualified Person. Historic soils closer to the anticline axis have from below detection limit up to 0.41 g/t gold which have not been drill tested. RenGold has taken 15 verification samples from within the historic grid which range from zero8 If you have food allergies, eating out is tricky. You don't know if your meal came into contact with, say, a peanut along the way. Accidentally eating said peanut could have life-threatening consequences. That's not a problem at Zero8, a restaurant in Montreal where the menu doesn't contain the eight most common food allergens: gluten, dairy, eggs, seafood, soy, sesame, nuts, and peanuts. Though there's only one location right now, founder Dominique Dion hopes to open a chain of Zero8 locations in throughout various Canadian cities. Dion launched Zero8 in 2008 after finding out he has celiac disease and severe lactose intolerance. He was sick for several months, until a doctor finally told him that eating gluten and dairy was the issue. "My lifestyle changed," Dion tells BI. "The pleasure of going out to restaurants disappeared. Going out became a source of stress, not fun." Zero8 gained a robust following over the next few years. In 2013, a rent hike forced Dion to close the restaurant, but customers persuaded him to start a crowdfunding campaign. They pulled together enough money to re-open Zero8 in a new neighborhood in late 2015. Dion will soon launch another crowdfunding campaign to turn the restaurant into a chain. A photo posted by Di (@di.and.her.petitgourmet) on May 15, 2016 at 8:20pm PDT With prices ranging from $7.50 to $19, Zero8's menu features items like allergen-free braised beef ribs and gluten-free bread made with tapioca and millet. A photo posted by DefCeliac (@defceliac) on May 14, 2016 at 8:09am PDT The restaurant is careful to pick produce and meat that hasn't come into contact with the eight allergens. Dion says he receives a HACCP traceability report for alls food that enters Zero8, which verifies where everything comes from, and he only works with purveyors he can trust. The staff also conducts in-house ELISA tests, which allows it to detect food allergens at extremely low levels. Story continues Banks are often hesitant to fund restaurants, because they require many assets up-front (e.g. a stove, a lease, inventory) and can take a while to draw a profit. Dion says he feels lucky to have a loyal clientele that wants to see a Zero8 chain happen. Those who donate to the campaign will have their names inscribed on bricks, which will be stacked inside the second Zero8 location if the team can raise the funds to build it. NOW WATCH: Airplane designers have a brilliant idea for the middle seat More From Business Insider A retired Marine killed her young daughter and then herself Monday night in Florida in an apparent murder-suicide hours before the girl was scheduled to fly home to her father, police tell PEOPLE. Ericka Joseph, 46, was found dead with her 9-year-old daughter, Akili Joseph, in Josephs home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Tuesday morning, a police spokeswoman says. According to authorities, Joseph was divorced from Akilis father, and though they shared custody of the child, Akili spent the majority of her time with her dad in Bogota, Colombia. She was visiting Florida for the holidays, police said. She was scheduled Tuesday morning to fly back to South America with her father, also a retired Marine. He was on his way to pick up his daughter before he learned she was dead, the Sun Sentinel reports. He was here to pick up, Josephs brother, Tony Williams, told the paper. The pickup routine was uncharacteristic thats how we came about to learn . While detectives are still working to determine a motive in the deaths, Josephs relatives and neighbors have spoken about her increasingly strange behavior. (Neither her family members nor Akilis father could immediately be reached.) Williams told NBC Miami he thought Joseph had had trouble transitioning back to civilian life. 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. We recently started noticing minor changes, but not to a significant point that it would distress , that it would be something of this nature, to take a life, Williams told the station. Neighbors told WSVN that they noticed Joseph closing the hurricane shutters on the windows of her home the night of her death. This shutter right here, she was closing it up and making sure it was locked, neighbor Chaunecia Gresham said. My boyfriend was like, What is she doing? A hurricane is not coming. Story continues Another neighbor said she thought it strange Joseph would shutter up her windows so late at night. According to police, Akili would have turned 10 in April. My niece was a vibrant young girl and she loved sports. She was outgoing and smart, Williams told the Sun Sentinel. Its sad, a tragedy, and we still dont know what happened as of right now. MALTA Homes, businesses and schools in Mini-Cassia are flooding as ice and snow rapidly melts. The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a flood warning for the area. Raft River school students helped make sand bags Wednesday to keep water away from schools. In Cassia County, Undersheriff George Warrell asked anyone in need of sandbags to go to the sheriff's office, 129 E. 14th St., where you can get more information. In Minidoka County, call 208-434-2320 if you need sandbags. A load of sand is set to be dropped at the Minidoka County Fairgrounds in Rupert, but had not arrived as of about 11 a.m. Senators pressed Rex Tillerson Wednesday over his ties to Russia and to Exxon. But their greater concern seemed to be over whether President-elect Donald Trump would actually undermine the former ExxonMobil CEO he nominated to be his secretary of state. Would Trumps unpredictability and tendency to veer wildly between different positions, and to communicate without warning or discipline on Twitter allow Tillerson to do his job of representing the United States in meetings with foreign leaders? Would Trump even explain his policies to top officials like his secretary of state, or simply broadcast it in hard-to-interpret fragments as he has done so far? Would foreign governments have more information about Trumps business dealings and vulnerabilities than his own top negotiators? These and other questions surfaced repeatedly during the more than seven hours of testimony during Tillersons confirmation hearing. Weve had this election where many things have been said and sometimes in unorthodox ways, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker said at the beginning of the hearing. Not just do world leaders not know where we are but our body politic here does not know. Corker expressed hope, but some doubt, that Tillerson would be able to translate Trumps many pronouncements into a foreign policy that benefits U.S. national interest. The clearest expression of lawmaker anxiety about Trump came when freshman Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., a former U.S. Marine captain, asked Tillerson a series of questions about Trumps penchant for haphazardly using Twitter. Since the November election, Trump has had a series of freewheeling tweets about national security and other topics, including some posts downplaying alleged Russian interference in the U.S. election. Julian Assange said "a 14 year old could have hacked Podesta" why was DNC so careless? Also said Russians did not give him the info! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2017 Some of the president-elects tweets appear to be quickly drafted, not vetted by staff or coordinated with the transition team senior officials. So this gives pause to me, Young said. This gives some concern that in the coming months, in the coming years, you might not be empowered to actually serve as chief diplomat. You would lack credibility. So, how do you finesse this? How would you ensure that your legs are not cut out from underneath you? Story continues Tillerson indicated that he understood Youngs concern but did not offer much to assuage it. I understand your point. Im overseas and it would be my expectation that any way the president might choose to communicate would be supportive of that policy that weve agreed on, Tillerson said. Young was obviously not satisfied with the answer. Do you have in mind any contingency plans? Young asked him. Yes, I have his cellphone number, Tillerson said. Quiet, nervous laughter rippled through the audience seated behind Tillerson in the Dirksen Senate Office hearing room. After a pause, Tillerson added: And hes promised he will answer. Young sounded somewhat incredulous at Tillersons answers: Well hope for the best there unless you have anything else to add. A few moments later, an exchange with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., illustrated another example of how Trumps inclination to say whatever comes into his mind on Twitter will create confusion if he continues to do so as commander-in-chief. Murphy read Trumps Jan. 2 tweet in which the president-elect said, North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S. It wont happen! North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S. It won't happen! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2017 That sounds like a red line, Murphy said. Tillerson responded that it was hard to know what exactly Trumps tweet meant. I dont know that I would interpret that to be a red line. I could interpret that to be a lot of things, he said. But Tillerson told Young that there was probably not much he could do to stop Trump from tweeting. I dont think I will be telling the boss how he ought to communicate with the American people, Tillerson said. Thats going to be his choice. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was also aghast that Tillerson had not discussed Russia with Trump. That has not occurred yet, Tillerson said. Pretty amazing, Menendez said. Rex Tillerson during his confirmation hearing. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images) Tillerson did in fact break with Trump on his stance toward Russia, taking a far more aggressive and confrontational stance than his would-be boss. The veteran oilman, who received a 2013 Order of Friendship award from Russia, described Moscow as an adversary, agreed that Russia interfered in the most recent presidential election and tried to undermine U.S. democracy and said clearly that Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014 was an illegal act. His comments stood in stark contrast to the president-elects past statements. Last August, he said he would consider recognizing Russias action in Crimea as legitimate. Im going to take a look at it, Trump said. The people of Crimea, from what Ive heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were. Tillerson was adamantly opposed to recognizing the peninsula as Russian land. That was a taking of territory that was not theirs, he told Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md. And he said that he would have recommended that the U.S. provide defensive weapons and air surveillance to the Ukrainians on their eastern border. He also argued that Russia massed troops on Ukraines eastern border and has continued to antagonize its neighbor because the U.S.-led response involved only sanctions. The absence of a very firm, forceful response was judged by leadership in Russia as a very weak response, Tillerson said. What Russian leadership would have understood was a powerful response. It required a proportional show of force to indicate to Russia that there will be no more taking of territories. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, and Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobils chief executive, smile during a signing ceremony in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, in 2011. (Photo: Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti via AP) Tillerson was completely committed to upholding U.S. commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which also bears big implications for the U.S.-Russia relationship. Trump has questioned the U.S. commitment to the organization, complaining that other nations do not contribute enough financially. In contrast, Tillerson said, The Article 5 commitment is inviolable, and the U.S. is going to stand behind that commitment. He also explicitly contradicted Trumps past statements about nuclear proliferation. Trump said last year that Im not sure it would be a bad thing if Japan obtained nuclear weapons, and made similar comments about South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Do you agree or disagree? Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., asked Tillerson. I do not agree, he replied. And on China, Tillerson poured cold water on the idea that the U.S. might change its decades-long policy of not recognizing Taiwan as an independent country. Trump raised that possibility by calling the president of Taiwan in early December. I dont know of any plans to alter the one China position, Tillerson said, referring to the decades-old U.S. approach to the island. On the question of fighting terrorism, Tillerson said that the U.S. has to win the war of ideas. One of our greatest allies in this war is going to be the voices of moderate Muslims, the people of the Muslim faith who speak from their perspective and their rejection of that representation of what is otherwise a great faith, Tillerson said. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, Jan. 11, 2017. (Photo: Lucas Jackson/Reuters) Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., later thanked Tillerson for describing Islam as a great faith. But he expressed concern about Trumps rhetoric toward Muslims. I think Islam hates us, Trump said last year. And the man he chose to be his national security adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, has compared Islam to a cancer. Tillersons weakest moments came when he was questioned about human rights. Sen. Marco Rubio pressed him to label Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, as well as about the human rights abuses by the governments in Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. Other senators, like Murphy and others, continued this line of questioning and were nonplussed at Tillersons refusal to agree with them. Tillerson was clearly trying to avoid antagonizing governments he may not have met yet, at least as a representative of the U.S. government, and was at pains to explain himself. Our interests are not different, senator, he said to Rubio, whose questions were some of the most hostile in tone of the day. There seems to be some misunderstanding that somehow I see the world through a different lens. I do not. But, he said, These are centuries-long cultures. It doesnt mean we cant affect them to change. While the pace has been slow, slower than we would like, there is a change under way in Saudi Arabia. What I wouldnt want to do is to take some kind of precipitous action that suddenly causes the leadership of Saudi Arabia to interrupt that. Id like to have them continue to make that progress. It was one of the few times during the long hearing that Tillerson seemed to extend himself to try to get a point across. Most of the day he was cordial and responsive, but within limits. In his soft, deep Texan drawl, the 64-year-old former oil executive answered most questions ably but did at times become nonresponsive. In particular, he went into bunker mode when Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., asked Tillerson whether he knew of financial connections between President-elect Trump, the Trump family or Trump organizations and Russian individuals or organizations or the Russian government. I have no knowledge, he said in answer to that question, and repeated those words verbatim twice more. When asked whether Exxon had concealed what it knew about climate change, or about its lobbying efforts against sanctions on Russia, Tillerson also refused to answer, repeatedly saying that the senators should ask Exxon about those issues. Do you lack the knowledge to answer my question, or are you refusing to do so? Kaine said. A little of both, Tillerson said, in a casual folksy tone, sparking laughter in the room. But by the end of the day, even Democratic senators made comments indicating they expected Tillerson to be confirmed. Thank you for your fortitude and patience, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said as the hearing passed into its eighth hour. It bodes well for what I think are the demands of service as secretary of state. But Coons also raised the concern that Trump would not tolerate Tillersons independence. You have a notable difference of view from at least some of the concerns based on some campaign statements by the president-elect: no ban on Muslims, no nuclear arms race, no nukes for Japan, South Korea or Saudi Arabia, no abandoning our NATO allies, no deal with Russia to accept the annexation of Crimea, stay engaged potentially in both the Iran agreement and Paris climate treaty. All of these to me are quite encouraging, but they suggest some tension with the president-elect, Coons said. Just reassure me that you will stand up to the president when you disagree, Coons added. Tillerson did his best. In my conversations with him hes been very open and inviting of hearing my views, and respectful of those views, Tillerson said. My sense is were going to have all these things on the table and everyone will be given an opportunity to express those and make their case, and then the president will decide. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., also wondered aloud whether Tillersons views would win the day in the Trump administration. What I want to know is which values are going to prevail, she said. It was Rubio who articulated some of the deepest reservations about Tillerson, arguing that Americas interests have been hindered in the past when it made its concern for democracy and human rights contingent on whether other countries could provide something in return. That cannot be who we are in the 21st century, Rubio said. Corker ended the hearing after eight full hours with an appeal to Rubio and others who had expressed concerns, asking senators to discuss these things in private without media there. It could be interpreted as a mild rebuke to Rubio for playing to the TV cameras, but it was also an acknowledgement that Tillerson was trying to make sure hes not getting out over his skis and to avoid getting on the wrong side of a president-elect he doesnt know that well yet. Lets really think about this. This is a very important decision, Corker said. Trump, he said, comes into the presidency without a great deal of background in foreign policy and for him to have someone who he has confidence in helping him shape his views to me is something that is very very important. Read more from Yahoo News: Testifying before lawmakers Wednesday, former ExxonMobil boss Rex Tillerson attempted to lend coherence to President-elect Donald Trumps vision of foreign policy, a doctrine that has confused both Republicans and Democrats as it veers from hawkish military interventionism to dovish isolationism. Ultimately, Tillerson ended up revealing important differences between him and Trump on issues ranging from Russia to NATO to climate change. Tillerson, Trumps nominee for secretary of state, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just hours after the publication of an unverified dossier purporting to show that Russia had compromising information on the president-elect. He faced his toughest questions when it came to the president-elects warm outlook on Russia, and his own cozy ties to the Kremlin while an oil executive. In some important ways, Tillerson appeared to break with Trumps positions. He said U.S. intelligence findings that Russia meddled in the election are clearly troubling, and suggested that Putin directly ordered the hacking of Democratic Party emails. He denounced Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014, said the peninsula belongs to Ukraine, and said the United States should have sent Kiev military aid (Trumps aides reportedly stripped military support for Ukraine from the Republican Party platform in July). He also supported existing economic sanctions on Russia, though he said they can hurt U.S. businesses. When asked about Trumps comments that it wouldnt be so bad if South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Japan obtained nuclear weapons, Tillerson said I do not agree. Its not clear how much leeway Tillerson will have to shape the administrations foreign policy. He, like Trump, has no experience in government. And the Trump administration has plenty of cooks stirring its foreign-affairs broth, including several retired generals. The putative secretary of state, who could take office next week, acknowledged that he has not discussed Russia with the president-elect, which Sen. Bob Menendez (D.-N.J.) called amazing. Tillersons answers were not aggressive enough for longtime Russia hawks such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R.-Fla.), who pressed the oilman to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putins regime. Tillerson declined to condemn the Kremlins treatment of dissidents, and wavered when Rubio pressed him to denounce the Russian militarys indiscriminate slaughter in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal? Rubio asked. I would not use that term, Tillerson said. The videos and pictures are there, Rubio said. It should not be hard to say that Vladimir Putins military has conducted war crimes in Aleppo. When Tillerson refused to capitulate, saying hed like more information from intelligence officials before making a declaration, Rubio made clear his disappointment. I find it discouraging, your inability to cite that, he said. Tillersons performance appeared to leave many Democrats unsatisfied, but won the support of most Republicans on the committee. A notable Republican skeptic is Rubio, whose vote will be crucial on a committee where Republicans outnumber Democrats by just one. If a majority of lawmakers on the committee oppose his nomination, it could then be referred unfavorably to the Senate floor, a move that would damage his chances for final confirmation. During the hearing, Sen. Bob Corker (R.-Tenn.) threw an occasional lifeline to the nominee, allowing Tillerson to restate comments in a way that would be more suitable to Republicans and Democrats skeptical of his business ties to Russia. Corker, a Trump ally and chairman of the committee, had been on Trumps short list for for secretary of state until the real estate mogul sided with the Texas oilman. Corker, and other Republican senators such as Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, sought to defend Tillersons extensive business ties to Russia as an asset for Americas top diplomat. That kind of perspective is sorely needed, Johnson said. Some of Tillersons views dovetailed with those of his soon-to-be-boss. He stressed the threat posed by Islamic State, and said that defeating the terror group should be the top U.S. priority in the Middle East. He also took aim at other Islamist foes, including the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran. He also criticized Chinas land grab in the South China Sea. When asked about Trumps proposed registry for Muslims in America, he did not rule out support for it. Trump has said that the United States spends too much time telling other countries what to do when it comes to human rights. Tillerson told senators that human rights advocacy is important, but it can not be the sole U.S. concern especially when the security of the American people is at stake. I think its brilliant, what hes saying, Trump said of Tillersons testimony during his own press conference Wednesday. But on other issues beyond Russia, Tillerson staked out a line at odds with many of Trumps campaign-trail speeches and Republican orthodoxy. In a move that could draw criticism from the GOP, Tillerson expressed support for the millions of dollars the U.S. spends on family planning programs abroad. I think thats an important level of support, he told Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Tillerson also showed strong support for humanitarian aid programs, including efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa. The U.S. emergency plan for AIDS relief, he said, clearly has been one of the most extraordinarily successful programs in Africa, he said. I saw it up close and personal. Tillerson urged more pressure on North Korea and expressed skepticism about Chinas willingness to help pressure Pyongyang to denuclearize. We should not get overly optimistic as to how far theyll go, he said. That view contrasts with Donald Trumps notion that China should solve that problem for us. Tillerson also broke with the president-elect on climate change, which Trump has called a hoax carried out by the Chinese. Tillerson told senators that the risk of climate change does exist and the consequences could be serious enough that actions should be taken. While he said the United States should have a seat at the table in international climate negotiations, he stopped short of endorsing as Exxon has the Paris climate pact aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Later on in the hearing, however, he noted that climate science is not conclusive. During his run for the White House, Trump routinely criticized recent U.S. military interventions in Iraq, Libya and Syria. In his prepared testimony, Tillerson echoed that view, but also made clear he believed in a strong U.S. presence around the world. In some instances, we have withdrawn from the world, Tillerson said. In others, we have intervened with good intentions but did not achieve the stability and global security we sought. Instead, we triggered a host of unintended consequences and created a void of uncertainty. During the campaign, Trump also rattled U.S. NATO allies when he said the U.S. might not come to their defense if they dont pay enough for their own defenses. In a delicate balancing act Tillerson said both Washington and its allies must uphold previous commitments. We must hold ourselves accountable to upholding the promises we make to others, he said. We must hold our allies accountable to commitments they make. Rex Tillerson Oil and gas giant ExxonMobil stands to gain nearly $1 trillion from Trump administration policies, according to a new report from the left-leaning Center for American Progress. The report, titled "How Exxon Won the 2016 Election," details how the energy and environmental policies of Trump's Cabinet picks could benefit Exxon, the eighth-largest company in the world and the largest of the world's six Big Oil companies. The CEO of Exxon and Trump's pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, will be grilled in a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday about the potential conflicts of interests he faces as a result of his company's extensive global operations. The company produces oil and gas in 22 countries, and Tillerson owns company shares worth $180 million, according to the report. Tillerson has promised to sever ties with Exxon if he is confirmed by the Senate, in exchange for a payout that matches the value of his shares. But he is also likely to face questions about his personal ties to Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, whom the US intelligence community said last week ordered an "influence campaign" aimed at diminishing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton during the presidential election. Tillerson, whose relationship with the Kremlin dates back to the early 1990s, has struck several major deals with the Russian state-run corporation Rosneft and received the prestigious Order of Friendship award from Putin in 2013. In 2014, Exxon was on the brink of signing a lucrative deal with Rosneft to drill for oil in the Russian Arctic when the US leveled sanctions against Russia for annexing Crimea and invading eastern Ukraine. The Obama administration sanctioned Russia again late last month for its meddling in the presidential election. Story continues tillerson putin Tillerson's close relationship with Russia and Putin, however, has led to speculation that as secretary of state, he could push for sanctions on Russia to be lifted allowing Exxon's Arctic agreement with Rosneft, reported to be worth $500 billion, to proceed. Exxon, meanwhile, still has its eye on the deal. The head of the company's operations in Russia, Glenn Waller, said last April that the company will return to its joint project with Rosneft once sanctions against Moscow are lifted. Exxon would also benefit from the likely reversal of the Obama administration's executive order requiring a presidential permit to construct cross-border pipelines. The construction of additional pipelines supported by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would facilitate the mining and transportation of Canadian tar sands, which make up more than one-third of Exxon's global liquid reserves. The reserves are worth roughly $277 billion at current oil prices, the CAP report estimated. Trump's pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, has sued the agency multiple times to prevent rules that would curb air and water pollution from taking effect. Pruitt has opposed the EPA's Clean Air and Clean Power acts, arguing that energy regulation should be left to individual states. Exxon, like any oil company, would likely benefit from the relaxation or elimination of anti-pollution laws that have often required companies to invest in research and technology to make their operations safer and more efficient. Trump's pick to lead the Department of Energy (DOE), former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, has received more than $5 million in contributions from the oil and gas industry, the CAP report said, including $40,000 directly from Exxon. Perry said during a 2011 run for president that he wanted to eliminate the DOE which, among many other things, regulates fracking and offshore drilling. rick perry Between Tillerson, Pruitt, and Perry, Trump's proposed Cabinet seems broadly committed to sustaining the fossil fuel industry, eliminating federally mandated environmental protections, and deprioritizing the development of renewable energy. Those policies, the CAP report suggested, will increase oil demand and drive up oil prices, which are "the single largest determining factor in Exxons profitability each year." Exxon may yield influence over the Justice Department, too, which will be led by Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions if he is confirmed by the Senate. As attorney general, Sessions would be able to put a definitive end to calls for Exxon to be investigated for allegedly knowing about the dangers of climate change as early as the 19 70s, but failing to disclose them to the public. Under Tillerson, the company became more accepting of evolving climate change science. But such an investigation could end up setting the company back anywhere from $84 billion to $246 billion in settlement costs or fines. In 2016, Sessions and four other Republican senators wrote a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking her to immediately cease the investigation into Exxon, which they said confirmed that the government was trying "to silence debate on climate change." It is unclear how much Exxon's lobbying influence would have been quelled by a Clinton administration, however. The Clinton Global Initiative has received between $1 million and $5 million from the oil company, according to its website. And as The Daily Beast noted in May, Ursula Burns, a member of the companys board of directors, gave the Clinton campaign the maximum contribution of $5,400. Hillary Clinton NOW WATCH: Watch Former CIA director James Woolsey explain why he wont advise the Trump transition team anymore More From Business Insider If theres one thing Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans have learned over the past seven seasons, its that nothing good happens at game night. There was that time Brandi Glanville accused Kim Richards of doing crystal meth in the bathroom after Kim and her sister Kyle Richards ganged up on her and hid her crutches. Then there was the time Eileen Davidsons husband tried to teach the ladies how to play poker only to have Glanville push Kyle away as she tried to confront her relapsing sister. Oh, and that time where Glanville suggested Kyles husband had been cheating on her. Okay, so maybe its more so that nothing good happens at game night when Brandi Glanville is around. But despite Dorit Kemsley refusing to take responsibility for #pantygate and the gossiping she did about Erika Girardi, Tuesdays all-new RHOBH featured the most successful game night in the history of the franchise. Not only did the Housewives successfully play the actual games (shocker!), but the setting helped instigate the seemingly impossible: an apology between two longtime rivals. The duo in question? Kim and Rinna, who have had their fair share of disagreements over the years the most famous being a glass-breaking altercation in Amsterdam in which Kim threatened to expose secrets about Rinnas husband Harry Hamlin (Never forget: Everybody will know!). Theyve been keeping their distance since Richards left the show, of course occasionally coming together during reunions to address their bad blood. But at game night, there was no escaping one another. And although they eventually ended on a positive note, getting there was a little rough. Kim threw the first figurative punch taking Rinna to task after the soap opera actress reiterated how the death of her parents put some of her former fights with Lisa Vanderpump into perspective. You can sit here and use the excuse of losing your parents, but its ridiculous, Kim continued. You lose someone, its terrible, but its no excuse for going around and being mean to Lisa , myself, Yolanda . Story continues RELATED VIDEO: Harry Hamlin Supports Wife Lisa Rinnas Actions on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Rinna defended herself, claiming that her father was not going through anything when she went after Kim in Amsterdam. You went after my husband! Rinna told Kim. I never said anything about your husband, Kim responded. Lets get the story straight. I never said one thing about your husband. I never said a word about it. While she technically may have said nothing specific, Kim certainly made a lot of implications and Rinna hasnt forgot them. You play dirty, Rinna told Kim before playing dirty herself: Lets talk about your arrest. Why dont we do that? (To recap, Kim was arrested in April 2015 for public intoxication. It propelled the 52-year-old reality star to return to rehab for her longstanding alcohol problems a place she first entered back in 2011. And though Kim had briefly left her Malibu treatment facility for her daughters nuptials in May 2015, she checked herself back in two weeks later, and has allegedly been sober ever since). Bringing up Kims arrest backfired on Rinna. Almost everyone at the party called her to the carpet for mentioning it including Vanderpump who called it totally unnecessary. Does that make you happy? Kim asked Rinna. Does that make you feel good? I feel really good about myself today Lisa. Do you? You lie. And you are a faker. And you dont tell the truth. The truth is, Rinna knew it was a low blow and admitted it. My feeling is she was attacking me, and instead of going high, I went low, Rinna said. REAL HOUSEWIVES REWIND: What does Kim Richards love? What Rinna didnt know is why Kim was so mad at her. When she asked, Kim finally was able to clearly articulate it. I just dont feel youre sincere, Lisa, she said. Youve never apologized for that whole year for coming after me. . And I feel angry. I just would like a sincere apology. That opened the door for Rinna to put an end to their quarrels. Im sincerely sorry if I hurt your feelings, Kim. I really am, she said. That wasnt right of me. Some of the things I said were really mean. Because I was really angry with you and I wanted to hurt you and Im really sorry for that. Im really sorry for that. The apology was exactly what Kim needed. And after she accepted Rinnas apology, fans were left hopeful that the two could move on. Kim receiving my apology is a moment of hope, Rinna said. Its something. Its a different dynamic than whats been going on up to this point. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Tuesdays (9 p.m. ET) on Bravo. (Reuters) - A pair of lawmakers want to make Rhode Island the ninth U.S. state to legalize recreational marijuana and the first to do so through the legislature rather than with a ballot initiative, they said on Tuesday. State Senator Joshua Miller and state Representative Scott Slater, both Democrats, want to prevent Rhode Island residents from simply buying the drug in neighboring Massachusetts, which approved recreational use in a November ballot. "Our constituents think it is time for lawmakers to pass this legislation, and we should listen to them," Miller said in a statement. "If we fail to pass the bill this year, we will lose significant ground to Massachusetts." Democrats control both chambers of the state legislature and Governor Gina Raimondo, also a Democrat, has said she would be open to the idea of legalization. The proposal, which has not yet been formally submitted in the legislature, would allow adults aged 21 and above to use the drug for recreational purposes and impose a 23 percent tax on the drug. A similar effort in Vermont last year failed and earlier efforts to legalize the drug in Rhode Island also were unsuccessful. Lawmakers in Massachusetts and Maine, the only other northeastern state to legalize the drug, have moved to delay the sale of the drug in their states. Massachusetts lawmakers late last month delayed until July 2018 when legal recreational pot sellers can being doing business, and Maine legislators were preparing similar moves to delay the sale of the drug. An October poll by Gallup showed that 60 percent of Americans now support the legalization of recreational use of marijuana. Even more approve of the idea of legalizing marijuana for medical use, a step that 28 states have taken. The drug remains illegal under federal law, and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has sent mixed signals about his views on it. (Reporting by Scott Malone in Boston; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) By Rajendra Jadhav and Patpicha Tanakasempipat MUMBAI/BANGKOK (Reuters) - Rice prices in India rose on a revival in demand from African and Asian buyers while markets in Thailand and Vietnam remained quiet, traders said on Wednesday. India, the world's biggest rice exporter, saw its 5-percent broken parboiled rice quoted at $346-$350 per tonne this week, up from $341-$345 last Wednesday. The rise in prices came as demand from African buyers improved, said an exporter based at Kakinada in southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. "African buyers were making good purchases after a long time," he said, adding there was also some demand from Asia. India mainly exports non-basmati rice to African countries and premier basmati rice to the Middle East. Domestic buyers also started returning to the market, helping raise prices despite ample supply which cut prices last week, a Mumbai-based exporter said. "Good export and domestic demand is offsetting impact of rising supplies," he added. India's summer-sown rice output is seen at a record 93.88 million tonnes in the crop year to June 2017, 2.81 percent higher than last year. In Thailand, prices of 5-percent broken rice rose slightly to $360-$365 a tonne, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok, from $355-$360 last week. "There is some small demand from Iraq and Singapore," a trader in Bangkok said. "The market is otherwise quiet." Thailand, which exported 9.63 million tonnes of rice in 2016, aims to increase exports to 10 million tonnes this year. The country will also curb paddy rice production at 25 million to 26 million tonnes for the 2017-18 crop year in a bid to prevent an oversupply of the grain which could dent prices. Thailand will begin auctioning about 8 million tonnes of rice from government stockpiles in the first quarter this year and aim to clear the stocks by the end of this year. Vietnam's market remained subdued though its 5-percent broken rice was quoted at $345-$350 a tonne, FOB Saigon, slightly higher than a week earlier when buyers were bidding at around $335 a tonne. Story continues "Since the New Year holiday until now, there's no order at all," said a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is expected to export 5.8 million tonnes of rice in 2017, up 7.4 percent from a year earlier, according to a December report by USDA. Thailand and Vietnam are the world's second and third biggest rice exporters after India. (Additional reporting by Mai Nguyen in HANOI; Editing by Vyas Mohan) DUBAI (Reuters) - Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia had arrested two rights activists in the first ten days of this year and accused Riyadh of a crackdown on dissent. The organizations said in press releases that Essam Koshak in Mecca and Ahmed al-Mushaikhass in the eastern city of Dammam were summoned for questioning by police last week but have yet to be released. Koshak is being questioned about his tweets on human rights issues, Amnesty said, and al-Mushaikhass has advocated on behalf of relatives of detainees in the kingdom's Eastern Province - home to the Sunni Muslim-ruled country's Shi'ite minority. "Saudi Arabia's relentless persecution of human rights defenders is a blatant campaign aimed at deterring them from speaking about the human rights situation in the country," said Lynn Maalouf of Amnesty. A Saudi security spokesman did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the allegations. The kingdom is a member of the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council. But it faced criticism last year by rights groups over a military campaign it leads in Yemen while a U.N. rights watchdog accused it of discriminating against girls and execution and corporal punishment of children. Saudi Arabia has denied human rights abuses, saying it does not target civilians in Yemen and justifying punishments of minors based on its strict interpretation of Islamic law. (Writing By Noah Browning; Editing by Sami Aboudi and Raissa Kasolowsky) By Lin Taylor LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - More than 9,400 undocumented Afghans have returned home from Iran and Pakistan in the first week of 2017, raising concerns over how the war-torn Asian nation will cope with the rising influx, the United Nations said on Wednesday. The vast majority were young men crossing the border from Iran. Although repatriation is not compulsory, the Pakistani government has stepped up pressure to send people back amid growing local animosity toward Afghan refugees. The United Nations migration agency the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - said most returnees from Iran were young men deported while looking for work, or on the migration route to Europe. Future patterns were hard to predict. "It can be very unpredictable as there are a lot of factors at play that could push returns up at any day," said Matthew Graydon, a UN spokesman in Afghanistan. Graydon said unregistered Afghans face greater challenges than returnees who are officially logged as refugees because they are not entitled to cash grants from aid agencies, nor other benefits such as education or government-allocated land. In the first week of 2017, 1,643 unregistered Afghans chose to return or were deported from Pakistan, and 7,776 returned from Iran, according to the IOM, with more expected as the weather improves in the next two months. Another half a million undocumented Afghans are expected to be repatriated from Pakistan by the end of 2017. Numbers of returnees have been steadily rising over the past two years, with no letup in sight. Since January 2016, more than 700,000 unregistered Afghans have returned from Pakistan and Iran, up 50,000 on the year before, the IOM said, stretching limited resources in a country still under threat from the Taliban, al Qaeda and Islamic State. The rise in returnees comes amid a precarious security situation in Afghanistan, which has seen a steady increase in attacks since international troops ended combat operations in 2014, with record numbers of civilian casualties. "There's still a lot of fighting here and it's put a lot of strain on the services and economy," said Graydon. "We're ramping up and scaling up our facilities at the borders to be able to support a lot more families and we are anticipating that a lot more people will come," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a telephone interview. After the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, more than 6 million Afghans crossed into neighboring Pakistan and Iran. IOM transit centers near the borders are providing basic accommodation, protection for unaccompanied minors, healthcare, household items such as pots and pans, as well as transport for families to resettle in their desired location. "It's going to take a concerted effort within the humanitarian community and the government to make sure that their reintegration needs are met," said Graydon. (Reporting by Lin Taylor @linnytayls, Editing by Lyndsay Griffiths. 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) Modular phones had a brief flirtation with popularity over the last few years. Between the Moto X, LG G5 and Googles Project Ara, a couple notable companies made real stabs at modular smartphones, only to be met with a resounding meh. We can write off the Moto X and LG G5 as phone companies trying to keep up with the fads, but Googles Project Ara always felt like something a little more ambitious. A completely modular phone would have revolutionized the industry, had it ever actually worked. Don't Miss: Julian Assanges Reddit AMA is a classic internet trainwreck VentureBeats Harrison Weber spoke to a number of the execs and designers on the inside of Googles Project Ara to try and work out what happened to the concept. Ara was a promising lead for Google for a number of years, with a serious demo at last years I/O conference, and a promise in May that youd be able to buy a modular phone in 2017. But in September, Google unceremoniously axed the project, which had already missed development and pilot project milestones. Webers profile paints a picture of a project lacking vision and a precise demographic. As he explains, Aras popularity was kickstarted by a confusing relationship with Phonebloks, a viral video for a modular smartphone made by Dutch designer Dave Hakkens. His video was released just as Googles ATAP division was working on a prototype for a modular smartphone, and the two projects lived an uneasy relationship, with some communication between Hakkens and Google, for over a year. Initially, the idea of the ATAP project was to make a fully modular smartphone that had a very low price point for a basic phone. Googles idea was that the $50 base phone could be cheaply configured to work in different markets, extending Androids reach in the developing world. But as costs and time spiralled, the vision was changed until it started looking more like LGs idea of a modular phone a fully functioning smartphone that can have capabilities added on. Story continues In the end, a combination of senior staff leaving, Googles austerity drive and waning public interest saw the project shelved. Webers article does a neat job of explaining how Google took a viral idea, built hype, and then failed to ever see it through. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com SHOSHONE Staying clean. Getting a job. Avoiding the wrong people. Getting out of prison isnt just a matter of walking through the gates to freedom. For many, its rebuilding a life. A new mentor program through the Idaho Department of Correction is keeping parolees on the straight and narrow. But now, it needs more volunteers. About 150 mentors statewide have completed applications to take part in the Free2Succeed program, and the state wants to double that number by July, said Jeff Kirkman, the programs manager. Just in the Magic Valley, IDOC is looking for 40 more mentors to match with offenders who will soon be released and have requested mentors. A community mentor can help an offender in so many ways that staff may not be able to, Kirkman said. Bottom line is that the mentor will help connect the offender back into the community in positive and productive ways. IDOC launched the program in early 2016. Preferably, it would be fantastic to have a mentor assigned to every individual who is transitioning from incarceration to community and for those who are currently on supervision, Kirkman said in an email. However, realistically, if only 5 percent (of) those were matched with a mentor, the number of mentors needed statewide would be about 1,000 (to) 1,200. The program aims to help those who are releasing from incarceration to the community connect with resources that will enable a successful transition, Kirkman said. Mentors can help parolees find a church or other faith-based group to attend, find a job, get into college or finish a GED; and assist in ensuring a positive, social connection rather than destructive relationships, Kirkman said. Russell Howell, who lives in Jerome and has mentored prisoners both in and out of prison for the past eight years, said he has met local governments to explain the program and plans to reach out to religious and community organizations soon. Kirkman said Free2Succeed plans to meet with the Twin Falls City Council at the end of January. Lincoln County commissioners learned about the program in September, when they visited Idaho State Correctional Center, and attended a powwow with inmates. The inmates gave them a handmade prayer drum, signed on the back by the inmates in the ISCC Native Circle. We got to talk up close and personal to a lot of them, Commissioner Rebecca Wood said. State policymakers have been discussing ways to reduce recidivism for the past few years. A study in 2013 showed 40 percent of the states prison beds were occupied by returning probationers and parolees, leading the prison population to grow even as overall crime was dropping. The goals of the Justice Reinvestment Act passed in 2014 were to reduce both recidivism and the states prison population by strengthening supervision of people on probation or parole. The county commissioners said people who commit crimes again and get arrested create a burden on local budgets. People are surprised to find out the amount of money counties pay when these people are arrested again, Commissioner Cresley McConnell said. Its very expensive to hold these people in jail, Wood said. It helps us all (if they dont reoffend), because theyre going to come back into our community. People who are released from prison often have trouble finding work. Commissioner Roy Hubert said he has called companies himself to see if they will hire ex-inmates, but many dont. And offenders, he said, often have drug and alcohol problems that contributed to their crimes. If they dont have support or the tools to lead meaningful lives after they release, he said, they are more likely to reoffend. Hubert knew a man years ago got a break after being released from prison. The man got a job, married, had a family and lived a successful life. He hopes the Magic Valley steps up to give more people a chance. We have to have somebody that has faith in these people, he said. Mary-Louise Parker is sharing her personal connection to When We Rise, the upcoming series on which she stars. At Disney/ABC Television Groups Winter 2017 TCA Press Tour on Tuesday, Parker, 52, sat alongside cast mates Ivory Aquino, Michael Kenneth Williams, Guy Pearce, Rachel Griffiths and creator and executive producer Dustin Lance Black to discuss the series, which chronicles the reallife personal and political journey of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer the gay rights movement in the U.S. During the candid discussion, Parker, who will star as Roma Guy in the miniseries, revealed that two of her college roommates passed away after their battle with AIDS. In response to an audience member inquiring about Hollywood being out of touch with Middle America or of living in a bubble following the 2016 election, Parker offered her differing opinion, which she formulated from real-life events. I dont live in Hollywood, and Ive never lived in Hollywood. Ive lived in New York for 26 years, something like that. I think people see an actor, and they have an idea of something, and it all falls under the umbrella of something really shiny and inauthentic called Hollywood, and I dont think thats always the case, said Parker, who was raised in Arizona and claims she didnt grow up with tons of money or tons of privilege. This show is resonant to me on so many levels because not only did, you know, both my college roommates died from AIDS people dropped dead left to right, she continued in reference to the AIDS epidemic. It wiped out an entire population of an audience in New York City. As Fran Lebowitz said once so beautifully, Where went the audience for the opera and the ballet and the theater? Theres so many things that have been lost that, for me, this story really resonates on that level. And I think that no story is more dramatically interesting than to see someone fight a battle that is seemingly unwinnable. Story continues Parker continued: When you watch it, if you are my age, it puts ice in your veins, you know. But although Parker admits that the series, which addresses real-life moments in U.S. history, is really sobering to watch, she is thankful for the progress that has been made in the gay rights movement and commends Black for furthering the message. The fact that I have to explain to my children what homophobia is is a result of the work that these people did. And my children live in a different world, yes; but because of the work that Lance has done, theres a whole other group of children that will have that luxury because of him and because of the way that hes extended himself a little bit further during this time, said Parker, who added, I do think that its so beautifully done and its so immediately and instantly human and relatable that there is no way that someone with a halfway open mind cant watch it and be moved and if not reconsider, then at least consider. When We Rise premieres Monday, Feb. 27 on ABC. Carrie Fisher in Star Wars (Photo: Rex) In many ways, Rogue One is unlike any previous Star Wars film and yet, even in scenes featuring all-new characters, vehicles, and creatures, it feels like a Star Wars movie. Part of the credit for that goes to sound editors Matthew Wood and Christopher Scarabosio, who inherited the job of creating the Star Wars soundscape from original sound designer Ben Burtt. Both Wood and Scarabosio have worked on every Star Wars film since Attack of the Clones, with Wood also supervising the sound in the Clone Wars and Rebels TV series, the Battlefront video game, and the DVD and Blu-ray versions of the original trilogy. Rogue One, however, offered some fresh challenges including (spoiler alert!) the task of restoring a young Carrie Fishers voice to Princess Leia for the movies climactic final scene. As Wood explained to Yahoo Movies, Leias line was lifted from an alternate take of Fishers help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi speech in 1977s A New Hope, found deep in the Lucasfilm archives. For more details on that and other secrets from Rogue Ones Oscar-nominated sound editors, read on. Related: How the Rogue One Ending Leads Us Right Into Star Wars: Episode IV (Spoilers!) What were your respective jobs on Rogue One? Matt Wood: Chris and I were both supervising sound editors, but our tasks were split. So basically the easiest way to say it would be, Chris worked on sound effects, and I worked on dialogue. And we both have a huge knowledge of Star Wars lore. Ben Burtt [the sound designer on the original Star Wars films] has been a mentor to both of us. Diego Luna, Felicity Jones, and K-2SO in Rogue One (Photo: Lucasfilm/Disney) Ben Burtt created all the iconic Star Wars sounds: Darth Vaders breathing, the lightsaber whoosh, R2-D2s beeps. How does your work connect to his? Wood: Skywalker Sound, the sound division of Lucasfilm, was basically created around the work that Ben Burtt had done in the 70s and 80s. Hes still there, and he created a really vast library of Star Wars that is loved the world around. Its our challenge to come up with new sounds to populate Star Wars, and then know when to play the old stuff and keep it connected. Like, you can drop in a Rogue One Blu-ray against Empire Strikes Back against The Force Awakens, and theyre all going to sound like theyre from the same universe. What are your ground rules for making a film sound like it belongs in the Star Wars universe? Chris Scarabosio: We both know the sound library so well that its kind of ingrained into our essence. Theres a certain aesthetic that we have working on these films, that you know when theyre right and when theyre wrong, and you just start trying stuff from there. Like certain sounds that I started with on some of the spaceships [in Rogue One], I thought initially that they were really new and original-sounding, but as [director] Gareth Edwards pointed out, they sounded a little too much like something that would be in a Tron movie and not something that would be in a Star Wars film. Which I totally agreed with. Its like you guys have an extra sense when it comes to the Star Wars universe; you notice things that are invisible to most viewers. Wood: It certainly is that. John Gilroy, whos the picture editor on the film, once looked at Chris and I, and hes like, You guys have a really great shorthand. We both can make sounds with our mouths about what kind of thing we want were looking for more of this, or that and we just know the library really well to be able to pull stuff or create something new thats going to work in a particular scene. Did any sounds from the original Star Wars sound library make it into Rogue One? Wood: Absolutely. For instance, that little mouse droid that Chewbacca screams at on the Death Star in the original New Hope. When K-2SO is retrieving the data out of the other Imperial droid so he can get a map of the station, you see a mouse droid go by. And thats where we were like, Well, we definitely have to play that original sound. We cant make something new for that! So those little details are something we try to put in as much as we can from the original. We have so much new material in there as well, so weve got to connect you back to it, and sound has that great ability to do that. Its almost like music how it can make you feel like you felt when you first [heard] it. What would you describe as the signature sounds of this film? Scarabosio: Id say that the three ships Krennics ship, Bodhis cargo ship, and the U-Wing those ships all have what I feel are signature sounds. And then there are the weapons: Chirruts weapon, Bazes weapon, all the rebel weapons. Then K-2, the new droid, and Bor Gullet, who was a new creature. Watch a scene from Rogue One: Carrie Fisher, who died suddenly last month, has obviously been on Star Wars fans minds. What was your role in creating the Princess Leia scene at the very end? Wood: First off, we kind of knew what the script was going to be for that final line, how they wanted to put the button on the whole movie and then connect it right up to New Hope. So I got a call to try to find the original tapes of anything that Carrie had done from 77. I found the original quarter-inch rolls in an archives box at Lucasfilm, and I just transferred every single take of the Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, youre my only hope scene, the hologram scene from the original film. And there were a lot of takes. So I grabbed all that. The machine that it was played back on doesnt really exist that much anymore, so I was able to grab the special heads for that and transfer it into Pro Tools and just go through [the takes]. And John Gilroy and John Swartz, the producer, found a take that they thought really worked for that. So it is an original line from Carrie in 1977. [Producer and effects supervisor] John Knolls department had the main challenge of making that scene work visually, and I know that he mentioned that Carrie had seen almost the final project of what we had done there and actually liked it. Thats so cool that you found all of the alternate takes! Wood: Its always fun listening to that stuff. Carrie Fisher used to always joke about those particular lines that were really tough to say, and I heard her original takes on those. Shed flub every fifth one or something, and it was funny because it really is a mouthful! And then she had to come back and do it again because there was another setup that I had found they must have wanted to get two different angles, so they had to do it all again and she was like, Im sorry! when she would mess up. It was really cute. K-2SO is a new droid who feels like hes always been part of this universe. How did you approach the sound design for him, as opposed to other droids like C-3PO? Scarabosio: Obviously I wanted it to sound different than C-3PO. K-2SO is a 7-foot-tall droid. So when I first heard about him, I thought he was going to be this big, really heavy droid and he is but there was something very elegant about the way he moved and the way he walked, and putting superheavy footsteps and big motor movements just didnt feel right once we actually started seeing some renderings of him. So I tried to make his walk cycle rhythmic and not overly heavy on the footsteps. For his motors, there were some motors I actually heard up in Vancouver the last time I was up there working. It was a front door in one of the places I was staying, this really big glass door. I really liked the motor, and so I had recorded it, but it wasnt a great recording. It turns out that the type of motor it was is on handicap-assisted doors that open when you press a button. Theres one in the tech-building garage at Skywalker, and its that exact sound, so I went down there and just recorded the heck out of it, and then I started processing it to try and make it feel a little lighter. And thats where we ended up. Do you have a favorite Star Wars sound? Scarabosio: The TIE fighter is one of my all-time favorite sounds. Watch a video about how the characters in Rogue One were named: Marco Rubio Sen. Marco Rubio grilled President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, pressing him on his views about Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. Rubio, who ran for president in 2016 but failed to win the Republican nomination, questioned former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson on his attitude toward sanctioning Russia, asked him if he would pin blame on Putin for a Russian cyber campaign to influence the US election, and questioned whether he thinks Putin has committed war crimes with his aggressive military actions around the world. Some senators have expressed concerns about Tillerson's relationship with Russia, a country he made deals with while he was working at Exxon. Tillerson acknowledged Russia's role in the cyber campaign to sway the US election but appeared reluctant to say conclusively that Putin had ordered the campaign. He also seemed reluctant to say whether he'd support additional sanctions against Russia. And Tillerson didn't agree with Rubio's characterization of Putin as a war criminal based on the Russian intervention in Syria, which has caused mass civilian deaths. He also wouldn't acknowledge that Putin has ordered the murders of journalists and dissidents who oppose him. Here's an overview of Rubio's grilling of Tillerson on his attitudes toward Russia: Cyberattacks Rubio got right into it when it was his turn to question Tillerson. "Do you believe during the 2016 presidential campaign Russian intelligence services directed a campaign of active measures involving the hacking of emails, the strategic leak of these emails, the use of internet trolls, and the dissemination of fake news with the goal of denigrating a presidential candidate and also undermining faith in our election process?" he asked. Tillerson acknowledged that what Rubio described appeared accurate. "I have had no unclassified briefings because I have not received my clearance yet. However, I did read the interagency report that was released on Jan. 6," Tillerson said. "That report clearly is troubling and indicates that all of the actions you just described were undertaken." Story continues The grilling on Russia continued for a while, and Rubio attempted to get Tillerson to pin the blame for Russia's cyber campaign squarely on Putin: Rubio: Based on your knowledge of Russian leaders and Russian politics, do you believe these activities could have happened without the knowledge and the consent of Vladimir Putin? Tillerson: I'm not in a position to be able to make that determination. Again, that's indicated in the report, but I know there's additional classified information. Rubio: Mr. Tillerson, you've engaged in significant business activities in Russia, so I'm sure you're aware that very few things of a major proportion happen in that country without Vladimir Putin's permission. So I ask based on your views of Russian politics and your experiences, is it possible for something like this involving the United States elections to have happened without Vladimir Putin knowing about it and authorizing it? Tillerson: I think that's a fair assumption. rex tillerson vladimir putin Sanctions Rubio then moved on to questioning Tillerson about whether he'd support additional sanctions against Russia: Rubio: If Congress passed a bill imposing mandatory visa bans and asset freezes on persons who engage in significant activities undermining the cybersecurity of public or private infrastructure and democratic institutions in the United States, would you advise the president to sign it? Tillerson: I would certainly want to examine all the four corners of that. Rubio: Those are the four corners. We would sanction people who are involved in cyber attacks against the United States interfering in our elections. Tillerson: The threat of cyberattacks is a broad issue and they are coming from many, many corners of the world. Certainly this most recent manifestation, and I think the new threat imposed, in terms of how Russia has used this as a tool that introduces even another element of threat, but cyberattacks are occurring from many nations, so ... Rubio: No matter where they come from, if they come from Belgium, if they come from France, if someone is conducting cyberattacks against the United States and we pass a law that authorizes the president to sanction them, or actually imposes these sanctions as mandatory, would you advise the president to sign it? Tillerson: I think it is that second element, senator, that you just described that leaves the executive branch no latitude or flexibility in dealing with the broad array of cyber threats. I think it is important that those be dealt with on a country-by-country basis taking all other elements in the relationship. So giving the executive the tool is one thing, requiring the executive to use it without any other considerations I would have concerns about. Rubio then called Tillerson's answer "troubling" because it makes the implication "that somehow, if there is some country that we're trying to improve relations with or have significant economic ties with," Tillerson might advise the president not to impose sanctions. aleppo syria War crimes He then pivoted to war crimes, focusing in particular on the situation in Aleppo, Syria, a city that President Bashar al-Assad has fought hard to seize control of from rebels who oppose his regime: Rubio: Let me ask you this question. Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal? Tillerson: I would not use that term. Rubio: Well, let me describe the situation in Aleppo and perhaps that will help you reach that conclusion. In Aleppo, Mr. Putin has directed his military to conduct a devastating campaign. He's targeted schools, markets, not just assisted Syrians in doing it, his military has targeted schools and markets and other civilian infrastructure. It's resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war starting in 2015 to assist the Assad regime, which the US opposes. Rubio also described past military interventions Putin has carried out, including in the Russian region of Chechnya. But Tillerson was reluctant to describe Putin as a war criminal: Tillerson: Those are very, very serious charges to make and I would want to have much more information before reaching a conclusion. I understand there is a body of record in the public domain. I'm sure there's a body of record in the classified domain. And I think in order to deal with a serious question like this Rubio: Mr. Tillerson, Aleppo is in the public domain, videos and pictures they have Tillerson: I want to be fully informed before advising the president. Rubio: Well, I encourage you, there is so much information out there about what's happened in Aleppo, leaving the Chechen issue aside ... There's so much information out there. It should not be hard to say that Vladimir Putin's military has conducted war crimes in Aleppo because it is never acceptable, you would agree, for military to specifically target civilians, which is what's happened there, through the Russian military. And I find it discouraging, your inability to cite that, which I think is globally accepted. A portrait of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov and flowers are pictured at the site where he was killed on February 27, with St. Basil's Cathedral seen in the background, at the Great Moskvoretsky Bridge in central Moscow March 6, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov State-ordered murders Rubio then asked about the journalists, dissidents, and critics of Putin who have died under suspicious circumstances: Rubio: Mr. Tillerson, do you believe that Vladimir Putin and his cronies are responsible for ordering the murder of countless dissidents, journalists, and political opponents? Tillerson: I do not have sufficient information to make that claim. Rubio: Are you aware that people who oppose Vladimir Putin wind up dead all over the world, poisoned, shot in the back of the head, and do you think that was coincidental, or do think that it is quite possible or likely, as I believe, that they were part of an effort to murder his political opponents? Tillerson: Well, people who speak up for freedom in regimes that are oppressive are often a threat, and these things happen to them. In terms of assigning specific responsibilities, I would have to have more information. As I indicated, I feel it's important that in advising the president, if confirmed, that I deal with facts, that I deal with sufficient information. Which means having access to all information, and I'm sure there's a large body of information that I have never seen that's in the classified realm, I look forward, if confirmed, to becoming fully informed. But I am not willing to make conclusions on what is publicly available. Watch video of the questioning below: NOW WATCH: These are Stratfor's chilling predictions for 2017 More From Business Insider BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Any civil society group with funding from billionaire George Soros should be "swept out" of Hungary, a vice chairman of the ruling Fidesz party said on Tuesday. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been criticized at home and abroad for his crackdown on NGOs, which started in 2014, involved dozens of organizations, and lasted for more than a year. They uncovered no wrongdoing. Orban has said civil society groups receive foreign money to "organize refugee streams and boost migration". Fidesz vice chairman Szilard Nemeth told a news conference, according to HirTV's website, that Soros was "pushing global big capital and a related political correctness into Hungary" and NGOs he funded were meddling in politics. "These organizations must be pushed back with all available tools, and I think they must be swept out, and now I believe the international conditions are right for this with the election of the new president (in the U.S.)," Nemeth said, according to a video posted on HirTV's website. No one at Soros Fund Management was immediately available for comment. Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said in reply to Reuters emailed questions that as a Fidesz lawmaker and vice chairman, Nemeth represented its views and that the government's stance had been set out in an interview with Orban on website 888.hu. Orban told 888.hu in December that Soros would be "squeezed out" of every European country and that NGOs would be scrutinized to find out what interests they represented. "The following year will be about the squeezing out of Soros and the powers that symbolize him," Orban was quoted as saying. According to a schedule of planned legislation on the parliamentary website, lawmakers are set to vote on extending mandatory declarations of assets to executives of NGOs. "We don't know exactly what the government is planning against civil organizations but we are not scared by the latest comments," rights advocacy group TASZ, one of the NGOs which is partly funded by Soros, posted on its Facebook page. (Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Louise Ireland) Russian media outlets on Wednesday focused on the Kremlin's denial of the alleged existence of compromising information on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. National state-run television network Rossiya 1 made Barack Obama's farewell speech and the alleged compromising info on Trump the second main item in its news update at 11 a.m. local time, running a five-minute report from its U.S. correspondent. The network dismissed the document originally published by BuzzFeed as "a parody of sloppily done compromising material" and a manifestation of "anti-Russian hysteria" in the U.S. The network also quoted Trump's tweet, in which he denounced the original CNN report about it as a "political witch hunt." The report from the Russian network's correspondent also argued that the fact that Obama's farewell speech, in which he promised support for Trump, was aired on CNN, was "proof of Obama's insincerity." Many other local media outlets reported on Trump's tweet and on WikiLeaks' tweet that the document published by BuzzFeed "is not an intelligence report." Russian news agency Interfax quoted Nikolai Kovalev, ex-head of Russia's Federal Security Service, as saying that no compromising info has ever been collected on Trump. "Of course, there is no compromising info," he was quoted as saying. "It looks like Obama's administration is focusing heavily on discrediting the president-elect, using any possible means." The agency also quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that "the Kremlin has no compromising info on Trump" and the report was an "absolute fabrication." He added that reports about the Kremlin allegedly having put together compromising material on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton were "absolute rubbish." Read more: Russia Undoubtedly Meddled in U.S. Election, Says U.S. Official, as Trump Defends Comments on Intel Saint Petersburg (AFP) - More than 100,000 people Wednesday signed an online petition against the handover of a flagship cathedral in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg to the Orthodox Church. Local authorities in Russia's second city announced Tuesday night that Saint Isaac's Cathedral, which had been transformed into a museum in the Soviet era, would be returned to the powerful Orthodox Church. The authors of the petition -- which was launched on change.org and addressed to President Vladimir Putin and Saint Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko -- fear the move could restrict tourists' access to a landmark of Russia's imperial capital and spell the end of the concerts that are staged there regularly. "In my opinion this is a grave mistake," local opposition lawmaker Boris Vishnevsky wrote on his Facebook page, vowing to fight the decision. Local media reported that 3.9 million tourists visited the cathedral last year, earning it more than 800 million rubles ($13.3 million). The Church in 2015 had asked local authorities to hand over the cathedral, a request they rejected at the time. Saint Isaac's, built by French architect Auguste Ricard de Montferrand between 1818 and 1858, was the Russian Empire's main cathedral. It became a museum of atheism in the early Soviet era before being converted into an art and history museum in 1937. Religious services during major religious holidays resumed at the cathedral in the 1990s. The Orthodox Church's influence has grown dramatically under Putin's rule. The Kremlin strongman has approved the restitution of property the Church lost during the Soviet era. Moscow (AFP) - Reports that Russian intelligence gathered compromising information about US President-elect Donald Trump have stirred memories of the dark art of "kompromat", a Soviet-era form of blackmail used to shame adversaries. The practice was widely used by the Soviet Union's secret services to squeeze information out of Western diplomats during the Cold War and has left many ruined victims in its wake. The method -- which sometimes involves tapped phones, hidden cameras and honey traps -- outlived the Soviet Union and continues to be used by the KGB security service's successor agency, the FSB Federal Security Service. "Secret services throughout the world use this," Mikhail Lyubimov, who long headed the KGB's operations against Britain and Scandinavian countries and is now a writer, told AFP. "We are not the only ones." Moscow denied the claims Wednesday that it had gathered compromising material against Trump, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing them as a "total fake" and "an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations." US media outlet BuzzFeed published, without corroborating its contents, a 35-page dossier of memos describing sex videos involving prostitutes filmed during a 2013 visit by Trump to a luxury Moscow hotel, supposedly as a potential means for blackmail. Many news outlets did not reveal details of the claims, as they could not be confirmed. CNN said the dossier originally came in part from an ex-British MI-6 operative hired by other US presidential contenders to dig up dirt on Trump. Lyubimov said he thought the claims against Trump were an "invention." "He wasn't of any interest when he was here," Lyubimov said. "This is simply Obama's farewell jab. This is a great card that will continue to be played against Trump for a long time." - Diplomat traps - Although Russia is not the only country that uses blackmail to discredit opponents, Moscow has a long history of successfully targeting foreign diplomats with "kompromat", as well as rival businessmen, politicians and activists. Story continues In the mid-1950s, junior naval attache to the British embassy in Moscow, John Vassall, was secretly photographed with a homosexual partner at a time when same-sex relations were banned in Britain. The KGB used the compromising photographs to blackmail Vassall to serve as one of its agents John Profumo, former British government minister whose name became associated with the sex and espionage scandal that forced his resignation in 1963, fell into a similar trap. He fell for Christine Keeler, a 19-year-old prostitute -- who also happened to be in a relationship with a Russian intelligence officer and the Soviet assistant naval attache in London. In 1964, France's ambassador to Moscow, Maurice Dejean, was caught having sexual relations with a young Russian woman, leading to his firing by Charles de Gaulle. Most recently, in 2009, a British diplomat stationed in Moscow resigned after a video showing him with two prostitutes emerged online. "Blackmail through sex is something as timeless as sex itself," Lyubimov said. - A 'boomerang' - The use of blackmail against foreign diplomats has become rarer in the post-Soviet era. In the 1990s "kompromat" was mostly used among Russian politicians and businessman trying to get ahead. Some of the most famous "kompromat wars" happened in the mid-1990s when powerful Russian oligarchs slugged it out against each other in lucrative battles for the privatisation of Soviet state assets. Many of those business barons also held media companies that splashed ugly allegations against their opponents at will. Prosecutor General Yury Skuratov was dismissed in 1999 after a video showing a man resembling him having sex with two women was broadcast on the news. Alleged footage of Mikhail Kasyanov, a former prime minister turned opposition leader, having sex with a political activist was aired last year by a Kremlin-friendly television channel ahead of parliamentary elections. Other opposition figures, including politicians and journalists, were targeted in a 2010 series of leaks of compromising sex videos involving a young woman named Yekaterina Gerasimova, who they said was a model recruited by either the FSB or a pro-Kremlin youth organisation called Nashi. "'Kompromat' is a boomerang of sorts," Lyubimov said. "A person cannot work for a long time under the threat of 'kompromat' and then break down and easily turn into an enemy. It's a dangerous thing." Seoul (AFP) - Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong has become a criminal suspect in a widening probe into the corruption and influence-peddling scandal engulfing impeached South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, prosecutors said Wednesday. Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics and the son of the Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-Hee, would be quizzed as a "suspect" in connection to bribery, prosecutors said. "We have decided to question Lee tomorrow morning... as a suspect," Lee Kyu-Chul, spokesman for the team of special prosecutors investigating the scandal, told reporters. The affair centres on Park's secret confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her ties to Park to coerce top firms into "donating" tens of millions of dollars to two non-profit foundations which Choi then used as her personal ATMs. Samsung was the biggest contributor to the foundations. It is also accused of separately giving millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany in a bid to curry favour. Prosecutors have for months questioned Lee and other senior Samsung officials. The officials reportedly argued that although they were coerced to offer money, they sought no favours in return and thus the payments were not a bribe. Spokesman Lee said prosecutors "left open the possibility" of formally arresting the Samsung scion later. A Samsung Group spokeswoman declined to comment on the issue but said the company was closely following the probe. Prosecutors are investigating whether Samsung bribed Choi in order to win state approval for a controversial merger which it sought in 2015. The merger of two Samsung group units -- Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T -- was seen as a crucial step towards ensuring a smooth third-generation power transfer to Lee Jae-Yong. It was criticised by many, who said it wilfully undervalued Samsung C&T's stocks. But the National Pension Service (NPS) -- a major Samsung shareholder -- voted in favour of the deal and it eventually went through. Story continues Prosecutors have raided multiple Samsung offices as well as the NPS in connection with the scandal. The fund -- the world's third largest pension fund -- is overseen by the welfare ministry. A former welfare minister was arrested last month for allegedly pressuring NPS officials to vote in favour of the Samsung deal. Last month, Lee Jae-Yong told a parliamentary hearing that he was unaware of Samsung's involvement in funding Choi's daughter's equestrian pursuits and lavish life in Germany and denied that his company was seeking to win government favours. Prosecutors on Wednesday asked parliament to file a complaint against Lee for giving false testimony at the hearing. The spokesman for the prosecutor team also revealed what could become key evidence -- Choi's tablet PC -- which contains emails between her and Samsung. Park, who stands accused of colluding with Choi to extract money from the firms, was impeached by parliament last month but denies any criminal wrongdoing. The Constitutional Court is currently reviewing the validity of her impeachment -- a process that may take up to six months. If the court approves the impeachment, a presidential election will be held in 60 days. Choi, daughter of a shady religious figure who was close to Park for decades until his death in 1994, is on trial for charges including coercion and abuse of power. The latest scandal shed light on unhealthy ties between the government and the powerful family-controlled conglomerates that have powered the country's economy for decades. There have been frequent scandals in which top managers at the conglomerates, known as chaebol, bribed officials to curry favour. The founding families of the conglomerates have also become the targets of growing public mistrust. They are accused of running their global businesses with minimum scrutiny by regulators and investors. The Samsung group -- the South's largest business empire -- has a vast array of businesses including its flagship Samsung Electronics, the world's largest maker of smartphones. The group's founding Lee family has stepped up efforts to accelerate the power transfer to Lee Jae-Yong after his father suffered a heart attack in 2014 that left him bedridden. If theres one company that told us for years that it wants to make foldable smartphones, its Samsung. Its certainly not the only one, but it is the only company rumored to release at least one foldable flagship this year. A new report from Asia indicates that Samsung may already be working on two differently sized such devices. Don't Miss: Samsung accidentally confirmed one of the Galaxy S8s headline features Dutch site TechTastic picked up chatter on Weibo about two unreleased Samsung devices, codenamed SM-X900 and SM-X905. These are believed to be foldable devices that might be called Galaxy X1 and Galaxy X1 Plus. Apparently, these two devices are tested running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and Android 7.1.1 Nougat, respectively. That said, there arent any details available about any of them. We dont have any images or specs for the phones, and its not known when Samsung will announce them or if itll happen this year. Whats also somewhat puzzling is that Samsung would make two distinct sizes. Foldable smartphones would let the user switch between a compact and a large display format or between a smartphone and tablet mode. But would we even need small foldable phones and large foldable phones? That remains to be seen. Theres no denying that Samsung is innovating, at its own pace, in the mobile landscape. The company was the first to make big-screen smartphones popular with its Galaxy Note family and made curved displays look amazing with its Galaxy S6 edge and its successor, after failing to generate any real interest around the Galaxy Round curved smartphone. And, from the looks of it, Samsung may be first to market with a foldable smartphone. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com JEROME Flooding remains a concern in Jerome as the snow and ice continue to melt, City Manager Mike Williams said Tuesday. Our crews continue to work on clearing drains, but they can become clogged in a hurry with snow and ice accumulation, he said in a statement. We have hundreds of storm drains throughout the community so keeping all of them clear under the conditions has been a challenge. Residents can help by knowing where storm drains are on their street and keeping them clear. Williams asked residents to not put ice and snow in roadways or gutters as they clear their sidewalks and driveways. This contributes the clogging of the storm drains, he said. The goal is to keep the water flowing into the storm drains to avoid major flooding. See a map on magicvalley.com to find storm drains closest to your home. The red dots on the map indicate storm drains. Newer subdivisions dont have many storms drains identified. Runoff in these neighborhoods are collected in the storm water retention ponds. Residents whose drains are covered with too much ice and snow or who see water accumulating are asked to call the public works department at 208-324-9669 for assistance. * Cuts Feb supplies to India's Reliance, HMEL, Malaysia's Petronas * Most North Asia, India buyers receive near full term supplies * Steady exports to Asia may point to supply cuts in Europe, U.S. By Rania El Gamal and Florence Tan DUBAI/SINGAPORE, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has cut February term crude supplies to refiners in India and Southeast Asia, seeking to comply with an OPEC deal, but it has held most of its exports to the rest of Asia steady for a second month, industry sources said on Wednesday. State oil giant Saudi Aramco reduced February term supplies of mainly heavy crude to Indian refiners Reliance Industries and Hindustan Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL), as well as to Malaysia's Petronas, four sources familiar with the matter said. Aramco has also cut oil supplies to another southeast Asian buyer for a second month in February, one of the sources said. That means some major oil companies in Europe and the United States could see reductions of up to 18 percent in their term volumes for February, the source said. "Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are focusing their cuts on U.S. and European customers as they target excess inventories and protect market share in Asia," Energy Aspects analyst Virendra Chauhan said. Saudi Aramco and the other companies could not be reached for comment. Details on the amounts of the supply reductions could not be confirmed. Saudi's February supply reductions to a handful of Asian refiners mark the start of cuts to a region left untouched in January at the onset of the OPEC output deal. The producer maintained strong exports to Asia in January to protect its market share there and because it gets higher netbacks on sales to the East than it does for other regions. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to cut production by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of 2017 to reduce a global supply glut and support prices. World's top exporter Saudi Arabia cut oil output in January by at least 486,000 bpd to 10.058 million bpd. Still, Saudi Aramco kept February supplies to most North Asian refiners at full volumes for a second month, trade sources said, indicating it will have to continue cutting exports to Europe and the United States to meet its OPEC commitment. "I think the Saudis won't touch volumes to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Southeast Asian demand is small when compared to North Asia," a Singapore-based crude analyst with a European oil company said. (Additional reporting by Nidhi Verma in NEW DELHI, Osamu Tsukimori in TOKYO, Mark Tay in SINGAPORE, Jane Chung in SEOUL, Reem Shamseddine in KHOBAR, Emily Chow in KUALA LUMPUR, and Meng Meng and Chen Aizhu in BEIJING; Editing by Tom Hogue) Narconon, an anti-drugs program funded and run by the Church of Scientology, has been found to be active in U.K. schools. According to an investigation by the Evening Standard, 35,000 children were exposed to the organization through presentations that were part of the program over the past year, including more than 16,000 in London. Narconon claims to be a "highly effective drug-free withdrawal, detoxification and rehabilitation program, which utilizes techniques developed by L. Ron Hubbard," and began in the 1960s when a prison inmate cured his own drug addictions using principles found in one of Hubbard's books. The organization is run by the Association for Better Living and Education, which was established by Scientology. Critics of Narconon have claimed that its lectures are a "soft introduction" to Scientology, and the Evening Standard reported that one U.K. pupil had said students were shocked when the organization's representative quoted Hubbard, describing him as a "great humanitarian." Speaking to the paper, a representative for one of the schools said: "We were completely unaware. If we had known there would have been no way we would have let them in." Read more: British Doc Maker Talks Scientology's "Roaming Eye of Sauron" Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f344977%2f387c4e50-375c-4a69-9da7-1ff59907ca83 President-elect Donald J. Trump's secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson has been a bit of an enigma when it comes to his views on climate change. Unlike the nominees to head the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Department of Energy, he does not neatly fall into the climate denier camp. In fact, under his tenure as CEO of ExxonMobil, the company acknowledged the need to address global warming, endorsed a carbon tax and publicly supported the Paris Climate Agreement. However, these moves came after decades of work to research the science behind climate change and then suppress, confuse and distort that science to protect the company's business interests. SEE ALSO: A guide to Trump's alarming cabinet full of climate deniers Currently, at least two state attorneys general are investigating Exxon for its role in a climate disinformation campaign, along similar lines to inquiries that led to historic settlements with the tobacco industry in the 1990s. The revelations that have emerged about ExxonMobil's historical knowledge of climate science, specifically the fact the burning oil and gas was causing global climate change, is known by the hashtag #ExxonKnew. It's shameful Tillerson refused to answer my questions on his company's role in funding phony climate science. Bottom line: #ExxonKnew Senator Tim Kaine (@timkaine) January 11, 2017 Against this backdrop, the confirmation hearing on Wednesday for Tillerson was seen as a good opportunity to get him on the record regarding his views on climate change, and what his agenda on the issue would be were he to get the job. His answers are likely to disappoint climate activists who marched to the Senate in T. Rex costumes to protest his nomination and scientists alike. Story continues Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia asked Tillerson about Exxon's decision to fund organizations that put out misleading information about climate science. Tillerson dodged the questions, specifically whether the allegations from investigative reporting by the Columbia Journalism School, Los Angeles Times and InsideClimateNews are true. Senator, since I am no longer with ExxonMobil I am not in position to speak on its behalf, I would have to defer to them," he said. Kaine asked whether Tillerson was unable to answer the question because of a lack of knowledge or if he was refusing to answer it. "A little of both," was the reply, which was met with chuckles in the room. Tillerson's views don't align with scientific community During the first morning of his confirmation hearings, Tillerson was also asked about his personal views on global warming. The risk of climate change does exist and the consequences of it could be serious enough that action should be taken," Tillerson said, noting that the most disagreement concerns what those actions should be. When pressed further, however, Tillerson said: The increase in the greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are having an effect, our ability to predict that effect is very limited. Climate scientists would disagree with the latter part of that statement, considering that the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have long been predicted to and are in fact already causing global average temperatures to increase, sea levels to rise, precipitation extremes and heat waves to grow more frequent and extreme, along with other widespread impacts. Sea ice loss contributed to a record warm fall of 2016 in the Arctic. Image: noaa Katharine Hayhoe, a climate researcher at Texas Tech University, clarified that climate models make projections based on emissions scenarios rather than predictions. "Projections of the climate impacts associated with a given scenario, pathway, or amount of emissions, however, are based on physics and chemistry, the fundamentals of which have been understood since the work of Tyndall and Foote in the 1850s, she said. "To say that we don't understand the impacts or effects that a given scenario or amount of continued fossil fuel use will have on our planet was a correct statement to make in the 1800s. In 2017? Not so much." The Pentagon and intelligence community has even concluded that climate change is a major concern and a national security priority. Michael Mann, who directs the Earth Systems Science Center at Penn State University, said Tillerson's statement on climate science is "indefensible." "It is the overwhelming consensus of the worlds scientists that our the burning of fossil fuels is not just having 'an effect,' but (a) is most likely responsible for all of the warming we have seen over the past half century and (b) is already having damaging impacts on all sectors of our economy," Mann said in an email to Mashable. "Moreover, our ability to project future warming is not 'very limited,'" he said. "Climate models have proven extremely skillful in predicting the warming that has already been observed and, by many measures (e.g. Arctic sea ice loss, melting of the major ice sheets) it is proceeding faster than climate models predicted," he added. "If anything, uncertainty is breaking against us, not with us, which belies Tillersons implications to the contrary." Similarly, David Titley, the director of the Center for Solutions to Weather and Climate Risk at Penn State who previously led the U.S. Navy's climate change task force, also found Tillerson's skepticism about climate science's predictive capabilities to be problematic. "The ability of climate scientists to predict the future is significantly more skillful than many other professions (economics, intelligence, political science) who try and predict the future," he said in an email to Mashable. "When viewed from a risk management perspective, climate science has given plenty of useful, actionable information for decision-makers to use for many years." "...While Tillersons statement may be technically correct for small spatial scales and small timescales, it is very misleading in the sense of what climate models and climate scientists can and do [to] inform policy makers about future projections." As for U.N. climate negotiations Tillerson, who worked at Exxon for his entire 42-year career, rising from the position of engineer to CEO, said the U.S. should stay engaged in the United Nations climate negotiations process. Members of Greenpeace protest the nomination for Secretary of State of nominee Rex Tillerson during his confirmation hearing, on Wed., Jan. 11, 2017. Image: Sipa USA via AP I think its important that the US maintain its seat at the table on the conversations that address the threats of climate change, Tillerson said regarding engagement in the U.N. climate talks. However, he stopped just short of specifically endorsing the Paris agreement, saying at one point, No one country is going to solve this alone. Speaking of the Paris Agreement, Tillerson said: I think were better served by being at the table than leaving the table. Trump has pledged to "cancel" the agreement, meaning that he would pull the U.S. out of it, which could deal a significant blow to international progress to rein in global warming. The Paris Climate Agreement, which went into effect in November, is the first global agreement on climate change that includes pledges from all countries of the world to reduce their emissions of global warming pollutants such as carbon dioxide. Its encouraging that Tillerson recognizes that climate change requires a global response and that the U.S. must be at the table," said David Waskow, director of the International Climate Initiative at the World Resources Institute, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington. Waskow added: Tillerson said President-elect Trump has solicited his views on climate change. Trump himself has, in the past, dismissed human-caused global warming a "hoax." The president-elect has asked for my views on climate change, Tillerson said. Ultimately the president-elect, he was elected, and I will carry out his policies. BONUS: Gov. Jerry Brown says California will build its 'own damn satellite' under Trump From elevator nuzzles to their first dance as first couple to countless mutual compliments, President Barack Obama and his First Lady Michelle Obama have been the epitome of relationship goals throughout their eight years in office. The Obamas celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary in October of last year but in this video trip down memory lane, its easy to confuse the president and first lady for newlyweds. Take, for example, Michelle Obamas enduring appreciation for her husbands swagalicious walk. Watching my husband walk off of Marine One and go to the Oval Office, its like, mmm, mmm, mmm, the first lady approvingly told Oprah Winfrey during an interview last year. And you know hes got that walk, right? Or the way the president considers his wife to be a little out of his league. How lucky am I to be married to Michelle Obama? the president said after being introduced by the first lady at a rally during his 2012 re-election campaign. For you men out there who are not yet married, let me explain the whole goal is to marry up. Perhaps most inspiring of all is their commitment to each other and to their daughters, Malia and Sasha. If we were going to do this together, there were some things we would sacrifice for, there were other things we wouldnt, the president once said. And making sure we were there for each other, thats something we wouldnt sacrifice. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbia's president urged greater protection for the rights of Serbs in the Balkan region as he met Wednesday with a former top Bosnian Serb leader who was convicted as a war criminal. The call by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic is similar to ones that triggered the bloody disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. His meeting with Bosnian Serb leader Momcilo Krajisnik reflects a resurgence of nationalist sentiment that led to the Balkan wars that left more than 100,000 people dead. Krajisnik spent 13 years in prison for persecuting and forcibly expelling non-Serbs during Bosnia's 1992-95 war. He was released in 2013 after his conviction by the United Nations war crimes tribunal in the Hague, Netherlands. A 1995 U.S.-sponsored peace agreement made Bosnia a union of Bosnian Serb and Muslim-Croat regions. But that deal seems to be unraveling, with Bosnian Serb leaders calling for secession of their mini-state called Republika Srpska and joining it with Serbia. Krajisnik, who leads a non-governmental organization called Association of Creators of Republika Srpska, said after the meeting with Nikolic that Bosnia "has become an impossible country." "The Serb people (in Bosnia) are not feeling comfortable," Krajisnik said. "Nor do the Croats....The situation in Bosnia is alarming." Krajisnik, who was the No. 2 behind Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, predicted there would be "sporadic skirmishes," but not another war in Bosnia. Nikolic, who is staunchly pro-Russian, said in a statement that his discussion with Krajisnik emphasized "the status and protection of human rights of Serbian people in the countries in the region, as well as the protection of Cyrillic and the Serbian language." The Youth Initiative for Human Rights in Serbia said in a statement that the meeting represented "a step further" in the denial of wartime crimes committed by Serbs. Claims that the rights of Serb minorities in Bosnia and Croatia were jeopardized led to the violent disintegration of the former Yugoslav federation after the Serb-led Yugoslav army intervened. In 1992, Bosnia's Serbs rebelled against the majority in Bosnia who opted for independence. They preferred to stay in Serb-dominated Yugoslavia while Muslim Bosniaks and the Catholic Croats wanted Bosnia to be an independent state. DODGE CENTER, Minn. (AP) A truck plant explosion in a small southeastern Minnesota town injured six people Wednesday but many more employees could have been hurt, authorities said. Many employees at McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing Inc. in Dodge Center who would have been in the area of the paint shop explosion were off-site at a training exercise when the blast happened around 10:30 a.m., Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose said. Six people were injured, Rose said. Two were flown by medical helicopter to a St. Paul hospital and two were taken by ambulance to a Rochester hospital. Their conditions were not immediately available. Another two were being treated at the scene for minor medical issues, the sheriff said. McNeilus is part of Oshkosh Corp. in Wisconsin. Oshkosh Corp. spokeswoman Katie Hoxtell said five injured employees were "under medical care." She said she could not give details. Rose said it's his understanding "it was quite an explosion." All employees have been accounted for, he said. The complex closed production for the day, and investigators remained inside. Rose said the scene is safe and the road outside the complex has reopened after being closed following the explosion. The company will work with local authorities on the investigation, Hoxtell said. Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health investigators also will investigate, agency spokesman James Honerman said. The plant, on a 145-acre campus, makes cement trucks and refuse trucks and is a major employer in Dodge Center, a town of 2,700 about 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis. Employment fluctuates between 1,000 and 1,200, Mayor Bill Ketchum said. "Anytime you have something like that big town or small town it's a tragic thing. It could have been a lot worse than it was," Ketchum said. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that four people were taken to hospitals instead of five. This sexist 50s-esque date etiquette homework was actually assigned by a high school teacher, and we are bummed The year is 2017, correct? Just checking, because truly cringeworthy 50s-esque date etiquette homework was assigned by a high school teacher in Salt Lake City, and were totally disgusted. When Lucy Mulligan, an AP and honors student at Highland High School, showed her mom the assignment, Jen Oxborrow posted a photo to Facebook and called out called out the blatant misogyny. My 11th grade AP honors students homework: go on a date! With a boy. And follow his suggestions dont correct his personal habits, dont waste his money, and show him respect, Mulligan wrote in her caption. Thanks for educating our kids, Utah Department of Education. We really appreciate your evidence-based misogyny. My 11th grade AP honors student's homework: "go on a date!" With a boy. And follow his suggestions--don't correct his... Posted by Jenn Oxborrow on Monday, January 9, 2017 How bad could it be, you ask? Well, for starters the assignment requires students to go on dates with a classmate of the opposite sex regardless of whether or not they are LGBTQ or simply uninterested in dating. But wait, theres more! Girls are instructed to dress appropriately, be feminine and lady-like, and if you think youre too fat, keep it to yourself. Nope, this isnt an Onion story. Boys received the same assignment, but their instructions were just a little different than their female peers. For example, one bullet reads: At a restaurant, say what youre going to order so she will have a guide in ordering. (Yes, really.) And, although it tells boys not to feel entitled to a kiss, the girls assignment made no mention of consent or the right to say no to any unwanted physical advances. Posted by Jo Robinson on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 Story continues The Utah Board of Education has responded to the complaints and acknowledged the assignment was both inappropriate and sexist. Theyre inappropriate and were taking them down, a spokesperson for the board told The Salt Lake Tribune. Thankfully, Highland Highs principal stands behind the boards decision and stated theres undeniable gender bias in the assignment. Teachers should be a reliable source of information, 16-year-old Mulligan told The Tribune. This doesnt seem like an educated assignment, or an assignment that would teach you anything at all. Wise words from a 16-year-old. Lets leave 50s-style gender stereotypes in the past where they belong, shall we? Shakira crowns Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart (dated Jan. 21) for an eighth (nonconsecutive) week with "Chantaje," featuring Maluma, matching the amount of weeks that she spent atop the chart with her 2006 smash "Hips Don't Lie," featuring Wyclef Jean. Both songs are now tied for her second-longest command of the chart; the Colombian star's "La Tortura," featuring Alejandro Sanz, spent 25 weeks at the top beginning in June 2005. Meanwhile, "Chantaje" jumps 65-51 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, reaching a new peak in its eighth charting week. Apart from "Tortura," which peaked at No. 23, "Chantaje" marks Shakira's best Hot 100 showing for a Spanish-language song that does not have an accompanying English version. ("Chantaje" translates to "blackmail" in English.) A gain in streaming for the song supports its rank on both charts. The track logged 6.1 million streams during the week ending Jan. 5, according to Nielsen Music, an 18 percent hike. It concurrently debuts at No. 47 on the Streaming Songs chart, which ranks weekly U.S. streaming data across all genres, marking Shakira's fourth time on the four-year-old chart, and the first with a Spanish-language song. Of the song's total domestic weekly streams, 62 percent stem from YouTube, where its official video has reached 395 million global views to date. Meanwhile, "Chantaje" spends a fourth week at No. 1 on the Latin Digital Song Sales chart, despite a 4 percent dip in sales (to 5,000 downloads; most titles dropped in sales in the tracking week, following Christmas-week shopping the week before). For nine years (2005-14), "La Tortura" held the record for the most weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs. It wasn't until Enrique Iglesias' global hit "Bailando," featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, ran up 41 frames at No. 1 (through February 2015), dethroning "Hips." Since then, Nicky Jam and Iglesias also surpassed the reign of "Hips," when their collaborative "El Perdon" tallied 30 weeks at No. 1 in March-October 2015. Shakira is currently working on her 11th studio album, her first full-length Spanish release since 2010's Sale el Sol. By Tom Bergin LONDON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The widow of an activist executed after protesting against Royal Dutch Shell's oil production in Nigeria has won access to legal documents for use in a legal case for damages against the oil giant that she says she plans to launch in the Netherlands. A U.S. judge in December told Shell's U.S. lawyers to give Esther Kiobel documents about Shell's activities in Nigeria, according to her lawyers and a court transcript obtained by protest website royaldutchshellplc.com and seen by Reuters. Kiobel alleges that Shell was complicit in the execution of her late husband, alongside author and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, by the Nigerian military in 1995 because it provided support and funding for the army in its crackdown of opposition to a Shell-led joint venture in the Niger Delta. Shell said in a statement that it denied the allegations, previously made in a lawsuit against Shell in the United States. "We have always denied, in the strongest possible terms, the allegations made by the plaintiffs in this tragic case," a spokesman said in the statement. It made no comment about the possibility of legal action in the Netherlands or the December court ruling on the documents. Kiobel previously gained access to the documents and deposition transcripts she is now seeking but only for use in the U.S. lawsuit. Kiobel's lawyers said a court order prevented her from using the files in other legal actions or publicly discussing the contents. Nonetheless, in an October filing Kiobel's lawyers said they sought the documents as part of their aim of proving cooperation between "the Nigerian junta and Shell in committing human rights violations". The previous U.S. case was unsuccessful because the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that claims could only be taken in the United States if an alleged transgression was guided from inside the country. Kiobel's Dutch lawyer, Channa Samkalden, said the Dutch civil case would be filed in the next couple of months. Any damages are likely to be immaterial for Shell, analysts said, as Dutch courts rarely make the kinds of multi-million dollar awards common in the United States. Story continues Marco Simons, a lawyer with environmental group Earth Rights in Washington who has seen the documents because he represented Kiobel in the U.S. lawsuit, said the material to be turned over would support the lawsuit against Shell in the Netherlands, where the courts have already agreed to hear other cases involving Shell's overseas activities. "It would be extremely critical to have access to all of this evidence," he said. Reuters has not seen the documents and cannot independently verify what Simons says about the relevance of their content. Shell's law firm, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, which asked the court to reject Kiobel's request, did not respond to requests for comment. (Editing by Alison Williams and Alexander Smith) Joyce Ruben (JR) Dickard May 5, 1924 - January 9, 2017 TWIN FALLS - Joyce Ruben (JR) Dickard age 92 of Twin Falls, passed away January 9, 2017 at St. Luke's Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho. JR was born May 5, 1924 in Filer, Idaho, the son of William Dee and Marjorie (Armer) Dickard. He grew up and attended schools in Filer. At a young age, he took up his life's passion of farming and it showed in his care of the land. On April 30, 1943, he married his sweetheart, Hallie Colene (Presnell) Dickard in the First Christian Church in Twin Falls, Idaho and together they raised two sons, Jerry and Gary. The young family farmed South of Twin Falls on the Kimberly Tract. JR was a member of the Mountain Rock Grange and First Christian Church. When not hard at work, he enjoyed hunting, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, spending time with his family and any activity that had to do with the grandkids. He also loved volunteering at Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center and it held a very special place in his heart, long after he was truly able. He was preceded in death by his father, William in 1969, his mother, Marjorie in 1983, his brother, Troy in 2008 and one grandchild. JR is survived by his loving wife, Hallie of Twin Falls; sons, Jerry (Chris) Dickard and Gary(Gerrie) Dickard, both of Kimberly, ID. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, ID. Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 13, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home with burial following services at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Twin Falls, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center P.O. Box 482 Twin Falls, ID 83303. All services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on JR's memorial webpage at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com. (Corrects name spelling in paragraph 6 to Tan Hee Joek) By Fathin Ungku SINGAPORE, Jan 11 (Reuters) - A Singapore court on Wednesday sentenced the former local branch manager of Swiss-based Falcon Private Bank AG to 28 weeks in prison and a fine of S$128,000 ($89,155.12), in an investigation tied to scandal-hit Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB. The bank, which is also under investigation at home, was the second Swiss lender whose Singapore unit was ordered to cease operations last year after BSI Bank Ltd. The action came as the city state tried to repair the reputation of its financial centre, which played host to some activity related to 1 Malaysia Development Berhad. Jens Sturzenegger, the fifth person to be taken to court in Singapore's biggest crackdown on money laundering, pleaded guilty to six of the 16 charges filed by the prosecutors, with the rest taken into consideration during sentencing. The Swiss national is the first foreigner to be charged in the 1MDB-linked probe by Singapore authorities. Defence lawyer Tan Hee Joek said the banker was unlikely to appeal against the verdict. Falcon, in Switzerland, declined to comment. "Jens Sturzenegger is a former employee of the bank and the investigation was against him as an individual and not against the bank," a bank spokesman told Reuters in an email. "Therefore we can't comment on that." Singapore prosecutors also said Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, had used the alias "Eric Tan" to mask suspicious transactions identified in the 1MDB investigation. "Eric Tan was not merely an alias for Jho Low, but was in fact a real person," public prosecutor Leong Weng Tat told the court, adding that Sturzenegger had seen a copy of the passport and curriculum vitae of the individual, Eric Tan Kim Loong. In November, Singapore authorities had identified Low as a key figure in the money-laundering scandal linked to 1MDB. Low is also among the people named in civil lawsuits filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, which alleged that more than $3.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB. Story continues Singapore authorities have also frozen Low's assets, but the 34-year-old has not been charged with any offence in the 1MDB investigation. 1MDB, founded by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, is the subject of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries, including Switzerland, Singapore and the United States. U.S. investigators tracked nearly $700 million sent from an account at Falcon in Singapore in 2013 to accounts in Malaysia belonging to "Malaysian Official 1", which U.S. and Malaysian officials have told Reuters refers to Najib. Najib, who also chaired 1MDB's advisory board, has denied wrongdoing and said Malaysia will cooperate with international investigations. 1MDB has also denied wrongdoing. Falcon is owned by Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Co. Singapore last year jailed three ex-BSI bankers in what it has called its most complex money-laundering case. ($1=1.4348 Singapore dollars) (Reporting by Fathin Ungku; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) By Fathin Ungku SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Singapore court on Wednesday sentenced the former local branch manager of Swiss-based Falcon Private Bank AG to 28 weeks in prison and a fine of S$128,000 ($89,155.12), in an investigation tied to scandal-hit Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB. The bank, which is also under investigation at home, was the second Swiss lender whose Singapore unit was ordered to cease operations last year after BSI Bank Ltd. The action came as the city state tried to repair the reputation of its financial centre, which played host to some activity related to 1 Malaysia Development Berhad. Jens Sturzenegger, the fifth person to be taken to court in Singapore's biggest crackdown on money laundering, pleaded guilty to six of the 16 charges filed by the prosecutors, with the rest taken into consideration during sentencing. The Swiss national is the first foreigner to be charged in the 1MDB-linked probe by Singapore authorities. Defence lawyer Tan Hee Joek said the banker was unlikely to appeal against the verdict. Falcon, in Switzerland, declined to comment. "Jens Sturzenegger is a former employee of the bank and the investigation was against him as an individual and not against the bank," a bank spokesman told Reuters in an email. "Therefore we cant comment on that." Singapore prosecutors also said Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, had used the alias "Eric Tan" to mask suspicious transactions identified in the 1MDB investigation. "Eric Tan was not merely an alias for Jho Low, but was in fact a real person," public prosecutor Leong Weng Tat told the court, adding that Sturzenegger had seen a copy of the passport and curriculum vitae of the individual, Eric Tan Kim Loong. In November, Singapore authorities had identified Low as a key figure in the money-laundering scandal linked to 1MDB. Low is also among the people named in civil lawsuits filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, which alleged that more than $3.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB. Story continues Singapore authorities have also frozen Low's assets, but the 34-year-old has not been charged with any offence in the 1MDB investigation. 1MDB, founded by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, is the subject of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries, including Switzerland, Singapore and the United States. U.S. investigators tracked nearly $700 million sent from an account at Falcon in Singapore in 2013 to accounts in Malaysia belonging to "Malaysian Official 1", which U.S. and Malaysian officials have told Reuters refers to Najib. Najib, who also chaired 1MDB's advisory board, has denied wrongdoing and said Malaysia will cooperate with international investigations. 1MDB has also denied wrongdoing. Falcon is owned by Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Co. Singapore last year jailed three ex-BSI bankers in what it has called its most complex money-laundering case. ($1=1.4348 Singapore dollars) (Reporting by Fathin Ungku; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Well, that was something. Welcome to the New Normal, where the head of the Senate Armed Services Committee personally delivers memos to the FBI director, alleging the President-elects team has been in contact with Russian intelligence, which has compromising personal and financial material. That was the bombshell dropped Tuesday by Buzzfeed, which published the documents, calling them unverified, and potentially unverifiable. Quickly. The memos, first disclosed by CNN, were written by a former high-ranking British intelligence official hired by Republicans last year to collect information on Trump, were delivered by Sen. John McCain to FBI chief James Comey in December. While the FBI has not verified the accuracy of any of the claims, U.S. officials had evaluated the sources relied upon by the private firm, considered them credible, and determined that it was plausible that they would have firsthand knowledge of Russias alleged dossier on Trump, the Washington Post reports. Briefing book. The information was included in the classified report the U.S. intel officials briefed to President Obama and Trump last week. The first elements of the story were published in October by Mother Jones David Corn, but as The Guardians Julian Borger points out, Trumps staffers have been an object of interest for the U.S. intel agencies for months. The FBI applied for a warrant from the foreign intelligence surveillance (Fisa) court over the summer in order to monitor four members of the Trump team suspected of irregular contacts with Russian officials. The Fisa court turned down the application asking FBI counter-intelligence investigators to narrow its focus. According to one report, the FBI was finally granted a warrant in October, but that has not been confirmed, and it is not clear whether any warrant led to a full investigation. On Wednesday, Moscow denied having any compromising information on Trump. Talk, talk. FBI chief Comey refused to say on Tuesday whether the bureau has investigated ties between Russia and associates of President-elect Donald Trump, raising questions about whether the intelligence community has disclosed the full scope of its investigation into Moscows multifaceted interference in the U.S. election, FPs Elias Groll reports from Capitol Hill. Story continues Trump Tower. Amid all this, lets not forget that for now at least, President-elect Trump is scheduled to give his first news conference at 11:00 a.m. in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. Team Trump hits weak White House. On the Hill today, Trumps nominee for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is expected to try and allay lawmakers fears over the incoming administrations ties with Russia. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia, Tillerson will say before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to his prepared remarks obtained by Bloomberg. He softens that, however, by blaming Washington for Russias aggressiveness, noting weak or mixed signals with red lines that turned into green lights. Incoming national security advisor Michael Flynn spoke for a few short minutes at the U.S. Institute for Peace on Tuesday, where he also hit Obama for being weak, saying the American people have been faced with some of the darkest days of civil and foreign wars, economic depression . . . weak leadership at home and hostile threats abroad. Flynn, who was careful to not say anything newsworthy, added that the Trump administration will pursue a policy of peace through strength as we examine and potentially re-baseline our commitments around the globe. Farewell. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, joined by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, held his last news conference that the Pentagon Tuesday. Asked if the U.S. should shoot down North Korean missiles being tested near Japanese waters, Carter said it would happen only if the missile was a threat to the U.S. or it allies. Its a better idea to save our interceptor inventory, and to gather intelligence instead. Dunford who, dont forget, is staying at the Pentagon deflected a question about women serving in combat roles during the presser. As head of the Marine Corps, he opposed Carters initiative to open combat jobs to women, and he famously did not attend Carters press conference last year rolling out the plan. I cant talk to the next administration, Dunford said Tuesday. I mean, right now, I know what the policy is and weve been implementing the policy. I certainly cant comment on anything that might happen in the future. FPs Dan De Luce and Paul McLeary recently ran through the possible changes for female and transgender troops under a Trump administration, and a Mattis Pentagon. Pass go. Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis should get his waiver to serve as the next defense secretary, several experts told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday. Eliot Cohen, a professor at Johns Hopkins University told the panel, there is no doubt in my mind that a Secretary Mattis would be a stabilizing and moderating force, preventing wildly stupid, dangerous or illegal things from happening. Fear vs. Democracy. While Trump was firing off tweets dismissing the salacious allegations that the Russians had damning video of him with prostitutes in Moscow, President Barack Obama, was delivering his valedictory speech in Chicago before he leaves office. The biggest threat to America did not come Russia, China or from Islamic State terrorists, Obama said, but from ourselves if Americans lose touch with democratic values and allow corrosive inequality, toxic partisanship and intolerance to take hold. Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are, Obama said, adding: Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for, and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors. Dan De Luce 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 South China Sea China took one of its strategic bombers out for a spin around the Spratly islands, Reuters reports. China claims the Spratlys as its own, sending arms to Fiery Cross Reef where it has a troop presence but the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also claim parts of the archipelago as their own. The flight is the second time China has flown an H-6 in the South China Sea this year. Were also learning more about Taiwans response to another debut of Chinese weaponry in the waters around east Asia. Reuters reports that Taiwans defense ministry scrambled fighter jets to the Taiwan Strait as Chinas Liaoning aircraft carrier headed home following exercises in the South China Sea. Taiwanese officials tell the wire service that the scramble was prompted by the Liaonings passage through Taiwans air defense identification zone. The Islamic State American special operations forces claimed another top Islamic State leader in Syria, according to ABC News. U.S. commandos reportedly killed Abu Anas al-Iraqi, who ran the jihadist groups finances, in Deir Ezzour. Defense officials have yet to confirm the raid publicly, but the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State has focused heavily on disrupting the groups financial operations recently, targeting cash stores and oil infrastructure. SEALs The Washington Post takes a closer look at a bizarre book that reportedly inspired the secretive SEAL Team 6. Earlier this week, the Intercept reported that the special operations unit has a number of fans of George Robert Elfords pulp novel Devils Guard, about a Nazi SS officer who flees Europe for the French Foreign Legion after World War II and ends up fighting in Vietnam. The Post reports that the book, though fiction, is allegedly based on true historical events but that historians have taken a dim view of its disturbingly flattering (and inaccurate) portrayal of the Nazis. Iran Australias navy has released pictures of Iranian arms seized by an Australian warship off the coast of Yemen. An open records request from the arms monitoring nonprofit Small Arms Survey prompted the release. Iranian-made rocket propelled grenade launchers are visible In the images of weapons seized from a dhow off the coast of Yemen, alongside a number of assault rifles, machine guns, and mortars. The photos add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that Iran has been supplying its Houthi allies in Yemen with weapons in the war with the Saudi-led coalition there. Leaks Retired Marine Gen. James Hoss Cartwright is looking at a potential two year prison sentence for lying to the FBI in its investigation of who leaked classified information for the New York Timess story on the Stuxnet malware that disrupted Irans nuclear program. The Washington Post reports that prosecutors have submitted a sentencing request for two years of imprisonment, saying that the sentence was important to send a message to those with security clearances that leaks have severe consequences. Others have been more fortunate, however, including former CIA director and retired Army Gen. David Petraeus, who received probation after a plea deal for providing classified information to his mistress and biographer, admitted lying to the FBI during the investigation. Photo Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Athens (AFP) - The widow of Greece's ambassador to Brazil, arrested as an alleged accomplice in his murder last month, denied guilt over his death in a letter published Wednesday. "I declare (myself) innocent to the people of (Greece), being the victim of an accelerated, unjust and disconnected police investigation," Francoise de Souza Oliveira wrote in the English-language letter. "The facts are still being investigated and due process has not yet occurred," the 40-year-old added in the letter, sent to the Greek embassy in Brazil and obtained by Greek daily Ethnos. Brazilian police last month said de Souza and her 29-year-old lover, police officer Sergio Gomez Moreira, arranged to murder the 59-year-old Kyriakos Amiridis. The diplomat went missing just after Christmas Day. His charred body was soon found in his burned-out rental car under a Rio bridge, a day after de Souza declared him missing. Police initially became suspicious of de Souza after she took nearly two days to alert the authorities to the ambassador's absence. Under questioning, de Souza and Moreira then both admitted to having an affair, police said. Reports in Greece have suggested that de Souza was not formally married to the slain diplomat. In the letter she refers to him as "my companion". The pair are in custody, along with Moreira's 24-year-old cousin, Eduardo Moreira de Melo, who allegedly also took part. According to Brazil's homicide division, de Souza denied participating in the murder itself, but confessed she knew of the crime. Amiridis, who was named this year, had been on a family vacation with de Souza in Rio de Janeiro since December 21. They had been due to fly back to the capital Brasilia on January 9. De Souza had originally told police that he had left the Rio apartment they were staying in, taken the car and not returned. Traces of blood were reportedly found on a sofa in the apartment Amiridis and de Souza had been using, leading investigators to believe he had been killed there, then his body was placed in the rental car and driven to the spot where it was found. Story continues Pontes said that de Souza had offered his cousin the equivalent of $25,000 to help with murdering the . Moreira claims he and Amiridis had had a physical fight, and that he had strangled the in self-defence. Amiridis had previously served as Greece's consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004, where he met Oliveira. The couple are raising a 10-year-old daughter. In her letter, de Souza called on Greek authorities to help her child while she remains in pre-trial detention for a 30-day period. Will Smith is in early talks to star in Disney's live-action take of Dumbo, being directed by Tim Burton, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Ehren Kruger penned the script for the project, which is based on Disney's classic animated 1941 movie about a baby circus elephant who is made fun of for his large ears and is separated from his mother. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources say that one thing the new version does is expand and deepen the circus aspect of the story. The character that Smith would play, if a deal is made, is that of a father who works at the big top and whose children develop a relationship with the pachyderm. No offer has been made, but conversations have taken place. One challenging point is Sony's Bad Boys sequel, which could shoot at the same time as Dumbo. Smith is coming off a disappointing outing with the drama Collateral Beauty, although his involvement with last summer's Suicide Squad helped that movie become a hit. The actor is currently filming Bright, a fantasy police adventure that David Ayer is directing for Netflix. EXCLUSIVE: Disney is circling with Will Smith to star for director Tim Burton in Dumbo, the live-action adaptation of the classic 1941 animated film. The studio is moving aggressively toward a production start with a script by Ehren Kruger about the big-eared, lovable elephant. This is an intriguing family film option for Smith, who is also working toward a start date with Sony Pictures on Bad Boys For Life, a reteam with Martin Lawrence which has Joe Carnahan directing his script. A number of hurdles would have to be overcome here, but the Disney live-action transfer of its animation library has generated the kind of hits that are good for any stars resume. Smith, whose latest film, Collateral Beauty, opened in the holiday onslaught and didnt connect with audiences, would be joining Burton, whose last fairy tale adaptation Alice In Wonderland grossed $1.02 billion (Burton didnt direct the sequel misfire) Smith would join a parade of big stars whove starred in these Disney films, who have included Angelina Jolie in Maleficent, Johnny Depp in Alice, with Emma Stone to star as 101 Dalmations villainess Cruella De Ville and Dwayne Johnson aligned with Jungle Cruise. Stay tuned on this. Smith has been shooting Bright, the Max Landis-scripted, David Ayer-directed Netflix film he stars in with Joel Edgerton. Related stories Woody Harrelson Officially Boards 'Han Solo' Movie How Disney's Pixar Rediscovered 'Dory' - The Contenders Video 'Rogue One' Rises To $838.3M WW Through Thurs; China Joins Rebel Alliance Today Why Go: Encircled by a verdant jungle and the Andaman Sea, Phukets five-star Trisara beach resort (from $2,000 per night) is a slice of heaven on earth. Equipped with private plunge pools and expansive oceanfront decks, the resorts red-roofed villas promise a secluded stay. Recent renovationsincluding a new restaurant, a refreshed spa, and updated villashave made the retreat even more inviting. What to Expect: Relaunched in December 2016, fifteen of the villas now feature lime-washed teak wood interiors and Thai silk furnishings, enlarged decks, extended pools, and a personal host who creates bespoke itineraries for guests. Fresh produce grown on the grounds is the star of the show at PRU, the newly opened farm-to-table concept, while locally sourced seafood continues to be a staple at Seafood at Trisara. Book a traditional Thai treatment at Jara Spa (now showcasing a new post-treatment room and refreshed suites) or visit the onsite production studio, where professional photographers and videographers will help capture cherished memories. How to Get There: The property is roughly a 15- to 30-minute drive from Phuket International Airport. (trisara.com) More From Robbreport.com An Exclusive Taste of One of New Englands Top Kitchens Lexus Launches a Stunning and Speedy 42-Foot Sport Yacht Rolls-Royce Is No Longer Just for the Chauffeured The Gulfstream G650ER Is on a Record-Setting Roll Wally Yachts Is Working on a Gorgeous New Sailing Yacht Highlights from the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show that Will Convince You the Future Is Now JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African platinum producer Impala Platinum plans to sell its chrome business to focus on its core business, the company said. Implats has a 65 percent interest in Impala Chrome and plans to dispose of it, the company said in a newspaper advertisement this week inviting potential purchasers. "We are only potentially selling our interest in a chrome extraction venture at Impala Rustenburg," spokesman Johan Theron said, referring to the company's mine in the North West Province. The proposed sale will take place in a single transaction through a competitive tender process, Implats said. "We have also prioritised local business entities to try and further integrate our business activity with local communities around the Rustenburg operation," Theron said. (Reporting by Tanisha Heiberg; editing by Ed Stoddard and Jason Neely) By Harriet McLeod CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - White supremacist Dylann Roof, condemned to death for a mass shooting at a Charleston, South Carolina, church, heard forgiveness and fury at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday from grieving loved ones of the nine slain black parishioners. Some victims' family members called the 22-year-old Roof evil and deserving of the death penalty for the June 17, 2015, attack at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest African-American congregation in the American South. "I want your soul to burn in hell," said Gayle Jackson, a niece of 87-year-old victim Susie Jackson. Others said their Christian faith required them to forgive. They echoed comments at Roof's first court appearance after the shooting, where several victims' relatives shocked the country with their merciful tone toward the suspect. "I wanted to hate you, God, I wanted to hate you, but my faith told me no," Bethane Middleton Brown, sister of victim DePayne Middleton Doctor, 49, said on Wednesday. As they spoke, several family members asked Roof to look at them. He did not. A jury of nine whites and three blacks last month found Roof guilty of 33 federal charges, including hate crimes and obstruction of religion resulting in death. On Tuesday, the jurors recommended he be put to death. Wednesday's sentencing by U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel was a formality after the jury's unanimous verdict. Roof, who also faces a death sentence if convicted of state murder charges, is unlikely to be executed anytime soon due to a lengthy appeals process. "I wish they could enact another law to cut off a limb each time you go up to appeal," said Tyrone Sanders, whose son, Tywanza Sanders, 26, died in the shooting. Also killed were Clementa Pinckney, 41, the churchs pastor and a state senator; Sharonda Coleman Singleton, 45; Cynthia Hurd, 54; Ethel Lance, 70; Myra Thompson, 59; and Daniel Simmons Sr., 74. Story continues Roof, representing himself during the penalty phase, presented no evidence and did not argue that his life be spared. Felicia Sanders, 59, witnessed the death of her son and fellow churchgoers gathered to study Scripture. Holding her bloodstained Bible, she told Roof she no longer felt comfortable closing her eyes to pray after he opened fire during a benediction. "You're in my head every day," she said. "Yes, I forgave you. That was the easiest thing I had to do. But you can't help someone who won't help themselves." (Writing by Colleen Jenkins; Editing by Alan Crosby and Jonathan Oatis) Edith Styhl CAREY Edith Styhl of Carey, funeral at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 11 at Demaray Funeral ServiceShoshone Chapel. Helen Leyba TWIN FALLS Helen Leyba of Twin Falls, celebration of life at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Serenity Funeral Chapel Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services of Idaho, 502 2nd Ave. North, Twin Falls. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of services. Terrance Terry Lattin HAGERMAN Terrance Terry Lattin of Hagerman, funeral services at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the Hagerman Christian Center, 2750 S 900 E, Hagerman, Idaho. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S Lincoln Ave, Jerome, Idaho. Milford Mabey EUSTIS, Florida Milford Mabey formerly of Burley, funeral services at 1 p.m., Thursday, January 12 at the Morrison Payne Funeral Home. A viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 11 and prior to the service from 11 to 12:45 a.m. John Clayton SPANISH FORK, Utah Josh Clayton formerly from Burley, funeral services at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 12 at the Canyon Pointe Ward, 2162 East Canyon road, Spanish Fork, Utah. A visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 11 at the Berg Mortuary, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah or at the church from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday morning. Carolyn Elexpuru KIMBERLY Carolyn Elexpuru of Kimberly, rosary service at 7 p.m. Friday, January 13 and a funeral service at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 14, both at St Elizabeths Catholic Church, Gooding. A celebration of life will follow the funeral service at The Gooding Basque Center, 285 Euskadi Lane in Gooding. Marilyn Phillips PAUL Marilyn Phillips of Paul, funeral at 2 p.m. Friday, January 13, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, with visitation from 1- 1:45 p.m. Larry Tinker BOISE Larry Tinker of Boise, celebration of life service at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Foothills Christian Church, 9655 W. State Street, Boise, Idaho. Arrangements are under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel. Sharon Johnson HAZELTON Sharon Johnson from Hazelton, funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1602 Lutheran Road, Eden with a viewing one hour prior to service. Floyd Eastwood FILER Floyd Eastwood of Filer, celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 14 at the Filer LDS Church, 840 W Midway. Arrangements are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Chapel Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services of Idaho. Edith Swain TWIN FALLS Edith Swain of Twin Falls, graveside services at 1 p.m., Saturday January 14 at the Wellsville Cemetery in Wellsville, Utah. Don Rathbun TWIN FALLS Don Rathbun of Twin Falls, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14 at parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road with a viewing from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, January 13 at the funeral home. Orin Wagner BURLEY Orin Wagner of Burley, memorial service at 10 a.m. Monday January 16 at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Kimberly. David Van Engelen TWIN FALLS David Van Engelen of Twin Falls, funeral services at 12 noon Saturday, January 14 at the First Presbyterian Church, 209 5th Ave. North, Twin Falls. SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) Liverpool endured more cup frustration when Southampton won the first leg of their League Cup semifinal 1-0 on Wednesday. Nathan Redmond capitalized on a mistake by Ragnar Klavan to score the only goal in the 20th minute and Southampton could rue not building a stronger lead to take to Anfield in two weeks' time. "I should have had four today, on another day they might go in," Redmond told broadcaster Sky Sports. "I'll take those mistakes and try to put it right in training and the next game." Liverpool was struggling against a Premier League rival unlike on Sunday, when fourth-tier side Plymouth drew 0-0 at Anfield in the FA Cup to force a replay. Liverpool is competing for silverware on three fronts domestically in Juergen Klopp's first full season in charge, with Liverpool second in the Premier League and pursuing a first English title since 1990. Klopp guided Liverpool to the final last year but lost to Manchester City. This week's difficulties in the cups have come ahead of one of the biggest games of the club's season on Sunday against northwest rival Manchester United in the league. Southampton, which ended a four-match winless run, is in the last four of a major competition for the first time since 2003. The hosts looked to be in for a bleak night, being forced to defend deeply in the opening stages and failing to find any real attacking outlets. Jay Rodriguez was looking overwhelmed as Saints' focal point yet there was a flash of life in the 19th minute as Redmond collected a cross from the right and got away a shot that goalkeeper Loris Karius smothered well. Redmond was caught out by the goalkeeper's reactions, but made amends within a minute as Klavan's inability to deal with a simple ball forward cost his side. Rodriguez was alert to capitalize on the botched attempt to clear, beating former teammate Dejan Lovren with a deft pass to put Redmond through. This time, Redmond did not falter, keeping his composure to direct past Karius. Story continues That blow after such a comfortable start threw Liverpool off kilter, with the visitors failing to attack with any intensity before halftime. Southampton instead ended the opening period on top. Jordy Clasie saw an audacious attempt comfortably dealt with by Karius, who was a match for Redmond's close-range effort after collecting a Dusan Tadic cross just before the break. The Serbian, signed as Adam Lallana's replacement in 2014 when the midfielder joined Liverpool, saw a threatening cross-shot cleared soon after play resumed, with Southampton pressing well and frustrating the visitors. Daniel Sturridge's claim that he was upended in the box was ignored by referee Neil Swarbrick and Firmino saw a long-range effort stopped with ease, before Klopp turned to star man Philippe Coutinho. Out since November 26 with an ankle injury, the Brazilian returned as a 61st-minute substitute in a bid to inspire the visiting side. Coutinho was soon thrilling the raucous traveling support with his skill in winning a corner, but Southampton broke at speed when that set-piece came to nothing and looked set to score, only for right back Cedric to try his luck rather than cross. Southampton continued to look the bigger danger but couldn't beat Karius again. Madrid (AFP) - Spain's defence ministry took political responsibility for the first time on Wednesday for a 2003 air accident which killed 62 Spanish soldiers as they were returning from Afghanistan. "There are reparations that are not economic, which have to do with recognition," Defence Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal told radio Cadena Cope a day after she met family members of the victims. Sixty-two Spanish soldiers and 13 Ukrainian and Belarusian crew were killed on May 26, 2003 when a Russian-built Yak-42 bringing them back from Afghanistan crashed in a mountainous area of northeast Turkey. The defence ministry had chartered the plane from a Ukrainian firm despite warnings from military authorities that it was in poor shape. The accident was followed by a scandal over the misidentification of the bodies of 30 of the soldiers, which had been delivered to the wrong families. Three Spanish military officers received jail terms in 2009 for having misidentified the bodies. The crash and subsequent misidentification scandal hurt the popularity of the then conservative government of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. The top advisory body to the government ruled in an October report that the ministry had an "administrative" responsibility in the affair. Cospedal said the defence ministry accepted the report's conclusion that "there is a relationship between the work of the defence ministry and the tragedy." But she stressed this acknowledgement was symbolic and did not have financial or criminal consequences as the victims have already been compensated by insurance firms. Cospedal said the defence ministry also agreed to search for all documents related to the hiring of the Yak-42 plane that crashed. "We will do everything possible to find all the documents...related to the contracts," she said. Spain's ruling conservative Popular Party, in power at the time of the accident, had up until now never accepted any responsibility. Story continues "For the first time it was recognised that the Yak-42 never should have taken off," said a spokeswoman for an association of victims' families, Curra Ripolles. Opposition parties have demanded the "immediate" resignation of the defence minister in power at the time, Federico Trillo, now Spain's ambassador to Britain. The government has said he will replaced in the coming weeks because his term is coming to an end, not because of the air tragedy. New York (AFP) - A Bruce Springsteen archive will open at Monmouth University in New Jersey, a short distance from the working-class town where the rock legend grew up. The university near the Jersey Shore late Tuesday announced the creation of the archive, which will store written works, photographs and other artifacts for future research. Called the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, the institute will preserve the legacy of the "Born in the USA" star and also advance study on earlier US music icons such as Frank Sinatra and Woody Guthrie, the university said. The university is some 15 miles (25 kilometers) from Springsteen's hometown of Freehold, which inspired his classic song "Born to Run," and even closer to Asbury Park, the oceanfront city where he launched his music career. Monmouth University's president Paul Brown said in a statement that the archive's location "brilliantly captures the essence of Springsteen's music" and noted that the university already had a significant music program, which includes an affiliation with the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. The archive will be a more formal expansion to the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection, which opened at the university in 2011 to store early newspaper and magazine clippings about The Boss. Springsteen, 67, has increasingly focused on his legacy. Last year he released a well-received autobiography, also entitled "Born to Run," in which he related his humble upbringing and rise to fame and also revealed his struggles with depression. Bob Dylan, one of Springsteen's greatest influences, last year reached an agreement for his own archive to be set up at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, which already has a center dedicated to native son Guthrie. A Bruce Springsteen archive will open at Monmouth University in New Jersey, a short distance from the working-class town where the rock legend grew up. The university near the Jersey Shore late Tuesday announced the creation of the archive, which will store written works, photographs and other artifacts for future research. Called the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, the institute will preserve the legacy of the "Born in the USA" star and also advance study on earlier US music icons such as Frank Sinatra and Woody Guthrie, the university said. The university is some 15 miles (25 kilometers) from Springsteen's hometown of Freehold, which inspired his classic song "Born to Run," and even closer to Asbury Park, the oceanfront city where he launched his music career. Monmouth University's president Paul Brown said in a statement that the archive's location "brilliantly captures the essence of Springsteen's music" and noted that the university already had a significant music program, which includes an affiliation with the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. The archive will be a more formal expansion to the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection, which opened at the university in 2011 to store early newspaper and magazine clippings about The Boss. Springsteen, 67, has increasingly focused on his legacy. Last year he released a well-received autobiography, also entitled "Born to Run," in which he related his humble upbringing and rise to fame and also revealed his struggles with depression. Bob Dylan, one of Springsteen's greatest influences, last year reached an agreement for his own archive to be set up at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, which already has a center dedicated to native son Guthrie. On Friday, Steve Harvey got into hot water after he made some race-related jokes, and in the days since, a backlash has brewed online. It all started when Steve opened his show poking fun at embarrassing dating guides like Dating for Under a Dollar and How to Date a White Woman: A Practical Guide for Asian Men. Steve joked about the datability of Asian men, imitating a woman simply stating that shes not interested. Among other comments, his drunk uncle at Thanksgiving impression immediately became superawkward, despite the audience who seemed willing to laugh at anything. When he realized the first person the producers put the spotlight on for the Ask Steve segment was a woman from the Philippines, Steves face fell. He actually got off the hook pretty easy, though. She would have been justified in taking him to task for hacky jokes stolen from the 50s, but she only told him to eat 12 grapes, not to cut his nails, and to wear polka dots in honor of Philippine traditions. The Internet, ever the reliable generator of outraged think pieces, picked up the slack. Feel free to guess the tone of the resulting story on the Angry Asian Man blog. And if you go to Twitter and type Steve Harvey into the search bar, one of the top results right now is Steve Harvey potato asian men, in which one person criticized Steve Harvey, comparing his look to that of Mr. Potato Head, and posted his photo alongside those of Asian male models. What do you think about this case of Steve Harvey putting his foot in his mustache? Watch Steve Harvey talk about why he changed his look: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Khail Anonymous, on Twitter. Steven McDonald, the New York City police detective who was paralyzed from the neck down after being shot in 1986, died Tuesday at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, his close friend, John Bates, tells PEOPLE. He was 59. McDonald suffered an apparent heart attack last Friday, the NYPD chief of detectives, Robert K. Boyce, wrote on Twitter My thoughts & prayers for Det. Steven McDonald who was hospitalized earlier today after suffering a heart attack. #hero Chief Robert Boyce (@NYPDDetectives) January 6, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js McDonald, who was Catholic, lived a deeply spiritual life after the shooting incident. This spirituality enabled McDonald to forgive the 15-year-old who shot him in Central Park and to find the strength to move forward. McDonald was helped by a deep friendship with Father Mychal Judge, the beloved New York City fire department chaplain killed on 9/11 as he aided firefighters on the scene. He helped me understand life was worth living, McDonald, an active detective with the NYPD, told PEOPLE last August ahead of the the annual walk McDonald and Bates started to honor Father Mychal. McDonald never regained consciousness after he took ill Friday, says Bates, who was with McDonald at the hospital during the four days before he died. I told him I loved him and I told him he was my best buddy, says Bates. McDonald leaves behind a wife, Patricia Ann Norris-McDonald, who is the mayor of Malverne, New York, and a son, Conor, a sergeant with the NYPD. A full NYPD funeral is planned for 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patricks Cathedral in Manhattan, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a close friend of McDonalds, will officiate, Bates says. Det. Steven McDonald was an icon of mercy & forgiveness, a prophet of the dignity of all human life. My prayerful condolences to his family. Cardinal Dolan (@CardinalDolan) January 10, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Det. Steven McDonald was an icon of mercy & forgiveness, a prophet of the dignity of all human life. My prayerful condolences to his family, Dolan wrote on Twitter. The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a significant case about the level of education support disabled children must receive in the public school system. Back in 1975, Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which was later renewed and changed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (or IDEA). The federal government in todays case, Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, wants the Court to clarify what Congress has meant since it set these policies since 1975, and specifically the concept of free appropriate public education for disabled children at public schools. The case is about the following question: What is the level of educational benefit that school districts must confer on children with disabilities to provide them with the free appropriate public education guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? A 15-year-old Littleton, Colo., student, identified only as Endrew F. (his parents call him Drew), is challenging a federal appeals court ruling. The youth is autistic and has attention deficit disorder, compromising his verbal and non-verbal communications skills. When his parents and school officials couldnt agree on an individualized educational plan (or IEP) for him in public schools, Drew was placed in a private school that specializes in teaching autistic students. The family then sued to recover the private school tuition, contending that the school district was obliged to pay because it failed to provide Drew with an adequate educational opportunity. A trial judge and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit denied the challenge, finding that the law only required a benefit level just above trivial, and that Drew had received better than that level in public school. The Court first addressed these questions in 1992 in the case of Board of Education v. Rowley, where it provided a partial definition of the word appropriate but refused to make it more specific. Since then, the Court hasnt returned to the issue until today. Story continues In the Rowley decision, the court said that public schools didnt have to maximize the learning potential of children with disabilities, because Congress didnt indicate a requirement of strict equality of opportunity or services in the public school setting. But, it said, each disabled childs educational plan must be reasonably calculated to enable the child to receive educational benefits. The Court also didnt establish a test for what would be appropriate in each given childs situation. The courts must be careful to avoid imposing their view of preferable educational methods upon the States. Once a court determines that the Acts requirements have been met, questions of methodology are for resolution by the States, said Justice William Rehnquist in the majority opinion. Since 1992, the lower federal courts have reached widely varying interpretations of appropriate standards of achievement. A Swiss banker was jailed for seven months in Singapore on Wednesday for money laundering and other offences related to a corruption scandal involving neighbouring Malaysia's state fund 1MDB. Jens Fred Sturzenegger, 42, who headed the Singapore branch of Swiss lender Falcon Private Bank, was also fined Sg$128,000 ($89,000) after he pleaded guilty at a district court, making him the first foreigner linked to the scandal convicted in Singapore. Allegations that huge sums were misappropriated from 1MDB have triggered a scandal which has embroiled Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, though the leader has denied any wrongdoing. Three Singaporean private bankers from another Swiss lender, BSI, were jailed last year in relation to the affair. Among them was Yeo Jiawei, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison for witness tampering and obstructing the 1MDB probe. Other money laundering charges are set for an April trial. It was revealed during Yeo's trial that he worked closely with Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, a family friend of Najib. Najib founded the 1MDB fund while Low helped set it up and played a key role in its decisions. Low has also denied wrongdoing. State prosecutors said Sturzenegger lied when he told Singapore investigators he did not know it was Low who owned the Falcon bank accounts involved in the suspicious transactions. Low had used the alias Eric Tan in his dealings with Falcon, but the prosecutors said Sturzenegger was aware of it and had even met the Malaysian businessman. Prosecutors also said that despite having suspicions of "astronomical sums" of more than $1 billion moving into Low's accounts at Falcon, Sturzenegger did not file a suspicious transaction report to financial regulators. Singapore, a regional financial hub known for its transparency and tough stance on corruption, last year kicked out Falcon Bank and BSI for what regulators called massive lapses in financial controls. Story continues Both banks were allegedly used to transfer illicit funds. The United States and Switzerland have also launched investigations into the 1MDB fund but only Singapore has meted out convictions so far. - 'Extremely modest' salary - Sturzenegger was initially slapped with 16 charges, including six for allegedly failing to report suspicious transactions totalling $1.7 billion in March 2013. Another 10 charges were for giving false information to Singapore authorities who were investigating the use of the city-state's banking system as a conduit for the transfer of illicit funds involving 1MDB. He pleaded guilty to three charges related to money laundering and three charges of giving false information. The other charges were taken into consideration in the sentencing. Sturzenegger's lawyer told the court in a mitigation plea before the sentencing that his client did not personally profit from the transactions. He also said the Swiss banker's annual salary of Sg$400,000 ($278,000) was "extremely modest" compared with that earned by the BSI bankers implicated in the 1MDB case. Defence lawyer Tan Hee Joek told reporters after the hearing that his client was "unlikely" to appeal the sentence and that Sturzenegger would start serving the jail time on Wednesday. In his sentencing, Judge Ow Yong Tuck Leong said he agreed with the prosecution to impose a deterrent sentence as Sturzenegger had shown "persistent deceitful conduct". But he also acknowledged that Sturzenegger "fully cooperated" with the investigation and was a first-time offender. Beirut (AFP) - Syria's government has reached a deal for the army to enter a rebel-held area near Damascus and restore the capital's water supply, the provincial governor said Wednesday. Opposition sources denied there was any such deal, but a source inside the Wadi Barada region reported several hundred civilians were leaving under an agreement. State news agency SANA also reported people were leaving the region, among them several dozen fighters. The reported deal comes after weeks of fighting in the region, 15 kilometres (10 miles) northwest of Damascus, which has threatened a fragile truce in place since December 30. The fighting has damaged water infrastructure and left some 5.5 million people in the capital and its suburbs facing water shortages, according to the UN. Damascus provincial governor Alaa Ibrahim told SANA there was now a deal to allow the government to retake control of the region. "The agreement that was reached in principle requires the militants to give up their heavy weapons and for non-local militants to leave the area of Wadi Barada," he said. "(Then) the Syrian Arab Army will enter the area to clear it of mines and bombs to prepare for the entry of maintenance teams... to fix the damage caused to the water pumps and pipes by the terrorists' attacks." But Ahmed Ramadan, an official with the opposition National Coalition, denied any such deal had been reached. "This information is untrue and is a part of the (regime and its allies') psychological warfare," he told AFP. - Civilians leave Wadi Barada - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, also said the government had not reached a comprehensive deal with rebels. But it reported that residents wishing to leave were being offered safe passage on an individual basis. And a source on the ground in Wadi Barada said Wednesday that some 600 civilians had left, passing through a makeshift tent where government officials were checking documents. Story continues SANA reported that some 500 people had left the area, among them some 60 rebels. Syria's government accuses rebels in Wadi Barada, including former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, of deliberately cutting water supplies to the capital. But the rebels say regime strikes damaged pumping facilities and deny that Fateh al-Sham, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, has forces in the area. The government has concluded dozens of so-called "reconciliation deals" with rebel-held areas in Syria in recent months, particularly around the capital. The deals usually offer civilians and rebels safe passage to opposition-held territory elsewhere in exchange for surrendering the area to the army. The opposition says it is forced into such deals by government sieges and assault, and terms them a "starve or surrender" tactic. - January 23 peace talks - Fighting has continued in Wadi Barada despite the start of a truce brokered by regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey in late December. The ceasefire is intended to pave the way for new peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana, which Russia confirmed Wednesday were scheduled for January 23. "At this time there is no indication that the meeting will be postponed. The date of January 23 is set," a source in the foreign ministry said. He added that work was underway to compile a list of participants. A Russian diplomatic source said Wednesday the talks would be held between the regime and rebels only, with the political opposition excluded for the first time. Regime ally Iran is also helping to organise the talks, which are the latest bid to find a political solution to the nearly six-year-old civil war that has killed more than 310,000 people. But Turkey and the rebels have warned the ongoing fighting in Wadi Barada could jeopardise the talks in Astana. And while the truce has brought quiet to large parts of Syria, sporadic violence has continued elsewhere. On Wednesday, the Observatory reported government air strikes in several parts of the Eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus that killed one person and wounded nine. And overnight it said air strikes hit rebel-held parts of Aleppo and Idlib province in the north and northwest of the country, killing at least three rebels. SPOILER ALERT: This article contains details of tonights Taboo debut on FX. With any period piece I think the thing to do is forget that its not contemporary when youre writing and to have the characters feel as much as possible like characters that you would know, executive producer Steven Knight says of Taboo, his 1814-set Tom Hardy-starring series that debuts tonight on FX. FX's 'Taboo' premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 09 Jan 2017 Depicting the once-thought-dead and now-scarred James Keziah Delaneys return to London from Africa to take over his dead fathers business, Taboo was created by Hardy, his father Edward and Knight. While its their first American series together, the FX and BBC partnership with Ridley Scott as an EP is far from the first time Hardy and Knight have collaborated. The duo worked together on the Knight-created 1920s-set BBC/Netflix gangster series Peaky Blinders, which Hardy joined in its second season playing barber/gangster Alfie Solomons. Before that, they also teamed for Locke, the 2014 film Knight wrote and directed and for which Hardy played the title role. In town for the TCA, Knight spoke to me about how the dark Taboo came to be and where future seasons could go literally. The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire co-creator and Allied screenwriter also discussed the next season of the Cillian Murphy-led Peaky, working with FX, and the evolution of television. DEADLINE: Taboo is set in a time that pre-dates the Victorian Era, finding Regency England between empires and still at war with the fledgling independent America a part of history that is greatly forgotten or certainly hidden to many. What opportunities and what pitfalls does that present for you as a creator and writer? KNIGHT: I think it creates so many more opportunities and pitfalls in that you are treading on fresh snow, so youre in a new place. I think certain periods of history dont get dealt with because I think historians, and its their job, but they look back and look for patterns. They look for sequences and they look for reasons, and certain periods of history dont fit with the general pattern of 1500 to the 20th century, during which theres the creation of the United States. At this time of 1814, two nations who would eventually become close allies were at war with each other, so it doesnt quite fit. Story continues There was an unbelievable amount of animosity in that war which people have forgotten, which was still around 50 years later. And it was conducted with spies, it was conducted with espionage, and all of that stuff is gray. I think it really lends itself to a drama and depicting a city, London, in a way that its never been depicted before. DEADLINE: In that depiction, you place the once almost all-powerful British East India Company as the adversary of Tom Hardys James Delaney, between whom there is a deep and dark not-so-hidden history. Why? british-east-india-company-flag KNIGHT: I think the East India Company represents what we would think of as a very modern approach to the world where everything was counted, every penny was counted. They were a huge multinational that had the added impetus that they felt they were spreading Christian civilization around the world so they were pretty free to do anything they wanted. They werent an evil organization that went around deliberately oppressing people, but they were driven by profit, and how familiar is that now? The story of James Delaney is also someone who very deliberately presents himself as an individual and plays nations against each other, plays the East India against the Crown, all of those sort of overwhelming concepts that ran the world at the time. He as an individual is sort of like a grain of sand in an oyster who is irritating all of them. But for me hes a creature of the time, like the industrialists who started the Industrial Revolution who extricated themselves from their class and their background DEADLINE: Part of the thrust of the series is the battle that Delaney has with the East India Company over the strategic Nootka Sound land that Delaneys father owned off the West Coast of what is now Canada. So will we see the series step foot in North America? taboo-logo KNIGHT: Not certainly in this first eight hours, but we have plans well, certainly I have plans if we get given the green light for more. The plan is that there would be three seasons, and, as with Peaky Blinders, I have had a destination in mind from the beginning, because I think it helps as a writer. The destination in mind is that James Keziah Delaney sets foot on Nootka Sound. But thats a long way off. DEADLINE: Where will you find the time? Its not like you both arent busy. KNIGHT: I think when we first set out on this wed go well, eight hours we can tell the story, you know, the story beginning, middle, and end. But I know Tom has loved it so much really, has been so involved as a producer and as an actor. Ive enjoyed it so much that we would both be ready and willing to do Series 2 and Series 3 and see where it goes. DEADLINE: Speaking of where it goes, there is a very distinct pacing to Taboo, an unraveling of events and secrets and consequences that doesnt conform to the usual dramatic format. Why take that approach? KNIGHT: Well, I relish the eight-hour format of a single season because it gives you time to do that. When we first discussed this we wanted it to feel almost like a novel, and a novel can take its time to establish characters. And I think once those friendships, if you use that as an analogy, the friendships between the audience and the character is established, then you can start to take liberties. I believe that as this unfolds people will find the time invested worthwhile. But also, theres something about the evolution of television where it evolved from to the things that were now watching and loving. It evolved from film writers, film actors, and I think gradually people are easing themselves into the amount of time they have. So a creative person can suddenly realize its not 90 minutes. They havent got to do three acts, they havent got to do the arc, but they can do other things. I think just as novellas turned into novels, I think that television series can begin to have that depth. Im not suggesting that ours is unique in that, but they can begin to have that depth, that gravity, they can spend some time, so its a bit more like reading a good novel, if you like. DEADLINE: With Peaky Blinders, you had a personal connection to the time, people and place. How did you find that connection with Taboo? Peaky Blinders III Ep2 KNIGHT: With any period piece I think the thing to do is forget that its not contemporary when youre writing and to have the characters feel as much as possible like characters that you would know. Because I dont think that jealousy and love and hate and anger and all those things have changed in the past 200 years people just express themselves differently. So I wanted to take a damaged individual in a damaged society with damaged relationships between nations and take a look at how this individual survives amongst them, and that for me as a writer is the connection that you needed to get inside the skin of the main character and wonder how hes going to cope with all this. DEADLINE: So, with such damaged people in mind, where are things at for the next season of Peaky Blinders? KNIGHT: Im very, very excited because Im just completing Episode 6 of Series 4, which again I think is the best yet. And Im loving it and its not like work, its not like a labor, I love doing it, and the boys are coming back and theyre loving the scripts, and we start shooting in March. hardy-peaky-blinders DEADLINE: Is Tom going to be a part of the new season of Peaky too? KNIGHT: Of course. We cant do it without Alfie. DEADLINE: Did Taboo come out of the Peaky collaboration? KNIGHT: No, actually, it predated it. What happened was I was invited to meet Tom to discuss a project that he had in his mind about an adventurer who returns to England from Africa with secrets and with a history, and the original idea was set some 80 years later than it is now. But in the conversation I really took to the idea and Id wanted for a while to set something in 1830 and 1840 in London, so it struck a chord. But in the conversation, I spoke to Toms manager and said, While were talking about Taboo, do you mind if I also mention this film project that Ive got, which is called Locke, and I need Tom to play the lead. And we spoke about both in that meeting and in the end the deal was that I would do Taboo if he did Locke and vice versa. DEADLINE: You guys are becoming quite the team, like Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio KNIGHT: (laughs) Well, I wouldnt put myself in that bracket, but its one of those things. I think what helps is that we dont socialize, we dont really know each other, we purely work together. And I think that helps because there has been no formality of friendship, the politeness of friendship, so we can just work directly on the work thats ahead of us. I am someone who thinks that if youve got an actor like that who wants to perform your work, then you should do it, and hopefully Tom likes to do the work that I do, so long may it continue. DEADLINE: Taboo has been a partnership between FX and the BBC. How did you find the transition to working for an American cable network? KNIGHT: It has been exactly the same as working with the BBC in that creatively they do that precious thing which is to only make a comment when a comment needs to be made. You work, especially in the movie business more than in TV, but you have an environment where people feel obliged to have an input because thats what they do, and I think sometimes it can clutter things up and make things more problematic. But with FX in particular, theyve been fantastic and were really hands off. I mean, it helps that youve got Ridley Scott on your side, do you know what I mean? In other words, when you have someone with that authority, then you tend to be left alone. But they were good and theyre really good people, and Im a big champion of the BBC and I think that like minds find each other and I think that FX and BBC is a perfect match. Related stories Golden Globes: Wins By TV Show & Network 'Taboo' Review: FX's Tom Hardy Dark Drama Offers New Look At The Old World Channing Tatum & Tom Hardy Circling 'Triple Frontier' If you watched the premiere of Tom Hardys new miniseries Taboo on FX, you might be wondering what that piece of land that everyones fighting over is. Its called Nootka Sound, and its an actual place you can visit near Vancouver. Nootka Sound is a small inlet of land on the western coast of Vancouver Island. It was known as Mowichat by the Nuu-chah-luuth, the tribe that has called it home for centuries. The mother of Tom Hardys character, James Delaney, on Taboo was a member of that tribe. Delaneys recently deceased father held a land claim on Nootka Sound because of that union, leaving it to Delaney in his will. Also Read: Tom Hardy Talks 'Taboo': 'One of the Most Tortured Characters I've Ever Played' While the East India Trading Companys fight with Delaney for the land on Taboo is entirely fictional, there was also a real-life conflict over Nootka Sound back in the 18th century, a few decades before the time in which Taboo is set. In 1790. tensions rose between Britain and Spain as they fought for control of the Pacific Northwest. Nootka Sound was a major point of interest for the same reason East India Trading wanted it on Taboo. As a sound, it allowed ships to dock in a safe area of water protected from the open ocean, making it the perfect spot for a coastal trading post that allowed easy access to China. Having long held a claim on the entire Pacific Northwest, Spain established its first settlement on Vancouver Island, Santa Cruz d Nuca, in 1789. The Spanish settlers, led by Esteban Jose Martinez, began fending off and seizing British ships that entered the area attempting to trade with the locals. The British took exception to Spains blanket claim to all that unsettled land and sent warships to Vancouver Island, creating a standoff known as the Nootka Crisis. Britain and Spain nearly started a war over control of the inlet, with Britain calling in Holland for aid. In return, Spain turned to France for help, and King Louis XVI was eager to oblige. Story continues Also Read: Tom Hardy on Whether He'd Ever Do Another Rom-Com Unfortunately for him, the French National Assembly challenged his ability to declare war unchecked and began to resent his authority, meaning Nootka Sound, way over on the West Coast of North America, played a role in the run-up to the French Revolution. A few years later, Louis XVI lost his head, and that Revolution began. Without Frances support, Spain decided against war and in late 1790 negotiated a truce with England called the Nootka Convention, which allowed both countries to settle the Pacific Northwest. The Nootka Convention would be revised twice in the next half-decade to settle further disputes between Britain and Spain. After the War of 1812 between the Americans and British, Spain abandoned its claim to the Pacific Northwest and handed it over to the U.S. This ended up leading to a dispute with Britain because America wanted sole ownership of the Pacific Northwest the British cited the Nootka Convention as a counter. Also Read: All 48 'Game of Thrones' Main Characters, Ranked Worst to Best (Photos) This conflict didnt come to much, however, and came two a close in 1846 when the present boundary between the U.S. and Canada was established by the Oregon Treaty. We get the feeling that James Delaneys fight over Nootka Sound on Taboo wont end nearly as cleanly as the Nootka Crisis did. This is a dirty, grimy show designed as the antithesis of Downton Abbey, The Young Victoria, and all those Anglophile nostalgia tales. This is Victorian England at its darkest, and theres a good chance things wont end well for James. Related stories from TheWrap: Tom Hardy on Whether He'd Ever Do Another Rom-Com Tom Hardy on 'Mad Max' Sequels: 'I'm Waiting for the Call to Come' The Evolution of Tom Hardy: From 'Band of Brothers' to 'Taboo' (Photos) Many were emotional while witnessing President Barack Obama make his farewell address, including the commander-in-chief himself. Obama pulled out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes when speaking about his wife of 25 years, First Lady Michelle Obama. Michelle Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the Southside, for the past 25 years, youve been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend, the president said. Adding, You took on a role you didnt ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. Youve made me proud. Youve made the country proud. Just by saying the first ladys name, the thousands gathered at Chicagos McCormick Place convention center gave a roaring response with loud applause and a standing ovation. Among those on their feet were the couples 18-year-old daughter Malia Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Malia was emotional through most of her fathers speech, but most especially when he spoke directly to her. (A White House official says Sasha stayed back in Washington because it was a school night and she has an exam in the morning.) Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad, he said. And when addressing the Bidens, Obama expressed his deepest gratitude. To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delawares favorite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best, he stated. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother. We love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our life. Story continues //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Not only did Obama thank those closest to him, but he also thanked his remarkable staff. For eight years and for some of you, a whole lot more Ive drawn from your energy, and tried to reflect back what you displayed every day: heart, and character, and idealism, he shared. Ive watched you grow up, get married, have kids, and start incredible new journeys of your own. Even when times got tough and frustrating, you never let Washington get the better of you. The only thing that makes me prouder than all the good weve done is the thought of all the remarkable things youll achieve from here. Lastly, the 44th president thanked the American people. And to all of you out there every organizer who moved to an unfamiliar town and kind family who welcomed them in, every volunteer who knocked on doors, every young person who cast a ballot for the first time, every American who lived and breathed the hard work of change you are the best supporters and organizers anyone could hope for, and I will forever be grateful. Because yes, you changed the world, he said. Concluding, My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I wont stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my days that remain. Yes We Can. Yes We Did. Yes We Can. London (AFP) - A 15-year-old girl has been charged in Britain with killing a seven-year-old girl who died of her injuries after being found on a playing field, police said Wednesday. The teenager "has been charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon," police said in a statement, appealing for witnesses. The victim was found near her home in York, northern England. The accused appeared in court on Wednesday and is being kept in custody. Another hearing is scheduled on Friday. The Sun newspaper reported that Katie Rough was discovered by dog walkers with her throat cut on Monday. She was taken to hospital but died of her wounds. Prime Minister Theresa May paid tribute to Rough and expressed condolences to her family during her weekly parliamentary questions session. Britain has had several high-profile child murderers. The most notorious were Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both 10 at the time, who were convicted of killing two-year-old James Bulger in Liverpool in 1993. Two girls were sentenced to life in prison last year for battering a 39-year-old woman to death in her home in Hartlepool in northeastern England. They were aged 13 and 14 at the time of the killing. The trial heard they took selfies and communicated on Facebook as they carried out the murder over several hours and then telephoned police to ask for a lift home. By Tim Ghianni NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Reuters) - A Tennessee woman initially accused of attempted murder for unsuccessfully using a coat hanger to try to abort a 24-week-old fetus has been released after spending more than a year in jail, law enforcement officials said Tuesday. Anna Yocca, 32, was arrested after the botched abortion attempt in 2015 in a case that led to complaints by pro-abortion activists in a state where no provider offers the procedure after a fetus reaches 16 weeks. She pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder of the fetus in 2015. However, in a plea deal with prosecutors, Yocca pleaded guilty on Monday to a lesser charge of attempting to procure a miscarriage, according to the Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro. The attempted murder charge was dropped last year but she remained in jail, unable to make her $200,000 bond on lesser charges of assault and attempted criminal abortion. Those charges were dropped on Monday as part of the plea deal. Yocca was released at about 9 p.m. Monday night, Lisa Marchesoni, spokeswoman for the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office in Murfreesboro, said on Tuesday. Her child was born injured but alive after her boyfriend rushed her to a hospital in Murfreesboro, about 30 miles (50 km) southeast of Nashville. The baby boy, named Leo Kluge, weighed 1.5 pounds (680 grams) at birth and was taken into protective custody. Under Tennessee law, an abortion must be performed by a licensed physician and is restricted by viability, according to the New York-based Guttmacher Institute, which studies reproductive health policies. A 48-hour waiting period is required for all abortions, the institute said. (Editing by Sharon Bernstein and Paul Tait) By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The first U.S. execution of 2017 is set to be held on Wednesday with Texas scheduled to execute a man convicted of killing two people in a revenge plot after one had tricked him in a $20 drug deal. Christopher Wilkins, 48, is set to be executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. at the state's death chamber in Huntsville. If the execution is carried out, it would be the 539th in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, the most of any state. The planned lethal injection comes as the number of U.S. executions fell to a quarter-century low in 2016 due to factors including high costs of prosecutions, sales bans on lethal injections drugs and increased use by juries of life without parole as a sentence. Lawyer for Wilkins had filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt the execution, arguing he had ineffective counsel and was unlawfully denied funding necessary for an adequate defense. But about three hours ahead of the scheduled execution time, the court rejected the appeal. Wilkins was convicted in the 2005 killing of Willie Freeman, 40, and Mike Silva, 33, in the Fort Worth area and dumping their bodies. Prosecutors contended Wilkins paid $20 for crack cocaine and Freeman gave him a piece of gravel instead. Freeman laughed at Wilkins, told him it was a joke and gave him drugs to make amends. Wilkins, incensed by being tricked, took revenge on Freeman, according to court documents, adding Wilkins said he killed Silva because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A few weeks later, Wilkins met Freeman and they got into a car with Silva on what Wilkins said was a trip for a deal to acquire illicit goods, the documents said. Wilkins shot Freeman in the back of the head. Silva stopped the car and tried to get out but became entangled in the seatbelt. Wilkins shot him three times, they said. At trial in 2008, Wilkins admitted to a string of crimes, that included the killings. He also told a jury he did not care if he lived or died, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported at the time. "The evidence indicating Wilkins guilt was simply overwhelming," Texas said in its legal filings, adding there was abundant evidence that linked Wilkins to the crime. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by James Dalgleish) Subscribe to 101 India. My conversation with the puppeteers of this colony was cut short by a surprise visit. The azure walls of the Bhat household in Delhis Kathputli Colony stand out on the main street running through the slum, inviting a fair share of inquisitive stares. A shutter holds back the street from spilling onto the patio where a large group of ladies usually huddle together at tea time for the daily gossip, and then to a tiny courtyard. Thin gutters lined across the walls, running into the main line right at the doorstep, form a drainage system. Deep inside the house lies the small family bedroom with a double mattress laid out on the floor, where I get invited to share a cup of tea with the man of the house. A tiny settlement of travelling artists grew into the largest slum. Image source: AtlasObscura.com Subscribe to 101 India. Succeeding his father as head of the second generation of puppeteers from the Bhat family since the first few migrants from his village in Rajasthan settled in Delhi, Santosh Bhat is now a renowned artist both within and outside the bounds of the colony. Bala Bhat Santosh Bhats father was among the first spurts of tents that pitched themselves in a small patch in the Shadipur district nearly 50 years ago. A tiny settlement of travelling artists soon grew into the largest slum dwelling of street performers in Asia. The art of puppetry is one that travels back centuries along the Bhat familys bloodline, he told me. To the Bhats, this is who they are and what theyre best at. Its always been that way, and every member of the family has fallen in line. An upcoming generation of performers Subscribe to 101 India. My first visit to the colony was just as I had envisioned it to be based on my previous knowledge. The stench of refuse and human waste breezed through narrow alleys between favela-like cement huts. Walking through the colony was a combination of dodging thin dark streams of sewage and stepping on unsuspecting toes. Common symptoms of a slum, I thought. But, it was the sound of the dhol that was peculiarly unique to this one. It seemed as if each step I took past a home along the street invited me into a fiesta of singing, or dancing. Kids had fashioned plastic oil containers, hanging around their necks, with cut-outs to serve as makeshift dhols, providing the ever-present percussion that serves as a soundtrack to the village. Venturing deeper into the colony would have you bumping into the masters of fire-eating, magic, acrobatics, woodcarving, and more. Story continues A fiesta of singing, dancing and fire-eating. Image source: theindependant.com Subscribe to 101 India. The colony, the artists, and the arts Historically, puppetry, or kathputli, is one of the oldest and most widespread performance arts native to the Rajputana region. Known to be nearly a thousand years old, the art of storytelling through a duet of music and marionette motions has been the medium of narrating old folk tales from the time of yore. These days, kathputli helps spread awareness on social causes; the Song and Drama Division, which Bhat has been a part of in the recent past helps with this. There are barely any stages and takers left for the art, Bhat assured me. Puppetrys charm has been reduced to only an intrigue in its archaic nature. When I inquired about how they could possibly make a living off of it, Bhat hints toward the negative. Folk and heritage festivals, the odd comic performance for children at fetes, and weddings, are some of the very few stages left for the marionette. But, I couldnt sell short Bhats nimble expertise with animating the wooden doll if I tried. Hes performed his art for crowds in Mexico, Singapore, the Americas, and almost everywhere in between. Hes had people from all over the world come to him to learn his style of puppetry. He is after all one of the rare remaining experts of this historically significant art. Puppetry is reduced to performances at weddings and childrens parties. Image source: tripwolf.com Subscribe to 101 India. Although Mr. Bhats two sons have actively displayed interest in kathputli kalakari, he fears there is no future in it for them. Much like Mr. Bhat himself, his sons picked up the art while accompanying him to his performances, at a very young age. Mr. Bhat recounts on he, himself after watching his father perform on various stages, would pester him to teach him the art. A family tradition that is still very alive. Mr. Bhat flaunting his lady love Subscribe to 101 India. Could the supposed lack of takers lead to an extinction of the art? Perhaps, not. But, its definitely not encouraging any security to its preservation from Mr. Bhats perspective. We were still in the midst of the gloom created by our conversations about a relocation battle, and an existential crisis eating away at his soul, when Mr. Bhat finally unveiled his most beautiful puppet to me. A child-like pride in his voice broke the tension as he told me he had created her himself. Everything from the carving of the wood, to the stitching of the ladys dress, and the intricate artwork that gave her life, was a product of Mr. Bhats labour and guidance. A lady dancer clad in a gold and black dress, with flawless design, mustered a small performance for me. For the first time that evening Mr. Bhats sullen eyes lit up as he carefully tethered the ball of strings flowing out of the puppet onto his finger tips, and seamlessly created mesmerizing movements. He clearly still loves what he does, and evidently, is one of the best at it. Eviction and redevelopment go hand-in-hand In 2008, discussions regarding the possible redevelopment of the slum inevitably led to the beginning of an uncomfortable dialogue centred around coerced evictions between the state authorities and the residents. But it was this year, 2016, during the late hours on the night of December 22, that the police had begun barricading and setting up post in the colony. By the time the next two days had passed, the post turned into a small platoons station. Cops. In case things went sour Subscribe to 101 India. Theyre just here in case things go bad, Mahesh Bhat, Santoshs brother said, giving me an explanation I never asked for. He went on to tell me how the more prominent families of the village were rejoicing signing DDAs agreements over their relocation to the transit camp in Anand Parbat, which by popular opinion is considered to have far worse living conditions than the slum itself. A deal Mr. Bhat is willing to take as he puts his faith into the developers who promise high-rises and malls, and more importantly homes for the residents in the area. The DDA can take this land over their dead bodies Subscribe to 101 India. The DDA in action But, as I spoke to more locals around the tent the DDA had set up, where the contracts were being filed, the supposed agreements over the eviction started to seem more like coercion. This, indicated also by the fact that I was asked to leave the premises by one of the more senior Delhi Police officials. Evidently distressed, a whole mass of inhabitants gathered around me and were quick to recount how theyd had cops tell them that once the ball on the project was set rolling, the houses would be demolished whether the locals agreed with it or not. The residents seemed to be split when it came to their testimonials on how peaceful this discussion really is. While the more influential, and pro-redevelopment, families like the Bhats blamed the less intelligent folk for not allowing the colony to progress, another great majority cried foul play and possible forceful eviction. Either way, the sight of so many cops stationed in one spot, for once, was most unsettling. By now this should count as an army Subscribe to 101 India. For now, Santosh Bhat has agreed with the DDA over the eviction, and looks forward to having his own home once his tenure at the transit camp is over. A tenure thats been promised to last no more than two years. The DDA seem to be pursuing the forthcoming project aggressively, and my fear is for those who do not agree with it. How many from this community of artists will be given a new life, and how many rendered homeless, is something we might realize only once the worst has passed. With the coming of the police, and the DDA, Mr. Bhat had become increasingly unavailable, and so our conversation about the future of puppetry remains unfinished. By Aditya Varma Cover photo credit: newslookup.com (Photo: Getty Images) (Photo: Getty Images) Normally, Golden Globe nominees start prepping for the big day the minute their names are announced. Theyre on the phone with their stylists, discussing ideas and fabrics and cuts and designers. Not so the case with Kerry Washington, who was up for her role in HBOs Confirmation. Heres the insane story behind the Dolce & Gabbana stunner Washington wore to Sundays Golden Globes. It was from the Italian luxury brands even more luxe Alta Moda line. And it all came together in literally hours to show up on a major international red carpet. Dolce approached me. They thought it would be special. I thought: they should find a special person to do it with. And they said, What about you? I was humbled and honored. I fell in love with that dress, Washington tells Yahoo Style. (Photo: Getty Images) Normally, Globe attendees have the entire weekend leading up to the Sunday red carpet to get ready, to squeeze in last-minute sartorial nips and tucks. Not so Washington, who also went back to work shooting the new season of Scandal. Which meant her time was at a major premium. We had a couple of fittings. We didnt have a lot of time. The White House party was on Friday night. I was in Washington and we found the dress on Thursday night, says Washington. She was in the capital for President Barack Obamas goodbye gala, where she stayed until the wee hours. She and her husband Nnamdi Asomugha then jetted back to Los Angeles. Then, on Saturday we did a final fitting, she says. Thankfully, she was smitten with the dress (from the same line worn by Kate Bosworth in 2016), it worked, and she didnt sweat it. As for the bash, Washington who campaigned for Obama and was a member of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities gets emotional talking about it. The party was amazing and special and bittersweet. Im so proud to have served in that administration. To share that closeue with each other it was very poignant, she says. Read more: Story continues Michelle Obama Returned to a Favorite Designer for the Presidents Farewell Speech Meryl Streeps Amazing Golden Globes Speech and Most Fashionable Moments from Golden Globes Past Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. A new birth trend is seeing mums help delivery their own babies despite having a caesarean [Photo: Getty] Reaching down to place her hands under her babys arms before gently lifting him out of her body and straight onto her chest, Sarah Toyer felt elated about the pivotal role shed played in helping bring her son into the world. Youd be forgiven for thinking that Sarah, from Queensland, Australia had given birth naturally, for how else could she have pulled her own baby out of her body, but in fact shed had a caesarean section. For Sarah is one of a rising number of mums-to-be who are forgoing the protective screen, scrubbing up with the surgical team and taking a more hands-on role during their caesarean births. Maternal assisted caesarean sections are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for Australian and American women, who want to play a less-passive role in their c-section deliveries. While in conventional c-sections mothers can often feel excluded behind a surgical curtain, in a maternal-assisted caesarean the mum is able to reach down and gently lift their baby onto their chest for immediate skin-to-skin contact. For Sarah it was the desire to be more connected that drove her decision to have a maternal-assisted birth. Having delivered her other three children via c-section and feeling a little robbed of the involvement a natural birth may have provided, she decided that fourth time round it would be different. Having read an article about maternal-assisted C-sections, she realised that this type of delivery would provide her with a way to be as involved as possible during the birth, as well as being able to enjoy skin-to-skin contact directly afterwards. It was important to me, the mum-of-four told Babble. Because I had never been able to push my baby out and experience a normal labour and birth and thought this would be the closest thing to a natural birth, which I knew I could never have. Sarah describes the experience as the most incredible thing shes ever done and in a message posted to the Facebook page Facebook page Birth Without Fear urged other women to fight for the right to have the birth they want. Story continues Would you help deliver your own baby? [Photo: Getty] Maternal assisted caesareans arent the only way mums can feel more involved during a surgical birth, natural caesareans are also becoming a popular way for women to feel more connected. After the doctor makes an incision and brings out the babys head, a natural caesarean allows the baby to partly emerge from the womb by itself, rather than being quickly removed by doctors and taken away to be checked. It can take up to four minutes for babies born by a natural caesarean before being placed on the mothers chest. Babies born by traditional C-section can sometimes suffer respiratory problems as they emerge from the womb so quickly that they struggle to adapt to breathing normal air. Some experts believe, natural caesareans reduce this risk and are more beneficial to the mother as she feels more involved and can experience skin-to-skin contact straight away, which can help with the bonding process. Other suggested advantages include more easily established breastfeeding and potentially calmer newborns. Last year a clinical trial began at University College Hospital London to assess the benefits of natural caesareans, or skin-to-skin C-sections as they are also known. Dr Patrick OBrien, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) says that providing there are no risks to mother or baby, the procedure could potentially be offered to mums-to-be. Providing both mother and baby are healthy, this decision should be made by the woman in consultation with her obstetrician or midwife, Dr OBrien explains. The elements involved in a natural caesarean (ie. slow delivery of the baby into a calm environment, delayed clamping of the cord) are all in the skillset of all obstetricians and midwives and no special training is needed. Speaking about both maternal assisted caesareans and natural caesareans Dr OBrien says: There is no proven benefits of natural caesarean section, however, it does provide the baby with a slower and calmer entry into the world, and most parents find it enhances their own experience of the birth. Maternal assisted caesareans may help women feel included in the birthing process. Some mums want to feel more involved in the birth process [Photo: Getty] There are other potential advantages to these methods of birthing. In both procedures, the baby is placed on the mothers chest for early skin-to-skin contact and, all being well with mother and baby, he or she can remain there for the rest of the surgery. Early skin-to-skin contact may also assist with bonding. And what of the risks? Most of the bleeding during a caesarean section is from the incision to the womb, explains Dr OBrien. From the time the incision is made to when the clamps are placed on the incision to control bleeding after the birth, the womb is open for around two minutes. If the baby is delivered slowly, it could increase the risk of increased blood loss during the procedure. Maternal assisted caesarean sections could also increase the risk of infection as it involves the woman reaching down and lifting the baby out of her open abdomen, he continues. Even if she scrubs her hands and puts on sterile gloves and a gown before she lies down at the start of the operation, it will be extremely difficult for her to keep her hands sterile until she reaches for the baby. This increases the risk of infection in the wound or womb; either of which can be serious. Dr OBrien says that in the UK natural caesareans are becoming more popular but believes for the reasons above it is unlikely many British women will request a maternal assisted caesarean. Many women wish to have the screen (placed near the womans head so she cant see what is happening) dropped a little so they can see the baby being lifted out, but prefer not to be able to see their incision, he explains. Some women request that the baby is delivered slowly, as described above. It is rare for a woman to request a maternal assisted caesarean section. Would you consider delivering your baby via natural or maternal assisted caesarean? Let us know @YahooStyleUK Does my bump look big in this? Why we need to stop the pregnancy size-shaming The no-bathe birthing trend thats got everyone talking Two years after NATO handed responsibility for Afghanistan's security to local forces, the country remains crippled by corruption and its troops can barely hold the Taliban at bay, a US inspector said Wednesday. Since US-led NATO troops stopped leading patrols and stepped into an advisory and support role at the end of 2014, Afghan army and police forces have suffered thousands of casualties and face continual assaults from a well-funded and well-armed Taliban. "As much as I wish I could say much has improved in Afghanistan over the past two years, I cannot," John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), told a Washington think tank. Sopko was speaking as his agency published a list of high-risk threats to Afghanistan, less than two weeks before incoming President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Just as President Barack Obama did eight years ago, Trump is inheriting an Afghan conflict that seems impossible to resolve. Trump has offered few indications of his plans for Afghanistan. In a 2013 tweet, he said "Let's get out" of the country and said the money America spends there would be better used at home. Neither he nor his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton gave Afghanistan more than a passing mention during the presidential campaign. Sopko noted the number of armed groups opposing the Afghan government is growing, and said the amount of Afghan districts under government control or influence dropped from 70.5 percent at the start of 2016 to just 63.4 percent by the end of August. The Afghan army is "basically playing whack-a-mole following the Taliban around Afghanistan," Sopko said. "At a minimum, they're playing defense and are not taking the fight to the Taliban." - New bombings in Kabul - Underscoring the fragile security situation, bombings across three Afghan cities including Kabul killed around 50 people and wounded 100 others Tuesday, in a day of carnage as Taliban insurgents escalated their deadly winter campaign of violence. Story continues To date, America has spent more than $115 billion in US taxpayer money on reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. When warfighting costs are included, the United States has spent close to $1 trillion. Complicating matters, a long-standing issue of Afghan commanders lying about troop numbers to swindle the payment system remains a stubborn problem. The Afghan army likely still has tens of thousands of these phantom troops on its payrolls, Sopko said. "Afghan commanders often pocket the paychecks of 'ghost soldiers' for whom the US is paying salaries," he said. He added there is evidence the Taliban has instructed field commanders to buy US-supplied weapons, fuel and ammunition from Afghan soldiers. "To do so is both easier and less expensive for the insurgents," he told the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noting that the Taliban were now part of the US-provided weapons "supply chain." The Taliban has plenty of cash, thanks to booming poppy production that is growing at near-record levels as eradication efforts falter. CSIS expert Anthony Cordesman, who hosted Sopko, said in a report this month that it is "more than possible" Afghan forces will be locked in a war of attrition with no clear end, and that 2017 could mark "at least be the beginning of a major defeat" for them. - 'Stalemate' - In 2015, Afghan police sustained more than 5,000 fatalities and saw the regional capital Kunduz briefly captured by the Taliban. Casualties were significantly higher in 2016. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joe Dunford, has called the Afghan situation a "stalemate," though commanders later tried to massage the assessment, calling it an "equilibrium." Obama has cut the US troop presence to about 8,400. Sopko warned the incoming Trump administration about the complexities of making further adjustments. "Withdraw, and the democratic government may well fall. Stay, and continue what we have been doing and we may be faced with what General Dunford has described as a stalemate," Sopko said. Still, Sopko noted some signs of improvement. He said both President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah had cooperated with US efforts to prevent waste and fraud. He also highlighted an anti-corruption justice center that has begun to prosecute graft cases. Repeated bids to launch peace negotiations with the Taliban have failed and a fierce new fighting season is expected to kick off in the spring. Its about the story, not about the music. Thats the wisdom that Rupert Gregson-Williams received from Hans Zimmer 18 years ago when the composer was cutting his teeth, writing cues for DreamWorks Animations The Prince of Egypt. And its a rule of thumb that the British composer still abides by, especially in his latest contemporary classical score for Hacksaw Ridge, Mel Gibsons account of World War II army medic and Conscientious Objector Desmond T. Doss, who saved over 75 lives during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. We didnt want the music to sound like it belonged to a conventional war hero; he was bearing his faith and no gun, explains Gregson-Williams, who sought to strike an emotional tonal balance between Dosss spirituality and bravery on the battlefield without being heavy-handed. For Dosss main theme, reminiscent of a Gregorian chant, Gregson-Williams chose two bassoons and two cellos for a two-part melody that harkens back to the heros simple Virginian roots. Underpinning this cue in later iterations is a love theme. Its heard during the war scenes because Doss yearned to return to his wife, Dorothy, says the composer. Gibson and Gregson-Williams intentionally left the score out of the first 10-minute-plus battle scene and let the sound take over, to keep the sequences intensity intact. But then the music aptly returns during the second battle, where Doss stands atop the ridge, doubting his faith, and pondering whether he should go back and save the men. Mel doesnt hide from emotions when he directs, says Gregson-Williams, who sought to get into Dosss head when he wrote the score. So, I didnt hold back. Related stories 'La La Land' Lyricists Benj Pasek And Justin Paul Recall Their Passionate Chase After The Role Of A Lifetime Lionsgate & Pantelion To Release 'Everybody Loves Somebody' In February Lionsgate Execs Talk Future With Starz; One Regret They Have On 'La La Land' Rex Tillerson Rex Tillerson broke with President-elect Donald Trump, who nominated him for secretary of state, on whether the US would fulfill its commitments to defend its NATO allies. Trump suggested during his campaign that, as president, he would defend NATO allies only "if they fulfill their obligations" to the US. He has also discussed the need for US allies to contribute more to their own defense. Sen. Rob Portman questioned Tillerson, the former Exxon Mobil CEO, on this issue during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday. "That security umbrella we've provided since World War II has kept the peace," Portman said. He continued: "Just to be clear, because I know there was a discussion about NATO earlier, particularly about Article 5, which talks about 'an armed attack against one or more members shall be considered an attack against them all.' Can you just clarify that you believe Article 5 creates a binding obligation to assist any member of the alliance who is a victim of aggression regardless of their size or geographic location?" Tillerson responded, "Yes, sir, I do." Portman then asked Tillerson if he would, as secretary of state, "ever threaten to break the US commitment to Article 5 as a means of pressuring allies to spend more on defense." Tillerson said he would "not recommend that." Earlier during Tillerson's hearing, Sen. Todd Young asked if the US should defend a NATO member country from Russian invasion. In response, Tillerson called the Article 5 commitment "inviolable" and said the US would stand by it. NOW WATCH: Watch Former CIA director James Woolsey explain why he wont advise the Trump transition team anymore More From Business Insider WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, said on Wednesday he would support maintaining U.S. sanctions on Russia until the United States further develops its approach to the country. "I would leave things in the status quo so we are able to convey this can go either way," Tillerson said during his confirmation hearing, in response to a question on whether he thought right now is the right time to lift sanctions on Russia. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati) The Senate begins confirmation hearings of former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State. Much of the attention will focus on Tillersons ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In prepared remarks, Tillerson says Russia poses a danger, but that Russias resurgence happened in the absence of American leadership, and that he will call for open and frank dialogue with Moscow. Jan 11 (Reuters) - Sixteen months after admitting in September 2015 that it cheated U.S. diesel emissions tests, Volkswagen is still battling regulatory investigations and investors lawsuits, and striving to rebuild its reputation. Following are key developments in the scandal. 2005: VW tries to make a new diesel engine, the EA 189, to conform to much stricter U.S. pollution standards that focus on cutting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. A group of VW employees, whose identity is still being determined, decided to use software to modify engine performance to cheat emissions tests. May 2014: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) receives a study published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) which shows NOx values for VW diesel vehicles deviate significantly between bench testing and road operation. CARB requests an explanation from VW. May 23, 2014: A memo about the ICCT study is prepared for Martin Winterkorn, then VW group CEO, which was included in what the company calls his "extensive weekend email". VW says it has not been documented as to whether, or how much, Winterkorn took notice of the memo. Nov. 14, 2014: Winterkorn receives another memo that contains, among other items, information on current product defects and which refers to costs of approximately 20 million euros ($22 million) for the diesel issue in North America. December 2014: VW offers to recalibrate the first and second generation EA 189 diesel engines as part of regular service work in the hope that the engines will then pass muster with CARB. In 2014: Winterkorn received information on problems with U.S. diesel emissions tests. The issue "did not initially receive particular attention at the management levels" since management regarded it as a "technical problem that did not differ from other everyday technical problems," VW said in a 2016 statement summarising its response to a shareholder lawsuit. Summer 2015: VW's Committee for Product Safety (APS) establishes a diesel task force after CARB tests show modified engines still produce excessive levels of NOx. VW retains U.S. law firm Kirkland & Ellis to advise on questions related to U.S. emissions law. Story continues July 27, 2015: Some VW employees discuss the U.S. diesel problems on the sidelines of a regular meeting about damage and product issues, in the presence of Winterkorn and Herbert Diess, head of the VW brand. VW says it is still constructing details of the meeting, and establishing whether those present understood the change in software violated U.S. regulations. VW says Winterkorn asked for further clarification of the issue. End of August, 2015: VW technicians give a full explanation of causes for discrepancies in NOx emissions to VW's in-house lawyers as well to U.S. attorneys from Kirkland & Ellis. A management board member - not identified by VW - realises the software changes constitute a defeat device prohibited under U.S. law. Sept. 3, 2015: VW formally communicates information about the defeat device to CARB and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during a meeting. Winterkorn is informed in a note, dated Sept. 4. Sept. 18, 2015: The EPA issues a public notice of violation of the Clean Air Act to VW, alleging that model year 2009-2015 VW and Audi diesel cars with 2.0 litre engine included defeat devices. The disclosure by U.S. regulators comes as a surprise to VW which had hoped to resolve the case "amicably" with U.S. authorities without having to make a disclosure. VW admits to 11 million vehicles affected worldwide. Sept. 23, 2015: Winterkorn resigns, saying his departure cleared the way for a "fresh start." Sept. 25, 2015: VW appoints Matthias Mueller, head of its Porsche unit, as new chief executive. Oct. 14, 2015: Winfried Vahland, a company veteran designated to head up operations in the United States from Nov. 1, 2015 onwards, unexpectedly quits. Jan. 4, 2016: The United States Justice Department files a civil suit against VW seeking up to $46 billion for Clean Air Act violations. March 29, 2016: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission files a lawsuit against VW for false advertising over claims that diesel vehicles were environmentally friendly, saying U.S. consumers suffered "billions of dollars in injury." April 22, 2016: VW posts a 4.1 billion euros operating loss for 2015, thanks a 16.2 billion euros hit to pay for the emissions scandal. Oct. 25, 2016: U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco signs off on a settlement with federal and California regulators. VW agrees to spend up to $10.03 billion on vehicle buybacks and owner compensation and $4.7 billion on programmes to offset excess emissions and boost clean-vehicle projects. Nov. 22, 2016: VW says it will stop selling diesel vehicles in the United States. Dec. 22, 2016: U.S. District Judge Breyer says an agreement in principle has been reached to provide "substantial compensation" to owners of about 80,000 3.0 litre diesel vehicles. Jan. 4, 2017: VW says CEO Mueller will skip the Detroit auto show. Jan. 10, 2017: VW says it is in advanced talks with the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Customs and Border protection to reach a $4.3 billion settlement of criminal investigations and legal fines in connection with the emissions cheating. Jan. 11, 2017: VW's supervisory board meets to discuss U.S. settlement. (Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Mark Potter) Paris (AFP) - Tintin has discovered his inner Rambo and is ready to give Russian bully boys a taste of their own medicine in a book which will go on sale in France Wednesday. But before Moscow condemns it as another piece of Western Russophobia, this has nothing to do with Vladimir Putin. "Tintin and the Soviets" is finally being published in colour more than eight decades after the comic book first appeared, at a time when Europe was also fretting about a rising Russian menace. Unlike the rest of his adventures, the book that launched the boy hero in 1930 only ever appeared in black and white. But to cries of sacrilege from the purists and even its late creator's secretary, Tintin's publishers Casterman are issuing a colour version of the story Wednesday in French where the young reporter gives a rogue's gallery of Russian baddies what for. For decades the viscerally anti-Communist story -- which first appeared in the Belgian Catholic weekly Le Vingtieme Siecle (The 20th Century) -- was not regarded as a full part of the Tintin canon. It was only in 1999, 16 years after the death of Tintin's creator Herge, that it was recognised as part of the official 24-story series. Experts have long debated whether the rough and ready testosterone-fuelled character in the story was fully developed, and could be seen as Tintin proper. - Tintin the brawler - "The character is not fully elaborated," admitted Philippe Goddin, Herge's biographer. Tintin is far from the generous young man of later stories, he said, but instead a rather thuggish figure eager to "settle scores with people he doesn't like". He spends most of the book getting into fights, various other scrapes or being chased. "When Herge began the story (he was only 21 at the time), he obviously could not imagine that the character he was creating would become so successful," Goddin added. Herge, whose real name was Georges Remi, always promised he would go back and redraw the story but he never got time to do so. Story continues His personal secretary Alain Baran on Wednesday criticised the decision to colour in the pictures, saying "it should have been left in the state which he left it". "Although technically very successful, colouring it and publishing it under Herge's name violates the principle" that work should not be altered after his death, he added. - Jewish stereotypes - The book's rough edges, however, go beyond Tintin's behaviour. While certain scenes in the 1942 adventure "The Shooting Star" were changed by Herge after the end of the war to alter the original stereotypically Jewish American villain Blumenstein, a rather grating scene that makes fun of a Jewish tailor has survived in "Tintin and the Soviets". As a huge retrospective of Herge work -- which closes in Paris Sunday -- showed, Herge never overcame his shame at his passivity during the Nazi occupation of Belgium. Although the artist did not collaborate actively, the show's curators insisted, he continued to draw a Tintin strip for a collaborationist Brussels newspaper. A spokeswoman for Casterman -- who said the new edition of the book would published in other languages later -- said that they never considered changing the scene involving the Jewish tailor. "It is not up to us to retouch or modify the work. You wouldn't do that with an old black and white film from the time. Herge did not change anything so we have to be guided by that," she added. Contacted by AFP, the French Jewish group CRIF declined to comment. From House Beautiful Settled in the Venice Canal Historic District, the iconic Venice Beach bridges in view, Whitney Leigh Morris, her husband Adam Winkleman, their three-month-old son, West and two pups reside in a 362-square-foot cottage. When Morris and Winkleman discovered that they were expecting nearly a year ago, they weren't ready to let go of their tiny Cali home - the reason, for which, is certainly understandable. Ethereal location aside, photos reveal Morris's thoughtful styling down to the minutiae - with a neutral, airy color palette, oak accents and genius rooms designed for their convertibility, the couple's tiny home is anything but cramped. "It's just the space that we love," she told Today. Before West arrived in late September, Morris and Winkleman worked together to make space out of air by transitioning their messy bedroom closet into the cutest, tiniest nursery we've ever seen. A miniature crib dominates most of West's "room," but a drawer system, topped with quirky objects, offers storage and style. Jute baskets, a twine and driftwood mobile and miniature wire storage drops deliver form and function. The best part? Everything is adaptable, which is important with a growing baby on board. "The jute baskets over the crib are secured in case of earthquakes, and the pinned wire baskets and twinkle lights will all be adjusted as West grows and becomes larger and more mobile," Morris explained to Today. Morris and Winkleman acknowledged the difficulty of controlling clutter - the urge to hold on to sentimental clothes or objects that mark a baby's firsts is always strong - but claim that it can be rewarding to continuously reevaluate everything you own. "I think of it as I'm helping his growth by getting rid of things," Morris said. "If I were to keep everything, then he would grow up in a very cluttered home. I think it's a service to him." Story continues The cottage is constantly in flux now that West has arrived, making trips to Goodwill a necessity. "If you can help others, it's easier to give stuff away," said Morris, who tries to keep only "the items that [West] needs now or that he will need the next week" on hand. Morris didn't have room for a glider inside the nursery, so she upgraded the small outdoor space just beyond the nursery's stoop with soft lights, cozy rugs and a whicker rocking chair. Thanks to California's enviable weather - and Mom, too, of course - little West listens to lullabies under the stars and falls asleep to the gentle whispers of the canal, in his own tiny slice of heaven. [h/t Today] [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Story" customtitles="This%20Wedding%20Happened%20in%20a%20362-Square-Foot%20House" customimages="" content="article.6573"] You Might Also Like Daniel Wu has signed on to team with Alicia Vikander in the Tomb Raider reboot, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The origin story will focus on a young and untested Croft (Vikander) fighting to survive her first adventure. The star of AMC's Into the Badlands will play Lu Ren, a ship captain who teams with Croft on a quest to find her father. They will face off against the reboot's villain, played by Walton Goggins. Roar Uthaug will direct from a script by Geneva Robertson-Dworet. Production begins later this month in South Africa. The film is set to hit theaters March 16, 2018. MGM and Warner Bros. are co-producing the adaptation of the hit video game franchise, with MGM overseeing production. They acquired the rights from GK Films, which had previously purchased the film rights in 2011 from Square Enix Ltd. Graham King is serving as producer. Cassidy Lange is overseeing production for MGM and Niija Kuykendall is overseeing for Warner Bros. Along with Into the Badlands, Wu's upcoming projects include the Chinese fantasy-comedy Wished. He is repped by CAA, Leverage Management and attorney PJ Shapiro at Ziffren Brittenham. Read more: 50 of 2017's Most Anticipated Movies TOMS and & Other Stories are launching a collaboration. (Photo: Courtesy of Brand) You know its ubiquitous slip-on, the casual-cool shoes whose One for One tagline has inspired others to adopt the pay it forward business model, and that have even found their way onto the Oscars red carpet. Now, get ready for its equally philanthropic, effortlessly stylish clothing line. Civic-minded shoe brand TOMS has partnered with chill Swedish retailer & Other Stories to develop a ready-to-wear collection, reports InStyle. I feel that & Other Stories has a firm point of view on their values, and that is something that is vital to anyone that Toms collaborates with, TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie said in a release. Details of how exactly that firm point of view will manifest itself across the clothing line remain unknown, but all signs point to simple, laid-back Californian simplicity with a few one-of-a-kind flourishes, of course. Early looks at the clothing lines campaign reveal that it was shot in Los Angeles by photographer Natalie Joos and features local model and purveyor of all things cool, Erin Wasson. Erin epitomizes the essence of the collection, which & Other Stories described to Yahoo Style as reflect[ing] so much of the magic found in Venice Beach. This collab collection captures a free-spirited aesthetic that is easy to make your own. It shows a laid-back, unique and authentic silhouette which includes reinterpreted versions of some of TOMS classic shoe styles, & Other Stories designer Georgine Le Toqueux explained. This is an invitation to a strong and comfortable wardrobe filled with beautiful prints and vivid colors. Taking a cue from TOMS, & Other Stories, which is backed by H&M and made its U.S. debut in 2014, will support one month of English language classes through the Magic Bus Womens Scholar Fund for every clothing item in the line sold. Though the specific launch date hasnt been announced, the collaboration between TOMS and & Other Stories is expected to be available in selected stores and on TOMS.com and Stories.com this spring. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) State officials have announced that tests of Alaska seafood continue to show no detectable amounts of radiation, five years after a deadly earthquake and tsunami set off a nuclear disaster at a Japanese power plant. More than 16,000 people were killed in 2011 after Japan's 9.1-magnitude earthquake, which led to nuclear meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Since then, U.S. and international agencies have been conducting tests to determine the health of marine life along the U.S. and Canada, KTVA-TV reported . Testing regions in Alaska include the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea, Bristol Bay, the Gulf of Alaska and the southeast region. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korean authorities said Wednesday that a Samsung scion will be questioned as a suspect in a bribery case in the massive influence-peddling scandal that led to the impeachment of the country's president. Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Electronics' vice chairman, will be summoned to face questions by investigators probing whether South Korea's largest business group bribed a jailed confidante of President Park Geun-hye to win favors, said Hong Jong-seok, a spokesman for the special prosecutor team investigating the scandal. Those possible favors include getting the government's backing on a controversial Samsung merger in 2015 that was opposed by minority shareholders, Hong said by phone. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) The killing of five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates in a bombing in southern Afghanistan marks the deadliest attack ever for the young nation's diplomatic corps, though it's too soon to tell who was behind it or if the Gulf envoys were even the targets. The federation of seven sheikhdoms, founded in 1971 on the Arabian Peninsula, said it would fly the nation's flag at half-staff for three days in honor of the dead from the attack Tuesday in Kandahar. The Taliban denied planting the bomb, even as the insurgents claimed other blasts Tuesday that killed at least 45 people. Story continues KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Afghanistan needs a stable security environment to prevent it from again becoming a safe haven for al-Qaida and other militants, but Afghan security forces have not yet become capable of securing all of the country by themselves, a U.S. report said Wednesday. The report, by the U.S. government's Special Inspector General for Afghanistan, offered a high-risk list assessment for the war-torn country, two years after NATO-led foreign combat forces pulled out at the end of 2014, leaving only a smaller training and assisting mission behind. SIGAR, which provides independent oversight of U.S. reconstruction funds for Afghanistan, also noted that despite the fact that more than half of all U.S. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban released a video Wednesday showing an American and an Australian who were kidnapped in August, the first time they have been seen since their abduction. The two men, an American identified as Kevin King and an Australian identified as Timothy Weekes, were abducted outside the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, where they worked as teachers. U.S. officials said in September that American forces had launched a rescue mission, but the captives weren't at the raided location. In the video, sent to media by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, the pair appears pale and unshaven. They say they are speaking on Jan. YANGON, Myanmar (AP) More than 3,000 people have fled airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Myanmar since the weekend as the government tries to flush out rebel positions, activists said Wednesday. The government prevented a U.N. official from visiting the area on Tuesday as waves of people crossed the border into China to escape the turmoil. The unrest in Kachin state, where rebel groups have been seeking greater autonomy for decades, is just one of the simmering conflicts in Myanmar. The military is also under fire for alleged human rights abuses against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Rakhine state. The government has denied the accusations. PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) North Korea has been getting some pretty high praise lately from the stoner world. Marijuana news outlets including High Times, Merry Jane and Green Rush along with British tabloids, which always love a good yarn are hailing the North as a pothead paradise and maybe even the next Amsterdam of pot tourism. They've reported North Korean marijuana to be legal, abundant and mind-blowingly cheap, sold openly to Chinese and Russian tourists at a major market on the North's border for about $3 a pound. But seriously, North Korea? Baked? The claim that marijuana is legal in North Korea is not true: The penal code lists it as a controlled substance in the same category as cocaine and heroin. BEIJING (AP) China said Wednesday it was committed to promoting peace and stability in Asia, even as it sent an aircraft carrier battle group through the Taiwan Strait amid heightened tensions between Beijing and the self-ruled island. The statement in the preface to a Cabinet report on China's policies on Asia-Pacific security cooperation follows heated criticism from the U.S., Japan and others over Beijing's increasingly robust assertions of its maritime claims, particularly in the South China Sea. The report made no direct reference to such concerns while casting Beijing as a force for economic development and conflict reduction. "China is committed to promoting peace and stability in this region. MANILA, Philippines (AP) The Philippines won't raise its recent arbitration victory against Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea during Asian summit talks that it will host this year, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said Wednesday. Yasay said pressing last year's ruling at the annual meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations "is just simply counter-productive." The Philippines intends to raise the ruling, which invalidated China's historic claims under a 1982 U.N. treaty, in bilateral talks with Beijing in the future, Yasay said, stressing that the arbitration decision is final and won't be changed by discussions at international conferences. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) The United States has designated an Indonesian radical network behind an attack in Jakarta as a terrorist group and announced sanctions on four militants in an effort to disrupt Islamic State group operations and recruitment in Australia and Southeast Asia. The announcements by the Department of State and Treasury Department come after police in Australia and Indonesia foiled IS-inspired attacks planned for the holiday season in those countries. The State Department said Tuesday it has designated the IS-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah as a terrorist group, which in practice prohibits U.S. citizens being involved with it and enables the freezing of any property in the U.S. Istanbul (AFP) - The Turkey representative for Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and two other campaigners appeared in court Wednesday, risking years in jail in a high-profile trial, charged with aiding Kurdish militants. The trial has sparked international howls of protest from press rights' defenders who claim the climate for media freedom in Turkey has deteriorated sharply under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. RSF representative Erol Onderoglu, rights activist Sebnem Korur Fincanci and journalist Ahmet Nesin have been charged with making "terror propaganda" on behalf of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) after guest-editing pro-Kurdish Turkish newspaper Ozgur Gundem. Onderoglu told reporters outside the court they risked 14 years and six months in jail if convicted. The trial was adjourned until March 21. Turkey ranked 151st of 180 countries in a 2016 World Press Freedom index published by RSF. "Since then, the situation has been getting worse every day," Christophe Deloire, RSF secretary general, told reporters outside the court. - 'Matter of honour' - "Pluralism is almost totally dead in this country, there is no independent TV, there are only two or three newspapers that try to resist as they can," he said. Ozgur Gundem had invited guest editors to take control of the paper in a campaign of solidarity as it faced pressure from authorities. Onderoglu and the others were initially arrested in June but then freed pending trial. The daily was then raided and permanently shut down in August on charges of links with the PKK, which has waged an insurgency against Ankara for more than three decades. "This trial is a matter of honour for me and my friends, because we stood up and we fought for a noble cause," Fincanci said. Onderoglu's detention on June 20 triggered international alarm over press freedom in Turkey but concerns have grown further as the authorities imposed a state of emergency in the wake of the July 15 failed coup. Story continues Critics say that the state of emergency is being used against any opponent of Erdogan and not just the suspected coup plotters. The Istanbul court was also the scene Wednesday of a fresh hearing in the separate trial against the exiled former editor-in-chief of Turkish opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, Can Dundar, and his Ankara bureau chief, Erdem Gul. Dundar and Gul, who are fighting previous convictions for revealing state secrets, are accused of ties to the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former Erdogan ally turned foe. Prosecutors called for them to serve 10 years on top of their existing sentences, bringing them to over 15 years. Auckland (AFP) - Top seed and defending champion Roberto Bautista Agut withdrew from the ATP Auckland Classic on Wednesday with a stomach virus, tournament organisers said. The Spaniard, currently ranked a career-high 13 in the world, had been due to face 2014 winner Jiri Vesely in the second round after receiving a bye in the first. Bautista Agut has already kicked off his season successfully with a title in Chennai and would be unwilling to take any chances in Auckland ahead of next week's Australian Open. Tournament director Karl Budge said Vesely, of the Czech Republic, would instead face a "lucky loser" from the qualifiers in the second round later on Wednesday. Photo credit: Getty From ELLE UK Cara Delevingne, an accomplished model and actress currently meeting South Sudan refugees in Uganda, took a moment this weekend to put a hater in his place after he claimed she didn't have a real job. Delevingne had tweeted that she was nervous to start what she later revealed to be her mission trip in Africa. On my way to do something incredibly exciting and I am very nervous - Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 We're in Uganda with @GirlUp Champion @Caradelevingne and UNHCR! Follow our trip all week at #WithRefugees to go inside refugee settlements. pic.twitter.com/9xE4gFjsne - Girl Up (@GirlUp) January 8, 2017 That's when one hateful comment came in telling Delevingne to interview for a "real job. Your looks will fadeYou can't cash in on your eyebrows forever." @Caradelevingne hopefully an interview for a real job. Your looks will fade, Cara. You can't cash in on your eyebrows forever. - BradTheLadLong (@BradTheLadLong) January 7, 2017 Delevingne called him out in a series of public tweets. "You will regret saying that," she started. "I am actually trying to do something good. This has nothing to do with my 'looks'." You will regret saying that. I am actually trying to do something good. This has nothing to do with my 'looks' https://t.co/93LTs3aKsB - Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 When he didn't relent in his criticism, she tweeted that he was thirsty for attention. "I have no time [for] another man trying to tear down a woman for being successful," she wrote. Story continues You are just a another thirsty man who puts people down for attention on twitter and who thinks that looks are all that's important https://t.co/93LTs3aKsB - Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 Try doing something for the world, period! I have no time no another man trying to tear down a woman for being successful. https://t.co/TXqkzEnDMz - Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 Delevingne also responded to him personally in a series of reply tweets. They were her way of pointedly saying thanks but no thanks for the unsolicited, offensive career advice. @BradTheLadLong Grow up and look at the bigger picture. Maybe try read a book or do something actually worthwhile pic.twitter.com/nlGySqQMcl - Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 @BradTheLadLong just pointing out your ignorance. Why would I take career advice from someone who has no idea what they are talking about - Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 @BradTheLadLong no I don't but well done. I am sure you do a lot - Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 @BradTheLadLong good for you! I hope that makes you happy. You certainly have an interesting way of trying to help people. - Cara Delevingne (@Caradelevingne) January 7, 2017 You Might Also Like TAMPA, Fla. (AP) The Florida Highway Patrol says a man received a ticket after a dash-cam in his truck showed him using a cellphone just before the semitrailer he was driving plunged off an Interstate 75 overpass near Tampa. Authorities say 49-year-old Samuel R. Colon Jr. was seriously injured Jan. 4. According to troopers, when another vehicle changed lanes in front of him, Colon swerved and the rig hit a barrier wall, overturned and fell onto the road below. Troopers issued a citation Tuesday for using a cellphone while operating a commercial motor vehicle. A first offense comes with a $500 fine. The patrol's report says the dashboard video in the truck shows Colon steering with one hand while tapping the cellphone with the other. He quickly grabbed the wheel and swerved as soon as he looked back at the road. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy President-elect Donald J. Trump is donating hotel room fees from foreign government officials and setting up a business trust to satisfy a potential conflict with the Emoluments Clause. But will the moves be enough to end a debate about the little-known constitutional provision? Article I, Section 9, of the Constitution contains what is known as the Foreign Emoluments Clause, which reads, no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State. An emolument is defined by Merriam-Webster as the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites. Link: Read About The Emoluments Clause On Our Interactive Constitution A Trump legal representative, Sheri Dillon, said at a Wednesday press conference that proceeds gained by Trump-owned hotels from foreign government officials will not be retained by those businesses. The Trump hotels would remit those funds to the federal government. Dillon stressed the act was voluntary because paying for a hotel room is not a gift or a present. It is not an emolument. Just like with conflicts of interests, he wants to do more than what the Constitution requires, Dillon said. President-elect Trump has decided and we are announcing today that he is going to voluntarily donate all profits from foreign government payments made to his hotels to the United States Treasury. Dillon also explained that that Trump is having his two oldest sons run his company during his time in the White House. His oldest daughter, Ivanka, will also have no connection to the company. Recent federal election documents show that Trump has financial interests in more than 500 domestic and foreign firms. Trumps assets will be placed into a type of trust that isnt a blind trust, since it will be partially managed by his sons, but it will completely isolate him from the management of the company, Dillon said. Story continues Trumps company wont start any new deals abroad and all domestic deals will be subject to an approval process, Dillon added. A new ethics officer will also join the company to be involved in a vetting process. She also explained that a complete liquidation of Trumps assets into a blind trust would cause more potential conflicts. President-elect Trump should not be expected to destroy the company he built, Dillon said. The vast Trump portfolio and its implications related to the Emoluments Clause have been the subject of speculation for months. Back in November, the New York Times Adam Liptak wrote about a possible debate about how the clause would be evaluated as it applies to Trumps business holdings. Liptak said that legal experts believed current arrangements, such as the Bank of China renting space in New Yorks Trump Tower, could be called into question. But there is also very little precedent for someone with Trumps business holdings assuming the presidency. The Supreme Court has never squarely considered the scope of the clause, and there are no historical analogies to help understand how it should apply to a president who owns a sprawling international business empire, Liptak said. Liptak also pointed out another debate: about the ability or standing of anyone to sue a President who violates the Emoluments Clause. And also Congress would have some say in the matter, since it can offer consent under the Emoluments Clause. On Wednesday before the press conference, current Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and former Representative Jill Long Thompson called on Trump to liquidate all his financial assets. Both are Democrats. To simply turn the management of Mr. Trumps vast business interests over to his children fails to address his conflicts of interest, especially since relatives have been appointed to key White House posts. Mr. Trump must divest of both ownership and management of all his holdings, with the proceeds managed by a true blind trust. Congress must accept nothing less, they argued. Among the legal scholars, Will Baude from the University of Chicago Law School summed up the various arguments on the Volokh Conspiracy blog this Monday, with no clear consensus among academics who research this topic. I ultimately do not have a firm view on this question, which means I have not been wholly convinced by the very firm views I have seen bandied about on both sides, Baude said. These views include the theory that the Emoluments Clause doesnt apply to Trump because he doesnt hold any Office of Profit or Trust under the clause because another part of the Constitution assigns to the President a duty to Commission all the Officers of the United States. Another theory is that the Constitution had three Emoluments clauses. Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center. Related Stories on Constitution Daily Constitution Check: Can a violation of the Emoluments Clause be proven? Does the Constitution put limits on a presidents private business ties? What is an emolument and why do we care? President-elect Donald Trump unloaded on the U.S. intelligence community in a blistering series of tweets on Wednesday morning over a salacious report that claims Russian officials have compromising information on him. Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to leak into the public, Trump tweeted. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany? Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 CNN reported Tuesday night that the heads of all four U.S. intelligence agencies presented both Trump and President Obama a two-page synopsis that included allegations that Russian intelligence operatives collected compromising personal and financial information about him. BuzzFeed subsequently published what it said was the 35-page dossier, compiled by a former British intelligence operative and filled with unverified memos, on which the synopsis was based. The Russian government denied it has any compromising information on Trump, dismissing the claims as a total hoax. Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE,' Trump wrote. Very unfair! Russia has never tried to use leverage over me, he continued. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! I win an election easily, a great movement is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS, Trump added. A sorry state! Donald Trump (Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters) Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is "A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE." Very unfair! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 I win an election easily, a great "movement" is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Shortly after CNNs report was published Tuesday night, Trump dismissed it as fake news. Story continues FAKE NEWS, the president-elect wrote on Twitter. A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 In a combative interview with Seth Meyers on NBCs Late Night, Kellyanne Conway, one of Trumps top advisers, also dismissed the claims. Nobody has sourced it, Conway said. Theyre all unnamed, unspoken sources. It says it was based on a Russian investigator to begin with. It was based on MI6 British investigators, Meyers interjected. Well, one of those, Conway replied. It also says that groups that wanted Hillary Clinton to win may have been behind the investigations themselves, and most importantly it says the FBI is trying to confirm it, so nothings been confirmed. On Wednesday morning, she further dismissed it as nonsense from the Internet. Read more from Yahoo News: In a conversation with Yahoo News on Tuesday night, Donald Trumps longtime lawyer Michael Cohen vehemently denied allegations that he was a key link between the president-elect and the Kremlin during last years campaign season. Cohen, an executive vice president and attorney at Trumps real estate company, claimed his passport proves theres no way he met with Russian officials in the Czech Republic while the campaign was underway. Ive never been to Prague or Czechoslovakia the Czech Republic. The allegations are baseless. Its merely fake news being put out by the liberal media to malign Mr. Trump and to distract from tomorrows press event, Cohen said, referring to Trumps first post-election news conference, which is scheduled for Wednesday. And Ive never been to Russia either, Cohen added. The claims about Cohens dealings with the Kremlin surfaced on Tuesday evening after CNN reported intelligence officials have presented Trump with accusations that there was an ongoing exchange of information between the Russian government and his campaign. The officials reportedly detailed the claims last Friday when they gave Trump a briefing on Russian involvement in the election. In that briefing, the officials also delivered a report that concluded the Russians launched cyberattacks on Democrats and Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton, for the purpose of boosting his chances. Michael Cohen, center, at Trump Tower. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images) According to CNN, the information about the Trump campaigns relationship with Russia was largely based on memos compiled by a former British intelligence operative who did opposition research on Trump for Democrats and Republicans during the presidential race. CNN reported that officials have found the operative to be credible in the past but did not include the allegations in their official report on the cyberattacks. Shortly after CNNs story was released, BuzzFeed published what it described as the full document compiled by the operative. BuzzFeed admitted the document was unconfirmed and includes some clear errors. It detailed a claim that Russia has been cultivating, supporting, and assisting Trump for at least five years. According to the unnamed author of the report, there were ongoing communications between intermediaries for the Russian government and representatives of the Trump campaign, including Cohen, during the election. The memo said the two sides exchanged information and Moscow sought to boost Trump by releasing information about Hillary Clinton, with Russian President Vladimir Putin keeping tabs on the effort. It also said the Russians had obtained compromising information about Trump that could be used to blackmail him. Story continues Trumps transition team did not respond to a request for comment on this story. However, shortly after the stories were published by BuzzFeed and CNN, Trump wrote a tweet that said simply, FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Cohen described the document published by BuzzFeed as salacious, disgraceful and disgusting. None of it is true. I dont know who created the document or what it was supposed to be used for, but theres absolutely no accuracy to anything in that document, Cohen said. The memo claimed a Kremlin insider stressed Cohens importance in the covert relationship with Russia. It also said Cohens wife is of Russian descent and her father [is] a leading property developer in Moscow. Shes not Russian. My wife is Ukrainian. Its a different country, Cohen said. Cohen claimed his wife has not been in Ukraine since 1972, when it was part of the USSR along with Russia. He said he had been to Ukraine twice, in either 2003 or 2004, because his brothers father-in-law lives in Kiev. I went to Kiev. Thats the extent of it. Ive never been to Russia. I have no Russian Kremlin connections. My father-in-law is not a real estate developer friend of Putins in Russia. I dont even think my father-in-law ever has been to Russia, he said The document published by BuzzFeed included a claim that Cohen met with Kremlin representatives in Prague last August. Cohen told Yahoo News he was in New York and California throughout that month. He used FaceTime video chat to show his passport. It appeared to show stamps dated from 2009 until late 2016 from visits to France, Hong Kong, Macau, Scotland, Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Barts, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Turkey. The trips to Georgia and Kazakhstan all seemed to be dated from 2010 to 2012. Cohen promised to allow Yahoo News to examine the document at Trumps press conference on Wednesday. While Cohens passport didnt seem to contain stamps from the Czech Republic, he wouldnt necessarily need to have one if he visited the country. The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Area, a group of 26 European countries that have a border agreement. Visitors must present a passport when they first enter the area, but they do not necessarily need to show the document when they travel between countries within the zone. Based on the passport pages he showed to Yahoo News, Cohen made multiple visits to Schengen countries, from which he could have traveled on to the Czech Republic, including a trip to Paris last year. According to BuzzFeed and CNN, the allegations detailed in the document have been circulating in Washington for some time. Cohen said he first heard of the claims concerning him about two weeks ago and that he hasnt discussed the accusations with Trump. However, Cohen said he let all the top members of the president-elects team review his passport on Tuesday night, and Trump was in the room at Trump Tower at the time. Cohen said the president-elects senior counselor, Steve Bannon, was the first to look at the document. Trump questioned Bannon about what he saw in the passport. So is Michael telling the truth? Has he ever been to Prague? Trump asked, according to Cohen. Bannon informed Trump that the passport didnt show travel to the Czech Republic, Cohen said. After Bannon looked at the document, Cohen said Trumps chief of staff, Reince Priebus, press secretary Sean Spicer and special counselor Kellyanne Conway all checked out the passport. He also showed it to Vice President-elect Mike Pence. He didnt spend two seconds looking at it. He was like, I believe you, Mike, Cohen said of Pence. Read more from Yahoo News: donald trump President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday shut down a CNN reporter who attempted to ask a question at Trump's first press conference in months. Speaking in Manhattan, the president-elect first blasted BuzzFeed for its decision Tuesday to publish a memo containing unverified claims that Trump both was compromised by and collaborated with Russian intelligence agents who the memo said passed information to his campaign, claims that Trump denied at Wednesday's news conference. Trump also blasted CNN, which on Tuesday was the first of numerous news outlets to report that top US intelligence officials presented Trump with a summary of the memo as part of a briefing last week, though CNN did not publish the full memo as BuzzFeed did. "As far as BuzzFeed, which is a failing pile of garbage, writing it, they're going to suffer the consequences, they already are," Trump said, before going off on a tangent defending his lawyer, Michael Cohen, who was also named in the memo. "As far as CNN going after their way to build it up and by the way, we just found out, Michael Cohen, who is a very talented lawyer, a good lawyer at my firm. It was just reported that it wasn't this Michael Cohen that we're talking about." Moments later, when CNN reporter Jim Acosta attempted to ask a question, Trump refused. "Not you. Not you," Trump said. "Your organization is terrible. Your organization is terrible. Quiet, quiet. She's asking a question, don't be rude." "Since you're attacking our news organization, can you give us a question?" Acosta asked repeatedly "I'm not going to give you a question. You're fake news," Trump replied, only later taking a question from a different CNN reporter. CNN stood by its reporting. Shortly after the news conference, CNN anchor Jake Tapper read a statement from the network defending its story and distancing its reporting from BuzzFeed's decision to publish the 35-page memo. Story continues "CNN's decision to publish carefully sourced reporting about the operations of our government is vastly different than BuzzFeed's decision to publish unsubstantiated memos," the statement said. "The Trump team knows this. They are using BuzzFeed's decision to deflect from CNN's reporting, which has been matched by other major news organizations. "CNN made it clear that we are not publishing any details of the 35 page document because we have not corroborated the report's allegations. Given that members of the Trump transition team have so vocally criticized our reporting, we encourage them to identify, specifically, what they believe to be inaccurate." Watch the exchange below: Here's the exchange where CNN's Jim @Acosta tries to ask Trump a question and the President-elect refuses pic.twitter.com/LlwmhPj5w3 Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) January 11, 2017 NOW WATCH: 'I'm asking you a simple question': Fox News host confronts RNC chair over Trump's denial of Russia hacks More From Business Insider Donald Trump fired multiple shots at the media particularly BuzzFeed and CNN on Wednesday during his first press conference in six months. BuzzFeed is failing pile of garbage, Trump said almost an hour into the conference, which covered a wide variety of subjects, including healthcare, his cabinet, and Russian hacking. I think theyre going to suffer the consequences, Trump said of BuzzFeed. They already are. From the crowd of reporters, Jim Acosta, CNNs senior White House correspondent, began to press Trump for a question: Since youre attacking our news organization, will you give us a question? Not you, Trump replied. No, Im not going to give you a question. You are fake news. Donald Trump refuses to take a question from CNN's Senior White House Correspondent @Acosta https://t.co/SYIPLekALG https://t.co/Im5Dlc38B4 CNN (@CNN) January 11, 2017 CNN later released a statement in response to Trumps cries of fake news, saying his team is using BuzzFeeds decision to deflect from CNNs reporting, which has been matched by the other major news organizations. CNNs decision to publish carefully sourced reporting about the operations of our government is vastly different than BuzzFeeds decision to publish unsubstantiated memos. The Trump team knows this. They are using BuzzFeeds decision to deflect from CNNs reporting, which has been matched by the other major news organizations. We are fully confident in our reporting. It represents the core of what the First Amendment protects, informing the people of the inner workings of their government; in this case, briefing materials prepared for President Obama and President-elect Trump last week. We made it clear that we were not publishing any of the details of the 35-page document because we have not corroborated the reports allegations. Given that members of the Trump transition team have so vocally criticized our reporting, we encourage them to identify, specifically, what they believe to be inaccurate. Story continues Trumps comments come after BuzzFeed published an unsubstantiated report that included salacious details about Trumps behavior in Russia. BuzzFeed Runs Unverifiable Trump-Russia Claims #FakeNews Trump tweeted on Tuesday. Wednesday morning he followed up by tweeting, Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to leak into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany? Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 When asked during the press conference to expand on his tweet that referenced Nazi Germany, Trump said that publishing an unverified report is something that Nazi Germany did and would do. Related stories Trump Clashes With Media at First Press Conference How to Watch Donald Trump's Press Conference Online Van Jones Has Hopes for CNN's 'Messy Truth' In a chaotic and raucous press conference on Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump furiously denied allegations that Russia had compromising material about him, but avoided answering questions about his campaigns possible contacts with officials in Moscow before the November election. Trump said allegations published Tuesday that Russia may have compiled salacious and damaging material about him amounted to fake news and crap promoted by sick people. He attacked U.S. intelligence agencies over the leak and some news media outlets for reporting it. I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there, said Trump, whose national political prominence came from peddling falsehoods about President Barack Obamas birthplace. I think its a disgrace . . . Thats something that Nazi Germany would have done. Taking questions from reporters for the first time since the summer when he urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to hack the emails of his rival, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton Trump finally acknowledged Russia had likely meddled in the U.S. election. He had previously refused to blame Moscow for the hacks, disputing the conclusions of all U.S. intelligence agencies. But he played down the significance of Russias interference, blamed the Democratic National Committee for failing to set up strong safeguards to prevent hacking, and repeatedly cited China as the main cyber threat to the United States. Trumps comments days before his inauguration raise the prospect of open warfare between his administration and the intelligence community, and will fuel speculation about the nature of Russias communications with his campaign. Trump failed to answer a question at the televised news conference about whether his campaign had dealings with Russia. But afterward, he reportedly came back to the journalist who asked the question and denied his team had contacts with Moscow. Story continues However, two days after the U.S. presidential vote in November, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said his government had conversations with Trumps team during the campaign. And the Wall Street Journal has reported that the president-elects eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., attended a private conference in October in Paris on the Syrian civil war that was hosted by a French institute supporting cooperation with Russia and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The former reality television host and real estate mogul has consistently praised Putin, despite bipartisan skepticism about Moscows intentions, and alarm over Russias armed intervention in neighboring Ukraine and its nuclear saber-rattling. Allegations that Russia may have had damning personal and financial material on Trump will likely reinforce concerns among lawmakers that the president-elect is prepared to make damaging concessions to Russia. Senators grilled former ExxonMobil boss Rex Tillerson, Trumps pick for secretary of state, on Wednesday, pressing him especially to take a harder line toward Russia and its destabilizing behavior. In a disjointed news conference, punctuated by cheers and applause from his aides in the hall, Trump again refused to release his tax returns as a way to put to rest allegations of financial connections to Russia. You know the only ones who care about my tax returns are reporters, he said, though polls show a majority of Americans believe Trump should release them. Instead, Trump approvingly cited Putins own denial that Moscow had assembled an incriminating dossier on the New York businessman. I respected the fact that he said that, he said. And he defended his friendly approach to the Russian president: If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability. Apart from lashing out at the intelligence agencies, Trump also went after media organizations that he said had promulgated phony allegations about him, refusing to take a question from CNN reporter Jim Acosta. As Acosta repeatedly asked for a chance to ask a question, Trump cut him off in an angry exchange. I am not going to give you a question. You are fake news. Trump also blasted Buzzfeed News, which published the unsubstantiated allegations Tuesday, warning: I think they are going to suffer the consequences. The dossier, allegedly written by a former British intelligence official, was considered credible enough to serve as the basis for a memo included in last weeks briefing about Russian hacking for President Barack Obama, Trump, and top lawmakers. But it hinges on a single source, and U.S. spy agencies and news media outlets have not been able to verify the allegations. The dossier alleges a regular exchange of intelligence between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin, a quid pro quo on matters of U.S. foreign policy, and a sordid sexual episode featuring Trump, prostitutes, and a Moscow Ritz Carlton suite. The press conference in the lobby of his New York offices was meant to address potential conflicts of interest between Trumps role as president and his sprawling business empire. But he did little to assuage those concerns, repeating that he feels no legal obligation to separate himself from his business interests, and announcing that the Trump empire will be run by his sons. I could actually run my business and run government at the same time . . .I dont like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that if I wanted to, Trump said. Ethics lawyers from previous administrations and lawmakers have urged Trump to shift his business holdings into a blind trust to avoid an unprecedented array of possible conflicts of interest. Trump said he had turned down a lucrative business deal in the past few days even though he argued he could have accepted it under the law. Over the weekend, I was offered $2 billion to do a deal in Dubai with a very, very, very amazing man, a great, great developer from the Middle East, Trump said, adding that he declined the offer. I didnt have to turn it down, because as you know, I have a no-conflict situation because Im president, which is I didnt know about that until about three months ago, but its a nice thing to have. Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Image trump President-elect Donald Trump blasted bombshell Tuesday reports that said intelligence chiefs briefed him about unverified Russian claims to have intelligence that could compromise him both personally and financially. "FAKE NEWS," he tweeted. "A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT." He later added a second tweet, posting an article from "LifeZette" seeking to discredit a report from BuzzFeed. Trump was responding to a story first reported by CNN that said classified briefing materials given to President Barack Obama and Trump by US intelligence officials last week indicated that Russian operatives claimed to have compromising personal and financial information on the president-elect. US intelligence gleaned the information from an ex-British foreign intelligence officer, who provided the FBI with memos in August detailing an attempted cultivation of Trump by Russia stretching five years. The British spy had collected the intelligence based on conversations he engaged in with Russian sources. The findings were summarized in a two-page synopsis that was appended to the US intelligence community's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election but was not included in the declassified briefing released to the public Friday following Trump's briefing. The material was not corroborated by intelligence agencies and could not immediately be verified independently. Obama, Trump, and other top lawmakers were the only ones to receive the version of the report with a summary of the British operative's memos. The operative collected the information from Russian intelligence sources while he was doing opposition research for a project financed by anti-Trump Republicans. The information the operative collected indicated that Russia had compromising information on both Trump and Clinton but chose to release only information that was potentially damaging to the Clinton campaign. BuzzFeed, which reported that the memos had been circulating around Washington for months, published the full dossier on Tuesday night, it said, "so that Americans can make up their own minds about allegations about the president-elect that have circulated at the highest levels of the US government." Story continues It contained many salacious claims, including that Trump's top lawyer, Michael Cohen, served as a liaison between Trump and the Kremlin, meeting with top Russian officials in Prague this past August. Cohen responded to the claim on Twitter, posting that the story was "fake news" and that he'd "never been to Prague in my life." He included a photo of the cover of his passport. Mother Jones cited the dossier in a report on the alleged Trump-Russia connection in October. The author of that story, David Corn, said he chose not to publish the full dossier because he could not confirm the allegations. Natasha Bertrand contributed to this report. NOW WATCH: Watch Former CIA director James Woolsey explain why he wont advise the Trump transition team anymore More From Business Insider Donald Trump emerged from the upper floors of his gilded Trump Tower to take questions from reporters in his first press conference in 168 days. The proceedings kicked off cordially enough. Trump acknowledged that it's been a while since he's held a press conference. And then noted: "I think we maybe won the nomination because of news conferences," presumably referring to the much-criticized unfiltered wall-to-wall coverage that cable news gave him during the campaign. He then thanked some members of the media for not publishing details of the salacious and unsubstantiated report that Russia has gathered compromising information on Trump, including being in the company of prostitutes and requesting golden showers. On the latter, he noted that he's "a very big germ-a-phobe." "I want to thank a lot of the news organizations here today because they looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies, who knows...," he said, and declined to publish it. And then added that if the U.S. intelligence community did leak the report, it would be a "tremendous blot" on the agencies. The news organizations that did not publish the report were "so professional," he continued. They have "just gone up a notch" in his estimation, though many of them did not always treat him fairly, he said. Trump has called the report, which has apparently been circulating in journalistic and political circles since last fall, "fake news" in a Tweet on Tuesday. U.S. intelligence agencies have not substantiated the claims in the report, but considered them explosive enough that they briefed both President Obama and Trump on the information. The Kremlin has denied that it has compromising information on Trump. A report on national state-run television network Rossiya 1 seemed to blame the report, or the leaking of it, on Obama. Trump said he has no dealings with Russia whatsoever and also said he does think Russia was responsible for the hack on the DNC and Hillary Clinton's campaign manager John Podesta. It was a reversal of his original stance on the issue. And then, referring back to the report again, he noted that he was in Russia many years ago with the Miss Universe pageant. "And I told many people be careful," he said, "because you don't want to see yourself on television. They have cameras all over." Story continues But he said that if Russian president Vladimir Putin prefers Trump, that should be considered "an asset." When a reporter pressed him on why he does not release his tax returns to prove that he has no dealings in Russia and other countries that may be at odds with U.S. interests, he became impatient and said that reporters care about his tax returns but voters do not. This caused a stir on Twitter, where real people chimed in that they do in fact want to see his tax returns. The Russia question came up over and over again. And at one point, Trump characterized BuzzFeed as "a failing pile of garbage" and then lashed out at CNN for "building up" the report, though CNN did not publish the contents of the report. When CNN reporter Jim Acosta attempted to ask a question, Trump shut him down: "You are fake news!" he shouted as Acosta protested. Trump arrived at the press conference with his family and vice-president-elect Mike Pence. A table with stacks of manila folders was set up next to the podium. At about 11:40 a.m.ET, Trump turned over the press conference to his tax lawyer, Sheri A. Dillon, to explain the legalities of Trump's separation from his business dealings. As he wandered away from the podium, reporters continued to shout questions at him. Read more: Trump Denies Russia Report, Blasts Intel Agencies Over "Leak": "Are We Living in Nazi Germany?" In New York, all three broadcast stations broke in to regular programming to air the press conference. Sean Spicer, Trump's pick for White House press secretary, kicked off the press conference with a preamble about the salacious report. He characterized BuzzFeed as a "left wing blog" and its editors' decision to publish the report "outrageous" and "a sad a pathetic attempt to get clicks." He also criticized CNN and said the network also published information from the report, though the network did not publish details. And he praised the New York Times for not publishing the details in the unsubstantiated report. The press conference was ostensibly scheduled so that Trump could explain how he would separate himself from the vast business holdings of the Trump Organization while he is president. He was originally schedule to meet with the media in December, but that press conference was canceled three days before it was to take place. Trump has said his sons, Eric and Donald Jr., will run the company. This week, Trump named his son-in-law Jared Kushner, a senior adviser. Kushner, who inherited a sprawling real estate portfolio from his own father, plans to divest some of his holdings in order to assume the role. But some ethics experts have questioned whether such an appointment runs afoul of federal anti-nepotism laws. CNN's Jake Tapper, in the run-up to Trump's arrival on a stage festooned with ten American flags, pointed out that the last time Trump held a press conference, in July, he "invited the Russians to hack Hillary Clinton's email." Read more: Watch Donald Trump's First Press Conference as President-Elect New York (AFP) - Donald Trump vowed Wednesday to forge ahead with plans for a wall on the southern US border after taking office, and said Mexico would reimburse the United States for the cost. "I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico, which we'll start immediately after we get to office, but I don't want to wait," Trump told a news conference. "We're going to start building," he said. "Mexico in some form -- and there are many different forms -- will reimburse us." "That will happen. Whether it's a tax or whether it's a payment." Mexican officials have strongly denied that they will do so, however. The country's new foreign minister, Luis Videgaray, said Tuesday that there is "no way" his country will pay for such a wall, though he said he was ready to negotiate with the Trump administration. The Mexican peso fell 0.9 percent after the Trump press conference before regaining some of its losses. It has fallen since Trump's election on November 8. Videgaray was named foreign minister by President Enrique Pena Nieto, in part with the mission of improving relations with the incoming Trump administration, which were severely tested when then-candidate Trump called Mexican migrants "rapists" and drug dealers. US media reported last Friday that Trump's transition team and Republicans in Congress were considering a plan to fund the wall in April, but Trump later tweeted that Mexico would end up paying for it. The Republican billionaire, who takes office on January 20, has threatened to fund the wall by tapping into the billions of dollars in remittances that Mexican migrants send back home. Videgaray said "nobody can illegally confiscate the funds of Mexicans." He said Mexico would negotiate with the Trump team to "protect the free flow of remittances." The cost of building a border wall -- which might end up being more fence than wall, analysts say -- has been estimated at up to $25 billion. Even some Trump cabinet nominees have said they are unsure how effective it might be. Retired general John Kelly, the president-elect's pick as secretary of homeland security, told a Senate committee on Tuesday that a physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job. trump President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence attacked BuzzFeed on Tuesday after the news outlet published an unverified intelligence report from a former British intelligence officer containing explosive claims about the president-elect. Both Trump and Pence tweeted out the same article from LifeZette, a right-wing news site edited by conservative commentator and Trump supporter Laura Ingraham. The headline of the article was "Fake News: BuzzFeed Runs 'Unverifiable' Trump-Russia Claims." Trump appeared to dismiss the report in another tweet 40 minutes earlier, simply writing: "FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT." Pence and other allies pushed a similar message alleging "fake news." Earlier on Tuesday, CNN reported that US intelligence leaders had provided Trump with a summary of the report, which contains supposed personal and financial information about Trump and his ties to Russia, as well as other salacious allegations. CNN stopped short of publishing the actual report, which had been circulating among politicians and journalists for months. Though BuzzFeed acknowledged in its story that the intelligence report's claims were unverified, and in some cases "potentially unverifiable," its publication of the report raised ethical questions among journalists. Story continues "BuzzFeed News is publishing the full document so that Americans can make up their own minds about allegations about the president-elect that have circulated at the highest levels of the US government," the authors of the article wrote. BuzzFeed editor Ben Smith defended the article in a subsequent email to his staff. "Our presumption is to be transparent in our journalism and to share what we have with our readers. We have always erred on the side of publishing," Smith wrote in the email, which he posted to Twitter. He continued: "As we noted in our story, there is serious reason to doubt the allegations. We have been chasing specific claims in this document for weeks, and will continue to. Publishing this document was not an easy or simple call, and people of good will may disagree with our choice. But publishing this dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017." NOW WATCH: Watch Former CIA director James Woolsey explain why he wont advise the Trump transition team anymore More From Business Insider Donald Trumps relationship with the news media has always been contentious, but his first major press conference in months gave a preview of the conflict to come once he reaches the White House. A key moment came when Trump refused to take a question from CNNs Jim Acosta, after the network published the bombshell report on Tuesday that intelligence officials, in briefing the president-elect, included a 2-page summary of a 35-page dossier that made unsubstantiated claims that Russians held compromising information about him. Since you are attacking our news organization, can you give us a chance to ask a question? I am not going to give you a question. You are fake news, Trump said. Trump did call later on another CNN reporter Jeremy Diamond but he blasted media outlets that he claims traffic in fake news. They are very, very dishonest people, Trump said. Afterward, CNNs Jake Tapper said that the Trump team was conflating what CNN was reporting with what BuzzFeed posted later on Tuesday, the full dossier of unverified information. Tapper called that BuzzFeed posting irresponsible, and was clearly irked that the sites reporting was being mixed up with CNNs more careful story, which did not include the dossier or the allegations made in it. Trump actually started his press conference by praising the outlets that chose not to report the contents of the uncorroborated dossier, saying that he had great respect for news and freedom of the press. He even said that those organizations that avoided the dossiers allegations were up a notch in his mind. But he also called out BuzzFeed, calling them a failing pile of garbage for posting the dossier, a move that almost immediately triggered a snarky series of social media memes and hashtags. It undoubtedly helped Trump use more of his time blasting the media and less of his time addressing lingering questions about Russia and its role in the 2016 election. Trump also gave an explanation for why he had gone so long without a press conference, after holding so many before he captured the nomination. We stopped giving them because we were getting inaccurate news. Perhaps its a signal of how the Trump White House will judge whether to hold such press conferences when he is president. Story continues The purpose of this press conference was for Trump to outline his plan for how he will avoid conflicts of interests, given his vast business holdings. His solution is to transfer his assets to a trust that will be run by his sons, Don and Eric, with transactions overseen by an independent ethics officer. The plan falls short of calls for Trump to divest or to put his assets in a blind trust, but one of his attorneys, Sheri Dillon, argued that such solutions were unworkable. President-elect Trump should not be expected to destroy the company he built, she said. She said that Trump knows that he owns Trump Tower, but still made the case that conflict of interest laws do not apply to the president. But Russia still overshadowed the press conference. Trump called it a disgrace that the dossier was posted, but he also asked, Does anyone believe that story? He also noted that he was a germaphobe. He was referring to the dossier of unverified information, and the claim that Russia holds embarrassing information on him, including embarrassing details gathered while Trump was in Moscow for the Miss Universe Pageant in 2013. Moreover, Trump said that whenever he leaves the country, he tells his staff, Be very careful because in your hotel rooms you will always have cameras You better be careful or you will be watching yourself on nightly television. He blasted intelligence sources for leaking the 35-page dossier, setting up a contentious relationship not just with the media, but with the various agencies that will report to him. Trump did acknowledge that as far as hacking, I think it was Russia. But he still noted that other countries, like China, also were intent on hacking U.S. assets. I have no deals with Russia, Trump insisted. I have no deals that could happen with Russia because we stayed away. He declined, though, to release his tax returns, and argued that the American public wasnt interested, anyway. As with Trump press conferences of the past, there was plenty of promotion and petulance and there is little reason to believe that will be any different when he gets to Washington. I will be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created, he said. He also promised that the Jan. 20 inauguration would have great talent, incredible talent, but he did not name any Hollywood celebrities on the bill. He singled out one industry figure for praise Marvel CEO Ike Perlmutter for advising him on veterans issues. It was all good theater. But what was striking was that even though this press conference stretched more than an hour, so many questions remained unanswered. At the end, he was asked whether any of his campaign staffers had contacts with the Russian government, but he did not address it. Donald Trump refuses to take a question from CNN's Senior White House Correspondent @Acosta https://t.co/SYIPLekALG https://t.co/Im5Dlc38B4 CNN (@CNN) January 11, 2017 Related stories Trump Calls BuzzFeed 'Pile of Garbage,' Refuses to Take CNN Reporter's Question at First Press Conference How to Watch Donald Trump's Press Conference Online President Obama, in Farewell Address, Warns That Divisions Threaten Democracy New York (AFP) - Donald Trump attacked US intelligence agencies and the media as he denied explosive allegations about his ties to Russia, but admitted for the first time that Moscow had likely meddled in the US election. Just over a week before he takes office, Trump said he had ceded "complete" managing control of his global property empire to his two adult sons but stopped short of making a full divestment, earning a swift rebuke from an ethics watchdog and Democratic Party opponents. "It doesn't meet the standards that the best of his nominees are meeting and that every president in the last four decades has met," said Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics. "He needs to get rid of his business interests and he needs to put them in what's called a blind trust," Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren told Bloomberg TV. But the hour-long press conference, his first in six months, focused firmly on the unsubstantiated claims that his aides colluded with the Kremlin to win the US election, and that Russia has compromising information on Trump. The president-elect accused CNN of generating "fake news" and slammed BuzzFeed as "a failing pile of garbage" after it published a dossier with the allegedly incriminating material, drawn up by a former British intelligence agent hired to do "opposition research" on Trump. "It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen," he said, referring to allegations of lurid behavior in a Moscow hotel room. - 'Nazi Germany' - The 70-year old Republican billionaire suggested it may have been released by the intelligence agencies, which would be a "tremendous blot on their record." Trump dodged questions about whether his campaign had contacts with Russian intelligence, instead tearing into reporters whose outlets reported on the allegations of the existence of compromising material. Story continues "I'm not going to give you a question. You are fake news," he told a CNN reporter, igniting a fresh raft of questions about his respect for constitutional guarantees about the free press. The US intelligence community concluded Moscow interfered in the November election in a bid to tip the race in Trump's favor. But intelligence chiefs last week presented Trump, as well as President Barack Obama, with a two-page synopsis on the potentially embarrassing but unsubstantiated allegations involving Russia, according to CNN and The New York Times. US intelligence chief James Clapper late Wednesday expressed his "profound dismay" to Trump over the leaks. "This evening, I had the opportunity to speak with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss recent media reports about our briefing last Friday," Clapper said. "I expressed my profound dismay at the leaks that have been appearing in the press, and we both agreed that they are extremely corrosive and damaging to our national security," he said, adding that he did not believe that the US intelligence community was the source. -'No dealings with Russia' - Even before the new allegations became public, Democrats and Trump's Republican allies had become increasingly uneasy about Russia's role in the election, with calls for an independent investigation growing. The Kremlin has dismissed the dossier as a "total fake" aimed at damaging bilateral ties. Trump began the press conference muted and disciplined, but became increasingly agitated as questions piled up. "I have no dealings with Russia. I have no deals in Russia. I have no deals that could happen in Russia, because we've stayed away. And I have no loans with Russia," Trump said. The president-elect finally admitted for the first time that he believes Moscow likely meddled in the US election. But while secretary of state-designate Rex Tillerson, also seen as close to Moscow, called Russia a "danger" during his confirmation hearing, Trump may have fanned the flames by downplaying Moscow's role. "As far as hacking, I think it was Russia, but I also think we've been hacked by other countries, other people," he said. Trump aides bristle at the suggestion that Russia weighed in behind Trump, seeing it as an effort to delegitimize his election victory. Trump again refused to back away from his openness towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. - The dossier - "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," Trump said. "I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't." Without corroborating its contents, BuzzFeed published a 35-page dossier of memos on which the synopsis reportedly presented to Trump is based. The memos, which had been circulating in Washington for months, describe sex videos involving prostitutes filmed during a 2013 visit by Trump to a luxury Moscow hotel, supposedly as a potential means for blackmail. They also suggest Russian officials proposed lucrative deals in order to win influence over the real estate magnate. "The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. By Susan Cornwell and Emily Stephenson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday pressured fellow Republicans working to repeal Obamacare in Congress to pass a replacement for the healthcare law at the same time or soon after they vote to dismantle it. Trump told the New York Times he wanted a substitute for President Barack Obama's 2010 healthcare law done "very quickly or simultaneously" to the vote to get rid of it. (http://nyti.ms/2ia9qLk) The law, popularly known as Obamacare, has enabled millions of previously uninsured Americans to obtain health insurance, but Republicans condemn it as a government overreach. With Trump set to succeed Obama on Jan. 20, Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, face a dilemma. They have a chance to make good on their promise to gut the law, but forging an agreement on a replacement plan has eluded them. If Congress does not put in place a substitute, millions of Americans with the insurance may be at risk of losing coverage. The law extended insurance coverage to uninsured Americans by expanding the Medicaid program for the poor and creating online exchanges where people can shop for health insurance plans. It also provides subsidies to help individuals and families afford those plans. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said on Tuesday that some elements of an insurance substitute likely would be ready when lawmakers vote to repeal Obamacare, but others would take longer. Some Republicans have said it could take up to two years to craft a replacement. Trump said a delay of that length was unacceptable, telling the Times: "It won't be repeal and then two years later go in with another plan." Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Trump's comments were "not inconsistent" with lawmakers' plans. The Senate is set to vote this week on a timeline to draft legislation repealing Obamacare. If it passes, the House would vote next. But a vote to actually repeal the law would come later. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans were mired in "internecine fights" and called on Trump to publish his own Obamacare substitute. Trump during the 2016 election campaign put forth general principles for health reform, such as removing the mandate that all Americans have insurance or pay a tax and expanding the use of tax-free health savings accounts, but he did not release a full plan. "If they are repealing, they have an obligation to show us a full replacement plan, not just a little piece of it," Schumer said. "And once they show us that plan, we'll give them our opinion of it." U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, a Republican who heads the health committee, said some Obamacare replacement steps need to be in place before March 1, when insurance companies will be deciding whether to offer plans for 2018. In a speech on Tuesday, Alexander said interim steps could include letting people use Obamacare subsidies to purchase other plans or giving states flexibility to determine which benefits insurance plans must cover. House Speaker Ryan said Republicans would like to pack whatever replacement provisions they can into repeal legislation. Because the Senate plans to use a budget procedure known as reconciliation, they only need majority support in the 100-member Senate where Republicans hold 52 seats. Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, who heads the finance panel, said Senate rules for the reconciliation process could make it difficult to put replacement provisions in the repeal bill. "If he can come up with something that would help push this forward, I'd be all for it," Hatch said of Ryan. (Writing by Emily Stephenson; Additional reporting by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Caren Bohan, Lisa Shumaker and Howard Goller) Washington (AFP) - An explosive but unsubstantiated political research dossier on Donald Trump's links to Russia alleges that his aides colluded with the Kremlin ahead of the US election, and that Russia has compromising information of a sexual nature about Trump. American media and politicians have been in possession of versions of the 35-page report for months but, unable to corroborate its claims, had declined to publish it. On Tuesday, after several media reported that Trump had been briefed on the allegations circulating about him, BuzzFeed news took the controversial step of publishing the dossier in full -- while admitting it is "unverified." Here is what we know: What is the Russia dossier? The 35 pages consist of memos compiled before and after the November 8 election by a former British spy, hired to produce opposition research on the Trump campaign, first by a Republican rival of Trump and then later by people tied to Hillary Clinton's Democratic campaign. On Friday US intelligence chiefs, briefing Trump on allegations of Russian interference in the election, reportedly included a two-page summary of the most credible claims from the dossier. That classified summary has been shown only to Trump, President Barack Obama, and a group of senators from the Senate Intelligence Committee. The dossier's author was identified by the Wall Street Journal as former MI6 officer Christopher Steele, now the director of British consultancy Orbis Business Intelligence. Britain's Daily Telegraph reported that Steele, 52, had fled his home near London, fearing for his safety after his name was made public. What claims does it make? The dossier includes unsubstantiated claims that Russians possess videos involving prostitutes, filmed during a 2013 visit by Trump to a luxury Moscow hotel for the Miss Universe contest, supposedly as a potential means for blackmail. It also alleges that Trump advisors including his lawyer Michael Cohen maintained regular contact with Russian officials and others linked to Russian intelligence during the election and have been exchanging information for "at least" eight years. Story continues The former British spy behind the report, who had long experience in Russia, based it on what he heard from his contacts. It is not known if any of the claims in the memos are true but US intelligence reportedly considered some of the allegations sufficiently credible for Trump to need to be informed. The FBI has been investigating the claims and Democrats are demanding an inquiry into allegations Trump's team met with Russian officials during the campaign. How has Trump responded? Trump angrily dismissed the report as a fabrication, telling a news conference: "It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen." And he slammed US intelligence for allowing the information to leak. "I think it was disgraceful -- disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out," Trump charged. "I say that that's something that Nazi Germany would have done." Trump's lawyer Cohen -- who was alleged to have met Russian operatives in the Czech capital in August -- meanwhile denied having ever visited Russia or Prague. What are Trump's known ties to Russia? Trump reiterated at Wednesday's news conference that he has "no loans, no dealings, and no current pending deals" with Russia, when asked if the country could have any leverage over him. Several Trump advisors have longstanding links to the country, however. Paul Manafort, his first campaign manager, was previously a consultant to Moscow-backed former Ukraine prime minister Viktor Yanukovych, and also worked with Russian oligarchs with Putin ties. Another Trump advisor, Carter Page, was previously a Moscow-based investment banker and visited Moscow in July and then in December after the election for what he called private affairs. Trump's nominee for National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn, was paid by Russian broadcaster RT to join a gala celebration in Moscow last year, where he sat at a banquet table with President Vladimir Putin. The president-elect himself has a long history of seeking closer links with Russia. He sought since the 1990s to build a luxury apartment and hotel building in Moscow, but has never been able to seal a deal. When visiting Moscow in 2013 for the Miss Universe contest, Trump said he hoped to build bonds with Putin. He did not meet the Russian strongman, but did meet a top Putin aide. Court documents also show that Russian investment helped fund a major Trump-backed New York building, the 46 floor Trump Soho luxury apartment development built in the mid-2000s. New York (AFP) - US President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday it would be an "asset, not a liability" if he gets along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but admitted it was not a given that the pair would be allies. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability, because we have a horrible relationship with Russia," Trump told a press conference -- his first since winning the November presidential election. "I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't," he added, in the wake of explosive allegations about his dealings with Russia and purported intelligence gathered by Moscow about him. By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of state nominee, Rex Tillerson, on Wednesday will voice concerns about Russia's actions on the world stage and say China must help pressure North Korea to reform. The Trump transition team circulated Tillerson's opening statement to be delivered during his Senate confirmation hearing. He will explain to some extent why Trump has been in favor of a warmer relationship with Moscow, saying Washington needs an open and frank dialogue with Russia on its ambition in order for the United States to chart its own course. But his rhetoric expressing concern about Russia goes beyond Trump's own frequent expressions of the need for better ties after what he feels was a bungling of the relationship by outgoing President Barack Obama. "Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia," Tillerson will say. "But it was in the absence of American leadership that this door was left open and unintended signals were sent." He cited Obama's failure to act against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons against his own people after saying in 2012 that doing so would cross a "red line" as a weak signal to Moscow. "We backtracked on commitments we made to allies. We sent weak or mixed signals with 'red lines' that turned into green lights. We did not recognize that Russia does not think like we do," Tillerson will say. Tillerson, like Trump, will express a dim view of China's aggressive moves in the South China Sea such as its building artificial islands. "China's island-building in the South China Sea is an illegal taking of disputed areas without regard for international norms," he will say. As Trump adopts from Obama the challenge of containing North Korea's nuclear program, Tillerson signaled a move to exert more pressure on China to help. "We cannot continue to accept empty promises like the ones China has made to pressure North Korea to reform, only to shy away from enforcement. Looking the other way when trust is broken only encourages more bad behavior. And it must end," Tillerson will say. When asked about Tillerson's comments at a daily briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reiterated that disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved regionally. With reference to North Korea, Lu said: "We care more about peace and stability on the Korean peninsula than any other country." Tillerson will say that challenges posed by Islamic State, China, North Korea and Iran represent new global realities that must be addressed with an assertive United States. "To achieve the stability that is foundational to peace and security in the 21st century, American leadership must not only be renewed, it must be asserted," he will say. The Wall Street Journal reported that Tillerson, the wealthy former CEO of Exxon-Mobil Corp., plans to use an unusual interpretation of U.S. tax law to spread out taxes owed on his retirement package over the next decade instead of paying more than $70 million immediately. The Journal said the move could save Tillerson more than $10 million if Trump gets through the U.S. Congress a tax reform plan that cuts individual tax rates. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Sandra Maler and Nick Macfie) Rex Tillerson ExxonMobil CEO and Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson said during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday that he had "no knowledge" of Exxon's lobbying efforts against US sanctions on Russia. "Sanctions are a powerful tool and they're an important tool in terms of deterring additional action," Tillerson told the lawmakers. A lobbying disclosure form from 2014, unearthed by Salon writer Simon Maloy, states that Exxon engaged in lobbying "related to Energy Sanctions in the Ukraine and Russia" in 2014, shortly after the US sanctioned Russia for annexing Crimea and its incursion into eastern Ukraine. Politico noted last month that Tillerson was on the board of the US-Russia Business Council, through which Exxon sometimes lobbied against US sanctions on Russia. Exxon, under Tillerson, enagaged in lobbying related to US sanctions several times between 2006 and 2014, the Wall Street Journal's Byron Tau wrote on Twitter. One 2010 disclosure form lists a lobbying effort related to the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, which penalizes companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Irans energy sector. The company also engaged in lobbying related to the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, according to the form. USA Today reported on Monday that ExxonMobil did business with Iran, Syria and Sudan in 2003, 2004, and 2005 through Infineum, in which ExxonMobil owned a 50% share at the time. A spokesman for Exxon said that the company "provided information of the impact of the sanctions, but did not lobby against the sanctions." Tillerson was grilled in a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday about the potential conflicts of interests he faces as a result of his company's extensive global operations. The company produces oil and gas in 22 countries, and Tillerson owns company shares worth $180 million, according to a report produced by the left-leaning Center for American Progress on Tuesday. Story continues Tillerson has promised to sever ties with Exxon if he is confirmed by the Senate, in exchange for a payout that matches the value of his shares. But he faced questions during the hearing about his personal ties to Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, whom the US intelligence community said last week ordered an "influence campaign" aimed at diminishing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton during the presidential election. Tillerson, whose relationship with the Kremlin dates back to the early 1990s, has struck several major deals with the Russian state-run corporation Rosneft and received the prestigious Order of Friendship award from Putin in 2013. NOW WATCH: Trump answers reporters' questions in his longest news conference since winning the election More From Business Insider New York (AFP) - US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday furiously denied explosive claims that Russian intelligence has gathered compromising personal and professional information on him, hours before he faces the media for the first time since his election win. Intelligence chiefs last week presented America's incoming 45th president, as well as current President Barack Obama, with a two-page synopsis on the potentially embarrassing but unsubstantiated allegations, according to CNN and The New York Times, who cited multiple unnamed US officials with knowledge of the meeting. The Kremlin has dismissed the dossier -- drawn up by a former British intelligence agent hired to do "opposition research" on Trump during the presidential campaign and published by US media outlet BuzzFeed -- as a "total fake" aimed at damaging bilateral ties. Trump called it more evidence of a political witch hunt to delegitimize his November victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton, with nine days to go before the 70-year-old billionaire takes office. "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" he said on Twitter. "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" Trump called the situation "a sorry state." "I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS," he said. His early morning tweets came ahead of an 11:00 am (1600 GMT) news conference at Trump Tower, his first in nearly six months. Even before the allegations surfaced widely in US media on Tuesday, reporters had been expected to grill Trump over his ties to Russia after the US intelligence community concluded Moscow interfered in the November election in a bid to tip the race in Trump's favor. Story continues - The dossier - Without corroborating its contents, BuzzFeed published a 35-page dossier of memos on which the synopsis presented to Trump is based. The memos, which had been circulating in Washington for months, describe sex videos involving prostitutes filmed during a 2013 visit by Trump to a luxury Moscow hotel, supposedly as a potential means for blackmail. They also suggest Russian officials proposed lucrative deals in order to win influence over the real estate magnate. Trump was reportedly informed of the existence of the dossier -- and its salacious details -- last Friday when he received a briefing from US intelligence chiefs on alleged Russian interference in the presidential election. The classified two-page synopsis reportedly included allegations that there was a regular flow of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and Russian government intermediaries, which a Trump aide denied. "The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling journalists. The Kremlin spokesman called the dossier a "total fake" and "an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations." - No more rule book - No other US president-elect in modern times has waited so long to go formally before the media, considered important to shore up public accountability, yet Trump has reveled in ripping up the rule book. The New York billionaire, never previously elected to office, has preferred to make off-the-cuff statements, punch out incendiary tweets and call out anyone who dares cross him -- from Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep to an Indiana union leader. While he has conducted one-on-one interviews with select media and taken questions from reporters in informal settings, his performance at the press conference will be scrutinized, as polls show his already bleak approval ratings deteriorate further as the clock ticks down to inauguration day on January 20. Washington's feud with Russia will be scrutinized even further at the Senate confirmation hearing -- also on Wednesday -- of former ExxonMobil boss Rex Tillerson as Trump's pick for secretary of state. Although the Texan embodies Trump's ideal of a globetrotting deal-maker, he has come under suspicion from the president-elect's opponents for close ties to Putin. President-elect Donald Trump took the podium at his first press conference since his upset victory in the November election and formally addressed the recent publication of an unsubstantiated dossier of reports about the 70-year-olds dealings with Russia. I must say that I want to thank a lot of the news organizations here today because they looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies, which would be a tremendous blot on their record if they did do that, a tremendous blot, Trump said from Trump Tower on Wednesday. Because a thing like that should have never been written it should never have been had. It shouldnt certainly have never been released. On Tuesday, Buzzfeed News published a 35-page document containing unsubstantiated claims about Trumps alleged dealings with the Russian government, purported to be prepared by a former British intelligence officer, according to The New York Times. According to CNN, U.S. intelligence officials briefed President Obama and Trump on Friday on a two-page summary of the allegations. Trump said hes not allowed to talk about what happened in his highly classified briefing. But, he added, I think its a disgrace that information would be let out. I saw the information, I read the information outside of that meeting its all fake news. Its phony stuff. It didnt happen. He blamed sick people and they put that crap together. RELATED VIDEO: Natasha Stoynoff Breaks Silence, Accuses Donald Trump of Sexual Assault Later in the press conference, Trump answered when asked why, earlier in the day, he referenced Nazi Germany in a tweet about the potentially leaked intelligence report. Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Story continues I think it was disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and a disgrace and thats something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do, he said. Sean Spicer, Trumps incoming White House press secretary, called it frankly outrageous and highly irresponsible journalism, and called Buzzfeed a left-wing blog that was openly hostile to Trumps candidacy in the 2016 campaign. The fact that Buzzfeed and CNN made the decision to run is a sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks. The report is not an intelligence report, plain and simple. Vice President-Elect Mike Pence, who stepped to the mic just before Trump, called the published reports an effort to delegitimize and demonize the incoming president. While Trump continued to chafe at U.S. intelligence findings that Russians were behind last years hacking of the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton campaign email accounts in order to influence the election in Trumps favor, the president-elect finally acknowledged: As far as hacking, I think it was Russia but I think we also get hacked by other countries, other people. The president-elect bristled at a question about conclusions by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russias interference in the 2016 presidential election was meant to favor Trump: If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what folks? Thats called an asset, not a liability. I dont know that Im going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do, but theres a good chance I wont. He added, And if I dont, do you honestly believe that Hillary would be tougher on Putin than me? Does anybody in this room really believe that? Gimme a break. As for the long lag between his last press conference and this one, Trump said: We stopped giving because we were getting quite a bit of inaccurate news. Trumps opening praise for the news outlets that did not run the most recent reports is in stark contrast to statements the president-elect made in recent weeks. I just want to compliment many other people in the room: I have great respect for the news and great respect for freedom of the press and all of that, he told the reporters on Wednesday. However, just three days earlier he wrote on Twitter, Media is fake! President Elect Trump will likely be asked about unsubstantiated reports of allegations that Russia has compromising information about him. The report, first out on Buzzfeed, has been called 'fake news' by Trump. His press conference comes as his choice for Secretary of State, former Exxon Mobil ( ) CEO Rex Tillerson, begins confirmation hearings. Volkswagen is closing in on a deal to pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil penalties to settle a U.S. probe into the rigging of diesel powered cars to cheat emissions tests. The agreement which VW said will include a guilty plea, raises the cost of the scandal to more than $23 billion in the United States and Canada. Chipotle ( ) executives say don't count on free burritos this year. CEO Steve Ells says the heavy promotion spending on food has 'run its course'. However, the executives say to expect a new menu item this year, possibly a dessert. Updated on January 10, 8:55 p.m. On Tuesday, Donald Trump met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and activist, who also happens to be an outspoken vaccine conspiracy theorist. After the meeting, Kennedy told reporters it went very well, and said that Trump asked me to chair a commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity. He also said that Trump called him to ask for the meeting. But Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition team, said in a statement that nothing is certain yet. The President-elect enjoyed his discussion with Robert Kennedy Jr. on a range of issues and appreciates his thoughts and ideas. The President-elect is exploring the possibility of forming a commission on Autism, which affects so many families; however no decisions have been made at this time, the statement reads. (It is interesting that the team refuted Kennedys statement that he would lead a vaccine commission by saying Trump is considering forming a commission on autism, when vaccines are not related to autism.) But the prospect of a Kennedy-led vaccine commission is deeply troubling for proponents of evidence-based medicine. For over a decade now, Kennedy has been publicly saying not only that thimerosal, a preservative used in some vaccines, is dangerous and associated with autism, but that the government has been covering this up. He wrote an article about this claim for Rolling Stone in 2005, and published a book about it in 2014. Scientists have found no evidence that thimerosal in vaccines causes any harm, and furthermore, it hasnt been used in vaccines for children since 2001, with the exception of the flu vaccine. Recommended: The Secret to Love Is Just Kindness Kennedy said Trump is very pro-vaccine, as am I, but that Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies. For years, Trump has promoted the false link between vaccines and autism, and whether he himself is an anti-vaxer or not, he certainly has courted anti-vaxers at every turn on his road to the White House. This meeting with Kennedy suggests he will continue to do so. Story continues Even before he entered politics, Trump said he believed vaccines cause autism. In an interview with the Sun-Sentinel in 2007, he said: When I was growing up, autism wasn't really a factorAnd now all of a sudden, it's an epidemic. Everybody has their theory. My theory, and I study it because I have young children, my theory is the shots. We've giving these massive injections at one time, and I really think it does something to the children. In 2014, Trump tweeted: Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases! During the second Republican debate, he told a similar story: You take this little beautiful baby, and you pumpI mean, it looks just like its meant for a horse, not for a child, and weve had so many instances, people that work for me, he said. Just the other day, two years old, two-and-a-half years old, a child, a beautiful child went to have the vaccine, and came back, and a week later got a tremendous fever, got very, very sick, now is autistic. Recommended: Donald Trump Meets, and Assails, the Press There is absolutely no evidence that links vaccines to autism. The only study that ever found a link was later revealed to be fraudulent, and was retracted. But still the myth persists, and has now been perpetuated by the president-elect of the United States. Though hes done some vaccine rabble-rousing, Trump has heretofore stopped short of saying children shouldnt be vaccinated. In that same Republican debate, he said, Im totally in favor of vaccines. But I want smaller doses over a longer period of time I had my children taken care of over a long period of time, over a two or three year period of time. In another 2014 tweet, he said ,If I were President I would push for proper vaccinations but would not allow one time massive shots that a small child cannot take - AUTISM. By one-time massive shots, he likely means schedules where children receive vaccinations for several diseases in one appointment. Slate has called Trumps position slow-vax as opposed to anti-vax. However, anti-vaxers, including Andrew Wakefield, the author of the debunked autism study, have long seen him to be on their side. I feel very positive about this, because Donald Trump is not beholden to the pharmaceutical industry, Wakefield said in an interview with STAT after the election. Kennedy seems to feel similarly. I think President Trump can be any kind of president that he wants to be. Hes probably come into office less encumbered by ideology or obligations than anybody who has been in political office. Perhaps anti-vaxers and vaccine conspiracists see an ally in Trumps supposed outsider status. And despite all the attention anti-vaxers get, it is important to note that it is still a fringe opinion. Eighty-three percent of Americans, when asked in a 2015 Pew survey, agreed with the science and said they believed vaccines are safe for healthy children. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. By Annie Knox and Kim Palmer Jan 11 (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump aims to open up federal lands to more energy development, tapping into a long-running and contentious debate over how best to manage America's remaining wilderness. The U.S. government holds title to about 500 million acres of land across the country, including national parks and forests, wildlife refuges and tribal territories stretching from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico. They overlay billions of barrels of oil and vast quantities of natural gas, coal, and uranium. With Trump poised to take office on Jan. 20, energy companies and their lobbyists are eyeing a new gusher of federal drilling and mining leases after a period of stagnation under the administration of Barack Obama. Oil output on federal land made up about a fifth of the national total in 2015 - down from more than a third in 2010 - while the number of onshore drilling leases fell about 15 percent, according to federal data. "This opportunity is unique, maybe once in a lifetime," said Jack Gerard, president of the Washington D.C.-based American Petroleum Institute lobby group, referring to prospects for increased access to federal leases. The hoped-for land run by energy companies, however, could get bogged down by lawsuits and lobbying from environmental groups and some local residents. "It would only take one serious mistake - one well to go bad - for our town's water supply to be damaged," said Josh Ewing, the leader of a southern Utah conservation group. Energy firms have their allies in the rural areas, too, who would welcome an economic jolt. "We can't maintain our families here because there are no jobs," said Bob Turri, a former officer with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in southern Utah, surrounded by millions of acres of pristine federally managed forest. "That's the only hope we have left, is what Trump may be able to do for us." Trump had campaigned on a promise to open up federal lands to increased development. He accused Obama of "denying millions of Americans access to the energy wealth sitting under our feet" by restricting leasing and banning new coal extraction. Story continues In December, Trump nominated U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana, who backs coal mining on federal lands, to lead the Interior Department. Officials for Zinke and Trump declined to comment. Trump has vowed to lift the coal moratorium - imposed in 2016 as part of Obama's broader plan to combat climate change - within 100 days of taking office. Separately, a coalition appointed by Trump's team to guide his Native American policy is researching proposals to ease energy development on tribal lands - including the controversial idea of transferring them to private ownership. While efforts to boost industry access to public lands would likely trigger lawsuits and protests, it could win broad support in a Congress now firmly in Republican control after November's election. Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association, said he expected some of Trump's planned moves to be easy, including reversing Obama's coal ban. "Happily, just as it was created with the stroke of a pen, it can be as easily rescinded," he said. "That is our hope and expectation." Other efforts to undo Obama's legacy could be harder. "AT YOUR PERIL" In his final weeks in office, Obama designated about 1.6 million acres in Utah and Nevada as national monuments, using the 1906 Antiquities Act that lawyers say could be complicated to reverse. The move was a parting gift to Native American groups and conservationists. Obama also banned new drilling in federal waters in parts of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans using a 1950s-era law that environmental groups say would also require a drawn out court challenge to reverse. Republican lawmakers have promised to fight the moves. For some, the potential for expanded drilling signals economic revival. Others see more value in the land itself than the resources beneath it. One of the areas that Obama granted monument status last month is Bears Ears, a pair of iconic flat-top hills soaring out of ponderosa pine forests in Utah. Jonah Yellowman, a Navajo spiritual advisor for Utah Dine Bikeyah, a group representing five tribes, surveyed the landscape recently as he piloted his SUV down a dirt road. "What would happen if we lose this?" he asked. "Where are we going to go?" The area, he said, is central to the Navajo creation story and a symbol of his ancestors' ability to listen to and heed spiritual guidance. It is also rich in minerals and petroleum, and Yellowman said tribes are bracing for Trump to try to reopen the land to development. "If that happens, we're here to stand against it," he said. EOG Resources - a Texas-based company recently approved to drill near Bears Ears - declined to comment. Native American protesters and their supporters recently won a major battle against encroaching energy interests in North Dakota, blocking a federal permit for a pipeline after months of protests. Other tribes, however, have pursued energy development as a critical source of income. Nearly 2,000 miles east of Bears Ears, in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a similar debate is playing out. The 330,000-acre federal park is one of a handful that already allows drilling because it contains areas with privately owned mineral rights, or "split estates". Many of the park's visitors are unaware of the industry's presence. Gregory Violand, a 65-year-old actor who performs at a playhouse on park grounds - two miles from a gas well surrounded by chain-link fencing - said he supports drilling on federal lands, if done responsibly. "The property owners are benefiting," he said. Deb Yandala disagreed. As CEO of the CVNP Conservancy advocacy group, she said many people would oppose efforts to expand drilling and mining rights. "Water quality is a huge issue for Cuyahoga Valley," she said. Tim McCormack, a nearby resident, said the issue would be divisive. "There is going to be a profound debate," he said. "You cannot fool with the National Park system. You can at your peril." (Writing by Richard Valdmanis; additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici; editing by Brian Thevenot) By Annie Knox and Kim Palmer (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump aims to open up federal lands to more energy development, tapping into a long-running and contentious debate over how best to manage Americas remaining wilderness. The U.S. government holds title to about 500 million acres of land across the country, including national parks and forests, wildlife refuges and tribal territories stretching from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico. They overlay billions of barrels of oil and vast quantities of natural gas, coal, and uranium. With Trump poised to take office on Jan. 20, energy companies and their lobbyists are eyeing a new gusher of federal drilling and mining leases after a period of stagnation under the administration of Barack Obama. Oil output on federal land made up about a fifth of the national total in 2015 - down from more than a third in 2010 - while the number of onshore drilling leases fell about 15 percent, according to federal data. "This opportunity is unique, maybe once in a lifetime," said Jack Gerard, president of the Washington D.C.-based American Petroleum Institute lobby group, referring to prospects for increased access to federal leases. The hoped-for land run by energy companies, however, could get bogged down by lawsuits and lobbying from environmental groups and some local residents. "It would only take one serious mistake - one well to go bad - for our towns water supply to be damaged," said Josh Ewing, the leader of a southern Utah conservation group. Energy firms have their allies in the rural areas, too, who would welcome an economic jolt. "We cant maintain our families here because there are no jobs," said Bob Turri, a former officer with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in southern Utah, surrounded by millions of acres of pristine federally managed forest. "Thats the only hope we have left, is what Trump may be able to do for us." Trump had campaigned on a promise to open up federal lands to increased development. He accused Obama of "denying millions of Americans access to the energy wealth sitting under our feet" by restricting leasing and banning new coal extraction. In December, Trump nominated U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana, who backs coal mining on federal lands, to lead the Interior Department. Officials for Zinke and Trump declined to comment. Trump has vowed to lift the coal moratorium imposed in 2016 as part of Obamas broader plan to combat climate change - within 100 days of taking office. Separately, a coalition appointed by Trump's team to guide his Native American policy is researching proposals to ease energy development on tribal lands - including the controversial idea of transferring them to private ownership. [nL5N1DZ0OY] While efforts to boost industry access to public lands would likely trigger lawsuits and protests, it could win broad support in a Congress now firmly in Republican control after Novembers election. Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association, said he expected some of Trumps planned moves to be easy, including reversing Obama's coal ban. "Happily, just as it was created with the stroke of a pen, it can be as easily rescinded," he said. "That is our hope and expectation." Other efforts to undo Obamas legacy could be harder. "AT YOUR PERIL" In his final weeks in office, Obama designated about 1.6 million acres in Utah and Nevada as national monuments, using the 1906 Antiquities Act that lawyers say could be complicated to reverse. The move was a parting gift to Native American groups and conservationists.[nL1N1EN182] Obama also banned new drilling in federal waters in parts of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans using a 1950s-era law that environmental groups say would also require a drawn out court challenge to reverse.[nL1N1EF1K7] Republican lawmakers have promised to fight the moves. For some, the potential for expanded drilling signals economic revival. Others see more value in the land itself than the resources beneath it. One of the areas that Obama granted monument status last month is Bears Ears, a pair of iconic flat-top hills soaring out of ponderosa pine forests in Utah. Jonah Yellowman, a Navajo spiritual advisor for Utah Dine Bikeyah, a group representing five tribes, surveyed the landscape recently as he piloted his SUV down a dirt road. "What would happen if we lose this?" he asked. "Where are we going to go?" The area, he said, is central to the Navajo creation story and a symbol of his ancestors ability to listen to and heed spiritual guidance. It is also rich in minerals and petroleum, and Yellowman said tribes are bracing for Trump to try to reopen the land to development. "If that happens, were here to stand against it," he said. EOG Resources - a Texas-based company recently approved to drill near Bears Ears - declined to comment. Native American protesters and their supporters recently won a major battle against encroaching energy interests in North Dakota, blocking a federal permit for a pipeline after months of protests. [nL1N1EA1WI] Other tribes, however, have pursued energy development as a critical source of income. Nearly 2,000 miles east of Bears Ears, in Ohios Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a similar debate is playing out. The 330,000-acre federal park is one of a handful that already allows drilling because it contains areas with privately owned mineral rights, or split estates. Many of the parks visitors are unaware of the industrys presence. Gregory Violand, a 65-year-old actor who performs at a playhouse on park grounds two miles from a gas well surrounded by chain-link fencing - said he supports drilling on federal lands, if done responsibly. "The property owners are benefiting," he said. Deb Yandala disagreed. As CEO of the CVNP Conservancy advocacy group, she said many people would oppose efforts to expand drilling and mining rights. Water quality is a huge issue for Cuyahoga Valley, she said. Tim McCormack, a nearby resident, said the issue would be divisive. "There is going to be a profound debate," he said. "You cannot fool with the National Park system. You can at your peril." (Writing by Richard Valdmanis; additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici; editing by Brian Thevenot) Just ten days before President-elect Donald Trump is handed the keys to the White House and the nations nuclear weapons code, more than half of voters fret that he is too impulsive to make level-headed decisions for the country according to a revealing new survey. After being treated to the spectacle of a Republican president in waiting virtually dominating the world stage, discrediting the U.S. intelligence communitys findings about Russian interference with the election, intimidating car manufacturers, filling his new Cabinet with business moguls, and even bad-mouthing legendary Hollywood star Meryl Streep, Americans are largely on edge as the Jan. 20 inauguration fast approaches. Related: Why Republicans Are Hitting the Brakes on Obamacare Repeal Fifty-eight percent of Americans said that when it comes to making important decisions, Trump will be too impulsive, while 34 percent think he will be about right and a mere four percent think he will be too cautious, according to a new Pew Research Center poll released on Tuesday, the day before Trump holds his first full-blown news conference since late July. Trump impulsiveness - Pew survey Its no surprise that voters continue to be troubled by his demeanor, in light of his frequent outbursts and petulant comments. Long after his stunning defeat of Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 presidential election, Trump continues to use Twitter to hurl biting, 140-character darts at critics, opponents and even GOP allies at times. Throughout the campaign, voters voiced concerns about Trumps temperament, even as many were drawn to his policies and promises. Last October, for example, 69 percent of voters surveyed characterized Trump as reckless while 65 percent said he had poor judgment. In the latest Pew survey conducted nationally Jan. 4 through 9, Americans as a whole continued to worry about his temperament, although Republicans are obviously far more trusting of Trump to behave properly than Democrats. Story continues Related: 5 Big Promises Trump Wont Be Able to Keep Overall, 65 percent of Republicans said they think Trumps approach to making important decisions will be about right, according to Pew, while 28 percent fear he will be too impulsive. By contrast, an overwhelming 84 percent of Democrats are convinced Trump will be too impulsive, and just nine percent think his approach and style will be about right. Trump is certain to be peppered by reporters today on a multitude of questions, including how he and family members who will either be handling his business interests or advising him in Washington can avoid major conflicts of interest. Just this week, Trump announced that he is hiring his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a real estate businessman in his own right, as a senior adviser in the West Wing. CNN reported late Tuesday that classified documents presented last week to President Obama and Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump. Trump is certain to be questioned at length about the controversy over Russias hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign. Reporters also are likely to press Trump to explain precisely what he has in store for the country in terms of new immigration policy and a crackdown on illegal immigrants, big changes in the health care system, new trade policies and his plans for beefing up U.S. defenses and the nuclear arsenal. Many Americans are keenly interested in what Trump will have to say about these and other issues, according to the new survey. Related: You Wanted a Woman President You Got One! Americans disapprove of the job Trump has done since the election in explaining his future plans, with 55 percent saying they disapprove and 39 percent saying they approve, according to the Pew survey. There is also widespread concern about Trumps potential conflicts of interest in running the country while his family-owned businesses, hotels, and country clubs could be helped or by future government tax and regulatory policies. Fifty-seven percent of those interviewed said they are very or somewhat worried about conflicts of interest, according to Pew, while 42 percent indicated they were not particularly concerned. Some 60 percent said that Trump has a responsibility to release his tax returns, a move that would give the public insight into his business dealing in the U.S. and overseas and determine whether he was honest in boasting of making generous charitable contributions. Thirty-three percent said they didnt think Trump was obliged to release his tax returns. Trump has insisted that he is unable to release his tax returns because they are the subject of an IRS audit. The president-elects critics say that is a bogus excuse and that he could release the returns if he wanted to. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, has pledged to divest at least $94 million worth of investments in 43 entities to avoid conflicts of interest, according to an ethics agreement released on Wednesday. Mnuchin said in a 42-page financial disclosure report that these investments include more than $50 million worth of common shares of CIT Group Inc, the financial services group that acquired his OneWest Bank in 2015. However, his CIT shares are likely worth more. They are listed in the "Over $50 million" category, the highest amount required on the asset valuation form for presidential political appointees. The investor group he led sold OneWest in 2015 for $3.4 billion, seven years after they purchased the assets of failed mortgage lender IndyMac Bank for $1.55 billion. Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs executive and Hollywood film financier, added that he resigned his position as a CIT director in December as part of his agreement with the Treasury's assistant general counsel. He pledged to divest Goldman Sachs shares worth over $5 million and Goldman Sachs Treasury investments worth over $25 million. The disclosure forms, which allow a range for the value of assets, reveal that Mnuchin is worth at least $118 million to around $392 million, making him he richest Treasury secretary since his former boss, ex-Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson, who served under George W. Bush and was worth over $700 million at the time he took office in 2006. By contrast, President Barack Obama's Treasury secretaries, Tim Geithner and Jack Lew, were each worth between about $740,000 and $1.7 million when they took office. Under Mnuchin's ethics agreement, he will refrain from any decisions involving CIT Group until August 2018, when a final payment of at least $5 million from CIT Group is made as part off a "holdback" agreement related to the OneWest merger. Among other assets disclosed by Mnuchin are a small airplane he operates for business and personal use, and an interest in a 1978 Willem de Kooning oil painting, "Untitled III", valued between $5 million and $25 million. Mnuchin also said in his ethics agreement that prior to or upon Senate confirmation he would fully disclose the assets of his fiancee, Scottish-born actress Louise Linton, as if they were married and pledged to refrain from any matter that affects her finances. The documents are on file with the Office of Government Ethics. (https://extapps2.oge.gov/201/Presiden.nsf/PAS+Index/30AAAB9D74B0557B852580A5004FF9F9/$FILE/Mnuchin,%20Steven%20T.%20finalEA.pdf) (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by James Dalgleish and Frances Kerry) Donald Trump. President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act should occur "essentially simultaneously," perhaps even within "hours" of each other. Like a lot of Republicans, Trump seems to have realized the political hazards that would result from "repeal and delay," the proposed strategy of passing a quick repeal of the Affordable Care Act but delaying the effectiveness of that repeal for years to give lawmakers time to come up with "something terrific" to replace it with. The problem for Trump and congressional Republicans is that similar political hazards will arise with nearly any approach they take to healthcare policy unless they can get Democrats to take part of the responsibility for the new changes and deliver on Trump's very elusive promise to make healthcare "far less expensive and far better." This is a very tall order. But on Wednesday, Trump took one step in this direction: reiterating his support for using the federal government's negotiating power to push down the prices of prescription drugs, a cost-control policy usually supported by Democrats and opposed by Republicans. Making health policy is like sticking your finger in an electrical socket American healthcare is very expensive. This holds back the economy as a whole. Of more political importance, the high cost of healthcare imposes painful burdens on individual consumers. The Affordable Care Act, the healthcare law also known as Obamacare, has affected individuals' costs at the margin, sometimes downward and sometimes upward. But mostly, excessive cost is a problem that predated the ACA, and that is hard to do much about within the constraints that exist on American policymaking. As Democrats have painfully learned, voters tend to place an inordinate share of the blame for problems with healthcare on whoever enacted the latest big change to healthcare policy. Story continues Unfortunately for Republicans, they were just elected on a promise to make big changes to healthcare policy. High premiums and high deductibles the things, aside from the individual mandate, that people seem to hate most about the ACA are natural consequences of high costs. They can be expected to persist after any Republican-driven changes. The main change will be that Republicans take the blame for them. Republicans can't keep all their promises in a big overhaul Republicans have been able to have it both ways on Obamacare for years. They have attacked the law for being too expensive to taxpayers and requiring insurance that is too comprehensive and also for the fact that plans sold under the law have high deductibles and limited provider networks. These complaints are in tension: If you want low deductibles and the most popular doctors, you need higher premiums to cover the cost of all the healthcare the plans will end up paying for. If you want lower premiums, you need plans that are stingier about what they will cover. The only ways to address all the major complaints about Obamacare to deliver better insurance at a lower cost to the insured would be to throw a lot more government subsidies at the program (increasing costs to taxpayers) or to find some way to greatly reduce the actual cost of healthcare. Cost control has mostly eluded policymakers for decades and a successful effort to control costs would greatly upset the lobbies for hospitals and doctors, since the main way you make a unit of healthcare cheaper is by paying them less. Once Republicans have to take ownership of healthcare policies and make choices among their stated goals, they're bound to upset someone. Republicans have been intermittently pledging that their plans won't throw millions of people off of health insurance but the math will not work on this pledge without spending an amount similar to what is spent under the ACA, unless the quality of the insurance offered is significantly reduced, for example by excluding coverage for important services like maternity care. And if Republicans make good on their rhetoric about the nature of health insurance if they shift more people toward "catastrophic" plans that cover only very large medical bills and expect individuals to pay for their own healthcare through money they deposit in Health Savings Accounts their replacement plan is likely to be even less popular than the ACA. Informative focus groups by the Kaiser Foundation, surveying Trump voters who are enrolled in Obamacare exchange plans, found many participants were jealous of the Medicaid coverage available to people with lower incomes. Medicaid plans which have limited provider networks but impose very limited out-of-pocket costs on the insured are roughly the opposite of the preferred Republican approach to insurance. obamacare enrollment florida Making small changes and declaring victory won't work Given how mad people tend to get when you change their healthcare, one option that might tempt Republicans is to make a few, mostly symbolic changes to the ACA, declare that they have "repealed and replaced" it, and call it a day. Certainly, this is the option a lot of liberals are hoping Republicans choose. But I don't think it would be likely to insulate Republicans politically, either. That's because, even if Republicans stopped demagoguing the ACA, the very real problems of high premiums, high deductibles, and limited networks would remain and since the ACA would be gone, "repealed and replaced" by a nearly identical Republican alternative, Republicans would shoulder all the blame. Indeed, you could expect Democrats to start making many of the same complaints about the "new" Republican health law that Republicans have been making for the past eight years. Republicans are right to be wary about repeal-and-delay All these political problems are a major reason Republicans never coalesced around a substitute for Obamacare, and they are a major reason they have flirted with repeal-and-delay, an approach that would be designed to buy Republicans several more years without committing to a plan that creates specific winners and losers. The problem is, repeal-and-delay would be likely to wreak havoc in health-insurance markets. Many insurers have already been exiting Obamacare insurance exchanges in various markets because they are losing money. If they expect the program to soon be repealed and starved of financial support in the meantime they will be even more likely to quit selling insurance at all. Repeal-and-delay would especially cause problems if it included an immediate repeal of the individual mandate or if the Trump administration indicated it would not strictly enforce the unpopular mandate. Insurers already suffer because many healthy people are reluctant to buy insurance plans under Obamacare that they view as expensive and low-quality. Healthy people would be even less inclined to buy if they knew they wouldn't be penalized. And if they didn't buy insurance, insurers would lose even more money and would have to raise premiums even higher. Plus, Republican governors of states that have expanded Medicaid are nervous about what uncertain changes to federal health policy could mean for their budgets, because hospitals depend heavily on Medicaid payments. paul ryan obamacare The only way to survive healthcare reform 2.0 is to get Democrats to share the credit and blame If I were Trump, I would try very hard to get Democrats in Congress to walk the plank with me on healthcare reforms that aim to reduce costs to both taxpayers and consumers. By withholding any Republican support for the ACA, Republicans ensured that Democrats took all the blame on healthcare for eight years. Democrats are surely eager to turn the tables but they won't be able to if they're party to the next set of changes. Getting them on board would mean offering up a lot of policy concessions to the left, but Trump was never an ideologically committed conservative anyway. Trump's position on prescription drug prices is an obvious place to start. When Trump stressed his intention to negotiate drug prices down on Wednesday, saying pharmaceutical companies were "getting away with murder," pharma stocks tanked. But the largest chunk of healthcare expenditure does not go to pharmaceutical companies or insurers. It goes to providers of care like doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes, which charge much higher prices than they do in other countries. Trump could take his theatrical approach toward large companies into the health sector, waving around hospital bills and demanding to know where a hospital and an insurer get off charging the patient for an out-of-network anesthesiologist, when the hospital itself is in the insurance network. One possibility would be to move more exchange participants into Medicaid using Medicaid's negotiating leverage to hold down payments to doctors and hospitals and allowing more Americans to enjoy low deductibles, even if that means having a limited choice of providers. We would see how much this would do about the actual problem of high costs, just as we will see how much stunts like the deal with Carrier do to change norms and get companies to create jobs in the US. Certainly, healthcare provision is a sector that is deserving of some Trump-y public shaming over cost. It's one where Democrats might be prepared to help him, even if it means sharing some of the credit and blame for what he does to healthcare. NOW WATCH: Here's how much the presidency ages you More From Business Insider Beijing (AFP) - US President-elect Donald Trump has at least 45 trademark applications pending in China, AFP has learned, each of which could potentially violate the American constitution -- underlining possible conflicts of interest in his relations with the Asian giant. Since his election, Trump has angered Beijing by reaching out to Taiwan, appointing China sceptics and threatening punitive tariffs on the country's exports. But that has not stopped him from quietly working to secure the rights to his name in the worlds second largest economy, filing trademark applications as recently as June. The businessman turned politician already holds at least 72 marks in China, part of an extensive, international portfolio that forms a central pillar of his enormous wealth. He filed for an additional 42 in April, almost a year after declaring his presidential run, Chinese government data shows, and three more around two months later, having effectively clinched the Republican nomination. All were filed in his own name and registered at his Trump Tower address in New York. The approval process typically takes 12 to 18 months, so Chinese authorities will only make their decision long after he takes office later this month. Experts from across the US political spectrum said the applications could put Trump on a collision course with the US constitution: article 1, section 9, clause 8 forbids federal officials from receiving a gift or "emolument" -- a salary, fee or profit -- from a foreign government. "Grants of trademarks, permits, etc could be deemed to be privileges bestowed by a foreign government that are covered by the clause," said Robert Painter, a former White House ethicist for Republican president George W. Bush. Barack Obama's former ethics lawyer, Norman Eisen, agreed: "Each of these trademarks is a potential emolument." The "concern of the constitution is that flows of benefits to presidents from foreign sovereigns will distort their judgement, and trademarks are certainly capable of doing that". Story continues The constitution has no specified remedy for a breach, added Jay Wexler, a constitutional law scholar at Boston University. However, he said in my view, impeachment would be the proper remedy for a serious violation". The president-elect's transition team did not reply to requests for comment by AFP. A lawyer for the Trump Organization, Alan Garten, asked for a list of questions then did not respond to multiple emails. - Trademark Ivana During his White House bid, Trump frequently excoriated China, accusing it of raping the US with unfair trade and fiscal policies. But that has not stopped the president-elect -- known for his hardball negotiating tactics -- quietly pursuing business deals in the country, including with its government. Trump has claimed his intellectual property (IP) is worth $3.3 billion, accounting for roughly a third of the $10 billion-plus fortune he reported in a July 2015 statement. Trademark protection is crucial to licensing the Trump name on products from hotels to neckties, and his existing rights give him exclusive control over it in English and Chinese in China for a variety of business classes ranging from hotels and restaurants to medical, beauty and agriculture. He also holds at least five Chinese trademarks on the name of his ex-wife Ivana -- the first of them registered in 2005, more than a decade after their divorce. The new applications claim the right to the words "Trump" and "Donald Trump" in a variety of businesses, as well as several variations of his name in Chinese. Intellectual property lawyers told AFP the new applications may be intended to protect against IP "squatters" in a country where trademarks are typically granted to the first applicant. IP enforcement in China is generally considered weak, and the system has left companies from New Balance to Apple unable to fend off speculators. But the CEO of Trump's hotel business, Eric Danziger, has said it is seeking between 20-30 hotel deals there, and AFP previously reported its negotiations with the countrys largest state-owned enterprise, State Grid. Government trademark databases elsewhere in Asia show Trump personally owns trademarks in Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as India and Indonesia, where he has major licensing deals. Intellectual property experts said the arrangement was unusual, as holding trademarks in companies had tax advantages. A Trump holding company, DTTM Operations, made four further applications in April this year. - 'Trump is the business' - The president-elect has said he will remove himself from his company's operations, handing the family business to his sons. But "Trump is the business essentially, so I don't know how you can divorce yourself from that, said Chinese legal expert Edward Lehman. Just after Trump's November electoral triumph, Chinese officials decided a decade-long trademark wrangle in his favour, raising media questions over whether he had received special treatment. The debate will probably persist until Trump completely separates himself from his business interests, including the trademarks, said Boston University's Wexler. "How do we know that the president won't be influenced in his dealings with China by China's actions on those applications?" he asked. Or that China was "not influenced in some way by the fact that they have been submitted by the president of the United States?" Donald Trumps critics already hate his new plan to disengage from his real-estate company and prevent conflicts of interest while hes president. But for most Americans, it will be good enough. The incoming president hired a prominent law firm to figure out how he can withdraw from his eponymous, privately owned company, the Trump Organization, without selling the whole thing or putting it in a blind trust, to be run by somebody else. The plan is substantive and clever, with Trumps populist touch for good measure. The real question may not be whether the plan goes far enough, but whether Trump will abide by it religiously. If he does, it could put concerns about Trump using the presidency to benefit his business interests to rest. Here are the basics of the plan: Trumps sons, Donald, Jr. and Eric, will run the company. Trump and his daughter Ivanka will relinquish their roles in the company, and Trump will never receive any information about the company thats not public. Trumps ownership stake in the company will be placed in a trust, with no involvement by Trump. The company will be allowed to make domestic deals while Trump is president, but will make no new foreign deals. And an independent ethics adviser will review those domestic deals to make sure theres nothing fishy. Oh, theres one other thing. When representatives of foreign governments stay at Trump-controlled hotels in the United States, the proceeds will go straight to the US Treasury. Those donations will be puny by Washingtons Brobdingnagian standards, but its the kind of clever showmanship Trump excels atand it will allow him to claim hes taking one for Team America by giving up a portion of his profits. Unreasonable expectations? Good-government groups such as Common Cause and the Project on Government Oversight lambasted Trumps plan, arguing that its implausible Trump wouldnt discuss the family company with his own family members. If he did violate his own rules, its possible nobody would know. And there remain plenty of ways for the Trump Organization to capitalize on connections made through Trumps position as presidentif not now, then certainly once Trump leaves office. Story continues Thats all true, but most voters probably wont care, because the bulletproof solution is unreasonable by Main Street standards. The cleanest way for Trump to assure his company and his family wont profit from a Trump presidency is to sell the company and exit the business completely. If that happened, neither Trump nor his family would be able to return to the business later, unless they bought it back. The firm Trump inherited from his father and built into something much biggerwith hopes to bequeath it to his own kids, somedaywould disappear from the family history. Trump would also have to sell at a discountpossibly a deep oneto liquidate complex real-estate holdings in more than a dozen countries on short notice. It could cost Trump $1 billion or more in lost value just to become a public servant. To many Americans, that would be unfair, if not ridiculous. Trumps lawyer, Sheri Dillon of the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, made a couple other valid points while describing the plan at Trumps much-anticipated news conference on Jan. 11. For one thing, selling off Trumps company would generate potential conflicts of its own. Brokering such a deal would probably generate 8- or 9-figure fees that would go to . whom? Goldman Sachs? Deutsche Bank? Some other Wall Street firm almost sure to be associated with Trump or one of his well-heeled Cabinet picks? And Dillon asserted, correctly, that at least some of the value of the Trump Organization lies in the reputation of the Trump name, and, lets face it, the Trump personality. A sale would separate the company from the person who animates it, changing the entire enterprise. No new foreign deals The prohibition on foreign deals is a meaty provision that will cost the Trump Organization revenue and profit. Dillon also said the company has canceled more than 30 pending deals that were in the works before Trump got elected, another move that will cost the company money. So Trump is putting his money where his mouth is. Questions remain. Trump, at the press conference, said he had a discussion in early January with a developer hoping to involve him in a $2 billion real-estate project in Dubai. Why was Trump even talking with him, if foreign deals are off the table? Is Trump teasing? Why would he tempt himself if hes serious about recusing himself from company business, like an alcoholic hanging out in a bar? Still, the real test of Trumps ethics will be his behavior while in office, not his planwhich could backfire if he appears to be cutting corners. Just ask Hillary Clinton. When she became secretary of state in 2009, she vowed there would be a firewall between her office and the nonprofit Clinton Foundation her husband ran. Turns out the firewall got breached, leading to unending controversy over matters Clinton may have had nothing to do with, such as the purchase of a uranium company that required US government approval, by foreigners who gave money to the Clinton Foundation. Concerns about Clintons self-dealingwhether valid or notclearly hurt her presidential campaign, contributing to her loss to Trump. If Trump were completely venal, fully intending to exploit his presidency for personal gain, he might get away with a fig-leaf plan meant to prevent personal gain. But it would crumble eventually, and possibly wreck Trumps presidency. Few explosive secrets are actually kept in Washington, and Trump is already so controversial that there must be thousands of potential leakers in the federal bureaucracy and the broader Beltway orbit. It would be extraordinarily difficult for a corrupt President Trump to hide his perfidy for long. Trump likes to point out that the president is exempt from conflict-of-interest rules that govern other federal employees. But the president isnt exempt from criminal law or political disaster, and voters will turn quickly on any leader they feel puts his own interest above the nations. Trump cares a lot about his ratings, and he has made some big promises that require political muscle and persuasion. If he squanders all that for a few secret deals, the biggest loser will be Trump himself. Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman. China offered a muted response Thursday after Donald Trump's secretary of state pick Rex Tillerson warned the US would stop it from using its artificial islands in the South China Sea. Tillerson's comments, during his confirmation hearing in the US senate, are the latest salvo the Trump team has aimed at Beijing. "We're going to have to send China a clear signal that, first the island building stops, and second, your access to those islands is also not going to be allowed," Tillerson told the panel. Beijing has fuelled regional tensions by turning tiny, ecologically fragile reefs and islets in the strategically vital South China Sea into artificial islands hosting military facilities. The former ExxonMobil chief said China's building in the disputed waters and its declaration of an air defence identification zone over the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands in the East China Sea were "illegal actions". "They are taking territory or control or declaring control of territories that are not rightfully China's." Beijing asserts a claim to almost the whole of the South China Sea, based on a "nine-dash line" dating to 1940s-era maps. An international tribunal -- whose jurisdiction Beijing rejected -- ruled last year that there was no legal basis to such claims. Tillerson added that "building islands and then putting military assets on those islands is akin to Russia's taking of Crimea." -- 'Conflict with American interests' -- Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang offered a measured response to the comments during a regular press briefing, saying that China has "the full right" to conduct activities in the region. The South China Sea situation has cooled down and we hope non-regional countries can respect the consensus that it is in the fundamental interest of the whole world, he said. Taken at face value Tillerson's threat to deny access to China is not a "credible objective" for the US and may be "counterproductive", Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University told AFP. Story continues The US has military power in Asia but relatively few ships, he said, making a blockade unrealistic, and "it's very difficult to imagine the means by which the United States could prevent China from accessing these artificial islands without provoking some kind of confrontation". Tillerson's remarks came amid rising tensions between the two countries as Trump has suggested Washington could jettison its decades-old "One China" policy, and the Chinese military has ramped up activities in a show of strength, with its Liaoning aircraft carrier passing through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday. Tillerson said the US should affirm to Taipei it will live up to its commitments to Taiwan, which could require the US to intervene militarily if China attacks the island, but added he did not know of any plans to alter the "One China" policy. In his remarks to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he also criticised China for failing to sufficiently help rein in North Korea. "China has proven a willingness to act with abandon in the pursuit of its own goals which at times has put it in conflict with American interests. We have to deal with what we see, not what we hope," Tillerson said. "It has not been a reliable partner in using its full influence to curb North Korea," he added. Beijing is a close Pyongyang ally and is seen as critical in helping contain the pariah state's nuclear activities. But the former oil executive said disagreements with Beijing on some issues should not preclude "productive partnership" on other matters. "I do agree with him on that," China's foreign ministry spokesman Kang said. While Trump and his surrogates have repeatedly blasted Beijing over trade policy and the South China Sea, official reaction to the incoming president has been measured, with the foreign ministry emphasising the positive aspects of bilateral ties between the worlds two largest economies. But state media, which authorities often use to telegraph policy positions, has met Trumps rhetoric with attacks of its own, with a stream of editorials lambasting inability to keep his mouth shut and his provocation and falsehoods. ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey will discuss with Iraq the presence of Turkish troops at the Bashiqa camp near Mosul after the area is cleared of Islamic State, and the matter will be resolved in a friendly manner, Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Wednesday. "Turkey respects Iraq's territorial integrity and unity, and the presence of our troops in Bashiqa is not a choice but a necessity," Isik told reporters in Kirikkale, a city east of the capital Ankara, in comments broadcast live. He said Turkish troops in Iraq had carried out a successful mission and killed more than 700 Islamic State militants. (Reporting by Ercan Gurses; Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Nick Tattersall) Ahead of Wednesday morning's contentious presser with president-elect/Apprentice producer Donald Trump, President Barack Obama blanketed the airwaves with one final address as commander in chief Tuesday night. Live coverage of President Obama's Chicago speech looks likely to top 20 million viewers on the broadcast networks alone. That reflects early numbers and doesn't yet account for the likely strong showing from the cable news networks. Individually, NBC topped coverage with a 5.7 rating among metered market households. Tuesday served NBC well on either side of President Obama. Reality competition The Wall held its strong 1.7 rating among adults 18-49 during its second showing in its official time slot. And, at 10 p.m., This Is Us looks like it logged a new series high. Early returns have it averaging a 3.0 rating among adults 18-49 and 10.5 million viewers - easily the night's top non-Obama showing in the key demo. Read more: Critic's Notebook: In Obama's Farewell Address, One Last Reminder of What Presidential Looks Like ABC's offerings on either side of President Obama were also steady. The Middle (1.7 adults), American Housewife (1.5 adults) and Agents of SHIELD (0.8 adults) all held with recent episodes. On Fox, a steady New Girl was followed by a slightly diminished episode of The Mick. Both of them averaged a 1.1 rating among adults 18-49, though The Mick did again build on its lead-in - adding roughly 400,000 viewers to the half-hour with a total 3 million viewers. CBS and the CW offered repeats, though the latter did drop in an original No Tomorrow (0.2 adults). SYDNEY (Reuters) - Twenty people were trapped for almost two hours at the top of a roller coaster ride at a theme park on Australia's Gold Coast on Wednesday, said emergency services, only a few months after an accident on a neighboring theme park ride killed four people. Those trapped on the Arkham Asylum Coaster ride were seated in chairs suspended from the ride. Most were easily rescued, but four could only be reached by emergency personnel using a ladder platform, according to a spokeswoman for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. No one was injured. The latest incident at the Warner Bros. Movie World park, owned by Australia's Village Roadshow Ltd, follows a deadly accident at Dreamworld theme park owned by Ardent Leisure Group in October, 2016. Four people were killed on a river rapids ride at Dreamworld, ranking it among the world's deadliest theme park accidents. Village Roadshow shares were trading 2.5 percent lower on Wednesday, while the overall market was trading 0.4 percent higher. Village Roadshow in November said it had experienced "inconsistent trading" at its Gold Coast theme parks in Queensland state in the wake of the Dreamworld accident. (Reporting by Jamie Freed; Editing by Michael Perry) By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors on Tuesday accused two relatives of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon of engaging in a scheme to bribe a Middle Eastern official in connection with the attempted $800 million sale of a building complex in Vietnam. Joo Hyun Bahn, a real estate broker who is Ban Ki-Moon's nephew, and his father Ban Ki-sang, Ban Ki-moon's brother who was an executive at South Korean construction firm Keangnam Enterprises Co Ltd, were charged in an indictment filed in Manhattan federal court. The indictment also charged Malcolm Harris, a self-described arts and fashion consultant and blogger, who prosecutors say double-crossed Bahn and his father by holding himself out as an agent of the official only to steal the bribe money. Bahn, a South Korean national living in New Jersey, pleaded not guilty during a court hearing, where a prosecutor argued unsuccessfully against the 38-year-old's release on a $250,000 bond, calling him a flight risk. He had been arrested earlier on Tuesday, as was Sang Woo, 35, who prosecutors said participated in the scheme while working at two New York real estate brokerages with Bahn. Neither Harris, 52, of New York, nor Ban Ki-sang, 69, of Seoul, were arrested, prosecutors said. They could not be immediately reached for comment. The charges came after Ban Ki-moon stepped down as U.N. Secretary-General on Dec. 31, 2016. A former foreign minister of South Korea, Ban is expected to enter the race to become the country's next president, though he has yet to declare his intention to do so. Yoon Won-joong, a spokesman for Ban Ki-moon, said he was "surprised" by the reports on the case and had no knowledge of the matter. LANDMARK 72 According to the indictment, amid a liquidity crisis at Keangnam, Ban Ki-sang arranged for the company to hire his son to broker a refinancing on Landmark 72 in Hanoi, which cost over $1 billion to construct. In March 2013, Bahn, who had no prior experience with such a deal, through an acquaintance met Harris, who claimed he could help via his connections, which he claimed included members of a Middle Eastern royal family, the indictment said. Based on communications with Harris, in April 2014, Bahn and Ban Ki-sang agreed to pay an upfront $500,000 bribe and another $2 million upon the sale's closing to an official at the Middle Eastern country's sovereign wealth fund, the indictment said. But Harris did not have the relationship he claimed with the official, the indictment said, and stole the $500,000, which he spent lavishly, including to rent a luxury penthouse in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg. As Keangnam's liquidity crisis worsened, Bahn - believing the bribe had been paid and would work out - schemed to trick Keangnam and its creditors into believing the sovereign wealth fund was close to acquiring Landmark 72, the indictment said. But when the deal ultimately failed to materialize, Keangnam entered into court receivership in South Korea, according to court papers. "MASTER OF DECEIT" At a court hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Noble urged a federal magistrate judge to deny Bahn bail, saying his South Korean citizenship and "family ties to the diplomatic world" were one of several factors that made him a flight risk. He also said that after the FBI arrested Bahn in the morning, he made "certain incriminating admissions." Noble did not elaborate, but said the evidence showed Bahn was a "recidivist fraudster" who posed a danger to the community. "He has shown himself to be a master of deceit," Noble said. But Julia Gatto, Bahn's court-appointed lawyer, swayed U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Fox to grant her client bail. She noted he had no passport, had lived in the United States for 18 years and had not been back to South Korea since 2002. Gatto said Bahn had been cooperative during his arrest and posed no flight risk. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by G Crosse and Bernard Orr) (Adds details on OCC case) By Nate Raymond NEW YORK, Jan 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday brought charges against three former traders at JPMorgan Chase & Co, Citigroup Inc and Barclays Plc arising from a global probe into the manipulation of foreign exchange rates at major banks. Richard Usher, formerly of JPMorgan, Rohan Ramchandani, formerly of Citigroup, and Christopher Ashton, formerly of Barclays, were charged with conspiring to restrain trade in an indictment filed at a federal court in Manhattan. The case came after JPMorgan, Barclays, the Royal Bank of Scotland and a Citigroup unit pleaded guilty in May 2015 to conspiring to manipulate currency rates, agreeing at that time to pay more than $2.5 billion in criminal fines. Those plea deals contributed to the more than $10 billion that some of the world's biggest banks have agreed to pay to resolve U.S. and European probes into the manipulation of foreign exchange rates. The indictment said that from 2007 to 2013, Usher, Ramchandani and Ashton schemed with other euro-dollar traders belonging to an electronic chat group called "The Cartel" to suppress competition in the currency spot market. Usher, JPMorgan's former head of G10 spot trading, and Ramchandani, Citigroup's ex-head of European spot foreign exchange trading, left both banks in 2014. Ashton, Barclays' ex-global head of spot trading, was at the British bank until 2015. All three traders were based in the United Kingdom, according to court papers and their lawyers. All three remain out of custody, the Justice Department said. In addition to the criminal case, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency fined Usher and Ramchandani $5 million each, and the banking regulator banned them from working in the U.S. banking industry. The U.S. charges came after the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in March said it had closed its own investigation without any individuals being charged, saying there was "insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction." Story continues Lawyers for Ramchandani and Usher in statements criticized the Justice Department's decision to bring charges after the SFO had decided not to do so. "The UK authorities looked at the matter very carefully and concluded that there were no offences, and we continue to believe that Mr. Usher has done nothing wrong," said Jonathan Pickworth, a lawyer for Usher. Stephen Pollard, a lawyer for Ramchandani, said his client had been investigated for over 18 months in the UK and was not prosecuted. "It is unacceptable for the American DoJ to by-pass the SFO decision and seek to prosecute conduct undertaken on British soil by British citizens where the British regulators have confirmed there was no criminal offence," Pollard said in a statement. A lawyer for Ashton declined to comment. To date, three other individuals have faced U.S. charges stemming from the probe. Last week, a former trader at Barclays and BNP Paribas SA , Jason Katz, pleaded guilty to participating in a rate-fixing conspiracy, becoming the first person to admit criminal wrongdoing in the probe. In July, an HSBC Holdings Plc executive, Mark Johnson, was arrested and charged along with a former executive for participating in a fraudulent scheme involving a $3.5 billion currency transaction. Johnson has pleaded not guilty. The case is U.S. v. Usher et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 17-cr-19. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; additional reporting by Jamie McGeever in London; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli & Simon Cameron-Moore) Jan 11 (Reuters) - Homer City Generation L.P., which owns three coal-fired electric power plants in the United States, filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday. The company, which expects to continue operations during the Chapter 11 process, said the reorganization would eliminate $600 million of its debt. NRG Energy Services will continue as the operator of Homer City's three plants, which are located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and have an aggregate net capacity of 1,884 megawatts. The reorganization plan was supported by about 86 percent of the Homer City's secured noteholders, but is subject to approval from the Delaware bankruptcy court, the company said in an emailed statement. (Reporting by Arathy S Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza) FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The United States Department of Justice on Wednesday said six high-ranking Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) employees had been indicted in connection with a conspiracy to cheat emissions tests. The indictments were announced as the DoJ gave details of a broader settlement between the carmaker and U.S. authorities. The individuals are former VW brand head of development Hainz-Jakob Neusser; former VW head of engine development Jens Hadler; Richard Dorenkamp, who led a team of engineers that developed the first diesel engine designed to meet new U.S. emissions standards; former VW quality manager Bernd Gottweis; former environment and engineering office manager Oliver Schmidt; and quality manager Juergen Peter. "Faceless multinational corporations don't commit crimes; flesh and blood people commit crimes," U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Q Yates told a news conference in Washington. (Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Georgina Prodhan) By David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state set a course for a potentially serious confrontation with Beijing on Wednesday, saying China should be denied access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea. In comments expected to enrage Beijing, Rex Tillerson told his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee that China's building of islands and putting military assets on those islands was "akin to Russias taking Crimea from Ukraine. Asked whether he supported a more aggressive posture toward China, he said: Were going to have to send China a clear signal that, first, the island-building stops and, second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed. The former Exxon Mobil Corp chairman and chief executive did not elaborate on what might be done to deny China access to the islands it has built up from South China Sea reefs, equipped with military-length airstrips and fortified with weapons. Tillerson also said Washington needed to reaffirm its commitment to Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province, but stopped short of Trump's questioning of Washington's long-standing policy on the issue. "I dont know of any plans to alter the 'one China' position," he said. Tillerson said he considered Chinas South China Sea activity "extremely worrisome" and that it would be a threat to the "entire global economy" if Beijing were able to dictate access to the waterway, which is of strategic military importance and a major trade route. He blamed the current situation on what he termed an inadequate U.S. response. "The failure of a response has allowed them just to keep pushing the envelop on this," Tillerson said. "The way weve got to deal with this is weve got to show back up in the region with our traditional allies in Southeast Asia," he said. Democratic President Barack Obamas administration conducted periodic air and naval patrols to assert the right of free navigation in the South China Sea. These have angered Beijing, but seeking to blockade China's man-made islands would be a major step further and a step that Washington has never raised as an option. Tillerson's words also went beyond Trump's own tough rhetoric on China. Obama has sought to forge a united front in Southeast Asia against Chinas pursuit of its territorial claims, but some allies and partners who are rival claimants have been reluctant to challenge Beijing. Tillerson called China's South China Sea island-building and declaration of an air defense zone in waters of the East China Sea it contests with Japan "illegal actions." "Theyre taking territory or control, or declaring control of territories that are not rightfully Chinas," he said. Tillerson also said the United States could not continue to accept "empty promises" China had made about putting pressure on North Korea over that country's nuclear and missile programs. He said his approach to dealing with North Korea - which recently declared it is close to carrying out its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile - would be "a long-term plan" based on sanctions and their proper implementation. Asked if Washington should consider imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese entities found to be violating existing sanctions on North Korea, Tillerson said: "If China is not going to comply with those U.N. sanctions, then it's appropriate ... for the United States to consider actions to compel them to comply." He accused China of failing to live up to global agreements on trade and intellectual property, echoing past remarks by Trump, who has threatened to impose high, retaliatory tariffs on China. But Tillerson also stressed the "deeply intertwined" nature of the world's two biggest economies. "We should not let disagreements over other issues exclude areas for productive partnership," he said. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) WASHINGTON (AP) Top intelligence officials last week told President-elect Donald Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him, a U.S. official said Tuesday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not allowed to publicly discuss the matter. The briefing about the document was first reported by CNN. A summary of the allegations was attached to a classified assessment of Russias attempts to meddle in the U.S. presidential election. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed separately on the intelligence agency findings last week. Shortly after news reports were published about the briefing, Trump tweeted: FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Trump was expected to hold a previously scheduled news conference Wednesday to discuss his future plans regarding his role with the Trump Organization. The unsubstantiated dossier on Trump was compiled by a former Western intelligence operative as part of an opposition research project originally financed by a Republican client who opposed Trump and later funded by Democrats, according to Mother Jones, which published an article about the report in October and said the operative had turned over the report to the FBI. The New York Times reported the operative had previously worked for British intelligence. The Associated Press has not been able to substantiate the information in the dossier, which misspelled the name of Russias largest bank. The report had been circulating in Washington for months. In October, former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wrote the FBI asking the bureau to publicly disclose what it knew about the Trump campaigns ties to Russia. Reid was aware of the dossier before he wrote the letter, according to a person knowledgeable about the subject who spoke on condition of anonymity because this person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. Story continues FBI Director James Comey earlier Tuesday refused to say whether the FBI was investigating any possible ties between Russia and Trumps presidential campaign, citing policy not to comment on what the FBI might or might not be doing. Comey was pressed by Democrats on the Senate intelligence committee about whether the FBI was conducting an investigation. There was no mention during the hearing about the summary of the dossier, which was attached to the classified hacking assessment. I would never comment on investigations whether we have one or not in an open forum like this so I cant answer one way or another, Comey told the panel during his first public appearance before Congress since the election. In late October, Comey angered Democrats when he announced 11 days before the election that the FBI was looking at more emails as part of its investigation of Hillary Clinton. Oregon Dem. Sen. Ron Wyden said the American people had a right to know about whether there is an FBI investigation into the Trump campaigns ties with Russia. An active FBI investigation of the next president for ties between his campaign and a nation accused of meddling in the presidential election could further stoke mistrust in the legitimacy of the democratic process. It could also put Trumps own FBI in the awkward position of examining the conduct of those closest to the commander-in-chief. The FBI was among three U.S. intelligence agencies that collaborated on last weeks report on Russias election activity. It tied Russian President Vladimir Putin to the hacking of email accounts of the Democratic National Committee and individual Democrats like Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta. It said there was no evidence the Russians tampered with vote tallies; the agencies said they couldnt assess if Russia succeeded in influencing Americans to vote for Trump. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who opposed Trump in the GOP primary, said Russias activity wasnt guided by its support for Trump, but rather to influence and to potentially manipulate American public opinion for the purpose of discrediting individual political figures, sowing chaos and division in our politics, sowing doubts about the legitimacy of our elections. Democrats at the committee hearing focused their toughest questions on Comey, who was widely criticized for breaking FBI policy in his decision to notify Congress about additional information that came up related to Clinton. He is in the fourth year of a 10-year term, meaning he is expected to stay on in the Trump administration. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said Comey set a new standard by discussing the bureaus activity related to Clintons private email server. That standard, she said, is the FBI discusses ongoing investigations when there is a unique public interest in the transparency of that issue. The intelligence agencies findings on Russian hacking fit that standard, she argued. Im not sure I can think of an issue of more serious public interest than this one, Harris said. This committee needs to understand what the FBI does and does not know about campaign communications with Russia. Sitting beside Comey, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said, Fair point. ___ Associated Press writer Kathleen Hennessey contributed to this report. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three quarters of American police officers said their interactions with black people have become more tense following police killings of unarmed black men and waves of protests that followed, according to a survey published on Wednesday. The Pew Research Center survey found a widespread feeling among police that the general public misunderstood them and the public outcry over the deaths in recent years was motivated by anti-police bias rather than a will to hold police accountable. Police killings of several unarmed black men in 2014 led to nationwide protests and the rise of the grassroots movement known as Black Lives Matter. Supporters of the movement, including some Democrats, have said it shines a light on a previously overlooked problem of excessive use of force against blacks by police. Critics, including President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans, have criticized Black Lives Matter as unfairly maligning police doing a dangerous job. "Within America's police and sheriff's departments, the survey finds that the ramifications of these deadly encounters have been less visible than the public protests, but no less profound," the researchers wrote in a report accompanying the survey results. Seventy five percent of officers told Pew their interactions with black people had become more tense in the wake of high-profile police killings of blacks and the protests they generated. Two thirds of officers said the protests were motivated "a great deal" by a general bias towards police. Two thirds of officers saw the killings of unarmed black men as isolated incidents rather than a sign of a broader problem. This was in marked contrast to the sentiment of the general public, 60 percent of whom said in a separate Pew survey the killings pointed to a broader systemic problem. More than ninety percent of American police officers said they worried more about their safety because of the protests. About three quarters said they or their colleagues were less willing to stop and question people who seemed suspicious or to use force even when appropriate. Majorities of police officers and the general public supported the wider use of body cameras worn by officers to record interactions, at 66 percent and 93 percent respectively. Pew based its findings on online surveys with 7,917 officers from 54 police and sheriff's departments between May 19 and August 14 last year. There is no single margin of error for the results because of the complex, multi-stage way Pew arrived at its sample of police officers, Pew said. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Andrew Hay) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The nominee to be U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, said on Wednesday the risk of climate change does exist, and the consequences could be serious enough that action should be taken. When asked during a Senate confirmation hearing to say whether he believed that human activity was contributing to climate change, Tillerson did not answer yes or no, but said: "The increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are having an effect. Our abilities to predict that effect are very limited." Tillerson is former chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp. Trump said during the election campaign that he would seek to quit the 2015 Paris climate accord. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati; Editing by Frances Kerry) By Tom Polansek CHICAGO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday took a step toward increasing the production of organic foods - which has not kept pace with demand - by launching a program to certify farmland that growers are in the process of switching to organic. Obtaining certification under the program will allow farmers to sell products raised in accordance with organic guidelines for higher prices than conventionally-grown goods, according to the Organic Trade Association, an industry group. That should help growers cover the extra costs associated with transitioning to organic farming, the group said. Demand for organic foods has been strong as consumers are increasingly seeking products considered to be more natural and healthy. In 2015, total organic product sales hit a new high of $43.3 billion, up 11 percent from the previous year's record level, according to the Organic Trade Association. The program will "facilitate the investment in transitional agriculture through a consistent set of rules, and ultimately support the continued growth of organic agriculture," the USDA said in a notice. Farmers must grow crops for three years without using prohibited substances, such as genetically-modified seeds and synthetic pesticides, in order to be certified as fully organic. Those who are switching farmland to organic production must follow the same regulations as those who have already been fully certified, the trade group said. So far, however, farmers have not been able to designate their crops as being in transition in an attempt to sell the products for higher prices. Producers of grains, such as wheat, will benefit most from the new certification program because that is the sector in which demand is most outstripping supply, said Nate Lewis, farm policy director for the trade association. Farmers are also grappling with weak prices for conventional grains because of a global supply glut. Organic grains have seen heavy demand to feed organically-raised livestock and to make organic breads and cereals for humans. Story continues Farmers will need to prove they have been following the guidelines for organic production for at least a year to be certified as transitioning their land, according to the trade group. Agents accredited by the USDA will verify compliance. The new program does not provide standards for labeling food grown on farms that are in the process of transitioning to organic. The trade group said it expected to work with the food industry on guidelines for labeling. (Reporting by Tom Polansek, editing by G Crosse) Abu Dhabi (AFP) - UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said Wednesday it is too early to consider extending an OPEC deal to cut oil output and lift low prices. "Let's wait a little bit. It's premature to jump" on extending the deal, he told journalists on the sidelines of an oil conference in Abu Dhabi. Mazrouei said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would hold a meeting on January 20 in Vienna. OPEC and non-OPEC oil producing countries agreed to cap production from January 1, but doubts remain about implementation before data is released at the end of the month. On Tuesday, oil prices fell sharply for the second straight session on nervousness about the OPEC agreement. US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate lost $1.14 to end at $50.82 a barrel, with analysts expressing nervousness about the agreement, which is a major support for the commodity. Mazrouei also said the UAE would continue to reinforce its production capacity, despite the country earlier announcing it would reduce output. He said the UAE aimed to reach a production capacity of 3.5 million barrels per day by 2018. "Countries build spare capacity. And that buffer is needed to have market stability when there is a shortage in the market," Mazrouei said. In December, UAE's oil giant ADNOC announced it was "committed to meeting new OPEC terms", adding on Twitter that it would "work closely with customers on revised allocations for January". According to its website, ADNOC manages and oversees oil production of more than 3.15 million barrels per day. KAMPALA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Uganda and Tanzania have awarded a contract for designing a crude oil pipeline running through both east African countries to U.S. based firm Gulf Interstate Engineering, an official document seen by Reuters on Wednesday showed. Early last year, Uganda agreed with Tanzania to jointly develop a $3.55 billion pipeline to help ship Uganda's crude to international markets. The 1,445 km pipeline will start in landlocked Uganda's western region, where crude reserves were discovered in 2006, and terminate at Tanzania's Indian Ocean seaport of Tanga. The statement by Uganda's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development showed the contract for the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) was awarded to Houston, U.S.-based Gulf Interstate Engineering last month. Among the tasks, the firm's contract involves helping with "project construction specifications," a plan for project execution, the implementation schedule and writing bid documents for a process to select a contractor to develop the pipeline. Uganda estimates overall crude reserves at 6.5 billion barrels, while recoverable reserves are seen at between 1.4 billion and 1.7 billion barrels. French oil major Total, has said it is willing to fund the project but has not stated whether it wants to fully or partially own it. Total owns fields in Uganda alongside China's CNOOC and London-listed Tullow Oil, which also operates in Kenya. Gulf is expected to do the work in eight months, paving the way for work on the pipeline to begin, with crude production expected to start in 2020. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa and Mark Potter) LONDON (AP) Britain is considering charging employers 1,000 pounds ($1,200) a year for every skilled worker they recruit from the European Union after the U.K. leaves the bloc, the country's immigration minister said Wednesday. Robert Goodwill told a House of Lords committee the charge is "something that's been suggested to us that could apply" to EU workers. Britain has already approved such a levy for foreign workers from non-EU nations. It takes effect in April. Currently, citizens of the 27 other EU member states have the right to live and work in Britain. But that freedom of movement is likely to end once Britain quits the bloc. The government has set a goal of reducing net immigration to Britain below 100,000 people a year. It's currently more than 300,000 a year. After mentioning the 1,000-pound charge, Goodwill said it was far from certain. EU exit talks have yet to begin and "we are not in a position to really speculate as to what the settlement will be, post-Brexit negotiations," he said. Business groups criticized the idea of a foreign-worker levy. Seamus Nevin, the head of employment and skills policy at the Institute of Directors, said employers "simply cannot endure the double whammy of more restriction and then, if they do succeed in finding the right candidate, the prospect of an extra charge." Goodwill also said it's likely that agricultural workers will be allowed to come to Britain on short-term seasonal contracts. Many farmers rely on eastern European workers to pick fruits and vegetables, and are concerned they may face staff shortages when Britain leaves the EU. (Adds PM May's spokeswoman) By Estelle Shirbon LONDON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May distanced herself on Wednesday from remarks by a junior minster who had suggested Britain was considering introducing an annual 1,000-pound ($1,200) "immigration skills charge" after Brexit on every skilled worker from an EU member state recruited by a British employer. The idea had drawn sharp condemnation from a prominent employers' group, the opposition Liberal Democrats and the European Parliament's point man on Brexit. Immigration minister Robert Goodwill had told a parliamentary committee that a skills levy was due to come into force in April for non-EU workers, and that it had been suggested the government could extend it to skilled EU workers. But May's spokeswoman said he had been misinterpreted. "He seems to have been misinterpreted and those comments taken out of context," she told reporters. "What he said was there are a number of things that some people may suggest could be the way forward. "At no point did he say it is on the agenda. It is not on the government's agenda." Britons voted by 52 to 48 percent in a referendum last June to leave the European Union after a campaign in which the Brexit camp argued for tighter controls on immigration than are allowed under the EU's rules on the free movement of people. The Institute of Directors (IoD), an employers' organisation, said earlier the suggested levy would hit businesses dependent on skills from abroad. "This tax will only damage jobs growth at a time when many businesses are living with uncertainty," said Seamus Nevin, head of employment and skills at the IoD. "They simply cannot endure the double whammy of more restriction and then, if they do succeed in finding the right candidate, the prospect of an extra charge." Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, now the European parliament's representative in the Brexit process, had called the proposal "shocking". Story continues "Imagine, just for a moment, what the UK headlines would be, if the EU proposed this for UK nationals?" he wrote on Twitter. The Liberal Democrats, a pro-EU party that was in coalition with the ruling Conservatives between 2010 and 2015, called Goodwill's suggestion "idiotic". In October, interior minister Amber Rudd raised the idea of making companies publish the number of foreign workers they employed, but that proposal was dropped after a public outcry. (Additional reporting by Alistair Smout, Ritvik Carvalho, William James and Kylie MacLellan, editing by Ralph Boulton) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Corruption charges against the relatives of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon do not concern the United Nations, the UN spokesman said Wednesday. Ban's brother and nephew, respectively Ban Ki Sang and Joo Hyun Bahn, have been indicted in a US court over an alleged attempt to bribe a Middle Eastern official regarding the sale of a building in Vietnam. A 39-page indictment unsealed on Tuesday lists charges of corruption, money laundering and conspiracy against the relatives of the former UN chief, who stepped down on December 31. "The indictment that was unsealed yesterday is not one that concerns the United Nations, and I have no comment on it," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. US prosecutors allege that the conspiracy took place between March 2013 and May 2015 over the attempted sale of a commercial and residential complex in Hanoi, built and owned by Keangnam Enterprises, a South Korean construction company. The UN spokesman noted that when reports began to surface about the allegations, Ban Ki-moon said he had "no knowledge of his nephew's activities and whereabouts." The plot focused on an attempt to get an official from an undisclosed Middle Eastern kingdom to purchase the building in Hanoi using a sovereign wealth fund. The pair tried to secure a meeting with the kingdom's head of state while he was in New York for a UN General Assembly meeting. Also charged is US citizen Malcolm Harris, accused of masquerading as a go-between with the Middle Eastern official but instead pocketing a $500,000 bribe which he frittered away on personal luxuries. The United Nations was rocked last year by a scandal involving a former General Assembly president, John Ashe, accused of taking bribes from Chinese developers to secure UN support for a conference center in Macau. Ashe, who was the UN ambassador from Antigua and Barbuda, died in June in a weight-lifting accident. Lets be clear: Hillary Clinton did not lose the 2016 election because of Russian meddling or WikiLeaks. And here is the proof: WikiLeaks began publishing its trove of Democratic National Committee emails on July 22, 2016, three days before the Democratic National Convention. By then, Hillary Clinton was already in a deep hole with American voters. Long before WikiLeaks, Americans had concluded that Clinton was a congenital liar. A CNN poll taken July 13-16 found that 65 percent of voters said Clinton was neither honest nor trustworthy and that 57 percent would not be proud to have her as president. A July 16 CBS News poll showed similar results67 percent of voters said Clinton was not honest or trustworthy. And little wonder. By then, Clinton had lied so often, for so many years, about so many thingsher emails, the Clinton Foundation, Benghazi, arriving in Bosnia under sniper fire, Whitewater, the firing of White House travel aides, the Madison S&Lthat most Americans no longer believed a word she said. Its no surprise, then, that long before WikiLeaks, her approval rating was underwater. The same pre-WikiLeaks CNN poll found that 55 percent of Americans viewed Clinton unfavorably, while just 41 percent viewed her favorablythe lowest favorable rating she had scored in CNN polling in 24 years, going all the way back to April 1992. Gallup had similar results in its poll taken July 16-23. As the Democratic National Convention gets underway in Philadelphia, Gallup reported at the time, Hillary Clintons image is at its lowest point in the 24 years of her national career, with 38% of Americans viewing her favorably and 57% unfavorably. In other words, the WikiLeaks stories simply confirmed what Americans already knew: that Clinton was dishonest and corrupt. Moreover, most of the stories that helped Americans reach those conclusions had nothing to do with Russia or WikiLeaks. It was The New York Times that broke the story that Clinton used a private server while she was secretary of state. It was The Washington Post that revealed the Clinton Foundation had accepted millions of dollars in donations from foreign governments while Clinton was secretary of state. It was The Wall Street Journal that exposed the deal Clinton had cut with a Swiss bank to protect tax-dodging Americans while the bank gave $1.5 million in speaking fees to Bill Clinton and $600,000 to the Clinton Foundation. It was ABC News that revealed that the Clinton State Department gave special treatment to FOBs (friends of Bill) and WJC VIPs (William Jefferson Clinton VIPs) after the Haiti earthquake. It was NBC News that reported that the FBI had discovered emails that appeared to be germane to the Clinton email scandal on a computer seized during an investigation of disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner. And it was FBI Director James Comey who told the American people that Clinton had been extremely careless and the definition of negligent in handling classified information. Clinton cant blame Russian President Vladimir Putin or WikiLeaks for any of that. Did Russia attempt to influence our election? Of course it did. Thats not shocking. As the declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) pointed out, it has been trying to do so since the days of the Soviet Union. The report called the hacking effort the most recent expression of Moscows longstanding desire to undermine the US-led liberal democratic order, adding that Russia, like its Soviet predecessor, has a history of conducting covert influence campaigns focused on US presidential elections. The difference today, the report concluded, was that Russias actions in 2016 represented a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort compared to previous operations. So why would Putin be so brazen? Simple. He knew that, under President Barack Obama, there would be zero consequences for his actions. After all, Putin watched as Obama drew his red line in Syriawarning that President Bashar Assad would face military action if he moved or used chemical weapons on his peopleand then not only failed to enforce it but also turned to Putin to give him a face-saving way out. Putin then invaded Ukraine, annexed Crimea and began to arm Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine with advanced surface-to-air missiles and watched as the Ukrainian government appealed to Obama for weapons to fight his neo-Soviet aggressionbut instead of sending RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades), Obama agreed to send MREs (meals ready to eat). Putin then set up Russian air bases in Syria and used them to bomb a secret base of operations for elite U.S. and British special operations forces, as well as a CIA outpost housing families of agency-backed Syrian fightersagain with no consequences. After those and countless other embarrassing shows of American presidential weakness, Putin knew that Obama would not have the stomach to impose consequences on Russia for attempting to interfere in our elections. So on Obamas watch he undertook the most audacious covert influence campaign focused on a U.S. election in Russo-Soviet history. And Democrats are arguing that this somehow discredits Donald Trumps presidency? Please. The only presidency it discredits is Obamasthe commander in chief who projected such weakness in the world that Putin believed (correctly) that Russia could get away with it. Which is why it is so puzzling the Trump team keeps trying to call into question the intelligence office reports conclusions that Russia was behind the DNC hacking effort. Trump should embrace those conclusions instead. He should point out that the report is a searing indictment not of him, but of Obama, and that Russias actions are a direct result of Obamas weakness on the world stage. That would be a much smarter approach than questioning the integrity of the intelligence community he will have to lead in less than two weeks. And it has the added benefit of being true. Unrestored 1974 Ducati 750 SS at Mecum The Mecum Auction at the South Point Hotel, Jan, 25-28, will open bidding on one of the few remaining unrestored Ducati 1974 750 SS models in existence. First owned by an employee of importer Berliner Motor Corp. of New Jersey, it was sold in 1975 to a buyer in Arkansas who kept it for 16 years. The current owner bought the Super Sport in 1991 and rode it sparingly; the odometer shows about 12,000 miles. The original Scarab front brakes were replaced with Brembos, the original Lockheed remains on the rear. The engine has not been disassembled. According to the owner, the fiberglass tank shows no evidence of leakage. The original silver paint has turned to a bronze hue, since the factory clear coat did little to discourage UV rays. Many customer were upset with this discoloration and demanded a repaint from dealers. Now the golden patina is known as a certificate of authenticity of original paint. The tank has been signed by prominent Ducatisti of the early Superbike era Cook Neilson, Paul Smart, Reno Leoni and Jon White. 1974 Ducati 750 SS Included in the sale are the original Metzler tires, Scarab brakes and master cylinder. Also included are the tool kit and Desmo manual for 750 valve adjustment (there was no owners manual for the SS). While the reserve has not been disclosed, the 750 SS is expected to bring in the neighborhood of $200,000. Nice neighborhood. Joseph Fiennes is barely recognizable as himself, anyway in full Michael Jackson drag in this first trailer for Urban Myths, Sky Arts upcoming (and, judging by this clip, pretty hilarious) eight-episode comedy series based on bizarre celebrity tall tales. Debuting January 19 in the U.K., Urban Myths offers such believe-it-or-not stories as a post-9/11 road trip taken by Jackson (Fiennes), Elizabeth Taylor (a dead-ringer Stockard Channing) and Marlon Brando (Brian Cox). Other 30-minute episodes chronicle such legendary incidents (or maybe just legends) as Cary Grant tripping on LSD with Timothy Leary; Salvador Dali schmoozing with Alice Cooper; Samuel Beckett driving Andre the Giant to school; a teenage Adolf Hitler getting rejected from art school; Bob Dylan hanging out with Dave Stewart; Muhammad Ali rescuing a suicidal man; and the Sex Pistols definitely real profanity-laced TV appearance. The series came under some fire last year with the announced hiring of Fiennes as the African-American Jackson, but with Game of Thrones Iwan Rheon also appearing in this clip as a smug young Adolf, the oddball casting seems rather of a piece. Though she doesnt appear in this clip, Carrie Fisher has a small role in the Michael Jackson episode, as if anyone needed another reason to tune in. And extra points to any old Cheech & Chong fans for recognizing the Wheres Dave/Im Dave jokes. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le7214gXqB0&w=605&h=340] Related stories Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds Get Short But Poignant Golden Globes Tribute 'The Handmaid's Tale' Never More Relevant, Participants Insist - TCA Should Princess Leia Be An Official Disney Princess? BRICK, N.J. (AP) -- The federal government has awarded a contract for one of the largest beach fill projects in the nation's history for an area devastated by Superstorm Sandy. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday it awarded a $92 million contract to Weeks Marine of Cranford, New Jersey, to replenish beaches and build sand dunes along the northern section of Ocean County. The full project eventually will cost $128 million once permission is obtained from landowners who oppose the project, or once the state seizes the land through court proceedings. This is the last major section of Gov. Chris Christie's plan to erect protective sand dunes along New Jersey's entire 127-mile coastline. But it also is the biggest hotbed of resistance to the project, including numerous holdouts in Bay Head and Point Pleasant Beach. "We are very pleased that this crucial project is moving forward," said Bob Martin, New Jersey's environmental protection commissioner. "When completed, all of New Jersey's coastal communities will be afforded the level of protection that comes with beach and dune systems that meet Army Corps' engineering standards." The DEP said it still needs to obtain 141 easements from property owners in the area before the full project can be built. The state is trying to get homeowners to voluntarily sign permission for the work to take place, but is also moving in court to condemn and seize land from the most resistant holdouts. Opponents include a group of homeowners in Bay Head who say the $5 million they have spent installing huge boulders between their homes and the ocean affords better protection than sand dunes. Those homeowners will get their day in court next week, hoping a state judge exempts them from the dune project, which they fear will not be fully funded for the decades over which it supposed to last. And a popular privately owned beach and boardwalk company in Point Pleasant Beach also is suing the state and federal governments, trying to prevent dunes from being built on its beaches near the Manasquan Inlet. Story continues The work is due to begin in the spring. Lt. Col. Michael Bliss, commander of the Army Corps' Philadelphia district, said the 14-mileproject will be one of the largest in the history of his agency. But Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, predicted it will be a costly wash-out. "Once again DEP is pumping more sand on the beach that will wash out during the next storm instead of actually making our coast more resilient," he said. ___ Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC The United States has designated the Islamic State-linked Indonesian extremist network that carried out a deadly attack in Jakarta last year as a terrorist organisation. The State Department said Tuesday that Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) is "a terrorist group based in Indonesia that was formed in 2015 and is composed of almost two dozen Indonesian extremist groups" who are followers of IS. The US also announced sanctions against four militants as part of efforts to cut off IS's access to the international financial system. US officials said militants from JAD carried out a gun and suicide attack in the Indonesian capital in January last year that left four civilians and four attackers dead in the first IS attack in Southeast Asia. The attack was financially supported by an IS militant in Syria, they said. The State Department said the consequences of being designated a terrorist group included a ban on US citizens engaging in business with JAD, and the freezing of any property linked to the group in America. JAD has been connected to a series of other plots in Indonesia, including a firebomb attack on a church that killed a toddler and a plan to launch a Christmas-time suicide bombing which was foiled when the militants planning the attack were killed. Among the four militants to be sanctioned are two Indonesians. Bahrumsyah is an Indonesian fighting with IS in Syria who is believed to lead a Southeast Asian unit of radicals, and who has sought to order attacks back home and transferred funds to militants. The other Indonesian militant is Aman Abdurrahman, a jailed radical who authorised the Jakarta attack and is considered the de facto leader of all IS supporters in Indonesia, according to US officials. Despite being in prison since 2010, he has recruited militants to join IS, is thought to have been in communication with leaders of the jihadist group, and is the main translator for IS propaganda in Indonesia. The Treasury also slapped sanctions on two Australians -- Neil Christopher Prakash, IS's most senior Australian recruiter, and Khaled Sharrouf, who has appeared in photographs holding the severed heads of people executed by the jihadists. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, has long struggled with Islamic militancy and has been hit by a series of attacks in the past 15 years, including the 2002 Bali bombing that left 202 people dead. A crackdown had weakened the most dangerous networks, but fears have been growing of a resurgence in militancy after hundreds of Indonesians flocked to the Middle East in recent years to join IS. Washington (AFP) - Several US senators including Republicans critical of President-elect Donald Trump's skepticism of alleged Kremlin-ordered hacking joined forces Tuesday to introduce sanctions against Russia for interfering in the US election. The five Democrats and five Republicans laid out expansive new punishments including visa bans and financial asset freezes against those determined to have carried out cyberattacks against US Democratic offices. "We should all be alarmed by Russian attacks on our nation," Senate Republican John McCain told reporters, as he also criticized President Barack Obama's outgoing administration for failing to craft a strong strategy for cyber deterrence. "This appearance of weakness has been provocative to our adversaries," he said. Obama imposed sanctions on Moscow late last year after the US intelligence community concluded that Russia hacked into the Democratic National Committee and other US institutions with the intent to influence the 2016 election. "We believe we can go further," said Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Countering Russian Hostilities Act of 2017 would impose mandatory sanctions on Russia's vast energy sector and on companies that invest in or help develop its civil nuclear projects. The measure is in part meant as retribution for Russia's incursions in eastern Ukraine and its controversial annexation of Crimea in 2014. The bill would mandate sanctions on investments in the development of Russian civil nuclear projects and of the Russian energy pipelines. Republican sponsors of the measure include McCain, Robert Portman, Ben Sasse, and 2016 presidential hopefuls Lindsey Graham and Marco Rubio. Graham, who has been critical of Trump in the past, said he was "not trying to undermine the legitimacy of President-elect Trump's victory" by highlighting Russia's intention to impact the election and American democracy. Story continues "My advice to him is that... it is now time to push back." Trump has said he wants better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he has rejected implications that Russian hacking of Democratic emails helped him win the election. He has also called US intelligence agencies' actions and conclusions into question. The legislation would provide the White House with the ability to waive the sanctions. Whether or not it gets passed and signed into law before Obama leaves office on January 20, the bill would exert pressure on Trump, whose skepticism about Russian hacking has startled Democrats and Republicans alike. "None of us know the position of the president-elect, but we do know and should know the position of the Congress," McCain said. The bill also would form a high-level task force within the Treasury Department's financial crimes and enforcement network that would target illicit Russian financial flows that interact with the US financial system. (Adds share performance, comments throughout) By Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Alberto Alerigi Jr SAO PAULO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA, the Brazilian steelmaker seeking to honor terms of a refinancing deal with banks, plans to legally challenge a shareholder veto on Tuesday that forbids it from using some of a mining subsidiary's capital to jumpstart operations and repay debt. In a securities filing, Usiminas said Sumitomo Corp , which owns 30 percent of the Mineracao Usiminas SA subsidiary, vetoed reducing the unit's capital by 1 billion reais ($313 million). The plan for Musa, as the unit is known, is part of a 4 billion real refinancing accord signed with lenders last year. Usiminas, which needs Musa's cash, will seek to annul Sumitomo's veto through "valid legal means". The veto risks worsening an ongoing rift between the steelmaker's two top shareholders - Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp and Techint Group's Ternium SA. A spokesman at Sumitomo Corp in Tokyo confirmed the trading firm had vetoed the proposal under a provision agreed between shareholders and after considering the future financial outlook of Musa. The Japanese company said it would continue discussions with Usiminas, but declined to comment any further on the topic. Preferred shares in Usiminas shed as much as 4.8 percent on Wednesday, their biggest intraday plunge in six weeks, after the vote. In a statement to Reuters, Ternium said the "unilateral decision by Sumitomo is extremely worrying," and called on Usiminas CEO Romel de Souza to "take all the necessary actions to tap the excess capital of the subsidiary before the deadline agreed upon with banks" in the refinancing accord. Documents obtained by Reuters showed that Souza and Musa President Wilfred Brujin had unilaterally agreed to the use of Musa's excess capital without the acquiescence of the steelmaker's board. Souza is also the chairman of Musa. The document from November showed that two Nippon Steel-appointed members of the Usiminas board suggested Musa could extend a loan to Usiminas to meet the refinancing deadline of June 2017. Story continues A Nippon Steel spokeswoman in Tokyo declined to comment. The impasse prevents Usiminas from tapping a much-needed source of fresh cash that Musa, in which the steelmaker has a 70 percent stake, does not need at the moment. According to a person with direct knowledge of the situation, Sumitomo invoked the use of a clause in the unit's statutes allowing it to veto changes in Musa's capital structure. Ternium has called for the use of Musa's excess capital as a way to revive Usiminas, which has struggled over the past two years with the impact of the shareholder dispute, Brazil's worst-ever recession and a glut of flat steel. ($1 = 3.1955 Brazilian reais) (Additional Reporting by Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo; Editing by Paul Simao, G Crosse and Himani Sarkar) Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's opposition Wednesday ruled out a return to talks with the government aimed at easing the economic crisis in the volatile oil-producing country. Vatican-backed talks broke down in December with the center-right MUD coalition (the Democratic Unity Roundtable) accusing socialist President Nicolas Maduro's government of bad faith. "The dialogue cannot be seen to be a joke, a way of wasting the country's time," said MUD leader Jesus Torrealba on the radio. He said a round of talks previously scheduled for January 13 would not take place, though his side was willing to meet with Vatican intermediaries. The MUD wants a vote on ousting Maduro, blaming him for an economic crisis that has led to shortages of food and medicine, sparking riots and looting. Maduro refuses to allow any such vote before a general election due in 2018. He says the crisis is the result of what he calls a "capitalist conspiracy." For years he has been the butt of cinematic snobbery, shunned by Hollywood after the "crazed, lurid spectacle" of his flops "Showgirls" and "Starship Troopers", which were roundly panned by critics. But after his latest film "Elle" was the big winner at the Golden Globes with "La La Land", Dutch director Paul Verhoeven is at 78 finally being rehabilitated. His twisted take on the rape-revenge thriller won best foreign film and best actress for its mesmerising French star Isabelle Huppert, a double victory that was seen as one in the eye to the Oscar nominations committee who have snubbed it. "How many times in my life have I been rejected, even here in the Netherlands," he told Dutch public broadcaster NOS on Monday. "So it is really great to finally get something." The man who reinvented the sci-fi genre with "RoboCop" in 1987 and "Total Recall" two years later before the scandalous success of "Basic Instinct", had become something of a Hollywood pariah. He told AFP that several A-list American actresses turned down "Elle" because it strayed dangerously far from accepted boundaries with its rape victim heroine tracking down her attacker to extract her own pleasure from him. - 'You can't be erotic' - After struggling for years to get the studios interested in the dark, ambiguous comedy, he finally got it made in France. Dutch critic Diederik van Hoogstraten, of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who decided the Globes, said Verhoeven would never have been allowed to make in the film in the US "without changing the script". "He didn't want to change it because they had a problem with the theme of the film," he added, blaming what Verhoeven called America's "moral politics" for frustrating him. The director also accused Hollywood of being uptight, shying away from "challenging" films about sex. Story continues "You cannot be provocative, you cannot be controversial, you cannot be sexual, erotic, in a direct way," he told AFP. With "Elle" now being showered with almost universal praise despite its slippery subject matter, some US critics are going so far as to argue that Verhoeven's two supposed turkeys, "Showgirls" and "Starship Troopers", were misunderstood masterpieces. "Showgirls" in particular has been proclaimed a cult camp classic, with the Canadian critic Adam Nayman arguing in his book "It Doesn't Suck" that it was a brilliant satire on the debasement of the American Dream. The late French director Jacques Rivette was always a believer, calling it in 1998 "one of the greatest American films of the last few years". The influential US magazine the Atlantic last year described "Starship Troopers" as one of the "most misunderstood movies ever", urging doubters to "open themselves to the rigour and intensity of Verhoeven's approach and you'll get the joke 'Starship Troopers' is telling" about US jingoism. - Triumphant return - British critic Jonathan Romney said "Elle" is "definitely considered a major triumphant return to form for Verhoeven, although a lot of people were very impressed by the seriousness and modesty of his 2006 war film 'Black Book'" -- which has been voted the best Dutch film ever. "I was never convinced by 'Showgirls' myself, and maybe I wasn't able to see past the surface, but to me it looked awkward and kitsch," Romney added. "But a lot of people take it seriously as a statement on America or as some sort of feminist text. There's even a scene in Mia Hansen-Love's latest film 'Eden' (which also stars Huppert) in which a bunch of cinephiles earnestly discuss its merits." But already the beginning of a backlash against Verhoeven's new-found respectability appears to be brewing. While Variety critic Owen Gleiberman urged people to see Elle, "this audacious, paradigm-smashing movie" and its bravura performance from Huppert, he stuck the knife into its creator. Far from being a feminist film, he said, its heroine who turns the tables on her rapist is merely "Verhoeven's sadomasochistic caveman version of sex-positive feminism. "My puzzlement over the rapture it has inspired begins with a question that's been percolating around in my brain ever since it was released -- where's the outrage?" he added. (CHARLESTON, S.C.) Family members of nine slain church worshippers confronted Dylann Roof on Wednesday, one of them shouting at the condemned killer as he stared ahead emotionless during his formal sentencing hearing. Others offered forgiveness and love, urging Roof to accept God into his life. An aunt of 26-year-old Tywanza Sanders, the youngest victim killed during the 2015 slayings at a black church, demanded that the avowed white supremacist look at her as she talked about her nephews great, big heart that couldnt be donated because of the shooting investigation. Dylann, Janet Scott said quietly as she started speaking. Dylann! DYLANN! she said, her voice rising. Toward the end of her remarks, she said, I wish you would look at me, boy. Roof, 22, didnt look up as more than a dozen grieving people spoke. Instead, he gazed ahead, his head tilted down slightly as he has during much of the trial. A jury sentenced an unrepentant Roof to death on Tuesday. Roof had one final opportunity to ask for mercy, but instead told jurors he still felt like I had to do it. Family members of the victims testified at Roofs trial, but the formal sentencing hearing gave them a chance to speak directly to Roof, without prosecutors or the judge interrupting or asking questions. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel will formally sentence Roof later Wednesday. Felicia Sanders, who survived the shooting, said she forgave Roof, echoing comments she made after the shooting. But she noted Roof has done nothing to save himself. Sanders brought her bullet-torn, blood-stained Bible she had with her on the night of the June 17, 2015. She told Roof he still lives in her head, and that when she hears a balloon pop or fireworks it returns her to that night. Most importantly, I cant shut my eyes to pray, Sanders said. Roof sat through a 45-minute Bible study at Mother Emanuel with 12 others before he opened fire as they stood and closed their eyes for a final prayer. He fired 77 shots. Each victim was hit at least five times. Three people survived. Roof told one of them he was sparing her life so she could tell the world he was killing the worshippers at Emanuel AME because he hated black people Story continues The willingness of some of the relatives to forgive dominated the news in the days after the killings. But that didnt mean they felt his life should be spared. And there are others who said forgiveness is still a work in progress. You are Satan. Instead of a heart, you have a cold dark space, said Gracyn Doctor, the daughter of DePayne Middleton-Doctor. Hopefully you will go straight to hell because he cant stand to look at you. Roof told FBI agents when they arrested him that he wanted the shootings to bring back segregation or perhaps start a race war. Instead, the slayings had a unifying effect as South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its Statehouse for the first time in more than 50 years. Other states followed suit, taking down Confederate banners and monuments. Roof had posed with the flag in photos. The jury convicted Roof last month of all 33 federal charges he faced, including hate crimes. He never explained his actions to jurors, saying only that anyone who hates anything in their mind has a good reason for it. Roof insisted he was not mentally ill and did not call any witnesses or present any evidence. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2017 / Victory Ventures Inc. (VVN.V) ("Victory" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its initial Exploration Program has begun on the Spirit River Lithium Project, located northwest of the Fox Creek-Swan Hills area in the Peace River District of Alberta Canada. Victory has a 100-per-cent undivided interest in four contiguous metallic and industrial minerals exploration permits that total approximately 36,800 hectares (91,000 acres), or about 400 square kilometers (144 square miles). The project is focused on lithium and other elements of interest (e.g., potassium, boron, bromide and iodide) that are potentially being produced within formation water, or brine, that is considered a waste product of active oil and gas production. The acquired targeted exploration area was based on data compilation from several Government of Alberta sources including: Recent Government and industry brine sampling in northwestern Alberta that has yielded some of the highest modern recorded concentrations of lithium, potassium and other elements of interest in Alberta brine. There are more than 800 oil and gas well sites within the Spirit River property area, some of which contain known elevated lithium values as documented historically in publicly available Government of Alberta reports. Note: To date, the company and its Qualified Professional have been unable to verify whether the lithium-enriched brine extends into aquifers underlying the Spirit River property. Consequently, Victory has engaged APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton AB., to supervise, co-ordinate and conduct the brine sampling program in conjunction with several oil and gas producers in the region. Victory's initial exploration program will consist of data compilation, GIS target well definition, and brine sampling from producing oil and gas wells to test for potentially elevated concentrations of lithium and other important elements in brine reservoirs/aquifers underlying Victory's Spirit River landholdings. Brine will be collected from approximately 10-20 separate wells and will undergo geochemical analysis by Maxxam Analytics Inc. at its Petroleum Technology Centre located in Edmonton, AB. Story continues Finally, Victory is pleased to announce the following Corporate appointments and updates. Mr. Chris Hobbs, CA, has been appointed to the Company's board of directors. Mr. Hobbs has worked with several public companies, accounting and securities firms in an accounting, management, director or CFO role in the past 20 years. Mr. Hobbs is a member of the Chartered Accountants of Ontario and holds a bachelor of business administration degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University. In addition, the Company has appointed director Jeffrey Cocks, its new President and CEO, replacing Howard Milne who remains a director and is now Vice-President of Business Development. Marty Bastedo has resigned as a director of the Company. The Company would like to thank Mr. Bastedo for his role on the board and wishes him the best in his future endeavors. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Roy Eccles MSc, P Geo, of Apex Geoscience, an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. On behalf of the Board of Directors: "Jeffrey Cocks" Jeffrey Cocks President For more information please contact: Howard Milne V.P. Business Development Tel: (604) 377-8994 Email: hdmcap@shaw.ca Website: www.victoryventures.ca 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.Victory Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior mining exploration company focused on the procurement, exploration and development of precious metal properties in North America. The Company's shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "VVN" and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol "VV0". NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES SOURCE: Victory Ventures Inc. Vivienne Westwoods politically charged unisex show at mens fashion week takes on climate change, gender norms If Meryl Streeps weighty Golden Globes speech Sunday night was the political rallying cry for Hollywood, then Vivienne Westwoods unisex show at London Fashion Week Mens on Monday just turned up the political heat in the fashion world. Taking her signature punk aesthetic and her environmental activism to new heights, the English designer (who once shaved her head to protest climate change) sent both men and women down the runway in heavily remixed and deconstructed power suits, evening gowns, and separates, setting the tone for the show with Dance of the Knights, a song by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev that was used as the theme song for the British and Irish versions of The Apprentice. Her political message was clear: its time for anarchy; the downfall of the 1%; a radical end to climate change; and a revolution in the face of bullying and hatred at the highest levels. The inspiration for the collection, she said, was art, craft and theater; clothes inspired by culture. Intermixed with destroyed paper crowns, tuxedo jackets paired with bloomers (oh, the man-baby symbolism!) and trashed tulle dresses were details like the phallic jacket pins below. And the anti-people slogan that cropped up on garments across the collection. Vivienne Westwood - Runway - LFW Men's January 2017 The fall/winter 2017 collection also has a particular focus on the environment, climate change, and sustainability, with words like ecotricity and bold sun prints appearing throughout. As Westwood explained to the Los Angeles Times earlier this month, Were very keen on unisex. It sounds like a joke, but in fact its all about styling. Swapping clothes with your partner means you can spend less. A photo posted by Vivienne Westwood (@viviennewestwoodofficial) on Jan 9, 2017 at 12:58am PST Plus, she says, If we could get half the country to switch to green energy supply it would change the world and the possibility of our future. We always applaud boundary-pushers in fashion, and we cant wait to see what she comes up with next. Volkswagen agreed to pay $4.3 billion to settle more criminal and civil charges in the diesel-emissions cheating scandal. The Justice Department also announced the indictment of six senior managers at the German automaker. The settlement includes a $2.8 billion criminal fine--the largest ever imposed on an automaker doing business in the U.S. The company also agreed to plead guilty to three separate felonies. VW has admitted altering emissions control systems in thousands of VW diesel vehicles over several years in order to cheat on U.S. pollution standards. The automaker has already agreed to a $14.5 billion settlement to compensate car owners and address the environmental damage. In announcing the latest settlement, Attorney General Loretta Lynch outlined what she called a corporate conspiracy to knowingly violate U.S. pollution laws. Senior executives, she said, overrode the objections of lower-level employees to the emissions cheating and lied in order to mislead regulators when they tried to investigate. "For years, hundreds of thousands of cars were pumping illegal nitrogen oxides into our atmosphere, Lynch said. "We saw a company where people at very high levels knew about this and chose to pursue these actions. VW will also pay $1.45 billion to settle civil violations for laws enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In addition to the fines, VW agreed to cooperate in the Justice Departments ongoing criminal investigation. Lynch said there was a possibility other individuals would be charged, although she declined to elaborate. Volkswagen agreed to three years probation and to restructure its management structure to make future attempts to cheat tougher to implement and cover up. An independent monitor will assess, oversee, and monitor the Volkswagens compliance with the terms of the resolution, monitoring the implementation, and establishing an enhanced ethics program. Story continues "Weve asked them to make some significant changes in the way the company operates, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. "This is why we have cops on the beat, so cheating doesnt pay. One of the six indicted executives, Oliver Schmidt, was arrested Sunday in Miami as he tried to board a plane to Germany. Schmidt is a former top emissions compliance manager for VW in the U.S. and played a central role in the cheating scandal, the FBI told the New York Times. The other five managers remain outside of the U.S. Lynch declined to comment on whether the U.S. would seek their extradition. "Volkswagen broke the law, said Laura MacCleery, vice president of consumer policy and mobilization for Consumer Reports. The company cheated consumers and polluted the air, and now it is right that the company will pay a price for these harms. "We commend the Justice Department for its work to bring justice to consumers, and for moving forward to hold executives accountable for this scandal," she added. "We will keep working with consumers and doing testing to hold all companies responsible." One of the biggest questions now is what happens to U.S. corporate enforcement, said Peter Henning, a law professor at Wayne State University in Detroit. Its not clear how aggressively the Trump Administration will pursue corporate criminal cases. And its doubtful Germany will agree to send individuals to the U.S. to face trial, he said. VW got its record-breaking fine because senior officers were involved and the company didnt cooperate in the early parts of the government investigation, Henning said. "This wasnt just a couple of rogue engineers or a couple of cars, Henning said. "It was the centerpiece of a corporate ad campaign. It was a core decision of management. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright 2006-2017 Consumers Union of U.S. BERLIN (Reuters) - Volkswagen has agreed with the U.S. government to pay $4.3 billion in fines and penalties to resolve its diesel emissions troubles, it said in a statement on Wednesday. As part of the settlement, Volkswagen has agreed to plead guilty to three felony counts under U.S. law: conspiracy to defraud the United States, commit wire fraud and violate the Clean Air Act; obstruction of justice; and entry of goods into the United States by false statement. Volkswagen agreed to pay a criminal fine of $2.8 billion, and $1.45 billion to resolve U.S. federal environmental and customs-related civil claims. "The agreements that we have reached with the U.S. government reflect our determination to address misconduct that went against all of the values Volkswagen holds so dear," Chief Executive Matthias Mueller said in an emailed statement published on Wednesday. Separately, Volkswagen agreed to pay a civil penalty of $50 million to the Civil Division of the DOJ to settle potential claims asserted under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA). "Volkswagen specifically denies any liability and expressly disputes these claims, which it is settling to avoid the uncertainty and expense of protracted litigation," it said in relation to the FIRREA penalty. (This version of the story was corrected to make clear that denial of liability applies only to the FIRREA civil penalty, paragraphs 5 and 6) (Reporting by Andreas Cremer; Editing by Georgina Prodhan) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG, as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. regulators, on Wednesday agreed to sweeping reforms, new audits and oversight by an independent monitor for three years to resolve diesel emissions cheating investigations. Under the settlement of charges it installed secret software in U.S. vehicles to allow them to emit up to 40 times legally allowable pollution, the German automaker agreed to change the way it does business in the United States and around the world. VW will separate the jobs of product development and certification and testing and monitoring into different organizations. U.S. regulators said the reforms, which come after President-elect Donald Trump criticized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for over-regulating U.S. industries, were an example of why vigorous environmental enforcement was needed. "There are some structural changes that we are requiring so there is less ability for these types of things to happen," EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy told reporters on Wednesday. VW will plead guilty to three felonies and be on probation for three years. In addition to oversight by an independent monitor, the company will also face separate annual environmental management systems audits over the next three years. VW said in a statement Wednesday that its emission tests are now evaluated externally and independently. It said most of the reforms required by the settlement would apply to VW operations globally.The company said it looked for any indications "that a defeat device may be present-before a model receives technical approval" and those tests were conducted by a different department than the one that was or is responsible for developing the vehicle. VW must test all of its U.S. vehicles over the next three years using portable emissions measurement system testing - a method designed to capture real world emissions and deter cheating. It must also provide new protections for whistleblowers.The company's Porsche unit will face separate audits and vehicle testing requirements. Story continues McCarthy said the actions were needed to "level the playing field for all the responsible companies who always do the right thing." "Markets like this don't manage or police themselves," she said. VW must within three months create a group steering committee for monitoring and complying with U.S. vehicle emissions laws and add new environmental protection provisions to its employee code of conduct. VW faces fines of up to $50,000 a day if it fails to comply with some requirements - and up to a $1 million penalty if they make false statements to regulators. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Andrew Hay) Matthias Mueller VW Group CEO Volkswagen announced on January 11 that it will to plead guilty to three felonies as part of its settlement with the US government stemming from the company's emissions cheating scandal. In addition to the guilty pleas, VW will pay penalties and fines totaling $4.3 billion as well as "strengthen its compliance and control systems, including the appointment of an independent monitor for a period of three years." "Volkswagens attempts to dodge emissions standards and import falsely certified vehicles into the country represent an egregious violation of our nations environmental, consumer protection and financial laws," Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement. "Todays actions reflect the Justice Departments steadfast commitment to defending consumers, protecting our environment and our financial system and holding individuals and companies accountable for corporate wrongdoing." Volkswagen Group sold roughly 590,000 four and six cylinder diesel vehicles over the past decade equipped with software called defeat devices designed to cheat emissions tests. Volkswagen Jetta TDI engine According to the DOJ Volkswagen is charged with and has agreed to plead guilty to: "...Participating in a conspiracy to defraud the United States and VWs U.S. customers and to violate the Clean Air Act by lying and misleading the EPA and U.S. customers about whether certain VW, Audi and Porsche branded diesel vehicles complied with U.S. emissions standards, using cheating software to circumvent the U.S. testing process and concealing material facts about its cheating from U.S. regulators. VW is also charged with obstruction of justice for destroying documents related to the scheme, and with a separate crime of importing these cars into the U.S. by means of false statements about the vehicles compliance with emissions limits." As a result, VW will spend three years on probation during which time the company will be subject to an independent corporate compliance monitor, and fully cooperate with the DOJ's ongoing investigation and prosecution of individuals involved in the scandal. Story continues TDI Ad The $4.3 billion payout includes a $2.8 billion criminal penalty, $1.45 billion to resolve federal environmental and customs related civil claims, and $50 million to pay a civil penalty to the DOJ. In a statement, Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Muller apologized for his company's actions. "Volkswagen deeply regrets the behavior that gave rise to the diesel crisis. Since all of this came to light, we have worked tirelessly to make things right for our affected customers and have already achieved some progress on this path. The agreements that we have reached with the U.S. government reflect our determination to address misconduct that went against all of the values Volkswagen holds so dear. They are an important step forward for our company and all our employees." NOW WATCH: Volkswagen just updated its iconic minibus and here's what it looks like More From Business Insider New York (AFP) - Volkswagen AG will plead guilty to three criminal charges and pay a total $4.3 billion in fines to settle the emissions cheating scandal known as "dieselgate," US officials announced on Wednesday. The US Justice Department also charged six Volkswagen executives deemed responsible for the conspiracy, five of whom are believed to be in Germany while one was arrested in Miami on Saturday. The Justice Department charged VW with conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Clean Air Act by using defeat devices on its diesel vehicles that evaded emissions standards. The company also was charged with obstruction of justice for destroying documents related to the scheme. The company will pay $2.8 billion in criminal fines, and $1.5 billion in civil fines. That is in addition to $17.5 billion already agreed in settlements with car owners, dealers and for environmental cleanup. The settlement also requires the company to employ an independent corporate compliance monitor for at least three years. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the size of the penalty reflects the unusual level of premeditation of wrongdoing at high levels of Volkswagen. "The knowledge and choices they made went to the executive levels and that did set it apart from other companies," she said at a news conference in Washington. The six VW executives believed to be in Germany were identified as Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Jens Hadler, Richard Dorenkamp, Bernd Gottweis and Jurgen Peter. All are described as heads of divisions or supervisors. On Monday, Oliver Schmidt was arraigned in a court in Miami following his arrest upon visiting the country. Lynch said it was "too early to predict" how US officials might work with their German counterparts to bring the other executives to justice. She also said the investigation could extend to other individuals. The settlement requires the German automaker to cooperate with the Justice Department on its ongoing prosectors of the executives. Story continues Volkswagen said it would also cooperate with inquiries by the Braunschweig and Munich public prosector's offices in Germany. "Volkswagen deeply regrets the behavior that gave rise to the diesel crisis," Volkswagen chief executive Matthias Muller said in a statement. "The agreements that we have reached with the US government reflect our determination to address misconduct that went against all of the values Volkswagen holds so dear. They are an important step forward." - Junior employees overruled - Muller was tapped to lead the German automaker in a management shakeup just days after US and California regulators announced the first charges in the case in September 2015 following the discovery that diesel cars that were marketed as clean spewed nitrogen oxide and other pollutants at 40 times the legal levels. Regulators discovered that the excess emissions, which were not present during environmental tests of the cars, were released on the road because of "defeat device" software designed to evade US clean air laws. The Justice Department said the fraudulent technology was specifically devised beginning in 2009 and executed by the defendants named in the case. An affidavit the Justice Department released this week following the Schmidt arrest showed that senior Volkswagen employees were briefed on the illegal technology in July 2015, two months before the US regulators announced charges. They opted to cover up the case rather than come clean, prosecutors said. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told reporters the investigation turned up evidence of lower-ranking employees who questioned the use of the defeat devices, but were overruled. One of the executives named in the case overseas more than 10,000 employees, she said. "We don't really see many multinationals decide at a very high level to knowingly" violate US law, Yates said at the Washington press conference. While the US criminal settlement is a key landmark, dieselgate is expected to continue to dog Volkswagen. In Germany alone, shareholders have filed claims seeking damages from VW totalling some 8.2 billion euros. Financial analysts have estimated the total bill for the scandal could be as much as 35 billion euros. At this week's Detroit auto show, Volkswagen unveiled a new fully electric, autonomous prototype bus as it attempts to pivot to better days. But auto analysts say questions hang over the company's efforts to reinvent itself after the emissions scandal. Just under a month shy of the 24: Legacy premiere, Fox has partnered with Samsung to bring eager fans one step closer into the world of the spinoff. The network announced Monday it is breaking the barriers of traditional linear television by launching The Raid, an exclusive 360-degree virtual reality prequel to the upcoming reboot ahead of the series premiere. By using Samsung Gear VR devices, powered by Oculus on a variety of the tech companys smartphone devices, viewers will be introduced to Legacys new cast and storyline, which follows Lieutenant Eric Carter (Corey Hawkins) as he navigates a treacherous, action-packed raid in Yemen. Homelands Miranda Otto also makes her debut as part of the 24 family in the prequel, playing Rebecca Ingram, a former head of the Counter Terrorism Unit in Washington, D.C. The original 24 series premiered in 2001, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, an ace CTU operative, though the actor will not be returning for Legacys new episodes. (Sutherland is currently starring in ABCs Designated Survivor.) The Raid was produced by 24: Legacy executive producer Howard Gordon (Homeland, 24: Live Another Day), in partnership with Here Be Dragons, and is exclusively streaming here on Samsung VR. 24: Legacy premieres immediately following the Sunday, Feb. 5 broadcast of Super Bowl LI. The two-night premiere will continue in the series regular timeslot on Monday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. ET. It took a lot of brush strokes, but Emma Brussell is finally getting a buddy. The 8-year-old from Long Island, New York, who has Type 1 diabetes, asked for a diabetic alert dog for Christmas, according to ABC 7, which reported the story. Unfortunately, Santa couldnt deliver, considering the specially trained pups cost $15,000 to buy. So Brussell decided to make her own magic happen. I decided, Hey, Im good at art, why dont I sell my paintings? she said. I think of a painting, and then I paint. She sold some of her pieces and then, over the weekend, an anonymous donor gave Brussell the rest of the money she needed to buy the dog. I couldnt believe it, Brussells mother Kelly told ABC 7. I couldnt believe that someone was just wanting help my daughter like that. Any additional money raised from the sale of Brussells paintings will be used to fund the dogs vet care. To contact Emma about her works, email emmasjourney2017@gmail.com. President Barack Obama has bid farewell to the American people. Obama delivered his final presidential address to the nation Tuesday evening, speaking from his adopted hometown of Chicagos lakefront convention center McCormick Place, where he spoke in front of a crowd of thousands. First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Malia Obama, 18, accompanied the president on his sentimental trip to Chicago, along with his younger sister, Auma Obama, and close family friend Mama Kaye Wilson, who is godmother to both Malia and her sister, Sasha, 15. Among the highlights: ON MICHELLE Michelle Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, from the Southside, for the past 25 years, youve been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend. You took on a role you didnt ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. Youve made me proud. Youve made the country proud. ON MALIA AND SASHA Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad, the president said. ON RACE Theres a second threat to our democracy one as old as our nation itself. After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America. Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. For race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. Ive lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were ten, or twenty, or thirty years ago you can see it not just in statistics, but in the attitudes of young Americans across the political spectrum. ON THE PAST EIGHT YEARS If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our historyif I had told you that we would open up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Irans nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, and take out the mastermind of 9/11if I had told you that we would win marriage equality, and secure the right to health insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens you might have said our sights were set a little too high. Story continues But thats what we did. Thats what you did. You were the change. You answered peoples hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started. CLOSING REMARKS My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I wont stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my days that remain. For now, whether youre young or young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your President the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours. I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes We Can. Yes We Did. Yes We Can. Thank you. God bless you. And may God continue to bless the United States of America. RELATED VIDEO: In Tearful Final Speech as First Lady, Michelle Obama Urges Young People to Lead with Hope, Never Fear Obamas speech was framed as a call to action rather than a recitation of his accomplishments in office. Its a passing of the baton, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on the eve of the presidents farewell address, according to the Chicago Tribune. The POTUS took to Facebook to write a farewell post before giving his speech. Weve made America a better, stronger place for the generations that will follow. Weve run our leg in a long relay of progress, knowing that our work will always be unfinished, he shared. And weve reaffirmed the belief that we can make a difference with our own hands, in our own time. The president who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but who adopted Chicago as his hometown chose to deliver his remarks from the Windy City, where he got his start as a young South Side community organizer before being elected to the Illinois Senate, U.S. Senate and eventually the presidency. Obama also addressed Americans in Chicagos Grant Park after his historic White House run in 2008, and at McCormick Place when he was re-elected in 2012. RELATED VIDEO: Obamas Commencement Speeches Over the Years When planning for the farewell speech began last summer, Psaki said Obama asked aides if his remarks had to be delivered from Washington, D.C. Chicago was a natural place for him, not just because its hometown, Psaki said, but because its where he got his political start, and its where he really first learned the lesson that its about the actions of individuals and the actions of people, thats how real change happens. Obamas visit to Chicago Tuesday marks his last trip outside Washington, D.C., as president, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said, according to USA Today. In a White House video previewing his remarks, Obama explained, Part of the reason that I wanted to do this farewell address in Chicago as opposed to the more traditional practice of doing it in the Oval Office or here in the White House is, Chicago is where it all started. So Ill be thinking back to being a young community organizer pretty much fresh out of school and feeling as if my faith in Americas ability to bring about change in our democracy has been vindicated. The two things I take away from this office are, number one, that change can happen, that the system will respond to ordinary people coming together to try to move the country in a better direction, the president continued. And the second thing Ill take away from this experience is the fundamental goodness of the American people, all of whom are pouring their heart and soul into making their communities work better, supporting their families, moving this country forward, keeping us safe. It gives you a lot of confidence about our prospects for the future, he concluded. President Obamas goodbye to the nation will call on ordinary people to fight for progress and you can watch it live above. Obama will deliver his goodbye from Chicago, where he declared victory in both the 2008 and the 2012 election. This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it, the president will say, according to parts of the speech that have been released ahead of time. Also Read: Here's Why 'Golden Showers' Is Trending (Yes, It Involves Trump) The final speech will capture Obamas most iconic moments in his historic presidency, rooted in the hope and change message that carried him to the White House. The positive messages arrive Tuesday as people on social media were horrified and captivated by one of the most unsavory stories since Donald Trump won the presidency an unverified allegation, published by BuzzFeed, that you can read here. The presidents address begins at 8 p.m. Chicago time, 9 PT ET and 6 PT. Related stories from TheWrap: Key and Peele Revive Obama Anger Translator on 'Daily Show' (Video) Tomi Lahren Calls on President Obama to Condemn Chicago Kidnapping Obama to Expel Russian Diplomats in Retaliation for Election Hacking President Barack Obama will give his farewell address in Chicago on Tuesday, a week and a half before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration day. In previewing his remarks, Obama wrote that he is focusing on the "peaceful, democratic transfer of power" as he heads to his hometown of Chicago "to say my grateful farewell to you, even if you can't be there in person." Read more: Critic's Notebook: In Obama's Farewell Address, One Last Reminder of What Presidential Looks Like "Tonight it's my turn to say thanks," he began on Tuesday night, promising "the peaceful transfer of power from one freely-elected President to the next." "To all who serve, it has been the honor of my lifetime to be your Commander-in-Chief." "My fellow Americans," he concluded his speech, "it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I won't stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my remaining days. For now, whether you're young or young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your President - the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change - but in yours." "Yes we can." Read more: Hollywood Responds to President Obama's Farewell Address: "Yes We Can" Last Friday, Michelle Obama gave her final speech as first lady at a ceremony honoring the school counselor of the year, where she said that being first lady "has been the greatest honor of my life" as she bid an early farewell to the White House. Before saying goodbye, she encouraged students to "lead by example with hope, never fear." Watch below. Nearly three months into the fight to retake the city of Mosul from ISIS militants, the terror group still has a presence in other parts of Iraq. In recent weeks, ISIS fighters have attack police checkpoints in the southern part of the country and orchestrated deadly bombings in the capital, Baghdad. On January 2, the US-led coalition struck an ISIS tactical vehicle in Bayji, a town about 130 miles north of Baghdad and about halfway between the capital city and Mosul. In Bayji on January 2, coalition warplanes destroyed three ISIS vehicles, an armored front-end loader, and an ISIS-held building. Despite ISIS' presence elsewhere in the country, the tide in Mosul seems to have turned against the terror group. In recent days, Iraqi government forces have advanced farther into northeast Mosul and toward the Tigris River, which divides the eastern and western halves of the city. ISIS still controls the western half. Before the operation to liberate Mosul began on October 17, officials suggested the city could be retaken by the end of the year. In December, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said it could take another three months to drive the militants out. Fighting bogged down at the end of that month, Iraqi forces paused for an "operational refit," but another Iraqi commander said on Tuesday "it's possible" the city could be recaptured in three months or less. US special forces troops Mosul Iraq ISIS US advisers are now also in the city supporting Iraqi forces, though US personnel "remain behind the forward line of [Iraqi] troops." There were about a million Iraqi civilians still in Mosul when the operation began in October, and about 135,000 are thought to have fled since, moving to areas where the Iraqi government and international aid groups have set up aid centers. But many who remain in liberated areas in the eastern half of the city are still being targeted by ISIS artillery and bombs. Story continues Many of those civilians are still in their homes or have moved in with friends and family in the city. They go about their daily activities gathering food, working, visiting friends and loved ones as Iraqi forces rush toward the shifting front lines, sometimes on the same roads. "We've haven't stayed in our homes and endured all this bombardment and everything just to live in tents," Abu Ahmed, visiting his family in the Zuhur district of eastern Mosul over the weekend, told the Associated Press. NOW WATCH: Footage reveals ISIS' secret underground tunnels near Mosul More From Business Insider Photo credit: Denis Malafeyev From Country Living This dog isn't just man's best friend-he's dog's best friend, too. Proof: He stayed with his fellow canine, who was lying injured on train tracks in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, for two full days before humans came to the rescue. In unbelievable footage captured by Denis Malafeyev, who discovered the dogs on Christmas day, the brave uninjured dog, a male, stands guard over his bestie, a female, even snuggling up beside her as a train passes overhead. Malafeyev posted several clips to Facebook, and they've since amassed more than 7 million views collectively. In one of the videos, the male dog can be heard growling at the rescuers as they try to approach them. "The male dog heard the sound of the approaching train, came close to the female dog and laid down next to her. Both of them pushed their heads towards the ground, and let the train pass," Malafeyev was quoted as saying, according to The Sun. "The male dog was doing this for two days in a row. Think about it. He was keeping her warm. I don't know what to call this: instinct, love, friendship, loyalty? I know one thing; not all people can do that!" Eventually, the humans were able to get the dogs off the tracks and to a shelter. They have reportedly since been adopted by owners who named them Panda and Lucy. Malafeyev continues to post updates about their well-being on Facebook. "The dogs are safe, live, received qualified medical assistance, no bone fractures, there are bruises and hematoma," he wrote the day after the rescue. h/t: The Sun [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Stories" customtitles="This%20Sweet%20Dog%20Just%20Wants%20a%20Home%20for%20Christmas%7CAnimal%20Shelter%20Needs%20Our%20Help%20To%20Keep%20Animals%20Warm" customimages="|" content="article.40944|article.40930"] You Might Also Like Biotech and pharma companies were on the move Wednesday. A few of the smaller caps made tremendous gains on the day, while a couple of the major firms saw massive volume and a slight move. Although some of the companies may not be the largest in the sector, they were some of the most heavily traded on Wednesday. These companies 24/7 Wall St. has picked stood out from the rest on Wednesday morning. We have included information about each company, as well as recent trading activity and the consensus price target. Derma Sciences, Inc. (DSCI) reported that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp. (IART) to be acquired. According to the deal, Integra is paying $7 per share of common stock in cash for a total value of roughly $204 million. ALSO READ: The World's 31 Mega-Cities Apart from the common stock, Integra is paying $32.00 per share for its outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and $48.00 per share for its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, reflecting the stated value of such preferred stock in each case. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017. Shares of Derma were last trading up 39% at $6.95, with a consensus analyst price target of $8.50 and a 52-week trading range of $2.85 to $7.00. Shares of Integra were recently trading down about 3.6% at $43.28. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $46.67 and a 52-week trading range of $42.64 to $88.86. Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Keytruda (pembrolizumab), for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ALSO READ: The Most Expensive City in Each State This is the first application for regulatory approval of Keytruda in combination with another treatment. The FDA granted a Priority Review, Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), target action date of May 10, 2017. The sBLA will be reviewed under the FDAs Accelerated Approval program. Story continues Keep in mind that there are many other coming up within the next two months. Shares of Merck were last trading up 2% at $61.22, with a consensus analyst price target of $67.28 and a 52-week trading range of $47.97 to $65.46. Pfizer Inc. (PFE) saw its shares recoil on Wednesday after President-Elect Donald Trump made comments on the health care sector. Trump said that these drugmakers are getting away with murder. He criticized the industry for heavy lobbying and took a somewhat democratic stance on the issue as opposed to a conservative one. ALSO READ: The Best and Worst Run States in America: A Survey of All 50 Although this might just be a near-term set back, investors can still make the most out of Pfizer because it is one of the . 24/7 Wall St. has also examined the case for Pfizer and Merck, as well as the other Dow healthcare stocks. Shares of Pfizer were last trading down 2% at $32.75, with a consensus analyst price target of $37.65 and a 52-week trading range of $28.25 to $37.39. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (VRX) saw its shares make a handy gain on Tuesday after the company announced about $2.1 billion in in an effort to pay down its debt. However Wednesday was a different story. The company has given back practically all of Tuesdays gains. It seems that many investors and analysts believe that despite this sale, Valeant will still have a rocky road ahead. ALSO READ: The Next 14 States to Legalize Marijuana On Tuesday the company reported that it would be selling all of its outstanding equity interests in Dendreon Pharmaceuticals to Sanpower Group, one of the largest privately owned conglomerates in China. The price tag for this deal came to a total of $819.9 million. Separately, the company announced that it entered into an agreement to sell its CeraVe, AcneFree and AMBI skincare brands to LOreal for $1.3 billion in cash. Its worth noting that CeraVe, AcneFree and AMBI product lines have annualized revenues of roughly $168 million. Valeant will use the $2.1 billion in proceeds to repay about $5 billion of its senior debt over the coming year. The transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2017, and are still subject to regulatory and customary closing conditions. ALSO READ: American Cities Adding the Most Jobs This Year Shares of Valeant were trading down more than 5% at $15.55, with a consensus analyst price target of $23.97 and a 52-week trading range of $13.00 to $101.40. Related Articles Wells Fargo & Co (ticker: WFC) is spearheading two efforts in the wake of the bank and credit card fraud scandal that roiled the company in 2016: a new branch worker compensation plan and debit card-free ATMs. The company wants to bolster its reputation after it created millions of fake bank and credit card accounts, resulting in a large scandal for an otherwise well-regarded company and $185 million in fines. It also led to CEO John Stumpf's resignation last October. An internal document provided to Reuters says the new plan will feature customer service incentives instead of sales goals, in addition to more sales activity vigilance. "This new plan is one step in our efforts to restore trust with team members and customers, and we will continue to make additional changes," Mary Eshet, a bank spokeswoman, told Reuters in an e-mail. As for the ATM process, consumers would access the Wells Fargo app on their phone and ask for an eight-digit access code, reports CNN Money. They would then provide this code, plus the standard ATM code, at a typical kiosk to unlock their funds. The company, which has 13,000 ATMS, anticipates it will be the first bank to update all its ATMs to this format. According to CNN Money, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) is piloting a card-free choice in several states, while Bank of America Corp. (BAC) gives consumers the options at half of its ATMs and is looking to shift them all this way. But is this way necessarily easier for consumers? Wes Dunn, senior vice president of sales for ATM manufacturer Genmega, told CNN Money, "Getting out a piece of plastic and inserting it is not so terribly difficult, so outside of being trendy and cool, I fail to see the benefit to the cardholder themselves." 9 Ways to Invest in a Post-Election Market 7 of the Best ETFs to Own in 2017 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. Jan 10 (Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co has unveiled a new compensation structure for branch bankers as it tries to recover from a scandal driven by aggressive sales targets that slammed its share price and led to the resignation of Chief Executive John Stumpf. The new plan creates incentives based on customer service rather than sales goals, is longer-term in nature and includes additional monitoring of sales activities, according to an internal document provided by Mary Eshet, a bank spokeswoman. "Our top priority is to communicate the new plan to leaders and team members first and we are focused on ensuring they have the information they need to be successful," Eshet wrote in an email. "This new plan is one step in our efforts to restore trust with team members and customers, and we will continue to make additional changes." Wells Fargo has struggled since September after it agreed with regulators to pay $190 million in fines and restitution to settle charges that its employees wrongly created as many as 2 million accounts without customer authorization. (Reporting by Dan Freed in New York; Editing by Alan Crosby) Photo credit: Flickr From Delish Wendy's is used to making headlines for their attention-grabbing tweets, but this time around they're in the news for something a lot more serious. Last Thursday, a Fort Worth Police Department patrol supervisor went into a Wendy's. As he approached the register, the employees turned around and walked away. Police spokesman Sgt. Marc Povero told the Star-Telegram that the employees retreated to the back and the kitchen and didn't take his order. There was no way they couldn't have seen the officer, as he was the only person in the eatery at the time, and one of the employees actually made eye-contact with him. The Forth Worth Police Department tweeted at Wendy's with the very appropriate hashtag "#whatsthebeef", and Wendy's replied soon after. Interestingly, the responses that followed were both supportive ... @fortworthpd I am shocked by how @Wendys treated 1 who keeps us safe & would be honored to treat him to supper. Thank you FtWPD for all U do - Abigail Rich (@GlamModelAbby) January 6, 2017 @fortworthpd @Wendys everyone on that shift should be fired - Lauren Shaw (@LK_Shaw) January 6, 2017 @fortworthpd Y'all come to my house and I will make you lasagna !! #KindnessMatters #Respect BIG HUGS & LOVE TO #TheUniform. XOXOXOXOXOX - Maggie E. Duke (@MaggieEDuke1) January 7, 2017 ... and angry. Story continues @fortworthpd @Wendys you do know businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone? you're not special #America - yung whippersnapper (@biancawonkaa) January 6, 2017 @fortworthpd Stop worrying about @Wendys and go arrest the man that choked the 7 y/o boy, fire and arrest the LEO involved. #RacistNotRude - Enemy of Orange-man (@TPsocialEXP) January 6, 2017 @fortworthpd Your officer pepper sprays motorcyclists trying to harm them, and is slapped on the wrist. Again, youre worried about a burger? - JR Helms (@steelerjrh) January 7, 2017 Luckily, it seems like all is well, as the Forth Worth PD later thanked Wendy's for meeting with them. Thank you to @Wendys for meeting w/us today & confirming your support for law enforcement We appreciate it. #wendysbackstheblue - Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) January 6, 2017 Follow Delish on Instagram. You Might Also Like Khaled Hosseinis debut novel The Kite Runner remains a literary sensation. A tender, personal narrative that weaves through 25 years of Afghanistans history, it has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Published in 2003, the novel let readers into a nation that felt far away politically, culturally and geographically humanizing a place of war and its people. On the West End stage, however, it feels too much like a story. Faithful to a fault, playwright Matthew Spanglers adaptation comes in at close to three hours, far longer than Marc Forsters 2007 film, and gradually becomes bogged down by the guilt at its heart. Spanglers script is too cautious by half: It plods through Hosseinis plot instead of drilling into its depths. Ben Turners Amir, an Afghan expat in California, narrates his childhood memories and, on Barney Georges plain wooden stage, steps into 1970s Kabul where he and his friend Hassan (Andrei Costin), the son of his fathers servant, form an inseparable pair. They do so despite differences: one rich, one poor; one articulate, one illiterate; one Pashtun, one Hazara. Together they took part in Kabuls mass kite battles Amir steering, Hassan racing after the spoils of downed kits but on one occasion, Amir watches as his friend is cornered, beaten and raped, before running away. That betrayal haunts his whole adult life, and it comes to encapsulate his wider sense of survivors guilt after Amir escapes Afghanistan with his father when the Russians invade. They set up in San Francisco to start over, only for that guilt to pull Amir back to Afghanistan to make amends. The past, he says, claws its way out. Spangler might have made more of that idea. Its laced through the text, in the ancestral rivalries that still surface today, and in Afghanistans long history of conflict. Hosseini reminds us that this republic had ties to America its children imagine themselves as John Wayne before it turned communist, and later ultra-conservative under the Taliban. In America, Afghans cling to their old identities all market traders, but still businessmen, politicians and generals among themselves. Story continues In the end, the story falls back on itself. Betrayals, conflicts and relationships mirror one another, and, after 25 years, its climax hinges on one enormous coincidence. Hosseinis structure is too neat made obvious when its played straight through and its crisp irony intrudes on the storys truth: its testimony to Afghanistan and its history. You feel a writer steering a plot in to land as he ties up its loose ends one by one. Giles Crofts humble production plays out as storytelling, occasionally tipping into show-and-tell and thereby slowing its pace. Hanif Khans tabala music adds a rich atmosphere, entwined with William Simpsons smoky skyline projections, but it also ensures an ever-steady pace that makes Spanglers measured script more monotonous. Nor does Turners delivery help. He wallows in guilt and in grief, giving every syllable its due and acting as if through porridge. Costins Hassan is altogether livelier, and Emilio Doorgasingh cuts through as Amirs brusque father. But The Kite Runner remains a literary sensation, not a theatrical one. Related stories Marc Forster to Direct 'Winnie the Pooh' Live-Action Movie on 'Christopher Robin' for Disney Will London Theater Audiences Join the 'Hamilton' Revolution? U.K. Theater Review: 'The Wind in the Willows,' the Musical Trump, Russia and Congressional hearings, here's what's On Our Radar today: Russian intrigue. Allegations that Russia has damaging financial and personal dirt on President-elect Donald Trump broke late last night. Last week, intelligence officials briefed President Obama and Trump on reports that Russia has been cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump (hint; election). The President-elect tweeted that the report was "fake news." Russia has also denied they are true. Most of the country's largest media publication refused to publish the report because the allegation are unsubstantiated. Just a day after the story broke, soon-to-be Commander in Chief Trump holds his first press conference since he was elected at 11a.m. ET. Trumps pick for secretary of state, former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, heads to Capitol Hill today for his Senate confirmation hearing. The hearing will put a focus on Exxons dealings with Russia and Tillersons relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Exxons dealings and often controversial overseas foreign policy will provide plenty of fodder for Senate Democats. It all kicks off at 9 a.m. ET, stay tuned for the latest throughout the day. Related Articles The prolonged spell of crude price weakness seems to be over as the energy market is ultimately witnessing improvement in oil prices. Looking back, the major oil producing nations were trying to capitalize on the opportunities that opened up during mid-2014, when oil was trading above $100 per barrel. These countries started to produce more and more oil as the commodity could be sold at higher prices. In fact, the last two and half years saw OPEC, Russia as well as U.S shale players vying for production share and increasing output substantially. However, matters took a turn for the worse when a supply glut resulted in crude prices plunging to the rock bottom. Last February, prices nosedived to a low of $26 per barrel, thanks to the boom in shale oil production and rising output from OPEC. The downturn prompted several analysts to make projections about a potential bottom. While some suggested prices might drop as low as $20 a barrel, other came up with estimates of as low as $10 per barrel. However, the historic production cut agreement by OPEC and non-OPEC producers and decreasing investments (in existing and new wells) have seen oil prices more than double from the Feb 2016 lows to above $50 per barrel level. Can Integrated Players Thrive? The upstream businesses for integrated energy companies are enjoying a dream run after a prolonged period of downturn. It is high time for oil majors to lower their huge debt burden by generating earnings out of core business. So far, the companies were selling their income generating assets and opting for innumerable job cuts to survive the tough operating environment. However, the upstream players are now gathering to the oil patches, as evidenced by more and more drilling rigs on U.S. plays. Increase in explorations and production activities will raise the need for new storage and transporting assets. Hence, the midstream business for integrated companies might also improve. Story continues Among the major integrated firms, BP plc BP and Royal Dutch Shell plc RDS.A deserve particular mention. With their massive market capitalizations of $124.5 billion and $253.3 billion, respectively, these companies dominate and define the Oil & Gas-International Integrated industry. The broader Oil and Energy sector, which includes the industry, is also positively placed at 2 out of a total 16 sectors we cover (top 13%). BP: London-based BP is one of the largest integrated energy firms in the world with a strong and diversified portfolio of development projects that offer attractive long-term opportunities. Beat Earnings Estimates: The company achieved major expense reductions through massive job cuts and expects its cost structure to improve further. BP has also been lowering its capital spending to survive in the persistently unfavorable business environment of weak commodity prices. Supported by these measures, the energy giant beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters with an average earnings beat of 33.27%. The companys dividend yield of 6.4% is also much better than the market average. Outperformed the Broader Industry: BPs strong fundamentals are reflected in its recent price chart. During the last six months, the company gained almost 3% compared with 2.2% improvement for the Zacks categorized Oil & Gas-International Integrated industry. Debt Load: As of Sep 30, 2016, BP had long-term debt load of $53,308 million. Oil Spill Remains an Overhang: The oil spill incident of 2010 in the BP-operated Macondo Prospect continues to affect the company. Although BP has cleared the huge litigation expenses related to the spill, it had to divest some of its best operating properties. The asset sales might hinder BPs future cash generating opportunities going forward. The lost reserves/production from the group's asset sales cannot be ignored either. Russian Sanctions is a Concern: BP has 20% ownership in Rosneft an integrated oil company that is primarily owned by the Government of Russia. With Russian sanctions following geo-political issues in Ukraine, BPs operations are likely to be hampered as the country is the second-largest contributor of the output of the company. The combination of all these factors are reflected in the companys current Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), implying that the stock will perform in line with the broader U.S. equity market over the next one to three months. Shell: Shell, which is headquartered in Hague, the Netherlands, is one of the largest integrated oil and gas companies in the world. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. It has interests in chemicals as well as power generation and renewable energy. Missed Earnings Estimates: The company lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters with an average earnings miss of 10.01%. BG Acquisition Raised Debt Load Considerably: Following Shell's $50 billion mega acquisition of BG Group plc a leading upstream energy player in the U.K., the company saw a substantial rise in net debt and reduction of liquidity. In fact, the oil majors total long-term debt of $86,637 million as of Sep 30, 2016 increased almost 64% year over year. Hence, huge debt load remains a serious threat for Shell in spite of its improving business scenario. Underperformed the Broader Industry: Shell with a dividend yield of 5.9% shows considerable price weaknesses in its recent price chart. Over the last six months, shares of the company fell almost 1%. As a result, Shell currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), implying that the stock will underperform the broader U.S. equity market over the next one to three months. Conclusion Our comparative analysis clearly indicates that Shell has significantly more debt load than BP. The dividend yield of Shell is also lower than BP, which has better earnings surprise history. Moreover, BP enjoys a favorable stock price chart and Zacks Rank. Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017? Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>> 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 BP p.l.c. (BP): Free Stock Analysis Report Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 24 Legacy corey hawkins fox PASADENA, California Months before Fox's upcoming "24" spin-off show cast Corey Hawkins as its star, the network made it clear it was looking for a nonwhite lead actor. The producers said that decision wasn't something that was handed down to them from the network, but more about trying to distance the new main character, Eric Carter, from Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer from the original series. "Jack Bauer casts a very long shadow," "24: Legacy" executive producer Howard Gordon told Business Insider during the Television Critics Association press tour on Wednesday. "You kind of have to reverse-engineer," he continued. "Jack is a man with a 17-year-old daughter. Corey is a man in his mid-20s. So we really sort of created him with the broadest possible strokes with things that distinguished him from Bauer." With a "real-time" countdown similar to "24," the spin-off follows agent Eric Carter (Hawkins) who returns from abroad only to realize danger has followed him back. While trying to stave off the people hunting him down, Eric has to stop the biggest terrorist attack on US soil. The producers acknowledged that the question of race and bringing diversity to the thriller series has been an ongoing discussion since the news that they were casting for a minority star broke in January of last year. "It wasnt just that his background is different," Gordon added. "It enabled a whole new spectrum of stories that also felt real and very American." Hawkins, who played Dr. Dre in the film "Straight Outta Compton," and veteran actor Jimmy Smits, who will play the show's president, were proud to be able to bring their characters to the screen and said the show backs that up with a diverse and talented writing team. "As far as diversity in the writers' room goes, we had very long conversations to make sure our voices were in the writers' room," Hawkins told Business Insider. "And we do have black writers in our writers' room. Im very proud of that. We have women writers, strong writers. But the point is that we have great writers. We made a point to go after writers who understood the voice. At the same time, we wanted writers who knew how to write for this genre." Story continues "24: Legacy" premieres Monday, February 5 on Fox. NOW WATCH: Don't be afraid to cancel cable here's how to watch all of your favorite shows for less than $42 a month More From Business Insider Photo credit: Getty From Cosmopolitan When President Barack Obama was first sworn into office in January 2009, he immediately began the process for passing his key policy issue - reforming the countrys expensive and haphazard health insurance industry. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which would eventually be known as the Affordable Care Act, the ACA, or simply Obamacare, was then introduced in the fall of 2009. By November, it passed with a mere five-vote majority in the House, and the following month, it passed the Senate 60 to 39. In both chambers, not one single Republican voted in favor of the bill. It didnt have to be that way. Health-care reform was an issue both parties were in favor of and previous efforts had enjoyed bipartisan support. The most hopeful-looking option was the Healthy Americans Act, a reform bill introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, and Sen. Robert Bennett, a Republican from Utah. The 2007 bill had multiple co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle but never managed to make it out of committee. Still, when it came to the Affordable Care Act, Republican politicians were lockstep in their refusal to so much as consider any sort of common ground - even though many aspects of the plan were quite similar to a 2006 Massachusetts law developed and signed by Republican Gov. Mitt Romney. Their opposition was immediate, total, and relentless, to the point where many find themselves wondering just what do they hate so much about Obamacare? Based solely on official conservative principles, there are actually a number of issues that the GOP legitimately would have with the ACA. Just like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, they view Obamacare as an entitlement program they would be more than happy to discontinue, believing that the government should never be involved in assuring minimum standards of living are met. [S]ome conservatives oppose it for the same reason that liberals favor it. Through the Medicaid expansion and the exchanges, it subsidizes insurance coverage for people of modest means by raising taxes on people of less-modest means, explains Reilhan Salam at Slate, adding, Conservatives tend not to be enthusiastic about redistribution, and theyre particularly skeptical about redistribution that isnt transparent. Story continues The industry regulations that are a part of the Affordable Care Act are also another stumbling block for fiscal conservatives who believe that businesses should always be allowed to govern themselves and are justified in gaining as much profit as they can for shareholders. As part of health-care reform, insurance agencies were forced to spend 85 percent of all revenues on medical care rather than administration costs or bonuses or perks. They could also no longer cap how much they spend per patient in coverage due to medical conditions or other need for chronic care, either on an annual or lifetime basis. These restrictions on profitability are opposed by Republicans who think free market principles will keep businesses in check. And of course there were issues with reproductive health care such as abortion and birth control. Anti-abortion groups claimed the Affordable Care Act to be the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade due to the inclusion of some insurance plans in the exchange that allowed coverage for elective abortions. They considered plans purchased on state and federal exchanges to be a means of forcing other taxpayers to subsidize elective abortion coverage, despite the fact that the government set up additional steps to ensure that federal funding to private insurance plans that cover abortions remain separate, and the presidents additional executive order reaffirming the Hyde Amendments federal ban on abortion funding. They also demanded exceptions for all companies - for-profit and nonprofit - who had religious objections to birth control. The birth control mandate declared contraception an essential service for womens health and required all companies to offer plans that included hormonal birth control, emergency contraception, long-acting birth control methods, and female sterilization procedures. Religious institutions were allowed a conscientious objection to the coverage, but social conservatives wanted the loophole extended to any business or organization whose owners disapproved of any birth control use for moral reasons regardless of how many of their own employees or other insurees may have different opinions on the issue. Yet while the GOP has strenuously opposed all of these individual aspects of the ACA, it was the individual mandate that appeared to irk them the most - and had the least reason to do so. Republicans, using language that originated with the conservative Heritage Institute, were advocating for a requirement that all people be required some form of health insurance as long ago as the late 1980s and it was championed by GOP Congress members during much of the early 1990s. It was even a key component in the Massachusetts health care law approved by Gov. Romney in 2006. But the individual mandate instead went from being something that Republicans were willing to support in order to bring down the costs of insurance to a policy they claim strips personal liberty and is even tantamount to slavery. So what flipped the switch? Election Day, 2008. When Obama won his first presidential election, that also put both the House and Senate into Democratic control. The House Democrats outnumbered Republicans 257 to 178, and Democrats and their two independent allies outnumbered the Senate Republicans 59 to 41. According to the Brookings Institutes Thomas Mann, GOP strategy experts decided that the best way to win back majorities would be to keep their entire conservative block united in rejecting any legislation that could potentially be viewed as a Democratic success if it passed. Congressional Republicans were urged to filibuster any bill that came before the Senate and harshly criticize any law that they couldnt stop in an attempt to make what did pass as unpopular as possible. That decision doomed any chance for bipartisan health-care reform. The GOPs refusal to vote in favor of Obamacares passage and their aggressive opposition to every element of the bill - even those they had agreed with in the past - served to help them sweep into power in both Congress and a number of state legislatures when the 2010 midterms came around. And by taking over a number of state legislatures and governors mansions, Republicans could then block portions of the ACA from going into effect, further hampering the reforms. Red-state legislatures often refused to expand Medicaid so more people could receive subsidized insurance plans, leaving their residents with far more expensive out-of-pocket costs than blue-state counterparts. They also often opted out of opening their own state exchanges, forcing the uninsured to enroll through the federal exchange instead, which limited their coverage options and put a greater burden on the federal site. By first refusing to support Obamacare and then purposefully trying to make it fail, Republicans believed any consumer dissatisfaction would rest completely on the shoulders of the Democrats, since they were the only ones to vote in favor of the law. So do Republicans really despise the Affordable Care Act? Despite the fact that they have voted in some way, shape, or form to repeal some or all of the ACA more than 60 times in the six years since it was signed into law, the answer may surprisingly be no. Or at least, not as much of it as they claim. But they do hate the Obamacare that was passed solely with Democratic votes and signed by a Democratic president, and they will do anything to tear that down completely. And when they later replace it with a new plan that has a surprising number of policies similar to the law they just undid, well, then we will know the thing they hated most about Obamacare was always Obama. Follow Robin on Twitter. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. You Might Also Like Many assert that President-elect Donald Trump is against free trade. But standing against the theft of intellectual property and old-fashioned mercantilism, as Trump has promised to do, is an appropriate role for the chief executive. Allowing other countries to cheat us is not free trade. America consistently outperforms the rest of the world in the sphere of intellectual property. People throughout the world identify with American art, music, software, and clothing designs, and benefit from American pharmaceuticals and patents. Related: Trump and Sanders Lash Out at a Common Enemy: Free Trade Yet American intellectual property is routinely stolen. Each year, the United States Trade Representative publishes a report entitled Special 301 Report on intellectual property theftyet does nothing about it. This year Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and Venezuela are the 11 countries on the Priority Watch List. USTR has the most significant concerns regarding insufficient [intellectual property rights] protection or enforcement or actions that otherwise limited market access for persons relying on intellectual property protection. Another 23 countries are on a watch list. Most of the same countries are on the priority watch list year after year. China and several other countries have been on the list for many years. There is no credible punishment from stealing American intellectual property, so countries continue to do it. Theft pays. Intellectual property is stolen when American corporate employees are thrown in prison or harassed in a government shake-down, or when American companies are hauled into foreign courts and accused of stealing their own patents. Sometimes American Internet companies are kicked out a country that fosters its own imitative companies to displace the American ones. In other places, pharmaceuticals are manufactured without license. And by now everyone knows about foreign hackers invading American websites. Story continues Related: It Looks Like Trump Is Serious About Starting a Trade War With China American businesses have grown inured to intellectual property theft. They expect theft in countries around the world and they cannot fight back because they risk being banned from lucrative markets. The combination of theft and no enforcement reinforce one another, and our government needs to respond. It is not just American businesses that lose, it is also American creators. Millions of Americans create and promote intellectual property. When foreigners copy CDs and sell these pirated copies on the streets, our creators are worse off. Although USTR publishes reports every year identifying American intellectual property theft, it usually does nothing to prevent such theft or punish countries that foster intellectual property theft. America continues to provide full access to American markets for offending countries. Pirate countries have little if any incentive to respect our property. The wonder is not that some countries steal our intellectual property; the wonder is that all countries do not steal our intellectual property given the weakness of our response. Countries may tell us that it is impossible for them to prevent their citizens from copying our goods. But when China, for example, can make book publishers in Hong Kong disappear because it disagrees with the content of the books, it can certainly close down the fake Apple stores. Related: How China Can Fight Trump's Trade Policies America should take a tough line with countries on the USTRs Section 301 Priority Watch List. Here are five suggestions. 1. We could limit their commercial activities in the United States. Alternatively, we could limit imports of those products with their intellectual propertyor ours. 2. When an American company is being harassed in a foreign country, we could haul the ambassador in and ask what is going on. If China holds up our imports, we could hold up their imports. 3. If the country is on the special watch list, the Commerce Department could request the International Trade Administration do audits of intellectual property protection in those countries. 4. We could limit, and not expand, the commercial activities of countries on that watch list. 5. If a country appears for a second year on the list, the Commerce Secretary could be required to prepare a special report to the President on remedial actions. Our government should be proudly standing up for our companies. It is not free trade when other countries steal our products. And retaliating against theft does not violate the principles of free trade. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: While other automakers are marketing their new cars, Volvo is using this year's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to unveil a typical family of four from Sweden. At NAIAS Volvo is continuing the trend started by Honda and Toyota at last week's 2017 CES, namely one of talking about technological innovation in terms of the people who are going to be using it. That's why rather than a new sedan or SUV, the Swedish brand introduced the world to the Hains, a family from Gothenburg in Sweden and the first family selected to take part in the company's truly real-world autonomous vehicle research program, Drive Me. "We do things differently at Volvo Cars - we always have," said Hakan Samuelsson, President & CEO of Volvo Car Group. "Our main focus has always been on people and making their lives easier. Technology should improve the consumer experience, making mobility safer, sustainable and more convenient." Volvo has emerged as an early leader in the race towards the industry's ultimate goal of autonomous cars and safer roads. However, with the pace at which technological innovations are coming, there is a fear that all companies involved, from automakers to parts suppliers and even tech companies like Google could forget why they're in the race to begin with. As Bob Carter, Toyota's senior VP for automotive operations, said during his CES address: "With all the talk about advances in automobile technology, it's easy to lose sight of why we make cars in the first place. They're for people." That's why Volvo is taking a holistic approach to its autonomous driving development. It is trying to understand how self-driving cars can benefit the entire community and needs to understand as much as possible around the area of handover -- that moment where the car takes control or where the driver needs to step in to correct a car's technological shortcomings. "The aim of the Drive Me research project is to focus on how to enhance people's lives and have a positive impact on society," said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President, Research and Development at Volvo Car Group. "We want to learn more around how people feel when they engage and disengage autonomous drive, what the handover should be like, and what sort of things they would do in the car when it's driving them to their destination." Paradigm Talent Agency today announced two of its major partners (the company eschews the term "acquisitions"), the indie-heavy Windish Agency and the electronic-dance music focused AM Only, which they "partnered" with in 2015 and 2012, respectively, will now operate under the Paradigm banner in a sign of greater integration between the formerly independent companies. Some of the now-fully-combined agency's better-known acts include Coldplay, Lorde, Aerosmith, Ed Sheeran, Disclosure, Skrillex, Phish, Dave Matthews Band, Imagine Dragons, the xx, The 1975, Tove Lo, Flume, Diplo, M83 and The War On Drugs. Tom Windish, founder/president of his namesake agency, and AM Only CEO Paul Morris will continue in their leadership roles within Paradigm's music executive group along with Dan Weiner, Marty Diamond and CODA's Tom Schroeder (the London-based CODA Agency, Paradigm's European partner, will apparently continue operating under its own name). "In working with like-minded professionals, we're able to expand our reach, resources and clients without losing our focus," said Paradigm chairman and CEO Sam Gores in a statement. "Our mutual respect and shared values makes this integration a natural fit. I consider us very fortunate to have the brilliant minds of Paul and Tom on our team." In November, perhaps presaging today's announcement, Paradigm, AM Only and Windish all moved into a newly combined office space in downtown New York City. "The partnership with Paradigm has brought a tremendous group of agents and resources together under one roof on a worldwide scale," Windish stated. "We have always shared the same values and I am proud to now share the same name." "By combining forces with Monterey Peninsula Artists, Little Big Man and now AM Only and Windish, Paradigm has built an inclusive culture that keeps the spirit of these independent companies alive which allows our unique attributes to continue to flourish within the unified agency," added AM Only's Morris. Paradigm has offices in Los Angeles, NYC, London, Monterey, Nashville, San Diego, Oakland and Chicago with clients in television, music, film, theater, book publishing, digital, commercial/voiceover, content finance, media rights, brand partnerships and more. Dallas-based, Wingstop, Inc. WING is further expanding its digital ordering capabilities with the launch of voice-activated ordering through Amazon.com Inc.s AMZN Alexa. Starting Jan 10, Wingstop customers can speak simple command prompts to activate Amazons cloud-based voice service, Alexa. Vocal prompts include the ones such as, Alexa, ask Wingstop to order wings; or Alexa, ask Wingstop to order favorite. Through the commands, customers will be able to place fresh orders, re-order from their past favorites from the menu as well as process payment and obtain anticipated pick-up times. With this latest offering, Wingstop became the first in the industry to offer voice-activated ordering with menu item customization through Amazons Alexa. Venture into Technology The digital wave has hit the U.S. fast casual restaurant sector. Therefore, more and more restaurants are deploying technology to enhance guest experience. Similarly, Wingstop is also investing heavily in technology-driven initiatives like digital ordering to boost sales. The company keeps on adding various ordering apps and platforms to its digital capabilities. Notably, digital leadership is helping the company expand its brand both domestically and overseas. At the end of the last quarter, digital orders accounted for 19% of the total orders for the company. Meanwhile, online sales made up 17.7% of total sales and have been generating $4 higher average check than the current average order. As the company has a takeout mix at approximately 75% of its sales, it expects to continue growing its online ordering mix much higher, over time. In fact, growing online channels is part of the companys core long-term strategy. One of the key enablers of online ordering growth is the rollout of its new Point Of Sales system that integrates online orders straight to the kitchen. Last June, the company debuted industrys first-ever multi-channel social ordering capabilities on Facebook, Inc.s FB Messenger and on Twitter, Inc. TWTR. The omni-channel text and voice conversational technology, powered by Conversable, Inc., allowed customers to start an order, customize it and enjoy easy check-out. Bottom Line Wingstops shares have widely outperformed the broader Zacks categorized RetailRestaurants industry over the last year. While the stock gained 30.1%, the broader industry witnessed a gain of 0.4% in the same time period. Story continues Notably, the company has reported positive comps in all the six quarters since its IPO in Jun 2015, on the back of menu innovation and solid unit development. Moreover, it has beaten earnings and revenue estimates each time since then. Going forward, the extended ways to order are poised to keep Wingstop in the forefront of digital ordering and customer convenience, and should further aid in improving the companys sales trends, and enhance its competitive position. Wingstop currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017? Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report Facebook, Inc. (FB): Free Stock Analysis Report Wingstop Inc. (WING): Free Stock Analysis Report Twitter, Inc. (TWTR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) A contract worker has been critically injured after falling from a crane at a Detroit-area plant. Dearborn Fire Chief Joseph Murray tells the Detroit Free Press that an industrial accident was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday. Murray says the man suffered "significant and traumatic injuries" and was taken to a hospital. WJBK-TV reports that the man fell about 50 feet to the facility's floor. Ford Motor Co. spokeswoman Kelli Felker says the fall occurred at the automaker's Dearborn Diversified Manufacturing Plant. She says a full investigation is being launched. SYDNEY (AP) Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki's streak of not advancing past the quarterfinals in her past seven Sydney Internationals was extended in stifling heat on Wednesday. In temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for much of the match, Wozniacki lost 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-4 to Barbora Strycova in a duel that stretched to 3 hours, 19 minutes. Both players were treated for foot injuries during a grueling second set at Ken Rosewall Arena. Wozniacki came back from 5-2 down in that set, and then 5-0 in the tiebreaker, to win it and force a third set. "It was brutal out there ... but you just try and think like you're on a beach drinking pina coladas," Wozniacki said. "That's basically your train of thought. You know that it's the same for both players, so I was just trying to mentally just try and keep cool." In the semifinals, Strycova will play Agnieszka Radwanska. The second-seeded Pole beat Chinese qualifier Duan Yingying 6-3, 6-2. Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard continued her strong start to the year with a 6-2, 6-3 quarterfinal win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Bouchard had a breakout season in 2014, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open before making the final at Wimbledon. But she has only gone past the fourth round at a major once since then and slipped to No. 46 at the end of last year. "I feel more and more confident every day," Bouchard said. "I feel like I'm getting back into the rhythm of things a little bit, but it's a long road." The Canadian's semifinal opponent will be Sydney-born Johanna Konta of Britain, who beat Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 7-5. Konta broke Kasatkina's service in the 11th game of the second set, helped by a double-fault to set up break point in that game. Last year at the Australian Open, Konta became the first British women to make a Grand Slam semifinal since 1983 before losing to eventual champion Angelique Kerber. Story continues In men's play in Sydney, two-time defending champion Viktor Troicki beat Paolo Lorenzi 6-3, 6-4, and second-seeded Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay defeated Nicolas Mahut of France 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. In Auckland, New Zealand, John Isner narrowly avoided the fate of two former champions when he beat Malek Jaziri 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6) to make the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic. Isner won his last three points with volleys at the net. "The way I need to finish points is that if I can I have to try and finish them at the net," Isner said. "I did that three times in a row and I'm very proud of that." Four former champions were scheduled to play second-round matches Wednesday but by the time the second-seeded Isner took the court, two had bowed out. Defending champion and No. 1-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut was forced to withdraw before play began because of a stomach virus, handing Ruben Statham a place in the second round as a lucky loser from the qualifying rounds. Jiri Vesely, the 2015 champion, was due to play Bautista Agut and thought he had caught a break when the Spaniard withdrew and the 434th-ranked Statham took his place. But Vesely had a tussle on his hands before winning 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-3. Four-time champion David Ferrer was first up on center court and lost 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4) to Robin Haase of the Netherlands. In a night match, fourth-seeded Jack Sock beat fellow American Ryan Harrison 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1. At the WTA's Hobart International, former French Open finalist Lucie Safarova was beaten 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 by Japanese qualifier Risa Ozaki. Ozaki will next meet Monica Niculescu. Top-seeded Kiki Bertens advanced with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan and Shelby Rogers defeated Lara Arruabarrena of Spain 6-2, 6-2. Yasss Aubrey Plaza is finally on Instagram and Chris Pratt wants you to follow her Aubrey Plaza is known for her hilarious deadpan one-liners on Parks and Recreation, and her on-screen chemistry with Parks and Rec love-interest Chris Pratt. Yet, despite becoming one of the most sought-after actresses in comedy, Plaza, 33, has remained completely absent from social media. We all know girl could ROCK the 140-character format, but, we guess shes just been focused on other things. Until now. The half-Puerto Rican, half-Irish actress has started an Instagram account, and her buddy Chris Pratt sent out the welcoming message: My name is Burt MacklinAnd Im with the fuckin F.B.I. Please follow my TV wife @plazadeaubrey Aubrey Plaza AKA Janet Snakehole. She is new to Instagram. She is going to post really weird and funny stuff. My name is Burt Macklin... And I'm with the fuckin' F.B.I. Please follow my TV wife @plazadeaubrey Aubrey Plaza AKA Janet Snakehole. She is new to Instagram. She is going to post really weird and funny stuff. #parksandrec #burtmacklinyousonofabitch A photo posted by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Jan 11, 2017 at 10:12am PST Apparently, Burt Macklin, Parks and Recreations resident deadbeat, has become an F.B.I. agent, and his girl April Ludgate is now some kind of spy. We know better than to not take Pratts advice. Plazas IG feed is going to be off-the-charts entertaining. So, we followed her. Have you? As of this writing, shes only posted one pic, the newly released image for FXs new Legion series. Loosely based on the character David Haller from the X-Men comics, Plaza plays Lenny Busker, whose character description is pretty intriguing. lennylennylenny A photo posted by aubrey plaza (@plazadeaubrey) on Jan 10, 2017 at 1:09pm PST Despite a life of drugs and alcohol abuse, [she] knows that any day now her life is going to turn around which gives Lenny the likeable energy of the impossible optimist despite her rough demeanor. Welps, sounds fun! Sanaa (AFP) - Nearly 1,400 children have been killed, hundreds more injured and many schools closed by the war in Yemen, the UN children's fund said on Wednesday. "Attacks on civilian areas continue to kill and injure scores of children in Yemen," said UNICEF's representative in Yemen, Meritxell Relano. "Instead of learning, children are witnessing death, war and destruction," she added, warning that the actual casualty toll was likely to be much higher than the verified figures. More than 7,300 people have been killed in Yemen since a Saudi-led coalition intervened against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in March 2015 in support of the government. Relano called on all parties in the conflict to protect children and stop attacks on schools. The plea follows a coalition air strike near a school in rebel-held northern Yemen on Tuesday that medics and a local official said killed five people, including two children. UNICEF said that it had confirmed the death of one child in the strike. "Schools have to be zones of peace at all times, a sanctuary where children can learn, grow, play and be safe," Relano said. "Children should never risk their lives only to attend school." She said that nearly 2,000 schools in Yemen can no longer be used because they have been damaged, destroyed or are used as shelters or for military purposes. President Barack Obama signed off with a note of optimism at the end of his farewell address in Chicago Tuesday night, rounding out an emotive speech with an appeal to the countrys young and young at heart. After a few heartwarming words to his family, Vice President Joe Biden and the White House staff, Obama turned his gratitude to the organizers and voters that played a role in electing him eight years ago, and again in 2012. The President said he would leave the political stage even more optimistic about this country than when we started. Let me tell you, this generation coming up unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic Ive seen you in every corner of the country, Obama said to applause. Youll soon outnumber any of us, and I believe as a result the future is in good hands. While Obama will be leaving the White House after serving eight years as Americas first African American President, he wont be leaving service, he said, vowing to be right there with you, as a citizen for his remaining days. He then had one request of U.S. citizens, whether you are young or whether you are young at heart. I am asking you to believe, Obama said, Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours. As America prepares for a new style of leadership under the next President, Donald Trump, the outgoing chief pointed to the past as a reminder of progress. I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes, we can. Yes, we did. Yes, we can. Watch the full sign-off above. By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York man was sentenced on Tuesday to 13 years in prison for trying to join the Islamic militant group al Qaeda when he was a high school senior. Justin Kaliebe, now 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Denis Hurley in Central Islip, New York, after pleading guilty in February 2013 to having attempted to provide material support to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Kaliebe had been arrested a month earlier at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where prosecutors said he planned to board a flight to Muscat, Oman, as part of his plot to eventually travel to Yemen. The defendant was also sentenced to 20 years of supervised release. "I am disappointed and feel that a lesser sentence was warranted," Kaliebe's lawyer Anthony LaPinta said in an email. "Justin is a harmless young man who had many psychological, medical and personal issues that contributed to his criminal conduct," LaPinta continued. "Justin will make the best of his time in prison. I am certain that he will emerge as a rehabilitated, productive and respected member of society." Federal authorities have estimated that 80 percent of Americans linked to activities supporting militant Islamic movements have radicalized themselves with information from the internet. Prosecutors said Kaliebe, a resident of Babylon, New York, began his plot in 2011, and told an undercover law enforcement operative the following year that he was "doing the J word," or violent "jihad." In June 2012, Kaliebe was recorded as saying that upon arriving in Yemen, he expected to fight "those who are fighting against the Sharia of Allah," be it the Yemeni army or U.S. forces, prosecutors said. Kaliebe received support from Marcos Alonso Zea, another Long Island resident who according to prosecutors attempted to fly to Yemen in January 2012 but was intercepted by British customs officials and returned to the United States. Zea, 28, was arrested in October 2013 and sentenced in April 2015 to 25 years in prison, after pleading guilty to attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel; Editing by Tom Brown) By Chris Mfula KEEMBE, Zambia (Reuters) - The foul odour of pesticides hangs in the tropical air as a team of men in blue work suits and respirators sprays a field of maize in this rural corner of Zambia, the frontline in a battle against an invasion of ravenous armyworms. Comprised of Zambian soldiers, the team is part of a mobilization campaign aimed at stemming a pest that threatens tens of thousands of hectares of the staple maize that feeds this impoverished southern African nation. "I sprayed this field twice before but the armyworms are still there," 42-year-old small-scale farmer Mary Sikaona said, pointing at the caterpillars in her 1.5 hectare field in Keembe, about 100 km (60 miles) north of Lusaka. The worms become moths and their name derives from the fact that they "march" across the landscape in large groups while in the caterpillar stage, feasting on young maize plants and wiping out entire fields. Zambian President Edgar Lungu ordered the air force last month to join other government agencies in an emergency operation to contain the spread of the pests that have raided maize fields in many parts of the country.[nL5N1EN264] By late last month, the worms had been spotted in six of Zambia's 10 provinces. Some 124,000 hectares have been infested and the government has so far managed to spray 86,000 hectares, the head of Zambia's disaster management unit Patrick Kangwa said. Nearly 40 percent of the affected crop, representing an area large enough to produce 200,000 tonnes of maize, would have to be re-planted, Kangwa told Reuters in an interview. "There will be damage but we hope that the majority of the affected crop will be able to get back and produce," Kangwa said. Zambia's maize production rose to 2.87 million tonnes in 2016 from 2.60 million tonnes the previous year, the only producer in the region to largely escape a scorching drought triggered by an El Nino weather pattern. Most of the maize was attacked when knee high and there are high chances of it recovering after spraying with pesticides, Coillard Hamusimbi, the head of agri-business at the Zambia National Farmers' Union, said. However, Hamusimbi said the heavy rain that Zambia is experiencing was holding back the spraying. "We have cases of 100 percent control among some commercial farmers but we also have farmers who are now going into their second spray because the chemical was washed away by the rain," Hamusimbi said. (Editing by Ed Stoddard and Susan Thomas) HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean farmers in the maize growing regions face a threat from the armyworm, a pest that consumes vast fields of crops if left unchecked, a government official said. Maize is the staple crop in the southern African nation, where the government has set a target of 2 million tonnes this year after a devastating drought in 2016. Godfrey Chikwenhere, the chief entomologist in the Ministry of Agriculture, said on Wednesday that the armyworm was affecting crops in eight out of Zimbabwe's 10 provinces. The government has not yet estimated the amount of maize affected, he said. The worms become moths and their name derives from the fact that they "march" across the landscape in large groups while in the caterpillar stage, feasting on young maize plants and wiping out entire fields. "The armyworm is the biggest challenge to farmers at the moment and the government has distributed a contact pesticide to eradicate the worms," Chikwenhere said. Chikwenhere said the armyworm could become resistant to chemicals if farmers did not correctly apply the pesticide. Zambia, Zimbabwe's northern neighbor and major maize producer, has started a campaign aimed at stemming the armyworm, which has affected 124,000 hectares of maize in that country. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Ed Stoddard) Binging Netflix can ACTUALLY hurt the planet but heres what you can do to help Bad news, binge-watch fans who also happen to love Planet Earth at the rate were going now, Greenpeace says video streaming will increase our carbon emissions, with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon all being named as companies who need to do better when it comes to being green. According to Mashable, Greenpeace in its annual report called Click Clean revealed that both streaming videos via millions of servers and transmitting shows to devices uses a ton of energy, and our favorite places to binge havent done as much as other tech giants, like Apple and Facebook, to reduce their carbon footprint. If those companies dont join the [clean energy] race in a real way, that growth is going to be driving more demand for dirty energy, Gary Cook, senior IT analyst for Greenpeace, told the outlet. Indeed, while Facebook and Apple have invested heavily in renewable energy and energy efficiency at their data centers, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon all scored poorly in categories like energy transparency and renewable procurement, referring to efforts to purchase cleaner electrons or invest in wind and solar projects. greenpeace click clean report Mashable also spoke with Arman Shehabi, a research scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, and got some scary numbers: in 2011, Americans streamed 3.2 billion hours of video, which consumed 25 petajoules of energy and resulted in 1.3 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions. Its likely only grown since then as we stream more and more video, and while companies like Amazon are expanding to fit our needs, theyre also hurting us by setting up shop in states that lack clean energy policies and instead rely on coal and other fossil fuels, like Virginia. Which leads us to how we can help, which is a bit more complicated since were all simply consumers. Of course canceling our Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu accounts would be a small step, but a pretty useless one in the long run, and who wants to miss Season 2 of Stranger Things? Instead, picking up the phone (or clicking on the laptop) to contact executives from these companies on social media and via petitions, and more importantly, contacting local and state representatives to push for cleaner energy policies so companies like Amazon will be forced to reduce their carbon footprints, is the better option to ensure cleaner streaming. Itll be a long, hard road now that Donald Trump has nominated folks like ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, and former Texas Governor Rick Perry as Secretary of Energy, but the House of Representatives Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition is an excellent resource for those hoping to get involved and do more for the planet. Narya Marcilles poster design has caught the attention of women on Pantsuit Nation. (Artwork: Narya Marcille) As excitement builds over the upcoming Womens March on Washington, much of that protest energy has translated into an outpouring of Facebook love for an emblematic poster design created by a mother of two. Narya Marcille of Rhode Island knows that traveling to the post-Inauguration Day march with her sister and aunts will be too difficult with her 4-month-old son, so instead the talented artist created a poster for her family members to carry, at her aunt Ginny Kerslakes behest. She then posted her inspired creation, also at Kerslakes urging, to the Facebook group Pantsuit Nation on Sunday evening, where it has since received more than 82,000 reactions. Its overwhelming, Marcille, who has a BA in fine arts from the University of Rhode Island, tells Yahoo Beauty. I didnt expect it. People have been so kind. Narya Marcille with her husband, Tom Gruczka, and their two sons. (Photo courtesy of Narya Marcille) The stay-at-home mom (also to another son, 3) and freelance graphic designer says she spent just over a week on the vector drawing, digitally created in Adobe Illustrator. She was also able to submit it to the Womens March call for official artwork, a deadline she made by six minutes. But whether or not Marcilles design rises to the top of the pack or not (and announcement is expected any day now), Pantsuit Nation fans have deemed her a winner. HRC by Narya Marcille. The thousands of commenters have called her poster design amazing, beautiful, and outstanding, with some noting they would be posting it to their walls and crediting the artist. In response, Marcille, 34, announced that she had set up an Etsy page with various digital downloads available ($5 to $15, depending on sizes) for T-shirts, hats, and posters, with half the profits going toward Planned Parenthood and Running Start. RBG by Narya Marcille. Although the artist included Hillary Clinton and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the forefront of the image, the other women depicted were imagined. I wanted it to be that everyone can join the fight, not just famous women, she explains. But I really admire them. Story continues Since the election, Marcille admits, she has felt frightened for the country. Im really scared, she says. Im just baffled by [Donald Trump]. But the positive and supportive posts on Pantsuit Nation have lifted her up. Its inspiring, and its made me braver and given me hope that people are willing to stand up for each other, she adds, noting that such hope is particularly inspiring for her goals as a mom. Im going to raise my boys to be feminists. Women Unite by Narya Marcille. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Apple is reportedly working on a pair of connected augmented reality in collaboration with German precision optics specialist, Carl Zeiss, according to the website 9to5Mac. The rumor comes from American blogger Robert Scoble, who reportedly spoke to Carl Zeiss employees at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. They apparently confirmed that Apple is working on a pair of lightweight augmented reality glasses. Although the information remains unconfirmed, it isn't the first time that the Cupertino tech firm has been linked to such a project. In fact, Bloomberg reported in 2016 that Apple was developing this kind of device. In reality, the augmented reality glasses are likely to function via connection to an iPhone. The Apple CEO has already spoken up as a greater believer in augmented reality technology than in virtual reality, adding further weight to the project's existence, even if it remains pure speculation. Robert Scoble even claims that the product could land as soon as 2017. Note that Carl Zeiss has already developed and launched a virtual reality headset, the VR One, which connects to a smartphone (Android or iOS). Currently, the connected glasses market is still in very early days. Following the failure of Google Glass, it was Microsoft that caused a sensation in 2015 with its Hololens glasses, allowing wearers to interact with virtual reality elements in a real-world environment. Hololens is out now in selected countries priced $3,000 in the form of a developers' kit for professionals. In a completely different genre and on a smaller scale, Snaps has launched Spectacles glasses that can film and share short videos online on Snapchat. CES 2017 brought a host of product announcements, notably the R8 and R9 glasses presented by Californian firm Osterhout Design Group. These use Qualcomm technology, making use of the latest Snapdragon 835 processor, and are due on sale in summer 2017, priced around $1,000 for the R8 and double that for the R9. Israeli start-up Lumus presented Maximus at the Las Vegas event. This prototype lets wearers experience virtual reality with a wide 55 field of view, and can be added directly to regular glasses. Maximus could also come to market soon. By Faith Hung TAIPEI (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding, which is awaiting regulatory approval for a $45 million fund it is participating in, has promised the Taiwanese government it will not take board seats at local firms the fund invests in, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. The fund is being raised by China Development Financial Holding (CDF), one of the island's biggest financial holding firms, and the Chinese e-commerce giant is planning to take a 29.99 percent stake. The deal has yet to be approved by Taiwan's Investment Commission despite an application three months ago, raising concern that the fund may be rejected amid a chill in political relations with China. It follows a $300 million Taiwan Entrepreneur Fund that Alibaba founder Jack Ma announced in 2015 but while the start-ups that the fund has invested in so far are based in Taiwan, they are not incorporated in Taiwan. Beijing cut off an official communications channel with Taiwan in June, after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen declined to commit to the "One China" principle that Taiwan is part of China. In a sign of heightened tensions, Taiwan scrambled jets and navy ships on Wednesday as a group of Chinese warships led by China's sole aircraft carrier sailed north through the Taiwan Strait. Other business deals have been affected. In November, Taiwan's ChipMOS Technologies said it scrapped a planned $373 million stake sale to China's Tsinghua Unigroup due to uncertainty about Taiwanese regulatory clearance, the second deal in eight months involving Unigroup and a firm in the island to fall through. The source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject, said Alibaba's investment plans offered benefits to Taiwan startups. "Alibaba can offer Taiwan entrepreneurs assistance to enter markets not only in China but in Southeast Asia as well," said the source. The commission said that it was appropriate to take a more cautious approach to investments from China. "We welcome foreign investments, and Chinese investments in principle as well," said Emile Chang, the commission's executive secretary. "But the review process is stricter." Representatives for Alibaba did not respond to requests for comment. Other investors in the fund include Quanta Computer, a supplier of Apple Inc, and Far EasTone Telecommunications, said the source. (Reporting by Faith Hung; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Edwina Gibbs) Washington (AFP) - A fierce controversy erupted Wednesday after BuzzFeed News published an unsubstantiated dossier containing lurid details on purported intelligence gathered by Russia about President-elect Donald Trump. Two media outfits -- BuzzFeed and CNN -- were singled out by Donald Trump who publicly attacked both as purveyors of "fake news" in connection with the report. CNN was first to report that Trump had been briefed on the existence of a dossier circulating in US political circles, that alleged Russian possessed compromising information about him. The cable network declined to give details of the unverified allegations, but BuzzFeed took the controversial step of publishing the 35-page dossier in full -- complete with salacious references to alleged sex tapes involving Trump and Russian prostitutes. Several US media published limited descriptions of the report's contents -- while making clear, as did BuzzFeed, that they were unverified, and possibly unverifiable. But many media outlets and analysts joined Trump in denouncing the decision by BuzzFeed. "I think it was incredibly irresponsible." said Dan Kennedy, a journalism professor at Northeastern University. Kennedy called it "unfortunate" that the actions of one media outfit -- BuzzFeed -- stood to further erode public trust in media, after a bruising campaign in which news organizations were pilloried by Trump and during which "fake news" became an issue. - 'Ridiculous rationale' - One of the largest online news sites, BuzzFeed defended its decision to publish the 35-page document, compiled by a former British intelligence operative hired by other US presidential contenders to do political "opposition research" on Trump last year. BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith said his goal was "to be transparent in our journalism and to share what we have with our readers," while noting that "the document was in wide circulation at the highest levels of American government and media." Story continues But Kelly McBride, ethicist at the Poynter Institute, a media education center, said in a blog post that "publishing an entirely unvetted document is a significant departure from the way editors of most significant publications would define the role of reporting." Media writers at leading news organizations echoed the criticism of BuzzFeed -- a website created in 2006 which has recently stepped up its investigative reporting and global presence. Washington Post media writer Erik Wemple slammed BuzzFeed's "ridiculous rationale" for publication. "It is unverified -- meaning that it requires further investigation," Wemple wrote. "BuzzFeed has started that process and pledges to continue pursuing it. So why post the documents now?" David Graham of The Atlantic said BuzzFeed "sidestepped a basic principle of journalism." The release "unfairly forces a public figure -- Trump, in this case -- to respond to a set of allegations that might or might not be entirely scurrilous," Graham wrote. "The reporter's job is not to simply dump as much information as possible into the public domain... It is to gather information, sift through it, and determine what is true and what is not." "Transparent transmission of misinformation is no more helpful or clarifying than no information at all." - 'Garbage' - At a news conference Wednesday, Trump called the dossier's release "disgraceful," training his fire intelligence agencies who he suggested may have leaked it -- and on the media. Trump reserved his harshest words for BuzzFeed, a site that uses analytics to understand how news goes viral and drew some 185 million visitors last month. "As far as BuzzFeed, which is a failing pile of garbage, writing it, I think they're going to suffer the consequences," Trump warned. He also assailed CNN for breaking the initial story, accusing them of "going out of their way to build it up." The president-elect then clashed with CNN reporter Jim Acosta, repeatedly denying him a question and eventually telling him: "You are fake news." The cable network later pushed back in a statement, saying: "CNN's decision to publish carefully sourced reporting about the operations of our government is vastly different than BuzzFeed's decision to publish unsubstantiated memos." - 'Kudos' to BuzzFeed - Not all the reaction was negative. Richard Tofel, president of the investigative news organization ProPublica, welcomed BuzzFeed's decision to publish, noting that CNN had earlier reported on the existence of the document without revealing its contents. "Kudos to @BuzzFeedBen and his team for publishing the dossier. Once CNN story out, citizens should have evidence to consider for themselves," Tofel tweeted. Analysts at the blog Lawfare, which follows national security issues, noted that they had also had the document "for a couple of weeks" and chose "not to publish it while the allegations within it remain unproven." But the analysts -- Benjamin Wittes, Susan Hennessey and Quinta Jurecic of the Brookings Institution -- said the dossier was nonetheless an important issue that deserved to be investigated. "The president and president-elect do not get briefed on material that the intelligence community does not believe to be at least of some credibility," they wrote. "While nobody has confirmed any of the allegations, both inside government and in the press, it is clear to us that they are the subject of serious attention." The New Year has not been kind to Samsung thus far. Just yesterday, both Samsung and LG were found by the US International Trade Commission to have violated US and international trade laws following a complaint filed by Whirlpool. Now, less than one day later, Samsung boss Jay Y. Lee was named by the South Korean special prosecutors office as a suspect in a political bribery probe. Don't Miss: Apples courage is driving me insane Special prosecutors in South Korea have officially named Jay Y. Lee as a suspect in an ongoing probe tied to an influence-peddling scandal that may ultimately see current South Korean president Park Geun-hye removed from office. At this point, it appears as though Park will become South Koreas first elected leader to be forced out of office; the countrys parliament voted in December to impeach her over the Samsung corruption scandal for which Lee is currently being investigated. The countrys Constitutional Court is now tasked with either upholding or overturning the impeachment vote. The prob stems from a scandal involving President Park, her friend Choi Soon-sil, and payment made by Samsung to a business and several foundations backed by Choi. According to earlier findings in the investigation, the payments totaled approximately $25 million. Samsung acknowledges making the payments to two foundations and a consulting firm, but denies that they were tied to its lobbying efforts to gain approval for the 2015 merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries Inc, a deal that was embroiled in controversy. The prosecutors office has not yet issued formal indictments for Jay Y. Lee or other Samsung executives named in the probe, but arrest warrants could soon be issued, The New York Times noted. Lee, whose net worth is estimated at $5.8 billion by Forbes, is the son of former Samsung boss Lee Kun-hee, who stepped down as chairman of the Samsung Group in 2008 after being convicted of embezzlement and tax evasion. He was later pardoned by the president of South Korea. Story continues Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com Samsung was awarded a patent for a fold-out smartphone. It is unclear if the company has any plans to mass produce the device. While companies showed off their most innovative products at CES last week, Samsung was looking even farther into the future. The company was awarded a patent for a next generation, fold-out smartphone, according to a report from Patently Mobile. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted Samsung the patent, though not much is known about the actual application of such a device. The Korean manufacturer also had two other designs approved that are slightly more conventional, including a smartphone with a curved edge on the back of the device and a smartphone with dual edges in the style of the Galaxy Edge. In the case of all three patented designs, its unclear if there will ever be a manufactured device that matches the patent drawings. But the fold-out smartphone patent is of particular interest not just because of the oddity of it, but because of the interest other major smartphone makers have in such a concept. According to a previous report from Patently Apple, a leading supplier of folding screen technology confirmed five companies are currently testing foldable displays. Google, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and Lenovo are all reportedly experimenting with the idea. LG has also reportedly been working on foldable and bendable displays. While the report speculated at least three companies would mass produce a foldable phone by 2018, the closest to realizing the concept is Lenovo. The Chinese company brought out a foldable smartphone concept device last year. Samsungs patent could present trouble for Lenovo and any other company hoping to bring a smartphone to market, as theyll have to avoid infringing upon Samsungs claim to the concept or face potential payment. Apple also has its fair share of patents on foldable and flexible displays. It was believed that Samsung would attempt to release a foldable device as early as 2016, but plans never came to fruition. The Galaxy Xa future version of the companys flagship smartphoneis rumored to feature a flexible display. The company will also have to deal with the consequences of its Galaxy Note 7 debacle that led to a massive recall to get the devices, which had a habit of exploding, off the market. Related Articles One of the great features of Google Maps is that it will warn you in real-time if theres any traffic on your route, and suggest alternative options so you dont get stuck in traffic. If youve ever wondered about the secret sauce behind that feature the answer is pretty simple. And as you might expect, its also very logical and somewhat creepy. Don't Miss: Exclusive: This image could be the worlds first look at the Galaxy S8 Every time you use Google Maps and allow it to access your location, the app will also send location data back to its servers. That way, when your location is on a roadway, Google is able to analyze in real-time whether youre actually moving or if youre stuck in traffic. By pooling data from millions of users around the clock, Google is also able to see when and where you can expect heavy traffic. As the Business Insider video below shows, there are other sources that contribute to Googles traffic analysis, including crowd-sourced data from Waze technically, thats still data that you send to Google and data from local transportation authorities. That said, this is actually one Google Maps feature that many people rely on. Switching off location services on your phone is one way to prevent Google from accessing your location. But if everyone did it, then one of the best Google Maps features would be severely crippled, since Google wouldnt be able to measure and predict traffic in real-time as easily as it does now. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - Electric carmaker Tesla Motors Inc has hired a key Apple Inc software engineer to oversee its Autopilot self-driving software efforts, Tesla said in a blog post Tuesday. Chris Lattner, who served at Apple for more than a decade, said in a online message to Apple developers on Tuesday morning that he would "leave Apple later this month to pursue an opportunity in another space" without saying which company he planned to join. Later in the day, Tesla posted a message on the company's website saying that Lattner had been hired as vice president of Autopilot software but did not say when he would start work there. Tesla declined to comment beyond the announcement. Apple confirmed the departure but would not comment beyond Lattner's posted message. The move is a significant win for Tesla, bringing a high-profile figure in the world of software development for a position that previously did not have a full-time leader. Tesla's Autopilot was overseen on an interim basis by the software chief Jinnah Hosein of SpaceX, which is also headed by Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk. Autopilot is the hardware and software system on Tesla vehicles that allows self-driving in some situations but still requires drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel. Federal safety regulators in the United States are examining whether Autopilot played a role in a fatal crash in Florida last year. Lattner most recently served as a senior director in the developer tools department at Apple and was best known for introducing Swift, a programming language that made it easier for software developers to write apps for iOS, the operating system that powers iPhones and iPads. In addition to developing Swift at Apple, Lattner also led a successful push to make the programming language open source, meaning that developers could incorporate it into their applications without having to pay fees to Apple. The move was a first for Apple, which until then had typically tightly controlled the technology it created. Microsoft Corp and Google parent Alphabet Inc have also either published or contributed to open-source programming languages. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis; editing by Diane Craft) Even after agreeing to shell out a massive $14.7 billion settlement in California and initiating the recall and buyback program for its emissions-cheating vehicles, Volkswagen knew that its days in court werent quite over with. Today, the company finally faced the music in its lawsuit brought on by the US Justice Department and pled guilty to a trio of criminal charges. A half dozen senior VW employees have also now been indicted, and the AP reports that upwards of 40 Volkswagen employees sought to cover up evidence of wrongdoing. Don't Miss: There will soon be a new bright spot in our night sky As part of its punishment, Volkswagen will pay a massive $4.3 billion penalty, which is by far the largest such penalty for an automaker, ever. Additionally, the company will be forced to work with a fully independent overseer for a period of three years. By pleading guilty, VW must now also support the continued investigation into the defeat device the gadgetry that allowed the vehicles to appear to be passing emissions tests when in reality they werent as well as the subsequent coverup by Volkswagen employees. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank. Experts at Johns Hopkins and New York's Mount Sinai Health System have published a suggested new plan for a five-stage system of classifying the risk of heart attack in those with heart disease, one they say puts much-needed and long-absent focus on the risks faced by millions of Americans who pass so-called stress tests or have less obvious or earlier-stage danger signs. In a report in the Dec. 6 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the authors estimate there are several million adults with concerning symptoms of heart disease who currently are clinically excluded as being at serious risk of heart attack because the current classification systems doctors use are heavily focused on so-called obstructive coronary heart disease criteria. The article is accompanied by an audio commentary by author Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., of Mount Sinai. Current classifications issued by American and European cardiology societies look mostly for evidence that fatty plaques have narrowed blood vessels that nourish the heart by 50 percent or even 70 percent or more, which may restrict blood flow to the heart muscle during exertion. Only when that benchmark 50 percent is reached are cardiologists and other physicians likely to formally diagnose patients with obstructive heart disease and deem them at high-enough risk for a heart attack to warrant preventive interventions with statins or other drugs. Women are twice as likely to have nonobstructive heart disease compared to men, and make up much of the undertreated population. But based on data from a 2012 study by researchers in Denmark that looked at survival rates in 4,711 women and 6,512 men after analyzing the severity of blocked arteries through coronary angiography, the Johns Hopkins and Mount Sinai specialists say there is evidence that people with less than 50 percent blockage of their heart's arteries, with so-called nonobstructive heart disease, are at just about the same risk of death due to heart attack, stroke or heart failure (congestive heart disease)about 14 percent over five years for men and 8 percent for womenas people with an artery with a 50 percent or greater blockage. Based on a 2013 review from the United Kingdom looking at angiography data among 41,960 patients evaluated for suspected heart disease from the U.S. and other countries, they say, individuals with nonobstructive heart disease account for an estimated third of people who visit their physician complaining of chest pain in the U.S. each year, or about 5 million to 7 million people. "What we and others can conclude from such evidence is that far less severe blockages can cause trouble because the sticky plaques can lead to the clumping of blood cells in coronary arteries, producing small clots that may cause chest pain and ultimately may lead to a heart attack," says Armin Zadeh, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., associate professor of medicine and member of the Heart and Vascular Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "But because our current diagnostic criteria don't point to an immediate problem, we aren't always treating people who may have the same risk for heart attack as those with greater blockages." That gap in diagnosis and preventive therapy, Zadeh says, led them to undertake development of an updated classification system better able to capture those with nonobstructive heart disease. At the heart of the new system are "earlier" stages, dubbed stage 1 and stage 2, that encompass the previously underrecognized and untreated population, and including patients with several moderate blockages in the high-risk category. In practice, the researchers say, that population is composed of people complaining about chest pain or unexplained shortness of breath during mild exertion. To diagnose heart disease with mild or moderate blockagesstages 1, 2 or even 3such individuals could undergo a cardiac CT or MRI scan. Current and widely used guidelines call for anyone with chest pain to undergo a cardiac exercise or chemical stress test. Those who "fail" the test then generally undergo coronary angiography by cardiac catheterization, a form of invasive imaging with a dye injected into a catheter threaded into the heart's blood vessel system, which visualizes blockages. "The problem with this approach is that stress tests accurately detect only heart disease that is very advanced," says Zadeh. "And cardiac catheterization, which can give an accurate reading about the percentage of blockage, is invasive, so we don't want to be routinely doing that for people who do all right on a stress test or for those with borderline results." The suggested new system has five stages, which, Zadeh acknowledges, depend far more heavily on cardiac CT or MRI rather than stress testing. Traditional treadmill stress tests, which use an EKG to measure the electric activity of the heart, run under $200 but go up to $500 if done with ultrasound imaging. Nuclear stress tests that use radioactive dyes to image the heart can cost around $950. Cardiac CT scans run between $400 and $600, and cardiac MRI scans cost a little over $800. Stage 0 is defined as no visible heart disease based on a heart scan, meaning no visible plaque buildup in the heart's arteries. Stage 1 would be considered mild heart disease, in which one to two blood vessels may be blocked less than 30 percent. Stage 2 is defined as moderate heart disease, with blockage between 30 and 49 percent in one to two vessels, or mild blockage in three blood vessels. At stage 3, a person would be considered to have severe heart disease, meaning one to two coronary arteries show more than 50 percent narrowing of the vessels diameter, or three blood vessels are moderately blocked in the 30 to 49 percent range. Very severe heart disease, or stage 4, has three or more vessels with over 50 percent blockage. Based on data from the U.K. review and many others, Zadeh says, at each increasing stage, the risk of heart attack or death per year goes up, starting from a less than 0.1 percent risk a year among those at stage 0, 0.1 to 0.9 percent risk within a year at stage 1, 1 to 1.9 percent risk at stage 2, 2 to 3.9 percent risk at stage 3, and 4 percent or greater risk of heart attack or death for those at stage 4. The risks in these stages were established by coronary angiography from both cardiac catheterization and noninvasive CT scanning data. "Heart disease deaths have dropped substantially thanks to better diagnosis and treatment, but particularly due to improved preventive measures, including treating risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol," says Zadeh. "However, heart disease will remain a leading cause of death until we achieve better population health and identify earlier the millions of people whose risks of heart attack are being missed, underdiagnosed and untreated. Expanding our diagnostic criteria for heart disease is a good first step, and we think there's enough evidence to do so." In the U.S., according to government statistics, heart disease remains the leading cause of all adult deaths, killing more than 600,000 people each year, although the cancer death rate is rapidly closing the gap. More information: Armin Arbab-Zadeh et al. The Risk Continuum of Atherosclerosis and its Implications for Defining CHD by Coronary Angiography, Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2016). Journal information: Journal of the American College of Cardiology Armin Arbab-Zadeh et al. The Risk Continuum of Atherosclerosis and its Implications for Defining CHD by Coronary Angiography,(2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.08.069 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Coca-Cola's "Happy Holidays" truck tour should be banned, given the growing evidence of the effect that marketing of unhealthy food and drink has on children, say public health experts in The BMJ today. In 2018, the UK government will introduce an industry levy on full sugar soft drinks as part of its childhood obesity strategy. This Christmas the truck visited five locations in north west England in the first week of December and received substantial coverage in the major local newspapers in Liverpool and Manchester. Visitors could have their photo taken with the vehicle while being given free product (including a 150 ml can of standard Coca-Cola containing 15.9 g of sugar - nearly four teaspoons). But Robin Ireland, Director of Food Active - a campaign based in north west England to tackle increasing obesity levels - points out that 34% of 10 to 11 year olds in the north west are overweight or obese. Further 33% of 5 year olds have tooth decay, largely down to their consumption of sugary drinks. Many public health departments have launched campaigns about sugary drinks to try to help their communities reduce their consumption, so Coca-Cola's campaign was scarcely welcomed by local directors of public health, medical professionals, educationalists, or indeed members of the public, he adds. Such was their concern that Food Active organised a letter stating "We can celebrate without allowing Coca-Cola to hijack Christmas by bringing false gifts of bad teeth and weight problems to our children." The 108 signatories included five public health directors and the current and past presidents of the Faculty of Public Health. The letter received no coverage in either Liverpool or Manchester. "It is of huge concern that no alternative views were provided in the face of a concerted commercial marketing campaign by Coca-Cola, writes Ireland. "Apparently Coca-Cola's voice counts more than those of directors of public health." He believes that this form of advertising and marketing should be banned and will continue to push for national action to stop similar campaigns next Christmas. More information: Editorial: Happy corporate holidays from Coca-Cola, The BMJ, www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.i6833 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) Editorial: Happy corporate holidays from Coca-Cola, Credit: Martha Sexton/public domain Bone fractures in diabetic mice heal better in the presence of a protein that stimulates the activity of skeletal stem cells, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The protein counteracts a decrease in stem cell activity that the researchers observed both in mouse models of diabetes and in bone samples from diabetic patients who had undergone joint replacements. The researchers hope the discovery will lead to ways to help people with diabetes heal more efficiently from broken bones. "We've uncovered the reason why some patients with diabetes don't heal well from fractures, and we've come up with a solution that can be locally applied during surgery to repair the break," said Michael Longaker, MD, co-director of Stanford's Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. "Diabetes is rampant worldwide, and any improvement in the ability of affected people to heal from fractures could have an enormously positive effect on their quality of life." The study will be published Jan. 11 in Science Translational Medicine. Longaker, a professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery, shares senior authorship of the study with Charles Chan, PhD, an instructor at the stem cell institute. Postdoctoral scholar Ruth Tevlin, MD, is the lead author. Healing difficulties Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by the inability to either produce or to respond appropriately to insulin. It affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is increasing in prevalence. In addition to causing dangerous swings in blood sugar levels after meals, the condition leads to many other debilitating symptoms, including an impaired ability to heal soft tissue injuries and skeletal fractures. The precise molecular reason behind this impaired bone healing has been unknown, however. Longaker, Chan and Tevlin built on previous research in which they and colleagues in the laboratory of co-author Irving Weissman, MD, professor of pathology and of developmental biology, identified and described a population of cells in the bones of mice that serve as skeletal stem cells, or SSCs. These adult stem cells can become all components of the skeletal system, including bone, cartilage and a part of the bone marrow known as the stroma. They subsequently showed that fracture healing in mice was severely impaired when these stem cells were depleted. That finding got them thinking. "We wanted to apply what we knew about skeletal stem cells to the problem of impaired bone healing in people with diabetes," said Chan. "Does the disease affect fracture healing by somehow modulating the activity of these stem cells?" The researchers used a mouse model of Type 2 diabetes, in which the disease arises when the animals are about 4 weeks old. Prior to the development of the disease, the prediabetic mice were able to heal leg bone fractures as effectively as wild-type mice, the researchers found. In contrast, after the disease had manifested itself, the repaired bone was significantly weaker and less dense than the bone in the control animals. When they compared the numbers of SSCs in the healing bone seven days after fracture, they found that the diabetic mice had significantly lower numbers of these cells than did the control animals. Signaling problem A series of experiments ruled out a systemic reason for this reduction in stem cell numbers, and also confirmed that the cells themselves were fully functional. That left only a potential problem with the signals the cells were receiving from the surrounding environment, or niche. When Tevlin and her colleagues analyzed that environment, they found that the diabetic animals produced significantly lower levels of a family of signaling proteins called hedgehog that are known to play a critical role in many biological processes, including embryonic development and tissue regeneration. The researchers collaborated with co-author Philip Beachy, PhD, professor of biochemistry and of developmental biology, to test whether artificially blocking the hedgehog signaling pathway could impair bone healing in nondiabetic mice. They found that control mice exposed to a molecule that blocked the pathway regrew bone that was weaker and more brittlejust like the diabetic animals. "Next we had to test whether adding the hedgehog signaling proteins back into the local environment in diabetic animals restored their ability to heal fractures," said Longaker. The researchers collaborated with co-authors Fan Yang, PhD, assistant professor of bioengineering and orthopaedic surgery, and postdoctoral scholar Xinming Tong, PhD, to devise a biologically friendly hydrogel into which the hedgehog signaling proteins were embedded. The gel was applied directly to the fracture site. "And these animals healed just like normal mice," said Longaker, who holds the Deane P. and Louise Mitchell Professorship in the School of Medicine. Clues in human bone samples Finally, the team reached out to co-author Stuart Goodman, MD, PhD, professor of orthopaedic surgery, to obtain bone samples from patients with diabetes who were undergoing joint replacement for osteoarthritis. They compared the expression of proteins important to the hedgehog signaling pathway from these samples with others obtained from non-diabetic patients. Normally this tissue would be discarded by the surgeon, but in this case it held important clues. "What we saw in these human samples completely echoed what we saw in the mice," said Chan. "The bones from the diabetic patients displayed significantly reduced expression of these important signaling proteins." Longaker, Chan and Tevlin believe the inhibition of the hedgehog signaling pathway arises from diabetes-associated inflammation that causes high levels of a molecule called tumor necrosis factor alpha. TNF-alpha levels are known to be elevated in patients with diabetes, and the researchers observed a corresponding increase in their mouse models of the disease. They also showed that these increased levels of TNF-alpha inhibited the expression of some hedgehog family members. Directly inhibiting all TNF-alpha activity, however, could have other dire consequences for an animal or a human patient because TNF-alpha plays many important biological roles. "Here we've devised a feasible strategy for reversing a tissue-specific pathologythe inability to heal skeletal fractures efficientlyin a complex metabolic disease like diabetes, through the local application of a compound to stimulate the activity of adult stem cells," said Longaker said. "We anticipate that hedgehog-mediated molecular therapies that directly target stem cells in human patients could be therapeutic." More research is necessary before trying this approach in humans, but the researchers are hopeful that local application of hedgehog proteins will be shown to be both safe and effective. Their findings further validate the idea that tissue-specific stem cells are likely to play vital roles in tissue regeneration and response to injury. "This research represents a significant step forward toward realizing the promise of Proposition 71, which established the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine," said Chan. "We've looked to stem cells to learn why people with diabetes don't heal bone fractures properly, and come up with an approach that we are excited to try in the clinic." More information: "Pharmacological rescue of diabetic skeletal stem cell niches," Science Translational Medicine, stm.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/ scitranslmed.aag2809 Journal information: Science Translational Medicine "Pharmacological rescue of diabetic skeletal stem cell niches," (HealthDay)Legumes such as beans and peas make people feel fuller after a meal than meat, a small study shows. The study included 43 men who were served three different protein-rich meals in which patties made of beans and peas or veal and pork were a centerpiece. Not only were the vegetable patties more filling than the meat, the men ate 12 percent fewer calories at their next meal. That suggests that beans/peas patties may help with weight control, according to the researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. "The protein-rich meal composed of legumes contained significantly more fiber than the protein-rich meal of pork and veal, which probably contributed to the increased feeling of satiety," lead researcher Anne Raben said in a university news release. The findings are "somewhat contrary to the widespread belief that one ought to consume a large amount of protein because it increases satiety more. Now, something suggests that one can eat a fiber-rich meal, with less protein, and achieve the same sensation of fullness," said Raben, a professor in the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports. "While more studies are needed for a definitive proof, it appears as if vegetable-based mealsparticularly those based on beans and peasboth can serve as a long term basis for weight loss and as a sustainable eating habit," she concluded. The study was published recently in the journal Food & Nutrition. More information: The U.S. Department of Agriculture outlines The U.S. Department of Agriculture outlines protein foods for vegetarians Copyright 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. French hospitals are being stretched to their limits by a major flu epidemic sweeping the country, France's health authorities warn. Thousands of mostly elderly people have been admitted due to a winter outbreak of a virulent strain of the virus known as H3N2. Health Minister Marisol Touraine told hospital directors Tuesday that the latest figures showed a "worrying" situation with the epidemic yet to reach its peak. This winter's virus is a cousin of a flu that contributed to 18,000 deaths two years ago, public health authorities say. At the weekend, the health ministry ordered a probe into the deaths of 13 residents of a nursing home in the eastern city of Lyon late last month. 2017 AFP Cindy Wu, MD, assistant professor in the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery, set out to quantify the anecdotal information she was receiving from her patients. What she found in the course of her study the results of which were published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal surprised her. Wu and her fellow authors compared the preferences of patients seeking information on three common aesthetic procedures: breast augmentation, face lift, and combination breast and abdominal surgery. Since aesthetic procedures are usually elective in nature, Wu knew that patients were shopping around and weighing their options before choosing a surgeon. The study was set up to measure which factors were most influential in a patient's ultimate decision: before-and-after photographs, patient testimonials, pricing information, and physician information, such as years in practice, educational information, credentials, etc. "The industry understanding, for example, is that breast augmentation patients who are generally younger are very price conscious," Wu said. "We also know from clinical experience that facelift patients who tend to be older women valued testimonials from friends, neighbors, or family members." The results of the study, however, upended those assumptions. Findings were consistent across patient groups and procedures, with before-and-after photos and testimonials being the most important factors for patients in all three groups when making decisions. "Aesthetic surgery is different from other areas of surgery because it's so visual, so experiential," Wu said. "Photos obviously allow patients to judge for themselves whether this was a good result or not, and testimonials are also valuable because patients put a lot of stock in the experiences of previous patients. The best advertisement for you as a surgeon is definitely a satisfied patient," Wu said. In addition to these findings, the study is also noteworthy for its method of data collection. Wu and her colleagues used crowdsourcing to recruit study participants who used an electronic survey to weigh the attributes. "I think that the way we traditionally have recruited patients for research studies, though email solicitation and posting fliers, is archaic and can contribute to the fact that research projects take so long to complete," said Wu. "I was seeking options for how we could get a large number of people engaged and taking our survey, and came across Amazon's MTurk tool." Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is a crowdsourcing platform that employs workers from all over the world to perform tasks online, including completing surveys. The tool has been used widely by corporations and researchers in the humanities and behavioral sciences, but had not yet gained wide acceptance in health research. When Wu learned about the tool, she knew it would be ideal for the study, both for its ability to enroll participants quickly, but also the diversity of MTurk workers. "While Amazon's MTurk platform is anonymous, some research has looked at the participants and has found that many are based in the United States, with many other users in countries like India and China. In general, these are people who are educated and want to participate in studies involving research that they are interested in," Wu said. Before launching the survey in the MTurk community, a smaller survey was conducted in and around Chapel Hill utilizing more traditional methods of subject recruitment. The results were consistent. Moving forward, Wu said that surgeons should utilize these findings to inform how they market themselves to potential patients. The study is especially valuable since the results contradict what had previously been believed within the field, that price was the factor many patients would value in selecting an aesthetic plastic surgeon. "What we've seen is that no matter the procedure, good photos and testimonials are what people want," Wu said. "It can be difficult to know what to focus on in marketing your practice to new patients and this study should help clear up some of that confusion and hopefully practices will have a clearer idea of where to dedicate their marketing and advertising resources." More information: Cindy Wu et al. What Do Our Patients Truly Want? Conjoint Analysis of an Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Practice Using Internet Crowdsourcing, Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2017). Journal information: Aesthetic Surgery Journal Cindy Wu et al. What Do Our Patients Truly Want? Conjoint Analysis of an Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Practice Using Internet Crowdsourcing,(2017). DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjw143 Having secured the scalp of Visit Florida's CEO, House Speaker Richard Corcoran is quickly moving on to other equally inviting targets of fiscal scrutiny: Florida's tourism councils, economic development boards and college and university foundations. Dozens of groups are receiving letters on the official House letterhead that demand a wide array of information, in some cases under the threat of subpoena if they don't comply very quickly. "Recent spending abuses and unwarranted secrecy in the tourism and economic development arena in Florida raise legitimate concerns among both taxpayers and elected offiicials," Corcoran wrote to tourism leaders in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Hillsborough and other large metropolitan areas, referring to the once-secret Pitbull contract that cost Visit Florida's Will Seccombe his job. "Recent news media reports have only heightened that concern and reinforced my belief that it is time we take a close look at where development money is being spent, how it is being spent and whether these expenditures are returning value to the taxpayers." Corcoran wants annual dollar amounts from tourism boards for tax revenues, grants, advertising, travel, lobbying, employee salaries, bonuses and reimbursements by Feb. 1. His demands include this love note: "If you choose not to provide this information, please be advised that pursuant to s. 11.143, F.S., you may be compelled by subpoena duces tecum to produce such information." Corcoran wants to see spending for "each event including the number of participants per event and the specifics of the expenditure, for example, food and beverage." One of the most obvious targets of Corcoran's tourism industry wrath is in Hillsborough County, where Corcoran has threatened to "zero fund" Visit Tampa Bay, the county's tourism arm, funded largely through tourism bed tax revenues, for stonewalling requests for payroll data and other information, as WFLA-Channel 8 has reported. Some of the information Corcoran is demanding is exempt from disclosure under Florida's public records laws, and colleges and universities are nervous about the potential impact on donors. But the Legislature has life-and-death control over higher education spending, so they will comply by a Jan. 23 deadline. "They are preparing a response," said Browning Brooks, a spokeswoman for the Florida State University Foundation. HELENA Families who took air ambulance flights and were left with bills of tens of thousands of dollars even though they had medical insurance gave emotional testimony Tuesday to a committee considering legislation to lessen the burden in such situations. Senate Bill 44, carried by Sen. Gordon Vance, R-Belgrade at the request of the Economic Affairs Interim Committee, would create a hold-harmless clause. Patients with insurance would be responsible for deductibles and copays, but not for the difference between what their insurance pays and the air ambulance company charges. A House committee also heard a bill aimed at reining in the industry; House Bill 73, carried by Rep. Ryan Lynch, D-Butte, would treat memberships sold by for-profit air ambulance companies as insurance. Patients say that dealing with sky-high bills during medical emergencies or after the death of a family member is incredibly difficult and can cause financial ruin. No action was taken on the bills Tuesday. No one from any of the for-profit air ambulance companies that operate in Montana, such as Reach Air Medical Services, which operates in Helena and Bozeman, spoke at the Senate hearing, though a representative for an organization that represents them did speak in support of the bill. Insurance companies including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana and PacificSource Health Plans oppose the bill, saying it allows for-profit air ambulance companies to charge whatever they want and puts insurers in a position of having to pay too-high rates, which would increase insurance premiums for all their customers. Air ambulances generally fall into three categories: hospital-based services that are a part of the contracts those facilities negotiate with insurance companies and providers; nonprofit operators that are affiliated with hospitals; and for-profit companies that may or may not contract with insurance companies. They include helicopters, which account for most flights, and fixed-wing planes. Though not an accounting for all air ambulance flights taken in Montana, the director of the state's Health Care and Benefits Division said roughly 53 percent of flights its members take are out-of-network. There were at least 4,200 air ambulance flights in Montana in 2014, according to data gathered by the state. Megan Duncan and her husband, Tanner, of Helena, testified Tuesday, saying an air ambulance flight for their infant son to Seattle Childrens Hospital cost nearly $48,000. This was a devastating blow to our family and one we believed we were protected from due to our insurance coverage, Megan Duncan said. The bill would create a dispute resolution process in which the office of the State Auditor, also known as the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, would have an optional arbitration process to determine the fair price of a flight and how much should be paid. Jesse Laslovich, the former top attorney in the state auditors office, said he believes that since arbitration is optional, the legislation does not violate the federal Airline Deregulation Act, which prevents states from setting airline rates. Air ambulances are treated as airlines, not medical care providers, a classification bill supporters disputed. Sen. Tom Facey, D-Missoula, said the committee will propose a resolution to ask Congress for clarification that airlines are dealt with under the ADA. Jennifer Hensley, a lobbyist for PacificSource Health Plans, called the legislation not the right solution. It wont stop their price-gouging, she said of for-profit air ambulances. Its their standard operation procedure. It gives them license to continue that procedure. Hensley said a fix to the federal Airline Deregulation Act, which allows air ambulance companies to operate as airlines and not medical providers and therefore avoid regulation about their rates is the first step, not state-level legislation. Also on Tuesday the House Business and Labor Committee heard House Bill 73, which would let the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance regulate memberships sold by for-profit air ambulance companies as insurance. For-profit companies sell memberships that range from roughly $65-$150 and in return promise to not charge consumers for the difference between what they bill and insurance pays. HB73 also came out of the interim committee. Laslovich and others spoke in support of the bill, while Bob Biskupiak, deputy insurance commissioner under new state Auditor Matt Rosendale, said his agency commissioner does not support it. Rosendale, a Republican, defeated Laslovich, a Democrat, in November's election. Rosendale replaced Monica Lindeen, a Democrat. Biskupiak said the Auditors Office does not believe it has the authority to regulate air ambulances and he worries that the bill would open a can of worms. Care for senior citizens and the disabled would be compromised if $93 million in preliminary budget cuts to the Department of Public Health and Human Services go through, critics say. Of the cuts to be made over the next two years outlined Wednesday by the Joint Health and Human services Appropriations Subcommittee, $37.1 million come from the state general fund and $1.4 million come from the state special fund. Those cuts mean the department would also lose $54 million in federal matching funds. Gov. Steve Bullocks budget had proposed cutting $18.9 million from the department over the next two years, though that number does not include the loss of federal matching dollars, which would be about $20 million, according to numbers provided by the Legislative Fiscal Division. The department has an annual operating budget of $522.9 million and makes up 25 percent of the state general fund budget. The only larger agency is the Education Department, which includes K-12 and higher education and is a little more than half of the state budget. DPHHS operates a multitude of programs, including Child and Family Services, Child Support Enforcement, the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, suicide prevention efforts and more. Sheila Hogan, DPHHS director, released a statement after the meeting saying the department had worked with the governor's office on their cuts, but criticized the committee's cuts. "The additional, unnecessary cuts made today will strip vulnerable Montanans of critical community services, putting Montana families, seniors and children at risk," she said in the statement. Claudia Clifford, advocacy director for AARP Montana, called the cuts very significant for seniors and those who need long-term care. A 3.25 percent reduction proposed by the committee in a motion carried by Rep. Rob Cook, R-Conrad, trims about $14 million from Medicaid Core Services, which pays for senior and long-term care. Bullocks proposed cuts would have trimmed $9.4 million. Those figures include federal dollars. The committee also adopted Bullock's proposed cuts, in addition to Cook's. The motion passed on a 4-3 vote. Clifford said Medicaid Core Services provide assistance to the elderly or physically disabled. The program pays for nursing home care, hospice, personal care and home health care, among other programs. Core services also fund incentives for better pay and health insurance for home health workers, a profession that suffers from high turnover. With Montanas rapidly aging population, Clifford said funding services to those 85 and older is critical. She said she understands the state faces declining revenues but believes that's not a long-term problem and Montanas seniors shouldnt suffer as a result over the biennium. The state took in 3.6 percent less in revenues in 2016 than the year before. Bullock's budget proposes $74 million in cuts, while Republicans have said they will trim $120 million. Bullock also proposed $280 million in new taxes, something Republicans oppose. What happens to them over the next two years means a lot to them and their families, Clifford said. In 2015, the number of Montanans age 65 and over was more than 178,000, and number is projected to grow to 266,584 by 2025, and 299,000 by 2030, according to numbers from the states Aging Services division. Rose Hughes, a lobbyist for the Montana Health Care Association, said the cuts would eliminate direct services to people who are old or sick and are in nursing homes. She also said that though the cuts are not final, they already affect seniors in care and employees who worry about their jobs disappearing. "When we tell people these cuts are looming, they start worrying," she said. State Sen. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, questioned Cook on the lack of detail in budget documents provided to the committee by the Legislative Fiscal Division. She opposed Cooks motion, saying committee members didnt know what they were voting to cut, and questioned when the public would be able to comment on the proposed reductions. We voted on services some of the members of the committee dont even know about, she said. Cook said over the next several weeks the subcommittee will work through each division of the department and hear public testimony that will inform its decisions. He added that he expects there will be opportunity to add some money back into the budget based on the priorities of the Legislature instead of the governor. After Emily Bentleys hiring as the new director of fairgrounds development, she announced Monday night she would step down from chairing the city councils Land Use and Planning Committee, to free up time for her new job. Not mentioned was any concern over conflicts of interest between her commitment to serve the citizens of Ward Three, and the county commissioners, implementing their fairgrounds master plan. City Attorney Jim Nugent said Tuesday he wasnt aware of any county employees serving on city council in the past, though he remembered a couple of state employees, including former Ward 5 representative Mike O'Herren, who worked for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Council chair Marilyn Marler and Ward 2 representative Jordan Hess work for the University of Montana, a public institution where they hold taxpayer-funded positions. Theres no written law or policy regarding conflicts of interest in terms of public jobs, Nugent said, only a city policy that doesnt allow city employees to be on council. Theres a principle you cant do two things for the same government, he said. But working for both the city and county? Theyre definitely a different entity. Since county government isnt subject to city policies, zoning, or ordinances, Bentleys new job wouldnt give her any particular privileges, Nugent said, nor would she have the ability to help herself by influencing city policy. Theres no city council guideline on how councilors identify conflicts of interest, aside from the MCAs standard of conduct for elected officials, which focuses on monetary benefits from conflicts of interest. Nugent said representatives are expected to abstain, or pass, on votes they think represent a personal conflict of interest. People have passed many times, often because of just the perception, he said. If there ever was anything (Bentley) thought was a conflict of interest, she could just pass. Besides, Nugent opined, if one boiled down conflicts of interest to their purest motives, then every council member should pass on tax decisions. Every one of them, when they vote on the budget, theyre affecting their house payment, Nugent said. Its a difficult line to draw. Bentley ended her term on the Missoula Housing Authoritys board of commissioners when she was elected in 2014, as the MHA boards guidelines on conflict of interest define membership on an entity with a beneficial financial interest, or is so closely linked to the transaction and the transaction is of such financial significance to the person that the interest would reasonably be expected to exert an influence on the Commissioners judgment. In simpler terms: city councils policies and budgeting closely affect the housing authoritys work, giving Bentley a tough choice to make if she were a member of both. Commissioner Dave Strohmaier, who used to represent Ward 1 on city council, asked Bentley during her interview for the job how she would handle holding both positions. Not that the fairgrounds come up very often in council. The council reviewed the countys fairgrounds concept plan in May, but didnt vote on it, just offered feedback from a city perspective. Bentley said as a rule, shed abstain on any votes relating to the fairgrounds and when those issues came up, she would honor her commitment to the fairgrounds first. If you have to ask yourself two or three times if its a conflict of interest, its a conflict of interest, Bentley said during the interview, adding in a phone call this week: Ill be on the lookout for conflicts of interest. Bentley's term ends in 2018. She said she would file to run for council again, but would not actually do so if performing both jobs proves to be too much. This story has been updated to correctly reflect Bentley's thoughts about running for city council again. Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency were grilled on Tuesday about cleanup and monitoring efforts at the former Smurfit-Stone Mill site west of Missoula, where hazardous chemicals were dumped into holding ponds for decades. County and tribal leaders expressed frustration and concern over the likelihood for cancer-causing compounds to spread into the Clark Fork River. The river is separated from those potentially toxic ponds by nothing but simple gravel berms that were never engineered to withstand flooding. The EPA appears to be much less worried about the prospects of the berms failing or the river flooding into the ponds than local officials, and that discrepancy is just part of the friction between the EPA and community stakeholders. The 3,200-acre site in Frenchtown was operational as a pulp and paper mill from 1957 until 2010, and unlined ponds near the Clark Fork River were used to store treated and untreated wastewater discharge full of hazardous chemicals. Peter Nielsen, an environment health supervisor with Missoula County, wasnt satisfied with the answer he got from Sara Sparks, the EPAs remedial project manager at the site, over the issue of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in a monitoring well at the site. PCBs have been found to cause cancer in humans and have a high level of environmental toxicity. PCBs are a very toxic substance, Nielsen explained. My staff did a really good job of digging into this, and they noticed that Monitoring Well No. 2 has had PCBs in the groundwater. PCBs tend to adhere to soils, and it doesnt get to groundwater easily. When it gets to groundwater theres a lot of it. For comparison, the former Stimson mill in Bonner was one of the most highly contaminated sites in the region for PCBs, but the PCBs there never reached groundwater. Nielsen said that a consultant for the EPA buried the data about the PCBs in a report thousands of pages long, but his staff found it. (The consultants) found an oily sheen, sticky, almost tar-like, and oil was staining their gloves, Nielsen said. This is in soils six or seven feet deep. And former workers at the site have been telling me for years there was a lot of oil leaks at the site. Where did it all go? When Nielsen asked Sparks about the oily substances found at the monitoring well, she bristled and her response was terse. Certainly well be looking at all of that, Peter, she said, then fell silent. Missoula County requested that the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the EPA initiate an investigation and cleanup in 2011. Nielsen said that partly because of the presence of PCBs, in 2013 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks was forced to issue a do not eat advisory for northern pike and a four meal per month limit for rainbow trout caught downstream from the Bitterroot River due to the presence of toxic materials in the water. PCBs and dioxins are what led to the fish advisory because they showed up in fish from the Clark Fork, Nielsen said. Were not claiming it all came from Smurfit, theres other sources, but given the fact that theres PCBs at this site, were concerned. "This is a site that deserves more investigation. Whats troubling to me is that the EPA and the DEQ seem ready to close the book on PCBs. They say yeah were going to take a look around and clean it up. But the EPA has not committed yet to doing any additional work on fish or (bugs) or anything else like sediments." He said it's "a point of contention" as to how much further theyre going to be looking at that issue. Nielsen added that one of the mills dumps was buried right in the groundwater, and fly ash and asbestos were also buried in the same area. Its not OK from our perspective, he said. Weve had workers (who said) theres been PCB disposal in that area and the EPA is not committed to do any additional investigation. His office has been raising concerns about the berms since 2010. During the phone call on Tuesday, Sparks said that the EPA doesnt believe the gravel berms are a critical situation. Nielsen isnt satisfied with Sparks contention. For them to say well there hasnt been documentation of a problem, well, there has been no documentation that there hasnt been a problem, Nielsen explained. Theyve promised us an assessment of those berms before. It was supposed to happen last year. Nielsen said there is a potential for the berms to fail. It may not happen this year, or next year, or 20 years from now or 50 years from now, but eventually the river is going to take the floodplain back, he said. Those berms are non-engineered gravel dikes that were bulldozed out of native material for the purpose of holding wastewater so it would soak into the ground. They are not flood-control levies. Theyve never been inspected, so to claim that they are stable and protecting a contaminant source from real flooding is a real stretch. Nielsen acknowledged that there has been measured progress in getting the EPA to share data and work plans with local agencies before work is started or completed, which wasnt the case in the past. *** In May of 2013, the EPA proposed adding the area to the National Priorities List of Superfund Sites, but that has not been finalized. An extensive investigation of the site is underway, headed by the EPA, to determine the nature and extent of contamination and what clean-up actions are needed to protect human health and the environment. So far, the EPA has only declared the surrounding agricultural lands as safe for people and wildlife. The other 2,000 acres where core industrial activities took place have yet to be fully investigated for toxic metals and compounds. Last October, the Missoula County Board of Commissioners issued a scathing letter to the EPA, saying they were disappointed with the progress at the site and a lack of transparency. One of the issues brought up by the county and other state agencies who have a stake in the project was a lack of communication, so the EPA scheduled several conference calls to set agendas and keep the public informed of updates. On Tuesdays call, Jeri Delys, the chair of the West Valley Community Council, wanted to know when the EPA was going to conduct an in-depth study of the strength of the gravel berms. When will that study happen? Delys asked. I am thinking about the 38 inches of snow piling up out there, and flooding concerns are on my mind. Sparks responded by saying that the study is scheduled to happen by the end of 2017, but she was vague on exactly when. Mary Price, a staff scientist with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes legal department, asked about the berms as well. Is it possible for the EPA to accelerate their schedule for looking into berm stability prior to spring runoff? Price asked. That's when Sparks responded by saying she didnt think the EPA believed there was a critical situation with the berms. Price kept pressing, however. There was an area that has failed in the past, and I believe it was patched although Im not sure what the stability is of the patch, Price said. The tribes share concerns for potential contaminants to be washed into the river. After a long moment of silence, Sparks was asked by another EPA official, Robert Moler, if she wanted to acknowledge Prices comments. Well take a look at it, Sparks said, and didnt elaborate on the issue of the berms any further. In a subsequent interview with the Missoulian, Price said that the CSKT has concerns that the berms could fail in portions. Missoula County had done a preliminary assessment where they hired a consultant to look at existing information, she explained. They did identify, just looking at a record of past records and failures, that it does raise concerns. We are having a lot of snow this year, and with a big runoff we would be concerned about the stability of the berms. We would like the EPA to accelerate answering that question. She said it would be done by the end of 2017 but we would like to see it done before the spring runoff. Price made it clear that pollution in the river is a massive threat. The Clark Fork River and its fishery is a big priority for the tribes, Price said. We would like to have the opportunity to review and comment on sampling and monitoring plans in a timely manner. Price said that given the history of the site and its use, there is a potential that toxic compounds in the holding ponds are at risk of spilling into the river if the berms fail. The first round of monitoring the EPA did identified sediments contaminated with constituents that you would find at a pulp and paper mill, she said. There are questions about the source, and important questions that need to be answered. Wed like to coordinate with the EPA about the monitoring plan. Price said that Tuesdays meeting was a big step forward in terms of communication. The EPA was here in October to give an update to the county, the tribes and the Forest Service, Price said. The consistent message they heard was a need for better and more frequent communication. I think they heard that. So this was a big improvement over previous data-sharing with the EPA. So thats good. A big heart sits inside the outline of the state of Montana on a poster that will hang in Missoula and Whitefish businesses and elsewhere in the Big Sky. "NO HATE in Our State," reads the caption. "Designated SAFE Business." "As we're approaching Martin Luther King week, it's a really great time to show that our community stands for inclusion and diversity, and that we reject hate," said Erin Erickson, of Missoula Rises. Missoula Rises is a nonpartisan group that aims to protect diverse voices and human rights through education, dialogue, vigilance, accountability and activism. The group created the poster in partnership with the Montana Human Rights Network. Since November's election, racist and anti-Semitic pamphlets have appeared on doorsteps in Missoula and elsewhere in Montana. Members of minority groups have been harassed. A white supremacist website called for a "troll storm" against Jewish people in Whitefish and has threatened a skinhead march there on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The threat came after a conflict over the property owned by the mother of Richard Spencer, the leader of a fringe white nationalist movement identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group. Spencer has said he does not want a march to take place. Rachel Carroll Rivas, co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network, said the poster presents a visual statement and the loud and powerful voice of many unified Montanans. It's different than the "online hate mongers and the very singular voices, dangerous voices, like Richard Spencer's." "I hope that these 'No Hate In Our State' signs are just a continued piece of the good work that shows the energy, the power and the volume of support behind really positive good things," Rivas said. She also said she's excited about the network's affiliation with Missoula Rises, given Montana's many human rights challenges at present. *** Tuesday in Missoula, a downtown ambassador was handing out 150 of the posters to businesses, said Linda McCarthy, of the Downtown Missoula Partnership. The partnership aims to keep people informed about events, such as concerts, and it also has a mission to keep downtown safe. A downtown that's lively, vibrant and safe contributes to the city's economic vitality, she said. The "No Hate" posters fit the bill. "Communicating that downtown is a safe place and that businesses are a safe place for people we think is a good thing," McCarthy said. On the Hip Strip, Donovan Peterson figured he'd tack one of the posters to a cork board in his shop, Upcycled, once he received it. He's sympathetic to the issue and other similar causes, like a unity march, emblazoned on posters that land in his store. "I personally, along with what I think to be the vast majority of Montanans, think that there's no place for hatred or race divisiveness in our state," Peterson said. Erickson, with Missoula Rises, said she wanted to create posters that businesses could hang that indicate their establishments are welcoming to all people, "regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation." At the same time, she said, the signs let people know that if they're being harassed, the business will help. She's hoping the posters make their way across Montana and that the design feels welcoming. "I wanted something that reflected community and Montana, and it seems to have more of an inclusive sense," Erickson said. The sexual predator-elect will be the most dangerous man weve ever had in the White House. Hes a compulsive liar and ignoramus about governance. Most of what he says and tweets are outright lies. The political lie of birtherism is his handiwork. His demonizing the media and questioning Americas intelligence community is a dictatorial strongman move. Casting doubt on the medias integrity provides cover for his misdeeds. Conning the public about the competence of our intelligence agencies protects him should they reveal his dirty little secrets. He is a dangerous amateur because he thinks he actually knows everything. Would you want a heart surgeon with no experience and a level of hubris like his? His Cabinet picks are a joke. Theyre billionaire robber barons, some with antagonistic views toward the departments they may be heading. His choice for the Department of Labor wants to do away with human labor in favor of robots! Super-genius Rick Perry couldnt even remember the name of the Department of Energy, his potential future posting, while naming the list of agencies he would have eliminated had he gotten elected president. This is like having the weasels guard the henhouse. Or like having a bragging serial sexual abuser in charge of the Miss Teen USA beauty pageant. What could go wrong? The tangerine tyrant dismissed Russian interference, saying we need to just move on with our lives. Trump refuses to see the danger of allowing foreign adversarial regimes to interfere with our democracy for their benefit. Hes not my president. He dishonors the office. Jerry OMalley, Missoula BILLINGS For the savage beatings of four women over six months in 2014, Todd Michael Johnson was sentenced Tuesday to serve 40 years in prison. The 31-year-old man was sentenced on one charge of aggravated assault and one charge of partner or family member assault. As a persistent felony offender, he faced up to 100 years for the two felonies. Johnson's defense attorney argued the sentence was too harsh for someone who had not killed anyone. An evaluation of Johnson's risk for violence said if he was released from custody, there was a more than 60 percent chance he would assault again within 10 years. Johnson's two convictions are related to a six-month period during 2014 when Johnson beat four separate women in Billings. Evidence from all the assaults was presented during the sentencing hearing. In April 2014, a 22-year-old woman spent four days locked in Johnson's basement while he beat her with his fists, feet and a 10-pound dumbell. During sentencing, Billings Police Officer David Firebaugh said the victim was covered in bruises, including one that matched the hexagon shape of a dumbbell. Police requested a warrant for Johnson's arrest and began searching for him. A month later, another woman reported a similar assault by Johnson. The 23-year-old victim was also held in Johnson's basement where he warned her not to scream louder than the music he was playing to mask the beating. A third victim, a 36-year-old woman, was accused by Johnson of being a snitch. She said she was punched in the face and remembered waking up in the Intensive Care Unit at Billings Clinic. The woman was left outside the hospital after the beating. Doctors examining her massive injuries at first assumed a car had hit her. A fourth victim, and the youngest of them, was 21. Johnson took the girl to his house where he pistol-whipped her three times. He told the woman, "If I didn't love you, you would be dead." Johnson's final victim was the same woman who reported Johnson to police in April 2014. Her assault had started the six-month search for Johnson. In September 2014, she told police Johnson punched her in the face and told her to clean herself up multiple times. While cleaning blood from her face, she grabbed a knife and hid it in her clothes. When Johnson hit her over the head with a frying pan, she stabbed him in the shoulder and ran away. Johnson was arrested and charged with five individual cases a few days later. All of the assaults resulted in hospitalization of the women. One woman reported permanent injuries. Prior to Johnson's six-month run of assaults in 2014, he had a long history of violence against family members and girlfriends. He committed two separate misdemeanor domestic violence assaults between February 2006 and August 2006. In both cases, his probation officers noted his unwillingness to complete treatment and cooperate with supervision. In 2007, he was charged with his first felony partner or family member assault. He displayed controlling behavior, beating his girlfriend after she was gone for two hours with friends. He was given a three-year deferred sentence. Johnson spent about a month on supervision before he began missing appointments with his probation officer. He got into a fight with his brother and failed to enroll in treatment. His probation officer reported the violations to the court. Johnson was given another chance to prevent a felony conviction. At Johnson's sentencing hearing Tuesday, Yellowstone County Judge Gregory Todd called the second deferred sentence remarkable. In 2011, Johnson was charged again with two felony partner or family member assaults, one against his mother and one against a girlfriend. The victims refused to cooperate after their initial reports to law enforcement. Johnson's deferred sentence from 2007 was revoked and he was sent to a 60-day treatment program and given a three-year suspended sentence. Only the woman from Johnson's second 2014 assault and the woman who was left outside the Billings Clinic took their cases to trial. After Johnson's second trial and conviction, he was designated a persistent felony offender. Johnson will be eligible for parole by 2027. His mother wrote a letter in defense of her son. She described the incredible violence Johnson had grown up with and asked the court to be merciful. She has called the police at least three times due to her son's violence in her home. When Johnson was given a chance to speak, he said he was not "insensitive" to what happened but did not think it would benefit him to speak. Photodisc/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) For Diana Anguh, it was her high school prom that set her on a weight-loss journey to losing 140 pounds and becoming a chef. For Christina Jordan, it was not being able to enjoy a ride at Disneyland because she could not buckle the seat belt that pushed her to lose more than 130 pounds and keep the weight off for nine years. I decided to try a more natural approach to eating. I focused on just being healthy, and seeing where my body takes me, Jordan told People magazine, in which she is featured, along with Anguh, in the magazine's latest issue, which has Oprah Winfrey on its cover. Jordan, 34, of Phoenix said eating six meals per day with a mix of protein, good carbohydrates and healthy fats helped her drop 35 pounds in one month. From there, she continued to lose weight and is now finishing her doctorate in nutritional science. I realized that I would be the best mom and the best wife by being the best me, Jordan told People. Anguh, 24, of Silver Spring, Maryland, has kept her 140-pound weight loss off for over six years. She credits her weight loss to setting a goal and sticking to it by eating smaller portions of her favorite foods and exercising. Anguh is now an executive chef who owns her own catering company and finds healthier ways to make her favorite foods. Its tough being around food all day, but I get through it by planning my meals, she told People. That way I know exactly what to eat and when, without snacking. Anguh and Jordan both appeared Wednesday on Good Morning America and shared more of their healthy living tips. Read below to find out their keys to success. Diana Anguhs Healthy Living Tips: Courtesy Diana Anguh1) Kill cravings by chewing gum. 2) Look at old pictures to remind yourself of what you've accomplished. 3) Experiment with recipes to create healthier versions of your favorite foods. Anguh's favorite is her recipe for broccoli pizza which features broccoli as the crust. Click HERE for the recipe. 4) Remember that losing weight is "not easy but doable." Christina Jordans Healthy Living Tips: Courtesy Christina Jordan1) Eat all day in order to fire up your metabolism and avoid getting "hangry." 2) Sneak exercise into your daily life. 3) Find and focus on your reason for losing weight. 4) Give away your old clothes as you lose weight. Jordan's Sample Daily Food Plan: Breakfast: Veggie omelet and a handful of berries or a wheatgrass shake made with wheatgrass, kale, spinach and green apple. Snack: 1 hard-boiled egg and 1 apple. Lunch: Large grilled chicken salad, with all the fresh vegetables you want, topped with oil and vinegar or a little salad dressing, plus a side of strawberries. Snack: Sliced cucumber or broccoli and hummus. Dinner: Grilled or baked fish with a fresh salad or zucchini noodles or mashed cauliflower. Dessert: Baked apples with cinnamon, almond milk and Stevia. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. BILLINGS Federal officials are delaying their decision on whether to lift protections for more than 700 grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone National Park and allow hunting. The move comes amid opposition from dozens of American Indian tribes and conservation groups that say hunts could reverse the grizzly's four-decade recovery. Officials had planned to finalize the proposal to turn jurisdiction on grizzlies over to state wildlife agencies by the end of 2016. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Regional Director Michael Thabault said it could take another six months after the agency received more than 650,000 public comments. More than 100 Yellowstone-area grizzlies have been killed in the past two years, often by wildlife managers following attacks on livestock. Thabault says the death rate is sustainable given the size of the population. BUTTE With spring upcoming, Montana Resources is looking to form an advisory council of experts to come up with new ideas to keep migratory waterfowl off the Berkeley Pit. Mark Thompson, Montana Resources' manager of environmental affairs, said Friday that the goal is to try to change by March 1 how the company keeps birds off the pit. MR starts increasing its bird observation at the pit on March 1 to prepare for the annual migration. Though the council is still being formed exactly who will be on it is yet unknown Thompson said MR realizes it needs help. Were trying to get the best technical people to bear on the issue that we can. We knew this isnt our expertise. Were miners. We knew we needed external help, said Thompson. The move comes in the wake of thousands of migrating snow geese who died after landing on and consuming toxic Berkeley Pit water in late November. The current plan, established by federal and state agencies in 1996 in response to the 1995 snow geese die-off, calls for various noisemakers to scare flocks of birds away from the water. The plan was successful for 21 years until almost to the day of the 1995 incident thousands of geese landed Nov. 28 on the pit. MR has been in discussion with Montana Tech professor Stella Capoccia since December about hiring her to research and oversee revising the 1996 plan. Capoccia is also working to create the advisory council. Besides experts from various agencies and universities, the council could potentially include knowledgeable people from nonprofits like the Montana Audubon Society, said Capoccia. Were trying to get a range of expertise, said Capoccia. Robert Moler, Environmental Protection Agency community involvement coordinator, said Monday that EPA will participate on the council. Federal and state agencies will have to approve of any revisions to the 1996 plan before changes can be implemented. The EPA is still investigating whether MR adhered to the 1996 plan when the snow geese landed in November. There is no time table for when that investigation will be complete, said Moler. Anna Munoz, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman in Denver, said that agency is also still assessing the situation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sent 20 dead birds to a laboratory for a toxicology report in December. The agency could fine both MR and Atlantic Richfield Company, the responsible parties for the Berkeley Pit Superfund site, up to $5,000 per dead bird. Thompson said via email that likely 3,000 to 4,000 birds died in the pit. The agency wont make a decision about fines until it has determined the number of dead geese through aerial photography and has received the toxicology report. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks released Wednesday morning the last remaining snow goose captured alive in mid-December. FWP wildlife biologist Vanna Boccadori said she released the bird with resident Canadian geese in Blacktail Creek along the Ulrich-Schotte Nature Trail in Butte, according to a 2002 release plan. But if the snow goose tries to fly south, its chances of survival could be slim. Temperatures in Butte on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, were 2 below zero for the high and 23 degrees below zero for the low. With it being extreme winter weather, no open fields, no open water If it takes off now, it will not know where to go. Its not a good time of year for food (for the snow geese), said Boccadori. Monte Cox is one of if not the most prolific Fighter manager in all of MMA. He even has a team name for the fighters he manages, "Team Extreme"! Monte Cox manages 26 fighters from around America and among them are some of the toughest MMA fighters on the planet at all weight divisions. Monte Cox is one of if not the most prolific Fighter manager in all of MMA. He even has a team name for the fighters he manages, "Team Extreme"! Monte Cox manages 26 fighters from around America and among them are some of the toughest MMA fighters on the planet at all weight divisions. We had a chance to talk to the leader of "Team Extreme", after the controversial fight that took place at the Universal Above Ground Fighting on July 30th where one of his fighters former UFC Champ, Dave "The Warrior" Menne took on Rob Ferguson. Monte Cox took some time out to clear the air and talk about what happened at the controversial UFC scuffle after party in London at UFC 38, his thoughts on Matt Hughes Controversial victory over Carlos Newton 1, the Controversy for Dave Menne and Rob Ferguson at the UAGF 2, and the controversy surrounding why he dropped Bobby Hoffman as a client? Like it or leave it controversy seems to like to follow him around Here is what he had to say. MMARR: Has there ever been anyone you have managed, that you felt was a bad addition and have had to cut? MC: ( Chuckles) I have only cut one person ever MMARR: Who was that? MC: Bobby Hoffman. MMARR: What happened with Bobby Hoffman why was he cut? MC: At one point when he was fighting in Japan, he threatened to kill my wife and kids. That was the end, I had put up with enough Crap. MMARR: Why did he threaten your wife and Kids? MC: He is a psychopath, MMARR: hmmm MC: Why does he do anything he does? Why did he beat up his wife? Why was he in Prison before he started Mixed martial Arts? He is a freaken Loon! MMARR: What was he in Prison for before that? MC: I dont know. He came right out of Prison and fought his first fight. It is not like MMA made him what he is. It is what he was before hand. MMARR: I want to talk about the little scuffle in London in the night Club, Anthony Fryklunds name has been connected to that, there have been a lot of rumors, a lot of speculation about what went on there. Can you tell us what you take is on that? MC: I mean it is almost impossible for me, I was not there, I was in Las Vegas. What I am told is, from the people that I have talked to, is that this friend of Tito (Ortiz) Bo jumped on Pats (Miletich) back when they were all exiting the bar. They were all drunk and he was acting like he was fighting with Pat ( Miletich). Tony (Fryklund) came out Drunk, they were all drinking, and thought someone was attacking Pat (Miletich). So he ripped him off his back in a rear naked (Choke). Pat Miletich turned around and told him "No, No, No" we are just goofing around, and Tony Relaxed, and one of the guys from England blasted Bo and knocked him out. MMARR: Tito (Ortiz) seems to have a problem with some of the situations that have been going on. What is the Problem? ( Tito has been on the Internet forums and vocal about the subject.) MC: I dont know. I tried to ask him on the internet. I dont know what his thing is. I know for sure, these are the things that I have been told. Tony is the one that picked Tito off the ground, He has got blood all over his shirt from where he picked Tito up. To make sure that he didnt get kicked or hit anymore. Pat is the one that pushed Lee Murray away and told him to stop and get out of there and to quit. I dont understand why Tito is not thanking him, I was not there. When Everybody is drunk I dont have any idea what is going on. They dont know. MMARR: So has the situation been squashed with Tito and Team Punishment? MC: We never saw a situation. I mean the only thing that I know Pat was upset as everyone was painting Tony as being some big Villain. I mean that is ridiculous. I mean there was a bunch of people that were drunk. Who is more at fault, a guy for jumping on Pats back and acting like he is fighting him, or a teammate coming out and seeing that and thinking he is fighting him? I mean that was the thing. Tony did not hit the guy. I asked Tony and I told the UFC, Tony will take a Lie detector test. I told the UFC find your guy. He will take a lie detector test and say he did not hit Bo. If he didnt hit Bo, then I dont want to hear anymore, go after the people that were throwing punches, no one on team Miletich threw a punch. MMARR: Is it true that Tony Got suspended? MC: Not True. MMARR: Not True? MC: Not True, He has never been suspended. MMARR: So there is no Merit to that Rumor whatsoever. MC: Not at all, I mean they have not even interviewed Tony yet, or me, so if they suspend him without even interviewing the person that is involved, then we got to make a call to some attorneys. MMARR: Speaking of suspensions, Josh Barnett just got suspended, lost his title, and got his fight declared a no contest what do you think about that? MC: I like Josh a lot. I dont want to rip on him or anything. I do know there is a precedent when Bobby Hoffman tested positive for .Marijuana after beating (Mark) Robinson. They ruled that fight a no contest. That is the only time when that I can. oh when Laverne Clark tested Positive years and Years ago against Fabiano Iha. They ruled that a no contest, so that is the precedent for doing it. You know, so I dont know I am not surprised that they did it, lets just put it that way. MMARR: What is your take on the fact that he was suspended on top of being a no contest. MC: Well that is up to the athletic commission, Bobby Hoffman was suspended also. MMARR: How about the stripping of the Title? MC: Well if the fight is a no Contest, then how can you have a title? You know what I am saying? When this has happened before, and this does not happen very often, but in every situation the fighter has been suspended and the fight has been declared a no contest. That is what has always happened. So here again it just so happens that this is a little more higher profile person, and he had won the title on it. They really did the same thing. They suspended him, which is the athletic commission, I mean they could do what they want to do, If he is fight is ruled a no contest he cant keep the title. MMARR: What are your thoughts on steroid use in MMA. MC: It is difficult to say anything about steroids without everybody jumping on someones back. Jeremy Horn got on the Internet, and Basically said what every big name fighter out there knows, which is yeah there is steroid use in MMA There is no doubt about it. But it has never been illegal to do it, like in Pride they dont even test, they dont care, so it has never been a big deal before. It is something that some people do some people dont. Now that it is illegal I think that everyone should quit using. That is the whole point. Why do you want to risk going out and getting a big win, and get it taken away? Up until that point if it is not specifically illegal. If you are fighting for a living, and this is your job, and the guys you are fighting are juicing, and that is giving them an advantage, I dont blame guys for wanting to juice also. Make it an even playing field. You know what I am saying? That being said, there are guys out there like Matt Hughes and Jens Pulver from our camp, guys who are at the very top of their weight class, who have never juiced a day in their life. So you dont have to juice to be on top. Now every now and again on the Internet someone will say Hughes is a juicer, that is freaking ridiculous. He has never done it and he has no reason to do it. His twin brother hasnt been in a gym in three years and looks almost like him. I mean he is a genetic freak! That is just the truth. He is a freak! Everyone here is always "strong as a farm-boy" or "oh those wrestlers are strong", well this is a wrestling farm-boy. He has always been strong, he has always had endurance, I mean look at the endurance the guy has. He can go five rounds, and that is not typical of a "roider". He told me, "why would anyone say that?" and I go "You know people are always jealous of the people who are on top". They are going to look for ways to. They cant stand the fact that Matt is so good at what he does. People cant deal with it. You are going to have people that dont like it. No matter who you beat. MMARR: Speaking of Matt Hughes, he just beat a pretty good fighter in Carlos Newton. But he beat him in a controversial style the first time out at UFC 34. What did you think of the decision there? Did you think it was a good decision? MC: What other decision could there be? John McCarthy has to make the call. Gotta be made inside the ring. McCarthy, he comes in, Newton is on his back and is unconscious, No one is disputing that he is taking a nap. He was there for a minute taking a nap. Matt is on one knee, and obviously you cant see his face. You cant tell whether he is out, he is dazed, he is spinning, who knows I dont know. MMARR: But he said on Pay Per view that he was out! MC: That is what he thought. He said it was like going through, spinning, spinning, spinning, He didnt know where he was. I mean he was completely out of it, but how many unconscious guys do you see that are sitting on one knee? You know what I am saying? If you are unconscious, you are a noodle, you would be lying face down. It does not make any sense. It is typical of, if Carlos has the choke on and he slams him, and right at impact that Choke nails him and puts him almost out, that is consistent of how it would be. You would be on one knee, you could still have your faculties but barely, you are so close to being just out you know, that you are there, but he doesnt. When McCarthy pushed him, If he is unconscious, he is going to fall over on his face, when you are unconscious everyone lays flat, that is how it goes, it is not like the Mr. Bean stuff where you fall asleep standing. That is the thing, whether he was out, whether he wasnt out, It does not matter because McCarthy has to make a call. He comes in, he sees Newton unconscious, he sees Matt on one knee. He has got to make a call. He made a call to stop the fight. Maybe had Matt been, facing Big John and he could have seen his face, maybe he would have been able to say "oh these guys are both in trouble" I dont know but he didnt, he had his back to him call it fortunate for us, but John had to make a call. MMARR: So you admit there was a little bit of luck involved there. MC: I think that when you have fight like that, that is the closest fight in MMA history. How can it be any closer? Someone has got to get lucky and someone has got to get unlucky. But the thing was, ten seconds later, Matt is jumping up on the cage, Newton is still taking a nap. I dont know, it is one of those things, John had to make a call. John tells me that Matt was not out. He was the only person that was within a foot of him. Jeremy Horn and Pat Miletich told me he wasnt out. I said "was he out?" They said no his eyes were totally open. He wasnt unconscious. His eyes were open but he was out of it, he didnt know where he was or what had happened, but they told me he was not unconscious. I was sitting in the stands so I cant, everyone who gets on the Internet and says that he was out, some of them were watching from television, ten thousand miles away, I dont want to hear what they had to say. MMARR: I was there live as press ringside, but it was hard for me to tell even. MC: Right, That is what I am saying, who was the closest person to it? Thats McCarthy, he made a call! I mean if it was the other way around and he ruled Newton the winner would I be upset and stuff. Probably, but what are you going to do? Someone has got to make the call. Hes paid to do it. He has made hundreds of them. In Kuwait (Warriors War), Pele (Jose Landi) hit Matt with a knee and when McCarthy stepped in and stopped it, we went crazy! When he hit him with the knee and he stopped it, I thought he was fine, and I was right on the cage. I was right in his corner! But, he wasnt facing me. He was looking the other way. And when he stopped it "I went Oh my God!!!" when Matt turned around and looked at us, we shut up, because he was completely out of it. He wasnt unconscious. MMARR: But he would have been done anyway MC: AHH yeah I mean Pele would have had a free blow on him so it was a great call. I learned a long time ago, that I cant pretend to see better then the guy standing right there. I hear people say Oh "He (Matt Hughes) was unconscious from the Choke, and then he fell." Come on that makes no sense. He put him up on the cage to try to work himself free, but if he couldnt work himself free and he got in trouble, obviously the slam is there. He is not going to wait until he is unconscious to slam him. He knows when he is going unconscious. He told me he took a step back and slammed him. I mean he consciously did that. You cant tell me, If I am holding a guy, a 180 lb guy on my shoulders, and standing there and I go unconscious, I am not going to slam him, my legs are going to collapse. He is going to fall on top of me! That is how people go unconscious. You dont go unconscious by taking a step back and slamming someone so hard you knock him out. MMARR: You said that John McCarthy had to make a call, and you said it could have gone the other way, if it had gone the other way. MC: I dont know, from where he was I dont know what other call he could have made, other then the one he made. One guy is clearly unconscious. That guy cant be the winner, I mean he cant be. You cant win when you are sleeping. Matt was still up, he wasnt laying down on his face, he wasnt. He didnt appear to be out. I was at that angle too. I was from behind. So you know at that point, he made a call because he saw one guy out, same as when he made the call with Pele and Matt, he saw a fighter that couldnt defend himself. You got to stop the fight. One guy on the Internet was saying, "He should have stepped back and waited ten seconds to see what happened." Well Come on one guys is unconscious! If Matt would have been OK but he couldnt see, he would have been totally fine. MMARR: That guy is absolutely ridiculous, I mean when someone gets KOd we dont step back and wait ten seconds, wont even talk about that, but. MC: I know I am just saying, every single time that someone in boxing, when a guy is out laying on his back the way Newton was the Referee stops it, and stops the fight. That is the way it is done. He did it just like he has done it every other time. The only reason that people complain is because Matt is brutally Honest. He says what he thinks. He got criticized for Newton II, with the last fight be cause he said, "I expected to win a decision." That wasnt saying, "No I was fighting for a decision." Thats saying this Newton is freaking good! "I dont think I can stop him." He gets criticized for that. He is just Honest. He tells you what he thinks. He told me from day one he is going to beat him. He only trained three weeks. I kept saying, "What are you doing? You gotta get back here and train." "Oh I am doing a roofing Job." He trained three weeks for Newton. MMARR: The second fight? MC: Yeah. MMARR: Tim Sylvia will be in the UFC soon he will be taking on Wesley Cabbage, with the size and reach advantage that Sylvia has do you see anyone posing a threat to Sylvia? MC: Oh Sure, like everyone else, everyone has strengths and weaknesses. We built him up. I have managed him from the beginning. He is 15 - 0 and he has knocked out what, 12 of his 15? If you come and you try to stand up with him, you are going to lose. I mean Maybe Pedro Rizzo could stand up with him. Probably, but anyone else, they dont have the reach and they dont have the power. He has got incredible knees, incredible knees, and they are already head level, so if you stand up with him you are going to get hurt. His Jiu Jitsu is improving. He does it every day of course, like everyone else at the gym. He triangles people, he gets people, but that is not as far along as his stand up. MMARR: So he can be grounded and pounded? MC: I dont know about grounded and pounded, because his arms are so stinking long that if you are in his guard, he will hit you. You may not be able to hit him, but he will hit you. I mean he is a FREAK! He is hard to deal with because he is also very coordinated. He is hard to take down. You are going to have to be a good wrestler to take him down. He has a really good sprawl, and when he sprawls his feet are already eight feet behind him! You cant reach him and get him you know MMARR: That is two of your fighters in a row that you called freaks!!! Matt Hughes and. MC: I am Loaded with Freaks!!!!! MMARR: Anthony "The Freak" Fryklund?!?! MC: Yup! I am loaded with them! I have all kinds of them! That is what happens when you live in Iowa, we must be close to some kind of a Nuclear power plant! We are loaded with guys, Look at Robbie Lawler!!! Robbie Lawler can bench Press Three Hundred and sixty Pounds ten times!!! Who else can do that at a hundred and seventy pounds? MMARR: Speaking of Robbie he is in the UFC division at 170, Matt Hughes is the king of the Division right now. I dont know if I see anyone beating matt Hughes right away, where does Matt Hughes take it? Does he take it to 185? Or where does Robbie Lawler take it? MC: Matt does not go anywhere, he stays there as the champion until someone can beat him. Robbie just keeps fighting. Robbie is 20 years old. He has got time to improve. Ask Robbie Lawler if he thinks he can beat Matt Hughes? He just laughs and says, "Not in a million years." But someday you know, it is like a passing of the guard. Miletich was there forever, he left, now Matt took over. Matt could be there, in my opinion, as long as he wants to be there. He has already beaten the two best guys out there. Newton is the second best guy out there at one seventy. No doubt in my mind. I DONT CARE HOW BAD HE GOT BEAT THIS LAST TIME. He is the second best guy. I think Sakurai is top five, I think Miletich is Top Five, and I think that Trigg is top five. I think those are your top five guys in the world. MMARR: How about Silva? MC: Anderson Silva could not make 170. MMARR: he fought Sakurai at 170 MC: but now look at him. He was 190 the last time, I mean he will have to really, really work to make 170 again. Hes big. That is what people think of Pele "Landi Jons", I went to Pride and watched "Pele" and that dude is 205! That guys is going to have to get an amputation to make 180! Let alone 170. They cant even bring those guys up. They cant make the weight. Anderson Silva maybe. But, you know what? I dont think he is top five. MMARR: He has got long legs to I think he could get taken down. MC: He has got things that could cause people problems, there is no doubt about it. But he is built for a wrestler. A Guy like Matt is going to be ten times as strong. You cant have nine-foot long arms, and still have the muscle mass that a Matt Hughes has, with those arms MMARR: at 170. MC: right at 170and so I see that fight trying to get to the clinch, slamming him and pushing him into the cage or whatever, and beating the hell out of him. I think Matt beats him worse then Newton. MMARR: What do you think of the chances of a Matt Hughes type fighter succeeding in a ring, as opposed to a UFC cage? MC: He is 6 and 0 in Rings. MMARR: He hasnt faced the same type of competition in the rings. MC: He has fought good people. MMARR: Has he fought anyone like Carlos Newton or Hayato Sakurai? MC: No, I mean, those are the two best guys in the world, next to him. So, no. But he fought Chris Haseman who was 200 pounds (a Unanimous decision Win for Hughes), and he fought Kanehara (Majority Decision Win for Hughes) who has beaten Menne and Horn, and he beat both of them in a ring. I mean the whole cage thing is overrated. I watched the Newton fight, he didnt even use the cage half the time. I mean the only reason a ring would help someone fighting Matt would be because someone could slide out under the ropes and get a stand up. Matt put it on Newton in the middle of the ring. Just like in the cage, I mean he crucified him with the knee on one arm and holding the other, that was not the cage. If he can do that to Newton in the middle then he can do that to anyone. It is a funny story, about a year ago I called the UFC begging for them to put Matt Hughes back in. They said, "I dont know he just lost to Hallman." I said, "you know, what you guys dont understand is, Matt has the potential to be the best fighter out of Miletich Martial arts ever." His Potential is unlimited. No-one is going to wrestle like him, his submissions are really coming along, he passes the guard, he gets to the side, strikes well from the ground, and he is working his butt off on his stand up. This guy is going to become a machine. Joe Silva and Dana White said "Ok, Ok" they gave me some credit, at least I know talent when I see it. Matt was going to quit, because we couldnt get him anything, no one would take him. So finally they go, "would he fight Sakurai?" So I go, "He would fight Sakurai in a minute." Well then Sakurai ended up pulling out of that fight, Then Anderson Silva Pulled out of the (Carlos) Newton fight, so he went from not being able to get anywhere right into a title shot, and took advantage of it. The thing with Matt is he keeps getting better. Look at every fight. He is getting better and better and better and the next fight he is going to get better then that, and it is not a matter of who is out there that can beat him now, it is who can beat him next time? The guy is phenomenal. MMARR: Who is out there for him? What are you going to do? You have to find fights for him too. MC: I dont have to do anything, thank goodness. Zuffa has to do it. I am in a nice position. I sit at home and play on the Internet and they call me and tell me who they want him to fight. I am like, "Whatever." We dont care. Anybody at 170 lbs! I am thinking Sherk is going to beat Radach in the next show. Then he fights Sherk. MMARR: Do you manage Sherk? MC: Used to I managed him for his first 20 fights. MMARR: Do you think Sherk is going to beat Radach? MC: I think so. MMARR: What is your take on the Jens Pulver saga? He has had some problems with the UFC, is UFO. Does he have a contract with the UFO longer than one fight? MC: The UFO only gave out one fight deals. All the reports on Bustamante being offered a three fight deal it is all bullcrap. No one was offered more then a one fight deal through UFO. And the numbers are insane. I know what he was offered because my partner in Japan is one of the matchmakers, so I know the numbers and those are ridiculous. But getting back to Jens, obviously I manage Jens, The UFC had to make a business decision. I know that it sounds like we are skirting the issue but it is not. I mean they have to decide. Our Contract is up, they have got to decide what do you want to pay Jens? They came up with a figure, we didnt like that figure, I mean we thought, seven fights, never losing, beating B.J PennIt was time that he got paid. We didnt care that he was a 155 pounds. We wanted him to be paid like the 170 pounders and the 185 pounders. We never expected for him to be paid like heavyweights, we never asked for that kind of money, never expected it. But, we wanted to be paid like the 170 pounders and like the 185 pounders, we didnt want to be on top, we just wanted to be in there. MMARR: So what do you think are your chances of getting back into the UFC? MC: I think we can get him back into the UFC tomorrow. The money has got to change. He is going to go fight, we are going to leave on Saturday (Aug 3rd) he is going to go fight in the UFO, I think he is going to win Impressively, and I think it is going to open up a whole new world for him. K-1 wants him, K-1 is offering really good money. UFO would like to do more then one show, I think they are going to do one more show. I think after he beats Murahama, I think Pride is going to be interested in signing him. MMARR: How is Pride going to sign a 155 pounder? Are they going to have a new 155 division? MC: They can do anything! I mean Pride can do anything they want to do. If they want to go out and get Royler (Gracie) for him, or they want to get Uno (Caol) for him or they want to get Sato (Rumina) for him there is all kinds of fights. Pride isnt like the UFC, they dont have all these titles, they just want to make good fights. If they think Jens Pulver is the most exciting fighter or the fighter they want at 155, there is no shortage of good Japanese fighters at one fifty five. So why wouldnt they sign him? It dosnt make any sense that they wouldnt. MMARR: Were you impressed with Jens Pulvers performance against Robert Emerson?( Emerson was his last first fight since leaving the UFC, he won via three round decision) MC: Well.. Long Pause Here is the thing, This just happened last night with Menne. You got Jens Pulver whos just trying to get a warm up fight because he hasnt been in the ring a while. You take Robert Emerson, we didnt know anything about Robert Emerson, other then we were told he was good. We wanted someone good! I mean we didnt want for Jens to get a warm up, we didnt want him to walk in and knock someone out in 30 seconds. If he does that he doesnt do anyone any good. We wanted him to go rounds, so we didnt know anything about Robert Emerson. We dont have video tapes on him, we dont think about him, we just know that he is going to want to stand up. That is what we wanted, so he can get some work. Jens trains right though the fight, I mean Emerson has a chance of a lifetime. He watches tapes on Jens, he grooms himself for this fight, I mean he is ready to go. It is the fight of his life. For Jens, it is just a warm up, just a tune up that is what it is. All the people who saw it say it was exciting, I mean this Emerson kid is tough! He took punches! Jens dropped him with the knee, Jens dropped him with the left hook, I mean scoring wise for the fight, it is not very close, I mean with the knockdowns and stuff he probably had two ten eight rounds. But, the fight is better then the score, the fight is that this guy gets dropped and kept coming, it was amazing, it was great. Jens got tired in the third round, Jens also got kneed in the "nuts" in the second round Pretty bad. (He) Had to take five minutes, and he got really tired. But that is because he didnt train for the fight. If he would have trained like he gets ready for a fight three weeks out, I think he rolls through him, but he cant do that, his fight is ahead of him in the UFO. When you are number one in the world you have to be able to not be at your best and still win. That is what he did. He went out and showed some really nice takedowns. He worked a little bit on his ground and pound in case he needs it. He dropped the kid twice standing. So I was happy. MMARR: You manage both Dave Menne and Matt Hughes. Both fought in Kuwait (Warriors War 1 Feb, 8 ,2001. ) What would have happened if Hughes would have beat Pele and they would have met in the finals? MC: Someone would have won sixty Grand. Laughs That is one of the rare instances where I asked both of them, "What do you want to do?" Now they have already fought each other once. ( Extreme Challenge 21 Oct, 17, 98. Hughes won a Decision) MMARR: Did you manage them both at that time? Time (of their fight at Extreme Challenge 21, Oct,17, 98) MC: No did not manage Hughes, But Laverne Clark fought Menne on my show and I managed both of them. MMARR: What do you think would have happened if Dave Menne would have fought Matt Hughes at Kuwait. MC: I dont know. I mean the first time Matt Hughes won pretty handily. Dave was on in Kuwait. I mean he was absolutely on. He beat Carlos Newton, Dropped him, actually had him knocked out with the kick to the head, and he came to when he landed. MMARR: Yeah it kind of looked like a flash knockdown. MC: yeah but he was out when he fell, because McCarthy came over right after and said "He was Out" and I go yeah "I know, when he landed he came to". Dave is capable of showing, amazing things I mean you just never know with that guy. MMARR: That is the knock against him though, he has never been known as being a finisher. I mean even as his manager you must agree to some extent that .. MC: Yeah but who cares? Do you think his fights are boring? I mean every good fight in my shows all involve Dave Menne. Menne Vs Laverne Clark was amazing. An amazing fight, he finished Laverne. Dave Menne Vs Shonie Carter, both of them had to go to the hospital when it was done, it was probably the best fight I have ever had in my show, and it went to a decision, and I couldnt care less. These people who are caught up in finishes, it is all Jiu Jitsu based. This isnt Jiu Jitsu anymore. Wrestling matches never, I mean you try for pins, If Sanderson (Cael Sanderson) wins eighty percent of his matches by decision does that make him less of a wrestler? It does not matter. I just want exciting fights. That is what I care about. If people argue, "Oh that guy is not exciting", well thats ok, that I can deal with. I mean if they feel that they dont like his style, or whatever then fine! Dont watch him! But when you start arguing that someone is not a finisher, "Oh who cares". Everyone tells me that "Oh that the Aaron Riley Vs Robbie Lawler fight, wasnt that an incredible fight!" No one finished they must both suck!!! MMARR: No I dont mean that, No one thinks that Dave Menne Sucks. MC: No, I am saying that if no one finished it must be a terrible fight! So all those fights, like Lawler (Robbie) Vs Riley (Aaron) , (Dave) Menne Vs Shonie (Carter), well how about Shonie and Serra, Well Shonie Finished with a Knockout, well a few seconds more would that have been a crappy fight? Because he didnt finish? MMARR: But dont you think because he actually finished that fight that it was just that extra bit more exciting? MC: Oh I think it is great! Certainly! But you know what, that is the stuff that makes Pro-wrestling so appealing to people, wouldnt it be great if every single time you could write the script and finish in dramatic fashion? I think it would be great! But this is the real world it does not happen that way. Dave Menne is not real strong, he doesnt have great punching, he is not an incredible submission guy, he is just a really good fighter. He lets you hit him and he hits you back. He kicks at you, he will take you down, I mean he has got "Pele" (Jose-Landi) in a Knee bar, he goes for everything, I cant remember a fight with Menne , maybe Iha, that was boring, I find him incredibly fun to watch, I never know what the guy is going to do. MMARR: He got K.Od pretty good against Bustamante. MC: Yeah he is not going to say anything about it, but ask Zuffa. Everyone at that Connecticut show, everybody got sick. Badly sick. I got sick I lost 12 pounds in 12 hours. MMARR: Monte Cox lost twelve pound eh? MC: TWELVE POUNDS! Jeremy Horn and I were the first two in our group to get sick and they all laughed at me. I couldnt sit on the couch for more then five minutes I had to run to the bathroom and vomit. I had to be buried under blankets, and I never get sick. Thats just not something that ever happens. So everyone is laughing at me, Pulver and all those guys, and I am like "Oh my God" I have never had this before, this is awful. Then Randleman gets it. The Rocky Mountain Association of REALTORS installed 2017 officers and directors and recognized award winners at its recent annual dinner and meeting at the Butte Country Club. Serving on the executive board are Jennifer Shea, president; Angie Spolar, president-elect; Lori Raymond, treasurer; Gary Shea, secretary; and Debbie Fisher, Russ Schwandt, Kurry Hoffman, Louis Berger and Richard Pylypuw, local directors. Judith Kivela and Paul Drew will serve as state directors. Awards recipients recognized included Schwandt, who was named the 2016 Rocky Mountain Association of REALTORS REALTOR of the year in August and Montana REALTOR of the year at the Montana Association of REALTORS meetings in Helena in September. Jack McLeod was awarded the National Association of REALTORS emeritus status. He received a certificate and letter from the 2016 president of the National Association of REALTORS. He qualified for this status by being a member in good standing for over 40 years and serving the REALTOR association on the local, state and national levels in various leadership capacities. McLeod throughout the years was instrumental in many real estate laws which helped protect the rights of property owners in Montana and the industry of real estate professionals. The Rocky Mountain Association of REALTORS is formerly known as the Butte Board of REALTORS and is the local REALTOR Association with its office in Butte. A Montana Department of Corrections inmate who did not return to the Butte Pre-Release Center on Friday was hospitalized Saturday after spending the night outside in sub-zero temperatures. A news release issued Friday night from pre-release said Donald Thompson, 37, was missing after he did not return to the center from his laborer job. A center statement on Saturday said Thompson had been picked up by Butte police and felony escape charges are pending. According to the National Weather Service, the low temperature in Butte on the early morning of Jan. 7 was 20 degrees below zero. Butte-Silver Bow Undersheriff George Skuletich said that after a night outside in sub-zero temperatures frostbite is possible, and that officers took Thompson to St. James Healthcare where he was guarded by DOC employees. The Butte jail roster on Tuesday showed no sign of Thompson, and St. James spokesperson Linda McGillen said Thompson was admitted to the hospital but was no longer there. Citing privacy concerns, McGillen declined to give the reason for Thompson's hospitalization. It is unclear precisely where Thompson is now, and his online DOC profile lists his current facility of incarceration as "unknown." DOC communications director Judy Beck said Thompson was hospitalized out of state, but refused to specify precisely where. Another DOC worker said their database listed Thompson as arrested in Butte on Saturday but that he was now in Salt Lake City. The nearest treatment center for frostbite is the Intermountain Burn Center at University of Utah Healthcare in Salt Lake City. University of Utah Healthcare Executive Assistant of Public Affairs Vickie King refused to confirm whether Thompson was a patient, but did not deny it either. The Salt Lake County jail roster does not list Thompson. Thompson, 37, was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2009 for felony aggravated assault in Missoula County. The Environmental Protection Agencys community involvement coordinator serving Butte is leaving that job and the position will for the meantime be manned from Denver, an EPA spokesperson said Tuesday. Robert Moler leaves Friday for a new post with his former employer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Based in Denver, Moler will become a public affairs officer for the ecological division. EPA public affairs supervisor Libby Faulk said from Denver that she plans to assign Molers Butte responsibilities to a Denver-based EPA community involvement coordinator by Thursday. Faulk and Moler both call Butte a priority for EPAs Denver office. We recognize the importance of that site. Its one of our higher priority sites, for sure, said Faulk. EPA recently advertised Molers position, which is based in Helena. His permanent replacement could be based out of either Helena or Denver, said Faulk. In the interim, Molers temporary replacement will travel to Montana on a regular basis. That person will participate in meetings, travel to Butte and get to know the community, said Faulk. The Butte community group, Citizens Technical Environmental Committee, will miss Moler, said president Dave Williams. CTEC is made up of local experts who try to translate EPA Superfund for the public. Moler frequently attended its meetings. He brought a change and brought a new atmosphere, Williams said Tuesday. Hes always been really proactive, really focused on public involvement in a creative and positive way. Were going to miss that. Williams said that he hopes EPA replaces Moler with somebody who has the same approach and initiative and all the stuff that made Robert so good to work with. Moler, who has been the local coordinator since September 2015, said the decision to move was a tough decision. Its with a heavy heart I leave EPA, said Moler. Tempers flared Tuesday night during a public meeting at the Ramsay School to discuss a proposal that would bring a 137-lot truck stop on land directly adjacent to the town. Loves Travel Stops & Country Stores hosted the meeting. Loves an Oklahoma-based company with 410 properties nationwide wants to build the facility off Interstate 90 on a parcel that runs along Palmer Street, the most easterly street of Ramsays residential area. The property is currently owned by an LLC whose principal is Ted Odle, owner of the nearby Montana Livestock Auction Co. Steve Walters, Loves real-estate project manager and also Tuesday nights meeting leader, told The Montana Standard Friday the property would range from 15 to 18 acres and would include a 9,000-square-foot tire center, a second 9,000-square-foot store with space for two food franchises, and 137 parking spaces for tractor trailers. But the facility would reside across the street from residences on Palmer Street and blocks away from the Ramsay School, a point that didnt sit well with some Ramsay residents who attended Tuesdays meeting. A majority of the people who spoke voiced opposition to the project. They came armed with questions about pollution, noise and safety. They expressed anxiety over whether Ramsay would lose its small-town atmosphere and grilled Walters with questions about possible unsavory characters the truck stop would bring to their 39-household town. But Walters, who said hes given countless presentations across the country in towns similar to Ramsay, came to the meeting bearing information to address residents concerns. He gave a brief profile of the company, noting its 1964 founding and its current 410 locations. He also said the company regularly gives charitable contributions, including $2,000 to local non-profits in every town where a new facility is built. Walters also showed a map of what the potential truck stop would look like. The map showed the facilitys two buildings would be located in the interior of the property, along with the 137-stall parking lot. Walters noted that noise, light and pollution from the facility would be buffered by 2- to 3-foot high berms and a detention pond on the western portion of the property that runs along Palmer Street. He noted that benefits the community would receive would come in the form of more than 60 jobs, and that the region would benefit from money from utility fees and property taxes. Based on a conservative estimate, Walters said, the Ramsay School would receive an additional $15,000 in total revenue during the facilitys first year. He said Ramsay would also benefit from infrastructure improvements to roads, bridges and the sewer system, which he said the company would pay for. We take pollution and safety very seriously, said Walters, who noted that the company has operation procedures in place to make sure their facilities are safe. But residents who spoke at the meeting didnt seem swayed by Walters presentation. Even before the meeting got started, residents were met by women outside the school handing out petitions against the facility. Karen Kraft said she and two other residents organized the petition because they didnt want to see the school impacted by the truck stop. Meanwhile, in the room where the meeting was held, more than 80 residents sat and stood, some of them bearing protest signs. No Love for Loves one of them read. Similar sentiments were echoed throughout the meeting One woman asked how the truck stop would impact property values and said she was worried she wouldnt be able to sell her house. Another resident expressed concern over whether trucks would miss the driveways and accidentally drive into town and possibly hit children or cause an accident. Ted Odle, the landowner, said after hearing the commentary he was beginning to question whether he wanted to sell the property to Loves. Walters and county officials present Tuesday night said the meeting was purely informational and that the project isnt a done deal. They added that Loves will still need to get a zoning variance because part of the property resides in a rural residential zone. After the damaging May 18, 2014, hailstorm pummeled roofs all over Billings, insurance companies refused to renew about 3,000 homeowners policies. The reason given? They had filed three claims in three years, including claims for which the insurance company paid out money and claims for which the company paid nothing. In the 2015 Legislature, Sen. Mary McNally, D-Billings, proposed an end to counting zero dollar claims against insurance customers. Her bill included other consumer protection measures. Although it was supported by state insurance commissioner Monica Lindeen, a Democrat, and passed by the Senate, that bill died in the 2015 House. This year, McNally has again introduced a bill to protect consumers from having zero dollar claims counted against them in higher premiums or cancellations. And in 2017, the legislation has the support of newly elected Republican state insurance commissioner Matt Rosendale. In a press release Friday, Rosendales office said it had received recent complaints over policies being cancelled for zero dollar claims. At a hearing Friday morning in the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee, McNally said the bill doesnt interfere with an insurers ability to set rates or cancel policies based on excessive claims history. All the bill requires is that customers not be penalized for claims that cost the insurer nothing. Some homeowners have had their insurance canceled or not renewed for making inquiries about coverage for incidents that they, not the insurance company, ultimately paid for, McNally told the committee. Its particularly ironic because most of these policies require you to make that notice. Then that information can be used against you. SB58 would apply to a broad range of property damage and liability insurance policies, not just homeowner policies. Lobbyists for the insurance industry testified against the bill Friday. Bruce Spencer, representing Allstate Insurance, said zero dollar claims are important in the actuarial formula that companies use to calculate risk. Its part of the secret sauce of rate making, he said. SB58 simply aims for rate making to be based on actual costs of doing business, rather than penalizing customers who are honest. Consumers shouldnt be punished for doing the right thing, especially when it comes at no cost to insurers, Rosendale said in a press release. Members of the Senate committee should listen to Rosendale and McNally, and send SB58 to the full Senate for a vote in favor of the Montanans who responsibly obtain insurance and communicate with their insurers. The House then should stand up for those same constituents and send this common-sense legislation to the governors desk for his signature. The Billings Gazette Its January; may the political squabbles kick into high gear! While our legislators and Congress tackle big issues, lets take a look at what really makes Montana tick, and for many people, thats recreation. And, it aint just about huntin and fishin anymore. Recreation on our public lands is not only what many of us do even on cold, winter days recreation is a true economic driver in Montana. At a round-table discussion on recreation and the economy in Missoula a few months ago, folks from bike touring companies, GPS mapping businesses, IT groups, and gear-makers to local city council representatives talked about the need to keep recreation opportunities alive and well because businesses thrive on recreation and tourism. Plus, business people say that potential employees come and stay in Montana because they can enjoy the great outdoors. People love to hike, trail run, paddle board, ski, snowmobile, and ride horses as well as hunt and fish. And visitors to Montana love our public recreational and outdoor assets. Glacier and Yellowstone break visitation records every year. Over the past six years, use of our state parks has increased almost 50 percent from both in-state and out-of-state visitors. Its estimated that 64,000 jobs in Montana are directly related to recreation with consumer spending amounting to $5.8 billion, yes, billion. As we see this boom, many of the folks who share common interests in recreation public lands advocates, traditional hunters and anglers, tourism businesses, local chambers of commerce do not talk to each other as well as they might. Could hospitality and tourism industries reach out to the conservation community? Why dont fishing guides partner with paddle-boarders to seek more funding for Fishing Access Sites which now serve many recreational purposes? Even within the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks agency, internal tensions exist over recreation; conciliation is needed. Why is there not more cooperation and coordination regarding our important recreation economy? Well, Governor Bullock has proposed an Office of Outdoor Recreation to bring more determined focus to issues surrounding the recreation economy. Other states have successfully used such an office to bring folks together, to give attention to infrastructure needs, access, and business support. With federal funding for maintenance of infrastructure on public lands declining, and funding for State Parks some of the lowest in the nation, our booming recreation economy faces some tough challenges ahead. If we dont cooperate, talk to each other, and work together better, we are harming what we truly love about Montana and an important economic sector recreation! MISSOULA The U.S. government has canceled and refunded payments for the final two energy exploration leases in the Badger-Two Medicine area, considered sacred to the Blackfeet Indians, next to Glacier National Park. The Badger-Two Medicine is a powerful cultural region, Blackfeet Tribal Chairman Harry Barnes said on Tuesday after Department of Interior officials announced the cancellations. Weve lived for 30 years under the threat that it might be industrialized, and were extremely grateful that this cloud is finally lifted. This area is like a church to our people, and retiring the last of the leases is a tremendous step toward permanent protection of the Badger-Two Medicine. The leaseholders were the J.G. Kluthe Trust of Nebraska, which claimed 3,982 acres, and W.A. Moncrief Jr. of Texas, who claimed 7,640 acres. Kluthe was compensated $30,560 and Moncrief was paid $27,874 for past lease payments, filing fees and other charges. In November, leaseholder Devon Energy voluntarily surrendered a block of 15 leases in return for its sunk costs at a ceremony with Barnes and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. That leaves just one leaseholder, Solenex LLC of Louisiana, contesting its lease cancellation in federal court. Blackfeet Historic Preservation Officer John Murray said the tribe offered the two leaseholders alternative sites on the reservation in exchange for leaving the Badger-Two Medicine alone. The tribe has allowed extensive energy exploration activity on its lands in places not considered culturally sensitive. With the leases canceled, Murray said the tribe now wants to see the area made accessible to a herd of genetically pure bison now breeding on the reservation. That would make it more complete, in place of the cattle leases already in there, Murray said. Some of those grazing leases area already vacant. The tribe is working with the Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture to see that come to reality. The leases date back to the early days of the 1980s, when large swaths of public land in Montana were opened for energy exploration leasing. Most of those claims in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and along the North Fork of the Flathead River were later found invalid because federal land managers failed to consider the environmental impacts of drilling for oil and gas, or consult with affected tribes, such as the Blackfeet. Leases in the 130,000-acre Badger-Two Medicine area between the Bob Marshall, Glacier and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation werent canceled at the same time, but they were put in administrative limbo for decades. They stayed that way until Solenex started applying for permits to build roads and set up drilling equipment on its leases in 2012. Both the Blackfeet and a coalition of conservation groups fought the move, and the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation declared the Badger-Two Medicine a Traditional Cultural Area in 2015. Interior Department officials canceled Solenexs leases in 2015, and the company sued. That case remains pending in federal court. Todays final action reflects the wisdom and forward-thinking of business owners, tribal leaders, elected officials and individuals who traveled different paths to come to the same solution for protecting this priceless landscape, said Michael Jamison, Glacier program manager for National Parks Conservation Association. The actions by the Blackfeet Nation and private interests to ensure the previous leaseholders were made whole again also demonstrate grace under extreme pressure to preserve these wildlands. HELENA - Care for senior citizens and the disabled would be compromised if $93 million in preliminary budget cuts to the Department of Public Health and Human Services go through, critics say. Of the cuts to be made over the next two years outlined Wednesday by the Joint Health and Human services Appropriations Subcommittee, $37.1 million come from the state general fund and $1.4 million come from the state special fund. Those cuts mean the department would also lose $54 million in federal matching funds. Gov. Steve Bullocks budget had proposed cutting $18.9 million from the department over the next two years, though that number does not include the loss of federal matching dollars, which would be about $20 million, according to numbers provided by the Legislative Fiscal Division. The department has an annual operating budget of $522.9 million and makes up 25 percent of the state general fund budget. The only larger agency is the Education Department, which includes K-12 and higher education and is a little more than half of the state budget. DPHHS operates a multitude of programs, including Child and Family Services, Child Support Enforcement, the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, suicide prevention efforts and more. Sheila Hogan, DPHHS director, released a statement after the meeting saying the department had worked with the governor's office on their cuts, but criticized the committee's cuts. "The additional, unnecessary cuts made today will strip vulnerable Montanans of critical community services, putting Montana families, seniors and children at risk," she said in the statement. Claudia Clifford, advocacy director for AARP Montana, called the cuts very significant for seniors and those who need long-term care. A 3.25 percent reduction proposed by the committee in a motion carried by Rep. Rob Cook, R-Conrad, trims about $14 million from Medicaid Core Services, which pays for senior and long-term care. Bullocks proposed cuts would have trimmed $9.4 million. Those figures include federal dollars. The committee also adopted Bullock's proposed cuts, in addition to Cook's. The motion passed on a 4-3 vote. Clifford said Medicaid Core Services provide assistance to the elderly or physically disabled. The program pays for nursing home care, hospice, personal care and home health care, among other programs. Core services also fund incentives for better pay and health insurance for home health workers, a profession that suffers from high turnover. With Montanas rapidly aging population, Clifford said funding services to those 85 and older is critical. She said she understands the state faces declining revenues but believes that's not a long-term problem and Montanas seniors shouldnt suffer as a result over the biennium. The state took in 3.6 percent less in revenues in 2016 than the year before. Bullock's budget proposes $74 million in cuts, while Republicans have said they will trim $120 million. Bullock also proposed $280 million in new taxes, something Republicans oppose. What happens to them over the next two years means a lot to them and their families, Clifford said. In 2015, the number of Montanans age 65 and over was more than 178,000, and number is projected to grow to 266,584 by 2025, and 299,000 by 2030, according to numbers from the states Aging Services division. Rose Hughes, a lobbyist for the Montana Health Care Association, said that if the cuts would eliminate direct services to people who are old or sick and are in nursing homes. She also said that though the cuts are not final, they already affect employees who worry about their jobs disappearing and seniors in care. "When we tell people these cuts are looming, they start worrying," she said. State Sen. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, questioned Cook on the lack of detail in budget documents provided to the committee by the Legislative Fiscal Division. She opposed Cooks motion, saying committee members didnt know what they were voting to cut, and questioned when the public would be able to comment on the proposed reductions. We voted on services some of the members of the committee dont even know about, she said. Cook said over the next several weeks the subcommittee will work through each division of the department and hear public testimony that will inform its decisions. He added that he expects there will be opportunity to add some money back into the budget based on the priorities of the Legislature instead of the governor. MISSOULA The man taken into custody following the shooting deaths of two people near Lolo on Monday has been released but is cooperating in the investigation, Sheriff T.J. McDermott said Tuesday. The sheriff said detectives and a coroner were still at the scene throughout the day Tuesday, working to determine what happened. While the sheriff said they are working closely with the Missoula County Attorneys Office, no charges have been filed. Around 4:30 p.m. Monday, deputies were called to a cabin behind Travelers Rest Country Store, about three miles west of Lolo on U.S. Highway 12, for a report of a disturbance. A man was inside the cabin but a negotiator was able to convince him to come out and give himself up. The two shooting victims in the cabin, who have not been identified, were dead by the time officers were able to enter the cabin. The man who was detained, who has also not been identified, was interviewed by detectives over the course of the night, the sheriff said. He has since been released but is continuing to cooperate in the investigation, including telling detectives his version of what happened in the cabin Monday. He was involved, were just determining whether his account can be corroborated, McDermott said. Our investigators are taking their time with this case. McDermott said the man was not armed when he came out and was taken into custody, but that detectives found at least one handgun inside the cabin. The bodies of the two shooting victims are being taken to the state crime lab for an autopsy, and will be identified publicly after the coroner can locate and notify family members, McDermott said. He said all three people involved in the incident lived in the cabins behind the convenience store. Since 2009, there have been 372 CIA drone strikes in Pakistan. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism records that at least 108 drone strikes in Yemen and at least 18 strikes in Somalia have occurred under the Obama administration. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing to issue a modified Title V Operating Permit to MidAmerican Energy Company - Louisa Station. This facility is located at 8602 172nd Street, Muscatine, IA 52761. DNR is currently reviewing a permit application submitted by MidAmerican Energy Company - Louisa Station to modify operations at their existing Electric Services station (SIC 4911). MidAmerican Energy Company - Louisa Station is required to obtain a significant Title V Operating Permit modification pursuant to 567 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 22.113. This modification will result in changes in the facility's annual potential to emit the following air pollutants: PM-2.5 (particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter): a decrease of 124.04 tons PM-10 (particulate matter ten microns or less in diameter): a decrease of 131.97 tons Particulate Matter: a decrease of 100.99 tons Sulfur Dioxide: no change Nitrogen Oxides: a decrease of 726.25 tons Volatile Organic Compounds: a decrease of 23.56 tons Carbon Monoxide: a decrease of 1557.17 tons Lead: a decrease of 0.10 tons Hazardous Air Pollutants: an increase of / a decrease of 4.97 tons Based on the information provided in the application for Title V Operating Permit modification, the DNR has made an initial determination that the facility meets all the applicable criteria for the issuance of a significant permit modification specified in 567 IAC 22.107 and 567 IAC 22.113. A copy of the Fact Sheet (which describes the facility and summarizes the permit review) and a copy of the draft modified Title V Operating Permit are available for public inspection at the: Musser Public Library 304 Iowa Ave Muscatine, IA 52761 Phone: (563) 263-3065 These documents are also available on the Air Quality Bureau's website at: For additional information or for a copy of the draft permit or fact sheet contact: William McNamara Iowa Department of Natural Resources Air Quality Bureau 7900 Hickman Rd., Suite 1 Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324 Phone: (515) 725-9518 A complete record of the permit modification review, including the application and the draft permit, is available for public inspection Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at the DNR address shown above. The public comment period for the draft permit will run from 11 January 2017 through 10 February 2017. The beginning date of this public comment period also serves as the beginning of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 45-day review period, provided the EPA does not seek a separate review period. During this time, anyone may submit written comments on the permit. The comments shall be limited to the proposed changes to the permit. Mail signed comments to William McNamara at the DNR address shown above. Written requests for a public hearing concerning the permit may also be submitted during the comment period. Any hearing request must state the person's interest in the subject matter, and the nature of the issues proposed to be raised at the hearing. DNR will hold a public hearing upon finding, on the basis of requests, a significant degree of relevant public interest in a draft permit. Mail hearing requests to William McNamara at the DNR address shown above. DNR will keep a record of the issues raised during the public participation process, and will prepare written responses to all comments received. The comments and responses will be compiled into a responsiveness summary document. After the close of the public comment period, DNR will make a final decision on the application for permit modification. The responsiveness summary and the final permit will be available to the public upon request. Starting in 2009, Obama facilitated the re-establishment of relations with Cuba, separated from the U.S. by 90 miles of ocean. Relations initially were severed in January 1961 during the height of the Cold War. According to the White House, the two countries will commit to improved human rights conditions and democratic reforms in Cuba. MUSCATINE, Iowa The Muscatine City Council will vote on a request to authorize and instruct the city attorney to file charges to remove the Muscatine mayor, Diana Broderson, at the in-depth city council meeting Thursday night. The agenda item states the city attorney will be instructed to file written charges of removal pursuant to Muscatine City Code 1-7-6, "Removal of the Mayor," if the request is passed by a vote of the city council. According to Muscatine City Code and Iowa Code, the mayor may be removed from office by action of the city council for one of several reasons: willful or habitual neglect or refusal to perform the duties of his or her office, willful misconduct or maladministration in office, corruption, extortion, upon conviction of a felony, for intoxication or conviction of being intoxicated or possession of any illegal substances, or upon conviction of violating the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 68A, the Campaign DisclosureIncome Tax Checkoff Act. The agenda does not state the reason being cited for the mayors removal. The city code also states the removal can only take place after a hearing is held before the City Council based on written charges prepared and filed by the City Attorney. Removal can be made by a two-thirds vote of the entire council, and would therefore need to be approved by five of the seven current council members. The in-depth meeting of the Muscatine City Council will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore St. The Muscatine Journal will update this situation as warranted. DES MOINES Gov. Terry Branstad proposed a two-year budget plan Tuesday that seeks to boost spending by 3 percent in fiscal 2018 and 2.2 percent the following year after making adjustments that cut $110 million from regents, human services, corrections and court programs by June 30. Majority Republicans said they were willing to work with Branstad to make government smaller and smarter but expressed disappointment his message did not include mention of tax relief and reform. Minority Democrats liked some of the governors ideas but felt his cut went too deep in some critical budget areas. We still have a lot of details to work out, said Senate President Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny. We know its going to be a tough decision to make. I think hes in the right ballpark for the amount of money, its just figuring out exactly where thats going to come from. Branstad aides distributed documents indicating current-year adjustments will be $25 million at regent institutions, $20 million for the Department of Human Services, $15 million for prisons and community corrections, $8.7 million for community colleges, $7.7 million for the courts, $5.5 million for the Department of Education, and $3.8 million for public safety. Weve got real concerns about these major mid-year budget cuts that Gov. Branstad is proposing, said Senate Democratic Minority Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids. We are not in a fiscal crisis. Lets find a better solution. Lets not balance the budget on the backs of students at our community colleges and universities. Thats the wrong direction to go. Most state agencies had begun making contingencies in October in anticipation of a possible budget shortfall, said David Roederer, director of the state Department of Management. Directors of affected departments are being given flexibility within their budget areas to best manage funding cuts that could include layoffs or employee furloughs in cases where the position eventually will be permanently eliminated. The adjustments were necessary due to two downward reductions in projected tax collection growth brought on my sluggish farm prices and other economic factors. Along with the cuts, Branstad administration officials are holding back $12 million of economic development incentives until July 1 and revising one-time medical assistance numbers to provide another $47 million in fiscal 2017 budget adjustments. In proposing the budget cutbacks for consideration by the GOP-led Legislature, Branstad said he did not want to impact K-12 schools, local property tax credits or Medicaid services. In charting a new two-year budget plan, the governor called for spending $7.457 billion in the fiscal year that begins July 1, which would be a 3 percent increase overly his revised spending plan to finish out the current year with a $100,000 positive ending balance. The governor proposed state general fund spending of $7.623 billion in the bienniums second year a 2.2 percent increase over fiscal 2018. The two-year budget proposal projected the state general fund would have $208.5 million in net new revenue next fiscal year under the states 99 percent spending limitation law and about $295.5 million in net new revenue the following fiscal year, according to Branstad aides. The governors spending plan called for 2 percent increases for K-12 school districts and higher education in both fiscal years, with elementary and secondary schools to receive $78.8 million growth in fiscal 2018 and $63.5 million more in fiscal 2019 while public colleges would be in line for increases of $15.7 million in each of the next two fiscal years. Branstad administrations officials projected savings to the state under the switch to privately managed Medicaid care for each of the next two fiscal year but projected state spending growth of $40 million in fiscal 2018 and $60 million the following year to cover expanded enrollment and other factors. The governors spending plan also sought more than $6 million annually for education reform initiatives, nearly $8 million for yearly water quality improvements and $18 million in funding for corrections and public safety to restore money impacted by current-year reductions. House Republicans say moving ahead with the current-year de-appropriations will be one of the first bills they deal with so they can better focus on the fiscal 2018/2019 budget plans. I appreciate the governor presenting his budget plan to the Legislature early so that we can get to work resolving the current state budget, said House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake. His outline and suggestions will help us hit the ground running. Sen. Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said lawmakers job in the coming months will be to find permanent cuts to free up revenue in future years for GOP priorities like tax relief. He said Republicans may wait until they receive the March revenue estimates before they move ahead with next years budget plan. Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he was disappointed Branstad made no mention of tax relief or comprehensive tax reform either during his speech or in his budget although he acknowledged the governor last week said he did not think the state could afford a major income tax cut at this time but would work with Republicans on a multi-year plan. We will have a comprehensive tax reform bill this session and I just hope that we can work with the governor and the House to get something very significant passed, he said. Its going to have to be over multiple years but you create the framework saying this is whats going to happen. Hogg said his personal view is that state government has provided significant tax relief in recent years and more cuts currently are not at the top of the legislative priority list. We may need tax reform to make our system better, but we do not need more tax cuts, Hogg said. We have to have the ability to support our education, our public safety, our economic development efforts, our environmental programs. Iowans depend on state government to be part of the solution on so many public problems and cutting taxes is not a way to do that. MUSCATINE, Iowa Muscatine County Habitat for Humanity will hold its annual Soup and Sandwich Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday (Jan. 15) at Wesley United Methodist Church, 400 Iowa Ave. in Muscatine. Four different kinds of soup will be served along with meat sandwiches, relishes, dessert, and beverages. Cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 10 and under. Come and support the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. House #11 is being built in Wilton and will soon be completed. The partner family will be at the soup lunch to visit with those in attendance. Family Resources Braking Traffik Program Hosting Events in Muscatine County for Human Trafficking Awareness Month MUSCATINE, Iowa - To raise awareness for the eradication of human trafficking in Iowa and Illinois, Family Resources Braking Traffik program will be hosting various events in Muscatine County. Braking Traffik will be displaying an Awareness Table at Hy-Vee from 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. on Thursday (Jan. 12). Hy-Vee is located at 2400 2nd Avenue, Muscatine. The Musser Public Library will host a Lunch and Learn at noon on Tuesday (Jan. 17). The Musser Public Library is located at 304 Iowa Avenue, Muscatine. The purpose of these events is to educate the public on the signs of human trafficking and learn how to respond in an effective manner. Combatting human trafficking must be a collaborative effort to be successful. It takes everyone in the community working together to ensure this horrific crime, which denies our most basic rights of human dignity and freedom, does not continue to go unreported due to lack of awareness, said Braking Traffik Director, Cathy OKeeffe. To learn more about local services offered and how you can get involved in the anti-trafficking movement please join Family Resources staff and other community leaders at one of the various events being held. For more Human Trafficking Awareness Month events please visit the Family Resources website http://famres.org/calendar. DES MOINES, Iowa - The swearing in ceremony of all 100 state representatives on Monday began a week full of ceremonies, including the Condition of the State address by the Governor, and the Condition of the Judiciary address by the Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice. A full slate of committee work begins as well, as bills begin the process it takes to get them to the House floor for full debate. WAPELLO, Iowa - It appears that after more than six months of controversy, two members of the Louisa County Board of Health (BOH) may be on their way off the board. The Louisa County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed Tuesday to remove Craig Helmick and Rita Adam, explaining they had joined the rest of the BOH in refusing to meet with or communicate with the supervisors. The decision will apparently be delayed at least 30 days to give the ejected members a chance to appeal. The terms of both Helmick and Adam run to Dec. 31, 2018. They were both apparently first appointed in 2012. Although the supervisors complaints involved communications, they specifically stemmed from a set of salary increases the BOH approved in June for six of the nine staff members of the Louisa County Public Health Service (LCPHS). In addition to removing the two volunteers from the BOH, the supervisors also accepted the resignation of supervisor Chris Ball from the BOH. Ball is the supervisor representative on the BOH and will be replaced by Brad Quigley. The supervisors also officially appointed Whitney Howell and Dr. Brian Masonholder to the BOH. Howells application to the BOH had been selected earlier by the supervisors for a vacancy created when former BOH Chair Jeri Bailey announced she would not seek re-appointment when her term expired on Dec. 31, 2016. There had been no official action on Howells application. At the same time Bailey announced she would not return, Dr. Thomas Boyd, who served as the medical director on the BOH, also said he would not seek re-appointment when his term ended on Dec. 31. The medical directors position requires a licensed physician and supervisor Randy Griffin said Tuesday that Masonholder, a Columbus Junction osteopath who previously served on the BOH, had agreed to a three-year appointment. Initially when the supervisors agreed to remove Helmick and Adam, it was unclear when that action would be implemented. LCPHS Interim Administrator Roxanne Smith, who attended Tuesdays meeting, cautioned them about following the correct procedure. During a meeting last week, Louisa County Attorney Adam Parsons offered his opinion that the supervisors could remove BOH members for cause, which could include failing to meet with the supervisors when requested, but had not outlined any procedure to follow. On Tuesday, after learning Smith had reported there was a procedure in the Iowa Code, Parsons came to the supervisors meeting and agreed that both Helmick and Adam needed to be notified in writing and would then have 30 days to appeal the action. He recommended the supervisors delay any replacement appointments until after the 30 days had expired. The supervisors indicated they agreed, but wanted to move forward on their decision. This thing has gone on long enough, we need to stop being stubborn and begin to work together, Quigley said. Following the meeting, Adam declined to comment on the supervisors decision, while Helmick did not return a call seeking comment. The BOH was scheduled to meet Wednesday morning to review its fiscal year 2017 budget and discuss the wages approved last summer, but that meeting was canceled late Tuesday. In other action, the supervisors: Awarded a $2,133,153 contract for the concrete overlay of County Road G40 to Flynn Company, Inc. Dubuque; and an $80.154 contract to Brandt Construction, Milan, for an overlay on a bridge in Letts; Met with Louisa County Veterans Affairs Service Officer Andy Beaver for his monthly update. MUSCATINE, Iowa A group of about a dozen Muscatine residents will travel to Des Moines to participate in the Women's March on Saturday, January 21. A few residents will also march in Washington, D.C. on the same day. Set for the day after Trumps inauguration, protests in Des Moines, D.C. and other cities nationwide are designed to send a bold message to our new administration, Congress, Senate, State and Local governments on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights, according to the Womens March on Washingtons website. On Tuesday night, like-minded Muscatine residents gathered in activist Linda Keltys home to prepare for the marches. They painted signs, discussed traveling arrangements and talked about the march. Nick Salazar of Not in Our Town, a Muscatine organization that promotes tolerance, spoke to the group. Sitting at home with your apathy isnt going to cut it this time around, he said. He praised the group for taking a stand against hate and encouraged them to get involved in other ways. This is our town, this is our community, he said, adding that real change can happen at the local level. The group also colored safety pins, which they will wear during the march. The pins signify safetypeople who wear them signals to others that they will protect vulnerable minorities and will intervene when bullying occurs. Were telling people that were safe, Kelty said. We will not stand ideally by. Kathy Metcalf came to the gathering to make a sign for the march. She said she will march with her grandchildren in Des Moines because she is concerned about the future of the country. She learned about the effort from Kelty, who is also her friend, and the group rapidly organized on Facebook, creating its own space for protest-related discussion. After the elections, Metclaf said, she felt that the country was going in the wrong direction. Its as if there has been a death in the family. And I dont say that lightly, she said. She will march in Des Moines for respect and against hate. Respect. We seem to be wildly short of respect This nastiness and disrespect has given permission to people to say ugly things to each other, she said. Cory Abernathy also said he heard about the movement from Kelty. Being a member of the LGBT community, it kind of hit home to me because the bullying is too out of control these days, he said, adding that he wants to protect children in the community from bullying and hate. Abernathy said he will march in Des Moines to represent the LGBT community. A smaller group of Muscatine residents will also participate in the Womens March on DC. 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 MUSCATINE, Iowa The Muscatine City Council will vote on a request to authorize and instruct the city attorney to file charges to remove the Muscatine mayor at the in-depth city council meeting Thursday night. The agenda item states that the city attorney will be instructed to file written charges of removal pursuant to Muscatine City Code 1-7-6, "Removal of the Mayor," if the request is passed by a vote of the city council. According to Muscatine City Code and Iowa Code, the mayor may be removed from office by action of the city council for one of several reasons: willful or habitual neglect or refusal to perform the duties of his or her office, willful misconduct or maladministration in office, corruption, extortion, upon conviction of a felony, for intoxication or conviction of being intoxicated or possession of any illegal substances, or upon conviction of violating the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 68A, the Campaign DisclosureIncome Tax Checkoff Act. The agenda item does not state what the charges are and city officials have not commented citing the pending litigation. According to Iowa Code, the written charges in this case would normally be filed in Muscatine County District Court by the county attorney. However, section 66.29 of the Iowa Code does allow for the removal of an elected city official on a two-thirds vote of the entire council on grounds that would call for an equitable action for removal in the district court. In that case, the written charges that would be filed against the mayor would be brought back before the council and not handled in district court. Council members Phillip Fitzgerald, Tom Spread, Allen Harvey, and Santos Saucedo could not be reached for comment, and Councilmen Scott Natvig, Bob Bynum, and Michael Rehwaldt declined to comment. Councilman Bynum advised questions should be directed to the city attorney. Brick could not be reached for comment. Broderson said while she does not know what reason will be cited in the charges, she has had multiple phone calls from Muscatine residents expressing their support for her as mayor since the agenda was published. I feel much supported by the people, she said. I think that they are raising their voice. The council, Broderson said, has reduced the powers of the office of mayor since she took office in 2016, but she has felt continued support from the community. They elected me mayor and I think they are unhappy at the efforts that have been ongoing since I took office to thwart their choice and basically nullify their vote, she said. In April of 2016, the city council began the process to change the appointment authority for boards and commissions to a nominating committee, and the ability to appoint and remove the fire and police chiefs to the city administrator, subject to the approval of the city council. A nominating committee comprised of two council members, the mayor, and the city administrator or appointed staff member was created to review applications for boards and commissions and bring recommendations to the city council for approval. Previously, the mayor held appointment and removal powers, subject to the approval of the council. According to a letter from the Iowa Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General to Iowa State Sen. Rich Taylor, of Mt. Pleasant, that change may have violated Iowa Code. Iowa Code section 400.1 states: "In cities having a population of eight thousand or over and having a paid fire department or a paid police department, the mayor, one year after a regular city election, with the approval of the council, shall appoint three civil service commissioners." The letter, written by Solicitor General Jeffrey Thompson, states the requirements of the section are "mandatory," and "any act or failure to act that falls short of strict compliance with its provisions constitutes a crime." If the request to begin a process to remove her as mayor is passed Thursday night, Broderson said she will work to remain in her position as mayor. "I will continue to fight and move forward the best that I can," she said. Brodersons term expires Dec. 31, 2017. The in-depth meeting of the Muscatine City Council will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore St. WILTON, Iowa Officials in Wilton may be near the end of their patience with the Vitalix plant. Complaints about smell from the livestock feed supplement manufacturer began shortly after the plant started operations in 2013. The odors lessened, but complaints resumed again last fall, and at Monday night's city council meeting, Mayor Bob Barrett said a few more complaints have been received. City Administrator Chris Ball said he has discussed the matter with the plant manager. "He said they've ramped up production rather quickly and were cooking for a number of days in a row," Ball told the council. "They took a day off and spent all day working on steam leaks. They got them all taken care of except one minor one." "Last week I smelled it a little bit, but a week or two earlier it was back to where it was earlier," commented Council Member Keith Stanley. "He (the plant manager) certainly got an earful from me about it," Ball replied. Barrett's warning to Vitalix is stop the smell or face Wilton's nuisance ordinance. "Correct the problems as soon as you see them, not when people complain, or you're going to push us in a corner to enforce our ordinance," he said. "Two years is long enough." The fine for first offense of the nuisance ordinance is $750. Subsequent offenses are punishable by $1,000 fines. Officials are looking for quick funds to catch up on maintenance on Wilton's historic 1936 city hall. Ball reported the council can borrow $400,000 in bonding. Over $400,000, he said, would have to go to a public referendum, but he would prefer to bond for $400,000. "One of the things I'd like to do is have an architect see how many things need immediate repair," said Ball. "I know the place is falling down around our ears." When Council Member Ted Marolf asked how the borrowing would impact property taxes, Ball replied it could be paid with tax increment financing proceeds. "I don't see us getting any other funds right away," commented Stanley. "We're not asking for $2 million to do the whole thing. We're just looking at maintenance." Ball said he will put a bonding plan together. In other business: The council approved a $6,560 agreement with Braun Intertec Corporation of Cedar Rapids to conduct borings necessary for design of improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The council approved payment of $32,000 to Triple B Construction of Wilton for the Jackson Street Water Main Extension Project. The council approved a proposal from LL Pelling of North Liberty to do spring seal coating. The council went into closed session to discuss pending litigation and possible land acquisition. MUSCATINE, Iowa Wholesale Food Outletthe only grocery store in Southend will close its doors on February 11, leaving residents without a neighborhood store. Everybody is going to be lost without a store around here, said Southend resident Ed Rinier. He, his wife and two kids live about two minutes drive from the store, and they shop there often. Driving to the other side of town, he said, would not only be time-consuming, but expensive. And since his family lives on a fixed income, the extra expense would strain their budget. Larry Stropes lives on a quiet street behind the store. On Wednesday morning, he was on his way to the store to redeem some can refunds. I go there just about every day, he said, adding that when the store closes, hed have to drive uptown to run errands, cash checks, pay his gas bill and shop for groceries. He and his wife live on disability checks and the store closing would affect their grocery budget. Thats going to put a bind on things, not just for me, for a lot of people who live in Southend, he said. At the Brickhouse Diner across the street from the Wholesale Food Outlet, the store closing has been a topic of conversation. Customers, said manager Robin Doss, are concerned. A lot of them are from down in this area and they are upset, she said. I feel bad for them because when they need something they can go there and its just so far to Hy-Vee or Wal-Mart that its really going to be hurting them. And with Wholesale Food Outlet gone, the diner staff would also have to change their shopping habits. We go over there when we run out of chocolate chips, strawberries, broccoli [and] cauliflower, she said. Every time we get low on something, we run over there and theyre always open. When the store closes, Doss said, staff members may have to shop for diner staples on their way to work. And they will have to go elsewhere to run errands. We go over there quite often, they have a copy machine, a fax machine and its a little easier than running all the way up town, she said. Customer Dick Fankhauser agrees. He lives a short drive away from the store and shops there 3-4 times a week. Without the store he and his wife will have to drive farther into town to get groceries. Theres not much of anything else down here, he said, adding that getting to the other side of town in the winter can be difficult. He worries about the gap the store will leave behind. What are they going to do with it? Its just going to sit empty and fall apart, he said. I wish they wouldnt, he said. But thats their business and they can do what they want to, but I think its wrong. Fankhauser said the store closing will be a blow to older residents. They should realize that theyre going to put some of these older people out and they wont be able to get stuff, he said. COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa Carole A. Evans, 75, formerly of Kalona and Washington, Iowa, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at Colonial Manor Care Center, Columbus Junction. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City. Burial will follow at Nichols Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Carole's name. Online condolences may be sent to her family through the funeral home website www.gayandciha.com. Carole Ann Evans was born March 31, 1941, in Burlington, the daughter of Marion K. Evans and Mary E. Dillavou. She has lived a lifetime with disabilities, working when she could, but always enjoying life, no matter what it gave her. She loved animals, small babies, and family outings, and was known to be a bit direct to get her way. Her family includes her sister, Wanda (Gene) Goddard, of Letts, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jolene Dallas. As of March 2016, 147 detainees received transfer from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during Obamas time in the White House. Approximately six detainees released under Obama re-engaged in terrorism or militant activities. Ninety-one detainees are still held. In 2011, the CIA-led Operation Neptune's Spear succeeded in killing Osama bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaida. At the time of his death, bin Laden was 54 years old. During his subsequent address to the nation, Obama claimed the success of the operation was a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people. The Portuguese Water Dog is the 53rd most popular dog in the U.S., according to the 2015 American Kennel Club rankings. The Obama family currently owns two Portuguese Water Dogs, named Bo and Sunny. Obama began his presidency with an order to send 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. This marked the beginning of the surge in Afghanistan. Promises of the eventual withdrawal have been repeatedly pushed back. Currently, the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan is scheduled to end in 2017. 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 [] There was drama on Monday night after residents of Nairobis Lavington estate raided a local pub and ordered patrons to leave. The members of the Apple Cross Residents Association want the 51 Lounge closed, claiming it has become a nuisance in the usually serene suburb. According to the residents, the pub has been turned into a double parking lot, and commercial sex workers now share their driveway. In addition to that, the residents mostly with young families said they are forced to hop over used condoms on pavements leading to their homes. Where we are living is a residential area but unfortunately what has happened is that we have a commercial venture that has been set up right inside a residential area, one of the residents, who did not want to be named told Capital FM News. Another said, imagine like on Friday last week, I was coming back home with my three daughters but I could not even enter into my house since my driveway had been blocked by vehicles. To my dismay, in one of the cars, there were illicit activities going on there. We have commercial sex workers in the area. The about 20 members of the Residents Association caught patrons of the pub unawares and gave them until 11 pm to finish their drinks and leave. According to verified documents, the business was registered as a restaurant operating from 5 pm to 11 pm. Police officers reported to the scene about 40 minutes to 11 pm to ensure law and order prevailed during the forceful evacuation. The restaurant was closed at 11 pm after all the patrons had left. The residents then said a word of prayer and returned to their homes. It is amazing what a simple act of caring can do to someone! Case in point: Nairobi senator Mike Sonko and his adopted son Moses Gift Osinya. When a tragic turn of events befell Gift Osinya in a terror attack in a Mombasa church in March 2014, the Nairobi senator was there to offer a helping hand. Two years later, things are looking up for the teenage boy as he continues his education. Gift who won the Jubilee Insurance Samaritan Award (JISA) in 2014 for his bravery in rescuing his younger brother, Satrin, was on Monday admitted into one of the best schools in Kenya, Lenana School. Gift was among the top performers in last years KCPE examination with a score of 399 marks out of a possible 500. A proud Mike Sonko once again took to social media to share pictures as Gift reported to school. Sonko wrote; I wish to take this opportunity on behalf of my lovely Wife and on my own behalf to congratulate my adopted son Gift Osinya the boy who rescued his younger brother Satrin during terror attack in which their mother was brutally murdered. Gift scored an A Plain in 2016 KCPE and was today officially enrolled at Lenana School in form one. We pray that the Almighty God continue to bless him and may this be the beginning of a successful academic journey. A group of four Ugandan nationals who were trapped by hyacinth in the middle of Lake Victoria near Wagusu Beach in Bondo sub-county have finally been rescued. The four, Anasi Isabilie (48), Christopher Masariwa (27), Butwala Kulaira (25), and Aloka Goddy (28) were rescued by a team of local fishermen who cut through the hyacinth using machetes. The four traders who hail from Bonja Beach Emunyege District in Uganda had been stuck about a kilometer from the lakeshore since Saturday 11 pm. They were feared to be facing starvation as they had exhausted their food and clean drinking water supplies. Their boat is also said to have been leaking as they were seen through zoomed camera lenses trying to empty water out of their boat using a yellow tin. According to the chief of Central Sakwa location Mr Julius Nyerere, the four were rescued on Tuesday and taken to Wagusu beach at around 9.30 am. They were then rushed to a nearby hospital for medical check-ups. Out with Joho girls and in with Ndolo babes! It appears the use of beautiful ladies will be a key feature in this years campaign period ahead of the General Election. Last December Mombasa governor Hassan Joho deployed his girls around the streets of Mombasa, much to the excitement of Mombasa residents and Kenyas internet users. Read: Skimpily Dressed Joho Girls Cause Stir on Social Media (PHOTOS) This January it is Reuben Ndolos turn! The veteran Nairobi politician has launched a colorful door-to-door campaign involving the use of five beauties clad in ODMs colours with Ndolos name emblazoned on them. The ladies, coordinated by Makadara ODM chair lady Eliza Ngayo, were seen on Monday in Mbotelas Railways Resettlement Scheme quarters sensitizing voters to register and vote for Reuben in his bid to reclaim the Makadara Parliamentary seat. Over the weekend, Mutahi Ngunyi made a comeback by announcing that tyranny of numbers is dead. He said that what worked in 2013 will not work in 2017, and Jubilee will likely need another tribe to lock their victory. He wrote that Kenya will end up having a Prime Minister, most likely Raila who will be the forced PM after the nation erupts. As expected, many people disagreed with this hypothesis. As the second phase of voter registration kicks off next week, this is how the IEBC numbers look like. Kenya voter numbers after the last Mass Voter Registration (Feb 15 Mar15, 2016): Coast 1,315,306 North Eastern 377,486 Eastern 2,368,444 Central 2,402,667 Rift Valley 3,767,178 Western 1,626,518 Nyanza 2,234,188 Nairobi 1,879,299 Eligible unregistered (after the last Mass Voter Registration) Coast 821,299 North Eastern 98,755 Eastern 1,109,566 Central 711,583 Rift Valley 1,315,978 Western 892,536 Nyanza 979,240 Nairobi 946,125 There are 3 truly uncontroversial blocks (the traditional provinces). These are Nyanza and Coast which will go to Raila, and Central which will go to Uhuru. Depending on how Raila plays his ball, he may end up taking Western in its entirety or lose about 20% to either Mudavadi or Wetangula. Eastern is also another dangerous ground for Raila. If he loses the Kamba vote, the election will be over in the morning. The former Prime Minister has a huge task ahead of convincing Kalonzo to deputize him again. It will not sit well with Kalonzo, and it sure as day will not sit well with Mudavadi. But assuming he manages to retain the Kamba vote, theres still the other half of Eastern made up of Meru and Embu that goes to Uhuru. It is the same story in Nairobi. Uhuru and Raila will split the vote. Which leaves the Rift Valley, the most important block for both candidates. The opposition leader is starting from behind. In the Rift Valley, Raila got about 24% of total votes in 2013. His best performance was in Narok county where he got 118,000 votes ahead of Uhurus 109,000 and Kajiado where he got 117,000 just 21,000 shy of Uhurus 138,000. Both Uhuru and Raila have been very keen on these two counties in the last 4 years. In Narok, Uhuru tried to court the late Ole Ntimama, but Raila was not willing to let go, publicly stating that he died with the ODM flag. In Kajiado, Uhuru poached Joseph Nkaissery to the interior secretary. Its quite likely that these moves were guided by the 2013 numbers, with Jubilee out to tame Raila in the only two populous counties he did well in the Rift Valley. We will have to wait till August to find out whether this strategy worked. In Nakuru county Raila managed 105,000, but Uhuru was just a few thousands shy of half a million. Many Cord supporters believe that Raila has big chance of pulling an upset in the Rift Valley, particularly the counties he did not do well in 2013, but if you are to pause for a moment and examine how our politics are stitched up, you can conclude that this will be very unlikely, unless he offers Rift Valley a similar position as what Jubilee is offering, in this case the Deputy Presidency. I foresee a situation where many of the dissenting voices will struggle to retain their seats. Now, based on the current voter registration numbers, it doesnt look good for Raila. We give the Cord leader all of Nyanza, Coast and Western, and half of Eastern, North Eastern and Nairobi. Uhuru gets all of Central and Rift Valley, half of Eastern, North Eastern and Nairobi. This is how the it ends up looking. Obviously Rift Valley is controversial, but for Raila to stand any chance, he will need to do better than he did in 2013. The unregistered column shows the pool of Kenyans IEBC will be seeking to register in the next round. We will have a clearer picture once the exercise is complete. Eventually what will matter is the turn out. Who between Raila and Uhuru will generate more excitement among their supporters? However much Jubilee may have disappointed people, the biggest mistake any pundit or observer can make is to assume that Kenyans vote rationally. The percentage of Kenyans who use their brains when casting their ballots is in single digits. Like clockwork, we all seek refuge in our tribal cocoons every 5 years. What do you think? WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump's future national security adviser said Tuesday he would press on with President Barack Obama's changes to the National Security Council, suggesting no wholesale fix is in store for the body of foreign policy professionals who often provide the last word before the commander in chief's decisions. At a conference focused on national security and the presidential transition, retired Gen. Michael Flynn sought to stress continuity in America's national security structure after an election dominated by Trump's calls for a rupture in much of Washington's agenda in international affairs. Flynn spoke of "working toward a common national security goal," free from partisan wrangling. But the challenge of transforming Trump's promises into bipartisan policy was underscored at the same event by Secretary of State John Kerry, who warned of the rise of a "factless political environment" in which policy is made on Twitter and said Trump's "America First" policy could lead to a U.S. retreat from the world. Kerry was followed by National Security Adviser Susan Rice, who highlighted the dangers Russia and North Korea pose to the United States no matter which party holds the presidency. Flynn called his future job, which doesn't require Senate confirmation, "an awesome responsibility" that "gets to the pure essence of protecting the American people, our homeland and our Constitution." After Rice stressed that Trump and future presidents should be able to staff the NSC as they wish, Flynn said Trump's incoming team was "committed to carrying out the necessary reforms begun by previous administrations." The transition team has been considering ways to restructure intelligence agencies to streamline operations and improve efficiency. It is looking at changes at both the Director of National Intelligence's office and the CIA, according to a person familiar with the plan who wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity. Less clear is if any redesign is in store for the NSC, which recent presidents increasingly have leaned on but which critics have seen as a bloated agency that takes away from established bodies like the Pentagon and the State Department. Rice said staff had been reduced 15 percent during her tenure. "The issue is not mainly about the size of the NSC, it's about the role of the NSC," she said. Rice promised to help Flynn despite her administration's "profound disagreements with the next one." But Kerry lamented his lack of contact with Trump's new team. On the State Department's transition, Kerry half-jokingly said it was going "pretty smoothly" because "there is not an enormous amount of it." He said he had yet to meet Trump's choice to replace him as America's top diplomat, Exxon Mobil chief Rex Tillerson, though he expects to do so "in the near term" and still believes there is time for "an ample debriefing" before the new administration begins. Rejecting criticism that Obama had failed to lead in dealing with world crises, Kerry said "we've been leading" and pointed to the Iran nuclear deal, Paris climate change agreement, response to the Ebola virus, strengthening NATO and his own unsuccessful efforts to end Syria's civil war. He said charges that the administration mishandled the Arab Spring revolts against authoritarian leaders were wrong. With only 10 days left in his tenure, Kerry called for a new "Marshall Plan" to help countries in critical regions around the world educate their exploding youth populations and prevent them from being radicalized. Lack of education and the spread of misinformation, notably online, are serious threats that must be confronted to prevent a rise of "authoritarian populism" that threatens the international order, Kerry said. He accused Russia of mounting a "''horrendous invasion of our democratic process" by interfering in the 2016 presidential election and said such actions must be combatted. "One of the greatest challenges we all face right now, not just America but every country, is that we are living in a factless political environment," Kerry said. He did not mention Trump by name but took a thinly veiled shot at the president-elect's propensity to tweet his views on policy issues. "If policy is going to be made in 140 characters on Twitter and every reasonable measure of accountability is being bypassed and people don't care about it, we have a problem," Kerry said. Theres a new yoga and wellness center in town thats operating in a fresh, community-oriented manner as a wellness collective. The purpose of Zen Lot is to bring together like-minded professionals in the community to work together not for or under anyone. This means that owner Jennifer Heminger isnt the boss. She has no employees. Energy of relationships really matters to me, the way I treat people really matters to me and the way Ive been treated by people I work with matters. It doesnt feel good to be taken advantage of, she said. So instead of hiring practitioners and instructors to work for her at Zen Lot, Heminger offers them the use of her space. They take their own money and simply pay her rent. This also frees her up to enjoy doing the parts of the business she truly enjoys: yoga and massage. Im looking to empower wellness practitioners and instructors so that they can grow their businesses, and learn to support each other as a community, she said. Its about helping each other so that our businesses can all thrive. I built the space, Ill be holding the space, and they can come and have autonomy and community. A Napa native, Heminger participates in a sangha, a yoga and wellness community she was introduced to by her teacher and renowned yoga instructor Janet Stone. Heminger drives to San Francisco as often as twice a week just to be with the sangha because she hadnt found anything like it in Napa. Now shes trying to build one. Part of what Im hoping to bring to Zen Lot, I took from there. Theres a really big community and its changed my life, she said. A big part of being a yoga student is being part of a community and having a practice in the presence of your teacher. Heminger became a yoga student when she was 19, discovering it for the first time in college. I knew I loved it, it was immediate. I never really found anything like that that clicked for me. But like a lot of people, I had a hard time maintaining a practice with life, she said. But in 2004 when Heminger was 25, she survived a terrible car accident and was told she wasnt going to be able to walk for a year. She was doing a lot of physical therapy, but yoga filled in the gaps. Yoga really helped me get in touch with my whole body, she said. It was also during her recovery that Heminger, working as a writer at the time, started to further explore the healing arts. I wasnt going to just sit there and wait for a year to pass. So I started researching mediation, alternative healing, nutrition, massage, and I cut my healing time in half and started rehabilitating at six months. After that, there was no going back to life as usual, she said. More than 1,000 hours of training and multiple certifications in bodywork and yoga followed. Heminger is now a state-certified massage therapist, experienced yoga instructor, SUP yoga instructor and herbalist. Heminger is the previous owner of Integrative Healing, a similar wellness studio that she opened on Walnut Street in Napa in 2011. Zen Lot is the 2.0 version it. I grew a lot in that space, but I was never able to manifest the vision of what I really wanted to bring to Napa, she said. But this new space is going to allow for that. Nothing has changed, but I have a bigger space, Im more qualified and competent, and I have more training and experience under my belt. The opportunity for the transition came serendipitously. She had previously looked at this Old Sonoma Road location three years ago, but didnt feel like it was the right time. When she got the news from the owner of the Southside Cafe who was unaware of her previous interestthat the neighboring space was opening back up, she knew the time was right. Im a big believer in listening to your intuition. It was definitely a yes [the first time], but there was something holding me back. I got a really clear intuition of yes, but now is not the time. I didnt want to acknowledge that, it wasnt what I wanted to hear and I said if its meant to be, itll come back around, said Heminger. I walked into the Southside Cafe one day and the owner said, Our neighbor is moving and I thought of you. That to me was a very clear sign. Zen Lot replaced Daves E-Cigs. Heminger moved in and started construction in October, which shes mostly done herself, with some help from her dad and a couple of friends. The space is 1,000 square feet and features a yoga room and massage/treatment room. Shes incorporated several local art pieces, including a mural, and is working on getting it certified green, as everything down to the paints and yoga props is organic, recycled and repurposed. The center, which officially opened at the first of the year, even has its own therapy dog, Beedi, a border collie, Labrador and Australian shepherd mix. Everyone who meets her says she has a healing energy. Some clients request shes under the table while they get a massage, said Heminger. Because each practitioner and instructor handles their own money, there are no memberships at Zen Lot. Yoga classes will be offered on a sliding scale structure ranging from $10-$20 per class. Participants are encouraged to pay what they can. Im looking to create a sustainable living for teachers, and also keep it accessible for students, said Heminger, who even plans to host yoga classes in Spanish. Chanting and music will also be an important part of Zen Lots creative offerings. Private yoga sessions and corporate yoga are available by appointment. Clients can make appointments for massages as long as two hours, and the center will also put on workshops and classes, like a monthly workshop about essential oils. Heminger plans to offer continuing education and training for yoga instructors and massage therapists. I want have this place full of energy, see people inspired and see a constant flow of good vibes, she said. Id really love to see that community in the city blossom here. Ill know it when I feel it. At Rove, the newest boutique on Lincoln Avenue, one can expect to find trendy and fashionable womens clothes, locally made jewelry and art, and a touch of this and that for the home, with a promise of more to come and a commitment to making the store a place where locals will feel at home. Being locals themselves, it was important to the owners sisters Sandra and Jessica Maas to carry merchandise (and prices) that would appeal to their neighbors and friends every bit as much as visitors who shop on Lincoln Avenue, because it is the locals who support them during the tourist off-season at their other store, Gathered, at 1309 Main St. Suite B in St. Helena. We wanted a store that we would shop at something affordable and approachable for locals and tourists, Sandra said. The concept of affordable and approachable worked so well in St. Helena they decided to grow the business model. Gathered, which opened two years ago, is a petite store space read tiny with mostly jewelry and clothing and they really wanted to be able to expand their offerings to include home decor items, Sandra said. They kept their eye on Calistoga, where Sandra has lived for eight years, and when the space formerly occupied by UpValley Vintners at 1371 Lincoln Ave. came open, they jumped on the opportunity. Rove is fully furnished with plenty of womens clothing including hats, scarves, bags, jewelry and more, Sandra said they have more coming and encourage shoppers to check back frequently as the merchandise will grow. Creative and resourceful the sisters designed the entire store, display walls and racks, and counter, and installed some of it themselves, Sandra said. The window displays are all their own too, she said. The plan is to repurpose or recycle materials for Roves display windows much the same as they do at Gathered. Its a time-consuming effort for the sisters, but one they enjoy. They relish the admiration that comes from customers who tell them how much they like their windows, and offers to purchase the decorations. Sandra said she especially enjoys the reactions of people who looked in the Gathered window at a creation made of plastic cups they had strung together and painted. People would look and look again at the window, then their expression would say they finally understood the familiarity of the window art material being a common plastic cup. Plastic cups may not have been in Sandras art school curriculum, but maybe its her education that helped her see an ordinary object in an extraordinary way. Sandras ultimate degree came from San Francisco Art Institute, but she attended a number of other art schools, including a semester studying art in Mexico and a year studying fine art in Italy at a very traditional art school, she said, and not something she thought she was getting, but ended up appreciating. Jessicas background includes being a great seamstress who studied fashion and has worked in retail too, adding to their collaborative partnership. Roves space comes with an outdoor patio that Sandra said they plan on taking advantage of in some way, though they are not clear exactly on what they will do yet. Given the wet weather lately, she said she envisions using it when it is warm and dry. As part of the current lecture series sponsored by the Napa County Historical Society, the Sharpsteen Museum will host Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon on Tuesday, Jan. 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m. when she will update us on the compilation of her research project, the History of the Napa County Supervisors, subtitled Late arrivers must buy cigars (a carefully recorded note which appeared in the minutes of an 1890 Board of Supervisors meeting.) Since 2011, Dillon has been carefully and painstakingly researching the long forgotten history of the Board of Supervisors collecting stories, biographies, and photos of all 115 men and women who have sat on it. While accumulating little known details of our supervisors dating back to its inception in 1852, the more the personal lives of these figures curiously come to light. Take for instance Jesse Warren Whitton who in 1852 sat on the first Napa County Board of Supervisors. Born in Kentucky in 1812, Whitton traveled to California as part of a John Fremont expedition. In September of 1859, Whitton found himself in the midst of a political argument with a fellow Napan, Charles Marks, on the streets of downtown Napa. The paper had described Marks as an average-size, very peaceable, inoffensive German who ran a bakery and a candy store. He was a Republican, but not a noisy one. Whitton himself had been described as big and strapping and a man of violent passions. Nevertheless, Whitton was offended by Marks politics knocking him to the ground and nearly stomping him to death. Many other Republicans in the mob that gathered called for lynching Whitton. Whitton was forced to hide out inside a nearby brick building, subsequently being smuggled out the back by a sheriff. Whitton was arrested and put in county jail but escaped serious punishment. Whitton felt it best at this point to leave town. Another discovery of Dillons; the Board of Supervisors had only three seats between 1852 -1874 when it transitioned to todays five seats. But, in 1874, it had eight seats. Apparently as the five new supervisors came in, the three already seated refused to go. And as for William Greenwood Raney? He took office in 1910 serving less than six months having died of ptomaine poisoning after eating a bulls head breakfast in Monticello. Dillons personal history runs deep in our valley, being the fifth generation of her family to live in Napa County. Conn Valley and Conn Dam should be familiar to you. Dillon is descended from these early valley settlers, John Conn who arrived in the 1840s and helped Dr. Bale build his grist mill, and Connelly Conn who followed in 1852. Dillon grew up hearing stories about her grandmothers trips to St. Helena by horse and buggy over the Pope Street Bridge, and over Mt. St. Helena to visit family in Lake County and at the quicksilver mines. Dillons understanding of the importance of our local history and preservation organizations is not surprising. After graduating Napa High School, she earned a B.A. degree with honors from UC Santa Barbara; a masters degree in library and information science from UCLA, with a specialization in law librarianship; and a J.D. from UC Davis where she was a member of law review. As for Dillons visit to the Sharpsteen on Jan. 24, she tells us I hope to focus on the supervisors that were from the Calistoga area. Its convenient that there is (at least) one for each of the first four decades when the Board of Supes as an entity was being shaped to look pretty much as it does today. They are: Leonard Lillie (1856), Joseph Mecklenberg (1865), Andrew Safley (1874), William Lyman (1883) and Samuel Collins (1885). While we are hoping that our supervisors from Calistoga didnt try to stomp anyone to death or die from ptomaine poisoning, we believe the stories will be just as interesting. There will be time for your questions so be ready. Scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., Dillon will share some of these little known stories discovered during her research project. Seating is limited so please be prompt. Coffee and sweets will be provided. For more information on this lecture series and future events sponsored by the Napa County Historical Society, please visit their website @ www.napahistory.org Kathy Bazzoli is a board member of Sharpsteen Museum and provides monthly columns for The Weekly Calistogan. A racial discrimination case filed against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. by a Contra Costa County man last year was dismissed in Napa County Superior Court on Jan. 3. The plaintiff, Jameel Jackel-Wise, filed the lawsuit last February more than a year after he was allegedly wrongly accused of stealing from the American Canyon store and was handcuffed and detained without apology. Jackel-Wise, family and friends, stopped at the Wal-Mart in American Canyon to pick up some things before going camping in Lake County on June 23, 2014, according to the suit. On his way out of the store and back to his vehicle, the suit alleged that police stopped Jackel-Wise after a store security officer told them that a black family had walked out of the store with a basket full of stuff. The plaintiff was handcuffed and detained by officers despite having denied the allegations and wasnt released until the stores loss prevention officer said Thats not them before heading back into the store without apology, according to the suit. The suit, filed on behalf of Jackel-Wise by attorney Tiega Varlack, Varlack Legal Services in Hayward, followed a separate suit filed on behalf of another member of the plaintiffs party, Roland Breland of Solano County. Brelands suit against Wal-Mart was settled out of court, said Varlack, who requested a dismissal citing that Breland was recovering $10,000 or more by way of settlement. Although Wal-Mart denied the Jackel-Wises allegations in August, Varlack filed a notice of settlement on Jackel-Wises behalf on Nov. 23, citing an unconditional settlement. The case was dismissed in court before Judge Diane Price on Tuesday when neither party showed up. Varlack declined to comment on the case. The attorneys representing Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Phillips, Spallas, & Angstadt LLP out of San Francisco, did not respond to inquiries from the Napa Valley Register. After surviving the weekend storm unscathed, American Canyon experienced significant street flooding both in the morning and evening on Tuesday. Shortly before dawn, police reported the closures of three commute routes: American Canyon Road between Highway 29 and Flosden Road; northbound Highway 29 near Mini Drive; and Highway 29 between Paoli Loop Road and North Kelly Road. Additionally, Knightsbridge Way near Elliott Drive was closed for a time Tuesday morning. All routes were later opened once flooding receded. However, American Canyon Police warned more street flooding might occur later on Tuesday as the latest weather system continued to dump rain into swollen storm drains. By evening, some of the days road closures had returned, along with some new ones. American Canyon Road was again flooded at the intersection with Silver Oak Trail, forcing police to close westbound American Canyon Road all the way to Flosden Road shortly before 8 p.m. Less than an hour later, Broadway Street between American Canyon Road and Ventana Drive was closed. On the other side of town, the intersection of Eucalyptus Drive and Theresa Avenue was closed due to flooding. American Canyon also experienced power outages that impacted the afternoon commute and residents ability to stock up on groceries. The Safeway shopping center went dark just before 4:30 p.m., forcing businesses to close early. PG&Es website reported power was lost for more than 1,200 customers in American Canyon living south and west of Safeway. Power was later restored. The outage also knocked out the traffic signals at Highway 29 and Mini Drive, forcing commuters to crawl through the busy intersection. The signal at Highway 29 and Eucalyptus Drive malfunctioned that evening. Earlier on Tuesday, Police Chief Tracey Stuart issued an advisory saying weather forecasters expected 1-2 inches of rain to fall in American Canyon over the course of the day. High wind gusts are expected this evening. Areas that had issues early this morning are expected to have similar issues this afternoon, Stuart said, referring to roads that closed that morning. Stuart reported American Canyon received about 1.5 inches of rain Monday night. The heaviest rainfalls occurred between 3-6 a.m., causing lanes and shoulders to fill up with water on both sides of town. Police advised motorists to use caution when driving. Stuart even suggested residents try to leave early to make their drive home easier and safer. It may be a good day to convince the boss to let you leave work early and miss the worst of the flooding, said Stuart. AMERICAN CANYON This south county city may add more luxury apartments despite the traffic and other concerns they may cause for residents. Just off one of the citys busiest intersections would be the Village at Vintage Ranch, a 159-unit upscale apartment complex being considered by the American Canyon Planning Commission. The development, slated for 11.6 acres near American Canyon Road and Highway 29, has been a decade in the making. The project was originally approved in 2006, but became stalled after the housing crisis and Great Recession. Advanced Building Solutions of Petaluma took over a few years ago, and switched the plan from condos to luxury 2- and 3-bedroom apartments. The upscale rental housing would follow in the gilded footsteps of The Reliant Groups Canyon Ridge and its 148 luxury units, set to open in 2017 in the north part of town near Wal-Mart. Residents of the proposed Village at Vintage Ranch would access the complex from Silver Oak Trail, a key road that connects American Canyon Road to the streets of Vintage Ranch, American Canyons largest housing subdivision to date. Some of the homeowners living in Vintage Ranch have raised concerns about the Village, saying the approximately 500 people living there would add to the traffic congestion on American Canyon Road. Theres already heavy traffic and accidents in the area, Sam Said of Silver Oak Terrace told the Planning Commission in December. Theres too many speeders, too many things going on already on that road. What are you going to do about that? he asked. Charles Quenga, who lives right across from the project on the corner of Toscana Lane and Silver Oak Trail, agreed with Saids concerns. Theres a horrible amount of traffic that goes through there, said Quenga. They were the only two from Vintage Ranch to appear at the Dec. 15 meeting. But Quenga said there was reason for this: the city sent meeting notices to only those living within 300 feet of the project. A staff report prepared for the commission confirmed it is the citys policy to notify those residing 300 feet from a new development. Quenga said the outreach needs to expand. So my neighbor three houses down doesnt know whats going on, he said. Theyre not getting notices. Thats not fair to the rest of the community. Theres a whole lot more people who need to know about this, Quenga added. Commissioner Bernie Zipay said he was sympathetic to the homeowners concerns, and agreed more people should be informed about the project. It would be helpful and needed to have another outreach to the community, said Zipay. Seth Nobmann, CEO of Advanced Building Solutions, said his company would conduct more outreach to neighboring homes. Commission Chairman Eric Altman expressed his own concerns related to public safety an earthquake fault runs through the property and the number of small changes being made to the project since Advanced Building Solutions took over. Ive established a reputation for being a pain in the butt when it comes to safety concerns, said Altman. I get nervous whenever there is only one exit from a property, particularly with a fault line running through the area. If something happens and you cant traverse it, Altman said, how do people get out? Altman was referring to the placement of all possible vehicle exits on the east side of the property bordering Silver Oak Trail. Half of the complex would border American Canyon Road, but no egress points are planned for the southwest portion of the parcel. And running smack through the middle of the development is the West Napa Fault. If a disaster made it impossible for residents to drive across the complex and exit onto Silver Oak Trail, they would have no other way to flee by car. The Villages layout has been modified in several ways since its original conception last decade. Building setbacks and a clubhouse were added, among other changes. Altman noted the commission was looking at a series of minor modifications, which on their own are minor, but when you toll it all up I think thats where the concern is. Its not so much a minor modification but a significant modification altogether. Still another commissioner, Richard Peterson, wondered if the addition of the Village would impact the neighboring school, Canyon Oaks Elementary. Peterson asked if the city had contacted the Napa Valley Unified School District about enrollment projections stemming from the complex. Any increase in students for the Canyon Oaks attendance area could be problematic since the school is already crowded, forcing some families to send their kids across the highway to Donaldson Way Elementary School. The Planning Commission took no action on the project. It is scheduled to bring it back for more discussion on Jan. 26. Napa County should get a break by Thursday from storms that closed major roads from one end of the county to the other, including a section of Silverado Trail that could take days to reopen. Tuesday brought more rain, often heavy, to the area. Unlike the weekend storm, this one dumped several inches of rain on a workday and created a series of obstacles resulting in rush-hour travel nightmares. Rains triggered landslides onto Silverado Trail at Pratt Avenue northeast of St. Helena, blocking one of the Napa Valleys two major north-south roadways. The first slide came Monday afternoon following Sundays heavy rains. The county removed 20 truckloads of material that a geotechnical engineer consulted by the county classified as compressed volcanic ash. Every time a piece comes down, it blocks the entire roadway, county Public Works Superintendent Steve Stangland said. They are about the size of a Volkswagen. After the initial cleanup, the geotechnical engineer recommended the county keep the road closed overnight. The county complied. At 8 a.m. Tuesday, the peak of rush hour, more compressed volcanic ash fell. If there had been cars going there, it would have been catastrophic, Stangland said. Volcanic eruptions over geological time deposited ash that became compressed in layers. The layer thats moving is about 10 feet thick and extends about 100 feet up a hill at a 30-degree angle, he said. What steps the county will take next, be it building a retaining wall or something else, remained unclear Tuesday afternoon. Stangland said the county is looking at options. If all goes well, Silverado Trail at Pratt Avenue could reopen by early next week, Stangland said. Its obviously a high priority, Silverado Trail being what it is, but were not going to open it until its safe, Public Works Director Steven Lederer told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday morning. But this section of Silverado Trail was hardly the only road that fell victim to the storms. From slides to flooding to fallen trees, the storms made navigating the area a huge challenge Tuesday. As of mid-afternoon, northbound Silverado Trail near Lincoln Avenue in Napa closed because of flooding. A short distance away, Silverado Trail closed at Hagen Road because of a fallen tree. Silverado Trail closed from Dunaweal Lane to Larkmead Lane because of flooding. Highway 29 closed at Tubbs Lane because of a fallen tree. Napa Valley College closed its St. Helena branch Tuesday afternoon amid travel concerns. St. Helenas Public Works Department advised residents that traveling to Angwin or St. Helena Hospital a few a few miles away could become be difficult. City police planned to send patients to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa if St. Helena Hospital became unreachable. A short time later, Deer Park Road between Highway 29 and Silverado Trail become impassable. In Yountville, Circle Oaks at Heather Street, Yount Street at the cemetery and Solano Avenue at Hinman Creek were closed, the county Sheriffs Office advised. American Canyon during the pre-morning rush hour saw three commute routes close to flooding. They were American Canyon Road between Highway 29 and Flodsen Road, northbound Highway 29 near Mini Drive and Highway 29 between Paoli Loop and North Kelly Road. Napa County and the city of Napa kept the flood gates to the Oxbow flood control bypass closed on Tuesday. The bypass, completed in summer 2015, carried Napa River water for the first time on the weekend and officials expected a repeat Tuesday night. The rainy streak may have a last gasp, though this gasp likely wont be an encore to Tuesdays chaos. A weaker system should hit the area Wednesday night into Thursday morning, said Mike Pechner of Fairfield-based Golden West Meteorology. It could drop up to an inch on the valley floor and two inches in the hills. Thank goodness its going to be dry Thursday night through Monday morning, Pechner said. There could be a weak system Monday night, but its not going to amount to much. Weather computer models show that a storm system with heavier rain could hit toward the middle or late next week, he said. But by then, Napa County will have had some recovery time. We will dry out and drain out, Pechner said. The city of Napas flood bypass serves as a park when it doesnt carry a portion of the waters from a storm-swollen Napa River. The walking trails, lawns, vegetation and a segment of McKinstry Street all went underwater over the weekend, as planned for the flood control project. But city and county crews didnt go into cleanup mode on Tuesday morning, not with the Napa River threatening to once again top the bypass weir. The city announced that the flood gates at McKinstry Street would remain closed until Thursday. Rain totals over 24 hours in Napa County as of 5 p.m. Tuesday ranged from 2.8 inches at the city of Napa corporation yard to 3.27 inches in St. Helena to 4.45 inches at Dunaweal Lane south of Calistoga to 4.25 inches on Mount St. Helena, according to county rainfall measuring sites. Pechner said Napa County experienced flooding problems Tuesday in part because the area still had a lot of runoff from the weekend storm and the ground was saturated. All of that complicates the whole hydrologic aspect of this, he said. A fresh burst of Bay Area rain on Tuesday and the prospect of road flooding forced an early closure at Napa Valley Colleges St. Helena branch, the school announced Tuesday afternoon. The college shut down classes at the Upper Valley Campus because of worsening road conditions and concerns about employee safety, according to spokesman Doug Ernst. There was no immediate word on NVCs schedule for Wednesday classes in St. Helena. NVC cited weather-related closures especially a rock slide that blocked the Silverado Trail at Pratt Avenue and the threat of more road disruptions in its decision. If the roads flood on Deer Park Road, Lodi Lane and Silverado Trail at Glass Mountain Road, as they did on Sunday, there could be no access to Deer Park or Angwin, and specifically St. Helena Hospital, the college said, citing St. Helena Police. "There is the potential that Angwin and Deer Park could be cut off from St. Helena, at least through the Deer Park area," St. Helena Police Chief Bill Imboden said Tuesday afternoon. Citing the city's public works department, Imboden said cross-valley roads might become impassable late Tuesday afternoon and remain that way for some hours. If vehicle access to St. Helena Hospital were shut off, St. Helena Police were prepared to send patients to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa for treatment, the chief said. For up-to-date weather warnings and road closures, Imboden suggested that residents sign up for Nixle alerts by texting their ZIP code to 888777. Shortly after 1 p.m., the California Highway Patrol reported another Upvalley shutdown, the blockage of Highway 29 at Tubbs Lane near Calistoga after a tree fell across the roadway. Rainfall at Sulphur Creek near Pope Street measured 2.46 inches in the 24 hours ending 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Napa Valley Regional Rainfall and Stream Monitoring System. St. Helenas Richard Nagaoka said that he has some unfinished feelings about Japanese internment that still haunt him: Specifically, his familys experience more than 75 years ago. I have some feelings of being self-conscious, he said. Because the event was so shameful for Japanese Americans. He was speaking about the internment and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Though those events might seem quite distant to us today, Nagaoka says they are haunting him now because of the policies that President Elect Donald Trump has promulgated. The policies of the new administration sound very conservative, Nagaoka said, sitting in his home surrounded by favorite paintings. The language about registration of Muslim Americans sounds so familiar of Hitler and Im certain my folks had to go through that, too. Flash back to 1942: Nagaokas family owned a small farm in Lodi. His mother, Fumiko Nagaoka, had been born in Sacramento of Japanese parents; his father, Tahei Nagaoka, had emigrated from Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan and had lived in the United States for more than 20 years. Yet, despite the civil rights afforded to most Americans, on Feb. 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which declared that all people of Japanese ancestry were to be evicted from the West Coast. Despite their place of origin, birth, or length of residency, Nagaokas family was ordered to assemble at a regional train station. They were only allowed to take what little luggage they could carry. Then they were herded onto railroad cars and relocated to an internment camp in Rohwer, Ark. That is where Richard Nagaoka was born. Of course, the Nagaoka family was not alone. Official estimates peg the number of Japanese Americans evicted to have been as many as 120,000 people, forcibly relocated to one of 10 internment camps set up by the military. Sixty percent of those incarcerated had American citizenship, according to historians. The military ran the camps and staffed them with armed guards. Those interned were surrounded by barbed wire. According to a 1943 War Relocation Authority report, Japanese internees were housed in tar paper-covered barracks of simple frame construction without plumbing or cooking facilities of any kind. These camps would not close until the war ended in 1945. Although Richard Nagaoka has no conscious memory of internment or incarceration, he said the shadow of incarceration haunted his family as he grew up. Asked if his mother or father ever talked about their experience he said Never! It was a stigma that seemed to haunt us all, even when they returned to their property in Lodi. I have discussed it with Japanese Americans, but never with a local paper or Caucasians, he said. So its a little strenuous. And also in the back of my mind, even to this day, there is a stigma about reprisals for Japanese Americans because, of course, they were harassed and we heard stories about drive-by shootings at residences, and dynamiting ... A fear of what could happen. Fear was endemic during that period. The few family stories that Nagaoka did hear still have resonance. My sister has a story she was 8 when they boarded the train, he said. They were told to keep the shades pulled down and not to look out. Half-way through the trip there was a rumor going on the train that there are Native Americans riding on bareback right along-side the train, trying to look inside the train to see who was there. Im not sure if my sister was brave enough to take a peek because the other part is that most Japanese Americans had never seen an Indian. So I guess the country must have been in such hysteria and fear to take precautions like incarceration. Nagaokas father and mother were required to sign a loyalty oath in 1942 to avoid deportation, renouncing any allegiance to Imperial Japan. But this was a particularly problematic document for Nagaokas father because U.S. law prevented immigrants from Japan from obtaining U.S. citizenship. Signing the loyalty oath would leave him legally stateless. Nagaoka said his father was not permitted become naturalized until 1954. Yet still, Nagaoka acknowledges, the familys stigma of internment followed him through childhood back on the family farm in Lodi. When I was in grade school and high school in Lodi there was a lot of racial harassment or teasing, he said. For example every Pearl Harbor Day on Dec. 7. On that anniversary I didnt want to go to school. I was the only Asian in the school and my classmates would tease me all day long. He paused to reflect on this sense of exclusion. When youre the only member of a racial minority in a class and you are taunted, theres hardly any recourse for it, he said. Nothing violent ever happened to me. Yet, I think I had a very self-conscious feeling about some responsibility for the war, though of course I wasnt born then. I think the burden was placed on the whole Japanese American community. What made me think about talking is the recent elections have been so anxiety producing. Not for me, personally. But for Latinos and Muslin Americans. So they have to feel extremely vulnerable at this time. And the uncertainty certainly feels familiar to me: that fear in the gut about what the future holds. Yet Nagaokas own career was buoyed by the need to fit into the American society that had caused such hardship for his family. He said his family spoke only English in the home that there was an attempt to appear as American as possible. His sense of social isolation created by his familys experience became a framework of interior challenges. And when high school counselors discouraged him from applying to U.C. Davis, Nagaoka saw it as just one more challenge. He graduated from UC Davis with a degree in viticulture in 1965. Today he is a viticulture consultant in St. Helena, with emphasis on field research. Its the residue of discrimination that upsets him, he said. No Japanese Americans were ever prosecuted for disloyalty or spying, he said. What he said he fears for others is a kind of insidious post-traumatic stress disease that will haunt the future of those who may experience the discriminations of the current time. For instance, I saw the registration card that my father was required to carry, he said. And it had written on it Enemy Alien. Its a seemingly unjust legacy that still unsettles him. NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg will meet with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Bill English, at NATO Headquarters on Thursday 12 January 2017. Media Advisory 11:45 NATO Secretary General and the Prime Minister jointly meet the press Main entrance The press point will be streamed live on the NATO website and available on satellite on demand via Eurovision Geneva. Still and video imagery of the meeting will be available after the event on the NATO website. Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg) (Natural News) Six police officers found out the hard way that hand-held radar guns, kept in their lap while not pointing them at cars, cause testicular cancer over time. A study revealed that six incident cases of testicular cancer developed between 1979 and 1991 for officers who all routinely held their radar devices in close proximity to their testesthus proving their only shared risk factor for health hazards warranting the condition. One Norfolk, Virginia traffic cop said he worked with radar for 12 years, but since he quit using the radar gun, his cancer is in remission. Irradiation of localized tissues increases risk for leukemia and brain or testicular cancer Traffic radar guns emit microwave radiation at frequencies between 10.5 GHz and 36 GHz, with enough intensity to enhance tumor growth by several different means. The radiation is capable of disrupting immune function and enhancing the absorption of carcinogenic substances into cells, so although the radar gun itself may not be directly causing cancer, the microwave radiation is indirectly modifying gene expression and increasing cell proliferation rates, according to scientific research, thus leading to increased risk of cancer. Police officers who rest their active radar guns against their chest, next to their head, or in their lap are irradiating localized tissues. Radar guns can affect the health if they are not used properly, says Johnny Mercer, a motorcycle cop who taught police radar for years, and who says that keeping the gun next to the body for long periods of time increases the risk of cancer, like smokers who get lung cancer after years of tugging back on cigarettes. Mercer also compared the radar guns radiation emissions to that of microwave ovens, which have been revealed to adversely affect human blood, heart rate, and heart rate variations when people stand within 3 feet of a running nuker. Hampton, Virginia police prefer to set their radar guns in a bracket attached to the dashboard and are no longer allowed to keep the gun across their lap due to its devastating effects on health, according to the police Chief there. The Virginia State Police troopers mount their guns outside the car, and they too have been instructed by the Norfolk and Virginia Beach police officials to limit their contact with radiation-emitting radar guns. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health warns of radar gun dangers Officials at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health are advising police departments to have regular check ups of their radar guns for radiation leakage, and they have advised the cops to mount the units on the outside of patrol cars whenever they can. The guns have been declared unsafe by one radar manufacturing company based out of Kansas called Kustom Signals, Inc. Of course, the US government and the military downplayed the dangers of the radar guns saying that there was no problem, and academic groups said that research was incomplete but that the police should use caution. That doesnt change the fact that several police officers are being injured and some are dying who kept the guns in their laps for years. In fact, out of 340 officers, the six cases of testicular cancer all came from officers who said they kept the guns near their family jewels. For all those concerned now about microwave ovens, in comparison to radar guns, typical kitchen nukers produce an average of 2.4 GHz, less than 1/12th that of some radar guns, yet are still capable of causing immediate and drastic changes to the human heart from just three feet away, and with the door closed. According to Dr. Magda Havas of Trent University, people exposed to radiation for just three minutes at 2.4-GHz can experience severe reactions in heart rate changes and altered heart rate variations, indicating an alarm response to stress, also called electrohypersensitivity (EHS) or rapid aging syndrome. This has been studied for decades, as opposed to the police radar guns that are just beginning to sound the alarms about cancer (pardon the pun). Maybe the police need to also get their doctors to check them for heart palpitations, clumping of red blood cells and fluctuations of the parasympathetic nervous system typical symptoms of radiation exposure from microwave ovens, and not just the radar guns. Sources: NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov PhonesCauseBrainCancer.com Articles.Courant.com Articles.DailyPress.com NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The Environmental Protection Agency is very likely the most abusive, over-regulatory, economy-killing bureaucracy within the federal government. Now, Im adding irresponsible to that list. Longtime readers of Natural News will recall the Gold King Mine spill in Colorado in August 2015, which saw more than 3 million gallons of contaminated water rife with mining chemicals and heavy metals leach into surrounding major waterways and tributaries. This disaster was created by a contracting crew working on behalf of the EPA. It took legal action and over a year in court to force the agency to pony up for the damage caused by the spill. But as usual, the EPA continues to skirt is obligation to repay all the monies owed to interested parties as well as clean up after itself, like the agency would require any private company to do. One of the injured and aggrieved parties is the Native American Navajo Nation, which is accusing the Obama administration of refusing to clean up the damage caused by the EPA, the Mexico Star is reporting. The August 2015 spill saw contaminated water from the mine spill into the nearby Animas River, then leach into the San Juan River, which flows through about 200 miles of Navajo territory. In addition to tainting Navajo lands, the spill also tainted waterways in three states: Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Other states joining in suit against EPA After being exposed to the air, iron sulfide in the contaminated water formed a sulfuric acid, which turned the water a bright mustard-orange color. The Navajo Nations water supply has been severely compromised as a result of the spill, said Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch. Tragically, we wont know the full extent of the impacts the heavy metals released in the spill will have on our people for some time because those impacts generally only become observable in the long term. She added that the Navajo government has already spent millions of dollars responding to the crisis, adding that just to mitigate the damage to the nations water supplyand not to mention long-term health needs and other impactsit is expected to cost in excess of $100 million to secure alternative water supplies, more water treatment and monitor the water well into the future. But none of that matters much to Obamas EPA. Earlier in December, Navajo Nation attorneys submitted a claim to the agency for more than $160 million, in order to cover costs that the nation has spent in the aftermath of the spill. The amount requested also factored in cost estimates of long-term medical care, as well as monitoring of soil, groundwater, crops and livestock on Navajo Nation lands. In addition, the amount requested would also cover expected costs for the building and operation of an alternative water supply, as well as treatment systems for areas affected by the spill. And while the EPA has already admitted responsibility for the spill, it has rejected all but $602,000 of those claims on the grounds that, on Aug. 19two weeks after the spillthe agency tested the waters in the San Juan River and allegedly found metal concentrations had gone back to pre-event levels. Native lives dont matter That, of course, says nothing about the long-term damage done to groundwater, soil and other natural resources. The immediate traces of heavy metals from the spill were gone, so as far as the EPA is concerned, thats the end of it. The EPAs evaluation of costs is consistent with the agencys legal authorities and the requirements under the Superfund, an EPA spokesperson told VOA, as cited by the Mexico Star. The agency can only reimburse documented and allowable incurred response costs submitted by government partners. In May, New Mexico also filed suit against the EPA, alleging injuries from the spill, as well as the state of Colorado. Utah is also considering a suit against EPA. Branch said that Navajo Nation plans to appeal the EPAs rejection of its claims before the early January 2017 filing deadline. She also expressed her disappointment in President Obama. The Obama administrations response has reinforced the message that Native lives dont matter, Branch said. And the EPA has focused their energy on minimizing potential legal liability to themselves, rather than ensuring cleanup and protection of the environment. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for Natural News and News Target, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: BigGovernment.news NaturalNews.com MexicoStar.com (Natural News) If you havent figured out by now that President Obama is doing all he can to sabotage and trip up President-elect Donald J. Trump before he takes office, then youre not paying attention. As time runs out on his presidency, he is doing everything he can to make Trumps first years in office as chaotic and treacherous as possible. To wit, Obama just signed an executive order designating a massive amount of land in Nevada and Utah as the Golden Butte National Monumenta portion of which just happens to be near lands owned and operated by Cliven Bundy, who, along with supporters, engaged in an armed standoff with Bureau of Land Management personnel just a few years ago over long-claimed grazing rights for Bundys cattle. And the grab does include land that the Bundys have used to graze their cattle. Is Obama exacting some payback, while at the same time attempting to provoke an armed incident which he would certainly use for his own political advantage while disrupting the incoming Trump administration? It sure looks that way. As reported by Intellihub, the massive new land grab includes the very site of the Bundy Ranch standoff, in addition to land very close to the Bundy Ranch itself. With this move Obama has possibly triggered another armed standoff while also heading off any moves set to be made by incoming President Donald Trump, the site reported. Administration says environment, Native Americans prompted action but, as usual, thats not true According to a fact sheet published by the White House, Obamas order designates two new national monuments, protecting sacred sites, spectacular scenery, and important natural and cultural resources in the desert landscapes of southeastern Utah and southern Nevada. The creation of the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah and the Gold Butte National Monument in Nevada follow years of robust public input from tribes, local elected officials, and diverse stakeholders, and draws from legislation introduced in Congress. The fact sheet also acknowledged that the radical Obama has also taken away more land from states and the people than any previous president, as if thats something to be proud of. Add to that the fact that the federal government already owned more than 85 percent of all lands in Nevada, while owning a sizeable portion of Utahs land as well. Intellihub reported that at present, its difficult to know actually how much land Obama just grabbed, under the phony guise of environmental protection and deference to Native American tribes. In an interview, Jason Vantatenhove, national media director for Oathkeepers and founder of Ex-Media, told Natural News there were several political implications to the grab. This will wind up in the political arena, he said, adding that in reality, unlike what the White House is claiming, there are actually a number of indigenous tribes fighting against it, as well as local political leaders. Vantatenhove said the administrations lie about taking action on behalf of Native Americans to preserve their land is par for the course. He said hes learned that over the years, having been at the first Bundy standoff as well as other citizen actions against the federal government, including the Malheur standoff in Oregon in January and, more recently, the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. Follow the money? At present, he told Natural News, there are no plans for armed militia groups to take up positions near the Bundy Ranch, and there have been no moves by federal agencies to mark off the new federal preserves. But that could change at a moments notice. And he did say that some groups had put calls out to their members to prepare to move to the area. This Golden Butte area doesnt include the Bundy Ranch but it does include a good portion of their grazing allotment, where the original legal conflict began in 2014, Vantatenhove said. And that could certainly inflame the issue because the Bundys have invested a lot of money in the infrastructure there, including cultivating and developing water sources. Cliven, along with sons Ryan and Ammon, remain in jail on charges stemming from the Malheur standoff. Vantatenhove also speculated that there could be a financial reason for the land grab. He noted that the Golden Butte region contained one of the countrys largest gold reserves, and is also home to several deposits of very valuable minerals. Just follow the money, he said. You look at Malheur, its the same thing. Its got one of the worlds richest deposits of uranium, which is vital in the manufacture of nuclear energy and nuclear missiles, as well as gold, he said. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for Natural News and News Target, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com OregonLive.com Monday, January 09, 2017 by: JD Heyes Tags: Hoaxes , mainstream media , President-elect Trump , propaganda This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author (Natural News) Facebook, Google and other media giants have pledged to root out fake news from now on, having allowed themselves to be convinced by the dishonest mainstream media that a bevy of Russia-planted propaganda in hundreds of legitimate alternative media sites during the recent presidential campaign are what led to the loss of their favored candidate, Hillary Clinton. That phony narrative has since been wholly discredited, but no matter: Facebook has announced it will partner with some shady fact-checker websites like Snopes.com and Politifact.com, as well as news media like ABC News and The Associated Pressall of whom have credibility issues themselvesin order to prevent fake news from showing up on their sites. Of course, all of this nonsense is really just an effort to make official their previous censoring of real media facts they simply do not agree with, because such truth doesnt fit their narratives, especially when it comes to their attempts at undermining and de-legitimizing the incoming President-elect Trump. In order to create a narrative and make it stick, you have to be able to shut out or shout down any competing information, no matter how factual it is, and that will require 1) outspending your competition; and 2) giving yourself the aura of legitimacy by surrounding yourself with so-called reliable sources. But the reality is, of course, that the mainstream media are the creators of false narratives and the perpetrators of fake news, not the alternative media, which has been consistently accurate in its reporting this campaign season. In fact, here is a list of made-up narratives and phony-baloney reporting this year by the mainstream press as it pertained to Trump, which could not help piling on and serving as an echo chamber for each discredited story: The Russians did it: One of the most recent examples is the Washington Posts claim that Russia, in a massive psyops operation, flooded hundreds of alternative news and information sites with fake newspropaganda aimed at helping Trump defeat Clinton. The paper relied on a single dubious source for its report, a shady, never-before-heard-of organization of experts who claimed to have some scientific data proving that Moscow was behind this effort. But as it was revealed in follow-up reporting by The Intercept and other news outlets, even rudimentary questioning by the Posts reporter and its editors would have discovered severe discrepancies with the organizationPropOrNotand the claims it was making. [T]he article is rife with obviously reckless and unproven allegations, and fundamentally shaped by shoddy, slothful journalistic tactics. It was not surprising to learn that, as BuzzFeeds Sheera Frenkel noted, a lot of reporters passed on this story. Its huge flaws are self-evident. But the Post gleefully ran with it and then promoted it aggressively, led by its Executive Editor Marty Baron. A Trump supporter burned down a black church: Late in the campaign a story broke claiming that a Trump supporter or supporters intentionally torched and burned down a black church in Mississippi. Following the initial report a number of mainstream media outletsall wanting to believe it was true because they already believed that Trump himself is a racistrushed to concur and summarily condemn the GOP nominee (as did Trumps rival, Clinton, who tweeted that this kind of hate has no place in Americawhich, of course, is true). What got the media hooked into this story is that the perpetrator(s) spray-painted, Vote Trump on the side of the burned out church. But lacking any evidence other than that very circumstantial phrase, the media went with the Trump supporters are obviously racists narrative anyway. The Atlantic, under the headline, A Black Church Burned in the Name of Trump, reported that the arson attack was being investigated as a hate crime, attempted to tie the incident to rising racism, and claimed that the motivation was for someone to leave a calling card about politics. Reliably Left-wing Vox went all out to pin the blame on Trump supporters. Victoria M. Massie wrote in her piece, Black churches have always been about more than spirituality. For generations, black churches have served as sources of refuge from and resistance to the racism pervading Americas Christian pulpits. Uh, okay. She further claimed that though the perpetrator(s) had yet to be identified, Trumps supporters were welcoming the confrontation with minorities, and that the burning was the latest symbol of some of the countrys worst fears about the spread of violence looming over this years presidential election (violence that, of course, was generated primarily by Left-wing Clinton supporters). Not to be outdone, the far-Left Southern Poverty Law Center, which has never met a Republican or a conservative it liked or thought highly of, immediately posted news of the incident on their Hate Watch site, though again, there wasnt one shred of evidence or proof that a Trump supporter was responsible. The group even claimed that the burning was an attempt at voter intimidation. And finally, The Daily Beast complained that even a burned down black church proves that a President Trump wouldnt condemn his own terrorists (yes, he used the T word). [W]hen it came to the burning of a black church in his own name, Trumps little fingers didnt touch his favorite means of reaching millions of supporters, Twitter. Instead, his campaign issued a boilerplate statement. Well, thats because in the end, as Breitbart news reported, a black member of that very churchAndrew McClintonwas arrested by police and is suspected of being responsible for torching it, all in an effort to feed the false narrative and stereotype created by the real purveyors of fake news that Trump and his supporters are racist. None of these media outlets or the SPLC has apologized or retracted their stories. The bisexual girl who was not being harassed by Trump supporters: Taylor Volk, a DeKalb University senior who has stated publicly she is bisexual, complained in November that she was singled out by a hateful note she said was taped to her door that read, Back to Hell, and #Trump. She also said she received a pair of anonymous emails that said essentially the same thing, so she went public about them on her Facebook page, Chicagos NBC affiliate reported. This is a countrywide epidemic all of a sudden, Volk said. The fact that somebody reached out to do this to her specifically is shocking, Kelsey Stevens, a North Park senior, added. I think those who have those feelings have been emboldened by this election. But after a short investigation of Volks claims, the universitys own president himself found them to be a hoax, as The Daily Wire reported. Again, no retraction. Phony slurs, attacks, on more college campuses: We know that Left-wing academics have convinced students they need safe spaces on campuses, becauseconservatives and Trump. So there have been no shortage of false complaints that racial and homophobic slurs have allegedly been committed by a host of Trump supporters. Except they havent been. As Campus Reform reported in mid-November, a young Muslim woman told school officials at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette that two white males wearing Donald Trump clothing assaulted her and stole her hijab. The ACLU of Louisiana is outraged at the news of a young Muslim woman being assaulted and robbed of her hijab in Lafayette yesterday morning, the organization said, adding that the report that her attackers also shouted slurs and wore Donald Trump clothing is especially troubling in light of Mr. Trumps frequent use of anti-Muslim rhetoric on the campaign trail. But it never happened. Within hours, university police determined the entire incident was a hoax. There have been other reports and other hoaxes as well, such as the student at Villanova University who claimed she was attacked by Trump supporters, but turns out she declined to press charges. Then again, some Left-wing academics are actually calling for Trump supporters to be expelled from their campuses, citing a plethora of stereotypical reasons while offering no evidence at all that they are making problems or threatening other students. There is no question that the recently-ended presidential campaign was one of the most contentious in recent history. But what is also true is that one nomineeTrumpwas savaged and lied about repeatedly by false reports that the discredited mainstream media leapt to cover, without checking sources, facts and details. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for Natural News and News Target, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: TheIntercept.com Twitter.com TheAtlantic.com Vox.com TheDailyBeast.com NBCChicago.com DailyWire.com Philly.com CampusReform.org (Natural News) Yoga is renowned for its positive effects on human health. Its a great stress-reliever, and there are tons of options for how you want to do your yoga. It can be done at home on your own time, in your own space or you take classes just about anywhere. Yoga is more than just a trend, though. It provides real-life benefits to your body, and in a variety of ways that continue to be uncovered. For example, a 2011 study led by researchers from York University found that yoga helps to reduce stress hormones and helps to relieve the physical and psychological symptoms of chronic pain in women with fibromyalgia. More recent research has revealed that yogas body benefits may reach even further than that. A study from Harvard University found that practicing yoga can impart a positive change on metabolic function at a cellular level. This in turn can improve things like nutrient absorption, and may assist in the prevention of chronic diseases. The results showed that overall, practicing yoga promoted better cell function across the board. For the study, researchers utilized two groups of participants: one group that practiced yoga and mindfulness exercises, and a group that did not partake in either activity. After an eight week trial period, the scientists took blood samples from both groups. They then discovered that the yoga group exhibited changes to 2,209 genes, suggesting quite a profound effect. Of these, 1,275 were changes that led to genes being up-regulated (meaning activity increased), and 934 instances in which the changes resulted in genes that were down-regulated (meaningactivity decreased). Writing for Fox News, Chris Kilham notes that in addition to cell metabolism, many of the changes that took place in the DNA resulted in an increased resistance to oxidative stress. Kilham writes, Oxidative stress is associated with numerous degenerative disorders, including cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and more. Improved resistance to oxidative stress translates into better health overall, with reduced risk of chronic disease. Another study, led by researchers from the University of Calgary, found that yoga can also be a very helpful tool when it comes to cancer recovery. For the study, researchers had a group of breast cancer survivors participate in weekly yoga and mediation classes, and the participants also practiced these techniques at home. A control group that did not partake in these events was also featured in the study. Blood samples from both groups were taken at baseline and again when the study period ended, after twelve weeks. The scientists found that the study participants who practiced the yoga and meditation exercises showcased longer telomere lengths than those seen in the control group. Longer telomere length is often associated with better post-cancer survival rates, according to many cancer specialists. This suggests that yoga can play a valuable role in cancer recovery. In addition to providing new insights on the health effects of yoga, these studies also seem to support the widely repeated claim that yoga can improve your health and extend your lifespan. Yoga has many other health benefits There are many other documented health benefits to be had, if you choose to practice yoga. For example, yoga can provide a number of cardiac benefits. In addition to reducing stress, it has also been found to help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. Some studies have also found that just doing yoga can help to improve your blood lipid profiles, in both healthy people and people with known coronary artery disease. Yoga has also been shown to help lower high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Practicing yoga can also help bolster weight loss and weight maintenance efforts. Besides the obvious benefits of exercise, some studies indicate that people who practice yoga tend to be more mindful eaters. Researchers found that practicing yoga just once a week for 30 minutes for at least four years gained less weight in middle-adulthood. They also found that people who were overweight actually lost weight. The research team attributed these benefits to mindfulness, which can help improve your relationship with your body, weight and food. And of course, like any exercise, yoga too can help to increase your overall physical fitness, including strength, endurance, flexibility and cardio-respiratory capacity. Sources: NaturalBlaze.com FoxNews.com Health.Harvard.edu (Natural News) Publicly, President-elect Donald J. Trump has said his interactions with President Obama have been cordial and courteous. But it has become evident that the outgoing president, petulant and arrogant as always, is going out of his way to leave as many landmines as possible for the incoming administration, politically and geopolitically speaking. Geopolitical bomb-throwing In recent days, the Obama State Departmentled by the hapless and one-time presidential loser John Kerryonce again put Israel at risk by abstaining from a vote at the United Nations Security Council condemning the Jewish states inherent right to expand settlements in its own territory. Rather than use its veto power, Obama directed Kerry to cast no vote at all, allowing the measure to sail on to a 14-0 approval. It was the first time the U.S. government has ever allowed a vote to occur condemning our key (and really only true) ally in the Middle East. As if that werent enough, Kerry then delivered a speech in which he actually said Israel has a choice: It can either be democratic (as defined by the Obama administration, not by the Israeli people) or it can be Jewish, but not both. Thats like Israel saying the U.S. cannot be democratic and Christian at the same time, which is, of course, preposterous. Thats not all. Youve no doubt heard the narrative that Russia hacked the election to favor Trump. Months before his stunning upset of two-time presidential loser Hillary Clinton, the Obama administration began creating the narrative that Russian operatives were attempting to hack into U.S. election systems. As Cyberwar.news reported: The FBI described the threat as credible as well as significant, an eight on a scale of one to 10, according to Matt Roberts, a spokesman for Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan (R), said last week. As a result of the hack, Reagan ordered the states voter registration system shut down for nearly a week. The Obama administration even offered to help states protect their systems, but states declined the offer, perhaps because they didnt believe the threat existed. Ironically, one of the declining states was Georgia, whose secretary of state claimed after the Nov. 8 election that state systems were electronically tampered withby computers whose addresses led back to the Department of Homeland Security, reported Glitch.news. So the die was cast well before the Obama White Houseaided, as usual, by the mainstream mediabegan spreading its phony Russia story, likely to further discredit Trump and de-legitimize his victory. Worse, Obama has now sanctioned Russia for its non-existent interference, leaving the Trump White House to deal with a major world power right off the bat. Domestically, Obama is also causing havoc In addition to leaving problems for Trump to fix around the world, Obama is also filling his remaining days in office setting domestic political traps for the Trump administration. Consider: The administration is rushing to import and resettle as many refugees as possible from war-torn regions of the Middle Eastareas rife with terrorist organizations. As The Daily Caller reports, the administration is resettling significantly more refugees in the final weeks of 2016 than the previous year, regardless of what states think or say. The goal, of course, is to put Trump on the hot seat when he attempts to make good on his promise to ban Muslim immigration until such time as the U.S. government can adequately vet potential new arrivals from parts of the world whose people are culturally at odds with Western democratic principles. In recent days, Obama huddled on Capitol Hill with congressional Democrats in an attempt to develop a strategy to block repeal of Obamacare. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced in December Senate Republicans first goal was to repeal the law that has put such a massive financial burden on tens of millions of Americans in the form of higher monthly premiums, higher deductibles and less access to affordable care. Obama issued an executive order declaring a massive swath of Utah and Nevada as two new federal reserves, thereby preventing those lands from being mined for natural resources. He also signed an order banning oil exploration in parts of the Artic and Atlantic Oceans. He granted clemency to hundreds of dangerous criminals, including drug dealers who targeted kids. The outgoing president has also made clear he plans to stay in Washington, D.C.ostensibly to allow his youngest daughter to finish high school (highly irregular, considering all other ex-presidents in recent memory left the nations capital far behind as soon as their terms expired). But what he will also do is carp at and snipe the Trump administration every chance he gets, especially when Trump and his team begin to dismantle much of the damage Obama legacy. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for Natural News and News Target, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: TheNationalSentinel.com NewsTarget.com CNN.com DailyCaller.com Glitch.news Cyberwar.news (Natural News) In what some are already calling an unholy alliance, McDonalds has just opened a new restaurant located of all places in the Vatican. Yes, the golden arches have popped up next to St. Peters Basilica, and many people are unhappy about the fact, arguing that the fast food giant has no place in such a spiritually significant and historic setting. Critics of the Vaticans agreement to lease the property located about 100 yards from the Vatican State include high-ranking members of the clergy. From Vice: When plans for the McDonalds, known as the McVatican, were announced in October, Cardinal Elio Sgreccia told La Repubblica that the restaurant was a disgrace that served food that I would never eat. He added that the money spent on renting the real estate, for which McDonalds is shelling out roughly $31,000 per month, should be used to help the poor instead. McVatican offends cultural, culinary purists Placing a McDonalds in such a location seems incongruous on so many levels. It does reek of blasphemy to open such a modernist monstrosity next to some of the worlds most revered architectural marvels, and to even consider serving Big Macs and McNuggets in the culinary paradise that is Rome should be classified as a punishable offense. Its a business decision that ignores the culinary tradition of Roman cuisine, said the cardinal. Others echoed Cardinal Sgreccias sentiments, including a citizens group which is protesting the McDonalds opening over its potentially negative impact on the cultural ambiance of the area. From The Guardian: The Committee for the Protection of Borgo was the first group to raise the alarm over the proposed restaurant. It said the fast food chain would distort the area and inflict a decisive blow on an already wounded animal given the abundance of mini-markets and stands selling religious trinkets in the area. In fact, the area around the Vatican is already home to several fast food outlets. Theres a McDonalds near the Vatican Library and another one 200 yards away from that one (with a Burger King located in-between). What makes this McDonalds unique is that it is located on Vatican-owned property which, incidentally, formerly housed a religious bookstore. Critics say the property should be leased to an entity more in line with the Catholic Churchs mission, or at least one that reflects the neighborhoods cultural heritage. Co-branding scheme in the works? But in many ways, its a perfect marriage; McDonalds and the Catholic Church have a lot in common. Both are found in every corner of the globe, and both generate staggering amounts of money mostly collected from poor people. Its not hard to imagine a co-branding scheme perhaps priests could begin offering a supersized option for the wafers and wine distributed during communion? Maybe the Mickey D sign could list how many souls are being saved along with the number of hamburgers being served? And maybe a little product placement in the Bible wouldnt hurt, either how about a miracle of the loaves and McFishes? Seriously, it shouldnt be such a surprise that the two entities are now connected they both operate at a global level and their goals truly arent so disparate. Both make it their mission to reach as many people as possible, and both depend on income primarily gleaned from the lower economic strata of the population. It may not be long before one can obtain physical and spiritual sustenance under one roof or arch, as the case may be in every major city in the world. This may mark the beginning of a long and prosperous partnership between two financial powerhouses. Imagine how many billions could be served and saved at the same time Sources: Munchies.Vice.com TheGuardian.com Fox5NY.com NBCNews.com Fate of AAMU and its Collection Dr Georges Petitjean. This photograph was taken during the 'Breaking with tradition' exhibition (2010/2011) (Photographer: Thijs Rooimans) Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 11.01.17 Dates: 21.01.17 : 15.06.17 The Aboriginal Art Directory has had an opportunity to interview Dr Georges Petitjean, AAMU Curator. Our first question to him was, what will happen to the AAMU Permanent Collection? GP: We hope to find another museum or institution to take over the Collection so that it will remain on public display. Our Board is looking at possibilities within the Netherlands but it might be difficult to maintain the Collection in its entirety (as there are between 800 to 850 works). So we may distill 100 to 150 of the very best works out of the Collection to form a core collection, which could then be taken over by another institution. Aboriginal Art Directory: Are you keen to keep the Collection in the Netherlands or is the Board open to it being acquired by external institutions? GP: We are open, but as the Museum has been here for the last 16 years we would like to consider what options there are in the Netherlands first. Aboriginal Art Directory: Tell us about the AAMU Permanent Collection. GP: The works in it are very broad-ranging. The first 500 pieces, which were donated by the benefactor and founder of the Museum, are mainly from Central Australia and Arnhem Land but we have added the number substantially with acquisitions, artworks from artists who have exhibited in the Museum like Brook Andrew (whose work was purchased from the AAMU 2008 Theme Park Exhibition). We have also received donations from private collectors including Thomas Vroom, the famous Dutch collector, and donations from other institutions as well. From the original collection of 500 pieces it has grown to around 850 works. Aboriginal Art Directory: What is your favourite piece in the Collection? GP: That is a difficult question because as the Curator of the Museum I will say that we have several wonderful artworks! We have acquired artworks from a number of premium sources, including the Telstra Art Award, and one of those is definitely one of the strongest in the Collection, a work by Wakartu Cory Surprise (Mangkaja) which we bought in 2008 - and it's is certainly one of the strongest works by that artist. We also have an important installation of 12 Law Poles donated to us by the Wik people in Cape York. They came here for that donation with a delegation of 10 people. These Law Poles are very important and illustrated in the last reprint of the Aboriginal art book of Wally Caruana. We have all the major names: Rover Thomas, Paddy Bedford, Emily Kngwarreye... We also hold an important work by Brook Andrew, a neon installation. So yes, I think I can name a number of individual works but I think it's also the current Collection in itself which is of value as a collection. Aboriginal Art Directory: Who established the AAMU? GP: It was founded by private collectors of Indigenous Australian art whose passion led to its creation. For the day-to-day functioning of the Museum, the AAMU depends on an Association of Friends. We have had some funding from other sources, the equivalent of the Australia Council for the Arts in the Netherlands and other funding, but that's been more project-based. Aboriginal Art Directory: When did you join the AAMU? GP: I became the Curator of the Museum in September 2005 so it will have been almost 12 years when the Museum closes. I am the second curator to hold that position since the beginning of the Museum in 2001. Aboriginal Art Directory: So you've had a hand in developing the Museum into what it is today. GP: My background is as an art historian. The brief of the Museum has always been to present contemporary art, we were never in an anthropological Museum, it was always a Museum for Contemporary Art in the first instance. So some of the exhibitions we have had included non-Indigenous arts from Australia, Europe and Africa. We've had a number of solo exhibitions, the last retrospective of Gordon Bennett and a major show of Paddy Bedford. Some of our shows have focussed on one particular region (e.g. the Kimberley in 'Country to Coast'), while other shows were thematic. We've also had exhibitions where we went broader. For instance, we had an exhibition in which we showed not only Indigenous Australian art but art from CoBrA artists. (The CoBrA movement was an abstract expressionist movement in the Netherlands and Western Europe in the late 40s to early 50s.) That exhibition also included works by non-Indigenous Australian artists, such as David Larwill amongst others. So in that sense, over the last 10 years we've been actively seeking connection with the larger art world. Aboriginal Art Directory: The AAMU has certainly played an important role in promoting Aboriginal art in Europe. GP: It's the only museum in Europe that is solely dedicated to contemporary Australian Aboriginal art - the only other museum outside of Australia being the Kluge-Ruhe Collection in Virginia. During the past 17 years the AAMU has been relentlessly promoting all aspects of Indigenous Australian arts: city-based, from remote communities, a range of diverse media from bark paintings, sculpture and acrylics from the desert to neon installations, video and photography - it has endeavored to show Indigenous Australian art in the largest scope possible. It has also invited artists to exhibit, and working closely with artists, and it has raised interest for Indigenous Australian art amongst an entire generation because our public also for quite a large part exists of school groups that have been growing up with Indigenous Australian arts. But it has also become over the years a kind of embassy for Aboriginal art and Aboriginal people. That is perhaps most illustrated in the recent opening of an exhibition by the King and Queen of the Netherlands, and also with visits of several Aboriginal artists to the Netherlands - for instance, the representatives of the Wik people from the Cape York Peninsula came here with Law Poles which were presented to the President of the Senate (given in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the first contact between the Dutch and Aboriginal people in 1606). Two ministers have also opened AAMU exhibitions, a Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs and a Dutch Minister for the Arts & Culture. Several exhibitions were also opened by Australian ambassadors to the Netherlands so it has become a platform for diplomacy as well. Only quite recently we worked with the NGA on their internship program, we had an Indigenous intern working at the last exhibition, funded by Wesfarmers. That, of course, will be falling away, unfortunately. Aboriginal Art Directory: Which bring us back to the reason the funding is ending. GP: The Friends Association of AAMU has been providing funding since the existence of the museum, but this was not a commitment that would last indefinitely. The Board of Directors always hoped that other funding would follow from the Netherlands or from Australia for operations. Of course, it will still be a miracle if someone would jump up and say, "I'll support that Museum!". Aboriginal Art Directory: What is your favourite exhibition so far? GP: There was an exhibition we did in 2008 called Nomads in Art. That exhibition included four desert artists: Dorothy Napangardi, Kathleen Petyarre, Lilly Kelly Napangardi and Jackie Kurltjunyintja Giles and also included the work of Belgian artist-poet, Marcel Broodthaers (1924-1976), a conceptual artist who recently had a retrospective at MOMA in New York. That was definitely one the exhibits I consider to be one of my favourites, yes. Aboriginal Art Directory: A new exhibition opens on 21st January, tell us about that. GP: The upcoming exhibition, Tracking Memories, has memory as its principal theme, and in particular the visualisation of the collective memory of history. Memory is one of the most important themes in Indigenous Australian art. Next to works from desert communities - amongst which the characteristic Tinagri Cycle paintings, which are quite directly visualisations of the memory of the creation of country (the Dreamings) - other highlights will include a major piece by Michael Cook. His Object (Lamp, Table, Vase, Footstool, Ashtray) was shown in one of the collateral events of the last Venice Biennale. In this powerful work, in which roles are reversed, Cook explores colonial history and the history of slavery. Next to Indigenous Australian artworks from the AAMU collection, there will be African sculptures, so-called 'colon' sculptures. These are wooden sculptures that are found in several countries in the east, the west and the south of Africa. They typically represent colonial figures and hence represent the memory of the colonial era in these countries. Remarkably, they were at first not perceived to be 'authentic' by collectors because of their reflection on recent history. Beside these sculptures there will also be a number of works by European artists that also work with the idea of collective memory. All the artworks will merge into one large installation. Aboriginal Art Directory: We hope the AAMU does get that miracle and that Aboriginal art can continue its relationship with you. GP: Yes, it will be wonderful for the AAMU to get funding. I have been involved with Aboriginal art for the last 25 years of my life so I hope to continue my work with Aboriginal art and exhibition projects. If you would like to support the AAMU or have any enquiries please contact the Museum directly, details under. Share this: del.icio.us Digg it reddit Google StumbleUpon Technorati Facebook Contact Details Gallery: Utrecht Aboriginal Art Museum Email: info@aamu.nl Telephone: +31(30) 238 01 00 Address: Oudegracht 176 Utrecht 3511 Michael Cook, Object (Lamp, Table, Vase, Footstool, Ashtray), 2015, Inkjet print on Hahnemuhle, 140cm x 600cm (Courtesy the artist and Andrew Baker Art Dealer) Netta Loogatha, Makarrki, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 152cm x 101cm (Collection AAMU) Further Research Emory's annual King Week celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. features several high-profile speakers, as well as the popular "Day On" for community service. NAACP President Cornell Brooks visits campus this week to kick off MLK Day events, speaking Thursday, Jan. 12, at an event hosted by Emory Law and the Black Students Law Association. Community organizer and artist Bree Newsome, who made headlines when she scaled the 30-foot flagpole in front of the South Carolina state capitol to remove the Confederate flag in the wake of the racist hate crime at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, speaks on Tuesday, Jan. 17, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance keynote. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 16 is a university holiday, but the Emory community can join in variety of service projects to take a "Day On" to help others instead of just a day off. Here is the current schedule of events: Thursday, Jan. 12 Emory School of Laws MLK Celebration, 6:30 p.m. Tull Auditorium, Gambrell Hall Cornell Brooks, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), will give a lecture entitled Why We Cant Wait: Civil Rights on the Eve of the Trump Inauguration in conjunction with the Black Law Students Association for the 2017 Emory Law MLK Day Lecture. Brooks is a civil rights attorney, social justice advocate and fourth-generation ordained minister. He says his vision is of an NAACP that is multiracial, multiethnic, multigenerational, and millions of members strong. Brooks lecture will be followed by a reception in Hunter Atrium. For more information, contact A. Kenyatta Greer. Saturday, Jan. 14 Experience Shuttle to the Martin Luther King Center, noon-5:30 p.m. Asbury Circle The Emory College Council is sponsoring a shuttle between noon and 5:30 p.m., leaving from Asbury Circle. For more information, contact Andrew Lee. Sunday, Jan. 15 MLK Worship Service, 11 a.m., Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church Glenn Memorial United Methodist Churchhosts its MLK worship service with Dwight Andrews, associate professor of music theory and African American music at Emory, delivering the sermon. Monday, Jan. 16 Emory's Day On, 11 a.m., various locations Volunteer Emory's last service day of the academic year coincides with the Martin Luther King Day service celebration. Instead of seeing it as an extra day of vacation, we here at Volunteer Emory like to use this time to provide meaningful service to the local Atlanta community and reflect on the profound impact one makes when volunteering, says John Graham. Sixteen trips and over 300 volunteer spots are open to Emory students, alumni and staff. "Atlantas history in social justice and especially the Civil Rights movement remains to this day deeply entrenched in our identity," Volunteer Emory notes on its website. "Whether Atlanta is just your home away from home or the only home youve known, it is important for us to understand the history we are inheriting and the context that influences Atlanta and Emorys position and response to current social justice issues." Tuesday, Jan. 17 Martin Luther King Day keynote, 4 p.m., Winship Ballroom of Dobbs University Center The Department of African American Studies hosts keynote speaker Bree Newsome for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance. Newsome, a community organizer and artist, received wide recognition for scaling the 30-foot flagpole in front of the South Carolina statehouse and removing the Confederate flag after nine people were killed in a racist hate crime at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. The event is free and open to the public. Newsomes keynote is co-sponsored by the James Weldon Johnson Institute; Department of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies; Department of Film & Media Studies; Department of Sociology; and Laney Graduate School. For more information, contact Jessi Nalbantyan. Wednesday, Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Oxford College, 7:30 p.m., Old Church The Oxford College Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration features music from Voices of Praise gospel choir, Oxappella and the Newton County MLK Interdenominational Choir, which comprises local community members. The program will feature selected readings from King and other leaders of the civil rights movement as well as other greetings from Oxford students. This years featured speaker is Rev. Avis Williams 78Ox 98C 08T, among the first African American students to attend Oxford College. A native of Newton County and a current city of Oxford resident, Williams is minister for community transformation at Lake Oconee Community Church, where she founded and heads educational enrichment programs that touch the lives of hundreds of local children. For more information, contact Lyn Pace, Oxford College chaplain. "Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women: Why March ?" 8 p.m., Clocktower Commons on the Clairmont Campus A conversation will take place with Sheba Ehteshami 09C 11PH, co-organizer of the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women, which takes place Saturday, Jan. 21. Thursday, Jan. 19 Service of the Word: Letter to MLK, 11:05 a.m., Cannon Chapel sanctuary Woodie White returns to campus to read his annual Letter to MLK. White is Candler School of Theologys former bishop-in-residence, who retired at the end of last year. Live streaming of this service will be available here. 25th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service Awards, 4 p.m., Goizueta Business School, Room W252 The annual awards are sponsored by Goizueta and the Rollins School of Public Health. This year's keynote speaker is George Yancy, professor of philosophy in Emory College of Arts and Sciences. A reception will follow the event. For more information, contact Corey Dortch, awards chair. Friday, Jan. 20 Voices of Inner Strength Gospel Choir, 7 p.m. Coca-Cola Commons, Dobbs University Center Emory University's gospel choir performs in the DUC. Saturday, Jan. 21 Shuttles to Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women, 11:45 a.m., Student Activity and Academic Center Sign up for a ride to the rallying point of the march. Shuttles will load beginning at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 University Worship: Celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr., 11 a.m., Cannon Chapel The Rev. Tolton R. Pace, a two-time Emory graduate with a B.S. in International Studies and an M.S. in Public Health., will be the special guest preacher. Paces multi-faceted ministry includes his service as the Project GRAD Scholarship Coordinator at South Atlanta High School and Youth Pastor at the Impact Church. The Voices of Inner Strength Gospel Choir will sing. Lunch is provided following the service. The nine schools that make up Emory University have big plans for the new semester, from programs and conferences to strategic planning and new facilities. Here's a roundup of what's new and noteworthy, as listed by each school. Candler School of Theology Upcoming events On Jan. 25, Jennifer Harvey, professor of religion at Drake University and author of "Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation, will present the lecture From Ferguson to Standing Rock: Religious Faith, Righteous Feminists and Holy Fire. David H. Kelsey is the 2017 distinguished visiting professor in the Alonzo L. McDonald Family Chair on the Life and Teachings of Jesus and Their Impact on Culture. He will present two public lectures on Feb. 1 and March 29 on Who is Christ for Us Today? Candler is spearheading a three-city tour on the death penalty, featuring noted author and activist Shane Claiborne. Executing Grace in Georgia: A Faithful Discussion About the Death Penalty will take place in Glenn Memorial Auditorium on Feb. 3. Two additional events will be held in Athens and Macon on Feb. 4. On Feb. 6, the Leadership and Multifaith Program (LAMP), a partnership between Candler and Georgia Tech, will host a symposium on Asylum, Refuge, and Relocation: Multifaith and Community Responses to Global Migration. Amy K. Butler, senior minister at The Riverside Church in New York City, will preach during worship in Cannon Chapel at 11:05 a.m. on March 14. All are welcome. On March 23-24, Candler will host the Bandy Preaching Conference on the theme Preaching a Relevant Word: Politics, Policy and the People, with keynote William Barber, chair of the North Carolina NAACP. Learn more at Candler's website. Emory College of Arts and Sciences Strategic planning To meet the ambitious objectives outlined in the Colleges current strategic plan draft, interim Dean Michael Elliott has formed three ad hoc committees to define and refine more clearly the pathways needed to achieve the Colleges broad goals to provide an exceptional education in the liberal arts, support ambitious research, and recruit and retain exceptional scholars. One committee is assessing administrative infrastructure to identify ways to enhance and streamline current processes. Another will identify the specific support necessary for the College faculty to meet its pedagogical and curricular ambitions. A steering committee is working to revise the current strategic plan itself by developing more specific steps, goals and timetables for implementation, and provide an updated document to the provost by the end of April. Updates and more details can be found on the Strategic Planning page of the College website. Dean search The search for the next dean of Emory College continues with interviews and campus visits of potential candidates later this semester. The goal is to announce the next dean before the summer break. Living Systems Initiative launched A group of faculty from across several Arts and Sciences departments have convened a new Initiative in the Theory and Modeling of Living Systems, which will cultivate further research that builds theoretical frameworks for understanding living systems. The goal is to connect this community with experimentalists, train the next generation of researchers in the field, and establish Emory as a national leader in theoretical and modeling approaches to living systems. Spearheaded by Ilya Nemenman, professor of Physics and Biology, the highly interdisciplinary initiative involves faculty from across the natural sciences. Early decision The first cohort of the Emory College Class of 2021 was selected from a record application pool of students during the universitys first round of early decision. The 1,595 Early Decision 1 applications for Emory College and Oxford College include 610 students who applied to both; 474 applicants were admitted directly to Emory College. These are students who know they want to attend Emory University and are committed to enrolling if admitted. Learn more at college.emory.edu Goizueta Business School Strategic plan Goizueta Business School began the strategic plan process by identifying several strategic themes with crucial intersections across education and industry. These themes also align with the schools proven expertise. From there, the school channeled the universitys longstanding mission and its namesakes lived values. Emory University is more than a top-20 research institution, and Roberto C. Goizueta represents more than a name stamped on the side of our building, Dean Erika James said. Our history can be the force that fuels our goal of raising the stature of businessand Goizueta Business School. Themes include: Behavioral Insights, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Experiential Learning, Healthcare, Leadership, Real Estate and Private Equity and Social Enterprise. Learn more about the strategic plan. Acting workshop A project aimed at helping business students gain confidence through acting that began at Carnegie Mellon University will take place at Emory this spring. The Executives OnStage module will be held in late February over the course of three days. The module has its roots in the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama and the Tepper School of Business, where Geoffrey Hitch, the modules lead instructor, is an associate professor of Acting and Business Communications. The module was created after Hitch and Goizuetas Michael Prietula, professor of information systems and operations management, noticed many students in the Tepper School were quantitatively excellent, but did not do well in front of a group. Prietula met with Hitch and the pair began to envision a course on acting for business that would allow students to grow more comfortable with public speaking. After a successful run at Carnegie Mellon over several weeks, the course will be condensed into a shorter series of workshops for Goizueta students. Prietula, the assistant instructor for Executives OnStage, says the three-day module covers the fundamentals of dramatic and stage acting in an intimate class setting with roughly 20 students. The goal is to help MBA students in their presentation before, during, and after their time at the podium, Prietula says. New program in business, government The Robson Foundation, named for former dean John E. Robson, has pledged $2.1 million to establish the John Robson Endowment for the Study of Business, Public Policy and Government at Goizueta Business School. The gift will lead to the establishment of a program focused on the growing complexities of business and civics. The endowment will drive the efforts of the John Robson Program for the Study of Business, Public Policy, and Government, directed by Jeff Rosensweig, an international business and finance professor. Robson served as dean at the then-Emory Business School from 1986 to 1989, leading the charge to raise the school to national and international prominence. Learn more at goizueta.emory.edu Laney Graduate School EDGE forums The Laney Graduate Schools Emory Diversifying Graduate Education initiative, or EDGE, launched an open dialogue series in fall 2016 to provide space for Laney students to express their views on current affairs and issues of debate. Forums such as "Beyond the Hashtags" and "Where Do We Go From Here? The Future of Scholarship and Activism" engaged Laney students in timely conversations about Americas social climate and issues facing underrepresented students at Emory. Spring 2017 forums will include topics such as "New America: Navigating the Social Landscape as an Underrepresented Student." Finalized dates will be posted to the Laney Graduate School calendar. CIRTL courses The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL), of which Emory is a member, has announced spring 2017 opportunities, including MOOCs and cross-network courses. Courses such as "An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching," "Teaching as Research," "Basics of Online Learning and Teaching" and more are now open for registration. Annual competition The Three-Minute Thesis or 3MT is an academic competition developed by the University of Queensland, Australia. The Laney Graduate School 3MT competition serves as a skills development program that challenges students to explain their research project either through verbal communication (in three minutes or less) or by written abstract (350 words or less). Both competitions are judged by a panel comprised of a diverse group of professionals (academic and non-academic) with a wide range of professional expertise. 3MT finals will take place in spring 2017, dates forthcoming. Learn more at gs.emory.edu School of Law Incoming class Emory Law welcomes new degree-seeking students from four countries, eight states and 44 undergraduate or graduate institutions to its Juris Doctor (JD), Juris Master (JM), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Comparative Law (MCL), and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree programs for Spring 2017. New online format for JM program Emory Law is now making its juris master degree for non-lawyers available in an online study format for two of its concentrations: health care law, policy and regulation; and business law and regulation. Registration starts Jan. 16 for fall semester 2017 enrollment. Emory Law centennial Emory Law has been celebrating its centennial year with a range of events held throughout the school year, and culminating with a centennial and reunion weekend celebration for alumni April 27-30, 2017. As part of the commemoration, the school has assembled "The Emory Law 100," a list that honors notable alumni and faculty for advancing the rule of law, making history at Emory or beyond, and significantly advancing the Emory or Emory Law community. The full celebratory schedule is available here. Select faculty honors Margo Bagley 96L has been named Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law. Senior lecturer Kathleen N. Cleaver is a recipient of the 2016 Freedom Flame Award. The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Section on Women in Legal Education has selected Woodruff Professor Martha Albertson Fineman as the next recipient of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lifetime Achievement Award. The Section on East Asian Law and Society for AALS has selected professor Teemu Ruskolas book "Legal Orientalism: China, the United States, and Modern Law" for its first-ever Distinguished Book Award. Randee J. Waldman, director of Emory Laws Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic, was recently recognized with the Champion of Justice Award. Learn more at law.emory.edu School of Medicine New leadership In November, Chris Larsen stepped down from his positions as dean of Emorys School of Medicine, director of the Emory Clinic and physician group president of Emory Healthcare. He has returned to his clinical practice and research program with the Emory Transplant Center. Jonathan Lewin, the executive vice president for Emory University Health Affairs, named David Stephens, interim dean for the School of Medicine. Stephens is the Stephen W. Schwarzmann Distinguished Professor of Medicine. Prior to accepting the role of interim dean, he was vice president for research for the Woodruff Health Sciences Center and chair of the Department of Medicine. He joined Emorys faculty in 1982, and has served in key leadership roles including director of the Department of Medicines Division of Infectious Diseases during that time. Ira Horowitz, the School of Medicines executive associate dean of faculty affairs and professional development, has been named interim director of the Emory Clinic and physician group president for Emory Healthcare. He will also serve as interim executive associate dean of clinical affairs. Prior to accepting these roles, he was the chair of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Horowitz joined Emorys faculty in 1992. He served as the chief medical officer for Emory University Hospital for 10 years. Notable appointments In the fall of 2016, Maria Aaron was named associate dean for graduate medical education. She is the new designated institutional official for GME. Nate Spell was named associate dean for education and professional development for the School of Medicine. He is also responsible for the schools continuing medical education (CME) programs. Jaffar Khan was named associate dean for Grady education. In this role, he serves as the primary liaison between the SOM and Grady Memorial Hospital student and resident education. Learn more at med.emory.edu Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing New rankings The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing was recently ranked first among nursing schools for National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding. The School of Nursing secured $7.8 million in research grants, fellowships, training grants and other awards from NIH in FY 2016, representing the highest NIH funding total in the school's history. The school garnered more than $15 million in external research in FY 2016. Faculty accomplishments Deborah W. Bruner, professor at the School of Nursing, was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, which is one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Angela Amar, assistant dean for BSN education, was inducted as a fellow of the National League for Nursings prestigious Academy of Nursing Education. Sharron Close, assistant professor; Jennifer Foster, clinical assistant professor; Suzanne Staebler, clinical associate professor; Kathryn Wood, associate professor, and Kate Yeager, assistant professor, were inducted as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, the largest number of Emory faculty ever inducted into the academy in a single year. Faculty appointments Kelly L. Wiltse Nicely joins the School of Nursing as the nurse anesthesia program director. Susan Brasher joins the School of Nursing as a clinical assistant professor. New collaborations Students at the School of Nursing will now gain experience in the birth process outside of the hospital setting through a new academic and clinical partnership with the Atlanta Birth Center. The community-led Atlanta Birth Center is rooted in the midwifery model of care, and is the only freestanding birth center in Atlanta. The School of Nursing also partnered with the Emory Department of Neurology and the Department of Psychiatry to launch the academic health systems first nurse-led medical home, the Integrated Memory Care Clinic. Learn more at nursing.emory.edu Oxford College Strategic plan After almost two years of work, Oxfords new strategic plan is complete. Following its initial presentation in December, the plan has been endorsed by faculty, staff and administration. This week, it will be presented for approval to the Oxford Board of Counselors and the Student Government Association. Titled Pathways of Excellence, the strategic plan focuses on three priority themes: academic excellence, leadership applied to real life, and the value of an Oxford-Emory education. New dining hall Oxfords new dining hall, under construction since summer 2015, is complete and set to open. Located on Pierce Street, across from the old facility, the new dining hall features an open interior designed to give greater flexibility in both seating and the way in which food is prepared and presented. Casual seating areas both inside and out are spaces where faculty, staff and students can interact and relax. A private dining area can accommodate 100 diners or 150 seated for a meeting. Advising Support Center Oxford has established the Advising Support Center, which will focus on giving a seamless student experience from Oxford through the Atlanta campus. This is part of Oxfords collaborative efforts with colleagues across Emory at work on President Sterks Undergraduate Experience Initiative. Lauren Braun serves the center as assistant director and Emory integration specialist. Commencement Oxford's Commencement will be Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. on the college quad. The commencement speaker will be Teresa Rivero 85Ox 87B 93MPH, lead senior program officer with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and an Emory University trustee. Learn more at oxford.emory.edu Rollins School of Public Health New faces James V. Lavery has been named the inaugural Hilton Chair in Global Health Ethics at the Hubert Department of Global Health, as well as a faculty fellow of the Emory Center for Ethics. In his new role, Lavery will provide leadership in public health ethics across the university and serve as a resource to Emory's partners in the global health community. Kimberly Maune has been appointed assistant dean for research administration and senior director for research shared services. Myra Oviatt has joined Rollins as director of strategic communications. Recognitions K.M. Venkat Narayan, Ruth and O.C. Hubert Professor of Global Health, has been elected to the 2016 class of the National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine. Patrick S. Sullivan, epidemiology professor, was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Council members are a diverse group of 24 researchers, service providers and community leaders from around the country. New grants Rollins is a Grand Challenges Explorationswinner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Kristin Wall, assistant professor of epidemiology will pursue an innovative global health and development research project titled "Improving post-partum intrauterine device services in Rwanda." Grand Challenges Explorations supports innovative thinkers worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mold in how we solve persistent global health and development challenges. Learn more at sph.emory.edu Credit: Jeff ForneyAvenged Sevenfold will launch a European tour this Saturday, January 7 in Dublin, Ireland. The trek is the band's first full-length run in support of their new album The Stage, a musically-complex album that tackles the subject of artificial intelligence. Frontman M. Shadows hopes to reflect the tone of the album in the tour's production. "We're kind of gonna rid ourselves for a little bit of all the pyro and fireworks, because we don't really think it fits with this album and the vibe," Shadows tells ABC Radio. "We're gonna be doing a lot more image-mapping and...more stuff you would imagine from like a Muse or a Tool type of experience, but in our own way." In addition to brand new production, Avenged Sevenfold will be bringing brand new songs. Having already played the album's title track lead single a handful of times live last year, Shadows thinks that the new material will translate well to the live arena. "It has felt like we've been playing ['The Stage'] for 15 years," Shadows says. "It goes over so well live, especially when that breakdown happens in the bridge, and everyone holds up cellphones and lighters, it's just beautiful. It's so cool to play something musically satisfying but also have energy." "I've never felt that reaction from a new song ever in our career," he adds. Avenged Sevenfold will be coming to the U.S. later this year to headline the Carolina Rebellion festival, although the band may save their arena production for a full North American tour. "I hope we can bring it to the United States shortly after," says Shadows. "But during the summer, if people like to watch shows outside, they like that big fireworks sorta thing, so it might have to wait [until] 2018." Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Oil prices recovered slightly on Wednesday from steep slides the previous day, but traders said markets remained under pressure from signs that planned OPEC output cuts were being poorly implemented and as supplies from elsewhere rose.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures were trading at $50.98 a barrel at 0028 GMT, 16 cents above their last settlement, but 6.25 percent below the start of the year.Prices for Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were yet to trade."Traders continued to fret about rising U.S. supply and compliance by OPEC to agreed-upon production cuts," ANZ bank said on Wednesday.The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday that increased drilling activity was set to boost crude oil production this year by 110,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 9 million bpd compared with a year ago. Last month, it said production would fall by 80,000 bpd.For 2018, oil production is set to rise by 300,000 bpd to 9.3 million bpd, the EIA added.Another concern for traders is high U.S. crude stockpiles, with the EIA is scheduled to release its latest figures on Wednesday."Traders appeared nervous ahead of this week's EIA report. With inventories at the highest seasonal level in three decades, another increase in this week's report could see prices come under further pressure," ANZ said.Outside the United States, there were lingering doubts over compliance with planned production cuts from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).OPEC's second biggest producer Iraq, plans to raise crude exports from its southern port of Basra to an all-time high in February, keeping shipments high even as OPEC production cuts take effect this month.The country's State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) plans to export 3.641 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in February, according to trade sources and preliminary loading schedules, potentially beating a record of 3.51 million bpd set in December.Some cuts, however, appear to be coming. In Russia, which isn't an OPEC member but which also agreed to cut output, extreme cold as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius has already helped to knock out production by around 100,000 bpd in the first few days of January, and many oil engineers expect more reductions as production facilities struggle to cope with the extreme conditions. REUTERS RSD 0712 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-1102650.Xml The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday said five of its diplomats were killed in an attack in Kandahar city in Afghanistan. A statement from the UAE Foreign Ministry said they were targeted while on a mission regarding development, humanitarian and educational projects in Afghanistan, Efe news agency reported. --IANS in/mr ( 62 Words) 2017-01-11-13:28:07 (IANS) "A unified financial regulatory framework providing for a single regulator for GIFT City could contribute to better regulation and supervision of the financial entities," Patel said here at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017. "While individual regulators can supervise the entities initially when the size of the business is small, a unified regulator would be necessary to pay undivided attention to the IFSC. Work on the design of such a framework should begin soon so as to be able to implement this in time," he added. He also said that the existing laws governing financial contracts in India should be reviewed and gaps addressed. "Based on the review, a world class legal framework for financial contracts in GIFT could be enabled, either by appropriately amending the existing laws governing financial contracts or enacting a fresh law," Patel said. "Either way, this should be expedited, may be by constituting a high level working group to address this gap in mission mode," he added. --IANS ap-mm/sm/vt ( 212 Words) 2017-01-11-16:16:07 (IANS) "Tonight, it's my turn to say thanks," began Obama, promising "the peaceful transfer of power from one freely elected president to the next." "To all who serve, it has been the honor of my lifetime to be your commander in chief," he told the crowd. "Yes we can, yes we did." Celebs-both national and international- took to their social media to thank the POTUS for the 'incredible legacy'. -Priyanka Chopra What an incredible legacy.. #FarewellAdress #Obamas -Ellen DeGeneres @POTUS @BarackObama I love you more than I have space on Twitter to describe. #ObamaFarewell -Sophia Bush Oh Mr. President... it has been my honor to work in this administration. Thank you ... #ObamaFarewell #MyPresident -Gina Rodriguez Yes we can. Yes we did. @POTUS -Kerry Washington YES WE CAN #obamafarewell -Shonda Rhimes Here to show our love for our Potus. #obamafarewell -Sharon Stone From here with the Young Senator from Chicago to tonight. #obamafarewell. We will miss you. -Michael Kelly It breaks my heart to say goodbye to you good Sir. Thank You!#obamafarewell #yeswedid @POTUS -Michael Moore Young people you will soon outnumber all of us and that can only be a good thing... #ObamaFarewell (ANI) The film, directed by Zhang Yimou, tells the story of an elite force making a valiant stand for humanity on one of the world's most iconic structures. Damon stars as William Garin, a battle-scarred mercenary and master archer taken captive by a secret army of elite warriors known as The Nameless Order. The action-fantasy marks director Zhang Yimou's first English-language production and the largest film ever shot entirely in China. The flick also stars Jing Tian ('Police Story 2013', 'Pacific Rim 2'), Pedro Pascal ('Narcos', 'Game of Thrones') and Willem Dafoe ('Platoon', 'Shadow of the Vampire', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'). (ANI) Researcher Neena Mitter from University of Queensland in Australia said BioClay - an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemicals and pesticides - could be a game-changer for crop protection. The study was recently published in Nature Plants. "In agriculture, the need for new control agents grows each year, driven by demand for greater production, the effects of climate change, community and regulatory demands and toxicity and pesticide resistance," she said. "Our disruptive research involves a spray of nano-sized degradable clay used to release double-stranded RNA that protects plants from specific disease-causing pathogens," the researcher explained. Mitter further stated that the technology reduced the use of pesticides without altering the genome of the plants. Once BioClay is applied, the plant 'thinks' it is being attacked by a disease or pest insect and responds by protecting itself from the targeted pest or disease, Mitter noted. A single spray of BioClay protects the plant and then degrades, reducing the risk to the environment or human health. She further said BioClay met consumer demands for sustainable crop protection and residue-free produce. The cleaner approach will value-add to the food and agri-business industry, contributing to global food security and to a cleaner. Another researcher Zhiping Xu said BioClay combined nanotechnology and biotechnology. "It will produce huge benefits for agriculture in the next several decades and the applications will expand into a much wider field of primary agricultural production," Xu said. (ANI) Expressing confidence ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Congress on Wednesday said things would not be the same for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as they were during 2014 Lok Sabha elections and that people are looking for an opportunity to vent out their anger against him. Hinting towards the problems the poor, farmer and small scale traders had to face post demonetisation, leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said "BJP won't get the same percentage of votes as it got in 2014 Lok Sabha elections because the farmer is angry, poor is angry, small traders are troubled." "People have been heavily affected by demonetisation and they are now looking for an opportunity to vent out their ire against him (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) in some or the other form," Kharge added. With the intention of breaking Prime Minister Modi's expectations of marking victory in the upcoming elections, Kharge said people would no more support him now. "Modi ji's expectation of winning in all the five states due to demonetisation and that he is going to get backing from people is wrong. People are realising that what Modi ji did was wrong," he said. The opposition had put a united front against Prime Minister Modi's demonetisation drive, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) even asking for its rollback. Terming it a 'scam', the Congress even demanded a judicial probe into the "demonetisation scam." (ANI) Hence, the fashionista, recently, penned a letter to her 18-year-old self for British Vogue, where she regretted 'messing with' breast implants, reports People magazine. Victoria, who had visible changes in her cup sizes over the years, regretted it and wrote, "I should probably say, don't mess with your boobs," adding, "all those years I denied it - stupid. A sign of insecurity. Just celebrate what you've got." The businesswoman even spoke about her marriage in the letter. She and her very hot husband David Beckham are together for 17 years and as she said, 'effort' was the reason for that longevity. "In marriage: have patience. Bite your tongue. Be supportive. And preserve a bit of mystique," she wrote, "Never let yourself go completely (at least brush your hair, clean your teeth, have a bit of a brow going on because you will always want him to look at you and feel attracted)." On a related note, Victoria Beckham has been recently honoured by Queen Elizabeth in New Year's Honor List, 13 years after her husband received his OBE. (ANI) Unable to provide any proper backing for carrying such a hefty amount of money, the police confiscated the amount and inquired the driver about the same. The police had received information about money being carried for the upcoming assembly elections, due to which it had launched the checking operation. (ANI) In the last leg of his visit to India, Costa will be in Goa on 11-12 January. He would be meeting the Governor and the Chief Minister of Goa. Costa, who traces his roots to Goa, will also spend some time at his ancestral place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held bilateral talks with his counterpart in the national capital. The visiting dignitary also attended the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas' as the chief guest in Bengaluru, and also participated in few business events. He also attended the 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit' in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. (ANI) The Calcutta High Court, earlier, on December 22 had extended the interim bail of the suspended TMC lawmaker till today in connection with his involvement in Saradha chit-fund scam. Ghosh, an accused in the Saradha scam, was on October granted interim bail against a bail bond of Rs. two lakh by the Calcutta High Court. Ghosh had earlier in October last year gone on an indefinite hunger strike inside the Calcutta jail alleging unfair probe against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI had interrogated the suspended TMC leader in December last year. Ghosh was arrested on November 23, 2013, and sent to custody by the CBI on September 4, 2014, after it took over the investigation on the orders of the Supreme Court. (ANI) Notifications for single-phased Punjab and Goa Assembly elections will be issued today, kick-starting the process of filing of nomination papers. The last date of filing nominations is the 18th of January, with scrutiny taking place the next day. Candidates can withdraw their nominations till the 21st. Polling in both the states will be held on February 4th. The counting will take place on 11th March. Punjab has a 117-member Assembly, while Goa has 40 seats. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has once again instructed the Chief Electoral Officers of five poll bound states that photos of political leaders in hoardings, and advertisements should be removed or covered. Those hoardings or advertisements which project achievements of any political party or leader should also be removed. The Commission, however, said the hoardings which contain general information about family planning and social welfare schemes may be displayed. Earlier, Congress had urged the Election Commission to order the removal of the Prime Minister's photograph from government posters at public places, including petrol pumps, in the election-bound states. Also, the poll panel issued an advisory to all political parties calling on them to refrain from making statements based on religion, or face stern action. In a statement, the poll panel called on all political parties and its leaders to "desist from making statements to the effect of creating disharmony between different sections of society on the basis of religion, which disturbs peace and tranquilly of the society which is absolutely essential for free and peaceful conduct of elections." The Commission further warned that it will not remain a "silent spectator" if the provisions of law or the Model Code of Conduct are violated and no one can do it with impunity. "The Commission will take stern actions for any violation under all powers available. All may please note it and issue suitable advisory to all concerned," the statement read. The development comes in the wake of the furore created over Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharaj, who received a notice from the Election Commission over his controversial comments that appeared to blame the Muslim community for India's population growth. (ANI) The southern historical town of Tripura, Udaipur is scheduled to be connected by regular train services in the third week of this month with the clearance from Railway Safety Commission, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), officials said here today. According to reports, the BG track between Agartala and Udaipur was made ready for operation a few months ago and all necessary clearance was given in due time. But it was pending with the Railway Board for long time despite constant persuasion from the state government. "Besides, internal problem in NFR administration is also blamed for the delay," said an official here. The infrastructures required to run the train have already been made ready but construction of some buildings and link roads is still in progress. The works in Udaipur-Sabroom section has been getting delayed due to technical reasons, the NFR officials stated. However, the poor and unassured service being offered by NFR in both Agartala Anand Vihar Tripura Sundari Express and Agartala - Kolkata Kanchanjunga Express trains irked the passengers and further complicated the sufferings of the people of Tripura and South Assam. "Both the trains run long behind scheduled time always. There is serious deficiency in passenger services, including cleaning of toilets, beds and inadequate security inside the train. Despite repeated requests from the state government, the NFR authority is yet to ensure pantry service in the trains," alleged the passengers. Meanwhile, BJP Tripura state committee president Biplab Kumar Deb informed that passenger train services in Agartala to Udaipur be flagged off on January 20 next by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu through video conferencing from Darjeeling. Mr Deb had earlier met the Railways minister on January 7 last in New Delhi during BJP's national executive meeting and demanded immediate extension of train services up to Udaipur since everything was ready except administrative action. "The issue of passenger graveness and poor quality of service, including late running of trains, were also brought to the notice of Railway minister requesting him to look into the matter on urgent basis," Mr Deb stated, adding that he would persuade the issues until resolved. According to NFR sources, the train will start journey from Udaipur at 0530 hrs and it will take one hour to reach Agartala. Then the train will proceed for Dharmanagar and it will be connected to Kanchanjunga Express for Kolkata. Mr Deb said that survey of alternative railway line in the state from Dharmanagar to Khowai via Pecharthal, Kailashahar and Kamalpur will start within a few days. UNI BB AD1028 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0108-1102722.Xml Raising anti-government slogans, NC, Congress and CPI (M) legislators created ruckus in the House, demanding the judicial probe. As soon as the House proceedings resumed, Congress MLA G M Saroori raised the issue. He was later joined by other members in the House from the Opposition. The protesting MLAs created pandemonium in the Question Hour and disrupted the proceedings. The Opposition members later staged walk-out.UNI VBH RJ SB 1249 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-1102789.Xml "Prohibition in Bihar is a good step," he said on Wednesday while addressing thousands of devotees gathered here from across the world for the ongoing Buddhist spiritual event, about 110 km from capital Patna. The Kalchakra puja is among the most sacred events of the Buddhist religious calendar. He said that during his short visit to Patna last month Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had informed him about his government's prohibition policy. The Dalai Lama also reminded his devotees that Lord Buddha said consumption of even a drop of alcohol is a sin and how Mahatma Gandhi also tried to bring in prohibition. The Tibetan spiritual leader has been living in India in self-imposed exile since 1959 when he fled his homeland after Chinese Communist troops took over Tibet. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Nitish Kumar's decision of imposing prohibition in the state and urged all political parties and people to back his move. Modi has termed Nitish Kumar's decision of prohibition a "brave step" for social change. "Taking an initiative for social change is very difficult, but Nitish Kumar has initiated it by enforcing prohibition. All people including political parties should back him for it," he said. The Nitish Kumar-led Grand Alliance government enforced total prohibition on April 5 last year in the state. Since then, more than 16,000 people have been arrested on charges of either consuming or transporting liquor in the state. --IANS ik/sm/rn ( 275 Words) 2017-01-11-14:32:09 (IANS) "I had gone to Delhi to save the party from breaking," Mulayam Singh told party workers at his residence here. "What else do I have apart from you people. "I can understand your concern over the party as it is the result of a lot of hard work," he said. Mulayam Singh also said he won't be forming any new party. "We are not going to set up any other party nor are we changing our symbol 'cycle'." He said the party's other faction led by his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had sought a new name, Akhil Bharatiya Samajwadi Party, and a new election symbol, 'motorcycle'. "Will you people accept that?" he asked his supporters. Without taking the name of Ram Gopal Yadav, he blamed him for the rift in the Samajwadi Party. "A few people want to break the party. They went ahead and met the leaders of the opposition parties. And I have every information of that. "I won't allow the party to break," he added. --IANS aks/mr/sar ( 208 Words) 2017-01-11-14:58:08 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday mocked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's speech against demonetisation and dubbed the latter as a "part time politician", while adding that it is for the first time in a long while when the poor of the nation has been empowered under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said that the Gandhi scion, who has recently returned from a trip from Europe, does not care about the people of the nation. "Rahul Gandhi is a part time politician; he has just arrived from a vacation. If he really cared about people, he wouldn't have gone for a vacation," said Hussain. Echoing similar sentiments, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra ridiculed Gandhi's speech and said that it is the Congress which destroyed the credibility of various institutions in the nation. "Rahul ji who is out on bail in National herald case and has recently returned from a holiday from Europe probably today was quite philosophical when he was talking about the soul of the nation in form of various institutions, he has to be reminded of the fact, that it was a the Supreme Court of the country which had said that the Congress Party reduce the CBI into a cage parrot," said Patra. "Mr. Rahul Gandhi should be reminded of the fact that misquoting facts and trying to misguide people is not going to change the truth that the Gandhi family and the Congress party has destroyed the nation whenever it came in power and it is happening after a long time that the poor has been empowered," he added. Rahul Gandhi, who earlier in the day led the Congress Working Committee's meeting at New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium in the absence of party president Sonia Gandhi, said that the Prime Minister in last two years destroyed the institutions that were built over many years. "Modi ji has done in 2 years, what we haven't done in 60. He has destroyed the institutions that were built over many years. The RBI (Reserve Bank of India) for example. The RSS and the BJP have ruined the RBI and has led to its ridicule. Notes ban was a personal decision of Modi ji that was forced down the RBI," Rahul said. "His demonetisation decision has been the worst decision of India's history. Never before has a Prime Minister taken such an incompetent and badly thought out decision. I assure you there will be acche din (good times) when the Congress returns to power in 2019," he added. (ANI) The Supreme Court today dismissed the plea filed by lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma, seeking its intervention to direct the political parties to disclose the name and identity of the donors who gave money to the parties. The political parties had got the exemption in disclosing the source or name of donor below Rs 20,000 under the Income Tax act. A bench of the Apex Court headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Jagdish Singh Khehar dismissed the plea of Mr Sharma after finding no merit in his petition. Mr Sharma had knocked the doors of the Apex Court seeking quashing of the impugned provision of section 13A of the income tax act 1961. Mr Sharma also told the apex court to quash the impugned provision of section 29 of the Representation of the People's Act 1951, as the same Act was illegal, unconstitutional, mala fide and against the national interest in the interest of justice.UNI XC PY SNU 1517 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1103109.Xml Reliance Mutual Fund (RMF), a part of Reliance Capital, today announced Further Fund Offer (FFO) of its Central Public Sector Enterprises - Exchange Traded Fund (CPSE ETF). This FFO is part of the Government of India's overall disinvestment program, announced earlier by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Ministry of Finance, using the ETF route.Reliance Mutual Fund proposes to raise upto Rs. 4,500 crore in this FFO with an option to retain oversubscription upto Rs. 1,500 crore. company statement said. The Issue will open for subscription on January 17 and close on January 20Central Public Sector Enterprises Exchange ETF, which functions like a mutual fund scheme, comprises the scrips of 10 PSUs ONGC, Coal India, IOC, GAIL (India), Oil India, PFC, Bharat Electronics, REC, Engineers India and Container Corporation of India.The FFO is open for all category of investors including Anchor Investors, Retail Investors, Retirement Funds, QIBs, Non-institutional investors and Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPIs).An upfront discount of 5 per cent is being offered to all category of investors.CPSE ETF has an expense ratio of 6.5 bps, which is much lower than the other non-ETF that have an expense as high as up to 200 bps.''The Further Fund Offer in the CPSE ETF is part of the government's larger disinvestment program that was announced earlier by the Ministry of Finance. We feel confident that the timing of the issue will help investors benefit from their exposure in a diversified basket like CPSE ETF that includes a list of distinguished PSUs thathave performed exceedingly well in their respective sectors. We are confident of an overwhelming response to this FFO'', said Mr Manish Singh, Joint Secretary, DIPAM, Ministry of Finance.''We are delighted to announce the CPSE ETF FFO. It offers a compelling opportunity for investors, especially retail and retirement funds, to invest in the India growth story at an attractive valuation, lowest expense and embedded discounts'', said Mr Sundeep Sikka, ED and CEO, Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management.'' We would like to reach out to retirement funds that can now invest in ETFs as per the revised norms, to consider this as an opportunity to secure their funds and benefit from the growth of these PSUs some of which are Navratnas, Maharatnas and are either sector leaders or near monopolies in their respective sectors'',said Mr Sikka.DIPAM has appointed ICICI Securities Limited as the advisor for the FFO.CPSE ETF is a passive investment fund that was created to help the government in its disinvestment program of divesting stake in select Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) through Exchange Traded Funds (ETF). The fund invests in the Nifty CPSE Index stocks that includes ten PSU companies selected on the basis of established track record, government holding, market capitalisation, dividend history, sector representation, etc. - in the same proportion and weightage as of the index.UNI JS AW1422 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1103014.Xml Terming Samajwadi Party "his own baby" for which he and his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav made several sacrifices, party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today lambasted at his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for instigating his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to revolt against him (Mulayam) to split the party."There is a person whose son and daughter-in-law have been implicated by a Government which had forced him to create such disturbances in the party," Mulayam said without taking any name and added that the leader had already met BJP leaders at least four times recently."Couldn't I have saved his son and daughter-in-law from that conspiracy. But they mingled with the party who was behind the conspiracy and thus was dancing to their tunes," he alleged. He asked, could they reply why they have decided to split the Samajwadi Party and form a new Akhil Bharatiya Samajwadi Party with motorcycle as their election symbol.An emotional Mulayam said, "After crowning him as the CM, does anything was left for me. I have the party and leaders with me." He asked the party supporters that he had crowned Mr Akhilesh Yadav as the CM without taking their views. But now Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav wanted them all to stand by him so that the party can be saved from the split.Addressing the party workers at the state party office before leaving for New Delhi, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav in his around 11-minute-long speech, narrated in detail how he had suffered during the Emergency and the way Shivpal saved him from several odds.MORE UNI MB SW SNU 1510 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1103004.Xml Crimes like rioting, murder, cases under the NDPS Act, Immoral Traffic Act and excise Act have increased in the year 2016 in comparison to previous year in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack under the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate of Police limit.Police commissioner Y B Khurania told the media here today that during 2015 as many as 138 rioting cases were reported which shot up to 161 during 2016.Similarly, 64 murder cases were reported in 2016 as against 61 in 2015. He however, claimed that the number of swindling, theft, burglary, motor vehicle accident cases were declined during 2016 as compare to year 2015.During 2016, the police had succeeded in arresting veteran criminals like Dhal Samanta brothers.He said the total registration of cognizable offence cases had decreased to 10,774 from 10,906 cases in 2015 following the decrease in number of dacoity, burglary, theft, swindling and accident cases.Though 64 murder cases were reported during 2016 against 61 in the year 2015 but the number of murder cases remained steady as three murder case reported in previous year were registered in 2016, said the Police Commissioner.Dacoit cases decreased in 2016 in the twin cities over the previous year but detection in dacoity cases improved over previous year. The percentage of recovery of stolen property in dacoity cases also showed decline over previous year.As per the reports, 31 dacoity cases were registered in 2016 against 36 in the year 2015.Robbery increased in Bhubaneswar but recorded a decrease in Cuttack urban Police district. As many as 294 criminals were arrested for committing robbery in 2016 against 231 in the previous year.The incidence of burglary was also decreased from 378 to 354 in 2016.Mr Khurania said the theft cases recorded a substantial decline over the previous year.He said 2,328 theft cases were reported in 2015 that reduced to 1,902 in 2016. There was also substantial decline in theft of motor vehicles, mobile phones, lap tops.The number of rape cases went up from 127 to 144 in 2016. While in Bhubaneswar the number of rape cases were decreased from 87 to 77 in 2016 in Cuttack the rape cases were increased from 40 to 67 in 2016.Mr Khurania said during the 2017 the police would focus more on gangsters, mafias, anti socials and drug peddler bootleggers. Tender mafia, trafficking of women and traffic management. He said automatic integrated electronic traffic management system would be put in place both in Bhubaneswar and cuttack for the smooth management of the tender. As per the plan the system would be installed in 52 locations in Bhubaneswar and 10 places in Cuttack, tender for which had already been invited.UNI BD DP RN 1647 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0311-1103299.Xml The first MoU was signed between the Kinectrics International Inc. (KII), Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) and the Security Solution Business Integrator (SSBI ) to set up a first-of-its-kind conductor testing laboratory at GFSU. This high-end testing lab will allow India's power-based industry partners to save time and money by accessing forensic lab facilities in India rather than in Canada. The lab will also provide the necessary infrastructure for the Gujarat-based university to deliver new forensic-based education including forensic-related R&D work for the electricity grid. A Letter of Cooperation was also signed between Ultra Electronics ?Forensic Technology Inc. and Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) for the exchange of faculty and key technical personnel for joint lectures and research programs. This association will enable graduate students from both institutions to develop and enhance technical capabilities in the discipline of ballistic forensics. And a MoU between a Canadian Consortium of companies and ?the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) was signed for the promotion and development of a Petroleum and Petrochemical complex with storage facilities. Under the agreement, both parties will examine the possibility of cooperative studies that analyze business conditions and promote exports between Canada and Gujarat. Canada's Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Amarjeet Sohi, is leading a strong business delegation to the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit where Canada is a country partner. Sohi met with Prime Minister Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, his counterpart the Minister of Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Poverty Alleviation, M. Venkaiah Naidu and several other Indian Ministers as well as business leaders. He addressed the inaugural session of the summit and delivered a key-note address on "Smart and Livable Cities: Opportunities and Challenges." Many Canadian business representatives are attending the summit to explore opportunities and new partnerships with Indian counterparts, including through the Smart Cities Initiative. Minister Sohi's visit is the fourth visit to India by a Cabinet Minister of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Government, a reflection of the importance of Canada's relationship with India. (ANI) : Opening wide the gate to investors from acrossthe globe to venture into Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister PemaKhandu has asserted that with its strategic location between Bhutan, Chinaand Myanmar vis--vis Govt. of India's Act East Policy, the stateoffers immeasurable opportunities for business and growth in theyears to come.Convening an Investor's Meet with top-shot entrepreneurs in a cityhotel in Ahmedabad on the side-lines of the inaugural function of the8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit last evening, Khanducategorically stated that Arunachal Pradesh is ready to acceptinvestments in Agriculture, Horticulture and Tourism sectorsimmediately to begin with, official sources informed here today."Arunachal Pradesh is favourably situated between the huge markets ofmainland India in the South and South-Asian countries beyond itsborders," he pointed.The Chief Minister observed that Arunachal Pradesh remained closed toinvestors from outside due to its remoteness and poor market. However,he said the state is opening up its treasure trove with bettercommunication network like the Trans Arunachal Highway, AdvanceLanding Grounds, and extension of railway lines, better bridges, etcand a more congenial atmosphere of doing brisk business."Arunachal Pradesh now means serious business and that's why we arehere today,"he remarked.Hosts of business houses based in Gujarat and elsewhere, whileexpressing their keen interest in doing business in Arunachal Pradesh,swarmed the Arunachal help-desk with their inquisitives on existinginvestment policy, land laws, tax structures, mobility within andbeyond the state, banking facilities, etc.The investors, which also included the Sun Group, expressed keeninterest in high-end tourism, luxury hotels, solar power, education,food processing and other agriculture and horticulture relatedsectors.Several probable investors also raised issues relating to state's takeon investor oriented investment policies, flexibility of laws, towhich the Chief Minister assured assistance in the form of investorfriendly policies, subsidies from Union Government, tax holidays andsingle window clearances.The Chief Minister invited the investors to Arunachal Pradesh where aseminar on investment will be organised to address issues of theinvestors in detail.It is expected that about 20 potential investors from Gujarat whoexpressed their keen interest on investing in Arunachal Pradesh willvisit the state in the month of February to explore areas ofinvestment, official sources added. UNI PB SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1103482.Xml Uttar Pradesh Government's scheme of distribution of free school bags with state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav photo on it, has been jeopardised after 'Model of code of conduct' came into force.District Basic Officer OP Singh said here today the distribution of school bags will not be possible due to MCC imposed for assembly elections here. After the election decision will be taken on this matter, he said.Even more than 50,000 students in UP CM Akhilesh Yadav native district Etawah have not received bags yet. Basic Education Department has denied accepting more bags from the company which is supplying the bags. Sarva Siksha Abhiyan district training coordinator Dr Sarvesh Yadav said some Intermediate and aided school's students have not got school bags yet though those students who have not got the bags are alleging of partiality and negligence.However, distribution of school bags with photo of UP CM on it became matter of agitation for opposite parties. For violation of MCC, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district president Shiv Mahesh Dubey has demanded action against culprits.Mr Dubey said distribution of school bags with the UP CMs photo on it is violation of MCC. Some officers are working like agents of political party. Actions must be taken against culprit officers.UNI XC-JDM MB PY SNU -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1103099.Xml Bickering within the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh has now hit a road block and a split seems eminent after party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav gave enough signals today that a reconciliation eludes with his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and now he has only one priority -- save the 25-year-old party formed by his sacrifice. Now all eyes are set on the verdict of the Election Commission, who will decide the fate of the claim of both the factions on the party's name and symbol 'bicycle' on January 13. However, Mulayam, breaking his long silence, today disclosed all family disputes before public and indirectly hit out at his cousin and present 'Chanakya' Ram Gopal Yadav for the entire rift, with even accusing the BJP of remaining behind the controversy. Terming Samajwadi Party "his own baby" for which he and his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav made several sacrifices, Mulayam lambasted at Prof Ram Gopal for instigating Akhilesh to revolt against him (Mulayam) to split the party. "There is a person whose son and daughter-in-law have been implicated by a Government which had forced him to create such disturbances in the party," Mulayam said without taking any name and added that the leader had already met BJP leaders at least four times recently. "Couldn't I have saved his son and daughter-in-law from that conspiracy. But they mingled with the party who was behind the conspiracy and thus was dancing to their tunes," he alleged. Annoyed Mulayam even asked, could they(Ram Gopal-Akhilesh) reply why they have decided to split the Samajwadi Party and form a new Akhil Bharatiya Samajwadi Party with motorcycle as their election symbol. Addressing party workers at the state party office before leaving for New Delhi, Mulayam in around 11-minute-long speech, narrated in detail how he had suffered during the Emergency and the way Shivpal saved him from several odds. Mulayam, speaking for the first time after both the factions had gone to the Election Commission to claim the party's 'Cycle' symbol, said party leaders had sacrificed to take it to the height where it was today. "I was jailed in Varanasi, Mainpuri and other places during Emergency and later I formed this party. It was your dedication that within 11 month of the formation of the Samajwadi Party, it had come to power in UP. "I have always preferred its unity and gave my full time. But it is unfortunate that some people are trying to split the party. Can they tell me why they are meeting the leaders of other parties. We have not met anyone so far and only met when I invited them for a marriage function," he clarified. He added: "These people want the party to split and were doing everything on the directives of other parties. We have never held talks with leaders of other political parties on our internal matters, but they are dancing to the tunes of these leaders," he said and castigated the so-called proposed pre-poll alliance with the Congress with the Akhilesh faction. Emotionally charged Mulayam indirectly apologised the party supporters that he had crowned Akhilesh Yadav as the CM of the state without their views. "I faced hardships to build SP, will not let it split. Have declared he (Akhilesh Yadav) will be CM again if party comes to power, what more do I have," he said about his backtrack on the recent dispute. "Now I have nothing in my kitty. The CM post is with Akhilesh and I have only the party and the leaders. So it is my duty to save the party and the workers. Later, Mulayam and Shivpal left for New Delhi by a service flight. Earlier in the day, there were hectic parleys at the residence of Mulayam where expelled SP leader and MLA from Ayodhya Taj Narain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey went to meet the SP supremo. Shivpal was also closeted with Mulayam for about 45 minutes. On the other hand, Akhilesh also held meetings with close ministers at 5 Kalidas Marg though there are speculations that he might also fly to Delhi later in the day or tomorrow. The fight between the father and the son escalated after Mulayam released the candidates list on December 28 without taking any views from Akhilesh. Later the Chief Minister too released his own candidates' list forcing Mulayam to expel him and Ram Gopal on December 30. The expulsion irked the Akhilesh camp and they called an emergency national delegate meet on New Year day. Though the expulsion was revoked on twitter account of Shivpal on December 31, but they refused to withdraw their meet in which Akhilesh was elected as the new national president replacing his father. They aslo sacked Amar Singh from the party and Shivpal from the state president post. Later, both the factions moved a petition before the EC in the first week of January to claim the party's name and symbol of cycle. Though two rounds of hectic meetings were held between Mulayam and Akhilesh besides several senior party leaders also tried their best to hold a compromise between the warring group, but all went in vain so far.UNI MB SW AE 1804 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1103270.Xml Customs authorities seized huge consignment of contraband charas worth Rs one crore from a train near Ramgarhwa railway station in East Champaran district last night. Customs Deputy Commissioner Pawan Kumar said here that 10 kgs of charas were seized from an abandoned bag inside a bogie of 75235 Raxaul-Narkatiyaganj passenger train following a tip off. He said the consignment was supposed to be sent to different states via Nepal when it was intercepted. Mr Kumar said it was the third major seizure of contraband charas by customs authorities in the last one week. While five kgs of charas were seized in Bettiah on January 6, customs authorities had also seized 6 kgs of charas at Sugauli next day.UNI XC DH BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1103752.Xml Addressing a press conference here Dumka SP Prabhat Kumar said Juman Ansari of Kharkachiya village and Murtaja Ansari from Baravajhi village which fall under separate police station areas of the Godda district have been arrested for the murder. Rs 9,500 in cash, a two wheeler, a desi katta alongwith a live cartridge have been also recovered from the criminals, the SP said adding that raids are also on to nab two of their other associates who were part of the murder. On January 3, the businessman Sanjay Kumar Bhalotia who was returning home on his motorcycle was shot dead by these criminals at Dhaka Mode under Muffasil Police Station area of this district.UNI XC-AK BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1103849.Xml Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray told mediapersons here that a group of six representatives, with three each from the Sena and BJP, would discuss on the alliance and then a final call would be taken by him and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The two ruling partners are trying to outsmart each other in the number game by taking the position of elder brother, while BJP cadre is adamant on going solo. The Sena has a majority in BMC, while the position of BJP has been bolstered by the recent gains in the recently held local bodies elections in the state. Meanwhile, Mr Thackeray continued with his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ridiculing him for his style and even on demonetisation.UNI JM SS SHS SHK 2115 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-1103908.Xml Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos Da Costa today said that he felt proud to visit his father's land and described the visit strongly emotional for him. Speaking at a function organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a tribute by the Goan civil society to the visiting Prime Minister here, he said, ''I feel proud of visiting my father's land. This visit is strongly emotional for me. My father went to Lisbon but never left Goa because Goa never left him.'' Speaking about his father, Mr Costa said, ''Goa was always present in his works. When I speak of my father, I am reminded of one character in one of his works that says 'Wherever I go or am taken, I will always be in my homeland.'' At the function, Mr Costa released the English translation of his father, well-known writer and poet, Orlando Da Costa's Portuguese play 'Sem Caras Nem Coros'. Goa Deputy Chief Minister Francisco D'Souza, who was present on the occasion, said, Goa and Portugal have shared a history over centuries. Through these years there has been a lot of bonding through cuisine, culture, music and most importantly, the laws -- in the form of the Uniform Civil Code, which Goa has and which is unique in the country. Earlier, Goa University vice chancellor Prof Varun Sahni delivered the key note address.UNI AKM SS SHS SHK 2132 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-1103921.Xml Mr Costa, along with a high-level delegation, today visited NIO at Dona Paula in the city during his two-day-long tour to Goa. During the visit to NIO, the high-level delegation, led by the Prime Minister, agreed upon to extend the collaborative research programmes and also expressed their willingness to initiate new programmes in the field of marine robotics, global navigation systems and microbial biotechnology. The high-level delegation of Portugal comprises Minister of Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva, Minister of Science, Technology & Higher Education Manuel Heitor, Ambassador of Portugal in India Joao da Camara, Consul General of Portugal in Goa Rui Baceira, Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Rita Faden, President ofCouncil of Rectors of Portuguese Universities Antonio Cunha, Diplomatic Advisor Prime Minister Bernardo Lucena and other officers participated. NIO director Dr Prasanna Kumar welcomed the Portuguese delegation. Mr Costa was informed about various programmes undertaken by NIO to improve the understandings of oceans. The Portuguese delegation was shown the various projects and equipment designed in collaboration with institutions from Portugal. Director of National Geographic Research Institution Dr V M Tiwari, head of DGTC, CSIR Dr A Chakraborty and other scientists were present on the occasion. Earlier to this, Prime Minister Costa visited residence of Consul General of Portugal in Goa, where Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar along with Deputy Chief Minister Francis Dsouza called uponMr Costa. In the meeting leaders discussed various issues to strengthen the ties between both the countries. They also highlighted the cultural and scientific exchange with India. Chief Minister Parsekar mentioned about Uniform Civil Code implemented during the Portuguese rule and still practised in Goa and appreciated across the country. The Portugal Prime Minister arrived in Goa late last evening and would be leaving Goa tomorrow.UNI AKM SS SHS SHK 2144 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-1103916.Xml Director General Assam Rifles (DGAR) Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan today visited headquarters 6 Sector Assam Rifles as part of familiarization visit to all Assam Rifles Sectors after his assumption of command. According to a release issued by the PRO of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North), the Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Chauhan, who is on his maiden visit to Nagaland after assuming his office recently, was briefed today at the Headquarters 6 Sector Assam Rifles in Dimapur. He also had an interaction with jawans at Kashiram Basti, during which he felicitated individuals for their outstanding performance in various fields. He exhorted the jawans to live up to the reputation of 'Friends of the Hill People, the PRO informed. UNI AS SHS SHK 2221 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-1103901.Xml The Aam Adami Party (AAP) in Goa today welcomed the state visit of Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa and condemned Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leader SudinDhavalikar for demanding an apology for Portgual's past imperialism. In a statement here, AAP state convenor and chief ministerial candidate Elvis Gomes said, ''Aam Aadmi Party welcomes the official state visit to Goa of Portugal's Prime Minister Dr Antonio Costa who is a 'Son of the Soil' with roots in Margao. It is a feather in Goa's cap that a member of the Goan and Indian diaspora has risen tobe the Head of State of Portugal, which is high up on the list of India's friendly nations.'' ''AAP condemns the MGP and its 'opportunistic' leader Sudin Dhavlikar for demanding an apology from Dr Costa for the ghosts of Portugal's imperial past. Mr Dhavlikar's demand betrays his false sense of patriotism. It is a feeble attempt to whip up passions at election time. Corruption is the most unpatriotic act and Mr Dhavlikar should first prove his patriotic credentials by coming clean on his own role as cabinet minister of the two most corrupt departments -- Transport and Public Works Department (PWD),'' Mr Gomes said. ''Portugal and India are two friendly nations and two friends never ask for apologies for events that have nothing to do with the current democratically-elected government of Portugal. Though Goa and Portugal share a bitter-sweet history, it is in the interest of our people that we invest in the dreams of our future rather thancling to the ghosts of the past,'' he added.UNI AKM SS HK SDR RAI2326 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-1103999.Xml Coming down heavily on the Centre on the issue of demonetisation and political vendetta, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee today said a destructive party is selling off the country. Speaking at ''ModiHataoDeshBachao'' dharna outside RBI office in the city, Ms Banerjee said, this demonetisation movement is like a second war of independence, a destructive party is selling off the country. Ms Banerjee said everyone is suffering due to Super Emergency. "Modi Babu bulldozed his decision. Institutions were not allowed to do their job. Whoever is speaking up is being silenced with fear-mongering. Agencies are hounding them," she said. Within hours of announcement of demonetisation I raised my voice. Why did they introduce Rs 2000 notes after banning Rs 1000? People will ban Modi Sarkar soon," she questioned. "They promised situation will normalise within 50 days. Nothing has improved. Are 50 days not over? Why are restrictions on withdrawal limit still in place?" she said. ''Trinamool cannot be scared by fear-mongering tactics. They thought TMC is made of soft mud so even rats can dig it. We fight with tigers, we won't get rattled by a push from rats," the Chief Minister added. "We are not afraid of rioters, Modi babu. He has not taken any lessons from Godhra riots," the TMC supremo pointed out. India's PM has become a salesman for a company, 40 per cent shares of which are owned by a blacklisted Chinese company, Ms Banerjee said, The chief minister said the white money of common people is being branded black. "They are threatening our leaders. What audacity. CBI is no longer an independent agency. It is 'Conspiracy Bureau of India," she said. Ms Banerjee said, "They thought TMC is made of soft mud so even rats can dig it. We fight with tigers, we won't get rattled by rats." "How did so many fake currencies appear within days of demonetisation." she questioned. The Chief Minister said many people have lost lives in bank queues. Many bank employees have collapsed due to work pressure. So many handicraft workers earn from fairs. Their livelihood has suffered. 30 per cent people have lost jobs. "Banks are giving Rs 2000 notes. Will you buy grocery or the entire grocery store?"she asked. The chief minister said 92 per cent rural areas do not have banks. Workers who were based in other States are returning as they are not receiving cash. Traders are suffering. Shops have lost customers. "Airlines are refusing to give food using debit cards but they expect jhalmuri wallah will use plastic money?' she questioned. " I wonder if the savings of people are safe in banks. As long as Modi is in power, I am fearful," Ms Banerjee remarked. "I have travelled in rural areas. Situation is alarming. MSME growth has slowed down," she said. "Why are channels owned by Rose Valley still on air? Why are hotels owned by Rose Valley running? Why did RBI and SEBI allow chit funds to set up business?" the chief minister questioned. "We set up judicial commission and returned Rs 300 crore to people who were cheated by chit funds," she said and added that no chit funds were set up during TMC rule. Parties which have unaccounted money do not have guts to fight. Trinamool is not afraid of anyone, Ms Banerjee said, The chief minister said Alibaba and his four associates have changed their decisions over 60 times in two months. Even some BJP leaders are afraid. They will speak up after BJP loses in UP polls. The country is reeling under 'illogical terrorism'.Whoever is speaking up is being silenced with fear-mongering. Agencies are hounding them, Ms Banerjee pointed out. "Our MP delegation met the Hon. President again today to highlight the sufferings of the people. Over the last 72 hours Trinamool has been organising dharnas across nine states," the chief minister said, Highlighting the sufferings of people across all strata of society, she said protests will continue and the next course of action will be decided after Gangasagar Mela.UNI BM SHK 2248 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-1103978.Xml Saber Hmidi, 34, was notified of the arrest warrant in the Rebibbia prison in the Italian capital, where he was already serving a sentence for illegal weapons possession and assaulting a police officer, Xinhua reported. The operation was carried out by the anti-terrorism DIGOS force in cooperation with prison police. Several raids were carried out in the Lazio region surrounding Rome, although no additional arrests were made. Hmidi was thought to be an active member of the Ansar al-Sharia jihadist group and was believed to have operated as a recruiter in different jails in Italy, investigators told a press conference at police headquarters here. "The investigation revealed his special ability to indoctrinate fellow prisoners in jail," police also said in a statement. The man had been living in Ciampino on the outskirts of Rome since 2008 and is married to an Italian woman who converted to Islam. He was first arrested in November 2011 and again in 2014 for resisting a routine control and assaulting a police unit with a gun. He had never been charged in relation to terrorism before. --IANS sku/ ( 224 Words) 2017-01-11-03:12:06 (IANS) In the eastern front, the elite forces of Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) completely freed the neighbourhood of Sukkar and made significant progress in the adjacent neighbourhood of Siddeeq, amid fierce clashes with IS terrorists, Xinhua quoted a statement by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command as saying. The battles in the two neighbourhoods left some 20 terrorists killed and a booby-trapped car destroyed, the statement said. Meanwhile, the CTS commandos freed al-Dhubbat neighbourhood and took part of the adjacent neighbourhood of al-Maliyah, leaving dozens of IS terrorists killed and two of their car bombs destroyed, the source said. Several governmental offices were recaptured during Tuesday's advance, including communication complex, provincial electricity department and a security headquarters, the source added. The latest CTS advance pushed the IS terrorists to blow up sections of two bridges to prevent the government forces from launching operations to retake the western side of Mosul across the Tigris, according to the statement. Mosul's five bridges across the Tigris had already been partially damaged by the US-led coalition airstrikes to slow the movement of the IS terrorists between the two sides of the city. --IANS sku/ ( 235 Words) 2017-01-11-03:56:06 (IANS) "Operation Zarb-i-Azb was successful but how long will the government use the military as a crutch?" he asked. Qureshi said after a meeting of the opposition leaders with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on the government's decision to reinstate the controversial military courts, reports the Dawn. The meeting between opposition parties' representatives and the speaker took place a day after the federal government initiated consultations to introduce a constitutional amendment reinstating the military courts for a period of time all political parties agree upon. Qureshi said that the government had not succeeded in convincing its allies, Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), to support the revival of the courts. "Even the first time, support was offered on a conditional basis," he said. Earlier, opposition leader Khursheed Shah had chaired a consultative meeting of opposition parties regarding the revival of military courts, and said the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) will oppose the reinstatement of military courts. Pakistan had legalised military court trials of terror suspects for a period of two years in January 2015 - soon after the terror attack on Peshawar's Army Public School in Dec 2014, in which 144 people, most of them children, were killed by Taliban militants. The controversial special powers empower military courts to try civilian terror suspects. Military courts do not grant convicts the essential components of a fair and free trial, as they lack in transparency and do not allow convicts the option to appeal to civilian courts. (ANI) Twenty people were trapped for almost two hours at the top of a roller coaster ride at a theme park on Australia's Gold Coast , said emergency services, only a few months after an accident on a neighbouring theme park ride killed four people.Those trapped on the Arkham Asylum Coaster ride were seated in chairs suspended from the ride. Most were easily rescued, but four could only be reached by emergency personnel using a ladder platform, according to a spokeswoman for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. No one was injured.The latest incident at the Warner Bros. Movie World park, owned by Australia's Village Roadshow Ltd, follows a deadly accident at Dreamworld theme park owned by Ardent Leisure Group in October, 2016.Four people were killed on a river rapids ride at Dreamworld, ranking it among the world's deadliest theme park accidents.Village Roadshow shares were trading 2.5 percent lower on Wednesday, while the overall market was trading 0.4 percent higher. Village Roadshow in November said it had experienced "inconsistent trading" at its Gold Coast theme parks in Queensland state in the wake of the Dreamworld accident.REUTERS CJ PM1003 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1102704.Xml The US military might hold its fire rather than strike a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile test in order to glean intelligence, if Pyongyang's ICBM launch did not appear to pose a threat, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today.The remarks stood in contrast to US President-elect Donald Trump's vow that, once in office, North Korea would never be able to fulfill its threat to test an ICBM. Trump said in a January 2 Tweet: "It won't happen!""If the missile is threatening, it will be intercepted. If it's not threatening, we won't necessarily do so," Carter said in his final news briefing before President Barack Obama's administration leaves office on January 20."Because it may be more to our advantage to, first of all, save our interceptor inventory, and, second, to gather intelligence from the flight, rather than do that (intercept the ICBM) when it's not threatening."The top US military officer, Marine General Joseph Dunford, who will stay in his role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concurred with Carter's remarks. Dunford will be Trump's top uniformed military advisor.North Korea declared on Sunday it could test-launch an ICBM at any time from any location set by leader Kim Jong Un, saying a hostile US policy was to blame for its arms development.Once fully developed, a North Korean ICBM could threaten the continental United States, which is around 9,000 km from the North. ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500 km, but some are designed to travel 10,000 km or farther.Preventing an ICBM test is far easier said than done, and Trump has given no indication of how he might roll back North Korea's weapons programs after he takes office, something successive US administrations, both Democratic and Republican, have failed to do.Former US officials and other experts have said the United States essentially had two options when it came to trying to curb North Korea's fast-expanding nuclear and missile programs - negotiate or take military action.Neither path offers certain success and the military option is fraught with huge dangers, especially for Japan and South Korea, US allies in close proximity to North Korea. REUTERS RSD 0438 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-1102636.Xml US President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, Jeff Sessions, promised to stand up to Trump, his close ally and future boss, saying he would oppose a ban on Muslims entering the country and enforce a law against waterboarding even though he voted against the measure.Questioned for 10-1/2 hours by a US Senate committee responsible for confirming his appointment, Sessions, a US senator from Alabama, distanced himself from comments he had made defending Trump from criticism over a 2005 video that emerged in October showing Trump boasting about grabbing women's genitals.At the time, Sessions told The Weekly Standard magazine yesterday he would not characterize the behavior as sexual assault. He later said the comments were taken out of context. Asked on Tuesday whether "grabbing a woman by her genitals without consent is ... sexual assault," he replied: "Clearly, it would be."With 10 days to go before Trump takes office, Sessions, 70, was the first Cabinet nominee to face questioning. He appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Trump's pick to run the Department of Homeland Security, retired Marine Corps General John Kelly, later went before the Homeland Security Committee.As attorney general, Sessions would serve as the top U.S. law enforcement officer and be responsible for giving unbiased legal advice to the president and executive agencies.With that in mind, lawmakers from both Trump's Republican Party and the Democratic Party sought to establish how closely Sessions hewed to Trump positions and whether he could put aside his staunchly conservative political positions to enforce laws he may personally oppose.A senator since 1997, Sessions was widely expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.Protesters accusing Sessions of having a poor record on human rights interrupted the Capitol Hill proceedings several times.MUSLIM BANSessions said he would not support banning anyone from the United States on the basis of religion and that Trump's intentions were to restrict people from countries harboring terrorists, not all Muslims. Elected on November 8, Trump at one point campaigned on a proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country.Sessions said he favored "higher intensity of vetting" for refugees seeking to enter the United States from countries that harbor terrorists but that he would oppose ending the US refugee program.He also said he would enforce a 2015 law that outlawed waterboarding terrorism suspects even if it meant resisting Trump. The senator said he had voted against the law, believing those in high positions in the military and intelligence community should be able to do so.During the campaign, Trump said waterboarding, which simulates drowning and is widely regarded as torture, was an effective technique and vowed to bring it back and make it "a hell of a lot worse." More recently Trump has said retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, his nominee for secretary of defense, had persuasively argued against it.Sessions said he would enforce laws upheld by the US Supreme Court, even those he disagreed with, such as decisions making abortion and same-sex marriage legal.CLINTON EMAILSSessions said the comments he made during the 2016 presidential campaign about Democrat Hillary Clinton's email practices and charitable foundation would cloud the perception of impartiality if the Justice Department continued investigating Clinton. He said he would recuse himself and favored a special prosecutor to carry out any future investigations.Trump, who defeated Clinton, said during the campaign that if elected, he would ask his attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to see that Clinton go to prison for her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state and her relationship with her family's charitable foundation.Sessions said he agreed with Trump in opposing Democratic President Barack Obama's executive action that granted temporary protection to immigrant children brought to the country illegally by their parents and would not oppose overturning it.Sessions, representing the deeply conservative Southern state of Alabama, has long opposed legislation that provides a path to citizenship for immigrants. He has also been a close ally of groups seeking to restrict legal immigration by placing limits on visas used by companies to hire foreign workers.Sessions said he would be more aggressive in investigating and prosecuting abuses of the H-1B visa program, which he said allows companies to discriminate against American workers by hiring foreigners.As head of the Justice Department, the attorney general oversees the immigration court system that decides whether immigrants are deported or granted asylum or some other kind of protection.Sessions renewed his criticism of the Obama administration for not being tougher on countries that refuse to take back criminal migrants ordered deported from the United States.A key plank of Trump's election campaign was his pledge to deport illegal immigrants and build a wall along the US border with Mexico.Kelly told his hearing a physical barrier on its own is not enough to keep people and drugs from illegally entering the United States. In written testimony, Kelly said that "rapidly processing" and deporting immigrants in "significant numbers" would deter future illegal migration.The US immigration court system has a backlog of over 500,000 cases awaiting a decision on deportation, asylum or some other kind of protection. Many migrants arriving at the US-Mexico border are given a notice to appear in court one to three years in the future.DEFENSE AGAINST RACISMBefore the Judiciary Committee, Sessions several times defended himself against charges of racism. He said allegations that he harbored sympathies toward the Ku Klux Klan, a violent white supremacist organization, were false."I abhor the Klan and what it represents and its hateful ideology," Sessions said in his opening remarks.Sessions was denied confirmation to a federal judgeship in 1986 after allegations emerged that he made racist remarks, including testimony that he called an African-American prosecutor "boy," an allegation Sessions denied.Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said the Senate Judiciary Committee had received letters from 400 civil rights organizations opposing his confirmation to the country's top law enforcement post.REUTERS RSD 0722 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-1102657.Xml Japan's government is planning legal steps that would allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate and his son to ascend the throne in two years, media reported today, potentially setting the stage for the first abdication in two centuries.Japanese Emperor Akihito, 83, hinted in August that he wanted to abdicate, saying he worried that age might make it difficult for him to carry out his duties fully. Abdication is not possible under current Japanese law.However, media reports said the government was considering steps that would allow Akihito to abdicate and for 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito to ascend the throne on January 1, 2019. The abdication itself would take place on December 31, 2018, or January 1, some reports said.A panel of experts has been discussing the issue since late last year, with recommendations expected later this year. The government could submit a special law to parliament on abdication as early as this spring, the reports said.Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said yesterday he was not aware of any such situation."The experts are prioritising lightening the Emperor's burden in their discussions and things are still at a stage where no direction has emerged," he told a news conference.Akihito has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer. He took the throne after the 1989 death of his father, Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought World War Two, and has worked to heal the wounds of the conflict. REUTERS RSD 0758 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-1102667.Xml A South Korean political vacuum and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's concerns about his conservative political base have rekindled a feud over wartime history, just as tension over North Korea makes cooperation between the U.S. allies as vital as ever.The row over "comfort women", as those forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels are known, coincides with uncertainty over Donald Trump's stance towards North Korea, which has launched a series of nuclear and missile tests in defiance of U.N. sanctions, when he takes over as U.S. president on Jan. 20.A spat over wartime history that flared in 2012 sent Japan-South Korea ties into a deep chill, delaying a deal on military intelligence sharing and preventing a summit.A rerun could hamper efforts to upgrade security cooperation but with regional stakes high given North Korea's threat to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), experts are hopeful fallout can be contained."(North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un said in his New Year speech that North Korea will finalise the process of developing an ICBM, so South Korea knows security cooperation with Japan and the United States is pretty important," said former defence official Narushige Michishita, now a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies."But if they are to upgrade cooperation ... the political problem might affect a decision to go ahead, especially on the Korean side," he said, citing efforts to integrate U.S.-Japan and U.S.-South Korea missile defence systems as an example.A senior Self-Defence Force officer said that strained ties with South Korea could affect security arrangements with Japan."For example, we may not get information quickly if North Korea launches a missile," he said. "Given the distance from Japan, it's hard for the Self-Defence Force to monitor, so Japan relies on South Korean or American military information. That might be affected."Also, negotiations could stall over evacuating Japanese citizens by Self-Defence Force planes in case of an emergency on the Korean peninsula, he said.Japan on Friday said it was temporarily recalling its ambassador to South Korea over a statue near the Japanese consulate in Busan city commemorating Korean comfort women. Japan also suspended talks on a new currency swap arrangement.Tokyo says the statue, put in place late last year, and another near the Japanese embassy in Seoul, violate a December 2015 agreement stating the issue - which has long plagued ties - would be "irreversibly resolved" if all conditions were met."If the Japan-South Korea agreement breaks down, this would be a problem with serious mutual spill-over effects," Masahiko Shibayama, an adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, told Reuters, noting the two countries were important security and economic partners.Abe has apologised and a $1 billion yen fund to aid victims has been created. This week he repeated his call for Seoul to keep its end of the deal by removing the statues.REUTERS CJ NS1342 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1102936.Xml After a decade of bitter compromises over paramilitaries and policing, Northern Ireland's power-sharing government finally fell apart this week over the abuse by farmers of a green-energy grant to burn fuels such as wood pellets instead of coal.The confrontation has exposed a growing rupture in trust between Catholic Irish nationalists and pro-British Protestant unionists whose cooperation underpins the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement that ended three decades of bloodshed.While there is no sign of a return to violence that killed 3,600 people, the political crisis looks set to paralyse government in the province for months at the same time as Britain's exit from the European Union threatens simultaneous shockwaves to its economy and constitutional status."I'm not sure that power-sharing can be restored now," Jeffrey Donaldson, a senior member of the ruling pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) told Irish state radio RTE on Tuesday, a day after Irish nationalist, and ex-Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, resigned over the affair."I really don't think that Martin and his colleagues have begun to contemplate the damage the decision they made yesterday has done to the prospect of power sharing in the future."The Good Friday Agreement, negotiated by former U.S. senator George Mitchell and ratified in May 1998, effectively ended the "Troubles" that had torn apart Northern Ireland and was based on a power-sharing pact to govern by cross-community consent.McGuinness's resignation means a snap election is more than likely, bringing the power-sharing government to the brink of collapse. McGuinness raised the prospect of a lengthy renegotiation of any power-sharing, saying there would be "no return to the status quo" after an election.There has been a decade of power-sharing between Sinn Fein, once the political arm of the IRA, and the DUP which have overcome fierce disagreements over rival marches, the legacy of the Troubles and constitutional issues. The green energy scandal proved to be the final tipping point."CASH FOR ASH"For months Northern Irish media have revelled in stories of farmers heating barns night and day to burn as many wood pellets as they and other business owners could to take advantage of a subsidy that gave them 1.60 pounds for every 1 pound spent.Unlike a similar scheme elsewhere in the United Kingdom legislation lacked a cap and could cost taxpayers up to 490 million pounds ($595 million), almost 5 percent of the region's annual budget.First Minister Arlene Foster, who launched the scheme four years ago, apologised, but insisted her party closed it as soon as flaws became apparent.While her refusal to resign was the trigger for the first collapse of the government since McGuinness agreed to share power with rivals a decade ago, all sides admit that the political fissures go much deeper."The heating scandal is the occasion for the resignation, it's not the cause," said Brian Feeney, a columnist for Irish nationalist newspaper the Irish News."They have a long list of grievances and they have just decided it's not going to go on any longer."While the power-sharing deal calls for a partnership of equals, Sinn Fein says the DUP has been treating it with "provocation, arrogance and disrespect" culminating, they say, in the scrapping of a 50,000-pound grant for disadvantaged children to learn the Irish language just days before Christmas."Sinn Fein will not tolerate the arrogance of Arlene Foster and the DUP. We now need an election to allow the people to make their own judgment," McGuinness said after his resignation.ELECTION "HIGHLY LIKELY"An election is the "highly likely" next step, the British government's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire said on Tuesday, unless Sinn Fein agrees to appoint a replacement for McGuinness within seven days, something it has said it will not do. McGuinness recently took a break from some of his duties because of an undisclosed illness.But an election appears likely to just mark the starting gun for a renegotiation of the terms under which the two parties share power.Sinn Fein members in recent days have begun to hint at demands likely to be made including funding additional rights for Irish speakers and the lesbian and gay community, which the DUP has blocked and for inquiries into deaths in the "Troubles".Failure in those talks could cause devolved powers to revert to London and open the possibility of a deeper rethinking of the concept of power sharing.The collapse of the relationship between McGuinness and Foster also risks paralysing the region's response to Britain's planned exit from the European Union as London prepares to trigger divorce talks.Sinn Fein, which campaigned for Britain to stay in the European Union, says Foster has failed to properly represent the 56 percent of Northern Ireland voters who voted "Remain".Foster, who campaigned to quit the EU, said she must instead respect the opinion of the 52 percent of voters in all of the United Kingdom who wanted to leave."Brexit is a complete mess and everyone here seems to be ignoring it," said Ollie Woodhouse, a 21-year-old bar-tender walking through central Belfast on Tuesday. "It is definitely time for change in Northern Ireland."EXPOSED TO BREXITA number of studies have named Northern Ireland, which is the poorest region of the United Kingdom and has its only land border with the European Union, as the most economically exposed to Brexit."There has seldom been a more important time for all our citizens to have a strong well-functioning Executive," said Angela McGowan, Northern Ireland Director of the Confederation of British Industry.But Brexit's impact could go much deeper, shifting the constitutional architecture on which Northern Ireland's peace deal sits.There are several references to the European Union in the good Friday Agreement and the DUP's Donaldson on Tuesday suggested that Britain's exit from the European Union could undermine the Republic of Ireland's ability to share in the governing of the province under the Good Friday Agreement.In recent days, fears have grown about the return of border posts after suggestions Britain may leave the EU customs union, a development that would anger Northern Irish nationalists and, experts say, provide obvious targets for paramilitaries."Whilst these negotiations are about to start you have the Scottish government lobbying for Scottish interests, you have the Welsh government lobbying for Welsh interests and who does ... (prime minister) Theresa May pick up the phone to in Northern Ireland?," asked University politics lecturer David McCann. "Northern Ireland cannot afford to be stuck in neutral."REUTERS CJ VP1415 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1102982.Xml Poland's ruling party is ready to postpone the start of a new parliamentary session if the opposition ends its nearly a month-long occupation of the plenary hall, Ryszard Terlecki, a deputy speaker of lower house of parliament, said today.Poland's largest opposition party Civic Platform (PO) called for the start of a new session to be postponed for a week, saying it needed time to find a solution to a political standoff revolving around media freedom and the state budget."We are ready to agree to postpone the beginning of the session if the (Civic) Platform ceases its occupation of the plenary hall and other parties declare they would not do it in the future," Terlecki told journalists.REUTERS VS AN1754 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1103457.Xml British Prime Minister Theresa May and her Irish counterpart Enda Kenny recognised the difficulties and seriousness of the situation in Northern Ireland during a phone call on the political crisis there, May's office said today.After years of bitter compromises, Northern Ireland's power-sharing government collapsed this week with the resignation of Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, exposing lingering distrust between Catholic Irish nationalists and pro-British Protestant unionists."The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach spoke yesterday evening," Downing Street said, referring to May and Kenny."They recognised the difficulties and seriousness of the situation in Northern Ireland and how important it was to work together - with the Irish government and the parties of Northern Ireland - to find a solution."REUTERS VS AN1913 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1103653.Xml A Turkish prosecutor has demanded life imprisonment for an opposition MP accused of providing a newspaper with video purporting to show Turkey's intelligence agency trucking weapons into Syria, state-run Anadolu news agency said today.Lawmaker Enis Berberoglu of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is due to appear in court on charges of aiding an armed terrorist organization and making public information that was supposed to stay secret. Berberoglu has defended the video, saying it was genuine.A report in Cumhuriyet newspaper in May 2015 said that trucks allegedly owned by the National Intelligence Agency (MIT), Turkey's state intelligence service, were found to contain weapons and ammunition that were headed for Syria when they were stopped and searched in southern Turkey in early 2014.Prosecutor Mehmet Yesilkaya said in an indictment that Berberoglu provided the video footage of the trucks to the newspaper, Anadolu agency reported, asking for a life sentence.The government has denied accusations that weapons were sent to Syria, saying the trucks were carrying humanitarian aid.Last year, two prominent journalists, Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, were sentenced to at least five years in jail for revealing state secrets in a related case. The prosecutor is now seeking an additional 10 years in prison for Dundar and Gul over the report on intelligence trucks.The convictions drew protests from rights groups and Western governments worried about worsening human rights in Turkey under President Tayyip Erdogan.REUTERS VS GC2006 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1103755.Xml Angola said today it had recorded its first two cases of the Zika virus, just three months after a yellow fever epidemic that killed at least 400 people was brought under control.Zika, a viral disease carried by mosquitoes, has spread to more than 60 countries and territories since an outbreak was identified in Brazil in 2015, raising alarm over its ability to cause the rare birth defect microcephaly."Up until two months ago, we didnt have any detected case, but, now, we have two cases of Zika," Health Minister Jos Luis Gomes Sambo told reporters in the Angolan capital Luanda."We have to take preventable measures, especially in the anti-vectorial fight against the mosquitoes."Angola is only just recovering from a yellow fever outbreak, which began in a densely-populated Luanda slum before rapidly spreading across the southwest African country and into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.Nearly 12 million people were vaccinated against yellow fever last year in Angola and the DRC in a campaign led by the World Health Organization. REUTERS VS GC2010 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1103784.Xml UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to UN staff members on the first working day of 2017 at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 3, 2017. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told UN staff members here on Tuesday that the UN needs their collective engagement to make changes to achieve the goals of the organization on peace, security and development. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told UN staff members here on Tuesday that the UN needs their collective engagement to make changes to achieve the goals of the organization on peace, security and development. Guterres took reins of the UN on New Year's Day. In his speech at UN headquarters, Guterres encouraged his staff members to be proud of the organization and to recognize its achievements though there is doubt about the role that UN can play in world affairs. He said due to the work of the UN, many people have been rescued, many people have suffered less, and many people have seen their living conditions improved through international cooperation in different parts of the world. Guterres also asked the staff members to recognize the shortcomings of the UN as it had failed to prevent and resolve conflicts in some parts of the world. He urged them to be collectively engaged in UN system reform to get rid of bureaucracy, to facilitate dialogues and discussions, and to work for peace, security, sustainable development and human rights for all people around the world. Before giving the speech, Guterres laid a wreath at the UN headquarters to honor UN staff fallen in the line of duty. Guterres, a 67-year-old politician, served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015. He was the prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002. He was selected as the 9th secretary-general of the UN to succeed Ban Ki-moon who stepped down at the end of 2016. Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2017 shows the site of an attack in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, Jan. 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Abdul Aziz Safdari) LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people have been killed and two others injured as a suicide bomber blew himself up outside Lashkar Gah, the capital of Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Tuesday, police said. "A terrorist exploded his explosive device in the second precinct of Lashkar Gah today afternoon killing himself and six others," deputy to provincial police chief Gul Hai Khan told Xinhua. Two more people sustained injuries in the attack, Khan said. The official said investigation is underway, without giving more details. Meanwhile, provincial police chief Agha Noor Kemtoz said all the victims were civilians. However, hospital sources in Lashkar Gah have confirmed that nine people injured from the attack had been taken to hospital for medical treatment. The poppy grown Helmand province has been the scene of bloody fighting between Taliban and government forces over the past couple of years. BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The top leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday called for centralized and unified leadership of the Party's Central Committee. The call was made at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting was chaired by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened to reports of the leading party groups of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the State Council, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. Attendees of the meeting also heard the report of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. The leading party groups of these organs should conform to the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core, and implement major policies of the CPC Central Committee, according to a statement released after the meeting. The CPC is the key to "managing China's affairs well," said the statement. The leadership of the CPC is both "the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics," according to the statement. Adhering to the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee is an important purpose of governing the Party strictly, streamlining intra-Party political life and strengthening intra-Party supervision, as well as a "fundamental political code of conduct". Attendees agreed that, during the past year, the leading party groups of the Standing Committee of the NPC, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, and the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate adhered to the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee and defended its authority. They fulfilled their responsibility in comprehensive and strict governance of the Party and standardized intra-Party political life, the statement said. These organs also concentrated on implementing major policies and decisions of the CPC Central Committee, making great contributions to the causes of the Party and the state as well as a good start to the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020). Attendees also recognized the work of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee during the past year, including helping to organize many important meetings and commemorations. Attendees of the meeting called for promoting the stable and healthy development of the economy and social stability and harmony. They also called for comprehensively governing the Party in a strict way, regulating intra-Party political life, and accepting intra-Party supervision and supervision from outside the Party. Meeting attendees urged the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee to adhere to the correct political orientation, making policies to serve the overall situation and focusing on implementation. By Xinhua Writer Wang Zhuolun BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A pioneering spirit has always shaped and will further guide Switzerland-China ties, Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Switzerland from Jan. 15-18, attending activities including the 47th World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, the Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday. The two countries established an innovative strategic partnership during then-Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann's state visit to China in April 2016, the first China has developed with a foreign country. "This new partnership is not surprising and certainly rational," said de Dardel. Innovation is a top priority among the five development concepts outlined in China's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the four others being coordination, green development, opening up and sharing. "Obviously, with China bent on furthering innovation, while Switzerland is a champion of innovation, it makes sense to refer to innovation to enrich the content of bilateral relations," de Dardel said. Stressing that Switzerland-China ties have been characterized by a number of "firsts," de Dardel said Switzerland was among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and among the first group of European countries to recognize China's market economy status. The first industrial joint venture China entered into was with Switzerland. "All these constitute the basis of our mutual trust," he said. De Dardel highlighted the importance of aligning Switzerland's "Industry 4.0" with "Made in China 2025" to enhance the bilateral innovative strategic partnership. De Dardel noted that the two strategies share the same goals of improving production, abandoning the obsolete, and jumping up the technological ladder for more sustainable development. Hailing the dramatic progress China has achieved during the past 30-plus years, de Dardel said Switzerland embraces more innovation-driven cooperation with China, the world's second-largest economy, which is committed to deepening reform. De Dardel expressed his appreciation that in the process of transformation, the Chinese economy is moving away from irrational production and toward high-quality products and services. Switzerland, upon considering the improvement and transformation of the Chinese economy, decided it warranted market economy status, de Dardel said, adding that he hopes that through adjustments, China's market economy will become more mature. "We believe inclusiveness is always better than exclusion," he stressed. Despite sluggish world economic growth, de Dardel said he is "very impressed" by China's GDP, which still grows at well above 6 percent annually, adding that the country is increasingly seen as a model to the developing world. "The contribution of the Chinese economy to globalization is more than enormous, because China is still strengthening its opening up," he added. As a dedicated supporter of multilateralism, China is on its way to playing a greater role in global economic governance, de Dardel said, listing examples such as China's successful hosting of the G20 summit, proposing and implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, and helping operate the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank. De Dardel said the two countries are always ready to break new ground. Xi Jinping will be the first Chinese president to attend the World Economic Forum annual meeting. De Dardel said Xi's presence will demonstrate China's proactive attitude toward international governance and make the world economy better. "I see it as a positive sign living up to what China has become," de Dardel said. CHENGDU, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Panda lovers can expect more spectacular views of the bear in cinemas as the first IMAX 3D panda documentary began filming on Tuesday in southwest China's Sichuan Province. "Return To Nature" documents the conservation, breeding and rehabilitation of giant pandas in a breeding base in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, and a research center in Dujiangyan City. Drew Fellman is director of the film. Filming is expected to take nine months. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and Canadian-based IMAX Corporation are cooperating on the film, which is funded by Global Cause Foundation, a U.S. non-profit. Officials from the Chengdu research base said they hope the documentary can help promote protection of giant pandas as well as Chengdu's image as an international tourist destination featuring pandas. The Global Cause Foundation has been working with the Chengdu base for many years and has set up research projects to release pandas to the wild. IMAX Corporation signed a deal with the Chengdu research base to shoot the panda documentary in October 2015. TEHRAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran is ready to start natural gas exports to Iraq as soon as Iraq makes the related payments, an Iranian energy official was quoted as saying by Press TV on Tuesday. A pipeline that connects Iran's gas network to that of Iraq has already been filled with natural gas, Iran's Deputy Petroleum Minister Amir-Hossein Zamaniniya said. "Iran is ready to start the export of gas to Iraq and Iraq is also ready to receive the gas," Zamaniniya said, adding that "However, the related letter of credit for the project is yet to be opened" by Iraq. Iran would turn on the taps once the payment was made by Baghdad, he added. Reportedly, the two countries signed an agreement for the export of natural gas from Iran's South Pars gas field to Iraq back in 2013. Based on the agreement, Iran would start exporting 25 million cubic meters a day of gas to Iraq's Sadr, Baghdad and al-Mansuriya power plants through the 270-kilometer pipeline. The project is estimated to earn Iran 3.7 billion U.S. dollars annually. AMMAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Jordanian official said his country signed Tuesday a grant agreement of 200 million U.S. dollars with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is part of a grant totaling 1.25 billion dollars to the kingdom, Imad Fakhoury, Jordan's minister of planing and international cooperation, said at a press conference. The grant, extended by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, will be used to finance a project to expand and improve the Royal Medical Service facility in Jordan's capital Amman, he said. The project, expected to be completed by 2022, includes building a new hospital with a capacity of more than 900 beds, the minister added. BEIJING/SHENYANG, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Starting in the spring semester of 2017, China's textbooks will adopt the phrase "14-year Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," marking a revision to the current wording, the Ministry of Education said Tuesday. A document on the revision, issued by the ministry, mandates textbooks fully reflect the crimes committed by Japanese troops in the war, underscoring the continuity of the 14 years of war against Japanese aggression starting in 1931. Textbooks currently use the phrase "Eight-year Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," which reflects the date of the beginning of Japan's full-scale invasion of China on July 7, 1937. China was the first nation to fight against fascist forces. The struggle started as early as September 18, 1931, when Japanese troops began their invasion of northeast China. It was intensified when Japan's full-scale invasion began after a crucial access point to Beijing, Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge, was attacked by Japanese troops on July 7, 1937. On Sept. 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a section of railway under its control near Shenyang, then accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for attack. They bombarded barracks near Shenyang the same evening, starting the 14-year bloody invasion. This was known as the September 18 Incident. "To revise 'eight-year war of resistance' into '14-year war of resistance' not only is the consensus among Chinese historians, but also conforms to historical truth," said Wang Jianxue, vice chairman of the China Association of Historians Studying Modern Chinese Historical Materials. The September 18 Incident was the start of the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese invasion, ushering in a prelude of the world anti-Fascist war and delivering a profound impact on world history, he added. As China marked the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of WWII, Chinese President Xi Jinping in July 2015 urged researchers to study events from 1931 as well as those after 1937. "We should refute with solid facts those arguments that try to distort, deny or whitewash the history of invasion," he said. From September 18, 1931 to 1933, more than 300,000 Chinese soldiers fought against Japanese troops in northeast China, according to research by the Institute of Modern History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In fact, the new wording is already used in reference textbooks in some provinces, including Liaoning. For example, a textbook on the September 18 Incident, published in 2015 in Liaoning, clearly uses the "14-year" phrase. Xiao Ling, a history teacher at a middle school in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning, welcomed the revision. "When students asked me when the beginning of the anti-Japanese war actually was, I had great difficulty explaining it to them, because compulsory textbooks use the 'eight-year' phrase," she said. The compulsory textbooks have not been revised for a long time, but research on wartime history in recent years has made the 14-year time frame for the anti-Japanese war a widely recognized conclusion, said the teacher. "More than 70 years have passed since the end of China's resistance war against Japanese invasion. Yet a large amount of historical materials still await in-depth study by Chinese historians," said Zhang Jie, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences. More than 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the anti-Japanese war. LUSAKA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A senior Zambian government official said on Tuesday that the country is still food secure despite an invasion of army worms that have destroyed large swathes of maize fields. Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya said only 10 percent or 124,000 hectares of the planted maize fields have been attacked by army worms, a situation that does not pose any threat to the country's food security. She told reporters during a weekly press briefing that the government will start distributing early maturing maize seeds to the affected farmers so that they could replant. The Zambian minister however expressed happiness over the increase in awareness, a move that was making it easy to respond to the invasions as farmers were reporting outbreaks as soon as they occur. Zambia last experienced an outbreak of army worms four years ago. The government has so far spent 20 million Zambian Kwacha (about 2 million U.S. dollars) to purchase chemicals to fight army worms, she added. Army worms have broken out in six of the country's 10 provinces, forcing the government to embark on a vigorous exercise of spraying affected fields with chemicals in order to contain the pests. Enditem KIGALI, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda is inviting more foreign direct investment (FDI) from India to boost the country's growth, following the signing of bilateral cooperation between the two countries at the sidelines of the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, a global business forum in India. The bi-annual summit which opened Tuesday is an investment promotion platform aiming towards inclusive and sustainable development is held under the theme: "sustainable economic and social development". It has convened together heads of state and governments, policy makers, heads of multinational companies, academicians and experts, as well as major Indian companies. According to a statement released by the office of the Rwanda government spokesperson, Rwanda is looking for more Indian investments for mutual benefit of the two nations. "Mindful of shared common values and mutual respect for each other, sharing the common goal of rapid economic development and promotion of investments in mutually beneficial projects is central towards strengthening relations between Rwanda and India," said the statement. Rwanda president Paul Kagame who is in India for the Gujarat Summit emphasized the need for more investments from the Asian nation to boost the growth of various sectors of the Rwandan economy. "India's long tradition of successful businesses is a good match for the ambitions and opportunities available in our countries. Trade between India and Rwanda is growing. But there is much more potential for investment and joint ventures," Rwandan leader said in a statement released on Tuesday. Kagame added that the small central African country is looking forward to more activities, including the launch of RwandAir direct flights to Mumbai in a few months. Enditem ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The number of Chinese tourists in St. Petersburg during 2017 New Year holidays has doubled in comparison to the same period of the previous year. "Interfax" reports that 4,000 Chinese tourists visited the "northern capital" of Russia during the last week of 2016 and the first week of 2017. According to the China-Russia Tourist Association "World without Borders", 45 percent of Chinese tourists in St. Petersburg are elderly people, mostly women. The total number of Chinese tourists in St. Petersburg almost doubled in 2016. Due to the increasing demand, the local Pulkovo airport offers direct flights between St. Petersburg and Beijing, Urumqi, and Shanghai. GENEVA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- After intense clashes in Mosul at the beginning of the year which forced 4,000 civilians to flee their homes in a single day, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Tuesday that displacement from the northern Iraqi city now stands at an average of 1,000 people per day. "Newly displaced people are largely moving to the south and east, where camps run by government and humanitarian partners are taking in the new arrivals and providing humanitarian assistance," OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke said in a statement. "People are also seeking shelter with friends and family members in neighbourhoods further east of frontline areas," he added. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), almost 140,000 people have fled Mosul and its adjacent districts since military operations to reclaim one of the Islamic State's (IS) last strongholds began in October 2016. Most of the displaced (78 percent) have found refuge in formal camps with the rest finding shelter in private settings, emergency sites and critical shelter arrangements. Supported by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Iraqi troops kicked off operations on Oct. 17, 2016 to recapture the city which fell into IS hands in June 2014 after government forces fled. According to reports, more than 5,000 IS militants were initially holed up in Mosul. WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on U.S. and other companies that move production out of the U.S. would undermine American competitiveness in the long term, a top U.S. trade official warned on Tuesday. Trump has pressured Ford, General Motors, Toyota and other companies to bring factories back to the United States in recent weeks, threatening to impose a "big border tax" on them if they shift production to Mexico. "When 95 percent of consumers, 80 percent of purchasing power and the fastest-growing markets for our products are outside the United States, there is a risk that if other countries followed suit we'd actually see an outflow of manufacturing from the U.S.", U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman said in an interview with Financial Times published on Tuesday, warning that the new barriers erected for U.S. exporters would hurt rather than help them in the long term. The U.S. trade official said the proposed new tax on imports would be likely to face a challenge at the World Trade Organization and also take U.S. companies out of global supply chains that are now vital to competing internationally. "If it discriminates against imports, it will raise international trade concerns and, of course, have a significant impact on any consumer or any business that relies on imports as inputs," Froman was quoted as saying. In his final keynote address as the USTR on Tuesday to the Washington International Trade Association, Froman also emphasized that disrupting trade means working class Americans paying more for the basics of life. "Tariffs are among the most regressive of all taxes. They disproportionately affect working class Americans, not the wealthy. Increasing tariffs on imports means increasing costs on those who can least afford it," he said. Froman also warned that failure by the U.S. to move forward the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal would be "a debilitating blow" to U.S. leadership and credibility in the Asian-Pacific region. Trump had made trade as a centerpiece of his presidential campaign and called for dramatic changes in U.S. trade policy, trying to appeal to angry and frustrated blue-collar voters who have seen manufacturing job loss in an increasing global economy. He had vowed to pull the country out of the TPP and punish U.S. companies for off-shoring jobs. KABUL, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates ambassador to Afghanistan was among several injured after two blasts rocked Kandahar city, capital of southern province of Kandahar on Tuesday night, sources said. "The UEA diplomats were visiting Kandahar for inauguration of a hospital there. The blasts took place inside governor's guesthouse at around 7:00 p.m. resulting in multiple casualties. The UEA ambassador, one embassy staff and Governor of Kandahar Homayoun Azizi were among the injured," a provincial source told Xinhua. The initial information found that at least five people were killed and more than one dozen people were injured in the incident, the source told Xinhua anonymously, adding that the wounded people were in stable condition "More information about the incident will be released later," he said. Further details about the incident are still forthcoming amid the absence of any official statement. Furthermore, the toll from two suicide blasts that rocked earlier on Tuesday the Kabul city, capital of Afghanistan, has risen to 28, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday night, adding among the killed were four police officers and four women. It said about 64 persons, including four policemen, were injured by the bombings which targeted the a moving bus which was carrying government employees in Dar-ul-Amand locality of the city. The Taliban militant group has claimed responsibility for Kabul attack while no group has taken credit for the Kandahar explosions so far. An Iraqi army soldier takes position during a battle against the Islamic State (IS) group near the Fourth Bridge over the Tigris River connecting eastern and western Mosul on January 10, 2017. (AFP/Xinhua) MOSUL, Iraq, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Tuesday advanced further inside the eastern side of the Islamic State stronghold in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq, as fierce clashes continued against the extremist militants, the Iraqi military said. In the eastern front, the elite forces of Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) completely freed the neighborhood of Sukkar and made significant progress in the adjacent neighborhood of Siddeeq, amid fierce clashes with the extremist militants, a statement by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said. The battles in the two neighborhoods left some 20 militants killed and a booby-trapped car destroyed, the statement said. Meanwhile, the CTS commandos freed al-Dhubbat neighborhood and took part of the adjacent neighborhood of al-Maliyah, leaving dozens of IS militants killed and two of their car bombs destroyed, the source said. Several governmental offices were recaptured during Tuesday's advance, including communication complex, provincial electricity department and a security headquarters, the source added. The latest CTS advance pushed the IS militants to blow up sections of two bridges to prevent the government forces from launching operations to retake the western side of Mosul across the Tigris, according to the statement. Mosul's five bridges across the Tigris had already been partially damaged by the U.S.-led coalition airstrikes to slow the movement of the IS militants between the two sides of the city. In the southeastern front, the Iraqi federal police and army soldiers pushed further into the neighborhoods of al-Salam, Palestine, Sumer, Yarimja and Sahiron amid heavy fighting with IS militants, leaving dozens of IS militants killed and destroying two vehicles carrying heavy machine guns, the statement said. In the northern front, the army soldiers backed by international aircraft started in the morning their advance into the neighborhood of al-Hadbaa despite stiff resistance by the extremist militants, while the troops managed to retake control of the northern part of the adjacent neighborhood of Sabaa Nisan, leaving some 25 militants killed and five booby-trapped vehicles destroyed, it added. The battles in Mosul came as the CTS commandos, army troops and federal police launched on Dec. 29 the second phase of a major offensive to free Mosul. The troops made their new push into several neighborhoods in the eastern side of Mosul, locally known as the left bank of the Tigris River. Last month, battles in Mosul had been slowed as extremist militants used locals as human shields, resorted to suicide car bombs and made mortar and sniper attacks in stiff resistance. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a recent report that the military operations in Mosul, have pushed about 136,000 civilians to flee their homes in the city and its adjacent districts since the beginning of military offensive in October to reclaim the IS largest stronghold in Iraq. More than 1.5 million people were trapped in the city of roughly two million population previously. Cold winter worsened the conditions for the displaced people who suffered severe shortages of food and water, while camps and other emergency shelters reached maximum capacity. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Oct. 17 announced a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city. Since then, Iraqi security forces, backed by international coalition forces, have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city. 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. Related: Iraqi forces recapture 3 neighborhoods from IS in Mosul WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday warned the incoming administration against upending the Iran nuclear deal, saying that such move could cause conflict and damage U.S. credibility. Speaking at an event at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, Kerry said he is "absolutely confident" that Tehran's route to building a nuclear weapon has been blocked after the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal reached in 2015. "Now, if that were just arbitrarily undone, we' re going back to a place of conflict almost immediately," Kerry warned. "We'll also reduce our credibility in the world, because I suspect the Russians and the Chinese and the French and the Germans and the British will just continue the deal," he said. "Then you're right back where you were, where we had pressures on us to go bomb Iran. Believe me, there were pressures," the top U.S. diplomat said. "So it doesn't make sense, and I believe reason will win out." U.S. President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly criticized the Iran nuclear deal during his campaign last year, calling it "the worst deal ever negotiated." He also suggested that he would force Iran to return to the negotiating table or risk the accord being dismantled. Bob Corker, Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said last week that he didn't expect Trump to abruptly "tear up" the Iran nuclear deal after taking office on Jan. 20. Corker, who was opposed to the nuclear accord when it was finalized in 2015, said the Iran deal was "flawed," but to abruptly abandon the agreement backed by major countries would create an international crisis. Iran and six world major countries -- the United States, Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany -- reached an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in July 2015 that puts Tehran on the path of sanctions relief but more strict limits on its nuclear program. Related: Chinese monks perform Chinese Shaolin martial arts at a theater in Nicosia, capital of Cyprus, on Jan. 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Christos Theodorides) NICOSIA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot officials and fans crammed into a theater here on Tuesday night to watch a unique performance of Chinese Shaolin martial arts. The performance was part of the "Happy Chinese New Year" cultural events and supported by the Chinese Embassy to Cyprus and the Cypriot Ministry of Education and Culture and the Nicosia Municipality. In an address to the gathering read by a ministry official, Cypriot Education Minister Costas Kadis noted that the event offered a unique experience and the opportunity for Cypriots to witness one of the most ancient styles of martial arts developed more than 1.500 years ago by the monks of the legendary Shaolin Temple. Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Huang Xingyuan said while addressing the gathering that such events contribute to a deepening of the traditional friendship of Cyprus and China and to the strengthening of relations between the two countries and peoples. Education ministry officials, academics, officers of the Cypriot National Guard and the Police, foreign diplomats based in Cyprus, Chinese expatriates and local fans of Chinese martial arts watched the performance. UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The UN relief wing reported on Tuesday that nearly 140,000 people have been internally displaced as a result of the fighting in Iraq's Mosul where fierce clashes continued to drive out the Islamic State (IS) militants. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a daily briefing that trauma cases remained extremely high as 683 people from eastern Mosul needed to be sent to hospitals in other cities this week, citing UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Dujarric said humanitarian partners have reached 50,000 people in eastern Mosul with food, water and hygiene items; while there was no humanitarian access to IS-controlled areas of western Mosul where humanitarian concerns are increasing. Last year in October, Iraqi troops kicked off operations to recapture Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, which has been under IS control since June 2014. More than 1.5 million people were trapped in the city. Cold winter worsened the conditions for the displaced people who suffered from severe shortages of food and water. WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The number of people in the world with elevated blood pressure has increased substantially in the past 25 years, putting billions at an increased risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, a new study said Tuesday. Researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation of the University of Washington analyzed 844 studies from 154 countries that included 8.69 million participants to examine the health burden associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. According to the study published in the U.S. journal JAMA, systolic blood pressure of at least 110 mm Hg has been related to multiple cardiovascular and kidney outcomes, including ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. It found that the rate of SBP of at least 110 to 115 mm Hg increased from 73,119 for every 100,000 people in 1990 to 81,373 per 100,000 in 2015 and that SBP of 140 mm Hg or higher, a condition known as hypertension, increased from 17,307 people in 1990 to 20,526 per 100,000 persons. Overall, an estimated 3.5 billion individuals had an SBP level of at least 110 to 115 mm Hg and 874 million individuals had hypertension in 2015. Meanwhile, elevated SBP was associated with more than 10 million deaths in 2015, a 1.4-fold increase since 1990, making it the leading global contributor to preventable death. The largest numbers of those deaths were due to ischemic heart disease (4.9 million), hemorrhagic stroke (2.0 million) and ischemic stroke (1.5 million), the study said. "These estimates are concerning," the researchers wrote, adding that "the global obesity epidemic may further increase SBP in some populations." The study also found China, India, Russia, Indonesia, and the United State accounted for more than half of the lost life-years due to elevated SBP. "Both the projected number and prevalence rate of SBP of at least 110 to 115 mm Hg are likely to continue to increase globally," the study said. "These findings support increased efforts to control the burden of SBP of at least 110 to 115 mm Hg to reduce disease burden." RABAT, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Morocco on Tuesday approved the constituent act of the African Union (AU) as part of its bid to rejoin the organization, Morocco World News reported. A council of ministers adopted the act, its additional protocol and the bill on the approval of the above-mentioned act in the Royal Palace in Marrakech, the report said. The adoption of the act comes under the implementation of the royal decision announced by the King Mohammed VI on the 27th African Summit, held last July in Kigali, the Royal Palace Spokesperson Abdelhak Lamrini said following the council meeting. Morocco left the Organization of African Unity, which later became the African Union, in 1984 after it recognized Western Sahara's independence. The North African country made an official request in last September to join the African Union. In recent weeks, the King has toured several African countries seeking support for the bid. Enditem COPENHAGEN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A 45-year-old father was believed to have killed his wife and four children before taking his own life in the Danish town of Ulstrup in Jutland peninsula, local media reported on Tuesday, citing police sources. The deaths of the six members of the family were discovered around noon on Monday after local police received a report about suspicious circumstances at the address, according to Danish news agency Ritzau. The police investigation has shown that it was a "family tragedy" whereby the 42-year-old mother, two boys, 3 and 11 years old respectively, and two girls aged 6 and 16, have been murdered by the father. East Jutland Police ruled out on Tuesday that gas leak has been the cause of the deaths. "Based on the information available in this case, the police's initial assessment is that the four children and the 42-year-old woman all have been killed by the 45-year-old man, who then took his own life," the police said in a press release. The motive of the killings remains unknown. The case has shocked the nation, where a similar tragedy happened a few months ago. In October last year, a 27-year-old Syrian woman and her two daughters were found dead in a freezer in an apartment in the country's southern city of Aabenraa. The woman's husband, also the father of the children, is suspected of having strangled his wife and two children. He is internationally wanted. ANKARA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in the Turkish capital of Ankara announced banning public gatherings for a month starting on Tuesday, after a controversial vote on the constitutional change to presidential system. "All gatherings and marches have been prohibited for one month due to security reasons," the press office of Ankara's mayor announced in a statement. The statement comes a day after police dispersed a demonstration by Turkish opposition near the parliament in Ankara against the government's efforts to give more powers to the president. Earlier on Tuesday, the national parliament, Turkish Grand National Assembly passed a motion to launch the debate on a bill that seeks to introduce an executive presidency which grants President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wide-ranging powers. UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has confirmed that all formed police units, who were not vaccinated at the time of their arrival, have now been given the cholera vaccine, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday. "A second dose, for those who have not had it, is being administered or will be in the coming days," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters here. Reports said that peacekeepers from India who landed in the Caribbean country last year in July-August have failed to get the required vaccinations. "Cholera vaccination is mandatory for all peacekeepers deploying to peacekeeping operations and it is the responsibility of Member States to ensure that their personnel are vaccinated for all mandatory vaccinations prior to deployment," said Dujarric. "Should troops deploy into a mission area without the required vaccinations, the supporting Mission takes measures to provide them," he noted. "All costs incurred are deducted from the reimbursement to the troop and police contributing countries." Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacteria. It can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea. It is believed that cholera epidemic was introduced to Haiti by UN peacekeepers from Nepal, where cholera is endemic, after a massive earthquake hit Haiti in 2010. Over the past six years, cholera has afflicted nearly 800,000 people and claimed the lives of more than 9,000 Haitians. LISBON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A solemn sitting at the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon took place before a state funeral was held on Tuesday for former Portuguese president Mario Soares. The monastery was the exact place where Soares signed the treaty to join the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1985. Brought into the center stage of the room by six soldiers, the coffin was covered entirely with the Portuguese national flag. The national anthem was played and emotional speeches were given by Soares' son, Joao, and daughter, Isabel. A video message from Prime Minister Antonia Costa, who's currently on a state visit to India, was shown on a large screen. And the President of Parliament Eduardo Rodrigues and President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also spoke. "He was the face and the voice of freedom in Portugal," Costa said in his video message. Several international figures came to Portugal to attend the ceremony, including the King of Spain Felipe VI, Brazilian President Michel Temer and President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. After the ceremony, six F-16 fighters flew above the monastery, and then the coffin was taken to Prazeres cemetery in Lisbon, escorted by guards and 84 horses. There were brief stops on the way to the cemetery, including the presidential palace, the Socialist Party headquarters, the Portuguese Parliament and the Mario Soares Foundation. Hundreds of people waited outside the Prazeres cemetery in Lisbon to bid the last farewell to Soares. "I lived near him (Soares)," Maria Rodrigues, 78, told Xinhua while waiting for the coffin to be brought into the cemetery. "We were living under a dictatorship and I really admire him for the freedom he gave us." Three gun salutes were given and an orchestra played music to honor the former president before the coffin was carried inside by six soldiers. "I am here because I inherited a friendship with him (Soares) from my father who was a doctor. I had much affection for him, he was generous without limits and had an extraordinary sense of humor," Miguel Rodrigues Pereira, 56, said as the coffin arrived. Sores was widely known in Portugal as one of the founding fathers of the country's democracy after a bloodless coup on Apirl 25, 1974, when the dictatorship of Oliveira Salazar was overthrown. He was the first freely elected prime minister after the coup. He was also co-founder of Portugal's Socialist Party and prime minister of Portugal from 1976 to 1978 and from 1983 to 1985. He served as president for two consecutive five-year terms from 1986. He also served as foreign minister and an MP of the European Parliament. When he served as foreign minister he negotiated the Portuguese entry into what is today the European Union. Three days of national mourning, which started on Monday, were declared on Saturday, the day Mario Soares passed away at the Red Cross Hospital in Lisbon at age of 92. Soares died of respiratory complications that left him in a profound coma after he was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 13 last year. On Wednesday there will be a remembrance service taking place at the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon. The Toyota Concept-i vehicle is revealed during the Toyota press conference at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 4, 2017. (AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN) by Zhang Chaoqun LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- This year's international Consumer Electronics Show (CES) gave visitors a glimpse of what could be technology's most radical upheaval yet, the introduction of autonomous cars and trucks in Las Vegas. The show, largest of its kind in the world, held between Jan.5 and 8, attracting over 3,800 companies from various countries and regions. At its more than 2.6 million net square feet (about 242,000 square meters) show space, CES 2017 attracted about 165,000 attendees. What kind of cars we are driving in the future commands the spotlight of this year's CES. From safety systems and vehicle-to-vehicle communications to improved voice recognition and new 3D interfaces, a various range of car-related technologies have been displayed. Vehicle technology will span more than 200,000 net square feet (about 18,500 square meters) of exhibit space and feature nearly 140 exhibitors, setting record of this kind at CES. Autonomous driving and related technology sees its big step forward development at this year's CES compared with it in last year. Vehicle technology is making driving safer and drivers more connected. "This is a transformative time in automotive," said Patrick Little, Qualcomm's automotive senior vice president and general manager. "The pace of innovation is unprecedented." The automotive industry is being driven by a desire to bring safety to the next level, said Little, and he illustrated three technologies assisting the movement: high-speed, high-quality connectivity; "electrification" and moving away from fossil fuels and toward efficient vehicles; and autonomous driving. "The center of all these transformations is intelligently connecting everything to the car," said Little. "Connecting to the car in front of you for braking, being to talk to the network, and being able to success the Cloud." These things are the foundation for any move forward in automotive, particularly in the path to autonomous driving, he added. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 35,000 people in the country are killed in car crasher each year, and hundreds of thousands more are injured. More than 90 percent of car crashes are caused by human error. Self-driving vehicles may have the power to save the lives of tens of thousands of motorists every year, said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the U.S. Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the show organizer. At the beginning day of CES, Nissan Motor unveiled its vision for future vehicles. Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of Nissan Motor Corporation announced that the next-generation Nissan Leaf electric vehicle will come with the semi-autonomous ProPilot system, as well as the company's plans to launch their Seamless Autonomous Mobility (SAM) system. Developed from NASA technology, SAM enables a "human in the loop" approach to autonomous driving, which monitors a vehicle's path from a distance, providing peace of mind to drivers. "The destructive triangle of autonomous drive technology, electric vehicles, connected cars and services means we will see more change in the next ten years than we did in the last 50," said Ghosn. "By 2030, 15 percent of new vehicles sold could be fully autonomous." Even for Chinese internet and tech company LeEco, an ambitious next generation car blueprint has been carried out. Faraday Future, a start-up company invested by Chinese typhoon Jia Yueting, chairman of LeEco , unveiled its first commercial vehicle FF91 last Tuesday, claiming this was not only "the fastest accelerating electric car in the world", but also one with connectivity, intelligence and performance that surpassed those in the market. According to Faraday Future, FF 91 is able to hit 100 km per hour in 2.39 seconds, which would narrowly beat out the previous 2.4 seconds record by Tesla Model S. It also beat Ferrari 488 and the Bentley SUV. In terms of battery range, the vehicle could run up to around 700 kilometers on a single charge. "I think there are a lot of companies that make the electric cars. But I don't think any of them are combing the vehicle with the Internet the way that we are. I don't think any of them are combing with autonomous and smart driving and connected and shared vehicle like we are," claimed Peter Savagian, vice president of Faraday Future Propulsion Engineering. No matter where the vehicle company is located or whoever invested it, the future of cars will be different. Autonomous driving is coming towards consumers. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A new research indicates that parasite-carrying snails can travel long distances, up to 27 miles, or 44 kilometers, spreading a deadly disease along the way. Led by a researcher with the University of California, Berkeley, the study published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases was the first to find genetic evidence for long-distance movements among snails that pose an important public health threat. "We don't think of snails as particularly mobile, but the genetic evidence we found that snails can traverse substantial distances is a reminder of just how difficult it is to contain and control infectious diseases carried by animals and insects," said Justin Remais, an associate professor of environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley. Freshwater snails transmit schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that affects more than 240 million people worldwide. Each snail can contaminate the water that people work, swim or wash in with many parasites, so movement of just one snail to a new area could introduce the disease in a previously healthy population. Therefore, understanding how disease-carrying snails move is critical for designing ways to limit their spread. For the study, researchers traveled to villages in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, and collected and analyzed the genetic makeup of hundreds of snails that carry parasites. They collected snails from their natural habitat along waterways that crisscross rice and other agricultural fields, and then analyzed the genetic material from these snails in labs at the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and at Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany. While the snails' genetic information suggested nearly one-quarter of the snails in the study had migrated from another location, the evidence for long-distance movement suggested the snails travel both under their own power and with a significant helping hand, namely by rafting on vegetation in water, being transported in agricultural products and getting carried by birds or other animals. In addition, the study found that human modifications to the landscape may determine where snails move. Movement was most likely to occur across land that had been developed for agriculture, and areas with expansive irrigation networks were most likely to receive and retain migrating snails. "Changes to our environment can facilitate or limit the spread of vectors and hosts, and so we need research that helps us fully understand the consequences of human activities for the spread of the diseases they carry," Remais said in a news release from UC Berkeley this week. SYDNEY, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Australian dollar remained firm overnight despite a slight recovery in the greenback after U.S. treasury yields rose following upbeat economic data. At the Asian open on Wednesday, the local unit was trading at 73.69 U.S. cents, slightly lower than the 73.74 U.S. cent close on Tuesday. The strength in the unit was supported from higher iron ore prices after encouraging Chinese economic activity lifted broader base metals, Commonwealth Bank of Australia senior currency strategist Elias Haddad said in a note to clients. "This will lead to a further improvement in Australia's terms of trade and raise the fundamental value of AUD," Haddad said. At 1019 local time (AEDT), the Australian dollar was trading at 73.63 U.S. cents. by Matt Walsh CANBERRA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has vowed to crack down on the abuse of politicians' entitlements, following revelations that ministers were charging taxpayers to travel for seemingly private purposes. On Monday, Health Minister Sussan Ley agreed to stand aside while the government investigated claims she used taxpayer money to travel to the Gold Coast and purchase a private property, while, on Wednesday, investigations have revealed other ministers have also billed the public for attending public events. Ley has come under further fire for refusing to rationalize why she spent more than 9,500 U.S dollars to pilot a private plane between major cities instead of taking a cheaper commercial option, while Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Transport Minister Darren Chester and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann have also been asked to explain unusual claims. The heath minister, who is a licensed pilot, spent 5,150 dollars on chartering a propeller plane from Canberra to Adelaide - a flight which would have cost just 140 dollars had she flown economy class commercially, or 600 dollars for a business class ticket. A spokesperson for Ley told Fairfax Media on Wednesday that the Health Minister would not be commenting on accusations while the government investigates. "Ms Ley, who has stepped aside from her ministerial position, is cooperating fully with these reviews and will await their outcomes. At this stage, it would be premature and inappropriate to be commenting before the release of the findings of these thorough reviews," the statement said. Also under fire is Foreign Minister Julie Bishop who billed the public 2,000 dollars to attend a polo match as a guest of beer brand Peroni and car manufacturer Jeep, while Mathias Cormann and Trade Minister Steve Ciobo had taxpayers foot the bill for their travel expenses to Melbourne to attend the AFL Grand Final in 2013. Both men were guests of bank NAB, and received complimentary tickets and hospitality. According to the government's Ministerial Standards, MPs and Senators are allowed to claim for travel, but it must be reasonable and to get to-and-from official business. "Ministers must be scrupulous in ensuring the legitimacy and accuracy of any claim for entitlement to ministerial, parliamentary or travel allowance," the standards read. "Although their public lives encroach upon their private lives, it is critical that ministers do not use public office for private purposes." Opposition MPs were not immune to probing, either; shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen was found to have spent more than 7,000 dollars on a family trip to Darwin while he met with government interests during the school holiday period. The news comes a year after the federal speaker, Bronwyn Bishop stood down after it was revealed she billed Australian taxpayers more than 3,500 dollars to charter a helicopter from Melbourne to Geelong to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser - a trip which would have taken one hour in a car. At the time, the government vowed to crack down on parliamentary benefits, ordering a review of the expenses system, but Guardian Australia revealed just three of the 36 recommendations from the review were ever implemented. Government spokesperson Kelly O'Dwyer on Tuesday said the government would take action to end any unscrupulous spending by MPs and Senators. "The Australian people expect that parliamentarians adhere to very high standards when it comes to claiming of work expenses," O'Dwyer said. "The government does respect the Australian people, which is why we are the government that is actually taking action in relation to changing and cleaning up this system. There are many governments before that have ducked this issue. The Turnbull Government is dealing with it. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the government was all talk, demanding change from the Prime Minister. "Kelly O'Dwyer may well have said all the right things, But so did Mathias Cormann way back in March 2016 and virtually nothing's changed," he said late Tuesday. SYDNEY, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Elderly people who care for others live longer than those who don't, an Australian study has found. The study, released by Western Australia's (WA) Edith Cowan University (ECU) on Wednesday, found that grandparents who provide occasional care for their grandchildren live up to five years longer than those who don't. The research found that half of the elderly people who provided occasional care for grandchildren or other members of the community lived for up to five more years after first being interviewed for the research. Alternatively, half of those who did not provide care died within five years of the initial interview. David Coall, a researcher from ECU's School of Medical and Health Sciences, said the study showed caregiving helped improve longevity among the elderly. "This research shows the positive link between caregiving and a longer lifespan in older people however we can only speculate as to why," Coall said in a media release on Wednesday. "Previous research points to helping behaviour as a stress buffer which involves, for example, the hormone oxytocin which can strengthen bonding between people. "This link could be a mechanism deeply rooted in our evolutionary past when help with childcare was crucial for the survival of the human species." He said that the benefits of caregiving clearly extended beyond looking after grandchildren. "Older people who cared for their own adult children or other members of the community showed the same increase in longevity," he said. However, separate research conducted by Coall's team at ECU found that elderly people who cared for their grandchildren full-time exhibited negative physical and mental health impacts.. Coall said there was no strict limit for the amount of time an elderly person should care for another, rather that it depended on the person in each case. "It is very important that every individual decides for themselves what 'moderate amounts of help' means," he said. "As long as you do not feel stressed about the intensity of help you provide you may be doing something good for others as well as for yourself." Residents visit the exhibition of Chinese calligraphy and characters at the National Library of Peru in Lima, capital of Peru, on Jan. 9, 2017. The show has toured over 20 countries and regions since its inception in 2013 by China to serve as a platform for cultural exchange and promotion. (Xinhua/Luis Camacho) LIMA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The evolution of China's unique and complex writing system went on show this week at Peru's National Library here, attracting locals' attention and interest. The traveling exhibition, which has visited more than 15 countries so far, traces the origins of China's extensive "alphabet," which includes thousands of characters, dating back to its earliest manifestations as Bronze Age inscriptions that were carved on bones or turtle shells. More than 50 descriptive panels also feature China's varied writing styles, including artistic calligraphy on silk, paper and woven bamboo. "In recent years, as friendly ties between China and Peru have grown, so has the desire in Peru to learn the Chinese language," Zhu Xiaoyan, a cultural attache in the Chinese embassy to Peru, said at the opening on Monday. Also on hand was famed Chinese calligrapher Feng Kejian, who is also the permanent deputy director of the National Museum of Chinese Writing in Anyang, one of the eight ancient capitals of China and where historic oracle bones were discovered. "Writing is humanity's greatest invention and Chinese characters are living fossils of human civilization, a common heritage of humanity," said Feng. Peru's Deputy Minister of Culture Ana Castillo noted that economic relations between Peru and China were strong enough to inspire greater mutual curiosity and closer cultural ties. "The inauguration of this traveling exhibit offers us a chance to strengthen the fraternal feelings" between the two peoples, said Castillo. Castillo said the exhibition highlighted the fact that writing "in China is more than just spelling, it is also an art. That is what we Peruvians endlessly and deeply admire." The opening ceremony featured demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy on rice paper with ink and brush, through which visitors could get a firsthand look at how characters are composed of varied strokes. Alejandro Garcia, a student, said: "I find the different Chinese characters they have demonstrated interesting. It's important that they have shown us the history of the Chinese language, one of the six official languages used at the United Nations." "It is very important to have these cultural and educational exchanges between China and Peru," he added. Since its inception in 2013, the exhibition has traveled to Canada, the United States, Germany, France, Russia, India, Japan and other countries. YANGON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has called on donor organizations and individuals in the country to make donation and take an active part in the implementation of the peace process by contributing as much as possible to the peace fund of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC). A bank account SF-004048 of the NRPC- Peace Fund has been opened at the Myanmar Economic Bank, Nay Pyi Taw branch for the purpose, said the NRPC in a statement made public Wednesday. These funds will be allocated equitably and effectively in a beneficial manner, the statement said. To handle international assistance for the peace process, Myanmar had also formed the Joint Coordinating Body For Peace Process Funding (JCB) on Dec, 20, 2016, chaired by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar government has been placing special emphasis in the national reconciliation an peace process with a view to finding a solution for political problems through political means through negotiation and holding the 21st Century Panglong Conference. The first 21st Century Panglong Conference was held in Nay Pyi Taw in Aug-Sept 2016, while the second is planned for February. Aung San Suu Kyi has pledged her commitment to achieving lasting peace in the country in 2017, anticipating that the country's peace making efforts will meet with success in the year. Suu Kyi called on all people of the country to march with purity of mind towards national reconciliation and peace as from the new year day. Meanwhile, Myanmar's first regional national political dialogues between the government, armed groups and political parties began in Tanintharyi region, southernmost part of the country, on Jan. 5. The dialogues is taking place in three districts of the region, namely Dawei, Myeik and Kawthaung separately until Jan. 17 and the dialogue for the whole region will be finalized on Jan. 23-25. The regional national political dialogues for other two regions such as Kayin state and Nay Pyi Taw Council area will follow. The outcome of all regional dialogues will be submitted to the Second Panglong Peace Conference in February in accordance with the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral ties between China and Argentina "have reached a very high level" in politics, trade and culture, a Chinese diplomat highlighted Tuesday. Wang Liang, the charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in Argentina, emphasized that Feb. 19 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. "2017 is a highly significant year for the bilateral relations between China and Argentina," said Wang in an interview with Xinhua. "First because it will coincide with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Argentina," said the Chinese diplomat. "Then, in the first half of the year, (Argentine) President Mauricio Macri will visit China. This will be a very important milestone for bilateral relations," added Wang. "Political trust between the two countries has risen significantly, as well as pragmatic cooperation. China is Argentina's second trading partner, the first destination for Argentina's agricultural exports, and the third foreign investor in the country," he emphasized. Equally, China has become a partner for Argentina's most emblematic projects, including hydroelectric and nuclear plants, as well as building railways, clean energy plants and housing. "Looking to the future, we will make joint efforts with Argentina to build a stronger comprehensive strategic partnership that is more beneficial for both nations and peoples," he stated. Wang stressed that "using the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and President Macri's visit to China, we will have more successes and more ties in politics, trade, culture and other areas." Recently, Chinese ambassador to Argentina Yang Wanming told Xinhua that both sides would organize a series of activities to celebrate the anniversary. The ambassador said this "45th anniversary should be taken as a new opportunity ... to help all types of exchanges and mutual visits to deepen knowledge and friendship between our societies." MANILA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Filipinos see no need to impose martial law at this point to solve the many crises facing the country, a recent poll said Wednesday. A survey by Pulse Asia Research said 74 percent of the 1,200 Filipinos surveyed in December disagreed with the view that martial law may be necessary now in order to resolve the various problems being faced by the country. Talks about the possible imposition of martial law cropped up after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte floated the idea of suspending the privilege of the habeas corpus in December. But Duterte insisted he had no plan of placing the country under martial rule. "This is the prevailing opinion in all geographic areas, socio-economic classes and age groupings, as well as among both men and women," the polling agency said in a report. It said disagreement is more marked among (those surveyed) in Manila. Only 12 percent of those surveyed agreed with the need to have martial rule in the country today, while 14 percent expressed indecision on the matter. Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law in September 1972 and was forced to lift it in January 1981 amid mounting criticism from the international community. BOGOTA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The FARC guerrilla movement will fully disarm within 180 days and its members will reincorporate civilian life to form a political party, the Colombian government announced Tuesday. General Javier Florez, commander of the Strategic Transition Command, confirmed at a press conference that the timeline to disarm the country's largest rebel group was proceeding well. "Ninety percent of the grouped FARC are within 10 km of each zone. 10 percent are moving towards sites very close to the ZVTN (transition zones)," he said. The government led by President Juan Manuel Santos has recently signed a peace deal with FARC, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, to end five decades of fighting. On Tuesday, FARC commander-in-chief Timoleon Jimenez said FARC fighters have begun "concentration in several regions of the country without major mishaps." In another development, the UN mission in Colombia last week fired a supervisor and three observers after they celebrated a year-end party with FARC guerrillas. The decision was taken after various media published pictures of the party, where UN members could be seen dancing with FARC members. This led Colombia to ask the UN to maintain the neutrality of their verification mission in transition zones. SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korean exports posted a double-digit increase in the first 10 days of this year, indicating a recovery in the economy's main growth engine, customs data showed on Wednesday. Overseas shipments amounted to 11.6 billion U.S. dollars during the Jan. 1-10 period, up 37.7 percent from the same period of last year, according to Statistics Korea. The country's exports declined 5.9 percent in September and 3.2 percent in October each, before rebounding 2.5 percent in November and 6.4 percent in December respectively. The export expansion in early January boosted optimism that the export-driven economy could recover by help of strong global demand for locally-made products. Demand for oil products more than doubled in the cited period, with those for chips and steel products posting a double-digit expansion. Shipments of telecommunication devices, including smartphones, retreated 25.8 percent, and those for ships shed 0.7 percent. Exports to China, South Korea's largest trading partner, jumped 45.3 percent, with those to the United States and Japan rising 33.5 percent and 16.4 percent each. Those to Vietnam almost doubled in early January. WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The gunman who killed nine black churchgoers in 2015 was sentenced to death by a federal jury Tuesday. Dylann Roof, 22, was found guilty of 33 counts of crime, including hate crime, the jury concluded after a two-phase trial. Roof, who had admitted that his actions were driven by racial hate, did not show any sign of remorse during the trial and denied that he had mental health problems. The execution of death penalties is currently on hold due to concerns over injection drugs, which means it could be years before Roof is put to death. Nine people were killed in the evening of June 17, 2015 at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina in what the authorities described as "a hate crime" by a white gunman, later identified as Roof. According to the police, Roof stayed at a prayer meeting for almost one hour before opening fire. A law enforcement official was quoted by the U.S. TV network CNN as saying that witnesses told them that the suspect said he was at the church "to shoot black people." Roof was captured by police on the following morning of the shooting. The case sparked wide anger in the U.S. society and an effort to root out remaining traces of racism in the Southern U.S. state. The confederate flag was removed from the statehouse as a result of the shooting. CANBERRA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government will look to tax all online transactions, Treasurer Scott Morrison said on Wednesday, as part of a so-called 'tax strike' on the rapidly-growing digital economy. Currently, the government is unable to tax all of Australia's approximately 10 billion Australian dollars (7.37 billion U.S. dollars) annual online transactions, however Morrison told News Corp on Wednesday that as Australia moves towards a modern, cashless economy, the government must keep up to ensure the tax system remains "modern". He said after imposing the "Google" and "Netflix" taxes, which ensure multinational corporations and online services are properly taxed for all sales in Australia, the government is taking aim at the wider online and digital marketplace to ensure everybody is paying their fair share of tax. "You've got to make sure your tax base is just not comprehensive but make sure it is modern," the Treasurer told News Corp. "That's not a criticism of anything previously, but you've got to make sure it is keeping pace with the digital economy." "The tax system will have to change to embrace the new world order when it comes to technology and how people are consuming services," Morrison said. "The thing about the digital economy is that it is all automatic," Morrison said, adding he expects to introduce changes to the tax system at the May budget. WELLINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- One of the world's biggest asset finance and leasing companies, China-based HNA Group, has purchased its first foothold in New Zealand. ANZ Bank New Zealand Ltd., one of New Zealand's biggest commercial banks, said Wednesday that HNA had agreed to buy its asset finance business, UDC Finance, for 660 million NZ dollars (461.47 million U.S. dollars). ANZ New Zealand CEO David Hisco said the purchase price represented a price-to-book ratio of 1.6 times of net assets of 424 million NZ dollars (296.46 million dollars) as of September 2016. UDC Finance, which specializes in asset-based finance to New Zealand businesses for plant, vehicles and equipment, was performing well, Hisco said in a statement. "HNA is well placed to invest in specialist asset finance products and systems which will help UDC expand further in the future," said Hisco. "UDC's highly diversified portfolio offers significant growth opportunities in Australasia and supports HNA Group's disciplined approach to expand our core tourism, logistics and financial services businesses," HNA Group Vice Chairman and CEO Adam Tan said in the statement. Founded in 1993, HNA Group has evolved from a regional airline based on China's Hainan island into a global company with over 90 billion dollars of assets and almost 200,000 employees across North America, Europe and Asia. The UDC sale was subject to closing steps and regulatory approvals, and completion was expected late in 2017. KATHMANDU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's parliament on Tuesday endorsed a bill on Bank and Financial Institution Act (BAFIA), barring lawmakers and other people holding constitutional posts from becoming directors of banking institutions. Four lawmakers in the Nepalese parliament are now directors of banks in Nepal. Once the bill becomes a law, they will have to give up their posts in respective banks. BAFIA is one of the laws introduced to bring reform in the banking sector after the country's banking sector suffered from bad corporate governance practices. There are still 11 financial institutions declared by Nepal's central bank as crisis-ridden. They had landed in trouble due to bad banking practices with the involvement of directors and chief executives. When the bill on the BAFIA was introduced in the Nepalese parliament last year, the lawmakers were divided over whether they should be allowed to become directors of any banking institutions. Finally, the lawmakers agreed on barring lawmakers and other people holding constitutional posts to hold director posts of banks as long as they remain in the constitutional system. Nepal's central bank and the Finance Ministry had proposed such provisions, considering that allowing lawmakers to hold such posts would be a conflict of interest. HO CHI MINH CITY, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A former chairman of the executive board of a Vietnamese bank has been arrested on charges of involving in lending wrongdoings, local media reported Wednesday. Hoang Van Toan, former chairman of Dai Tin Bank, or Trustbank (formerly Vietnam Construction Bank), was arrested by local police on Tuesday, online newspaper VnExpress reported. Toan and some other members of the executive board have been accused of violating lending regulations, causing losses of hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars. In September 2016, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court handed down an 18-year imprisonment sentence on Pham Cong Danh, 51, the Vietnam Construction Bank's former chairman for intentionally acting against the state's economic management regulations, resulting in serious consequences. The court also handed down a 20-year imprisonment sentence on him for violating lending regulations in operations of credit institutions. Among the economic loss of 9,000 billion Vietnamese dong (over 400 million U.S. dollars) that Danh and his accomplices caused to the bank between 2012 and 2014, some 6,000 billion Vietnamese dong has been retrieved, said the court. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's top procuratorate and a military authority issued a circular on addressing crimes that violate national defense interests or servicemen's rights. The circular, jointly issued by the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Central Military Commission's political and legal affairs commission, was made public on Wednesday. It outlined how the procuratorial authorities and military procuratorates would collaborate in this regard. Crimes that the two authorities aim to address with the joint campaign included sabotage of military equipment or facilities, posing as a member of the armed forces to commit fraudulent activities, the illegal production and sale of military uniforms, and acts that violate the rights and interests of the country's servicemen and their relatives. The two sides will also work together to handle disputes, ensuring social harmony and the purity and consolidation of the military. Moreover, the circular requires the military and civilian judicial organs to work together on countercorruption measures and supervision of use of power, especially in the fields of project construction, purchase and soldier recruitment. Wednesday's circular is a revision to a previous document issued in 2012. UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Tuesday condemned the terrorist attacks which took place in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, as well as in its second largest city Kandahar. Two suicide blasts rocked Kabul earlier Tuesday, killing 28 people and injuring several others. The Taliban militant group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Also on Tuesday, two blasts hit the residence of the provincial governor of Kandahar. The ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Afghanistan and the governor of Kandahar are reported to be among the injured. "Indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including diplomatic envoys, are violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and cannot be justified," said a statement by UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. "The United Nations expresses its solidarity with the people and governments of Afghanistan and of the United Arab Emirates and calls for those responsible for the attack to be brought to justice," it added. RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian government held Tuesday a funeral in honor of Greek Ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, who was killed in December in Rio de Janeiro. The ceremony was held in the Galeao Air Force Base located in Rio to pay homage to the ambassador and to his home country. The ambassador received full military honors. Deputy Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Marcondes de Carvalho, who represented Brazilian President Michel Temer, attended the ceremony. Amiridis, 59, who was spending vacation in Rio, was found dead in a burnt car below a bridge in Novo Iguacu, a northern suburb of the city on Dec. 29. Two days later, his wife Francoise Amiridis was jailed for 30-day provisional custody, after being accused of masterminding his killing. A policeman, with whom Francoise has an affair and is suspected of having murdered the ambassador was also arrested. In the meanwhile, the policeman's cousin was jailed for involvement in the case. STRASBOURG, Jan.11 (Xinhua) -- The Swiss authorities didn't violate the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in the refusal to exempt two Muslim girls from mixed swimming lessons, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Tuesday. The children's obligation to follow the full school curriculum took precedence over their parents' demand for their exemption on religious grounds, the Strasbourg-based international court ECHR said, adding that "the domestic authorities had not exceeded the considerable margin of appreciation afforded to them in the present case, which concerned compulsory education." Emphasizing "the special role" the school played "in the process of social integration," the court said attending sport lessons "was not just to learn to swim and to take physical exercise, but above all to take part in that activity with all the other pupils, with no exception on account of the child's origin or the parents' religious or philosophical convictions." The court also pointed out the authorities' arrangements to allow the girls to wear burkinis, full-body swimwear, and to get changed with no boys present out of consideration for the parents' religious convictions. In July 2010, Switzerland's education authorities fined two Muslim girls' parents 1,400 Swiss francs (1,380 U.S. dollars) for rejecting to send their daughters to mixed swimming lessons. In April 2012, the couple lodged an appeal to the ECHR. SYDNEY, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a business delegation will visit Australia on Saturday amid unease over future U.S. presence in Asia. Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will meet Abe on Saturday for a "working meeting". The pair are expected to discuss regional security issues, the now de-funked Trans Pacific Partnership and potential policies of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. "We are committed to advancing our economic, investment and trade relationship, our defense and security cooperation, and our common commitment to a secure and prosperous region," Turnbull said in a statement on Wednesday. The visit is the first for Abe after ties between the two countries soured after Turnbull's government chose French company DCNS for its lucrative submarine contract, reneging on former Prime Minister Tony Abbott's informal agreement. Defense analysts have said the French build was indeed superior to the Japanese, given DCNS had experience in building a boat to meet Australia's requirements and the potential for a nuclear fit out at a future date. Likewise it's the first opportunity for two key regional U.S. allies to discuss what Trump's election means for U.S. foreign policy, but also to what extent Australia and Japan will be required to do more "heavy lifting on a more inward looking U.S.," University of Sydney professor of Australian political culture and foreign policy James Curran told Xinhua. "There's been all sorts of talk on the need for allies like Australia, Japan and India to get together to do more given we simply don't know what Trump's focus is going to be in the region, " said the professor. Abe will arrive in Australia after visiting the Philippines where he is expected to meet President Rodrigo Duterte at his home in Davao City on Friday. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to raise anti-dumping duties imposed on distillers dried grains (DDG) from the United States in a final ruling after a year-long trade probe. DDG importers will have to pay a 42.2 to 53.7 percent anti-dumping tax and an 11.2 to 12 percent anti-subsidy tax over the next five years from Thursday, a Ministry of Commerce statement said Wednesday. The rates will increase from the provisional 10 to 10.7 percent anti-subsidy tax and 33.8 percent anti-dumping tax that were effective from September 2016. The ministry initiated investigations in January 2016 after receiving complaints from domestic companies, and then made a preliminary decision to impose provisional duties eight months later. The domestic industry saw actual damages because U.S. producers dumped government-subsidized DDG into the Chinese market, according to the statement. China is the world's biggest buyer of DDG, with most imports coming from the United States. DDG are nutrient-rich corn byproduct of dry-milled ethanol production, which are mainly used in animal feed. China is grappling with piling stocks of corn and has rolled out corrective measures, including cutting planting areas and promoting the use of corn ethanol. DUBAI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa Bin ZayedAl-Nahyan ordered Wednesday flags at half-mast at ministries and government institutions across the country to mourn the death of five Emirati diplomats killed in bomb attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan, UAE state news agency WAM reported. The five diplomats were carrying out "humanitarian, educational and development work" in the war-torn country, said the WAM report. Two bombs went off in the compound of the governor of Kandahar, killing at least seven people and wounding 18 more people. Among the injured was the UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan. MOSCOW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Accounts Chamber said illegal logging in the country has caused losses of 197.7 million U.S. dollars, the "Izvestia" newspaper reported Wednesday. About half of the illegal timber's volume came from the Siberian Federal District, and the total volume of wood resources in the country has decreased by 231 million cubic meters over the past five years, the Accounts Chamber said. One of the main reasons for massive illegal logging in Russia is an ineffective forest protection system due to the shortage of the government funding. Russia has 22 percent of the world's forest land mass and 25 percent of the world's wood reserves. But it suffered massive illegal logging due to unconsidered privatization and the absence of state assistance over the past decade. WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. congress on Tuesday held a hearing to examine the nominations of Jeff Sessions to be attorney general and John Kelly to be secretary of homeland security. Despite the hearing for Sessions' nomination will proceed Wednesday, people at the hearings say both men are likely to clinch their respective cabinet posts. The hearing for Sessions, a senator representing Alabama, ran for more than 10 hours during which Sessions was questioned on a wide array of issues from his controversial past to future positions on a host of hot legal debates. Sessions said his priorities as the attorney general will be improving relations between police and the communities they serve, especially in minority neighborhoods. He also listed cracking down on terror, stopping the inflow of drugs from the southern border, protecting the U.S. treasury from fraud, waste and abuse as important tasks. Sessions, a conservative, spoke in favor the gun rights, saying "I do believe the Second Amendment is a personal right, a historical right that the Constitution protects." He also avoided promising anything concrete on global warming. "I don't deny we have global warming. It's a question of how much is happening and what the reaction would be to it," he said. But to sooth senate Democrats, he pledged to uphold existing laws protecting the LGBT rights and opposed a ban on Muslims entering the country. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which conducted the hearing, also examined Sessions' failed attempt nomination to the district court in 1986 due to racism allegations, which Sessions firmly denied. "I was accused, amazingly, of harboring sensibilities for the KKK. These are false allegations ... I abhor the Klan and what it represents and its hateful ideology," he explained. Protest broke out and interrupted the hearing multiple times, the chantings were muted on the live televised coverage but local media reported that most protesters accused Sessions of racism. Chuck Grassley, a fellow Republican who chaired the hearing, praised Sessions during lunch break, saying "It's clear that Senator Sessions is very well prepared and is demonstrating to the American people that all of us have known." The hearing for Sessions will continue Wednesday, during which Democrat Senator Cory Booker is scheduled to testify against him, marking the first time in U.S. history that a senator testifies against a colleague seeking a cabinet post. But with Republicans holding 52 of 100 seats in the Senate, there is no serious threat to Sessions' nomination. In a separate hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, John Kelly had an easier time than Sessions as he enjoyed a wider acceptance among senators across the aisle. During the hearing Kelly separated himself from several of President-elect Donald Trump's key positions, dismissing the effectiveness of building a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and opposing the use of torture against terrorist suspects. But Kelly did side with Trump on promoting tougher enforcement of immigrations laws, especially in so-called sanctuary cities. "I'm confident that he will be a moderating influence on President-elect Trump and some of his more divisive rhetoric that he displayed during the campaign when it comes to immigration and a Muslim ban and all the other things that were covered in the hearing today," Democrat Senator Claire McCaskill said after the hearing. Hearings for more of Trump's cabinet picks are scheduled through the week, heavy weight positions including Defense Secretary, Secretary of State, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency will take place Wednesday. Trump said Monday after a meeting with Chinese businessman Jack Ma that "confirmation is going great. I think they'll all pass." According to archives, only nine cabinet nominees were rejected by the Senate in U.S. history. U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the audience after delivering his farewell address in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America on Jan, 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Shen Ting) CHICAGO, the United States, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama bid farewell to the nation on Tuesday in an emotional speech that expressed hope as well as warning for the years to come. "Tonight it's my turn to say thanks ... Everyday I learned from you. You made me a better president, and you made me a better man," Obama told a crowd of some 20,000 in an hour-long farewell speech. He listed major feats his administration had accomplished during his eight-year tenure, including reversing a recession, opening up a new chapter with Cuba, inking the Iranian nuclear deal, taking out Osama Bin Laden, promoting gay marriage and increasing medical insurance coverage. He named income inequality, racial division and political division as three main threats facing U.S. democracy, and urged U.S. citizens to accept their responsibility of citizenship. Supporters chanted "four more years" and screamed "I love you Obama" at the convention hall where Obama delivered his parting speech. The event concluded Obama's month-long farewell tour, which included speeches, interviews and featured video clips released by the White House. Donald Trump, who will take over from Obama on Jan. 20, is expected to hold his first interview Wednesday in New York City. CHANGSHA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Changsha City Police in central China's Hunan Province said Wednesday they had arrested 33 people in connection with trans-national identity and bank-card theft. The suspects are alleged to have collected identity cards lost in Changsha's train and bus stations and then used the ID information to apply for bank cards. The ID and bank cards were then send to overseas fraud rings to be used for money laundering. Changsha Police on Jan. 5 oversaw raids that resulted in the detention of 33 suspects in the provinces of Hunan, Fujian and Guangdong. More than 900 identity cards, 400 banks cards, 30 cell phones and 80 phone cards were seized. Of the suspects, 25 remain in police custody. The investigation continues. KABUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government was criticized for failing to ensure the security in the country after more than three dozen people, mostly civilians, lost their lives in terrorist attacks that shocked Afghan capital Kabul and Kandahar, the major city in the south of the insurgency-hit Afghanistan on Tuesday. Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has strongly denounced the terror attacks and said that the Taliban by committing terrorist attacks once again claimed the lives of innocent civilians including women and demonstrated their enmity with Afghans and humanity. In Kabul's two suicide bombings for which Taliban militants have claimed responsibility, 28 people including 24 civilians and four police personnel had been killed and more than 60 others sustained injuries, the Interior Ministry confirmed in a statement released here on Wednesday. According to the statement, a terrorist blew himself up Tuesday afternoon next to a building where sub-offices of the country's parliament was located and when people gathered to rescue the affected persons, the second suicide bomber detonated his suicide vest, killing himself and several others on the spot. Immediately after the twin deadly bombings, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility saying the armed militant group targeted personnel of intelligence agency inflicting casualties. Similarly on Tuesday evening, two more blasts in a guesthouse of Kandahar's provincial government had left 11 people including deputy governor dead and 13 others injured, provincial police chief Abdul Razaq said Wednesday. Five nationals of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are also reportedly among those killed in the bloody bombings. Afghans from all walks of life have condemned the deadly attacks and criticized the government over what they have termed the "government failure" to ensure security in the city. "Conducting two suicide bombings in a span of a few minutes on the busy Dar-ul-Aman Road displays the security lapse," a lawmaker Shukiba Hashimi told local media. "We have lost the hope for the future and no one knows if he or she returns home safe in the evening," a street vender Mohammad Yaqub told Xinhua. Another Kabul resident Mohammad Murad whispered that "more negligence would claim more lives from Afghans." KGO-TV(FAIRFAX, Calif.) -- Heavy rains that have been pummeling the Bay Area in California recently caused a landslide that temporarily trapped two young girls and their grandparents in a hillside home. Jenie Chang told ABC News Wednesday that she had just pulled up to her parents' house in Fairfax, California, on Tuesday evening to pick up her two girls, ages 10 and 4, when she realized a "massive fallen tree" was blocking the way up to the house. "It was surreal," Chang said. "I had to use my high beams to make sure I was really seeing what I was seeing." The massive tree had "completely crushed the detached garage" next to home, Chang said, adding that it -- along with other smaller trees and shrubs -- "completely covered" the 64 stairs leading up to home's main entrance. Chang said she immediately called her parents inside, who told her they were all safe but had been unaware of the mess just outside their door. Chang's parents then called for help, and within minutes, a unit from the Marin County Fire Department was on the scene, she said. Firefighters used chainsaws to cut through several fallen trees, and they created a makeshift path up the muddy hill to the house's front door, according to Battalion Chief Bret McTigue, public information officer for the Marin County Fire Department. Firefighters then escorted the girls and their grandparents one by one down the path to safety, McTigue told ABC News Wednesday. He added that all four family members were OK and that no one suffered any injuries. Chang said her two young girls were good-spirited about the whole ordeal and saw the experience as "a great adventure." The full extent of the damage to Chang's parents' home is not yet known, McTigue said, adding that building inspectors were still working to assess the property this morning. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. VI. China's Participation in Regional Non-Traditional Security Cooperation 1. Disaster Relief Since 2015 the Chinese government has been actively involved in and promoted exchanges and cooperation on disaster relief in the Asia-Pacific region. China hosted the Eighth SCO Meeting of Heads of Emergency Prevention and Relief Agencies and the Third China-Japan-ROK Tabletop Exercise on Disaster Management, co-hosted with Malaysia the Fourth ARF Disaster Relief Exercise, and participated in the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, International Drill of the Emergency Prevention and Relief Agencies of the SCO Member States, the Ninth APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials' Forum and International Search and Rescue Advisory Group Asia-Pacific Regional Earthquake Response Exercise. In January and July 2015 and in May 2016, when Malaysia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka were hit by devastating floods, China immediately provided relief supplies to the three countries. In the wake of severe earthquakes in Nepal in April 2015 China sent rescue and medical teams and transportation detachments to the country and provided mobile field hospitals in support of disaster-relief efforts. The Chinese government will continue to work with relevant parties to improve mutual visits of officials, information sharing, personnel training, technological exchanges, simulation exercises, scientific research cooperation, material reserves and emergency aid, to enhance practical bilateral and multilateral cooperation in disaster relief, and improve disaster mitigation and relief capacity in the Asia-Pacific area. 2. Counter-Terrorism Cooperation Since 2015 China has cooperated with a number of neighboring countries in combating terrorism-related human smuggling, and arrested a number of terrorist suspects and human smugglers active in the region. These efforts dealt a heavy blow to the illegal human smuggling networks of the "Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement" (ETIM) and other terrorist organizations, and effectively countered and prevented the infiltration efforts of the ETIM and other terrorist organizations. China has held bilateral anti-terrorism consultations with the US, Russia, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, the ROK and Indonesia, hosted the 13th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Counter-terrorism and Transnational Crimes, and promoted cooperation on combating Internet-spread violent and terrorist audios/videos and cross-border terrorist activities. In addition, by taking an active part in the APEC Counter-terrorism Working Group, the Global Counter-terrorism Forum and the ASEAN plus China Meeting on Transnational Crime at ministerial level, China has strengthened exchanges in anti-terrorism cooperation. China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan have established a coordination mechanism on counter-terrorism cooperation among the military forces of the four countries, aimed at conducting coordination on situation analysis, verification of clues, sharing of intelligence, capacity building, joint training and personnel training, and providing mutual assistance. 3. Cooperation in Combating Transnational Crimes The Chinese government places high importance on combating trans-national crimes, and is committed to fully and earnestly implementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). China has concluded 123 judicial assistance and extradition treaties with 70 countries, and actively promoted the establishment of bilateral judicial and law-enforcement cooperation mechanisms with the US and Canada. These efforts have provided a solid legal basis and effective platform for China's cooperation with relevant countries in combating transnational crime in all forms. China is actively involved in international cooperation in combating transnational organized crimes and maintains sound cooperation with the UN and other international and regional organizations. It has facilitated law-enforcement and security cooperation along the Mekong River and conducted multiple joint actions with Southeast Asian countries in combating transnational crimes, and effectively fought against human trafficking, telecom fraud, economic crimes and drug-related crimes that are prevalent in the region. In October 2015 China hosted the China-ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation with the theme "Security for Prosperity" and the Ministerial Meeting on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation along the Mekong River. In the Second Safe Mekong Joint Operation by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, over 10,000 suspects were arrested, more than 9,000 drug-related cases were solved, and a large quantity of narcotics was seized. China stands ready to enhance judicial and law-enforcement cooperation with relevant countries in a joint effort to fight transnational crimes, and calls on all countries to enhance their political will for international cooperation, overcome differences in legal systems, promote cooperation within the framework of the UNTOC, including cooperation on extradition, provide wide judicial assistance, and cooperate in the recovery and disposal of criminal proceeds. China also encourages countries concerned to negotiate and conclude bilateral extradition and judicial assistance treaties for more concrete outcomes in cooperation to combat trans-national crimes. 4. Cyber Security Currently, cyber security is acquiring greater importance. Asia-Pacific countries are placing high importance on cyber security, increasing input and actively conducting dialogue and regional cooperation on this issue. China is a staunch supporter of and an active participant in international efforts to ensure cyber security. It believes that cyberspace should be used to promote economic and social development, maintain international peace and stability, and improve the well-being of mankind. Countries should strengthen dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and build a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyberspace and a multilateral, democratic and transparent international Internet regime. It is imperative that a universally accepted international code of conduct is formulated within the UN framework.(more) Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with a delegation of Japan's lower house of parliament, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Wednesday called on China and Japan to push bilateral ties "in the right direction" through legislative cooperation. Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, told a delegation of Japan's lower house of parliament that both sides should uphold the principles defined in the two countries' four political documents agreed upon over the past decades to consolidate the political basis for bilateral relations. He called on the two countries to reflect on history and use this to drive forward the bilateral relationship, as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties. A healthy and stable win-win relationship between the two neighbors is in line with the common interests of the two peoples, according to Zhang. He said the NPC is willing to work with Japan's parliament to increase exchanges and promote people-to-people friendship to improve China-Japan ties. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that the mainland would bring up new policies to promote Taiwanese investment and boost cross-Strait cooperation in 2017. "The mainland is still Taiwan's largest trade partner and the biggest source of exports and trade surplus," said Ma Xiaoguang, with the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference. "The mainland is the best choice for Taiwanese industrial and commercial circles to develop business, and no force will stop or weaken the promising future of the win-win situation of cross-Strait economic cooperation," added Ma. In the first 11 months of 2016, the mainland approved 3,072 Taiwan-funded projects, up 19.58 percent year on year, with the use of Taiwanese capital reaching 1.69 billion U.S. dollars, up 17 percent, according to the latest Ministry of Commerce figures. Trade volume between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan reached 161.38 billion U.S. dollars from January to November last year, down 4.9 percent year on year. At the press conference, Ma was asked about a media report that several thousand Taiwanese enterprises had left the city of Dongguan in southern China's Guangdong Province. Ma said that the report did not accord with the facts. By the end of November 2016, a total of 3,438 Taiwanese enterprises were under operation in Dongguan, and most were manufacturing companies with advanced technology. In recent years, investment from Taiwanese enterprises continued to grow. In 2016, a total of 93 projects were approved in the city, with Taiwanese capital reaching 287 million U.S. dollars. ANKARA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- 11 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed and 347 of their targets were struck in Al-Bab in northern Syria during military operations in the past 24 hours, stated Turkish General Staff on Wednesday. According to the Turkish army, 335 IS targets were shelled, destroying shelters, defense posts, vehicles and command centers. In addition, Turkish jets conducted airstrikes against 12 terrorist targets in Al-Bab and the surrounding region, including three shelters, two command-control centers, one warehouse and six weapons and defense posts during the operation, said the military. The statement added that Turkish warplanes were unable to strike three IS targets in Al-Bab on Tuesday as civilians were present at the time. According to the Turkish Daily Sabah, Turkish soldiers with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters have been conscientiously carrying out "Operation Euphrates Shield" since late August 2016, avoiding harming civilians during the operation. The Turkish Armed Forces launched the "Euphrates Shield Operation" last August against both the IS and the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the military wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). Turkey considers both the YPG and the PYD as terrorist organizations due to their links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). By Zhang Jianhua NA MOR, Laos, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Winding through lush mountain forest, the Chinese-sponsored No. 13 Highway in Laos runs through local villages hidden in the mist of northern Laos, the place which has witnessed the history of the relationship between Laos and China, as well as the new development. "Chinese martyrs sacrificed their lives for the China-Laos friendship and the ever-enduring relations have been continuously revitalized. Under the support of the two countries' leaders, the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Laos has been strengthening while the two countries' peoples are building an unbreakable community of common destiny," Chinese Ambassador to Laos Guan Huabing said at the launching ceremony of the renovation of Chinese cemeteries in northern Laos. Representatives from the Chinese Embassy to Laos, the Consulate-General in Laos' Luang Prabang, Chinese-invested companies, overseas Chinese stationed in Laos as well as Lao officials attended the ceremony at a Chinese cemetery in the Oudomxay's Na Mor district, some 310 km north of the capital Vientiane, on Tuesday. Addressing the ceremony, Lao Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Khampheng Xaysompheng expressed gratitude for the great sacrifice made by the Chinese martyrs for the liberation of Laos. "Provincial authorities of Oudomxay and Xiengkhuang will create favorable conditions for the renovation of Chinese cemeteries in Laos, and are aiming to create a beautiful environment and nice place for the relatives of the martyrs to mourn and visit," he said. According to Chen Yongjing, a military attache at the Chinese embassy in Laos, in the 1960s and 1970s, hundreds of Chinese martyrs sacrificed their lives for a sacred internationalist mission. As many as 215 Chinese martyrs were laid to rest at three cemeteries in Lao's northern Oudomxay and Xiengkhuang provinces, of which Na Mor cemetery in Oudomxay holds the souls of 81 Chinese martyrs. In September 2016, at the witness of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, the two governments signed an agreement on the maintenance and upgrading of the Chinese cemeteries in Laos, marking the start of the project on cemetery renovation. "Once the renovation has been completed, the cemeteries will become a new place for furthering education and nurturing the China-Laos friendship for peoples of both countries, especially the younger generations. This will inspire us to make further efforts to carry forward the bilateral friendship," said the Chinese ambassador. In an interview with Xinhua and other Chinese media agencies, the Lao minister of labor and social welfare said, "The project is of great significance to memorize the Chinese revolutionary martyrs, as well as to cherish their contributions and supports for Laos." "We will expand the three cemeteries and turn those into education bases so Lao people, including students, can learn more about history and remember the contributions of the martyrs," Khampheng told reporters. Xun Jiazheng, chairman of China's Yunnan Sunny Road & Bridge Co., Ltd. that is in charge of the renovation project, said that at present, the relevant agencies of both sides are cooperating closely to complete the upgrading work quickly. At the ceremony, representatives of both sides laid wreaths and offered incense at the Na Mor cemetery. It is still dry season in Laos, but after the ceremony, a light shower suddenly seemed to deliver a refreshing atmosphere as if to show respect by making the martyrs feel comfortable -- the same martyrs who contributed so passionately to founding the China-Laos ties. Along the road that meanders through mountains in northern Laos, there are newly-built roads as well as new offices and camps that serve the construction of the China-Laos railway, which indicates an even brighter future ahead for bilateral relations. Enditem ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese hospital has developed a new genetic diagnosing method that identifies IVF embryos with balanced translocation, a condition linked to recurrent miscarriages carried by one or both of the parents. The Reproductive Medical Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University announced Tuesday the healthy birth of a baby girl, born on Dec. 28, 2016, after doctors used the Mapping Allele with Resolved Carrier State (MaReCS) technique before implantation. The hospital in central China's Henan Province said the birth was the world's first successful use of MaReCS. The method enables doctors to select IVF embryos that are free of balanced translocation, the chromosome mutation that causes miscarriage. A team of doctors led by deputy director of the hospital Sun Yingpu used MaReCS diagnosis to identify how many of the couple's seven embryos conceived via IVF was normal. Only one embryo tested negative for balanced translocation. Sun said MaReCS could also be used to help diagnose other chromosome mutations, which could stop the transmission of hereditary conditions. SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- An heir apparent of Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-run conglomerate, is to be questioned by an independent counsel team investigating a scandal involving President Park Geun-hye. The team's spokesman told a press briefing on Wednesday that Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong will be summoned at 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday for questioning. The summoning indicates the special prosecutor team's investigation nearing to an end, heralding an interrogation of the impeached president in the foreseeable future. Samsung is suspected of having provided an illegal financial assistance to Park's longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil and Choi's daughter in return for getting support from the national pension fund in the July 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates. The merger to create the de facto holding company was extremely crucial to the management control transfer to Lee Jae-yong from his father, Chairman Lee Kun-hee who has been hospitalized for over two and a half years for heart attack. President Park and Vice Chairman Lee met face-to-face around the time of the merger. Former health and welfare minister has been in custody for his alleged involvement in the national pension fund's support for the Samsung merger despite an unfair exchange ratio between the two affiliates. CHENGDU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Two men have been detained for fraud after allegedly pocketing money donated via live online-streaming, police in southwest China's Sichuan Province said Wednesday. The men, surnamed Yang and Liu, live-streamed the distribution of cash for a poverty-stricken area in Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Liangshan, but asked for the money back after the streaming, said a police officer with the local public security bureau. They also requested local villagers to return most of their "donated" goods, such as eggs and pencils. Police started investigating the case early November following an online video showing Yang, under the screen name "Brother Jie," posing to give villagers money but asking for it back later. Liu, calling himself "Black Uncle" online, was captured saying they had done the live streaming to make money. The video angered netizens, demanding punishment for the fraud and calling for stronger supervision of live streaming. With the help of the live streaming website "Kuaishou," police caught Yang mid-November in the city of Suzhou, Anhui Province, and Liu in mid-December in the city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Both confessed that they had live-streamed many times since September to gain online donations. At the time they were arrested, Yang and Liu had made 249,000 yuan (36,000 U.S. dollars) and 186,000 yuan respectively, by cashing-in virtual gifts donated by netizens. Further investigation is under way. DHAKA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's overall remittance inflow fell by 17.63 percent year on year to 6,166.85 million U.S. dollars in the first half of 2016-17 fiscal year, a central bank official said Wednesday. According to a Bangladesh Bank (BB) official, who preferred to be unnamed, overseas Bangladeshis in December last year sent home 958.73 million U.S. dollars, 26.93 percent lower than the same month in 2015. In the 2015-2016 fiscal year ending June last year, the inflow of remittance, one of the key sources of foreign exchange for the nation, reached a record high of 14.93 billion U.S. dollars, the BB data showed. Most of the income came from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Kuwait, Britain, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Bahrain, Italy and Australia, according to the bank. XI'AN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's flagship carrier PT Garuda will soon operate direct flights between the Indonesian tourist island of Bali and the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an, company sources said. The services every Thursday will start on Jan. 26. The flight will take six and a half hours. It will be served by an Airbus wide-body A330-300, with 358 seats. Garuda currently flies to Bali from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Foreign airlines are expanding their reach to west China as more Chinese can afford overseas trips. In January, Indonesia's Lion Air will also begin a four-time weekly service between southwestern city of Chengdu and Bali. China has become the second largest source of foreign visitors for Indonesia after Singapore, partly thanks to Jakarta's visa exemption policy for Chinese tourists. SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's defense white paper estimated the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) may hold 50 kg of plutonium, which can produce 10 nuclear warheads based on its technology. The DPRK's plutonium holdings increased by 10 kg in the past two years to 50 kg, Seoul's defense ministry said in its biennial defense white paper released on Wednesday. The white paper said Pyongyang secured the plutonium by reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods several times and that its highly-enriched uranium (HEU) program has advanced to a significant level. The defense ministry first unveiled the white paper in 1967, and has since published the defense report every two years to explain security situations on the Korean Peninsula and its defense policy, according to the press release. Some of local media outlets speculated that the 10-kg increase in the DPRK-owned plutonium might have been exaggerated given that Pyongyang conducted its fourth and fifth nuclear tests in January and September. A nuclear test is known to cost the DPRK four kg of plutonium. Top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said in his new year speech that his country entered a final stage in preparations to test-launch a long-range ballistic rocket. The January nuclear detonation was followed by the launch of a long-range rocket. The DPRK's regular forces were estimated little changed at about 1.28 million, including 1.1 million army troops, 110,000 air force soldiers, 60,000 navy forces and the new group of 10,000 strategic forces, which were believed to be launched to increase nuclear and missile capabilities. About 70 percent of DPRK army soldiers are being deployed in the southern part of the country. The DPRK army has about 4,300 tanks and 2,500 armored vehicles as well as 8,600 field guns and 5,500 multiple rocket launchers. The DPRK air force owns around 1,630 combat aircraft, while the navy has some 70 submarines, according to the white paper. Meanwhile, the white paper provided separate supplements to explain about Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), which Seoul and Washington agreed in July last year to deploy in South Korean soil by the end of this year. Suspicion has been raised here about the THAAD's capability to intercept DPRK missiles, which fly at an altitude of less than 40 km, as the U.S. missile shield is designed to shoot down incoming missiles at an altitude of 40-150 km. The THAAD battery, which is to be installed in southeastern South Korea, is incapable of defending the capital city Seoul and its suburban metropolitan area, which accommodate over half of its total 50 million population. The white paper said the U.S. Patriot interceptors would be more effective than the THAAD to shoot down DPRK missiles targeting the metropolitan area, partly acknowledging the incapability of the U.S. missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula. The white paper also explained about the signing of the agreement between South Korea and Japan to exchange military intelligence on the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs. It was formally inked on Nov. 23, 2016. The signing caused strong backlashes here from the parliament and the general public as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe disclosed his ambition to make Japan a war-waging country by revising its pacifist constitution. Abe has yet to make sincere apology and acknowledge legal responsibility for past atrocities during the 1910-45 Japanese colonization of the Korean Peninsula. Japan has claimed its territorial sovereignty over the Dokdo islets, called Takeshima in Japan, which South Korea retrieved after its liberation from the Japanese colonization. The white paper said South Korea will sternly deal with Japan's territorial claims and history distortion, expressing concerns about Japan's military ambition. ISTANBUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Kurdish militant group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a car bombing attack in Turkey's western city of Izmir, in which four were killed, local media reported. The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK) said it carried out the attack near a police checkpoint of a courthouse in Izmir on Jan. 5, the Hurriyet daily said. An exchange of gunfire erupted between two gunmen and the police officers, after the gunmen's explosive-laden vehicle was prevented from entering the parking lot, leaving one officer and one courthouse employee killed along with the militants. Nine other people, including two police officers, were reportedly wounded in the clashes. The gunmen detonated their car, but the blast caused no casualties, press reports said. The TAK, a group linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party outlawed by Ankara, has previously claimed responsibility for other deadly attacks inside Turkey. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The central government allocated 400 million yuan (around 58 million U.S. dollars) to help regions affected by natural disasters, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday. The relief funds will be used to assist farmers in the country's southern regions in restoring agricultural production, help ensure transportation of forage grass in pastoral areas and control outbreaks of citrus greening disease, according to a statement on the ministry's website. Typhoons and floods hit the country's southern areas in the second half of 2016, severely affecting local agricultural production. The ministry urged local authorities to appropriate relief funds in a timely manner, and step up regulation to increase the service efficiency of the funds. The central government altogether earmarked 3.49 billion yuan to support agricultural disaster relief in 2016. MOSCOW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- An air defense regiment of the Russian Airspace Forces stationed in the Moscow region has started combat duty after receiving the sophisticated S-400 missile systems, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The ministry said in a statement that another S-400 missile system is on its way to the region after passing a successful combat test. Russian Airspace Forces received four S-400 systems in 2016 within a re-equipment program and will receive another four this year, the ministry added. The S-400 Triumf, first commissioned in 2007, is a new generation of anti-aircraft missile system capable of hitting airborne targets at a distance of up to 400 km. Russia deployed one S-400 system at its Hmeimim air base in Syria in November 2015, after Turkey downed a Russian jet on the Syrian-Turkish border. Liu Yunshan (1st L), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, who is also president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, presents diplomas to graduates of the 2016 autumn semester at a graduation ceremony at the Party School in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Liu Yunshan, a senior Communist Party of China (CPC) leader, attended a graduation ceremony at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee on Wednesday. Liu, president of the school and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presented diplomas to 862 graduates of the 2016 autumn semester. The graduates said that their studies had made them more conscious and steadfast in staying consistent with the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core. They also said that their studies had expanded their perspectives, enriched their knowledge and boosted their abilities to perform their duties, vowing to effectively implement decisions and arrangements of the central leadership and to do their work well in the lead-up to the 19th CPC National Congress to be held this year. NAIROBI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has launched investigations into the death of a black rhino in the Lake Nakuru National Park. KWS spokesman Paul Udoto said the five-year-old female rhino fell and died with a dart on the rear back on Sunday. "Rangers on patrol had come across the female rhino which was running and suddenly fell on its four legs in a crouching position. They tried to resuscitate it without success. On further examination, a dart was found on its back," Udoto said Wednesday. He said the rhino horn had since been recovered, dart retrieved and that investigations to ascertain the direction the dart was shot from and the contents were underway. "KWS rangers are combing the area for clues while veterinary doctors have conducted a post-mortem examination into the possible cause of death of the rhino," said Udoto. It brings to four the number of black rhinos killed in the past three weeks across the East African nation and the KWS has increased wildlife security efforts to curb rising incidents of poaching. The conservationists have decried the entry of organized crime syndicates into the illegal wildlife trade, most notably of rhino horn and elephant ivory, which they said, has created a crisis situation in many African countries. The KWS on its part has expressed fears that the recent spike in poaching which has contributed to the depletion of wildlife including elephants, lions and rhinos, are threatening many years of conservation efforts and animal populations that had started to balloon. SYDNEY, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) has raised its capital by a further 10 basis points on Wednesday after selling its UDC Asset Finance business to China's HNA Group for 660 million New Zealand dollars (462 million U.S. dollars). "The sale reflects a continued focus by ANZ on simplifying its business and capital efficiency," the bank said in a statement to the ASX. "HNA Group is one of the world's largest asset finance and leasing companies, and it intends to preserve operations including offering continued employment to all staff," it said. ANZ has embarked on a strategy to simplify its business and improve capital efficiency, including a pull-back from its aggressive Asian expansion under former chief, strengthening its position in the domestic market via a series of assets sales and focusing on its offshore institutional business. "The deal would deliver ANZ's strongest capital ratio against its rivals," analyst Bell Potter told Fairfax Media. In October 2016, ANZ announced it would sell its retail banking network in Asia, effective mid-2017 and in January 2017 it offloaded its 20-percent stake in a Shanghai commercial bank in a deal worth 1.3 billion U.S. dollars. ANZ at the time said it would use the sale's proceeds to increase its tier one capital ratio by approximately 40 basis points. ANZ's shares fell 0.26 percent to 31.20 Australian dollars on Wednesday, in line with the broader financial sector. NAKURU, Kenya, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 45 percent of Kenya's revenue is drawn from agriculture sector which also provides more than 75 percent of industrial raw materials, but declining soil fertility is undermining crop yields. A recent ministry of agriculture report on the suitability of soil for production of maize, the main staple food in the East African nation, shows majority of high potential areas are affected with soil infertility due to continuous use of acidic fertilisers inverting the pH levels. This, the report indicates, was threatening the country's state of food security. The report recommended use of alkaline fertilisers to neutralize the acidity and regain fertility of the soils. Farmers should also utilize the available crop residue such as wheat, rice and maize stalks to boost the soil fertility, said Julius Khaemba, a soil scientist and lecturer at Egerton University, famous for training specialists aligned to agricultural sector. "It is a common practice for farmers to destroy crop waste in the field by burning but there is a danger to it," Khaemba told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday. "First, they are destroying the organic matter that boosts the fertility of the soil. Secondly, crop waste holds nutrients needed for growth of crops. When you maintain the waste in the field or plough it into the soil, you are retaining the fertility of the soil," he explained. Khaemba said maintaining crop residue in the field is an appropriate conservation agriculture practice which should be adopted by both small and large scale farmers. "Conservation agriculture involves covering of the soil as well as minimal disturbance to the soil such that nutrients are not lost and high moisture content is maintained within the soil," he said. Khaemba said the tendency of burning the waste should be vehemently discouraged among the farmers since the activity further contributes to global warming causing the problematic climatic changes. "Burning the waste is releasing gases into the atmosphere which are causing trouble with climate change and essentially affect farmers. Farmers need to stop the habit," he said. With drought being a major trouble to farmers, Khaemba said the waste serves well in holding moisture and saves crops from failing in absence of rain. "Waste is good in boosting the soil's water holding capacity. It maintains the moisture content in the soil needed by crops for growth. The waste therefore cushions crops against withering in dry season," he said. FAO also emphasizes on this indicating that while agriculture consumes 70 percent of blue water in Africa, conservation agriculture could help in reducing the water consumption and maintain more moisture in the soils. Khaemba, the soil scientist said burning the waste weakens the soil structure aiding erosion of the nutrients during rains and strong winds. He rather advised farmers to leave crop waste in the field and grow cover crops as this would improve the structure of the soil and prevent soil erosion. "The farmers in the rural areas don't actually know whether applying the same fertilizer for over the years does actually affect soil fertility. When crops fail, they just know it was a bad season," said Peter Waweru, chief executive officer of the Sustainable Practical Program for Africa, whose activities involve sensitization of rural farmers on better farming methods. "It is impossible for them to change their farming habits if they are not aware of what should be done and that is why it is very important that all efforts are made to ensure information on farming trickles down to the villages," he said. He said from their activities, they have seen a significant change in productivity among the farmers who have adopted conservation agriculture. "We have seen farmers increase their yields and overtime their income. They have now diversified and are living in better houses, better lives. All they need is information," he said. Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2017 shows the white paper, "China's Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation," in Beijing, capital of China. China on Wednesday issued a white paper on policies related to Asia-Pacific security cooperation, which also clarified the nation's stance on issues of regional concern. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday issued a white paper on policies related to Asia-Pacific security cooperation, which also clarified the nation's stance on issues of regional concern. The white paper, "China's Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation," was released by the State Council Information Office. China is prepared to take on greater responsibilities for regional and global security, and provide more public security services to the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, it said. Outlining China's concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, the white paper explained the Chinese approach to achieving peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The policy package includes the promotion of common development; the building of partnerships; improvement of existing multilateral frameworks; rule-setting; military exchanges; and proper settlement of differences. "China is a staunch force in Asia-Pacific security, and its policies are particularly relevant as Asia-Pacific is the only enviable, tranquil place in the world if you take into account of Brexit, refugees, populism, terrorist attacks, Syria and uncertain U.S. domestic politics," said Liu Qing with China Institute of International Studies. Noting the role that major countries in the region play in maintaining peace and development, the white paper urged them to reject the Cold War mentality, respect others' legitimate interests and concerns and to pursue positive interactions. "Small- and medium-sized countries need not and should not take sides among big countries," the white paper said. China said it supports the creation of international and regional rules set through discussion with all countries concerned rather than being dictated by any particular country. Rules of individual countries should not automatically become "international rules," and countries should not be allowed to violate the lawful rights and interests of others under the pretext of rule of law, according to the white paper. "China has contributed to the generally stable relations among major countries in the region by maintaining positive interactions with the United States, Russia, India and improving ties with Japan," Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said at a briefing on the white paper. China will work with the new U.S. administration on Asia-Pacific affairs to preserve peace, stability and prosperity in the region, Liu said. The white paper said China will increase military exchanges and cooperation, which would support peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. China will build a strong national defence force that is commensurate with China's international standing. "Its security and development interests is a strategic task in China's modernization drive, and provides a strong guarantee for its peaceful development. China's armed forces support the country's development and contribute to the maintenance of world peace and regional stability," the white paper said. The military is at the center of security and China's participation in escort missions, the U.S.-led RIMPAC naval exercises, military drills with Russia and ASEAN members have strengthened political trust with other countries, said Liu Qing. On issues of regional concern, China has actively pushed for peaceful solutions as a responsible major country. China remains committed to resolving disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation and upholding peace and stability as well as freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, the white paper said. It said China and ASEAN continue to maintain communication and dialogue on the South China Sea issue, strengthening pragmatic maritime cooperation and steadily advancing consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. China, it was added, may "make the necessary response" to provocative action that infringes on its territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, or behavior that undermines peace and stability in the South China Sea. China will continue to work with the international community and strive for denuclearization and long-term peace and stability of the peninsula and of Northeast Asia as a whole. China calls for "discretion" by the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the deployment of the THAAD missile system in the ROK, which is detrimental to strategic stability, mutual trust and the strategic security interests of China and other countries. "China strongly urges the U.S. and the ROK to stop this process," the white paper said. Related: Full text: China's Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation KATHMANDU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Nepalese government on Wednesday appointed Govinda Raj Pokharel as the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority to oversee post-earthquake reconstruction-related works, a government spokesman said here. A Cabinet meeting decided to appoint Pokharel as the new CEO of the reconstruction authority, sacking Sushil Gyewali from the top position, government spokesman Surendra Karki told media. The Himalayan country was rocked by a massive earthquake in April 25, 2015 that claimed over 9,000 lives, leaving thousands injured. LHASA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Biologist Tu Yanli finds the sharp decline of fish in the Lhasa River, along which she lives, alarming. She heads the plateau biology institute in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and has led several research projects on the impact of non-native species in water and land in Tibet, mainly captive animals released for religious rituals. "I have lived in Lhasa for 22 years. Back in the 1990s, there were no foreign fish in the rivers of Lhasa," she said. "But at least 10 types of non-native fish have been captured from the rivers in the past few years." "Releasing captive animals is a benevolent act, but foreign species pose a great threat to the local ecosystem," she added. Tu's research shows the lower reaches of Lhasa River have suffered great impact from invasive fish species. "There are more mud fish and carp than ever in the Lhasa River. We also found bullfrogs in the Lalu wetland, which could threaten native frogs and other amphibians," she said. Tu said urgency in the matter of bio-diversity compelled her to write a proposal, in her capacity as a political advisor, and push for government action. As a member of the regional committee of the People's Political Consultative Conference, Tu makes suggestions to the government. If they carry enough weight they lead to government action. Tu's proposal gained extra traction when it was voted one of the top ten proposals last year. A vice committee chairman was put in charge of coordinating solutions for top proposals, which included issues such as drinking water safety and development of universities in Tibet. "Every year we select at least ten proposals, the most weighty ones, to address," said Padma Namgyel, vice chairman of the committee, during the ongoing annual conference of the committee, which opened last weekend and lasts until Jan. 14. Tibet has about 500 political advisors, who made 489 proposals last year. Namgyel said that nearly half of the proposals had been addressed and the rest were under consideration. "A vice committee chairman stays on top of the proposals, calling meetings, overseeing progress and urging government bodies to follow up on the issues," Namgyel said. Li Jiacheng, an employee of the Tibetan environment protection department, said Tu's meticulously written proposal had raised great attention. He told Xinhua that the department would consider marking certain areas for freeing captive animals and prepare a handbook on such activities. "The regional fishery department will probably provide native fry [young fish] for releasing," he said. Last year, Tibet's political advisors made 41 environment-related proposals, about 9 percent of the total. "Tibet's political advisors have clearly been more focused on environment issues than ever. I'm glad that their suggestions are making a difference," Namgyel said. In another proposal, 16 advisors called for a complete ban on the use of coal in Tibet. The regional reform and development commission promised to gradually phase out coal-fired boilers and ban the use of coal in new industrial projects. Namgyel said it was devising policies to subsidize the replacement of coal. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai gives a speech at the screening ceremony of a documentary in Washington, the United States, on Jan. 10, 2017. China and the United States should uphold the fundamental principles enshrined in three joint communiques governing their relations, so that they can avoid confrontation and enhance cooperation for the benefits of the world community, said the Chinese ambassador in Washington on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zheng Qihang) WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States should uphold the fundamental principles enshrined in three joint communiques governing their relations, so that they can avoid confrontation and enhance cooperation for the benefits of the world community, said the Chinese ambassador in Washington on Tuesday. Next month will mark the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Shanghai Communique, which paved the way for the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic ties in 1979, said Cui Tiankai in a speech at the screening ceremony of a documentary. The Shanghai Communique, together with a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations later that year and another communique signed on Aug. 17, 1982, formed the political foundation of the China-U.S. ties, said Cui. In a speech ahead of next week's inauguration of Donald Trump, Cui stressed that China and the United States are able to avoid confrontation if they stick to the principles enshrined in the three joint communiques. Those principles include the U.S. abiding by the one-China policy, respecting each other's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and strengthening economic, cultural, and educational ties. "Thanks to these principles, China-U.S. relations have grown stronger and more resilient over the last four decades or so, through eight presidents of both parties in the U.S. and successive leaderships in China, and through fundamental changes in the world," said the ambassador. He called for firm commitment to the principles, which "will guide us through all possible ups and downs to avoid conflict and confrontation, enhance mutual understanding and mutual respect, and expand our cooperation for mutual benefit and for the larger interests of the world community." "Above all, peace and well-being for our people should be the ultimate goal of relations between any countries," Cui said. The world is facing numerous challenges that no country can confront single-handedly, Cui said, adding that all members of the world community should work together to promote world peace and prosperity. ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Street cleaners in central China last week were stunned by the stylish shoes they were given as new year present s by their bosses. "High heels. Are you kidding me?" said a cleaner surnamed Zhao, who works in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province. A short video of Zhao wearing his street cleaning uniform, while showing off his new 6 cm high-heels went viral Monday. He works for a sanitation firm in Erqi District and said many of his fellow workers, nearly all men, had also received high heels. Zhao's wife works at the same firm but only received a pair of sandals, three sizes too small. "We were requested to report our shoe sizes several days in advance," Zhao said. "I know they meant well, but why didn't they offer us something more useful?" Many web users criticized the firm for not showing their workers due respect. "It is just a ceremonial gesture and not heartfelt at all," said web user "Na Yan." "Did their boss seriously mean to do something for the workers, or did he just reach a deal with some shoe dealer destocking?" said web user "Xie Weifeng." An official with the firm denied such suspicions. "The shoes were just donations from a local shopping mall," said Hu, general office manager with the firm. "There were shoes for men and women, but unluckily we didn't have the time or personnel to make sure the right shoes went to the right people." Hu told Xinhua that his company had promised to collect the improper shoes from the workers and ensure they received a more suitable pair. Yu Xin, a lawyer based in Guangzhou, said that employers should find out what workers actually needed before giving presents. "A glass of water on a scorching summer day or a mask during smog could be more valuable than high heels," he said Yu said it was more important to protect workers' rights, as some street cleaners have complained that they face fines if they are seen taking breaks at work. MOSCOW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday denied accusations by the U.S. military that Russian pilots practised dangerous exercises close to the U.S.-led coalition's warplanes in Syria. The U.S. Air Force and international coalition aircraft were trying to act discreetly during operations in Syria without notifying the Russian side, the ministry's spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. Brig. Gen. Charles Corcoran, commander of the U.S. 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, accused Russian pilots in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal of not emitting identifying signals amid alleged close calls over Syria, thus violating international agreements. According to Konashenkov, neither Corcoran nor other Pentagon officials had raised these concerns with the Russian Defense Ministry at regular video conferences on incident prevention. DAMASCUS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Maintenance workers will enter Barada Valley within hours, following reaching a deal between the government and rebels to fix the Ain Fijeh springs in that contested area northwest of the capital Damascus, state TV said Wednesday. U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his farewell address in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America on Jan, 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Shen Ting) BEIJING/CHICAGO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- In an emotional farewell speech on Tuesday night, U.S. President Barack Obama defended his political legacies and repudiated some policies of President-elect Donald Trump. In the hour-long speech in his hometown of Chicago, Obama mentioned the health care overhaul, the Paris agreement on climate change, financial stability after the 2008 crisis and the nuclear deal with Iran as his key legacies over the past eight years. During his tenure, the Obama administration succeeded in the expansion of health care, the normalization of relations with Cuba, economic recovery and job growth and the achievement of marriage equality among others. However, his successor, who takes office on Jan. 20, holds different, even opposite, political views on many of Obama's policies. Trump has proposed banning Muslims from entering the country, building a wall on the border with Mexico, upending a global deal to fight climate change and dismantling Obama's health care reform. In the speech, Obama said: "Anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we've made to our health care system, that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it." These remarks apparently targeted Trump, who has urged Republican-controlled Congress to repeal the law. Obama said he rejects discrimination against Muslim Americans, saying: "If we're going to be serious about race going forward, we need to uphold laws against discrimination -- in hiring, and in housing, and in education, and in the criminal justice system." On climate change, he said "to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations, it betrays the essential spirit of this country, the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our founders." The Paris Agreement is considered a major legacy of Obama's. However, Trump, calling climate change a "hoax," has threatened to withdraw from the global deal that took effect last year. Actually, in an article published Monday in the Science journal, Obama warned Trump against walking away from the global climate deal, saying that trends toward clean energy are irreversible and will help drive economic growth. In his farewell speech, he asked his supporters to be politically involved. "If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself." Just one day before the farewell speech, Obama advised Trump to avoid running the White House like his business empire. "You're (Trump) now in charge of the largest organization on earth ... You can't manage it the way you would manage a family business," he told the ABC. Before leaving office, Obama has beefed up efforts to try to contain Trump's move with accelerating the release of Guantanamo prisoners, imposing sanctions on Russia and calling Democrats to fight for health care law. by Xinhua Writer Ma Mengli BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- As U.S. President Barack Obama bid farewell to the nation in a speech in his hometown of Chicago, the United States and China -- the world's two largest economies -- can now take a moment to ponder the development of their relationship over the last eight years. During Obama's two terms, the China-U.S. relationship saw an increasing depth, breadth and frequency of engagement. Over the past several years, the United States and China have worked hand in hand to confront challenges in ties and effectively manage their differences. The two sides have played a key role in promoting global economic growth, bringing a positive deal on the Iran nuclear issue through multilateral diplomatic efforts, coping with the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and most notably, in promoting the international community's response to climate change. They have also made progress in establishing a bilateral investment treaty, strengthening mutual trust between the two militaries and achieving some breakthroughs in cyber security cooperation. However, the relationship between Washington and Beijing hasn't always been a bed of roses. Thorny issues such as cyber security, Taiwan, Tibet and human rights flared up from time to time, putting a strain on their relations. Washington's rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, under which it plans to relocate a large part of its diplomatic and military resources to the region, is widely interpreted as targeting China. If the past eight years offer any guide to the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who made unfounded claims against China during the general election last year, nurturing mutual trust and knowing where to draw the line are essential for the world's most important bilateral relationship. Ties between China and the United States must be rooted in trust and respect, vibrant trade cooperation, and a firm belief that the two great powers can co-exist peacefully. World peace relies on their ability to do so. For two individuals who desire a close friendship, honesty is a must. By the same token, if the United States wants to build a close and friendly relationship with China, it must know where to draw the line. Trump's predecessors have done the right thing. Now the ball's in his court. Related: China, U.S. need to uphold principles enshrined in 3 communiques: envoy BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The names of public figures in areas including politics, economy, culture and religion are not allowed to be registered as trademarks, according to China's top court. The Supreme People's Court (SPC) Wednesday issued a document on handling cases involving trademark approval. The new rules state that trademarking public figures' names is forbidden in accordance with trademark law, due to the "negative influence" on the public interest and social order that it could cause. "The document has shown the judicial authorities' determination in protecting an honest business environment and dealing with malicious trademark infringements," said Song Xiaoming with the SPC. STOCKHOLM, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Swedish music streaming service Spotify has offered outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama a customized position called "president of playlists" to fill after he departs the White House on Jan. 20. Spotify posted the job offer in subtle terms on its career opportunities webpage, but it is clear that this position is offered exclusively for Obama. Requirements for the position include "at least eight years experience running a highly regarded nation" and a Nobel Peace Prize. The job holder is expected to identify and substantiate new playlist ideas "from a playlist for shooting hoops with your friends, to the perfect warm up playlist for addressing the nation about health care legislation that bears your name," analyze data and performance of playlists in a clear and transparent manner "using all available intelligence," and "attend daily briefings." The job offer is in response to Obama joking about "waiting for my job at Spotify" once he finishes his presidential term. Natalia Brzezinski, the wife of former U.S. ambassador to Sweden Mark Brzezinski, wrote on Instagram that Obama told her at a White House reception last week that his 2013 visit to Stockholm was his "favorite trip." "I'm still waiting for my job at Spotify... Cuz' I know y'all loved my playlist," she quoted Obama as saying. Obama, a big fan of Spotify, has shared his summer vacation playlists over two consecutive years since 2015. Just to make sure Obama saw the tongue-in-cheek posting, Spotify's founder and CEO Daniel Ek on Monday tweeted: "Hey @BarackObama, I heard you were interested in a role at Spotify. Have you seen this one?" Obama has not responded yet. HONG KONG, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong authorities Wednesday said they have banned the import of poultry meat and products from some areas of Poland, France, Britain as well as the Czech Republic and Croatia. The Center for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it took the decision in view of notifications from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). In the first 11 months of 2015, Hong Kong imported about 18,700 tons of frozen poultry meat and 4.8 million poultry eggs from Poland, about 14,000 tons of frozen and chilled poultry meat and 17.4 million poultry eggs from France, and about 14,500 tons of frozen and chilled poultry meat and 660,000 poultry eggs from Britain, according to the CFS. Since Hong Kong has not established any protocol with the Czech Republic and Croatia for imports of poultry meat and eggs, there is no import of such commodities from the Czech Republic and Croatia. "The CFS has contacted the Polish, French, Czech, Croatian and British authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks in the countries concerned," the CFS said. Photo taken on May 29, 2015 shows confiscated ivory to be destroyed at Beijing Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin) WINDHOEK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), along with other conservationists have welcomed the bold move by Chinese authorities, to gradually stop the processing and sales of ivory for commercial purposes by the end of 2017. The Executive Committee of NAPHA on Tuesday said that, if, indeed executed, the closing down of the Chinese ivory market would go a very long way in ensuring the survival of African elephants and hopes that the proposed embargo will also expand to include many other threatened species. According to the association, the Chinese embargo on elephant trading will be of great benefit to Namibia and trophy hunting in general. "The number of Chinese trophy hunters is minimal when compared to hunters from other countries. In addition, the number of elephants hunted by international trophy hunters is little when compared to other forms of elephant mortalities, such as poaching, natural deaths, human/wildlife conflict," NAPHA explained. The association said the move will, however, lessen the pressure placed on the elephant population. Meanwhile, NAPHA noted that, despite the move by China, the Chinese ivory market is negligible when compared to the greatest threats faced by the African elephant, which include the loss of habitat, human/wildlife conflict and bush meat poaching which are set to remain and will not be affected by the Chinese ban. DAMASCUS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Maintenance workers are about to enter Barada Valley, following a deal reached between the government and rebels to fix the Ain Fijeh springs in the contested area northwest of the capital Damascus, said state TV on Wednesday. The government and rebels concluded a "preliminary agreement" with the leaders of the rebel groups in Barada Valley, which included reconciliation with some rebel groups, and evacuating others out of the area to the northwestern province of Idlib, the chosen destination of all rebels who evacuate their posts across Syria. The deal entails that the rebels hand over their heavy weaponry to the Syrian army, which will enter the area to clear it from mines and explosive devices. The deal also includes allowing government maintenance workers to enter Barada to fix the Ain Fijeh springs, the main water source of the capital, which has been cut off since Dec. 23. Governor of Damascus Countryside, Alaa Ibrahim, said rebel leaders will pressure foreign militants to leave Barada Valley, adding that the agreement viability will become clear within the next few hours. The report said that a few towns in the valley have already started the "reconciliation" process with the government, as rebels surrendered to government forces in exchange for amnesty. Previous attempts to reach a truce between rebels and the government in Barada failed, leading to a widescale military offensive by the Syrian army backed by the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah group against Barada Valley, to which the rebels responded by severing the water supply to Damascus. Barada wasn't considered by the government a part of the Turkish-Russian sponsored ceasefire which went into force on Dec. 30, as the area is largely controlled by the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, designated as a terrorist group, thus it was excluded from any settlement in Syria. However, Nusra fighters there have cut off the water from Damascus since Dec. 22, causing a massive water outage, amid recent reports that water poisoning cases started surfacing as people resort to unsanitary water sources. BRATISLAVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A burglar broke into the house of former politician and actor Milan Knazko, and was shot by Knazko on early Wednesday morning. "That's correct, a burglar was there," Knazko confirmed. He, however, refused to provide any further details, due to the fact that a police investigation is still pending. "I haven't been questioned yet," he claimed, adding that it wouldn't be right if he made any public statements on the case at this stage. The Slovak news website Cas.sk reported earlier in the day that Knazko mounted resistance to the burglar and even shot him with a handgun. Jozef Minar, of the Slovak Emergency Health Service Operational Center, said that paramedics were despatched to Havlickova Street in Bratislava at 1:34 a.m. local time at the request of police. "Police informed us that they apprehended the perpetrator with a gunshot wound in his lower extremity. We treated the 49-year-old man and transported him to hospital," added Minar. Milan Knazko is a Slovak actor and former politician. He was one of the revolutionary figures during the 1989 Velvet Revolution. Following November 1989, Knazko entered politics and held the posts of Foreign Affairs Minister of Slovakia (1992-1993) and Culture Minister (1998-2002). He also ran unsuccessfully in 2014 for the Slovak president and Bratislava mayor. RAMALLAH, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday denounced Israel's decision to revoke residency status of Qanbar family members in East Jerusalem, after a member of the family was shot dead in an attack last Sunday. The Ministry said in an emailed press statement that the Israeli Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri issued a decision to revoke the residency status of 12 members of Qanbar family and described the step as "flagrant form of collective punishment," accusing Israeli authorities of "carrying on with its revenge campaign against the Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem." The statement highlighted that this step is a violation of international law. The ministry called on the intentional community to move promptly to halt this decision. Israeli public radio reported Wednesday that the Israeli Ministry of Interior summoned 12 members of Qanbar family preparing to revoke the residencies. The radio reported earlier that Israeli forces took measurements of Qanbar's family house, ahead of demolishing it. Last Sunday a Palestinian attacked a group of Israeli soldiers in East Jerusalem, killing four soldiers and leaving several others injured. He was shot dead by Israeli soldiers, according to identical Israeli and Palestinian sources. A wave of tensions has been ongoing between Palestinians and Israelis since October 2015, leading to the death of over 340 Palestinians, one Jordanian and over 40 Israelis, according to official data. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China has received images from a pair of 0.5-meter high-resolution remote sensing satellites launched in late December last year, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said Wednesday. Tourists were seen visiting the Potala Palace in Tibet Autonomous Region in the captured images. The satellites, SuperView-1 01/02, on the back of a Long March 2D rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province . The two are operating at an altitude of 500 kilometers, with a panchromatic resolution of 0.5 meters and multispectral resolution of two meters, said Zhang Xiaomin, vice general manager of the Dongfanghong Satellite Co., Ltd under the CASC. The China Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology Co. Ltd, which is also under the CASC, is in charge of commercial operation of the satellites. Xu Wen, general manager of China Siwei, said the satellites will provide services in a number of fields from environmental monitoring to disaster mitigation. In China, there is a huge demand on remote sensing data, which, until now, came from foreign sources. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Over 6,200 members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) were held accountable for undesirable work styles from January to November last year, the top anti-graft body said Wednesday. In 2013 the CPC launched a "mass line" campaign to strengthen members' links with the people and to eliminate undesirable work styles including formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance. Party members who violated the policies on undesirable work styles accounted for 43 percent of all members castigated for incompetence in implementing accountability and supervision, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said. Over 2,000 Party members were held accountable for regional and systemic corruption, while over 6,100 heads of Party committees at all levels were held accountable for various issues, according to the CCDI. The accountability system of the CPC was built in accordance with the first intra-Party accountability regulation that went into effect in July last year. Zheng Zhencheng, an official with the CCDI, said nine ministerial-level organs have issued detailed measures to carry out the regulation. From January to November last year, over 11,200 cases involving violations of the regulation were found, and 14,800 people from more than 780 Party organizations were castigated, the CCDI said. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China is encouraging the development of multimodal transportation in an effort to ease road traffic congestion and lower transportation and packaging costs. Qualified freight companies including railway, road, water and air cargo businesses can carry out multimodal transport operations connecting different ways of transport either individually or in partnership with other companies, according to an industry development circular issued recently. The circular was drafted by 18 governmental agencies spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport (MOT). No newly-added administrative approval measures will be targeted at businesses carrying out such operations, said the circular, adding that the nation aims at creating an open, unified and fair multimodal transportation market. Conditions should be created for more medium and long-distance freight to move from road transportation to railways, cargo vessel and other transportation modes in an orderly manner, it noted. This is a "strong reform signal" from the government to encourage development of multimodal transportation, Wang Shuiping, an official with the MOT said Wednesday at a press briefing reviewing highlights in the circular. China's road-dominated transportation mode had low added value that require reforms, Wang said. Intermodal road-rail-water-air transportation can help optimize China's transportation structure, alleviate traffic congestion and save land resources, said Li Muyuan, an expert with China Communications and Transportation Association. by Yan Lei, Jon Day TOKYO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japan's top government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference Tuesday that Japan "has not yet decided" when its ambassador, recalled by Tokyo last week, would return to South Korea. Observers here, however, warned that the prolonged feud between the two countries, compounded by Japan's latest drastic move, could lead to the further deterioration of bilateral ties despite Japan's wishes otherwise. DRASTIC MOVE Japan has temporarily recalled its ambassador to Seoul and consul general to South Korea's southern port city of Busan, in protest against the installation of another "comfort women" statue near the Japanese consulate in Busan. The girl statue represents Korean teenagers coerced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) during the devastating war and Japan's brutal occupation of the Korean Peninsula. The Japanese government has also decided to suspend high-level economic dialogue with South Korea and talks on currency swapping as part of its "initial" response to the installation of the statue. The "unusually drastic" move by Japan, as it has been referred to by some media reports here, purportedly aims to pressure the shaky South Korean government into abiding by a controversial agreement reached in December 2015 between the administration of South Korea's Park Geun-hye and Japan over the "comfort women" issue. Abe said in a TV program aired on Jan. 8 that the South Korean side should "show its sincerity" and stick to the agreement, irrespective of leadership changes, as this is "a matter of credibility," referring to removing the statue representing "comfort women." Regarding Abe's comments, South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party said Abe was trying to use the thorny issue for his own political gain as he is seeking re-election as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and to extend his term as Japan's prime minister. "This is textbook Abe. This is his modus operandi as a rightwing politician and as Japan's leader. Perhaps the political climate in South Korea means that Abe feels he had more clout to get statue removed by pulling a few power moves like recalling his envoys," Kaoru Imori, a senior political science research fellow and commentator, told Xinhua. "But the timing and the issue is layered. He also wants to be seen at home, particularly by his conservative factions and supporters here, as protecting Japan's sensitive wartime image and in doing so is ensuring his poll numbers remain favorable as he is eyeing an election this year," Imori said. Nikkan Gendai, a Japanese journal, also said in a recent article that the Japanese government's tough move is aimed at winning support from conservative forces in Japan. "It's a method often used by the Abe administration to stir up nationalism and to boost its support rate," said the article. S. KOREANS WON'T CAVE Japan has not yet decided when its ambassador would return to South Korea, although earlier local media reports, quoting government sources, said the ambassador would probably stay in Japan for about a week. "Japan faces a difficult decision on when to return its representatives to South Korea, because if the issue drags on, it could hamper their concerted efforts to address the growing nuclear threat from North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea)," said Japan's Kyodo News. With political uncertainties ahead associated with Donald Trump becoming the new U.S. president, Japan apparently does not want to lose South Korea as an ally. Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada on Tuesday, while demanding the removal of the statue, pledged to strengthen security cooperation with South Korea, saying that the two countries "share common interests for the peace and stability of the East Asian region." However, "the tough attitude of Japan could meet with strong opposition from the South Korean side. The issue could become a focal point in South Korea's next presidential election," said Ukeru Magosaki, a former Japanese diplomat. "The key to this problem is that Park Geun-hye has lost power to control the country after the impeachment decision in parliament. The matter is now not how the government of South Korea behave, but how people in South Korea respond," said Magosaki, noting that more than 60 percent of the South Korean people want to cancel the "comfort women" agreement with Japan. Any "retaliation policy" would be useless and would negatively affect the people of South Korea, he added, saying that it is hard for the South Korean people to cave in under Japanese pressure. APOLOGIES NOT PAYOFFS The expression "comfort women" is a euphemism used to describe Asian women who were forced into sexual enslavement and to serve the IJA and others in Japanese military brothels during Japan's invasion of its Asian neighbors before and during the World War II. In line with the 2015 agreement, which aims to settle the "comfort women" issue once and for all, Japan remitted 1 billion yen (8.6 million U.S. dollars) last year to a South Korean fund helping former "comfort women." "Japan seemed to think that a single payoff would somehow, not just solve, but also erase the entire 'comfort women' issue, which remains a huge stain on Japan's history in terms of the Japanese Army's well-documented acts of wartime brutality," political commentator and Shizuoka-based author, Philip McNeil, told Xinhua. "But it's natural for the South Koreans to want to honor its own martyrs some of whom are still living and there are war memorials of such all over the world. Japan trying to 'pay its way' out of responsibility is deplorable, and I would expect more 'comfort women' statues to begin appearing not just in South Korea, but in other places around the world," McNeil said. The 2015 agreement has enraged many South Korean people, especially the surviving "comfort women," as it failed to state that Japan shall admit legal responsibility and sincerely apologize for the atrocities it committed before and during World War II. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for his part, has never admitted the fact that Japan forcibly recruited women into sexual slavery during the war. South Korea's opposition parties now have renewed their demand to rescind the 2015 agreement. Woo Sang-ho, floor leader of South Korea's biggest opposition Minjoo Party, told a party supreme council meeting that the 1 billion yen that Japan offered to South Korea to care for the surviving "comfort women" victims, was humiliating money and should be returned to Japan. Rep. Chung Byung-kook of the Righteous Party, a splinter group from the ruling Saenuri Party, urged Abe to make a sincere apology rather than again using cheque book diplomacy. A picture taken on January 8, 2017 in Jerusalem shows the hand of a Palestinian man holding a mobile phone showing a photo of Fadi Al-Qanbar, the assailant who rammed a truck into a group of Israeli soldiers visiting a popular tourist spot in Jerusalem earlier in the day. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) RAMALLAH, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday denounced Israel's decision to revoke residency status of Qanbar family members in East Jerusalem, after a member of the family was shot dead in an attack last Sunday. The Ministry said in an emailed press statement that the Israeli Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri issued a decision to revoke the residency status of 12 members of Qanbar family and described the step as "flagrant form of collective punishment," accusing Israeli authorities of "carrying on with its revenge campaign against the Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem." The statement highlighted that this step is a violation of international law. The ministry called on the intentional community to move promptly to halt this decision. Israeli public radio reported Wednesday that the Israeli Ministry of Interior summoned 12 members of Qanbar family preparing to revoke the residencies. The radio reported earlier that Israeli forces took measurements of Qanbar's family house, ahead of demolishing it. Last Sunday a Palestinian attacked a group of Israeli soldiers in East Jerusalem, killing four soldiers and leaving several others injured. He was shot dead by Israeli soldiers, according to identical Israeli and Palestinian sources. A wave of tensions has been ongoing between Palestinians and Israelis since October 2015, leading to the death of over 340 Palestinians, one Jordanian and over 40 Israelis, according to official data. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday sent a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, announcing an offer of 70 million yuan (about 10.1 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid to Iraq. In the letter, Li said China and Iraq enjoy a traditional friendship, and that the Chinese government highly values the development of China-Iraq relations. The Chinese government is willing to work together with the Iraqi government to continuously lift the strategic partnership between China and Iraq to a higher level, Li added. In order to help relieve the Iraqi people's current humanitarian difficulties, the Chinese government has decided to provide the Iraqi government with 70 million yuan in humanitarian aid, Li said. The Chinese government hopes that Iraq will achieve security and stability at an early date, said the Chinese premier. PARIS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that retaking Rakka, an Islamic State (IS) stronghold in northern Syria, remains "a priority target". Chairing a defense council at the Elysee Palace, Hollande reviewed situation in Syria where French troops joined United States-led military operation to combat Islamist fighters in the conflict-torn country. Hollande discussed "the means to prepare for Rakka's reconquest as soon as possible". France was one of the first European countries to join the U.S.-led coalition against IS. Its fighter jets bombed the group in Iraq in 2014. Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2016 shows the renovation ceremony of the Chinese Cemetery in Oudomxay's Na Mor district, Laos. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun) Laos, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Winding through lush mountain forest, the Chinese-sponsored No. 13 Highway in Laos runs through local villages hidden in the mist of northern Laos, the place which has witnessed the history of the relationship between Laos and China, as well as the new development. "Chinese martyrs sacrificed their lives for the China-Laosfriendship and the ever-enduring relations have been continuously revitalized. Under the support of the two countries' leaders, the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Laoshas been strengthening while the two countries' peoples are building an unbreakable community of common destiny," Chinese Ambassador toLaos Guan Huabing said at the launching ceremony of the renovation of Chinese cemeteries in northern Laos. Representatives from the Chinese Embassy to Laos, the Consulate-General in Laos' Luang Prabang, Chinese-invested companies, overseas Chinese stationed in Laos as well as Lao officials attended the ceremony at a Chinese cemetery in the Oudomxay's Na Mor district, some 310 km north of the capital Vientiane, on Tuesday. Addressing the ceremony, Lao Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Khampheng Xaysompheng expressed gratitude for the great sacrifice made by the Chinese martyrs for the liberation of Laos. "Provincial authorities of Oudomxay and Xiengkhuang will create favorable conditions for the renovation of Chinese cemeteries in Laos, and are aiming to create a beautiful environment and nice place for the relatives of the martyrs to mourn and visit," he said. According to Chen Yongjing, a military attache at the Chinese embassy in Laos, in the 1960s and 1970s, hundreds of Chinese martyrs sacrificed their lives for a sacred internationalist mission. As many as 215 Chinese martyrs were laid to rest at three cemeteries in Lao's northern Oudomxay and Xiengkhuang provinces, of which Na Mor cemetery in Oudomxay holds the souls of 81 Chinese martyrs. Staff members present a wreath at the Chinese Cemetery in Oudomxay's Na Mor district, Laos, Jan. 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun) In September 2016, at the witness of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, the two governments signed an agreement on the maintenance and upgrading of the Chinese cemeteries in Laos, marking the start of the project on cemetery renovation. "Once the renovation has been completed, the cemeteries will become a new place for furthering education and nurturing the China-Laos friendship for peoples of both countries, especially the younger generations. This will inspire us to make further efforts to carry forward the bilateral friendship," said the Chinese ambassador. In an interview with Xinhua and other Chinese media agencies, the Lao minister of labor and social welfare said, "The project is of great significance to memorize the Chinese revolutionary martyrs, as well as to cherish their contributions and supports for Laos." "We will expand the three cemeteries and turn those into education bases so Lao people, including students, can learn more about history and remember the contributions of the martyrs," Khampheng told reporters. Xun Jiazheng, chairman of China's Yunnan Sunny Road & Bridge Co., Ltd. that is in charge of the renovation project, said that at present, the relevant agencies of both sides are cooperating closely to complete the upgrading work quickly. At the ceremony, representatives of both sides laid wreaths and offered incense at the Na Mor cemetery. It is still dry season in Laos, but after the ceremony, a light shower suddenly seemed to deliver a refreshing atmosphere as if to show respect by making the martyrs feel comfortable -- the same martyrs who contributed so passionately to founding the China-Laosties. Along the road that meanders through mountains in northern Laos, there are newly-built roads as well as new offices and camps that serve the construction of the China-Laos railway, which indicates an even brighter future ahead for bilateral relations. LONDON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- British Ministry of Defense (MOD) officials announced Wednesday that British forces have taken command of NATO's Response Force and its flagship Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). Government Defense Minister Earl Howe witnessed the handover of the NATO's VJTF at an official ceremony at the Imjin Military Barracks in Gloucester. It commits thousands of British troops to be on standby and ready to deploy within days. The force will comprise of 3,000 British troops standing ready, supported by NATO allies, to respond to any threat to the alliance. As Britain takes over the command from Spain, the 20th Armoured Brigade will lead the force with the 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, 35 Engineer Regiment and 1 Logistic Support Regiment also contributing troops. The United States, Denmark, Spain, Norway and Poland will support the British brigade, adding capabilities such as armoured infantry companies, aviation and mechanised infantry, said the MOD in a statement. To further project Britain's global influence, the Royal Air Force has also taken the lead in the air component of the NATO Response Force. Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: "With the alliance's second biggest and rising defense budget, Britain is at the heart of NATO. In heading up the VJTF, Britain is taking another leading position in NATO and is sending a clear message that Britain is stepping up to our global defense commitments." Fallon announced earlier that Britain would commit RAF Typhoon aircraft to the NATO Southern Air Policing mission, offering reassurance to the Black Sea allies. Deployed from RAF Coningsby, the Typhoons will be based at Mihail Kogglniceanu Airbase, Romania for three months in summer 2017. ISTANBUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkey cannot overcome a growing wave of terrorist attacks at home while pressing ahead with a military operation in Syria unless ties with neighbors are mended and polarization in society is eliminated, analysts said. "Turkey must absolutely improve its relations with neighbors as well as the U.S.," said Haldun Solmazturk, director of the Ankara-based 21st Century Turkey Institute. Turkey has been hit over the past one and a half years by about 40 terrorist attacks in urban areas, in which some 500 people lost their lives. "It is impossible for Turkey to cope with the terrorist attacks of such a massive scale by itself," Solmazturk, a retired general from the Turkish Armed Forces, told Xinhua. Turkish forces and Ankara-backed Free Syrian Army militants are currently fighting for al-Bab, a Syrian town about 30 km from Turkish border being held by the Islamic State (IS). Ongoing civil wars in Turkey's southern neighbors, Syria and Iraq, and Turkey's involvement in Syria's raging war by means of offering support to the rebels have left the country more exposed to deadly attacks. "The way to stop terrorism is to do fine tuning in foreign policy and develop cooperation with the international community," Murat Bilhan, deputy chairman of the Istanbul-based think tank Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies, told Xinhua. The pace of terror attacks by the IS and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outlawed by Ankara, mostly in the form of car and suicide bombings, has significantly increased over the past month in particular. Turkey has been rocked by four deadly assaults in cities since Dec. 10. Turkish security forces have lost over 900 members since fighting resumed with PKK militants in July 2015, shattering a peace process that had lasted for more than two years. "A fight against terrorism that is not conducted in cooperation with the international community leaves Turkey vulnerable," argued Bilhan, a former diplomat. Turkey and Syria are on bad terms due to Ankara's support until recently to rebel groups fighting to topple the government and its insistence on the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad even after recognizing his government as legitimate by being part of the recent peace initiative. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim visited Baghdad last weekend in efforts to mend ties with Iraq. "If Turkey cooperates with neighbors, respects their territorial integrity, then it would be possible to drain the terrorism swamp," Sait Yilmaz, a security and foreign policy analyst, told Xinhua. Since the start of the so-called Arab Spring, the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been harshly criticized by the opposition for pursuing a sectarian foreign policy not in line with Turkey's best interests. Ankara launched a military offensive into Syria in August last year to push the IS away from the Turkish border and prevent the emergence of a Kurdish corridor in Syria's north. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently maintained that the terrorist attacks are linked with Turkey's military operation in Syria, implying that the U.S. was behind the attacks. The U.S. is trying to keep Turkey in line by using the terrorist organizations to inflict pain on the country, Erdogan said last week. The U.S. is known to be against Turkey's military operation in Syria to go south as far as al-Bab. It is widely claimed by Turkish media and some analysts that Washington is not happy with Turkey's all-out war against the PKK and wants to push Turkey to restart negotiations with the group. Prime Minister Yildirim drew last week a direct link between the attacks in Turkey and the U.S., saying what the U.S is doing boils down to providing weapons to the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the military wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), for Turkey to suffer more terror attacks. Ankara regards both the YPG and the PYD as terrorist groups linked to the PKK. In contrast to Solmazturk and Bilhan, Yilmaz, who taught at various universities in Turkey, believes the U.S. is linked to the rise in terrorism in Turkey. Arguing that terrorist organizations cannot survive without the backing of a good intelligence organization, Yilmaz stated, "It's been clear for a long time now that the U.S. is behind the IS and the PKK." In Yilmaz' opinion, Turkey should consider taking strong measures, including ending U.S.' use of its Incirlik military base in Adana as suggested by top government officials, to dissuade its NATO ally from continuing providing arms to Kurds in Syria, one of the major irritants in bilateral ties. Washington sees the Syrian Kurdish militias as reliable ground forces in its battle against the IS militants. Turkey has listed the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, the alleged mastermind of the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey in which Washington was accused of playing a role as well, and the cessation of cooperation with Syrian Kurds as its two major expectations from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump after he takes over the presidency on Jan. 20. Turkey is preparing to launch a massive operation against the PKK in spring. Other than three cantons under YPG control in Syria along the Turkish border, the PKK has bases in northern Iraq. Top Turkish officials have repeatedly vowed that the Turkish troops in Syria will also move forward, after capturing al-Bab, to drive the YPG out of Manbij unless the Kurdish militia forces leave the town on their own accord. Analysts who spoke to Xinhua advised against any further advance into Syrian territory, saying that could mean more trouble for the troops as well as for Turkey. "Turkey fell into the U.S.' trap by targeting al-Bab. By doing so, Turkey found itself confronted by two terrorist organizations at the same time, IS and the PKK," argued Yilmaz. In his view, Turkey should have targeted instead the YPG cantons along the Turkish border for the benefit of its national security. Around 50 Turkish troops have lost their lives and many more wounded so far in the al-Bab operation. "Turkey should never think of extending the ongoing operation to Manbij. Going as far down as al-Bab was also a mistake," said Solmazturk. Warning that Turkey would be facing the opposition of the international community in such a case, he added, "Under the given circumstances, I don't think Turkey has the military and political capacity to extend the operation to Manbij." Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party, also warned last week that the operation should not aim at capturing Manbij after al-Bab, implying that such a move could incur a heavy price for Turkey. While grappling with a serious terrorism threat, the Turkish society is deeply polarized along several fault lines -- Alevism vs Sunnism, secularists vs Islamists and Kurds vs Turks. Terrorist groups are seeking to drag the country into civil war by triggering the religious and ethnic fault lines, President Erdogan said in a speech on Monday. The mass shooting by a foreign IS militant at a nightclub on New Year's Eve in Istanbul was perceived as an attack on secularist life-style by many in Turkey. In a bid to unite the nation, top government officials have repeatedly said in recent months that Turkey is faced with an existential threat and is leading a new war of independence. The ruling party's discourse of existential threat is merely aimed at gaining the support of a larger public while hiding the government's own mistakes rather than sincerely bringing the nation together in the face of a common threat, Solmazturk argued. If it were not the case, the AKP would not be insistent, for fear of further deepening the rift in society, on a shift in the political system that would lead to a one-man rule, he said. Despite protests by opposition parties, the AKP and Erdogan, who headed the ruling party for years, have been pushing hard to replace the country's parliamentarian democracy with an executive presidential system. According to the AKP's proposals, which the parliament just began debating, the president will be bestowed with extensive powers, while those of the parliament will be crippled. The government is taking steps to disrupt the national unity instead of strengthening it, said Solmazturk. The AKP government, beset by serious problems, is trying to overcome them by getting more authoritarian, remarked Yilmaz, who argued such a step would simply further raise the tension in society. ROME, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni was admitted to hospital and underwent a minor heart surgery, after feeling ill during a visit in Paris on Tuesday, local media reported on Wednesday. Gentiloni was admitted to angioplasty at the Gemelli hospital in the Italian capital on Tuesday night, Ansa news agency said citing sources of the prime minister's office. The angioplasty operation consists in widening obstructed or narrowed blood vessels feeding the heart. Gentiloni's operation concerned a peripheral blood vessel, and the surgery "was fully successful," Ansa added. Gentiloni was now reportedly awake and in good condition. Gentiloni, 62, was appointed prime minister in mid-December, after Matteo Renzi resigned following a defeat in a crucial constitutional reform referendum on Dec. 4. He had served as the foreign minister in Renzi's government. On Tuesday, Gentiloni paid a visit to French President Francois Hollande, and he was expected to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May in London on Jan. 12, according to his official schedule. SINGAPORE, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the bomb attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan on Jan. 10 which claimed many lives, including five United Arab Emirates' diplomats, said the ministry in a statement on Wednesday. The ministry said there can be no justification for such a despicable act, particularly against diplomats who were on a humanitarian mission. The ministry offered condolences to the victims and wish those injured a speedy recovery. The twin bombings near Afghanistan's parliament has killed 57 people and wounded many in the country's capital Kabul as of Wednesday evening. A residents visits the exhibition of Chinese calligraphy and characters at the National Library of Peru in Lima, capital of Peru, on Jan. 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Luis Camacho) LIMA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The evolution of China's unique and complex writing system went on show this week at Peru's National Library here, attracting locals' attention and interest. The traveling exhibition, which has visited more than 15 countries so far, traces the origins of China's extensive "alphabet," which includes thousands of characters, dating back to its earliest manifestations as Bronze Age inscriptions that were carved on bones or turtle shells. More than 50 descriptive panels also feature China's varied writing styles, including artistic calligraphy on silk, paper and woven bamboo. "In recent years, as friendly ties between China and Peru have grown, so has the desire in Peru to learn the Chinese language," Zhu Xiaoyan, a cultural attache in the Chinese embassy to Peru, said at the opening on Monday. Also on hand was famed Chinese calligrapher Feng Kejian, who is also the permanent deputy director of the National Museum of Chinese Writing in Anyang, one of the eight ancient capitals of China and where historic oracle bones were discovered. "Writing is humanity's greatest invention and Chinese characters are living fossils of human civilization, a common heritage of humanity," said Feng. Peru's Deputy Minister of Culture Ana Castillo noted that economic relations between Peru and China were strong enough to inspire greater mutual curiosity and closer cultural ties. Residents visit the exhibition of Chinese calligraphy and characters at the National Library of Peru in Lima, capital of Peru, on Jan. 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Luis Camacho) "The inauguration of this traveling exhibit offers us a chance to strengthen the fraternal feelings" between the two peoples, said Castillo. Castillo said the exhibition highlighted the fact that writing "in China is more than just spelling, it is also an art. That is what we Peruvians endlessly and deeply admire." The opening ceremony featured demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy on rice paper with ink and brush, through which visitors could get a firsthand look at how characters are composed of varied strokes. Alejandro Garcia, a student, said: "I find the different Chinese characters they have demonstrated interesting. It's important that they have shown us the history of the Chinese language, one of the six official languages used at the United Nations." "It is very important to have these cultural and educational exchanges between China and Peru," he added. Since its inception in 2013, the exhibition has traveled to Canada, the United States, Germany, France, Russia, India, Japan and other countries. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Prime Minister Binali Yildirim at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, January 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) ISTANBUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkey cannot overcome a growing wave of terrorist attacks at home while pressing ahead with a military operation in Syria unless ties with neighbors are mended and polarization in society is eliminated, analysts said. "Turkey must absolutely improve its relations with neighbors as well as the U.S.," said Haldun Solmazturk, director of the Ankara-based 21st Century Turkey Institute. Turkey has been hit over the past one and a half years by about 40 terrorist attacks in urban areas, in which some 500 people lost their lives. "It is impossible for Turkey to cope with the terrorist attacks of such a massive scale by itself," Solmazturk, a retired general from the Turkish Armed Forces, told Xinhua. Turkish forces and Ankara-backed Free Syrian Army militants are currently fighting for al-Bab, a Syrian town about 30 km from Turkish border being held by the Islamic State (IS). Ongoing civil wars in Turkey's southern neighbors, Syria and Iraq, and Turkey's involvement in Syria's raging war by means of offering support to the rebels have left the country more exposed to deadly attacks. "The way to stop terrorism is to do fine tuning in foreign policy and develop cooperation with the international community," Murat Bilhan, deputy chairman of the Istanbul-based think tank Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies, told Xinhua. The pace of terror attacks by the IS and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outlawed by Ankara, mostly in the form of car and suicide bombings, has significantly increased over the past month in particular. Turkey has been rocked by four deadly assaults in cities since Dec. 10. Turkish security forces have lost over 900 members since fighting resumed with PKK militants in July 2015, shattering a peace process that had lasted for more than two years. "A fight against terrorism that is not conducted in cooperation with the international community leaves Turkey vulnerable," argued Bilhan, a former diplomat. Turkey and Syria are on bad terms due to Ankara's support until recently to rebel groups fighting to topple the government and its insistence on the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad even after recognizing his government as legitimate by being part of the recent peace initiative. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim visited Baghdad last weekend in efforts to mend ties with Iraq. "If Turkey cooperates with neighbors, respects their territorial integrity, then it would be possible to drain the terrorism swamp," Sait Yilmaz, a security and foreign policy analyst, told Xinhua. Since the start of the so-called Arab Spring, the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been harshly criticized by the opposition for pursuing a sectarian foreign policy not in line with Turkey's best interests. Ankara launched a military offensive into Syria in August last year to push the IS away from the Turkish border and prevent the emergence of a Kurdish corridor in Syria's north. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently maintained that the terrorist attacks are linked with Turkey's military operation in Syria, implying that the U.S. was behind the attacks. The U.S. is trying to keep Turkey in line by using the terrorist organizations to inflict pain on the country, Erdogan said last week. The U.S. is known to be against Turkey's military operation in Syria to go south as far as al-Bab. It is widely claimed by Turkish media and some analysts that Washington is not happy with Turkey's all-out war against the PKK and wants to push Turkey to restart negotiations with the group. Prime Minister Yildirim drew last week a direct link between the attacks in Turkey and the U.S., saying what the U.S is doing boils down to providing weapons to the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the military wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), for Turkey to suffer more terror attacks. Ankara regards both the YPG and the PYD as terrorist groups linked to the PKK. In contrast to Solmazturk and Bilhan, Yilmaz, who taught at various universities in Turkey, believes the U.S. is linked to the rise in terrorism in Turkey. Arguing that terrorist organizations cannot survive without the backing of a good intelligence organization, Yilmaz stated, "It's been clear for a long time now that the U.S. is behind the IS and the PKK." In Yilmaz' opinion, Turkey should consider taking strong measures, including ending U.S.' use of its Incirlik military base in Adana as suggested by top government officials, to dissuade its NATO ally from continuing providing arms to Kurds in Syria, one of the major irritants in bilateral ties. Washington sees the Syrian Kurdish militias as reliable ground forces in its battle against the IS militants. Turkey has listed the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, the alleged mastermind of the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey in which Washington was accused of playing a role as well, and the cessation of cooperation with Syrian Kurds as its two major expectations from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump after he takes over the presidency on Jan. 20. Turkey is preparing to launch a massive operation against the PKK in spring. Other than three cantons under YPG control in Syria along the Turkish border, the PKK has bases in northern Iraq. Top Turkish officials have repeatedly vowed that the Turkish troops in Syria will also move forward, after capturing al-Bab, to drive the YPG out of Manbij unless the Kurdish militia forces leave the town on their own accord. Analysts who spoke to Xinhua advised against any further advance into Syrian territory, saying that could mean more trouble for the troops as well as for Turkey. "Turkey fell into the U.S.' trap by targeting al-Bab. By doing so, Turkey found itself confronted by two terrorist organizations at the same time, IS and the PKK," argued Yilmaz. In his view, Turkey should have targeted instead the YPG cantons along the Turkish border for the benefit of its national security. Around 50 Turkish troops have lost their lives and many more wounded so far in the al-Bab operation. "Turkey should never think of extending the ongoing operation to Manbij. Going as far down as al-Bab was also a mistake," said Solmazturk. Warning that Turkey would be facing the opposition of the international community in such a case, he added, "Under the given circumstances, I don't think Turkey has the military and political capacity to extend the operation to Manbij." Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party, also warned last week that the operation should not aim at capturing Manbij after al-Bab, implying that such a move could incur a heavy price for Turkey. While grappling with a serious terrorism threat, the Turkish society is deeply polarized along several fault lines -- Alevism vs Sunnism, secularists vs Islamists and Kurds vs Turks. Terrorist groups are seeking to drag the country into civil war by triggering the religious and ethnic fault lines, President Erdogan said in a speech on Monday. The mass shooting by a foreign IS militant at a nightclub on New Year's Eve in Istanbul was perceived as an attack on secularist life-style by many in Turkey. In a bid to unite the nation, top government officials have repeatedly said in recent months that Turkey is faced with an existential threat and is leading a new war of independence. The ruling party's discourse of existential threat is merely aimed at gaining the support of a larger public while hiding the government's own mistakes rather than sincerely bringing the nation together in the face of a common threat, Solmazturk argued. If it were not the case, the AKP would not be insistent, for fear of further deepening the rift in society, on a shift in the political system that would lead to a one-man rule, he said. Despite protests by opposition parties, the AKP and Erdogan, who headed the ruling party for years, have been pushing hard to replace the country's parliamentarian democracy with an executive presidential system. According to the AKP's proposals, which the parliament just began debating, the president will be bestowed with extensive powers, while those of the parliament will be crippled. The government is taking steps to disrupt the national unity instead of strengthening it, said Solmazturk. The AKP government, beset by serious problems, is trying to overcome them by getting more authoritarian, remarked Yilmaz, who argued such a step would simply further raise the tension in society. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presides over a meeting of the leading Party group of the State Council, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2017. The leading Party group of the State Council, China's cabinet, has called for continued efforts to build a clean government and root out corruption. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo) BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The leading Party group of the State Council, China's cabinet, has called for continued efforts to build a clean government and root out corruption. At a meeting held last Friday, the group stressed implementing decisions and arrangements of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, as well as campaigns launched by the central leadership to eradicate extravagance, bureaucracy and corruption, said a statement released on Wednesday. The meeting was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, head of the leading Party group. By strengthening the regulation of power, cutting red tape and improving services, among other efforts, the leading Party group has made remarkable progress over recent years in building a clean government, the attendees said. They called for speeding up efforts to clearly define the scope of rights and obligations, "have rights exposed under the sun," and leave no refuges for corruption. They underscored streamlining administration. Government expenditure must be placed under strict control, illegal activities in state-owned enterprises' reorganization and outbound investment prevented, and supervision over public resources trading advanced. The attendees called for rigorous supervision and tough punishments for corruption related to the public interest, such as resource development, finance, poverty alleviation and health care, the statement said. It noted that the government will strive to improve its work styles by improving mechanisms that encourage civil servants to take responsibility and perform their duties. The leading Party group of the State Council and various departments must unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, strengthen management on intra-Party political life, strictly implement the documents on Party discipline, and consciously accept supervision, the statement added. According to the statement, the meeting decided to convene the fifth work conference of the State Council on clean governance. Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and other senior officials also attended the meeting. Related: China's top legislature vows deepening anti-graft fight BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The leading Party group of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and NPC Party organizations at various levels will deepen the clean governance drive and anti-graft fight, according to an official statement Wednesday. The statement summarized the key consensus reached at a meeting held by the leading Party group of the NPC Standing Committee on Monday. Attendees of the meeting studied key documents of the seventh plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Full story China's top political advisory body pledges continuous anti-graft campaign BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The leading Party group of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee has pledged continuous advancement of the anti-graft campaign in line with the call of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping will discuss the latest developments in China's economy and more inclusive globalization during his first visit to the Davos summit. Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong told a press briefing on Wednesday that Xi's presence at the 47th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting will help the world better understand China's economic situation and prospects as well as China's stance on current global problems. At the invitation of WEF founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab, Xi will attend the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 17. It will be the first time a Chinese president has attended the summit, an influential political gathering. Several Chinese premiers have been present at Davos since 1992. Xi will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony, and hold discussions with Schwab and guests from business, media and academic circles, Li said. Li said China will offer perspectives and proposals and exert active efforts to drive economic globalization toward more inclusive development, and expects all parties to have an objective and in-depth understanding of China's economy. China opposes trade protectionism, and supports solutions to trade disputes that are sought with an open and inclusive attitude and a reciprocal spirit, Li added. Xi's mission in Davos is to "reduce uncertainties" through injecting confidence and solidarity into the international business community, according to Chen Xulong, an expert at China Institute of International Studies. INNOVATIVE TIES President Xi will pay his first state visit to Switzerland from Jan. 15 to 18, at the invitation of the country's Federal Council. While there, he will hold talks with President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard, who took on the rotating one-year presidency for 2017 on Jan. 1. In addition, he will meet leaders of the Federal Assembly and talk with representatives from the Swiss economic circle. The two heads of state will witness the signing of several cooperation deals covering politics, free trade, culture, customs, energy and sport, according to Li. The two countries, which forged an innovative strategic partnership during then-president Johann Schneider-Ammann's state visit to China in 2016, will also discuss cooperation in innovation, Li added. Wang Yiwei, a professor at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said that Switzerland's innovation strength is very attractive to China that is striving for economic restructuring. Switzerland was among the first European countries to recognize China's market economy status. Wang believes that a stronger China-Switzerland economic relationship is helpful to China's ties with Europe COMMUNITY OF SHARED DESTINY President Xi will also go to Geneva and Lausanne, where he will visit the United Nations office at Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Olympic Committee headquarters. According to Li, he will deliver a speech on establishing a "community of shared destiny" at the Palace of Nations and meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, their first meeting since the latter took office on Jan. 1. The concept of "community of shared destiny" is one of the most important diplomatic concepts China has proposed in recent years, said Chen Xulong, noting that the president's Geneva visit shows support for multilateralism and international collaboration. China will sign documents with the WHO on healthcare cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, said Li. With regard to a question about whether Xi will contact with the U.S. delegation on the sidelines of the Davos summit, Li said the Chinese side maintains a smooth communication channel with President-elect Donald Trump's team and does not rule out the possibility. "The Chinese side is willing to contact various parties to arrange some bilateral meetings, as long as there is willingness and a convenient time," Li said. Related: Interview: Chinese president's Switzerland trip to have important impact on global economy, governance -- senior diplomat GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled multilateral diplomatic activities in Geneva and Davos during his upcoming visit to Switzerland will have an important and far-reaching influence on the global economic recovery and governance system reform, a senior Chinese diplomat said Wednesday. On Jan. 15-18, Xi will pay a state visit to Switzerland and attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. Full story Interview: Pioneering spirit shapes China-Switzerland ties -- Swiss ambassador BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A pioneering spirit has always shaped and will further guide Switzerland-China ties, Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. Image provided by Venezuela's Presidency shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro attending the installation of an "anti-coup command", in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 10, 2017. (Xinhua/VENEZUELA'S PRESIDENCY) CARACAS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's embattled President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday installed an "anti-coup command" to thwart the opposition's latest attempt to unseat him. The move aims to safeguard the presidency while Maduro is out of the country attending the inauguration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega later on Tuesday. The command is comprised of key government figures, including the ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs and Interior, as well as Vice President Tareck El Aissami. On Monday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly, or the Congress, voted to impeach Maduro for "dereliction of duty," despite not having the constitutional power to do so. Maduro, accompanied by members of the command, said he was obligated "to defend the rights" of Venezuelans. "I have delegated all tasks so this (command) serves as the executor of the preventive policies. The battle for peace is won through prevention and judicial policies to punish all violent attempts against Venezuela," said Maduro. He also called for the continuation of dialogue between the ruling socialist party and the conservative opposition, saying the attempted coup should not distract from talks aimed at resolving bitter differences between the two parties. The minority socialist bloc within the assembly called on the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) to annul the impeachment measure, which passed with 106 votes in favor out of a total of 163. Following the vote, Hector Rodriguez, head of the socialist party bloc in congress, told reporters the vote was a "futile measure that is not going to have any legal or political effect beyond being a failed attempted coup." Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Argentine counterpart Mauricio Macri who came to Hangzhou to attend the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 3, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral ties between China and Argentina "have reached a very high level" in politics, trade and culture, a Chinese diplomat highlighted Tuesday. Wang Liang, the charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in Argentina, emphasized that Feb. 19 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. "2017 is a highly significant year for the bilateral relations between China and Argentina," said Wang in an interview with Xinhua. "First because it will coincide with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Argentina," said the Chinese diplomat. "Then, in the first half of the year, (Argentine) President Mauricio Macri will visit China. This will be a very important milestone for bilateral relations," added Wang. "Political trust between the two countries has risen significantly, as well as pragmatic cooperation. China is Argentina's second trading partner, the first destination for Argentina's agricultural exports, and the third foreign investor in the country," he emphasized. Image taken on Sept. 1, 2015, shows operators placing a wheel in a dumper machine of the Chinese brand Sanyi at "La Enriqueta" camp, pioneer for the construction of the Nestor Kirchner dam, 150km from El Calafate city, Santa Cruz province, 2777km from Buenos Aires city, capital of Argentina. (Xinhua/Martin Zabala) Equally, China has become a partner for Argentina's most emblematic projects, including hydroelectric and nuclear plants, as well as building railways, clean energy plants and housing. "Looking to the future, we will make joint efforts with Argentina to build a stronger comprehensive strategic partnership that is more beneficial for both nations and peoples," he stated. Wang stressed that "using the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and President Macri's visit to China, we will have more successes and more ties in politics, trade, culture and other areas." Recently, Chinese ambassador to Argentina Yang Wanming told Xinhua that both sides would organize a series of activities to celebrate the anniversary. The ambassador said this "45th anniversary should be taken as a new opportunity ... to help all types of exchanges and mutual visits to deepen knowledge and friendship between our societies." Policemen arrest a robber in Ecatepec, Mexico, Jan. 4, 2017. (Xinhua) MEXICO CITY, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Over 1,600 people have been arrested for looting across Mexico over the past week, during protests against the sharp rise in gasoline prices, the Interior Ministry announced Tuesday. In an interview with Mexican TV station, Televisa, the Under-Secretary of the Interior, Rene Juarez, said that around 480 commercial centers had been sacked during acts of vandalism since Jan. 3, especially in the center, east and southeast of the country. The federal government hiked gasoline prices by up to 20 percent in certain parts of the country, due to international prices and the depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar. Despite broad public discontent, President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Monday that he had struck a deal with the country's productive sectors to avoid other price hikes on top of gasoline. However, the deal was not signed by the country's largest business groups. Photo taken on Jan. 4, 2017 shows a department store ransacked by the protesters in Mexico City, Mexico. (Xinhua/Francisco Canedo) Juarez added that while protests continued, they were being carried out peacefully, and said that vandalism had been overcome. However, on Saturday, scuffles were reported in the northern city of Mexicali, where protesters blocked a Pemex supply depot. "Daily life has almost been restore. This does not mean that social annoyance has been minimized, it would be irresponsible to say that there is no worry," Juarez told Televisa. According to the official, the government is also investigating the origin of social media campaigns instigating violence through lies and rumors. For Juarez, the protests over the last week were a mixture of two issues: real expressions of citizen anguish and movements "with other interests, other motivations." KATHMANDU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Some 40 tourism professionals of Nepal on Wednesday graduated from basic Chinese language training course provided by the Chinese government. The tourism professionals received six-month long language class in the capital city as per the agreement reached between the two countries during the then Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's visit to China last March. According to the agreement, China will provide language training course to 200 tourism professionals of Nepal within five years. The first batch of training was organized under the coordination between Nepalese Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Chinese Embassy in Nepal. The course was operated from July 12 last year to Jan. 10. Addressing the graduation ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said the training program will enhance the understanding and bonding between the people of two nations. "At a time when the number of Chinese tourists are gradually increasing in Nepal after the earthquake, we are hopeful that this training program will play a significant role in reviving Nepal's tourism industry," she said. China is the second largest tourism source market of the Himalayan country. According to official statistics, Nepal received over 125,000 Chinese tourists in 2014 while the number declined to 80,000 after the powerful earthquake in April 2015. "Chinese tourism is booming in Nepal in the recent years. Amid such, Chinese language will be helpful for business opportunities, cultural exchanges and in communicating with the tourists," said Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board. He hoped China will extend support in capacity building and infrastructure development in the tourism sector. Sundar Adhikary, a tourist police who participated in the training, said "Within six months, I have been able to communicate fluently in Chinese language. It has helped me to know more about Chinese people and culture. I am glad to be a part of this training." MOGADISHU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Somali lawmakers on Wednesday re-elected Mohamed Osman Jawari as the speaker of the federal parliament. The election took place amid tight security in the capital Mogadishu with main roads leading to the venue closed. The federal electoral body announced Jawari as the winner of the poll, which saw 259 legislators cast their ballots. He was also chosen to head the lower house. Jawari garnered 141 votes in the first round, trouncing three other contenders to win re-election. His nearest rival Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig won 97 votes. The upper house is yet to elect its speaker. The parliamentarians were sworn in late December following a three-month long vote, which is yet to be concluded as elections for the breakaway region of Somaliland are still ongoing. The lower house consists of 275 members while the upper house is made up of 54 members. The contenders who lost in the election congratulated Jawari for his re-election and urged him to lead the MPs in a fair manner. An elated Jawari thanked the MPs and promised to work hard to unite them. The elections of the deputy speakers of the federal parliament will take place on Thursday. Lawmakers will choose a new president after the election of upper house speaker. Enditem VIENTIANE, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lao government has set a target to reforest over 37,000 hectares of land in 2017 for environmental protection and to increase green coverage areas across the country. Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in collaboration with local authorities concerned, are preparing tree seedlings and determining reforestation areas in each province, according to Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Lien Thikeo on Wednesday. In 2016, the ministry encouraged government bodies and the private sector to plant trees on about 24,000 hectares and reforest over 200,000 hectares for environmental protection and to increase green areas, reported Lao state-run news agency KPL. The most popular trees planted by government agencies are native types and ornamental species such as the Indian devil tree (Alstonia scholaris), New Guinea Rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus), Afzeleia xylocarpa, and Shorea talura. Deforestation and forest degradation have denuded large areas of Laos since the 1940s when forests covered over 70 percent of the country's land area. But the coverage dramatically decreased to less than 40 percent in the 1990s and there has been no change in this trend. Lao government aims to increase forest coverage to about 70 percent by 2020, of which 500,000 hectares will be commercial tree plantations. So far, trees have been planted on more than 440,000 hectares of land. SOFIA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met on Wednesday with representatives of three Chinese companies who are in the Balkan country to explore investment opportunities. Representatives of the Chinese companies -- Alibaba Group, GS-Solar Company and GoldPoly Group -- said their interest in Bulgaria came as a result of the good relations that Borissov had established with the Chinese leaderships, the Bulgarian government said in a statement. Bulgaria's high-level participation in the "16+1" cooperation mechanism has contributed to the intensification of bilateral business contacts in recent years, the statement said. The "16+1" refers to China and the 16 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. E-commerce giant Alibaba Group is mulling to set up a logistics center in Bulgaria to serve orders in Europe, according to the government statement. Solar module producer GS-Solar Company considers establishing a plant for production of solar panels, it added. In 2014, China and Bulgaria announced the establishment of an all-round friendly cooperative partnership in order to cement traditional friendship and promote cooperation between the two nations. LUSAKA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- An Expert on Wednesday welcomed China's announcement to help revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), a joint venture between Zambia and Tanzania. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who visited Zambia on Jan. 8, said leaders of the three countries have already reached consensus on revitalizing and modernizing the railway built by China half a century ago. Among components of the revitalization process will include a comprehensive reform of the railway firm's management system, creating better cohesion between the railroad and relevant ports as well as building industrial and economic zones along the railway. "It's great news that China will give TAZARA a new lease of life. China is one of the world's greatest railway countries in the world. The Chinese government must be commended for being an all-weather friend of TAZARA and they should continue with the support," Trevor Simumba, an International Development Economist told Xinhua. He agreed with the plans to bring in more investment within the railway line's development corridor, adding that there was vast land between the two countries along the rail line which needed to be developed. According to him, the investment could be focused on agriculture, tourism, mining and industrial zones. Ma Zhaoxu, head of the Chinese mission to the United Nations at Geneva, receives an interview with Xinhua News Agency in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2017. Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled multilateral diplomatic activities in Geneva and Davos during his upcoming visit to Switzerland will have an important and far-reaching influence on the global economic recovery and governance system reform, said Ma Zhaoxu, head of the Chinese mission to the UN at Geneva. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled multilateral diplomatic activities in Geneva and Davos during his upcoming visit to Switzerland will have an important and far-reaching influence on the global economic recovery and governance system reform, a senior Chinese diplomat said Wednesday. On Jan. 15-18, Xi will pay a state visit to Switzerland and attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. According to his agenda, Xi will also visit the United Nations (UN) headquarters at Geneva, and meet with leaders of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Ma Zhaoxu, head of the Chinese mission to the UN at Geneva, told Xinhua that Xi's upcoming visit is of great importance, especially considering the current changes in the world economy and international relations. Ma said the international financial crisis and its deep impact still exist, and the world economic recovery is weak. An anti-globalization trend and protectionism, isolationism and populism are on the rise, he said. "President Xi's speech will help the international community find the direction to move forward as well as solutions to the world's tough challenges such as terrorism, refugee problems and climate change and other issues of widespread concern," he said. During the WEF annual meeting for 2017, Xi will deliver an important speech that is expected to fully explain his views on the world economic situation, and China's insight and proposals to deal with the world's most important issues. The WEF annual meeting in Davos remains the most creative force for engaging the world's top leaders in collaborative activities to shape global, regional and industrial agendas at the beginning of each year. The theme of the 2017 annual meeting is "Responsive and Responsible Leadership." As an important member of the international community, China has been a strong advocate of multilateralism, firmly supporting the UN's central role in international affairs and advancing international cooperation. In today's world, multilateralism with the UN at its core still plays an irreplaceable role, and it is also key to addressing global challenges. "In the past more than 60 years, Geneva has witnessed the growth of China from a bystander of the international system into a participant, builder and even one of the leaders of the international community," Ma said. "The world today is at a turning point in history. The international balance has undergone profound changes, with emerging markets and a large number of developing countries gaining strength. At the same time, the world faces a lot of severe challenges and unexpected events that often make people confused," Ma said. He said that under the circumstances, Xi's notion of a community of common destiny for mankind means a clear direction for the world's further development. This is a message that has been repeated many times, and it reflects China's sincere wish to build a better world together with other countries, Ma said, since China's development and reform are not only tied to the welfare of the Chinese people, but also to the peace and prosperity of the entire world. Calling for dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, the concept of a community of common destiny for mankind highlights China's pledge not to develop at the cost of other countries. Ma said that during his visit, Xi is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at a high-level meeting focused on building a community of common destiny for mankind, to be held in the UN headquarters at Geneva. "Xi's speech will further explain the important idea of building a community of common destiny for mankind, and this will have a significant and far-reaching impact on the reform of the global governance system," Ma said. Related: Xinhua Insight: China's economy, globalization to be on top of President Xi's Davos agenda BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping will discuss the latest developments in China's economy and more inclusive globalization during his first visit to the Davos summit. Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong told a press briefing on Wednesday that Xi's presence at the 47th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting will help the world better understand China's economic situation and prospects as well as China's stance on current global problems. Full story Interview: Pioneering spirit shapes China-Switzerland ties -- Swiss ambassador BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A pioneering spirit has always shaped and will further guide Switzerland-China ties, Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday sent a condolence message to his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, over the death of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. In the message, Wang expressed deep grief over Rafsanjani's passing and sincere sympathy to the relatives of the former president. Calling Rafsanjani an important leader of Iran, he said the former president had made significant contributions to deepening China-Iran cooperation and promoting the friendship between the two countries during his lifetime. Wang said he deeply lamented Rafsanjani's death, which represents the loss of a good friend to the Chinese people. China attaches great importance to the development of China-Iran relations, he added, expressing his belief that with the two countries' concerted efforts, their comprehensive strategic partnership will make more achievements. Rafsanjani, an influential cleric and politician, died of a heart attack on Jan. 8 at the age of 82. COLOMBO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission decided on Wednesday to restore trade concessions under the General System of Preference Plus (GSP-Plus) to Sri Lanka on condition that Sri Lanka fulfills its international obligations in regard to the maintenance of human rights and good governance. "Removal of customs duties would be accompanied by rigorous monitoring and conditional on continued commitment to sustainable development, human rights and good governance," the European Commission said. The Commission proposed that a significant part of the remaining import duties on Sri Lankan products be removed by the European Union in exchange for the country's commitment to ratify and effectively implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labor conditions, protection of the environment and good governance. The European Parliament and the Council have now up to four months to raise potential objections before the measures become effective. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said his country has won human rights, democracy as a result of the actions of the current administration and the European Union was restoring GSP plus free trade access to the country. GSP plus was withdrawn from Sri Lanka due to the weakening human rights under the ousted Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. YAOUNDE, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Two bomb attackers suspected to be Nigerian Islamic sect Boko Haram members were killed after they detonated the bombs attached to them on Wednesday in Far North Region of Cameroon. Far North Region Governor Midjiyawa Bakari was quoted by Cameroon's national radio CRTV as saying the two bomb attacks were thwarted by the local vigilance committee in Dougue, a small town in Far North Region neighboring Nigeria. The governor said one member of the vigilance committee was wounded in one attack. One source from security forces told Xinhua three soldiers of Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), a special force of Cameroonian army, were killed on Wednesday morning in an ambush by militants in Kolofata in Far North Region. It is the second attack in Kolofata in 24 hours, one day before one soldier of RIB was killed by militants, the same source said. Enditem Syrians evacuate Barada Valley, northwest of Damascus, capital of Syria, on Jan. 11, 2017. Around 500 people, including 60 rebels, got cleared of criminal charges after surrendering to the Syrian army in the water-rich Barada Valley northwest of the capital Damascus, as part of a deal reached Wednesday between the army and the rebels in that strategic location, state news agency SANA reported. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) DAMASCUS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Around 500 people, including 60 rebels, got cleared of criminal charges after surrendering to the Syrian army in the water-rich Barada Valley northwest of the capital Damascus, as part of a deal reached Wednesday between the army and the rebels in that strategic location, state news agency SANA reported. Army deserters and dodgers were among those who turned in to the Syrian army in Barada, as the Syrian government promised amnesty for all those who leave rebel-held areas toward the government-controlled ones. The number will surely increase in the next few hours. The agreement in Barada came to empty that area of rebels, part of which will surrender to the army while the rest will be granted safe exits out of the area toward the northwestern province of Idlib, a main stronghold for the rebels. Quoting officials supervising the file of Barada Valley, SANA said the area will soon be free of rebels, as a prelude for the entry of maintenance workers, who will start fixing the Ain Fijeh springs, the main water source feeding Damascus with drinking water. Earlier in the day, SANA said the government concluded a "preliminary agreement" with the leaders of the rebel groups in Barada Valley, which includes reconciliation with some rebel groups, and the evacuation of others out of the area to Idlib, the destination of all the rebels who evacuate positions across Syria. The rebels would have to hand over their heavy weaponry to the Syrian army, which will enter the area to clear it from mines and explosive devices. The deal also includes allowing the government maintenance workers to enter Barada area to fix the Ain Fijeh springs, as the water has been cut off of Damascus since Dec. 23. Previous attempts to reach a truce and understanding between the rebels and the government in Barada had failed, which led to a wide-scale military offensive by the Syrian army backed by the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah group against the area, with the rebels responding by severing the water from Damascus. Barada wasn't considered by the government to be part of the a Turkish-Russian sponsored ceasefire that went into force on Dec. 30, as the area is largely controlled by the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, which is designated as a terrorist group, and thus excluded from any settlement in Syria. However, the Nusra fighters there have cut off the water from Damascus since Dec. 22, causing a massive water outage, amid recent reports that water poisoning cases started to surface as people have resorted to unclean water. GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Much progress has been made since the latest round of Cyprus talks started on Monday, UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide said on Wednesday. "We are on track. We have dealt with some of the most difficult issues and touched upon almost all of them," Eide told reporters on the third and final day of UN-facilitated Cyprus talks. Both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders had made important headway on some of the thorniest issues at stake, he said. Eide also added that many of the sticking points had either been solved or are closed to being so by rival delegations. Both Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in negotiations since Monday, almost two months after the two sides failed to see eye to eye in a round of negotiations in the Swiss town of Mont-Pelerin last November. A broader international conference is scheduled to kick off on Thursday. It will involve newly-appointed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the foreign ministers from the three guarantor powers -- Britain, Turkey and Greece. "We are eager to see that tomorrow gets off to a good start, and it was very important that we were able to use these three days optimally," Eide continued. "I think we are roughly where we wanted to be at this stage thanks to the determination and leadership of M. Anastasiades and Mr. Akinci," he added. Describing this opportunity as "historic", the Norwegian diplomat said that both sides will exchange maps outlining the administrative delimitations of both sides. The internal issues of property and territory are considered crucial if any lasting deal is to be reached. If this is the case, and pending referendums, the ambition is to create a unified and federal state, with specific guidelines defining the small Mediterranean nation's governance, security and economy, as well as its relationship with the EU. "It's a very important moment. Never before have we had an exchange of maps created by the Cypriot delegations themselves," Eide highlighted. "The maps that will be presented between the sides today are maps that they have developed based on their conversations in Mont-Pelerin, and after, so this is very important," he added. Cyprus has been divided in two since 1974 after a Greek coup spurred Turkey to send forces to the northern parts of the small island state. While the southern Greek Cypriot side is recognized by the international community and is a member of the European Union, only Ankara officially recognizes the break-away northern region. KATHMANDU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Tourism in Nepal headed towards revival in 2016 driven by the arrivals from China and India, after the Himalayan country suffered badly in 2015 from a powerful earthquake, and India's blockade that kept tourists away. Nepal's Department of Immigration statistics showed that tourist arrivals from China to Nepal surged by 55.26 percent to 104,005 in 2016 on year-on-year basis. Likewise, arrivals from India also grew by 57.4 percent to 118,249 last year. Two neighboring giants are the largest source markets for Nepal's tourism industry. As a result, overall arrivals in Nepal rose by 39.71 percent to 753,002 in 2016 after arrivals plunged to a six-year low of 538,970 in 2015. Despite recovery, arrivals are yet to reach the 2014 level when Nepal received a total of 790,118 foreign travelers. Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs also feel that the tourism sector is in recovery path. Kishore Raj Pandey, chairman of Sathi Travel, the first Nepalese travel agency bringing Chinese tourists to Nepal, said that booking from Chinese travelers are on the rise in the recent months. "We are getting bookings from 200 to 300 Chinese groups of visitors in a month which had reached as low as 50 during the crisis period in 2015," he said, adding that such bookings are yet to reach the level of 2014 when they used to get bookings up to 600 groups a month. Meanwhile, there has been a growth of Chinese visitors who have made Nepal their only destination for a trip. "Earlier, many of them used to visit Nepal and India or Nepal and Bhutan in a single package," said Pandey. Nepal has witnessed a constant growth in Chinese arrivals since June 2009 until it plunged in 2015. Nepal first participated in the China International Travel Fair in 2000 to promote the country's tourism. TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's BOTAS Petroleum Pipeline Corporation is in talks with the Iranian energy officials to increase gas imports from the Islamic republic, semi-official Fars news agency reported on Wednesday. The two sides have agreed to open new routes, including Sarv and Razi border points, as new paths to supply Iran's natural gas to Turkey, the report said. Presently, Iran exports 30 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas to Turkey on daily basis. In 1996, Iran signed a 25-year contract with Turkey to export 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually by pumping 30 mcm gas per day. KIEV, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- More than 2,400 schools across Ukraine have received 23,500 of new computers from the Chinese government, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said on late Tuesday. "It is a real New Year present for the Ukrainian schools," Groysman wrote on Facebook. He said that the Chinese contribution, which enables establishing computer classes in the educational establishments, plays a vital role in developing school education in Ukraine. The assistance will allow Ukrainian teachers not only to teach students how to use modern computers, but also to introduce coding and programming lessons into the school curricula. The donation is a part of a broader contribution by China to supporting the development of education in Ukraine. Last year, the Chinese government handed over modern educational equipment worth over 200,000 U.S. dollars to the Ukrainian authorities to establish three linguistic classrooms at Kiev Gymnasium, where about 600 students are learning Chinese. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) discussed goods and services trade and investment as they met in Beijing on Wednesday for the 11th round of trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen led the Chinese delegation, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. Since their launch in November 2012, China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement negotiations have been carried out. The three parties agreed that the establishment of a trilateral FTA will help give full play to their advantages, unleash the economic vitality of the three countries and boost regional prosperity and development. In November 2015, leaders from the three nations reiterated in a joint statement that they should accelerate the FTA negotiations. China is the largest trading partner of Japan and the ROK. The three countries, whose combined GDP accounts for around 20 percent of that of the whole world, would constitute one of the three largest economic blocs, along with the European Union and North America, both of which already have FTAs among themselves. VALLETTA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Migration, and the role of Malta taking over the presidency of the Council of the EU was discussed at length by Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at a press conference on Wednesday. Muscat said that Malta had no delusions of grandeur with regards to Malta's EU presidency. But whatever work Malta would be able to accomplish could hopefully be effective and life-changing for European citizens. Muscat stated that migration topped the agenda. He believed there were no easy solutions to the problem and a long-term strategy was needed. The first area where progress was achievable and necessary was through land and maritime border control. Juncker stated the European Commission was very confident the Maltese government had prepared for this presidency in an excellent way. The commission was also very much in agreement with the six overarching priorities on Malta's EU presidency agenda. Juncker added that in relation to border and coast control, all relevant decisions had been taken. The EU had 800 people on the ground mainly at the Bulgarian and Turkish border. He mentioned the EU would ensure member states delivered on their commitment to this. On EU members resistant to sharing the burden of refugees between states, Muscat said it was an issue of mutual understanding. Developments in Syria have led to continuous change in dynamics. Before an agreement on shared responsibility could be reached, the borders had to be secured. This was the first step which could lead to progress in solidarity. Juncker said this was not the problem of just some member states but it was a European problem. It needed a European answer built on the principle of solidarity as well as discussions with Libya and other North African countries on how to better tackle this problem. Strengthening the European presence in the Mediterranean was also needed. He also mentioned the launch of a common European asylum system that needed to be checked and further worked on. Juncker referred as well to the recently launched European investment plan to tackle the root causes of migration. Muscat also spoke of the removal of geo-blocking, and doing away with problems that could affect the birth of a digital single market. Regarding the rise in popularity of extremist political parties, and the issue of xenophobia, Muscat said the concerns of people voting for extremist groups needed to be addressed. A lack of proper distribution of wealth and the fostering of economic growth had led to a number of people feeling disenfranchised. In relation to Brexit, Muscat stated that a fair deal needed to be negotiated for Britain, but it had to be inferior to EU membership. The EU would not engage in bilateral negotiations before a new deal was struck. On this issue, there was agreement across all member states. Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2017 shows the damaged residential building in Shanghai, east China. A residential building in Shanghai has been seriously damaged, reportedly by an explosion, fire fighting sources said. A resident was injured in the explosion, which was suspected to be caused by gas leak. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) SHANGHAI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- One was injured after a residential building explosion in Shanghai on Wednesday night, said government sources. The accident occurred at around 9 p.m. Wednesday in Yangpu District. The walls of the second and third floors of the four-storey building collapsed, said the district government. One resident was taken to hospital, whose injuries are not life-threatening, it said. Some residents said they heard a loud bang. A preliminary investigation indicated a natural gas leak as the suspected cause of the accident. Residents have been relocated. ACCRA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday submitted a second list of 12 ministerial appointments for approval by parliament. The latest appointments bring to 25 the total number of Ministers-designate so far announced by Akufo-Addo, who has promised to revive the country's economy and create jobs. The president, in the new list, has created a ministry to be responsible for monitoring and evaluation to ensure timeous execution of government programs and projects. He has also created a Ministry of Regional Reorganization and Development to be headed by Dan Kwaku Botwe, an experienced Member of Parliament, to restructure the governance system of the country. "We are trying to put together a government of people who are doers," Akufo-Addo told a press conference at the Flagstaff House, the seat of government in Accra. The president is expected to release the final batch of ministers-designate by the close of the week. Full list: Anthony Akoto Osei, Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation; Dan Kwaku Botwe, Minister for Regional Reorganization and Development; Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister for Environment Science and Technology; John Peter Amewu, Minister for Lands and Forestry; Otiko Afisa Djaba, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection; Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Minister for Employment and Labor Relations; Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister for Transport; Joe Nana Ghartey, Minister for Railways Development; Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Minister for Roads and Highways; Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Minister for Communications; Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources; and Samuel Atta Akyea, Minister for Works and Housing. Enditem TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran formally received the first commercial plane from France's Airbus on Wednesday, Tehran Times daily reported. The delivery of an A321 is the first in a batch of 100 jets purchased by Iran Air to renew its aged passenger fleet, the report said. According to Iran's official IRNA news agency, the A321 has already left France and will arrive in Iran shortly. "Today, for civil aviation in Iran, is a memorable day," Iran Air Chief Executive Farhad Parvaresh said in France's Toulouse at the handover event on Wednesday. "The change in international perspective" helped to lay foundations for the deal, Parvaresh said, hailing the agreement as "one of the most significant deals in the history of civil aviation." This would be Iran's first brand-new plane in over 37 years. The country's current fleet is comprised of planes purchased before the 1979 Islamic revolution. All post-1979 purchases that were made with a variety of providers involved second-hand planes. In December, Iran sealed a contract with Airbus to buy 100 aircraft worth over 18 billion U.S. dollars. Parvaresh said that Iran Air would receive seven or eight planes from Airbus in 2017. He hoped that the delivery would be made in due time. In January 2016, Iran signed a preliminary agreement with Airbus to purchase 106 commercial planes, however, the agreement waited for the U.S. Treasury Department's go-ahead license which was issued in November. Also in December, Iran Air finalized another agreement with the U.S. Boeing to purchase 80 commercial planes. The agreement, signed in capital Tehran, envisages the purchase of 50 twinjet narrow-body Boeing 737 planes and 30 long-range wide-body 777 aircraft with a total value of 16.6 billion dollars. The planes by Boeing would be delivered to Iran within 10 years, Parvaresh said, adding that the first deliveries are expected in 2018. ABUJA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of a joint statement released by China and Nigeria on Wednesday: Joint Statement by the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are committed to strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries to the benefit of their peoples. The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria reaffirm their respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria reaffirms that the one China policy is at the core of its Strategic Partnership with China. The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes that there is only one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria reiterates not to have any official relations or engage in any official contacts with Taiwan, and supports all efforts made by the Chinese Government to realize national reunification. The Government of the People's Republic of China appreciates the above position and the recent measures taken accordingly by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and reaffirms its commitment to actively developing China-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across the board. JUBA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The protracted conflict in South Sudan has left thousands of children separated from their families since late 2013, putting them at risk of abuse, the UN children's fund (UNICEF) has said. Children have continued to suffer as a result of South Sudan's civil war, which broke out in December 2013, UNICEF South Sudan spokesman Timothy Irwin told Xinhua in an interview in Juba on Wednesday. "Since December 2013, 14,628 children have been identified and registered as unaccompanied, separated, or missing, and they are at risk of further abuse due to family separation," Irwin said. Some of the children have returned to their families. "As of mid-December 2016, 4,563 children have been successfully reunited with their families, and 9,046 cases remain active and open requiring ongoing interim care and family tracing services," Irwin revealed. UNICEF has previously accused warring factions of recruiting about 14,000 children in armed combat. In 2016, UNICEF and partners admitted 203,335 children with severe acute malnutrition into therapeutic feeding programs, Irwin said. "Some 1.54 million curative health consultations were provided in 2016, of which 557,588 (36.2 percent) were to children under five years. Malaria, diarrhoea and acute respiratory tract infections accounted for 74 percent of all consultations to children under five years," he said. He said the UNICEF was stepping up efforts in Greater Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Equatoria, Greater Upper Nile and Unity regions which are mostly affected by conflict. He said the UNICEF was reaching out to those in need in remote areas through a Rapid Response Mechanism together with the World Food Program by helicopter to provide food, health and nutrition assistance. He however said that insecurity continued to make it difficult to reach many communities in need. "Many families have fled their homes to the bush or to neighboring countries. It is vital that we are able to reach all those requiring assistance." According to Irwin, nearly five million of the most vulnerable people across South Sudan are in need of support to access safe water and basic sanitation facilities. "It is estimated that only 41 percent of the population have access to safe water and less than 14 percent have access to improved sanitation," he said. Enditem BUJUMBURA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- In the aftermath of the cholera outbreak, two weeks ago, in Burundi's northwestern Cibitoke province, two government ministers Wednesday visited the area and announced that stakeholders have committed to combating the epidemic. "Since the outbreak of cholera some two weeks ago, we did our best to treat the victims. No one died of the disease. However, we have today (Wednesday) at least 13 new cases of cholera patients, which makes a total of 159 cases since the outbreak of cholera for about two weeks," Burundian Public Health and AIDS Control Minister Dr Josiane Nijimbere said after visiting Rugombo health center where cholera patients are treated. According to her, several cholera patients were successfully treated and have already gone back home. She indicated that all stakeholders in the fight against cholera have deployed their efforts to combat the epidemic. Nijimbere said that she had gone to Rugombo along with Energy and Mining Minister Come Manirakiza as well as other stakeholders in the fight against cholera like the Burundi Red Cross. Nijimbere said, "Residents in this area do not drink clean water and many of them do not have latrines." She called on them to respect hygiene rules and to drink clean water. Manirakiza promised that the country's Water and Electricity Company (REGIDESO), in collaboration with the Burundi Red Cross, is to increase the volume of clean drinking water to Rugombo and its surroundings in an effort to combat cholera. Residents in Rugombo town face shortages of potable water and drink unclean water from the River Rusizi and other small rivers of the area. For a long time, several localities in the western part of Burundi have suffered from serious shortages of clean drinking water and citizens living in poor neighborhoods drink unclean water from rivers, catching cholera bacteria. Enditem Iraqis prepare a hot air balloon with slogan "peace for Iraq" written in different languages before its take-off at Tahrir Square in downtown Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2017. The event is to show support for government forces currently fighting against the Islamic State militants. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) MOSUL, Iraq, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi government forces on Wednesday extend its grip in the eastern side of the Islamic State stronghold in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq, as fierce clashes continued against the extremist militants, the Iraqi military said. In the eastern front, the elite forces of Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) recaptured the neighborhood of 7th Nisan and cleared the adjacent neighborhood of Sukkar, amid fierce clashes with the extremist militants, a statement by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said. The battles in the two neighborhoods left some 40 militants killed and three booby-trapped cars destroyed, the statement said. The CTS commandos also freed al-Maliyah neighborhood and raised the Iraqi flag over some of its buildings, leaving dozens of IS militants killed and two of their car bombs destroyed, the source said. The recapture of 7th Nisan, al-Maliyah and other nearby neighborhoods will pave the way for the troops to seize the eastern bank of the Tigris River, which will be crucial to launch next phase of attacks on the western side of Mosul. In the southeastern front, the Iraqi federal police and army soldiers continued their advance into the neighborhoods of al-Salam, Palestine, Sumer, Yarimja and Sahiron amid heavy fighting with IS militants, leaving dozens of IS militants killed and destroying a car bomb and two vehicles carrying terrorist militants, the statement said. In the northern front, the army soldiers backed by international aircraft continued their heavy battles in the neighborhood of al-Hadbaa and nearby areas, leaving dozens of IS militants killed and wounded, along with destroying seven booby-trapped vehicles destroyed, it added. The battles in Mosul came as the CTS commandos, army troops and federal police launched on Dec. 29 the second phase of a major offensive to free Mosul. The troops made their new push into several neighborhoods in the eastern side of Mosul, locally known as the left bank of the Tigris River. Last month, battles in Mosul had been slowed as extremist militants used locals as human shields, resorted to suicide car bombs and made mortar and sniper attacks in stiff resistance. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a recent report that the military operations in Mosul have pushed about 136,000 civilians to flee their homes in the city and its adjacent districts since the beginning of military offensive in October to reclaim the IS largest stronghold in Iraq. More than 1.5 million people were trapped in the city of roughly two million population previously. Cold winter worsened the conditions for the displaced people who suffered severe shortages of food and water, while camps and other emergency shelters reached maximum capacity. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Oct. 17 announced a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city. Since then, Iraqi security forces, backed by international coalition forces, have inched to the eastern fringes of Mosul and made progress on other routes around the city. 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. DUBAI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) crown prince of Abu Dhabi said on Wednesday that "terrorist acts" will not deter the humanitarian course of the Gulf state, UAE state news agency WAM reported. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, made the remarks in the wake of the bomb attack in Afghanistan that killed five UAE diplomats, who were on a humanitarian mission Tuesday. Scores of people were injured in the attack. He said the "terrorists' criminal acts" would not intimidate the UAE, which would stick to its humanitarian and charitable principles. The "forces of evil" behind the attack are not interested in development and humanitarian work in Afghanistan, he said. "We have lost the heroes who were on a humanitarian and charitable mission. The nation is proud of them," Sheikh Mohamed said, adding that they "provide us with the determination to conquer the forces of darkness." Children carry a bag of rice in Dordabis farm, Khomas Region, central Namibia, on Jan. 11, 2017. The first batch of China Aid Food was distributed at Dordabis farm on Wednesday. Namibia has been suffering from the drought in recent years, with the farming output decreasing and the people's lives affected, with which the Chinese people empathize, said Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Qiu Xuejun while attending the food distribution. (Xinhua/Wu Changwei) WINDHOEK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of China Aid Food was distributed at Dordabis farm in Khomas Region, central Namibia on Wednesday. Namibia has been suffering from the drought in recent years, with the farming output decreasing and the people's lives affected, with which the Chinese people empathize, said Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Qiu Xuejun while attending the food distribution. Being good friend, partner and brother of Namibia, China would like to offer the help and stand by the Namibian government and people, the ambassador said. During the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Namibia at the beginning of 2016, China announced a food aid of 4,000 tons of rice to Namibia. The first batch of 500 tons of rice arrived in Namibia in late last December and the second batch of 1,500 tons will arrive soon. "Chinese Embassy will continue to work with the Namibian government in the reception and distribution of the food aid. This food aid embodies the Chinese people's friendship and solidarity with the Namibian people and we hope the donation will help reducing the adverse effects caused by the drought in some degree." Qiu said. The Namibian officers and the beneficiaries among the villagers expressed their appreciation to the Chinese government and people, and said this food aid was a timely help, which would definitely help relieve the food shortage. "I'm very glad to have China Aid Food, we are fortunate, we appreciate it." Said Morliga Rooi, community member of Dordabis farm. The villagers also said that they will also make good use of the aid and will in the meanwhile try their best in food production by themselves. British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) talks with Irland's Prime Minister Enda Kenny at group photo session during an EU Summit at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan) LONDON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May and her counterpart in Dublin, Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, have discussed working together to find a solution to a crisis in Northern Ireland, Downing Street said Wednesday. It followed the shock resignation of Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, deputy leader of the devolved assembly in Belfast. The resignation of McGuinness means that unless Sinn Fein put forward a replacement within seven days, an election will be called to choose a new assembly for Northern Ireland. This has sparked fears that there could be a temporary return of home rule over Northern Ireland from Westminster Under the terms of agreements in the region, McGuinness's departure meant Arlene Foster of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) automatically ceased to be first minister at Stormont. In Belfast on Wednesday night, Sinn Fein party said they will not enter into negotiations. At crisis talks at Stormont which aimed at saving Northern Ireland's devolved institutions, Sinn Fein told Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, to call an election. A Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement that May and the Taoiseach both recognized the difficulties and seriousness of the situation in Northern Ireland. They also stressed how important it was to work together, with the Irish government and the parties of Northern Ireland, to find a solution. The two leaders also spoke about how Brokenshire and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, will be working very closely together over the next few days and months to support the parties of Northern Ireland in finding a resolution. Downing Street, in a statement, added: "The prime minister also said how important it was to make sure that Northern Ireland's voice and interests are heard as we prepare to leave the European Union and how the Northern Ireland secretary is fully committed to making this happen." The statement added that it was still Britain's intention to hold a joint ministerial committee at the end of the month to bring the devolved regions together in getting the best deal for the whole of Britain. The two prime ministers also agreed to maintain regular contact over the comings months. In the House of Commons on Wednesday, May told MPs that she wanted to try to ensure that within the seven-day period before an election has to be called, a resolution to the political situation in Northern Ireland can be found so the assembly can continue to govern. "We are treating this with the utmost seriousness, we are putting every effort into this," she said. The row between Sinn Fein and DUP erupted over a controversial heating scheme which has overspent, with people in Northern Ireland facing having to pick up the cost estimated to be around 500 million pounds (611 million U.S. dollars). The row evolved into a breakdown in trust between the two political parties. BRASILIA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Michel Temer stated Wednesday that criminal gans seemed to have "rights outside the State" which concerned the entire country. The president said at a cabinet meeting that the crisis in the prison system had gone beyond the sphere of security. Around 100 people have been killed in prison riots in northern Brazil since this year. Temer stated that the federal government "was very interested in this topic, as criminal organizations, such as the PCC (Primer Comando de la Capital), Familia do Norte, etc, constitute almost judicial rules, a rule of law outside the State." "To our surprise, when they carry out these frightful killings, they do it according to their own codes. Therefore, it is a question that goes beyond security and concerns the entire country," he highlighted. Temer added that public security is not the exclusive responsibility of the federal government and he would help regional governments to face the crisis in prisons, as well as the financial crisis across the country. Concerning the massive overcrowding in prisons across the country, the president recognized the conditions in which inmates were kept "inhumane." "The reality demands the construction of prisons, at least to improve the inhumane conditions. There are prisons which are designed for 600 people actually holding 1,600 people," explained Temer. The prison riot killings have mainly happened in the northern part of Brazil. On Jan. 1, a riot between two gangs, Familia do Norte and Primer Comando do Capital, left 56 dead there. Over the next week, a number of follow-up massacres were seen, with the deadliest coming in the Monte Cristo prison in Roraima, where 33 prisoners died. On Monday, four more prisoners died in the Puraquequara prison in Manaus. In a strategy to restore order in northern states prisons, elite commandos were deployed on Tuesday to Manaus and Boa Vista, capital of the neighboring state of Roraima, to help reinforce security in prisons. The measure is part of the help the federal government promised to seven northern states in order to reinforce control in those prisons. HAVANA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- In 2016, 74 percent more U.S. citizens took advantage of improved bilateral ties to visit Cuba, compared to the year before, the Cuban government announced on Wednesday. The officla dada shows that in 2016, 284,937 Americans visited Cuba, for a 74 percent increase in comparison with 2015," Josefina Vidal, director of U.S. affairs at Cuba's foreign ministry, posted on Twitter. While U.S. citizens are still banned from freely traveling to Cuba, the administration of outgoing President Barack Obama has relaxed restrictions, allowing travel for business, education, religious or humanitarian purposes. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has hinted he may revert such policies to pressure Cuba into making more concessions to Washington. Cuba has seen a tourism boom since Havana and the White House agreed in 2014 to work to normalize ties after half a century of animosity. Regular commercial flights from U.S. cities to Cuban destinations were relaunched in August. Today seven airlines operate nearly 20 flights a day from the U.S. to Havana. Cruises have also increased, with companies from Spain, Russia, Canada and the U.S., including Cuba, on their sailing itineraries. In 2016, Cuba saw a record 4 million international visitors, 13 percent more than in 2015. The tourism industry is hoping to attract more visitors, although it lacks the infrastructure for rapid growth. AMMAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and Norway on Wednesday stressed on the need to revive peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the state-run Petra news agency reported. At talks in Amman between Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and his Norwegian counterpart Borge Brende, the two sides looked into regional challenges, including the stalled peace process. They also looked into the upcoming peace conference slated in Paris next week, stressing on the need to relaunch effective and serious peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state at the borders of 1967. On bilateral ties, they stressed keenness to enhance ties in various fields. Judeh also voiced appreciation to Norway's supports for Jordan and the Palestinian issue. Discussions also covered means to combat terrorism and radical groups. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) shakes hands with his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama (R) during a bilateral meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on Jan. 11, 2017. The Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to One-China policy on Wednesday, saying Nigeria will stay committed to the long-standing friendship and cooperation with China. (Xinhua/Zhang Baoping) ABUJA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to One-China policy on Wednesday, saying Nigeria will stay committed to the long-standing friendship and cooperation with China. Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said Nigeria would do everything to realize the One-China Policy as well as any effort that would promote the peace and well-being of the People's Republic of China. A joint statement issued after the press conference noted the One-China policy is at the core of strategic partnership between the two countries. "The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes that there is only one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," the statement said, adding the governments of China and Nigeria have mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. On his part, Wang Yi said the government of People's Republic of China appreciated Nigeria's position and the recent measures taken accordingly by Nigeria. "China reaffirms its commitment to actively develop China-Nigeria strategic partnership across the board," he added. Wang kicked off his five-nation Africa visit on Friday, visiting Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, the Republic of Congo and Nigeria. The visit is in keeping with China's long diplomatic tradition of making Africa its first overseas destination each year. Upon arrival in Nigeria on Wednesday, Wang was received in Abuja by his Nigerian counterpart and the Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi before heading to the presidential palace for a meeting with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) shakes hands with his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama (R) during a bilateral meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on Jan. 11, 2017. The Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to One-China policy on Wednesday, saying Nigeria will stay committed to the long-standing friendship and cooperation with China. (Xinhua/Zhang Baoping) ABUJA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China and Nigeria need to further expand practical cooperation and deepen strategic partnership, Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Wednesday. Wang made the statement at a bilateral meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja. "Compare to the size, population and market of our two countries, our cooperation still have large potential to be deepened," he said. "In order to achieve further development and prosperity of the two countries, we need to strengthen our political mutual trust, deepen complementary cooperation between our two countries," he added. He expressed confidence that his visit would be successful and would play a dual role in further strengthening strategic partnership between China and Nigeria. According to him, the purpose of his visit is to implement the important agreements and cooperation reached between the Chinese and Nigerian presidents. He said the visit was also to help work closely with Nigeria to ensure that the outcome of the Forum for China Africa Cooperation summit is well implemented in Nigeria. At the bilateral meeting, China and Nigeria further agreed to deepen cooperation in five areas, including security, economy and infrastructural development, education, agriculture and building of mutual trust. Wang kicked off his five-nation Africa visit on Friday, visiting Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, the Republic of Congo and Nigeria. The visit is in keeping with China's long diplomatic tradition of making Africa its first overseas destination each year. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council Information Office on Wednesday issued a white paper on China's policies on Asia-Pacific security cooperation. Following is the full text: China's Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China January 2017 First Edition 2017 Contents Preface 1 I. China's Policies and Positions on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation 2 II. China's Security Vision for the Asia-Pacific Region 8 III. China's Relations with Other Major Asia-Pacific Countries 12 IV. China's Positions and Views on Regional Hotspot Issues 18 V. China's Participation in Major Multilateral Mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific Region 23 VI. China's Participation in Regional Non-Traditional Security Cooperation 32 Conclusion 39 Preface The Asia-Pacific region covers a vast area with numerous countries and 60 percent of the world's population. Its economic and trade volumes take up nearly 60 percent and half of the world's total, respectively. It has an important strategic position in the world. In recent years, the development of the Asia-Pacific region has increasingly caught people's attention. It has become the most dynamic region with the strongest potential in the world. All parties are attaching greater importance to and investing more in this region. With the profound adjustment of the pattern of international relations, the regional situation of the Asia-Pacific area is also undergoing profound changes. China is committed to promoting peace and stability in this region. It follows the path of peaceful development and the mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, and pursues friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It has participated in regional cooperation in an all-round way and taken active steps in response to both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, contributing to lasting peace and common prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. I. China's Policies and Positions on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation Currently, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region is stable on the whole, with a strong momentum for peace and development. The Asia-Pacific region is a stable part of the global landscape. To promote peace and seek stability and development is the strategic goal and common aspiration of most countries in the region. Political mutual trust among countries has been strengthened, and major countries have frequently interacted and cooperated with one another. To address differences and disputes through negotiation and consultation is the major policy of countries in the region. Regional hotspot issues and disputes are basically under control.The region has secured steady and relatively fast growth, continuing to lead the world in this respect. Regional integration has gathered pace, with booming sub-regional cooperation. Free trade arrangements in various forms have made steady progress, and a new phase has emerged for dynamic connectivity building. However, the Asia-Pacific region still faces multiple destabilizing and uncertain factors. The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is complex and sensitive; the reconciliation process in Afghanistan remains slow; and disputes over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests continue to unfold. Some countries are increasing their military deployment in the region, certain country seeks to shake off military constraints, and some countries are undergoing complex political and social transformations. Non-traditional security threats such as terrorism, natural disasters and transnational crimes have become more prominent. Asia's economy still faces significant downward pressure as a result of its structural problems as well as external economic and financial risks. As an important member of the Asia-Pacific family, China is fully aware that its peaceful development is closely linked with the future of the region. China has all along taken the advancement of regional prosperity and stability as its own responsibility. China is ready to pursue security through dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of working together for mutually beneficial results, and safeguard peace and stability jointly with other countries in the region. First, we should promote common development and lay a solid economic foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. To enhance the convergence of economic interests is an important basis for sound state-to-state relations. Common development provides a fundamental safeguard for peace and stability, and holds the key to various security issues. Considerable achievements have been made in economic cooperation. On this basis, we should accelerate the process of economic integration and continue to advance the building of free trade areas and connectivity as well as comprehensive economic and social development. We should implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and narrow the developmental gap in the region, so that all countries and people of all social strata will enjoy the dividends of development, and the interests of countries will be more closely intertwined. Focusing on common development, China has put forward and actively promoted the Belt and Road Initiative and initiated the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund. We welcome continued participation by all countries for mutually beneficial outcomes. Second, we should promote the building of partnerships and strengthen the political foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific countries have unique diversities. Countries may become partners when they have the same values and ideals, but they can also be partners if they seek common ground while reserving differences. The key is to remain committed to treating each other as equals and carrying out mutually beneficial cooperation. How major countries in the Asia-Pacific region get along with each other is critical for maintaining regional peace and development. Major countries should treat the strategic intentions of others in an objective and rational manner, reject the Cold War mentality, respect others' legitimate interests and concerns, strengthen positive interactions and respond to challenges with concerted efforts. Small and medium-sized countries need not and should not take sides among big countries. All countries should make joint efforts to pursue a new path of dialogue instead of confrontation and pursue partnerships rather than alliances, and build an Asia-Pacific partnership featuring mutual trust, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation. China calls for the building of a new model of international relations centered on mutually beneficial cooperation. China is committed to building partnerships in different forms with all countries and regional organizations. China has committed itself to working with the United States to build a new model of major-country relations featuring non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and mutually beneficial cooperation. China is committed to deepening its comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination with Russia and establishing a closer partnership with India. It is also pushing for the improvement of its relations with Japan. Chinese leaders have repeatedly elaborated on the concept of a community of shared future on many different occasions. China is working to construct a community of shared future for countries along the Lancang-Mekong River and between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as in Asia and the Asia-Pacific area as a whole. Third, we should improve the existing regional multilateral mechanisms and strengthen the framework for supporting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. All parties concerned should adhere to multilateralism, oppose unilateralism, further support the development of regional multilateral security mechanisms, push for close coordination between relevant mechanisms, and play a bigger role in enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and expanding exchanges and cooperation in the field of security dialogues. Committed to pushing forward the building of regional security mechanisms, China initiated with relevant countries the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Six-Party Talks, Xiangshan Forum, China-ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation, and Center for Comprehensive Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong Sub-Region. China has actively supported the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in its capacity and institution building, and participated in the ASEAN-led multilateral security dialogues and cooperation mechanisms. Within various regional mechanisms, China has made a large number of cooperation proposals in the field of non-traditional security, which have strongly promoted relevant exchanges and cooperation. China will shoulder greater responsibilities for regional and global security, and provide more public security services to the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. Fourth, we should promote the rule-setting and improve the institutional safeguards for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. To live together in peace, countries should follow the spirit of the rule of law, the international norms based on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and the widely recognized rules of fairness and justice. International and regional rules should be discussed, formulated and observed by all countries concerned, rather than being dictated by any particular country. Rules of individual countries should not automatically become "international rules," still less should individual countries be allowed to violate the lawful rights and interests of others under the pretext of "rule of law." China has firmly upheld and actively contributed to international law, and regional rules and norms. To practice the rule of law in international relations, China, together with India and Myanmar, initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in 1954. China has acceded to almost all inter-governmental international organizations and more than 400 international multilateral treaties so far. China is committed to upholding regional maritime security and order, and enhancing the building of institutions and rules. In 2014 China presided over the adoption of the updated Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium held in China. China and ASEAN countries will continue to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and strive for the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC) on the basis of consensus in the framework of the DOC. In addition, China has taken an active part in consultations on setting rules in new areas such as cyberspace and outer space, so as to contribute to the formulation of widely accepted fair and equitable international rules. Fifth, we should intensify military exchanges and cooperation to offer more guarantees for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. China faces diverse and complex security threats and challenges, as well as the arduous task of safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity. Building strong national defence and armed forces that are commensurate with China's international standing and its security and development interests is a strategic task in China's modernization drive, and provides a strong guarantee for its peaceful development. China's armed forces provide security and strategic support for the country's development and also make positive contributions to the maintenance of world peace and regional stability. China's armed forces have called for, facilitated, and participated in international security cooperation. China has followed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, conducted all-round military exchanges with other countries, and developed non-aligned and non-confrontational military cooperation not targetting any third party. It has worked to promote the establishment of just and effective collective security mechanisms and military confidence-building mechanisms. On the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and mutually beneficial cooperation, China has increased interactions and cooperation with the armed forces of other countries, and intensified cooperation on confidence-building measures in border areas. China has promoted dialogue and cooperation on maritime security, participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions, international counter-terrorism cooperation, escort missions and disaster-relief operations, and conducted relevant joint exercises and training with other countries. Sixth, we should properly resolve differences and disputes, and maintain a sound environment of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Most of the hotspot and sensitive issues in this region have been left over from history. To handle them, the countries in the region should follow the tradition of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and peaceful coexistence, and work to solve disputes properly and peacefully through direct negotiation and consultation. We should not allow old problems to hamper regional development and cooperation, and undermine mutual trust. For disputes over territories and maritime rights and interests, the sovereign states directly involved should respect historical facts and seek a peaceful solution through negotiation and consultation in accordance with the fundamental principles and legal procedures defined by universally recognized international law and modern maritime law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Pending a satisfactory solution to disputes, the parties concerned should engage in dialogue to promote cooperation, manage each situation appropriately and prevent conflicts from escalating, so as to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region. China is committed to upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea, and working for peaceful solutions to the disputes over territories and maritime rights and interests with the countries directly involved through friendly negotiation and consultation. This commitment remains unchanged. China has actively pushed for peaceful solutions to hotspot issues such as the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the Afghanistan issue, and played its due role as a responsible major country. DHS(WASHINGTON) -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., delivered unprecedented testimony Wednesday against the nomination of his Senate colleague, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., for attorney general, saying that his "conscience" outweighed Senate tradition. "I know that some of my colleagues arent happy that I am breaking with Senate tradition to testify on the nomination of my colleague but I believe [t]hat the choice of standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me, I will always choose my conscious and country," Booker said. Booker said he believed Sessions has "not demonstrated a commitment" to a central prerequisite of the job -- to demand equal rights and justice for all citizens. "In fact, at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility towards these convictions," Booker said of Sessions. The New Jersey senator said he was "deeply motivated" by the many issues our next attorney general will influence, especially the crisis of mass incarceration. Booker said that while he and Sessions disagreed on the issues, they have always exercised a "collegiality and a mutual respect." In fact, Booker spoke of legislation that he and Sessions co-sponsored to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to the "foot soldiers who marched at Selma." It was an emotional plea, in which Booker said that those marchers in Selma inspired him as a young lawyer to seek justice for all in New Jersey, and begin representing black families looking to integrate white neighborhoods who were turned away and denied housing. "I am literally sitting here because of people, marchers in Alabama," he said. Booker said that his colleague's record "indicates that he won't" pursue justice for women, defend the equal rights of gay and lesbian and transgender Americans, defend voting rights or defend the rights of immigrants as attorney general. While Booker passionately testified against Sessions, others on the panel came to the Alabama senator's defense. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. CAL proposes ancillary fees for air bridge CAL chairman, Shameer Mohammed, told the Joint Select Committee (JSC) inquiring into State Enterprises on Monday that the propos- al was sent to the Ministry of Finance and CAL is awaiting a reply. Asked what CAL was doing to make the route profitable, Mohammed said, First of all I do not believe that the domestic routes should be charged to the Ministry of Finance. The fact is that we should envisage ourselves as a commercially viable enterprise. That is the mantra that I preach at CAL. Nevertheless, the air bridge was an essential service, he said, and very few essential services are operated for profit services. He noted that the air bridge has moved over 800,000 passengers from January to November this year. On a suggested increase to the air fare, Mohammed said, any increase was controlled by policy direction and therefore, the determination of that fare is determined by what level of support that the Government would like to provide to the citizens on the air bridge. The records will reflect, he said, the operation of the air bridge segment, is a non-profitable route for the airline, but we are committed to providing the support and the mandate that we have been charged with in providing that service. CAL was confined to the changes it can make on the air bridge service, he said, including something as basic as a date change. Over 25 percent of passengers on the air bridge, he said, were no shows with no penalties applied for a date change. We have looked at a series of initiatives as a direct cost to passengers without interfering with the flat fare, he said. He said in the short space of time since he was appointed chairman of CALs board of directors, he has met twice with THA Chief Secretary Orville London to address the issue. He said, We recognise that it is not just air movement but national development of Tobago and the country at large. Meanwhile, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Lisa Phillips, said the ministry received the request for the additional charges in October last year and has asked CAL for additional information. Once we get the information we should be able to give a decision by February, Phillips said. Noting that as the air bridge was considered an essential service, JSC Chairman David small asked Phillips whether or not government had been asked to consider providing total coverage for the service. She said the ministry has never considered having to reimburse CAL for the total cost of the air bridge. The Trinidad to Tobago air bridge accounts for 52 percent of its flights while regional and international flights account for the remainder. Asked about the cost of a ticket in terms of the real value and the subsidy, Mohammed said, In terms of operating costs, we estimate that figure depending on the price of fuel, in or around the $600 to $700 range for a round trip. The round trip of $300 has been in place since 1994, Mohammed said. In addition, he noted, The airline receives a subsidy of $100 per adult passenger. We do not get a rebate or subsidy for a child who may occupy a seat. He said that the subsidy on the fare has remained the same, notwithstanding that the operating cost of the airline industry is based on US dollars. For 2017, he said that the Ministry of Finance would have allocated the sum of $41 million for CAL as subsidy for the air bridge. Woman sues attorney Attorney Samantha Lawson was also ordered to pay her former client Eleonore Nollet-Neuhaus legal costs after the attorney failed to have the lawsuit struck out. Nollet-Neuhaus took Lawson to court in 2015, for breach of contract and is seeking compensation as well as the return of $390,000 which she said is owed to her. The attorney was retained to represent Nollet-Neuhaus in her divorce proceedings as well as a land transaction, according to the lawsuit which is being heard by Justice Frank Seepersad. Nollet-Neuhaus claims Lawson failed to act in her best interest and had a conflict of interest as she also represented the buyer of Nollet-Neuhaus property. Nollet-Neuhaus also alleges that Lawson failed to pay her the deposit paid by the buyer of the property. Following the filing of the claim, Lawson filed an application seeking to have the case struck out, saying there was no case against her and alleging that Nollet-Neuhaus had filed similar proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Association. Seepersad in an oral ruling on the preliminary application to strike out the case, held that the case should go to trial and Nollet- Neuhaus be afforded the opportunity to ventilate her case at trial. He said the court had to be careful in exercising its discretion to strike out a case and should do so sparingly. Directions were given for the filing of submissions and the matter was adjourned to April 26. Attorneys Thomas Cunningham and Stefan Mungalsingh represented Nollet-Neuhaus. La Brea mom awaiting DNA on skeletal remains At this time, Richins said her main concern, as the days wear on, are for three of her children who have since been removed from her care. They had lived with her until November 10 when the discovery was made at her Sobo Village home and all occupants were taken into custody. They were subsequently released with no charges being laid. Two of her daughters, 16 and 14 and one son, 13, have since been placed in the custody of other relatives. Her oldest daughter, Nicolette Harry, 18, who no longer attends school but graduated with seven OLevels and wants to pursue medicine, still lives with her. Richins worries that the three teenagers who were enrolled at the Point Fortin Secondary School, La Romaine High School and Holy Name Convent and have not attended classes since 2015, are not safe in their new environment. At this time she is not sure if they have started school for the new term as she has been shut out of their lives. Richins, a divorcee said upon her divorce she was given full custody of three children due to certain circumstances. Showing Newsday a copy of her divorce decree which was granted in February 2010, she pointed to the address of the other party which stated Carrera State Penal Facility, c/o Royal Jail, Frederick Street, Port of Spain. You see why the children were given to me? A well-spoken Richins said, What people dont know is that I am a survivor. I have been through plenty. Ive been labelled as mad, called delinquent, an obeah woman but I love my children and dont want them to walk the wrong road. I am really worried about them. She told Newsday she saw them briefly last week Monday when a relative brought them over to her home. They were sad, she said. Richins wants the authorities to step in and save her children. I need to know what are my rights. Over the holidays, Richins said no one, not police, nor anyone from the Childrens Authority, contacted her to enquire of her welfare. But thank God, my daughter and I doing the best we could, she said. It is not easy living in a village where you are labelled. When contacted yesterday, police confirmed that a DNA test was done and investigations were ongoing in the matter. Newsday was also informed that officials of the Childrens Authority continue to be actively involved in the case. Daddys court case dismissed Yesterday, Attong reappeared in the San Fernando Second Court before Magistrate Margaret Alert jointly charged with Clint Gibbs and Hadeed Mohammed for the possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. The charge against the trio alleged that on July 22, 2008, police were on patrol in La Romaine where they received information and went to Gulf View Link Road. There the police intercepted a vehicle in which they found a quantity of marijuana. All five occupants were arrested. PC Safraz Juman, who himself is now in custody on a murder committal, subsequently laid the charge. Two of the men had pleaded guilty while the accused trio pleaded not guilty. The matter was yesterday set for trial. But when the matter was called before Alert, court prosecutor Sgt Dianath Harricharan recalled that on June 30, 2009, the complainant (PC Juman) collected the exhibits from the Forensic Science Centre in St James. He lodged it with the narcotic custodian at the San Fernando Police Station. Harricharan added that the court did not have the exhibits yesterday and Juman was always ready to proceed. Juman was present at the hearing. On July 15, 2013, Juman together with five other officers were committed to stand trial for the shooting deaths of Alana Duncan, 27, Abigail Johnson, 20, and Kerron Fingers Eccles, 29. Murder in Victoria Park Police responded and found David Cooper, 37, of no fixed place of abode mortally wounded. He was taken to the Port-of- Spain General Hospital and died at 1 am. Police said that Cooper was shot several times by a person unknown in the park. Portof- spain CID officers are continuing their investigations Drive-by shooting outside accused cops home Police confirmed that no one was wounded in the drive-by shooting, however a vehicle belonging to the Nicholas family was damaged as a result. Reports are that at about noon on Monday, residents of Lazarie Street in Mon Repos observed a white Toyota car along the roadway. Several gunshots ran out and the driver of the vehicle sped off. Police and relatives found the vehicle, which was parked in front of the house, with several gunshot holes and the windows shattered. No arrests were made up to yesterday and police investigators believed that the target may have been a close male relative of Nicholas. On July 15, 2013, Senior Magistrate Debra Quintyne, in the Princes Town courthouse, committed Nicholas and five of his colleagues to stand trial in the High Court for allegedly murdering Abigail Johnson, Alana Duncan and Kerron Fingers Eccles. Johnson, 20, of Burton Trace, St Marys Village in Moruga; Duncan, 27, of Duncan Village in San Fernando; and Eccles, 29, of St Marys Village in Moruga, were shot and killed on July 22, 2013, at the corner of Gunness Trace and Rochard Douglas Road in Barrackpore. Also committed alongside Nicholas are acting Sergeant Khemraj Sahadeo and Constables Renaldo Reviero, Glenn Singh, Safraz Juman and Antonio Ramadin. All six accused officers were members of the Southern Robbery Squad. Just about three months after the shooting deaths in 2011, police arrested the officers who have since been remanded into custody. The Preliminary Inquiry, which lasted some eight months (a total of 20 hearings) saw 55 State witnesses testifying among them former accused turned-State witness, WPC Nicole Clement. Guns and drugs found in Penal According to reports, the officers, acting on information, proceeded to a house along the Penal Rock Road in Penal. At the time there were occupants in the house who fled upon seeing the team of police officers. Reports said that the occupants escaped in some nearby bushes. Police officers searched the house and found the weapons and currency in one room. Police said six firearms including three rifles, a shotgun and two 9mm pistols along with 24 rounds of ammunition were seized. In addition, police officers also discovered Venezuelan currency in (100) and (50) Bolivar bills together with 1.1 kilogrammes of marijuana. No luggage on Liat flight None of the passengers on that flight got their luggage. Baggage staff at Piarco said no luggage came in and told us to fill out a form so that when LIAT does send them over, we could be contacted to come collect our luggage. Up to (Monday) morning, they still had no information on when the luggage would arrive, a clearly frustrated James told Newsday. I went to Piarco on Sunday and spoke with the LIAT check in staff but they werent very helpful. They said since they would have to call the Baggage Section and ask about the missing luggage, best I call the Baggage staff myself and find out. I did that and they told me they didnt know when the bags would be sent from St Vincent. James and his wife arrived home in Trinidad at about 2 pm on Saturday last on Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) flight LI 771 after a three-week holiday in the land of his birth, St Vincent and the Grenadines. Apart from the luggage left behind without any explanation from LIAT, James told Newsday he was disappointed by the lack of customer service from the airlines representatives at the check in counter at Piarco. A lady at LIATs check in counter said to call the baggage section because they would have to do the same thing, best if I call and speak to baggage directly and then come back to them. After the Baggage Section said they had no information, I went back to the LIAT counter, where the same lady told me she cant do anything. I said But you are LIATs representatives here and you should check on it, (to which) she said they (counter staff) are not responsible. Newsday tried, unsuccessfully, to speak with a LIAT representative and with someone in the Baggage Section at Piarco on Monday. Subsequently, an email was sent to the relevant departments at LIAT about James query. At 4.40 pm on Monday, LIATs Customer Relations Department replied, We have redirected your email to the Commercial Department for their direct response to you regarding your queries. As of press time yesterday, LIATs Commercial Department had not responded to Newsdays questions about the luggage. Tamana InTech ready for business She expected the initiative to play a key role in diversifying TTs economy away from oil and gas dependence. The project - touted as a centre of innovation, science and technology, and global entrepreneurship - was built for $2.2 billion by the Patrick Manning administration, but largely lapsed under the Peoples Partnership government, yet is now being revived by this Government. One client, a call-centre, has occupied part of the flagship building, but some 21 lots will soon be on the market. The InTech website says the plots are for ventures in ICT, business process outsourcing, high value manufacturing, clean technologies, business services and agro-processing. In an interview at a function yesterday at the Hilton Trinidad, St Anns, Gopee-Scoon said next month InTech and InvestTT will reveal their plans to market the project to investors. She said ICT is a tool of diversification of the TT economy, such as by business process operations (BPOs) and light manufacturing and advanced manufacturing. The intention has always been there, the thinking was there many years ago but unfortunately under the last (Peoples Partnership) government nothing was done to advance the park. Now the first phase is completed and we look forward to inviting businesses across the globe to come to TT, said Gopee-Scoon. We are a place to do business and we are a Government that is stable and evidence of that is yesterdays (Mondays) events (the Petrotrin wage settlement). So yes we are looking forward to increased diversification, because diversification has taken place and hence the reason we have a successful Point Lisas Industrial Estate and a successful manufacturing centre. Its up and running. All the 21 lots are in fact ready. One lot is already taken, so well begin to work in earnest on our marketing campaign and invite appropriate businesses into the estate hopefully from both local and international firms. We look forward to that. Gopee-Scoon welcomed the settling of the Petrotrin wage-talks. I think the country had great success (on Monday) and all parties are to be congratulated. It shows what with continuing collaboration what we can achieve together as a country, she remarked. So lets pull ourselves together at the beginning of this new year and move towards transforming and creating a new TT, a new and resourceful TT. Its an indication of a sign of the things to come with a Government that is able to hold things together, pull things together and bring parties together in the best interest of the nati Nikoli to be appointed temporary senator By allowing a youth voice to occupy the Independent bench of the Senate, my appointment has demonstrated the commitment by President (Anthony) Carmona to the youth of Trinidad and Tobago, said Edwards in a statement yesterday. I hope to bring a youth and civil society perspective to the Senate that is informed by my interactions with many youth organisations and individuals across the country and the Commonwealth. TMobile and Sinch Deliver NextGen 911 RealTime Text to Make Fast Access to Public Safety Support Easier for Customers Bellevue, Wash. and Chicago, Ill. Nov. 1, 2022 With a vast majority of the estimated 240 million 911 calls made in the U.S each year coming from a wireless device, fast and reliable connectivity in an emergency matters. TMobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) has been at the forefront of industryleading innovative public safety connectivity solutions [] Lenovo P2 smartphone launched in India at Rs 16,999 Delhi,National,Technology,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Chinese tech giant Lenovo on Wednesday launched P2 smartphone at Rs 16,999 that comes with a massive 5,100mAh battery. Coming in two variants 3GB/32GB and 4GB/32GB, P2 will go on sale on e-tailer Flipkart starting from January 11 midnight. "We are kicking off 2017 in a fully charged way by launching Lenovo P2, a powerhouse smartphone with longest battery and fastest charging," said Sudhin Mathur, Executive Director, Lenovo Mobile Business Group India, in a statement. Running on 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 2.0GHz octa-core processor paired up with to 4GB of RAM, the smartphone features 5.5-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display. With its Rapid charger, it gives you 10 hours of power in just 15 minutes. The Lenovo P2 also comes with TheaterMax technology that turns all your existing media and games into a large screen experience boasting smooth graphics, life-like surround sound and responsive 3D gameplay. The device comes with 32GB in-built storage that can be expanded up to 128GB via micro-SD card. The company is also offering up to Rs 15,000 off, plus additional Rs 2,000 off on exchange of old smartphone and 10 per cent instant discount with SBI credit card. The offer is valid for January 12 and January 13 only. --IANS anuj/na/vm EC allots broadcast timings for political parties Delhi,National,Politics, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday allotted broadcast timing to political parties for the upcoming assembly elections in five states. "The facilities will be available from the Regional Kendra of the All India Radio and Doordarshan and in the headquarters of Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. This will be relayed by other stations within the above mentioned States/UTs," the commission said in a statement. A base time of 45 minutes will be given to each national party and recognised state party uniformly on the Doordarshan network and All India Radio in the poll-bound states, the release further said. In a single session of broadcast, no party will be allocated more than 15 minutes. "The Prasar Bharati Corporation, in consultation with the commission, will decide the actual date and time for broadcast and telecast," it added. Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8. --IANS rs/sm/sac Kenya President accorded ceremonial welcome Delhi,National,Politics,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Wednesday accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan here, an official said. President Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the visiting dignitary who was presented an impressive Guard of Honour on the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt. Kenyatta, here on a three-day state visit, later met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House for official-level talks. The Kenyan President, who is accompanied by several of his Ministers, arrived in India on January 10. He attended the inaugural session of the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 at Gandhinagar which was declared open by Modi on Tuesday. Kenyatta is also scheduled to meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar during his stay here. --IANS vn/dg 'The Great Wall' to hit Indian screens on February 3 Maharashtra,Cinema/Showbiz, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Mumbai, Jan 11 (IANS) Oscar-winning actor Matt Damon's 3D action-thriller "The Great Wall" is set to release in India on February 3. The Zhang Yimou directorial will be released in the country by Universal Pictures India, read a statement by the studio. "The Great Wall" also stars Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal and Willem Dafoe. In the film, Damon stars as William Garin, a battle-scarred mercenary and master archer taken captive by a secret army of elite warriors known as The Nameless Order. In a vast military outpost called the Fortress City, they fight to protect humanity from supernatural forces upon one of the greatest defensive structures - The Great Wall of China. On his journey, Garin is joined by Pedro Pascal as his sword-wielding sidekick, Pero Tovar, a tough, wise-cracking Spaniard who has become a brother-in-arms to Garin; and Oscar-nominee Willem Dafoe as Ballard, a prisoner inside the fortress who plans his escape from his long-time captors. The action-fantasy marks Yimou's first English language production. --IANS nn/rb/bg Sharif visits Katas Raj, says Pakistan will be minority-friendly Pakistan,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics,Religion, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Islamabad, Jan 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated a water filtration plant at Katas Raj temple complex in Punjab and said Pakistan will soon be known as a "minority friendly country". The Katas Raj houses ancient temples, remains of a Buddhist stupa, a few medieval temples and old havelies -- residential buildings -- around a pound considered holy by Hindus. The complex is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and considered as holiest temple of Pakistan. The water filtration plant will provide clean water to Hindus, who visit Katas Raj temple complex. Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf and Chairman of Evacuee Trust Siddiqul Farooq were also present. Sharif also visited different sections of the temple where he was briefed about its historic significance. It is believed that the temple complex exists since the days of Mahabharat, and Lord Krishna himself laid the foundation of Katas Raj. The Prime Minister said he has advised government officials to spare no efforts in hosting pilgrims and the protection and expansion of minorities' places of worship. He said he would ensure his full support for the construction of Baba Guru Nanak and Gandhara Universities. Sharif referred to historic examples to stress that it was a part of the Islamic faith to treat the majority and minorities equally. --IANS ahm/vt Italy's PM undergoes angioplasty Italy,Politics,Health/Medicine, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Rome, Jan 11 (IANS) Italy's Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni on Wednesday underwent angioplasty, a surgical intervention to widen obstructed arteries, Italian media outlets reported. Gentiloni was admitted to Gemelli hospital here after he fell ill upon his return from Paris, and was said to be recovering well, Efe news reported. For the moment, no official details were given on his health, but he would reportedly have to stay in hospital for a few days. Gentiloni, who in December replaced Matteo Renzi as the Prime Minister, was scheduled to travel to London on Thursday to meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May. --IANS in/vt Tensions rise as China sends aircraft carrier into Taiwan Strait Hong Kong,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Hong Kong, Jan 11 (IANS) Taiwan on Wednesday scrambled jets after China sent its sole aircraft carrier into the Taiwan Strait, media reports said. The defiant move signals China's growing naval strength and may foreshadow an early foreign policy challenge for President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office in nine days, the New York Times said. The transit of the aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which had been conducting exercises in the South China Sea, comes amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China, and after Trump broke decades of protocol by speaking on the phone with Taiwan's President, Tsai Ing-wen, after his election victory. Tsai leads a political party that has traditionally supported Taiwan's formal independence from China. --IANS gsh/rn Urjit Patel calls for unified financial regulator for Gujarat's GIFT City Maharashtra,National,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Gandhinagar, Jan 11 (IANS) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit patel called for a unified regulator for the successful execution at India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) coming up at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT). "A unified financial regulatory framework providing for a single regulator for GIFT City could contribute to better regulation and supervision of the financial entities," Patel said here at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017. "While individual regulators can supervise the entities initially when the size of the business is small, a unified regulator would be necessary to pay undivided attention to the IFSC. Work on the design of such a framework should begin soon so as to be able to implement this in time," he added. He also said that the existing laws governing financial contracts in India should be reviewed and gaps addressed. "Based on the review, a world class legal framework for financial contracts in GIFT could be enabled, either by appropriately amending the existing laws governing financial contracts or enacting a fresh law," Patel said. "Either way, this should be expedited, may be by constituting a high level working group to address this gap in mission mode," he added. --IANS ap-mm/sm/vt Prison head suspended over Brazil jail-break Brazil,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Brasilia, Jan 11 (IANS) A top prison officer has been suspended for allegedly allowing weapons and drugs in the gaol before a deadly jail-break on New Year's Day in Brazil, officials said. The interim director of the Anisio Jobim prison where 56 inmates were killed and 112 escaped on January 1 was suspended on Tuesday. Sergio Fontes, Secretary of Public Security, confirmed suspension of Jose Carvalho Da Silva, Xinhua reported. Fontes said the director had allowed weapons and drugs into the prison complex. On December10, one of the prisoners who was killed in the riot, wrote a letter to the state attorney-general's office denouncing corruption in the prison. According to the letter, the Familia do Norte (FDN) gang, which has been blamed for the massacre, paid staff to allow weapons, drugs and mobile phones into the prison. Various reports were issued before the riot that pointed out the imminent risk of violence at the prison, which was linked to an escape plan by notable gang leader. Intelligence agents found that eight guns were brought into the prison by visitors with the help of guards. --IANS sakshi/sar/dg Trinamool approaches President against Modi's 'super emergency' Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modis demonetisation move has brought in a "super emergency" in the country, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress on Wednesday approached President Pranab Mukherjee seeking his intervention. At the conclusion of its three-day nationwide anti-demonetisation stir, Trinamool Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members staged a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan and apprised Mukherjee about the "acute crisis" the country was going through post Modi's November 8 move to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. "The Prime Minister had sought 50 days time to bring under control the situation. But far from being under control, the situation has gone from worse to worst," Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien told the media after meeting the President. "We had initially called this (demonetisation) to be a financial emergency. But this is now a super emergency," O'Brien added. This is the third time the Trinamool -- which has been demanding a rollback of the move -- has sought Mukherjee's intervention. Party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 16 and was part of an opposition deputation that met Mukherjee on December 16. Apprising Mukherjee about the "acute crisis", the Trinamool held Modi responsible for 120 deaths across the country, which it claimed were due to demonetisation and also accused the Centre of "vendetta politics". "It is appalling that this government has resorted to the politics of vendetta to conceal its own incompetence and inefficiency. Anyone who has opposed demonetisation has been branded anti-national, corrupt, a supporter of terrorism or a hoarder of black money," the party said in its memorandum to Mukherjee. "The government is blatantly misusing power and using state agencies to stifle opposition and silence critics," said the party whose two Lok Sabha members -- Tapas Paul and Sudip Bandyopadhyay -- were recently arrested by the CBI for their alleged complicity in a chit fund scam. The party claimed that demonetisation has impoverished a vast majority of the 415 million daily wagers with around 25 crore of them having suffered loss of work which led to reverse migration. "Through this ill-conceived and poorly implemented exercise, this government has served to deceive and ambush its own citizens. Arbitrary and irresponsible conduct of this nature has shaken the people's trust in the government irrevocably," the party said urging Mukherjee to intervene and "end the unprecedented super emergency". --IANS and/vgu/bg Amazon India to empower tribal entrepreneurs in Gujarat Gujarat,National,Technology,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Ahmedabad, Jan 11 (IANS) With an aim to drive digital literacy among tribal entrepreneurs in Gujarat, Amazon India on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Tribal Development Department (TDD) during the "Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017" here. As part of the MoU, Amazon India will educate, train and enable tribal entrepreneurs to directly sell their products to Amazon customers in India and across the globe. "This initiative will help tribal artisans in grading and standardising their product which will be available to the Amazon customer base across the globe," said Ravi Shankar, Commissioner, TDD, Government of Gujarat, in a statement. Amazon India will also engage with tribal artisans across Gujarat to train -- especially women entrepreneurs -- on making the products more attractive, appealing and marketable across the online domain, the company said. The product portfolio will include unique tribal products such as bamboo crafts, warli painting, pithora painting, bhada painting, clay craft, minor forest produces (like honey, musli, tamarind), herbal medicines, embroidery items and tribal food items. "The integration will provide a massive fillip to the entire local ecosystem, thereby catalysing the economic development of the tribal community of Gujarat," added Gopal Pillai, Director and General Manager (Seller Services) Amazon India. Amazon India has so far enabled over 150,000 sellers to grow and scale profitably online, he added. --IANS qd/na/dg Distributor gets threat over 'Raees' release Maharashtra,Cinema/Showbiz,Bollywood, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Mumbai, Jan 11 (IANS) A distributor here has claimed receiving threat letters from Shiv Sena's Chhattisgarh wing over the release of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's forthcoming action crime thriller film "Raees", which also features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. Directed by Rahul Dholakia, "Raees" is slated to release on January 25. Mumbai-based distributor Akshaye Rathi tagged Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray's son and Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Twitter, and posted a snapshot of the letter, which has been written in Devanagari. In a series of Twitter posts, Rathi wrote: "Dear Aditya Thackeray, we have received this threat letter from your Chhattisgarh unit against playing Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees'. Do you endorse it? "Dear Raman Singh and Abhishek Singh, please look into this to let law and order prevail in Chhattisgarh. 'Raees'." The distributor even urged Shah Rukh's fans to help him bring the issue to light. "Request all Shah Rukh Khan fans to help me bring this to the notice of Aditya Thackeray. I'm sure he will take action against this nuisance. 'Raees'," he wrote. The letter, which is not addressed to any specific person, warns distributors to oppose the film's release. When IANS contacted Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan, he said none of the northern region distributors had received such a letter so far. "If a film has been cleared for release, then nobody can stop it. 'Raees' will release on January 25. Nobody in our region has received any kind of threat from anyone," Mahajan told IANS. --IANS sas/rb/bg Set up scrap-based steel production units: Birender Singh Haryana,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Gurugram, Jan 11 (IANS) Union Steel Minister Birender Singh on Wednesday stressed the need for setting up of scrap-based steel production units, saying the Central government is contemplating bringing a policy for the same. Addressing the second and final day of Pravasi Haryana Divas here, Singh urged the Pravasi Haryanvis to come up with such projects since making steel from scrap is not only cost-effective but also environment-friendly. Singh said India at present is the third largest producer of steel after Japan but, as per recent data, the country would surpass Japan in steel production in the coming few months. He said though industrialisation is considered the only way to move forward yet the contribution of farming community in the development process could not be ignored. Singh said that like Haryana and Punjab, farmers in Australia and other Latin American countries have similar kind of attachment with the land but in the recent times a complete transformation has also been witnessed in agriculture techniques. There is a need to acquaint the farmers with these techniques to increase their production, he said. Haryana is a small state with only two per cent of the total population of the country but contributes 23 per cent foodgrains to the national kitty. While exhorting the Pravasi Haryanvis to connect with their roots, Singh said: "Haryana has a lot of potential in youth and by supporting and contributing a bit, they could produce best of shooters, wrestlers and athletes." "Your significant contribution would be of great help in the speedy development of the state," he told the Pravasi Haryanvis. --IANS pardeep/py/dg RJD chief Lalu Prasad to gets JP Senani Samman Pension Bihar,National,Politics, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Patna, Jan 11 (IANS) Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad will receive pension of Rs 10,000 per month under the JP Senani Samman Pension Scheme for having served a jail term in the 1970s to oppose the Emergency, an official said on Wednesday. The much-awaited pension plan for those who participated in a mass movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s to oppose Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was announced by the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar governement in 2009. As per the state government's decision, those who served jail term for more than six months under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and Defence of India Rule (DIR) during the Emergency from March 18, 1974, to March 21, 1977, would be entitled for a monthly pension of Rs 10,000, while jail term served for less than six months would be entitled for a monthly pension of Rs 5,000. "Lalu will soon get JP Senani Samman Pension as his application is in final stage for approval for pension after he applied for it. The state home department will give final approval of pension amount to him," an official of the state general administration department said. Lalu would get pension amount since 2009 as the JP Senani Samman Pension Scheme was launched then. Jayaprakash Narayan was popularly called JP and he led a movement for 'Total Revolutionn'. Thousands of youth in the mid-70s joined the JP movement and protested against Congress rule and even served jail terms for it. Lalu, who was a student leader, had joined the protest and was jailed for more than six months under MISA for opposing Emergency. Interestingly, Lalu has named his elder daughter Misa Bharti after MISA as he was in jail when she was born. At present, Misa Bharti, a doctor by profession, is a Rajya Sabha MP of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Nearly 2,500 people are getting monthly pension under JP Senani Samman Pension Scheme in the state now. The state government received a total of over 50,000 pension applications from those who participated in the JP movement. Leading followers of JP have been calling the shots in Bihar and Indian politics for the past decade. Among them are Nitish Kumar, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, and Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan. Initially started in Bihar, the JP movement spread all over India and resulted in the first non-Congress coalition taking office in New Delhi in 1977. --IANS ik/sm/rn Obama says goodbye, rally spirits of Democrats United States,Politics, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Washington, Jan 11 (IANS) Outgoing President Barack Obama on Tuesday said goodbye to the US citizens in a dramatic reinterpretation of a presidential farewell address. Obama asked them to reaffirm their faith in their own ability to "bring about the change", ending with his signature: "Yes we can". The 44th US President gave the farewell speech in Chicago, reflecting on his time in office. "By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place" than it was eight years ago," he said. He implored Americans of all backgrounds to consider things from each others point of view, saying: "We have to pay attention and listen". He said if the citizen were tired of how things were then, "lace up your shoes and do some organising". If they were unhappy with the way the officials functioned, then "get a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for the office". Returning to Chicago, where he first declared victory in 2008, Obama was delivering the parting message to Americans after a divisive and vicious election campaign which led to Trump's victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. He said: "Presuming goodness in others could be a risk", but asked the 20,000 strong crowd gathered there to "dive in and stay at it" whenever change should be brought. Referring to his own experience, Obama said: "More often than not your faith in America and Americans will be confirmed." He cited examples of young graduates and officers whom he met in the past eight years. He also recalled the bereaved families he mourned with and "found grace" in the Charleston Church. He especially drew inspiration from the youngest. Obama recalled the young boy who offered his house and brotherhood to another child, a refuge from Syria. The country's first black president, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a message of hope and change. His successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of his signature policies. Trump would be sworn into office on January 20. Striking an upbeat tone, Obama said that the peaceful transfer of power between presidents was a "hallmark" of American democracy, the BBC reported. However, he added, "our democracy won't work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity". Back to where it all started he said: "I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties, still trying to figure out who I was; still searching for a purpose to my life," CNN quoted Obama as saying. His address was at McCormick Place, the largest convention centre in North America and the venue for Obama's speech after he defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. The tickets were given out free, but were selling online for more than $1,000 each hours ahead of the speech. First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden are all in attendance. Obama rallied the spirits of beleaguered Democrats, still reeling from Hillary Clinton's election loss in November. --IANS in/ Abe to embark on Asia tour 'amid rising Chinese assertiveness' Japan,Politics,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Tokyo, Jan 11 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam on a six-day trip starting Thursday aimed at strengthening security cooperation in the face of Chinas rising maritime assertiveness, the media reported. Abe's Asia-Pacific tour also comes as uncertainties loom over the incoming US administration's commitment to the region following the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has suggested he will shift to a protectionist trade policy. "The trips are aimed at reaffirming the importance of the US alliance network in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening coordination with major countries in the region," a senior official told the Japan Times on Wednesday. "Japan hopes to fulfil a leading role in promoting close coordination with Asia-Pacific nations at a time when uncertainties are increasing in the political, security and economic fields," the official added. During the trip, Abe is likely to highlight the importance of multilateral free trade pacts. Trade partners are now watching whether Trump, as he earlier pledged, would pull the US out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP ) free trade deal, reached with Japan and 10 other nations, said the report. The TPP has been led by outgoing President Barack Obama as a major component of his strategic Asia "pivot," or "rebalancing," to the region. Abe would also discuss with the four nations concerns about China's military buildup in disputed South China Sea, which were renewed when China's sole aircraft carrier sailed into the Western Pacific in December, according to Japanese officials. Abe's first stopover will be the Philippines on Thursday. Then he would be meeting Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Saturday. On Sunday, Abe will travel to Indonesia, where he is expected to confirm with Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo cooperation in maritime security and economic development. In Vietnam, Abe will meet Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President Tran Dai Quang and other top officials to strengthen the bilateral relationship. Abe is likely to offer patrol vessels to help Vietnam strengthen its maritime patrol capabilities amid China's rising maritime assertiveness, the officials said. He would return to Japan on Tuesday next week. --IANS soni/dg Tensions rise as China sends aircraft carrier into Taiwan Strait Hong Kong,Politics,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Hong Kong, Jan 11 (IANS) China on Wednesday sent its only aircraft carrier into the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taiwanese authorities to scramble jets, media reports said. Taiwan scrambled F-16 fighter jets and a P-3C anti-submarine plane in response, and its navy dispatched a frigate to monitor the Liaoning's movement, according to Taiwan's official Central News Agency, the New York Times said. This development may ratchet up the tensions between China and Taiwan -- a self-ruled island -- which Beijing claims as its own and vows to reunite forcibly if necessary. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said the Taiwan Strait was an international waterway and that it was normal for the Liaoning to pass though it. The defiant move signals China's growing naval strength and may foreshadow an early foreign policy challenge for US President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office in nine days, the New York Times said. The transit of the aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which had been conducting exercises in the South China Sea, comes amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China, and after Trump broke decades of protocol by speaking on the phone with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen after his election victory. Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally supported Taiwan's formal independence from China. In her first public address, Taiwan's first woman President did not mention "One China Policy", angering Beijing which considers it as part of mainland. Further, Tsai recently halted in the US on her way to Central America, inviting Bejing's wrath. China is increasingly becoming assertive on the seas, patrolling and conducting drills. Last Sunday, Liaoning, a Ukraine-built vessel, sailed into the waters around the disputed Diaoyu Islands in East China Sea. --IANS gsh/rn/dg India can play key role in our economic transformation: Saudi Arabia Maharashtra,Business/Economy,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Gandhinagar, Jan 11 (IANS) Saudi Arabia on Wednesday invited India to play a key role in the kingdom's economic transformation as it seeks to reduce is dependence on oil exports following a long period of decline in crude prices and emergence of new fuels by diversifying its sources of income and attracting foreign investment. "We are now looking to a post-oil age that will usher in an era of world-class technological research, start-up development, entrepreneurial vigor and vast investment opportunities," Saudi Ambassador to India Saud Al Sati said at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here. "We welcome India as a central participant in this exciting new phase of our country's profound growth," he said. The Gulf nation has sent a 20-member high-profile business delegation to investors' meet. In his address at the Saudi Arabia country seminar at the summit, the ambassador elaborated on the Kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to "transform the entire foundation of the Saudi economy. "Through this program, we are aiming to free the Saudi economy from dependence on oil by diversifying the Kingdom's sources of income, attracting foreign investment and making Saudi Arabia a manufacturing hub." "While Saudi 'Vision 2030' emphasizes future focus on the non-hydrocarbon sector, the oil sector of our economy will, of course, remain vital for years to come, and we will continue to meet India's energy needs," Al Sati said. He recalled the visit of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in 2010 and the signing of the Riyadh Declaration elevating bilateral ties to "a new era of strategic partnership, leading to enhanced cooperation in political, economic, security and defence spheres." Noting that bilateral trade in 2015 was worth nearly $40 billion with India importing a fifth of its oil needs from Saudi Arabia, the ambassador mentioned some latest milestones in Indo-Saudi economic relations. "Indian IT services company Tech Mahindra has just announced a joint venture with the Saudi company Midad Holdings that will work towards localizing information and communication technologies in the Kingdom," the envoy said. "Indian pharmaceuticals manufacturer Aurobindo is among the latest to launch its factory in Saudi Arabia," he added. In April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Saudi Arabia when five new bilateral agreements were signed covering intelligence-sharing on terrorism financing, increasing private investment in pharmaceuticals, transport, infrastructure and energy, as well as one on enhancing defense cooperation. "The Saudi General Investment Authority reports that 426 licenses have been issued to Indian companies to invest in the Kingdom, and long-established Indian companies have made very significant investments in our country," Al Sati said. --IANS bc/tb/vm Dylann Roof sentenced to death in hate crime United States,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Washington, Jan 11 (IANS) A gunman who killed nine black churchgoers in 2015 has been sentenced to death by a federal jury, a media report said on Wednesday. Dylann Roof, 22, was found guilty of 33 counts of crime, including hate crime, the jury concluded after a two-phase trial. It pronounced its verdict on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported. Roof, who had admitted that his actions were driven by racial hate, did not show any sign of remorse during the trial and denied that he had mental health problems. The execution of death penalties was currently on hold due to concerns over injection drugs, which means it could be years before Roof is put to death. Nine people were killed on June 17, 2015 at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina in what the authorities described as "a hate crime" by a white gunman, later identified as Roof. According to the police, Roof stayed at a prayer meeting for almost one hour before opening fire. A law enforcement official was quoted by CNN as saying that witnesses told them that the suspect said he was at the church "to shoot black people." Roof was captured by police on the following morning of the shooting. The case sparked anger in the US and an effort to root out remaining traces of racism in the southern US state. The confederate flag was removed from the statehouse as a result of the shooting. --IANS in/ India, US sign MoU in cyber security cooperation Delhi,National,Technology,Business/Economy,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) India and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of cyber security, an official statement said here on Wednesday. "India and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT- In) under the Ministry of Electronics nd Information technology of the government of India and the Department of Homeland Security, government of the United States of America on cooperation in the field of cyber security," the statement said. The agreement was signed by Aruna Sundararajan, secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Richard Verma, US Ambassador to India, on Wednesday here. "The MoU intends to promote closer co-operation and the exchange of information pertaining to the cyber security in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations of each economy and this MoU and on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit," the statement said. Earlier the US and India had signed an MoU on July 19, 2011 to promote closer cooperation and timely exchange of information between the organisations of their respective governments responsible for cyber security. Since, July 19, 2011, regular interactions between CERT-In and US CERT are taking place to share the information and discuss cyber security-related issues. In continuation to the cooperation in cyber security areas both have renewed the MoU, the statement added. --IANS ag/rn Delhi government opposes five-fold driving licence fee hike Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) The Delhi government on Wednesday opposed the union Transport Ministry's move hiking the driving licence fee by up to five times and said it should have been increased gradually. Delhi Transport Minister Satyendar Jain said he will talk to the central government on the fee hike. "The driving licence fee has been increased by the central government. The Delhi government has nothing to do with it. We don't want it to be increased to such levels," Jain told reporters here. According to a notification issued by the Union Transport Ministry in December, the central government amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, increasing the fee charged for issuing a new driving licence across different categories of vehicles by up to five times. Accordingly, the Delhi government on Monday notified the new rates to all the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). Jain said the central government should have increased the fee gradually instead of increasing it by up to five times in one go. "Even if it had to be increased, it should have been done in a gradual fashion. A five-fold hike is not right," he said. --IANS vv/nir/mr SC rejects probe into alleged payoffs to Modi Delhi,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Politics, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) In a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a plea to probe the alleged payoffs by the Birla-Sahara groups to him when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister. Rejecting a plea by NGO Common Cause, Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy said the documents produced to seek an FIR against the Prime Minister and other political functionaries including government officials had no "evidentiary value." "If we were to order investigation on the basis of material with no evidentiary value, it would be difficult for constitutional functionaries to function, which would not be safe for democracy," the court said. "Given the shape in which these documents have been collected and filed, we are of the opinion that it would not be safe and proper to order investigation," the court said in its order while weighing the evidence in the context of earlier judgments of the apex court, including that of the Constitution Bench. The judges said they were not doubting the decision of the Settlement Commission of the Income Tax department on the issue. Both Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had flashed what they said were Income Tax department documents to claim that Modi got huge sums of money as bribes when he presided over Gujarat. Petitioner Prashant Bhushan said he was dismayed by the court ruling. "It is not a blow to me but a blow to the people of the country," he told the media, adding "it is a blow to the reputation of the Supreme Court because today it has let down the people of the country." --IANS pk/nir/mr Former Slovak Minister shoots burglar in his house Slovakia,Politics,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Bratislava, Jan 11 (IANS) Slovakia's former politician and actor Milan Knazko shot a robber who tried to rob his villa here on Wednesday. "That's correct, a burglar was there," Knazko was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. He, however, refused to provide any further details about the incident, as a police investigation was still pending. The Slovak news website Cas.sk reported earlier in the day that Knazko mounted resistance to the burglar and shot him with a handgun. Jozef Minar, of the Slovak Emergency Health Service Operational Centre, said that paramedics were despatched to Havlickova Street in Bratislava at 1.34 a.m. (local time) at the request of police. "The police informed us that it apprehended the perpetrator with a gunshot wound in his lower extremity. We treated the 49-year-old man and transported him to hospital," added Minar. Knazko was one of the most popular faces of the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Slovakia. He was Foreign Affairs Minister of Slovakia from 1992 to 1993 and Culture Minister from 1998 to 2002. He also ran unsuccessfully in 2014 for the Slovak President and Bratislava mayor. --IANS soni/dg Manmohan, Chidambaram hit out at Modi over demonetisation Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, saying that the country will suffer a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore from the note ban and the "worse" was yet to come. "Demonetisation has hurt the country hard. Things have gone bad in the last two months, but worse is yet to come," said Manmohan Singh, addressing the Congress' Jan Vedna Sammelan. "The beginning of the end has come," he added. "Modi's propaganda that the national income of India in the last two years has gone up, has failed... The 7.6 per cent growth rate of country has come to 7 per cent in only a few months as a consequence of steep fall in the GDP of the country," the former Prime Minister, himself a well-known economist, said. Speaking on the issue, Chidambaram questioned claims that a Cabinet meeting took place before Modi's November 8 announcement of demonetising Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes. "According to the records we have been able to access so far, there is no record of a Cabinet meeting on November 8. We are yet to see a cabinet note of the meeting that took place, there has to be some record of the meeting taking place," Chidambaram said. "Ministers were kept prisoners till the Prime Minister announced the demonetisation decision," he alleged. Chidambaram claimed demonetisation was Modi's "unilateral" decision. "Demonetisation was the decision of one person. 'I am the Fuhrer. I am the leader. I must decide'," he said, mocking Modi and going on to add: "All will have to suffer because of the folly of one person." Pointing out that post-demonetisation the country's growth rate forecast has come down from 7.6 per cent to 7 per cent, Chidambaram said for the loss of every one per cent in GDP growth, the country "will face a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore." "I demand that the government pay compensation to the daily wage workers who lost their livelihoods," he said, adding that 45 crore people lost their livelihood for 70 days "due to one man's decision." Chidambaram also dared Modi to put to test his claims of demonetisation putting an end to black money, corruption and fake currency. He also slammed Modi for his push towards cashless economy. "When the Prime Minister talks of a cashless society, he talks of something that never happened anywhere. He has no right to decide that. It's my choice to use cash or card." "I am throwing another challenge to the Prime Minister. In the months of May and June, engineering, medical colleges will open and capitation fee will be taken. Can the Prime Minister assure that the parents need not worry? That no capitation fee will be asked or taken. Can he give that promise?" he asked. --IANS and/vd/vt Electric wire thieves held in Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh,National,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Ghaziabad, Jan 11 (IANS) Ghaziabad police on Wednesday, arrested electric wire thieves and recovered stolen items worth over Rs 30 lakh from their possession. Talking to reporters, City Superintendent of Police Salman Taj Patil said: "On the tip-off from an informer, the Kavi Nagar police and the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Ghaziabad police nabbed the thieves from Hapur crossing." During interrogation, they confessed to their crimes. Police recovered two bundles of wire, transformer parts, two country-made pistols, two knives, tools to cut wire, cord and a mini truck. "Since electric wire theft is an anti-national act, we are recommending to book them under National Security Act (NSA), Gangster Act in addition to relevant sections of the IPC," Patil said. During verification, a dozen criminal cases were found registered against them in different police stations of their home towns Meerut, Baghpat and Ghaziabad. --IANS sps/vgu/bg Emotional Portuguese PM recalls his father's love for Goa Goa,National,Diaspora,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Panaji, Jan 11 (IANS) An emotional Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Wednesday said his trip to India was not "just one more visit to a foreign country" and cited his father's writings to express his love for his homeland, Goa. Costa, who is the first head of government of Goan origin, said he was honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to visit India. "I feel proud visiting my father's land. This visit is strongly emotional for me. My father went to Lisbon but never left Goa because Goa never left him," Costa said, during a civic reception, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries for him in the state capital. "Goa was always present in his works. When I speak of my father, I am reminded of one character in one of his works that says 'Wherever I go or am taken, I will always be in my homeland'," he said, after releasing the English translation of his father, Orlando Costa's Portuguese play "Sem Caras Nem Coros". Orlando Costa was born in the Portuguese colony of Mozambique in 1929, but his family migrated to Goa, whose tropical shores he later left at the age of 18 for Lisbon. The Portuguese Prime Minister who arrived in India on a seven-day state visit last week has already met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and has visited Bengaluru and Gujarat during his official tour. "As a person of Indian origin, I was honoured by the invitation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay a state visit to India. This is not just one more visit to a foreign country," he said. During his stay in Delhi, Costa's high-level delegation has already worked out various pacts dealing with defence, security, IT, and renewable energy sectors. He is expected to leave for Lisbon early on Friday. --IANS maya/vd Indo-German science meet to engage citizens for better world West Bengal,National,Diaspora,Diplomacy,Education, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Kolkata, Jan 11 (IANS) Eminent researchers and scholars will take part in a 'Kolleg' (conference) on 'Earth and Material Sciences for Sustainable Societal Development' at Richak in South 24 Parganas district from January 13 in an attempt to encourage and engage Indian citizens to collectively work towards a greener and cleaner world in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Organised by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, in association with its fellows in the Jadavpur University, the conference will also seek to further the bilateral ties in geoscientific research. "Researches in earth and material sciences in India, in most organised manner, were initiated in Kolkata long back at the later part of the nineteenth century. Since then Kolkata has upheld the highest level of nurturing the discipline and contributes immensely not only through rich quality of research but also producing very knowledgeable and groomed manpower," a statement from the German Consulate said. "Germany recognised this talent pool and appreciated their individual endeavours through bestowing its very prestigious accolade fellowship -- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation," the statement said. Through this bilateral effort a great tradition of geoscientific research has been established in India, and an inventory of excellent scientists and an outstanding research infrastructure could be built, it added. Eminent researchers and 'Humboldt scholars' from different parts of India, as also 'Humboldt Prize' awardees Debashis Mukherjee, Srikumar Banerjee and Jibamitra Ganguly will be present at the event. --IANS sgh/vgu/dg IT sector attracts dominant share of PE investments: Report Delhi,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) The information technology (IT) sector has continued to attract a dominant share of private equity investments in the country during 2016, says News Corp VCCEdge's annual deals report. "IT continued to attract a dominant share of private equity investments with 766 deals amounting to $3,158 million as investors reposed faith on dotcoms," the report by financial research platform of News Corp VCCircle said on Wednesday. However, it pointed-out that compared to 2015, the sector saw a dip of 20 per cent in terms of number of deals and 50 per cent in terms of deal value. "Internet software and services and application software companies attracted a total of 714 investments in CY2016, accounting for 93 per cent of the total investments in the sector," the report elaborated. The consumer discretionary sector came in the second place in terms of number of deals. It clocked 228 deals amounting to $1,582 million. "E-retail witnessed 107 deals and drove the deal activity during the year," the report said. In terms of deal value, the industrial enterprises sector came in second place with 86 deals worth $2,992 million, while financials' sector bagged 81 deals worth $2,977 million. In terms of states and territories, Maharashtra received the largest chunk of investments from private equity and venture capital investments with 303 deals worth $4,462 million. "Karnataka came in second having attracted funding worth $2,518 million from 280 deals. Delhi NCR came in third with 190 deals worth $1,302 million," the report disclosed. City-wise, the report revealed that Bengaluru overtook Mumbai in terms of number of private equity and venture capital deals with the former recording 277 deals worth $2,493 million, while Mumbai outscoring Bengaluru in value terms, registering 227 deals worth $4,338 million. "Coming in third was New Delhi witnessed 165 deals amounting to $1,253 million while neighbouring Gurugram registered 110 deals worth $1,001 million," the report added. --IANS rv/dg India, Kenya to consolidate security and defence cooperation Delhi,National,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) India and Kenya on Wednesday decided to further consolidate their security and defence cooperation. A joint statement, after a high level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, said: "Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in areas of maritime surveillance, maritime security; sharing of white shipping information and joint hydrographic surveys." India also invited Kenya to participate in defence exhibitions like Aero India and DEFEXPO. According to the statement, both sides "condemned terrorism in all its forms and reiterated their commitment to working together in this regard, including expediting the finalisation of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism". "The two leaders committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from extremist groups." India and Kenya also agreed that a "Joint Working Group on Security be expedited to prepare an action plan for enhancing security related collaboration. Both sides agreed to continue sharing information and expertise in counter terrorism, cyber security, combating drugs and human trafficking". On developmental assistance, President Kenyatta appreciated the power transmission line projects being executed by Indian companies under a Line of Credit (LOC) of $61.6 million. Both leaders noted the implementation of $29.95 million LOC for upgradation of Rift Valley Textiles Factory (RIVATEX) and $15 million LOC for development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Both sides welcomed the signing of $100 million LOC for agricultural mechanisation in Kenya. President Kenyatta thanked India for the progress in installation of a telecobalt cancer therapy machine - the Bhabhatron II at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi and appreciated training given to Kenyan oncologists under the India Africa Forum Summit Framework (IAFS III). India invited Kenya to join the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). It also offered to help Kenya in the area of LED smart street lighting and LED bulbs for domestic use. Earlier during the day, Kenyatta was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Pranab Mukherjee welcomed him. Kenyatta, here on a three-day state visit, later met Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House for official-level talks. The Kenyan President, who is accompanied by several of his Ministers, arrived in India on January 10. He attended the inaugural session of the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 at Gandhinagar which was declared open by Modi on Tuesday. --IANS rs/vd Trump says he has 'no deals, no loans' with Russia United States,Politics,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS null Washington, Jan 11 (IANS) US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he has "no deals, no loans, no nothing" with Russia on the heels of the publication of an unverified report that alleged Moscow has supported him for years. Trump tweeted that Russia "has never tried to use leverage over me. I have nothing to do with Russia -- no deals, no loans, no nothing!" The refutation comes in the wake of an unverified report published by BuzzFeed earlier on Wednesday which alleges that Russia has been "cultivating, supporting, and assisting" Trump for at least five years, and has compromising information on him. Among the alleged dirt was a claim that Trump has "personal obsessions and sexual perversion", and that he once had Russian prostitutes urinate on each other in a hotel bed. The dossier also suggests that Russian officials offered Trump lucrative deals in order to win influence over him ahead of the presidential election. Trump said the report was "paid for by political opponents", and added that Russia has called it a "complete and total fabrication, utter nonsense" and "very unfair". The President-elect also blasted the intelligence agencies for allowing the "fake news" to be leaked into the public, calling it "one last shot" against him. The Kremlin has indeed stated that the report is a "total bluff", and that it has no compromising information on Trump. "The Kremlin has no compromising information on Trump. This report does not correspond to reality and is nothing but an absolute fiction," deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Peskov said. "This is a total bluff, an absolute fabrication, complete nonsense," he added. BuzzFeed has been slammed by journalists and media executives across the globe for publishing the report without verifying it. The story was refused by other media outlets, though CNN did report that US intelligence chiefs had given Trump and President Obama a two-page summary of the report last week. --IANS ahm/vt null Air pollution: No Indian city found WHO norms-compliant Delhi,National,Environment/Wildlife, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) It's not just about Delhi. None of the 168 Indian cities monitored comply with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, Greenpeace said on Wednesday. The study -- Airpocalypse -- is based on the data sought through different sources and the Right to Information (RTI) Act for 24 states and union territories. "The major reason of unbreathable air is fossil fuel," study says. Greenpeace added that while no cities meet the WHO standards, only a few cites in southern India, like Warangal in Telangana, meet the National Ambient Air Quality (NAAQ) standards. "We have been talking only about Delhi being polluted. But what about other cities which are equally polluted," Sunil Dahiya from Greenpeace said. Delhi, as per the study, tops the list of 20 most polluted cities, with PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 mm in the air) levels between 168 and 268 units, for the year 2015. This was 4.5 times of the NAAQ standards and 13 times the WHO standards. According to Greenpeace, air pollution leads to loss of three per cent of country's GDP and causes 1.2 million deaths anually. "There was lot of ambiguity in the data of different agencies and it was not shared with the researchers. We had to obtain data for 48 cities through RTI," Dahiya said. Delhi is followed closely by Ghaziabad, Allahabad and Bareily in Uttar Pradesh; Faridabad in Haryana; Jharia in Jharkhand; Alwar in Rajasthan; Ranchi, Kusunda and Bastacola in Jharkhand; Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh; and Patna in Bihar, with PM10 levels ranging from 258 to 200 units. As per WHO's prescribed standards, PM10 and PM2.5 (particles with diameter less than 2.5 mm) should be 50 and 25 units annually, while as per NAAQ, it should be 60 and 40 units, respectively. "In 2016, severe air pollution disrupted everyday life, especially during the winter. In 2015 air pollution (PM2.5) levels of India overtook even China," study says. It adds that even though pollution levels are increasing across the country, the emphasis so far has been on Delhi, while the pollution levels in other states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are also increasing. Calling for a comprehensive policy to tacle air pollution by shifting to clean technologies at a war-footing level, the study says that the country is yet to come to the understanding that air pollution is a national problem. --IANS kd/nir/dg Blue Line Metro snags second time in a day Delhi,National,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Delhi Commuters had their patience tested for a second time on Wednesday when the Metro's Blue Line developed another snag, which slowed the trains considerably and caused grave inconvenience to passengers. The snag occurred on the Blue Line (Dwarka Sector 21-Noida City Centre and Vaishali) at 5.14 p.m. when the trains plying on this route stopped flashing their 'Identification number', which is displayed on the front glass pane of each Metro and with which the Operations Control Centre (OCC) locates the trains and controls their speed and movement. The fault led the OCC to start allocating fresh IDs to the trains plying on the route, which led to bunching of trains and became the cause of delay during the peak traffic period.. In the meantime, the Metro drivers resorted to communicate with the control centre manually to tell them their locations and waited for signals to move. "Many trains have been allocated fresh IDs and the process is still going on. The bunching up of trains will take some time to be normal," a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official told IANS. It was on the same stretch where another technical snag had thrown the Metro routine out of gear on Wednesday morning. The snag, which occurred around 9 a.m., coincided with the peak hours when most people use the Delhi Metro to reach their work places. Office-goers faced a tough time commuting when they were met with more massively crowded trains than usual. The Track Circuit (TC) was made normal at 12.10 p.m. and the bunching effect was done away with thereafter. This stretch, which is majorly elevated, is also the most prone to snags and failures, with at least three such incidents happening in the last 15 days and leading to severe inconvenience to passengers. Being exposed to all kinds of vagaries of weather, including heat, cold and rain, owing to its elevated structure, the Blue Line is more vulnerable to technical disruptions, Metro officials say Although the DMRC is coming up with two more Metro lines (Pink and Magenta), which are expected to take some load off the Blue Line, these are not likely to be commissioned for at least 6-8 more months. --IANS vn/vgu/vt Akali Dal slams Rahul for comparing party symbol to Guru Nanak Punjab,National,Politics,Religion, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Chandigarh Jan 11 (IANS) Slamming Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for comparing the Congress party symbol 'Hand' with the hands of Guru Nanak, Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal on Wednesday described the analogy as "shocking in the extreme and unpardonable". Former Union Minister and senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa lamented that Rahul chose to compare the "killer hand of the Congress party and the holiest image of Guru Nanak Dev's hand of benevolence" in his speech at a Congress convention at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. "Rahul Gandhi's speech had grievously hurt the religious sentiments of the devout believers and followers of Guru Nanak Dev ji the world over," Dhindsa said. Calling upon Congress leaders, including Amarinder Singh to "express their strongest disapproval of Rahul Gandhi's sacrilegious statement", Dhindsa said: "This is the most horrendous comparison which no one in his senses would ever dare to draw." Citing the Congress election symbol the 'Hand', Gandhi said, "The Congress symbol is in Lord Shiva's picture. The gods in every religion are showing the Congress symbol." "When I see the image of Guru Nanak Dev ji, I see the Congress symbol, 'Hand', in his hand," Rahul said. Reacting angrily, Dhindsa said: "Has he lost his mind, really? Was he even in his senses when he made that most shocking speech? It is too shocking to even believe that Rahul Gandhi actually compared the bloody hand of his party with the divine hand of Guru Nanak Sahib." "Rahul should also have remembered that the Congress hand is spattered with the blood of thousands of innocent Sikhs who follow the teachings of the great Guru and dedicate their lives to his great legacy. Does he know how Guru Sahib had actually shown blood dripping from the food offered to him by the tyrant Malik Bhago. The same is true of the Congress symbol of 'Hand'," Dhindsa said. He said that "it was beyond anybody's wildest imagination that the Congress party and its leaders would once again indulge in such outrageous acts of disrespect to our great gurus and their legacy." "All Sikhs in the Congress party should openly declare their opposition to this comparison. They must dissociate themselves from this remark and must demonstrate that their first allegiance is to the great Gurus and not to the Gandhi family or its scion, Rahul," Dhindsa said. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders had earlier compared the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, with their party manifesto and had even put the AAP party symbol broom along the sacred image of the holiest of Sikh shrines, Harmandir Sahib. --IANS js/lok/bg Manipur groups warn of retaliation against Naga blockade Manipur,National,Politics,Defence/Security,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Imphal, Jan 11 (IANS) Assam-based organisations of Manipuri people on Wednesday warned of retaliation if the Naga-imposed indefinite economic blockade of Manipur is not withdrawn soon. "All forms of blockade and counter-blockade should end, failing which there will be retaliation," the World Manipuri Organisation based in Cahar district of Assam said in a statement. Other Manipuri civil society organisations based in Assam also warned of drastic steps like counter-blockade if the present blockade is not withdrawn soon. Meanwhile, 811 empty trucks and oil tankers left Manipur capital city Imphal on Wednesday to fetch fuel and essential commodities from Assam, two days after 519 trucks and oil tankers brought the badly needed fuel and consumer items to the state. On the other hand, the proposed tripartite talks between the central and state governments and the United Naga Council, which has imposed the state's economic blockade for the past several months, failed to take off. The UNC has been demanding that the government should release its President Gaidon Kamei and Publicity Secretary Stephen Lamkang first and that the venue for all talks should be Senapati district of Manipur where its head office is located. However, the Manipur government has refused to accept the demands, saying the UNC should call off the blockade and give an assurance never to repeat the blockade in Manipur. The venue for talks should be Imphal or Delhi. If Senapati is chosen, other groups will start making similar demands, the state government said. The Manipur government also said, "Though a demand for 60 companies of paramilitary personnel was made, the Centre had rushed just 29 companies." On November 1, the UNC imposed an indefinite economic blockade on the Imphal-Dimapur (NH 2) and Imphal-Jiribam (NH 37) highways to protest the Manipur government's move to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam to full-fledged districts by bifurcating the Naga-inhabited areas. --IANS il/lok/vt Over 6,000 endangered turtles seized in Uttar Pradesh Delhi,National,Environment/Wildlife,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) In one of the largest catches, third this year, as many as 6,430 endangered soft shell and flap shell turtles were seized in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, officials said. The turtles were bound for West Bengal. Previously two such huge seizures were effected in West Bengal where over 1,600 soft shell turtles were caught from the interstate smugglers, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh. The turtles were seized from Amethi district by the state police's elite Special Task Force (STF), and one trafficker was nabbed but two others fled, officials disclosed on Wednesday. On interrogation, the arrested man confessed that he was part of a larger interstate wildlife trafficking network. "This is a big network and active in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. We suspect about three dozen people in the supply chain of the UP kingpin. The network is active around the plains of Ghaghra and Sarayu river and their tributaries," Arvind Chaturvedi, who heads the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), told IANS. The officials believe that the turtles were to be consumed in West Bengal where demand for turtle meat is huge. Some were also to be trafficked outside India, where they fetch high prices. "Normally, they are for both purposes, for eating and Feng Shui. The small turtles are often supplied to China, Thailand and Myanmar for Feng Shui or Chinese medicine. The larger ones are supplied to Kolkata and Bangladesh for eating," Chaturvedi said. The Uttar Pradesh STF has previously tipped off the West Bengal Police, leading to the seizure of over 3,000 soft shell turtles in past three weeks. "We had identified some big leagues in this network in West Bengal. These are some white-collar people who don't go out in the field. Soon this network will be broken," Chaturvedi told IANS. The turtles are under care of the state forest department and will be released back into their natural habitat. "We will have to see how we release them as we can't release such a huge number in a single large pond," a top official from the state forest department told IANS. Animal welfare organisation Wildlife SOS has extended its assistance to the forest department in rehabilitation of these turtles. "We commend the STF for intercepting this consignment. These turtles are mostly traded for body parts believed to have medicinal properties. These turtles are protected under Indian law," said Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO of Wildlife SOS. On the night of January 1, as many as 1,625 Indian soft shell turtles were seized from Burdwan district in West Bengal by the state police and four persons were arrested. Sujit Kumar Das, Additional Divisional Forest Officer of Burdwan, told IANS that it was the second such catch in the state that week -- 1,850 soft shell turtles, being trafficked from Uttar Pradesh, were seized in the same district on December 29, 2016. --IANS kd-am/vt SC judgment setback to fight against corruption: Prashant Bhushan Delhi,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Politics, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Advocate Prashant Bhushan on Wednesday said dismissal of an application for probe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Birla and Sahara payoffs was a "setback" to the campaign against corruption. "This judgment is very unfortunate and is a set-back to the whole campaign against corruption and for probity in public life. It is also a black mark on the reputation of the Supreme Court, which had recently distinguished itself by directing independent investigation into the coal scam and the 2G scam," Prashant Bhushan said in a statement. "Today's judgment shows that though the Court has often said that law is equal for everyone and 'be you ever so high the law is above you', but it has betrayed this precept in its judgment today," Bhushan said. "Supreme Court's judgment today will leave the cloud of suspicion over all the persons mentioned in these documents. That cloud could only have dissipated if there had been an independent investigation into the payoffs mentioned in these documents," he added. In a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a plea to probe the alleged payoffs by the Birla-Sahara groups to him when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister. Rejecting a plea by NGO Common Cause, Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy said the documents produced to seek an FIR against the Prime Minister and other political functionaries including government officials, had no "evidentiary value". "If we were to order investigation on the basis of material with no evidentiary value, it would be difficult for constitutional functionaries to function, which would not be safe for democracy," the Court said. --IANS ao/vgu/vt NRIs from Haryana: We were invited, insulted Haryana,National,Business/Economy,Diaspora, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Gurugram, Jan 11 (IANS) Some Non-Resident Indian (NRIs) who attended the two-day Pravasi Haryana Divas that ended on Wednesday complained about poor arrangements by the organisers. "The arrangements were pretty bad... We felt insulted," said one of them. The event was organised jointly by the Haryana government and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The organisers said over 400 NRIs from Haryana based in 33 countries took part in the first such event. But Narender Joshi and Jasveer Saini, who came from the US, have a different story. Both of them were among the state guests at the International Gita Mahotsav (December 6-10), organised in Kurukshetra in Haryana. "We spoke to Haryana Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar over phone on December 7 regarding the Pravasi Haryana Divas. He invited us and said two rooms have been booked for us at the Haryana Bhawan in Delhi," Joshi told IANS. "Our plane landed at Delhi on January 9-10 night. We were told there would be a Help Desk from the Haryana government at the airport but there was none to attend us," Joshi added. They hired a taxi and reached the Haryana Bhawan but no one was even there to receive them. They said that after several efforts they were told that Room No 216 had been allotted to them and that a second room would be available at Punjab Bhawan. "When I knocked at Room 216, I found it was already occupied," Joshi said. The two NRIs again hired a taxi and reached Gurugram's Vivanta By Taj hotel around 4.30 a.m. on December 10 where NRI participants were to stay. The hotel staff declined to provide them rooms because, as per the pact with the Haryana government, the check-in time was 11 a.m. They said nearly 25 NRIs from different states of the US came for the event and some others too faced similar issues. When contacted, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said: "It is very sad and we regret if such an incident has happened." Joshi owns JMD Group, which is counted among the top 10 business groups in Washington DC. Saini owns a chain of restaurants in Boston. Both hail from Kurukshetra and moved to the US two decades back. A number of guests complained they could not have their breakfast due to poor management. "People had to stand in long queues on Tuesday for lunch," said an NRI who did not wish to be named. "One can now understand the pain of the people who stood in long queues outside banks and ATMs after demonetisation." (Pradeep Singh can be contacted at pardeepsinghrao@ians.in) --IANS ps/nir/mr/vd Italian Premier in hospital after heart surgery Italy,Politics, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Rome, Jan 11 (IANS/AKI) Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni is recovering in a Rome hospital from an emergency surgical procedure to clear a blocked coronary artery, his spokesman said on Wednesday. The 62-year-old is conscious and in good condition, Gentiloni's spokeswoman Flaminia Lais said. Gentiloni underwent angioplasty surgery at Rome's Policlinico Gemelli hospital after he felt unwell on his return to Rome on Tuesday from a meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Paris. He is expected to stay in hospital for three or four days and had been due to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May in London on Thursday. Gentiloni was appointed Premier in December when Matteo Renzi resigned following a crushing defeat in a referendum on proposed changes to Italy's constitution aimed at streamlining lawmaking. --IANS/AKI mr/ Reboot UNSC reform process to regain legitimacy: India United States,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS United Nations, Jan 11 (IANS) Making a pitch for rebooting the stalled Security Council reform process, India has said that to regain its "lost legitimacy" the Council should change to reflect the new world realities. "The Security Council which takes decisions on behalf of 'We the People' represents an increasingly small minority of the world's population," India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin told the Council Tuesday. "If it is to make rules for 'the people' then it needs to adequately reflect new realities," he said. "A Security Council which has lost its legitimacy cannot be an effective tool to address the challenges of conflict prevention and sustaining peace," he added injecting a note of urgency for reforms. "While the world is changing, the institutional architecture primarily responsible for areas of peace and security remains frozen," he said during a debate on conflict prevention. "Addressing new issues, threats and challenges of the 21st century needs an updated, not an outdated instrument." Efforts for reforming the Council and expanding it have virtually come to a standstill after the last session of the General Assembly stopped the negotiations and pushed the matter to the current session, which has not taken it up so far. About preventing conflicts, a basic mandate of the UN, Akbaruddin said the efforts should be grounds up rather than top down, with nations having the primary role in developing and implementing solutions. "There can be and are actors at local, national, sub-regional and regional levels that may be in a better position to do so and can manage these issues better," he said. "India believes that for the UN to develop a culture of conflict prevention, it needs to recognise that the primary responsibility for sustaining peace lies with member states." He criticised the focus on strengthening the institutional aspects of the UN for peace-building and conflict prevention efforts rather than providing resources to countries to undertake the efforts. While measures like analytical instruments, fact-finding, agenda setting, diplomatic initiatives and peace operations have an important role, they can only supplement the efforts of nations themselves, he said. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) --IANS al/in SC seeks Mallya's response on banks plea on transfer of $40 mn to his children Delhi,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya to respond to the allegation by a consortium of banks led by the SBI that he had transferred $40 million to his children in violation of the orders by the Debt Recovery Tribunal and the Karnataka High Court. The bench of Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice A.M.Khanwilkar sought response from Mallya after senior counsel Shyam Divan told the court of the development. Divan told the court that Mallya has to pay Rs 9,000 crore to the consortium of 13 banks, led by the State Bank of India, that were loaned to his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines and instead of repaying the money, Mallya transferred it to his children. Mallya had received $40 million as part of a $75 million settlement with Diageo to step down as Chairman of the Diageo-controlled United Spirits. Divan argued that $40 million should have come to banks. Asking Mallya to file a response, the court fixed the next hearing on February 2. In the course of the last hearings of the matter on October 25, the top court had lashed out on Mallya for failing to make full disclosure of his assets including the details of the $40 million he got in February 2016 from British liquor major Diageo. Observing that "We are not happy the way disclosure was made," the court had said it was "prima facie of the view that Vijay Mallya has not made proper disclosure in terms of the order of April 7, 2016". Besides SBI, other banks on the consortium are the State Bank of Baroda, State Bank of Mysore, Axis Bank, Corporation Bank, Federal Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, IDBI Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, UCO Bank and United Bank of India. --IANS pk/vd Trump denounces 'fake news' about Russian connections United States,Politics,Terrorism,Business/Economy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New York, Jan 11 (IANS) US President-designate Donald Trump denounced on Wednesday the publication of "fake news" about his and his campaign's alleged links to Russia. At his first news conference at Trump Tower, he complimented the media like The New York Times that did not publish the reports because they questioned their veracity. The reports attributed to a person formerly with British intelligence were published by Buzzfeed, a web media, whose editor himself expressed doubts about them. Trump spoke about the various businesses like Fiat and China's Jack Ma that were planning to invest in the US after his election and said that he would next focus on bringing back pharmaceutical manufacturing to the US. This is a sector that is important to India, one of the largest pharmaceutical producer. He said that good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country would be an asset to the US in fighting the Islamic State terror organisation, which he alleged was a creation of the Barack Obama administration because it failed to block it. --IANS al/vd HC orders Kolkata police to take a call within 24 hours on RSS rally West Bengal,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Politics, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Kolkata, Jan 11 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered the Kolkata police to take a call within 24 hours on the application of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) seeking permission to hold a rally in the city on January 14. The city wing of the RSS -- the ideological fountainhead of the BJP -- has planned a rally on the occasion of its chief Mohan Bhagwat's visit to the city. "Initially the rally was supposed to be held at Bhukailash temple ground near Khidderpore in Kolkata, but later the venue was shifted to the Brigade Parade ground as police denied permission to hold the rally at Khidderpore citing law and order issues. "However, the police authority has still not yet acted on the application given for the rally in the new venue," said Debasis Chowdhury, in charge of media relations of the RSS here. RSS activist Sardul Singh Jain had filed a petition in the High Court seeking a direction from the court to the police, which had not initiating any action on its application to hold the rally. "The High Court has supported our plea stating that the right to assembly is the fundamental right of every citizen of the nation and asked the Kolkata Police to take a decision within the next 24 hours," he added. The RSS activists said the rally will be held in the city irrespective of the police protection. "Whether the police gives protection or not, we will hold the rally on January 14," an activist said. --IANS mgr/ssp/lok/vd India gave Seychelles medicines worth Rs 3 crore in 2016 India,National,Diplomacy, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) India supplied medicines worth Rs 3 crore to the Seychelles in 2016, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday. "In response to a request from the government of Seychelles for supply of essential medicines for its people, the government of India supplied 108 different medicines in four lots during 2016," the statement said. It said the majority of medicines are for combating common infections, while others are to treat diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, among others. The medicines worth Rs 3 crore, weighing around 42,000 kg, were procured by the External Affairs Ministry through Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Supplies. "This gift of medicines is part of the US $8.76 million earmarked for the supply of medical equipment and medicines to Seychelles," it said. The government of the Seychelles has expressed its gratitude to the government of India for helping it in the fight against diseases and protecting the weaker sections of society. On Wednesday, the External Affairs Ministry also announced that Ausaf Sayeed, currently Consul General of India in Chicago, has been appointed the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of the Seychelles and will be taking charge shortly. --IANS ao/nir/vt More ayurveda chairs to be created abroad: ICCR DG (IANS Interview) West Bengal,National,Diplomacy,Education, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Kolkata, Jan 11 (IANS) The ICCR, the organisation tasked with projecting the country's heritage and engaging culturally with friendly countries, aims to set up more ayurveda chairs abroad as part of its bid to harness India's soft power as a "potent tool". "If you want to be a superpower, soft power should be one of your potent tools," Amarendra Khatua, Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, told IANS in an interview here on the sidelines of the Vedic Mathematics International Conference. He added that more chairs in ayurveda will be created in the coming years. Noting that his mandate includes promoting and showcasing diaspora linkages, yoga and the ayurvedic pharmacopeia, the Director General underscored the importance of harnessing India's soft power with a more focused and transparent approach. And to this end, "we are streamlining the activities of the ICCR and ensuring efficiency, transparency", he said. The ICCR, which administers scholarships to international students, is also working on ensuring that these scholars become India's "constituencies" in the course of their future work. "We receive 6,000 foreign students and they should become our own constituencies when they finish their education and go back," Khatua said, adding that the ICCR is "consciously nurturing the idea". "At the moment there is no organised framework to track where they are and what they are doing. So we are computerising and recording everything from the day he or she comes as part of the 'Arrival to Alumni' initiative," the veteran diplomat said. Odisha-born Khatua belongs to the 1981 batch of the Indian Foreign Service. During his diplomatic career, he has held trade and economic positions in various Indian missions around the world. His last posting was as Indian ambassador in Argentina. Uruguay and Paraguay. In its renewed efforts to promote Brand India, ICCR's approach to conferences has also changed, Khatua informed. "We are not doing full-tour conferences. Instead, we are organising little conferences such as those on Abdul-Qadir Bedil (a master of Persian poetry who was born in India) and an international qawwali festival in Tehran, among others," he said. To empower up-and-coming artistes, ICCR will also empanel them for performances abroad. "With regard to troupes which are going abroad, lot of empanelment has not been made. Young artistes are suffering and older artistes are doing well. So now we are trying to empanel all the young artistes so that everybody gets a chance," Khatua said. Another initiative that the ICCR is promoting involves keeping the second-generation diaspora in touch with their mother tongues. "We are now sending secondary school teachers abroad so that the diaspora can be taught (the) ABCD (of Indian languages)," he said. This apart, Khatua aims to take the two-way cultural diplomacy to Tier II and Tier III cities as well. "We receive about 400 cultural troupes from outside and we send about 400 abroad. So we have to see that these troupes go to India's Tier II and III cities with a large middle class and educated population (so that) they know about these cultural aspects," he said. India currently has 26 cultural centres across the globe. But more are needed if the country's soft power is to be put on effective display. "At least six are in the pipeline during 2017. We have already announced centres for Washington and Sydney," he said. India's stress on soft power is evident from the fact that on June 21, 2015, the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated all over the world. (Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in) --IANS sgh/ssp/vm/ky/tb/sac George Lucas picks Los Angeles for $1 bn museum United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 IANS Los Angeles, Jan 11 (IANS) "Star Wars" filmmaker George Lucas has chosen Los Angeles as the future home of his Museum of Narrative Art, which is a $1 billion project. The museum for Lucas' extensive collection of art and film memorabilia will be built in the Exposition Park adjacent to the University of Southern California. The filmmaker chose the site over a competing location on Treasure Island, in the middle of San Francisco Bay, reports variety.com. Mayor Eric Garcetti's office announced the arrival of "a new jewel", saying the museum will "soon bring unrivaled opportunities to be immersed in stories told on canvas and celluloid". The museum will be adjacent to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Natural History Museum and a museum of African-American history and art. "I believed in the vision for Lucas Museum, and we went after it with everything we have - because I know that LA is the ideal place for making sure that it touches the widest possible audience," Garcetti said in a statement. The construction is set to begin this year and to be completed in 2020. The collection includes about 10,000 paintings, illustrations and other items, with works from Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, Thomas Hart Benton and many others, along with mementos from many films, including "Star Wars". --IANS nn/rb/mr Two Trinamool workers shot dead West Bengal,National,Politics,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Thu, 12 Jan 2017 IANS Kolkata, Jan 11 (IANS) Two Trinamool Congress workers were killed and three others injured when unknown assailants opened fire inside the West Bengal ruling party's office in West Midnapore district on Wednesday, police said. Party workers were chatting inside the office in Kharagpur when they were attacked. Srinu Naidu and V Dharma were declared dead in a Kolkata hospital.The three injured workers were being treated at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. --IANS ssp/vd IAF operates special flight to Kargil Delhi,National,Kashmir,Defence/Security,Environment/Wildlife, Thu, 12 Jan 2017 IANS New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Indian Air Force is operating a special flight between Jammu and Kargil on request of Jammu and Kashmir government to facilitate passage of stranded people, a statement said. "On request of J&K government, the IAF is operating special courier between Jammu and Kargil to facilitate the people stranded due to closure of passes following heavy snowfall," a statemetn said. On Wednesday, an AN-32 aircraft from Chandigarh carried 31 passengers from Kargil to Jammu and 46 passengers from Jammu to Kargil. A flight was scheduled for Tuesday, but could not operate due to bad weather. Almost every year during peak winters, the special flight is operated on request of the state government. --IANS ao/vd Retaking IS stronghold in Syria priority: France France,Terrorism, Thu, 12 Jan 2017 IANS Paris, Jan 12 (IANS) French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that retaking Rakka, an Islamic State (IS) stronghold in northern Syria, remains "a priority target". Chairing a defense council at the Elysee Palace, Hollande reviewed situation in Syria where French troops joined US-led military operation to combat the terrorists in the conflict-torn country, Xinhua news agency reported. Hollande discussed "the means to prepare for Rakka's reconquest as soon as possible". France was one of the first European countries to join the US-led coalition against IS. Its fighter jets bombed the group in Iraq in 2014. --IANS sku/ China (Ningbo) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area signed a strategic cooperation agreement with eBay International AG on Jan 6 to develop the booming e-commerce trade of the city. US e-commerce giant eBay, seeking new ways to expand its Chinese market, has made a new partner of the harbor city of Ningbo in Zhejiang province. The two parties will join hands on four aspects: cooperation with local government, talent training for cross-borders trade, B2C (Business to Customer) industry development and logistics. Todd Wang, government relations director of eBay Greater China, expressed that the company wants to utilize Ningbo's full potential in foreign trade and upgrade its importance in the city's development. Ding Haiping, Ningbo government official, said that Ningbo companies are expected to utilize eBay's spacious overseas platform and upgrade the city's manufacturing industry. In addition to eBay, Ningbo has also cooperated with other e-commerce giants, including Amazon and Alibaba. In 2016, the total import and export volume of cross-border e-commerce in Ningbo reached 27.01 billion yuan ($3.90 billion). The import volume totals 5.37 billion yuan ($0.8 billion), up by 83.17 percent compared with that of 2015. China (Ningbo) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area signs a strategic cooperation agreement with eBay International AG on Jan 6. [Photo/nb.zjol.com.cn] 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. Busy day. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images On Wednesday, Donald Trump will give his first press conference since last summer, an African-American senator will testify that his white colleague is too hostile to civil rights to be U.S. Attorney General, and the Senate will hold confirmation hearings for Vladimir Putins favorite Exxon executive. Oh, and that presidential presser will come less than 24 hours after American intelligence agents (ostensibly) leaked unverified claims that the Russian government has a video tape of Donald Trump indulging pee-related perversions. Which is to say: There is too much news today. This was partly by design: Republicans would prefer that none of these events receive Americas undivided attention. If Trump is going to weasel his way around questions about conflicts of interest while Senate Democrats highlight the myriad liabilities of his cabinet picks better to have those stories competing for attention, rather than producing several days of bad headlines. But BuzzFeeds publication of unsubstantiated spy memos/opposition research claiming Trump is, in fact, a (kinky) Siberian candidate, has pushed the news cycle past its breaking point. To help you keep up, Daily Intelligencer will be maintaining a liveblog of the craziest day D.C. has seen for some time. 6:08: Corker brings things to a close. Says being a U.S. senator is like getting a PHD every day, because you have to take in so much information. Corker notes that Tillerson got through the hearing without even using notes, and suggests he should be graded on curve, considering that hes coming to this position from a different world. Why America should select a secretary of State who needs to be graded on a curve, Corker does not say. 5:54: Jeff Merkley notes that Saudi Arabia has used cluster munitions against civilians in Yemen. Merkley asks Tillerson what the U.S. could do to end that. Tillerson says he hopes we can provide Saudi Arabia with more intelligence about targeting (a suggestion that ignores the possibility that the Saudis are deliberately bombing soft targets). Merkely asks what we could do about the use of cluster munitions specifically, which is unambiguously intentional. Tillerson says he will need to review Americas policies on that subject. 5:43: Senator Markey notes that China has announced that it is going to invest billions of dollar into alternative energy. He suggests that if America does not take advantage of the global market demand for renewable energy, it will miss out on job growth. Markey asks Tillerson for his view on how America can capitalize on the renewable energy revolution. Tillerson says that this is largely a trade issue, and that he trusts free market forces to work it out. 5:28: Senator Shaheen asks if Tillerson believes it is time to end subsidies to Americas fossil fuel industry. Tillerson says that he does not believe that energy companies receive subsidies. Tillerson: "not aware of anything the fossil fuel industry gets that i would classify as a subsidy," says it's "application of the tax code" Zack Colman (@zcolman) January 11, 2017 5:22: Rubio argues that true foreign policy realism requires moral clarity. And the Florida senator explains that he asked Tillerson to say whether or not China and Saudi Arabia were human rights violators, earlier in the hearing, so as to test the clarity of his moral vision. Rubio says that the rationale for Tillersons nomination was that, even though he lacks diplomatic experience, he has traveled the world while working for Exxon and boasts extensive knowledge of global affairs. But the fact that Tillerson was unaware of the heinousness of Dutertes drug war and was unwilling to condemn Saudi Arabia and Chinas human rights violations has thrown that rationale into doubt. Rubio says America needs a secretary of State who stands up for our moral principles. Rubios statement strongly implies that he does not support Tillersons confirmation. But then Sure, Rubio seems pretty opposed to Tillerson. But he also seemed pretty opposed to Donald Trump, and still voted for him for President. Natasha Geiling (@ngeiling) January 11, 2017 5:15: Menendez reads a passage from a Time Magazine story on Russias expectations for Tillerson: What the Russians want from Tillerson, however, is bigger than sanctions relief. They want to see a whole new approach to American diplomacy, one that stops putting principles ahead of profits, focuses instead on getting the best political bargain available and treats Russia as an equal on the global stage. For the next four years, we can forget about America as the bearer of values, said Vladimir Milov, a former Russian Energy Minister who went on to join the opposition. America is going to play the deal game under Trump. And for Putin thats a very comfortable environment, he told a radio host this week in Moscow. Tillerson says that he hopes if the committee has taken anything from todays hearings, its that these passages do not accurately characterize his views. Tillerson says he is Boy Scout who believes in duty to country, and does not view geopolitics as a game. 5:10: Senator Menendez asks if Tillerson recalls the time Exxon used legal loopholes to do business with three nations designated as state sponsors of terror. Tillerson says that he has no memory of that. 5:04: Coons reviews the various issues on which Tillerson has taken a position today that stands in tension with Donald Trumps among them, climate change, Iran, nuclear proliferation, NATO, and Muslim bans. Tillerson says that Trump has been very open to his point-of-view in their private conversations, and that this was one reason he chose to accept the nomination. 5:00: Earlier, Tillerson said that the Obama administrations nuclear agreement with Iran still allowed Tehran to purchase a nuclear weapon, as it merely barred the regime from developing their own. Senator Coons notes that the agreement does, in fact, bar Iran from purchasing a nuclear weapon. Tillerson admits that he misspoke. 4:40: Senator Merkley asks if Tillerson sees climate change as a national security threat. Tillerson says that he doesnt regard climate change as a top national security threat, though he recognizes others might. Merkley notes the possibility that climate change had a role in causing the drought in the Middle East that helped instigate the Syrian crisis. Tillerson argues that there is ambiguity about climate changes role in that drought. Merkely tries to make Tillerson see the broader point that if the world is getting warmer, then droughts will occur more frequently, and the events in Syria suggest that this will create more foreign policy crises. Tillerson rejects the idea that there is a scientific consensus on whether climate change will lead to more droughts and extreme weather events of other kinds. Merkley finds that disappointing. 4:37: Republican senator Rob Portman asks what Tillerson would do to ensure that Israel isnt judged by a double standard at the United Nations, but treated as a regular member of the international community. Tillerson says that Irans behavior in the Middle East has made it a common enemy of the U.S., Israel, and the Arab world and that this opens up the possibility of greater cooperation between the Jewish state and Arab nations. Portman asks if Russia has a genuine interest in fighting ISIS in Syria, or if it merely wishes to prop up the Assad regime. Tillerson says that Islamic radicalism presents a real threat to the Russian homeland and so there may be opportunities for cooperation between the U.S. and Putins regime on that matter. 4:26: Cory Booker notes that Trumps national security adviser Michael Flynn has said that fear of Muslims is rational, and that Islam is a political ideology, not a religion. Booker asks Tillerson if he sees that rhetoric as helpful. Tillerson says its critical that we deal with the Muslim world on the basis of mutual respect, not judgement of faith. 4:11: Senator Markey asks if Tillerson agrees with Donald Trumps past statement that it wouldnt be a bad thing if Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia acquired nuclear weapons. Tillerson says that he does not agree, and that no one wants to see more nuclear weapons on the planet. Markey asks about Trumps recent vow to expand Americas nuclear capability. Tillerson suggests Trump was describing a modernization of Americas nuclear arsenal, not an expansion of it. 4:00: Democratic senator Chris Murphy returns to Tillersons refusal to condemn Dutertes drug war. Tillerson again insists that he will not classify Duterte as a human rights violator until he reviews the facts of the matter himself. 3:50: Kaine asks if Tillerson believes that the two-state solution is the proper outcome of the Israel-Palestine conflict. (Notably, Trumps prospective ambassador to Israel has suggested he does not). Tillerson says that he does believe that the two-state solution is the dream. Kaine asks what Tillerson would do as secretary of State to advance the prospects of that dream. Tillerson says that peace between the Israelis and Palestinians may not be possible for some time. He suggests that future generations may be more amenable to peace. Says the Palestinians have suffered terribly, often due to the failures of their own leadership. 3:45: Senator Tim Kaine asks Tillerson about his views on the crisis of migration from Central America. Tillerson talks about improving conditions in Central American countries through foreign aid and infrastructure investment. He says measures intended to extend compassion to undocumented immigrants like Obamas various executive orders have had the unintended consequence of encouraging further illegal immigration, which endangers the lives of the migrants themselves. 3:36: Republican senator Jeff Flake notes that America has diplomatic relations with many nations with unsavory governments, Saudi Arabia among them. Flake asks if Tillerson believes (as Rubio appears to) that having diplomatic relations with an unsavory government is tantamount to making concessions to an oppressive regime? Tillerson says Americas disengagement with Cuba is grounded in history, and its up to Congress whether or not to change many aspects of our relationship with the Communist island. "The job of the diplomat is to engage...If you want to change the relationship, change the statutes." #Tillerson #Cuba Vanessa Renee Williams (@williamsvanessa) January 11, 2017 3:32: Mark Udall notes that we gave disengagement from Cuba 50 years and it did not achieve its stated objectives. He argues that engaging with the Cuban government has allowed the United States to coordinate on a variety of important issues, including how to handle oil spills off the shores of both nations. He asks if Tillerson would end the Obama administrations engagement with Cuba. Tillerson said he would need to consult the State Department to review its reasoning for changing policy towards Cuba. 3:29: Democratic senator Mark Udall reminds Tillerson that he once praised the Paris Climate Accords. He asks if Tillerson thinks the U.S. should stay in that agreement, and if not, why not. Tillerson says its important for the U.S. to have a seat at the table on these issues. He does not want the U.S. to leave that table. It is not clear whether staying at this figurative table would mean remaining a signatory of the Paris agreement. 3:20: Cory Gardner asks Tillerson what more the U.S. can do to force China to obey international law in the South China Sea. Tillerson says that China has been claiming control of islands that are not rightfully Chinas. He likens Chinas island-building in the South China Sea to Russias annexation of Crimea. He says that the Obama administrations failure to respond has emboldened China. Gardner asks if Tillerson supports a more aggressive posture towards China. Tillerson says the U.S. needs to send China a message about its activities in the South China Sea. 3:17: Shaheen asks if Tillerson supports banning Muslims from entering the United States. Tillerson says he does not support banning any religious group as a class, but does believe that we need to be careful about who we let into the country. 3:12: Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen asks Tillerson why he thinks its important to divest himself from ExxonMobil. Tillerson says that he was humbled by the opportunity to serve his country. And, in light of that fact, he immediately hired an ethics counsel who advised him to completely separate himself from ExxonMobil. I dont even want the appearance that there is any connection between myself and the fortunes, up or down, of the ExxonMobil corporation. Shaheen thanks Tillerson, notes his position stands in stark contrast to the president-elects refusal to divest from his globe-spanning business interests. 3:07: Ron Johnson asks Tillerson if he agrees that Israel has already conceded every point to the Palestinians, and the Palestinians just refuse to reach an agreement on two states. (Johnson asks this question after decrying the fact that the United Nations recently condemned Israels settlement expansion in the West Bank. Ending settlement expansion is one of the most basic pre-requistes for a two-state solution, in the view of the international community and every American president of the past three decades). Tillerson says he knows there were offers in the past. He says the conflict can only be solved by Israel and the Palestinians. 3:02: Idaho senator Jim Risch says Americas policies on Iran and North Korea need to be re-thought and re-announed. Risch says hes not going to press Tillerson on that because he knows the Exxon CEO is just getting his feet on the ground. (Apparently, Risch does not expect nominees for secretary of State to be prepared to explain their plans on top foreign policy issues). Its difficult for people to understand the transition from the private sector to the world of diplomacy, is a difference, Risch observes, but suggests he is excited by the fact that Tillerson lacks experience directly relevant to the job hes been nominated for. 2:59: Menendez notes that Obamas recent opening with Cuba has not ended authoritarian repression there. Suggests returning to the policy regime that failed to end authoritarian repression in Cuba for half-a-century would be wise. 2:53: Bob Menendez notes that ExxonMobil filled out a lobbying disclosure form on Russian sanctions. Tillerson suggests that Exxon might have lobbied America in favor of sanctioning its own operations in Russia. Menendez thinks this is unlikely. Tillerson is now literally arguing that he doesn't know if Exxon had lobbied for or against sanctions against Russia Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) January 11, 2017 2:48: Tillerson refuses to condemn Rodrigo Dutertes policy of murdering alleged drug dealers without trial. He says he does not trust news accounts of the issue, would want to review the facts on the ground. Rubio notes that Duterte himself has bragged about his extrajudicial assassinations of drug dealers. Tillerson says if thats true, hes against it. Rubio asks if Tillerson considers Saudi Arabia a human rights violator. Tillerson says the Saudis have different values from us, and he would like to see progress on womens rights there. But he isnt sure if they are a human rights violator and is worried that classifying Saudi Arabia as such would stymie the great progress the kingdom is making on human rights. 2:43: Rubio asks Tillerson if he would veto a bill ending a travel ban with Cuba. Tillerson says that he expects that the president would not sign such a bill. Tillerson says he would advise Trump not to end the embargo on Cuba. Rubio asks Tillerson if he would support placing Cuba back on the list of state sponsors of terror, in a tone that suggests it is obvious that Cuba is a major sponsor of terrorism. Tillerson says the decision to remove Cuba from that list will be reviewed. 2:31: Senator Cardin enters into the record a form that shows ExxonMobil spent over $3 million lobbying the government on Iranian sanctions. 2:21: Tillerson is back in session. Cory Booker returns to the subject of whether ExxonMobil has lobbied the government against sanctions. Booker notes that an entity called USA Engage did lobby against sanctions, and ExxonMobil supports that organization. Tillerson says that Booker should ask ExxonMobil (the company that he is CEO of) about that stuff, says he has no idea what the companys relationship is to USA Engage. Tillerson is back! Says he's never heard of biz lobbyist USA Engage - interesting b/c its chairman was an ExxonMobil guy 10 yrs ago. David S. Bernstein (@dbernstein) January 11, 2017 1:48: Congressional Black Caucus chair Cedric Richmond opens by likening the comittees decision to schedule Booker and Lewis for the second day of hearings to forcing them into the back of the bus. Amazing opening statement from Cedric Richmond to the Judiciary Committee on John Lewis and Jeff Sessions. pic.twitter.com/XJrB8VcQZv John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) January 11, 2017 During his confirmation hearing, Sessions represented himself as a staunch defender of civil rights, saying that a series of desegregation cases handled by his U.S. Attorneys office were among his proudest professional accomplishments. Richmond asks the panel to ask itself: If Sessions is such a civil rights hero, why is the entire civil rights community every major organization and politican associated with the cause of racial equality united in opposition to his appointment as attorney general? 1:41: Congressman (and Civil Rights hero) John Lewis testifies against Sessions. Lewis scrutinized what it means to value law and order, as Sessions claims to. He notes that when he was growing up in Alabama, law and order meant that if you looked a white person in the eye, you could be arrested. .@repjohnlewis nearly died to win passage of Voting Rights Act Sessions calls "intrusive." He's testifying against Sessions now pic.twitter.com/6sErHTR0PU Ari Berman (@AriBerman) January 11, 2017 The forces of law and order in Alabama was so strong, Lewis says, we had to risk our lives to take a stand for our cause. Lewis calls the Supreme Courts decision to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act a sad and dark moment for our democracy and notes that Sessions praised the decision as a good thing for the south. Rep. Lewis' Sessions testimony: 'Need someone as AG who's going to look out for all of us, not just for some of us.' https://t.co/wEkxkaGt70 Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 11, 2017 1:24: Meanwhile, Cory Booker just became the first sitting senator to testify against the cabinet appointment of a colleague. Booker noted that the Obama Justice Department has recently uncovered evidence of systemic abuse in police departments across the country, including Ferguson, Missouri, and Newark, New Jersey. He argued that a Justice Department run by Alabama senator Jeff Sessions would not continue this urgently needed change as that change demands a more courageous empathy than senator Sessionss record demonstrates. Love of country means loving all of our citizens, even the most marginalized, the most degraded and the most unfortunate, Booker said. The arc of the moral universe does not naturally curve towards justice we must bend it. America needs an attorney general who is resilute and determined to bend the arc, Booker concluded. Senator Sessionss record does not speak to the desire, intetion or will. 1:19: Tillerson says that he would like to do a full review of the Iran nuclear agreement. He says that the current agreement freezes their ability to develop a nuclear weapon but does not deny them the ability to purchase one. The real important question is what comes at the end of this agreement? He suggests that the endpoint must be no uranium-enrichment in Iran, whatsoever. 1:14: Senator Chris Coons reminds Tillerson that the intelligence community believes Russia intends to undermine the current global order, asks if Tillerson will heed the intelligence agencies findings. Tillerson says he will. Coons informs Tillerson that Trump just acknowledged that Russia perpetrated cyberattacks against the United States last year but did not committee himself to any particular line of action. Coons asks if Tillerson would support a congressional effort to pass sanctions on Russia. Tillerson says that he would appreciate having sanctions as a tool, but would not want to have the executive branchs hands tied. He suggests that he would like to use the sanctions as a threat to give Putin the opportunity to change his behavior. 1:05: Wyoming senator John Barrasso asks what Tillerson will do to reassert Americas position in the world. Tillerson says he will do this buy projecting strength, dealing from strength, forming a strategy to defeat the most pressing threats, and engaging our friends and allies. (This diverges from the Obama doctrine, which apparently held that America benefits from projecting weakness, acting without a strategy, and abandoning all allies). 12:58: Democratic senator Jeff Merkley now grilling Tillerson on his claim that Exxon did not lobby against sanctions on Russia. Merkley cites a Politico article headlined ExxonMobil helped defeat Russia sanctions bill. Tillerson says that story is inaccurate. 12:52: Following Trumps press conference, CNN tries to distance itself from BuzzFeeds decision to publish the unverified spy memos on the president-elects relationship to Russia. CNN reported the the intelligence agencies had presented Trump with a synopsis of the memo, and described its allegations in broad terms. CNNs Jim @Acosta said on the air that Trumps team threatened to yank him from press conference if he tried to speak up again. Full quote pic.twitter.com/HphCiByLS2 Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) January 11, 2017 12:43: Rand Paul asks Tillerson whether the failure of the American invasion of Iraq would influence his view on whether the United States should pursue regime change in Iran via military action. Tillerson says this is an instance in which our values and interests may come into conflict, since wed like to free foreign people from oppressive regimes, but dont want to risk the lives of American soldiers unless absolutely necessary.. Whats most important is that we protect the American people first. I think sometimes we have too many priorities. He says any decision to pursue regime change cannot be taken lightly, and that policymakers must ask, what comes next? Argues the same question applies to Syria. Tillerson says he would like to pursue regime change through nonmilitary means. But he also says we must not ignore the threat Irans support for terrorism presents. 12:38: Okay, back to Tillersons confirmation hearing. Senator Ed Markey asks Tillerson to assure the American people that the Trump administration will honor international climate agreements. Tillerson notes that Trump won on the message, America first. So, his evaluation of international agreements would proceed from an estimate of how they impact our national competitiveness. Markey asks if it should be a priority of the United States to forge climate change agreements with other countries. Tillerson says that America should be a part of those discussions. Says nothing about whether preventing climate change should be a priority. 12:34: Trumps drug price comments have done a number on pharmaceutical stocks. Drug stocks plunge as Trump threatens to force price bidding https://t.co/05WYNmomji pic.twitter.com/jq9YWjRosL Bloomberg Politics (@bpolitics) January 11, 2017 12:19: Its over. In sum: The president-elect condemned Americas intelligence agencies and its leading cable news network. He suggested that news outlets that report on material he deems irresponsible will lose access to his administration. He said that he would force our southern neighbor to finance our border wall, establish enormous tariffs on the goods of companies that relocate outside the United States, negotiate drug prices with big pharma, demand congressional Republicans pass a replacement for Obamacare at the same time that they repeal it (thus, contradicting Mitch McConnells plan), and try to establish friendlier relations with Russia, even though he believes that nation did hack Democratic institutions during the 2016 election. His lawyer also laid out a reasonably detailed plan for minimizing his conflicts of interest. But that plan will not include the release of Trumps tax returns an omission Trump explained by repeating the long-discredited lie that the IRS wont let him to release that information because he is under audit. When the press reminded him that they already know that isnt true, Trump suggested that reporters are the only people who care about his tax returns (a recent poll found that 62 percent of Republicans would like to see those returns). 12:14: Trump says Putin shouldnt have done the hack, but he doesnt believe hell be doing it more now: Russia will have far greater respect for our country when Im leading it. Trump then suggested that Hillary Clinton presented Putin with a literal reset button. He then impersonated Putins reaction to said reset button, the guy said, what is this piece of plastic? 12:12: Trump says he was aware that they were trying to hack us, and the Republican National Committee was able to prevent itself from being hacked, unlike the DNC, which lacked hacking defense. 12:07: Asked what he meant by his tweet likening America to Nazi Germany, Trump says he thinks its a disgrace that the intelligence community leaked information to BuzzFeed News, which is a failing pile of garbage that will suffer consequences. A CNN reporter tries to ask a question. Trump says he will not give him a question because his outlet is fake news. A Breitbart reporter than asks Trump what he will do about irresponsible journalism. And now Matt Boyle asks Trump what do about fake news. Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) January 11, 2017 12:04: Trump says he likes Mexico, doesnt blame them for taking advantage of the United States. He blames America for letting Mexico do so. 12:02: Trump vows to start building the wall this year. He says Mexico will reimburse us for the cost of the wall. That will happen, whether its a tax or whether its a payment. Trump reminisces that when he would tell crowds that he would build a wall they would go crazy. Id say whos going to pay for the wall, and theyd scream out Mexico. 12:00: Trump reiterates vow to slap a major border tax on companies that relocate outside of the United States. He says the real number of Americans who are involuntarily unemployed is 96 million. Trump says 96 million people want a job and can't get one. I think he might actually believe it. Jordan Weissmann (@JHWeissmann) January 11, 2017 11:57: Trump says that Obamacare is a disaster. It will collapse in 2017. And the easy thing for Republicans would be to sit back and let it happen and let the American people blame Democrats for passing that awful law. But instead, Trump promises that Republicans will do repeal and replace simultaneously. Trump promises lower deductibles, which is antithetical to most of the GOPs alternative healthcare proposals. 11:54: Trump praises the brilliance of Jeff Sessions and Rex Tillerson in their confirmation hearings. I think we have one of the great cabinets ever put together. And weve been hearing that from so many people. 11:51: Dillon addresses the Emoluments Clause. She argues that it bars foreign entities from giving officeholders gifts, but does not prohibit fair exchanges, like paying for hotel rooms. The Constitution does not require president-elect Trump to do anything here, Dillon says, but Trump has decided to donate all profits from foreign visitors to his hotel to the U.S. Treasury, so that the American people will be the ones who profit. 11:48: Dillon says if Trump sold his assets, it would actually make his conflicts of interest worse: Trump would still be entitled to royalties on branded properties, and the price he sold them at would be subjected to scrutiny: Was it too high? Was there pay-to-play? If he sold these properties without his personal branding, their value would plummet and Trump should not be expected to devalue the company he has built, Dillon maintains. 11:40: Trump tax attorney Sheri Dillon comes forward to talk conflicts of interest. Notes that Nelson Rockefeller was never given this hard a time about conflicts of interest when he was made vice president. Emphasizes that Trump would be legally free to continue running his business, implying any measures he takes to avoid conflicts of interest should be met with gratitude. Dillon says Trumps sons will take over the business. An ethics adviser will be given veto authority over any new deals. President-elect Trump will resign from all of his organizations entities, as will Ivanka Trump. The president-elect has already sold off his publicly held stock. He will put his assets into a trust that will hold his illiquid business assets including branded properties and rights to royalties. Trump canceled pending deals, which cost his family millions of dollars, Dillon says. There will be no new foreign deals during Trumps presidency, though there will be domestic ones. He will only be aware of these deals if he hears about them through the news media. 11:37: Trump is asked whether he will release his tax returns to prove he has no deals in Russia. Trump says that he wont because he cant, because he is under audit (which is a lie, he is free to release his returns whether or not he is under audit). The president-elect says reporters are the only ones who care about his tax returns. Trump: Only reporters want my tax returns Poll: 62 percent of Republicans want Trump's tax returnshttps://t.co/inryPnilDe Danielle Paquette (@DPAQreport) January 11, 2017 11:34: The president-elect suggests that he would never have been involved in urine play with Russian sex workers because he is a germaphobe. 11:31: Trump is asked how his acknowledgement of Russias responsibility for the cyberattacks will affect his desire to form better relations with Putins government. Trump praises Putin for calling BuzzFeeds memos fake news. Says that if he had anything on Trump or the RNC, Putin would have released it just like he did with the DNCs emails. Trump then goes on a tangent about the awful things John Podesta said about Hillary Clinton in hacked emails. Argues the hacked information was important (which is hard to square with his claim last week that they had absolutely no impact on the elections outcome). 11:27: Trump is asked whether the intelligence agencies presented him with a two-page synopsis on the unsubstantiated Russia rumors. Trump says the meeting was confidential, but suggests he only saw the information outside of the meeting. Calls it fake news and a disgrace. He says he thinks Russia was responsible for the 2016 hacking, but argues that were hacked by a lot of people. When the OPM was hacked, we didnt make a big deal out of that, Trump notes. 11:22: Trump says pharm-ma is getting away with murder. Suggests government will negotiate drug prices, which would be a huge break from GOP orthodoxy. Says drug companies should manufacture their wares in America. Says he will be the best jobs president God ever created. Holy shit, Trump coming out strong for government negotiating on drug prices. David A. Graham (@GrahamDavidA) January 11, 2017 11:20: Trump comes out swinging at the intelligence agencies, saying if they released the BuzzFeed memos, it is a great blot on their record. He thanks the news organizations that looked at that nonsense, and chose not to publish it. He says his respect for those news outlets has gone up a notch. Brief, isolated bout of applause. 11:18: Vice president-elect Mike Pence says he has always been a supporter of a free press. But with freedom, comes responsibility. Pence argues that BuzzFeeds decision to publish false and unsubstantiated claims about the president-elect can only be explained by media bias and the American people are sick of it. 11:16: Sean Spicer appears at the podium in Trump Tower and decries BuzzFeeds shameful and disgraceful publication of baseless claims about the president-elect. Calls BuzzFeed a left-wing blog that publishes fake news. 10:56: Ron Johnson says that he loves Tillersons private sector experience, which he says was reflected in the fact that the Exxon CEOs opening statement used words like reality and logic the kind of words people use in business. MEANWHILE IN TRUMP TOWER Metaphor alert: Trump's blue curtain doesn't quite shield the view of Ivanka's jewelry store. pic.twitter.com/26FnuDhrPR Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) January 11, 2017 They're covering the table next tot he podium with piles of files. Reporters murmuring and wondering if it's the tax returns. pic.twitter.com/pHTcLOdJy3 Hunter Walker (@hunterw) January 11, 2017 10:46: Environmental protestors encourage senators to be brave, and resist the temptation to put Exxon in charge of the State Department. Senator Ron Johnson asks Tillerson to explain what he meant by saying Russia does not think like we do. Tillerson says that Russias central goal is to assert themselves as power in the global world order. And so the steps being taken are simply to make that point. Tillerson says that Russias central goal is to assert themselves as power in the global world order. And so the steps being taken are simply to make that point. Tillerson says that Russias central goal is to assert themselves as power in the global world order. And so the steps being taken are simply to make that point.Tillerson suggests that the conversation America needs to have with Russia is about whether it wants to always be Americas adversary, or to be a partner, at least on some issues. Tillerson says that he considers Russia an unfriendly adversary at this point. 10:35: Senator Bob Menendez notes that Tillerson has called sanctions a poor tool for diplomacy in the past. Asks to know whether Tillerson has changed his mind. Tillerson notes that sanctions are inherently harmful to American business. (Obamas sanctions on Russia put the freeze on Exxons plans to drill in the Siberian arctic). So, he would like sanctions to be designed carefully.Menendez suggests that sanctions dont hurt American business, but merely ask them to put patriotism over profits. He notes that Exxon lobbied against sanction against Iran. With that as a history, Menendez asks, what message are you now going to be able to send to American businesses that are intent to pursue their interests even when they conflict with our national interest. Tillerson says that, to his knowledge, Exxon has never directly lobbied against sanctions. Read this story from @iarnsdorf and @eschor - ExxonMobil helped defeat Russia sanctions bill: https://t.co/wdASfCI0Yl Andrew Restuccia (@AndrewRestuccia) January 11, 2017 "I think you called me at the time," @SenBobCorker says, basically contradicting #Tillerson claim he's never personally lobbied vs sanctinos Emily Cadei (@emilycadei) January 11, 2017 10:26: Rubio asks if Tillerson considers Vladimir Putin a war criminal. Tillerson isnt so sure about that. Rubio argues that Russia has targeted civilians in Syria. Tillerson isnt so sure about that. Rubio: "Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?" Tillerson: "I would not use that term..." R: "Well, let me describe the situation in Aleppo..." Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) January 11, 2017 I don't know if this is pure theatrics or not, but Rubio is not treating Tillerson as a friendly nominee. Like, at all. Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) January 11, 2017 Rubio is done. He did not comport himself as a senator who is excited to vote for Rex Tillerson. If the Democrats unite against his nomination, Tillerson can only afford to lose two Republican votes in the Senate. 10:22: Rubio asks if Tillerson would support legislation that sanctioned people who were involved in cyberattacks against the United States. Tillerson is reluctant to commit to that. Cyberattacks are occurring from many nations, Tillerson observes. Rubio asks if he would support legislation that would sanction people from any nation who were involved in cyberattacks. Tillerson suggests that he would not want the president to sign that, because he would prefer the president have the flexibility to withhold sanctions if there are other national interests at stake. Rubio finds this answer troubling. He asks if Tillerson would advise Trump to repeal Obamas executive orders sanctioning Russia over its 2016 cyberattacks. Tillerson says that what we really need is a comprehensive cybersecurity policy. Makes no commitment with regard to Obamas sanctions. 10:20: Cardin asks whether the United States maintain its leadership on climate change issues. Tillerson says the U.S. must keep its seat at the table on climate issues. He says that climate change requires a global response, because no one nation can solve it alone. 10:15: Cardin asks Tillerson what he would have done to punish Russia after its invasion of Crimea, since the CEO has claimed that Obamas reaction was insufficiently tough. Tillerson says that he would have made a powerful response that said, yes, youve taken Crimea, but it stops here. Specifically, Tillerson says that he would have moved NATO aerial assets to surveil the Russia/Ukraine border. 9:55: Tillerson delivers his opening statement. He argues that America has failed to lead in recent years, withdrawing from some parts of the world while intervening in others with good intentions but failed results. Tillerson suggests that he is against foreign policy failures, but very much for American leadership. Tillerson strikes some hawkish notes on China. He says China has no rights to some of the islands it claims in the South China Sea, and has violated its commitments on trade. But he argues that America and China have a shared interest in combating extremism. Tillerson also argued that America must have the courage to hold allies to their commitments, because when we dont, it is an injsutice not only to us, but also to allies that do uphold their commitments, like Israel. (Israel has repeatedly violated its commitment under international law not to build settlements in occupied territory). Like Trump, Tillerson is decidedly more biting in his assessment of China than of Russia. But he does say that Russias recent actions have not advanced American interests. 9:46: Cardin notes that news reports suggest Russia may well have compromising information on Trump. Suggests we need to stand up to this bully in Moscow. Cardin says that he was disappointed in Tillersons prepared opening remarks (which were submitted to the committee yesterday, but not yet read). Those remarks did not have much to say about Russias cyberattacks during the 2016 elections, Cardin contends, but the statement did suggest that Putins aggression was a product of the Obama administrations weakness. The Maryland senator, thus, asks Tillerson to tell him what, precisely, he would have liked Obama to have done differently. (Notably, Tillerson lobbied the Obama White House to lift sanctions on Russia, over its invasion of Crimea a position thats in tension with the idea that he believes Obama was too soft on Putin). 9:43: Democratic senator Ben Cardin argues that, those who suggest anyone who can run a business can run a government agency does a great disservce to both, noting that serving the interests of the American people is very different from serving the narrow, market-driven interests of Exxons shareholders. 9:30: Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Bob Corkers opening statement catalogues the many disasters that have arisen from the Obama administrations (supposed) failure to lead. These include Russias annexation of Crimea, a move that the president-elect has had little interest in condemning. Tillerson intro'd at his Senate hearing by TX GOP Sens Cornyn & Cruz, fmr Senate Armed Svcs Chair Sam Nunn (D-GA) & fmr Def Sec Robert Gates pic.twitter.com/0qaBITpRGs Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) January 11, 2017 9:26: Exxon CEO Rex Tillersons confirmation hearing for secretary of State begins with endorsements from Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, followed by former Georgia senator Sam Nunn, and ex-Defense secretary Robert Gates. The theme of their statements: Tillersons warm relationship with the Russian government and ties to the oil industry arent liabilities theyre assets. Nunn emphasized the (very real) danger inherent to hostile relations between two nations with the worlds largest nuclear stockpiles, while Gates argued that Tillerson was well-positioned to prevent Americas relationship with Russia from getting any worse. 7.48 a.m.: The president-elect denies that Russia has cultivated him as its stooge via blackmail, likens the United States to Nazi Germany. Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is "A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE." Very unfair! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Meanwhile, incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus decried the memos claims as phoney baloney garbage, on the Today Show. Ostensibly, Trump believes that the big problem in Nazi Germany was that its intelligence agency was insufficiently loyal to its president. The senator from New Jersey and the civil-rights icon and House member from Georgia arent buying Jeff Sessionss makeover. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images After getting through his own day before the Senate Judiciary Committee relatively unscathed, attorney general-designee Jeff Sessions yielded the spotlight to other witnesses today. They were a mixed bag of Sessions fans and critics who probably didnt change anyones mind about his qualifications for the job. The final panel, though, contained two members of Congress who had unusually strong standing to challenge the Alabamans confirmation. The first was New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker, one of ten African-Americans ever to serve in the upper chamber (two others, Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democrat Kamala Harris of California, serve with Booker today). Much was made in advance that he would be the first U.S. senator to testify against a colleagues cabinet confirmation (thats sort of a technical first, since a lot of senators spoke out against a former colleague, John Tower, when his confirmation as secretary of Defense was rejected in 1989). And there was a lot of talk about Booker trying to boost his presidential stock. But what most made Booker an effective dissenter against the picture of Sessions skillfully painted during the first day of hearings as a man firmly in the mainstream of thinking on all matters involving the justice system, and deeply sympathetic to minority Americans was his experience with the nominee on criminal-justice reform. Booker has been a leader in the Senate on this subject, working effectively with Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley to draft a bill Republicans could support. But he ran right into a stone wall of opposition led by Jeff Sessions. Booker views this as a civil-rights issue, as he should. And today he implicitly compared Sessionss law and order objections to criminal-justice reforms to the posture of the Alabama state troopers who stood at the Edmund Pettis Bridge near Sessionss birthplace, in Selma, and shocked the world by clubbing people who were marching for civil and voting rights. One of the activists who was clubbed that day suffering a skull fracture was sitting next to Booker at the Sessions hearing. And while John Lewis kept his remarks generally mild, he also conveyed the clear sense that he wasnt buying the makeover Sessions was receiving: It doesnt matter how Senator Sessions may smile, how friendly he may be, how he may speak to you. We need someone who is going to stand up, to speak up, and speak out for the people that need help. For people who have been discriminated against. and it doesnt matter if theyre black, white, Latino, Asian American, or Native American. Whether they are straight or gay, Muslim, Christian, or Jews. We all live in the same house, the American house. We need someone as attorney general who is going to look out for all of us, not just some of us. Booker and Lewis both made it clear that not being a racist wasnt good enough for anyone to become the chief federal official responsible for vindicating rights and defending justice. Sessions may have easily leapt over the low threshold set for him by Grassley and Judiciary Committee Republicans. But when a nominees most recent accomplishment was serving as Donald Trumps first and most loyal supporter in Congress, demanding something a bit more forward-leaning should be perfectly in order for those who do not share Jeff Sessionss reactionary views. Photo: Grace Beahm-Pool/Getty Images/2015 Getty Images Dylann Roof, the racist gunman who murdered nine churchgoers at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, will be sentenced to death. The jury deliberated for about three hours before reaching a unanimous verdict Tuesday in the sentencing phase of Roofs federal hate-crimes trial. According to the Associated Press, he is the first person convicted of a federal hate crime to receive the death penalty. In December, Roof was convicted of all 33 federal charges, including hate crimes resulting in death, an unsurprising verdict given that Roof had previously confessed to the crimes. But the same jury, made up of nine white and three black people, had to decide whether he would face execution or life in prison in a case where Roof represented himself. Federal prosecutors sought the death penalty, portraying Roof as an unrepentant killer and avowed white supremacist and presenting harrowing testimony from survivors and friends and family of the victims. Roof, who said in his opening statement that there was nothing psychologically wrong with [him] asked in closing arguments for the jury to spare his life, though he showed no remorse and reiterated to the jury that he felt he had to kill the nine black parishioners gathered for Bible study at the Emanual AME Church that night in June 2015. In my confession to the FBI I told them that I had to do it, and obviously thats not really true, Roof told the jury in his closing argument. I didnt have to do anything. But what I meant when I said that was, I felt like I had to do it, and I still do feel like I had to do it. From what Ive been told, I have a right to ask you to give me a life sentence, but Im not sure what good that will do anyway, Roof continued. But what I will say is only one of you has to disagree with the other jurors. Roof will be formally sentenced to death on Wednesday; it has been more than a decade since the government has executed one of its prisoners on federal death row. Compromised? Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images During the Republican primaries, anti-Trump Republicans search for dirt brought them into contact with a former member of MI6, Britains secret intelligence service, CNN reported Tuesday. Currently the proprietor of a private intelligence firm, this man had spent much of the 1990s as a British spy in Russia. Drawing on that experience, the contacts hed gathered from it, and the funds of Never Trump conservative donors, this spook began drafting a memo on the moguls relationships with Russian businesses and political entities. After Trump secured the GOP nomination, donors aligned with Hillary Clinton paid the spy continue his work. That investment yielded 35 pages of memos (which have now been published by Buzzfeed) and two explosive allegations: 1. Russian operatives claim to be in possession of compromising personal and financial information about Americas president-elect. (The former information allegedly includes a videotape of Trump watching several Russian sex workers urinate on the bed the Obamas slept in at the Ritz Carlton in Moscow.) 2. There was a continuous exchange of information between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government throughout the 2016 campaign. Allegedly, the Russians had been cultivating Trump for five years; he supposedly fed them information about Russian oligarchs in return for information from moles in the DNC and Russian hackers. Trumps former campaign manager Paul Manafort, his ex-foreign policy adviser Carter Page, and his lawyer Michael Cohen are named as intermediaries. The Guardian reports that the FBI applied for a warrant from the FISA court to monitor four members of the Trump team suspected of making contacts with Russian officials. The court rejected the request, saying it was too broad, and its unclear if a warrant was ever granted. Cohen has already denied the report, calling it fake news and absolutely silly stuff that reads like a John Le Carre novel. Trump responded on Twitter: FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 One week before the election, David Corn of Mother Jones published a story detailing the existence of these memos and their allegations. But many viewed a single, anonymous private spy as a less-than-credible source and the media quickly moved past the storys explosive claims. But the CIA did not. And CNN reports that Americas top intelligence agencies presented Trump with a two-page synopsis of the spys memos during his intelligence briefing on Russian hacking last week. According to the network, these memos have been circulating through the intelligence community since last summer. But more recently, U.S. intelligence agencies completed a review of the British spys work and his vast network of contacts, and found them credible enough to present his findings to the president-elect. None of these claims have been substantiated, and their contingency should be stressed: To believe them, one must not only trust an anonymous foreign spy who was paid to generate unflattering material about Donald Trump, but also believe the claims of Russian intelligence operatives, who may have an incentive to bluff. Nonetheless, the fact that Americas top intelligence agencies are taking these claims seriously or, at the very least, want the president-elect to think they are taking them seriously is big, bizarre news. Trumps strange reaction to the intelligence communitys consensus about Russian involvement in hacking the Democratic National Committee, which included a blanket disavowal of the CIA, and repeated praise of Vladimir Putin, may betray the truth of the secret memos claims. Or that odd behavior may explain why the CIA would leak dubious intelligence that discredits the president-elect. Either way, this is a pretty major plot twist, considering we still have ten more days till the end of the prologue. This post has been updated with new information. Madagascar's President Hery Rajaonarimampianina (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Jan 7, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] ANTANANARIVO -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday met with Madagascar's President Hery Rajaonarimampianina to discuss relations and cooperation between their two countries under the initiative on the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road Initiative). The Malagasy president said that friendship between Madagascar and China has a long history and that the two peoples are as dear to each other as members of one family. China has offered a lot of selfless assistance to Madagascar for a long time, and many Chinese enterprises have contributed to Madagascar's development, the president said. Madagascar, as a gateway into Africa, welcomes and supports China's Belt and Road Initiative, and hopes that this initiative will enter Africa through Madagascar, Rajaonarimampianina said, adding that the country is ready to actively take part in the Belt and Road construction and deepen cooperation with China in agriculture, fishery, tourism and other areas under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes. It has won support from over 100 countries and international organizations. Madagascar will resolutely continue pursuing the one-China policy, and maintain mutual support with China on issues concerning each other's core interests, the president noted, saying China is a most reliable cooperation partner to Madagascar and that Madagascar is fully confident in the prospects of bilateral relations, said the president. For his part, Wang conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulation to Rajaonarimampianina on Madagascar's achievements yielded over recent years in national reconciliation, political stability and striding on a new path of development. On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, it is hoped that the two sides will avail themselves of this opportunity to discuss and define the direction of development of bilateral relations and the framework of bilateral cooperation in future, Wang said. China proposes that both countries seize the two major opportunities for international cooperation respectively brought about by the implementation of the outcome of the 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg and the promotion of international cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative, give full play to their advantages in mutual complementation, and launch mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, fishery, the processing and manufacturing industries, tourism and regional aviation, Wang said. Meanwhile, to promote such cooperation, the two sides are expected to strengthen infrastructure construction, human resources development and trade and investment facilitation, he said. China will practically help Madagascar create jobs, improve the people's livelihood, eliminate poverty and realistically transform the nation's unique advantages in geographical location and natural resources into achievements in development, and help Madagascar accelerate industrialization and agricultural modernization and finally realize independent sustainable development, said Wang, totally approved by Rajaonarimampianina. Photo: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trumps first press conference since the summer was a surreal exercise in the assertion of immunity from accountability. He either ignored questions about his behavior, or dismissed the questions as illegitimate. He painted a chilling depiction of politics not as an ongoing process but as a one-time event, settled in his favor by the presidential campaign, once and for all. The press conference began with Press Secretary Sean Spicer attacking BuzzFeed as a left-wing blog (which it is not) for its questionable decision to publish an unverified dossier collected on Trumps dealings with Russia on behalf of rival Republicans from the primary. This set the template for Trump to dismiss not only BuzzFeeds report, but also a much more detailed and credible report by CNN (which had, but did not publish, the dossier thrown online by BuzzFeed). As the press conference went on, Trump would extend the dismissal of BuzzFeed to all skeptical news coverage. Trump was asked about reports that intelligence agencies had concluded Russia hacked his opponents for the specific purpose of helping him win. He did not answer the question. Instead he expressed his view that having good relations with Russia would be nice, and concluded by mocking his Democratic opponent: Do you honestly believe that Hillary would be tougher on Putin than me? Does anybody in this room really believe that? Give me a break. It is abnormal, to say the least, for a president-elect to defend his behavior by pivoting to a contrast with the candidate he defeated. But invoking Clinton served a purpose that became clear as the press conference drew on. It defined any question he disapproved of as a challenge to his legitimacy, and thus a campaign matter, and thus by definition moot. Asked about Senator Lindsey Grahams proposal to introduce tougher sanctions on Russia, Trump harkened back to the campaign as well. Lindsey Graham Ive been competing with him for a long time, he said, He is going to crack that 1 percent barrier one day. I didnt realize Lindsey Graham is still at it. Graham, of course, is not still at it. He is governing, not running against Trump. But to Trump, any action that might challenge him is indistinguishable from a contest for power. Perhaps most telling of all, Trump insisted that the election validated for all time his refusal to disclose his tax returns, the only way to substantiate his claims not to have any business with Russia: The only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters. Theyre the only ones. But no, I dont think so. I won I mean, I became president no, I dont think they care at all. I dont think they care at all. Likewise, the people dont care about his precedent-smashing plans to maintain ownership of his business in an un-blind trust. Selling off the Trump business, his lawyer came on to explain, would expose the president to unreasonable losses. Perhaps the most chilling thing about the affair was the abuse Trump and his staffers hurled upon the press corps. Trump brought in supporters to cheer his answers and shout at reporters who asked tough questions. He lambasted CNN as fake news, a term originally applied to deliberately false stories concocted by trolls, but quickly repurposed by conservatives for use against any news article that they disapprove of for any reason. Trumps press secretary threatened to eject CNN reporter Jim Acosta if he continued to demand the chance to ask a question, which Trump refused to grant. It is impossible to know what course American democracy will take under Trumps presidency. The fears of authoritarianism may prove overblown, and Trump may govern like a normal Republican. But the initial signs are quite concerning. Trump believes he can demolish normal standards of behavior, like the expectation of disclosing tax returns, and placing assets in a blind trust. He has received the full cooperation of his party, which controls Congress and has blocked any investigation or other mechanism for exerting pressure. His dismissal of the news media might simply be a slightly amped-up version of the conservative tradition of media abuse, but it seems to augur something worse. Rather than making snide cracks about liberal bias, Trump escalated into abuse and total delegitimization. Will the abuse of the media be seen as an idiosyncratic episode, or the beginning of something worse to come? We dont know. His early behavior is consistent with (though far from proof of) the thesis that he is an emerging autocrat. The people have granted him license to steal and hide as he wishes. The bully has his pulpit. Buzz harshed. In an email to his staff Tuesday night, BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith defended his decision to publish a 35-page report full of salacious claims about Donald Trumps relationship with Russia and interest in water sports. Assembled by a former British agent, the report was included in intelligence briefings given to President Obama and Trump last Friday, CNN reported. NBC News says Trump was actually not briefed on the documents, which the president-elect confirmed at his Wednesday press conference. In any case, BuzzFeed determined that CNNs report was reason enough to publish the documents. Smith defended that decision like this: Our presumption is to be transparent in our journalism and to share what we have with our readers. We have always erred on the side of publishing. In this case, the document was in wide circulation at the highest levels of American government and media. He added, Publishing this document was not an easy or simple call, and people of good will may disagree with our choice. He was right about that. Criticism of the choice to publish the report has been swift, and not just from Trump partisans. The Washington Posts Erik Wemple, for one, takes issue with BuzzFeeds claim that its allowing readers to decide what to make of the information in the dossier. Americans can only make up their own minds if they build their own intelligence agencies, with a heavy concentration of operatives in Russia and Eastern Europe, Wemple writes. The document, he added, is unverified meaning that it requires further investigation. BuzzFeed has started that process and pledges to continue pursuing it. So why post the documents now? Margaret Sullivan, also of the Washington Post, writes that Smith has plunged down a slippery ethical slope from which there is no return. Its never been acceptable to publish rumor and innuendo. And none of the circumstances surrounding this episode not CNNs story, not Trumps dubious history with Russia, not the fact that the intelligence community made a report on it should change that ethical rule. At The Atlantic, David A. Graham writes that publishing the documents represents an abdication of the basic responsibility of journalism. The reporters job is not to simply dump as much information as possible into the public domain, though that can at times be useful too, as some of WikiLeaks revelations have shown. It is to gather information, sift through it, and determine what is true and what is not. The point of a professional journalist corps is to have people whose job it is to do that work on behalf of society, and who can cultivate sources and expertise to help them adjudicate it. John Podhoretz, editor of Commentary and neocon Never Trumper, writes in the New York Post, At a moment when journalists are up in arms about fake news, what BuzzFeed has done here is take fake news to a new level. David Corn of Mother Jones, who reported on the existence of the dossier in late October, tweeted that publishing it was unfair to Trump. 1. For those asking, I didn't publish the full memos from the intelligence operative because I could not confirm the allegations. David Corn (@DavidCornDC) January 11, 2017 2. I believed it was fair & responsible to note that a credible source had provided FBI allegations of Moscow op to co-opt Trump. David Corn (@DavidCornDC) January 11, 2017 3. I accurately characterized the memos-this is important stuff-but didn't publish details. Even Donald Trump deserves journalistic fairness David Corn (@DavidCornDC) January 11, 2017 Many other journalists tweeted their discontent with BuzzFeeds decision to publish this content. The Buzzfeed document has made it really easy for Trump officials to deflect questions about other reports with more validity. Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) January 11, 2017 This report contains unverified information, sourced to anonymous figures whose existence has not been proven. Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) January 11, 2017 Putting out unverified gossip is what Trump does. If media does it, we become like him, risk losing further credibility with readers. Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) January 11, 2017 BuzzFeed's decision to share the memo is a twist on Fox's famous slogan "We report, you decide." Now it's "We publish, you decide." Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 11, 2017 After the end of Trumps Wednesday-afternoon press conference, which included an attempt by the president-elect to conflate the BuzzFeed and CNN reports, CNN released a statement seeking to distance itself from BuzzFeeds decision to publish unsubstantiated memos. Jake Tapper also went to bat for his network on the air, calling BuzzFeed irresponsible. What does Ben Smith make of the criticism? In an interview with Huffington Posts Michael Calderone, he said he stands by the decision to publish a newsworthy document. Barack Obama delivers his farewell address in Chicago. Photo: Zbigniew Bzdak/TNS via Getty Images In his farewell address, Barack Obama gave a speech that was very different from what he would have delivered if his successor were Hillary Clinton, or even any of the 16 Republicans who tried and failed to win their partys nomination. His speech devoted only the most perfunctory attention to his many accomplishments in office. Instead, he delivered a stirring call to his country to defend its democracy against a looming threat one he never named, even elliptically, but whose identity was clear in the references laced throughout his speech. Obamas address walked through the currents that had produced the Trump presidency, warning of their dangers and offering solutions. He suggested rampant income inequality and stagnant growth as sources of political instability. Stark inequality, he warned, made struggling people believe that their government only serves the interests of the powerful a recipe for more cynicism and polarization in our politics. Racism and racial polarization, too, allowed a politics where any economic issue would be framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle-class and undeserving minorities framed, Obama implied, but did not state, by right-wing demagogues. And Obama argued that the sorting of America into hostile tribes, where all sides increasingly shun those with different views and see only news that confirms their beliefs, makes compromise impossible. Obama has made versions of these arguments before. But from this beginning he launched into a more direct attack on Trumpism. He insisted on a respect for science and reason, noting that the spirit of the Enlightenment formed the very basis for democratic government. The philosophy of democratic government is premised on citizens using facts to arrive at truth. He cited the denial of the findings of climate science, a hallmark of Trump and several of his advisers, as the ultimate case of anti-empiricism. Obama defined the threat to liberal democracy as an ideological struggle almost akin to the Cold War. The demise of the Soviet Union created a unipolar world, in which the presidents of the postCold War era presented democracy as an unchallengeable idea spreading across the globe. Since 9/11, George W. Bush, and then Obama, have mostly defined the threat to the liberal order as coming from radical jihadism. But Obama took pains to include illiberal states in the ranks of the enemies of democracy. The liberal order, he said, is now being challenged not just by radical Islam but also autocrats. Obama defended pluralism, reminding white Americans that their ancestors from Italy, Ireland, and Poland were seen as foreign threats who could not be assimilated, like Latino immigrants today. He received probably his longest ovation during the speech by rejecting discrimination against Muslim-Americans. Obama attacked populism for fostering indiscriminate suspicion of elected officials: We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others; when we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt, and blame the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them. And he urged Americans to insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. The political style described here by Obama is the brand of right-wing nationalism on the march throughout Europe, but especially recognizable as Trumpism: It involves stoking fear against outsiders and minorities, and sweeping claims that the system is rigged, that enable actual (rather than imagined) corruption. Obama called upon the country to fight it. The most remarkable passage of the speech, one that could hardly have been imagined a year ago, came when the departing president called for a defense of the Constitution: Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But its really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power with our participation, and the choices we make. Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms. Whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law. America is no fragile thing. But the gains of our long journey to freedom are not assured. This last sentence was especially chilling. Optimism about the course of America has long been a hallmark of Obamas worldview. He sees in American history a long, jagged path to a better world that makes its founding ideals progressively more real. He reiterated that belief again, saying, The long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some. Obama has warned before that progress is not assured or continuous, that two steps forward are often followed by a step back. The stark warning he offered in his farewell address went far beyond such cautions. He told his country that its cherished Constitution was useless, a scrap of paper, without a vigorous defense of its ideals. And as this wise and thoughtful leader left the stage, to be followed soon by an impulsive, bullying man-child, the implications of that warning seemed to linger. To watch Obama walk away into the darkness was an unnerving sight. In hearings on his confirmation as attorney general, drug warrior Sessions says its not his job to look the other way while dope smokers violate federal law, but he might. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images A lot of the questions and answers during the first day of Jeff Sessionss Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing have involved efforts to characterize or recharacterize his past record, and to test whether he will operate independently from the erratic president-elect who appointed him. But one line of questioning with real news value did not come up until well into the afternoon: How will this zealous soldier in the War on Drugs deal with state laws legalizing marijuana? We still dont really know the answer, because Sessions endorsed two principles that are in conflict. In answer to a question from Senator Pat Leahy about the Obama administration Justice Departments decision to look the other way with respect to federal-pot-law enforcement in the legalizing states as a resource decision, Sessions said that decision made sense, but: I wont commit to never enforcing federal law, Mr. Sessions says. He adds: But absolutely, its a problem of resources for the federal government. A few minutes later, after Senator Mike Lee asked if a refusal to enforce laws against pot violate the constitutional principle of separation of powers, Sessions again agreed, and suggested that if Congress wanted to repeal the existing laws it should do so. I suppose that means Sessions believes he should go right ahead and prosecute people in the legalized pot states for violating federal law, but isnt sure it is worth the trouble. That is not terribly illuminating. Perhaps the initial questioning did not dwell on this issue because there is only one senator on the Judiciary Committee from a state that has legalized recreational marijuana use. That would be Diane Feinstein of California, and maybe she has plans to clear this up in later questioning of Sessions. For now, anyone hoping this hearing would clarify that it will be safe to abuse that pot drug in places where the state has decided to step aside would have to be disappointed. Nobody should want their personal freedom to depend on Jeff Sessionss idea of the best way to allocate prosecutorial resources. Chicago. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images In Chicago, the number of homicides hit 762, a bloody number not seen in two decades. But St. Louis, not the Windy City, is the murder capital of the United States: 188 killings, which, according to analysis by FiveThirtyEight, comes out to 60 homicides per 100,000 residents a rate that ranks among the highest in the world. The big increase in murder in U.S. big cities in 2015 continued in 2016: https://t.co/GsjjQexBaP pic.twitter.com/ODaBgSvrdE FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) January 11, 2017 The 2016 murder rate in many major U.S. cities is up for the second straight year, though the FBI has yet to release its official national crime statistics. The increases werent as massive as 2015 which saw the highest single-year uptick since 1971 but puts a snag in the decades-long downward trend of violent crime. FiveThirtyEight crunched the numbers, and based on available crime stats and media reports, estimates the rise in cities to be about 11.3 percent compared to 14.8 percent for the same grouping of municipalities in 2015. A handful of cities including Chicago altogether accounted for more than 75 percent of the overall murder rise in 2016, according to FiveThirtyEight: Among the notable rises outside of Chicago were increases of 56 percent in Memphis, 61 percent in San Antonio, 44 percent in Louisville, 36 percent in Phoenix and 31 percent in Las Vegas. Taken together, those six cities accounted for 76 percent of the overall big city murder rise in 2016. Baltimore, which witnessed a surge of violence, and its deadliest year in 2015, saw its homicides numbers dip about 6 percent, though it was still the second-highest figure after last year. Yet it still has the second-highest murder rate (killings per 100,00 people) behind St. Louis. One critical note: The overall U.S. murder (that is, not just in major cities) rate remains at historically low levels across the board, even with this two-year jump. And New York Americas biggest city saw record low crime-rates in 2016, including a more than 4 percent decrease in murder and a historic drop below 1,000 in shootings. Its 335 homicides is tied, with 2013, for the second lowest on record. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Donald Trump poses an extraordinary threat to American democracy. During the presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton focused on his extraordinary qualities the bullying, overt racism and misogyny, and authoritarianism rather than his ordinary ones, like his plans to cut taxes for the rich and deregulate business. Now that the bullying authoritarian has won the presidency, the question changes to how to stop him from abusing his power in a Berlusconi-esque, or even Putin-esque, fashion. Lee Drutman and Mark Schmitt suggest that Democrats in Congress should focus on the safeguarding of norms and democracy, rather than fighting regular political battles on issues such as taxes, spending, and regulation. Since autocracy poses the more dire and potentially irreversible threat, they reason, that ought to receive priority: Challenging Trump primarily on normal politics legislative fights over safety net programs and taxes is like ignoring a cancer diagnosis and instead devoting all your time to going to your chiropractor because in the past, hes succeeded at getting rid of your sore back. This might be a sensible way to proceed if you think of the problem as though Trump has rigged firebombs to destroy the Constitution in one location and health insurance for 20 million people in another, and opponents face the diabolical question of choosing which one to save: (Hopefully this hypothetical does not give Steve Bannon any ideas.) But the actual calculation facing Trumps opponents is different. They dont need to choose whether to defend democratic norms or the regulatory and welfare states. They can, and must, defend both. To be fair to Drutman and Schmitt, who are both very smart analysts, their case does not rest on the simple assumption that Democrats have to choose where to apply limited resources. They argue instead that fighting Trump on economics will impair their ability to fight him on democratic norms, since a policy fight will draw to his side Republican allies who might otherwise oppose his autocratic and kleptocratic governing style. Making the fight about entitlements and taxes is only going to reinforce existing partisan divides, they argue, at a time when Democrats and Republicans need to figure out how to build alliances to minimize the damage Trump can do to basic norms, rather than reinforcing the divide that Trump exploited in the general election. But it seems clear that Trump has maintained conflicts of interest between his business and office that are orders of magnitude larger than what used to be considered a major scandal, a state of affairs Republicans have almost entirely ignored. Republicans have refused to support a special committee on Russian hacking that would give subpoena power to Democratic as well as Republican chairs, and allowed Trumps nominees to flout disclosure requirements. James Inhofe actually admitted to reporters that he opposes disclosure of financial interests by presidential nominees now, after having supported them in the past, entirely because the nominees were now of his party. Over the last couple of decades, appealing to the consciences of Republican legislators has not been a strategy with an encouraging record of success. Republicans in Congress support Trump because it is in their political interest to do so he is popular with the base, and they face a much greater risk in opposing him than in supporting him. An excellent way to change this is to attack Trump on economics. Indeed, the entire GOP is rife for attack. Trump enters office with extraordinarily low political capital and an approval rating below 40 percent, which is unheard-of for a not-yet-inaugurated president who can still promise to be all things to all people. To the very limited extent that he had any positive appeal to swing voters (as opposed to simply being less hated than Hillary Clinton), it was because he was seen as antithetical to the normal plutocratic Republican agenda. And yet Trump and his Republican allies are carrying out an agenda diametrically opposed to the populist image he cultivated. They are busily deregulating Wall Street, cutting taxes for the rich, throwing working-class people off their health insurance. That agenda is easy to connect to the corrupt cast of his administration, which is staffing up with lobbyists and insiders who are using their power to enrich themselves and their partners. Trump and his party are supplying Democrats with a simple, easy-to-understand frame of opposition that has the virtue of being completely true. Republicans in Congress dont care right now about defending political norms because the public doesnt care much about political norms. That doesnt make it pointless for opponents, big-D Democrats and small-d democrats, to raise a fuss about them. But realistically, Republicans wont defect until political survival demands they do so. And the path to that outcome runs through exposing Trump as a corrupt handmaiden of wealth. Are we living in Nazi Germany? Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Donald Trump, his incoming Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and the foreign nation with which Trump is accused of having secret connections all denied claims made in an unverified report drafted by a former British intelligence agent and published by BuzzFeed Tuesday. Trump, who tweeted Tuesday night that the report is fake news amounting to a total political witch hunt, logged on Wednesday morning to rant once again about the story. Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is "A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE." Very unfair! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 The line quoted in the above tweet comes from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who told reporters Wednesday, The Kremlin does not engage in collecting compromising information. He blamed Trumps enemies for the report and, like Trump, called it a witch hunt. Trumps final tweet of his morning rant blamed U.S. intelligence agencies for allowing the report to be leaked. He also invoked Godwins law by comparing the country hes days away from leading to Nazi Germany. Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Reince Priebus, Trumps pick for chief of staff, was also on the defensive this morning, telling Today that not only are the contents of the report offensive crap but Trump was never given a summary of the allegations, as CNN reported Tuesday. Were talking about fake news. Its shameful. It isnt a document that came from our intel community. Its oppo research thats been floating around for months, he said. Its all phony-baloney garbage. Another revelation on the subject also came Wednesday morning, when Senator John McCain released a statement saying that late last year he gave the report that connects Trump to Russia to the FBI. Perhaps no new concept from the world of academic psychology has taken hold of the public imagination more quickly and profoundly in the 21st century than implicit bias that is, forms of bias which operate beyond the conscious awareness of individuals. Thats in large part due to the blockbuster success of the so-called implicit association test, which purports to offer a quick, easy way to measure how implicitly biased individual people are. When Hillary Clinton famously mentioned implicit bias during her first debate with Donald Trump, many people knew what she was talking about because the IAT has spread the concept so far and wide. Its not a stretch to say that the IAT is one of the most famous psychological instruments created in recent history, and that it has been the subject of more recent fascination and acclaim than just about anything else to come out of the field of social psychology. Since the IAT was first introduced almost 20 years ago, its architects, as well as the countless researchers and commentators who have enthusiastically embraced it, have offered it as a way to reveal to test-takers what amounts to a deep, dark secret about who they are: They may not feel racist, but in fact, the test shows that in a variety of intergroup settings, they will act racist. This notion, and the data surrounding it, have fed into a very neat narrative explaining bias and racial justice in modern America. Sure, explicit measures of racism have been in decline for a while in the United States. Its less socially acceptable than ever to say that black people and white people shouldnt get married, or that black people are less intelligent than white people (though, to be sure, a solid minority of Americans still endorses such views). And yet, more than a half-century after the end of Jim Crow, all sorts of racial discrepancies persist: On average, darker-skinned people have less access to solid education, housing, and health care than lighter-skinned ones, and face various other forms of discrimination. The IAT suggests that, having addressed many of the most outrageous and explicit forms of public discrimination, our progress toward genuine racial equality may be continually stalled or undone by implicit bias. That is, many IAT proponents argue that if people who dont feel like they discriminate do, in fact, discriminate, that could explain those disparate outcomes. Maybe some white cops who claim racial empathy are still, deep down, more likely to pull the trigger in an ambiguous situation involving a black suspect than a white one. Maybe white real-estate agents who are proud Obama voters conjure up thin excuses excuses that feel legitimate to them to avoid renting nice units to black families. And the data produced by the IAT suggests that a solid majority of Americans hold implicit biases against marginalized groups which means they are likely to commit acts of implicit bias against these groups. Most white people in America, for example, hold what is frequently called anti-black implicit bias, and a significant minority of African-Americans do, too. All this implicit bias could be having a dire impact on society: As the co-creators of the test have written, given the relatively small proportion of people who are overtly prejudiced and how clearly it is established that automatic race preference [as measured by the IAT] predicts discrimination, it is reasonable to conclude not only that implicit bias is a cause of Black disadvantage but also that it plausibly plays a greater role than does explicit bias in explaining the discrimination that contributes to Black disadvantage. Those co-creators are Mahzarin Banaji, currently the chair of Harvard Universitys psychology department, and Anthony Greenwald, a highly regarded social psychology researcher at the University of Washington. The duo introduced the test to the world at a 1998 press conference in Seattle the accompanying press release noted that they had collected data suggesting that 9095 percent of Americans harbored the roots of unconscious prejudice. The public immediately took notice: Since then, the IAT has been mostly treated as a revolutionary, revelatory piece of technology, garnering overwhelmingly positive media coverage. In addition to countless writeups in newspapers and magazines, the test was covered with something like awe in Malcolm Gladwells best-selling Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking The IAT is more than just an abstract measure of attitudes, he wrote. Its a powerful predictor of how we act in certain kinds of spontaneous situations. and in NPR social-science correspondent Shankar Vedantams The Hidden Brain. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof is a big fan and mentions the test regularly. Its sobering to discover that whatever you believe intellectually, youre biased about race, gender, age or disability, he wrote in 2015. A 2001 article in the American Psychological Societys Bulletin magazine described the IAT as A Revolution in Social Psychology. The IAT wasnt the first tool researchers developed to measure implicit bias, which was a subject social psychologists had been interested in for a while, but it was the first to fully catch on and launch the concept into the mainstream. Thats in part because Banaji, Greenwald, and the other architects and proponents have touted the tests importance and potential for addressing racial discrimination ever since it was introduced. Along the way, theyve made some very bold, attention-getting claims about what the IAT can do, such as in this paragraph from the introduction to Banaji and Greenwalds 2013 book Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People: [T]he automatic White preference expressed on the Race IAT is now established as signaling discriminatory behavior. It predicts discriminatory behavior even among research participants who earnestly (and, we believe, honestly) espouse egalitarian beliefs. That last statement may sound like a self-contradiction, but its an empirical truth. Among research participants who describe themselves as racially egalitarian, the Race IAT has been shown, reliably and repeatedly, to predict discriminatory behavior that was observed in the research. Maybe the biggest driver of the IATs popularity and visibility, though, is the fact that anyone can take the test on the Project Implicit website, which launched shortly after the test was unveiled and which is hosted by Harvard University. The tests architects reported that, by October 2015, more than 17 million individual test sessions had been completed on the website. As will become clear, learning ones IAT results is, for many people, a very big deal that changes how they view themselves and their place in the world. Given all this excitement, it might feel safe to assume that the IAT really does measure peoples propensity to commit real-world acts of implicit bias against marginalized groups, and that it does so in a dependable, clearly understood way. After all, the test is hosted by Harvard, endorsed and frequently written about by some of the top social psychologists and science journalists in the country, and is currently seen by many as the most sophisticated way to talk about the complicated, fraught subject of race in America. Unfortunately, none of that is true. A pile of scholarly work, some of it published in top psychology journals and most of it ignored by the media, suggests that the IAT falls far short of the quality-control standards normally expected of psychological instruments. The IAT, this research suggests, is a noisy, unreliable measure that correlates far too weakly with any real-world outcomes to be used to predict individuals behavior even the tests creators have now admitted as such. The history of the test suggests it was released to the public and excitedly publicized long before it had been fully validated in the rigorous, careful way normally demanded by the field of psychology. In fact, theres a case to be made that Harvard shouldnt be administering the test in its current form, in light of its shortcomings and its potential to mislead people about their own biases. Theres also a case to be made that the IAT went viral not for solid scientific reasons, but simply because it tells us such a simple, pat story about how racism works and can be fixed: that deep down, were all a little or a lot racist, and that if we measure and study this individual-level racism enough, progress toward equality will ensue. *** Before we get ahead of ourselves, its important to understand where implicit association tests dealing with race and ethnicity fit into the broader IAT universe. Ever since the IAT was first introduced, there have been many flavors of it. Some IATs claim to measure peoples implicit bias for one brand over another (such tests are used for corporate market research), others to measure implicit bias for skinny people over overweight people, yet others implicit bias for young people over older ones, and so on. For the purposes of this article, though, the IAT, unless otherwise specified, refers specifically to the broad class of IATs dealing with race or ethnicity. The race IAT occupies a special place in the broader constellation of implicit-bias research: Many of the researchers who have focused on the shortcomings of the race IAT do so because it appears to be far and away the most famous, frequently administered, and societally relevant flavor of the test. This is especially true in the United States, given our racial history, and its not an accident that when Banaji and Greenwald introduced the IAT, they focused on black/white race relations. (Elsewhere, different types of race relations have attracted more attention German researchers, for example, have used the IAT to test how ethnic Germans respond to German-sounding names versus Turkish-sounding ones, since Turks are the largest ethnic minority group in Germany and face various challenges to fair treatment and full integration into German society.) Its important, though, to recognize that not every critique of the race IAT applies to other varieties of the test. This is also probably as good a place as any to introduce some names that are going to pop up again and again and again. Since the IAT was first unveiled, a huge number of researchers have published studies about the test its an area of research that has absolutely exploded, as a Google Scholar search reveals. But the academic controversy over the rigorousness of the IAT has been fought most fiercely, albeit not exclusively, between a core group of IAT proponents and a core group of critics. The proponents include Banaji and Greenwald, the creators of the test, Brian Nosek (who has also carved out his own niche as a leading open-science advocate at the University of Virginia), and John Jost of New York University. The critics include Wharton School professor Philip Tetlock, a big name in behavioral science best known for studying why some people are better at making predictions than others, Hart Blanton of the University of Connecticut (a methods expert who is currently a visiting scholar at the University of Texas at Austin), Gregory Mitchell of the UVA school of law, Fred Oswald of Rice University, Hal Arkes of Ohio State University, and James Jaccard of NYU. Finally, its important to separate out two different questions: whether the IAT accurately measures implicit bias, and how large a role implicit bias, as compared to other factors, plays in generating discriminatory outcomes. Theres been a great deal of confusion on this front, and as well see, this confusion has damaged not only the publics understanding of racism, but also social psychologys ability to study it productively. Those preambles out of the way, heres how a typical race IAT works: You sit down at a computer where you are shown a series of images and/or words. First, youre instructed to hit i when you see a good term like pleasant, or to hit e when you see a bad one like tragedy. Then, hit i when you see a black face, and hit e when you see a white one. Easy enough, but soon things get slightly more complex: Hit i when you see a good word or an image of a black person, and e when you see a bad word or an image of a white person. Then the categories flip to black/bad and white/good. As you peck away at the keyboard, the computer measures your reaction times, which it plugs into an algorithm. That algorithm, in turn, generates your score. If you were quicker to associate good words with white faces than good words with black faces, and/or slower to associate bad words with white faces than bad words with black ones, then the test will report that you have a slight, moderate, or strong preference for white faces over black faces, or some similar language. You might also find you have an anti-white bias, though that is significantly less common. By the normal scoring conventions of the test, positive scores indicate bias against the out-group, while negative ones indicate bias against the in-group. The rough idea is that, as humans, we have an easier time connecting concepts that are already tightly linked in our brains, and a tougher time connecting concepts that arent. The longer it takes to connect black and good relative to white and good, the thinking goes, the more your unconscious biases favor white people over black people. If you take the IAT in a diversity-training session, all this will likely be explained to you after receive your score. Youll probably also be told just how common implicit biases against minority groups are perhaps the 75 percent figure will be invoked and how they can worm their way into our everyday interactions with members of other races and all sorts of decision-making processes, helping to fuel discriminatory outcomes. Theres a certain intuitive appeal to this story. But heres where science taps us on the shoulder and reminds us that intuition isnt enough. Heres where science asks whether its fair to say that an average difference in reaction time on the order of a couple hundred milliseconds constitutes evidence of implicit bias against a certain group. This has been a source of major confusion ever since the IAT was introduced, a great deal of media coverage has suggested that getting a high IAT score means one is implicitly biased against a minority group. That isnt necessarily true, though, because all the IAT measures on its own is reaction times to different stimuli. Implicit bias, as the term is generally understood, is a psychological phenomenon that causes someone to act in a discriminatory manner in real-world settings. The IAT claims to be measuring implicit bias, but thats just a claim theres no reason to automatically think its a true one. What if someone who scores high on the IAT never acts in a biased manner? Can a bias be a bias if it only exists in the context of a very specific test result, but never bubbles out into the real world? If implicit bias were defined as the state of having received a high score on an IAT test, no one would care about implicit bias, or about the IAT. But since the IAT was first introduced, it has been claimed, over and over, that it does accurately measure implicit bias in a way that is relevant to real-world behavior. The only way to evaluate how accurately the IAT actually measures the sort of implicit bias everyone cares about, then, is to look to the research that has been published on the test. But before doing so its important to zoom out a bit to the broader question of how psychologists prove a given instrument, whether one developed to measure depression, narcissism, or anything else, is accurate enough to be useful for real-world purposes. Theres an entire field of psychology, psychometrics, dedicated to the creation and validation of psychological instruments, and instruments are judged based on whether they exceed certain broadly agreed-upon statistical benchmarks. The most important benchmarks pertain to a tests reliability that is, the extent to which the test has a reasonably low amount of measurement error (every test has some) and to its validity, or the extent to which it is measuring what it claims to be measuring. A good psychological instrument needs both. The IAT, it turns out, has serious issues on both the reliability and validity fronts, which is surprising given its popularity and the very exciting claims that have been made about its potential to address racism. Thats what the research says, at least, and it raises serious questions about how the IAT became such a social-science darling in the first place. Take the concept of test-retest reliability, which measures the extent to which a given instrument will produce similar results if you take it, wait a bit, and then take it again. Different instruments have different test-retest reliabilities. A tape measure has high test-retest reliability because if you measure someones height, wait two weeks, and measure it again, youll get very similar results. The measurement procedure of grabbing an ice cube from your freezer and seeing how many ice cubes tall your friend is would have much lower test-retest reliability, because different ice cubes might be of different sizes; its easier to make errors when counting how many ice cubes tall your friend is; and so forth. This is a bedrock psychometric feature of many psychological instruments; test-retest reliability is often one of the first things a psychologist will look for when deciding whether to use a given tool. Thats particularly true if its the sort of test that is designed to provide important information from someone based on a single test-taking session. If a depression test, for example, has the tendency to tell people theyre severely depressed and at risk of suicidal ideation on Monday, but essentially free of depression on Tuesday, thats not a useful test. Its safe to say, based on how the IAT is used and marketed, that most lay people who are familiar with the test imagine that it provides useful information based on a single session. Test-retest reliability is expressed with a variable known as r, which ranges from 0 to 1. To gloss over some of the gory statistical details, r = 1 means that if a given test is administered multiple times to the same group of people, it will rank them in exactly the same order every time. Hypothetically, if the IAT had a test-retest reliability of r = 1, and you administered the test to ten people over and over and over, theyd be placed in the same order, least to most implicitly biased, every time. At the other end of the spectrum, when r = 0, that means the ranking shifts every time the test is administered, completely at random. The person ranked most biased after the first test would, after the second test, be equally likely to appear in any of the ten available slots. Overall, the closer you get to r = 0, the closer the instrument in question is to, in effect, a random-number generator rather than a remotely useful means of measuring whatever it is youre trying to measure. What constitutes an acceptable level of test-retest reliability? It depends a lot on context, but, generally speaking, researchers are comfortable if a given instrument hits r = .8 or so. The IATs architects have reported that overall, when you lump together the IATs many different varieties, from race to disability to gender, it has a test-retest reliability of about r = .55. By the normal standards of psychology, this puts these IATs well below the threshold of being useful in most practical, real-world settings. But what about the race IAT in particular? After all, it is a very specific, very important category of IAT used in many educational and diversity-training contexts not to mention the fact that millions of people have taken it on Project Implicit. Surprisingly, theres a serious dearth of published information on test-retest reliability of the race IAT specifically. Its kind of odd that after almost two decades, the researchers promoting this measure have not so much as posted test-retest reliability of commonly used IATs via their many web resource pages, much less in publication, said Hart Blanton in an email. Look up common clinical, organizational and educational assessment tools and you will typically find such information readily available to the consumer. Greenwald acknowledged in an email of his own that no one has yet undertaken a study of the race IATs test-retest reliability, though, as he pointed out, no one includes both the tests proponents and its critics. The individual results that have been published, though, suggest the race IATs test-retest reliability is far too low for it to be safe to use in real-world settings. In a 2007 chapter on the IAT, for example, Kristin Lane, Banaji, Nosek, and Greenwald included a table (Table 3.2) running down the test-retest reliabilities for the race IAT that had been published to that point: r = .32 in a study consisting of four race IAT sessions conducted with two weeks between each; r = .65 in a study in which two tests were conducted 24 hours apart; and r = .39 in a study in which the two tests were conducted during the same session (but in which one used names and the other used pictures). In 2014, using a large sample, Yoav Bar-Anan and Nosek reported a race IAT test-retest reliability of r = .4 (Table 2). Calvin Lai, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard who is the director of research at Project Implicit, ran the numbers from some of his own data, and came up with similar results. If I had to estimate for immediate test-retest now, it would be r ~= .35, he wrote in an email. If it was over longer time periods, I would revise my estimate downward although Im uncertain about how much. (In emails, Greenwald argued that Lais figures should be adjusted upward using the so-called Spearman-Brown formula to account for the fact that they stemmed from IATs that werent full-length, but Blanton strongly pushed back on that claim. I emailed a few statisticians asking them to arbitrate the dispute and basically got a hung jury.) (Update: Lai emailed me after this article went up and said that in light of research published since he provided me with the original estimate, hed now estimate the true value to be in the neighborhood of r = .42.) What all these numbers mean is that there doesnt appear to be any published evidence that the race IAT has test-retest reliability that is close to acceptable for real-world evaluation. If you take the test today, and then take it again tomorrow or even in just a few hours theres a solid chance youll get a very different result. Thats extremely problematic given that in the wild, whether on Project Implicit or in diversity-training sessions, test-takers are administered the test once, given their results, and then told what those results say about them and their propensity to commit biased acts. (It should be said that there are still certain consistent patterns: Most white people, for example, score positively on black-white IAT, supposedly signaling the presence of anti-black implicit bias.) As for validity, over and over the IATs proponents have made confident statements about the tests ability to predict behavior. In the quote from Blindside excerpted above, for example, Banaji and Greenwald explicitly claim that the test does a better job predicting behavior than explicit measures like feelings thermometers in which people numerically rate their feelings toward different groups an idea echoed on the IATs FAQ page. This is an absolutely crucial claim, and much of the IATs cultural and academic gravitas flows directly out of it. If the IAT cant predict discriminatory behavior, and cant do so more accurately than explicit measures, then its a lot less useful and interesting than its proponents have made it out to be. A major conceit of the test, after all, is that it reveals hidden biases that can pop up in people who explicitly renounce discriminatory beliefs or intent. Anthony Greenwald and Mahzari Banaji, co-creators of the implicit association test Photo: Harvard University News Office/Delacorte Press In statistical terms, the architects of the IAT claimed, for a long time, that there is a meaningful correlation between two variables: Someones IAT score (call it x) and how implicitly biased they act in intergroup settings (call it y). Generally speaking, researchers measure the extent to which two variables are correlated by examining how much of the variation in one variable, y, is explained by changes in the other, x. The more two variables are correlated in this manner, the more meaningful a connection might exist between them. Might is key here: As the Stats 101 saying goes, Correlation does not imply causation. But if you have a clear hypothesis about how two things connect to one another in this case, The higher someone scores on the IAT (x), the higher the likelihood they will act in a discriminatory manner (y) the first step toward proving that hypothesis is to establish that there is, in fact, a meaningful correlation between x and y. If you have a data set of IAT scores and observed behavior, and you find that as you move from lower to higher IAT scores those scores correspond with a steadily increasing prevalence of discriminatory behavior, that means that IAT scores explain a good amount of the variance in discriminatory behavior, in the parlance of statistics. The more variance in behavior the IAT explains, the more it can credibly claim to be measuring implicit bias and the more validity it has. Its not easy to measure discriminatory behavior in a lab setting, but researchers have come up with a variety of methods for doing so. You can see whether a white participant interacts differently with a white as compared to a black experimenter, for example. Or you can have them complete a simulated hiring task in which they choose whom to give an interview by comparing resumes that are effectively identical, except that some have stereotypically white names and others have stereotypically black names. These methods arent perfect, and many of them have been critiqued on various grounds particularly those dealing with microbehaviors like blinking or body language, where the connection to real-world outcomes is a lot more questionable than it is for experiments dealing with simulated hiring tasks and so forth but thats the toolbox social psychologists are working with. IAT researchers have published a bunch of studies that the tests main proponents claim show reasonably strong links between IAT scores and behavior on both race and other issues, and in my correspondence with Banaji and the tests other core group of architects and proponents, they sent me some of them. If you look around, you can find IAT papers correlating IAT scores with all sorts of important behavioral outcomes. Some of those papers are pretty interesting, like a recently published National Bureau of Economic Research one that purports to show that When minority cashiers [in a French grocery chain], but not majority cashiers, are scheduled to work with managers who are biased (as determined by an Implicit Association Test), they are absent more often, spend less time at work, scan items more slowly, and take more time between customers. Tetlock, for his part, made a point of emphasizing that despite being a staunch critic of the race IAT, he finds some of the research linking other IATs to behavior to be interesting. For instance, he said he was impressed by work published by Matthew K. Nock of Harvard on the connection between scores on a self-injury IAT and real-world self-harm. I think much more needs to be done to establish validity in this domain, but that work seems promising, he said. (Heres a brief report from the American Journal of Psychiatry summarizing one such study that Nock published with Banaji.) But when it comes to social-scientific claims, exciting-seeming studies only get you so far. These days, especially in light of psychologys replication crisis, a bunch of studies showing something to be true isnt automatically viewed as sufficient evidence that that thing is true. Researchers have realized that all sorts of biases can creep into the process of conceptualizing, conducting, and publishing studies, and sometimes these biases lead to the overhyping of intriguing-seeming but ultimately spurious findings. This has happened over and over again, contributing to what has become a moment of grim soul-searching among many research psychologists particularly social psychologists, whose field has experienced a particularly worrying string of failed replications. Thats why one of the current gold standards for assessing how real a given effect is is meta-analysis, or the process of collecting all the studies you can find on a given question and, in effect, averaging their results. This, the thinking goes, can reduce experimenter error and bias. It isnt perfect, but its a much better method than relying on any handpicked collection of individual studies. And when you use meta-analyses to examine the question of whether IAT scores predict discriminatory behavior accurately enough for the test to be useful in real-world settings, the answer is: No. Race IAT scores are weak predictors of discriminatory behavior. We know this because of a protracted meta-analytical back-and-forth that has played out in the pages of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, a flagship publication in the field of psychology. Since 2009, a team of the IATs architects Greenwald, Nosek, Banaji, and others, with different names on different papers have duked it out with some of the tests leading critics: Oswald, Mitchell, Blanton, Jaccard, and Tetlock. The arguments and subarguments get pretty complicated and technical, but two important points stand out. One is that the most IAT-friendly numbers, published in a 2009 meta-analysis lead-authored by Greenwald, which found fairly unimpressive correlations (race IAT scores accounted for about 5.5 percent of the variation in discriminatory behavior in lab settings, and other intergroup IAT scores accounted for about 4 percent of the variance in discriminatory behavior in lab settings), were based on some fairly questionable methodological decisions on the part of the authors. The Oswald team, in a meta-analysis of their own published in 2013, argued convincingly that Greenwald and his colleagues had overestimated the correlations between IAT scores and discriminatory behavior by including studies that didnt actually measure discriminatory behavior, such as those which found a link between high IAT scores and certain brain patterns (these studies, in fact, found some of the highest correlations). The Oswald group also claimed again, convincingly that the Greenwald team took a questionable approach to handling so-called ironic IAT effects, or published findings in which high IAT scores correlated with better behavior toward out-group than in-group members, the theory being the implicitly biased individuals were overcompensating. Greenwald and his team counted both ironic and standard effects as evidence of a meaningful IATbehavior correlation, which, in effect, allowed the IAT to double-dip at the validity bowl: Unless the story being told is extremely pretzel-like, it cant be true that high IAT scores predict both better and worse behavior toward members of minority groups. If one study finds a correlation between IAT scores and discriminatory behavior against out-group members, and another, similarly-sized study finds a similarly sized correlation between IAT scores and discriminatory behavior against the in-group members, for meta-analytic purposes those two studies should average out to a correlation of about zero. That isnt what the Greenwald team did instead, they in effect added the two correlations as though they were pointing in the same direction. The second, more important point to emerge from this years-long meta-analytic melee is that both critics and proponents of the IAT now agree that the statistical evidence is simply too lacking for the test to be used to predict individual behavior. Thats not to say the two teams dont still disagree on many issues they do, and as well see theres some genuine bad blood but on this point, the architects have effectively conceded. They did so in 2015: The psychometric issues with race and ethnicity IATs, Greenwald, Banaji, and Nosek wrote in one of their responses to the Oswald teams work, render them problematic to use to classify persons as likely to engage in discrimination. In that same paper, they noted that attempts to diagnostically use such measures for individuals risk undesirably high rates of erroneous classifications. In other words: You cant use the IAT to tell individuals how likely they are to commit acts of implicit bias. To Blanton, this is something of a smoking gun: This concession undermines the entire premise of their webpage, he said. Their webpage delivers psychological diagnoses that even they now admit are too filled with error to be meaningful. Now, theres still some debate over exactly how low the correlation between race IAT scores and behavior is. One important upcoming meta-analysis, which well return to later in another context, found that such scores can explain less than one percent of the variance observed in discriminatory behavior. The researchers Rickard Carlsson and Jens Agerstrom, in a meta-analysis of their own published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology last year, pinned the figure at about 2 percent but argued that the extant research is of such low statistical quality its impossible to draw any meaningful conclusions from it. Attempting to meta-analytically test the correlation between IAT and discrimination thus appears futile, they wrote. We are, essentially, chasing noise, and simply cannot expect any strong, or even moderate, correlations, based on the current literature. Philip Tetlock, one of the IATs more outspoken critics But at a certain level, it doesnt matter whether the real value here is one percent or 2 percent or (less likely) 3 percent: The point is that the key experts involved in IAT research no longer claim that the IAT can be used to predict individual behavior. In this sense, the IAT has simply failed to deliver on a promise it has been making since its inception that it can reveal otherwise hidden propensities to commit acts of racial bias. Theres no evidence it can. *** In examining the history of the IAT, its clear that early on, the tests architects and most enthusiastic proponents got ahead of themselves in their claims that the IAT accurately measured implicit bias, never fully grappling with the possibility that the test captures, or also captures, other stuff as well. But again: All the test itself measures is differences in reaction times, and if those reaction-times differences havent been proven to predict real-world behavior, it doesnt make sense to tag someone with a high IAT score as implicitly biased, except in a very trivial sense of the term. When the IAT was introduced in 1998, the reaction-time differences hadnt yet been connected to any real-world outcomes, and they wouldnt be until the first paper linking IAT scores to behavior was published in 2001. And yet between the tests introduction and that first study, there was a spate of media coverage that failed to ask the same skeptical questions about the IAT that one should ask about any new psychological instrument. This helped boost the tests reputation as a reliable, valid barometer of implicit bias when the verdict, by normal scientific standards, was very much still out. Over and over, that early coverage and early statements from Banaji and Greenwald prematurely implied that there was a connection between IAT scores and real-world outcomes. The University of Washington press release announcing the introduction of the IAT, for example, described the IAT as a psychological tool that measures unconscious components of prejudice. Early coverage from the Associated Press and the Times and countless other outlets all echoed the idea that the IAT measured something that had implications for real-world manifestations of prejudice and discrimination. To be fair, there were definitely hints of caution sprinkled here and there the researchers note that no evidence links a persons performance on the test with attitudes or behavior in the outside world, reported the Times. But overall, any lay reader would have come away from early coverage of the IAT convinced that the test had vital real-world implications for understanding racism. Banaji and Greenwald contributed to this idea. In a talk she gave at the American Psychological Societys convention, Banaji described the invention of the IAT as similar to the invention of the telescope it had ushered in a revolution for how we see the world. And in a March 19, 2000, episode of Dateline, Greenwald noted that If a police officer is going to shoot two-tenths of a second faster at an African-American than a European-American, well, that could be a matter of life and death. The implication was clear: The IAT can predict absolutely vital behavioral outcomes. (The transcript for that episode doesnt appear to be Google-able, but it can be found on Nexis.) Its important to be fair here. Greenwald and Banaji werent bandying about homoeopathic remedies or astrological insights. Rather, from their point of view, the IAT fit neatly into preexisting theories of prejudice and intergroup relations they had been working on for an extended period. They thought they were onto something big, in other words. And researchers have every right to tout their exciting findings to the public, of course. But they also have a responsibility to not get ahead of the available evidence. In reality, what Greenwald and Banaji had found around the turn of the millennium were certain predictable patterns in how quickly different sorts of people responded to different sorts of stimuli. Majority groups tended to score higher than minority groups on the IAT, for example. Thats interesting in its own right, but at the time Greenwald and Banaji certainly hadnt established any solid, real-world connection between these scores and any observable marker of discriminatory behavior. And yet the tests legend grew. Part of the problem was that some of the early papers that did claim to find a link between IAT scores and discriminatory behavior had backbreaking problems that wouldnt be discovered until much later on. That first paper from 2001, for example, had a major impact when it was published by Allen R. McConnell and Jill Leibold, and has since been cited heavily. But a group of six researchers that included Blanton, Mitchell, and Tetlock eventually uncovered serious methodological problems with it, which they highlighted in a 2009 article. Those problems effectively overturn the papers main finding of a correlation between IAT scores and discriminatory behavior (though the authors contest that). Another influential paper, published in 2007 by the researchers Jeremy Heider and John Skowronski, also reported impressive findings over the course of two studies. But as Blanton and Mitchell explained in 2011, both studies were riddled with crippling errors: The first one simply excluded data that would have shown the researchers had in fact discovered no link between IAT scores and discriminatory behavior, while the second was based on IAT data that the authors admitted had been partially fabricated (Heider indicated it was an overzealous undergraduate, said Blanton in an email). Other IAT studies, too, have been conducted in sloppy and misleading manners, Blanton and his colleagues have discovered over the years. But because of the lag time between publication and debunking, for a while there was the illusion that the IATs most impressive claims rested on sound empirical footing. Many people, particularly members of the public not up on the latest literature, seem to still believe this. But there have always been alternate potential explanations for what the IAT really measures. From early on, skeptics of Greenwald and Banajis claims have highlighted the possibility that the test doesnt really, or doesnt only, capture implicit bias; in 2004, for example, Hal Arkes and Tetlock published a paper entitled Would Jesse Jackson Fail the Implicit Association Test? in which they argued that it could be the case that people who are more familiar with certain stereotypes score higher on the IAT, whether or not they unconsciously endorse those stereotypes in any meaningful way. Along those same lines, some researchers have suggested that it could be the case that those who empathize with out-group members, and are therefore well aware of the negative treatment and stereotypes they are victimized by, have an easier time forming the quick negative associations with minority groups that the IAT interprets as implicit bias against those groups. It would be wrong to say that the architects of the IAT and their colleagues ignored the possibility of these sorts of alternate explanations entirely in one study from 2000, for example, Banaji, Greenwald, and some colleagues examined whether white peoples familiarity with white people as opposed to black people could be driving high IAT scores, and concluded that it wasnt sufficient to account for them. But they also dont appear to have fully explored alternate explanations for what the IAT measures, and they certainly didnt linger much on this possibility when they were promoting the test. Other researchers, though, have looked closely at the possibility that the IAT isnt just measuring implicit bias. And they have indeed shown in multiple studies that high IAT scores may sometimes be artifacts of empathy for an out-group, and/or familiarity with negative stereotypes against that group, rather than indicating any sort of deep-seated unconscious endorsement of those associations. In 2006, for example, Eric Luis Uhlmann, Victoria Brescoll, and Betsy Levy Paluck published the results of a very clever study they conducted on undergraduates in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. In one experiment, the participants were randomly assigned to either (1) associate the novel group Noffians with words related to oppression and the novel group Fasites with words related to privilege, or the reverse Noffians privileged, Fasites oppressed and were then given a race IAT, but with Fasites and Noffians standing in for white and black. As it turned out, participants were faster to associate Noffians with Bad after being conditioned to associate Noffians with oppression, victimization, and discrimination. In other words, the experimenters were able to easily induce what the IAT would interpret as implicit bias against Noffians simply by forming an association between them and downtroddenness in general. That isnt a perfect analogy to whats going on with the IAT, of course, since terms like white and black are deeply embedded, culturally reinforced categories rather than novel ones like Noffian. But its still a striking result, as is another study published in that same journal by the psychologists Michael Andreychik and Michael Gill. That study dealt with these questions in a slightly more real-world way. Andreychik and Gill focused on the difference between so-called external or internal explanations for why certain out-groups are disadvantaged. In the case of African-Americans, for example, external explanations highlight forces outside the group, such as the centuries of injustice they endured, while internal explanations focus on the groups own shortcomings often, in this context, by referencing racist stereotypes about black people being lazy, less intelligent, and so forth. Past research has shown that those who endorse external explanations for disparate outcomes tend, unsurprisingly, to express more compassion and empathy for the groups in question. That is, if you believe a group hasnt had a fair shake, you are more likely to feel bad about the fact that they occupy a lower level within societys hierarchy. Andreychik and Gill found that for those students who endorsed external explanations for the plight of African-Americans or a novel group, or who were induced to do so, high IAT scores correlated with greater degrees of explicitly reported more compassion and empathy for those groups. For those who rejected, or were induced to reject, external explanations, the correlation was exactly reversed: High IAT scores predicted lower empathy and compassion. In other words, the IAT appeared to indicate very different things for people who did or didnt accept external explanations for black peoples lower standing in society. This suggests that sometimes high IAT scores indicate that someone feels high degrees of empathy and compassion toward African-Americans, and believes that the group hasnt been treated fairly. Now, it could be that such people also have high amounts of implicit bias, but its striking how easily IAT scores can be manipulated with interventions that dont really have anything to do with implicit bias. And those are just two examples of the many published instances in which the IAT appears to be measuring something other than implicit bias. One study appeared to demonstrate the existence of a stereotype threat-style effect in the IAT whites who were more concerned about appearing racist were scored as more biased by the test. In the initial version of the IATs scoring algorithm, there was even a correlation between cognitive-processing speed and IAT score, the researchers Sam G. McFarland and Zachary Crouch found: Those who were a bit cognitively slower got higher IAT scores, meaning they were told they were more biased than faster test-takers. An older person is going to possibly be told theyre more racist than a younger person, said Blanton, or a person who does crossword puzzles or plays computer games will possibly be told theyre less racist compared to someone who doesnt. To account for this and other errors, in 2007 the tests architects adopted a new algorithm. But when Blanton and his colleagues popped that algorithms hood and poked around, they found that it contained a very weird quirk of its own a potentially serious one. The new problem is that anyone who concentrates and is really consistent [in their responses] is going to come across as extremely biased, explained Blanton. In a 2014 article in the journal Assessment, Blanton, James Jaccard, and Christopher N. Burrows reported that since the algorithm changed, the less statistically noisy a given IAT test session is think someone taking the test in a loud room, or with a bad hangover, or when their mind is elsewhere the more the test will report the test-taker is biased against the out-group. Blanton said that he has never seen a psychological instrument in which less statistical noise predictably biases the results upward or downward. What should happen is that as you remove random noise, you just get a better estimate of [the thing being measured], he explained. Blanton provided a surprising example of how this plays out in test sessions, according to his teams math: If a race IAT test-taker is exactly 1 millisecond faster on each and every white/good as compared to black/bad trial, they will get the most extreme label, he said. That is, the test will tell them they are extremely implicitly biased despite their having exhibited almost zero bias in their actual performance. Thats an extreme example, of course, but Blanton says hes confident this algorithmic quirk is affecting real-world results, and in the Assessment paper he and his colleagues published the results of a bunch of simulated IAT sessions which demonstrated as such. To be sure, theres no perfect psychological instrument. They all have their flaws and shortcomings sometimes maddening ones. But there may not be any instrument as popular and frequently used as the race IAT that is as riddled with uncertainty about what, exactly, its measuring, and with the sorts of methodological issues that in any other situations would cause an epidemic of arched eyebrows. What Ive been convinced of is its very difficult to break down the origins of these associations, said Elizabeth Paluck, a prejudice and intergroup relations researcher at Princeton and a co-author on the Noffians study. They cant be all attributed to personal preference, they certainly come from cultural associations and conditioning. As for the authors of the internal/external explanations paper, they note in it that our analysis is perfectly compatible with the possibility that, perhaps for the majority of people, implicit negativity is likely to be prejudice-based. But even if you accept that, it means for a substantial minority of people, the implicit negativity revealed by the IAT isnt connected to prejudice which is one reasonable way to interpret those underwhelming meta-analyses. So how much of a given IAT score is an actual marker of implicit bias? One researcher, Ulrich Schimmack, just published a blog post in which he re-analyzed an influential 2001 IAT study to try to better understand this issue. He found that just 25 percent in the variance of IAT scores generated by a single version of the test is explained by actual implicit bias, and that for technical reasons this may well be a significant overestimate. But overall, theres simply a dearth of information on this issue. At the moment, theres no good, empirically backed reason to assume that a given IAT score reflects your actual level of implicit bias, as opposed to a noisy mishmash of other stuff (a mishmash which probably includes some unknown quantity of real implicit bias). Thats because the IATs creators didnt bother fully investigating this question before releasing the test to the public and telling all of us, prematurely, that it really measures implicit bias, and does so accurately. *** Does the general public understand the IATs very serious limitations? It seems extremely unlikely. At the moment, after all, theres something of a Schrodingers test situation going on in which the IAT both does and doesnt predict discriminatory behavior, according to Banaji and Greenwald. If you read the mass-market explanation of the test published in book form as of this writing, Blindspot is No. 11 in Amazons behavioral-science section it does: The IAT predicts discriminatory behavior even among research participants who earnestly (and, we believe, honestly) espouse egalitarian beliefs, and has been shown, reliably and repeatedly to do so. In fact, this is a clearly established empirical truth. If you wade into a complicated meta-analytic back-and-forth inaccessible to most readers, on the other hand, the IAT doesnt predict behavior: The psychometric problems endemic to these tests render them problematic to use to classify persons as likely to engage in discrimination, and attempts to diagnostically use such measures for individuals risk undesirably high rates of erroneous classifications. This is a fairly remarkable about-face given that just two years separated the book and the article. (The two statements in the paragraph are not contradictory, Greenwald said when I asked him and Banaji to comment on this discrepancy. You have to distinguish statements diagnostic of individuals, which weve resisted for multiple reasons, and statements of generalizations about aggregate data based on research of multiple (sometimes many) subjects. But both snippets clearly reference individual-level predictions.) Either way, while proponents of the test have acknowledged it cant predict individual behavior with a useful degree of accuracy, both they and some critics of the test have maintained that the IAT can still be still useful for two purposes: as a means of estimating the level of implicit bias in society, and as an educational tool. Both these uses raise serious questions too, though. In making the case for the race IATs use as a means of producing birds-eye-view estimates of implicit bias in society, Greenwald, Banaji, and Nosek argue in that same paper that its psychometric issues diminish substantially as sample size increases. Therefore, limited reliability and small-to-moderate effect sizes are not problematic in diagnosing system-level discrimination, for which analyses often involve large samples. And the race IAT is, in fact, commonly used to generate estimates of the level of implicit bias in society, or among various groups. There are examples everywhere. Slate, for example, reported in 2012 that an Associated Press IAT study found that [Democrats and Republicans] are far closer in attitudes than explicit measures of prejudice reveal, with 55 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of Republicans having anti-black feelings. Then there was a study of biracial adults conducted in 2015 by Pew Social Trends: According to the [IAT], fully 42% of all white and black biracial adults had a pro-white bias, just short of the 48% of all whites that felt the same way and 7 percentage points higher than the share with a pro-black bias (35%). And one figure from Project Implicits data seems to pop up everywhere: that, as one Washington Post review of Blindspot put it, 75 percent of [the IATs] takers, including some African Americans, have an implicit preference for white people over black people. Again, theres that overheated language, with IAT scores described not as differences in reaction times, but as signifying anti-black feelings or pro-white bias or implicit preference for white people over black people. And that nicely sums up the problem with using the IAT in this manner. Its broadly true that some of the imperfections in a given measurement tool get washed out if you use that tool over and over to generate more zoomed-out estimates. If my depression scale overestimates depressive symptoms in some patients and underestimates them in others, there still might be situations in which I can use a bunch of data generated from it to make certain broad statements about population-level rates of depression. But thats assuming I have already demonstrated that the depression scale is valid that it measures, albeit imperfectly, actual depressive symptoms. Its harder to make this sort of zooming-out argument once youve acknowledged that a given tool is too noisy to make valid individual-level measurements at at all. If youre not willing to say what the positive [IAT score] means at the individual level, you have no idea what it means at the aggregate level, said Blanton. In other words, If Im willing to give 100 kids an IQ test, and not willing to say what an individual kids score means, he said, how can I then say 75 percent of them are geniuses, or are learning disabled? So there is good reason to question that 75 percent figure, or any other figure of the prevalence of bias generated by the race IAT, given how foggy things get at the individual level. What about the claim that the IAT is useful as an educational tool? As Paluck, the Princeton prejudice researcher, explained in an email, the IATs potency on this front could be a major reason the test has spread as far and wide as it has. Weve got the last couple generations growing up flooding into college courses thinking that theyre post-racial, or that theyre post-racist at the very least, she said. This is a powerful way to make the point that no, youre not, and you still come out looking biased in this way. And you shouldnt trust your instincts you shouldnt trust yourself, you shouldnt trust your belief about yourself that youre free of racism. And thats valuable, and thats why its also been wildly successful with instructors, because it does make a very powerful point in classrooms. Then you can extend that to things like diversity trainings. It is absolutely the case that in a country as segregated and racially troubled the United States, efforts to better inform citizens (particularly members of majority groups) about the sometimes subtle nature of bigotry and racial disparities are important. Plenty of research, for example, has shown that when it comes to your probability of being called in for a job interview after submitting a resume, having a black-sounding name as compared to a white-sounding one effectively penalizes you in much the same way having less education or fewer qualifications would. Surely, at least some of that effect is attributable to implicit bias, and the same goes for many of the other areas in which racial cues have been correlated with discrepant outcomes. So there is nothing wrong with implicit-bias training that covers this sort of research. Nor is there anything wrong with IAT-based trainings which merely explain to people that they may well be carrying around certain associations in their head they are unaware of, and that researchers have uncovered patterns about who is more likely to demonstrate which response-time differences. In situations where one group holds historic or current-day power over the other, for example, members of the in-group do tend to score higher on the IAT than the out-group. Some of these between-group differences appear to be pretty robust, and they deserve further study. These are all worthwhile subjects to discuss, as long as it is made clear to test-takers that their scores do not predict their behavior. If, on the other hand, in the course of being educated, individual test-takers are being provided with confusing, misleading, or improperly hedged information about their own propensity to act in a racially biased manner, that is a big problem. Psychology has sturdy norms in place against exposing test-takers to misleading assessments, and it isnt hard to see why: A depression or anxiety test that was wildly inaccurate yet popular would lead to a lot of false diagnoses, and could do serious harm. Few would argue that a false IAT result would put someone at risk in the same way a missed diagnosis of major depression might. But the field of psychology still frowns upon the idea of people in positions of authority and respect misleading test-takers. Thats why the IATs proponents are so adamant that the IAT shouldnt be seen as diagnosing anything. We have always argued that the IAT should NOT be used as a diagnostic tool, said Banaji in an email. It is not, as Ive said, a DNA test. The good news is, it has never been used that way, not with the developers of the test (us) speaking against any such use. Nosek echoed that sentiment in an email as well. Across the history of the website and our writing, we collectively have been opposed to interpretation of the IAT as a diagnosis of any kind, and of its application for selection purposes, he wrote. Here Banaji and Nosek seem to be focusing on one particular sense of the word diagnosis the idea of the test being used to screen people for employment, educational, or other opportunities. But thats not all diagnosis means. Theres a broader scientific sense of the word that matters here, and setting aside Orwellian scenarios in which people are denied jobs because of their IAT scores, critics of the test have expressed serious skepticism about the claim that the IAT shouldnt be seen as diagnostic. Take, for example, a paragraph from one of the best and most substantive critiques of the IAT that has yet been written, an article published by the researchers Klaus Fiedler, Claude Messner, and Matthias Bluemke in the European Review of Social Psychology in 2006: Is the IAT actually used as a diagnostic inference tool, so that psychometric criteria must be applied? Or is it just an ordinary dependent measure for experimental research, like a recognition test or an informal speed test, as proponents of the IAT have recently asserted in response to psychometric critique? To be sure, in science it matters little what proponents and authors declare; what is relevant is what function the IAT is playing in scientific reality. In this regard, it would hardly be justified to negate the diagnostic role attributed to the IAT. The IAT is abundantly used, and was originally meant as a tool for measuring individual differences. Fiedler and his colleagues go on to lay out many examples of the IATs proponents treating it like a diagnostic tool, specifically their tendency to tout it as a means of measuring some hidden, otherwise unobservable attribute within test subjects. By this logic, its hard to see how the test isnt diagnostic. Part of this debate, of course, hinges on the question of whether individual test-takers view their IAT scores as diagnostic in the sense of providing important information about themselves which they view as coming from a credible source. The more they do, the stronger the ethical case against certain usages of the test. Nosek downplayed the impact the IAT has on this front, drawing an analogy to another kind of test: [W]hen my daughter takes a math test in her fourth-grade class, the score she receives is not a diagnosis of her math ability or even her math achievement. Even so, it can be useful. Is it fair to compare the IAT to a math test, as just one piece of feedback test-takers will integrate into a broader context and not get too hung up upon? If so, maybe there arent potentially important ethical issues here. But if you listen to Banaji and Greenwald, it is plainly the case that Noseks interpretation isnt the norm for years they have been expressing the opposite sentiment. In the University of Washington press release covering the IATs unveiling, for example, the author notes that Banaji and Greenwald admitted being surprised and troubled by their own test results. In 2005, Banaji would go further, telling the Washington Post she was deeply embarrassed at her test result. I was humbled in a way that few experiences in my life have humbled me. (The Post link appears to be dead but the quote shows up elsewhere.) In Blindspot, Greenwald described his first IAT session as a moment of jarring self-insight I cant say if I was more personally distressed or scientifically elated to discover something inside my head that I had no previous knowledge of. Theyre not the only ones to report having been deeply affected by their IAT results. Describing the emotional nature of ones first IAT session became so common that in 2008, John Tierney mused on the Times website that Its something of a custom, when discussing the IAT, to disclose your own score on the test along with your unease. In other instances, people from minority backgrounds are shocked to learn they are biased against their own people, and naturally respond to this news with discomfort. In Blink, for example, Gladwell describes his unease at finding out he has a moderate level of anti-black implicit bias, despite being biracial. And in 2015, KQED ran a story in which a Persian pharmacy resident said she was struck by her IAT results. It was like, actually, youre biased and you dont like brown people and you dont like Muslims, she told reporter April Dembosky. Which is interesting for me because thats kind of the two things that I am. In light of all this, its hard to disagree with the conclusion of Fiedler and his colleagues that it is only fair and appropriate to treat the IAT with the same scrutiny and scientific rigour as other diagnostic procedures. If thats true, then between Project Implicit and cutting-edge diversity trainings, the IAT has misled potentially millions of people. Over and over and over and over, the IAT, a test whose results dont really mean anything for an individual test-taker, has induced strong emotional responses from people who are told that it is measuring something deep and important in them. This is exactly what the norms of psychology are supposed to protect test subjects against. *** It would take thousands and thousands more words to fully lay out all the problems with the IAT and how it has been applied. For example, the tests scoring convention assumes that a score of zero represents behavioral neutrality that someone with a score at or near zero will treat members of the in-group and out-group the same. But Blanton and his colleagues found that in those studies in which the IAT does predict discriminatory behavior, theres a right bias in which a score of zero actually corresponds to bias against the in-group. This offers even more evidence that there is something wrong with the entire basic scoring scheme. Blanton, Tetlock, Mitchell, and others have also highlighted the fact that the IAT team adopted completely arbitrary guidelines regarding who is labeled by Project Implicit as having slight, moderate, or strong implicit preferences. These categories were never tethered to any real-world outcomes, and sometime around when the IATs architects changed the algorithm, they also changed the cutoffs, never fully publishing their reasoning. As a result of this switch, write Mitchell and Tetlock in a chapter on the IAT in the newly published book Psychological Science Under Scrutiny: Recent Challenges and Proposed Solutions, the percentage of persons supposedly showing strong anti-black bias on the IAT dropped from 48% to 27%. This change in levels of implicit prejudice was not due to a sudden societal shift, nor due to the findings of any studies linking particular bands of IAT scores to particular behaviors. This change was due solely to the researchers change in definitions. Finally, there are hints which suggest that the race IAT could directly diminish the quality of certain intergroup interactions. In a 2012 study published in Psychological Science, for example, the psychologist Jacquie Vorauer had a bunch of white Canadians complete a work task with an aboriginal partner. Prior to doing so, some of the participants took an IAT pertaining to aboriginal people, some took a non-race IAT, and some were asked for their explicit feelings about the group. Aboriginals in the race-IAT group subsequently reported feeling less valued by their white partners as compared to aboriginals in all of the other groups. So while IAT proponents have suggested it could be used to improve intergroup relations, writes Vorauer, if completing the IAT enhances caution and inhibition, reduces self-efficacy, or primes categorical thinking, the test may instead have negative effects. This is just one finding, of course, and it comes from a contrived lab setting, but it suggests some troubling possibilities. The IATs myriad problems pose profound challenges to its underlying theory, and to the practice of labeling people in certain ways based on their test results. So why has the test managed to mostly avoid critical scrutiny, except in academic papers members of the public generally dont read? For one thing, the test offers a lot to members of the public who are concerned about racism, whether they are white and concerned about their out-group biases, or nonwhite and concerned about the possibility that they have internalized bias against their own group. Taking the IAT is a way for them to feel like they are part of the solution. Now I get it now I understand that my implicit bias is contributing to Americas race problem. This can explain the strange but common phenomenon of test-takers loudly broadcasting results which imply they are implicitly racist: Its a way of signaling theyre serious about investigating their own complicity in a big, complicated system of oppression. There wouldnt be anything wrong with that, of course, if the IAT were in fact providing test-takers useful information about their level of implicit bias. The broader story told by the IAT is, at the moment, quite politically palatable and intuitively satisfying. Not only is implicit bias driving all sorts of racially unfair outcomes, that story tells us, but its something that we can detect and measure in ourselves, helping to raise our consciousness. I think the reason behind adoption of implicit-bias training is simple: It is now the thing to do to demonstrate commitment to diversity and redressing inequality, said Mitchell. And the IAT story line is catnip not only to progressive members of the public but also to psychological researchers who want to contribute, in a rigorous-seeming, quantifiable way, to research about racism and how to dismantle it. Patrick Forscher, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin who has studied the IAT, explained that politics have bled into science a bit when it comes to the instrument: The problem is that implicit measures, and the IAT in particular, became a critical part of a political narrative about why disparities between social groups exist in the United States, he explained in an email. Thus, claims about implicit measures became, to a certain extent, political claims, not just scientific claims. If it is politically palatable to embrace the IAT and the nationwide search for our inner bias, then to criticize the test is to be on the wrong side of the progressive conversation about race. Thats what Mahzarin Banaji seemed to imply when I emailed her some questions about common methodological critiques of the IAT, at least. In her responses, she repeatedly asserted that criticisms of the IAT come from a small group of reactionary researchers, and that questioning the IAT is not something normal, well-adjusted people do: Of course it annoys people when a simple test that spits out two numbers produces this sort of attention, changes scientific practice, and appeals to ordinary people. Ordinary people who are not scared to know what may be in their minds. It scares people (fortunately a negligible minority) that learning about our minds may lead people to change their behavior so that their behavior may be more in line with their ideals and aspirations. The IAT scares people who say things like look, the water fountains are desegregated, whats your problem. [] By and large I operate on the view that I need to pay attention to REAL criticisms of the IAT. Criticisms that come from people who are experts that is[,] people who understand the sciences assumptions about response latency measures. People who do original work using such methods. Im sorry to say this but we are all so far along in our work that I at least only read criticisms from people who are experts. I dont read commentaries from non-experts. Theres too much interesting stuff to do and too many amazing people doing it for me to justify worrying about a small group of aggrieved individuals who think that Black people have it easy in American society and that the IAT work might make their lives easier. The IAT as you know is not about any one group, but this small group of critics ignore everything other than race, and it may be a good idea to find out why that may be the case. In a later email, Banaji again emphasized that there is something wrong, perhaps deeply so, with critics who focus so much on black/white implicit bias and the specifics of how it is measured. [I]t is very important, if one wants to understand the role of implicit cognition in decisions about humans, to give up the pathological focus on race in the Black-White context that some people seem to cling to, she wrote. These are, of course, unique social categories which is why we ourselves pay attention to it. But the fetish with Black-White race relations in some folks is something that science wont be able to answer because it seems not to be about the evidence. It will need to be dealt with by them in the presence of their psychotherapists or church leaders. She concluded her email, Someday when the history of this work is written, long after we are gone, the reaction from a half a dozen people to the mounting data will be even more interesting as a case study than the data about implicit cognition itself. Banaji is simply incorrect that it is only a small group of obsessed researchers concerned with the IATs methodological shortcomings, or that their critiques arent real. Yes, there is a core team of researchers who have spent the most time critiquing the test (just as there is a core team, of which Banaji is a member, of pro-IAT researchers who have spent the most time promoting it), but by now scores of papers have been published, some in top journals, which complicate the story Banaji and her colleagues have been telling for years about what the test measures and how well it performs at that task. Some of those papers have been published by researchers, like Betsy Levy Paluck of Princeton, who have dedicated their careers to understanding intergroup intolerance and how to remedy it. As for the fact that some researchers spend a lot of time critiquing and researching the properties of the black-white IAT, it isnt a mystery why again, thats the most publicized and likely the most administered and influential flavor of the IAT. But more important, its a rather big deal for the chair of Harvards psychology department to accuse researchers who are engaging in thoroughly commonplace methodological critiques of being animated by racism and possibly mental illness. Those are very serious charges. I brought this critique to Blanton, who is one of the most prolific and statistically sophisticated of the tests critics (for what its worth, he is the co-author of an instructional book on methods in psychological research). This topic is too important for bad science, he said. That is my philosophy on this. This isnt the first time that someone has intimated that I am a political conservative, that I have a lax attitude toward bias, that Im indifferent to it. They point out Im a white male. (The core group of IAT critics spans a sizable chunk of the political spectrum: Blanton described himself as liberal, while Tetlock is known to be somewhat conservative, or very conservative by the standards of social psychology.) This isnt the first time its happened, continued Blanton. My attitudes toward this is that Im very comfortable with the fact that this is about the need for good science, and a construct as important as racism, we dont apply the assessment methods youd apply in the back of a beauty magazine. Thats whats going on. Thats what offends me it offends me as a scientist. *** Its hard not to see Blantons point. Race is a really, really complicated subject. But theres a risk that to accept the IAT story line uncritically is to ignore some of this complexity or, in some cases, to adopt sterilized accounts of how racism works. On the homepage of the implicit-bias training outfit Fair & Impartial Policing, for example, the organization notes that its approach is based on the science of bias, which tells us that biased policing is not, as some contend, due to widespread racism in policing. One can quibble with the definition of widespread, but the implications are clear: Since the science of bias tells us that so many Americans harbor implicit bias, and that this form of bias is behaviorally meaningful, implicit bias must be a really important thing for police departments to focus on. Explicit bias, though? Not so much. But this account leaves out some important details. When the federal government conducts a probe of an American police department scrutinized for brutal or unfair behavior, for example, investigators often uncover significant reserves of explicit bias. Take Ferguson, Missouri: The Justice Department reported that Fergusons harmful court and police practices are due, at least in part, to intentional discrimination, as demonstrated by direct evidence of racial bias and stereotyping about African Americans by certain Ferguson police and municipal court officials. It might be advantageous to various people to say implicit bias rather than explicit bias is the most important thing to focus on, but that doesnt make it true a point driven home, perhaps, by the fact that the United States just elected one of the more explicitly racist presidential candidates in recent history. The fact that the IAT has come to so thoroughly dominate the social-psychological conversation about race may be tilting the scales in favor of certain explanations at the expense of others, not because they are better or more empirically defensible, but simply because they more neatly fit a hot and frequently hyped paradigm. Focusing so narrowly on implicit bias risks ignoring the complexity of the problems, like racial disparities, that are argued to be caused to implicit bias, said Forscher. Any problem as tenacious and long-standing as racial disparities is unlikely to be caused by any one thing. Surely, then, it is worthwhile for psychologists interested in resolving problems like racial disparities to investigate other possible causes of disparities, such as intentional or structural processes. Its not that psychologists are ignoring these other causes, of course its just that the IAT, by dint of its cultural and academic resonance, has generated a strong gravity well that sucks in money and researchers. If you study the IAT, you can easily produce heaps of quantitative data, you can help promote an interesting and provocative story line about race in America, and you can be a part of one of the most popular and widely publicized contemporary approaches to solving serious racial issues. Forscher has had some firsthand exposure to the potential problems with psychologys current IAT-sparked fixation on measuring implicit bias at the individual level. Hes the colead author, with Calvin Lai, the Harvard postdoc who is the head of research at Project Implicit, of an important work-in-progress meta-analysis (Brian Nosek is a co-author on it, too). The authors were interested in a bunch of studies that have evaluated newfangled interventions aimed at reducing biased behavior by reducing implicit bias. So Forscher and his colleagues examined hundreds of these studies studies using both the IAT and other, less famous tools to measure implicit bias for their meta-analysis. They didnt find much. Based on the evidence that is currently available, Forscher said, Id say that we cannot claim that implicit bias is a useful target of intervention. This is a valuable finding, but it isnt a surprising one given the paucity of evidence correlating IAT scores (and other measures of implicit bias) with behavior in the first place. The problem is that the hype over IAT research, and the eagerness to apply the test to real-world problems, has so outpaced the evidence that it has launched a lot of studies built on underwhelming foundations. Implicit bias research has been driven by both the desire to understand truths about the human mind and the desire solve social problems, said Forscher. These goals have not always been in conflict. Unfortunately, one of the ways they have is that the desire to do something, anything, to solve problems related to race has led some people to jump to conclusions about the causal role of implicit bias that they might have been more cautious about had their only focus been on establishing truth. To Forscher, implicit biass role in propagating racial inequality should be given a fair trial in the court of scientific evidence, not simply assumed. But whats going on now isnt a fair trial; instead, the overhyping of IAT stacks the deck so much that sometimes it feels like implicit bias can explain everything. But plenty of researchers think that other factors play a bigger role in determining some of the most important societal outcomes. I think unconscious racial prejudice is real and consequential, said Robb Willer, a sociologist at Stanford University, but my sense is that racial inequality in America is probably driven more by structural factors like concentrated poverty, the racial wealth gap, differential exposure to violence, the availability of early childhood education, and so on. Though it is also worth noting that past and present racial prejudice helped create these structural inequalities. This is a fairly common sentiment among social scientists who study race and discrimination. So its an open question, at least: The scientific truth is that we dont know exactly how big a role implicit bias plays in reinforcing the racial hierarchy, relative to countless other factors. We do know that after almost 20 years and millions of dollars worth of IAT research, the test has a markedly unimpressive track record relative to the attention and acclaim it has garnered. Leading IAT researchers havent produced interventions that can reduce racism or blunt its impact. They havent told a clear, credible story of how implicit bias, as measured by the IAT, affects the real world. They have flip-flopped on important, baseline questions about what their test is or isnt measuring. And because the IAT and the study of implicit bias have become so tightly coupled, the tests weaknesses have caused collateral damage to public and academic understanding of the broader concept itself. As Mitchell and Tetlock argue in their book chapter, it is difficult to find a psychological construct that is so popular yet so misunderstood and lacking in theoretical and practical payoff as implicit bias. They make a strong case that this is in large part due to problems with the IAT. Unless and until new research is published that can effectively address the countless issues with the implicit association test, it might be time for social psychologists interested in redressing racial inequality to reexamine their decision to devote so much time and energy to this one instrument. In the meantime, the field will continue to be hampered in its ability to provide meaningful answers to basic questions about how implicit bias impacts society, because answering those questions requires accurate tools. So, contra Banaji, scrutinizing the IAT and holding it to the same standards as any other psychological instrument isnt a sign that someone doesnt take racism seriously: Its exactly the opposite. On Tuesday night, BuzzFeed news published a 35-page dossier allegedly assembled by a former British spy. Among the allegations contained in the document is a claim that Trumps lawyer, Michael Cohen, met secretly with Kremlin officials in Prague in August 2016 a claim that Cohen vehemently denies. I have never been to Prague in my life. #fakenews pic.twitter.com/CMil9Rha3D Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) January 11, 2017 Of course, all Cohens tweet does is prove that he has a passport. It might not even be his passport, but he definitely has one. Or at the very least knows how to use Google Images. Inspired by Cohens, um, transparency, people are now tweeting their own proof that they also have never been to Prague in their lives. And by proof, I mean just about any arbitrary image. I have never been to Prague in my life pic.twitter.com/VkIGqCOwSQ Cooke Keitha (@PokemonGoMeme12) January 11, 2017 I have never been to Prague in my life. #fakenews pic.twitter.com/Rz7qGSUFaW (@numberjohnny5) January 11, 2017 I have never been to Prague in my life. #fakenews pic.twitter.com/pr4QSqDpoe Maritza Campos (@maritzac) January 11, 2017 I have never been to Prague in my life. pic.twitter.com/n3vb9hXxcN Tag (2018) (@tagsavage) January 11, 2017 I have never been to Prague in my life. #fakenews pic.twitter.com/4Dqh4Q0zfD (@numberjohnny5) January 11, 2017 I have never been to Prague in my life pic.twitter.com/0mImcYpmGJ Jeff Pickles (@jeff_pickles) January 11, 2017 There you have it. It is with absolute certainty that I can report that none of these people have ever been to Prague in their lives. Katy Perry with fans. Photo: David Becker/Getty Images This week, organizers sent out a press release announcing the lineup for the Womens March on Washington. Stacked with some of our most popular female stars Katy Perry and Cher, Amy Schumer and Samantha Bee, Debra Messing and Julianne Moore the march has all the ingredients for a politically enlightened music festival lineup: Wokechella on the Mall, 2017s most empowered celebrity branding opportunity. (See you there, Matt McGorry!) Bob Bland, one of the marchs co-chairs, says that the formation of an Artist Table, chaired by actress and activist America Ferrera, is their way of reaching people who might otherwise never hear about the march. The Artist Table is primarily a way for the march to bring in this diverse range of talent who also want to utilize their celebrity and take that platform and use it in order to promote the message of the march and inspire people to action, Bland told the Cut. Its important that we reach as many people as possible within America. Because I would say one of the mistakes about progressive campaigns is that theyre always reaching out to the same people, to their specific base, and theyre not trying to reach other groups of people. So thats what were trying to do here, is reach a wide intersectionality of people, and you have to reach people where they are. So the Artist Table is one way to do that. Its puzzling logic, especially considering weve just reached the end of a campaign in which celebrity feminism failed to deliver the votes we thought it would. Clintons campaign was perhaps the most star-studded in history, with everyone from Beyonce to Leslie Knope stepping up to try and bring Americas women into the fold. As we all know, it didnt work: Only 54 percent of female voters cast their ballot for Clinton, a margin much smaller than expected considering the other guy was accused multiple times of sexual misconduct. For white women, that number was much lower: Only 43 percent voted for Clinton. As Sarah Jones writes in The New Republic, one of the campaigns failures was employing a candy-colored brand of female empowerment seemingly based on the assumption that white womens political priorities are influenced by the pop culture they consume. Not only did this alienate white working-class voters and Trump has been stoking the fires of that anti-celebrity elitism ever since but it also alienated many women on the left, who grew tired of the parade of pant-suited ambassadors peddling a brand of superficial female empowerment that fails to engage with real issues. By emphasizing the marchs star-studded lineup, organizers risk alienating the very people they are hoping to attract. Of course, the presence of celebrities is bound to garner publicity, if thats what the organizers want. But its also likely to define the tone of the coverage, making the march less a unifying event than a collection of viral moments. Even with the most noble intentions, celebrity activism inevitably becomes more about the messenger than the message: We remember that Lena Dunham rapped in that Hillary Clinton campaign video, but have no idea what she rapped about. Enlisting celebrities as brand ambassadors for this immense cause risks diluting the stakes of the struggle by turning it into a marketing opportunity. It doesnt help that the marchs aims and values are already such a source of controversy. The marchs stated goal is to [represent] women and people who identify as women, of all backgrounds, races, religions, ages and abilities, but it has been dogged by infighting and allegations that some voices are being excluded at the expense of others. The marchs white organizers initially chose the name the Million Women March a name originally coined by the African-American women who marched on Philadelphia in 1997 which led to allegations that they were appropriating the efforts of women of color while silencing their present-day contributions. The name was changed, and a group of diverse activists joined the organizing committee. Now, as race has become a focal point of conversation, some white women say that they also feel unwelcome. This lack of certainty over who is marching and what they are marching for means that control over the overall message is still up for grabs. By turning the event into a star-studded bonanza, the march risks being co-opted by a familiar breed of innocuous girl-power messaging - the Future Is Female shirts and the Fight Song medleys which resoundingly failed to stop Trump from taking the White House, but has proven so easy to package and sell. As Andi Zeisler writes in The Guardian, celebrity feminism tends to be more about identity than substance. As with branding, celebrity isnt about complexity, she writes, but about offering up an enticing package that the largest number of people can understand with the smallest amount of effort. Which is not to say that celebrity women shouldnt march and speak out, just that theres a danger in relying on blanket star-power as a political organizing tool. The exciting thing about the march is it seemed to tap into an organic groundswell of feeling, a genuine desire to organize that hasnt reared up in generations. This marks the first time many women of this generation will have been involved in political protests, joining their mothers and grandmothers in fighting for rights they thought they no longer had to fight for. The organizers are touting the march as an entry point for a new wave of activism that participants can then bring back to their communities with them. While marches and protests have a fuzzy relationship to tangible change, they are a powerful way of bringing people together. The best-case scenario is that this is the catalyst for a new movement, ushering in a new era of feminist activity whose goals, aims, and modes of speech are ours to define. That kind of change doesnt fit on Katy Perry tour merch. Photo: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images On Tuesday night, President Barack Obama gave his farewell address to the nation. And while there will be plenty of time in the near future to dissect the contents of the speech, theres one raw moment that immediately stood out. It came near the end of the address, when the president turned to thank First Lady Michelle Obama, his rock and love over the years. Thats when the president got visibly emotional. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side, he began. For the past 25 years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend, he said. You took on a role that you didnt ask for, and you made it your own. With grace and with grit and with style and with good humor. Cutaway live shots captured the First Lady sitting beside her daughter Malia, who also appeared teary-eyed. And thats when POTUS followed up by speaking of his greatest achievement his daughters: Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad. Cue the tears from everyone in sight. Watch the short tribute below: Andrew Puzder was accused of domestic violence in the 1990s. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images During their divorce proceedings 1989, Andrew Puzder, the fast-food executive and Donald Trumps pick for secretary of Labor, was accused by his then-wife of domestic abuse. In court documents, Lisa Henning (who is now Lisa Fierstein) alleged Puzder abused her on at least three separate occasions, once punching her in a car, once throwing plates at her, and once throwing her to the floor when she tried to call 911. Puzder has denied these claims, and in a statement to the Cut, Fierstein said she impulsively filed for divorce and was counseled to file allegations that I regretted and subsequently withdrew over 30 years ago. But according to Politico, Fierstein appeared anonymously on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show as a victim of domestic violence. Two friends and a spokesperson for Puzder and Fierstein confirmed her appearance on the show, disguised by a wig and glasses and under the name Ann. She didnt mention Puzder by name but reportedly repeated her allegations against him on air. Politico was unable to obtain a tape of the episode. A spokesperson for the Trump transition team called the focus on Fiersteins allegations part of a desperate smear campaign against Trump and his nominees. Puzders Senate confirmation hearing was originally scheduled for January 17, but due to his many conflicts of interest as an international businessman (and likely due to the assumption hell face steep opposition from Democrats), it was pushed back to February. At the hearing, its likely Puzder will have to answer for his views on women, whether theyre starring in sexist ads for restaurants his company owns, being harassed in his kitchens, or leveling charges of abuse against him 30 years ago. Terry ONeill, president of the National Organization for Women, told Politico, I cant imagine a single organization that cares about women that would not vigorously oppose him. op you are giving orange shitpile too much credit he's the puppet of russia Reply Thread Link YOU'RE THE PUPPET Reply Parent Thread Link LMAO Reply Parent Thread Link ALRIGHT ONTD LETS TALK ABOUT PEE. Reply Thread Link where is our resident piss-poster???? Reply Parent Thread Link its time for KINK TO SHINE! a golden shine, of urine. Reply Parent Thread Link Ikr! They are totally pissing in action! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link my sister hasn't flushed her pee since coming back from California. I end up flushing her pee. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i pee a lot bc i drink water constantly. i feel like a fucking race horse sometimes i piss so much Reply Parent Thread Link "Don't let the golden showers distract you from the treason" is a thing we are now saying about our soon-to-be president. Myisha Haynes (@palaceofposey) January 11, 2017 2017 gonna be a wild ride Reply Parent Thread Link Tried to make a post about it, but was told to put it on ONTD_Politics ... so I just tried to make another about Twitter reactions. Hopefully that goes through because I'm loving every second of this. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link PISS ALERT Reply Parent Thread Link lmfao I'm glad this post went where it ought to be, because pee really is the story Reply Parent Thread Link What nightmare have I missed? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link wait what the fuck is happening Reply Parent Thread Link you don't know her life. all those days living like a yeti in the woods & you don't think she tried a little homemade? Reply Parent Thread Link smh how dare you misrepresent her! she's a sasquatch Reply Parent Thread Link but.... emails Reply Parent Thread Link I'm so glad we were saved from those emails Reply Parent Thread Link Oblig pearl-clutching email comment. Reply Parent Thread Link https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3259984-Trump-Intelligence-Allegations.html You guys! Have you seen the new info released on Trump? The golden shower nonsense and him colluding with Russia? We're so fucked. Reply Thread Link I mean I knew he was cozy with Russia and they probably had compromising shit on him and were gonna blackmail him, but I did not expect a fucking golden shower on a bed Obama slept in.... Edited at 2017-01-11 12:55 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link it's not as bad as that beyonce bodyguard but i'm clutching my pearls Reply Parent Thread Link omfg Reply Parent Thread Link ....um what? Do I wanna know? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Oh my god, is this real!?!? PISS?!?! Reply Parent Thread Link My God. This is insane. Yet not surprising. And his idiot followers will STILL defend him. Reply Parent Thread Link Obama is SO cute with babies. My fave bit about him is that he always tells staff to bring in their kids and babies so he can play with them. Reply Parent Thread Link that photo of him laughing over the baby dressed as the pope on halloween is one of my fav pics ever Reply Parent Thread Link That first photo is one of my favourites Reply Parent Thread Link Obama's always so adorable with kids :') Reply Parent Thread Link obama meeting w/ bbs and kids makes me teary eyed. it's so presh. Reply Parent Thread Link "Thats POTUS!" omggg how cute Reply Parent Thread Link omg I just teared up watching that Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Having that kid touch his hair because "it's just like mine" KILLS ME EVERY TIME. Fuck. Honestly, any form of media that shows inspired black youth kills me. I'm not crying; you're crying. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I love the video when he got the baby in the crowd to stop crying :') Reply Parent Thread Link ty for the distraction, Obama+babies/kids is just adorable enough to get me to stop clutching my face in terror @the thought of what's to come. Reply Parent Thread Link haha, he was so excited about the costumes and always called Michelle over Reply Parent Thread Link I just...I love him so much, despite whatever missteps and mistakes. It's been wonderful, these last 8 years. Eh, took off that last part of my comment, because I didn't wanna be too OTT or offend anyone that did actually suffer from any decisions he's made. It's impossible to have a perfect world, and no matter how I feel about President O, there are still many others that loathe him, and for good reason. I do, though, want to make it clear that I didn't support EVERYTHING he did throughout his 8 years, but at the same time, I understand that other Reps made it as tough for him as humanly possible. Internal conflict ensues (again). Edited at 2017-01-11 11:14 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link that time he pardoned Chelsea Manning was def my fav Reply Thread Link what about that time he droned a wedding party Reply Parent Thread Link top 5 Reply Parent Thread Link or that time he deported more people than any other president, or all the times he had used the drones in 3rd world countries, yasss Obama <3 Reply Parent Thread Link NBC News: Obama has put Chelsea Manning on his short list for a commutation. Decision could come as soon as today. https://t.co/VGVG4kAl2O Justin Green (@JGreenDC) January 11, 2017 Perhaps some sort of commutation but who knows. Reply Parent Thread Link i'm dying to know how his supporters will twist the golden shower Reply Thread Link "all men do it it's normal" Reply Parent Thread Link But her emails!!!!! James Comey is a fucking dirtbag Reply Parent Thread Link kellyanne says to look into his heart, okay? Reply Parent Thread Link And just the other day I was thinking "No thanks, it's full of piss and vinegar...." Little did I know. Reply Parent Thread Link lol at first i thought you were talking about obama and i was like wtf did i miss Reply Parent Thread Link boys will be boys Reply Parent Thread Link can't wait to the illogical arguments they seem to love to make Reply Parent Thread Link I don't even know how to process this like I knew he was probably into something like this but to have it known... Reply Parent Thread Link piece of shit white supremacist Reply Parent Thread Link w h a t th e fukc Reply Parent Thread Link THIS IS WHY GOD ABANDONED US Reply Parent Thread Link ita with that. he wasn't doing it to get his rocks off (ew), he was trying to, like, defile a bed the obamas had slept in. that is disgusting and childish and sickening. Reply Parent Thread Link jfc Reply Parent Thread Link Sick fuck. That's the fucking POTUS, look what he has been doing now. Fucking disgusting Reply Parent Thread Link where's my death note Reply Parent Thread Link OMG Reply Parent Thread Link Jesus Be a fence All around me EVERYDAY... I. CAN. NOT. Reply Parent Thread Link i can't believe cnn is talking to an empty room instead of letting jake tapper tell america about golden showers. Reply Thread Link i bet you they were like "let's send that over to buzzfeed...." Reply Parent Thread Link literally Reply Parent Thread Link omg Reply Parent Thread Link HA Reply Parent Thread Link twelve comments in and this post is a RIDE Reply Thread Link I mean Obama was a good person but let's not act as if the US was anything but a clusterfuck of trampling on human rights and fighting proxy wars while incurring collateral damage that they gave no fucks about. Reply Thread Link Anyone who becomes president of the US is guilty of this Reply Parent Thread Link pretty much. the office of the presidency has too much power, and now a lunatic is in charge Reply Parent Thread Link That's obvious. But whether due to an obstructionist Congress or not enough motivation from the Dems, the status quo was maintained. And unfortunately that makes his presidency less remarkable than it should be. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link And? that makes me less guilty or?? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link don't leave us perfect first family :( Reply Thread Link this is the cutest gif omg Reply Parent Thread Link ommmggggg Reply Parent Thread Link I love it Reply Parent Thread Link slay a bit bo Reply Parent Thread Link stop everything is so cute I'm gonna start bawling Reply Parent Thread Link if this turns out to be true and if trump and pence manage to be impeached for it and i know those are very very massive ifs paul ryan is next in line y'all Reply Thread Link Nah, start over. I demand a new election like yesterday! I will riot, yo! Reply Parent Thread Link I just don't UNDERSTAND why we can't have a do-over! He's done soo much shit and getting away with so much. If you cheat in school, you get REPRIMANDED FOR IT!! Reply Parent Thread Link As shitty as he is, I'm less scared of Paul Ryan. He's the embodiment of a soulless corporate technocrat and has absolutely 0 charisma. Reply Parent Thread Link lmao ya'll I'm about to be pulling together a Tennis Court Oath Redux Reply Parent Thread Link 11 days until I unfollow the white house on tumblr and twitter Reply Thread Link yeppp, I keep forgetting it's so soon By TCN News Hyderabad: The eighth annual India Health Initiative (IHI) by US-based Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) to provide medical services to economically disadvantaged members of society in India will take place from January 28 February 12, 2017, with medical camps in Hyderabad, Lucknow and Dehradun. This year at 8th IHI, nine doctors from the US: Dr. Irfan Moin (Geriatrics), Dr. Jerome Stefenko (General Surgeon), Dr. John Rosenberg (ER Physician), Dr. Farida Ghogawala (Gynaecologist), Dr. MK Ahmed (Paediatrician), Dr MY Ahmed (Surgeon), Dr Sana Ahmed (Paediatrician), Dr Mohammad Haq (Internal Medicine), Dr Naureen M Haroon (Ophthalmologist) and one Clinical Pharmacist, Tenzin Jangchup, will render their services at eight medical camps in Hyderabad and Barabanki (UP), with three more camps in line at Dehradun (Uttarakhand). The medical camps will be organised first in Hyderabad, followed by Lucknow and Dehradun. In Hyderabad, medical camps will be conducted at various slums and poor neighbourhoods from January 28-31, 2017. In Lucknow, doctors will organise camps at the Jahangirabad Institute of Technology (JIT), Barabanki road, Lucknow from February 3-6, 2017. In Dehradun, medical camps will be organised between February 10 and February 12, 2017. The India Health Initiative was started by IMRC in 2010.Since its inception, IMRC has successfully conducted 6 India Health Initiatives comprising of medical camps across different rural areas, poor localities and slums in India. This annual program is unique because it provides basic education in health care with an emphasis on preventive health care to the community, and provides technical training to the local doctors and medical students. Last year, free health camps were organised for 12 days in three Indian States: Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala from February 19 to March 6, 2016, where 5,775 poor patients were treated by US-based doctors. In the camps, patients are treated after a free check-up of vital health signs, besides free pathological tests and X-ray as well as provided with free medicines. Thomas Jefferson? Made the Louisiana Purchase. Andrew Jackson? Battled the Bank of the United States. Abraham Lincoln? Signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Herbert Hoover? Presided over the beginning of the Great Depression. Jimmy Carter? Hobbled by hostages in Iran. Simplistic? Of course. But also accurate. We tend to distill presidencies into easily digestible notions, one per president, almost as if administrations were bumper stickers. (Franklin Roosevelt is the great exception, his status earned because he had a dozen years in the White House and was elected four times, a record never to be broken. In 1943 he retired as these are his words "Dr. New Deal" to assume his new identity as "Dr. Win the War.") All of which, in the last breath of the Barack Obama administration, raises the question: What will be his label? That's clearly top of mind for the president, who is to speak about his legacy from Chicago on Tuesday. Like George Washington, whose Farewell Address formed one of the touchstones of American diplomacy for a century, and Dwight Eisenhower, whose presidential valedictory introduced the phrase "military-industrial complex," Obama wants to "offer some thoughts on where we all go from here." This obsession with historical legacies is not only an American preoccupation. Just this summer the New Statesman, Britain's left-leaning political journal, asked whether, if Neville Chamberlain is unfairly remembered as the architect of appeasement and Anthony Eden is, equally unjustly, remembered as the bungler of the 1956 Suez Crisis, should David Cameron, whose achievements included healthy job creation and overhaul of welfare and education policy, be cursed by being remembered merely for the folly of holding the Brexit referendum? "When students answer exam questions about Chamberlain, it's a safe bet they aren't writing about the Holidays With Pay Act 1938," Dominic Sandbrook wrote in the New Statesman. "And when students write about Cameron in the year 2066, they won't be answering questions about intervention in Libya, or gay marriage. They will be writing about Brexit and the lost referendum." That is almost certainly true, just as Obama will forever be remembered as the first black president. But Obama's label, the result of birth rather than choice, was conferred on him moments after his inauguration, just as Washington became the nation's first president on Inauguration Day and John Kennedy its first Roman Catholic chief executive 172 years later. Surely we remember Washington for more than that first day there are innumerable precedents he set in his first presidency and we remember Kennedy for more than his religious tradition. Civil rights, the space program, Vietnam and the Peace Corps grew out of those spare thousand days in 1961 to '63. Historical reputations are not fixed in concrete, as Harry Truman and John Adams (both rescued by the estimable David McCullough) and Dwight Eisenhower (resuscitated by Princeton political scientist Fred I. Greenstein as the "hidden-hand" president) prove and as George W. Bush (pilloried by an Eisenhower hagiographer, Jean Edward Smith) can hope. Obama is celebrated on the left and vilified on the right for overhauling health care; we won't know for decades whether he is regarded by history as a hero or a villain for Obamacare, but Ronald Reagan used to joke that his economic vision was derided as Reaganomics until it worked. Nor do we know now whether his election began a long period of racial reconciliation, as some hopeful commentators said eight years ago, or whether his administration presided over a worsening of relations between the races, as many conservatives argue. Obama has been such a lightning rod that it was easy to miss his quiet work on climate change. He takes comfort in the growing consensus that human intervention is the principal cause in climate change a view shared by secretary of state-designate Rex Tillerson and he takes pride in his role in negotiating the Paris climate agreement, though he made little headway at home and his achievements are in jeopardy in the coming Trump administration. In the journal of the American Academy of Political and Social Science last year, scholar Gary C. Jacobson of the University of California-San Diego argued that Obama will have a permanent effect on the American partisan profile. Younger voters, including Republicans and independents, he said, "are notably more moderate or liberal and favorably disposed toward Obama and his policies than their elders, and there is no reason at present to think that this will change any time soon." That was written before the Trump election, but it still may hold. Then again, there is a new identity group in the political calculus white working-class voters and political professionals and political scientists will be watching them for years. Only the president's most severe critics dissent from the notion that Obama has run an administration of uncommon integrity. "It is one of the great failures of recent political history," J.D. Vance, whose memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" made him a spokesman for that new identity group, wrote last week in The New York Times "that the Republican Party was too often unable to disconnect legitimate political disagreements from the fact that the president himself is an admirable man." Many of Obama's opponents deride his use of executive orders and unilateral decisions on areas such as the environment, but they may be pleased that what they criticized as executive "power grabs" may now be available to Trump. That sort of thing happens, as the Democrats who made it easier for Obama to win Senate confirmation for his non-judicial appointments are about to find out. Their clever maneuver now will be used by the Republicans to speed the confirmation of Trump's Cabinet choices. We are witnessing one of the most dramatic changes in presidential personality in our history far more striking than, say, the passage of Lyndon Johnson to Richard Nixon. It will be years generations, maybe before we know whether Obama or Donald Trump is the beginning of a historical change or an aberration. "We gain new perspectives on events the further we get from them," University of Wisconsin historian William Cronon wrote in 2012, shortly after he became president of the American Historical Association, "and the ends of our stories can change so radically that the stories themselves become unrecognizable from what we thought they were before." Be prepared not to recognize your own times when, a few decades from now, you read about them. Help India! By Manzar Imam for Twocircles.net New Delhi: During a heated Q & A session following a talk on Islam par Maghrib Ke Etirazat or The Objections raised in the West about Islam, Professor Ebrahim Moosa, a prominent intellectual and Professor of Islamic Studies at Notre Dame Universitys Department of History, Indiana, USA said that many of the questions raised today about Islam and Muslims in America and Europe were in fact raised due to the negative approach and misuse of religion by a handful of misguided individuals professing Islam but practicing wrong and un-Islamic actions. The discussion was organised by Islamic Fiqh Academy, India on Sunday, January 8, 2017. The Professor maintained that there had been a centuries-old history of conflict between Islam vis-a-vis the West. But after the ouster of Muslim rule from Spain, it was understood that there would be no more such clashes and conflicts. However, later, following the Gulf War (1990-91) and especially after 9/11, the same sentiments started to rise and it deepened after the 9/11 attacks. He further said, Till Operation Desert, this was seen as an anti-Arab sentiment but post 9/11 the intensity grew and it became a widespread anti-Islam sentiment. Support TwoCircles Muslims in the West and other parts of the world are now viewed differently. And, with the rise of ISIS, Islam is portrayed as a threat: a phenomenon which, instead of being apologetic, must be countered especially by the intellectual class of Muslims. He said that there are about 19 million Muslims in Europe and, in America alone, there are about 3 million Muslims who are not only elite but very influential. There are Muslims in key posts in the USA and Europe whose image will get maligned if extremist groups like the ISIS are not defeated, discouraged and condemned from every quarter, he said. The largest numbers of victims of the attacks of these so-called Islamic groups are Muslims themselves and the chaos generated as a result of these mindless acts have ripple effects across the globe. This is giving rise to objections about Islam while the truth is that Islam does not advocate any such activities and it condemns violence in all its forms. Against this backdrop the Professor appealed Muslims to shun victims mentality and better their relations with their respective co-countrymen. Prof. Moosa, who has also taught at Duke University and the University of Cape Town, emphasised the need to reinterpret certain jurisprudential decrees which were contextual and confined to particular demands and times. He said that Muslims need to understand their legacy and they also need to understand that they are living in a political environment which calls for pragmatism because Islam is a practical religion. A leading scholar of contemporary Muslim thought Professor Moosa suggested that Muslims should blend their experiences with their issues and then seek a solution to their problems. He was referring to the need for ijtihad or Islamic way of reinterpreting certain religious texts to find answers to new and day-to-day questions confronting Muslims especially at a time when religion or religious texts were being widely misused by extremist elements to justify and glorify their actions. On the question of Americas double standard in carrying out attacks under false pretexts in Iraq and elsewhere he said, The challenge for Muslims is how you are going to solve the problem. Mere understanding is not a solution. It needs strategic intelligence of which there is a complete lack. (Manzar Imam is a Ph.D student at the Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia.) Donald J. Trump will never be my president! I have reluctantly accepted that fact and it is not for any of the many reasons that I did not vote for him or, for that matter, refuse to currently support him. Its not because he called American POWs losers or because he openly mocked a disabled person. I will never understand why that wasnt a deal breaker for the many patriotic and compassionate Americans who voted for him, although that is not the reason that Trump will NEVER be my president. Its not because of the name-calling and derogatory statements and actions Mr. Trump directed toward women. We have, after all, elected other people of low moral character to the presidency, although I must say our nation has never elected a man who openly bragged about all the women he molested. It is not because Trump was elected through the Electoral College system as opposed to the popular vote. Despite what I and others may think about the Electoral College system, it is our Constitutional system and was perfectly designed for a businessman such as Trump as it is essentially a hostile takeover of the presidency. It is not because he ran a campaign that used hatred and fear as a basis for appealing to the worst in people or that fact-checkers have documented that he has lied more than any other candidate in modern history . Yes, other candidates have certainly used lies and xenophobia but Trumps use of such despicable rhetorical tools set an all-time record. Nevertheless, that is not the reason Trump will never be my president. Its not because Trump is the least knowledgeable, and arguably least prepared, individual to ever ascend to the presidency. After all, there is no requirement that a candidate have experience holding any elected office. Incredibly, many people consider his total lack of public service and his record of not having done anything for anyone other than himself totally acceptable. The reason Trump will never be MY president is his refusal to acknowledge Russias role in interfering with our election even after being presented the irrefutable consensus of seventeen U.S. intelligence agencies. Through his position on this issue, Trump has chosen sides by standing with Russia against our country. You see, as an American citizen I cannot abandon Mr. Trump but, through his statements, Mr. Trump has abandoned all of us. Thomas Hanley Fulton One of the biggest stories since Election Day is over what impact Russia had on the election. Donald Trump has continued to deny any wrongdoing, while dismissing Russia's impact on the election outcome, but it appears the Kremlin might have damaging information about the president-elect as well. Trump and Russia During the course of the entire campaign, Donald Trump had been accused of handling Russia and President Vladimir Putin differently compared to others. While Trump would always find ways to criticize his political opponents and other world leaders, he's only had positive things to say about Russia. Last week, Trump met with top members of the intelligence community, where they presented information that linked Russia to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee, with the clear intention in helping the billionaire real estate mogul win the election. In response, Trump continued to push back that there was any correlation between the hack and his victory. As reported by CNN on January 10, there was more in the report than originally made public. According to a CNN exclusive, additional information made available to Donald Trump and President Obama shows that Russian operatives claim to have "compromising personal and financial information" about the former host of "The Apprentice." A two-page synopsis was given to Trump and Obama, based on a previous 35-page report of memos. CNN has confirmed that they have read the memos in question, and discussed them with a wide range of individuals with further knowledge, including "high ranking intelligence, administration, congressional and law enforcement officials." During the campaign, Trump failed to produce his tax returns, though it's unknown if that is the financial information that Russia claims to have in their possession. Trump ties In addition to Russia claiming they have private financial information about Donald Trump, there also appears to be a link between campaign surrogates and the Russian government. The synopsis backed by leading national security officials, states that Trump's team had a "continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government." Moving forward As of press time, Donald Trump and his transition team have yet to respond to CNN or any other press inquires. Despite the news, Trump is expected to continue to deny any knowledge of the attack, as he prepares to be sworn in as the next President of the United States on Inauguration Day in just over a week. While Trump is sworn in, over 100,000 protesters are planning to voice their opposition on the streets in Washington, D.C. next week. On Wednesday, Donald Trump held his first press conference since being elected, and it quickly turned into controversy. As Trump targeted and dismissed recent reports claiming he could be blackmailed by Russia, the president-elect also got into an altercation with a reporter from CNN. Trump vs the press On Tuesday night, CNN broke an exclusive story that claimed Russia had obtained "compromising" information about Donald Trump that could be used against him in the form of blackmail. Within hours, Buzzfeed released additional information, that has not yet been verified. In the Buzzfeed report, it states Russia had information regarding an alleged video of Trump engaging in lewd sexual behavior with female sex workers. Trump quickly took to Twitter to refer to the story as "Fake News," something that he did again during another social media rant the next morning. As reported by Fox News on January 11, Trump took part in a press conference and it started to get out of hand. Donald Trump refuses to take a question from CNN's Senior White House Correspondent @Acosta https://t.co/SYIPLekALG https://t.co/Im5Dlc38B4 CNN (@CNN) January 11, 2017 At Trump Tower in New York City, future White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was the first to take to the microphone, and labeled the CNN and Buzzfeed stories as "outrageous," while labeling the latter to be a "left-wing blog." Once Donald Trump came up to the stage, the president-elect quickly pushed back against the report and allegations against him, reportedly calling them "fake news," while praising the news outlets that challenged the report. After repeatedly bringing up the unverified report, CNN reporter Jim Acosta attempted to get in a question. "Since you are attacking our news organization, can you give us a chance?" Jim Acosta of CNN asked. "Don't be rude," Donald Trump responded. "Can you give us a question," Acosta asked repeatedly. In response, the president-elect fired back, "I'm not gonna give you a question." Brushing Acosta off for the final time, Trump pointed his finger at him and stated, "You are fake news!." Next up The press conference lasted over an hour, and also included information about Trump's plan to have taxpayers front the money to build a Southern border wall, before being later reimbursed by Mexico. In addition, Donald Trump announced he had signed over controlling interest of his businesses to his two sons, while vowing to repeal and quickly replace Obamacare after he is sworn into office. The influx of Muslim refugees has alarmed Europe. What was earlier thought of as a source for cheap labor and men to run the various utilities has been overtaken by a paranoid fear that the migrants will swamp Europe. Many feel they are not integrating with the life and ethos of Europe. In a landmark case, the European court of Human Rights rejected the argument of parents of 2 Muslim girls in Switzerland against their learning to swim in compulsory classes along with boys. This is a landmark judgment, and comes close on the heels of another judgment which said refusal of boys to shake hands with their teachers (even female) was wrong. Alarm bells in Europe the far right in Europe is alarmed at the influx of Muslim migrants. Rightist parties in France, Denmark, and Germany are calling for this migration to be stopped. The situation is highly volatile, and has led to the Burkini (a full swimsuit) being banned in France, and the Hijab (full face cover) also banned in France and Belgium. German chancellor Merkel has also said that a full face veil is not in consonance with German culture. To emphasize Christian values, the Danes have included pork meatballs as part of the meal every day for children in Denmark. Eating Pork is taboo in Islam, yet at least in Denmark the Muslims have not protested this decision. These decisions show that Europe is alarmed with the growing presence of Muslim migrants and feel that European culture is under threat. The migrants have not helped their cause by insisting on following tenets of orthodox Islam. Last word In this particular case, the Muslim parents approached the court to allow their daughters to be given exemption from learning to swim with boys. The judgment of the court is a dampener for Muslims. The court has ruled that "successful social integration according to local customs and mores" was more important than religious beliefs. The parents had earlier been fined 1400 Swiss Franks. The parents now have 3 months to appeal the verdict of the court. Hillary Clinton may have suffered a devastating defeat in November, against Republican President-elect Donald Trump, but she hasnt quelled suspicion of a potential run for Mayor of New York City. The former Democratic presidential nominee hasnt confirmed she will run. Clinton also hasnt yet said no to the prospects of entering another political race. The rumors appear to have been sparked by editorials in various news publications. Clintons popularity in the city is leading many people to take notice. She has the experience to take on government and politics. The nations largest city puts a high demand on its politicians. With 8.4 million residents, New York City ranks in 11th place if one were to compare it to the 50 states. Each of its five boroughs has separate political leaders. There are also 51 city council members, 212 state legislators, and members of Congress, all of which Hillary Clinton has the experience to take on. Running against a marginally popular mayor If Clinton were to take a run at the highest office in New York City, shed likely be going against Mayor Bill de Blasio. Controversial policies have made this first-term mayor only marginally popular, and he has even threatened legal action against Trump. The next mayoral election in New York will be on November 7, 2017. In 2000, de Blasio was Clintons Senate campaign manager. It soon became evident that the present mayor was seeking his place in the national spotlight. Today, discussions persist about whether Hillary Clinton will run for the job. Nobody from her team has denied the possibility, and they seem to be even allowing it to linger in the publics mind. Will she or wont she? Karen Hinton, once Bill Clintons administration aide and at one time Mayor de Blasios press secretary, said in a Politico.com article, Its obvious she is not going to run, so why arent people just saying that? Still, the former First Lady is keeping an ear out. Whether it is using speculation to remain relevant, or to feel flattered by the embarrassment of losing the election, Clinton is not denying or confirming anything yet. The irony of Hillary Clinton being mayor of NYC There are a few facts driving people to conjure up a Hillary Clinton mayoral run. The city is the home of Donald Trump, and where taxpayers are paying for Trumps security. Its also the job once sought by Anthony Weiner. A sexting scandal ended the marriage of Clintons closest aid to Weiner, who also gave up a computer, prompting FBI Director Jim Comey to write a Congressional letter so close to the election. The news sparked further controversy regarding Clintons use of a private email server while Secretary of State. Even with no formal announcement, people seem to believe Hillary Clinton can win an election to become mayor of New York. Online fundraising, a collection of signatures, listening tours, or a call to ban outside investments have not yet occurred. These would be the first steps toward a campaign, according to Bradley Tusk, a former aide to Michael Bloomberg, who served three terms as mayor of New York City. A drive to receive endorsements would signal a possible entry into the mayoral race as well. Hillary Clinton is still in the public eye Over the weekend, Hillary, Bill, and Chelsea Clinton were present at the final performance of the Broadway show, The Color Purple, on Sunday, January 8. They even received ovations when entering the room and during the curtain call. This response was noted by Clintons press secretary Brian Fallon, who tweeted a local newspaper article in which he added #HillarysNewYork, which bears similarity to a popular hashtag bearing the current mayors name. President Barack Obama gave his farewell speech on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 in Chicago. It was appropriate for him to travel back to where his political career started, and where he gave victory speeches in 2008 and 2012. He addressed a sold-out crowd of supporters. About 20,000 people packed the McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America. On January 7, people waited in line for two or more hours in sub-zero wind chill temperatures to get tickets for President Barack Obama's speech. Why Chicago for the speech? Earlier on Tuesday, the 44th President of the United States wrote on his Facebook page that Chicago is where it all started for him and First Lady Michelle Obama. It was the city where supporters showed them the power and fundamental goodness of the American people. This is the first time a president's farewell address was delivered in the city where his political career took off. The last farewell address was given by President George W. Bush in the East Room of the White House before a crowd of only 200 supporters and aides. Former presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Carter all used the Oval Office. George H.W. Bush traveled to West Point to deliver his departing address after his one-term presidency. The President's farewell speech During his speech that lasted almost one hour, Obama recalled the most historical moments of his presidency. His message offered a hopeful vision for the future so the American people can move forward. Obama had been working on his speech for months, even while he was on vacation over the holidays in Hawaii. He worked on his final drafts last week. Like his major speeches in the past, Obama wrote his farewell speech himself. He did dictate certain passages to his chief speechwriter Cody Keenan who put the President's words into print. They went through at least four drafts before settling on the one he delivered. Along with Keenan, former speechwriter Jon Favreau, and former senior adviser David Axelrod were involved in the process. .@POTUS will travel home to Chicago next week to give his final #FarewellAddress. Get the details here: https://t.co/jX3X85Xl1u pic.twitter.com/XnY4xb6IO0 The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 2, 2017 President Obama ended his speech with the same words he used in 2008 in New Hampshire when he was running for president. He said, "Yes, we can. Yes, we did. Yes, we can," as he focused on hope for the future for all Americans. After the speech After the speech, Obama returned to Washington on what was his 1,293rd flight aboard Air Force One. He'll use the presidential aircraft one more time on Inauguration Day to leave Washington, as has been the tradition for outgoing presidents. Since he will no longer be the president, even though it will be the same aircraft, it will be known as "Special Air Mission 28000" instead of Air Force One. The remains of a Marine aviator who was killed nearly 48 years ago in a bombing mission over Laos during the Vietnam War have been identified and are finally being returned home. Marine Corps 1st Lt. William Ryan was the radar intercept officer of a F-4B fighter-bomber when it was shot down on May 11, 1969 over Savannakhet Province, a region that borders Vietnam. The area was heavily bombed by U.S. forces during the war because it was crossed by the Ho Chi Minh trail, a network of roads cutting through the regions thick jungles that the North Vietnamese used to supply their soldiers in South Vietnam. Ryan's jet was puling out of bombing run when it was hit by gunfire Officials with the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency -- the agency that recovers and identifies U.S. personnel killed in long-ago wars -- says the pilot of the jet was pulling out of the bombing run when it was hit by gunfire, causing the aircraft to go out of control. Officials say before the pilot bailed out he called several times for Ryan to eject, but received no response. The pilot ejected safely and was later rescued, but other pilots on the bombing raid never saw Ryan get out of the stricken jet. Because of the location inside Laos U.S. forces at the time werent able to recover Ryans body. He was declared deceased immediately after the mission but it wasnt until February, 2016, when remains found during excavations at a crash site near the village of Ban Alang Noi, that those remains were sent to the agencys lab for analysis. The remains were subsequently determined to be that of Ryan. Ryan was killed a day before son's first birthday A memorial page for Ryan, who had just turned 25 when he was shot down, says he was killed just one day before his son's first birthday and two days before he was scheduled to go on R&R and meet his wife in Hawaii. The site says the young aviator had previously been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross medal and a Purple Heart after another jet he was in had been shot down. In that mission he was rescued by a helicopter crew after parachuting to safety. Ryan grew up in Bogota, New Jersey, a borough about 20 miles outside of New York City. Interment services are pending. By Ma Si in Beijing and Amy He in Las Vegas | China Daily | Updated: 2017-01-10 08:32 Visitors try VR tech of Chinese company Huawei Technologies Co Ltd at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. [Photo/Xinhua] Push indicates strong desire to gain edge at high-end price points The growing presence of Chinese companies at the Consumer Electronics Show indicates a stronger-than-ever desire to crack the US market, as they work hard to gain an edge in high-end gadgets, analysts said on Monday. From the first smartphone to be equipped with virtual assist Alexa to a consumer 3D camera that can record 3D voice, Chinese tech heavyweights and startups are turning to one of the world's largest technology expos, which concluded on Sunday, to boost their brand recognition among US consumers. Over 1,500 Chinese companies attended this year's CES, accounting for more than 41 percent of the over 3,800 exhibitors, according to Luo Linquan, Chinese Consul General to San Francisco. Last year's event attracted more than 1,300 Chinese firms. "Chinese tech is really coming to the forefront. It's not the old joke of being 'made in China', but really designed now in China and for the world," said James Feldkamp, an independent US industry tech analyst. Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, the world's third biggest smartphone maker, launched the US edition of its premium handset Mate 9 during the annual show. The smartphone, which will come with Amazon Inc's popular voice-activated virtual assistant Alexa, is the Shenzhen-based firm's first flagship model to be sold in the US market. "After wooing European consumers, Huawei knows it must conquer the US market to reach its goal of becoming the world's biggest smartphone seller," said Jessie Ding, a smartphone analyst at Shanghai-based consultancy Canalys. "Partnering with Amazon, a household name in the US, can help build its brand image," Ding said. Xiaomi Corp, an arch rival of Huawei, made its debut at the 50-year-old CES. It unveiled a smart TV, which can recommend content to a user based on what he or she has watched in the past. "As the domestic market reaches a saturation point, Chinese firms are increasingly looking to the US for opportunities. The desire is stronger than ever," said Xiang Ligang, a smartphone expert and CEO of the telecom industry website cctime.com. Startups also saw CES as a springboard for their business. Sonirock Inc, founded in Shenzhen in early 2016, unveiled Sonicam, a 3D camera that uses 64 microphones to record spatial sound for a virtual reality experience. "This year (the proportion of Chinese firms among all exhibitors) is 41 percent. Next year it will be 50 percent," said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. Hezi Jiang contributed to the story. Attendees at the Detroit Auto Show explore the lounge mode of the XiM17 demonstrator, unveiled by Yanfeng Automotive Interiors at the show on Tuesday. The XiM17 is designed to shift between driving, family, meeting and lounge modes, allowing for different ways of engaging in a self-driving vehicle. PAUL WELITZKIN / CHINA DAILY The competition to develop self-driving vehicles is also creating opportunities for auto suppliers. On Tuesday two Chinese companies Yanfeng Automotive Interiors and Nexteer Automotive unveiled new initiatives at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to tap into the burgeoning market. Yanfeng, a leading vehicle interior component maker, is attempting to answer the question: What can we do in a car if we no longer have to drive? "We are creating the next living space," said Johannes Roters, CEO of Yanfeng. The company introduced the Experience in Motion demonstrator 2017 (XiM17), a vehicle equipped with an interior that is designed to shift between four modes: driving, family, meeting and lounge, allowing for different ways of engaging. With a touch of a button for meeting mode, the driver's seat goes back and the front passenger seat rotates, turning the car into a face-to-face working space with a fold-out table in the middle. In the lounge mode, both front seats move back to create legroom. In the rear is a refrigerator for drinks, and a vehicle control touch panel that is integrated into the floor console and allows control of the car while relaxing. The XiM17 was developed by designers and engineers from Yanfeng's technical centers in China, Germany and the US. The seats were produced in China with the rest of the car made and assembled in Michigan. Yanfeng was set up a year and a half ago as a joint venture between Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co, which is owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, and US-based Johnson Controls. Headquartered in Shanghai, Yanfeng has manufacturing plants and technical centers in 18 countries and more than 30,000 employees globally, including at several facilities in Michigan. Nexteer and Continental AG agreed to form a joint venture focused on the advancement of motion control systems for automated driving. The joint venture will combine Nexteer's advanced steering and driver assistance technologies with Continental's portfolio of automated driving and advanced braking technologies. Nexteer, which supplies steering components to car manufacturers and is majority owned by China's AVIC Automotive, and Continental, a leading automotive and tire supplier, will each hold a 50 percent stake in the venture. It will be based in Michigan and is expected to become operational in six months. Frank Lubischer, senior vice-president of global engineering and chief technology officer for Nexteer, said industry innovation is driving partnerships like this one. "Collaboration is the ingredient we need to keep up with the pace of innovation," said Lubischer. "I think many of the autonomous vehicles that are now part of testing programs that have been announced here at the show could be available (to the public) as soon as next year." Lubischer said Nexteer and Continental will focus on integrating state-of-the-art electronic brake and steering systems for improved safety in automated driving. Contact the writers atpaulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com [Photo/Xinhua] Archaeologists in central China's Hunan province said Monday that they had recently discovered an ancient tomb, with a fresco depicting two maids, that could date back over 1,400 years. Luo Shengqiang, an expert with the city's cultural relic department, said that based on funerary items found in the 14-meter long and 2-meter wide tomb, in a village under Suxian District of Chenzhou City, it was believed to be built in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-581). In clean and smooth lines, the colored fresco on the tomb wall depicts two maids standing wearing similar long skirts and coats with open collars exposing their shoulders. "This is the oldest fresco tomb discovered in Hunan. It is rare to see in southern China," said Luo, adding that the fresco could contribute to the study of China's clothing history. 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 Peking Opera artist Huang Xiaoci sings during a performance. [Photo by Chen Yong/Asianewsphoto] Famed Peking Opera artist Huang Xiaoci, who twice won the Plum Performance Award, the highest honor of China's performing arts, died on Monday at age 73. Huang worked at Jiangsu Peking Opera theater and learned from Peking Opera master Du Jinfang. Huang developed her own performing style and was known for representative plays, such as Rickshaw Boy (Luotuo Xiangzi), Hong Ling Yan and Si Lang Tan Mu. Huang was diagnosed with cancer in June 2016, yet she participated in the rehearsal of the youth version of Hong Ling Yan as art director and often went to rehearsals with pain killers. The play won good reviews in the final stage show. Huang had dedicated her whole life to the Peking Opera. "I only did one thing in my whole life, which is loving Peking Opera, learning Peking Opera, performing Peking Opera and inheriting Peking Opera", Huang always said. She was always willing to teach anyone for free if she thought the person had potential. Gao Fei, Huang's favorite pupil, said that Huang always told them that artists are poor and do not expect to get rich in this way. "What we shall pursue is the satisfaction and sense of honor we get from art," she said. Christian Scheder (right), chief marketing director at Immotor, and his colleague demonstrate their portable electric scooter to a show attendee at the Detroit auto show, which is showing personal transportation for the first time in its 110-year history. HEZI JIANG / CHINA DAILY. The cars are still the stars, but the Detroit auto show is changing, as is mobility. A flight below the main show floor where BMW, Volkswagen and other automakers unveiled their sedans, SUVs and minivans, show attendees were balancing electric bicycles and scooters. "The industry is going electric, and people are seriously looking at transportation options that are more personal," said Christian Scheder, chief marketing director of Immotor, an electric scooter maker based in Shenzhen. Immotor stands for "I am Motor", meaning that individuals become their own transportation, minimizing the use of material, effort and energy. The scooter, with a maximum speed of 20 mph, can go up to 20 miles on a single battery charge and weighs about 27 pounds. It can be folded and wheeled on public transportation like small luggage. URB-E, a Pasadena, California-based startup, is showing foldable electric bikes as an alternatives on, for example, the first and last mile of a commute. One can customize a URB-E by adding anything from a basket to a bell to a Bluetooth speaker. "People can customize, and they can adjust their means of travel with a portable vehicle," Scheder said, explaining that a user can mix modes of transportation in a day. The rider can hop on the scooter to work and take the subway back if the weather changes. Immotor, URB-E and German technology company Schaeffler presented the prototypes of a biohybrid pedelec - a mix of a car and an electric bicycle - and an electric skateboard. As important as the North America market is, Scheder said other parts of the world may adapt to personal vehicles faster, like Norway, where a large population has already started using electric bikes, or China, because of pollution. Scheder said that challenges lie in educating the public, as people are used to blasting their radios and throwing their bags in the car. "It requires a shift of thinking," he said. Statistics show that the world's urban population is expected to double by 2025, and Scheder said that by that time, portable transportation vehicles will be a must for daily travel. "Right now, it's an option. In the future, people will be forced to adapt to a city with no garage," he said. hezijiang@chinadailyusa.com The competition to develop self-driving vehicles is also creating opportunities for auto suppliers. On Tuesday two Chinese companies - Yanfeng Automotive Interiors and Nexteer Automotive - unveiled new initiatives at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to tap into the burgeoning market. Yanfeng, a leading vehicle interior component maker, is attempting to answer the question: What can we do in a car if we no longer have to drive? "We are creating the next living space," said Johannes Roters, CEO of Yanfeng. The company introduced the Experience in Motion demonstrator 2017 (XiM17), a vehicle equipped with an interior that is designed to shift between four modes: driving, family, meeting and lounge, allowing for different ways of engaging. With a touch of a button for meeting mode, the driver's seat goes back and the front passenger seat rotates, turning the car into a face-to-face working space with a fold-out table in the middle. In the lounge mode, both front seats move back to create legroom. In the rear is a refrigerator for drinks, and a vehicle control touch panel that is integrated into the floor console and allows control of the car while relaxing. The XiM17 was developed by designers and engineers from Yanfeng's technical centers in China, Germany and the US. The seats were produced in China with the rest of the car made and assembled in Michigan. Yanfeng was set up a year and a half ago as a joint venture between Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co, which is owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, and US-based Johnson Controls. Headquartered in Shanghai, Yanfeng has manufacturing plants and technical centers in 18 countries and more than 30,000 employees globally, including at several facilities in Michigan. Nexteer and Continental AG agreed to form a joint venture focused on the advancement of motion control systems for automated driving. The joint venture will combine Nexteer's advanced steering and driver assistance technologies with Continental's portfolio of automated driving and advanced braking technologies. Nexteer, which supplies steering components to car manufacturers and is majority owned by China's AVIC Automotive, and Continental, a leading automotive and tire supplier, will each hold a 50 percent stake in the venture. It will be based in Michigan and is expected to become operational in six months. Frank Lubischer, senior vice-president of global engineering and chief technology officer for Nexteer, said industry innovation is driving partnerships like this one. "Collaboration is the ingredient we need to keep up with the pace of innovation," said Lubischer. "I think many of the autonomous vehicles that are now part of testing programs that have been announced here at the show could be available (to the public) as soon as next year." Lubischer said Nexteer and Continental will focus on integrating state-of-the-art electronic brake and steering systems for improved safety in automated driving. Contact the writers at paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com For students at the University of Texas at Austin, it's not uncommon to sign next year's apartment lease as soon as the fall semester starts due to high demand from its 48,000 students - the 2016 enrollment number - at its downtown campus location. Now that high demand has attracted a Chinese company to build student housing next to the school's west campus, an area known for its high occupancy rate. Grand China Fund has partnered with Austin developer Aspen Heights Partners to build the 17-story residency for students. The project with an estimated cost of $60 million and known as Aspen West Campus is expected to be completed by fall of 2018, according to Austin local media. The tower will have 166 units, ranging from efficiencies to five-bedrooms, and a fitness center, game room, study lounge and pool. The Aspen West Campus is the first student-housing project for Grand China Fund, a Beijing-based real estate private-equity fund with about $1.5 billion in managed assets. The fund has been creating diversified portfolios for investors since its inception in 2012. According to a company statement, Grand China has funded 22 residential projects across the US. The Austin project is not the first Texas project for Grand China Fund. In 2013, it partnered with Gaia Real Estate Investments and acquired a 286-unit apartment complex south of the Texas Medical Center in Houston. "As we develop our first student housing high-rise in our own backyard, our team feels particularly proud of this project that will not only bring value to one of Austin's most desirable neighborhoods, but serve the housing needs of students attending UT," Ryan Fetgatter, vice-president of development for Aspen Heights, said in a statement. mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com Prior to President Xi Jinping's visit to Switzerland on 15-18th January, Jiang Jianguo (Right), minister of the State Council Information Office said at a seminar in Geneva on Wednesday that China has made impressive progress in restructuring its economy and supply-side structural reform. [Fu Jing / China Daily] The shift in China's economy towards services and consumption underlines the country's success, indicating the obvious in shifting its development pattern and deepening a new round of market-oriented reform since 2013, Jiang Jianguo, Minister of the State Council Information Office said in Geneva on Wednesday. Speaking ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to Switzerland on 15-18th January, Jiang said the growth of the service industry has contributed 58.5 percent to the country's economy in the first three quarters of 2016. Consumption meanwhile generated 71 percent of the country's economic growth during the period. "The service industry has became the main engine of China's economy and consumption has played an even bigger role," said Jiang at a seminar organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Geneva-based International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development. Jiang said China's successful shift from and economy driven by investment and foreign trade has been accompanied by reform endeavors in which the market played a decisive role. The new round of reform was implemented in 2013, one year after Xi became China's top leader. He said the Chinese government has rolled out 336 reform measures under 60 categories to deepen reform and in 2016, it accomplished 97 key reform tasks at the central government level and 194 at ministerial level. "Among them, deepening supply-side structural reform is the leading measure to adapt to the economic new normal," said Jiang, who is traveling in Switzerland in preparation for Xi's visit. "The focus of the reform is aimed to improve the quality and efficiency of supply, streamline institutions to ensure the market plays a decisive role in resource allocation." Jiang said China will further implement reform measures to invigorate the real economy, promote stable and healthy real estate development and effectively manage the potential risks in finance, debt, real estate and the real economy. Zhang Xiaojing, senior economist of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also said China has made impressive progress in restructuring its economy and the new engines of sustainable growth have already emerged. "The international community should take notice of China's gear shifts of its economy and its progress," said Zhang. One impressive example Zhang listed is that China's patent-intensive industry and innovation sectors have grown at a two-digit pace in recent months despite the country's GDP slowing down to adapt to new economic norms. He acknowledged that China's stimulus packages since the financial crisis have increased the leverage ratio in boosting the economy. But he compared with the situation in the United States, the European Union, Japan and other leading economies, saying, "China's risks and bubbles are within manageable reach." As a leading economist doing comparative studies of the balance sheet of different economies, Zhang said China's comparative advantage is that the country's tremendous stock of national net assets could help it cope with any risks it faced. "One typical example is that our foreign reserves are ample," said Zhang. "But many developed countries lack this kind of advantage in dealing with potential risks." Ricardo Melendez-Ortiz, chief executive of the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development, expressed concern about difficulties emerging in 2016 in the geopolitical, environment and global governance areas. But he said global governance achieved successes in 2015 with the Paris Climate Change Agreement, by meeting the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and making progress in multilateral trade talks. "It seemed that the year 2015 had seen impressive successes in global governance but the political debates in 2016 worldwide have lead to the challenges - of protectionism, isolationism, nationalism - we face right now," said Melendez-Ortiz. He said President Xi's visit will take place against these dramatic changes in global governance in the past two years. "We are looking forward to Xi revealing his thoughts and plans on improving the global situation," said Melendez-Ortiz. As the excitement from Trumps phone conversation with Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen wears off, the Taiwanese are beginning to become apprehensive that the island risks becoming a pawn in a wider game between the two superpower nations. On Sunday, President-elect Trump suggested that US support for the renegade province was negotiable and the one China policy that has governed relations between the three governments for decades could be a source of leverage to force concessions from China on other issues. Leader of the Chung Hua 21th Century Think Tank in Taipei said, Being the lever isnt a good place for Taiwan. China cant make a hasty move on the US or Donald Trump, but China can easily make a move on Taiwan, so if China is going to lean, which side are they going to lean on? Of course they will lean on Taiwan. China has reportedly stepped up air patrols around Taiwan and the wider region, and Chinese military aircraft circled the international airspace surrounding Taiwan, prompting Japans military to scramble fighter jets over an alleged trespass on Saturday. Last week, China flew nuclear-capable bombers over its claims in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. On Tuesday, the Taipei Times read: Although all parties maintained their cool and avoided a clash, a war of nerves in the Asia-Pacific region is under way, On Monday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that President Barack Obama doesnt view the US relationship with Taiwan as a bargaining chip, and said that agreements on climate change and North Korea could prove to be more difficult if there is a change in that policy. In an interview on Fox News Sunday, Trump suggested that his administration would not be constrained by the one China policy. I fully understand the one China policy, but I dont know why we have to be bound by a one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade, he said. Trump went on to comment that the US has been hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with heavy taxation at the borders when they are not taxed by the US, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, and with not helping the US with North Korea. So does the Trump administration intend to use Taiwan as a bargaining chip? While recent news has been focused on the recent trend of children coming across the U.S. border from Mexico and the steps the government is taking, another problem appears to be cropping up, the possibility of infectious diseases spreading. Channel 15 ABC in Arizona is reporting that border patrol agents are now sounding the alarm that with illegal aliens, being shipped to the state and other states, the potential for a viral outbreak has increased significantly. We are sending people everywhere. The average person doesnt know whats going on down here, Border Patrol agent and Rio Grande Valley Union representative Chris Cabrera told channel 15. According to Cabrera, in the detention facilities the only thing separating the sick from the healthy is caution tape. Theres been an outbreak of scabies thats been going on for the past month, Cabrera said. Another healthcare concern is that many illegal immigrants have not had the vaccinations that Americans have long received and have the strong possibility of bringing drug-resistant strains of diseases that have long since been eradicated, such as tuberculosis, with them. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that generally attacks the lungs, although it can attack any part of the body. The disease is easily spread when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or even talks in the presence of another person. If not properly treated the disease can be fatal. The disease has been around since ancient times, and Tuberculosis was once the leading cost of death in America. Among the diseases victims was the legendary Doc Holiday who died in a tuberculosis ward in Colorado Springs. In the 20th century, antibiotics were developed which resulted in the disease being virtually eradicated in America in the 1960s. However, in recent years the disease has been making a comeback with new strains that are resistant to most antibiotics. Last year, Los Angeles suffered from a persistent strain of tuberculosis that may have been exposed to over 4,500 people. Police officers were advised to wear protective masks while dealing with members of the public who may have been exposed to the disease. Besides California and Florida, the states with the greatest number of multi-drug resistant TB are Texas and New York. All of these states have large numbers of illegal aliens within their borders. Florida was recently ranked as having the third largest illegal alien population by the Department of Homeland Security. Many of the illegals in Florida come from the Caribbean and other countries in the Southern hemisphere. Some of these countries have widespread problems with tuberculosis. In what has been called a further erosion of the Fourth Amendment, civil libertarian groups are blasting a recent arrest by Ohio police of a driver who had a compartment in his car that could possibly be used to store drugs, despite no drugs being found. The arrest occurred when an officer with the Ohio Highway Patrol pulled over Norman Gurley, 30, of Michigan for speeding. During the stop, the officer noticed wires that ran to a secret compartment in the car and thus made the arrest. The officer claimed he was justified in searching the car because he smelled marijuana, however, no trace of any drugs was found in the vehicle. The issue is a new law in the state that bans secret compartments in vehicles. The law states: No person shall knowingly operate, possess, or use a vehicle with a hidden compartment with knowledge that the hidden compartment is used or intended to be used to facilitate the unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled substance. The problem is that the wording states that the compartment is illegal only if it is intended to be used or is used for illegal drugs. While the actual using of the compartment for illegal drugs is fairly straightforward, the issue is how one determines what the purpose of the compartment is. For instance, in 1985, the Chevrolet Camaro had a hidden compartment in the back trunk in its Berlinetta models. It is doubtful that GMC intended it to be used for smuggling and transporting illegal drugs, but under the new law the compartment could be illegal. Despite there being no indication that drugs have ever been present in the vehicle, the Highway Patrol is defending the arrest. Without the hidden compartment law, we would not have had any charges on the suspect, says Lt. Michael Combs, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol. We apparently caught them between runs, so to speak, so this takes away one tool they have in their illegal trade. The law does help us and is on our side. John Whitehead, president of the Rutherford Institute, said the police explanation is disturbing and shows how the Fourth Amendment continues to be chipped away. Although Norman Gurley had no drugs on his person, nor in his car, nor could it be proven that he intended to conceal drugs, he was still arrested for the crime of having a hidden compartment in the trunk of his car, Whitehead wrote. This is what a world without the Fourth Amendment looks like. United States President Barack Obama will soon be without employment but he has at least one job offer from a music streaming company to become the President of Playlists. Obama recently joked that he was hoping for a job at Spotify when he leaves the White House on January 20 at the age of 55. And it seems the music streaming service is keen to oblige him, after it posted on its careers page a vacancy for 'President of Playlists'. The job advertisement says applicants should have at least eight years experience running a highly-regarded nation, CNBC reported. The role requires someone with a Nobel Peace Prize, which of course Obama won in 2009. Also, knowing famous artists is a plus. 'Have good relationships with a wide range of artists and musicians. Ever had Kendrick Lamar play at your birthday bash? We'd love to hear about it!' the tongue-in-cheek Spotify job posting reads. Another favourable characteristic of the candidate is the ability to 'speak passionately about playlists at press events'. 'Let us be clear, you should be nothing short of one of the greatest speakers of all time,' the job posting says. The opportunity was tweeted out by Spotify Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ek. It followed the quip Obama made about waiting for a job offer from Spotify, while he was speaking to Natalia Brzezinski, CEO of Symposium Stockholm, a technology, music and fashion festival in Sweden. 'I'm still waiting for my job at Spotify...Cuz' I know y'all loved my playlist,' Obama was quoted as saying in an Instagram post by Brzezinski. Obama has previously curated playlists for Spotify and his list this summer featured an eclectic mix of songs from Rock Steady by Aretha Franklin to So Ambitious by Jay Z and Pharrell. The outgoing US president has been talking about his plans following Donald Trump's win over Hillary Clinton in November and suggested he will stay in Washington until his youngest daughter finishes high school. He has hinted at remaining in politics, but it leaves the door open for more playlists from Obama. 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. PHOENIX Attorneys for the state asked the Court of Appeals Tuesday to block community colleges and the state university system from offering in-state tuition to "dreamers." Assistant Attorney General Rusy Crandell acknowledged that the Obama administration has ruled that those brought here as children can remain as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. That status also permits those in the program to work legally in this country. And the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has said they also are entitled to state licenses to drive despite a law and executive order specifically designed to prevent that. But he told the judges that 1998 voter-approved law says in-state tuition is reserved for those with "lawful immigration status." And Crandell said that does not include DACA recipients. "Only Congress can authorize lawful presence," he said. By contrast, he said DACA is simply a decision by the president not to pursue and try to deport those who fall within the category. But Mary O'Grady, representing the Maricopa community colleges, said the state can't make that distinction. She said that 1998 law specifically refers to federal statutes dealing with how and when states can deny benefits to those not in the country legally. And the way O'Grady reads that federal statute, Arizona not only lacks authority to deny in-state tuition to those who qualify for DACA but is actually mandated to grant them that status if they meet other residency requirements. Hanging in the balance is not just what happens to DACA recipients in Maricopa colleges who adopted the policy after Obama approved DACA in 2012. Several other community college systems also have decided that those in DACA should get in-state tuition. And after a trial judge upheld what Maricopa colleges are doing, the state Board of Regents voted to follow suit. Nothing in the case before the court would keep DACA recipients and even those who have no legal status at all out of either community colleges or universities. But requiring them to pay out-of-state tuition would be a significant practical hurdle. At the University of Arizona for example, tuition and mandatory fees for Arizona undergraduates is $10,872 for continuing students and $11,403 for new ones; for non-residents the comparative numbers are $30,025 and $32,630. Crandell told the judges that they have to follow the language of the state statute. That represents the will of voters that only those with "lawful immigration status" are entitled to the break, as any difference is made up by taxpayers. The legal issues are complicated by the fact that DACA did not exist when voters approved the restriction in 1998. But Crandell said that the unilateral decision by the president in 2012 to create the program does not undermine the intent of voters. More to the point, he argued that DACA recipients do not qualify under any federal law to be considered lawfully present. "If they did, there would be no need for deferred action," Crandell said. O'Grady, however, said that, if nothing else, DACA recipients are "lawfully present" in this country. "We cannot pick and chose which people who are lawfully present we are going to give in-state tuition to and which we're going to deny in-state tuition to," she told the court. HA NOI Samsung Viet Nams turnover in 2016 touched US$46.3 billion, while its exports reached $39.9 billion, rising 9.9 per cent compared to 2015, despite the Galaxy Note 7 recall. Hyun Woo Bang, deputy general director of Samsung Viet Nam, said the company had overcome its difficulties because of the Note 7 washout, thanks to support from the Vietnamese government and concerned agencies. Viet Nams total export turnover in 2016 is estimated at $175.9 billion, posting an 8.6 per cent year-on-year increase, according to data from the General Statistics Office. Samsung accounted for 22.7 per cent of the countrys total export turnover last year; in 2015, it was 20 per cent. The combined export turnover of Samsung Electronics Viet Nam (SEV) in Bac Ninh Province and Samsung Electronics Viet Nam-Thai Nguyen (SEVT) in Thai Nguyen Province was $36.2 billion. The Note 7 disasters impact was insignificant and short-term on Samsung Viet Nams business and export turnover in 2016, Hyun said. The localisation rate of spare parts in 2016 touched 51 per cent from 2015s 35 per cent, Hyun said. Samsung used 18,000 robots at its factories to produce spare parts. The 3D display screen and key spare parts are produced in Viet Nam and exported to South Korea and the rest of the world. Hyun said Samsung committed to invest $14.8 billion in Viet Nam, and so far it had invested $10.1 billion. It employed 140,000 labourers in its factories in Viet Nam, of whom only 190 are specialists from South Korea. The deputy general director proposed that the Vietnamese government implement policies to help FDI companies improve their competitiveness worldwide, and asked for better taxation and non-tax transactions. The company also asked for a mechanism to allow their employees to work extra hours and limit rapid salary increases to ensure competitiveness of FDI firms as well as attractiveness of Viet Nams labour market. Earlier, Samsung Electronics announced a 50 per cent surge in turnover to $7.8 billion in the last quarter of 2016, courtesy the high sales of semi-conductors and screens. VNS HA NOI The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) will co-operate with relevant agencies to map out a "special" law to boost bank restructuring and settle bad debts in 2017, according to SBV Governor Le Minh Hung. Hung said the new law on supporting banking sector restructuring and resolving bad debts would mention all legal regulations related to the activity. Obstacles in the existing legal regulations would also be addressed under the new law to remove hindrance in resolving bad debts. With a detailed and adequate legal framework, he expected it would be easier for the banking system to implement restructuring. The central bank would report to the National Assembly to convert into law regulations related to the seizure of mortgaged assets to guarantee the rights of the lenders, Hung said, adding that this is currently the most critical issue while dealing with bad debts. Besides the recoupment and provision for bad debts, if the regulations were approved by the National Assembly, the settlement of bad debts would be greatly accelerated, he said. According to experts and credit institutions, non-performing loans (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. They say efficient collateral settlement requires a legal system, with uniformity, transparency and consistency. 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. The institutions said many legal regulations have no detailed instructions on dealing with mortgaged assets. It, therefore, takes a long time to deal with the assets. In addition, they said, the slow judgment process also negatively impacts credit institutions business performance and leads to wastage of time and money while recouping toxic debts. Under the new law, Hung said, the central bank would also suggest adding regulations on stake ownership of credit institutions to tighten banking ownership, thus avoiding the necessity to deal with cross-ownership and manipulation in the banking system. Individual groups, which would like to buy credit institutions stake, must prove their legal income sources and cannot allow the use of lending sources in whatever form. Recently, many violations in the banking industry have stemmed from individual groups that invested in banks just to serve the interests of their own backyard firms. Information related to bank managers must be published and violation cases would be prohibited from taking part in managing and executing banks permanently, Hung said. Due to the existing incomplete and unsuitable legal framework, a larger number of bad debts are still stuck at the central bank-run Viet Nam Asset Management Company (VAMC), which is entrusted to buy bad debts from credit institutions. According to the Governments financial watchdog National Financial Supervisory Commission, VAMC has, so far, recouped just 15 per cent of the NPLs purchased from credit institutions and still has some VN224 trillion (US$9.86 billion) on standby to be sold. - VNS Small- and medium-sized enterprises account for around 97 per cent of firms in Viet Nam. VNA/VNS Photo baodauthau.vn HA NOI National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan called it critical to clarify criteria determining which businesses are small and medium sized in order to raise feasible support as the country aims to boost its private sector and start-up culture. As small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for around 97 per cent of firms in Viet Nam, the States limited resources must support SMEs, Ngan said while discussing the Law on supporting SMEs at the National Assembly Standing Committees sixth session Monday. National Assembly deputies agreed that supporting SMEs is of special importance to create momentum for economic growth, noting that attention should be given to ensure the feasibility and timeliness of the law. The scope of the draft law remains too large, making support infeasible and beyond State resources, Ngan said. Phan Thanh Binh, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children, said that SMEs should be classified into different categories for appropriate support. Deputies said that support should focus on SMEs operating in manufacturing, science and technology, especially those which could create high added value for the economy. In addition, it is necessary to have policies that will improve SMEs access to credit and capital. Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Phung Quoc Hien said that the law must ensure the consistency with other major laws, such as the Law on State budget, the Law on Tax and the Law on Land. Deputies also said that further consideration must be given when drafting the law on supporting SMEs. The draft law will be discussed at the third meeting session of the National Assembly and might be passed at its fourth meeting. The National Assembly Economic Committee said that the law will be drafted with a focus on supporting start-ups, start-up funds and SME support funds. VNS The Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV) plans to sign a strategic partnership agreement with French airport authority Aeroports de Paris (ADP) in March this year. Photo t innhanhchungkhoan.vn HA NOI The Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV) plans to sign a strategic partnership agreement with French airport authority Aeroports de Paris (ADP) in March this year. In a draft resolution prepared for its first shareholders meeting in HCM City last year, ACV said the initial price of the shares was expected to be VN13,100 (58 US cents) each. With this share volume and price, ADP will hold some 7.4 per cent of ACVs total equity of VN22.4 trillion. If the agreement is successful, the French company will be restricted in transferring its shares for at least 10 years. ACV will be the countrys second aviation firm to have a strategic partner. The first one is national carrier Vietnam Airlines, which completed negotiation and signed a strategic partnership agreement with Japans All Nippon Airways last year, according to a conference held by the Ministry of Transport on Monday. Speaking at the conference, which reviewed the transport sectors work in 2016 and plans for this year, deputy minister Nguyen Ngoc ong said the ministry had prepared plans and conducted transaction of shares on the stock markets for equitised corporations. ong said there were 37 equitised companies listed on the stock market last year with the total value of VN35 trillion. The ministry last year transferred its State ownership rights at Thang Long Joint Stock Corporation and eight joint stock companies operating in domestic waterway maintenance and management to the State Capital Investment Corporation. It also divested VN2.3 trillion from 22 joint stock companies and VND262 billion from 17 subsidiaries of the ministrys parent corporations. VNS PHOENIX A Tucson lawmaker wants to once again make it illegal to ride a motorcycle in Arizona without a helmet. But there's a twist to the proposal by Democrat Randall Friese: If you like riding without a helmet you could buy your way out of having to comply with the law. It's not that Friese believes that's a good idea. It's that he's acknowledged it may be the only way to get HB 2046 heard, much less approved and signed into law. Arizona repealed its helmet law for adults in 1976, though those 18 and younger remain subject to the requirement. Perennial efforts to revive it are among strong opposition from the riding community. Friese, a trauma surgeon, sees the issue from a different perspective. "Research has shown, time and time again, hundreds of millions of dollars will be saved if we prevent head injury,'' he said. "If you're 20 years old and get a lifetime head injury, you're institutionalized for decades,'' Friese explained. "It costs tens of millions of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars.'' His legislation would impose an automatic $500 fine for each violation. But Friese, who has proposed a mandatory helmet law in the past, said he quickly learned that politics are not on his side. "When I introduced this bill two years ago, the first thing I heard was, 'It is my right to ride my bike without my helmet,''' he said. "I don't believe it's a right,'' Friese continued. "I believe it's a privilege.'' Still, the votes are not there. So what HB 2046 also says is that anyone who wants to ride a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor-driven cycle without a helmet simply has to pay an annual fee to the Department of Transportation. And those funds would go into a special fund to provide rehabilitation, transitional living and equipment necessary for daily living by those who suffer head injury in motor vehicle accidents. The legislation does not spell out what the fee would be, leaving that to the head of the Department of Transportation. There's a political reason for that: Any measure that imposes a new specific fee requires a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate. Leaving the fee up to an agency allows a measure to pass with a simple majority, an easier hurdle for Friese to overcome. But Friese figures the fee will be less than the $500 fine. There's another sweetener in the bill designed to gain votes: Friese agreed to make the violation a secondary enforcement. Similar to seat belt laws, a police officer could not stop a cyclist solely because that person does not have a helmet. A citation for failing to wear a helmet could be issued only if the person was originally pulled over for some other reason. And those who opted out could ride on, ticket-free, after a check of that person's license by the officer determined the cyclist had paid the fee. That still leaves the question of whether motorists should be able to preemptively buy their way out of complying with a traffic law. Friese conceded he knows of no other Arizona law with such a provision. "That would be a precedent that's a concerning thing to set,'' he said. "But I'm trying to find a solution to a problem that is robust,'' Friese continued. "Even if we can get 10 percent more people, 20 percent more people or 40 percent more people wearing a helmet, we're going to save money, we're going to save lives.'' HA NOI Projects which fail to meet waste treatment requirements would be rejected, and completed projects would only be put into operation when their treatment of waste water treatment met environmental standards, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung has stressed. For Taiwanese steel firm Formosa, for instance, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment must strictly control the firms production technology and environmental protection technology to ensure it meets conditions for operation. He made the statement at a recent conference to review last years performance of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry as well as to introduce its working plan for this year. Deputy Minister Tran Hong Ha said last year marked a milestone in improving the legal framework with new laws like the Law of Measurement and Mapping, and the issuance of 14 draft decrees and 49 circulars. The ministry managed to coordinate with the Ministry of Justice to amend regulations on investment and business in order to remove barriers for enterprises. The scenarios for Viet Nam in the face of climate change were completed to help all sectors complete their development plans. It submitted its land use plan by 2020 to the National Assembly. Water resources, land, and minerals were under increasingly strict management. Last year, revenue from natural minerals was over VN5.5 trillion (US$244 million) and from land was VN68 trillion (US$3 billion), accounting for 8.07 per cent of the State budgets revenue. The reform of administrative procedures was innovated. Procedures for granting land use certificates and registration of land change were shortened to between 2-20 days. Last year saw strong punishments across the country with 6,400 major polluters facing sanctions. As much as VN60.8 billion ($2.69 million) was collected in fines, and 5,348 hectares of land was revoked. Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Dung said in terms of administration reform, people still found it difficult to get land use certificates, undergo procedures for environmental impact assessment and receive site clearance compensation. On the tasks for the coming year, he said it was priority to complete mechanisms and policies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of State management on natural resources and the environment. In particular, he asked the ministry to supplement the Law on Land to promote the process of industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas. He also required the strengthening of evaluation and environmental impact assessments for construction projects. In the near future, Dung said it was necessary to supervise and classify pollution sources into rivers, sea, and the air at large businesses and thoroughly handle violators. VNS Guitarist Tran Tuan An had a solo recital in Ha Noi last weekend. He won top prizes at international competitions, including first prize at the Hamilton International Guitar Competition in Canada in July; second prize at the Berlin International Guitar Competition in October, and first prize at a competition held by Society of American Musicians in 2013. He also won 39th Lincoln Academy Award in the same year. An, born in 1992, graduated from the Viet Nam National Accademy of Music, gained a masters degree from Yale and is currently doing his doctoral work at Northwestern university in Chicago. Culture vulture interviewed An before he left this week for Chicago to continue his studies. Were you satisfied with the performance? I believe it was a successful recital. I received great feedback from the audience. I am grateful to the French Cultural Centre, LEspace. This was my second time playing here. My first was in 2014. I played pieces by classical and contemporary musicians, including Vietnamese ang Ngoc Long. The two pieces by Long are Mua (Rain) and Nui Rung Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands Mountain and Forest), which were actually the required pieces of the Berlin International Guitar Competition. The repertoire will be performed in the United States this year. I like to blend many different styles into my concert programmes. I always include Vietnamese music as I believe it is important to show the audience where I come from as well as Viet nams musical culture. You have participated in many international competitions and won many top prizes. Which one do you remember most? Every competition is a great learning experience. I remember learning from the other competitors how to practice as well as prepare. Every prize is notable and I am honored and grateful for each. The first prize at the Viet Nam National Guitar Competition when I was 12 was very special. I learned so much from just preparing for that competition at such a young age. The competition in Canada is a good memory. It is held annually in the city of Hamilton, with a series of activities such as teaching guitar playing and concerts. The competition is very popular in the guitarist community in North America and it attracts many talents from around the world. I hoped I would be able to get to the semi-final round and that would have been great. I didnt think I could win the first prize. The second and the fourth prizes went to Americans and the third prize was Canadian. Im very happy because my parents were there supporting me. One thing I remember the most about that competition is being stuck in traffic for two hours. I thought I would fail to meet the semi-final deadline. Luckily I made it but I had no time to prepare for my performance. The first prize includes cash, a guitar and a chance to perform at the competition next year. The competition gives me opportunities to exchange and learn from talented guitarists from alll over the world. Could you say what is the greatest difficulty in becoming a professional guitarist and in your US studies? I am the only musician in my family, though I have to say my family is very musical. We listened to music everyday when I was little. I still remember the sound from the Preludes and Fugues of J.S.Bach CD. I have to work hard in a highly competitive environment. When I went to the US I began to study at Nebvaska Christian High School. There were music lessons in the high school but not guitar so I just practised pieces I had learned in Viet Nam. You got scholarships to study for advanced degrees. What do you want to become - a performer, a teacher or a researcher ? I want to become all of them. I believe they are related. I learn great things from teaching my students in the US and they help me become a better performer. And as a doctoral student, I plan to research a topic that will be helpful to guitarists all over the world, including Viet Nam. Luckily, audiences are interested in my performances, possibly Im from Viet Nam. US audiences are also interested in the origins of artists. I hope to come back to Viet Nam in the near future. I am lucky because music is a common language connecting people, cultures and countries. I want to connect Viet Nam to the world through music. It is what I always think about when seeking to overcome difficulties on my musical road. VNS LOS ANGELES Star Wars creator George Lucas on Tuesday picked Los Angeles over San Francisco as the home of his future US$1 billion museum. The Museum of Narrative Art will be located in LAs Exposition Park, near the downtown area, and will house the filmmakers extensive collection of art and film memorabilia, including some from the Star Wars franchise. Lucas has said he will almost entirely fund the museum, which will sit on a three-hectare location and whose design looks like a huge space ship. Los Angeles beat out competition from San Francisco, which had proposed housing the museum on Treasure Island, in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. Local officials in Los Angeles welcomed the announcement, saying it would bring thousands of jobs to the city and draw tourists keen on seeing the original Darth Vader mask along with Norman Rockwell paintings. "Art exists to inspire, to move, to educate, and to excite," mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. "Thanks to George Lucas and (his wife) Mellody Hobson, millions of Angelenos and visitors will enjoy an extraordinary collection anchored in storytelling - an art that carries so much meaning in the history and legacy of Los Angeles." Lucas, 72, for years had been trying to find a location to house his art collection that includes works by Rockwell, Edgar Degas, Winslow Homer and Pierre-Auguste Renoir as well as memorabilia from the Star Wars saga and his other films. The museums board of directors and city officials had no official date for the opening of the museum. AFP NEW YORK Bearing flowers, lipstick and glitter, fans around the world Tuesday paid tribute to rock icon David Bowie a year after his shocking death. Bouquets of flowers appeared once again outside the New York apartment where Bowie spent his final years, recreating the festive and communal scene that emerged after he passed away on January 10, 2016. Sabrina Rosneck, a student from Detroit who came to New York for a Bowie anniversary concert, slipped a letter into the makeshift memorial outside The Starmans Soho home. "I leave him a card whenever I come to New York. I feel like he sort of understands people and he kind of understood me even though he didnt know me, so I just want to update him on my life and how its going," she said. Like many fans, Rosneck credited Bowie -- who constantly reinvented himself in a half-century career that spanned from glam rock to electronica to disco -- with helping people accept themselves. Aurelio Ayala III, who flew to New York from Seattle, said that discovering Bowie transformed his youth in Texas, where he dyed his hair orange in the rockers honour and didnt look back. "He allowed me to express myself the way I wanted," the 56-year-old said on the sidewalk outside Bowies apartment, between the buildings dumpster and slushy snow. "Living in Texas you are looked upon if youre a little different. I never really cared -- and to this day, I dont care." Tribute concerts around world Bowie died from an undisclosed battle with cancer two days after releasing his last album, Blackstar, a work of hard-driving jazz that won glowing reviews. Columbia Records on Sunday released three additional tracks from the Blackstar sessions in a digital EP to celebrate what would have been Bowies 70th birthday. Bowies veteran producer Tony Visconti, one of the few people to whom the rocker had confided his illness, said he has "been through every stage of grief in the past 365 days." Visconti, writing on Facebook, recalled that Bowie had been "so much stronger, more positive and bursting with creativity" when making Blackstar. "Our team, the band, the technicians and everyone who visited us in the studio kept shooting glances at each other -- is this really happening?" he recalled of the final recording sessions. "He was a legend in his lifetime and he will be a legend until the end of time. But he was my friend, too. I miss him dearly." Bowie fans organised concerts around the world to mark the anniversary, with proceeds to go to charities. The New York show on Tuesday evening will feature Kate Pierson of The B-52s and rockers Living Colour with veterans of Bowies band. Eternal Bowie A similar show on Sunday at Londons Brixton Academy brought out actor Gary Oldman, who was a close friend of Bowie, and artists as diverse as Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliot and Duran Durans Simon Le Bon. Bowie was born in the south London district, where thousands had gathered after his death to sing, dance and cry for their hero. On the anniversary, a blonde girl wept as her friend drew a heart with lipstick on a Bowie mural in Brixton. "Gone but never forgotten," "All the days of my life I owe you" and "RIP David my hero my idol," read some of the inscriptions scrawled on the wall. "He changed the face of music," said Roger Rowley, an actor and musician who traveled down from Leeds in northern England to attend a vigil by the mural along with dozens of other fans. "Ive learnt more from Bowie as an artist as from anyone else. Hes eternal," he said. AFP President Tran ai Quang (R) receices R.Kh. Mardanov, Prime Minister of Bashkortostan - a federal subject of Russia in Ha Noi yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo HA NOI President Tran ai Quang has assured R.Kh. Mardanov, Prime Minister of Bashkortostan - a federal subject of Russia - that the Vietnamese State will continually facilitate ties with Russian localities, especially in the fields of economy, trade and investment. During a reception in Ha Noi yesterday, the President shared his wish that Russias and Bashkortostans businesses will invest more in Viet Nam, noting that the Vietnamese State and concerned agencies stand ready to provide all possible support for foreign enterprises, including those from Bashkortostan, to do long-term business in the country. The Republic of Bashkortostan is one of the leading hubs for not only oil and gas, petrochemical refinery, mechanical processing and agriculture, but also personnel training in oil and gas exploitation and refineries. President Quang suggested both sides consider expanding co-operation in those fields based on each sides strength and demand. He hailed the signing of a cooperation agreement and action programme between Bashkortostan and the southern province of Ba Ria Vung Tau. On the occasion, Quang thanked the Bashkortostan administration for assisting Vietnamese nationals and students majoring in oil and gas in the country. Mardanov, for his part, said his visit aimed to supplement leaders commitments to developing bilateral ties. He thanked Vietnamese nationals and businesses for contributing to the host countrys economy and said a number of business representatives accompanied him during the visit to explore opportunities in oil, gas and agriculture. Also yesterday in Ha Noi, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung hailed co-operation between localities of Viet Nam and the Republic of Bashkortostan of Russia. During a reception for Prime Minister Mardanov, Dung said Viet Nam always gives priority to boosting ties with Russia in the fields of politics, economy, national defence-security, science-technology, culture, tourism and direct co-operation between localities. "The Vietnamese Government stands ready to facilitate ties with Russian localities in major fields, especially in the economy, trade and investment," he said. "As the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Community is put into force, Vietnamese and Russian investors, including those from Bashkortostan, will have more chances to reinforce ties in agriculture, oil and gas, and mechanical engineering," he said. The host also pledged all possible support for foreign businesses, including those from Bashkortostan, to do long-term business in Viet Nam. VNS Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from January 16-17. VNA/VNS Photo uc Tam HA NOI Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from January 16-17. The visit will be made at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved the national strategy for blindness prevention until 2020, with a vision to 2030. The strategy aims to help more people access blindness prevention services, improve early eye disease detection and treatment, and help people with eye diseases access eye rehabilitation services to prevent the diseases from developing into blindness. It aims to reduce the number of diseases that can cause blindness and eliminate the main causes of blindness. The objectives of the strategy include reducing the blindness rate to 4.5 per 1,000 people by 2020 and to less than 4.0 by 2030; increasing the rate of people receiving cataract surgeries to more than 2.5 per 1,000 people by 2020 and 3.5 by 2030. The percentage of diabetes patients that have access to eye disease treatment and monitoring will be increased to over 45 per cent by 2020 and over 75 per cent by 2030. The strategy also aims to increase the percentage of students with refractive errors that are detected early, have access to treatment, and receive refractive services and refractive correction glasses. To reach the objectives, the strategy will raise awareness and responsibility of authorities at all levels, of organisations and individuals on blindness prevention and on the effects of blindness on health. The strategy hopes to develop and complete blindness prevention policies, control the main causes of blindness, strengthen and consolidate the eye care service network as well as ensure equal access to eye care services for children, women, the elderly and the disabled. VNS HCM CITY Increasing hospital fees and benefits from health insurance helped increase the number of people buying health insurance in HCM City last year by nearly 662,000 compared to 2015, according to the citys Social Insurance Agency. At a meeting reviewing the agencys activities last year held last Friday, Cao Van Sang, the agencys head, said that the city last year had around 6.4 million of people buy health insurance. The number is the citys highest compared to last several years, Sang said, and added that health insurance covered 78 per cent of the citys total population. This year, the city aims to increase the coverage to 80.7 per cent, he said. Although hospital fees hiked by 30 per cent last March under the Ministry of Healths roadmap to the end of 2017, the citys health insurance fund still ensures the balance and its abundance is nearly VN700 billion (US$30.8 million). The fund in 2015 was VN1.1 trillion ($48 million), but the city only kept 22 per cent according to the governments regulation. The rest was used to buy and provide free health insurance cards for people near the poverty threshold last year. Health insurance helps reduce the burden of paying higher hospital fees which could reach VN500 million-VN600 million ($22,026-$26,431). A 52-year-old woman of ong Nai Province who suffers from breast cancer said that she enjoys benefits from health insurance for her treatment. Sang said that the cost for every outpatient and inpatient to examine and treat each time is the highest in the country, with the average 1.5 times higher than in other provinces and cities. People who buy household-based health insurance receive the discount. The second member pays 70 per cent, 60 per cent for a third one, 50 per cent for a fourth one and 40 per cent for the fifth one. The benefits helped increase the number of people buying under this method last year by more than 300,000 compared to 2015. More than 2 million people bought compulsory social insurance last year, nearly 7,000 people voluntary social insurance, and more than 2 million people unemployment insurance. According to Sang, the number of people with voluntary social insurance reduced because the insurance did not attract people. They pay the total amount to buy social insurance while people who buy compulsory social insurance pay a part of the charge. [Their employers have to pay the larger part for them.] People who buy voluntary social insurance are at least 15 years old. VNS HCM CITY The Trade Union of the HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority in HCM City is set to organise various activities to help workers celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) this month. A total of 6,000 bus tickets will be donated to disadvantaged union members to return home for a family reunion during the years biggest festival. The beneficiaries will be workers who have not returned home for Tet for years. Companies normally keep track of which ones go home for the New Year and which ones do not. The union also plans to give gifts to 3,000 workers who will stay back in the city. It will organise a flower fair and a trade fair for workers at the Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park in Nha Be District from January 12 to 27. It gave gifts worth VN6 billion (US$265,500) to needy workers, Nguyen Thanh o, its chairman, told a meeting held on Monday (Jan 9) Scholarships were given to 232 children of workers in industrial parks and export processing zones, he said. Last year too the union had organised various activities for workers and protected the rights of its members, he said. It had opened a supermarket each at the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone and Saigon Hi-tech Park, which sell goods at 10-30 per cent discounts. It has opened a cultural house at the park, he said. Last year the union admitted nearly 21,200 new members, raising the total number of members to 235,820. VNS Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has urged police and market watch forces in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang to intensify their fight against smuggling and trade fraud. Photo dantri.com.vn AN GIANG Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has urged police and market watch forces in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang to intensify their fight against smuggling and trade fraud. The Deputy PM-who is Head of the National Steering Committee for Anti-Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Counterfeight Goods-has said An Giang, with its long border with Cambodia, should focus more on the fight against border smuggling and trade fraud in bordering areas. The province should handle violations with stricter punishment to smugglers and officials found supporting smuggling, Binh said on Monday. In addition, Binh asked provincial anti-smuggling authorities to consolidate their co-operation with Cambodian partners, including border guards and authorities, to prevent and discover smuggling cases, trade fraud and counterfeit goods. The deputy PM on Monday visited the Tinh Bien Border Station, where he praised border guards and soldiers for their contribution to the provinces anti-smuggling fight. Meanwhile, provincial authorities shared their opinions on the provinces transport planning and upgrades at a meeting with the deputy PM, saying that they wanted the Government to interfere on a project to upgrade a road section into national highway 80B, connecting Cao Lanh District in southern ong Thap Province with Vinh Xuong border gate in An Giang Province. It also requested a support toward building the Long Binh-Chrey Thom bridge connecting An Giang Province with Kandal Province of Cambodia. The province proposed the Government not allow auctions of seized illegal sugar products and promulgate relevant policies for re-exporting seized illegally imported tobacco. An Giang Province borders Cambodia, and it has become a hotbed for smuggling in recent years. Despite police steps to prevent the illegal practice, it is becoming more complicated. Smuggling is particularly on the rise as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches and demand for goods increases. Gold, electronics, tobacco, wood and wine are some of the most popular smuggled products. Smugglers often transport goods in the middle of the night or early in the morning to get them over the border more easily, local officials said. They also separate products into smaller packages to make them easier to hide and change locations to make it more difficult for authorities to discover them. More seriously, smugglers have sometimes been violent against authorised forces. VNS It has been more than a decade in the making, but this year, Northern Arizona University launched its new doctoral program in Astronomy and Planetary Science, a step that program leaders say will continue to grow NAUs reputation in the scientific research community. Stephen Tegler, the chairman of the department of physics and astronomy, said the department has been discussing adding a Ph.D program for years, but said the conversation became more concrete about three years ago when the university asked the department to write a business plan and proposal for the program. We have collectively been working on this for decades, he said. In addition to building the program for students, Tegler said adding the Ph.D is allowing the department to hire and recruit for more faculty positions, which he said will greatly enhance the department and broaden the fields of study included in the department. Tegler said faculty members have specialized in a variety of areas, including working to build a flight instrument designed to go to Mars, characterizing potentially dangerous near Earth objects with telescopes and computers and analyzing data from faint signals far from Earth. He said the department is also looking to hire an astrochemist and is seeking out high-quality faculty to build the program. This will be a huge expansion of the department, Tegler said. We are hiring five new faculty members, which will give both graduates and undergraduates more opportunity to work on research. Tegler said the addition of the program represents a shift in the universitys focus toward research. He said while NAU has a reputation as a teaching institution, additions like the doctoral program will help build the universitys prestige as a research institution. A goal for me is to become recognized as a high-quality Ph.D program, Tegler said. That means not only do we graduate high numbers of Ph.D students, but when they graduate, they become leaders in the field of astronomical research. Tegler said program leaders are aiming to have the program be recognized around the country and the world for its discoveries and faculty. Students in the program will have access to resources at NAU and around the world, Tegler said. In addition to NAUs observatory and labs, students will also work closely with Lowell Observatory and have access to the Discovery Channel Telescope and other resources at the observatory. Students at NAU, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona also have access to the Multiple Mirror Telescope on Mount Hopkins, the Large Binocular Telescope on Mount Graham and the Magellan Telescope in Chile. We have phenomenal access, Tegler said of Arizona institutions. This is as good as it gets. Tegler said the new faculty members and course offerings will also allow the university to add extra labs, like for astrochemistry and for building flight instruments. We arent starting from the ground, he said. A lot of what we are trying to do we already have here. We are just making the programs and resources more robust. David Trilling, a professor in the department and the graduate coordinator for the program, said the doctoral program will give NAU a chance to compete for research grant funding as well as give students an opportunity to conduct independent research. Trilling said the first two years of the program, which typically takes a student between five and six years to complete, will be centered on taking course which will promote a broad understanding of planetary sciences. The remaining years will be spent working with a research mentor conducting their own research. Trilling said there are four students enrolled in the program now, and said they hope to enroll five new students annually, so at full capacity the program will have about 25 students. They will have a strong, hopefully positive influence on the personality of the department, Trilling said. Ph.D students are always integral to the personality of the department. If the Ph.D students are enjoying it and are having fun, the whole department is a positive environment, and if the Ph.D students are working hard, the department can be really productive. Trilling said Arizona is a prominent state for astronomy and planetary research, adding that a researcher from ASU was chosen as a principal investigator on a NASA mission to explore an asteroid called 16 Psyche. Astronomy is very significant in Arizona, and more astronomy research and student training in this state just means more opportunities, more prominence, and, not incidentally, more economic growth, Trilling said in an email. Trilling said the culture in the city of Flagstaff is the most aware of astronomy of any city he has ever lived, and said the city has a high population of scholars and scientists that make Flagstaff a good place for research in astronomy. I think this is a very appropriate and a very worthwhile thing to do in Flagstaff, he said. NAU President Rita Cheng said the program will grow NAU's reputation for cutting-edge research, locally and around the world. Our Astronomy Ph.D program opens incredible possibilities for NAU students as the exploration of space continues and the discoveries of our faculty, regarded as topic experts and world-class minds, are recognized nationally and internationally," Cheng said in a statement. GIA LAI Farmers in Chu A Thai Commune in the Central Highland province of Gia Lai are incurring losses after shifting to growing Inca peanut since late last year. Inca-peanut, also known as sacha inchi, sacha peanut or mountain peanut, is native to much of tropical South America, parts of the Windward Island in the Caribbean and is now being cultivated commercially in Southeast Asia, most notably in Thailand. Last October, Hoang Ninh Xu Nghe Ltd Company based in Ha Nois Thanh Xuan District first introduced the Inca peanut in the Central Highland province. Phu Thien Districts Peoples Committee granted the company a licence to grow Inca peanut on 2ha of land with some 3,300 Inca peanut seedlings under a pilot programme in the districts Chu A Thai Commune. The company then organised a workshop to introduce local farmers to Inca peanut and said it was a highly profitable crop. It also displayed posters in front of the office of the communes Peoples Committee, referring to a project to grow the crop on 10,000ha in Phu Thien District, under which the company would offer seedlings and buy the entire harvested product. Following these advertisements, local farmers rushed to buy Inca peanut seedlings. Some bought a few hundreds of seedlings while others bought thousands. Vu Van Khuyen, 55, a farmer from Chu A Thai Commune, said their traditional crops were sweet potato or cassava, which brought them very low profits. On seeing commune agriculture officers inviting us to the Inca peanut workshop, my family borrowed money to invest in Inca peanut, he said. His family spent tens of millions of Vietnamese ong to build poles and nets to grow the crop. They ended up paying VN10,000 for the seedlings, with no discount from the company, but the crop did not grow as planned. Hoang Van Chi, another local farmer, said he planted 2,000 seedlings, but 400 died and the others were stunted. The company told us that its easy to grow Inca peanut and that it was profitable. But now, we are in debt, he said. Bui Trong Thanh, head of Phu Thien Districts agriculture department, said the company illegally organised the workshop and displayed advertisements with false information, with relevant agencies failing to examine and assess the economic value of growing Inca peanut in the Central Highland. An official from Gia Lai Provinces agriculture department told the Giao thong (Transport) newspaper that farmers in the provinces districts were growing Inca peanut, but the province did not have any plan to cultivate it. The agriculture department was observing the situation and would deliver warnings to farmers if necessary, he said. Meanwhile, the newspaper also reported that the director of Hoang Ninh Xu Nghe Ltd Company refused to reveal what the company would do after buying the Inca peanut crop from farmers. VNS HA NOI -- A drugstore opening using a rented pharmacists degree has become common in HCM City, and the authorities remain clueless about how to tackle the problem. In a contract obtained by Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper between a 60-year-old man called K and a 47-year-old pharmacist named T, an agreement was made to rent Ts pharmacist degree issued by the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy to open a drugstore on Tan Hoa ong Street in District 6 on March 1, 2011. K had to pay T VN5 million (US$220) a month over the first year of the contract, and the amount would increase by VN500,000 on a yearly basis until March 1, 2016. That meant T would earn a total of VN360 million over a five-year period just by renting out her pharmacist degree. The law requiring drugstores to be registered under the name of legitimate pharmacists has indirectly led to a booming degree rental market. A number of pharmacists aware of the issue told Tuoi tre that the average rental price now ranges from VN5 million to VN10 million a month based on the location of the prospective drugstore and the popularity of the pharmacists involved. A well-known pharmacist, and even better if they are working at a health management agency, could command a much better price. Penalties for such violations remain lenient and do little to deter the practice. The problem has become so rampant that it is very easy to find posts on the internet asking to rent pharmacist degrees, in which personal information like names, phone numbers and email addresses are all on public display. HCM City Department of Health Chief Inspector Bui Minh Trang blamed the situation on a loophole in the Law on Medicine, which allows pharmacists to use their names to open drugstores anywhere. "This makes no sense, as a pharmacist based in Ha Noi can legally open a drugstore in HCM City," he said. The law does not force a pharmacist to be present at his drugstore at all times, and he could ask another pharmacist to take care of the drugstore. Many took advantage of the loophole, leading to the booming black market. Regarding the public posts on the internet, Trang said that the inspectors were aware of the situation, yet could not do anything about it. "We can only handle the violation when the drugstores operation licence has already been granted and the inspectors manage to prove that a rented degree has been used in the case," he said. HCM City Department of Health Deputy Director Pham Khanh Phong Lan acknowledged the problem of rented degrees in HCM City, which had become "very serious when a number of pharmacists could not resist the temptation of earning a living from renting their degrees." Lan said that a lack of regulations on opening drugstores was the cause of the problem. "Pharmacies are all around hospitals in HCM City while there are only a few in remote areas like Can Gio District," she said. "HCM City has more than 5,000 pharmacies for 10 million citizens, or more than one pharmacy per 2,000 citizens. It is too many." The health department was stepping up efforts to inspect drugstores, which would then face higher fines if the pharmacist in charge was found to be absent on two occasions. Yet even these measures were far from enough, she admitted. -- VNS Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Professor Thomas Vallely of Harvard University in Ha Noi yesterday. Photo dantri.com.vn HA NOI Viet Nam is keen on strengthening co-operation in the education sector with the United States, including the building of the Fulbright University Viet Nam (FUV), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said yesterday. Receiving Professor Thomas Vallely of Harvard University in Ha Noi, the PM also said the nation looked forward to having FUV emerge as model institution that would facilitate the creation of jobs and start-ups. According to Phuc, Viet Nam needs to continuously boost educational co-operation with the US, a world leader in advanced education, as the country mobilises all of its efforts to achieve three crucial breakthroughs in development targets: rapid and sustainable development alongside the development of high quality human resources. The two sides have worked together to set out all legal procedures for the FUV project. "Viet Nam backs the universitys independent and non-profit higher education model in line with international practices," he added. Prof. Vallely said the US Government would provide funds for building the FUV. The US side was focusing on establishing an appropriate management mechanism for the university to make it a leading educational institution in the region and the world, he added FUV training programmes would mainly concentrate on startup development and global economic linkages, including connections with Silicon Valley, Vietnamese entrepreneurs and scientists in the US, Valley said. Vallely said American public opinion welcomed the recent phone call between PM Phuc and US President-elect Donald Trump as a step towards strengthening bilateral relations. -- VNS HA NOI PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked Ha Nois Peoples Committee to order authorised agencies to impose strict penalties on units and individuals committing violations while checking quality of Vietfoods sausage products, the online Vietnamplus reported. Earlier, on April 20 last year, sausages manufactured by Hung Anh Commerce Co Ltd in Ha Nois Hoang Mai District were seized by Ha Noi Market Surveillance team No 14 on the suspicion of containing banned substances that could lead to cancer. The media then broadcast the news that the sausages contained banned substances and therefore the companys plant must stop its work. This inaccurate information led to concerns among customers and also affected the sausage manufacturer. Customers returned more than 10 tonnes of sausages to the company. More than 100 workers were forced to temporarily halt work, causing losses worth several billions of ong. On May 19 last year, food processor Vietfoods submitted a petition requesting help from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Health and the citys Peoples Committee to investigate and address the issue. Following the report of the two ministries, the Prime Minister ordered punishment in accordance with the law. The Ministry of Industry and Trade was asked to step up training on legal knowledge and professional skills for officials of market surveillance teams to avoid repeated violations. The Viet Nam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health also confirmed that 2.2 tonnes of Vietfoods sausages, which had been confiscated by the Ha Noi Market Surveillance, were safe. The additive Sodium nitrate INS 251, which was used to make the sausages, is safe and is not listed as a banned substance by the Ministry of Health. According to the health ministrys regulations, a maximum of 168mg of the substance can be used in 1kg of food. Vietfoods sausages contained 100mg of the substance per kg. VNS HA NOI Pham Truong Giang, former Vietnamese ambassador to Morocco, was yesterday awarded the Grand Officer of Wissam Al Alaoui order by the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, in recognition of his efforts to foster close, friendly relations between the two countries. Giang was the Vietnamese ambassador to Morocco from 2013-2016. Moroccan Ambassador to Viet Nam, Azzeddine Farhane, conferred the order on behalf of the king during a reception held at the envoys residence in Ha Noi. Ambassador Pham Truong Giang played an important role in strengthening the friendly and cordial relations between Morocco and Viet Nam, by participating in and organising the 3rd session of the joint co-operation commission and the 4th session of political consultations and cementing strong bilateral agreements between our two countries, Farhane said. These included agreements on tourism and co-operation between Moroccan export promotion agency Maroc Export and Viet Nams VietTrade, as well as co-operation between the Moroccan Academy for Diplomatic Studies and Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam, and an MoU on airway servies. Giang said that for several years now, he has witnessed strong growth in bilateral ties between Viet Nam and Morocco in all fields including politics, economy, commerce and culture. The two countries have held exchange visits by delegations at different levels, signed and brought into force a number of agreements of cooperation and partnership, and increased the bilateral trade volumes. The Vietnamese diplomat also said that during his tenure, he had the opportunity to witness great achievements that the Moroccan people had gained under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. These include an economic growth rate of 4.5 per cent, increased living standards and well-built infrastructure that would facilitate Moroccos growth. Giang pledged that he would continue to work for further development of the relationship between Viet Nam and Morocco. -- VNS OTTAWA Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday named Chrystia Freeland as foreign minister, replacing Stephane Dion, a critic of US President-elect Donald Trump, in a cabinet shakeup. Freeland, who was international trade minister, will still be in a position to help renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Mexico if Trump makes good on a campaign promise to make changes or terminate the accord. Dion, who announced he was retiring from political life after 21 years of public service, had openly criticised Trump during the US presidential campaign. He had said Canada could not accept the billionaire Republicans threat to ban Muslims from entering the United States. The promotion of Freeland signals the importance Canada places in its privileged relationship with the United States, its neighbour to the south, no matter who is in the White House. The polyglot Freeland, 48, is a former financial journalist, notably in Washington and Moscow. She distinguished herself last year as trade minister in her tenacious pursuit of a Canadian free-trade agreement with the European Union, which was signed on October 30. In 2012, Freeland published a book, Plutocrats: The Rise of the New Global Super-Rich and the Fall of Everyone Else, that assailed crony capitalism, "political changes that benefit a group of well-connected insiders but dont actually do much good for the rest of us." Trudeau named Francois-Philippe Champagne, a member of the House of Commons who had served as parliamentary secretary to the finance minister, as Freelands replacement as international trade minister. The liberal prime minister is an ardent supporter of international trade and free-trade agreements, unlike Trump, who blames trade for eroding US jobs. Ahead of Trumps January 20 inauguration, Trudeau has sent top aides in recent weeks to meet with him in an attempt to bolster bilateral relations. Notable among the other cabinet changes was the appointment of Somali-born Ahmed Hussen as immigration minister, replacing John McCallum, who will become Canadas ambassador to China. In all, the shake-up involved six of the cabinets 30 positions, which remain divided evenly between men and women. AFP TOKYO Japan is planning for Emperor Akihito to retire and be replaced by his eldest son on January 1, 2019, reports said on Wednesday, as the country works on a legal framework for its first abdication in 200 years. Akihito, 83, expressed a desire in August to abdicate after nearly three decades on the Chrysanthemum Throne, citing his advancing age and weakening health. Major national newspapers -- the Yomiuri, Asahi, Mainichi and Nikkei -- cited unnamed sources as saying Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, would succeed his father on New Years Day 2019. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga declined to comment on the reports at his regular news conference on Wednesday. After Akihitos announcement last year, the government established a panel of experts to help decide how best to proceed on an issue fraught with historical and legal challenges. Though abdications have occurred in Japans long imperial history there has not been one for 200 years. Under current laws there is no legal mechanism for one. The six-member panel has discussed various legal options, with speculation rampant it will propose parliament pass a special one-time law to allow Akihito to step down. The leading opposition Democratic Party, however, opposes a one-time change, arguing that this would not ensure stable future successions. It has advocated a revision to the permanent law that governs the imperial family. The emperors feelings Some scholars and politicians worry that the abdication issue could open a can of worms and risk Japans monarchs becoming subject to political manipulation. Under the constitution they play only a symbolic role. The panel plans to compile a summary of its views on the issue this month, a government official said. Its firm proposals, however, will come no later than the end of March before the government submits legislation to parliament, reports said. As for the timing of the abdication, the Yomiuri said the panel considers that January 1, 2019 would be appropriate given he will have reigned for 30 years -- something the emperor himself mentioned as a milestone year in his August speech. The Asahi said Akihito would step down sometime on December 31, though the Nikkei reported it could also happen on New Years Day when Naruhito is enthroned. The reports also said that the government plans to announce the official name of Naruhitos reign era at least six months beforehand to avoid confusion in daily life. Years in Japan are numbered both in terms of the length of an emperors reign, as well as in accordance with western calendar years. When Hirohito died on January 7, 1989, the 64th year of his Showa era ended after just seven days. The government announced the first year of Akihitos Heisei era would start the following day. "The governments plan to start a fresh imperial era on New Years Day is in line with the emperors feelings" to ease burdens on the Japanese people, the Yomiuri said. AFP CHICAGO President Barack Obama addressed America and the world for the final time as president on Tuesday, in a speech that was both a tearful goodbye and a call to arms. Capping his eight years in the White House, Obama returned to his adoptive hometown of Chicago to recast his "yes we can" campaign credo as "yes we did". Listing landmarks of his presidency -- from the Iran nuclear deal to reforming healthcare -- much of the speech was dedicated to lifting up supporters shaken by Donald Trumps shock election. Obama called on them to pick up the torch, fight for democracy and forge a new "social compact". "For all our outward differences, we are all in this together," he said warning that partisanship, racism, and inequality all threatened democracy. "We rise or fall as one." "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions." Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup. Obama painted the task ahead as a generational challenge. Emotional finale "A faith in reason, and enterprise, and the primacy of right over might" he said, had allowed the United States to "resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression, and build a post-World War II order with other democracies." In comments that resonate as Americans ponder whether Russia helped to put Trump in the White House, Obama said "that order is now being challenged". Obamas last trip on Air Force One was a pilgrimage to his adoptive hometown, where he addressed a sell-out crowd of some 18,000 not far from where he delivered his victory speech eight years ago. Diehard fans -- many African Americans -- braved Chicagos frigid winter to collect free tickets, which were selling for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist. They were joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill -- who the president described as "family" in an emotional finale to his speech. Wiping a tear from his eye, Obama paid poignant tribute to his own family, his daughter Malia who was present and Sasha who was not, and the first lady who he addressed as his best friend. "You took on a role you didnt ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor," he said. "A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. Youve made me proud. Youve made the country proud." Life after White House With an approval rating hovering around 55 per cent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, Obama still carries considerable political weight. Some 51 per cent of Americans polled believe that Trump is doing a bad job as president-elect. Trumps unorthodox politics have thrown the 55-year-old Obamas transition and post-presidency plans into flux. Having vowed a smooth handover of power, Obama has found himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on January 20. After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself being dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents. Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obamas second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter -- whose post-presidency has remade his image as an elder statesman. Many Obama aides who had planned to take exotic holidays or launch coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches. Obamas foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role --funneling idealistic youngsters into public life. AFP WATERLOO The Harolds Chicken story remains 66 years in the making. But the tale of how the renowned Chicago-based restaurant chain found its way to Waterloo is much, much shorter. It started when Denita Gadson, a small business consultant from Waterloo, met Gerald Seals, who was working to open Harolds Chicken restaurants in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. I asked him, Why not Waterloo? Gadson recalled. That was on a Saturday; we met (with Mayor Quentin Hart) the following Monday; and by Monday afternoon we had walked over and looked at this place. That place is a strip mall at 401-409 Franklin St. currently under construction and should open as Harolds Chicken No. 28 by the first week of February. It just moved so quickly because its so right for the community to be able to bring in another business, especially in this area, Gadson said. I hope that flicker turns into a flame where theres more and more economic development you see across the city. Seals, who grew up eating Harolds Chicken as a child, said he found a lot to like in Waterloo. We want to be in a place where theres a need for us because we want to do a lot of reaching out in the community and giving opportunity, Seals said. But the real reason this process is happening is because of Mayor Hart. He was very persistent and he reached out and made it feel like home to us. While it may seem like much ado about another restaurant opening in a city full of eateries, Hart said it was significant for a minority-owned small business to be opening in a part of the city in much need of investment. Were looking forward to this opportunity by Harolds, Hart said. Its a great project and a great opportunity for continued progress in the Walnut area. While Harolds Chicken may be unfamiliar to many Iowans, Waterloo has a fair number of former Chicago residents who are deeply familiar with both the food and the story of how entrepreneur Harold Pierce started a restaurant in 1950 at a time when African-Americans owned few businesses and major fast food chains steered clear of minority neighborhoods. My father started around the time that African-Americans werent able to have a business, said Harolds daughter, Kristen Pierce, who has served as the companys chief executive officer since 2003. When they started, they only did chicken feet and necks. Harold eventually opened more restaurants in the Chicago area, expanding to whole chickens. Today the restaurants are found in Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta and the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and now Iowa. The menu also expanded to include chicken, fish and shrimp and a variety of Southern country sides like okra and fried green tomatoes. What makes us different from other chicken restaurants is were fresh, Kristen Pierce said. Everything is made to order and we dont use any heat lamps. We also have a personal relationship with our customers, she added. Its intimate. Nine times out of 10 we know you on a personal basis because you come in so much we already know your order. Pierce and Seals were in Waterloo Tuesday checking out progress on the restaurant, which is getting an assist in the form of city property tax breaks to get off the ground. They said Harolds Chicken fully intends to give back to the community beyond the restaurant walls through things like a junior owners program designed to teach local youths about how to start a business. The restaurant is expected to employ 15 workers. WATERLOO -- A chocolate syrup shower can be both weird and sexual, according to an Iowa Appeals Court ruling again upholding the conviction of a former Waterloo teacher convicted of lascivious conduct with a minor. Larry D. Twigg, now 59, had been a West High computer instructor until he had a 17-year-old student play a strip video game, exercise wearing only a towel and have chocolate syrup and eggs poured on him in the bathtub at Twigg's home in 2010 to make up for missed assignments and earn cash for cell phone bills. Twigg was convicted of five counts of lascivious conduct with a minor following two trials. Twigg was released from prison in February 2016, but remains on parole. On appeal, Twigg argued his trial attorney hadn't property developed his defense, which included calling a forensic psychiatrist who opined that Twigg's behavior was "weird" but not sexual. The Iowa Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld the post-conviction relief dismissed earlier by a district court judge. The same court upheld his original conviction in 2014. "Even if the testimony from the expert had led the jury to conclude Twigg's behavior was 'weird,' there is nothing to indicate they would not have also found his behavior to be 'sexual,'" said the the 10-page opinion written by Judge Amanda Potterfield. "The two notions are not necessarily mutually exclusive." The court also turned down Twigg's argument that his attorney was ineffective because he didn't pursue an alleged transcript of a meeting Twigg held with school officials after the encounter was discovered. According to court records, school officials said they didn't record or transcribe the meeting, but Twigg said he had a written copy of the meeting that he gave to his first attorney and never kept a copy for himself. HAMPTON -- A man was picked up in Georgia Monday on a Franklin County warrant for a felony involuntary manslaughter charge filed after an accident that killed a Sheffield woman last year. Antonio Marecheau of Newman, Ga., who was driving a semi, ran a stop sign and collided with a van driven by 37-year-old Penny Rust at the intersection of 190th Street and U.S. Highway 65 three miles north of Hampton on Feb. 16, according to the Iowa State Patrol. Rust, a married mom of four, was pronounced dead at the scene. Marecheau told authorities he was using a cell phone as a GPS device, according to the State Patrol. He allegedly said he received and answered a phone call at 6:30 p.m. Dispatch received the first 911 call regarding the collision at 6:31 p.m. Using a hand-held cellular device while operating a commercial motor vehicle is a violation of both state and federal code, according to the Iowa State Patrol. If convicted as charged, Marechau faces up to five years in prison. WATERLOO -- A delivery driver testified he had marks on his neck after an off-duty Waterloo police officer roughed him up during a road rage incident June 12. Robert A.J. Carlisle Jr., 22, said Corbin Allen Payne banged on his vehicle, told him to step out and then pulled him from the drivers seat after both vehicles pulled over in a strip mall parking lot on Kimball Avenue. I was pretty sore on my neck, Carlisle told jurors Tuesday as trial started for Payne, a lieutenant with the Waterloo Police Department. Payne, 45, is charged with misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury and has pleaded not guilty. Carlisle, a driver for East China on Kimball Avenue, said the incident started when he was returning from a delivery and changed lanes on Ridgeway Avenue to avoid a vehicle ahead of him slowing for a right turn. He said he noticed a Red Ford Fusion began following him and assumed the Fusion driver was upset he had cut him off so he drove past the restaurant and stopped in the north end of the parking lot. When the Fusions passenger -- Payne -- approached, Carlisle said he started to set his smart phone to record video and unlocked his door. But he said he wasnt able to begin recording before Payne grabbed him. He had a hold of me, and I was trying to get him off, Carlisle testified. The encounter was witnessed by 27-year-old Nihad Masic, a passerby who was cutting through the parking lot on his way home. He told jurors he first assumed it was a father-son dispute with the older man pounding on the vehicle and screaming. He decided to intervene when it appeared to be getting out of hand. Masic said Payne reached into the vehicle to put his hands on Carlisle, but he didnt pull him out and just had him in the door jamb. He had his hands around his neck, Masic said. Masic yelled he was going to call the police, and Payne responded he was the police, Masic said. At about that time, Paynes wife, who was driving the Fusion, told him they should leave, and they drove off, according to Carlisles account. Did it seem very believable that this guy roughing up this kid was a policeman? Prosecutor Michael Whalen asked. Definitely not, Masic answered. Paynes attorney, Heather Prendergast, disputed the states version of the events. She said the delivery driver came up fast behind the Fusion as Paynes wife was driving. She will describe that you get that feeling like oh my gosh, whats going to happen? Im going to get hit,' Prendergast said. It comes up screaming behind her in the right lane, fastly pulls over into the left lane and then immediately pulls over in front of her again. She said they were alarmed by the driving. The wife chose to follow the car, which she said cut off another vehicle, and Payne got out to check on the delivery driver. Prendergast said Payne told Carlisle to remain in the vehicle. Corbin is a police officer. Years of training. Years of walking up to vehicles. Years being told that the best way to contain a situation is just that, contain the situation, Prendergast said. She said Payne merely held his arm out and told Carlisle to stay as Carlisle tried to exit, and they then left when Carlisle got back in his car. During cross-examination, the defense asked Carlisle if he had consulted a lawyer about pursuing a civil suit in the matter. Carlisle said he had but hadnt filed a lawsuit. That I still have not made up my mind about, Carlisle said. Defense attorney Carter Stevens also questioned Masic about an earlier complaint he had filed against a different police officer in another matter. Masic said the officer had shocked him with a Taser while he was working on his mothers car in her driveway. Masic went on to say about 50 percent of police officers exceed their authority, and he said he told Carlisle something similar had happened to him with police. WATERLOO Planned changes in high school science requirements raised concerns Monday about how the subject is taught for one Board of Education member. As board members discussed science changes reflected in the 2017-18 high school planning guide/course catalog, Lyle Schmitt questioned Waterloo Community Schools implementation of the Iowa Core Science Standards. He connected them to the Common Core, which has been controversial for those opposed to national standards. I dont think this is something that you blanket adopt, he said. District administrators noted, though, the Iowa-specific standards were adopted in 2015 by the State Board of Education. All schools have these standards regardless of the district you go to in Iowa, said Superintendent Jane Lindaman. The states standards are based on the Next Generation Science Standards developed by Iowa and 26 other states. They were state-driven, noted Angela Hewitt, the districts STEM coordinator. They are not federal standards. Debbie Lee, executive director of K-12 curriculum, said even with state standards district staff makes many decisions in organizing and designing courses. This has been on our radar for quite a while, she said. Its our local control to get our students to meet that standard. Schmitt worried the standards may dictate a particular viewpoint on scientific topics. The reason Im concerned about this is science lends itself to indoctrination more than any other area, he said, asking if the district could ensure that will not happen. Among his concerns is a bias against fossil fuels will be taught in the classroom. Alex Conyers, the science department chairman at West High School, said the related standard is about how humans affect the environment. Humans have an impact on their environment, he said, from the building of roads to global warming. His teaching exposes students to the various viewpoints on topics that have stirred controversy, said Conyers. I would like to believe that I am not indoctrinating my students. Lee noted the new standards are inquiry-based and require students to engage in the practices of science while learning the content. For example, students will be designing investigations, developing models and using evidence to argue their conclusions. Our traditional science was based only in content, she said. The new science requirements, which will apply for the class of 2021, include full years of Earth and space science, biology and physical science. During the third year, students could choose between a number of combinations involving physical science, chemistry and physics. Three years of science already are required, but students can choose any science course during their last two years. Ultimately, Schmitt abstained from voting on the course catalog over his concerns with the standards. I simply dont understand enough about what they entail, he said. The catalog was approved 6-0. In another area, the catalog includes the addition of three new career and technical education pathways and expansion of the existing two at the high school career center, which opened this fall at Central Middle School. The centers digital graphics and early childhood education programs also will have an English class specifically designed for their career pathways. This will allow for students to get a core credit along with their elective credits, said Crystal Buzza, executive director of professional/technical education. Another impending change, which board member Shanlee McNally called groundbreaking, allows students from the Cedar Falls and Waterloo community schools to take career classes in either district. Starting in January 2018, Cedar Falls students will be able to enroll in Waterloos career center, and Waterloo students will be able to enroll in Cedar Falls Center for Advanced Professional Studies. CHARLES CITY McQuillen Place, a three-story complex with retail stores and apartments in downtown Charles City, was first expected to be completed in the spring of 2016, and then the fall of 2016. The $8.6 million complex on the corner of Main and Clark is still not finished, and Charles Thomson of Amelia Management, the developer for the project, said he doesnt have a completion date set. However, We have been plugging away and making progress, Thomson said. The interior is complete in the southern third of the building, and the work that still needs to be completed on the exterior is taking place as weather permits, according to Thomson. When completed the building will have 33 apartments on the second and third floors. Retail businesses will be located on the first floor. Thomson said the project is like building 33 houses, which makes it a complicated process. He also said a lack of skilled labor in the Charles City area slowed construction. A lot of people in skilled trades have left North Iowa, while others have switched careers, he added. The weather, particularly last winter, also caused delays, according to Thomson. He said the framing was done off-site by a company in Nebraska because it provided better quality. However, on windy days it was difficult to lift the sections into place, and there were a lot of windy days, according to Thomson. It was frustrating, he said. But Thomson is happy with the way the completed apartments look. The architect, James Gray of Cornice & Rose in Chicago, avoided the cookie-cutter approach and designed the spaces so they are flexible, he said. Gray used an open space design. He came up with a floor plan for the kitchen, dining room and living room, and theres an alcove in most units that can be used as an additional bedroom, a library or a home office, according to Thomson. The apartments have high ceilings and oversized windows to let in natural light, he noted. Most of the apartments will have two bedrooms but some one-bedroom and three-bedroom units will be available. Each apartment will have a washer and dryer, dishwasher, garbage disposal, stove and refrigerator. All the apartments, except for the handicapped-accessible units, will have two bathrooms. That is unusual for apartments, but it was something decided early on in the planning process, according to Thomson. Couples especially hate to fight over the bathroom, he said. Thomson said there will not be any low-income units, but some apartments will be classified as affordable housing. Simply Essentials, the new poultry processing plant in Charles City, will be renting space for its corporate office on the first floor of the building. Thomson said plenty of other businesses are interested in locating there. The developers purchased four lots of city-owned land for $58,478 so they could build the complex. The land had been vacant since the Union House burned in 1987. WATERLOO No one has paid property taxes on a building at Lafayette and Division streets since 2008. But members of the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday against forgiving some of the nearly $25,000 in delinquent taxes for someone wanting to turn it into a neighborhood store. The building at 1600-1602 Lafayette St. is partially leased by owners Aldreias Campbell Jr. and Al Campbell to a thrift store and tattoo shop. Quentin Neuenkirk, who runs a used tire shop next door at 1604 Lafayette St., and business partner Dave Hanson wanted to pay the county $13,657 for a tax sale certificate they could use to seize title from the Campbells. But Neuenkirk also wanted the county to abate another $11,030 in delinquent property taxes that have accumulated over the past four years. Were probably going to put $60,000 into the place to bring it up to city specifications, Neuenkirk said. Forgiving the $11,000 is just helping us get the place up and going. Well help the neighborhood, rehab the place and get it on an active tax status, he added. It hasnt been paying taxes since 2009. The deal sounded pretty good to Supervisor Tom Little, who cast the lone vote supporting the measure. The countys not in the business of updating property, Little said. The countys in the business of getting property back on the tax rolls. Other supervisors questioned whether Neuenkirks plan to open a scratch and dent grocery in the building was viable or even the best use of a building across from the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and Operation Threshold. Supervisors Linda Laylin and Chris Schwartz said they both wanted to hear from Dave Hanson and get a better understanding of the business relationship between Neuenkirk and Hanson before entertaining any kind of tax abatement. I didnt feel comfortable not having any communication with him, said Schwartz, noting he might consider revisiting the issue in the future. Black Hawk County Treasurer Rita Schmidt said her office currently holds the tax sale certificate on the building and could begin the process to take ownership if thats something the board wanted to pursue. The Campbells would have 90 days to redeem the certificate by paying off the delinquent taxes if the county moves to take title. WATERLOO A reappointment to the Waterloo Human Rights Commission is prompting a review of city ordinances governing membership on its numerous volunteer boards. Mayor Quentin Hart is asking the City Council within a month to review ordinances that set term limits and other guidelines for board and commission members. We need to make sure we take a look at this ordinance and make sure its exactly what we want to do, Hart said. A current ordinance adopted 20 years ago does not allow someone to serve more than two terms on a board or commission before they have to step down and agree not to serve on another board for a least one year. There appears to be an unwritten policy stating someone should not serve on more than one board or commission at a time, although the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission includes standing seats for representatives of the Human Rights Commission and Community Development Board. The reason we did that is because years ago we found out a lot of people were interested in serving but they didnt have the opportunity because the same people were serving over and over and over and over, Hart said of the current regulations. What Ive been hearing is we have great people that are serving that, if they dont go to the same board, they would like to go immediately to another board, he added. The issue came up Monday when council members pulled the reappointment of Terry Stevens to the Human Rights Commission, where she currently serves as chairperson. Stevens also serves on the Historic Preservation Commission. Councilman Jerome Amos Jr. said the apparent prohibition against serving on two boards was news to him. I really feel like as a council we need to have some discussion on this, he said. Councilman Pat Morrissey pushed unsuccessfully for his colleagues to appoint Stevens now. She has been serving with the councils full knowledge in two different positions, Morrissey said. I dont believe we have anything in the ordinance that says someone cant serve on two commissions at the same time and I dont think that theres any written policy. Council members were working to set up a time to meet this month as an ordinance committee to discuss the situation. Waterloo has more than 20 volunteer boards under the city government umbrella. Does Donald Trump lie? Of course he does. He says things that arent true, knowing that theyre not true. Even his supporters at least some of them acknowledge this. Can all of Trumps falsehoods be called lies? Well, thats a little trickier. Some might be things he actually believes. Some might be more about stubbornness than deceit. Sometimes, with Trump, its hard to say for sure whats going on. Thats essentially the point Wall Street Journal editor Gerard Baker made earlier this month in an appearance on Meet the Press. Baker was asked by host Chuck Todd why his newspaper is reluctant to call Trumps falsehoods lies. Id be careful about using the word lie, Baker responded. Lie implies much more than just saying something thats false. It implies a deliberate intent to mislead. This did not go over well not just with anti-Trump fire breathers, but with a surprising group: journalists. Former CBS news icon Dan Rather called Bakers remarks deeply disturbing. Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts, citing these perilous times, urged journalists to speak the truth when the truth was plain. Others had a more sinister theory: that Baker was merely the puppet of his conservative employer, Rupert Murdochs News Corp. That newspapers-bowing-to-corporate-bosses thing isnt new, by the way. Its what conservatives have alleged and liberals have scoffed at for the eight years of Barack Obamas presidency. But the Baker dustup is about more than a newspapers reticence to call out Donald Trumps lies. Its about people so horrified at Trumps victory, and so fearful of his presidency, that some lash out at anything that falls short of affirming those horrors and fears. Another example: Last week, when House Republicans initially voted to strip the powers of the Office of Congressional Ethics, they were met with a backlash that included a cautionary tweet from the president-elect. When Republicans backed down, at least some media reported that Trumps tweet might have had something to do with it. That, said critics, was media malpractice, and they pointed to House members who said that constituent complaints, not Trump, had caused them to reverse course. But thats exactly what a representative might say if he or she wanted to appear responsive to voters (and not a stooge of the incoming president). And the media were right to note that Trumps tweet might have played a role, too. None of which means that media wont rise up against wrongs in a Trump presidency. For starters, columnists and editorial writers have already been unafraid to offer their opinion on Trump and the truth. Weve been doing that kind of thing for more than a century. As for reporters and editors? They have and should point out falsehoods from Trump. If anything, journalists can do it more aggressively instead of falling back on their historical tendency to give inaccurate statements and observable truths something close to equal treatment, in an effort to be fair. But heres another truth: People trust media less than ever. Fewer people think were fair, and sometimes we give them good reason. If reporters decide to take moral stands that include calling falsehoods lies, we risk a greater deterioration of that trust. We also risk weakening the role we still believe we can claim as people who pursue facts, with hopes that theyll reveal truth. Elusive as that may be. 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29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Monday, Jan. 9: Republicans are gearing up to repeal Obamacare what House Speaker Paul Ryan calls the first order of business for the new Congress and the Trump administration. House and Senate committees will be under intense deadline pressure to write legislation before the end of the month that would undercut major pillars of Obamacare as part of a budget bill. Yes, the GOP is in a hurry to rid the nation of Obamacare. But remember the second half of the Republican mantra replace. Where is the detailed GOP plan to help millions of Americans who have coverage now under Obamacare? Where is the plan that is locked and loaded for legislative passage, the one a President Trump will sign? Where is the proposal that discourages insurers from bolting the individual market, leaving more people unable to find affordable health coverage? Nowhere in sight. Sure, Ryan said Thursday that lawmakers would advance legislation to replace Obamacare this year. And yes, there are reams of proposals and blueprints. One of them, part of Ryans A Better Way agenda, is impressive. Former Rep. Tom Price, nominated to be Health and Human Services secretary, has an Empowering Patients First plan. The House Republican Study Committee recently unveiled another Obamacare alternative. There are good ideas in these proposals to make insurance more affordable and expand access for Americans. But so far Republicans havent coalesced around a comprehensive plan, nor persuaded any Democrats to join them in what should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans in a rush to jettison the law without first spelling out a superior alternative invite market chaos and a political backlash. If millions of Americans lose coverage, whether by GOP inaction or action, guess who takes the blame? Thats why Vice-President-elect Mike Pence says an Obamacare replacement must be done in a way that doesnt work a hardship on American families who have gained insurance through this program (and) doesnt work a hardship on our economy. About the economy: The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget warns that repealing Obamacare could cost up to $350 billion through 2027. Thats not chump change. All the more reason to carefully create a more flexible and frugal plan that delivers better coverage before scuttling the old law. Congress is likely to delay the ultimate elimination of Obamacare for at least a couple of years. But insurers work months ahead to craft plans and set prices. Patients with complex conditions need certainty about their coverage. Obamacare has deep tentacles in many states laws as well. Congressional Republicans cant shrug and say to Americans, just wait, give us a few years, well have a great new plan. These lawmakers have had years to hone a replacement that can muster White House and congressional support. If they cant agree now, why would anyone believe theyll agree a year or two from now? The longer Republicans debate, the greater the chances that Obamacare hobbles along. Anyone remember how the doc fix a federally imposed cut in doctors Medicare fees kept getting postponed year after year because Congress couldnt reach a resolution? The same could happen with Obamacare. Democratic leaders rammed Obamacare through Congress without a single Republican vote. Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi famously (and foolishly) told members theyd have to vote for the bill before they could learn what was in it. Thats called hubris. Republicans can learn from that debacle or repeat it. The GOP can create a bipartisan health care bill that improves on Obamacares key reforms and promises. It can give patients, doctors, insurers and yes, lawmakers, time to evaluate it. Millions of Americans have coverage now that they wont and shouldnt gladly surrender. Republicans, you promised something better, more affordable. Now deliver. Jan 11, 2017 | By Julia Palaeontologists in Scotland have uncovered one of the first animals to crawl up out of the water and walk the shores of land. Meet Tiny, a small four-footed creature with a backbone, lungs, teeth, and five digits. Hailing from Southern Scotland, Tiny is one of the first land-living vertebrates. As a Tetrapod an evolutionary development that includes reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals Tiny dates back about 350 million years, and her discovery marks a major breakthrough for palaeontologists. Yet no one has actually seen Tiny, so to speak. Her fossil, which remains encased in unassuming black rock, bears no indication of the treasures inside. And without todays technology, Tiny might remain undiscovered in that rock for ages to come, unbeknownst to scientists. a reconstruction of one of the first Tetrapods We didnt really know it was in the small piece of rock that we collected until it was CT scanned, explains Dr. Nick Fraser, Keeper of Natural Sciences at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. We were quite surprised to find Tiny hiding in the sediment - we still only know it from the 3D scan and the 3D print and so havent had the pleasure of seeing the actual fossil! While any fossil discovery is exciting, the revelation of Tiny is particularly significant, as she dates back to a time period that has, up until now, yielded very few fossils. Named after paleontologist Alfred Romer, Romers Gap references a period ranging from 360 to 345 million years ago (also known as the Tournaisian period), and a sizeable gap in our archaeological knowledge. Romers Gap is precisely the time period when animals are thought to have begun living on land, yet a lack of fossils from the period obscures this crucial evolutionary development. Its hard to say why the lack of fossils and other concrete evidence has occured. Mass extinction and low oxygen are two possible explanations. Or, as Tinys discovery suggests, perhaps we havent been looking hard enough. Tiny's fossil Professor Jenny Clack, Emeritus Professor at the University of Cambridge, is chiefly to thank for the new finding. As one of the driving forces behind the research project TW:eed (Tetrapod World: early evolution and diversification), a group which spans the National Museum of Scotland, Universities of Leicester, Cambridge and Southampton, and the British Geological Survey, Professor Clacks team has named five new species to date. Many more fossils have been found, but remain too fragmented to formally identify. TW:eeds work indicates there may be many more fossils yet to uncover from the elusive Tournaisian period, meaning Romers Gap may be less of a gap, and more of a blind-spot. It does appear that if there had been a gap it was much smaller than previously thought, and might have affected some groups less severely than others, Clack says. There was an extinction event for many fish species, but no-one is really sure what caused it. So why the lack of fossils? No one bothered to look at the right rocks previously, says Clack. Because they dont yield commercially exploitable resources, these rocks did not have a history of accidental finds. So because no one had ever found anything, no one ever looked, and they were considered barren. It was a vicious circle. But with the recent influx of 3D scanning technology, researchers can now determine which rocks are the right ones much more easily. Gaining detailed CT scans of ancient unearthed rocks has opened up some revolutionary new discoveries, which in turn have helped scientists close the infamous historical gap. a reconstruction of one of the first Tetrapods Tiny is one of those discoveries. Small in size but gargantuan in palaeontological findings, Tinys existence was revealed through micro CT-scanning. This 3D scanning method allowed TW:eed researchers to digitally reconstruct Tiny in minute detail, without damaging her protective casing of rock. The fossil can remain entirely intact without sacrificing any of the data inside. The importance of findings like Tiny cant be overstated enough. By helping to map how our ancestors skeletons adapted to life on land, and when, fossils such as Tinys enhance our understanding of earth and its evolutionary diversity. They also provide a more accurate lineage of our own origins. As Dr. Fraser explains, the first animals to walk the land with backbones constitute a pivotal step in the evolution of life on land without it there would have been no salamanders, no frogs, no crocodiles, no lizards, no dinosaurs, no birds, no mammals and therefore of course no humans. In this sense, Tiny is actually one of our earliest ancestors a discovery that may not be so tiny after all. palaeontologists in Scotland examine rocks from "Romer's Gap" Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Jan 11, 2017 | By Tess The Polytechnic School at Arizona State University (ASU) is now home to the largest additive manufacturing research facility in the Southwest United States. The 3D printing research center, the Manufacturing Research and Innovation Hub, was realized in partnership with 3D printing company Concept Laser, Honeywell Aerospace, and Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies, Inc. (PADT, Inc.). Even before the new additive manufacturing center was established, ASUs Polytechnic School was the only school in the state of Arizona to offer an undergraduate program for manufacturing engineeringthe program is also one of only 22 ABET accredited manufacturing engineering programs in the whole country. Now, there is little doubt that their program will become even more reputable as students and faculty now have access to a 15,000-square-foot 3D printing center. The facility is equipped with an impressive array of equipment, including over $2 million worth of plastic, polymer, and metal 3D printing technologies. Having partnered with German 3D printer company Concept Laser (recently bought by GE), the facility houses a number of the companys products, including its metal 3D printing M2 cusing and Mlab cusing machines. As one can imagine, the new ASU 3D printing center will be used for a wide range of research projects, in the fields of material development, mechanical prototyping, energy systems, and more. Partnering with these industry leaders provides us the capability to do additional research and enhance our education programs, said Ann McKenna, Director of ASUs Polytechnic School. With so few of these types of centers, this makes ASU more attractive among academic partners, federal agencies and corporations to advance additive manufacturing. Rey Chu, Principal of Manufacturing Technologies at PADT, Inc. echoed the sentiment, saying: This partnership is the next and obvious step in the progression of additive manufacturing in the Southwest. With Concept Lasers outstanding technology, Honeywells leadership in applying additive manufacturing to practical Aerospace needs, PADTs extensive network of customers and industry experience, and ASUs proven ability to educate and work with industry, the effort will establish a strong foundation for the entire regional ecosystem. The Manufacturing Research and Innovation Hub will officially be launched on January 18, 2017. To celebrate the opening of the research facility, the ASU Polytechnic School will be hosting an open house, which will include guided tours and a display of various student projects. Posted in 3D Printing Technology Maybe you also like: Jan 11, 2017 | By Tess Its a bird, its a plane, its a pack of flying drones?! The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that it has successfully tested a swarm of 3D printed micro-drones. The drone swarm, which goes by the name Perdix, is made up of autonomous micro-drones, with wingspans of only 12 inches, capable of collective decision-making, adaptive formation flying, and self-healing. The Department of Defense launched the test in partnership with the Strategic Capabilities Office and the Naval Air Systems Command this past October at China Lake, California. Footage from the test, which can been in the video below, shows the swarm of 103 Perdix drones being released by three F/A-18 Super Hornets and subsequently flying together, almost mistakable for a flock of birds flying in formation. What is amazing about Perdix is that the drones are programmed to actually think together. As SCO director William Roper explained in a government press release, Due to the complex nature of combat, Perdix are pre-programmed synchronized individuals, they are a collective organism, sharing one distributed brain for decision-making and adapting to each other like swarms in nature. Because every Perdix communicates and collaborates with every other Perdix, the swarm has no leader and can gracefully adapt to drones entering or exiting the team. This approach means that a human operator can give the swarm a relatively general mission, which the machines will then be able to coordinate amongst themselves in order to find the most efficient way of achieving it. The human element, therefore, is still included in the operation. As Roper has emphasized, the drones are not meant to replace humans but can empower [them] to make better decisions faster. The drones, which reportedly use easily replaceable 3D printed components, were first developed by a team of engineering students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. To adapt them for military use, a team from MITs Lincoln Laboratory took over the Perdix project in 2013 and has continually been working on advancing and fine-tuning the drone swarm technology. Perdix is currently in its sixth generation, and will likely continue to be improved upon. The recent tests (completed in October), however, did show that in its current form, the drone swarm can reliably function in deployment conditions of -10 degrees Celsius and at speeds of Mach 0.6. F/A-18 Super Hornets According to the SCO (in partnership with the Defense Industrial Unit-Experimental), it is currently seeking companies that could manufacture the Perdix drones and potentially overcome obstacle such as battery life. The ultimate goal is to have Perdix swarms made up of as many as 1,000 individual micro-drones. To learn more about the DoDs Perdix project, you can always check out last Sundays episode of 60 Minutes, which was given exclusive access into the project. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Did you know that San Francisco is home to 8,000 homeless people...and that nearly 70 percent of homeless don't even eat on a daily basis? Yep, it's no secret that SF carries the hugely unflattering title of America's second largest homeless population, and not a day goes by without someone begging the question, what the hell are we gonna do about it? Instead of sitting around waiting for someone else to fix it, why not kick off 2017 by helping to put food in the bellies of those people in need? Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are apps for that. Charity Miles Moving the world forward takes one step at a timeand Charity Miles takes this message literally. With every mile you bike, run, swim, or walk, you can donate money (amounts vary from sponsor to sponsor) to an organization of your choice. In the spirit of feeding SF's growing homeless population, we recommend putting your mileage dollars toward Feeding America, which distributes more than 47 million pounds of food every year throughout various SF food banks including Project Open Hand. Food Cowboy Whether you're a large-scale grocery store with a pallet of cosmetically imperfect but perfectly edible squash, or a private catering company with mounds of uneaten hors d'oeuvres leftover from a client party, Food Cowboy will be more than happy to wrangle it for you. Download the app, set up a user profile, and describe the food you would like to donate. The team at Food Cowboy will connect you to local charities and food banks in need of your offering. With a rewards point system based on donation hauls, you'll be coming out ahead tooall accepted donations are tax-deductible. Waste No Food Similar to Food Cowboy, Waste No Food's philosophy is if you don't want it, someone else probably does. Whether it's leftovers from a hotel's cold brunch buffet or the excess bread from your family reunion, Waste No Food, an open marketplace for local charitable venues, will give it to soup kitchens or homeless shelters that need it. You can either download the app or register on the website, list what excess product you have with their description and expected shelf-life, and then wait for a ping. Registered Bay Area food pantries and shelters will contact you for a pick-up. No need to do any heavy liftingthe charities are responsible for the pick-up as well as any costs associated with transporting the goods. Volunteer Match Volunteer Match is the safe, altruistic step-sibling to Craigslist. (And "matching" on Volunteer Match won't lead to any Lifetime movie iterations any time soon.) Simply create an account and begin perusing volunteer opportunities organized around your interestsfor example, offering a helping hand at Food Runners, North Peninsula Food Pantry, and SF-Marin Food Bank. Your guide to the tastiest foodie happenings going down this week. Bon appetit! ICHI Sushi Relocates to Bernal Heights ICHI Sushi has relocated and reopened in its original location just a few blocks down Mission Street. After an emergency health issue for chef-owner Tim Archuleta, he and his wife/business partner decided to move the restaurant back to its original location, which has served as a pop-up space and short-lived oyster bar over the past year. The 21-seat location will continue to offer delicious, sustainably sourced sushi along with an omakase menu. ICHI will also be starting lunch service soon. // Open daily, 3369 Mission St (Bernal Heights), ichisushi.com The Riddler Opens in Hayes Valley The Riddler, a highly anticipated, all women-funded Champagne bar, finally opened its doors in Hayes Valley on Sunday. The restaurant offers a large list of over 100 Champagne selections with a focus on vintage wines and specific grower-producers and founder Jen Pelka enlisted the help of other female badasses in the food industry to create a menu of small bites that pair well with wine. Collaborators include Deborah Keane of California Caviar, Dafna Kory of INNA Jam, Kelly McVicker of McVicker Pickles, and more. // Open Tuesday-Sunday, 528 Laguna St. (Hayes Valley), theriddlersf.com Trick Dog's New Menu Trick Dog is celebrating its 4th anniversary with a newly released cocktail menu (their ninth!). The Mission bar brought together 14 local artists to paint 14 different murals around San Francisco and then turned all of the murals into a book called The Trick Dog Mural Project. Sales of the book benefit Precita Eyes, a non-profit community-based mural arts organization. // Open daily, 3010 20th St (Mission), trickdogbar.com Flores Starts Serving Brunch Cow Hollow's recently opened Flores is starting brunch service this weekend! The Mexican restaurant will be offering a spin on traditional desayuno, adding contemporary cocktails and choice ingredients to the mix. Highlights include a pancake de elote (a corn pancake with maple crema and powdered sugar), huevos poblanos with chicken mole, and carne asada with rice, beans, eggs, and house-made tortillas. Que rico! // Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday, 11am-3pm, 2030 Union St (Cow Hollow), floressf.com Former Saison Chef Starts a Pop-up Dinner Series Rodney Wages, former Chef de Cuisine at Michelin-starred Saison, Morimoto and Atelier Crenn, is doing a series of pop-up dinners in Dabba restaurant over the next few months. Wages plans to open a brick-and-mortar this year, and the pop-up is his chance to hone the concept. The 8-course tasting menu features grilled abalone with potato dumpling and wild nettles and a smoked foie gras tortellini en brodo. Yum! // Various dates, 71 Stevenson St (Financial District), Get tickets here. As it appeared in Ahram Online, by Azza Radwan Sedky Will Donald Trumps administration resort to purging the American system of those connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, asks an article in Bloomberg Prefacing this article with a couple of points of clarification is essential. This article has very little to do with President-elect Donald Trump, his choice of advisers, and his intentions. Also, in no way am I siding with Trumps notions on Islam, and his sweeping statements regarding banning Muslims from entering the US. But this article has everything to do with the disputable argument in Bloombergs, Trumps coming witch hunt against political Islam. The headline sets off the tone of Bloombergs article, and as the Egyptian saying goes, The start of the poem is pagan, meaning that the rest will be much of the same: hogwash. The phrase witch hunt implies Trump will be hounding an innocent group, political Islamists, and as the article goes on, the Muslim Brotherhood in particular. The article underscores Trumps key advisers, those who lean towards considering the Muslim Brotherhood as a liability and who will aim to purge the American system and government of those connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. This while the writer grants both President Bush and President Obama checkmarks for distinguishing between Muslims who commit violence in the name of Islam and Muslims who seek to impose Islamic rule on secular societies through elections and free debate. Elaborating on this theory, the writer confirms Bushs acceptance of political Islam, for while in Iraq he embraced Sunni and Shia leaders from Islamist parties, which, if nothing else, is a condescending and racist remark. Since when did a peck on someones cheek affirm solidarity? As for President Obama, he went further. His government eliminated terms like jihad and radical Islam from official FBI and Homeland Security documents. I agree that the term radical Islam is erroneous, but that doesnt mean that radical Islamists dont exist. As for the term jihad, it is the term that jihadists, themselves, favour and prefer. Obviously, a wide distinction exists between the two groups those who commit violence in the name of Islam and those who seek to impose Islamic rule. Still, the latter is never content to impose Islamic rule by resorting to elections and free debate only. Ask Egyptians; they will tell you. Once the Muslim Brotherhood came to power, its members assumed that they owned the land. They immediately fought tooth and nail to change the essence of Egyptian society. In one year, the Muslim Brotherhood not only gained political dominance but also aimed at molding a new course for Egypt, altering education and curricula, the constitution, ideology, and governance to their liking. At Muslim Brotherhood and non-Muslim Brotherhood schools, bearded teachers and veiled students adorned textbook covers. The minister of education deleted the photo of a womens rights pioneer from a textbook because she wasnt wearing the hijab. New and altered textbooks promoted prominent Islamists from Hamas and other militant groups. Schools were accused of ordering students to sing Jihadi, jihadi, instead of Biladi, biladi, the opening words of the Egyptian national anthem. Soon, all schools would have focused on jihad and the caliphate to come. A mediocre constitution favoured Islamists and denied Copts and other sects their rights. Culture was stumped by a minister who lacked knowledge and went after the knowledgeable. A member of an Islamist group that assassinated 58 tourists and four Egyptians in the 1990s was chosen to oversee the attacked governorate, Luxor, as governor. As for Tarek El-Zomor, implicated in the assassination of President Sadat and imprisoned in 1984 until 2011, well, he was invited to attend a celebration marking Sadats victory during the October 6th war. Back to Bloombergs article, and midway through it the author tells us that indeed there is a kernel of truth as far as the Muslim Brotherhood goes, that evidence has been found linking the Council on American Relations (CAIR) with Hamas, the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, and that the FBI produced evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood instructed followers to advance the goal of overturning secular societies in the West to usher in Islamic rule. And a kernel of truth is all what we need to understand the mentality of the Muslim Brotherhood. Maybe the writer should become more aware of what the ex-leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Akkef, said. To hell with Egypt if it is a secular one and Id rather have a Malaysian Muslim than an Egyptian Christian rule Egypt. Bear witness, dear writer, the Muslim Brotherhood, if able, would impose radical Islamic rule on secular societies with or without elections and free debate. The article ends by saying that though it is still early in Trumps administration, there are signs that a purge will be coming: Ted Cruzs demand to Congress to review the Muslim Brotherhood designation as a foreign terrorist organisation for one. The writer is also disappointed that cooperation with Turkey may flounder since the Turkish ruling party is inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood. Even more so, the writer is concerned that the future of CAIR may be at stake. Doesnt the writer see any lopsidedness in pointing the above challenges to the Muslim Brotherhood when the US watched the Muslim Brotherhood wreak havoc in Egypt and didnt lift a finger? Doesnt the writer realise that the moment President Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood was deposed, violence as Egypt had never seen before erupted? Doesnt the writer see any anomalies in accepting the Muslim Brotherhood, the group that Egypt deemed a terrorist group, while ignoring Egypt and its needs altogether? Well, Egyptians do. While I try to convince the writer not to sympathise with radical Islam, I agree with him on one point. My article is in no way a green light to President-elect Trump to revive Senator McCarthys drive against communism, this time against Muslims. However, a clearer picture of what the writer considers political Islam, aka the Muslim Brotherhood, was in order. The writer is an academic, political analyst, and author of Cairo Rewind: the First Two Years of Egypt's Revolution, 2011-2013. How to watch, what to know about South Dakota State at Northern Iowa HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Ted Dallas announced that DHS plans to close the Hamburg State Center (Hamburg) for people with intellectual disabilities in Berks County. DHS will also close the civil section of Norristown State Hospital (Norristown) in Montgomery County. The closures are expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months to complete as residents transition to the community. The closures are part of the Wolf Administration's commitment to serve more people in the community, reduce reliance on institutional care, and improve access to home- and community-based services for Pennsylvanians. "Individuals experience a better quality of life when they receive care and support in their homes and in their communities, when possible," said Dallas. "Today's announcement means we are expanding opportunities for residents to live their lives to the fullest by returning to their homes and communities as contributing members of society." Hamburg State Center DHS operates five state centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hamburg, one of the state centers, currently serves 80 residents at its 154-acre campus. Over the last 20 years, the resident population at Pennsylvania's state centers has decreased by nearly 70 percent, from almost 3,000 people to the current 888. Nationally, the number of people with intellectual disabilities living in state-operated centers peaked in 1967. Since then, the number of state-operated centers and people living in them has steadily declined. Fourteen states have closed all of their state-operated centers. "This closure will enable the residents to live in the community when possible," said Dallas. "Research shows that community settings result in improved quality of life in areas such as opportunities for integration and social participation, participation in employment, opportunities for choice-making and self-determination, contact with friends and relatives, adaptive behavior, and other indicators of quality of life." DHS will hold a public hearing from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2017, at the Hamburg Borough Building, 61 North Third St. in Hamburg to accept comment about the closure from stakeholders, officials, and the community. Those wishing to provide comments are asked to register by contacting Connie Meeker at 717.783.8964 or cmeeker@pa.gov. Written comments can be submitted via email to RA-PWRAStateCenters@pa.gov. DHS has established a toll-free number for family members of Hamburg residents to use during the closure process. Family members will be able to speak with staff from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 1.888.565.9435. Norristown State Hospital Civil Section DHS operates six state hospitals with services for individuals with mental illness. In the last 20 years, the state hospital population has decreased by 70 percent, from nearly 5,000 people to 1,568 (1,107 in civil units, 159 in the restoration center, 237 in forensic units, and 65 in the Sexual Responsibility and Treatment Program) today. Norristown's civil unit currently serves 122 individuals. During the closure process, DHS will also temporarily repurpose some civil beds at Norristown to create "forensic step down or transition" beds for those individuals committed through the criminal justice system to the forensic section of the Norristown campus. By repurposing the civil beds, DHS will improve the timeliness and quality of treatment for individuals needing forensic restoration services to enable them to return to referring jurisdictions or transition to other appropriate levels of care. DHS will hold a public hearing from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at 1001 Sterigere St., Norristown Hospital, Building 33 in Norristown to accept comment about the closure of civil beds and changes in forensic operations from stakeholders, officials and the community. Those wishing to provide comments are asked to register by contacting Helen Brennan at 610.313.1014 or hbrennan@pa.gov. Written comment can be submitted via email to RA-PWOMHSASComm@pa.gov. DHS has established a toll-free number for family members of residents of Norristown State Hospital to use during the repurposing process. Family members will be able to speak with staff from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 1.877.692.1267 or through continued communication with their family member's treatment team. Moving Forward Prior to leaving either facility, individuals will participate in a series of assessments and planning meetings in order to determine their level of need for services and support as they look toward a successful life in the community or with family. The assessment and planning process will ensure that their new homes are both safe, appropriate, and supportive and will include the individual and their family in that process. The transition is about choice and providing people with options. DHS will hold several sessions over the course of the next few months to ensure that each individual, family member, and decision maker is fully informed of all available options and that they have the opportunity to meet with potential providers and explore all potential options. The department will work to provide both hospital and center staff viable employment opportunities at other state-operated facilities or with new or existing community programs. "All Pennsylvanians deserve the right to choose where they live - with family, friends, and neighbors in communities where everyone is welcome," said Dallas. For more information regarding the closure and the repurposing, visit www.dhs.pa.gov. MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Kostelac, 717.425.7606 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-department-of-human-services-to-help-more-people-to-live-in-the-community-300389559.html SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Citizen Airman's lifesaving actions unknowingly impacts fellow reservists family A 39-year-old man is rushed to Mease Countryside Hospital, Clearwater Florida, in critical condition after going into cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, the doctors sedate him as the family waits anxiously at his bedside, hoping for any positive signs. Every night at 7 p.m. the family notices a quiet professional coming on shift. Her detailed and meticulous nature settles their nerves, and kind words provided them comfort. There was a scare early one morning, said Chief Master Sgt. Shane Smith, 920th Operations Group, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. This young nurse quickly assessed the situation, took control and solved the problem while continuing to calm and assure me, for which I was humbly grateful. What Chief Smith didnt realize at the time, was another Air Force Reservist probably saved his brothers life that morning. I wanted to learn more about this nurse so I could thank her for her outstanding professionalism and calming presence, Smith said. To my surprise, or not, this young lady was a supply technician with the 927th Logistics Readiness Squadron at MacDill. Senior Airman Julimar Fuentes performed her duties that day just as she has every day for the past two years as a registered nurse. Her dedication and professionalism are a product of her upbringing, she says, as she and her family emigrated here from Venezuela. My family and I came to Orlando when I was 15 and by the time I was 21 I knew I wanted to help people in some way but I didnt know what route I wanted to take, Fuentes said. Then a friend mentioned the Air Force and at first, I thought I didnt have the physical abilities to make it in the Air Force. But thats whats great about the Air Force, she continued. You have so many other skills you must use to succeed. You cant only be physically strong, you have to be strong emotionally and intellectually, so the Air Force brought out skills I didnt know I had back then. As the chiefs brother was taken from the emergency room he was placed under the care of Fuentes, a critical care nurse. Due to his critical condition he was Fuentess only patient which allowed her to spend more time monitoring his condition and interacting with the family. I looked at the patient and I looked at the family and I put myself in their shoes, Fuentes said. My main focus was the patient but I was also attending to the family. For some reason I was just drawn to them. According to Fuentes, working in a highly stressful field such as critical care can lead to exhaustion and burnout. There are also times that may make you question if putting in the long hours, exposing yourself to infectious diseases and staying strong as you see your patients and their families struggle is worth it. So when the patient recovered enough to speak, and his family called Fuentes into the room to share the moment, it had a profound impact on her. The thanks I received definitely reiterated the fact that yes, I am making a difference and yes, what I do is important, Fuentes said. Sometimes you forget how you impact peoples lives but when you receive the thanks from the families and the patients, thats the most rewarding part of the job. Shortly after completing her on-the-job training at MacDill AFB, Fuentes was accepted into the nursing program at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, which propelled her on her way to becoming a critical care nurse. Managing the contents of a warehouse filled with airplane parts may not seem like a logical career to coincide with a nursing career, but according to Fuentes, the experience has been invaluable to her. I think if I went through nursing school when I was younger, I dont think I would have had the discipline to stay with it when things became difficult, Fuentes said. The Air Force gave me the discipline and perseverance to succeed and get through the tough times at work and during school. Fuentes plans to continue her schooling as she is gaining experience needed to one day enroll in a Masters degree program to become a nurse anesthetist. She also plans to earn her commission one day, a goal that is well within her reach according to Lt. Col. Meredith Seeley, 927th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. We have so many smart, talented, and amazing Citizen Airmen serving throughout the Tampa Bay community, and Senior Airman Fuentes is a great example, said Seeley. Her determination, drive and poise is carried over into everything she does and will continue to drive her to excel in whatever she decides to pursue. Thanks to the actions of Fuentes that day, a young man is still alive and a member of her Air Force Reserve family is eternally grateful. Im delighted to say that a after a week in the intensive care unit, and having a defibrillator installed, hes now back home and resting, Smith said. Im proud to serve alongside her and could only hope that she would be my nurse if I was ever in my brothers position. The Air Force Personnel Center will hold two Exceptional Family Member Program webinars Jan. 12 discussing the programs three components assignments, medical and family support.EFMP allows Airmen to proceed to assignment locations where suitable medical, educational and other resources are available to treat special needs family members.The 90-minute sessions will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST and can be accessed by clicking here . The Google Chrome browser is recommended if accessing the site at home. The site will be live 15 minutes before each webinar. Each webinar will include a 30-minute Q-and-A session where participants will have an opportunity to talk with EFMP experts via the chat feature.A limited number of phone lines will be available for those without internet access at 210-652-1121/DSN 487-1121 or 210-652-1123/DSN 487-1123.This is a good opportunity for us to communicate directly with spouses and families and to make them aware of the network of resources that are available to them, said Kimberly Schuler, the AFPCs policy chief for humanitarian, EFMP and expedited transfers assignments. Parents of children with special needs always have concerns. We understand that and were here to help.AFPC plans to hold EFMP webinars quarterly. For more information on the program, search EFMP on the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following the instructions on the Air Force Retiree Services website. The elections to 10 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on February 21, the State Election Commission announced. Counting of votes will take place on February 23, State Election Commissioner JS Saharia said. The other big corporations where the polls will be held include Pune and Thane. The elections to 25 zilla parishads will also be held in two phases, on February 16 and 21, Saharia said. With the announcement of the poll schedule, the election code of conduct has come into effect with the announcement of the dates. Though the elections will be held in 10 municipal corporations, the focus will be on the countrys richest civic body, the BMC. Leaders of BJP and Shiv Sena have so far spoken of their willingness for an alliance in these polls. However, there is no announcement yet of any seat-sharing formula. In the 2012 polls, of the 227 seats in the BMC, Shiv Sena had contested from 158 seats and won 75, whereas the BJP had contested from 69 seats and won 32. The BJP, which won the maximum number of seats in the recent municipal council and nagar parishad polls, is eyeing more seats this time around. The current terms of Mumbai, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Akola, Solapur, Amravati and Nagpur civic bodies end in March. The HSC examinations will be held between February 28 and March 25 and the SSC exams between March 7 and 29. In 2012, the BMC elections were held on February 16 and the new House of the BMC was formed on March 8. The electoral roll for the BMC and other municipal corporations, as on January 1, has been updated on the SEC website. Saharia said elections to 283 panchayat samitis in the state will also be held along with the zilla parishads in two phases. Some seven crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the elections, the State Election Commissioner added. With over 70 per cent voters in the state to participate in the polls, the outcome would be seen as a mandate on the performance of the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government, which is in power for over two years now. Voting for the first phase of polls (ZPs and panchayat samitis) will be held on February 16 and on February 21 for the second phase. All the 10 municipal corporations will go to polls on February 21. Counting of votes for both the phases of zilla parishads and panchayat samitis and the municipal corporations will take place on February 23 at one go, said Saharia. Districts like Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Beed, Nanded, Osmanabad, Latur, Buldana, Yavatmal, Wardha, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, along with 165 panchayat samitis, will go to polls on February 16. Out of the 283 panchayat samitis, 165 are going to polls in the first phase. If the local study and survey to be believed, then there is absolutely no chance for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in Punjab. Only AAPs electoral prospects look better in the state. The importance of this times election in Punjab can be stated in just one line. It will separate the contenders for 2019 elections from the pretenders. Congress can win good seats but AAP will secure majority. History gives us enough evidence that any contender eyeing India had to first conquer and pass through Punjab. For those, who consider an election as a modern-day equivalent to warfare, this state still holds the same importance. Its result will decide the fate of two men and two political parties, those eyeing for an opportunity to rise up and challenge the BJP in the next general election Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi and their party AAP and Congress respectively. Punjab is important state as out of five states which is going in polls between January and March, Congress and AAPs winning chances are more here. Ten years of anti-incumbency and the simmering anger against corruption, drug mafia and dynastic rule have put the BJP-SAD government in a tight corner. Moreover, demonetization and farmers suicide created bad omen for the alliance. On current evidence, only a miracle arising out of a triangular contest would be able to rescue the Parkash Singh Badal and his heir apparent, the man ruling Punjab from behind the veil his son Sukhbir Singh Badal. For the Congress, a victory in Punjab would be the first sign of hope since it went into coma after the advent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the scene. In 2013, since it lost Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Chhattisgarh, the Congress has managed to win only in Karnataka. However, in Punjab, Congress is a strong contender, primarily because of a combination of favourable factors. That the Congress is still an acceptable option in Punjab was apparent even in 2014, when inspite of getting wiped out across India, it managed to won three seats and nearly 34 per cent votes, almost double of its national average. Though, it has been a roller-coaster ride for the party, the Congress has managed to remain in the hunt in Punjab for two reasons: Rahul Gandhis decision to give Captain Amarinder Singh free hand in Punjab. The biggest gain, of course, for the Congress would be Kejriwals defeat, effectively ending the Delhi chief ministers plan to venture out of Delhi and acquire a national image for him. For the past few months, Kejriwal has been trying to emerge as the second party in states where the Congress has had a strong presence. The rise of Amarinder Singh, the fracas with Sucha Singh Chhotepur, the inept handling of the Navjot Singh Sidhu episode who was left out in the cold after quitting the BJP and the growing perception of AAP being a party without a Sikh face have set its campaign back. Though, Kejriwal claims his party would win 100 out of the 117 seats in the Assembly, his claim appears more as motor mouth than elemental. More than the BJP, the Congress has been under existential threat because of AAPs efforts to occupy the anti-BJP space in central and north India. A loss in Punjab, would effectively cut Kejriwal mid-flight and give Congress the opportunity to challenge the BJP in Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh. For Kejriwal, who appeared to be the front-runner in Punjab till recently, the election is a defining moment of the short but tumultuous life? When he contested elections in Delhi, he was seen as an outsider who wanted to disrupt the existing system. Even if he would have failed to win in Delhi, he would have received more chances to prove his acceptability. After the huge victory of Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi 2015 Vidhan Sabha elections winning 67 out of 70 wards, it has decided to contest the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections in 2017 also. Punjab will decide AAP or Congresss future. Many projects in Punjab are on the verge of completion and people have started to realize that there is no power and water shortage, better roads, good law and order, new airports and flyovers, no delayed government salaries and many populist schemes like atta-dal. SAD-BJP has a silent vote bank that doesnt use Twitter or Facebook much. The only competitor is Congress. It got highest vote share in Lok Sabha elections held in 2014 i.e. 33 per cent, but they won only three seats. Congress too can surprise like they did in Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar in the 2014 general elections. AAPs vote shares of 4 to 5 per cent can swing towards Congress too. There are other speculations that, both Congress and SAD-BJP will get around 45 seats. Then AAP will decide whom to support. The party has lost the plot already but still good enough to win 20 odd seats with around 20 per cent vote share. There are chances of Congress-AAP forming a government in Punjab. I hope the best party who convince the voters and can deliver should be the winner. I appealed to voters to franchise your votes for the party which can win with clear majority. (Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com) The Samajwadi Partys (SP) cadres are worried because the SP was born out of struggle, said party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, adding that hes working tirelessly to ensure the party doesnt split. In an emotional appeal to party workers, Mulayam said he had sacrificed a lot to build the party and Shiv Pal, who is being opposed by Akhilesh faction, was there through thick and thin. He alleges that Ram Gopal Yadav wanted to form a new party Akhil Bhartiya Samajwadi Party with motorcycle as the symbol. The former UP chief minister said he had declared Akhilesh Yadav as the partys CM candidate. Then whats the need of a new party?, he asked. The SP patriarch threw his weight behind brother Shivpal Yadav, who is at loggerheads with the Chief Minister. I know who met the president of another party thrice. He wants to save his son and daughter-in-law. He should have approached me. I would have saved them. I asked them [rival camp] not to dispute. I want unity in the party. I am neither making new party nor changing our symbol, he said. Apparently referring to Mr. Akhileshs claim for the party presidents post, Mr. Mulayam said, I have given whatever I had. What is left with me? I only have you [workers] all. I founded the SP during Emergency days when Akhilesh was two years old, Mr. Mulayam said, flanked by Mr. Shivpal. The fight within the Samajwadi Party has refused to subside with the current stalemate between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam over the post of the party president failing to reach a conclusion on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Election Commission fixed January 13 as the date of hearing both the Samajwadi Party factions, led by Mulayam and by Akhilesh, to settle the dispute over control of the party and its election symbol, cycle. Notices have been sent to both factions for the January 13 hearing. The commission wants to settle the matter before January 17 when the process of nomination begins for the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, which will be held on February 11. Taiwan scrambled jets and navy ships on Wednesday as a group of Chinese warships led by Chinas sole aircraft carrier sailed north through the Taiwan Strait, the latest sign of heightened tensions between Beijing and the self-ruled Taiwan. The Soviet-built Liaoning aircraft carrier, returning from exercises in the South China Sea, was not trespassing in Taiwans territorial waters but entered its air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the southwest, Taiwans defence ministry said. As a result Taiwan scrambled jets and navy ships to surveil and control the passage of the Chinese ships through the narrow body of water separating Taiwan and China, Taiwan defence ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi said. Taiwanese military aircraft and ships have been deployed to follow the carrier group, which is sailing up the west side of the median line of the strait, he said. Taiwans top policymaker for China affairs on Wednesday urged Beijing to resume dialogue with Taipei, after official communication channels were halted by Beijing from June. I want to emphasise our government has sufficient capability to protect our national security. Its not necessary to overly panic, said Chang Hsiao-yueh, minister for Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council, during a news briefing in response to reporters questions on the Liaonings movements. On the other hand, any threats would not benefit cross-Strait ties, she said. China has said the Liaoning aircraft carrier was on drills to test weapons and equipment in the disputed South China Sea and its movements comply with international law. On the weekend, a Chinese bomber flew around the Spratly Islands in a show of strategic force, a US official said on Tuesday. The latest Chinese naval exercises have unnerved Beijings neighbours, especially Taiwan which Beijing claims as its own, given long-running territorial disputes in the South China Sea. China claims most of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims. China distrusts Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and has stepped up pressure on her after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump broke years of diplomatic protocol and took a congratulatory call last month from Tsai. Trump then riled China by casting doubt on the one China policy that Beijing regards as the basis of US-Chinese relations. Tsai drew anger from China again when she met senior US Republican lawmakers in Houston on Sunday en route to Central America, in a controversial transit stop that Beijing had asked the United States to not allow. Note: Anyone, from political activists, to celebs to "Real" Housewives to actual housewives who question vaccine ingredients and/or safety is shunted into the "anti-vaccine fringe category." In 2014 there's more "fringe" (those who study and learn and report) than rug, as Americans question vaccine safety like any other product, thus the desperate push to denigrate, disassemble and deny by pharMedia. By Anne Dachel July 21, Jeffrey Kluger--TIME: RFK Jr. Joins the Anti-Vaccine Fringe "Most fundamentally, Kennedy does not get chemistry. Thimerosal is an ethylmercury product. Mercury in general may be a neurotoxin, but it's in its methylmercury form that it does its damage-and only in particular concentrations. The quantity of ethylmercury that was once in vaccines was so small that it was actually within acceptable limits for the more toxic, methyl form-but it wasn't even in that methyl form to begin with." TIME actually went further than the others in slamming Kennedy's thesis with Kluger's defense of methlymercury, along with the ethymercury used in vaccines. He wasn't afraid to say thimerosal is mercury. He just doesn't see a problem with it. I would like to ask all the reporters writing on this subject, not just Kluger, Sanders, Salzberg, and Helmuth, do you know anything about the history of thimerosal? The truth is, officials don't want to research just how dangerous thimerosal is when injected into children and mothers-to-be. Ten years ago, on June 4, 2004, acting director of the FDA, William Egan, was called to testify before the House Committee on Government Reform about thimerosal. U.S. Rep. Dan Burton: "Mr. Egan, has thimerosal ever been tested by our health agencies?" William Egan: "Its been only those early tests that you know of that were done by Lilly." Burton: "That was done in 1929.... "And lets just follow up on that. In 1929, they tested this on 27 people that were dying of meningitis . And all of those people died of meningitis. And so they said, there was no correlation between their deaths, and the mercury in the vaccines. That is the only test that has ever been done on Thimerosal, that I know of. Can you think of any other?" Egan: "No, in people, no. Except for accidental exposures over the." Burton: "So we have mercury that has been put into people's bodies in the form of this preservative ,and has been since the thirties, and it has never been tested by our health agencies. And yet, you folks come here , and you testify that there is no 'conclusive evidence,' conclusive evidence, and the IOM says 'they favor,' - get this - they don't say they are sure, they say they favor rejection of a causal relationship between mercury and autism and other neurological disorders. Mr. Egan, can you tell me right now that that amount of mercury injected into a baby will not hurt it?" Egan: "It's.. You know, it's, it's , it's impossible to make those categorical statements that one hundred percent .." That is the inescapable truth about the safety of thimerosal. It's hard to understand reporters who are so willing to risk their reputations by ardently defending the use of toxic mercury in vaccines when the science simply isn't there. Mercury has been used in vaccines for eighty-five years without ever being tested by the government for its toxic effects. Steven Salzberg's may cite "study after study" as proof that thimerosal is safe, but the truth is these studies are merely easily flawed and manipulated population studies--the weakest kind of science. The fact that our health officials keep doing them and yet they never settle the question, should tell reporters something. By Jim Thompson We teach mathematical graphs to children in our middle schools. For example, look at this 2001 article Living Graphs. In this article, we discuss some ideas and techniques for teaching and learning this language and for giving life to graphs in middle school classrooms. In algebra, students typically construct graphs of functions represented by symbolic formulas. See Living Graphs. . Now back in 1999, scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were also working on graphs related to real life activities. These graphs represented associations between brain injuries in children receiving vaccines with Thimerosal, a mercury based vaccine preservative, and the amount of mercury they received. These graphs were presented at a CDC meeting in June of 2000 at the Simpsonwood Methodist retreat and conference center in Norcross, Georgia (Simpsonwood 2000). These graphs, and their different versions before and after Simpsonwood 2000, are described in great detail in the book Thimerosal, Let the Science Speak by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(2014). But well before Simpsonwood 2000, scientists already knew that mercury in its various forms is extremely toxic. For example, in 1939 a paper was published showing that mercuric chloride at a level of 8 parts per billion kills a certain species of fish. Considering that one part per billion is roughly equivalent to one sugar cube in a swimming pool--then Thimerosal preserved vaccines at 50 thousand parts per billion mercury concentration can hardly be declared safe. So back to Simpsonwood 2000, Tom Verstraeten of the CDC modeled an association between neurologic developmental disorders and exposure to the mercury based Thimerosal. For the overall category of neurologic developmental disorders That's an increase of 0.7% for each additional microgram of ethyl mercury. For an example, if we would go from zero to 50 micrograms of ethyl mercury, we would have to multiple these estimate by 50, so that would give us an additional increase of about 35%, which is pretty close to the point estimate for this category. See Simpsonwood transcript at SafeMinds.org. pp. 41-42. Now here is where we can use the same algebra taught to our middle school students. It gives us a straight line graph based on Verstraetens equation. The equation is: an association of relative risk of neurological developmental disorders equals 0.007 times the micrograms of mercury received in vaccinations. The equation is simple (y = 0.007 times x). Now before that Simpsonwood 2000 meeting Tom Verstraeten saw a problem with the math. The multiplier was originally much greater than 0.007! Before Simpsonwood 2000 Tom Verstraeten wrote to his co-workers in an email titled "It just wont go away, As you'll see some of the RRs [relative risks] increase over the categories and I haven't yet found an alternative explanation ... So this takes us to an elementary cover-up by the CDC. As Robert F. Kennedy Jr shows us in his book, the CDC scientists changed the way their graph looked by compressing the vertical part of the graph. They did this by graphing a straight line on a logarithm vertical scale. This makes a steep slope on a straight line graph of increasing association of brain injury with mercury exposure look almost like a line with no slope, or flat line, which does not show an increase of risk with exposure. See pages 135 and 136 of Thimerosal, Let the Science Speak. This elementary cover-up, along with removing children from the original database to make the risk multiplier smaller, show us that (1) mercury in vaccines is unsafe, (2) the CDC cannot be trusted to oversee vaccine safety. At the bottom of Table 7 it also shows that for the non-birth certificate sample, the adjusted race effect statistical significance was huge. All the authors and I met and decided sometime between August and September 02 not to report any race effects for the paper. Sometime soon after the meeting, we decided to exclude reporting any race effects, the co-authors scheduled a meeting to destroy documents related to the study. The remaining four co-authors all met and brought a big garbage can into the meeting room and reviewed and went through all the hard copy documents that we had thought we should discard and put them in a huge garbage can. However, because I assumed it was illegal and would violate both FOIA and DOJ requests, I kept hard copies of all documents in my office and I retained all associated computer files. I believe we intentionally withheld controversial findings from the final draft of the Pediatrics paper. One of the important goals that was determined up front in the spring of 01 before any of these studies started, was to have all three protocols vetted outside the CDC prior to the start of the analyses so that consumer advocates could not claim that we were presenting analyses that presented our own goals and biases. We hypothesized that if we found statistically significant effects at either 18- or 36-month thresholds, we would conclude that vaccinating children early with MMR could lead to autism-like characteristics or features. We all met and finalized the study protocol and analysis plan. The goal was to not deviate from the analysis plan to avoid the debacle that occurred with the Verstraeten thimerosal study published in Pediatrics in 03. At the September 5 th meeting, we discussed in detail how to code race for both the sample and the birth certificate sample. My primary job duties while working in the Immunization Safety Branch from 2000 to 06 were lead or co-lead three major vaccine safety studiesthe MADDSP MMR Autism Cases Control study was being carried out in response to the Wakefield Lancet study that suggested an association between the MMR vaccine and an autism-like health outcome. There were several major concerns among scientists and consumer advocates outside the CDC in the fall of 2000 regarding the execution of the Verstraeten study . Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request the following excerpts from the statement written by Dr. Thompson be entered into the record. Now quoting Dr. Thompson: On July 29, 2015, United States Congressman William Posey said the following on the floor of the House of Representatives: Much has been said about what Dr. William Thompson disclosed to Dr. Brian Hooker in a series of legally recorded phone conversations in 2014. The book, Vaccine Whistleblower: Exposing Autism Research Fraud at the CDC by Kevin Barry and the film, Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe, by Andrew Wakefield, together lay out what amounts to a case of scientific fraud and corruption at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. OH MY GOD. I CANNOT BELIEVE WE DID WHAT WE DID. BUT WE DID. DR. WILLIAM THOMPSON, CDC SENIOR SCIENTIST & WHISTLEBLOWER Mr. Speaker, I believe its our duty to ensure that the documents that Dr. Thompson provided are not ignored. Therefore I will provide them to members of Congress and the House Committees upon request. Considering the nature of the whistleblowers documents, as well as the involvement of the CDC, a hearing and a thorough investigation is warranted. So I ask Mr. Speaker, I beg, I implore my colleagues on the Appropriations Committees to please, please take such action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I yield back. Still, the federal government has done nothing. It is time to bring the case. Dr. William Thompson describes a pattern of conduct by federal employees that runs afoul of at least the following federal law (and likely many more): 18 U.S.C. 1519. Destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in Federal investigations and bankruptcy Whoever knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, falsifies, or makes a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States or any case filed under title 11, or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter or case, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. Lets be clear here the actions of those around Dr. Thompson were not perpetrated because of a sincere disagreement about scientific protocol. These conspirators destroyed, altered and manipulated scientific data that they knew would be very, very important in federal judicial proceedings underway in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) and that could potentially create billions of dollars of liability. Over five thousand cases were filed against the Secretary of Health and Human Services the agency that administers the CDC - on behalf of children in the Omnibus Autism Proceedings (OAP) alleging that vaccine injuries led to the childrens autism. The 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act removed virtually all product liability from vaccine manufacturers. With the pharmaceutical industry protected, the federal government was on the hook for billions of dollars in compensation payments to these children. Even worse, the reputation of the governments vaccine program and the public health establishment would forever be tarnished, if not permanently destroyed. The motive for the actions of Dr. Julie Gerbedings CDC employees is clear. And after leaving the CDC, Dr. Gerberding became the head of Mercks vaccine division a year and a day later the shortest possible legal time interval. It is important to note that Dr. Thompson and the other researchers wanted to avoid a repeat of the earlier allegations of data manipulation that circulated around the earlier Verstraeten paper. The goal was to not deviate from the analysis plan to avoid the debacle that occurred with the Verstraeten thimerosal study published in Pediatrics in 03. But the data revealed a problem: the adjusted race effect statistical significance was huge. All the authors and I met and decided sometime between August and September 02 not to report any race effects for the paper. While the CDC Vaccine Safety Branch may have wanted to avoid another Verstraeten debacle, they slammed into a wall of statistical truth that showed an association between vaccines and autism. If they published the truth, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would have to get the checkbook out. Instead, the CDC Vaccine Safety branch obstructed justice that should have been rendered in the Omnibus Autism Proceeding its employees altered, manipulated, concealed, falsified and destroyed data that the Special Masters would have relied upon. Without this data, they dismissed the vast majority of cases without compensation. The Special Masters primarily relied on the Thompson/CDC Vaccine Safety Branch research and the research of Poul Thorsen, who is still a fugitive hiding in plain sight in Denmark. He has yet to be extradited to the U.S. to face federal indictment for stealing CDC grant money. Dr. Thorsen was brought into the autism/vaccine research by the same CDC Vaccine Safety staff that produced the paper Dr. Thompson now says was fraudulent. Like Dr. Thompson, Dr. Thorsen produced research that also played funny games with data. He excluded data showing that autism rates dropped in Denmark after thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative, was removed from vaccines, but published a paper saying the opposite. Dr. Thorsen played the same game - manipulating, falsifying and altering data to serve a pre-determined outcome. He simply went one step further by stealing CDC grant money and who knows what the real purpose for that money was or who enabled it to be stolen? There is a pattern of conduct here Drs. Verstraeten, Thorsen and now DeStefano, Bhasin, Thompson, Yeargin-Allsopp and Boyle - that puts Dr. William Thompsons statements in the context of a larger criminal conspiracy to knowingly manipulate, alter, falsify, conceal and even destroy research that showed that vaccines are responsible for a significant proportion of the autism epidemic among Americas children and young adults. Dr. Thompsons statements have only gained more legitimacy from the growing rebellion at the CDC where other researchers have stepped forward to criticize the excessive influence of private industry over the agency. According to Carey Gillam at the Huffington Post, A group calling itself CDC Scientists Preserving Integrity, Diligence and Ethics in Research, or CDC SPIDER, put a list of complaints in writing in a letter to the CDC Chief of Staff and provided a copy of the letter to the public watchdog organization U.S. Right to Know (USRTK). The members of the group have elected to file the complaint anonymously for fear of retribution. Many industry enablers in the mainstream, pharmaceutical-supported media will argue that there is no case, no conspiracy and that no crimes have been committed. They will argue that people like us, the authors, are conspiracy theorists. QUESTION AUTHORITY Ask the following questions: Has the pharmaceutical industry manipulated data in the recent past? Yes. Is the CDC under excessive industry influence and does that influence alter research outcomes? Yes, according to CDC SPIDER. Was there a significant motive at the CDC to obstruct justice on research related to vaccines and autism? Yes. Has the CDC attempted to prevent Dr. Thompson from saying more on the record? Yes. CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden has blocked Dr. Thompson from testifying in a malpractice suit on vaccine-induced autism because Dr. William Thompsons deposition testimony would not substantially promote the objectives of CDC or HHS (Health and Human Services). If there was nothing here, wouldnt the CDC want Dr. Thompson to testify, clarify his statements and put the whole matter to rest? The criminal conduct of a few federal employees has denied tens of thousands of children and young adults and their families of simple justice, justice which federal law is meant to guarantee to them. This conduct has resulted in more autism, incalculable suffering and horrendous costs to families, local and state governments and ultimately to the federal government for healthcare and special education costs. An apology and a few billion dollars in fines will not end this debacle in the way other pharmaceutical industry missteps have ended. People need to be dragged out of their offices in handcuffs to court and then, after public trials revealing the truth and rendering guilty verdicts, packed away to prison. The suffering caused requires it. The government and the country must send the message that this may never happen again. Question Authority. Ask the questions and seek the truth from our government. Hold them accountable for their actions. We need now only a few honest prosecutors. It is time to bring the case. Louis Conte, author of The Autism War and co-author of Vaccine Injuries Wayne Rohde, author of The Vaccine Court Dark Truth of Americas Vaccine Injury Compensation Program All books published by Skyhorse Publishing New York City Prominent vaccine promoters are quoted, including Paul Offit, Peter Hotez, and even Marie McCormick, and officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization. Several sites cite Kennedys book, Thimerosal-Let the Science Speak , but they dont include a link. Most never mention it. Heres their coverage. Everyone assures the public that all the science shows vaccines are safe. Major networks and newspapers have to cover this. It cant be avoided. So why is this prominent Democrat willing to join forces with the Republican President-elect? This issue is no longer Republican. This puts the question of vaccine safety out in the news like nothing in the last decade. Im sure the news that Robert Kennedy, Jr. had accepted a position looking at vaccine safety in the Trump administration left many, many people in shock. Remember one thing: The media has everything at stake in this. Just like Paul Offit and every official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, their careers and reputations are on the line here. (I wrote about Klugers coverage of Robert Kennedy, Jr. in TIME Attacks Kennedy and Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak in 2014 .) (It would be rather strange to put someone anti-vaccine on a vaccine safety panel.) How the press is covering Robert Kennedy Jrs appointment to Trump vaccine safety panel. Notice that hes now referred to as a vaccine skeptic, not anti-vaccine. NOTE: How did so many media outlets across the country get out such a similar response to the Trump Kennedy Vaccine Safety announcement yesterday afternoon? And why are they so horrified by a government committee on product safety? (Rhetorical) Could the chickens finally be coming home to roost? We might not know which came first, the chicken or the egg, but we know that the autism epidemic came after the onslaught of vaccines. Honestly, the frightened, angry response is.... looney tunes. We invite you to buy and read T himerosal - Let the Science Speak, from Skyhorse Publishing to draw your own conclusions. K By Anne Dachel A committee to explore vaccine safety and scientific integrity. Despite the fact that the scientific/medical community denies theres anything wrong with our vaccine schedule, two prominent Americans, from opposite parties seem to agree that the safety of vaccines is in question. Kennedy doesnt want to do away with them, if you listen to his announcement today. Im sure by tomorrow, officials, health organizations, and individual doctors will launch a massive PR blitz. Wonderful. The controversy isnt going away. Parents can investigate this topic for themselves. Heres whats out there. (VIDEO) Washington Post: Vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. says Trump asked him to lead commission on vaccine safety The stunning move pushes up against established science, medicine and the governments position on the issue. It comes after Trump who has long been critical of vaccines met at Trump Tower with Kennedy, who has spearheaded efforts to roll back child vaccination laws. President-elect Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies, and he has questions about it, Kennedy said. His opinion doesnt matter, but the science does matter, and we ought to be reading the science, and we ought to be debating the science. And that everybody ought to be able to be assured that the vaccines that we have hes very pro-vaccine, as am I but theyre as safe as they possibly can be, he added. The announcement was met with alarm from health professionals who say that putting a proponent of a conspiracy theory in a position of authority on this issue is dangerous. Fox News: Trump asks vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. to head safety probe President-elect Donald Trump is reviving long debunked attempts to link vaccines to autism, asking a vocal skeptic to chair a commission on vaccination safety -- a move that alarmed child health experts. To pediatricians, there's nothing left to debate. "Vaccines have been part of the fabric of our society for decades and are the most significant medical innovation of our time," Drs. Fernando Stein and Karen Remley of the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement Tuesday. Scientists have ruled out a link between vaccines and autism. But Kennedy, the son of the late U.S. attorney general and senator, has long argued that vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal may cause autism, and has advocated for parents to more easily opt out of childhood vaccinations. Repeated scientific studies in the U.S. and abroad have found no evidence that vaccines in general or those with thimerosal cause autism. That preservative has been removed from routine childhood immunizations; while it remains in some flu vaccines, there are thimerosal-free versions. "The science has spoken. Thimerosal is a dead issue," said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine researcher at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a critic of anti-vaccine groups. "It is concerning. You have as a president-elect a science denialist." Beyond thimerosal, research has discredited concerns that children get too many vaccines at once. "Delaying vaccines only leaves a child at risk of disease," said Stein and Remley of the pediatricians' group. It's not just children who gain, they noted: Widespread vaccination lowers the spread of disease that also threatens the elderly or people with weak immune systems. lt's not clear what Kennedy described as a "commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity" would do. Chicago Tribune: Trump asks vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead commission on 'vaccine safety' Donald Trump asked Robert Kennedy Jr., a proponent of a widely discredited theory that vaccines cause autism, to chair a new commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity, according to Kennedy. The stunning move would contradict established science, medicine and the government's position on the issue. It comes after Trump - who has long been critical of vaccines - met at Trump Tower with Kennedy, who has spearheaded efforts to roll back child vaccination laws. "President-elect Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies, and he has questions about it," Kennedy said. "His opinion doesn't matter, but the science does matter, and we ought to be reading the science, and we ought to be debating the science." "And that everybody ought to be able to be assured that the vaccines that we have - he's very pro-vaccine, as am I - but they're as safe as they possibly can be," he added "That's very frightening, it's difficult to imagine anyone less qualified to serve on a commission for vaccine science," said Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, and president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, a nonprofit that works to control, treat and eliminate vaccine-preventable and neglected tropical diseases. "The science is clear: massive evidence showing no link between vaccines and autism, and as both a scientist who develops vaccines for poverty related neglected diseases and the father of an adult daughter with autism, there's not even any plausibility for a link," Hotez continued. "Autism is a genetic condition." "Our nation's public health will suffer if this nascent neo-antivaxxer movement is not stopped immediately," he added. TIME: Why Donald Trumps Choice of RFK Jr. as Vaccine Czar Is a Terrible Idea Kids will pay the price for anti-vaxxer nonsense Now comes the Trump teams latest planned explosion: the appointment of celebrated anti-vaccine crusader Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to chair a commission on, yes, vaccine safety and integrity. The through-the-looking-glass news broke today in the lobby of Trump Tower, when Kennedy descended from the presidential aerie and told the gaggle of reporters camped around the elevators that Trump had called and offered him the job and he had accepted. His new responsibilities, Kennedy said, included making sure we have scientific integrity in the vaccine process for efficacy and safety effects. He also stressed that everybody ought to be able to be assured that the vaccines we have [are] as safe as they can possibly be. Finally, he added that Trump is very pro-vaccine, as am I. Later in the afternoon, a Trump spokesperson said in a statement that the president-elect is exploring the possibility of forming a committee on Autism, which affects so many families; however no decisions have been made at this time. The president-elect looks forward to continuing the discussion about all aspects of Autism with many groups and individuals. In 2014, he published a book making the familiar autism argument and laying the blame at the familiar chemical boogeyman: thimerosal, a form of mercury that has been used in vaccines as a preservative and that he claims is poisoning children. As I reported at the timeand as scientists have been saying and saying and saying until theyre hoarsehis thinking is wrong on the chemistry, wrong on the epidemiology and wrong on the basic facts of the case. First: for all practical purposes, the thimersoal just isnt there. It has long since been removed from all vaccines except some formulations of the flu vaccine where its used in vanishingly small trace doses. Whats more, thimersosal is an ethylmercury product; the type of mercury that is harmfuland only in higher concentrationsis methylmercury. Finally, while its true that autism cases have gone up in the the U.S. in recent years, that has happened at the precise time thimerosal levels in vaccines have fallen. Epidemiologists attribute the increased autism incidence almost entirely to better diagnoses and an expanded definition of conditions that fall onto the autism spectrum. Kennedy has remained stubbornly unmoved by all that, continuing to scare the daylights out of parents by warning that vaccines, which have saved tens of millions of lives over the decades, are somehow a menace. Well, now hes got a president ear and a presidents support, and a much bigger megaphone than he ever had before. If there is anything Kennedy said in his impromptu press conference today that was inarguably true, it came when he commented on Trumps beliefs about vaccines. His opinion doesnt matter but the science does matter, and we ought to be reading the science, he said. Yes, we shouldbecause it proves that the newly chosen vaccine czar does not know what hes talking about. Yahoo News: Trump Has Reportedly Appointed Vaccine Skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. To Lead A Study On Vaccine Safety Are vaccines safe? The overwhelming scientific consensus is Yes. Despite the insistence of some that vaccines cause autism, the study claiming this has been thoroughly debunked on a repeated basis, year after year. Furthermore, vaccines are getting rid of horrible diseases like polio, strep throat and Ebola. However, the Trump administration believes there are still questions about vaccine safety and has appointed a vaccine skeptic to investigate them. The Hill reports Robert Kennedy Jr. who hails from Americas most prominent Democratic political family will be leading a commission on vaccine safety. Trump, despite his tweets and the activity of the Trump foundation, is not in fact a member of the anti-vaxx movement. Instead, Trump has stated a belief that children receive too many vaccines too early in their lives, which qualifies him as a slow vaxxer. Kennedy, however, despite no formal medical training, is against the use of the preservative thiomersal in vaccines, as he believes the mercury in it causes autism in children, and has held this belief for more than a decade. A Salon article written by Kennedy more than a decade ago alleged a government cover-up of the connection between thiomersal and autism, which required multiple corrections and was ultimately retracted in 2011. Kennedys opinions on thiomersal are a moot point, although it has been cleared of these accusations by later research. Thiomersal is no longer used as a preservative, except in some flu shots. It is not clear, precisely, what Kennedy will be investigating in regard to vaccine safety, as the false science promoted as proof was based around thiomersal. Kennedy will hopefully provide guidance about the committee at a later date. Telegraph (UK): Donald Trump asks Robert F Kennedy Jr to chair vaccine safety commission in sign he still believes vaccines cause autism After the meeting, Mr Kennedy said the president-elect had asked him to chair a new commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity. President-elect Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies, and he has questions about it, he said. His opinion doesnt matter, but the science does matter, and we ought to be reading the science, and we ought to be debating the science.... At least 15 studies, involving hundreds of thousands of children, have been conducted and each has found that there is no correlation between vaccination and autism. "We take the concerns seriously, we spend a lot of money trying to address those concerns, and the frustrating part is that when they are addressed people just choose not to believe it," Dr Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Centre at the Children's Hosptial of Philadephia told the Telegraph last year. Newsday: Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead Donald Trump panel on vaccinations He and Trump separately have voiced concerns over whether vaccinations can cause autism a link that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical communities have said is disproved by research and dangerous to promote. Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies, said Kennedy, New York Post: Trump taps vaccine-skeptic RFK Jr. to lead safety commission nypost.com/2017/01/10/trump-taps-vaccine-skeptic-rfk-jr-to-lead-safety-commission/ The selection is sure to draw criticism as Kennedy Jr. has likened vaccines to the holocaust. They get the shot, that night they have a fever of a hundred and three, they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone, he said 2015. This is a holocaust, what this is doing to our country. The vaccine skeptic would later apologize for those comments. Kennedy Jr., a green energy advocate, visited Trump Tower Tuesday at the request of the president-elect. The Hill: Vaccine skeptic says he's been asked to lead Trump vaccine commission Yet the belief persists on the fringes of both the political left and right, boosted by some prominent celebrities. As Kennedy suggested, Trump has repeatedly entertained a link between vaccines and autism, sharing a story in 2014 about a "healthy young child" developing autism after vaccinations. White House spokesman Earnest declined to comment on the commission but said there is "not any scientific ambiguity" about vaccination. "The scientific advice that has been consistently offered by government and non-government scientists alike is that parents should have their children vaccinated," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. I dont want to speak in a whole lot of detail about the incoming administrations plans because I dont know a whole lot about them. Bloomberg: Trump Says Hes Exploring Forming Commission to Study Autism Vaccines, a standard of pediatric care for nearly a century, offer benefits to human health that far outweigh any harms, according to the consensus of scientists and doctors. Vaccines are safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines save lives, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement after Kennedys earlier comments. Claims that vaccines are linked to autism, or are unsafe when administered according to the recommended schedule, have been disproven by a robust body of medical literature, Fernando Stein, AAP president, and Karen Remley, the groups executive vice president, said in the statement. Bob Doherty, senior vice president of government affairs and public policy at the American College of Physicians, criticized Kennedys comments on the vaccine commission on Twitter. Lord help us. And kids who will die by giving a platform & undeserved credibility to #antivax movement, he tweeted. Vox.com: Donald Trump met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a dangerous anti-vaxxer advocate One of America's leading vaccine conspiracists now has the ear of the president-elect. But the fact that Trump is consulting Kennedy on the issue at all should worry just about anyone who believes in science, public health, and dispelling myths about vaccines. Boston Globe: Trump asks Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, to chair vaccine safety panel President-elect Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies and he has questions about it, Kennedy said of his meeting with Trump. Trump has expressed skepticism about vaccines in the past. He has previously met with vaccination critics and in 2014 tweeted Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesnt feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases! The claim has been denounced as dangerous by doctors. Bloomberg: Trump Asks Vaccine Skeptic Kennedy to Lead U.S. Safety Panel Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has alleged vaccines can be dangerous Public health officials and scientists say hes wrong President-elect Donald Trump has asked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead a committee on the safety of vaccines, selecting an environmentalist who has linked the shots to autism in defiance of broad scientific consensus. Kennedy met with the incoming president at Trump Tower in New York on Tuesday and afterward told reporters that he had accepted an offer to lead a panel on vaccine safety and scientific integrity. Kennedy opposes the use of a preservative called thimerosal in vaccines because it contains a form of mercury that he calls a devastating brain poison. He says the shots can cause autism and have created a public health crisis, disregarding scientific studies that have concluded they do not. Kennedy, a Democrat, has alleged in speeches that vaccines -- some of the best-studied medical products in the world -- are dangerous and that public health officials who oversee them have been corrupted and cannot be trusted. He has fought laws in some states that would remove a parents ability to exempt their children from the shots. Vaccines, a standard of pediatric care for nearly a century, have benefits to human health that far outweigh any harms, according to the consensus of scientists and doctors. Kennedy, who edited the book Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak, is specifically incensed about the use of the mercury-containing preservative, which was included in some vaccines since the 1930s. It prevents contamination in vials that contain multiple doses of vaccines. Thimerosal was removed from all immunizations given to children under the age of 6 in 2001, with the exception of an inactivated influenza vaccine, at the urging of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Epidemiologists have found no resulting decrease in the number of American children diagnosed with autism since the change took effect. Washington Post: The facts about vaccines, autism and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s conspiracy theory First things first: Vaccines do not cause autism. So say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, along with dozens of studies published in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals. The scientific consensus on vaccines and autism is thorough and solid: There is no evidence of a connection. This is not new news. But it bears repeating now that President-elect Donald Trump wants Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to chair a new commission on vaccine safety. Because unlike thousands of doctors and scientists, Kennedy a lawyer who does not have a medical degree is not convinced. The consensus of the medical and scientific establishment hasn't deterred vaccine skeptics, many of whom say that the government must be covering up the risk. This conspiracy theory found fertile ground in Kennedy. Soon after news of Kennedy's appointment broke, the AAP issued a statement from its president, Fernando Stein, and vice president, Karen Remley, affirming the safety and importance of vaccines. They emphasized the risks of delaying vaccinations, something that Trump said he was in favor of during a 2015 Republican primary debate. I want smaller doses over a longer period of time, Trump said. The AAP's response was blunt: Vaccines are safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines save lives, Stein and Remley wrote. We stand ready to work with the White House and the federal government to share the extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the safety of vaccines, including the recommended schedule. The real danger, they point out, lies in refusing or delaying vaccines. Slate: Donald Trump and RFK Jr. Are Vaccine-Skeptical Soulmates They present their skepticism of established science as reasonable. And that makes their views even scarier. The innocuous title of a commission on vaccine safety is indicative of exactly what makes the TrumpRFK Jr. pairing so frighteningand why it might be effective. Both men reject the established science on vaccinationscience that shows that vaccines are safe and that they save lives. (The irony of vaccines is that theyve been so successful at eradicating terrible diseases that many people now feel able to question their utility.) And yet both men also pretend they are not as bad as the anti-vaxxers who erroneously think vaccines cause autism. Kennedy and Trump have each made pointed statements about the fact that they vaccinated their own children. They seem to think this should allow them to say whatever else they want about vaccination without receiving the same sort of criticism that anti-vaxxers get. Of course, as prominent public figures the exact opposite should be true: They should be held to a higher standard than confused parents when it comes to vaccination. Instead they both spew dangerous falsehoodsfalsehoods that apparently may now make their way into actual policy. Kennedy has already shown himself to be willing to sacrifice much of his political clout over beliefs that, when examined by experts in the field, do not stand up to scrutiny. Apparently it was worth it: His previously unpalatable opinions are about to be elevated by the most powerful man in the world. CNBC: Donald Trump gives vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. chair of new panel that will probe vaccine Both Trump and Kennedy the son of slain Sen. Robert Kennedy have voiced fears about vaccines causing autism, fears that scientists have repeatedly determined to be without merit. Kennedy edited a book entitled "Timerosal: Let the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercury a Known Neurotoxin from Vaccines." That book argues that thimerosal, which has been used for the past nine decades in vaccines, causes autism. (Link to FDA statement on thimerosal. No link to Kennedys book.) Denver Post: Donald Trump asks vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead commission on vaccine safety The comments were widely denounced by medical professionals who say that there is no evidence that vaccines lead to autism. In fact, the study that popularized the idea has been retracted and discredited as fraudulent. Multiple high-quality studies have found no link between vaccines and autism. But Trumps views date back several years. In tweets as early as 2012, Trump expressed skepticism about vaccines, and in 2014 said that doctors lied about vaccines. Kennedy has been a notable proponent of nonmedical exemptions for parents who seek to prevent their children from being vaccinated, which is mandatory in most states. He has argued that mercury-based additives in vaccines explain the link to autism. Huffington: Vaccine Skeptic RFK Jr. Says Trump Asked Him To Lead Panel On Vaccine Safety The president-elect has long espoused the bogus conspiracy theory that vaccines cause autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics put out a statement in response to Trumps meeting with Kennedy reiterating its position that vaccines are safe and that they save lives. Vaccines have been part of the fabric of our society for decades and are the most significant medical innovation of our time, AAP President Fernando Stein and Vice President Karen Remley said in the statement. Claims that vaccines are linked to autism, or are unsafe when administered according to the recommended schedule, have been disproven by a robust body of medical literature, Fernando and Remly said. Vaccine skeptics often point to that alleged connection between vaccines and autism, in which a preservative called thimerosal is a chief culprit. But that link has been studied and debunked so many times that for it to actually exist, the medical and public health community would have to be engaged in a coverup conspiracy of global proportions. Kennedys 2014 book, Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercury a Known Neurotoxin from Vaccines, laid out the supposed evidence for just such a conspiracy. Public health groups, including the World Health Organization and the AAP, have said thimerosal is safe for use as a preservative in vaccines, citing piles of scientific evidence. Yet the ominous warnings and conspiracy theories peddled by people like Trump and Kennedy have had the effect of spreading fear among parents and may have contributed to falling immunization rates in some communities, and the subsequent outbreak of diseases like measles. If Trump were to go ahead with a commission to study vaccine safety, he would be sending yet another such message this time, from the Oval Office that vaccinating your kids may not be safe. The public health implications of such a move could be disastrous. The Daily Beast: BE AFRAID Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Compared Vaccines To A HolocaustAnd Now Trump Wants Him To Investigate Their Safety Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Camelot heir, lawyer, environmentalist, and crackpot anti-vaxxermet with President-Elect Donald Trump today to talk about vaccines. Kennedy later told reporters that Trump has tapped him to chair a commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity. This meeting alone is likely to embolden discredited conspiracy theorists who have cheered Trumps electionand it should send shivers down the spines of parents, doctors, and believers in science everywhere. The notion that Kennedy is pro-vaccine would be laughable if it weren't so terrifying. For over a decade, Kennedy has been a public face of the anti-vaxxer movement. In 2005, he penned a piece published on Salon and in Rolling Stone titled, "Deadly Immunity in which he told the the story of how government health agencies colluded with Big Pharma to hide the risks of thimerosal from the public. Thimerosal is a mercury-based vaccine preservative and study after study after study has proven there is no association between it and autism. The article had so many issues and needed so many corrections that Salon retracted it, saying the response from scientists and experts eroded any faith we had in the storys value. medical professionals the world over agree: there is no link, no link at all, between autism and vaccinations. The one study that alleged such a causal link existeda 1998 paper by Andrew Wakefield suggesting measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines caused autismhas been debunked, retracted, and the authors medical license revoked for ethical violations. So of course Trump met with the discredited ex-physician Wakefield and several of his fraudulent movements leaders in the final weeks of the campaign. I found him to be extremely interested, genuinely interested, and open-minded on this issue, so that was enormously refreshing, Wakefield told STAT News of the meeting. The conspiracy theorists Trump surrounds himself with are celebrating his victory. And why not? Trump has repeatedly signaled he would be a powerful ally for the anti-vaccination movement. (VIDEO) NBC: Anti-Vaccine Activist Says Trump Asked Him to Head Commission on Vaccine Safety Both Trump and Kennedy have spread fringe theories linking vaccines to autism in children, an idea that medical experts overwhelmingly reject and have warned is endangering public health by discouraging parents from immunizing their kids. On Tuesday, the AAP's leaders offered "to share the extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the safety of vaccines" with the new commission. "Claims that vaccines are linked to autism, or are unsafe when administered according to the recommended schedule, have been disproven by a robust body of medical literature," the group said in a statement. "Delaying vaccines only leaves a child at risk of disease." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there is no link between autism and vaccines, citing numerous subsequent studies. An Immunization Safety Commission organized by the Institute of Medicine examined the issue and reached the same conclusion in multiple reports. But the theory persists, aided in part by celebrity advocates. Experts have warned that this small but vocal group of doubters is helping fuel outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough in communities where parents decline to vaccinate their children. Marie McCormick, a Harvard professor of maternal and child health who chaired the Immunization Safety Commission, expressed concern that Trump and Kennedy might lend a presidential seal to misinformation. "If the committee comes out saying there is an [autism] association, there will be people who avoid vaccines," McCormick told NBC News. "There have been actual deaths attributed to lower immunization rates." (VIDEO added: New study: No link between autism and MMR vaccine and a video on Robert De Niro) Mother Jones: Donald Trump and Robert KenndyJr Team Up to Spread Nonsense About Vaccines This is the bad kind of bipartisanship. Surprise! It's evil biparisanship! This is the most anti-science Republicans joining the most anti-science Democratic to push dangerous anti-vaxx lunacy. Vaccines work and they don't cause autism. Trump has a long history of spreading anti-vaxx bullshit. So, too, does RFK Jr (when he's not slinging insane theories about Diebold and Ohio). More than 10 years ago he went on the Daily Show and, in one of Jon Stewart's most shameful moments, was allowed to spew his brand of anti-vaxx crack-pottery. Liberals like RFK Jr because liberals like love RFK, but Robert the Younger is loony tunes on vaccines. He's in the same boat as Jenny McCarthy. Vaccinate. Your. Kids. Don't listen to lunatics even if they do come bearing the seal of the President CNN: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: I'll head vaccine group (VIDEO) NPR: Despite The Facts, Trump Once Again Embraces Vaccine Skeptics Kennedy, who said the goal is "to make sure we have scientific integrity in the vaccine process for efficacy and safety effects," noted that Trump requested the meeting. Trump happened to take the meeting on one of the busiest days in politics in one of the busiest weeks in politics since the presidential election. Trump's attorney general nominee, Jeff Sessions, is sitting for the first of two days of hearings that questioning past allegations of racism and highlighting where he differs from the president-elect. NJ.com: RFK Jr., known for anti-vaccine views, named to Trump panel, reports say Kennedy, 63, is an lawyer and environmental activist who believes that vaccines might be linked to autism and that researchers and the pharmaceutical industry have no interest in exploring the issue. Those views go against the conclusion of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reviewed concerns linking vaccines to the development of autism. It conclusion was clear: "Vaccines do not cause autism" is the title of a web page summing up that research. Trump's nominee to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Georgia Congressman and orthopedist Tom Price, has not spoken about vaccines. However, he has spoken in general about his distaste for government-mandated treatment, and his belief that families should be allowed to make care decisions on their own. As head of HHS, Price will manage not only the CDC, but the National Institutes of Health - the two key agencies that run government health research. Washington Examiner: Anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he'll chair vaccine commission for Trump President-elect Trump has reportedly asked Robert Kennedy Jr., a notable figure in the anti-vaxxer movement, to chair a commission under his administration that will focus on vaccine safety and scientific integrity, Kennedy said Tuesday. Kennedy and Trump met at Trump Tower on Tuesday to discuss "vaccines and immunizations," transition spokesman Sean Spicer had told reporters earlier in the day. Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism. Web Toolbar by Wibiya Date: 31 December, 2016. Place: Surface of Mars. Just a few days ago, on 31 December, a fantastic discovering caused excitement amongst UFO hunters and general public. According to an article published on British online news site Express.co.uk, a recent image sent by NASA rover Curiosity shows what many ufologists affirms is an alien sitting down on the surface of Mars. The picture being shared online was taken by the NASA Curiosity rover, and, according to Scott C Waring, of ufosightingsdaily.com, it shows a possible alien living being, the article states. Mr Waring, a renowned UFO researcher, expressed: I found some anomalies that are all signs of life on Mars. Some houses, some faces, a human like figure sitting down, and decorative foundation corners. He also claims to have discovered a four-legged creature in the same image. I found this four-legged alien creature on Mars and it looks like a hairy spider monkey, he stated. The longer upper arms are holding it up as well as its shorter lower legs. If you add light to the face, you can easily make out two eyes, Mr Waring described. As you can see, this animal is watching the Mars rover, he added. In his opinion, these images sent by NASA rovers like Curiosity represent a wonderful opportunity for people to investigate more about extraterrestrial life. We the public no longer need to depend on the US government to drop feed us information about life on Mars and other celestial bodies, he expressed. We are taking the initiative and we have proven on this site [UFO Sightings Daily website] that life exists a thousand times over, he continued. Mr Waring also believes that NASA tries to hide information about this sort of issues because it is considered as a threat to national security. Somewhere along the line, Americans got lost and began depending on the government for all their important information, but some information is a threat to national security, such as UFO technology and alien intelligence; so they can't announce it, the ufologist said. However, some members of the scientific community are sceptic about Mr Warings theories. This [Mr Warings discoveries] happens when the brain tricks the eyes into seeing familiar objects or shapes such as animals or faces in textures like clouds or rock surfaces, they affirmed. Draw your own conclusions For further information: http://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/748267/Mars-alien-sitting-down-NASA I PROVED ALIENS EXIST NASA image shows alien sitting down on surface of Mars UFO hunters are doing somersaults after stumbling across what they claim is an alien sitting down on the surface of Mars in a NASA image. The picture being shared online was taken by the NASA Curiosity rover, and, according to Scott C Waring, of ufosightingsdaily.com, it shows a possible alien living being. Mr Waring claims to have found several other anomalies in the same image which has been posted online. He said: I found some anomalies that are all signs of life on Mars. Some houses, some faces, a human like figure sitting down, and decorative foundation corners. All are interesting so I included them below. He also claims to have found another monkey-like being, adding: I found this four-legged alien creature on Mars and it looks like a hairy spider monkey. The longer upper arms are holding it up as well as its shorter lower legs. If you add light to the face, you can easily make out two eyes. As you can see, this animal is watching the Mars rover. Mr waring and others are convinced they are finding genuine evidence of life in the pictures. He added: We the public no longer need to depend on the US government to drop feed us information about life on Mars and other celestial bodies. We are taking the initiative and we have proven on this site that life exists a thousand times over. He also tried to explain why he believes NASA would cover up the fact life exists. He added: Somewhere along the line, Americans got lost and began depending on the government for all their important information...but some information is a threat to national security...such as UFO technology and alien intelligence, so they can't announce it. But NASA and scientists just say he is getting carried away by the effects of pareidolia. This happens when the brain tricks the eyes into seeing familiar objects or shapes such as animals or faces in textures like clouds or rock surfaces. Web Toolbar by Wibiya The unpredictability of human nature has led to the drafting of countless constitutional reforms all over the world in order to ensure that instances where others blatantly trample on the rights of other citizens are eliminated. It is with this in mind that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms clearly states under its Equality Rights that: 15 (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without any discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. (2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. However, current activities being carried out by the Canadian Senate clearly goes contrary to the provisions stipulated in the Charter Equality Rights. According to the new reform, in order for an individual to become a member of the Senate, he or she has to provide written letters of reference from other citizens. This is a clear and complete violation of the rights of people with physical impairments who might not be able to write such long essays to support someone that they deem fit to be part of the Senate. The idea of allowing the citizens to choose their own competent individuals to represent them in the Senate was seen as a step in the right direction as it meant that every citizen would be able to participate in electing Senate members. However, the additional requirements needed in order to elect an individual to be a member of the Senate is simply a breach of the rights of citizens especially those who are blind. With no provisions for the blind to effectively exercise their rights in nominating of Senate members as a result of the inclusion of a written letter of reference, it can be clearly seen that this new twist in the law is just a way to disenfranchise citizens with physical disabilities especially the blind. How can a blind person without access to special adaptive technologies be asked to write a letter of reference to back his or her choice of person to be in the Senate? Such a move calls for various processes and procedures to be put in place in order to ensure that each and every citizen regardless of his or her physical condition is giving a fair chance to exercise his or her franchise. With such a move by the Senate, it has gone to further prove how those in higher authority are constantly abusing the powers vested in them by their citizens. In asking citizens to provide letters of reference backing their chosen candidates, the Senate is indirectly trying to tell the citizens that only well educated and physically able citizens who are well versed in the writing of reference letters qualify to make their voices heard. This all comes down to the issue of the few elite in Canada always violating the rights of others including the physically disabled. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 The full slate of House Agriculture Committee Republicans has been finalized, bringing a clearer picture to the panel that will shape the next farm bill. The committee will add six Republican freshmen to replace three retired members and three who left the committee for other appointments. This comes after news yesterday that five new Democrats would replace a handful retiring members and two members expected to join other committees. In a statement, committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, called the new committee roster a great group of incoming and returning members. Their diverse backgrounds will be integral as the committee goes to work, Conaway said, specifically mentioning goals such as protecting the farm safety net, working to improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and rolling back burdensome regulations. I am confident in the team we have assembled, and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues. The new Republican members are Jodey Arrington of Texas, Don Bacon of Nebraska, James Comer of Kentucky, Neal Dunn of Florida, John Faso of New York, and Roger Marshall of Kansas. Marshall received attention from many national ag interests during his primary campaign against former Congressman Tim Huelskamp, whose uber-conservative policies led to House leadership booting him from the agriculture committee. Marshall an OB-GYN from western Kansas can now deliver on a campaign promise to serve on the panel. It absolutely was the defining piece to the campaign, Marshall said, adding that he was happy for us, but Im mostly happy for Kansas agriculture. Bragging that the district he represents the Big First in Kansas is the largest ag producer in the country, Marshall said, We deserve a voice on the House Ag Committee, and Im just glad for Kansans that we have that voice now. Marshall said he hopes the committee will turn out a quality farm bill and exercise its significant oversight over the Environmental Protection Agency. Four of the new Republicans Arrington, Bacon, Dunn and Faso come from districts that were represented in the committee in the 114th Congress by members who either retired or were defeated at the ballot box. Conaway also announced that Pennsylvania Republican Glenn Thompson will serve as vice chairman of the committee. Thompson chaired the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee in the last Congress. As Agri-Pulse previously reported, Pennsylvanian Dwight Evans, Al Lawson and Darren Sota of Florida, Tom OHalleran of Arizona, and Jimmy Panetta of California are the new Democrats on the panel. Panetta, the son of former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, represents the district vacated by the retirement of Sam Farr, who was the ranking member on the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Four members of the committee have left the panel to secure more coveted spots on other panels. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., served one term on the committee, where she chaired the Subcommittee on Nutrition. That subcommittee, and the committee as a whole, undertook an exhaustive review of SNAP during the last Congress. Walorski will join Washington Democrat Suzan DelBene in heading to the Ways and Means Committee, which could address tax reform, one of the goals of President-elect Donald Trump. Second-term Republicans John Moolenaar of Michigan and Dan Newhouse of Washington have both been named to the House Appropriations Committee. That panel controls budget allocations to different government agencies, including the Agriculture Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. It remains to be seen if either member will receive an appointment to that panels Agriculture and Rural Development Subcommittee. Did you know Agri-Pulse subscribers get our Daily Harvest email and Daybreak audio Monday through Friday mornings, a 16-page newsletter on Wednesdays, and access to premium content on our ag and rural policy website? Sign up for your four-week free trial Agri-Pulse subscription. California Democrat Pete Aguilar, who served on the ag committee in the last congress, has also been named to the appropriations committee. While the moves of DelBene and Aguilar are expected, a spokeswoman for the House Agriculture Committee minitory staff said a complete list of Democratic members may not be available until next week. In the Senate, Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen is the only freshman senator to join the Agriculture Committee. Montana Republican Steve Daines and Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions were also named to the committee, although Sessions would have to resign his position if he is confirmed as the next attorney general. #30 For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2017 It became clear by the end of the summer that there was no possibility to conclude negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) in 2016 or even 2017, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said Tuesday. Froman, speaking Tuesday at a forum hosted by the Washington International Trade Association, said he and his team put together a proposal for a final agreement last summer that addressed the differences that stood in the way of a deal and presented it to their European counterparts in September. It became clear for a number of reasons that Europe could not talk about their most sensitive agricultural market access questions, Froman said in what was likely his last major address before the Trump administration takes office. The EU trade ministers made it clear there was not going to be an ambitious, comprehensive agreement that year. Thats just the reality of the politics. Among the factors working against a deal, Froman said, were the EU negotiators preoccupation with finalizing a trade agreement with Canada, the Brexit vote, as well as key 2017 elections coming up in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Froman said he was surprised to learn that agricultural issues seemed to be the most sensitive issues that the European negotiators were reluctant to discuss. Gaining new market access to European markets for beef, poultry and pork have been major goals for U.S. officials who have been negotiating T-TIP for the past five years. A recent USDA analysis showed that while the U.S. is importing record amounts of agricultural products from Europe, U.S. exports to the EU dropped 4 percent in 2015. Are you tracking trade issues? Follow Agri-Pulse for more in-depth coverage. Sign up for a four-week free trial now. While the United States had a $16 billion agricultural trade surplus with the rest of the world in 2015, it ran a record $12 billion trade deficit in farm and food products with the European Union, up 15 percent from 2014, the report concluded. European tariffs are a major problem for U.S. exporters, but the EU has also virtually halted U.S. chicken imports because of bans on the type of antimicrobial rinses used by most U.S. producers to prevent salmonella contamination. U.S. pork exports are stymied by an EU prohibition on ractopamine, a drug commonly used by U.S. ranchers to promote the production of lean meat. But Froman stressed that T-TIP can eventually succeed. I do hope at the end of the day the next administration and the European Union will be able to pick up where we left off and move forward on the remaining issues, he said. #30 For more news, go to: www.Agri-Pulse.com Assyrian Family Shares Tale of Capture, Displacement For the second year in a row, Mariam Sarkis' parents did not celebrate Christmas. In December 2015, their daughter was still being held by the Islamic State organization. Although she was later released, this past Christmas the parents were mourning their only son, Basil, who died Dec. 5 in clashes that erupted in the north of Raqqa. Basil, 25, fought against IS in the ranks of the Souturo forces allied with the Syrian Democratic Forces. Mariam's family belongs to the Assyrian Christian minority. They're from the village of Tell Shamiram, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the northwest of the city of Hasakah in northern Syria. Mariam and her parents were kidnapped along with 234 Assyrians during a dawn attack by IS on Feb. 23, 2015, on the predominantly Assyrian villages located on the banks of the Khabour River. Her father was held for more than five months, and her mother for nine. Mariam, 20 years old, is thin with dark brown eyes. "A year and two months ago, when I was still kidnapped, one of the jailers came to us and shouted my mother's name [for her to be released] but did not say mine! It was the end of the world to me," she told Al-Monitor. Read the full story here. "The Russian Helicopters holding, in partnership with [Russia's state arms exporter] Rosoboronexport, will deliver four Mi-35M attack helicopters with transport capability to Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry in 2018. The contract has been signed," the company's press service said. "The Mi-35M helicopter is slowly advancing to replace the Mi-24 helicopter used widely around the world," Vladislav Savelyev, the company's director of public procurement and military-technical cooperation, said as quoted by the press service. According to Flight Global's World Air Forces 2015 report, the Kazakh Air and Air Defence Forces currently operate a fleet of 18 Mi-35s, all deployed by the 486th Helicopter Regiment based at Ucharal. The Mi-35M is an improved export variant of the famous Russia-made Mi-24 Hind. It is a night attack version fitted with i.a. upgraded advanced avionics and sensor package, including night vision systems, GOES-342 electro-optical range finder/targeting system, and GLONASS/GPS navigation system. May 15, 2013 Since the visit of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov to Beirut on April 26, the Russian Embassy in the Lebanese capital appears to be a crisis management group charged with solving the Syrian file or a working group preparing for the second Geneva conference. This is the case for several reasons. Russias diplomats have moved from Damascus to Beirut, as have a majority of the diplomatic missions to Syria. In Beirut, the Russians have been able to communicate and interact with external parties on the Syrian crisis more than they could in Damascus. Beirut was chosen over other capitals in states neighboring Syria to be the base of Russian diplomatic work in view of historical, geographical and personal considerations. Historically, Beirut was the base of the czarist consul in the Orient, as well as for other European consuls, during the Ottoman Empire and the period of the emergence of the modern Mashreq countries a century ago. Moreover, Beirut is closer to Damascus than any other neighboring capital. Regarding personal considerations, one should first note that Bogdanov, in charge of major issues involving Syria at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a personal friend of the Russian ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Sasbekean. They have been friends since the early 1970s, when they were classmates at the Institute of International Relations, also known as the diplomats school, affiliated with the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, Sasbekean's only son is also a diplomat, working within Bogdanovs Syrian team in Moscow. Thus, the Russian Embassy in Beirut plays an important role in regard to events in Syria. This role gained new impetus following Bogdanov visit to Beirut. Although Bogdanov made a private visit to the Syrian capital, he was keen to meet with a delegation of the Syrian opposition in Beirut, not in Damascus. This event has been interpreted in several ways. Some have said that the meeting took place in the Lebanese capital, because some communist veteran friends from Lebanon contributed to the preparations of the meeting, given their close ties with their Syrian friends in the Syrian opposition. Others believe that Bogdanov wanted to reassure the Syrian opposition that in Beirut it would have ample freedom to talk about everything. Regardless of the meetings venue, sources who participated in Bogdanovs meeting with the Syrian opposition confirmed that it did not produce any tangible results. The Russian official tried to impress upon his guests that they have an exceptional opportunity and that they should take the initiative and seize it. He stated, We are preparing for the Second Geneva Conference. We agreed with the Americans on the general framework of this conference. We are even involved in choosing the participants, whether from the regime or the opposition. Therefore, we say to you, be prepared to take on this role and we are ready to support you. Nevertheless, the Syrian opposition seemed to be reluctant and indecisive, for a number of reasons. The Syrian participants required time to consult with other members of the opposition. This left the Russians with the impression that their interlocutors either feared the reaction of the jihadist forces should they agree to take part in the second Geneva conference or that they suffered from a legitimate representation crisis, which would be exposed if they took part in a dialogue and agreed to implement the ensuing results on the ground. It is clear that Bogdanovs meeting with the Syrian opposition did not lead to the desired results. Hence, Russian Embassy diplomats have been turned into a work group to follow up on the mission after Bagdanov left the country. According to reliable information provided to Al-Monitor, Ambassador Sasbekean has been holding meetings in preparation for the second Geneva conference. He has been in contact with Moscow as well as Damascus to this effect and has been requesting that his interlocutors submit proposals they deem useful to consolidate Russias views at the conference. In this context, a number of points have been discussed, of most importance the following: First, there is a need to emphasize that there is no connection between the conference and the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Second, the conference must be followed with work regionally and locally, especially in regard to the situation of minorities in the region given the threat to them posed by jihadists. This is necessary in supporting the Russian view on the Syrian issue, not to mention that it is part of the official rhetoric of the new Russian foreign policy. While, Soviet Russia considered liberation movements of people to be an integral part of the regimes ideology and foreign policy, the Orthodox Moscow of today places the issue of religious minorities in this region at the core of its policy. Third, already extensively discussed financial issues, reconstruction projects and compensation should be addressed at the second Geneva conference. The Russians appear to be interested at the moment in the official Syrian reading of the material and human losses of the past two years. This is to create some sort of balance in the upcoming international conference regarding accountability for events as well as the responsibility of other nations, at a later stage, in helping Syria out of its predicament. Fourth, reliable sources confirmed that the Russian Embassy in Beirut has also been discussing the issue of the international parties to be invited to participate in the conference. It is possible for a number of reasons that the Russians might consider inviting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to take part. First, Palestinians are involved in the events in Syria given the refugee camps there. Second, such a move could consolidate international support for Abbas legitimacy. Third, Syrian authorities would welcome this step as retaliation for Hamass stance toward the Syrian regime, given that Khaled Meshaal has adhered to the official position of the Muslim Brotherhood regarding the Syrian crisis. Thus, whatever the outcome, the agendas or the possibility of holding an international conference to resolve the Syrian crisis, one thing is for sure: The Russians have something simmering in Beirut. Jean Aziz is a contributing writer for Al-Monitors Lebanon Pulse. He is a columnist at Al-Akhbar, the Lebanese newspaper, and the host of a weekly political talk show on OTV, a Lebanese TV station. He also teaches communications at the American University of Technology and the Universite Saint-Esprit De Kaslik in Lebanon. November 20, 2015 SANAA, Yemen The war in Yemen is taking a huge psychological and material toll on young students as their schools are being intentionally targeted, officials say. Education officials there estimate the war has destroyed more than 1,300 schools, required hundreds of others to be converted into shelters and created a black market for, of all things, school supplies. The UN stood helpless as schools are targeted by all parties to the Yemeni conflict, Paolo Lembo, UN resident coordinator in Yemen, said in October. We cannot compel any of the parties to refrain from targeting schools, as imposing such a condition upon them by force is extremely difficult. The war has taken a terrible toll in Yemen as Houthi rebels loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and backed by Iran battle troops loyal to UN-recognized President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. The Hadi troops are backed by a Saudi-led coalition of Arab troops. The fighting, which began in late March, has damaged all levels of the education sector. The children of Yemen, numbering in the millions, are being deprived of their basic right to an education. They are suffering great mental anguish as the fighting continues unabated, accompanied by airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition. The repercussions of the aggression waged by the Saudi-led coalition are grave, particularly upon the education sector, leading to the abrogation of given childhood rights, Deputy Minister of Education Abdullah al-Hamidi told Al-Monitor, adding that damage inflicted on the vital sector is massive. Hundreds of schools [have been] destroyed, while the remaining standing few were converted to shelters for refugees fleeing a number of Yemeni cities. He noted that 6 million children have been affected by this war. Moreover, Hamidi explained that the ministry is unable to furnish educational material due to a lack of paper used to print textbooks and the impossibility of importing such paper as a result of the siege imposed by the aggressors against our country. In a phenomenon seldom seen anywhere else in the world, many Yemenis are being driven to purchase their educational essentials on the black market that has emerged in the capital of Sanaa and other provincial centers. The market is driven by demand and a lack of official action against the trade of educational material. Yet, Hamidi said there are reasons to be optimistic. Parents seem determined to uphold educational standards by encouraging their children to attend schools. Also, ministry representatives who have visited many schools in Sanaa said primary and secondary students expressed their desire to continue their studies despite the raging war. Salem Mughallis, Education Office general director in Aden, described the specific situation in that city. Armed confrontations taking place in the city between government forces and the Houthis have caused extensive damage to educational infrastructure, with 148 schools destroyed and some converted to refugee centers. He added, The education sector suffered greatly in the city due to the violence of the confrontations there. Many students lost their families and are in a dire psychological state. We have also lost teachers and students who have gone off to fight. Mughallis explained that, for various reasons, Aden has yet to begin its school year officially, despite the ministry in Sanaa announcing otherwise. Adens refusal to adhere to the ministrys set schedule could reflect the fact that, because of all the fighting, Aden has become the de facto capital of the country. Yet, Mughallis said there is still a glimmer of hope that the education sector will regain some normalcy through the humanitarian efforts of the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent to rebuild what was destroyed by war. So far, 54 schools have been rebuilt, and the Emirati organization has vowed to restore all Adens schools. The citys local inhabitants are eager to see their children return to school, he noted. But, he added, There are still hurdles standing in the way of education returning to normal. Among those challenges, Mughallis said, is the need to relocate the families forced to live in the schools when their homes were lost to war. Like others, Mughallis emphasized that the damages of war are not limited to material losses, but extend to the psychological impact on students and teachers alike. In that regard, Sanaa schoolteacher Abed Abdelghani told Al-Monitor, Many families were forced to leave their homes in Sanaa and move to other areas in search of security. As a result, refugee students were compelled to adapt to new realities in the areas to which they fled. Students, predominantly children ages 7 to 10, are the segment of society most affected by this war. Abdelghani stressed the urgent need for Yemen to psychologically rehabilitate its students, thus allowing them to return to school. Some have lost their fathers or other family members in addition to the [other] psychological traumas that they have endured due to the indiscriminate shelling of heavily populated areas. January 10, 2017 CAIRO The Qasr al-Nile minor offenses court in Cairo issued on Nov. 19, 2016, a nonconclusive ruling sentencing the head of Egypt's Journalists' Syndicate, Yahya Qalash, and board members Gamal Abdel-Rahim and Khaled el-Balshy, to two years of hard labor in prison on charges of harboring fugitives from justice in the syndicates building. They must further pay 10,000 Egyptian pounds (roughly $530) to stay the execution. The ruling, which observers characterized as unprecedented, caused a stir inside and outside the syndicate. The Egyptian government was harshly criticized by organizations advocating human rights, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. On Nov. 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement calling on the Egyptian authorities to drop charges against Qalash, Abdel-Rahim and Balshy. In an interview with Al-Monitor at the Journalists' Syndicate building in Cairo Dec. 7, Qalash spoke of the syndicates problem with the state, which was ignited May 1 when security forces stormed into the syndicates building for the first time since the syndicates inception decades ago. Journalists Amr Badr and Mahmoud al-Saqa, who were staging a sit-in there, were arrested after security forces had broken into their homes for expressing their opposition to the Egyptian-Saudi maritime border demarcation agreement signed on April 8, 2016, under which Egypt ceded the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia. Qalash also talked about media law No. 92 of 2016 ratified Dec. 27 by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the situation of journalists, in light of Egypts political, security and economic turmoil. The text of the interview follows: Al-Monitor: How did you receive the news on the ruling? Qalash: The ruling came as a shock to everyone. No crime was initially committed for us to receive such a harsh sentence. These things happened because we are defending our syndicate and its members. The imprisonment sentence is a cheap price to pay for defending the syndicate and preventing the storming in the future. Although we are not the suspects, police officers stormed into the syndicates building in May 2016, in violation of the law. We want the law to be implemented, not violated. We also want the law and the constitution to stop being violated, and violations committed against journalists to cease. We are defending our colleagues right to not be arrested or assaulted. We didn't know that there was an arrest warrant against Badr and Saqa, when they resorted to the syndicate. Their lawyers arrived, and they were taken to the general prosecution for interrogation in the presence of their lawyers, in light of guarantees protecting their rights. The storming into the building was a violation of the law. We are keen for the law to be implemented and we aspire to a state of law, not the opposite. We will continue on the judicial path, considering that it is a nonconclusive ruling, and that another court will be examining the case. We expect the judiciary to find us innocent, because we aren't criminals. Al-Monitor: What do you think about Sisis Nov. 22 statement on [Portugese TV and radio station] RTP, where he said that this is a criminal case related to harboring fugitives at the syndicates building, representing a violation of the law, and has nothing to do with the freedom of opinion? Qalash: Sisis statement was probably based on information he received from some quarters. Yet the facts say otherwise. It is not a crime that journalists resort to the syndicate building. Dozens of similar cases happened in the past, most notably in 2008 when journalist Abdel Jalil al-Sharnoubi a former editor-in-chief of Ikhwan online, the Muslim Brotherhoods official website staged a sit-in in the syndicates building for more than 45 days. Yet back then, [security forces] did not storm into the building as happened in May, although he was wanted by the judiciary. The information received by the president, and his statement on an international platform, confirm that there is something wrong. The criticism against the freedoms dossier sparked more controversy abroad than at home. We are not standing in a confrontation with the authority or the regime; rather, we are defending the syndicate, which is a state institution and part of the community. Al-Monitor: On the eve of the ruling, you said there is a bigger crisis at the Journalists' Syndicate board. What is the nature of the crisis? Qalash: The syndicate is facing major challenges that the board alone cannot face. The press in Egypt is facing a crisis with the state. Dozens of journalists are in prison. This is in addition to the new media law that parliament was discussing, and the unprecedented ruling in this case. These crises require that the journalists general assembly backs up the syndicates board in facing it. Al-Monitor: How did the syndicate respond to the ruling that was followed by an emergency meeting Nov. 23? Qalash: The syndicates general assembly met, and nearly 1,300 senior and junior journalists and authors attended. They put forward many ideas and proposals that we will implement in the future, most notably the formation of three committees to discuss all problems and issues related to journalism. The first is on the social and economic conditions, the second is on the freedoms and cases related to our detained colleagues and the third is on the media legislations. I believe that it is a successful meeting that has a direct, balanced and conclusive message. Al-Monitor: What do you want to say about the new media law? Qalash: The new law does not reflect the idea of the independence of the press and media institutions from the executive branch, which was targeted in the 2014 constitution. We wished that the syndicate and parliament had agreed on it before submitting it to the president, just as the government and syndicate did during the three-year preparation. We sought to organize press and media regulatory agencies by drafting a law based on the constitution, but the new media law was ratified without being subject to any consensus or social dialogue. In mid-November 2016, the government submitted to parliament two separate draft laws based on the recommendation of the State Council, the judicial authority that reviewed the media draft law, to divide the unified law. The Journalists' Syndicate wanted to keep the law in its unified form, but the parliament disregarded its request and approved two draft laws the media regulators law on Dec. 19 and the media law on Dec. 27. Al-Monitor: Does the media law strengthen the powers of the executive power branch? Qalash: The promulgation of the law reflects an entrenched inclination toward domination by the executive power branch. This appears clearly from the formation of the [regulatory] authorities provided for in this law, including the Supreme Press Council, whose chairman and 12 members include representatives for the executive power branch more than representatives of elected authorities, such as the Media Syndicate and the Journalists' Syndicate. President Sisi chooses the chairman, in addition to two members from among the public figures. The council includes also a representative of the [governmental] National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and a representative of the [governmental] Egyptian Competition Authority, two public figures chosen by the parliament, and four of the journalists and media professionals nominated by the Journalists' Syndicate and the Media Syndicate, as well as a representative of the Supreme Council of Universities and a representative of the State Council. Al-Monitor: In your opinion, what is the purpose behind the control of the press and the media? Qalash: This has been an approach and an inclination adopted by the state for a long time now. The state has always sought to dominate the media and the press. We believed that the constitution of 2014 would be a quantum leap, but the media law passed without taking into account the constitution. [It] further consecrated the regime's authority over the media. This reveals the inclination by the specific services within the state to control the media. Al-Monitor: Some observers believe that the Journalists' Syndicate board was divided after the storming of the syndicate. Qalash: We previously denied any divisions. The storming of the syndicate building shows that betting on a split within the ranks of the syndicates board or its general assembly is a losing bet. I believe history has shown that whoever tried to undermine the unity of journalists has failed. Al-Monitor: What are the difficulties facing journalists in Egypt while doing their job, and what is the role of the syndicate? Qalash: Journalists face numerous difficulties when performing their job. The journalism market in Egypt is distorted and chaotic. There are old legislations dating back to more than half a century that have not been amended and that do not keep pace with modernity and the breadth and depth of this profession. This is in addition to the lack of experience by young journalists who work in the field. The report by the freedoms committee at the Journalists' Syndicate on the professions status in 2015 which was issued in February 2016 noted 782 violations against journalists at the rate of 2.1 violations per day. Violations ranged between detention 29 journalists and trainees under arrest in prisons smashing of equipment, prevention of publication of articles for 14 writers and a ban to practice the profession. This is in addition to other obstacles faced by [press] institutions such as the prohibition of publication and the printing of newspapers not to mention the storming of the syndicates building. The syndicate tried to address those problems by exerting pressure for the issuance of new legislation that keeps pace with the professions developments and called on press institutions to hold highly efficient training sessions for its editors and to register them with the syndicate and notify the syndicate accordingly. I would like to note that the syndicate submitted on Nov. 2 to the committee that Sisi had formed by virtue of a presidential decree following the National Youth Congress held in October 2016 to follow up on the cases of youths detained on protest-related charges a list of 26 detained journalists, 13 syndicate members and 13 trainees, including prominent photographer Mahmoud Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan. Amnesty International had previously called for the release of Shawkan. The syndicate was hoping that the detainees whose names are on this list would be included within the second group that the committee intends to release. On Nov. 18, the committee had managed to obtain a presidential pardon for a group of 82 detained journalists. Al-Monitor: When will cyber journalists become members of the Journalists' Syndicate? Qalash: Unfortunately the law governing the syndicate dates back to more than half a century and it links the journalists job to printing means and does not recognize journalists working in cyberspace. But the 2014 constitution which I believe is one of the best constitutions that safeguards freedom of the press recognized their rights. We hope this would be reflected in the unified law. A journalist delivers content whether in cyberspace or on paper. The definition of the term journalist in the law must be changed and should not be restricted to printing means. Al-Monitor: Is the regime controlling the media landscape? How do you see the businessmen's influence of the media? Qalash: The media landscape at the moment is not at its best since it mirrors the overall situation in the country, which is witnessing turbulent economic and security conditions. This, of course, was reflected on the situation of the press industry. The decision to float the pound had a negative impact on the situation of the press institutions by affecting the cost of printing service logistics, and indeed the paper price per ton increased by 77%, which crippled the industry and threatened its survival. The state and officials must handle the situation of the press in Egypt, since it is part of the national security of the country and the Egyptian people have an inherent right to have access to knowledge and culture. But I assure you that the press can only survive if it has freedom, and we will continue to strive to implement the provisions of the 2014 constitution that safeguard the rights of the profession of journalists. January 11, 2017 BAGHDAD A video showing Iraqi hunters capturing rare flamingos in Maysan governorate, southern Iraq, was posted on Iraqi social media networks on Dec. 25, along with other videos showing people feasting on flamingo meat. On Dec. 27, a large number of flamingos were sold at a flea market in southern Iraq. The illegal hunting of birds and wild animals has been a widespread phenomenon in Iraq. Nature Iraq, an organization created to protect, restore and preserve Iraq's natural environment, said in a statement on Nov. 11, 2014, Large numbers of migrating birds to the marshes were shot by hunters using licensed and unlicensed firearms. However, the story surrounding the hunting of flamingos sparked wide controversy in the country, prompting people to take to the streets in Maysan governorate on Dec. 28, 2016, calling to stop illegal hunting practices. The governor of Maysan announced a series of strict measures against hunters involved in illegal hunting activities. In the same vein, on Dec. 29, dozens of protesters demonstrated in Nasiriyah, 225 miles southeast of Baghdad, calling for a ban on poaching in the marshes. In a statement Dec. 26, the Ministry of Water Resources called upon local authorities in the governorates of Basra, Dhi Qar and Maysan to launch an awareness campaign [on hunting] and to assume responsibility in order to preserve the biodiversity of the marshes, as swarms of migrating birds flying from Siberia and the coasts of Northern Europe and other cold areas end their voyages in the marshes of Iraq. The marshes are wetlands, regarded as the oldest natural shelters for many types of birds, including moorhens, which are hunted and consumed in southern Iraq, as well as ducks and flamingos. In this context, Sameera Abd Mohi, the director general of the Center for Restoration of Iraqi Marshlands at the Ministry of Water Resources, told Al-Monitor, This behavior [of hunters] is an embarrassment before the international community as it shows Iraq is not committed to the UNESCO terms and pledges in regard to the marshes, which are on UNESCOs World Heritage List. Mohi called upon the minister of water resources to take into account the biodiversity requirements in the marshes and to take the necessary measures to prevent illegal hunting. Mohi said, Individuals found in possession of a rare bird dead or alive or trading rare birds and animals are punished by imprisonment as per a decision by the Wasit provincial council. This is a bold decision, and we encourage other governorates to take similar actions especially in the marshes in the governorates of Basra, Amarah [capital of Maysan] and Nasiriyah and to impose fines and penalties against illegal hunters. Local authorities in these governorates have been cooperative in this direction. Furat al-Tamimi, a parliamentarian and the chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, told Al-Monitor, It has become imperative to prevent illegal hunting by applying the laws that have yet to be implemented by security apparatuses and local governments, which led to chaotic and random illegal hunting activities. Tamimi said, Iraqs wildlife is under serious threat because of poaching and illegal hunting activities such as fishing using poison, hunting migratory birds with large nets and killing rare animals. According to a statement by the NGO department within the general secretariat of the Council of Ministers on Feb. 27, 2014, Iraqi law bans illegal hunting and poaching. Hunting organizations, which are officially registered as per law No. 12 of 2010, ought to obtain hunting licenses in order to carry out their activities. Amid the calls to apply the law banning illegal hunting, there have been some attempts to impose sanctions on illegal hunting activities, such as the arrest of four hunters on Nov. 21, 2016, in southern Nasiriyah. However, sanctions and punishments are not the only way to fight against these ecologically hazardous activities, according to Salama al-Salihi, who is an activist working in the field of biodiversity. Salihi told Al-Monitor, Eliminating ignorance is equally important as [preserving] ecological balance. Lack of awareness is one of the biggest threats to the Iraqi environment. Dissolving the Ministry of Environment, which was merged with the Ministry of Health in 2015, has caused more encroachment on the environment, Salihi said. This shows the governments lack of interest in environmental issues and the lack of allocations for ecological development as well as the scarcity of organizations concerned with the environment." She added, Should the encroachment on the marshes continue, these areas will no longer meet the requirement of the UNESCO World Heritage List. On Dec. 30, environmental activist Karar Shukri said in an article that there is a lack of awareness in Iraq, accusing those encroaching on the environment of being ignorant and accomplices in sabotaging nature in Iraq. In the same context, Suheila Abbas, a member of the Agricultural Committee in Babil governorate, told Al-Monitor, People do not care about hunting laws. This is not to mention the absence of control over important environmental areas, which encourages hunters to continue hunting birds, fish and animals with illegal means. Sanctions and punishments albeit relatively effective are not the only answer to limit illegal hunting. In addition to introducing environmental sciences into the school curricula, an eco-friendly culture that encourages educating people on their natural surroundings and living organisms is needed. January 11, 2017 Tensions between Turkey and the United States over the latters alliance with Syrian Kurds in the battle against the Islamic State show no sign of abating, as Turkish leaders continue to accuse Washington of working with its enemies. Turkeys allies are still providing weapons to the YPG [Peoples Protection Units], Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak fumed Jan. 11. And what business does a terror group have at the peace table? Kaynak was responding to remarks by US State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner, who at a Jan. 10 press briefing asserted that the YPGs political wing, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), needs to take part in the currently stalled Geneva peace talks on Syria. This process has to include all Syrians, and that includes the Syrian Kurds, Toner said. Turkeys rants against the YPG have grown louder in recent weeks as the outgoing Barack Obama administration continues to weigh arming and training the YPG-dominated Syrian Defense Forces, a coalition of Arabs and Kurds, in preparation for a planned offensive to take Raqqa from IS. Turkey argues that the weapons will wind up in the hands of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey and is closely linked to the YPG. Obama is widely expected to delay any decision on the issue and throw the ball into President-elect Donald Trumps court. Turkish officials who spoke to Al-Monitor on strict condition of anonymity claimed that their arguments against the YPG had been bolstered by a Jan. 7 article in the Washington Post that laid bare the extent of PKK indoctrination within SDF ranks. Turkeys hopes that Trump will ditch the Kurds will have been dampened by the news that Brett McGurk, the US envoy to the anti-IS coalition, will probably retain his post in the new administration, unlike most other political appointees. McGurk and Army Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of the anti-IS Operation Inherent Resolve, are said to be big advocates of moving forward with training and equipping the Kurds. Proponents of the plan argue that Turkey will huff and puff, but when presented with the fait accompli will eventually pipe down in a replay of when the United States began air-dropping weapons to the YPG during the IS siege of Kobani in October 2014. The YPG and the PYD have been excluded from planned peace talks between opposition rebels and the Syrian government in the Kazakh capital of Astana to be co-hosted by Turkey and Russia. The talks are meant to build on the shaky cease-fire that took hold in Syria Dec. 31. A Russian delegation arrived in Ankara Jan. 10 to prepare for the summit, the Anatolian News agency reported today. Until recently, Russia had lobbied hard in favor of PYD participation in discussions on Syria's future. In addition, Moscow has repeatedly said that Syrian Kurds need to be given federal status, something the regime of President Bashar al-Assad squarely rejects. The Russians have toned down such support in recent months, however, mainly to humor Turkey, whose influence over Free Syrian Army rebels remains critical to any peace plan. Since August, when Turkish troops moved into northern Syria, Turkey and its rebel proxies have been simultaneously fighting against IS and the YPG. On Jan. 7, the Turkish army announced that it had so far killed 291 YPG fighters. Turkish efforts have to this point succeeded in preventing the YPG from joining the large chunk of territory it controls east of the Euphrates River with Afrin, a Kurdish-majority canton to the west. YPG sources contacted by Al-Monitor in Syria have confirmed that the combined Turkish rebel offensive has cut off the YPGs westward access to the IS-held town of al-Bab from Arima. Al-Bab, sitting at the intersection of YPG-held Manbij, Raqqa and the Turkish border, has become a key battleground between Turkey and the IS jihadis as well as between Turkey and the YPG. There are now reports that the Syrian army is inching its way toward al-Bab from the south. The YPG sources say it remains unclear whether recent Russian airstrikes against IS in the area are meant to clear the path for the regime rather than for Turkey. Notice that the [Russian] strikes are to the south of al-Bab, said a YPG commander via WhatsApp. Who does that benefit? The regime, of course. January 10, 2017 CAIRO Some Middle Eastern countries are showing a great deal of interest in Africa these days, and although Africa seems to welcome the attention, it can do without the drama. Egypt and Saudi Arabia, in particular, have extended their drive for influence in the Mideast by competing in some African countries. Their differences over regional issues, such as the war in Syria and ties with Iran, became plain in October, and since then they have revealed their political, economic and military interests in the African continent. Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa are strategically important for Cairos national security, allowing it to secure its interests in the Red Sea and headwaters of the Nile River areas, and to ensure access to its annual share of the Nile waters. Yet Saudi policies to promote the kingdoms presence in these countries have become a source of concern for Cairo. Recent Saudi moves in Africa show that, through its foreign policy, Saudi Arabia seeks to take a leadership role in African-Arab joint actions and counter some of the progress Iran has made in recent years in the Horn of Africa. Saudi Arabia also wants to diversify its regional allies, given its tensions with Lebanon and Egypt, and achieve food security by expanding its agricultural projects in countries with abundant water and land resources in the Nile Basin region. Iran has been supplying weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi Arabia, which hopes to help Yemen defeat the Houthis and restore the previous government, is negotiating to establish a military base in Djibouti, Yemen's neighbor. The Saudis also granted Sudan $5 billion in military assistance in February, after halting military aid to Lebanons army over its ties with Iran. Sudan, which also borders the Red Sea, severed its ties with Iran last year. Djibouti's ambassador to Riyadh, Dya-Eddin Said Bamakhrama, said in March that his countrys regional waters "are secure and under control in the face of Iranian attempts to provide the Houthis in Yemen with weapons. Saudi political coordination with some African countries was evident when Djibouti and Somalia, like Sudan, broke off ties with Iran against the backdrop of the January 2016 attack by protesters on the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Tehran. To secure economic interests, Saudi Arabia has intensified investments, particularly in the agriculture sector, focusing on the abundant water and fertile soil in the Nile Basin countries, especially Sudan and Ethiopia. Speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, a diplomatic official of the African Union said, We are watching closely the developments of Arab ties with African Union countries. Although there are cooperation and coordination opportunities, we are concerned that the Arab conflict over influence will move to the African territory and that diplomatic convergence will turn into alliances and further biases. The African Union, he said, "has adopted a political agenda to prevent the re-emergence of conflicts over influence, following the European colonization era of the continent, and to benefit from Arab capabilities to serve the African people. The official, who in November attended the Arab-African Summit in Equatorial Guinea, explained, Egypt and the Gulf countries have different perceptions of the African [situation]. This was seen clearly after a number of Gulf countries withdrew from the summit, unlike Egypt, in support for the Moroccan position [on Western Sahara] and in protest against the presence of the Sahrawi Republic. The countries that withdrew were Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Somalia and Qatar. The Gulf countries are now coordinating with Morocco," which has strong ties with countries in northern and western Africa, the official said. That's one reason Morocco wants to return to the African Union. Egypt rejects that proposal, as Cairo considers itself the gateway to African-Arab joint action. Observers have varied opinions on the motives and potential impact of Egyptian-Saudi disagreements in Africa. Some Saudi moves in Africa are a sort of political deception," Hani Raslan, head of the Sudan and Nile Basin Studies program at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor. Cairo [didn't make an issue of] the huge Saudi investments in the continents countries as part of the Saudi agricultural expansion strategy outside its territory, and each country has the right to secure its interests," he said. [But] Saudi investments in the land and water of the Nile Basin countries are part of a policy to isolate Egypt and a rejection of Egyptian fears and concerns. Raslan also said, "The high-level Saudi delegations visit to the Renaissance Dam in December, which is still a disputed issue between Cairo and [the Ethiopian capital of] Addis Ababa, is tantamount to Saudi backing for the Ethiopian position regarding the dam, although the water issue is a national security issue for Egypt. Adel Nabhan, a political researcher interested in African affairs, told Al-Monitor, The Gulf investments in Africa can be a strong point in Egypts advantage, if well-exploited, particularly in light of the poor Egyptian economic potential to provide African countries with aid or investments. Yet Nabhan added, Although international relations are governed by interests, it is unacceptable that a party exploits sensitive issues, such as water, to achieve particular goals, even when it comes to the Saudi-Egyptian disagreement. Helmi Sharawi, head of the Arab and African Research Center in Cairo, told Al-Monitor, Saudi Arabia looks forward to assuming a leadership role in [Africa], as the biggest power in the Middle East, particularly at the economic and military coordination level. This has shed light on the dispute over a leadership role between Cairo and Riyadh. Cairos responses to Saudi moves in Africa are limited to official diplomatic messages promoting and affirming Egypt's presence. In December, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hosted Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh; they signed cooperation agreements in several fields and discussed security coordination in the Red Sea. Also, Sisi visited Uganda on Dec. 18 to discuss ways to promote peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Nile Basin. Cairo continues to commit to a quiet diplomacy and contents itself with messages stressing the importance of the Egyptian role in many areas of Africa. Yet for many observers of the African-Arab scene, the lack of a unified Arab vision toward Africa remains a source of concern that the African continent will turn into a field for Middle Eastern conflict whether among Arab countries, or between Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia on one hand and Iran and Turkey on the other. Photos by Kelsey Freeman and provided by Explore Gwinnett This story appears in Birmingham magazine's January 2017 issue. Subscribe today! Colorful, patterned condiment dishes are brought to the table one by one. Each holds a different banchan (Korean side dish) to be shared among the table. There's traditional Kimchi, made with spicy fermented napa, but there's also pickled cucumber, marinated bean sprouts, slivers of rice cake, seaweed, and stir-fried fish cake. By the time all the banchan arrive at the table, I'm already overwhelmed. That's when Sarah Park, a native of South Korea and Explore Gwinnett's international marketing coordinator, hits us with the news. In the traditional Korean meal we're set to have at Jang Su Jang Korean Tofu & BBQ in Duluth, these dozen or so dishes are just the tip of the iceberg. In a matter of minutes, every inch of our table is covered in food. The intermingling aromas from sweet braised meats, spicy stews, and freshly steamed Jasmine rice are enough to rid me of any pretentions of politeness. I dig in. Starting with an appetizer of Haemul Pajeon, a savory Korean-style pancake stuffed with seafood and green onions, I then move on to a spicy beef-based broth that's star is Jang Su Jang's homemade soft tofu. The phrase "melt in your mouth" doesn't begin to do it justice. Eventually I move on to our three main dishes: Galbi Jjim (braised short ribs typically served at special occasions), Beoseot Jeongol (a mushroom hot pot made by boiling seasoned mushrooms, beef, and an herby, parsley-like vegetable called dropwort in meat stock), and Bossam (sliced pork belly served with condiments in lettuce wraps). Each is delicious, but the short ribs, with a rich, slightly sweet sauce of brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and shiitake mushrooms, accompanied by tender gourd and carrot chunks, is the clear favorite. Tasting the food and looking around (most of the restaurant's patrons are of Korean descent), it's hard to remember that we're in the heart of the South, just a 30-minute drive from Atlanta. Near the restaurant, most strip malls are occupied entirely by Korean-owned businesses. Signs are written in Korean and English, sometimes just Korean. Duluth and Suwanee, two of Gwinnett County's 16 municipalities, are collectively known as K-Town. In addition to the abundance of Korean restaurants, there also are Korean churches, after-school programs, doctors, lawyers, and just about any other professional service imaginable. In 2014, a U.S. Census Bureau survey found that 41.9 percent of Korean-Americans living in Georgia lived in Gwinnett County. And since 2000, the Korean population in Gwinnett has more than doubled. As that number continues to grow, the market for authentic Korean food and experiences does, too, and Explore Gwinnett, the county's official tourism organization, is eager to share it with visitors. Recently, they began hosting Korean food tours that Park says are about much more than just Korean barbecue. One of the places she regularly takes visitors is a Korean bakery and cafe called Tree Story that specializes in Korean desserts, pastries, baked goods, and drinks. With its cozy seating, warm lighting, and wall-sized tree mural designed by the owner himself, the bakery has a playful, whimsical feel. Its owner Jae Woo and his wife Ock Jin Lee emigrated from South Korea 10 years ago and are committed to producing the same high-quality baked goods they grew up eating. In comparison to many American desserts that are loaded with sugar and heavy creams, Korean desserts are much lighter and have very little added sugar. Try buns stuffed with traditional Asian fillings like green bean, red bean, peanut, and coffee cream. Each filling has just enough sweetness to balance out the buttery bun, and all are extremely tasty. Korea's French influence comes into play in Tree Story's croissants and more delicate desserts, including fruit-covered cakes and Mont Blancs, tarts topped with sweet pureed chestnuts and whipped cream. For something completely out of the ordinary, try the Patbingsu. To make the sweet treat, a mound of shaved ice is topped with fresh fruit, red beans, condensed milk, fruit syrup, ice cream, cereal, and bits of mochi. Other Asian countries like the Philippines and Malaysia have similar desserts called Halo-Halo and Ais Kacang. Of course, no food tour of Korea would be complete without Korean Barbecue and a trip to the massive Korean grocery chain known as H-Mart. Luckily, both are located in the same shopping center as Tree Story. Spend time exploring the aisles of H-Mart, where you'll find an assortment of fresh seafood, including live abalone and sea urchin, alongside every spice, vegetable, and utensil needed to prepare an authentic Korean meal. The store also has a hot food bar featuring ramen, Korean bibimbap, and sushi, as well as a separate health and beauty store. Hint: Hit the latter to stock up on trendy beauty sheet masks. An assorted pack of 10 is only $15. To get your Korean Barbecue fix, check out The Stone Grill. Just make sure you come hungry because a cart of freshly-cut meat will be parked tableside and you're expected to finish every last bit of chargrilled goodness. The premium combo set features more than a half dozen cuts including pork belly slabs, paper thin cuts of pork belly, brisket, steak marinated in wine, premium cubed beef, and pork rib--all expertly cooked on grills inset in your table. Cap off your evening with a drink and a couple hours at a karaoke bar. Next door to The Stone Grill, DoReMi Karaoke has four private, themed rooms available for reservations. The fluorescent-lit rooms change colors as songs play, and you'll have full access to more than 2,000 songs, from top 40 hits to Korean pop. The rooms are all private, so you won't have to worry about embarrassing yourself, which means you've got full license to let loose. Don't leave Gwinnett County without a trip to Jeju Sauna. For a flat rate of $25, patrons get access to nine saunas that all promote different types of wellness. The rock and salt sauna, for example, is great for relieving stress and tension, while the jade sauna increases metabolism, improves circulation, and helps arthritis pain. Separate "wet rooms" for each gender, featuring cold and hot whirlpools, also are open, as is a fitness room. Nail, massage, and foot reflexology services are available for an additional fee. The spa also features a Korean restaurant and provides blankets and pillows for those who want to spend the night on the heated floor. Stepping into JeJu Sauna is like entering another dimension. Time slows down, stress melts away, and it's easy to forget that you're not actually visiting a Korean bathhouse halfway across the world. If JeJu Sauna is Gwinnett County's hidden gem, then Gwinnett County is Georgia's. With endless dining options and cultural experiences to be explored, a 3-hour drive to Gwinnett has the ability to take you halfway across the globe. Across Asia Did you know Gwinnett County also is home to America's largest Hindu temple? BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, located in the suburb of Lilburn, Georgia, opened in August of 2007 after only 17 months of construction logging 1.3 million volunteer hours. The extremely elaborate 30,000-square-foot Mandir is truly a sight to see. The imposing multi-dome structure, made of Turkish limestone, Indian pink sandstone, and Italian marble, is made even more awe-inspiring thanks to its massive reflective pool featuring gold elephants. If you think the Mandir is impressive from the outside, take a guided or audio tour of the inside. The precise and intricate design of the temple's main room is unlike anything you've ever seen. 34,000 individual pieces, many featuring Indian deities, were hand-carved in India, and then assembled on site. The site is an operating temple, so be respectful not to disturb its daily services, keep shoulders and legs covered, and follow guidelines on allowed photography. To schedule a tour or learn more about the Mandir, visit baps.org. More to Do in Gwinnett Eat at Local Republic In the quaint Lawrenceville downtown, Local Republic is the place to go for tasty burgers and sandwiches, plus a healthy selection of draft and bottled beer. This neighborhood restaurant is small but mighty with its cozy, eclectic atmosphere and bountiful selection of Southern sides (Try the pimento cheese grits or goat cheese and sage potatoes). The Mr. Jones burger, with pimento cheese and jalapenos is a hit, as is the Steve Martin Sandwich with jerk chicken, apple butter, and provolone. Visit Tannery Row Artist Colony Tucked away in historic Downtown Buford, this artist collective is housed in a former tannery and horse stable. More than a dozen artists share the space as both studio and gallery. From painting to pottery and mixed media, you can explore the work of some of Gwinnett County's most talented artists and even take home some of their work. The studio and gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m., and a few of the artists host weekly art lessons in the space. More places to eat: Three Blind Mice 1910 Public House Rico's World Kitchen Noble Fin Epicurean Cafe Cornerstop Cafe More things to do: Go to a Gwinnett Braves game Visit the Environmental and Heritage Center Take a hike up Stone Mountain Your the Southeastern Railway Museum Explore Downtown Norcross, a historic downtown featuring an olive oil tasting room, antique shop, and England-themed gift shop. Details For more information on things to do and places to visit in Gwinnett County, visit exploregwinnett.org. Here are the top stories in Alabama business for Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017: The Shoals Economic Development Authority board has awarded the grant to APC Forest Products, which makes wooden pallets and crates. It'll allow the company to hire about six more employees. -- Birmingham-headquartered DirectPath announced Tuesday it will buy Patient Care, a Milwaukee-based healthcare advocacy company. DirectPath rebranded last year. Before that, it was known as Enrollment Advisors. -- Nominations are now being accepted by the Women's Business Center of North Alabama for the second annual Entrepreneur Awards to be included in Innovate Huntsville. The awards recognize and honor the skill and courage it takes for entrepreneurs to create a business out of an idea. -- The popular festival Southern Makers will move from Montgomery to Birmingham this year. This will be the fifth year of the festival and until now, it's been held in Montgomery. -- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama production was up 11 percent in 2016 over 2015. The plant is averaging a daily production of about 3,000 engines, or six times what it produced when it began production in 2003. -- Wahlburgers will open a restaurant in downtown Huntsville as part of the CityCentre at Big Spring, the new development at the site of the former Holiday Inn at Monroe Street and Williams Avenue near the Von Braun Center. -- Follow all of Alabama's business news here anytime. Lisa Pieper and Jon Zimmerman will continue as president and vice president, respectively, on the Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education. Officers and committee members are elected on an annual basis, as they were at the boards first meeting of the year on Monday night. BPS Superintendent Pat Nauroth and BPS Director of Business Affairs John Brazell were also reelected to their positions on the board as secretary and treasurer, respectively. New board member Steve Winter was sworn in at the meeting. Winter previously served on the board for a total of about 20 years. After time away from the board, Winter said he missed being involved and hes excited to once again fill a seat in the six-member group. Winter takes the spot of Andy Maschmann who finished his term in December and did not run for reelection. Reelected board members Janet Byars, Lisa Pieper, Nancy Sedlacek and Jon Zimmerman were also sworn at the meeting. Byars, Sedlacek and Winter will serve on the boards 2017 School Community and Staff Relations Committee. Pieper, Zimmerman and board member Doris Martin will serve on the 2017 Americanism Committee. Byars, Martin and Zimmerman will serve on the Negotiations Committee from 2018 to 2019. Winter will be the new NASB (Nebraska Association of School Boards) Legislative Delegate and Martin was reelected as the Government Relations Network Representative. Superintendent Pat Nauroth announced at the meeting the resignation of Theresa Smith, the principal of Cedar and Lincoln Elementary schools. Nauroth said he appreciates Smiths years of service and that her presence will be missed. Beatrice High School paraeducator Jody Long was recognized as the BPS Employee of the Month. Mrs. Long is a para-educator in Mrs. Hamiltons geometry class and Mr. Ankroms integrated algebra 2B class. The anonymous person who nominated Long said she takes notes from every lesson and utilizes the notes to catch up a student who may have been absent. The writer said Long maintains a positive atmosphere in the classroom and goes above and beyond what is expected of her in the classroom. Also at the meeting, the board discussed the calendars for the next two school years, which will be discussed and voted on at the Feb. 13 meeting. Birmingham's HealthSouth Corporation (NYSE:HLS) is expanding with its first facility in Mississippi. HealthSouth and Memorial Hospital at Gulfport have entered into a joint venture to own and operate a 33-bed rehabilitation hospital in its current location at 4500 13th St. in Gulfport. Construction is expected to begin the second quarter of next year, and some regulatory approvals are still needed. Memorial will still have an ownership interest but it will operate as HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Gulfport. The hospital will provide care to patients with strokes, trauma, brain and orthopedic injuries and other illnesses. HealthSouth is among the nation's largest provider of recovery health services with facilities in 35 states and Puerto Rico. It has more than 120 rehabilitation hospitals. "Memorial Hospital at Gulfport has a long history of providing excellent care," Linda Wilder, president of HealthSouth's southeast region, said in a press release. "This joint venture combines the strengths of a high quality local provider with the operating platforms and clinical resources of our national network of more than 120 rehabilitation hospitals to further advance the already strong rehabilitative care Memorial provides." Attendants at the Chick-fil-A Eastchase location in Montgomery intercept customers and take their order before they even get to the drive-thru microphone. At another station, before the pay window, another employee makes change, presents extra condiments, and bids everyone a good day. Most of them would probably offer a prayer if asked, and if they somehow ever ran low on chicken, a company representative would forge an ax over a flame in the kitchen then run to the nearest farm just to keep customers supplied and happy. Do not expect this kind of service in Camden. It may be comparing apples to oranges, but chicken is chicken. I have had the opportunity to write about the chicken situation in Wilcox County on several occasions, and a chicken shortage is sure to cause concern. On Sunday, at almost noon, I entered the Piggly Wiggly in Camden. I successfully gathered everything on my list as I do several times a week. I have only been shopping at this same store for over 20 years. I feed my family with food purchased primarily from the Camden Piggly Wiggly. My devotion has remained constant, mainly because it is the only grocery store in town, but constant nonetheless. The nearest big grocery is at least 30 miles away. Camden does have a smaller store, Mr. Henry's Red and White that has been open downtown on Broad Street for decades. And of course there is McDonald's Grocery on the far end of town, but it might be described as more of a service station that has some grocery items than a full service grocery store. I hope everybody in town supports every single store in town, but if you have a family to take care of in Camden you most likely shop at the Pig to some extent. So Sunday, I thought since it was lunchtime, and since the Piggly Wiggly has a deli that serves fried chicken as their main entree, I would take chicken home. I didn't consider this a novel idea, having fried chicken for Sunday dinner in Alabama. The guy in front of me in line, who happened to be a neighbor of mine, also ordered fried chicken. The woman behind the counter boxed his breast and two legs right up without hesitation. But when I stepped up and ordered an eight piece mix I practically shut down the kitchen. I was told several large orders had been placed earlier, and because of that they were limiting the amount of chicken they were selling per customer. She said they were selling small portions, like two or three pieces at a time, but no eight piece boxes because then they wouldn't have enough left for others. They were trying to stretch what they had so they wouldn't run out. The truck wasn't due to deliver more until later in the week. I paused. I just stopped cold and was speechless, because I have recently been to the Chick-fil-A in Eastchase. I am familiar with how customer service is supposed to work. A grocery store that sells chicken in their meat market should never run so low in their deli that employees are told to ration out chicken to select customers. It may be spelled out on the menu board above their heads, but they do not mean it. I dare anyone from anywhere, whether a regular customer for years on end or a first-time shopper, to go in just for kicks and order the 16 piece box. They would probably run someone out of the store entirely over that. Amanda Walker is a columnist and contributor with AL.com, The Thomasville Times, West Alabama Watchman, and Wilcox Progressive Era. Contact her at Walkerworld77@msn.com or at https://www.facebook.com/AmandaWalker.Columnist. A Colbert County man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to charges related to an attempt to ship about a pound of methamphetamine from Los Angeles to the Colbert County town of Leighton through the U.S. Mail, federal authorities announced Tuesday. Vennis Minosa Oates Jr., 33, of Leighton, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to a joint statement from U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez. Oates is to be sentenced April 6 in Huntsville. Another Colbert County man charged in the same case, Keelan Shuntez Robinson, 23, of Muscle Shoals, had pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is to be sentenced Jan. 26, also in Huntsville. Oates and Robinson both were arrested in Leighton in January 2016 after they arrived at the U.S. Post Office in Leighton to pick up a suspicious package, according to the statement. Oates drove Robinson to the post office and waited in the car while Robinson went inside and received the package, according to the statement that cites Oates' plea agreement. U.S. postal inspectors and members of the Colbert County Drug Task Force and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency were monitoring retrieval of the package after a resident at the address listed on the parcel initially refused its delivery. The resident said no one named Jeff Hawkins, the package's listed recipient, lived at the Marthaler Lane address, according to Oates' plea agreement. After the refused delivery, a postal inspector determined that neither the sender's name nor the recipient's name could be associated with either the California shipping address or the Leighton delivery address, and someone identifying himself as "Jeremy" began calling the Leighton Post Office inquiring about picking up the package, according to the statement. Following Oates' and Robinson's arrests, police obtained a search warrant authorizing them to open the package and found it contained about a pound of methamphetamine and about two pounds of marijuana. Postal inspectors subsequently analyzed inbound and outbound packages with destination addresses similar to the Leighton methamphetamine package and identified 14 inbound and two outbound packages, according to the statement. Oates packaged large amounts of cash and shipped it to California to pay for the illegal drugs, according to the statement. The Postal Inspection Service, Colbert County Drug Task Force and the ALEA State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Felton is prosecuting. One Pratt Park.png Conceptual plan for proposed One Pratt park in Pratt City. (City of Birmingham) Conceptual plan for One Pratt park in Pratt City. (City of Birmingham) The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved funding a non-profit housing developer $4.75 million to build single-family housing as part of disaster relief efforts in Pratt City. The new housing is part of the city's One Pratt community project, which also includes an eight-acre park complete with an amphitheater, playground and walking paths. The park would be located between Dugan Avenue, Layfayette Street, Lacey Road and Hibernian Street. Birmingham will contract with non-profit housing developer Navigate Affordable Housing Partners to build the affordable homes to replace those lost in the April 27, 2011 tornado. One person was killed and a library, fire station, numerous homes, apartment buildings, vehicles and at least one church were destroyed in the storm. According to Birmingham's Department of Community Development, it's unknown at this time how many new houses will be constructed in the north Birmingham community. Conceptual plans show 30 new, multi-generational housing units to be built alongside the park. Birmingham Mayor William Bell on Tuesday said he is glad rebuilding efforts are moving forward, though, it hasn't been as fast as he has hoped. "We still have that commitment that we made to the citizens of the Pratt City area, and the city as a whole, that we want to bring (Pratt City) back better and stronger than it was before," Bell said. "We have done that with the public development ... with the (rebuilding of) library and fire station. We are talking about building ... a major park under the leadership of Tom Leader who helped us build Railroad Park. We are look for the same success to occur there in that area that has occurred in the downtown area as well." Birmingham urban planner Matthew Churnock said city funds are being used to acquire the home building lots in Pratt City and Disaster Recovery Funding from United States Department of Housing and Urban Development will be used for the construction of the homes. The proceeds from the sale of the homes will be returned to the city or used in additional home construction, he said. "The parcels to be acquired will be identified through a master planning process," he said. Home construction will begin in late 2017 and continue into 2018. Homes will be priced based on the homebuyers' income, but anyone not considered low-income won't receive a discount, he said. voters.jpg Alabama and California voters participated in a collaborative effort between AL.com and Spaceship Media to create meaningful dialogue between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton supporters. Pictured are some of the participants. From top left are Rebecca Rocha, Ashley Thompson and Susannah Prinz. On the second row: Jaymie Testman, Chantal Clarke and Swaicha Chanduri. The bottom row: Helena Brantley, Teri Scivley and Jane Walker. Editor's note: As America prepares to inaugurate its 45th president, 25 civically-minded Alabama Trump voters agreed to have a deep, serious, respectful conversation with 25 Hillary voters from one of the most liberal places in America, the San Francisco Bay Area. The results of our Alabama/California conversation go far beyond the usual sound bites to show the passion, values and decency inherent in America today. We're proud of these citizens, and we're proud to have hosted this conversation. We hope you'll join us for this AL.com series, running through Sunday. By Jeremy Hay and Eve Pearlman, Spaceship Media As Inauguration Day approaches, Clinton supporters talk of resisting Trump and cull friends from their Facebook rolls; Trump supporters celebrate; families and friendships fracture; a granite silence stands between the two camps and productive dialogue seems impossible. In response, and to create meaningful discussion where there has been so little, AL.com partnered with Spaceship Media, a California nonprofit that uses journalism to create dialogue and engagement between communities at odds. "The prospect of serious people turning their attention to a civil conversation was, and is, an exciting chance to be a part of needed change in America," said Michelle Holmes, vice president of content for AL.com. "We're especially grateful to the Alabama women who stepped up to engage in the kind of thoughtful, challenging dialogue that offers a model to the rest of the nation," said Holmes. The guiding principle of the project, which brought together Alabama women who voted for Trump with San Francisco Bay Area women who voted for Clinton, is that democracy is stronger when people of opposing views can peacefully discuss their beliefs with one another. In the end, we chose women to participate because theirs was among the most discussed roles in an election featuring the first major party female candidate for president, and while a clear majority of women voted for Clinton, her loss among white women was a decisive blow for her. "This doesn't occur often because most people who begin dialogue typically are extreme in their opinions and unwilling to listen or understand," said Bonnie Lindberg of Huntsville, Alabama, a sales manager who voted for Trump. To John Hammontree, managing producer of opinion content for AL.com, the project offered a chance to work between two groups he knows well. "I've had the opportunity to live in the Bay Area but grew up in Alabama. If your friends and your news and your conversations all skew to the left or the right, then it's easy to get stuck in these silos. By having these two groups engage directly with each other, not only can we see where there are similarities, it also becomes easier to see where how these different habits and worldviews are formed." Today marks the launch on AL.com of five days of stories arising from the women's conversation. The series includes reporting on immigration, healthcare and faith that arose from the discussions; profiles of women who participated; and commentaries they wrote. . To start the project, AL.com and Spaceship reporters interviewed Trump and Clinton supporters. Women were asked what they wanted to know of one another, what they thought of each other, and what they believed the others thought of them. Then, on Dec. 14, the women were brought together in a closed Facebook group where they have been talking at a feverish pace, learning about one another's communities, families, politics. They have talked about abortion and infertility, immigration and careers, sexism and parenting. They have talked about gun control, the role of the federal government, assisted suicide, the legalization of cannabis, and the value of public assistance programs. The discussions have been freewheeling and vigorous. Some elbows have been thrown and, in moments of extreme frustration, intense arguments threatened to tip into angry exchanges. At times, women have been offended or shocked by the assertions or questions of others, or put on the defensive. But conversations have progressed, women have stayed at the table, and there have been unexpected instances of alignment or appreciation. "Jane, I agree. Limiting use of executive powers seems reasonable," Monica Rowden of Oakland, a social worker, wrote to Hartselle resident Jane Walker, a CPA, and a forceful advocate for a smaller federal government. And in a heated exchange about welfare benefits and fraud, nurse Leah Dicus of Hampton Cove said to Oakland attorney Martina Cucullu, her chief antagonist, "I agree overall with your understanding... Thanks Martina for attempting to find out common ground on this issue." The conversations - supported by reporting that delivered factual context - has generally defied the low and fractious standards set by the election just-past, modern partisan politics, and the derisive tenor to which online discussions so often descend. And, most importantly, the women say they have been able to explore issues in a measured manner and have come to know one another as more than just media caricatures. "I have been so grateful for this opportunity," said Brittany Walker Pettigrew, a social services manager in Oakland. "My family and church were all liberal Democrats growing up and they talked about Republicans like the Dark Side. But in this group I've enjoyed the care and attention everyone has taken to listen and be open." "It has made me aware that you can have civil conversations with people who voted opposite of your candidate. In the south, it was impossible - a very defensive atmosphere," said Homewood resident Teri Scivley, a private school registrar. The Alabama/California Conversation's private Facebook group closes Jan. 15. We encourage you to start similar conversations and experiences. The Alabama/California Conversation Project is a collaboration between AL.com and Spaceship Media, a journalism nonprofit that facilitates engagement between communities at odds. Since Dec. 14, a group 25 women from Alabama who supported Trump and 25 women from California's San Francisco Bay Area who supported Clinton have been in nearly constant conversation. A Florence man wanted in Alabama on 573 counts of child pornography possession has surrendered to authorities in Maryland. Mark Anthony Purser Mark Anthony Purser, 28, turned himself in to the Hagerstown Police Department in Maryland, and Florence authorities are working to have him returned to Alabama, according to investigators. In April 2016, a search warrant served at Purser's Dayton Street home turned up 118 child pornography videos and 455 images, Florence police Investigator Keith Johnson said. Investigators seized computers, DVD's, CD's, portable storage devices and cellphones during the search, Johnson said. A forensic review of the devices revealed the images and videos, and an arrest warrant was issued in September, Johnson said. Police have said they do not believe any local children were depicted in the photos or videos. A nationwide search for Purser ended when he surrendered Monday. Purser waived his right to have police formally extradite him from Maryland to Alabama, so authorities already are arranging his transport. Each of the 573 charges is a Class B felony that's punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment. Franklin County Sheriff's Office charged two Russellville individuals in a child sexual assault case, Al.com's partner WHNT News 19 reported Tuesday. Pedro Gomez Pedro Gomez, 23, and the mother of the 8-year-old female victim were charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. Sheriff Shannon Oliver said went to the guidance counselor to seek medical treatment. When the counselor learned what happened, the school contacted both the sheriff's office and the Alabama Department of Human Resources. Oliver said Gomez was staying with the victim and the mother, who is not identified in this article to protect the victim's identity. The mother knew about the child's sexual assault, but nothing was done to help the child, Oliver said. "As a parent, I can't imagine someone doing that to my child or any child and not report it," Oliver said. "I just can't wrap my mind around that." The child is now in DHR's care. She is receiving treatment for her injuries and well-being. Both Gomez and the victim's mother was booked into Franklin County Correctional Facility on a $50,000 bond each. The Legislature will see a package of bills this week that would reform the requirements to obtain some occupational licenses, including those for cosmetologists, massage therapists and school bus drivers. The idea would be to do away with requirements for professionals that are out of step with what other states do or that are overly onerous, said Gov. Pete Ricketts. It would help create more job opportunities in Nebraska, Ricketts said. About 25 percent of people employed in Nebraska are required to have an occupational license. The Institute for Justice found overly onerous requirements tend to target lower income professions and those that help people become upwardly mobile. Of the 102 professions examined by the Institute for Justice, Nebraska had requirements for 45 of them. Ricketts' concern is that the state is putting up barriers to people getting jobs or establishing businesses, he said. Senators will propose changes through legislation to 18 occupations, including reducing the required hours of education for massage therapists from 1,000 to 500, and for barbers from 2,100 to 1,500, more in line with a countrywide standard. Frances Elizabeth "Fefe" Gibbs Gaffney, age 63, a resident of Washington, NC, died Thursday January 5, 2017 at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.Mrs. Gaffney was born in Beaufort County on June 24, 1953 to the late Barney Keith and Stella Elizabeth Gibbs. She enjoyed dancing, shooting pool, swimming, being in the sun, fishing, and cooking. She loved having fun and spending time with her grandchildren.Survivors include, two daughters, Faithe Simpson of Pinetown, Hope Sadler of Swan Quarter, two grandchildren, Alexis Leigh Williams, Nicole Lynn Simpson, one great grandchild, Alyssa Michelle Cunningham, and one sister Dory Taylor and husband Michael of Washington.She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Gaffney, and a brother Bobby Spencer.Condolences may be made addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuenralhome.com Memorial contributions may be made to the Frances Gaffney Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 1465, Washington, NC 27889, the American Red Cross, 135 N. Market Street, Washington, NC 27889, or to a charity of your choice.Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Gaffney family. Everything you need to know about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and whats being done to combat BDS. What is BDS? BDS stands for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (and not, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed, for bigotry, dishonesty and shame). The BDS movements three aims are grounded in international law and fundamental rights. It seeks to end the occupation and dismantle Israels illegal wall and settlements, demands full equality for Palestinian citizens of Israel, and calls for the rights of Palestinian refugees to be upheld. When did it start and why? The BDS movement began when a coalition of 170 Palestinian civil society groups issued a call to people of conscience around the world on July 9, 2005. Palestinians argue that a global citizens movement is necessary because despite decades of peace process facade political leaders have failed to end Israels settler-colonialism, ethnic cleansing and apartheid practices. In fact, they continue to enable them. Therefore, only bottom-up pressure from ordinary people will force governments to end Israels impunity and help create a just peace based on freedom, justice and equality. What has the BDS movement achieved? In the decade since its launch, the BDS movement has gradually accumulated successes around the world, from US churches to UK campuses, Egyptian trade unions to the Bolivian government. In the economic sphere, Veolia and G4S multinational corporations involved in Israels oppression of Palestinians lost billions of dollars due to BDS campaigns and announced withdrawals from Israel. Foreign direct investment into Israel dropped 46 percent in 2014. Tens of thousands of students globally have pushed forward the academic boycott, backed by figures such as Stephen Hawking, Angela Davis and Judith Butler. Meanwhile, the likes of author Alice Walker, ex-Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters and critically acclaimed filmmaker Ken Loach have lent their support to the cultural boycott. Importantly, the BDS movement has also been endorsed by anti-colonial Israelis and other Jewish groups, as well as Black Lives Matter. Is BDS racist? Some of Israels defenders claim that BDS is racist. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Far from targeting individuals on the grounds of ethnicity or nationality, BDS targets institutions on the grounds of complicity in human rights violations and explicitly opposes all forms of racism. Thats precisely why it seeks to end Israels entrenched system of racial discrimination and ethnic privilege. In this sense, BDS is comparable with and takes direct inspiration from the historic anti-apartheid movement which helped to isolate South Africa globally and end white rule. Who opposes BDS? Since around 2010, Israel has stepped up its fight against BDS and so-called de-legitimisation. In 2011, the Knesset passed a draconian law against advocating boycotts within Israel. But internationally, this was counterproductive. By mid-2015, panicky Israeli leaders were calling the non-violent movement a strategic threat. Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan was given the task of leading the counter-boycott effort, with an annual budget of $25m and supported by military intelligence agencies. Erdan stresses the need for cooperation with a network of Zionist groups abroad, because ostensibly independent groups are more credible messengers in civil society. He explained: Its not necessarily good that the government is at the front of this battle. Because of this, Israeli embassies many of which have dedicated anti-BDS staff work closely with Israel lobby groups behind the scenes, as Al Jazeeras investigation The Lobby shows. The investigation also confirms another official tactic: establishing front groups and bodies which appear to be grassroots but are actually astroturf. Wealthy supporters of Israel such as Sheldon Adelson and Haim Saban in the United States and Trevor Pears in the UK have pumped large sums of money into a plethora of anti-boycott initiatives. And increasingly, the Israeli government and pro-Israel groups team up to create global public-private partnerships against BDS. What has the counter-BDS movement achieved? Unable to win the argument politically, Israel and its allies are waging an aggressive lawfare campaign. Thanks to friends in high places, they have had considerable success promoting laws to criminalise BDS, with about 20 US states considering anti-boycott bills. Another dimension has been prosecutions of activists, everywhere from Australia to France. However, BDS continues to grow rapidly. Legal experts and the European Union have defended the right to boycott as a free speech issue. And several pro-Israel lawfare cases for example in the UK where attempts to suppress BDS are also facing a legal challenge have failed spectacularly. What does the future hold? Can a voluntary grassroots movement facing off against a well-funded, state-led, and elite-driven counterattack really hope to survive? Expect to see the fight get even nastier with more lawsuits, McCarthyism, black ops and smear tactics, covert intelligence gathering and restrictions on BDS activists freedom of movement. As Amnesty International has noted with concern, there have even calls for targeted civil eliminations. But Israels forte has always been the hard power of military coercion. Indeed, its diplomats appear unable to comprehend the BDS movement without comparing it with a war. It is clueless about how to deal with a non-hierarchical social movement waging a struggle on the terrain of moral persuasion. As long as Israel flouts international law, no amount of money, repression or Brand Israel propaganda will stop the BDS movement continuing to grow and make crucial contributions to Palestinians struggle for justice. An analysis on what the rising ethnic nationalism among the historically powerful Amhara means for the countrys future. Amba Giorgis, Ethiopia Etenesh* sits alone on a worn cow skin in her mud-walled home in Amba Giorgis, a small Ethiopian market town in the northerly Amhara region. Her husband, a merchant, was arrested early in November, due to his alleged participation in anti-government protests over the last few months. He was taken to a military camp, says Etenesh, a mother of two who sells coffee to farmers from her shack. I know that because he called me twice. She does not know when, or if, he will come back, but she does know that life without the familys primary breadwinner is tough. Its just me now, trying to provide for my kids. Talk of arrests is prevalent in Amba Giorgis, which is part of the North Gondar district experiencing clashes between armed farmers and the military. On the edge of town, government soldiers man a new checkpoint. They moved into a road construction camp, following the declaration of a sweeping state of emergency on October 8 in response to the unrest among Ethiopias two largest ethnic groups: the Oromo, who make up around one-third of the population, and the Amhara. On July 31, residents of Gondar, which is around 700km north of the capital, Addis Ababa, came out to demonstrate amid a long-standing territorial dispute with the neighbouring Tigray region. During Ethiopias transition from a unitary to a federal state in the early 1990s, some Amhara claim they lost territory to Tigrayans when the country was restructured along ethnolinguistic lines. The demonstrations have been used as a platform to voice discontent over alleged government repression of the Amhara as well as to promote a budding ethnic nationalism among them. The Amhara are the second-largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, constituting 27 percent in the country of nearly 100 million people. The ruling coalition, the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), is a grouping of four ethnic-based parties, including Oromo, Amhara and Tigray parties. The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front ( TPLF), is the founder of the EPRDF and is perceived to be the powerhouse of the coalition, even though Tigrayans represent just six percent of the population. Pro-TPLF commentators believe that the Amhara wing of the coalition, the Amhara National Democratic Movement, gave its blessing to the Gondar protest as part of an attempt to reduce TPLF dominance. But events gathered momentum, when the sentiments on display in Gondar reverberated in the following weeks, as thousands of ethnic Amhara hit the streets in towns like Amba Giorgis. During the protests, slogans reflected a sense of victimisation. Being an Amhara is not a crime, read one. Respect Amharaness, said another. Properties associated with the ruling coalition were attacked, and the main road leading to the tourist-magnet Simien Mountains was blockaded. The governments emergency decree, which, among other things, bans most political activity, including watching opposition satellite channels, has seen tens of thousands detained on suspicion of being party to the unrest. Some 11,607 individuals have so far been detained in six prisons, of which 347 are female, in connection with the state of emergency declared in the country, official Taddesse Hordofa said in a televised statement on November 12 after the state of emergency was implemented. The measure has returned a degree of order to Ethiopia. However, underlying issues remain. READ MORE: Ethiopia state of emergency arrests top 11,000 Split identity The Amhara held privileged positions during the imperial era that ended with Emperor Haile Selassies overthrow in 1974. Some EPRDFs federalists insist that they remain loyal to ideas from that time and are suspicious of the current arrangement. For hundreds of years, the language and culture of Ethiopias imperial courts was Amharic and, for many, advancement in career or social status depended on assimilating to it and many ambitious members of other ethnicities adopted Amhara customs. By the 20th century, the Amhara culture had become the culture of the educated and of urban elites who were often ethnically mixed, according to the historian, Takkle Taddese. As a result, the Amhara can be seen as a supra ethnically conscious ethnic Ethiopian serving as the pot in which all the other ethnic groups are supposed to melt, writes Taddese in his essay, titled: Do the Amharas Exist as a Distinct Ethnic Group? READ MORE: The Ethiopia rising narrative and the Oromo protests When the EPRDF came to power in 1991 and ushered in federalism, the Amhara were treated just as any other ethnic group: a collection of people with their own identity and territory a premise with which proponents of contemporary Amhara nationalism agree. The Amhara have existed as a distinct community for thousands of years, fulfilling all the basic markers of an ethnic group: distinct language, distinct culture, collective national memory and experience and so forth, argues Wondwosen Tafesse, an academic based in Norway and a commentator on Amhara issues. But even with surging ethnic assertiveness, many Amhara are still likely to give precedence to pan-Ethiopian identity, as Amhara nationalism is not an end in itself, according to Wondwosen. Rather, it is a reaction to fend off multiple attacks, real and imagined, he says. The expulsion in 2013 of thousands of Amharas by regional officials from Southern Peoples Regional State and Benishangul-Gumuz , according to a report by The Human Rights Congress of Ethiopia, is raised to support allegations that the government deliberately targets ethnic Amharas. For opposing Amhara elites, who had to grapple with the pre-eminent questions of identity during EPRDF rule, ethnic nationalism was antithetical to pan-Ethiopian nationalism. OPINION: The Oromo protests have changed Ethiopia An unknown future Even with a growing sense of ethnic nationalism, pan-Ethiopian nationalism still enjoys wider acceptance among the Amhara elites, argues Chalachew Taddese, a contributor for Wazema, a non-profit radio station founded by exiled Ethiopian journalists based in Europe and the United States. Amhara nationalists, therefore, have to tackle those who see an excessive ethnic focus as compromising the nations integrity. Taddese says two factors have contributed to the increase in Amhara identity: A growing perception of ethnic discrimination by the government and persistent anti-Amhara campaigns by Oromo elites, who portray the group as a historical coloniser and victimiser of all other ethnic groups. If Amhara nationalism grows in prominence, the relationship with Oromo nationalism might be decisive for the countrys future. During the protests, Oromo and Amhara nationalists displayed signs of solidarity in the face of what they believed to be a common enemy: the TPLF. But, there were always questions about the camaraderie and whether it was meaningful and sustainable. The Oromo rose up in November 2015 amid complaints that they have been politically and economically marginalised under a federal system that promised them autonomy. The protests were a testament to a reinvigorated Oromo nationalism. READ MORE: Oromo nationalism on the rise in Ethiopia Unlike its nascent Amhara equivalent, Oromo nationalism goes back a half-century, with an established ideology, institutions and aspirations. Any secessionist Oromo tendencies cause alarm among Amharas, who promote their identity within a multinational Ethiopia. But Oromo nationalism is also predicated upon alleged persecution by Amhara elites during the imperial era. Accordingly, Amhara nationalism, if it solidifies, will be forced to counteract the narratives of Oromo elites, Chalachew says. One battleground will be the legacy of Menelik II, a late 19th-century emperor whose military campaigns shaped the boundaries of modern Ethiopia. Oromo nationalists, who want to remove his statue in the heart of Addis Ababa, see him as an Amhara imperialist conqueror. Amid these immediate and pressing challenges, the rise in Amhara nationalism creates more turbulence in the region, raising questions that no one yet seems able to answer. *Names has been changed for privacy purposes. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is right to be concerned about the loss of one of the leading members of Irans religious establishment in an election year. With the loss of Hashemi, he said on Sunday referring to the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, I know no other personality with whom I had such a common and long-term experience in the peaks and valleys of this historic era. Rafsanjani would also be sorely missed by President Hassan Rouhani, who is facing an election race in June with hardliners intent on sidelining him and undermining his achievements on Irans nuclear deal with the West. It was with Rafsanjanis support that he won the 2013 elections. The weeks and months ahead and the forthcoming presidential elections are crucial, not necessarily for the survival of the Islamic Republic, but for the continued ability of the Supreme Leader to hold the unity of the theocratic establishment intact, especially given that he is not in good health himself. A controversial figure More than anything Rafsanjani was a pragmatic centrist who kept the Islamic Republic intact by sticking to the political middle ground. There may be other well-known centrists, but none were as powerful or as influential. He was also one of Irans richest men who maintained close links to Iranian industry and business throughout his life. Irans president from 1989 to 1997, the speaker of the parliament from 1980-1989, chairman of the Expediency Council, and elected Speaker of the Assembly of Experts, Rafsanjani was long considered to be one of the most corrupt and yet most powerful men in the Islamic Republic. He had many enemies too who accused him of involvement in the murders of opposition at home and abroad. Ordering a full state funeral and personally saying the final prayers, Khamenei clearly indicated that full respects have to be paid to Rafsanjani, who he had isolated for the last eight years of his life. In the contested presidential elections of 2009, Khamenei ignored Rafsanjanis advice to listen to the demonstrators and refrain from imprisoning them. OPINION: Rafsanjani and Khamenei the Rouhani element Despite their differences, Khamenei was always fully aware that Rafsanjani was the main bulwark of the Islamic Republic against potential violent shake-ups. It wasnt just his persona, with an aura of maturity and calm, but the unrivalled network of operatives he recruited in all corners of the political structure at home and abroad. They designed and shaped the Islamic Republic under his guidance. In the absence of Rafsanjani, it is doubtful that Khamenei and his hardline supporters in Irans Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) or the fundamentalist clergy can maintain the political balance that is so crucial to the survival of the Islamic Republic. With Rafsanjani gone it is not clear whether Khamenei would support Rouhani in his exchanges of accusations of corruption with the hardline judiciary, or over the Iran deal if it were to be jeopardised by the US president-elect Donald Trump. Rafsanjani was the main force behind talks with the West and it was through his influence that Rouhani took the initiative. Its a loss, says a seasoned European diplomat who prefers not to be named, particularly now in the times of unpredictability and flux concerning Iran and the region. Rafsanjani was known to have good relations with senior Saudi officials and was seen as a key figure who could have resolved rising tensions between the regional rivals in the coming years. The reformist leadership Rafsanjanis departure would also weaken Irans reform movement which has taken a serious battering since the 2009 presidential elections. He fell out with the reformist president, Mohammad Khatami, during the reformist era of 1997-2005. Yet, since the 2009 mass demonstrations, Rafsanjani proved to be on the side of the reformists calling publicly for greater freedoms. He did so at the price of falling out with the supreme leader, thus getting sidelined, accused of sedition and even forbidden from leading Friday prayers. Rafsanjani was undeterred. He kept a low profile, but his network of operatives gave effective support to Rouhanis win in the 2013 presidential elections. In the 2016 parliamentary elections, he managed to push through tens of reformist and moderate members into the parliament and most of the Tehran seats in the Assembly of Experts. Now with Rafsanjani gone, it is up to the reform leaders such as Khatami, Mehdi Karroubi and Mir-Hossein Mousavi to try and keep that momentum going. This would be very difficult, however, as the three are silenced and the latter two are still under house arrest. Khatami was reportedly not even allowed to attend Rafsanjanis funeral. This leaves President Rouhani as the only moderate political leader who can fill in that crucial political centre: that balance between the right with which he has worked closely as the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council 1989-2005 on the one hand, and the reformists, who are his newly found friends, on the other. His slogans of moderation would suit this path and if he moves wisely he could remain close to the supreme leader and take advantage of the vacuum created by Rafsanjanis departure. Massoumeh Torfeh is the former director of strategic communication at the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and is currently a research associate at the London School of Economics and Political Science specialising in Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. On an ethereally sunny and surreal day in Doha, in the company of a dear Qatari artist friend, we walked into Qatar Museum Gallery Alriwaq, now exhibiting an awe-inspiring retrospective of the pre-eminent Iraqi artist, Dia Azzawi. In two complementary exhibitions, one here in Alriwaq and another at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Arts, we are treated to a rare retrospective of a monumental figure in contemporary and modern Arab art. Exquisitely curated by Catherine David, I am the cry, who will give voice to me? is the thematic title of this retrospective that is subtitled: From 1963 until tomorrow. That is more than a half-century. When Azzawi began painting, Iraq was just emerging from under the yoke of British imperialism. When Azzawi painted his latest work for this exhibition, US imperialism under George W Bush had laid waste to his homeland. Imagine an artist of Azzawis iconic gaze and then ask yourself what would that history do to him? In an interview with Al Jazeera, Azzawi himself has described this retrospective as a manifesto against events following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Putting all these indications together, you may think the breathtaking spectrum of Azzawis oeuvre is a manifesto against the barbarity of George W Bushs invasion, occupation, and subsequent destruction of Iraq. But artistically documenting the devastation of Azzawis homeland is only one aspect of his lifetime achievements. He has the larger Arab and Muslim world, the even more far-reaching worlds at the receiving end of US and European militarism, under his unforgiving gaze. The prodigiously prolific Azzawi is politically mesmerised and aesthetically beguiled by nothing less than the entire lingering legacy of the Arab world, in fact, the very idea of it. Take Azzawis art out of that world, it will lose its aesthetic intuition of where and what it is all about. Chronicles of Tormented Nations The spacious austerity of the museum was entirely empty of any human soul when we walked in except for two lonesome guards pacing their boredom away at the front door, happily surprised to see us as they handed us two brochures of the exhibition. We entered a colossal gathering of one of the towering figures of contemporary Arab art on wide, white, generous, and happy walls bereft of a single spectator except the two of us. The space was awe-inspiring, meditative, mournful. We meandered through the galleries until we reached one of his signature masterpieces, Sabra and Shatila Massacre (1982-1983). There was a bench at a necessary distance. We sat down in quiet prayer. Azzawi dwells on the brutality of violence, face to face, as he looks deeply into the abyss of the terror of imperial hubris raining death and destruction on his homeland. by Where were we? Where was Azzawi? What happened to his Iraq, to Palestine, to the Arab world? Who was this patient, angry, defiant, unforgiving chronicler of nations tormented by foreign domination and domestic tyranny? All I am trying to do, I glanced at the catalogue citing Azzawi in my hand, is to calmly remove the human from the dungeons of oppression and murder, and deliver it to a place where it is possible for its body to be spread wide across the face of the earth, in order for it to be broken and thereby released from the legacy which makes it an oppressed creature. What a daunting, metaphysical, task for an artist to impose upon himself! Palestine: The Years of Slaughter was the title of a gallery we now entered. The space was sacerdotal: where art rises quietly to meet the sacred. Azzawis retrospective feels like a painterly panegyric, violently lyrical in its mournful remembrance of things past and present, elegiac in its visions of his ruinous homeland. In his overwhelming broad brushes, at once lyrical and confrontational, poetic and political, he fuses the memorial tenderness of his fellow Iraqi Badr Shakir al-Sayyab with the daring defiance of Pablo Picasso and Juan Miro who have had lasting influences on him. Light in the Heart of Darkness To be embraced and lost in the heart of Azzawis art so overwhelmingly is to be in the presence of an aesthetic intuition of transcendence where the political has blown itself out of the mundane and become formal, planting the particularity of its whereabouts in a commanding universe where the prosaic yields itself to the translucent. Azzawi dwells on the brutality of violence, face-to-face, as he looks deeply into the abyss of the terror of imperial hubris raining death and destruction on his homeland not just on Iraq, but particularly on Palestine, which he has transformed from factual evidence to a furious allegory of the world at large. The sensual vicinity of those everlastingly wide and white gallery walls was subterranean a soulful place with only two solitary souls as their spectators. We approached a larger than life statue of Handala, the Palestinian artist Naji al-Alis doppelganger, that Azzawi has done with astonishing figurative monumentality. We are not supposed to see Handala frontal, I whispered quietly. He has turned his back to us, witnessing the events. But I think after a lifetime of friendship with Handala, Azzawi has earned the privilege of seeing him face to face. Worlds are falling further and further apart. It is an uncanny feeling to come so close and personal with the works of Azzawis in the heart of an Arab world that is coming to pieces from Syria to Yemen. Is this ruinous world a vindication of Azzawis work or is his work its salvation? One overnight flight from Doha to New York you will be lost in the irredeemably ignorant world of Donald Trump and everything he stands for, at the epicentre of a gargantuan military machine that does not even look at what it is it is destroying when it starts dropping its ignorant smart bombs on people and their lived experiences. Azzawi is Iraq. Azzawi is the Arab world: bleeding and singing and painting its pains for the world to see. But who is watching? We exited Azzawis pantheon and walked quietly towards the bay by the Museum. There was a soothing call to prayer. My companion stood up to pray. I sat down to mourn the news of the passing of John Berger at precisely the moments we were with Azzawi. The prayer done, we drove to another exhibition of a gifted Iraqi artist, Mahmoud Obaidis. Between the death of a committed art critic and the birth of a young Iraqi artist, Azzawi had declared the span of a lifetime and a century. Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. As the United States says farewell to Barack Obamas scandal-free term in office, it quivers at the incoming scandal-ridden Trump presidency before it has even started. The latest controversy may yet prove to be the most damning, if any of the allegations are substantiated. It goes beyond accusations of groping women, tax evasion and fraternising with white supremacists. It touches on US national security and speaks to the politicisation in highest echelons of the intelligence community. Does Russia have something on the incoming president? Does he know it? Is that why hes been eerily schmoozing Vladimir Putin with unmatched passion, while dismissing all 17 US intelligence agencies claims about Russias hacking and interference in US elections? For several months, Trump seemed to have something negative to say about every politician, except Putin, whom he called, a nice, smart and competent guy and even better leader than the US president. So is it all just coincidental or is there more to it than meets the eye? Heres what we know A former British MI6 intelligence officer, lets call him JB, who was posted in Russia in the 1990s, was hired by certain Republican and Democratic rivals of Donald Trump to dig for dirt about his Russia dealings. Towards the end of his search, JB provided an unsolicited, but damning, report about Trump to the FBI, which was appended to a report on Russias interference in the 2016 US elections. It speaks of Russian attempts to sway Trump with business deals and secret information about his potential political rivals. And it expresses the suspicion that Russia might have embarrassing or even damning personal and financial information about Trump. OPINION: America was a stan long before Trump There are also allegations, again unsubstantiated, that the Russians have dirt on him from the time he hosted The Miss Universe Pageant in Moscow in Nov 2013. Pornographic stuff. And finally, it alludes to direct contacts between Trump advisors and certain Russians connected to the Putin regime during the campaign. A Moscow-based British diplomat has reportedly briefed Senator John McCain about the full extent of the controversy. He, in turn, sent an emissary to London to grab the report. The senator then handed it to FBI director, James Comey, in person on December 9. Since then, the Republican leadership in Congress has vetoed McCains call for a special senate select committee to investigate the Russian interference in the US elections. But the affair has snowballed after all four chiefs of the main intelligence agencies briefed both Obama and Trump about the potentially damning Russian role. Leaks to the media blew it out of proportion after the entire report was posted by Buzzfeed, on its website, so that American can decide for themselves. Other media outlets refused to give credence to the report without further evidence. Adding to the mystery JB, the British secret service agent, whose identity remains unknown, is recognised by US intelligence circles to be a credible source. He is said to have delivered reliable information over the years. But FBI director ignored the reports on Russia-Trump connection and instead focused on what he termed potentially explosive information about the Clinton emails. To Democrats consternation, Comey went public with the Clinton controversy a week before the elections, but remained quiet about the Trump-Russia affair. Nothing came out of the FBI investigation of the Clinton emails, which many argue led to her defeat. This may, or may not, be true. But its more likely if the British report became public before November 8, that it couldve diminished Trumps chances of winning. Could this have something to do with the fact the Comey was a registered Republican before he was confirmed as FBI director in 2013? Did his politics prejudice his professional judgment? Or is the report no more than fake news? The jury is split. From Russia with love, only Only time will tell how much credence, if any, there is to the British reports from Moscow and whether JB is no less fictional than James Bond in the British thriller, From Russia With Love. Its possible that Trump has made too many enemies over the past two or more years, some powerless, others more powerful and may want to get back at him. His derisive and insulting attacks against his own fellow Republicans, such as John McCain or the other presidential candidates, may come back to haunt him now that he needs them most. Trumps recent ridicule of the intelligence community over the Russian hacking is yet to boomerang. Last week, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said that Trumps questioning the legitimacy or the intelligence community is dumb, and suggested they will get back at him for it. Have they, indeed? Have they, or their mates across the Atlantic, manufactured these reports to get back at him, or merely highlighted them before its too late, to get back at him? Well, some of the damage to Trump is already done. Theres so much suspicion out there about the incoming president that he will not able to pal around with Putin without raising even deep suspicion. Marwan Bishara is the senior political analyst at Al Jazeera. Follow him on Facebook. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. The damage to water infrastructure supplying Damascus has left some 5.5 million people without water. Syrian rebels have rejected a provincial governors claim that a deal has been reached for government forces to enter a rebel-held area near Damascus and restore the capitals water supply. Ahmed Ramadan, an official with the opposition National Coalition, denied any such deal had been reached. This information is untrue and is a part of the [regime and its allies] psychological warfare, he told AFP. Yet, a source inside the Wadi Barada region told AFP that several hundred civilians were leaving under an agreement. State news agency SANA also reported that people were leaving the region, among them several dozen fighters. The reported deal comes after weeks of fighting in the region, 15 kilometres northwest of Damascus, which has threatened a fragile truce in place since December 30. The fighting has damaged water infrastructure and left some 5.5 million people in the capital and its suburbs facing water shortages, according to the United Nations. Alaa Ibrahim, the provincial governor of Damascus, had earlier on Wednesday told SANA that there was now a deal to allow the government to retake control of the region. The agreement that was reached in principle requires the militants to give up their heavy weapons and for non-local militants to leave the area of Wadi Barada, he said. [Then] the Syrian Arab Army will enter the area to clear it of mines and bombs to prepare for the entry of maintenance teams to fix the damage caused to the water pumps and pipes by the terrorists attacks. Civilians evacuated The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor of the war, said the government had not reached a comprehensive deal with rebels. But it reported that residents wishing to leave were being offered safe passage on an individual basis. And a source on the ground in Wadi Barada said on Wednesday that some 600 civilians had left, passing through a makeshift tent where government officials were checking documents. SANA reported that some 500 people had left the area, among them some 60 rebels. Syrias government accuses rebels in Wadi Barada, including former al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, of deliberately cutting water supplies to the capital. READ MORE: After Aleppo, what happens to Syrias besieged towns? But the rebels say government strikes damaged pumping facilities and deny that Fateh al-Sham, previously known as al-Nusra Front, has forces in the area. The government has concluded dozens of so-called reconciliation deals with rebel-held areas in Syria in recent months, particularly around the capital. The deals usually offer civilians and rebels safe passage to opposition-held territory elsewhere in exchange for surrendering the area to the army. The opposition says it is forced into such deals by government sieges and assault, and terms them a starve or surrender tactic. The UN warned that sabotaging water supplies is a war crime after the water to Wadi Barada was cut. Jan Egeland, the head of a UN-backed humanitarian task force for Syria, said last week that the shutdown already had dramatic consequences. Peace negotiations Syrias conflict started as a largely unarmed uprising against President Bashar al-Assads rule in March 2011, but it has since morphed into a full-scale civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than half of the countrys prewar population. Fighting has continued in Wadi Barada despite the start of a truce brokered by government ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey in late December. The ceasefire is intended to pave the way for new peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana, which Russia confirmed on Wednesday were scheduled for January 23. At this time there is no indication that the meeting will be postponed. The date of January 23 is set, a source in the foreign ministry said. READ MORE: Army offensive tightens noose on rebel-held Douma He added that work was under way to compile a list of participants. A Russian diplomatic source said on Wednesday that the talks would be held between the government and rebels only, with the political opposition excluded for the first time. But Turkey and the rebels have warned that the ongoing fighting in Wadi Barada could jeopardise the talks in Astana. And while the truce has brought quiet to large parts of Syria, sporadic violence has continued elsewhere. On Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory reported government air strikes in several parts of the Eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus that killed one person and wounded nine. And overnight it said air strikes hit rebel-held parts of Aleppo and Idlib province in the north and northwest of the country, killing at least three rebels. Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo become the first married couple to hold office in Nicaraguas history. Daniel Ortega has been sworn in for a third consecutive term as Nicaraguas president, with his wife Rosario Murillo as the new vice president, giving a married couple the reins of power for the first time in the Central American countrys history. Ortega, a 71-year-old former rebel fighter, took the oath in Managua with the presidents of Venezuela, Bolivia and Taiwan in attendance. Ortega and Murillo were elected in November with 72.5 percent of the vote, but with a high rate of abstentions. Their party won 71 of the 92 seats in parliament. Nicaragua could face economic challenges in Ortegas third five-year term amid a steep drop in aid from Venezuela, which has funded many social programmes. A law is also being considered in the US that could block Nicaraguas access to loans from international lending organisations, pushed by US legislators claiming a critical of a lack of government transparency. Economists and business leaders say Ortega will now have to be more transparent, especially with the US Congress already considering sanctions. WATCH: TechKnow Nicaraguas great divide Al Jazeeras John Holman, reporting from the capital, said the election win was no surprise, but the future is less certain. Ortega can no longer rely on petrodollars from struggling ally Venezuela and Nicaraguas top trading partner, the US, has a new, unpredictable administration, he said. And just at the point when he would look to build international bridges, more and more countries are increasingly disapproving of his strong-arm tactics. Ortega was one of the leaders of the rebel Sandinista movement that ousted the four-decade Somoza family dictatorship in 1979. With Ortegas wife joining him in office, there are growing concerns his rule could become more authoritarian. Sonia Chavez, who fought alongside Ortegas Sandinista movement when it toppled the Samoza regime in the 1980s, says he is now just like the man he helped depose. We fought to get rid of a brutal dictatorship that we didnt want and now were going back to one again, she told Al Jazeera. US president-elect denounces reports that Russia obtained compromising personal and financial information about him. US President-elect Donald Trump has angrily denied reports that Russia had obtained compromising personal and financial information about him, calling it a tremendous blot on the record of the intelligence community if it had released such material. In his first media conference since winning the November 8 election, Trump called the unconfirmed allegations phony and attacked news organisations that published the reports. Its all fake news, Trump said on Wednesday. It didnt happen, he added. READ MORE: Russia denies it has compromising information on Trump I think it was disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so fake and so false out thats something that Nazi Germany would have done, and did do. ALLEGATIONS OF COMPROMISING MATERIAL The unverified dossier on Trump was compiled by a former Western intelligence operative as part of an opposition research project originally financed by a Republican client who opposed Trump, and later funded by Democrats, according to Mother Jones, which published an article about the report in October and said the operative had turned over the report to the FBI. The New York Times reported that the operative had previously worked for British intelligence. Bill Schneider, public policy professor at George Mason University, emphasised that the information, by the acknowledgement of the intelligence services, had not been verified. We dont know exactly whats in it, we dont know the details, he told Al Jazeera. Russia is not above doing that sort of thing, using that sort of information to its own advantage, but a lot of Americans regard it as interesting because they are puzzled by the relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin; why is it so close, why does Vladimir Putin seem to have a hold over Mr Trump, and why was he so influential in this election, Schneider said. The dossier that emerged late on Tuesday was first reported by CNN. BuzzFeed published the full document. Two US officials said the allegations, which one called unsubstantiated, were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that was presented last week to Trump and to President Barack Obama. Trump responded as you would expect him to do, Al Jazeeras James Bay, reporting from New York, said. He went on the attack against the intelligence community and against the news media, in particular two parts of the news media that were responsible for publishing more detailed stories on this. Relationship with Putin Earlier on Wednesday, Russia also rejected the claims and said they were aimed at damaging Moscows relations with Washington. The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump, President Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, calling the claims a total fake and an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations. Al Jazeeras Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Moscow, said there was a lot of disgust in Moscow over the allegations that Russia drafted an incriminating and compromising dossier on Trump. The Kremlin has been using pretty fiery rhetoric, calling it a hoax and [is] sad as people are raising hysteria for this continuing witchhunt. OPINION: Small hands big missiles Trumps dangerous adolescence Asked about his relationship with Putin, Trump called it an asset, not a liability and an improvement over what he called Americas current horrible relationship with Russia. If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks, thats called an asset, not a liability. I dont know if Im going to get along with Vladimir Putin I hope I do but theres a good chance I wont. The former reality star, however, acknowledged for the first time that Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and the emails of other top Democrats during the 2016 presidential election. Trump did go as far as admitting that perhaps Russia had been involved in hacking during the election campaign but his criticism of Russia was again very muted, Al Jazeeras Bays said. He said he had no current deals with Russia and no current investments with Russia, but of course we could not get into any of the detail of that. Build a wall In the wide-ranging and often chaotic news conference, Trump also vowed to forge ahead with plans for a wall on the southern US border after taking office. He said, however, that Mexico would reimburse the US for the cost. I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico, which well start immediately after we get to office, but I dont want to wait, Trump said. Were going to start building, he said. Mexico in some form and there are many different forms will reimburse us and they will reimburse us for the cost of the wall. That will happen. Whether its a tax or whether its a payment. The real estate developer also used the news conference to describe how he will separate himself from his global business operations to avoid conflicts of interest once he takes office. Trump pointed to piles of documents on a table at the front of the stage that he said he had signed turning over complete control to his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump in order to prevent a conflict of interest when he becomes president on January 20. It was a bit of a stunt, Al Jazeeras Bays said, but I think theres going to be a lot of criticism because its really not very clear how much of a divorce this really is. He says he wont be speaking to them about the business but clearly [it would be] very hard for anyone to actually police that. The 70-year-old Trump, who is the wealthiest man to become US president, has been beset by accusations of conflict of interest ever since beating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The Trump Organization, which includes a network of hotels, golf clubs and luxury residential towers stretching across 20 countries, is not listed on the stock market, and thus releases no public statistics. Trump has thus far not released his tax returns, meaning relatively little is known about the extent of its interests. He was also asked again about that and he said he wouldnt be releasing them for a simple reason: he won the election, Bays said. Top US intelligence officials told Trump about an unverified report that Russia has compromising information about him. Top intelligence officials last week told President-elect Donald Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him, a US official said. The official, who was not allowed to publicly discuss the matter, spoke to media on the condition of anonymity. The briefing about the document was first reported by CNN on Tuesday. Shortly after news reports were published about the briefing, Trump took to Twitter to deny the veracity of the claims. FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 The document was separate from a classified assessment of Russias attempts to meddle in the US presidential election. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence communitys findings last week. The unverified dossier on Trump was compiled by a former western intelligence operative as part of an opposition research project originally financed by a Republican client who opposed Trump, and later funded by Democrats, according to Mother Jones, which published an article about the report in October and said the operative had turned over the report to the FBI. The New York Times reported that the operative had previously worked for British intelligence. Bill Schneider, public policy professor at George Mason University, emphasised that the information, by the acknowledgement of the intelligence services, had not been verified. We dont know exactly whats in it, we dont know the details, he told Al Jazeera. Russia is not above doing that sort of thing, using that sort of information to its own advantage, but a lot of Americans regard it as interesting because they are puzzled by the relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin; why is it so close, why does Vladimir Putin seem to have a hold over Mr Trump, and why was he so influential in this election, Schneider said. READ MORE: Trump says he knows a lot about hacking It is unclear why the intelligence officials decided to brief the president and Trump on the uncorroborated information at this time, but politicians and others have repeatedly noted that Russia collects intelligence on both Democrats and Republicans. The Russians also hacked systems associated with the Republicans. They just chose not to release that material yet, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, said on Tuesday. Theres nothing that prevents them from doing so at a time of their choosing in the future. The report had been circulating in Washington for months. In October, former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wrote to the FBI asking the bureau to publicly disclose what it knew about the Trump campaigns ties to Russia. Reid was aware of the dossier before he wrote the letter, according to a person knowledgeable about the subject who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the matter. FBI Director James Comey refused earlier on Tuesday to say whether the FBI was investigating any possible ties between Russia and Trumps presidential campaign, citing policy not to comment on what the FBI might or might not be doing. READ MORE: Putin sought to help Trump in election Comey was pressed by Democrats on the committee about whether the FBI was conducting an investigation. There was no mention during the hearing about the summary of the dossier, which was attached to the classified hacking assessment. I would never comment on investigations whether we have one or not in an open forum like this, so I cant answer one way or another, Comey told the panel during his first public appearance before Congress since the election. In late October, Comey angered Democrats when he announced 11 days before the election that the FBI was looking at more emails as part of its investigation of Hillary Clinton. Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden said the American people had a right to know about whether there is an FBI investigation into the Trump campaigns ties with Russia. An active FBI investigation of the next president for ties between his campaign and a nation accused of meddling in the presidential election could further stoke mistrust in the legitimacy of the democratic process. Israel is influencing student, activist and parliamentary groups in the UK, offering financial and strategic assistance in order to gather support among young organisers and shape British politics, Al Jazeeras Investigative Unit reveals. For six months, undercover reporter Robin (an alias) infiltrated pro-Israeli groups working to counter the powerful and growing movement against the illegal occupation of Palestinian land. He uncovered a close link between Shai Masot, whose business card described him as a senior political officer at the Israeli embassy in London, and a network of politicians, activists and analysts in Britain who are sympathetic to Israel. The aggressive lobbying comes as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement swells, and as the opposition Labour Party is led by Jeremy Corbyn, a vocal supporter of Palestinian interests. READ MORE: Everything you need to know about BDS BDS enjoys wide support at British universities; in June 2015 the National Union of Students (NUS) voted for the boycott. A year later the NUS elected its first black, Muslim, female president: Malia Bouattia a pro-Palestinian human rights supporter. Unlike the NUS, the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) comprising 64 Jewish societies at British universities, strongly opposes the BDS movement. Plotting against NUS president Al Jazeeras Investigative Unit discovered that the UJS not only received money from the Israeli embassy, but also attempted to influence the NUS presidency election, and even oust Bouattia following her victory. Michael Rubin, a young parliamentary officer and pro-Israel activist who claimed to work with the ambassador and embassy quite a lot, told Robin that Bouattia was really bad and awful. We were campaigning for the person running against her because we didnt want her to win, said Rubin, who was at the time of the election chairman of the Labour Students group. During the election campaign, Richard Brooks, NUS vice president, held secret meetings with Russell Langer, UJS campaign director, and Rubin. Wed have our secret little purpose meeting where wed plan how to get moderate people with good politics and any number of things elected to certain places, he said, adding that the group worked quite closely together. Robin explored with Brooks the possibility of ousting Bouattia. You can speak to me because Im helping organise them, said Brooks, who once took the unusual step of criticising the NUS president on national radio. The investigation also reveals that the UJS sent Brooks on a paid trip to Israel, something he failed to mention in his radio interview. The NUS represents more than four million students. Notable politicians who have served as NUS leader include Labour politicians Jack Straw, the former foreign secretary and Charles Clarke, a former home secretary. Elsewhere, Adam Schapira, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the UJS presidency, told our undercover reporter: The Israeli embassy in the UK gives money to UJS. Schapira earlier worked with the Pinsker Centre, a campus-based think-tank which aims to intelligently educate about Zionism and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Schapira confirmed to our reporter that the powerful American pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC, is channelling money to British campuses through the Pinsker Centre. Groups like AIPAC gave some money, he said. Such groups work hard to counter the BDS movement, which is modelled after the mass campaign to isolate South Africa during the apartheid era, and aims to pressure Israel through tactics of economic and cultural isolation. Labour in focus Throughout the investigation, Robin posed as a graduate activist with strong sympathies towards Israel who was keen to help combat the BDS movement. Masot, the Israeli embassy diplomat, insisted to Robin that it was particularly important for him to build support for Israel among all levels of the Labour Party, which he said was being run by crazy leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn. At one point, he offered Robin a job running the youth wing of the Labour Friends of Israel (LFI). In a discussion at a Tube station, Robin asked Masot: Have you ever built something, like a group? Masot replied: In Israel and here Nothing that I can share but yeah. Its good to leave those organisations independent, but we help them to actually [establish]. Masot tutored Robin step-by-step on how to set up a new pro-Israel group, and offered the embassys support in securing an interesting speaker at events. The Israeli diplomat boasted that he had the idea to form a youth branch of the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) an offshoot of the 2,000-member strong group that was realised last year. LFI and CFI were founded in the 1950s and 1970s respectively. [But] theres no one whos educating the grassroots of the party Specifically in the Labour. Conservatives dont need it, Masot told Robin. Influencing opinion In a further attempt to influence the opposition, Masot said that he was involved with the youth arm of the Fabian Society, an influential Labour Party think-tank, and that he once took a group of Fabians to Israel. One Fabian, Martin Edobor, later told Robin in a London pub that Masot was a great guy. Edobor added that he had been on a delegation to Israel, and dismissed a recent story in Haaretz about Israel cutting water supply in the occupied West Bank as false and propaganda. On its website, the Fabian Society says it is a pluralist movement to create space for open debate which believes in the fight against inequality. Later, in a private meeting at a London hotel with embassy staff and British supporters of Israel, Masot introduced Robin to Michael Freeman, head of civil affairs at the Israeli embassy. Freeman told Robin that the embassy was looking for someone to research into the different BDS movements, who they are, what they are, before Gilad Erdan, Israels minister for strategic affairs, took to the stage as guest of honour. Erdans ministrys main task is to counter the BDS movement worldwide According to Yossi Melman, an Israeli journalist and writer who specialises in security and intelligence affairs, the ministry recruits mainly former intelligence officers. Masot, who is well-connected, then suggested that Robin contact Rubin, the parliamentary officer, for advice on establishing a new group. Rubin told our undercover reporter that Labour MP and LFI chairwoman Joan Ryan spoke with Masot most days. The Labour Party at the moment is not in a good place to say the least, Rubin said, as he advised Robin to befriend young people coming through who have good views on Israel. Regarding the Young LFI group, Rubin said: I think we just have to be careful that not to be seen as young Israeli embassy We do work really closely together, its just publicly we just try to keep LFI as a separate identity to the embassy of course. Being LFI allows us to reach out to people who wouldnt want to get involved with the embassy. Ultimately we want the same end goal of getting more people to be pro-Israel and understand the conflict. Ben White, a researcher and journalist who has written about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, told Al Jazeera that Israel increasingly seeks to influence British politicians as fears over the BDS movement grow. We know that the Israeli foreign ministry and also interestingly the Israeli ministry of strategic affairs, which it actually seemed that this individual [Masot] is an employee of are very focused on fighting what they see as dangerous, powerful, solidarity activism, with particular focus on trying to thwart and undermine BDS campaign, said White. Al Jazeera Investigative Units series The Lobby can be viewed on Al Jazeera at the following times: Episode One: Young Friends of Israel Wednesday, January 11, 22:30 GMT Episode Two: The Training Session Thursday, January 12, 22:30 GMT Episode Three: The Anti-Semitic Trope Friday, January 13, 22:30 GMT Episode Four: The Takedown Saturday, January 14, 22:30 GMT The series will also be available online. Bryan Dickerson Chief Deputy Charlie Rose Beaufort County Sheriff's Office On December 18, 2016 The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office received a Crime Stoppers Tip on the location of Bryan Thomas Dickerson, who at the time was wanted for 4 felony probation violations as well as multiple felony and misdemeanor drug charges. After receiving the tip Patrol Deputies responded to the address given on Hattie Lane in Washington in an effort to locate Dickerson. While questioning Dickerson about his identity, he gave deputies a fake name. When asked to produce his identification Dickerson fled on foot from Deputies and was captured after a brief chase. After that chase Deputies discovered a large amount of brand new power tools, still in the box, in the backyard of the Hattie Lane residence.After the discovery Patrol Deputies called for assistance from members of the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division. During their 3 week long inquiry, Investigators discovered the tools, with an estimated value of $24,000.00 were stolen from Fastenal of Easley, South Carolina. Investigators also learned that Dickerson was responsible for a total of 6 Breaking and Enterings of Fastenal Stores in South Carolina over a 6 month period from July to December of 2016.As a result of his arrest on December 18th, Dickerson was charged with Resisting an Officer, Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Parahernalia. Dickerson was also taken before a Magistrate and served with orders for his arrest for Trafficking in Opium or Heroin, Driving While his License was Revoked and 4 Felony Probation Violations. Additionally Dickerson's vehicle was searched and Investigators located a trafficking amount of crystal methamphetamines, prompting charges for 1 count of Possession of Stolen Goods and 2 counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine.Dickerson is currently being held in the Beaufort County Detention Center on a combined total bond of $246,000.00. Dickerson is also facing multiple Breaking and Entering charges in several different jurisdictions in the state of South Carolina. Khizar Hayat, sentenced to death in 2003 for shooting fellow police officer, scheduled to be executed on January 17. A Pakistani court has issued a death warrant for a schizophrenic man, his lawyers said, months after the countrys top court halted the execution of another mentally ill prisoner. Khizar Hayat, a 55-year-old former police officer, was sentenced to death in 2003 for shooting a colleague. Lahore prison authorities pressed for the death warrant, which was granted by a sessions court, and the execution has been set for January 17. The United Nations has previously called on Pakistan to protect mentally ill inmates, singling out Hayat as having psychosocial disabilities. The Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), which is managing his case, said it had filed an appeal against the court order. READ MORE: Pakistan to restart execution of death row prisoners We are taken aback by the courts decision to execute Hayat, while the case of Imdad Ali, who is also mentally ill and on death row, is still pending before the court, Rimmel Mohydin, spokeswoman for the JPP, told Al Jazeera. After our application against the court judgment, we are calling for a hearing again tomorrow [Thursday], so we are still hopeful. Imdad Ali, also diagnosed with schizophrenia, was given a last-minute reprieve from execution by the Supreme Court in October, which said it was inappropriate to hang someone in his condition. A final decision on his fate remains pending. JPP also said that despite eight years of treatment with powerful anti-psychotic medications, Khizars symptoms still remain as serious, and that his illness has been diagnosed as treatment resistant by medical experts. READ MORE: Amnesty reveals global surge in executions Executing a mentally ill man would show that the fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens do not abide by international rights, Mohydin said. Hayats mother asked the court to suspend the death penalty for her son and direct the authorities to shift him to a hospital. Pakistan has hanged more than 400 convicts since a moratorium on executions was lifted in 2014. Pakistan halted executions between 2008 and 2014 due to pressure from international human rights groups. But it lifted the moratorium following a Taliban attack on a school in Peshawar in December 2014 that killed 150 people, nearly all of them children. Last year, the execution of a Pakistani man who was allegedly arrested as a juvenile and tortured into confessing to a murder triggered an international outcry. Palestinian citizens of Israel have announced a nationwide strike after Israeli authorities demolished 11 Palestinian homes. We condemn the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally for these crimes, that reflect his racist mentality and aim to divert attention away from his scandals, said Mohammad Baraka, the head of the High Follow-up Committee, a representative body for the Palestinian citizens of the state. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the committee stressed the importance of standing in unity and joining ranks to repel the new attack that the government has taken against us. The homes were demolished on Tuesday in the city of Qalansawe in central Israel, on the pretext that they were built without a permit, but Palestinians say their permit applications are almost always denied causing them to build their homes illegally. INTERACTIVE: Broken homes A record year of Israeli demolitions The strike is taking place across all Palestinian towns within Israel and in all areas of public life, including schools. Activist and professor of architecture Yosef Jabareen said half a million Palestinians face displacement in Israel and East Jerusalem. There is systematic ghettoisation of our towns and a strategy to confine us within our existing spaces. by Yosef Jabareen, professor of architecture and activist Five hundred thousand people living in 100,000 homes within Israel and East Jerusalem are under threat of having their homes demolished, Jabareen told Al Jazeera. Approximately 56,000 of those homes are in the Negev region in the south, the triangle in central Israel, and in the Galilee region in the north, while the other 44,000 homes are in occupied East Jerusalem. During the past two decades approximately 5,000 Palestinian homes in Israel have been demolished, Jabareen estimates. There is an obvious plan to halt any prospect of Palestinian cities naturally developing and expanding as our population grows. There is systematic ghettoisation of our towns and a strategy to confine us within our existing spaces. Palestinians have jurisdiction over only 2.3 percent of the entire state land, causing severe overcrowding in towns and villages and the building of houses without the required permits. Since the creation of the Israeli state in 1948, no new Palestinian towns or cities were built, in contrast to the 600 Jewish municipalities that have been developed, according to Adalah, the legal centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel. It is so hard to develop our towns because there are no construction master plans for our cities, said Jabareen. Israel is a very central state all the planning decisions have to come from the government which will not make moves to develop our villages. If it were up to local authorities, we would not have this problem. OPINION: In Israel, racism is the law There are 1.7 million Palestinian citizens of Israel who who exist as second-class citizens in a state for the Jewish people. According to the Adalah, Palestinian citizens of Israel suffer from more than 50 discriminatory laws limiting their access to state resources and political expression. Nadim Nashif, an activist within the Palestinian community in Israel, believes that Israels tactic of suppression is the same whether it is applied in the occupied territories or in Israel against Palestinians. This is about the same lack of rights that Palestinians experience, whether it is in the 1948 or the 1967 areas, Nashif told Al Jazeera. Activists believe the reason Israel is now taking action against homes built without permits is to prove to the Jewish Israelis that they will compensate for evacuating settlers in the Amona outpost in the occupied West Bank, said Nashif. In December, Netanyahu was quoted by the Israeli daily Haaretz as suggesting that he would push for demolitions of Arab homes to appease Israelis. There will be no double standards regarding construction, Netanyahu reportedly told a source quoted by Haaretz, prompting outrage among Palestinian politicians in Israel. Nashif believes this strike is more symbolic than effective. Weve gone on strike, but this doesnt affect the state. We need to apply pressure in a way that will cause the state to respond to us like stopping traffic or organising large protests. Around 280,000 new asylum seekers arrived in Germany in 2016, as compared with the 890,000 the year before. Germany has seen an immense drop in the arrival of asylum seekers, with the total number in 2016 down to less than a third of the 890,000 who arrived in 2015, according to the interior minister. Thomas de Maiziere said on Wednesday that about 280,000 new asylum seekers arrived in 2016, while an estimated 80,000 people either left voluntarily or were deported. The minister said authorities hoped the number of those who leave or are deported will increase. Arrivals declined sharply with the closure of the Balkan refugee route in March and the subsequent agreement between the European Union and Turkey to stem the flow across the Aegean Sea to Greece. Asylum applications have lagged well behind arrivals and many people who came to Germany in 2015 applied only last year. Wednesdays figures showed that 745,545 formal asylum applications were made last year 268,869 more than in 2015. Those included 268,866 applications from Syrians, 127,892 from Afghans and 97,162 from Iraqis, the biggest single groups by far. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, which has been beefed up in the course of Europes refugee crisis, decided last year on more than 695,000 asylum applications, more than twice as many as in 2015. Nearly 60 percent of applicants were granted either full refugee status or a lesser form of protection. Deportations and returns The agency has also cut the average time required for an asylum decision to under three months, and introduced a nationwide database to combine identity records for all asylum seekers. De Maiziere said that about 55,000 failed asylum seekers returned home voluntarily last year, compared with the previous years 35,000. Another 25,000 were forcibly deported. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who faces a national election later this year and still draws criticism for her welcoming approach to refugees and migrants in 2015, has promised a national effort to ensure that people who are not entitled to stay go home. READ MORE: Stranded and sick, refugees endure harsh Serbian winter The number of returns is still too low, de Maiziere said, adding that talks are under way with state authorities who are responsible for returns to push it up. De Maiziere rejected the suggestion that the drop in new arrivals was the result of Europes efforts to prevent people reaching the continent, but acknowledged that Germany was working to ensure that refugees stay in their home region. Trapped in cold Closed borders across Europe have left refugees and migrants trapped in difficult humanitarian conditions in the Balkans, Greece and elsewhere. Rights groups have expressed concern about the fate of refugees and migrants as a wave of cold weather grips the region. In Serbia, hundreds of refugees and migrants were living in abandoned buildings behind the train and bus station in the city centre. Temperatures have dipped as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, while access to humanitarian aid has been limited by a ban imposed by the government. READ MORE: 2016 The year the world stopped caring about refugees In some cases, not only have authorities failed to provide humane conditions, they have also tried to prevent humanitarian organisations from aiding those in need, said Human Rights Watch in a statement last week. In camps across mainland Greece and Greek islands, refugees and migrants have struggled as temperatures have sunk as low as minus 18 degrees in recent days. In Moria, a camp on the island of Lesbos, more than 4,500 people who live in tents are among those hit the hardest by the snowy weather. Moscow says claims that Russia has harmful information on president-elect are false and aimed at damaging ties with US. The Kremlin has denied claims that Russia gathered compromising information on US president-elect, Donald Trump, calling them fake and aimed at damaging Moscows relations with Washington. The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump, President Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday, calling the claims a total fake and obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations. Top intelligence officials last week told Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him, a US official said. The official, who was not allowed to publicly discuss the matter, spoke to media on the condition of anonymity. The briefing about the document was first reported by CNN on Tuesday. READ MORE: Trump briefed on potentially compromising report Shortly after news reports were published about the briefing, Trump took to Twitter, saying; FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence communitys findings last week. The unverified dossier on Trump was compiled by a former Western intelligence operative as part of an opposition research project originally financed by a Republican client who opposed Trump, and later funded by Democrats, according to Mother Jones, which published an article about the report in October and said the operative had turned over the report to the FBI. The New York Times reported that the operative had previously worked for British intelligence. Bill Schneider, public policy professor at George Mason University, emphasised that the information, by the acknowledgement of the intelligence services, had not been verified. We dont know exactly whats in it, we dont know the details, he told Al Jazeera. Russia is not above doing that sort of thing, using that sort of information to its own advantage, but a lot of Americans regard it as interesting because they are puzzled by the relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin; why is it so close, why does Vladimir Putin seem to have a hold over Mr Trump, and why was he so influential in this election, Schneider said. READ MORE: Donald Trump I know a lot about hacking It is unclear why the intelligence officials decided to brief the president and Trump on the uncorroborated information at this time, but politicians and others have repeatedly noted that Russia collects intelligence on both Democrats and Republicans. The Russians also hacked systems associated with the Republicans. They just chose not to release that material yet, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, said on Tuesday. Theres nothing that prevents them from doing so at a time of their choosing in the future. The report had been circulating in Washington for months. In October, former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wrote to the FBI, asking the bureau to publicly disclose what it knew about the Trump campaigns ties to Russia. Government move is a reversal of an earlier decision to accept the deployment of the regional protection force. South Sudan has announced it will no longer accept the deployment of an additional 4,000 United Nations peacekeepers, saying the security situation in the county has improved. The regional protection force, authorised by the UN Security Council in August after renewed fighting in the capital, Juba, is meant to strengthen the 13,500-strong UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan The government of South Sudan has the ability to provide security and stability for the country and for its citizens without the deployment of a protection force, South Sudans Foreign Ministrys spokesperson Mawien Makol Ariik said on Wednesday. The governments move is a reversal of its earlier decision in November to accept the troops deployment. Defence Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk also said there was no need for the regional protection forces to be deployed in South Sudan. Most of the people abroad still believe that there is fighting in Juba and around the country but Juba is now secure, Juuk told DPA news agency. READ MORE: South Sudan accepts 4,000 more UN peacekeepers Juuks remarks contradict reports of recent fighting in the north and south of the country. The South Sudanese government had warned in August 2016 that the deployment of more UN forces would marginalise its sovereignty, but later gave its consent amid the threat of an arms embargo. In December, a UN human rights commission urged a rapid deployment of the additional peacekeepers amid reports of ethnic killings. A political split between President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and his former deputy Riek Machar escalated into a military conflict in December 2013. Tens of thousands have been killed and more than two million displaced. A unity government was formed in April, but fighting broke out again in July, sending Machar into exile. The UNs top human rights official has previously blamed South Sudanese government troops and rebels loyal to the president of ethnically targeted violations, including extrajudicial executions and sexual violence incidences in August 2015. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has previously faced criticism for failing to fully protect civilians facing violence. In early November, Ban Ki-moon, the former UN secretary-general, dismissed the commander of the UNMISS force following a damning report that accused the peacekeepers of failing to protect civilians during the outbreak of violence in July. The report from a UN special investigation found that a lack of leadership in the UNMISS ended in a chaotic and ineffective response during the heavy fighting in the capital, Juba, from July 8 to 11 that killed dozens of people. Russia has reportedly confirmed talks between the Syrian government and the opposition are due to take place in Kazakhstan capital, Ashtana, on January 23. The negotiations, brokered by Russia and Turkey, intend to build on the current ceasefire, which has been in effect since late December. The truce, which does not include the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), or the former al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, has brought calm to large parts of the country. Yet, fighting has continued in some places, such as rebel-held areas on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. At this time there is no indication that the meeting will be postponed. The date of January 23 is set, a source in the Russian foreign ministry told AFP news agency on Wednesday. The source said that current preparations for the peace talks involve compiling a list of participants amid concerns over whether the meeting will be fully representative. READ MORE: After Aleppo, what happens to Syrias besieged towns? Behind the scenes we know that the opposition is not keen on these talks, Al Jazeeras Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkish side of the Syria-Turkey border, said. What they want to attend is the UN-sponsored talks in Geneva scheduled for February, she added. We are hearing that perhaps a low-level delegation by the Free Syrian Army and the High Negotiations Committee bloc could attend. At the same time, they are saying if violations of the ceasefire in besieged areas continue they will not do that. It is still unclear whether the government representatives at the meeting in Astana and the opposition will take part in the negotiations directly. If the negotiations are indirect, Turkey and Russia may stand in for UN mediation. READ MORE: Syrian army offensive tightens noose on rebel-held Douma Earlier this week, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that his government was ready to negotiate on everything during the upcoming talks in Astana, but opposition fighters have repeatedly said they do not trust the leadership in Damascus. More than 310,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. The war has also forced millions of Syrians to flee the country and become refugees. Taiwan has urged its citizens to remain calm after a Chinese aircraft carrier entered the Taiwan Strait in a highly symbolic show of strength. Taiwans defence ministry reported on Wednesday that Chinas Liaoning aircraft carrier and accompanying naval vessels had gone into an area covered by the islands air defence zone at 7:00am local time (23:00 GMT). Taiwanese media said that F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft were dispatched to monitor the Chinese carrier group. The military is monitoring the whole situation and will act as necessary. We urge Taiwans people to be at ease, the defence ministry said in a statement. The Liaoning, a refitted Russian-made carrier, had its first live-fire exercise earlier this month in the Yellow Sea, the Bohai Sea and East China Sea. By midday, the aircraft carrier was moving north along the mainlands coast, the ministry added. There is no need for us to overly panic, the chairwoman of Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which handles the islands relationship with Beijing, said. READ MORE: Taiwan slams Sao Tomes decision to cut diplomatic ties China has increased its military drills near the island in recent weeks, after being incensed by a congratulatory phone call from Taiwans president, Tsai Ing-wen, to US president-elect, Donald Trump, and by a subsequent transit stop by Tsai in the US. It was the first such contact with Taiwan by a US president-elect or president since Jimmy Carter formally adopted the one China policy in 1979 and broke off formal diplomatic relations with the island. The development comes while Tsai is visiting Nicaragua as part of a four-nation tour in Central America. While the focus of her visit is to bolster ties with allies, her US stopovers are being closely watched with speculation she may make contact with Trump and his team. Al Jazeeras Rob McBride, reporting from Beijing, said this comes on a significant day, as China releases its white paper on how to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. China has said there is nothing worrisome or intimidating about deploying the Liaoning, but Taiwan believes it is more than a threat, he said. McBride added that Tsai has been accused of failing to rein in those in Taiwan who have been calling for independence. China has conflicting claims to parts of the South China Sea with Taiwan and several countries in Southeast Asia, and with Japan over an island chain in the East China Sea. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be brought back into its fold. The US is the islands most powerful ally and main arms supplier, despite having no official diplomatic relations since recognising Beijing in 1979. The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has started a confirmation hearing for Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trumps choice for the next Secretary of State. Tillerson, the longtime chief executive of the multinational oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil, said that he would recommend a full review of the US-Iran nuclear deal reached under President Barack Obamas administration in 2015. With no prior government experience, 64-year-old Tillerson is the target of much criticism from Democrats and Republicans who have not joined the Trump camp of the party. Speaking in his Senate confirmation hearing, Tillerson said that he did not oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade deal, but said he shared some of Trumps views about whether the pact as negotiated reflected all the best interests of the United States. The hearing comes at a time when Trump has come under increasing criticism over alleged ties to Russias President, Vladamir Putin. Tillerson, who has business ties to Russia, faced a grilling on his views of Putin and tough questioning from Republican Senator Marco Rubio about whether he believed Putin was a war criminal. Rubio specifically referred to Russias military actions in the Syrian civil war, where it has provided military support for the Syrian government. I would not use that term, Tillerson said. Sanctions questioned Tillerson also declined to say whether he would support upholding President Obamas executive order imposing fresh sanctions, which was in retaliation for what Washington says was Moscows hacking and other efforts to tilt the 2016 presidential election in Trumps favour. Tillerson said that it was a fair assumption that Putin was aware of Russian efforts to interfere in the US election. He said cyber-activity by the Russian government, as well as other bad actors, undermined the democratic process in the US. OPINION: America was a stan long before Trump The hearing was interrupted by sporadic protests. Tillersons confirmation hearing comes at a time of rising tensions with Russia. US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia was behind the hacks of political figures in an effort to help the Republican Trump defeat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election. Moscow has denied the allegations. In another revelation, also denied by Moscow, two US officials said on Tuesday that classified documents presented last week to Trump by the heads of four US intelligence agencies included claims that Russian intelligence operatives have compromising information about him. Trump dismissed the reports, first made by CNN, as fake news. Tillerson opposed US sanctions against Russia in 2014 over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine because he said he thought they would be ineffective. President calls Gambians to wait for a Supreme Court ruling to determine the credibility of last months election. Gambias President Yahya Jammeh has criticised international pressure for him to step down as he announced the appointment of a mediator to help resolve the countrys political impasse. Gambia has been thrust into a crisis following a December 1 presidential vote, which saw longtime ruler Jammeh losing to opposition leader Adama Barrow. Jammeh initially conceded defeat but later reversed his position, lodging a legal case aimed at annulling the result and triggering new elections. In a surprise address on national television late on Tuesday, Jammeh lashed out at an unprecedented level of foreign interference in our elections and internal affairs and also a sustained smear campaign, propaganda and misinformation. Leaders from the Economic Community Of West African States, or ECOWAS, bloc led by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari are expected to visit Gambias capital, Banjul, on Friday with hopes of bringing a diplomatic end to the impasse. In his TV address, Jammeh attacked ECOWAS, the UN Security Council and the African Union all bodies that have urged him to respect the election result for taking unprecedented and hasty resolutions against our republic and constitution. He also appealed for patience, asking his Gambians to await the Supreme Court review and ruling on the election results. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court postponed a ruling on a possible re-run of the presidential election until May, casting further doubt on whether a peaceful political transition will happen on January 19 when Barrow is scheduled to take office. Peaceful resolution Al Jazeeras Nicolas Haque, reporting from Senegals capital, Dakar, said that Jammeh had nominated his chief justice to be a mediator in the crisis. He says the mediation should be with all stakeholders in order to find a peaceful resolution, Haque said. Jammeh is still not ready to concede defeat; he says that there will be a peaceful resolution in the days to come but gives no explanation as to how this is going to come about. Meanwhile, the opposition is still waiting for the inauguration, the handover of power that is supposed to happen on January 19. READ MORE: Exiled Gambians ponder return to troubled homeland In his speech, Jammeh who has ruled Gambia for 22 years, did not budge on his refusal to acknowledge Barrow as winner of the election. Yet, he appeared more conciliatory to his own public than in recent weeks. I believe we can ask Gambians to come together to resolve this and any other matter without undue external interference, said Jammeh. The president also called for no arrests for actions relating to the pre and post-election period, without specifying what such acts would be under the law. Dr Marc Lamont Hill is an award-winning journalist and author and is the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. Hill is known for his work addressing the intersections of race, justice, politics and culture. His latest best-selling book is We Still Here: Pandemics, Policing, Protest and Possibility which follows on the success of Nobody: Casualties of Americas War on the Vulnerable from Flint to Ferguson. Hill has received numerous prestigious awards from the US National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Study from the FIRE says schools nationally are doing better job than UNC campuses defending speech (CJ graphic by Greg de Deugd) University of North Carolina system officials apparently need a refresher course on the First Amendment.Fifteen of 16 schools within the University of North Carolina system restrict free speech, a new study from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education shows.Only one of those institutions last year cut the First Amendment even a little extra slack.The 2016 report scrutinized 449 public and private schools nationwide, rating free speech policies at each university. The study also divided schools into three categories: red light, yellow light, and green light. Red- and yellow-light schools enforce unconstitutional policies that violate or abuse open speech. Green-light schools uphold First Amendment rights, said Samantha Harris, vice president of policy research at FIRE.National trends were positive, showing a nearly 10 percent drop in red-light policies - but UNC's results were far less dramatic. Four of the Tar Heel State's universities remained in the red light category. Only one school, East Carolina University, moved from red yellow, joining 10 UNC schools still stuck in that slot from the previous year. UNC has improved steadily over the past nine years , moving a majority of its schools from red to yellow, Harris told CJ. But all yellow-light schools are still of major concern, the report says.Though FIRE scores are moving in the right direction, threats to speech rights are still a major problem, and much work remains, the study states.the study states.Nationwide, 27 schools received a green-light rating, up from 22 schools the previous year. UNC Chapel Hill, the only UNC school to land a spot in the green light category, should set an example for the entire university system, Harris told CJ.she said.UNC's administration isn't able to dictate policy reforms for each school, but system leaders can encourage universities to ease up on "speech zones" and other unconstitutional policies, Harris said.Free speech already is - and will continue to be - strongly supported across the system by university leaders, UNC President Margaret Spellings told CJ.Spellings said.she continued.The only way to fix the problem is by asking each university to overhaul its speech codes, Harris said.she told CJ.Just less than 40 percent of both public and private universities nationwide continue to enforce red-light policies, the report states.Since only public universities are legally bound by the First Amendment, free speech arguments are more prevalent at state schools, as private schools are far less affected by such controversies, Harris said. The UF College of Educations online graduate program trumped 262 other U.S. universities to claim the top spot two years in a row. The U.S. News and World Report magazine released its 2017 rankings Tuesday, naming the program the best in the nation. In affordability, the colleges online masters program in educational leadership was also highly ranked, placing 23 out of 231 accredited universities, per The Best Masters Degrees website. In its ranking, U.S. News judged universities student engagement, student services and technology, admissions selectivity, faculty credentials, training and peer reputation. Tom Dana, the colleges associate dean of academic affairs, said students are one reason for the high rankings. We try to recruit students who are going to show us that they are going to benefit from having a degree because it will help them increase their salary, or get a better job, or get a raise or promotion, Dana said. About 90 percent of the 1,700 students across the world enrolled in the online program in 2016 have full-time jobs, Dana said. The online programs allow professionals to conveniently advance their careers while working, added Bruce Mousa, coordinator of the educational leadership program. The ability of the College of Education at the University of Florida to offer programs like these is essential, because in todays world, students who are working at masters degrees have jobs, they have families, they have lots of activities, Mousa said. The affordability rankings were published in January. The UF programs total tuition is $26,424, according to the College of Educations website. The rankings are a recognition of our ability to offer a quality education at a reasonable price, he said. @taveljimena Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now jtavel@alligator.org Originally built as P. K. Yonge K-12 Laboratory School in 1932, Norman Hall currently houses the UF College of Education. In the wake of Donald Trumps presidential campaign, one in which immigration reform was a key platform pitch, Gainesville citizenship classes are expected to see a spike in enrollment. For the past eight years, the Latina Womens League in Gainesville, a nonprofit, has offered classes to immigrants seeking naturalization. But now, with Trumps inauguration set for Jan. 20, many prospective students fearing deportation are likely to enroll, said Ileana McCray, vice president and educational programs coordinator for the group. I think its a need we have seen in our community, McCray said. The next batch of classes, to take place at Millhopper Library Branch, will begin Jan. 26. The class, which usually has between six and 10 students, is free and focuses on the rights and duties of citizenship. McCray said a pro-bono lawyer meets with the students to go over questions they may have about the citizenship process. After taking a seven-session class that broke down the U.S. citizenship test in 2015, Polish immigrant Mateusz Buszko felt prepared. To have a human being to help interpret this document, which was black and white and scary, was an incredible help, he said, adding he waited more than 20 years before applying for U.S. citizenship. Before taking the classes, Buszko said he didnt know where to begin the whole process. Ive been in America for a really long time, and I was intimidated by the experience of the citizenship test, the 35-year-old Gainesville resident said. The class prepared him and his classmates for taking a 10-question citizenship test and other parts of the application process, he said. A facilitator who spoke Spanish to those not fluent in English helped his classmates understand the material. I think theres a sense of shared purpose and, honestly, a sense of shared fear, he said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Sol Ortega, 21, said her family struggled finding answers to the questions they had during the 14 years it took them to wade through the citizenship process. The UF political science and Spanish senior became a citizen in October, after leaving Peru in 2003. One thing I wish could change would be the access to resources, Ortega said. My parents had to figure it out just by word of mouth. There wasnt a place they could go and ask questions without being afraid they would be deported. Buszko said he valued the help the class gave him in filling out the application packet and acquiring the documents he needed. I definitely owe my citizenship to the class, he said. This is one of the greatest resources they have in Gainesville. Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced his goals to reduce college tuition and fees Tuesday. His plans to promote new policies under Finish in Four, Save More should reduce the cost of college for Florida students, according to a press release from the governors office. Scott also plans on passing legislation to cut taxes on college textbooks. Florida officials will also consider freezing tuition and fees to prevent state colleges from increasing prices, along with expanding Bright Futures, Scott announced in Tampa. Cheryl Etters, a Florida Department of Education spokesperson, said the department would have no issue supporting Scotts proposal if it becomes law. We implement (Bright Futures) based on what the law says, Etters said. Dylan Ramos, 25, said he works at the restaurant BJs Brewhouse as a server to cover the $2,000 he spends out of pocket for school. Its the only job you can do where you have the money to pay for school and have flexible hours, the Santa Fe College electrical engineering junior said. The proposals also include an extension of Bright Futures to pay for Summer classes, according to the press release. Diana Rodas, 19, said she is considering taking Summer classes this year and will have to work more to cover the cost. She buys online textbooks to save money, instead of buying from the UF bookstore, the UF zoology sophomore said. I spent a couple hundred on books last semester, even though I shopped online, she said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now English News Xi's attendance to WEF reflects China's resolve as a major country Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 11 Janvier 2017 Chinese economy has been a hot topic at the forum over the last decade, becoming enormously popular among the participants. China's economic New Normal, foreign investment and technological innovations have been frequently mentioned by the participants attending the forum. By Sun Tianren from People's Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Switzerland in mid-January and attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 (WEF 2017) to be held in Davos, Chinas foreign ministry announced on Tuesday. Leading a high-level delegation, Xi will be the first Chinese President to attend the event. Xis attendance not only reflects China's high attention to the WEF, but also demonstrates the country's resolve to promote global governance and to cope with global challenges. Advocating globalization, the WEF is known as the highest-level unofficial meeting on global economy. China has kept a good relationship with the forum and sent delegations to the forum for many times since 1979. In 1991, the WEF President Klaus Schwab visited China with the aim to invite the then Chinese premier to attend the meeting. Since then Chinese leaders have led delegations to the event several times. Over the past years, Schwab attached great importance to WEFs cooperation with China. He proposed to hold the Summer Davos Forum in China in 2005, which has been held annually for 10 consecutive years. Moreover, the Chinese economy has been a hot topic at the forum over the last decade, becoming enormously popular among the participants. China's economic New Normal, foreign investment and technological innovations have been frequently mentioned by the participants attending the forum. Scholars who have attended the meeting pointed out that it is not imaginable to hold a WEF meeting without the attendance of China. Serving as an engine to global growth, Chinas contribution to the world economy surpassed 30 percent in 2016, according to statistics. For the organizers and participants of the WEF, China plays a decisive role in the event. Though the world has witnessed a sluggish economy following a 60-year golden era of growth, as well as the emerging anti-globalization and protectionism in some developed countries, China has never shed its responsibility as a major country to promote global governance and regional integration, restoring confidence of the international community. As a result, the country's "Belt and Road" initiative has been widely recognized by the world. China is now approaching the center of the world stage, contributing efforts to global growth and governance. Schwab stressed on many occasions that China has achieved an impressive success through reform and opening up and hoped the whole world could share the country's experiences and concepts in development. The world economic governance needs a change, calling for more guidance from China. WEF 2017 is expecting China to make more achievements. Dans la meme rubrique : < > China enhances efforts to promote biodiversity conservation China stress its commitment to push ahead peace and development for humanity at 20th CPC National Congress CPC's governance experience is worth learning from Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) The digital mortgage is more of an ideal than it is a concrete product. While precise definitions vary, the term generally describes a smooth customer experience that may not even require a phone call or branch visit. It could be an intuitive process for applying for a loan online, perhaps with prepopulated data to save on typing. Borrowers upload financial documents and electronically sign disclosures. It can go as far as a fully paperless experience where all documents are executed electronically. Embracing the concept can provide a competitive advantage in the mortgage market at a time when nonbanks are gobbling up banks' share of originations. Digital mortgages are different than e-mortgages, which have been around for more than a decade. The latter term refers specifically to a loan that is backed by an electronic promissory note with an electronic signature. Digital mortgages may sometimes meet that definition, and they may have electronic closings. What makes them distinctive, though, is not the technological gizmos involved but the end result for the borrower. "I would describe that as the capability to provide a mortgage experience for a borrower from application all the way to funding without human intervention on the lender's side," said John Harrell, vice president of mortgage product management at USAA Bank. "I don't know if that will ever be widespread, but if that's the goal then we'll end up having a ton of automation where the consumer is basically self-serving." Self-service is the idea behind Quicken Loans' Rocket Mortgage, introduced in November 2015. Consumers enter personal information such as their income and the banks where they have accounts into a website or mobile app. Rocket Mortgage combines that with information it collects, retrieving bank statements, pay stubs and other documentation. This reduces the turnaround time for a loan by what it says is an average of eight days. "Forever the burden of proof was on a consumer you could tell a mortgage banker about your finances and then you had to prove it by producing all these documents you never use," said Regis Hadiaris, the Rocket Mortgage product lead at Quicken Loans. "We're focused on our clients and delivering an experience that makes sense for them." In the first nine months of 2016, Rocket Mortgage funded more than $5 billion in loan volume, according to Quicken Loans. If it were a stand-alone company, Rocket Mortgage would rank as a top-30 lender. E-closings are another way to fulfill the goal of the broader digital mortgage project. A study released in August 2015 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that, compared with consumers who closed a mortgage using paper documents, e-closing borrowers felt more in control, thought they understood better what was going on and found the process more efficient. The industry has been slow to adopt e-closings due to a host of factors, including regulations that vary from state to state and some investors' distaste for the loans because of the perceived risk. But court decisions in 2016 affirmed that lenders can enforce a paperless mortgage as they would a traditional one in foreclosure proceedings boding well for growth. Residential Mortgage Corp., a midsize lender based in Fayetteville, N.C., recently completed its first e-closing. It took 15 minutes of the borrower's time, rather than the usual hour and a half, according to Mary Bright, vice president of operations at the company. "Customer service is the key for a midsize lender when you're competing with a bank," Bright said. "In order for us to compete with that, the only thing we can offer is customer service, such as quicker closings." Notice that neither Quicken Loans nor Residential Mortgage is a depository. "The pace at which nonbanks can innovate is far greater than that of the banks," said Josh Smallwood, vice president of software development at the residential mortgage lender Guaranteed Rate. "Nonbanks can actually move, change and pivot much quicker than the banks can." One disadvantage for banks is that their mortgage divisions have to compete with other business lines for funding and resources. "The mortgage business inside a bank tends to be one of the less understood businesses," USAA's Harrell said. "They just want the mortgage business to print income for them. They don't see it as an investment." Quicken Loans, by contrast, devoted 500 information technology employees exclusively to its Rocket Mortgage for three years. Large banks' share of origination volume, by number of loans, dropped by about half, to 24%, between 2008 and 2015, according to Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Over the same period, the share written by nondepositories has doubled to 48%. (Community banks' percentage of the market hovered in the low 20s during this period.) In addition to making the process more attractive to consumers, technology can make mortgages cheaper for banks to originate, further helping them to compete. "This process is much less expensive," said Jeff Bode, owner and chief executive of Mid America Mortgage, an independent lender based in Addison, Texas. "If your IT department can't do this significantly cheaper than what you're doing with paper, there's something wrong." Flushing Financial in Uniondale, N.Y., has its next chairman lined up. The $5.9 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that its board also elected Alfred DelliBovi, a former CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, to chair its bank. DelliBovi, who joined Flushing's board in July 2014, will succeed John Roe Sr. on Feb. 3. Roe, 82, has been a fixture at Flushing for six decades. Roe, who joined the board of Flushing Bank in 1968, has been the company's chairman for the last six years. DelliBovi, 69, retired from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York in April 2014 after serving as its president and CEO for more than 21 years, a period where the institution's assets grew tenfold, to $120 billion. He was deputy secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1992. "During Al's tenure as a director, he has served on the executive, audit, risk and compliance, and investment Committees," John Buran, Flushing's president and CEO, said in the release. "I look forward to working with Al in his new role as we continue to grow the Flushing Financial franchise." One of the premier cult film shorts, beloved by sophomores at least in 1969, is a ninety second pen-and-black ink drawn animation Bambi Meets Godzilla. Blissfully unawares in idyllic innocence, Bambi meets a swift, and untimely, erasure from Godzillas bigfoot. The first fifty seconds are devoted to the ingenuous grazing Bambi, obscured by scrolling credits for the films creator Marv Newland. Written by Marv Newland; Screenplay by Marv Newland; Produced by Marv Newland; and Marv Newland produced by Mr and Mrs. Newland. Bambis abrupt demise, by the vanity of Marv Newlands adolescent wreckage of all that is pure and unmolested, takes all of three seconds as Godzillas foot suddenly fills the screen. The end lingers for nearly twenty seconds or so. Then it is all over. Morte. And so also go the Democrats, brutally squished like a bug by the Godzilla of political mutants, Barack Obama, and his misbegotten two-term presidency. Within 100 days of the Trump presidency, nothing noteworthy will remain from Obamas socio-political ninety-second mischance. Even a screenplay ushering in the first black president, meriting an historic copyright, will be a forgettable tragedy, and farce, without a hint of heroism. Barack Obama -- amateurish, self-absorbed, having bliss-like denial of reality -- has been preoccupied with self-congratulatory accolades for merely showing up at the right time. Unlike Bambi, Barack Obama is no innocent. A cultivated radical, Obama created a mask of moderation, promising hope to the long-suffering inner-city dispossessed, and deliverance for guilt scarred uptown and suburban white liberals. He betrayed both, and anyone else who trusted him. Obamas bigfoot thoroughly dismantled the Democratic Party, no trivial achievement. In his wake is unsalvageable debris -- no leaders, perpetual juvenilia exhorted by septuagenarians, having no purpose, scorned and rejected. Imagine that in eight years, Obama perfected the turnover of 2/3rds of the state legislatures to the Republicans. Almost enough to repeal whatever progressive-leaning constitutional amendment might be noxious at the moment. Hundreds of thousands of white privilege liberals actively campaigned for Obama in white upper middle class suburbs, while donating fortunes to his elections. Such species are abundant in eastern Massachusetts, West 72nd St in Manhattan, and coastal California. Electing the first black president was white liberals pathway to salvation, yet their legacy contains their own complicity in resurgent racial tension, and the intolerance of ideas that dont align with their progressive utopia. Gender politics, alongside the malignant neglect of national security and sovereignty were considered virtuous, insulated from rebuke by media, and celebrity co-sponsors, willing to lie, and manipulate a wary public, who didnt buy any of it. These same Democrats cannot fathom the resurgence of gritty individual liberty, nor the rejection of their patronage. These patrons for environmental and social justice boondoggles wonder why wretched living conditions, crime and poverty, for millions of Americans wont just vanish. And why shouldnt mommypoppins.com, transgender coloring books, and Hollywood Hits be amongst everybodys Facebook likes? The Democrats unrequited romance with Barack Obama left behind an inconsequential pink chalk-scrawled love note, expunged like so much cheap graffiti swiftly rinsed away with simple soap and a damp sponge. Godzilla of modern politics -- Written by Barack Obama; Screenplay by Barack Obama; Produced by Barack Obama; Barack Obama by Marxist/communist mother and anti-colonial socialist father -- was created to expunge a generation or more of Democrat party enemies. Instead Obama exterminated his own party. Only dead space remains. Morte. In the words of philosopher Antony Flew, channeling Ludwig Wittgenstein: When we are dead nothing is experienced, not even emptiness the world in death does not change but ceases. The aftermath of this extraordinary election, likely the most important in American history, has been fraught with controversy and confusion. The collapse of the fourth estate, for example, is a signal and unfortunate consequence. Weeping "journalists," misguided and error-embracing "analysts," bias, fraud, malfeasance, and falsehoods mark the end of a once proud profession. In the political and popular culture of the American left, there is a widespread and disturbing hatred and intolerance for those in the opposition that overwhelmingly eclipses a similar reaction to the election of George W. Bush. The political culture now is so sour and the response of many who favored the losing party so extreme, so partisan, unforgiving, and unpleasant, that it seems clear that something much more than a presidential election defeat is the cause. The absence of a unified theory of the collapse of the American progressive neo-Jacobin utopian left could be of some value in addressing these important questions. Among the many reasons that explain the Democratic candidate's defeat is the fact that the constituency of the left is the totality of all living and future humanity. Their agenda is global and humanity-wide in scope; their countrymen are not the highest in the order of value, but merely take their place among the family of mankind. A rebellion against this view was at the core of the election result. The problems of the world are common to every country poverty, weather extremes, war, tolerance and intolerance, poor health and health care, inequity of wealth distribution, and economic opportunity, among many others. Millions of American progressive neo-Jacobin utopian true believers support the idea that these problems are solvable everywhere and that the sacrifices made by their fellow citizens will provide the solutions. The challenges faced by the world would all be resolved by the sweat, suffering, and financial and humanitarian sacrifices of them and their fellow Americans a small price to pay for the greater good. Because their motives, as they see them, are so amiable, humanitarian, and globally applicable, anyone opposed to their viewpoint must therefore be opposed to the advancement and benefit of humanity. Those who do not agree with this program must be evil. Only in this way can the vitriol, overreaction, intolerance, and hatred from the left toward the new president and his supporters that is, those who do not agree with their utopian ideology, be explained. Railing in public and private against absolutism and intolerance, they themselves have become the greatest practitioners of what they say they despise. Having convinced themselves that their champion, the person who would continue the utopian program, could not lose the election the shock of her defeat was particularly painful for many on the utopian progressive neo-Jacobin left. Their frustration and cognitive dissonance after the election were (and continue to be) seen around the world, reiterating the global nature of this utopian dream. In a non-utopianized political culture, 2016 would simply have been another presidential election cycle. It was clearly not that at all. The collapse of the American progressive utopian neo-Jacobin left is one of the most significant events in American political history. Even greater than the election of 1800, the closest comparable scenario, when Thomas Jefferson moved the country from Washington-Adams Federalism to a more de-centralized and aggressively experimental approach to government and foreign policy, this election marks a far more significant political and cultural shift. Utopians believe that the ends (i.e., their goals) are so critically important to all of humanity that any means are acceptable. This very same belief brought guillotines to the streets of France during the French Revolution. Convinced that their motives were beyond reproach, necessary and beneficial to France and to the world and that anyone in opposition (even the ambivalent) was an enemy of the state the 1789 revolution in France that had started with such high hopes for real and positive change finally imploded, the victim of its own savage absolutism and intolerance. In the aftermath of this election, with so many broken friendships, so much vitriol, anger, rigidity, and fear-mongering on the left (and little if any considered and reasoned public political discourse and analysis that might explain the outcome), the consequence of the 2016 election for American leftist neo-Jacobin utopians was about much more than their candidate's defeat. American progressive leftist neo-Jacobin utopianism has become something of a cult. The idea that honest, decent, thoughtful, patriotic people could oppose them is not one easily comprehended or accepted. Those not in agreement with the self-identified idealism and humanitarianism of the left are then beyond the pale, illegitimate, and motivated by ignorance and malignance. The election of Donald Trump, Brexit, and the growing anti-EU and anti-globalist mood sweeping Europe and the world show that rejection of the progressive utopian neo-Jacobin liberal program is not an American phenomenon alone. "Journalists'" tears, hateful rhetoric from utopian friends and relatives, weeping and wailing in the towers of academia and the studios of Hollywood, gnashing of teeth and recriminations in faculty lounges are less about the defeat of the Democratic candidate than about a deep sorrow, confusion, anger, cognitive dissonance, and regret that the utopian program itself was defeated. In the '70s and '80s, when young people joined a cult, sometimes they were found by friends and family. To be saved, the cult member was separated from the cultists and "deprogrammed." This was often successful, though not always. Most difficult and painful were those cultists who were unaware that they were in a cult at all. The election of 2016, perhaps the most significant in American history, was about more than another peaceful transfer of American political power. An ideology has been defeated, not just a candidate. The bubble of utopian fantasies has burst. A lesson learned from the horrors of history has re-emerged at the most advantageous time: there is no utopia. Daniel L. Mallock is a historian, an analyst, and an author. His book Agony and Eloquence: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and a World of Revolution was published in February 2016. More than a few of my Washington allies noticed a seemingly unremarkable bit of news in a Monday Washington Post article that they thought I ought to see. The article concerned Jared Kushners appointment as adviser to his father-in-law Donald Trump. The appointment did not trouble my friends. What troubled them was the Posts casual mention that Kushners attorney was none other than Jamie Gorelick, deputy attorney general under President Bill Clinton. Observed the Post, Gorelick is confident that the anti-nepotism statute does not cover Trump's appointment of Kushner. Nepotism was the thrust of the article. The Post made no allusion to the concerns my friends and I have about this relationship. I assured them that Kushner probably does not know Gorelicks history. I write this to make him aware of why bloggers have taken to calling Gorelick, "The Mistress of Disaster." Some recent highlights. In 2014, it was revealed that the George Soros-funded Urban Institute had an officially sanctioned role in the vetting of non-profits that seek tax-exempt status through the IRS. Gorelick was the vice-chairman of the Urban Institute board. In 2011, she represented Duke University in its attempt to squash a suit by lacrosse team members whose lives had been turned upside down by false rape accusations that the university aided and abetted. In 2010, Gorelick represented BP in the Deepwater Horizon oil mess. It gets worse, much worse. In 1995, she went on to pen the infamous "wall" memo that prevented the FBI and CIA from sharing information in the run-up to September 11. At the time, a dismayed FBI investigator wrote a memo to headquarters which included the sentence, Someday someone will die -- and wall or not -- the public will not understand why we were not more effective." In 1996, Gorelick stepped up her game, taking a lead role in the investigation of the TWA Flight 800 disaster. This was the 747 that inexplicably blew up off the coast of Long Island in July 1996 killing 230 people. As deputy attorney general serving under a feckless Janet Reno, Gorelick's assignment was to rein in the FBI. Five weeks into the investigation, she summoned FBI honcho Jim Kallstrom to Washington and served up a dose of political reality. To be sure, no account of the Aug. 22 meeting provides any more than routine detail, but behaviors began to change immediately afterwards. The FBI had already leaked to the New York Times information that would result in a headline on Aug. 23, top right: "Prime Evidence Found That Device Exploded in Cabin of Flight 800." This article stole the thunder from Clinton's election-driven approval of welfare reform in that same day's paper and threatened to undermine the peace and prosperity message of the next week's Democratic National Convention. What followed in the next several weeks was the most ambitious and successful cover-up in American peacetime history. At its center was Gorelick. With the help of a complicit media and the active involvement of the CIA, she and her cronies transformed a transparent missile strike into a mechanical failure of unknown origin. Given her role, the months after the crash had to have been emotionally harrowing. In May 1997, the Clintons appear to have rewarded Gorelick for her steely performance with a job that would pay her $877,573 in that first half-year alone. According to a Lexis search, not one reporter even questioned why a middling bureaucrat with no financial or housing experience would be handed the vice chairmanship of Fannie Mae, a sinecure that the Washington Monthly called "the equivalent of winning the lottery. Six years and an incredible $25.6 million later, having done her share to wreck the American economy, Gorelick responded to the call of duty once more and took just one of five Democratic seats on the 9/11 Commission. During the 2004 Commission hearings, CIA Director George Tenet first addressed the wall that was in place between the criminal side and the intelligence side. Tenet made that barrier sound impenetrable. Whats in a criminal case doesnt cross over that line. Ironclad regulations, he insisted. So that even people in the Criminal Division and the Intelligence Divisions of the FBI couldnt talk to each other, let alone talk to us or us talk to them. In her response to Tenet, Gorelick acknowledged the wall and claimed to have used brute force in her attempt to penetrate it, but she took no responsibility for its creation. The task of assigning credit was left to Attorney General John Ashcroft. The single greatest structural cause for Sept. 11 was the wall, said Ashcroft. Full disclosure compels me to inform you that its author is a member of the commission. That author, of course, was Gorelick, the same official who oversaw the cooperation of the FBI and the CIA in the corruption of the TWA 800 investigation. As the nation learned in the aftermath of 9/11, the wall that was breached all too easily to protect the secrets of TWA 800 held much too firmly when it came to the secrets of our enemies. Jared, dont trust her! If need be, I would be happy to sit in a room with Ms. Gorelick and hash this out. Editor's note: Since publication, this piece has been slightly revised. More Cabinet appointments to be named this week Contact: Noelle Talley Noelle Talley govpress@nc.gov RALEIGH, NC: Governor Roy Cooper has hired an expert in public policy to serve as Policy Director and named two veteran state government employees to posts in the Governor's Office as he continued to fill his state team Tuesday.Jenni Owen will leave her post in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University to join Cooper's office as Policy Director. Owen is Faculty at the Sanford School where she serves as Director of Policy Engagement, and previously served as a senior policy advisor in the Governor's office and the state Division of Social Services.Cooper said.Also Tuesday Cooper named two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, longtime aides Stephen Bryant and Julia White. Both previously worked at the NC Department of Justice. Bryant also worked for Gov. Jim Hunt and White for the North Carolina Senate, prior to joining Cooper's DOJ staff.White will oversee the policy, communications and budget area for the Governor, and Bryant will oversee intergovernmental issues, appointments, including Boards and Commissions, and constituent services.Also Tuesday the Governor's office continued to fill its press office, hiring campaign spokesmen Ford Porter and Jamal Little, and DOJ staff member Samantha Cole.Cooper said. The never-ending push by numerous Jews to universalize all aspects and rituals of Judaism is shortchanging and endangering the Jewish people. Hermann Cohen was an influential German Jewish philosopher who felt there was no distinction between being Jewish and a citizen of the world because the purpose of the Jew was to sacrifice his parochial Jewish interests in causes for humanity that, for him, were greater than immediate Jewish needs. He called it Universalism. He was against Zionism or having a Jewish state. Rosa Luxemburg, a famous Jewish communist of the early years, similarly remarked that she could not be bothered or side-tracked by mere Jewish rights when what was at stake were the great universal rights of the workers and proletariat. She, too, felt that Judaism existed to serve the interests of humanity. Their disdain for Jewish particularism in service to universalism went so far as, later, to assign greater importance to even the particularism of other groups over Jewish needs, i.e., Jewish needs were nullified not only to universal aspirations but the aspirations of the particular needs of other groups. In short, Jewish survival in itself meant very little; its survival was important not for the continuation of Jewish people per se, but only for the Universalist (liberal) message they had now assigned to Judaism. For them, and their followers, Jewish need was defined as, and meant, the needs of others. At the 2015 Chanukah party in the White House, a non-Orthodox female rabbi, while lighting the Chanukah menorah, declared: These are the lights for the oppressed. These are the lights for freedom, for (among others) the Palestinians. And, she continued, this freedom and these rights shall come this year hopefully, inshallah (the Arabic phrase for Allah-willing). She universalized Chanukah so that those who have declared their intention to murder Jews and destroy Israel represent to her Chanukah more than the Macabees of past and today who restore the Land to the Jewish people. Inshallah was spoken with the pride of one who is so conspicuously hip and avant garde, someone so untribal. No doubt President Obama, who stood beside this rabbinic champion of Palestinian Arab statehood, was encouraged by these words when surmising the lack of pushback hed receive when one day hed use the UN to censure Israel for thinking that the Jewish State had legal ownership of Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, and the dozens of Jewish cities in Judea and Samaria. Another Green Light for Obama brought to him courtesy of the Jewish Universalists. At this years Chanukah party (2016) a male rabbi from what is called Open Orthodoxy declared that Obama has shown forth light to the world, and from the Obama White House has come a beacon of morality and justice. This rabbi said this knowing full well of the Iran deal that severely threatens Israel, the numerous Obama humiliations of Netanyahu, the pressure by Obama to have Israel return to the pre-1967 Auschwitz borders, and the relative silence by Obama in the face of Islamic terrorism against Israeli and Jewish targets. Beyond doubt, such continued groveling and affirmation of Obama was complicit in making easier Obamas almost immediate betrayal of Israel at the UN. Obama hears what comes out of the mouth of todays liberal Jews and sees a verification of the universalism that back in Chicago he was told defines Judaism, a universalism that puts the demands of others above the needs of the Jewish people, a universalism that sees Arab Palestinian statehood and diminishment of Israel as a message of Chanukah. One noted British historian aptly and ironically declared: The particularism of the Jewish people is universalism. It is this obsession with universalism that impelled the Jewish people to redefine the lesson of the Holocaust from being never again should we allow the world to single out and destroy the Jewish people to its preferred lesson of never again should we stand by and watch any type of suffering. Holocaust Memorials and messages which should have been dedicated to alerting the world to the unique, historic, and unmatched hatred of the Jew, a type of hatred with a longevity that has no parallel to any other form of hatred, was sidelined to a more universal message. Jew-hatred has been, in the name of Jewish universalism, reduced to warning against general intolerance of sexual, racial, gender, and cultural differences. The upshot is that today in the name of remembering the lesson of the Holocaust, European governments and liberal Jewish groups are demanding the influx of millions of Muslims into countries where Jewish people and synagogues are becoming the primary targets of those very newly arrived Islamic immigrants. As opposed to stressing the need for self-defense and preserving ones own people, Jewish universalists are uncomfortable and squeamish in making any uniquely biblical, exclusive, or robust Jewish imperative and claim in support of Israels landed-legitimacy. Thus, when we write of Israels unique biblical covenant with the land, there are those even among the modern Orthodox, and certainly the Reform and Conservative, who criticize such justifications as a redneck type of justification, i.e., not universal enough. They remain uncomfortable with any rationale that is uniquely Jewish, preferring instead some type of universalist appeal that, in truth, is today dismissed and replaced by the more universalist and, ironically, particularist appeal of Arabism. Zionism is today seen and demonized as a creature of the Right, whereas Palestinianism, and other forms of Islamism, are glorified by the Left as aspirations falling under their great basket of minority liberations -- be it feminism, native Americanism, Black Lives Matterism, gay marriage, transgenderism, anti-colonialism, or anti-Westernism. The Jewish Bible is seen as too particularly Jewish and thus irrelevant, whereas the Koran has been elevated into a leftist-approved book deserving universal reverence. Universalism has always been the province of the Left, indeed its identity. Those Jews championing universalism end up harming Jewish interests precisely because today Jewish interests and Israel are seen as particularist, an embarrassing province of the Right, something universalists must strive to defeat. To that end, The International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF), a rabbinic group for what is called Open Orthodoxy, was disappointingly unwilling to condemn the Obama/UN Resolution for reasons it should have: that the resolution denies the biblical Jewish tie to Jerusalem; that we Jews uniquely sacrificed when building Israel; that weve had a continuous history and demonstrated an unparalleled love for it; that claims of a Palestinian people are specious; that the Muslims have too often tricked the Israelis into forfeiting land they now use for missile launching pads against Jewish children. No, such a rejoinder would be, for them, far too particularist, not Universalist enough. Instead, their problem with the pro-Muslim, one-sided Resolution was that it was not conducive to the peace process and that George Mitchell has so declared. Universalism, even among the so-called Open Orthodox, leads to timidity, lack of passion, and ultimately confusion as to whose side you are on and whose narrative touches you. As good Universalists, these rabbis blamed both sides equally and opined unfavorably and exclusively regarding settlements, which, for them, are controversial. They came across so detached, so impartial, so striped-panted. so unrabbinic. Universalism leads to moral relativism and moral relativism is the antithesis and the nullification of Torah and Torahs message which is rooted in distinctiveness, rights and wrongs, and special covenants. That Jews have felt the need to universalize the Holocaust, Chanukah, or their rituals may be due to an insecurity that, absent a universal message, the world will turn a deaf ear. Perhaps a feeling of unworthiness and lack of self-respect makes them feel that they, themselves, must universalize things if those things are to have significance and import to them. Perhaps universalization allows every item and experience of Jewishness to be reshaped into something that twins with what is currently faddish, sophisticated, or politically correct all three of these phenomena being quite important to the cosmopolitan yearnings and identifications of most post-World War I Western Jewry. Unlike the Islam we often see today, there are many Jewish/biblical appeals to equal justice and fair treatment for all; it is a hallmark of Judaism and something we are proud of. But treating people fairly and being concerned about human dignity and the condition of those created in the image of God should not be confused with universalism, especially a political and moral-relativistic universalism that diminishes the importance of ones own people on the altar of serving others; one where its adherents forsake their own people and validity as a way of showing they have risen above the tribalism of their volk and serve higher causes, making them, thereby, morally superior and more sensitive than their backward, unworldly tribesmen. A universalism that pushes people to make secondary the needs of ones own people and nation is not what Torah had in mind when speaking of fair treatment. Taking the easy way out by loving theoretical humanity while abandoning the people you should be pledged to protect is shirking personal responsibility. It is the stock of cowards. We are first enjoined to take heed for those who are close to us and for those whose welfare we are uniquely responsible. They should be special to us. Universalism is a moral copout and an abandonment of personal responsibility. Rabbi Aryeh Spero is author of Push Back, president of Caucus for America, and author of Why Israel Matters to You. Look at the leadership of the Democratic Party today. It looks more effete, more arrogant, more isolated, more entitled, more entrenched than the political leadership of any major political party in any major democracy in modern history. Having run the worst presidential campaign in modern history, the 69-year-old Mrs. William Jefferson Clinton is now being touted to run for mayor of New York. She was senator from New York, despite having no talent or experience beyond being the moll of a White House thug. Then she was made secretary of state for even weaker reasons. Mrs. Clinton is an iconic example of the Democratic Party today being little more than a party of entrenched nepotistic geriatrics. There is a pattern here. Jerry Brown is the 78-year-old governor of California and has held or run for a bewildering number of offices in that state. He has been elected governor four times, secretary of state and attorney general each one term, and mayor of Oakland twice, and then he has run, and lost, Senate and presidential races. Browns father was a two-term governor of California as well, who ran for, and lost, a third term. The dynastic connection even extends to Brown's sister, who was elected secretary of state and then was the Democrat nominee for governor of California in 1994. Nancy Pelosi has been in Congress thirty straight years, and her father, the Maryland political boss, Big Tommy DAlesandro, who won multiple terms to Congress as well as being elected mayor of Baltimore, a job one of Nancys brothers won as well. Virtually, Nancys whole life has been politics, like Hillary, and like Hillary, she has been able to miraculously accumulate a vast fortune running into hundreds of millions of dollars. New York Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo is not old at 59, but his father was appointed New York secretary of state, then elected lieutenant governor, and then three straight elections as he was picked as governor. Interspersed with these were unsuccessful runs for mayor of New York (the post Hillary is pondering) and an abortive run for the Democrat presidential nomination. Andrew's brother is a CNN reporter (surprise!), and Cuomo married into the Kennedy clan, at least for awhile. When people write about the pathetic Democrat bench, it is not just because state government is overwhelmingly in the hands of Republicans, whose party is now the training ground for future political leaders. The pathetic Democrat bench is the consequence of entrenched geriatric nepotism. So we are not surprised to see Mrs. Clinton thrashing around for an elective office and, of course, an elective office completely safe for a Democrat. Nearly all of these old Democrat politicians are lawyers the last two Democrat presidents and their wives have all been lawyers or have been given college degrees in meaningless and predictably easy areas for leftists, like political science or history. Growing up in families obsessed with politics and passing through the dull ritual of useless college courses marinated in leftism and then into a long life of nothing but politics, these people are utterly incapable of grasping anything real in American life. Making these old nepotistic hacks even more disconnected from the life of ordinary people is the fact that many of these aging Democrats have accumulated vast fortunes Hillary and Nancy are each worth more than $100 million without ever really doing anything. They have no idea how wealth is created or the risk and sweat involved in that creation. Hillary Clinton, Jerry Brown, Nancy Pelosi, and the rest are very much like the Ancient Regime before the French Revolution. They live in a few choice coastal cities and produce nothing of value their whole lives. They have grown up in political families and into political careers supported by a fawning media and academia. These pampered aristocrats live in a dream world and have done so their whole lives. When the Tea Party movement arose in 2010, these old spoiled politicians utterly missed what was happening, and when Donald Trump carried Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, these same folks were dumbfounded. America today may well be on the verge of a political revolution the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetime and the exploitive and arrogant nobility will find their world turned upside-down. I occasionally watch The Five on Fox. Recently, the discussion concerned Trumps effort to return manufacturing jobs to the United States, and Dana Perino opined that perhaps what is needed is a federal job training program for workers. Lots of nodding conservative heads around the table. For a liberal fantasy. Because government has no more idea what new and emerging technologies to train people for than it knows what genetic characterization will emerge in the next strain of influenza. And going back in time, we see that governments had no clue which stirrups would emerge to revolutionize horse handling, no clue how fore and aft ship rigging would emerge and revolutionize shipping, no clue about the emergence of steam engine, heavier than air flight, the computer, or the latte. And only yesterday not the slightest clue about the emergence of Donald Trump. Because while they might work in the palaces taxpayer money hath wrought, they dont own a crystal ball. So what makes Dana Perino think they will magically know now what new skills someone should acquire in the twenty-first century? Indeed, you can make the case that government is good at only spotting a trend that has peaked and funding it in a colossal waste of resources more or less in the manner in which many community colleges and other government entities suddenly started offering courses in the spreadsheet program LOTUS at almost the exact moment people starting switching to EXCEL. BBC News online published a marvelous article the other day about the emergence of a new technology. The title is "The Simple Steel Box That Transformed Global Trade." Its the story of Malcom McLean, the man who more than anyone else solved the problems connected with standardizing the steel shipping container and in the process overcoming the reluctance, obstruction, indeed often the sabotage of government in order to reduce the costs of shipping across the Atlantic from hundreds of dollars a ton to fifty. It's a development no government predicted or, for political reasons, wanted to allow but that had more to do with the expansion of world trade than almost anything else we can think of. Still, as much of a seer as Mr. McLean was, he could no more tell you how people were going to spend or invest that saved money than your congressman could. Indeed, its only the few private geniuses guessing wrong and guessing wrong and guessing wrong until they guessed right (which is why theyre called geniuses) who can make any sense out of the issue. Except that we can be pretty certain something would emerge, because weve been automating for a couple of hundred years and have many times the number of jobs we started with. And were always richer after people like Mr. McLean work their magic, because we get two things where there was only one before in this case, goods shipped to Europe and maybe an air conditioner or a weekend away with the wife. It's just like when steel went from $7.00 a pound to two pounds for three cents in the nineteenth century, and we could afford to buy many new things, better things, or when tires went from lasting 10,000 miles in the mid-twentieth century to lasting twenty, thirty, even forty, and so the money our parents would have spent on replacements would then buy a color TV. But again, the point is that none of us can ever be certain that he would buy that TV or what else a free market might produce. Thats the wonder of America. And to think that government can, because they can hold committee meetings, pass laws, and spend money, is a liberal fantasy. Indeed, the best government can do is train people in LOTUS just as the market is shifting to EXCEL. Always behind the curve. Always driving forward while looking in the rearview mirror. And so what it should do is just get out of everyones way when Trump, if he does, returns millions of manufacturing jobs to the U.S. And stop with the liberal fantasies about tinkering with peoples lives. Richard F. Miniter is the author of The Things I Want Most, Random House, BDD. See it here. He lives and writes in the colonial-era hamlet of Stone Ridge, New York, blogs here, and can also be reached at miniterhome@gmail.com. It's interesting to watch the headlines in Mexico and the U.S. Up here, the media is obsessed with former President Vicente Fox's war of words with President-Elect Trump over who is going to pay for the wall. The good news is that no one cares what what Vicente Fox thinks, here or down there. The bad news is that Mexico's economy is shaky, and that problem could land on Mr. Trump's desk a lot sooner than he thinks. Mexico's problems landed on President Reagan's desk in the summer of 1982, and President Clinton's in late December 1994. The problems followed currency devaluations, and the U.S. intervened economically both times. Down in Mexico, there are two major economic stories: the price of gasoline and the value of the peso vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar. The value of the peso has always created panic in Mexico, such as the 1976, 1982, and 1994 devaluations that rocked the economy. The rise in gasoline prices has nothing to do with the U.S. This is simply a case of reality hitting Mexican consumers. Mexico cannot afford to subsidize gasoline prices anymore. On the matter of gasoline, we've seen huge protests over the latest increase. On the matter of the peso, there is a lot of concern that Mr. Trump's words may indeed be hurting Mexico: Uncertainty has roiled Mexico as the government waits to see how far Mr. Trump will go to keep his campaign promises to renegotiate or tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement, deport Mexican migrants and build a border wall. On Tuesday, Ford announced that it was canceling its planned investment to build a small-car plant in the state of San Luis Potosi. Although falling sales of small cars may have had more to do with Fords decision than Mr. Trumps criticism on Twitter, the president-elect promised that the Ford episode was just the beginning. He followed up with a broadside at General Motors for building the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback in Mexico, although only 4,500 of them were exported to the United States last year. On Thursday, he trained his Twitter fire on Toyota, saying No Way to the companys plan to build a Corolla factory in Mexico and warned: Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax. In response to the Ford announcement, the peso sank to a record low, prompting the central bank to intervene in markets on Thursday. Let's hope Mr. Trump's team understands what an unstable Mexico means to the U.S. It's easy to do a victory lap and claim that Mr. Trump has spooked Mexico or won a war of words. More important, an unstable Mexico will mean more pressure to pack up and head north. We saw that in the middle 1990s, when a huge wave of young men and women walked over to cut our grass, fix our roofs, and clean our hotel rooms. In the late 1990s, the booming U.S. economy absorbed all these people. In 2017-18, we won't be able to absorb another wave. I don't think that you can build a wall that quickly. P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. Folks, I gotta tell ya: my heart leaped with joy hearing Jeff Sessions give his opening statement at his confirmation hearing for attorney general. I thought, "Thank you, God! Finally an America-loving adult running our DOJ. What a concept." First Obama gave us Eric Holder, a black A.G. with a chip on his shoulder against whites and America. Out of the box, Holder accused Americans of being racists afraid to honestly discuss racial issues. To racist leftists like Holder, an honest discussion means white America admitting that they are eternal racist plotting 24/7 to keep minorities down. Holder sued Arizona, calling them racist for seeking to enforce immigration law. He sued Texas to block their law requiring ID to vote. He refused to prosecute the New Black Panthers because they're "his people" black like him. Talk about cojones after Holder's in-your-face arrogant racism, how can Democrats use drummed up claims of racism to oppose the confirmation of Sessions? Answer: The Dems know they have the mainstream media securely in their pocket to promote their lies about Sessions. After Holder, Obama gave us Loretta Lynch as A.G. In response to Islamic terrorists murdering innocent Americans on U.S. soil, Lynch immediately threatened to jail anyone speaking badly about Islam. Because the Obama administration is obsessed with allowing dudes in restrooms with little girls, DOJ head Lynch filed a lawsuit against North Carolina for righteously saying, "No." Shamefully, Obama politicized the DOJ. Lynch teamed with Obama's adviser Al Sharpton to brand America's police racist to justify the DOJ taking control of all police departments. Thus far, about 30 police departments have been taken over by the DOJ. Unbelievably, Lynch seeks to prosecute and criminalize disagreeing with the left's narrative regarding climate change. Do you see why a commonsense thinker like Jeff Sessions as A.G. heading the DOJ is such a breath of fresh air? Sessions vowed to turn back the negative undeserved branding of our brave men and women in blue. Regarding law enforcement, Sessions said: They are the ones on the front lines. They are better educated, trained, and equipped than ever before. They are the ones who we rely on to keep our neighborhoods and playgrounds and schools safe. But in the last several years, law enforcement as a whole has been unfairly maligned and blamed for the actions of a few bad actors and for allegations about police that were not true. They believe the political leadership of this country abandoned them. They felt they had become targets. Morale has suffered. And last year, while under intense public criticism, the number of police officers killed in the line of duty increased ten percent over 2015. This is a wake-up call. This must not continue. By the way, Hillary vowed to intensify Al Sharpton's and Black Lives Matter's war on cops, purposely demonizing police. Thank God for Trump. Keeping my article concise, I will not go through the long list of Islamic terrorist attacks that Obama's DOJ refused to admit were Islamic terrorist attacks. It was exciting hearing Sessions publicly name those seeking our demise: radical Islamic terrorists. In recent years, our law enforcement officers also have been called upon to protect our country from the rising threat of terrorism that has reached our shores. If I am confirmed, protecting the American people from the scourge of radical Islamic terrorism will continue to be a top priority of the Department of Justice. We will work diligently to respond to threats, using all lawful means to keep the American people safe from our nation's enemies. Folks, isn't this a far cry from Obama's DOJ refusing to name our enemies and threatening to jail anyone who speaks badly about them? Praise the Lord! Jeff Sessions is a great pick for attorney general a man of character who loves God and country, committed to equal justice for all Americans. Sessions will be confirmed another step on the yellow brick road toward making America great again. The media has given up even pretending to report facts about Donald Trump anymore, openly admitting that their latest report about Donald Trump and Russian prostitutes is not backed up by any evidence. Have you ever before seen the New York Times or Washington Post publish a piece they admit is unsubstantiated? If it is unsubstantiated, then why publish it? Anyway, the meat of the unsubstantiated allegations is that the Russians have blackmail material on Donald Trump. The claim is that when he went to a hotel in Russia, he ordered the presidential suite where he knew Obama and Mrs. Obama slept. He then ordered some Russian prostitutes over and had them urinate in front of him, and the KGB has this all on videotape. Trump ... defiled the bed where they slept by employing a number of prostitutes to perform a "golden showers" (urination) show in front of him. The hotel was known to be under [KGB] control with microphones and concealed cameras in all the main rooms to record anything they wanted to[.] ... Trump's unorthodox behavior in Russia over the years had provided the authorities there with enough embarrassing material on the now Republican presidential candidate to be able to blackmail him if they so wished. This is an entirely unsubstantiated allegation. The media, who have just spent eight years covering up for Obama, have now done a complete 180 and are reporting anything that will hurt Trump even if there are no facts to support it. But let's suppose that the entire story is true. Let's suppose that Trump went to Russia and hired Russian prostitutes to urinate in front of him like contestants on The Apprentice before he decided whom to hire. And suppose that the KGB has video of this. Can Trump really be blackmailed by this? After his "locker room talk" comments were aired, I don't think there's anything of a sexual nature about this man that would surprise or shock the American public, and I think Trump knows it. If such a video were released, he would just say, "That's not me!" or "I did that before I became a candidate!" or "Russian hotels filming their guests in the bedroom SAD!" Do you think Trump would lift sanctions on Russia out of fear of this sort of thing becoming public? I think part of the exhibitionist side of Trump would actually enjoy it. So, true or false, this story is much ado about nothing. It just goes to show that the media will latch on to anything to destroy Trump, and he isn't even president yet. Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com. The debate is over. We do not need to repeal Obamacare; it will repeal itself. Two words summarize why: risk pool. The ACA is founded upon a stunning misconception of the very definition of insurance. Its advocates have mistakenly conflated two unrelated concepts: insurance and welfare or, more to the point, risk and charity. People buy insurance in order to mitigate risk. We buy fire insurance because there is a slight chance that our house will burn down. If we cannot afford insurance, and our house burns down, we do not go to the insurance company to demand coverage for a pre-existing fire. Instead, we rely on the charity of donors say, the Salvation Army. We do not demand it, and indeed, we may not receive it, but life has risks, which is why we buy insurance. Obamacare has failed to make the critical distinction, which is why it is collapsing. The only people paying into the system are those who are wealthy enough not to need it and those who are so poor that they pay little or nothing. The rest of us pay the fine for not enrolling, or else we buy a policy that covers everything we will never use. For example, my wife and I are not at risk of getting pregnant, but we are expected to pay anyway. The people who benefit from the ACA do so because they get something for nothing. They do so at the expense of the rest of us. Obamacare will collapse by itself, but there are two simple ways to speed up its destruction. Pick one: either the new president can rescind the executive orders that exempt the privileged few from paying into it notably, members of Congress and their staffs, along with labor unions. Alternatively, he can issue an executive order exempting everyone. If Congress finds itself burdened with the same law it has imposed on us, its members will quickly find a way to unburden the rest of us. Many substitutes for Obamacare are vastly superior to it. Once the "across state lines" issue has been resolved, and once the concept of medical savings accounts has been implemented, there can be added one more feature: health insurance mortgages. Briefly stated, people can buy "whole life" health insurance policies by taking out a loan to pay, up front, for a lifetime of medical care, based on their actuarial risk factors. The loan could be amortized over say, forty years. The details would be left up to the insurance companies and those who buy the insurance, with neither party being forced into the risk pool. Other creative possibilities exist. There is, however, a big problem: they all require a basic understanding not only of risk pools, but of something else that the social left will never comprehend: freedom. The U.S. government spent some $11.6 billion in 2014 on climate change research, technology, international assistance, and adaptation, according to the GAO (General Accountability Office). This useless research actually harms Americans by advancing the ridiculous notion that mankind is responsible for the so-called warming of the Earth. In fact, this idea is so foolish, given that the Earth has not warmed over the past approximately twenty years and we are now struggling today with record cold, that its proponents have changed their focus from global warming to extreme weather to climate change...always seeking the most effective way to scare people so as to assure a continued flow of pork. It has not worked. Only 36 percent of geoscientists and engineers believe that humans are creating a global warming crisis, according to a survey reported in the peer-reviewed Organization Studies. By contrast, a strong majority of the 1,077 survey respondents believe that nature is the primary cause of recent global warming and/or that future global warming will not be a very serious problem. Why not re-allocate these "low ROI" climate change funds to other, more desirable causes? Let's review a list. 1. Border Wall. There is no reliable price tag on completing construction on the border wall, but the Trump team has estimated the cost at $8 billion. Recent congressional legislation pegged the number at $10 billion, and construction experts say it could be more than double that. Let's assume they are correct and that the border wall will cost $20 billion and take ten years to finish. No worries...Mexico will be paying long before that. 2. A 355-Ship Navy. With President-Elect Trump requesting more ships, the Navy is proposing the biggest shipbuilding boom since the end of the Cold War to meet threats from a saber-rattling China and obstreperous Iran. Boosting shipbuilding to meet the Navy's 355-ship goal could require an additional $5 billion to $5.5 billion in annual spending in the Navy's 30-year projection, according to an estimate by naval analyst Ronald O'Rourke at the Congressional Research Service. In addition to helping assure national security and the safe passage of global commercial shipping, a larger fleet would be better for both the sailors, who'd enjoy shorter deployments, and for the ships, which would have more down time for maintenance, said Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, which represents most of the major Navy shipbuilders. 3. Permanent Moon Settlement. NASA has estimated that building a permanent Moon base would cost $10 billion over the next five years. The many benefits to establishing a base on the Moon include providing refueling stations that would save billions from future space missions especially to Mars, which are planned for the 2030s plus providing unique opportunities for scientific research and the testing of new technologies. 4. Trip to Mars. Recently, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed a bipartisan bill authorizing $19.5 billion for NASA to continue work on a future Mars mission, as well as efforts to transport astronauts on commercial rockets to the International Space Station from the U.S., reports USA Today. According to the bill, NASA's official goal will be to launch a crewed mission to Mars within the next 25 years. While it is unclear when this NASA funding bill will arrive on the floor of the full Senate, it is expected to pass once it does. Let's add up the yearly costs of these four projects: 1.Border Wall ($20B over 10 years equals $2B per year) 2.355-ship Navy ($5.5B per year) 3.Permanent Moon Settlement ($10B over five years equals $2B per year) 4.Trip to Mars ($19.5B over 25 years equals $1B per year) The total cost of these projects adds to about $10.5 billion yearly, which is substantially less than the $11.6 billion being wasted on climate change fraud. There is even $1+ billion left over to kick-start Trump's $1-trillion infrastructure spending plan. The fraudster scientists and engineers thrown out of their flimflam climate change racket can redeploy their skills to such useful exploits as improving fracking and horizontal drilling technologies, exploring space, and hardening our I.T. infrastructure against foreign hacking. Otherwise, we hear there are some wonderful greeter jobs going begging. Smoke signals and beacons have been used to relay messages over short distances since ancient times, but the only reliable way to send messages over long distances was to dispatch a horse-riding messenger or a homing pigeon until the arrival of the electrical telegraph. But fifty years before dots and dashes killed the messenger, for a brief period, there was another kind of telegraph in Europe the optical variety, based on the same principle of flag waving that the Navy still use today. It was called the semaphore, and relics of this amazingly efficient 19th century network can still be found around Europe. The semaphore was the first successful and large-scale communication network that allowed transmission of messages faster than horse-riding messengers could carry. Indeed, the very word telegraph, which means distance writing, in Greek, was coined to describe this nationwide network of semaphore. Illustration of a semaphore tower in Napoleonic France. Photo credit: Internet Archive The semaphore came into being during the summer of 1790, when France was at the brink of a revolution. This was a period of considerable unrest. People were rioting in the streets, and the monarch was at war with several of its neighbors. A system was needed that would allow the French government to send and receive intelligence in the shortest time possible. To the rescue came Claude Chappe, and his four unemployed brothers. The Claude brothers system consisted of a series of towers placed no more than 20 miles apart. Each tower was topped by an apparatus consisting of two movable wooden arms connected by a crossbar. By moving the arms and crossbar to different positions and angles, the tower operator could make a total of 196 different symbols, which were observed by the operator of the next tower with a telescope. He then made the same signals for the next tower to pick up, and in this way, the message was transmitted from tower to tower. The operators were required to check their neighboring stations every few minutes for new signals and reproduce them as quickly as possible by turning levers and gears. He also had to make sure that the next tower inline had picked up the signal correctly, and set an error flag if it failed to do so. It was a tiring and laborious job, and operators had their pay docked for delays. Diagram showing the Chappe system, as used simply for signaling letters and numbers. image credit: Rees's Cyclopdia Unlike the chart above, most messages were encrypted and the operators didnt know what each symbol meant. Their job was only to transmit what they saw to the next station down the line. To translate the symbols into words, one needed a code book, and that was a closely guarded military secret. Providing that the visibility was good, a skilled operator could send three symbols in a minute. A single symbol sent from Paris would arrive at Lille, a distance of about 200 km, in just nine minutes. A complete message consisting of more than thirty symbols took just over half an hour. In August 1794, the semaphore system delivered to Paris the message of the capture of Conde-sur-lEscaut from the Austrians in less than an hour after it occurred. The success of the semaphore led to more semaphore telegraph lines to be built across France, and similar networks sprang up throughout Europe, particularly in Sweden and the United Kingdom. At its most extensive, the network comprised of 556 stations covering more than 4,800 km. The semaphores were so successful that the French government initially rejected Samuel Morses electrical telegraph. The semaphore telegraph remained operational in France until 1852. The last semaphore station to go out of service was in Sweden in 1880. The semaphore network in France. Image credit: Jeunamateur/Wikimedia A Chappe semaphore tower near Saverne, France. Photo credit: Hans-Peter Scholz/Wikimedia A replica of one of Chappe's semaphore towers in Nalbach, Germany. Photo credit: Lokilech/Wikimedia A replica of an optical telegraph in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo credit: CBX/Wikimedia Sources: Wikipedia / BBC / Communications Museum of Macao / From Gutenberg to the Internet / The History Blog The Galaxy S8 isnt due to be announced until April, or at the earliest, next month in Barcelona. But that wont stop case manufacturers from publishing pictures of their cases for the upcoming device, just as weve seen with other smartphones like the Galaxy S7 and LG G5 last year. Now the company has released a picture of their Atomic 3 Series case which will be available for the Galaxy S8 when it launches. Now its important to note that this may not be what the Galaxy S8 actually looks like when it gets announced in April, but it does give us a general idea of what it may look like. Samsung, and other manufacturers, will hand over dimensions of their upcoming device to case manufacturers like Ghostek ahead of time, so that they can begin to prepare their case offerings. So Ghostek has a good understanding of what the Galaxy S8 may look like, but its still far from the final device. Now looking at the pictures that Ghostek has available of this case, there are a few things that standout. For one, theres no home button, something weve seen rumored quite a bit recently. Additionally the volume rocker and power button appear to be on the left side of the device, as opposed to being on the left side like it normally is. But perhaps the most surprising is the fact that there is no headphone jack and no charging port. There isnt even a visible flap that could be covering the charging port (which could be necessarily if this were a waterproof case). Which leads us to believe that Samsung is going to go all in with wireless charging. The removal of the headphone jack was widely rumored, and expected, especially with many other manufacturers doing the same thing. Its important to note that this needs to all be taken with a grain of salt. Since Samsung isnt putting out these cases, this needs to be treated as a rumor or a leak. So while it does look very similar to the rumors weve seen about the Galaxy S8 already, well still take this with a grain of salt for now. Hopefully well learn more soon about the Galaxy S8. Wild Days are in the rear view mirror The Boat Parking Lot Cement Divider Good Old German Engineering - not much hanging down "YOU WOULD BE WRONG!!!!" My company transferred me to Tampa, Florida in 1974. I had just begun to regain my bearings after five years of Post Vietnam Drinking Overload (PVDO). In retrospect, I now know that I led a dual life. By day a dedicated employee of a Fortune 500 company and by night what my dad used to call a "Lost Ball in the High Weeds." Fortunately, my boss was a combat Korean Veteran and he gave me some cover while I sorted out the "Meaning of Life" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/ without the humor of Monty Python.)I rented a furnished apartment North of Tampa on Lucerne Drive. Even though I had a company car, I decided to keep the 914. Without attaching too much significance to this decision, I now look back on it as a drowning many would when someone tosses him an anchor. You grab it and try to hold on.It did not take me long to find out that the dual life I had been living in Atlanta was not going to cut it in Tampa. When you are calling on an industrial based customer base, they expect a more traditional Sales Engineer without the 70s Disco hairdo and clothing. The transition to respectable citizen for me was ainstead of an abrupt off exit from excesses.As the demands of a technical job began to assert themselves, it became apparent that mywere beginning to blur in the racing rear view mirrors of the 914.After about a year of struggling with my demons, I decided it was time to get a bit more serious about a career. I had been dating a girl in Atlanta before the transfer and the old 914 and I made many trips back to Atlanta during that first year. As I remember (and Google Maps confirms) it was a 460 mile trip from Tampa to Stone Mountain. Almost all of it on I75. I could make it in about 6 hours.(75 MPH average.) Are you beginning to see a problem here?I decided to propose and she accepted. We were married in February of 1975. As they say, the rest is history. We moved into an apartment in Temple Terrace with her furniture. She had a Ford Pinto, I had a Ford 500 company car, and the 914 Porsche. We decided to sell the Pinto. There is thatthing again. I had nicknamed the Ford 500 "The Boat." The difference between it and the 914 was that dramatic.My wife drove the 914 and I drove "The Boat." If you are still with me here, this is the payoff to this overlong narrative.One day leaving work, she accidentally drove the 914 over a parking lot divider. You do not see many of those anymore, but they were in almost every parking lot back in the 1970s. The purpose is to prevent someone from driving straight out of a parking spot . For some safety reason the parking lot Deities thought it was safer for a women to back out instead of driving forward (I told you before it was a; it is still in process 41 years later).She drove right over the divider. Because I had lowered the 914 with Gymkhana (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymkhana_(motorsport) suspension, it sat much lower than normal. Once she realized the problem she had could not back over the divider again. With the full knowledge that she had cleared the front wheels, she just drove over with the back wheels and went home.During that point in our marriage, I was still somewhat in the driver's seat symbolically speaking. She called my best friend in Atlanta and asked what she should do. He was patient when he explained that there was no way he could tell her if there was any damage and she should take it to the Porsche dealer to have it inspected. She did as he said and they determined there was no damage beyond some scraps on the Unibody Frame (See previous post about "Self-supporting steel body.," ( See that post here: https://beaufortcountynow.com/post/23484/it-is-not-good-to-tempt-an-old-man.html). Because of this design feature, there are few parts hanging below the bed pan of the 914.There are plenty of benefits from having lifelong friends, but there are a few drawbacks as well. Lifelong friends generally know quite a few of your secrets and may have even been a part of your excursions toward the ditch of life. That is particularly true of my friend Reg and I.I do not remember the exact year, but after I moved back to Atlanta we were having dinner with our wives and Reg and I started telling some of the old stories about our cars. (We carefully avoid stories about our old girlfriends because it always requires mental math to calculate the years of the event minus the years of courtship before marriage). Well the subject of the old Red Porsche 914 came up and my very close confident and friend, Reg, told the story of my wife calling him to asked about the parking lot incident. She had never told me the story.I guess I could have gotten mad about the lack of transparency but if you have been married for any length of time you know that is a road you do not want to travel. Hell, women remember things that you only thought about and never did, so going down the road of past transgressions is not a subject you should broach with the boss.It took me almost 1000 words to get to this point, but I thought at least the story was worth me putting in the Grandpa Diaries as a lesson to future generations about keeping secrets and close friends.Conclusion: You may think you have secrets that you wife does not know about, but Grandpa Diaries Chapter Autos Google might be rolling out a lists feature in Maps soon, as some users are reporting that upon opening Google Maps they were able to access a new feature that would allow them to make lists of their favorite places. While the feature itself has been in testing since August of 2016, it looks like Google is rolling it out to more people which could signify that theyre close to launching it for everyone. That said, its still unclear how long it might be before Google makes this new feature widely available. In addition to making lists of your favorite places, users will also be able to use the new feature to make lists of places they have starred in Maps. Theyll also be able to make lists of places they want to try out or visit if its some place they have never been. If youre a person who enjoys trying new restaurants, for example, this new lists feature in Maps would allow you to make a list of all the restaurants you want to try. The lists feature is likely making its way toward a full public launch, but its being reported that Google Maps Local Guides who are level 2 and above may be able to see this feature show up prior to the wider rollout. Its also noted that the testing began with Android users who were at least a level 4 Local Guide. If youre already a level 2 local guide, then you can try accessing the lists feature by finding a place in Maps and then hitting the save button, which should populate the options for saving that place to your favorites list, a starred list, or a list of places you want to go. According to a response from Google which states that user feedback will ultimately determine whether or not they launch this feature for everyone, there is a possibility that it might not make it out of testing beyond those who are of the appropriate Local Guide status. Google is always testing features in all of its services, many of them which likely never see the light of day, but being that theyre opening this one up to more people it could be a good sign that its on its way. Kantar Worldpanel has released new data on the market performance of smartphones for the three month period ending November 2016, and according to the data, it appears that the market share for Android OS has declined in several key regions across the globe while gaining a better grip in others, including China. Meanwhile, it appears that the iOS platform has increased in popularity across Europe and the United States. According to Kantar Worldpanel, at the beginning of the holiday season, the three most popular smartphones in the United States were powered by iOS. The iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone 6s were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd most popular smartphones in the US at that particular point in time, holding 31.3% market share combined. The 4th and 5th best-selling smartphones in the US were branded by Samsung and were none other than the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, for a total of 28.9% share. The data also shows that despite the fact that Android lost 5.1% of the smartphone market throughout the three month period ending November 2016 compared to the year before, Googles Pixel smartphones made strong gains, accounting for 1.3% of sales within the same timeframe. Meanwhile, the entirety of iOS grew to 43.5% in the US, up from 37.1% a year ago, whereas the Android platform now accounts for 55.3% of the US market, down from 60.4%. In China, the Android platform continues to be dominant and at the end of November 2016, data shows that Android OS gained 7.2% market share for a total of 79.7%, up from a year ago when Android OS was accounting for 72.7% of the Chinese market. Meanwhile, iOS has lost another 5.4% market share in China, however, the platform managed to improve its presence notably compared to a year ago in regions including Great Britain (9.1%), France (6.5%), Italy (3.9%), Spain (2.2), Australia (5.9%), Japan (3.3%) and upped its presence across the EU5 by 2.8%. Unfortunately for the Android platform, this leads to losing market share in Great Britain (-1.8%), France (-1.7%), Spain (-0.8%), Australia (-3.6%), and Japan (-2.4%). As for other mobile platforms, sadly it looks like Windows Phone is sinking deeper in all regions except for Japan, where the platform gained a mere 0.1% market share in the three-month period ending November 2016 compared to a year before, for a total share of 0.4%. You can check the gallery (or source link) below for panels and additional details. New Nokia-branded smartphone seems to be on the way, and it could ship with Qualcomms all new Snapdragon 835 SoC. HMD Global launched the Nokia 6 a couple of days ago, their first Android smartphone, though that was a budget device. Well, according to some info that just surfaced in China, HMD Global is preparing a Snapdragon 835-powered smartphone for MWC 2017. In addition to that, the company has also confirmed that theyre planning to release something new on February 26th, read on. HMD Global held a meeting in China earlier today, and during that meeting, there was some talk about the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona which kicks off on February 27th. Now, the image that you can see down below does not exactly mention the Snapdragon 835, but HMD Global did talk about the Snapdragon 835 in the past, and they suggested that their Snapdragon 835-powered smartphone will become a reality. HMD Global said that such a device will take some time to prepare, and that theyll wait for the perfect time to release it. Well, is MWC 2017 the perfect time to release such a smartphone? Well, it could be for HMD Global, mainly considering theyre trying to revive the Nokia brand, and what better way to do it than to release a Snapdragon 835-powered smartphone at one of the largest tradeshows in the world? Truth be told, theres a lot of speculation here on our part, but well, it could happen, all the signs are there. Now, in addition to this, the company has also decided to officially tease something new for February 26th. The company has revealed this info via Facebook, this is what they wrote: Get ready! The Nokia 6 is coming to China! More announcements to follow on February 26th Save the date! So, were presuming that they plan to introduce at least one new smartphone at the Mobile World Congress, right? The date fits, and even though its possible this could be a teaser for the international launch for the Nokia 6 (though we doubt it considering Nokias phrasing today), its also possible that the company is planning to release their rumored flagship, and if thats the case, then the Snapdragon 835 will probably fuel it. In any case, stay tuned. American chipset designer, Qualcomm, has added support for Googles open source machine learning service, TensorFlow, to their up-and-coming flagship Snapdragon 835 System-on-Chip. Qualcomm explain that they have been working with Google in order to optimize TensorFlow to run on the Snapdragon 835s integrated Hexagon 682 DSP (Digital Signal Processor), which will result in significant advantages in both performance and power efficiency. Developers can and have been using Googles TensorFlow technology to add deep learning and artificial intelligence features to their applications, which can be desktop or mobile based, on the device or via the cloud Google uses TensorFlow in the Google Photos and its one of the key components of the image recognition search function built into the service. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 features the latest version of Qualcomms DSP, the Hexagon 652, which is a specialized processing unit embedded into the overall chipset. With the right coding, the Hexagon 652 can elegantly and efficiently handle certain tasks that would otherwise be handled by the CPU or GPU and at the source link, Qualcomm have included a video demonstrating how the Hexagon 652 speeds up and increases the accuracy of image recognition, and you can check it out by clicking on the source link down below. In this video, Qualcomm demonstrate how an image recognition application simply works better when allowed to use the Hexagon DSP embedded in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 although it will run using only the Snapdragon 835s Kryo application cores. With the Hexagon DSP enabled, the application recognizes many more images in a given period of time and with a higher confidence level. If the application were to be used to recognize a set number of images, the DSP-enabled device would be processing data for much less time and so would use less energy as compared with the CPU. This means less battery used, less heat produced and a smoother, better experience for customers. In the real world away from a test bench, providing developers optimizes their software to work with Qualcomms System-on-Chips, applications will run more efficiently. As Googles TensorFlow is open source software, this means anybody is able to integrate the code into their own applications and services. Artificial intelligence, smart applications and services are likely to be a key trend for 2017s smartphones and Qualcomm are carefully positioning the Snapdragon 835 at the heart of this. Its likely that we will see a number of applications and services being designed for devices based around the Snapdragon 835 chipset, which is due to arrive in smartphones in the coming months. On Tuesday, Samsung US came out with a statement saying that 96% of the ill-fated Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices have been returned thus far. This news comes after the US Department of Transportation removed the requirement for airlines to display a pre-boarding notification regarding the danger the handset may pose on an aircraft, reflecting the high return rate of the device by affected users in the US. In the statement, Samsung went on to say that the high return rate is due to the fact that the South Korean firm has limited the ability of the device to work as a smartphone, including leveraging the digital technology in the phone, which was implemented via an update sent out to users. In the US, Samsung began rolling out an update to all unreturned Galaxy Note 7 units in December, and this update bricked the device, rendering it useless as a smartphone, which forced users to return their phones, as was originally intended. The company is also working with US wireless carriers so that they push out the update to the remaining Galaxy Note 7 units on their networks, and this update has begun its rollout on December 27th. The Galaxy Note 7 was originally launched back in August, and it received positive reviews from both tech critics and users alike. However, soon after the device went on sale, reports started surfacing about exploding batteries which caused some units to catch fire. Samsung then issued a worldwide recall of the smartphone, and an investigation was launched by the company. Soon after, customers were given replacement units, but mishaps regarding the device continued to surface, which forced Samsung to issue a second recall and permanently pull the plug on the Galaxy Note 7. At CES 2017, Tim Baxter, the head of Samsung US, mentioned that the firm will be revealing the report regarding the Galaxy Note 7 and the crisis it faced very soon. If you still happen to own a Galaxy Note 7, it is best to return it to Samsung before the company stops issuing refunds. As things stand right now, thats bound to happen sooner rather than later. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and its standard (flat) counterpart are about to make the jump to the first public release of Android Nougat. After testing the software for several months, and following a short soak test earlier this year, it would appear that Samsung is gearing up for the public release of Android Nougat on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge beginning January 17. A leaked screenshot seems to confirm that Samsung intends to release Android 7.0 Nougat on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge on January 17 and onward. Do keep in mind that this info could be fake as Samsung is expected to release Android 7.1 Nougat, while skipping the Android 7.0 Nougat update. According to the source, the leaked image below shows a few paragraphs that have been translated from Turkish to Spanish, so in other words, the text might not read official for native speakers of the Spanish language. However, what interests us is the date on which Android Nougat will reportedly hit the waves for the Samsung Galaxy S7, and the text suggests that the company will be ready to roll out the update on January 17. However, its worth reminding that if the update begins its journey on January 17, its likely that availability will expand gradually, which means that not all regions will receive the update at the same time. Theres no mention of the standard Samsung Galaxy S7 in the leaked screenshot, but theres no concrete reason to believe that the flat model will be left out either. Its more likely that both models will receive the same treatment around the same time, considering the fact that they are both nearly identical in terms of hardware specifications. Besides, both models have already been tested under Android Nougat throughout the past several months, with the beta program ending near the beginning of 2017. In any case, Android Nougat promises a handful of new goodies compared to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, including better performance, redesigned user interface elements, as well as new features including Multi-Window for a higher degree of multitasking, a revamped notification system allowing for Quick Reply functions, and a new take on Doze Mode for improved battery life. In addition, its worth noting that some of these stock additions to Android Nougat have been further customized by Samsung to add more functionality as part of their proprietary user experience. In a recent interview with Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun, a professor at the Digital Content and Media Sciences Research Division at the National Institute of Informatics has warned smartphone users of the perils of shooting selfie photos with their fingerprints exposed within the frame. Apparently, the professor going by the name of Isao Echizen, together with his team at the National Institute of Informatics, have told the newspaper that they have successfully obtained fingerprints from selfie photos captured at distances of up to three meters away. Selfie photos have become increasingly popular along with the inclusion of more powerful front-facing cameras in smartphones, and this led to rather unusual products being manufactured, such as the selfie stick. Selfies are also quite popular in Asia, and particularly in Japan it appears that fans of selfie shots also tend to adopt the peace sign pose more often than usual. But according to professor Isao Echizen, as front-facing cameras become more powerful and proficient in recreating scenes in higher detail, the peace sign pose in selfie shots might also pose a threat to security, as he had apparently successfully obtained fingerprints from selfie photos in which subjects had their fingerprints exposed to the camera. According to the report cited by CNET, Isao Echizen and his team were able to obtain fingerprints from photos captured at distances of up to three meters. He also added that, although fingerprint recognition sensors are technically more secure than more conventional security methods such as passwords, having your fingerprint stolen is a bigger deal than having a password compromised, as passwords can always be changed, whereas fingerprints cannot. According to the report, Isao Echizen and his team at the National Institute of Informatics also created a fingerprint anti-theft prevention technology, which apparently relies on a titanium-oxide based substance which can obscure fingerprints and can produce false images of fingerprints within a photo frame. Exactly how this so-called anti-theft prevention technology would work in practice is unclear, but at the end of the day, its important to remind ourselves that no security system is perfect, and more often than not its up to us the users to keep our data and identities secure. A woman accused in a drug trafficking scheme that brought meth from Washington to Montana for distribution in the Billings and Belgrade areas admitted federal charges on Tuesday. Bethany Ann Fairchild, 30, of Libby, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess meth with intent to distribute during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Billings. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan McCarthy said in court records that Fairchild accompanied co-defendant, Juan Delgadillo-Meza, of Ephrata, Wash., on trips in 2015 to Montana to bring meth to the state and that she interpreted for him. Agents with state and federal drug task forces began investigating a drug trafficking organization in mid-2015, McCarthy said. Agents identified Delgadillo-Meza as the source of supply in Washington and that he traveled to Montana, he said. On Nov. 5, 2015, officers learned Delgadillo-Meza was traveling to Montana and spotted his vehicle near Butte. A Montana Highway Patrol officer stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation near Manhattan, and Delgadillo-Meza and Fairchild were occupants, McCarthy said. Law enforcement served a search warrant on the vehicle the next day and found a quarter pound of meth under Delgadillo-Mezas seat, about two pounds of meth hidden in the front drivers side fender and more than three-quarters of an ounce of meth in various locations in the passenger compartment, he said. In addition, a search of electronic devices showed that Fairchilds phone had text messages related to drug distribution and that she accompanied Delgadillo-Meza to Montana on Oct. 20, 2015 and on Nov. 5, 2015 and had made other trips to Montana. Also, one of Delgadillo-Mezas Montana distributors, who was arrested in January 2016, indicated that Delgadillo-Meza typically traveled with a woman named Bethany, who would interpret for him, McCarthy said. Fairchild's defense attorney Ashley Harada said her client doesn't speak Spanish and didn't interpret for Delgadillo-Meza. Fairchild faces a maximum 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. A plea agreement calls for more serious drug counts to be dismissed at sentencing. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters set Fairchilds sentencing for April 26. Fairchild remains in custody. Delgadillo-Mesa, who has pleaded not guilty, is seeking to change his plea. Watters on Tuesday vacated a Jan. 30 trial date and referred a plea change hearing to U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Cavan. Two other co-defendants have been convicted in the case. Noel McDermott Morris of Billings was sentenced in November to more than 12 years for his conviction on conspiracy and money laundering counts. In addition, Morris forfeited a vehicle, $52,930 in currency and real property located at 319 S. 30th St., Billings, as proceeds from drug trafficking. Edward Lee Donnes of Belgrade is set to be sentenced on Jan. 19 on a conspiracy charge. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., met with Congressman Ryan Zinke on Tuesday to discuss the representatives potential confirmation as President-elect Donald Trumps head of the Interior Department. In a press release, Tester said he asked Zinke about the nominees commitment to public lands, conservation, the environment and Indian treaty rights. I had a good talk with Congressman Zinke about the future of Montanas public lands, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, responsible natural resource development, and upholding trust and treaty responsibilities in Indian Country, Tester said. It is important that the next Interior secretary is committed to protecting Montanas outdoor way of life, and understands the threats facing those of us who love to hike, hunt, and fish on our public lands. Tester did not relay Zinkes responses. However Testers staff said Zinke downplayed a recent vote on a House rules bill, which included language changing the way Congress values land for the purpose of transferring property to states, local governments and Indian tribes. Tester said last week the rules change cleared the way for auction-style bidding on public land. Tester repeated his opposition to proposed gold mining in Paradise Valley near Yellowstone National Parks north gate. Zinke will receive a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 17, of which Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., is a member. If the committee approves Zinke, then Tester and Daines will get a chance to vote on confirmation during a vote of the entire Senate. Little Horn State Bank was robbed Tuesday afternoon at gunpoint, according to the Billings Police Department. A male walked into the bank at 2900 Central Ave. and "brandished a handgun and demanded cash" at around 3:40 p.m., according to a BPD press release issued on Tuesday evening. No one was injured, and the suspect left with "an undisclosed amount of money," according to the press release. Police are still investigating the incident, said Sgt. Matthew Chaney. Multiple BPD patrol cars were parked outside the bank after the robbery, and officers could be seen photographing outside the building and speaking with people inside. The Coffee Tavern was mostly empty Tuesday morning, but it was open. And owner Larry Heafner intends to keep it that way. The shop became the target of online vitriol in November, before it first opened, when Heafner's offensive online comments gained local attention on Facebook. Heafner, who is a co-owner, postponed the opening of the shop. On Thursday, he lit the "open" sign and started taking customers, but he said he's ceased his online presence, personal and professional. "I won't use social media to advertise this place for nothing," he said on Tuesday. Social media was the platform for a string of Heafner's Facebook posts that became widely shared. Some were sexist and racist in nature. In one post he commented about "monkeys" being hung beneath an online video of an assault. The assailants in the video were black. Facebook users condemned the comments, and media reports followed. In real life, however, the shop scene has been quiet. "I had one person come in that asked me" about the Facebook comments, Heafner said. He characterized her as a "liberal girl" who wanted to discuss his political views. He said a couple people have come by to take pictures of the shop. A website under The Coffee Tavern's name appeared online, which hosted screenshots of Heafner's online musings. Heafner said he doesn't know whether his comments will hurt his business. Within about a half-hour stretch Tuesday morning, three customers came through. First, two women came in and ordered drinks. One said they wanted to "check out the new spot." Later, a man came in to order a hot chocolate. Neither mentioned Heafner's posts, which are now intrinsically linked to the shop on the internet. The customers took their drinks to go. Two men appeared in court on a number of charges stemming from the Nov. 12 robbery of a Billings casino. Steven Christopher Delgadillo, 19, and Kaleb Michael Tull, 20, appeared in Yellowstone County Justice Court on Tuesday. Together, they've been charged with 19 felonies and a misdemeanor. Delgadillo was charged with one count of robbery with a weapons enhancement, five counts of robbery by accountability with a weapons enhancement and three counts of assault with a weapon by accountability. All of the charges are felonies. Tull was charged with six counts of robbery with a weapons enhancement and three counts of assault with a weapon, all of which are felonies. In a separate case, he faces a count of criminal possession of drugs with intent to distribute, a felony, and misdemeanor drug possession. Justice of the Peace Pedro R. Hernandez set bond at $100,000 for both men during the hearing Tuesday. Three men went into the Lucky Lil's Casino near King Avenue West on Nov. 12. They wore hoods and masks to cover themselves and carried guns, according to court documents. At least one of them carried a shotgun. Witnesses told responding police that the robbers told everyone to get on the ground and asked patrons to empty their pockets. One employee told police that stolen items included beer from the cooler and money from the tip jar, charges state. One casino employee told police that she thought two of the suspects had entered the casino hours before the robbery because she recognized the clothing on surveillance tapes, according to court documents. Surveillance footage from other businesses showed the suspects with the same clothing, but their faces weren't covered. Delgadillo and Tull were also identified in surveillance shots by their mothers, charges state. In Tull's separate case, officers found methamphetamine and marijuana on him after he was arrested, according to the charges. Both men are scheduled to appear in Yellowstone County District Court on Jan. 18. TEL AVIV - The Israeli government is considering the possibility of welcoming dozens of Syrian orphans from Aleppo, according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 10. It said the children would receive refugee status and could stay in the country indefinitely. Experts at the country's Interior Ministry are currently evaluating the initiative, it said. Although it is viewed favorably, there is also concern that the move could be cited as a precedent by tens of thousands of African migrants, including those from Darfur, in order to remain indefinitely in Israel, despite the country's continued attempts to convince them to leave. ROME - The new year has started with a new crackdown against some human rights activists in Saudi Arabia, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Wednesday, reporting arrests and convictions targeting peaceful civil society activists. Human rights lawyers Essam Koshak, 45, and Ahmed al-Musheikhis, 46, are among those arrested as part of a campaign against activists, reformists, journalists and writers, HRW denounced. Also reported was the case of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who is banned from publishing anything in the country. Ahmed al-Musheikhis in particular, wrote Amnesty, is well-known for his work to help those jailed in the eastern province, where the country's Shiite minority lives. His brother Yussuf was sentenced to death in January for taking part in some protests and he could be executed at any time. Amnesty cited the case of Abdulaziz al-Shubaily, co-founder of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (already dissolved by authorities), sentenced to eight years in prison by the special court that judges terrorism cases. Charges include ''communicating with foreign organizations'', including Amnesty. Amnesty also spoke about Issa al-Nukheifi, who was arrested for a few tweets after being jailed for three years. ''Anyone daring to talk about defending human rights in Saudi Arabia is at risk today'', stressed Lynn Maalouf of Amnesty, who called on international allies in Riyadh to condemn the crackdown. ANSAmed - Today's events in the Mediterranean (ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 11 - The following are some of the main events scheduled for today in the Euro-Mediterranean area: VALLETTA - Opening ceremony of the EU duty presidency of Malta. Donald Tusk to meet the Prime Minister of Malt, Joseph Muscat. GHADAMES (LIBYA) - New round of inter-Libyan political dialogue (to January 12). TEL AVIV - Anniversary of the death of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. PARIS - Ecumenical Forum 'Europe in fear of the threat from fundamentalist terrorism and the value of human person and religious freedom'. (ANSAmed). ANSAmed - Tomorrow's events in the Mediterranean (ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 11 - The following are some of the main events scheduled for tomorrow in the Euro-Mediterranean area: BRUSSELS - The director for Europe of UNHCR, Vincent Cochetel, presents to the European Parliament proposals for a better protection of refugees. ROME - Visit of Immigration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos who meets Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano. PARIS - Ecumenical Forum, ''Europe in fear of the threat of fundamentalist terrorism and the value of the person and religious freedom''. (ANSAmed). When students in a college-level sociology class at Skyview High were tasked with creating their own school, they had to account for considerations like school-year schedules, class offerings and staff salary structures. Those students could create focused schools that zeroed in on one topic. School officials in Billings dont. Everyone agrees that giving high school students more opportunities to earn college credits and do so on the cheap is a good thing. But how to do that is part of a larger puzzle for school officials. Teachers for dual credit courses like sociology class need specific certifications. Teachers for Advanced Placement courses need to meet separate parameters. Student interest needs to be high enough to fill classes, which need to be sandwiched into the school day alongside required courses and other electives. It took several years to get the Skyview sociology class set up. High school teachers who teach dual credit courses need to have at least a masters degree and nine graduate-level credits in their subject area. However, Montana State University Billings wanted a sociology teacher that had a subject-area masters degree, not an education-specific masters. Coul Hill, the Skyview sociology teacher, already had a masters in educational leadership. School District 2 ended up partnering with Great Falls College, which was fine with the nine-credit certification. Hill is taking sociology courses online through Arizona State University. Teaching a college course has been great, Hill said. These kids are so motivated. Finding teachers who are certified to teach courses, and working out relationships between universities and high schools, are perhaps the biggest hurdles to expansion. While taking graduate-level classes can move teachers up the SD2 salary scale, there aren't specific incentives tied to teacher dual credit. A lot of the time, educators dont receive master's degrees in specific curriculum content, said SD2 administrator Brenda Koch, who helped set up the sociology class. The high school teachers are not looking to become college professors. Koch did say she's seen a growing willingness among universities to work with high schools on certification options. The sociology class was planned before the announcement of a fee-waiver program with MSUB and City College that saved students a $51.50 per-credit fee for dual enrollment classes, which are typically three credits each. MSUB also received a grant to help teachers meet the 9-credit requirement in writing, art and political science at a reduced cost. The university has targeted 16 rural districts that have teachers with education-related master's degrees and hopes to have 35 teachers signed up for summer courses, said Cindy Bell, who coordinates the grant. Columbus and Hardin will add college-level writing courses through MSUB this spring, with teachers who already met university certifications. Advanced Placement At Central High, a private school also included in the fee-waiver program, school officials are targeting dual enrollment for growth instead of AP classes. In AP classes, students are taught college-level coursework from a nationwide curriculum. They then take a standardized test at the end of the year and can earn widely transferable college credit. But the tests carry a higher risk than a yearlong course if students bomb the test, they get no college credit. For students targeting highly selective out-of-state colleges, an AP course is worth it to make sure credits transfer. But for students bound for Montana colleges, as most Billings high schoolers planning on attending college are, dual credit works just as well. The transferable credit, combined with the low cost, is very concrete to them and their parents, said Central college counselor Bob Keenum. Creating more college credit options takes on added significance at Central, where the majority of students go on to a 4-year school. Many Dual Credit courses aren't aimed at those students. At the Career Center, students can take courses like interior design that contribute more toward a two-year degree. It's students who are on the fence about taking a college-level class that benefit most from the fee-waiver, officials said. Harold Olson, the dual credit coordinator at MSUB, said that students have taken 915 credits worth of dual credit classes this year. Waiving the $51.50 per-credit fee, that's saved students almost $50,000, collectively. It's unclear whether or not a program that waives a per-credit fee for students in coursers offered at MSUB or City College will continue next year. Officials in other districts around the state have called for expanding dual credit financial aid. Schools are preparing for dual credit expansion regardless; the Skyview sociology class is offered through Great Falls College and didn't qualify for the fee waiver, but still proved popular. I do think the sociology class is a good indicator that this is something that students want, that parents want, Koch said. - BELGRADE - The extreme cold that has brought blizzard conditions and ice to Serbia's capital city is causing serious problems for about 2,000 migrants and refugees who for months have been sheltering in a park and large open area near the train and bus station close to the city centre. Thousands of migrants have become blocked in various countries throughout the region following the closure of the Balkan migrant route last March, unable to continue their journey into western Europe due to closed borders. There are nearly 6,000 migrants currently in Serbia, most of whom are being hosted in reception centres across the country. But there are also those who refuse to be registered to stay in the centres, often for fear of being repatriated to their countries of origin. The spokesman for Serbia's commissioner for refugee assistance, Ivan Miskovic, told ANSA on Wednesday that despite his office's urgent appeals to the migrants to transfer to reception centres, even with guaranteed transport and without being asked for documents, few accept, for fear of not being able to continue their journey towards the European Union. He said they prefer to enlist the help of traffickers, paying for clandestine passage. "In that situation, it isn't easy to help them and offer them concrete assistance," Miskovic said. Since the start of the recent cold snap, NGOs and humanitarian aid organisations in the country have mobilised to provide help, including the Serbian section of the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and Doctors Without Borders (MSF), providing blankets, food and toiletries that they distribute daily. Over the past week in Belgrade temperatures have hovered between -15 and -20 Celcius at night and in the early morning, and between -8 and -10 during the day. The migrants, whom Miskovic said are mostly men between the ages of 25-30 from Afghanistan and Pakistan, don't have adequate winter clothing or shoes. During the day they wander, covered with shawls and blankets, and at night they search for shelter in public garages, abandoned warehouses and dilapidated buildings without doors in the areas surrounding the bus station. One migrant, an 18-year-old named Asif, said the last three nights have been "unbearable". "We huddle and squeeze together around a fire to shiver less. But it doesn't last long, not more than a few hours. We spend the rest of the time absolutely freezing". Another young Afghan, Kaship Han, said the smoke from the fires makes the air impossible to breathe. "We cough continually, but we don't have anywhere else to go," Han said. "I don't want to go back. I want to go to Hungary and from there to Italy. But I can't stay here in the cold. It's terrible. Many of us are sick and there's no help," he said. However, many residents of Belgrade have gone into action to supply aid, including through online mobilisation campaigns where residents can leave their contact information with a group of volunteers who then go from home to home collecting suitcases and bags filled with donated blankets, winter clothing, shoes, food and other necessities. Arab citizens in Israel on protest strike for rights Following demolition of homes without permits on private land (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, JANUARY 11 - The Arab population in Israel is staging a general protest strike Wednesday following Tuesday's demolition of 11 buildings without permits in the Arab city of Qalanswa northeast of Tel Aviv. The United Arab List (UAL) - the third-largest in the Knesset, Israel's parliament - said the demolition of the homes built on private land "is an unprecedented crime and a declaration of war not only against the residents of Qalanswa but also against the entire Arab community in Israel". "We can't remain inactive, we are determined to defend the right to a fair building policy," it said. Yussef Jabarin, an MP with the UAL, said "buildings without permits in Arab communities are a direct consequence of the fact that the State of Israel refrains from drawing up urban development plans for them" and thus the consequences inflicted thereafter "are immoral".(ANSAmed). Israel may welcome Aleppo orphans Interior minister considering move, Israeli TV says (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, JANUARY 11 - The Israeli government is considering the possibility of welcoming dozens of Syrian orphans from Aleppo, according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 10. It said the children would receive refugee status and could stay in the country indefinitely. Experts at the country's Interior Ministry are currently evaluating the initiative, it said. Although it is viewed favorably, there is also concern that the move could be cited as a precedent by tens of thousands of African migrants, including those from Darfur, in order to remain indefinitely in Israel, despite the country's continued attempts to convince them to leave.(ANSAmed). - Amman - Chief of public security department was sacked by king Abdullah following latest attack on southern city of Karak by the Islamic State (IS) , where 13 people where killed and over two dozens injured. The announcement was made late Tuesday amid demands from MPs to fire interior minister for the incident. Critics say lack of professionalism and indifference has contributed to the high number of casualties. The sacking of police chief is expected to ease the pressure on the government after Karak incident. The pro-west king Abdullah has urged the new police chief to intensify training of police and amend protocols used in high risk situations. Meanwhile, the government has introduced a draft law to grant governors sweeping powers that are considered violation of basic human rights. The governor would have the power to imprison suspects in terror cases without a court order and place search in properties without court order. A rubber stamp parliament dominated by pro-government MPs is expected to approve the bill. Jordan plays a key role in the US lead war against IS employing its military bases and facilities at service of foreign troops for missions and training. ROME - A girl was killed and four others were injured in two attacks near the al-Falah school in the Nihm district outside of Yemen's capital city Sana'a, said Meritxell Relano, a UNICEF representative in the country. The attacks were carried out by Saudi aircraft, Yemen's al-Masirah television network reported. "Since the escalation of the conflict in March 2015, the United Nations has recorded the deaths of nearly 1,400 children. Over 2,140 others have been injured. The actual numbers are likely to be much higher," she said. "The attacks on civilian areas continue to kill and injure children in Yemen. Instead of learning, children are witnessing death, war and destruction," she said. "Nearly 2,000 schools in Yemen can no longer be used because they are destroyed or damaged, shelter displaced families, or are being used for military purposes. Schools should be zones of peace at all times, a sanctuary where children can learn, grow, play and be safe. Children should never risk their lives only to attend school". "UNICEF renews its call on all parties to the conflict in Yemen and those who have influence over them to protect children and stop attacks on civilian infrastructure including schools and education facilities, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law". - PARIS - French conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon on Wednesday held a press conference with journalists to lay out his electoral platform, vowing that he wants to "restore" France and shunning his country's alliance with the US, calling it a "total failure". The former prime minister is favored to win against far-right rival Marine Le Pen, and said France has a "desire to change that the elites are underestimating". "Restoring the country, freedom, French values - these are my priorities in this decisive phase for France and Europe," he said. He denied that he holds "radical" values, insisting however that change is necessary. "These five years of the left have weakened us, the opportunity to speed up was lost. And now the Socialists are in no position to teach us any lessons," he said. In the coming days Fillon will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to speak about his campaign platform and his ideas for Europe and international relations. "Merkel is worried about Trump's moves and the situation she has at home. But Europe can't stand still," he told a group of journalists following the conference. He emphasised that "if the French decide to send a Gaullist to the Elysee", the alliance with the United States could no longer continue. "I wouldn't say anything if this strategy had given results, but it has been a total failure. We need to find our space between Russia and the US," he said. "On Syria, we should have pushed to find a global agreement with Russia and Iran three years ago, excluding Assad back then". Fillon dismissed his rivals, saying that Macron is making "generic statements to avoid hostility and get good polls" and that Valls "makes me laugh - he preaches the exact opposite of what he did when he was prime minister". The only competitor he had a somewhat positive take on was Benoit Hamon, one of the Socialists he will compete against in the primaries in coming weeks. "He's the only one who seems sincere," Fillon said. He said, however, that "everything will be decided in the final month". "You all saw that when I won the primaries no one had given me the lead. Everything changed in the final week. It will be the same way with the presidential race," he said. Inter-Libyan dialogue in Ghadames postponed Was to discuss modifying UN accord signed in Skhirat (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, JANUARY 11 - The inter-Libyan political dialogue scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in the oasis city of Ghadames in western Libya near the Algerian and Tunisian borders has been postponed "until all necessary logistical and administrative measures are prepared", the city announced on its official Facebook page. It said it postponed the meeting because "local authorities weren't notified in time". Officials in Ghadames didn't specify a new date, but said they hoped the dialogue "is able to proceed in an official manner". The meeting was intended for the discussion of proposals already brought up in talks held in Cairo, Algeria and Tunisia on the possibility of modifying the Libyan Political Agreement signed in Skhirat, to subsequently present for approval by the Libyan House of Representatives in Tobruk.(ANSAmed). LA VALLETTA - The new proposal to reform the common asylum system will be discussed in the coming weeks, EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said Wednesday in Malta, after meeting with Premier Joseph Muscat. Juncker stressed that immigration ''is not only a problem for Malta but for the EU, which needs a European response based on the principle of solidarity''. The president has also expressed full confidence in the work that the Maltese presidency has the intention of carrying out on this front. Along with strengthening borders, for Juncker it is necessary to boost the European presence in the Mediterranean, speaking with Libya and other African countries. VATICAN CITY - On the 103rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees next Sunday, January 15, the migrants' section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is launching a media campaign to raise awareness on the issues it deals with. In line with the themes chosen by Pope Francis for the 2017 edition of the day (migrants who are underage, vulnerable and without a voice) - said a statement - the media campaign will focus on the situation of migrant children and teens, refugees, displaced and victims of smuggling. On January 12-15, the pope's tweets will be dedicated to the situation and will redirect to the deartment's Facebook page in which short stories will be presented, along with reflections on the theme. Pope Francis has kept for himself the responsibility of the section that deals with migrants an refugees, within the dicastery, which was created from the merger of four preexisting Pontifical Councils, of which Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson is prefect. WASHINGTON The intelligence community's allegation that Russia intervened covertly in the 2016 election describes a significant assault on our democracy. The country needs to know more: The charge needs to be followed up with an independent investigation that continues after Donald Trump becomes president on Jan. 20. Congress should commit now to such a bipartisan inquiry. If there's a possibility that U.S. laws were violated by the Russian political attack, the FBI and the Justice Department should begin a formal legal investigation. The Justice probe could be led by an independent counsel or an experienced U.S. attorney, such as Preet Bharara of the southern district of New York, whom Trump has already said he will reappoint. The allegations about Russian hacking are framed in the unclassified report released last Friday by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, on behalf of the CIA, FBI and NSA. That report made strong charges, but it didn't provide detailed supporting evidence, which is contained in other, classified reports. The allegations are public, in other words, but not the proof. That's a bad mix. Indeed, it's potentially toxic when Trump has criticized the investigation as a "political witch hunt," and Reince Priebus, his choice for White House chief of staff, said the Clapper report is "clearly politically motivated to discredit" Trump's victory. Somehow, this allegation of foreign meddling has to be taken out of politics. Otherwise, it's too incendiary. It could be abused by Trump's critics, or by Trump himself. An independent inquiry is the best way to safeguard the rule of law, and the insistence that nobody is above it. Recall what the intelligence chiefs alleged in the Clapper report: "We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election. ... We also assess Putin and the Russian government aspired to help President-elect Trump's election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him." How did Putin organize and implement this manipulative campaign? Are remnants of the Russian network still in place? On any such details of the alleged "influence campaign," the report is silent. That's understandable, in terms of protecting sources and methods, but frustrating for those who want hard facts to combat the "post-truth" environment in which people are skeptical of any assertion that lacks proof. At the top of each page of Clapper's report is a reminder: "Conclusions are identical to those in the highly classified assessment but this version does not include the full supporting information on key elements of the influence campaign." I'd argue that there is a genuine public "need to know" more of the supporting information, even if that carries risks. A hint of the secret investigation emerged on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. Chuck Todd pressed Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on whether there were "active investigations going on to try to figure out if there was coordination between campaigns and Moscow." Graham answered that the FBI and other agencies should "get to the bottom of all things Russia when it came to the 2016 ... election. Period." And he added: "I believe that it's happening." Nobody stands to gain more from a careful, unbiased investigation than Trump, assuming the Russians were acting alone. A thorough inquiry would give his presidency the solid legitimacy that any victor desires. It would also dispel worries that his moves toward rapprochement with Russia are tainted. Inevitably, as members of Congress are briefed this week on the classified version of the report, there will be leaks. That will provide more information to the public, which is good, but also more complaints about partisan leaking, which isn't. Incomplete or tendentious news reports could simply muddy the water, rather than fostering clarity. Trump seems to think that he can bury the investigation by treating it as a creation of his political enemies and what he likes to call the "dishonest media." He may well succeed, absent some formal investigative process that's endorsed by bipartisan congressional leaders, or shielded by our legal system. Such an investigation could actually pull a divided country together. Once it began, any attempt to subvert or steer it would be difficult. If it ended favorably for Trump, it would resolve questions that could otherwise haunt his presidency. The alternative is a continuing miasma of speculation and political skullduggery, which would be bad for everyone. Billings finally landed a deal for direct flights to Dallas-Fort Worth. All those Billings Chamber of Commerce air service committee meetings are paying off. All those visits to American Airlines in Dallas were worthwhile. Starting June 2, American Airlines will fly a 76-passenger jet daily to Billings and return to Dallas. This new service, which American plans to offer year-round will give our city direct, non-stop service to the only top 10 destination for Billings airport travelers that doesnt already have direct service. Billings has been courting American for more than a year. Billings Logan International Airport has many attractive features for airlines, including the fact that passenger growth shows consistent, positive trends. But what it didnt have -- until last year -- was the wherewithal to guarantee that a new flight wouldnt lose money for the airline. The Billings Chamber of Commerce policy used to be negative on airline incentives. But the reality is that airports have to put up money if they want to bring new flights into their market. Bozeman put up $1.6 million to lure its American flights, which started last June. Americans success with the daily flight that started serving Bozeman probably helped Billings get flights. Bozeman and Billings are Americans first destinations in Montana. The Billings Tourism Improvement District pledged $300,000. Another $300,000 was pledged by about 20 Billings businesses, including The Billings Gazette. The airport also won a $750,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to help launch new flights. That $1.35 million will help market the new Dallas flights and guarantee that Americans revenue in the Billings market doesnt fall below a certain minimum. That minimum must still be finalized. If the new flights make a profit, the Billings businesses get to keep their pledged money, and the federal grant can be returned. Congratulations to Billings aviation director Kevin Ploehn, Chamber President John Brewer, the TBID board and all the individuals who helped Billings present itself well to American. The airline will be a welcome addition to our busy airport that already has 29 daily departures and offers 366 connections worldwide, including 171 unique domestic destinations and 15 unique international connections. Airports must constantly change to keep up with travel demand, technology and security. This winter, the Billings airport is undergoing a comprehensive redesign. Construction on the revamped airport could start as early as 2018. The community will determine the airports success. If Billings wants to keep its airline choices and get more flights, Billings people must use our city-owned airport. Flying from Billings is a good deal that is going to get even better for Dallas and other southbound travelers. Come June 2, the travel time between Billings and Dallas will be reduced to three hours. What a deal! The extra services underscore the airlines commitment to offer guests greater choice and more travel options between the capital cities of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new daily late night departures from both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are timed to allow guests to spend full days in either city. Arrivals into Abu Dhabi International Airport provide guests with more connections to early morning services to Europe, North America and the Indian Subcontinent. These include London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Delhi and Mumbai. Together with a Boeing 777 and the recently-introduced Boeing 787 on the route, the new service will increase the number of weekly seats to 10,600 between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Codeshare partner flynas will continue to operate a daily flight on the route. Kevin Knight, Etihad Aviation Group chief strategy and planning officer, said: Our expanded services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are in line with Etihad Airways strategy to offer more choice, greater frequency and additional travel options when aircraft availability and market conditions permit. The extra flights will cater to the strong demand between the two capital cities, and bring closer our global network to Riyadh over our Abu Dhabi hub. Investigators on Wednesday said they still aren't certain what caused the explosion Saturday morning at an oil well site near Sidney. The explosion, which could be felt 3.5 miles away in Sidney, damaged a nearby shop but injured no one. The tank sat on a well site dubbed Jennifer 134H, said Richland County Sheriff John Dynneson. It is owned by Newfield Production. At 9:48 a.m. on Saturday, the tank exploded and could be felt in Sidney, Dynneson said. A nearby home was not damaged, according to reports, but Dynneson said a nearby workshop suffered significant damage. "The only area that was damaged was where the shop was located," he said. Equipment at the well site was heavily damaged as well. The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department responded, but its efforts were hampered by extremely cold weather. Cindy Hassler, a spokeswoman for Newfield Production, said Wednesday the investigation into the cause of the explosion continues. There was no oil contamination to the area, she said. Hassler said crews were dismantling the site equipment slowly as part of that investigation. The well was not actively producing at the time of the incident, and no employees were present. John Mercer, who lives a quarter-mile from the site, said he heard at least two explosions. When he stepped outside, he said he saw plumes of smoke coming from the site. When he got closer, he said he could see that the tops of three above-ground tanks had blown off. "And they were all burning," Mercer said. The tops of the tanks could be found hundreds of yards from the well site, Mercer said. In its ranking amongst global airlines, Gulf Air garnered 9th place for punctuality amongst Europe, Middle East & Africa airlines and 19th place for punctuality globally - in 2016. OAG released their annual airline and airport Punctuality League performance report for 2016 showing alongside this, and thanks to the synergy between local aviation entities, Bahrain International Airports ranking as the 9th most punctual airport in the world and the highest-placed airport in the Middle East for 2016. Gulf Air chief executive officer Maher Salman Al Musallam said: We are delighted to be recognized as a leading global player in on-time-punctuality for 2016. Recognising that on-time-punctuality is a critical element for travelers, we are committed to improving our performance to better deliver on our promise to get passengers to their destinations in a timely manner, while at the same time continually focusing on on-going enhancements across all aspects of our product and service offering. OAG leverages the world's largest network of air travel data to provide accurate, timely, actionable digital information and applications to the worlds airlines, airports, government agencies and travel-related service companies. OAGs annual Punctuality League performance report is drawn from a database of approximately 54 million flight records for 2016 and defines on time as within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of scheduled arrival/departure time. Gulf Air has held the top spot in recent years for OTP, ranking first among major airlines from the Middle East and Africa for the 5th Annual Airline On-time Performance Service Awards in 2013. This is the first aircraft from the order placed by Iran Air in December 2016 for 100 Airbus aircraft (46 single aisle and 54 wide-body jets) to renew and expand its fleet. This significant milestone marks the first practical step in Iran Airs ambitious passenger aircraft fleet renewal and its stronger presence in international civil aviation. Iranian travellers can be proud with our selection of the worlds most modern single aisle aircraft, said Parvaresh. Iran Air is delighted with this first Airbus delivery and congratulates everyone involved who made it possible. Today signals that with international collaboration and co-operation, we can achieve mutually beneficial commercial goals. Bregier described the handover as a momentous occasion. He said: As we take these first steps together, we stand ready to support the development and modernisation of Iran Air, said Clearly in a country of 80 million people, there is a need for the latest passenger aircraft to meet domestic as well as international demand, he said. Iran is forecast to require some 400 to 500 new aircraft to modernise as well as to grow its existing passenger fleet to catch up with years of pent up demand on domestic as well as international routes. The latest generation of fuel efficient aircraft will also allow new routes and markets to be exploited Airbus coordinated closely with regulators in the EU, US and elsewhere to ensure understanding and full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPA). Airbus said it will continue to act in full compliance with the conditions of the US government Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licences. The device comprises L1, L3 and over-wing exits and provides full simulation of multiple malfunctions on each door, all controllable from fixed and mobile instructors operating stations. This device represents the third device Spatial has delivered to Spirit and was the third device Spatial installed in the USA in 2016. Henry Robertson, Spatials managing director, said: It is always an honour to deliver a device representing new innovations to our product line and even more so when delivering the device to a repeat customer. We are grateful for the relationship we have built with Spirit and look forward to continuing to serve them alongside our other North American customers in the future Ken O. Richards, ground training manager at Spirit, said: "Since the inception of our partnership with Spatial and the deploying of three door trainer devices, Spatial have provided first rate technical support and outstanding after sales customer service. Due to the versatile/custom design capability of the devices, we are able to provide a greater range of real world training scenarios to our crew. Spatial's operation is product and customer centric and they continue to work hard towards raising the bar in these areas. CHEYENNE, Wyo. A tentative agreement has been reached between Basin Electric Power Cooperative and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lower sulfur dioxide emissions from the Laramie River Station in Wheatland. Basin Electric said the proposed settlement will ensure a clean environment and help ensure the long-term operation of the plant, which employs over 330 workers. Basin Electric announced Tuesday that the tentative settlement comes in its lawsuit against the EPA over the agency's attempts to reduce haze from coal-fired power plants in Wyoming. The company said if the EPA confirms the proposed settlement after a public comment period, the Wheatland plant will be required to install equipment to lower SO2 emissions in 2018 and 2019. The equipment installation work will cost about $350 million and create about 200 construction jobs, according to the company. The capital city of Lombardy is qualifying as the bridge between the Eurozone and the UK capital. Frankfurt, Paris, Luxembourg and Dublin are its competitors to get Londons inheritance. Diplomatic and legislative efforts are needed to defeat the other bidding cities. After Britains leave last June, manoeuvres started to get hold of Londons future. Of course, London is trying to open up to design by introducing the first London Design Biennale edition (coming with the London Design Festival in September). A new format drawing inspiration from Venices Biennale maybe to dispel the referendum troubles with creativity. But Italy has the Milan Furniture Fair: a continuously expanding and evolving design fair, specially because of the October Moscow and the November Shanghai editions. Set aside the Expo. It brought 21 million visitors and it acted as a catalyst for important projects and infrastructure among which the metro third line completion and the remaking of some of the Navigli areas. So not only the capital city of fashion, night-life and haute cuisine: the Gran Milan surely qualifies to yearn for the title of Europes Capital City. Since the 2013 legislation facilitated the visas and allowed for enterprises to sign more flexible contacts, the city is attracting european and international start-ups more than ever. The trend before Brexit was to open up in London. Brexit isnt good news per se and it isnt good news for Europe, Milans mayor Giuseppe Sala stated during his first public appearance at the 242 anniversary of the foundation of the Finance Guards - but Im pretty sure itll become an opportunity for Milan - he added. Meanwhile, Italy is working with its Select Milano committee made up of finance professionals and academics. Select Milano, since the Brexit, has developed the idea of the development of a business diplomacy to define a new economical paradigm and to establish a new set of commercial relations between Italy and the UK. The aim is to involve Milan and the City to develop a Eurozone financial district in Milan and to enable communication between central and local governments to work out new tax breaks and adequate measures to avoid the country risk. As the president of the AIBE (the Association of the Foreign Banks in Italy) stated in an interview for the Corriere della Sera: It is clear that there will be consequences. London messed herself up! CASPER, Wyo. Several Wyoming lawmakers are calling for the Legislature to ban "preferential treatment" of minorities and other groups while hiring. The Casper Star-Tribune reports that a bill sponsored by Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, and co-sponsored by several other lawmakers, would prohibit people from receiving a boost in public employment, public education or public contracting based on race, sex, national origin, color or ethnicity. The bill does not make clear the preferential treatment those groups receive. The measure would also prohibit discrimination against people who fall into those categories, which is similar to protections already afforded under federal law. Hicks did not return requests for comment on the bill. YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Gazprom offered new payment conditions to Georgia for the Russian gas transit to Armenia, reports Armenpress. Georgias Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said the details will be discussed during the Governments session. Gazprom made an interesting proposal. I want to state that this is the last proposal. The main talk was focused on shifting to financial payment, the Minister told IMEDI TV. He said earlier several meetings were held with Gazprom but they didnt bring any result since the sides had various stances. I think the last proposal is interesting. We will discuss it in the Government and will make a respective decision, he said. The contract term between Gazprom Export and Georgia, that relates to the transit of the natural gas to Armenia, expired on January 1. Georgia doesnt buy Russian gas since 2007, the major gas supplier to Georgia is Azerbaijan which agreed to increase the supply volume in March, 2016. YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. The Astghik medical center reported to the Yerevan Police Department (YPD) on two citizens with gunshot wounds being admitted to the hospital at 01:00, January 11. The YPD told ARMENPRESS the two individuals have sustained gunshot wounds to various body parts. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident. YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. According to the agreement reached with Gazprom-Export PJSC, Georgia, if necessary, will receive gas from Russia at cost of 185 USD for per thousand cubic meter instead of 215 USD, Georgias Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said at a briefing on January 11, reports Armenpress. The Government discussed the proposal and decided to formalize the contract. I want to state that by this agreement Georgias dependence on the Russian energy resources is not increasing. Only the payment format is changing, transition to monetary payment in accordance with the international practice, the Georgian Minister said. As for the transit cost, that must be paid to Georgia, it is one of the highest among the European countries, the Minister said, adding that two-year contract will be signed with Gazprom. The contract term between Gazprom Export and Georgia, that relates to the transit of the natural gas to Armenia, expired on January 1. Georgia doesnt buy Russian gas since 2007, the major gas supplier to Georgia is Azerbaijan which agreed to increase the supply volume in March, 2016. YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. A stabbing incident occurred on January 11 in Yerevans Vardanants Street. The Yerevan Police Department told ARMENPRESS one of the stabbing victims died at the scene, while another wounded citizen has been hospitalized. No other details are available at the moment. YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. The Investigative Committees Yerevan department has launched a criminal case on the January 11 shooting incident in Yerevan, the Investigative Committee told ARMENPRESS. Earlier on January 11 the Yerevan Police Department received a call from the Astghik Medical Center on two citizens aged 36 and 31 being admitted with gunshot wounds. Law enforcement agencies have determined the crime scene and examined the area. Blood samples have been taken from the scene. The Police have launched necessary operations to apprehend the shooter and determine all circumstances. Local software company Affinity Global Solutions is at the center of legislation to crack down on subcontractors not paying their share of workers' compensation costs in the state. When Affinity owners Trish and Brent Levinson decided to switch from renting to building and owning their office building, it was the height of the oil boom and general contractors were hard to find. After hiring a local general contractor, they were making great progress on the building, but they hit a snag. They got into a conflict with the general contractor over some billing issues, Brent Levinson told the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee this week. It was five weeks before they were supposed to move into their new space and they were being pushed out of their former location, which they had been leasing month-to-month. With the building about 90 percent complete, some interior finishing work remaining and left in a desperate situation, Brent Levinson took on the project himself. During that time, the Levinsons were informed by Workforce Safety and Insurance that one of the subcontractors, an outfit out of Las Vegas that had been brought in by the original general contractor, did not have workers' compensation coverage, taking them out of compliance with state law. The subcontractors told the Levinsons they would remedy the situation but never did. Under North Dakota law, if subcontractors fail to purchase workers' compensation, the general contractor becomes responsible something the Levinsons weren't aware of as first-time contractors. When the Las Vegas subcontractor left the state without paying for coverage, the Levinsons were left holding the bill for as much as $80,000 in unpaid premiums, as well as $35,000 in legal fees spent fighting their case. The Levinsons plight led Rep. George Keiser, R-Bismarck, to introduce HB 1137 to add to WSIs investigative and enforcement abilities in these cases, giving the agency more authority to shut down bad operators. The legislation gives WSI the ability to issue cease-and-desist orders to stop uncovered companies from doing business. Anne Jorgenson Green, director of legal services at WSI, said the agency can only seek injunctive relief from the court system, which is a year- to two year-process. When companies dont pay workers compensation premiums, coverage of claims falls to a statewide fund into which all employers pay, essentially leaving the rest of the employers in the state to pick up the tab. Its really important to protect others out there, Keiser said. While no claims were filed in the Levinson case, they were still responsible for the unpaid insurance plans. The general contractors want us to get this right, Keiser said, and Russ Hanson, executive vice president of the Associated General Contractors of North Dakota, was there to voice his organizations support of the bill. A judge ruled the Levinsons are responsible for the portion of the coverage on their own project, not the full $80,000, but, with lack of cooperation from the subcontractor to supply payroll records, its hard to know what the Levinsons portion would be. The legislation also contains caveats to help WSI obtain this type of detailed information, such as payroll information broken down by contract or job. Brent Levinson said he is not certain the legislation addresses everything that happened in his case but the fact that the issue is being discussed is a good first step. This story has been revised to more accurately reflect Brent Levinson's role in his company's building project. YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. US President-elect Donald Trump has announced about his hopes to normalize relations with Russias Putin, struggle with the RF against the Islamic State. Russia can help us in struggle against the IS, Armenpress reports Trump told in a press conference in New York. If Putin likes Trump, it is called an advantage, he added. At the same time he announced that he can also take a tough stance towards Russia. I do not know if I will manage to normalize relations with Putin, but I hope for that, Trump concluded. The architects trick visitors into the daunting [eight-story] climb by changing the subject with a fun house of surprising events. The entrance leads past a decorative digital wall to a long ride on an escalator through a tunnel spotted with mirrored discs. Visitors land at a wide terrace, [and] another escalator leads to an outdoor piazza [which] marks the start of a modern version of the Spanish Steps in Rome. Its comingpossibly Wednesday or Thursday of this week, though I doubt there will be any announcement. Rather, employees will learn of the museums financial outlook at a town hall meeting in the museum. I dont have any numbers, but the gist of the message coming from managementDirector Tom Campbell and President Dan Weisswill be that the museums financial difficulties have not been resolved, are unlikely to be in the near future. The original plan announced last spring, for a two-year financial restructuring, created hopes that staff cutbacks, pay freezes, a soft hiring freeze and other trims would make up for the revenue lost to lower admissions, poor retail sales, the rebranding campaign, the cost of the Breuer building and other items. Now, more measures seem likely and the restructuring will last five years, not two. Morale among the museums staff is also very low, Im told by several sources, and recently got worse. In DecemberI have not seen this news anywhere elsethe Met cut employee benefits. Specifically, it lowered the contributions it has been making to employees 403(b) retirement funds. In the past, the Met had been known for its generosity in matching employee contributions and, Ive been told, full vesting took only two years. (The museum have also have changed medical benefits; Im not sure on that one.) Consequently, an internal group known as the Forum of Curators, Conservators and Scientists, has complained. Currently headed by Soyoung Lee, the curator of Korean Art, the group voted on and then sent a protest letter to Campbell, Weiss and Daniel Brodsky, the board chair. I could not obtain a copy of the letter, however. It was not circulated widely, presumably so that it did not fall into the hands of the press. For all these woes, though, the exhibits continue to be stellar. Jerusalem, Beckmann, Valentin, Kerry James Marshall are just a few of the best right now. How long this can continue, with staff leaving and going unreplaced, is a big worry. Near blizzard conditions will surge throughout most of North Dakota Thursday with 45-mph wind gusts, poor visibility and wind chills of 45 below zero. "At these conditions, exposed skin can sustain frostbite in 30 minutes or less," said Michael Mathews, meteorologist at the Bismarck Office of the National Weather Service. "High winds, blowing snow and visibility will be reduced to a half mile." While no new snowfall is forecast, drifting snow from the previous 57.3 inches of snowfall accumulation since November will drift onto roadways, limiting visibility to half a mile or less. "For Bismarck, it should arrive at about commuter time, 6 a.m.," said Mathews, adding that the wind should die down by evening. Thursday's actual high will be 1 above. Friday's high is expected to climb to 13 above, with wind chills of 5 below zero. Saturday's high will inch up to 15 above zero with a more significant rise in temperatures from Sunday through Wednesday, which could see a high of 34 degrees, according to Michaels, who said the next two weeks could see above normal temperatures. Normal highs are 24 degrees and average lows are 2 above zero. "It will be warmer than it has been," he said. Indonesia faces shortage of engineers Indonesias annual shortage of around 30,000 engineers is becoming a key obstacle to its infrastructure development plans. Currently, Indonesia has 57 million skilled workers but it would need 113 million by 2030 to meet the countrys requirements. Around 20 percent of Indonesias six million university and postgraduate students pursue Islamic studies, with most students ending up with unrelated jobs. According to a 2015 national labor force survey, less than ten percent of Indonesias 250 million citizens have a university-level education. Of those, only eight percent choose an engineering study and more than half of these graduates work in different fields, such as banking. The government believes that the country needs a more skilled workforce if they are to keep up with other ASEAN countries and meet the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesias Economic Developments (MP3EI 2025) ambitious targets, which will be difficult to achieve with substantial infrastructure gaps. Achieving Indonesias infrastructure development goals, which range from sea projects, airports, highways, and power plants, necessitates a technical workforce. The government is taking steps to establish more industry-oriented engineering colleges, technical institutes, and state-funded scholarships. The last few years have seen improvements, with 57 percent of Indonesians completing education after primary school in 2015, compared to 40 percent in 2002. Furthermore, the share of college-age Indonesians attending universities has risen from 20 percent to 25 percent over the last decade. However, economists believe that Indonesia still needs to do more to meet its infrastructure development goals by 2025. RELATED: Pre Investment and Market Entry Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates Philippines: Government pursues program to improve manufacturing services The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), a state think tank, has advised the country in a recent study to prioritize the role of services in reviving the manufacturing sector to enhance competitiveness. The governments 2016 Manufacturing Resurgence Program (MRP) focuses on rebuilding existing capacity, strengthening new facilities, and maintaining the competitive advantage. It also seeks to reform the agriculture manufacturing industry, smallholder farmers, and agriculture cooperatives through product development, value adding, and integration with larger organizations for marketing and financing purposes. The program seeks to address supply chain gaps, raw material access, expansion of domestic market, and exports for locally produced products. The goal is to achieve a deeper participation in the global value chain (GVC) and increase product competitiveness. Achieving the goal would require tackling issues such as smuggling, unreliable power supplies, uncompetitive exchange rates, and high logistics and energy costs. Other issues such as linking of SMEs and large firms, supply chain constraints, human resource development, and innovation should also be addressed to maximize competitiveness. Apart from identifying areas where the manufacturing sector could be improved, the study also suggested that the government should prioritize services to enable manufacturers and exporters to move up the GVC. To do so, four types of upgrading have been identified: process, product, functional, and chain upgrading. Process upgrading requires streamlining production to lower costs, while product upgrading demands moving to more sophisticated product lines. The Philippines 26.67 percent share of services in manufacturing exports is one of the lowest in Asia, second only to Indonesia. The top two ASEAN countries are Singapore and Malaysia, with shares of 43.03 percent and 32.76 percent, respectively. As per the PIDS report, the Philippines need to bring in reforms and improve the regulatory regime for further inclusion of services such as ICT to sustain competitiveness and manufacturing resurgence. ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020 celebrates successful first year In the recently concluded 16th meeting of the ASEAN TELMIN (Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers), the member countries welcomed the progress made during the first year since the implementation of the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020 (AIM 2020), which seeks to achieve a more digitally-based economy. The member countries also laid down a set of key performance indicators to allow the monitoring of the impact of guidelines and measures implemented in AIM 2020. A framework for personal data protection was adopted, which establishes guidelines to strengthen the personal data protection mechanism in the region. The members also indicated their support for international mobile roaming services within the ASEAN countries to provide travelers and local businesses with an affordable way to communicate. Additionally, they proposed to increase broadband capacities across ASEAN and to adopt an ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy which calls for coordination among member countries for cybersecurity activities. ASEAN members also acknowledged the support of its member countries partners China, South Korea, Japan, EU, and US in enhancing ICT policies, quicker adoption of new technology, and improving cybersecurity capacity across the region. China is working with ASEAN on developing ICT infrastructure and integration of internet with the manufacturing industry. On the other hand, the Japan-ASEAN cooperation seeks to promote cybersecurity through their ASEAN-Japan ICT Fund, while South Korea, EU, and US collaborate with ASEAN in areas such as The Internet of Things, broadband enhancement, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and telecommunications. The next meeting of the members will be held in Cambodia in 2017. RELATED: An Introduction to e-Commerce in Malaysia Singapore, Malaysia sign agreement for high speed rail project The governments of Singapore and Malaysia signed a bilateral agreement on December 13, 2016 for the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High Speed Rail (HSR) project. The rail lines will be linked to a bridge over the Straits of Johor. The agreement was signed by Coordinate Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan (Singapore) and the Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Malaysia). The rail project is scheduled for completion in 2026. The agreement comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in July 2016. Around nine miles (15 km) of the HSR will be in Singapore while the remaining 208 miles (335 km) will be in Malaysia. The project will have eight stations between Singapore and Malaysia and trains are planned to reach a maximum speed of 186 miles (350 km) per hour, hereby expecting to cut travel time between the two countries to 90 minutes. Custom and Immigration facilities will be located in Singapore, Bandar Malaysia, and Iskandar Puteri. As such, international travelers will only need to go through customs and immigration at the departure point. The rail project is expected to boost connectivity and enhance business ties between the two countries. 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 asean@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. Annual Audit and Compliance in ASEAN For the first issue of our ASEAN Briefing Magazine, we look at the different audit and compliance regulations of five of the main economies in ASEAN. We firstly focus on the accounting standards, filing processes, and requirements for Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. We then provide similar information on Singapore, and offer a closer examination of the city-states generous audit exemptions for small-and-medium sized enterprises. Human Resources in ASEAN In this issue of ASEAN Briefing, we discuss the prevailing structure of ASEANs labor markets and outline key considerations regarding wages and compliance at all levels of the value chain. We highlight comparative sentiment on labor markets within the region, showcase differences in cost and compliance between markets, and provide insight on the state of statutory social insurance obligations throughout the bloc. The Guide to Manufacturing in Indonesia Choosing if, where, and how to establish foreign manufacturing operations in Indonesia can be a significant challenge. While the archipelagos vast diversity may initially seem daunting, a number of options are available which will allow entry and operations to be conducted in a seamless manner. In this issue of ASEAN Briefing, we discuss Indonesia as a hub for manufacturing within Southeast Asia, and provide guidance on how to select and establish operations within the country. About 44 pounds of marijuana were seized during a traffic stop east of Bismarck Wednesday. The drug bust came as the result of a traffic stop on Interstate 94, according to the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department. A deputy patrolling the area pulled over a car with Washington plates around 10 a.m. for failing to stay in its lane. He interviewed the driver and two passengers, who said they were headed from Washington to Minnesota but gave inconsistent stories, according to an affidavit filed in the case. The three admitted there was marijuana in the car but would not say how much, according to the affidavit. Saul Gonzalez allegedly said he bought the drugs at a dispensary in Seattle. When the deputy searched the car, he allegedly found four suitcases containing 34 vacuum-sealed bags. All three people in the car, who have St. Paul, Minn., addresses, were arrested. According to court records, Gonzalez, 23, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and bond was set at $10,000. Margarita Duran, 20, and Zaire Estrada, 24, are charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $1,000. Sate-run carrier grapples with Rs 46,000 crore debt even as govt extended Rs 30,000 crore funds to it. Mumbai: Air India, the state-run carrier that has been kept afloat through a bail-out package of Rs 30,000 crore from government, is hopeful that it will come out of the financial mess as a good service. Airlines chief managing director Ashwan Lohani believes the issues faced by it are not insurmountable. Rome was not built in a day, Lohani told The Financial Express while referring to the problems faced by the airline. The airline which had a total debt of Rs 51,000 crore managed to reduce it by Rs 5,000 crore last fiscal as part of its turnaround plan for the carrier. The total debt the carrier now has to clear stands at Rs 46,000 crore. The airline as part of its turnaround strategy has offered a Republic Day scheme under which its passengers can fly on a fare in the range of Rs 1,080 to Rs 4,730. When asked why the airline was constantly targeting Indian Railways to lure its passengers, Lohani said the carrier wants to offer a better service. We want to lure Rajdhani Express passengers away. We believe that we can offer a better deal that will not only cost a little less, but also save a lot of time, The Financial Express quoted Lohani as saying. The event will take place in Davos Klosters, Switzerland, from January 17 to 20. Personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, AR Rahman and Mallika Sarabhai have been previously invited to Davos. Mumbai: Filmmaker Karan Johar has been invited to the World Economic Forum as a cultural leader. The event will take place in Davos Klosters, Switzerland, from January 17 to 20. "I am honoured to be invited as one of the cultural leaders on this prolific platform. Representing my country and reflecting my ethos and the sentiments of my land on a global level is always exhilarating and empowering. "Also, it's a solid meeting ground of minds and personalities, which I am looking forward to engulf and experience fully," Johar said in a statement. Personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, AR Rahman and Mallika Sarabhai have been previously invited to Davos. We got in touch with the man to know what mayhem he will unleash on the Grand Finale of Bigg Boss if he isnt taken back in the show. Its difficult to say what is more bizarre Om Swamis antics or his off screen allegations. We got in touch with the man to know what mayhem he will unleash on the Grand Finale of Bigg Boss if he isnt taken back in the show. The more he opened his mouth, the more shaken we were. Heres Om Swami unplugged. You have been told off multiple times for your conduct on the show. Yet you seem so unhinged... I was thrown out because I hit Salman Khan, who is an ISI agent. I have all the necessary evidence to prove that. Not only him, Big Boss is a CIA agent. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi gave billions of dollars to have me thrown out of the show. I knew that Id be thrown off the show without any reason. Bigg Boss is not an Indian show it aims to destroy the country and its pure culture. You have threatened to sabotage the Grand Finale of the show. What mayhem do you plan to unleash? On January 27, I will hold a huge rally at Shivaji Park against Big Boss and Salman Khan, where one lakh people will join me and I will expose the show. Then on the day of the finale, I will go to Lonavla along with these one lakh followers. They will all be armed with revolvers and we will break the gates to enter the set. I promise to break Salman Khans bones and then put fire to the whole set. I will make sure the show is permanently shut, so there will be no Bangla, Marathi or Hindi Bigg Boss. In fact, Im willing to fight a case against the show in the Supreme Court as well. You urinated in the kitchen. If that wasnt enough, you flung the urine on fellow contestants too. The audience was repulsed and theyre wondering what got into you. It wasnt urine, it was water. Bani is like my daughter and I would never do something like that to her. Its impossible for someone to release one and a half litre of urine in just three seconds. I accept that I urinated in the kitchen jug at the behest of Big Boss because my life was in danger. They threatened my life. But, I wanted to come back alive so I followed their orders. I would like to ask, if they had issues with my urine, why didnt Salman and Big Boss object when I said that I will pee on Rohan? They should have stopped me then and there, right? Your antics have brought bad name to godmen, wouldnt you say? Was all this worth two minutes of fame? I havent destroyed the image of sadhus. What I did was Om ki Leela. Abhi toh leela ki shuruaat hai, aage aage dekho hota hai kya (This is the beginning, youll see what is in store next). I will turn India into a Hindu Rashtra and make deshdrohis (traitors) like Salman Khan run to Pakistan. Godmen like you generally strive to be peoples hero, but your antics have earned you infamy as a villain... It doesnt make any difference to me whether I am tagged a villain. If I really were one, then people would not have been praising me. I met so many of them and they all said that they have stopped watching the show because I am no more part of it. The girl told police that she had been gangraped by two youths few months back and also shared their names with police. The minor worked as a ragpicker and did sundry jobs to feed herself, was found by police in acute pain on roadside on December 29, police said. (Photo: Representational Image) New Delhi: A 16-year-old girl, found in severe pain by police in east Delhi's Mayur Vihar, was taken to a hospital where it was revealed that she was allegedly gangraped, and gave birth to a girl. The minor worked as a ragpicker and did sundry jobs to feed herself, was found by police in acute pain on roadside on December 29, police said. She was rushed to a hospital where doctors told police that the girl was pregnant and later delivered a baby girl on December 31, they said. The girl told police that she had been gangraped by two youths few months back and also shared their names with police. It was found during investigation that the accused named by the girl were involved in chain snatching and whenever police caught criminals of the same name, they asked asked her to identify if they are the same duo who raped her. There was no success in the process until Tuesday when police apprehended two juveniles, of the same names, and the girl managed to identify them, police said. DCP (East) Omvir Singh confirmed the incident and said that the girl underwent counselling. Police are also making efforts to get the minor a job so that she can take herself and the newborn. She is staying on the footpaths near Mayur Vihar metro station and even begged for food at times, police said. Rahul Gandhi accused Narendra Modi of weakening institutions like the Reserve Bank on India. New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of weakening institutions like the Reserve Bank on India (RBI). BJP, RSS and Narendra Modi have weakened institutions like RBI. People of country are wondering when are 'Acche din going to come'. I'll tell them it will come when Congress comes to power again, said Rahul Gandhi addressing the Congress National Convention in the national capital. He continued his attack on the PM and said that demonetisation was a personal decision made by Modi. Today I read in newspaper that PM said he will transform India. But PM needs to ask himself why suddenly auto sales have fallen. Quoting figures, Rahul said automobiles sale has dropped by 60% in the country. "We have gone back 16 years, the backbone of India's economy has been broken" he added. Rahul has just returned from a week-long foreign vacation, for which he was criticised as five states are going to the polls. A Bismarck representative is aiming for passage this session of a bill allowing North Dakota residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Rep. Rick Becker, R-Bismarck, said House Bill 1169 would add North Dakota to the growing list of several states which already allow its residents to do so. The concept, known as constitutional carry, allows people to carry concealed or openly a handgun without a government permit. It brings us closer to the intent of the constitution, said Becker, adding the impact wouldnt be significant since North Dakota is already an open-carry state. Passage of the bill shouldnt have an impact on reciprocity with other states in terms of firearms licenses, according to Becker. In terms of opposition, Becker said hed expect it from two places. The first would be those who are simply opposed to the loosening of gun laws and access to firearms. The other might be law enforcement. Becker said a common concern by law enforcement is that it might make it more difficult to know when an officer is walking into a situation in which an individual might have a gun. They never know who has a gun, said Becker, adding that law enforcement should approach every traffic stop or house call as a situation in which there may be someone with a weapon. Becker said hed be surprised if HB1169 didnt pass in some form. Rep. Pat Heinert, R-Bismarck, said he still needs time to review the bill but, from an early reading of it, hes still on the fence. Heinert, who also serves as Burleigh County Sheriff, said one concern relates to language about concealed carry firearms in churches. HB1169 strikes a line requiring the church or place of worship to provide law enforcement with the names of individuals authorized to conceal carry. The churches have to re-address that again, Heinert said of guns in churches law. Heinert admitted that, if HB1169 were to pass, there could be short-term impact on officers response to calls for service. (I) worry about there could be a heightened response by law enforcement officers, Heinert said of responding to calls. He said it would be a matter of having officers make the adjustment to changes in the law if HB1169 were to pass. The statements apparently followed a raid in which three terrorists in Xinjiangs Hotan prefecture were killed. New Delhi: In a surprising development that is bound to trigger allegations of Chinese hypocrisy, there were some media reports from Beijing on Wednesday which suggested that China is virtually sealing its border with Pakistan to clamp down on movement of terrorists. This comes at a time when China has refused to share Indias concerns on getting Pakistan-based terror outfit JeMs chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN. According to some media reports from Beijing, the head of the government of Chinas often-restive border province of Xinjiang was quoted by the official Xinhua news agency as saying that security along the China-Pakistan border would be further tightened to prevent terrorists from entering or leaving the region illegally in 2017. According to these reports, Xinjiang Communist Party leaders have expressed fears of militants getting training in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and returning to the province to carry out terror attacks. The statements apparently followed a raid in which three terrorists in Xinjiangs Hotan prefecture were killed on Sunday, and the action followed a terrorist attack on December 28 in Hotan that killed five people. Speaking at the regional Peoples Congress, Xinjiang chairman Shohrat Zakir reportedly said that the government has stepped up its efforts in entry-exit system to curb illegal movement of people across the border. Officials including the Communist Party head of Kashgar prefecture, which borders Pakistan, too stressed on the need to check illegal infiltration from Pakistan. Terrorists who carried out attacks in the region in recent years received training abroad and returned illegally, Communist Party official Aniwar Turson reportedly said in Kashgar in Xinjiang. Chinese news agency Xinhua was quoted in these media reports as saying, Xinjiang has been Chinas main battleground in the fight against terrorism, adding that suspects were killed when they resisted arrest. Ironically, while the Chinese are trying to protect themselves against the menace of Pakistan-based terrorism, Beijing has refused to understand New Delhis concerns on the same matter. China had recently placed a permanent block on the Indian move in the UN to designate terror outfit JeM Masood Azhar as a terrorist, after which India had lashed out, terming it an unfortunate blow to the concerted efforts to effectively counter all forms of terrorism, and (which) confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism. All other 14 members in the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council had supported the Indian move which fell through after the Chinese veto. The 15 members of the UN Security Council are members of the committee. In its reaction then, the MEA had said, We note with concern Chinas decision to block the proposal to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council which had been presented nine months ago and had received the strong backing of all other members of the Committee. The international community is aware that the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed which is proscribed by the United Nations, has been responsible for innumerable terrorist attacks on India including the Pathankot Air Base attack. The inability of the international community to list its leader Masood Azhar is an unfortunate blow to the concerted efforts to effectively counter all forms of terrorism, and confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism. This decision by China is surprising as China herself has been affected by the scourge of terrorism and has declared opposition to all forms of terrorism. As a consequence of this decision, the UN Security Council has again been prevented from acting against the leader of a listed terrorist organisation. Constitutional functionaries cannot work if a probe is ordered on flimsy grounds, SC said. New Delhi: In a huge relief to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to order a probe into politically sensitive allegations that he among other leaders accepted kickbacks from Sahara and Birla groups when he was Gujarats chief minister. The court dismissed a petition filed by an NGO for a court-monitored SIT (special investigation team) probe into bribery allegations based on documents seized during income-tax (I-T) raids on the two business houses. Democracy cannot survive and constitutional functionaries cannot function independently if probe is ordered on flimsy grounds, the court said. The decision deals a blow to the Opposition, which had latched on to the case to target the PM ahead of the Assembly elections in five states in February-March. The top court said that the case, based on random materials like loose sheets, papers and e-mail printouts, was meritless as it had no evidentiary value. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had repeatedly cited the papers to attack Mr Modi, sparking a huge controversy after the Centres demonetisation move late last year. The court said the materials were inadmissible to order FIRs and investigation, more so against the high constitutional functionaries whose names were mentioned in the documents. The bench said that the income-tax settlement commission had also prima facie found that materials recovered from Sahara group were fabricated. Sahara diaries a collection of papers and computer printouts found during raids on Sahara offices in 2014 reportedly carried names of politicians and amounts paid to them as bribe. The list also includes Congress leader Sheila Dikshits name. A new bench of justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy said that courts have to be on guard while dealing with matters demanding probe against high functionaries as the case was devoid of any cogent material or independent evidence corroborating materials to order investigation. The bench was constituted as Prashant Bhushan, lawyer for NGO Common Cause, had sought recusal of the then Chief Justice of India-designate, Justice J.S. Khehar, on the ground that his file for elevation as CJI was pending with the government headed by PM Modi. There must be some cogent, reliable and admissible evidence. Otherwise the process of law can be abused to achieve ulterior goals, the court said. Dissatisfied with loose sheets, which were claimed to be part of diary entries of Sahara and Birla groups, containing entries like Gujarat CM and other politicians, the bench said materials placed on record by the NGO were not maintained by the two business houses in their regular course of business. Earlier attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, the governments top law officer, said that no probe could be ordered on the basis of mere loose papers and irrelevant materials. Nobody in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Anyone can put the name of anybody on such papers, he said. In a statement Mr. Bhushan called the judgment very unfortunate and a setback to the whole campaign against corruption and for probity in public life. Another bench of the court had earlier termed the loose sheets zero material to order investigation. In view of the materials placed on record and peculiarity of the facts and circumstances, no case is made out on merit to direct investigation against various political functionaries, officers etc. The interim applications are found to be merit-less and are dismissed, the bench said. Mulayam urged his party workers to work with unity and bear with the rough times the party was going through due to the bickering factions. Lucknow: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday said, he had founded the party when his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was only two-years-old, and that he would not let his party split at any cost. I founded SP during Emergency days when Akhilesh Yadav was two years old, I faced hardships to build SP, will not let it split. Have declared he (Akhilesh Yadav) will be CM, what more do I have?, Mulayam Singh Yadav said, flanked by brother Shivpal Yadav at his party headquarters in Lucknow. Mulayam urged his party workers to work with unity and bear with the rough times the party was going through due to the bickering factions. He also asserted that he had no plans of forming a new party or changing the symbol. We are neither making a party nor are we going to change the symbol, its them (the faction led by Akhilesh) who are making a new party. I have told them to not get into such disputes and have also conveyed to them that we want a united Samajwadi Party, Mulayam said. Mulayam also hit out at Ramgopal Yadav and accused him of causing the rift in the party. His statements come just a day after Akhilesh met him at his residence, sending signals of a rapprochement between the bickering factions in the ruling party. In the meeting, Mulayam asked Akhilesh to withdraw his letter to the Election Commission (EC) claiming support of 212 out of 229 SP MLAs. In turn, the SP supremo assured Akhilesh that he would remain CM if SP won the upcoming Assembly polls. However, Mulayam maintained that he would remain the SP chief. The Talkatora Stadium echoed with laughter when Mr Gandhi took a jibe at the Prime Minister on his oft-repeated word, mitron. New Delhi: Congress scion Rahul Gandhi was at his sarcastic and rhetorical best on Wednesday as he launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modis demonetisation decision, packing in snide remarks about his love for yoga and yet inability to do the simplest of asanas, the padmasana. Mr Gandhi, who returned from his 10-day New Year break on Tuesday, also ripped into the much-touted achche din, saying, Achche din will come only when Congress returns to power in 2019, thus setting the tone for the Congress campaign for the forthcoming Assembly polls. Addressing the Jan Vedna meet called by the party on the demonetisation issue at Delhis Talkatora Stadium, the Congress vice-president hit out at the Prime Ministers contentious policy. Not a single noted economist in the world backed the move, he said and added that this is the first time an Indian Prime Minister is being ridiculed the world over for taking such an ill-conceived decision. Alleging that the economy has gone back 16 years under Mr Modi, he said that the Prime Minister must ask why the demand for Mnrega has suddenly surged and why people are migrating to villages instead of cities. Rebutting charges that the Congress did nothing for the country, he said that what the BJP has done in its two-and-a-half years by targeting national institutions, the Congress could not achieve in 70 years. Describing the Reserve Bank of India, the Election Commission and the judiciary as the soul of India, he accused the Prime Minister of destroying their autonomy. Trying to highlight the fascist tendencies of the saffronites, Mr Gandhi said, Narendra Modi rules by instilling fear. And then turned his focus to the media which was also the target of his acerbic tongue. During Manmohan Singhjis tenure they (media) used to write freely and without any fear. Now they say, We cant write, we will lose our jobs, please try and understand. Then, looking at the media gallery, he said, We do understand. Taking potshots at the Prime Minister, an avid yoga practitioner, for not being able to do padmasana, Mr Gandhi, who is often at the receiving end of the BJP and Mr Modis ridicule, decided to give it back. I saw the Prime Minister doing yoga on yoga day. He did all kinds of asanas but he could not do the padmasana, he quipped and then stung harder, Ive done some yoga. Im not very good at it, but my yoga guru used to tell me that if you practice yoga regularly, you can very easily do the padmasana. But it seems the PM cant even do the padmasana. Mocking the Prime Minister for his gimmickry of sweeping roads to propagate swachch Bharat, Mr Gandhi said, He does not even hold the broom properly. The Talkatora Stadium echoed with laughter when Mr Gandhi took a jibe at the Prime Minister on his oft-repeated word, mitron. Mimicking Mr Modi, the Congress scion said, These days, speaking like Amitabh Bachchan did in his films, the Prime Minister says, Mitron, aapki jeb mein jo panchso-hazar ke note hain, yeh ab kagaz ban gaye (Friends, I have turned the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes in your pockets into wastepaper). Satirising an Amitabh Bachchan song from the movie Namak Halal, he hit out at the Prime Minister saying, Aapka toh lagta hain bas yehi sapna, Ram-nam japna, garibo ka maal aapna. A quick, loose translation would be, It seems your dream is to take poor peoples money. The Jan Vedna Sammelan (vedna in Hindi means pain), attended by members of the Congress Working Committee, Congress chief ministers, AICC office bearers, MPs, pradesh Congress committee chiefs and state leaders, announced the second phase of protest against demonetisations would include RBI gherao on January 18 followed by Jan Vedna panchayats in all districts where questions will be put to the Prime Minister. A chair will also be kept at these panchayats for the PM. BJP reacted by saying that the Congress leader was voicing his own and not the poors pain and accused Mr Gandhi of being a spokesperson for those with black money. The police said that Gurbachan Singh was angry over the alleged incidents of the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib. Chandigarh: A shoe was hurled at Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal at a public meeting he was addressing in Lambi constituencys Rattakhera Chhota village on Wednesday, The shoe reportedly hit Mr Badals spectacles. No injury was reported. The man who hurled the shoe has been taken into custody. He has been identified as Gurbachan Singh. The police said that Gurbachan Singh was angry over the alleged incidents of the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib. The shoe incident comes just days after the cavalcade of Punjabs deputy chief minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal, was stoned in Jallabad by villagers. The chief ministers office, reacting to the shoe incident, said in a statement that behind such incidents are people who want to set Punjab on flames again and push the youth of Punjab back into the jaws of bloodshed. Mr Badal said that these elements have the backing of our political rivals, who are increasingly turning desperate. While CM Badal urged his party to maintain peace, his daughter-in-law and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused AAP MP Bhagwant Mann of encouraging voters to turn violent. The comic book hero takes on Russian baddies in the book "Tintin and the Soviets" is finally being published in colour more than eight decades after the comic book first appeared. (Photo: AFP) Paris: Tintin has discovered his inner Rambo and is ready to give Russian bully boys a taste of their own medicine in a book which will go on sale in France on Wednesday. But before Moscow condemns it as another piece of Western Russophobia, this has nothing to do with Vladimir Putin. "Tintin and the Soviets" is finally being published in colour more than eight decades after the comic book first appeared, at a time when Europe was also fretting about a rising Russian menace.Unlike the rest of his adventures, the book that launched the boy hero in 1930 only ever appeared in black and white.But to cries of sacrilege from the purists and even its late creator's secretary, Tintin's publishers Casterman are issuing a colour version of the story Wednesday in French where the young reporter gives a rogue's gallery of Russian baddies what for. For decades the viscerally anti-Communist story -- which first appeared in the Belgian Catholic weekly Le Vingtieme Siecle (The 20th Century) -- was not regarded as a full part of the Tintin canon. It was only in 1999, 16 years after the death of Tintin's creator Herge, that it was recognised as part of the official 24-story series. Experts have long debated whether the rough and ready testosterone-fuelled character in the story was fully developed, and could be seen as Tintin proper. Tintin the brawler "The character is not fully elaborated," admitted Philippe Goddin, Herge's biographer. Tintin is far from the generous young man of later stories, he said, but instead a rather thuggish figure eager to "settle scores with people he doesn't like". He spends most of the book getting into fights, various other scrapes or being chased. "When Herge began the story (he was only 21 at the time), he obviously could not imagine that the character he was creating would become so successful," Goddin added. Herge, whose real name was Georges Remi, always promised he would go back and redraw the story but he never got time to do so. His personal secretary Alain Baran on Wednesday criticised the decision to colour in the pictures, saying "it should have been left in the state which he left it"."Although technically very successful, colouring it and publishing it under Herge's name violates the principle" that work should not be altered after his death, he added. Jewish stereotypes The book's rough edges, however, go beyond Tintin's behaviour. While certain scenes in the 1942 adventure "The Shooting Star" were changed by Herge after the end of the war to alter the original stereotypically Jewish American villain Blumenstein, a rather grating scene that makes fun of a Jewish tailor has survived in "Tintin and the Soviets". As a huge retrospective of Herge work -- which closes in Paris Sunday -- showed, Herge never overcame his shame at his passivity during the Nazi occupation of Belgium. Although the artist did not collaborate actively, the show's curators insisted, he continued to draw a Tintin strip for a collaborationist Brussels newspaper. A spokeswoman for Casterman -- who said the new edition of the book would published in other languages later -- said that they never considered changing the scene involving the Jewish tailor. "It is not up to us to retouch or modify the work. You wouldn't do that with an old black and white film from the time. Herge did not change anything so we have to be guided by that," she added. Contacted by AFP, the French Jewish group CRIF declined to comment. It also directed that a compensation be paid to the victim and asked Legal Services Authority to ensure compliance of its order. New Delhi: A man has been sent to seven years in jail for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl for two months by a city court, which also held his wife guilty of kidnapping the minor. Additional Sessions Judge Gautam Manan awarded jail term to Uttar Pradesh resident Kamal saying he does not deserve any leniency in view of the nature of offence committed by him. The court also sentenced his wife Sonu to two-year imprisonment which she has already undergone in jail during trial, after taking a lenient view considering she was the only person to take care of their three minor children. It also directed that a compensation of Rs 3 lakh be paid to the victim and asked Delhi Legal Services Authority to ensure compliance of its order. "Concept of welfare and well-being of children is basic for any civilized society and this has a direct bearing on the state of health and well-being of the entire community, its growth and development. "It has been time and again emphasized in legislation, international declarations as well as the judicial pronouncements that children are a 'supremely important national asset' and the future well-being of the nation depends on how its children grow and develop," the court said. According to the prosecution, a complaint was lodged by the girl's father in November 2012 that his daughter was missing and had not returned from school. During investigation, it was found that their neighbours, Kamal and Sonu were also missing. The victim was rescued in January 2013 from them. The girl deposed in the court that she knew the couple as they were neighbours who had shifted to some other place. She said the woman had come to her school to take her along. While her behaviour initially with her was cordial but later Kamal started sexually assaulting her, before she was rescued by the police. During trial, the accused couple claimed that the girl had come to their house and stayed with them voluntarily. They alleged that the girl had told them that her mother was not treating her well but later made a false statement under pressure from her parents. The court rejected their submission saying that the girl was of tender age which makes her consent to go with them immaterial and they cannot keep the child with them without the permission of her parents. Meanwhile, the deadlock between the safai karamcharis and the municipal corporations reached the green court on Tuesday. Garbage piles up outside the residence of an AAP MLA at Trilokpuri in East Delhi. (Photo: Asian Age) New Delhi: A section of sanitation workers continued their strike on Tuesday, even as EDMC officials claimed that all unions ended the agitation and helped dispose off 2,000 metric ton garbage piled up due to week-long disruption in civic services. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) officials claimed that after a meeting with the commissioner, all the unions ended the strike. They will resume their duties from evening itself. It has been decided that their demands, which can be fulfilled immediately, are agreed upon, and those which need consideration will be considered over a fixed period of time, said a senior EDMC official. National general secretary of Rashtriya Safai Mazdoor Congress affiliated to INTUC, Veer Singh Dhiman, said, We have decided to call off the strike after the meeting with the commissioner and we will join duty tomorrow. He said the EDMC officials agreed to fulfill their main demands related with payment of salaries and regularisation of daily-wage workers. They said that salaries will be paid timely and also promised to disburse the arrears in April. We were also apprised that process of regularisation of temporary workers will be started soon, Dhiman said. However, the MCD Swachhata Karmchari Union, affiliated to Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), said it is still on strike. Today, we continued to be on strike and sanitation workers led by us piled up garbage in front of the camp office of AAPs Trilokpuri MLA in protest against the Delhi governments failure to provide adequate funds to EDMC, said Sanjay Gehlot president of the Union. He, however, acknowledged that a section of sanitation workers had decided to end the strike. He said his Union will weigh options after a meeting on Wednesday. I have heard that a section of sanitation workers have called off the strike. I dont know what they are thinking. We will convene a meeting tomorrow and take a decision with regard to the strike, Mr Ghelot added. The sanitation workers of EDMC, numbering around 17,000, had gone on strike on January 5 demanding payment of their salaries and arrears. Meanwhile, the deadlock between the safai karamcharis and the municipal corporations reached the green court on Tuesday. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a strong view of the situation and has issued notices to the stakeholders, state government, workers union, and the Centre. The NGT has also formed a committee to tackle the menace of solid waste in Delhi. The green body noted that Delhi generates nearly 14,100 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste per day and said that the mass generators of waste cannot be equated to a simple household generating trash. The committee includes representatives of the NPCB, DPCC, DDA, MCD and D-G Health. and four independent members, will visit the site and give report about the capacity and sewage management plant. It will also look after the solid waste management of the five star hotels, hospitals, big colonies, and colleges that have more than 500 students. Crimes like robbery, dacoity and snatching have seen a downward trend as compared to the corresponding year in 2015. New Delhi: Living with dubious the distinction of being the most unsafe metropolitan city, the national capital has recorded a drop in the overall crime rate in the city in 2016. While the number of cases registered for serious offences like rape, murder, robbery, attempt to murder and theft had shot up in the city since 2014, in 2016 there has been a drop in the overall crime rate. According to the recently-released statistics by the Delhi police, the city had registered 520 cases of murder upto November 30 in 2105, while in 2016, the city registered 473 cases. According to a police official an upclose vigil, rigorous checking and special drives to keep the city safer has brought down crimes which are serious in nature considerably in the city in 2016. Crimes like robbery, dacoity and snatching have seen a downward trend as compared to the corresponding year in 2015. In the citys south zone, over 1,230 robbers and 852 snatchers were arrested till December 12, 2016, incidents of robbery and snatching saw a sharp decline by 46 per cent and 9.28 per cent respectively. Also, due to the arrest of over 843 auto-lifters and rigorous preventive measures put in place, an increase in cases of motor vehicle theft, which stood at 45.73 per cent on April, 30, 2016 saw a decline of 8.73 per cent on November, 30 2016. According to a senior police officer, the police had successfully managed to put a check on the increasing crime rate in the city in 2016. Street crimes like dacoity was reduced by 37.84 per cent, whereas a downward trend in robbery cases by 36.45 per cent as compared to 2015. Even the cases of snatching came down last year by 2.71 per cent. There was a also a reduction of more than 1,500 henious offences in North Delhi. In southern-eastern range, law and order situation remained peaceful. According to statistics available with the Delhi police official site, while the city had registered over 2017 rape cases till November, 30 2015, the city registered over 1981 cases till November 30, 2016. Delhi, which has registered a total number of 10,642 henious crime till November, 30 2015, the city on November, 30 2016 had registered a total of 7,620 cases. In a recently held meeting with the Delhi police over law and order issue, the newly-appointed L-G Mr. Anil Baijal patted the police for their efforts to curb crime in the city. Aam Aadmi Party government had also appointed Jains daughter Saumya Jain as an advisor to its mohalla clinics project. New Delhi: Alleging nepotism and gross favouritism, former lieutenant-governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung on Wednesday said that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal may face criminal charges over irregularities found by the Shunglu Commission in the decisions taken by the AAP government. In an explosive interview to a private news channel, Mr Jung alleged that Mr Kejriwal had set up a secret unit like a counter IB for suspected spying. His comments came a day after he met Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi after resigning as the lieutenant governor of Delhi over two weeks back. Mr Jung said that the appointment of Nikunj Aggarwal, a relative of Mr Kejriwals wife, as OSD to health minister Satyendar Jain smacks of nepotism and gross favouritism. The Aam Aadmi Party government had also appointed Mr Jains daughter Saumya Jain as an advisor to its mohalla clinics project. On both these issues and appointments made by DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal, Mr Jung said that it amounted to cheating, nepotism and favouritism and that FIRs have been registered in these cases. When asked whether Mr Kejriwal could face criminal charges, Mr Jung said, That is possible. There are cases that are being investigated and should the cases come to fruition and should the court find substance in the chargesheets, then there is problem. Mr Jung, who had a constant battle over powers of a L-G vis a vis an elected government, said Mr Kejriwals exuberance, inexperience and the fact that he had a brute majority perhaps contributed to his confrontational attitude. He said as L-G he acted against Mr Kejriwals tendencies to play with the Constitution and interpret it in a manner which Mr Kejriwal thought was correct but he deemed as wrong. However, he maintained that their personal relations were extremely cordial. Mr Jung said the Shunglu report deals with decisions taken by Mr Kejriwal and the AAP Cabinet where it had no authority do so and without his concurrence. He said the fact that the secretaries and the ministers of the government sent around 464 files to him to be examined was itself an admission of guilt of irregularities. The report, yet to be made public, can be accessed through RTI, he said. In the interview, Mr Jung backed Delhis current status within Indias federal structure and said, It should remain under the Centres control. That is a system that works and I am for the current form with no changes to power structure. Dispelling all rumors about his resignation, Mr Jung said it was his own decision and had earlier offered to resign twice on separate occasions, which was not accepted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Jung, however, declined to comment in the interview on the performance of the Modi government and praised Union home minister Rajnath Singh and Union home minister Arun Jaitley for their approach. In my two and a half years as an LG, I have not received any request from the Union government on official matters, he said. North Dakota will remain among the 31 states that require two license plates on vehicles. A spirited House floor debate on Wednesday resulted in rejection of a bill to reduce the number of plates to one. Arguments that retaining the second plate would help law enforcement as well as aid convenience store and gas station owners in identifying those who commit thefts won the day. House Bill 1084 was defeated by a 34-57 vote. Prime bill sponsor Rep. Mark Owens, R-Grand Forks, said HB1084 would save motorists from having to place a bracket on the front end of their vehicle and damage it by drilling into the front end. He said law enforcement hasnt enforced it rigidly across the state, adding some people simply dont bother with the front plate despite the possibility of being penalized. Opponents of HB1084 testified in committee that not having a front license plate could make it more difficult to catch gas station drive-offs and other thefts from businesses. A law enforcement representative said that having two plates improves officers efficiency in their duties. Owens, during the 30-minute floor debate, said two plates allows for store owners to protect their assets, is a matter of convenience for law enforcement and maintains a revenue source for the corrections department, which produces the plates through Rough Rider Industries. This is truly a case in government of the tail wagging the dog, Owens said. Rep. Chuck Damschen, R-Hampden, signed on as a co-sponsor of HB1084 but said hed changed his mind and was opposed to the bill after speaking with store owners about the cost of surveillance equipment. He said he wasnt aware that so many crimes can occur involving license plates. It seems as though having one license plate is as detrimental to law enforcement as having half a pair of handcuffs, Damschen said. Rep. Ron Guggisberg, D-Fargo, said he was voting against HB1084. He referenced a 2012 Texas A&M Transportation Institute study on identifying license plates as an example of the difference between states with two plates versus one. He said the study referred to field studies of license plate reader technology showing a 97 percent rate of identifying license plates of parked cars in states with two plates compared to 76 percent in states with one plate. Higher rates were found for moving vehicles as well. Announces 2 NRI cells to redress grievances. Gurgaon: Haryana chief minister Mr Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday called on Pravasi Haryanavis to contribute to the development of the state and connect with their roots. Speaking at the first-ever Pravasi Haryana Divas, the chief minister also announced the formation of two special NRI cells to redress grievances, complaints and investment-related queries. The grievance redressal cell would deal with their complaints, the second would be to facilitate investment and take suggestions from them. The establishment of these cells will streamline inquiry and action taking process, added Mr Khattar. A helpline number 8968420002 and email nricellharyana@gmail.com has also been created for them. The NRIs can contact the NRI cell for business queries, investment interest and any other suggestion too. The NRIs can email at kartik.das@investindia.org.in, call on 9205192101 or log on to investharyana.nic.In for investment-related queries. In an effort to improve ease of doing business in the state, Mr Manohar Lal pointed out that the his government had changed more than 300 laws, rules and procedures in less than four months. Haryana is now among the top five states in India in ease of doing business as per the World Banks ranking, he said, while exhorting the Pravasi Haryanvis to offer their co-operation and invest in the state government. Mr Khattar said that following the mandate given by the people of the state upon a call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to undo many prevailing social ills, the Haryana government achieved success in many areas. These include allowing only educated people to contest for panchayati raj institutions and have a functional toilet at home. The Haryana government has also been able to improve the sex ratio at birth in the state, which crossed the 900-mark for the first time in several decades, the chief minister said. The government has ensured that all 21 districts have one mahila thana each to ensure safety of women, he said. The colourful celebrations, that began at the Kingdom of Dreams in Gurgaon on Tuesday, are being attended by more than 400 Pravasi Haryanavis from various countries. The events are part of Golden Jubille celebrations 50 years of its formation after it was carved out from Punjab on November 1,1966. The Haryana government also facilitated several sportspersons, including Vijender Singh, Geeta and Babita Phogat at the event. Union steel minister Chaudhary Birender Singh and textiles minister Smriti Zubin Irani were also present at the occasion. Citizen group demands Dadar east monorail station be renamed after old temple nearby. Mumbai: After the naming of a recently inaugurated railway station of Western Railway as Ram Mandir, a citizen group from Wadala claiming to have support from Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale has demanded that the Dadar east monorail station be renamed as Vitthal Mandir monorail station. The group says the station is located right next to the temple, which is more than 350 years old. The residents have written to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) demanding the same, also calling for a bus stop near the Dadar east monorail station be named as Vitthal Mandir sthanak (station). Gautam Durge, president, Wadala Citizen Vigilance Committee, said, We had conducted a public meeting at Vitthal Temple on Sunday where even Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale was present. He assured us support for the renaming of the Dadar east monorail station as Vitthal Mandir monorail station. On Tuesday we also submitted a formal letter with MMRDA demanding the same. We have also attached signatures of around 2,500 residents from Wadala who have supported the renaming. However, Mr Shewale was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts. Every year on the eve of Ashadhi Ekadashi, devotees visit Wadalas ancient Vitthal temple to offer prayers and celebrate the festival. The temple is said to be a replica of Pandharpurs Vitthal temple and devotees who cannot visit Pandharpur during Ashadi Ekadashi visit the temple at Wadala. The MMRDA aims to commission the second phase of the monorail corridor between Wadala and Jacob Circle in Mahalaxmi in mid-2017. Meanwhile, Dilip Kawathkar, spokesperson, MMRDA, said, The second phase is yet to be commissioned yet and all I say for now is we would look into the matter and take an appropriate decision. Recently, there was a lot of lot of hullabaloo about the new station at Oshiwara being named Ram Mandir, after a temple in the same locality. The city already has stations like Mahalaxmi, Masjid, Churchgate and Mumbra named after several deities. Her mother claims that the family is unable to pay Rs 1,723 per day. Mumbai: The mother of alleged LeT member Ishrat Jehan (19), who was allegedly killed in a police encounter in Gujarat in 2004, has been asked to pay Rs 1,723 per day for the 24x7 security cover that has been given to her family by the state government. However, Ishrats mother, Shamima Shaikh, claims that the family is unable to foot the bill as their monthly income is only Rs 12,000. The protection committee that provides security to people facing threats, in Thane district, has decided to charge people who have been provided police security cover. Ms Shaikhs familys sole breadwinner is her son, who is employed in a private firm. Yes, we have received notice from the local police station on January 3 saying that if we want our police security cover provided by the government to be continued, we need to pay Rs 1,723 per day, Ms Shaikh confirmed. I have given my reply to the Mumbra police informing them that though we need security cover, we cannot afford to pay for it due to our poor financial condition, she added. She also said that despite her reply, her security cover has not been removed thus far. According to Ms Shaikh, she is suffering from various ailments and far from paying for her medicines, it is very difficult for her family to even make both ends meet. Thane commissioner of police, Parambhir Singh confirmed that though the notice was issued to Ms Shaikh, the familys security cover has not been removed yet. The family was provided with the security cover after an alleged attack on some of its members in May 2013. The family had filed a complaint with the Mumbra police, saying that when they were returning with social activists from Gujarat after attending a court hearing, two motorcyclists rammed into their car and also fired at them, due to which the rear view mirror of their car was smashed. Though the police had registered a case of rash and negligent driving and a local had been caught on the spot, he was later released on bail. Ms Shaikh said that she is afraid that people who want to harm her and her family are roaming free, and if the security cover is removed, her family could be an easy target for such people. The notice issued to Ms Shaikh, dated December 12, 2016, read that so far she was provided with free security cover that involved two policemen (one during the day and another at night) armed with a pistol. It added, though, that from November 30, 2016 onwards, her security cover would be extended further for the next three months, but she would be charged Rs 1,723 per day for the same. Catholic teaching considers abortion as akin to the most heinous of murders. Francis recounted the story of a a very beautiful woman who was inordinately proud of how she looked. (Photo: AFP) Vatican City: Pope Francis on Wednesday took aim at the modern world's obsessions with power, success and beauty, citing the example of a woman who had an abortion to preserve her looks. In an anecdote he said dated from his time as Bishop of Buenos Aires, Francis recounted the story of a a very beautiful woman who was inordinately proud of how she looked. "She said, as if it was natural, 'Yes, I had to have an abortion because my appearance is important'," the 80-year-old, whose papacy began in March 2013, said during his midweek public audience. "When values such as physical beauty, health become idols to which everything must be sacrificed they create confusion in our spirit and in our hearts," he said. "Rather than promoting life, they drive us towards death," he added in comments that also targeted "power, success and vanity with their illusions of eternity and omnipotence." Catholic teaching considers abortion as akin to the most heinous of murders. Francis does not waver from that line but has authorised priests to absolve women who have had terminations, something which only a bishop could previously do. The government highlights relaxation of duty for Apple would require a complete change in the existing policy. Apple said that it does not intend to source components locally and hence has asked for cuts in the duty taxes on various components, completely knocked down (CKD) and semi knocked down (SKD) units of iPhones that will be assembled in India. The assembly unit is planned to setup in mid 2017. Apple has been seeking to setup a manufacturing plant here in India. It has its eyes set on India and has plans to setup an assembly unit in the heart of Bengaluru. However, the Cupertino tech company has submitted a few pre-requisites to the Indian government in order to setup an iPhone production unit here in India, reported The Indian Express. The application seeks full duty exemption on manufacturing and repair inputs (raw materials), yield loss on inputs, components, capital equipment (including parts), and consumables for smartphone manufacturing and services/repair for a period of 15 years for both domestic and export markets, said the report. Apple said that it does not intend to source components locally and hence has asked for cuts in the duty taxes on various components, completely knocked down (CKD) and semi knocked down (SKD) units of iPhones that will be assembled in India. The assembly unit is planned to setup in mid 2017. However, the demands from Apple cannot be sanctioned as easily as the Commerce Ministry officials said that the relaxation of duty would require a complete change in the existing policy for the entire industry. This policy would also mean extending the same conditions to other tech companies such as Samsung and others, who have set up their manufacturing units in India. The report further added that Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the government is yet to take a view on Apples demands because no other smartphone manufacturer has yet sought any such demands or concessions. Her ministry would have to usher another policy level change in the Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme as Apple wants inclusion of used capital goods, spare parts and components under the scheme for duty free imports. The EPCG scheme currently forbids import of second-hand capital goods or spares, reported TIE. Apple has said that they plan to place an initial emphasis on finished iPhone goods to serve both the domestic markets as well as export markets equally. It has, therefore, requested that its DTA unit be allowed the same provision as is available in SEZs on import, repair and re-export of defective units without any constraint on the age of the defective units. Currently, production units in DTA can only repair products exported from India up to a three-year period, said the report. Apart from the relief on customs duty, the TIE report added that Apple also has demands on the following: Expeditious processing of Apples Advance Pricing Agreement in the Income Tax Department to achieve certainty on the arms length pricing applied to international transactions between the Indian company and its overseas affiliated companies. And Aligning Customs procedures to provide less intrusive inspections, always open clearance process, combined declarations on a periodic basis rather than declaration at each transaction, suspension of paying integrated goods and service tax at the point of importation so as to avoid actual tax payments, followed by claims for refunds so that administrative and cash flow costs could be evaded. Apple presently retails its goods in India through licensed resellers and distributors and is banking high in the booming Indian smartphone market. In order to help upscale its present market share in India, Apple seeks to start manufacturing iPhones in the country, which could bring down the price of the units by a considerable amount, helping it reach its goals. If Apple starts the manufacturing plant in India, future iPhones made in India would probably sell for cheaper due to lower taxes, which can help the Cupertino giant compete with other brands in the Indian market. Also read: Made in India Apple iPhone 8 could be cheaper Kazakhstans role will be limited to hosting the meeting. This means that Russia, Iran and Turkey will play the main role in solving the regional crisis. Erdogan reiterates partnership with Moscow. Only Syrian opposition groups sponsored by Ankara will be at the meeting. Other groups have been blocked. Astana (AsiaNews) Kazakhstans Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that preparations for the Syria peace conference have been completed. The meeting will bring together the various factions to the Syrian civil war and hopes to restore stability in the troubled country. Kazakh First Deputy Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tellobrda told Interfax-Kazakhstan yesterday morning that "Our country greets the talks (of peace) and we are ready to provide the necessary space." This suggests that Kazakhstan will only play host, with no say in any other matter. Russia, Iran and Turkey, with the backing of the United Nations, will thus run the talks. The peace talks will move from Geneva (Switzerland) to Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, set to open on 23 January in the presence of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura. De Misturas presence reiterates Moscows position that the Astana conference will be the continuation of the work started in Geneva, even though everyone knows that those unwelcome in Geneva will unlikely be welcome in the Kazakh capital. The talks come at a time when Washington is undergoing a transfer of power and Europe has lost international focus, thus highlighting the roles of Russia, Iran, and the new Mideast balance of power. NATO member Turkey will also be at the conference, guaranteeing a balance in a region where the West seems to have been definitely defeated. A statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday shows how Ankara is trying to enhance its role of Ankara in the complex Middle East. Turkey took historic steps, Erdogan said, preparing the ground for peace in Syria because the terrorist organizations are trying to import the war in Syria and Iraq to Turkey. Such justification for Turkeys interest suggest otherwise, considering the rest of his speech in which the Turkish president mentions the relationship between Ankara and Washington and very sensitive relations vis-a-vis the fight against terrorism. The Turkish leader noted that Obamas various choices have raised questions about Ankaras relations with Washington. This year, he added, will be the year of foreign policy and action on solving the Cyprus problem. However, to better understand the rapprochement between Ankara and Moscow despite the murder of the Russian ambassador by those who wanted to hinder it, as Erdogan indicated, we must turn to recent statements by Turkeys foreign minister. In an official statement Mevlut Cavusoglu noted that ending support for the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) is important in US-Turkish relations. Turkish obsession with the Kurds better explains the Russian attitude, disliked by Syria, of turning a blind eye on Ankaras redlines over the city of al-Bab, to prevent the union between Syrian and Turkish Kurds. Meanwhile, as preparations for peace talks in Astana continue, more information is available about the parties. According to Kadri Jamil (pictured), secretary of the Popular Front for Change and Liberation opposition group, only armed groups sponsored by Turkey were invited to the conference. Jamil noted that he was not invited to the Astana Conference and that many Syrian opposition groups have been prevented from taking part in the talks. The same problem affected the Geneva talks when it was impossible to have a single delegation for the Syrian opposition. (PB) The missing men are Prof Salman Haider and bloggers Waqas Goraya, Aasim Saeed and Ahmad Raza Naseer. The four men disappeared last week in different cities. They had criticised on social media religious extremism and radical elements in government and military. Islamabad (AsiaNews/Agencies) Last week four secular activists went missing in different parts of Pakistan. They are Prof Salman Haider and three bloggers, Waqas Goraya, Aasim Saeed and Ahmad Raza Naseer. All four men are known for their activism on social media, criticism of religious extremism and radical elements in government and military circles. Yesterday hundreds of people took to the streets in many Pakistani cities to demand action on these mysterious disappearances so that the activists can soon return to their families. Their supporters and friends expressed grave concern about the activists fate, suggesting that they might have been detained by the government itself. "This is state bullying. The people who have done this have broken the law," Senator Afrasiab Khatak told protesters in Islamabad. For the lawmaker, who is also a former head of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, "This country does not belong to any general, or any bureaucrat, or a capitalist or a feudal lord, it belongs to its people. We will not remain silent." Salman Haider is a well-known poet who teaches at Fatima Jinnah Women's University in Rawalpindi. He went missing last Friday (6 January) in Islamabad. Two days earlier, Waqas Goraya and Aasim Saeed, who are cousins, went missing in Lahore. On Saturday, blogger Ahmed Raza Naseer, who has polio, might have been taken from his shop in Skeikhupura, near Lahore. The Home minister announced an investigation into Prof Haiders disappearance but said nothing about the three bloggers. Haider had denounced some enforced disappearances in Baluchistan. None of these activists have been brought to any court of law or levelled with any charges. Their status disappearance is very worrying not only for the families, but also for netizens and larger social media users in the country, said Shahzad Ahmed, head of cyber security NGO Bytes for All. According to other activists, the state controlled TV, and now it has turned its attention to digital space. An editorial in Dawn, Pakistans leading English-language newspaper, noted that it "The sanitised language missing persons, the disappeared, etc. cannot hide an ugly truth: the State of Pakistan continues to be suspected of involvement in the disappearance and illegal detentions of a range of private citizens. At present, a dark new chapter in the states murky, illegal war against civil society appears to have been opened. It is simply not enough for government and police officials to claim that the disappearances are being investigated. [. . .] The state, because it is the enforcer of the law, cannot be above the law. For Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, "The nature of these apparent abductions puts the . . . government on notice that it can either be part of the solution or it will be held responsible for its role in the problem. by Mathias Hariyadi The authorities in Bantul Regency dismissed Yulius Suharto, head of Pajangan sub-district. He was appointed on 30 December. His fall is due to a broad campaign by fundamentalists and radical Muslims. He has been re-assigned to a sub-district where most residents are not Muslim. Jakarta (AsiaNews) The authorities in Bantul Regency (Yogyakarta special province), central Java, removed from office Yulius Suharto, head of Pajangan sub-district, following a massive lobbying campaign launched on social media by Islamic extremist groups and radical Muslims who targeted him because he is Catholic. The decision to dismiss the sub-district chief was made on Monday as a result of the unrelenting campaign against the official (pictured). In a statement, the authorities state that the decision is backed by scores of officials and citizens in Pajangan, ostensibly opposed to a Catholic holding the top office in the civilian administration of a predominantly Muslim area. Bantu Regent Suharsono noted that Yulius Suhartos removal was done in accordance with the law, in response to demands from regency and municipal leaders. Most officials welcomed the decision to remove the official because he was not Muslim. Yulius Suharto is expected to be transferred to Bambanglipuro, a sub-district where most people are not Muslim, local sources said. Last October, Pajangan saw fierce protests by Islamic extremists against the installation of a large bust of Jesus in front of the St Yakobus Alfeus Church. Extremists were particularly incensed by the presence at the ceremony of women wearing hijab. When the images of veiled women at a Christian ceremony went viral, many of Indonesias extremists and Jihadi movements were enraged. Yulius Suhartos appointment as Pajangan sub-district chief was made on 30 December; his removal will come into effect on 30 January. Yulius Suharto is not the only Catholic official in the crosshair of Islamic extremists. In recent weeks, the case of Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, governor of Jakarta, has been front-page news. Ahok is on trial for blasphemy for allegedly insulting the Quran and Islam. At a rally in September, he supposedly quoted from the 51st verse of Al Maidah, the fifth surah (chapter) in the Quran, to ask Muslims not to use it the wrong way. The verse in question advises Muslims not to take Jews and Christians as friends. As one of the few Indonesian political leaders to fight for freedom of conscience, the governor last June opposed the obligation imposed on female students in Jakarta to wear the Islamic veil. In July 2015, he got involved in the struggle for the civil rights of the Ahmadi minority, which is considered heretical by majority Sunnis. by Joseph Masilamany ASEAN Rohingya Centre (ARC) organized a meeting dedicated to the suffering of the Muslim minority in Myanmar. Muslim, Christian and Buddhist leaders present. Need to raise awareness at the regional level and to put an end to abuses. OIC special envoy: "Shared hatred" in Burma towards the Rohingya. Malaysian churches: Government must care for refugees. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) 2017 as a year of "international solidarity" for the Rohingyas, in an effort to alleviate the suffering of the Muslim minority in western Myanmar, long the target of violence and persecution by the Burmese army and central government . The ASEAN Rohingya Centre (ARC) hosted a forum to discuss the plight of the Rohingya people at the Malaysia Institute of Integrity. An appeal accompanied by the singing of a choir from a school that welcomed children from the Rohingya refugee families. At the center of discussion the last cases of abuse that have raised indignation and protests within the international community; human rights activists and organizations have pointed the finger at the Naypyidaw government, accusing it of "cleansing" the traces of violence against the Rohingya in Rakhine State. ARC executive director, Dr Mohd Helmi Ibrahim, said that the declaration is supported by various non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The purpose of the declaration is to increase regional awareness and the urgent need to end the abuse of human rights, discrimination and violence against the Rohingya in Myanmars restive Rakhine state, he said. In recent months the violence between the Tatmadaw (government army) and what soldiers call "a militant group of Muslim Rohingya" in Rakhine State has increased exponentially. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority - of just over one million people - originally from Bangladesh, who Myanmar does not recognize as citizens and whose members live in refugee camps scattered in several parts of the country. Since the beginning of October, the death toll is of at least 90 people killed and about 34 thousand people displaced. The Tatmadaw continues to go from village to village cleansing the territory of rebel elements. The calls for peace made by Card. Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and other local and international personalities have been to no avail. The Rohingya population speaks of summary executions, arbitrary arrests, rapes, houses torched in the context of a campaign "government" cleansing campaign, intended to strike those who launched attacks against the Burmese military. Naypyidaw continues to vigorously deny the rumors of abuse and genocide, but also continues to prevent access to the area to independent journalists and aid workers. The forum was inaugurated by former Malaysian cabinet minister and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)s Special Envoy to Myanmar Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar with an opening speech. Syed Hamid said: These people, Rohingya, do not pose any threats to Buddhism in Myanmar. But I have learned through my experiences as an OIC Envoy to Myanmar that some Burmese monks and most of the Burmese Buddhists view that they would take over the country if they are given freedom. There is a common hatred against Rohingya in Myanmar, unlike other ethnic groups persecuted by the government such as Kachin and Karen. No one wants to take the name of the Rohingya. This is a result of the state instilling fears and racial hatred in the hearts of the common people. Syed Hamid continued his speech by stressing that today, more than ever, you need to "be inclusive and embrace all religions, practicing pluralism." And that goes for Myanmar. He did not spare criticism even of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's Foreign Minister and State Councillor, at the center of controversy for failing to defend the Muslim minority. He added: When Aung San Suu Kyi was under house-arrests, we campaigned for her release. We went to Myanmar especially for that. However, she is now letting the persecution of the Rohingya continue, and this is unacceptable because she won the Nobel Peace Prize as a defender of the human rights. The panelists who participated in the forum included Sri Sayed Hamid, SUHAKAM Commissioner, Jerald Joseph; ABIM Vice President & CEO Global Peace Mission Malaysia, Fahmi Shamsudin; Dato K. Sri Dhammaratana, Malaysia Buddhist Highest Priest (Temple Maha Vihara, Brickfields); Dr Heman Shastri, General Secretary, Council of Churches of Malaysia (Protestant Umbrella); and M.S. Anwar, Editor of Rohingya Vision TV. Meanwhile, in a statement, The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) has urged the government to recognise and address the plight of tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. The council, speaking in concert with leaders of other religious bodies and civil groups, said the churches deplored the lack of concrete measures to grant formal status to the refugee population in the country despite regularly expressing sympathy for them. Reverend Herman Shastri, CCM secretary-general, said the government has to face the responsibility of taking care for these vulnerable people and not leave them languishing in detention centers or to eke out a living on the margins of society by Joseph Masilamany The Malaysian Catholic community celebrates its first Cardinal. For the faithful, the choice of the Pope's support for a "Pilgrim Church" that fights against Islamization and "subtle persecution" of minorities. Card. Fernandez invites those present to respect the founding principles of the nation and its unity. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - The Catholic community of Malaysia gathered in recent days to celebrate, with a solemn Mass for the elevation of their Archbishop Emeritus of Kuala Lumpur Anthony Soter Fernandez (pictured) to the College of Cardinals. He is the first cardinal from the Southeast Asian nation and a further confirmation of Pope Francis attention to the "young" Churches of the world, as he has repeatedly stressed in his public speeches. The solemn Eucharistic celebration was held in conjunction with the celebrations for the Epiphany in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, in Kuala Lumpur. The Mass was attended by faithful from all over the country, who wanted to show affection and closeness to the first Malaysian cardinal. A ceremony lasting over two hours, and broadcast live on YouTube, was attended by diplomats, foreign dignitaries, representatives of the Federal Government and leaders of other religious faiths. Among the hordes of people was Rebecca Nathan who travelled all the way to Kuala Lumpur on a four-hour train journey from Johor Baru in the south. She told AsiaNews aptly: I came to witness the special thanksgiving ceremony here, as the appointment of Bishop Fernandez is indeed a kind of manifestaion for the local Church. Nathan is thankful that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has seen it fit to raise a cardinal from Malaysia. She said: This is a sign of greater things to come, as ours is a pilgrim Church struggling with the impact of Islamisation and racial polarisation as well as subtle persecution against minorities in the country. In a climate of growing "Islamization" and "radicalization" of the positions, Caroline Tan hopes that the cardinal will "strengthen" the spirit of the people of Malaysia and enhance "unity." Presiding over the solemn Eucharistic celebration the current Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Msgr. Julian Leow, pointed out that the elevation of Fernandez as cardinal is a sign of the value, the role and presence of the local Church in the world. A reality, he added, which should be ready "in the service and mercy." Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Salvador Marino speaking during the service said: The Holy Father is aware of the richness of diversity and universality of the Malaysian Church. The Holy Father is also aware of the deep sense of faith among Malaysians, not only Catholics and Christians but also the people of the other faiths. His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez who addressed the congregation towards the end of the service pledged his loyalty to the King and country and to uphold the rule of law and to endorse the high principles of morality always. Fernandez who is well known for his sense of simplicity and humility also pledged to uphold the Federal Constitution and abide by the Ruku Negara (The tenets of National Principles) which is dedicated to achieving greater unity among Malaysias diverse population of Malays, Chinese, Indians and a potpourri of other minor ethnic groups. There are over 28 million inhabitants in Malaysia, the vast majority Muslims (60%), Christians are the third religion (behind the Buddhists), with a 2.6 million faithful (9.2%). Catholics count over one million (3.7%). Out of a population of over 11 million people, Catholics in Kuala Lumpur are over 180 thousand. Next to more budget cuts, the three words heard most often during the first week of the 65th session of the North Dakota Legislature were Main Street Initiative. Initially legislative leaders shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders. Too vague, they said. Not to worry, said Doug Burgum, the new governor who stuck the phrase into his State of the State speech. Details to come by the end of the month, he said. In an interview, Burgum said he has asked state agencies to evaluate how their activities contribute to sprawl, not just in North Dakotas major cities but in its small towns as well. Sprawl is expensive, he said. Curbs and gutters are expensive up front and later on, as well, because streets have to be maintained and cleared, an especially pertinent point in this snowy winter. Opportunities to save money are clear, Burgum suggested. Other cost-saving opportunities are less apparent. In health care, for example: At a pep talk during the official inaugural ceremony, Burgum stressed that walking regularly would reduce the threat of disease and disability and planning infrastructure could make walking more attractive to more people. These notions didnt attract immediate support among legislators. House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, said North Dakotans prefer living in less dense suburban or rural areas rather than in more densely populated urban centers. Not only that, he argued, local governments should decide what roads are appropriate, rather than the state government. State policies can influence local development decisions, according to Burgum, who said hed ask such state departments as commerce, transportation and health to identify ways that state policies encourage sprawl and ways that state policy could reduce it. Tools, such as economic development incentives, school construction grants and highway construction projects, should be evaluated for their impact on main streets, Burgum said. But hes not advocating a one-size-fits policy, he said. Main Street initiatives would differ between Grand Forks and Cavalier, for example. They would address infrastructure curbs and gutters and others in Fargo, one of the least densely populated urban areas in the nation. Policies such as these arent intended to restrict growth, but to direct growth so communities have fewer costs to build and maintain infrastructure, such as street and sewer lines. These goals are clear enough, but how they would be accomplished is more vague. By the end of the month, Burgum said, in the interview, there will be a suite of proposals involving state agencies and local governments. So for the Main Street Initiative? Stay tuned. It is important that hope "is placed in what really can help us live and give meaning to our existence." "Placing your hope in idols, you become like them: hollow images with hands that do not touch, feet that do not walk, mouths that cannot talk", "and we, men of the Church, we run that risk when we become worldly '. We have to stay in the world but defend ourselves from illusions of the world. " Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Hope is "a basic human need," but it must be placed in God and not in mundane "idols", such as wealth or power, or in a "god" that is manmade , "the image of God, is made in his own image", and is also "a failed image: It cannot hear, does not act, and especially cannot speak." Hope in God, "who is not an idol, never disappoints", was the subject of which the Pope spoke to the seven thousand people present at the Vatican for the general audience. A hope that permeates the liturgical season of Advent and which Christmas wakens in God's people. "But - he added - it is important that this hope is placed in what really can help us to live and to give meaning to our existence. This is why the Scripture warns against false hopes: These false hopes that the world presents to us, exposing their uselessness and showing the senselessness. And it does so in many ways, but especially denouncing the falsehood of idols in which man is continually trying to put his trust, making it the object of his hope. " "In particular, the prophets and sages insist on this, touching a nerve center of the believer's faith journey. Because faith is trusting God - those who have faith, trust in God - but there is the moment when, clashing with the difficulties of life, man experiences the fragility of that trust and feels the for various certainties, tangible, concrete securities. I trust in God, but the situation is a little ugly and I need a certainty, something a little' more concrete. And there is the danger! And then we are tempted to look for ephemeral consolations, that seem to fill the void of loneliness and soothe our faith fatigue. And we think we are able to find the security in - for example - money, or in alliances with the powerful, or securities in worldliness, or false ideologies. Sometimes we look for a god that can bend to our requests and magically take action to change reality and to make it as we want; an idol, indeed, that in itself can do nothing, impotent and deceptive. But we like idols, we love them! Once, in Buenos Aires, I had to go from one church to another, a thousand meters, more or less. And I did, walking. And there is a park in the middle, and in the park there were little tables, but many, eh ?, many, where the seers were seated. And you ... but it was full of people, too, who were queuing, eh ?, there were so many; and you, you gave him your hand and he began ... But the words were always the same: there is a woman in your life, there is a shadow, but all turn out well ... And then, you paid. And that gives you security? It is the safety of - allow me say this - of nonsense. But, this is an idol: I went to the seer, the visionary, or I had my cards read - I know that none of you do these things, huh? [Laughs] - and manage better. It makes me think of the movie, 'Miracle in Milan', of that ... 'that face, that nose ... 100 lire'. Huh? They makes you pay because they praise you and give you a false hope. This is the idol, and we are so attracted: to buy false hope. And [of] what is the hope of gratuity, [of] the one who brought us Jesus Christ, free of charge, who gave his life for us, which we do not trust so much .... A very wise Psalm depicts the falsity of these idols that the world offers to our hope and to which men of all ages are tempted to rely in a very suggestive way. It is Psalm 115, which reads: "Their idols are silver and gold, / the work of human hands. / They have mouths but do not speak, / have eyes and see not, / They have ears but can not hear, / they have noses and smell not. / Their hands do not palpate, / their feet do not walk; / Do not come from their throat sounds! / Those who make them become like them / and who trust in them! "(Vv. 4-8). The psalmist gives us, even using a little irony, the absolutely ephemeral reality of these idols. And we must understand that this is not just made of metal or other material representations, but also those made with our mind, when we believe that we can transform reality limited in absolute, or when we reduce God to our schemes and our ideas of deities; a god that looks like us, understandable, predictable, just like the idols mentioned in Psalm. Man, the image of God, is a god in his own image, and it is also a failed image: it does not hear, it does not act, and especially cannot speak. But, we are more than happy to go to these idols instead of the Lord. We are often happier with the ephemeral hope that this is false gives you, this idol, the great sure hope that the Lord gives us... ". "In the hope of a Lord of life who, through His Word created the world and leads our lives, it contrasts with our trust in dumb idols. Ideologies with their absolute claim, wealth - and this is a great idol, eh? - power and success, vanity, with their illusion of eternity and omnipotence, values such as physical beauty and health, they become idols to whom we sacrifice everything, they are all realities that confuse the mind and the heart, and instead of supporting life lead to death. Its terrible, it hurts the soul what I heard one time years ago in the diocese of Buenos Aires: a woman, a good woman, very, very beautiful and who bragged about her beauty, commented as if it were natural: Yeah, I had to have an abortion because my figure is so important... These are the idols, and they lead you down the wrong path, and do not give you happiness. The Psalm of the message is very clear: if you lay hope in idols, you become like them: hollow images with hands that do not touch, feet that do not walk, mouths that cannot speak. You no longer have anything to say, you become unable to help, to change things, unable to smile, give of yourself, incapable of love. And we, men of the Church, we run that risk when we become worldly. We have to stay in the world but defend ourselves from illusions of the world The Lord always remembers, even in bad times; but he remembers us. And this is our hope. And hope does not disappoint. Never. Never. Idols always disappoint, they are fantasies not reality". That's the wonderful reality of hope, trusting in the Lord, you become like Him, His blessing transforms us, transforms us into His children, who share her life. Hope in God makes us enter, so to speak, within range of His memory, His memory that blesses us and saves us. And then our hallelujah can gush forth, praise the living and true God, who is born for us of Mary, who died on the cross and rose again in glory. And in this God we have hope, and this God - who is not an idol - never disappoints". At the end of the audience, Pope Francis, also denounced sly hawkers" that charge tickets for papal audiences, which are all, always free of charge. "To get to the audience - he said - there are tickets. In these tickets in six languages it is written: The ticket is free ... you should not pay ... But I learned that there are sly people who charge for these tickets. Doing this is a scam. People come here without paying because it is everyones home". by Christopher Sharma The clashes follow the death of a Hindu man, punished by Muslims for refusing to join the festivities of Mohammads birthday. Hindus fear new violence; Muslims fear arrest for murder. Pray for peace, Kathmandu pastor says. Kathmandu (AsiaNews) More than a hundred Hindu and Muslim men fled a village in southern Nepal without leaving a trace. The flight began last month after the killing of a Hindu man in the village of Bidhyanagar triggered a wave of sectarian violence between the two religious communities. Hindus fled because the village has a Muslim majority, and fear more attacks. Muslims went into hiding to avoid police arrest for the sectarian violence. "All religious groups are free to profess their faith and we have to respect each other, Fr Ignatius Rai, pastor of Assumption Cathedral in Kathmandu, told AsiaNews. Violence and murder in the name of religion must be condemned. The situation precipitated the day of the Mawlid, the birthday of Muhammad, which fell on 12 December last year, when Munnalal Yadav, a Hindu, was beaten to death by some Muslims for refusing to accept an invitation to take part in the celebrations. The victims brother, Tilakram Yadav, 52, was also seriously wounded. "I was not able to escape because of my injuries, he said, but more than 100 people have already fled. The whole village lives in fear of revenge and further clashes between Hindus and Muslims." "My husband and my son managed to escape soon after the riots, said Nazima Badhai, 60. In the village there are only women with children and some very old people. We are poor and sick and we cannot move. If someone were to attack us, she added resignedly, we would not know how to defend ourselves. We hope the state will protect us." The village of Bidhyanagar is located in Kapilvastu district. It is home to 124 families, 100 Muslim and 24 Hindu. It has seen sectarian violence in the past. Several people were injured in the latest clashes. After police intervened to restore order, six people were arrested, but investigations are stalled due to the escape of many suspects. Similar incidents also took place on Mawlid in the village of Matehiya, Banke District (southwestern Nepal), resulting in the death of two people, which triggered further violence and damage to homes and places of worship. Whilst the son of Hindu man killed in Bidhyanagar calls for justice for his father and punishment for the guilty Muslims, Fr Rai urges everyone "to pray for peace and tolerance." The attack took place in the northern district of Nihm, under the control of the Houthi rebels. Contrasting claims for the death toll: Local sources speak of eight deaths and 15 serious injuries. No comment from Riyadh on the incident. In Yemen in 1600 schools out of use because of the war, education denied to two million children. Sana'a (AsiaNews / Agencies) - An airstrike launched by the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen has killed five people near a primary school in the north of the country. The attack took place yesterday in the Nihm district, under the control of the Houthi rebels; hospital sources also report that the bombing caused the death of two children. At first the agency Saba, close to the Shiite movement, had set the death toll of eight, and had reported that the school "had been razed to the ground". The Saudi-led coalition has so far refused to comment on the incident. In the past, the leaders have stated their intention is not to hit civilian targets. However, local activists and international organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly denounced raids against houses, schools, hospitals that have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries. The inhabitants of the city of Saba and rescuers confirmed the damage to the elementary school in al-Falah, about 53 km north-west of Sana'a, capital of Yemen, under Houthi control. The death toll is unclear: eight dead and 15 seriously wounded according rebel sources, which do not exclude other victims hidden under the rubble. Sanaa instead reports five deaths, including two children. The Saudi coalition bombs hit a market, which is located near the school. UN experts say that one of the first victims of the war in Yemen is the right to education for children. To date 1,600 schools are out of order because damaged, occupied by internally displaced by the conflict or combatants. Up to two million children are denied the opportunity to attend schools. In August, a Saudi coalition raid hit a Koranic school in the northern province of Saada, killing 10 children. Riyadh later had denied any involvement in the incident. Since January 2015, Yemen has been the scene of a bloody civil war opposing the countrys Sunni elites led by former President Hadi, backed by Riyadh, and Shia Houthi rebels, who are close to Iran. In March 2015, a Saudi-led Arab coalition began attacking the rebels, sparking criticism from the United Nations over heavy casualties, including many children. So far, some 10,000 people, including more than 3,700 civilians, have been killed, and at least 2.5 million have been displaced. For Saudi Arabia, the Houthis, allied to forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, are supported militarily by Iran, a charge that Tehran rejects. Extremist groups linked to al Qaeda and jihadist militias linked to Islamic State are active in the country, a fact that has helped escalate violence and terror. The Internet Is Going Nuts Over 'Saltbae,' The World's Sexiest Butcher Trending News: 'Saltbae' Handles Meat Like Pure Sex And Women Are Loving It Quick Take Food and sex get intertwined in popular culture... all too often, actually, but there's a reason for that. An indulgent meal can be an especially sumptuous experience, and it's no secret that women find it sexy when a man knows his way around the kitchen. But if you're hoping to impress your ladyfriend by roasting a chicken or even something more ambitious, you'd better hope she's some kind of luddite who doesn't use the internet. Because otherwise that means she's probably come across Saltbae, in which case you are now less that a man in her eyes, both in culinary terms and all others. Ottoman steak ? A video posted by nusr_et (@nusr_et) on Jan 7, 2017 at 2:44am PST Saltbae's name is actually Nusret Gokce, a butcher and restaurateur from Turkey. He runs six Nusret Steakhouse locations there, and he apparently uses his (now very viral) instagram account to promote his restaurant company. By the looks of things, it's working. The deliberate, exaggerated knife movements. The loving (yet firm) treatment of the beef. And of course, the salt flourish. But it's not just one video, or one steak. Nusret's account is full of videos of him treating meat in ways that would make the most avid 50 Shades Reader blush from her head down to her mom jeans. Here he is making what kind of looks like gyro meat sexy gyro meat. Guzel sapliyorsun dediler A video posted by nusr_et (@nusr_et) on Sep 16, 2016 at 4:33am PDT Or what about the way he playfully spanks and undresses this... whatever it is, poultry or lamb sexy whatever it is, poultry or lamb. AAte kuzu kuzu geldim dedi A video posted by nusr_et (@nusr_et) on Oct 28, 2016 at 6:52am PDT Brobible has done a good job compiling some the hilarious tweets and memes that invariably pop up in situations like this. There are many. You vs the man she tells you not to worry about pic.twitter.com/QeXqj8upj2 (@elBeardedBandit) January 7, 2017 I know #saltbae's foreplay game is immaculate. The Kitchenista (@MissAngelaDavis) January 7, 2017 When you use "thus" in an essay pic.twitter.com/LgC27qdzXe U U (@SheikhMyBody) January 8, 2017 This is the best one, though. #SaltBae pulls bones out of ribs but in real life likes to leave it and let it marinate. pic.twitter.com/TtW0TOItfQ Pound Cake ?? (@_CheriePhi_) January 8, 2017 Drop This Fact When salting raw meat, it's best to either do so immediately before cooking, or at least 45 minutes (and up to several days) beforehand. Anything in between will result in leathery meat that's difficult to sear. German Green Party Promises To Fund Sex For Those In Need Trending News: German Politicians Pledge To Refund People Who Pay For Sex Long Story Short The German Green Party is promising to refund people who pay for sex using taxpayer funds. The service is intended for people who are disabled or seriously ill and who can't afford to pay on their own. Long Story Can you picture the Democrats or the Republicans pushing to use government funds to pay for sex? Me either, but they do things a little differently in Western Europe. A German political party is planning to use taxpayer dollars to refund people who choose to pay for sex. So, escorts, erotic massages and yes, actual sex would be covered under the plan. Green Party spokeswoman Elisabeth Scharfenberg told a German newspaper that she could imagine" public funding for "sexual assistance," reports BBC News. But the plan isn't to pay for any old Joe's night at a sketchy motel. Rather, the program is intended for disabled people and those who are seriously ill. To qualify, the person seeking sex services would need to have some sort of prescription from a doctor and prove that they can't afford to pay for the service on their own dime. In Germany, prostitution has been legal since 2002, but other parties are arguing that using government money to pay for it is a step too far. We don't need paid prostitution in homes for the elderly, and certainly not on prescription, said Karl Lauterbach, a member of the current government, to German Bild. Like it or not, people who have disabilities and who are seriously ill need sex too. We know how sex has benefits to our health and well-being, so why shouldn't it be available to those who can't afford it? Agree with the idea or not, it probably won't happen anytime soon. The Green Party in Germany is bigger that Green parties in other countries, but it still won just 8% of the vote in the last federal election. Own The Conversation Ask The Big Question Should paid sex be included in a government health insurance plan? Drop This Fact The Netherlands already allows people to pay for sex as a medical expense with its government health plan. Legislative leadership has introduced a bill that would buy time for lawmakers to pass a comprehensive law governing the process for allowing the prescription, dispensing and use of medical marijuana in the state. Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, said Senate Bill 2154 would suspend enacting parts of the medical marijuana initiative that passed in November until a full bill can be passed this session. SB2154 suspends the North Dakota Department of Health from issuing applications for medical marijuana dispensaries and the receiving of applications as well as issuing certificates of registration. The suspension would last through July 31 or until the Legislature passes a full medical marijuana regulations bill this session, whichever comes first. Theyre still going to get what they want, but we do it in a responsible way, Wardner said. It just gives us some time to do it right. A hearing on SB2154 is scheduled for Monday before the Senate Human Services Committee in the Red River Room. North Dakota Compassionate Care Act Chairman Rilie Ray Morgan said he could understand the need for more time. We thought we had all the is dotted and all the ts crossed. We are a little disturbed over the slowness of government," said Morgan, who expressed disappointment that the Health Department wouldnt be taking applications for dispensaries at this time. Senate Human Services Committee Chairwoman Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, said SB2154 is a small piece that simply sets the table for what is expected to be a lengthy and highly complex medical marijuana bill. The deadline for introducing bills in the Senate is Jan. 23. Wardner said hell likely be introducing it on that date since the Health Department and Attorney Generals office are still finalizing a number of items in the bill. Measure 5, also known as the North Dakota Compassionate Care Act, passed with the support of nearly 64 percent of voters. The new law allows for people to have up to 3 ounces of medical marijuana for treatment of up to nearly a dozen medical conditions. Facilities for medical marijuana distribution would be licensed by the state Health Department and be operated by nonprofit organizations. Those more than 40 miles from a licensed facility would be able to grow up to eight marijuana plants after providing notification to law enforcement as long as theyre grown in an enclosed facility. Its getting fairly close, Arvy Smith, co-interim director for the North Dakota Department of Health, said of the bills progress in being finalized. Since Measure 5s passage, Smith reported the department has received a few calls per day on average inquiring about the licensing process. Several items are still being discussed for potential inclusion in the main medical marijuana bill. Smith said among the possibilities for inclusion in the bill include finding ways such as fees to offset the cost of overseeing the program, safety precautions for children and capping the amount allowed for users at less than 3 ounces. Three ounces per 14 days is a lot of marijuana, said Smith, adding that that number might be reduced in order to minimize the possibility of medical marijuana being passed along from authorized users to others for non-medical use. A job announcement was issued this week for a new division head to oversee the program. How large the program is and how many new staff the new division will require will depend on the content of the final bill and what ultimately is passed. Last fall, the department estimated the implementation cost for the 2017-19 biennium at about $7.35 million and up to 32 full-time staff. Department estimates also put the impact on the Bureau of Criminal Investigation per biennium at nearly $2.8 million with a need for 15 additional full-time staff. Morgan said supporters of Measure 5 will be monitoring medical marijuana legislation closely this session to ensure the intent is met by the state. Mars US acquires pet care company The US arm of Mars has acquired pet-care company VCA for US $7.7 billion. VCA is a chain of veterinary hospitals which operate in the USA and Canada. There is currently 600 VCA animal hospitals. The company was found in 1986 and is headquartered in Los Angeles. VCA will join Mars Petcare which already includes various pet food brands such as Pedigree, Iams and Royal Canin. Mars Chief Executive Officer, Grant F. Reid said Mars was thrilled to welcome VCA to its portfolio of brands and businesses around the world. VCA is a leader across pet health care and the opportunity we see togetherfor pets, pet owners, veterinarians and other pet care providers is tremendous, Reid said. We have great respect for VCA, with whom we share many common values and a strong commitment to pet care. Together, we will be able to provide even greater value, better service and higher quality care to pets and pet owners, he stated. Upon completion of the transaction, VCA will operate as a distinct and separate business unit within Mars Petcare, alongside its other Veterinary Services businesses, Banfield Pet Hospital, Bluepearl and Pet Partners. Australian Mars pet food brands In Australia Mars is responsible for the following pet related brands: Advance Catsan Chum Dine Eukanuba Exelpet Goodo Golden Cob Greenies Harmony Iams Kite Kat My Dog Nutro Optimum Pedigree Royal Canin Schmackos Trill Whiskas Related articles Morgan Lewis tax partner steps into global limelight The world was watching as president-elect Donald Trump held his long-awaited press conference on Wednesday; and it was a big moment for a partner at Morgan Lewis. Sheri Dillon was there to explain how Trump will distance his presidential role from his multi-billion-dollar business empire. Dillons solution is that the new presidents sons will run the business through a financial trust. "He instructed us to take all steps realistically possible to make it clear that he is not exploiting the office of the presidency for his personal benefit," Dillon told reporters. Although US law does not demand that the president and vice-president separate their public and business interests, it was considered by many to be necessary. Dillon is a highly-experienced tax litigation lawyer who represents corporates and high-net-worth individuals across multiple sectors. She is also the director and president of the Washington, DC Center for Public Interest Tax Law which provides pro bono tax advice to the wider community. Asia to remain key driver of deals in 2017 Cross-border deals will remain important to corporate growth in 2017 despite rising geopolitical pressures, with Asia a key driver of deals. A report from EY says that this year will continue to show strong appetite for deals from last year, which despite being lower than the record-breaking 2015, was up from 2014 and 2013. Asia and China in particular will remain a key driver of cross-border deals. In 2016, Chinese buyers spent U$210 billion on M&A, up 127 per cent from 2015. In 2017, we will see increasing cross-border dealmaking, particularly between Asia and North America, as well as a continuing strong flow of outbound acquisitions from China, commented Steve Krouskos, EY Global Vice Chair Transaction Advisory Services. In 2017, EY says that companies will likely accelerate acquisitions outside their core sector in response to increasing competition and to gain new customers and extend product offerings. US law firm leaders confident of year ahead Leaders of law firms in the US say they are confident that demand for legal services will edge higher during 2017. The Citibank Private survey revealed that around a third of respondents expect demand to grow by less than 2 per cent while 27 per cent forecast a rise of between 2 and 5 per cent. Eleven per cent of respondents were pessimistic and expected demand to decline this year. A man who was convicted after advertising online that he could help people prepare for court has lost his appeal.Ric van der Feltz advertised online that he could help you prepare to represent yourself in court and with filling out court applications and other court documents and the drafting of affidavits, a report from 9News reveals.However, part of the ad is a disclaimer saying he was not a lawyer and do not give legal advice. The man said, nonetheless, that he has an overseas law degree and that he was keen to help those who may just need guidance through the court system.Feltz said that this is where I come in at a fraction of the cost of a lawyer. But he was found guilty in July 2016 of advertising online that he was entitled to engage in legal practice despite not being an Australian lawyer, 9News notes.He was consequently fined $2,500 and ordered to pay costs of more than $8,300. He was also granted a spent conviction.Arguing before the Western Australia Court of Appeal, Feltz said that the time to bring prosecution against him had expired because his advertisement was posted to Gumtree in 2014 and expired in 2015.Feltz, who represented himself against his conviction and sentence, said that people who claimed to have seen his advertisement in 2015 were wrong.According to 9News, Justice Stephen Hall dismissed Feltzs case but agreed with the Legal Practice Board which was against the spent conviction.There was no proper basis for concluding that the appellant was unlikely to commit such an offence again, the judge said, saying Feltz claimed to have learned his lesson but demonstrated in his defence that he does not admit to any wrongdoing.The offence was not trivial and the available information did not enable a conclusion to be drawn as to the appellant's good character, Justice Hall said.Far from being an exceptional case, there was no substantial reason why the appellant should be relieved from the normal consequences of his conviction. Australia has an entrepreneur visa for people from overseas wanting to invest in a new business, and now it wants young people already in the country to consider setting up an enterprise. The Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment initiative has been launched to encourage young people to start their own business.Employment Minister Michaelia Cash says the initiative will provide practical support to young people who want to turn their business idea into reality and create a job for themselves and other Australians. 'Self-employment and entrepreneurship are real options for young people who are unemployed, but only a small number of them choose to pursue such opportunities,' she said.The initiative includes a new website called SelfStart which acts as a beginning point for young people who wish to explore and develop their ideas into a successful business. It aims to connect entrepreneurs to existing services and programmes as well as provide information that will assist them in starting their business.There will be Exploring Being My Own Boss workshops which are designed to engage potential entrepreneurs and provide them with a taste of what is involved in self-employment and entrepreneurship. Workshops will be delivered nationally by existing New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) providers, with 1,000 places available each year.Entrepreneurship facilitators will be located in Cairns, Hunter and Launceston in Tasmania to provide extra help in three regions experiencing high rates of youth unemployment and low rates of youth self-employment. The facilitators will promote entrepreneurship and self-employment and support potential entrepreneurs to establish their own businesses, including connecting them to existing services and programmes.New Enterprise Incentive Schemes (NEIS) will be expanded to help to create more places where young people can be trained and mentored on how to start their own business. Cash says an extra 2,300 NEIS places will be funded each year, making a total of 8,600 places available annually.The eligibility criteria for NEIS will also be broadened to allow job seekers who are not in employment, education or training, including those who are not on income support, to access the scheme'While these measures are primarily focused on young job seekers, people of all ages and backgrounds seeking assistance to start their own business may access them provided all other eligibility requirements are met,' Cash says. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Good day! Would like to ask if what kind of visa is appropriate for a photographer in Philippines? I am curretly staying in Sydney on a 457 visa, my partner and I would love to have our wedding prenuptial shot here in sydney. We already hired a professional photographer in Philippines and included in the package was the prenup that will be taken here. We tried to apply for his visa as visitors visa 600 but was refused stating that he does not have enough evidence to of his assests in Philippines. We already taken care of that matter but would like to have a good opinion if applying for the same visa is the advisable one? Cheers! The petrol SUV is powered by a 241hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine; available only in the mid-level SE trim. In December, JLR launched the 2017 Range Rover Evoque diesel, with the 2.2-litre engine making way for the new 2.0-litre Ingenium motor. The automaker, at the time, had said that a petrol model would join the line-up in January, and as per schedule, the new petrol Evoque has just been launched at Rs 53.20 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). As we had reported earlier, the petrol motor is the same 241hp 2.0-litre petrol unit as seen on the Evoques sister model, the Land Rover Discovery Sport, and is available only in the mid-level SE trim. As with the diesel, the petrol motor is paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard. Other standard equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights with LED DRLs, 17-inch alloy wheels, electric adjust front seats and JLRs eight-inch InControl Touch infotainment system with navigation. As with its diesel siblings, the petrol Evoque has no direct rivals though its pricing places it against the petrol variants of the BMW X3, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Mercedes GLC. Vikram Pawah brings in broad automotive industry experience and country-specific know-how. Forty-five-year-old Pawah will head the BMW Group India as its president from March 1, 2017. He has over 25 years of international experience both in the automotive and non-automotive industry. He started his career at Jay Engineering Works, India, and has held multiple leadership positions within Honda Cars in India and Australia. Most recently, he was the managing director of Harley-Davidson India. Pawah has graduated in Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Delhi University and holds an MBA in International and Strategic Management from Victoria University in Melbourne. Meanwhile, having completed his assignment, Frank Schloeder, acting president of BMW Group India, will return to BMW Group Headquarters in Germany, where he will assume the position of Head of Business Steering - Luxury Class. During his assignment of over three years, Schloeder has held the position of director marketing, where he effectively steered the BMW brand in India. India is a growing market with great potential for mobility products and services. With his broad experience in the automotive industry and his country specific know-how, Mr Pawah brings excellent preconditions to strengthen our position in the Indian market. We would like to thank Mr Schloeder for his remarkable accomplishments and wish him the best for his new role, said Hendrik von Kuenheim, senior vice-president, Asia Pacific and South Africa, BMW Group. Early implementation of BS VI norms an engineering challenge for diesel cars; will shoot up prices too. The government advancing BS VI emission standards implementation by three years to 2020 poses a big challenge to diesel vehicles, says C. V. Raman, executive director, R&D, Maruti Suzuki. The higher costs of leapfrogging to a greener emission standard could weigh on demand for diesel vehicles whose popularity has eroded considerably of late. India is in the process of implementing BS IV in the current year and will skip BS V for BS VI in the next three years. The cost is definitely going to go up. How this is going to pan out is yet to be seen. I think the challenge for Indian manufacturers would be how they optimise the cost and the engineering so that they can give a better value proposition to the customer. Europe is an example where penetration of diesel is almost 45-50 percent, Raman told Autocar India. Moreover, making diesel cars compliant would be more of a challenge from an engineering point of view as well, according to Raman. As a result, the cost impact on diesel vehicles would be nearly five or six times of what it will have on the petrol technology. Diesel cars would be more challenging (to engineer). This is because, in a petrol engine, the air-fuel mixture has to be kept at a particular ratio, so we're able to control the emissions well. And for meeting the BS VI norms, we may need to change the catalyst and some of the engine hardware, but the complexity is lesser, he said. While BS V requires vehicles in India to be fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), BS-VI involves the optimisation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. Diesel is a different ballgame, where we need to actually upgrade from a BS IV engine, first to a BS V and then to a BS VI. And progressively we need to do that because in BS V we are trying to tackle the particulate matter and in BS VI we're trying to reduce the NOx. The key challenge is that while the technology is available in Europe and everywhere else, it needs to be made relevant for India because the vehicle average speeds are much lower than Europe, Raman said. Diesel cars in India have been under attack ever since the Supreme Court banned above 2,000cc diesel for over eight months starting December 2015. The ban was later lifted but subject to a levy of 1 percent green cess on the ex-showroom price. Moreover, in the Budget 2016-17, the government announced a cess of 2.5 percent on diesel cars under four metres and with engine capacity of less than 1,500cc, as against one percent for petrol and CNG cars of similar length. Not surprising then, that the demand for diesel vehicles has tapered off. Data revealed by Society of Indian automobile manufacturers showed that the share of diesel among the total sales of passenger vehicles in November 2016 declined to 38 percent from 44 percent in the previous year, while that of petrol increased to 62 percent from 56 percent. However, while the rise in price could deteriorate the demand further, it would be too soon to write off diesel vehicles since they are important for meeting the CAFE (corporate average fuel efficiency) norms for auto manufacturers which kick in later this year and diesel will continue to be a preferred choice for SUVs. The CAFE norms calculate fuel efficiency on the basis of the total number of vehicles manufactured per year as opposed to model wise fuel efficiency. The new norms, which are set to be implemented from April 2017, stipulate that carbon dioxide emissions by vehicles should be at 129.8 gm per km by the fiscal year 2021-22 and to 113 gm from the fiscal year 2022-23 onwards. Carbon dioxide emissions in 2010-11 were at 142gm per km, according to reports. I think diesel vehicles are here to stay. They help in improving the corporate average or the fuel efficiency norms for every manufacturer. Moreover, some of the vehicles such as SUVs would definitely work better on diesel compared to petrol because that's how the vehicles are engineered, Raman said. Interestingly enough, Raman suggested the changing price value equation of the diesel vehicles vis a vis petrol vehicles would put emphasis on hybrid technology. Mild hybrid is important for going forward because we look at it as a two-step thing. One is the introduction of technology, where people are going to get a better performance out of it and secondly, it's also a way of educating the customer on how to use a mild hybrid because this is start-stop, Raman said. The 2017 Micra is made in France , at Renaults plant in Flins. This marks the first Nissan passenger car built at a plant operated by Renault, which is what industry specialists call a synergy between two partners.In other words, Nissan is saving money by building a car in someone elses factory, and Renault is keeping workers busy in its homeland. This is helpful in case its output would not make the facility operate at maximum capacity. Renault first opened the Flins factory in 1952, and expanded it to 237-hectares. That is a lot of space, and it is also the longest-established car manufacturing site in the Renault Group . Along with the Micra, Renault also builds the Clio and the Zoe at the facility that is located to the West of Paris.The new Nissan Micra will begin deliveries at dealers starting mid-February in the most important European markets. The rest of the countries on the Old Continent will get the Micra in March.Evidently, every market is important to Nissan, as the Japanese automaker wants to sell as many cars as possible here, but it must focus on the larger markets first to be sure that its dealers have new models in showrooms at the beginning of the year.The all-new Micra is wider, lower, and longer that any of its predecessors. Nissan has engineered it to suit the taste of European clients, and you can see that from the moment you observe the Micra.The subcompact hatchback from Nissan wants to differentiate itself in the segment with the aid of technology and design. The Micra can be ordered with a Bose audio system, which even includes a speaker built into the drivers head rest.Furthermore, the car has Intelligent Lane Intervention, which prevents unintended lane departures. Now that is something that nobody dreamed of 34 years ago, when Nissan introduced the first-ever Micra. Two plans for stormwater relief in south Bismarck were sent back to the city engineer Tuesday to clarify what properties would benefit from each plan, and to break down costs per property for those who would pay special assessments for the upgrades. City commissioners also want to compare which residential and commercial properties would pay for the improvements when the plans are brought back at the Jan. 24 meeting, where a decision might be made. Gabe Schell, city engineer, favored a $4.3 million bypass that would divert water from the south drainage ditch at Fifth Street and Bowen Avenue, using a route through Kirwanis Park to the Missouri River, because it would optimize existing pipeline and cause minimum public disruption. "This will grab the water there," Schell said. Work could be done during the 2018 construction season. Schell said doing the Kiwanis Park plan might prove more favorable to do before some pavement projects are done in the area so new pavement doesn't have to be ripped out for stormwater improvements. Yet, city commissioners want another look at a $19.3 million south Bismarck Bypass plan that would improve multiple streets in the south side watershed, redirect water west during larger rain storms and divert 56 percent of the drainage ditch watershed at the Denver Avenue outfall. The plan, however, will take three construction seasons to complete. Both plans were drafted by Apex Engineering. Commissioners hedged on moving forward with the Kiwanis Park Bypass plan because it seemed localized, and asked if moving to the larger project wouldn't be more productive. "It seems to have the least amount of impact," Commissioner Nancy Guy said. "If we really want to address this and provide relief for people and not buildings, I think the south Bismarck Bypass would take care of quite of bit of what our big problem is." The Kiwanis Park plan would bring the stormwater in through a bypass at the intersection of Fifth Street and Sweet Avenue, and then connect the excess stormwater into the Jackman Coulee to flow into the river instead of the south drainage ditch. There is potential to reduce pipeline lengths if the larger, more expensive south Bismarck Bypass is selected in the future. South Bismarck residents voiced deep frustration in late July 2016, with 40 signing a letter of complaint against the city to the state Health Department over inadequate infrastructure. Michelle Klose, director of utility operations for Bismarck, presented options from Apex in August and met with residents last summer. A smaller, separate project to improve stormwater flow from the South 12th Street and Bismarck Expressway intersection to the south drainage ditch was approved by commissioenrs. Work is planned for the 2017 construction season. Klose said the plan is still being designed, but said the project is estimated to cost just more than $4.1 million. She said there are larger stormwater diversion benefits to the Kiwanis Park plan that need to be explained at the next meeting. Introducing the Clio Signature Nav, which starts from 17,715 in the United Kingdom for the TCe 90 three-cylinder turbo . A more powerful TCe 120 is also available, dual-clutch gearbox included, as is a pair of diesel engines. The least powerful, dubbed dCi 90, can be mated to the Renault EDC transmission, whereas the dCi 110 is a manual-only affair. In its most expensive setup, the 2017 Renault Clio Signature Nav dCi 90 EDC is priced from 20,415 OTR.By comparison, the most expensive Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta on sale in the United Kingdom right now cost 17,495 (Diesel Sport Nav with the 105 PS engine) and 22,895 (ST200), respectively. The pricing bracket of the Clio Signature Nav gets even more uncanny when you bear in mind that the Clio RS , which is a full-on hot hatchback, starts from a rather reasonable 19,725.The most telling sign that things can get way out of control once someone starts ticking off boxes from the options list is a simple comparison with the cheapest Clio trim level: 11,915 OTR. Stop me if you heard this one before, but arent superminis supposed to be cheap and cheerful? Still, you sure get a lot of goodies for the money Renault charges for the Clio Signature Nav.Based on the Dynamique S, the UK -spec Signature Nav boasts black part-leather upholstery, heated front seats, hands-free parking, a rear parking camera, 360-degree parking sensors, TomTom satellite navigatio n with Live services, as well as full LED front and rear lights. In addition to those, the range-topping Clio also comes as standard with 17-inch alloys, heated and folding mirrors, hands-free keycard, as well as leather on the steering wheel.Like any other Clio, the Signature Nav is backed by a four-year warranty. We are referring to the Toyota Prius c , which has received the Toyota Safety Sense C, or TSS-C for short, as a standard for all model grades. The previous model year only had it as an option for two Prius c equipment levels, but now it has become standard, which is a significant advantage for the customers of one of the most affordable hybrid cars on the U.S. market.The Toyota Safety Sense-C integrates a suite of systems that assist the driver in preventing an accident. It incorporates the automatic high beam assistant, which switches between low beams and high beams as it spots oncoming vehicles, a lane departure alert, and a Pre-collision system.The latter is functional between seven (11 km/h) and 85 mph (136 km/h), and has a camera and a laser beam at its disposal. If an imminent collision is recognized, the driver is alerted with audio and visual methods.In case the driver does nothing, the system will attempt to prevent the crash by applying the brakes, which will mitigate the effects of the said impact. If the driver notices and reacts, the system keeps helping him by using Brake Assist, which delivers additional braking force.The technology described above, a frontal collision mitigation system, will be mandatory on all new automobiles of the 2022 model year in the USA, but Toyota and Lexus want to stay ahead of the pack and make them standard on their products by the end of this year.The 2017 model year of the Prius c also gets other improvements, which involve a redesigned front end, a new front bumper, modified side rocker panels, and a blacked-out rear spoiler.Customers of the 2017 Toyota Prius c have to choose between four equipment grades, which are called One, Two, Three, and Four. AMG The overly lavish incarnation of the sedan has been caught on camera this week, with the four-door having lost most of its camouflage - only the front and rear aprons are now covered, thus following the teasing strategy the German automaker has employed for its prototypes.We've already talked about the Multibeam LED headlights of the revamped S-Class , while the inner graphics of the taillights have also been redesigned. As Mercedes-Benz facelifts have accustomed us, the visual transformations featured on the aprons won't be the massive kind.The interior updates are also limited, but, given the broad choice of materials and hues offered on the Maybach-flavored S-Class, we expect the facelift to increase the palette of options.When it comes to the dashboard, the instrument cluster and the central infotainment display will be covered by a one-piece glass, thus appearing to be a single unit.The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is offered in two power flavors, the S550 (make that the S500 on the Old Continent) and the connaisseur-friendly S600.Along with the non-Maybach S550, the first should see its current 449 hp 4.7-liter V8 being replaced with a (non-branded) incarnation of the Affalterbach-developed M176 4.0-liter V8. As for the S600, the twelve-cylinder behemoth should maintain its 523 hp 6.0-liter heart in its current form.While we're at it, we'll also mention the rumored Mercedes-Maybach S650 Coupe. Following the Cabriolet, the German automaker is reportedly considering building a fixed-roof incarnation of the uber-limited edition. But that's another story for another time. Meanwhile, here's a rendering of the majestic Grand Tourer for you. The all-new Ford Ranger will be tailored to the needs of North American customers with unique front styling, engines and features. Mike Levine (@mrlevine) January 9, 2017 Happily, however, the Ranger will make a comeback in 2018 During the 2017 Detroit Auto Show , the Blue Oval confirmed that its mid-size pickup is coming back to North America for the 2019 model year onward. According to Ford, production is set to begin late in 2018 at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. At the present moment, the factorys 3,700 workers are making with the Focus (4- and 5-door) and C-Max.And so, the question is, what to expect from the 2019 Ranger Brand new it wont be. Just about everyone in the biz, as well as the rumor mill, believe that the U.S.-spec model will make use of the T6 platform employed by the current Ford Ranger . As a brief reminder, the Ranger available today outside the U.S. is manufactured in Thailand. Mike Levine , the product communications manager for North America, also offers a hint regarding the T6 underpinnings in store for the U.S. model. Unique front styling, engines, and features, are what we should look forward to. In laymans terms, Mr. Levine suggests not to expect too big of a visual difference from the Ranger featured in the main picture of this story.Having concluded that the 2019 Ranger isnt a full redesign from the current model, the Blue Oval will offer at least two body styles: Super Cab (i.e. reverse-hinged rear doors) and Double Cab (four full-sized doors). The Regular Cab doesnt make too much sense in the U.S. if Im to be honest.On the powertrain part of the deal, gasoline-drinking engines will be the norm. The 3.3-liter Ti-VCT (282 hp and 253 lb-ft) that made its debut in the 2018 Ford F-150 is a nice starting point. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder in the Ford Explorer (280 hp and 310 lb-ft) could also make the cut. In Europe, the Ford Ranger is available with two TDCi Duratorq diesel engines.In the U.S., the 3.2-liter TDCi Duratorq is rebranded Power Stroke Turbo Diesel and it offers 185 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque in the Transit. The 2.8-liter Duramax in the Chevy Colorado makes do with 181 hp and 369 lb-ft.The F-150s 3.0-liter Power Stroke V6 is also feasible for the 2019 Ford Ranger, but only if the Blue Oval can down tune it accordingly. Overlapping the F-150 Power Stroke's output wouldnt be OK for the Ranger, wouldnt it? Remember the rumors about Skoda pondering vRS version of the Superb ? There were also rumors about a performance SUV based on the Kodiaq . It appears there was more than just hearsay, and a Skoda official has clarified the situation. Mr. Casebolt was a Senior Director of Design at Apple, and we are sure you are familiar with his work. Among his creations are the MacBook Pros Touch Bar, the Mac Pro, and the first generation MacBook Air.Anyone can agree that these products have attracted the interest of tech aficionados, and the Mac Pros design is considered an iconic look. The Touch Bar is a widely disputed feature, but he turned into reality whether you like it or not.According to 9to5Mac , Casebolts new role is Senior Director of Engineering at Tesla Motors. His job title also includes Closures and Mechanisms, which means that the Falcon doors of the Model X are nothing when compared to what will come in a few years from Tesla under the imagination of Matt Casebolt.This is not the first time when Tesla Motors recruits a top level Apple employee, as Chris Lattner also departed the Cupertino giant last month to join the electric vehicle company. Tesla has not done that many high-level hires for quite a while now, but its competitors at Faraday Future snatched a few notable names from the automotive industry to handle its projects.Mr. Casebolt will join other former Apple employees at Tesla, including Doug Field, the former Vice President of Mac Hardware Engineering, who is currently the Senior Vice President of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla.The automaker started by Elon Musk has a public relations representative that used to work for Apple, and it also hired the Reliability Director of the Cupertino giant. We must note that the latest Apple hire from Tesla, Matt Casebolt, is listed on over 52 patents that were filed and granted to Apple, which is not something negligible for any company.In a way, it is not surprising to see that Tesla is hiring people that used to work for Apple, especially since their products are similar in design philosophy and desirability. Lets hope that this collaboration will bring automobiles that are even more attractive from Tesla. Pierre Lapointe, CEO and co-founder of Vinty, poses with a Ford Mustang convertible. Photo courtesy of Vinty Have you thought about renting classic cars for weddings, road trips, or professional photo shoots, but were looking for the right forum to find renters? From a 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, a 1950 Rolls-Royce Bentley, or a 1970 Chevrolet Impala, Vinty provides hundreds of choices through its online rental marketplace. The vehicle selection isnt limited to only classic cars; users can also choose from muscle cars, classic camping vans, and classic trucks. We act like an Expedia for classic rental car companies, says Pierre Lapointe, CEO and co-founder of Vinty. The rental company gives us a commission for renting out their classic vehicles. We are able to get the companies more reservations on their classic cars and get them more exposure. The rental process begins when a renter creates an account on Vintys website. After browsing Vintys inventory and finding the right car, a user will submit his or her rental request. We act as the go-between for the online users and the rental car companies, says Lapointe. People find the vehicles through our website, but the rental contract, insurance, and vehicle maintenance are provided by the specific car rental company. As part of the verification process, Vinty asks for a drivers license to confirm several factors, including identity, insurance coverage, criminal record, and driving record. Rental companies can do the verification process themselves or Vinty can do it for them, says Lapointe. The rental company organizes the pickup time and location with the renter. At the pickup location, the renter will fill out the required paperwork. According to Lapointe, some of the rental companies prefer if the customer goes to the rental facility to get the car while other times the car will be delivered to the customer. On average, the typical rental lasts from one to three days, says Lapointe. Some of the most popular models include the Ford Mustang convertible and classic wedding cars such as Rolls-Royce Bentley. Vinty also gets requests for premium corporate events, such as vintage car tours for customers or press events. Launched in August 2016 in Southern California, Vinty now has listings for several U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Maui, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York, Rhode Island, and San Francisco Bay area. Challenges to Expand Vinty wants to continue to increase its vehicle listings by serving the peer-to-peer market. Similar to Turo, Vinty looks to provide a peer-to-peer carsharing platform for private classic car owners to rent their personal vehicles. There are a lot of people with classic cars who want to rent them out for some extra money, says Lapointe. We find them at events like classic car shows and swap meets. We have a booth at the Pomona Swap Meet in Southern California, and 80% of the people who visited our booth wanted to rent out their classic vehicles. Expanding to individual car owners brings a new set of challenges. According to Lapointe, the biggest challenge has been looking for coverage options to offer renters. Additionally, Vinty faces the challenge that some personal insurance policies wont cover the rental of a specialized car like a classic. Currently, Vinty doesnt need to provide extra insurance for its rental company partners since they already have their own insurance. But if Vinty wants to reach out to individual owners, it needs to find an insurance company that will provide coverage in the peer-to-peer marketplace. We are looking at different insurance companies and are ready to take on the peer-to-peer market and help people have more access to classic cars, says Lapointe. We want to help keep these cars maintained instead of rusting out in a garage. One of ReachNow's BMW i3 carsharing vehicles in Seattle. Photo courtesy of BMW Group. A renter of ReachNow crashed one of its BMW carsharing vehicles into a power pole in Seattle, leaving hundreds of residents without power for hours, according to a report by KOMO News. Police suspect the driver of driving under the influence, says the report. Carsharing programs have a screening process that tries to prevent alcohol-related accidents. BMWs ReachNow mandates that drivers not have any alcohol or drug-related incidents within the past seven years, according to the report. ReachNow also doesnt allow those who have more than two car-related accidents or violations to use its carsharing service. ReachNow told KOMO News that this driver will have his membership suspended, pending an investigation. Click here for the full KOMO News story. Logo courtesy of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Enterprise Rent-A-Car has donated $23,000 to the Harry Chapin Food Bank to address food insecurity in Southwest Florida, according to a report by the Cape Coral Daily Breeze. The donation is part of Enterprises Fill Your Tank program to celebrate Enterprise Rent-A-Car's 60th anniversary. The Fill Your Tank program is hoping to provide $60 million over six years to fight hunger, says the report. Enterprise also supports the program with hunger awareness and local engagement campaigns. The Harry Chapin Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America. The food bank provides food to those in need through a network of more than 150 nonprofit agencies in Southwestern Florida counties, which provides food to about 28,000 people a week, according to the report. Click here for the full Cape Coral Daily Breeze report. Lawmakers will hold a hearing today on whether to move forward with a budget proposal from former Gov. Jack Dalrymple to cut a tobacco prevention program. North Dakota Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy, or BreatheND, is a small, state agency created in 2008 after voters approved a measure to use a percentage of the states tobacco settlement fund for a comprehensive tobacco prevention program. BreatheND uses more than 20 percent of the tobacco settlement an agreement states reached with big tobacco companies in 1998 for a prevention program. Now, the center is on the verge of being eliminated. BreatheND is under attack. Were here today because of that," said Executive Director Jeanne Prom, who held a press conference Tuesday in the atrium of the judicial wing inside the state Capitol. The center touts cutting youth smoking rates in half since 2008 from 22.4 percent to 11.7 percent in 2015. Likewise, adult smoking rates have fallen from 21.9 percent in 2011 to 18.7 percent in 2015. In his final budget address in early December, Dalrymple recommended to do away with the agency and return tobacco prevention and cessation programs to the state Department of Health. This move caught Prom by surprise. It makes no sense to change course when were on a successful path," said Prom, adding she hopes the center can continue to bring youth smoking rates down to the low single-digits. BreatheND works with local public health units to reduce tobacco use, with about 83 percent of its budget going out in grants and contracts, Prom said. On Tuesday, several health professionals and community members advocated to fully fund the prevention agency. It does not make sense to eliminate a successful program like this," said John Warford, a Bismarck orthodontist who is on the agency's board of directors. Warford also served as Bismarck mayor from 2002 to 2014 and worked with BreatheND to develop a smoke-free ordinance that included bars in the city. Sommer Wilmeth, a senior at Century High School and member of the school's Students Against Destructive Decisions, spoke about the need for continued tobacco awareness and prevention efforts through BreatheND, primarily to combat the increasing use of e-cigarettes among teens. "When walking from my car to school in the morning before class, I can say on an average day I see five to 10 classmates vaping in their cars," Wilmeth said. Prom said, while the she acknowledges that the state is in a "different general fund situation," the center can help save the state money through reduced tobacco use. However, some lawmakers claim the center is duplicative of the state Health Department's tobacco prevention efforts, a claim Prom disputes, stating the agency works closely with the Health Department and other agencies to make sure there's no overlap. Its been no secret that we thought there was too much duplication on that from a legislative perspective," said House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo. Were not going to stop (tobacco cessation and prevention), its just a matter of looking at whether we can move it back to the health department or what the best way to handle it is. The proposal to defund BreatheND will be heard at 1:30 p.m. today at a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting at the state Capitol. "The Health Department, I think, is the proper agency to perform the duties because they were doing tobacco prevention before this (center) came forth," said Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, chairman of Senate Appropriations Committee. In 2008, Holmberg said the purpose of creating BreatheND was to "spend the money they got, but theyve been banking it for years so they could continue with their jobs." Photo courtesy of Ford Ford announced at the North American International Auto Show that it will be expanding its Chariot ride-sharing service to eight cities this year. Of the eight cities, the app-based service will operate in at least one global city, according to the company. Chariot is a crowd-sourced shuttle service that operates 14-passenger Ford Transit vans. These shuttles pick up passengers headed in the same direction along optimized routes. Ford Smart Mobility LLC acquired Chariot in September 2016. This year, the expansion of our business as an auto and mobility company moves into even higher gear, said Mark Fields, Fords president and CEO. Were introducing even more new vehicles and technologies to make life better for millions of people in the near term, plus were presenting a vision and partnering with cities to move more people even more efficiently in the future. Fords Chariot ride-sharing service currently operates in San Francisco and Austin. The expansion of this service highlights the companys drive to expand into growing mobility services, according to Ford. This week at Detroit Motor Show, people saw the return of two great American SUVs. Last Sunday, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced its plans to update the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. The following day, Ford relayed a new version of the Ford Bronco. Both vehicles will be released by the year 2020. The Grand Wagoneer and the Bronco last rolled out from the assembly line in 1991 and 1996, respectively. Their demise was rather ironic since it happened when SUVs were emerging as popular vehicles in the U.S. The SUVs remain a hot item since up to this day. Ford and Jeep did not disclose any details about the vehicles' specs and features. But Ford confirmed that the Bronco will be a midsized SUV, which design is a throwback to the original Broncos of the 1960s and 1970s. FCA's decision to revive its Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer is driven by the continued demand for larger utility vehicles. The automaker has allotted $1 billion to resurrect the classic SUV. The vehicles will be manufactured at its plants in Michigan and Ohio. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne clarified that the revival of the Wagoneers and the company's investment strategy in the U.S. were not due to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's "Made in the USA" propaganda. He added that the company has been discussing this development since 2015. Marchionne talked about FCA's realignment of its footprint in the U.S. The announcement to revive the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer is part of the company's retooling of its manufacturing plants in the U.S. Both SUVs will be released as full-sized cars larger than Grand Cherokee. The video below reports on Ford's announcement of the return of the Broncos and Ranger at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show. Share your thoughts on the article in the comment section. A roundtable session was held at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show where Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne provided details on the upcoming 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The luxury SUV will share bones with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Alfa Romeo Giulia, which both have the same rear-wheel-drive platform developed by the auto brand. The present Jeep Grand Cherokee uses an aging platform from Mercedes-Benz. The next-gen model will be borrowing the Stelvio and Giulia's architecture. The shared platform will enable the Grand Cherokee to integrate an off-road capable 4WD system. This change promises a different driving experience for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is an attractive premium SUV and will share similar driving feel with the future Grand Cherokee. Fiat Chrysler is working doubly hard to wipe out its massive debt. Its recent decisions focus on a massive product shift. While the company aims to introduce more vehicles, saving money on development costs is part of that strategy. Meanwhile, FCA is planning to revive its Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in response to the continued demand for larger utility vehicles. The automaker is investing one billion dollars to resurrect the classic SUV. The vehicles will be manufactured at its plants in Michigan and Ohio. The revival of the Wagoneers and the company's investment strategy in the U.S. were not due to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's pressure on automakers, said Marchionne.This development has been on the table since 2015, with the involvement of labor union UAW, he added. Marchionne talked about FCA's realignment of its footprint in the U.S. The announcements to revive the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer and to update the Grand Cherokee are part of the company's retooling of its manufacturing plants in the U.S. Honda has revealed a limited 'Black Edition' for its ninth generation Honda Civic Type-R. Only 100 units have been produced, signaling the close of the current Civic FK 2. This is a perfect swansong to end the current line and to welcome the tenth generation which will be available soon during the Geneva Auto Show. Swansong, the Limited 'Black Edition'. The Ninth Generation Civic Type-R's production is officially coming to a close. Only 2,500 of the Type-R variants have been produced since 2015. The latest 'Black Edition' was officially revealed to end the current model's production as its swansong. Only 100 models were produced. The limited edition will get a special black and red interior color scheme. Its exterior paint is a beautiful glossy black with red details and accents. This is purely a cosmetics upgrade and there have been no mechanical upgrades to the current ninth-generation car. The Type-R 'Black Edition' will cost $39,300 (32,300). This is the same price as the range-topping Civic Type R GT. However, the limited 'Black Editions' will potentially have a larger resell value considering its very restricted availability. All 100 of the limited editions have already been produced and on their way to dealers across the UK. 2018 Civic Type-R. The latest tenth-generation Type-R is scheduled to make its debut during the 2017 Geneva Auto Show in March. Its arrival in America has already been confirmed by the Japanese automaker. The 2018 model is expected to arrive before the end of the year, with production officially commencing last September of 2016. Similar to the Honda Civic hatchback, the powerful Type-R cars are also assembled in the UK plant. While the specs of the car have not yet been revealed, it is expected to be a real beast which will be available in manual-only transmission, similar to its predecessor. While there were previous rumors about a CVT variant, Honda has officially debunked it and clarified that the tenth-generation Type R will only be available in MT. One thing is certain, Honda has done a fantastic job once again this year. North America has already gotten the Honda Civic hatchback and a fantastic redesigned Civic, people can now expect the Civic Si and Civic Type-R as well. Former Volkswagen emissions compliance executive Oliver Schmidt was arrested last Saturday night while waiting to catch a plane back to Germany. The arrest comes after his implication in an emissions scandal involving the German car manufacturer. The Volkswagen emissions scandal. Schmidt allegedly played a central role in keeping from US regulators information that around 500,000 or so Volkswagen and Audi vehicles with a 2.0-liter diesel engine were installed with illegal software that helps cars pass emissions tests. The software is also designed to kill the emissions control system on cars when driving under real world conditions. Schmidt had allegedly known of this illegal software since Volkswagen began using it in Audi vehicles in 2009. Focus, however, is in his involvement between April 2014 and September 2015 which was when the scandal was revealed. The International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT) and West Virginia University produced a report that found many Volkswagen diesel engine cars showing an alarming difference from Volkswagen's reported emissions levels when in real world driving conditions. This alerted Schmidt who then sent an email out to other VW Group managers which read, "It should first be decided whether or not we are honest. If we are not honest, everything stays as is." This followed with the VW Group dancing around questions from regulators about the study from the ICCT and West Virginia University. They even claimed that the discrepancy could be fixed with a minor vehicle recall. A defense lawyer of Schmidt, David Massey, had reached out to the FBI which was conducting an investigation with the intention to cooperate. Schmidt appeared in a Miami US District Court on Monday following his arrest by the FBI. He was on vacation in Florida and was waiting for a plane back to Germany when arrested. Schmidt was charged with defrauding the US, wire fraud, and violating the Clean Air Act. The Central Election Commission (CEC) said on Wednesday that it will hire 4,000 computer-savvy people to operate anti-fraud electronic equipment in all polling stations during Armenias April 2 parliamentary elections. The Armenian authorities agreed to install such machines designed to verify voters identity as part of a recent agreement with the parliamentary opposition which is aimed ensuring the proper conduct of the vote. This is supposed to neutralize what opposition groups say is a key source of electoral fraud: multiple voting by government loyalists. The landmark agreement also mandates live online broadcasts of voting and ballot counting in the countrys 2,000 or so polling stations. The European Union and the United States have welcomed the deal, promising millions of dollars in funding for the purchase of the equipment envisaged by it. In line with the Electoral Code, the precinct election commissions will register voters with the help of special equipment, Tigran Mukuchian, the CEC chairman, told reporters. He said each of those commissions will have two additional officials tasked with taking voters fingerprints and checking them through special computers. In Mukuchians words, the 4,000 officials will be chosen on a competitive basis in the coming weeks. He insisted that the CEC has sufficient time to organize the selection process. These individuals must undergo special two-day training, he said. Mukuchian also revealed that a special commission comprising government and opposition representatives has already called a tender for a company that will be in charge of the unprecedented broadcasts planned for election day. He refused to be drawn on possible technical problems that could disrupt them. Echoing statements by Armenian opposition leaders, the U.S. and the EU have cautioned that the planned anti-fraud measures alone do not guarantee the freedom and fairness of the upcoming elections. It is a matter of political will, the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan said in a November statement. 11 January 2017 13:05 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Militarization of the society is gaining new pace in Armenia, as the government has launched the realization of the 'nation-army' concept. In its wide-ranging policy program approved by the Armenian parliament in October, the government pledged to expand opportunities for women who serve in the military, or want to join. As the country's new Defense Minister Vigen Sarkisian said, it will facilitate their military education and promotion, and strive to ensure their equal rights with men. Recruiting women to the army in Armenia is quite understandable, as high emigration from the country leaves no other choice for the government to save the army. Some 60,000 people left Armenia in 2016 -- the figure is comparatively higher than same indices fixed in 2015. Most of those who left the country were men; meaning that every year Armenian army loses thousands of men suitable for army. Miserable living conditions and lack of any opportunity for prosperity kills every hope of ordinary people for the normal life. High corruption, poor economy and political instability are the major reasons for desertification of Armenia. In this context, Yerevan's decision to attract more women to the country's meager armed forces seems sound. In addition, the new 'nation-army' concept suggests the present authorities' refusal from the peace diplomacy over Nagorno-Karabakh and preference of war. Yerevan intentionally increases the number of snipers in the army, because majority of women in the countrys armed forces are snipers. By this, Yerevan intends to oppose Azerbaijan with all the able-bodied Armenians in case of a new large-scale war. The article called Armenia: Boosting Female Presence in Army, which has recently been published by the authoritative publication Eurasia Net, also noted the increasing number of women serving in the Armenian army and the state's desire to continue this trend. In the meantime, the situation in the Armenian army, as well as in the economy, remains depressing. Aprils fast counter-attack of Azerbaijani troops in response to Armenian provocation in the front line exposed a lot of problems of the Armenian army. Armenians saw the real face of their armed forces. The report about the April events, compiled by the Armenian human rights organization Helsinki Citizens Assembly, showed that Armenian soldiers had not enough ammunition, the military equipment was faulty, and even Armenian tanks had no fuel to move. For the time, the Armenian armed forces do not have enough personnel, financial resources and basic morale. To close these gaps, the government decides to attract lots of women in the ranks of the military personnel. The main idea of the Armenian concept of the "nation-army" is to make every citizen a soldier. The recent actions taken by the Armenian government openly demonstrates Yerevan is eager to stall for time and not to come to peace with Azerbaijan, whose 20 percent of internationally recognized territory is controls, It may instigate a new war -- a move which can take lives of hundreds and thousands of soldiers, including women. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz As a parent with a child who has severe disabilities, including the use of a ventilator, tracheostomy, continuous oxygen, etc., home and local support services work very well if adequate resources are provided. Our family has proven that it works for almost 30 years. Our doctors have told us our daughter would not survive in an institution. Nevertheless, challenges exist when adequate support resources are not available. My wife and both daughters were diagnosed with myotonic muscular dystrophy after our second daughter was born. Both my wife and oldest daughter have passed. Our youngest daughter, most severely affected since birth, lives in our (her) home and is now 38 years of age. With appropriate care, she has not been hospitalized for over 10 years. Previously, she had never made one year without extensive hospitalization, one year about nine months in ICU. It wasnt until a closely organized, coordinated and appropriately trained team, including exceptional cooperation with medical personnel, implementing very proactive (extreme, perhaps) care management, were we able to keep our daughter not only healthy, but thriving. Medical technology and good care have made the difference. Most of our medical problems, as many others, are associated with preventable issues. Medical technology has taken care of the rocket science. Care management issues are simple, relatively speaking. Believe me, Ive done this for over 40 years. Not all patients have the same needs but suggesting that patients on ventilators have to be placed in an institution like Grafton is old school. Home ventilators have been around for over 30 years and are now very similar to CPAP/BiPAP equipment. Medical professionals program them and family and caregivers are trained to use them. Obviously, these caregivers have to be, not only appropriately trained, but consistently diligent in their performance. The work they perform, however, is not rocket science. Medical personnel provide direction on what is needed. Trained caregivers carry out the necessary services in a home or local community setting. This is being done all over the world. Adequate home and community resources are the key. Presently, state reimbursement rates treat caregivers (known as DSPs direct support professionals) the same whether they take a client grocery shopping, to a movie, or those that support our daughter who is on a ventilator, assist with suctioning, use of oxygen, therapies, etc., clearly a difference in skill level. A special fund was created a few years ago commonly called the bucket fund. These funds were used by our service provider for our daughter as additional wages for critically trained staff. However, as this fund was also utilized for many other reasons, this enhancement for wages has now declined to an inappropriate amount for specialized caregivers for our daughter. We have/had caregivers who make/made a lower hourly wage now than five years ago. Gov. Doug Burgum indicated he wants to reinvent government. He has the opportunity to reinvent how services are delivered to people with disabilities in North Dakota. In most cases the costs should ultimately become lower. Most importantly, people with disabilities, including those with intense needs are people first. They, whether children or adults, have feelings and families, and deserve supports in a local, least restrictive environment. Not only is it the law, it is the right thing to do. In most cases it is the least expensive as well, especially when medical costs of inadequate care are considered. Everyone I know, whether child or adult (no matter the disability or no disability at all) wants to choose where they live, work, or play. In particular most wish to be close to family. For those who have special needs, these basic instincts are even more critical for their well-being. Parents most often have the best input to their childs needs. Additionally, myself included, our caregivers have all benefited from what we have learned from my daughters experiences. I wouldnt trade it for my life! 11 January 2017 11:12 (UTC+04:00) By Trend The Armenian armed units shattered ceasefire with Azerbaijan a total of 42 times throughout the day using large-caliber machine guns, Azerbaijan`s Defense Ministry reported on January 11. The Armenian armed forces, stationed in Armenia`s Shavarshavan village in Noyemberyan district, Chinari village in Berd district subjected to fire the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces located in nameless hills in Gazakh district and Kokhanabi village in Tovuz district. The ceasefire was also violated in Goyarkh and Chilaburt villages in Tartar district, Shikhlar and Garagashli villages in Aghdam district, Kuropatkino village in Khojavand district, Horadiz village in Fuzuli district, as well as nameless hills in Goranboy, Tartar, Khojavand, Jabrayil and Fuzuli districts. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 13:48 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova Azerbaijan and Iran, the two strategic partners intend to strengthen cooperation in the banking sphere. The sides started studying opportunities for integration of the two countries bank card systems, Trend reported. The integration of the systems means that both countries citizens will be able to use their bank cards in the two countries territories .The issue is currently being studied by a special expert commission. The heads of central banks of Iran and Azerbaijan, Valiollah Seif and Elman Rustamov, earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) envisaging the integration of the two countries card systems. The issue has become more relevant due to increasing flow of Iranian tourists to Azerbaijan their number increased by one third in 2016. Given the simplification of visa regime for Iranian citizens, even greater traffic of Iranian tourists is expected to be observed in 2017. Starting from January 10, 2017, Iranian nationals can electronically register their visas for entering Azerbaijan in three days. Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi earlier told Trend that the two countries consider a plan to establish a joint bank. Besides, the two neighbors also discuss opening of branches of the two countries banks in Baku and Tehran. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran amounted to $175 million in January-November 2016, with some $130.13 million accounting for import from Iran. -- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 14:50 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Baku will host the Azerbaijani-Czech business forum as part of the visit of Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic Jan Mladek, scheduled for January 17. Azerbaijan Export and Investments Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) said that the forum will be organized by AZPROMO and supported by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy. The Czech companies operating in agriculture, food industry, finance, insurance, energy, logistics, construction, law, petrochemistry, mechanical engineering, glass production and other sectors of the economy are expected to participate in the forum, the message said. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic amounted to $312.02 million in January-November 2016, and $214.17 million of which accounted for the export of Azerbaijani goods to the Czech Republic, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee. The Czech Republic ranks 12th in the list of main importers of Azerbaijani goods. The share of the Czech Republic in the total export from Azerbaijan totaled 2.58 percent in January-November 2016. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 17:20 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Entrepreneurs from Russias Omsk oblast will visit Baku in March 2017, the Omsk regional government reported. This will be the first business mission of Omsk entrepreneurs to Azerbaijan, according to the message. Omsk businessmen will go on 11 missions in seven countries to expand sales markets and increase sales of Omsk products. Besides Azerbaijan, they will also visit Finland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, China and Mongolia. Russias Siberian Customs Directorate reported that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Omsk province amounted to $10.57 million in January-October 2016, $8.6 million of which accounted for the export of Azerbaijani goods to Omsk province. Moreover, business delegation from Russias Chelyabinsk oblast, as well as a business mission representing Russias South Urals Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SUCCI) will pay a visit to Azerbaijan in June 2017. Russia remains one of Azerbaijans main foreign trade partners. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia totaled $739.8 million in January-May 2016, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. Some 170 agreements, with 50 being in the sphere of economy have been so far concluded between the two countries. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 17:34 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli The Romanian National Culture Day, dedicated to the 167th anniversary of Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu, will be solemnly marked in Baku on January 15. Mihai Eminescu is considered one of the most famous and influential Romanian poets. His romantic inspirations led to poetry which reinterpreted traditional narratives of the mythological, fabled and metaphysical. Eminescu's poems have been translated in over 60 languages. His life, work and poetry strongly influenced the Romanian culture and his poems are widely studied in Romanian public schools. The Day will be marked with a ceremony to be organized in front of the monument of beloved Romanian composer George Enescu in Baku. Azerbaijan is a strategic partner for Romania and the relations between two countries are strongly developing in all fields. Romania has been the second country in the world which recognized independence of Azerbaijan. Cultural links between Romania and Azerbaijan are flourishing and they serve as a strong fundament for closer interaction. Romania traditionally participates in several international festivals organized in Baku, including Francophonie Week, EuroVillage Festival, European Film Festival and others. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 11:43 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Many people hope for a major breakthrough in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution in 2017, but the situation around the conflict has not improved yet, Mikhail Neyzhmakov, a political expert, told Trend on January 10. Neyzhmakov, who heads the International Policy Analysis Center at the Moscow-based Institute for Globalization and Social Movements, said it is obvious that Armenia will not take serious actions before the parliamentary election in April and completion of reshuffles in government bodies. The expert is sure that the current situation will not change at least until the second half of 2017. Neyzhmakov further added that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is likely to show interest in South Caucasus, visit Baku and Yerevan and even touch upon the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in his statements in 2017. Azerbaijan and Armenia for over two decades have been locked in conflict, which emerged over Armenian territorial claims. Since the 1990s war, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal, but they have not been enforced to this day. While the OSCE Minsk Group acts as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, it failed to make any move to achieve a breakthrough in the peace process so far. After the meetings of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Vienna and St. Petersburg in May and June 2016 respectively to discuss the long-lasting Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the negotiation process came into stagnation. Armenia, a party to the negotiation process, shows reluctance, thus tremendously hampering the peace process. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 10:05 (UTC+04:00) A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on January 11 The new edition includes articles about: Baku, Abu-Dhabi intend to further boost cooperation; 2016 embarks huge step towards diversified economy in Azerbaijan; Caspian states to discuss issues on legal status; Azerbaijan, Pakistan to boost interparliamentary cooperation, etc. AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az. 11 January 2017 10:39 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an Order on declaration of year of 2017 a Year of Islamic Solidarity. The Order says Azerbaijan was one of the main centers of Islamic Civilization for many centuries. The country played an important role in spreading out religion of Islam and re-establishing the Islamic Renaissance. All of these created conditions for formalizing the material and non-material heritage of religion of Islam. By being elected as the member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, ISESCO, as well as other prestigious organizations Azerbaijan established mutually fruitful relations with the Muslim world. Azerbaijan also acted as an organizer of the several important global cultural forums. The country also gave great contributions to forming the tolerant environment, establishment of the multiculturalism and inter-cultural, inter-civilizational dialogue and popularization of the Islamic values in the world. Holding the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku in 2017 creates fruitful condition for taking other steps for strengthening the Islamic solidarity of the country. The aim of the order is to provide the strengthening of Azerbaijan`s unique position in re-establishment of the Islamic solidarity. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 15:40 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli The number of appeals submitted to "ASAN Service", Azerbaijans leading e-Government institution acting on behalf and in cooperation with other state entities in public service provision, reached 13 million by late 2016, while the number of provided services hit 12,369 million. Inam Karimov, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan, made the remark while addressing a Cabinet meeting on January 10. He further stressed that the public confidence in the activity of the centers is nearly 100 percent, mentioning that "ASAN Service" centers provide more than 230 services, which are presented by 10 state agencies and private companies. First ASAN Service center was established by the presidential decree in 2012. The Service, which already has 11 centers across the country, provides venues for state agencies to render their services in a uniformed and coordinated manner. Until 2018, the state plans to launch ten more centers in the regions of the country. The service could reduce extra expenses and loss of time for many citizens, upgrade the level of professionalism, ensure a larger use of electronic services and increase transparency and strengthen the fight against corruption. The coverage of ASAN Service system was expanded in different fields through "ASAN Visa", "ASAN Qatar", "ASAN Komunal", "ASAN Pay" mobile application, "ASAN Volunteers" and "ASAN Radio", which is the first and only radio channel dedicated to government services sector. ASAN Visa, the portal of getting simplified visas to Azerbaijan (www.evisa.gov.az), has already started operation. The portal enables to receive e-visa in three steps within three days. Citizens of 81 countries will be able to take advantage of ASAN Visa system, which will make life for many foreigners wishing to visit Azerbaijan easier. "ASAN Kommunal" is established to optimize management and enhance transparency in providing services to the population in utilities. Azerishig, Azersu and Azerigaz companies offer a total of 45 services at the center, which also provide banking and insurance services. ASAN Pay is a multifunctional payment system that enables the electronic delivery of administrative penalty decisions to citizens and electronic payment of administrative fines and those required by the enforcement of court decisions. Some 10 buses serve as mobile "ASAN Service" centers in the regions not covered by the centers. The recently launched "ASAN Qatars" provide services to citizens in the country`s districts through using extensive railway network, current infrastructure, communication lines and advanced technologies. Karimov emphasized that one of the responsibilities of the state agency is switching to e-system and introduction of innovations in public services. He also reminded that Azerbaijan has improved its position in the UN E-Government Survey, which is published by the UN every two years. The country moved up by 12 positions from 68 to 56 among 193 UN member states on "E-Government Development Index". Moreover, Azerbaijan rose from 7th to 4th place in the ranking among the CIS countries. On the "E-Participation index", in turn, Azerbaijan occupies the 47th place, while in the previous ranking, the country ranked 77. Among the CIS countries Azerbaijan occupies second place on this indicator, whereas two years ago the country was on the 7th place. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 18:07 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Political stability, dynamic economic development as well as successful foreign policy make Azerbaijan attractive for foreign migrants. Chief of the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan Firudin Nabiyev said at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on January 10 dedicated to the results of socio-economic development of 2016 and objectives for future, chaired by President Ilham Aliyev. To date there had been no record of violations of migrants' rights on either national, or ethnic, or religious grounds, Nabiyev said. Improvement of the migration policy in compliance with the modern requirements enabled to take expedient measures to prevent negative impacts of both internal and international migration policy, the chief said. "Finally, now the country is also known for its tolerance and lack of xenophobia. To date, there had been no record of violations of migrants rights on national, ethnic or religious grounds," Nabiyev underlined. Today, regulation of the migration processes according to the international standards and protection of the migrants rights are priorities for us. Appropriate geopolitical location of Azerbaijan, political stability, dynamic development, democracy, broad international cooperation, as well as favorable conditions created for foreign and domestic investments as a result of purposeful policy directed towards development of oil and non-oil sector considerably increased the amount of investments, he added. "Transformation of our country into a country of transit and destination from a country of origin as logical result of intensification of migration processes and of the above mentioned has created need to take additional measures in the direction of intensifying state control over migration processes," he said. Nabiyev emphasized that President Aliyev set important tasks before relevant state agencies for the purpose of intensifying control in the sphere of migration processes management, analysis, regulation and forecast of statistics in this regard and directing migration policy towards political and economic interests of the country. Azerbaijan has improved its migration legislation in accordance with international norms over the past few years. According to changes made to the Migration Code in 2013, registration of the migrants at their residences and application for other relevant standards became simplified. Foreigners and stateless persons arriving in Azerbaijan for a period exceeding 10 days should register with the Migration Service, providing a copy of the person's ID to the Migration Service personally, or via email within 10 days. This service is free and application forms are available at the Migration Service, regional offices of the Service, and at www.migration.gov.az. The registration is also possible through contacting by e-mail [email protected] . The Migration Service will immediately register foreigners at the place of their stay and present written notification to the receiving party within one working day. Foreigners can be registered for the period provided in their visas, or for 90 days under the visa-free regime. After changing the place of residence, registration must be renewed. These easy steps can exempt visitors from penalties and deportation. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz FARGO -- A Fargo man is accused in federal court of sending an email to the office of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., in which he threatened to shoot her in the head, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court. The documents state that Kevin Lee Olson sent the email on Dec. 22, 2016, and that Heitkamps office had received emails from Olson since 2014, including one sent last October in which Olson stated: Im coming for you!! Now what will you hide behind?? A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court on Monday charges Olson with mailing threatening communications. An arrest warrant filed in federal court states Olson was arrested Tuesday in Fargo. The U.S. Capitol Police, the federal police agency charged with protecting members of Congress, executed a warrant in south Fargo Tuesday morning, according to Fargo Deputy Chief Joe Anderson of the Fargo Police Department. Anderson said local officers assisted the federal agents in the execution of the warrant. In April 2016, Olson filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Social Security Administration and the Department of the Treasury asking for, among other things, an exemption from participating in the Affordable Care Act. In documents he filed in that case, Olson said he was born in 1961 and he listed an address of 1637 51st St. S., in Fargo. There was a strong police presence Tuesday morning at that address, and law enforcement personnel could be seen entering and leaving the residence. An affidavit in support of the criminal complaint and arrest warrant states Fargo police interviewed Olson at his home on Jan. 3. The affidavit said Olson admitted that the threatening email sent in December was sent through his account and that he sent the email, but he refused to answer questions regarding the threatening statement. Olson also told officers he owns firearms, according to the affidavit. According to the affidavit, the threatening email read in part: Its (sic) seems the only consideration these days is when one becomes a criminal. I guess I should find you, you (expletive), and shoot you in your red head! Abbie McDonough, communications director for Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, confirmed Tuesday that threats had been made against Heitkamp but declined to discuss details about the investigation into the threats, referring questions to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The U.S. Capitol Police in a statement Tuesday said Olson was arrested for transmitting in interstate commerce any communications containing a threat. The agency stated it began investigating Olson last fall after he sent threatening messages to a member of Congress. In a document Olson recently filed in connection with his suit against the federal government, he states that the district court has been dead silent regarding his case and he asked for the Supreme Court, the Final Stronghold of Constitutional Justice in our Deteriorating Republic, for protection from the Affordable Care Act and Federal Legislative and Executive Criminals. In the past, Olson has corresponded with Heitkamps office regarding his desire for a religious exemption from the ACA. In an email Heitkamp sent to Olson in 2014, Heitkamp said Senate ethic rules prevented her from becoming involved in legal matters or offering legal advice. Olson appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. A detention hearing was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. 11 January 2017 17:22 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova President Ilham Aliyev visited the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on January 11. Within his visit, the president attended a groundbreaking ceremony of Ordubad Hydroelectric Power Plant and laid a foundation stone for the new plant. The diversion-type plant, which will be located on the Araz River is expected to have a capacity of 36 MW, while the length of the diversion-type canal will be 12,738 meters. Besides, the reservoir with the capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters is planned to be built for the plant. Addressing a meeting with a teaching staff of the newly renovated building of Nakhchivan city Russian secondary school 3 the president said that the establishment of the plant will significantly increase energy potential of the Autonomous Republic. We are providing for energy security in Nakhchivan. For the past years, we have constructed several stations. We opened Bilyav hydroelectric power plant in 2010, Arpachay plant in 2014, and solar power plant in 2015. Earlier, we commissioned Nakhchivan gas-turbine plant. After the commissioning of Ordubad plant, we will further increase energy security and export potential of the Autonomous Republic. The president went on saying that the energy security is of pivotal importance for Nakhchivan. The Autonomous Republic has no geographic link with the major part of our country. Therefore, we should pay a special attention to the development of the energy potential. Today, Nakhchivan is totally provided with electric energy. At the same time, it exports the electric energy, he said. The construction of Ordubad plant is being implemented under the MOU signed between Azerbaijan and Iran. The document envisages cooperation in construction of power plants at Khoda Afarin and Qiz Qalasi dams on Araz River, as well as the construction of Ordubad power plant on the Azerbaijani side and Marazad power plant on the Iranian side. Talking about gasification process, the president mentioned that projects in this direction have been completed. The level of gasification in Nakhchivan stands at 100 percent. This is a great achievement. In 2005 we launched natural gas supplies from Iran to Nakhchivan through swap operations. The project is being successfully implemented. Within his visit, the president also attended the opening of a residential building constructed for officers and ensigns of the Emergency Situations Ministry in Nakhchivan. The seven-storey building comprises 48 apartments and includes a recreation room, beauty salon, men's hair salon and a 40-seat canteen. Also, the head of state attended a ceremony to launch drinking water supply and sewage systems in Julfa district center and surrounding villages. The construction work started in 2012. The project saw the construction of water system in the city of Julfa and Gulustan village, as well as a sewage system in the city of Julfa. Two fresh water reservoirs, with the capacity of 5,000 cubic meters each, were built. Some 25,700 people in the city of Julfa and Gulustan village were continuously provided with fresh, sustainable, environmentally clean drinking water that meets World Health Organisation standards. The Supreme Commander also attended the opening of a soldier barracks and military-household complex in a military unit of Detached Combined Arms Army in Nakhchivan. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the soldier barracks and military-household complex and viewed the conditions created at the soldier barracks. The barracks with a total area of 4,000 square meters comprises some 24 rooms. Military potential and defense capability of Nakhchivan is at the highest level. The army of the Autonomous republic is ready to implement any task, it secures its borders. Talking about transport difficulties of Nakhchivan the president noted that certain steps have already been taken to tackle the problem. Nakhchivan-Tabriz-Tehran-Mashhad passenger train has already been launched. We are working on North South transport corridor with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia. After the implementation of the North-South, Nakhchivan will be linked to the main part of Azerbaijan through Iran by railway. We want to accelerate the project. After its implementation, goods produced in Azerbaijan will be supplied to the world market. On the same day, President Aliyev completed his visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. --- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 15:24 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects a decrease in output of the petroleum and other liquids in Azerbaijan in the next two years. In its December Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the agency forecasted a decrease to 0.83 and 0.82 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2017 and 2018 respectively. This is while the countrys output stood at 0.87 million barrels per day as of 2016, according to the report. Energy-rich Azerbaijan, which is not a member of OPEC, has already started oil output cuts in line with the recently reached deal to curtail global oil output . The country earlier revised its forecast for oil output in 2017, reducing it by 3.7 percent to 39.797 million. Under the forecast, average daily oil production will amount to 800,000-807,000 barrels in 2017. The revised forecast is totally in line with the landmark deal between OPEC and non-OPEC states. Meanwhile, the agencys forecast on the average price for Brent oil stands at $53.5 per barrel in 2017 and $56.18 per barrel in 2018, while in its previous report the agency forecasted the Brent crude oil price at $51.66 in 2017 and did not give any forecast for 2018. The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices are forecasted at $52.5 per barrel in 2017 and $55.18 per barrel in 2018. In its December 2016 report the EIA forecasted the WTI prices at $50.66 in 2017. Despite the recent OPEC agreement, the EIA expects global oil inventory glut to continue but at a generally slower rate in 2017 and 2018 than in 2016. The expected persistence of excess global oil supply in the near term, along with the responsiveness of U.S. tight oil production to rising oil prices in late 2016, is expected to limit significant upward oil price pressures in 2017. Global economic developments and geopolitical events in the coming months have the potential to push oil prices higher or lower than the current price forecast, according to the EIA. Uncertainty remains as to the effectiveness and duration of the concurrent OPEC and non-OPEC production cuts, which could influence prices in either direction. Also, the potential for continued efficiency gains and cost reductions from non-OPEC producers in the new higher price environment could result in additional volumes of supply that could put downward pressure on prices. -- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 16:18 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova Energy policy of Azerbaijan, as well as the implementation of large-scale energy projects, was among the highest-ranked issues on the agenda of the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev on January 10. President Aliyev, addressing the meeting, said that 2016 saw many important events in the energy sector and the country took further steps directed towards the enhancement of its energy policy. Successful implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) continued. Though our oil revenues reduced, we obtained the credits from abroad. At the same time, at the expense of internal means, we took all necessary steps connected with the implementation of the SGC and Shahdeniz-2 projects, he said. Today, "Shahdeniz-2" is one of the largest gas-condensate fields on global scale 90 percent of works here already came to an end, and next year they will come to an end completely. Reserves of the Shah Deniz field are estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas and 240 million tons of condensate. The project is expected to increase European energy security by bringing Caspian gas resources to markets in Europe for the very first time. The cost of the project is estimated at $25 billion. The president further stressed that a considerable part of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) has already been implemented and work is currently underway on other segments of the SGC project. Last year we held the second meeting of the Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor in Baku. All countries participating in the meeting, the European Commission, the United States of America and all members of the SGC once again specified leadership of Azerbaijan in the adopted statement. We are leaders, initiators, leading force of this project. We realize this project jointly with all our friends, the partner countries, and international organizations, he said. Being of the most complex gas value chains ever developed in the world, the SGC envisages transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas to European countries through Georgia and Turkey. Stretching over 3,500 kilometers, crossing seven countries and involving more than a dozen major energy companies, it is comprised of several separate energy projects including TANAP, Shah Deniz 2 development, the South Caucasus Pipeline and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). -- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 11:30 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is expected to be opened in 2017, said Mevlut Cavusoglu, Foreign Minister of Turkey. He made the remark as he met with the Foreign Minister of Georgia, Mikheil Janelidze, in Ankara on January 10, Anadolu news agency reported. Being constructed under a Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergovernmental agreement, BTK is expected to expand multi-modal transportation opportunities, ensure the growth of passenger and freight transportation and boost the transit potential of the regional countries. The peak capacity of the railway will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. At the initial stage, this figure will be one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of cargo. The Turkish minister further added that Turkey fully supports the process of Georgia's joining the NATO. We also advocate for the speedy implementation of the agreements on simplification of visa regime between EU and Georgia, added Cavusoglu, emphasizing support for the territorial integrity of Georgia. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 12:43 (UTC+04:00) By Trend The JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) Joint Commission - a group tasked with monitoring commitments to the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, has approved Irans proposal for cleaning up of sediments from Natanz uranium enrichment facility, the Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said. Based on the approved proposal, all sediments of the enriched materials, which will be removed from the pipes will be excluded from the allowed 300-kilogram stockpile of enriched uranium, Araqchi said, Mehr news agency reported Jan. 11. So Tehran will be able to enrich more uranium, the top Iranian diplomat, who headed the Iranian delegation in recent meeting of JCPOA Joint Commission, said. He did not mention how much of stockpile Iran currently has. He added that the joint commission approved the proposal after months of expert talks. Representatives of Iran and the six world powers (the US, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany) gathered on Jan. 10 in Vienna to address Irans complaint over Washingtons extending the sanctions against Iran for another 10 years. Following the meeting all sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to continued full and effective implementation of the JCPOA. The Joint Commission underscored the sanctions lifting commitments contained in the JCPOA, in particular as they relate to the Iran Sanctions Act, and recognized the United States' assurance that extension of the Iran Sanctions Act does not affect in any way the sanctions lifting Iran receives under the deal or the ability of companies to do business in Iran consistent with the JCPOA. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 16:31 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Turkey considers constructing a wall along the state border with Armenia. The proposal is being discussed by the Ministries of National Defense and Finance, Trend reported with reference to the Turkish Star newspaper on January 11. The 3-meter concrete walls will be erected in the Turkish provinces of Ardahan, Kars and Igdir, which border on Armenia. The concrete walls are expected to contribute to fighting against terrorism, smuggling and prevention of illegal border crossing. The tension in the relations of Turkey and Armenia is due to Armenia's so-called genocide claims against Turkey and occupation of Azerbaijani territories. That was the very reason due to which the Turkish-Armenian border is closed since early 1990s. Turkey has repeatedly stressed that the Ankara-Yerevan normalization of ties is impossible without the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. In late 2015, Turkey launched construction of a wall along its border with Syria to keep out ISIS fighters. The construction is expected to be completed in April 2017. The concrete wall stretching the length of the border between the two countries, include barbed wire, a dedicated patrol road and a reinforced fence. Some 28 kilometers of the wall is left to build. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 17:24 (UTC+04:00) By Trend An Iranian delegation of representatives is going to visit Saudi Arabia on February 23 to discuss with Saudi officials the issue of Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage which has been on halt for Iranians for the past year or so. The Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis representative on Hajj Affairs Ali Qazi Askar said the mission will be dispatched in response to a Saudi invitation of Iran to resume sending people on the pilgrimage, IRNA news agency reported on January 11. Iran stopped sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia after a deadly crush during the Hajj in Mecca in 2015, which resulted in the death of 464 Iranians and several hundred others. Tehran said it stopped sending people on Hajj because Riyadh failed to guarantee the security of Iranian pilgrims. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 11 January 2017 17:51 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijan, an amazingly beautiful land of unique natural contrasts, enjoys nine of the 11 major types of globe climates -- from subtropical to high alpine meadows. The vast and diverse territory endows the country with some of the most beautiful natural scenery on earth. The country can be called a "museum of nature" with its rich flora of green forests and summer pastures. The territory of the republic has almost all common types of plants in the world, and this richness of the diversity of flora and vegetation is related to its physical-geographic and natural-historical conditions of the country. Here, the diversity of nature and warm and cheerful atmosphere will make you want to stroll through the country and discover all its riches. Thanks to these beauties, more and more tourists find Azerbaijan very attractive destination for eco tourism. There are currently nine established national parks in the Land of Fire, while one more area is in the process of turning into the national park. In 2016, the number of tourists visiting the national parks of Azerbaijan grew by three times compared to the figure of 2015. If in last year, the number of tourists was 75,000 people, then in 2016 this number reached 199,530 people, including 3,081 foreigners. In 2015, this ratio was 1,050 foreigners and 73,950 Azerbaijani citizens. Azerbaijans nine national parks, 11 state parks and 24 state reserves are home to a wide variety of wildlife including eagles, gazelles, bears, wolves, deer, and wild boar. The national forests are a rich source of biodiversity and habitat to a number of rarest species of flora and fauna. More than 450 tree and shrubbery species are growing in the Azerbaijani forests where overwhelming majority of the tree species are represented by the hardwood species. It is worth to note, Azerbaijan is one of the few countries, which managed not only to stop the deforestation, but also to increase the forest areas. Azerbaijan was ranked the 31st among 180 countries in 2016 Environmental Performance Index ranking, evaluating how nations protect their ecosystems and human health, prepared by researchers from Yale and Columbia University. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz LAKOTA Nelson County will have almost $1 million in federal funds to repair apartment units that have been affected by mold. The Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Nelson County Housing Authority $922,100, North Dakotas U.S. senators announced in news releases Friday. The funds come after residents in Lakota noticed mold in Housing Authority-owned apartments. This grant will help the Nelson County Housing Authoritys efforts to remediate and prevent mold, as well as provide necessary repairs to residential buildings under its oversight, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said in a statement. It will help the housing authority continue its work to provide safe and affordable housing for residents. Reports of mold in apartments began a little more than a year ago, Housing Authority Executive Director Allen Orwick said. More reports started to come in around January 2015, though some thought it was mildew. After further investigation, we found out it wasnt mildew. It was mold, Orwick said. The problem seemed to continue to grow through the winter. As the Housing Authority began to make repairs to the homes, officials noticed the problem was more widespread than originally thought. Residents living in Petersburg and Michigan also began reporting mold-related health concerns, according to Hoevens office. The Housing Authority determined mold had been found in homes countywide. In total, 25 units, all built around the same time, in six communities had mold problems. Orwick said the apartments in south Nelson County were less affected by the mold problems. High moisture levels in the northern part of the county due to different water tables and soil types may have contributed to the problem, he added. The Housing Authority applied for a grant since it didnt have the resources to cover the expenses associated with repairs. Hoeven and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., worked with HUD to advocate for Nelson County, they said in news releases. No family should have to live with mold in their homes, causing health challenges and hurting the well being of families and communities, Heitkamp said in her statement. The housing conditions in Lakota must be addressed so that folks know they are safe when they walk into their homes. The grant is expected to cover all of the costs associated with repairing the apartments, Orwick said, adding any funds not used will be returned to HUD. Its our expectation that this will take care of this problem, he said. BISMARCK The North Dakota Senate voted down legislation to update state law with gender-neutral language Tuesday, about 18 months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples had a constitutional right to marry. Opponents of the Senate Bill 2043 said the change was unnecessary and dismissed arguments from supporters that failing to amend state law could leave the state open to litigation. The bill failed 15-31, with one senator absent. The bill would have amended a variety of references to husband and wife in state law to two individuals married to each other and other similar changes. It affected parts of state law dealing with fishing licenses and adoption, along with other provisions. Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, pointed to a section of the North Dakota Constitution that defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman, as approved by 73 percent of the states voters in 2004. She also said committee testimony indicated that the change was not needed. A yes vote on Senate Bill 2043 will actually accomplish functionally nothing, though it will serve to diminish with official intent the honor and sacredness of what the human institution of marriage is described as in (the) North Dakota Constitution as it stands today, she said. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2015 that the U.S. Constitution guarantees gay couples the right to marry, striking down state bans on same-sex marriages. Sen. John Grabinger, D-Jamestown, said the interim legislative committee that examined the proposed changes wasnt seeking to debate the definition of marriage. He said the bill would help prevent potential lawsuits that could cost taxpayer money. North Dakota simply cannot overrule (the) U.S. Supreme Courts decision, he said. I do not believe it is responsible for us to risk potentially millions of dollars in taxpayer money just because we refuse to update the current century code to reflect current federal law. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Kelly Armstrong, R-Dickinson, said its a pretty drastic assertion that the state would face millions of dollars in legal costs if the bill wasnt passed. Still, he voted in favor of the legislation along with seven other Republicans. Sen. David Hogue, R-Minot, who chaired the interim Judiciary Committee, acknowledged same-sex marriage is the law of the land, but he argued the bill doesnt do anything. Its a bill that inspires and arouses a lot of passion in this chamber and elsewhere, but the bills not necessary, he said. A bill introduced this week in the North Dakota Legislature that would require companies to block obscene material found online raised constitutional questions Tuesday. House Bill 1185 is aimed at protecting children from pornography and from being lured into human trafficking, said its primary sponsor, Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck. Its part of a national effort to pass similar legislation in other states. The bill would require manufacturers, distributors and sellers of products that make any content on the Internet accessible to include a digital blocking capability that renders obscene material or obscene performances inaccessible. It also directs those manufacturers, distributors and sellers to ensure sexual content involving minors is inaccessible. Providing a device without a content blocker would be a Class A misdemeanor under the bill. A manufacturer or wholesaler could deactivate the content blocker if a consumer makes a request in writing and verifies they are at least 18 years old. They would also have to pay a $20 fee to help offset the secondary harmful and social effects of products that distribute the internet and make internet content available. Klemin said the fee revenues would go to organizations that work with human trafficking victims. The bill also requires that any hub promoting or facilitating prostitution be made inaccessible, as well as websites known to be facilitating human trafficking. But a leader of an anti-sex trafficking coalition in North Dakota questioned how effective the legislation would be. Im all for creative efforts of looking at how we can battle this, but I think it demands some more precision than what Ive seen in that bill so far, said Christina Sambor, coordinator for the FUSE coalition. Jennifer Cook, policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota, had First Amendment concerns over the bill and doubted it would stand up to constitutional scrutiny in court. She said defining obscene is a complex task. Klemin said his bill isnt about censorship, but rather to protect children. A 12-year-old or 13-year-old kid cant go to a R-rated or X-rated movie, but yet they can carry a pornography site around on their smartphone and access all of that stuff anytime, he said. That argument was echoed by Chris Severe, a former prosecutor involved in the national effort on the so-called Human Trafficking Prevention Act. He pointed out pornographic magazines on display at convenience stores are censored. Were not really reinventing the wheel with this bill, Severe said. But Dan Nelson, director of governmental relations for Midco, questioned the practicality of implementing the blocking technology on the scale the bill requires. He also raised questions about how the legislation would affect interstate commerce. The structural problems, the conceptual problems and just the practical problems of this legislation are pretty evident without too much study and research, Nelson said. A St. Croix County (Wis.) sheriffs deputy likely consumed at least 15 shots of vodka before getting behind the wheel of his squad car, where he was found passed out with the vehicles transmission in drive and his foot on the brake. Those findings were detailed in an internal investigation report on former deputy Ryan Fowler, who resigned his position Dec. 1, as part of a separation agreement with St. Croix County. The documents, released by the county to RiverTown Multimedia through a data request, chronicle an Oct. 12 incident while Fowler was on assignment with a four-person attachment sent to North Dakota to assist with Dakota Access Pipeline protesters. Fowler was arrested by Bismarck police and was later charged in Burleigh County (N.D.) with one misdemeanor count of having physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated. He has pleaded not guilty; a jury trial is set for March 3. Fowler was placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 13 during the internal investigation until his final day of employment Dec. 1. According to county data, Fowlers annual salary was $60,486. A separation agreement negotiated among Fowler, the county and the Wisconsin Professional Police Association states the sheriffs department solicited his involuntary resignation. A termination letter sent Oct. 27 from Sheriff John Shilts to Fowler outlines various violations stemming from the internal investigation and noted a history of failure to comply with department policies. The incident in North Dakota is such that it has caused and continues to cause this agency to have suffered a significant loss of public trust and support, Shilts wrote. Your behavior in this matter warrants disciplinary action. In accordance with the policies of St. Croix County and the St. Croix County Sheriffs Office the appropriate discipline is a discharge from employment. A message left with Fowlers attorney in the criminal case, Lloyd Suhr, was not returned. Fowler admitted to some, but not all, allegations during an interview conducted as part of the internal investigation. Deputy Fowler stated he believes he should have never been arrested but wasnt able to articulate what made the incident an unwarranted arrest, the report states. He only stated the whole situation should have been taken into account. On assignment The North Dakota incident occurred while Fowler a member of the departments K-9 unit and three other deputies were on assignment to assist the sheriffs departments from Morton and Burleigh counties with protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline project. The St. Croix County team was pulled off the assignment Oct. 13 and sent home after department administration learned of the arrest. According to an internal investigation report completed by St. Croix County Sheriffs Office Lt. Cathy Borgschatz: Bismarck police were dispatched at 11:34 p.m. Oct. 12, after a gas station attendant called on behalf of another man. That man, identified as Daylan ChasingHawk, reported a fight at the Comfort Inn Hotel, where he claimed he witnessed a deputy drunk inside his squad car. The deputy stole ChasingHawks sweatshirt, according to a 911 call. An officer arrived to find a St. Croix County sheriffs squad car in the driving lane at the hotel. A look inside revealed a sleeping man in the drivers seat and a police dog inside. The car was running. The officer noticed that the squad was in drive and Deputy Fowler had his foot on the brake, the report states. She and other officers had to beat on the cars window for more than a minute before Fowler stirred. Fowler stepped out of the car and smelled strongly of alcohol. When asked his name by the officer, he told her it was John. Officers later learned his actual name after finding his drivers license inside the car. A sweatshirt was also found inside the vehicle. Other Bismarck officers were interviewed during the investigation, including one who relayed ChasingHawks account: That he encountered Fowler asleep in the squad car, shook him until he woke up and received an offer from Fowler to buy his sweatshirt for $5. The deputy drove off in his squad car, with Daylans sweater and hadnt paid Daylan the $5, according to the officers statement. Fowler was then run through field sobriety tests, some of which he failed, some of which he didnt complete. Fowler was arrested and taken to the Bismarck Police Department, where a breath test revealed a 0.23 blood-alcohol concentration. Asked by Bismarck police how much he had to drink that night, Fowler said he had three drinks in the hotel bar and one in his room, prompting the officer to ask if he had more after he got back to his room. Deputy Fowler stated that it was possible, the report states. Incident not appreciated Borgschatz later interviewed officials in charge of the law enforcement effort at the protest site. Morton County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Bryan Steele told her that officers from St. Croix County and other assisting agencies were allowed to drink when not on duty, but needed to be available within 30 minutes in the event of a code red call-out to the Mandan Airport command site. That, Steele said, meant officers should have no more than a beer or two. One officer interviewed, Bismarck police Lt. Jason Stugelmeyer described as a member of the command structure at the Mandan emergency operation center expressed frustration to Borgschatz over the Fowler incident. He stated this incident was not appreciated, the report states, which goes on to note the loss of St. Croix Countys four deputies added additional stress to their plan. Stugelmeyer said the removal of the other deputies was understandable due to the distraction and safety concerns. Lt. Stugelmeyer stated for the first few days, the law enforcement officers working the protests were reminded often and yelled at by the protesters about Deputy Fowlers arrest, according to the report. Borgschatz learned the incident was preceded by an incident in Fowlers hotel room at about 10:30 p.m. Oct. 12, when a Dane County (Wis.) deputy heard loud sounds coming from inside the room. The deputy later went to the room and told the men inside a K-9 handler and another officer to quiet down. St. Croix County Sheriffs Deputy Ryan Kelly, also a member of the four-person assignment, had earlier told Borgschatz that he and Fowler were in the room playing with Fowlers police dog, Dugan, when they were told to be quiet. It seemed likely that Deputy Fowler, Deputy Kelly and the canine were only playing and the disturbance was due to the playful conduct with the dog and not any altercation, the report states. The Dane County deputy said as he was going back to his room, he saw one of the rooms occupants heading toward the exit with a dog. Borgschatz later interviewed Fowler about the incident. He said he took medication before going to the hotel bar, where he had four or five vodka-Red Bull drinks. Fowler said he had set an alarm for 9 p.m. that was going to be his reminder to go to bed, but he hit the snooze button since he had a full drink in front of him. He said he and Kelly stayed for another drink after that. Fowler said that was the last thing he remembered, but noted that he didnt feel drunk at the time. He said his first recollection after that was looking at paperwork inside the Bismarck police station. The medication, he later said in the interview, was a mitigating factor in the incident. Fowler is excusing his behavior because of a new prescribed medication, the report states. He was not able to admit that being a 0.234 affected [sic] his decision-making or memory. He blamed the bartender for getting him intoxicated. Borgschatz, who inspected the bar pours 50/50 mixes, she reported at the Comfort Inn as part of her investigation, concluded that Fowler had between 12 and 26 shots of vodka in less than three hours. It is likely he had more than 15 shots of vodka, the report states. The report outlines 12 department violations Fowler committed, ranging from refusal to follow orders to breaking the law. 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Police say he turned the gun on himself and was found dead in their driveway. Officials say the shooting was domestic-related, but that their investigation is continuing. For years residents of Summertree in New Port Richey say their water has been undrinkable. The community believes they've been getting ripped off by their water company. New Port Richey neighborhood says their water isn't drinkable Community has been struggling with utilities company since 2010 State gov. hosting series of meetings to resolve issue The central Pasco County subdivision recently got some relief moving to county water, but residents say the battle is far from over. The utility company is now asking for consolidated rates for all its customers. We started using bottled water for tea, the coffee, to give to the dogs, that's the only way you could survive with this water," said resident Lee Robida. They've been fighting for clean water for a decade. Finally in December, something went their way. We made an interconnect with Pasco utilities on the 21 of December," said resident, Ann Marie Ryan. "We now capped our wells and have clean water." That means the county supplies the water, but Utilities Inc. still owns and manages it. It seems to me like it's all about the money, and we're going to be the ones that end up paying it," said resident Christina Haugh. At a meeting Tuesday, Utilities Inc. asked the Public Service Commission to approve a consolidated rate of about $71 for water and sewer for its 60,000+ customers in the state. That will generate $7 million annually for ongoing projects. In the long run the cost of operating our water and waste water systems will be spread across a much larger customer base, will likely result in fewer rate increases and smaller rate increases in the future," said President of Utilities Inc. John Hoy. Residents are skeptical though. Since 2010, Utilities Inc. has raised our rates 79.5 percent," said Ryan. "The county has raised rates over 11 years, 1 percent." A series of hearings are scheduled around the state through February. Commissioners are expected to vote on the matter in June. Two St. Petersburg men are heading to the presidential inauguration. Trump supporters head to DC for inauguration Tatum and Gephart cheered on Trump at nearly every rally in Florida Trump inauguration will be Friday, January 20 Read more Inauguration coverage on our special section John Tatum and Cliff Gephart are Trump superfans. "I got on the Trump train very early because he said some things I really, really liked to hear, Gephart said. The guys went to just about every Trump rally across Florida, and now theyre riding the 'Trump train' to Washington D.C. "As soon as he won," started Gephart, "the results were announced at about 3:30 a.m. At about 4 oclock in the morning I went on Expedia, booked my hotel, called up John and said 'Hey, we are going to the inauguration.' "Its going to be the experience of a lifetime, agreed Tatum. Tatum has Trump pins, bumper stickers and hats for sale at his bait shop on 34th Street South in St. Petersburg. He and Gephart also got Trump to sign $100 bills at a rally in Sarasota last year. Gephart said the only thing thats worth more than the bills to him is seeing Trump take the oath with his own eyes. "The moment he puts his hand on that Bible and thats done, its going to be a new day for America. Gephart said. Its not good manners to begin the year with dire predictions, says Kishore Jayabalan in this weeks Acton Commentary, but with continuing Islamic terrorist attacks, increasing concern over Russian aggression, and the general fecklessness of its leaders, we have many reasons to worry about the future of liberty in Europe. Italian and German anti-terrorism officials were fully aware of the threat posed by Tunisian national Anis Amri and still could not prevent his driving a truck through a Christmas market in Berlin. Combined with the Istanbul nightclub shootings on New Years Eve as well as the murder of a French priest celebrating Mass in Normandy and the Bastille Day rampage in Nice, we can expect to see even more internal security measures in every major European city. Rome already has plenty of armed police, many of whom comport themselves much too casually to inspire any confidence in their ability to stop an actual attack. The full text of the essay can be found here. Subscribe to the free, weekly Acton Commentary and other publications here. The modern world has introduced a wide array of fruits and freedoms, yet it also brings with it new tensions and temptations. Whether in family, business, education, or government, the expansion of opportunity and choice require heightened levels of individual wisdom, discernment and intentionality. In a recent talk for the C.S. Lewis Institute, Os Guinness laments the influence of these effects on the Western church. It isnt ideas which have caused the main damage to the church, Guinness says. Modernity itself, not ideas has done more damage to the church than all the persecutors put together, and yet many Christians dont even know what Im talking about. As Guinness argues, the Western church has far too passively shifted alongside or according to the trends and tendencies of modernity as seen across the culture, whether in family, business, education, or government. Across cultural spheres, weve shifted from a stance of authority to one of preference, from a mindset of integration to one of fragmentation, and from a supernatural orientation to a secular worldview. In many cases, modernity is just the icing on the cake, Guinness notes, but the sheer force of its push and pull cannot be ignored. If you recognize [the temptations], you can resist them, he says. If you dont recognize them, they can shape you unawares. Although Christians wield little influence in Europe, they still constitute a vast majority of the population in America, and yet despite their numbers, they wield little cultural influence at large. For Guinness, this is the heart of the scandal for the American church. The takeaway? There is something wrong with the salt and the light. In response, Guinness offers 3 key tasks that the Western church has before it, both internally and externally as it relates to spiritual, social, and cultural witness, and the inevitable battles of an increasingly modernizing world: 1. Prepare the global south. The Chinese church survived the most brutal, vicious, systematic persecution any church has probably ever faced under Mao Ze Dung. And yet now, when theyre not persecuted so visiously.as theyre moving to big cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, the challenge of the church negotiating these big modern cities is actually causing many to fall away. The challenge of negotiating modern life is even harder than surviving persecution. We need to prepare themDont do what we did. It was the Western church that helped create the modern world, and we have caved in to the very world we helped createSo we have to say with great humility: This is what we did wrong; this is how discipleship was seduced and distorted. Dont do what we did. 2. Win back the Western world. Some people immediately think of crusades and political campaigns. Im not thinking of that[Western missionaries] brought the gospel. They brought the scriptures. They brought literacy. They brought education. And they sowed the seeds for what became Christendom. And here we are, many, many centuries later, living in the twilight of Christendom, as the church both in Europe and here is not doing well in much of the advanced modern world. Instead of the doom and gloom or the alarmismwe should be thinking of winning back our part of the world for our Lord, just as they did after the collapse of the Western empiremoving out with confidence in the gospel, in each of the callings God has given us, and really being the salt and light in our culture, winning people back to our Lord not as a political campaign or cultural crusade, but winning people one by one, community by community. 3. Contribute to the human future. Were facing unprecedented challenges. If youre following things like singularity or the effects of artificial intelligence, or transhumanism, you know that there are visions of tomorrow that are unlike anything humanitys ever seen, and many of the faiths, worldviews, and philosophies of the world have no answer at all. But we cannot sit back and say Jesus is the answer without articulating that answer into the thick of the grand philosophical, ethical, medical, scientific challenges that are coming in the future. And I hope particularly the millennial generation will take it as a calling to engage that worldand be there in the thick of those discussions. The church will surely endure without the West, but can the West flourish if it fails to recover its Christian roots what Guinness calls the moral ecosystem of the West? The fragmentation and separation is already happening, and the church can begin the repairing now, winning people, as Guinness says, one by one, community by community. A New York Times story argues the speed of the possible ACA repeal is leaving healthcare lobbies stunned. Here's what you should know. 1. The NYT claims representatives of insurance companies, hospitals, physicians and pharmaceutical makers are in a state of disarray and are "struggling for a response to a legislative quick strike that would upend much of the American healthcare system." 2. The Senate could begin the repeal process as early as Jan. 12, 2016, if it passes parliamentary language in a budget resolution. That resolution would fast track a bill that would be immune to filibustering. 3. President of the Greater New York Hospital Association Kenneth Raske said to NYT despite the threat of 20 million Americans losing coverage, most lobbies "don't want to get on the wrong side of the new administration or the Republican majority in Congress." 4. The American College of Physicians sent letters to senators urging them to vote against the budget resolution. Consumer and liberal advocacy groups have taken to the airways to urge Congress to stop its "attack" on the ACA. 5. The NYT calls these two minor campaigns a "pittance," citing the $150 million the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America set aside in 2009 to support the law's passage. 6. The NYT believes the budget resolution should pass, but predicts a full repeal will be difficult without Republicans having an alternative ready to pass at the same time. During a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell maintained her support of the ACA and questioned the validity of Republicans' replacement plan, according to The Wall Street Journal. Ms. Burwell said legislators should analyze a plan to determine if it will lower costs, expand access and reduce overall U.S. healthcare spending. However, she said Republicans have failed to provide such a plan. WSJ reports Republicans still have not reached a consensus around one replacement plan. Democrats have maintained repealing the ACA without a viable alternative could cause major disruption in the insurance market. Ms. Burwell said promises concerning a replacement plan are unrealistic. She said, "As for silver bullets, they don't exist. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is." Ms. Burwell will leave her post on Jan. 20, 2017. Illinois-based Presence Health agreed to pay HHS' Office for Civil Rights a settlement totaling $475,000 over claims that the health system violated HIPAA. Here are four things to know: 1. Presence filed a breach notification report on Jan. 31, 2014, to OCR after the health system noted operating room schedules were missing from Joliet, Ill.-based Presence St. Joseph Medical Center's Presence Surgery Center. 2. The operating room schedules featured the personal information of 836 patients, including their names, birthdates, medical record numbers, procedures' dates and types, surgeon names and anesthesia types. 3. State law requires a healthcare facility to report to OCR within 60 days of uncovering the breach. Following OCR's investigation into Presence Health, OCR found Presence violated the law by failing to meet this time frame. 4. Therefore, the health network agreed to pay OCR a $475,000 fine. When contacted for comment, a Presence Health spokesperson issued the following comment to Becker's Hospital Review: "Because patient privacy is a top priority at Presence Health, we are working diligently with the OCR on all steps required under the corrective action plan, including additional associate training in HIPAA policies and procedures. This is the culmination of a several year process working with the OCR to resolve a matter we voluntarily reported to the OCR in 2014 related to an isolated incident involving paper records at a surgery center located in Joliet, Ill. This incident did not involve any electronic records and did not involve any disclosure of patient contact or financial information. We are confident that reports on our progress to quickly implement revised policies and procedures will be positive." To combat its $30 billion debt, Lovell, Canada-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals is selling its Dendreon cancer business and three of its skincare brands for $2.12 billion. Here's what you should know. 1. Valeant is selling its Dendreon immunotherapy prostate cancer business to China-based Sanpower Group for $819.9 million. 2. Additionally, Valeant is selling its CeraVe, AMBI Skincare and AcneFree skincare brands to Ile-de-France-based L'Oreal for $1.3 billion. The three product lines yielded an annual revenue of $168 million for Valeant. 3. Valeant expects to close on both transactions in early 2017. 4. The sales' proceeds will pay back some of Valeant's term loan debt. Here are the most expensive hospital facility expansions or renovations announced or completed in 2016. The following projects exceed $200 million in cost. They are listed below, beginning with the most expensive. 1. Miami-based Jackson Health System in July unveiled a $1.8 billion building plan that includes rebuilding at the Jackson Memorial Hospital campus, expansions at its other facilities and the construction of a $253 million medical campus in Doral, Fla. 2. Cleveland-based MetroHealth System plans to borrow $1.25 billion to build a new hospital on its main campus. 3. UC San Diego Health on Nov. 20 opened Jacobs Medical Center in La Jolla, Calif., a nearly $1 billion, 10-story medical center equipped with enhanced amenities for patients and expanded clinical capabilities. 4. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Public Health Council voted Oct. 20 to approve Boston Children's Hospital's proposal to begin construction on a $1 billion expansion project. 5. City, state and federal officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 18 to mark the long-awaited opening of the Veterans Affairs hospital in New Orleans. Although it was projected to cost about $625 million, a U.S. Government Accountability Office report said the actual cost of the new hospital came closer to $1 billion. 6. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based HCA East Florida, a Hospital Corporation of America subsidiary, will invest $650 million in its Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie County facilities, the company announced in July. 7. Providence Tarzana (Calif.) Medical Center in May unveiled plans to build a new $624 million patient wing and upgrade the existing buildings, which will no longer house inpatient care. 8. The Georgia Department of Community Health on Dec. 12 approved a request by Atlanta-based Piedmont Hospital to build a $603 million, 16-story patient tower next to its main campus. 9. New Hartford, N.Y.-based Mohawk Valley Health System in April announced it was pursuing plans to build a $570 million to $575 million new hospital in Utica, N.Y. 10. The local city board in early September approved Washington, D.C.-based MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's proposal to construct a new $567 million hospital. 11. St. Louis-based SSM Health unveiled plans in June for its new $550 million academic medical center. The 316-bed, 802,000-square-foot facility will replace the current hospital and outpatient care center at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital. 12. The Maryland Health Care Commission voted Oct. 20 to approve a proposed $543 million hospital in Prince George's County. The proposed regional medical center is a joint venture between Cheverly, Md.-based Dimensions Healthcare System and Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical System. 13. Tacoma, Wash.-based CHI Franciscan Health in late August submitted a letter of intent to the Washington State Department of Health requesting regulatory approval to invest in a new, $530 million hospital at Harrison Medical Center-Silverdale (Wash.). 14. Portland-based Maine Medical Center officials in September proposed a $512 million expansion project of the facility. 15. Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Vassar Brothers Medical Center broke ground Sept. 13 on a new $500 million patient pavilion. 16. Mercy Medical Center announced plans in August of a $500 million expansion project at its main campus in Des Moines, Iowa. 17. Omaha, Neb.-based Children's Hospital & Medical Center broke ground on a $450 million facility Dec. 8. 18. A $400 million expansion to Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., will add 13 more beds than originally planned, the hospital disclosed in early August. 19. Charlottesville-based University of Virginia Medical Center began an 80-bed, $394 million expansion of its emergency department June 8. 20. Charleston-based Medical University of South Carolina broke ground on a $385 million children's hospital Aug. 12. 21. Iowa City-based University of Iowa Children's Hospital held a tour Nov. 5 of its new 14-story, $360 million complex. 22. Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health System revealed plans in April to inject $350 million into its facilities, including the construction of a new six-story tower on its main campus and improvements throughout other medical buildings and offices. 23. Woodbury, N.J.-based Inspira Health Network proposed plans in October to build a 210-bed, $349 million hospital to replace its current Woodbury facility. 24. UConn Health, based in Farmington, Conn., on April 29 opened its new 11-floor, $318 million tower at UConn John Dempsey Hospital. 25. Memphis, Tenn.-based Methodist University Hospital broke ground Oct. 5 on its $280 million master campus expansion plan. 26. The Delaware Health Resources Board in May approved Dover, Del.-based Bayhealth Medical Center's $277 million expansion plan. 27. Mercy Health Muskegon (Mich.) began construction on its $271 million, nine-story hospital Sept. 20. 28. Rogers-based Mercy Northwest Arkansas said April 27 it plans to invest nearly a quarter billion on capital projects and equipment over the next five years. The health system's $247 expansion in healthcare facilities and services will create 1,000 new jobs. 29. Sharp Chula Vista (Calif.) Medical Center broke ground on a $244 million, 197,000-square-foot hospital tower on Nov. 10. 30. A groundbreaking ceremony took place May 3 for the new, $233 million Franciscan St. Anthony Health hospital in Michigan City, Ind. 31. Duke LifePoint Healthcare announced in August it will build a $206 million hospital in Marquette, Mich. 32. El Camino Hospital in June announced plans to set aside $204 million in the 2016-17 fiscal year to expand their campus in Mountain View, California. 33. Woodbury, N.J.-based Inspira Health Network will spend $200 million to build a 204-bed hospital in Mullica Hill, N.J., the health system announced in September. 34. Los Angeles-based CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center unveiled plans in April to modernize its more than 100-year-old facility to better serve the Hollywood community and surrounding areas. The expansion will cost an estimated $200 million. *Note: Becker's coverage of facilities management news began in April 2016. Therefore news of hospital expansions or renovations prior to April is not included in this list. The following hospital and health system CEO moves were reported in Becker's Hospital Review in the last week. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent. 1. Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua health system CEO Richard P. Miller plans to retire at the end of 2017, ending a 21-year stint as the organization's leader. 2. Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Lutheran Health Network selected Brent Parsons to serve as permanent CEO of Bluffton (Ind.) Regional Medical Center. 3. Potsdam, N.Y.-based St. Lawrence Health System named David Bender CEO of Gouverneur (N.Y.) Hospital. 4. Syracuse, N.Y.-based Upstate University Hospital CEO John McCabe, MD, is leaving his post to "pursue professional and personal interests," according to a report by The Post-Standard. 5. Cleveland-based Sisters of Charity Health System tapped Thomas J. Strauss to serve as its new president and CEO. 6. Olympia, Wash.-based Capital Medical Center CEO Jim Geist is leaving his post after seven years. 7. Warrenton, Va.-based Fauquier Health selected Chad Melton as its new CEO, effective Feb. 13, 2017. 8. Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif., named Dave Cheney CEO. 9. Medical City Arlington (Texas) announced CEO Winston Borland will retire, effective March 31, 2017. 10. Port Huron, Mich.-based Lake Huron Medical Center CEO Rebekah Smith, RN, is retiring in spring 2017. 11. Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, Calif., named Michael Wall president and CEO. 12. San Antonio-based Christus Santa Rosa Health System announced the resignation of President and CEO Ken Haynes. President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to nominate David Shulkin, MD, to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. "I think you'll be very impressed with the job he does," Mr. Trump said Wednesday at his first formal press conference since July. "We looked long and hard we interviewed at least 100 people, some good, some not so good. But we had a lot of talent. And we think this selection will be something that will, with time, straighten it [the VA] out and straighten it out for good." Here are eight things to know about Dr. Shulkin. 1. Dr. Shulkin already has experience leading the VA's medical operations. He currently serves as under secretary for health at the VA. He was appointed to this position by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in June 2015, amid the ongoing challenge to address major wait time issues within the agency's health system. In this role, Dr. Shulkin is chief of the Veterans Health Administration and oversees a $60 billion organization that employs more than 300,000 people and provides care to roughly 9 million veterans each year. Dr. Shulkin also still practices medicine at the VA center in Manhattan. 2. During his time at the VA, Dr. Shulkin has made moves to cut down wait times and make same-day appointments a reality across the organization. In April 2016, he led the launch of MyVA Access, an initiative that aims to give veterans more control of how and when they receive healthcare. This included the launch of a smartphone app for veterans to view, schedule and cancel appointments, which was set to roll out systemwide this month. It also included a pilot website that allows veterans to see wait times at centers in real time. The initiative is part of a larger effort called MyVA, which was introduced in 2014 to transform the VA into a patient-centered organization. The VA pledged to offer same day appointments for primary care and mental health at all medical centers by the end of 2016. The VA has not announced if this goal has been met. 3. He supports integrating the VA system with private-sector providers. Writing for The New England Journal of Medicine last March, Dr. Shulkin outlined this potential model of healthcare delivery. "Partnerships with federal and community healthcare providers may result in better access and broader capabilities than simply relying on the VA's internal capabilities and current infrastructure especially given that we expect the need for ambulatory services to increase in the future, while the need for acute inpatient medical, surgical and rehabilitation services decreases," he wrote. 4. Dr. Shulkin also wants to update the VA's IT system and move to the cloud. Last June, he told the Senate the agency is looking for a commercial, off-the-shelf replacement for its VistA EHR. At that time a VA spokesperson told Politico the agency plans to keep its EHR until 2018 and then start moving to a cloud-based platform. In August, the VA issued a request for information seeking feedback and guidance on transitioning to a commercial, off-the-shelf EHR platform. 5. Dr. Shulkin also has experience in leading health system turnarounds in the private sector. He was president and CEO of New York City-based Beth Israel Medical Center from 2005 to 2009, where he is credited with leading a $1.3 billion financial turnaround and rebuild of the organization. From 2010 to 2015, he served as president of Morristown (N.J.) Medical Center and its Goryeb Children's Hospital and Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute, all of which are part of Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System. Dr. Shulkin was also instrumental in launching the system's ACO the Atlantic ACO and served as president during his tenure with the health system. 6. Dr. Shulkin is board-certified in internal medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, now part of Philadelphia-based Drexel University College of Medicine. He completed his internship at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., and his residency and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Shulkin completed advanced training at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he studied outcomes research and economics as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar. He is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians. 7. Dr. Shulkin does not have a military background. Though this is not required of VA secretaries, Dr. Shulkin, if confirmed, will be the first non-veteran to lead the department, according to the Military Times. Dr. Shulkin did have a military upbringing, however. He was born on an Army base and his father was an Army psychiatrist, according to the Military Times. 8. Dr. Shulkin's nomination has garnered early praise, despite his lack of military experience. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff said in a statement, "Our membership overwhelmingly supported the selection of a veteran for this critical leadership position." However, he added, "Dr. Shulkin's service as under secretary is respected by the entire veterans community. He is a committed leader and is our best hope among candidates reported in the media to maintain the momentum created by Secretary McDonald to reform the VA." House VA Chairman Phil Roe, R-Tenn., praised the choice Wednesday. "I am pleased President-elect Trump has chosen a physician to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, especially one familiar with the integrating of private practitioners into the VA's network of healthcare providers," Rep. Roe said, according to Politico. His former colleagues lauded the nomination as well. "I was very enthusiastic when I saw the news, and greatly encouraged to see that a physician has been nominated to lead services for our nation's veterans," Brian Gragnolati, president and CEO of Atlantic Health System, said in an emailed statement. "I have known David Shulkin for many years, and worked with him directly here at Atlantic Health System. He has the tenacity, knowledge and passion to affect meaningful change. I know that his experience and success as under secretary of health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will serve him well as he continues his vital work to support our veterans." Note: This article was udpated Jan. 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. CT to include the statement from Mr. Gragnolati and update information about Dr. Shulkin's work with Atlantic Health System. This article previously stated he was president and CEO of Morristown Medical Center before he served at Beth Israel Medical Center. This is incorrect. Dr. Shulkin worked at Morristown Medical Center after Beth Israel Medical Center. More articles on leadership and management: HHS Sec. Burwell's advice to Dr. Tom Price: Prioritize cybersecurity 12 health system CEOs on what drew them to healthcare Trump taps vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy to chair vaccine safety panel In her farewell remarks at the National Press Club Monday, HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell warned Republican lawmakers that repealing the ACA could be "a step backwards" for the U.S. healthcare system. She had more pointed advice for nominated HHS Secretary Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., regarding the issue of cybersecurity. "This is very important and I would tell my successor it has to be prioritized," she said in response to a question on how to address cyberattacks in the healthcare industry. "People don't want to spend money on it. They don't want to spend time on it. It is extremely important that you put in place the protections as much as you can." Sec. Burwell urged the next HHS secretary and healthcare organizations more broadly to recognize the legitimate threat that "advanced players," or hackers, pose to their systems. Large companies like Anthem, Premera Blue Cross and Quest Diagnostics, along with numerous health systems, have already been targeted by such attacks, which have affected the sensitive information of millions of patients. Cleveland Clinic has been grappling with an unexpected public relations issue this week an anti-vaccine column penned by the medical director and COO of the Clinic's Wellness Institute, Daniel Neides, MD. The column, which was published last Friday on Cleveland.com, received considerable backlash on social media from the medical community. Here is a breakdown of how the article was posted and how the health system responded. 1. After the social media firestorm began, the health system issued the following statement Sunday clearly outlining its stance on vaccines: "Cleveland Clinic is fully committed to evidence-based medicine. Harmful myths and untruths about vaccinations have been scientifically debunked in rigorous ways. We completely support vaccinations to protect people, especially children who are particularly vulnerable. Our physician published his statement without authorization from Cleveland Clinic. His views do not reflect the position of Cleveland Clinic and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken." 2. The health system also asked Dr. Neides to apologize. He issued the following statement through a spokeswoman: "I apologize and regret publishing a blog that has caused so much concern and confusion for the public and medical community. I fully support vaccinations and my concern was meant to be positive around the safety of them." 3. The article was said to have been "inexplicably removed" for a few hours Sunday and was later restored. An explainer article from Cleveland.com's vice president of content, Chris Quinn, revealed that Cleveland Clinic's communications team may have been responsible for removing the content. Mr. Quinn wrote that a reader first alerted him to the missing article, and when he looked for it, the article had been was gone from the system. "Upon review and after consultation with the Clinic, we learned that [Bob] Smith [from the Cleveland Clinic Corporate Communications office] was the one who deleted it," Mr. Quinn wrote. 4. The news website has since removed Dr. Neides' and the Clinic's direct access to publish content, according to Mr. Quinn. Previously, Dr. Neides wrote columns on wellness topics and they were published directly to Cleveland.com by the Clinic's corporate communications team. Then Mr. Smith, who works in the communications office, would email an editor at the newspaper, who would often review the content, according to the report. However, in the case of this column, the editor never received an email from Mr. Smith alerting her that the article was posted, according to Mr. Quinn. 5. Cleveland.com restored the article because it "has become the topic of a widespread conversation." Despite being disavowed by the health system, the website said it "strive[s] to be the center of conversation, so we are loath to remove something that has become central to a debate," Mr. Quinn wrote. 6. Cleveland Clinic is also working to rein in its Wellness Institute, independently of the vaccine debacle. STAT reported Tuesday that the system is reevaluating the institute's mission and some of the alternative medicine products it sells in gift shops. More articles on integration and physician issues: TeamHealth to take over for local emergency medicine group at King's Daughter Medical Center This physician almost died in her own hospital what she learned from the experience Cleveland Clinic physician under fire for anti-vaccine column Government officials said they will promptly address North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's (D) proposed Medicaid expansion plan, The News & Observer reports. Gov. Cooper officially initiated efforts to expand North Carolina's Medicaid program under the ACA by sending a letter to federal regulators last Friday notifying them of his intentions. HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said Monday the government "will process the governor's proposal as expeditiously as possible when we get it," according to the report. North Carolina Republican Reps. Robert Pittenger and Richard Hudson sent a letter to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt asking the governor's request be rejected on grounds that his actions are illegal. In 2013, the state government approved legislation barring the executive branch from expanding Medicaid without state lawmakers' backing. Gov. Cooper's efforts come as Republican legislators begin attempts to repeal the ACA. A New Jersey pediatrician administered potentially faulty vaccines to 900 children from Nov. 1, 2014, through July 28, 2016, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. An additional 38 children immunized by the physician after July 28, 2016, were also given potentially compromised vaccines. The vaccines were administered by Michael Bleiman, MD, of Southern Ocean Pediatrics and Family Medicine in Manahawkin, N.J., through the federally funded Vaccines for Children program, which provides free or low-cost vaccines for children. On July 28, 2016, health inspectors identified 280 vaccines stored at an incorrect temperature, which can compromise vaccine efficacy. The vaccines were quarantined by the inspectors who reportedly instructed Dr. Bleiman not to use them. The vaccines were administered anyway, according to the Press of Atlantic City. According to NJDOH, a review of temperature logs revealed the vaccine storage issues began in November 2014. On Monday, New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino submitted a complaint calling for the suspension or revocation of Dr. Bleiman's medical license. According to the Press of Atlantic City, the complaint accuses the physician of fraud, negligence and misconduct in administering child vaccinations. The investigation into Dr. Bleiman's actions is ongoing. The NJDOH said not all children treated by Dr. Bleiman will need to be revaccinated. Some may be able to get blood tests to determine if the vaccines were effective; however, such tests are not available for all diseases. The health department is not recommending these children be held out of school and stated the decision of revaccination will be left to parents and their healthcare providers. More articles on infection control: WHO's 8 guidelines for effective infection prevention programs Gym members infected with Legionnaires' in New York state Senior living facility shuts down showers after Legionella detected in water supply Vice President Joe Biden took the stage at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco earlier this week and discussed a variety of topics, according to a San Francisco Business Times report. Here are five key areas Mr. Biden discussed in his presentation: 1. He highlighted parts of the "Cancer Moonshot" program, which he heads up, mentioning there are drug combinations that may be able to "do what we've done for HIV." 2. Mr. Biden praised the individuals who created the website trials.cancer.gov, which lists all clinical trials to drive up participation. Increased participation could be helpful for drug companies that sometimes have difficulty connecting with patients for clinical trials. 3. Even as he prepares to leave office, Mr. Biden said he would continue working on forwarding cancer research and treatment. "When I leave office in two weeks, I will be starting an organization that may be called the Biden Cancer Initiative, with similar goals to the Cancer Moonshot to make 10 years' worth of progress in five by changing the way we do business in cancer research and development, and in providing cancer care," he said, according to the report. 4. During the transition between administrations, Mr. Biden offered to help the Trump administration "in any way [he] can." 5. Mr. Biden championed data gathering and discussed data ownership in the fight against cancer, supporting transparency so researchers across the board can use the information to find new cures. He also touched on the cost of care: "Too many Americans are forced to sell their homes or go into bankruptcy, just so their loved ones can get care and hope for a cure. That needs to change while still not undermining the profit motive." Google Ventures now backs Bethesda, Md.-based Aledade, a company that provides services to physicians looking to build an ACO, according to the Washington Business Journal. Google Ventures became part of the company's backers during a Series B1 funding that raised $20 million; the company has now raised $54.4 million. Here are five things to know: 1. Biomatics Capital Partners led the funding round, with Maryland Venture Fund and existing investors Venrock and Arch Venture Partners participating in the round. 2. Aledade plans to use the funding to accelerate its health provider network and expand commercial payer and Medicare Advantage plan relationships. 3. The investors see Aledade finding a way to stay successful under the new administration; the company benefited from President Barack Obama's ACA in the past, but President-elect Donald Trump has mentioned repealing and replacing the law. 4. Aledade currently has more than 200 independent physicians in its ACO network, representing 15 states and 240,000 covered lives, according to the report. 5. The company represents $2 billion in healthcare spending. Here are eight key stories on outpatient spine trends and news. Physician-owned ASCs driving lumbar spine fusion market growth Through 2020, a Market Report Worlds analysis found the lumbar spine fusion market will likely grow substantially. The growing number of physician-owned ASCs is fueling growth. The report notes the expanded use of surface-modified titanium in spinal implants is also spurring market expansion. Best practices for outpatient cervical spine surgery A panel of spine surgeons and clinicians published an article in Spine titled "Best Practices for Outpatient Anterior Cervical Surgery" to outline the best practices for selecting patients and performing cervical total disc replacement and fusion procedures in the ASC. Read about the best practices here. NJ surgeons perform 1st office-based robotic-assisted kyphoplasty in US Englewood, N.J.-based The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders surgeons performed a Mazor Robotic Renaissance System kyphoplasty on a patient experiencing pain from a T12 fracture. The outpatient procedure, performed in an office-based setting with sedation, was the first of its kind in the United States, sending the patient home the same day, according to the press release. ASCs with total disc replacement spinal surgery Check out these 25 ambulatory surgery centers where surgeons perform total disc replacements. Laser Spine Institute's Dr. Michael Weiss on outpatient spine surgery Tampa-based Laser Spine Institute hosted the inaugural Calusa Ambulatory Spine Conference in Streamsong, Fla., from Nov. 11 through Nov. 13, 2016. Orthopedic spine surgeon Michael C. Weiss, DO, chairman of Laser Spine Institute's department of surgery, shares key takeaways from the conference and predicts how outpatient spine will progress in the industry. Key thoughts on endoscopic surgery and spinal pain Anthony Yeung, MD, founder of Phoenix-based Desert Institute for Spine Care, commented on the use of outpatient spine surgery to alleviate back pain. In 2013, Dr. Yeung donated $2.5 million to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque to open the Anthony T. & Eileen K. Yeung Center for Endoscopic Spine Surgery. This center will incorporate programs to educate spine surgeons and pain physicians about effective minimally invasive surgical techniques for spinal pain. These outpatient surgery centers opened in 2016 Click here to check out the 86 new outpatient surgery centers and ASCs opened or announced over the past year. Growth of outpatient surgery to spur global surgical navigations systems market expansion The global surgical navigations systems market is expected to increase at a more than 7 percent compound annual growth rate through 2020, a Technavio report found. The expansion of outpatient setting, especially for spine, orthopedic and ENT procedures, has spurred market growth. To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below According to reports, Morocco, a Muslim-majority nation, has banned the production and sale of burqas for security reasons. Reportedly, awareness campaigns are being conducted to convey the new instructions to traders. Even as it was not officially announced in the nation, it is expected that the Interior Ministry order would take effect this week. A new species of gibbon identified in remote forests in China has been named after Star Wars character Luke Skywalker. Scientists studying hoolock gibbons in the Gaoligong mountains of south west China, along its border with Burma, have concluded they are a new species of primate. The conclusion comes fol lowing genetic analysis of wild gibbons and museum specimens and assessing coat colour patterns and teeth, according to the researchers from China, the US and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). It was previously thought they belonged to one of the two already-known species of hoolock gibbons, a type of primate found in Bangladesh, India, China and Burma, where they live among the trees, feeding mostly on fruit as well as leaves and shoots. The species has been called the Skywalker hoolock gibbon or Gaoligong hoolock gibbon ( Hoolock tianxing), with the Star Wars-inspired name reflecting the treetop home of the primates - and revealing the scientists are fans of the franchise. In response to the news, Star Wars actor Mark Hamill tweeted: "So proud of this! First the Pez dispenser, then the Underoos & U.S. postage stamp... now this!", referring to other things which have featured his character Luke Skywalker. But the animals are facing illegal hunting and destruction, damage and fragmentation of their habitat. Expand Close An adult female Skywalker hoolock gibbon or Gaoligong hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing), a new species identified in China (Zoological Society of London/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An adult female Skywalker hoolock gibbon or Gaoligong hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing), a new species identified in China (Zoological Society of London/PA) The scientists, writing in the American Journal of Primatology, recommend the Skywalker hoolock gibbon is classed as "endangered" under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species system. And they said: " The disc overy of the new species focuses attention on the need for improved conservation of small a pes, many of which are in danger of extinction in southern China and Southeast Asia." Dr Samuel Turvey of the ZSL said: "The team are thrilled to have made this discovery. "However, it's also edged with sadness - as we're also calling for the IUCN to immediately confer endangered status on the Skywalker hoolock gibbon, which faces the same grave and imminent risk to its survival as many other small ape species in southern China and Southeast Asia due to habitat loss and hunting. "Increased awareness of the remarkable ecosystem of the Gaoligong mountains and improved conservation is essential, to ensure we have time to get fully acquainted with this exciting new species before it's too late." The Gaoligong mountains are a hotspot for discovering new species, according to the scientists, with other primates and amphibians among the creatures newly identified in the difficult-to-access region. Lib Dem Vince Cable, left, at the press launch of the bank The UK's Green Investment Bank could be killed off if the Government goes ahead with plans to sell it, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas has said. She warned the preferred bidder, Australian investment bank Macquerie, has a "very worrying and dubious track record" and is likely to asset strip the company and discard its green ideals. Ms Lucas urged ministers to halt the planned sale of the bank, which supports offshore wind farms and other green projects. Asking an urgent question in the Commons, she said: "Will the minister admit that this selling off could lead to the bank being fatally undermined as an enduring institution? "Will he stop the killing off of the Green Investment Bank? Will he halt the sale process with immediate effect?" Set up with 3.8 billion of Government money, the investment bank is the first in the world dedicated to "greening the economy". Ms Lucas told MPs: "This week we heard that the Green Investment Bank stands on the brink of not just being flogged off but of being broken up with its green purposes discarded. "Founded in 2012, the GIB has been widely recognised as a true success story, kick-starting truly innovative low-carbon projects across the UK. "And yet this preferred bidder, Macquarie, not only has a dismal and terrible environmental record, it also has an appalling track record of asset stripping. "So why has the Government given preferred bidder status to this company?" Recent changes to the bank's corporate structure suggest there are plans "to hollow out the GIB", she said. As part of the plans to sell the bank, the Government has created a "special share" which legally enshrines its obligation to invest exclusively in green projects. But Ms Lucas said the asset stripping raised questions over the effectiveness of this safeguard and its sale could result in the bank being "fatally undermined as an enduring institution". Energy Minister Nick Hurd said he could not comment on any of the bidders because the proposed sale is commercially sensitive. But he insisted the bank is being privatised so it can "increase its green impact free from the constraints of Government ownership" and played down speculation that firms intend to kill it off. He added: "Potential bidders are interested in GIB precisely because of its green specialism; we are asking potential investors to confirm their commitment to GIB's green values and investment principles and how they propose to protect them, as part of their bids for the company. "In addition, the Government has approved the creation of a special share, held by independent trustees to protect GIB's green purposes in future. "The sale is commercially sensitive, so I cannot comment on the identity of any bidders or the discussions taking place between the Government and potential bidders." Mr Hurd added: "It is precisely because we want the Green Investment Bank to be able to do more, unfettered from the constraints of the state, that we are seeking to put it into the private sector." But pressure is mounting on the Government over the sale. The Environmental Audit Committee has sent a letter to Energy Secretary Greg Clark raising concerns about the proposed sale of the bank Macquarie. The committee's chairwoman, Mary Creagh, said: "The Green Investment Bank should continue to exist as a low-carbon investor or its sale should not proceed. "Ministers have rushed to privatise it without consultation or proper consideration of the alternatives. "Taxpayers do not want to see a repeat of the Royal Mail debacle where public assets were sold at bargain-basement prices, and they do not want to see a landmark British institution sold off to an asset-stripper." Mr Hurd faced cross-party calls in the Commons to delay the sale, from the likes of Tory Peter Aldous (Waveney) and the SNP's energy and climate change spokesman, Callum McCaig. Shadow business secretary Clive Lewis said: "Given the assessment of Macquarie and what we've seen of Macquarie, it has a history of asset-stripping. "How exactly will the minister protect this valuable public institution from having its assets sold off?" Mr Hurd also refused to rule out the bank investing in fracking once it moves into private hands. When asked directly about this by Labour's Jenny Chapman (Darlington), Mr Hurd said: "The Green Investment Bank will be required, under this process, to continue to respect the green purpose of the organisation, as set out in the articles of the association. "Therefore, the degree to which investment proposals fit those criteria are a judgment to be made by management and the trustees we've set up to be independent guardians of this process." National Express says c2c is the UK's best performing rail franchise National Express has struck a 70 million deal to sell its c2c rail operation to Italy's Trenitalia, increasing the number of UK franchises in European hands. The sale of the c2c franchise, which runs from the City of London to Essex, signals National Express's exit from the UK rail market to focus on "significant growth" opportunities in the US and Europe. Trenitalia joins a string of European state-owned operators running services in the UK, including the Netherlands' Abellio, France's Keolis and Germany's Deutsche Bahn, which owns Arriva. Dean Finch, chief executive of National Express Group, said c2c was the UK's "best performing franchise", but the deal provided "opportunities for all concerned". The move is expected to be complete in three to four weeks if given the green light by the Department for Transport. It will hand the company a "small net profit" and provide the "best, and fair, deal" for shareholders, National Express said. Trenitalia chief executive Barbara Morgante said the operator will be "closely monitoring" the UK rail industry for further opportunities to buy UK franchises. "We see significant chances to invest in UK rail and this in-principle agreement with National Express allows us to foster these ambitions," she said. "We are also closely monitoring the Railways Franchising Programme as we intend to participate in tenders issued by the DfT to strengthen our presence in UK." Shares in National Express were down 0.5% in morning trading on the FTSE 250 Index. The c2c service runs between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, covering 26 stations across east London and south Essex. Trenitalia is owned by the FS Italiane Group, which runs 8,000 trains a day, serving 600 million passengers. Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT trade union, said: "This is yet another part of Britain's rail operations being sold off to a European state-owned outfit. "This time it's Trenitalia, an Italian operator, that is being given an open door to plunder passengers and the public purse to subsidise rail services in their own country. "The Government should be hanging their heads in shame and this latest scandal ramps up the case for public ownership of our rail network." The publisher of the Daily Mirror newspaper has confirmed talks are under way to acquire a minority stake in Daily Express publisher Northern & Shell. Trinity Mirror said that discussions were at an "early stage" with the group, which is owned by Richard Desmond. "The board of Trinity Mirror plc notes the recent media speculation and confirms that it is at an early stage of discussions towards taking a minority interest in a new company comprising certain of Northern & Shell's assets," Trinity explained in a statement. "No offer has been made and there is no certainty that any agreement will be reached." It is the second time in under two years that Trinity has opened talks with Northern & Shell, which owns the Daily Express and Daily Star titles. However, it has also been reported that any deal to acquire Mr Desmond's titles could include former News of the World editor David Montgomery. According to Sky News, he is plotting to create a new venture with private equity players that would house the titles, in which Trinity would be a minority stakeholder. Mr Desmond acquired the titles in 2000 for 125m. A tie-up between the left-leaning Mirror and the Brexit-backing Express would raise eyebrows, but could make commercial sense. The print media industry is grappling with a decline in advertising and any combination could herald cost savings and a shared cut of a larger advertising pool. It is the latest major print industry transaction to emerge in the last week. Ascential - which was once media and publishing giant Emap - said it will hive off 13 trade magazine brands into a separate division, but added "on-going discussions" meant a sale was "highly probable". The group will be left with just one publishing title - Retail Week - after the move as it looks to focus on its events business and major growth brands. The so-called 'heritage brands' being put on the sale block also include Local Government Chronicle, Construction News, Retail Jeweller and Architects' Journal. It marks the latest shift away from media publishing for the firm, which first began as a regional newspaper group before going on to own a host of consumer and business magazines. Sienna Miller has said she realised a childhood dream by appearing as a gangster's moll in latest film Live By Night. Set in the prohibition era in Boston, the movie sees Miller, the mistress of an Irish mob boss, engage in a passionate affair with Joe, played by Ben Affleck, who has just returned from combat in the First World War. Speaking at the film's European premiere at the BFI Southbank on Wednesday night, Miller said she had enjoyed dressing up as a character from 1920s America. She told the Press Association: "To play a gangster's moll was a dream. "Every fancy dress party from when I was 10 I would dress up as a flapper so to actually get to go to work and do it, it was bliss." The British-American actress made headlines earlier on Wednesday in the US after she discussed the nine hours of sex scenes she and Affleck endured during filming. She joked that Affleck, who also directed the movie, was trying to boost his reputation for sexual stamina. Affleck told the Press Association: "Sienna accused me of trying to make myself look like a much more impressive lover than I really am in the sex scenes. "I was trying to do multiple takes, it wasn't that I was actually trying to pretend that in real life I could do multiple takes." The Oscar-winning actor praised Miller as a "magical actress". He said: "She's great, she's fabulous. I had a first rate cast. "She's a prodigy. I don't think there's anything she can't do." He also said he had his "fingers crossed" for brother Casey Affleck who was nominated for a Bafta for his role in Manchester By The Sea on Tuesday after winning a Golden Globe earlier this week. Affleck said: "I'm thrilled, I'm hoping he finds success here in London. Londoners are known for their great taste so I hope Casey does well." Live By Night opens in cinemas on January 13 in the UK. Double take: Susanna Reid with and without (left) make-up on Celebrities rarely appear in public looking anything less than glamorous which is why Good Morning Britain star Susanna Reid caused such a stir recently when she posted a picture of herself on social media with no make-up on. The presenter was applauded by fans and colleagues as being inspiring and brave when she wished everyone a happy New Year on Instagram with a barefaced selfie. The 46-year-old posted before and after photos - one with make-up and one without along with the message: "Me on Instagram = extra eyelashes, make-up & filters. Me in Real life = blemishes, lines & flaws." She was inundated with positive messages and her Good Morning Britain co-star Piers Morgan applauded her courage. "It was a very brave thing to do because women in the public eye don't tend to put themselves out there au naturel," he said. While most women wouldn't leave the house without their make-up armoury in place, more and more seem to be opting for the natural look. We talked to three women for whom make-up is an everyday essential and one former model who prefers barefaced chic. 'I'd feel naked without my make-up' Glamorous great grandmother Valerie Kirkpatrick (70) grew up watching her beautiful mother keeping one step ahead of the fashion trends. For Valerie, who works in the model industry in the accountancy department of the Alison Campbell Agency, looking her best is always a priority. Valerie lives in Lisburn and has three daughters, two granddaughters and two great granddaughters. She says: I grew up with a very glamorous mum. She was really into film stars and called me and my two sisters after her favourite film stars. My mum would have had the latest clothes, perfumes and make-up even before they were available here. She bought all the latest fashion magazines and I remember my uncle owned a chemist shop and she would send me up with a cutting from Vogue or Cosmopolitan of the latest wonder cream or perfume to ask him to order it in for her. I loved to watch her getting ready to go out. She always wore stockings with seams up the back and would wear gloves to put them on so she wouldn't get a ladder in them. She always looked a million dollars and daddy was so proud of her. We just followed what she did. I do take my make-up off every night and put moisturiser and toner on although I don't overly stress about it. I couldn't leave the house without my make-up on or I would feel naked, it would just feel so weird, like going out with no clothes on. Make-up gives me confidence. I don't put it on for other people, it's for myself to make me feel better. I always wear a primer and then I use Clinique foundation or a Max Factor pan stick. I have used a pan stick for years and I have two different colours, a light one and a darker one which I use to shade. It is thick make-up but I don't put a lot of it on. I do my eyes and I always put eyeliner on and also do my brows. I usually go for a light grey eyeshadow or a light plum. A friend bought me an Urban Decay eyeshadow kit with about 20 different colours and I love that. Eyeshadow gives your eyes that wee bit of definition. I then put a dark brown or black pencil along the top of my lid and I finish my make-up with a bit of coral lipstick and a lip liner which just helps me to define my lips. I have good eyebrows but they are blonde and you can't really see them so I always put pencil on them as well. I don't spend a lot of money on make-up. I get a lot of it bought for me for presents and it tends to last a long time. I think Susanna Reid is stunning and without make-up would look great. It was brave of her to post a picture of herself without make-up, but I don't know if I'd want to do it though." 'I cleanse and moisturise every morning' Working in the model industry, Tracey Rodgers says she has always felt pressure to look good. Tracey (50) owns the Belfast-based Style Academy model agency and lives in the city with her husband Stefan and pet rottweiler pup, Frankie. She says: Yoou do feel a certain amount of pressure to look good when you work in this industry. When you are surrounded by models who are all looking fabulous, you are constantly comparing yourself. I wouldnt go to work or an event without my make-up on and I dont feel half as confident if I am bare-faced. Ive loved make-up since I was a teenager. Ive also done a lot of peoples make-up and taught make-up, and picked up a lot of tips over the years. I do cleanse, tone and moisturise every morning and I cleanse and tone at night, although sometimes Im a bit lazy about putting moisturiser on at night. I wear foundation and a concealer base and would set that with a loose powder. I then pencil my eyebrows. Eyebrows have become so important over the past five years and young people all know how to do the HD Brows because they watch tutorials on the internet. I also wear a powder blusher and put a cream blusher over that and then eyeshadow, eye liner, mascara and lipstick. It probably takes me 20 minutes in the morning to do my make-up. I have always worn brown eyeshadow and I use a liquid eyeliner on the top lid and on the bottom which I also blend with brown eyeshadow as it never stays on and the eye shadow helps to stop it running. I love Lime Crime lipstick as it goes on like a gloss and then sets as a matt and stays on all day. You can eat and drink and it is still there. I dont do dark lipstick. I once wore a burgundy stay-on matt lipstick to an event and it was horrific. I couldnt get it off and spent the whole night feeling so self-conscious I talked with my hand over my mouth. Lately I have started to go to church with no make-up on and also walk the dog without make-up though I do make a point of wearing shades. I dont know why I feel comfortable going to church with no make-up on, I suppose I feel it is very different to my other world and no one is paying any attention to me. Mind you, I nearly died one Sunday when the minister decided to take pictures and put them up on Facebook. I suppose when I dont have make-up on I dont feel half as confident. Susanna Reid was brave to put a picture of herself online, I certainly wouldnt have done it. 'Mascara and lipstick are two things I couldn't do without' Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson (50), from Waringstown, is known for adding a touch of glamour to the halls of Stormont. Jo-Anne is married to John (53), a farmer, and has two sons Mark (23) and Elliott (25). She says: For me personally its important to have a well-groomed public image which is why make-up is important to the job I do. I always wear make-up during my Stormont and constituency days and at the numerous fundraising events I attend. My make-up is as important to me and the clothes I wear for work. For me, make-up is a staple. I like to feel that I look presentable when meeting with my constituents or chairing the cancer and disability all-party groups, health committee or when in the chamber. Its all part of business dressing. I think people would wonder if I turned up make-up free. I would feel I look less professional. On the flip side of this, I love make-up free days, but usually in front of the cattle on our farm and my husband. I would rarely wear no make-up in public apart from on holiday. I especially love Sundays which is my make-up free day. My husband says I look much fresher faced and younger make-up free, but I think he is just being nice. I have to admit if I go for a walk on a Sunday I do pull on a hat and hope nobody sees me, yet there is a great feeling of freedom having no make-up on. If I go out, the two things I couldnt do without are lipstick and mascara. I dont tend to spend a lot on make-up. I buy my moisturiser, mascara and blusher in the supermarket during my Monday night grocery dash in Sainsburys before it closes on my way home from Stormont. There are a few which suit me which I dont deviate from. I have used Nivea cream to remove my make-up since I was a teenager. Its so cheap but so good. I tend to use Estee Lauder Night Repair as I never get enough sleep. I also use whatever cream I have bought at the supermarket but the Estee Lauder is non-negotiable. Susanna Reid was very brave to do what she did. She looks fantastic with or without make-up and well done to her. I remember doing a make-up free challenge for charity on Facebook a while back, although going without make-up at Stormont might not be on the cards yet. 'I want to show my children what's inside matters most' Author and former model Rebecca Reid (33), from Bangor, is a mum of three young girls, Molly (9), Matilda (6) and Cherry (3). Rebecca says she prefers not to wear make-up and at the very most will put on a little lip-gloss and a dash of eye liner. She says: Ive never liked putting anything on my skin and I just never saw why I should put something on my face to make me look different. I worked for some time as a model and did have the full make-up put on professionally but I always took it straight off again. I might put on a bit of lip gloss and eyeliner sometimes but I never put anything on my skin. I never saw the point and still dont. As the mother of girls in a time when everything is so self-image obsessed, it is really important to me to project a healthy image of self to my children and show them that what matters is what is inside and not what wearing a lot of makeup implies. There is no doubt that it does make a lot of people, including me, look a heck of a lot better but for me it is a personal choice and I think it is important for my daughters to see I can do that. I dont want them to think you need to be made up to look good. I wouldnt knock anyone for wearing make-up most of my friends and the girls I know do wear it. Its just that I would prefer not to. I do think that Susanna Reid was extremely brave to post a selfie with no make-up and she should be respected for it. If other celebrities would do it and say this is who I am, it might have a positive impact on women, particularly younger women. Younger women and teenagers seem to be wearing a lot more make-up these days. Today the Executive is functioning better than at any stage since the restoration of devolution in 1999." The words of Arlene Foster in a buoyant mood as she stood before DUP delegates as leader and First Minister last October. With rapturous applause throughout her speech, it appeared she could do no wrong. The previous May her party had equalled its best result in any Assembly election, with 38 seats and close to 30% of the first preference votes cast, easily eclipsing the Ulster Unionists and Sinn Fein. Perhaps the result would have been different had voters known what they do now. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal had not surfaced, even though the bills were already recognised and the staggering cost being counted behind closed doors at Stormont. Whether it was the row between Foster and then-Economy Minister Jonathan Bell, which they revealed in interviews with the BBC's Stephen Nolan, or how the RHI scheme was so flawed and out of control, the electorate had no inkling last May. Nor was there the remotest reference to RHI last October in Foster's optimistic conference address. Instead she set out her vision, and told cheering delegates: "I sought the leadership of this party for a single purpose - to use this office to build a better, more prosperous Northern Ireland for all, in a stronger United Kingdom." Yet, even as she spoke, she and others listening to her must have been alarmed at the RHI consequences. Ten weeks on, as we survey the wreckage at Stormont, much of the former First Minister's speech now seems surreal. For example, as the first female and the youngest unionist leader in the 95 years of Northern Ireland's history, she said she wanted the DUP to be the party for "all of unionism", a forlorn hope now as the biomass battle for the hearts and minds of pro-Union voters has already begun even before any election is called. The undiluted optimism of Foster has been replaced with the grimmest of outlooks for the future of Stormont. Rather than devolution working better than at any time, it is now on the point of collapse barely a year since she took office. Their nickname 'Marlene' is now meaningless as she and Martin McGuinness enter into a very acrimonious political divorce and go their separate ways from the Office of First and Deputy First Minister. Indeed, there is no guarantee that she will be First Minister again given the extent of the RHI scandal, the flaws and mistakes which were made, and the public suspicions that the full story has yet to be told. Further revelations may still come out of not just the woodwork at Stormont, but the wood-burning boilers across Northern Ireland. In the absence of a full-scale inquiry many questions remain unanswered, not least for Foster. What meetings and conversations did she have with her department's energy officials? What questions if any did she ask about cost controls? As the minister who was in charge of energy, who does she believe should shoulder the blame for RHI? What was her precise role in the eventual closure of the scheme? Why was the closure of the scheme delayed, by whom and for what reason, before more than 900 more applicants had submitted their forms? No doubt these and other questions will surface during the election campaign from the other parties and also the media. More answers will be expected from DUP candidates and the party leader. If ever there was an opportunity for the Ulster Unionist Party to stem its losses of the past decade, to take advantage of Foster's dented image and damaged credibility, and to regain seats from the DUP, it is surely now. However, the questions are whether Mike Nesbitt has the leadership qualities, his party has the organisation, and the unionist electorate is sufficiently annoyed with Foster and the DUP to switch political allegiance in the secrecy of the ballot box on election day. Before Gerry Adams's outspoken comments at the weekend and subsequent resignation of McGuinness, the issue may have seemed more clear-cut in unionist minds. One subject - the RHI scandal, and Foster's and the DUP's part in it - dominated the public's concern. Now the Sinn Fein leadership has widened the debate by producing a long shopping list of grievances against the DUP and the British Government, and, in so doing, annoyed and unnerved mainstream unionism. Adams may prove to be the best recruiting sergeant that Foster has to retain support within the unionist community. When Sinn Fein takes off the gloves, as has happened this week, past history tells us unionists retreat to the trenches. It follows that the undoubted annoyance and anger of many unionists at the RHI scandal may disappear at the ballot box the louder Adams is heard. Even before an election is called, the script can be written for it. Foster will point to her tough leadership, determined not to bow the knee to Sinn Fein, to resist unreasonable republican demands, and to preserve and fight for unionist rights. She will paint the Ulster Unionists, as the DUP has always done, as weak and unduly moderate. Nesbitt, for his part, must keep the focus of attention on the RHI scandal, on the failure of the DUP and Sinn Fein to share power, and the willingness of both his party and the SDLP to provide a workable alternative. Electorally, the odds are heavily stacked against him. First, the reduction of seats from 108 to 90 in the next Assembly election damages the chances of those who scraped through in the final counts last May. Removing 18 seats from Stormont is not likely to alter the overall balance of power, but the timing of the change could not be worse for the smaller parties and independents. Second, the unionist electorate is now virtually irreversibly skewed towards the DUP. Not even an upheaval of Donald Trump proportions would be enough to turn the Ulster Unionists into the largest unionist party, given it recorded only 87,302 first preference votes at the last election compared to the DUP's 202,567. As Foster pointed out in her conference speech, the DUP was the largest unionist party in each of the 18 constituencies. Whatever wishful thinking may be among a section of the unionist public that the RHI scandal will damage Foster and the DUP must be weighed against electoral reality. The best the Ulster Unionists can hope for, as Nesbitt noted yesterday, is that it will be "a stronger party in Opposition" and that the dominance of the DUP will be reduced. That conclusion in itself is hardly a vote-catcher for the Ulster Unionists since Foster - down but far from out - will play the same card as has been so successful in the past for her party. She will surely claim that since the Ulster Unionists have no hope of forming an Executive, unionist strength lies in the number of DUP MLAs returned to office. That, she would say, is the only way in which a Sinn Fein First Minister can be avoided. Only 54.9% of the electorate voted last May, down 15% in the two decades since the Good Friday agreement was signed. Now there is the very real danger for all the parties that the downward trend in voting habits will continue as more people are disillusioned with devolution through the RHI scandal. So the battle lines between Foster and Nesbitt are drawn clearly. The bitter divisions which surfaced more than 50 years ago between different shades of unionism are now cemented in the white stone walls of Stormont. In her conference speech, Foster said: "Now is the time for us to step forward, not just as the leading unionist party, but the party for all of unionism." The flames of the RHI scandal have consigned that aspiration to ashes. The founding father of unionism, Sir Edward Carson, whose remains lie by the side wall of St Anne's Cathedral, may be turning in his grave. For all the political battles and violent events of the past century, neither he nor anyone else could have foreseen that the unionist governance of the state he helped to found, might be set on fire in a biomass boiler. A prolonged period of direct rule in on the cards, a senior DUP figure has warned. Jeffrey Donaldson also said his party might now push for a voluntary system of government at Stormont to replace the current mandatory power-sharing coalition. "The prospect of a mandatory coalition being restored has been greatly diminished," the Lagan Valley MP said. His comments led Labour's former shadow secretary of state Vernon Coaker to ask the Government for assurances that it did not intend to reintroduce direct rule. Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire replied that any talk of suspending the Assembly was "entirely premature" and "unhelpful". Mr Donaldson said the bitter political row between his party and Sinn Fein was unlikely to be resolved without a lengthy talks process following any Assembly election in the coming months. Speaking on RTE, he also questioned whether the existing mandatory coalition arrangements could ever be revived, and said his party could now press for major reform and the introduction of a system of voluntary coalition. "My own sense of where we are is that we are looking at a prolonged period of direct rule because I don't see these issues being resolved in a talks process in a short space of time," he said. "I think that Sinn Fein have dealt a serious blow to power-sharing and I think the prospect of a mandatory coalition being restored has been greatly diminished, so if we are going to have another talks process then I think unionists will want to be looking at how Stormont operates and whether we should be moving towards our objective of a voluntary coalition form of government." Mr Donaldson's comments came as TUV leader Jim Allister said mandatory coalition should be rejected by all unionists. "Whether from the standpoint of those unionists, like TUV, who always rejected mandatory coalition or those who participated in mandatory coalition, like UUP and DUP, surely all can now see and agree that it does not and cannot work. This should be the common ground of unionism moving forward," he argued. "Those who participated in it can legitimately say they tried. "But the realisation for us all now is, surely, that it will not work, particularly now that Sinn Fein is upping the ante and demanding that it is operated in their way or not at all. "Thus a defining moment has arrived for unionism. "We have to decide if it is the humiliating path of seeking to prop up an unworkable system to which Sinn Fein has demonstrated no commitment, or making voluntary coalition, maybe with the underwrite of a manageable weighted majority requirement, the agreed and only path to executive devolution." Meanwhile, Alliance leader Naomi Long said Arlene Foster's call for an inquiry into RHI was "too little, too late". She said Mrs Foster had the opportunity to initiate an independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act and step aside last month, but her failure to do so had directly led to the current Stormont crisis. "This is now a matter of the former First Minister attempting to cover her embarrassment ahead of a potential election," said Mrs Long. "However, I believe it won't wash with the public, who will see it for what it is. "It is questionable whether Arlene Foster even has the power to initiate such an inquiry now. She is no longer a minister, and even if she was, it is now a cross-departmental matter and would require Executive agreement to instigate it. The only person able to do so at this point is the Secretary of State, and he continues to refuse." DUP Communities Minister Paul Givan said Gerry Adams description of him as an "ignoramus" over his decision to end funding for an Irish language programme showed "progress" on previous remarks aimed at unionists, in a tongue-in-cheek response to the Sinn Fein president. At the weekend Gerry Adams described the minister's decision to cut 50,000 to the Liofa programme as a snub to the language and a "ignorant decision taken by an ignoramus". Speaking to the BBC Stephen Nolan show Mr Givan denied he was trying to get back at Sinn Fein by axing the funding, saying the republican party had created a "tantrum" over him being prudent with financial planning. Asked what he thought of Mr Adams "ignoramus" remark, the MLA said: "Given that it is Gerry Adams resorting to calling names, I think that speaks for itself. "I don't need to give credence to someone of his character in respect of the way he wants to go about throwing names about. "We know what he said in the past that 'equality was the Trojan horse to break these...' and he then used the expletive word. "So I suppose being called an ignoramus is progress on what he called us before." Asked if he was opposed to funding Irish language programmes, Mr Givan responded: "Let me be very clear, at Stormont the Irish language has received so far under my watch as minister 2.7million that has went to Irish traditions. "In space of having to deal with a budget that is not agreed it would have been premature to have committed to expenditure. "My department is looking to make cuts of around 3-5% depending on different models. Right across the department cuts are having to be made." The minister would not be drawn on if other programmes had been cut at the same time of his pre-Christmas Liofa decision. He went on: "If there has been a disparity of funding it has been toward the Irish language and traditions compared to Ulster Scots. "So that nails the myth I have been pursing something that is anti-Irish - quite the opposite in fact. "The Irish language does not belong to republicans, nationalists or to the Catholic community. It belongs to all of us. "And to sectarianise it the way Sinn Fein has, does damage to the language and they need to reflect on that. "When you politicise and use it as a cultural weapon, which is what Sinn Fein has done repeatedly that is what causes the damage to the Irish language. "I believe people wanting to learn the language is something which should be encouraged and my department provide funding to do that." In November 2014 Gerry Adams told a public meeting equality was the Trojan horse of the entire republican strategy to "break these b*****ds". He later apologised for using the swear word and said his comments were aimed at bigots. Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir has said Communities Minster Paul Givan must work harder to stop the so-called bedroom tax being introduced. Thousands of homes in Northern Ireland face potential cut in benefits as funding agreed to soften the blow of welfare reform has not been put in place. Paul Givan said he needed Executive backing to release 24m set aside for this year. He told the Belfast Telegraph: Neither the DUP nor Sinn Fein wanted the bedroom tax but, by Sinn Feins actions, its now on the cards. Read More Should the measures to prevent Northern Ireland homes bearing the burnt of the reforms not be put in place, homeowners could be worse off by an average of 20 a week. Responding to Mr Givan, the Finance Minister said the necessary measures should have been in place before Christmas. He told the BBC: "I would say to him 'do your homework', you should have had this work done before Christmas you haven't "We are where we are, get back and explore don't tell me there is only a one percent solution. "Officials believe creativity and determination to get it sorted rather than use it as a political ploy ahead of an election." Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Enda Kenny last night vowed to work closely to resolve the Stormont crisis before an election is due to be called next week. Mrs May and Mr Kenny spoke by telephone yesterday evening as both the UK and the Republic increased efforts to prevent an Assembly election in Northern Ireland. During the 15-minute conversation the two leaders agreed the current situation was "very serious" and every effort should be made to reach an agreement between the parties over the ongoing 'cash for ash' scandal. It was agreed that the two Governments would work closely throughout the crisis and there was special emphasis placed on the role to be played by Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan. Ms May is due to make a State visit to the Republic in the coming weeks when she will hold her first formal talks with the Taoiseach on Brexit. The Prime Minister is expected to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of March, which will begin the official process of Britain leaving the EU. However, there is growing frustration in Dublin over Britain's Brexit strategy, which has been kept as a closely guarded secret. Irish EU Commissioner Phil Hogan attacked Britain's behaviour during the process on Monday saying: "Brexit is a mess and it is only getting messier." Senior Irish ministers are also growing impatient with the lack of information coming from the UK as the countdown to formal talks begins. Mrs May was forced to go on a media offensive last weekend after concerns were raised in the UK about her Brexit strategy. The Prime Minister hinted that the UK would leave the EU single market but committed to outlining more significant plans in the coming weeks. Irish officials last night said the Taoiseach and Ms May did discuss Brexit but not in great detail due to the situation in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Mr Flanagan briefed his Cabinet colleagues extensively on concerns over Stormont yesterday. It is understood the minister reiterated that the Republic of Ireland was a co-guarantor to the agreements underpinning the Assembly and should not choose sides in the current debacle. Mr Flanagan is believed to have spoken directly with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness about his decision to resign as Deputy First Minister. Senior Dublin sources described direct rule as a "bogeyman" being used by unionists. But one source in Dublin said: "A return to direct rule is nearly not even an option at this stage and London would be very resistant to it." The Government believes the frameworks laid out under the Good Friday and St Andrews Agreements make direct rule from Westminster all but "unworkable". There could be two elections in the wake of the crisis forced by Martin McGuinness's resignation as Deputy First Minister, the Secretary of State has said. James Brokenshire told MPs the rules state a second contest must be called if no Executive is formed from the first. In a House of Commons statement, he also admitted a new ballot - with the date expected to be mid-March - was "highly likely". Facing his first major crisis since taking over from Theresa Villiers after the General Election last May, Mr Brokenshire admitted that tensions beyond the problems raised by the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) had been exposed. "This has led to a breakdown in the trust (and) co-operation that is necessary for the power-sharing institutions to function effectively," the Secretary of State told MPs. However, Mr Brokenshire also offered to convene discussions between the parties ahead of an election date decision, which is expected next Monday. "Over the coming hours and days I will continue to explore whether any basis exists to resolve these issues prior to me having to fulfil my statutory duty to call an election," he said. Laurence Robertson, the chair of Westminster's Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said fresh elections would return the parties in the same general numbers without addressing the fundamental issues. He also suggested that the Government look at how the power-sharing institutions are constructed, so the continual threat of collapse can be removed. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds voiced deep regret at Sinn Fein "single-handedly" causing the collapse of the Executive, and said it was ironic that the outcome of Mr McGuinness's resignation was a delay to any investigation into RHI. Former SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell, meanwhile, said RHI had been the "last straw", but the major factor behind the current crisis was the vote for Brexit, which had led to "considerable political confusion" and "damage to the Northern Ireland economy". Mr Brokenshire replied that he did not share the South Belfast MP's analysis and insisted that there would be opportunities for Northern Ireland in the aftermath of Brexit. The Secretary of State added that the RHI was "an entirely devolved matter in which the UK Government has no direct role". "But I do believe it is imperative that a comprehensive, transparent and impartial inquiry into the development and implementation of the scheme needs to be established as quickly as possible," he said. "Effective action needs to be taken by the Executive and Assembly to control costs." A primary school caretaker who abused his position of trust by superimposing pictures of children from his Co Down school onto those depicting youngsters being sexually abused has been jailed for a year. However, given the time he served while awaiting trial, he is set to be released from jail. Judge Sandra Crawford who described 35-year-old Gary Carruthers' taking and use of pupils' faces from the school as "grostesque", sentenced him to three years and ordered he serve the bulk of the term, two years, on licence. This is to ensure he completes a recommended probation organised programme which should help prevent his re-offending and protect both children and the public in the future. However, as a result, because of time already served awaiting trial, Carruthers, with an address in Victoria Street, Belfast, is now due for release from prison. Carruthers, described as a "social loner" and possibly suffering from some form of autism, not only admitted having nearly 30,000 indecent images of children, some as young as two to four, being sexually abused, he also pleaded guilty to having two paedophile manuals. He is also the first person in Northern Ireland to be caught in possession of such manuals. Entitled 'Childlovin' and 'Producing kiddie porn for dummies', they were discovered along with the indecent images and extreme pornography on over 20 computer storage devices and discs hidden in a safe in his bedroom. Judge Crawford told Carruthers that the methods set out in the manuals to groom children ultimately, for sex, and the images depicted in them were "utterly shocking." The Downpatrick Crown Court judge, sitting in Newry, said that normally guilty pleas would attract substantial credit. However, she told Carruthers "the evidence against you was overwhelming and effectively you were caught red handed", and when questioned initially brazened the matter out, denying all responsibility until he produced a prepared statement. In it Carruthers accepted "responsibility" for all of the images, telling detectives "I am deeply sorry for my actions. I do not wish to comment further". Judge Crawford also told Carruthers that the "great harm" caused to children being sexually abused was "all too obvious", and that by seeking and downloading such images from the internet he'd helped maintain "the illegal and depraved industry which exploits and abuses children for the sexual gratification of adults". The judge said that Carruthers had abused the trust put in him as a school caretaker to photograph pupils which he had then used "in a vile and despicable fashion" to impose on images of children being abused. The judge said that the variety of images including still and videos ranged from the lower level category one, but also included over 400 in the more serious levels four and five, depicting children being sexually abused by adults. While Carruthers pleaded guilty to having the vast bulk of material from 2012, the judge said that analysis of them showed that some had been recovered from the internet in the weeks and days before his arrest in September 2015. In addition to Carruthers 12 months imprisonment and two years on licence, he was placed on the Sexual Offender's Register indefinitely and was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for the next 10 years. Under the SOPO he has been banned from using of any Internet electronic devices without supervision. He is also banned from contacting anyone under 16 or living in a household with youngsters unless approved by the authorities. Northern Ireland's biggest poultry firm has met with two Executive departments over the botched Renewable Heat Incentive in which it raised "new concerns" about the scheme. Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir said yesterday that his officials had been briefed by Moy Park, adding that the meeting raised "further issues". Moy Park, which also met officials from the Department of the Economy, has benefited from the grants scheme. It is one of hundreds of poultry companies across Northern Ireland that are claimants of the green energy initiative. Poultry farmers use the wood chip boilers to heat the buildings where chicks are housed. Mr O Muilleoir released a statement saying that his officials met with the poultry giant two days ago. "Moy Park briefed my officials in relation to new concerns over the RHI scheme. That briefing has raised further issues," he said. "The operation of this scheme has been botched. I can assure the public that I will not accept a botched solution. "My officials have continued to examine the operation of the scheme." In a statement, Moy Park said: "The purpose of the meetings was to offer insight and suggestions based on Moy Park's experience of benchmarked energy use in poultry farming in GB and NI. "Many of our contracted family-owned farms are participants within the NI RHI scheme and, as advocates of the responsible use of heat, we felt our experience could be relevant and useful in the development of a solution to secure the NI RHI scheme within budget." An investigation is to take place into the cause of the fire at the Stewartstown Road petrol station in Belfast. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said eight appliances attended the scene of the fire which had broken out in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Fire crews managed to contain it to a single building, stopping it spread to adjacent premises and on-site hazardous materials. A number of residents had to be evacuated from nearby homes due to the intensity of the fire. Just after 9.30am the Fire Service said it was out and a small number of firefighters remained at the scene to dampen down hot spots. Fire investigators will examine the scene once it is safe to do so to determine the cause. Dr Mike Johnston, Northern Ireland director of Dairy UK, said the industry would suffer without a period of continued access to EU free trade agreements Around two thirds of Northern Ireland's dairy business could be "killed off" post-Brexit, a committee of MPs has been warned. Dr Mike Johnston, the Northern Ireland director of Dairy UK, said in order to keep the business alive, a period of continued access to the EU free trade agreements was vital. It is estimated that two-thirds of UK dairy exports outside the EU are from Northern Ireland. Dr Johnston warned that if measures are not put in place ahead of Brexit, export tariffs could double, effectively killing off the business. He made his warnings during an evidence session of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the future of the land border with the Republic of Ireland. Dr Johnston, who was joined by other senior members of the region's agri-food industry, told MPs that the UK dairy industry exports to around 100 countries. He said: "The total of UK Dairy exports outside the EU, about two-thirds, are from Northern Ireland. We have developed long-term relationships over the years and a lot of that is based on the 50-plus free trade agreements the EU has in place. "What we would be looking for is continuity for a period of those agreements. If we had to switch overnight to world trade, to WTO (World Trade organisation) tariffs, it would just kill that business. Referring to Thailand and Malaysia as examples of places where a lot of dairy is exported from Northern Ireland, he said the current export tariff is around 15%. "If we had to move to a WTO tariff that would double, that would kill that business," he said. "What we need is a period of continued access to the EU free trade agreements for a period, but then we need the UK government to come in and start to negotiate and put in place free trade agreements that are specific to the UK to allow this business to continue." Dr Johnston also warned that the industry is very dependent on free movement of milk, dairy products and people across the land border that has developed over the years through arrangements between the two jurisdictions. He said if that free movement was stopped, there would be a situation in which dairy farmers could be forced out of business. Barclay Bell, President of the Ulster Farmers Union, told the committee that the border "is a big, big issue when you consider the amount of cross-border trade". "Anything that would complicate or hinder that trade certainly would be a big big challenge to the industry in Northern Ireland," he warned. The agriculture and food processing sectors in Northern Ireland are a significant element of the region's local economy, collectively accounting for around 70,000 local jobs - based on 47,979 total farmers and workers and 23,557 food and drink processing workers. Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir has called for the removal of the Union flag from his east Belfast government offices. The Sinn Fein MLA asked for the flag to be removed from his departmental offices at Clare House on Monday, The Irish News reports. The building is not on the list of government buildings in which the flag is to be flown on specified days. However, it was flown there on designated days by previous officials including on Monday to mark the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday. The Union Flag was flown on a number of government buildings across Northern Ireland on Monday. However the Department of Finance said it was removed on Monday January 9 as it is not a designated day in the regulations Mr O Muilleoir's demand could be one of the last things he does as Finance Minister as the Northern Ireland Assembly is set to collapse. A Department of Finance spokeswoman said: "The Flags Regulations (NI) 2000 provided a list of government buildings in which the Union flag shall be flown on the days specified. "As Clare House is not included in this list the Minister instructed officials to remove the flag. January 9th is not a designated day in the regulations." Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy, Michelle O'Neill and Gerry Kelly at Stormont following their meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire (Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye) Sinn Fein have said they will not enter into negotiations and have told the Secretary of State to call an election at the crisis talks aimed at saving Northern Ireland's devolved institutions. James Brokenshire is meeting political parties at Stormont to discuss a way forward from the impasse which saw Martin McGuinness resign as deputy First minister. Prime Minister Theresa May has said her government is determined to reach a resolution with the DUP and Stormont before the seven-day deadline when Mr Brokenshire has to consider an election. During Prime Minister's questions, she told the House of Commons: "I am clear that we want to try to ensure that within this period of seven days we can find a resolution to the political situation in Northern Ireland so we can continue to see the assembly government continuing. "We are treating this with the utmost seriousness, we are putting every effort into this." Mr Brokenshire met with Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionist Party on Wednesday morning ahead of talks with the other parties and Justice Minister Claire Sugden. He said there is a "high likelihood we are moving toward an election" while expressing fears of "greater division" an election might bring. "My focus is on the here and now, on what can be achieved now, on what opportunities there are, what the potential may be to bring people together, rather than see people be driven further apart." The first week of March has been mooted as a possible date for any such vote. Sinn Fein ruled out negotiations ahead of an election and said Arlene Foster's call for an inquiry was "too little too late". However, in a near simultaneous press conference in Dublin, Gerry Adams said his party "were always open to talks". Mrs O'Neill said the party have withdrawn from all of the Stormont committees and told the Secretary of State to call an election. She said: We made it clear that we would not be re-nominating for the post of Deputy First Minister and told him he should call an election at the earliest possible opportunity. We told him that suspension of the institutions is not an option. We told him that there would be no return to the status quo and no return to direct rule. The crisis of confidence in the institutions has gone way beyond the RHI scandal. The equality, mutual respect and all-Ireland approaches enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement have never been fully embraced by the DUP. The DUP cannot be allowed to block equality for women, the LGBT community, ethnic minorities, the Irish language community and Irish identity. She said: "It's now time to move to an election. Sinn Fein will not be renominating next Monday, it's now time for the electorate to have their say." The Ulster Unionist party leader Mike Nesbitt said he believes the Secretary of State now knows that an election is "unavoidable". The talks follow a tempestuous week for Northern Ireland politics. Mr McGuinness resigned after 10 years in the role of deputy First Minister over DUP leader Arlene Foster's refusal to stand aside during an investigation into the green energy scheme. Talks have been convened in a bid to avoid an election with Secretary of State James Brokenshire urging parties to work together to find a way around the impasse. He said it was "entirely unhelpful and premature" to talk about the suspension of the devolved institutions. On Tuesday Mrs Foster called for an investigation into the RHI to be set up under the 2005 Inquiries Act. That would mean a public inquiry which would compel witnesses to attend and documents to be produced. After seven days with no renomination for the position, Mr Brokenshire has a reasonable period of time to call the election. Under the legislation an election should then follow six weeks later. Mrs Foster warned on Tuesday that an election would be "brutal" if it were to go ahead. The state-funded RHI was supposed to offer a proportion of the cost businesses had to pay to run eco-friendly boilers, but the subsidy tariffs were set too high and, without a cap, it ended up paying out significantly more than the price of fuel. This enabled applicants to "burn to earn" - getting free heat and making a profit as they did it. The DUP position: 'The truth must come out... I have been disgracefully maligned in most vicious manner' Statement issued yesterday by First Minister Arlene Foster: I indicated last evening that I am disappointed that Martin McGuinness resigned as Deputy First Minister. Today the consequences of what has happened is that it is much more difficult to deal with the RHI problems, which I want to see resolved in a way that restores public confidence. I very much regret that as politicians we have been unable to find a way through the issues and the impact of that failure is to penalise the people of Northern Ireland, who have now no effective functioning Executive at a time of major challenges. For our part we have sought to offer up solutions to the problems over the last number of weeks. We had a number of meetings with Sinn Fein which, had the political will existed on their part, could have allowed us all to avoid the situation we now find ourselves in. Indeed, the reason the Assembly was recalled on December 19 was based on the fact we had reached agreement at the Executive on December 14 with Sinn Fein to do so, and had a clear plan in place to deal with the need to hold a full investigation and to bring costs under control. There was never any political difference of opinion on the need to get to the bottom of what happened and to ensure the overspend was eliminated. The major sticking point between us over the last few weeks has been the fact that Sinn Fein would not agree to the establishment of an inquiry until I agreed to step aside as First Minister. For me, I felt to have done so would have led to the conclusion that I was guilty of something improper, which is not the case. I am no longer the First Minister so therefore there is no reason, under Sinn Fein's reasoning, why an investigation cannot now be established. If, however, Sinn Fein are still unwilling to allow an investigation to be established I intend to ask for an investigation, on the basis of the terms of reference discussed as part of our discussions with Sinn Fein, to be set up under the Inquiries Act 2005. I am determined that the public will get the facts in an independent and impartial way, free from party political demands and bias. I want to see an investigation commenced quickly so that it will be independently demonstrated that I did nothing wrong, and that my integrity is vindicated. This is vitally important from a political perspective but also fundamental for me on a personal basis. I have been quite disgracefully maligned in the most vicious manner, and therefore it is of the utmost importance that the truth comes out. Detailed work on cost controls is ongoing and material will be sent to the Department of Finance. We want any draft legislation to bring spending into line and the Minister for the Economy will consult with other parties on this. Simon (Hamilton) will, later this week, have more to say on both transparency and cost controls. For my part, I am determined to do all I can to help put right what went wrong, to find out through an investigation why things went wrong, and to seek to restore the credibility of Stormont in the eyes of the public. The DUP has not given up or walked away. We want truth, transparency and cost control even though others would rather play high stakes politics with Northern Ireland's stability. However, even if we were to address all of the problems that flowed from the RHI, it is clear that Sinn Fein have additional concerns which they are attempting to introduce into discussions on their own terms. Attempting to frame negotiations in a way that is acceptable to one party only cannot be the basis for successful discussions. A DUP delegation met with the Secretary of State yesterday afternoon and I indicated to him our willingness to take part in any discussions to see whether a way forward can be found. I remain open to further discussion with Sinn Fein, or any of the other parties in the Assembly over the next few days. If necessary, we will take our case to the electorate and use it as a platform for further discussions. I have never taken the verdict of the electorate of Northern Ireland for granted, and while an election is not of our making, we trust the judgment of the people. Last May people gave us a mandate, and despite all of the challenges I remain dedicated to representing all the people of Northern Ireland. I want to do what is in the best interests of Northern Ireland and I want us to be able to build a better future. Despite the undoubted setbacks over these last few weeks we have achieved much for Northern Ireland over the years. While at this moment in time it may seem all hope is lost, I still believe we can work to achieve better and brighter days ahead. The Sinn Fein position: 'Martin's position was absolutely untenable... resigning was last thing he wanted, but it was only option' Gerry Adams has said Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was left with no option but to resign. The Sinn Fein president said Mr McGuinness's position had been rendered "untenable" by Arlene Foster's refusal to step aside over the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. Mr McGuinness would not have taken the decision to quit lightly, Mr Adams said. "The position was absolutely untenable," he told RTE. "He's invested 10 years. He worked with Ian Paisley when people said that wasn't possible. "He worked with Peter Robinson. He's a tireless worker. "He's reached out, and discommoded republicans at times with his outreach. So you can be sure that him coming to this decision, with our full support, was done reluctantly. "It was the last thing that Martin wanted to do." Mr Adams said Mr McGuinness and Mr Paisley managed to make power-sharing work. But he accused Mrs Foster of failing because she did not acknowledge all the people of the north. In Belfast yesterday Mrs Foster said she was open to talks with Sinn Fein to avert a meltdown of the power-sharing institutions. She also announced plans for a public inquiry into the RHI debacle. However, Sinn Fein branded the DUP move "an act of desperation". Michelle O'Neill said: "If the DUP were serious about addressing the political crisis then Arlene Foster would have stepped aside a month ago, as Martin McGuinness suggested privately to her. "They refused to do so and arrogantly attempted to brazen out the public anger. "Arlene Foster did not remove herself from office, Martin McGuinness removed her to allow the people to have their say. "There is widespread acceptance that the crisis of confidence in the institutions has gone way beyond the RHI scandal. "We need good governance, transparency and accountability. We need political institutions, which deliver for all our people on the basis of equality and respect, and we need the implementation of the Good Friday and other agreements. "Martin McGuinness made it clear that the status quo is not an option. We will not be renominating a Deputy First Minister before the election." It came as Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir said he will not accept any botched solution to the loss of public funds through the RHI. Mr O Muilleoir said: "Today the DUP leader Arlene Foster claimed her party had been working on solutions to the RHI issue over the last number of weeks. "For over seven months I have been requesting credible proposals from the Economy Minister. The DUP minister has brought no plan forward. In fact, a paper from the Department for the Economy was submitted to my department at 5.55pm on Monday but withdrawn 10 minutes later. My officials have continued to examine the operation of the scheme." He added: "The operation of this scheme has been botched; I can ensure the public that I will not accept a botched solution." Prime Minister Theresa May says she is treating the Northern Ireland crisis with 'the utmost seriousness' Theresa May has said she is treating the political crisis in Northern Ireland "with the utmost seriousness". The Prime Minister also confirmed that a snap election would be held at Stormont if a deputy first minister cannot be found within seven days. The resignation of deputy first minister Martin McGuinness on Monday has plunged the coalition government into crisis. The Sinn Fein veteran's move, in protest at the DUP's handling of a botched renewable energy scheme, also forced Arlene Foster from her post as first minister. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May said: "We are obviously treating this with the utmost seriousness." She said Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire had urged all parties to work together to find a way forward. The Prime Minister said: "I myself have also spoken to the Taoiseach about this issue, so we are putting every effort into this. "The legislation is that if within seven days we don't have a nomination for a deputy first minister, then the matter would go to an election." More people are dying from misuse of Tramadol than heroin or morphine, a coroner's court has heard. Describing the painkiller as "a scourge on society", coroner Paddy McGurgan called for a campaign highlighting the dangers of the powerful drug. Speaking at the inquest into the death of Londonderry man Stephen Booth (33), State Pathologist Professor Jack Crane said Tramadol had caused so many deaths, he had raised the issue with the Chief Medical Officer. Mr Crane told the hearing that the amount of the painkiller found in Booth's body was above therapeutic levels. This, combined with two other drugs, was the cause of his death. The pathologist said he had seen a "significant number of fatalities" caused by Tramadol, especially in cases where it was taken with other drugs, and that there were now "more deaths in Northern Ireland from Tramadol than any other drug such as heroin or morphine". Mr Crane explained that it was the effects of Tramadol, exacerbated by the presence of alprazolam and diazepam, that forced Mr Booth into a deep sleep, before he fell into a coma and then stopped breathing. He was responding to a question raised in court by Mr Booth's mother, Christine, who asked if her son would have felt any pain before he died. The grieving mum said she wanted people to take heed of the dangers of taking Tramadol, so that no one else would have to bury their child. She admitted during the hearing that although Stephen had been "easily led", he had been trying to turn his life around before he died and had moved into accommodation run by the Methodist City Mission. Mrs Booth said: "I would never want another mother to go through the loss of a son. I never expected Stephen to die - he was getting his life together, he was trying to get his own flat and I don't think he knew the dangers of Tramadol." The court also heard from a PSNI detective constable who was called in to investigate the possibility that someone had supplied the drugs to Mr Booth. She said that in the five years she had worked as a police officer in Derry, drug use including Tramadol had become "a massive problem". Mr McGurgan concluded by remarking it was obvious that Mr Booth was a "much-loved young man", but that he had "succumbed to what has become a scourge on society". He added: "I would ask that people pay attention to Stephen's mother. When they are taking a cocktail of drugs, they are risking death. If anything comes out of this tragedy, let it be that someone else's life is saved by reading this." BBC presenter Stephen Nolan has told of how he would love to be a surfer and a runner on Santa Monica beach. The BBC journalist is currently on holiday in Los Angeles in America. He interrupted his holiday on Tuesday to present a special programme on the political crisis in Northern Ireland which saw Martin McGuinness step down as deputy First Minister. The BBC presenter is known for his heated interviews with politicians debating the hard-hitting topical issues of the day. Nolan filmed a Facebook live video from the beach and invited his fans and followers to watch a surfer and a runner. He said: "Let's watch this. I'd love to be able to do that or to be fit enough to do that, I don't think that will ever happen. "I would so love to do that in my life, I can hardly walk never mind go out on a surf board. Then as he sees a jogger going past he adds: "One of the other things I'd love to do is jog along this, I'd never be able to do that either, too far gone. "There's a guy there doing what I'd like to be able to do. Look at that for a lifestyle, just along the beach." The BBC broadcaster with the self-styled "biggest show in the country" is a household name in Northern Ireland. Up to 91m pounds set aside to mitigate the impact of the "bedroom tax" on Northern Ireland is at risk following the collapse of the Executive, a DUP Minister warned last night. Communities Minister Paul Givan said there was a very real threat to the money - which was to help around 34,000 homes over the next four years - if devolution was suspended in Northern Ireland for a lengthy period. Mr Givan said that he could not release the 24m pledged to help claimants this year because legally he needed the agreement of the Executive. His warning came as concerns grew that measures to deal with lengthy hospital waiting lists, health reform, school budgets, assistance to victims of historical sex abuse, and a whole host of other urgent matters were now in jeopardy. Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said he would be demanding that the Government takes action to address these issues when he meets Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire today. "He cannot wash his hands of this mess," Mr Farry said. "He must take action to help the most vulnerable people in society who are in line to suffer because of the mess the DUP and Sinn Fein have made in government. "Normally, there is an orderly wind down of Assembly and Executive business. This week, the nuclear button was pressed at Stormont. Met with officials today & critical issue of bedroom tax being introduced on 20th February without mitigation being available. Paul Givan (@paulgivan) January 10, 2017 Was contacted by @JohnODowdSF on this issue. Min for Communities has legal authority to make mitigation payments. No threat of bedroom tax. https://t.co/R2gOtEo9x5 Mairtin O Muilleoir (@newbelfast) January 11, 2017 "As well as the bedroom tax, we have issues such as tackling hospital waiting lists and implementing the Bengoa health service reforms. The Department of Education vetoed every school budget in Northern Ireland, and we now face the challenge of getting out of that impasse without political institutions." Read more Read More Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last night, Mr Givan said his hands were tied regarding releasing the funds to mitigate the impact of the bedroom tax. Up to 34,000 of the least well-off households here are set to lose an average of 20 a week if assistance isn't made available. "Legally, the mitigation measures have to go to the Executive, then the relevant committee, and finally the Assembly for a debate and vote," said Mr Givan. "That would have been done over the next four weeks and measures put in place before the bedroom tax was introduced on 20 February. "Neither the DUP nor Sinn Fein wanted the bedroom tax but, by Sinn Fein's actions, it's now on the cards. "Martin McGuinness's resignation as Deputy First Minister means there can be no Executive meetings and I don't have the legal power to release this money myself." Mr Givan said that he had asked his officials to examine emergency procedures to look for a way out of the situation. "In a worst case scenario where direct rule is introduced and the Stormont institutions are put in cold storage for a considerable period, 91m to mitigate the impact of the bedroom tax over four years could be at risk," he added. A Department for Communities spokesperson said: "The Department has also prepared the necessary legislation, for Executive approval, to implement the mitigation scheme. "Assembly approval is required in order to give the Department the necessary powers to make payments to support the approximate 33,720 Housing Benefit claimants who will be impacted by the introduction of the Social Sector Size Criteria. "Without Executive and Assembly approval the Department does not have the legal basis to introduce the mitigation payments as planned. The Minister has tasked officials to look at what emergency procedures may be available." Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said his party wasn't responsible for the situation and that the blame lay firmly at the door of Arlene Foster for failing to step aside as First Minister while an investigation was held into 'cash for ash'. "When you get a scandal to the tune of half a billion pounds sterling it has to be dealt with, there has to be transparency, that has to be protected," he said. "The person who set her face against that was the First Minister. She is to blame for the collapse of the institutions and I stress again that Martin McGuinness's record is clear for all to see. "It is obvious to anybody fair-minded that this was a step taken by him because he felt that he had no other option." Steps to protect those on benefits were championed by Sinn Fein and negotiated as part of the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement. Under the 'bedroom tax', claimants are to receive less money if they live in a property deemed to have a spare bedroom. Local advice charity, Housing Rights, said it was deeply worried about the situation following the collapse of the Executive. Its manager, Kate McCauley, said: "We are concerned that if the current political uncertainty continues it could have unintended consequences for people living in social housing who stand to be impacted by the bedroom tax. "If the regulations to make arrangements for supplementary payments are not brought forward, an alternative solution must be found." Ms McCauley added: "Housing Rights would encourage urgent consideration of all available options to safeguard tenants' homes. This should involve stakeholders including those who represent tenants and landlords. Regardless of the mechanism used, it is vital that those affected have the intended financial protection." SDLP communities spokesperson Nichola Mallon said: "It is unacceptable that the most vulnerable in our society are left exposed because of a fall-out between the DUP and Sinn Fein who had promised to protect them. "Paul Givan must not throw in the towel. Housing Rights have suggested ways to implement the mitigation payments and the minister must ensure that happens." The Executive's collapse will also hit small businesses to the tune of around 700 a year on average. The Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) scheme was introduced in 2010 to support small businesses during the recession. Since then 110,000 SBRR awards have been made to businesses at a total cost of 61.5m. Annually, some 26,000 properties receive relief under the scheme at a cost of around 18m. That scheme was due to end at the end of the financial year - but now it may not be possible for its replacement may to be set up. The survivors of historical sex abuse in children's homes said that they feared that proposals to help them, including compensation payments, were now in jeopardy. Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International said: "Among the losers here of the political uncertainty will definitely be the abuse survivors." File photo dated 26/07/16 of Prime Minister Theresa May and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who have pledged to work together to find a way through the political crisis that has threatened devolution in Northern Ireland. PA Taoiseach Enda Kenny has urged Sinn Fein and the DUP "against letting the progress made since 1998 unravel" as Stormont remains on the brink. The situation we now face in Northern Ireland is very serious. The best future for Northern Ireland remains in the full implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, respecting its principles and operating its institutions effectively," he said. "A limited window for dialogue remains and I am encouraging the parties to engage together to find a way forward that delivers on the promise of the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions. Mr Kenny said he has had numerous conversations with Prime Minister Theresa May and he has also met with Gerry Adams and Mary Lou MacDonald at lunchtime, and subsequently had phone calls with Martin McGuinness and Arlene Foster. "Acknowledging the long and difficult personal journeys that many had travelled, he cautioned against letting the progress made since 1998 unravel," a spokesperson for the Taoiseach said in a statement. "He made clear that he would maintain close contact with Prime Minister May, and that they had agreed that the two Governments would support the parties in efforts to resolve the current difficulties." Irish minister for foreign affairs Charlie Flanagan and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire will meet in Belfast tomorrow. Mr Kenny's statements come as a snap election seemed all but inevitable after Sinn Fein ruled out substantive negotiations to save the sinking powersharing administration. Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire met politicians in Belfast in a last-ditch bid to avert a poll, but if the republican party maintains its stance then it is a certainty. If Sinn Fein refuses to replace Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister by Monday then Mr Brokenshire is legally obliged to call an election, potentially for late February or early March. Expand Close Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy and Michelle O'Neill speaking to the media at Stormont Parliament in Belfast, as the Prime Minister and Irish Taoiseach have pledged to work together to find a way through the political crisis that has threatened devolution in Northern Ireland. PA PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy and Michelle O'Neill speaking to the media at Stormont Parliament in Belfast, as the Prime Minister and Irish Taoiseach have pledged to work together to find a way through the political crisis that has threatened devolution in Northern Ireland. PA Earlier on Wednesday there had been confusion on whether Sinn Fein would enter negotiations with their long-time partners in government, the Democratic Unionists, before next week. Health Minister Michelle O'Neill first said the party was "not interested" but party president Gerry Adams then said he was "always open for talks". Later Ms O'Neill clarified the party position: "Sinn Fein is always open to talks. We are the party of dialogue." But she added: "I see no basis for credible negotiations this side of the election." DUP leader Arlene Foster has indicated she would be open to talks with Sinn Fein. For his part, Mr Brokenshire said an election was a "high probability" but he pledged to keep striving for a resolution until all hope of a pre-poll deal was gone. "My focus is on the here and now, on what can be achieved now, on what opportunities there are, what the potential may be to bring people together, rather than see people be driven further apart," he said. The Secretary of State warned that finding agreement would be harder on the other side of a divisive election. The latest twists in a week of high drama at Stormont came as Theresa May made clear in the Commons that events in Belfast would not derail the Government's timetable for leaving the European Union. The Prime Minister rejected a challenge from Scottish National Party MP Angus Robertson to postpone the start of EU withdrawal talks under Article 50 because, he argued, Northern Ireland would be left without a voice in the process. The collapse of the institutions was triggered by the resignation of Mr McGuinness on Monday. The Sinn Fein veteran's move, in protest at the DUP's handling of a botched renewable energy scheme, forced Mrs Foster from her post as first minister. The region faces the prospect of direct rule from Westminster being reintroduced if the fallout between the DUP and Sinn Fein cannot be resolved on the other side of an election. While the looming collapse of power-sharing was triggered by the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) affair - a scandal that has left Stormont with a 490 million bill - other disputes between the two main parties have been reignited by the furore. But Sinn Fein has already started planning to face the electorate and is holding a selection convention on Sunday. Mrs Foster has announced plans for a public inquiry into the RHI affair while her party colleague, Economy Minister Simon Hamilton, has sent proposed measures to slash the 490 million bill to Sinn Fein Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleor for consideration. Sinn Fein has been sceptical of both DUP initiatives. It was originally envisaged that the Treasury would foot the bill for the Renewable Heat Incentive, but the costs spiralled well beyond London's financial commitment. The total RHI spend in Northern Ireland is estimated at over 1 billion over the next 20 years. The Treasury is set to cover 660 million of that, with Stormont landed with the remaining 490 million. Prime Minister Theresa May says she is treating the Northern Ireland crisis with 'the utmost seriousness' The Northern Ireland political crisis will not delay the triggering of Article 50 and Britains exit from the European Union, Theresa May has said. It comes after the Northern Ireland deputy first minister Martin McGuinness resigned on Monday, effectively ending power sharing at Stormont. The Sinn Fein politician cited concerns over the DUPs arrogance in how it has handled allegations of a major financial scandal, known as the cash for ash affair. Unless a replacement for Mr McGuinness is found within seven days a snap election will be triggered for the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly. The next election had been scheduled to be held in 2021. But the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson called on the Prime Minister to postpone triggering Article 50 - the untested protocol for leaving the EU - if voters go to the polls because it would leave Northern Ireland voiceless in the Brexit process. "In these circumstances will she postpone Article 50 or will she just plough on regardless?" he asked. But Ms May said she wanted a swift resolution to the political crisis in Northern Ireland, adding: It is still the case that ministers are in place and that obviously there are executives in place, that we are still able to take the views of the Northern Ireland people. Shortly after Prime Ministers Questions, Ms Mays spokeswoman said she understood Stormont ministers would continue to hold their positions in a caretaker role during any election. Expand Close Theresa May and Enda Kenny discussed the situation in Northern Ireland / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May and Enda Kenny discussed the situation in Northern Ireland The spokeswoman added: "Obviously the situation is in flux and we are doing all we can to try to find a way through, including by the PM speaking to the Irish Taoiseach last night about the situation. "There is now a window before elections could be called, and we are not going to get ahead of ourselves. We have been clear on the timetable for triggering Article 50 and we will be sticking to that." She added: "We are going to focus on how we can support political stability in Northern Ireland, recognising the progress that's been made and not wanting to put that at risk and engaging with all the parties." A Labour spokesman said the party wanted a Commons debate on the Government's Brexit negotiating position "as urgently as possible" and before the invocation of Article 50. The crisis in Northern Ireland "can't be allowed" to derail Mrs May's plan to table Article 50 by the end of March, added the Labour source. "We are not in any way seeking any such delay... we won't do anything to frustrate the passing of Article 50 - we've made that clear time and again - and we don't want delay in it." During a phone call on Tuesday Ms May and the Irish Taoiseach, Edna Kenny, according to Downing Street, recognised the difficulties and seriousness of the situation. A spokesperson added: In addition, they spoke about how the Northern Ireland Secretary and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, will be working very closely together over the next few days and months to support the parties of Northern Ireland in finding a resolution. The Prime Minister also said how important it was to make sure that Northern Irelands voice and interests are heard as we prepare to leave European Union and how the Northern Ireland Secretary is fully committed to making this happen. She added that it was still our intention to hold a Joint Ministerial Committee at the end of the month to bring the devolved nations together in getting the best deal for the whole of the United Kingdom. They also agreed to maintain regular contact over the coming months. Stormont ministers are at odds over whether payments to support those losing out under the Government's "bedroom tax" can be distributed amid the devolution crisis. Democratic Unionist Communities Minister Paul Givan has insisted the approval of the now-paralysed Stormont Executive would have been required to authorise payouts to around 34,000 social housing residents set to lose out due to the policy of reducing benefits to those deemed to have spare rooms. Sinn Fein Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir has now countered those claims by insisting the 2016 Budget Act enables the release of the payments. Amid uncertainty around the mitigation measures, earlier the minister's Sinn Fein colleague Conor Murphy had urged the UK Government not to roll out the spare room subsidy in Northern Ireland. Otherwise known as the Social Sector Size Criteria, the Government welfare reform on housing benefit will be introduced in Northern Ireland next month. Extra money provided by Stormont to make up for cuts to the overall welfare budget at Westminster was a key plank in an earlier agreement to save power-sharing. It had been a central Sinn Fein demand. But the looming implosion of the institutions following Martin McGuinness's resignation as deputy first minister means the Executive is currently unable to meet to sign off the payments. While Mr Givan's department has stated that Executive approval is required, Mr O Muilleoir has insisted otherwise. A Department of Finance spokesman said: "The Finance Minister has written to the Communities Minister to confirm that sufficient legislative authority is already in place to allow bedroom tax mitigation payments. "The 2016 Budget Act, which was approved by the Assembly, provides legislative authority to make bedroom tax mitigation payments. This will cover any expenditure up until March 2017. Met with officials today & critical issue of bedroom tax being introduced on 20th February without mitigation being available. Paul Givan (@paulgivan) January 10, 2017 Was contacted by @JohnODowdSF on this issue. Min for Communities has legal authority to make mitigation payments. No threat of bedroom tax. https://t.co/R2gOtEo9x5 Mairtin O Muilleoir (@newbelfast) January 11, 2017 "After that date, Section 59 of the 1998 NI Act can be used to ensure payments continue." Earlier, Mr Murphy said: "The reality is we are opposed to the bedroom tax, we don't want to see the bedroom tax introduced here. "All of the parties in this institutions are opposed to the bedroom tax. "It is the British government who are legislating for bedroom tax and we told them specifically today that they have no need to legislate for bedroom tax for the north." Steps to protect Northern Ireland benefit recipients from London-driven welfare reforms were championed by Sinn Fein and negotiated as part of the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement. Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire rejected the suggestion that the Government would adjust its UK-wide welfare reforms in Northern Ireland. "It is a UK-wide position on the spare room subsidy," he said. "Clearly it is for the devolved administration here to determine if they wish to make a change from UK-wide policy." Competition was 'damaging' Bus Eireann's ability to sustain itself, the union said Bus Eireann has insisted it will not kill off its Expressway intercity service in an effort to save the company from going bust. Acting chief executive Ray Hernan said that losses for last year are estimated at eight million euro and that operations across the entire business will have to change. He told staff the company could be insolvent in the next 18 months and that "decisive action has to be taken to reverse losses" and adapt to customer needs and competitors. "Collectively we cannot allow this trend to continue," he said. The message was issued amid dire warnings that the company can only be saved with the closure of its Expressway service and the loss of more than 500 jobs in the face of increasing competition on motorway routes. Bus Eireann had losses of 5.6 million euro in 2015. The National Transport Authority (NTA) defended the issuing of licences to private operators in direct competition with Bus Eireann and insisted that increasing options for customers on intercity routes was not to blame. It also insisted that no rural communities will be left behind if bus services are axed. Tim Gaston, the agency's director of public transport services, said the licences it grants for firms to operate new services between cities are encouraging people to take the bus. "In other words, rather than saturating the market, what we have actually done is increase public transport capacity, and in so doing enabled many more journeys to be undertaken on the bus network," he said. Dermot O'Leary, general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), claimed the intercity market for services to and from Dublin was saturated, with a 128% increase in capacity to Cork, 115% to Limerick and 55% to Waterford. "The resolution to this crisis will not be found on the backs of workers," he said. The NTA claimed there is confusion around the issue of Bus Eireann's viability and that 80% of the company's passengers are on subsidised services. "It has consistently been the case that where new licences are issued in these markets, that overall passenger numbers have increased, in many cases, very significantly," Mr Gaston said. The NTA chief described Bus Eireann's subsidised services - run under Public Service Obligation Contracts - as a huge success, with a 5.5% increase in passengers to 32 million last year. It said last year's 40 million euro subvention is likely to increase this year. "We will not leave any rural communities behind," Mr Gaston said. "It is the duty of the NTA to ensure that as many people as possible, in all parts of this country, have access to a safe, reliable and value-for-money public transport service, and we will continue to discharge our responsibilities in that regard, without fear or favour." Trade union Siptu vowed to fight any cutbacks to Bus Eireann. Organiser Willie Noone said: "The reality is that there has been a strategy of creating a financial crisis at the company with the objective of manufacturing a case for the dismantling of Bus Eireann, driving down workers' conditions and reducing services." Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has told a cross-party delegation of politicians that he will free jailed Irishman Ibrahim Halawa once his trial is over. Mr Halawa, 21, has been in prison for more than three years after being detained in a mosque near Ramses Square in Cairo as the Muslim Brotherhood held a "day of rage" over the removal of elected president Mohamed Morsi in August 2013. His trial has been postponed at least 17 times and is due to be mentioned in court again next week. Eoin O'Broin, Sinn Fein TD on the delegation, said he believed president el-Sisi was surprised that Mr Halawa's incarceration without trial was the sole focus of the 50-minute meeting. "He stuck to the line that he could not do anything until the court case was finished," Mr O'Broin said. "But that he will have Ibrahim returned home safely under the powers that he has. "He said 'I swear to God'. He said it three times. 'If I had the ability to release him I would have done so when the first day that (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny got in contact'." Expand Close Nosayba (left) and Somaia Halawa, sisters of Ibrahim Halawa, in Dublin campaigning for his release / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nosayba (left) and Somaia Halawa, sisters of Ibrahim Halawa, in Dublin campaigning for his release Mr Halawa is the son of prominent Muslim cleric in Dublin Sheikh Hussein Halawa. He met the TDs in person in Wadi al Natrum prison in Cairo on Tuesday. He has been on hunger strike for more than a week - at least the third time he has refused food for prolonged periods during his incarceration. He gave them first hand accounts of the beatings he has been subjected to and the lack of recommended medical care for a heart problem. Expand Close Campaigners call for the release of Ibrahim Halawa on an awareness day as he celebrates his 21st birthday behind bars in Egypt / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Campaigners call for the release of Ibrahim Halawa on an awareness day as he celebrates his 21st birthday behind bars in Egypt The delegation is led by Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail and followed an invite from the speaker of the Egyptian parliament. It is understood the group told president el-Sisi directly that they believed he had the power to order Mr Halawa's release before the trial concluded by issuing a presidential decree. Mr el-Sisi gave no indication that he would take that action, Mr O'Broin said. Expand Close Somaia Halawa, sister of Ibrahim Halawa, campaigns for his release on O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Somaia Halawa, sister of Ibrahim Halawa, campaigns for his release on O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre He added: "President el-Sisi was left in no uncertain terms of the absolute unanimous opinion that all the parties wanted Ibrahim home." A meeting was also held with the European Union's External Action Service which revealed that it was not monitoring the Halawa case. Eamon Ryan, Green Party TD, said the meeting with president el-Sisi was respectful, open and honest. Expand Close Ibrahim Halawa with his sisters (Family handout/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ibrahim Halawa with his sisters (Family handout/PA) "We made the point that we were looking for a mechanism in Egyptian law or in the constitution, a pardon or amnesty," he said. "I'm still of the view that there's room within the amnesty mechanism where 82 young people and offenders were released recently." EU rules on freedom of movement are seen as a crucial factor in the negotiations over the UK's departure from the bloc Businesses will not face a charge for recruiting staff from the European Union post-Brexit, Downing Street has insisted after the immigration minister appeared to hint that a levy could be imposed. Robert Goodwill raised the prospect of a system similar to a 1,000-per-employee annual levy that will be placed on firms hiring non-EU migrants later this year. But Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokeswoman said that such a charge was "not on the agenda". Mr Goodwill also suggested that a seasonal scheme for agricultural workers such as fruit pickers coming to Britain for short periods was being considered. EU rules on freedom of movement are seen as a crucial factor in the negotiations over the UK's departure from the bloc, but the shape of any post-Brexit immigration system has yet to be outlined. Mr Goodwill referred to an annual 1,000 charge on businesses for every skilled worker they employ from outside Europe, which will take effect in April. For a four-year contract, for example, it would mean employers face a 4,000 fee. Mr Goodwill told the Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee: "That's something that currently applies to non-EU. That may be something that's been suggested to us that could apply to EU. "But we are not in a position to really speculate as to what the settlement will be post-Brexit negotiations." However, Mrs May's spokeswoman said the minister had not suggested the levy would be imposed. "He seems to have been misinterpreted, and his comments taken out of context. "What he said was there are a number of things that some people may suggest could be the way forward. "At no point did he say it's on the agenda. And it is not on the Government's agenda," she told a regular Westminster briefing. The prospect of a levy for hiring EU workers sparked an immediate backlash. Seamus Nevin, head of employment and skills policy at the Institute of Directors, said employers accept that immigration policy will be changing but warned charging 1,000 for each EU worker would "hit businesses who are dependent on skills from abroad". He added: "The UK needs these companies to do well if we are to make a success of Brexit." Adam Marshall, d irector general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said companies in the UK already face a "plethora of upfront costs". He said: " Implementing this measure would be harmful to individual firms and overall growth, as it would make the UK less attractive to both investment and talent." Liberal Democrat business spokesman Don Foster said such a move "would kill off British businesses". Ufi Ibrahim, of the British Hospitality Association, described the suggestion as "very worrying", warning that it would increase costs for hospitality and tourism businesses and lead to higher prices for consumers. The Home Office minister also indicated that a route for seasonal agricultural workers was being weighed up. Under a previous scheme, fruit and vegetable growers were allowed to employ Bulgarians and Romanians for up to six months at a time, with an annual quota of 21,250. The programme closed when restrictions on migrants from the two countries were lifted at the start of 2014. Such an approach, which could apply to either EU or non-EU migrants, would not contribute to net long-term migration numbers as they cover those coming to Britain for at least a year, Mr Goodwill said. He told the committee a seasonal scheme has less impact on local communities because people stay for a short time, often in temporary accommodation. Net long-term international migration from both the EU and the rest of the world has been running at near record-levels of more than a third of a million - well above the Government's target of less than 100,000. A range of options for an immigration system have been proposed following the Brexit vote, including a work permits regime or a so-called "emergency brake" approach. Mr Goodwill said a number of models are being explored but told peers it would be "pointless" to speculate ahead of the negotiations. After the hearing, a Home Office spokeswoman said: "As the minister said, there are a whole range of options we could consider to control immigration once we leave the EU. "The people of this country spoke very clearly in the referendum and we are not leaving the European Union only to give up control of immigration again." A couple walk past a UN guard post at the fence that divides the Greek and Turkish Cypriots areas. (AP/Petros Karadjias) Talks to reunify long-divided Cyprus are on track to overcome major obstacles that have stood in the way of a peace accord for decades, the United Nations envoy for Cyprus said. But an immediate deal will not be in the offing since important legal and technical details will have to be sorted out before an overall agreement is put to a vote to the island's rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, UN envoy Espen Barth Eide said. Mr Eide said the Greek Cypriot president and the Turkish Cypriot leader would present competing maps later in the day that outline the boundaries of the Greek and Turkish zones that would make up the country in a hoped-for federation. The proposals will be seen by only a handful of people before being placed in a UN vault in Geneva, a testament to the delicateness of the diplomatic task, Mr Eide said. Top diplomats from three key countries are poised to join the talks on Thursday. Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been meeting in Geneva since Monday to discuss a number of outstanding issues that could restore unity to the island split by ethnic divisions for almost 43 years. Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 in response to a coup aiming to unite the island with Greece. Many residents were stripped of homes and property when Cyprus divided into an official Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish north. Foreign ministers from Cyprus's three "guarantors" - Greece, Turkey and former colonial power Britain, which has a major military base on the island - are set to join the negotiations on Thursday to discuss post-unification security issues. Top leaders from the European Union, which counts Cyprus as a member, are also expected. "I really think, without overdramatizing what is happening in Geneva, that this is the very last chance to see the island being recomposed in a normal way," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters in Malta's capital on Wednesday. Mr Eide has sought to manage expectations. He has repeatedly pointed to "historic" advances happening at the summit, which is the first time the rival boundary maps will be exchanged and the three guarantor powers will be around the table at such a high-level. "We are on track," Mr Eide told reporters during a break. "We have dealt with some of the most difficult issues. We have touched upon almost all of them, we have solved many of them, and we are close to solving some other issues." He refused to specify which issues had been resolved, saying some might be more "popular". The closed-door talks have focused on governance, property and territory issues so far, Mr Eide said. "There's still work to do," he added. Mr Eide did not rule out the possibility that British Prime Minister Theresa May, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might attend along with their foreign ministers. But he suggested they would come only if a deal was in hand. "It's actually quite normal procedure that a topic like this starts at a high political level and when and if successful, it's escalated to the very highest level," he said. AP Zach Meiselbach and Teacher Katherine Gilbert.jpg Pascagoula teen Zachary Meiselbach and teacher Katherine Gilbert will travel to Normandy, France to honor a WWII Silent Hero(r) who died during or after the D-Day landings. (Tyler Carter/tcarter@al.com) PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Pascagoula High School student Zachary Meiselbach's focus on history and his academic ambition will take him and teacher Katherine Gilbert to Normandy, France, this summer as part of a program to honor a "Silent Hero" of World War II. Meiselbach and Gilbert have been selected to take part in the Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom Albert H. Small Student & Teacher Institute. This program only accepts 15 students annually and Meiselbach is one of only 90 students to have ever been accepted. Meiselbach and Gilbert will embark on a year-long educational journey, along with 14 other teacher/student teams. They will begin a special online course in January, and this summer will visit Washington, D.C., and France. The institute gives a student/teacher team the opportunity to honor a WWII Silent Hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country during or after the D-Day landings. Meiselbach said his love for history was the key reason he wanted to apply for the program. "I really like World War II and history has always been my favorite subject, so when I heard there was a chance I could go to Normandy, I just figured I should try to get in, so I applied, and they accepted me," Meiselbach said. According to the institute, the year-long study seeks to teach a new generation about the sacrifices and challenges faced during World War II. While teachers serve as guiding lights for the students, Gilbert said she hopes to bring real-world experience back to the classroom for her other students. "This institute gives real-world experiences to kids and allows them to see these experiences up close and personal," Gilbert said. "We see things on movies and television and it provides a false sense of thinking you know what those times were like, but in actuality, we don't. I actually found out that my grandfather was part of storming the beaches of Normandy, so that makes this experience personal for me. Mostly, I want this experience for Zachary." Ignorance of history and of those who paved a path for those coming behind them allows some to take history for granted, but not Meiselbach. His passionate affinity for history drew him to learning more about those who laid the foundation for the freedoms of today. "I'm not really sure what drew me to history, but there has always been something about knowing the things people did and sacrificed before we got here," Meiselbach said. "It's just something that always piqued my interest as a little kid - I was just always drawn to military history." The team has yet to choose a local hometown hero from the region to profile, but Meiselbach said they are looking forward to the entire experience. "I'm really just looking forward to the experience of seeing what they saw," Meiselbach said. "Obviously it's not going to be exactly as they saw it, but it is still an experience most people don't get to have." Meiselbach, under the guidance of Gilbert, will create a memorial webpage that documents the story and sacrifice of their chosen Silent Hero. These pages live on as a digital memorial to those buried at the Normandy American Cemetery. After participating in the program, Gilbert and Meiselbach will be charged with presenting the story of their Silent Hero to local schools, community groups and veterans' organizations. "With research assistance from their teachers, the students become deeply connected to their selected Silent Heroes," said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. "On that final day, when students read their eulogies, they memorialize someone they came to know, someone whose story they became responsible for telling. I am confident Zachary will walk away with a powerful understanding of the sacrifice so many Silent Heroes made in World War II." The World Bank forecast 2.2% growth in the US, up from an estimated 1.6% last year The World Bank has forecast that the global economy will accelerate slightly in 2017 after turning in the worst performance last year since the 2008 financial crisis. Global growth should expand at a 2.7% annual rate this year, the 189-nation lending agency said. That is down from the bank's June forecast for 2.8% growth this year, but it is better than last year's 2.3% growth. The global economy faced a number of headwinds last year, from economic troubles in China to bouts of financial market turmoil. World Bank president Jim Yong Kim said: "We are encouraged to see stronger economic prospects on the horizon." The World Bank forecast 2.2% growth in the United States, up from an estimated 1.6% last year. The public have become used to difficult days at Stormont, but the tension and script of yesterday's developments could have come straight from a political drama like House Of Cards, or even a Shakespeare play. File image The public have become used to difficult days at Stormont, but the tension and script of yesterday's developments could have come straight from a political drama like House Of Cards, or even a Shakespeare play. We are facing another election - but the truth is nobody wants it. They will ask how this came about when other crises, including bodies on the street not so long ago, did not. One easy assumption is that this is about the ill-fated Renewable Heat Incentive, but there are deeper and wider grievances at stake. An election will delay any inquiry into RHI, and the heaters will keep costing the taxpayer a fortune. Unlike previous elections, this is not one about any clear issue. Sadly, there is a risk that it will lead to the most poisonous situation of all, namely greater sectarian tensions and one of the most bitter campaigns in decades. A Sinn Fein emboldened by yesterday's events and a favourable poll outcome will produce a list of demands which any unionist First Minister would find difficult to accept. On the unionist side, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt will seize his opportunity to take votes from people's disillusionment with the DUP. However, there is another risk: that voters will walk away from the political process, and the DUP may still get strong backing from the polls. The truth is that we are back to 1998 and the tensions leading up to the Good Friday Agreement. The situation is as serious as that, and people will do well to recognise it. How will this affect ordinary voters? The main parties will be returned again, but what unionist leader would Sinn Fein accept, and vice versa? It will be a hard sell for the republican leadership to convince members that power-sharing has been worthwhile. The optimistic predictions of a united Ireland by 2016 are a long way away, and there is a strong perception that the First Minister has not done enough to reach out to all sections of the community equally. Martin McGuinness has taken big risks for peace. Though he has been a contentious figure for unionists, he has worked well with three successive DUP First Ministers until now. He also condemned dissident republicans, and has met the Queen. Mr McGuinness obviously has health issues, and we wish him well. Our current deadlock is a squalid and dull little dispute compared to the crises in other parts of Europe, where people are dying through terrorism, and facing hardship as migrants. The world has moved on since the height of our Troubles, and none of the major governments wants to become involved. We are on our own, and we need to find solutions. There is still time to prevent this crisis from deepening and to step back from the edge. This newspaper calls for cool heads and pragmatism. This is also a time to reflect on what we have achieved here in the past 20 years, and to face up to our many shared challenges, including Brexit, jobs, infrastructure, health, education - and RHI. No Government here can move forward without backing from both major traditions. It is tempting to focus on current fall-outs, and RHI is a grievous mistake that must be investigated. However, everyone with a living experience of the worst of times here will know that what we have now is still a vast improvement on the past. We simply must not throw this progress away lightly. Arlene Foster yesterday agreed to a public inquiry into the 'cash for ash' scandal - but her critics said the DUP's change of heart came far too late, and accused her of running scared of the electorate. The DUP leader said that she was willing to enter talks with Sinn Fein in order to avoid an election. But republicans claimed that Mrs Foster was engaged in "an act of desperation" as Northern Ireland prepared to go to the polls - and if she had been serious about compromise she would have stepped aside last month, as Martin McGuinness had suggested. Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will hold emergency talks with the political parties today. He said that the crisis gripping Stormont was grave and that the clock was ticking on an Assembly election. If Sinn Fein doesn't nominate an MLA to replace Mr McGuinness as Deputy First Minister within five days - which the party has pledged it won't do - Mr Brokenshire will call an election. Addressing the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Brokenshire urged the parties to do everything possible to reach agreement on the way forward. "If there is no resolution, then an election is inevitable despite the widely held view that this election may deepen divisions and threaten the continuity of the devolved institutions," he said. Prime Minister Theresa May discussed the Stormont crisis with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny in a telephone call yesterday. Addressing a Press conference at DUP headquarters in Belfast yesterday, Mrs Foster said she regretted that a period of direct rule and "a very brutal election" awaited Northern Ireland. She claimed she had been "disgracefully maligned in a most vicious manner" over controversy surrounding the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which is set to cost the taxpayer almost 500m. The DUP leader said she would support the setting up of an investigation into RHI under the 2005 Inquiries Act - which her critics have long been demanding. "I am determined that the public will get the facts in an independent and impartial way free from party political demands and bias," she said. "I want to see an investigation commenced quickly so that it will be independently demonstrated that I did nothing wrong and that my integrity is vindicated. This is vitally important from a political perspective but also fundamental for me on a personal basis." Mrs Foster added: "The DUP has not given up or walked away. We want truth, transparency and cost control even though others would rather play high stakes politics with Northern Ireland's stability." TUV leader Jim Allister accused Mrs Foster of "electioneering, pure and simple". He said: "Both the DUP and their partners Sinn Fein resisted calls for a public inquiry. Only now, in the face of an election, has Mrs Foster performed this U-turn. "Consider the facts. On December 18, when asked by The News Letter if the DUP would support a public inquiry, a DUP spokesperson responded by dodging the question and saying they wanted 'an independent investigation'. On December 19 Edwin Poots was emphatic on the issue in the Assembly saying: 'Get the message in relation to the reviews of this: there will not be a public inquiry'. And just last week DUP Belfast councillors voted against a public inquiry." However, hours before Mr McGuinness's resignation on Monday, Mrs Foster told the Belfast Telegraph she could accept a public inquiry. Mr Allister claimed it was because the DUP was in a state of panic as it finally realised the depth of public anger, but he said the electorate would not be fooled and would "have their say at the ballot box". Sinn Fein Health Minister Michelle O'Neill said that the crisis of confidence in the institutions "has gone way beyond the RHI scandal". She said: "If the DUP were serious about addressing the political crisis, then Arlene Foster would have stepped aside a month ago as Martin McGuinness suggested privately to her." Ms O'Neill said her party wanted to make it clear that "the status quo is not an option". She added: "We will not be renominating a Deputy First Minister before the election." There are approximately 700 grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone area, and wildlife managers have cataloged more than 100 grizzly deaths during the past two years most of them human-caused. Photo by Alamy 758 shares The Obama Administration has passed a flaming-hot coal to the Trump Administration pushing to the incoming leadership at the Interior Department the decision to remove federal Endangered Species Act protections from grizzly bears. Yesterday, news outlets reported that a Rocky Mountain region official with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that the agency would have to evaluate public comments and it could take another six months before it could take any action on the issue. In a signal of exactly where the American public is on the issue, the agency received a staggering 650,000 comments on the prospect of delisting, nearly all of them opposed to handing off authority to the states to manage grizzly bears. Whats more, theres been not just a unanimous expression of opposition among animal welfare and environmental groups, but also among Native American tribes, who have called for continued protections for a species that is central to their creation stories. More than 125 tribes in the United States and Canada have expressed their sentiments, including all of the tribes in the Northern Rocky Mountain region. There are approximately 700 grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone area, and wildlife managers have cataloged more than 100 grizzly deaths during the past two years most of them human-caused. Many independent wildlife biologists say that this level of human-caused mortality is unsustainable for the slowly reproducing bears, and all of that is compounded by the effect of climate change on two critical food sources white bark pine and cutthroat trout. With pine nuts and fish much more difficult to gather, the bears must search out other food sources. That requires them to use more energy and often forces them to roam more widely outside the protections of Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, and to come into more conflicts with elk hunters and public lands cattle growers a circumstance where the bears almost always lose. Last May, nearly 60 prominent biologists and conservationists submitted a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service criticizing the plan to delist. Last month, filmmakers Anthony Birkholz and Marni Walsh released a short video, Keep Grizzlies Protected: Yellowstones Grizzly Science, featuring leading carnivore and conservation biologists, including Dr. Jane Goodall, as well as climate change scientists, who expressed grave concerns about kicking authority to the states. The video urges the continued protection of this iconic species by restoring them to suitable habitat in which they are well-protected, and reconnecting isolated populations, rather than allowing trophy hunters to gun them down. In the coming months, were likely to see serious efforts in Congress to prevent continued federal protection for another big-name apex predator in the lower 48 states the gray wolf. Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wisc., with Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., introduced legislation to remove federal protections for wolves in Wyoming and the Great Lakes region and to deny any judicial review of the action. With Republican majorities in both chambers, and with the Trump Administration likely to actively support trophy hunting, this is a perilous moment for wolves. In order to retain federal protections for them, well need a massive outpouring of concern from citizens to their lawmakers. If they are delisted, we can expect more than 500 of the 5,000 wolves in the lower 48 to be shot, trapped, snared, and even chased by packs of hounds this coming fall and winter. Please call your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and urge them to oppose any delisting bills or amendments or riders in Congress because they subvert judicial review and fly in the face of science that shows wolves are not adequately recovered to remove protections and turn management over to states that have pledged to immediately begin killing them again. Your comments on the grizzly bear delisting proposal have enormously influenced decision makers, and now its time to speak up loudly and in overwhelming numbers for the wolves. A Rohingya Muslim refugee family looks on during a gathering in Kuala Lumpur against the alleged persecution of Rohingya in Myanmar, Dec. 4, 2016. Malaysia next week will host a meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic States to discuss a humanitarian crisis surrounding Myanmars Rohingya Muslim minority, the OIC said in a news release. An extraordinary meeting of the OICs Council of Foreign Ministers focusing on the Rohingya issue will take place in Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 19, according to the Islamic worlds largest inter-governmental body. Elsewhere on the diplomatic front, Myanmar Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kyaw Tin met with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other officials in Dhaka on Wednesday to discuss the Rohingya situation, at the start of a three-day visit to Bangladesh. Since early October, southeastern Bangladesh has seen an influx of 65,000 Rohingya fleeing violence amid a military crackdown in the neighboring Myanmar state of Rakhine, according to the United Nations. The meeting of 56 OIC member-state representatives in Kuala Lumpur will be led by Prime Minister Najib Razak, Agence France-Presse quoted a Malaysian official. The leader of predominantly Muslim Malaysia in recent weeks raised tensions with Buddhist majority Myanmar by describing a military crackdown in Rakhine state which is home to the stateless Rohingya population as a genocide. The upcoming meeting in Kuala Lumpur follows emergency meetings of OIC groups in Geneva and Brussels in late December, according to the OIC release. Participants discussed the Rohingya crisis amid reports that members of the minority had been killed and their homes torched during a military crackdown that followed the killing of a group of Burmese border guards in Maungdaw township in early October. Some people from the stateless minority group have accused Myanmar security forces of arbitrary arrests, torture, rape and arson during the security operation, though both the government and army have denied the charges. The meetings sought to identify possible actions that may be taken in the lead-up to the forthcoming Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to be convened on Jan. 19 in Kuala Lumpur on the Rohingya issue, the OIC release said about last months discussions in Switzerland and Belgium. The groups called for concrete actions to address the basic human rights and humanitarian issues of this long suffering minority and called upon the government to ensure that the displaced Rohingya population are allowed to return to their homes in safety and dignity, the release added. Take them back In Dhaka, a spokesman for Hasina said the special envoy of Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi handed the prime minister a letter and told Hasina that Myanmar wants to deepen ties and cooperation with Bangladesh. But the PM renewed her call that Myanmar take back all of its nationals from Bangladesh, said Ihsanul Karim, the PMs press secretary, referring to her governments call in late December that Naypyidaw repatriate the entire population of 300,000 to 500,000 Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh over the years. On Dec. 30, a day after Dhaka made that call, Myanmars government said it would take back only 2,415 Rohingya living in Bangladesh, Reuters reported. During the meeting, the Honorable Prime Minister said the two countries could permanently resolve the refugee problems through discussion, Karim told BenarNews on Wednesday. Karim said the prime minister also reassured the Burmese envoy that her government would maintain a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism by not allowing armed groups to use Bangladeshi territory as a haven for launching attacks on the countrys neighbors, including Myanmar. Myanmar must accept the history The three-member delegation headed by Kyaw Tin arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, the team met for two hours with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali at the governments Guest House in the capital. The team met with Hasina on Wednesday evening. Neither Kyaw Tin nor any members of his team spoke to reporters after the meetings. The Myanmar embassy in Dhaka declined to comment. The delegation is to return to Myanmar on Friday. Retired Bangladeshi diplomat Ashfaqur Rahman, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs, described the visit by the Myanmar delegation as a positive development in bilateral relations. Myanmars desire to cooperate with Bangladesh to deepen ties gives a hint that Suu Kyis government wants to resolve the long-standing Rohingya problem. Rohingya infiltration is the main obstacle in the relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar, he told BenarNews. But, he added: Myanmar must accept the history and take back its Rohingya nationals living in Bangladesh. They cannot shrug off that the Rohingyas are the illegal migrants from [Myanmar]. A highly populated country like Bangladesh can no longer take hundreds of thousands of Myanmar nationals. Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka contributed to this report. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 77F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear skies during the evening giving way to clouds and a few showers after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. 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. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The buzz at Susan Wagner High School is all about the production of "Company," a musical to be staged in the Sea View school's new Performing Arts Center Black Box Theatre. What's even more unique about Stephen Sondheim's acclaimed musical comedy -- to be performed Jan. 12-15 -- is it has the distinction of being the premiere production at the state-of-the art venue. But we'll chat a little more about the exciting new venue after we give you the show scoop. With music and lyrics by Sondheim and book by George Furth, "Company" was a groundbreaking winner of 1971 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Lyrics, Best Set Design and Best Direction of a Musical. The show is set in the swinging '70s New York City and follows bachelor Robert "Bobby" Harris on the occasion of his 35th birthday. He's been unable -- and somewhat unwilling -- to walk down the aisle; until now, that is. What entails is a series of vignettes dissecting Bobby's five favorite married couples -- as well as his relationships with his three current girlfriends. "Company" features the school's senior theater majors including Joseph Gottfried as "Bobby." The production is directed by Diane Zerega, with musical direction by Keith Waage and pit orchestra leader Paul Corn. "Company" includes some of Sondheim's most recognizable songs including "Getting Married Today," "Ladies Who Lunch," "Side by Side" and "Being Alive." Performances will run Thursday Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 13, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 at WagnerHighTheater.org and also will be sold at the door based on available seating. Guests are invited to use the theater entrance at the south side of the Center, closest to the JCC. For more info, call 718-698-4200, ext. 8201. BUT BACK TO THE BLACK BOX For those who aren't aware, Wagner High School's Performing Arts Program has been the recipient of myriad awards -- not only citywide, but nationally. Now, the 190-seat Black Box Theatre provides a "flexible forum" for theater productions and musical performances in a comfortable climate-controlled -- a more intimate space than in a large auditorium. As a result, Wagner students are now afforded theater arts, stage crafts and a wide-range of music forms from jazz and rock to classical and folk. A few stats: The Performing Arts Center is a 27,000-square-foot facility is LEED certified. (BTW: That means its "resource efficient.") The Black Box alone measures 2,680-square-feet. Included is a dance studio lined with mirrors and springboard flooring. It contains four classrooms, a band room, chorus/guitar room and a scenic workshop for carpentry students. There are three floors in the complex, with elevator service available for wheelchair access. Approximately 1,000 students per day will use the building in an arts capacity. It also contains a music suite with five soundproof practice rooms. The official name? The Susan E. Wagner High School Performing Arts Center with Black Box Theatre and Classroom. It should be noted the Black Box is the only theater of its kind in a New York City high school with the exception of LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts in Manhattan. Principal Gary Giordano, assistant principal for Performing Arts Paul Corn and theater arts teacher Diane Zerega can't help but wax ecstatic over their incredible venue -- that was years in the making. To backtrack for a moment: the project that got off the ground back in 2010 is the brainchild of Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, Zerega, and Corn. "I applaud Borough President James Oddo, former BP James Molinaro and Councilman Steve Matteo for recognizing that music and theater in our schools give students enriching life-long benefits," says Burke. He adds: "The Performing Arts Center is a testament to their dedication to children, and to the topflight performing arts program nurtured by Gary Giordano, Paul Corn and theater teacher Diane Zerega. Watching Diane Zerega direct her students and create such professional dynamic performances was the catalyst for the whole amazing project." Says Zerega: "Ed was the script writer, the idea man. And we created the magic and the kids infused their language. This is all such a fantastic community service for all of us to enjoy on Staten Island." Zerega went on to explain that when Burke brought the idea to then Borough President James Molinaro he was delighted to offer his assistance and through him capital funds were allocated for the theater. Also on board is Chet Cutick, who serves as the theater's production and technical director -- when he's not teaching history, that is. Students who participate in the school's performance-based programs are involved in after-school rehearsals, weekend and evening performances at Wagner High School, community performances at senior centers, youth organizations and in special guest teaching artists classes from September through June. They're also offered hundreds of additional hours in instructional time, as well as trips to Broadway, Lincoln Center and invaluable conversations with professional artists. The average theater student participates in 350 to 500 hours of performance activity in a school year. What's more, at least four major productions are performed throughout the school year: Fall Spooktacular, Winter Black Box Theater, Spring Musical, and New Works by New Writers. The average music student at Wagner regularly performs in concert bands or chorus and marching band simultaneously. Additionally, 30-to-40 advanced students also add jazz band and the spring musical orchestra to their work load. Wagner staffers note performing arts students stay involved, are enthusiastic, and have stellar passing rates in their academic classes. Statistically speaking, their appreciation and exposure to the arts enriches their lives and helps develop invaluable skills toward success in future endeavors -- no matter which career path they choose. CELEBRATIONS: JAN. 11 Happy birthday Wednesday to Maria DeSantis Hurley, former Miss America Outstanding Teen/Miss Staten Island, Noreen Lapcevic, Angelina O'Connor, Lynn Guilfoyle, and John Fields. AuthorKaren NarratorLiying I do not know if you are ever intrigued to read Revelation. Some people avoid Revelation because they cannot handle the concept of God's judgment. The thought of such severity from a good, loving God can be troubling. It is difficult for us to reconcile the harmony within God's infinite, multifaceted nature, which operates in perfect unity---benevolent grace and just judgment. He never violates one attribute to exercise another. Revelation reveals the finality of God's just judgment on those who reject His Son alongside His immense saving grace toward His redeemed ones who embrace His Son. There is no reason to fear if you belong to the LORD. There are difficulties when we try to understand Revelation since no one fully understands everything in Revelation. Believers who hold differing interpretations have important common ground. For example, they all look forward to the LORD Jesus' return, believers' resurrection and renewal. We should not assume that difference in interpretation makes Revelation too difficult to study. God gives us this book to assure us of hope, courage and stability. God intends to bless us if we read it. "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation1:3. 13 From Haiti to Aleppo, 2016 was marked by tragedy. For my family, 2016 also brought grief on the home front. We said goodbye to a grandfather who passed away. We also said goodbye to our house and former career, as we embarked on a new ministry that is far more trying than expected. After selling nearly all of our stuff to follow Jesus, we were forced to adjust to a new realityon every account. But Im not content to leave it therein the pain. I demand hope of 2017. I demand the kind of hope only Christ can bring. Heres why I think you should do the same. From Pain Comes Resurrection A reflection on 2016 cannot be complete without looking at it from the perspective of Christmas. The celebration of Christmas is a reminder that the arrival of the Son of God equals unfathomable hope. The hope of Christ changes everything. The life of Jesus is a reminder that suffering is a part of life and that God can use it to accomplish his purposes. Prophesying about the Christ, over 500 years before his arrival, Isaiah 53:10 says it this way: Yet Yahweh was pleased to crush [his servant]; he afflicted [his servant]. If [Zion] makes [the servants] life a guilt offering, he will see offspring, he will prolong days and the will of Yahweh, in his hand, will succeed. From the pain of Yahwehs servant comes resurrection. Yahwehs servant is made a guilt offering by Zion, who is symbolic of the people of Israel. The servant dies. And then he rises again: he sees offspring and he prolongs daysthings that only happen in life. The servants suffering is not the end; it is a beginning. It is the resurrection of Yahwehs servant that leads to our new life. Isaiah 53:11 continues the passage with this statement: From the trouble of his life he will see light. He will be satisfied. In his knowledge, my righteous servant shall make the many righteous and he will bear their iniquities. The suffering servant of YahwehJesus the Christ, the Son of Godbears our iniquities. It is Jesus who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53 in his suffering, death, and resurrection. He makes many righteous by his suffering and death (compare Romans 8:1839). Paul the apostle puts it this way: Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who diedmore than that, who was raisedwho is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [Christ!] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword (Romans 8:3435 ESV). Ask God to Use 2016s Pain For my wife and I, 2016 meant leaving a great job and going full-timeas volunteersfor the non-profit Jesus Economy. We had many hopes about this journey, believing that we would see radical giving that would support us. But so far, it hasnt turned out that way. Its been difficult and often disheartening. We also faced the loss of a wonderful man, Kalenes grandfatherwho we greatly miss. Yet I know that dwelling on pain does not get us any closer to healing or move forward Gods ministry. Instead, we must ask, What is God doing through this? Where is he working, so that we may follow him? Reflecting on that question I see that through our work, God is creating jobs for the impoverished through our Fair Trade Shop. God is also planting churches in regions where people have never heard the name of Jesus. Furthermore, people are gaining access to clean water. Is that worth the sacrifice? Absolutely. And while 2016 involved saying goodbye to Grandpa, we can take solace in the fact that our prayers for healing were answered, in a way. Grandpa John no longer feels pain; he is healed in heaven and with the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:110). And one day, we will see Grandpa John againwe didnt truly say goodbye, but rather farewell for now. And one day, we will all have resurrected bodies (Revelation 20:1115; 1 Corinthians 15:1258). The Power of a Resurrected Perspective A truly Christian theology requires us to look at 2016 through the perspective of resurrection. I must ask God to raise all of 2016 upto redeem it and give it new life. I must also acknowledge that the grief of 2016the sleepless nights, the feelings of anxiety, the mourning, all of itwere used by God to draw me closer to him. Thanks to 2016s journey, I know God better than I ever have and there is nothing worth more than that. Furthermore, God will have the final say over pain: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:3839 ESV). In light of Jesus, I demand hope from 2017. I can see how God used 2016 for good, and so I believe in resurrected hope for 2017. I believe in resurrected hope for you and me. 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, January 11, 2017 Contact: Steve Jones, (415) 305-3866, sjones@biologicaldiversity.org Thousands Join Earth2Trump, Pledging Resistance to Incoming Administration Cross-country Resistance Roadshow Halfway to Inauguration, Rallying Over 2,500 in Nine Cities, Hundreds More Send #Earth2Trump Online Messages DENVER More than 2,500 people attended the first nine Earth2Trump events as part of a 16-city, cross-country tour building resistance to President-elect Trump. The tour, which began Jan. 2, has hosted shows in Seattle, Portland, Oakland, Los Angeles, Tucson, Reno, Salt Lake City, Houston and Silver City, N.M. The next stops are tonight in Denver, Friday in Omaha and Saturday in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Center for Biological Diversity is organizing the tour in coordination with allied local groups to build a national network of resistance against President-elect Trump's attacks on the environment and civil rights. Every show on the tour has been at capacity, with lines streaming out the door, said Kieran Suckling, the Center's executive director. People are fired up and ready to resist Trump at every turn. This is a growing national movement standing up for democracy, civil rights, wildlife and equality. We'll be there every day to oppose policies that hurt wildlife, poison our air and water, destroy our climate, promote racism, misogyny or homophobia, or marginalize entire segments of our society. The free shows include live music, national and local speakers, a pledge of resistance, and a chance for participants to write personalized #Earth2Trump messages to be taken to the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. Those messages are being posted online and placed inside hand-painted globes that will be delivered to Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, where there will be a final show featuring musicians Makana, Dana Lyons, Lyla June and Casey Neill. We're not just here to complain. We're here to make a change and change our lifestyle. How do we join the movement? How are we standing in solidarity with impacted communities? Yudith Nieto, youth organizer with TEJAS, said at the Houston event on Tuesday. Our life ways are connected to this land. We are of this land. One of our main teachings is to take care of one another. If everyone starts taking care of one another we can solve a lot of problems, Eddie Garcia, a Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas member and activist from the Two Rivers Camp, said at the Houston show. Our real enemy is fear, ignorance and confusion. Our enemy is showing its face. Photos of the events that are available for media use are here. Next stops The central tour travels by train and will be in Denver tonight at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St., from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The free shows features touring musicians Makana and Dana Lyons, along with speeches by representatives from the Center, Food and Water Watch, Wild Earth Guardians and other groups. The southern tour will be in St. Petersburg, Fla. Saturday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at The Ale and the Witch, 111 2nd Ave. NE. Mountain Holler will join touring musicians Lyla June and Casey Neill, and speakers will include St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Darden River and Rev. Andy Bell. See a map of the tour and more details at www.Earth2Trump.org. Follow the tour on social media with #Earth2Trump and on the Center's Medium page. Images and interviews with touring activists and musicians and local partners are available upon request. For Immediate Release, January 11, 2017 Contact: Collette Adkins, Center for Biological Diversity, (651) 955-3821, cadkins@biologicaldiversity.org Dr. Lisa Regula Meyer, University of Akron, (330) 972-5047, LRegula@UAkron.edu Ban Sought on Unlimited Wild Turtle Trapping in Ohio Commercial Traders Now Sell as Many Turtles as They Can Catch COLUMBUS, Ohio The Center for Biological Diversity and several Ohio-based conservation organizations petitioned the Ohio Department of Natural Resources today to end unchecked commercial collection of the state's wild turtles. Turtle traders can now legally collect unlimited numbers of common snapping and softshell turtles to process and sell domestically or export for Asian food and medicinal markets. For-profit turtle traders should not be allowed to put the state's turtles at risk, said Collette Adkins, a Center biologist and senior attorney who authored the petition. Ohio desperately needs limits on the number of snapping and softshell turtles trappers can take from the wild. Selling so many turtles for meat is bad for the turtles, of course, but also for all of us who care about the health of the state's waterways and wetlands. Under current regulations in Ohio, anyone with an annual fishing license may trap and sell unlimited numbers of common snappers, spiny softshells and smooth softshells. Although Ohio law prohibits live export of turtles, traders can sell live turtles within the state or process the animals to sell across state lines or overseas for meat and medicinal markets. Also, because turtles bioaccumulate toxins from prey and burrow in contaminated sediment, turtle meat is often laced with mercury, PCBs and pesticides, posing a health risk. Adult turtles are also taken from the wild to breed hatchlings for the international pet trade. Commercial trapping is devastating to turtle populations that are already suffering from multiple other threats, including habitat loss, water pollution and vehicular collisions, said Dr. Lisa Regula Meyer, a visiting assistant professor of biology at the University of Akron. All of our neighboring states ban or limit for-profit turtle trapping, and Ohio should too. This simple step could vastly improve turtle conservation efforts in the state, with little cost to Ohio and its citizens. Scientists have repeatedly documented that freshwater turtles cannot sustain any significant level of wild collection without population declines. In a 2014 study, researchers found that, looking at mean demographic rates, no harvest could be sustained for softshells, and common snappers could withstand only minimum rates of juvenile harvest and no adult harvest. The Center for Biological Diversity, Ohio River Foundation, Ohio Wetlands Association, Kent Environmental Council, Friends of the Ravines and Dr. Regula Meyer submitted today's petition. Background As part of a campaign to protect turtles in the United States, the Center for Biological Diversity has been petitioning states that allow commercial turtle collection to improve regulations. In 2009 Florida responded by banning almost all commercial collection of freshwater turtles from public and private waters. Then, in 2012, Georgia approved state rules regulating the commercial collection of turtles, and Alabama completely banned commercial collection. This past July, Iowa published proposed rules that, if finalized, would impose seasons, daily bag limits and possession limits for common snapping turtles, painted turtles, spiny softshells and smooth softshells. And in October the Missouri Department of Conservation announced in response to a Center petition that it will consider ending unlimited commercial collection of the state's wild freshwater turtles. Also this year, in response to a 2011 Center petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in May added four turtles including common snapping turtles, smooth softshell turtles and spiny softshell turtles that are targeted in Ohio to a list called CITES Appendix III. Trade in Appendix III species requires an export permit and documentation that the animal was caught or acquired in compliance with the law, allowing the United States to monitor trade closely. The animals must also be shipped using methods designed to prevent cruel treatment. None of the states that share a border with Ohio allow unlimited commercial collection of turtles. Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana and West Virginia prohibit all commercial collection of turtles, and Pennsylvania enforces strict bag limits. For Immediate Release, January 11, 2017 Contact: Collette Adkins, (651) 955-3821, cadkins@biologicaldiversity.org New Congress Introduces Bill to Strip Protections From Endangered Wolves in Great Lakes, Wyoming Lawmakers Quick to Attack Endangered Species WASHINGTON Members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill Tuesday that would strip federal protections from wolves in the Great Lakes region and Wyoming, making the animals vulnerable to state-regulated trophy hunting and trapping. With language preventing any further judicial review, the bill would overrule two court decisions that found the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrongly removed Endangered Species Act protections for the wolf. The new Congress is the most extreme and anti-wolf our country has ever seen, and members wasted no time in attacking endangered wildlife, said Collette Adkins, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. This bill promises to undo hard-earned progress toward gray wolf recovery that has taken years to achieve. Without federal protection hundreds of wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan will once again suffer and die every year. The Fish and Wildlife Service removed protections for gray wolves in the Great Lakes region (Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota) in 2011, and in Wyoming in 2012. In both instances federal judges overturned agency decisions for prematurely removing protections, failing to follow the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and ignoring the best available science. Lawmakers have responded to these decisions by repeatedly attempting to remove protections for wolves. Since the 2011 passage of a rider abolishing wolf protections in the northern Rocky Mountains, there have been dozens of legislative attacks on wolves in Congress. Yesterday's bill is the first introduced in the 115th Congress to strip federal protections from endangered wildlife. Wolf recovery should be allowed to follow a course prescribed by science, not politics, Adkins said. This shameful meddling is harmful to wolves, harmful to science and harmful to our democratic processes. The anti-wolf bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) and Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). Similar bills have passed the House in recent years but failed to clear the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House. This bill's chances are considered much better with Republicans controlling the House, Senate and soon the White House. It can be tough to be a vegetarian. You have to work harder than everyone else to make sure youre getting all the nutrients your body needs. So, when its time to take a This week, we find out what's really going on behind the selfie with Vega School students Robyn Phillips and Azraa Kazi, awarded Golden Muses at the PromaxBDA Africa Awards for their campaign, Brave is Sexy'. In drawing inspiration from the Lovers Plus and We the Brave brands, the campaign adapted from We the Brave the concept of reversible packaging, which allows one to remove a first layer and see whats on the reverse side; and from Lovers Plus, the theme of safe sex Phillips and Kazi being just as serious in front of the lens as they are behind it. 1. Where do you live, work and play? Phillips and Kazi: Robyn just moved to Cape Town and Azraa currently resides in Pretoria. We both study creative brand communications at Vega School. You can find us sipping coffee, reading books and taking flat lays in secluded coffee shops. 2. Whats your claim to fame? Phillips and Kazi: Well, we were recently awarded the 'Golden Muse for the Future' award at the PromaxBDA Africa Awards. Our entry, Brave is Sexy, is a campaign for We The Brave and Lovers Plus that aims to offer young individuals the opportunity to take ownership of their sex lives. We have been extremely grateful for the exposure of Brave is Sexy over the last couple of months and we hope to inspire younger students to use the industry to push boundaries and incite social change. 3. Describe your career so far. Phillips and Kazi: Both our careers have had ups and downs. We have worked on many creative briefs and entered many competitions, however, up until now we were rather unsuccessful, but we continued to focus on the bigger picture and pursue our goals. Our Brave is Sexy campaign is the perfect example of this. Vega School entered our work into various competitions. Each time we entered a different competition it gave us the opportunity to continue to push forward and improve our work. The PromaxBDA Africa awards finally allowed us to represent ourselves and Vega School. Hopefully these awards are only the start of our careers and we can use this incredible experience as motivation to continuously develop strategically and creatively. Azraa is currently focusing on developing controversial campaigns that aim to push boundaries and get the public speaking. Robyn has spent a year dedicated to NGOs (Non-Profit Organisations), brand campaigns and public service announcements through creative and innovative messaging. 4. Tell us a few of your favourite things. Phillips and Kazi: Anything that is black and white Minimalistic and Scandinavian art Marble Deco Chai lattes Really good advertising Sleeping late and yoga, Namaste 5. What do you love about your industry? Phillips and Kazi: In the advertising industry there is this constant drive to be original and creative. Its an industry that requires us to always produce fresh and innovative concepts. We both thrive on this challenge, and our ability to work under pressure makes us love what we do. 6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists. Phillips and Kazi: Our average Vega day consists of drowning in Grande coffees before 8am, then we spend most of our days jumping between classes, shooting in the studio and helping each other with concepts and designs until 5pm. The rest of our evening is spent on FaceTime together, stressing about the quality of our executions until 2am. Each day involves different content and fun creative briefs, which keeps us both on our feet. 7. What are the tools of your trade? Phillips and Kazi: The tools of our trade involve anything and everything from concepts to executions in creative briefs and advertising. We find inspiration in many different places. Robyn finds hers in secondhand creative books and Azraa in flat lays and minimalist photographs. 8. Who is getting it right in your industry? Phillips and Kazi: We are both inspired by innovative advertising. There is a lot to be proud of within the African advertising industry. Creative work such as #BeAbsolut in Kuli Chanas One Source music video displays some ground-shaking excitement within the advertising industry. Internationally, we found a lot of amusement in Durex advertising a big inspiration for Brave is Sexy - as their campaigns use visuals to approach a taboo topic. 9. List a few pain points the industry can improve on. Phillips and Kazi: Budgeting and spending more resources on NGO work. There is significant support towards NGOs and public development from creative agencies. However, with the resources and the creative minds agencies have to offer, more of it needs to be filtered into helping local communities. We both hope to be a part of this in the years to come. 10. What are you working on right now? Phillips and Kazi: Small freelance briefs and our beach tans as its Vega Holiday Time. 11. Tell us some of the buzzwords floating around in your industry at the moment, and some of the catchphrases you utter yourself. Phillips and Kazi: Collab is a word we constantly use when talking about upcoming campaigns in the industry. Many brands are collaborating and teaming up to create some awesome and innovative campaigns. WHEN?! WHEN?! This may not be popular within the industry, however its something we almost utter daily. We are constantly questioning when we will have the time to rework a creative brief, when we will have the time to see friends and when we will have the time to sleep in. 12. Where and when do you have your best ideas? Phillips and Kazi: Under pressure ALWAYS! We both tend to work at our best when the pressure is on. Either at 12am on FaceTime or during a coffee refill throughout the day. 13. Whats your secret talent/party trick? Phillips and Kazi: Having first studied photography, Azraa is always being asked to take photographs for friends at birthday parties. Robyn is involved in some online gaming, but wont talk about it. 14. Are you technophobes or technophiles? Phillips and Kazi: Both of us are definitely technophiles, constantly eyeing out the latest Apple products. 15. What would we find if we scrolled through your phone? Phillips and Kazi: Azraas phone is filled with screenshots of bathrooms, architecture and minimalistic deco. Robyns phone has apps for everything books, news and design, as well as loads of music and a few unread messages. 16. What advice would you give to newbies hoping to crack into the industry? Phillips and Kazi: Find what makes you niche, what makes your work different and unique. Once youve found that, put your head down and never stop working to improve it. Its that drive and dedication that will allow you to create something extraordinary. Simple as that. Click here for the Vega School press office, here for a chat with Vegas Loeries 2016-winning students, here for Kazis Behance profile, here for Phillips Behance profile and be sure to follow both Kazi and Phillips on Instagram. *Interviewed by Leigh Andrews. UPDATED Like many Democrats, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Senate education committee, is among many Democrats to express opposition to Betsy DeVos , President-elect Donald Trumps nominee to be education secretary. Unlike other Democrats, Warren has her home-state charter school association in her corner . On Monday, the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association sent a letter to Warren saying that her support for vouchers, and her backing for charter schools in Michigan that reportedly suffer from lax oversight are concerning. Along with some Democratic members of the House , the Massachusetts charter group says her record should worry supporters of public education. If these reports are true, we are deeply concerned that efforts to grow school choice without a rigorous accountability system will reduce the quality of charter schools across the country, states the letter, which was signed by 16 members of the charter associations board of directors. We hope you agree that quality, not quantity, should be the guiding principle of charter expansion. Without high levels of accountability, the model fails. Warren declined to speak with an Education Week reporter on Tuesday about DeVos. A spokesperson for Warren did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter. UPDATE: Warren spokesperson Lacey Rose responded by referring to a letter Warren wrote to DeVos expressing concerns about her nomination. Other charter school backers, however, were not happy with the letter, including Thomas B. Fordham President Michael Petrilli: Rather than attacking charter school accountability, her supporters say, DeVos has a track record of prioritizing charter oversight, including a school accountability model based on A-F grades. Read the full letter from the Massachusetts charter school group below: Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . The Midas Awards for World's Best Financial Advertising in 2016 have been announced, with the Grand Jury awarding one Grand Midas Award, 62 Midas Gold Ingots, 77 Midas Silver Ingots and 138 Finalist Certificates from entries submitted from 24 countries. FP7/DXB (Part of McCann Worldgroup) earned the coveted 2016 Grand Midas Award for A Priceless Delivery for client MasterCard. The award-winning campaign partnered MasterCard Priceless Causes with Salma, an innovation in food relief, that sources high-quality and securely-packaged food to create an interactive wall in Dubai Mall. The wall gave people an immersive and priceless experience when they bought a meal and metaphorically delivered it to the children through the interactive wall allowing Salma to deliver 400,000 meals and counting to displaced children and their families in the Middle East. The campaign also earned five Midas Gold Ingots, two Silver Ingots and two Midas Certificates. Our job, being part of a burgeoning creative economy, is to solve the hard problems around us (brand, business or societal) through the power of our creativity. It gives us purpose and is our way to survive. A Priceless Delivery is one such creative idea, where we have taken the first steps through MasterCard and its meaningful Priceless Causes programme, to address a real-world problem of underprivileged and displaced children and families not getting sufficient access to quality food, which is a basic human right, explains Tahaab Rais, regional head of strategic planning, FP7/MENA. We have moved people in the UAE to give and then encouraged them to give more, by showing them the impact their contributions can make; thus, removing the metaphorical wall that is often formed between those who give and those whose lives they improve. Moreover, we have garnered much support that has helped scale this idea and make it sustainable. In today's world, it is imperative that more leading global brands (beyond NGOs) do similar meaningful work for causes that are affecting the world around us. They have the influence. Here's wishing that more is done by the big brands we all work with, to help people affected by atrocities around the world, through the power of creativity, concludes Rais. The Jupiter Drawing Room Johannesburg, Joe Public earn six Gold Ingots South African agencies were in the winners circle earning six Gold Ingots. The Jupiter Drawing Room Johannesburg received four Gold Ingots for client Absa / Barclays including two Ingots for Ready. Set. Go. and both Cultivating the Exceptional and Cafe Prosper each earned a single Gold Ingot. Cafe Prosper is a pop-up coffee shop, serving up some of the finest coffee in the world, allowing consumers to rest up, recharge and engage, while becoming a channel of communication to consumers for client Absa/Barclays. Joe Public South Africas Twitter Track for client Nedbank Sponsorships, earned two Gold Ingots by incorporating inspiring tweets into an encouraging running track to raise funds for children requiring prosthetics. Creative event marketing Perceptive advertisers employed creative event marketing to engage consumers and champion causes. McCann New Yorks MasterCard Restroom for All installation at Pride Fest demonstrated its support of global acceptance by installing a restroom that accepts all humans, no matter their gender identity. McCann Londons #44 Days of Crazy for MasterCard harnessed the spirit of international fans travelling through London via branded taxis; riders were challenged to show team spirit by singing their nations rugby anthem and see their taxi fare roll down. US agencies in the lead US agencies were in the lead this year, earning 13 Midas Gold Ingots. McCann New York earned five Gold Ingots for client MasterCard. The agency received three Gold Ingots for MasterCard Restroom for All. In addition, First Big Trip and Stand Up To Cancer EEG Experience for MasterCard also earned Gold Ingots. McCann Worldgroup also saw campaigns for MasterCard earn Gold Ingots including Together and Experiences Are Priceless. Other US agencies striking gold: R/GA New York earned two Gold Ingots for E*TRADE Opportunity is Everywhere - Trader, Retire, Invest; Publicis North America Citi Double Cash Card? Double Means Double? Campaign TV Spots was honoured with two Gold Ingots; and SapientNitro The Webster Bank Warm Welcome Guerrilla Campaign earned two Gold Ingots. Prudential Advertising #Run401k - The Race for Retirement for Prudential earned a Gold Ingot. FP7/DXB Dubai (Part of McCann Worldgroup) struck gold with 11 Midas Gold Ingots including three Gold Ingots for A Priceless Delivery for MasterCard. The agency earned a robust 6 Gold Ingots for client Emirates NBD, taking home three for The AC Vests, two for An Uber Ramadan and a single Gold Ingot for The Beautiful After. FP7/DXB was also recognised with a single Gold Ingots for Ad D for National Health Insurance Company - Daman. Australia and Canada reach gold Australian agencies were in the spotlight scoring six Midas Gold Ingots. MercerBell earned two Gold Ingots, one for Pirates of the High Fees for World First and a second for Theres a Flight in Every Card for client Qantas. R/GA Media Group was honoured with two Gold Ingots for Monkey Minded Monday for client ANZ and Wunderman-Bienalto was recognised with two Gold Ingots for Ed: Anxiety-busting banking for ME Bank. Three Canadian agencies were honored with Gold Ingots: Zulu Alpha Kilo received Gold Ingots for both Be In The Black and Pets with Credit for client Interac Association. In addition, KBS Canadas BMO TARC for BMO and McCann Canadas MasterCard Safety & Security for client MasterCard earned Gold Ingots. Global accolades Global agencies were honoured with multiple Gold Ingots. McCann Londons #44 Days of Crazy for MasterCard and McCann Worldgroup London earned two Gold Ingots for Mark Ronson Surprise for MasterCard and McCann Singapores Biometric ID Posters also for MasterCard received two Gold Ingots. Publicis Communications Switzerland UBS Retirement Campaign for client UBS Switzerland and CJ WORX Thailand's Big Daddy Form for client Krungsri Market along with R/GA Brazils Gabriel for client Banco Bradesco S.A. each earned two Gold Ingots. International agencies scoring a single Gold Ingot include: AML Group UK Megatrends Thematics for Pictet Asset Management; Reinv3nt Colombia Retirees for client Brilla de Gases de Occidente; Havas Duesseldorf GmbH Germany 60 Years DWS for DWS; McCann Bucharest Champions League Spark Video for MasterCard; pi communications India The Incomplete Nameplate for Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited; fp7 Lebanon The Makers for client Byblos Bank TBWA Sri Lanka Sign of Death for client AIA Insurance To view the 2016 Midas Winners Showcase, go to www.midasawards.com/winners/2016. There is a lack of state posts for pharmacists to complete their year of community service, forcing them into unemployment, according to the Pharmaceutical Society of SA. The society said Monday, 9 January 2017, that if the government could not afford to offer pharmacists community service posts, it had no legal or moral basis to enforce community service and it should end the practice. Pharmacists cannot work in either the private or state sector until they have completed a legally required year of community service, usually in understaffed state hospitals or rural parts of the country. Pharmaceutical society member Lorraine Osman said that of the 984 who were supposed to start work at the beginning of the year, at least 78 did not have jobs. There might be as many as 129 newly qualified pharmacists who were supposed to start work this year and were without jobs. "Although the national Department of Health was notified of the number of interns who would need placement, provinces found that there was insufficient funding for them to offer the necessary posts." Society president Professor Sarel Malan said: "If there are insufficient posts in the public service, the only tenable option is to remove the obligation for community service immediately, and to allow all completing interns to be registered without limitation and to practise in any setting." Osman said that while there were problems placing staff every year in community service posts, far more were out of work this year, which had forced the society to publicise the issue. In 2000, the number of pharmacists needing to do community service was about half of what it was now, she said. Osman said it appeared as if there had been an increase in the number of professionals trained, but not an increase in state-funded posts to absorb them. "[Another problem] is that the new software that automated the community service placement process for all health workers was rushed into use last year and there were many technical glitches." The faulty software allocated 17 pharmacists to posts in Limpopo, but these posts were already filled. The Department of Health did not respond to requests for comment. - TMG Digital Source: Herald Sustainability is the ultimate long-term goal of any company, which allows it to contribute to the development of the country where it operates. It is no longer merely about profitability, but a phenomenon that must support the goals of a company through the triple context of its social, environmental and economic aspects. The triple context is, in essence, about ensuring that development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, as defined in the King IV report. Goal of a sustainable world The need for companies to share in this vision is paramount to support not only their own sustainability but that of the communities that surround them. The key issues around sustainability have been debated across various industries and global forums. What industry leaders agree on is that the goal of what is known as the triple context of sustainability is ultimately a sustainable world. Defining sustainability correctly to deliver on key outcomes is no longer a universal challenge, as this is now set out in the King IV report as a business imperative. Developing scalable models and impactful partnerships should be at the heart of progress towards reaching goals as defined by organisations that are conscious of sustainability. The approach to partnership across business, civil society and government is vital to maximising the impact of programmes and making them more sustainable. Global partnership with UN Women For example, in Coca-Colas signature global partnership with UN Women, we are able to leverage their reach and influence as a leader in promoting gender equality and economic empowerment while also capitalising on CCBSAs global value chain and extensive business expertise. Over three years, this partnership aims to reach more than 40,000 women in Egypt, Brazil and South Africa, providing valuable insights on sustainable project models that can be scaled up worldwide. CCBSA has entrenched, as part of its overall business strategy, the triple context. This was of utmost importance to CCBSA because its business principles are founded on longevity and sustainability. Our current focus draws on the broad spectrum of sustainable development issues as experienced by the business. The current focus is on programmes that have great impact on the business and the communities engaged, namely: Sustainable packaging: Our end goal is to reduce our material use, source recycled and renewable materials, and build a restorative packaging system. Climate protection: Recent changes in climate patterns force us to reduce the impact of our business processes. Being a good neighbour: No company can operate in South Africa and not make a concerted effort for the development of communities to ensure lasting beneficiation and poverty alleviation. Sustainable agriculture: We strongly support the sustainable supply of ingredients, while supporting farmers and agricultural communities. A devastating drought, local political uncertainty and ongoing global macro-economic instability have placed many businesses on the back foot as they go into the New Year. Looking back The past year was marked by a number of negatives for businesses, including resource scarcity as drought conditions led to water restrictions. Further, companies were hesitant to make strategic moves due to fears of credit rating downgrades. Macro-economic conditions led to increased cost pressures which placed severe pressure on bottom lines. One example of the increased pressure on businesses is the year-on-year increase in the number of companies liquidated. A total of 181 companies were liquidated in August 2016; compared with 177 in August 2015. 2016 was a challenging year, following an equally tough 2015. There are no signs that these challenges will abate, but commercial businesses definitely have a number of opportunities to exploit if they are well prepared and have the right structures in place, says Karl Gotte, head of commercial banking at Standard Bank. Taking advantage of globalisation and a consequent ability to sell goods into new markets needs to be exploited. Investing in Africa We believe in Africa and drive her growth, and we therefore remain committed to assisting businesses to find and benefit from exciting new markets. To do this, businesses must not rush in without a plan or an experienced partner to assist them in maximising the positive outcomes that can be achieved. The recent McKinsey Global Institute Lions on the Move II report highlights many African companies grow faster than their peers in the rest of the world, and are more profitable in most sectors. There have been six sectors identified on the continent as promising for companies to venture into. These include: wholesale and retail; food and agri-processing; healthcare; financial services; light manufacturing; and construction. In these sectors, it was found that large African companies were both more profitable and faster growing than their global peers. In addition, the researchers found that there appears to be significant potential for further growth given the fact that these six sectors currently remain relatively fragmented; consolidation could unleash even more opportunity for corporate Africa. Gotte mentions that it is becoming very clear that Africa needs to create far more businesses than it is currently, as it lags behind other emerging regions in its prevalence of large companies. According to McKinsey, Africa has about 60% of the number of large companies that it should have to be on par with peer regions. So, this is a gap that needs to be filled and it can only happen if we develop more ideas, more businesses, and more products and then the jobs will follow, says Gotte. Potential in the energy space Energy transformation is another area that will support commercial businesses going forward. According to research by PwC, energy transformation is being driven by technological breakthroughs; climate change; resource scarcity; demographic and social change; a shift in global economic power; and rapid urbanisation. A number of simultaneous disruptions include customer behaviour, competition, the production service model, distribution channels, and government policy and regulation. All of this creates additional challenges for those businesses that cannot adapt to change in time. Africa-specific pressures, meanwhile, arise from an ageing, ill-maintained asset base; low rates of electrification; and scarcity of skilled labour, especially in the engineering and construction fields. However, opportunities are arising through intra-regional transmission and trading of electricity, both on a bilateral governmental basis and through regional power pools. Paradigm shift This means fast growing regions in Africa are reviewing and implementing different solutions as they seek to enhance and expand their electricity supply. New business models are being established and in certain parts of Africa (such as Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria) the establishment of new market models is being driven by governments, sector regulators and businesses. However, the future will require a paradigm shift in the way power is produced and supplied to create more efficiencies and provide a powerful base from which commercial business expansion can take place. A number of success stories in the energy space are being observed as more businesses begin to see the potential and receive the support to grow, says Gotte. The use of business models focused on behind the meter solutions (such as solar heater providers and prepaid meters) incentivise energy efficiency and revenue maximisation. Agility and technology Standard Banks view is that agility needs to be built into many facets to ensure that a business is in a position to take advantage of changing consumer preferences and market conditions. Businesses that are agile enough and have the courage to innovate will be able to thrive despite the challenges in 2017, he says. Harnessing technology will certainly be a major game changer for commercial enterprises in the year ahead. Businesses will need to be brave, but there are definitely solutions to the challenges, Gotte concludes. SHANGHAI - Chinese e-commerce titan Alibaba will take control of domestic department store Intime through a $2.6 billion privatisation scheme, the companies said Tuesday, sending shares of the mall operator surging. AFP/File | Alibaba is China's dominant player in online commerce, with its Taobao platform estimated to hold more than 90 percent of the consumer-to-consumer market Alibaba and Intime founder Shen Guojun have together offered to pay HK$10 per share to buy the shares they do not already own of the Hong Kong-listed chain. The deal will increase Alibaba's stake from 28 percent to 74 percent after it first invested $692 million in the firm in 2014. Shen will take the other 26 percent. News of the deal sent Intime's shares soaring 35 percent to HK$9.49 in Hong Kong on Tuesday. The maximum cash required for the proposal is expected to be HK$19.8 billion ($2.6 billion), the statement said. The deal will see Alibaba expand further into physical stores, which founder Jack Ma envisions integrating with the company's online platforms and logistics network. The move came after Ma -- China's richest man -- met US President-elect Donald Trump in New York Monday to discuss how Alibaba can help create one million US jobs by enabling small businesses to sell goods to China and Asia. Alibaba is China's dominant player in online commerce, with its Taobao platform estimated to hold more than 90 percent of the consumer-to-consumer market, while its Tmall platform is believed to have more than half of business-to-consumer transactions. The deal shows that department store chains "are still relevant and of value" to e-commerce players, Catherine Lim, analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence told Bloomberg News. "We could be seeing renewal of a sunset industry," she added. Alibaba chief executive Daniel Zhang said in the statement that "bricks-and-mortar businesses will be able to create value for consumers if they are integrated with the power of mobile reach". Nearly 80 percent of its business comes from mobile sales as of September, Alibaba said in the statement. The offer represented a 54 percent premium over the two-month average closing price before shares were suspended in December. A 100,000m logistics park is to be developed at the N2 Business Estate. With the business estate conveniently located on the northern edge of the Cornubia development, the logistics park will further establish the Cornubia multi-use development as an important node between King Shaka International Airport and the city of Durban. Once completed, the total estate could create 2,400 permanent jobs and generate R45m per annum rates income for the city. The multi-million rand logistics and retail park is being developed by M&F Giuricich Developments and Fortress Property Fund one of the larger South African property owning funds listed on the JSE in a joint venture. M&F Giuricich Developments expertise will be combined with Fortress Property Funds industrial development experience to develop this site. M&F Giuricich Developments have undertaken developments throughout South Africa since 1993. By combining in this joint venture, the consortium will develop a modern logistics park that will attract large national logistics tenants. A logistics park of this size and nature is a perfect fit for the vision that we had of establishing the Cornubia N2 Business Estate as a prime commercial location, says Karen Petersen, development director of Tongaat Hulett Developments. It meets all the criteria needed to attract tenants with specific needs, and will add considerably to establishing the business estate as a prime commercial site. Florian Giuricich, co-founder of M&F Giuricich Developments, says the logistics warehousing facilities will be established on a site covering 200,000m, with the remainder of the usable space dedicated to retail space. We believe the opportunity exists for this facility to meet the needs of logistics companies or major brands with significant warehousing needs, he says. There is very little infrastructure of this nature in existence along the N2 that exploits proximity to the airport and Dube Trade Port as well as access to Durban, so we are expecting ready interest in these facilities. The location of the N2 Business Estate is ideal for companies that prefer to be closer to Durban as opposed to further north. Attracting retail tenants He adds that the retail component of the development would be equally attractive given the visibility from the highway. There is considerable interest from large retail destination based tenants who enjoy the prominent exposure and easy access to site from the N2 motorway. This interest includes some international retail tenants that are entering the South African retail market. Access provided by the flyover bridge network that links to the Umhlanga town centre and the amenities being developed within Cornubia itself add to the sites retail suitability. Construction is to commence this year, with completion scheduled for end-2018. Ideal for companies with large logistics and distribution needs Florian Giuricich says the logistics park will be suitable for companies with larger logistics and distribution needs as the warehousing facilities will start at 10,000m per facility. The developer would consider accommodating one major tenant with the requirement for premises larger than this minimum size. The platform design caters for this flexibility. The easy access into Durban on the N2 as well as King Shaka Airport make this an ideal location for companies that need to store or distribute goods. Apart from the N2, alternative routes can also be used for access to the airport, he says. In fact, access to the N2 business Estate is in the process of being enhanced. The construction of the N2/M41 interchange is well advanced and is anticipated to be completed by August 2017 while construction of the N2 Cornubia Bridge (that links Cornubia to the Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre) is progressing well and is anticipated to be completed by June 2017. In addition to this, construction of the Flanders Drive interchange is also well advanced and is anticipated to be completed by May/June 2017. Other associated link roads (that provide additional access to the development) are about to commence and will be completed by February 2018. The logistics and retail park adds to the reputation of Cornubia as a rapidly-growing development that offers residential, commercial and industrial alternatives that cater for the natural expansion of Durban and Umhlanga. PARIS - French cosmetics giant L'Oreal said Tuesday it had agreed to buy three leading skincare brands from Valeant for $1.3 billion in a move set to give its US offering a facelift. The cash deal will see L'Oreal acquiring the CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi brands from the Quebec-based pharmaceutical firm in a purchase it said would nearly double the US sales of its active cosmetics division which focuses on aesthetic dermatology. "The acquisition of CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi strongly complement L'Oreal's brand portfolio," said Frederic Roze, president and chief executive of L'Oreal USA in a statement. "These three brands, built on strong relationships with health professionals and widely distributed, will nearly double the revenue of our Active Cosmetics Division in the US and will help us satisfy the growing demand for active skincare at accessible prices." Founded in 2005, CeraVe offers a range of skincare products including cleansers, moisturisers and sunscreens as well as a baby line. It is one of the fastest growing skincare brands in the US with an average growth over the past two years of over 20 percent, L'Oreal said. AcneFree provides acne treatments and Ambi offers products for multicultural consumers. The deal comes after a difficult year for the Canadian drugmaker, which grew from a small pharmaceutical company to a global giant in the span of a decade mainly due to a growth strategy based on acquisitions. But the former Wall Street darling has come under fire for steep price hikes on drugs and is currently under investigation in the US over alleged accounts manipulation, with former senior executives being probed for fraud. The embattled firm is also struggling to offload a heavy burden of long-term debt, which stood at just over $30 billion at the end of the third quarter, with Valeant saying the sale would help it "permanently repay term loan debt". The move comes a day after the drugmaker said it had agreed to sell its Dendreon cancer business to Chinese conglomerate Sanpower for $820 million. The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a specialised unit at the UCT Graduate School of Business, said in 2015 that in terms of current trends, it would take until 2080 for every African to have access to electricity. Pedro Antonio SalaverrAa Calahorra 123RF.com However, despite this rather gloomy prediction, lights are switching on across the continent thanks to the ingenuity of energy entrepreneurs and their funders. While more than 600-million people in Africa lack access to clean, safe and affordable energy, innovations in solar technology, mobile payments and distribution models are increasingly enabling greater levels of affordable access. In support of these innovations, the industry has seen committed capital of at least $30bn over the next five years from public and private funders - all focused on Africa for access to energy. However, access to finance remains the number one restriction to scale, according to energy access enterprises. Based on workshops and consultations with more than 100 industry representatives, the centre's report explores innovative finance solutions for the industry. Although the majority of mainstream efforts focus on large-scale infrastructure development, much of Africa's potential lies in the off-grid space, which is being tapped by so-called energy access entrepreneurs. They leverage the current momentum behind local, decentralised, renewable energy solutions, particularly solar technologies such as microgrids, solar home systems (SHS), and intra-household or 'pico-solar' systems. Pico-solar systems typically light a few rooms, can charge multiple phones and power a small appliance such as a radio. SHS are larger than pico-solar systems, typically power up to 10 lights and can power appliances such as refrigerators and televisions. For solar home systems and pico-solar products, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia made up 66% of the sales in Africa in 2015. With a penetration of 30% of off-grid households, Kenya is the most significant market, with Rwanda and Uganda regarded as the next emerging frontiers (Scott et al. 2016). The market opportunity has spurred innovative business models, such as M-Kopa and Off-Grid Electric, that allow people to pay-as-you-go for their solar products. Over the past five years, the pay-as-yougo model has become the popular end-user financing model. With pay-as-you-go, customers pay a small deposit for a solar system to be installed in their homes. They then make smaller regular payments over time, usually through a mobile payment system, to pay for either the energy used or ownership of the system. Beyond pay-as-you-go models, other companies are thinking creatively about the consumer financing component by tapping into either state resources or collaborating with corporates. The iShack project in SA builds their model to be in sync with national energy access strategies and integrates the mandated free basic electricity subsidy into their end users' payment model. Solarus, an international renewable energy technology, is testing another interesting business model in SA. To extend their off-grid energy solution to lower-income customers who may not be able to afford the installation cost, Solarus is collaborating with a hotel inSA to roll out the Hotel Staff MPower Project. The hotel will finance the upfront installation costs of the systems to up to 600 employees' homes. The employees repay the cost of the installation at an affordable monthly rate to the hotel. Energy provision As off-grid energy provision is an emerging industry operating in a challenging environment, the industry roadblocks and bottlenecks go beyond access to finance. These challenges are often referred to as the Three As: Affordability, Access and Awareness. Affordability: Even with end-user financing innovations, the upfront costs of energy products and services such as solar home systems, improved cook stoves and even solar lanterns remain beyond the means of the majority of end-users. One distributor in Uganda highlighted that only 30% of the rural population can afford their services. Access: Providing access to energy in areas with limited infrastructure makes distribution a key challenge. The absence of adequate supply chains, long travel distances, and poor transportation and communications infrastructure in rural areas add to the cost of doing business. Awareness: Distribution and infrastructure cannot stand alone. Energy providers also need to create awareness of the benefits and the business model, often supported by NGOs and similar intermediaries. This should especially focus on the uptake of products from customers, which has been hindered by low-quality products in the past, and limited understanding of the potential. Committed capital As said before, the industry has seen combined committed capital of at least $30bn over the next five years from public and private funders - all focused on Africa for access to energy. However, access to finance remains the number one restriction to scale, according to energy access enterprises. The UN's Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative, which works towards universal energy access by 2030, estimates that annual investments of $48bn are required to reach universal access. USAID's Power Africa initiative has identified more than 43 private sector investors and practitioners who have committed $1bn to emerging energy access enterprises over the next five years through the Beyond the Grid initiative. Traditional financing through commercial banks or commercial lending institutions has not been a viable option for many of the energy access enterprises. The inability to predict future cash flow from sales, the actual return on investment per product sold, the lack of customers' credit history and, often, the informal economy within which these businesses operate mean they struggle to access finance. Enterprises and entrepreneurs highlighted that: 1) there is an increasing need for local capital for (local) entrepreneurs, 2) seed funding remains a challenge, 3) working capital is one of the most significant financing gaps, particularly for enterprises offering pay-as-you-go solutions to their customers, and 4) funding for logistics and distribution often goes ignored. Concept grants Recommendations for different capital providers include: Grant providers: In order to scale, the industry will need continued grant funding and concessionary capital along with better integration into the investment cycle. This concessionary capital will likely be necessary for proof of concept for early-stage ventures. One of the most impactful proof of concept grants in the industry is USAID's Development Innovation Ventures, which funds enterprises from innovation to scale. Apart from directly seeding early-stage ventures, grant capital can be catalytic in opening up new, untested markets for the larger energy access companies, thereby enabling them to expand faster than otherwise possible. An impactful example is the use of result-based finance in Tanzania, where companies are incentivised to go into harder-to-reach, high impact areas. Local banks and other financial services providers: for companies that rely on cash sales and provision of devices to end customers on a pay-as-you-go basis, working capital is a critical component to operating and scaling a business. Local banks remain relatively hesitant to lending based on cash flows, especially to early-stage companies in a sector most banks are not familiar with. One emerging alternative comes from digital finance, such as online lending marketplaces, which can be supported by international impact investors, local institutional investors as well as retail investors. Through an online marketplace, the transaction cost of small and medium enterprises investing is reduced and automated. One such platform, which is blending institutional and retail investments, is Rainfin, launched in 2012 as SA's first online lending marketplace. Impact investors: Not surprisingly, investors generally did not second the notion that access to finance is the key challenge. For impact investors targeting market-rate return, the key challenge reported is a lack of investable deals. To mitigate this, impact investors are working with energy access enterprises to test new models such as securitising pay-as-you-go portfolios through bond structures. This is being explored by BBOXX, a London-based solar innovator, which sells solar systems on a monthly plan, thus replicating the US solar bond model of securitisation for Africa's off-grid solar market. The company aims to raise $2bn over the next five years to turn solar into an asset class and create contracts for thousands of solar rooftop arrays to sell as bonds to investors - ultimately demonstrating that it is possible to lend on the basis of future receivables from the solar home system contracts and the securitisation of the unbanked. Thanks to the ingenuity of energy access entrepreneurs, such as M-Kopa, BBOXX, Solarus, and iShack, as well as the funders they partner with, the future is increasingly looking bright across the continent as millions of people are accessing off-grid energy. Ngoepe is the impact investment analyst and Henriksen is the impact investment project manager at the Bertha Centre. Source: Business Day In South Africa, more than 80% of start-ups fail in their first year and of those who survive only half are still in business by year three. For a country that is relying on the small business sector to grow the economy, this high failure rate is concerning and the key causes need to be urgently addressed. The lack of access to finance is one of the primary causes of small business failure. Research shows that 67% of start-ups rely on family and friends for funding, even though there are funds available to assist start-ups. Sadly, most start-ups are unaware of who these lenders are or how to access them; the same is true for the owners of more established and growing businesses. In total there are over 350 funds that exist specifically to provide funds to SMEs, yet many small business owners are struggling to raise the capital they need to help bridge their cash flow needs, to expand their business or to purchase property for example. Accessing lenders The reality is that there is more than enough money to lend to SMEs in South Africa from an array of lenders that include niche financiers, invoice discounters, contract financiers, angels and venture capitalists, import and export financiers, development finance institutions, corporate enterprise development funds, government grants and other financial institutions - including banks. Financial readiness When it comes to the lenders, most of them have the same challenge in common when it comes to their struggle to grant loans to SMEs the lack of finance readiness. They waste hundreds of hours processing loan applications that cannot be granted as the entrepreneurs have not provided the necessary documentation and compliance that is required to do so. Some of these include signed financial statements, up-to-date management accounts, business owners statement of personal assets and liabilities, budgets, financial projections, business plans and others. Another challenge is that entrepreneurs tend to ignore the state of their personal finances. Most lenders take personal credit records into account when it comes to small business finance, alongside the vetting the businesss financial history, its viability and its ability to repay the loan. The lack of collateral can also be a constraint to accessing finance, it is a mandatory requirement for some lenders. A wildfire fanned by gusting winds engulfed large sections of an eco-friendly wine farm in Paarl, destroying a manor house and buildings, some of which are more than 300 years old. Approximately 15ha of land were destroyed on the farm, Druk My Niet, after fires broke out in Paarl in the early hours of Tuesday. Image Source: News24 - Approximately 15ha of land have been destroyed on the farm, Druk My Niet. (James de Villiers, News24) "I don't think it's sunk in yet. This is where I work and this is my love, but I didn't lose my home. I'm devastated for the owners and the foreman and his family who have lost everything," Alexandra Mcfarlane, the winemaker on the farm, told News24. The farm owners, Dorothee and Georg Kirchner, who went to bed around 23:00 on Monday, woke up at 00:00 when they smelled smoke. They evacuated the area along with the foreman and his family, and no-one was harmed in the blaze. The Kirchner's four dogs were also safely evacuated. Vineyards damaged Mcfarlane said the Kirchner's phoned her around 01:30 to tell her that "the whole farm was gone". "It was a bit devastating coming here because it happened very quickly. The wind was so hectic that there was no way we could even come up here, so it was only this morning that we could see how much damage there was," Mcfarlane told News24. She estimated that 15ha of the 20ha of farmland had been destroyed in the fire. Apart from this, the foreman's house, the manor house, a wine cellar and two buildings that are older than 300 years were also ruined in the fire. "I don't know if there are any existing vineyards that can be used for the new season. My Merlot hasn't seen any fire yet. But with the amount of smoke and heat that the vineyards have been exposed to, it's very difficult to say what we can do," said Mcfarlane. The Kirchner family bought Druk My Niet in 2002, and after six years of renovations, they produced their first wine in 2008. Source: News24 Read this report on News24Wire.com. A Louisiana state appeals court has ruled that the way several charter schools in the state are funded is unconstitutional, according to the Associated Press. At issue in the case, Iberville Parish School Board v. Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education , is funding for schools that were granted charters by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, rather than a local districtor parishbut are funded with money allocated to local school systems. Although charter laws have been passed in 43 states and the District of Columbia, how the schools are funded has turned out to be somewhat of an Achilles heel in some states. Washington states high court ruled in 2015 that the way charters were funded was unconstitutional. Lawmakers have since revised the funding system there, and charters are back up-and-running in the state. A lawsuit filed in Mississippi in July also claims that its unconstitutional to require local districts to share property tax money with schools they dont run. In response to lawsuits such as these, the nations largest charter advocacy group, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, recently launched a legal action and defense fund . In Louisiana, local K-12 officials as well as the Louisiana Association of Educators, a state teachers union, argued it was unconstitutional to fund schools run outside local school systems with money meant to go local parishes. That argument was initially rejected by a Louisiana district judge in 2015 , before being overturned Monday by the state appeals court. At stake is about $80 million in funding for over 30 charter schools statewide. This is a significant victory in defending the right of every child in Louisiana to attend a quality public school, said LAE President Debbie Meaux in a statement . It is crucial for the state to adequately fund the institutions where the vast majority of Louisianas students learn, and a majority of Louisianas students learn in public school classrooms. The Associated Press reports that the Louisiana case is expected to go to the states supreme court. Related stories: Who will take top spot this year? Oliver Top Empowerment winners 2016 The Oliver Top Empowerment Awards have announced that the deadline for entries has been extended to Friday, 3 February 2017. In March, SA's pre-eminent awards for empowerment will celebrate a remarkable 16 years of showcasing the organisations and individuals at the forefront of sustainable transformation. Every year, intensive research identifies South Africa's transformation leaders to be profiled in Impumelelo Top Empowerment Companies - the publication that government decision-makers, CEOs and global investors keep on hand as the trusted authority on SA's most transformed companies. The Oliver Top Empowerment Awards brings those pages to life, honouring and awarding outstanding contributions to the national vision. Key stakeholders in empowerment, from both the private and the public sector, will once more gather in Johannesburg in March, for a high-profile ceremony guaranteed to invigorate the economy. Act now to give your brand the national recognition it deserves as an empowered, inspirational leader by example. In doing so, you'll also secure a place at the preceding Top Empowerment Conference*, with the opportunity to develop the future of empowerment together with business icons. Entries close Friday, 3 February 2017. Awards categories open for entry: - Top Empowered Fast Growth Black-Owned SMME Award - Top Empowered Skills Development Award - Top Empowered SED Award - Top Empowered Enterprise and Supplier Development Award - Top Empowered Diversity Award - Top Empowered Job Creation Award - Top Empowered Entrepreneur of 2016 Award - Top Empowered Business Leader of the Year Award - Top Empowered Young Achiever Award under 40 years - Top Empowered Public Service Leader of the Year Award - Top Empowered Public Service Award - Top Empowered Business of the Year Award - Lifetime Achievement Award To enter for your chosen Top Empowerment Award now, email az.oc.ocpot@eibmorc.ahsia or call 0860 00 9590. The hotel industry is continuously evolving and as curtains quickly fall on 2016, more evolution is expected in the coming year. Here are top hotel trends that are likely to dominate the sector in 2017. Image Copyright: Unuchko Veronika More dynamic rates Hotels are gaining greater online presence through various channels such as online accommodation booking platforms as well as OTAs, and are learning to quickly adapt their rates to meet demands. While currently most hotels seldom change their rates, 2017 will see them adjusting rates more often based on occupancy and competition. Furthermore, hotels are becoming ingenious by attaching reward to risk-free rates, by discounting their prices and offering them as nonrefundable. This goes without saying that hotels, especially in East Africa, are also starting to warm up to the idea of offering special resident rates, convinced by the conversion and the power it has in generating returning loyal customers and gaining competitive advantage. Tech 2017 Technology has dominated the hotel industry throughout this year, and the trend is expected to increase in the coming year, especially in the use of mobile apps. While strategies like the provision of complementary Wi-Fi is an evident stride towards catering to an increasingly tech-savvy customer base, come 2017, hotels must find more effective channels to meet their customers expectations, such as the use of mobile applications that give more independence and flexibility to both hotel managements and guests. Yared Kifle, head of revenue management for Jumia Travel East Africa, says that this will require constant study and analysis of the market, for hotels to adapt accordingly in an ever-changing marketplace. For instance, Jumia Travel provides all its hotel partners with modern day tools such as the extra net app which gives them real-time access to any price change and inventory at any given time. The changes are updated and displayed constantly and consistently under full discretion of the hotelier. Image Copyright: Olivier Le Moal Hotel chain development 2017 will see the opening of various hotel chain establishments in Africa that are currently under construction. According to the African Tourism Monitor, Unlocking Africas Tourism Potential, Volume 3, among these chains are the Movenpicks four hotel deals in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia that are under construction and scheduled to open by end of 2016 and 2017. The report further states that Pullmans signed deals in Nairobi, Kinshasa, and Addis Ababa, are also all on site, and are scheduled to open fully by 2017. In total, approximately 10,988 new rooms will be opened in about 55 hotels in Africa, the report states. Reliance on OTAs While people have become more interested in travel, they have also become even more occupied at various levels of their lives, leaving no room for them to personally tailor their own travel plans. This has and will continue in the coming year, thus increased reliance on Online Travel Agents, especially among millennial business travelers. There is no doubt that challenges abound in OTAs, but the travel industry research authority Phocuswright estimates that the total cost of bookings through the Online Travel Agents (approximately $341 billion) is likely to hit 6% increase in 2017, from an annual growth rate of 5% between 2011 to 2015. From June to December 2016, every month saw record numbers of international tourists arrive at the Cape Town Airport. New direct flights, says Janine Myburgh, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have given the tourist industry a fabulous boost at the time we need it most. Peter Titmuss via 123RF - Cape Town Airport In June, international passenger numbers increased by 21.8% and this was followed by increases of 27% in July, 23.6% in August, 26.6% in September, 21.4% in October and 17.2% in November. December saw the biggest increase ever when the number of incoming international passengers rose from 88,608 to a staggering 114,208, an increase of 28.9%. There are three reasons for this, said Myburgh. Firstly, Cape Town has a growing international reputation as a quality destination and, secondly there has been some great marketing of the city. The third reason is that airlines have recognised this and have increased the number of direct flights to the city. There was a 15.71% increase in international arrivals for the whole year and this was significantly better that the 5.41% increase in the number of domestic passenger arrivals. These figures are exciting and I am sure they will justify further investment in tourism facilities and that should mean even more visitors in the future. Most of the tourists were from Europe and the priority now should be to open more markets. Perhaps its time for a direct flight to the United States. There used to be an SAA flight between Cape Town and Miami and it was always fully booked. There was an outcry when it was canceled so I dont see why the route should not be re-opened. It would be a great boost for the growing film industry and the local economy, Myburgh said. Ooredoo Algeria, the Algerian subsidiary of the Ooredoo Telecommunications Group, and Nokia have achieved a transmission speed of 1.2 terabits per second over optical fibre in Africa's first field trial of innovative optical communications technology. The trial was conducted between the cities of Algiers and Ain Defla over a distance exceeding 200 kilometres. According to the companies, commercial deployment of the technology in the near future will allow Ooredoo Algeria to offer high capacity-based solutions to its subscribers. This will be one of the first commercial deployments of this Nokia technology. Nokias 1830 PSS Portfolio, which assists in optimising optical networks to meet unpredictable traffic demands, was used for the trial. The trial also utilised 1830 PSS 500G Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) Muxponder, which carries up to five 100G services per line card and helps service providers achieve superior capacity, reach and wavelength flexibility. On this occasion Hendrik Kasteel, Ooredoo Algerias CEO said: Ooredoo continues to be a major player in the mobile industry representing the cutting edge of innovation, conducting a winning partnership with Nokia in order to achieve ground-breaking transmission in Algeria and in Africa. It is critical for Ooredoo to increase the capacity, reach and flexibility of optical transmissions to offer high-capacity solutions and a superior customer experience. Nokia is our long-term partner and we are confident that their proven optical network technology will help us maintain our leadership position in offering the latest and best-in-class technology solutions to our customers. Pierre Chaume, head of North Africa Market Unit at Nokia said: We are pleased to take our relationship with Ooredoo Algeria to the next phase. This trial is an important and critical step in helping Ooredoo Algeria increase capacity and add flexibility to its network. The deployment will also support the 4G deployment plans of the service provider. Maritime kidnappings have escalated to a 10-year high according to the International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) annual piracy report released on Tuesday. The report revealed that more crew members were kidnapped at sea in 2016 than in any of the preceding 10 years, despite global piracy reaching its lowest levels since 1998. The IMB recorded 191 incidents of piracy and armed robbery on the world's seas. Official Navy Page via Wikimedia Commons - A Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) boat patrols the Cameroon coastal waters. IMB director Pottengal Mukundan said shipping channels around the world remained under threat from pirates, despite good gains being made in the combating of piracy. "The continued fall in piracy is good news, but certain shipping routes remain dangerous, and the escalation of crew kidnapping is a worrying trend in some emerging areas," he said. "The kidnappings in the Sulu Seas between eastern Malaysia and the Philippines are a particular concern," he added. Worldwide in 2016, 150 vessels were boarded, 12 vessels were fired upon, seven were hijacked, and 22 attacks were thwarted. The number of hostages fell to 151. Maritime kidnappings, however, showed a threefold increase from 2015. Pirates kidnapped 62 people for ransom in 15 separate incidents in 2016. Just over half were captured off West Africa, while 28 were kidnapped from tugs, barges, fishing boats and, more recently, merchant ships around Malaysia and Indonesia. IMB is urging governments to investigate and identify kidnappers and punish them under their laws. The Gulf of Guinea remained a kidnap hotspot in 2016 with 43 crew members taken in nine separate incidents. Three vessels were hijacked in the region. There was also a noticeable increase in attacks reported off Nigeria. Source: News24 Read this report on News24Wire.com. I wish I had a magic wand to foresee the future and be able to plan ahead. That would be nice, wouldn't it? For me at least. But, fortunately sometimes, to predict the future, it only requires a closer look at the present and some past occurrences. Having observed both the past and present, I am confident to conclude that the future of advertising does not look anything like what we have today. If that doesnt scare you, perhaps you did not read that statement comprehensively. I shall repeat: the future of advertising does not look anything like what we have today. What does that mean? The first casualty is talent. In the future, the people or the capabilities that people bring to the current set-up of advertising agencies will no longer be a priority. Human resource managers will no longer have to worry about the types of jobs we have today. If they do, they will play second fiddle to the future way of acquiring talent. Simply put, job specs will look something like this: Looking for product designers and actuarial scientists for a big ad agency in northern suburbs of Johannesburg. People First (HR Manager, Big Ad Agency) Secondly, expectations from clients will shift, in fact, they already have. Big agencies have started to lose business to smaller agencies, simply because smaller ad agencies are more nimble and agile. Clients will need or require ad agencies that deliver more value than just communications. I believe that it is time for advertising agencies to provide more to clients than just a unique selling proposition statement. In the future that will not be a core offering, but an expected service that is just the kickstart to the process of finding real solutions for brands and clients in distress or danger of failing. Whilst technology seems to offer agencies a competitive advantage, the truth is, there can never be a real competitive advantage from something that is open for use to every other agency. For example, no one ad agency can claim a unique competitive advantage from a social media perspective because social media is accessible to every other agency, it is just a matter of who is making better use of it. Neither can a real and sustainable competitive advantage be found from simply having talent. Having the best people does not give you an unassailable competitive advantage, it just gives you temporary leverage, because people move around. What you need in place is a system (which will be discussed below in the form of 'steps') that is self-sustaining and functions regardless of who is part of it. A different kind of industry The future of advertising is not about managing brands, its about leading them. It is not about managing clients, its about leading them. The future of advertising will not just be about cleverly executed adverts that have catchy lines. The future of advertising will add value not just to awards cabinets, but to clients, the brands that they lead and the people that they sell to. The future of advertising is where ad agencies will have a say not just on how brands are positioned in terms of communication, but also what role the brands play in their respective categories, beyond just competing with other players. In the future, agencies will play a more tangible role where they have a say in other aspects of the value chain from procurement to product development. In Future, agencies have a more meaningful role to play. Steps to creating ad agencies of the future (self-sustaining system) Hire differently If you hire differently, you will offer differently, thereby giving yourself a strong competitive advantage. Dig deeper Often we tend to offer clients what they want, and that is not necessarily the right things to do. Often we tend to offer clients what they want, and that is not necessarily the right things to do. Offer more than just communication Often, regardless of what the problem is, the solution will be some aspect of communication, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But, to offer real value, communication alone wont cut it. Often, regardless of what the problem is, the solution will be some aspect of communication, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But, to offer real value, communication alone wont cut it. Lead your brands Currently, ad agencies are managing brands and they fail to take charge. That is the reason most agencies complain about doing bleh work that they dont believe in, and the reason for this is simple; agencies tend to take the role of managers and will do what they are being told. Currently, ad agencies are managing brands and they fail to take charge. That is the reason most agencies complain about doing bleh work that they dont believe in, and the reason for this is simple; agencies tend to take the role of managers and will do what they are being told. Lead your clients Similar to the above, ad agencies will need to lead the clients. Leading clients does not mean doing the opposite of what they ask for or forcefully presenting your ideas. It means getting buy-in from them. Building trust. Trust or lack thereof is one key factor that creates a barrier between agency and client, and this results in work that matters not seeing the light of day. Clients dont trust agencies enough to take the leap of faith. Similar to the above, ad agencies will need to lead the clients. Leading clients does not mean doing the opposite of what they ask for or forcefully presenting your ideas. It means getting buy-in from them. Building trust. Trust or lack thereof is one key factor that creates a barrier between agency and client, and this results in work that matters not seeing the light of day. Clients dont trust agencies enough to take the leap of faith. Build mastery and understanding This is will elaborate on in my next article. But for now, simply explained, mastery and understanding are the abilities of employees to master their designated skills and offerings and at the same time, have a clear understanding of what is happening in other departments. For example, creative people who are concerned about other aspects of the business such as sales and procurement for example. By doing this, you are empowering your employees and equipping them with multiple perspectives, thereby enriching their ability to solve problems. In conclusion The future of advertising is today. Do the above and when the future arrives, everybody else will play second fiddle to you. It's the annual celebration of all things jazz on Kaya FM 95.9 as we present the Jazzuary Masterclass 2017. Building on the success of our 2016 presentation, we continue to elevate the music that defined the golden age of jazz and the resurgence of the new school. January, or Jazzuary as we have coined it, reflects on the rich musical history of the ever-evolving genre. The Jazzuary Masterclass is a presentation of interviews and live discussions across Kayas daytime shows that will enlighten, and facilitate an enriching conversation about the best in jazz. This year the masters of the craft take us through their journeys and sprinkle their genius through the masterclasses on www.Jazzuary.FM. For us, however, we want the jazz masterclass to be a conversation between peers exchanging information, stories and memories. The people in the room have different levels of experience and knowledge but its a give-and-take situation. "The Kaya FM Live and Unplugged Sessions, which are hosted at Kaya House, are filmed live so that you can always go back to some of your favourite moments, exclusive to Kaya FM. This Jazzuary, we highlight some of the best jazz performances weve had on the Kaya Stage. Look out for exclusive performances from Gregory Porter, Lwanda Gogwana, Afrika Mkhize, Somi, Kyle Sheperd, Rebirth Of Cool, and Spha Mdlalose, says Nkosinathi Mbelu, Kaya FMs Music Manager. Experience the genius of band leader and composer Mandla Mlangeni who has performed with many celebrated local and international artists. Mlangeni grew up in Soweto, Johannesburg, and is a young, vibrant graduate of music composition from the University of Cape Town. He writes and performs music with his band, The Tune and Recreation Committee (TRC), the brass band, Native Groove Collective (NGC), and the newly established Amandla Freedom Ensemble based in Johannesburg. A host of handpicked jazz aficionados will share how they have carved their place in music history and future, amongst them author Struan Douglas, T-music owner Peter Tladi, and pianist Nomfundo Xaluva. Jazzuary delves into the art, lifestyle and fashion that has been influenced by the music and the feeling jazz has created in modern society. The airwaves will be crisp with the music, fervour and nostalgia that only such a classical genre can espouse. For some, it will be an audio adventure and for others a refining of a rich musical history for all to enjoy. Listen to Kaya FM 95.9 as we present Afropolitan music and visit the Jazzuary.FM website for the exclusive interviews. Parliament will this month begin discussing names of potential members of the SABC's interim board following the resignation of all the independent board members late last year. The crisis at the public broadcaster has been compounded by the fact that contracts for two of its most senior executives are due to expire at the end of this month. The SABC has no board after the resignation last month of the last board member, chairman Mbulaheni Maguvhe. It is understood the contracts of acting CEO James Aguma and acting chief financial officer Audrey Raphela are due to expire at the end of January, which will leave the SABC rudderless. The SABC board plays a leading role in concurrence with the communications minister and the president, in the appointment of executives. Without a board no such appointments can be made. Communications portfolio committee chairman Humphrey Maxegwana said on Monday the appointment of an interim board would be a priority. The names of possible members would be discussed when the committee meets later in January. "The SABC is top priority ... we will start the process [of discussing names for the interim board] as soon as the 24th of January ... we want to be done as soon as possible so that when the National Assembly speaker asks for them [the names], we will have them ready," he said. The interim board will have five members who will be appointed for a period not exceeding six months. Last month, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi asked the ad hoc committee investigating the situation at the SABC to work with urgency in light of the fact the executive contracts were about to expire. The ad hoc committee will resume its work on Friday. Committee chairman Vincent Smith said on Monday he was confident the committee would complete its final report by 15 Februar. A draft report was likely to be ready later in January. The draft would be made available to those implicated and their comments would be noted in the final report, said Smith. The matter was now even more urgent given that the contracts of the acting CEO and acting chief financial officer were about to expire, he said. Smith said the decision as to whether their contracts would be renewed would also be informed by the contents of the final report. The ad hoc committee will hear from former SABC chairs Zandile Tshabalala and Ben Ngubane on Friday. The committee was initially scheduled to hear from the final two witnesses on Tuesday, but the sitting was moved to Friday after Ngubane's lawyers requested more time to prepare. The inquiry has so far revealed the extent of the rot at the SABC, including abuse of power - particularly by former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng. It emerged during the inquiry last month that Motsoeneng was the de facto CEO and apparently enjoyed support from President Jacob Zuma. Last month the High Court in Cape Town ruled that Motsoeneng was not entitled to occupy any position at the SABC until the public protector's 2014 report was set aside or new disciplinary processes against him were finalised. The court said the initial disciplinary hearing which cleared Motsoeneng of any wrongdoing was "wholly inadequate". Source: Business Day A new year is a good point in which to reflect on the year that has passed and contrast that to where we would like to be and set goals to close the gap between the two. Similarly, it should be a crucial time for entrepreneurs to reassess their goals and set new ones that will help them grow in the new year, says Tashline Jooste, CEO of The Innovator Trust, which focuses on accelerating SMMEs in the ICT sector through training, skills sharing and infrastructure support. Three entrepreneurs from the Innovator Trusts Enterprise Development Programme share their tips for goal setting in the New Year below: Look back to move forward Imaad Toffar Experiences are crucial in setting goals for the new year, explains Imaad Toffar, owner of design, website and application development company, Cybertech-IT. One of the most important things to remember is to review the year gone by and lessons learnt. Assessing where you are, in relation to your long-term goals, will help you set your goals in the coming year. Entrepreneurs should set goals that challenge them both personally and professionally. No matter what goals you set, they must be challenging, yet achievable. Most importantly every goal has to be set into motion by specific actions that can take you closer to achieving your objectives. His business goal in 2017 is to start moving his company into the bigger IT environment and not just the digital arena. We are moving and positioning ourselves to be Oracle implementation partners, as well as an IT resourcing company, providing specific IT skills. This is a complete change in the business focus, but we are on-track with our partnerships that have been put in place to achieve this, he concludes. Think big, but mind the detail Hadley Harris Hadley Harris, MD of telecommunications and convergence technology company, Futuretell Group, says, "New Year goals should motivate you into action. I enjoy getting into the creative space as it forms the best energy for a new plan of action." He recommends creating a creative vision board, placing pictures of what you would like to achieve so that you can have a visual representation of your goals. He uses the emotion that the vision board creates as daily motivation to ensure he reaches his goals, even if they are big dreams. In order to achieve these goals, however, I believe that all entrepreneurs should create a financial plan before the start of a new year. Once thats done, you should create a more detailed breakdown of how you plan to reach this goal each month. His goals include striving toward being a primary contributor to the voice and data infrastructure in South Africa, followed by expansion into sub-Saharan Africa and beyond in 2018. I plan to break into South Africas top five network operators by bringing change and innovation to the market, influencing data and voice pricing, making these services accessible to low-income households, he adds. Actions speak louder than words According to Bheki Kunene, founder of Creative Agency Mindtrix, it is as important to plan your actions as it is to set your goals. Bheki Kunene Once youve set financial targets, for example, you need to decide how youre going to go about achieving them. For some, a financial goal requires expansion into new locations for bigger market share, while others might need to grow their product and service offerings to existing customers. Planning and focus are important, but that they have to be supported by hard work and habits that are in sync with the entrepreneurs vision. To help stay motivated, entrepreneurs should reward themselves for reaching certain milestones on the journey toward their goals. He is still committed to achieving his current goals and, once they are completed, he will refocus and set new goals for both himself and his business in 2017. He says he prefers to take a few days away from technology and civilisation at the start of a new year in order to clear his head and help him plan. For more information, go to www.innovatortrust.co.za. Every entrepreneur wants to have a commercially viable business. To make it happen he has to find financial assistance for the start-up. Finding the investors is both resource and time consuming. It involves several processes, procedures. But if there are business owners who find the investors easily, you can do it too! All you have to do is to optimise your search to make maximum production. A productive search is the one that requires less time but gives more results. So, with proper planning and prior preparation, the process of finding the investor for your business will be more successful. Of course, a physical location of your startup may influence its further development. Countries that support small or new businesses create better conditions through various sponsorship programs. Kenya, with its biggest and the fastest growing economy in Central and East Africa, has a variety of startups developing and searching for investors. Each startup idea shows originality and thorough global market research. Kenya has a great range of platforms for innovation and the most successful startups. However, as the most fertile soil needs proper nourishment, the same business needs intellectual and material investments. There are numerous things you need to know before either investing into a startup or creating one. We offer you to use modern platforms like social networks in the search for investors. Through social media, you have access to hundreds of investors. Let us discuss the most productive ways of finding the right investor for your startups with the help of social media. If nowadays there is an easy way to approach potential sponsors, why not to use it? Create a strategy More and more companies and agencies are hiring strategists to increase the productivity of their work. Of course, when you are working in a startup you might have no budget to hire such workers. That is why you must become the one who will perform these duties. A strategist is the one who plans the sequence of actions to complete particular tasks. If you have ever played chess you must know how forethought every step should be. It also refers to stages of the sponsor's search. In your strategy, you can indicate in which social networks is profitable to look for potential candidates. Also, you can predict their possible actions and your reactions to them. In big business, you must be a big strategist. Listen to advice of professionals The assistance or advice from financial experts or other investors can help make up your mind about suitable sponsors. Before seeking their advice, you have to consider their experiences in the past. Have they dealt with investors for a start-up? Do they have a vast knowledge of financial assistance contracts? If yes, consult them. Your fellow entrepreneurs can also be an excellent resource in helping you to identify prospective investors to include in your search list. They may also assist you with the identification of those investors who are difficult to deal with. After coming up with the list of the most beneficial investors, you can add or remove an investor based on his/her worthiness to your business or financial/investment experiences. When satisfied with the investor's list, consider entering them into a spreadsheet with descriptions of their location, experiences, important investments made, past connections and particular firms they are engaged with. This is vital for comparison and future reference. It keeps on reminding you the kind of investor your business requires. Use social networks for networking Whether you need to find a good dentist or a sponsor for the startup, you must firstly ask people from your friend-list for help. They can give trustworthy recommendations and prevent you from cooperation with new, sometimes suspicious people. The use of social media erases borders between people from different countries and financial state. So, your search will be more productive if you begin it through simple communication with your online friends. Tell them in direct messages or make a post about your problem. If this method won't show satisfactory results, try the next ways of how to optimise your search in social media in the most productive way. Define the criteria for your search You can start using social media search tools right now, but if you don't know whom to look for you will only waste your precious time. Before engaging in social network search of investors, come up with a list of potential investors. It will be effective to create an approximate portrait of a person that you are going to look for. But do not make this portrait too specific, otherwise you won't come up with any variants. Remember, your business deserves to find the best sponsor, but you must have alternative variants too. Creating what we can refer to as a broad field of alternatives in sourcing investors is perfect especially for evaluation and comparison which is important in getting the right investor (small and large). If you want your search to be productive, devote your time only to those candidates who fit your business not only regarding financial needs but in other operational requirements. While coming up with your list, you can use various sections to find those investors who have not invested in firms that compete directly with your company. Make a daily plan for yourself Every person is able to perform a certain array of tasks a day. Make such a plan that you will complete for sure. A good plan will help you to visualise a picture of your progress. Do not ignore doing this business. If you devote a few hours for the plan you will save many hours in future. A search for sponsors in social media is a monotonous activity, but you must put maximum efforts to reach your aim. A plan will help to distribute your efforts and make you more productive. Decide the platforms of your search Below are social media websites where you can start building relationships with potential investors most effectively: 1. Professional social networks Besides the common social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram many other professional social networks have emerged. They include Xing, Start-up Nation, Meetup, Co-founder, EFactor and LinkedIn. These social networks help you to connect with the broad variety of investors across all business segments as well as industry specialisation. These professional networks may also connect you with other investors from various countries especially the ones who intend to take part in international business environment. This incredible exposure offers you a variety of alternatives to choose from. Social networks are great for promotion of your product to your future buyers as well as means of attraction of investors. 2. Social media and angel investors With the help of social networks, you can find what we refer to as angel investors. An angel investor is a type of start-up investor who invests in your start-up and creates a close contact to ensure the success of the start-up. The investor may provide you with financial/business mentorship and advice. He or she may also offer to access their professional networks comprising of investment ideas and techniques. In these networks, you may also find essential information on the kind of investments and investment requirements they are looking for to create a constant engagement. 3. Startup launch platforms With the current advanced information age, various firms have launched startup platforms that offer information regarding startup investors. They also assist in all aspects relating to starting a business including different ways of connecting with investors effectively. There are highlighted mechanisms and techniques of locating particular investors you could be looking for. The good thing about these platforms is that they have hundreds of members meaning that you get an extraordinary opportunity to get in touch with investors not only for funding but also for financial advice and mentorship. Have a few of priorities Dont contact every potential investor you find. Through their profile information in social network accounts, you can discover whether he fits your expectations or not. Only if you are sure that the candidate may show interest in cooperation with you send a brief contact letter expressing the conception of your startup and business plan. Avoid starting conversations with people who cause any suspicions. They may distract your attention from those who really can be ready to make a deal with you. Know when to say no On the stage of negotiations, you can learn more about your potential sponsor. If his demands can harm your interest and business, in particular, have enough courage to refuse his proposal to cooperate. It is better to find a person that will count with your views than waste time on damaging your startup well-being. The same thing is with the job search. When you are offered the job, but the salary is low and conditions are unsatisfactory, this offer is not worth accepting. Know what you and your business deserve. Think twice before making a deal. Focus on one task at time After you have created a strategy with a plan of your search do not try to overdo it. It is better to complete one task of the list effectively than to show low results in several tasks. For example, on one day you decided to look for investors in listed groups on Facebook. It means that if you detach to search in non-listed groups you fail the productive completion of your plan. You can also complete you task earlier than you expected. In this case, we suggest not to switch to the next task too early. It is better to devote time to the analysis of the results and reflect on the work completed. If you find that you cannot make everything planned on time, delegate some authorities to the subordinates. Sticking to the plan is key to the productive work. Make your startup searchable on Google In social media world, your portrait on the internet matters very much. Even if you have sent a detailed presentation of your startup with a business plan, a sponsor can type the name of your project in a search engine to discover more details. It is quite fair because a person thinks of spending his money on some business and he cares about the correctness of his choice too. So, you must create pages on the social networks devoted to your startup. The more details you have there the better. Try to google it by yourself to see what information comes up when you type the name of your business. It is important to create an Angel List Profile when looking for investors. With an angel list, you have an opportunity of learning about the investor you want to engage in your start-up. Investors on the other hand, also have a chance of learning about you and your business. In creating this profile, include information relating to your firm products, services, personnel and day-to-day operations. The profile should be precise and clear to make it easy for all the contracted investors to read and understand it without straining. In other words, make everything as easy as possible for people/investors interested in your business. After creating an inclusive and user-friendly profile, share it with request references, professional acquaintances and most importantly your friends on various social networks. People following your firm statistics will recommend other financial entities that can be of help to you. It will be great if you create a page of your startup at crowdfunding platforms. Some of these platforms are oriented towards funding particular industries including science, businesses, arts, and startups among many others. Other platforms act as angel investors in that they offer loans, equity investments, and the so-called venture networks. In the case you want seed funded, there are plenty of potential opportunities for crowdfunding, and therefore your social networks should incline towards embracing it. So, if you want to maximise the number of views by the potential investors, crowdfunding is the best option, but you must maximise your social media utility. Be updated 24/7 so that you do not miss opportunities and investors responses which may require immediate feedback. Maintain a spreadsheet of your activities It is important to record all your progress concerning the mission. Mind that you and your business partners are not robots, so you must fix your actions to prevent yourself from awkward situations. For example, you stated in your plan to contact one potential sponsor. You did it but hadn't noted it into the spreadsheet. On the next day, you text to him like for the first time. How do you think, what impression of you can the sponsor make? He may find you not attentive or even air-minded. Investors usually do not like to make a business with such people. So, fix your actions in the spreadsheets and do not allow some stupid mistakes to ruin your image. Adapt business plans and presentations for specific sponsors When students apply for the university they design admission essays according to the requirements of each institution. When people look for a job they create a resume for the particular position too. So, it would be better if you adapt your business plan for the particular investor too. In social networks, you can find other businesses that they supports or simply their personal interests. Every bit of information you find about them can be useful in the creation of presentation for your startup. Value time of potential investors It is obvious most of the investors especially the incredible and supportive ones with recommendable past records always receive numerous applications and invitations from different entrepreneurs. In many instances, investors favor those firms that are introduced by what is referred to as a standard contract. This means that getting their attention requires appealing nature of information and innovative approach. When you refer yourself as a current entrepreneur, the chances of getting an investor for your startup is very high. Banking giant JPMorgan Chase & Co. has awarded $20 million in grants to 10 states to build comprehensive career-and-technical-education systems in collaboration with industries in their states. The grants, announced Wednesday, are part of New Skills for Youth, a $75 million JPMorgan Chase initiative aimed at improving career and tech ed programs. The Council of Chief State School Officers and Advance CTE are working with JPMorgan Chase to evaluate states plans and support them as they move forward. The winning states are Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. A $35 million slice of the $75 million initiative comes in the form of grants to states , which have applied to work on their own CTE systems. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia won $2.5 million in planning grants last spring, and now 10 of those states have each won $2 million, three-year grants to build on the proposals they made in the earlier round of competition. Chris Minnich, the CCSSOs executive director, said in a conference call with reporters that the grants are part of a major project undertaken by more than 40 states to modernize career education so that every student can graduate from high school well-prepared to pursue a career. The state chiefs recognize that they are not turning out enough graduates who are ready to work in the jobs of todays economy: skilled jobs that require more than a high school diploma, Minnich said,. This is significant work we hope will close the skills gap that has existed in our country, he said. The 10 winning states came up with comprehensive and aggressive plans to rework their CTE systems, according to Minnich. Those systems will offer students many quality options, including professional certificates that lead to good-paying jobs, and to two-year and four-year college programs. Evaluation of states proposals put a particular emphasis on ensuring that programs serve all students well, Minnich said. This isnt a conversation about either well-off students or not well-off students, he said. Its about all students having access to these programs. CTE cannot be something that is left for a certain group of kids that are not going to college. Were going to change that in this country, and this grant program is part of that solution. Louisianas plan includes creating externships for teachers, so theyre better prepared to guide students through career exploration, state Schools Superintendent John White said during the conference call. It will also focus on providing viable pathways for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Better career technical education will make high school more interesting for all students, White said. High school is often very boring for our kids. We need to be real about that, White said. We need to help our kids find their passion and their interest. Nevadas plan dovetails with its recognition that the state cant depend so heavily on its mining sector anymore, said Brett Barley, the states deputy superintendent for student achievement. The state is working hard to recruit high-technology companies, but it needs a workforce to support those high-growth, high-wage jobs. Nevada plans to use its grant to create an office that will oversee and coordinate the states workforce efforts, Barley said. It will expand its quality career pathways, particularly in schools with large enrollments of low-income students, and it will pay particular attention to deepening its career advising. Photo credit: Getty Images Xolisa Dyeshana, Joe Public's executive creative director, will join The One Club Board of Directors. The One Club is a non-profit organisation dedicated to celebrating creative work across the industry. Among the club's many initiatives is the One Show, a creative award show respected around the globe for its celebration of exceptional ideas and craft. Xolisa Dyeshana Dyeshana will sit alongside creative luminaries, the likes of which include Jose Molla, founder and chief creative officer of The Community and Iain Tait, executive creative director, W+K London, to name just two industry heavy-weights on this years board. Dyeshana was instrumental in bringing The One Show Diversity Programme to South Africa (Johannesburg and Cape Town) in July 2016. The advertising industry still struggles to be wholly representative of our country and the programme aims to reach more black students and expose them to international creative talent as well as a broader understanding of how agencies work. As a board member, Dyeshana will attend The One Club board meeting and The One Show Creative Week beginning on 8 May 2017 in New York City. This is a great honour, not only for me personally, but also for the Joe Public United brand as an independent advertising agency. This type of global recognition speaks volumes about the growth and creativity of advertising in South Africa. I am truly humbled to be part of a collective like this and look forward to sharing new global learnings and flying the flag high for our country, says Dyeshana. Recently The One Club and Art Directors Club (ADC), two of the most respected non-profit organisations serving the creative communications and design industries, have agreed to merge now forming The One Club for Creativity, a leading global creative organisation. The new entity will serve as the umbrella organisation for The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, Young Guns and their respective Halls of Fame, education and diversity programmes. The South African industry can look forward to seeing the following judges appointed and taking part in The One Show 2017: The One Show Suhana Gordhan FCB Johannesburg - Direct Jury Fran Luckin CCO Grey - Mobile Jury Molefi Thulo CD Ogilvy - Radio Jury ADC Awards Entrepreneurial support organisation Africa Startup Ecosystem has launched a digital accelerator that will assist startups with product development, marketing and funding. Image by 123RF Africa Startup Ecosystem has been launched to host digital events, bootcamps, accelerators and startup expos for the region, and is a subsidiary of Global Startup Ecosystem, which also operates in Asia, the Caribbean, Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. The new digital African accelerator programme will begin with a full startup development bootcamp covering ideation, product development, marketing, customer acquisition and funding. This will be followed by workshop keynotes from various entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders, with the programme concluding with a demo day where the top 10 companies pitch in front of judges from across the region for top prizes. The future is digital, so startup ecosystems in emerging markets need to take advantage of that with programmes like this one, said founder Christine Souffrant Ntim. We launched digital accelerators for entrepreneurs of Africa and the diaspora to close the resource gap and diversify global startup success stories. The pilot accelerator programme will accept 100 startups. Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries SUBSCRIBE President-elect Donald Trump has expressed some skepticism about vaccine requirements in the past. Will that skepticism be reflected in the work of his administration? Concerns among vaccine supporters flared up again Tuesday when, after visiting Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he agreed to chair a commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity at the president-elects request, according to press pool reports. Kennedy, the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, is an attorney and vocal vaccine critic . The purpose of the commission would be to make sure we have scientific integrity in the vaccine process for efficacy and safety effects, Kennedy told reporters. President-elect Trump has some doubts about the current vaccine policies and he has questions about it, Kennedy said. His opinion doesnt matter but the science does matter and we ought to be reading the science and we ought to be debating the science. And that everybody ought to be able to be assured that the vaccines that we havehes very pro-vaccine, as am Ibut theyre as safe as they possibly can be. Critics of vaccine requirements for school attendance, which are set at the state level, rely on disproven claims that link them to autism. As my colleague Christina Samuels wrote after the subject was raised at a Republican primary debate last year, vaccines do not cause autism . Not even receiving multiple vaccines at one time . At that debate, Trump said autism has become an epidemic and that its gotten totally out of control. He believes that vaccines should be given on a different schedule. I am totally in favor of vaccines. But I want smaller doses over a longer period of time, Trump said. As Samuels wrote: As a percentage of the entire student population, children and youth with autism have increased from 0.2 percent in 2000-01 to 0.9 in 2011-12, according to the Department of Education. But what is behind those numbers? As I explained in a blog post earlier this year, scientists believe diagnostic substitution accounts for at least some of the increase in autism prevalence. Doctors are diagnosing as autism what might have been classified as intellectual disabilities in previous years. Doctors are also better at spotting autism behaviors that might have gone undiagnosed in the past." Who decides vaccine requirements? And who decides what children are exempt? Every state sets its own vaccine requirements for school attendance, relying on federal recommendations. The greatest difference in these requirements lies in how and why families can claim exemptions based on religious, personal, or philosophical reasons. Almost all states grant religious exemptions for people who have religious beliefs against immunizations, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. Currently, 18 states allow philosophical exemptions for those who object to immunizations because of personal, moral or other beliefs. As Ive written previously, several states have made efforts to tighten those loopholes in recent years. Supporters of those efforts argue that philosophical exemptions are too broad . As I wrote in 2014: Requiring vaccines before school admission has been a key component of a decades-long campaign that had nearly rid the United States of some of its most severe illnesses, from the measles to whooping cough, public-health experts say. But they also warn that broad "personal belief" exemptions that don't relate to a child's medical condition or a family's religious beliefs have made it too easy to bypass vaccines, poking a sizable hole in the public-health safety net. While some parents act out of a sense of personal conviction, others do so simply because they don't have time to schedule an appointment, said Stephanie L. Wasserman, the executive director of the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition, an Aurora, Colo.-based group that seeks to increase vaccine coverage in the state. "We want to close that convenience loophole," she said. "When you choose not to immunize, there are consequences not only to your child and your family; there are consequences to your community as well."" So how could the Trump administration affect vaccine efforts? For one, the very creation of such a commission lends credibility and a pretty big voice to vaccine skeptics. As president, Trump will also appoint officials to high positions in agencies that set vaccine recommendations and fund research, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the presidential megaphone can influence both the behavior of individual families and the political will to pass policies at the state and local level in support of vaccines. Photo: Nurse Catherine Craige draws a chickenpox vaccination in Berlin, Vt. -Toby Talbot/AP-File Related reading on vaccines: Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox. Illinois is the latest state to ease licensure requirements for out-of-state educators hoping to teach in its classrooms. We are clearing a better pathway to the classroom for teachers who have moved to Illinois and ensure they can focus on the important job they do, which is educating our children, Governor Bruce Rauner said while signing the bill earlier this month at a high school in rural downstate Illinois. The legislation, which received unanimous support in both chambers of the state legislature, directs the Illinois State Board of Education to start granting teaching licenses to educators with comparable credentials from other states . The lawmakers leave it up to the board to determine what constitutes comparable credentials. The bill also reduces the fee associated with applying for a substitute-teaching license. Lawmakers at the bill signing stressed how the legislation would especially help rural schools. These common-sense changes to the states licensure system will make it easier and more attractive for qualified teachers to seek work in Illinois, said State Senator Karen McConnaughay. I believe this new law will help reduce the shortage of teachers in a number of Illinois communities, as well as the shortage of substitute teachers across the state, which many schools have been grappling with. This will be particularly helpful in rural areas, which have been hit hard by this shortage, and our border communities, which have seen qualified teachers seeking placement in neighboring states. The New York State Board of Regents adopted similar new rules last summer , dropping a requirement that out-of-state teachers pass the states certification exams. But the case of Minnesota underscores how this is easier said than done. A 2004 effort in Minnesota to streamline the licensure process for out-of-state educators has been mired in red tape for years now. While 531 teachers were granted licenses between 2004 and 2011, the process stopped without explanation in 2012. This has led to a protracted legal battle in which a state court judge recently held the Board of Teaching, an 11-member panel responsible for licensing teachers, in contempt of court. The teaching boards executive director, Erin Doan, defended the boards track record, arguing that the process was complicated by how the state divides responsibilities for granting teaching licenses between the board and the state education department. While the Minnesota case highlights potential pitfalls, Phillip S. Rogers, the executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, told Education Week Teachers Ross Brenneman that the trend line is clear : Weve seen more states than ever that consider themselves full-reciprocity states. Ten years ago, you would never have states that say that. New Yorks education department has released proposed regulations that would give teachers more flexibility in earning a permanent classroom certificate or a supplementary certificate. The move comes almost a year after state experts warned of a looming teacher shortagewhich some attributed partially to New Yorks complex certification process, Politico reported . According to U.S. Department of Education data , New York is facing statewide shortages of teachers primarily in bilingual education, special education, and career and technical classes. There are even more shortages concentrated in New York City. Teachers in New York need three full years of experience to earn a professional certificate. If their initial, entry-level certificate expires beforehand, teachers can apply for it to be reissued for five yearsonly after completing 75 hours of professional development in a year. The proposed regulations by the state education department would give more flexibility to teachers by allowing them to complete the year of professional development before or after applying for a reissuance. Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said in a statement that the proposed changes would ensure that skilled teachers can remain in the classroom while undergoing the certification process. Currently, certified teachers who want to teach a different subject area must obtain a supplementary certificate that allows them to teach that subject area for three years while taking classes to earn full certification. Another proposed change would give teachers two additional years to complete the requirements for full certification in the new subject area. Districts hit with teacher shortages often reassign teachers to a subject area with many vacancies. The supplementary certificate gives schools and educators flexibility to do that. Educators have told us these proposed regulation changes will allow qualified teachers to get into or stay in the classroom as they complete their certificate requirements, MaryEllen Elia, the state education department commissioner, said in a statement. At a time when we are facing real teaching shortages, its important that we help skilled, qualified teachers do just thatteachas they work to fulfill all requirements. A 45-day period for public comments on the proposed regulations will begin on Jan. 25. Then the Board of Regents will vote on the regulations in April, and if adopted, the rules would become effective on April 26. New York has previously walked back efforts to heighten requirements for entrance into the teaching profession. Last April, the states board of regents pushed back a requirement that teacher candidates pass the edTPA, a performance-based test that requires a video submission, to June 2017. Miami Cops Fired for Implicitly Racist Text Messages Three Miami police officers are probably wishing they had a better sense of humor after their poor attempts got them fired. Because of their bad jokes, the Miami police department is recovering from an embarrassing incident where the three young officers made offensive, racist statements in a text message group chat with other officers. Although it is sadly not uncommon to hear about racism within the ranks of law enforcement, the context of this incident is both alarming and shocking. The officers involved were jokingly discussing using two predominantly African-American neighborhoods for shooting/target practice. While the officers insisted that they were joking, the department found the "jokes" in such poor taste that the officers were fired after an internal affairs investigation. What Happened Exactly? The officers that were fired all got caught up joking about using innocent bystanders as target practice in response to a legitimate question about where to find a local, indoor firing range. Several officers in the department were using the messaging application WhatsApp as a way to keep up, socially, with each other, but also would share department information, and ask questions about work. When one officer asked about the firing ranges, another replied back in essence that going to a bank would provide better target practice. Then, the other officers chimed in suggesting going to two different African-American neighborhoods for target practice. Not surprisingly, other officers on the group chat took offense and reported the conversation. It likely did not help the officers' cases that the police department was already under federal court ordered monitoring due to excessive use of deadly force, and these officers were openly joking about shooting innocents for target practice, which clearly would constitute excessive and unreasonable use of deadly force. Implicit Racial Bias Racism is not confined to any particular race, though studies have shown that the majority of people across all races share the same preconceived (racist) notions about race. While the Miami department, and the fired officers' representatives, assert that the messages were not racist, it is difficult to understand them in any other context. They rely on the fact that one of the officers that made the statements was African-American. However, as researchers have been learning, racism is learned based on environmental factors, and is more often than not implicitly expressed. This means that an African-American can discriminate against other African-Americans without even realizing it. Unfortunately, implicit racial bias is a very real thing in society today. Recognizing it is the first step in avoiding racial bias. Related Resources: No-Warning Deadly Force Upheld by Supreme Court In a decision handed down January 9, 2017, the Supreme Court of the United States explained that a New Mexico police officer acted reasonably when he fatally shot a suspect without warning in October 2011. While officers generally are required to announce their presence, particularly before exerting physical force, let alone deadly force, the Supreme Court was ruling about a very particular, peculiar situation that unfolded in October 2011 where an officer arrived late to an active scene. The case involved an active police investigation into a road rage incident. The suspects allegedly did not realize that police were present. Instead, they thought that they were under attack. So they came come out of the home firing guns. An officer who arrived at the scene shot and killed one of the suspects. Police Protocol Since the officer arrived late, he argued that he assumed that proper protocol had been followed. In other words, he believed that the suspects had been made aware of the presence of police. The Supreme Court agreed. The Court ruled that the officer had no reason to believe that proper protocol had not been followed. The Court found that an officer arriving on an active scene, as in this case, can safely assume that the police on the scene have already followed protocol. Deadly Force Versus Excessive Force Unfortunately, there are times when an officer will have to use deadly force. Generally, those times are supposed to be limited to when there is no other alternative, and the officer or the pubic are faced with injury, or death, and the harm is imminent. When deadly force is used despite reasonable, and reliable, alternatives, or a lack of imminence, then that may give rise to a claim of excessive force or wrongful death. Excessive force claims, and even wrongful death claims, against law enforcement may have shortened statutes of limitations for some legal claims, depending on your state. In some states, like California, any claim against a government entity is subject to a claim filing requirement (meaning you have to file some paperwork within a few months with the agency or state before you can sue). Related Resources: 3 Yoga Poses For Better Sleep Wellness oi-Lekhaka According to a new research, it has been observed that daily Yoga practice for at least 30 minutes improves your overall health, letting you have an adequate amount of sleep of 6-8 hours. If your body is lacking a good sleep at night, your skin can show the untimely signs the next morning, and you will be coping with age faster than you should. Also, your mind will not be fresh and your accuracy levels will be affected, ultimately damaging your work-life balance. Sleep helps to repair your damaged cells and removes toxins from your body, making you fresh and active. Hence, it is important to have an adequate amount of sleep each night. If you can't get to sleep enough each night, Yoga can help you out. Your regular practice of yoga can actually cure several sleep-related ailments like abnormal sleeping habits and even insomnia. Yoga basically helps you get away from stress, rejuvenates your mind and body; and hence, lets you have a good slumber. We have listed below three such Yoga asanas that could help you fight insomnia, when these are practised regularly. 1. Marjaryasana: Also known as the cat pose, this asana rejuvenates your mind and body. It can be effective if performed before bedtime. It is performed in the following way: Kneel down on the floor by leaning forward and put both your palms on the floor, looking straight. Make sure your palms are the shoulder length and legs are kept slightly apart. Now, make a posture similar to a standing cat, i.e., your trunk should be parallel to the floor, thighs should be straight and vertical, creating balance on your lower leg and feet. Just relax your body completely and maintain this base position. Don't exert extra pressure on your knees and feet, and ensure to maintain the relaxing position of your shoulder as well as the back muscles. Just exhale calmly and feel that your belly is going inwards. Simultaneously, move your head inwards, and it should be between your shoulders. By doing this, your back will bend and arch towards the sky. Inhale and just arch your back in the opposite direction. You will feel your spine bend slightly towards the floor. Your shoulders, neck and head should be backwards, in the way that you are looking towards the sky. Just repeat the entire asana as many times as your body allows, at least for 20 minutes a day, if not more. Just remember that all yoga asana should be followed calmly and patiently, and only then you would attain its best result. Follow this asana with slow and deep breathing, and you can follow your neck, back and shoulders being nicely stretched. Gradually, you will find the stiffness being withered away, and your back muscles and spine becoming more flexible. 2. Bitilasana Known as the cow pose, again this helps to regulate your sleep cycles and it provides calmness to the mind. It is performed in the following way: To begin this pose with, be in the tabletop position. Your knees should be directly below your buttocks and your shoulders, wrist and elbows should be perpendicular to the ground. Your head should be kept straight, bowed down, in the neutral position and eyes should be looking at the ground. Inhale. With your belly drowning towards the ground, lift your chest towards the ceiling. Now, look straight. Just exhale and come back to your normal position, that is, on your hands and knees. Repeat this pose for 15-20 times for beneficial results; otherwise, just follow your body's stamina. Don't exert your body too much. Take breaks in between, if you are having severe problems. Otherwise, follow it in the normal way. 3. Adho Mukha Svanasana: "Adho" means forward, "Mukha" means face and "svana" means dog, which means this asana is similar to the posture of a dog when bent. Following is the way to perform this pose: Stand on all your four limbs, and your body must form a table. Now, just straighten your knees and elbows and while exhaling, lift your hips. Your body is now in an inverted V'. Then, lengthen your neck and press your hands into the ground. Just gaze at your navel and let your ears touch your inner arms. Maintain this position for a minute or so, and then return back to the normal position. Scientifically, these poses detox your body and make you feel relaxed, ending up in giving you a good night's sleep. Therefore, follow these simple asanas for better, calm and undisturbed sleep. 3 Important Facts About Sanctuary Cities for Immigrants and Opponents Undocumented immigrants beware: sanctuary cities are not all they are reported to be, and a certain elected official wants to do away with them. For undocumented immigrants that live in sanctuary cities, the next presidential term will require staying aware of whether Donald Trump follows through on the threatened consequences for cities and counties that continue to provide sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. Many cities have vowed to protect their populations, but what does that even mean? The reason many people have a problem with there being sanctuary cities across the country is the incorrect belief that the cities provide a safe haven for criminals. In reality, in a sanctuary city, an undocumented immigrant will be pursued for any criminal act(s) they commit, except for merely being undocumented. Sanctuary cities generally only promise or have a policy not to follow orders from the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency regarding holding individuals without other criminal charges for deportation. 1. Sanctuary Cities Cannot Fully Protect Immigrants Sanctuary cities aren't really sanctuaries. It's not like once an undocumented immigrant makes it to San Francisco, or another sanctuary city, they are free from the fear of deportation. Federal immigration officers can enforce federal immigration laws across the country, even in sanctuary cities. Generally, sanctuary cities simply refuse to commit city resources to assisting federal immigration enforcement, which is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and processing deportations. In reality, the way this works is that after an undocumented immigrant that has been arrested is cleared of the crime, a sanctuary city will refuse to hold the person for an ICE deportation action. The primary difference is that in a sanctuary city, an undocumented immigrant doesn't have to worry about getting arrested and deported when they get a speeding ticket, or are the victim of a crime. 2. Not All Sanctuary Cities Are Equal There is no official or legal definition of a sanctuary city. The lengths to which a city offers sanctuary or protection from federal immigration enforcement will vary depending on each city's policies. Some cities don't cooperate at all, while some cities only refuse to cooperate for undocumented aliens without criminal records. 3. Sanctuary Cities Still Enforce the Law Against Immigrants A city that offers sanctuary still enforces criminal laws against individuals seeking sanctuary from federal immigration enforcement. Undocumented immigrants don't get to go on a crime-spree in sanctuary cities. Regular criminal justice applies to everyone in sanctuary cities. Sanctuary policies allow undocumented immigrants in some locales to get ID cards, pay city fees, taxes, and contribute to society, without fear that their contributions will lead to deportation. Generally, sanctuary cities simply refuse to cooperate with federal agencies attempting to deport immigrants because they have too much else to be concerned with and undocumented immigrants don't actually pose the extreme threat that is often imagined. However, the federal government does have the right to enforce federal immigration law without help from state or local law enforcement. Related Resources: I have tried describing depression so many times throughout my life, and yet, there never seem to be enough words to illuminate exactly what it feels like ... The Splinter DKBA/KKO members contacted the officials of the Burma Army and brought eight assorted weapons, 149 rounds of bullets, eight magazines, three bombs and seven mines. According to the press release of the Office of the Burma Armys Commander-in-Chief, the defected members surrendered to the Burma Army because they cannot accept the attitudes of the Splinter DKBA/KKO and they want to live in peace. The defected members have also come to realize the true attitudes of the Burmese government and the Burma Army towards ethnic people, the press release says. Currently, the defected members have been placed in the area controlled by the Burma Army in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State, local authorities said. The Splinter DKBA/KKO broke away from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) on 21 July, 2015 and was reorganized on 12 January, 2016. Five Splinter DKBA members surrendered to the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) last month while seven members surrendered to the Burma Army in Myawaddy Township on 1 January. KIC News was unable to contact the Splinter DKBA to inquire about these matters. Translated by Thida Linn He made the remarks at the press conference held on the last day of the Karen National Political Dialogue on Land and Environmental Sector. The event was held at Zwekabin Hall in the Karen States capital Hpa-an from 5 to 7 January. We are going to negotiate the on-going land issues and land management with the government and solve them together. We will not only discuss the issues in terms of policy but also work on them in practice, said Pado Mann Mann Mann, who led the discussions on the land sector at the Karen National Political Dialogue. He added that the basic land policies and objectives, which are currently under discussion, will be submitted to the political dialogue or the second session of the 21st Century Panglong Conference in order to receive an endorsement. He hopes these land policies and objectives will be helpful in future federal union-related discussions where all ethnic people can take part. Over 100 people including Karen representatives from respective regions, Karen political parties, and experts on drafting the land policy attended the dialogue on land and environmental sector and discussed and approved six aims on land sector, fifteen basic policies, ten points to be carried out in the interim period, over twenty basic environmental policies, and over ten points to be carried out in the interim period, according to the press conference. There are many land confiscation cases in the Karen State and this issue is very important in the country. We will work on this issue in line with basic policies during this period. We will assist the local residents in obtaining their properties in agreement with the law, said Nan Say Awar from the State-Level Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC-S). The KNU enacted its land policy in 1947 and amended it in 2015, claiming that land must be owned by the people. However, the 2008 Constitution states that land is owned by the State. KNU officials and the Karen State government officials met at the Karen State government office on 6 November, 2016 to discuss cooperation in solving regional land issues. Translated by Thida Linn Myanmars military has recently seized eight outposts, including the Gideon Outpost, a strategic hill near the border town of Laiza where the KIAs headquarters is situated, during a military offensive involving air support and artillery power. The KIA one of the most powerful armed ethnic groups in Myanmar, has not signed any peace deals with the government since 2011 when fighting with the military resumed in northern Kachin State. Pakistan's Babur SLCM being test fired on Monday. An ISPR photo ISLAMABAD (PTI): Pakistan has successfully test-fired its first submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) capable of carrying a nuclear warhead up to 450 kms, with the military saying the strategic weapon has given the country a "credible" second-strike capability and augmenting deterrence amidst tensions with India. The missile, Babur-3, was fired from an underwater, mobile platform from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean on Monday and hit its target with precise accuracy, the Inter Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a statement. Babur-3, which has a range of 450 km, is a sea-based variant of the ground launched cruise missile (GLCM) Babur-2, which was successfully tested earlier in December, last year. The Babur-3 SLCM incorporates state-of-the-art technologies including underwater controlled propulsion and advanced guidance and navigation features, duly augmented by global navigation, terrain and scene matching systems. The missile features terrain hugging and sea skimming flight capabilities to evade hostile radars and air defences, in addition to certain stealth technologies, in an emerging regional Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) environment, the release said. Babur-3 SLCM in land-attack mode is capable of delivering various types of payloads and will provide Pakistan with a "credible second-strike capability, augmenting deterrence," the statement said. While the pursuit and now the successful attainment of a second strike capability by Pakistan represents a major scientific milestone, it is manifestation of the strategy of measured response to nuclear strategies and postures being adopted in Pakistan's neighbourhood, it said, in an obvious reference to India. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has congratulated the nation and the military on the first successful test-fire of the SLCM, his office said in a statement. "The successful test of Babur-3 is a manifestation of Pakistan's technological progress and self-reliance," according to the statement. Sharif further said that Pakistan always maintains a policy of peaceful co-existence but this test is a step towards reinforcing the policy of credible minimum deterrence. The test was witnessed by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Director General of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) Lieutenant General Mazhar Jamil, Commander Naval Strategic Force Command (NSFC), senior officials, scientists and engineers from Scientific Strategic Organizations. The CJCSC and three services chiefs congratulated all the officials involved, on achieving this highly significant milestone. Gen. Hayat also highlighted that successful test-fire of SLCM also demonstrates confidence on our scientists and engineers in fostering the technological prowess, through indigenisation and self-reliance. It will be an informal meeting. Although it will be an informal meeting, it is important, said Khu Oo Reh, the leader of the DPN. We will negotiate on what we will do in the future. DPN has proposed a nine-pointed demand for political dialogue. Dr. Tin Myo Win from the peace commission will not be able to attend the upcoming meeting because he will not be free, said Khu Oo Reh. The government delegation led by Aung Kyi will attend the meeting. The peace commission and DPN met in Yangon on November 9 and 10 as their third meeting. The investigating team, comprised of 3 members, has already inspected the complaints surrounding Mon State Chief Minister and Tanintharyi Regions Hluttaw Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Details regarding the specific nature of the complaints arent clear. However, a divisional lawmaker, who requested anonymity, has claimed the Speaker and Deputy Speaker granted construction tenders to relatives and business associates. Orders will be given for the respective final verdicts. However, I do not know what kind of orders they will be. The answers will be unveiled within one week or ten days, said U Nyan Win, who led the investigating team. The NLDs investigating team members, U Nyan Win, Dr. Myo Nyunt and U Kyaw Ho, met with the complaintants and the accused. The team has already submitted the findings to the NLDs central executive group. During the 8 months after the Mon State Chief Minister took the office, he has been occasionally absent at the Hluttaw [parliament] conferences, he included business associates in the state project committee, and he often had meetings with certain financiers. This has led to public criticism, alongside condemnation of his social life. In addition to the core post of chief minister, the chief minister U Min Min Oo is also co-managing posts in the State Development Ministry and the Construction Ministry. On November 12, 2016, the Mon State Chief Minister told reporters, after the last day of the sixth anniversary at the NLDs regular conference of first-central committee, that if party members asked him to resign from the chief ministers post, that he would resign immediately. Brexit is thought to have impacted heavily on the Irish economy last year according to Bord Bia. In the annual Bord Bia Export Review and Prospects Report, it has been calculated that 570m has been lost from the Irish food and drink industry in 2016. A rescue of Bus Eireann from potential financial collapse will not be found on workers' backs, union chiefs have said. The warning was issued after a consultants' report claimed that closing down the company's loss-making Expressway intercity business with the loss of more than 500 jobs may be the only way to save other services. Dermot O'Leary, general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), called on transport minister Shane Ross and the National Transport Authority to play a central role in any talks on a survival plan. "The resolution to this crisis will not be found on the backs of workers," he said. "The government cannot think that they will act Pontius Pilate-like and have clean hands on this one." Mr O'Leary said the market for buses operating on motorways to Dublin was saturated with a 128% increase in capacity to Cork, 115% to Limerick and 55% to Waterford. "The competition is now damaging Bus Eireann's ability to sustain itself and run its services," he said. "There are indications that the company is going to call us in. "If what they have to say to us revolves around what was in the report then the conversation will be very short." The Grant Thornton report repeated previous warnings that Bus Eireann could go bust within two years if something was not done to stem the current losses. The company, which last year suggested separating Expressway from the rest of the business, suffered a 5.6m loss in 2015 and is forecasting similar numbers for 2016. The consultants also reportedly warned that severance packages following a shut down of Expressway could cost anywhere from 36m to 85m. Union sources suggested they would be at the lower end of the scale if the closure was ordered. The NBRU has run a nationwide awareness campaign over recent weeks to inform bus users in the regions about the potential impact of continued losses at Bus Eireann and the closure of Expressway and reduction in other bus services. Mr O'Leary said that unless there was a political willingness to address the fundamental issues at the heart of the financial crisis then the bus services would be no more. "The resolution will not be exclusively found within the industrial relations arena, offering heads on a platter will not make the crisis disappear, it is high time for those politicians who purport to represent rural Ireland to step up to the mark and work towards protecting this vital piece of irreplaceable infrastructure," he said. Amnesty International this evening welcomed reports that Egyptian President el-Sisi said that Ibrahim Halawa will be released and returned to Ireland upon completion of his trial. Reports suggest that President Sisi confirmed this news to a cross party Oireactas delegation visiting Ibrahim in prison in Cairo. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi Amnesty International has declared Ibrahim a Prisoner of Conscience. Based on a thorough review of his case, the organisation has determined that he could not have committed the serious crimes which he was accused of. He has been imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Ibrahim has spent almost three and a half years in prison in clear violation of his human rights, and in breach of international and Egyptian law. He should be immediately and unconditionally released. ` "Though this news is welcome, it is dependent on the completion of his mass trial which does not meet fair trial standards required under international law. Though this report might appear encouraging, Ibrahims return to Ireland is dependent upon the completion of an unfair judicial process which shows no sign of coming to a conclusion. "Since his arrest in August 2013, Amnesty International have been calling for Ibrahims release. "It is long past time that the Egyptian authorities respect international human rights law and allow this young Irish citizen to return home, said Colm OGorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland." The next scheduled hearing in the case is 17 January 2017. Update 4pm: In a statement, a spokesman for Housing Minister Simon Coveney said the minister would encourage Home Sweet Home to continue engaging with the Peter McVerry Trust and Dublin City Council to help transfer people from Apollo House to "alternative suitable accommodation with appropriate supports". "The minister's priority continues to be the provision of safe and suitable accommodation for homeless people," he added. "The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government will continue to work with the various agencies to pursue this agenda." Update 1.30pm: Campaigners and residents of Apollo House say they will be staying put, in defiance of a High Court order to vacate this afternoon. The Home Sweet Home collective said they will not vacate Apollo House until 10 remaining homeless residents are housed in suitable accommodation. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Dublin building earlier to demand housing for the homeless. We've been forced to issue this press release. We're asking for dignity, safety and respect for #apollohouse residents. pic.twitter.com/EY439XJLhd HomeSweetHome (@HSHIreland) January 10, 2017 Freda Hughes, a spokeswoman for Home Sweet Home, said: "We are now defying the court order and the reason we are doing so is because we have a duty of care to the residents here and we said we would not leave until they get suitable accommodation." A number of residents left in three people carriers shortly before the midday deadline to take up accommodation organised by the Peter McVerry Trust. Ms Hughes said the remaining 10 residents have particular short-term and long-term needs and the accommodation being offered to them is unsuitable. There are a number of couples among the residents who wish to be rehoused together. Campaigners have also insisted that homeless people with addiction issues should not be accommodated in "wet hostels" where residents can drink alcohol or in other accommodation alongside drug users. Dozens of Home Sweet Home activists who are helping to run the makeshift emergency accommodation within Apollo House also remain within the office block despite the court order. Campaigners are planning a rally at Apollo at 8pm this evening. Ms Hughes said they are awaiting further instructions from their legal team on what they will do if and when authorities attempt to remove the remaining residents and activists from the building. Pat Doyle, chief executive of the Peter McVerry Trust, said it has re-accommodated 76 people since the occupation of Apollo House before Christmas. "We have extended an offer to the Home Sweet Home to continue to liaise with them in an ongoing basis and make available our supports," he added. 'Fighting to stay' Peter, who left Apollo House only to come back after being offered accommodation he says was unsuitable, said he would fight to stay: "The terms of vacating the occupation that we took were that everyone that needs a bed, gets a bed," he said. "People are going around, giving out saying you have to drop your expectations, it is not going to be going from one Apollo house to another, I understand that, but there is a bare minimum." Earlier: An application for a one-week extension of the order to vacate Apollo House has been refused by the High Court. The occupiers of the building have to legally leave by midday today, after a High Court ruling before Christmas. They applied for a stay in the court to extend that, but this has now been rejected. As part of a deal agreed between the occupiers and the Government, at least two new homeless shelters will be set up in Dublin City Centre to address the homelessness crisis. Housing Minister Simon Coveney said the provision of these new facilities will cost in excess of 4m. They will include units suitable for single persons and couples, and will promote independent living. The occupants of Apollo House claim the alternative accommodation offered to them is "unsafe and unsuitable". Four days before Christmas, the occupants of the derelict Apollo House in Dublin city centre were given until noon today to leave a stay described by Mr. Justice Paul Gilligan as unusually long. Ross Maguire, who is acting for some of the Home Sweet Home campaigners, said they intended to comply but he accused Minister Coveney of not finding suitable alternatives as promised. Wondering what we mean by standards? One resident took these photos in the place he was offered today and refused https://t.co/cf2DejQwgE pic.twitter.com/PxataBqm76 HomeSweetHome (@HSHIreland) January 10, 2017 He said some occupants had left Apollo House but returned because they found their alternative accommodation to be entirely unsuitable. Rossa Fanning, who is representing the Nama-appointed receivers, said the order should stand because the court does not have the jurisdiction to decide on suitability. He described the case as a very simple law case involving an illegal trespass. He said the order should stand and described ongoing negotiations regarding suitability of alternative accommodation as "neither here nor there". Mr Justice Gilligan agreed. He said it was not appropriate for the court to get involved in this dispute, describing it as a "matter for Government". He ultimately refused the application for an extension. The remaining occupants have now been told to leave Apollo House immediately. According to an anonymously-sourced dossier, Donald Trump paid to watch hookers piss on a Russian hotel bed where he knew President Obama and his wife had once slept. The report (read it!) was supposedly compiled by a former British intelligence official who researched the candidate for his Republican rivals and, later, Hillary Clinton's campaign. It alleges that Russia has compromising information on Trump. The report is unverified, and was in the hands of D.C. insiders, the FBI and CIA leadership and some journalists long before election day. More than the lurid sexual allegations, the report claims various contacts between Trump aides and Russian operatives during the election and overwhelmingly suggests Mr. Trump has a lot at personal stake when it comes to dealings with the Russian government. The dossier, which is a collection of memos written over a period of months, includes specific, unverified, and potentially unverifiable allegations of contact between Trump aides and Russian operatives, and graphic claims of sexual acts documented by the Russians. CNN reported Tuesday that a two-page synopsis of the report was given to President Barack Obama and Trump. Now BuzzFeed News is publishing the full document so that Americans can make up their own minds about allegations about the president-elect that have circulated at the highest levels of the US government. The documents have circulated for months and acquired a kind of legendary status among journalists, lawmakers, and intelligence officials who have seen them. Mother Jones writer David Corn referred to the documents in a late October column. Harry Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson tweeted Tuesday that the former Senate Democratic leader had seen the documents before writing a public letter to FBI Director James Comey about Trump's ties to Russia. And CNN reported Tuesday that Arizona Republican John McCain gave a "full copy" of the memos to Comey on Dec. 9, but that the FBI already had copies of many of the memos. The key claims in the unverified report: Russia has been "assisting" Trump for at least five years as part of an effort to destabilize Western politics. Trump has refused real estate deals offered in Russia, while accepting intelligence protips. The FSB has "compromised" Trump on trips to Moscow by recording "perverted" sexual activity; the golden showers thing. They have similar surveillance of Hillary Clinton, but it's just phone calls and such, does not involve embarrassing conduct, and the Russians haven't decided to put it out there. The #GoldenShowers hashtag is under heavy use this evening on Twitter. Channers claim they planted the story, but only after freaking out like everyone else. Important Reminder: no photos, no problem. Nurses are accusing the HSE of being reckless in their efforts to deal with hospital overcrowding. The INMO says from Wednesday on patients will be admitted to 30 beds in Virginia Community Nursing Unit in Cavan, despite a lack of staff to care for them. A large knife has been found by Gardai close to the scene of a fatal stabbing in Dublin. Teenager Reece Cullen (16) was stabbed to death in Kilclare Crescent, Tallaght last Thursday. Today it has been reported that Gardai have located a knife in a stream close to the scene of the crime. They are now investigating the possibility that it may be the murder weapon. In the investigation into the murder a 14-year-old boy and a 29-year-old woman were both arrested. The boy was released without charge and a file has been sent to the DPP. The woman was arrested for withholding information. Reece Cullen is to be laid to rest today. He will be buried at Kilmashogue Cemetery in Rathfarnham. A Sinn Fein minister has said her party is not interested in last-ditch negotiations with the Democratic Unionists to save the coalition government and avert a snap election in Northern Ireland. The North's Health minister Michelle O'Neill said the UK Government needs to press ahead and call the poll. After meeting Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire at Stormont House in Belfast, Ms O'Neill said: "We made very clear to James Brokenshire in terms of what we believe needs to happen and what needs to happen next is an election. "We are not interested in trying to get into negotiations now - what we need is fundamental change. We believe the public need to have their say." DUP leader and former first minister Arlene Foster has indicated she would be open to talks with her former partners in government. On Tuesday evening, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Enda Kenny discussed the crisis on the phone. They pledged to work together to find a way through the political storm that has threatened devolution. The collapse of the institutions was triggered by the resignation of deputy first minister Martin McGuinness on Monday. The Sinn Fein veteran's move, in protest at the DUP's handling of a botched renewable energy scheme, forced Mrs Foster from her post as first minister. The North faces the prospect of direct rule from Westminster being reintroduced if the fallout between the DUP and Sinn Fein cannot be resolved on the other side of an election. While the looming collapse of power-sharing was triggered by the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) affair - a scandal that has left Stormont with a 490m bill - other disputes between the two main parties have been reignited by the furore. Ms O'Neill said: "It's now time for the electorate to have their say, it's now time for the electorate to make judgment on the DUP's arrogance. "What the DUP have displayed over the last months and years is a lack of respect towards women, the LGBT community, the Irish language community, ethnic minorities. These institutions have to have equality." Following Mr McGuinness's resignation, Mrs Foster announced plans for a public inquiry into the RHI. Ms O'Neill branded that initiative "too little, too late". Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams struck a different tone as he addressed the media in Dublin, saying: "We are always open for talks and we are always open to meet. Of course we are." There is a warning today that vital inter-city bus routes will close if politicians do not intervene. Consultants have told Bus Eireann to axe its Expressway service completely. First he released not one but two songs off his new album, Divide then he blessed us with the news that two of the other songs on the album are full-on Irish and now, he has released the album tracklist. And were not gonna lie, were a little disappointed. A British man who travelled to California to have sex with young boys is due to be sentenced in the US next week for taking child porn into the country. Paul Charles Wilkins, 71, was arrested in February after he tried to pay an undercover officer $250 for sex with a nine-year-old boy at his rented apartment. He admitted travelling to America to have sex with two other boys aged 10 and 12, US officials said. Wilkins, of Littleport in East Cambridgeshire, was due to be sentenced at a federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty in September to transporting child porn into the US. He had initially denied four charges of travelling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, attempted sex trafficking of children, transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The sentencing hearing was delayed after District Judge Dolly Gee said she wished to impose a $25,000 fine which had not been included in Wilkins's plea deal. Prosecutor Christina Shay said the inclusion of a fine in the plea deal had been "overlooked". A provisional date of Wednesday January 18 was fixed for a new hearing, where Wilkins will formally enter his plea again and face sentencing, the court heard. The dual US-UK citizen has agreed to a 13-year prison sentence and a lifetime of supervised release, the United States Department of Justice said. Following his guilty plea in September, US federal prosecutor Eileen Decker said: "This defendant's conduct was extremely dangerous. "He sought to have sex with another boy immediately after his original arrangements to have sex with the two pre-teen boys fell apart. "It is critical, therefore, that (the) guilty plea will keep (the) defendant in prison for well over a decade." The United Arab Emirates has said five of its diplomats were killed in a bombing in southern Afghanistan, one of the worst attacks to target the Gulf nation's diplomatic corps. The federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula said it would immediately fly the nation's flag at half-mast in honour of the dead from the Tuesday's attack in Kandahar. Meanwhile, the Taliban denied planting the bomb in the Kandahar attack, which also wounded the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan. Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE's prime minister and vice president, said on Twitter that "there is no human, moral or religious justification for the bombing and killing of people trying to help" others. The Kandahar attack targeted a guesthouse of provincial governor Homayun Azizia, who was also wounded in the assault, along with UAE ambassador Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi. The Taliban claimed attacks earlier on Tuesday in Kabul that killed at least 38 people and wounded dozens. But on Wednesday, they issued a short statement blaming an "internal local rivalry" for the Kandahar attack. The Taliban has denied some attacks in the past that diplomats and security forces later attributed to the group. An attack inside the heavily-guarded compound would represent a major breach of security, even in Afghanistan, a country long torn by war. A UAE Foreign Ministry statement earlier said the diplomats were in Kandahar on a humanitarian mission. Emirati combat troops had been sent to Afghanistan after the 2001 US-led invasion that toppled the Taliban. The UAE had troops for years as part of the Nato-led mission and the Gulf federation also trained members of the Afghan armed forces. Multiple daily commercial flights link the countries, with Dubai serving as an important commercial hub for Afghan businessmen. Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik is in touch with fellow right-wing extremists from behind bars, a government lawyer has said as he argued the killer must be held in solitary confinement. Attorney General Fredrik Sejersted spoke during the Norwegian government's appeal against a court decision that ruled Breivik's isolation in prison violates his human rights. Breivik shot and killed 69 people on the island of Utoya in July 2011, hours after eight died when he bombed the government headquarters in Oslo. Mr Sejersted said the self-proclaimed neo-Nazi continues to spread extremist ideology through voluminous writings and that his correspondence should still be monitored and his letters opened. Officials maintain the 37-year-old right-wing extremist is still dangerous and must remain isolated from inmates in the high-security prison in Skien, 85 miles south-west of Oslo, where the appeals case is being heard in a makeshift gym. Breivik is to give evidence on Thursday. He sued the government last year, arguing that his solitary confinement, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed in the early part of incarceration violated his human rights. In a surprise verdict, the Oslo District Court in April sided with Breivik, finding that his isolation was "inhuman (and) degrading" and breached the European Convention on Human Rights. It ordered the government to pay his legal costs. But it dismissed Breivik's claim that his right to respect for private and family life was violated by restrictions on contacts with other right-wing extremists, a decision he is appealing against. Mr Sejersted told the court Breivik continues to try to find ways of bypassing the censorship of his correspondence, including in an advert to find a marriage partner. "The text is structured like a personal ad, because he knows that personal ads have special protection in Strasbourg (the seat of the European Court of Human Rights)," he said. Mr Sejersted also said Breivik's prison conditions are better than for many other inmates. He has a three-cell complex where he can play computer games, watch TV and exercise, in compensation for his solitary confinement. He is served coffee and newspapers, often watches films and spends a lot of time studying. But Mr Sejersted told The Associated Press that Breivik is still "very deeply engaged in his political right-wing, extremely neo-Nazi project". He added: "He is continuing the same plan that he laid down 10 to 12 years ago before the massacre at Utoya, that he would do this terrorist action and then if he was not killed during the operation and ended up in prison, he would continue as a fascist, right-wing extremist ideological leader. "That is what he's trying to do now." Breivik arrived in court today in a black suit with a shaved head and beard. He refrained from making a Nazi salute as he did on the first day of the hearing when he was admonished by the judge. Breivik was convicted of mass murder and terrorism in 2012 and given a 21-year prison sentence that can be extended for as long as he is deemed dangerous to society. Legal experts say he will likely be locked up for life. Six days have been reserved for the hearing by the Borgarting Court of Appeals. A ruling is expected in February. Our friend and frequent Boing Boing contributor Clive Thompson has a piece in the January/February issue of Smithsonian magazine entitled "Rage Against the Machines." He explores the 19th century Luddite Revolution, the first rebellion against automation, comparing it to the upcoming robot workforce revolution. I didn't know that pre-industrial textile workers were well-paid and had lots of free time. No wonder they fought so hard against textile automation! At the turn of 1800, the textile industry in the United Kingdom was an economic juggernaut that employed the vast majority of workers in the North. Working from home, weavers produced stockings using frames, while cotton-spinners created yarn. "Croppers" would take large sheets of woven wool fabric and trim the rough surface off, making it smooth to the touch. These workers had great control over when and how they workedand plenty of leisure. "The year was chequered with holidays, wakes, and fairs; it was not one dull round of labor," as the stocking-maker William Gardiner noted gaily at the time. Indeed, some "seldom worked more than three days a week." Not only was the weekend a holiday, but they took Monday off too, celebrating it as a drunken "St. Monday." Croppers in particular were a force to be reckoned with. They were well-offtheir pay was three times that of stocking-makersand their work required them to pass heavy cropping tools across the wool, making them muscular, brawny men who were fiercely independent. In the textile world, the croppers were, as one observer noted at the time, "notoriously the least manageable of any persons employed." But in the first decade of the 1800s, the textile economy went into a tailspin. A decade of war with Napoleon had halted trade and driven up the cost of food and everyday goods. Fashions changed, too: Men began wearing "trowsers," so the demand for stockings plummeted. The merchant classthe overlords who paid hosiers and croppers and weavers for the workbegan looking for ways to shrink their costs. That meant reducing wagesand bringing in more technology to improve efficiency. A new form of shearer and "gig mill" let one person crop wool much more quickly. An innovative, "wide" stocking frame allowed weavers to produce stockings six times faster than before: Instead of weaving the entire stocking around, they'd produce a big sheet of hosiery and cut it up into several stockings. "Cut-ups" were shoddy and fell apart quickly, and could be made by untrained workers who hadn't done apprenticeships, but the merchants didn't care. They also began to build huge factories where coal-burning engines would propel dozens of automated cotton-weaving machines. "They were obsessed with keeping their factories going, so they were introducing machines wherever they might help," says Jenny Uglow, a historian and author of In These Times: Living in Britain Through Napoleon's Wars, 1793-1815. The workers were livid. Factory work was miserable, with brutal 14-hour days that left workersas one doctor noted"stunted, enfeebled, and depraved." Stocking-weavers were particularly incensed at the move toward cut-ups. It produced stockings of such low quality that they were "pregnant with the seeds of its own destruction," as one hosier put it: Pretty soon people wouldn't buy any stockings if they were this shoddy. Poverty rose as wages plummeted. The workers tried bargaining. They weren't opposed to machinery, they said, if the profits from increased productivity were shared. The croppers suggested taxing cloth to make a fund for those unemployed by machines. Others argued that industrialists should introduce machinery more gradually, to allow workers more time to adapt to new trades. The plight of the unemployed workers even attracted the attention of Charlotte Bronte, who wrote them into her novel Shirley. "The throes of a sort of moral earthquake," she noted, "were felt heaving under the hills of the northern counties." NEW YORK: Gold prices edged higher on Wednesday helped by a weaker dollar, while investors held back from making... KARACHI: The country is expected to see the first rain and snowfall spell of winter from Friday (today) through... PARIS: People with monkeypox can spread the virus up to four days before symptoms appear, with more than half of... Recent surveillance laws in Germany, France and the UK require online service providers to store (undoubtedly leaky and infinitely toxic) databases of everything you do online, and allow government agencies to raid these databases without accountability or meaningful oversight). Asaf Lubin's summary of the legislation in Just Security shows how the UK Snoopers Charter, Germany's Communications Intelligence Gathering Act and France's International Electronic Communications Law all legalise the kind of surveillance that outraged Europeans and their leaders in the wake of the Snowden revelations. Despite the fact that Europe's high court has already ruled that this kind of surveillance is illegal, parliaments around the EU continue to pass their own Snoopers Charters, in a race to the bottom with autocratic states like Russia and surveillance-happy nations like the USA. Second, the laws all share a lack of adequate oversight and safeguards from abuse. The U.K. government, for example, has taken pride in solidifying the 'double lock' mechanism. However, the law limits the scope of review by the Judicial Commissioners, which means that judges will not be given full authority to assess the merits of proposed surveillance measures. Moreover, in the case of bulk warrants the authorization requests can be formulated in such broad and vague ways that making judicial assessments on the merits of the application becomes essentially impossible. The German Independent Panel, which reviews the surveillance directives, also offers only limited oversight. Not only could this process be circumvented in situations where the Federal Chancellery believes the objective of the measure might be "frustrated or significantly impeded," but moreover, as was already determined by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy, the Panel lacks "sufficient staff or resources to oversee mass surveillance operations." Even more egregious, the French law does not establish any mandatory pre-authorization or consultation process and only allows for post factum investigations by an administrative committee, conducted on its own initiative and lacking statutory bite. Deprived of local structured oversight, the laws in essence shift the onus of control from domestic parliaments, commissioners, and courts to European regional bodies, further broadening the gap between the positions taken by the judges in Luxembourg and Strasbourg and those offered at the national level. A New Era of Mass Surveillance is Emerging Across Europe [Asaf Lubin/Just Security] (via Naked Capitalism) Tradie undies has sent a big consignment of pink-accented jocks to hero cop Zach Rolfe who was wearing the exact same style when he rescued two tourists from a raging flooded river in the Northern Territory last month. Now we know the fact Zach was stripped down to the black Tradie undies with the pink trim is possibly the most trivial part of what was a a courageous, heart-stopping and, ultimately, all-turned-out-for-the-best rescue. Former Canberra Grammar student now newly-minted heroic police officer in the NT, Zach Rolfe. Credit:Grenville Turner But it's still a pretty good part of the story. Zach, a former Canberra boy who had only just started working for the Northern Territory police, and his superior, Acting Sergeant Kirstina Jamieson, both had to take off their uniforms to perform the rescue on December 27. Courtesy of Cameron Kusher, head of research at CoreLogic Australia, come these excellent and, to some, disheartening, maps of the median house price in Australia's largest and most expensive capital city, Sydney, that he posted on Twitter earlier this week. The first shows the median house and apartment price as at the end of 2016. In terms of houses, you'll be struggling to get anything under $1 million anywhere in the city, particularly within a 20 kilometre radius of the CBD. Volkswagen took a major step toward resolving one of the darkest chapters in its history Wednesday, pleading guilty to an emissions-cheating scandal and agreeing to pay $US4.3 billion ($5.8 billion) in criminal and civil charges as the US announced charges against five new individuals. As part of its settlement, VW pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and using false statements to import cars to the US. VW executives Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Jens Hadler and Richard Dorenkamp were among those charged with conspiracy. The court filings detail a scheme in which the German automaker deceived regulators and customers for years, and dozens of employees destroyed documents, even after the scandal broke in September 2015. The emissions-cheating disclosures undermined the sterling reputation of German engineering and threatened the viability of a company that vies with Toyota as the world's biggest carmaker. Volkswagen pressed to resolve investigations and lawsuits as quickly as possible, while working to repair its reputation with car buyers and dealers. It's now selling more cars and trucks then ever, offsetting declines in the US with strong sales in China. There is a comprehensive set of guidelines that must be adhered to when submitting any application for example, to attend an overseas conference. The forms are submitted to the appropriate authority, in my case the finance department of a hospital, which then either approves or rejects the submission. End of story. It matters not what any "investigative journalist" thinks of my travel, it has been approved by an independent person. Why can't this happen with our federal politicians and save all this recurring travel claim nonsense? Ross MacPherson Seaforth All MPs' travel booked through an office separate from the individual's department. All costs would need to be clearly justified and the office could bargain with "suppliers" for the best deal, with frequent-flier points accumulated for future discount by all users. In urgent or unforeseen circumstances where the politician or staff have no ready access to the proposed office, they use their personal card, or cash, and seek reimbursement with a memo detailing reasons for such a claim. Apart from the bureaucratic cost, I think that oversight would be far better, more transparent and overall cheaper. Patrick Cormack Castle Hill To quote the Beatles (words by George Harrison): "Everywhere there's lot of piggies..." It doesn't take six months a real leader could write a code with penalties for failure to abide by the standard: MPs use commercial flights, detail reason for the flight beforehand, and if they don't want to travel with ordinary citizens in economy, they can pay for an upgrade and pay for their partner like ordinary citizens. It might help MPs to focus if they referred to themselves as citizen, eg. Citizen Ley. It might help if they also have to submit a 300-word essay on what public service means by this weekend (no trip to Hollywood for the best answer). John Dobinson Herston (Qld) The real solution is to get rid of the system entirely with a compensating one-off 25 per cent pay increase. No entitlements whatsoever: no electoral allowance, no travel allowance, or anything else currently deemed to be an entitlement; nada, nothing, zilch. Instead, politicians would claim expenses as allowable deductions through the tax system just like everybody else. This change is also self-funding as it removes all the compliance costs associated with the current system. Indeed, given this change we could truly claim that the age of entitlements for politicians was over. Ian Caddy Cheltenham There is a simple solution to the vexed issue of politicians' travel entitlements. Eliminate ad hoc expense claims and grant all pollies a one-off increase in salaries to cover travel and electorate expenses, the value determined according to individual positions (e.g. minister v backbencher) and electorate location with the increase being taxable income. Then treat each politician as any other taxpayer is treated. If a politician wants to claim a travel or electorate expense as a deduction against their income let them do so via their taxation return and allow the ATO to determine the eligibility or otherwise of the expense, treating any disallowed expense with the same severity that any other taxpayer's false claim is dealt with. Greg Poropat Albion (QLD) And so it goes on, minister after minister performing mental and gymnastic contortions to protest that their expense claims are "within the (purposely opaque) rules". Parents can discover whether their child's school has asbestos present - and where - in new Queensland state school data. The asbestos register, updated in the past week, features 526,779 separate entries for schools across the state. The latest school asbestos register has been published by Education Queensland. Credit:Jeffrey Chan The spreadsheet, updated to reflect asbestos records as at October 31, contains information about confirmed, assumed or removed asbestos in department-owned facilities, and is updated quarterly. A search of the document reveals 33,372 instances of "confirmed" asbestos. A father who watched an aircraft carrying his son crash in central Queensland on Tuesday has spoken of how he had to cut his son free from the wreck. Jason Lonnon and his son Jesse, 13, were travelling in two separate aircrafts for a trip to Middle Island, organised through adventure company 1770 Castaway. Mr Lonnon told 7 News he was travelling in the second aircraft when he saw the plane carrying his son start to turn down. "We thought they were getting ready to land but they disappeared out of sight behind the sand dune and within a few seconds later we saw the plane wreck on the ground," he said. The bus in which a Brisbane bus driver was burnt to death last October has been destroyed, and its fleet number retired, out of respect for slain Manmeet Sharma. Mr Sharma, 29, was a couple of months into his job as a bus driver when he pulled up to a stop along the 125 route in Moorooka to pick up passengers. It was there Anthony O'Donohue allegedly attacked Mr Sharma by throwing accelerant on the Indian-born driver and setting him alight. Mr O'Donohue, 48, has been charged with Mr Sharma's murder and the attempted murder of the 11 passengers on board the route 125 bus. The most remarkable criminal justice story of 2017 is that the FBI has arrested a real corporate criminal, a VW executive who tried to engineer a coverup of the Dieselgate scandal, and that he might go to jail it's remarkable because the Obama administration spent eight years resolutely not sending criminal executives to jail, preferring instead to let their corporations buy their way out of criminal sanctions with huge fines, a doctrine pioneered by Obama Attorney General Eric Holder back when he worked for Bill Clinton's administration. But while Clinton rejected this idea, Obama put it into practice. Holder believes that jailing executives and exacting other forms of significant criminal justice against criminal corporations is fundamentally unjust, because of all the collateral damage to investors, employees and customers. Instead, Holder preferred to fine companies very large sums (but not so large that the companies were jeopardized), effectively turning criminal lawbreaking into a predictable line item, one of the costs of doing business. Meanwhile, the collateral damage from the jailing of poor people damage to their families and their communities was considered an unavoidable and tolerable result of a functional criminal justice system. It's thanks to Holder than not one banking exec went to jail for the mass fraud that led to the collapse of the global economy in 2008 ironically, the Holder doctrine's rise coincides with the peak of extreme prison sentences for minor crimes as Matt Taibbi documents in his amazing book The Divide, which begins with two sentencing hearings, in the same building, on the same day: in the first, a man gets years in prison for possessing a small amount of marijuana; in the second, HSBC executives are allowed to walk free after being convicted of laundering literally billions of dollars for barbaric Mexican drug cartels despite having ordered the construction of wider teller-windows to accommodate the enormous sacks of cash that drug cartel bagmen brought into HSBC branches (that's not a metaphor that actually happened). The Too-Big-ToFail bankster is a creation of the Obama DoJ, and it's a significant contributor to the widespread perception that the "system is rigged," and the election of Donald Trump who knew exactly how rigged the system is, because he is a major beneficiary of that rigging. Holder left the DoJ job in 2015 and started drawing a $3M/year salary as a finance exec; it was his successor, Loretta Lynch, who began jailing executives for ordering crimes. Her Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, author of the "Yates Memo," advocated for the zealous prosecution and jailing of executives, and the prosecution of VW executive, Oliver Schmidt, is a case study in how devastatingly effective the application of normal criminal justice procedures to big companies can be. To secure their indictment against Schmidt, the company first indicted an engineer who was immediately involved in the crime. After securing a plea bargain from him, they used his testimony to secure an indictment against Schmidt. The indictment also names even higher-ranking executives who conspired with Schmidt to cover up the crime, putting them on notice that they are next in line, and dangling a lifeline for Schmidt if he wants to turn on his colleagues to make things easier on himself. Since September, we've chronicled the Wells Fargo scandal, in which the bank defrauded millions of Americans, costing some of them their homes and jobs by staining their credit records, for which the responsible executives were paid huge bonuses, even when they resigned over their culpability in the lawbreaking. Meanwhile, the company also conspired to blacklist employees for refusing to participate in the fraud, ending their careers by libelling them in secret accusations of wrongdoing that were circulated to other banks. The willingness of Wells Fargo to commit these crimes can surely be attributed in part to the Holder doctrine: after all, the bank received a $36B bailout from Obama, after it was established that the bank knowingly contributed to the crash by committing another series of frauds. Jeff Sessions, Trump's next Attorney General, is a terrible person and will be terrible for America, but one minute and rather dim bright spot is that he has a reasonably good record when it comes to calling for criminal prosecutions of corporate executives though I am very skeptical that Trump will allow him to go after the businesses he favors, it may be that Trump will give him rein to go after the ones he wants to scapegoat (this being the era of rule of man, rather than rule of law). It's an indictment of Obama's corporate criminal justice legacy that this would be an improvement on the status quo since 2008. There is no reason that the same process could not have been used for Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and many other institutions that played a role in the financial crisis. We had the names of the traders who marketed and sold dodgy mortgage securities to investors without disclosing the risks. We had millions of false documents issued to courtrooms and county offices nationwide, with forged signatures attached to them. That's a wealth of raw material from which to begin an effort to locate who authorized the fraudulent materials, and who directed those people to authorize them, and so on, until law enforcement reached every C-suite at every major financial institution in America. Waiting nearly eight years to put this detective work into practice begs the question of why it laid dormant for so long. Moreover the buzzer-beating conduct in the Volkswagen case could go for naught. Within weeks, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions will likely take over running the Justice Department. There's no guarantee he will follow through with Volkswagen executive criminal indictments; in fact, senators on the Judiciary Committee should ask him that question at his confirmation hearings, which begin today. For what it's worth, Sessions did say in 2010 that DoJ shouldn't hesitate to charge companies that break the law, and Volkswagen actually wants to close its settlement with the current administration rather than facing the unknown with the new attorney general. But off-the-cuff statements in the Senate and actual responsibility at Justice are two different things. We simply don't know how Sessions will act and whether the Yates memo will have any meaning. Obama's Legacy on Corporate Criminals: Too Little, Too Late [David Dayen/The Fiscal Times] [Warning: this site autoplays video and displays pop up notices that repeatedly crashed my browser] (via Naked Capitalism) Brisbane commuters will have to keep waiting to find out what their train timetable will look like in less than two weeks' time. Queensland Rail's summer school holiday timetable, which reduced services by 11 per cent, finishes on January 22. But while the next timetable is likely to be similar to the most recently in place interim timetable, with only minor adjustments, a date for its release is yet to be confirmed. "On 23 January, Queensland Rail's timetable will return to a higher level of service to reflect the end of the school holidays and increased patronage on the network," a Queensland Rail spokeswoman said. Queenslanders have been urged to remain vigilant as parts of the state brace for soaring temperatures. South-west Queenslanders will be hit with the brunt of the heatwave, with towns in the channel country, such as Birdsville, tipping over 40 degrees on Wednesday. Darling Downs residents can expect temperatures in the high 30s, while Brisbane will reach a maximum of 34 degrees. The heat was expected to reach sweltering heights well into the week and Friday and Saturday were tipped to be the hottest days, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with residents in south-west Queensland expected to be hit with minimum temperatures of 30 degrees. We've known the National Broadband Network (NBN) plans to be structured around five "tiers" of connectivity based on download and upload speeds offered by NBN Co. Now it appears the company has renamed the plans and taken one of the tiers out. We've previously published quite a few articles about plans that are available over the NBN and how to pick the right one for you if the network is available in your area. Up until late last year, here's how NBN Co classified the plans available over its fibre network: NBN Co's new speed categories for 'super-fast broadband' are nbn 25, nbn 50 and nbn 100. Tier 1: This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 12Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 12Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. Tier 2: This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. Tier 3: This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. Tier 4: This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 50 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 50 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. Tier 5: This speed tier provides your service provider with wholesale access speeds of 100 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload over NBN fibre. On a side note, it's important to remember that Tier 5 services aren't available across the network. NBN Co operates as a wholesaler of NBN services and there are around 70 registered internet service providers (ISPs) offering plans to consumers. The chief financial officer of wealth management company Powerwrap could be jailed for failing to attend jury duty, a court has heard. Supreme Court Justice Jack Forrest found Sean Slattery, the CFO of Powerwrap Ltd, guilty of failing to attend jury service on Wednesday. Sean Slattery, chief financial officer of wealth management company Powerwrap, faces time in jail for missing jury duty to meet with potential investors. The maximum penalty for failing to comply with a summons for jury service is three months' imprisonment or a $4300 fine. Mr Slattery unsuccessfully applied for his jury service to be deferred last year, two days before he was due to appear in court on October 12, the court heard. The bungled Centrelink debt-recovery controversy has again come under fire with a Perth woman claiming she was hounded to pay back more than $26,000 she allegedly didn't owe. The Turnbull government is in the midst of trying to recover $4 billion believed to have been incorrectly paid to welfare recipients using Centrelink's new automated data matching system. A Perth woman claims Centrelink said she owed $26,000. More than 17,000 debt notices were sent out by the Federal government over the Christmas break, with hundreds of people around Australia complaining they were wrongly hounded for repayments. Following the litany of complaints, Commonwealth Ombudsman Colin Neave said he would investigate the automated data-matching processes being used to check welfare recipients' eligibility for some Centrelink payments. Police have charged a 37-year-old man over shooting 19-year-old Jake Turner in the thigh on Tuesday in Midvale. Police spokeswoman Ros Weatherall said the man was wanted by police to help with inquiries in the matter, and was charged after being located at a Hazelmere property on Wednesday night. Police are searching for a red Holden Monaro in relation to the shooting. Credit:WA Police Mr Turner was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital after he was shot in the thigh outside a Ferguson Street property around 12.45pm. Earlier reports suggested the shooting may have been drug-related. Drug users in police custody are least likely to reach out to anonymous telephone helplines and internet resources to combat their drug habit, a new study has revealed. It comes at a time when methamphetamine use, and how best to reduce its scourge on WA, becomes a major policy focus for the two main political parties in the lead up to the state election. Drug users in police custody are more likely to seek help for their drug use via "face-to-face" interactions such as doctors and mental health professionals. Last year the State Government established a new confidential methamphetamine telephone helpline for drug users and their families. In November, the government said the helpline had received more than 1200 calls in the first 10 weeks of operation. For decades members of venerable Foreign Correspondent's Club of Hong Hong speculated that Clare Hollingworth, the correspondent who broke news of World War II, may have been immortal. She sat in a corner at "Clare's table" near photographs of the Vietnam War, sometimes banging her cane on the floor for attention. "We are sad to announce that after an illustrious career spanning a century of news, celebrated war correspondent Clare Hollingworth died this evening in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the Celebrating Clare Hollingworth group said in statement on Facebook on Tuesday. She was 105. In August 1939, aged 27, Hollingworth crossed the Polish-German frontier in a borrowed British diplomat's car, bought some batteries and wine at a local shop and then while driving back noticed General Gerd von Rundstedt's Wehrmacht tanks, in their thousands, lined up to invade Poland. Latest News Expect another interest rate increase before Christmas And one more in February, says economist New way to own a slice of paradise Platform provides co-ownership model for holiday homes The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is still finalising its ongoing broker remuneration review after the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services Kelly ODwyer offered the regulator a short extension.An ASIC spokesperson told Australian Broker that the added time was necessary to manage the significant volume of data involved and allow for further stakeholder consultation.Once this has been finished, we will provide the report to the Minister, who will then decide when to release the report publicly.The regulator is also using the additional time to verify some data with select stakeholders, they said.Although the report was due at the end of last year, the extension meant that ASIC was unable to provide a precise end date or release date, the spokesperson added. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams These protestors put the civil in civil unrest! Around 200 polite eco-activists rallied outside Sen. Chuck Schumers Park Slope pad on Monday, demanding he fight President-elect Trumps nominees for key environmental positions and the rabble-rousers were so well-behaved, even the counter-protesters were impressed. This was one of the most civil groups of anti-Trump demonstrators Ive come across almost too civil, said Trump fan Jim MacDonald, who traveled from Queens to protest the protestors outside Schumers Prospect Park West apartment building. Theres a level of danger at some of these [protests], but the one last night, because they were such civil people, I didnt feel it whatsoever. Protests are already becoming a regular feature outside the new senate minority leaders tony Prospect Park-adjacent home there was one on Sunday night and another on Tuesday. Mondays rally was organized by environmental activist group 350 Brooklyn in an effort to pressure Schumer into taking a hard stance against Trumps climate-change-denying picks including ExxonMobile honcho Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for head of the Environmental Protection Agency, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as Energy Department chief, and Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke as secretary of the interior. Schumer has poor reputation among environmentalists when it comes to climate issues, and the protestors are worried he will give into Trumps nominees without a fight, according to the events organizer. He has in the past been a man who makes bargains, deals to get the political process moving forward, said 350 Brooklyn coordinator and Park Slope resident Sara Gronim. Our concern tonight is he doesnt make a deal on these four. Meanwhile, Macdonald and a pal held a sign reading Climate Change is Crap in the hopes of foiling the activists efforts. At some point in the evening, one protestor called MacDonald an idiot, but the demonstrators were otherwise polite and left them unmolested, he said. 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... As Abby Lee Miller and her ALDC prepare for Nationals on Dance Moms season 7, she has come up with some unique ideas for the themes her girls will touch upon in each of their dances. While some of these have helped the team score big wins, others have fallen completely flat. In this episode, titled The Fresno Curse, Abby may go too far with her new inspiration for the group dance. Will this controversial topic help the girls pull out another win or will it just offend all of those who watch it? Dance Moms Recap: Abby Puts the Pressure on Nia to Finally Step It Up >>> The Pyramid The ALDC regroups after winning first prize for their group routine at the recent competition. Based off of the results and prizes given out then, Abby reveals that the pyramid, from top to bottom, is Camryn, Maesi, Brynn, Lilliana, Kendall, Elliana, Kalani and Nia. For the upcoming competition, Abby and the girls will be traveling to Fresno, California, for Sheer Talent. The team is immediately nervous at the location of the competition because they can never seem to pull out a victory while competing there. Abby needs this time to finally be different. Abby has chosen three duets for the competition. Brynn and Camryn will be dancing in a sassy jazz number, titled Snap That. Kendall and Kalani will be performing Tango Para Tres. The final duet is Elliana and Maesi, whose mothers Yolanda and Jamie have been bitter enemies since the moment Maesi and Jamie joined the team. Will this duet, titled The Invaders, bring an end to their feud or will it just make matters even worse? A Sensitive Subject The team may be excited for the duets, but the group routine is a whole other story. Abby has the Junior Elites Brynn, Kalani, Kendall, Maesi and Nia performing Good Help is Hard to Find. This will be based off of the movie The Help, so the piece will focus on the slavery and segregation of the Deep South. Holly knows that both Nia and Camryn, who are the only two African American dancers on the team, will be typecast in the role of the maids. She quickly speaks up and expresses her fears that Abby will make a mockery of an issue that is still so hurtful to an entire race of people to this day. Abby tells her to just trust in her process, which does nothing to reassure her whatsoever. Abby then brings in a surprise guest to join the girls in the group routine. Daviana, who was cut from the team recently, will be the sixth dancer in the number. Abby wants to see if she made the right decision by cutting Daviana or if Camryn shouldve been the one sent home instead. As Holly and Camille continue to explain why the group routine is in bad taste, Jill does a fantastic job of expressing her true ignorance. She thinks Abby casting Kendall, Kalani, Brynn and Maesi in the role of the rich, white socialites is just as bad as Nia and Camryn being cast as the maids. No one likes to be typecast as the snobby socialite, Jill explains. Jill and the other white moms then doubt if racism and segregation are truly still issues in our society today. Holly and Camille quickly put them in their place and explain just how much their lives are still affected by the color of their skin. Holly may have been hesitant for the group to take on a dance with this message, but she is happy to have this discussion with her friends of an opposite race because it is one that needs to be had. Duet Drama Abby then shifts her attention to the duets. The first is Elliana and Maesis. Both of these young girls are talented dancers, but Abby thinks their mothers dramatic ways are standing in the way of any success they could have on the team. This is something that Abby wont be able to put up with for much longer. Somethings gotta give if they wanna stay on the team, Abby says. Of course, this duet brings out another fight between Yolanda and Jamie. Yolanda criticizes Jamie for allowing Maesi to dance in this routine because she thinks she should have let Lilliana do it instead since she is the only girl not dancing in the competition. The other moms know that Yolanda is just feeling threatened because if Maesi does better in the duet than Elliana, it could be Elliana and Yolandas final week on the team. Next up is Brynn and Camryns duet. Abby needs Brynn to show that she can be a stronger dancer and do more than just a pretty, lyrical number. Camryn, on the other hand, needs a win under her belt. If she cannot do this, Daviana may end up taking her spot on the final team. Kendall and Kalani have a huge task ahead of them by competing against Brynn and Camryns duet. Since Kendall, Kalani and Brynn are all undefeated this season, their moms think that whichever duet comes out on top could solidify which of the Junior Elites will truly become the new face of the ALDC. With the success that all three of them have had so far this season, it is anyones game. Quiz: Which Reality Show Should You Compete On? >>> The Competition Like all of their competitions in Fresno, this one is full of problems. While the team gets ready to compete, Yolanda yet again states that she would rather have had her daughter do the duet with Lilliana than Maesi because she doesnt want to be associated with a backstabber like Jamie. To back up her claim, Yolanda reveals that Jamie recently laughed about Abby being incarcerated. Yolandas claim shocks the group, but it obviously hits Abby the hardest. Without saying a word, Abby storms out of the dressing room. She then takes a program and crosses out Elliana and Maesis duet from it, meaning their number is officially cut. She knows this is about to create a ton of drama for the team. I guarantee you, the moms are in for a rude awakening, she says. Jamie runs to Abby to see if Maesi and Ellianas duet is truly cut. All Abby does is hold up a pair of scissors to get her to stay away and even tells her to back off, bitch. Jamie is floored that Abby would call her a bitch in front of Maesi, but Abby thinks she was doing her a favor. She needs to know what shes living with, Abby responds. The moms then slam Yolanda for even bringing this subject up. They know she wanted to try and sabotage both Jamie and Maesi, but she actually ruined it for Elliana as well. The Junior Elite moms may be beyond fed-up with Yolandas antics, but they have to put that to the side and focus on seeing which one of their girls will come out on top in this competition. The first number up is Kalani and Kendalls Tango Para Tres. The whole point of this routine is that the girls are supposed to look like they are fighting over a mysterious man, which would actually make it a trio. This certainly isnt clear to the audience, making the dance seem a bit odd. Also, Kalanis moves are much stronger and sharper, so Kendall is completely overshadowed. Brynn and Camryn then take the stage with Snap That. This number is the stronger duet by far. Both of the girls are fierce and serve plenty of attitude. Brynn has finally proven that she is much more than a lyrical dancer, and Camryn will hopefully be able to have earned a first place award on the team. The final routine to go on is the group piece. Despite all of the fears surrounding the message of the dance, the girls deliver a strong number, which is full of emotions. This one is sure to move just about every member of that audience. Will the judges be impressed by the power of this number? The Awards The first awards to be given out are for the duets. The battle is on between Kendall and Kalanis versus Brynn and Camryns. Despite being originally confident in their ability to win, Kendall and Kalani only take second. Brynn and Camryn, on the other hand, emerge victorious, and their mothers could not be more happy. The good times keep on rolling because the group routine also wins first. Clearly, the Fresno Curse has finally ended for the ALDC. After their huge win, the team is hopeful that Daviana will be able to stick around. However, Abby isnt ready to let her back in yet, so she says she will not have her return for the next competition. The moms are beyond nervous that their team for Nationals is still not solidified. They need Abby to ditch the dramatic new moms and finally focus on the girls who can actually bring home a win for the team. But with Abby being more unpredictable than ever, the moms are in for a long journey to Nationals. What did you think of the episode? Was Abby wrong to choose the group routine that she did? What did you think of the performances? Are you tired of Yolanda or are you loving her drama? Which duet was the strongest? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section and in the poll below. Dance Moms season 7 airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Lifetime. Want even more news on the ALDC? Like our Facebook page. (Image courtesy of Lifetime) Where Andy Kim, Bob Healey stand on abortion, inflation and more The USA TODAY Network New Jersey asked Andy Kim and Bob Healey where they stand on key issues in the midterms. Here's what they said. An upmarket soft drinks supplier has fallen into administration and a buyer is now being sought for the business. No1 Botanicals, which trades as Rosemary Water Ltd., has seen considerable growth since it was founded in 2017, but fell into financial difficulties as a result of the disruption facing the hospitality sector. Clare Lloyd and Henry Shinners of Evelyn Partners were appointed as joint ...continue reading In a reprieve to Private Limited, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday held that the company was not liable to pay sales tax to Maharashtra government for using a unit in Nagpur to store missile parts. Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between India and Russia that provides BrahMos cruise missiles to the defence ministry. A division bench headed by Justice S C Dharmadhikari had accepted a petition filed by the company in 2015 challenging the sales tax imposed by the Maharashtra government for storing imported explosive 'warheads' at a unit in Nagpur. has a manufacturing unit in Hyderabad that has been operational since 2007. As per the plea, BrahMos Aerospace imports missiles from Russia in a 'Semi-Knocked Condition,' and assembles them with certain "other elements manufactured or bought in Andhra Pradesh," and subsequently, sells the missiles to the Indian armed forces. "The combat missiles, which are used in the battle field, are equipped with warheads that are explosive or toxic materials," reads the plea. These warheads are imported by BrahMos from Russia, and considering that they are explosive in nature, they are stored at a unit in a village in Nagpur, it added. Accordingly, the combat missiles which are manufactured/assembled by the petitioner at its Hyderabad unit are sent to Nagpur unit for the purpose of integration of warhead and subsequently dispatched to the Indian armed forces from Nagpur. For all such "sales" to the Defence Ministry, Brahmos Aerospace is charged a Central Sales Tax by the government of Telangana (formerly by the Andhra Pradesh government), at the rate of 14.5 per cent. However, in May 2015, the Assistant Commissioner of Sales Tax, Nagpur, sent a notice to the petitioner contending that since the warheads were stored and integrated into the missile at Nagpur, the petitioner was liable to pay Sales Tax to the Maharashtra government. It sent the petitioner an assessment report asking it to pay tax to the tune of Rs 117,78,81,602. The petitioner, however, challenged the assessment report arguing that it was already paying taxes in Andhra Pradesh/Telangana and that it was using the Nagpur unit "merely as a stop-over" for the integration of the warheads. 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. After trying for four months to sell his apartment in a western suburb of Mumbai, Meher Verma decided to cut the price by 10 per cent. With property demand plummeting in the wake of Novembers sudden ban on high-denomination notes, hes not sure the reduction will do the trick. I was hoping to sell my house soon, said Verma, who put his two-bedroom property in Andheri on the market for $400,000 in September. Now it looks like I might have to cut my price or wait much longer for the market to improve. Real estate has long been a place where ... A day after appointed Kalyan Krishnamurthy as its new chief executive officer, three top-level executives have left the country's largest e-commerce marketplace. Saikiran Krishnamurthy, the head of Ekart; Surojit Chatterjee, senior vice-president of product management; and Samardeep Subandh, chief marketing officer, have all left the company according to persons in the know of the situation. Tyre major Ltd on Wednesday said it will invest around Rs 4,500 crore in a phased manner over a period of ten years to set up a manufacturing unit in Gujarat. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government expressing its in-principle intention to set up a new manufacturing facility in the state for manufacturing automotive tyres, tubes, flaps and related products, Ltd said in a regulatory filing. "The company proposes to invest a sum of about Rs 4,500 crore over a ten year period in a phased manner. The new plant is planned to be set up in Gujarat with the intention of broad basing the company's manufacturing facilities across India," it added. The project will be funded by internal accruals and debt, said. Currently, MRF Ltd has eight manufacturing facilities in South India. MRF shares on Wednesday ended up 4.41% at Rs 55,340.50 apiece on BSE. Public sector pharmaceutical companies, which had long dropped out of the medias sight, were recently briefly back among the headlines. The central government effectively decided to close four of the five which come under it and are loss-making. (Only Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals makes a profit.) While two will be closed straightaway, an attempt at strategic sale will be made for the other two. But the way the news reports were worded, all four seem eventually headed for the chopping block. Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn't biased against the Muslims, and wants to win them over, but does know who will do the talking, former Lt Governor of Delhi has said. "The PM has no bias against the Muslims. During my interactions with him I found that he is concerned about winning them over but does not know who will talk to them," Jung told India Today TV in an interview. Rajasthana state that has Indias fourth-lowest literacy ratehas signed understandings with the Tata Trusts (an Indian trust) and Khan Academy (a global nonprofit) to improve learning levels of students in government schools. The interventions are aimed at addressing the education crisis in Rajasthan, which recorded an overall literacy rate of 67%less than Cameroon, Egypt and Ghanaand the countrys lowest female literacy rate (52.66%), according to Census 2011. Rajasthans female literacy rate is worse than the average for the Arab world and fragile and conflict-affected countries, according to World Bank data. Indias seventh most populated state (68.5 million people), with 24% of its population between the ages of six and 14, Rajasthan also has many children out of school (5%), according to government data. The second day of Vibrant Global Gujarat Summit 2017 sees a total of 24,385 MoUs being signed. The state government did not disclose the investment figures as of now, saying that they were still in the process of collating data. Around 50 MoUs were worth more than Rs 4,000 crore each; 133 MoUs were in the range of Rs 1,000-4,000 crore. The big names included the likes of Amazon India, Tyson Glass (Rs 1,700 crore for fibre-glass manufacturing unit), Tsinghshan Steel (Rs 5,500 crore), Adani Group, Ultratech Cement, Shree Cement, Gulf Mining, Airbus (helicopter manufacturing in Dholera). Day 2 of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit saw some serious business talk by corporate captains, market regulators and national leaders alike. From the need to implement GST at the earliest to recommendations for a flat 18 per cent corporate tax rate for all (sans exemptions), to the need to have an automobile policy for the state of Gujarat that is evolving as Indias next big auto hub, to the countrys banking regulator urging the Centre to reduce high federal and state government borrowing; Mahatma Mandir was reverberating with opinions and voices touching upon significant aspects of Indias economic future. Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said will further hit the GDP. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the scrapping of high value notes, the senior Congress leader said that the move will shave -off one percent or more of the GDP growth. The (GSTN), a private body for the information technology (IT) backbone of the coming goods and services tax (GST), is to borrow Rs 550 crore from IDFC Bank, interest on which will be paid by the government till the new indirect tax system is rolled out. Curtain Raiser : DEFCOM 2017 A Curtain Raiser Ceremony for DEFCOM 2017 was held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi today wherein a Brochure on the theme, Infrastructure and Skilled Human Resource for Digital Army, was released by Lieutenant General Ashish Ranjan Prasad, Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Colonel Commandant, Corps of Signals. The occasion was also graced by senior representatives of Indian Industry who are closely involved in shaping a strong, indigenous Defence Industrial Base for the Nation. Addressing the esteemed gathering, Lieutenant General Ashish Ranjan Prasad brought out that the collaborative vision and spirit of DEFCOM 2017 should result in tangible outcomes in the form of a concerted National endeavor to equip the Network Centric Digital Army capable of Translating Information Superiority into Combat Power in times to come. Meeting of Consultative Committee of Parliament of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment held The Meeting of Consultative Committee of Parliament of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) on the scheme of Accessible India Campaign held here today under the chairmanship of the Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot. The Minister of State Shri Ramdas Athawale and Shri Krishan Pal Gujjar were also present. In his Address, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot said that Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) was created on 12th May 2012. Persons with Disabilities are now being addressed as Divyangjan. The Department is responsible for administration of Person with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. According to Census 2011, there are 2.68 crore Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) who constitute 2.21% of the total population of our country. He said that the Prime Minister on 3rd December 2015 launched Accessible India Campaign for creating universal accessibility for person with disabilities in built Environment, Transport System and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) eco-system. The Philosophy behind the campaign is the social model of disability, which proposes that what makes someone disabled, is not their medical condition, but the structure and attitude of the society. The Strategy Paper of the campaign has been prepared and after consultation with various stakeholders defining key targets and their timeline as below. The Revised time lines given by co-ordination committed is given below:- 1. Accessibility of Built up Environment: (i) Completing accessibility audit of 25-50 most important government buildings in 50 cities and making them fully accessible in Phase-I by July 2016, (December 2017), (ii) Making 50% of all the government buildings of National Capital and all the State capitals fully accessible by Phase-II by July 2018, (December 2018), (iii) Completing accessibility audit of 50% of government buildings and making them fully accessible in 10 most important cities/towns of States not covered in targets (i) and (ii) by Phase-III July 2019, (December 2019). 2. Transport System Accessibility: (i) Completing accessibility audit of all the international airport and making them fully accessible by December 2016. (ii) Completing accessibility audit of all the domestic airports and making them fully accessible by March 2018. (iii) A1, A&B categories of railway stations to be made fully accessible by December 2016 and 50% of all railway stations to be made fully accessible by March 2018 (iv) 10% of Government owned public transport carries are to be made fully accessible by March 2018. 3. Accessibility of Knowledge and ICT Eco-system: (i) At least 50% of Central and State Government websites are to meet accessibility standards by March 2017. At least 50% of public documents are to meet accessibility standard by March 2018. (ii) Training and developing 200 additional sign language interpreters by March 2018. (iii) Public television news- National standards on captioning and sing-language interpretation are to be created and adopted by July 2016. At least 25% of public television programmes on government channels are to comply with the standards by March 2018. The Members of Parliaments who attended the meeting include: Dr. (Smt.) Mamtaz Sanghamita, Smt. Sakuntala Laguri, Shri Vinod Chavda, Shri Virender Kashyap (All Lok Sabha) and Shri Ahamed Hassan, Shri K. Somaprasad (All Rajya Sabha). Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of SJ&E Shri N. S. Kang and senior officers of the Ministry were present in the meeting. Your Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Distinguished delegates, Members of the Media, Friends, Exactly six months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Kenya. President Kenyatta and the people of Kenya received me with great warmth and genuine affection. And, today I am delighted to welcome President Kenyatta and his delegation in India. The close association between our two countries is, of course, much older. India and Kenya fought together against colonialism. Just last month, President Kenyatta recognized the contribution of Makhan Singh, an Indian born trade union leader, joining hands with his Kenyan brothers to help overthrow the colonial order in Kenya. Common belief in democratic values, our shared developmental priorities and the warm currents of the Indian Ocean bind our societies. Friends, In our discussions today, President and I reviewed the full range of our relationship. During my visit to Kenya last year, we had identified deepening of economic cooperation as one of the key focus areas of our efforts. In this context, expansion of bilateral trade, greater flow of capital between two economies, and stronger developmental partnership are a priority. Yesterday, President Kenyatta led a strong and high level delegation to the eighth Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Your participation in Vibrant Gujarat has generated a strong interest in Indian businesses to connect with commercial and investment opportunities in Kenya. We want, and will encourage, industry and business in both countries to take lead in exploiting opportunities in healthcare, tourism, information technology, agriculture, blue economy and energy. The Joint Business Council meeting tomorrow will work to build commercial engagement through specific projects in these areas. To boost trade, we are also cooperating on trade facilitation measures, including standardization and related areas. Broad based and wide ranging cooperation in agriculture and food security is our shared priority. We are collaborating to raise agricultural productivity in Kenya. The Line of Credit Agreement of $100 million signed for agricultural mechanisation today would open a new dimension of engagement. Long term arrangement with Kenya for production and import of pulses is being explored and discussed. We would also be happy to share best practises in organic farming with Kenyan farmers. In the health sector, Bhabhatron machine has been delivered to the Kenyatta National Hospital for cancer treatment. Related capacity building of the Kenyan doctors is being undertaken under our India Africa Forum Summit initiative. Partnership in Education is creating new connections between our people. We have a strong relationship with the University of Nairobi, where a Chair for Indian Studies has been established by ICCR, and renovation of its library is also being undertaken with Indian assistance. On energy, we value Kenya's support to the International Solar Alliance, and our joint efforts to harness the energy of the sun to power our economic growth. Friends, The challenges in the Maritime domain are a shared concern. But we would also explore opportunities in blue economy. We are focused on quick operationalization of our defence cooperation. Some of the specific areas of priority would be hydrography, communications networks, anti-piracy, capacity building, exchanges and defence medical cooperation. We are also partnering to strengthen our security cooperation and capacities. In this context, we have directed the Joint Working Group to meet early. It would focus on cyber security, counter terrorism, combating drugs, narcotics, human trafficking and money laundering. Friends, The large Indian-origin community of Kenya is a vital and energetic link between us. I have discussed with President Kenyatta ways to engage them with our trade, investments and cultural exchanges. In our meeting last year, President and I had also agreed to accord close and personal supervision of the implementation of our decisions. We need to ensure its continuing rigour . Excellency, Once again, on behalf of the people of India and on my own behalf, I thank you for accepting our invitation and honouring us with your presence, both in Gujarat and in Delhi. Thank You. Thank you very much. While sounds like a cataclysm to many, some in the UK see the glass as half full and highlight the opportunities rather than the risks. From their perspective, the UK will remain a privileged partner of the EU and be at the heart of the Commonwealth. Those welcoming see this position as being one that the UK can exploit. Any moves by India to step-up military ties with Vietnam to counter will create "disturbance" in the region and Beijing will not "sit with its arms crossed", state media said on Wednesday, taking exception to a report that New Delhi plans to sell surface-to-air Akash missiles to Hanoi. "If the Indian government genuinely treats its enhancement of military relations with Vietnam as a strategic arrangement or even revenge against Beijing, it will only create disturbances in the region and will hardly sit with its arms crossed," an op-ed in the Global Times said, highlighting China's concerns over reports of supply of Akash surface-to- air missile system to Vietnam. The supply of missiles was supposed to be a "normal arms sale, yet was portrayed by the Indian media as a response "to counter the Chinese threat", it said, referring to reports that the missile sale was in response to blocking India's move to become member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and to impose a UN ban on Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar. "There should be no dispute when India decides to intensify its military ties with Vietnam, a crucial member of ASEAN as well as a key pillar of India's Act East Policy. Yet such ties should be built for the sake of peace and stability in the region, rather than stirring up troubles or anxiety for . "However, when India and Vietnam are in talks about possible sales, New Delhi seems to keep taking a sneak peak at Beijing as if the deal is stealthily aimed at China," it said. The tabloid, part of the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC) official group of publications has been carrying articles targeting India almost on daily basis with aggressive and hostile language. While striking threatening posture against India over its increasingly close-knit ties with Vietnam, another article in the same daily today warned Hanoi that it must improve ties with China notwithstanding the South China Sea dispute. "Aside from its endeavour to improve relations with China, Hanoi must deal with rising nationalism at home intermingled with anti-China and anti-Communism sentiment at times, which is adverse to the CPV's (ruling Communist Party of Vietnam) leadership itself, as well as the development of China-Vietnam relations. "Vietnam's leaders must have realised the importance of the issue and they have spared no efforts in developing cooperation with China in politics, economy and culture," it said, referring to the visit of Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of CPV, to Beijing starting from tomorrow during which he is scheduled to have talks with top Chinese leaders. Vietnam, along with Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, questions Beijing's claims over almost all of the SCS area and China has been seeking to pacify Hanoi, highlighting the fraternal ties between CPC and CPV. The article on India said "due to geopolitical factors, some nations have been cozying up to India over the years, which to a large extent contributed to India's fruitful development". "New Delhi understands that the best strategy for itself is to continue its collaboration with all parties, instead of picking a side and turning hostile to one another. Otherwise, it might not only turn others' troubles to its own puzzles, but also suffer enormous losses of development opportunities. "During a short visit Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid to Vietnam in September last year, an expert in India voiced that India can make the same statement in China's backyard that they do in ours. Yet Vietnam is not a backyard to any country. Such a statement only mirrors India's outdated diplomatic mindset. "India has a dream to grow into a great power. But under today's circumstances, it will be extraordinarily hard to achieve the goal on its own. What India needs is more pragmatic cooperation with other countries," the report said. Beijing always emphasises the importance of cooperation with New Delhi and hopes the latter will join the Belt and Road initiative which will help promote the country's infrastructure construction, improve connectivity within the region and may even turn into a push to solve the India- Pakistan contradictions, it said. "It is hoped that the hype in the Indian media does not represent the country's government. There are divergences between Beijing and New Delhi, yet there are more common interests that await the two to explore," it added. President Barack Obama, delivering a farewell address in the city that launched his political career, declared on Tuesday his continued confidence in the American experiment. But he warned, in the wake of a toxic presidential election, that economic inequity, racism and closed-mindedness threatened to shred the nation's democratic fabric. "We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others," Obama said, "when we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt, and when we sit back and blame the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them." US President-elect on Wednesday said pharmaceutical are "getting away with murder" in the prices that they charge the government for medicines, and promised that would change. Saudi Arabia has cut February term crude supplies to refiners in India and Southeast Asia, seeking to comply with an deal, but it has held most of its exports to the rest of Asia steady for a second month, industry sources said on Wednesday. State oil giant Saudi Aramco reduced February term supplies of mainly heavy crude to Indian refiners Reliance Industries and Hindustan Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL), as well as to Malaysia's Petronas, four sources familiar with the matter said. Aramco has also cut oil supplies to another southeast Asian buyer for a second month in February, one of the sources said. That means some major oil companies in Europe and the United States could see reductions of up to 18 per cent in their term volumes for February, the source said. "Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are focusing their cuts on US and European customers as they target excess inventories and protect market share in Asia," Energy Aspects analyst Virendra Chauhan said. Saudi Aramco and the other companies could not be reached for comment. Details on the amounts of the supply reductions could not be confirmed. Saudi's February supply reductions to a handful of Asian refiners mark the start of cuts to a region left untouched in January at the onset of the output deal. The producer maintained strong exports to Asia in January to protect its market share there and because it gets higher netbacks on sales to the East than it does for other regions. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) agreed to cut production by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of 2017 to reduce a global supply glut and support prices. World's top exporter Saudi Arabia cut oil output in January by at least 486,000 bpd to 10.058 million bpd. Still, Saudi Aramco kept February supplies to most North Asian refiners at full volumes for a second month, trade sources said, indicating it will have to continue cutting exports to Europe and the United States to meet its commitment. "I think the Saudis won't touch volumes to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Southeast Asian demand is small when compared to North Asia," a Singapore-based crude analyst with a European oil company said. US officials on Wednesday indicted six executives of German automaker in the emission scandal with the company agreeing to pay $4.3 billion in fines, a media report said. The executives were indicted in connection with the company's efforts to deceive US regulators about the emissions standards of its diesel engine vehicles and sell those cars to American drivers, The Washington Post reported. One of the executives, Olivier Schmidt, was arrested and charged in Miami earlier this week. The other five were still in Germany. "Additional executives at the company are being investigated and could potentially face charges," Lynch was quoted as saying. agreed on Wednesday to plead guilty to three criminal counts and pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil fines in a settlement with the Department of Justice. will pay a $2.8 billion penalty to resolve the criminal charges. The company will pay an additional $1.5 billion to settle civil claims that it violated environmental, customs and finance laws as part of its deception. Recently, an executive at the South Korean unit of Volkswagen was sentenced to a year and a half in prison over charges of fabricating reports that came to light following the German carmaker's emissions scandal. Many business titans have made the trek to Trump Tower for a private audience with Donald J Trump since he was elected president, but none have made a bigger splash than Masayoshi Son, the billionaire telecommunications entrepreneur. Some US are reviewing potential mergers while others are rethinking job cuts or looking at their manufacturing operations in China for fear of being cast as "anti-American" by President-elect Donald Trump, according to Wall Street bankers, company executives and crisis management consultants. Having seen some of America's largest companies, including General Motors Co , Lockheed Martin Corp and United Technologies Corp , bluntly and publicly rebuked by Trump on Twitter, many others are worried they may be his next target - especially if they have significant overseas manufacturing, have had US job cuts or price increases for consumers. "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!" Trump, who assumes office on Jan. 20, tweeted in December. Trump campaigned on an "America First" anti-globalisation platform that promised the return of thousands of US manufacturing jobs to economically depressed areas. That nationalist rhetoric and Trump's willingness to use his Twitter account as a cudgel has so rattled some that they are putting on hold mergers and acquisitions that may involve significant job cuts or moving production or tax domicile abroad, out of fear that such deals could be seen as "unpatriotic", several top Wall Street bankers said. Bermuda-based White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd had been in talks to sell itself in a transaction that would have been structured as an inversion - where a US-based buyer would move its tax domicile overseas. However, the deal fell apart after the November election partly because potential buyers worried that leaving the US tax home would be seen as "anti-American," three people with knowledge of the matter said. Potential buyers also found the target less attractive because of the likelihood of lower US corporate taxes under the Trump administration, the people said. Representatives of the $3.8 billion company declined to comment. At least two other insurance deals have also fallen apart since the election for similar reasons, said the people, who declined to elaborate and asked not to be named because the matter is not public. Trump's aggressive anti-China rhetoric has also given some pause. James Park, chief executive of wearable fitness device maker Fitbit Inc , said he expects all companies that have significant manufacturing operations in China, including his own firm, to prepare contingency plans. Trump has threatened to hit China and Mexico with high tariffs and named vocal China critic Peter Navarro to lead a new White House office overseeing US trade policy. "Whether it's taking higher costs into account or operationally preparing for moving manufacturing (out of China), companies are thinking about what to do," Park said in an interview. WATCHING TRUMP'S TWEETS Companies are also beefing up their Twitter monitoring for any Trump tweets that could affect them and engaging public relations firms for advice on potential lines of attack and how to respond if they were to come, several US chief executives as well as half a dozen corporate advisers told Reuters. "Back in December the board was already asking questions: 'What's the plan in terms of what happens if he comes after us, are we ready? The board is asking us if we have a PR firm at the ready, if we have a person monitoring his Twitter," said a top executive at a large US defence contractor. "Our plan is to not get into a fight, and concede immediately. The reality is that we're trying to stay below the radar," the executive said, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. Since his election in November, Trump has ramped up criticism of companies from Ford Motor Co , Toyota Motor Corp and GM, to United Tech and Rexnord Corp over manufacturing in Mexico for US consumers or moving US jobs abroad. Trump also slammed Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co for what he called "out of control" costs on their weapons programs. Both Lockheed and Boeing have said they will work to drive down costs of the programs, while Ford scrapped plans to build a $1.6 billion plant in Mexico, and United Tech's Carrier unit is keeping half of the 2,100 US jobs it was to shift to Mexico. Government relations and public relations advisers say they have received a number of calls from companies wanting help in assessing if they have any red flags that could draw Trump's ire. Advisers say these potentially include outsourcing of manufacturing, consumer price increases and lower tax rates than peer companies. "We have literally had about a dozen clients ask us how they should be thinking about this in the last few weeks," said George Sard, chairman and CEO of strategic communications firm Sard Verbinnen & Co, adding that he is seeing concern from companies in a wide range of industries. "The week after the election it was non-stop meetings and conference calls and analysis," said Kent Jarrell, crisis and litigation communication expert at APCO Worldwide. "It's almost like a whole new Trump practice is developing." Corporate leaders, say the advisers, can no longer focus only on maximizing shareholder value; they must now also weigh national interest. "CEOs are talking to their boards saying we've got to be viewed pro-America. If something is more on the margin - like layoffs, or moving manufacturing, then they are not going to do it," said one Fortune 500 CEO, who said he had spoken with other US companies. TAKING A PAGE FROM TRUMP PLAYBOOK Sard, of Sard Verbinnen & Co, said that while companies are well advised not to get into a Twitter war with Trump, his firm is advising clients to "learn from his playbook" and be prepared to communicate directly with shareholders, employees, and customers through blogs and social media. There is already evidence that companies are quickly adjusting to the new Trump era. Firms have been more vocal in publicizing job creation and they have sometimes let Trump claim credit. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles , the No. 3 automaker in the United States, announced plans on Sunday to create 2,000 US jobs. The timing was partly influenced by CEO Sergio Marchionne's desire to get the news out ahead of any possible criticism from Trump for the automaker's overseas manufacturing, a person familiar with the company's thinking said. Trump has in the past few weeks attacked FCA's two Detroit rivals, as well as Japan-based Toyota, for their manufacturing operations in Mexico and threatened to impose stiff border taxes on any imports. In December, SoftBank Group Corp <9984.T>, majority owner of Sprint Corp , unveiled a $50 billion US investment at the Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump and SoftBank head Masayoshi Son made the announcement together, and Trump later tweeted: "He would never do this had we (Trump) not won the election!" "You never want to be against the president - especially not one as vocal as (Trump)," the Fortune 500 CEO said. Extending gains for the second straight session, the benchmark indices on Wednesday settled above two-month highs tracking positive trade in global ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's news conference later in the day that will give an initial insight into his policies. Continue to tear into Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his demonetisation drive, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said for the first time in the history, the Prime Minister of India is being ridiculed all over the world for taking an "incompetent and ill-planned" decision. Speaking at the Jan Vedna convention here Gandhi said, "For the first time in the history, the Prime Minister of India is being ridiculed for taking such as incompetent and ill-planned decision." He said the demonetisation move was not RBI's decision but a 'personal decision' of Prime Minister Modi. "Today they (BJP) have weakened every institution. For the first time in history Prime Minister of India is being ridiculed. The Prime Minister needs to spend some time with the poor, farmers of the country and ask them why suddenly people are running to villages? Today I read in newspaper that Prime Minister said he will transform India," he said. Praising his party's 'good governance', Gandhi said the nation was well aware with what the Congress did in the last 70 years, and that they understand the blood and tears that the party leaders have given for this country. "The Bharatiya Janata Party and our Prime Minister are in the habit of saying that what Congress did in the last 70 years, but people of the country know very well what the congress did. People of the country understand the blood and tears that our leaders have given for this country. I can name state after state where Congress workers and leaders have sacrificed their sweat and blood. We do not need to explain what we did or didn't do for last 70 years," he added. In yet another potshot directed towards the Prime Minister, Rahul added that demonetisation is just a excuse as the Prime Minister knows that he cannot hide himself in the name of Yoga, Skill India and Make in India.. "Acche din are only going to come when Congress party is going to come in power in 2019. People of country are wondering when are 'Acche din going to come'. I'll tell them it will come when Congress comes to power again. Our friends in the media are under constraints. They come to me and say they want to say something but can't. 2 1/2 yrs back, Prime Minister Modi asked everything to join Swacch Bharat, the drama continued for a few days; then Make in India, Skill India," he added. Further attacking the Government, Gandhi asked as to why there is sudden fall in the automobile sector and demand for MGNRA suddenly surged. "The Prime Minister needs to ask himself why suddenly auto sales have fallen. Automobiles sale has dropped by 60%. We have gone back 16 years. Prime Minister Modi must ask why has the demand for Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNRA) suddenly surged, why are people migrating for villages instead of cities?," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese e-commerce giant Group has apologised for posting on Twitter an illustration with inaccurate maps of both China and the US. On the map of China, neither Taiwan nor the South China Sea islands were marked, reports the People's Daily. The illustration was posted on Alibaba's official Twitter account to explain the trade opportunities between small businesses in the US and customers in China. However, the maps soon drew criticism for excluding Alaska and Hawaii on the US side, and Taiwan and the South China Sea islands on the Chinese side. "We apologize for making this rookie mistake. We offer no excuse for this mistake, but will make an immediate rectification. We hereby offer our deepest apologies," stated the group on its official Sina Weibo on January 10 . The same day, the original illustration was replaced by a new and corrected version. The development happened a day after company chairman Jack Ma met US President-elect Donald Trump in New York on January 9 to discuss how could create more jobs by helping US businesses to sell products to China. This was the first meeting between the US president-elect and a high-profile Chinese businessperson. Another activist has gone missing from Islamabad, days after four social media activists had also been declared missing. Civil Progressive Alliance Pakistan (CPAP) President Samar Abbas is an activist based in Karachi who is affiliated to various forums that have been raising their voices against atrocities committed against minority groups in the country. CPAP General Secretary Syed Talib Abbas said that Samar had gone to Islamabad for some business related to his IT firm. "He was continuously in touch with his family, but on Saturday, his mobile phone was switched off. The family has not heard from him since," the Dawn quoted Abbas, as saying. He said an FIR will be lodged by Samar's family over his disappearance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To prevent terrorists from entering or leaving China efforts have been stepped up on entry and exit management. Beijing has reportedly ordered authorities in its sensitive Xinjiang autonomous region to seal its border with eight countries including Pakistan, to counter terrorist infiltration. Countries bordering Xinjiang are Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Asserting that terrorist cells are particularly active in border areas in Xinjiang, a senior official of southern Xinjiang's Hotan prefecture, Azez Musar suggested that the region should improve its ability to detect suspicious activities in area and carry out strict inspections in the border areas. "We need to make sure not a single terrorist can get in or out of Xinjiang illegally, especially when our neighboring countries are facing rising terrorist threats," the China Daily quoted Aniwar Turson, a senior provincial official as saying. Turson said many terrorists after receiving training abroad come to Xinjiang to carry out attacks in the region and then return back illegally. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Death row inmate Christopher Wilkins, 48, will be executed by lethal injection on Wednesday evening after he failed to get a reprieve from the United States Supreme Court,media reports in Huntsville, Texas, said. Wilkins, convicted for the slaying of two persons in Fort Worth in 2005 that stemmed from a 20 dollar drug deal, will be first execution of death row convict in the United States in 2017. Wilkins helped jurors make a decision on his punishment at his capital murder trial in 2008 by telling them how and why he killed the two victims and that he didn't care if they gave him the death penalty. Lawyers representing him before the Supreme Court said he had received poor legal help at his trial and during earlier stages of his appeals and that the courts improperly refused to authorise money for a more thorough investigation of those claims to support other appeals and a clemency petition. State attorneys said courts already rejected similar appeals in his case and that arguments over court-approved money for investigations were legal tactics only meant to delay the punishment. Wilkins, already a convicted burglar, fled a Houston halfway house where he was assigned in 2005 after serving time for a federal gun possession conviction. Evidence showed he drove a stolen truck to Fort Worth, where police tied him to several aggravated assaults and burglaries. He befriended a Fort Worth man, Willie Freeman, 40, who supplied and shared drugs with another man, Mike Silva, 33. Court records show Freeman and his supplier duped Wilkins in the phony drug transaction. As they drove in Silva's SUV Oct. 28, 2005, Wilkins said he shot Freeman in revenge for laughing about it, then shot Silva because Silva was there. Wilkins' fingerprints were found in Silva's wrecked SUV and a pentagram matching one of Wilkins' numerous tattoos had been carved into the hood. He also testified that the day before the shootings, he shot and killed another man, Gilbert Vallejo, 47, outside a Fort Worth bar in a dispute over a pay phone, and about a week later used a stolen car to try to run down two people because he believed one of them had taken his sunglasses. Wilkins was arrested following an 11-mile police chase that ended when he wrecked a stolen vehicle and tried to run away. Thirty convicted killers were executed in the U.S. last year, the lowest number since the early 1980s. Seven were carried out last year in Texas, the fewest since 1996. Wilkins was among nine Texas inmates already scheduled to die in the early months of 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Continuing their fight against demonetisation the Trinamool Congress on Wednesday asserted that the currency swap has adversely affected the nation, asserting that the ruling party has been carrying out a 'political vendetta' against all parties opposing demonetisation. Taking their agitation against banning of high denomination notes forward, TMC leader Derek O' Brien said that 45 MP's of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will meet President Pranab Mukherjee later today to discuss the ill effect of demonetisation on the nation. "The Trinamool Congress has been holding protests across the country, in fact in nine states, today is the third day in Delhi. The state of the nation is not good," said Brien. "Our 45 mps will go and talk to the President today and we are very thankful for him to give us time at 2 pm today. We will also give him a memorandum," he added. The TMC MP also slammed the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) for launching political vendetta against their movement opposing demonetisation and said, "The political vendetta launched by BJP on our party or any other opposing its demonetization move is not right." The TMC earlier this week launched countrywide protest demanding removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "save the country". Terming as "flop show" Prime Minister Modi's 8 November decision of spiking Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, Trinamool supremo and West Bengal chief minister Banerjee said the party will hold demonstrations in Odisha, Punjab, Bihar, Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Jharkhand, besides West Bengal and the capital. Bangladesh Nationalist Party Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has said national capital Dhaka will be renamed as "Zia City" if the BNP comes back to power. He made the statement during a discussion programme entitled "Conspiracy and the government of one-eleven" in Dhaka on Wednesday. "Recently, the government has renamed Pirojpur's Zianagar upazila as Indurkani upazila. It means Indurkani is more befitting to Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Dudu, as saying. He accused the ruling Awami League government of changing the names of many establishments those were previously named after the greatest sons of the nation. Dudu said the BNP would replace those changes again if it wins the national election. Asserting that Mujib is greater than Gopal, Dudu proposed the government to rename Gopalganj district as Mujibnagar. He also vowed to rename the big cities after the greatest sons of the soil if his party gets elected. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Good news for all Indian fans of Matt Demon! The Academy Award-winner's upcoming 3D action-thriller, 'The Great Wall' is all set to release in the country on February 3, 2017. The film, directed by Zhang Yimou, tells the story of an elite force making a valiant stand for humanity on one of the world's most iconic structures. Damon stars as William Garin, a battle-scarred mercenary and master archer taken captive by a secret army of elite warriors known as The Nameless Order. The action-fantasy marks director Zhang Yimou's first English-language production and the largest film ever shot entirely in China. The flick also stars Jing Tian ('Police Story 2013', 'Pacific Rim 2'), Pedro Pascal ('Narcos', 'Game of Thrones') and Willem Dafoe ('Platoon', 'Shadow of the Vampire', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the federal government was using the military as a crutch. "Operation Zarb-i-Azb was successful but how long will the government use the military as a crutch?" he asked. Qureshi said after a meeting of the opposition leaders with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on the government's decision to reinstate the controversial military courts, reports the Dawn. The meeting between opposition parties' representatives and the speaker took place a day after the federal government initiated consultations to introduce a constitutional amendment reinstating the military courts for a period of time all political parties agree upon. Qureshi said that the government had not succeeded in convincing its allies, Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), to support the revival of the courts. "Even the first time, support was offered on a conditional basis," he said. Earlier, opposition leader Khursheed Shah had chaired a consultative meeting of opposition parties regarding the revival of military courts, and said the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) will oppose the reinstatement of military courts. Pakistan had legalised military court trials of terror suspects for a period of two years in January 2015 - soon after the terror attack on Peshawar's Army Public School in Dec 2014, in which 144 people, most of them children, were killed by Taliban militants. The controversial special powers empower military courts to try civilian terror suspects. Military courts do not grant convicts the essential components of a fair and free trial, as they lack in transparency and do not allow convicts the option to appeal to civilian courts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Canada signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) at the 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit' in Gujarat's Gandhinagar on Wednesday, calling for multi-stakeholder engagement in the areas of energy, infrastructure, innovation and research. The first MoU was signed between the Kinectrics International Inc. (KII), Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) and the Security Solution Business Integrator (SSBI ) to set up a first-of-its-kind conductor testing laboratory at GFSU. This high-end testing lab will allow India's power-based industry partners to save time and money by accessing forensic lab facilities in India rather than in Canada. The lab will also provide the necessary infrastructure for the Gujarat-based university to deliver new forensic-based education including forensic-related R&D work for the electricity grid. A Letter of Cooperation was also signed between Ultra Electronics ?Forensic Technology Inc. and Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) for the exchange of faculty and key technical personnel for joint lectures and research programs. This association will enable graduate students from both institutions to develop and enhance technical capabilities in the discipline of ballistic forensics. And a MoU between a Canadian Consortium of companies and ?the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) was signed for the promotion and development of a Petroleum and Petrochemical complex with storage facilities. Under the agreement, both parties will examine the possibility of cooperative studies that analyze business conditions and promote exports between Canada and Gujarat. Canada's Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Amarjeet Sohi, is leading a strong business delegation to the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit where Canada is a country partner. Sohi met with Prime Minister Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, his counterpart the Minister of Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Poverty Alleviation, M. Venkaiah Naidu and several other Indian Ministers as well as business leaders. He addressed the inaugural session of the summit and delivered a key-note address on "Smart and Livable Cities: Opportunities and Challenges." Many Canadian business representatives are attending the summit to explore opportunities and new partnerships with Indian counterparts, including through the Smart Cities Initiative. Minister Sohi's visit is the fourth visit to India by a Cabinet Minister of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Government, a reflection of the importance of Canada's relationship with India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the agriculture sector and allied sector and Line of Credit for USD100 million for agricultural mechanisation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta held delegation level talks and praised the strength of the re-invigorated partnership between the two countries, which serves to increase stability, prosperity, and security in the Indian Ocean region and in the Asia-Pacific. The two leaders reflected on the significant progress they have achieved in strengthening the bilateral relationship through resumption of high level exchanges. Prime Minister Modi in his meeting with President Kenyatta expressed gratitude for his leadership and friendship, since the first State visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Kenya in July 2016. This is the first state visit from Kenya to India, since 1981. Discussions were held between the two on key elements of bilateral relationship including increasing cooperation in defence and maritime security, enhancing trade and investment relationship and counter-terrorism. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's commitment as Africa's development partner including Kenya. Both leaders acknowledged the unique nature of India-Kenya relationship and stressed the importance of continuing the momentum of high level exchanges and a strong development partnership delivering benefits, jobs and win-win solutions for people in both countries and in the Indian Ocean region. Key sectors discussed during the meeting were maritime security and surveillance, counter-terrorism, disrupting terrorist networks, counter-narcotics and human trafficking, agriculture, health, supporting Kenya's development through Lines of Credit, digital and cash-less economy, e-Governance, procurement of pulses, sports, renewable energy especially International Solar Alliance, blue economy, comprehensive convention on terrorism and reforms of international institutions including the United Nations. President Kenyatta also held meetings with the President and Vice President. He is expected to attend a business forum in Delhi tomorrow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran has said that it has finally received an official invitation from Saudi Arabia for its pilgrims to attend this year's Haj. There was no official Iranian delegation at last year's Haj after Saudi Arabia severed relations with Iran following the torching of its missions in Tehran and Mashhad by protesters last January, reports the Guardian. The tone is "not that much different from past letters", Haj affairs representative Ali Ghazi Askar said, adding that Iran would respond in the coming days. Negotiations for Iranian pilgrims to join last year's Haj broke down over the questions of where their visas should be issued and how their security could be assured following the deaths of 464 in a stampede at the Haj site in 2015. The Saudi-owned Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Dec 30 that Saudi Pilgrimage Minister Mohammed Bentin had opened discussions with more than 80 countries, including Iran, on the arrangements for the 2017 Haj. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lahore High Court (LHC) has restrained Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali from presiding over the meetings of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Board until further notice. The court has also stopped NADRA Authority Board deputy chairman Muzaffar Ali Khan, members of the board Tariq Akbar and Tariq Mehmood from performing their duties after petition filed by advocate Owaisur Rehman was heard by a single bench of LHC consisting of Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Tuesday, reports the Daily Times. The petitioner has alleged that the Nisar has no authorisation to preside over the board as NADRA is an independent institution and its ordinance does not allow the minister to chair the meetings. According to a media report, Rehman hs also claimed that the Interior Minister was using NADRA for 'political purposes' and to influence the authority by chairing its meetings. The petitioner said appointments were being made in violation of regulations and without being advertised. Chief Justice Shah remarked that the government's counsel should advise the government about letting the institutions run independently and emphasised that no compromise will be made on the freedom of the institutions. The LHC adjourned the hearing of the case for 10 days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Post demonetisation, several stories related to it have come to light, varying from colleges organising fashion show to support this currency ban, to villages going cashless. In a similar development, a cloth trader in the city has has got a new design of saree made, with the print of the newly introduced pink-coloured Rs. 2000 note. The women can now clad themselves in the new currency note via the medium of this saree. Being six metre in length, each saree has print of 504 notes and costs Rs. 160. The trader Shiv Shaini came up with this concept of saree as he wanted to try something new. "Rs. 2000 note is new in India. Few days back saree with Modi ji's face also came. So, we thought of coming up with this saree. The reason was to try something new." Saini also informed that the demand for the saree is more in the five poll-bound states namely, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand. Demonetisation, whether accepted or not, but the people of India have fully utilised this announcement for their business and benefit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's top military leadership has lauded the role of military courts in reduction of militancy and terrorism across the country. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa chaired the 198th Corps Commanders' conference at the GHQ in Rawalpindi on Tuesday where he praised the role played by military courts. During the meeting, top military officers observed that the military courts, which were established in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in December 2014 on Peshawar's Army Public School, performed well during the prescribed duration, which resulted in reduction of terrorism. "COAS congratulated efforts of Strategic Organizations on successful test fire of Babur-3. Forum also appreciated performance of Military Courts during the prescribed duration which resulted into reduction of terrorism," said the statement. It said that the forum took comprehensive review of security environment and operational preparedness of the army and expressed satisfaction on progress of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. "COAS directed that Counter Terrorism operations to continue and already cleared areas be stabilized. He also directed to intensify efforts for return of TDPs," the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Despite the opposition rejecting the timing of the amendment, when Panama Papers case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is being heard by the Supreme Court, the federal government has approved the twenty-fourth Amendment Bill in the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice. Crying foul over the move, the opposition parties have said that the government wants to give right of appeal to the Prime Minister in case of his conviction in the Panama papers, reports the Daily Times. The committee met on Monday under the Chairmanship of MNA (Member of National Assembly) Bashir Virk in the Parliament House, where the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) opposed the timing of the bill that is aimed at giving a right of appeal to the Prime Minister on a suo moto notice of the apex court. MNA Dr Arif Alvi of the PTI said that at present, the public perception is that the government wants to save Prime Minister Sharif. Meanwhile, MNA Iqbal Quadri of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) supported the amendment and suggested that filing application for right of appeal should be allowed within seven days and decision of appeal within 60 days. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid rejected the opposition criticism and said that this had nothing to do with the Panama case. He said that previously there was no provision for appeal against an order of the Supreme Court in exercise of its original jurisdiction under clause (3) of Article 184 of the Constitution. This proposed amendment provided for an appeal within thirty days of an order of the Supreme Court to be heard by a Bench larger than the Bench which had passed the order under appeal. The committee chairman announced, only one member of the panel rejected it and others were in favour of it, so the amendment bill was approved. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) News / Local by Mary Charamba A private plane suspected to belong to Central Air Traffic Services crashed loaded with close to 22 kilogrammes of gold in Kennilworth, Bubi district on Tuesday.The plane had taken off from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo and headed to Charles Prince Airport in Harare.The gold was worth about $800 000, reports indicate.The incident happened around 2PM.Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) Acting Flight Safety Standards Director James Danga confirmed the incident."Two people were on board and they sustained minor injuries."We don't have much details on the incident yet but we have dispatched a team to the scene to conduct investigations" he said. Pakistan is getting pressurised by India's successful missile programmes and is trying to match its neighbour's nuclear infrastructure by resorting to propaganda on missile systems, said former army chief General (Retd.) Deepak Kapoor on Tuesday. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Kapoor stated that Pakistan is desperately trying to match India's nuclear triad, comprising of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). Pakistan on Monday claimed to have successfully test-fired its first Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead up to 450km from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean, giving the country a "credible" second-strike capability "Pakistan is seeing our Missile programmes getting successful. It is building pressure on elements like ISI and they are resorting to propaganda on missile is highly possible. After all India has got close to triad and they are trying to match us in it, even if by doing propaganda," he said. Backing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who accused Pakistan of conspiring to create unrest after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani, the 23rd chief of army said, "First time she has made such well thought statement. There was never a doubt that Pakistan through the separatists in Kashmir has been giving directions on terrorist operations." He said the problem of terrorism has been following a cycle since 1989 where at times collateral damages happen if a civilian is killed by mistake, and the issue is used to further incite disturbance in the valley. However, General Kapoor said, "Burhan Wani incident has been used to create further disturbance. Army will not let this go long and will soon control it." Shifting his focus on the modernisation of weapons of armed forces, General Kapoor opined that the equipments are reaching obsolescence, faster than those which are replacing them. In order to modernise its weapon systems, he said, India needs to spend its defence budget more than that of China and other developed countries. "The most of the developed countries are committing around 3 percent of their GDP whereas in India we have spent less than 2 percent as an average in the last 10 years. It comes to meeting only about 2/3 of the requirements projected and this is at the time when we have our two adversaries, China and Pakistan, colluding. China alone has its defence budget pegged at about 130 Billion Dollars," General Kapoor said. Responding to a poser on contribution of 'Make in India' initiative in manufacturing defence equipments, General Kapoor, said, "Make in India is yet to pick up, imports are getting costly and finally this is affecting modernisation which leading to hollowness. We have a capable Army but with old equipment." General Deepak Kapoor was the 23rd Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, appointed on September 30, 2007 and Chairman, Chiefs of Staffs Committee (COSC) appointed on August 31, 2009. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has strongly condemned the terror strikes near Parliament building in Kabul and in Kandahar and extended their deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families. "Pakistan reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations and reaffirms its commitment for continued efforts and cooperation for eliminating this menace," said a statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The governor of southern Kandahar province and ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been wounded in twin blasts inside the former's guest house that killed and injured several others. A local security official confirmed that seven people were killed and at least 18 others were wounded in the explosions. This came after a twin blasts that rocked Kabul on Tuesday, leaving around 30 people dead and dozens of others injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Travis Head, Australian middle-order batsman, believes his side can score 'scary' totals, provided they can create a good platform at the start of the innings in the upcoming five-match ODI series against Pakistan starting Friday at the Gabba, Brisbane. "I think it's scary now what you can get in the last 20 overs of an ODI if you set a great platform, which is what we've done against New Zealand," said Head as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. Australian skipper Steve Smith will also have the services of big-hitting Chris Lynn, whom Head thinks can be lethal in the middle order. "We were able to set good platforms and give 25 overs to playing like T20. Yeah, it definitely brings in guys into it, a lot more than [before]. Lynny's batting fantastic, yeah, he can clear the fence with ease. So, if we build a good platform and if he's in that middle order, it's scary what we can get." Pakistan, who suffered a series whitewash in the three-Test series, on the other hand, will be without the services of regular wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed as well as towering left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan, who both had to return back home because of family issues. Irfan had to leave for Pakistan following the demise of his mother whereas Ahmed also had to rush back home after his mother fell sick. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said that country's economy has improved due to pragmatic policies of the government. "The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had successfully rid the country of ill effects of the poor governance of the past regimes, said President Hussain. He was addressing a conference titled "Two Nation Theories-From Sir Syed to Quaid-e-Azam" in Lahore. The President reassured that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be built as per the original plan and no change in the route is under consideration. He said the whole country would soon reap the benefits of the project. President Hussain said the Muslims could overcome their current problems by adopting the thought and philosophy of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following a shoe throwing attack on him during a Sangat Darshan here on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the attacker was not from his village or state adding that don't know who is behind the conspiracy. The shoe hit him and shattered the glass which was in his hand. "The person was not from here. I don't want to say anything nor I am going to take any action against him. Don't know what the matter with him. Don't know whose conspiracy is this," said Badal after the incident. Police have arrested a person named Gurbachan Singh Bachu, a supporter of the Sarbat Khalsa. A similar incident took place in 2014 when Badal was at a function in Isru, Khanna district. Badal is expected to contest from the Lambi constituency while his son, Sukhbir Singh Badal might stand from the Jalalabad. Assembly elections in the state will be held from February 4, where the people of Punjab will contest the election for 117 legislative seats. (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 mocked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's speech against demonetisation and dubbed the latter as a "part time politician", while adding that it is for the first time in a long while when the poor of the nation has been empowered under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said that the Gandhi scion, who has recently returned from a trip from Europe, does not care about the people of the nation. "Rahul Gandhi is a part time politician; he has just arrived from a vacation. If he really cared about people, he wouldn't have gone for a vacation," said Hussain. Echoing similar sentiments, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra ridiculed Gandhi's speech and said that it is the Congress which destroyed the credibility of various institutions in the nation. "Rahul ji who is out on bail in herald case and has recently returned from a holiday from Europe probably today was quite philosophical when he was talking about the soul of the nation in form of various institutions, he has to be reminded of the fact, that it was a the Supreme Court of the country which had said that the Congress Party reduce the CBI into a cage parrot," said Patra. "Mr. Rahul Gandhi should be reminded of the fact that misquoting facts and trying to misguide people is not going to change the truth that the Gandhi family and the Congress party has destroyed the nation whenever it came in power and it is happening after a long time that the poor has been empowered," he added. Rahul Gandhi, who earlier in the day led the Congress Working Committee's meeting at New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium in the absence of party president Sonia Gandhi, said that the Prime Minister in last two years destroyed the institutions that were built over many years. "Modi ji has done in 2 years, what we haven't done in 60. He has destroyed the institutions that were built over many years. The RBI (Reserve Bank of India) for example. The RSS and the BJP have ruined the RBI and has led to its ridicule. Notes ban was a personal decision of Modi ji that was forced down the RBI," Rahul said. "His demonetisation decision has been the worst decision of India's history. Never before has a Prime Minister taken such an incompetent and badly thought out decision. I assure you there will be acche din (good times) when the Congress returns to power in 2019," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan Minister of Parliamentary Reform and Mass Media Sri Lanka's Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka has said that Right to Information (RTI) Act will come into force from February 3 and would enable people to obtain any information from the government. Karunathilaka made these remarks at a special meeting with Information Commission Chairman, committee members and media ministry members at the parliament premises yesterday. The speaker of Sri Lankan Parliament had certified the RTI Bill on August 4 last year as having been duly passed by Parliament. The RTI Bill became a law with this certification. The Colombo Page quoted Karunathilaka, as saying that every citizen in the country will get their right to know the information they need from any government institution. The Minister, however, noted that some information harmful to the national security, national economy, examinations, foreign trade agreement negotiations, personnel details, details of medical reports would have restrictions. He said the information can be obtained by the people in the three official languages. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sanitation workers continued with their protest outside East Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maheish Girri's office over the salary issue. Sanitation workers called had for an indefinite strike on January 5, demanding payment of pending salaries of the last three months. They also raised other demands including regularisation of staff and clearance of arrears. "Our protest will continue further. Yesterday somebody spread the rumour that the protest has been dismissed and sent us back on work. In the morning, we got to know that the protest is still happening, so we are here again on the strike. Until and unless we are paid on time, we will not stop the strike. Both the Delhi government and the Centre is to be blamed," one of the protesters, Rajesh Karalia, told ANI. Sanitation workers had on Tuesday dumped garbage outside the residence of Trilokpuri's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raju Dhingan. On Monday after meeting a delegation of sanitation workers, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters that Rs 119 crore has been provided to the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) for providing salaries. The indefinite strike by the sanitation workers of the EDMC, which entered its fifth day today, left the trans-Yamuna region reeling under a garbage crisis, with waste dumped in the open in several areas from Laxmi Nagar to Patparganj. The strike in 2015 was called off on the intervention of the Delhi High Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said the day is not far when Pakistan will be recognised as a "minorities-friendly country" during a visit to the Katas Raj Temples complex in Chakwal. "We have promoted the vision with our actions that 'to each his own faith, as humanity is our common asset'," the Dawn quoted Sharif, as saying. He said that he has advised government officials to spare no efforts in hosting pilgrims and the protection and expansion of minorities' places of worship. He said he would ensure his full support for the construction of Baba Guru Nanak and Gandhara universities. Sharif referred to historic examples to elaborate that it was a part of the Islamic faith to treat the majority and minorities equally. He said according to the Holy Quran, the God is the God of everyone and "not just Muslims", adding that there should be no distinction on the basis of caste, colour or creed because "we are all one as human beings". Sharif said he is the prime minister of everyone and "not just Muslims" and instructed Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq to restore the holy sites in the area to their original state by renovating them. He also said that terrorism in Pakistan has been controlled and the country is enjoying an economic revival. The Pakistan premier earlier inaugurated a water filtration plant in the complex. The filtration plant set up at the temple's holy Amrat Jal pond will provide clean drinking water to the Hindu pilgrims visiting the place. Sharif also planted a sapling on temple premises. He also visited different sections of the temple where he was briefed about its historic significance. Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yusuf and ETPB Chairman Siddiqul Farooq accompanied the prime minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a veiled support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its 'Anusuchit Swabhimaan Sammelan', the Janata Dal United (JD-U) on Wednesday said it is the nature of politics to speak for vulnerable and for the communities who have been marginalised. JD (U) leader Pawan Verma said told ANI that the political parties must be given the freedom to speak for the rights of the downtrodden, the vulnerable and the exploited without committing violence or social division. "I fully respect the Supreme Court and its judgements especially to the matter in the extremely backward classes or to schedule tribes who have been denied such rights on an institutional basis for millennium... I say this with honest concern with due respect for the Supreme Court. It is the nature of politics where you speak for the vulnerable, where you speak for the downtrodden, exploited. And to speak for the communities who have been marginalised," he said. Clearing his stand, Verma said what is politics all about if people cannot make things right that is wrong. "I am not saying that BJP's association with the Dalits is something which is actually motivated for the good of the Dalits... But political parties must be given the freedom without creating either violence or social division to speak for the rights of the downtrodden, the vulnerable, and the exploited," he added. The sammelan started from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency, Varanasi, where party SC Morcha state president Kaushal Kishore addressed a gathering in Aurai (SC reserved) on Tuesday. Union Minister Krishna Raj will address the next meet in Gonda district today, and The party has also engaged Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Agra MP Ram Shanker Katheria and other SC leaders to address these meets. The series of sammelans will conclude in Jhansi on January 20. The state has 84 Assembly segments reserved for SCs, and the party is holding 'Anusuchit Swabhimaan Sammelan' in one reserved constituency in each of the 18 divisions in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) News / Local by Alice Dube An irate and sex starved Anglican priest at St Annes Parish in Pumula South, Father Climax Dewa aged 65 allegedly threatened to axe her wife accusing her of being a gold digger.He also accused his wife Doris Dewa (38) of denying him his conjugal rights.Dewa was dragged to court by his wife who had applied for a peace order against the man of the cloth accusing him of physically, emotionally and psychologically abusing her.According to the state controlled Chronicle, an angry Dewa told his wife on 5 January around 1 am that she was a gold digger."She's disrespectful and has become the new man in my house."She no longer treats me as her husband as was the case before," he told magistrate Nyaradzo Ringisai.Doris said she was chased away from the house and ordered never to return.Dewa escaped with a warning ordered to seek counselling with his wife. Asserting that ties between India and America have been strengthened throughout the eight years of the Barack Obama administration, the United States has asserted that India plays an important role not is the region but in the "global" mix as well. State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner praised the work of U.S. Ambassador to India Richard Verma, saying he has done a tremendous work, while stating that new administration was also recognizing the important of New Delhi's role. "I think that U.S.-India relations have been strengthened throughout these past eight years of the Obama Administration. It's obviously a key - a core relationship for the United States. And I think in terms of where that relationship goes, the sky's the limit, both economically, security, what have you," Toner said. He further said that even President-elect Donald Trump has commented on the importance that India plays, not just in the region but in the global mix, which is resource-rich and also India's outsized role in global issues. "And so I think we're going to continue to work hard to strengthen that relationship going forward, no matter who's president," Toner added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Continuing their fight against demonetisation, the Trinamool Congress on Wednesday asserted that everyone is deeply affected by it and asked the President to intervene to stop this emergency. "On the first day of winter session of Parliament on November 16, our chairperson and the Chief Minister of Bengal Mamta Banerjee led a delegation on the subject of demonetisation and the pain and suffering it was causing to millions across the country. TMC's 46 MPs were also part of the delegation which went to meet the President," TMC leader, Derek O' Brien said. He added that around 35 per cent of job losses have been reported in the micro and the small scale industries, saying that the Prime Minister is accountable and responsible for the 120 deaths happened because of this move. "Jobs are being lost across the country whether it's fishermen, farmers, plantation workers, housewives, students, retailers or traders. Everyone is deeply affected by demonetisation. We brought this to the notice of the President. After outlining the grim situation and the acute crisis, after sharing it with the President, we call this a super emergency," O' Brien said. The Trinamool Congress led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has opposed this move, he added. "The TMC is not scared by these dirty tricks of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the government. We are deeply thankful to the honorable President, who himself has expressed his strong views on this subject. We have again asked him to intervene to stop this emergency," O' Brien said. Mamta Banerjee appealed to President Pranab Mukherjee to save the nation by setting up another government as the ruling dispensation is incapable of running the Centre. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Looks like Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's fight is yet not over, even after breaking all the ties. The 30-year-old actress recently filed legal documents, claiming the 'Black Mass' actor has defied their settlement by refusing to pay her installments for the seven million dollars settlement they struck, reports TMZ. Firing back, Depp said Heard has dragged her feet in the settlement and not signed the documents needed to seal the deal. Adding to this, the actor, who asked the judge to slap his former wife with 1,00,000 dollars in sanctions, stated that Heard doesn't really want the divorce. His lawyers, in legal documents, said, "It is clear that she is intent on prolonging resolution and continuing litigation as long as the public's attention will allow." On other hand, in her declaration, the 30-year-old actress stated that it is Depp who has dragged his feet in the divorce. She said in her documents, "I want my life back. I want to be divorced from Johnny now. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman, around 34-years-old, died while traveling to Varanasi from Mumbai, in a Spicejet flight SG 704. She was not feeling well and around 9:45 a.m. she called out the flight attendants for aid. An inboard doctor examined her condition. The flight landed at around 10:15 a.m. and she was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital where she was declared dead. According to reports, her condition was not received well by inboard crew. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Barack Obama said goodbye to his nation today in an emotional address enriched withwisdom and optimism, asserting that he would never give up on his vision for change and reminding Americans that they made him a better leader. "This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it," Obama said from a packed hall of supporters in his adopted hometown. "After eight years as your President, I still believe that," he went on. "And it's not just my belief. It's the beating heart of our American idea -- our bold experiment in self-government." As he spoke before a loud crowd of supporters, Obama was interrupted often with screams of "I Love you Obama." A protester holding a "Pardon All of Us" sign, chanting of "four more years" drowned out the shouts. Acknowledging his successor Donald Trump, saying he was committed to a peaceful transition of power, Obama warned that going forward Democrats shouldn't fall in line with their commander-in-chief. "Democracy does not require uniformity," Obama said. "Our founders quarreled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity -- the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one." Obama further urged Americans to work harder to understand each other's struggles. "Brown kids will represent a larger share of America's workforce" in the years ahead, Obama proclaimed, calling for better rules that will help the children of immigrants succeed. He warned that "laws alone won't be enough" in resolving persistent differences between Americans. "Hearts must change," he said. The President stated that African-Americans and minorities must view with empathy "the middle-aged white man who from the outside may seem like he's got all the advantages, but who's seen his upended by economic, cultural, and technological change." And he urged whites to regard the protests of minorities as a fight "not demanding special treatment, but the equal treatment our Founders promised." "Regardless of the station we occupy, we have to try harder," Obama said. "To start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do; that they value hard work and family like we do; that their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own." Obama then turned his address towards his family, and in a voice quivering with emotion, called on his wife and two daughters, thanking them for their constant love and support. "Michelle -- for the past twenty-five years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend. You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud," he said. Declaring to the how proud he was of his daughters - Sasha and Malia, Obama stated that under the strangest of circumstances, they have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. "You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad," he added. The cheers of the crowds almost refused to die down when Obama turned his attention to Vice President and good friend Joe Biden, saying that he had gained a brother in him. "To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother. We love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our life," the President said. He ended his address by reiterating the slogan from his campaign, "Yes We Can. Yes We Did," to a thunderous applause that refused to die down. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has invited comments on the draft notification of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules), 2016. The Ministry will be notifying the proposed draft Rules in the Gazette of India for public information. Any interested person can make any suggestion on the said draft rules in writing for consideration of the Central Government to the Deputy Secretary, Animal Welfare Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi, within 30 days of such publication of the Rules. Interacting with media-persons, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, said that till now there were no Rules in the country on the breeding, sale and purchase of dogs. The Minister expressed the hope that the shops and sale and purchase of dogs will be made online. Objective of the Rules: The objective of the Rules is to make dog breeders and their marketers accountable and to prevent infliction of any cruelty in this process. There were also no specific rules, or guidelines for mandatory registration of breeders and establishments and requirements to be met by such breeders. Dog breeding and their marketing trade also mushroomed all around. At times, some cruelty has been caused in breeding and marketing of dogs, with little or no accountability. Process: The proposed Rules provide as under:- (i) It will be mandatory for all dog breeders and the dog breeding establishments to register themselves with the State Animal Welfare Board of the respective State Governments. (ii) It defines the breeding requirements/conditions for sale. (iii) It defines the requirements to be met by the breeders and the establishments used for breeding, or housing dogs, such as health-related requirements, housing facilities, manner of housing dogs, conditions for sale, breeding, micro-chipping, vaccination etc. (iv) An inspector authorised by the State Board can inspect the establishment. (v) It is mandatory for dog breeders to maintain proper records of both male and female dogs, their breed, micro-chip number, number of litters, sale, purchase, death, rehabilitation etc. (vi) Every dog breeder is required to submit yearly report to the State Board regarding animals sold, traded, bartered, brokered, given away, boarded or exhibited during previous year or any other information asked for by the State Board. Violation of Rules: Non-compliance of the proposed Rules will lead to cancellation of the registration of the dog breeder. The Ministry has implemented Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain, or suffering on animals. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From 85.61% to 91.94% Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India announced that the Company, through Covington S.a.r. I, Luxembourg (Covington), its step down subsidiary, has increased its stake in Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland (HCR) by acquiring additional 6.33% stake in the share capital of HCR and consequently, its stake in HCR has been increased from 85.61% to 91.94%. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Appointed date for project is 05 January 2017 MEP Infrastructure Developers announced that MEP Nagpur Ring Road 1 ("MEP NRR1"), a Subsidiary of the Company, had entered into a Concession Agreement with The National Highways Authority of India ("NHAI") dated 19 May 2016 for Four Laning Stand Alone Ring Road/ Bypass for the Nagpur City Package I from Km 0+500 to Km 34+000 (Design 33+500 Km) in the State of Maharashtra on BOT (Hybrid Annuity) basis. MEP NRR1 had achieved the Financial Closure in terms of the Concession Agreement executed with NHAI ("the Authority"), by tying up of Project Finance of Rs.238.95 crore on 14 October 2016. The Authority now has given 05 January 2017 as the Appointed Date for the project vide letter dated 09 January 2017. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the Baa3 ratings of India's three state-owned oil refining and marketing companies -- Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL). Moody's has also assigned Baa3 ratings to the foreign currency senior unsecured bonds to be issued by BPRL International Singapore Pte. Ltd. and guaranteed by BPCL. The issuance is in the form of a drawdown from an MTN program. The outlook on the ratings of all three oil refining and marketing companies is positive. A list of affected ratings can be found at the end of this press release. RATINGS RATIONALE "The ratings affirmation reflects the continued improvement in the credit metrics of the three oil refining and marketing companies, as diminished levels of fuel subsidies and moderated working capital requirement -- resulting from low oil prices -- have reduced borrowings," says Vikas Halan, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Credit Officer. The sustained decline in crude oil prices since June 2014, along with the deregulation of diesel prices since October 2014, has led to a structural decline in total subsidies in India. The amount of subsidies had fallen to INR276 billion in fiscal 2016 from INR 1.4 trillion in fiscal 2014. For the six months ended 30 September (1H FY2017), subsidies totaled INR78 billion. Furthermore, the earnings of the oil refining and marketing companies have improved as the commissioning of new capacity and higher marketing margins have more than offset weaker refining margins. "We expect the earnings of the state-owned refiners to improve as their additional capacities become fully operational during fiscal 2018," says Halan, who is also the lead analyst for the oil refining and marketing companies at Moody's. As a result of better earnings and lower borrowings, the credit metrics of the oil refining and marketing companies have improved to levels that are more consistent with a higher BCA. Debt/EBITDA for all three had dropped below 2x as of fiscal 2016 against more than 3x-4x in fiscal 2014. RCF/debt was above 35%-40% for fiscal 2016. These and other metrics position the companies strongly relative to previous expectation. Consequently, Moody's has upgraded the baseline credit assessments (BCAs) of all three oil refining and marketing companies to ba1 from ba2. However, the companies will continue expanding their capacities in line with the growth in demand for petroleum products in India. Such investments have long gestation periods, thereby resulting in negative free cash flows at certain points of their investment cycle. Further, the oil refining and marketing companies plan to invest in upstream assets through acquisitions. BPCL and IOC invested $1 billion in 2016, buying upstream assets in Russia. The continued need to expand capacity and investment in upstream assets could result in increased borrowings and weaker credit metrics, especially if refining or marketing margins decline. The BCAs already incorporate a moderate deterioration in credit metrics. Nevertheless, we expect their fundamental stand-alone credit profile to remain well positioned at the current level. The three oil refining and marketing companies are government-related issuers (GRIs) and their ratings incorporate their BCAs plus a one-notch uplift reflecting our expectation for government support. Their Baa3 ratings and positive outlook are in line with India's sovereign rating and outlook. The BCAs could be upgraded further if the oil refining and marketing companies continue to manage their capacity expansion plans in such a way that their credit metrics continue to remain strong for their BCAs. Specifically, RCF/debt staying above 20%-25% and EBIT/interest staying above 5x-6x will be indicative of upward pressure on the BCAs. An upgrade of the BCAs will not automatically lead to an upgrade of the issuer ratings. The final ratings will only be upgraded if the sovereign rating is upgraded. The BCAs could be downgraded if the oil refining and marketing companies engage in more aggressive debt-funded expansion or acquisitions, such that their credit metrics weaken significantly. Specifically, RCF/debt falling below 10%-15% and EBIT/interest below 4x-5x will be indicative of downward pressure on the BCAs. A downgrade of the BCAs will not automatically result in a downgrade of the issuer ratings. The issuer ratings may face downward pressure if (1) the rating of the sovereign is lowered or (2) the government makes changes to the subsidy framework that are negative for oil refining and marketing companies, or (3) the oil refining and marketing companies' BCAs deteriorate below ba3, or (4) the relationship between the oil refining and marketing companies and the government changes, which would require a reassessment of the level of support incorporated into the ratings. The proposed foreign currency bonds are rated at the same level as BPCL's foreign currency issuer rating because the bonds are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by BPCL and the guarantee is pari passu to all senior unsecured obligations of BPCL. List of ratings affirmed . Issuer: Indian Oil Corporation .. Foreign Currency Issuer Rating, Baa3 .. Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Baa3 . Issuer: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation .. Foreign Currency Issuer Rating, Baa3 . Issuer: Bharat Petroleum Corporation .. Foreign Currency Issuer Rating, Baa3 .. Senior Unsecured MTN Program, (P) Baa3 .. Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Baa3 List of ratings assigned . Issuer: BPRL International Singapore .. Backed Senior Unsecured MTN Program, (P) Baa3 .. Backed Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Baa3 Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Moody's Investors Service says that its Asian Liquidity Stress Index (Asian LSI) fell to 30.3% in December from 31.1% in November. "Despite the improvement to 30.3% in December, the Asian LSI remains above the long-term average of 22.6%, highlighting the continued weakness in corporate liquidity across Asia," says Brian Grieser, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Analyst. The index measures the percentage of high-yield companies with SGL-4 scores and increases when speculative-grade liquidity appears to deteriorate. The Asian LSI reading of 30.3% in December is well below the record high of 37.0% reached in December 2008 amid the global financial crisis, according to the report. During December, the liquidity stress sub-index for North Asian high-yield issuers decreased to 32.5% from 34.2% in November. Within this portfolio, the Chinese sub-index decreased to 34.3% from 35.7%. At the same time, the Chinese high-yield property sub-index remained at 20.0% from, while the Chinese high-yield industrial sub-index decreased to 53.3% from 56.7%. Meanwhile, the liquidity stress sub-index for South and Southeast Asian high-yield issuers increased to 26.2% from 25.6%, and the Indonesian sub-index remained at 26.3%. In December, Moody's downgraded two high-yield issuers, bringing the total downgrades of high-yield issuers in 2016 to 50, compared to seven upgrades. This results in an annual downgrade/upgrade ratio of 7.14x, the highest level since Q4 2009. Across Moody's portfolio of 122 rated high-yield issuers, the percentage of negative leaning outlooks -- meaning ratings with either a negative outlook or on review for downgrade -- declined to 35.2% in December from 36.1% in November. At the end of December, Moody's rated 122 speculative-grade non-financial corporates in Asia (excluding Japan and Australia) with rated debt of $61.4 billion. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) News / National by Staff reporter Government will now proceed to sign the concession agreement for the $800 million Beitbridge-Harare and Harare-Chirundu roads dualisation project, paving way for work to commence within the next three months.The move will culminate in ground-breaking ceremonies for the highways in early February.There have been delays in signing the agreement with the identified contractor Geiger Investments as Government waited for Japanese company JICA's feedback.The grant to cover the work on the mountainous area around Makuti was availed following President Mugabe's visit to Japan last year where several deals were inked.Delays in getting the Japanese company's input on the scope of the grant had stalled the signing of the agreement as Government weighed its options.Experts from the company were in the country last year to conduct a feasibility study on the stretch of the road notorious for hairpin curves and steep gradients.It is not yet clear if the grant will cover only the 20km mountainous stretch or will extend to Chirundu.Addressing road authorities in Chinhoyi on Monday, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said the grant was a cheaper financing option."My officers are going ahead and preparing the concession agreement so that we sign with the company that has done the feasibility study, which amounted to $800m," said Dr Gumbo."We had stopped working on the agreement hoping that the Japanese company will get back to us with indications on the grant they are willing to commit, and how much it will cost."We expected that by December, we would have received the response."He said adjustments can be made once the Japanese company makes its commitment, which will be subtracted from the $800m loan facility.Grants are generally cheaper than loans and the grant from the Japanese company is expected to significantly reduce the cost of constructing the road.This means that if the grant is for $200 million then it will be subtracted from the $800m loan facility, making it cheaper.Dualisation of the two roads is expected to gobble a combined $2,134 billion, including $336 million for the construction of the Harare ring road.The meeting brought together road authorities from Mashonaland West province, including officials from local authorities, the District Development Fund, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and Members of Parliament.Norton legislator Mr Temba Mliswa expressed concern at the delays being caused by waiting to get feedback from the Japanese company.He said people continued to die due to the poor state of the country's roads.Chegutu East legislator Webster Shamu said a mechanism should be put in place to ensure that locals benefited through the 40 percent quota set for the road dualisation project.Dr Gumbo said while Government was committed to empowering its people, some locals were actually fronting for external companies."It is disheartening that some people choose to become the face of external companies so that they deprive local ones," he said. "It's better to have that quota filled by Zimbabweans so that the money remains here."Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development Dexter Nduna said more avenues of improving revenue to be channelled towards road maintenance should be implemented.He said Government, that has a fleet of 207 000 vehicles, should be made to pay vehicle licence and toll gate fees."That is a big constituency that should be contributing towards road maintenance through paying fees the same way Government workers pay taxes," he said.He said the country should increase road access fees for foreign vehicles from $10 to $20, so that it helps in improving the state of the roads.Dr Gumbo said the proposals will be tabled in Cabinet. Shares of three public sector oil marketing companies rose 0.53% to 1.99% at 11:30 IST on BSE after crude oil prices dropped in the previous session. HPCL (up 1.99%), BPCL (up 0.64%) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) (up 0.53%) edged higher. HPCL, BPCL and IOCL had gained 3.26%, 0.86% and 1.08%, respectively, in the preceding session. The S&P BSE Sensex was up 143.01 points or 0.53% at 27,043.21. Lower crude oil prices could decrease under-recoveries of public sector oil marketing companies (PSU OMCs) on domestic sale of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene at controlled prices. The government has already freed pricing of petrol and diesel. In global commodities markets, Brent for March 2017 settlement was up 10 cents at $53.74 a barrel. The contract had dropped $1.3 a barrel or 2.36% to settle at $53.64 a barrel during previous trading session. Crude oil prices edged up today, 11 January 2017, lifted by a small supply cut by crude exporter Saudi Arabia, but markets remained under pressure from signs that the planned Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) output reductions were being poorly implemented and as supplies from elsewhere rose. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suzlon Energy rose 3.48% to Rs 15.47 at 10:47 IST on BSE after the company said it secured a 226.80 megawatt contract from an independent power producer. The announcement was made during market hours today, 11 January 2017. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 130.47 points or 0.49% at 27,030.03. On the BSE, 42 lakh shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 40.30 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 15.70 and a low of Rs 15 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 21.95 on 11 January 2016 and a 52-week low of Rs 12.47 on 9 November 2016. The mid-cap company has equity capital of Rs 1004.88 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2. Suzlon Energy announced that it was awarded 226.80 megawatt (MW) contract from a leading independent power producer (IPP). The order consists of 108 units of S111 90m tubular tower with rated capacity of 2.1 MW. The project will be located in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, and is scheduled for completion by March 2017. The company has entered into an exclusive supply and installation agreement (SIA) and engineering and construction of the project. It will also be responsible for operation and maintenance services with dedicated life cycle asset management services for an initial period of 10 years. The project has the potential to provide power to over 1.20 lakh households and reduce 0.48 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum. On a consolidated basis, Suzlon Energy reported net profit of Rs 237.62 crore in Q2 September 2016 as against net loss of Rs 201.66 crore in Q2 September 2015. Net sales rose 57.30% to Rs 2746.18 crore in Q2 September 2016 over Q2 September 2015. Suzion Energy is one of the leading renewable energy solutions providers in the world with an international presence across 19 countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa and North and South America. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Motors will be watched. The Tata Motors Group global wholesales rose 4% to 95,081 units in December 2016 over December 2015. Global wholesales of all Tata Motors' commercial vehicles and Tata Daewoo range fell 5% to 30,879 units in December 2016 over December 2015. Global wholesales of all passenger vehicles rose 8% to 64,202 units in December 2016 over December 2015. Global wholesales for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) were 53,063 vehicles (*Contains CJLR volume of 8,184 for the month of December 2016). Jaguar wholesales for the month were 15,879 vehicles, while Land Rover wholesales for the month were 37,184 vehicles. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 January 2017. Somany Ceramics said that the company has issued commercial paper of Rs 15 crore value dated 10 January 2017 having maturity on 24 March 2017. The issuance of commercial paper is to reduce high interest bearing cash credit limits and in turn reducing cost of borrowing. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 January 2017. Endurance Technologies said that the company's wholly owned subsidiary in Germany, Endurance Amann GmbH, has commenced operations at its new machining plant from 10 January 2017. The plant is located at Massenbachhausen, Germany, in proximity to the existing two plants of Endurance Amann GmbH. The new plant admeasuring about 4,500 square meters will contain machining operations, warehouse and office facilities. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 January 2017. Hind Rectifiers said that its board will meet on 15 January 2017, to consider, in principle, the issue of equity shares on a right basis to the existing equity shareholders of the company. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 January 2017. Shiva Cement said that the board of directors of the company at its meeting held on 10 January 2017, has approved the potential sale of certain shares held by the promoters of the company to JSW Cement and to execute the share purchase agreement or such other agreements as may be required for giving effect to the potential transactions. The announcement was made before market hours today, 11 January 2017. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An additional 300 US soldiers arrived in Poznan, western Poland, on Wednesday after Nato decided to reinforce its eastern flank on Russia's border. The troops arrived from Frankfurt and joined close to 1,000 others, US armour and heavy material already on Polish soil, Efe news reported. A series of ceremonies are scheduled across Poland on Saturday to welcome the troops Zagan Base in southeast Poland will be the main welcoming venue for the US soldiers with the attendance of Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo and Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz. The current deployment of US troops in Poland reaches 4,000, supported by 90 tanks, 18 self-propelled howitzers, 144 Bradley combat vehicles and 400 Humvee wheeled vehicles. After their first joint manoeuvres in Poland, the units will be deployed to Bulgaria, Romania and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. With every step Nato takes to reinforce its presence on the Russian border, Moscow responds with an equal or larger counter-deployment of troops and weapons. --IANS soni/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's top anti-graft body on Wednesday said over 6,000 Communist Party members were responsible for corruption last year. They were held accountable for undesirable work styles, Xinhua news agency quoted the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) as saying. After coming to power in 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a drive against corruption. Many top officials have been prosecuted. Many have been paraded on TV channels and confessed to wrongdoing. Party members who violated policies on undesirable workstyles accounted for 43 percent of all members castigated for incompetence in implementing accountability and supervision, the corruption watchdog said. Over 2,000 Party members were held accountable for regional and systemic corruption while over 6,100 heads of party committees were blamed for various other issues. From January to November last year, over 11,200 cases involving violations of regulations were found and 14,800 people from 780 party organisations were reprimanded. --IANS gsh/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Embarrassed by its candidate's decision to join the Congress, the AAP on Wednesday cancelled the candidature of its nominee for Amritsar-Central assembly seat Darbari Lal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had named Darbari Lal, a former Congressman, as its candidate on January 7, after cancelling the candidature of Rajinder Kumar. The AAP was forced to cancel Kumar's candidature after the party was criticised for fielding someone accused of damaging a model of the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines, at the Amritsar railway station some years back. While Darbari Lal joined the Congress in Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh, the AAP did a flip-flop on the announcement of cancellation of his candidature. Punjab AAP Convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich first said Lal's candidature had been cancelled due to ill health and that he was admitteed in a hospital and unable to campaign. An AAP spokesman later issued another statement saying Lal's candidature has been cancelled following "serious allegations of corruption surfacing against him". Lal left the Congress in 2014 to join the BJP. He joined the AAP last year. --IANS js/nir/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slamming Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for comparing the Congress party symbol 'Hand' with the hands of Guru Nanak, Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal on Wednesday described the analogy as "shocking in the extreme and unpardonable". Former Union Minister and senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa lamented that Rahul chose to compare the "killer hand of the Congress party and the holiest image of Guru Nanak Dev's hand of benevolence" in his speech at a Congress convention at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. "Rahul Gandhi's speech had grievously hurt the religious sentiments of the devout believers and followers of Guru Nanak Dev ji the world over," Dhindsa said. Calling upon Congress leaders, including Amarinder Singh to "express their strongest disapproval of Rahul Gandhi's sacrilegious statement", Dhindsa said: "This is the most horrendous comparison which no one in his senses would ever dare to draw." Citing the Congress election symbol the 'Hand', Gandhi said, "The Congress symbol is in Lord Shiva's picture. The gods in every religion are showing the Congress symbol." "When I see the image of Guru Nanak Dev ji, I see the Congress symbol, 'Hand', in his hand," Rahul said. Reacting angrily, Dhindsa said: "Has he lost his mind, really? Was he even in his senses when he made that most shocking speech? It is too shocking to even believe that Rahul Gandhi actually compared the bloody hand of his party with the divine hand of Guru Nanak Sahib." "Rahul should also have remembered that the Congress hand is spattered with the blood of thousands of innocent Sikhs who follow the teachings of the great Guru and dedicate their lives to his great legacy. Does he know how Guru Sahib had actually shown blood dripping from the food offered to him by the tyrant Malik Bhago. The same is true of the Congress symbol of 'Hand'," Dhindsa said. He said that "it was beyond anybody's wildest imagination that the Congress party and its leaders would once again indulge in such outrageous acts of disrespect to our great gurus and their legacy." "All Sikhs in the Congress party should openly declare their opposition to this comparison. They must dissociate themselves from this remark and must demonstrate that their first allegiance is to the great Gurus and not to the Gandhi family or its scion, Rahul," Dhindsa said. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders had earlier compared the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, with their party manifesto and had even put the AAP party symbol broom along the sacred image of the holiest of Sikh shrines, Harmandir Sahib. --IANS js/lok/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With an aim to drive digital literacy among tribal entrepreneurs in Gujarat, Amazon India on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Tribal Development Department (TDD) during the "Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017" here. As part of the MoU, Amazon India will educate, train and enable tribal entrepreneurs to directly sell their products to Amazon customers in India and across the globe. "This initiative will help tribal artisans in grading and standardising their product which will be available to the Amazon customer base across the globe," said Ravi Shankar, Commissioner, TDD, Government of Gujarat, in a statement. Amazon India will also engage with tribal artisans across Gujarat to train -- especially women entrepreneurs -- on making the products more attractive, appealing and marketable across the online domain, the company said. The product portfolio will include unique tribal products such as bamboo crafts, warli painting, pithora painting, bhada painting, clay craft, minor forest produces (like honey, musli, tamarind), herbal medicines, embroidery items and tribal food items. "The integration will provide a massive fillip to the entire local ecosystem, thereby catalysing the economic development of the tribal community of Gujarat," added Gopal Pillai, Director and General Manager (Seller Services) Amazon India. Amazon India has so far enabled over 150,000 sellers to grow and scale profitably online, he added. --IANS qd/na/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two infiltrating militants were killed on Wednesday on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district as the army foiled an infiltration bid, said defence sources. A group of heavily-armed militants was challenged by alert troops on the Indian side of the LoC Wednesday morning, but opened fire instead, triggering a gunfight in which two of the intruders were killed, said the sources. "The infiltration bid has been foiled," said a source. Reports from the area said Pakistan Army had provided covering fire to facilitate the infiltration. --IANS sq/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) If a story is "good" and one that appeals to the masses, language is no barrier for its reach, says Karaan Gulliani, who has directed Priyanka Chopra's maiden Punjabi production "Sarvann". The film is releasing on Friday. Gulliani, who found Priyanka to be a hands-on producer, told IANS here: "From the beginning of the film, she told me not to change any frame or the script and her small but crucial suggestion helped me to make the film better. She has a high conviction." Asked if Priyanka's involvement has given better mileage to the film and has helped it to reach out to a wider audience, he said: "I believe that art has no language. Therefore, if the story is good and mass appealing, language cannot stop to its reach to a mass audience. "Having said that, I must say that more than anything else, Priyanka has a great creative sensibility. So if the regional film industry will get many more sensitive producers like her, needless to say, it would be great." The film features Amrinder Gill as protagonist Mithu, who comes back to India from abroad to find his roots. "I think at a young age, we are all rebellious and with age and experience of life, the realisation crosses our mind about how our parents are right and the value and importance of our cultural roots. The film talks about it," Gulliani said. The movie also features Simi Chahal and Ranjit Bawa. --IANS aru/rb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) News / National by Staff reporter The Ministry of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Ex-Political Prisoners Detainees and Restrictees has appealed to heads of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions not to turn away children of war veterans who have not paid their fees.The Minister, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube told journalists that government is fully committed to discharging its constitutional duty of paying fees for the children of war veterans.The minister appealed to heads at primary, secondary and tertiary institutions not to turn away any students who have not paid, saying the funds which treasury has already allocated, will be released in due course.The war veterans' ministry owes a total of US$37 million dollars to different institutions of learning since 2013.Last year's arrears stand at US$3,4 million according to the ministry. BJP MP and Union Minister Babul Supriyo on Wednesday expressed his inability to appear at the Alipore police station on Thursday in connection with a complaint lodged against him by a Trinamool Congress MLA. Mahua Moitra, the MLA, alleged in her complaint that Supriyo made derogatory comments with an intent to insult her. "I will be out of Kolkata for prior engagements in Asansol. I will not be able to make it on 12th Jan 2017, as requested by you," Supriyo wrote in response to a notice issued to him by the city police for appearing at the Alipore police station. The Union Minister has been booked under Section 509 of the IPC (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) following the FIR lodged by Moitra on January 4. "You are hereby requested to appear at the Alipore Police Sation on 12.01.2017 at 12.00 hrs positively for the purpose of investigation," the notice said. The Trinamool leader lodged police complaint against Supriyo for allegedly insulting her modesty twice on a national television. "During my speech, Babul Supriyo asked 'Mahua, are you on Mahua' (Mahua are you inebriated). He asked me twice on a national television," she said. --IANS mgr/ssp/nir/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the BJP, accusing it of spreading "fear" wherever it is in power in the country. "Policies introduced by the Congress have helped the people of this country to be fearless," Gandhi said speaking at the Jan Vedna party convention held here to highlight the "sufferings of people" post demonetisation. "But what has (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji done? He has made farmers of the country fear and also said that I shall snatch your land if you don't listen to me," Gandhi said, referring to the land acquisition act. "If there is any natural calamity then also the government won't give any compensation to farmers. If any tribal man stands and says that it is my land, forest or home, he is shot dead," Gandhi alleged. "Whether it is Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, wherever they go they spread fear," the Congress leader said, referring to the BJP-ruled states. "It is a clash between two philosophies. Congress says 'daro mat' (don't fear), BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) says 'daro aur darao' (create fear and frighten)," Gandhi said. Gandhi also said that wherever "we (Congress) go we spread the message of fearlessness". Citing the Congress election symbol the 'palm' Gandhi said, "The Congress symbol is in Lord Shiva's picture. The gods in every religion are showing the Congress symbol." "People of the country don't need to fear from anything. This country is strong and not weak. People of the country are aware and they know that they don't have shortage of anything," Gandhi said. Gandhi also slammed Modi and his ministers for "undermining" the strength of the country and said, "After the surgical strikes one of his ministers said that 'today Indian soldiers have done a job like that of the Israeli forces'." "What does this mean? Was the capability of Indian forces lesser than of the Israeli troops?" he asked. "I say our army is ahead of Israeli forces," the Congress leader said. Slamming Modi, Gandhi said, "He doesn't believe in the people of the country. "They (BJP) hate the reality of the country, and the reality is that we love each other," Gandhi said. "Wherever he goes, he only talks about future; is India such in a bad place?" Gandhi asked. --IANS aks/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China will not sit quietly if India boosts military ties with Vietnam to counter Beijing, a Chinese newspaper warned on Wednesday. An op-ed in Global Times also told New Delhi not to "stir up troubles" in Southeast Asia. "If the Indian government genuinely treats its enhancement of military relations with Vietnam as a strategic arrangement or even revenge against Beijing, it will only create disturbances in the region and China will hardly sit with its arms crossed," said the daily which is said to represent the views of the Chinese leadership. According to reports, India is in talks with Vietnam to sell indigenous surface-to-air missile system. "This was supposed to be a normal arms sale, yet was portrayed by the Indian media as a response 'to counter the Chinese threat.'" the daily said. It said it was natural for New Delhi to deepen its ties with Hanoi, which is a pillar of India's Act East Policy. It, however, cautioned that "such ties should be built for the sake of peace and stability in the region, rather than stirring up troubles or anxiety for others. "However, when India and Vietnam are in talks about possible sales, New Delhi seems to keep taking a sneak peak at Beijing, as if the deal is stealthily aimed at China." During an official visit to Hanoi in September 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced $500 million defence credit line to Vietnam, which is dubbed as "principal protagonist," in the South China Sea --claimed by Beijing. It said Indian experts and media describing Vietnam as China's backyard reflected "India's outdated diplomatic mindset". The article said "due to geopolitical factors, some nations have been cosying up to India over the years, which to a large extent contributed to India's fruitful development. "New Delhi understands that the best strategy for itself is to continue its collaboration with all parties, instead of picking a side and turning hostile to one another. "Otherwise, it might not only turn others' troubles to its own puzzles, but also suffer enormous losses of development opportunities. "India has a dream to grow into a great power. But under today's international circumstances, it will be extraordinarily hard to achieve the goal on its own. "What India needs is more pragmatic cooperation with other countries." The newspaper, run by the China's Communist Party, hoped that India will join the Belt and Road project. "This will help promote the country's infrastructure construction, improve connectivity within the region and may even turn into a push to solve the India-Pakistan contradictions." India has been non-committal to China's ambitious project. New Delhi has opposed the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through Pakistan-administered Kashmir claimed by India. "It is hoped that the hype in the Indian media does not represent the country's government. There are divergences between Beijing and New Delhi, yet there are more common interests that await the two to explore." --IANS gsh/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A deal was reached between the Syrian government and the rebels to fix the damaged spring facility that supplies water to the capital, the state TV said on Wednesday. The government and rebels concluded a "preliminary agreement" with the leaders of the rebel groups in Barada Valley, which included reconciliation with some rebel groups, and evacuating others out of the area to the northwestern province of Idlib, Xinhua news agency reported. The deal allows government maintenance workers to enter Barada to fix the Ain Fijeh springs, the main water source of the capital, which has been cut off since December 23. It also entails that the rebels hand over their heavy weaponry to the Syrian Army, which will enter the area to clear it from mines and explosive devices. Governor of Damascus countryside, Alaa Ibrahim, said rebel leaders will pressure foreign militants to leave Barada Valley, adding that the agreement viability will become clear within the next few hours. The report said that a few towns in the valley have already started the "reconciliation" process with the government, as rebels surrendered to government forces in exchange for amnesty. Previous attempts to reach a truce between rebels and the government in Barada failed, leading to a widescale military offensive by the Syrian Army backed by the Hezbollah group against Barada Valley, to which the rebels responded by severing the water supply to Damascus. Barada wasn't considered by the government a part of the Turkish-Russian sponsored ceasefire which went into force on December 30, as the area is largely controlled by the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, designated as a terrorist group. Thus it was excluded from any settlement in Syria. However, Nusra fighters there cut off the water from Damascus, causing a massive water outage, amid recent reports that water poisoning cases started surfacing as people resort to unsanitary water sources. --IANS soni/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, who was summoned by the Election Commission for his controversial statements on population, said on Wednesday that his remarks were made at a meeting called by religious leaders and he had not taken the name of any religion. He also demanded a Uniform Civil Code on population control. "Whatever I said was not at a public meeting or an election rally. I spoke at a meeting called by religious leaders," Maharaj said after coming out of the Election Commission of India headquarters here. Maharaj said: "I didn't take the name of any religion or community, but only raised concerns over rising population. Population must be controlled, women are not machines to deliver babies." The BJP MP was summoned by the ECI on Tuesday and issued show cause notice saying that it is prima facie of the opinion that he violated the Model Code of Conduct by making "impugned statements". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader on January 7 stirred controversy with his comment in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, that, "Population is rising rapidly, and so are the country's problems. But Hindus are not responsible for this. Those who talk about four wives and 40 children are responsible." The Model Code of Conduct is in place in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh for the Assembly elections. The Supreme Court in a ruling last week said that any appeal for votes on the ground of "religion, race, caste, community or language" amounted to "corrupt practice" under the election law provision. A distributor here has claimed receiving threat letters from Shiv Sena's Chhattisgarh wing over the release of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's forthcoming action crime thriller film "Raees", which also features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. Directed by Rahul Dholakia, "Raees" is slated to release on January 25. Mumbai-based distributor Akshaye Rathi tagged Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray's son and Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Twitter, and posted a snapshot of the letter, which has been written in Devanagari. In a series of Twitter posts, Rathi wrote: "Dear Aditya Thackeray, we have received this threat letter from your Chhattisgarh unit against playing Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees'. Do you endorse it? "Dear Raman Singh and Abhishek Singh, please look into this to let law and order prevail in Chhattisgarh. 'Raees'." The distributor even urged Shah Rukh's fans to help him bring the issue to light. "Request all Shah Rukh Khan fans to help me bring this to the notice of Aditya Thackeray. I'm sure he will take action against this nuisance. 'Raees'," he wrote. The letter, which is not addressed to any specific person, warns distributors to oppose the film's release. When IANS contacted Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan, he said none of the northern region distributors had received such a letter so far. "If a film has been cleared for release, then nobody can stop it. 'Raees' will release on January 25. Nobody in our region has received any kind of threat from anyone," Mahajan told IANS. --IANS sas/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A gunman who killed nine black churchgoers in 2015 has been sentenced to death by a federal jury, a media report said on Wednesday. Dylann Roof, 22, was found guilty of 33 counts of crime, including hate crime, the jury concluded after a two-phase trial. It pronounced its verdict on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported. Roof, who had admitted that his actions were driven by racial hate, did not show any sign of remorse during the trial and denied that he had mental health problems. The execution of death penalties was currently on hold due to concerns over injection drugs, which means it could be years before Roof is put to death. Nine people were killed on June 17, 2015 at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina in what the authorities described as "a hate crime" by a white gunman, later identified as Roof. According to the police, Roof stayed at a prayer meeting for almost one hour before opening fire. A law enforcement official was quoted by CNN as saying that witnesses told them that the suspect said he was at the church "to shoot black people." Roof was captured by police on the following morning of the shooting. The case sparked anger in the US and an effort to root out remaining traces of racism in the southern US state. The confederate flag was removed from the statehouse as a result of the shooting. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday allotted broadcast timing to political parties for the upcoming assembly elections in five states. "The facilities will be available from the Regional Kendra of the All India Radio and Doordarshan and in the headquarters of Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. This will be relayed by other stations within the above mentioned States/UTs," the commission said in a statement. A base time of 45 minutes will be given to each national party and recognised state party uniformly on the Doordarshan network and All India Radio in the poll-bound states, the release further said. In a single session of broadcast, no party will be allocated more than 15 minutes. "The Prasar Bharati Corporation, in consultation with the commission, will decide the actual date and time for broadcast and telecast," it added. Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8. --IANS rs/sm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ghaziabad police on Wednesday, arrested electric wire thieves and recovered stolen items worth over Rs 30 lakh from their possession. Talking to reporters, City Superintendent of Police Salman Taj Patil said: "On the tip-off from an informer, the Kavi Nagar police and the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Ghaziabad police nabbed the thieves from Hapur crossing." During interrogation, they confessed to their crimes. Police recovered two bundles of wire, transformer parts, two country-made pistols, two knives, tools to cut wire, cord and a mini truck. "Since electric wire theft is an anti-national act, we are recommending to book them under National Security Act (NSA), Gangster Act in addition to relevant sections of the IPC," Patil said. During verification, a dozen criminal cases were found registered against them in different police stations of their home towns Meerut, Baghpat and Ghaziabad. --IANS sps/vgu/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An emotional Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Wednesday evoked his father's writing to express his love for his homeland, Goa. Costa, who is the first foreign head of government of Goan origin, also said that his visit to India was more than "just a visit to a foreign country". "I feel proud visiting my father's land. This visit is strongly emotional for me. My father went to Lisbon but never left Goa because Goa never left him," Costa said, during a civic reception which was accorded to him in the state capital organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries. "Goa was always present in his works. When I speak of my father, I am reminded of one character in one of his works that says 'Wherever I go or am taken, I will always be in my homeland'," he said, after releasing the English translation of his father, Orlando Costa's Portuguese play "Sem Caras Nem Coros". Orlando Costa was born in the Portuguese colony of Mozambique in 1929, but his family migrated to Goa, whose tropical shores he later left at the age of 18 for Lisbon. The Portuguese Prime Minister who arrived in India on a seven-day state visit last week has already met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and has visited Bengaluru and Gujarat during his official tour. "As a person of Indian original, I was honoured by the invitation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay a state visit to India. This is not just one more visit to a foreign country," he said. During his stay in Delhi Costa's high-level delegation has already worked out various pacts dealing with defence, security, I-T, renewable energy sectors. He is expected to leave for Lisbon early on Friday. --IANS maya/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) News / National by Stephen Jakes Former Education minister David Coltart has praised USA president Barack Obama and his wife for serving their country well during his term of office without an incident of misuse of power and resources."I know by posting this I will be deluged by anti Obama comments. I just ask my friends to consider whether what is written here is truth or not - whether one likes the Obama Presidency's policies or not it is hard to dispute what is written," said Coltart."There have been no scandals - period. Jesus said "the truth shall set us free"."I simply ask my friends, whatever their political persuasions, to consider that. This is not about Trump or Clinton for that matter - it is just about a Presidency which is about to end."As a Zimbabwean I compare the Obama's example of leadership to the last 36 years of Mugabe's rule and, well - there is just no comparison."Obama and Mugabe, and their respective First Ladies, may just have come from different planets so huge is the gulf between them." Slovakia's former politician and actor Milan Knazko shot a robber who tried to rob his villa here on Wednesday. "That's correct, a burglar was there," Knazko was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. He, however, refused to provide any further details about the incident, as a police investigation was still pending. The Slovak news website Cas.sk reported earlier in the day that Knazko mounted resistance to the burglar and shot him with a handgun. Jozef Minar, of the Slovak Emergency Health Service Operational Centre, said that paramedics were despatched to Havlickova Street in Bratislava at 1.34 a.m. (local time) at the request of police. "The police informed us that it apprehended the perpetrator with a gunshot wound in his lower extremity. We treated the 49-year-old man and transported him to hospital," added Minar. Knazko was one of the most popular faces of the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Slovakia. He was Foreign Affairs Minister of Slovakia from 1992 to 1993 and Culture Minister from 1998 to 2002. He also ran unsuccessfully in 2014 for the Slovak President and Bratislava mayor. --IANS soni/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons who thrashed a constable on duty after he asked them to drive their car carefully have been arrested, the Delhi Police said on Wednesday. The accused -- identified as Vishal Sharma, 23; Harish Lohia, resident of Chhattarpur; Navjot Sehrawat, 23, resident of Mahipalpur; and their friend, Yatin Norang, 23, resident of Saidulajab -- were celebrating Harish Lohia's birthday in the running car. "They were apprehended on Tuesday night from their residences after police first traced the address of Lohia, who was the owner of the car, and then held his three other friends in separate raids at their residences," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal told IANS. The incident took place on Monday night at Vasant Kunj area in south Delhi, when their over-speeding car hit a police barricade. "When constable Mohammad Alam, who was on duty there, told them to drive carefully, they came out from their car and started thrashing Alam. Later they fled," Biswal said. --IANS sp/vgu/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a shift from his earlier statement, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday former army chief General (retd.) Raheel Sharif did not seek the governments permission before joining the 39-country Saudi-led military alliance against terrorism. "General (retd.) Raheel Sharif did not submit any application for a no-objection certificate (NOC). There's nothing in our notice," the Defence Minister said in response to Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani's request for a clarification on the matter. If the former army chief applies for the NOC, it will be decided according to the law, said Asif, adding that General Sharif returned to the country after performing Umrah in Mecca. In 2015, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a 39-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism and Pakistan was made a member of the coalition. Riyadh and its Gulf Arab neighbours have been locked in months of warfare with Iran-allied rebels in neighbouring Yemen, launching hundreds of air strikes there. Speaking to Geo TV last week, Asif confirmed that Raheel Sharif had been appointed the commander of the Saudi-led 39-nation military coalition to combat terrorism. The government was taken into confidence about the former army chief's new role, he added. Inquiring if the government's permission was sought before the former army chief "accepted" the role, Rabbani asked Asif as to who confirmed his appointment and what the rules were for a retired military officer to take up such a position. --IANS ahm/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Icy winds at many places in Uttar Pradesh intensified the cold wave in the state on Wednesday, with heavy snowfall in many parts of neighbouring Uttarakhand also contributing to the fall in mercury. Despite bright sunshine from early in the day, icy winds have forced people to stay indoors, while weatherman has predicted similar weather conditions for the next few days. Termed as the 'pacha' winds, the regional Met office said, these icy winds were carrying the winter bite from the hilly regions which have witnessed heavy snowfall over the past few days. The morning temperature in the state capital has fallen by a drastic 6 degree Celsius, while the minimum temperature hovered around 8 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature was logged at 21.6 degrees on Tuesday. The skies are likely to remain clear in some parts of western UP. As a result of poor visibility and fog in western UP, many trains have been delayed by hours, forcing some cancellations by the Northern Railways (NR). The 15098 Amarnath Express, 14649 Saryu Yamuna Express, 13240 Kota-Patna Express, 13483 Farakka Express and the 14258 Kashi-Vishvanath Express have been cancelled for Wednesday, leading to inconvenience to hundreds of passengers. --IANS md/sm/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Wednesday provided assistance of about NRs 619.6 million (IRs 387.5 million) to Nepal's Ministry of Irrigation for construction of embankments on the Kamala, Bagmati and Lalbakaiya rivers. These rivers have been creating perennial flood crisis on the Indian side of the border and India has been providing financial assistance since 2008 for the embankments along these rivers. India's Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae handed a cheque of the assistance amount to Minister for Irrigation Deepak Giri amidst a programme at his ministry here. On the occasion, highlighting various dimensions of the Nepal-India relations, Minister Giri praised the Indian assistance for river control works in Nepal. The Indian Ambassador pledged the continuation of the Indian support and assistance in Nepal's development endeavours and efforts to control natural disasters, including the water-induced ones, in the days ahead. Construction of embankments is an important activity aimed at flood control and water resources management, which benefit several million people inhabiting the watershed of these rivers, said an Indian Embassy statement. With the present assistance, the total grant assistance already disbursed for embankment construction along these rivers stands at over NRs 4.5 billion. Indian Rs 100 is equivalent to Nepali Rs 160. --IANS giri/nir/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japanese Emperor Akihito may relinquish the throne in favour of his son, Crown Prince Naruhito on January 1, 2019, the media here reported on Wednesday. The monarch had earlier expressed his desire to abdicate in August 2016, Efe news reported. It is the first time that a precise date has been given after Akihito's rare televised message where he announced his decision to abdicate, an unprecedented event in Japanese imperial history since the resignation of the Emperor Kokaku in 1817. Japan would usher in a new era with the change of the monarch as each era represents the reign of the emperor during his ruling period: The current "heisie" or peace era began on January 8, 1989, the day after Akihito's father, Emperor Hirohito passed away. The idea of using the natural passage of 2018 to 2019 will limit the impact (for example in administrative matters) of changing the name of the era, according to official sources. Since the emperor's announcement, the government has begun to work on a special legislation that would allow Akihito to abdicate while still alive, which the present Constitution of Japan does not provide for. Although the abdication was expected to take place in 2018, coinciding with the 30th year of the current era, sources said there was not enough time to prepare for the new legislation before this date. The government was expected to present a special bill applying exclusively to Akihito's abdication by the end of January, thus avoiding an amendment to the Constitution, which is a very lengthy and complex procedure. An experts' panel, appointed by the government to collect proposals and manage the abdication process, was expected to present a report to Parliament on January 23. Japanese government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga, however, refuted media reports and said in a press conference on Tuesday that no date has been fixed for the abdication and that the expert panel was focusing on how to alleviate the workload of the emperor. --IANS in/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after an international meeting in Islamabad to pave way for peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, Afghanistan launched a stinging attack on Pakistan for aiding terrorist groups and asked the Security Council to take action on governments promoting extremist violence. The Security Council could devise a method to identify "elements in some 'State institutions' (that) facilitate violence and extremist activities by non-state proxies as a means to advance their foreign policy agenda," Afghanistan's Permanent Representative Mahmoud Saikal said Tuesday. Speaking at the Council debate on Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace, he did not mention Pakistan, but it was clear that he was referring to Islamabad's activities in the region. "The cycle of violence and insecurity in Afghanistan, and our part of the world is inextricably linked to the presence of sanctuaries and safe-havens in the region, from which extremist groups are sustained and enjoy an incessant flow of political, financial, material and logistical support for the continuation of their malicious activities," he said. On an issue with bearing on the meeting in Islamabad on Monday by Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US to facilitate peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, Saikal declared that interactions with "armed groups" active in his country should have Kabul's approval. He said, "Any kind of talks on the situation in my country has neither any value nor legitimacy without the participation and approval of our government which is the most democratically elected administration in the history of our nation." Without naming Islamabad, he added, "We have expressed strong reservations in regards to open declarations by some in our region of their contacts with armed opposition groups active in Afghanistan, conducted without the consent of the Afghan government." (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) --IANS al/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday accused AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of trying to "create a sensation" by alleging that major parties are distributing money to voters in the poll-bound state. "Kejriwal wants to create a sensation. I don't want to give him importance," Parsekar said, responding to allegations levelled by the Delhi Chief Minister in each of his four public meetings in the coastal state that will seeing voting on February 4. Kejriwal had said that both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) offer money to voters during elections and had even exhorted voters to accept the money and then vote for the Aam Aadmi party (AAP). While the BJP has filed a complaint against Kejriwal's comments with the Election Commission of India, the Congress has demanded an apology from the leader for his statement. Elections in five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur -- are being held in February-March. Apart from Punjab, where it is seen as a serious contender, the AAP is hoping to make an impact in this tiny but prosperous state. It has named former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes, 53, as it Chief Ministerial candidate. Gomes, who belonged to the Goa Civil Service, took voluntary retirement in July this year. --IANS maya/py/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Wednesday accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan here, an official said. President Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the visiting dignitary who was presented an impressive Guard of Honour on the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt. Kenyatta, here on a three-day state visit, later met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House for official-level talks. The Kenyan President, who is accompanied by several of his Ministers, arrived in India on January 10. He attended the inaugural session of the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 at Gandhinagar which was declared open by Modi on Tuesday. Kenyatta is also scheduled to meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar during his stay here. --IANS vn/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State John Kerry will attend a conference on peace in the Middle East to be held this Sunday in Paris, the US Department of State said in a statement. This would be his last overseas trip as secretary of state, which would include visits to Vietnam, Britain and Switzerland, Efe news reported on Wednesday. Kerry's presence at that international event evidences his break with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who fears that the conference would deepen his diplomatic isolation. The gap with Netanyahu was clear in December 2016, when the US abstained for the first time in decades in a UN Security Council resolution condemning Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory. The move was then reinforced by the speech that Kerry gave days later to justify that vote in the UN. The current Secretary of State mediated for nine months between 2013 and 2014 in direct peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, but that effort failed. However, US President-elect Donald Trump has promised a rapprochement with Netanyahu from January 20 onwards when Trump assumes office. Trump was expected to resume hard-line unconditional support for the Israeli government's policies. Kerry's last foreign trip as secretary of state would begin on Friday, in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he will meet with Vietnamese senior officials to "discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues," the Department of State said in a statement. After his trip to Paris, Kerry will travel to London on January 16, to meet with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, and address "the situation in Syria and other global and regional issues". Finally, on January 17-18 , Kerry would attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he will be "the featured speaker in a discussion on 21st century diplomacy," the State Department said. --IANS in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opinion / Columnist NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM TRANSFORM ZIMBABWE PRESIDENTFellow Zimbabweans, on behalf of Transform Zimbabwe and all our leadership I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a prosperous 2017.We should be truly grateful having made it through 2016 which was a difficult year and while 2017 may shape up to be difficult for most Zimbabweans, we must remain hopeful and work hard to ensure that brighter days are ahead of us.As we are all aware Zanu-PF leadership has continued to make life increasingly difficult for us and the introduction of bond notes has not helped the suffering of our nation. The future looks murky and our Nation is filled with uncertainty. We however urge all citizens to remain hopeful and resilient as we must now work together for change and fight peacefully for the future of our Nation.Politically, we begin the process of preparing for another election year. As we prepare for the 2018 elections we know the Zanu-PF regime will step up its violence against opponents. Zanu-PF will try to intimidate you and force you to vote for them in the 2018 election. We must remain resilient and condemn ALL politicians who encourage and perpetuate violence to advance their agenda as they are not worthy of our vote.The Zanu-PF regime will work very hard to maintain the status quo through the state capture of institutions, violence, propaganda, confusion and by using state defense forces as a form of intimidation as they have always done in the past but we must remain vigilant and resilient.As citizens, our spirit of Resilience has kept us going through the last 36 years of Zanu-PF misrule and it is that spirit of resilience that we must now dig deep and hold on to as we fight for future generations to come by ensuring 2018 is the year Zanu-PF's reign of terror ends.Zanu-PF is an organization that has far-reaching network of violence and hatred. ZanuPF leadership has badly weakened our economy mainly due to the greed and irresponsibility of its leadership. We must now fight peacefully for our country as one nation against (Zanu-PF) and make tough choices to move our nation forward.Transform Zimbabwe and our leadership have reflected deeply and we have collectively decided we must fight together with like minded individuals and organizations to restore hope and confidence in the Zimbabwean people that a new dawn is coming to Zimbabwe. We must remember that no matter who we are black or white, Shona or Ndebele, Civilian or Defense forces we have all been abused and used against each other by Zanu-PF and with this in mind it is time we all collectively stand up together with ONE VOICE, AS ONE NATION, saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH to Zanu-PF.As a political party we are more convinced now more than ever that as a nation we must ALL pursue a selfless path that will lead us to a better life for ALL Zimbabweans. As politicians, we will need to come up with the necessary compromises which will get our nation and people to a better life.As part of our New Year resolutions, we as a party have identified FIVE key areas we are going to focus on, so as to transform our party as we prepare to lay our party in Transforming the NationFirst, as a party, we have been working with Zimbabwean citizens who share our values and dreams of a NEW DEMOCRATIC Zimbabwe and with that in mind Transform Zimbabwe has been revamping to ensure our mission, vision, values and policies are reflected and easily accessible to the Citizens.The Transform Zimbabwe Team will be working hard to ensure there is sufficient support for our community programmes and mobilization. Transform Zimbabwe has been working hard to map out and pursue a clear and agreed upon strategy to prepare the party for elections in 2018. Transform Zimbabwe will ensure Citizens' movements and qualified citizens are incorporated into the party.Transform Zimbabwe will pursue a very aggressive voter education and voter assistance programme and ensure efforts are coordinated with all stakeholders and partners (partners include- all Zimbabwean Citizens and other opposition political parties). Transform Zimbabwe efforts will culminate in our inaugural congress to elect competent leaders to prepare the party for 2018.Second, we have agreed on the need to work with like minded players to bring change and transformation to the nation. We have therefore agreed and have started discussions with the MDC- T to form an electoral alliance to contest the 2018 elections as we recognize we are stronger together. When these discussions are finished, an announcement will be made.Third, we resolved to continue fighting for electoral reforms till the 2018 elections. We will participate in all NERA initiatives and activities to fight for electoral reforms and we will continue in 2017 to mobilize our membership and supporters to participate in these events.Our fourth resolution is to continue fight for a better life for our people. We resolved to continue fighting all injustice against the poor, vulnerable and indeed ordinary Zimbabweans. Zimbabweans have suffered for too long and we will, under our hashtag, pulling together, continue to invite likeminded entities to work with us on that.We continue to call on President Mugabe to resign and for Zanu-PF to relinquish power in order to ensure that the nation is accorded a chance to refocus its direction.Lastly, our fifth resolution for the year is to ensure that TZ continues to provide leadership to the nation by continuing to build transformed leaders in its membership and all leadership structures. We will vigorously pursue leadership seminars to continue inculcating leadership values in our members. TZ will continue working closely with PNZ to develop leadership that is principled and that follows a strong sense of values which are ethical and are empathetic to human needs.This is the year of our transformation. We urge the nation to be strong and of a good courage to confront the Zanu-PF regime.Together we will overcomeGod bless you all andGod bless our beloved ZimbabweJacob NgarivhumePresident, Transform Zimbabwe US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday warned the incoming administration against upending the Iran nuclear deal, saying that such move could cause conflict and damage US credibility. Speaking at an event at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, Kerry said he is "absolutely confident" that Tehran's route to building a nuclear weapon has been blocked after the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal reached in 2015, Xinhua news agency reported. "Now, if that were just arbitrarily undone, we are going back to a place of conflict almost immediately," Kerry was quoted as saying. "We'll also reduce our credibility in the world, because I suspect the Russians and the Chinese and the French and the Germans and the British will just continue the deal," he said. "Then you're right back where you were, where we had pressures on us to go bomb Iran. Believe me, there were pressures. So it doesn't make sense, and I believe reason will win out," the top US diplomat said. US President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly criticised the Iran nuclear deal during his campaign last year, calling it "the worst deal ever negotiated." He also suggested that he would force Iran to return to the negotiating table or risk the accord being dismantled. --IANS sku/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese tech giant on Wednesday launched P2 smartphone at Rs 16,999 that comes with a massive 5,100mAh battery. Coming in two variants 3GB/32GB and 4GB/32GB, P2 will go on sale on e-tailer Flipkart starting from January 11 midnight. "We are kicking off 2017 in a fully charged way by launching P2, a powerhouse smartphone with longest battery and fastest charging," said Sudhin Mathur, Executive Director, Mobile Business Group India, in a statement. Running on 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 2.0GHz octa-core processor paired up with to 4GB of RAM, the smartphone features 5.5-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display. With its Rapid charger, it gives you 10 hours of power in just 15 minutes. The Lenovo P2 also comes with TheaterMax that turns all your existing media and games into a large screen experience boasting smooth graphics, life-like surround sound and responsive 3D gameplay. The device comes with 32GB in-built storage that can be expanded up to 128GB via micro-SD card. The company is also offering up to Rs 15,000 off, plus additional Rs 2,000 off on exchange of old smartphone and 10 per cent instant discount with SBI credit card. The offer is valid for January 12 and January 13 only. Zia Zafar, who may be of Indian origin, has been brought to the US and charged with attempted murder in the alleged shooting of a US consular official in Mexico, according to Assistant Attorney General Leslie Cardwell. He was produced before a court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday after he was deported by Mexico on and arrested by US officials on Monday, prosecutors said. The ethnicity of the 31-year-old American citizen is not clear as he has been described in different Mexican media variously as "Indian" or "Hindu". There has been no official word of his ethnicity or that he is of Indian origin. In Latin American Hindu and Indian are often used interchangeably to denote ethnicity, rather than religion. Prosecutors said that Zafar shot the US vice consul in Guadalajara as he was driving out of a parking garage. The vice consul was taken to a local hospital, where he was undergoing treatment. Mexican media identified the Vice Consul as Christopher Ashcraft. TV station KABC said that Zafar was a medical student in Mexico according to his family's former neighbors in Chino Hills, about 45 km from Los Angeles, and his landlord in Gudalajara. Videos of shooting show Zafar wearing blue medical scrubs, the protective clothing worn by hospital staff, and a wig to disguise himself. The Los Angeles TV station said that according to neighbors he had lived in the affluent suburb with his mother and sister. The mother had recently sold the house she had lived in for 15 years and moved out three weeks ago, the neighbors told the station. Initial reports ruled out terrorism as a motive for the attack. Mexican news site Cronica.com said that Ashcraft had told US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that the attack was motivated by a visa dispute. Cronica said that "according to unofficial information" from Mexican federal authorities, a .38 caliber pistol, a California-registered 2000 Honda Accord vehicle, and 16 packages with 336 grammes of marijuana were seized when Zafar was arrested from Guadalajara's Providencia neighborhood. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in) --IANS al/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tripura government has introduced a monthly allowance of Rs 600 for poor cancer patients, a minister said on Wednesday. "The allowance is being given to cancer patients whose annual income is less than Rs 150,000 and have no family member in government service," Tripura Health and Family Welfare Minister Badal Choudhury told IANS. He said the scheme is being operated through the Social Welfare Department and the money has been handed over to the homes of those patients who are in critical condition. According to Gautam Majumder, the head of the regional cancer centre here, among the eight northeastern states, the number of cancer patients was the lowest in Tripura and highest in Mizoram. "In Tripura there are 70 cancer patients per lakh population against 200 per lakh in Mizoram," Majumder told IANS. He said the Union Health Ministry last year began setting up of Amrit (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies across the country. This aims to reduce the expenditure incurred by common patients on treatment of cancer and heart diseases. "One Amrit pharmacy will be set up in each northeastern state. The pharmacy here would be inaugurated on Swami Vivekananda's birthday on Thursday," he said. --IANS sc/py/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ICCR, the organisation tasked with projecting the country's heritage and engaging culturally with friendly countries, aims to set up more ayurveda chairs abroad as part of its bid to harness India's soft power as a "potent tool". "If you want to be a superpower, soft power should be one of your potent tools," Amarendra Khatua, Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, told IANS in an interview here on the sidelines of the Vedic Mathematics International Conference. He added that more chairs in ayurveda will be created in the coming years. Noting that his mandate includes promoting and showcasing diaspora linkages, yoga and the ayurvedic pharmacopeia, the Director General underscored the importance of harnessing India's soft power with a more focused and transparent approach. And to this end, "we are streamlining the activities of the ICCR and ensuring efficiency, transparency", he said. The ICCR, which administers scholarships to international students, is also working on ensuring that these scholars become India's "constituencies" in the course of their future work. "We receive 6,000 foreign students and they should become our own constituencies when they finish their education and go back," Khatua said, adding that the ICCR is "consciously nurturing the idea". "At the moment there is no organised framework to track where they are and what they are doing. So we are computerising and recording everything from the day he or she comes as part of the 'Arrival to Alumni' initiative," the veteran diplomat said. Odisha-born Khatua belongs to the 1981 batch of the Indian Foreign Service. During his diplomatic career, he has held trade and economic positions in various Indian missions around the world. His last posting was as Indian ambassador in Argentina. Uruguay and Paraguay. In its renewed efforts to promote Brand India, ICCR's approach to conferences has also changed, Khatua informed. "We are not doing full-tour conferences. Instead, we are organising little conferences such as those on Abdul-Qadir Bedil (a master of Persian poetry who was born in India) and an international qawwali festival in Tehran, among others," he said. To empower up-and-coming artistes, ICCR will also empanel them for performances abroad. "With regard to troupes which are going abroad, lot of empanelment has not been made. Young artistes are suffering and older artistes are doing well. So now we are trying to empanel all the young artistes so that everybody gets a chance," Khatua said. Another initiative that the ICCR is promoting involves keeping the second-generation diaspora in touch with their mother tongues. "We are now sending secondary school teachers abroad so that the diaspora can be taught (the) ABCD (of Indian languages)," he said. This apart, Khatua aims to take the two-way cultural to Tier II and Tier III cities as well. "We receive about 400 cultural troupes from outside and we send about 400 abroad. So we have to see that these troupes go to India's Tier II and III cities with a large middle class and educated population (so that) they know about these cultural aspects," he said. India currently has 26 cultural centres across the globe. But more are needed if the country's soft power is to be put on effective display. "At least six are in the pipeline during 2017. We have already announced centres for Washington and Sydney," he said. India's stress on soft power is evident from the fact that on June 21, 2015, the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated all over the world. (Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in) --IANS sgh/ssp/vm/ky/tb/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has said he almost cried in the dressing room after being injured in the opening One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand. The Bangladesh Test captain sustained a hamstring injury in the first ODI in Christchurch last month and missed the rest of the limited-overs series against New Zealand. The 28-year-old batsman was clearly in pain after struggling to reach for the non-striker's end when he was on 42. After limping around for a while, the middle-order lynchpin trudged back crestfallen. Returning to the team for the Tests after recovery, Mushfiqur spoke his mind. "After seeing the wickets I had a feeling that I missed something. I was almost in tears after returning to the dressing room," Mushfiqur said on Wednesday. "Whoever comes and plays well in these countries are evaluated differently. I had prepared myself in that way to play well here this time. But unfortunately that did not happen." With the Bangladesh batting repeatedly collapsing, Mushfiqur was badly missed in the middle-order. No other batsman were able to match his resolve as Bangladesh were whitewashed 0-3 in both the ODI series and the Twenty20 series. The Test skipper, however, hoped the batsmen would learn from their mistakes. "On these wickets, had the batsmen shown a bit more commitment... Tamim [Iqbal], Shakib (Al Hasan), Mahmudullah, Imrul (Kayes), Soumya (Sarkar) -- no matter who you speak - it was a big opportunity for them all. Now our goal has to be to take the chances?," he added. Bangladesh batsmen have to put up a much better show to make a fight out of it when the first Test of the two-match series begins on Thursday. --IANS sam/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a bid to reform the crisis-ridden banking sector in Nepal, its parliament has passed a legislation that bars lawmakers from becoming bank directors. The Nepali parliament passed the legislative measure on Bank and Financial Institution Act (BAFIA) on Tuesday. Four lawmakers in the Nepali parliament are currently directors of banks in Nepal. They will give up their posts in respective banks once the bill becomes law, Xinhua news agency reported. The legislation is one of the measures introduced to bring reforms in banking after the sector suffered from bad corporate governance practices. There are still 11 financial institutions declared by Nepal's central bank as crisis-ridden. They landed in trouble due to bad banking practices with the involvement of directors and chief executives. --IANS kritika/sar/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some Non-Resident Indian (NRIs) who attended the two-day Pravasi Haryana Divas that ended on Wednesday complained about poor arrangements by the organisers. "The arrangements were pretty bad... We felt insulted," said one of them. The event was organised jointly by the Haryana government and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The organisers said over 400 NRIs from Haryana based in 33 countries took part in the first such event. But Narender Joshi and Jasveer Saini, who came from the US, have a different story. Both of them were among the state guests at the International Gita Mahotsav (December 6-10), organised in Kurukshetra in Haryana. "We spoke to Haryana Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar over phone on December 7 regarding the Pravasi Haryana Divas. He invited us and said two rooms have been booked for us at the Haryana Bhawan in Delhi," Joshi told IANS. "Our plane landed at Delhi on January 9-10 night. We were told there would be a Help Desk from the Haryana government at the airport but there was none to attend us," Joshi added. They hired a taxi and reached the Haryana Bhawan but no one was even there to receive them. They said that after several efforts they were told that Room No 216 had been allotted to them and that a second room would be available at Punjab Bhawan. "When I knocked at Room 216, I found it was already occupied," Joshi said. The two NRIs again hired a taxi and reached Gurugram's Vivanta By Taj hotel around 4.30 a.m. on December 10 where NRI participants were to stay. The hotel staff declined to provide them rooms because, as per the pact with the Haryana government, the check-in time was 11 a.m. They said nearly 25 NRIs from different states of the US came for the event and some others too faced similar issues. When contacted, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said: "It is very sad and we regret if such an incident has happened." Joshi owns JMD Group, which is counted among the top 10 business groups in Washington DC. Saini owns a chain of restaurants in Boston. Both hail from Kurukshetra and moved to the US two decades back. A number of guests complained they could not have their breakfast due to poor management. "People had to stand in long queues on Tuesday for lunch," said an NRI who did not wish to be named. "One can now understand the pain of the people who stood in long queues outside banks and ATMs after demonetisation." (Pradeep Singh can be contacted at pardeepsinghrao@ians.in) --IANS ps/nir/mr/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Outgoing President on Tuesday said goodbye to the US citizens in a dramatic reinterpretation of a presidential farewell address. "I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties, still trying to figure out who I was; still searching for a purpose to my life," CNN quoted Obama as saying. "This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it," added Obama. He said that he received a lot of messages and it was his turn to say thanks. While noting that America was a better place now, Obama told his supporters that they made him a better President. "After eight years as your President, I still believe that, and it's not just my belief. It's the beating heart of our American idea -- our bold experiment in self-government," he said. Instead of the Oval Office or East Room for his last formal set of remarks, Obama chose Chicago -- the city where he declared victory in 2008 and 2012 -- to address a sold-out crowd of supporters. Earlier, he wrote on Facebook that he was returning to the city "where it all started." Outgoing US President Barack Obama bid farewell to Americans in an emotional speech here on Tuesday night with the same message of hope and optimism that brought him into the White House eight years ago. From his adopted hometown of Chicago, the city where he found purpose in public life, the 44th President of the US called on the country to be "anxious, jealous guardians of democracy", CNN reported. While asking Americans to stay committed to democratic values and persist in their optimism for change, Obama also expressed warning for the years to come. "Tonight it's my turn to say thanks ... Everyday I learned from you. You made me a better president, and you made me a better man," the President told a crowd of about 20,000 people in an hour-long address. "After eight years as your President, I still believe that." "And it's not just my belief. It's the beating heart of our American idea -- our bold experiment in self-government," the President told the American people in a large convention hall a few blocks from Grant Park, where he spoke to supporters on the night of his historic election in 2008. He implored his backers to be vigilant in protecting basic American values that he warned could come under siege. "Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear," he said. "So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are." And he warned against turning inward, telling Democrats that only by involving themselves in a real political discourse could they hope to renew the hopeful vision he brought to the White House eight years ago. He warned that "laws alone won't be enough" in resolving persistent differences between Americans. "Hearts must change," he said. The speech also reflected the unique situation Obama will confront as he leaves the Oval Office. At just 55, he is preparing for an active post-presidency in which he will champion many of the same core issues he worked on in the White House, including minority rights and opportunities for young people, the Los Angeles Times reported. In 4,300 words, Obama also listed major feats his administration had accomplished during his tenure, including reversing recession, opening up a new chapter with Cuba, inking the Iranian nuclear deal, taking out Osama bin Laden, promoting gay marriage and increasing medical insurance coverage. His successor, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to undo some of his signature policies. He would be sworn into office on January 20. The President also stressed solidarity despite a presidency sometimes at odds with the Congress. "Democracy does not require uniformity," Obama said. "Our founders quarrelled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity -- the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one." He said he has not abandoned his vision of progressive change but warned that it now comes with a new set of caveats. Senior advisors said Obama knows that many progressive, religious and ethnic minorities and immigrants were feeling apprehensive with the approach of the handover to Trump, the Los Angeles Times reported. Obama's successor was elected after promising to crack down on immigration, scrutinise Muslims in the US and challenge what he termed "political correctness". He paid an emotional tribute to First Lady Michelle Obama, addressed his children, and thanked Vice President Joe Biden, who were all in attendance except younger daughter Sasha. The President's younger daughter is in Washington to prepare for an exam on Wednesday morning. His voice quaked when describing Michelle's contribution. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour." "You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody," Obama said to his wife. The First Lady received a standing ovation, and a visibly overwhelmed President was seen wiping away tears when he addressed his wife as a "girl of the south side". Turning to his children, the "proud dad" said: "Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women. "You are smart and beautiful, but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful, and you are full of passion. "Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad." The President then thanked Biden for serving alongside him in the White House, saying: "He is like a brother and family." As he spoke before a rousing crowd of supporters, Obama was interrupted often with screams of "I Love you Obama." A protester held aloft a "Pardon All of Us" sign, and chants of "Four more years" drowned out the shouts. "I can't do that," Obama said when the crowd begged him to run again, which is not allowed by the Constitution. Obama's goodbye was a dramatic reinterpretation of a presidential farewell address, ending his speech with his signature "Yes, we can" concept that propelled him into the Oval Office. --IANS py/in/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opinion / Columnist The growth of a nation must be measured by the degree at which it enlarge the capabilities and enrich the lives of all peoples. Consumption must be shared; it must strengthen social growth and facilitate human development. This growth must be sustained without mortgaging the choices of future generations. But inequalities have persisted between sexes, ethnic groups and many times geography choking back the measures that increase consumption and options. Buoyed inequality often leads to increased prevalence of human poverty. More disturbing is when communities are ignorant of the inequalities and have accepted them as part of life passed on generation to generation. The life and stories of former farm workers we met in Mash West's Kamwaza Township can effortlessly pass for that measure of inequality building a backlog of poverty that unremittingly steal opportunities designed to lead individuals into a healthy, decent and creative life.Rafingora is about 40 kilometers north of Banket Mashonaland West. Kamwaza is Rafingora's central business district. Established by Mr. Fox as Rafingora Estates, a consortium of farmers later established Aisha stores in and around places such as Katawa, Chinomwe. Kamwaza become the central business district through a tractor garage owned by Mr. Joe Kay, Aisha shops and the Agric airstrip. Kamwaza Township is home to a number of nationalities Malawians, Mozambicans and Zimbabweans who sought employment. Names such as Matafari the long time shop keeper, Mugonapanja, Kainga, Mugochanyuchi, Mwale, Bitizira, and Kamusori the prodigy and generous mechanic are part of the place's founding heroes. Despite their identity differences they formed a compound family held together by different belief systems but driven by shared hopes and dreams of a better life, the dreams of equality, equal access of opportunities of all that transcend gender, station of birth, religious foundation, political ideology or wealth and fortune for them and their children.Life has changed from the narratives of people walking from Doma area with all their belongings on head tops in search of a better life at the Estates, the stories of the first workers compound; makeshift houses known locally referred to as musakanene and how the Aisha Rural Council transformed lives by constructing model houses. As time passed on the houses were sold to their occupants and for many the dreams of home ownership were attained. For most of these migrants Kamwaza became their permanent home and today most of the houses are occupied by the children of initial owners. We were also told how Mr. Nico used to fill up the Chinhoi silos alone. We heard stories of the airstrip and how people wanted to be pilots inspired by the planes they saw land and fly at the airstrip. These are voices and memories of a community at different epochs, yet even as individuals or communities fail or succeed at given instances of time life as dictated by the flawless impulse of time goes on or must go on.For many of these workers the land reform was a life changing event and provokes mixed feelings. Yes it promoted many from being simple laborers into land owners but it was also a profanity to the farm workers who lost a source of income and failed to secure a piece of land. The story of these former farm workers who were left out of the program for various reasons can easily be forgotten. But the years of arrested development that have tumble-downed the infrastructure that used to be celebrated as the heart and soul of dreams at Kamwaza is a stubborn reminder of their story. The road from Banket once a tarred road is now rutted with a few patches of tar emerging here and there gives a chilling overview of what lays ahead. Growth has been arrested and very little construction has occurred over the past two decades. The infrastructure from the Rafingora garage, to the airstrip, have been run down or closed. ZINWA pipes broken or blocked and houses have no piped water. Even the public toilets at the bus station and vegetable market have been closed and passersby have to use the ablution facilities of the council beer hall.The houses built by Aisha Rural Council are a mixture of two roomed and three roomed dwellings but the passage of time and the years of growth in population have overrun these houses. A handful has managed to extend their houses to meet the demands of their huge families but the majority live crammed in these tiny red block dwellings. Unable to renovate or upgrade their houses we saw families live in dilapidated structures where plastics had to be used to cover a sleeping child from rains as roofs leak, the old brown blocks cracked, the metal doors rusted and toilets that used to flush cum bucket facilities. The state of the houses is appalling but the enduring smiles of their inhabitants speak of a person's holding on to his dreams despite years of arrested growth.Employment was largely in the farms but the land reform gave a new twist of both luck and doom. Despite spending a life time on the farms there are many who were knocked out of the fast track land redistribution exercise by connected and politically correct folks. Those who benefitted from the exercise even in areas such as Yomba near the great Hunyani river in charge of the means of production but lacking are engaged in the once a year farming and depend on the government farming inputs schemes year after year and yes some receive the inputs and immediately sell them. Labor from all ages including children drives production in most of these farms as households try to make ends meet. The C and S bakery now closed or operates at minimum, the few tuck-shops at Kamwaza township only offers prospects of employment to the shop owner's family and close relatives. With unemployment opportunities minimal poverty runs amok drug abuse and prostitution is so rife.Prostitution was so pronounced and almost legalized at "musakanene'. Here was the hub of prostitution. But as time passed on the musakanene collapsed as a structure but continued to exist in habits. Its legacy, the victims of HIV/AIDS and a visit to the cemetery which is just behind the houses tells it all. Polarization in pursuit of political correction generates unbearable tension in this area. Private newspapers are clandestinely read and publicly used as wrapper papers at the food market. Access to information is a casually regarded and viewed more as a luxury unaffordable to the majority.Arrested growth closes avenues meant to create a health creativity life, shuts down choices enlarging knowledge bases. Early marriages occur not only to girls but boys with equally very limited choices of life marry early too. Unplanned pregnancies leading to elopements, girls hoping to escape the poverty of their families and at times traditional practices are the major drivers of early marriages. Marriages started at very young ages and breaking up so fast creating so many single parent families. These girls cum parents with incomplete education become the faces of poverty and so does the boys cum parents often, unemployed alcohol and drug addicts. Reason exists in every person but because the values and expectations of a parent are a map printed in a child the success or failures of that child are innately linked to the personality of the parent. To this end failure to expand the capabilities of these youth is tantamount to bequeathing the burdens of today's youth to the next generation. These are stories of people whose dreams of an improved life are terminated not entirely by their youthful mistakes but largely by the despondent environment they live.For these people who whose lives became part and parcel of the farms some travelled across borders, the expectations of social expansion are not a misapprehension but the processes expected to enlarge choices that must invite improvement remain a dream. Their hopes effortlessly become delusions. The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Wednesday issued notices to Puri District Collector and Inspector General of Police (Railways) over ferrying of the body of a tourist from Madhya Pradesh on a trolley rickshaw for cremation in Puri. Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, the Commission directed to investigate the matter and submit a report within four weeks. A group of tourists coming from Madhya Pradesh had come to Puri and, during their stay, one of the male members of the group suddenly fell ill and died on Tuesday evening. Due to want of money and lack of any help from any quarter, the dead body of the deceased was taken in a trolley rickshaw to Swargadwar, Puri, for cremation by his wife. "Although the wife of the deceased reported about the death of her husband at the Government Railway Police Station, Puri, there was no sign of any help from them. "Such unhelpful attitude of the GRP, Puri, in the instant case clearly illustrates that the sense of humanity has suffered a heavy casualty," said the OHRC. However, after the matter came to the notice of the district administration, arrangements were made to carry the body to Swargadwar in proper manner and necessary financial assistance was also promised to the wife of the deceased, the Commission added. --IANS cd/nir/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pained by the death of his pet dog, a depressed 22-year old management student hailing from Chhattisgarh committed suicide here, police officials said. The incident happened around 8.30 p.m on Monday night when the deceased, Kanwar Harshavardhan Raghav jumped out of the sixth floor flat of a relative in Thakkar Enclave, Rakshanagar area of Hadapsar. He landed on the solid concrete ground and bled profusely as locals rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead shortly afterwards. Hailing from a family of army officers, a suicide note in a diary was recovered from the flat in which he mentioned the loss of his pet dog Siska eight months ago and his deep agony after that. Raghav was living in Pune since the past couple of years and was a first year management student at the Symbiosis Group of colleges. Senior Inspector Vishnu Pawar said that in his suicide note, Raghav asked his parents' forgiveness for his extreme step and said nobody should be held responsible for his death. He mentioned how he was deeply anguished after his dog died some eight months ago, how he was unable to bear the separation from his pet and hence decided to end his own life. Raghav's body was handed over to his distraught family members on Tuesday and his last rites were performed later in the evening. --IANS qn/sm/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday said it was a matter of pride that a person of Goan origin was the head of the state in Portugal. Parsekar was responding to questions about demands from opposition parties seeking an apology from Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa for atrocities committed by Portugal during the colonial era. "Even in that sense I feel we Goans should feel proud that people who ruled us for 450 years, long back, today a person of Goan origin is heading entire Portugal," Parsekar said after meeting Costa who is in Goa on a three-day visit. "It should be a matter of pride for all of us," he added. Goa was ruled by Portugal for 451 years before the coastal state was liberated by the Indian armed forces in 1961. Costa's father, poet and writer Orlando Costa, hails from Goa but left the state in his youth, to eventually relocate to Portugal. Parsekar said that he would not like to create controversy by reacting to demands for an apology but said Costa was proud of his Goan origin. "Look, I don't like to create controversy particularly on the eve of elections. In fact, this gentleman shows and discloses proudly that his origin is in Goa," the Chief Minister said. Parsekar also said that after a busy schedule during the first few legs of his India visit, Costa was in Goa to rest and visit his ancestral home in Margao town, 35 km from Panaji. "There is nothing specific over two days. You can say he is here for rest. He is going to his ancestral home in Margao. Today, myself and the Deputy Chief Minister met him," he said. He added that the discussion with Costa dealt with cooperation in sectors like heritage, tourism, science, oceanography and promotion of Portuguese language. Parsekar also said he had been invited by Costa to Portugal after the elections in Goa got over. Talking about the centuries old ties, Parsekar said: "Of course, after liberation we have been doing well, but even then the common civil code has been a gift to this state by Portugal." The common civil code is practiced only in Goa and appreciated by other states, the Chief Minister added. --IANS maya/in/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oscar-winning actor Christopher Plummer will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Canadian Screen Awards, set to take place on March 12 here. "Plummer is one of the greatest actors of his generation who has delighted audiences with his iconic performances. We are elated to have him as this year's distinct guest of honour," Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television chair Martin Katz said of Plummer's nearly 60-year career, reports hollywoodreporter.com. The 87-year-old, who was raised in Montreal and launched his career on stage, has been acting in movies since getting a part in Sidney Lumet's 1958 film "Stage Struck". He won a best supporting actor Oscar in 2010 for his role in "Beginners". His other movie credits include the 1965 Oscar winner "The Sound of Music", "The Man Who Would Be King", "The Insider", "A Beautiful Mind" and "Inside Man". His TV credits include "The Thorn Birds" and "Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight". The actor's upcoming movies include David Leveaux's World War II drama "The Exception" and "The Man Who Invented Christmas". --IANS nn/rb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rome, Jan 11 (IANS/AKI) Italian and German police said they had broken up a Pakistani-run gang that smuggled people into Europe across the Balkans. Anti-mafia prosecutors in the eastern Italian coastal cit of Ancona spearheaded the joint operation in cooperation with state prosecutors in the southern German city of Hof, police said. The gang was made up of Pakistani citizens, Italian police said in a statement. Additional details of the operation would be provided to the media, police said. --IANS/AKI mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vatican City, Jan 11 (IANS/AKI) Worshipping false idols such as money, power and physical beauty is perilous because they "create confusion in our spirit" and "drive us towards death", Pope Francis said on Wednesday. "We can be tempted to seek albeit short-lived consolation that appears to fill the well of loneliness and ease the fatigue of religious faith," Francis said. He took aim at the modern world's obsession with power, success and beauty at his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square. "We think we can find solace in the security that money and worldly things may bring, or in power," Francis told pilgrims. He gave the example of a woman in his native Argentina who said she had an abortion to keep her looks. "She said, as if it was natural, 'Yes, I had to have an abortion because my appearance is important'," Francis stated. "This hurts the soul," the 80-year-old pontiff said. "When values such as physical beauty and health become idols to which everything must be sacrificed they create confusion in our spirit and in our hearts," he said. "Worshipping these idols do not set us on the right road or bring happiness. "Rather than promoting life, they drive us towards death," he added. Catholic doctrine teaches that abortion is as sinful as murder. While Francis has stuck to this line, he has granted priests the power to forgive women who terminated their pregnancies. Previously only bishops could absolve women from the sin of abortion. --IANS/AKI mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A top prison officer has been suspended for allegedly allowing weapons and drugs in the gaol before a deadly jail-break on New Year's Day in Brazil, officials said. The interim director of the Anisio Jobim prison where 56 inmates were killed and 112 escaped on January 1 was suspended on Tuesday. Sergio Fontes, Secretary of Public Security, confirmed suspension of Jose Carvalho Da Silva, Xinhua reported. Fontes said the director had allowed weapons and drugs into the prison complex. On December10, one of the prisoners who was killed in the riot, wrote a letter to the state attorney-general's office denouncing corruption in the prison. According to the letter, the Familia do Norte (FDN) gang, which has been blamed for the massacre, paid staff to allow weapons, drugs and mobile phones into the prison. Various reports were issued before the riot that pointed out the imminent risk of violence at the prison, which was linked to an escape plan by notable gang leader. Intelligence agents found that eight guns were brought into the prison by visitors with the help of guards. --IANS sakshi/sar/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made it clear on Wednesday that the next Chief Minister of Punjab will be from the state if the AAP wins the punjab election. "Of course, the next Chief Minister of Punjab will be from Punjab," the Aam Aadmi Party leader told a rally here, 80 km from Chandigarh. "Will he be from Pakistan then? Will he be from London?" The clarification came after Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday said that the people of Punjab should vote for the AAP "thinking Kejriwal will be the next Chief Minister". Sisodia's remark triggered a storm, with the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress alleging that it exposed the AAP hidden desire to hoist Kejriwal on Punjab. Kejriwal told the rally that he was committed to serving the people of Delhi where he took power in February 2015 with a sweeping electoral win. "I am the Chief Minister of Delhi. I have to fulfil my responsibilities in Delhi. I cannot become the Chief Minister of Punjab." But Kejriwal underlined that he was at the heart of the AAP's bid for power in the February 4 assembly election and was responsible for each and every promise the party was making to the electorate. "Whosoever becomes the Punjab Chief Minister (from AAP), it will be my responsibility that all promises made to the people are fulfilled," he said. He alleged that Sisodia's remark had unsettled the Congress and Akali Dal leaders. Kejriwal also hinted at an AAP victory in the state, saying: "A miracle is taking place in Punjab... There is a great atmosphere in Punjab." The AAP is contesting assembly elections both in Punjab and Goa. French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that retaking Rakka, an Islamic State (IS) stronghold in northern Syria, remains "a priority target". Chairing a defense council at the Elysee Palace, Hollande reviewed situation in Syria where French troops joined US-led military operation to combat the terrorists in the conflict-torn country, Xinhua news agency reported. Hollande discussed "the means to prepare for Rakka's reconquest as soon as possible". France was one of the first European countries to join the US-led coalition against IS. Its fighter jets bombed the group in Iraq in 2014. --IANS sku/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad will receive pension of Rs 10,000 per month under the JP Senani Samman Pension Scheme for having served a jail term in the 1970s to oppose the Emergency, an official said on Wednesday. The much-awaited pension plan for those who participated in a mass movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s to oppose Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was announced by the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar governement in 2009. According to the state government's decision, those who served jail term for more than six months under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and Defence of India Rule (DIR) during the Emergency from March 18, 1974, to March 21, 1977, would be entitled for a monthly pension of Rs 10,000, while jail term served for less than six months would be entitled for a monthly pension of Rs 5,000. "Lalu will soon get JP Senani Samman Pension as his application is in final stage for approval for pension after he applied for it. The state home department will give final approval of pension amount to him," an official of the state general administration department said. Lalu would get pension amount since 2009 as the JP Senani Samman Pension Scheme was launched then. Jayaprakash Narayan was popularly called JP and he led a movement for 'Total Revolution'. Thousands of youth in the mid-70s joined the JP movement and protested against Congress rule and even served jail terms for it. Lalu, who was a student leader, had joined the protest and was jailed for more than six months under MISA for opposing Emergency. Interestingly, Lalu has named his elder daughter Misa Bharti after MISA as he was in jail when she was born. At present, Misa Bharti, a doctor by profession, is a Rajya Sabha MP of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Nearly 2,500 people are getting monthly pension under JP Senani Samman Pension Scheme in the state now. The state government received a total of over 50,000 pension applications from those who participated in the JP movement. Leading followers of JP have been calling the shots in Bihar and Indian politics for the past decade. Among them are Nitish Kumar, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, and Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan. Initially started in Bihar, the JP movement spread all over India and resulted in the first non-Congress coalition taking office in New Delhi in 1977. The on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by an NGO seeking a probe into the IT raids on Sahara and Birla in which certain politicians name came up. Dismissing the plea, the apex court said that there was no conclusive evidence in the matter. A bench of the apex court headed by Justice Arun Mishra and also comprising Justice Amitava Roy passed the order after a detailed hearing from the petitioner-NGO 'Common Cause' and Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi. Attorney General Rohatgi, top law officer representing the Central Government, earlier in the day told the apex court division bench that there was no credible document or evidence which prove that former Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was paid by the corporate houses. "Nobody in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Anyone can put name of anybody on such papers," he added. The apex court said that it was not doubting the integrity of the settlement commission order, but examining the integrity of such diaries. Senior apex court lawyer Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioner NGO told the apex court that there was sufficient evidence to prove that public officials were allegedly paid and probe must be ordered to find out the truth. The AAP on Wednesday dubbed the Supreme Court's decision of rejecting a plea for probing the alleged payoffs to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Birla-Sahara groups, as "unfortunate". The Aam Admi Party (AAP), however, added that the apex court is the last platform of justice and the party respects its decision. "We respect Supreme Court's decision but rejecting any corruption related plea without any probe is unfortunate," AAP's Delhi convenor Dilip Pandey told IANS. "With all due respect we say that SC's today's (Wednesday) decision on Sahara-Birla diaries which involves Modiji is unfortunate," he added. The Supreme Court rejected a plea for probing the alleged bribes by the Birla-Sahara groups when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister. Rejecting the plea by NGO Common Cause, the bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy said that the evidence produced for seeking filing of an FIR against the Prime Minister and other political functionaries, including government officials, is not admissible. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his party had been alleging that Modi took bribe from corporates like Birla and Sahara when he was Gujarat Chief Minister. After Kejriwal, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had also labled same allegations against Prime Minister Modi at a rally in Gujarat last month. --IANS am/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya to respond to the allegation by a consortium of banks led by the SBI that he had transferred $40 million to his children in violation of the orders by the Debt Recovery Tribunal and the Karnataka High Court. The bench of Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice A.M.Khanwilkar sought response from Mallya after senior counsel Shyam Divan told the court of the development. Divan told the court that Mallya has to pay Rs 9,000 crore to the consortium of 13 banks, led by the State Bank of India, that were loaned to his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines and instead of repaying the money, Mallya transferred it to his children. Mallya had received $40 million as part of a $75 million settlement with Diageo to step down as Chairman of the Diageo-controlled United Spirits. Divan argued that $40 million should have come to banks. Asking Mallya to file a response, the court fixed the next hearing on February 2. In the course of the last hearings of the matter on October 25, the top court had lashed out on Mallya for failing to make full disclosure of his assets including the details of the $40 million he got in February 2016 from British liquor major Diageo. Observing that "We are not happy the way disclosure was made," the court had said it was "prima facie of the view that Vijay Mallya has not made proper disclosure in terms of the order of April 7, 2016". Besides SBI, other banks on the consortium are the State Bank of Baroda, State Bank of Mysore, Axis Bank, Corporation Bank, Federal Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, IDBI Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, UCO Bank and United Bank of India. --IANS pk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Steel Minister Birender Singh on Wednesday stressed the need for setting up of scrap-based steel production units, saying the Central government is contemplating bringing a policy for the same. Addressing the second and final day of Pravasi Haryana Divas here, Singh urged the Pravasi Haryanvis to come up with such projects since making steel from scrap is not only cost-effective but also environment-friendly. Singh said India at present is the third largest producer of steel after Japan but, as per recent data, the country would surpass Japan in steel production in the coming few months. He said though industrialisation is considered the only way to move forward yet the contribution of farming community in the development process could not be ignored. Singh said that like Haryana and Punjab, farmers in Australia and other Latin American countries have similar kind of attachment with the land but in the recent times a complete transformation has also been witnessed in agriculture techniques. There is a need to acquaint the farmers with these techniques to increase their production, he said. Haryana is a small state with only two per cent of the total population of the country but contributes 23 per cent foodgrains to the national kitty. While exhorting the Pravasi Haryanvis to connect with their roots, Singh said: "Haryana has a lot of potential in youth and by supporting and contributing a bit, they could produce best of shooters, wrestlers and athletes." "Your significant contribution would be of great help in the speedy development of the state," he told the Pravasi Haryanvis. --IANS pardeep/py/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated a water filtration plant at Katas Raj temple complex in Punjab and said Pakistan will soon be known as a "minority friendly country". The Katas Raj houses ancient temples, remains of a Buddhist stupa, a few medieval temples and old havelies -- residential buildings -- around a pound considered holy by Hindus. The complex is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and considered as holiest temple of Pakistan. The water filtration plant will provide clean water to Hindus, who visit Katas Raj temple complex. Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf and Chairman of Evacuee Trust Siddiqul Farooq were also present. Sharif also visited different sections of the temple where he was briefed about its historic significance. It is believed that the temple complex exists since the days of Mahabharat, and Lord Krishna himself laid the foundation of Katas Raj. The Prime Minister said he has advised government officials to spare no efforts in hosting pilgrims and the protection and expansion of minorities' places of worship. He said he would ensure his full support for the construction of Baba Guru Nanak and Gandhara Universities. Sharif referred to historic examples to stress that it was a part of the Islamic faith to treat the majority and minorities equally. --IANS ahm/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Sikh girl with her roots in India is representing Malaysia at the Miss Universe pageant in Manila on January 30. Born Kiranmeet Kaur Baljeet Singh Jassal, the 20-year-old won Miss Universe Malaysia title in 2016 and was awarded Miss My Dentist Winning Smile subsidiary title, reported Malaysian star2 website. Kiran's family shifted to Malaysia decades ago and is based in the suburbs of Subang Jaya town of Selangor state. Her mother, Ranjit Kaur, was the winner of the Classic Mrs Malaysia title in 2015 while her sister Ranmeet, a model, was also a beauty pageant titleholder and a doctor by profession. The Jassal sisters grew up admiring and idolising beauty queens, Miss World 1994 Aishwarya Rai and Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen, said the report. "Their stories resonated strongly with me because they did something else with their lives other than just being a beauty queen, especially with Sushmita Sen as she did a lot of charity work outside of Miss Universe," said Kiran. Kiran, who is studying dentistry at the International Medical University (IMU) here, said beauty pageants were good platforms for younger women to voice their opinions. "Beauty pageants could be used to gain fame and publicity. But I think if it is used right, you can get the public recognition to raise awareness and bring light to certain causes as you have a huge target audience," she said. Her sister Ranmeet, a medical graduate of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in India, says the perception of beauty pageants has changed over the years. "More women who are equally good in education are taking the initiative because it is a good platform to educate and inspire young women," she said. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oscar-winning actor Matt Damon's 3D action-thriller "The Great Wall" is set to release in India on February 3. The Zhang Yimou directorial will be released in the country by Universal Pictures India, read a statement by the studio. "The Great Wall" also stars Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal and Willem Dafoe. In the film, Damon stars as William Garin, a battle-scarred mercenary and master archer taken captive by a secret army of elite warriors known as The Nameless Order. In a vast military outpost called the Fortress City, they fight to protect humanity from supernatural forces upon one of the greatest defensive structures - The Great Wall of China. On his journey, Garin is joined by Pedro Pascal as his sword-wielding sidekick, Pero Tovar, a tough, wise-cracking Spaniard who has become a brother-in-arms to Garin; and Oscar-nominee Willem Dafoe as Ballard, a prisoner inside the fortress who plans his escape from his long-time captors. The action-fantasy marks Yimou's first English language production. --IANS nn/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With just over 20 days to go for crucial assembly elections in Punjab, political uncertainty looms over the frontier state on the issue of who will assume power post-March 11, once the results are declared. The reason for this is that Punjab, for the first time, is witnessing triangular contests in most of the 117 assembly constituencies. Traditional rivals, the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine and the Congress, are not only fighting each other, but are aware of the political challenge being posed by the latest entrant on Punjab's political turf -- the fledgling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). As of today, none of the parties seems to have the edge, even though each one of them claims to be heading for a clear, and even sweeping, majority in the February 4 election. Not surprisingly, in this uncertain period, a rather unusual question is being asked: "Will Punjab end up with a hung assembly?" Till about a year ago, the AAP had made formidable inroads in the state and opinion polls even suggested a massive win. But a lot has changed since then. After seemingly peaking at the wrong time, the AAP started imploding politically from June last year. Thus, the party is fighting two battles -- one with the Akali Dal-BJP and Congress, and the second one within itself. Allegations of corruption in allotment of tickets, accusations of immoral activities of some leaders, lack of any big leader from Punjab who could be projected as the party's face, and internal rumblings about "outsiders" -- mainly leaders from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other states -- running the AAP show in Punjab at the cost of local leaders, have all taken a toll on the party. In the past six months, there has been an exodus of state and district level leaders from the fold. But top party leaders like Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, Durgesh Pathak and others are upbeat about AAP repeating a "Delhi-type political magic in Punjab" when it won 67 of the 70 assembly seats in the 2015 assembly polls. Things are not too tidy either with the ruling Akali Dal-BJP alliance or the main opposition party -- the Congress, which believes it is on an upswing. The Akali Dal-BJP alliance, which has been in power in the state since 2007 for two consecutive terms, is aiming for a third stint. Akali Dal president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal is out to once again deploy his strategic skills which, in the 2012 assembly election, broke the five-year Akali-Congress cycle of governments. But his party faces anti-incumbency of the past decade, charges of corruption, and criticism that the financial health and clout of the ruling Badal family -- headed by 89-year-old Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal -- has been multiplying at the cost of the state. There also allegations of the Badals patronising drug cartels and other mafias in money-spinning businesses like sand mining, infrastructure, transport and cable TV, et al. In this background, it is not surprising that the Congress, led by former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, feels it has an edge over its opponents. Not all, however, is hunky-dory for the party. It is facing rebels who could rock its boat. While accepting discarded leaders from the Akali Dal, BJP and AAP into its fold ahead of the elections, the Congress has ended up making things more complicated for itself in the matter of ticket allocations. The party, which, going by Amarinder Singh's own statements, wanted to allocate tickets to candidates six months in advance, has failed to provide a complete list even a month before the polls. All the three major players are charting a difficult and uncertain course, leaving the voters a tad confused about which is the lesser evil. (Jaideep Sarin can be contacted at jaideep.s@ians.in) --IANS js/vm/ky/sac/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress vice president, on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying "achche din will come only when Congress returns to power in 2019". He also reflected on the sufferings of the common people in the wake of demonetisation. A reinvigorated Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, back from his vacation, took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at a party event on Wednesday to highlight the impact of demonetisation. Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 5:59AM Pastor Lamond Rushing of the Faith Worship Family Center (Photo: Fox4KC)Article By April Washington // EEW Magazine Social media can be a great tool for good, inspiration and encouragement. But some believers use it to mock and shame others. Pastor Lamond Rushing of Kansas City, Missouri insensitively posted a video of a handicapped woman on Facebook that went viral, leading to major backlash, and offense of the disabled woman featured. Only in Kansas City. Do ya'll see this? flippantly narrated the leader of Faith Worship Family Center while filming wheelchair-bound Becky Kittrell being helped by a motorist in sub-freezing temperatures, reports Fox 4 News. The video which has no been deleted from Rushing's Facebook feed was viewed over a million times, with news of its existence eventually reaching Kittrell, who was notified by her son. Many were rightfully offended and outraged, especially those that expect more from a pastor, who is supposed to be a reflection of the both the love, and compassion of Christ. Some sadly laughed, with no regard for or understanding of the situation. They had no idea that the womans battery died on her motorized wheelchair, leaving her stranded in 7-degree weather. Unlike the pastor who sat by filming, a truck driver offered assistance. Though the preacher has since apologized, what can we learn from Pastor Rushings embarrassing and insensitive post? Here are 5 things: #1 Real people can be hurt by posts: In a day and age when memes, videos and images go viral, most folks posting and re-posting never consider that real peoples feelings are involved. That's somebody's child, mother, sister, brother, spouse, uncle. You get the picture. So before you share something you think is funny, consider how you would feel if you were the subject of such a post, and how it may make that person or their loved ones feel. #2 Your faith should be reflected in your feed: Being a follower of Jesus Christ means His nature and character should permeate all your interactionsonline and off! Does your social media feed reflect that you know Jesus and are a witness for Him? If not, change that. #3 Being petty and callous on the Internet ruins your witness: People are drawn to Christ because of love. When you are sarcastic, poking fun at others, carnal or crass, how can Christs love shine through? No one is drawn to the Lord that way. Rather, they are driven away. So be careful of the words, images and videos you send out. The wrong thing can ruin your witness for Christ and you don't want that. #4 What you post says more about you than it does about others: Many individuals use social media to direct peoples attention to others. This can sometimes be a good thing, but often it is not. When you constantly share criticisms, talk down about people, lash out, or make crude jokes, what you share diminishes you more than it does the other person. If you find yourself pointing out flaws and constantly expressing negative opinions, spend less time posting about them (whoever they may be) and more time working on you. #5 God is always watching: Though no one can make you take the high road online, if you truly are a believer, you should be mindful that God is watching. If you really have a heart to please Him, consult the Father. Seek Him for guidance in all things. After all, if you are working to build His Kingdom, what you say and do should be an asset and not a liability to the Lords work. Ask yourself, Is He pleased with me? Being a Christian on social media isn't about being "deep" and not having a sense of humor. However, just be sure what you share, say and even laugh at doesn't grieve the heart of God. Jesus cares for everyone and above all things, He wants His love to be shown to the world. Are you doing that faithfully on the Internet? RELATED: Are you an Internet bully? 5 scriptures to keep you in check In another turn of events, (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday said he does not want the party to split and is making all efforts to keep it united. With the country still reeling under the roadblocks posed by demonetisation, former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the move. Voting for the 10 municipal corporations, including the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) controlled BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will take place on February 21. Besides the BMC, polling for nine other corporations includes Thane, Ulhasnagar, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur. The nomination will begin on January 27, while the last date for filing nominations is February 3. The last date for campaigning is February 19. Polling is on February 21 and counting is on February 23. A team of US-led commandos killed two Islamic State group operatives in Syria in a raid over the weekend, a US defense official has confirmed. The operation in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Sunday drew significant international attention after the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an independent monitor, said that 25 jihadists had been killed. The defense official told AFP that only two Islamic State operatives died, including Abu Anas al-Iraqi, a "senior operative." US television network ABC quoted a counterterrorism official as saying he was a "top" IS leader. The defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP the two men had been killed in a vehicle on an isolated highway about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the city of Deir Ezzor. Deir Ezzor is Syria's second-biggest province after Homs. Since early 2015, jihadists have besieged the provincial capital, also called Deir Ezzor, home to some 200,000 people. The official said the special operations raid was led by US forces, but commandos from other nations in the anti-IS coalition were present too. According to ABC News, the men in the vehicle had opened fire at helicopters that were tailing it. The choppers fired back, killing the vehicle's occupants, ABC said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Trinamool Congress activists, one of them the husband of a party councillor, were today killed while three others were seriously injured when miscreants opened fire at them inside the party office at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district, police said. Srinu Naidu, the husband of Ward 18 TMC councillor of Kharagpur Municipality A Puja, and party activist V Dharma were rushed to a private hospital in Kolkata in a critical condition where they were declared "brought dead" by the doctors. The two, along with three other TMC workers, were sitting inside the TMC office at Nayakhuli locality of Kharagpur when the miscreants hurled a bomb and opened indiscriminate fire, police said. The other three injured persons were undergoing treatment at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, they added. A probe has been launched and no one has been arrested so far, a police officer said, adding that a police picket has been posted in the area as tension escalated there following the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three Indians, including a woman, were among four suspected drug smugglers arrested for smuggling 40 kg hashish from central Nepal's Dhading district, police said today. Three men and a woman carrying bags filled with the contraband were standing in a suspicious manner at Simle Bazaar of Bhumesthan Village in the district when security personnel chased them last night. 68 pieces of hashish and Indian Rs 1,61,200 were recovered from their possession during the checking, a senior police officer said today. They are identified as 20-year-old Akalesh Kumar Bhagat, 18-year-old Santosh Paswan, 28-year-old Madhu Giri aka Bitu - all of them from Bihar - and 34-year-old Shambhu Rijal of Bhumesthan, Dhading. The four were presented before the District Court, Dhading today and remanded in judicial custody for further investigation, police said. A patrolling team has been deployed along the highway after receiving information that smuggling of marijuana and hashish increased at recent time in the area, the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons, allegedly involved in the January 3 murder of former Puducherry Agriculture Minister V M C Sivakumar at Neravy near Karaikal, surrendered before a local court today. The four men -- Prabhu, Suryaprakash, Karthik and Shanmugham -- all hailing from Tiruchirapalli, surrendered before I Dayalan, Judicial Magistrate-1 here today, police said. The magistrate remanded the four to judicial custody at the Central prison here and directed police to produce them before the jurisdictional court in Karaikal. Earlier representatives of Puducherry Bar Association informed the court that they hadadopted a resolution, stating that none of its members would appear for the accused. Sivakumarwas hacked to death by a gang during a visit to a marriage hall owned by him at Neravy on January 3. He was a four time legislator and had held the post of Agriculture Minister and also Speaker. He unsuccessfully sought to retain the Neravy seat as AIADMK nominee in the May 2016 Assembly polls. Last week, two persons had surrendered before a court in Karur in Tamil Nadu in connection with the murder. However, the magistrate had refused to accept the surrender on the ground that the case came under the jurisdiction of a different state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 1.62 lakh foreigners arrived in India last month on e-tourist visa, registering a growth of 56.6 per cent, with the UK continuing to occupy the top slot availing the facility. UK continues to occupy the top slot with 22.4 per cent, followed by the US (16.4 per cent) and Russia (7.7 per cent) among the countries availing the e-tourist visa facility during December 2016. The facility of e-visa is available to the citizens of 161 countries arriving at 16 international airports in India. "During the month of December 2016, a total of 1,62,250 foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visa as compared to 1,03,617 during the month of December in 2015, registering a growth of 56.6 per cent," according to a release by Ministry of Tourism. During last year, a total of 10,79,696 tourists arrived on the facility as compared to 4,45,300 during 2015, registering a growth of 142.5 per cent. During December last year, among the countries availing e-tourist visa, the share of China was 5.3 per cent, Australia 4.6 per cent, France 4.1 per cent, Germany 4 per cent, South Africa 3.7 per cent, Canada 3.7 per cent and Korea 2 per cent, the release said. New Delhi Airport occupied the first slot in top 10 ports where tourist arrived on the e-facility during last month with 36.6 per cent, followed by Mumbai Airport (23.1 per cent), Dabolim (Goa) Airport (13.6 per cent), Chennai Airport (6 per cent), Bengaluru Airport (5.1 per cent) and Kochi Airport (4.7 per cent), it said. The share of Kolkata Airport was 2.5 per cent, while that of Hyderabad Airport 2.4 per cent, Trivandrum Airport 1.9 per cent and Ahmedabad Airport 1.7 per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In one of the biggest such hauls in India, Uttar Pradesh police seized 6,400 freshwater turtles stuffed in bags which were destined for China and other Southeast Asian countries as part of a massive smuggling network. Raj Bahadur Singh, the kingpin of an inter-state gang involved in smuggling of turtles, was arrested in the raid carried out at Gauriganj town of Amethi yesterday, Special Task Force (STF) spokesman said here. The turtles, weighing 440 quintals, were found stuffed in sacks and lay scattered on the ground inside the compound of the accused's house. "We have recovered such a huge amount of turtles from one single location. We are investigating this further and looking at the involvement of more people in the smuggling ring," said Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Chaturvedi, who led the STF raid. During interrogation, Singh disclosed that small poachers were involved in catching turtles from Gauriganj, Jagdishpur and Salwan areas and supplying them to organised smugglers, the official said. Singh said he used to collect these animals from smugglers and transport them to Kolkata -- the main transit point -- from where they are smuggled to Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries. Forty per cent of the turtle species are listed in the endangered category of International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN's) Red List of Threatened Species. There is a high demand for turtles abroad for meat and so-called use in occult and aphrodisiacs. The official claimed that the accused also gave information about smugglers and poachers in UP, West Bengal and Odisha reflecting the huge and highly organised smuggling network in the country. The turtle species is native to South Asia and is found only in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In India, it is found in the Gangetic belt all along Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, especially in the Ghagra-Gomti tributaries. They are spread across Fatehgarh, Kannauj, Allahabad and Varanasi in the state. Meanwhile, UP forest department today issued a statewide alert and has warned that more raids will be conducted in the coming days to crack down on the smuggling of turtles. (REOPENS DEL63) Uttar Pradesh is home to 14 endangered turtle species of the total 28 found in India. These include the Indian flapshell, softshell, roofed and black turtles. "There is a belief from Feng Shui traditions that a turtle with all 20 nails -- 5 on each leg -- brings good luck," a senior Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officer said. Turtles are also believed to be in high demand around the harvest festival of Makar Sakranti and its meat, which is said to be clean white and aromatic, is consumed in eastern and north eastern India. These reptiles are said to be useful for maintenance of purity of the river Ganges and its ecological balance as they feed on crabs, snails, dead fish and fragments of dead animals. "Without these turtles, cleaning of Ganga would be even more difficult," said a wildlife activist. Experts say India ranks among the top five Asian countries for turtle conservation, but nearly 40 per cent of the species are listed as endangered on IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. The Allahabad High Court today reserved its judgment on an appeal filed by dentist couple Rajesh and Nupur Talwar challenging their conviction by a CBI court in 2013 for the murder of their 14-year-old daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj. A division bench comprising justices Bala Krishna Narayana and Arvind Kumar Mishra reserved judgment on the criminal appeal challenging the order passed by special CBI court at Ghaziabad on November 26, 2013 whereby the couple had been awarded life sentence for the double-murder in May 2008. The couple is currently lodged at Dasna jail in Ghaziabad. Nupur was recently out on parole for a few weeks following a High Court order on August 29, 2016. Aarushi was found murdered inside the Talwars' residence in May 2008 with her throat slit. Initially, the needle of suspicion had moved towards their 45-year-old Hemraj who was missing for a couple of says before his body was found by the police on the terrace of their house. Uttar Pradesh police had drawn flak for its handling of the high-profile murder case following which the state government had recommended CBI probe into the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Using Baby Talk With Grown Up Dogs Is Useless Trending News: Stop Using Baby Talk With Your Grown-Ass Dog. Just Stop. Long Story Short New research tested the effectiveness of using baby talk with dogs and found that puppies respond well to it, but grown up dogs couldn't care less. Long Story Are you're the type of dog owner who says phrases like "come here boy!" or "good boy" in a high-pitched baby voice? (That was a rhetorical question, of course you are.) Then you need to stop. You can't be blamed altogether or wanting to put that voice on with your pup. With tiny humans, infant talk can get the baby to pay better attention and learn your language better. But with dogs, not so much. via GIPHY Nicolas Mathevon, an acoustic communication specialist at Jean Monnet University in France tested over 40 dogs ranging in age from two to eight months to see how they respond to baby talk from humans. Mathevon pumped common cutsie phrases into a high-end loud-speaker to see how the dogs would react. The speech included such phrases as: Hi! Hello cutie! Whos a good boy? Come here! Good boy! Yes! Come here sweetie pie! What a good boy!" The results, as published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, concluded that full-grown and older dogs didn't react any differently to the baby talk compared to normal speech. In fact, they didn't really give a crap what was coming out of the speaker at all. Figures. Puppies, on the other hand, reacted strongly to the baby talk, responding quickly, looking at the loudspeaker and moving towards it more than with normal speech. via GIPHY So, what does this say about our dogs? Not much, according to Matheson. It says more about us. This study does not tell much about dogs, but more about our human behavior, he said to Gizmodo. It underlines that we try to adapt the way we speak to our listeneror to what we think our listener is able to understand... Pet-directed speech is thus probably used to engage interaction with a non-speaking listener. via GIPHY Matheson's next plan is to study cats, but why should he bother? Any cat owner knows that they don't give a crap about you or what you say. Own The Conversation Ask The Big Question Drop This Fact Dogs hate hugs. The anti-corruption bureau of Rajasthan Police has arrested three persons, including the media manager of an advertising firm hired by the previous Congress regime, for claiming Rs 2.5 crore through fake bills without airing government advertisements on TV. "Various cases were registered in connection with the advertising scam and in one such case we have arrested media manager Lokesh Gupta of Crayons advertising firm, besides Amit Gupta and Ravikant Sharma of sublet advertising firms today," Additional SP, Sharad Choudhary said. The three were summoned for interrogation and later arrested, he said. The previous Congress government in the state had hired Crayons to advertise its achievements through 175 cable operators, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seeking to link Air India's failure to ensure timely operations of its flights to "legacy issues", Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani today said the low on-time performance (OTP) is the symptom of a disease "which we have identified". Lohani, interacting with a group of mediapersons here, said OTP can't be the sole criterion to judge performance of an airline like Air India considering the complexity of its operations. His comments come in the backdrop of a survey ranking Air India as the third worst performing airlines in the world. The government-owned airline has already challenged the findings of the survey. "(Low) On-time performance is the symptom and not the disease. And we have identified the diseases which everybody knows," Lohani said, in an apparent reference to the merger of erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines into one entity -- Air India Ltd. "Once those (issues) are resolved, the OTP will also improve further," he said. He said Air India operates nine types of aircraft and flies to over 100 destinations, including airports abroad, unlike other carriers who have sort of "shuttle service" operations. "In such a complex operation, an airline can't be judged simply on one parameter, OTP alone. There are other parameters like catering, occupancy and yield as well, (these) should also be taken into consideration." Significantly, Lohani had in the past blamed "merger" for the slide of the national carrier. "A merger that really never happened and in the process resulted in a chaotic situation is at the back of all ills that we are currently witness to," Lohani had said in a hard-hitting blogpost last year. The Air India Chief also said that he was "happy" with the prevailing mechanism for measuring airlines OTP at the four airports -- Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru -- which is under review of the aviation regulator DGCA after the budget carrier IndiGo found fault with the system, particularly at the Mumbai airport, in the wake of its sharply declining on-time performance. He said the carrier's OTP in the last two years has definitely "improved" while acknowledging that the schedule integrity of all airlines has not been the same in this winter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government-owned Air India would operate its first Dreamliner service to Kerala, which would fly on New Delhi-Kochi-Dubai route, starting next month. Air India has been operating Boeing 787-800 dreamliner services to the Gulf since 2012 when it launched a flight to Dubai from New Delhi. "We are going to operate New Delhi-Kochi-Dubai route with a Dreamliner from February 1," Air India Chairman and managing Director Ashwani Lohani said today. Lohani said that the airline currently has 22 Boeing 787-800 aircraft in its fleet, and one more such aircraft will be added in the fleet tomorrow. "We will deploy this aircraft on the New Delhi-Kochi-Dubai route," he said. Air India flies majority of these aircraft on its European routes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking strong exception to Amazon Canada selling doormats depicting Indian flag, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today asked the e-retailer to withdraw the products and tender an unconditional apology, failing which no official of Amazon will be granted Indian visa and the ones issued earlier will also be rescinded. The minister also asked the Indian Embassy to take up the matter with Amazon Canada. "Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level. "Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. "If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier," Swaraj said in a series of tweets after she received a complaint on Twitter. "@SushmaSwaraj Madam. Amazon Canada must be censured and warned not to sell India flag doormats. Please take action," tweeted Atul Bhobe, who also posted a screenshot of the products. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amazon India today inked a pact with Gujarat Tribal Development Department to train and enable tribal entrepreneurs to directly sell their products to the former's platform. The product portfolio that will be listed include products like bamboo crafts, Warli painting, Pithora painting, Bhada painting, clay craft, minor forest produces (like honey, musli and tamarind), herbal medicines, embroidery items and tribal food items. "As part of the MoU, Amazon India will educate, train and enable tribal entrepreneurs to directly sell their products to Amazon customers not only in India but across the globe," the online firm said. The agreement was inked at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017. "The association intends to empower and generate livelihood opportunities and income for the tribal artisans and boost the tribal community economy. It is also in accordance with Prime Minister's Stand Up India vision," Amazon India Director and GM (Seller Services) Gopal Pillai told PTI. With the option of selling products online, tribal artisans will be able to fetch an appropriate price for their unique products, which in-turn will help raise their overall standard of living, he added. Amazon India will also engage with tribal artisans across Gujarat to train -- especially women entrepreneurs -- on making the products more attractive, appealing and marketable across the online domain. Furthermore, Amazon India shall provide technical guidance and hand-holding to tribal artisans with aspects related to identifying saleable products, grading, standardisation, certification and other promotional activities as well. Amazon.In, which has over 1.5 lakh sellers listed on its platform, has partnerships with various government bodies like DC Handloom, Ministry of Textiles and National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) to supplement efforts of the government in uplifting artisans and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country. (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 today called on students to come up with new ideas in different fields for their own prosperity and also for larger benefit of society. Speaking at the second convocation ceremony of IIITs of Edupulapaya and Noojiveedu near here this evening, Naidu advised students to work with new ideas to prosper in future. He said the TDP-led Government is providing Internet connectivity for just Rs 149 to every household and added all other facilities will be provided to help students achieve their goals. Naidu told students there is no short cut to success and advised them to work hard to achieve their goals in life. Later the Chief Minister awarded gold medals to six toppers from the two IIITs. Human Resources Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said the Government has established two more IIITs - at Ongole and Srikakulam - with intake of 1,000 students each. Though the Government intends to accommodate 2,000 students in each IIIT, due to some constraints the number has been restricted to 1,000, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the objective to check misuse of money in the high-stake Punjab Assembly polls, the Income Tax department has developed a mobile application which allows public to alert tax sleuths about any violation related to election expenditure by any candidate. The 'Election Eye' app will be the first-of-its-kind which will be put to use in Punjab Assembly polls, a senior income tax official told PTI. "This app will allow public to click photograph of any election expenditure-related violation like posters, banners, hoarding anywhere in the state and they can send it to us. "The app will automatically locate the sender and then a team of tax sleuths will be sent to the spot to check violations," the official said. Besides, the 'Election Eye' app will also provide in-depth insight into the instructions on election expenditure monitoring. The app has been developed by Joint Director of the Income Tax department (Investigation wing) Rohit Mehra. Mehra is also the nodal officer (state) for the department. Moreover, the app will provide information about the nodal officers appointed by Punjab Police, income tax, excise and narcotics department in the state, official said. It would also throw light on compendium of instructions on election expenditure monitoring, official informed. Among other steps taken to check misuse of money, the investigation wing of the Income Tax department has also set up a toll free number on which complainant can share information pertaining to transportation or use of black money during Assembly elections. The income tax department for the first time has deputed nodal officers in all the districts in Punjab to monitor election-related expenditure, the official said. It was also decided that the enforcement agencies, flying squads or static surveillance teams would intimate the income tax department if cash over Rs 50,000 is recovered. This step has been taken to ascertain the source of money. Earlier, the investigation wing of the income tax department was informed when cash in excess of Rs 10 lakh was seized. Notably, the political parties had expressed concern over the distribution of drugs, liquor and cash to influence voters during Punjab assembly polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his first meeting with him since taking over as the head of the force. "Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat met PM @narendramodi," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. Gen Rawat, who superseded two officers, took over as the head of Army on December 31. Shortly, the Prime Minister is to be briefed by the Ministry of Defence on creation of the post of permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Gen Rawat, along with the Chiefs of Navy and Air Force, are also expected to be there during the presentation. Sources said Rawat also had a meeting with all army commanders including superseded southern command chief Lt Gen PM Hariz. The army top brass is also believed to have discussed plans and preparations for the forthcoming Combined Commanders conference. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A firepower exercise 'Sarvatra Prahar' by the Indian Army was conducted in the ranges of School of Artillery at Devlali in Nashik district of Maharashtra. During the exercise, held on January 9, by the artillery wing of the Army, the "Gunners" displayed their prowess and deadly firepower, an official release said today. The entire range of guns, from the indigenous 120 mm Mortar, 155 mm Soltam, 105 mm Indian Filed Gun, 105 mm Light Field Gun, 130 mm Medium Gun to the sophisticated 155 mm FH 77B Bofors and 122 mm Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher GRAD BM 21 demonstrated their awesome and destructive power. An array of new generation rocket and missile systems like Pinaka, Smerch and a model of Brahmos missile were also displayed. Surveillance and Target Acquisition equipment like the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Surveillance Sensors and Weapon Locating Radars were also showcased during the exercise. These devices, when used in conjunction with the guns, are capable of enhancing the effect of fire power, thereby acting as Force Multipliers. A special draw was the Combat Free Fall by the elite Airborne Gunners from helicopters. The helicopters flown by Army Aviators airlifted a 120 mm mortar as part of the exercise for delivering firepower resources in inaccessible areas. The event was utilized as a platform to showcase the technological advancements and equipment profile of Regiment of Artillery to representatives of various leading companies as part of 'Make In India' concept. Exercise 'Sarvatra Prahar' provided the requisite synergy between School of Artillery and the representatives of Indian industry which would facilitate the development and designing of various weapon systems ingenuously. School of Artillery shared the modernization perspective of Indian Artillery and explored the capabilities of the industry and academia which have immense potential to align with technological needs of Indian Artillery. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The upscale cafe in Bangladesh where Islamist militants killed 22 hostages including an Indian girl in the country's worst terror attack last year has reopened here after moving to another location with enhanced security, media reports said. Holey Artisan Bakery that once operated on 2,000 square feet area will now be housed inside a 500 square feet space on the first floor of 'Rangs Arcade' building at the Gulshan Avenue, just a few blocks away from its previous location in the heart of the diplomatic district, bdnews24 reported. The cafe, which officially opened yesterday, could accommodate 50 customers at a time, it said. Recently, the management had announced they would reopen the cafe at a new location on their Facebook page. "We are trying to turn around after a setback. But the loss to the country is much bigger," a manager of the cafe was quoted as saying by the report. Holey Artisan Bakery is now operating on a more secure, smaller scale inside Gourmet Bazaar at Rangs Arcade on North Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka Tribune reported. ISIS had claimed responsibility for the cafe attack but police said Neo-Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, which is close to the ISIS, was involved in organising the attack. Islamist gunmen had stormed the popular restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave in July and killed 22 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the US. Hostages killed include 19-year-old Indian girl Tarishi Jain. Nine Italians, 7 Japanese, one American of Bangladeshi origin, and two Bangladeshis were also among the dead. The attackers took diners and restaurant staff hostage and had confrontations with police, killing two police officials. Next morning, a joint commando force stormed the bakery, killing all the attackers and rescuing the captives, ending the terror siege of nearly 11 hours. Bangladesh has pressed anti-terrorism charges against several suspects. The 'second-in-command' of Bangladesh's homegrown extremist outfit who trained the militants for carrying out the cafe siege was killed in a raid on their hideout in September last year. Last week, one of the masterminds of the attack was killed in a gunfight with police during a pre-dawn raid. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dr. Michael Curtis, author of "Jews, Antisemitism, and the Middle East", is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in political science at Rutgers University. Curtis, the author of 30 books, is widely respected as an authority on the Middle East. Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..American Thinker..10 January '17..Since 1993, residents of New York City have had a sister city in Israel named Jerusalem. On December 5, 1949, the Israeli government declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel, and on January 23, 1950, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, proclaimed that Jerusalem was and had always been the capital of Israel.Everyone understands that the city of Jerusalem is holy to three religions, and there are conflicting claims to it by two peoples. But the historical evidence confirms the forthright Knesset declaration. David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom in 1003 B.C. and it remained so for 400 years until the kingdom was conquered by the Babylonians. After Jews had returned from the Babylonian exile in 538 B.C., Jerusalem again became the capital of the Jewish people. During the Muslim rule over the area, Jerusalem never became the capital of a Muslim state, or even became a distinct province.Between 1922 and 1948, the city did become the center of political power during the British Mandate as Jerusalem became the seat of the British high commissioner.The U.N. General Assembly Resolution 181, the partition resolution, of November 29, 1947 that proposed the creation of a Jewish state and an Arab state in Palestine, also proposed that Jerusalem become a separate entity, corpus separatum, a special administrative regime separate from either state and administered by an agency of the United Nations.Thanks to the war resulting from the invasion of Arab armies into the state of Israel, on the day of its creation on May 14, 1948, Jerusalem became a divided city, with barbed wire. The Old City was annexed by Jordan, while the western section became the Israeli capital. Israeli citizens and all Jews of other states were denied access to holy sites in the area controlled by Jordan. In April 1950, Jordan declared that it had annexed the West Bank and Jerusalem, an annexation that was supported only by the U.K. and Pakistan.As a result of the six-day June 1967 war, the city was reunited under Israeli administration. Since 1967, Jerusalem has been a united city administered by Israel. Israel, on June 27, 1967, extended legal and administrative jurisdiction to the whole area and expanded the municipal borders of the city. The Knesset passed the Protection of the Holy Places law granting special status to the holy sites.The Israeli Basic Law of July 1980 affirmed Jerusalem, "complete and united" as the capital of the country. It promised protection of the holy places and free access to them.In 1990, the U.S. Congress unanimously adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 106, which declares that Congress strongly believes that Jerusalem must remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected. A Senate Concurrent Resolution 113 in 1992 reaffirmed that Jerusalem must remain an undivided city.The U.S. Congress on October 23, 1995, by overwhelming majorities in both chambers, passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act to initiate and fund the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It made clear that every sovereign state, under international law and custom, may designate its own capital, and that since 1950, the city of Jerusalem has been the capital of the State of Israel. Congress asserted that the city is the seat of judicial, legislative, and executive institutions. In addition, it is the site of social and cultural institutions and the spiritual center of Judaism. Moreover, Jerusalem has never been the capital of any state other than Israel.The 1995 act stated that State Department funds could be withheld if the embassy was to not moved by May 31, 1999. But the law also provided for "presidential waiver," allowing presidents not to implement it, and this has continued in spite of a congressional attempt in 2009 to remove the waiver.The act was never implemented partly for fear of antagonizing the Arab world and partly because U.S. presidents have regarded it as congressional infringement on the executive's constitutional authority over foreign policy.It is time for the president of the U.S. to act positively. Countries choose particular places as their capitals for different reasons. The place may be dominant, as Berlin was in German unification in the 19th century. It may be a political compromise, as were Washington, D.C.; Canberra; and Ottawa. It may be shared, as in the Union of South Africa, where four colonies had political functions, and in the Netherlands, where functions are shared between Amsterdam and the Hague.Israel has a right to choose its capital, and it is only political machinations that prevent this from being accepted internationally. Thirteen countries had embassies in Jerusalem until U.N. Security Council Resolution 478 of August 20, 1980, which was passed by 14-0 with the U.S., in which Jimmy Carter was then president, abstaining, which condemned Israel's Basic Law of July 1980 on Jerusalem as null and void. The resolution held that the Basic Law, that the city was to be the complete and united capital, was a violation of international law.The resolution called on all established diplomatic missions in Jerusalem to withdraw. The immediate comment of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan was that the U.S. abstention in this "inane resolution" meant that the U.S. had allied itself with the enemies of Israel.The 13 countries that had embassies then withdrew them. The only country to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital is El Salvador.The problem remains because of intransigent Palestinian and Arab opposition. Jordan has a stake in the issue since it is the official custodian of the Al-Aqsa mosque on the Temple Mount. It is laughable that Saed Erekat, the Palestinian negotiator who never negotiates, says that if the U.S. Embassy is moved, the PLO will withdraw its recognition of Israel, and that would destroy the nonexistent peace process.Interestingly, on January 3, 2017, three members of the U.S. Senate, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Dean Heller, proposed the move of the embassy and suggested that State Department funds be withheld until the move was made from Hayarkon street in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, perhaps to the existing U.S. consulate there.The U.S. move will not inflame the "Arab street," wherever that is located, nor is it giving in to Israeli extremists. The U.S. ambassadors in Arab countries will not be expelled from them. It is absurd to argue, as Secretary John Kerry did, that an "absolute explosion" will occur not only in the West Bank, but in the whole Middle East if the embassy is moved.Two changes in U.S. policy and law are essential. The first concerns the U.S. Supreme Court, which should overturn the decision of Zivotofsky v. Kerry, decided on June 8, 2015. Congress in September 2002 had passed a law that an American citizen born in Jerusalem must list Israel as the place of birth. However, the Court ruled 6-3 that the U.S. president has the exclusive power to recognize foreign states, and so Congress may not require and cannot force the government to issue passports calling Jerusalem part of Israel. The late Justice Scalia, dissenting, argued that Congress does have the power to recognize foreign nations because it can regulate commerce with those countries.President Obama's defiance of an act of Congress in foreign affairs was reconfirmed when, at the memorial for Shimon Peres in September 2016, he dropped the reference to "Jerusalem, Israel" as the location of the ceremony.It is now incumbent on President Donald Trump to recognize reality and agree to move the embassy. He recognizes the stark reality that the State of Israel, like all other countries, has decided on the location of its capital. It would be a symbolic gesture of major importance to agree with decision of the only friend the U.S. has in the Middle East. The two-day state executive meet of BJP today ended with a resolve to consolidate its position by cashing in on PM Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's popularity. CM Chouhan and state BJP chief Nandkumar Chauhan in their addresses said that the masses were "crazy" about Prime Minister and their chants of "Modi, Modi, Modi" is a reflection of their feelings. Chouhan said "Modi is a global leader," while Nandkumar said "Prime Minister figures among the top 10 popular world leaders." Nandkumar told the party leaders to remain socially active by organising functions. He said "BJP was blessed to have Modi at the national level and Chouhan at state level who are so tall that they don't have a parallel in any other party." The state BJP chief said like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were nicknamed "Bapu and Chacha," Chouhan too is being referred to as "Mama" (maternal-uncle) by masses in the state. The Chief Minister asked partymen to organise six public functions annually to connect with people at grassroot level. He said, BJP chief Amit Shah too expected party workers to remain in touch with people. Nandkumar said party will be felicitating elected representatives of the saffron party who do good public work. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar today said his party is 'positive' about an alliance with ally Shiv Sena, ahead of the upcoming local bodies polls, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The poll dates are likely to be announced later today. "We are positive on the issue of an alliance with Shiv Sena," Shelar told reporters outside Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' official residence 'Varsha' in south Mumbai. The talks will begin today, said Shelar, who along with Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve met Fadnavis. "We won't get into the numbers game (of seat-sharing) publicly. We will invite the Sena for talks," he said. "What is more important is to ensure a transparent administration in Mumbai," Shelar said. "Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had publicly spoken about an alliance for the upcoming civic polls. Accordingly, talks with Sena will begin from today," he said. Notably, Uddhav had recently said he would pay his next visit to the BMC headquarters in March, "after Shiv Sena elects its new mayor". Uddhav had made the remark in the presence of Fadnavis at an event where a portrait of renowned social reformer Prabodhankar Thackeray, Uddhav's grandfather, was inaugurated in the corporation hall of the BMC. "I have come at a time when the five-year term is coming to an end. I will come again in March after the Sena elects its new mayor," Uddhav had said, as Sena activists raised slogans welcoming his statements. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BRICS nations contributed more than half of the global growth and their rising clout has made them indispensable to global "financial stability", official media here said today as China assumed Presidency of the five-member bloc that includes India. The ninth summit of the leaders of BRICS is scheduled to be held in Xiamen, a coastal city in East China's Fujian province, in September under China's Presidency. Highlighting China's perspective of the five member bloc, an article in the state-run China Daily today said "in the past decade, the BRICS, (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc has contributed more than half the global growth". "With 42.6 per cent of the world's total population and roughly one-third of the world's land area, it has a combined GDP that accounts for about one-fifth of the world's total," it said. "At the same time, the group, with its rising international clout, has become an indispensable force behind global economic governance reforms and international financial stability," it said. However, the gloomy global economic picture and fall in commodity prices have brought a lingering slowdown to haunt the BRICS' economies, overshadowing their effectiveness as drivers of the global economy, it said. But the five economies have showed resilience thanks to their multi-faceted mechanism of cooperation and huge potential. Despite the challenges, BRICS members have abundant natural and human resources, vast markets, huge growth potential and bright prospects in trade and investment, it said. "Closer inter-BRICS cooperation and better coordination in multilateral platforms is the key to cope with the challenges and complexities of the global economic and political landscape," it said. Apart from carrying out structural reforms to make their growth more balanced and sustainable, the five economies also need to coordinate their development strategies through such vehicles as the New Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road), it said. In the international arena, BRICS countries are expected to provide more solutions to gnawing global issues including terrorism and climate change through closer coordination. "As a bloc that represents the interests of the developing world, BRICS is also counted on to drive the wheels of South- South Cooperation, improve global governance and establish a fair, just and inclusive international order," it said. "Cooperation in economic and political fields has over the years emerged as the two 'wheels' of BRICS. The rise of the five emerging economies has brought profound changes to the world political and economic landscape. "Under such circumstances, the group is bound to play a bigger role in international affairs as there is still much to be desired both in the international system and global governance," it said. "Overall, there are enough reasons to believe BRICS will embrace an even brighter decade, which will also be a boon to the rest of the world," it said, adding that China will help anchor the international organisation in a better position to tackle global challenges and uncertainties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Families of two Americans killed in terror attacks in Brussels and Paris have sued Twitter, accusing the micro-blogging site of being a "tool and weapon of terrorism", a media report said. Alexander Pinczowski of New York was killed along with his sister Sascha Pinczowski in the Brussels terror attack in March last year. His wife Anne Cameron Cain accused Twitter of aiding and abetting ISIS by acting as the terror group's communication, recruiting and marketing arm, New York Post reported. Cain has filed suit in federal court in Manhattan. The new lawsuit calls the social media giant a "tool and a weapon of terrorism", the post reported. "ISIS has also used Twitter's Direct Messaging capabilities for fundraising and operational purposes," the lawsuit said. Cain was joined in the Manhattan federal lawsuit by family members of Nohemi Gonzalez, a California woman who died in the 2015 Paris attack in which 130 people were killed. "The conduct of Twitter was a direct, foreseeable and proximate cause of the wrongful deaths of Nohemi Gonzalez, Alexander Pinczowski," the lawsuit said. The families of Pinczowski and Gonzalez are seeking unspecified damages to be determined at trial. This is not the first time Twitter has been blamed for its use by terrorists. Legal action was initiated against Twitter, Facebook and Google following the Orlando nightclub shooting in June last year. Gonazalez's family had also filed lawsuit against Twitter, Google and Facebook last year in San Francisco. All of the lawsuits accuse Silicon Valley companies of not doing enough to stop terrorists from using its service to expand their reach. In August last year, Twitter indicated that it had closed some 360,000 accounts for promoting terrorism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trinamool Congress (TMC) today wondered why the CBI was only targetting it's leaders while leaving out other opposition leaders who were also allegedly involved with some chit fund groups. "It is surprising that despite involvement of Babul Supriyo and Roopa Ganguly, two BJP leaders from Bengal, CBI did not take any action against them," West Bengal minister for Irrigation, Rajiv Banejee said, adding two TMC MPs were arrested in framed up ponzy cases. Banerjee also alleged that Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar and Social Welfare minister Bijita Nath were involved with some chit fund groups, but the probe agency did not initiate any action against them. "CBI is working with a political motive to harass the TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and political leaders of TMC," he said at a protest meeting at RMS Chowmuhani here against demonetisation and alleged vindictive attitude of the central government towards the leaders of TMC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of assembly elections in Punjab, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi today reviewed the state's poll preparedness. Zaidi, along with other election commissioners, held meetings here with nodal officers, an official spokesman said. Punjab goes to polls on February 4. "The CEC had a first hand assessment and review of poll preparedness of the slate election machinery in view of general elections to the Punjab Legislative Assembly," the spokesman said. Later, the Commission also held meetings with representatives of political parties, including ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and opposition Congress. The commission will also hold meetinsg with DCs, SSPs and other officials tomorrow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani today announced that the Centre would soon set up a carpet cluster at Panipat and a hosiery cluster at Sirsa in Haryana. Making the announcement at the 'Pravasi Haryana Diwas' here, she told Chief Minster Manohar Lal Khattar that the central government will also support establishment of a trade facilitation centre in Panipat. Irani said the government would also support major design initiative so that apart from weaving industries, "Haryana can have a huge influx into the industry and see the second and third generation take the legacy of Panipat forward". "If we seek to enlarge the component of industry and strengthen their base in conjunction with farmers, I am hopeful that the Centre with the support of government of Haryana, can soon open a special hosiery cluster only for Sirsa so that the state could have more employment opportunities," she said, noting that the district accounts for 40 per cent production of cotton in Haryana. She urged the 'Parvasi Haryanvis' to be a part of Swa-Prerit Adarsh Gram Yojna and contribute in the development of the state. "This will not only ensure the strengthening of industry but would also give a strength to the humanity," she said. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Steel Birender Singh said India, at present, is the third largest producer of steel followed by Japan but as per a recent data, it would surpass Japan in steel production in coming few months. While stressing the need for setting up of scrap-based steel production units, he said the central government is contemplating to bring a policy for the same. He exhorted the 'Pravasi Haryanvis' to come up with such projects as making steel from scrap is "not only cost-effective but also environment friendly". Singh said "though industrialisation is considered as the only way forward, yet the contribution of farming community in the development process" could not be forgotten. While exhorting the 'Pravashi Haryanvis' to connect with their roots, he said there is a lot of potential in the youths of the state which can could produce best of shooters, wrestlers and athletes by supporting them. Meanwhile, CM Khattar also announced setting up of two NRI Cells to safeguard the interests of the non-resident Indians from the state. The Haryana government will shortly introduce sectoral policies including those in aerospace, defence, IT, retail, start up, innovation, textile and food processing, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's only aircraft carrier has entered the Taiwan Strait, the island's defence ministry said today, seen as a show of strength by Beijing as tensions rise between the two sides. The Liaoning has not entered Taiwanese waters but has gone into an area covered by its air defence zone, according to the ministry. Taiwanese media said the island's military had dispatched F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft last night to monitor the Chinese carrier group. The defence ministry would not confirm those reports. "The military is monitoring the whole situation and will act as necessary. We urge Taiwan's people to be at ease," the defence ministry said in the statement. It comes just after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen visited the United States at the weekend on a transit to Central America, despite protests from Beijing. China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be brought back within its fold, was incensed by an unprecedented call between Tsai and Donald Trump last month and has since stepped up military drills near the island. Although they do not have official relations, the United States is Taiwan's most powerful ally and main arms supplier. The Liaoning has been carrying out its first exercise in the Pacific and already passed south of Taiwan last month. It entered the southwest of Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) at 07:00 today local time (0430 IST), the defence ministry said, along with escort vessels. "(It) is sailing west of the midline of the Taiwan Strait, moving north," the ministry said in a statement. Experts have said the showing of the second-hand, Soviet- built Liaoning is "symbolic" rather than a pose of any real threat compared with the military might of the US. Tsai stopped in Houston Saturday and met with Republican Senator Ted Cruz during her stay, which was slammed by Beijing as an attempt to "undermine China-US relations." She is this week visiting Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador - among the dwindling number of states that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. While the focus of her visit is to bolster ties with allies, her US stopovers are being closely watched with speculation she may make contact with US President-elect Trump and his team. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the claims of AAP government that it has paid "maximum" funds to the three municipal corporations in Delhi, the BJP ruled civic bodies today slammed it for "paralysing" them financially by "withholding their dues" running into several thousand crores. A meeting of standing council of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) passed a resolution alleging Delhi government of "withholding" dues of municipal corporations and demanded Centre to "sack" it. The unanimously passed resolution demanded Delhi government to release immediately dues of the civic body totalling Rs 2,380 crore as per the 3rd Delhi Finance Commission (DFC) recommendations. It also called for implementation of recommendations of 4th DFC by Delhi government. East Delhi Municipal Corporation, worst affected by financial crisis, too has claimed a due of Rs 4,928.76 crore over Delhi government. The cleanliness situation in East Delhi worsened after sanitation workers went on strike on January 5, demanding regular payment of salaries and arrears. "Delhi government should sideline politics and help EDMC come out of the situation as one third of the population lives in East Delhi. They owe Rs 4,928.76 crore to the corporation," said EDMC standing committee chairman Jitender Chaudhary. He termed the present situation as an "emergency" as the corporation is in "dire need" of help. "27,000 employees are facing tough financial situation due to non release of the salaries due to paucity of funds," he said. Delhi government released Rs 119 crore to EDMC which was used in paying November and December month salaries of its 17,000 sanitation workers. The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) which is also passing through a financial crisis has sought release of funds allegedly "withheld" by Delhi government. Standing committee chairman of NDMC, VP Pandey said that Delhi government needs to pay a total of Rs 2,305.79 crore under the recommendations of 4th DFC. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has said that AAP government gave "maximum" funds to MCDs in the past five years while alleging that money was being "bungled" in the BJP ruled civic bodies. "AAP government has given maximum funds to the MCDs. Where is this money going? Who is bungling the money for the sanitation workers?" Sisodia had tweeted giving details of 5 years of funds transferred by government to municipal corporations. Pandey, however, said that Deputy CM's statement about the extra funds released to corporations is "contradictory and far from the facts", and asked Sisodia to check the accounts of his government for reality. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A district consumer forum here has dismissed a student's plea against prestigious St Stephen's College here for refund of tution fee on grounds of deficient service, saying colleges are not service providers. The district forum was considering a complaint filed by Paschim Vihar resident Ranbir Kumar who claimed that he was not provided with ID card, student's pass and library facility even after he had paid the fees of Rs 6,235 for one year certificate course in German in 2008. "There are a plethora of judgements that the service provided by education institution is not service and such university and college cannot be said to be the service provider in lieu of the fees taken by them for the purpose of any academic course," the forum said. According to Kumar's complaint, he had joined the course on August 6, 2008, and paid the fee for one year certificate course in German. He alleged that the college refused him an ID card, bus pass and the library facility which in-turn led to mental torture and harassment. He also alleged that he failed to obtain certificate or diploma from the Delhi University due to deficiency in service or unfair trade practice. The college denied the allegations and said he was only asked to write an assessment test in German which he refused. It submitted that Kumar was admitted for a diploma course in part-time language course and there was no provision for issuing identity cards to students of such part-time programmes. It also said that library facility was not provided as the college library does not have books in foreign languages. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Calcutta High Court today directed the city police commissioner to decide within 24 hours an application seeking permission for RSS rally on January 14 to be addressed by its chief Mohan Bhagwat. Sardul Singh Jain, a Sangh pracharak, moved the high court today on behalf of RSS, claiming that police authorities had not yet acted on their application that was submitted on December 29. The petitioner sought a direction to Kolkata Police authorities to give permission for holding the rally at Bhukailash Road in Kidderpore area in south-western part of the city on January 14. Appearing for RSS, counsel Anindya Mitra submitted that by not acting on their application for the rally scheduled on January 14, Kolkata Police authorities were impinging on the fundamental rights of people on freedom of expression. Justice Joymalyo Bagchi directed the Kolkata Police chief to consider the application in accordance with law and take a decision within 24 hours and communicate it forthwith. The rally is scheduled to be addressed by RSS supremo Bhagwat and the petitioner stated that it was amenable to holding the rally at either Bhukailash Road or at Brigade Parade Ground in the heart of the city. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) will acquire 48 per cent stake in IT consultancy GlobalLogic from private equity firm Apax Funds. No financial details of the deal were disclosed. Apax funds will retain an equal stake to CPPIB in the company, a statement said. Founded in 2000, San Jose-based GlobalLogic is a product engineering services company with over 11,000 employees worldwide. It has a significant presence in India with engineering centres at Hyderabad, Noida, Gurgaon, Nagpur, and Bangalore. "This is a compelling opportunity for CPPIB to back a highly successful management team in what is a rapidly growing and evolving software engineering services sector," CPPIB Managing Director, Head of Direct Private Equity, Ryan Selwood said. CPPIB looks forward to working with the GlobalLogic management team and Apax on the company's next phase of growth, he added. "GlobalLogic has seen significant returns from early investments in customer focus and in building differentiated capabilities to drive digital transformation for a number of large customers," said Rohan Haldea, Partner, Apax Partners. Apax had acquired GlobalLogic in 2013 for USD 420 million from a group of financial investors, including a PE fund managed by Goldman Sachs, Westbridge, New Atlantic Ventures and Sequoia. "In the past three years with Apax, we've enjoyed a 20 per cent plus compound annual growth rate (CAGR), consistently outperforming the broader product engineering services (PES) market," said Shashank Samant, CEO, GlobalLogic. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Industry body CII today said that cyber warfare is an area in which there is a great scope for joint working between industry and armed forces. "The whole area of cyber has become tremendously important for national security over the past few years especially soft targets which impacts the economy of the country," Kiran Karnik, Chairman, CII National Committee on Telecom and Broadband and CII National Mission on Digital India said in a statement. He lauded the stellar role of DEFCOM India in evolving the operational communication 'Info-Structures' for the Army. DEFCOM India 2017, an annual seminar organised jointly by the Corps of Signals of Indian Army and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is scheduled to be held on March 23-24 2017 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. DEFCOM India is the most seminal forum for interaction between the officers of the Armed Forces, Indian Industry, Academia and R&D organisations on matters related to operational communication systems for the Army. A Curtain Raiser Ceremony was held here today to launch the DEFCOM India 2017, 'Infrastructure and Skilled Human Resource for Digital Army' by Lt General Ashish Ranjan Prasad, VSM, ADC, Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Colonel Commandant, Corps of Signals. The occasion was also graced by senior representatives of Indian Industry who are closely involved in shaping a strong, indigenous defence industrial base for the nation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today directed Maharashtra to expeditiously decide on 69 pending applications for licenses to open dance bars in four weeks under old rules and the directions issued by it from time to time. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi said that the 69 applications pending with the state government should be decided by the competent authority within four weeks in accordance with old rules and directions of the court. The direction came after senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for state government, informed the court that till December 14, 2016, total of 69 application for licenses have been filed and were being looked into by competent authority. It asked the authority to keep in mind the order of November 24 last year in which the apex court had asked the applicants, who have not been granted licence, to submit their applications to the authority to get the licence and said that licences should be given to them on grounds of parity with those who have been already given. The bench posted the matter after six weeks for further hearing. Maharashtra government, in an affidavit filed before the court, had earlier defended the operation of a new law meant to regulate licensing and functioning of dance bars in the state. The new law, Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016 has been challenged by hotel and restaurant owners before the apex court. The state government in its reply has said, "It was observed that such dances were derogatory to the dignity of women and were likely to deprave, corrupt or injure public morality. "It was also brought to the notice of the State Government that the places where such dances were staged were used as places for immoral activities and also as a place for solicitation for the purpose of prostitution". The state said that prevention of obscenity in public places is a part of public policy in India and was reflected in provision of Indian Penal Code (IPC). "Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) Act, 2016 gives effect to such Public Policy," it said. (Reopens LGD25) The state government while defending the law said that there was some difference between an indecent act and an obscene act, although both conveyed the idea of offending against the recognised standards of propriety. "Obscenity is at upper end of scale of indecency. The restrictions put by the Act, Rules framed thereunder and licensing conditions are reasonable," it said. Highlighting that the dances done in these bars were not classical forms of dances and the young girls dancing in these premises were not trained artists, the government said that in such a situation, the possibility of dances becoming obscene to attract customers is inherent. Citing a report of PRAYAS (a field action project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences) in 2005, the state government said the study also pointed out that there was presence of the element of human trafficking in the entire process and the environment of the dance bars had negative impact on the physical and mental health of the minor girls. It said there was no merit in the petition filed by Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA) which should be dismissed. On September 21, the apex court had given interim relief to the state government by refusing to stay the operation of a new law though it had flagged some of its provisions. It had also allowed three dance bars which were granted licences by the state administration to continue to function under old rules and the directions issued by it. The court had questioned the clause for installation of CCTV cameras at performance areas saying it infringement of right to privacy. One of the other regulation which was strongly contested by IHRA pertained to the mandatory condition that dancers are to be employed by the bar owners. Maharashtra strongly opposed the contention of dance bar owners on various clauses in the new law and even questioned locus of petitioners, saying they were before the court as companies and not as aggrieved citizens. The IHRA had claimed that the new Maharashtra Act violated the fundamental rights of hotel and bar owners and sought the court's direction to declare it unconstitutional, invalid, void and unenforceable. Two of the four death row convicts in the December 16 gangrape and murder case today moved a Delhi court seeking that they be shifted to another cell in Tihar jail on the ground of threat from a co-prisoner. Special Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal issued notice to the jail superintendent, where the two convicts are lodged, for January 18. Convicts Pawan Gupta and Akshay Kumar Singh said in their application that on December 24, 2016, they were shifted to a common cell with another prisoner, who has been allegedly harassing them physically and mentally. The plea, filed through advocate A P Singh, alleged that the two convicts fear for their lives as there was an apprehension that they could be harmed by the co-prisoner. It said that earlier they were lodged in a separate cell where there was no danger of any attack by other inmates. Besides shifting to another cell, they also sought action against the co-prisoner from whom they allegedly face threat. Pawan, Akshay, Vinay Sharma and Mukesh were convicted and sentenced to death by a trial court on September 10, 2013 in the December 16, 2012 gangrape and murder case and the punishment was upheld by the Delhi High Court on March 13, 2014. Their appeals are pending before the Supreme Court. Six persons, including a juvenile, had beaten up and robbed carpenter Ram Adhar before raping and brutally assaulting a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus in south Delhi on the night of December 16, 2012. Thirteen days after the assault, she was transferred to a hospital in Singapore for emergency treatment, but succumbed to her injuries. As per the charge sheet in the robbery case, the police had alleged that bus driver Ram Singh, his brother Mukesh, Vinay, Pawan and Akshay, along with the juvenile, had snatched the 35-year-old carpenter's mobile phone and Rs 1,500 after luring him into the bus. The trial court had also awarded 10-year imprisonment to the four convicts, saying they "do not deserve any leniency". Out of the six, accused Ram Singh had allegedly committed suicide in Tihar jail on March 11, 2013 and proceedings against him were abated. On August 31, 2013 the Juvenile Justice Board sentenced the minor accused to a three-year stay in a special home for gangrape and murder of the girl. The juvenile, now 21-years-old, was later released from the reformation home. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tamil Nadu Primary Co-operative All Workers Association today staged a demonstration here demanding that biometric devices which, they said, were not required for Primary agricultural cooperative credit societies, be withdrawn. Association members alleged that the equipment was supplied for Rs 5000 though its cost was only Rs 2500-3500. The loss to the government worked out to Rs 1.5 crore, they alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that democracy, freedom, and the rule of law are under attack around the world, the former Secretary of State on Wednesday said that diplomacy is one of the greatest forces for peace, prosperity and progress the world has ever known. In a rare public address since her shocking defeat in November 2016 presidential elections, Clinton said that "authoritarianism" and "illiberalism" are threatening the foundations of post World War II era. Speaking at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department, wherein Clinton was joined by the former Secretaries of States in the opening of the US Diplomacy Center Pavilion, she said: "Diplomacy is one of the greatest forces for peace, prosperity, and progress the world has ever known." "Democracy, freedom, and the rule of law are under attack around the world. A rising tide of authoritarianism and illiberalism threatens the foundations of the post-World War II global era that American diplomats have built and defended since Marshall and (Gooderham) Acheson," she said. "And at a time when the longstanding bipartisan goal of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace is under enormous pressure, we would do well to remember what it feels like to stand in the shadow of the giant segment of the Berlin Wall that will greet visitors here at the centre. "It's signed by leaders who helped end the Cold War, unified Germany, and expanded democracy," Clinton said. The US Secretary of State John Kerry said by ensuring that American leadership is not only still needed in the world but broadly welcomed, American diplomats have written a truly extraordinary tale that will bear telling over and over again for generations. "And we will soon have the ideal place in which to relate that story," he said. Kerry said the story of American diplomacy reflects a far different and far more uplifting vision, one of optimism about the ability of people from vastly different backgrounds to work together productively and in peace. "We know that that can happen abroad. Why?Because we've done it here at home. And no country has melted more people of different backgrounds and varied aspirations and hopes than we have in the United States of America. "That's the great thing that separates us from every other country in the world," he said. "We are not defined by ethnicity. We are not defined by lineage. We are not defined by names. We are not defined by where we come from. We are defined by an idea. "Unlike most other nations, the idea is that all people are created equal and that you can pursue life, liberty, and happiness," Kerry said. A day after Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said the Centre would take a stand on Jallikaatu only after the Supreme Court decides on the issue, DMK today accused it of double standards regarding Tamil Nadu's demand to allow the bull-taming sport. "This shows the double standards of the Central government," DMK working president M K Stalin said. It is a matter of "anguish" that the environment minister had expressed such a view when his Cabinet colleagues opined that they would try and facilitate holding the event, he said. Speaking to mediapersons here, Stalin recalled the stance of the Centre in the apex court against immediately setting up Cauvery Management Board and wondered why the Union government had not taken a similar line of approach in Jallikattu issue. Yesterday, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu had said nobody should have objection to Jallikattu, but added that legal aspects need to be looked into. Referring to pendency of Jallikattu issue in the Supreme Court, Dave had said, "When the decision is pending... As a government we only can wait for the decision." He had said, "The moment the decision comes, tomorrow or day after, we will take our stand. I think the Court will take care of the sentiments of society. It is the tradition. The moment decision will come, we will examine and we will go ahead." Earlier in the day, AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promulgate an ordinance for holding Jallikattu. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam too had reaffirmed his government's resolve to conduct the bull-taming sport, saying it will "not back off" on the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DP World Group today said it is eyeing investment opportunities of over USD 1 billion over the next few years in the port and logistics space in India. "We are also looking for investment opportunities worth over USD 1 billion over the next few years offering our partners the opportunity to grow and expand their business. We remain committed to our operations in the country, which form an important part of our global network," DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem was quoted as saying in a statement. "Meanwhile, we are reinforcing our commitment to economic development through our operations in the country, where we have invested USD 1.2 billion to date, supporting over 30 per cent of India's container trade. Being one of the strongest emerging economies in the world, it offers immense potential for growth in maritime and inland trade," Sulayem said. The statement further said that Sulayem met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit being held in Ahmedabad. Discussions highlighted the immense potential of India's growing economy and the nation's maritime and inland trade. Sulayem also joined a Global CEOs' meeting at the Summit chaired by the Prime Minister. He outlined the importance of the innovation and opportunities for investors in trade, logistics and the maritime sector. The conference hosted 35 foreign business leaders and 23 Indian industrialists. DP World has invested in the development of 5 international gateway ports in India, the statement said. "There is also a great need to reach internal markets, invest in cold storage facilities and networks, using coastal and inland waterways to increase efficiencies and lower costs," Sulayem said. "By developing this transport infrastructure - at existing ports, multi-modal transport including rail for freight and more use of waterways - there will be a direct economic impact benefiting manufacturing and agriculture, those in cities and the rural farming community," Sulayem added. DP World operates in multiple businesses - from marine and inland terminals, maritime services, logistics and ancillary services to technology-driven trade solutions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scores of Delhi University students today staged a protest at Miranda House over the college's warning to students against clicking selfies or combing hair in corridors. A notice which has been put up at the college for the School of Open Learning (SOL) students, who attend Sunday classes there, states that activities such as clicking selfies, combing hair and modelling in corridors amount to "misutilisation" of time and students found doing so may face suspension for a day. The students who brought combs to the protest venue shouted slogans outside the college demanding that the notice be withdrawn. College principal Pratibha Jolly, however, said, "Banning selfies and combing of hair is not something which is in the policy of Miranda House. They are just suggestions for students to not risk their life by sitting on the corridors pillars and clicking or posing for pictures." Jolly also clarified that there is no discrimination between the regular college students and the SOL students. Krantikari Yuva Sangathan, an association of SOL students, which led the protest termed the circular "misogynistic" and said that they would take it up with the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today demanded the Election Commission debar Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd CMD K D Chaudhuri from working till the elections in the state are over, alleging that he was functioning like an "extension" of the ruling Akali Dal. "Election Commission should debar KD Chaudhri, CMD of Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd from working till the model code of conduct for Assembly elections are in force," an AAP spokesperson said here. She alleged that Chaudhri was working like an extension of the ruling Akali Dal by doling out reckless favours in the constituencies of top party leaders like Chief minister Prakash Singh Badal, his son Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia. Chaudhri is also probably the only government official in the entire country whose retirement age has been extended upto the age of 67 years on December 20, she said. Even persons on constitutional posts like Supreme Court judges cannot work after the age of 65 years, she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A section of East Delhi Municipal Corporation sanitation workers "continued" with their strike today, even as civic officials said 1,800 metric ton of garbage was picked up, a day after EDMC had claimed that all unions had ended the agitation. About 17,000 sanitation workers are employed with EDMC, out of which about 15,000 are employed full-time. The strike had left the trans-Yamuna region of the capital littered with dumps of garbage, from Laxmi Nagar to Patparganj. "All our sanitation employees, except a section of workers have resumed duty and helped dispose off 1,800 metric ton of garbage today. About 58 trucks were deployed last night, 72 in the morning and 65 in the afternoon to clear the accumulated mess," a senior EDMC official said. However, the MCD Swachhata Karmchari Union, affiliated to Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), said it is still on strike. "Today we continued to be on strike and sanitation workers led by us piled up garbage in front of the camp office of Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel in protest. We want a permanent solution to this problem," president of the Union, Sanjay Gehlot said. Meanwhile, the commissioners of the three civic bodies -- NDMC, SDMC and EDMC -- today met Delhi Chief Secretary M M Kutty to discuss the financial situation in the corporations, according to sources. The EDMC officials had yesterday claimed that after a meeting with the Commissioner all the unions ended the strike. The sanitation workers of EDMC had gone on strike on January 5 demanding payment of their due salaries and arrears. The strike has again triggered a political blamegame ahead of the municipal polls, with AAP and BJP charging each another of creating the crisis. Meanwhile, a senior official of the North Corporation today said, "The salaries of sanitation workers for the month of November and December has been released, while for other class IV employees the November salary has been released." North and East Corporations are among the cash-stripped civic bodies in the capital city, and have faced intermittent agitation from sanitation workers in last couple of years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After successful transformation of the LED bulb market in the country through the UJALA scheme, state-run Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is now keen to replicate it for air conditioners. "Keeping this in mind, TERI and EESL hosted a day-long workshop to deliberate on a strategy for super-efficient cooling systems (ACs of rating ISEER >5.2) higher than 5-star rating," an EESL statement said. The workshop was attended by leading manufacturers, USAID, World Bank, Facility owners, Energy Service Companies and Banks with an aim to leap-frog and accelerate the introduction of super-efficient air conditioners in the Indian market. As a result of the workshop, leading manufacturers like Voltas, Blue Star, Godrej, Daikin, Whirlpool & Panasonic pledged their support to develop and deploy super-efficient cooling systems in their complexes and facilities. They also endorsed the Global Advanced Cooling Challenge proposed by the Department of Energy, USA, it said. This endorsement indicates that they will define specific commitment actions that will be featured on the AC Challenge website and will track these commitments through the duration of the AC Challenge, it added. The increasing demand for air conditioners poses a challenge to electricity grids, which are already struggling to satisfy existing demand, it stated. As per a recent study by International Energy Agency (IEA), the penetration of ACs will rise from 5 per cent to 70 per cent by 2040. Also, ownership of appliances in domestic households in the same period is likely to increase from 14 to 44 per cent. This would require additional capacity of 165 GW, it said. Speaking at the meet, EESL Managing Director Saurabh Kumar said, "We all agree that ACs are the primary reason for high peak demand. Super-efficient ACs need to be introduced which can reduce consumer energy bills and energy demand by 30 per cent." Till date, EESL has saved 2,528 crore kWh annually through their flagship programmes UJALA and Street Lighting National Programme. The company has successfully distributed close to 20 crore LED bulbs and have retrofitted over 15 lakh LED street lights across India. EESL will launch their Super-Efficient AC programme in the coming months, under which inverter ACs of rating ISEER >5.2 (higher than 5-star rating) will be made available to public at low prices. Extending the UJALA programme, EESL now offers a unique proposition for Energy Service Companies who execute energy efficiency projects in facilities and complexes. ESCOs can now avail LED bulbs, tubelights and fans at a reasonable price for their projects, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An elephant caused havoc in Bekbekgre village in North Garo Hills district destroying three houses, officials said today. The elephant broke off from the herd and destroyed three houses of Bekbekgre, that falls within an elephant corridor, last evening. The animal left the village only after policemen from Bajengdoba police station arrived and assisted the villagers in chasing it away, officials said. The villagers have been spending sleepless nights since the past three weeks after a herd of over 40 elephants have been roaming around the village. "Elephants had destroyed one house two weeks ago. At that time we managed to chase them away," said Bappun A Sangma, a villager. "None of us have been able to sleep since the past few weeks as the elephants keep coming back," added Sangma. The BDO of the Resubelpara block, Leena D Sangma, said that a damage assessment report would be made sent to the forest department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The AAP government has asked Delhi Police to enforce ban on sale, manufacturing and storage of all forms of chewing tobacco imposed by it in the national capital in April last year. In his letter to Delhi Police, Deputy Commissioner (Food Safety) Jai Prakash also cited the September 29, 2016 order of the Supreme Court for "total compliance" of the ban imposed on manufacturing and sale of gutka and pan masala with tobacco and/or nicotine. On April 13 last year, Department of Food Safety had issued a notification banning sale, manufacturing and storage of all forms of chewing tobacco whether in single pack or twin packs i.E. Tobacco and pan masala sold in separate packs but intended to be consumed together. "The notification (of the department) had been challenged in the High Court in a number of petitions, but the Supreme Court vide order dated October 23, 2016 had directed for total compliance of the ban. "You (Delhi Police) are, therefore, requested to enforce the ban imposed vide notification dated April 13, 2016, as ordered by the Supreme Court," Prakash said in the letter. Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Professor of Surgical Oncologist (Tata Memorial Hospital) has praised the Delhi Government's initiative. "In Delhi alone, there are 30 lakh tobacco users. 40% of these will die untimely deaths. Nearly 10,000 deaths every year are due to tobacco consumption in Delhi. There are more than 5 million children in India who are addicted to tobacco," he said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Commission today proposed restoring tariff concessions for imports from Sri Lanka after scrapping them for seven years, as the new government pledged to improve human rights. The executive body of the 28-member European Union said it proposed to lift import duties on goods from the island in exchange for its commitment to rights and good governance. "These one-way trade preferences would consist of the full removal of duties on 66% of tariff lines, covering a wide array of products including textiles and fisheries (Sri Lanka's main exports to the EU)," the commission said in a statement. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said the proposed concessions showed the EU wanted to help Sri Lanka improve its rights record. "This should include making Sri Lankan counter-terrorism legislation fully compatible with international human rights conventions," she said. The European Parliament and the Council now have up to four months to raise potential objections before the measures become effective, the commission said. Should it be formally approved, there will be closer scrutiny of the nation's rights record. The clothing industry was the main beneficiary of the original concessions, which were withdrawn in 2010 after the then-government failed to meet human rights obligations. Then-president Mahinda Rajapakse had refused to investigate allegations that troops under his command killed up to 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians in the final months of a 37-year separatist war that ended in May 2009. The new government of President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to address the rights concerns of the international community, but it has been slow to deliver on promises of accountability for wartime atrocities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) R A Mashelkar, former director general of CSIR, has been named as the head of an expert committee tasked to identify and recommend sustainable technologies for solid waste, sanitation, sewerage and water supply management aimed to achieving clean India goals. Last month, the Union Urban Development Ministry had issued an Office Memorandum that the 'Technology Evaluation Committee for Solid & Liquid Waste and Water Supply' will "identify/recommend appropriate and sustainable technologies in the field of solid waste, sanitation, sewerage and water supply with a proven track record". The constitution of the committee and naming of Mashelkar, the former DG of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, as its head, come as the government looks to achieve the Clean India mission goals by 2019. The key aspects of the Clean India missions include elimination of open defecation, solid waste management and adopting healthy sanitation practices. The committee is also expected to give impetus to Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) which focuses on ensuring water supply, and improving sewer network and drainage system in the urban areas. Mashelkar, National Research Professor and Chairman of National Innovation Foundation, is also presently the President of Global Research Alliance, an organisation that promotes Millennium Development Goals through research and development. He has been honoured with with Padmashri (1991), Padmabhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2014). The committee is mandated to carry out technical assessment of emerging technologies in India, their affordability and scalability on a nationwide basis. It will also certify emerging technologies for taking up for implementation by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), besides recommending funding support from the government for taking up few such pilot plants in the country. Including the member secretary, the committee comprises 13 members under three categories -- national experts (8 members), state experts (2) and Urban Development Ministry experts (3). Some of the members include Deputy Director General of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Bhushan Chandra and former Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation P U Asnani (National experts); Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (GSIDC) Managing Director Sanjit Rodrigues and Kerala government Suchitwa Mission Executive Director K Vasuki (state experts). Members from Ministry include Swachh Bharat Mission Additional Director Saurabh Jain and Deputy Advisor, Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) Rohit Kakkar. CPHEEO Adviser V K Chaurasia is the member secretary of the panel. The committee will be in place for next three years or till further orders and can be reconstituted depending on specific needs of the sector, reads the memorandum. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) People worldwide love the 'face with tears of joy' emoji, except the romantic French who prefer the 'heart' emoji, according to a new study that analysed 427 million messages from nearly four million smartphone users in 212 countries and regions. Researchers at the University of Michigan (U-M) in the US and Peking University in China analysed whether emoji use was universal or differed based on user location and culture. They used a popular input method app - Kika Emoji Keyboard - made available in 60 languages. The team's results are believed to be the first large-scale analysis of emoji usage. "Emojis are everywhere. They are becoming the ubiquitous language that bridges everyone across different cultures," said Wei Ai, a doctoral student at the U-M School of Information and one of the lead authors of the study. Ai and colleagues found that face with tears emoji is the most popular emoji, comprising 15.4 per cent of the total symbols in the study. Heart emoji and heart eyes emoji are the second- and third-most used ones. According to the findings, the French love using an emoji the most, with nearly 20 per cent of messages including at least one symbol, followed by Russians and Americans. In line with perceptions of the culture, the romantic French embrace icons associated with hearts, while users from other countries prefer emojis related to faces. The researchers also explored other cultural preferences in using emojis. Countries with high levels of individualism, like Australia, France and the Czech Republic, overwhelmingly use more happy emojis. Countries where ties between individuals are integrated and tight, like Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia, use more emojis expressing sadness, anger and negative feelings. People in long-term orientation societies who tend to have values that center on the future - French, Hungarians and Ukrainians - are less likely to use negative emojis than those living in societies with low long-term orientation like Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Israel. Contrary to their perceptions as high-indulgent cultures, countries like Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina do not use more positive emojis expressing happiness, researchers said. The study found that they are more likely to use negative symbols, in comparison to cultures known for restraint and self-discipline, like Turkey, France and Russia. "Our report shows that users from different countries can have various preferences to use emojis," said Qiaozhu Mei, associate professor at the U-M School of Information. "The rank of emojis shown in the input methods should be country-aware to users," Mei said. Input methods could be developed to suggest relevant "next-to-use" emojis to users, research suggests. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fertiliser Minister Ananth Kumar today said he has written to the Finance Minister for Rs 20,000 crore special banking arrangement to provide loan at reasonable rate to cash-starved fertiliser companies. Fertiliser subsidy arrears are estimated to be around Rs 35,000 crore by end of this fiscal. In view of delayed payment of subsidy by the government, the industry has to bear about Rs 4,000 crore annually as interest cost. "I have already written to Finance Minister to allow special banking arrangement for Rs 20,000 crore to clear old dues. I had a meeting with FM on this issue. I am hopeful this will be approved," Kumar told PTI in an interview. The Minister pointed out that fertiliser industry is facing some liquidity issue as it has sold soil-nutrients to farmers on 100 per cent credit post demonetisation. "Last three months have been difficult as we have given 100 per cent credit for farmers to purchase fertilisers, therefore some liquidity is required for the fertiliser industry," he said. According to Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), the subsidy arrear is currently at Rs 30,000 crore and this would rise to around Rs 35,000 crore by end of 2016-17 fiscal. In November last year, the Minister had promised the industry to clear fertiliser subsidy arrears at the earliest. Asked about fertiliser availability for the ongoing rabi (winter) season, Kumar said, "There is no problem. Already, 20 lakh tonnes of urea is in the field. There is huge availability." On implementing the government's decision to increase the fixed cost of urea by Rs 350 per tonne, the Minister said that the government will not do in a "piece meal manner" and will consider it "holistically." "Fixed cost of urea has to be thought about because whatever recommendation is with the government, much water has flown. We have come out with new urea policy, in which we have come out with oil price pooling and energy efficiency among others. Therefore, we don't want to approve the matter in a piece meal manner... I will be considering it holistically." On direct benefit transfer (DBT) of fertiliser subsidy, the Minister informed, it would be rolled out across the country next year as pilot study is still underway. "We are doing pilot study in 16 districts. Results are encouraging. We will finalise our inputs by end of next kharif. We require study of two seasons and then we can scale up at the national level. It will be next year," he said. Outlining the plans for this year, the Minister said the government will focus on research and development in both chemical fertiliser and petro-chemicals. "We have already initiated neem-coated urea. Can we go for multi-coating?" he said, adding that a newly set up research wing will come out with studies in this regard. The government will also give a thrust on bio-fertilisers and organic fertilisers, he said and added that the ministry is exploring whether cowdung can be further processed. Already, the government is giving a subsidy of Rs 1,500 per tonne for compost, which will boost consumption. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five Trinamool Congress workers, including the husband of a councillor of Kharagpur Municipality, were injured when miscreants fired at them at Kharagpur in Midnapore West district today, police said. The party workers were inside the office of ward 18 councillor A Puja at Nayakhuli locality when the miscreants hurled a bomb and fired indiscriminately. Five persons including Puja's husband Srinu Naidu were injured in the firing, police said. While Naidu and another injured were taken to a Kolkata hospital, the three others were admitted to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. Investigation is on and no arrests have been made so far, police said. Tension prevailed in the area and a police picket has been posted there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five Malian soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit a landmine in the centre of the country. The explosion occurred between the central Segou and Mopti regions. "We have lost five men. Their vehicle set off a mine. They were all in the same vehicle," a Malian military official told AFP yesterday. Another Malian military source confirmed the blast and blamed "terrorists" for the killings, without naming any group. Explosive devices and ambushes have been frequently used against Malian and UN forces, which arrived in 2013 to fight Islamists. Northern Mali fell to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda from March 2012. These forces were driven out of key towns by a French-led military intervention the following year. Barely a week goes by without attacks on security forces despite a peace pact signed following lengthy negotiations between the government, groups backing it and ethnic Tuareg rebels. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five UAE officials were among 56 people killed in a string of bombings across Afghan cities, authorities said today, as Taliban militants step up a deadly winter campaign of violence. The Emiratis were among 13 people killed when explosives hidden in a sofa detonated inside the governor's compound in southern Kandahar yesterday, while the UAE's ambassador to Afghanistan escaped the attack with injuries. Just hours before, twin Taliban blasts in Kabul tore through employees exiting a parliament annexe, which houses the offices of lawmakers, killing at least 36 people and wounding 80 others. And earlier yesterday, a Taliban suicide bomber killed seven people in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province, as the militants ramp up nationwide attacks despite the onset of winter, when fighting usually wanes. The carnage underscores growing insecurity in Afghanistan, where US-backed forces are struggling to combat a resilient Taliban insurgency as well as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants. Kandahar's governor Humayun Azizi and UAE envoy Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi were wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, said provincial police chief Abdul Raziq, who was at the scene when the blast occurred. The Emirati officials killed were "on a mission to carry out humanitarian, educational and development projects", the UAE's official WAM agency said on Wednesday. "This incident will in no way affect the relations and cooperation between Afghanistan and UAE," President Ashraf Ghani said, ordering an investigation into the bombing. The Taliban denied responsibility for the Kandahar attack, but they said they were behind the Kabul blasts. In the first explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up next to a minibus transporting government employees. As rescuers reached the scene, a car bomb exploded. Among the 36 dead were four policemen who were killed in the second explosion when they rushed to help the victims of the first blast. Health ministry spokesman Waheed Majroh warned that the toll was expected to rise as many of the wounded were battling for their lives in hospital. Condemning the "barbaric attack", Ghani lashed out at the Taliban for the assault on civilians, which left the area littered with bloodied bodies. "The deaths of scores of civilians in today's Kabul bomb attacks indicates that the Taliban are pressing ahead with a gruesome campaign of violence that makes no effort to spare civilian lives," Amnesty International said in a statement. Yesterday's carnage came just ten days before Donald Trump is sworn in as US president. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former BSP Rajya Sabha MP Narendra Kashyap joined BJP here today in the presence of its Uttar Pradesh unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and state in-charge Om Mathura. Kashyap was arrested last year in an alleged dowry death case involving his daughter-in-law. BSP had expelled him soon after and he is presently out on bail. BJP hopes that his presence would boost its prospects in Ghaziabad. Kashyap said he was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syrian warplanes launched strikes in several parts of the country today despite a fragile truce, a monitor said, as Russia confirmed a January 23 date for new peace talks. The negotiations, to be held in the Kazakh capital Astana, are intended to build on a ceasefire in effect since late December, brokered by regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. The truce has brought quiet to large parts of the country, but has been threatened by continuing violence, particularly near the capital Damascus. Overnight and into Wednesday, government warplanes hit opposition areas in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, as well as the Eastern Ghouta region near the capital, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The overnight strikes in Idlib, in the northwest of the country, targeted positions belonging to former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, which is not party to the ceasefire, the Observatory said. The strikes on the town of Taftanaz killed three rebels from an Islamist group allied to the jihadists, the Britain-based monitor said. An AFP correspondent in the town saw a building that had totally collapsed in the attack. The White Helmets, a rescue service operating in rebel areas, spent hours clearing debris with picks and hammers. Government air strikes also hit Eastern Ghouta this morning, the Observatory said. The rebel-held region has been hit by artillery fire during the truce, but the air strikes, which killed a woman and wounded nine other people, were the first since the start of the ceasefire, the monitor said. The Observatory also reported clashes and air strikes in the Wadi Barada region, which has seen some of the most serious violence since the truce went into effect on December 30. The rebel-held region some 15 kilometres northwest of Damascus is the main water source for the capital, but supply has been cut since December 22. Some 5.5 million people in Damascus and its suburbs are suffering water shortages as a result, the UN says. The government accuses rebels, among them Fateh al-Sham, of deliberately cutting the supply. The rebels say regime strikes damaged pumping facilities and deny that Fateh al-Sham, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, has forces in the area. Fateh al-Sham and its jihadist rival the Islamic State group are excluded from the truce, and President Bashar al-Assad's government has said it plans to "liberate" Wadi Barada despite the deal. "The role of the Syrian army is to liberate that area in order to prevent those terrorists from using that water in order to suffocate the capital," Assad told French media on Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pitted against Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh, former Army chief and Akali Dal candidate from Patiala General Joginder Jaswant Singh today announced to highlight the "absence" of former Punjab Chief Minister from his bastion, saying he will connect with voters through door to door campaign. "We will announce a campaign 'Gumshuda Ki Talash' (search for missing Amarinder) in Patiala to highlight that he has been missing from Patiala for long," Singh said today. "I am shocked to know when people here told me that nobody saw him in Patiala for long. He has not met any person living in streets and mohallas here and how he kept winning all these years," wondered Singh who has jumped into political battle by joining SAD. Singh said that he was yet to see him (Amarinder) in Patiala (Urban) assembly constituency ever since he was announced as Shiromani Akali Dal candidate from Patiala. "I have just seen his (Amarinder's) wife and former Union minister Preneet Kaur who is canvassing for him," he said. The former army chief, who also had a stint as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, said he will focus on holding door-to-door campaign rather than holding rallies. "I will meet people through door-to-door campaigning. I will also hold a cycle rally and go around every nook and corner of the city to mingle with people," said Singh who has claimed to have spent his childhood days in Patiala. Referring to door-to-door campaigning, Singh said, "I will do what he (Amarinder) cannot do." "They have gotten away so far because they did not have worthwhile candidate against them so that is why they were not worried. Now this time he cannot get away," asserted Singh. He exuded confidence that he would pull off a "historic" win against Amarinder Singh, who is also an ex-army man. To a query, Singh claimed to have support of local Akalis for his candidature. Earlier, both former soldiers had engaged into war of words. Amarinder had claimed that it would be for the first time that a captain would be defeating a general. To this, former army chief had reportedly said it was a battle between a scion of royalty and a soldier's grandson. Singh, who was commissioned into 9 Maratha Light Infantry, was the first Sikh officer to become the army chief. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Germany took in 280,000 asylum seekers in 2016, about one third of the previous year's record figure, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said today. At the height of the huge refugee and migrant influx to Europe in 2015, a total of 890,000 people came seeking safe haven in the EU's top economy. The migration office said that it received about 745,000 asylum requests in 2016 from people who had arrived that year or the year before. Of these, 36 percent were from refugees from war-torn Syria, 17 percent from Afghans and 13 percent from Iraqis, it said. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who faces an election expected in September, has been harshly criticised for the mass inflow, and her government has taken a series of measures to reduce arrivals. The reduced numbers for 2016 "show that the measures which the German government and the European Union have taken are working," said de Maiziere at a press conference. "We have managed to bring order to the migrant situation." The mass influx eased off sharply in early 2016 after several Balkans transit countries shuttered their borders. The EU also reached a controversial deal with Turkey, spearheaded by Germany, to stop the influx to the Greek islands. In further measures, Berlin declared some western Balkans states "safe countries of origin", making it harder for their citizens to obtain refugee status in Germany. It is seeking similar designations for Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, and also plans to pressure the Maghreb countries, possibly by denying foreign aid, if they drag their feet on taking back rejected asylum seekers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GoAir has firmed up the order for 72 A320 neo planes, estimated to be worth over Rs 52,000 crore, as the no-frills airline expands its fleet and prepares to fly overseas. With the latest development, the carrier -- part of the Wadia group -- now has placed firm orders with Airbus for 144 A320 neos (new engine option). The airline inducted the first A320 neo -- which have better fuel efficiency -- in June last year and now has a fleet of 23 aircraft. "With the neo induction, Go Air will expand its network and offer fliers better connectivity and continue its growth as one of India's preferred low-cost airline," it said in a release today. The firm contract for the 72 planes was inked by GoAir on December 30 while it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus in this regard in July last year. This is in addition to the earlier order for 72 such aircraft. While GoAir did not disclose the total value of the latest order for 72 aircraft, a back of the envelope calculation based on Airbus listed price for 2016 shows that the order would be worth more than Rs 52,000 crore. This is on the basis of current foreign exchange rate and listed price of USD 107.3 million for one A320 neo. "The A320 neo provides the latest technical innovations and unbeatable economics... This new order will further strengthen our network by adding more domestic and international routes in the years to come," GoAir Managing Director and CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said. The single aisle A320 neo family of aircraft has new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver over 15 per cent in fuel savings while 20 per cent would be there with further cabin innovations by 2020, the release said. "We are delighted that GoAir has renewed its confidence in Airbus. The A320 neo offers unbeatable operating costs... By doubling its order to 144 aircraft, GoAir will benefit from a greatly expanded network," Airbus Commercial Aircraft Chief Operating Officer (Customers) John Leahy said. Not only GoAir, rival IndiGo is also flying a significant number of A320 neos while national carrier Air India is expected to take delivery of the first such aircraft next month. GoAir, which has received government's approval to fly to nine countries including Iran, Uzbekistan and Kazakhastan, is likely to start international operations this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is expected to announce an incentive package for labour intensive leather sector in the forthcoming Budget with a view to give a boost to the segment and generate jobs. The commerce and industry ministry has asked its finance counterpart to give financial assistance for the Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP) and for setting up of mega leather clusters in the country, an official said. As the ILDP, which is a central sector scheme, has provided huge support to the sector, the finance ministry may consider extending it for three more fiscals. It will end by this fiscal. The commerce ministry has asked for about Rs 7,000 crore for this programme for three years. "The incentives are asked broadly on the lines of the package announced for the textiles sector. Presentations have already been given to Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Ministry," the official said. The industry has also demanded cut in excise duty to 6 per cent from 12 per cent for non-leather products like footwears till the Goods and Service Tax comes into force. The major players of the sector includes Bata India, Liberty Shoes, Mirza International and Relaxo Footwear. The commerce ministry is hopeful for the package in the Budget as the sector has huge potential to attract investment and generate jobs, the official added. Synthetic leather accounts for about 90 per cent of the total leather manufacturing in the country. The sector is important as it is a thrust segment under the 'Make in India' initiative. Chairman of Council for Leather Exports Rafeeq Ahmed has time and again asked the government to extend financial support. As per industry experts, Rs one crore investment in the sector results in creation of jobs for about 250 people. Currently about 30 lakh people are directly employed in the sector. China is giving tough competition to Indian leather manufacturers in terms of pricing. Support to the sector will also help boost shipments. Leather and leather goods are among the 25 focus sectors under the Make in India initiative. The government aims to increase the exports to $15 billion by 2020 from the current $7 billion. Union minister Piyush Goyal today took on Rahul Gandhi for his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation and claimed that the entire country was in favour of the exercise which sought to curb the black money menace. The BJP leader wondered why the Congress vice president went on a vacation abroad if he was actually worried about the hardship of the people in the wake of demonetisation, adding that instead, he should have stayed among them. "If he (Rahul) was actually so worried about the people's problems due to demonetisation, he should have stayed among the public to solve them. But, I am happy to know that after coming back from the vacation, he got to know so much about the economy. Probably, he is not able to understand that the entire country is backing the prime minister (over notes ban)," Goyal said. He was talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a seminar at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. On the currency invalidation move, Goyal said, "The entire country is standing with the prime minister for the way he has attacked black money, terrorism and counterfeit currency. "I understand that the Congress is worried about the growing popularity of the prime minister, thinking if the public rejected them so badly in 2014, then what will they do in the next election. They are pained by this thought." The Union Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines claimed that the possible adverse impact of demonetisation on the economy was known and the NDA government had been saying this "from day one". "As far as its impact on the economy is concerned, we had been saying this since day one that there will be some problems and even the GDP (rate) may go down. I had said this in a transparent and open manner. Even a common man can say this in a country where 20-30 per cent of the economy is informal," he added. Rahul today launched a blistering attack on Modi, accusing him of "instilling fear" among the people and "wrecking the economy" through demonetisation. The Congress leader was speaking at the party's day-long national convention, called in the wake of demonetisation in New Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oxford University Press collaborates with Valuepoint Academy ANI, Bangalore | Published : 10th January, 2017 Oxford University Press India and Valuepoint Academy today announced their collaboration to provide English language courses to students as a part of the 'Oxford Quality Programme'. This association will endeavour to improve communication skills, knowledge of English language and overall personality of students, towards improving their longer-term career prospects. Valuepoint Academy will run the 'Oxford Quality Programme' at its Bangalore and Pune centres. Speaking about this partnership, Paras Bansal, Business Head - Higher Education, Trade and Professional Learning, Oxford University Press India said, "We are delighted to partner with Valuepoint Academy to collaboratively impart learning of English language to young career professionals. Proficiency in English is one of the accepted and identified parameters for better employment opportunities, not just in India but across several global geographies." "OUP is well-respected for its best-in-class English Language Teaching (ELT) content, which we continually endeavour to develop and put out in several formats for benefit of learners," he added. Rajan Sood, Managing Director of Valuepoint Academy said, "We, as an institution, are delighted to be working in collaboration with Oxford University Press. Our aim in partnering with one of the most well-respected education companies is to provide our students with the best learning material possible, right from textbook material to teaching methods. We feel that our students can gain improved learning outcome through this partnership." For over a period of two years, Valuepoint Academy will work in collaboration with Oxford University Press to ensure the highest quality of curriculum, assessment materials and teacher training. This partnership will offer the students, enhanced learning experience and access to world class content that includeboth print based course and digital learning tools. The partnership will also introduce a 6-month diploma course supported by the study material from Oxford University Press. The students taking this course will receive a joint certificate from Valuepoint Academy and Oxford University Press upon the course completion. Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online Comments and Discussions Indian-American Nikki Haley feels that empathy cultivated during her upbringing and the resolve forged as South Carolina governor will help overcome her lack of foreign-policy skills and fulfil her responsibilities as the US envoy to the UN. "All I know is that everything I've done leading up to this point has always been about diplomacy," Haley, who turns 45 on January 20 - the day of Donald Trump's inaugural - said ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing scheduled for January 18. "It has been about trying to lift up everyone (and) get them to work together for the greater good." The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley acknowledges she faces a learning curve, The Courier and Mail reported. Haley said she is doing a lot of reading and speaking to many people as part of her work in "getting to know the agency, getting to know the players, members of the Security Council, all those things." "I don't know what it takes to be a UN ambassador," Haley said. "I know that I will do everything I need to to make sure that I make people of this country proud". She declined to discuss her opinions on issues confronting the United Nations. Haley is not expected to face fierce opposition on Capitol Hill where she visited senators last week. She has said she will resign as governor after the full Senate approves her nomination, which could be in as little as two weeks. She said her family would join her in New York. Haley said her six years as governor has provided her with the know-how and determination needed to navigate the 193-member United Nations. "Dealing with the Legislature prepares you in terms of having to be diplomatic, but also through the challenges and tragedies that we've had across South Carolina," she said, referring to the past 18 months that included the Emanuel AME Church massacre in Charleston and two devastating storms. The compassion and respect she said she was taught while being raised in Bamberg will help as well. "I think that making sure people understand what it's like to be in someone else's shoes will always be one of the most important things that we can ever do," Haley said. "Because once you understand how someone thinks and feels, then you can understand how to make the problems go away, how to (find) solutions and how to get to a resolution on an issue." Born Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa, Haley is the first minority and female governor of South Carolina, a deeply conservative state with a long history of racial strife. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With star India wrestler Sakshi Malik missing from action, Delhi Sultans campaign in the second season of Pro Wrestling League ended as they slumped to their third consecutive defeat, losing 2-5 to Haryana Hammers, who in turn made it to semifinals, here today. It was not an auspicious start for Delhi Sultans as the spectators were left disappointed with skipper Sakshi opting out of what was expected to be one of the most interesting bouts of the evening against another iconic wrestler Marwa Amri in the women's 58kg category. Citing that she was "unwell", Sakshi did not take the mat today in a bout where she could have faced some tough challenge from an equally strong opponent. Before this, Sakshi had posted comfortable wins against two lesser known compatriots - Jaipur Ninja's Pooja Dhanda and Punjab Royals Manju Kumari - in Delhi's last two matches. At the Rio Games, Sakshi and Marwa had shared the podium with a bronze medal finish each. Even as Sakshi became the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal, Marwa also created history by becoming the first woman Olympic medallist from her country -- Tunisia. Even Sakshi's fiance Satyawart Kadian, also representing Delhi Sultans, failed to make up for her absence as he went down tamely against the former world champion Abdusalam Gladisov in men's 97kg in the opening bout of the match. Gladisov walked away with three points after the first round, even as Satyawart showed some resistance. But in the next round, the Russian just kept on scoring points to bag the bout for Haryana Hammers 9-0. Rio Olympic silver medallist Azerbaijan's Mariya Stadnik of Delhi then thrashed Haryana's Indu Choudhary 16-0 via technical superiority in women's 48kg category. In the first 40 seconds itself Mariya proved her mettle, bagging six points on the trot by flipping the Indian wrestler over and over again before she earned the next 10 consecutive points to wrap up the contest in a minute and 32 seconds. World champion Magomed Kurbanaliev, however, handed Haryana Hammers back the lead after getting the better of Delhi's David Tlashadze of Georgia in men's 70kg division. Dominating the tie, Magomed added four early points in his kitty by overpowering David before the Georgian managed to bag two points by taking down the Russian once during the entire bout. At the break Russia's Magomed was leading 4-2. An agile Mogemed continued his good work in the second round as well and gained two more points to pocket the bout 6-2. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Haryana government will set up two dedicated cells for Non Resident Indians (NRIs) to help them in redressal of complaints and investment-related queries. While the grievances redressal cell would dealwith their complaints, the second would beto facilitate their investment and take up suggestions from them, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said today. The cell concerning their complaintswould be headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), he informed. The CM was speaking at the inaugural session of the Pravasi Haryana Divas 2017 organised by state government Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the national partner, in Gurugram. Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh and Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani were present on the occasion. The establishment of the cells would streamline enquiry and action-taking process, besides ensuring quick redressal of grievances of the NRIs, Khattar said. Any NRI can reached to the government using grievances redressal cell's helpline number 8968420002 and even email at nricellharyana@gmail.Com. The cell would have a field unit in every police district and the respective telephone numbers of these field units have been made available on the website of Haryana Police. Haryana already has fully functional Citizen Grievance Redressal System as the CM Window. It has a track record of disposal rate of 91 per cent. Thesystem for NRI Grievance Redressal, is seamlessly integrated with existing system. Haryana NRI Cell has been launched for a focused facilitation of pravasis. The NRIs can contact NRI Cell for business queries, investment interest and any other suggestion too. The Principal Secretary, Industries, Devender Sigh said Kartik Das would be the contact person. They (NRIs) can email at kartik.Das@investindia.Org.In, call on 9205192101 or log on to investharyana.Nic.Infor investment-related queries. He said the state government had changed more than 300 laws, rules and procedures in less than four months to help Haryana feature among the top five states in the country in terms of ease of doing business as per the World Bank's ranking. Besides, 21 mahila thanas were established in all districts to ensure safety of women. The CM exhorted the Pravasi Haryanvis to offer their co-operation and invest in the state government. While the people and successive governments of Haryana have transformed the state into one of the most progressive ones in the country since its inception on November 1, 1966, when almost the entire nation believed that such a small state would not be economically and financially viable. These achievements were not reflected in the social development, he added. He said that following the mandate given by the people of the state upon a call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to undo these ills, the Haryana Government achieved success in many areas. These include election of only educated representatives of panchayati raj institutions who are non-defaulters of bank and power utilities and have a functional toilet at home, giving teachers of the education department the right to choose their place of posting for the next five years by making the system of transfer of teachers online to curb corruption, he said. Besides, improving the sex ratio at birth in the state, which crossed the 900-mark for the first time in several decades, the CM said. Apart from this, the present governance in the state has made governance corruption-free by dismantling the system of discretionary exercise of power through steps such as scrapping of Chief Minister's discretion in granting licences for setting up of colonies, Khattar said. He also said that Haryana would be a futuristic state with smart villages and cities, and e-governance solutions for all public services. Where every person from state is assured of good education, health, employment and a decent life, and every youth goes digital. Orissa High Court today allowed the Keonjhar district administration to declare the result of the 'No Confidence' vote against Anandpur civic body Chairperson Saraswati Jena that was held in July last year. The result of the no trust vote was kept in abeyance for last five months as Jena had obtained a stay order on the result from the High Court. Earlier, a single-judge bench of the High Court had made a similar order on January 3 allowing the district administration to announce the result after vacating the stay. But the January 3 order of the HC was again challenged by Jena in a writ petition. The Division Bench of the HC headed by Chief Justice Vineet Saran today dismissed Jena's petition and allowed the district administration to declare the result of the no trust vote. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 30-year-old history-sheeter, wanted in connection with various cases including murder, dacoity and burglary was shot dead after he attacked a police team when it tried to nab him at Kayanhulam in the district today, police said. Police said Karthigaisamy and six members of his gang tried to proceed to their hideout in a car after robbing a petrol bunk in Madurai, following which police put on high alert, Superintendent of Police Jeyachandran said. Later, two policemen- Murugan and Silabarasan- who chased them on a motor bike tried to stop them. The gang then attacked the former with a sickle, injuring him seriously. After an intensive search, police spotted the gang at Kayanhulam and asked them to surrender. However the gang attacked the police party following which police opened fire in which Karthigaisamy was killed, Jeyachandran said. In the melee, other members of the gang managed to escape and an intensive search was on to nab them, Jeyachandran said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With states and the Centre still locked in stalemate over control of tax payers, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the issue will be resolved in next few weeks for rollout of the GST regime from April 1. The all-powerful GST Council, which has been deadlocked in the past few meetings, will meet on January 16 to discuss the issue of jurisdiction over assessees as well as taxation of trade in territorial waters. "Most of the issues have been sorted out, some critical issues remain and these critical issues over the next few weeks we will try and solve out," he said addressing the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here. Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is to subsume most of the central and state taxes like excise, service tax and VAT, needs to be rolled out latest by September 16, 2017, he said. Under the Constitutional Amendment passed by Parliament for the GST implementation, some of the existing levies would expire after September 16. Jaitley said the government was aiming to implement the new sales tax from April this year. "We would want it to be implemented from April if all issues are resolved." Once implemented, he said, GST combined with more digitised economy resulting from currency demonetisation and a more efficient tax system will "make India look much better, make our economy look much cleaner, much bigger". He hoped that the industry, assessee and states will eventually cooperate and make GST as well as the two moves successful. GST and demonetisation together will lead to "higher revenues in future, greater compliance and give us a cleaner and better economy," Jaitley said. "There is a provision for GST implementation because Constitutional Amendment has been passed. So it's Constitutional necessity that before September 16 it should be rolled out," he added. GST, or a national sales tax, will replace a jumble of levies to create one of the world's biggest single market. A single tax will make it easier to do business in the world's seventh-largest economy as also help combat evasion, boost revenue for the government. But the roll out is struck because of differences between the Centre and states over control and administration of the tax as also on how the states that face revenue shortfall because of the GST roll out would need to be compensated. Jaitley said he hopes to resolve the issue of dual control of tax payers at the next meeting of the GST Council on January 16. "We would want it to be implemented from April if all issues are resolved. But implementing before September 16 is a necessity," he said. The Finance Minister said the digitisation that got a leg up post demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, together with GST will lead to expansion of formal economy and boost growth. "The two steps together will lead to a larger economy and a cleaner GDP. I am hopeful that we will see the two this year," he said. Jaitley said GST council is a body where there is deliberative democracy in action. "It is India's first federal taxation body where all these are now being worked out." It took a considerable amount of effort to build consensus to pass the GST constitutional amendment, he said. GST will make India one entity and lead to a seamless transfer of goods and services across the country, he said. "It is advantageous to the assessee as there is no cascading of tax. His goods can move around, he gets the benefit of input credit and it's good for states as it eventually leads to larger revenues and it's good for the economy as a whole," Jaitley added. DMK working president M K Stalin today said 'Pongal day' will be declared as Tamil New Year again if his party captured power in Tamil Nadu. "I would like to convey categorically that at the time of the dawn of our regime...We will see Pongal being celebrated as Tamil New Year as well and that would happen for sure," Stalin said. Participating at a function here to celebrate Pongal -- the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu -- he expressed regret that the first day of Tamil month 'Thai', which was declared as Tamil New Year by the DMK regime, was reversed by the AIADMK government. Pongal is being celebrated on the first day of Thai and during its regime in 2008, DMK government had changed the Tamil New Year from the traditional date of April 14 (Tamil month Chithirai 1) to January 14 (Tamil month Thai 1). The move kicked up a controversy and after the AIADMK assumed power in 2011, it was reversed. In support of the change, DMK had always maintained that about 500 Tamil scholars led by Maraimalai Adigal had declared the first day of Tamil month Thai as the first day of Tamil New Year as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today granted bail to INLD leader and former Haryana Assembly Speaker Satbir Singh Kadian, who was serving seven years of jail term in the over 20 year-old IFFCO graft case. Justice Mukta Gupta, who has enlarged Kadian on bail, has asked him to furnish a personal bail bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the like amount. Besides 66-year-old Kadian, the high court also granted bail to 65-year-old IIT alumni Anil Kumar Malhotra and 70-year-old Sunil Gorawara, ex-Senior Manager (Deposits) of UCO Bank, who are also serving seven years of imprisonment. The high court has asked the convicts not to leave Delhi without intimating the lower court. The court order came on a plea by the convicts, who came in appeal against the trial court's August 26 last year decision by which the accused were handed seven years of jail term in the case. The trial court had also sentenced 84-year-old Karuna Pati Pandey, ex-Senior Manager(Cash) of UCO Bank, to two years imprisonment considering his old age and that he was facing financial burden and had suffered punishment during trial for a single mistake or offence committed by him. Pandey was released on bail from the trial court itself. Refusing to show any leniency to Kadian, the trial court had said he was a role model for the country, including Haryana, and if such persons were given minimum sentence, it will affect the morale of the entire nation. According to the CBI, while working as Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited(IFFCO) chairman during February 1991 to April 1991, Kadian had invested Rs 32.90 crore, the surplus fund of IFFCO at lower rate of interest and caused a loss of over Rs 15 lakh to the organisation. It had said in one transaction of Rs four crore meant for UCO Bank, New Delhi, for investment, the money was dishonestly and fraudulently diverted to the personal account of accused share broker Harshad Shantilal Mehta through his Delhi-based representative. The trial court had also imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh, Rs five lakh, Rs 25 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50,000 on convicts Kadian, 64-year-old Vinayak Narayan Deosthali, ex-Assistant Manager (Funds) of UCO Bank, Malhotra, Gorawara and Pandey respectively. Deosthali was handed seven years of jail term. During the trial, the accused had denied the incriminating material against them and claimed innocence. All the five accused were held guilty of various offences including criminal conspiracy, dishonest misappropriation of movable property, criminal breach of trust by public servant under the IPC and criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A student of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has been suspended over "sweeping statements" made by him in support of an academic associate of the premier media school who was sacked recently and for "provoking" his batch mates over the same. Rohin Kumar, the student of Hindi Journalism department, was suspended and declared out of bounds from the campus on January 9, pending proceedings of the institute's disciplinary committee. IIMC Director General KG Suresh told PTI that no institute of merit can tolerate such "sweeping statements" and that the student had "crossed the limit". "He was also trying to provoke other students. We suspended him for having prima facie violated the code of conduct of the institute. We have not rusticated him. How can a student pass a verdict on what is a sub-judice issue?" Suresh asked. He was referring to sacked teacher Narendra Singh Rao's case. Rao has recently moved the Delhi High Court against the decision. When contacted, Rohin denied having made any defamatory post online, saying he was at a loss over the decision, especially considering that IIMC was a media institute. "For me, it's been only a while in IIMC but I have been writing in online media for long. I wrote taking all facts into consideration and stuck to basics of reporting. I do not know what warranted this extreme action. Even the guards have been given my pictures so that they can stop me from entering the campus," he said. Lat year, controversy had rocked IIMC when Amit Sengupta, a senior faculty member of the institute, resigned alleging that he was "targeted" for supporting the protests over Dalit student Rohith Vemula's suicide and JNU and FTII issues. Later, it had ordered the expulsion of a student from its hostel for three weeks for posting "offensive and "insulting" remarks on social media against students belonging to the SC and ST community. In the wake of the incidents, the I&B Ministry had recommended the creation of a social media policy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In one of the biggest seizures in the country, Uttar Pradesh STF has rescued 6,400 turtles from Amethi and nabbed the kingpin of an inter-state gang involved in smuggling of reptiles, police said today. The turtles, weighing 440 quintals, were found stuffed in sacks and lay scattered on the ground inside the compound of the accused's house in Gauriganj town, Special Task Force (STF) spokesman said here, describing it as one of the biggest such recoveries. He said the gang's kingpin Raj Bahadur Singh was arrested in this connection, while two Indian softshell turtles were also seized from his possession. "We have recovered such a huge amount of turtles from one single location. We are investigating this further and looking at the involvement of more people, especially smuggling rings," Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Chaturvedi, who led the STF raid yesterday, said. During interrogation Singh disclosed that small poachers were involved in catching turtles from Gauriganj, Jagdishpur and Salwan areas and supplying them to organised smugglers. Singh admitted that he used to collect these animals from smugglers and transport them to Kolkata. He also gave certain information about smugglers and poachers in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha reflecting the huge and highly organised smuggling network in the country. From Kolkata -- the main transit point -- turtles are smuggled to Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries from its shores. The turtle species is native to South Asia and is found only in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In India, it lives in the Gangetic belt all along Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, especially in the Ghagra-Gomti tributaries. They are spread across Fatehgarh, Kannauj, Allahabad and Varanasi in the state. Meanwhile, UP forest department today issued a statewide alert and has warned that more raids will be conducted in the coming days to crack down on the smuggling of turtles. UP is home to 14 endangered turtle species of the total 28 found in India. These include the Indian flapshell, softshell, roofed and black turtles. There is a high demand for turtles in the international market for meat, its Feng Shui values and production of aphrodisiac medicines. Their shells are sent to Bangladesh and China for use in soups and powdered medicine. "There is a belief from Feng Shui traditions that a turtle with all 20 nails -- 5 on each leg -- brings good luck," a senior Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officer said. Turtles are also believed to be in high demand around the harvest festival of Makar Sakranti and its meat, which is said to be clean white and aromatic, is consumed in eastern and north eastern India. These reptiles are said to be useful for maintenance of purity of the river Ganges and its ecological balance as they feed on crabs, snails, dead fish and fragments of dead animals. "Without these turtles, cleaning of Ganga would be even more difficult," said a wildlife activist. Experts say India ranks among the top five Asian countries for turtle conservation, but nearly 40 per cent of the species are listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. India has provided Nepali Rs 619.63 million in financial assistance to Nepal for construction of embankments along three major rivers in the country's south to check flooding in the downstream areas. Ambassador of India to Nepal Ranjit Rae today handed over a cheque of NRs 619.63 million to Deepak Giri, Minister of Irrigation, Government of Nepal as India's contribution towards constructing the embankments, Indian Embassy said in a statement here. It comes as part of India's share towards embankment building along Lalbakeya, Bagmati and Kamla rivers. With the present assistance, the total grant assistance already disbursed for embankment construction along these rivers, stands at over NRs 4.5 billion. "India remains committed to continue working closely with Nepal for further cooperation in the field of water resources, including the river training works on other rivers," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has supplied 108 different essential medicines, worth Rs three crore, to Seychelles during 2016, the External Affairs Spokesperson said here today. It said the supply was made in response to a request from the Government of Seychelles. "The majority of medicines are for combating common infections, while others are to treat diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc," the spokesperson said. He said the medicines, weighing about 42,000 kgs, were procured by the Ministry through Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Supplies and sent in four lots. "This gift of medicines is part of USD 8.76 million earmarked for supply of medical equipment and medicines to Seychelles. The Government of Seychelles has expressed its gratitude to Government of India for helping it in the fight against disease and protecting the weaker sections of society," the Spokesperson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Well-known Indian-American comedian and television star Aziz Ansari will host NBC's "Saturday Night Live" on January 21, making history as its first host of South Asian descent. The comes on the heels of a big year for 33-year-old Ansari. The standup comic and television star won his first Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy series after earning a total of four nominations for his Netflix series "Master of None", The Washington Post reported. His nomination for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series was the first for an Indian American. "I'm very happy but it's a very specific accomplishment," he told USA Today about the historic nod. Other "Saturday Night Live" hosts of Asian descent include Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan, who both hosted the show in 2000, according to an IndieWire examination of all 826 hosts in "Saturday Night Live" history. Bruno Mars and Fred Armisen, who are multiracial, have also hosted. Ansari had mentioned wanting to appear on "Saturday Night Live" when he brought his Bobby Jindal impression to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in November 2015. "I finally look like a guy!" Ansari joked, adding that he had hoped the Louisiana governor's presidential candidacy would lead to his big "Saturday Night Live" break. Ansari also shared his thoughts on the former Lousiana Governor Jindal's short-lived presidential race with Fallon. "I have a theory that he's not Indian," he said. "I don't know any Indian person that would allow himself to lose to that many white people in a contest," NBC quoted him as saying. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN has administered cholera vaccines to Indian peacekeepers who arrived in Haiti without being vaccinated, with the world body saying it is the responsibility of the troop-contributing country to ensure their personnel meet all medical requirements for deployment. "The UN Mission there (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti - MINUSTAH) says that all Formed Police Units who were not already vaccinated at the time of their arrival in the Mission have now been given the vaccine," UN Secretary General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the daily briefing here yesterday. He said that a second dose, for those who have not yet had it, is being administered or will be in the coming days. The vaccine was administered to the 140-member police unit from India, which landed in Haiti in August last year. It had emerged that the troops had not been administered the cholera vaccine. He said cholera vaccination is mandatory for all peacekeepers deploying to peacekeeping operations and "it is the responsibility of member states to ensure their personnel receives all mandatory vaccinations prior to deployment". In the event of troops being deployed to a mission area without the required vaccination, the supporting Mission takes measures to provide them and all costs incurred are deducted from the reimbursement to the troop and police contributing countries, Dujarric said. Amid reports that the UN was investigating Indian peacekeepers deployed in Haiti without the mandatory cholera vaccination, Dujarric had earlier said that the world body wants more information from India on the issue. On whether there has been communication between the UN and the Indian government over the matter, Dujarric had said "we are trying to get more information, obviously, from the Indian authorities". The UN has been part of massive effort to contain the disease in Haiti. The Indian soldiers had landed in Haiti in August last year and reportedly India had certified that they were administered the cholera vaccine. Haiti has been dealing with a cholera outbreak since October 2010, some nine months after it suffered a devastating earthquake. The outbreak has affected an estimated 788,000 people and claimed the lives of more than 9,000. Concerted national and international efforts, backed by the United Nations, have resulted in a 90 per cent reduction in the number of suspected cases. Last year, then UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon had apologised to the people of Haiti for the world body's role in failing to properly address the cholera epidemic. In addition, he had announced a USD 400 million two-track plan to stem the outbreak and provide long-term support for those affected. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The second international kite festival coinciding with the 'Makar Sankranti' fest would be held for six days from January 12 in Hyderabad and two other districts in Telangana. Telangana Toursim, which is organising the International Kite Festival-2017, today said the event is committed to a social cause of raising awareness about the importance of education and empowerment of girl children and expects a footfall of around 50,000 visitors. "The festival will have participation from 17 countries with 70 international and 40 national kite flyers, and a special night-flying event is scheduled on January 12 as a pre-festival event at People's Plaza here," a release from Telangana Tourism said. The main kite flying will take place on January 13, 14 and 15 at the Aga Khan Academy here and the festival's aim is to "fly a kite for a girl child and colour the sky for a cause" this Sankranti, it said. The festival will also be celebrated in Yadadri district (Yadagirigutta) on January 16 and in Warangal on January 17. The tourism department proposes to celebrate the kite festival in the entire state within a period of five years, the release added. (REOPENS BES 4) Meanwhile, the Telangana Tourism in association with M/s Thumby Aviation Pvt Ltd would also organise helicopter 'joy rides' for visitors during the kite festival period. As part of the 'joy ride', one can explore landmark tourist spots and other destinations of Hyderabad from over 1,500 feet with a 10-minute helicopter ride, a Tourism department release said. Israeli media reports are claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an offer to the publisher of a critical newspaper, proposing to use his power to curb its main rival in return for favorable coverage. Today's reports add details to a spiraling scandal in which Netanyahu had already been questioned twice by police over receiving alleged gifts from high-powered Hollywood and business figures. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and calls the allegations a hostile media's witch hunt against him and his family. The daily Haaretz reports that Arnon Mozes, publisher of the Yediot Ahronot newspaper, suggested he'd tone down the paper's criticism in return for Netanyahu limiting the distribution of its main competitor, the Israel Hayom daily financed by Jewish-American billionaire and Netanyahu backer Sheldon Adelson. Mozes has not commented. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Transport Minister Satyendar Jain today said he would "request" the Union government to roll back the steep hike in fees for issuing driving licences and fitness certificates which has angered auto-rickshaw and taxi unions. Jain said increasing the fees by up to six times was not correct and if the central government wanted to increase the fees, it should have hiked them gradually by 20 to 25 percent. "I will talk to Union minister Nitin Gadkari and request him to roll back the steep hike. It is now up to the Centre whether it rolls back the hike or not," he said. Earlier this week, the regional transport offices (RTOs) began charging the revised fees - increased from Rs 40 to Rs 200 per category (bikes, cars)- for issuing a driving licence. According to a notification issued by the Union Transport Ministry, those applicant failing to renew their licence on time will have to pay Rs 300 and an additional fee of Rs 1,000 for each year of delay. The decision has not gone down well with taxi and auto unions in the city. Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union have threatened to go on strike if the increased rates were not taken back. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala today wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking promulgation of an ordinance for conduct of the bull taming sport Jallikattu, noting that the ban on it had caused "resentment" in the state. V K Sasikala close aide of Late Jayalalithaa "No cruelty is practiced on the animals per se. Also bulls are worshipped as a deity by the religious in Tamil Nadu and care is always taken by the youth taming them (to) not to inflict any pain on them," Sasikala told Modi in a letter. "The ban on jallikkattu has incensed the public of Tamil Nadu and the youth in particular, and all efforts have to be taken to revoke it," she said. This sporting event was "inextricably" linked to the rural, agrarian customs, practices and psyche of Tamils and also helped in conservation of native germplasm, since bulls with excellent physical attributes alone are reared for jallikattu, she noted. "The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India should clearly de-notify bulls as 'performing animals' and I request you to take appropriate steps to enable the traditional sport of Tamil Nadu to be played in our soil. This is my earnest request as there is widespread resentment against the ban," she added. Jallikkattu is a traditional sporting event of the state, held coinciding with the harvest festival of Pongal, and forms an essential part of the festivities, she said. Recalling that her predecessor late J Jayalalithaa was keen that Jallikkattu was "restored to its original glory as the primal sport of Tamil Nadu, she said, "The bulls specially reared for the purpose are tamed by ardent youths and this sport is not in the least cruel to animals, unlike other sporting events involving horses, camels and other animals." The youth of the state in particular wanted the sport to be played, "as they feel that it is their divine traditional right, wherein they exhibit their courage in taming the bulls," she said. "In view of the above, I request you to kindly intervene in the matter to promulgate an Ordinance to amend the PCA (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Act, to de-notify the bulls from the notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, so as to lift the ban on Jallikkattu and preserve Tamil Nadu's culture and tradition. This would ensure that sport is conducted during this week-end, during the Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu," she said. The lifting of the ban on Jallikkattu would be the "ultimate joy" for Tamils not only in Tamil Nadu, but across the globe, which would ensure that the people of the state really celebrate the Pongal festival with traditional fervour and gaiety, she added. Nine JNU students who were suspended last month for disrupting a council meeting have been allowed to register for next semester but the students union has decided to go on a two-day strike demanding that their suspension be revoked. The administration has, meanwhile, issued more show-cause notices to professors and students, including to JNU Student Union President Mohit Pandey. "The suspended students have been allowed to go ahead with an interim registration till the disciplinary committee comes out with its report. "This is a positive hope for us but we have decided to go on a two-day strike demanding that the decisions of the council be rolled back and suspension of these students be revoked," Pandey said. However, the administration has warned Pandey against holding the strike or demonstrating at the administrative block. "You have been found to be repeatedly and periodically violating the university rules by organising protests in the prohibited areas. You are cautioned to refrain from doing so failing which appropriate disciplinary action may be taken against you," the notice issued today to Pandey said. The varsity also issued notices to five professors for addressing protest gatherings at administration block after an inquiry was instituted against them last week. "It has been noticed that one of the posters, calling for a public meeting at the Administrative Building on January 9, has mentioned your name as one of the speakers. You are hence requested to respect and follow the statutes, rules and regulations of the university," the notice issued to them stated. Pandey has been issued nearly a dozen show cause notices till now for organising similar protests. Nine students were suspended last month for allegedly disrupting the Academic Council meeting along with a teacher who was served notice for addressing them and is facing an inquiry for the same. The students union today also staged protest against the varsity's decision to invite BJP's social media team head Arvind Gupta to deliver a lecture on Digital Literacy. The varsity had, however, last night removed Gupta from the list of speakers and he did not turn up today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With less than 10 days left for the new administration, US Secretary of State John Kerry would leave for a nearly week-long final official visit that would take him to Vietnam, France, Britain and Switzerland. The top American diplomat would return to Washington on January 18, two days before President-elect Donald Trump would be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. "On January 13, Kerry will meet in Hanoi, Vietnam with senior Vietnamese officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues. Later that day, he will travel to Ho Chi Minh City for meetings with senior officials there. He will also deliver a speech on US-Vietnam relations," his spokesman John Kirby said. On January 14, Kerry will travel to Ca Mau province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region. "He will engage local experts on environmental issues affecting the region and ways we can partner with Vietnam to develop clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, smart water governance and ecosystem resource management," he said. Kerry will then travel to Paris, on January 15to attend a conference on Middle East peace hosted by French President Francois Hollande. In London on January 15, Kerry will meet with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and discuss the situation in Syria and other global and regional issues, Kirby said. On January 17-18, Kerry will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF is one of the largest annual gatherings of global leaders in politics, business and civil society. Kerry will be the featured speaker in a discussion on 21st century diplomacy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TMC General Secretary Subrata Bakshi tonight urged the police to look into the role of local MLA and BJP state President Dilip Ghosh in the deaths of two party activists in Kharagpur even as the safforn party termed the charge as baseless. "There should be a proper probe to arrest the culprits and unearth the truth. The police should also look into the role of the person, who has won from this segment in last assembly polls," Bakshi said. Ghosh is the local MLA from Kharagpur Sadar assembly seat. In a swift retort, BJP state General Secretary Shamik Bhattacharya said, "The allegations made by TMC are baseless. The fact is the state has turned into safe haven for criminals and fundamentalists under TMC regime." Two Trinamool Congress activists, one of them the husband of a party councillor, were today killed while three others were seriously injured when miscreants opened fire at them inside the party office at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district, police said. Srinu Naidu, the husband of Ward 18 TMC councillor of Kharagpur Municipality A Puja, and party activist V Dharma were rushed to a private hospital in Kolkata in a critical condition where they were declared "brought dead" by the doctors. The two, along with three other TMC workers, were sitting inside the TMC office at Nayakhuli locality of Kharagpur when the miscreants hurled a bomb and fired at random, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The strength and popularity of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) owes much to its setting in the unique cultural environment and geographical contours of the host city, according toHari Ranjan Rao, Tourism Secretary of Madhya Pradesh. Rao led a team of high-profile officials from MP Tourism that visited Aspinwall House, the main venue of the Biennale on Tuesday evening. He said the 108-day event had emerged as a major attraction for both art aficionados and laypersons alike, a KMB release said here today. "Kochi has its own charm and unique cultural ethos. We cannot duplicate the Biennale in any other part of India. Moreover, getting artists from across the globe to contribute and showcasing their works in one place is a great achievement," said Rao. He said the Biennale is today one of the state's major tourist and cultural attractions. Describing KMB as a magical space that freed visitors from their worries and gave them the freedom to think creatively,he said "Art appreciation is only possible if you are away from all routine stuffs. This space has the power to free visitors from all other thoughts." Tanvi Sundriyal, Additional Managing Director, MP Tourism, said she was especially impressed by the lively atmosphere and opportunity to indulge in debate. "This place reminds me of my college where we used to discuss poems and arts and debate over and over. The Biennale is a space which energises anybody and everybody," she said. V T Balram, MLA, also visited the KMB main venue on Tuesday. "India's only Biennale is a cultural pathway to popularise Kochi to the foreign countries," he said. "Art appreciation is a unique quality and the Biennale attracts visitors because it offers them an opportunity to indulge their interest in art.' "The Biennale is a big boost to the cultural sector of India in general and Kerala, specifically,"Balram noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre has accorded 'Y' category VIP security cover of central paramilitary commandos to Tej Pratap Yadav, son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and minister in the Bihar cabinet. Officials said the Union Home Ministry has issued orders in this regard after central security agencies prepared a report which state perceptible threat to Yadav including that from the Maoist cadres active in the state and neighbouring Jharkhand. It is likely that the task to secure the VIP would be rendered by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which has over 70 such protectees under its cover at present. Yadav is the health minister in the government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Under the 'Y' category cover, Yadav will have a squad of about a dozen armed commandos to secure him whenever he travels in Bihar. The Centre had recently accorded 'Z' category cover of CISF personnel to Samajwadi Party MP Amar Singh. The 'Y' category cover is the third category of protection cover, after 'Z+' and 'Z', but higher than the lowest 'X' where about 4-5 commandos guard the VIP. Yadav's father Lalu Prasad enjoys 'Z+' cover of personnel drawn from the central forces of NSG and CRPF. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan Government today challenged a high court verdict which acquitted five naval intelligence officers in the 2006 murder case of an outspoken Tamil lawmaker, who advocated greater self-rule for the minority community. The Attorney General filed an appeal against the Colombo High Court's last month verdict, seeking retrial of the murder case of former Tamil National Alliance Jaffna district legislator Nadaraja Raviraj, court officials said. Raviraj and his driver were shot dead outside his home in his car in Colombo in November, 2006. The police's Crime Investigations Department had found the vehicle and the weapons allegedly used for the murder. All the five suspects who were acquitted and released were naval intelligence officers, including two who had worked with the LTTE previously. The Tamil groups expressed unhappiness at the verdict as it was given by a jury which consisted of all Sinhala majority community members. Raviraj was an advocate for greater self-rule for minority Tamils and had explained the Tamil perspective of the conflict in Sinhala, the language of the majority. He was shot dead during the country's three-decade-long civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels, which ended in 2009. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Supply chain management services provider LEAP India today said it has raised USD 13 million (approx Rs 88.7 crore) in series B funding from existing as well as new investors. Apart from existing investors Mayfield and Rishabh Mariwala, the company saw participation from new investors such as IndiaNivesh Growth Fund, Sixth Sense and TCI Ventures. Through a mix of equity and debt, Mumbai-based LEAP has so far raised close to USD 23 million (including current funding). "The fresh infusion of equity would further strengthen the balance sheet of the company and give more room for leverage," a company release said. The company plans to invest the funds to strengthen its team and enhance technology to differentiate and deliver best in class services to its customers, it added. "LEAP will also allocate a significant portion of the investment towards adding new product offerings to its customers. It aims at garnering a significant market share in the Asset Pooling space which otherwise has been a highly fragmented and unorganized market," Sunu Mathew, Promoter and Managing Director, LEAP said. Systematix Capital acted as the sole financial advisor to LEAP for this transaction. Systematix Capital Services is the investment banking arm of Systematix Group, a diversified financial services organisation. LEAP, founded in July 2013, has seen good growth in asset deployment and is fast expanding its customer base, pan-India network and technological capability in the business of renting and pooling wooden pallets and foldable large containers. LEAP caters to both Indian companies and MNCs in the FMCG, consumer durable, beverages and auto space. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Legal service should not be only for the high and mighty, but more so for the poor and marginalised sections, and "only then we can take pride that legal system is doing justice to those who deserve", Supreme Court judge Justice A K Sikri said today. "Today when we talk of access to justice, it does not only mean that a person is able to come to the court with the legal aid provided by the legal services authority, but the second limb of the access to justice is that he gets fair treatment and he gets what is due to him in law. "Legal service should not be only for high and mighty but more for the poor and those in marginalised sections, only then we can take pride that legal system is doing justice to those who deserve," Justice Sikri said. He was speaking at the inauguration of a new office complex of New Delhi Legal Services Authority at the Patiala House Courts Complex here. He said that those in the legal profession should think about the human rights of accused or convicts and victims of crime as well. "It is very necessary for the judicial officers to spend some time in the legal services authority...Only then they will be able to understand and empathise with these persons. We have to sensitise our judicial officers and their posting for some time in Legal Services Authority is imperative," he said. He said that if a judge had some acquaintance with the litigants, who come to the judicial officers asking for legal aids, he would be able to dispense justice in a better manner. "When first-hand information about how, while in need, such litigants need the support, he will able to give them more strength and will be able to hone their skill better in advancing the cause of justice," the judge said. He said, "For representing persons who are deprived, disabled, children in court of law, sensitisation is required... Only then we will be able to discharge our functions properly and we will be able deliver justice to them". The judge also inaugurated a conference hall and an elevator for the disabled persons at the courts complex. "If people are suffering from some disability for which they require medical attention, the duty of the society does not come to an end by providing medical aid only... What is required is that we have to create the circumstances, we have to give those facilities through which they are able to grow themselves and able to compete with abled persons. "So that they also become part and parcel of the mainstream, they also become a human assets to this country. It is not the medico approach but it is the human rights approach which is required to deal with the issues of the disabled person," he said. In their upcoming film "Ok Jaanu", they play a couple in a live-in relationship and actors Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor say they are "open minded" about the idea in real life too but won't do anything that will upset their parents. The movie, directed by Shaad Ali is a remake of Mani Ratnam's Tamil hit "Ok Kanmani". Aditya and Shraddha are reuniting on the screen after the success of "Aashiqui 2". When asked about her thoughts on marriage and live in relationships, Shraddha said, "I am open minded about the idea but it will be a bit difficult because I live with my parents. I have been living with them ever since I was born. I think it also depends... If I meet someone with whom I see a future, then maybe I will be open to the idea." "I am definitely open. After you are in an experience then only you can talk about the pros and cons. But I would not like to do anything that my parents don't like," Aditya added. The 31-year-old actor, however, believes live-in relationship and marriage don't need to be mutually exclusive. Also marriage as an institution is not under threat because of live-ins. "Marriage is not an institution of the past. Most people get married because there is some weight to it, it means something. It has some relevance. "Live-in relationships and marriages don't have to be mutually exclusive. Most people in live-in relationships either end up getting married or breaking up. But marriage as an institution is not under any threat," he said. The actors are excited to meet Mani Ratnam at a screening in Mumbai tonight but say the celebrated director has already seen the Hindi version and he has liked it. "We are looking forward to meeting Mani sir and (A R) Rahman sir tonight," Aditya said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The stage is set for polls to 10 municipal corporations including cash-rich Mumbai civic body, 26 zilla parishads and 296 panchayat samitis in Mahararashtra from February 21 that will see nearly 80 per cent of the state's population eligible to vote in what is being billed as mini Assembly elections Maharashtra State Election Commissioner J S Saharia today announced that elections to 10 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, Thane and Pune, will be held on February 21. Polls to 26 zilla parishads will be held in two phases on February 16 and 21, followed by counting of votes on February 23. Over seven crore voters in major cities and vast rural stretches areas will elect 1,258 corporators, 1,558 members of district councils and 3,116 panchayat samiti members. Stakes are high in the battle for the ruling BJP, which emerged as the winner in the just concluded four-phase elections to 191 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats of Maharashtra. What is being eagerly watched is whether the saffron allies will clinch a firm pre-poll pact, given the strains in their relations despite sharing power in the state and central government. Leaders of BJP and Shiv Sena have spoken of their willingness for an alliance in these polls, though no announcement on seat-sharing formula has been made so far. The BJP has said it would soon start talks with Shiv Sena on forging the alliance. The elections to local bodies, concluded earlier this week, were seen as a major test for the two-year-old Devendra Fadnavis government, as it was speculated that demonetisation and caste polarisation due to stir by various communities including Marahtas for reservation may hit the ruling party's prospects. The Congress, which finished second overall, with a total of 952 seats and 34 council presidents, will make all out efforts to do well in the zilla parishad and panchayat samitis and improve its urban vote share. The Congress has 458 members of the district councils going to polls while NCP has 500 members. The BJP had 187 and Shiv Sena 240. In the recent municipal council elections, the NCP finished with total 812 seats and won 22 council president posts, while Shiv Sena secured 612 councillor seats and bagged 26 posts of council president. The Congress and NCP have left the decision for alliance to the local leadership while Fadnavis has asked his party functionaries to start talks with the Sena leaders at the district level. The NCP is in power in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Ulhasnagar municipal corporations, while BJP rules the Nagpur civic body. The Sena and BJP together rule Mumbai, Thane and Akola civic bodies while Congress is in power in Solapur and Amravati. The MNS rules the Nashik civic body. The highlight of the civic polls would be the Brihanmumbai Municipal corporation (BMC), which is ruled by the Shiv Sena for 20 years. (REOPENS BOM 16) BJP, the dominant partner in the ruling NDA government, appears to be keen that the Sena recognises its strength in Maharashtra post the 2014 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The Shiv Sena, however, is unwilling to yield its prime political space in Mumbai to the BJP, political observers say. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said his party was "positive" about an alliance with the Shiv Sena. "We are positive on the issue of an alliance with the Shiv Sena," he told reporters, adding that the talks would begin today. "We will not get into the numbers game (of seat-sharing) publicly. We will invite the Sena for talks," he added. "Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has publicly spoken about an alliance for the upcoming civic polls. Accordingly, talks with the Sena will begin today," Shelar said. Notably, Uddhav had recently said that he would pay his next visit to the BMC headquarters in March, "after the Shiv Sena elects its new Mayor". "I have come at a time when the five-year term is coming to an end. I will come again in March after the Sena elects its new Mayor," he had said even as party workers raised slogans welcoming his statement. Rapid urbanisation and infrastructure requirements to match the growth, hardships in the rural economy and agricultural distress would be some of the key issues during campaigning. Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan said the polls will be a referendum on the two-and-a-half years of the Devendra Fadnavis government since both rural and urban voters will be exercising their franchise. "The polls will also deliver a verdict on the economic disaster that has been thrust on the people by the BJP," he claimed. Mahajan described the BJP's performance in the recent municipal council polls as "mixed". He said the saffron party's performance in the municipal council polls may not impact the results of the zilla parishad and municipal corporation polls since voting patterns in big cities, semi-urban and rural areas were different. Foreign ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will meet to discuss the Rohingya Muslim crisis next week in Kuala Lumpur, a Malaysian official said today, as thousands continue to flee Myanmar. Fifty-six OIC representatives are expected to attend the January 19 meeting which will be led by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who recently called on Myanmar to stop the "genocide" of Rohingya Muslims. Buddhist-majority Myanmar refuses to recognise the Rohingya as one of the country's ethnic minorities, instead describing them as Bengalis -- or illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh -- even though many have lived in Myanmar for generations. There has been a large exodus of Rohingya from northern Myanmar's Rakhine state after the army launched clearance operations while searching for insurgents behind deadly raids on police border posts three months ago. Escapees from the persecuted Muslim minority in Bangladesh have given harrowing accounts of security forces committing mass rape, murder and arson. The stories have cast a pall over the young government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, with Muslim-majority Malaysia being especially critical. Myanmar's government has said the claims of abuse are fabricated and launched a special commission to investigate the allegations. In November, Kuala Lumpur summoned the Myanmar ambassador while around 500 Malaysians and Rohingya protested outside the embassy. A senior Malaysian minister has also called on ASEAN, the ten-country Southeast Asia bloc, to review Myanmar's membership, while the foreign ministry has accused Myanmar of engaging in "ethnic cleansing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee today kicked up a row by saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have to return to Gujarat as a "rat" following the countrywide protests against the note ban, remarks that drew a sharp response from BJP. "In 2019 (Lok Sabha poll) you will be reduced to a rat. You will no longer be a lion. (Narendra Modi ke Chuhar bachcha hoye Gujarat phire jete hobe) Modi will have to return to Gujarat as a rat," he said while addressing a meeting in front of the Reserve Bank of India office here. Hours later, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has taken on Modi over demonetisation and is riled by the arrest of her two party MPs in the alleged Rose Valley chit fund scam, also used the rat analogy to target the Prime Minister and CBI. She said the Prime Minister was "advertising" a company whose 40 per cent shares were owned by a Chinese firm. "The PM has become salesman for a company 40 per cent of whose shares are owned by a blacklisted Chinese company," she said. Training her guns on the CBI for the arrest of TMC MPs Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Pal, she said, "CBI is no longer an independent agency. It is 'Conspiracy Bureau of India'" "They thought that TMC is made of soft clay which even rats can dig. We fight with tigers, we will not get scared by rats," she said. Hitting back at TMC leaders for their remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it is "lowest that politicians can stoop to" and said it reflects their frustation over growing popularity of the Prime Minister and BJP. "I am shocked and depressed over the abusive language used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Trinamool Congress leaders. This is the lowest that politicians can stoop to. I hope their leadership realises their folly. "This only reflects their frustration over the growing popularity of Prime Minister and BJP," Naidu said in a statement in New Delhi. Reacting to Kalyan Banerjee's comment, BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said in Kolkata the TMC MP was not mentally fit to be a member of Parliament. "I really feel ashamed to think of him as an MP. He is not at all fit to be an MP. He should immediately resign from his post. He should visit a doctor and have a proper mental check up done as he has lost his mental balance," Sinha said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Joe Winick, FACHE, senior vice president, Planning, Analytics and Business Development of Erlanger Health System, was recognized for his volunteer service and dedication to healthcare at the American College of Healthcare Executives Recognition Program.The ACHE Recognition Program and Service Award recognizes members of the ACHE who have demonstrated a commitment to the healthcare profession, based on a range of volunteer activities that exemplify leadership and contributions to furthering professional excellence."Within Erlanger Health System, Mr.Winick works collaboratively with the medical staff, executive team, and Centers of Excellence leaders to plan for the future, while insuring health care services are responsive to the needs of those who are served. He also prepares Erlangers annual utilization forecast while monitoring markets where Erlanger services are provided. Mr. Winick has led the Chattanooga Local Program Council for the East Tennessee Healthcare Executive Affiliation since 2014 where he implemented educational and networking opportunities that have led to organizational growth in the Chattanooga region," officials said. A 57-year-old man in the UK has appeared in court charged with capturing and killing two of Britain's rarest species of butterfly. Phillip Cullen, of Cadbury Heath, Bristol, is accused of six offences related to the endangered Large Blue (Maculinea arion). He is alleged to have captured and killed two butterflies from sites in Gloucestershire and Somerset in 2015. He denied all charges at Bristol Magistrates' Court and was granted unconditional bail yesterday. Cullen will appear for trial on March 16, BBC reported. The prosecution is believed to be the first involving offences related to Large Blue butterflies in the UK. The court heard the two butterflies were allegedly taken from Daneway Banks near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on June 18, 2015, and from Collard Hill, near Street, Somerset, between June 17 and 20 that year. It is claimed that witnesses saw Cullen taking them before killing and mounting them in a display case. Dead butterflies were found at Cullen's Bristol home on February 13 last year after a police search, the court was told. Prosecutor Kevin Withey told the court, "The defendant faces charges in terms of capturing, killing and possession of a protected butterfly. "The butterfly became extinct in this country in the late 1970s and was reintroduced and is a protected species in certain parts of the country," he said. "Significant care is given to its wellbeing and its hopeful future flourishing," Withey said. The globally-endangered species has always been rare in Britain, but became extinct in 1979. In 2004, it was found on nine sites in the country following a major conservation programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Danish police say they believe a 45-year-old man has killed his wife and their four children before taking his own life. Police say the victims are a 42-year-old woman and two boys and two girls, aged between 3 and 16, who were part of the same family. In a statement yesterday, police ruled out media speculation that a gas leak had caused the deaths. No motive was given and police didn't say how the victims were killed. Police were alerted Monday about "suspicious circumstances" in Ulstrup, a village southwest of Randers, about 185 kilometers northwest of Copenhagen. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man, who had been on the run since over a year for allegedly stealing ornaments and cash collectively worth Rs 58 lakh from a senior citizen's house in Malabar Hill here, has been arrested from Gujarat, police said today. The accused, Radheshyam Mandal, who worked as a domestic servant at the victim's place, was on the run since the last sixteen months and was arrested from Surat in Gujarat, they said. "Police recovered all the stolen valuables from a farm of his native place in Durgipatti village in Khutauna district of Bihar," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-2) Dnyaneshwar Chavan said. Mandal had burrowed a pit at a farm and hidden the stolen ornaments in it. He also planted a sapling there to mark the spot, an official said. "The incident had taken place in September 2015. Mandal used to work as a servant at the residence of the victim, Laju Godhwani (72), who stays in a lavish apartment on Nepeansea Raod in Malabar Hill area. He stole Rs 4 lakh cash and ornaments worth Rs 54.25 lakh from there," police said. Godhwani had lodged a complaint against him and he had gone absconding following the theft. "During the investigation, it came to light that he had fled to Nepal to evade arrest," official said. Malbar Hill police who ware chasing him, had gone to his village in Bihar. "They found that he had deposited Rs 2 lakh in his brother Jayram's bank account," police said. Police arrested Jayram in this case and after the trial he was convicted by a court. A few days back, police received information that Radheshyam was working with one of his relatives in Gujarat. Police formed a team and he was nabbed following a raid. "During his interrogation, Radheshyam confessed to his crime and showed a place where the valuables were hidden at his farm in Bihar," DCP Chavan said. Further investigation is on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A media professional working with a channel based in Sector-6 here has accused his six colleagues of snatching his mobile phone, cash, gold chain and beating him up, police said today. Sector-20 police station in-charge Anil Pratap Singh said that Ayush Tiwari, who lives in Delhi's Jagatpuri, filed a complaint yesterday in this regard. Tiwari has alleged that his colleagues snatched Rs 4,300, debit card, gold chain and mobile phone last night and also beaten him up, Singh said. He said police have registered a complaint and are probing the case. Meanwhile, a teenage girl has been allegedly raped by three persons in Naya Gaon area of Phase-2 police station. The victim's mother has filed a complaint that her daughter was raped on January 7 allegedly by the three youths who live in their neighbourhood, police said. They said they have registered a complaint and are probing the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has welcomed the 2017-18 Budget presented in both Houses of State Legislature today. She said many of the social interventions, including relief to horticulture, agriculture, transport and allied sectors, have been aimed to address some of the chronic issues which have assumed huge social magnitude in the state. Mehbooba said taking cognisance of frequent delays in disbursement of salaries to the employees engaged under various centrally-sponsored schemes, the government, through the budget, has decided to delink their salaries with the source of funding of these schemes. The Chief Minister expressed hopes that early release of funds would facilitate timely execution of development works in the state which often get delayed due to late releases. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian-American, who was extradited from Mexico to the US for allegedly opening fire on an American diplomat, has been charged with attempted murder of "an internationally protected person", officials have said. Zia Zafar, 31, of Chino Hills, California, was identified as a naturalised American citizen from India by a spokesperson at the Jalisco state prosecutor's office in Mexico. He was charged by criminal complaint with one count of attempted murder of an internationally protected person, US Justice Department said in a statement. Zafar made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday and is scheduled for a detention hearing on January 13 before US Magistrate Judge John F Anderson of the Eastern District of Virginia, it said. He was deported from Mexico and arrested on Monday on a criminal complaint charging him with the attempted murder of a diplomat stationed at the US Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico. On January 6, Zafar disguised himself and followed the Vice Consul of the US Consulate in Guadalajara through a parking garage to his vehicle, the criminal complaint said. After the diplomat got into his car and drove, Zafar allegedly shot him once in the chest and fled. He was taken to hospital, where he is recuperating, it said, adding that Zafar was subsequently detained by Mexican authorities. Security footage recorded just prior to the shooting showed the victim validating his parking lot ticket while carrying a gym bag. Moments later, he is followed by a man wearing a nurse's uniform. The charges in the criminal complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Diplomatic Security Service are probing the case with Mexican authorities and the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations. The Justice Department in the statement gratefully acknowledged Mexico for their extraordinary efforts, support and professionalism in responding to this incident. The FBI had offered USD 20,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the shooter. Hours after Zafar's arrest, the attorney general's office and the foreign ministry in a joint statement said he would face justice in the US for the "sordid and cowardly" shooting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Michael Keaton will be honoured by the Society of Camera Operators with their Governor's Award. The 65-year-old actor will accept the honor at SOC's awards show on February 11 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, reported Variety. SOC, an honorary society, advances the art, craft, and creative contributions of camera operators. The event will also reveal winners from among its Camera Operator of the Year nominees. Keaton will next be seen in the Roy Kroc biopic "The Founder". In the film, Keaton portrays the entrepreneur who built the McDonald's fast food empire. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mizoram today celebrated 'Missionary Day' commemorating the arrival of two Welsh Christian missionaries in the state over a century ago. Government offices and educational institutions remained closed as the state government declared the day as a public holiday. The local churches under the Baptist Church of Mizoram held prayer and also organised community feasts. Rev J H Lorrain and Rev F W Savidge arrived in the then Lushai country (Mizoram) by boat from Assam on January 11, 1894 and spread Christianity which resulted in conversion of almost all the Mizos to the new religion. The Welsh missionaries established the Presbyterian Church in northern part of Mizoram and the Baptist Church in the southern part of the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today advised media to understand its responsibility "a bit more" at a time when the Modi government was instilling "fear" among the journalists. "When Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister and (P) Chidambaram was the Finance Minister, the media used to be very free in criticising them. But now a days, (I) do not know why they are not speaking from the heart," he said at a day-long party convention amid cries of "shame, shame" from a section of audience. Telling his party workers not to use the word, he said journalists do feel "frightened" because it is a matter of keeping their jobs and as they are mindful of phone calls from higher ups. "We do not want to create trouble for you. But should also understand your responsibility a bit more," he said at the convention. Gandhi said media might have shown him in poor light or written against him but he would never scare them or work against their interests. Describing institutions like RBI, Election Commission and judiciary as "soul" of India, Gandhi alleged that they as well as media are being "undermined" by the present government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Setting the tone for Congress' campaign in assembly polls in five states, Rahul Gandhi today launched a no holds barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of instilling fear among people and wrecking the economy through demonetisation, while asserting his party will unseat BJP from power in 2019. A day-long national convention, called in the wake of demonetisation, saw top Congress leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram coming down hard on Modi. Singh cautioned people that "worse is still to come". Squarely blamming the Prime Minister for "undermining" institutions like Reserve Bank of India, Election Commission and judiciary, the Congress Vice President said the ruling dispensation has also created fear among the media which he felt was not being able to carry out its responsibility as a watchdog effectively. Billed as 'Jan Vedna' Sammelan, the meet attended by CWC members, Congress Chief Ministers, AICC office bearers, MPs, PCC chiefs and state leaders announced the second phase of protest action against note ban including gherao of RBI offices all over the country on January 18. A combative Gandhi, who was ridiculed by Modi some time back, gave back in kind mimicking him, especially his oft repeated "Mitron" (friends) reference, alleging that the PM always tries to instill fear among the people. "You look at BJP's policies. Their entire aim is to scare the people of the country. Fear terrorism, maoism, demonetisation, scare the media. In two-three months, in the entire country, they have spread this fear," Gandhi said. Taking an apparent dig at Modi, Gandhi satirised a song from movie Namak Halaal, saying "Aapka toh lagta hai bas yahi sapna, ram ram japna garibo kaa maal apna (It seems your only dream is to take away money from poor while chanting the name of Ram)". He said, "These people want to rule over the country by instilling fear. Congress will defeat these people and remove them from power. We do not hate them or have anger against them. But we will defeat their ideology." In his brief address, Manmohan Singh dubbed as "hollow claims" by the Prime Minister that things have started looking up and insisted that GDP will see a significant decline due to demonetisation. "Modiji keeps on saying that he is out to transform the country's economy, that he will bring together all the things which will contribute to the steep rise in the income of the country. He knows now it is the beginning of the end," he said. Gandhi also utilised the occasion to raise the issue of personal corruption against the Prime Minister, wondering as to why he was silent on the Sahara-Birla diaries despite the opposition raising questions. Finance Minister Chidambaram claimed there was no record of the Cabinet meeting of November 8 which, according to the government, had taken the demonetisation decision. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Hullender Family will join Keith Baptist Church on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. for its 5th Sunday Singing. A love offering will be received at the close of the service. The public is also are invited to join the church for a pot luck dinner that will follow the morning service. Keith Baptist Church is at 1573 Keith Road in Ringgold. For more information, please call Jeff Greer at 400-8761. A book compiling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio broadcast of 'Mann ki Baat' in which he addresses the nation on various issues was launched by Union minister Jual Oram at the World Book Fair here today. The book compiled by 29-year-old Rajeev Gupta, a research scholar from Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad, covers the 'Mann ki Baat' episodes broadcast between October 3, 2014 and November 27, 2016. Speaking at the launch of "Pradhanmantri Ke Mann Ki Baat", the Minister for Tribal Affairs lauded Gupta's effort to record the PM's speeches in written format. "Even though the episodes of Mann ki Baat are available on YouTube and Doordarshan's website, a book is always welcome as people can easily glance through it in their spare time," he said. Baldev Raj Sharma, Chairman of National Book Trust, said, "Mann ki Baat is an attempt by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to connect with the people. And the PM has highlighted several issues starting from cleanliness, drug abuse and governance to promoting Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. "The programme doesn't have a politicial purpose, rather it is aimed at awakening people of the country and make them a part of this democratic system by making them feel responsible and capable," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The monsoon session of the 30 member Puducherry Assembly will commence on January 24. Secretary to the Assembly A Vincent Rayar said in a release today that the session will begin at 11 AM that day. This is the first session of the Assembly after Chief Minister V Narayanasamy was elected through a by-election from Nellithope segment on November 19 last year. Narayanasamy first became Chief Minister without being a member of the assembly A Congress legislator A John Kumar had quit the post of MLA causing vacancy in Nellithope constituency and enabling Narayanasamy to seek election. The party wise break up in the House is: Congress (15 including Speaker), DMK (two) AINRC (eight) AIADMK (four) and Independent (one). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pluto's moon Charon may be significantly reducing the loss of atmosphere of the icy dwarf planet by creating a shield and redirecting much of the solar wind around and away, according to a new study. Pluto's relationship with its moon Charon is one of the more unusual interactions in the solar system due to Charon's size and proximity. It is more than half of Pluto's diameter and orbits only 19,312 kilometres away. To put that into perspective, picture our moon three times closer to Earth, and as large as Mars, researchers said. The study by researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology in the US provides additional insight into this relationship and how it affects the continuous stripping of Pluto's atmosphere by solar wind. When Charon is positioned between the Sun and Pluto, the research indicates that the moon can significantly reduce atmospheric loss. "Charon does not always have its own atmosphere. But when it does, it creates a shield for Pluto and redirects much of the solar wind around and away," said Carol Paty, a Georgia Tech associate professor. This barrier creates a more acute angle of Pluto's bow shock, slowing down the deterioration of the atmosphere. When Charon does not have an atmosphere, or when it is behind or next to Pluto, then Charon has only a minor effect on the interaction of the solar wind with Pluto. The study's predictions, performed before the New Horizons probe collected and returned data to Earth, is consistent with the measurements made by the spacecraft about Pluto's atmospheric loss rate. Previous estimates at the time of the study were at least 100 times higher than the actual rate. According to John Hale, the Georgia Tech student who co-led the study with Paty, the Pluto system is a window into our origins because Pluto has not been subjected to the same extreme temperatures as objects in closer orbits to the Sun. "As a result, Pluto still has more of its volatile elements, which have long since been blown off the inner planets by solar wind," Hale said. "Even at its great distance from the Sun, Pluto is slowly losing its atmosphere. Knowing the rate at which Pluto's atmosphere is being lost can tell us how much atmosphere it had to begin with, and therefore what it looked like originally. From there, we can get an idea of what the solar system was made of during its formation," he said. The study affirms a popular hypothesis of Charon. The areas of discolouration near its lunar poles are likely caused by magnetised particles that have been shorn from Pluto's atmosphere, researchers said. These particles have accumulated and settled on Charon over billions of years, particularly when it is downstream of Pluto. The research was published in the journal Icarus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Selfie lovers may have different motives which often extend beyond self-obsession and showing off, according to a new study which counters the general belief that most selfie takers are narcissists. The study also identified three categories of selfie-takers: communicators, autobiographers and self-publicists. "It is important to recognise that not everyone is a narcissist," said Steven Holiday, from Texas Tech University in the US. Communicators take selfies primarily to engage their friends, family or followers in a conversation, "they are all about two-way communication," said researchers. Autobiographers use selfies as a tool to record key events in their lives and preserve significant memories. While people in this group still want others to see their photos, they are not necessarily seeking the feedback and engagement that communicators are. Self-publicists, actually the smallest of the three groups, "are the people who love documenting their entire lives," said Harper Anderson from Texas Tech. "And in documenting and sharing their lives, they are hoping to present themselves and their stories in a positive light," said Anderson. Identifying and categorising the three groups is valuable in part because "it is a different kind of photography than we have ever experienced before," said Holiday. "I can go on Facebook or Instagram and see that people have a desire to participate in a conversation. It is an opportunity for them to express themselves and get some kind of return on that expression," Holiday added. Understanding people's motives can in turn be valuable, said researchers "because years from now, our society's visual history is going to be largely comprised of selfies. To find out why people do it, that contributes a lot to the discussion on selfies and visual communication in general." The study appears in the journal Visual Communication Quarterly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mustardseed prices tumbled by Rs 54 to Rs 4,205 per quintal in futures trading today as participants indulged in offloading their positions at prevailing levels to book profits. Marketmen said besides weakness in spot markets following increased arrivals, emergence of profit-booking at higher levels mainly led to decline in mustardseed prices in futures trade. Besides, estimates of good crops in Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujrat also weighed on prices, they added. At the National Commodity and Derivative Exchange, (NCDEX), mustardseed for delivery in January month was trading lower by Rs 54 or 1.27 per cent to Rs 4,205 per quintal, having an open interest of 11,950 lots. Similarly, mustardseed for delivery in February month slipped by Rs 20 or 0.52 per cent to Rs 3,852 per quintal, depicting an open interest of 21,110 lots. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who is on a two-day tour to Goa, the land of his ancestors, said his visit to the state has a strong emotional side and personal motivation. He expressed hope that his visit to the coastal state would contribute towards stronger ties between Portugal and India. "I am very proud for visiting my father's land as a Prime Minister, in particular as the first Prime Minister of Indian origin. As you can understand, this visit has a strong emotional side and a personal motivation," Costa said. He was speaking in response to the tribute given to him by Goan Civil Society in Panaji. "It is my pleasure to meet my aunt and cousins and get to visit the house where my father lived. I am deeply honoured with the release of two of my father's books," 55-year-old Costa said after unveiling the English translations of the books written by his father Orlando Costa. Costa, who is scheduled to visit his ancestral house in Margao town tomorrow, said, "My father went to Lisbon, (but) he never left Goa, because Goa never left him. From Konkani (language), we were only taught two words 'babush' and 'babulo'...These words my father used when he talked to me and my brother." The Portugal PM said as a person of Indian origin, he was honoured to get an invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India. "This is not just one more visit to a foreign country. I met Indian diaspora during the Pravasi Diwas and participated in Vibrant Gujarat Summit," he added. According to him, India and Portugal have signed agreements in the areas such as science and technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and defence. "I hope my visit to Goa will contribute for more advanced and forward-looking partnership. This partnership can be based on strong emotional, cultural and personal ties. In my thinking, we can take advantage of the two economies," he added. "We must take advantage of this relationship from our permanent history towards new partnership for 21st Century," Costa said. Earlier in the day, the Portugese PM was accorded a warm welcome by the state. However, the formal welcome programme was withdrawn at the Portugal government's request as the people there are mourning the death of former President Mario Soares, the founder of democracy in that country. Costa held talks with Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on ties in tourism, science, oceanography, language and heritage. Parsekar said Goa has age-old ties with the European nation. "Of course after liberation (from Portuguse rule in 1961), in the last 55 years we have been doing well, but Common Civil Code is gift to this state by Portugal," he said. The CM also said Portugal also stood with the country in its fight against terrorism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Activists say more than 3,000 people have fled airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Myanmar since the weekend as the government tries to flush out rebel positions. Waves of people have been crossing the border into China this week to escape the unrest in Shan and Kachin states. Yesterday, the government prevented a U.N. Human rights official from visiting the area, citing safety concerns. Kachin activist Khon Ja said Wednesday that airstrikes and fighting have forced some 3,000 people to flee across the border. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hitting back at TMC leaders for their remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said it is "lowest that politicians can stoop to" and said it reflects their frustration over growing popularity of prime minister and BJP. "I am shocked and depressed over the abusive language used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Trinamool Congress leaders. This is the lowest that politicians can stoop to. I hope their leadership realises their folly. "This only reflects their frustration over the growing popularity of Prime Minister and BJP," Naidu, who holds the portfolio of Information and Broadcasting and Urban Development, said in a statement. Earlier in the day Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee kicked up a row by saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have to return to Gujarat as a "rat" following the countrywide protests against the note ban, remarks that drew a sharp response from BJP. "In 2019 (Lok Sabha poll) you will be reduced to a rat. You will no longer be a lion. (Narendra Modi ke Chuhar bachcha hoye Gujarat phire jete hobe) Modi will have to return to Gujarat as a rat," Banerjee said while addressing a meeting in front of the Reserve Bank of India office in Kolkata. Opening another front in her fight against Modi on demonetisation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also accused him of "removing crucial files" on note recall and described it as a "ploy'"to transform white money into black and black money into white. The TMC has been holding a 72-hour sit in demonstration outside the RBI office in Kolkata against the decision of demonetisation since January 9. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal government today sacked the chief of its earthquake reconstruction body, set up in the aftermath of devastating 2015 earthquake to rebuild nearly one million homes and other physical infrastructure, citing repeated "delays" in the reconstruction work. A cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Prachanda has decided to sack Sushil Gyawali from the post of CEO of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), and replace him with Govinda Pokharel, the former vice-chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Information Minister Surendra Karki said. Pokharel was earlier appointed as the chief of the NRA more than a year before during the Nepali Congress-led government. The decision was taken after two clarifications furnished by the erstwhile NRA Chief, explaining delays in the reconstruction work, were found to be "unsatisfactory", Karki said. Gyawali was appointed to the post a year ago by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, after months of political wrangling over who should lead the agency - tasked with spending USD 4.1 billion pledged by international donors to help rebuild quake-ravaged Nepal. However, since the fall of Oli government in August last year, Gyawali's position in the powerful body has become insecure and the government led by Prachanda has sought two clarifications from him for repeated delays in the reconstruction work. "His (Gyawali's) response was not satisfactory," Karki said. The reconstruction work in Nepal, estimated to cost nearly USD 7.86 billion, has been sluggish since the beginning, though critics say that replacing Gyawali might not solve anything. Foreign governments and aid agencies have already pledged USD 4.1 billion for the reconstruction work. More than 9,000 people were killed and nearly half a million homes were destroyed in the April 2015 quake. The delays in the rebuilding of homes has forced hundreds of people to spend two consecutive Himalayan winters in temporary shelters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vikas Yadav, one of the three killers of Nitish Katara who is serving a 25-year jail term without remission, today moved Delhi High Court for grant of parole for two months to maintain social ties and arrange Rs 54 lakh, a fine imposed on him. Justice Vipin Sanghi issued notice to Delhi Police and the victim's mother, Neelam Katara, seeking their stand on the plea moved by the convict. It also sought the response of witness Ajay Katara before the next date of hearing on February 13. The convict has urged the court that the relief be granted to him to "re-establish his ties with the society and family members". He also said that he has to arrange the fine amount imposed on him by the high court. The high court had said that a fine of Rs 54 lakh each be deposited by convicts Vikas and his cousin Vishal Yadav in the murder case and it should be disbursed among the victim's mother and governments of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh for expenses incurred by them during the pendency of trial. The high court had on February 6, 2015 enhanced the jail term of Vikas and Vishal from life imprisonment to 25 years without remission for murdering Nitish Katara and five more years for destruction of evidence in the case. Yadavs' acquaintance Sukhdev Yadav alias Pehelwan was also awarded an enhanced life sentence of 25 years. The three were awarded life term by a trial court for abducting and killing Katara, a business executive and son of an IAS officer, on the intervening night of February 16-17, 2002. They did not approve of the victim's affair with Bharti, the daughter of D P Yadav. The high court had on April 2, 2014 upheld the verdict of the lower court, describing the offence as "honour killing" stemming from a "deeply-entrenched belief" in caste system. The Supreme Court in October last year had modified the Delhi high court verdict that had said that separate jail terms of 25-years and 5-years for the offences of murder and destruction of evidence would run consecutively against Vikas and Vishal. The apex court had said that both the jail terms would run concurrently and would effectively lead to the award of 25 years of imprisonment to the Yadavs. Simultaneously, Pehalwan, who was granted 25-year jail term by the high court, will now have to face 20-year imprisonment in the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Yanfeng Automotive Interiors Chattanooga plant will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 11 a.m. Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, the worlds largest supplier of automotive interior components, established its Chattanooga facility to support Volkswagen. The new development represents an investment of $55 million and creation of 325 new jobs. The company will supply interior components, including floor consoles, instrument panels and trunk trim for the new Atlas, to be built at the automakers Chattanooga assembly plant. Yanfeng Automotive Interiors Chattanooga Plant is at 7463 Bonnyshire Dr. . Poland's parliament was paralysed today as liberal opposition MPs refused to end an unprecedented protest against what they say are anti-democratic actions by the government. Civic Platform (PO) legislators have been occupying parliament since mid-December after the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party announced plans to restrict journalists' right to cover legislative proceedings, a position from which the PiS has since retreated. The opposition then harnessed the protest to this year's budget vote. It wants a re-run of the vote which it says was illegal as the governing party passed it in December in another part of the building because the opposition had taken over the main chamber. The PiS says the vote is legal and wanted parliament to formally launch a new session today, the first after the holiday break. PO leader Grzegorz Schetyna today called for parliament to be adjourned until January 18 in a bid to buy time to find a way out of the stalemate. PiS parliamentary caucus chief Ryszard Terlecki agreed, but on the condition that opposition lawmakers would first end the sit-in. "In reality, this isn't any kind of new proposal," Schetyna said. "They want us to quit the parliamentary chamber but they're not offering us anything in return." Powerful PiS party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski has slammed the sit-in as "an attempted coup". The opposition has been backed by street demonstrators from the Committee for the Defence of Democracy (KOD) popular movement and other citizen groups. Poland has been mired in political crisis for months. In December, the EU gave the PiS government another two months to reverse changes it made to Poland's constitutional court or face sanctions, warning they posed a "substantial" challenge to the rule of law. This and the crisis in parliament come just over one year after the conservative PiS swept to power and began pushing through legislation that critics allege undermines democracy. Although the moves have sparked mass anti-government street protests, the PiS remains widely supported and has kept well ahead in recent opinion polls due in large part to its generous social spending schemes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the issuance of notification in Goa and Punjab, the formal process of elections in the two states began today. With this, the process of nominations in the two state has now commenced. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, Punjab and Goa will go to polls on February 4. The last date of filing nominations is January 18. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out on January 19 and candidates can withdraw from the electoral battle till January 21. In Punjab, five nominations were filed on the on the first day today. Counting will be held on March 11 along with Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Barack Obama today bade goodbye to Americans in an emotional speech, warning them of threats to democracy from growing racism, inequality and discrimination amidst a "corrosive" a political environment in the country following the election of Donald Trump. Refashioning his winning 2008 campaign mantra for 2017, Obama while addressing nearly 20,000 supporters in his hometown here asked them to hold fast to their optimism and to look within for leadership. "I am asking you to believe not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours," 55-year-old Obama said. "I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents: ... Yes, we can," he said in the address that lasted for 55 minutes. "Yes, we did. Yes, we can". He cautioned Americans about threats to democracy, saying "Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are." The outgoing President lamented that despite his historic election as the nation's first black president in 2008, "race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society." "After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America. Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic," he acknowledged. Obama's presidency will come to an end on January 20 when Republican Trump would be sworn in as the 45th President of the US. Obama promised a peaceful transfer of power to Trump in the coming weeks. Without mentioning Trump, he used his speech to offer an implicit rebuttal to many of the contentious themes like temporary ban on Muslim immigration that characterised the 2016 presidential campaign. Obama said he rejects discrimination against Muslim Americans, and drew cheers for saying they are "just as patriotic as we are". "... I've worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firm legal footing. That's why we've ended torture, worked to close Gitmo, and reform our laws governing surveillance to protect privacy and civil liberties. That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans," Obama said. "That's why we cannot withdraw from global fights - to expand democracy, and human rights, women's rights, and LGBT rights - no matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem," he said. Obama warned his countrymen that American democracy is threatened whenever they take it for granted. "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote," he said as he completed terms at the White House. "When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes," he added. "And all of this depends on our participation; on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power swings," said the US President. He also warned economic divisions have intensified racial divisions, particularly at a time when the growth of the nation's Hispanic population continues. To be serious about race, Obama said laws to fight discrimination in hiring, housing, education and criminal justice must be upheld - and "hearts must change." "But we're not where we need to be. All of us have more work to do. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves," Obama said. "If we decline to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they don't look like us, we diminish the prospects of our own children - because those brown kids will represent a larger share of America's workforce," he warned. The economy doesn't have to be a zero-sum game, he said, adding that last year, incomes rose for all races, all age groups, for men and for women. For the fight against extremism and intolerance and sectarianism and chauvinism are of a piece with the fight against authoritarianism and nationalist aggression, he said adding if the "scope of freedom and respect for the rule of law shrinks around the world, the likelihood of war within and between nations increases, and our own freedoms will eventually be threatened". He said no one can defeat America unless "we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight". "Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world - unless we give up what we stand for, and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors," he stressed. After successful eight years of his presidency, Obama said he is leave this stage even more optimistic about this country than he was when started. "By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place" than it was eight years ago when he took office, he told thousands of supporters. An emotional President Barack Obama today used his farewell speech to the nation to thank his wife Michelle for sacrificing her personal life for his political dreams, calling her his "best friend" and a "role model" for the new generation. "Michelle - for the past twenty-five years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend," Obama said in front of thousands of his supporters with the First Lady sitting in the front row along with her youngest daughter Malia and her mother in their hometown. The 52-year-old First Lady received standing ovation as Obama thanked her. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody," Obama said while pausing to wipe his eyes with a tissue and regain composure. "And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud," said the 55-year-old outgoing US President about his life partner for 25 years. He also thanked his daughters Sasha and Malia. "Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion," he said. "You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad," Obama said. Malia was seen frequently trying to stop tears flowing down her cheeks. Interestingly, while Michelle and her daughter Malia were there to hear Obama's emotional farewell speech, his youngest daughter Sasha was not present as her school reportedly did not allow her to attend the event as she had an examination on the next day. Later, Michelle shared a touching family photo. In perhaps one of the earliest photographs of their family during Obama's first presidential campaign, the black and white photograph features Malia and Sasha in white outfits while sitting on their parents' laps. "So proud of POTUS (President of the United States) and all that we've accomplished together," Michelle wrote in the caption. "What an incredible journey filled with remarkable people. I love you Barack. -mo. In his 55-minute farewell speech, Obama also thanked Vice President Joe Biden. "To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favourite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother," Obama said. Thanking his staff, Obama said for eight years he has drawn from their energy and tried to reflect back what they displayed every day: heart, and character and idealism. "I've watched you grow up, get married, have kids, and start incredible new journeys of your own. Even when times got tough and frustrating, you never let Washington get the better of you. The only thing that makes me prouder than all the good we've done is the thought of all the remarkable things you'll achieve from here," he said. "And to all of you out there - every organizer who moved to an unfamiliar town and kind family who welcomed them in, every volunteer who knocked on doors, every young person who cast a ballot for the first time, every American who lived and breathed the hard work of change - you are the best supporters and organisers anyone could hope for, and I will forever be grateful. "Because yes, you changed the world," Obama said in his final speech as the President of the United States. Simran Swain, an inmate of Jindal Bal Bhawan, Angul, has won the National Bal Shree honour, 2015 for her talent in Odissi dance. She has been selected in the creative performance stream of the Bal Shree Scheme, launched by National Bal Bhavan in 1995. Simran, daughter of Pramodini Nayak and Sarbeswar Swain, has been an inmate of Jindal Bal Bhavan and is also a class eight student of O.P. Jindal School at Angul, a press release said here today. After successfully competing the district and state-level competitions, Simran represented Odisha in the National Level Bal Shree Competition held in Delhi in November 2016 and was selected for Bal Shree honour for the first time from the state. She will receive the honour from the President. "This is really a matter of pride for Angul and Odisha. JSPL has set up Jindal Bal Bhavan to promote creative skill of children in our vicinity. Achievement of Simran will be a big motivation for other students," said D K Saraogi, Executive Director and Location Head of JSPL. Jindal Bal Bhawan is affiliated to National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi and is running at the campus of O P Jindal School since 2010. Presently more than 250 children are actively participating in various programmes organised by Jindal Bal Bhavan, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition today disrupted the proceedings of J-K Assembly over the demand for constitution of a judicial commission to probe deaths in Kashmir during the five-month long unrest and staged a walkout from the House. As the House assembled, the members of Opposition including National Conference and Congress stood up from the seats and resorted to protests and sloganeering amid uproarious scenes in support of their demand for setting up of the Judicial commission. It rejected the announcement of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for setting up of Special Investigation Teams (SIT) at district levels to probe such deaths. It is for the fourth consecutive day that Opposition has been pressing government for setting up Judicial commission headed by a retired Supreme Court (SC) judge to probe the killings during last year's unrest. Later, speaking to the media outside the House, NC MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar said Opposition wanted that government should set up the Judicial Commission. He was supported by Congress MLA Usan Majid. "If Chief Minister is saying that Kashmir unrest is result of well planned conspiracy then there is need to hold Judicial probe," Majid said. Referring to the unrest in Kashmir, which left several people dead and many injured, the chief minister had said that the unrest took place under a "well-planned conspiracy". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 130 Nepalese women have been rescued from central Nepal while being trafficked to India in the past one year, an NGO in the country said. Maiti Nepal, an NGO working against women trafficking, rescued 136 women from Chitwan, one of the major trafficking points to sell women to brothels in Indian cities, the organisation said. Among the rescued, 102 women were being trafficked with intent to sell them while 34 others were rescued to avert risk, said the NGO's regional programme officer, Yuvraj Dawadi. The women rescued from Chitwan hail from Gorkha, Dhading, Lamjung and Nuwakot districts. "The anti-trafficking organisation has been running various awareness programmes. It has also set up information centres by roadsides to carry out random checking during which it has been successful in rescuing trafficked women," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police today seized over Rs one lakh cash and around 14 kg of silver from a man's car during a vehicle checking drive in Chowkaghat under Chetganj police station area, police said. During the drive, Rs 1,35,000 cash along with around 14 kg of silver was seized from Anil Kumar, the owner of the Scorpio car who is a native of Gopalganj in Bihar, said Anupam Srivastava, SHO of Chetganj police station. Unable to furnish any valid documents the Income Tax department was informed, he said, adding an FIR has been registered in this connection and probe is on. The action was taken in the wake of poll code violation, wherein carrying more than Rs 50,000 cash without its valid papers is prohibited. Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in 7 phases from February 11 to March 8. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani court today ordered execution of a mentally ill man convicted of murder despite protests by rights groups over hanging those suffering from ailments like schizophrenia. District and sessions judge Nazir Ahmed Gajana issued the death warrant of 55-year-old mentally ill convict Khizer Hayat who is scheduled to be executed on January 17. "Despite the ongoing proceedings, authorities at Central Jail, Lahore forwarded a request to have the former policeman's black warrant issued which has since been granted by the Sessions Court. He is due to be executed on January 17," Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), a non-profit organisation, said in a statement. It said that on October 31 last year, the Divisional Bench of the LHC, including Justice Shahid Hameed Dar and Justice Mohammed Qasim issued notices to the Home Department, Punjab and the Superintendent of Central Jail Lahore, to file their comments. The matter is still pending before the court as the provincial government is yet to file their reply. The issuance of Khizar's execution warrants is particularly alarming considering that the case of another schizophrenic death row prisoner, Imdad Ali, remains pending before the Supreme Court. Pakistan's top court had recently ruled that schizophrenia does not fall within its legal definition of mental disorders. A court-sanctioned examination at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health in July last year concluded unanimously that Khizar suffers from psychosis and schizophrenia. Sentenced to death in 2003 over a shooting of a fellow police officer, Khizar has spent nearly 14 years on death row. During the course of his detention he has faced numerous severe near-fatal attacks by fellow inmates as a result of his mental illness. Since 2012, he has been kept in solitary confinement, after he was first diagnosed as a schizophrenic in 2008 by jail authorities. He suffers from delusions and has to be heavily medicated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Supreme Court today gave the custody of a 10-year-old maid, who was allegedly tortured while working for an influential district judge, to an orphanage till her parents were traced. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar - who is presiding over the three-member bench hearing the case - ordered police to hand over the girl to a government-sponsored orphanage as identity of her parents was not exactly known. It also ordered that the girl be kept away from those claiming to be her parents. Last week, the apex court took suo moto notice of the case after pictures of the tortured maid went viral on social media, and ordered DNA tests to confirm the identity of the girl's parents after they submitted affidavits in court claiming that they had reached a settlement with her employers, who have been accused of torturing her. Pictures of the maid went viral on social media, prompting chief justice of the Supreme Court to order a police probe. The medical examination of the maid has shown multiple signs of torture. The girl initially told police that she worked at the house of District and Sessions judge Raja Khurram Ali Khan in Islamabad and was ill-treated by the judge's wife. Justice Nisar also order the police to conduct the probe in a "fair and transparent manner". He adjourned the case till January 18. Earlier, the judge and his wife were booked after the maid recorded her statement before police in the presence of Assistant Commissioner Nisha Ishtiaq. They were accused of keeping the juvenile housemaid in wrongful confinement and torturing her over minor mistakes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About 500 students, parents and teachers from around the region will compete in the FIRST LEGO League robotics competition in Chattanooga on Saturday. Teams must use their robots to complete pre-determined tasks within the time allotted. Winners will move onto compete at the state-level competition in Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 28. The opening ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m. and awards will occur at 3:45 p.m. The competition will be held at Red Bank Middle School, 3701 Tom Weathers Dr. Those attending include Dr. Kirk Kelly, HCDE superintendent; David Sorrick, senior vice president Power Operations TVA; Bill Copeland, director of Business Intelligence EPB, Chattanooga; and Scott Rosenow, tournament director and HCDE teacher. The mission of FLL is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills. TVA sponsors about 25 schools that are competing. The future economy of the Tennessee Valley depends on a workforce skilled in the practical application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, said officials. TVA supports robotics programs in over 500 elementary, middle and high schools across the Valley reaching over 10,000 students. Robotics programs provide a fun, competitive way of encouraging STEM skills in all children, regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic background, said officials. A sandalwood smuggling gang that targeted trees in government bungalows was today busted by a joint team of STF and police at Shahjahanpur. Thirteen members of the gang were arrested from Jalalabad crossing and 185 kg of sandalwood was seized from their possesion, a Special Task Force spokesperson said here. The spokesperson said the arrested gang members would identify sandalwood trees growing in government bungalows in Barabanki, Lucknow, Sitapur, and Bareilly. They would then gradually start cutting it from above the root before chopping it off on any given day and ferrying it away in vehicles, he said. The accused belong to Katni in Madhya Pradesh and further investigation, in connection with the information provided by them, is on, the spokesman added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A police constable has been allegedly thrashed by a group of men in inebriated state for objecting to their dangerous driving in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj. The incident happened on late Monday night when Vishal Sharma, Navjyot Sehrawat, Harish Lohia and Yatin Norang - all aged 23 - were returning after celebrating Harish's birthday, said Chinmoy Biswal, additional DCP-I (South). The four were in inebriated state, Biswal said. Constable Mohd Alam, who was on picket duty with constables Prithwiraj and Sushil at Masudpur near Malik Hotel, warned the three men and the driver against dangerous driving after they almost had hit a police barricade, he said. Following the argument, they thrashed Alam, who sustained injuries on his left knee, and abused the other constables, he said. After the incident, the accused managed to flee the spot. However, the policemen noted down the vehicle number and later they were traced and arrested. A case under sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC was registered at Vasant Kunj South police station. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says agents are investigating the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old black man that involved two sheriff's deputies. A statement from the TBI says the shooting occurred late last evening in Henderson County after the suspect, Darrion M Barnhill, attacked the deputies, slamming one of them to the ground. The TBI said the struggle continued to escalate, leading at least one deputy to fire his weapon. Barnhill was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The TBI says deputies had responded to a compliant that Barnhill was beating on the door of a home in Regan. The agency says deputies recognized him as having outstanding warrants and ordered him to surrender, but he became aggressive instead. The TBI did not release information about the deputies. A message to the sheriff's department wasn't immediately returned. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As he visited the land of his ancestors, Portugese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was today accorded a warm welcome in Goa, with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar terming it as a "proud" moment for the people of the state. Costa, who has roots in Goa that remained under Portugese rule for nearly 450 years, today held talks with the Chief Minister focusing on ties in tourism, science, oceanography, language and heritage. 55-year-old Costa will be visiting his ancestral home in Margoa during his stay two-day in the coastal state. "We had a discussion with Portugal's Prime Minister on various issues ranging from heritage, tourism, science, oceanography, Portuguese language and others. We want to cement ties with Portugal in these areas," Parsekar told reporters after his half-an-hour meeting with Costa. Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza said that a welcome programme planned on Costa's arrival was withdrawn at the Portugal government's request as the people there are mourning the death of former President Mario Soares, the founder of democracy in that country. "The Prime Minister has invited me to Portugal after the elections, so that we can have a detailed discussion," Parsekar said. He said Goa has age-old ties with the European nation. "Of course after liberation (from Portuguse rule in 1961), in the last 55 years we have been doing well, but Common Civil Code is gift to this state by Portugal," he said. The CM also said Portugal also stood with the country in its fight against terrorism. "During the Uri militant attack, Portugal was leading the countries that supported India in its fight against terrorism. It is a global challenge to identify terrorist spots and their financiers and eliminate them. Portugal is with India in this fight," he said. Asked about the demand of some local political outfits that Costa apologise for Portugal colonising Goa for nearly five centuries, Parsekar said, "Goans should feel proud that a person of Goan origin is heading the entire Portugal today." "I don't like to create controversy, particularly when the election is around. "In fact, this gentleman (Costa) shows and discloses proudly that his origin is in Goa. In that sense I feel we Goans should feel proud. It is a matter of pride for all of us," he added. (Reopens BOM5) Later, Costa paid a courtesy visit to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhavan. "The Portugal Prime Minister spent around half-an-hour at the Raj Bhavan and had a discussion on fostering ties between Goa and Portugal," a government spokesman said. Sinha took Costa around the Raj Bhavan, formally called as Cabo Palace, located in Dona Paula fort near here. He also visited the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), located near the Raj Bhavan. Sources said Costa held discussions with senior scientists in the NIO on cooperation between India and Portugal on ocean research. NIO's acting Director S Prasanna Kumar welcomed the Portugal Prime Minister on the institute's campus. Tomorrow, Costa would be visiting his ancestral house in Margao town where he would be have his afternoon meal, before leaving to visit Old Goa churches and Mangeshi Temple in North Goa. Costa will also be attending an event organised by Salgaoncar College of Law. He would also be given a reception by Indo-Portuguese community in a five-star hotel near here. A march taken out by a small group of student activists protesting the "suicide" of an Engineering college student turned violent today, as they damaged the office building of the Kerala Self Financing Engineering College Management's Association here, police said. The students were protesting under the banner of Congress-affiliated Kerala Students Union (KSU) over the death of 18-year-old Jishnu, a computer science student, at the self-financing engineering college at Pampady in Thrissur district, last week, they said. The KSU activists allegedly went on a rampage in the association office at Bye-Pass road, smashing its doors and windows, police said adding twelve activists were taken into custody in connection with the violent incident. Meanwhile, Kerala Self Financing Engineering College Managements Association condemned the attack on its office. Jishnu was found hanging in the hostel bathroom last week. Students had alleged that authorities had harassed him after he was caught for 'copying' in an examination. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a U-turn, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif today said that former army chief Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not seek government's permission before joining the Saudi-led 39-nation military alliance. "Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not submit any application for a no objection certificate (NOC). There's nothing in our notice," the defence minister said in response to Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani's query. Asif said the former army chief had returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia and if he applies for the NOC, then it will be decided according to law, the Express Tribune reported. Senate Chairman Rabbani on Monday asked Asif to brief the House whether Gen Raheel had sought permission from the government or taken it into confidence over his decision to head the Saudi-led military alliance to combat terrorism. Rabbani had also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify what would be the implications of the decision in terms of foreign policy and its effect on a decision, taken at the joint sitting of parliament, not to become part of any such alliance. Earlier, Defence Minister Asif said last Friday that the former army chief had been appointed the commander of the Saudi-led military coalition. He went on to say that the government was taken into confidence about the former army chief's new role. Questioning whether the government's permission was sought before Raheel "accepted" the role, Rabbani had asked Asif as to who confirmed his appointment and what the rules were for a retired army officer to take up such a position. From a few politicians to retired army officers, journalists, intellectuals - all questioned the decision of a former Pakistani army chief to join a foreign military alliance less than two months after his retirement. Pakistani leaders were initially taken aback when Saudi Arabia, without proper consultation with them, had announced in 2015 that Islamabad was also part of the new alliance. Iran was not included in the grouping which appeared as a vague attempt to forge a Sunni Muslim alliance against Shiite Iran to curtail its influence in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and rest of the Middle East. Pakistan was in an unenviable position as it has good ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. It was also not ready to be dragged into the politics of Middle East. Later, Pakistan confirmed its participation in the alliance, but had said that the scope of its participation would be defined after Riyadh shared the details of the coalition it was assembling. According to Saudi Arabia, the alliance is formed to fight ISIS and other militant outfits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Keeping up the heat on demonetisation issue, Rahul Gandhi today said that it is for the first time that India's Prime Minister is being "ridiculed world over" for taking such an "ill-conceived" decision. Addressing Congress' 'Jan Vedna' meeting against note ban, the party Vice President said "achhe din" (good days) will come when Congress comes back to power at the Centre in 2019. "For the fist time India's Prime Minister is being ridiculed the world over..Never before every single economist of any repute said that Prime Minister has taken an ill conceived decision," Rahul said, adding "demonetisation was a personal decision of the Prime Minister." Alleging that economy has gone back 16 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader pointed to the sharp drop in automobile sales. Rebutting charges by BJP leaders that Congress did nothing for the country, he said what BJP has done in its two-and-a-half years by targeting institutions like RBI and Judiciary, Congress could not in 70 years. He alleged that BJP, RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have weakened institutions like RBI, Judiciary and Election Commission which the Congress had built over the past several years. He said the role of these institutions, which he described as "soul" of India, has been undermined by the present government. "We respected RBI's independence. It is the financial bedrock of India and now it is is being ridiculed. People in RSS and BJP are under the impression that nobody else's opinion matters but theirs," he said here. Taking a dig at Modi's 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign line that "achhe din" will come when BJP comes to power, he said only Congress' return to power in 2019 will heard good days. He also said Modi must ask why has the demand for MNREGA suddenly surged and why people are migrating for villages instead of cities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today said that the state government is in discussion with an organisation to open a college for deaf students of the state. "We are working to establish a college for deaf students. This will be first of its kind in the country and discussions in this direction are going on," she said at a convention of college and university teachers at Rajasthan University here. Raje informed that the state government is in discussion with an organisation for the project. The Chief Minister also announced to change designation of college teachers and make necessary changes in rules of college education. Raje also assured teachers that the government will look into their demands. "Students share a very special bond with their teachers whose place is very sacred and high than that of parents. The values of 'Guru-Shisya parampara' (teachers-students relationship) should be restored so that we can save our present and future generation," she said. The Chief Minister highlighted achievements of the state government in the college education sector and asked teachers to focus on research. Stating it was not possible to give government jobs to all, she informed that nearly one lakh people are employed in the government sector and her government had given skill development training to a large number of candidates and jobs in other sectors. Raje said the marks percentage in government schools has improved and nearly 13 lakh students, who were studying in private schools, have joined the government schools. After improving school education, the government is now committed to improve college education, she assured. State Higher Education Minister Kiran Maheshwari and others were present in the function. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming recent dharna by Harish Rawat on the issue of Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) at Jantar Mantar as mere drama, opposition BJP today accused him of doing nothing against the notification in this regard while he could. Citing information received from Uttarkashi District Magistrate under RTI, BJP spokesman Vinay Goel said the state government had not even filed a petition against the ESZ notification despite Rawat being at the helm since February 2014. "All he did was hire a Supreme Court lawyer at Rs 55,000 to plead the case but no petition has been filed yet in this regard. That shows Rawat's combativeness over the issue is fake. His dharna in Delhi on January 5 when election is notified and his tenure is coming to an end is no more than just drama," Goel told reporters here. Last week, in a dharna in Delhi, Rawat hit out at the Narendra Modi government accusing it of meting out "step-motherly treatment" to the state and asked it to immediately approve the proposed zonal plan for Bhagirathi ESZ. Recently, the Centre had rejected Uttarakhand's zonal plan proposal for the Bhagirathi ESZ, which starts from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi, saying the plan designed by the state government had "many shortcomings". The ESZ notification issued by UPA-II in 2011 declares a 4500 sq km area from Gomukh to Uttarkashi as eco-sensitive zone putting restrictions on hydro projects and infrastructural development work underway in the area. Goel also asked the Chief Minister for a report card on his tenure as it was coming to an end. "People have a right to know and BJP as the main opposition asks the CM for his report card. He should tell people about a single noteworthy achievement of his government," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rex Tillerson acknowledged today that Russia's recent actions had "disregarded" US interests, as he sought Senate confirmation as Donald Trump's nominee to be US secretary of state. The former ExxonMobil CEO was not specific but the remark in his opening statement came against a backdrop of controversy over Russian interference in the US elections and his own close ties to President Vladimir Putin. "While Russia seeks respect and relevance on the global stage, its recent activities have disregarded American interests," Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) EXIT Realty Scenic City in Chattanooga on Wednesday announced the addition of six new agents in 2016 to its team of real estate professionals. "Were excited to welcome Brett Rucker, Michael Jackson, Haley Smith, Carolyn Boyd, Julie Marr, and Sharon Talley to EXIT Realty," said Katherine Woodburn, franchise owner of EXIT Realty Scenic City. "EXIT is growing and attracting quality business people each and every day. We've more than doubled in size since we opened in 2014." EXIT Realty's unique business model and culture sets the company apart from all the rest, giving agents the opportunity to earn residual income both while active and through retirement. Four of the firms agents are receiving regional production awards for selling $1-5 million in volume las year. The company provides free training both online and in-house with the broker, a powerful lead generation system for their agents, and a culture that focuses on individual growth and not just the numbers. The firm is currently scheduling appointments for agent interviews through the winter. Agents can contact the broker for a confidential conversation. Reliance Mutual Fund, a part of Reliance Capital, today announced the second tranche of CPSE Exchange Traded Fund, which will fetch about Rs 6,000 crore to the exchequer. This further fund offer (FFO) is part of the government's overall disinvestment programme. The issue size of further fund offer, which will open on January 17 and close on January 20, is Rs 4,500 crore with a greenshoe option of Rs 1,500 crore, Reliance Mutual Fund said in a statement. Central Public Sector Enterprises Exchange ETF, which functions like a mutual fund scheme, comprises scrips of 10 PSUs -- ONGC, Coal India, IOC, GAIL (India), Oil India, PFC, Bharat Electronics, REC, Engineers India and Container Corporation of India. The further fund offer is open for all category of investors including anchor, retail, retirement funds, QIBs, non-institutional investors and Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPIs). An upfront discount of 5 per cent is being offered to all category of investors. CPSE ETF has an expense ratio of 6.5 bps, which is much lower than the other non-ETF that have an expense as high as upto 200 bps. "The further fund offer in the CPSE ETF is part of the government's larger disinvestment programme that was announced earlier by the Ministry of Finance. We feel confident that the timing of the issue will help investors benefit from their exposure in a diversified basket like CPSE ETF that includes a list of distinguished PSUs that have performed exceedingly well in their respective sectors. "We are confident of an overwhelming response to this FFO," said Manish Singh, Joint Secretary, DIPAM, Ministry of Finance. The government had launched its first CPSE ETF in March 2014, taking the ETF route to disinvestment for the first time It had raised Rs 3,000 crore through the ETF then. CPSE ETF, which was originally managed by Goldman Sachs MF, was acquired by Reliance MF in October 2015. The Finance Ministry in September had given its nod for the transfer of management of CPSE ETF to Reliance Mutual Fund. Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has appointed ICICI Securities as the advisor for the FFO. According to a report by ICRA, CPSE ETF has outperformed the Nifty 50 in the last one year. The fund has given a return of 19.5 per cent, while Nifty 50 has surged by 5 per cent. "We are delighted to announce the CPSE ETF FFO. It offers a compelling opportunity for investors, especially retail and retirement funds, to invest in the India growth story at an attractive valuation, lowest expense and embedded discounts," Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management CEO Sundeep Sikka said. This further fund offer will help the government inch towards Rs 56,500 crore disinvestment target for the current fiscal. It has already raised about Rs 24,000 crore through share sale and buy backs so far this fiscal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP today removed Darbari Lal as its Amritsar (central) candidate on charges of corruption and barely hours later, he returned to the Congress and accused the AAP leadership of having a "destructive mentality", which was detrimental to the interests of Punjab. Lal, who rejoined the Congress in Delhi, said the party under the leadership of Amarinder Singh was the only hope of succour for the crisis-ridden state and that he had no desire for a poll ticket and only wanted to serve the state. An AAP spokesperson said in Chandigarh that Lal's candidature from Amritsar (central) Assembly seat has been cancelled after serious allegation of corruption surfaced against him. Earlier in the day, AAP state convener Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi said that Lal's candidature was cancelled due to his "ill health" and the new candidate will be announced soon. Lal had been admitted to a hospital for the past few days and he was unable to campaign in the area, Ghuggi said. It's the second time within a week that AAP has changed its Amritsar (central) candidate. On January 6, AAP had nominated Lal, replacing Rajinder Kumar with less than 24 hours after it had announced Kumar's name. Lal had left the Congress earlier due to some genuine grudges he had with the party, which had now been sorted out and he had hence decided to rejoin and help all the party candidates in Amritsar, state Congress president Singh said in a statement. Accusing AAP and its leadership of having a destructive mentality which was detrimental to the interests of Punjab, Lal said the party was a rank outsider with no base in the state. Lal is a three-time Congress MLA and former deputy speaker in the state assembly. He had joined BJP in 2014 and later left the party to join AAP. Punjab goes to polls on February 4. It has 117 assembly seats. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Acting on banks' allegations that liquor baron Vijay Mallya had transferred USD 40 million to his children in "flagrant violation" of various judicial orders, the Supreme Court today asked him to file his response on the matter in three weeks. A bench, comprising justices Kurian Joseph and A M Khanwilkar, asked the beleaguered businessman to file an affidavit and fixed the plea of the consortium of banks led by State Bank of India for further hearing on February 2. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the banks, alleged that orders of Debt Recovery Tribunal and Karnataka High Court have been violated by Mallya by transferring 40 million USD to his children. It is a matter of record that Mallya and his firm owe over Rs 6,200 core to the banks and the money should have been deposited here, he said. Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for Mallya, sought time to respond to the banks' plea, which was granted. In October last year the court had rapped Mallya for not making full disclosure of his overseas properties and had asked him to do so within a month. The bench had also pulled up Mallya for not giving details of USD 40 million which he had allegedly received from British firm Diageo in February last year, saying it was of the "prima facie view" that proper disclosure as per its earlier order was not made. The Attorney General had alleged that the USD 40 million belonged to the consortium of banks which was now stashed in Mallya's Swiss bank account and said that it should be brought back to India or the Supreme Court. The consortium of banks including SBI had on August 29 last year told the Supreme Court that Mallya had deliberately not made full disclosure of his assets including the USD 40 million he received on February 25 from Diageo. It had asked Mallya, who owes over Rs 9,000 crore to around 17 banks, to deposit a "substantial amount" with it to "prove his bonafide" that he was "serious" about meaningful negotiations and settlement. Over Rs 50,000 crore worth MoUs for investments and credit were signed at the end of the second day of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit with State Bank of India leading the pack. SBI signed memorandum of understanding with the Gujarat Government for extending bank credit especially in priority sector. Under the MoU country's largest lender will give Rs 30,000 crore worth loans over two-year period, officials announced at the Summit here. NABARD inked an MoU for rural financing worth Rs 13,000 crore while Union Bank of India entered into a pact with the state government for providing Rs 5,600 crore of bank finance across various sectors. The investment commitment are besides the Rs 49,000 crore investment Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani had announced yesterday in expansion of capacity of three ports in the state as well as foraying into water and cement businesses over the next five years. The BSE and NSE - the two leading stock exchanges in the country, also envisaged an investment of Rs 500 crore each in GIFT City for setting up International Exchange and international clearing corporation. MRF also plans to invest Rs 4,500 crore in the state over a period of 10 years to set up manufacturing unit. MCX also outlined setting up of business continuity facility here. Urban development department has signed 1,575 investment intention with various companies, in the area of domestic real estate and waste management companies. The summit saw participation from 110 foreign countries, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief will address a rally in the city on the last day of the two-day internal meeting of the organisation's West Bengal unit set to begin from January 14. Bidyut Mukherjee, in charge of RSS's south Bengal units, confirmed that Bhagwat would be in Kolkata on January 14 to address a public meeting at Brigade Parade Ground. RSS spokesperson Jishnu Basu also confirmed the RSS rally. Bhagwat is also scheduled to hold several organisational meetings in the city in January, Mukherjee said. "Our chief will address a rally at Brigade Parade Ground on January 14 and he will be leaving on January 15," the RSS spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the Kolkata Police commissioner to consider within 24 hours an application on behalf of RSS for permission to hold a rally to be addressed by . Donald Trump was today hit by sensational claims that he was "cultivated" by Russia for years and Moscow has compromising information on him, drawing an angry response from the President-elect who dismissed it as a "witch hunt" and likened it to as "living in Nazi Germany". The allegations were part of the classified report presented to outgoing US President Barack Obama and his successor Trump last week by the heads of four premier US intelligence agencies, including FBI and CIA. They were part of the report on Russian interference in the 2016 polls, reports said. Trump responded by describing the as fabricated. "FAKE -- A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" Trump tweeted after The Washington Post broke the story. A senior US official, with access to the document, said the allegations were presented at least in part to underscore that Russia appeared to have collected embarrassing information on both major candidates but released only material that might harm Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. This is a reflection of Russian motivation that bolstered US spy agencies' conclusion that Moscow sought to help Trump win the presidential election, the daily said. The two-page synopsis further claimed that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, a CNN report said. Popular website BuzzFeed reported that an "explosive" but "unsubstantiated" dossier, which alleged that Russia has been "cultivating, supporting and assisting" Trump for years and gained compromising information about him, has been circulating among elected officials, intelligence agents, and journalists for weeks. BuzzFeed also released a copy of the 35-page report. "The document was prepared for political opponents of Trump by a person who is understood to be a former British intelligence agent," the website said. Russia, however, denied claims that it had gathered compromising information on Trump. "The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow. He called the claims as "total fake" and "an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations". Peskov also denied allegations that the Kremlin gathered compromising information on Clinton. The Kremlin spokesman described the dossier as "pulp fiction." After Russia's rebuttal, Trump again tweeted, saying, "Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is 'A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE.' Very unfair!". "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA -- NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" he said. Trump also slammed intelligence agencies, saying they should never have allowed this "fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. "I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!" Trump said, as he blasted the media reports. Trump's attorney Michael Cohen, earlier, told Mic Network that the allegations were absolutely false. "It's so ridiculous on so many levels. Clearly, the person who created this did so from their imagination or did so hoping that the liberal media would run with this fake story for whatever rationale they might have," he said. The New York Times said the uncorroborated summary says that Russia had salacious information about Trump. It is based on memos generated by political operatives seeking to derail Trump's candidacy. Earlier, a declassified intelligence report released on Friday has concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an "influence campaign," that included hacking of Democratic party groups, in an effort to help Trump's electoral chances by discrediting Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign. Russia "poses a danger" and its recent activities have "disregarded" US interests, Rex Tillerson said today at his Secretary of State confirmation hearing amid a raging controversy over President-elect Donald Trump's close ties with that country. "While Russia seeks respect and relevance on the global stage, its recent activities have disregarded American interests," the 64-year-old former ExxonMobil CEO told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Tillerson's remarks came after Trump was hit by sensational claims that he was "cultivated" by Russia for years and Moscow has compromising information on him. The claims were dismissed by the President-elect a "witch hunt". Appearing before the committee for his confirmation for the post of Secretary of State, Tillerson listed ISIS, China and Russia as his foreign policy priorities. However, there was no mention of India in his nine-page prepared testimony and opening remarks before members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this morning. Tillerson took a strong line on Russia, saying, "We must also be clear-eyed about our relationship with Russia. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests." "It has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia," he said. But it was in the absence of American leadership that this door was left open and unintended signals were sent, he asserted. The United States backtracked on commitments that it made to allies, he said. "We sent weak or mixed signals with 'red lines' that turned into green lights. We did not recognise that Russia does not think like we do," Tillerson said. Words, he noted, alone do not sweep away an uneven and at times contentious history between the US and Russia. "But we need an open and frank dialogue with Russia regarding its ambitions, so that we know how to chart our own course," he said. "Where cooperation with Russia based on common interests is possible, such as reducing the global threat of terrorism, we ought to explore these options. Where important differences remain, we should be steadfast in defending the interests of America and her allies," Tillerson said. "Russia must know that we will be accountable to our commitments and those of our allies, and that Russia must be held to account for its actions," he added. America faces considerable threats in this evolving new environment, he said. "I come before you at a pivotal time in both the history of our nation and our world. Nearly everywhere we look, people and nations are deeply unsettled. Old ideas and international norms which were well-understood and governed behaviours in the past may no longer be effective in our time," Tillerson said. China, Tillerson said, has emerged as an economic power in global trade, and US' interactions have been both friendly and adversarial. Radical Islam is not a new ideology, but it is hateful, deadly, and an illegitimate expression of the Islamic faith, he asserted during the hearing. Adversaries like Iran and North Korea pose grave threats to the world because of their refusal to conform to international norms, Tillerson said, listing out his priorities. In an apparent criticism of the outgoing Obama Administration, Tillerson said in recent decades, there has been doubts have been cast over American leadership. "In some instances, we have withdrawn from the world. In others, we have intervened with good intentions but did not achieve the stability and global security we sought. Instead, we triggered a host of unintended consequences and created a void of uncertainty" he said. Tillerson said the incoming Trump Administration proposes "a bold new commitment" to advancing American interests in its foreign policy. "We must hold ourselves accountable to upholding the promises we make to others. An America that can be trusted in good faith is essential to supporting our partners, achieving our goals, and assuring our security," he said. "We must hold our allies accountable to commitments they make. We cannot look the other way at allies who do not meet their obligations; this is an injustice not only to us, but to longstanding friends who honour their promises and bolster our own national security," he added. Tillerson also said the US must hold those who are not its friends accountable to the agreements they make. "Our failure to do this over recent decades has diminished our standing and encouraged bad actors around the world to break their word," he rued. America he noted, cannot afford to ignore violations of international accords, as it has done with Iran. "We cannot continue to accept empty promises like the ones China has made to pressure North Korea to reform, only to shy away from enforcement," he said. "Looking the other way when trust is broken only encourages more bad behavior. And it must end. We cannot be accountable if we are not truthful and honest in our dealings. Some of you are aware of my longstanding involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. One of our bedrock ideals is honesty. Indeed, the phrase 'on my honour' begins the Boy Scout Oath, and it must undergird our foreign policy," Tillerson said. Russia "cultivated" and "supported" for years and has collected compromising information on his personal life and finances, multiple media reports said today, even as the President-elect dismissed the claims as a "political witch hunt". The allegations were presented to Trump and outgoing President Barack Obama last week by the heads of four premier US intelligence agencies, including FBI and CIA, and were part of the report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump responded by describing the news as fabricated. "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" Trump tweeted after The Washington Post broke the story. A senior US official with access to the document said that the allegations were presented at least in part to underscore that Russia appeared to have collected embarrassing information on both major candidates but released only material that might harm Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. This is a reflection of Russian motivation that bolstered US spy agencies' conclusion that Moscow sought to help Trump win the presidential election, the daily said. The two-page synopsis further claimed that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, a CNN report said. Popular news website BuzzFeed reported that an "explosive" but "unsubstantiated" dossier, which alleged that Russia has been "cultivating, supporting and assisting" Trump for years and gained compromising information about him, has been circulating among elected officials, intelligence agents, and journalists for weeks. Buz Feed also released a copy of the 35-page report. "The document was prepared for political opponents of Trump by a person who is understood to be a former British intelligence agent," the website said. Trump's attorney Michael Cohen told Mic Network that the allegations were absolutely false. "It's so ridiculous on so many levels. Clearly, the person who created this did so from their imagination or did so hoping that the liberal media would run with this fake story for whatever rationale they might have," he said. The New York Times said the uncorroborated summary says that Russia had salacious information about Trump. It is based on memos generated by political operatives seeking to derail Trump's candidacy. Earlier, a declassified intelligence report released on Friday has concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an "influence campaign," that included hacking of Democratic party groups, in an effort to help Trump's electoral chances by discrediting Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today urged the Election Commission to take action against AAP leader Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Mohammad Mustafa for allegedly making "inflammatory" statements and trying to "coerce" the voters, respectively. The party has filed two separate complaints in this regard before Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi who, along with other election commissioners, is on a two-day visit to review poll preparedness in the state. The Commission also held meetings with representatives of political parties, including ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and opposition Congress. SAD secretary Charanjit Brar has submitted purported video clips along with its complaints to the EC, said a party statement. The party, while briefing the election commissioner, said Mann had openly "incited" people to throw stones at senior leaders of the SAD and had even admitted the same during a television interview. It alleged that Mann "urged" people not to sow crops on part of their land in order to collect stones which could be used against Akali leaders and also asked them to stone the buses owned by SAD leaders. Requesting an urgent inquiry into the matter, Brar alleged that Mann had made such speeches with the sole intention of "disturbing peace" in the state. Notably, a few days ago a group of people threw stones at the cavalcade of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at Kandhwala Hazir Khan village in his constituency Jalalabad in Fazilka district, leaving four Akali supporters injured. In a separate complaint, SAD claimed that Mustafa who is posted as DGP (PSHRC), whose wife has been given ticket by Congress from Malerkotla seat, was allegedly coercing voters to support her candidature. In the complaint, it said according to reports received from SAD candidate, the DGP was allegedly openly roaming around in the constituency to canvas for votes for the Congress. It also urged the Commission to find out how Mustafa was visiting Malerkotla "without taking leave" from his department. This, the complaint said, was against service rules and also a violation of the model code of conduct and asked the Commission to conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action in the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the biggest hike in nearly three decades, Saudi Arabia today increased India's annual Haj quota by 34,500, a move welcomed by the NDA government as a "matter of pleasure". Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten inked an agreement in this regard in Jeddah today, increasing the size of India's Haj quota from 1,36,020 to 1,70,520. According to a statement issued by Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Naqvi, it is the "biggest increase" in quota for Haj pilgrims after 1988. The latest increase in quota will be effective from the current year. The Saudi authorities had five years ago slashed quotas for foreign pilgrims coming from each country by 20 per cent in view of safety of the devotees as they undertook expansion of Grand Mosque there. Accordingly, India's quota was brought down to 1,36,020 from 1,70,000 in 2012. Last year, a total of 1,35,903 devotees from India performed Haj. Of these, 99,903 devotees went to Jeddah through Haj Committee of India. The remaining 36,000 pilgrims had proceeded through private operators. Expressing pleasure at signing of the agreement, Naqvi tweeted, "Its a matter of pleasure that Saudi Arabia has increased India's Haj quota by about 34,000." Naqvi said his meeting with Benten was "very fruitful" as "constructive" discussion was held on whole gamut of issues related to the pilgrimage, transport and accommodation facilities for devotees and their safety. "On behalf of the people and Government of India, we also extend gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Excellency Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, for his keen personal interest and initiative in organising a successful Haj 2016," Naqvi said in the statement. The Minister exuded confidence that under the visionary leadership of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, the "excellent" relationship between the two countries will be further strengthened. Stating India and Saudi Arabia share ideals of global peace, progress and prosperity, Naqvi said the two countries are tied together with strong civilisational, cultural, economic and political links. "The regular visits by the leaders and senior-level officials of the two nations have further strengthened the relationship between the two nations. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia during April last year added new dimensions to our vibrant relationship," he said. The Minister also expressed satisfaction over the improvements in services offered to pilgrims which indicates Saudi Arabia's firm commitment towards welfare and betterment of pilgrims. (REOPENS DEL 108) The NDA government has started issuing Haj applications from January 2. The last date for submission of applications is January 24. As part of its efforts to streamline the process, the government has urged pilgrims to submit their applications online. In December last year, a new Haj website was launched which provides all necessary information to Haj pilgrims, the statement said. On January 2, the Minister had launched the Haj Committee of India mobile application to help pilgrims apply online. The Soddy, Daisy & Montlake Historical Association (SDMHA) will host a History Fair at the Soddy-Daisy High School on Saturday, January 21 from 9am to 4pm. The association encourages area residents and anyone who is interested in local history to attend this event and to participate in its efforts to preserve the history of its local communities. The History Fair will consist of 74 tables on which local residents and families from the Soddy, Daisy, Mowbray, Flattop Mountain and Montlake communities will share pictures, genealogies, maps, letters, newspaper articles and relics relating to individual and local histories. There will also be a display of Civil War items, many found locally. The 2017 History Fair will be the third public event sponsored by the recently formed association. Its intention is to display and make known the wealth of historical information already being preserved by individuals and families, and to engage the larger community in collecting additional histories and community information. The Association is actively pursuing a museum in the near future to house and display a collection of local histories, genealogies and artifacts encompassing the American Indian, pioneer settlers, Civil War, and pottery and coal mining periods. Through events such as the History Fair, the association desires to increase engagement, participation and contributions from more local families, genealogists, historians and interested parties. The Soddy, Daisy & Montlake Historical Association was organized in September, 2015. The purpose of the association is the preservation of our local history. We invite the community to come and view, as well as share, the local histories we aim to preserve. Saudi Arabia has increased India's annual from 1.36 lakh to 1.70 lakh, biggest such expansion in last 29 years, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Wednesday. An agreement to this regard was inked by Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Naqvi with Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Minister Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten at Jeddah on Wednesday, making the expansion effective from the current year. The Saudi authorities had five years ago slashed quotas for foreign pilgrims coming from each country by 20 per cent in view of safety of the devotees as they undertook the expansion of Grand Mosque there. Accordingly, India's quota was brought down to 1.36 lakh from nearly 1.70 lakh in 2012. Expressing pleasure at the signing of the agreement, Naqvi said his meeting with Benten was "very fruitful" as the constructive discussion was held on the whole gamut of issues related to the pilgrimage, transport and accommodation facilities for pilgrims and their safety. "On behalf of the people and Government of India, we also extend gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Excellency Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, for his keen personal interest and initiative in organising a successful Haj 2016," Naqvi said in a statement. Naqvi exuded confidence that under the visionary leadership of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, the "excellent" relationship between India and Saudi Arabia will be further strengthened. Stating India and Saudi Arabia share ideals of global peace, progress and prosperity, Naqvi said the two countries are tied together with strong civilisational, cultural, economic and political links. "The regular visits by the leaders and senior-level officials of the two nations have further strengthened the relationship between the two nations. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia during April last year added new dimensions to our vibrant relationship," he said. The Minister also expressed satisfaction over the improvements in services offered to pilgrims which indicates Saudi Arabia's firm commitment towards welfare and betterment of pilgrims. The NDA government has started issuing Haj applications from January 2. The last date for submission of applications is January 24. As part of its efforts to streamline the process, the government has urged pilgrims to submit their applications online. In December last year, a new Haj website was launched which provides all necessary information to Haj pilgrims, the statement said. On January 2, the Minister had launched the Haj Committee of India mobile application to help pilgrims apply online. Hollywood actor Vin Diesel is all set to visit India tomorrow to promote his upcoming film "xXx : Return of Xander Cage" and there are elaborate security arrangements made for his trip. After promoting the film "xXx : Return of Xander Cage" which marks actress Deepika Padukone's debut in Hollywood, in London, Deepika will be hosting Vin Diesel over the course of promotions in Mumbai, a media release issued here said. According to sources, security has been beefed up for Vin's maiden visit to the megapolis which will last for two days. Detailed security measures are being looked into to ensure that the promotions are undertaken smoothly. In order to make arrangements, Vin's security team visited India earlier to conduct a recce, they added. Vin along with Deepika will address the media, then there will be interaction with fans followed by a grand premiere tomorrow. The Hollywood star will be staying at a luxury hotel in Central Mumbai. According to sources, the "Bajirao Mastani" actress has planned an after party after the premiere. "xXx : Return of Xander Cage" also casts Donnie Yen, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Toni Collette and Samuel L. Jackson. Directed by DJ Caruso, 'xXx: The Return of Xander Cage' is a sequel to the 2002 film 'xXx' and '2005 film xXx: State of the Union'. The movie will hit the theatres in India on January 14. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slamming the ruling Shiv Sena and BJP over the utilisation of the city's development funds, MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi today said these parties have failed to provide basic civic amenities to the citizens. He alleged that the elected representatives in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have misused the funds as there were no signs of development in any of the wards. "People accuse me of giving hate speeches. However, if speaking truth and speaking against the government's malpractices is hate speech, then everyone should give hate speeches. We have cried for 70 years, but we won't let this continue," Owaisi said while addressing his party's second rally at Kurla ahead of the BMC polls next month. He added that the government has even failed to provide basic facilities to Indian soldiers that live in inhumane conditions. "The government is not bothered about giving basic facilities like uniforms to the Army and they are talking about Digital India." "I was shaken by a report in a leading newspaper that how pregnant women were assaulted at the BMC hospitals by their staff while they were being operated. This is the condition of our civic hospitals. The civic body has allotted a budget of Rs 3,000 crore for the health sector. Sadly, all of the taxpayers money has gone down the drain," he said. MIM MLA Waris Pathan, while taking a dig at Congress' loss and BJP's win at the assembly polls in 2014, said, "The Congress and NCP have performed badly during their tenure, because of which parties like BJP and Sena have come to power." "Congress and NCP leaders had made false promises of being a secular party since most of their leaders like Sanjay Nirupam and others have earlier been a part of communal parties like BJP-Sena," Pathan said. The legislator recalled the controversial event of his suspension from the state legistlature after he refrained from saying, 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', and said, "I dont care if they suspend me. Unlike others, I don't require a seat to work for the people. I will keep working towards the development of the city. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sensus, a USA-based global supplier of utility-grade communications systems and smart meters, today announced the opening of its first global support center here. According to an official release, the new center represents a strategic investment for Sensus and will support business operations in India and across the globe. "With this global center, Sensus will bring forth its best practices and cutting-edge technology, better governance, quality infrastructure and uninterrupted utility services. Utilities must demand smart communication technology that is dedicated, secure and reliable, and is governed by strict service level agreements and performance targets," the release said. Amit Vaidya, Director, Strategic Customer Team, Sensus India, said, the new support center re-affirms the company's commitment for a long-lasting partnership with India. "Sensus solutions, all driven from a single communications platform, increase efficiency on a large scale. With initiatives like the National Smart Grid Mission, we can play a significant role in bringing India the right solutions and technology that will be easily adaptable, helping to making data-driven decisions that reduce water leaks, limit power outages, ensure the safe delivery of natural gas and turn a streetlight into a beacon of technology, he added. For emerging markets like India, smart grid technologies are essential to avoid lock-in of outdated energy infrastructure, attract new investment streams and create efficient and flexible grid systems that will be able to accommodate both rising electricity demand and power from a variety of power sources, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Serbia's president has met a convicted Bosnian Serb war criminal urging the protection of rights for the Serbs living in the Balkan region. The meeting between Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and wartime top Bosnian Serb leader Momcilo Krajisnik today reflects the current resurgence of nationalist stands that led to the wars in the 1990s, leaving more than 100,000 people dead. Krajisnik spent 13 1/2 years in prison for persecuting and forcibly expelling non-Serbs during Bosnia's 1992-95 war. He was released in 2013 after the conviction by the UN war crimes tribunal in the Hague, Netherlands. Krajisnik said after the meeting that Bosnia "has become an impossible state." A 1995 US-sponsored peace agreement made Bosnia a union of Bosnian Serb and Muslim-Croat regions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The number of girls per 1000 boys has crossed the 900 mark in Haryana, a remarkable achievement for the state known for its skewed sex ratio, this was informed by state Health Minister Anil Vij today. Vij said government is also making efforts to deploy one doctor per 1,000 persons as compare one doctor per 1,700 persons in the state. He was speaking at the Pravasi Haryana Divas in Gurugram today. The Minister urged the Pravasi Haryanvis to deepen their connection with their roots by investing in Haryana in the fields of health and education. There has been 20 per cent increase in number of patients availing OPD facility, and improvement in sex ratio at birth, which has crossed the 900-mark, Vij said in an official statement. At the same event, state Chief Minister Manohar Lal said that 24 agreements involving potential investment of Rs 20,000 crore have been signed during Pravasi Haryana Divas celebrations. He added that these would provide employment to 43000 persons in the state. And as many as 23 Pravasi Haryanvis have offered to invest Rs 17 crore in various philanthropic works. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sharjah is all set to launch the world's first publishing free zone and has invited Indian publishers to set up shops in the facility which offers state-of-art built-up infrastructure, a slew of tax incentives and hassle-free relocation. The Sharjah Publishing City, a flagship project of the government-owned Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), is a free zone covering 400,000 sq m of land with office and warehousing space for companies to set up regional, as well as international sales and marketing presence. The zone is expected to open by the end of March. "Sharjah Publishing City is a very significant project for us, both culturally and economically. We will pull out all stops to make sure it becomes a global hub for publishing in the future," says Ahmed Al Ameri, chairman of the SBA. "We are particularly keen to have Indian investors on board with us, especially because we already have such strong trade and bilateral linkages," he says. According to Mohamed Noor Hersi, consultant to the Sharjah Publishing City, the government of Sharjah has lined up a string of financial incentives to attract Indian publishers. "These incentives include foreign ownership, fund repatriation, zero currency restrictions and exemption of corporate and personal income tax; and exemption on import and export tax," he says. "Another major incentive will be free promotion to Indian publishers. SBA participates in over 30 book fairs across the world. We will display the names of Indian publishers associated with us prominently at these fairs," Hersi told PTI. He says SBA will look forward to quality educational and school books in English from India. Sharjah, one of the seven Emirates of the UAE, has the advantage of a strategic geographical location with access to the Middle East, African and Asian markets. The UAE's publishing market is estimated to be USD 233 million and expected to triple in size by 2030, says Hersi. India exports about USD 26 million worth of books and other printed materials to the Arab World, with the UAE claiming a 37 per cent share of this, he says. The free zone offers a choice of furnished or unfurnished offices with long-term and short-term storage facilities, licences issued in 24 hours, sponsorship and visas for all staff and zero restrictions on hiring 100 per cent expatriate workers, according to Hersi. The publishing city will have pre-built warehouses implemented as part of phase II scheduled for 2017. They will be available for an affordable annual rent, featuring office and storage spaces. Investors and their employees will be sponsored under the Sharjah Publishing City Authority. "The Sharjah Publishing City will be tailored for the publishing industry, which is undergoing sweeping changes in an era of digitisation. We understand the needs of the industry and the markets, and have custom built the space for them," says Hersi. "The UAE has a reputation as a highly investor-friendly destination, and we are sure to maintain this with the Sharjah Publishing City," he adds. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alleging adulteration of cotton by ginners in Gujarat, Southern India Mills' Association today sought Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani's intervention to curb the practice. "Majority of the textile mills have reported that cotton purchased from Gujarat is adulterated causing grievous problems. A section of ginners in Gujarat are mixing cotton waste (comber noil - waste extracted by spinning mills) in the virgin cotton with profit motive," the Southern India Mills' Association (SIMA) alleged. SIMA Chairman M Senthilkumar in a statement said that the industry has been facing the problem of adulteration for the last few years and the magnitude has increased substantially from the last cotton season. He stated that the issue was brought to the notice of the Minister of Agriculture, Government of Gujarat and the Gujarat Ginners Association in December 2015. However, Senthilkumar claimed that there was no action taken by the Gujarat government. "Since the adulteration problem has still been persisting, the Association today sent a representation to the Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani requesting her intervention and prevail on the Gujarat government to take necessary steps to curb the adulteration practice followed by certain section of the ginners in Gujarat," Senthilkumar said. The textile mills in southern states, particularly in Tamil Nadu, mainly depend on cotton from western states like Gujarat and Maharashtra for cotton. Textile mills in Tamil Nadu mainly prefer Shankar 6 variety of cotton grown in Gujarat as it is suitable to produce hosiery yarn for garment sector. Tamil Nadu consumes 100 to 120 lakh bales of cotton annually while producing only around 5 lakh bales. "As a result, textile mills have reduced the volume of purchase form Gujarat by 40 to 50 per cent are sourcing from Telangana besides importing from countries like West Africa and Australia," Senthilkumar said. Normally, textile mills used to import five to six lakh bales of cotton to meet the customers' requirements, especially the Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton. But in the last cotton season, due to adulteration problem, 23 lakh bales of cotton were imported incurring cost towards foreign exchange of Rs 3,600 crore for the additional 17 lakh bales, SIMA said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government will take a final decision on holding of a NEET like single entrance examination for admission to engineering colleges after holding consultation with different states. According to official sources, at a high level meeting of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) today, the issue of holding a single examination for engineering college admissions, similar to what NEET is for medical college admissions came up. The proposal received widespread support from a lot of participants but it was decided that before a final decision is taken in the matter it should be discussed with various states as well. There is a view in the Prakash Javadekar led HRD ministry that holding a single entrance examination for engineering colleges across the country would not only help in curbing irregularities and bring transparency but also reduce the burden on students of having to appear in several examinations. It is also learnt that one of the representatives of a state government who was present in the meeting also expressed some reservations to the idea. Another key proposal which was discussed at the meeting today pertained to making an exit test mandatory for students, who are passing out of college to assess their skill sets. It was again decided in the AICTE meeting that the proposal too would be discussed with states before a final decision is taken, sources said. The proposals are expected to be taken up in the next meeting of the council by when the consultation process would be over, the sources added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Obama administration has strengthened the US' relationship with India in the last eight years, the State Department has said, exuding confidence that ties would continue to chart the same trajectory under the administration of President-elect Donald Trump. "I think in terms of where that relationship goes, the sky's the limit, both economically, security," State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said. "I think the new administration was clearly recognising - you've even seen some comments from the President-elect - of the importance that India plays not just in the region but in the global mix," he said referring to the comments made by Trump at an event in New Jersey some two weeks before the November 8 presidential election. "As I said, it's resource-rich. It's playing an outsized role in global issues. So I think we're going to continue to work hard to strengthen that relationship going forward, no matter who's president," Toner said. US-India relations have been strengthened throughout these past eight years of the Obama administration, he said. "It's obviously a core relationship for the United States," Toner said as he praised the role of US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal, for playing an important part in building this relationship. "He's (Verma) a very good man and a very good ambassador. I can't think of anyone who could do a better job at strengthening that bilateral relationship," Toner said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) has elected Mark Cunningham, shareholder and health care chair of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C., as the vice chair of the TBA Health Law Section Executive Council. Mr. Cunningham devotes his practice to advising health care professionals and organizations, and the Chambliss health care group has substantial experience counseling local, regional, and national clients in the health care industry. Mr. Cunningham has served on the executive council for four years and will work with executive council Chair Brian Roark of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC on various matters, including planning for the TBA's 2017 Health Law Forum and Primer. The executive council of the TBA Health Law Section is comprised of the chair, vice chair, immediate past chair, three East Tennessee delegates, 13 Middle Tennessee delegates, and six West Tennessee delegates. These officers along with fellow health law section members work together to further their knowledge in federal, state, and local health care law. Spain's defence ministry took political responsibility for the first time today for a 2003 air accident which killed 62 Spanish soldiers as they were returning from Afghanistan. "There are reparations that are not economic, which have to do with recognition," Defence Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal told radio Cadena Cope a day after she met family members of the victims. Sixty-two Spanish soldiers and 13 Ukrainian and Belarusian crew were killed on May 26, 2003 when a Russian-built Yak-42 bringing them back from Afghanistan crashed in a mountainous area of northeast Turkey. The defence ministry had chartered the plane from a Ukrainian firm despite warnings from military authorities that it was in poor shape. The accident was followed by a scandal over the misidentification of the bodies of 30 of the soldiers, which had been delivered to the wrong families. Three Spanish military officers received jail terms in 2009 for having misidentified the bodies. The crash and subsequent misidentification scandal hurt the popularity of the then conservative government of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. The top advisory body to the government ruled in an October report that the ministry had an "administrative" responsibility in the affair. Cospedal said the defence ministry accepted the report's conclusion that "there is a relationship between the work of the defence ministry and the tragedy." But she stressed this acknowledgement was symbolic and did not have financial or criminal consequences as the victims have already been compensated by insurance firms. Cospedal said the defence ministry also agreed to search for all documents related to the hiring of the Yak-42 plane that crashed. "We will do everything possible to find all the documents...Related to the contracts," she said. Spain's ruling conservative Popular Party, in power at the time of the accident, had up until now never accepted any responsibility. "For the first time it was recognised that the Yak-42 never should have taken off," said a spokeswoman for an association of victims' families, Curra Ripolles. Opposition parties have demanded the "immediate" resignation of the defence minister in power at the time, Federico Trillo, now Spain's ambassador to Britain. The government has said he will replaced in the coming weeks because his term is coming to an end, not because of the air tragedy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Amidst continuing protests over the alleged suicide of engineering college student Jishnu, the Kerala government today announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh to his family. A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan,decided to give the financial aid to the family of the 18-year-old youth, a computer science student of the private Nehru College of Engineering at Pambady in Thrissur district. He was found hanging in the hostel bathroom last week. "The state cabinet decided to allow Rs 10 lakh as financial aid to the family of Jishnu," an official statement said here. Protest marches taken out by various student outfits over the issue turned violent recently as a section of them went on a rampage in the college campus, damaging properties. Students alleged that authorities had harassed Jishnu after he was caught for 'copying' in an examination. Taking a serious view of the student's death Kerala state Human Rights Commission had sought a report on the matter yesterday. On other cabinet decisions, the release said 400 new posts of police constable drivers would be created in the home department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coming out in support of bull taming sport Jallikattu, students today staged demonstrations at many places across Tamil Nadu including in Madurai, where police used lathicharge to disperse protesters who tried to break barricades to enter the Collectorate. Students of state-run Anna University and Dr Ambedkar Law University voiced support for Jallikattu. While Anna varsity students staged a sit-in protest, law students took out a rally here. They held aloft placards and banners seeking permission for conduct of Jallikattu. Similar demonstrations were held by students in various places, including Vellore, Pudukottai and Tirupur. In Madurai, after holding a demonstration, hundreds of students tried to break through the barricade in front of the Collectorate to submit a memorandum to the Collector. Police advised them to go in a small group to give the memorandum. However, they got restless and began to push the barricades, following which police resorted to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control, police said. Some of them entered into a scuffle with police, fell down in the melee and received minor injuries, they said. The Supreme Court in November last had dismissed the plea of the state government, seeking review of its 2014 judgement banning use of bulls for traditional Jallikattu events in the state. (REOPEN MDS12) A Coimbatore report said 15 AIYF activists were arrested when they attempted to stage a rail roko in the city, seeking to lift the ban on Jallikkattu. Led by AIYF district president, Kalyanasundaram, they squatted in front of the railway station and raised slogans in support of their demand and demanded that the Centre promulgate an ordinance to allow Jallikattu on Pongal day. All of them were arrested when they were proceeding towards the track to block the train, police said. In a veiled but scathing attack against Pakistan for providing safe havens to terror groups, Afghanistan called on the UN Security Council to take measures against "state institutions" that facilitate extremism to advance their foreign policy agenda. "The cycle of violence and insecurity in Afghanistan, and our part of the world is inextricably linked to the presence of sanctuaries and safe-havens in the region, from which extremist groups are sustained and enjoy an incessant flow of political, financial, material and logistical support for the continuation of their malicious activities," Afghanistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mahmoud Saikal said. Addressing a Security Council debate on Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace yesterday, Saikal, without naming Pakistan, said elements in "some state institutions" facilitate violence to advance their foreign policy agenda. "The UN must also afford greater attention to some of the external drivers of these phenomenon. In this light, the UN, and this Council in particular, can devise a viable approach to identify situations where elements in some 'State institutions' facilitate violence and extremist activities by non-state proxies as a means to advance their foreign policy agenda," he said. The Afghan envoy stressed that the UN is "well positioned" to help address trust deficit associated with "negative state rivalries" which often leads to conflict, and where "some actors go at all lengths, including the use of violent proxy forces in pursuit of political, security and economic objectives. This phenomenon is predominant in our region." Saikal also told the Council that Afghanistan has expressed "strong reservations" in regards to open declarations by "some in our region of their contacts with armed opposition groups active in Afghanistan, conducted without the consent of the Afghan Government. "Let me reassert, any kind of talks on the situation in my country has neither any value nor legitimacy without the participation and approval of our Government which is the most democratically elected administration in the history of our nation," he said. (Reopens FGN 15) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in his first formal briefing to the Security Council, said while millions of people in crisis look to the 15-nation Council to preserve global stability, far more time and resources are spent responding to crises rather than preventing them. "People are paying too high a price. Member States are paying too high a price. We need a whole new approach. Noting that UN's response to contemporary conflicts remains fragmented, Guterres highlighted that changes needed to be made to rebalance the approach to peace and security. "Together, we need to demonstrate leadership, and strengthen the credibility and authority of the United Nations, by putting peace first. Ending the boundless human suffering and the wanton waste of resources generated by conflict is in everyone's interests," he said. Guterres, whose five-year term as UN Chief began on January 1, said the Security Council, working with the Peacebuilding Commission, all other parts of the United Nations system, and regional organizations, can enable faster preventive action when the warning signs are there. "The cost of inaction is simply too high. War is never inevitable. It is always a matter of choice: the choice to exclude, to discriminate, to marginalize, to resort to violence. By restoring trust between governments and their citizens and amongst Member States, we can prevent and avoid conflict," he said. Telangana Government today said it is taking steps to bring bodies of five Indian workers who died in a fire accident in Abu Dhabi in October last year, to their home state. The five workers were burnt to death in the incident at the labour camp of a company on October 19, 2016 a state government release said. The state government coordinated with the Indian Embassy, Abu Dhabi in the matter, it said. The body of one person was identified and it was transported to Hyderabad today. Efforts were on to bring the bodies of remaining persons to Telangana as their close relatives need to go to Abu Dhabi for giving DNA samples, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Telangana government today signed a MoU with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for air connectivity by developing small airports and airstrips in the state. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed here in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Telangana Minister for IT and industries K T Rama Rao in the national capital, an official announcement from the state government said. The RCS a key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy would be in operation for a period of 10 years, envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. This would be achieved through a financial stimulus in the form of Central and State government concessions, as well as Viability Gap Funding to the interested airlines to kick-off operations from such airports, so that the passenger fares are kept affordable. The fare for a one hour journey of approximately 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30 minute journey on a helicopter would now be capped at Rs 2,500, with proportionate pricing for routes of different lengths / duration, an official release had earlier said. To reduce the cost of operations, the Central Government would be providing concessions in the form of reduced excise on VAT, service tax and flexibility of code sharing at the RCS airports. Similarly, the State governments would have to lower the VAT on ATF to 1 per cent or less, besides other concessions. During the signing in ceremony, KTR thanked Raju for granting technical clearance for Kothagudem Airport. He also urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to lease out the hangers at Begumpet Airport to the State Government so that skill development academy can be set up there using the infrastructure. (REOPEN BCM16) Later, Rama Rao, who also handles industries portfolio, met Union Industries Ministers Anant G Geete here and reiterated the need for Centre's intervention for revival of Cement Corporation of India (CCI) in Adilabad district of the state. Rama Rao said the Telangana government will encourage the plant with all the facilities after its revival. "The state government would encourage CCI just like it did for Ramagundam Fertilizer plant," he said. "CCI is a plant with captive limestone quarry and 772 acres of space. It would also help provide livelihood for over 2,000 employees were affected by the shut down. Former Union minister Manish Tewari has been appointed as a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the South Asia Center of the Atlantic Council, a leading US think-tank on policy matters. At the council, Tewari will focus on developing programmes aimed at strengthening US-India ties, a statement released by his office said. A senior counsel practising in the Supreme Court, Tewari previously served as a Member of Parliament from Ludhiana and is currently the national spokesperson of the Congress party. "South Asia is a region with complex traditional and human security challenges and is home to almost two billion people. As the new administration takes shape, I look forward to working with the council's South Asia Center in developing programmes on how the new administration can best engage with the region to strengthen key relationships," Tewari said as per the statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meeting the President for the third time since demonetisation, TMC MPs accused the Modi government of having imposed a "super emergency" by launching the exercise and engaging in "vendetta politics" by arresting two party lawmakers after it opposed the "draconian" move. Speaking to reporters after marching from South Avenue to Rashtrapati Bhawan to protest against the note ban, the MPs also held Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for the death of 120 people, caused allegedly by the move, and sought President Pranab Mukherjee's intervention as the situation had turned "grim". "After outlining the grim situation, we first had called this (demonetisation) a financial emergency. Today, we believe, as we share (concern) with the President, this is now a super emergency," TMC's Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien said. "Because you know what is happening...TMC led by Mamata Banerjee has opposed the move and the pain and suffering it causes. Timing of what is happening is political vendetta. This is low life, the kind of political vendetta this country has never seen," he said referring to the arrest of two TMC MPs Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Pal in the Rose Valley chit fund scam case. Seeking to pick holes in Modi's November 14 announcement that people's problems will ease within next 50 days, O'Brien said the situation instead "worsened", hitting 25 crore daily wage earners. He claimed the micro and small scale industries have reported 35 per cent job losses and listed fishermen, farmers, plantation workers, housewives, students, retailers and traders were among those worst affected. "(Besides) There have been 120 deaths, we hold the Prime Minister accountable and responsible for it," he said. Referring to the arrest of Bandyopadhyay and Pal, O'Brien accused the Modi government of "hounding" leaders of the Mamata Banerjee-led party. O'Brien asserted the TMC was "not scared a bit" by the "dirty tricks" of the BJP and that it will fight it politically. "This only strengthens our resolve to fight them politically and to bring some respite to the pain which is being caused to millions across this country," he added. Accusing CBI of arresting Bandyopadhyay as part of a "conspiracy", another party MP, Saugata Roy reiterated Banerjee's allegations against Centre that it has turned the investigative agency into 'Conspiracy Bureau of India'. "As part of this conspiracy, the members of TMC are being targeted for raising voice against demonetisation, cases are being filed. Bandopadhyay is targeted thus. Our fight will continue. We can't be surpressed," he said. The 30-member delegation, comprising MPs Sukhendu Shekhar Roy, Dola Sen, Mukul Roy, Dinesh Trivedi, Arpita Ghosh, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Sisir Adhikari among others, also submitted a memorandum to Mukherjee. The TMC memorandum accused the Modi government of engaging in " of vendetta" to conceal its own "incompetence and inefficiency" by arresting two of the party MPs. "The government is blatantly misusing power and using state agencies to stifle opposition and silence critics. This deplorable and vindictive policy dishonours the sacred principles of our Constitutional democracy and is detrimental to interest," it said. The delegation also accused the Centre of "deceiving and ambushing" its own citizens since the day the "draconian" exercise was announced. "New and inconsistent notifications have been issued almost every day. Withdrawal limits and deposit deadlines altered with no prior notice, and financial incentives for digital transactions roll-backed at whim," they said. The leaders also wondered as to why the restrictions on withdrawal of people's "hard earned" money continue. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is slated to visit the Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravati tomorrow for talks with his counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu over sharing of Telugu Ganga water. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister will visit AP's interim government complex at Velagapudi for a meeting at 1 PM with the AP CM, sources said today. Last week, Panneerselvam wrote a letter to Chandrababu seeking release of water to Chennai from Telugu Ganga project. On the suggestion of Chandrababu, Panneerselvam is said to be visiting Amaravati for further discussions on the subject. This is the first time a Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is coming to AP for a discussion on Telugu Ganga water as previously they confined only to writing letters. Also, Tamil Nadu owes over Rs 400 crore to AP as the former's share in the Telugu Ganga project. "This agreement over cost-sharing dates back to the time of NTR-MGR. Tamil Nadu still owes us over Rs 400 crore and we will request the Chief Minister for that money," state Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu told reporters here this afternoon. Meanwhile, sources said the two Chief Ministers might also discuss the latest political scenario in wake of the happenings in Tamil Nadu following J Jayalalithaa's death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu government today said it was keen to partner with Malaysia in infrastructure sector to meet its goals as stated in the Vision 2023 document launched in 2012. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam made this point to a visiting Malaysian delegation led by its Special Envoy for Infrastructure to India and South Asia, Dato Seri S Samy Vellu. Panneerselvam recalled that his predecessor, the late J Jayalalithaa, was 'determined' to upgrade the infrastructure facilities in Tamil Nadu under her Vision 2023 document and it was "the key aim of this government to fulfill that dream." "We are keen to partner with Malaysia in order to implement this agenda," he said. Vellu also expressed his keenness to cooperate with Tamil Nadu in upgrading its infrastructure facilities, an official release said. The Chief Minister, pointing out at the business ties between Malaysia and Tamil Nadu, recalled that a number of firms from that country had participated in the 2015 Global Investors Meet held here under Jayalalithaa. One of the firms had signed a MoU for setting up a Rs 12,600 crore floating liquid nitrogen storage terminal with a fertilizer producing unit in Thoothukudi, he said and urged the Malaysian government to help the company finalise its investment soon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) First Things Firsts Julie Baumgardner will speak on how to make retirement meaningful and productive, at Boomers, Shakers and Beyonds program Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. Julie Baumgardner is the President and CEO of First Things First, an organization dedicated to strengthening families. As an advocate for healthy marriage and family, Baumgardner speaks on these issues both locally and nationally. In addition to her weekly column on family issues in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, she also hosts a weekly talk show on public television, First Things First with Julie Baumgardner, discussing topics relevant to marriage and family. The program will be held Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. in the Youth Center at Christ United Methodist Church on 8645 East Brainerd Road (across from Publix). Registration for the event can be made at ChristChurchChatt.org under Get connected>Adult>Small groups. Boomers, Shakers, and Beyond is a community enrichment program designed for adults 50 + focusing on mind, body, and spirit. The program is designed for learning new things, enhancing old skills, exchanging thoughts on numerous topics, meeting new people, participating in community service projects, and in general having a great time. President-elect Donald Trump today said he had formally handed over "complete" control of his business empire to his two sons and they won't discuss its operations with him, in a move to avoid conflicts of interest once he assumes the office. "My two sons - Donald Jr. And Eric - are going to be running the company. They are going to be running it in a very professional manner. They're not going to discuss with me its operations," Trump, surrounded by his sons, daughter and son- in-law, said in his first formal press conference in six months. "I have signed documents turning over complete and total control to my sons," he said, before handing the stage to his lawyer Sheri Dillon. Dillon said Trump's assets will be transferred to a trust under the control of his sons before his inauguration and he will step down from his role as an executive at his company. His commercial real estate assets and licensing businesses will be placed into the trust, along with his cash holdings. She said Trump's business empire will undertake no foreign deals while he is US president, but underlined that he "should not be expected to destroy the company he built". "The trust agreement as directed by President Trump imposes severe restrictions on new deals. No new foreign deals will be made whatsoever during the duration of Trump's presidency," she said, adding that the group has terminated more than 30 pending deals in recent weeks. Trump said his organization's business will continue to pursue deals in the US. He disclosed that over the weekend he was offered "USD two billion" to do a "number of deals" in Dubai "from an amazing man, a friend of mine" but he turned it down even though he was not required to do so. "I turned it down. I didn't have to turn it down. I could actually run my business and government at the same time. I don't like the way it looks. But I don't want to do that," he said. The press conference comes nine days before Trump is set to be sworn in as the 45th president of the US and nearly a month after Trump canceled his last scheduled conference. With nine days left before Trump's swearing-in, key members appointed by him to his cabinet are facing nomination hearings. There is intense scrutiny about how Trump will distance himself from his global business empire and avoid conflict of interests as leader of the most powerful country in the world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Packaging solutions provider Uflex, which is venturing into aseptic liquid packaging, today launched its brand 'Asepto' and is aiming to corner around one-third market in the segment in the next 2-3 years. The company is investing Rs 1,500 crore in its greenfield plant at Sanand in Gujarat to manufacture aseptic liquid packaging and it would be commercially operational by April 2017. "We are expecting that in the next 2-3 years, we should have 100 per cent capacity utilisation. We are building around 7 billion packs capacity and we should be able to block this capacity," Uflex Group President R K Jain told PTI. "We would have around 35 to 40 per cent of the market which would be around 17-18 billion packs in next 2-3 years." Present size of aseptic liquid packaging is around 10 billion packs as of now, which is valued around Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore, Jain added. "The market is growing very fast now. Presently, it is growing between 18 to 20 per cent and the way business and consumption of liquid is growing... The demand is growing to 25 per cent or so," Jain said. Presently, aseptic liquid packaging segment is dominated by the Swiss firm Tetra Pak here and the company expects to challenge in its turf. "Till now Tetra Pak has monopoly as there was no second product in the market. We have a better chance to penetrate in the market as most of the customers, who are buying liquid packs from Tetra Pak, they would like to derisk themselves," Jain said. According to Uflex President & CEO New Business Initiative Ashwani Sharma, the company is already in talks with its existing customers of flexible packing business, which are in liquid business. "There are companies as Coke, Pepsi, Amul, Nestle and many more with whom we are already dealing with them in flexible packing business and they also have products as dairy, juices. We are already dealing with them and we would be starting a new product segment with them," he said adding "we are familiar with the markets and customers." The company has so far invested Rs 580 crore and has plans to invest around Rs 1,500 crore in phases. "The first phase would focus more on domestic market. We are looking to sell around 90 per cent of our product within India and the domestic market is growing rapidly," Sharma added. On being asked whether the demonetisation has impacted the October-December quarter of Uflex, he said: "We are not facing that kind of situation as our business runs on preorders and 50 per cent of our revenue comes from export." Asepto is derived from the word aseptic which means sterile. Aseptic packaging, made by laminating Poly-ethylene with paperboard and aluminum foil ensures that food remains free from bacteria and other harmful microorganisms for a period of at least 8 months under room temperature. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 15-year-old girl, charged with the murder of a seven-year-old girl, today appeared in court in York in northeast England. Katie Rough was found by police after they were called to a playing field half a mile from her home on Monday and rushed to hospital where she died a short while later. The accused teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons as she is still a minor, was remanded in custody at a "secure accommodation" by York magistrates and is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on Friday. She has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, a Stanley knife. The victim was a pupil at Westfield Primary School in York where the head teacher described her as a "kind and thoughtful child". Both Prime Minister Theresa May and Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn paid tributes to Katie in the House of Commons. Corbyn said "I'm sure the whole House will join in heartfelt condolences to the family and friends (following) the tragic death of seven-year-old Katie Rough in York earlier this week. I think it's right we send condolences to her family". May said, "I also join you in expressing condolences to the family and friends of little Katie, who died so tragically". A fundraising appeal to support Katie's family was established soon after the incident, which has shocked the local community in the area. Maggie Jackson from York said on the GoFundMe page that said she did not know the family but just wanted to do something for them. She wrote, "The awful death of Katie the little 7-year-old girl in York has really saddened me, I can't stop thinking about what her mum and family will be going through. It has shocked the whole of York. I don't know if it's too early to say this but I'd like to raise money to give to her family to help them through this terrible time without any other worries". Katie's aunt, Jan Hinds, thanked people for their support on the site, "Just want to say on behalf of me and my family it is hugely appreciated and we cannot thank all enough for being so kind and supporting towards us". Katie had been a bridesmaid at her parents' wedding just two weeks before her death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US is facing more diverse array of threats than ever from a range of sources, outgoing National Security Advisor Susan Rice has said, noting that the Obama Administration built a new relationship with "emerging powers" like India to effectively address these challenges. "Americans face a more diverse array of threats, from a more diverse range of sources, than ever. This includes everything from state actors such as Russia and North Korea to terrorists like ISIL, often enabled by new technologies," Rice told a Washington audience yesterday. "It includes transnational threats that can reach our shores-climate change, epidemics like Ebola, or the illicit flow of drugs and weapons," she said at a day-long conference 'Passing the Baton' at the US Institute of Peace (USIP), a top American think-tank. Rice said as a global leader and stakeholder, the US faces the challenge of upholding an international order strained by rising tensions among major global and regional powers and deep governance challenges within them. "Russia continues to threaten the global order in Ukraine, in Syria, and through its efforts to interfere in democratic elections. China's assertiveness, most notably in the South China Sea, has tested whether the US-China relationship will be defined by our differences or by what we can achieve cooperatively," she said. "Europe-buffeted by Brexit, economic uncertainty, refugee and migrant crisis and Russian aggression need American support now more than ever. Against this backdrop, as we've seen in the horrific tragedy in Syria, the Arab world will likely continue to struggle for stability perhaps for a generation or more," she said. As the US continued its successful fight against terrorism, it also began its Asia-Pacific pivot. "While managing our complex but increasingly durable relationship with China, we've strengthened cooperation with treaty allies like Japan, South Korea, and Australia; forged deeper partnerships with emerging powers like India and Indonesia; and intensified our support for regional institutions," she said. "I saw the potential in these new relationships during US President Barack Obama's historic trips to Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam," she added. Rice said as a key part of this Asia Pacific rebalance, Obama fought to set rules of the road for trade that ensure fair competition, protect the environment and raise labour standards through the Trans-Pacific Partnership. "If we don't define these rules of the road, others will. China is already pursuing its own regional trade agreement, with lower standards and fewer protections. Failure to move forward on TPP is eroding American regional leadership and credibility, with China standing to gain strategically and economically," she warned. The US must protect itself and the international order it has helped build, without subordinating its values or abandoning the alliances, partnerships and cooperation that have yielded unprecedented global prosperity and progress, she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US has designated an Indonesian radical network behind an attack in Jakarta as a terrorist group and announced sanctions on four militants in an effort to disrupt Islamic State group operations and recruitment in Australia and Southeast Asia. The announcements by the Department of State and Treasury Department come after police in Australia and Indonesia foiled IS-inspired attacks planned for the holiday season in those countries. The State Department said Tuesday it has designated the IS-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah as a terrorist group, which in practice prohibits U.S. Citizens being involved with it and enables the freezing of any property in the US. JAD militants are believed responsible for a January 2016 attack in the Indonesian capital that killed eight people including the attackers. Treasury announced sanctions against two Australians, both previously believed killed in the Middle East, and two Indonesians, one of whom is in prison in Indonesia. The statements did not say whether the four had any assets within US jurisdiction. However, the steps show continued US commitment to anti-terror efforts in Australia and Indonesia. The US and Australia were instrumental in upgrading Indonesia's counter-terrorism capabilities following the 2002 bombings on the tourist island of Bali that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners. The sanctioned Australians are Neil Christopher Prakash, also known as Khaled Al-Cambodi, who was the senior Australian recruiter for IS, and Khaled Sharrouf, an IS fighter in Syria and Iraq since 2014 who carried out executions for IS. The Indonesians are Bahrum Syah, who sent funds to militants in Indonesia from Syria, and his mentor Aman Abdurrahman, who from prison has recruited militants to the IS cause, authorized attacks and was IS's main translator in Indonesia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Suresh Prabhu today urged the people of Uttar Pradesh to vote into power a majority BJP government that could work towards the state's progress in conjunction with the NDA government at the Centre. The Railway Minister said that previous governments had been found wanting in developing the state to its full potential, and asked the electorate to script change during the upcoming assembly polls. "Uttar Pradesh always shows the way forward for the country, it has produced the highest number of Prime Ministers, and has also voted into power the largest number of BJP MPs. Despite this, it is still lagging behind as multiple state governments have failed to develop it to its potential," he said at a function in the city. "Vote the BJP into power this time so that the Centre and state work together to provide the maximum benefits for the people," he added. Prabhu also said the Centre had launched several new trains in the state, besides increasing the budget for providing amenities to travellers. However, when asked about the two derailments in Kanpur recently, the minister walked off without giving any comment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A wanted criminal involved in cases of murder and loot and an absconding inmate of Dasna jail were arrested from Greater Noida and Meerut respectively by the Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh Police today. Western UP Special Task Force (STF) SP Rajeev Narayan Mishra said absconding criminal Sourav Singh who robbed Rs 50 lakh from an Agra-based cattle trader in December, and a reward of Rs 15,000 on his head, was nabbed from Surajpur police station area today. During interrogation, Singh revealed that he, along with his accomplices -- Sonu and Dinesh, robbed the trader of Rs 50 lakh, Mishra said. Singh had a tiff with his accomplices over the distribution of loot following which he murdered the duo and dumped the bodies in drain in Agra district, the SP said. After the murder he fled to Maharashtra where he robbed another businessman in Dhulia area. Singh was eyeing to loot other traders in Noida, Agra and Mathura when he was caught, Mishra said. The STF also arrested another criminal, with a reward of Rs 5,000 on his head, near Meerut district last night. Ashok Pehelwan was wanted in around 28 cases including of murder, theft, kidnapping, fraud among others in Delhi. He fled from Dasna jail in 2011 after the Ghaziabad district court convicted him in a case of murder and abduction and gave life imprisonment, Mishra said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that India and Europe are both victims of terrorism, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault today said this challenge can only be met by jointly cooperating in the monitoring of terrorist groups and fighting against terror financing networks. He also said the EU and India are united by shared values and share a vision of international relations based on multilateralism and dialogue, rather than a power struggle. Delivering R K Mishra Lecture on "The European Union, an Indispensable Actor in an Uncertain World", Ayrault said, "It is together that we will respond to the threat of international terrorism. India and Europe are both victims of terrorism, precisely because of what brings them together and what terrorists aim to weaken: democracy and freedom. "We can only meet this challenge jointly, by cooperating more closely in the monitoring of terrorist groups, in the fight against radicalisation or against terrorism financing networks, while respecting the fundamental values that we have in common, but are unfortunately not common to all." Terming European Union as a "reliable" partner of India, the minister said this is so particularly in the Indian Ocean, where the Union is conducting Operation Atalante against piracy by drawing on the naval capabilities deployed by its Member States, foremost among which is France. "This operation has considerably reduced this scourge and reinforced the security of strategic sea lanes for the international community in general and for India in particular. "A fruitful collaboration towards this has been initiated with the Indian Navy. Other cooperation can be envisaged. Peacekeeping operations in Africa, for example, comes to mind, where India as well as Europe are particularly active." In this context, he also mentioned Afghanistan, where India and the EU play a vital role in reconstruction, development and stability. Talking about trade ties, Ayrault said the European Union is India's foremost trade partner and one of the top investors in India. With a single market of 500 million persons, the EU offers Indian companies unmatched economic opportunities, he said, adding, "I invite Indian companies to choose France so as to access this market". The EU's investment capacities are a resource for financing programmes India has launched for its own modernisation and economic development and they can strengthen cooperation in these areas. "I would like to acknowledge the initiative taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an International Solar Alliance, which we were able to launch together in Paris on the margins of the COP21 and which will tomorrow contribute to developing solar energy everywhere in the world," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Diversified Group today said it would invest Rs 4,000 crore on three large textile projects in Gujarat. India said in a BSE filing that three MoUs are being signed with the state government at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017. The group, which has presence in home textiles, line pipes and infrastructure, will invest Rs 2,000 crore in setting up an integrated textile manufacturing zone. It will invest Rs 1,000 crore on capacity enhancement of its technical textile business, while a similar amount has been earmarked for its advanced textile arm that makes specialised materials for aerospace, defence and automobiles. Group Chairman B K Goenka said: "Our continuous investment in the state is a testament to our long term commitment to Gujarat. It is our aim to make Gujarat the textile hub of the world. "Welspun continues to invest into development of well- researched products and technology of the future and the current investment is in line with this philosophy." Welspun Group has already invested Rs 10,000 crore in Gujarat so far and fresh investments take the total to Rs 14,000 crore. "These investments will further consolidate Welspun's global leadership position and explore new avenues for its upcoming businesses in Technical as well as Advanced Textiles," the company said. Welspun is developing an integrated textile manufacturing zone, which will be a part of the government's Sagarmala project wherein Kutch is among the first identified key locations. "The company aims to develop a large, modern and futuristic textile industrial complex that will manufacture and supply world class textile products for the global markets," the company said. The Kutch facility, it added, will provide an ecosystem for entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing facilities and would generate direct employment of nearly 5,000 as well as indirect employment to nearly 15,000 people. The group is also enhancing capacity of its technical textile business with the addition of new products and training and skill development. "Under this vertical, the company has already made its mark with products for specialised use in healthcare, fire departments and other utilities," Welspun said, adding that it will give direct employment to nearly 1,500 people. It also plans to generate a direct employment of 2,000 persons and indirect employment of 5,000 through the expansion of its advanced textile arm, under which it focuses on manufacturing specialised materials for applications in aerospace, defence and automobile sectors. As demands from various quarters continued to pour in for holding Jallikattu, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam today reaffirmed the resolve of his government to conduct the bull taming sport, saying it will "not backoff" on the matter. Panneerselvam also hit out at arch-rival DMK for its criticism of the ruling AIADMK on the matter, saying it was the UPA regime, in which DMK was a key constituent, which issued a notification including bulls under the 'performing animals' category, making it unable to be used in the sport. The Chief Minister said his government walked the path laid by his predecessor, the late Jayalalithaa "who had reclaimed and upheld the rights of Tamil Nadu" on issues including the Cauvery dispute and FDI in retail trade. "Myself and the the Tamil Nadu government, who follow in the footsteps of Amma (Jayalalithaa), will ensure that Jallikattu is held. We will not backoff even a bit. I would like to assure the people of Tamil Nadu that we will uphold the heritage and culture of the Tamils," he said. In a detailed statement, Panneerselvam recalled the various court litigations leading to the eventual Supreme Court ban against Jallikattu in 2014, which was upheld by the apex court last year when it dismissed the state's review petition on the matter. He pointed out that Jayalalithaa had constantly pressed the Centre for amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 besides seeking ordinance to hold the sport last year, but to no avail. He had also taken up the same demands with the Centre since becoming Chief Minister, he added. Panneerselvam hoped to get 'justice' in a Supreme Court case against a 2016 notification by Centre allowing Jallikattu with some conditions. Training his guns against DMK Working President and state Opposition Leader MK Stalin, Panneerselvam questioned his criticism of the government on the matter during a protest at Madurai last week. "He has made a false allegation that AIADMK government was responsible for Jallikattu facing a ban. People of Tamil Nadu know pretty well that the reason for the SC ban was due to the 2011 notification issued by the UPA government," he said. People will not be 'fooled' by the protests held by DMK on Jallikattu as the "reason for the ban" was that notification which included bulls under the performing animals category, the Chief Minister said. "DMK cannot wash off its sins with any number of protests on the matter," he said. Pannerselvam also refuted Stalin's allegations that Supreme Court laid provisions were 'breached' when the sport was conducted in 2014 and dubbed it as a "betrayal of people of Tamil Nadu by aligning with those opposed" to the sport. The state government had provided 'solid evidence' in the court that bulls were not tortured, he said, adding, Stalin had made statements contradictory to this which was "against the people." "He has expressed the view that DMK does not have an iota of intention to hold Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. As usual, DMK is prepared to compromise on Tamil Nadu's prospects for political gain," the Chief Minister charged. Earlier, AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala today wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking promulgation of an ordinance for conduct of the bull taming sport Jallikattu, noting that the ban on it had caused "resentment" in the state. Unum has entered a new arena with the launch of Unum Dental and Unum Vision. The addition of dental and vision insurance two important coverages that employees need and want enables Unum to become the single provider of employee benefits packages that complement health and retirement. Dental and vision plans are essential to a comprehensive employee benefits package, said Unum US President and CEO Mike Simonds. With the addition of these products, were able to add value for brokers and employers with one-stop shopping and streamlined enrollment, administration and customer service processes. Starmount Life Insurance Company, a fast-growing dental and vision insurance business acquired by Unum in 2016, will be the center of expertise for these products in the United States. Unum and Starmount share a commitment to quality coverage and customer service, said Deborah Sternberg, president of Starmount. Weve joined forces to offer greater value and an excellent customer experience to employers and their employees. Unum Dental and Unum Vision products offer flexible plan designs, comprehensive national provider networks, and a convenient mobile app with provider locators, benefit overviews and claims tracking. Unum Vision is now available nationwide. Unum Dental is being marketed in the South and Midwest regions, and will be offered in additional markets by 2018. Alleging that the SAD-BJP government in Punjab has "ruined" the industry, AAP leader Manish Sisodia today promised to install an "industrialist" as the state's finance minister if his party was voted to power in February 4 polls. "If AAP is voted to power, the new government would induct an industrialist or trader as finance minister to promote industry, which has been ruined during Parkash Singh Badal's regime," he told a gathering of businessmen in Batala. Batala is a prominent industrial hub and the Delhi deputy chief minister was in the town to campaign for party's state convener Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, who is contesting from Batala. "We have abolished the Inspector Raj in Delhi due to which businesses have grown after registering a negative growth rate during the previous Congress government," he claimed and added that in Punjab too "we will do the same". "We have also charted out a plan wherein incentives will be given to industry in the border region," he said. In Batala, 75 per cent of foundries have closed due to the "lop-sided industrial polices and high tax structure" imposed by the Badal government, he alleged. Sisodia said an AAP government will give special emphasis on setting up cottage industries in villages and the new units will automatically translate into employment opportunities. "If there is industry there will be jobs. If there are jobs youth will not take to drugs as they will remain busy in earning livelihoods for themselves and their families. This is the reason why we see setting up of more units as an antidote to drug use," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 24 year-old woman travelling in a SpiceJet plane from Mumbai to Varanasi died today after she fell ill onboard, with her husband alleging negligence on the part of the flight attendants. Sangeeta, a resident of Shivpur area in Varanasi, boarded the plane from Mumbai this morning along with her husband Rajesh and their daughter, Phoolpur SHO Brijesh Mishra said. The airline said the woman had complained of breathlessness onboard and given medical attention. As soon the plane landed at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport here, the woman was rushed to a hospital in an ambulance, where doctors declared her brought dead, the SHO said. Mishra, however, said that it is still not clear whether the woman died onboard or while being taken to hospital in the ambulance. Whereas, Rajesh, who works at a glass manufacturing unit in Mumbai, alleged that the flight attendant did not extend immediate medical help and she could not put on the mask during the journey. He also claimed that she felt unwell an hour after the plane took off from Mumbai and soon collapsed. He has filed a complaint alleging negligence on the part of flight, saying the attendants did not extend necessary medical help at the time of emergency. A SpiceJet spokesperson said, "A passenger travelling on board SG 704 from Mumbai to Varanasi complained of breathlessness. The passenger was attended to by a doctor onboard and assisted by SpiceJet cabin crew. She was provided all necessary medical assistance. The Captain informed ATC and requested for medical assistance on landing". He said the woman, who was still alive, was attended to by the Varanasi Airport Medical officer after landing. Due to limited medical infrastructure at the airport, she was referred to Primary Health Center in Basani after providing all available medical help. The spokesman said Sangeeta was accompanied by the airline staff and her family to the health center, where the doctors declared her "brought dead". The body has been sent for post-mortem and the cause of death would only be ascertained after the autopsy report, Mishra said, adding investigation is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid fears of a decline in the country's GDP, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cautioned the people on Wednesday that the worse was yet to come in the wake of which he termed as a "disaster". At a convention called by Congress on demonetisation, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram claimed there was no record of the Cabinet meeting of November 8 when the government had said to have taken the decision to withdraw Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. In his address at the 'Jan Vedna' conclave, Singh termed as a "disaster" and said things were going from bad to worse and that the worse was yet to come. He dismissed as "hollow claim" Prime Minister Narendra "Modi's propaganda" that things have started looking up. The former Prime Minister said it was the "solemn duty" of all Congress men to tell the people the wrongs that have been done by Modi and that a "clarion call" should be given to the countrymen to "awake and rise" up in protest. Both Singh and Chidambaram said there would be a decline in the country's gross domestic product (GDP) because of . Chidambaram, in his address, said there is no record of the Cabinet meeting of November 8. "Where is the Cabinet note? Where is the Cabinet decision?" he asked. He said that never before in India's history such a farce has been enacted. The former Finance Minister also said that the reputation of RBI is at risk today. The government and the central bank generally have differences but never before a government has treated RBI like a department of the Government of India, he added. He said that even one per cent decline in GDP will lead to a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the country. He said every challenge thrown by Modi government should be matched by the Congress with utmost courage and utmost wisdom. "Only Congress party can stand up to this (challenge)." The party also issued a statement at the convention that the Prime Minister must reveal what percentage of the demonetised currency notes was black money as practically all the demonetised notes have been deposited in banks. "This exposes the hollowness of the government's claims. The PM is masquerading as a crusader against black money and corruption after having singularly failed in fulfilling his promises of retrieving the unaccounted wealth and money stashed abroad," it said. The party said India's image has been tarnished by the projection that the Indian economy was primarily based on black money. "It is also a matter of concern that during the 50-day period of 'notebandi', an unholy nexus of certain corrupt BJP leaders, black-marketeers and bank officials were shown to be operating by various media channels, indulging in illegal conversions of stockpiles of currency," the party said. It said for the corrupt black money holders, the back door of banks operated, while the common man waited for his turn in lines at front doors. In the statement, the Congress also demanded an impartial and independent inquiry into charges of personal corruption against Modi when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. "Why has the Modi government not conducted an investigation into this serious charges of corruption for 31 months despite the availability of evidence? Why is PM Modi not coming forward to conduct an independent probe into the matter if he has nothing to hide?" the statement said. On demonetisation, the party said Indian economy has been "disrupted, derailed and it is in a shutdown mode" and that millions of workers in farming and construction and in other sectors have lost jobs and employment. "The Prime Minister remains unmoved and in denial even when tens of millions of people have been forced to stand in a queue before banks and ATMs for nearly 60 days. The promised amount of currency notes has not been made available," the statement said. "The Congress party expresses its serious concern that investment sentiments remain depressed, the investment rate is negative and the gross capital formation has fallen in real terms." The ground realities contradict the hype and claims of high GDP growth, it said. The Congress said the blame of pushing the Indian economy into the abyss lies squarely with the Prime Minister and the BJP government and that the party condemns the government for "inflicting immense suffering and hardships" on the people. The party also condemned "escalation of atrocities on Dalits, Adivasis and minorities and the violent attack on the poor who have raised their voice of protest in many parts of the country". "It is deplorable that persons occupying positions of responsibility in the government and in the ruling party have encouraged and endorsed the actions of individuals and organisations responsible for these incidents and acts of violence," it said. The Congress also accused the BJP dispensation of apathy towards the farmers, agricultural and manual workers and said that there has been acute distress in the agrarian sector. The party also accused the government of "undermining the established institutions of governance, centralisation of authority, arbitrary partisan decisions, abuse of power and misuse of government agencies to target political opponents, critics and institutions". "Congress party warns the government that its undemocratic methods and acts to curtail liberty, freedom of expression and violation of fundamental rights of the citizens as enshrined in the Constitution will be strongly resisted," it said. NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India, the world's biggest sugar consumer, is not considering to cut import duty on the sweetener at least in the near term, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Wednesday. Sugar prices in the local market have risen more than 10 percent in a month on an expected drop in the production after back-to-back drought ravaged cane crop in the top producing western state of Maharashtra. India's sugar production in 2016/17 is likely to fall to 22 million tonnes, down 4.3 percent from an earlier estimate, as mills in Maharashtra are closing early due to a cane shortage, industry officials told . (Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Malini Menon) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Pratima Desai LONDON (Reuters) - Gold hit six-week highs on Wednesday as investors worried about political uncertainty bought the precious metal, but dollar strength due to higher U.S. rates is expected to cap gains. Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at 1,188.74 an ounce at 1250 GMT from an earlier peak of $1,191.32, the strongest since Nov. 30. U.S. gold futures gained 0.3 percent to $1,188.70. The trigger for early gains was nervousness ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's first formal conference at 1600 GMT. Investors will focus on what Trump has to say about trade and relations with China and his plans for the economy. "Major political risks include elections in France, the Netherlands and Germany, which could lead to tensions in the European Union," Quantitative Commodity Research analyst Peter Fertig said. "The uncertainty surrounding Brexit could lead to further demand for gold from retail investors in the UK." Offsetting the political uncertainty argument is the U.S. currency, holding near a 14-year high against a basket of currencies, making dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies. The U.S. Federal reserve is expected to wait until the second quarter of 2017 before it raises rates. But after the December meeting, Fed policy makers signaled the possibility of three rises this year. That may mean higher U.S. Treasury yields, making it cheaper for investors to buy U.S. government bonds, which like gold are seen as risk-free. But unlike gold which earns nothing and costs to insure and store, Treasuries earn regular coupons. On the technical front, upside resistance kicks in around $1,194, the 55-day moving average and traders say, breaking back above $1,200 would need strong momentum. Elsewhere, silver was down 0.5 percent at $16.70 an ounce from Tuesday's four-week high of $16.90. Platinum slipped 0.6 percent to $972.24 from an earlier two-month peak at 982.60 and palladium dropped 2 percent to $749.05 an ounce. Palladium touched a five-week high of $768.1 on Monday. Investors expect the industrial precious metal will benefit if tax cuts and higher government spending in the major car markets of China and the United States boost auto sales. "While the medium to longer-term demand backdrop remains compelling given its dominant usage in catalysts of gasoline fuelled cars, we still expect a short-term dent," Julius Baer analysts said in a note. Palladium has a close relationship with vehicle sales, which were strong last year. "Sales in China were fuelled by a tax cut, prompting consumers to pull forward purchases. The tax cut was halved at the beginning of this year and should result in lower sales over the course of the coming months." (Additional reporting by Swati Verma and Nallur Sethuraman in Bengaluru; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Jane Merriman) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The news of a cut in Chinese capacities and falling coal prices led to a rally in stocks on Wednesday. There was a gain on the bourses of four to 11 per cent for JSW Steel, Tata Steel, Authority of India (SAIL) and Bhushan . For months, tech-giant has been seeking ways to enter the Indian market while upholding 'business facets' - minimum risk and maximum profit. However, if Tim Cook thought he would have it easy with India, he's probably mistaken - Indians are admirably better at setting terms and conditions of a bargain than most others. The road to Canada is often paved with fake visas and passports, police data from Delhi airport show. Officers say despite multilayered checking at the emigration centres, international travel agents keep cooking up new ideas to forge the documents and this is a flourishing business in northern India. First-time travellers are the easiest targets. "In a majority of the cases, passengers denied visa by embassies approach travel agents," said Sanjay Bhatia, deputy commissioner of police at Delhi airport. "Such travellers desperately want to go abroad. 60 to 65% cases we have registered are related to forged visa and passport." ALSO READ: Budget 2017 may spring sweet surprises for startups According to officials, most such passengers have Canada as their travel destination and some of them go on to other countries from there. About 15 countries in the world are favoured by Indian travellers and 60 to 70% of them apply for working visas to Canada, sources say. Airport officials revealed that cheats are using three different ploys to prepare fake travel documents and sell them for large sums. According to Bhatia, the first tactic travel agents use is preparing bogus visas and passports with scanning machines and a software called "Pride". The fake documents are generally identical in quality to real ones and it requires painstaking diligence from CISF personnel to detect the fraud. In a majority of such cases, travel agents seek out first-time travellers who are unaware of the technical detection parameters and therefore more likely to fall prey to such tactics, said the officials. ALSO READ: Airline Vistara cuts fares to woo fliers The second modus operandi is removing photos of genuine passengers from visas and passports and pasting the pictures of desperate travellers followed by other formalities such as signature and stamp. This is generally done in cases where the clients are using travel documents of their family members to get passports and visas. Unscrupulous travellers sometimes also take advantage of similarity in identities. Twin brothers and sisters occasionally use each other's valid visas and passports to travel abroad, said officials. Sources said that members of certain communities who appear identical because of their religious attire and facial hair also take advantage as they can sometimes be difficult to tell apart from each other. According to officials, there are multiple manual and computerised detection mechanisms at all international airports of the country. Despite that travel agents do not bother about the possibilities of passengers getting caught at emigration checking as they want quick and easy money. A majority of such travellers come from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. A large number of men and women from Kerala also go to West Asian countries every year seeking employment. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today reiterated that the Centre is still aiming to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime from April 1 if all pending issues are sorted out. GST, which is to subsume most of central and state taxes like excise, service tax and VAT, needs to roll out by latest September 16, 2017, he said. This because, under the Constitutional Amendment passed by Parliament for the GST implementation, some of the existing levies would expire after September 16. ALSO READ: Govt committed to reform Indian economy: PM Modi Jaitley said the government was aiming to implement the new sales tax from April this year. "We would want it to be implemented from April if all issues are resolved." "There is a provision for GST implementation because constitutional amendment has been passed. So it's Constitutional necessity that before September 16 it should be rolled out," he said on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here. GST, or a national sales tax, will replace a jumble of levies to create one of the world's biggest single market. A single tax will make it easier to do business in the world's seventh-largest economy as also help combat evasion, boost revenue for the government. But the rollout is struck because of differences between the Centre and states over control and administration of the tax as also on how the states that face revenue shortfall because of the GST rollout would need to be compensated. After two former RBI Governors Y V Reddy and Bimal Jalan, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen on Tuesday raised questions on Reserve Bank's autonomy saying nowadays the central bank does not decide anything and all decisions are taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highly critical of the demonetisation, Sen opined that it has failed to eliminate black money though Modi would continue to get the 'benefit of doubt'. "People think Prime Minister is doing something to eliminate black momey... Modi will continue to get benefit of doubt... The idea that rich is suffering is appealing to poor people," Sen told India Today TV in an interview. On RBI's decision to ban exchange of scrapped notes after December 30, he said, "I don't think this is RBI's decision. This must be Prime Minister's ...I don't think RBI decides anything at this time." Modi in his November 8 address to the nation had said those who could not deposit old notes by December 30 could "go to specified offices of the Reserve Bank of India up to March 31, 2017 and deposit the notes after submitting a declaration form." Sen further said the RBI was quite independent when Raghuram Rajan was Governor. It was served by illustrious persons like I G Patel and Manmohan Singh. Earlier, Reddy as well as Jalan had underlined the need for preserving the autonomy of RBI. As regards the black money, Sen said it was puzzling why the government opted to eliminate tiny 6 per cent black money by demonetising 86 per cent of the currency. Several countries including USA, Japan have lots of cash. On the government's claim of eliminating fake currency through demonetisation, he said it was never a problem. "Fake money was never a big problem in India. Fake money problem was not something you want to hold while economy in ransom," the Nobel laureate said. The demonetisation decision was taken by small group of people, he said, adding state governments should have been consulted as India has a federal polity. The government in a surprise move demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, which constituted 86 per cent of the currency, from midnight of November 8. Watch Obama's Tearful Salute To His Family At Farewell Address By Stephen Gossett in News on Jan 11, 2017 3:16AM Barack Obamas farewell-address-meets-homecoming on Tuesday night was chockablock with emotional moments, whether it was his real-talk call to stand firm against racial discrimination or his defense of noble bubble-bursting in the name of non-partisanship. But the moment that got usand POTUS himselfmost was his heart-tugging nod to his family. Michelle LeVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side, for the past twenty-five years, youve been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend. You took on a role you didnt ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor, Obama said, then joining all of us in wiping away a tear. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. Youve made me proud. Youve made the country proud. Obama then continued the stirring tribute to his family by moving to his daughterseven though Sasha was not in attendance because she has a report due in the morning and this is a school night. Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion, Obama said. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad. Almost as moving was his testament to Joe and Jill Biden. I gained a brother. We love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our life. To which Biden responded in prototypically Biden fashion: Joe Bidens last VP GIF Y pic.twitter.com/cIYhd4veOl GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) January 11, 2017 Gonna miss this group. The Supreme Court on Wednesday threw out a case brought by anti-corruption lawyer Prashant Bhushan that accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of accepting suspicious cash payments, dealing a blow to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi who had latched on to the case. A panel of judges found that there was too little evidence to go on, deflating Gandhi's warnings late last year that he would cause an "earthquake" by unveiling proof that Modi was corrupt. In the event, it transpired that the heir apparent to the leadership of the opposition Congress party was referring to a case already before the highest court that relied on evidence recovered in income-tax raids on two corporate houses. Citing written records, the plaintiff alleged that an individual called "Gujarat CM" had received cash payments from companies totalling at least 400 million rupees ($5.9 million) in late 2013 and early 2014. Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat at the time and went on to win election by a landslide in May 2014. "There is not enough evidence to order an inquiry into the case. We are dismissing it," a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra ruled. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, the government's top lawyer, told the court that there was no credible evidence to prove that Modi had been paid off. "Nobody in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Anyone can put the name of anybody on such papers," Rohatgi told the court. Prashant Bhushan, the anti-corruption lawyer who brought the case on behalf of a non-governmental organisation called Common Cause, had urged the court to order a probe into the alleged payments made to public officials. "It is sad and unfortunate that the Supreme Court dismissed my plea," Bhushan told Reuters. Indian politicians are often dogged by sleaze allegations and many of the country's elected officials face criminal proceedings. Modi has, however, cultivated a clean image as the son of a humble tea seller. He shook India in November by scrapping high-value banknotes in a bid to purge the economy of "black money" - the proceeds of illicit business, corruption and tax evasion. The move has caused massive disruption to daily life and business throughout the country of 1.3 billion people. Bracing for the Storm In letters issued on New Year's Eve, Azim Premji and Vishal Sikka, the heads of India's two largest IT companies, Wipro and Infosys, respectively, warned employees about the challenging times ahead. "I must say that the year 2016 seems to have raised questions and obstacles, on the path to a better world, which cannot be ignored," Premji said in his letter. He asked employees to increase their commitment to others, and find a common ground rather than focusing on conflicts. Sikka evoked a similar sentiment in his letter. "We must remember that operational excellence is an imperative for each one of us," he said. He urged employees to focus on delivering the best solutions in the smartest, fastest way possible, and "not give up or give in to weaker instincts." Digital Ambassador Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, while on a short trip to India, announced the launch of 'Digital Unlocked' - a training programme for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in India which will help them understand how digital works. "With Internet, even small businesses can become large," Pichai said at the event. He announced the GoogleMyBusiness initiative which will enable SMBs to list on Google, even if they don't have a website. He also launched the Primer app, designed to teach SMBs digital marketing skills. Pichai visited his alma mater IIT Kharagpur, where he interacted with students. He regaled the audience with his hostel tales and shared insights about his journey so far. Banking on Change Banks Board Bureau Chief and former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Vinod Rai, said that the bureau is planning to bring in major changes in the banking system, including improved pay structures and bonuses. "By next fiscal, we are looking at a far more attractive package for public sector banks with bonus, ESOPs, performance-linked variables - monetary or non-monetary benefits - to make it more attractive for professionals to enter PSBs," he said at an ASSOCHAM event in New Delhi. Rai informed that the bureau is considering the appointment of a full-time Director or Executive Director in public sector banks, besides the current posts of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). Banker Goes Viral Viral Acharya, has been appointed the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. A New York University professor, Acharya's appointment was much talked about on Twitter. While some were amused by his name, others appreciated his background, drawing similarities to that of former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. In fact, he has also co-authored several papers with Rajan. Acharya, 42, will take over as Deputy Governor for a three-year term, effective January 20, and will head the monetary policy and research cluster. The Central bank has four deputy governors; Acharya filled the place left vacant by Urjit Patel who was appointed as the RBI Governor. Second Innings Former Deutsche Bank co-CEO Anshu Jain has made a comeback. He has joined the US-based financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald LP (CFLP) as President. Jain had left Deutsche Bank in June 2015 after struggling to rejuvenate the bank. "He has a deep understanding of the global capital markets, and strong expertise built over decades of leadership in the industry, making Anshu my ideal partner to drive growth during the next era of Cantor's development," said Cantor's Chairman and CEO, Howard Lutnick. Jain will be based in CFLP's headquarters in New York. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. Michael Creed TD, today announced that the value of Irish agri-food and drink exports had exceeded 11 billion for the first time ever in 2016. The announcement was made today at the launch of Bord Bias 'Export Performance and Prospects 2016-2017 report.' Last year, marked the 7th successive year of growth of Irish food and drink exports with a further 2% increase recorded to reach a record high of 11.15 billion, an expansion of 41% or 3.3 billion since 2010. The strongest performing sectors last year were prepared foods (1.92 billion, +9%), beverages (1.4 billion, +4%) and dairy product and ingredients (3.38 billion, +2%). While trade with the UK fell by 8%, triggered by challenging exchange rates, uncertainty arising from Brexit and further competitive pressures, this was offset by increased exports to international and emerging markets such as North America (+200 million to reach 1.1 billion), China (+35% to reach 845 million) and the rest of Asia (+6% to reach 330 million). There was an overall increase of 13% in shipments to international markets, to reach a value of approximately 3.5 billion. A recovery was also seen in continental EU markets (+3% to reach 3.53 billion) as improving economic conditions led to stronger demand in key categories. The Euro strengthened by 13% against sterling in 2016 while there was little change in exchange rates with the US dollar. According to Bord Bia estimates, the underlying weakness and volatility of sterling negatively affected the competitiveness of Irish exports reducing the value of trade by a potential 570 million. Weaker prices negatively affected the value of beef and edible horticulture exports while lower volumes affected seafood exports. Livestock exports declined in value terms largely due to a significant reduction in live cattle shipments, while poultry exports recorded a significant decrease due to both reduced prices and lower volumes. Commenting on the report, Minister Creed said, "The UK will continue to be a critically important market for Irish agri-food products. The triggering of Article 50 and the continued uncertainty around Brexit will present significant challenges for the sector." He added, "However, the 2016 export figures illustrate clearly the importance of collaborative action by Government, its agencies and the industry, and the potential for pro-active effort on international markets to mitigate the risks associated with these challenges." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us Job postings for skilled tradespeople in Ireland increased by 44% between 2014-2016, according to new analysis from the Worlds largest job site, Indeed. The key roles identified include: Carpenter (94% increase), Electrician (30%) and Plumber (29%), which are representative of the wider industry trend. Despite this increase, Indeed real time data shows that jobseeker interest for these roles outpaces employer demand at a ratio of 3:1. This data suggests a surplus of talent for these particular roles, pointing to additional challenges for the troubled construction sector. Craft and related occupations which includes skilled tradespeople, remains the largest group on the CSO Live Register despite a reduction of 11,386 (-18.5%) in 2016. The Construction Industry Federation projects that the construction industry can potentially generate an additional 112,000 jobs by 2020. This growth is predicated on the delivery of the Governments 42 billion Capital Investment Plan and the ambitious housing strategy. Commenting on the data, Indeed EMEA Economist, Mariano Mamertino said, "While there is clear evidence of growth in the construction sector, our data gives rise to concern that the acceleration is not happening quickly enough. Indeeds analysis shows that there remains a large residual pool of talent available for carpenter, electrician and plumber roles." He added, "While this is good news for employers looking for skilled talent - they have a healthy pipeline from which to pluck - jobseekers in these skilled roles will face stiff competition. This is likely to be part of the reason this group of workers forms the largest group on Irelands Live Register." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us New data released by Bord Bia today shows that beverage exports increased by 4% to 1.4 billion in 2016. Whiskey exports were a key driver of growth and jumped by 8% to reach 505 in 2016. Irish whiskey exports have recorded a fourfold increase over the last decade making it the fastest growing global spirits category and over 1 billion will be invested in Irish whiskey distillery projects between 2010 and 2025. In 2015, Ireland had sales of over 7.7 million 9 litre cases to over 100 countries worldwide. This figure is set to exceed 12 million cases by 2020 and 24 million cases by 2030. In 2013, there were just 4 distilleries in Ireland, today there are 16 in production and 13 in planning in 18 counties across Ireland. The growth in Irish Whiskey exports is driven by strong demand in the United States, Eastern Europe, Germany and the UK. Growth was also recorded by cream liqueurs and beer with total exports of 305 million and 290 million respectively. Director of Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI), Ross MacMathuna says, "The drinks industry is the export powerhouse delivering growth for our food and drinks sector, and is wholly committed to making a make a valuable contribution to Irelands exciting agri-food sector despite the political and economic uncertainty in the wake of Brexit." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar today officially launched 'eir Fund Connecting Communities.' The Fund is a key initiative within eirs CSR strategy and aims to enable the company to make a positive impact in communities by providing much needed support to local charity and community causes across Ireland. The eir Fund Connecting Communities is open for applications from all eir employees and any registered Irish charity, NGO or organisation with charitable status. As a direct result of the Fund, 160,000 will be evenly split across the four provinces and invested at community level each year up to 2019. The Minister was today joined by Richard Moat, CEO, eir and Carolan Lennon, Managing Director, open eir, to officially launch the fund. Also at the launch today were a number of other charities who have received support from the eir Fund Connecting Communities including Camara Ireland, an organisation committed to improving technology in disadvantaged schools, Rosies Trust who support people that are terminally ill, cancer patients, and older people who have companion pets but are unable to look after them independently and Aoibheann's Pink Tie, a charity created to support families of children diagnosed with cancer and attending St John's Oncology Ward in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. Speaking at the launch of the eir Fund Connecting Communities, Minister Leo Varadkar said, "The Government and I strongly support and advocate for Corporate Social Responsibility. The best companies should be about more than making profit and increasing shareholder value, they should also have a mission to contribute to the betterment of communities that buy their services and products, and to develop human capital by supporting the skills and personal development of their staff. Todays announcement is proof that eir clearly understands this. I am delighted to be associated with it." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr launched his 'Greater Dublins Greater Than Ever' #GDGTE initiative this morning in the Oak Room of Dublins Mansion House. Minister for Financial Services, Eoghan Murphy T.D. was also in attendance and spoke at the launch. 'Greater Dublins Greater Than Ever' #GDGTE will market Dublin as a great place to set up and do business and highlights what the Greater Dublin Region has to offer to inward investor businesses looking to invest and establish an assured EU base. It has been facilitated by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce who produced both a short promotional video and presentation brochure to promote the project. The initiative aims to present the great case for investing in the Greater Dublin Region and has been supported by a number of key stakeholders operating in the Greater Dublin Region including CBRE, MERC Partners, Dublin Town and DIT. The Promotional Video highlights what Dublin has to offer to potential investors under the headings Our Success So Far, What Dublin Can Offer and Why Choose Dublin with contributions from: The Lord Mayor of Dublin Minister of State, Eoghan Murphy The Dublin Commissioner for Startups, Niamh Bushnell Managing Partner of MERC Partners Executive Search, Ruth Curran Head of Research at CBRE, Marie Hunt President of DIT, Professor Brian Norton Chief Communications Officer at Dublin Airport, Paul OKane, Dublin Town CEO, Richard Guiney South Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO, Peter Byrne The accompanying brochure presents key facts relating to the attractiveness of Dublin for investment covering six key areas of financial services and regulation - infrastructure, access, skills and workforce, education/research and as a location for startups and entrepreneurs. Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr said, "For those companies that need to maintain an EU base post-Brexit, Dublin offers a great solution. Post-Brexit, Dublin will be the only English-speaking capital remaining in the EU. We have a highly-educated, skilled and enthusiastic workforce that has already attracted many of the worlds top companies to set-up here." He added, "In addition to this we are investing in the infrastructure that will be needed to support companies looking to establish a base in Dublin. The Dublin City Development Plan (2016-2022) will see many more houses, apartments, hotels and offices coming on stream, in addition to the significant development that is already underway." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us New research from JLL shows that the year-to-date investment volumes for 2016 totaled 4.5 billion, which is the second highest annual total ever achieved. The top 3 largest deals this year included Blanchardstown Town Centre for 950 million, Liffey Valley for 630 million and One Spencer Dock for 240 million. Investment volumes were boosted by 5 deals greater than 100 million. These deals accounted for close to 50% of all investment volumes for the year. According to JLL, interest in the Irish investment market was steady and balanced throughout 2016 between domestic and overseas buyers with a continuing number of new entrants to the market for this cycle including DEKA, Patrizia, Tristan and Meyer Bergman. Associate Director and Head of Research at JLL, Hannah Dwyer said, "It has been another strong year for the investment market, with total volumes close to 4.5 billion. This is the second highest total ever achieved, following a total of 4.6 billion in 2014." She added, "To date there has been no direct impact on the investment market as a result of Brexit or the election of Trump, although the change in tax legislation for previously tax exempt investment funds has already had some negative impact on demand from overseas investors. Looking ahead, we are going to be closely monitoring these economic and political situations as they directly impact the property sector, but hopefully Ireland has positioned itself in a strong enough position economically to respond to any future changes. Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) has today released its annual review statement which has highlighted its strong performance in 2016. The Digital Hub Development Agency is the Irish state agency that manages The Digital Hub. The Agency was established by the Irish Government under the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Environment and plays a key part in supporting the implementation of the National Digital Strategy. Last year, 28 new companies moved into The Digital Hub, comprising a 50:50 split between indigenous and foreign direct investment (FDI) businesses. Some companies of note who set up operations in The Digital Hub in 2016 included, Bizimply, an award-winning Irish Company that has developed an online workforce management application that supports the way restaurants and retail businesses, manage and engage with their employees. Bizimply successfully raised 2 million of investor funding during 2016 and is currently expanding its workforce with an additional 15 positions expected to be filled in 2017. Among the international enterprises who moved into The Digital Hub last year were AdScribe, who help TV platforms to recognise new revenue streams though analytics and advertising. The Digital Hub campus is now on track to very shortly have over 100 digital media, technology and Internet businesses operating out of its enterprise space based in the historic Liberties area of Dublin city centre. Collectively, almost 725 people are directly employed within what has become Irelands largest and most established cluster of technology, digital media and internet companies. Commenting on the outlook for The Digital Hub in 2017, Chief Executive Officer, Fiach Mac Conghail said, "2017 is shaping up to be a fruitful year for The Digital Hub. We have a great pipeline of ambitious companies looking to join the vibrant digital community we are developing here. Our mix of companies within the cluster is always changing." He added, "We are putting a renewed focus into revitalising the cluster dynamic to ensure more companies can really reap the benefits from being part of our wider digital community." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The total global market for drone powered business operations is valued at over $127 bn, according to PwC estimates. The industry with the largest potential market for the commercial applications of drone technology is infrastructure, with an estimated global market value of $45.2 bn. Within this industry, road and railway sector operators are already beginning to gain competitive advantage through early and effective implementation of drone powered solutions at all stages of the capital project and infrastructure life cycle Drone technologies can be used at almost every stage in the transport infrastructure life sector, starting from construction and investment monitoring, through maintenance, up to asset inventory. During construction, data gained through drones can facilitate rapid reactions to any deviations from the plan, and in extreme cases might be used as evidence in litigation. For example, in one construction project supervised by Drone Powered Solutions, the investor had savings of approximately US$2.94 million in claims settlement litigation thanks to unparalleled evidence. Other applications range from the detection and prevention of trespassing, to placement of trench protection, to enhancing site safety. For instance, the PwC Drone Powered Solutions team has calculated that the number of life threating accidents on an average construction site monitored by drones has been reduced by up to 91%. The increasing applications of drone technology in transport infrastructure projects comes at a time of large investment and heavy competition in the industry. The PwC report estimates that investments in transport infrastructure will bring global growth in capital expenditures of 4.5% annually between now and 2020. Technology Partner at PwC, David Lee commented, "Drone technology is rapidly moving from the concept to the commercial stage of its development. 7-Eleven, the worlds largest convenience store chain has recently announced that it has successfully completed 77 drone flights to customers living within a mile of one of its stores in Reno Nevada. This announcement comes shortly after Amazons announcement of its first drone delivery to a customer in the UK. However the application of drone technology goes far beyond the delivery of product to end customers. Companies in the road and railway sector operate extensive networks of complex assets distributed over vast areas, generating high costs for investment monitoring, asset inventory and maintenance." He added, "Drone technologies are affording these companies a way to complete these activities in a faster, more cost-effective and safer way than traditional methods. By acquiring various sets of data, drones are becoming an essential tool on construction sites and during regular maintenance and asset inventory." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The GRAMMY Museum will open its first international outlet outside the United States in Sanya, Hainan Province, within three years, its executive director said at a ceremony in Beijing on Monday. A concept design photo shows how the GRAMMY Museum Sanya will look. [Photo / Hainan Daily] The ceremony saw executives from the GRAMMY Museum, The Recording Academy, Beijing SEEC Culture Media Co., Sanya Municipal Government and China Music Vision jointly sign a cooperation agreement. The GRAMMY Museum Sanya will have approximately 40,000 square feet of exhibit space, including a temporary exhibit gallery and a theater. "We see the GRAMMY Museum in Sanya as the start of great musical exchanges, and the opportunity for Chinese tourists to come and learn more about how our music reflects America and American cultures," said Bob Santelli, the museum's executive director. He expected it would also be used as an educational resource. "You can imagine going into this museum and learning how recordings are made, how songs are written and how great music is produced. All of these opportunities, through technology will be available to visitors," he said. There was also a plan to hold various music festivals and activities, and explore Chinese music, he said, adding the hope that the GRAMMY Museum in the United States would eventually have an exhibition about Chinese music and Chinese musical culture. Santelli said the GRAMMY Awards were over in one day, but, for the rest of the year, people could visit the museum to see and experience music history. European shares rose on Wednesday with retail stocks back in focus after a well-received update from British grocer Sainsbury, though Cobham tanked on disappointing profits. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 0.2%, while blue-chip FTSE 100 hit a record high of 7,289.79, up 0.2%, and was headed for the best winning streak in its history. If the index closes up again today it will mark its 12th straight higher close, the longest period of consecutive gains since at least 1984. However the total gains have been modest, around 3.6% over the whole rally. "The FTSE has not exploded higher, it has inched higher," said Michael Hewson, CMC Markets analyst. Sainsbury's was in the top European gainers, jumping 5.5% to reach its highest level since May, after Britain's second-biggest supermarket beat forecasts for underlying sales in its Christmas quarter. This followed peer Morrison's strong performance in the previous session after it too reported robust figures. "UK supermarkets seem to be in rude health following bullish statements from both Morrison's and Sainsbury's," said IG analyst Josh Mahony. Danish bioscience company Chr Hansen was top of the STOXX, gaining 5.4% on consensus-beating first-quarter earnings. British aero engineering firm Cobham weighed on the STOXX, slumping more than 15%, after it missed its profit target and scrapped its final dividend. Cobham's 2016 trading profit fell short of a target it had cut just two months before the end of the year because of poor trading. It was headed for its worst day ever, through nearly three days' trading in mid-morning. UBS equities analysts said a recent change in management, with a new CEO and CFO, meant further revisions were likely once new managers undertake a deep review of the business. French utilities company Engie was the top CAC 40 faller, down 3.5% after France's government sold 100 million of its shares in the company at a 4% discount to the closing price, though it remained main shareholder with a 29% stake. British tourism company TUI also weighed on the STOXX, down 5.6% after a double downgrade from Credit Suisse to 'underperform' because of a difficult outlook for its two largest markets, the UK and Germany. Britain's testing equipment manufacturer Spectris, however, benefited from a double upgrade from BAML to rise to the top of the mid-cap FTSE 250, up 4.4%. Spain's IBEX was the only major European index to fall, weighed down by banks BBVA and Banco Popular. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The FBI has arrested a man suspected of robbing several banks in multiple states, including Monday afternoon in Preston, Idaho. According to a press release from the Preston City Police Department, 20-year-old Dakota Walker was arrested Tuesday afternoon outside his residence in Ogden, Utah. Walker is suspected of entering the Wells Fargo Bank Monday afternoon and handing a teller a note demanding money. He was wearing a black hoody and left with an undisclosed amount of cash after the teller complied. He was seen driving away in a white sedan with Utah license plates. Officers believe Walker earlier walked into the US Bank in Preston and inquired about a bank account. He left there without incident. Agents with the FBIs Northern Utah Criminal Apprehension Team (NUCAT) and officers from the Ogden Police Department made the arrest around 2 p.m. Walker was taken into custody without incident. Federal charges are pending an investigation. The press release said FBI agents appreciated the Preston City Police Department and Oneida County Sheriffs Office for their efforts in the case.

will@cvradio.com The logo of the World Economic Forum. [File photo] Fighting trade protectionism, anti-globalization and boosting confidence in the Chinese economy will be high on President Xi Jinping's agenda as he becomes the first Chinese president to attend the World Economic Forum next week, observers said. Xi will pay a state visit to Switzerland on Jan 15 to 18 and attend the forum's annual meeting in Davos on Jan 17 alongside corporate and political leaders, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Premier Li Keqiang in 2015 and by Vice-President Li Yuanchao last year. Widespread political reshuffling across the globe has dampened investor confidence and added uncertainty to the already sluggish growth of the world economy since the economic crisis in 2008. World political and economic leaders also are anticipating Xi addressing the health of the world's second-largest economy in the wake of fluctuations in the yuan and Beijing's measures to rein in systematic financial risks, experts said. Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said Xi's first trip to the Davos meeting is to address "the widespread lack of confidence over the prospects for the world economy and the lack of viable solutions". Events last year, including the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, "showcase the downward pressure of the global economy since the crisis in 2008", and "the gathering momentum against globalization and in favor of protectionism", Ruan warned. The world is expecting China to deliver a strong voice against trade protectionism at the forum because the voices of smaller countries have not been enough of a counterbalance, Ruan added. The forum also is being attended by such figures as British Prime Minister Theresa May and US Secretary of State John Kerry, AFP reported. Chen Fengying, a senior researcher on the world economy at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said, "We should make it clear (at the forum) that the existing international economic cooperative mechanisms should not be changed because of the change in state leaders." Since the world economy and globalization are "at a crossroad and a turning point", it is time for Xi to demonstrate China's power and duty as a major developing country, Chen said. Xi's comments also are highly anticipated because China's annual central economic work conference recently wrapped up, Chen noted. "China's economy is also at a crossroads. We could get either sustained growth or massive risks breaking out," Chen said. Huang Yiping, a member of the central bank monetary policy committee and an economist at Peking University, said China's current priorities include eliminating systematic financial risks and stabilizing its economic growth. During his stay in Switzerland, Xi also will visit the offices of the World Health Organization, the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee. Cafebabel is looking for a Spanish Editor! Published on January 11, 2017 Story by cafebabel ES Translation by: Benjamin Bartz en es fr it de pl Encouraging a community of volunteer Spanish collaborators, publishing and translating their articles, proposing subjects of European interest and participating actively in the happenings of our organization. Are you ready to accept the challenge? Send your application before January 22, 2017 and come to Paris with us! What is Cafebabel? Thanks to the work of 1,500 collaborators and current volunteer translators all over Europe, Cafebabel is the main European participatory media. Founded by a team of old Erasmians driven by the idea of creating a means of communication truly European, Cafebabel approaches European current events with a fresh, self-assured and non-institutional tone, putting the focus on subjects that affect the Erasmus generation of Europe. Thanks to the work of our editorial team, Cafebabel publishes annually roughly 3,000 articles in six languages: French, English, German, Italian, Spanish and Polish. Cafebabel is published by the International Babel Association, a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 with headquarters in Paris. The International Babel Association is financed with grants from European institutions and foundations. The objective of the association is to contribute to the emergence of a European public opinion. Why Join Cafebabel? To join Cafebabel to involve yourself in the heart of a dynamic European team, investing your time in a collaborative and innovative media that is changing the way Europe communicates. Working for Cafebabel means becoming a babeliano. It is contributing your ideas and your editorial sensibility as a European to develop your competencies in web journalism, encouraging a community of authors and volunteer translators. What does it take to do 'service civique' on Cafebabel? 'Service civique', a special agreement launched by the French government, allows young people between the ages of 18 and 26 to join an association to carry out a task in the interest of the public. Within the framework of Cafebabel, our goal is based on the promotion of European citizenship and the expression of young European people through participatory journalism. This position 10 non-renewable months in duration is available and having a degree is not a requirement. Just talk about your motivation and your will to apply yourself to our social project! Your Job You will be the model for the Spanish version of Cafebabel and the activity of the community of Spanish volunteers. Your boss will be Katharina Kloss, our publishing coordinator. You will constantly interact with current employees and other young people involved in the 'service civique' association. Your Tasks: You will motivate a community of Spanish authors: You will propose ideas for articles, photos and videos from a European perspective; you will encourage the members of our network of volunteers to contribute; you will accompany them and you will advise them in the writing process (angle, format, structure). You will accompany young people with their writing tasks: You will read and publish articles and selected translations (improvement of articles, verification of owners and information), you will propose improvements to the authors and translators. Improvement of the contributions of young people: Translating and publishing articles of collaborators, publishing them on social media, mobilizing our network of volunteer translators. Increased youth awareness of European citizenship: Encouraging collaborators to write or to contribute in different ways to the magazine, and to assist them in social journalism. You will contribute to Cafebabel: You will write articles, do interviews, and write news articles and translations on subjects related to the subject of European citizenship. You will participate in the happenings of Cafebabel: you will be in contact with local Spanish groups of the association, you will participate in our events, seminars and as a case correspondent to our news programs. Your Profile A young man or woman 26 years old (required), with a desire to apply themselves to social media with headquarters in Paris. If you are enthusiastic about social media and web culture, if you have a taste pronounced by the writing and edition of articles, if European current events from the perspective of society, culture or lifestyle interests you, if you are sensitive to the problems of youth and if you are knowledgeable in social media (blogs, the internet)... This is your site! Your Contract & Your Compensation Contract of involvement 'service civique' for a duration of 10 months, 35 hours per week. Start date: 20 February 2017 at the editorial office in Paris. Compensation (partially state funded + a compliment from the association): 467.34 net per month as monthly compensation for 'service civique', paid by the state + 450 for lodging (if you do not reside in Paris or the area) + 100.70 in monthly restaurant tickets + 70 for reimbursment of monthly metro voucher (with receipt). Possibility of receiving a bond of 100 per month for beneficiaries of the "Revenu de solidarite activate" (RSA) (With receipt) Terms: In order to be eligible for this type of contract, you must be no less than 26 years of age and must have been born later than February 20, 1991. Where: 226 rue Saint Denis, 75002 Paris, France How to Apply? Send your application before January 22, 2017 by email (CV+ letter of intent in English or French + two articles in Spanish) to Katharina Kloss, publishing coordinator, and to Ana Valiente, to the following address: service-civique@cafebabel.com *Important: Include your full name in the title of each file that you send. Thanks! Story by cafebabel ES Translated from Cafebabel busca un animador de nuestra red de periodistas ciudadanos para la version en espanol! Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, has met with many foreign leaders in the past two years, especially after he rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Sept 19, 2014. Here's a look at some of the most powerful global leaders who have met with Ma. Jack Ma (right) met with US president-elect Donald Trump (left) on Jan 9, 2017. [Photo / China.org.cn] Donald Trump, US President-Elect Date: January 9, 2017 Place: New York Jack Ma and the United States president-elect Donald Trump met at Trump Tower in New York on Monday, for what Trump described as a "great meeting". Ma agreed, saying it was "very productive". The two met with reporters briefly after the morning meeting, and said they discussed plans to create 1 million US jobs by allowing small and medium-sized businesses to sell to China through Alibaba's platforms. Donald Trump poses for photos during the opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., the United States on Oct. 26, 2016. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) In a New Year's Day address, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un revealed that his country's first intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching American soil has entered its "final testing stages," according to an article from Wei Qi with the South China Morning Post. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump took to twitter on January 2 accusing China of being unwilling to help contain North Korea's nuclear program, writing, "China has been taking out massive amounts of money & wealth from the U.S. in totally one-sided trade, but won't help with North Korea. Nice!" In response, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang asserted, "China's stance is clear, we insist on denuclearization of the [Korean] Peninsula, peace and stability, dialogue and negotiation. China's efforts are evident." In the time since his election, Donald Trump's foreign policy has been a topic of much debate and scrutiny, arousing concern for the immediate future of Sino-U.S. relations. On the back of his phone call with Taiwan's leader, which broke years of protocol between China and the U.S., he criticized China's trade practices and actions in the South China Sea while appointing Peter Navarro, an outspoken critic of Beijing, to head the White House National Trade Council, writes Zhang Baohui, a professor of political science and director of the Center for Asian Pacific Studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong. Given his unpredictable nature, lack of political experience and the growing uncertainty surrounding the two countries' relationship, it's no surprise that Trump's actions and foreign policy have become an obvious cause for concern. However, Zhang Baohui argues that an assessment of the president-elect's likely China policy in the context of his views on America's role in global affairs, there exists perhaps a brighter outlook for Sino-U.S. ties. Taking his most recent tweet against China as an example, his comments, according to Ruan Zongze, an international relations expert at the China Institute of International Studies, were perhaps "aimed at increasing pressure on China," a direct indicator that he "wants to push more responsibility, for dealing with the DPRK situation, to China." This claim seems close to the mark. However, it might be true, in a sense, only by default. For Zhang, an analysis of Trump's "America First" slogan reveals the nature of his intended foreign policy as a repudiation of the traditional role of the U.S. as a leader in international affairs. Zhang makes the argument that Trump's time in office will be defined by the "offshore balancing" strategy, which can be characterized in opposition to the huge cost of America's global primacy strategy, maintaining that the country should instead reduce its global involvements and allow the regional balance of power to maintain stability. In giving up the global primacy strategy, Zhang writes that Trump's America could refuse the traditional "power rivalry" between nations as the fundamental driver of international relations, which could theoretically usher in more relaxed relations between China and the U.S., leading to a cautiously optimistic outlook for the two powers during his presidency. Considering this argument in the context of Trump's most recent tweet "aimed at increasing pressure on China," and a direct indicator that he "wants to push more responsibility, for dealing with the DPRK situation, to China," his actions could instead be seen as an attempt to indirectly shift regional responsibility away from the U.S. Despite the more optimistic nature of Zhang's argument, the unpredictable nature of Trump's character remains a constant concern, his refusal of intelligence remains dangerously ill advised and his blatant disregard for protocol and the normal channels of communication remain a potential threat to diplomacy. With this in mind, and in the context of Zhang's argument, one of a relaxed power rivalry between China and the U.S. where Trump's tweets exist in a political vacuum without any severe impact on relations, and one where Trump sees America offloading responsibility, Chinese government officials could potentially find themselves in the driver seat of Sino-U.S. relations. Barring a potential trade-war between the two nations, which Trump would instigate not necessarily to negatively impact China, but rather favorably impact the U.S., Beijing could potentially procure a better position of influence over the course of Sino-U.S. relations throughout his presidency. Having previously lived in Beijing working as a journalist and editor, Kyle Calandra is currently based in America reporting on Sino-U.S. Relations as a contributor for China.org.cn. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Parents Rolling on the Ground Wilson MUSA It was an emotional atmosphere Tuesday January 10, 2017 at the governors office in Bamenda, North West region following the arrival of 21 now former detainees arrested on December 8, 2016 and ferried to Yaounde. Some parents who came and did not see their child burst out in tears, screaming at the top of voices, cursing the government for arresting them. Some mothers could be seen rolling on the ground after discovering that their children were not among the 21. They cried out their lungs but were later reassured that their children could be in the next group of youths who are still to be released. The women accused the government of masterminding the presumed death of their children. Ex Detainees Meet Governor Lele Lafrique (c) Wilson MUSA The former detainees told media men that the detention condition was appalling, some said they were flogged and had their cloths taken off before being taken to Yaounde. Some revealed that feeding condition was bad coupled with the fact that they were being rough handled by older prisoners. The 21 youths were received by Governor Adolphe LELE LAfrique of the North West region who encouraged them to start and live a normal life. Former Detainees listening to a source... (c) Wilson MUSA No information has filtered as to when they remaining 20 youths will be released. The youths were arrested following a violent strike action which took place on December 8, 2016. By Wilson MUSA U.S. allegations that Russia swayed the presidential election demonstrate the ever-increasing importance of cyber security in international affairs. [Xinhua] The allegations by the United States that Russia purposefully hacked important data and released it in a systematic way to influence the outcome of the presidential elections is now official. The key findings of a report by U.S. intelligence agencies provide glimpses of the Russia's purported meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The report directly targets President Vladimir Putin for orchestrating interference in the electoral process to tip it subtly in the favor of Donald Trump, who ultimately won to the astonishment of everyone. Apparently, Putin wanted to discredit U.S. democratic institutions and with it U.S. politics and leadership. "We assess with high confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election, the consistent goals of which were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrate Secretary (Hillary) Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency," says the scathing report. The findings support the belief that Trump's victory was not secured though the genuine will of the people of the United States. Things were manipulated in a systematic way. According to the report, the Russian government tried to discredit Hillary Clinton. "All three agencies agree with this judgment. The CIA and FBI have high confidence in this judgment; the NSA (National Security Agency) has moderate confidence," according to report. Trump was more acceptable to Russia than Clinton, who maintained a tough line towards Moscow's policies in Syria and Ukraine. Trump is more lenient and might be ready to explore the possibility of a joint front against violent extremism, and especially against groups like the Islamic State. The report also delves into the reasons why Putin hates Clinton and how the plan to tamper with the elections was politically motivated. The important aspect of the entire saga is how to quantify the exact amount of Russian influence to determine the number of voters swayed by the alleged interference through cyberattacks. Without sound data to support the argument, it is just an allegation. I am not in a position to pass any judgment over the allegations by the U.S. or the nature of influence Russian meddling had on the elections. But the idea of using cyber space to sway popular opinion in a wholesale manner is pretty interesting. We all know that the internet has unleashed unimaginable possibilities for the world. But to use it so delicately as to manipulate the appointment of the new leader of a super power is mind-boggling. It shows that nobody is secure in the cyber world. It is terrifying as well. The intelligence report about the hacking of emails by Russia has in fact set the tone for a new "war" between the United States and Russia. It will be different from the Cold War, actual wars and proxy conflicts. It is aimed at the nerve center of a nation. The antagonists might seriously damage each other by hacking the key information and data that are linked with national security. The cyber war as it should be called is already taking place on social media, where different groups and governments operate anonymous or fake accounts, which generate content to influence opinion. The report by U.S. intelligence has also served another purpose, as the incoming president Trump will start his term under the influence of the Russian meddling in the election. In fact, the report has weakened Trump even before he could begin his tenure as President. He will have to be careful while dealing with Putin. The U.S. establishment is making sure that Trump should not go the extra mile in accommodating Putin on key security and trade issues. The report also serves this purpose. But it may be just a coincidence that it was released days ahead of Trump taking over the Oval Office. 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. | BY Ricki Green | Eight has further bolstered its executive team with the appointment of producer Daniel Higgins to the role of general manager. Higgins will work alongside managing director and executive producer, Katie Millington to assist in further developing the business both locally and internationally. Says Higgins: Id been looking for my next challenge and Ive found it at Eight. The calibre of directing talent, from seasoned pros to rising stars and the incredible in-house producing team is absolutely world class. I cant wait to grab 2017 by the balls and help Katie take Eight to the next level. With a decade of production company experience and a genuine love for the industry, Higgins brings with him strong business acumen. Although taking on more of a business role, Higgins will continue to produce for Eight. Says Higgins: I love producing and working with creative and client, so its awesome I can continue this at Eight. Rest assured I will still be around and available for any pressing business-related lunching requirements. Says Millington: Get your hand off it Dan. Anyway. Dans networking prowess and ultimate staying power got my attention in Cannes last year. Our business has grown up and out at great speed over the past five years, so Ive been looking for a producer with an entrepreneurial mindset to join me at upper management level for some time. Ive always really liked Dans vibe; hes ambitious, clever and his energy and positivity will no doubt be a great asset to us. With offices in both Australia and New Zealand, Higgins is the latest acquisition in a swag of new hires and promotions, including Anna Kennedys appointment as EP, New Zealand and Lib Kellys promotion to EP, Australia. Producer Nick Kelly has also recently joined the Australian production team. In addition, Eight has today announced plans to ramp up its Line Production services and has some exciting international partnerships in the works. Says Millington: Were incredibly proud of the executive team weve assembled. Theyre a bunch of talented, creative producers with a shared vision for the future of our business. | BY Ricki Green | GroupM Australia has appointed Nathan Cook to the role of investment director, reporting to chief investment officer Seb Rennie. Cook steps up from his current role as head of trading APAC at GroupM agency Maxus and will be based in Melbourne, helping support key clients like CUB, NAB and Jetstar just to name a few. Cook will also support national trading initiatives working with Rennie. With broad experience in media investment, negotiations and marketing implementation across Australia and Asia Pacific, Cook will support Rennie in managing trading across GroupM agencies. Additionally, he will be responsible for the implementation of GroupM processes, commercial consistency and compliance within the agencies. Cook began his media career in 1999 at Zenith before joining Mindshare for almost nine years. He has also spent time at Ikon and worked as a consultant advising the Victorian Governments South East Water corporation on outdoor advertising. Says Rennie: Nathans impressive negotiation skills coupled with his broader knowledge of trading best practices across all media will ensure that GroupM continues to be a leader in delivering optimum media value and full accountability to our clients. His strong relationships with clients across the region and his tireless efforts as a mentor for emerging talent are also testament to his character, and Im pleased we can tap into his strengths for the benefit of all GroupM agencies and clients. Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 8:26PM The version of Carpool Karaoke that you know wont quite be the same under Apples wings. According to the shows executive producer Ben Winston, this time around there will be 16 different hosts for 16 specials, which each Winston describes as being its own event. Some of the hosts you can expect to see include Chelsea Handler, Seth MacFarlane, John Legend, and, of course, James Corden. The Late Late Show host expressed how he isnt upset with the changes. This time around what viewers can expect from the Apple Music show is there wont just be singing. There will be like a 30-minute show with interviews and even getting out of the car. Some of the interesting matchups for Carpool Karaoke include Corden with Will Smith, MacFarlane with Ariana Grande, and Legend with Alicia Keys. Theres something about the intimacy of a car, says Winston, adding that theres just something kinetic that happens between two people when they connect here, more so than in a studio. Source: Deadline "I also inform you, President that there is an application to be filed in the High Court sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns tomorrow regarding another matter concerning yourself and that in the event you as the President refuse to withdraw the letter I may be left with no option but to join you in the High Court application," the letter said. On Jan 5, 2017, CCC&TSPM of Donghe District, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, held the worship service for preachers and deacons ordination. 12 preachers and 134 deacons in total were newly ordained. "This clergyman ordination is out of the practical need to the development of the church. Speaking of numbers and scope of radiance, this is by far the largest ordination in Inner Mongolia," said Pastor Wang Xiaozhen, director of CCC&TSPM of Donghe District, who presided over the service. On Dec 18, 2016, CCC&TSPM of Baotou held the anointment ceremony in Ximen Christian Church of Donghe District where 44 fellow workers from different districts of Baotou were ordained as pastors. According to CCC&TSPM of Inner Mongolia, the preparation of the clergyman ordination of Baotou began in early 2016 when the local CCC&TSPM held the standing committee meeting. Working scope and objects of the ordination were set at the meeting, as well as a sound evaluation system. After selecting the loyal people who love God, fellow workers of different churches performed preliminary assessments of the applicants. The application period finished in June. CCC&TSPM of Donghe District performed in-depth assessments of various churches. Translated by: Grace Hubl The department's spokeswoman said the overall package was "based on consideration the role and accountability of the CEO position, the skills and experience required of the occupant and the remuneration of similar positions across government, including roles in health and those outside of the health sector". This first data centre, which will have a capacity of 40,000 servers, is expected to be operational by the end of May 2017. The physical building the new data centre will be housed in was previously owned by a telecommunications company OVH declined to name, and it has ambitious plans to fit it out in six months. The company plans at least two more data centres in the UK for disaster recovery purposes. The first of the three data centres will be interconnected to OVHs point of presence in London through a double fibre path, providing it with redundancy. Its proximity to two substations makes it possible to provide a high electrical capacity on site. Located less than half a millisecond from OVHs point of presence (PoP) in London, the new facility benefits from a direct connection to its data centresin Gravelines (then Roubaix and Paris), Amsterdam (then Brussels and Frankfurt), Montreal, and New York, through the fibre network that the OVH group has deployed worldwide to reduce latency. OVHs first UK data centre will cover 4,000 square metres with no colocation space. The European cloud leader expects the data centre to be operational at the end of May 2017. The speed of deployment is helped, said OVH, by the nature of the facility that formerly belonged to a telecommunications operator. The two other data centres OVH plans to set up in the UK will provide users with a backup solution: a second site on the outskirts of London, and a third one that is sufficiently remote that it can operate as a recovery site outside the failure domain of the two other sites. These three facilities will be interconnected, like the other datacenters of the group, through OVHs private network. Rajesh Agrawal, deputy mayor of London for business, said: "OVH's decision to open its first UK data centre in London offers further proof that London remains open to investment, talent and innovation from all over the world. We look forward to welcoming more innovative technology businesses such as OVH to London." OVH has had a presence in the UK since 2007, via a subsidiary based in London, and is located a few miles from the planned first data centre. The company claims that it has already attracted many British customers such as BulbThings, which aims to revolutionise asset management through data mining, Lineup Systems, a company that specialises in online advertising tools, and XTM International, an English leader in translation technologies. In order to fund its global expansion project, OVH completed a capital increase of 250 million with two investment funds, KKR and TowerBrook in 2016. The company also announced a 1.5 billion investment plan over 5 years. This will cover the construction of several additional datacenters by the end of 2017 in the United States, Italy, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, and in Germany, where OVH has just acquired its first site near its PoP of Frankfurt. The launch of 4G in Egypt had been beset with delays as operators refused to meet a number of the NTRAs license terms, which included paying half of the value of the spectrum in US dollars. Telecom Egypt was the first to secure a 4G license in July 2016, but the countrys three foreign-owned operators Etisalat, Orange and Vodafone all claimed there was inadequate spectrum on offer. In October, the NTRA announced it had reached agreements on the terms for 4G licenses with all interested operators. Orange paid $484 million, while Etisalat paid $535.5 million. Vodafone Egypt, which is part-owned by Telecom Egypt, paid $335 million. In a recent visit to the country, GSMA director general Mats Granryd said operators there supported government plans to release more spectrum later this year. The GSMA is very pleased with the successful launch of 4G services in Egypt and we stand ready to engage with all stakeholders in Egypt to ensure continued success and growth of the Egyptian mobile economy. Having lived and worked in Egypt for several years, I feel confident that the launch of 4G will prove to be a key milestone for the country, commented Granryd. A plea agreement is near for one of the two men charged in the March 14 murder of Kenneth Patterson in the town of Eagle Point. An offer has been made by the state. I believe it is likely we will have an agreement here, said Eau Claire attorney Matthew J. Krische, who is representing Matthew L. Labrec, 21. Krische on Tuesday told Judge Steven Cray that Labrec needs time to consider the plea agreement and whether to accept it. Cray set a conference on the cases status for 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9. Labrec is charged with first-degree intentional homicide along with Jesse R. Lloyd, 21. Labrec is being held in Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage while Lloyd is being held in the Waupun Correctional Institution on separate charges. Lloyd is scheduled to next appear in court at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 1. One of the four men originally charged with harboring/aiding a felon in the case, Gary E. Larose, 39, of Chippewa Falls, last month reached a plea deal and agreed to testify for the prosecution of Labrec and Lloyd. Laroses harboring and aiding charge was read into the court record and dismissed. He is scheduled to return to court after pleading no contest to being a felon possessing a firearm at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 4. The three remaining men charged with harboring/aiding a felon have various court dates. Nicholas D. Rands, 36, of Chippewa Falls, is scheduled to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. Steven Kolpien Jr., 29, of Chippewa Falls will come back to court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, while Timmy Lee Johnson, 45, of Cornell will return at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29. The body of Patterson, an Eau Claire resident, was found on lawn in the town of Eagle Point. A criminal complaint said Lloyd and Labrec intended to rob Patterson because they needed money and also as a way to exact revenge for some perceived slights. Labrec said he heard Lloyd shoot Patterson. Labrec stayed in prison for Tuesdays court proceeding. While being impressed by taking part in the State of the State address for the first time, freshman State Rep. Rob Summerfield is cautious about some portions of Republican Gov. Scott Walkers address. That included Walkers pledge to tuition for Wisconsin residents going to University of Wisconsin schools. Well wait to see when he formulates the budget in February, said Summerfield (R-Bloomer), who was elected in November as the 67th Assembly District representative. The 67th District covers most of Chippewa County and portions of Dunn County. Summerfield is supportive of the governors statement the state will help rural schools that have challenges including transportation costs, broadband access and enrollment losses. Summerfield said he wants to make rural schools a priority. State Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls), who represents the 23rd Senate District, liked what he called Walkers focus on developing the states workforce and making education more accessible. By investing in education and training, Wisconsins strong workforce will only improve, Moulton said in a press release. I share Governor Walkers pride in what we have been able to accomplish during our time in office, from holding down property taxes to their lowest levels since the end of World War II, to lowering Wisconsins unemployment rate to the lowest level in 15 years, Moulton said. Another Republican legislator, 68th Assembly District Rep. Kathy Bernier of Lake Hallie, said Walker did an outstanding job finding a private sector solution to refinancing student loan debt. Walker touted the website LookForwardWI.gov to provide refinancing options. As for local schools, Bernier said she wants the state to adjust the funding formula for districts, going back to the Qualified Economic Offer system with some adjustments. The state cant afford bringing every school district to the highest level of per pupil spending, but it can boost what local schools are getting, she said. As for Walkers speech Tuesday, Bernier said: It was a good brief overview of what were working towards. New conflict Walkers vow to cut in-state tuition at all University of Wisconsin campuses sets up another conflict with UW officials, who have weathered a four-year tuition freeze and a $250 million cut in the previous budget. They hoped to see state aid increase $43 million in the next budget and the tuition freeze thaw. Walker underscored the states recovery from the Great Recession while repeating we are working and winning for Wisconsin in the half-hour speech. Are the people of Wisconsin ... better off than we were six years ago? The answer is a resounding, Yes, Walker said, after highlighting examples of people who have found jobs in the state. Walker highlighted the states low unemployment rate and high workforce participation rate, as well as the UW tuition freeze and more than 21,000 food stamp recipients who have participated in the states job training program. Walker put the tax cuts, a total of $4.7 billion since 2011, in real dollars, saying the median family of four received a cumulative $1,159 income tax cut. Thats based on a family of four in 2014 earning $85,859, according to the Department of Revenue. The median household income in 2015 was $55,638. The total $4.7 billion tax cut includes other changes that have benefited businesses, property owners and the wealthy. Little details Aside from the tuition cut, Walkers speech didnt include many other new details about his upcoming 2017-19 budget proposal, which will most likely come during his biennial budget address in February. Walker mentioned many of the proposals he has already announced, such as a significant increase for K-12 schools and $65 million more in new aids for local road repairs, which he said was the largest increase since the 1990s. Also in the middle of Walkers speech, First Lady Tonette Walker spoke about a program aimed at helping children affected by family trauma. It was her first time speaking at State of the State, Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said. New political landscape The speech comes as a new national political landscape emerges in Washington, where President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president next week. Walker has asked Trump to give more control to the state in areas such as Medicaid and transportation spending, drug testing for food stamp recipients, limiting the resettlement of refugees and hunting gray wolves. Walkers repeated talk of winning was a twist on Trump claiming about the country we dont win any more and promising supporters they will get sick of winning under President Trump. Walker is up for re-election in November 2018, but hasnt said whether he will seek a third term. His job approval rating dipped to historic lows during his failed run for president in 2015. Democrats, still reeling from the loss of an additional Assembly and Senate seat in the recent election, called Walkers speech a State of Denial address and rejected his premise the state is better off. They pointed to an impasse over shoring up the states transportation fund shortfall. Walker has refused to increase the states gas tax, while continuing to borrow money to pay for the states road repairs. Walker plans to say safety and maintenance of our existing transportation system is a priority. And though the state has enacted nearly $5 billion in tax cuts since Walker took office, the states economy and job creation have continued to trail the nation and neighboring states. Meanwhile the state budget is again pinched by slow tax revenue growth and increasing costs for roads and health care. As Governor Walker begins his 7th year in office, it has become clear that he is unwilling or unable to address the bigger challenges facing Wisconsin now and in the future, Rep. Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, said in a statement. The Governor has become a weak leader at a time when we need bold leadership. Last week Walker convened a special session of the Legislature to address the states heroin epidemic. Bills to be taken up in coming weeks will require prescriptions for cough syrup with codeine, create recovery charter schools for students who abuse drugs and allow relatives to commit drug-addicted family members to treatment, similar to the way alcoholism is treated. Walker also plans to fund four additional Justice Department agents to investigate drug trafficking and spend $1 million on grants for treatment centers, among other budget-related proposals. Walker also highlighted the states property taxes as a percentage of personal income being at their lowest point since World War II. That comes after he and the Republican Legislature boosted educational aids and property tax credits by $1.7 billion over the past six years, while keeping a tight lid on the ability of school districts and technical colleges to raise property taxes. It also comes as personal income growth has slowed nationally. 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. In a bid to avoid fake caste certificates the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has taken a serious note of it. Citing cases where fake SC, ST and OBC certificates were used by candidates to get admission in colleges, the AICTE has decided to create a database of such cases in order to undertake preventive measures. In a government notification, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has stated its concerns about the Government of India receiving complaints regarding the use of fake SC, ST and OBC certificates for getting admissions in educational institutions. "In view of the serious concern expressed by the Government of India", the circular has urged all the AICTE-approved institutions to devise a mechanism to identify cases where fake caste certificates are used during the admission process. Also, it has instructed all the the institutions to send the data to AICTE annually, so that a database can be created and measures to prevent fake certificates could be carried out. The AICTE gives approval to hundreds of engineering colleges and technical institutions in the country. About AICTE The AICTE was constituted in 1945 as an advisory body in all matters relating to technical education. Even though it had no statutory powers, it played a very important role in the development of technical education in the country. It had four regional committees with offices at Chennai, Mumbai, Kanpur and Calcutta. All the new schemes and proposals for starting new institutions/Programmes were approved by the corresponding Regional Committee and subsequently vetted by the Council. AICTE and Skill Development Ministry Must Unite: Rudy The following editorial appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal: The best thing state leaders can do for Wisconsins rural economy this year is commit more attention and resources to high-speed internet. That message came through loud and clear during the fall election campaign, when dozens of candidates for the statehouse from across south-central Wisconsin met with the State Journal editorial board, seeking our endorsement. Voters were stressing the need for faster digital connections so local businesses could sell products around the globe, so schoolchildren could do their homework, and so farmers could operate high-tech equipment, the candidates told us. Republicans and Democrats alike said they were committed to the effort. Now its time for them to deliver. Gov. Scott Walker recently proposed increasing funding for faster internet, called broadband, by $35.5 million. That would be on top of $16.5 million already committed. The state money will help encourage private investment and maximize $570 million from the federal Connect America Fund II thats supposed to bring high-speed connections to 230,000 homes and small businesses across mostly rural areas of Wisconsin. Broadband allows fast internet browsing, online commerce and video streaming that businesses need to sell products, and students need to access modern educational tools. For example, some school districts offer students access to online sites from home that track and challenge each student in reading and math, adjusting the lessons to their abilities. Teachers get instant reports on each childs online activities and performance. AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier have secured federal dollars to help improve and provide fast internet to large swaths of the state. The companies also are investing money of their own. AT&T told State Journal business editor Larry Avila last week it invested about $835 million in Wisconsin between 2013 to 2015 for communications infrastructure. Increasingly, companies are extending broadband to remote areas using wireless technology and existing cellphone towers. Its not just a rural issue. Parts of Dane County still have weak and unreliable internet. And Madison officials are trying to provide fiber-optic internet service to more low-income residents. President-elect Donald Trump has talked about rebuilding Americas roads, bridges and other infrastructure. He should add broadband to the list. Rural voters, especially in Wisconsin, were key to helping Trump win the White House. If the Republican president-elect truly wants to help rural economies and promote job growth, keeping the Connect America Fund going strong will be key. So will including broadband in any federal building plan. Gov. Walker rejected millions of dollars in federal funding for broadband years ago. That was a mistake. But with Republicans running Washington, the governor appears much more inclined to accept federal help. Thats good. This shouldnt be a partisan issue. Wisconsin needs strong digital connections across the state to succeed in the global marketplace and to keep and attract more young people in smaller towns and cities. Rising inequality and social polarization are set to shape world developments for the next decade after contributing to Britains decision to leave the European Union and the ballot-box success of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the World Economic Forum said. Climate change was underlined as the third major global trend in the WEFs annual assessment of global risks, published on Wednesday at an event at Bloomberg LPs European headquarters in London. It said world leaders must work together to avoid further hardship and volatility in the coming decade. Theres a wide array of potential threats; growing social and political turmoil, potential business interruptions which could stem from inter-state conflict, from social instability, terrorist attacks, John Drzik, president of global risk at Marsh USA Inc., which contributed to the study, said in an interview. This whole social and political context creates the potential for disruption. A weak economic recovery following the global financial crisis has widened the gap between rich and poor, fueling a sense of economic malaise thats led to the rise of populist parties, according to the report. While Brexit and Trump were the highest-profile signs of an anti-establishment backlash in Western democracies, the evidence extends far wider, with support growing for far-right parties in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands among others. Continued slow growth combined with high debt and demographic change creates an environment that favors financial crises and growing inequality, WEF founder Klaus Schwab wrote in the reports preface. Pervasive corruption, short-termism and unequal distribution of the benefits of growth suggest that the capitalist economic model may not be delivering for people. The survey involved 750 experts assessing 30 global risks ranging from deflation and asset bubbles to extreme weather events, terrorist attacks, food crises and cyber attacks. They identified trends including an aging population, climate change, social polarization and income inequality that could amplify those risks. The forum ranked risks by impact and by likelihood. While weapons of mass destruction were deemed the most impactful risk, they were also judged unlikely. Extreme weather events were the next most impactful, and were also rated the most likely risk. The next four most likely risks were large-scale involuntary migration, major natural disasters, large-scale terrorist attacks and a massive incident of data theft or fraud. The report will be discussed at the WEFs annual gathering of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland, beginning Jan. 17. Rising income inequality was identified as the most important underlying trend determining global events, followed by climate change and societal polarization. The WEF said that the share of income going to the top 1 percent of earners has increased in countries including the U.S., Britain, Australia and Canada since the 1980s. The policy of quantitative easing, whereby central banks make large-scale purchases of government bonds, has exacerbated inequality by enriching owners of financial assets, it said. Concerns over income and wealth distribution are becoming more politically disruptive, and much greater emphasis is needed on the increasing financial insecurity that characterizes many peoples lives, the WEF said. The combination of economic inequality and political polarization threatens to amplify global risks, fraying the social solidarity on which the legitimacy of our economic and political systems rests. The reports authors pointed to a deteriorating commitment to global cooperation, with Russia and South Africa among nations pulling out of the International Criminal Court in 2016 and China rejecting the verdict of an international tribunal over disputed waters in the South China Sea. In addition, Trump has said hes considering pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, the first truly global deal committing nations to curb the emissions that cause global warming. For businesses, the biggest risk is the potential for cyberattacks, particularly as more household devices and industrial controls become connected to the Internet, according to Drzik. This is the risk that is on the minds of the boards and CEOs, Drzik said. If you take an event where 100,000 household devices are activated as weapons, it starts to get you to think in an era of geopolitical tensions and state-sponsored attacks about what could happen. These are things like thermostats, any lighting device, anything thats connected to the Internet in your house can be used now as a weapon. New Technologies The WEF called for the creation of new policies to help more people benefit from new technologies. It examined 12 emerging technologies, ranging from three-dimensional printing to renewable energy. Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics yielded the greatest potential benefits, but also the biggest potential negative effects, it said. Without proper governance and re-skilling of workers, technology will eliminate jobs faster than it creates them, said Cecilia Reyes, chief risk officer at Zurich Insurance Group, which contributed to the study. Governments can no longer provide historical levels of social protection and an anti-establishment narrative has gained traction, with new political leaders blaming globalization for societys challenges, creating a vicious cycle in which lower economic growth will only amplify inequality. Marsh & McLennan Companies also contributed to the report, among others. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. A 24-year-old man from Michigan recently got a rather unpleasant surprise for leaving his car running in his driveway. Late last week, while inside his house, Taylor Trupiano did what many people do when the temperature drops under 32 degrees; he left his car unlocked and running in the driveway to warm up. But much to his surprise, when he returned, he found a $128 ticket on his windshield for leaving the motor running with no on around! While on the surface it may appear that a rogue ticket inspector got involved, the Roseville Police Department is standing by the ticket saying that it violates a local ordinance where cars cannot be left unattended while turned on because someone might steal it. Speaking with CBS News, and ABC7, Roseville Police Chief James Berlin said I encourage our officers to write this ticket. All it takes is someone to hop in this car and take off. Then theres a chase often at a high rate of speed and all that could have been prevented. Its common sense. We cant warn everybody of the law there is. Common sense says you dont leave your car running unattended. However, that wont do much to quell Trupianos frustration as he posted an image of the fine on his Facebook page where it has been shared almost 14,000 times and has over 5,000 comments. The 2018 Camry is undoubtedly one of the highlights in Detroit and according to Toyota, it promises to be more exciting than ever before. The latest generation of the hugely popular mid-size sedan has adopted an edgier design to make it look much more premium than the outgoing model. The changes start at the front end with tweaked headlights and most notably, a brand-new grille design that incorporates black mesh and gloss black edges for the sporty models. The new Camry Hybrid by comparison adopts an all-chrome grille. Stylistic changes continue down the sides of the new Camry and to the rear where large taillights have been fitted alongside a bumper incorporating eye-catching creases and curved edges. Underpinning the new Camry is the Toyota New Global Architecture and thanks to its extensive use of high-strength steel, it is more rigid than the current model. In the United States, three different engine options will be offered. These include a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four and a 3.5-liter V6, both coupled to an eight-speed automatic. The new Camry Hybrid adds an electric motor to the 2.5-liter and mates it to a CVT. PHOTO GALLERY home World Christian killed for selling alcohol as attacks against believers in Egypt escalate A Christian shopkeeper was killed outside his store in Alexandria, Egypt last week for selling alcoholic beverages. The attacker reportedly yelled "Allahu akbar [Allah is the greatest]!" before cutting the shopkeeper's throat. Youssef Lamei, a member of the Coptic Christian community, was smoking a hookah pipe outside the store when a man in a green jacket approached him and cut his throat. The shopkeeper stumbled off the street and eventually died from his injury. Lamei's son, Tony, told World Watch Monitor that they went after the attacker, but he got into a car that was waiting for him. He believed that his father was targeted because of his Christian faith. The perpetrator, who was identified as 48-year-old Adel Soliman, was arrested by the police on Wednesday morning while he was hiding in a building near the Al-Montazah police station. Youssef's brother, Nasef, believed that the attack had been planned and said that the killer had visited the shop several times before the attack. Nasef told International Christian Concern that Youssef had agreed to close his shop during Ramadan to avoid offending his Muslim neighbors. Tony noted that his father agreed not to sell alcohol during the daily five Muslim prayer times when he was approached by conservative clerics. The attack on Lamei came just weeks after the Cairo church bombing that killed at least 27 people. A recent statement released by the Human Rights Watch noted that the current administration has "failed to protect Coptic Christians from violent attacks and instead enforced 'reconciliation' sessions with their Muslim neighbors that deprive them of their rights and allow attackers to evade justice. In some cases, Christians were obliged to leave their homes, villages or towns." Human rights activist Ahmed Naguib noted that most of the attacks occur in rural areas far from Cairo and Alexandria. "It's in these areas where the government uses reconciliation where it should instead punish those responsible for crimes against Christians," he said. In the province of Minya, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights has documented 77 religiously motivated attacks against Copts in the last five years. Minya, which is located 150 miles south of Cairo, has one of the largest Christian population in the country. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, whose struggles to find a suitable home we highlighted yesterday, just announced this afternoon that they have reached a deal to come to downtown Los Angeles. The $1.5 billion museum, funded entirely by Star Wars creator George Lucas, and dedicated to illustration, comics, film, animation, and other forms of narrative art, will be built in downtown L.A.s Exposition Park. Here is the official statement from the Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts board of directors: Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Police are searching for a man who tried to steal a faucet from Rona in Penticton on Jan. 3. Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth said at about 7:30 p.m. a man ran out of the store with the $400 faucet, with an employee in pursuit. The faucet was recovered and the man dropped his bag and left his bike at the scene. Police found the mans identification in the bag, which matched the surveillance footage from the store. Drug paraphernalia was also found. Police are now in the process of seeking a warrant for the mans arrest. Photo: Digital trends Wanted: one cellphone thief. Vancouver police used an ad on Craigslist to bait a prolific cellphone thief into stealing an iPhone from an undercover cop. Police posted an ad online promoting an iPhone for sale and the thief took the bait, making plans to meet up with the seller last week. The suspect approached the officer, hit her in the chest, grabbed the bag with the iPhone and ran off. He was located in a home close to the meeting spot shortly after he fled. Scammers and thieves will never know when the person on the other end of an ad is a police officer, says VPD Staff Sgt. Randy Fincham. Posting an ad to sell fraudulent tickets, or with the intent of committing a robbery or theft, is one way to find a cop on Craigslist. Jacob Beck, of Vancouver, has been charged with three counts of robbery. His next court date is set for Jan. 11. Police say those selling high-value items online should: Photo: Mike de Jong British Columbia's finance minister says he's worried that United States president-elect Donald Trump's protectionist talk will turn into policy when it comes to softwood lumber. Mike de Jong said that while he has no idea what the incoming Trump administration will act upon, its rhetoric has certainly been focused on shielding the U.S. from foreign competition. "There are protectionists in the U.S. who have repeatedly sought to deny American consumers access to the forest products ... that we produce more efficiently than anyone else," he told a news conference Tuesday. "They don't like the competition. And we're seeing that again." A U.S. trade commission ruled last week that Canadian lumber products are harming American producers, setting the stage for the imposition of duties that could cause job losses and plant closures north of the border. De Jong said forestry remains a cornerstone of the B.C. economy and countless communities rely upon the industry. Those communities have worked to diversify their markets, so the province is not as vulnerable as it was 15 years ago, he said. "But, the forces of protectionism, if allowed or encouraged to proceed down that path, will cause us problems." He said Premier Christy Clark and the B.C. government are working closely with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and have indicated to him that softwood lumber should be the priority on trade. "It should be at the top of the list when the prime minister and soon-to-be president Trump sit down for their inevitable first discussion," de Jong said. "It has great implications for this country." De Jong added that free trade doesn't only benefit Canadians. "There are upwards of 20 or 25 million Americans, Americans who rely on trade with Canada for their jobs," he said. "It's probably time someone started talking on their behalf ... and pointing out the price that they will pay, that small-town America will pay, if barriers are erected at our border, and the price that American consumers will pay." The preliminary finding made by the U.S. International Trade Commission last week could force American importers of Canadian lumber to pay cash deposits to cover preliminary countervailing duties in early March, followed in mid-May with deposits for any anti-dumping duties, unless the deadlines are extended. The decision to investigate came in response to petitions from the U.S. Lumber Coalition, which alleges that provincial governments, owners of most of Canada's vast timberlands, provide trees to Canadian producers at rates far below market value, along with other subsidies. Softwood producers in Canada dispute the allegations. The B.C. Lumber Trade Council has said the claims are based on unsubstantiated arguments that were previously rejected by independent NAFTA panels. It is quite possibly the biggest haul to ever come out of Swan Lake. On Tuesday a full-size Dodge Ram truck was hauled from the frigid waters. The truck broke through the ice on the weekend and settled on the bottom of the lake north of Vernon. Crews had to locate the truck and cut a large rectangular hole in the ice before divers with Inland Divers Underwater Services could enter the water and hook up the truck. Because sediment on the lake bottom was stirred up by the activities, divers said visibility was low and they basically had to feel their way around and hook the tow line to the truck. A large tow truck 100 meters from the shoreline then pulled the red pickup to shore. Kandis Lipsett, with the Ministry of Environment, said one of the main concerns was leaking fuel or oil from the vehicle. Fortunately, the ice will act as a boom, said Lipsett as crews began to haul the truck from lake. As soon as the vehicle emerged from the hole, Lipsett inspected the water to see if any fuel had leaked. There was no sheen on the water and I did not see anything dripping from the truck so it looks good, said Lipsett. Coincidentally, it was almost exactly one year ago when another truck broke through the ice on Swan Lake about 200 metres north of the current mishap. Inland Divers Underwater Services were called to secure that vehicle as well. Photo: Contributed For the second year in a row, a Grinch has stolen thousands of dollars' worth of gear from a Vancouver Christmas charity event. Heavy cables used to power the Bright Nights in Stanley Park light display were swiped Monday night. The gear belongs to the Firefighters' Burn Fund, which stages the annual display. It is extremely disheartening, spokesman Ray Boucher told CTV. To get hit like this again is a real kick in the head. Copper thieves targeted the event twice last year. The gear wouldn't have been easy to steal it weighs more than 2,000 pounds. It's also worth more than $10,000, so it is a big hit for the charity, which will be forced to spend donated money on security next season. with files from CTV Vancouver Photo: City of Edmonton Edmonton's Valley Zoo is in fourth spot on an animal right's group's 2016 list of the Ten Worst Zoos For Elephants in North America. It's the seventh consecutive year the zoo has been featured on the list issued annually by California-based In Defense of Animals. The zoo remains under fire after a protracted battle by activists including former American game show host Bob Barker to get it to move its 41-year old Asian elephant Lucy to a sanctuary in the U.S. The animal rights group says the zoo continues to keep its only elephant in a barren, cramped and cold prison. It is again urging it to move Lucy to a sanctuary where she can live in a better climate with other elephants for company. Zoo officials have said in the past that Lucy would likely die if she was moved because of health issues. Photo: Facebook Health regulators say at least three people suffered infections after receiving cosmetic procedures, including eye lifts and Botox injections, from a woman who is not licensed as a doctor. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. was tipped off by a member of the public in November that cosmetic surgeries were allegedly being performed in the basement of a home in Delta, said college CEO Dr. Heidi Oetter. The college was granted a search warrant for the property on Dec. 20, where Zhuo Li was operating a business called Sabrina Permanent Make-up Studio Inc., she said. Investigators seized a number of items from the home, including boxes and vials of injectable medication, local anaesthetic, prescription medication, syringes, needles and receipts for financial transactions ranging between $300 and $500. "Based on the findings, the college believes it is highly probable that Ms. Li was providing facial cosmetic surgeries such as injections, eyelid lifts and facial implants, which are restricted activities that only qualified medical professionals are authorized to perform," said Oetter. She said the business offered procedures that involved "cutting skin and moving things around and suturing it up," or injecting fillers and Botox a procedure where the bacteria that causes botulism is injected into a muscle to relax wrinkles. It's unclear how long the business was operating or how many people received treatment, but the college is aware of three people who suffered infections, Oetter said. Attempts to reach Li, who also goes by the name Sabrina Li, were unsuccessful. The college said investigators found no evidence that surgical instruments being used were properly sterilized with an autoclave, a steam chamber used in hospitals or medical clinics. A public-health warning has been issued, urging anyone who received surgical services at Sabrina Permanent Make-up Studio Inc. to speak with a doctor and possibly undergo testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Photo: Contributed It's the hottest ticket in rock and roll. So hot, tickets for the upcoming U2 show in Vancouver are showing up on resale sites at inflated prices days before they even go on sale. The Irish rockers will kick off their latest tour on May 12, and already online scalpers are trying to cash in. Presale tickets will go on sale Wednesday to paying members of the band's online fan club with non-club members having to wait until next week for a shot at seeing the legendary band. CTV conducted a search of sites like StubHub and found listings on Tuesday, a day before they were even available to the fan club for purchase. Some of the posts include pricey VIP seats. Ticket broker Kingsley Bailey said the phenomenon is known as speculative selling, and that those posting they have tickets to sell are people who plan to buy them on Wednesday, but don't have them yet. This type of sale has come under fire before. New York's attorney general recently asked resale sites to remove listings for speculative tickets to a Bruce Springsteen concert, saying the practice drives up prices, and buyers may not get what they've paid for. Locally, ticket resale sites have been criticized when concert seats have been scooped up within minutes, only to appear a short time later on other websites. But until there is legislation in place, the practices will continue and buyers will be taken advantage of, Bailey said. - with files from CTV Photo: Google Maps A driver suffered minor injuries when his car went up in flames in Kamloops overnight. Police and firefighters responded to the scene near the Peterson Creek Bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway just before midnight. The small, white car was fully engulfed in flames in the westbound lanes. The highway was closed in both directions while firefighters doused the fire. Ambulance paramedics treated the lone male driver, who was taken to Royal Inland Hospital. It's unclear at this point what caused the fire, Sgt Darren Michels said in a press release. Any witnesses are asked to contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000. Photo: The Canadian Press A new report suggests some of Canada's worst traffic bottlenecks are serious enough to compare with those in major American cities like New York and Los Angeles. The top 20 worst bottlenecks were found in just four cities Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Quebec City. Vancouver had four of the worst sites: Granville Street at SW Marine Drive, West Georgia Street between Seymour Street and West Pender Street, Granville Street between West Broadway Street and West 16th Avenue, and the George Massey Tunnel on Highway 99. The report commissioned by the Canadian Automobile Association found the most consistently congested stretch of highway in the country is a portion of Highway 401 running through central Toronto. A bottleneck in Montreal, considered the third worst in Canada according to the new research, compares with congestion levels in Boston. The CAA identified the worst bottlenecks by analyzing provincial and municipal traffic volume numbers along with GPS data over nearly 3,000 kilometres of roads across the country. It says the report is meant to highlight areas where policy-makers should focus their attention to relieve congestion, which it argues hurts productivity and adds to overall greenhouse gas emissions. Toronto's oft-lamented traffic woes loomed large in the data, with the city securing half the spots in both the top 10 and the top 20. The study estimated the country's worst bottlenecks result in 11.5 million hours worth of delays and drain about 22 million litres of fuel per year. But, former Vancouver chief city planner Brent Toderian said a slow-moving street in the heart of an urban centre could be prime real estate for retailers to set up shop. "We can't all worship at the alter of speed and volume, he said. "Successful cities have congestion.... If you don't have any of it, you die." Photo: The Canadian Press Actor and longtime environmental activist Jane Fonda says Canada should listen to the concerns of indigenous people about resource development. "First Nations people are again telling us, 'You can't keep doing this, because it's going to destroy everything, not just human beings, all different species,'" Fonda said Tuesday during a visit to the oilsands hub of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta. The U.S. film star and Oscar winner said she made the visit to learn about the impact of oilsands development on First Nations and to support their opposition to pipelines that would export bitumen to the United States or overseas. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government recently approved the Kinder Morgan pipeline to move bitumen to the B.C. coast and hearings are about to resume on the Energy East proposal for a line heading the other way. And U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has said he will revisit an American decision against the Keystone XL pipeline that would go all the way to Texas. "We don't want these two new pipelines (Kinder Morgan and Energy East) and we don't want any future agreements between Trump and Trudeau to go back into the issue of the Keystone XL," Fonda said. "It's not to the benefit of anyone except the oil companies." Fonda said she's aware some First Nations support pipeline development and that many families depend on the industry for a livelihood. "When people are very poor, they're very vulnerable," she said. "I don't pretend to be an expert, but I do listen carefully. And I come here with tremendous compassion for people who work in the tar sands and who will be laid off when the work is done or when the price of oil drops even more. "We have to reach across class lines and see what we have in common and see how we can work together to find a solution where everyone will win." Photo: The Canadian Press A salvage company says it's going to use a more powerful tug to pull a grounded tanker from a sandy bottom off Cape Breton, but it's going to require two to three days of preparation. The vice president of McKeil Marine says attempts to refloat and tow the Arca 1 north of Sydney Mines, N.S., on Tuesday night resulted in only minor movements towards deeper water. Olous Boag says the tow was called off shortly after high tide and it was determined the larger tug Tim McKeil would be required. He says the firm remains optimistic the tanker can be moved, but it will require bringing in additional steel wire and floating rope because the more powerful tug must stay about a kilometre away from the grounded vessel. Boag also says there will be "challenges" involved in setting up the next towing effort, including worsening weather and the freezing of ballast water. The Arca 1 which is carrying 15 tonnes of propulsion fuel ran aground just north of Sydney Mines on Sunday after losing engine power, and its six-member crew was rescued later that day. The tanker was en route to Mexico carrying no cargo when it experienced mechanical difficulties. Photo: Contributed B.C.'s only sitting independent politician says she won't be running for re-election in May. Vicki Huntington, who is not affiliated with any political party, says she has decided to step away from politics to focus on her health. Huntington was first elected as the MLA for Delta South in 2009, the first independent to win a seat in six decades. She would clinch the spot again in 2013, making history as the province's first independent politician to win re-election as an independent. Her stint in provincial politics followed five terms as a municipal councillor in Delta. Huntington says she expects the B.C. Liberals to win in her riding, unless the NDP or the Greens run a star candidate. Reflecting on her time in office, she says the province needs to loosen its grip on politicians to allow them to better represent their constituents. "This province is a dinosaur when it comes to political reform," Huntington says, highlighting the role of party whips in enforcing party discipline. "The whips are real. The whips watch what their members are saying and how they say it and whether they're speaking to the party policy. The government especially expects its caucus to toe the party line." British Columbians will head to the polls on May 9. Photo: PBR The family of a champion B.C. bull rider who died this week says people should be aware of the implications of head injuries. Ty Pozzobon, 25, was found dead Monday morning at his home outside Merritt. The BC Coroners Service says the death was not suspicious. Its important that people know about the implications of head injuries as a result of concussions, says his mother, Leanne Pozzobon, in a statement sent to media. Pozzobon leaves behind a sister, wife, and many relatives and close friends, says the family. Details of his funeral are not yet available. The family has requested donations be made to the Rider Relief Fund, in lieu of flowers. Pozzobon graduated from Merritt Secondary School. He'd gained world renown in recent years as a result of his success on the Canadian professional bull-riding circuits. In 2016, he won the PBR Canada title and finished fourth at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas in November. Photo: CTV A teenager is recovering from surgery after suffering a severe neck injury while attending a friend's birthday party at an Edmonton-area trampoline park. Landon Smith was hurt last weekend at Jump Park Trampoline in Sherwood Park, just east of the city. Jordan Smith, Landons brother, says a woman saw his 18-year-old sibling jump into a foam pit and stop moving immediately after his plunge. The teen was taken to University of Alberta Hospital with an injured neck vertebrae and spinal cord damage. Jordan Smith says his brother was still talking and moving his arms Tuesday morning while he awaited surgery. In a Facebook statement issued Monday, Jump Park Trampoline confirmed the incident and said its foam pit meets industry standards. "Landon is a pretty strong kid, so to have him look at you and say he thought he was going to die is pretty tough, said Jordan. The Smith family is now warning others about possible risks associated with trampoline parks. "I just want people to know. I don't want another person in Landons position," said his brother. "I don't need another mom worried if her son is going to walk again." Jump Park Trampoline's statement said the business has been in contact with Landon Smith's family and is offering any support it can. It said the teen was conscious and communicating after the fall and, "as per our safety protocol, an ambulance was called immediately." The business also said its foam pit has more than a metre of foam blocks resting above an extra precautionary trampoline above the facilitys floor. Photo: Contributed Canada's life insurers say they are preparing to adjust the industry's code of conduct so consumers will no longer be required to disclose genetic testing information when applying for new coverage worth $250,000 or less. Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association says a majority of individual policies issued each year to consumers will be affected by the change, which will be in place by Jan. 1, 2018. It says 85 per cent of policies issued are for less than $250,000 of coverage. CLHIA president Frank Swedlove says the industry is responding to concerns raised about the amount of personal information insurers can gather from genetic tests which have become increasingly common and affordable in recent years. He says the industry doesn't require new genetic testing during the application process, but customers must share the results of any medical information including genetics when buying new policies. Swedlove says Canada's life insurers aren't in favour of federal legislation, currently before Parliament, that would impose limits on how much genetic information can be collected. Instead, he says, the industry is voluntarily restricting its members to collecting genetic test results for individual insurance coverage of $250,000 or more a requirement that Swedlove says is necessary to manage the industry's financial risks. "Our goal is to continue to ensure that all Canadians can access insurance at fair and reasonable prices," Swedlove says. Swedlove says it will take time to train the Canada's 95,000 agents that sell life insurance, who are mostly independents working with one or more of the CLHIA's members Photo: File photo The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation is looking for a new executive director. After a decade at the helm of the foundation, current director of development, Sue Beaudry, will be stepping down. We are looking forward to meeting dynamic leadership candidates to strategically propel the organization forward as we focus on upcoming ambitious projects to improve the health of North Okanagan residents, said Richard Finn, VJH Foundation vice-president, adding the position of director of development will be transitioned to executive director to more accurately reflect the varied responsibilities of the position. Past fundraising projects include the $7 million Building a Tower of Care Campaign, $2.5 million Tower of Care Campaign, Phase II, Digital Mammography Take a Picture Campaign and the McMurtry-Baerg Cancer Centre expansion. Annually, the foundation raises between $1.5 and $2 million for unfunded health care needs in the North Okanagan. The foundation hopes to have the new executive director in place by September. Interested candidates can review the position requirements and submit an application online. Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation is a charitable society that supports health care in the North Okanagan by raising funds for residential care facilities, community health services and Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Photo: The Canadian Press Benjamin (Monty) Robinson British Columbia's Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of a former Mountie found guilty of perjury in relation to the death of a Polish immigrant in Vancouver in 2007. In a two-to-one decision, a panel of three judges refused to overturn a lower court's decision that found Benjamin (Monty) Robinson had lied to a public inquiry about the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Dziekanski. Robinson was the senior of four officers who were called to the Vancouver International Airport on Oct. 14, 2007, after Dziekanski began throwing furniture in the arrivals terminal. A stun gun was used repeatedly on Dziekanski after police arrived before he died. Robinson's lawyer, David Crossin, argued during the appeal that the Crown's allegations that the officers colluded on a story and then lied at the inquiry were based on circumstantial evidence. Robinson was discharged from the RCMP in 2012, shortly after he was convicted of obstruction of justice in an unrelated case where he was involved in a crash that killed a 21-year-old motorcyclist. Photo: BC Ferries B.C.'s newest ferry is expected to dock in the province today. The Salish Orca was spotted in B.C. waters this morning, after a 50-day voyage from the Gdansk, Poland, shipyard where it was built. It is the first natural-gas-powered vessel in the B.C. Ferries fleet. The vessel features a traditional native paint scheme that was designed by Darlene Gait of the Esquimalt Nation in a design contest. It depicts a pod of killer whales. The ferry will serve the Comox-Powell River route beginning this spring. Two more vessels, the Salish Eagle and Salish Raven, are coming later this year as part of a $165-million contract awarded in 2014. The ferries each measure 105 metres in length and can carry 145 vehicles plus 600 passengers. with files from CTV Vancouver Island If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,... Egypt: Aumund to supply conveying equipment for six clinker lines ICR Newsroom By 11 January 2017 The Egyptian government has signed a contract with Chengdu Design & Research Institute of Building Materials Industry, part of Sinoma International Engineering, to build six clinker production lines with a capacity of 6000tpd each in Beni Suef, Egypt. Aumund Fordertechnik GmbH, in close cooperation with its Chinese subsidiary Aumund Beijing, has won the order to supply the clinker conveying equipment for the project. The identical lines will each be equipped with four BWG belt bucket elevators, with capacities up to 650tph and three BWZ chain bucket elevators (up to 550tph). The equipment package also includes four BWG-L belt bucket elevators (170tph) one BWZ-L chain bucket elevator (80tph) as well as six pan conveyors (375tph), for each of the six lines. The new greenfield project in Beni Suef is to be fully completed within the next three years. The pilot phase of the new production lines is due to start as early as December 2017. Aumund Fordertechnik will supply these 108 machines to Egypt in three deliveries, between April and June 2017. Published under Nebraska eighth graders currently enrolled in 4-H (and those enrolled as seventh graders last year) received a letter pre-admitting them to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln over the Christmas holiday. With this, they have the opportunity to participate in Next Chapter, a unique partnership between Nebraska 4-H and University Admissions that connects students statewide with the resources of the University! This also means that students that meet academic requirements will be admitted after high school. Highlights include: * Insightful conversations with 4-H alumni regarding campus life * Discussions with UNL professors about opportunities and expectations in college * Access to admissions and financial aid office personnel * Step-by-step lessons to prepare students for college throughout their high school career * Real-world connections between content and 4-H projects All eighth graders that were enrolled in Nebraska 4-H last year have already been admitted to the Next Chapter program. Current eighth grade students who are not enrolled in 4-H currently and are interested in this program, should contact the Butler County Extension Office to enroll by Feb. 15. The 4-H fee of $10 does apply to those youth enrolling to participate. Students will need to re-enroll annually, and successfully complete the current years program to advance to the next level. In order to do this, the student must be present for at least five lessons (out of a possible eight) per academic year, and complete the annual career related 4-H project designated by their local educator. This programming will begin during the students 9th grade year. Upcoming dates of programming are listed below: * February 15, 2017: deadline to enroll current 8th graders in 4-H Next Chapter program to participate in spring events. * March 2017: live online question and answer sessions with University students and professors will begin; tentatively scheduled to hold one per month * April 14, 2017: Local 4-H celebration for all new Next Chapter students and families: Seward County Fairgrounds, Harvest Hall, 9:30 am 11:30 am * April 25, 2017: Statewide celebration for all Next Chapter students and their families in Lincoln Any questions can be directed to the Butler County Extension Office at 402-367-7410. -Submitted by Katie Pleskac, 4-H Youth Coordinator, Butler County Extension. One of the traditional roles for any local Chamber of Commerce is connecting people with each other and with ideas. Well do some of both this month in Columbus. First up is a chance to connect with your elected leadership in Lincoln. State Sen. Paul Schumacher will be the featured speaker at the annual Legislative Kick-off Breakfast next Monday morning. Breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. Jan. 16 at the chamber office. The event is open to all employees of any chamber member and the cost is just $5. Wed appreciate an RSVP to the chamber office by 5 p.m. Friday. The senator will give us his insight into the early days of a challenging 2017 session with not only lots of new senators, but lots of thorny budget issues for them to debate. This event also serves as a forum for members to share their issues and concerns with the senator. That ability to connect the business community with issues and elected officials is one of the key roles of the chambers Legislative Committee. I know its one of the membership benefits that many businesses find of most value. We know that government sets the ground rules by which business operates, and those decisions often impact business ability to succeed. The Legislative Committee monitors and takes action on bills that can change the business climate in Nebraska, and they welcome input from members. The committee will meet Jan. 18 at noon to consider several positions theyve been asked to take on state and federal issues. Next month, the committee will start the new season of conference calls with our partners at the State Chamber. These calls will give you a great deal of insight into the issues in Lincoln and all employees of any chamber member are welcome to attend. The Legislative Committee will also be connecting with local elected officials this month. Their annual thank-you receptions with city council and county board members are informal opportunities to say thanks to these individuals for their public service. Call the chamber office if youd like details on these events. Also getting connected next week will be our manufacturing leaders at the Industrial Leaders Breakfast. On the agenda for the breakfast is a conversation with the new Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley. The ILB format always leaves plenty of time for informal dialogue so our industrial leaders can share whatever is of interest to them. The breakfast is open to all local manufacturers and industrial leaders and it will be at Wunderlichs at 7 a.m. Jan. 19. Members can connect with each other and the chamber at the next chamber Business After Hours. Join us from 5-6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Prairie Village for some tasty goodies and some good conversation with your colleagues in the chamber. I hope that one of things our Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce does best is connecting in every sense of the word. If members take advantage of these opportunities Im confident they will introduced to new people and new information, and both of those are indeed valuable. COLUMBUS A 20-year-old Columbus man who admitted breaking into Platte County Agricultural Parks main grandstand building last summer and leaving the scene on a bicycle will be spending the next two-plus years on probation and paying restitution. Platte County District Court Judge Robert Steinke sentenced Jordan Miller to 30 months of probation and ordered the city man to pay $5,000 in restitution in connection with the Aug. 22 burglary that included the theft of cash, alcohol and candy. Miller earlier pleaded no contest to the charge, a Class 2A felony that carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment. Court documents describe a Platte County Sheriffs Office investigation that linked Miller to the 4:25 a.m. burglary within hours of the time when the defendant and an accomplice gained entry by breaking a window on the east side of the building. Sheriffs officials received a report that two suspects matching the descriptions of the burglars, who had been captured on Ag Parks video surveillance system, were spotted at Caseys General Store at the corner of 12th Avenue and Eighth Street. The Ag Park video showed the suspects roaming the buildings lower and upper floors, including all offices, concessions and restaurant/bar areas, while damaging cash registers, doors, automatic teller betting machines and pickle card machines. Sheriffs Investigator Dane Jensen wrote in his sworn arrest statement that contact was made with Miller, who matched the physical description of one of the suspects, at the convenience store. Miller was also wearing a gray and blue Detroit Lions cap and black T-shirt with the image of an American flag on the front and back, which was consistent with one of the suspects in the Ag Park video, Jensen wrote. Miller was arrested at his residence the morning after the Ag Park burglary, the investigator wrote. LINCOLN -- Senators are introducing a package of bills this week intended to aid in the safety and well being of children in the state's child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The bills include several priorities by the Nebraska Children's Commission. Lincoln Sen. Kate Bolz will introduce bills to support young adults leaving probation services without a stable home to which they can return. Those young adults up to age 21 coming out of probation services would be able to opt into the Bridge to Independence program, to receive assistance to medical care and case management, the same as young adults coming out of the foster care system. The goal of the program is to provide successful transitions to adulthood and to avoid homelessness. To qualify, those young people must be working, attending school or getting job training. Another of Bolz's bills would address issues, such as legal custody and parenting time, that can keep children tied up in juvenile court while other matters are resolved. When one parent has been determined to be able to provide a safe, stable home, child welfare involvement can end by using a bridge custody order to transfer the case to district court. Issues such as child support or divorce can then be resolved separately. "I think that both of these bills will improve the success and welfare of children in our state," Bolz said. A bill Omaha Sen. Sara Howard plans to introduce would lower caseload size for child welfare workers. The inspector general for the child welfare office has investigated at least 22 deaths or serious injuries of system-involved children in child welfare during the past 2 1/2 years. Chief among the challenges Inspector General Julie Rogers found in her investigations was a high caseload burden on Nebraskas child welfare workers the front-line staff working to protect children at risk of abuse or neglect. There were also 36 incidents of sexual abuse of children after they were removed from their homes, Howard said. In the past, bills have set out caseload standards, but the state Department of Health and Human Services has not yet fully complied with those laws. "Nebraska children are paying a high price for the way that we are treating our caseworkers, and for the high caseloads that they're working with," Howard said. "These individuals are overburdened, and it's our job to do our best to protect them." Howard's bill would cost the state $1 million for recruitment and retention of children and family caseworkers. She knows that's a high amount in a year that a near $900 million projected revenue shortfall will take a lot of attention to resolve, she said. But how do senators feel about the deaths of children, she said. "Every time we lose a child who's in foster care, we have to look at whether that caseworker had adequate support to do that work." Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks again introduced a bill (LB158) that would provide kids across the state who are charged with crimes access to a lawyer. Often, youth waive their right to a lawyer without adequately understanding what they are giving up, she said. In Southeast Nebraska's Judicial District 1, which includes 11 counties, 36 percent of kids had attorneys in 2015. In Douglas County's judicial district, 94 percent had attorneys. In Lancaster County's Judicial District 3, 63 percent had counsel. The Legislature passed a compromise bill (LB894) last session that applied only to juveniles in Lancaster, Sarpy and Douglas counties. Those three most populous counties already provide counsel for youths, but the bill expanded that to consultation with an attorney even if the child is considering waiving his or her rights to one. In other counties, kids and parents are advised of their right to retain an attorney and that the attorney would be paid for if they cant afford one. But that happens only after they get to court, Pansing Brooks said. "My legislation will close the gap and ensure that all kids in Nebraska have legal representation early in their case," Pansing Brooks said. On Jan. 3, I took the oath of office as a member of the United States House of Representatives. This is my constitutional duty. The day of swearing in on Capitol Hill is marked by celebration, as well as by the renewal of friendships, even between people with deep disagreements. Families and guests gather to share in the moments excitement and meaning. Members of Congress congratulate one another and take a reprieve from the intensity of policy debate. But amidst the swirl of activity, the day is set apart by the oath of office. The oath lays down a clear marker of the serious obligation ahead. In our day and time, we are no longer connected to the deeper concept of an oath. We see it in the courtroom when someone is required to tell the truth. We see it when the president is sworn in. But we rarely take time to reflect on its deeper sense. We see it more like an old tradition, a time-honored nostalgic exercise. However, the oath is a solemn declaration. It is a pause, the start of sacred duty. By taking an oath, you effectively hold yourself as ransom. You commit, at the deepest levels, that you will perform these tasks to the best of your ability. It is the ultimate measure and test of integrity. If violated, you tear the center of being to the detriment of yourself and of the community. This is a very high bar. I am reminded of the words of Sir Thomas More, who was the Lord High Chancellor of England from 1529 to 1532. He strove to live a life worthy of excellence in public service, but was eventually put to death by the state. In an earlier reflection on the idea of the oath, he said, When a man takes an oath, hes holding his own self in his own hands like water, and if he opens his fingers then, he neednt hope to find himself again. Throughout the day of the swearing in, I was reflecting on a singular word: replenishment. Our American system of government has an extraordinary capacity to replenish itself with new ideas, new people and a refreshed perspective. Our political system starts with the belief that political power is derived from each persons dignity. By voting, citizens invest their power in representatives to make judgments on their behalf. But to earn that right, a representative must first state their case to the people. In spite of the drama, in spite of the raucous nature of elections, the fact that America goes through this cycle of constant replenishment is an extraordinary gift. As I stood in the center aisle of the United States House of Representatives, I raised my right hand and along with the other new members of the 115th Congress of the United States of America took the oath of office: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. RUSHVILLE Sheridan County's board of commissioners voted unanimously to recommend reissuing liquor licenses to the four beer stores in the troubled village of Whiteclay. The next step is a hearing before the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, probably in early March. Sheridan County's decision in the stores' favor came on a 3-0 vote Tuesday after about 10 minutes of discussion, said Commissioner James Krotz. However, he said, "I've thought about little else since Thursday," when the board met in Rushville and heard four hours of testimony on the beer stores and the effects of rampant alcoholism on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The beer stores sold the equivalent of 3.5 million cans of beer in 2015 a few hundred yards from Pine Ridge, where alcohol is banned. Their licenses were up for automatic renewal this year, but the state liquor board ordered Arrowhead Inn, State Line Liquor, D&S Pioneer Service and Jumping Eagle Inn to reapply instead, citing concerns about law enforcement in the area. Activists have pointed to statements by Sheriff Terry Robbins and County Commissioner Jack Andersen as evidence that conditions in Whiteclay have deteriorated. Andersen told a legislative committee last year that the county "absolutely" lacks adequate resources for law enforcement in Whiteclay. Now, Andersen says he meant local property taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill. And Tuesday, the county commissioners said in a resolution that "what little evidence" they received suggests conditions in Whiteclay are the same or similar to when the stores first got their liquor licenses. Without evidence of a change, commissioners argued they lack legal authority to scrutinize liquor licenses up for renewal in the same way they would review first-time licenses. Commissioners also sided with beer store owners and their supporters who argue prohibition isn't the answer to the Oglala Sioux Tribe's problems and shouldn't affect other people's ability to run businesses in Nebraska. "I hope the tribe and the people that have the authority to help themselves will step up to the plate and deal with alcoholism," Commissioner Loren Paul said in an interview Tuesday. "Alcoholism is the problem, not the supply." Activists argue the stores should be shut down because they cause violence and vagrancy in Whiteclay itself and undermine the tribe's authority. John Maisch, a former liquor regulator from Oklahoma who wants the beer stores closed, questioned how Sheridan County could support its conclusion without the sheriff presenting any evidence or testimony at Tuesday's hearing. "The county commissioners recommendation was based on fear, not facts," Maisch said in an email. "If the county commissioners had been able to base their decision on the overwhelming weight of the facts presented, there is no question that they would have recommended denial of those beer license applications." The state liquor board has the ultimate say on the licenses, and will hold public hearings of its own before making a decision. Hobie Rupe, the commission's executive director, had expected to hold hearings regardless. Still, enough Sheridan County residents submitted formal protests of the licenses to guarantee that happens, as required under state law. A date hasn't been set, but Rupe said he expects the hearings will take place March 7 or 8 during the Liquor Commission's regular monthly meeting. Customers buy Spectacles, the video-recording sunglasses from the maker of Snapchat, at the Lincoln Park Zoo'sWalter Family Arctic Tundra on Jan. 11. (Meg Graham / Blue Sky) Spectacles, the video-recording sunglasses from the maker of Snapchat, are back in Illinois. On Wednesday morning, a Snapbot vending machine opened at the Lincoln Park Zoo, where it will dispense $129.99 glasses, likely until it sells out. Advertisement There were about 25 people in line before 9:30 a.m. at the Snapbot near the Walter Family Arctic Tundra, which opened Nov. 17. Customers can buy up to two pairs from the machine. Hopeful purchasers might consider giving their bank a call before trying to buy the Spectacles the machine's charges appear to come from California, so many customers' attempts are flagged as fraud. Advertisement The Snapbot arrived on the same day Lincoln Park Zoo launched its own Snapchat account, @lincolnparkzoo, a spokeswoman said. Last month, the machine and the much-hyped Spectacles it dispenses, landed at a Dave & Buster's arcade in Orland Park. The smiling yellow machine sold out there in about three-and-a-half hours. Snapchat's parent company, Snap, announces Snapbot locations on the Spectacles website 24 hours before they appear. It has placed Snapbots in California, New York, Arizona and Oklahoma. Like images and video posted to Snapchat, the machines disappear after a while. aelahi@chicagotribune.com Twitter @aminamania Loaves of bread cool in 2003 on automated cooling racks being tested at the Gonnella Baking facility in Aurora. The company has settled a federal lawsuit that alleged that a worker at the Aurora plant suffered racial harassment. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Gonnella Baking, the Schaumburg-based bread-maker founded in 1886, has agreed to pay $30,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of a black employee who alleged he was subjected to racial taunts. Gonnella, which was started on De Koven Street in Chicago, must also provide "civility" training to all workers at its Aurora plant and must tell managers that preventing harassment in the workplace will be factored into their compensation, according to a consent decree filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Advertisement The $30,000 will be paid to Paul Belton, the employee who in 2014 filed the discrimination charge that was the basis for the 2015 lawsuit filed by the commission, the settlement said. Lawyers for Gonnella could not be reached for immediate comment. Belton no longer works at Gonnella, the EEOC said. According to an EEOC news release, Gonnella violated federal law by failing to respond adequately to a black employee's complaints that he endured a "pervasive pattern" of comments by his Aurora co-workers such as "you people," as well as "Black people are lazy" and "I better watch my wallet around you." Advertisement The commission's lawsuit said such conduct violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal law prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of race. Gonnella failed "to take prompt and effective action to remedy racial harassment, about which defendant knew or should have known, either because of employee complaints or because of its open and widespread nature," the EEOC lawsuit said. The suit said the worker, identified in the settlement as Belton, was subject to racial harassment in 2012 and 2013 by "several" employees. The settlement was signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Cox, four commission lawyers, and Gonnella President Nicholas Marcucci. "Each party agrees that this decree is not an admission of the claims or defenses of the other party," the settlement said. "Employers are responsible for putting an end to co-worker harassment when they become aware of it," Gregory Gochanour, a commission regional attorney in Chicago, said in a news release. "That includes the responsibility to take seriously every allegation of race harassment, and then to investigate thoroughly and take appropriate actions to eliminate the misconduct." byerak@chicagotribune.com Twitter @beckyyerak LINCOLN A coalition of more than 60 business, civic and community leaders on Tuesday urged members of Nebraska's congressional delegation to guard young immigrants who have been granted legal presence in the United States from any effort to erase that protection. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status was granted by executive action taken by President Barack Obama, but its continuation has been threatened by President-elect Donald Trump who said during his campaign that he was prepared to eliminate that legal protection. Most DACA youths were brought to the United States illegally by their parents when they were children or even babies. Most have grown up here, gone to school here and built their lives here. An estimated 3,100 to 3,500 DACA youths live in Nebraska. One of them, Alejandra Ayotitla of Lincoln, said during a Lincoln news conference that they want to stay and "contribute our talent to the place we call home." At the age of 9, Ayotitla came to America with her mother and sister and she has lived in Lincoln since. "These young Nebraskans are enthusiastically pursuing their education, dedicating their skills and entrepreneurial spirit, and becoming leaders in their communities," members of Nebraska's congressional delegation were told in a letter dispatched to each of them. "Retaining DACA is the right choice, both morally and economically, while we wait for Congress to pass updated, common-sense immigration laws," the letter stated. Among signators were a host of organizations from ACLU of Nebraska to the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce to the League of Nebraska Municipalities, from Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler to Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Steve Joel and seven state senators. Also on the list: the Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Hospital Association, Nebraska Retail Federation and Nebraska Restaurant Association. Nebraska Appleseed led the way, arranging Tuesday's news conference at St. Paul United Methodist Church in downtown Lincoln. There is "no logical objection" to protecting the status of DACA youth, said Jim Partington, executive director of the restaurant association. "They were educated here, they are in our workforce and they are contributing to our economy," he said. Partington noted that the Legislature already has approved legislation granting DACA youth the right to acquire Nebraska driver's licenses along with professional and commercial licenses. A longtime Chicago-area brand, Matt's Cookies changed ownership this past year. New CEO Mike Halverson hopes to grow the business emphasizing its homestyle cookies and basic ingredients. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) It's hard to miss the ingredients listed on the new packaging for Matt's Cookies. Relatively few and easily pronounced, they are emblazoned in large letters on the back of the package. The message Matt's Cookies hopes to convey: Our cookies are made with real stuff. Advertisement Emphasizing that point in the revamped packaging is all part of the plan for new owners of the longtime Wheeling-based purveyor of soft-baked cookies and fig bars, a brand so Chicago that it had a cameo in the classic 1985 John Hughes film "The Breakfast Club." The new packaging also replaces the old-school brown gingham with a vibrant red hue. After flagging sales in recent years, the Pierce family sold the company in May to City Capital Ventures, a private investment firm, for an undisclosed amount. New CEO Mike Halverson hopes to grow the business by repositioning the brand toward today's consumer trends and expanding distribution into new markets. Advertisement "The cookies didn't need fixing. There really wasn't a fix or something we had to come in here and solve. Really what we wanted to do was grow it," Halverson said. The change in ownership came several years after a personal loss for the Pierce family. Matt Pierce, namesake of the cookie brand and vice president of the company, died in November 2012 at age 39. Grant Pierce, Matt's father, who founded the company in 1972, and Blake Pierce, Matt's brother, declined to be interviewed for this story. Both men remain involved in the business. "The focus of the company is forward," wrote Blake Pierce, vice president of operations for Matt's Cookies, in an email, declining to answer questions about his brother. In a 2000 Tribune story, Matt Pierce talked about the challenges of increasing competition and the need to grow the family business into new markets in order to survive. Matt's Cookies currently are sold in stores throughout the Midwest and in a few other scattered markets, such as Texas and Florida. The new ownership group hopes to expand the distribution into the Northeast, Halverson said, and possibly other markets such as Denver and Phoenix. Meanwhile, the recipe for the soft-baked cookies will remain the same, though a new flavor was introduced this month in the Chicago market: Double Chocolate Chip. In Chicago, the plan is to ramp up the marketing efforts to reconnect customers with the brand. This past summer, Matt's Cookies hired a small cadre of "brand ambassadors" to give out samples and talk to consumers throughout the Chicago area, Halverson said. "One of challenges for Matt's is it really hadn't been marketed for a few years. ... It had been forgotten, at least in some people's minds," Halverson said. Advertisement The big-picture goal is to quadruple revenue in the next five or so years from about $5 million in the current fiscal year to $20 million. Sales had fallen from about $8 million in 2000, a figure reported in the Tribune story from that year. Halverson attributed that decline to a drop-off in the company's private-label business, which now represents roughly 40 percent of sales. Halverson declined to say whether the company is profitable, but said recent investments would help with long-term growth. Nationally, pre-packaged cookies sold in the center of the store as opposed to the bakery generated $7.3 billion in sales in 2016, up 2.6 percent from the previous year, according to Nielsen data. Sales have remained steady over the last several years. On a recent tour of the Wheeling plant, the warm scent of fresh-baked cookies permeated the air. The extruder, a circa-1960s machine that makes a rhythmic kerchunk-ing sound, steadily produced hundreds of globs of dough that then glided through a long row of ovens on a conveyor belt. Near the end of the line, a small team of female workers deftly scooped the baked cookies with their hands into plastic trays. With both lines running, the plant produces about 300,000 cookies per day, Halverson said. Increasingly, consumers like foods that are made with the type of ingredients they might find in their own cupboards and that are locally sourced. That's exactly what drew Halverson and his fellow investors to Matt's Cookies. The chocolate chips also are sourced locally from Chicago-based Blommer Chocolate Co. Advertisement The cookie shelves are crowded at grocery stores, the options more abundant than ever. But Halverson thinks Matt's Cookies is ready to flourish once more. "Our real point of difference is the quality of ingredients and how that translates into a taste experience for the consumers. ... It's a retro strategy that's playing out in today's marketplace," he said. "The fact that we happen to be local here in Chicago is just that much better." gtrotter@chicagotribune.com Twitter @GregTrotterTrib Wells Fargo will no longer give its employees incentives for opening accounts or meeting sales goals. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press) Wells Fargo & Co. will change how it pays tellers and other bank workers, announcing on Tuesday a long-anticipated overhaul of the incentive-compensation system that was at the root of the bank's fake-accounts scandal. The bank for years used sales goals to push workers to open more accounts checking, savings, credit cards for customers. Trying to meet those goals, thousands of workers over the last several years opened as many as 2 million accounts without customers' knowledge or approval, according to local and federal regulators, who fined the bank $185 million last year over those practices. Advertisement The San Francisco banking giant said the new incentive system will no longer reward employees simply for opening accounts but will instead judge them on how often customers use their accounts and whether customers are satisfied with the bank's services. Wells Fargo executives have been working on the plan since soon after the settlements with federal regulators and the Los Angeles city attorney's office were announced in September. The updated plan has been considered a high priority for Chief Executive Tim Sloan and Mary Mack, the head of Wells Fargo's community bank division both of whom took those jobs after the scandal emerged. Advertisement "Do [customers] use the products they have with us? Do they think of us as their primary bank? Are we growing customers who consider us their primary bank? These are the metrics we are now measuring," Mack said. Accounts that are used frequently, such as those for which customers set up direct deposits or use debit cards often, will be a positive factor for an employee's pay. Idle accounts will not, and an account won't be a factor toward incentives until it has been open three months. "Our goal here was to create a pay plan that would restore trust with our customers, team members and the public," Mack said. In the months since the scandal broke, the bank has reported lower customer-satisfaction scores and a sharp drop in the number of new account openings. In November, Wells Fargo opened about 300,000 checking accounts, down from 500,000 accounts opened in November 2015 evidence that the bank has a long way to go to rebuild its reputation with existing and would-be customers. By giving workers credit only for accounts that are active and still in use after several months, executives probably hope to prevent employees from opening unauthorized accounts to game the incentive system. Regulators found that workers not only created accounts without customers' knowledge, but sometimes forged signatures, created fake customer email addresses and even moved money from existing accounts into new, unauthorized ones, all in an attempt to show that they were opening enough new accounts to meet onerous sales goals. Though the new incentive system is a big change for Wells Fargo, it is similar to incentive systems at other banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, which already give employees credit only for actively used accounts. Under the old Wells Fargo system, workers could get credit for opening a savings account once a minimum deposit of $25 was made, even if that money came from another Wells Fargo account and even if the account sat unused afterward. At Chase, workers get credit for opening a savings account only if the customer deposits at least $1,000 within two months and that money can't come from another Chase account. Advertisement At both Chase and Bank of America, workers get credit for opening a credit card account only after the account has been used. At Wells Fargo, workers got credit once a card was issued, a system that former employees said encouraged some bankers to apply for credits cards on customers' behalf without authorization. Along with account usage, Wells Fargo workers will be scored based on customer service surveys done by Gallup and by mystery shoppers who visit bank branches. As part of the new incentive system, workers will also get more base pay and less incentive and bonus pay. For tellers, about 95% of pay will be base pay. The bank said last week that it would boost the pay for its lowest-level workers to between $13.50 and $17 per hour, depending on geography and experience. Wells Fargo executives have explained the new incentive system to regional executives and district managers and, over the next few weeks, will provide details of the plan to branch managers and workers, bank spokeswoman Mary Eshet said. The bank provided a two-page summary of the plan to the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets Tuesday, but corporate compensation plans can be hundreds of pages long. Margaret Kane, founder of bank sales consulting firm Kane Bank Services, said the plan seems to address the biggest problems unearthed by the accounts scandal largely by eliminating incentives for opening accounts that aren't used. Still, she said it's not clear how Wells Fargo will set goals for branches and employees. Advertisement "How are they going to define a job well done? That's what we don't know," she said. "What they're doing is totally the way they should be going, but the devil is in the details." For instance, because the new plan has a greater focus on customer service surveys, Kane said it might push workers to pressure customers into giving good reviews. "That has happened in other industries you see it in hospitality," she said. "I think customer service is one that they'll want to keep an eye on." Mack acknowledged that Wells Fargo still has work to do to restore its image, saying the new compensation plan is "an answer, not the answer." "This is just one step to restore trust," she said. As it works to restore trust with consumers, the bank remains under investigation by a handful of state and federal agencies, including the California Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission. It's a list that has steadily grown over the last few months. Advertisement In December, state insurance regulators in California and New Jersey said they would probe the bank's sales practices after former employees of insurer Prudential filed a lawsuit claiming that Wells Fargo workers pushed Prudential policies on customers who did not want them. Wells Fargo is set to report its quarterly results Friday, when it is expected to give more details about the compensation plan. The Associated Press contributed to this report. james.koren@latimes.com Follow me: @jrkoren ALSO Advertisement Snapchat in 2017: 7 predictions about what's next Trump's tweets are a new challenge for automakers Meet the Hollywood producer at the center of a scandal shaking the Israeli government UPDATES: 4:55 p.m.: This article was updated with more details on Wells Fargo's fake-accounts scandal and its impact on new account openings, as well as information on investigations into the bank's practices. 3:45 p.m.: This article was updated with Times reporting, including details about other banks' compensation practices and comments from bank consultant Mary Kane. Advertisement 1:30 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional details, comments and background information. This article was originally published at 1:20 p.m. Fernetic is a collaboration between Forbidden Root Brewery in Chicago and Fernet-Branca, the Italian maker of the eponymous bitter liqueur. The beer was formulated to pick up the strong bitter herbal notes of Fernet-Branca, the most well known amaro of the fernet style. (BJ Pichman) Six men sat around a table strewn with glasses, vials and beakers one Thursday afternoon last summer. They had an idea for the beer they wanted to make but no clear road map to get there. The beer would be dark. Robust. Earthy. Herbal. Advertisement Bitter. But not too bitter. Boozy. But not too boozy. Advertisement "It's not going to be a six-pack beer," said BJ Pichman, head brewer of Forbidden Root, as ideas flew across the table in the sun-dappled front room of the West Town restaurant and brewery. Words emerged that are rarely invoked when crafting a beer: chamomile, saffron, myrrh, flowers, orange, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, wormwood, peppermint and linden flowers. In tiny, but powerful amounts, each of those ingredients entered a base of beers mixed by Pichman that he thought would approximate the final product Founders Porter, Evil Twin's Even More Jesus imperial stout and, for a dash of lightening sweetness, Tripel Karmeliet. Edoardo Branca, a sixth-generation member of the Italian company that makes Fernet-Branca, sat at one end of the table, a pack of Marlboro Lights at his side, as he tasted various blends intended to evoke his family's world-famous amaro. Though more than 170 years old, the intensely bitter herbal liqueur has enjoyed resurgence in recent years as drinkers have embraced those flavors. "This reminds me of Fernet," Branca said approvingly. "But it has to be beer flavors." So they kept mixing, tweaking and pouring. Within two hours, they'd found the road map to the beer that will finally debut Jan. 19, four months after that initial meeting, at Forbidden Root: Fernetic, an inky black ale that marvelously invokes Fernet-Branca while still tasting unmistakably like a beer. Branca, who counts himself as a beer fan, had long considered participating in a collaboration for a Fernet-inspired beer. But he was waiting for the right time and the right partner. He found it in Forbidden Root, which opened last year and dubs itself a "botanic brewery." Branca, who recently moved to Los Angeles from Italy, flew to Chicago to hash out the beer and will return for the tapping next week. "During the past 10 or 15 years, beer had changed a lot, and the beer consumer has changed a lot," he said. "Now they want more flavors and complexity, and they're more interested in something like this." Quite interested. With steady fervor, breweries both large and small have borrowed inspiration from the vast world of cocktails and spirits to develop some of the most adventurous and fun beer on taps and shelves. Advertisement Last summer, Kansas City's Boulevard Brewing released Rye-on-Rye X Sazerac, a rye ale aged in rye whiskey barrels featuring spices that mimic bitters and lemon peel as a nod to New Orleans' most famous cocktail. California's Anderson Valley has made a gose a tart German-style ale with lemon grass, lemon peel, juniper and grains of paradise to evoke a gin and tonic. That beer will return in 12-ounce cans in spring, renamed G&T Gose (from GT Gose). Cahoots Brewery, which operates out of Church Street Brewing in Itasca, makes a brown ale brewed with lime zest, ginger and spices, aged in rum barrels called you guessed it Dark & Stormy. Pipeworks Brewing has released a series of cocktail-inspired beers, ranging from one modeled after a white Russian (Hey, Careful Man, There's a Beverage Here! a "white stout" featuring cacao, coffee and vanilla) to its take on a Manhattan (Brown & Stirred, a rye strong ale brewed with cherries and bitters). Pipeworks also has released beers inspired by the gin and tonic, margarita and Sazerac. While fun and novel, beers evoking cocktails and spirits also lend two key components to brewing, said Kate Brankin, marketing director and brewer at Pipeworks: experimentation and the all-important balance. For instance, Hey, Careful Man, There's a Beverage Here (a reference to the favored drink of the titular character in "The Big Lebowski") is an homage to the white Russian, a simple cocktail that features coffee liqueur and cream in a vodka base. Pipeworks' version presents a similar framework: a heavy and sweet light-colored milk stout achieved by limiting the dark malt in the recipe that's balanced against rich, aromatic notes of coffee. Advertisement "Trying new things is deeply embedded in our industry as a whole," Brankin said. Taking inspiration from spirits and cocktails "is a way to explore new flavors and see what comes out of it." Fernet's collaboration with Forbidden Root explores plenty of new flavors: More than 20 herbs and spices (Fernet features 27) went into the beer before aging for three weeks with cubes of Hungarian oak. The trick, Pichman said, was integrating so many layers into a harmonious conclusion. "What we were brewing toward didn't exist; it was only in people's heads," Pichman said. "It had to be interesting and approachable, but when you're dealing with bitter herbs, there's a lot of room for error. It was a cool challenge." Meeting that challenge took months, and two pilot batches to dial in the recipe. "We knew it wasn't going to be quick and easy with so many ingredients," Pichman said. "We also didn't want to rush to the end zone, because this collaboration is important to us. I mean, I never expected to be working collaboratively with Fernet Branca!" Invented in Italy in 1845 as a stomach medicine, Fernet is intensely minty, with bracing notes of bitter root and herbal licorice. It has become a favored ingredient of cocktail-makers in recent years and even sits on tap in some bars, where patrons value it as a shot. In Argentina, it's popular mixed with Coke, lending a bitter punch to the sweet, syrupy soda. Advertisement Fernetic is unmistakably Fernet-inspired, with long and winding mint character crossed with a trace of pungent wormwood bitterness and light notes of oak. Yet from the first moment the beer meets the palate, it is also a clean and silky black ale. Branca said he has had a few offers to collaborate on a beer, but nothing seemed right until he happened upon Forbidden Root last year. Fernet's local sales rep, Pete Gugni, took Branca to a handful of loyal accounts, including Forbidden Root. Branca got to talking with Forbidden Root founder Robert Finkel, which turned into three hours of touring, chatting and sniffing through Finkel's stash of rare herbs. Finally Finkel asked if Branca would return to Chicago to sketch out a collaboration beer. Branca eagerly accepted. On the day of his return, he said, he was so excited that he had trouble sleeping the night before. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > Fernetic will be available in 22-ounce bottles ($15) at Forbidden Root (1746 W. Chicago Ave.) and enter limited distribution in the Chicago area the week of Jan. 23. It should be on tap at the brewpub for about two weeks. The release event on Jan. 19 is free, but requires an RSVP. As for the obvious question Is it acceptable to dump a shot of Fernet in the beer? the answer is yes. Advertisement "Oh, I'm sure it'll happen, and Edoardo will be the first one to do it," Finkel said. If an Irish Car Bomb is Guinness with a shot of Jameson and Bailey's Irish Cream, Pichman said we now have the update. "The Italian Car Bomb," he said with a laugh. In the name of all that beautiful bitterness, just hold the cream. jbnoel@chicagotribune.com Twitter @joshbnoel Shrimp fried in bacon fat and served over rice with veggies is the perfect meal to drink with white wine if you find one with some weight to it. (Chicago Tribune) Bacon-fat-fried anything is an excellent dinner; in the recipe below, plump shrimp do the job especially well. But finding a wine that can stand up to the strong flavors of bacon and fennel without overpowering the seafood is a challenge. The key is in the texture you need a white with some weight. Try any of the three bottles below, recommended by the sommelier at Lincoln Park's Oyster Bah. MAKE THIS Advertisement Bacon-fat-fried shrimp Cook 3 strips bacon in a skillet until crisp, 8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel, leaving the fat in the skillet. Add 2 fennel bulbs, chopped; cook until starting to soften; 3 minutes. Stir in half a red bell pepper, chopped; cook until tender-crisp, 3 minutes. Add 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined; season with salt. Cook, turning once, until just cooked through, 5 minutes. Pour 1/2 cup dry white wine into skillet; lower heat to a simmer. Crumble the bacon; stir into the skillet. Cook just to heat through. Serve the shrimp and vegetables over steamed brown rice. Makes: 4 servings Advertisement Recipe by Joe Gray DRINK THIS Pairings by sommelier Nate Redner of Oyster Bah, as told to Michael Austin: 2015 Left Field Pinot Gris, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand: Aromatic, ripe and rich, this wine shows notes of sweet tangerine, kumquat, cantaloupe and warm spices. Its salmon hue comes from a small amount of skin contact during the winemaking process, resulting in a more weighty texture and ever-so-slight tannins. The wine's citrus notes will complement both the fennel and the smokiness of the bacon. 2015 Division Villages L'Isle Verte Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washington: The region's warm climate produces full, expressive, unctuous wines like this one. The winery picks grapes multiple times, first for acidity, and then for developed fruit character. The result is that L'Isle Verte is packed with notes of ripe peaches, honeycomb and marzipan. Although it shows richness, the wine is completely dry, making it a nice match for this dish fruity but also freshly acidic. 2002 Alfred Merkelbach Erdener Treppchen Spatlese Riesling, Mosel, Germany: Sticking with the theme of weighty but still fresh, this riesling shows ripe notes of lime zest, orange flower water, honey and apple sauce. On the palate, though viscous, it drinks surprisingly lean and fresh. The wine's precision and balance of residual sugar and acidity will help bring out some anise flavors from the fennel without covering up the delicate flavors of the shrimp. food@chicagotribune.com Twitter @pour_man Billy Corgan performs an acoustic-electric show at the Civic Opera House Thursday, April 14, 2016, in Chicago. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan is hitting the road again for his new project "Thirty Days," a sequel to his 2016 cross-country trip. "Gonna wander around America again for 30 days. No destination, just gonna wander around and talk to a lot of different people," Corgan announced Tuesday on Facebook from his Madame Zuzu's teahouse in Highland Park. Advertisement Corgan, 49, said he'll frequently post his interviews and new musical pieces, unlike last year's "Gaul" project, where the goal was to create a documentary after the trip. He is soliciting destination suggestions, and said he'll likely visit the Carolinas, Louisiana and Texas. Advertisement Corgan said he's also working on a "Fifty by Fifty" project for his 50th birthday on March 17. "I'm going to do a project that I've been thinking about for a long time, where maybe I would pick 50 of my favorite songs from all my years of writing and try to kind of build a collective pile. It's not necessarily my greatest songs, because obviously opinions differ on those, but maybe sort of a personal reflection," Corgan said. Corgan also promised new music is on the way. A solo album with producer Rick Rubin is due out in the spring. He also plans to document his writing process as he works on a new album. "Hope you enjoy it all," Corgan said before flubbing the name of his "Thirty Days" project. "Thirty, what is it called? Thirty by thousand. Thirty Days." RELATED STORIES: After lawsuit, Billy Corgan has left TNA Wrestling Billy Corgan: Smashing Pumpkins belong in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Watch the latest movie trailers. It's been 2017 for 12 days already, but since most museums haven't opened their new exhibitions yet, head to Hyde Park, where a handful of worthy shows that went up in 2016 still haven't come down. Interested folks, including those who resolved to see more art in the new year, have a few weeks left to catch "Not Just Another Pretty Face" and "Mary King: War Stories" at the Hyde Park Art Center, plus "Sadie Benning: Shared Eye" at the Renaissance Society. "Not Just Another Pretty Face" features many attractive visages among the 80 photographs, paintings, ceramics, quilts and prints on view by artists ranging from Lora Fosberg and Cecil McDonald Jr. to Matthew Metzger and Nikki Renee Anderson. Advertisement MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Portraiture isn't the theme, but it is an understandable outcome for the program, which pairs up mostly local artists and patrons to produce new commissions. Who wouldn't want up-and-comer Jessie Mott to draw a kaleidoscopic portrait of their young children, complete with the kids' favorite animals? What mother could refuse the willingness of Melissa Ann Pinney, one of the Midwest's most eminent photographers of youths, to take a picture of her daughter emerging, alone, out of the mystical gray-blue of Lake Michigan? Also on display are Nancy Lu Rosenheim's fantastical landscape with a beloved brown tabby cat named Captain Merriweather Lewis; small grayscale wooden boxes by Joyce Owens representing five generations of women, from the patron's grandmother on down to her grandchildren; Darrell Roberts' petite, bold take on Eileen Truong's life, done in thick, swirly blacks, yellows and pinks; and Lee Blalock's black-and-turquoise geometric abstraction, a double portrait generated by measuring her patrons' heart rates. Subjects are not limited to beloved living creatures but also to other kinds of dear entities: a favorite tree in Lincoln Park, a marriage, an amazing voyage to South Africa, a treasured home, soon to be vacated. Advertisement Anyone can sign on to collaborate with an artist and keep the resulting work, and with prices running from a modest $50 to a steep $80,000, not just various tastes but various economies have been accommodated. Artists pocket half the money, with the rest earmarked as a donation to the art center. The matchmaking service, begun in 1995 and now in its sixth iteration, is not like buying art in a gallery, where clients find a finished work they like, pay for it and take it home. There's risk involved here, and mystery, as well as studio visits and a whole lot of sharing. Some commissioners choose to collaborate quite literally: Nuria Montiel's wallpaper for the Nelsons included borrowing doodles from their kids' notebooks, turning them into stamps and having the entire family print up rice paper sheets. Ani Afshar made "Fantasy Veils" for a pair of nude drawings by Diane Ponder, draping them with delicately stitched layers of tulle. Patrons Janis Kanter and Tom McCormick went artist Tony Tasset one better when they filmed a mock movie trailer about the 12-foot-tall fiberglass deer he'd made for a meadow at their weekend home. Upstairs at the center, a solo exhibition by artist Mary King provides as much sensitivity as it does heartbreak. "War Stories" depicts the tales of those affected by war, from World War I on up to the crisis in Syria, as told by veterans, civilians and refugees to the artist in interviews. King, who was born in Michigan in 1942 and lives part of the year in Hamburg, Germany, has a style that veers between the wry violence of Ida Applebroog and the postmodern anti-war sensibility of Aaron Hughes, depending on the era she's representing. Older stories come out the sharpest, simplified as they are by the passing of time; more recent ones tend to the miasmic and overwhelming. King communicates in fragments: word bubbles and floating phrases, repeating patterns and witty graphics. Complete narratives lie buried in her dense notebooks. Displayed in a case, they're as compelling, even more so, than some of the finished works, and suggest how rich a "War Stories" book could be, with some of the blank space between the collages filled in. At the Renaissance Society, Sadie Benning hangs a series of 40 mix-and-match panels that is as enlivening to look at as it must have been to make. First, however, viewers will need to get past the grandiose gallery statement and the artist's abstruse framing device, wherein the size, number and sequence of her work was determined by a famed piece made in 1976 by the late artist Blinky Palermo. Obstructions aside, "Shared Eye" offers a gratifyingly handmade response to two very contemporary conditions: the understanding that everything is defined by its context, and the layering of information as it appears on computer screens, window upon window upon window. What this looks like in Benning's hands is a puzzle that can be pieced together in any number of ways, much as we make sense of the world around us. Each numbered panel comprises an image, mounted on wood, into which one or more holes has been cut and then filled with a matching piece, like a jigsaw puzzle. The added parts are seemingly unrelated images or little colored shelves on which sit dinky old plastic figurines. Everything is slightly uneven and rounded at the edges. The fun is in figuring out how it all fits not literally, since the artist has already done that, but figuratively. What are these things doing together? How do they affect one another? Is there a singular, correct answer to this riddle, or is it open-ended, to be determined by each individual according to his or her experiences in the world? That, at least, seems as good a question as any with which to begin this new year. "Not Just Another Pretty Face" runs through Feb. 5 and "Mary King: War Stories" runs through Jan. 22, both at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave., 773-324-5520, www.hydeparkart.org; "Sadie Benning: Shared Eye" runs through Jan. 22 at the Renaissance Society, 5811 S. Ellis Ave., 773-702-8670, www.renaissancesociety.org. Lori Waxman is a freelance critic. ctc-arts@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @chitribent RELATED STORIES: Winter preview: 10 art shows not to miss Looking back on the best art of 2016 as a psychic salve Kerry James Marshall has had quite a year 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) Kellyanne Conway, senior adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, was a particularly well-timed guest Tuesday on "Late Night With Seth Meyers." Hours before the interview aired, CNN reported that intelligence officials briefed Trump and President Barack Obama last week on unconfirmed allegations that Russia has compromising personal and financial information about the president-elect. After she walked out onto the "Late Night" set, Meyers congratulated Conway on a well-run campaign and asked her whether Trump knew she was going to be on the show. "Do you think he's watching?" Meyers wanted to know. Advertisement "I hope so. He'll watch at some point," Conway said, adding: "We're fans." MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Advertisement Meyers, who has earned praise for his incisive political commentary - often aimed at the president-elect - smiled. "I don't know if we are fans," he deadpanned. With the initial pleasantries out of the way, Meyers asked Conway whether she could "confirm or comment on the fact that the intelligence community has presented" the classified report to Donald Trump," who had tweeted hours earlier in response to news reports: "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" "Well, guess what hasn't happened, Seth," Conway began. "Nobody has sourced it. They're all unnamed, unspoken sources in the story, and it says it was based on a Russian investigator to begin with." "I think it was based on an MI6 British investigator," Meyers noted. "Right, well one of those. And then it said that it also may have originated with a Russian investigator. It also says that Hillary Clinton and groups that wanted Hillary Clinton to win may have been behind the investigations themselves. And, most importantly, it says that the FBI is trying to confirm it. So nothing's been confirmed." Conway continued: "And I have to say as an American citizen, regardless of your party or if you don't like politics at all, which are many Americans, we should be concerned that intelligence officials leak to the press and won't go and tell the president-elect or the president of the United States himself now, Mr. Obama, what the information is. They would rather go tell the press - "But the press report was about them going to the president," Meyers said. "And it says that they never briefed him on it, that they appended two pages to the bottom of his intelligence report," Conway said. Advertisement "I believe it said that they did brief him on it," Meyers said "Well, he has said that he is not aware of that," Conway replied. "That concerns me," Meyers said. "It's not fair, and it's not true," Conway interjected. "What's not fair? That I'm concerned?" Meyers joked. "I assure you I am." "It's not fair that people don't give him his due," Conway said. "He received an intelligence briefing. He made comments about it afterward. And I have to tell you there wasn't very compelling information in terms of the nexus that people like to make between alleged hacking and the election results. Vladimir Putin didn't tell Hillary Clinton to ignore Michigan and Wisconsin. She did that all by herself." Advertisement Meyers and Conway were able to find a common ground here. "I am not going to sit and argue with you that the Clinton campaign was a well-run campaign," Meyers said. "Or that the Russians interfered in the election successfully. That they interrupted our democracy," Conway said. "But shouldn't we care if the Russians tried to interfere?" Meyers asked. "Whether it informed the election or not. I sometimes fear that the president-elect has no curiosity as to the amount they tried." "That is completely false," Conway said. "He has enormous curiosity. I'm there every day with him. He has a number of different meetings every day - briefings and otherwise. He was curious enough to figure out America. He knew America when many other Republicans did not." "That's a pivot right there, Kellyanne," Meyers said, before breaking into applause. "And by the way, no one does it better," he added. In the interview, which ran more than 13 minutes, Meyers also asked Conway about the president-elect's tweeting habits, his upcoming news conference and confirmation hearings for the president-elect's Cabinet picks. Meyers also presented Conway with a wager of sorts. "I'm going to make you a bet," Meyers told Conway as they were wrapping up the interview. "I bet in the next four years we are not going to see the president-elect's tax returns." Advertisement "And I bet - and I know because this was talked about during the campaign - I bet that most Americans will really care what their tax returns are going to look like after he's been president for four years," Conway replied. "I think that means you agree with me," Meyers said. RELATED STORIES: Trump and his team on report of Russia having compromising information: 'phony' Intel chiefs briefed Trump on unconfirmed claims Russia has compromising information on him Full text of declassified report on Russian activities during 2016 U.S. presidential election Advertisement Late-night hosts mock Donald Trump for idea that Meryl Streep is 'overrated' 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) No prizes for guessing which members of the Cubs -owning Ricketts family are planning to make the trip to the White House with the World Series champs on Monday or which won't. But Ricketts family spokesman Dennis Culloton did spring a minor surprise Wednesday afternoon, when he revealed that President-elect Donald Trump 's incoming number two at the Commerce Department Todd Ricketts - is expected to join his sister Laura and his brother Tom at the presidential reception. Laura Ricketts, who was a key Democratic fundraiser for Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama , and Tom Ricketts, who has managed to stay out of the political fray, had earlier been announced as being on the list to meet with the president. Advertisement But their brother, Republican Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, and their father Joseph Ricketts , who donated $1 million to help elect Trump, aren't expected to make the trip. "Laura and her siblings have talked a lot over the years in various interviews about the diversity of political opinions in the Ricketts family," Culloton wrote in an email to Chicago Inc. "Just like many American families, they respect the opinions of their siblings and parents and they love and support each other." Advertisement While World Series champs typically visit the White House in the spring or summer after their triumph, Obama rushed to invite the team before he leaves office Jan. 20. Despite being a White Sox fan, Obama wanted to honor the Cubs personally, given his Chicago ties, and the fact that the team will be together for the weekend's Cubs convention presented an opportunity. Cubs President Theo Epstein is also a big Hillary fan who may prefer to be honored by Obama than by Trump, though pitching ace Jake Arrieta seemed to indicate a preference for Trump over Clinton when he tweeted following Trump's victory in November that it was "Time for Hollywood to pony up and head for the border." There's no word yet on which players, if any, will opt out of the visit. While the visit may be a little awkward for Todd, he, Pete and Joseph Ricketts may well view the timing of the honor as a win-win. Given Chicago voters' overwhelming preference for Clinton over Trump, the Obama visit is probably good for business. After Jan. 20, it's they, and not their sister, who can expect White House access. kjanssen@chicagotribune.com Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 22 President Barack Obama poses with the Cubs after receiving a jersey during an event held to welcome the team to the White House, to honor their 2016 World Series victory in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017. (MICHAEL REYNOLDS / POOL / EPA) Twitter @kimjnews He took to the stage like a general on the eve of war. Barack Obama had come a long way from the political novice who stood before us in Grant Park in 2008, thanking us for taking a chance on his promises of hope and change. Advertisement He was an elder statesman now, well versed in the language of war. Standing before throngs of battle-weary troops Tuesday night, he sensed our despair, our uncertainty about the future. He knew that some of us wanted to cower in fear. Advertisement He didn't sugarcoat the challenges awaiting us. He laid them out plainly, one by one. The struggles ahead are formidable, he warned. But we have come too far as a nation to turn back now. So in his final speech to Americans, Obama did what he does best. He laid out a clear path to victory and restored our faith in our own ability to bring about change, reminding us that the real power dwells with us, not the politicians in Washington. Over the last eight years, our president has been a calming presence for so many of us, inspiring us to break through barriers with his limitless optimism and his unwavering belief in the goodness of the American people. This is what so many of us loved about our 44th president. And it is what we will miss most when he is gone. Even when his detractors set upon a mission to see him fail, he refused to give up. He stood up with dignity and fought back with grace, determination and skill. He showed us that winning doesn't always mean walking away with everything you want. But if you refuse to fight, you will certainly end up with nothing. Rarely have we needed to hear that message more than now. As Obama prepares to leave office in a few days, Americans stand at a difficult crossroads. The ongoing fear of terrorist attacks loom over us. Instability in far regions of the world threatens our security. And Russia is seeking to undermine America's most precious attribute our democracy. Advertisement But it's the internal battles that are more likely to bring us down. At home, we are fighting with each other over what it means to be an American. Some would have us slam our doors shut in the face of immigrants and turn our backs on those who practice religions unlike our own. Nothing is more dangerous, our departing president told us, than a nation divided. He reminded us of something most of us already knew. That post-racial America we talked about after the election of the first African-American president was just a myth. We continue to run away from discussions about race, opting instead to wallow in ignorance. This kind of division, Obama warned, threatens our future. We don't always have to agree with each other's ideology, but intolerance is a mighty foe. Advertisement To make his point, Obama quoted Atticus Finch, the wise Southern lawyer from the great American novel "To Kill A Mockingbird." "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." In other words, to win this war against intolerance, each of us has to leave our comfort zone. "For blacks and other minority groups," Obama told the crowd at McCormick Place, "that means tying our own struggles for injustice to the challenges that a lot of people in this country face not only the refugee, or the immigrant, or the rural poor, or the transgender American, but also the middle-aged white man who from the outside may seem like he's got all the advantages but who's seen his world upended by economic, cultural and technological change." And that middle-aged white man who is struggling with change must do the same. "For white Americans," Obama said, "it means acknowledging that the effects of slavery and Jim Crow didn't suddenly vanish in the '60s; that when minority groups voice discontent they're not engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness; when they wage peaceful protest they're not demanding special treatment, but the equal treatment that our founders promised." Advertisement "And for native-born Americans," Obama said, "it means reminding ourselves that the stereotypes about immigrants today were said almost word for word, about the Irish and Italians and Poles, who it was said were going to destroy the fundamental character of America. And as it turned out, he said, America wasn't weakened by the presence of these newcomers; they embraced this nation's creed and it was strengthened." It isn't easy to walk in someone else's shoes. It is easy to stumble and fall. But not even for a moment should we think about giving up. Our freedom is too valuable, too important for us to just give up. We owe it to ourselves and to each other to fight until the bitter end. Though he will no longer be in the forefront, Obama has promised that he'll be fighting too, standing shoulder to shoulder with us as an ordinary American citizen. We have the tools to be victorious. Let's put on our armor and prepare to fight. dglanton@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @dahleeng Ann Scholhamer, left, and Liz Radford helped to organize a women's march in Chicago on Jan. 21, 2017, the day after Donald Trump is inaugurated as president. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) On the Saturday after Donald Trump was elected president, Liz Radford found herself skimming a Facebook feed full of despondent women. Reproductive rights. Fair health care. Basic respect for women, immigrants, gay people, Muslims, African-Americans, the disabled. All of those, and more, they felt, had just been voted down. Advertisement Did you see there's going to be a women's march in Washington? someone asked. Local knitters make hats ahead of the Women's March on Chicago, which coincides with the National Women's March in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2017. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) Great. But what about people who weren't willing or able to travel 700 miles? Advertisement That same November day, Radford, a 45-year-old marketing director, and two other women agreed to put up a Facebook page for a march in Chicago. By evening, 1,000 people had said they were interested. And just like that, three women who knew each other only online had started a major protest. They weren't professional activists or organizers. They knew nothing about how to get march permits or insurance, how to design a logo or order port-a-potties, and they weren't sure how to make the march as culturally diverse as they knew it needed to be. But they knew this: There were a lot of people searching for a way to collectively, peacefully rebel. One of those people is a friend of mine who attended the inaugural meeting for march volunteers at the Center on Halsted. She went warily. Who were these organizers? Could she trust them? She left impressed. "I was swept up," she says. She didn't want to make the long, overnight bus ride to Washington, but she was propelled by the conviction that she couldn't sit by and watch as the social progress of her lifetime was "reeled back." Advertisement "I'm very surprised at the strength of that emotion in me," she says. "I believe there are other people like me." There are. In the past few weeks, thousands of women, as well as many men, have committed to the Chicago march. Along with the Washington march and "sister" marches in other cities, it will be held Jan. 21, the day after the inauguration. It will start and end in Grant Park and wend its way through the Loop. Some women have been designing signs. ("What Meryl Said" seems to be a popular one.) Some have trained to be marshals, deployed to make sure marchers stay safe and orderly. (One training tip: Remember to breathe.) Radford and Ann Scholhamer who consider themselves more the co-administrators than captains of the march are getting organizational help from a wide array of groups and volunteers. But a protest march is not a military parade. Marches get messy. Messages can get confused. Small disputes can grow. Advertisement To wear a pussy hat or not to wear a pussy hat? The pussy hats knitted pink caps with cat ears have become a symbol of the Jan. 21 marches around the country, but they bother some women, especially older ones. "If anyone is uncomfortable with wearing a pussy hat, please know that many will not be wearing them," one Chicago Facebook poster wrote. "We are a very diverse group and so our signs will be different. Our hats will also be different. I come from the generation in which if we needed an abortion we found a ride to Canada to see someone who would do it by whatever means was possible, for cash." The poster, a psychologist, said that to some women who have been sexually abused, the pussy hats don't feel like an appropriate statement. She also went out of her way, however, to say she didn't want to provoke an argument. Just sharing an outlook. Disagreement over goals, tactics, language is as basic to a protest march as protest itself. Radford's fine with that. Advertisement "I think everyone has their own idea of why they're marching," she said. "Sometimes people will get into arguments about intentions. Our stance is, we feel like a number of basic human rights and women's rights are in danger. We're saying, 'Look, no woman can speak for another woman, so we're inviting all women to come out and speak for themselves.'" Marches alone don't change the world. Neither do words. But they're a starting point. Radford says the marchers will have the chance to learn about ways beyond the march that they can be productive. More information on speakers, the route, ways to participate is on the website: http://womens121marchonchicago.org. And if the weather Jan. 21 is awful? "Three words," Radford said when I asked. "We are Chicagoans." mschmich@chicagotribune.com Patricia Crawford, shown in July, resigned from the Bellwood District 88 school board this week to take a job with the district. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) As scrutiny has intensified in the past year over the spending and management practices of Bellwood School District 88, some residents in the west suburban town have looked to elections in April as their best chance to reshape the board and introduce reforms. But that plan suffered a significant setback Monday when one of the board's sharpest critics abruptly resigned at a board meeting, only to be hired to a newly created position with the district as a parent liaison. Advertisement Gasps were heard from the audience when Patricia Crawford, a board member known for joining residents in frustration over questionable spending by school officials, cast a decisive vote to approve a rushed extension on the contract of the embattled Superintendent Rosemary Hendricks. Soon after, following a closed-door executive session and after the audience had mostly cleared out, the board emerged to approve hiring Crawford, too. She is the district's new parent liaison. Her salary was not disclosed. Advertisement The move marked a striking shift for Crawford, who had increasingly been a thorn in the side of Hendricks and her school board allies. Over the past year, Tribune investigations have exposed a series of questionable decisions by Bellwood school officials, from expensive travel junkets, to the hiring of friends and family, to a secretive maneuver to pad the superintendent's pension and vacation pay for unearned time. "I'm seeking another path on my journey to help progress the education of the children in this community," Crawford wrote in an email. In a more extensive conversation with Bellwood residents recorded on Facebook after the meeting , she said that she requested the job which she sees as an opportunity to return to working in education, a dream she abandoned years ago for a more lucrative career. According to her LinkedIn page, she works at a local manufacturing company. She also bemoaned the lack of progress in moving the district forward while serving on the school board. "Here I'm doing absolutely nothing," she told residents. "Being a parent liaison will give me interaction with the community to get the word out to meet the needs for the children." Now, the vacancy on the board created by her resignation is likely to shape district leadership, especially with elections in April. Of the school board's seven seats, four are up for grabs this spring, three of which are held by members who support Hendricks. A slate of community members and parents are hoping to unseat long-term board members, including President Marilyn Thurman, and have pledged to replace the superintendent. Monday's vote, however, secures Hendricks in her $180,000-a-year position into the next school year. It also gives the current board majority an opportunity to appoint a replacement to a seat that is not up for re-election until 2019. To the board's critics, the opaque nature of Monday's events was troubling. Advertisement "We have a problem with transparency," said April Falco, a District 88 parent who is running for a seat on the school board. It wasn't until the meeting was over, she noted, that Crawford's hiring was acknowledged. Before voting on the measure, Thurman, in a move that puzzled many in attendance, made a motion to hire the person "discussed in executive session," without naming Crawford. There was also no indication on the school board agenda that a member was intending to resign, a standard practice. "Why is it that they are seemingly going through these contortions to make this hire?" said Maryam Judar, executive director of the Citizen Advocacy Center, a nonprofit government watchdog group. Judar questioned whether the way the hiring was presented to the public satisfied requirements under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. School board members have not publicly disclosed how much the position pays or who else applied. The job was posted over winter break, on Dec. 23, and it was filled within three days of school resuming. Crawford said that the job was mandated by state education officials. But state education department spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said "there are no statutory or regulatory requirements to hire or staff a "'parent liaison.'" As for Hendricks, her contract, which wasn't set to expire until July, states that the board is to conduct a review before making a decision to extend her employment. Those evaluations were due Monday, the same day that her contract was extended. Advertisement Hendricks, Thurman and the school board's attorney didn't return calls or emails requesting comment. Board members who voted against renewing the contract raised questions about the rushed decision before it was known that Crawford was about to step down. "How can you vote to extend a contract when you have not even reviewed the performance of the superintendent?" said board member Sondra McClendon. "I can not understand the urgency." Acaputo@chicagotribune.com Twitter @angelaTCR A state lawmaker from East Chicago has proposed legislation that would provide $5 million to help East Chicago schools deal with the financial fallout from the city's lead crisis. Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, has sponsored legislation that would provide about $2.2 million for payments on the former Carrie Gosch Elementary School and just over $2.8 million to cover an emergency state loan for the district that was approved in August. Advertisement The neighborhood where the former school building, built in the late 1990s, is located at 455 E. 148th St. in East Chicago in Zone 1 of the USS Lead Superfund site is grappling with a decades-in-the-making environmental and public health crisis with highly elevated lead and arsenic soil levels. Soil tests conducted in the nearby West Calumet Housing Complex registered contamination for lead and arsenic as high as 228 times the level that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials consider potentially hazardous to children. Advertisement Zone 1, which includes the West Calumet Housing Complex and Carrie Gosch Elementary, runs from McCook Avenue to the Indiana Harbor Canal, with 151st Street on the south and 148th Street on the north. In August days before the start of the school year School City of East Chicago Superintendent Paige McNulty announced the school's 430 students and 40 teachers would be housed in the former West Side Junior High School building for at least the 2016-17 school year. While Gosch itself had been declared safe, a section of the parking lot on the school's southeast side needed remediation, Brad Benning, the EPA's on-site coordinator for emergency response in Region 5, said at the time. Gosch students will continue to attend their new school the former West Side Junior High building at 4001 Indianapolis Blvd. in 2017-18, McNulty said via email Tuesday. McNulty said she has been in contact with current and former lawmakers for several months and is grateful for their efforts. "I believe they are doing all they can to help our community and schools during this crisis," she said in an email. "I very much appreciate their support and dedication to our district." Since the scope of the lead crisis became publicly apparent last year, Gosch has seen a drop in enrollment. Currently, 351 students attend, according to the school. That compares to 515 in 2015-16, according to state figures. The school has continued to lose students, McNulty said. The district will end up losing state tuition funding for 275 students, McNulty said, and has had to deal with unanticipated expenses including payments on the prior building, renovations and extra busing. Advertisement Days after the move was announced in August, the state Board of Education voted to approve a disaster loan of up to $3 million, according to the Associated Press. The district used the money for the move to the new building, including retrofitting the former West Side Junior High building for elementary students. "It's like a temporary Band-Aid is what it is," Randolph said of the loan. It "would be due, and the East Chicago School Corporation would not have the" funds to cover it. His proposal would provide $2.8 million to directly repay the state school disaster loan relief fund on behalf of East Chicago schools by July 15. Randolph's bill would also modify how East Chicago's average daily membership or enrollment count taken twice annually by the state is determined through the 2017-18 fiscal year. That count helps determine how much funding a district receives from the state. Initially, the EPA had rented office space in the former Gosch building. But, they had left for the winter months and the building is currently empty, McNulty said. The district paid $720,000 on the building last week and still owes around $2 million for the school, she said. Advertisement Randolph's bill would provide $2.2 million in three installments to the district to help make payments on that building. It would pay $1.472 million to East Chicago in the 2016-17 year to make two payments of $736,000 on July 1 and July 15. The third installment of $736,000 to East Chicago schools would be made by Dec. 1, 2017 for a payment due on Jan 15, 2018. "Everything (with the lead crisis) right now is ongoing," he said. The bill would be "a temporary relief thing to allow the people involved to come up with a solution." Reporter Craig Lyons contributed to this report. mcolias@post-trib.com Advertisement Twitter: @meredithcolias Janaya Simmons speaks about the death investigation of her next-door neighbors in Lake in the Hills on Jan. 11, 2017. Carla Lopez-Mejia and her children, Ezequiel Garcia, 11, and Ariana Garcia, 8, were found dead Jan. 10. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) Outside the town house with the boarded-up door, three teenage boys added a rosary and Christian medallion to a growing memorial of stuffed animals, candles and balloons. "We wanted to show our respect," William Weck, 13, said Wednesday afternoon as a cold drizzle fell. Advertisement Another nearby resident, Kelly Klein, said her two daughters were having a hard time with the news: two children and their mother had been found dead in the Lake in the Hills home the previous day in what authorities said appeared to be a double murder-suicide. A couple hours later, the news took another grim turn: Authorities announced their findings that the children, Ezequiel Garcia, 11, and his sister Ariana, 8 had been strangled, and that their mother, Carla Lopez-Mejia, 27, had then hanged herself. Advertisement "It is so heartbreaking," Klein said. "It brings tears to my eyes as a mom who is supposed to protect her children." Police in the small McHenry County community said they were called to the town house along Daybreak Drive at about 3 p.m Tuesday, where first-responders found the remains. Janaya Simmons, who lives in an adjoining town house, said her daughter normally rode the school bus with Ariana but that she didn't show up Tuesday. Simmons called the Garcia children "full of energy" and said they liked to play outside no matter the weather. She recalled that, after a recent snowfall, her daughter built an igloo with Ariana and Ezequiel, whom Simmons called "Ezzie." Anthony Romano, 14, another neighborhood boy, said the Garcia children "were very happy." Simmons said she saw police outside the neighbors' town house Tuesday and later saw the children's father, as well as Lopez-Mejia's mother and brother, outside the home appearing distraught. "Whatever happened is a tragedy. ... I really feel bad for the kids because they really didn't deserve that," she said. "It's just a sad day here in Lake in the Hills." Ezequiel was in sixth grade at Marlowe Middle School and Ariana was a third-grader at Martin Elementary School. Both buildings are located at Reed Road Campus, which can be seen from the town house complex where the children lived. Advertisement Huntley Community School District 158 posted a statement Wednesday of condolence to the family. Spokesman Dan Armstrong said parents of the Garcia children's classmates were notified directly to allow them the chance to talk to their children. The two school principals also spoke directly to the Garcia children's classmates and counselors were made available. "This terrible tragedy has affected all of us in the Huntley 158 family, and the grief that accompanies news such as this will take time to process as students, staff, and the community all attempt to come to terms with it," said the online statement from Superintendent John Burkey. "Students will respond to this tragedy in different ways, and it is important for both schools and families to support them. Any reaction is normal in the grieving process and can range from withdrawal to crying to anger. It's important for us as adults to listen carefully to our children and help them through their reactions and feelings regarding this tragedy," the statement said. There were few immediate clues to suggest what might have led to the gruesome turn of events. Neighbors said Lopez-Mejia was quieter and less sociable than her children's father. A Facebook page appearing to be hers said she had studied at McHenry County College. Posts included inspirational quotes from Nelson Mandela: "It always seems impossible until it's done," and "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." Another post read: "I have a past, but I don't live there anymore." Last June, Lopez-Mejia filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to address unpaid debts, and her case was closed by September, records indicate. While debt is stressful, her attorney, Steve Costello, said his clients are usually happy to get it resolved. Advertisement "We were all scratching our heads as to why something like this would happen," he said. "She seemed very nice and generally happy." Mark La Ferlita, 18, lives across the street from the family and said he often saw Ariana playing with her cat. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "She was nice ... a sweet kid," he said. "They were cute kids, so sweet, real respectful." La Ferlita said he was "shocked" when he saw all the commotion Tuesday night and police breaking down the door. He said such events "don't happen around here." "I'm sad," he said. "I always took for granted them being here, seeing them outside." La Ferlita said it was hard to understand what happened. Advertisement "That's your family," he said. "That is something you have to cherish." Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter, and Robert McCoppin is a Tribune reporter. Photographer Stacey Wescott contributed. rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com This summer, swimmers at all Chicago beaches will be able to find out more quickly if the lake water is safe for swimming. The Chicago Park District, which oversees the city's beaches, plans to expand real-time water testing for bacteria to all city beaches, thanks to a $500,000 contract with the University of Illinois at Chicago that was approved by the Park District board Wednesday. Previously, the district monitored levels of E. coli bacteria in the water near most beaches using a test that took 24 to 48 hours to produce results. This summer, the Park District will send water samples from all 27 city beaches up from nine last year to a UIC lab for a real-time test for a similar bacterium called enterococcus. The newer method reveals results in two to three hours, according to the Park District. Advertisement "We find that conditions change quite a bit day to day," said Cathy Breitenbach, director of the Park District's Department of Cultural and Natural Resources. "The old method was just as accurate in terms of results. But by the time you get the results, the conditions would change. They didn't reflect the current conditions of the beach." Faster results mean the public can be notified more quickly. The Park District alerts people if the water quality or weather conditions are dangerous and whether swimming is permitted on its beach website, through a beach hotline, 312-742-3224, and via color-coded flags at beaches. Advertisement A green flag means swimming is permitted and the water quality is good. A yellow flag indicates swimming is permitted but to exercise caution because weather conditions are unpredictable or bacteria levels are higher than Environmental Protection Agency water quality standards deem safe. A red flag indicates that swimming is banned because of dangerous water quality conditions or weather. For example, if there's heavy rainfall, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District can open the locks that protect Lake Michigan, dumping sewage and storm runoff into the lake. Breitenbach encouraged beachgoers to avoid littering and feeding wildlife because those actions can affect water quality. There are 26 beaches along Chicago's lakefront and one inland in Humboldt Park. lvivanco@chicagotribune.com Twitter @lvivanco John C. Vastis, a former teacher at Meridian Middle School in Buffalo Grove, pleaded guilty on June 27, 2016, to federal child pornography charges and admitted that he had a teen boy send him photos and videos showing him engaging in sex acts. (2009 TribLocal handout photo) A former suburban middle school teacher was sentenced Tuesday to 13 years in federal prison for receiving pornographic photos and videos from a teen boy who prosecutors say felt "brainwashed" and "manipulated" in the process. John C. Vastis, 54, knowingly exchanged "sexually charged" messages with a 16-year-old boy for months and admitted to asking the teen for videos of him engaged in sexual acts, according to court documents. Advertisement He pleaded guilty last June to a single count of accessing child pornography. At the time Vastis was charged in August 2014 he taught at Meridian Middle School in Buffalo Grove. The victim did not attend the school, and Vastis was not accused of sexually exploiting any students, prosecutors said at the time of his arrest. Advertisement Under a plea agreement his lawyers reached with prosecutors, Vastis faced a minimum of a little more than 11 years in prison. But prosecutors argued for a sentence of almost 16 years, citing Vastis' abuse of a second teenager and the need to deter others. U.S. District Judge John Tharp sentenced Vastis to 13 years. Once Vastis completes that sentence, he must serve 10 years on supervised release, undergoing sex-offender treatment and limits on his internet use. He was also ordered to pay more than $18,800 in restitution to the victim and his family. Tharp said Vastis' conduct would likely "haunt" the victim for the rest of his life. "This was the intentional exploitation of a child for your own sexual gratification, time and time again," the judge said. "So that you could satisfy your own appetites, you subjected a kid to a lifetime of issues, threatened to bankrupt his family with limited resources to try and remedy the damage you caused to their son. "How a teacher, an educator who is entrusted with understanding, protecting and developing children into mature, responsible citizens could engage in this sort of self-centered, self-gratification at the expense of a child is beyond my comprehension," Tharp said. The prosecutor read victim-impact statements aloud in court in which the teen and his family described feelings of "guilt, shame and sadness." The teen, who was 16 when Vastis first began to communicate with him in 2013, wrote that Vastis "took advantage of the innocence I had when I thought there was no evil in the world." Several of Vastis' family members, including his wife, could be seen in court wiping away tears throughout the hearing. Advertisement Vastis briefly addressed the courtroom to apologize for his actions and thanked his family for standing by his side throughout the nearly 2 1/2-year legal ordeal. "I know that I'm a good man and I'm extremely sorry. ... I'm just really sorry," he said. "I wish I had sought out help ... much earlier." Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Vastis was 50 when he began chatting online with the teen in September 2013. In pleading guilty, Vastis admitted he knew the boy was then 16. A few months later, Vastis acknowledged, he grew worried that the teen was a law enforcement officer posing as a child, according to court documents. But he continued to keep in touch. Vastis used the pseudonym "Pete" during chats from September 2013 to August 2014. During those conversations, Vastis discussed with the victim trading "vids and pics" references to child pornography, he admitted. By early 2014, Vastis persuaded the teen to produce pornographic images of himself and send them to him, according to court documents. Vastis also admitted he received a video from the boy containing child pornography in July 2014. Advertisement During his chats with the teen in July, Vastis admitted to watching child pornography involving a second minor, a 13-year-old boy, who filmed the pornography for Vastis through a web camera, according to court documents. Vastis also accessed additional child pornography on his laptop in August 2014, according to prosecutors. nmoreno@chicagotribune.com Twitter @nereidamorenos Attorney General Loretta Lynch delivers her farewell address at the Justice Department on Jan. 11, 2017, in Washington, D.C. Lynch will announce the results of the Justice Department's 13-month investigation into the Chicago Police Department, according to sources. (Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty Images) The U.S. Department of Justice plans to announce it has found the Chicago Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violated the U.S. Constitution, two sources with knowledge of the investigation told the Tribune. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will make the announcement Friday, according to the sources, but the details were still being worked out Wednesday. Advertisement It could not be learned how sweeping the conclusions of the 13-month investigation would be, but the two sources said the Justice Department found constitutional abuses of citizens by Chicago police. The federal investigation was launched in December 2015 amid the fallout over the court-ordered release of video showing the fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald. Advertisement In announcing the investigation in December 2015, Lynch said the probe would focus on the Police Department's use of force including whether there were racial, ethnic and other disparities in how force was used. She also said the Justice Department would look into the police system of accountability. Speaking to the City Club of Chicago in September, U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon said the investigation had grown into the largest such probe ever undertaken by federal authorities and was proceeding at a "record pace." Fardon said investigators have done a "deep dive," analyzing "tons of data," interviewing hundreds of people, conducting ride-alongs with officers and studying police policies. The Tribune reported last week that the Justice Department sped up its timeline to get the report done before Democratic President Barack Obama hands over the White House on Jan. 20 to President-elect Donald Trump a tough-on-crime, pro-police Republican. Trump's pick for Attorney General, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, is a longtime law enforcement advocate who has been critical of civil rights investigations that paint police wrongdoing with a broad brush. At his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, Sessions said federal litigation against police departments "can undermine respect for police officers. We need to be careful before we do that." "I think there's concern that good police officers and good departments can be sued by the Department of Justice when you just have individuals within a department who have done wrong, and those individuals need to be prosecuted," Sessions said. "Filing a lawsuit against a police department can have ramifications sometimes beyond what a lot of people think." Meanwhile, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has tried to get ahead of whatever findings the report makes. Last week, he said he would continue his efforts to reform the Chicago Police Department, no matter the outcome of the civil rights probe. Advertisement This excerpt from video released to the public shows the most complete version of the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. It is edited for length by the Chicago Tribune. Warning: This video contains graphic images. (Chicago Tribune) "Our work is not done," Emanuel said, referring to police training, technology and oversight changes made in the past year. "We've made, I think, the right decision to make the necessary changes, and while they may be rushing to finish their job, we are going to continue to do our job to make the right changes that are in our interest to provide the public safety throughout the city of Chicago." In other cities, the Justice Department report has signified the completion of the first phase of federal intervention in troubled police departments. The report often comes with a "statement of principles" agreed to by federal and city authorities, experts said. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > That statement is a commitment to work toward a federal court-enforced consent decree that includes a specific set of reforms overseen by an outside monitor. Elsewhere, it has taken months for such decrees to be reached after the initial probe is done and the statement of principles is agreed on. It's unclear, however, how the Trump administration will handle civil rights investigations of police departments. Chicago Tribune's Katherine Skiba contributed. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Advertisement asweeney@chicagotribune.com Twitter @jmetr22b Twitter @annie1221 Illinois is poised to become one of the first states to require schools and day care centers to test water fountains and faucets for brain-damaging lead. Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected to sign a bill approved by state lawmakers Tuesday after negotiators brokered a compromise that requires schools, rather than water suppliers, to pay for the testing. The final version of the bill also resolved a dispute between the Rauner administration and Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office that had stalled talks until late last week. Advertisement If the bill becomes law, water will be tested for the toxic metal by year's end in every Illinois grade school built before lead plumbing was banned nationwide in 1986. Newer buildings would have to be tested by the end of 2018. The Illinois Department of Public Health would develop separate rules for day care centers. The legislation allows schools to pay for testing and any needed repairs with existing funds set aside for safety improvements or legal issues, alleviating concerns that lawmakers were burdening educators with an unfunded mandate amid the ongoing state budget dispute. Advertisement "This is the first step in our final goal of a lead-free water system in Illinois," said Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, which has been pushing a testing bill for months. "The standardization of testing protocols and parental notification of results put Illinois at the forefront of the country in protecting children's health." More than 20 states debated school testing legislation last year after the water crisis in Flint, Mich., drew renewed national attention to the widespread use of lead plumbing in older buildings. Only New York and Rhode Island enacted new laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Federal regulations require school districts to test water for lead only if they own a private water supply. Most Illinois districts rely on municipal water systems. Large amounts of lead have been found in the water in Chicago-area parks, schools and homes. Heres what you can do to protect yourself from lead exposure in drinking water. Nov. 18, 2016. (Chicago Tribune) Some school districts have tested water voluntarily. Chicago Public Schools last year found high levels of lead in the water at dozens of buildings, and a dozen Cook County districts have reported results that ranged from trace amounts of lead to staggeringly high levels at some water fountains. Legislation requiring statewide testing stalled in November after the Rauner administration opposed a bill backed by Madigan and introduced its own measure. Among other provisions, the governor's bill would have allowed schools to conduct detailed plumbing inventories instead of testing drinking fountains for lead. The legislation approved Tuesday includes the basic framework of the Madigan bill but clarifies the scope of testing, the type of protocols to be used and how the work will be paid for. It also addresses a related issue by requiring officials in most municipalities to inventory any lead service lines that connect homes to street mains. Alarming levels of the metal sometimes leach into household drinking water from these pipes. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "This bill shows what is possible when we work together," Rauner said in a statement. Advertisement The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say any exposure to lead is unsafe. Small doses early in life can permanently damage parts of the brain that enable people to pay attention, regulate emotions and control impulses. Studies have found that poisoned children face an increased risk of learning disabilities and violent behavior later in life. Some school districts that recently tested water took action only if the results from a particular fountain or faucet exceeded 15 parts per billion, which some officials have described as an EPA "action level." However, the agency's regulations are not applicable to results from an individual fixture they apply to test results gathered across entire municipal water systems and are intended to gauge whether water treatment methods are effective at preventing lead from leaching out of pipes. Under the Illinois measure, parents must be notified if the amount of lead from any fixture exceeds 5 parts per billion. "Testing our children's drinking water for lead is a common-sense and inexpensive way to protect them from the serious and lifelong developmental impacts of lead exposure," Madigan said after lawmakers approved the bill. "I applaud the many school districts that have already conducted voluntary testing and taken steps to shut off or fix contaminated sources of water." mhawthorne@chicagotribune.com Twitter @scribeguy The suspense has been as epic as "Star Wars," but after months of intense speculation, George Lucas' Museum of Narrative Art on Tuesday chose Los Angeles as its home over San Francisco. The filmmaker's personal collection of fine and popular art, including ephemera related to his "Star Wars" franchise, will fill a futuristic new museum in L.A.'s Exposition Park, which beat out a competing plan on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. The rivalry had pitted two cities in the competition not only for Lucas' collection and the tourism it will bring, but also for the thousands of jobs that backers say it will create. Advertisement Lucas has said he will fund the project to the tune of about $1 billion, including building costs, his art and an endowment of at least $400 million. "It feels like this incredible gift has come home. I always thought Los Angeles was the natural place to spread the vision of George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, to make art and creativity accessible and inspirational to the next generation," Mayor Eric Garcetti said of the filmmaker and his wife. "It's a natural place to have this museum in the creative capital of the world and in the geographic center of the city. It's a banner day for L.A." Advertisement Garcetti said the museum will create tens of thousands of jobs in construction, and he estimated the number of permanent jobs created by museum at more than a thousand "and that's a lowball estimate." "People will visit from around the world to see the original Darth Vadar mask and Norman Rockwell paintings," he said. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Entertainment and cultural leaders including Los Angeles County Museum of Art Director Michael Govan, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures leader Kerry Brougher and DreamWorks Animation Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg gathered before the L.A. County Board of Supervisors in November to show their support for Lucas' project. "This is a real triumph for the city of L.A., and this will be a transformative opportunity for L.A.," Katzenberg said Tuesday after learning of Lucas' decision. "First and foremost for our residents, who are going to have an outstanding cultural, iconic new force here the force will be with us and I think for tourism, and for the continued, extraordinary transformation of downtown Los Angeles, and for Exposition Park and the other museums it will be joining." Lucas, 72, has spent about 10 years trying to erect a museum for his art collection, which consists of about 10,000 paintings and illustrations including works by Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth and R. Crumb, along with Hollywood memorabilia from films such as "Star Wars" and "The Ten Commandments." In 2010, he set his sights on his home turf of San Francisco, but faced community opposition from San Francisco's Presidio Trust about building in the historic park. Lucas then aimed for Chicago, Hobson's hometown, but encountered resistance from Friends of the Parks about the downtown site along Lake Michigan. The newest proposals, both featuring designs by Chinese architect Ma Yansong, were aesthetically similar but seemingly opposites in other respects. One was a remote, four-acre site on a breezy island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, beautiful but accessible only by bridge and ferry; the other was a seven-acre location in public transit-friendly, museum-heavy Exposition Park near Lucas' alma mater, USC. Lucas declined to comment for this article, but he chose L.A. largely because Exposition Park positions the museum to "have the greatest impact on the broader community, fulfilling our goal of inspiring, engaging and educating a broad and diverse visitorship," the board announcement said. Exposition Park could become the Central Park of Los Angeles, Garcetti said, adding that Lucas has expressed interest in helping to guide a master plan for the swiftly evolving area, already home to the California Science Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California African American Museum. Plans for the new museum, which will rise along Vermont Avenue on land now covered by parking lots, will include underground parking. "We have a new football stadium being built, the Coliseum being redone with more than $200 million in upgrades, and the science center is building a whole new building to permanently house the space shuttle and its rockets," Garcetti said, also noting the proximity to the Expo light rail line and bus lines. The Lucas Museum, he said, "will be the jewel in the crown." The museum board called Exposition Park "a magnet for the region and accessible from all parts of the city." It also cited the location "surrounded by more than 100 elementary and high schools, one of the country's leading universities as well as three other world-class museums." The Lucas Museum will further expand the art museum landscape in greater L.A., which has become a global hot spot for art production. The Broad museum opened in late 2015 in downtown L.A., across the street from the Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum-scale Hauser Wirth & Schimmel gallery opened in L.A.'s Arts District less than a year ago, and the former Santa Monica Museum of Art will reopen in the Arts District this fall, renamed the Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the non-collecting Main Museum made a soft debut in downtown's Old Bank District in October. "There's an understanding of L.A.'s growing cultural influence and growing and diverse audiences for museums here," LACMA's Govan said Tuesday. "We ended 2016 with over 1.5 million visitors." He said the Lucas Museum will present visual culture from a different point of view, one that "makes so much sense in a city known equally for art and for film." Philanthropist and Broad museum founder Eli Broad called the Lucas Museum "one of the most important cultural and tourist additions to our city in the last 25 years." "I spoke to both George Lucas and Mellody personally about our great success at the Broad," the philanthropist said. "We've had over 1 million visitors since we opened in 2015, and I'd expect the attendance at the Lucas Museum will be equal or even succeed that." Art historian Don Bacigalupi, formerly president and executive director of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark., will serve as founding president of the Lucas Museum. He and Lucas still face the possibility of the kind of community scrutiny the project encountered in San Francisco and Chicago, but officials remain optimistic. Groundbreaking is planned before year's end, a spokesman said, with the opening targeted for 2021. "We have exciting work ahead," Bacigalupi said. deborah.vankin@latimes.com Advertisement @debvankin A suburban man dragged a woman out of an Austin neighborhood park into his car, sexually assaulted her and stole money from her before people noticed the attack and told a nearby police officer, authorities said Wednesday. Dale Lewis, 48, appeared before Cook County Judge Judge James Brown and was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bail Wednesday on charges of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping in the attack. Advertisement The woman was walking about 8:45 a.m. Monday in the 5700 block of West Lake Street after dropping off her children at school when Lewis drove up, prosecutors said. The address where she was attacked is in Austin Park, which runs just north of a set of railroad tracks from Waller Avenue to Austin Boulevard. Lewis asked the 24-year-old woman if she had any change and she told him she didn't and kept walking, prosecutors said. Lewis got out of his car, went up to the woman from behind and grabbed her around the neck. Advertisement Lewis dragged the woman into the front passenger seat of the car, locked the door and climbed on top of her, prosecutors said. He sexually assaulted her and punched her in the face when she resisted, grabbing his shirt and scratching him, he punched her in the face, prosecutors said. During the attack, Lewis took $160 from the woman's bra. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > At least three people noticed Lewis and the woman struggling and one of them heard her calling for help, prosecutors said. They alerted a female police officer who was parked nearby, prosecutors said. Apparently realizing what was happening, Lewis tried to force the woman out of his car and got into the driver's seat of the car, prosecutors said. The officer went up to Lewis's car, saw the woman hanging out of the car and saw her fall out as Lewis drove off. The woman was hit by Lewis's car and the officer started pursuing him, curbing his car nearby, prosecutors said. As the officer waited for backup, Lewis took off again, but the backup officers pursued him and stopped him. He was arrested in the 400 block of North Central Avenue about 9 a.m. Monday, according to police. A witness saw the woman fall from the car and when the witness went up to her, the woman told the witness Lewis had been trying to rape her, prosecutors said. The woman identified Lewis, of the 10500 block of Essex Avenue in Westchester, as her attacker and he was arrested, prosecutors said. Paramedics took the woman to West Suburban Medical Center to be treated for a broken hand, a broken foot, a large cut on her forehead, a black eye and scratches to her face and neck, prosecutors said. Advertisement Lewis is expected to appear in court again Jan. 30. The attorney for heirs of Chicago music legend Muddy Waters was back court Tuesday, seeking more information about proceeds of the bluesman's estate, including almost $2 million that Waters' former manager paid himself in recent years. Attorney Andrew Bell, who represents Waters' heirs, told DuPage County Judge Robert Gibson that he was still obtaining information from three banks used by the late Scott Cameron, who was Waters' manager and executor of his estate. Advertisement Cameron died in 2015 in Missouri, and according to court documents, he died with no assets of financial value. But other financial records obtained by Waters' heirs show that Cameron paid his company, The Cameron Organisation, $1.9 million from income generated by Waters' estate between 2009 and 2014. The amount represented more than half of the revenue generated by the estate, the heirs contend. "Despite receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from the estate each year, Scott A. Cameron died with no probate assets, and those hundreds of thousands of dollars, some or all of which properly belong to the estate of McKinley Morganfield (Waters' given name), flowed through the Cameron Organisation to Scott A. Cameron," Bell said in a court filing. Advertisement The Waters heirs are trying to discover where that money went. The case is due back in DuPage County probate court later this month, where Cameron's widow could face a contempt citation for failing to appear at a December court date. Waters was born in either 1913 or 1915 and died in April 1983. He is considered one of the greats of the blues, and he served as a major influence in rock music, particularly for English musicians like The Rolling Stones, who took their name from a Waters song. Waters came to Chicago in the 1940s and lived on the South Side. In the 1970s, though, he moved to Westmont, which is where he resided at the time he died. Waters had enjoyed a late-career renaissance, aided by Cameron, who managed Waters and was executor of his estate. Late in 2014, a group of Waters' heirs, including his children Mercy and Joe Morganfield, went to court seeking more information about the financial affairs of the estate. Cameron died in February 2015. A DuPage probate judge ordered the estate reopened last year and appointed Mercy Morganfield as the administrator. Since then, lawyers for the estate have been trying to compile a complete financial picture. Waters' estate also is trying to obtain two guitars that belonged to Waters that are in the possession of the Cameron Organisation, including Waters' iconic red Fender Telecaster. Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter. Nearly 30 years after he killed his 15-year-old pregnant girlfriend, police say a man killed his ex-girlfriend and seriously wounded another woman during in a New Year's Eve attack on the South Side. Douglas Askew, 46, went to the home of Sylvia Brice, 52, in the 9300 block of South Wentworth Avenue, killed her and stabbed another woman, according to police and court records. He is charged with murder and aggravated battery. Brice had filed for an order of protection against Askew on Nov. 30, according to court records. She had been given control of the couple's apartment when she filed for the civil order before Cook County Judge Michael Clancy, according to court records. On Aug. 3, 1989, Askew was 19 and living in Robbins when he killed his girlfriend, Fay Jackson, and shot her 19-year-old sister and a 34-year-old man. Fay was pregnant. He pleaded guilty in February 1990 and was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder, and two concurrent 30-year terms in the attempted murders. After being released from prison, he was arrested in 2013 in Chicago on domestic battery charges, according to court records. In 2014, he was arrested in Lansing on domestic assault charges. In both cases, the charges were dropped after the complaining witness did not show up in court and the state's attorney's office declined to press ahead with charges, according to court records. Askew, who gave his address as the 500 block of West 14th Street, was arrested Monday, according to court records. Cook County Judge James Brown ordered Askew held without bail in a hearing midday Tuesday. He is scheduled to be back in court Jan. 30, according to records. Johnnie Lee Savory and his attorneys discusses the civil rights lawsuit they filed Jan. 11, 2017, against the city of Peoria during a news conference at Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law. Savory was 14 years old when he was charged with a double murder that he did not commit. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) Johnnie Lee Savory has come a long way since, as a Peoria eighth-grader in 1977, he was arrested and convicted of fatally stabbing two others, spending three decades in prison before Gov. Pat Quinn pardoned him in 2015. Savory, a volunteer at Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, has worked with other wrongfully convicted men, attending hearings where they sought to overturn their convictions. He's traveled to the Caribbean something that once seemed impossible and is now a father. Advertisement But the 54-year-old man, who once had boyhood dreams of playing in the NFL, still cannot shake off the emotional scars that came with his prison sentence at such a young age. "It was like I was in 'The Twilight Zone.' I walked into school and the next thing I know, I'm in jail," Savory, dressed in a crisp blue suit and holding his 11-month-old daughter, Nia, told a gathering of reporters Wednesday. "Hopefully no other parents have to go through anything like this." Advertisement On Wednesday, Savory stood with his attorneys at a downtown Chicago news conference to announce that he had filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against more than a dozen current and former Peoria police officials whom he accused of framing him. "This has to stop at some point. The truth didn't matter here until today. It took 40 years for this truth to get through to everyone," said Savory, who long proclaimed his innocence. "It shouldn't have took 30 seconds because they knew I had not taken my friend's life and his sister's." The 11-count, 31-page suit claims that Peoria police interrogated the teen for 31 hours outside the presence of a parent or youth officer eventually coercing him into making a false confession. The suit also claimed that police fabricated physical evidence, along with witness statements. Johnnie Lee Savory, holding his 11-month-old daughter, Nia, discusses the civil rights lawsuit his attorneys filed Jan. 11, 2017, against the city of Peoria during a news conference at Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law. Savory was 14 years old when he was charged with a double murder that he did not commit. The suit alleges police officers repeatedly violated Savory's constitutional rights by framing him and coercing witnesses into false testimony. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) "You just have to picture yourself being a 14-year-old kid, not a fully grown man, just a child wakes up one day and police are telling him that he's accused of horrible, horrible crimes," said Jon Loevy, one of Savory's attorneys. "Basically the entire case against him was fabricated and as a 14-year-old boy he gets sent to prison. He spends (30) years in prison for a crime he didn't commit." In January 1977, Savory was arrested and later convicted of the fatal stabbings of his friend, James Robinson Jr., 14, and Robinson's sister, Connie Cooper, 19. Prosecutors alleged that Savory had become enraged while practicing karate with Robinson at his friend's Peoria home and attacked the siblings with a knife. An appeals court ruled his confession was inadmissible and threw out his conviction, but he was convicted at a second trial that was moved to Lake County. The key to the second conviction was three new prosecution witnesses, siblings who testified that Savory implicated himself in the murders just hours after the slayings. All three have since recanted. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > But Savory's suit claims that recent DNA testing on several items, including blood samples found at the scene, pointed to another unidentified person and excluded Savory. In 2006, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board paroled Savory after 30 years in prison despite his continued claims of innocence. In 2011, then-Gov. Quinn ended Savory's parole several years early, then granted him a pardon in 2015. Quinn's pardon incensed Peoria prosecutors and officers who continued to insist on Savory's guilt. Advertisement "I have as much certainty that he committed the homicides today as when he confessed to me," Marcella Teplitz, the juvenile officer who obtained Savory's confession, told the Peoria Journal Star two years ago following the pardon. Teplitz is one of the officers named in the suit. Officials from Peoria's legal department couldn't be reached for comment. Savory's suit seeks unspecified damages against the defendants, as well as the police department and the city of Peoria. wlee@chicagotribune.com Twitter @MidNoirCowboy Speaker Michael Madigan, seen here last month after a Thompson Center meeting, is expected to be elected to a record 17th term leading the Illinois House on Wednesday. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Topspin The Illinois Republican Party largely funded by Gov. Bruce Rauner has spent weeks using emails, fliers, newspaper editorials, a website and as of this week a Snapchat filter to try to pressure Democrats to vote against Michael Madigan for House speaker. Advertisement Sometime after noon, it will become clear if Republicans swayed any Democrats. That's when the new class of House and Senate lawmakers are set to take the oath of office, convene and pick their leaders. State Rep. Scott Drury, a Highwood Democrat who last month said he was "studying" options for challenging Madigan's speakership candidacy, said Tuesday he might vote for someone else. Advertisement Rauner and Madigan have feuded for nearly two years over Illinois' budget, but they won't be in the same building for Wednesday's ceremonies. The House will gather in an auditorium at the University of Illinois' Springfield campus miles from the state Capitol, where Rauner will preside over the Illinois Senate convening. Democratic and Republican Senate leaders in recent days made public a massive group of proposals aimed at jump-starting Illinois' long state budget stalemate. They said they'll file those proposals again Wednesday. What's on tap *Mayor Emanuel will attend the Illinois House of Representatives Inauguration Ceremony. *Gov. Rauner briefly will preside over the Illinois Senate as the 100th Illinois General Assembly takes office today. What we're writing *Obama warns of threats to democracy in farewell speech before 18,000 in his adopted hometown of Chicago. *Obama Chicago speech transcript. Advertisement *Photo gallery: Obama through the years. *Madigan preps for 17th term as speaker despite Rauner-funded pressure. *Emanuel asks credit ratings agency to back off ahead of latest round of borrowing. *Illinois poised to require lead testing in schools, day care centers. *Cook County leaders urge Obamacare sign-ups as Republicans plan teardown. What we're reading *Chicago cop asks that charges over Laquan McDonald's killing be dropped. Advertisement *Former state Sen. Lou Viverito's daughter, a former aide to Rep. Dan Lipinski, found dead. *Los Angeles will give the Lucas Museum a home. From the notebook *Building agency gets new leader: A former top aide to Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza when she was Chicago city clerk was appointed Tuesday by Mayor Emanuel to head up an agency that oversees building projects for the city, Cook County, Chicago Public Schools and other local government agencies. Emanuel named deputy city Clerk Carina Sanchez as executive director of the Public Building Commission. She replaces Felicia Davis, who the mayor's office said was "stepping down to pursue other professional endeavors." Davis' last meeting was Tuesday. Sanchez, if approved by the Building Commission board, is expected to take over next month. Sanchez would be paid $173,000 about $48,000 a year more than she's currently making. But in a political sense, the appointment is a bit of a consolation prize, after Emanuel last month chose Anna Valencia to replace Mendoza as city clerk. Mendoza was sworn in as state comptroller last month after winning in November. Mendoza had urged Emanuel to appoint Sanchez as her replacement. Advertisement Sanchez, 38, was deputy clerk under Mendoza and ran the office for six weeks when Mendoza was on maternity leave in late 2012 and early 2013. She is a University of Chicago graduate from Pilsen who was one of Mendoza's early hires when she was a state legislator. Sanchez went on to work for House Speaker Madigan and in the state's Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. She was fired from that agency when she challenged 12th Ward Ald. George Cardenas in 2007, a race she lost. After that, she worked for former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Mendoza hired Sanchez after being elected to her city post in mid-2011 and promoted her to deputy clerk the following year. (Hal Dardick) *Gutierrez to join women's march in D.C.: Democratic U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who is skipping Donald Trump's inauguration, said Tuesday that he'll hit Washington's streets the day after the swearing-in to join a women's protest march planned in the capital. Gutierrez had harsh words for the president-elect, bringing up what Trump said on the "Access Hollywood" bus in 2005 about grabbing women by the genitals. "It is something I can never un-hear," the congressman said from the House floor. "It is offensive and, if he ever actually did it, it is criminal." Advertisement The Chicagoan said he's snubbing the swearing-in because he could not bring himself to "justify morally or intellectually the immense power we are placing in that man's hands." Gutierrez noted he attended both of Republican President George W. Bush's inaugurations. Now, though, he says he can't stomach the inflammatory things Trump has said about Muslims, Mexicans and Latinos and others. "I want to be able to look my two beautiful Latina daughters and my beautiful half-Puerto Rican, half-Mexican, 100 percent American grandson in the eye with a clear conscience," he said. A women's march to protest Trump taking office also is being planned in Chicago and other cities. (Katherine Skiba) Follow the money *Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here. Advertisement Beyond Chicago *NYT: Trump received unsubstantiated report that Russia had damaging personal information about him. *Sen. Jeff Sessions says he'd be fair attorney general, will defy Trump if necessary. *Trump asks vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead commission on 'vaccine safety.' *Republicans scramble to ease concerns about Obamacare replacement. Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan is poised to continue his run as the country's longest-serving state legislative leader when the new Illinois General Assembly is sworn in Wednesday. The vote on giving the Southwest Side politician a record 17th term as speaker comes as the old class of lawmakers wrapped up their two-year session Tuesday by voting to extend a tax credit for businesses and require lead testing of water in schools. The Democrat-controlled General Assembly, however, was unable to reach an agreement with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on a full state budget in a stalemate that has defined state government. Advertisement Leading up to Wednesday, the Rauner-funded Illinois Republican Party has waged a noisy messaging campaign as it sought to pressure potentially vulnerable Democratic lawmakers not to vote for Madigan, the governor's chief political foe who has led the House for all but two years since 1983. The unusual move draws on a successful election-year strategy that saw Republicans chip into Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate. Rauner and his allies contend Madigan is to blame for the dysfunction in Springfield and that voters should dump lawmakers who support him. By making a big deal of the vote for speaker, the Republican political operation put Democrats on notice that Wednesday's vote could be used against them down the road. Advertisement But on the eve of the vote, as lawmakers closed out a two-day, lame-duck session and some hurried back to Chicago for President Barack Obama's farewell address, even the lone Democrat who had once publicly suggested finding an alternative to Madigan had backed away from the idea. "I think everybody who's voting ... has to be aware of the fact that there could be severe consequences if you don't fall in line, and that's just a fact of the way in which the General Assembly seems to be run," said Rep. Scott Drury, a Highwood Democrat who said last month that he was "studying" options for challenging Madigan's speakership candidacy. By Tuesday, Drury said he was still considering voting for a candidate other than Madigan should one emerge, but he acknowledged that there was no coordinated effort to put forward an alternative. Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat and top Madigan deputy, dismissed the notion of a coup. "We decide as a caucus who our candidate for speaker is going to be, behind closed doors," Lang said. "And once we decide who our candidate for speaker is, the members of the caucus support the caucus decision." Any chance lawmakers would go out on a limb and buck their party leaders was dashed after the last election, said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The vast amount of money that flooded into the campaigns is likely to make lawmakers more beholden to their leadership, not less, he said. "You now have Republican members that are much more dependent and much more closely tied to Rauner. Rauner is the Republican Party, in terms of the financing," Redfield said. "There's just a lot of really big money out there on the Republican side, and you've got a response on the Democratic side. That has an impact on the caucuses. "Given what Rauner has done, do you want to go against him?" Redfield said. "Given the money you'd need if Rauner's going against you, are you going to go against Madigan or (Senate President John) Cullerton? ... If you're a potential target, and you're not personally wealthy, then you've got to have friends that have money." Advertisement Cullerton is set to be re-elected to his post Wednesday as well, as are the top two Republicans: House leader Jim Durkin and Senate leader Christine Radogno. A day earlier, lawmakers capped their final day in session with relatively little drama, once again leaving the looming state budget issue and the deadlocked negotiations with Rauner for another day. The House approved a plan to freeze local property taxes, an issue Rauner has long pushed for as part of his economic and political agenda. But the vote was largely about providing political cover for Democrats, as there wasn't enough time for the Senate to take up the measure before new legislators are seated. But the Senate did sign off on several measures that will make it to Rauner's desk, including a four-month extension of a sometimes-controversial tax break program for companies that create jobs in Illinois and new rules that require schools and day cares to test drinking water for lead. Legislators also voted in favor of several changes to the criminal justice system brought by the governor's bipartisan commission aimed at lowering the state's prison population. Those changes include the creation of trauma counseling centers for victims of violent crimes that would be paid for with federal funds, expanding programs that allow prisoners to earn credits to shave time off their sentences, and giving judges more leeway to give probation instead of jail time in certain drug cases. The day was also an opportunity for departing members, no longer beholden to their leadership, to speak their minds. Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, used his goodbye speech to encourage his colleagues to abandon a political system in which one person can amass wide control. Advertisement "I learned a long time ago in central Illinois at my grandmother Christina's Sunday school class that we condemn not the sinner but the sin," Noland said. "And the sin is on every one of us who maintains a system whereby any one of us can maintain control over either chamber under this roof or either party outside of it. Burn that bridge, and pass the torch." kgeiger@chicagotribune.com mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com House Speaker Michael Madigan listens to nominations for a new speaker of the House during the swearing-in of state representatives Jan. 11, 2017, on the University of Illinois campus in Springfield (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) SPRINGFIELD A newly re-elected House Speaker Michael Madigan on Wednesday unveiled a series of proposals aimed at jump starting job growth in Illinois, the Democratic response to the economic agenda Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has pushed for two years as the sides remain deadlocked on a state budget. The plan represents a pivot in strategy for the longtime speaker, who has been facing pressure from members of his own caucus to develop a counter to the governor's plans beyond mere opposition. But it provides little movement toward a budget resolution as universities and social service providers fear for their futures after their state funding ran out at the start of the new year. Advertisement While Madigan began his remarks on the first day of the new session lamenting the difficulty of the just-concluded one and calling for both the sides to "work to end the acrimony and find the best in each other," he went on to make it clear that he was not caving to Rauner's demands, which the governor has made a condition of a larger budget agreement. "Some of us believe that we can grow the economy by changes in workers' compensation, collective bargaining and prevailing wage," Madigan said, referring to Rauner without using his name. "These people would argue that changes in those areas would lower the cost for Illinois businesses, which would act as an incentive for businesses to locate in Illinois or stay in Illinois. Obviously, this approach focuses almost exclusively on cost. In my opinion, this would be a race to the bottom that would unjustifiably hurt Illinois workers." Advertisement It was a softening in tone for Madigan, who repeatedly has called Rauner's economic ideas "extreme" and argued they should be considered separately from budget talks. Republicans greeted the change with cautious optimism, but were quick to note they would not be abandoning their wish list simply because Democrats have offered up their alternative. Indeed, many of the ideas floated by Madigan were not new and already have been opposed by the GOP, including a tax on people who earn more than $1 million a year to fund education. "Our state is suffering," said House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs. "It is in need of help. By taking that oath, we are charged with fixing it. Today, we are at two years without a budget, a balanced budget, and yes, we need and must break this impasse. To break the impasse, both sides must respect each other's priorities. That means negotiate, compromise." Durkin noted there's reason for Republicans to be wary, pointing to numerous votes on legislation that was never intended to become law, including this week's passage of a property tax freeze that House lawmakers approved even though there wasn't time for the Senate to consider it. "Why? To create political ads and mail pieces for strictly political purposes," Durkin said. "That is not active participation in state government. Enough is enough." As Durkin spoke, the Illinois Republican Party flooded reporters' inboxes with e-mails attacking Democratic lawmakers for electing Madigan to his record 17th term as speaker. He's been running the House for all but two years since 1983. As the GOP tries to dethrone Madigan, the party spent tens of millions of dollars last year on legislative races and made a net gain of four House seats. Despite calls for his ouster by the Rauner-funded state GOP and newspaper editorial boards, the vote was never really in question. Madigan won the support of 66 of his 67 Democratic members. Rep. Scott Drury, a Democrat from Highwood in Lake County who briefly had talked about finding an alternative to Madigan, voted "present." For his part, Rauner issued a statement that amounted to welcoming the Democrats to the party, saying that after two years, "both Democratic leaders finally agree that we must have a balanced budget with economic changes to increase our competitiveness to grow jobs." Advertisement "Now let's come together on a bipartisan basis to ensure all proposals truly take the state in a better direction," Rauner said. Madigan first outlined his plans in a letter published Wednesday morning in the State Journal-Register, the Springfield newspaper. His proposals include cutting the corporate income tax rate by at least 50 percent, but applying that rate across the board so that a vast majority of businesses that current don't pay any income taxes will have to pony up. Madigan also wants to keep on the books a sometimes controversial tax credit for businesses that create new jobs, and ban "any future tax incentives for corporations that ship American jobs out of our country." The speaker also called for expanding the earned income tax credit for low-income families, and raising the minimum wage an idea Democrats have long pushed for but largely abandoned during the budget stalemate. The speaker also resurrected his plan to tax those who earn over $1 million to help fund education, a tax hike that could hit both he and the governor. Madigan is a co-founder of a property tax appeals firm, while Rauner is a former private equity specialist. Rank-and-file members of both parties said they were encouraged by Madigan's change in tune, but said there is a long road ahead before an agreement can be reached. "I was pleased to hear the speaker offer something different than we've heard in the past, which is what I think is needed to break this impasse," said Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook. "Compromise, you can perceive it as a good thing or you can perceive it as caving, and whatever word you want to do put to it, we need to make progress." Advertisement Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington said Republicans will still push for items on the governor's agenda, including cost-cutting changes to the workers compensation system and term limits. "The speaker needs to come to the middle with the governor and us, the House Republicans," Brady said. "So let's hope today starts anew, let's hope it's not just words and rhetoric." In the Senate, Democratic President John Cullerton and Republican leader Christine Radogno, already had signaled an eagerness to restart negotiations when they floated a framework for legislation earlier this week they said could break the budget stalemate. The series of bills were quickly shelved after rank-and-file lawmakers complained about making hasty moves in the lame-duck session, especially when the ideas hadn't been embraced by the House. Still, the effort set a more friendly tone for the Senate's swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, where Rauner presided and offered praise of Cullerton, the Democrat who he often paints as a lesser villain in his ongoing power struggle with Madigan. "He's got one heck of a hard job, I know," Rauner said. "We all need to battle for what we firmly believe is right, but I hope the good lord grants us the wisdom to find common ground." But once the governor took a seat in the audience, Cullerton took to the podium and gave a characteristically sarcastic sermon that took obvious swipes at Rauner for his continued campaign-style tactics. Advertisement "While we call for bipartisanship and compromise, political attack dogs snipe at every development," Cullerton complained. "There's plenty of time and issues to campaign onwhen it's campaign season. How about if we just try governing for a little bit?" In a nod to Rauner's call for term limits on elected officials, the chamber agreed to new rules that set limits on Senate leadership so that no lawmaker could serve in a leadership role for more than five two-year terms. The new rule, which could be changed down the road, was more symbolic than practical. Both Cullerton and Radogno already have served four leadership terms, making the new term that began Wednesday their fifth. But past terms won't count toward the limit, a Cullerton aide said, meaning the two wouldn't reach the limit until 2027. Radogno said the new rule "demonstrates that we're serious about this," and noted that there were plans to introduce a constitutional amendment that would put term limits on all lawmakers. The new rule cleared the chamber 58-0. Sen. Steve Landek, D-Bridgeview, did not cast a vote. Two years ago, Cullerton resisted Rauner's calls for a constitutional amendment enacting term limits. At the time, the Senate president reasoned that the effort was premature in a non-election year, since constitutional amendments must be put before the voters. This time, however, Cullerton had no objection when Radogno introduced the legislation. An aide said in an email that Cullerton was "heading into a new session with an open mind." "I think, personally, the state has been shaken up enough," Cullerton concluded in his speech, borrowing slogans from Rauner and another prominent Republican politician. "Let's make Illinois great again." Advertisement mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com kgeiger@chicagotribune.com Barack Obama said goodbye Tuesday night to a nation that delivered him a historic presidency and challenged Americans to fulfill democracy's promise as a new era of government in Washington, led by Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump, is about to begin. Even as Obama exits the world and national stage in little more than a week, he pledged to an estimated 18,000 gathered at McCormick Place in his adopted hometown of Chicago that his social and civic activism will continue as a citizen. Advertisement Joined by first lady Michelle Obama, daughter Malia, and Vice President Joe Biden, the president credited Chicago with playing a crucial role in his path to public service. Daughter Sasha remained in Washington because of a Wednesday morning school exam, the White House said. "I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties and I was still trying to figure out who I was, still searching for a purpose in my life," Obama said in a nationally broadcast speech. Advertisement "And it was in a neighborhood not far from here where I began working with church groups in the shadows of closed steel mills. It was on these streets where I witnessed the power of faith and the quiet dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss," Obama said. "Now, this is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, and they get engaged, and come together to demand it." Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 75 President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 10, 2017, in Chicago. (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune) The address presented a dichotomy of Obama's traditional attempts to inspire optimism while also warning his belief that democracy was showing signs of gradual erosion. He cited perceived dangers that include rising income inequality, growing racial tensions, fear of terrorism and a fracturing of media that allows people to exist in their own political preference "bubbles" to hear what they want to hear regardless of fact or science. If anything, the speech demonstrated that while Obama is leaving the White House, the 55-year-old president is not headed to quiet retirement amid one-party Republican control of the nation, a controversial successor in the White House and a Democratic Party that finds itself in disarray and without focused leadership. And while he only mentioned the incoming president once by name discussing the peaceful transfer of power that will come on Jan. 20 Obama's message sought to combat some of the concepts and demographic appeals that Trump embraced to win the White House. Citing the growth of automation in displacing middle-class jobs in the future, Obama called for a new social compact "to guarantee all our kids the education they need, to give workers the power to unionize for better wages, to update the social safety net to reflect the way we live now and make more reforms to the tax code" so corporations and wealthy individuals don't "avoid their obligations to the country." "We can argue about how to best achieve these goals. But we can't be complacent about the goals themselves. For if we don't create opportunity for all people, the disaffection and division that has stalled our progress will only sharpen in years to come," he said. While Obama said his election as the nation's first black president inspired optimism toward a "post-racial America," he added that such a vision "was never realistic." He also warned economic divisions have intensified racial divisions, particularly at a time when the growth of the nation's Hispanic population continues. To be serious about race, Obama said laws to fight discrimination in hiring, housing, education and criminal justice must be upheld and "hearts must change." Advertisement "For blacks and other minority groups, that means tying our own struggles for justice to the challenges that a lot of people in this country face," Obama said, including "the middle-aged white man who, from the outside may seem like he's got all the advantages, but who's seen his world upended by economic, cultural and technological change." For whites, Obama said, "it means acknowledging that the effects of slavery and Jim Crow didn't suddenly vanish in the '60s, that when minority groups voice discontent, they're not just engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness; when they wage peaceful protest, they're not demanding special treatment but the equal treatment that our founders promised." Noting the increasing partisanship that marked his tenure as president, Obama warned another threat to democracy was the trend of people becoming "so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions instead of basing our opinions on the evidence is out there." "Without some common baseline of facts, without a willingness to admit new information and concede that your opponent is making a fair point and that science and reason matter, we'll keep talking past each other, making common ground and compromise impossible," he said. In what may have been his most direct criticism of Trump, Obama spoke of the threat of terrorism as he hailed the vigilance of first responders and the military and vowed "ISIL will be destroyed." But the president also warned that "democracy can buckle when we give in to fear." Advertisement "So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are," Obama said. "That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans," he added, drawing loud applause. "That's why we cannot withdraw from big global fights to expand democracy and human rights, and women's rights, and LGBT rights no matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem." Obama also warned of complacency toward government and politics, particularly among younger Americans. He urged citizens, regardless of party, to "throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions." Democracy's potential, he said, only works "if our politics better reflects the decency of our people" and if everyone helps to "restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now." "If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself," Obama said. "Show up. Dive in. Stay at it. Sometimes you'll win. Sometimes you'll lose." It was a celebratory atmosphere that greeted Obama for his final return as president to the city that shaped his career, the place he moved after becoming the first African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review to get his start as a community organizer, then to serve as a state and U.S. senator and ultimately for eight years as president. Advertisement Chicago-area native Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam helped lead the Chicago Children's Choir in "People Have the Power" as a prelude to the speech and supporters chanted one of the Obama campaign themes, "Fired up! Ready to go!" as the lights dimmed. The president walked on stage, standing before a blue background filled with flags as a large presidential seal loomed atop. After initially failing to persuade people to sit down, Obama joked, "You can tell I'm a lame duck because nobody's following instructions." The speech represented a continuation of a tradition launched by the nation's first president, George Washington, to present a farewell message to the country. By delivering it in Chicago, Obama gave a nod to the city of his politically formative years. But his address of about 50 minutes was not Chicago-centric and was one of the few instances in recent visits in which he did not touch upon one of the city's most troubling problems the issue of gun violence after last year saw more than 760 homicides. His remarks were interrupted early on when a woman shouted at him from the audience, holding a sign saying, "Pardon us all now." That prompted supporters to try to shout down the protester by chanting, "Four more years." Police removed the protester. The president only briefly touched on a list of accomplishments during his tenure, including the Affordable Care Act, which has provided health insurance to 20 million previously uninsured, that the new GOP administration and leadership in Congress has promised to dismantle. Obama took credit for rescuing the economy he inherited in 2009 as the Great Recession deepened, noting a gradual jobs recovery along with wages that have increased in recent years at a pace faster than any time in the last four decades. Advertisement He also talked up a foreign policy that he characterized as sharply curtailing, but not totally ending, U.S. military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, the killing of Al Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, restoring relations with Cuba and featuring U.S.-led multinational efforts to curb Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons. But in summing up his accomplishments, he said it was a shared victory. "That's what we did. That's what you did. You were the change," he said. "You answered people's hopes. And because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started." As he began to close his speech, the president recognized Michelle Obama and wiped away a tear. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and you made it your own with grace and with grit and with style and good humor," he said. The address provided another reminder of Obama's powerful oratorical skills at a time when posting on Twitter has become a preferred method of communication for Trump and others. Advertisement At one point, Obama hearkened back to the speech that put him on the national stage his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, where he was still a largely obscure candidate for Illinois' U.S. Senate seat. On Tuesday night, echoing what he said a dozen years ago, he cited the pronouncement in the Declaration of Independence that "we are all created equal" and that through a people's democracy, a "more perfect union" can be formed. Long lines of supporters looking to see Obama's last major presidential speech gathered in the rain and wind hours before the event to undergo airport-style security screening. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 79 State Sen. Barack Obama from Chicago listens during a session May 31, 2002, in Springfield. (John Lee/ Chicago Tribune) The Windy City's wind swept weather on Tuesday night forced the presidential entourage to travel by motorcade to McCormick Place, which included shutting down the in-bound Kennedy Expressway and portions of Lake Shore Drive during rush hour after Air Force One landed at O'Hare International Airport. Usually, the president uses the Marine One helicopter to travel from O'Hare to downtown. Prior to arriving at McCormick Place, the presidential motorcade arrived at one of Obama's favorite restaurants, Valois, in Hyde Park. He did an interview with NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt, who previously was an anchor and reporter in Chicago. Among the dozens in the crowd outside was Jessica Simmons, 38, a marketing manager who works in the neighborhood. Simmons said she waited for two hours on a sidewalk along Harper Avenue to catch a brief glimpse of Obama's motorcade. Advertisement "He served the country and the people for eight years, and to show my gratitude I can stand out here, wave, send him off and wish him well," Simmons said. She went on to offer a twist on a saying some Americans have sarcastically used to blame everything that goes wrong in life on president. "It's absolutely a whole new meaning to 'Thanks, Obama.'" rap30@aol.com bruthhart@chicagotribune.com As City Hall prepares to borrow $1.2 billion, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has asked a Wall Street debt ratings agency that's been highly critical of Chicago's finances to withdraw its evaluation of city creditworthiness, the administration disclosed Tuesday. The mayor contends that the junk status placed on the city's debt by Moody's Investors Service drives up borrowing costs covered by taxpayers and does not reflect the steps he has taken to fix the city's finances. Advertisement "It has become increasingly clear that Moody's rating methodology and agenda are far from objective and independent," Emanuel wrote to Raymond McDaniel Jr., president and CEO of Moody's. The mayor asked Moody's to "withdraw all of its ratings on city of Chicago debt." Asked if the company would do what Emanuel wants, Moody's spokesman David Jacobson did not directly answer, saying only that the company has a process for considering such requests. Advertisement While the letter was dated Dec. 8, the Emanuel administration did not publicly release it until Tuesday. That's a day before city finance officials are set to start a round of meetings with potential investors, and a day after the Chicago Tribune published a story detailing the proposed borrowing, which would push hundreds of millions of dollars of debt off into the future at a higher cost to taxpayers a practice Moody's has criticized. Emanuel aides have said this bond issue will be the last one to push off city debt. The letter is another in a series of steps the administration has taken to combat what it characterizes as unfair treatment by Moody's. It last paid Moody's to rate a bond issue in 2014, after the agency had issued several downgrades to Chicago debt but not yet placed it in junk territory. But that move had limited impact, because Moody's has continued to rate outstanding bonds it was paid earlier to evaluate. In mid-2015 the agency issued its junk rating, which Emanuel at the time called "irresponsible." In a Tribune interview last August, city Chief Financial Officer Carole Brown contended the agency "backed itself into a corner" when it issued the junk rating. She noted steps Emanuel has taken to improve finances significantly narrowing a perennial budget gap, unwinding risky variable-rate bond deals and raising taxes to lower the city's outsized debt to government employee pension funds and said "we're not going to be held hostage" by Moody's. Brown's critique came after a top Moody's analyst spoke at a City Club forum, saying Chicago is not on the brink of financial ruin but needs to do far more than it has to lessen overall city debt, including what it owes to the pension funds. Moody's pointed out that city pension debt will continue to grow for well more than a decade before it starts to decline under Emanuel's plans. Brown also met last month with Moody's officials to press the mayor's case for withdrawal of its ratings of Chicago debt, city financial spokeswoman Molly Poppe said. The mayor's letter, Poppe said, does not reflect "a desire to pick a fight" with Moody's. "It's an attempt to protect taxpayers." hdardick@chicagotribune.com Twitter @ReporterHal GUERNEVILLE, Calif. About 2,000 people in a rural California community near Sacramento were asked to leave their homes Tuesday as a river swollen by days of heavy rain threatened to flood, while north of San Francisco thousands more were urged to seek higher ground. Emergency crews and officials worked through Tuesday to try to bolster the levee in Sacramento County along the Cosumnes River, before deciding to ask 2,000 residents of Wilton to voluntarily evacuate before dark. Advertisement Sacramento County emergency services official Mary Jo Flynn said water was expected to spill over the levee before midnight, flooding low-lying roads and buildings with up to 1 foot of water. An evacuation center will be opened Tuesday evening in neighboring Elk Grove but some residents said they plan to stay put. Advertisement "We have no concerns," Lill Nichols, who with her husband runs a horse farm near the river, told the Sacramento Bee. "We have animals and can't evacuate anyway." In the city of Sacramento, workers wrenched open more than a half-dozen century-old spill gates on the state's biggest river, the Sacramento, to ease pressure on the swollen river and on levees there. California is in a six-year drought, and the last time state workers needed to open the gates was December 2005. North of San Francisco, people were evacuated from businesses and homes in downtown San Anselmo after a rain-swollen creek broke its banks. The Corte Madera Creek was flowing 1 foot over flood stage Tuesday evening, the Marin County Sheriff's Office said. Some 3,000 Sonoma County residents were under an evacuation advisory as the Russian River rose again under pounding rain. Officials red-tagged seven homes, ordering residents out, when a rain-soaked embankment came crashing down. Johna Peterson was one of few residents who ventured out in the remote Sonoma County town of Monte Rio. Walking on the bridge across the Russian River, Peterson worried about what the coming hours and days would bring. "I think it's going to go higher," Peterson said. "There's nowhere for this water to go." In nearby Forestville, Kathy Granados huddled with two other people under an awning at the River Bend RV Park, watching the downpour. "We're waiting it out," she said. "Yesterday the water dropped, but it's going to get higher. We're just sitting here. We have no electricity, no heat." Advertisement Tuesday's storm was the latest of back-to-back systems buffered by a brief respite Monday that have brought the heaviest rain in a decade to parts of Northern California and Nevada. The storms are part of an "atmospheric river" weather phenomenon that draws precipitation from the Pacific Ocean as far west as Hawaii. Its impact can be catastrophic. A blizzard warning was in effect for parts of the Sierra Nevada, the first issued in the past nine years, said Scott McGuire, a forecaster for the National Weather Service based in Reno, Nevada. "This is definitely a dangerous, life-threatening situation going on up there," he said. "People should not attempt to travel at all." Forecasters warned of up to 10 feet of snow in the highest mountains, with up to 7 feet of snow around the resorts of Lake Tahoe, high risk of avalanches, and wind gusts to 60 mph. The Sierra ridge had gusts of more than 100 mph. #CAstorm More big Caltrans equipment working to clear Donner Pass so traffic can use I-80. Visit https://t.co/jutcQdNqRy for current info. pic.twitter.com/bA7A9HFk8s Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) January 11, 2017 Despite all the snow inside his front door, Steven Siig is in good spirits after this happened up in Alpine. pic.twitter.com/z0EtlQ9nhf Mike Rogers (@MikeRogersTV) January 10, 2017 Many ski resorts shut down Tuesday because of the storm. A number of main roads in the Sierra were closed, including Interstate 80, or required chains. Advertisement Nearly 3 feet of new snow already was reported Tuesday morning at the top of the Mount Rose ski resort between Reno and Lake Tahoe. A series of storms already has added 33 billion gallons of water to Lake Tahoe since Jan. 1. Associated Press Donald Trump on Wednesday morning angrily denounced news reports about potentially compromising information Russia has allegedly gathered about him, citing denials from the Kremlin that it has collected any such intelligence. The president-elect also charged via Twitter that his "crooked opponents" are trying to undermine his electoral victory. He accused the intelligence community of leaking the information to get in "one last shot at me," tweeting, "Are we living in Nazi Germany?" Trump's comments follow the revelation Tuesday night that a classified report delivered to Trump and President Barack Obama last week, according to U.S. officials, included a section summarizing allegations that Russian intelligence services have compromising information about Trump's personal life and finances. The officials said that U.S. intelligence agencies have not corroborated those allegations but believed the sources involved in the reporting were credible enough to warrant inclusion of their claims in the highly classified report on Russian interference in the presidential campaign. Trump on Wednesday will hold his first news conference since July. He is certain to face questions about his relationship with Russia and the intelligence community's conclusion that the Kremlin attempted to sway the outcome of the election in his favor, primarily through disseminating information obtained from the hack of Democratic email systems. Trump has cast doubt on the veracity of this conclusion, and he and his aides have aggressively pushed back against the idea that it had any effect on the election, calling the story a "witch hunt" being carried out by his political enemies. Earlier Wednesday, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin called the allegations that Russia has collected compromising information about Trump an "absolute fantasy." Soon after, Trump tweeted: "Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is 'A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE.' Very unfair!" Advertisement Most media organizations reported only on the existence of the report and that intelligence officials had included a summary of it in their briefings with Trump and Obama on Russia's attempts to sway the election. But BuzzFeed News published a document supposedly created by a former British intelligence official. The information it contains has not been verified. Trump and other officials appeared to focus on BuzzFeed's publication of the report, denying that the document possesses any truth. Trump said Wednesday morning that he had no relationship with Russia that could compromise him. "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me," he tweeted. "I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" He again emphasized his belief that his political opponents are trying to undermine his presidency. "I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!" he said. "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" Speaking on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Wednesday, Trump adviser Reince Priebus called the BuzzFeed report "phony baloney garbage." He denied that Trump had engaged in compromising behavior in Russia and that Trump aide Michael Cohen had traveled to Prague to meet with Russian officials. Both allegations were contained in the document published by BuzzFeed. "There was no craziness in Russia. There was no meeting in Prague," Priebus said. "It is not an intelligence document. Cohen has never been in Prague. And all of this stuff isn't even fit to print in the New York Times." The Washington Post's Greg Miller, Rosalind S. Helderman, Tom Hamburger and Steven Mufson contributed to this report. 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. Retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly testifies during the Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on his confirmation to be Secretary of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Cliff Owen / AP) Donald Trump's choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security favors a wall to secure the border with Mexico but said Tuesday that such a structure alone won't be enough. "A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job," retired Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly told members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee during a confirmation hearing. "Certainly it has to be a layered approach." Kelly said in a lengthy questionnaire to senators that if confirmed as the fifth Homeland Security secretary his top priority would be stopping the "illegal movement of people and things." Answering questions about his plans to secure the border, stop the flow of drugs and curb illegal border crossings, Kelly told lawmakers border security shouldn't only focus on the frontier with Mexico, but "1,500 miles south" in Central America. He said the U.S. should help address violence in a trio of Central American countries Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala along with demand for drugs in the United States to stem both the flow of drugs and people seeking refuge from violence. Kelly's confirmation is almost assured a reality expressed by both Republican and Democratic senators Tuesday but members of the committee nonetheless pressed him to specify his stances on immigration enforcement, border security and some of Trump's more controversial suggestions during the campaign, including the possibility of a registration system for Muslim immigrants. Kelly told lawmakers he does not support any registration of people in the United States based on ethnicity or religion. He also said he accepts with "high confidence" reports from the intelligence community that Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. The normally blunt-talking Marine walked a fine line in his answers about how Trump's Homeland Security Department will carry out efforts to find and deport immigrants living in the country illegally. Asked about the fate of young immigrants protected from deportation by President Barack Obama, Kelly told Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California that "the law would guide him" in every decision he will make if confirmed. He added that he did not anticipate young immigrants who have not committed crimes in the United States being a top enforcement priority. "There's a big spectrum of people who need to be dealt with," Kelly said. "Those categories would be prioritized. I would guess this category might not be the highest priority for removal." Kelly is one of several retired generals tapped for top positions by Trump. That has raised some concerns about undue military influence in his administration, weakening the American tradition of civilian control of government. But Kelly is widely respected by Democrats and Republicans alike. As the former head of the military's Southern Command, based in South Florida, he routinely worked with the Department of Homeland Security to combat human trafficking and drug smuggling. In the questionnaire, Kelly said he is committed to telling "truth to power." The commitment addresses concerns that some lawmakers have about the president-elect's willingness to take in points of view that clash with his own. Kelly told the committee that his greatest successes during 40-plus years in the military are "taking care of my people, speaking 'truth to power,' and successfully completing every mission I have ever been assigned." He said he has worked with many senior U.S. officials during his career. "I never hesitated to disagree with any of them, or make difficult recommendations when appropriate," Kelly said. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the panel's ranking Democrat, said his answer was "music to my ears" and promised that Kelly would hear from her often if she didn't think he was following through on the pledge. In newly released ethics disclosures, Kelly said that if confirmed he will resign positions with multiple consulting and government contractor firms and defense contractor DynCorp. Kelly listed his salary with DynCorp, a company awarded a 2016 contract from DHS to train Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, as more than $166,000. Kelly joined the Marine Corps in 1970. He is a battle-hardened veteran who served three tours in Iraq. He was also the highest-ranking officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in November 2010 in Afghanistan. WASHINGTON Associated Press Reporting from Washington President-elect Donald Trump amplified his already heated war with the intelligence community Wednesday, accusing agents of leaking an ugly and unsubstantiated report about him while comparing the tactic to Nazis. The showdown threatens to further undermine trust between the next commander in chief and America's spies amid heightened threats to national security from terrorist groups and adversaries around the world with powerful new cyberweapons. Advertisement Trump, for the first time, acknowledged intelligence findings that Russia hacked Democratic files in an effort to interfere with the election, but he denied that Moscow tried to help him win, while praising President Vladimir Putin and even suggesting that the hack ultimately helped American voters. "Hacking's bad and it shouldn't be done," he told reporters. "But look at the things that were hacked, look at what was learned from that hacking." Advertisement The claim was one of several bizarre moments at a wide-ranging news conference, Trump's first since July, that also touched on his business conflicts, his biggest campaign promises and another of his main foils, the media. The event went off with a typical level of theatrics: Trump stood in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York next to stacks of file folders, ostensibly containing documents detailing the handover of his businesses to his older sons, though they were acknowledged only as an afterthought. Several other speakers took turns at the lectern, including a tax lawyer, a spokesman and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Trump briefly argued with a CNN correspondent, refusing to take his question. Trump was asked to rule out the possibility of contacts between his associates and Russian intelligence agents during the campaign and would not do so. But he lashed out against media organizations that published unverified allegations Tuesday from a report that claimed that Russians had gathered blackmail material against him and that people in his orbit had met with Russian agents during the campaign. The unsubstantiated information was contained in a 35-page file released Tuesday by BuzzFeed, which said it was publishing the material in the interest of "transparency." No news organization has been able to verify any of the material in the report, which CNN reported was prepared by an outside source. Media reports conflict about whether it was disclosed to Trump and President Obama in intelligence briefings last week. Trump said it was "sick people" who "put that crap together," including unproven assertions that he encountered prostitutes at a Russian hotel. "I'm also very much of a germophobe, by the way," he said. "Believe me." "It was disgraceful disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out," Trump said. "That's something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do." Trump continued to dismiss criticism of Russia, much of it waged by members of his own party, over the hacking of Democrats. He noted that China also has breached U.S. government systems and insisted it is not getting the attention it deserves, one of several instances when he was asked about Russia and invoked China instead in his answer. Advertisement He praised Russia for denouncing the report that it was gathering blackmail material against him as "pulp fiction." And he insisted that Russians would have released damaging information about him during the campaign if they had it, ignoring the possibility that Putin could hold onto it as leverage and contradicting intelligence officials' conclusions that the Kremlin was specifically trying to aid Trump. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks? That's called an asset, not a liability," Trump said. He added that he did not know yet whether he would ultimately get along with Putin. "I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't. And if I don't, do you honestly believe that Hillary [Clinton] would be tougher on Putin than me?" he said. "Does anybody in this room really believe that? Give me a break." Trump spoke positively of improving relations with Russia during his presidency, praising Putin and saying Moscow "can help us fight [Islamic State], which, by the way, is, No. 1, tricky." Some of those views not only put him at odds with some U.S. intelligence officials but also many Republican members of Congress who call Putin an autocrat who violates human rights and unlawfully invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. That tension played out Wednesday on Capitol Hill, where Rex Tillerson, Trump's choice for secretary of State, faced sharp questions during his initial Senate hearing from members of both parties. The former Exxon Mobil chief has had deep business ties in the country. Advertisement Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican who ran against Trump for president, showed particular frustration that Tillerson would not use the term "war criminal" to describe Putin, who has overseen a legion of atrocities in Syria, where Russian troops are aiding the regime. And while Tillerson criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine and said policy toward Russia had to be "clear-eyed," he stuck with his opposition to economic sanctions, which he said too often end up hurting U.S. businesses. They have been a key tool for the Obama administration to punish Russia for its incursions into Ukraine. Another top Trump Cabinet pick will face senators Thursday. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), an aerospace entrepreneur and former Army officer whom Trump has selected to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, may be asked how he intends to run an agency that has been openly mocked by his future boss. CIA leaders in the seventh-floor suites of the agency's headquarters in Langley, Va., are bracing for a confrontation when Trump's team enters the White House. Trump said he has ordered his national security team to launch a 90-day review of the nation's cyber defenses as soon as he takes office. And he roiled intelligence officials when his transition team issued a statement in December knocking down the CIA's assessment that Putin had ordered the hacks in a deliberate effort to damage Clinton and bolster Trump's election prospects. The rift has grown wide enough that Trump doesn't seem to trust the intelligence briefers to keep their encounters private. During the news conference, Trump said he recently wanted to test whether U.S. intelligence officials were telling reporters about their briefings with him, so he claimed to have met with intelligence officials without anyone in his tightly knit organization knowing. "Nobody knew, not even Rhona, my executive assistant for years, she didn't know I didn't tell her," he said. "The meeting was had, the meeting was over, they left, and immediately the word got out that I had a meeting," he said. Advertisement "It's pretty sad when intelligence reports get leaked out to the press," Trump said at another point. "It's pretty sad." Democrats warned that Trump was being shortsighted. "Trump may think that denigrating the intelligence community is good politics, or a useful way to deflect attention from the gravity of Russia's intervention on his behalf during the election," Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. At some point, Trump may need to rely on intelligence reports to justify military action overseas, he said. "By casting doubt on their integrity, by mentioning the intelligence community in the same sentence as Nazi Germany, President-elect Trump is undermining the authority and credibility that he will need as president," Schiff said. Los Angeles Times staff writers Tracy Wilkinson and Michael A. Memoli contributed to this report. Advertisement noah.bierman@latimes.com, brian.bennett@latimes.com @noahbierman, @bybrianbennett A classified report delivered to President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump last week included a section summarizing allegations that Russian intelligence services have compromising material and information on Trump's personal life and finances, U.S. officials said. The officials said that U.S. intelligence agencies have not corroborated those allegations, but believed that the sources involved in the reporting were credible enough to warrant inclusion of their claims in the highly classified report on Russian interference in the presidential campaign. Advertisement Trump, however, replied Tuesday night with a Tweet declaring: "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" A senior U.S. official with access to the document said that the allegations were presented at least in part to underscore that Russia appeared to have collected embarrassing information on both major candidates, but only released material that might harm Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton - a reflection of Russian motivation that bolstered U.S. spy agencies' conclusion that Moscow sought to help Trump win. Advertisement The inclusion of such unsubstantiated allegations in the election report, a development first reported Tuesday by CNN, adds a disturbing new dimension to existing concerns about Russia's efforts to undermine American democracy. And it adds another bizarre twist to an already strange election year, injecting new controversy over the Trump team's relations with Russia just when the president-elect is trying to consolidate and launch his new administration. If true, the information suggests that Moscow has assembled damaging information - known in espionage circles by the Russian term "kompromat" - that conceivably could be used to coerce the next occupant of the White House. The claims were presented in a two-page summary attached to the full report, an addendum that also included allegations of ongoing contact between members of Trump's inner circle and representatives of Moscow. A spokesman for President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday dismissed as an "absolute fantasy" allegations that the Kremlin has collected compromising information about Trump. "The Kremlin has no compromising dossier on Trump, such information isn't consistent with reality and is nothing but an absolute fantasy," Dmitry Peskov, who handles Putin's day-to-day communications, told journalists. U.S. officials said the claims about Russian possession of compromising material were based not on information obtained through traditional intelligence channels but research done by an outside entity engaged in political consulting work and led by a former high-ranking British intelligence official. The material was first mentioned in a Mother Jones report in October. U.S. officials said that while the FBI had so far not confirmed the accuracy of the claims, U.S. officials had evaluated the sources relied upon by the private firm, considered them credible, and determined that it was plausible that they would have first-hand knowledge of Russia's alleged dossier on Trump. The CIA, the FBI and the White House declined to comment on the matter. Advertisement After CNN's report Tuesday, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., Trump's nominee to be the next attorney general, was asked at his confirmation hearing about the allegations in the intelligence report. "If it's true, it's obviously extremely serious," Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., said after reading from the CNN report. "And if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will do you?" Sessions responded that he was "not aware of any of those activities." While saying he had not spoken to Trump about the reports, he said "allegations get made about candidates all the time, and they've been made about President-elect Trump a lot." Dossiers compiled by the former British intelligence official have been circulating in Washington for months. Several news organizations, including the Washington Post, have been attempting to confirm many of the specific allegations without success. One U.S. official said that Trump was briefed on the allegations because they were already circulating widely and it was "mostly a courtesy" to let him know they were out there. Compiled initially in mid-2016 and supplemented during and after the campaign, the reports include detailed allegations that the Russians hold compromising material about Trump, some of it obtained while Trump visited Moscow in 2013 for the Miss Universe pageant and on a previous visit to Russia. Advertisement Other reports compiled by the former intelligence official allege contacts between Trump personnel and business officials and Russian officials during the campaign. The former intelligence official was at one point paid to explore Trump's ties to Russia by anti-Trump Republicans and later by supporters of the Democratic party. "If I was the Clinton campaign, I would be reaching out to these people who put together the dossier, and I'd ask for my money back," Trump Organization Executive Vice President Michael Cohen told the Washington Post last week. "It's wrong. There's no accuracy. There's not an ounce of validity to anything that exists in that file." Last month, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who had been provided with the information, personally delivered it to FBI Director James Comey. A source familiar with the matter said the FBI had it well before then and had interviewed the former intelligence official. Hillary Clinton's former campaign spokesman, Brian Fallon, appealed for a congressional inquiry. "Mitch McConnell, you must let a Select Committee investigate these allegations, as @SenJohnMcCain has been urging for weeks," Fallon wrote on Twitter. K.T. McFarland, Trump's designated national security adviser, declined to respond to a question about the report. "I don't know about the story that you're talking about that's broken," she said during participation in a panel Tuesday at the United States Institute of Peace. "I know in Washington people prefer to talk about something about which they know nothing, but I'm going to refrain." "I'm not going to say what Donald Trump thinks about the election and what involvement the Russians had. I think I'd just say what [Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, Jr.] said, which is that nothing the Russians did had any effect on the outcome." Clapper, however, testified that the report never attempted to assess what effect the Russian intervention had on the election result. Advertisement The two-page summary was attached to the most highly classified of three separate versions of the report on Russian election interference that were circulated in Washington last week, including an abbreviated declassifed draft that was made public. It was unclear whether the claims in the summary were even considered by FBI, CIA and DNI analysts who were responsible for the main body of the report, or whether the information from the outside group had any influence on those analysts' conclusions. Senior lawmakers who were briefed on the most classified version of the report on declined to comment. Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a member of the Trump transition team, said that "we can't comment on what goes on in" classified briefings, but added that the idea that Moscow would seek to gather incendiary material on U.S. leaders "should not be a surprise to anyone." "The Russians are always looking for dirt on any politician," Nunes said. "That wouldn't be news." Asked whether he was aware of any contacts between the Trump team and Russia, Nunes said, "No. I found that hard to believe. I have not heard that. News to me." The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis, Karen DeYoung, Ellen Nakashima, Matt Zapotosky and Alice Crites contributed to this report. Then-U.S. President-elect Ronald Reagan, left, and Vice President-elect George Bush share a laugh during their first news conference in which they announced their transitional team in Los Angeles on Nov. 6, 1980. (Associated Press) The Central Intelligence Agency was created 70 years ago to prevent another Pearl Harbor and fight Soviet communism. Since then, almost every U.S. president has had his troubles with the agency. But until now, none picked a fight with the CIA between his election and his inauguration. President-elect Donald Trump is going to have to decide how he wants to coexist with his premier spy service. Resentful of its conclusion that the Russian government backed his bid for the White House, Trump is already talking about restructuring it. Like it or not, he'll have to take its views into account. Advertisement History has demonstrated that it's dangerous when the CIA gets it wrong. And that it's even more dangerous when a president disbelieves the agency when it's right. From the beginning Advertisement President Harry Truman started the CIA in 1947, at the dawn of the Cold War, in the hope that it could inform him better than the front page of the daily newspapers. But his own secretary of state warned him that the CIA could go out of his control. The neophyte intelligence service soon turned to covert operations against communism, and many were disastrous. They were coordinated with British intelligence, and the senior British intelligence officer assigned to Washington in 1949 turned out to be a Soviet mole. President Dwight D. Eisenhower who had run the biggest secret operation of World War II, the D-Day landing in France knew the value of good intelligence and wanted to depend on the CIA. He was enthused early in his first term by successful CIA coups against the elected leaders of Iran and Guatemala. But in his second term, his director of central intelligence, Allen Dulles, failed to keep the White House and the Pentagon informed of precisely what the CIA was doing overseas. This led to spectacularly unsuccessful attempts to overthrow governments from Indonesia to Syria. Eisenhower concluded in 1960, at the end of his presidency, that American intelligence was in shambles. He said he was leaving, in his words, "a legacy of ashes" to his successor, President John F. Kennedy. Three months later came the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Kennedy vowed to break the CIA into pieces and scatter it to the winds. The agency redeemed itself by providing forewarning of Soviet shipments of nuclear weapons to Cuba; that intelligence helped JFK avert a global war in 1962. At the same time, the CIA was plotting the assassination of Cuba's leader, Fidel Castro. Castro would outlast 11 U.S. presidents. Working with frenemies President Lyndon B. Johnson wanted one thing above all from the CIA a strategy to win the war in Vietnam. He was enraged when the agency advised that a cease-fire and a negotiated peace was the only way out. Director of Central Intelligence Richard Helms told LBJ bluntly in 1967 that the U.S. was "ill-suited to cope with guerilla warfare waged by a determined, resourceful and politically astute opponent." The president did not want to hear that. No president did especially not Richard Nixon. "What the hell do those clowns do out there in Langley?" Nixon railed, referring to the CIA's Virginia headquarters, in a 1970 tirade. One thing that Helms would not do was to obey Nixon's command to cover up the 1972 break-in at Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. The Watergate operation was conducted by former agents of the CIA and Federal Bureau of Investigation and Nixon's orders, caught on his secret White House tapes, were for the CIA to tell the FBI to stop its investigation of the case on spurious grounds of national security. That was an obstruction of justice, and it led directly to Nixon's resignation two years later. His successor, President Gerald Ford, suffered through a long Senate investigation of the history of the CIA, which revealed assassination plots and coup attempts but did not disclose that presidents had, in many cases, personally authorized them. Ford appointed a new director of central intelligence, George H.W. Bush, who loved the agency during the year he was in charge. Bush wanted to stay on at the CIA after Jimmy Carter was elected in 1976. "If I had agreed to that," Carter said years later, "he never would have become president." Carter had called the CIA "a national disgrace" during the Senate investigation. But he wound up signing almost as many covert-action orders as Nixon and Ford. Most were aimed at undermining communism. Bob Gates who served as CIA director under Bush and secretary of defense under his son, President George W. Bush, and then under President Barack Obama wrote that Carter was "the first president since Truman to challenge directly the legitimacy of the Soviet government." The credit for the Soviet collapse would go to President Ronald Reagan, but some should go to Carter and the CIA. Advertisement Reagan's CIA chief was the wily William Casey, and Casey was, in the words of his own deputy, "a freelance buccaneer." He ran the CIA aground. Casey dreamed up a plot to generate millions of dollars to support anticommunist guerrillas in Central America by selling weapons to Iran's Revolutionary Guards and skimming the profits. When this scheme was exposed in 1986, the Reagan administration nearly ground to a halt as senior officials were investigated and indicted. Modern era George H.W. Bush was the first president who had run the CIA, and he got along famously with the agency, especially after Gates took the helm in 1991. But the CIA missed the signs that the Soviet state was about to collapse. It had "no idea," Gates wrote, "that a tidal wave of history was about to break upon us." Nonetheless, the Cold War ended without shots being fired, much less nuclear missiles, and the CIA helped the White House keep its powder dry. President Bill Clinton had thought little about U.S. strategic interests after the Cold War. His CIA went adrift in the 1990s, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and before the fall of the Twin Towers. He met with his first CIA director, Jim Woolsey, twice in two years. "I didn't have a bad relationship with the president," Woolsey said. "I just didn't have one at all." But by 2000 Clinton was deeply concerned by the rise of al-Qaida and its terrorist mastermind, Osama bin Laden. He recalled telling his successor, "Your biggest threat is bin Laden." George W. Bush swore he never heard those words. Perhaps he was not listening. Nor did he take seriously a CIA report in August 2001 with the headline: "Bin Laden determined to strike in US." The most serious intelligence failure since Pearl Harbor was compounded when CIA Director George Tenet told Bush that the CIA had "slam dunk" evidence that Saddam Hussein was building nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. It didn't. As a direct consequence, Americans are still fighting in Iraq. Bush himself said in 2004 that the CIA was "just guessing" about the course of that war. By 2008, the agency was in effect a second-echelon branch of the Pentagon. Generals took charge of American intelligence. Advertisement The CIA that Obama inherited was in large part devoted to paramilitary operations and drone strikes against suspected terrorists. The analytical powers of the CIA he will pass on have been revitalized in part by a huge infusion of funds from the Republican-led Congress. Those same Republicans now have to hold hearings on its conclusion that a Russian intelligence operation supported the election of Trump. Intelligence is a human endeavor, and prone to error. Presidents are free to pick and choose from the CIA's reports. But if Trump seeks revenge for its findings on Russia's plot, or if he simply tunes it out entirely, it's more than a bad sign it's a danger to the national security of the United States. Bloomberg Tim Weiner has reported on national security for The New York Times and won the National Book Award for "Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA." Democrats and some Republicans likely will make Rex W. Tillerson's confirmation hearing Wednesday among the most contentious of the upcoming sessions for Cabinet members and other senior advisers. Tillerson is a polished man who is confident, like most chief executives, in his power to sway and charm. However, multiple sources with knowledge of the Tillerson sit-downs with senators suggest that he does not fully appreciate how aggressive the questioning will be. His generic answers on the importance of NATO and of managing the U.S.-Russia relationship will not suffice with foreign policy mavens on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Publicly, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has warned Tillerson that he will need to hear Tillerson acknowledge Russia's responsibility for cyberwarfare designed to interfere with our presidential election and to confirm that he will push back against Russian aggression. He will lose Graham, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and other Republicans if he, for example, cannot characterize Russia as an adversary or commit specifically to supporting sanctions. Tillerson won't get geography quiz questions (What's the capital of Honduras?), nor should he (Tegucigalpa, by the way) because the secretary of state's responsibilities include more than memorizing facts or knowing world leaders, for that matter. A simple question such as "What should be the goal of U.S.-Russia relations?" may trip him up. The answer is not "getting along" or "doing deals" and, frankly, his Exxon tenure may serve him poorly. He will need to understand and articulate the degree to which our interests do not align with Russia's and how he intends to overcome or stanch Russian initiatives that conflict with decades-old, bipartisan objectives, including a whole and free Europe, stymieing Russian aggression in the Middle East and confronting Russia on human rights abuses. (Why, Mr. Tillerson, does President-elect Donald Trump never speak of "human rights" in the foreign policy context? Will he be silent and accede to Cuban, Russian, Chinese or Iranian to name a few abuses?) A senior Democratic aide who spoke on background told me, "One thing really stuck out: The degree to which Tillerson recognizes the importance of holding Russia accountable for its actions from the illegal annexation of Ukraine to supporting [Bashar al-]Assad's bombing of Aleppo and more bears almost no resemblance to what Trump has said about Russia." He added, "So the question is whether he's willing to say what he thinks in these public hearings, even if it doesn't line up with what Trump says. It's a perfect test case of whether he's willing to disagree with the President-elect on tough issues." Let us be blunt: Many senators fear that Trump feels irrationally compelled to defer to Russian interests. Unless Tillerson can assure senators with some specifics that he will not pursue a policy of appeasement, senators should, and may very well, reject him. What are the "red line" questions that could make or break him, and for which hedging will be taken as a wrong, disqualifying answer? We put them in the form of yes or no queries, which would immediately clarify whether Tillerson will wash out: - Did Russia hack the Democratic National Committee's and John Podesta's emails, "weaponize" what it found and allow WikiLeaks to circulate the emails so as to influence the U.S. election? - Do you support sanctions against Russia for this conduct? For its invasion and occupation of Georgia and Ukraine? For human rights abuses at home? For war crimes in Syria? - Is Article V of NATO inviolate? - Is Russia's conduct in Syria and contribution to genocide in America's interest? Is it in America's interest to allow Russia a military foothold in the Middle East? - In the event we reactivate sanctions against Iran and Russia violates those, will you retaliate against Russia? - Is it in our interest for Russia to be supporting Iran's military? - Is Russia a human rights abuser? - Does Vladimir Putin engage in widespread corruption and direct or acquiesce in murders of journalists? - Do you think we should recognize Russian annexation of parts of neighboring countries? - Is RT a Russian propaganda outlet? - Was Russian reset a good deal for the United States? - Would a more conciliatory approach be taken as a sign of strength by Putin? - Are Russian elections free and fair? And those are only some of the questions about a single country, Russia. Tuesday, Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Md., John McCain, R-Ariz., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Ben Sasse, R-Neb., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, will introduce legislation, which would, among other things, impose mandatory visa bans and asset freezes on those who undermine the cybersecurity of public or private infrastructure and democratic institutions; impose mandatory sanctions on those who materially assist, sponsor or provide financial, material or technological support for such activities; and impose mandatory sanctions on transactions with the Russian defense or intelligence sectors, including the FSB and GRU. Beyond that, the bill condemns Russian aggression in Georgia and Ukraine, imposes sanctions on Russia's energy sector, bans investment in Russian privatization of state-owned assets and sales of sovereign debt and prohibits recognition of invaded territory as belonging to Russia. Moreover, the bill authorizes an extensive effort to expose Russian corruption and to uncover and prosecute networks responsible for illicit Russian financial flows. Frankly, the senators should read each major provision to Tillerson and ask whether he would agree to support such measures. If not, he should be asked why and whether he has a better way to combat Russian misconduct. We focus here on Russia, which has dominated the news lately, but there are equally critical questions on Cuba (Will Tillerson demand human rights improvements before sending an ambassador and lifting restrictions on commerce?) and Iraq (How do we prevent Iran from making it into a client state?) to China (What is Tillerson's position on the South China Sea, and how do we defend international waters?). He better come prepared, for senators surely will. The rash of stories on Donald Trump and Russia published Tuesday leave many questions unanswered. The allegations, as sensational as some are and as damning as others are, are just that: allegations. Intelligence agencies (not to mention countless news outlets) have sought to verify them for months now, with little or no success. Though it might be nice to imagine Trump's presidency collapsing before it's even begun, the fact remains that we know little more now than we did last week about Trump's ties to Russia and whether Vladimir Putin's government has compromising information on the president-elect. There is one thing we do know, though: FBI Director James Comey's intervention in the election last October controversial at the time looks completely indefensible now. A few hours before the explosive CNN and BuzzFeed reports landed on Tuesday, Comey was at a Senate intelligence committee hearing on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked the director whether the FBI has "investigated these reported relationships [between the Trump campaign and Russia]?" Comey replied, "I would never comment on investigations ... in an open forum like this." When Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, pressed Comey on the same question later in the hearing, he repeated that "especially in a public forum, we never confirm or deny a pending investigation." (King dryly replied, "The irony of your making that statement here, I cannot avoid.") So Comey understands that the FBI weighing in publicly on open investigations, when charges are still being proved, is unwise. Doing so puts those being investigated at the mercy of innuendo and rumor. Yet Comey ditched this rule when he notified Congress 11 days before the election that the FBI was looking into whether there were previously unrevealed emails from Hillary Clinton on a laptop belonging to her aide's estranged husband. (It should also be noted that this followed months of anti-Clinton leaks from Rudy Giuliani's friends in the FBI's New York field office.) Worse, the search warrant for the emails unsealed in December shows that, as The Post reported at the time, investigators "had no new evidence of actual wrongdoing" on Clinton's part. Meanwhile, the Guardian reported Tuesday that the FBI thought the allegations of ties between Trump's campaign and Russia credible enough that they sought a wiretap on four members of Trump's team. In other words, while Comey stayed silent about new accusations against Trump, he piped up about a big nothing-burger against Clinton. Despite a second letter later clearing Clinton (again) of wrongdoing, the blow Comey's letter struck against Clinton's poll numbers is obvious, with clear declines across almost every major demographic group in the last two weeks of the election. The letter was the most decisive of several factors in Trump's late comeback. To be clear, this is not to blame Clinton's loss entirely on Comey. Clinton likely could have withstood the letter's damage if she'd made a few different strategic decisions, such as shoring up so-called "blue wall" states like Michigan rather than campaigning in long-shot states like Texas. But Comey's behavior remains inexcusable. It is a shocking and disturbing double standard: staying silent on allegations against one candidate despite reams of new information, while reviving allegations against another candidate despite absolutely no new information. Doing so two weeks before Election Day compounds the terrible error. It is unlikely that a Trump administration will punish Comey for this mistake. History, however, will not judge him so kindly. Two days before the start of a new General Assembly, a few Democrats in the Illinois House engaged in a rare display of pushback against their leaders sort of. They voted against a stopgap budget that would have allowed the state to skate past, rather than resolve, its financial mess. The caveat: Two of those members are leaving the legislature and had nothing to lose by rejecting House Speaker Michael Madigan's budget maneuver a patchwork spending bill that passed the House on Monday but was never considered by the Senate. Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, who voted against the bill, is taking over as McHenry County Board chairman. Rep. Andy Skoog, D-Spring Valley, who also rejected the measure, lost his seat in November to Republican Jerry Long, who will be sworn in Wednesday. Advertisement Two Democrats who were re-elected, Scott Drury of Highwood and Sam Yingling of Grayslake, also voted against the temporary budget bill. They refused to go along with a largely cosmetic measure that would have allowed the state to limp along rather than fix the budget. They understand the last thing this state needs is another Band-Aid. We agree: Pass a comprehensive budget, lawmakers, or go home. No more stopgaps. Not this week. Not next month. Not May 31, the final day of spring session. Advertisement You'll recall the same House passed a budget last year that was at least $7 billion out of balance. The year before that, the budget was at least $4 billion out of balance. The year before that, the budget ran out of money halfway through the fiscal year. You can't make this stuff up. Most Democrats, including the ones who run around at election time advocating fiscal responsibility, signed off on those fantasy numbers. And yes, voters, you re-elected most of them. Wednesday marks a new beginning for the General Assembly. But Monday marked more of the same from the House. The lack of a budget agreement since Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a temporary one June 30 is compounding the dysfunction that is driving people out of Illinois. Need a reason to care about the gridlock? We'll give you 37,508 the population loss determined by U.S. Census data for 2016, more than any other state. If you think it's merely the weather, we've got a bridge for sale. Without a full-year budget, social service agencies have slashed their employees and programs. Universities and community colleges went without state funding for nearly a year. Money for domestic violence programs, shelters and after-school programs dried up. Meals for senior citizens were cut. Already strained drug rehab programs tapered off. Even the Rauner Family YMCA of Metro Chicago, named for the governor, shut down one of its longest-running youth programs. Yet rather than take a serious approach, House Democrats advanced a bill to provide temporary funding to some of these groups. These groups don't need promises of temporary funding. They need stability. They need lawmakers to do their jobs. You can view a roll call of how the House voted on the stopgap budget here: chicagotribune.com/housevote. Advertisement In the Senate this week, President John Cullerton and Republican leader Christine Radogno attempted a grand bargain toward a full-year budget. But there wasn't enough time. They promised to pursue, in good faith, a comprehensive budget deal as soon as new lawmakers are seated. We will hold them to it. We'll also hold Democrats accountable for flimflam gestures disguised as progress, such as Monday's stopgap budget vote. There is nothing compassionate about taking the easy way out with misleading rhetoric and a nice-sounding press release. There is nothing honorable about allowing the state to lurch from crisis to crisis. There is nothing defensible about writing IOUs to the state's desperate and vitally necessary social service providers. Wednesday, new lawmakers will be seated. Let's hope they demonstrate more genuine concern, more brass knuckles, more urgency, more courage, more independence than the outgoing General Assembly. The state is at a breaking point. Who will ride it over the edge and who will begin work, immediately, to drag it from the brink? Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. President Barack Obama is a good and decent man. That's what I thought, over and over, as I watched his farewell address Tuesday night in Chicago. Advertisement This is a good and decent man. Among some, that's a wildly unpopular opinion. Obama, they shout or tweet or comment, is a tyrant! A racist! Un-American! A disaster! Advertisement It's all we've heard from one noisy portion of the populace since before Day One of this man's presidency, and I certainly don't need to hear it again. So on this day, in this moment, I don't care what Obama's critics say or what vitriol drips from troll tongues. I won't read it in emails or tweets you send or so much as glance at it in comments that run under this column. President Barack Obama is a good and decent man. He has been, by no means, a perfect president. I don't know that there ever has been one. Politicians in general are flawed, with egos that put them at ease with deception and deflection. Obama made mistakes, large and small. He said some things I loved, and some things I hated. Much of his foreign policy was a mess. Obamacare was a grand idea poorly executed. But what I saw over eight years was a man who stood upright in an unprecedented storm of furious resistance and nastiness much of it driven by an unwillingness in certain corners to accept the legitimacy of a black president and rarely lose composure. What I saw was someone who fought for what he believes is right, who tried to push this country to be more inclusive. Someone who spoke intelligently and deeply on matters of race and on the idea of what it means to be an American. What I saw was someone who comported himself, at least the part of him that the world could see, in a way I would be happy to see my children model. Advertisement There are people who opposed Obama's policies and ideology who saw the same things I saw, people who will set partisanship aside and acknowledge that he is certainly a good man. And there are some so blinded by hatred that they never saw any of this, and I feel bad for them, because I believe they missed out on something good. Even if, for some conservatives, it's the only good they can find in Obama's presidency. I didn't like or agree with much that President George W. Bush did as president. But I never thought he was a bad person. I bristled when people on the left cast him as some evil being. I thought, and still think, that Bush was a good and decent man. I think the same about the Republicans who ran against Obama, John McCain and Mitt Romney. Does that make me a right-winger and a traitor to all things liberal? Of course not. It just makes me a person who can dislike policies without needing to hate the policymakers. In Obama's farewell speech he spoke of our corrosive political dialogue: "So coarse with rancor that Americans with whom we disagree are seen, not just as misguided, but as malevolent. We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others." Advertisement Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 75 President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 10, 2017, in Chicago. (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune) The man knows of what he speaks. He was constantly painted as less American than others. As a malevolent force, out to steal people's guns or transform America into something un-American. The man who stood on that stage in McCormick Place on Tuesday night loves this country, and loves it enough that he dedicated eight long years to leading it in a direction he thought was best. The man I saw on that stage loves his family, and that love withstood gale force winds of hatred and disrespect. This is not an appreciation of a president, it's an appreciation of a person. Disagree all you want. On this day, in this moment, I don't care. Thank you, President Obama. Advertisement rhuppke@chicagotribune.com WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security said Wednesday his top priority in 2017 will be to push for creation of a cybersecurity agency within the Department of Homeland Security. DHS needs focus and resources, and they are doing a decent job, but could be doing a lot better with the help of Congress, said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) in comments to reporters at the National Press Club. Its not a Republican or Democratic issue. Ed Schipul U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) McCaul said one vital role for the DHS in the future would be to provide cyber assistance on national elections that are under the management of the states. DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson on Friday called for designating the nations election infrastructure as a critical infrastructure, given the vital role elections play in the country. Johnson emphasized that the designation does not mean there would be a federal takeover or intrusion into elections. Well before Johnsons statement was issued, election officials in several states had reached out to federal authorities prior to the November election for cybersecurity assistance. Many states disconnected their voting machines from the internet as a defense, according to Emma Garrison-Alexander, a vice dean in the cybersecurity program at the University of Maryland University College. She is a former CIO for the Transportation Security Administration. Given the influence of Russian hackers in the 2016 presidential election and Chinas hack of the Office of Personnel Management, McCaul said, theres no greater attack than that to our democracy. McCaul said he agreed with many Republicans that the Russian hacks really had no impact on the outcome of the election, but it is a dangerous precedent. McCaul said he has urged President-elect Donald Trump to call out Russia for bad behavior and said the U.S. needs to make some kind of equivalent response. More generally, McCaul said the DHS as a civilian agency needs to work more urgently to assist the private sector in defending the nations critical infrastructure, including communications, the electric grid and nuclear energy. Eighty percent of the malicious codes are in the private sector, McCaul said. We need the civilian agency to work with the private sector, but it also needs to defend itself. The private sector has responsibility. McCaul also said that he preferred using a civilian agency over having the military defend private infrastructure from cyberattacks. More members of Congress realize this [critical infrastructure protection] is an issue, he added. Oversight of DHS will be more important. I want to reauthorize DHS and include a lead cybersecurity agency in the department. Right now we dont have the priority and focus to defend the nation. By creating this primary agency, DHS will have greater capability. This story, "DHS should have a cybersecurity unit, says panel chairman" was originally published by Computerworld . Dear Tom, Temperature readings at the South Pole are usually much colder than those at the North Pole. Why? Advertisement William Moress Dear William, Advertisement The climate at the South Pole is about 65 degrees colder than at the North Pole. Average temperatures at the South Pole are minus 25 in summer and minus 90 in winter. At the North Pole, the readings are 32 in summer and minus 30 in winter. Both poles receive the same amount of heat from sunlight, but their geography is vastly different in two important ways. The North Pole sits as sea level, whereas the South Pole, in the interior of Antarctica, is at 9,000 feet. Air temperatures decline about 5 degrees per 1,000 feet of elevation increase. Secondly, interior Antarctica is perpetually snow-covered and it experiences extreme radiational cooling. The North Pole is underlain by the Arctic Ocean. The ocean's heat and occasionally ice-free waters moderate air temperatures. Reiterating that he considered the 2014 murder of Arin Williams inside an Aurora restaurant to be an "absolute execution," Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler has upheld the 105-year prison sentence he gave Dimitri Green-Hosey for the killing. Hosey, through his attorney Bruce Lewin, asked Tegeler to reconsider the prison term for a number of reasons. Those included Hosey's difficult upbringing, his age - a few months shy of his 19th birthday - at the time of the murder and perceived violations of his constitutional rights. Advertisement "I don't think this honorable court considered any of those factors," Lewin told Tegeler. Tegeler disagreed, and offered a thorough response that described his mindset, case law and sentencing rules he had to follow when imposing the penalty on Hosey during a November hearing. Tegeler boiled it down bluntly at one point when he said Hosey created the situation he found himself in because "he is the one who decided to put a bullet in the back of a young man's head." Advertisement A jury in August needed about six hours to convict Hosey of murder and armed robbery in Williams' death. Prosecutors said Hosey and his brother, Jaquan, arranged to buy marijuana from Williams in the bathroom of the now-defunct La Torta Restaurant on Lake Street in January 2014. However, the pair's intention was to rob Williams instead. Jaquan Green-Hosey, who is also in prison for the murder, testified against his brother, telling jurors he grabbed a bag of marijuana during the bathroom deal and began to run. He turned to see Williams on the floor bleeding after hearing a loud noise. Dimitri Green-Hosey claimed he shot Williams in self defense, but jurors were not convinced by his version of events. Tegeler's sentence includes 35 years for murder, 20 years for armed robbery and a pair of 25-year add-ons because Hosey personally fired the gun. The prison terms for murder and armed robbery were each in the middle of the range allowed. Tegeler noted Hosey's punishment "started at 50 years" because of the sentencing enhancements, which have been upheld by Illinois appellate courts several times, he said. "I sentenced him in each case as I felt was appropriate," Tegeler said as Hosey stood and slightly fidgeted before the bench. Tegeler said "he did not like" the sentence, which amounts to a life in prison for Hosey, but issued it based on state guidelines and his own common sense given the circumstances of the case. The judge briefly implored legislators to look at changing sentencing rules involving mandatory consecutive sentences and firearm add-ons, suggesting judges should be able to consider their use on a case-by-case basis. Hosey, now 21, has 30 days to appeal Tegeler's decision. He is currently held in Stateville Correctional Center awaiting assignment to a permanent facility, while Jaquan Green-Hosey is serving his 25-year sentence at the Menard Correctional Center. Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News East Aurora School District 131 board members have denied an application to open a charter school within the district boundaries. After the unanimous vote at a special meeting Tuesday night, a charter school official said the organization plans to appeal the denial to the State Charter School Commission. Advertisement School board President Annette Johnson said the charter school, which applicants said would be designed for students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out, appeared to offer nothing different than what the district currently has in place. School board member Ken Darby said in some places the proposed school also appeared to lack services. "I do believe it takes a lot of resources away from our district," Johnson said. "And I do believe in our teachers." Advertisement The proposal came from the Greater Good Education nonprofit, a group of seven board members that executive director and proposed school principal Robin Lenart said includes East Aurora graduates and former and current residents. The Aurora charter would be the group's first school. Interim Superintendent Marion Hoyda said she trusted the board's decision. Mark McDonald, the district's other interim superintendent, said though he understood Lenart's passion for the school, he thought the board made the right decision. The proposal had flaws and wasn't as well developed as it should have been, he said. The vote came after extensive questioning by board members and administrators on the school's proposed students, curriculum, staff, programming and finances. Several teachers and district employees spoke against the charter, expressing concerns about how the school would affect the district financially and how the introduction of a charter school could affect the district in the long run. Many said the district already has alternative education programs, programs designed to meet the social and emotional needs of students, and qualified teachers and staff. Other members of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools spoke in favor of the school. Before the meeting, East Aurora teachers' and staff union officials issued a statement urging the board to deny the charter application, saying the school would "be a burden on the district's resources while offering no new services for East Aurora's students." Union president Gerry Mestek said in the statement the concept hadn't been fully developed, and expressed concern that public money would go toward an "unelected board of outsiders." "There's really nothing new," Mestek told the board at the meeting. "They're taking programs that are currently in operation at District 131, they're changing them maybe by name, moving them around a little bit. All it is, is old wine in new jars." In a presentation to the school board, Lenart said there is a need to be met in the community, pointing to the district's graduation rate, which has been well below the state average since at least 2012, and the rate of students labeled "chronically truant," which has been above the state average since 2013, according to state data. Advertisement "Our goal is to support the programs that are currently in the district," she said. "We are not looking to replace. We are looking to supplement." Lenart said the charter planned to enroll many students not currently enrolled in East Aurora, so the district already is not receiving money for them. It also planned to enroll other students whose chronic truancy negatively affects the district's state aid dollars, which are calculated in part based on average daily attendance. The school would focus on academics, social and emotional skills, and college and career readiness, Lenart, a former East Aurora building administrator, said. She said all courses would be taught by licensed teachers, and no online courses would be offered for credit. The school would seek to form a network of partnerships with local businesses, industry, colleges and trade unions, she said. The organization is looking at about 50 students per grade, and planned to open with ninth grade during the 2017-18 school year and add a grade each year after that until it served four grade levels. In response to administrators' questions, Lenart said age would not necessarily determine grade level. After the meeting, Lenart said many of administrators' and board members questions could have been addressed during an interview process before the public meeting that she said she requested, but that never occurred. Still, she said, she appreciated that the board looked at the proposal in detail. Advertisement Greater Good Education has 30 days from the vote to file an appeal with the State Charter School Commission. sfreishtat@tribpub.com Twitter @srfreish Oswego residents will be able to have their say soon on whether people should be allowed to keep backyard chickens in the village. The village has developed a draft ordinance for chicken-keeping similar to ones approved in other communities in the area. Advertisement The Environmentally Conscious Commission of Oswego has announced residents will have a chance to get information and ask questions during its regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Oswego Village Hall. A presentation will be held at 7 p.m. Andrew Larson, an extension educator from the University of Illinois Extension Office in Oregon, Ill., has been invited to answer questions. Larson operates a poultry farm with 600 hens on 5 acres outside of Pecatonica, which is west of Rockford. Advertisement The Oswego commission began looking at the feasibility of allowing residents to keep chickens in Oswego last spring, village officials said. Ellen VonOhlen, chairwoman of the all-volunteer citizens group, said the village has received requests over time from residents interested in knowing whether the village allows backyard chickens. "I am not anticipating an angry (outcry)," VonOhlen said. Group members said the proposed ordinance would not apply to residents living in subdivisions where there are restrictions in place through a homeowners association. Many of them do not allow urban chickens, group officials said. VonOhlen said a public presentation on the draft ordinance is part of the process before the group forwards a recommendation to the Village Board. The Village Board will have the final say on the matter. Rod Zenner, Oswego's community development director, told the commission that people have become "more accepting" of urban chickens over the years. He said an increasing number of communities have approved ordinances regulating chicken-keeping, including Naperville, Plainfield, Elgin, Batavia and St. Charles. The towns have a range of restrictions limiting the size and location of the hen houses. Most towns also require permits with fees for raising chickens. There are also rules covering maintenance and cleanliness of coops in town. Under Oswego's proposed ordinance, chicken coops in residential backyards would be a permitted accessory use under certain regulations. If approved, residents could have no more than six hens. Advertisement Roosters would be prohibited because of the noise they make, and the slaughter of chickens would be prohibited. The chicken coops could not be larger than 10 feet by 14 feet under the proposal. Also according to the plan, hens must be provided with a covered indoor enclosure and an adjacent outside fenced-in area or chicken run no less than 32 square feet in area and the structures must be set back 30 feet from an occupied residential structure other than the owner's. Larson said he is planning on giving a brief presentation and answering questions the public might have about chickens. He said urban chicken-keeping has become increasingly popular as a pastime for people. Larson said raising chickens can be an educational experience, particularly for children learning about where food comes from and the responsibility of caring for animals. For adults, "People talk about how much less TV they watch," he said. "Instead they go in their backyards and watch their chickens goof around. Chickens can be entertaining - they can have personalities and interesting behaviors and habits that are cool to see." Larson said unlike roosters, hens are not particularly noisy or smelly creatures. Advertisement "Hens do like to sound-off when they lay an egg but that lasts for only a couple of minutes whereas a rooster can crow all day long," Larson said. He said with proper maintenance and bedding material inside the coops there is not going to be a discernible odor from the structure. As for concerns that chickens might attract wild predators or rodents, "It should be more of a concern to the chicken owners because (wildlife) are in the urban areas and people don't want their pet chickens (killed). People need to know how to properly protect them from other animals," he said. "Like anything in life, it can be done well or poorly. If a diligent chicken keeper has a nice housing situation where chickens are well-protected and well-maintained, they will not have the negative affects people perceive that they might have," he said. Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News JavaScript is disabled on your browser. CORDIS website requires JavaScript enabled in order to work properly. Please enable JavaScript. Ela Township Assessor John Barrington donates blood during a blood drive at the township office in Lake Zurich. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press) At LifeSource locations throughout the Chicago area, the regional blood bank tries to maintain up to a six-day supply of Type O negative blood, considered to be a universal donor type. But when the winter months settle in, supplies of that type of blood can dip down to one day, said Eva Quinley, regional executive director for LifeSource. Advertisement It's a dynamic many area blood banks are accustomed to experiencing during the winter, when donations usually slow for various reasons. To compensate for the wintertime drop-off, LifeSource schedules many special events to try and encourage donors, Quinley said. "Otherwise, we would not have the supplies that we have," she said. Advertisement LifeSource representatives recently traveled to Lake Zurich for a blood donation drive Jan. 9 at the Ela Township offices, where 25 area residents booked appointments to give blood and marked National Blood Donor Month, organizers said. Workers at LifeSource, suburban-based Heartland Blood Centers and area hospitals all point to numerous reasons for the decline in blood donations during the winter. A major factor for LifeSource, which serves more than 25 health care facilities in the Chicago area, is school breaks. "Blood donations decline drastically this time of year with schools being out of session," said Sharon Fulgenzi, senior account manager for LifeSource. Nearly 25 percent of its donations come from area students, she said. The holidays and winter weather also motivate more people to go on vacation and can discourage them from traveling to donor sites, area blood bank representatives said. Potential donors usually have to deal with cold and flu symptoms that come with the cold weather, Quinley said. "If you're sick, you can't donate," she said. Advertisement At Advocate Health Care, the system's main hospitals, including Advocate Good Shepherd in Barrington, and its two children's hospitals in the Chicago area currently are dealing with tight blood donation supplies, said Colleen Aronson, regional director of transfusion services at ACL Laboratories. ACL provides blood transfusion services for Advocate. Supplies especially are tight at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, Aronson said. Both hospitals treat a large volume of patients suffering from gunshot wounds and also car crashes, she said. At Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, staff primarily uses platelet products in the outpatient area, but the products usually last for five days, Aronson said. "So, we work with blood suppliers in scheduling donors to meet patients' needs for post-bone marrow transplants or chemotherapy patients," she said. But for the many donors who do brave the cold weather to give blood, they usually are motivated by personal reasons. Advertisement While donating blood at the Ela Township event, Lake Zurich resident Michael Roberts said he gives because he lost his son to meningitis in 1998, even though the disease does not require donated blood. "When you lose someone like I did, it's the reason why I started giving to help someone," he said. tshields@pioneerlocal.com Twitter @tshields19 A 55-year-old congressional aide to U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski was found dead in her Oak Lawn home following a possible domestic altercation, officials said. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman as Marianne L. Viverito, of the 5100 block of W. 105th Place. (Zak Koeske / Daily Southtown) The death of a congressional aide to U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski who was found in her Oak Lawn home early Tuesday has been ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office. Marianne L. Viverito, of the 5100 block of West 105th Place, died of "multiple stab and incised wounds," the medical examiner's office determined Wednesday. Advertisement Oak Lawn police, who are investigating the homicide with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, released a statement Wednesday evening confirming the cause and manner of death, and said a suspect was in custody in Wisconsin. The State's Attorney's Office has issued a warrant for murder and is now waiting for the warrant to be served in Wisconsin, the statement said. Police declined to release the name of the suspect, pending formal charges being filed upon return to Illinois. Advertisement Police said in a statement Tuesday that Viverito, the daughter of Stickney Township supervisor and former state Sen. Louis S. Viverito, may have been the victim of a domestic altercation. In the statement, police said they received a request from an out-of-state police department to conduct a well-being check at Viverito's home and upon arrival around 3:15 a.m. Tuesday found blood on the ground and in the residence. Officers found Viverito's body in the basement of the home, police said. Oak Creek Police Department in Wisconsin, which village officials identified as the out-of-state agency that contacted local police, would say only that they contacted Oak Lawn after responding to a car crash. "There was an incident of a car striking a telephone pole," Lt. Randall Knitter, of the Oak Creek Police Department said. "As a result, it led to the Oak Lawn investigation. For the rest, you'll need to talk to Oak Lawn." Viverito was a divorced mother of two adult sons who had raised them alone from the time they were young children, her father said. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > He said she was a graduate of Queen of Peace High School in Burbank and Fox College, where she studied business. Viverito had worked out of Lipinski's Oak Lawn office since February 2007, and before that was employed by the Cook County Circuit Court, her father said. Advertisement She also served as a Worth Township trustee from 2012 to 2013. A visitation for Viverito will be held Friday from 1 to 9 p.m. at Lawn Funeral Home, 7909 State Road in Burbank. Mass is scheduled for the following day at 10:30 a.m. in St. Albert the Great Church, 5555 State Road in Burbank, with burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, 6001 W. 111th St. zkoeske@tribpub.com Twitter @ZakKoeske President-elect Donald Trump now says that U.S. taxpayers will actually pay for the wall that he claimed would be paid for by Mexico. How many of his campaign promises will Trump break in his first year in office, and will his supporters even notice? William, Oak Lawn Advertisement So, it is claimed that Russia hacked the election. If true, who was asleep at the wheel or was this ignored because the desired result was imminent. But then again maybe this is a classic example of fake news that the DNC was referring to. J.K. Advertisement Why is Tinley Park's attorney discussing a possible settlement with the press and why is a trustee running under a transparency platform objecting to the attorney speaking about the settlement at a public meeting? Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > Jay, Tinley Park There is one local politician who approaches the status of the mythical "Great Oz" of "Wizard of Oz" fame. That is House Speaker Michael Madigan. Think about it. Here is a guy who operates behind a "figurative screen" that separates him from the citizens of Illinois. He is the antithesis of transparency. He's is both omnipotent and mysterious. He is revered and feared. He's always there and seems will never go away. You will accept him. You will conform to his will. He's Madigan, the Great Oz of Illinois. Tom, Evergreen Park SS writes that Barack Obama didn't get us into any wars while he was president. While this is true, he did send in troops to help out the Iraqi military when it was realized he pulled out too early. And yes, the wars George Bush started cost trillions but, during Obama's presidency he amassed a 20 trillion dollar deficit more than any other president in U.S history. And as for the Russian hacking SS, it has been going on for Obama's entire presidency. You say your thankful he was thoughtful and cautious? Really. How about the fast and furious controversy, Benghazi, and the Syrian conflict he did nothing about? So let's give the next president a chance and then we can judge, right? Joe What's Speak Out? Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown. It's so exciting to see that HITS horse jumping competition is going to be opening up at Balmoral Park this spring. It will be a giant economy boost to the Southland, and a fun outing for families throughout the Chicago area. It will be a welcome change from the unsavory gambling and Standardbred racing industry. Beverly Advertisement About 29% of GOP voters still believe that President Barack Obama was foreign born. About 52% of GOP voters believe that Donald Trump won the popular vote. Both of these things are easily disproven, but GOP voters show much resistance to actual fact, preferring a right wing narrative. Explain to me again how conservative voters are informed voters. William, Oak Lawn Advertisement I agree with one recent contributor from Oak Lawn, who suggested that a curfew should be put in place in the neighborhoods that are plagued by frequent gang activity, gunfire, and violence. People sit in cars at three in the morning with known gang members, then can't figure out why they get shot or shot at. The problem, though, is that many people don't want to follow laws, guidelines, or recommendations, even if it means a safer neighborhood for themselves and their families. The "you can't tell me what to do" attitude is highly problematic and very prevalent in society. It doesn't seem to be doing them much good, though. There was once a time not long ago when folks on television knew how to be presentably dressed. Now, what is considered "classy" is a boldly striped suit with a checkered shirt, and a tie of a color that is totally uncoordinated with this ensemble mess. Throw in a few tattoos, a facial piercing, and a goofy hairdo and there you have it... a modern sartorial disaster. Evergreen Park In 2013, former GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel was under consideration for the position of defense secretary. Hagel was subject to unprecedented requests for financial information from GOP Sen. Jim Inhofe. When asked Monday about information requests for President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, the same Inhofe said a different standard would apply for Trump's nominees because it was Trump. Double standard anyone? William, Oak Lawn What's Speak Out? Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown. I just read someone on Speak Out who wrote about being concerned with President-elect Donald Trump's friendliness with Russia. did this person have any concerns when President Barack Obama bowed to the Saudi King? You're absolutely right, Mr. Ted Slowik. For example, look at recent shootings on I-57 and in Evergreen Park, heroine use at epidemic proportions. Inner city problems and crime are making their way to the south suburbs. Suburbanites can no longer say, "Not our concern." The longer these problems are ignored the sooner they will be in our own backyards. They're already too close for comfort. Advertisement Tinley Park Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel states about 1,500 gang members are responsible for all the shootings, really. So, your solution is hiring 1,000 new police officers to follow around these gang members and arresting them. How much money will this hiring of 1000 new police officers going to cost the tax payers across 30 years? The city cannot pay their debts now. Homeowners in Chicago look out, your taxes will increase and all measures to create more taxable items will be passed. It's my opinion they are always looking at ways to add and collect taxes from those that work hard daily. Advertisement Monee The fiscal conservative party is going to repeal Obamacare. What they aren't talking about is how much it is going to cost us. The full repeal will cost us $350 billion over the next 10 years. Who will benefit from the repeal? Not the middle-class. The consumer protections will be gone, such as the one protecting those with pre-existing conditions. Taxes and fees coming from high income Americans, insurers, providers will be gone. I see now who the repeal benefits. The nation stands to lose millions of jobs. The U.S. ranks worst among 11 wealthy nations in efficiency, equity and outcomes despite having the world's most expensive health care system. We should want all of our citizens to have health care. Without it, we pay the cost from unpaid emergency room visits. Who votes for these politicians who want to do things that hurt the middle class and benefit a few at the top? Put parties aside, and look at voting records and actions. SS Another day of beyond disturbing news. A mass shooting at a Florida airport and social media streaming of the torture of a disabled young man with hours upon hours of coverage by news networks. I'm beginning to think reporters are at least partly responsible for these continual events of violence, feeding the attention and notoriety these individuals crave. If only reporters used their resources and spent this time researching and reporting solutions to these serious societal problems. Tinley Park What's Speak Out? Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown. Tianjin city in north China will build more charging poles to encourage the use of electric cars. According to a plan, the number of charging poles in the city will exceed 90,000 by 2020 to meet the demand of about 160,000 electric cars. While building the poles, priority will be given to public parking space, and governments and institutions should, in accordance with employee demand, install charging poles, the plan said. Tianjin is one of the first pilot cities to encourage the use of electric cars. By the end of 2015, the city was home to 13,872 electric cars and more than 2,000 charging poles. According to China's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), the country will build a nationwide charging-station network that will fulfill the power demands of 5 million electric vehicles by 2020. By the end of October last year, China had 107,000 charging poles for electric vehicles, up 118 percent from a year ago. Data from the National Energy Administration showed that China had 107,000 charging poles for electric vehicles by the end of October this year, up 118 percent from a year ago. Additionally, there are more than 170,000 private charging poles. Renewable energy technology company BYD has been officially selected as the recommended company by the evaluation committee in Argentina for the purchase of 50 electric buses on behalf of the Ministry of Environment. The tender was launched by the Ministry of Environment as a pilot project for the introduction of electric public transport in different cities throughout the country. The bid evaluation committee chose BYD from a pool of 5 bidders for its successful 12-meter electric bus, which is already widely used in cities such as London, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, etc. BYD begun the promotion of its technologies in Argentina in 2011 through its local subsidiary, especially those related to electric vehicles and public transport. In November 2011, the company signed its first MOU with the Ministry of Industry and the Secretary of Transport. During BYD's senior-level management visit to the country in May 2016, Argentinean President Mauricio Macri and Minister of Environment Sergio Bergman expressed their high expectations for the introduction of BYD technologies and electric vehicle models to their nation's public transportation systems. BYD expects to receive the necessary allocation within the next few weeks. To better satisfy market demands, BYD plans to build a new local manufacturing plant in Argentina. This plant would bring foreign investment to Argentina and will have a significant impact on the creation of new jobs. Named one of "China's Most Admired Companies" by Fortune China in 2016, BYD is committed to driving forward green mobility solutions to help address challenges and concerns related to traffic congestion. In 2010, the company announced its "electric public transport" strategy for green mobility, which focuses on low-carbon electric vehicles as a prioritized public transport option to reduce traffic-related emissions in cities. This has now become adopted as a national strategy in China. At present, BYD's electric buses and other new energy vehicles have expanded to 240 cities across 50 countries. BYD looks forward to presenting Argentina with comprehensive Green City Solutions, including other electric mobility technologies in particular its new "SkyRail" monorail in order to help the country face environmental challenges, such as traffic congestion and transport-related emissions. BYD and its shareholders, including Warren Buffet, see these environmentally and economically friendly products as the way of the future. Guo Meiling, director of the Showyes Project Board, gives an opening speech in Beijing on Jan. 9, 2017. [By Li Huiru/China.org.cn] At a charity night in Beijing on Jan. 9, Showyes Project, together with Voices of the Youth (http://qnzs.youth.cn), a social networking platform under All-China Youth Federation, announced their 2017 plan for subsidizing 3,000 poor Chinese students' vocational education. The theme of the activity is "communication, connection and sharing." The organizer hopes to inspire more companies and individuals to contribute their time and love to help those in difficult situations. In her opening speech, Guo Meiling, director of the Showyes Project Board, said the Showyes Project aims at helping poor teenagers shake off poverty through skill training. "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. If you teach him how to fish, you feed him for life. Showyes Project aims at helping orphans, left-behind children and poverty-stricken students finish vocational training." Qi Xuesen, director general of China Social Welfare Foundation, says in Beijing on Jan. 9, 2017, that enterprises should not only produce wealth but also shoulder social . [By Li Huiru/China.org.cn] Qi Xuesen, director general of China Social Welfare Foundation, said the enterprises should not only produce wealth but also shoulder social responsibility. "In addition to creating wealth, entrepreneurs should also shoulder their social responsibility. The two are indispensable for the progress of Chinese society," Qi said. "During 2016, China's charity practice made substantial progress. Such progress is inseparable from remarkable contributions of all of us here." "Pairing each donor with a specific recipient" is a distinctive feature of the 2017 targeted poverty alleviation scheme. Through the arrangement, the organizer hopes the donors can feel the recipients' development and growth, thus mobilizing more small businesses to fulfill their social responsibility. Voices of the Youth announces an online application platform through which interested donors can confirm their application. [By Li Huiru/China.org.cn] During the night, Voices of the Youth announced an online application platform through which interested donors can confirm their application. During the activity, participants donated by scanning QR codes. The money raised can help as many as 1,303 poor students to realize their dream of going to school. Sa Beining, an anchor for the Law Today show on CCTV, participated in the activity as a volunteer. He believed it is more important to understand the needs of the poor. Sa Beining, an anchor for the Law Today show on CCTV, participates in the activity as a volunteer. [By Li Huiru/China.org.cn] "It really makes a difference if we can respond to the demand of poor teenagers and help them begin at the same starting line as their peers," Sa said. Sa is also a champion of China's National Presenter Competition. In 2016, 2,000 poor students in China's Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Gansu, Hebei, and Anhui provinces benefited from the subsidy scheme offered by Showyes Project and Voices of the Youth. Flash The Russian military released a slew of facts and figures Tuesday in response to an accusation by U.S. Pentagon chief that Russia made "virtually zero" effort to combat the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria. The Russian air force in Syria has conducted 19,160 sorties, delivering over 71,000 strikes since the start of an anti-terrorist operation on Sept. 30, 2015, said Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff. "The main targets of our warplanes were militant's training camps, ammunition factories and workshops, as well as illegal oil production facilities of IS terrorists," he said at a Defense Ministry teleconference. He said the operation helped reverse the course of the struggle against terrorism in Syria, by breaking its supply system and cutting off its main source of revenue. On the contrary, the U.S.-led anti-terrorist coalition delivered only 6,500 strikes in the last two and a half years without producing any significant results, only inflicting huge casualties among civilians, Gerasimov said. Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a recent interview with NBC News that Russia's efforts fighting IS in Syria were equal to "virtually zero." Flash Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), said Tuesday that a new leadership model based on responsivity and responsibility must be adopted by global leaders in light of the many challenges faced by a rapidly-evolving world. "As a leader, you have to be responsive, and you have to listen and act with those people who've entrusted you with the issue," Schwab told the press ahead of WEF's 47th annual meeting in the Swiss city of Davos between Jan. 17-20. "But it's not enough to listen, you also have to be responsible and courageous enough to take the decisions to improve the status quo, and sometimes very courageous decisions are needed," he added. Under the theme "Responsive and Responsible Leadership", this year's meeting will unite a record 3,000 government, business and civil society leaders from 99 countries, including over 50 heads of state and government, along 1,800 business leaders from all industries. Four main tracks will be explored by stakeholders, namely reimagining global cooperation, revitalising the global economy, reforming capitalism and preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. "Davos is a working meeting. It is part of a working process which is a year-long process," Schwab highlighted, adding that "the WEF looks at the future in a systemic way." This entails looking at how to shape a number of system initiatives affecting the future outlook of health, production, economic growth and social inclusion, as well as energy, mobility and consumption, to name but a few. "The world is changing around us at unprecedented speed. At this tipping point, our traditional concepts of society, meaningful employment and the nation state are challenged, and many understandably feel insecure or even threatened," Schwab said. "A new model of responsive and responsible leadership is needed to allow us to address the challenges the world faces, from security to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with long-term, action-oriented thinking and solidarity on a national and global level," he added. The most diverse meeting to date, one third of all participants will hail from outside of Europe and North America and one third of attendees will represent society outside of business and government. Flash After eight years of a bitter relationship between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel is expecting easier times with the Trump administration who will take office on Jan. 20. When Trump tweeted "Stay strong Israel, January 20 is fast approaching!" it was music to Netanyahu's ears. The tweet came after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution calling Israel's settlements in the West Bank illegal. The adoption of the resolution was a record-low in the relations between Obama and Netanyahu. "Friends don't take friends to the Security Council," a furious Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting held days after the UNSC meeting. He had expected the U.S. to veto the resolution rather than abstain and thus allow it to pass. Netanyahu leads a right-wing coalition with one of his main partners, the Jewish Home party. In the aftermath of the resolution, Naftali Bennett, the leader of the Jewish Home party, said he would move forward on annexing the West Bank. Israel captured the West Bank during the 1967 war. Since then, it has settled the land with thousands of Jewish residents. Palestinians see the settlements as moves by Israel to create facts on the ground that hinder the establishment of a Palestinian state. The resolution was a major boost for their argument. With Trump in the White House, Bennett may be able to promote his cause. Nimrod Goren, head of Mitvim, the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, does not think this will happen. "I think the opposite will happen. Israel now has more legitimacy for it's current policy. As much as Netanyahu doesn't want to see the two-state solution actually move forward. I think the Netanyahu policy is to do small steps quietly to change the reality on the ground without these big bombastic moves," said Goren. Trump appointed a new ambassador to Israel whose track record is clearly in favor of Israeli settlement expansion. He has promised on his election to move the American embassy to Jerusalem. For years, American presidential candidates have promised to do so. This would be a contentious move. East Jerusalem was captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War. The international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the entire city, only on it's Western half. Israel says the capital is the unified city. In a recent attack, a Palestinian resident of Jerusalem killed four Israeli soldiers and wounded tens of others by ramming his truck into them as they were touring Jerusalem on an educational trip. The attack occurred minutes away from where the American consulate is situated. A few days before the attack, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was quoted as saying that moving the embassy to Jerusalem would have "irreversible implications that go beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." Members of the Israeli media speculated that Abbas' comments may have inspired the attack. Palestinians see Jerusalem as the future capital of their state. Goren said "It's not perhaps in the American interests, its definitely not in the Israeli interest. If you want to see a future of peace for Israel, a future of cooperation with the region, then moving the American embassy to Jerusalem doesn't support or doesn't help the peace process. It just highlights the risk of deterioration." Goren goes further to say he believes Israeli officials will quietly tell their American counterparts not to "rush with doing that step," recognizing it's explosive potential. As long as Netanyahu remains in power, Israel will most likely continue it's policies without amendment. "There is no status-quo in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Settlements are being built. The two-state solution chances are becoming more and more distant and this coupled with American moves on the ground, which are seen as problematic in the Arab world, that could lead up unfortunately to deterioration on the ground," said Goren. The next Israeli election is scheduled for November 2019. At that time, it is also possible that Abbas may step down. These potential changes will probably make greater impact on the conflict than the Trump administration. Cheng Chao, 39, owner of a Shanghai-based cross-border business consulting firm, with his 6-year-old daughter, who receives more care from her freelancer dad. [Photo provided to China Daily] Young professionals appear to prefer freelance work to experience a new way of boss-free job and control over work and career growth. But older professionals opt for freelancing mainly to strike a perfect work-life balance. In a 2015 study on Chinese people's happiness conducted by Tsinghua University, respondents chose freelance work as one that would produce maximum happiness for professionals. Cheng Chao, 39, owner of a Shanghai-based cross-border business consulting firm, agreed. He has been a freelancer for more than 10 years now. He prepares breakfast and enjoys having meals with his 6-year-old daughter. He escorts her to her kindergarten, works till 4:30 pm at home or his favorite cafe that offers free Wi-Fi, and collects his little girl after school. It is a schedule developed keeping his daughter at the heart of it. This, he said, has made him contented and won much admiration from peers and neighbors alike. Even though his current income is less than one-fifth of his full-time job salary, Cheng believes he is much the better for it. He said he "worked his ass off" between 1999 and 2002 for several leading internet technology companies in China. All that hard work helped him to make his first pot of gold. In 2003, Cheng started to work on his own. Initially, there were financial and other kinds of difficulties. There were family misunderstandings. But Cheng persisted with freelancing. He now owns two brands, one focusing on cross-border trade consultancy and the other on translation, serving clients from Europe, the United States, Australia, Israel, Singapore and other countries and regions. "Each freelancer goes through three stages: making a living, working on his own small business and finally creating a personal brand. The freelancer must work toward creating products, and become a brand himself. Only in this way can he eke out a decent livelihood by doing what he is interested in," he said. Ma Qirui, a freelance lens-woman, shoots underwater images for her client in Chengdu, Sichuan province. [Photo by Lyu Jia and others/For China Daily] Freelance work has acquired a whole new dimension in the digital age, becoming a chosen lifestyle for a growing number of Chinese professionals. Software programming, online sales, digital marketing, webpage design, video production and translation are just some of the fields where freelancers are thriving. The proliferation of mobile internet, instant messengers and e-payment tools has led to a surge in the number of the self-employed, according to PayPal, an online payment service provider. PayPal has discovered that in the Chinese market, the number of freelancers specializing in cross-border trade has seen robust double-digit growth in recent years. Reasons are not far to seek. First of all, freelancing offers the freedom to choose the work location. Second of all, freelancing allows a professional to focus on the job he/she loves. Third, combined with an organized way of working, strategy and discipline, freelancing boosts income big time. So, more and more Chinese employees are thinking nothing of giving up full-time jobs to turn freelancers. The trend is part of a global pattern. The freelancer job market globally has grown increasingly mature on the back of some major job opportunity platforms. The UK Office for National Statistics reported in May 2016 that about 15.2 percent of the country's workforce is self-employed. A 2015 study commissioned by the Freelance Union in the United States showed that freelancers made up 34 percent of the country's workforce. This figure is expected to reach 40 percent in 2020. Yahoo Inc Chief Executive Officer Marissa Mayer is among six directors who plan to leave the board of the investment company that will be left after the closing of the proposed sale of Yahoo's main internet properties to Verizon Communications Inc. The new company, a shareholder in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Yahoo Japan, will change its name to Altaba Inc and reduce its board to five members as it looks ahead to its next chapter with fewer ties to the iconic brand, according to a filing on Monday. Yahoo agreed to sell its web properties to Verizon in a deal valued at about $4.8 billion, though questions have come up after Yahoo revealed two separate hacks of user data. The deal came after Mayer failed to deliver on a turnaround attempt that began after her arrival in 2012. "The end of the Marissa Mayer erait looks like her plan is to complete the sale of the operating company to Yahoo and let the lawyers and tax accountants figure out the best option for the stakes in Alibaba and Yahoo Japan," said Paul Sweeney, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. The directors who will remain with Altaba after the closing of the Verizon sale are Tor Braham, Eric Brandt, Catherine Friedman, Thomas McInerney and Jeffrey Smith. Brandt was named the chairman to help the company ease its transition to an investment vehicle. While the deal with Verizon followed months of negotiations with various parties, it has come under pressure after Yahoo last month revealed a second major hack of user accounts. Verizon began exploring a lower price or a possible exit from its purchase agreement in the wake of the recent disclosure of the data breaches. Bloomberg Workers from TBEA Shenyang Transformer Group Co assemble equipment in a plant in Shenyang, Liaoning province. [Photo by Zhang Wenkui/For China Daily] Northeast China's Liaoning province is back on positive note after it posted a staggering 2.2 percent slide in GDP in the first three quarters last year, said government officials on Tuesday. Guan Zhi'ou, secretary-general of the country's bottom ranking province, said such confidence is supported by leading indicators, as electricity usage and freight volume grew 11.1 and 3 percent year-on-year, respectively, in December, while producer price index (PPI) edged up after sliding for 51 consecutive months. The province also reported a 3.4 percent year-on-year increase in fiscal revenue to 219.9 billion yuan ($31.8 billion) last year despite 85 billion yuan tax reduction, said Qiao Jun, party secretary of Liaoning provincial Research Office. "The northeast is still falling behind the southern part of China, but we are working hard to catch up and are learning from Guangdong province," said Guan at a media briefing on Tuesday. Known as China's "eldest son" since its founding, the northeast, namely the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang, were the industrial bastion in the 1950s and 1960s. However, the region gradually lost its steam due to excess capacity in steel, inefficient state businesses and an exodus of young talents, as well as the world's second largest economy shifting its focus towards market and services. Revitalizing the northeast rust belt has been among China's top priority. "It is like going uphill even if the climb is steep. No matter how difficult it is, nothing can stop us," said Qiao, adding that the service sector now accounts for over 50 percent of the GDP, and 17.2 percent of industrial output came from high-end manufacturing. The confidence toward a positive momentum also comes from the government's "wrist-cutting determination" to improve business environment and get rid of northeast's stigma of bureaucracy and rampant corruption, said the officials. Liaoning is staging a campaign to simplify administrative approvals to attract investments. Market participants can gain approvals on over 400 items at a one-stop service center, before filing application and checking reference regulations online. "Northeast provinces should still warn against half-way reform. Only through deep reflection, can they find the firm courage to carry on and carry along," said Li Kai, professor and vice-dean of China Academy of Northeast Revitalization. Micky Pant, chief executive officer of Yum China Holdings. Taco Bell, the Mexican-themed chain under Yum Brands Inc, is making a comeback in the Chinese mainland to test diners' appetite for nachos. The latest drive marks a test for Yum China Holdingswhich operates household names such as KFC and Pizza Hut and has just become independent through an initial public offeringtoward its goal of adding 600 stores per year on the mainland over the coming five years, said Chief Executive Officer Micky Pant. "As we become an independent firm, the timing is good to launch the brand, which is our most profitable business in the United States," Pant told China Daily. The taco and burrito chain opened locations in the mainland in 2003, but expansion didn't take off. This time, it is adjusting its menu to suit local tastes, including serving more hot food, crafting special sauces, and ensuring prices are more affordable, Pant said. For example, a two-taco combo, which includes two tacos, one side dish and one soft drink, is priced at 48 yuan ($6.90). Targeting the young and adventurous people, the chain is also actively seeking locations for expansion in several cities, a plan expected to be announced in the middle of this year, he added. Newly built airports and high-speed railway stations are where Yum China sees greater potential for investment, as the firm celebrated 30 years in the Chinese mainland, where the craze for Western fast food is fading. Taco Bell is also improving the overall customer experience by providing free Wi-Fi, digital ordering kiosks, large menu boards and a range of payment options, including Alipay and WeChat Pay, the dominant e-wallets in the mainland. This is a consistent strategy that Yum China has deployed in boosting sales across its 7,300 outlets. Revamping delivery services and ventures into digital marketing are among the top priorities, Pant said. "By separating its China business, Yum has clearly unlocked its power and gained the flexibility needed to make bolder moves," said Shaun Rein, managing director of China Market Research Group, who is bullish on Taco Bell's return to the mainland. An aerial photo of a river in Shenyang on June 12, 2016. [Photo/VCG] After spending decades at near bottom of economic ranking, Shenyang, in China's rust belt, is getting its shine back. The capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province has witnessed many ups and downs since its formation more than 2,300 years ago. Known as the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was the imperial capital during the reign of two Qing emperors. Then, thanks to abundant natural resources and a well-developed transportation network, Shenyang transformed itself into a major economic center during the first Five-Year Plan (1951-1956), as it embraced manufacturing and huge factories. It soon became one of the top industrial hubs in the country. But like rest of the Northeast, the city's economy fell into steep decline after the 1980s as plants failed to keep pace with the global changes. However, Shenyang has now launched ambitious programs aimed at revitalizing its growth. While once resource-intensive sectors played the dominant role, currently some of the biggest multinationals in the world, including GM, BMW and Michelin, have made the city of more than eight million their base. The jewel in the provincial capital's crown is the Shenyang Economic Zone. Spread over 75,000 square kilometers and boasting 2.4 million population, it's one of the most highly urbanized areas in the nation. With the State Council asking the Sino-German industrial park to spearhead the transformation of the region, and the government unveiling the "Made in China 2025" plan,which aims to shift focus away from mass manufacturing to high-end products, Shenyang is confident of a turnaround. Its diversified economy now includes sectors ranging from automobiles to defense to information technology. In 2003, Shenyang produced 100,000 vehicles in total. By 2015, the figure had jumped to more than a million. The auto sector is now a major growth engine. Moreover, 150 of world's top 500 companies have established their base in the megapolis. By 2020, it plans to become an important trade hub in Northeast Asia by concentrating on 10 areas, including integrating regional development, developing new technologies and modern industrial structure and better use of human resources. Due to its close geographic proximity to South Korea, Russia and Japan, the city is a major player as a gateway into the Northeast Asia and Bohai Sea Rim Economic Region. However,the government's measures to reduce decades-old dependence on State-owned enterprises have not been smooth. What has hurt the bottom line is not just the slump in the prices of global commodities, a major revenue generator, but also the difficulties many of the traditional industries face as they try to innovate and upgrade. In sharp contrast to the traditional industries, the emerging sectors, such as tourism and science and technology, are witnessing rapid economic growth. In the first half of 2016, tourism revenue rose by more than 13 percent in the province, according to a report carried earlier by China Daily. While it remains to be seen how much the government will be able to deliver, what is clear is that Shenyang has decided to put the shine back and once again emerge as an economic powerhouse. ST PETERSBURG - The number of Chinese tourists in St Petersburg during 2017 New Year holidays has doubled in comparison to the same period of the previous year. "Interfax" reports that 4,000 Chinese tourists visited the "northern capital" of Russia during the last week of 2016 and the first week of 2017. According to the China-Russia Tourist Association "World without Borders", 45 percent of Chinese tourists in St Petersburg are elderly people, mostly women. The total number of Chinese tourists in St Petersburg almost doubled in 2016. Due to the increasing demand, the local Pulkovo airport offers direct flights between St Petersburg and Beijing, Urumqi, and Shanghai. WELLINGTON - One of the world's biggest asset finance and leasing companies, China-based HNA Group, has purchased its first foothold in New Zealand. ANZ Bank New Zealand Ltd, one of New Zealand's biggest commercial banks, said Wednesday that HNA had agreed to buy its asset finance business, UDC Finance, for NZ$660 million($461.47 million). ANZ New Zealand CEO David Hisco said the purchase price represented a price-to-book ratio of 1.6 times of net assets of NZ$424 million ($296.46 million) as of September 2016. UDC Finance, which specializes in asset-based finance to New Zealand businesses for plant, vehicles and equipment, was performing well, Hisco said in a statement. "HNA is well placed to invest in specialist asset finance products and systems which will help UDC expand further in the future," said Hisco. "UDC's highly diversified portfolio offers significant growth opportunities in Australasia and supports HNA Group's disciplined approach to expand our core tourism, logistics and financial services businesses," HNA Group Vice Chairman and CEO Adam Tan said in the statement. Founded in 1993, HNA Group has evolved from a regional airline based on China's Hainan island into a global company with over $90 billion of assets and almost 200,000 employees across North America, Europe and Asia. The UDC sale was subject to closing steps and regulatory approvals, and completion was expected late in 2017. Dangdang Publication Suppliers Conference 2017 kicks off in Beijing, on January 9, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Data from the Dangdang Group, including the e-book readers' index and sales revenues, were released at the Dangdang Publication Suppliers Conference 2017 held in Beijing on January 9. Dangdang has grown at high speed, earning revenues of about 14 billion yuan ($2.01 billion) in 2016, compared with about 10 billion yuan ($1.44 billion) in 2015. Chen Lijun, vice president of Dangdang Group, said, "Our sales code achieved approximately 300 million yuan, up from an impressive figure in the Single Sale a year ago," adding that reading, especially e-reading, has become an essential part of individuals' daily lives in China. According to the index released at the conference, digital reading technology has been widely embraced by the Chinese reading public. Dangdang confirmed that e-book readers number 25.6 million, 35 percent of whom spend more than one hour per day e-book reading. Everywhere in China, one sees people reading books and news on mobile phones, e-readers, and other devices. The transition from traditional printed books to digital readers is fast gaining ground. People born after the 1990s are the leading group of digital readers, and around 67 percent of them are individuals younger than 30. Females with undergraduate degrees are the dominant sub-group. Li Guoqing, co-founder and CEO of Dangdang Group, gives a speech in Beijing, on January 9, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] There is no denying the tremendous potential of e-books in the Chinese marketplace. The ratios of mega, second and third-tier Chinese cities with e-book readers are 22.4 percent, 34 percent and 28.5 percent respectively. Fragmentation e-book readers have seen a significant increase this year, logging in up to eight times each day and reading for a total of an hour. More than 80 percent of Chinese publishing houses have come out with e-book versions of new and existing publications to date. In addition, people have differences in reading preferences. While people who are e-book lovers prefer novels, social science books and career development material, published book lovers prefer art books, children books and examination-oriented resources. Men's purposes in reading are relatively more practical. "The emergence of the e-book boom stems from the change of people's reading habits and the rapid development of reading devices as well," said Lei Wen, manager of Dangdang Digital Company. "It is a time of digital reading," he added. BEIJING - China has decided to raise anti-dumping duties imposed on distillers dried grains (DDG) from the United States in a final ruling after a year-long trade probe. DDG importers will have to pay a 42.2 to 53.7 percent anti-dumping tax and an 11.2 to 12 percent anti-subsidy tax over the next five years from Thursday, a Ministry of Commerce statement said Wednesday. The rates will increase from the provisional 10 to 10.7 percent anti-subsidy tax and 33.8 percent anti-dumping tax that were effective from September 2016. The ministry initiated investigations in January 2016 after receiving complaints from domestic companies, and then made a preliminary decision to impose provisional duties eight months later. The domestic industry saw actual damages because US producers dumped government-subsidized DDG into the Chinese market, according to the statement. China is the world's biggest buyer of DDG, with most imports coming from the United States. DDG are nutrient-rich corn byproduct of dry-milled ethanol production, which are mainly used in animal feed. China is grappling with piling stocks of corn and has rolled out corrective measures, including cutting planting areas and promoting the use of corn ethanol. BEIJING - A mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that the mainland would bring up new policies to promote Taiwan investment and boost cross-Straits cooperation in 2017. "The mainland is still Taiwan's largest trade partner and the biggest source of exports and trade surplus," said Ma Xiaoguang, with the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference. "The mainland is the best choice for Taiwan industrial and commercial circles to develop business, and no force will stop or weaken the promising future of the win-win situation of cross-Straits economic cooperation," added Ma. In the first 11 months of 2016, the mainland approved 3,072 Taiwan-funded projects, up 19.58 percent year on year, with the use of Taiwan capital reaching $1.69 billion, up 17 percent, according to the latest Ministry of Commerce figures. Trade volume between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan reached $161.38 billion from January to November last year, down 4.9 percent year on year. At the press conference, Ma was asked about a media report that several thousand Taiwan enterprises had left the city of Dongguan in South China's Guangdong province. Ma said that the report did not accord with the facts. By the end of November 2016, a total of 3,438 Taiwan enterprises were under operation in Dongguan, and most were manufacturing companies with advanced technology. In recent years, investment from Taiwan enterprises continued to grow. In 2016, a total of 93 projects were approved in the city, with Taiwan capital reaching $287 million. German airline safety data evaluation firm JACDEC, the most authoritative airline safety rating firm in the world, released a comprehensive ranking report surveying more than 60 of the world's safest leading airlines with a summarized safety review for 2016 on January 4, 2017. One of highlights of the data is Hainan Airlines, a mainland China-based airline renowned for its five-star hospitality services, which came in third in the latest Airline Safety Ranking, rising from its fifth place ranking in 2015. Three of the world's top 10 safest airlines are Chinese carriers, with Cathay Pacific Airways coming in at number one, Hainan Airlines, and EVA Air in sixth place. Hainan Airlines is the sole mainland China-based firm among the top 10 list, climbing two notches from its position the previous year. This is the fifth consecutive year that Hainan Airlines has been on the top 10 list. The move from fifth to third place represents the best-ever ranking for a mainland China-based airline. Hainan Airlines had logged over five million hours of safe flights as of December 2015. The airline also was honored with the "Five-Star Flight Safety Award" by China's aviation watchdog, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Hainan Airlines safety director Wei Changrong said: "Safety is the most important factor for the civil aviation industry, as we enter another peak travel period during China's Spring Festival holiday. Hainan Airlines' top priority is to make sure that each passenger gets home safely." Fighting trade protectionism, anti-globalization and boosting confidence in the Chinese economy will be high on President Xi Jinping's agenda as he becomes the first top Chinese leader to attend the World Economic Forum next week, observers said. Xi will pay a state visit to Switzerland on Jan 15 to 18 and attend the forum's annual meeting in Davos on Jan 17 alongside corporate and political leaders, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Premier Li Keqiang in 2015 and by Vice-President Li Yuanchao last year. Widespread political reshuffling across the globe has dampened investor confidence and added uncertainty to the already sluggish growth of the world economy since the economic crisis in 2008. World political and economic leaders also are anticipating Xi addressing the health of the world's second-largest economy in the wake of fluctuations in the yuan and Beijing's measures to rein in systematic financial risks, experts said. Ruan Zonzge, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said Xi's first trip to the Davos meeting is to address "the widespread lack of confidence over the prospects for the world economy and the lack of viable solutions". Events last year, including the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, "showcase the downward pressure of the global economy since the crisis in 2008", and "the gathering momentum against globalization and in favor of protectionism", Ruan warned. The world is expecting China to deliver a strong voice against trade protectionism at the forum because the voices of smaller countries have not been enough of a counterbalance, Ruan added. The forum also is being attended by such figures as British Prime Minister Theresa May and US Secretary of State John Kerry, AFP reported. Chen Fengying, a senior researcher on the world economy at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said, "We should make it clear (at the forum) that the existing international economic cooperative mechanisms should not be changed because of the change in state leaders." Since the world economy and globalization are "at a crossroad and a turning point", it is time for Xi to demonstrate China's power and duty as a major developing country, Chen said. Xi's comments also are highly anticipated because China's annual central economic work conference recently wrapped up, Chen noted. "China's economy is also at a crossroads. We could get either sustained growth or massive risks breaking out," Chen said. Huang Yiping, a member of the central bank monetary policy committee and an economist at Peking University, said China's current priorities include eliminating systematic financial risks and stabilizing its economic growth. During his stay in Switzerland, Xi also will visit the offices of the World Health Organization, the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee. China can significantly contribute to global economic growth by further advocating free trade and opening up its domestic market to foreign exports and investment, according to Mark Boleat, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation. Speaking to China Daily ahead of this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, which President Xi Jinping will attend, Boleat said the international expansion of Chinese companies was significant for global growth. It would not only create jobs, but also lower the costs for consumers through increased competition, he said. "If the price of a basket is two percent lower, then that will make a big difference to people on low to medium income levels," Boleat said. "When Chinese companies are selling products cheaper, this is creating income somewhere else in the economy which can provide goods and services and therefore increase employment." Boleat has the senior political role in the Corporation, which is the local authority for Britain's City financial center. His comments come when China is ramping up efforts to promote free trade, while the US appears to be moving toward more protectionism, to judge from president-elect Donald Trump's campaign messages. Boleat said 2017 is looking fairly good in terms of international growth, with international trade, consumption and new technology set to be key drivers of global growth in the current economic climate, with China contributing significantly on all fronts. "As China is either the biggest or the second-biggest economy and its growth has passed nearly every other economy, it is going to make a big contribution," Boleat said. He said China's big presence at Davos is "another indication of China becoming more influential in the global economy, taking parts in global events". He added the Chinese presence also allows opinion leaders from other countries to deliver their views and concerns to Chinese leaders. "It's not just China giving its views. Davos is about debate and listening, and if the Chinese delegation is attending to do that, I think that could only be a good thing," he said. Boleat said Chinese measures to open up its financial markets, through exchange rate reform, renminbi internationalization and larger quotas for foreign financial investment, are already contributing to global growth, although the further removal of restrictions on financial sectors are desirable. The internationalization of Chinese companies is also making a big contribution to the global economy, with Boleat's team in the City of London witnessing big growth in the presence of Chinese financial firms in recent years. So far five Chinese banks have established branches in the City of London, the London Stock Exchange has listed 89 renminbi bonds raising $5.83 billion in total, and a feasibility study to connect the stock exchanges of London and Shanghai is under way. Boleat stressed London's attractiveness to Chinese financial institutions, noting that Brexit-related uncertainties so far had little impact on their investment plans, as Chinese banks rarely use their London presence to conduct European market activities and will therefore not be affected by Brexit-related regulatory changes. Meanwhile the two countries have a potential to strengthen manufacturing collaboration, as the UK champions advanced engineering and China is also moving up the value chain in manufacturing, he said. President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech when attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting at Davos later this month, according to a senior Chinese diplomat. Xi will visit Switzerland from Jan 15 to 18, and he will attend the Davos meeting on Jan 17. Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong told a Wednesday news conference in Beijing that it is the first time a Chinese president attends the annual meeting in Davos, which is of great historical significance. Xi's attendance has attracted great attention amid the sluggish international trade and investment, the rise of protectionism and the impact upon multilateral trade mechanism, the diplomat noted. "China is ready to embark on in-depth discussions with various parties to jointly tackle major global challenge and promote the healthy, stable development of world economy," Li said. By participating in the meeting, the Chinese leader aims at elaborating China's views and positions to respond to concerns of international community about economic globalization, Li said. China plans to analyze the deep-seated factors behind the problems of world economic growth and seek to find directions and pathways that point on the way out, Li said. Also, the Chinese leader will respond to the world's focus on hotspot issues of Chinese economy and boost understanding of various parties over Chinese economy, Li added. Models perform at an auto show in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Wang Haibin/For China Daily] Vehicle sales in 2016 see biggest rise in three years China's passenger vehicle sales last year saw their fastest growth since 2013, but analysts said the momentum will not continue this year. Statistics from the China Passenger Car Association showed that dealers sold 23.9 million sedans, SUVs and MPVs in 2016, a 15.9 percent rise year-on-year, more than double the estimates of several industry organizations, including the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, made at the start of the year. Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the CPCA, said the performance was mainly due to a 50 percent tax cut on cars with engines no larger than 1.6 litters, and Chinese motorists' enthusiasm for SUVs. The role of the tax cut was particularly obvious in December, which saw the year's highest monthly sales of 2.76 million cars as people rushed to dealerships before the policy expired by the end of the year. Yale Zhang, managing director of research firm Automotive Foresight, said: "The policy was like a huge roadside billboard for the car industry, constantly reminding people that there are some models they should consider buying." Despite the authorities putting in place a 25 percent tax cut for this year, this would still mean that customers will have to pay an extra 5,000 yuan ($710) for models priced at around 200,000 yuan, such as the Volkswagen Sagitar or Toyota Camry. SUVs sales grew 43.6 percent year-on-year in 2016, the fastest-growing segment in the market. One example of their popularity was that Great Wall Motor Co Ltd sold 80,495 Haval H6 SUVs in December, which means one was sold in every 33 seconds. More than 580,000 H6 were sold in the year. But experts said that the growth rate would plummet now that a huge number of customers had finished purchases in advance and the overall economic growth is somewhat slowing down. Cui expected the figure would fall to around 6.5 percent in 2017 while Zhang and John Zeng, managing director of LMC Automotive Consulting (Shanghai), gave an even less optimistic estimate of 2 to 3 percent for the year. Zeng said the market would see negative growth without the 25 percent tax cut on small engine cars that took effect in January. However, Zeng is against too much stimulus, insisting that the market should have the final say. He said the favorable policies are like athletes using drugs that produce abnormally high but unsustainable performances. Shenzhen-based BYD Co has been officially selected as the recommended company by an evaluation committee in Argentina for the purchase of 50 electric buses on behalf of the Ministry of Environment. The bid was launched by the Ministry of Environment as a pilot project for the introduction of electric public transport in different cities throughout the country. The bid evaluation committee chose BYD from a pool of five bidders for its successful 12-meter electric bus, which is already widely used in cities such as London, Los Angeles and Amsterdam. The Chinese company began to promote its technologies in Argentina in 2011 through its local subsidiary, especially those related to electric vehicles and public transport. In November 2011, the company signed its first memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Argentine government. BYD expects to receive the necessary allocation within the next few weeks. To better satisfy market demands, BYD plans to build a new local manufacturing plant in Argentina. This plant would bring foreign investment to Argentina, and will have a significant impact on the creation of new jobs. Xi'an, home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, has launched a citywide campaign to clean up its public toilets for a more pleasant experience for locals and tourists. The capital of Shaanxi province has set up a leading group to steer the work and appointed "toilet chiefs", neighborhood office employees tasked with regularly checking facilities, according to the city tourism administration. If a restroom at a tourism spot or attraction does not make the grade, the officials responsible for sanitation, including those at district level, will fail their annual work assessment, said Zhang Yongke, director of the administration. The move is part of China's "toilet revolution", launched in January 2015, which aims to ensure cleaner public restrooms in scenic spots as well as equip them with Western-style toilets, soap and even amenities like big-screen televisions, free Wi-Fi, ATMs and sofas. According to the China National Tourism Administration, some 100,000 public toilets will be built or renovated nationally between 2016 and 2020. Li Jinzao, the agency's director, said that a dirty toilet destroys the efforts of all kinds of tourist resort promotions and the negative impression is hard to erase. The administration has forecast that China's tourism market will generate more than $760 billion in revenue in 2017, up from the $683 billion in 2016. Feng Min, 57, a tourist from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, said it was not easy to find a toilet when she visited Xi'an recently, and the one she did find had a bad odor. Wu Yihui, a retired tour guide, said foreign tourists he worked with in the late 1980s would return to the hotel for the bathroom since even toilets in museums were not clean. "Now, the city's public toilets are much easier to find and cleaner, but there is still room for improvement," Wu said. The central government has set a national standard for toilet management, which covers layout, hygiene and evaluation indexes for odor. Xi'an authorities said that all toilets in the city's public area and at tourism attractions and facilities should meet the national standard. The city will also encourage businesses frequented by the public, governmental organs and institutions to open their toilets to the public free of charge. "With increasing contact with the rest of the world, we should pay a lot of attention to the issue of toilets, which reflects a city's friendship, social development and cultural atmosphere," said Zhang Baotong, an expert in social and economic development with the China Academy of Social Sciences' Shaanxi branch. Su Zhou contributed to this story. Contact the writers at malie@chinadaily.com.cn Provincial capital develops plans to attract high-tech companies Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, will push forward development of a national innovation center within the next five years by introducing more high-tech and innovative businesses, according to the city's newly elected mayor. "We will develop more new high-tech and innovative businesses in the years ahead as self-dependent innovation plays an increasing role in economic transformation and industrial upgrading," said Wen Guohui, 53, who was elected mayor of Guangzhou after the conclusion of the Guangzhou people's congress on Tuesday. According to Wen, the city will develop 8,000 new high-tech companies and 200,000 innovative enterprises for science and technology by 2020. "We will increase investment in innovation and better protect intellectual properties, creating a healthy environment for innovation and high-tech businesses," Wen said. According to a development plan for building a national self-dependent innovation demonstration zone, Guangzhou's investment in technology research and development will account for 3 percent of its GDP in 2020. Guangzhou, along with Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing in the Pearl River Delta, were approved as an integrated national self-dependent innovation demonstration zone in 2015. Due to increased investment in technology research and development, the number of high-tech companies in the provincial capital increased from 1,253 in 2011 to more than 4,700 in 2016, according to Wen. Li Ying, deputy director of the Institute of Digital Guangdong, said increased investment in technology research and development would help consolidate Guangzhou's position as one of China's first-tier cities in terms of economic strength. "The city needs to develop a number of large innovative and high-tech businesses, like Tencent Inc in Shenzhen, driving a development force for industrial upgrading," Li said. According to a list of China's best innovative cities, which was released by Yicai Media Group on Monday, Guangzhou was one of the top cities for innovative businesses, following Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai. A number of big high-tech players such as Cisco Systems, General Electric and Foxconn Technology Group signed agreements to build innovative businesses in Guangzhou last year, according to Wen. Guangzhou's economy grew from 1.24 trillion yuan ($179.1 billion) in 2011 to 1.95 trillion yuan in 2016, an average year-on-year increase of 9.4 percent, according to a government work report. The local government's target for economic growth in 2017 is about 8 percent, with a focus on increasing quality and efficiency of economic and industrial development, according to the report. Chinese high-energy physicists may have been dealt a blow when their recent proposal to build a next-generation particle collider more advanced than the Large Hadron Collider was turned aside by the government. Yet they have received recognition for research in other fields, with the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment winning a State Natural Science Award. The experiment involved more than 100 scientists from China, the United States and Russia, among others, in an underground facility located close to the Daya Bay Reactor in Guangdong province, lasting for two months from late 2011 to early 2012. They discovered a new "neutrino oscillation" - the transformation of one type of particle into another - which was previously a mystery left unanswered by two Nobel Prize winners. The discovery was ranked as Breakthrough of the Year 2012 in Science magazine, alongside the discovery of the Higgs boson particle. In 2015, the team received $3 million in prize money from entrepreneur Yuri Milner for winning the Breakthrough Prize. "After the discovery of Higgs boson - a particle that is important for explaining why other elementary particles have mass - exploration into any unknown particles will require new research facilities. However, the Large Hadron Collider in Europe is hitting its limits of energy level, so we are pinning our hopes on neutrino research," said Wang Yifang, director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of High Energy Physics, who led the Daya Bay Neutrino Experiment. "Investment in neutrino facilities is smaller, so we can carry out our experiments at many different places simultaneously," Wang said. In 2015, China started a second-generation neutrino experimental facility project in Jiangmen, Guangdong province, with a goal to replace the existing Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment by 2020. In an earlier email to China Daily, Marcos Dracos, a high-energy physicist at the University of Strasbourg in France, who is chair of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory Institutional Board, said the Daya Bay experiments proved China's research strength, which has changed the opinions of many European scientists. "With the Daya Bay discovery, China has proved that it is able to make significant discoveries in fundamental physics on its own soil. In the same way, Chinese particle physicists have also proved that they are able to propose, build and operate large international collaborations. They showed the whole world that they can be trusted and that they are supported by their country in this field of research," he said. Wang Mingyun, vice-president of the Poetry Institute of China, a nonprofit organization, has reportedly been detained by police in Anhui province over allegations of rape. The 55-year-old is also deputy chairman of the Writers Association of Anhui and president of the provincial branch of the Poetry Institute of China. The administration office of Anhui Federation of Literary and Art Circles, which is in charge of the association and the institute branch, said it tried to reach Wang after his reported arrest, but failed. An official surnamed Zhu, who is in charge of the administration office, said his department had contacted police authorities in Hefei, the provincial capital, and were told police are looking into the matter. Zhu said his department is likely to receive a formal reply when a police investigation is concluded. The Public Security Bureau in Hefei could not be reached for comment as of press time on Tuesday. According to a report by thepaper.cn, a Shanghai-based media outlet, Wang was detained on Saturday over allegations of rape in Hefei. Wang is rated one of China's top writers by the Writers Association of Anhui, which he was appointed vice-chairman of in December 2013, having joined the China Writers Association in 2004. According to public information, he published a number of poetry anthologies, the most recent of which was released in September 2016. zhang_yi@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily 01/11/2017 page5) Forty-two domestic airlines in the past week have announced policies for compensating passengers in the event of flight cancellations or delays, with eight offering no reimbursement to customers under any circumstances. A national regulation came into effect on Jan 1 requiring domestic airlines to publish policies regarding delays and cancellations. Previously, airlines were not obligated to disclose their policies, according to Li Xiaojin, a professor of aviation economics at the Civil Aviation University of China in Tianjin. According to the regulation, when a delay or cancellation is a result of weather conditions or air traffic control, rather than the fault of the airlines, the companies should help arrange accommodation for the passengers, though the cost is to be covered by the passengers. If the airlines are responsible for the delay, due to flight maintenance, for example, 19 airline companies, including Air China and China Southern Airlines, offer 200 yuan ($29) for delays between four and eight hours and 400 yuan for delays longer than eight hours. China Eastern Airlines and two other companies offer "at least 400 yuan" when the delay exceeds eight hours. Eight companies offer a maximum of 300 yuan and four airlines offer at most 200 yuan. Eight companies, including Spring Airlines and West Air, offer no compensation at all under any circumstances. Li said the difference among the airlines is to be expected as those offering higher compensation normally operate flights with longer routes, and the ticket prices are higher than the budget airlines, which offer little or no compensation. "With the compensation policies becoming transparent, the customers are better informed when they buy tickets and can make choices according to their willingness to pay," Li said. Li said the regulation doesn't affect additional insurance customers can buy for themselves. The insurance for flight delay or cancellation usually costs 20 to 30 yuan in China and the compensation ranges from 100 to 300 yuan. Passengers are stranded at Beijing Capital International Airport due to flight delays caused by heavy smog in December.Feng Yongbin / China Daily Punctuality rates of China's biggest airports fell below standards in 2016 The punctuality rate of China's major airports is still far from satisfactory, according to the latest report published by local aviation statistic company VariFlight. Although the average punctuality rate of the surveyed airports rose 7 percent year-on-year to 70.4 percent in 2016, the average delay time was 33 minutes. July registered the lowest punctuality rate of 62.3 percent, with delays during that month averaging 42 minutes. Shanghai Pudong International Airport reported the lowest punctuality rate last year. Only 52.4 percent of the flights took off on time, with delays averaging 48 minutes. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport had a punctuality rate of 57.2 percent last year, with delays also averaging 48 minutes. Beijing Capital International Airport performed slightly better, with its punctuality rate reaching 60.7 percent. Xi'an Xianyang International Airport outshone all other airports, with a punctuality rate of 82.3 percent. According to Feng Zhenglin, head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, weather accounted for 56.8 percent of flight delays in 2016, up from 29.5 percent a year earlier. Feng said during a previous industry meeting that the goal for 2017 is to maintain an overall punctuality rate of about 75 percent. Li Xiaojin, a professor at Civil Aviation University of China's Economics and Management College, said that rapidly increasing numbers of flights and limited airspace for civil aviation are the major reasons for delays. VariFlight's report showed that Beijing Capital International Airport outnumbered all other airports in terms of departures, with 292,000 flights taking off from the airport in 2016, while Shanghai Pudong ranked second with 219,000 departures. But in terms of international flights, Pudong crowned the list, with 94,000 international departures. International Air Transport Association statistics suggest that China will overtake the United States and become the world's largest aviation market in the next two decades, with annual passenger traffic volume reaching 1.2 billion by 2034. However, officials said the increasing number of flights and passengers must not be used as an excuse for delayed flights. According to global data service FlightStats, Tokyo Haneda International Airport is one of the busiest airports globally. Its passenger throughput exceeded 75.32 million people in 2015, compared with 60 million in Pudong. However, Haneda registered a punctuality rate of 92 percent, while Pudong reached a mere 53 percent. The CAAC has adopted a number of new policies to enhance flight punctuality. As Pudong and Hongqiao failed to meet punctuality requirements last year, their applications for extra flights, chartered flights and new routes were suspended. The CAAC also announced a new policy in late December under which passengers can apply to be informed of the reasons for delays. China's top education authority has implemented a revision of textbooks on the length of the country's war against Japanese aggression, as supported by scholars and the public. The Ministry of Education last week urged education departments across the country to revise textbooks for primary and secondary schools by extending the official period of the war from eight to 14 years. In previous textbooks, the Chinese War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression lasted for eight years beginning on July 7, 1937, after Japanese troops bombed Lugou Bridge and Wanping county in southwest Beijing, and ending on Aug 15, 1945, when Japan declared its unconditional surrender. In the revised version, the start of the war began on Sept 18, 1931, when Japanese troops blew up a section of railway in Shenyang, Liaoning province, and attacked the Chinese garrison quartered in the city, the beginning of its occupation of China's Northeast region. The revision has been finished and the new textbooks will be used from the 2017 spring semester onward, Beijing News reported on Tuesday, quoting an unnamed official from the ministry's basic education department. Citing the significance of restoring history, some Chinese scholars and observers have called for a redefinition of the beginning and length of the war. Xue Gang, a Beijing-based volunteer researcher who specializes in Chinese history during World War II, applauded the revision for better educating younger generations. "It should've been done earlier. The July 7 Incident in 1937 was the beginning of China's nationwide full-scale war against the Japanese invasion, but the fight of regional resistance actually begun much earlier in 1931," Xue said on Tuesday. "That part of history, from 1931 to 1937, of people and garrison soldiers in Northeast China fighting against Japanese aggressors despite struggle and sacrifice had been neglected for a long time. It's time to teach younger generations the full history," he said. Xu Yong, a professor of history at Peking University, agreed, citing the importance of acknowledging and commemorating the contribution of people who stood up against the invasion during that period. "According to a comprehensive study on historical material and documents, the revision remains closer to the truth and will work better for promotion, education and commemoration of history," he said. To commemorate the 85th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in Shenyang in 2016, Vice-Premier Liu Yandong struck a bell 14 times, representing the 14 years of Chinese people's fight against Japanese aggressors. A group of 15 middle school pupils have been put in criminal detention in Beijing on suspicion of carrying out a series of muggings in early December in the Sanlitun area, a popular commercial district in the capital's downtown area. Police said the gang operated late at night and targeted multiple victims in the district, which is known for its bars and shopping centers. All of the suspects study at a nearby middle school, with the youngest aged 13, police said. Police refused to release detailed information regarding the students as they are minors, but said that with the gang busted, safety has been restored in the area. No school in the area had claimed the students as of Tuesday afternoon. One of the suspects, surnamed Zhai, said they had spent the money from the robberies in bars and karaoke venues nearby. He said that he was too ashamed to ask his parents for pocket money so he agreed to join the gang. Police used closed-circuit television footage to track down the gang members, who are accused of threatening their victims with knives and other weapons. They allegedly worked in small groups, wearing masks and changing outfits frequently to hinder police investigations. It is not known how many people fell victim to the gang, but a man surnamed Jin was recently interviewed by Beijing Morning Post. "I was walking along when two teenagers came up to me, said they were hurt and asked me for money," Jin was quoted as saying. "I tried to ignore them, but they suddenly took out a knife and told me to 'behave' - I was too frightened to fight back." Jin said the teens took all his cash in addition to taking money from his digital wallet and forcing him to withdraw more cash from an ATM. In total, they stole more than 2,100 yuan ($300) along with his cellphone, he said. Another victim suffered a nonfatal knife cut for failing to hand over any money, police said. The gang was busted after police noticed a suspect who resembled one of the robbers from the video footage during a nightly patrol on Dec 9. He later admitted that he was scouting for new victims and led officers to his alleged accomplices, who were subsequently arrested at their homes. Police said that the tools used in the muggings, such as electric prods, were stored at the suspects' homes, and their parents had failed to notice them. Reform of China's armed forces is designed to develop capabilities and produce a leaner, modern fighting unit. Zhao Lei reports. In the past 12 months, China has carried out a number of measures to streamline its armed forces and prepare them for the challenges posed by modern warfare. The reform has resulted in the biggest overhaul of the People's Liberation Army for several decades. The PLA's senior governing bodies up to the level of the Central Military Commission were reshuffled, the regional command was reorganized and new units were established to prepare for wars in cyberspace and even space itself. Looking back at the timeline, it seems clear that President Xi Jinping, who is also chairman of the commission, probably decided to revolutionize the armed forces when he was elected top leader in November 2012. In November 2013, following nearly a year of preparations, a plenary session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party decided to reform the national defense system and the PLA. People's Liberation Army soldiers jump through rings of fire during combat training last week.Yuan Hongyan / For China Daily In March the following year, the CMC established a group under Xi's control tasked with drawing up a roadmap for reform and guiding its implementation. In July 2015, an overall reform plan was approved by the top Party and military authorities. The decision remained unpublicized until September 3, 2015, when a parade was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). It was then that Xi announced that the number of troops would be reduced by 300,000. Almost every military observer at home and abroad was caught off guard, but they quickly realized that it was just the beginning of a new chapter in the PLA's history. Chain of command About three months later, the CMC unveiled a blueprint for what it referred to in an understated manner as the "latest round of reform of the national defense and armed forces". The blueprint pledged to establish a leaner and more efficient chain of command, to reduce the number of non-combatant personnel and departments, and to build the PLA into a force capable of winning modern wars, which are characterized by information warfare and joint operations. The goals should be achieved before 2020, the commission said. Prior to the blueprint's publication, the commission organized 860 discussion groups and workshops, solicited the opinions of 690 civilian and military units and sought suggestions from nearly 3,000 officers and experts, according to the in-house PLA Daily. The last day of 2015 saw the PLA Army Headquarters, the PLA Rocket Force and the PLA Strategic Support Force established - moves that formally started the historic shakeup. The founding of the PLA Army Headquarters ended 88 years without a leading body for the Army, and also signaled the end of an era in which the unit dominated the other services and had the final word in military affairs. Historically, the Army did not have its own headquarters because its units were under the direct control of the CMC, while the seven former regional commands oversaw the operations of Army units under their jurisdictions. Zhang Junshe, a military strategy researcher with the PLA, said the establishment of the PLA Army Headquarters would help the military to resolve a number of long-standing problems related to the chain of command and improve its joint operation capabilities. According to Du Wenlong, a senior researcher at the PLA Academy of Military Science, the rebranding of the Second Artillery Corps - which was formed in 1966 to control the country's ballistic missiles and used the word "artillery" as cover for its activities - to the unambiguously named PLA Rocket Force indicates that China is transparent and confident about displaying its true military capabilities to the world, and that the Rocket Force is expected to play a larger role in the future. At the founding ceremony, Xi urged the Rocket Force to improve the nation's nuclear deterrence and counter-strike capacity, and also strengthen its medium- and long-range precision strike ability. The tasks assigned to the Strategic Support Force have yet to be unveiled, but Yin Zhuo, director of the PLA Navy's Expert Consultation Committee, said the responsibilities of the new branch will include target reconnaissance and tracking, global positioning operations, space-asset management and defending against hostile activities in the cyberspace and electromagnetic fields. Zhang said the Strategic Support Force would add new "fighting power" to the PLA and would become a new pillar of national security. In January last year, the four top PLA departments-staff, politics, logistics and armaments - were disbanded and their functions and duties were handed over to 15 new agencies under the control of the CMC. The reshuffle was designed to boost the efficiency and professionalism of the military's leading bodies, according to Zhao Xiaozhuo, a senior researcher at the PLA Academy of Military Science. Soon after the changes to the leading authorities, the regional systems were also reshuffled to become the Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern and Central theater commands replacing seven regional commands named after the cities in which their headquarters were located - Beijing, Shenyang, Jinan, Lanzhou, Nanjing, Chengdu and Guangzhou. The CMC also established a Joint Operations Command Center and a Joint Logistics Support Force. The latest developments came in early December, when Xi called for a smaller Army and ordered the structure of the military to be adjusted and optimized. According to PLA Daily, the president is hoping that the PLA can become a smaller but more integrated and flexible fighting force, and that new types of combat units should be given special priority. Each combatant branch of the PLA - the Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force - has confirmed that realistic training drills and exercises were intensified last year. The Army sent 15 brigades to participate in more than 100 drills; the Air Force conducted at least six large, long-range training drills in the Western Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea; the Rocket Force carried out more than 20 exercises and launched nearly 100 ballistic missiles during exercises; and the Navy organized three live-fire exercises that featured a large number of forces from its three fleets. In addition, the CNS Liaoning carrier battle group conducted its first live-fire drill, four years after the carrier was commissioned. Other less-obvious administrative changes have taken place and are expected to affect the PLA's development path in the wake of the reform, according to observers. The CMC's Joint Staff Department set up a theater environment support bureau and an overseas operations office; the PLA Central Theater Command established a military requirement bureau; and the PLA Southern Theater Command founded an information support bureau. In addition, commanders and staff officers have been ordered to improve their capabilities in joint operations and the use of information. The moves indicate that the military has been concentrating its resources to ensure that every component will focus on preparation and winning wars, the observers said. Modernization In addition to the structural overhaul, the PLA also made strides in armament modernization last year. The Air Force is now taking delivery of the Y-20 strategic transport plane, mass production of the J-20 stealth fighter is understood to have started. A next-generation strategic bomber is also being developed for the Air Force and is expected to be unveiled soon. At the same time, the first domestically designed aircraft carrier is taking shape at a shipyard in Dalian, Liaoning province, while the Rocket Force has commissioned a new type of strategic ballistic missile. A sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the military did not ease up last year. According to the information available, at least seven high-ranking officers - including the former political commissar of the PLA Air Force and the former commander of the People's Armed Police Force - were placed under internal investigation after being accused of corrupt activities. More than 50 senior officers at the rank of major general or higher - including Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, the former vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission - have been convicted or placed under disciplinary probes since Xi took office in 2012. Contact the writer at zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn Visitors taste local delicacies at a villager's home in Lhasa, capital of Tibet autonomous region, in November.Liu Dongjun / Xinhua Tibet is expected to receive more than 25 million tourists and generate tourism revenue of more than 37 billion yuan ($5.34 billion) in 2017, according to the fifth session of the 10th People's Congress of Tibet on Tuesday. The autonomous region welcomed more than 23 million tourists and tourism revenue reached 33 billion yuan in 2016, annual increases of 14.7 and 17 percent respectively, according to the session. "The region has fully promoted the standardization of tourism services, and the tourism industry has witnessed growth both in quality and effectiveness," said Losang Gyaltsan, chairman of the regional government, when delivering the annual government work report. "More than 100,000 residents in the region's rural areas have benefited financially from tourism," Losang Gyaltsan said. Losang Gyaltsan said the region will encourage big tourism enterprises to set up branch companies in Tibet and train more professional tourism workers in the near future. The regional government has been making efforts to turn Tibet into a world tourism destination in recent years. "Along with the progress of turning Tibet into a world tourism destination, the region has carried out a plan of developing regional tourism," said Xu Zhuwu, deputy Party chief of the regional government. With unique natural landscapes and cultures, Tibet has big advantages and potential to develop tourism, Xu Zhuwu said. In addition to improving the quality of tourism services, the region's many new plans for airlines, railways, roads and supplies have helped develop the tourism market. Tibet has decided to build 2,000 toilets across the region in 2017, according to the government work report. A former senior judge with the top court pleaded guilty on Tuesday, during a hearing in Tianjin, to taking more than 114 million yuan ($16.5 million) in bribes. Xi Xiaoming, former vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, was charged by prosecutors with using his position at the court to provide conveniences for individuals or entities in the handling of cases and the public listing of companies, the Second Intermediate People's Court said in an online statement. Xi showed remorse and pleaded guilty to the charges during his final statement at the court hearing, the statement said. The prosecutors said Xi took a massive amount of bribes directly or through his family members in return for favors he provided for individuals and enterprises, according to the statement. Xi, 62, was investigated on suspicion of disciplinary and law violations by the country's top anti-graft watchdog in July 2015. The court said it decided to deliver the verdict later. More than 60 representatives, including legislators, political advisers and reporters, took part in the court hearing, the court statement said. Xi Xiaoming is the highest-level official in China's court system to have stood trial for graft. He also was the first official from the country's top two justice authorities - the top court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate - to be investigated since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012. Xi, a native of Changzhou, Jiangsu province, began his career as a police officer in Heping district in Shenyang, Liaoning province, in the 1970s before obtaining a bachelor's degree in law at Jilin University in 1982. After graduating, he joined the top court as a clerk. He rose through the ranks to become the deputy chief judge of the tribunal for commercial disputes in 1996. He became the vice-president of the top court in 2004. During his tenure at the top court, Xi specialized in hearing economic disputes and presided over the hearing of a series of high-profile commercial cases. Contact the writers at xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn and caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily 01/11/2017 page3) A student learns from an online open course in a middle school in Changsha, Hunan province, on Nov 28, 2014. [Photo/CFP] A topnotch online English teacher could earn 20 million yuan ($2.89 million) a year amid the heated online education market in China, China Youth Daily reported. Online English teacher Zhu Wei sells his live streaming course, which includes nine two-hour lessons, at a price of 799 yuan on an online education platform. The course was sold 2,330 times in 2015, earning 1.86 million yuan in total, of which about 1.78 million yuan belongs to Zhu and his team. Zhu's team developed five such courses in 2015 and earned about 11 million yuan, plus royalties on published English textbooks, with him being the author, and other offline teaching earnings. "A teacher's income is expected to exceed 20 million yuan," said Zhu, "I could not believe it until I myself achieved that goal." In comparison, a teacher at an elite public school in Shanghai earns 10,000 yuan a month and a teacher at a private education institution earns 30,000 yuan a month. Before Zhu entered the online education market, he was an instructor for 10 years at the New Oriental Education and Technology Group, a leading private educational service, and was previously an English teacher at a public school. The internet can turn a teacher into a superstar, helping young teachers compete with senior teachers at the same starting line, said another online teacher Su Nannan. Su started teaching English in 2000 and opened an online course in 2014. His first class, designed for around 2,000 students, was promoted on the home page of the online learning service provider hujiang.com, and unexpectedly attracted the maximum number 9,000 students. After the class, Su set up a group chat on Tencent's QQ, with a cap of 500 people, to answer students' questions. But even three days after the class, there were too many people wanting in the group so he had to set up another three 1,000-people group chats. "I never thought I could make connections with so many students after one class," said Su, adding that some students asked about knowledge points while others talked about their bitterness of learning English. "It is hard for teachers and students to have such a broad and in-depth discussion in an offline class," said Su, "I felt that I was needed by so many students for the first time in my 14 years of teaching, and my heart was trembling." "You are unable to cheat in your teaching ability. Only when you have a tank of water, can you pour a bowl of water to your students," said Kong Wei, vice-president of the real-time interaction education platform CCtalk under hujiang.com. "Customers do not recognize massive-produced courses, and that's why a popular online teacher becomes more popular," Kong added. CC online teacher school focuses on training online teachers. The school's vice president Xu Jun often analyzes the characteristics of popular online teachers and helps other online teachers acquire similar characteristics. One of his case studies is a teacher named Chen Zhiyuan, who developed his followers from zero to 104,000 within one year. Xu praises Chen for being both a good English teacher and a marketing genius. Chen opened courses on big platforms first, and gave public lectures to attract more followers, and then turned his followers into his WeChat friends to provide person-to-person consulting services. "Not everyone has the patience to do person-to-person consulting, but he gathered many customers this way," said Xu, adding that Chen's most noticeable character trait is the emotional interaction between him and his customers. "Many teachers are great but are unable to present charisma online," said Xu. "While a popular online teacher not only teaches well, but also has good looks, high emotional intelligence and knows his customers well." Mainland warns against increasing uncertainties, risks in cross-Straits ties Xinhua | Updated: 2017-01-11 13:38 BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday warned against "increasing uncertainties, risks and challenges" in the development of relations across the Taiwan Strait in 2017, adding the mainland will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus. "Taiwan saw major changes to its political landscape in 2016 and the cross-Straitssituation became more complicated," said Ma Xiaoguang with the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference. The changes last year show that "only by sticking to the 1992 Consensus, which reflects the one-China principle, could cross-Straitsties see steady development and develop further, while destroying this political foundation would see a storm gather over the Strait," Ma said.p The mainland has been consistent in adhering to the 1992 consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence" since Taiwan's current leader Tsai Ing-wen took office in May last year, the spokesperson said. Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, however, has refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus or acknowledge that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, impairing the joint interests and contact between compatriots across the Strait. "The current DPP administration has returned to the old beaten path of confrontation prior to 2008," Ma said. "The DPP should not shirk its responsibility for the current unfavorable situation," he said. In the year ahead, the mainland will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus, opposing "Taiwan independence" in any form, safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect peace and stability across the Strait, according to the spokesperson. The mainland authority will introduce policies and measures to facilitate the study, work, life and business ventures of Taiwan compatriots on the mainland to promote joint interests and exchanges, Ma said. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Students at a middle school in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, no longer have to be so scared of failing a single test after a new measure was adopted in November, which allows them to borrow some scores to pass a test. Huang Kan, director of the international department of Nanjing No 1 Middle School, has called the new measure the "scores bank" where students can borrow some scores to pass a test and repay the scores back during a test later. Huang told The Beijing News that she got the idea from real bank policies where banks lend loans to small businesses, allowing them to repay the money back later. "In past tests, scores are everything, and students felt great pressure," Huang said. She has a deep understanding of the current test system due to her 36 years of teaching experience. She said that tests should pay more attention to the evaluation of the learning process, and should not become a tool for teachers to create problems for students. "(Students) might learn things well but might not do as well on a test. The current test system is unfair for such students," she said. The "scores bank" is adopted at the international department, targeting students who have scores around the passing mark in tests of six subjects, including Chinese, physics, chemistry, biology, history and geography. After negotiating with teachers, students can borrow scores to pass the test but must repay the scores for a certain test. When they do repay the scores, teachers will not record their failures. Credit evaluation has been used to measure the repayment ability of student applicants to avoid the possibility of "bad loans." Teachers will not lend the scores after noting the students were unable to repay back for a previous test. An applicant has to ask another student as a guarantor, and if the applicant fails to repay, teachers can deduct the scores from the guarantor's scores or from the applicant's. Such applicants would be put on a blacklist. Students would be incapable of applying for the "scores bank" when they had records of violating disciplines, such as being late for class five times in a semester and escaping from cleaning work three times. Huang said that 13 out of 49 students in the freshman year AP class have successfully applied for borrowing scores. Gui Xingyao said that she failed a mid-semester physics test, getting only 53 points, and she successfully borrowed scores to meet 60 points, therefore, she had to get at least 67 points during the final physics test of the semester. Some students have praised the "scores bank" for being better for their growth due to the fact they didn't get discouraged after a previous failure but could work harder to make up for it in the future. Xiong Bingqi, deputy director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, an education think tank, said that the new attempt will help break the old learning atmosphere of only paying attention to scores, but encouraging students to work harder. But he also pointed out that the measure might weaken the seriousness of a single test, and students would have more inertia in the learning process and pin the hope on the next test. Top legislator Zhang Dejiang has told a visiting delegation of Japanese lawmakers on Wednesday that the National People's Congress is willing to conduct institutionalized exchanges at all levels with the Japanese parliament. The delegation was in Beijing to attend the ninth meeting of the cooperation committee between the NPC and the Japanese lower house. The NPC, China's top legislative body, is also ready to "jointly champion the political basis of the bilateral relationship", Zhang said in a Wednesday meeting with the delegation. The two legislative bodies are hoped to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and contribute to the improvement of the China-Japan relationship, Zhang said. Tsutomu Sato, chief of the Japanese lower house steering committee and a lawmaker with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told Zhang he expects reinforced exchanges between the two legislative bodies to boost their understanding and bring the two-way relationship forward. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations. Zhang said both sides should take history as a lesson and face up to the future. The two countries should stick to the principles and the spirit of the four key political documents between the countries and make sure the relationship moves forward on the right track, Zhang added. The passage of China's first carrier battle group through the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday will not affect cross-Straits relations, said Liu Zhenmin, vice-foreign minister. The CNS Liaoning carrier and its five escort vessels, returning from drills in the South China Sea, sailed north and entered the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday morning. Taiwan scrambled jets and navy ships to closely follow the battle group and monitor the situation, said Taiwan's "defense ministry" spokesman Chen Chung-chi. It was the first circumnavigation of Taiwan since the battle group's blue water exercise began in December, when it sailed around the eastern coast of the island, the island's "ministry" added. The island's overreaction to the move adds more uncertainty and tension to the already tense region, experts said. "The Taiwan Straits are an international waterway shared by the mainland and Taiwan, so it is normal for CNS Liaoning to pass through in training," Liu said. "It won't affect cross-Straits relations. "The Chinese Navy conducts regular exercises both along the coast and in the western Pacific during this time of year to boost capabilities," he said. "This training is safe and won't affect security in the region or other countries." Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the People's Liberation Army Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said the fuss over the CNS Liaoning came mostly from Taiwan's separatist officials and media. "The overhyping injects more fear and uncertainty into cross-Straits relations made brittle by Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's failure to acknowledge the one-China policy," said Zhang. "China would take military action, as mandated by the Anti-Secession Law, if the Taiwan authorities were to go against the will of 1.3 billion people and declare independence." Zuo Xiying, a researcher at the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, said the combat capability of China's carrier battle group has improved remarkably since 2014, when it conducted its last drill in the South China Sea. "The voyage was a strategic but reserved warning to Tsai, telling her not to push her separatist agenda overseas, and to expect to see more PLA training in the future," Zuo said. Tsai met senior lawmakers of the US Republican Party in Houston on Sunday en route to Latin America, as part of a controversial transit stop in the United States. "It is possible that she will flaunt the threat from the mainland during her trips to the US and Latin America. Cross-Straits relations in the coming years likely will face increasing uncertainty and challenges." Traffic came to a virtual standstill on the Beijing highway heading toward Tibet on Oct 2, during the National Day holiday. One-third of 100 China's cities faced worsening traffic congestion in 2016, according to a survey by AutoNavi Software Co. In many cases, more cars were to blame. In some cases, as with Jinan, capital of Shandong province, the most congested city, disruption caused by efforts to improve public transportation temporarily worsened things. In the 32 cities where traffic worsened, it took 1.8 times as long to travel during rush hours from 7 to 9 am and 5 to 7 pm as it did during off-peak hours, the company said. Aside from the 32 cities that got worse, traffic in 36 cities remained the same over the previous year, and another 32 cities improved, the report said. Among China's larger cities, traffic got worse in Beijing and Shenzhen in 2016, while things improved in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Beijing lost its 2015 position as the country's most congested city, and was replaced by Jinan, followed by Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province. Construction on Jinan's metro system and the temporary disruption that has caused, is blamed for the city's top ranking this year, the report said. In Jinan, the average vehicular speed during rush hours was a sluggish 19.89 km/h, according to the report. Chen Fang, a Jinan resident, said rush hour congestion is difficult to predict. "With a growing population and increased commuting distances, I am afraid residents in the city have to regard traffic jams as a normal daily event if the road network can't be significantly improved." The poor road network in Harbin put the city in the second-worst spot, the report said, adding that poor design is likely to continue to severely hinder transportation in the city. In a separate recent survey, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the country's top think tank, suggested that a more scientific design of cities' public transportation network is needed. The survey, conducted in 38 major cities, found the public less satisfied with public transportation conditions in 2016 than in the previous year. Liu Zhichang, a researcher on economic and social development at the academy, said that one of the solutions for megacities is to shift noncore functional zones to suburban areas of the city to avoid traffic problems caused by the population concentration in the center of the city. It is one of the solutions that Beijing is already working to implement. The AutoNavi report, issued on Wednesday used detailed traffic numbers collected through Amap, a popular navigation app, as well as the statistics from transportation authorities and the data collected through Global Positioning System devices. China's four-year anti-corruption fight will produce a new institution, called a supervisory commission, to integrate separate and less effective corruption control authorities. Three provincial-level supervisory commissions are being assembled as a test in Beijing, Shanxi and Zhejiang provinces following approval by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, in December. Whether the program will be extended is uncertain, but the three test commissions are expected to be ready by the end of March, according to the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the nation's top anti-corruption watchdog. The CCDI also said commissions at city and county levels in the three jurisdictions will be finished by the end of June. Legal experts call the supervisory commission a more efficient anti-corruption institution, adding that it will be good to give more structure to the country's supervisory bodies. In a departure from the fragmented supervision bodies inside governmental departments such as corruption prevention bureaus and disciplinary inspection authorities the pilot program would have the three regions integrate their local supervisory resources into the newly built commissions. Yang Weidong, a law professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, said that the fight against corruption will be more institutionalized and the nation's supervisory structure much clearer as a result. Currently, Chinese prosecuting authorities not only investigate crimes such as dereliction of duty and bribery, they also prosecute the suspected offenders. This mixture of functions can weaken overall effectiveness, Yang said. "For example, the head of the anti-corruption bureau within a prosecuting authority usually is also the authority's deputy chief procurator. That may bring graft risks and a negative influence on the ability to supervise itself," he said. After the independent commissions are formed, the role of investigation will be separated from the prosecuting authorities, "which can increase mutual restrictions between the two functions and make our efforts against graft more systematic," he added. Ma Huaide, a law professor at China University of Political Science and Law, said that the commissions reflect a newly emerging supervision structure. Instead of having the supervisory bodies inside government offices, having "supervisory organs in parallel with the government bodies will make the national supervision system more powerful." The heads of the commissions will be elected by people's congresses and they will answer to the legislative body at their own level, as well as to higher-level supervisory commissions, the legislature mandated. The pilot commissions are authorized to supervise, investigate and punish all public employees, such as civil servants, in their own region, the legislature said. Also, they have been given 12 tools to do the job, such as interrogation, detention and freezing assets, the legislature said. Executives of State-owned enterprises and administrators in government entities, such as medical, cultural, research, educational and sport industries, also will fall under the supervision of the commissions. Wang Qishan, secretary of the national Party CCDI, said in November that such supervision commissions are "anti-corruption agencies by their nature". Since the 18th CPC National People's Congress in 2012, China has stepped up its anti-corruption efforts, and a series of officials, including some at ministerial level, have stood trial or been sentenced in crimes related to their duties. In addition, new rules issued by the Party over the past few months also demonstrate the strong determination to fight corruption systematically, the experts added. Chinese monks perform Chinese Shaolin martial arts at a theater in Nicosia, capital of Cyprus, on Jan 10, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] Cypriot officials and fans crammed into a theater here on Tuesday night to watch a unique performance of Chinese Shaolin martial arts. The performance was part of the "Happy Chinese New Year" cultural events and supported by the Chinese Embassy to Cyprus and the Cypriot Ministry of Education and Culture and the Nicosia Municipality. In an address to the gathering read by a ministry official, Cypriot Education Minister Costas Kadis noted that the event offered a unique experience and the opportunity for Cypriots to witness one of the most ancient styles of martial arts developed more than 1,500 years ago by the monks of the legendary Shaolin Temple. Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Huang Xingyuan said while addressing the gathering that such events contribute to a deepening of the traditional friendship of Cyprus and China and to the strengthening of relations between the two countries and peoples. Education ministry officials, academics, officers of the Cypriot National Guard and the Police, foreign diplomats based in Cyprus, Chinese expatriates and local fans of Chinese martial arts watched the performance. File photo [Photo/Xinhua] Starting in the spring semester of 2017, China's textbooks will adopt the phrase "14-year Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," marking a revision to the current wording, the Ministry of Education said Tuesday. A document on the revision, issued by the ministry, mandates textbooks fully reflect the crimes committed by Japanese troops in the war, underscoring the continuity of the 14 years of war against Japanese aggression starting in 1931. Textbooks currently use the phrase "Eight-year Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," which reflects the date of the beginning of Japan's full-scale invasion of China on July 7, 1937. China was the first nation to fight against fascist forces. The struggle started as early as September 18, 1931, when Japanese troops began their invasion of Northeast China. It was intensified when Japan's full-scale invasion began after a crucial access point to Beijing, Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge, was attacked by Japanese troops on July 7, 1937. On Sept 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a section of railway under its control near Shenyang, then accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for attack. They bombarded barracks near Shenyang the same evening, starting the 14-year bloody invasion. This was known as the September 18 Incident. "To revise 'eight-year war of resistance' into '14-year war of resistance' not only is the consensus among Chinese historians, but also conforms to historical truth," said Wang Jianxue, vice chairman of the China Association of Historians Studying Modern Chinese Historical Materials. The September 18 Incident was the start of the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese invasion, ushering in a prelude of the world anti-Fascist war and delivering a profound impact on world history, he added. As China marked the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of WWII, Chinese President Xi Jinping in July 2015 urged researchers to study events from 1931 as well as those after 1937. "We should refute with solid facts those arguments that try to distort, deny or whitewash the history of invasion," he said. From September 18, 1931 to 1933, more than 300,000 Chinese soldiers fought against Japanese troops in Northeast China, according to research by the Institute of Modern History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In fact, the new wording is already used in reference textbooks in some provinces, including Liaoning. For example, a textbook on the September 18 Incident, published in 2015 in Liaoning, clearly uses the "14-year" phrase. Xiao Ling, a history teacher at a middle school in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning, welcomed the revision. "When students asked me when the beginning of the anti-Japanese war actually was, I had great difficulty explaining it to them, because compulsory textbooks use the 'eight-year' phrase," she said. The compulsory textbooks have not been revised for a long time, but research on wartime history in recent years has made the 14-year time frame for the anti-Japanese war a widely recognized conclusion, said the teacher. "More than 70 years have passed since the end of China's resistance war against Japanese invasion. Yet a large amount of historical materials still await in-depth study by Chinese historians," said Zhang Jie, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences. More than 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the anti-Japanese war. The coffee industry has undergone rapid growth in China.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] The first Brazilian cafe in China, Carioca Cafe, opened Sunday at Sinan Mansions in Shanghai. Coffee lovers in Shanghai will be the first to taste authentic Brazilian coffee. Carioca Cafe has a history of over 100 years and the coffee served is representative of the best Brazilian coffee. It originates from three farms in Southern Minas Gerais State. The area has an average altitude of 1,200 meters, moderate humidity, abundant mineral elements, pure water resources and is free of pollution. Only the top 5% of Arabica beans can be called Carioca. Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, is not only home to the Samba, but is also the biggest coffee bean producer and exporter in the world. With a cultivated area of 19,000 square kilometers, Brazil produces and exports coffee beans in a range of prices. Thirty percent of global production and 35 percent of global exports are from Brazil. Many well-known coffee brands, such as ILLY and LAVAZZA, buy coffee beans from Brazil. President Xi Jinping (center) takes a group photo with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd left), Brazilian President Michel Temer (left), Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd right) and South African President Jacob Zuma (right) ahead of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, on Sunday. Xu Jingxing / China Daily This year, China assumes the rotating presidency of BRICS, the group comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This presents a rare opportunity for the bloc to deepen cooperation in a wide range of fields, and thus, help anchor the international organization in a better position to tackle global challenges and uncertainties. In his New Year message to the leaders of BRICS countries, President Xi Jinping said China remains committed to enhancing partnerships and ushering in an even brighter future for all. The ninth summit of the leaders of BRICS is scheduled to be held in Xiamen, a coastal city in East China's Fujian province, in September. From January to September last year, the Chinese economy grew at 6.7 percent and it can still boast to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In the next five years, its total volume of imports is expected to reach $8 trillion, and accumulated overseas investments will top $750 billion. And over that period, Chinese are expected to make 700 million trips overseas. Thus there can be no denying the fact that China, as a leading emerging economy, is brimming with vitality and continues to provide demand, business opportunities and confidence to the sluggish world economy. This will help China contribute its wisdom and solutions to BRICS' future development in its capacity as the group's president this year. Since its birth in 2006, BRICS has gone beyond an economic acronym pleasant to the ear: It has become one of the most important locomotives for the world's economic development In the past decade, the bloc has contributed more than half the global growth. With 42.6 percent of the world's total population and roughly one-third of the world's land area, it has a combined GDP that accounts for about one-fifth of the world's total. At the same time, the group, with its rising international clout, has become an indispensable force behind global economic governance reforms and international financial stability. Looking forward, the gloomy global economic picture and falls in commodity prices have brought a lingering slowdown to haunt the BRICS' economies, overshadowing their effectiveness as drivers of the global economy. But the five economies have showed resilience thanks to their multi-faceted mechanism of cooperation and huge potential. Despite the challenges, BRICS members have abundant natural and human resources, vast markets, huge growth potential and bright prospects in trade and investment. Closer inter-BRICS cooperation and better coordination in multilateral platforms is the key to cope with the challenges and complexities of the global economic and political landscape. Apart from carrying out structural reforms to make their growth more balanced and sustainable, the five economies also need to coordinate their development strategies through such vehicles as the New Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road). In the international arena, BRICS countries are expected to provide more solutions to gnawing global issues including terrorism and climate change through closer coordination. As a bloc that represents the interests of the developing world, BRICS is also counted on to drive the wheels of South-South Cooperation, improve global governance and establish a fair, just and inclusive international order. Cooperation in economic and political fields has over the years emerged as the two "wheels" of BRICS. The rise of the five emerging economies has brought profound changes to the world political and economic landscape. Under such circumstances, the group is bound to play a bigger role in international affairs as there is still much to be desired both in the international system and global governance. Overall, there are enough reasons to believe BRICS will embrace an even brighter decade, which will also be a boon to the rest of the world. The author is deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific. jasmine@chinadailyhk.com Jack Ma (right) met with US president-elect Donald Trump (left) on Jan 9, 2017. [Photo / Agencies] Many businesspeople outside the United States have been worried about the potential havoc the incoming administration in the United States may cause to global trade and the possibility of souring relations with the world's second-largest economy, given some of the comments made by Donald Trump and his team members during and after his presidential election campaign. Trump's meeting with Jack Ma, leader of the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, on Monday may help to reassure them that his administration will not shut the door on the US market and is willing to work with businesspeople around the world. The two men had a "great meeting", according to Trump, and Ma promised he will use his hugely successful multi-portal e-commerce platform, the largest in China and one of the largest in the world, to create jobs in the US by helping small and medium-sized businesses and farmers sell their products and services in China and Asia. It is obvious that, for companies in the US as well as elsewhere, the largest group of new middle-class consumers will be in Asia. Therefore, cutting business ties with China, let alone an all-round trade war, will also hurt the US' own interests and Trump's plan to create 25 million new jobs. From the Trump-Ma meeting, and the president-elect's previous meetings with some other business leaders, it seems that he is willing to adopt a less belligerent and more flexible approach than some of his remarks might suggest, and "everything is negotiable" so long as there is a benefit to the US. Now, at least in part, on the business-to-business level, he seems to be willing to allow more businesses, both US and foreign, to join his economic program. As his meeting with Ma shows that should not be difficult. Chinese businesspeople understand, as shown by Ma, that contrary to the allegations made by the heirs of the zero-sum mindset of the Cold War warriors, businesses can only prosper by adopting a quid pro quo approach of "I make money, you make money". Nor should people rigidly interpret jobs to mean full-time corporate jobs, as have some who ridiculed the Trump-Ma meeting. To help the US' small businesses and farmers sell their diverse products to the huge Asian market is a way to help its overall economy and, in due course, to help it create and sustain jobs. This should really be self-evident. COMPANIES MEASURING viewing figures have been in cahoots with TV stations and content producers for more than a decade to falsify the ratings of programs. Beijing News commented on Tuesday: According to media reports, the companies that measure viewing figures are supposed to be independent gatherers of data. In reality, domestic companies have earned over 4 billion yuan ($600 million) by manipulating TV ratings over the past 10 years. Falsifying viewing figures is the result of advertisers demanding the broadcasters guarantee stable viewing figures, which pushes the TV stations to ask the production companies to purchase higher viewing figures. This in turn means the production companies raise the price of each episode of a TV drama and the TV stations raise the prices they charge the advertisers. Thus except for the companies that fake the viewing figures, the entire TV profit chain is the victim of the counterfeiting practice. Those producing high-quality programs but are unwilling or unable to pay are marginalized, while those producing inferior products who are willing to pay for ratings get an undeserved boost. Actually the corruption in the TV industry is the soil of the counterfeit ratings figures. And the corruption of the selling channels and platforms definitely leads to shortcuts and scrimping on the content. The act of faking the viewing figures should be criticized. However, it would not exist without the complicity of the broadcasters and the actual support of the producers. Despite business insiders exposing the facts, the media uncovering the truth and inspection departments getting involved, the falsifying of viewing figures may continue. The reason is simple: The profit chain that links all the parties is binding them ever tightly together. The TV industry has to squarely face the problem, eliminate the corruption by breaking the chain so that the quality of the programs alone determines the size of the audience. A gavel in a court. [Photo/IC] "RULE OF LAW? It sounds like a joke to me." "Our power is beyond the law, and when my boss wants to demolish your house, we will do it." Such are the quotes of two officials from Zixi county in East China's Jiangxi province who forcibly demolished the house of a local farmer. The officials have already been held accountable for their action, Southern Metropolis Daily comments: The law forbids them, and the central leadership has vowed to end them, and one after another experts have warned they are illegal. Yet forced demolitions are still happening. In some cases, they have even provoked serious conflicts that have resulted in bloodshed even deaths. What happened in Zixi explains why: The officials who lead forced demolitions have no sense of the rule of law. In their minds, the law is merely a scrap of paper and taxpayers who pay for their wages are nothing. All they care about are the orders of their superiors, even though their superiors are not the ones that pay their salariesit is taxpayers who do that. The officials in Zixi were suspended because they uttered the shocking words and attracted nationwide media attention. But what about those who order forced demolitions without speaking such words? In an official statement about the case, the Zixi local government claimed there were legal issues about the ownership of the house they demolished. But that's only their suspicion and the house owner has legal certificates to prove his ownership. If the local government holds a different view of the certificates, it should take the owner to court and get the certificates cancelled. Worse, in previous forced demolition cases, the local authorities concerned have been pursuing their own interests behind the demolitions. For example, some local governments wanted to get the land and resell it to commercial developers at higher prices, so they forcibly demolished people's homes. It is time to investigate the Zixi case to find out whether such interests were involved this time, too. CHINA DAILY Editor's note: Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech at the National Science and Technology Awards Conference on Monday. Below is the full text: Friends, We are gathered today for the important occasion of the National Science and Technology Awards Conference to honor professionals in science and technology who have made outstanding contributions to advances in their own fields and to the modernization of China overall. Just now, General Secretary Xi Jinping and other Party and State leaders presented the Highest National Award of Science and Technology to academician Zhao Zhongxian and researcher Tu Youyou and conferred other awards to their winners. Here, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, I wish to extend warm congratulations to all the award-winners, and convey cordial greetings and high regards to all the science and technology professionals in China. My deep appreciation also goes to foreign experts who have participated in and supported the development of science and technology in China. Thanks to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China made notable strides in economic and social development despite the complex and grim internal and external environments last year. Major milestones were recorded in the fields of science and technology and numerous outcomes in innovation were achieved. The CPC Central Committee and State Council convened the National Science, Technology and Innovation Conference, as a clarion call to build China into a science and technology giant. Vigorous efforts are being made to implement an innovation-driven development strategy, such as the promulgation of the Outline of the National Strategy on Innovation-driven Development and the launch of programs for major science, technology and innovation projects toward 2030.Reform of science and technology institutions and innovation in their management have accelerated, and a distribution policy that puts premium on the value of knowledge has been introduced, which has effectively incentivized science researchers. Significant breakthroughs have been made in science and technology, many of them at an internationally advanced level. Let me list a few: The Shenzhou 11 manned spacecraft successfully docked with the Tiangong 2 space lab and astronauts managed a medium-term stay in space. The world's largest single aperture spherical telescope went into operation. The world's first quantum science experimental satellite "Mozi" was launched. The supercomputer "Sunway TaihuLight" powered by a homemade chip holds the current world speed record. Outcomes of science, technology and innovation are now being commercialized at a faster pace. The initiative of mass entrepreneurship and innovation has gained strong momentum. Innovation as the primary driving force is exerting a notably positive impact on growth. "Innovated in China" has won international recognition, made the Chinese people proud and unleashed enormous energy that has invigorated the whole nation. A new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is in the making, further sharpening international competition to stay ahead of the curve. China has entered a new phase of economic development featuring deep structural adjustments and renewal of driving forces. Only through innovation can China sustain the strong momentum of development. More than ever the powerful force of science, technology and innovation is called for. We must conscientiously study and act on the thinking laid out in the important speeches of General Secretary Xi Jinping, put innovation at the center of development and follow the new vision on development. Specifically we will focus on supply-side structural reform, deepen the implementation of innovation-driven development, and transform the traditional drivers of growth while fostering new ones, with a view to maintaining a medium-high rate of growth and reaching a medium-high level of development. A bare tree stands in stark contrast to the wide white land, Weichang county in Chengde, North Chinas Hebei province, Jan 8, 2017. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn] The Bashang Grassland is located in Weichang county in Chengde, North Chinas Hebei province. The unique climate and its position at the junction of the North China Plain and the Inner Mongolia Grassland mean Bashang is home to amazing natural landscapes. That makes the area a popular destination for tourists and photographers both at home and from abroad. Tourism in Bashang has flourished in recent years and many special activities for have been established there. In summer, you can see a sea of trees and enjoy the fun of living like a herdsman. In winter, the land under the wide open skies turns into a white wonderland. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] The 344-room Songbei Shangri-La opened in Harbin on Tuesday, marking Shangri-La's second location in this fabled city of ice 18 years after the group opened the Shangri-La Hotel Harbin in 1999. Situated on the edge of the Songhua River's north bank in the heart of Songbei's business district, the hotel is only a five-minute drive from the city's internationally renowned ice festival, the Harbin Ice and Snow World. Just 40 minutes and 30 minutes away are the international airport and Harbin West Railway Station, respectively. The hotel is also conveniently located in a neighborhood that includes many local attractions such as the Siberian Tiger Park and Harbin Great Theatre. "We are proud to have been part of Harbin's development as a global destination and to have welcomed travellers with Shangri-La's heart-warming hospitality for nearly two decades," said Tyson Wang, general manager of Songbei Shangri-La, Harbin. "With a second property, we look forward to unveiling new lifestyle experiences and inviting the community and international visitors to enjoy our blend of tradition and modernity in Harbin." China says it plans to shut down its ivory trade by the end of 2017 to curb the mass slaughter of African elephants. The Chinese government will end the processing and selling of ivory and ivory products by the end of March as it phases out the legal trade, according to the statement released on Dec 30. China had previously announced it planned to shut down the commercial trade, which conservationists described as significant because China's vast, increasingly affluent consumer market drives much of the elephant-poaching across Africa. "This is a game-changer for Africa's elephants," said Aili Kang, the Asia director for the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society. Africa's elephants, maybe. But news out of Borneo shows just how low poachers will go when it comes to feeding the insidious appetite for white gold. On New Year's Eve, wildlife officials in Sabah - one of the two East Malaysian states on Borneo - found the butchered remains of a beloved male pygmy elephant. He had been nicknamed Saber, because his tusks curved downward, a look reminiscent of the oversized canines of the extinct saber-toothed tiger, the Guardian reports. From the looks of the remains, officials estimate Saber had been slaughtered as long ago as November. And the discovery was made just days after wildlife officials had found the butchered remains of another male elephant within a mile of Saber's carcass. Elephant poaching had never been considered an issue on the island - only male Bornean pygmy elephants have tusks, and the ivory is considered brittle - but things may be changing. Danau Girang Field Centre Director Benoit Goossens told News Asia that from the looks of both sites, a cottage industry was sprouting up in the area. "We are ready to provide all necessary information to the investigators and to the police. I believe that this is the work of a professional hunter and trader," Goossens said. "On the day China banned ivory trade, we get two of our precious elephants murdered for their ivory. Our elephants are already threatened by habitat loss," he said. "If we add poaching for ivory, I don't give many years for the species to become extinct." Dr Pakeeyaraj Nagalingam, a vet with the wildlife department who had taken part in rescuing Saber from the palm oil plantation where he had been discovered and relocating him to the safe haven of a preserve, said, "There are no words to express our sadness." He told reporters that there seemed to be no safe place for elephants in Sabah anymore. Saber had also been fitted with a radio collar, which was found with his remains. The pygmy elephants of Borneo are about one-fifth the size of their mighty African cousins, and genetic analysis suggests they have been evolving separately for 300,000 years. They are also severely endangered with an estimated fewer than 2,000 living in the habitat being aggressively encroached upon by industrial-scale palm oil plantations, which view the diminutive pachyderms as pests. Borneo has already lost its rhino, Goossens said. "The elephant will be next. Those crimes should not go unpunished. Let's not lose our jewels, the next generation will not forgive us." As time is running out for all elephants, it remains to be seen what kind of positive effect China's announcement will have in the year ahead. China, which has supported an ivory-carving industry as part of its cultural heritage, said carvers will be encouraged to change their activities and work, for example, in the restoration of artifacts for museums. More efforts will be made to stop the illegal trade, the statement said. Iris Ho, program manager for wildlife at Humane Society International, said, "China's groundbreaking announcement illustrates that political will, backed by concrete policy prescriptions, is the single best solution to save elephants. China's bold action contrasts sharply with the inaction of other global significant ivory markets, such as Japan or the Europe Union. "China's new policy, hopefully, is the beginning of the end of the ivory trade and a wake-up call to those refusing to shut down the ivory trade in their jurisdictions," Ho added. The number of Africa's savannah elephants dropped by about 30 percent from 2007 to 2014, to 352,000, because of poaching, according to a study published this year. Forest elephants, which are more difficult to count, are also under severe threat. Contact the writer at chrisdavis@chinadailyusa.com. File photo shows Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (L) speaks during a homage ceremony of late former Cuban leader Fidel Castro at the 4F military fort in Caracas, Venezuela November 26, 2016. [Photo/VCG] CARACAS - Venezuela's embattled President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday installed an "anti-coup command" to thwart the opposition's latest attempt to unseat him. The move aims to safeguard the presidency while Maduro is out of the country attending the inauguration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega later on Tuesday. The command is comprised of key government figures, including the ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs and Interior, as well as Vice President Tareck El Aissami. On Monday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly, or the Congress, voted to impeach Maduro for "dereliction of duty," despite not having the constitutional power to do so. Maduro, accompanied by members of the command, said he was obligated "to defend the rights" of Venezuelans. "I have delegated all tasks so this (command) serves as the executor of the preventive policies. The battle for peace is won through prevention and judicial policies to punish all violent attempts against Venezuela," said Maduro. He also called for the continuation of dialogue between the ruling socialist party and the conservative opposition, saying the attempted coup should not distract from talks aimed at resolving bitter differences between the two parties. The minority socialist bloc within the assembly called on the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) to annul the impeachment measure, which passed with 106 votes in favor out of a total of 163. Following the vote, Hector Rodriguez, head of the socialist party bloc in congress, told reporters the vote was a "futile measure that is not going to have any legal or political effect beyond being a failed attempted coup." By Zhong Nan in Beijing and He Wei in Shanghai | China Daily | Updated: 2017-01-11 07:41 US president-elect Donald Trump and Alibaba Executive Chairman Jack Ma speak with reporters after a meeting at Trump Tower in New York on Monday. They discussed bilateral trade and Alibaba's plan to generate jobs in the United States.Van Vucci / AP Alibaba to add small and medium-sized US companies to its e-commerce sites Alibaba's ambitious plan to create 1 million US jobs has highlighted the importance of the Chinese market to the incoming Trump administration while boosting the win-win economic relationship between China and the United States, analysts said. Alibaba Executive Chairman Jack Ma met US president-elect Donald Trump on Monday and laid out the e-commerce giant's plan to include 1 million small and medium-sized US businesses on its websites to sell to Chinese consumers over the next five years. The Chinese company expects the initiative to create the jobs as each company adds a position, an Alibaba spokesman said. Ma, who oversees the world's largest online shopping sites, said the two shared "ideas about how we can improve trade". After the meeting at Trump Tower in New York, Trump told reporters, "Jack and I are going to do some great things." "We had a great meeting," Trump said. He called Ma "a great, great entrepreneur, one of the best in the world, and he loves this country, and he loves China". Ma said he thinks Trump is "very smart" and "very open-minded". Sang Baichuan, director of the Institute of International Business at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said the meeting was a sign that the incoming Trump administration is optimistic that China's burgeoning middle class will continue to consume more foreign products. China exports consumer goods in exchange for high-tech, energy, agricultural and automobile products from the United States, Sang said, adding that "most of the trade is complementary. It isn't direct competition." Li Gang, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said small and medium-sized businesses in the US are keen to ship their products to China however they can, including e-commerce. "Giant companies such as Boeing, Honeywell International or Johnson Controls will also push their government to build healthy business ties with China to compete with their European and Japanese rivals," Li added. Bilateral trade between two countries totaled 3.08 trillion yuan ($445 billion) between January and November, dropping by 1.7 percent year-on-year, according to the General Administration of Customs. Over the next five years, the consumption demand of China's domestic market will reach $10 trillion, the Ministry of Commerce forecast last week. That will present attractive trade and investment opportunities to global companies. The meeting with Trump is a good demonstration of Ma's earlier call to use the internet to knock down trade barriers and provide small and medium-sized enterprises easier access in global commerce, said Qi Xiaozhai, head of the Shanghai Society of Commercial Economy. Alibaba already enables approximately 10 million merchants to sell to Chinese consumers, according to company data. It is considered to be responsible for creating more than 30 million jobs in China since 2003, when shopping portal Taobao was founded. The e-commerce empire envisions 40 percent of its business coming from outside China in the next decade, with a long-term goal of serving 2 billion customers globally and supporting 10 million profitable businesses. According to the 2016 Business Climate Survey conducted by AmCham China, 92 percent of respondents described bilateral relations between China and the US as positive and extremely important to their business growth in China. Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said bilateral trade has provided huge sales revenues to manufacturers in both countries, adding that it is unlikely either party would do something to sabotage already stable business ties. Ai Heping in New York contributed to this report. Contact the writers at zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn The road to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest isnt always as easy as pie. After spending more than two hours creating her salted caramel apple pecan pie, Marie Miller of Mechanicsburg said the foil atop it started to catch on fire while it was baking. She pulled it off in time. Lisa Sellers of Duncannon said she set off the smoke detector four times while making her blue ribbon apple crumb pie. Although neither of these women placed in the top five of the 78 bakers represented at the apple pie contest at the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show opening on Saturday, both said their efforts were worthwhile. When the contest was over, Stacie Hart of Muncy beamed as she held her apple cranberry cheesecake pie, a blue ribbon, a $500 check and, best of all, bragging rights. Everyone likes cheesecake, Hart said, adding that she came in fourth in the competition in 2013. I put 12 cups of Yellow Delicious, Gala and Honey Crisp apples in my pie. Other winners were Sharon Karlheim of Patton, second place and $250; Dorothy M. Martin of Conestoga, third place and $100; Catharine Ache of Bethlehem, fourth place and a ribbon; and Lorrie Rauch of New Tripoli, fifth place and a ribbon. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs and the Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Program, this competition was open only to certified first-place apple pie winners from Pennsylvanias 2016 agricultural fairs. The apple pie contest at the Farm Show long has been considered the Super Bowl for Pennsylvania bakers. With forks in their hands and water nearby to sip, the five judges got to work. Each judge was given more than a dozen pieces of pie in the first round. They tasted each, judging the pies for appearance, creativity, color, flavor and texture of crust, and consistency, doneness, moistness and flavor of filling. Sellers, whose apple pie last year won first place in the Perry County Fair, starts with a unique pie crust. I use Plugra butter, she said, referring to a European butter made with less moisture. I also use Crisco, King Author unbleached flour, a quarter cup of vodka I put in the freezer and a quarter cup of water. This makes the pie crust super flakey. Her filling consists of Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gala and Fuji apples cut thinly, tossed with flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice and baked in the microwave oven for four minutes. She makes a simple crumb topping. Ive waited 15 years to be in this competition, she said, sitting with Brian Aubrey, her boyfriend. I was so excited last night I couldnt go to sleep. Miller, who works in a Karns Food salad bar, said she uses Finlandia butter from Finland in her pie crust. I freeze it and shave it off with a box grater to make the pie crust flakey, she said, adding that her pie won at the Newville Fair. Apple Cranberry Cheesecake Pie from Stacie Hart of Muncy Pie Crust 2 cups of flour 1 cup of butter-flavored Crisco 1/3 cup of whole milk 1 tablespoon of white vinegar teaspoon of salt In a mixer, cream the butter and Crisco. Add combine rest of the ingredients. Roll out on a floured surface and put in a 12 inch pie plate. With the extra crust, cut out leaf shapes for the topping decorations. Paint the leaf shapes with colored dye. Apple filling 12 cups of sliced apples (five Honeycrisp, three Fuji, and three Yellow Delicious) 1 cup light brown sugar 1 sticks butter cup of flour 1 cup of cranberries 1 tablespoon Homemade Apple Pie Spice (1 teaspoon cardamom, 4 Tablespoons cinnamon, 1 tablespoon allspice, teaspoon ginger, teaspoon cloves and 1 teaspoon nutmeg) Cook apples with butter, brown sugar and apple pie spice on medium heat for 50 minutes. Add cranberries for the last five minutes and cook together. Turn heat off and add flour to thicken. Cheesecake filling Three 8 oz. packages of cream cheese cup of sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 eggs Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add rest of the ingredients and blend together. Crumb topping 1 cup of flour cup of sugar cup of brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon cup cold butter In a food processor, blend flour, sugars and cinnamon. Pulse in cold butter until crumbles are formed. Assembly Spoon apple pie filling into pie crust. Pour cheesecake filling over apple filling. Sprinkle crumb topping on top of cheesecake filling and top crumbs with the leaf cutouts. Put foil around edges of crust to protect from burning. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 350 degrees for an additional 60 minutes. US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive to board Air Force One for travel to Chicago to deliver a farewell address, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, January 10, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] CHICAGO - President Barack Obama will give a farewell speech to the nation on Tuesday, looking back at his legacy as he encourages supporters demoralized by the election of Republican Donald Trump to feel optimism about the future of the country. The Democratic president is feeling some nostalgia as he prepares to leave the White House on Jan 20 after eight years in office. His top policy achievements were jolted by the Nov 8 election of Trump, who has threatened to undo Obama's actions on issues ranging from advancing healthcare reform to curbing climate change. In an 8 pm CST (0200 GMT Wednesday) speech at McCormick Place, the city's main convention center, Obama will talk about how his experience in Chicago - at the start of his political career - taught him that change happens from the grassroots. "I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties, still trying to figure out who I was; still searching for a purpose to my life," Obama was set to say, according to excerpts released by the White House. "It was in neighborhoods not far from here where I began working with church groups in the shadows of closed steel mills. It was on these streets where I witnessed the power of faith, and the quiet dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss." First lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, his wife, Jill Biden, and many current and former White House staff members and campaign workers were expected to attend the speech. "The president is not one to be overly sentimental, but given the circumstances, I think it would be unrealistic to expect anybody to not feel some nostalgia for this moment," his spokesman, Josh Earnest told reporters traveling with Obama. Even the final trip on the presidential aircraft was a moment tinged with wistfulness. It was Obama's 445th trip on the presidential aircraft, a perk he has said he will miss when he leaves office. All told, he will have spent more than 2,800 hours or 116 days on the plane during his presidency, Earnest said. Obama has said he plans to reflect on his administration's achievements in his address, encouraging supporters to keep fighting for issues like the environment, gay rights and economic equality. Obama plans to remain in Washington for the next two years while his younger daughter, Sasha, finishes high school. He has indicated he wants to give Trump the same space that his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, gave Obama after leaving office by not maintaining a high public profile. Men carry an injured woman to an ambulance after a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan January 10, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] KABUL - A Taliban suicide attack in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday killed more than 30 people and wounded some 70 others, as twin blasts hit a crowded area of the city during the afternoon rush hour. Saleem Rasouli, a senior public health official, said 33 people had been killed and more than 70 wounded on the Darul Aman road, near an annexe to the new Indian-financed parliament building. Most of the victims were parliamentary staff members. The Islamist militant Afghan Taliban movement, which immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, said its target had been a minibus carrying staff from the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan's main intelligence agency. It put casualties at around 70. It said one suicide bomber attacked the minibus in the Darul Aman area, and was followed almost immediately by a car bomber, who killed security forces attending the scene. "Right after the explosion, I jumped in a stream and then I saw some injured people and a bus which was totally burnt out," said Sajadullah Khan, a witness who was walking by when the blasts occurred. President Ashraf Ghani condemned the "criminal" attacks and vowed that the perpetrators would not be safe anywhere in the country. "The Taliban shamelessly claim credit for the attack on civilians and they're proud of it," he said in a statement. Police lead suspected shooter Dylann Roof, 21, into the courthouse in Shelby, North Carolina, US on June 18, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] CHARLESTON, S.C. - White supremacist Dylann Roof deserves to die for the hate-fueled killings of nine black churchgoers at a Bible study meeting in a Charleston, South Carolina, a US jury said on Tuesday after deliberating for less than three hours. The same jury last month found Roof, 22, guilty of 33 federal charges, including hate crimes resulting in death, for the shocking mass shooting at the landmark Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015. Roof, who represented himself and did not argue against the death penalty, showed no emotion as the verdict was read. Prosecutors said he planned the shooting for months, intending to incite racial violence by targeting the oldest African-American congregation in the US South. "He decided the day, the hour and the moment that my sister was going to die, and now someone is going to do the same for him," Melvin Graham, brother of shooting victim Cynthia Hurd, 54, said outside the federal courthouse in the heart of historic Charleston's downtown district. Roof will be formally sentenced on Wednesday. He also faces the death penalty if convicted of murder charges in a pending state trial. Whether he was competent to serve as his own attorney will be a fundamental issue in the appeals process, Robert Dunham, executive director of the Washington-based nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center, said in a telephone interview. Roof did not present any evidence during the penalty phase that began last week or allow jurors to hear details about his mental health. Dunham said defense lawyers likely will use the trial to show appellate judges that mental illness prevented him from adequately representing himself. Donald Trump speaks to the press during an announcement that Trump is investing in the development of luxury properties in the country of Georgia at a press conference in New York March 10, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] WASHINGTON - Classified documents that the heads of four US intelligence agencies presented last week to President-elect Donald Trump included claims that Russian intelligence operatives have compromising information about him, two US officials said Tuesday evening. They said the claims, which one called "still unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that US intelligence officials presented to Trump and President Barack Obama last week. Trump responded on Tuesday evening in a tweet calling the reports: "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. One of the officials, both of whom requested anonymity to discuss classified matters, said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other US agencies are continuing to investigate the credibility and accuracy of the claims. They are included in opposition research reports made available last year to Democrats and US officials by a former British intelligence official, most of whose past work US officials consider credible. The official said investigators so far have been unable to confirm the material about Trump financial and personal entanglements with Russian businessmen and others whom US intelligence analysts have concluded are Russian intelligence officers or working on behalf of Russian intelligence. Some material in the reports produced by the former British intelligence officer has proved to be erroneous, the official said. The FBI declined comment. DUBAI - Five Emirati humanitarian workers were killed in a bomb attack in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) official news agency reported on Wednesday. The five were killed on Tuesday while engaged in humanitarian, educational and development work, state news agency WAM reported, adding President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan had ordered flags flown at half mast for three days in mourning. Afghan officials said the explosion killed at least seven people and wounded 18 others, including the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan. Ma Zhaoxu, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva said the international community attaches great importance to President Xi Jinping's visit to Switzerland. [Fu Jing/China Daily] President Xi Jinping is expected to announce new Chinese proposals to improve global governance and revive the world's economy during the World Economic Forum next week in Switzerland, as the international situation has undergone the deepest changes since the Cold War, according to a top Chinese diplomat. During 15-18 January, Xi will be paying a state visit to Switzerland to deepen the bilateral relationship. Then he will deliver a keynote speech at the annual meeting of WEF in Davos before visiting the Lausanne-based the International Olympics Committee. Xi will also visit the headquarters of World Health Organization in Geneva, and speak at the high-level conference at the United Nations Office in Geneva before wrapping up his first overseas tour in 2017. "President Xi's upcoming visit happens against the backdrop that the global economy is deeply restructuring and the international order is experiencing the most complicated changes since the Cold War," said Ma Zhaoxu, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland. Ma said Xi's Davos visit is attracting a lot of attention worldwide as the international community looks to China to help solve the rising challenges. In an interview with China Daily, Ma said Xi's plan is aimed at helping accelerate the recovery of the global economy, speed up reform of global governance, strengthen the role of United Nations and bolster multilateralism and international cooperation. "The international community is looking forward to Xi's outlook on the world and China's economy and his proposals and ideas which could help solve the deep-rooted problems affecting global growth," said Ma, who moved to his present post in Geneva in April last year after being Chinese ambassador to Australia. Ma said currently the global economy has not totally escaped the shadows of the financial crisis and economic growth still lacks impetus, while global trade and investment have slowed down, and there are frequent fluctuations in the financial markets. At the same time, Ma said he was concerned about moves towards blocking globalization and the possibility of protectionism, isolationism and populism. In addition there remain the challenges of terrorism, refugee movements and climate change. "The dazzling changes have made some people worried about the global situation and they are asking what on earth happens to the world and how the world should react," said Ma. "But it is difficult to find answers." Ma said Xi will respond to the challenges with "China's solution portfolio" but he did not reveal details of the speech. Ma said Xi will be giving another important speech at a high-level conference calling for increased efforts to build the common destiny of human beings, which will be held at the Palace of Nations in Geneva. "President Xi will be shedding light on the creation of a community of shared future for the mankind, and the proposals will affect global governance reform," said Ma. Xi proposed the idea of building on the common destiny of humanity in September 2015 when he attended the seventieth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. Ma said Xi's speech in Geneva is of great importance because the Swiss city has for decades been one of the most dynamic centers of multilateral diplomacy. In 1954, five years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, then premier Zhou Enlai led a delegation attending the Geneva Conference on Korea and Indo-China, a starting point for the New China to engage with the international community. "In the past decades, Geneva has witnessed China's role evolve from being a bystander, to participant, contributor and initiator of the international system," said Ma. Ma also said that Xi will meet Margaret Chan, the Hong Kong-born, Canadian-educated Director-General of the World Health Organization, in Geneva, the first time a highest-ranking Chinese leader has visited the WHO headquarters. To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com Chinese ambassador to Switzerland Geng Wenbing said President Xi Jinping will join his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard in scaling up a 2014 free trade partnership during his upcoming visit. [Fu Jing/China Daily] President Xi Jinping will send a strong signal against rising global trade and investment protectionism when he joins his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard in announcing their two countries' decision to scale up a free trade partnership that entered into force in 2014. Chinese ambassador to Switzerland Geng Wenbing says increased action to facilitate two-way trade and investment between China and Switzerland tops Xi's agenda during his upcoming visit from January 15-18. "During President Xi's visit, both sides will actively explore action to upgrade the free trade agreement," Geng told China Daily. "Leaders of both countries will join hands to send strong signals to fight against any form of global protectionism blocking trade and investment flow." In addition to beefing up the trade relationship, Geng said that both sides will announce new measures to boost cultural exchanges, tourism and financial cooperation. After the state visit, Xi will be delivering the keynote speech at the annul meeting of World Economic Forum on 17th January in Davos. He is scheduled to visit the Lausanne-based International Olympics Committee and the headquarters of World Health Organization in Geneva, and speak at the high-level conference at the United Nations Office in Geneva before wrapping up his first overseas tour in 2017. Geng said both sides are determined to set an example on free trade, which should be followed by the European Union and other global players to pave the way for the global economy to grow faster. The two countries' free trade agreement, which has waived most tariffs on goods, became effective in July, 2014. Talks began in 2011 and the two sides sealed the deal in July 2013. While talks with Norway are ongoing, Iceland is the other European country which has already entered into a free trade agreement with China. But the European Union insists that it should conclude a bilateral investment agreement with China before the two sides start free trade talks, though some of its member states are eager to clinch such deals with China. Geng also said more countries have shown interest in free trade talks with China, mainly because Switzerland has already benefited from a partnership that has seen its exports grow. Official figures from the Swiss government indicated overall exports slowed in October and November last year but export volume to China maintained two-digit year-on-year growth in the same period. Exports to China increased 11.5 percent year-on-year in November while the rise in October was up to 24.1 percent. "Such rosy results have led more countries to become interested in free trade talks with China and even some of them asked me for the agreement texts sealed by China and Switzerland," Geng said. "I am sure that every country that enters such trade arrangement with China will become a winner." Geng said China has been restructuring its investment and trade-led economy towards consumption and innovation, creating tremendous import opportunities. In December, the European Union, United States and Japan, the leading global economies, refused to fulfill a promise made 15 years ago when China joined the World Trade Organization to recognize China as an equal trade partner. But Switzerland, joined dozens of WTO members in recognizing China's market economy status back in 2007. Apart from efforts to boost their trade partnership, Geng said the leaders will also upgrade their political relationship. Switzerland was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1950. In April, 2016, former president of the Swiss Confederation Johann N. Schneider-Ammann visited China. "Within less than a year, President Xi is returns a state visit and he is only visiting Switzerland during this tour, which indicates how much importance China has attached to the bilateral relationship," said Geng. Three Chinese tourists pose for a selfie next to the River Thames in London.[China Daily] Chinese tourists are flocking to Europe around the annual Spring Festival holiday period, with analysts reporting a record 68.5 percent increase in flight bookings for the January-February period, compared to last year. Spain and the UK are the top destinations, according to travel analysis company Forward Keys, which says flight bookings from China to the UK between November 2016 and January 2017 were up 17 percent year-on-year. The UK's decision to exit the European Union has seen a slump in the value of the pound, making it cheaper for Chinese tourists. France, which was the most popular European destination in 2015, slumped to fifth place in 2016, with China-originated bookings for the country falling 23 percent between January and October. Forward Keys attributed the drop largely to terrorist incidents in Paris and Nice, as well as floods and labor strikes. Tourism has become Britain's seventh-largest export business and is now its third-largest service sector. Visit-Britain, the country's official tourism body, estimates that for every 22 additional Chinese visitors to Britain, an extra UK job is created in the industry. The decline in the pound means Britain is now 11 percent cheaper for Chinese visitors than it was a year ago, according to currency analysts. "China is the world's largest outbound market and a huge tourism opportunity for Britain," Patricia Yates, director of Visit Britain, told China Daily. "Chinese New Year is traditionally one of the busiest travel times for Chinese travelers and, with Britain offering great value right now, we want to make sure the UK is at the top of their list as a must-go-now destination." The latest data from Forward Keys shows flight bookings from China to the UK are up 81 percent this month, compared with January 2016. They have already increased 43 percent for January to March 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, which also included last year's Chinese New Year celebrations. The UK and China are now linked by regular flights operated by British Airways, Air China, Hainan Airways, Tianjin Airways, China Southern, China Eastern, and Virgin Atlantic. Chinese visitors stay longer and travel more widely in Britain than other international visitors, averaging 15 nights compared with eight for other visitors, with more than half of this time spent outside London. They are also among the highest-spending visitors to the UK, spending an average of 2,174 pounds ($2,645) per visit, which is more than three times the average visitor. Media has responsibility to tell China's story Jiang Jianguo, Minister of the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China Editor's note: Jiang Jianguo, minister of the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic China, delivered a speech at Chinese-Swiss Media Symposium in Geneva, on Tuesday. Below is the full text: Distinguished friends from the Chinese and Swiss media, Good morning! It is a great pleasure to come to scenic and picturesque Switzerland. All of our Swiss media friends present have long closely observed and covered China and made important contributions to enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and Swiss people. Here, I would like to extend to you all great respect and sincere gratitude on behalf of the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China. As all of you know, Chinese President Xi Jinping is about to pay a visit to Switzerland. The visit will be the first to Switzerland by a Chinese head of state for 17 years and it will serve as the starting point for China's diplomacy in 2017. President Xi will not only pay a state visit to Switzerland, he will also attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, visit the UN headquarters in Geneva and the headquarters of the World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee. During the visit, President Xi will elaborate on China's new concepts, new policies and new measures on ties with Switzerland during the new period, explicitly present China's policy proposals and important advocacies on improving global economic governance and pushing forward economic globalization to enhance international consensuses, and push for the building of a community of shared destiny for all humankind. It is the media's role to focus on important international events and disseminate influential news. I hope you will all put your focus on President Xi's visit to satisfy to the utmost extent people's desire for information about the visit, not only in Switzerland but also in Europe and around the world. Dear friends, the World Economic Forum has long been known as the "world's economic wind vane" and since China's economic development is a wind that blows others along with it, there is a great interest in how strongly it is blowing every year at the forum. Here, I would like to take this opportunity to brief you about China's economic situation and share with you some of my views: First, China's economic development still enjoys a bright future. China's economy has entered a new normal in which its growth has decelerated and its annual growth rate has slowed to between 6.5 and 7 percent. Despite its slower growth rate, given that its economic aggregate has exceeded $10 trillion, China's newly created economic output every year will still be tantamount to that of a middle-sized country if maintained. Now, China's economy is within a reasonable growth range and the country is refraining from pursuing fast economic growth in favor of more-sustainable growth. That has helped China ease its previously strained supply-demand relations and mitigated the heavy burden on its resources and environment. The health of the country's finance guarantees normal economic operations, and with its stable society the country has been able to mobilize all its available resources to advance its economic structural adjustments. Here I would like to offer some data to demonstrate the tangible achievements made by China in its bid for economic structural adjustments. The growth of the service sector meant that in the first three quarters of 2016 it contributed 58.5 percent to China's national economy, and it became a major engine of the country's economic growth. Consumption contributed 71 percent to the growth of China's gross domestic product and its role in this regard has further risen; emerging industries of strategic importance and the high-tech sectors have maintained an average growth of more than 10 percent. But some problems that had previously been covered up during China's high-speed development are now looming large, including the outstanding contradiction between the overcapacity in production and the trend to upgrade the structure of demand, the insufficiency of consumption as an intrinsic driving force for economic growth, the accumulation of financial risks and increased difficulties facing some regions. In particular, China's real economy is not solid enough, while its digital economy is a little weak, and the trend has emerged that more and more resources are flowing from the real economy to the digital economy. The Chinese government attaches high importance to these problems, but it believes these problems are manageable, their risks controllable and the underlying factors resolvable, and it is deepening reform to promote their fundamental settlement. China has the confidence and the capability to brave the storms, overcome the obstacles, and continue forward toward the bright prospects ahead. Second, China's economic development has brought the world great opportunities. Over the course of its rapid development, there have been people who have believed that China has got a free ride from other countries. Objectively speaking, who can give a free ride to China, given its size? Instead, what China has done is work together with other countries to push the "world's wagon" forward and welcomed other countries to have a free ride on its development. China is a country of a colossal size and by itself is a "world". Over the past decades, China's fast economic development has mainly taken place in its eastern regions, especially its coastal regions, and its vast central and western regions are still relatively undeveloped and are yet to expedite development. The phenomenon of both developed and less-developed economic conditions coexisting in China decides that the country is becoming a major "buyer" and an important "investor" in the global market. In the coming five years, China's import volume is expected to be $8 trillion and it is predicted there will be 700 million outbound visits. China is also expected to utilize $600 billion in terms of foreign capital and its outbound investment will reach $750 billion. These mean China will offer the rest of the world a broad market and more opportunities for cooperation. China began building the Great Wall in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) to fend off foreign enemies. It began establishing the Silk Road in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220) to build links with the outside world. Today, China is not rebuilding the Great Wall; it is recreating the Silk Road. China has launched the Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, established a BRICS bank, and set up a fund to support South-South cooperation among other public goods in the development field. For years, China has offered least-developed countries preferential trade treatment and imposed zero tariffs on their goods. China has continuously increased foreign aid and voluntarily reduced the debt owed by developing countries or promoted its exemption. All these have offered significant opportunities for the development of a number of emerging economies and developing countries. Third, China's economic development has made important contributions to the world. Since the outbreak of the global financial crisis, China's sound and stable economy has consistently remained a stabilizer for the world economy. From 2008 to 2015, China contributed nearly 40 percent of global GDP growth. The International Monetary Fund has estimated that China contributed 39 percent of global economic growth in 2016, 1.5 times that of all the developed countries combined. In terms of innovation-driven growth, China is gradually assuming a global role. In 2015, China submitted more than 1 million patent applications, ranking top in the world. At the G20 Hangzhou Summit, China pushed for the inclusion of "innovation" in the summit's theme and coordinated the formulation of a blueprint of G20 innovation-driven growth along with other outcome documents. Just as an article in The Economist pointed out, China was a recipient of the world's innovation fruits in the past, but a number of Chinese enterprises are now universally recognized as leaders of world innovation. Especially in the past 30-plus years China has successfully lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty, accounting for 70 percent of the world's total population extricated from poverty and realizing the fastest large-scale poverty-alleviation campaign ever seen. China has carefully fulfilled the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and is the first country to formulate a national program to deal with climate change. During the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) period, China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP declined by 20 percent, completing 117.6 percent of the set goal. Dear friends, over the recent years, China's economy has encountered numerous risks and challenges but also reaped various successes and joys. China's economy has become the "ballast" for global economic stability and a driver of global economic development, and it is playing an increasingly important and irreplaceable role in global economic governance. The reason is that under the leadership of President Xi, China has formed a series of concepts on economic governance based on its development experience and current national conditions that provide rich theoretical resources and policy guidance for its economic practices. President Xi's economic concepts for governance can be generally categorized as follows: First: adhering to people-centered development. To adhere to such a principle and enhance people's well-being is the fundamental start point and also end point for the Communist Party of China to govern the nation and develop the Chinese economy. President Xi has stressed many times that China's development is for the people and depends on the people, and that its development fruits are to be shared by the people. China adheres to people-centered development to create new growth areas and raise long-term growth potential in its efforts to resolve the outstanding problems that concern people the most. Second: adapting to the new normal and guiding it. A few years ago, President Xi made a significant strategic judgment that China's economic development had entered the new normal. The new normal means China's economy has shifted from high-speed growth to a medium-speed growth, its economic development mode has shifted its focus from speed and scale-prioritized extensive growth to quality and efficiency-focused intensive growth, its economic structure has made deep adjustments for better optimization, and its economic development dynamic has shifted from the traditional growth dynamic to a new growth dynamic. The new normal offers a logical starting point for people to understand China's current economic situation. Third: adhering to new development concepts. Targeted at some outstanding problems and contradictions that have emerged at a time when China's economy has entered a new normal, President Xi has put forward "innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared" development concepts, which respectively focus on resolving the problems of the driving force for development, imbalanced development, sustainable and environmentally friendly development, internal and external interconnection, as well as social equity and justice. With these development concepts as guidance, China is combining an effective market and a well-functioning government to implement a series of major reforms. Fourth: taking supply-side structural reform as the priority. As a top priority of its economic development, China must overcome its major structural imbalance and realize a dynamic equilibrium in its supply-demand relationship. Hence, President Xi has stressed that China should take supply-side structural reform as the main line for its economic development. To this end, China has confirmed five policy pillars, which can be vividly likened to "firing five guns at a bird". In recent years, China has conducted supply-side structural reforms involving the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, as well as people-centered urbanization, an energy revolution and the expansion of the middle-income group. All these are helping to realize the gradual transformation of the economy and achieve sustainable growth. A powerful force, reforms can push economic growth. Fifth: adhering to the pursuit of advancement while maintaining stability. President Xi has put forward the general tone of pursuing advancement while maintaining stability, which offers guidance for China's economic development in terms of policy and effects. In terms of policy, China will maintain macro policy stability and in terms of effects it will strive to stabilize market expectations to enhance entrepreneurs' confidence and boost government credibility. Under the precondition of "stability", China will keep forging ahead in key areas and ambitiously act after well-managing the "degree". "Stability" and "advancement" should be an organic combination and mutually promoting. Dear friends, China has strong confidence in its road, theory, system and culture. Persons of insight across the world have acknowledged the end of such fallacies as "China's collapse" and "the end of history" regarding China's development. But China will not feel complacent and overconfident, it will strive to make new discoveries, new inventions, new creations, and new advancements, and in particular seek to make new contributions to humankind. Mr. Sun Yat-sen said 93 years ago that "China still needs to take big responsibility for the world". Chairman Mao Zedong said 61 years ago that "China should make relatively big contributions to mankind". Paramount leader Deng Xiaoping said 31 years ago that "China can do more things for mankind". Now President Xi has said that "China is always a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a maintainer of the international order". While following the edifications from past and current leaders, Chinese people also ponder what new contributions China can make to the world. Everyone belongs to one family that lives on one planet, and as President Xi has said: "The Chinese people not only hope for a good life for ourselves, we also wish a good life for people in other countries". In today's China, comprehensive reforms are being deepened, the economy continues to develop, society remains harmonious and stable, people's livelihoods are continuously improving and people live and work in peace. Reform, development and stability are what the world desperately needs, but they are "rare luxuries" today. Hence, China will unselfishly contribute its successful experiences and action programs, and actively encourage international society to join hands and hold fast to the principle of forging a community of shared destiny for all humankind. It will vigorously advocate the concepts of "consultation, common construction and sharing" in global economic governance, resolutely discard unilateralist, monopolistic and exclusive behavior, push for economic globalization, and build a community of shared destiny for all humankind featured as "I am part of you, you are part of me, we are in the same boat, and we pull together in times of trouble", in a bid to make our planet a more peaceful and prosperous one. Dear friends, an important duty of the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China, where I work, is to promote exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and foreign media. In the future, we are willing to make continuous efforts with all of you to actively offer more convenience and create better conditions for our media exchanges and cooperation. As a Chinese saying goes, "it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times". You are welcome to come to China to take a walk and have a look around, and to engage in more dialogue and cooperation with the Chinese media to enhance mutual understanding and enhance friendships so that we can jointly push for a better-developed and more prosperous China-Switzerland relationship. Thank you! Six locomotives that arrived at the port of Mombasa from China on Monday are expected to be received by the government of Kenya this morning. Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development James Macharia is expected to receive the cargo on behalf of the government during a ceremony at Mombasa Port's Port Reitz Station, which is the starting point of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) of Mombasa-Nairobi line, built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). Four of the machines are freight locomotives compatible with the Chinese railway system, with the locomotive power of 3,100 KW and a maximum speed of 100 km/h. Once the SGR is operational, these locomotives will become the main force serving the freight transportation needs of the entire railway, which runs from Mombasa in the east to Nairobi, Kenya. Two shunting locomotives with 1,550 KW of power are also expected, which will be used for marshalling and dispatching locomotives and rolling stocks within stations. According to the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor CRBC, there will be a total of 56 locomotives manufactured by CRRC Corporation. The next critical segment of the project, said Li Qiang, general manager of CRBC EAC Head Office, involves the construction of high-quality stations, signaling, communication and electricity, to ensure the SGR line can contribute to Kenya's socio-economic development and prosperity. One week into the new year, bakers and visitors to the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Shows PA Preferred Chocolate Cake Contest seemed to forget all about resolutions to eat healthier in 2017. Instead, bakers madeand Farm Show visitors sampledrich cakes featuring butter, heavy cream and peanut butter at the chocolate cake baking contests sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Agricultures PA Preferred programs and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs. When the contest was over, Pam Foor of Everett won the PA Preferred Chocolate Cake Contest first prize, a blue ribbon and $500. Other prizes went to Teresa Reidmiller of Wayne County, second; Nancy Krampert of Snyder County, third; Jayne Wenger of Lancaster County, fourth; and Kim Roupe of Beaver County. The contest was open only to certified first place winners in the chocolate cake contest at an approved agricultural fair in 2017, according to Chris Fickes, emcee, judge and coordinator of the chocolate baking contests. Cakes had to contain at least one PA Preferred ingredient. Seventy-four cakes were entered for judging. Large crowds sat in the audience of each contest, telling each other their own chocolate baking stories. Stephanie Minsker of Duncannon entered her ultimate chocolate cake, which took first place at the Perry County Fair. She said she used coffee in the cake to enhance the chocolate flavor and almond flavoring. My husband, Paul, is my taster and home judge, she said. He even looks at the cakes levelness and critiques it. The hardest part this year was finding a box for the cake to bring it to the Frm Show. I finally put it in a basin! Amanda Kowalczyk of Delmont also used coffee in her chocolate cappuccino layer cake. Its a dense chocolate cake with coffee in the cake and the frosting, she said. It took me eight hours to make. Peanut Butter Truffle Cake from Pam Foor of Everett Cake 1 cup flour 2 cups sugar cup cocoa 2 PA Preferred eggs 1 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup milk cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 cup boiling water Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour three 8-inch pans. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add PA Preferred eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat for two minutes and add boiling water. Pour into pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until done. Frosting 1 cup butter 1 cup peanut butter 4 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla cup milk Cream butter and peanut butter, beating until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and milk, beating until smooth. Spread between layers of cooled cake. Ganache 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup milk chocolate chips Bring heavy cream to a boil. Pour this over the milk chocolate chips. Melt this mixture and pour it over chocolate cake. Garnish with hand-dipped peanut butter truffles. Talks possible next week on World Economic Forum sidelines World attention is being drawn to the possibility of a meeting of representatives from the world's two largest economies at the World Economic Forum annual meeting at Davos, Switzerland next week. With concerns over trade protectionism and anti-globalization swirling, there are signs that the Chinese delegation could meet on the sidelines with the transition team of US president-elect Donald Trump. Such a meeting could help narrow positions on trade and sensitive political issues, observers said. Uncertainty over those positions has rocked Asia-Pacific nations that would be the most affected by a trade war or a security conflict, they said. President Xi Jinping will lead the Chinese delegation to Switzerland for a state visit from Sunday to Wednesday. On Tuesday, he will become the first top Chinese leader to attend the Davos meeting. Given that Trump will take office on Jan 20, "someone from the transition team representing the new administration" will attend the forum, Klaus Schwab, forum executive chairman, said on Tuesday. It remains unclear who that would be. Asked whether a Trump representative would meet with the Chinese delegation at Davos, Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong said on Wednesday at a news briefing on Xi's trip that "there are open channels of communication" between Beijing and Trump's team. Beijing is willing to arrange meetings with various parties if time permits on the sidelines of the Davos forum, so "the relevant two-way meetings are being discussed", Li said, without directly confirming a meeting with the Trump team. Also on Wednesday, Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said Beijing hopes that "the US respects China's interests and concerns in the Asia-Pacific region", adding that China is "willing to maintain contacts with the new US administration over Asia-Pacific affairs and discuss cooperation". Security in the Asia-Pacific cannot be maintained by the US alone as it requires joint efforts by all countries, particularly the major countries, Liu said at a news conference. Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said if the Davos meeting happens, Trump's envoy might press Beijing on financial issues and the Taiwan question. Zhong Feiteng, a researcher on Asia-Pacific studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that China may ask the new Cabinet to be cautious on trade policies, and attention will be given to the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue to prevent a deteriorating regional security situation. Zhang Yansheng, secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission's Academic Committee, said Trump's team is advocating anti-globalization measures and trade protectionism to try to gain an advantage for the US. Trump's team said secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson would knock China's islands construction program in the South China Sea and its policies on Pyongyang's nuclear program, Reuters reported. Tillerson's confirmation hearing was held on Wednesday. Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland said Chinese President Xi Jinping will be giving a "strong boost" to the Sino-Swiss bilateral relationship during his forthcoming visit. [Photo/VCG] China's President Xi Jinping will be giving a "strong boost" to the bilateral relationship between China and Switzerland, which already enjoys considerable mutual trust, said Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland. "I am confident that President Xi's state visit will be giving a strong boost to our relationship, which is already very good and promising," Burkhalter told China Daily. Xi is to visit Switzerlandfrom January 15-18 to deepen the relationship by announcing new measures to boost free trade, cultural exchanges, tourism and financial cooperation. Burkhalter said his country was the first Western country to recognize the People's Republic of China in January,1950. "And from that time, our relationship, which is a historic one, has become stronger and stronger with the mutual trust we have rendered," he said. Switzerland recognized China's market economy status in 2007. In July 2014, the two countries started to implement a free trade agreement, and in April, 2016, when former president of the Swiss Confederation Johann N. Schneider-Ammann visited China, both sides signed a "partnership of innovation." Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard took over from Schneider-Ammann as president of the Swiss Confederation from the beginning of this year. Leuthard also visited China in August last year. Burkhalter said currently both sides enjoy a "very good and promising relationship" with dialogue in various areas such as the economy, finance, environment, culture and human rights. He also said China and Switzerland have set examples on how to establish a win-win partnership by ironing out differences in their political and social systems. "The Swiss side is willing to deepen cooperation with China to explore innovation and maintain the global free trade system," said Burkhalter. Burkhalter added that his country will also work closely with China in various multilateral areas to become stabilizing factors of the increasingly complex global situation. To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com The veteran French politician Jean-Pierre Raffarin says he looks forward to hearing President Xi Jinping at the upcoming annual meeting of World Economic Forum. [Fu Jing/China Daily] Veteran French politician Jean-Pierre Raffarin believes the world has become a more precarious place. Peace is fragile, some global players are unpredictable and inward-looking, and long-term vision is in short supply. "People are afraid," the 68-year-old former prime minister and current vice-president of the French Senate told China Daily in an interview. "And the politicians in the West are inclined to close doors." His remarks reflect a prevailing concern among the politicians, business leaders, academics and media gathering for the annual conference of the World Economic Forum on 17-20 January in Davos, Switzerland, which President Xi Jinping will attend. Xi will pay a state visit to Switzerland from January 15-18 and deliver a speech at Davos during his first overseas tour of 2017. There will be intense international interest in Xi's presence at Davos at a time when the world looks to China for solutions to rising global challenges. Raffarin, who has been actively engaged with China for four decades, said he had high expectations of Xi's contribution at Davos towards global efforts to achieve peace, prosperity and reform. He said the strategy of opening up and reform initiated by Deng Xiaoping had been well implemented by China's leadership for decades, delivering "beautiful results." Under Xi's leadership China had achieved a "good balance" between rapid growth and tackling social and ecological problems and rooting out corruption, he said. "With reform high on Xi's agenda, he has emphasized inclusive growth and innovation, which have also solved many social problems," said Raffarin. China has made big strides in forging partnerships with a variety of countries and actively participated in the work and initiatives of the UN and other international organizations, he said. Paul E. Wise, Jr. Col. Paul E. Wise, Jr., 81 passed away peacefully on December 27, 2016 at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Wilmington, DE. Paul was born in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Paul and Pearl (Meals) Wise. He graduated from Pennsylvania Military Colleges Preparatory School (now Widener University) and Dickinson College. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Penn State University, and also earned an M.B.A. from Michigan State University in Food Marketing. As a Quartermaster Officer he taught club management for the Army and Air Force at Fort Lee, Virginia, and ultimately became responsible for the operation of 670 Army clubs and hotels. He was instrumental in the design and construction of the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii that serves US Armed Services Personnel today. Paul was a highly decorated US Army officer, achieving the rank of full Colonel. He retired in 1982 but not before he was awarded two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars for meritorious achievement, four Army Commendation Medals, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the National Service Medal,, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal after serving two tours in Vietnam. He was the 1961 recipient of the International Food Service Executives Associations first Phillip J. Connolly Award in recognition of having the Armys Best Dining Facility in a worldwide competition. He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, and the National Defense University Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Military tours of duty took Paul and his family to Alaska, Panama and numerous stateside installations. Shortly after his retirement from the Army, he started a Hotel and Restaurant Management Program at Prince Georges Community College in a suburb of Washington, D.C. Paul launched the next step in his career when he founded, directed and chaired the Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management (HRIM) Program at the University of Delaware. He grew the program from its infancy to national notoriety, elevating the program to the 4th best Hotel Restaurant School in the US. After his retirement, he served as Professor Emeritus and Ambassador for the HRIM program. Just as he envisioned, the HRIM program includes learning laboratories in the forms of a fine dining restaurant, the Vita Nova, and a concept hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott where the students have opportunity to work in a live hospitality setting. The program became large enough to lead, small enough to care. Under his watch, Paul established a cooperative program with the Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Chur, Switzerland. Paul was honored with the Cornerstone Award, a lifetime achievement award, by the Delaware Restaurant Association. He is also a member of the Hall of Fame for Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Governors Tourism Awards. He has been designated by the American Hotel and Motel Association as a Certified Hotel Administrator, and as a Certified Catering Executive by the National Association of Catering Executives. He was inducted into the International Military Club Executives Association Hall of Fame and also became a member of the Military Club Hall of Fame. He was named the Penn State Hotel Restaurant Society Alumnus of the Year and he was identified in Whos Who in U.S. Executives in and was among People to Watch in Delaware Today. Paul received the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau Tourism Superstar Award. In 2008, upon his retirement from UD, the Professor Paul E. Wise endowed Scholarship was established in his honor as was the Paul Wise Executive-In-Residence Program which features a distinguished speaker series for the University of Delaware. He was a man of deep abiding faith who knew his ultimate destiny and longed for the day when he would enter his final rest. Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Caroline (Eshenour) and daughters Bethann Detwiler (Bill) of Richmond, VA, Susan Clairmont (Larry) of Elkridge, MD and Amanda Milne (Nick) of Gibbstown, NJ. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Strickler (Paul) of Carlisle, Pa and nephews Tom and Doug Strickler. He will be greatly missed by his nine grandchildren, Jason, Zachary, Caroline, Abram, Joseph, Jacob, Alexis, Haley, Adam and four great grand daughters, Cambria, Cara, Afton and Etta. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the University of Delaware Hospitality Paul Wise Scholarship. http://www.udel.edu/giving. Interment with Military Honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Visit www.daniels-hutchison.com to send online condolences. According to the Childhood Domestic Violence Association, about 5 million children witness domestic violence annually. Staggering statistics from the Center for Disease Control estimate that one in three women, and one in four men, have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner. To help combat the effects of the widespread problem, the YWCA Greater Harrisburg is hosting a 10-week therapeutic group for children age 8-13 starting on Jan. 19, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Rhonda Hendrickson, who serves at the YWCA as director of the Violence Intervention and Prevention Services, said that, for children, the negative effects of domestic violence are severe and long lasting. Every child is unique in how domestic violence impacts them, she said. For some, physical ailments will develop, like migraines and stomach aches, others might suffer from depression and anxiety, and thats just the short term. According to Hendrickson, additional manifestations can include truancy, drug and alcohol abuse and a higher likelihood of ending up in the juvenile justice system. Some will end up being perpetrators themselves, because that is what is being modeled in the home, she said. For the new group, the YWCA is partnering with Randis Angels, which was established in 2011 by Nancy Chavez as a tribute to her daughter, Randi Trimble, who was murdered by a hit man hired by her husband in January 2003. Chavez has arranged for therapists to facilitate the classes to help children cope with the issues they are facing. In the shelters, they have individual counselors for children, but they dont have therapists, so we provide them, Chavez said. Children enrolled in the program will benefit in various ways, according to Chavez. They will have the opportunity to talk in a safe space about whats hurting them, what happens when they go to school, and how they interact with their siblings. The curriculum is written by a master level therapist and is designed to help the children regain their self-esteem. We look at them as an individual and give them a voice, Chavez said. The program also provides the opportunity for the children to interact with their peers, have fun playing games and realize that they arent alone. One of the biggest issues we deal with is the stigma attached to talking about it, Chavez said.. We provide a venue for children to safely express themselves. Chavez also offers a three-day summer camp, free of charge. Children who attend the camp benefit from counselors and individual therapists. They also have the opportunity to participate in activities like art therapy and yoga, receive educational assistance and more. Chavez, who provides services in York, Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry and Lebanon counties, would like to offer the program to additional agencies that work with children who are exposed to domestic violence. Interested organizations are encouraged to contact her by emailing info@randishouseofangels.org Those who would like to take advantage of the free program at the Harrisburg YWCA can reserve a spot by calling 717-234-7931. Transportation can be arranged for those who need it. We hope we can continue to offer the program on an ongoing basis, Hendrickson said. It is a wonderful resource for family members to provide for their children and we are extremely grateful to Randis House of Angels for offering this free of charge and making the services available. (Photo : Getty Images) A group of 15 Panda ambassadors arrived in China on Monday to gain further knowledge about the specie. Advertisement A group of 15 people chosen to be United Nations Panda Champions for the Global Goals made a visit in China on Monday to learn more about the defenseless species. China.org reported that the ambassadors will be staying in the country until Friday. Initially, the group had 17 members but two were unable to make it to the expository occasion. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The members present in the group include the founder of the non-profiting group, a government representative, a communication professional, a researcher, a tech freelancer, a Chinese paper-cutting master, a university board member, and six students. Vera Kalinina, 16, from Russia was among the 15 who made their first stop at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province. Kalinina was quite excited following the visit. The spokeswoman for the Sichuan Longxi-Hongkou National Nature Reserve, Chen Cheng, explained that during a visit to the site, the envoys will learn to take care of wild pandas and engage in wilderness training in order to learn about reintroducing captive pandas back into the wild. "This will allow them to experience the whole process in person, from captive breeding to efforts to reintroduce pandas to nature," Cheng said. The youngest member in the group is 11-year-old Madelyn Ruyle from Tampa, Florida. The elementary student, who is in her first Asian trip, was accompanied by his father Jim Ruyle, a pharmaceutical sales executive. "She has loved pandas since she was six years old," the father shared. "She is eager to spread the word about sustainable goals." Back in December, CNN reported that two panda twins that were born and raised in America were having a hard time adjusting to their new home in China. "Mei Lun and Mei Huan (3yrs) are having a hard time understanding commands," read the report. "They prefer American biscuits to their new food options." Advertisement Tagschina, Panda Ambassadors, UN (Photo : Getty Images) Xinjiang has been under tight regulations since 2009 when riots occurred between Uighurs and Han Chinese Migrants. Advertisement Following the rising trend of terror attack, China on Monday said that it is currently looking to enhance border control in the northwestern province of Xinjiang. During the annual session of the regional People's Congress in Urumqi, the governor of Xinjiang, Shohrat Zakir, stressed that the region would improve its the entry and exit plan management, according to China Daily. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Aniwar Turson, a lead official of the Xinjiang Kashgar prefecture, explained that the terror suspects had traveled abroad to receive training and then sneaked back into the region. Others, he added, had crossed the border to flee. "We need to make sure not a single terrorist can get in or out of Xinjiang illegally," Turson said, adding that the move was necessary given that neighboring countries were also facing major terror threats. Xinjiang has long been in disagreement with the Uighur Muslim community strongly because of the rules and regulations imposed by Beijing. They have also been limited with travel as strict requirements are needed to acquire a passport. The Jakarta Post reported that Xinjiang has been under tight security since 2009 when riots erupted between Uighurs and Han Chinese migrants. Afghanistan and Pakistan are among other neighboring nations to Xinjiang. The populations in the nations share common ethnic, linguistic, and religious connection with Uighurs. Azez Musar, an official of the Hotan Prefecture in southern Xinjiang, explained that residents should be vigilant of suspicious activities in the region and carry constant inspections along the border. The new remarks come days after three terror suspects were killed in the region after they resisted arrest. Advertisement Tagschina, Xinjiang, Uighur, terrorism (Photo : Getty Images) A 16-pound lobster makes its debut on Aug. 16, 2001 at the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA. Advertisement A chartered plane carrying more than 74 metric tons of Boston lobster from Halifax Airport in Canada landed in Zhengzhou China on Monday after 19 hours of air travel. China Daily reported that this is the first batch of Boston lobster, which is a common feast preference during China's Lunar New Year, to have arrived in the mainland following a great demand from buyers. Another two are expected to arrive by Jan. 27 when the festival is expected to kick off. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement A kilogram of the imported lobster costs around 500 yuan ($72) in China. Dai Yanting, an official at the Henan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, said that the department has already cleared the imports and they will be later distributed to Beijing, Lianyungang, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Industry experts suggested that an estimated 8,000 tons worth of seafood is expected to be imported into the mainland in 2017. The Chinese New Year takes place on different dates as it is based on the lunar calendar. It, however, falls mostly between the end of January to mid-February. Each year has its own unique zodiac symbol derived from the 12-year animal signs. And based on the zodiac cycle, 2017 is the year of the rooster, which is the 10th animal in the cycle and is attributed with confidence, honesty, and hard work. The Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations are expected to begin on Jan. 27 and will usually last for two weeks, the longest holiday in China's calendar. Advertisement Tagschina, New Year, Year of the Rooster, Boston Lobster (Photo : Getty Images) Governor Andrew Cuomo, along with several environmental groups and other stakeholders, has led efforts to shut down the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant on safety and environmental grounds for years. Advertisement Entergy Corp's Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York state will shut down by April 2021 in order to protect the safety of its citizens, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday. Unit 2 of the plant's operating reactors will close as early as April 2020 and Unit 3 will be in April 2021. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "I am proud to have secured this agreement with Entergy to responsibly close the facility 14 years ahead of schedule to protect the safety of all New Yorkers," Cuomo said in a statement. The agreement was accompanied by commitments to replace the facility's electrical generation capacity with carbon-free sources in a way that will not spike utility bills. The shut down comes as the New Orleans-based firm has been pulling back from its unregulated nuclear business over the past few years. Entergy has been trying to renew its federal licenses for the two Indian Point reactors since 2007, and those licenses have expired in 2013 and 2015, but its reactors can continue to operate as long as the renewal process is ongoing, according to Business Insider. Safety Concerns The power plant, which is located in Buchanan along the Hudson River about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of midtown Manhattan, has been plagued by safety concerns for decades, including faulty bolts and various leaks and fires. The plant was noted as the most vulnerable to earthquakes in the nation, and the region lacks evacuation in the event of disaster, Cuomo noted. So the governor, along with several environmental groups and other stakeholders, has exerted efforts to shut the facility on safety and environmental grounds for years. New York also has been developing contingency plans for years to replace the power supplied by Indian Point. Power Replacement Plan The plant produces over 2,000 megawatts of carbon-free electricity, enough to meet 25 percent of the power used by New York City and Westchester County's load. Forbes noted that it will be challenging to replace 2,000 MWs entirely with renewables and energy efficiency without significantly increasing costs to ratepayers; however, the New York State and environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council are confident that it can be done. A 2012 study entitled "Indian Point Replacement Analysis: A Clean Energy Roadmap," is in the process of being updated, and the new version is expected to be released by mid-February, according to the NRDC. The study concluded that customers' retail electric bills will increase by approximately 1 percent as a result of replacing Indian Point's generation capacity with the mixture of energy efficiency measures, demand response programs, and new high-voltage transmission infrastructure that will bring new and existing renewable energy sources to the New York metropolitan area. Advertisement TagsNew York, Andrew Cuomo, Indian Point Power Plant, Energy Corporation, Safety of New Yorkers, Power Plant Shutdown in 2021 (Photo : Yahoo!) Yahoo home page. Advertisement Internet icon Yahoo will cease to exist as an independent company and its name banished into obscurity when the company's sale to Verizon Communications, Inc. is completed in the next few months. Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless communications service provider, agreed in July 2016 to acquire Yahoo for $4.8 billion. Yahoo was founded in January 1994 by Jerry Yang and David Filo and became one of the early internet pioneers. It is known globally for its Web portal; search engine Yahoo! Search, and related services. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement One of the results of the deal will be extinguishing the Yahoo brand in the U.S. since the deal sold Yahoo's operating businesses to Verizon. What will remain of Yahoo once its holdings in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group; Yahoo Japan and other assets are sold-off will be a publicly-traded investment company with the weird name of Altaba. Eric Brandt, a Verizon man, was named board chairman of Altaba. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, co-founder David Filo and others will resign from the company's board when the sale to Verizon is completed. Leaving along with Mayer and Filo are board chairman Maynard Webb and three others are departing. It appears there is no future role for Mayer in Altaba, which Verizon said is not an operating company. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing yesterday, Yahoo said the resignations are "not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies or practices." Once the most popular website in the U.S., Yahoo began to decline since the late 2000. On July 25, 2016 Verizon announced its intent to acquire Yahoo's internet business for only $4.8 billion, an insult to a company once worth over $100 billion but an indication of how far Yahoo's star fell in just a decade. Yahoo's 15% stake in Alibaba and 35.5% stake in Yahoo! Japan will remain intact but will be unwound over time. Advertisement TagsYahoo, Verizon Communications, Inc., Altaba, marissa mayer, David Filo HARRISBURG A year after 12-year-old Ciara Meyer was accidentally shot and killed by a constable serving an eviction notice in Perry County, her family is holding a toy drive in her name. Its not any better than the first day it happened, said Alice Gehman, Ciaras grandmother. Ill never get over it. There hasnt been a day that has gone by in the last year that we havent thought of Ciara, said her aunt, Hope Rohde. The 12-year-old her picture, her ashes holds a prominent place in the home of another aunt, Stephanie Cordas. With a child, you think about the possibilities of what they could have became, Cordas said. A year ago Wednesday, police say a constable serving an eviction notice accidentally shot and killed Ciara. Donald Meyer had drawn a gun, police say, and the constable shot in defense. The bullet went through his arm and into his daughter. Its hard to see her picture every night, Gehman said through tears. Id kiss her goodnight and shes not there, you know? Its like, I know itll never happen again. Never. I wanted to do something positive, think of something positive, Rohde said Now shes doing it by collecting toys in Ciaras honor. Even though Ciara isnt here, she would definitely love that, Cordas said. She definitely would. Any slightly-used toys they collect will go to Children and Youth Services. New toys will go to children fighting cancer at Penn State Childrens Hospital. Cause its rough having cancer, Gehman said. You never know when its going to hit you. Ciara never saw her grandmothers diagnosis. Stage four lung cancer, she said. And I found this out, like, two months after Ciara passed away. She adored her grandmother, Rohde said. And if she were here today and knew that her grandmother had the cancer, she would not want to leave her side. I love my granddaughter, and Ill never get over her, Gehman said. They cant undo what happened a year ago, but what they can do is what Ciara would have done. It would be something that she would just be all about, Rohde said. And she would be going door to door and collecting herself. For more information or to donate, contact Rohde directly at 717-315-3465. There will also be a toy drive Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Schmidts Sausage Shop on Eisenhower Boulevard in Harrisburg. (Photo : Getty Images) Taiwan defense ministry said it dispatched fighter jets and navy ships on Wednesday after China's Liaoning aircraft carrier sailed through Taiwan Strait. Advertisement Taiwan dispatched fighter jets and navy ships on Wednesday after Chinese warships led by a aircraft carrier sailed through Taiwan Strait, in yet another sign of ongoing tension in the cross-strait relations. "The military is monitoring the whole situation and will act as necessary. We urge Taiwan's people to be at ease," Taiwan's defense ministry said in statement. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The defense ministry claimed that China's Liaoning aircraft passed through Taiwan Strait as it was returning from South China Sea region. It maintained that the aircraft carrier did not encroached Taiwan's territorial waters, but Chinese aircrafts accompanying it breached Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in southwest region. Beijing recently stated that its Liaoning aircraft carrier is carrying out military drills in the disputed South China Sea waters in accordance with the international laws. China also used J-15 fighter jets and several ship-borne helicopters during this drill. Taiwan and other claimants saw the exercise as China's latest show of strength in South China Sea waters. China stakes claim over almost entire South China Sea, which is believed to have a huge reservoir of energy resources. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei are other claimants that stake claim in the energy rich waters. China and Taiwan's relation has been under considerable strain ever since the pro-independent leader Tsai Ing-wen took charge of the self-ruled island nation last year. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea on Tuesday also accused China of carrying out drills in sensitive areas. Both countries said that they have put their fighter jets on high alert, after spotting several Chinese aircrafts flying between East China Sea and Sea of Japan. China is often accused of carrying out unannounced military drills in the contagious areas in a bid to show its military strength to rival countries. Advertisement TagsTaiwan, China and Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, Cross-Strait Relations, South China Sea (Photo : Getty Images) China has banned imports of 19 Korean cosmetics as THAAD tension brews. Advertisement The South Korean cosmetics industry has been hit hard in the Chinese market after 19 of its products failed to meet the country's import guidelines, a move that is believed to be China's reply to Seoul for allowing the US to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Pulse News reported that industry sources on Tuesday revealed that last Jan. 3, Chinese authorities had announced that 28 cosmetics products, which weighed in at roughly 11 tons, had failed to meet Chinese standards. Of the 28, 19 were from South Korea. The authorities gave out vast reasons for the disapproval such as changes in ingredients. Some of the affected items are creams, cleansers, and toothpaste, among others. CJ Lion's shampoo, IASO's lotion, and several other cosmetics are some of the products included in the list, which was based on the quality assessment carried out by Chinese authorities in November. Korea Joongang Daily reported that the ban was likely because of the growing tension between China and Korea. And Kim Hye-mi, an analyst at Baro Investment & Securities, noted that China has started imposing strict regulations on packages from Korea after the Seoul agreed to install the US' THAAD system in July. "China has delivered verbal instructions in the country to cut travelers to Korea by 20% as a form of retaliation against Korea," Kim said. Aekyung's body wash was also included in the list because allegedly of a change in ingredients. A spokesperson for the company later explained that since its products were banned, it had to make necessary adjustments to meet China's standards. "There are concerns this is part of retaliation from China due to Korea's deployment of THAAD, but we do not agree. China has actually tightened its quality guidelines every year apart from political issues," the spokesperson said. Advertisement Tagschina, South Korea, Cosmetics imports, THAAD (Photo : Getty Images) Chinese conglomerate HNA Group has acquired ANZ Bank's New Zealand asset finance business UDC Finance for $628 million. Advertisement The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) has sold its New Zealand asset finance business UDC Finance to Chinese conglomerate HNA Group for $NZ660 million ($628 million). Although the sale is relatively small for a huge firm like ANZ, this is a second sale out in almost single week as the banking giant looks to streamline its global business. Last week, the Melbourne-based firm sold its 20 percent stake in Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank to two local Chinese companies. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The CEO of ANZ in New Zealand, David Hisco, said the sale of UDC "is consistent with our strategy to simplify the bank and is a good outcome for customers and staff." ANZ said that the entire transaction procedure would be completed in the second half of the current financial year. The two back-to-back deals in a single week represented the Australian firm's strategic plan to offload its $4.1 billion portfolio of stakes across major Asian banks. The firm has been continuously trying to streamline its global operation under the current CEO Shayne Elliott. As for the HNA Group, the UDC deal marked its second big investment with an Australian firm, after acquiring considerable stake in Virgin Australia last year. The Chinese conglomerate was on a major acquisition drive during the last financial year, with a reported spending of $46.3 billion to buy several reputed companies across the globe. HNA has business inertests across the key sectors including financial services, logistics, tourism, real estate, and insurance. Meanwhile, reports in Austrian media claimed that ANZ is looking to offload its stake in other Asian banks like Bank of Tianjin, PT Bank Pan Indonesia, and Malaysia's AMBank. Advertisement TagsANZ, ANZ Bank, HNA Group, ANZ AND HNA, Chinese conglomerate (Photo : Getty Images) WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said that American people needed to know the truth. Advertisement Wikileaks founder Julian Assange on Monday fired back at US intelligence for a report that accused his whistleblower website of being used by the Russian government to distribute hacked information from democratic figures during last year's presidential election. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Speaking during an audio-only question and answer session, Assange said that the source of the information was not a member of any government or state parties. He also insisted that his source did not come from the Russian government. Assange said that Friday's declassified intelligence report titled "Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent US Elections" was inadequate and misleading. "It was not an intelligence report. It does not have the structure of an intelligence report. It does not have the structure of a Presidential Daily Brief. It was frankly quite embarrassing," Assange said, adding that it was clearly designed for political motives. When asked if the WikiLeaks website was an intermediary affiliated with the Kremlin, Assange responded that he did not want to "play twenty questions with our sources." The intelligence report put the blame on Russia for the breach of the Democratic officials' email. It also said that Vladimir Putin ordered an "influence campaign" through cyber espionage. Wikileaks published emails from top DNC officials before the 2016 Democratic convention and later published thousands of emails from the chairman of the Hillary Clinton campaign, John Podesta. However, Assange has vehemently denied that Russia was the source of the damaging emails. When asked if he believed that the intelligence report had been fabricated, Assange said that the report does not rise to the level of fabrications, because it uses speculative terms and admits its own speculation. Assange later indicated that it does not matter who supplied the information to WikiLeaks. "Should the American people have been denied the true information?" Assange asked. Assange has been holed up at the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to avoid deportation on a rape accusation he denies. Advertisement TagsWikiLeaks, Julian Assange, Russia, US (Photo : Getty Images) China has mastered the art of making ballpoint pens. Advertisement China has finally mastered the art of making ballpoint pens. Although the country is the world's largest manufacturer of ballpoint pens and makes nearly 38 billion units every year, China still had to import the steel required for making the pen tips from Japan. The state enterprise Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group (TISCO) conducted various experiments for producing the right type of steel required for making tips. The company announced on Tuesday that it is ready to mass produce the first batch of 2.3 mm tips. And it is expected that the country will be able to replace the imports entirely within two years. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Wang Huimian, a senior engineer at TISCO, told Xinhua that the initial breakthrough was made in 2014. The company produced its first pen tips in June last year. Li Jianmin, technology director of TISCO, said, "We are committed to become the leader in industrial steel materials through innovation." The malady of ballpoint tip was brought into spotlight by Premier Li Keqiang last year. He had complained that Chinese ballpoint felt "rough" in comparison with the ones bought from abroad. Until now, the Chinese penmakers were required to import the tips, costing roughly $17.3 million yuan to the industry. The making of a ballpoint tip requires high quality, very hard steel plates. These plates are also required to be ultra-thin to allow precise ball designing. It also required the addition of special microelements to liquid steel for making high quality tip. However, the country had been unable to reach that stage of precision until now. Advertisement TagsBallpoint, Japan, Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group (Photo : Russian Academy of Sciences ) Effect of the impact of a plastic bullet fired by a Russian railgun during a test in 2016. Advertisement Russia's baby steps to develop its own electromagnetic railgun took another baby step forward with the announcement of another successful test firing of the weapon, but this time at far lower speed. Scientists at a branch of the United Istitute of High Temperatures at the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) outside Moscow fired a 15 gram plastic bullet that penetrated an aluminum plate several centimeters thick. The railgun developed a speed of 3 kilometers per second, which the Russians said is powerful enough "to cut through any type of armor existing today." Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The Russians also claim their railgun will have non-destructive uses such as shooting cargo capsules to the International Space Station. In contrast, the United States, which leads the world in the military applications of railgun technology, has built far more powerful and larger weapons. The U.S. Navy has railgun cannons that can fire hypervelocity projectiles at speeds up to Mach 7.5 (9,100 km/h) to a distance of some 400 kilometers. "The railgun is a big boost to our study of high energy physics as we are now ready to build apparatuses working at speeds exceeding 4.5 kilometers a second," said Alexei Shurpov, director of the Shatura Institute. The Russians, however, admitted their railgun program has not produced any military breakthroughs yet. They did note that other countries are working on a new type of a multi-mission railgun capable of detecting, tracking and engaging ballistic missiles and air and watercraft threats. They said the problem with U.S. railgun design is it requires a tremendous amount of power to operate, over 25 megawatts per shot. Another problem is that the longer the distance to the target, the weaker the impact of railgun round as air resistance keeps slowing the projectile down as it travels to its target. The Russians first tested their railgun in July 2016, also at Shatura. The team reported firing projectiles at a velocity of 11 kilometers per second, enough to overcome gravity and reach Earth orbit. RAS President Vladimir Fortov said the railgun will help Russian scientists study matter at extremely high temperatures and pressure and understand how the Universe is organized. The railgun fired a projectile weighing 2 grams at a velocity of 3.2 km/s. Russian scientists are preparing the railgun to fire projectiles exceeding hypersonic speeds, or speeds in excess of Mach 5 (6,000 km/h). Advertisement TagsRussia, electromagnetic railgun, United Istitute of High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, U.S. Navy (Photo : YouTube Screenshot) Djibouti officially inaugurated its end of the Djibouti-Ethiopia speed rail on Wednesday. Advertisement China has forged further in its relationship with the African community after the launch of a $3.4 billion electric railway line on Wednesday, linking Djibouti with Ethiopia. The 750 km railway line was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Nagad Railway station in Djibouti. Ethiopia had launched the railway line on its side in October last year, with trial services beginning around the same time. This is the first standard gauge railway line to be built using Chinese technology in Africa. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement A report by All Africa revealed that the rail is expected to start transporting goods and services early this year. Following the launch of the railway line, travel time has been reduced from the initial three days by road to 12 hours by rail within the two states. The railway will be traveling at a speed of 160km/hr for passenger and 120km/hr for goods. Currently, 90 percent of Ethiopia's trade plans pass through Djibouti, accounting for 70 percent of the trade activities at the Djibouti port. Present in the occasion was Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. The South China Morning Post reported that rail was 70 percent financed by the Exim Bank of China financed and built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway Construction Corporation. The head of CCECC, Yuan Li, expressed his joy and assured the two states that more are still to come. "The launch of the Djibouti-Ethiopia railway line is a dream come true and another symbol of China-Africa friendship," Yuan said. Plans are currently underway on the construction of a 2,000 km railway line to link Djibouti with Ethiopia and later South Sudan. Future plans on the construction of a Trans-African rail that runs across Africa are still on the idea phase. Advertisement TagsDjibouti, ethiopia, china, Djibouti-Ethiopia Railway (Photo : US Navy) USS John Finn, an Aegis Baseline 9 destroyer. Advertisement The U.S. Navy is deploying most of its guided missile destroyers outfitted with the latest version of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System (Aegis BMD) to the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), a unified combatant command of the United States armed forces that will command any war in Asia. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The latest evolution of Aegis BMD or the Aegis Weapons System is Aegis Baseline 9, a centralized, automated, command-and-control (C2) and weapons control system designed as a total weapon system, from detection to kill. The heart of the system is the AN/SPY-1, an advanced, automatic detect and track, multi-function phased-array radar. This high-powered radar is able to perform search, track, and missile guidance functions simultaneously, with a track capacity of more than 100 targets. When paired with the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, it is capable of delivering missiles for every mission and threat environment in naval warfare. Baseline 9 is only deployed on U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers; Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers and select guided missile destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Navy. In mid-2014, five Ticonderoga class cruisers and 25 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers were equipped with the Aegis BMD. Of these 30 ships, 16 are assigned to the United States Pacific Fleet (a component command of USPACOM) and 14 to the Atlantic Fleet. Those numbers have certainly risen since then. The Navy is modernizing the existing Aegis technology aboard its warships and also including upgrades into ships now being built. These new upgrades are designed to build upon Baseline 9. The upgrades will allow Aegis to be used to defend warships against missile attack and allow Navy missiles to be used as long-range anti-ship missiles. Using Aegis, which was first designed as a defensive system, as an offensive system to sink surface warships supports the Navy's new warfighting strategy called distributed lethality. Advertisement TagsU.S. Navy, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, Aegis Weapons System, United States Pacific Command, Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers, Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, Aegis Baseline 9 (Photo : Getty Images) Boris Johnson has been accused of preparing a witch-hunt against Russia. Advertisement The Russian embassy in the United Kingdom has accused the British Foreign Office of preparing to launch a witch-hunt against Russia. The accusations come in the wake of the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, saying that Russia has been up "to all sorts of tricks" in the alleged hacking of the US Democratic Party headquarters during the United States Presidential race. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Johnson accused Kremlin of being behind the attack, in the first time that Theresa May's government has confirmed US intelligence reports linking the hack attacks to Russia. In a lengthy statement, the Russian embassy claimed that the attacks on Russia by the British government could be partly attributed to Moscow's role in negotiating a ceasefire in war-torn Syria and also its role in convening peace talks. The embassy claimed the attacks were either designed to lead to a re-run of the European Union referendum or to save the EU project that has come under heavy attack from disappointed electorates. "Western elites will go to great lengths to save their own world with its Washington consensus and austerity, even if it does no longer benefit anybody else," the embassy statement said, adding that the panic and hysterics are responses to the wider loss of control, which brought about a war 100 years ago. Speaking at the House of Commons on Tuesday, Johnson said that it was pretty clear that the hacking attack had its origins in Russia. Johnson said that he told the incoming US Trump administration that the British government is convinced that Russia is up to all sorts of dirty tricks, but it would be folly to further demonize Russia or push it into a corner. "If you look at what the Russians have done in the Western Balkans and on cyber-warfare, it is clear they are up to no good," Johnson said, adding his opinion that a twin-track of policy engagement and vigilance is required. Trump has reacted angrily to accusations that Russia tried to help him win last year's Presidential election, and in recognition of this, Johnson stressed that it was important to recognize that there may be areas where the US and the UK could work together. Advertisement TagsRussia, European Union, UK (Photo : Getty Images) Le Pen's anti-Muslim has long championed Donald Trump. Advertisement The United Kingdom's ambassador to France said that the embassy does not plan to forge links with far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement According to the ambassador, this is because the United Kingdom government has a policy of not engaging with Marine Le Pen's party, the Front National (FN). Ed Llewellyn, the previous chief of staff of David Cameron in Downing Street, told MPs that although the embassy staff were making contact with other French presidential candidates, they did not have relations with Marine Le Pen. "With respect to the Front National, we have a policy of not engaging, there is a longstanding policy. That is the policy, which has been the policy for many years," Llewellyn told the foreign affairs committee. Showing his surprise, Committee Chair Crispin Blunt asked, "If it is clear she is polling in second place and so will make the run-off, shouldn't that be...?" Llewellyn, on the other hand, responded that any change would be a matter for ministers. Many observers expected Le Pen to make the final round runoff in May against one of the other leading presidential candidates, most likely Francois Fillon, a center-right Republican. Le Pen could also run against Emmanuel Macron, an independent, barring an unlikely last-minute revival for the yet to be selected socialist candidate. Current polls indicate that Le Pen could lose the runoff to either Fillon or Macron due to tactical voting by moderates. The United Kingdom's ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch, and other members of the UK government were criticized for being unprepared for Donald Trump's victory in last year's Presidential elections. Trump's team complained to Ukip's Nigel Farage about the unflattering comments made about his presidential bid by members of the British government. Le Pen is an avid fan of Donald Trump, and her anti-Muslim remarks have seen her charged with hate speech. Advertisement TagsMarine Le Pen, Britain, France (Photo : Getty Images) Tillerson has blamed Russia's resurgence on lack of American leadership. Advertisement Rex Tillerson, Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state, said that a lack of American leadership has emboldened Russia. Speaking during the Senate committee hearing, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil said that "Russia today poses a danger" and urged for "open and frank dialogue." Tillerson added that defeating the Islamic State terror group must be the United State's priority in the Middle East. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement In his opening statement, Tillerson said that old ideas and international norms, which were well-understood and governed past behaviors, may no longer be effective in current times. He further noted that China has emerged as a formidable economic power in global trade and that bilateral interactions between the two countries have at times been adversarial. He also said that Iran and North Korea pose serious threats to the world because of their refusal to conform to international norms. Tillerson also warned Americans to be clear-eyed about the United State's relations with Russia, adding that although today Moscow poses a great danger, it is not unpredicatable that it is trying to advance its own interests. "It (Russia) has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war," Tillerson said, adding that NATO is right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia. On Wednesday, the 64-year-old Tillerson faced tough questions from some members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This is in light of the latest US media reports that the Russian intelligence agencies have compromising information on Trump. Tillerson's connections to Russia have drawn a lot of criticism. He has struck multi-billion dollar deals with Rosneft, Russia's state oil company. He also spoke of the international sanctions placed on Russia. The Texas millionaire, however, added that Russia's growing strength has been brought about by the absence of an American leadership. Trump has labeled the claims a "political witch hunt," with Russia saying that the allegations are "pulp fiction" and a "clear attempt to damage relations." In 2013, Tillerson was awarded an Order of Friendship by the Kremlin. Advertisement Tagsrex tillerson, donald trump, US, Russia (Photo : Garry Knight / Flickr / CC) An anti-Boko Haram protest took place in London in January of 2015. As Sunday marked 1,000 days since over 200 Chibok school girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram, the Nigerian president, along with advocates from around the world, expressed hopes that the remaining girls would be freed. In April of 2014, Boko Haram kidnapped 276 school girls in Borno. Since then, several girls were rescued, released, or were able to escape, but reports say about 200 are still captive. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari expressed a commitment to continue efforts to rescue the remaining girls who are captive to the extremist group. "We are hopeful that many more will still return," Buhari was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. "The tears never dry, the ache is in our hearts. Our hearts will leap for joy, as more and more of our daughters return. It is a goal we remain steadfastly committed to." Buhari also made comments on Twitter, saying, "I'm hopeful that soon, Chibok community, Nigeria, and, indeed, the world, will welcome the remaining girls back home." Other public figures and advocacy organizations have also made statements to mark the day. Amnesty International, a human rights group, called on Boko Haram to immediately release the girls, and also spotlighted the other abductions and attacks perpetrated by the extremist groups. "This terrible anniversary is a chilling reminder not just of the tragic disappearance of the Chibok school girls, but also all other individuals - many of whom are also children - who remain captive in Boko Haram's hideouts across the country," said Makmid Kamara, the acting country director for Amnesty International Nigeria. "These abductions and other attacks on civilians, many of which constitute war crimes, must stop." Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist, said her "heart breaks for the families who long for their precious daughters." "The men who took the Chibok girls and others like them cannot take away their courage or the love of their families," Yousafzai said in a statement posted on the Bring Back Our Girls Facebook page. "I still hold hope that one day the girls will come home, finish their education and choose their futures for themselves." Meanwhile, one of the school girls was found to have been freed recently, according to a January 5 report from the Associated Press. Rakiya Abubakar and her six-month-old baby were found when Nigerian soldiers were interrogating Boko Haram suspects. press@cdaily.co.kr - Copyright , #ChibokSchool A new Springfield, Missouri ordinance restricts the volume at which street preachers can proclaim their message. According to SRNNews.com, Springfield city officials have approved a noise ordinance which restricts the volume at which people can speak in public locations. This ordinance was passed after a street preacher named Aaron Brummitt was arrested and accused of preaching sermons too loudly in the downtown area. Although officials say that the new ordinance will not restrict freedom of speech, but only the volume at which people may proclaim their message, others disagree. Dee Wampler, an attorney for Brummitt, has accused city officials of messing with religious speech. Councilwoman Kristi Fulnecky voiced similar concerns, stating that the ordinance could target religious speech and the First Amendment. Brummitt has had run-ins with law enforcement since 2013 when he was accused of being too loud in public places. He agreed to comply with volume restrictions, but complaints against him have reportedly continued. What do you think? Should there be restrictions on how loud street preachers and others can be when proclaiming their messages? Publication date: January 11, 2017 Numerous studies have found immediate access to employment following time in prison lessens the chance of returning behind bars. However, many people upon leaving prison or residential substance abuse treatment find themselves locked out of the workforce. Its a lofty goal, but one Midstate woman is hoping to give these individuals a new opportunity and a new purpose. Angela Episale, of Camp Hill, has started a Go Fund Me account, www.gofundme.com/35yi5qo, in hopes of raising $5,000 to begin a non-profit animal rescue that would employ men recently out of prison or in-patient substance abuse treatment. Wed be rehabbing animals and rehabbing the guys through their treatment, but they need to practice life a little bit and have the resources at their hands, Episale said. Episale said she hopes to be able to purchase a farm that would be used to rescue and rehabilitate horses. She said she hopes to employ five workers, who would all be given a place to live on the farm. Each employee would also be paid about $10 an hour and be employed for two years, Episale. She said the pay buffered by the savings of having a place to live at no cost should help these workers save some money and build a work history that will help them find employment elsewhere. Ive been around the state, and I think Ive seen where people are falling through the cracks, said Episale, who worked for a decade with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. I just think this is where were failing them, in the after treatment. As a society we dont want to hire people with a criminal history. Were afraid of people with substance abuse history, but at the same time we are quick to lecture them, you have to do this. You have to do that. You have to go out and get a job. The home will be staffed by a person with more than a decade of sobriety. This is meant to provide proper oversight for the workers but also provide a peer support system, Episale said. Workers will also be given a dog that they will be required to take care of and tend to. Episale said she hoped working on a farm and tending to animals would provide an escape from the lure of drugs. If youre working in a farm or agricultural lifestyle, youre tired at the end of the day, Episale said. You dont need that drink so much or whatever theyre turning to, because they are going to crash hard. Episale has raised enough money to file the paperwork need to obtain a 501c3 non-profit status. If all goes according to plan, Episale hoped Purpose Farm could get underway as early as spring or summer. If successful, Episale said she would like this to be a model for others across the state. I just dont want to see everybody feeling so hopeless all the time, she said. This past year, for the 3rd year in a row, persecution of Christians has hit a record high worldwide. Open Doors has released its 2017 World Watch List (WWL) and cites increasing concerns for Asia along with the Middle East, due to both ethnic nationalism and Islamic extremism. The annual list examines the pressures faced by Christians in five spheres of life (private, family, community, national, and church), plus levels of religiously motivated violence, in order to rank the top 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution. Open Doors defines persecution as any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Christ. It states, Christians remain one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world. Christians throughout the world continue to risk imprisonment, loss of home and assets, torture, beheadings, rape and even death as a result of their faith. A report by Christianity Today lists these 10 trends in regards to the study: Approximately 215 million Christians experience high, very high, or extreme persecution. North Korea remains the most dangerous place to be a Christian (for 14 straight years). Islamic extremism remains the global dominant driver of persecution, responsible for initiating oppression and conflict in 35 out of the 50 countries on the 2017 list. Ethnic nationalism is fast becoming a major driver of persecution. While this took an anti-establishment form in the West, in Asia it took an anti-minorities form, fueled by dramatic religious nationalism and government insecurity. It is commonand easyfor tottering governments to gain quick support by scapegoating Christians. The total number of persecution incidents in the top 50 most dangerous countries increased, revealing the persecution of Christians worldwide as a rising trend. The most violent: Pakistan, which rose to No. 4 on the list for a level of violence exceeding even northern Nigeria. The killings of Christians in Nigeria saw an increase of more than 62 percent. The killings of Christians were more geographically dispersed than in most time periods studied. Hitting closer to home, 23 Christian leaders in Mexico and four in Colombia were killed specifically for their faith, said Open Doors of the rare event. The worst increase: Mali, which moved up the most places on the list from No. 44 to No. 32. Asia is a new center of concern, with persecution rising sharply in Bangladesh, Laos, and Bhutan, and Sri Lanka joining the list for the first time. The top 10 nations where it is most dangerous and difficult to practice the Christian faith are: North Korea Somalia Afghanistan Pakistan Sudan Syria Iraq Iran Yemen Eritrea Yemen was the only new country in the top 10, replacing Libya from previous years. Over the past 25 years, only three countries have topped the list: North Korea (2002 2017), Saudi Arabia (1993 1995; 1998 2001), and Somalia (1996 1997). The top 10 nations over the 25-year span are: North Korea Saudi Arabia Iran Somalia Afghanistan Maldives Yemen Sudan Vietnam China But among all of the grim news, the report also reveals two positive trends: 1. Christians looking forward to going back to historic homes in northern Iraq The days of an Islamic State-run caliphate in Northern Iraq and Syria are numbered. Since an August 2016 offensive, the Islamic militants have been pushed back by a coalition of Iraqi and foreign-backed forces. Some of the towns and villages, such as Qaraqosh which were once completely Christian have been liberated. Iraqs second largest city Mosul will soon be in the hands of Iraqi forces. Over 80,000 Christians fled their homes in 2014 and have been refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan since. We cant wait to go back, said one, in Erbil. But we will go back with a greater determination to keep freedom defended. 2. Exodus of Middle East Christians slows Most Christians in the Middle East may have crossed a border within the region, but the majority have not yet left the region as a whole. The number of Christians exiting the region has slowed. Open Doors estimates the number of Christians in the Middle East and Turkey at currently 16.5 million, including migrant and expatriate Christians in the Gulf States. Even among great persecution, God is still at work in our world. His Truth is being preached. Many are coming to know Him. The Gospel is spreading to all the earth. May He help us all to be constantly and increasingly aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ all around this world. May He remind us to pray constantly on their behalf. Dear God, we ask that your Spirit would surround your people this year as never before. Give them your strength, give them great courage, cover them with huge peace. We pray for miracles of your protection and that your Name would be honored and exalted in every land. In the powerful Name of Jesus we pray, Amen. Read more by Debbie McDaniel at www.debbiemcdaniel.com, https://www.facebook.com/Debbi eWebbMcDaniel/ , or https://twitter.com/debbmcdani el . Lets just admit it: the Bible makes us uncomfortable at times. We recoil when we read about the destruction of the Canaanites or Father Abraham pimping his sister/wife, Sarah. But these stories are right there on the pages of the Bible, and we have to grapple with its sometimes shameful narratives and unsettling ideas. Sooner or later, every thoughtful Christian has to come to terms with an inscrutable Creator they do not and cannot fully comprehend. Because we live in the yawning gap between the already and the not-yet in the unfolding of Gods eternal plan, we inevitably find ourselves struggling to understand the ways of God. Actually, I am inclined to think one of the spiritual requirements for being a follower of Jesus is that you must wrestle with God. After all, when God gave a new name to Jacob and his descendants, he called them Israel, or God wrestlers: Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have wrestled with God (Gen. 32:28, paraphrase mine). Wrestling with God is in our spiritual DNA. There is plenty of wrestling to do in the early section of Pauls epistle to the Ephesians. This remarkable letter begins with a lavish outpouring of affection. But Paul throws us a curve when he employs what many Christians consider a repulsive idea. There is one word in Pauls letter to the Ephesians that has given heartburn to millions of Jesus followers for a very long timefor much of the last 2,000 years. To make matters worse, Paul uses this disturbing word twice in the same passage for emphasis. That word is predestination. For many this word conjures up images of the dark side of the force and the malevolent ... 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. Patricia Heaton has a career that most women in Hollywood can only imagine. With Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle to her name, shes headlined not just one but two wildly successful sitcoms. All the accolades of fame have followed: seven Emmy nominations, two Emmy wins, a star on the Walk of Fame, and fans across the globe. Never shy about proclaiming her Christian faith, Heaton has decided to use her influence to help the poor around the world by highlighting the work of World Vision. I spoke with Heaton by phone about her career, World Vision, and how practicing the Christian faith is like keeping sober in Alcoholics Anonymous. By any standard, your career has been tremendous. To what do you attribute your success? When I moved to LA, I was 30no agent, manager, or car, and one commercial to my name. If someone today came to me today and said, Hey Im a 30-year-old woman whos not a model. I dont have an agent or a manager or a car. Do you think I should move to LA? I would say absolutely not. So my example is a little strange. I feel like God really held [back] any success until I was at a breaking point. [After returning to LA from a mission trip to a Mexican orphanage], I woke up the next day and I had this deep sense of peace Id never felt before, and it made me realize that up until that point, my entire identity was in my success or lack of success as an actor. Thats when I realized I needed to give that thing over to God and ask him what he wanted me to do, not what I wanted to do. I said to him literally, pretty much out loud, I will go back to Mexico or to whatever mission field you want to send me to, but I have a few auditions here in LA so ... 1 Transgender Case Goes to Supreme Court Contact: Liberty Counsel, 407-875-1776, Media@LC.org; Press Kit WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Liberty Counsel has filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the Gloucester County School Board in Virginia on the so-called transgender bathroom decision in G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board. This is the first time that the Court has addressed the question of whether laws protecting against sex discrimination in education are applicable to "gender identity." Liberty Counsel states in the brief: "Advancements in biotechnology have demonstrated what society has intuitively understood for millennia, i.e., that human beings are conceived as either male or female and there is no scientific basis for a claim that individuals have a separate "gender identity" that can differ from their biological sex. The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights ignored this inconvenient truth when they announced that the term "sex" in Title IX now includes "gender identity" so that sex-separate private facilities must be turned into unisex social laboratories. This Court should reject the Departments' attempt to infuse Title IX with a sociopolitical agenda wholly lacking in evidentiary foundation." The student bringing the lawsuit, Gavin Grimm, a 17-year-old high school senior, is a biological girl who now says she subjectively "identifies" as a "boy." When Grimm began using the boys' restroom, some parents complained. Then the school board adopted a policy requiring students to use either the restroom that corresponds with their biological gender or a private, single-stall restroom. The Supreme Court previously blocked the decision by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that the federal law known as Title IX should be interpreted to include "gender identity" and that a girl who "identifies" as a boy can use the boy's restroom. The federal court of appeals ruling lacks legal authority and clearly goes against the clear meaning of "sex" when that law was adopted decades ago. "Liberty Counsel stands with the Gloucester School Board as its responsibility is to protect the safety of students from harmful situations," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "It is absurd that the Supreme Court has to address whether a girl with gender dysphoria should be treated as a boy. The federal law does not allow persons to subjectively think, and therefore be treated, as the opposite of their biological sex. It is very obvious how the Supreme Court should rule in this case," said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Sen. Blumenthal Must Retract and Apologize for Slanderous Statements About Operation Rescue Contact: Troy Newman, President, 316-683-6790 ext. 111; Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Vice President, 316-516-3034; both with Operation Rescue, info.operationrescue@gmail.com WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today during the confirmation hearing of Sen. Jeff Sessions for Attorney General, Democrat Sen. Dick Blumenthal made completely false and slanderous statement against Operation Rescue and its president, Troy Newman. Blumenthal wrongly described Operation Rescue as a group that advocates execution of abortion providers, when nothing could be further from the truth. Operation Rescue has a long history of peaceful activism within the law in advocating for innocent life. Blumenthal also displayed a "wanted" poster targeting abortion provider George Tiller and attributed it falsely to Operation Rescue. This organization never circulated that poster and never called for anyone to harm Dr. Tiller. Blumenthal also falsely accused Operation Rescue of calling for the murderer of Dr. Tiller to be treated as a political prisoner. Operation Rescue never made any such statement and has always been clear that murder or other violent acts are an unacceptable means of advocacy. We call on Sen. Blumenthal to retract his false and slanderous statements and issue a public apology to Operation Rescue and Troy Newman. "That was a cheap shot by a hack politician who thinks he can lie about us with impunity and without consequences in order to advance his political agenda," said Newman. "We are considering legal action to protect our good reputation." Read Operation Rescue's full statement on non-violence Read Operation Rescue's statement denouncing the murder of George Tiller About Operation Rescue Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America. Click here to support Operation Rescue. Share Tweet Authorities Arrest Highest-profile Pastor Since Cultural Revolution Contact: ChinaAid Media Team, 432-553-1080 cell, 888-889-7757, 432-689-6985, media@chinaaid.org HANGZHOU, Zhejiang, China, Jan. 11, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- In the most high-profile religious persecution case since the Cultural Revolution, the former pastor of China's largest state-run megachurch was formally arrested on Saturday by a local public security bureau in China's coastal Zhejiang province. Photo: Gu Yuese preaching before his arrest According to informed sources, authorities re-apprehended Gu "Joseph" Yuese sometime before Christmas. On Jan. 7, his family received a notice announcing that he had been arrested on charges of embezzling funds. As the former chairman of the Hangzhou Municipal China Christian Council, a local branch of the China Christian Council (CCC), which, along with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), comprises China's two government-run Christian organizations, Gu is the highest-profile Christian official to be targeted since the Cultural Revolution. He also was a Member of the Standing Committee of the national China Christian Council before being removed from both of these positions. On Jan. 18, 2016, he was ousted from his position as senior pastor of Chongyi Church, China's largest Three-Self Church. In a document entitled, "Notice Regarding the Personnel Change of the Senior Pastor of Hangzhou's Chongyi Church," the local TSPM and CCC alleged that replacing Gu would help them better manage official churches, improve their relationship with the provincial government, and better circulate prominent Christians who are in charge of churches. However, Gu had publicly opposed the forced demolition of church crosses, causing many Christians to suspect a correlation between his advocacy and dismissal. On Jan. 28, 2016, officials placed Gu under "residential surveillance in a designated location," otherwise known as a "black jail," and held him incommunicado. Two days later, China Aid learned that he had been charged with "embezzling 10 million Yuan [U.S. $1.6 million] in funds." He was released on bail in late March and held under house arrest. A translation of his arrest notice can be read below. China Aid exposes abuses, such as those experienced by Gu "Joseph" Yuese, in order to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and promote religious freedom. home World Bitcoin, PayPal used to finance terrorism, says Indonesian agency Bitcoin and PayPal have been used by Islamic militants in the Middle East to fund members and associates in Indonesia, the country's anti-money laundering agency claimed on Monday. Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) chairman Kiagus Ahmad Badaruddin revealed in a press briefing that they saw the number of terrorism-related fraudulent transactions rise from 12 to 25 cases in 2016. Because of this, the agency, which directly reports to President Joko Widodo, is monitoring financial transactions from overseas more closely. According to Kiagus, the agency has identified local terror groups, which were exposed last year by the country's counter-terrorism police unit, Detachment 88 (Densus 88), as having connections with the Islamic State, as the likely recipients of the funds. PPATK examination and research director Ivan Yustiavandana shared with reporters that jihadists are exploring non-conventional means of moving funds. "Today we are talking about PayPal, bitcoins. Two to three years from now, we may talk about other means, new ways. The more sophisticated we are at getting them, the more they will try to look for new ways," he said. PayPal has already announced its commitment to take "all appropriate actions" and work with Indonesian authorities to help put an end to terrorism and criminality. Bitcoin may be harder to scrutinize because of the way it was designed as it will be difficult for authorities to have a view of the transactions that use this digital currency. The Islamic State has long been suspected of using bitcoin and other virtual currencies to raise funds and distribute financing, but authorities and private investigators around the world have been divided in confirming such. In 2015, Europol dispersed suspicions that cryptocurrencies like bitcoin were being used by ISIS. "Despite third party reporting suggesting the use of anonymous currencies like bitcoin by terrorists to finance their activities, this has not been confirmed by law enforcement," Europol indicated, as reported by International Business times. In 2015, a pool of "hactivists" called Ghost Security Group told Michael Smith II, co-founder of national security advisory firm Kronos Advisory, that they had discovered several bitcoin accounts controlled by ISIS. According to Juniper Research, as reported by Fox News, there were 1.3 million bitcoin users in 2016. This figure is expected to escalate to 4.7 million by the end of the current year. Britain's Welfare System 'Cruel And Devoid Of Compassion' Failures in Britain's benefit system are leaving vulnerable people without enough money to survive on, a representative from the UK's largest network of foodbanks says. The director of Kingston Foodbank in London, Paul Pickhaver, on Wednesday said the local welfare system was "cruel and devoid of compassion". A statement said he had heard numerous stories of "people being left with no money over the Christmas period with some still waiting in the hope of a payment". "There is no other way to describe it it's cruel," said Pickhaver, who also leads The Community Church. "Grown men who have worked all their lives but find themselves unable to work due to a health condition have told me that the lack of help has left them in tears. In contrast, the people of Kingston have shown overwhelming compassion by the gifts of food that have poured into the collection points to support those in need over the last few months. The support shows that local people understand, do care and want to help." Pickhaver said a majority of the more than 350 referrals from the DWP Job Centre in Kingston to the Foodbank in 2016 were due to changes in the type of benefit a claimant was to receive, not a question of their entitlement. "Often people are referred by Job Centre staff to the Foodbank because a payment of Employment Support Allowance has been stopped after a medical assessment. A claimant is either forced to claim for Job Seekers Allowance, even if evidence states that they are unable to work or to appeal. No benefits are paid while an appeal process runs which can take months." The statement said some families and individuals have been left without money for 6-8 weeks, and Pickhaver called for more to be done to make emergency payments to people in crisis. "DWP guidance to staff at Job Centres is clear if a claimant is due benefit it should be paid. That is not happening in Kingston," he said. "Answers have been given in Parliament to state that every DWP source of support has to be exhausted before referring to another local source of help. It's a pretence if there were any meaningful safety net in place in Kingston Job Centre we would not be seeing hundreds of referrals from them each year." Adrian Curtis, acting Head of External Affairs at the Trussell Trust, told Christian Today: "Kingston Foodbank's experience that people are going hungry over Christmas is mirrored by our network of foodbanks, who had an incredibly busy December helping thousands of families. "More can be done to help people before they get to the stage of needing a foodbank, and one of these things is to ensure people are made aware of local authority funds for people in crisis." Chinese Megachurch Pastor Arrested As Crackdown On Christians Continues A Chinese megapastor has been arrested on charges of embezzling funds, according to persecution watchdog China Aid. The Texas-based charity reports that Gu 'Joseph' Yuese was formally arrested on January 7, after being detained by police before Christmas. He is being held at the Hangzhou Municipal Detention Center. He was formally the senior pastor of Chongyi Church, the largest church associated with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement; a government-run Christian organisation. However, he was fired after being detained in January 2015 for opposing the removal of crosses from churches in Zhejiang province. He was then arrested in February 2015 on the same charges of embezzling funds. He was later released in advance of President Xi Jinping's visit to the US for the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC. Gu was also previously the chairman of the Zhejiang branch of the China Christian Council, which helps oversee registered churches, and according to China Aid, is "the highest-profile Christian official to be targeted since the Cultural Revolution". Gu is among a number of pastors and lawyers who have been detained after protesting or working on behalf of churches demolished under the Chinese government's three-year 'Three Rectifications and One Demolition' campaign, which has seen up to 1,700 churches bulldozed or had their crosses removed. The campaign supposedly has the aim of exposing and removing "illegal structures", but is widely seen as a move to combat the increasing influence of Christianity in the country. Church Schools 'Homophobic' If They Oppose Gay Marriage, Government's Integration Chief Warns Church schools cannot be "anti-gay marriage" the government's integration chief has warned. Dame Louise Casey, head of the Prime Minister's review into community intergration, told MPs "it is not okay" for church schools to teach marriage is between one marriage and one woman. She warned such a view was "often veiled as religious conservatism" but in reality was "homophobic". Casey, who formally ran the government's Troubled Families programme, warned religious extremists were infilitrating schools in a similar way to the Trojan horse scandal. "It is happening elsewhere," she said but went on to say that she saw extremism in other areas apart from Islamic fundamentalism. Giving evidence to MPs on the communities and local government select committee on Tuesday, she said: "I have a problem with the expression 'religious conservatism', because often it can be anti-equalities. "We have got to be careful that people can choose, obviously, to live the lives that they want to live, but that they cannot condemn others for living differently. "That is a grey line, and the more we can talk about it the better. That is the most important thing: that people are able to talk about it." Casey's year-long review published in December found successive governments have failed to ensure cohesion keeps up with the "unprecedented pace and scale of immigration", which has left some communities increasingly divided. She found racial segregation and social exclusion have reached "worrying levels" in the UK. Casey put a spotlight on Muslim-majority areas, noting that some mosques teach women and girls regressive ideas about their role in society. She warned the fear of being labelled racist had led to public bodies ignoring or even condoning divisive and harmful religious practices. She told MPs on Tuesday: "Everybody is frightened of being branded a racist - there are some nasty people on the right who clearly aren't - but most normal people are frightened of being branded a racist. "The very genuine fear in all of this is we have two extremists alive in our communities. We do have the extreme right wing which is milking all of this for its worth. "We have extreme right wing in our country which we are all utterly appalled by. "But we also have Islamist extremism at play and I have felt at points it has been easier to talk about one than it is to talk about the other. "It is a disservice to thousands of people caught up in actually being on the receiving end of not having the start in life they should have in the UK." The Coalition for Marriage campaign group said her remarks were "astonishing" and "one of the clearest indications" that those backing traditional marriage were seen as extremists. "Believing that marriage is between one man and one woman doesn't make you homophobic or an extremist. It's Dame Louise Casey's comments which are extreme," a statement read. Controversy Over Cathedral Koran Reading Deepens With Denial That Jesus Is Son of God The controversy surrounding a reading of the Koran at a Christian cathedral has deepened after it emerged the text read included a passage that explicitly declares Jesus is not the Son of God. The denial of this key Christian doctrine was read out at a leading cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in Glasgow. The cathedral's Provost, Rev Kelvin Holdsworth, invited the recitation from the Islamic holy book that gave the Muslim interpretation of Jesus' miraculous conception and birth. The reading was given by Madinah Javed, a Muslim law student, at St Mary's Cathedral at the Epiphany service which celebrates the incarnation of God as His son Jesus. Christian Today initially reported the reading before it became apparent the denial of Jesus' divinity was also read. It has since emerged that Javed went beyond her allocated text to include the controversial verse. In a Facebook post shortly after the January 6, the Cathedral described the service as a "wonderful event". It says: "The congregation was also reminded during the service that it is not only Christians who give honour to Jesus. We were joined by friends from two local Muslim communities." The post also shares a video of the recitation. But Javed went beyond the allocated text in the service sheet to include a passage that outrightly denied Jesus was God's son, a key Christian doctrine. The initial verses translated in the service sheet do not include the controversial passage that provides one of the crucial differences between Islam and Christianity. Javed, reciting in Arabic, went beyond the set reading to the following passage which states: "It is not befitting for Allah [God] to take a son." It is not clear whether the cathedral knew Javed's reading would include the controversial passage or whether she read it without permission. Holdsworth was unavailable to comment and a Cathedral spokesman declined to offer a response. Madinah Javed has also been contacted for comment. Rev Peter Ould, a conservative Anglican from Canterbury, wrote in a blog post: "It's one thing to share examples of Muslim scriptures in a non divine service context, it's another to specifically incorporate them into Anglican liturgy." Michael Nazir-Ali, a leading evangelical Christian in Britain, has condemned the reading last Friday. "The authorities of the Scottish Episcopal Church should immediately repudiate this ill-advised invitation," he said in a statement. He also called for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to publicly distance the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion from the event. "Christians should know what their fellow citizens believe and this can include reading the Qur'an for themselves, whether in the original or in translation. This is not, however, the same thing as having it read in Church in the context of public worship," he said. "It is particularly insensitive to have this passage read in Church on the Feast of the Epiphany when we celebrate not only Christ's manifestation to the gentiles but also his baptism and the divine declaration, 'you are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased'." The Scottish Episcopal Church refused to comment. Did Aylan Kurdi's Tragic Death Change Anything? New Study Says 'Yes' - But Not For Long The death of Aylan Kurdi did affect people's attitude to the migration crisis but not for long, according to an academic study. The photograph of the body of the three-year-old Syrian boy washed up on a Greek beach shocked the world in September 2015 and gave a human face to the crisis that had already cost thousands of lives. Now a report from Decision Research in Oregon has found the picture made a measurable difference to the international response. It says: "The data show that the world was basically asleep as the body count in the Syrian war rose steadily into the hundreds of thousands. "The iconic image of a young Syrian child, lying face-down on a beach, woke the world for a brief time, bringing much-needed attention to the war and the plight of its many victims." However, it adds that "this empathic response was short-lived". The researchers tracked Google searches for the terms "Aylan," "refugees," and "Syria" after the photo was shared and found a big increase. They also obtained data on donations to the Swedish Red Cross and found the number of daily donations during the week after the publication of the photo was more than 100 times what it had been the week before. While the effect was sustained until five weeks after the photo's appearance, the number then declined to a level no different from that in the week before publication. It said the findings showed that "an iconic photo of a single child was worth more than hundreds of thousands of statistical lives. People who were unmoved by the relentlessly rising death toll in Syria appeared to care much more about the crisis there after having seen Aylan's photograph." However, it also notes the phenomenon of "compassion fade", in which the more people who were in need the less the public's emotional response seemed to be. The authors say that while empathy was an important driving force when it came to action in humanitarian crises, it need to be harnessed to strong international institutions and well thought through principles for intervention. They conclude: "Surely, for decisions as difficult and emotionally charged as those highlighted by the photograph of Aylan Kurdi, we should require nothing less." Denzel Washington Gives Casey Affleck The Thumbs Up When He Tells Hollywood A-Listers God Is Love Casey Affleck was honoured during the 2017 Golden Globe Awards after he took home the trophy for Best Actor in a Motion Picture for his work in "Manchester By the Sea." He began his acceptance speech by talking about director Kenneth Lonergan, according to The Christian Post. "I don't have enough time to say what I want to say about Kenny. So suffice to say, I love you, you're beautiful, you're a treasure to all of us, to people who like movies and work in movies and this is all because of you," he said. Affleck also gushed about his co-star Michelle Williams and called her "perfect." As for the film's producer, Matt Damon, he said that the "Bourne Legacy" star passed on the starring role to produce the film. But after his win, Affleck said Damon probably won't do the same thing again. "I suspect you won't be passing on any more movies in the future when I might be anywhere nearby. I'll take this one," Affleck joked. The actor then proceeded to talk about the importance of family, then ended his speech by quoting one of the actors he was up against Denzel Washington, who was nominated for "Fences." "I remember years ago, Denzel Washington was on stage, and he got up here and said, 'God is love,' and well, I agree, I guess. Thank you, Denzel," Affleck said. As the cameras panned to Washington, he was seen giving Affleck the thumb's up. Earlier, Washington told Bishop T.D. Jakes in his talk show that he's going to dedicate his life now to serving God. "I'm in the service business now, I'm fine. I've done well," Washington said. "I don't need any watches and all of that. So I'm here to serve God, here to serve my family." 'God Will Use Us Well': The Profound Faith Of Barack Obama President Barack Obama was brought to tears last night as he reflected on themes of faith, hope and family in his farewell speech. Whatever one may make of his politics, the profound faith of America's first black president should be one of his enduring legacies. A comprehensive summary of the life, faith and politics of Barack Obama would not be possible in this short space. Michael Wear, former White House faith advisor to President Obama includes two excellent chapters on the faith of Obama in his superb memoir-cum-manifesto 'Reclaiming Hope', which you can read our review of here. Obama did not discuss publicly discuss his faith as much as some of his predecessors, but in the times where he did, we see something personal, rich, and profound. Obama was not raised in a Christian home, but would discover Christian faith and calling after college, being baptised at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago in the early 1990s. Faith and the call to "a higher purpose" inspired him into public life, and the rest, as they say, is history. Two statements from President Obama highlight the way his faith influenced his life. The promise of hope In 2010 the President spoke at the White House's Easter Prayer Breakfast, and shared the following reflection on the promise of the Resurrection: "And such a promise is one of life's great blessings, because, as I am continually learning, we are, each of us, imperfect. Each of us errs -- by accident or by design. Each of us falls short of how we ought to live. And selfishness and pride are vices that afflict us all. "It's not easy to purge these afflictions, to achieve redemption. But as Christians, we believe that redemption can be delivered -- by faith in Jesus Christ. And the possibility of redemption can make straight the crookedness of a character; make whole the incompleteness of a soul. Redemption makes life, however fleeting here on Earth, resound with eternal hope." Who could doubt the Christian conviction of the man who spoke those words? Many did, and the President faced many absurd allegations questioning his faith or suggesting he was a Muslim, despite his plain statements to the contrary. That many conservative evangelicals doubted the faith of Obama, and then practically baptised the openly abusive, mendacious and unrepentant figure of Donald Trump with an overwhelming vote of confidence is upsetting to say the least. It isn't that Obama's faith validates all of his political choices, or shields him from any kind of critique. Rather it is to say, positively, that we see in this figure a man of stature, kindness and integrity, who was passionate about peace, justice, and unity amidst division. It's not about us Obama's life and convictions were rooted in love of God and love of neighbour. We glimpse this in other comments he made, this time at the Prayer Breakfast in 2011: "When I wake in the morning, I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to give me the strength to do right by our country and its people. And when I go to bed at night I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to forgive me my sins, and look after my family and the American people, and make me an instrument of His will. "I say these prayers hoping they will be answered, and I say these prayers knowing that I must work and must sacrifice and must serve to see them answered. But I also say these prayers knowing that the act of prayer itself is a source of strength. It's a reminder that our time on Earth is not just about us; that when we open ourselves to the possibility that God might have a larger purpose for our lives, there's a chance that somehow, in ways that we may never fully know, God will use us well." As Obama himself said, "Each of us errs." All of us will make poor choices from time to time. Obama made promises that he didn't keep, and made judgements that many would consider to be unwise or simply wrong. He had limits, like we all do, but it would be deeply uncharitable to hold that against him. In his farewell speech, Obama called on American citizens to think the best of one another, and Christians should do the same for him. As we ponder his legacy, I believe Obama would have us consider another life than that of his own. The life that makes all other life possible, the life that he trusted would be a guide to his own. It is no small thing to have a President who says that day and night, he prays to God for help, and lives in service to him. Humility and hope should be remembered as legacies of this President. They are simple virtues, but in an age wearied by tyrants, terrorists and tycoons, they are the ones that we will need. You can follow @JosephHartropp on Twitter 'God Works All Things Together For Good': Nigerian Pastor Whose Church Was Burned Down By Boko Haram Five years ago in November 2011, Rev Aminu Sule was in his village in Dematuru, Yobe State, in Northern Nigeria when Islamist militants from Boko Haram attacked the community. Churches were burned down and some 200 people killed. Militants continued through the night going from house to house, killing every Christian they found. Most fled, but Sule whose evangelical church was bombed and completely destroyed during the attack stayed behind with his family. "Many of us fled, but for me as a pastor I could not run away and leave the few that stayed," he told Christian Today. "Many people left Dematuru because of the levels of persecution, but I said no I cannot leave my church. I am supposed to be the last person to close the church, if it is necessary. I cannot leave my church because I am the pastor. In the Bible, it says 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.' If I run away and leave my congregation, what will I say to them? How could I preach dependence on God? "I said for me, 'To live is Christ and to die is gain.' If I die, it will be for the sake of the church." Just three Christian families stayed behind in Sule's village, and his own children were traumatised by the attack two of his sons didn't eat for a fortnight. "The bombing and the shooting was just like rain it didn't stop. That scared them the most," he said. "But I encouraged them, even though they are children, to know that God is in control of all situations." Nigeria is ranked 12th on the World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution, released today by charity Open Doors. Much of the violence is perpetuated by Boko Haram; an Islamist militant group whose name means 'Western education is sinful'. Since uprising in 2009, it has targeted more than 900 schools, deliberately killing at least 611 teachers and forcing another 1,900 to flee. In total, 20,000 people have been killed over the past eight years as a result of the insurgency. In August 2016, Boko Haram's new leader Abu Musab al-Barnawi vowed to eradicate Christianity in Nigeria. Militants will blow up "every church that we are able to reach... killing all of those who we find from the citizens of the cross," he said. Open Doors in its report highlighted "the deliberate sabotage of homes, churches and villages by extremists aiming to eradicate Christianity from a particular area" in Nigeria, where "after people have been driven out, homes have been ransacked, churches destroyed and village water sources poisoned." The report continued: "In Nigeria, cattle are deliberately stolen and crops burned to make returning all but impossible unless significant aid and investment is pumped into the area of need. In addition, frequent so called 'lone-wolf' attacks by extremists make those equipped to effect change and rebuild fearful for their safety and the safety of their families." But despite the extreme difficulties, Pastor Sule is passionate about preserving the Christian presence in his country. "Jesus said whoever wants to follow him must take up their cross. It is not easy in Northern Nigeria, but you have to be determined to follow Christ, no matter what will be," he said. "In the early church, Christians faced persecution, but they were able to stand. By the grace of God, we also have to stand firm in the Lord, fix our eyes on him, trust in him, and he will do it for us. Not by might or power but by the Spirit of the living God." President of Open Doors' UK and Ireland division, Eddie Lyle, told Christian Today in September that the church in Nigeria "is facing its Gethsemane". "For the most part it stands alone and misunderstood," Lyle said. "It has endured years of destruction, great human loss, and its people scattered. It's time for the church around the world to hear not only their cries, but their screams for help, and for the support of the family of God around the world." Sule said he finds great solace and encouragement in the prayers of brothers and sisters across the globe. "It's so wonderful. I want to assure you, Christians in Nigeria and other countries giving themselves to praying and fasting that is what keeps us going. Were Christians not to stand and intercede on our behalf, our story would be different. He felt the power of prayer, during and after the attack. "I knew that people were interceding, praying and asking God for protection for my life. Prayer is very powerful, it has no boundary." Since 2011, Sule's church has been rebuilt "by the grace of God", but many other churches in the area are still worshipping under trees and other temporary shelters. Though the majority of his original church members are still too afraid to return to Dematuru, Sunday mornings see an average of 200 people come to worship many of them new believers, and converts from Islam. Some of Sule's own Muslim family have come to faith. "The Bible says God works all things together for good," he said, simply. "They [local Muslims] have seen the plan of the Enemy to wipe out Christianity in Nigeria, and the church is still standing. They are asking 'What kind of God cares and protects them?'... Their eyes have been opened." Sule therefore said he has "great hope for the church in Northern Nigeria". "I want to assure you that Muslims are coming to know the Lord because of what they have seen and experienced in the church. Nigeria is going to be a great country in terms of mission," he added. "God is working and will keep on working." Rev Aminu Sule was in the UK with Christian persecution charity Open Doors. Hollywood Star Andrew Garfield: I Fell In Love With Jesus Hollywood star Andrew Garfield has spoken about "falling in love with Jesus Christ' in preparation for the Martin Scorsese film 'Silence'. In the just-released film 'Silence' Garfield plays Jesuit Priest Father Sebastiao Rodrigues. Garfield undertook the Spiritual Exercises, a set of prayers, meditations and practices written by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, in preparation for the role. "What was really easy was falling in love with this person, was falling in love with Jesus Christ. That was the most surprising thing," he said in an interview with Jesuit Brendan Busse for America Magazine. "There were so many things in the Exercises that changed me and transformed me, that showed me who I was...and where I believe God wants me to be," said Garfield. Garfield was not a Christian before he undertook the role. "Films were really my church," he said. "As a young kid it was movies and books; it was nothing remarkable really, just that is where I felt soothed, that is where I felt most myself...safest." Garfield reflected not only on how he met Jesus, but on his awareness of how Jesus had been misused or misunderstood. "I felt so bad for [Jesus] and angry on his behalf when I finally did meet him, because everyone has given him such a bad name... And he has been used for so many dark things." In the interview Garfield also speaks openly about his own feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, and the need to please others. He said: "The main thing that I wanted to heal, that I brought to Jesus, that I brought to the Exercises, was this feeling of not-enough-ness," he said. "This feeling of that forever longing for the perfect expression of this thing that is inside each of us. That wound of not-enough-ness. That wound of feeling like what I have to offer is never enough. Garfield has spoken about his new-found faith before, and how he is working out his "very specific relationship with Jesus". "This is my sincere prayer," Garfield said to Busse. "I'm praying that I'm freer to offer myself vulnerably...and that these other voices, whether they're internal or external, don't have the same power over that flame, over the ability to offer that purest, vulnerable, cracked open heart...in service of God, in service of the greater good, in service of love, in service of the divine. I feel like this is what God is showing me." 'I Still Feel Like I Had To Do it': Dylann Roof Gets Death Penalty For Charleston Church Massacre Dylann Roof has been sentenced to death by federal jury in South Carolina, for the massacre of nine people at a Charleston church. Roof, 22, a self-avowed white supremacist told the jury yesterday, "I still feel like I had to it." The jury who elected for the death penalty for Roof were the same 12-member jury who in December charged Roof with 33 federal offences for the massacre, including murder and hate crimes. Roof is the first person in US history to face the death penalty for a federal hate crime. Nine black people were killed in the massacre at Emanuel AME church in Charleston, on June 17 2015. Roof had been welcomed into the church's Bible study, but opened fire when the group closed their eyes for a final prayer. Assistant US attorney Jay Richardson said of the church in his closing argument: "They welcomed a 13th person that night ... with a kind word, a Bible, a handout and a chair. He had come with a hateful heart and a Glock .45." The Guardian reported her saying. Roof's trial lasted no more than 3 hours, and his statement to the jury no more than 5 minutes. Roof did not protest against the death penalty, saying, "I have a right to ask you to give me a life sentence, but I'm not sure what good that will do anyone." He reportedly showed no emotion, and no remorse for his actions, in his statement: "Anyone, including the prosecution, who thinks I am filled with hate has no idea what real hate is," local source The Post and Courier reported Roof saying. "I think it's safe to say that someone in their right mind wouldn't go into a church and kill people," he said. "You might remember in my confession to the FBI, I told them I had to do it. Obviously, that isn't true because I didn't have to do it. I didn't have to do anything. But what I meant when I said that was I felt like I had to do that. And I still feel like I had to do it," he said. #BREAKING This is my rough transcript of what Dylann Roof just told the jury in his death penalty sentencing closing argument. #RoofTrial pic.twitter.com/YDkc9tVdYY Carter Coyle Live 5 (@CarterCoyleWCSC) January 10, 2017 Roof did not explain the motive for his crimes, though in his confession to the FBI had said that he hoped to bring back segregation or start a race war. US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who authorised the death penalty sentence, said that the verdict was just: "No verdict can bring back the nine we lost that day at Mother Emanuel," she said. "And no verdict can heal the wounds of the five church members who survived the attack or the souls of those who lost loved ones to Roof's callous hand. But we hope that the completion of the prosecution provides the people of Charleston and the people of our nation with a measure of closure." "He decided the day, the hour and the moment that my sister was going to die, and now someone is going to do the same for him," Melvin Graham, brother of shooting victim Cynthia Hurd, 54, said outside the federal courthouse in downtown Charleston. Roof's family, who did not attend the trial, also issued a statement. "We will always love Dylann," it said. "We will struggle as long as we live to understand why he committed this horrible attack, which caused so much pain to so many good people. We wish to express the grief we feel for the victims of his crimes, and our sympathy to the many families he has hurt." A formal sentence will take place later today, when loved ones of victims will have the opportunity to address Roof. Additional reporting by Reuters Millennials Believe Britain Is No Longer A Christian Country But They Still Think Religion Matters Most millennials do not view Britain as a Christian country, according to a poll to be published tomorrow. Instead, they view Britain as a nation with no specific religious identity. But they do believe that religion plays an important role in the lives of individuals. The survey was carried out by pollsters ComRes and is being published tomorrow to mark the launch of the new Faith Research Centre later this month. The centre will carry out research to help politicians, policy makers, employers and others understand the role of religion in the world. ComRes interviewed 2,048 British adults online between January 4 and 5, 2017. Under a third of millennials, those aged 18-24, described Britain as a Christian country. And more than four in 10 of these young men and women said Britain is a country with no specific religious identity. However, half of millennials said UK politicians and policy-makers should have a good understanding of religion, and that understanding religion "is important to tackling terrorism around the world". "In some of the questions we asked, adults aged between 18-24 and adult aged 65+ answered at opposite ends of the scale, indicating marked differences between generations in perceptions of religion and belief," said Katie Harrison, director of the new Faith Research Centre. "This is consistent with some of the projects we've recently been commissioned to carry out. We're seeing a strong interest in understanding the attitudes and needs of people in their 20s, especially in our faith research work." About the new centre, Harrison, who was previously at the Christian global charity Tearfund, added: "Having worked in local communities in the UK as well as in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa in refugee camps, urban slums and rural villages, I'm clear that religion and belief plays a huge part in many people's lives, and to overlook it is to misunderstand important drivers of behaviour and culture. "We don't yet have easily accessible authoritative data in the UK and Europe, and this is a gap in knowledge which we aim to fill." Andrew Hawkins, ComRes founder and chairman, said: "We have become the first choice for clients seeking to research attitudes, perceptions and behaviour relating to religion and belief and already have a strong client base within academic, media, commercial, faith and public sectors. Demand has increased and we are very well placed to create a centre of excellence in this area. We believe that this is the UK's first dedicated commercial capability with specific expertise in researching religion and belief." New Study Shows Power Of Christianity To Arouse Passionate Emotion Christianity has exceptional power to arouse passion in online debte, a new study shows. Debates about religion on social networks such as Facebook bring out passionate emotions in users, according to Mona Abdel Fatil of the University of Oslo. In an article in the Heidelberg Journal of Religions, Fatil, a post-doctoral researcher, drew on a Norwegian Facebook group, "Yes to wearing the cross whenever and wherever I choose". The group was set up after popular news anchor Siv Kristin Sallmann was suspended for wearing a cross while reading the news on TV. Local Muslims had complained that "a chain with a cross insulted Islam" and compromised the channel's impartiality. The Norwegian Public Broadcasting Council ruled that wearing the cross in the newsroom was a breach of policy, even though it was just 14mm in size. The group reached more than 120,000 likes just days after being set up, she says. The decision to ban Sallman from wearing the cross led to a record number of complaints from viewers. Fatil concludes that the level of protest was about far more than just whether a cross should be worn or not. She found that conservative Christians were already deeply exercised by how they felt TV channels broadcast "too much sex and too many swearwords." And she found that there was a high amount of anti-Muslim sentiment. She writes: "When conservative Christians and nationalists demand that the cross be allowed to flash on the TV screen during news bulletins, they are in fact making a normative claim. "Put simply, in their worldview it is immoral to forbid news anchors form adorning a cross. "In this light, the prohibition of the cross is seen as a great injustice to 'Norwegians' often equated with 'Christians'." She says it is against this background that Christians called for higher visibility of the cross in public space in Norway. "This call for the cross in public space is not to be confused with the right to display all religions in public. For the conservative Christians and nationalists, the moral order entails a hierarchy that Christianity ranks higher than other faiths," she writes. "Emotion drives people's increasingly intimate relationships with technology, fuels engagement with news and information... It inspires connection. "As journalism and society change, emotion is becoming a much more important dynamic in how news is produced and consumed." Writing a further article for Religion going Public, Fatil comments on how Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Christmas Day revealed to the world on Facebook that he was not an atheist. "My research shows how debates about religion on social networks bring out passionate emotions in users. I found that conservative Christians who discuss contentious issues about religion on Facebook debates often do so in emotionally charged ways," she writes. "It may therefore come as no surprise that online debates about religion are packed with emotional cues that evoke strong reactions from those who participate in them. This sets the stage for passionate online debates." But she concedes: "Media users appear to react to conflicts in remarkably similar emotionally charged ways, whatever the subject of debate. Religion is just another trigger for the emotions we express online." No Home For 'Homeless Jesus' Statue In Westminster A statue of 'homeless Jesus' which has been at the centre of a long campaign to find a home in London has been rejected again. The life-sized bronze statue, by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz, is of a man sleeping rough on a park bench. Crucifixion wounds are visible on the feet. In April last year an application to display the statue outside Methodist Central Hall Westminster (MCHW) was rejected by Westminster city council. A petition to overturn the decision was launched and gained more than 1500 signatures. MCHW appealed the decision, but this was rejected. Westminster council ruled that the statue fell within the 'monument saturation zone' in Parliament Square. In a statement, Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, superintendent minister and team leader for MCHW, thanked "the hundreds of people who have supported our hope that [the statue] should be situated outside our building". "They will understand our sense of disappointment and frustration that it has been decided that it cannot happen," he added. "Homelessness is a live, looming and serious issue in our capital city. Despite this outcome, we will, together with others in Westminster, continue to express and champion God's deep concern for poor and marginalised people, which is expressed movingly in Timothy Schmalz's 'Homeless Jesus'." Jon Kuhrt, executive director of West London Mission (WLM), which has been working with homeless people in Westminster for 130 years, told Christian Today he "completely supported" MCHW's postion. "Rough sleeping in London has doubled in recent years. There are plenty of statues of the great and the good, of military leaders etc," he said. "We need a visible reminder that homelessness is the reality for many people in the capital." WLM recently co-ordinated 13 churches and one synagogue in providing emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough. "Christians following Jesus are right at the heart of tackling the homelessness problem in the capital," said Kuhrt. "There is a very obvious connection between following Jesus and helping homeless people. But this is not just a Christian statue, it's a subversive statue that's unsettling people and is unsettling Westminster council." 'Homeless Jesus' statues are displayed around the world including Toronto, Dublin, Washington DC, Madrid and Singapore. It is also installed at the Vatican. In 2013, Pope Francis called it a 'beautiful and excellent representation of Jesus'. North Korea Heads Surge In Christian Persecution Worldwide, Dramatic Rise In India Christian persecution is rising rapidly across Asia, with a dramatic increase in India and surrounding countries, according to Open Doors. India, Yemen, Bangladesh and Laos have witnessed the biggest rises in Christian persection, the persecution charity's latest World Watch List reveals. North Korea tops the list again, as it has for the past 15 years. One of the most common causes of persecution is the growing numbers of attacks by extremists. CASE STUDY: The Nigerian pastor whose church was burned down by Boko Haram. The list documents the 50 worst countries in which to live as a Christian. The report will be discussed at the House of Commons at a cross-party launch hosted by Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP. "This year there is a clear pattern of rising religious intolerance across the Indian sub-continent which affects many millions of Christians," said Lisa Pearce, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland. "Religious nationalists attempt to forcibly convert people to the dominant faith of their nation, often turning to violence when community discrimination and non-violent oppression do not succeed in imposing their religious beliefs on minority Christians. These Christians are often from the lower castes, such as the Dalits in India who face huge socio-economic problems they are an easy target for extreme nationalists." India has risen to number 15 on the World Watch List, up from a ranking of 31 in 2013. According to Open Doors, more than 15 violent attacks against Christians in the country have been documented every week, and the true figure is expected to be even higher. The surrounding countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have all also seen a rise in persecution this year. Other countries of particular concern indicated by Open Doors include Somalia, where the charity says persecution levels are almost as high as in North Korea. "If a Christian is discovered in Somalia, they are unlikely to live to see another day. Just the suspicion that someone is a Christian can lead to a rushed beheading," said Pearce. More Christians are killed for their faith in Africa than anywhere else in the world and Mali, Mauritania and Sudan have all seen a dramatic rise in persecution. "These unstable areas allow intolerance and persecution to flourish, resulting in large areas where people do not dare to profess their Christian faith," said Open Doors. The charity highlighted the attempted eradication of Christianity by extremists as one of the most common forms of religious persecution. "This is widely seen in northern Nigeria, Syria and Iraq where, after people have been driven out, homes have been ransacked, churches destroyed and village water sources poisoned," a statement from Open Doors said. "In Nigeria, cattle are deliberately stolen and crops burned to make returning all but impossible unless significant aid and investment is pumped into the area of need. In addition, frequent so called 'lone-wolf' attacks by extremists make those equipped to effect change and rebuild fearful for their safety and the safety of their families." Syria (5 in 2016 to 6 in 2017) and Iraq (2 in 2016 to 7 in 2017) have each seen a drop in the rankings. Open Doors said this is because many Christians in these countries have fled the region as a result of intense persecution by Islamic State. "However, the high points score reflects that the situation is still dire for Christian," the charity said. "Aleppo [in Syria] was home to 400,000 Christians at the start of the civil war now Open Doors estimates that less than 60,000 Christians remain with families still leaving every day. The few Christians who stay are largely in Christian enclaves; outside these areas they are targets for radical extremists. "In Iraq, Christians are preparing to return to villages that have been liberated if and when it becomes safe for them to do so. Working parties are planning to rebuild once the damage and danger is assessed in areas like the Nineveh plains." Pearce said the situation was very complex and lots of Christians from Iraq have indicated they are afraid to return home even once it is considered safe to do so. Ravi Zacharias Asks Christians to Keep on Praying for Muslim-Turned-Christian Apologist Nabeel Qureshi Who's Still Fighting Cancer Renowned Christian apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias is asking Christians to pray for his dear friend and fellow Christian apologist Nabeel Qureshi who continues to wage a valiant fight against cancer. In his blog, Zacharias said he recently visited Qureshi in his Houston, Texas residence and was delighted to see a "man of immense courage" who has kept his focus on God, fully convinced that no matter what happens, God is in charge of his situation, The Gospel Herald reported. Zacharias added that Qureshi's "smile, his conversation, and his discipline" all show his deep commitment to Jesus Christ. "His mind is stayed on our Lord. Nothing waveringas sure as ever that he is in the hands of His Savior, come what may," he said. Zacharias urged members of the Christian community to also include Qureshi's family in their prayers. "Please continue to pray for them," he wrote. "We love you, Nabeel, and stand with you all the way. Stay strong. Will come by and visit again, friend." Qureshi is a Pakistani American who converted from Islam to Christianity. He joined the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) as a speaker a few years ago and fondly calls Zacharias his "uncle." However, Qureshi has given up most of his speaking engagements since he was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer in August 2016. The following month, he confirmed that his condition had worsened, stating in a video update that his cancer had reached stage four, with doctors telling him that he only had a 4 percent chance of surviving five more years, The Christian Post reported. Last November, he came out to personally attest to the miraculous healing power of Jesus. After four rounds of chemotherapy, he posted a video update on his Facebook page, saying he had made "remarkable" progress in his battle against cancer. Qureshi said the cancerous lymph nodes near his stomach no longer pose problems although there is still one lymph node away from his stomach that is still considered "actively cancerous." But even that lymph node has decreased in size and glucose uptake. "To make a long story short, some things have been totally healed and the rest has been partially healed," Qureshi explained. "There is no new tumor." Qureshi underwent his eighth chemotherapy session last week. Rex Tillerson Grilled Over Question Of Christians In Middle East Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state allegedly "exacerbated" the already perilous situation of Christians in the Middle East, a top Democrat has claimed. Rex Tillerson, the president-elect's choice for secretary of state, is the former chief of oil giant Exxon Mobil. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) accused the ex-tycoon of marginalising Iraqi Christian communities and acting against the US policy of the time. In 2011 Exxon Mobil signed a deal with the unofficial Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) prompting fury in both the American and Iraqi government. But as well as undercutting governments, Tillerson's deal also threatened the Iraqi Christian community on the Ninevah Plain, according to Schakowsky. "The number of Christians in Iraq has declined from 1.2 million residents in 2003 to less than 250,000 today," she wrote in a letter to the Forerign Relations Committee. "The deals Mr. Tillerson signed exacerbated an already perilous situation for those beleaguered communities. He helped further marginalise the Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac Christians and embolden the territorial expansion into their ancestral homeland all with neither consent or input from nor compensation to the indigenous communities of the Nineveh Plain." Schakowsky's letter urged the Senate Foreign Relations committee to quiz Tillerson on the deal and whether he will promise "to uphold United States policy of protecting indigenous communities such as the Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac Christians in the Ninevah Plain?" She also asked whether Tillerson would, as secretary of state, "protect vulnerable communities such as those in the Ninevah Plain from private companies and governments who put profit over human safety and security?" The controversial deal caused outrage among US officials because it was signed with the semi-autonmous Kurdistan region rather the main Iraqi government, undercutting US foreign policy. Then US-ambassador to Iraq, James Jeffrey, "dropped a few F-bombs" when he learnt of the deal, according to a Reuters report. The Kurdish authorities have encroached on the Christian's land on the disputed Ninevah Plain and subject the local believers to "pervasive discrimination and marginalization," according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Demand for Action, a charity fighting on behalf of Middle Eastern Christians, have urged US politicians to press Tillerson on his role in the deal and whether any compensation was offered to the local villages. Chief executive Steve Oshana told Christian Today: "As CEO of ExxonMobil Rex Tillerson showed a pattern of disregarding American foreign policy and putting profit ahead of all else. While some may argue this was his duty as a CEO, he also has a duty as an American. "As our nation's top diplomat, if confirmed Mr. Tillerson will be charged with the Holy task of defending the rights of my people, and we will never waiver in holding anyone accountable when their actions, whether in the public or private sector, harms our people in our ancestral homeland." He added according to Huffington Post: "Here is a situation where, with the machinery of an American company, more Assyrian resources are being taken ... what this action does is it says to our community and the world that our indigenous rights are secondary to the oil rights of everyone else." He said: "We're not trying to stop the confirmation. However, as he's rapidly going into his role, this is our opportunity to remind Mr. Tillerson that the actions that he took as a CEO had serious ramifications in marginalizing Christians, which is a group Donald Trump has vowed to help. "He's somebody who has had an active role in marginalising our communities. That's something people have forgiven [of him] as a CEO, but as secretary of state, he has to live up to Trump's promise," Oshana said. "If [Trump] really cares about helping our people, then this is a slam dunk." Christian Today has contacted Exxon Mobil for comment. Trump Slams Reports About Russia Allegations Donald Trump has condemned unsubstantiated reports of "compromising" information about his behaviour in Russia as "fake news". The row overshadowed outgoing Barack Obama's emotional valedictory speech in his home city of Chicago, when he played on the phrase that has became a signature of his presidency: "Yes we can," he said. "Yes we did." Once again, Trump succeeded in capturing the headlines. In a tweet about the allegations, he raged in capital letters: "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 He also tweeted a photograph of his passport, saying he had never been to Prague in his life: I have never been to Prague in my life. #fakenews pic.twitter.com/CMil9Rha3D Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) January 11, 2017 And he singled out Buzz Feed for special attack for running one of the documents: The classified documents that the heads of four US intelligence agencies presented last week to President-elect Donald Trump included claims that Russian intelligence operatives have compromising information about him. Ttwo US officials told Reuters the claims, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. It is understood that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies are looking into the accuracy of the claims. Additional reporting by Reuters. White supremacist who influenced Dylann Roof donated to 2016 Republican campaigns The leader of a white supremacist group mentioned on a website attributed to Dylann Roof has been found to have given thousands of dollars to Republican politicians, including 2016 presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Rick Santorum. The Guardian reported that Earl Holt, who is president of the Missouri-based Council of Conservative Citizens (CofCC), had donated $65,000 to Republican campaigns in recent years based on reports from the Federal Election Commission. Roof has been charged with the murders of nine people at the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston last Wednesday. At the weekend a manifesto was found on a website widely attributed to Roof that appeared to show an explanation for the attack, and cited information about "brutal black on white murders" he read about on the CofCC website. The Guardian also reported a number of racist comments posted online under Holt's name. Upon learning about the connection, all three presidential hopefuls said that they would donate the funds to support the victims of the Charleston shooting. Holt donated $8,500 to Texas senator Ted Cruz and his political action committee since 2012. A spokesman for Cruz told the Guardian: "Upon learning Mr Holt's background, Senator Cruz made an immediate decision to return his contributions. "However after reflection, he decided that the best use of that money would not be to return it but instead use it to help support the families of victims from the Charleston shooting." Holt also gave $1,750 to Rand Paul's political action committee. Paul's chief strategist Doug Stafford said the Kentucky senator "is donating the funds to the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund to assist the victims' families." Similarly, Rick Santorum said he would also donate the $1,500 campaign contributions to the fund. "I abhor the sentiments Mr Holt has expressed," Santorum said. Governor Scott Walker also said that he would also be giving the $3,500 he received to charity. The FBI said on Saturday that they were investigating a website "allegedly attributed to Dylan Roof". The statement said they were also working to verify the authenticity of the photographs on the site, some of which show 21-year-old Roof posing with a gun and the Confederate flag. According to Reuters the author of the website wrote: "We are told to accept what is happening to us because of ancestors wrong doing, but it is all based on historical lies, exaggerations and myths." The author also said: "I have no choice... 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. ... Someone has to have the bravery to take it to the real world, and I guess that has to be me." The CofCC has condemned the Charleston shooting and said in a post on their website that "We pray, for the sake of all Americans, that there will not be an escalation of racial tension." However Holt said in a separate statement on Sunday that it was "not surprising" that Roof had cited information from the CofCC website. "The CofCC is one of perhaps three websites in the world that accurately and honestly report black-on-white violent crime," Holt said, adding that his organisation "is hardly responsible for the actions of this deranged individual merely because he gleaned accurate information from our website." In the CofCC's statement of principles they say that they "oppose all efforts to mix the races of mankind". Why Dylann Roof Should Not Be Executed So, it's going to happen: white supremacist Dylann Roof will die for his murder of nine people at Emanuel African American Episcopal Church in Charleston in June 2015. The jury had the option to recommend life in prison without parole, but chose not to: Roof, they said in a unanimous verdict, deserved to die. Perhaps we should say, "It's probably going to happen." The path from the dock to the lethal injection chamber is long and winding in the US justice system, and Roof has only just taken his first step. But 12 jurors have waved him on his way. I don't believe in the death penalty, for anything. I think it's useless, a hangover from a primitive idea of justice that evolved from the need to limit revenge in pre-modern times. I think the state should punish, but punishment should always leave open the possibility of repentance and reform and that's not the same as saying there should always be the possibility of release. The clinching argument against the death penalty is that it shuts that down forever. As Clint Eastwood's character Will Munny says in Unforgiven: "It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man. Take away all he's got, and all he's ever gonna have." That includes the possibility that he might change and meet with God, and it's not something we should do unless we absolutely have to and we don't. But the Clint Eastwood connection is instructive, too. His typical screen character is someone who doesn't care how many bad guys die. They deserve it. This is a truly primitive morality the good must live, the bad must die. And the vast popularity of this kind of binary distinction between good and evil says something about how we are hard-wired to desire justice. I feel it too. No, I don't believe in the death penalty. I wish Roof could have a life long enough to bring him to remorse and repentance. But if and when he is executed I expect to feel at best indifferent, at worst vaguely satisfied. He did a terrible, terrible thing with his eyes wide open, and there's no excuse for that. I don't sympathise with him, any more than I sympathise with Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik, another white supremacist who killed 77 people in 2011. Breivik is complaining his human rights are being breached because he's kept in solitary confinement. There are other cases I read about where people have done terrible things to innocent people, and my first reaction is to want the perpetrators to suffer and die. And the shatteringly humbling thing about the Dylann Roof case is that so many of those whose lives he has utterly wrecked have rejected that desire for revenge. They, with so many more reasons to desire the ultimate revenge, have said they don't want him to die. They have faced down that primitive urge to hurt and destroy, because they have listened to the voice of Jesus who said, "Love your enemies." It's impossible not to think that their witness should have weighed more with the jury than it did. It's this example, more than any of the coolly rational arguments against capital punishment deployed by detached observers like me, that could really shift the terms of the debate. These are people who've felt the effects of violence intimately, and have responded with grace and forgiveness. It arises from their Christian faith, but it also arises from their experience as part of the black community; a University of South Carolina survey conducted last spring, found only 31 per cent of black South Carolina residents wanted him executed, against some 64 per cent of whites. The difference reflects the deep-seated antipathy to capital punishment that has grown up among many black people because of how it has been used as a tool of oppression against them. But this sense of outrage at the injustice toward their own community has translated into a rejection of the injustice involved in the state taking any life. It's this gut feeling that capital punishment is wrong, even in such a deserving case as Dylann Roof's, that needs to be nurtured and shared so that it becomes unthinkable that the state would put someone to death. But that won't happen unless it's driven not by a denial of justice, but by an assertion of it. We want, above all, an acknowledgment of the value of those who have died. Killing the one who murdered them is a way of doing that, but it's not the only way. In the name of Christ, many of the bereaved of Charleston have chosen the harder road. The jurors who found for the death penalty chose not to listen to them. But that witness speaks far more loudly than their verdict. The verdict was for death. The witness was for redemption, forgiveness and grace. When Cain murdered his brother Abel, God said to him, "Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to you from the ground" (Genesis 4:10). It cries out for revenge. It's that voice the jurors heard. The sprinkled blood of Christ "speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:24). It cries out for reconciliation. The bereaved of Charleston chose to hear the voice of Christ. Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods 'Yes We Did': Tearful Obama Rejects Discrimination Against Muslims, Highlights Faith In Last Speech President Barack Obama was moved to tears last night as he gave his farewell speech. He spoke about the profound importance of faith, family, and hope. And he spoke out against some of the key platforming policies by his Rebublican opponent during the election campaign. "I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans," he said. The outgoing President was speaking in his home city of Chicago. His valedictory speech reflected on the achievements and struggles of his two-term administration, and looked toward the future, highlighting the importance of citizenship, good disagreement, and the belief in the greater good. Obama reflected on the profound lessons he learned in his early twenties: "It was in neighborhoods not far from here where I began working with church groups in the shadows of closed steel mills. It was on these streets where I witnessed the power of faith, and the quiet dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss. "This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it." The President was not afraid to speak of God and government together. He said: "The beating heart of our American idea...It's the conviction that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." He added: "This is the great gift our Founders gave us. The freedom to chase our individual dreams through our sweat, toil, and imagination and the imperative to strive together as well, to achieve a greater good." Obama was moved to tears when he came to thank his family. To his wife Michelle he said, "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody." To his daughters Malia and Sasha he said: "Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad." He addressed many themes and issues in his speech, including the pervasiveness of racial division, the vitriol present in much political discourse, and the problem of social media bubbles which work to exacerbate social polarisation. He called for renewed united participation in American democracy, and urged people to believe the best of one another: "We rise or fall as one," he said. Speaking against discrimination, he said that change was necessary, but that "Laws alone won't be enough. Hearts must change. If our democracy is to work in this increasingly diverse nation, each one of us must try to heed the advice of one of the great characters in American fiction, Atticus Finch, who said "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." Themes such as hope and belief in the possibility of change have been central to Obama's presidency since he ran for election in 2008. As he closed this speech, he said: "I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours. "I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes We Can." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Toyota unveiled the new Tundra pickup truck at the Detroit auto show, emphasizing the Lone Star State. A Tundra on display at the auto show had the decals "Built in Texas" and "Built here, lives here" with the Texas flag. The pickup truck also has a decal of Texas on it. BUILT IN AMERICA: Ford announces return of Bronco SUV and Ranger pickup at US plant Toyota recently was in the cross hairs of President-elect Donald Trump's Twitter account. The Japanese automaker has plans to build a factory in Baja, Mexico, where the compact Corolla will be assembled. Trump followed up by threatening to force Toyota to pay higher import taxes. "NO WAY!" Trump tweeted. "Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax." Toyota responded that production and employment will remain steady in the U.S. after the Mexican plant opens. "Our manufacturing facilities in Baja, Mexico, established in 2002, support production at our San Antonio, Texas plant, where 3,300 team members produce over 230,000 Tundras and Tacomas in 2016," Toyota said in a press release. TRUMP VS AUTOS: Trump has criticized GM and Toyota - but the companies still seem thrilled about his presidency The auto company notes it invested $360 million in its Georgetown, Kentucky plant, adding 750 new jobs. Toyota also said it invested $150 million to its Huntsville, Alabama plant and the $100 million to its Princeton, Indiana plant, adding 300 new jobs. "Toyota looks forward to collaborating with the Trump Administration to serve in the best interests of consumers and the automotive industry," Toyota said in the release. A handful of Texas authors have publicly declined to be honored by the Texas legislature because they're outraged about some of the bills that are on the table this session including Senate Bill 6, known as the "bathroom bill," and bills that will impact women's health care and abortion regulations. Authors received invitations recently to the state legislature's celebration of Texas authors in March. Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series of YA books, was the first to say no. He tweeted last week: The Downtown Houston restaurant scene improves dramatically this week when restaurateur extraordinaire Benjy Levit opens his fourth Local Foods restaurant in the Art Deco jewel that was formerly Byrd's Department Store at 420 Main at Prairie. Levit has set Jan. 12 as the official opening day for the 9,000-square-foot space (Georgia's Market was most recent tenant) housing his and chef-partner Dylan Murray's brand of simple, fresh, locally-sourced foods. The Local Foods concept was launched in 2011 next door to Levit's iconic Benjy's in Rice Village. The casual counter-service restaurant serving sandwiches, soups, salads and marketplace side dishes was an immediate hit, spawning a second store at Westheimer and Kirby in 2014, and a third (boasting a wood-fired pizza oven) in Tanglewood this past summer. SUPER BOWL CITY: Magazine finds 51 things to see, eat and do in Houston And now the fourth Local Foods a stunningly designed two-level space anchored by a fetching ground-floor bar is ready for its debut. The new downtown store features some of the brand's best-selling sandwiches and salads. But the menu boasts an emphasis on raw bar offerings (a first for Local Foods) including shrimp ceviche with jackfruit and spicy chili threads, wine-braised octopus, red snapper campechana served with avocado and miso cucumbers; and oyster shooters. The menu also will feature sesame-crusted tuna with pickled ginger aioli and tamari glaze. Former Benjy's sous chef Geoff Hundt will oversee the downtown kitchen. The menu boasts sandwiches (which come with a choice of two sides or a cup of soup): quinoa burger made with a smoked quinoa and bean patty; roast beef with cheddar and curried cauliflower; truffled egg salad with mixed greens; smoked salmon with onion jam and cream cheese; crunchy chicken with provolone and buttermilk ranch; gulf shrimp and crab with Green Goddess dressing; and ham with house-made kimchi and butternut squash slaw. A new, all-day breakfast sandwich is made with fried salami and fried farmers market egg on challah Texas Toast. Salad options include salmon with baby kale and hard boiled egg; winter harvest (Brussels sprouts, pomegranate, almonds, vegetables and ricotta cheese); Asisan chicken with ginger-soy dressing, toasted cashews and rice noodles with peanut sauce; shrimp with arugula, wheatberries, honey pecans and pecorino; and a vegetarian taco salad with baby kale mix, "taco meat," avocado, and cilantro corn. Larger plates: red wine-braised short ribs with braised greens and toasted rice "grits"; pan-seared Gulf shrimp skewers with basmati rice and market vegetables; and vegan power bowl with greens, beans, and a quinoa/tofu/curried cauliflower mix. The wine selection is short but thoughtful, including half bottles (a great touch), and wines by the glass that highlight Texas wineries. The bar also has two unique offerings: cold brew coffee on tap and locally made kombucha tea on tap. Design-wise, Local Foods is gorgeous. Levit tapped Michael Hsu and Micah Land of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture in Austin and designer Aaron Rambo of Found for the Home in Highland Village to execute his vision for the corner space with walls of windows that front Main and Prairie. The first floor anchored by the bar and the ordering counter is done up in an eye-catching color palate of turquoise, bottle green, sea blue, and aqua. The seating options include generous wood slat booths facing Main Street, oversize semi-circle booths facing the bar, and long banquette seating behind the bar. The mezzanine level offers sets of couches, chairs and coffee tables set up in living room fashion as well as four-top tables and banquettes. Expansive windows allow plenty of light to flood the restaurant; there's a fun see-and-be-seen element. Other architectural elements, lighting and furnishing lend a hip, retro glamour. A bar and private dining on the basement level is still under construction. After its Thursday debut, Local Foods Downtown will be open daily from 10 am. Citing Texas' population growth and business tax incentives, an Atlanta-based franchise plans to open child care centers in the state's metro areas. Discovery Point Child Development Centers has announced that it seeks franchisees to develop centers in Houston, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio. Spencer Reid, company vice president of franchise development, said in a statement that it is participating in this year's Franchise Expo South to help move into Texas. RELATED: Preschool focuses on play-based approach to education "With a solid development strategy in place in the Southeast, Texas is the next most logical step in the plan, followed by additional development in the Carolinas, and continuing growth in Georgia and Florida," Reid said. Discovery Point was founded in 1988 and is approaching 50 franchise childcare centers in four states. A Cypress Lakes High School student will travel to Washington this month to perform at a dinner for government officials during President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Jesse Serpas, already a Texas All-State cellist, will perform with the Virtuosi of Houston Young Artists Chamber Orchestra on Jan. 20. Serpas was one of 13 musicians selected for the inauguration performance. I was excited when I found out, but I was also nervous. I didnt know if I had to pay for anything or something like that, but I was also told that everything is covered and it was just a matter of getting parental permission, Serpas said. We have had concerts at many places, like at Jones Hall where the Houston Symphony performs, so Im not too scared about where Im going to perform because Im used to big gigs. Virtuosi members will leave Houston on Jan. 18 and return on Jan. 21. Expenses of their trip will be covered by donors of the organization. The ensemble will play at a dinner for government officials for approximately three hours. The orchestra group will perform a variety of music, ranging from pieces by Mozart to Coldplay, according to Serpas. The group has been practicing weekly to prepare. Natalie Koepp, Cypress Lakes' orchestra director, said Serpas' performance will be especially exciting because he will play for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and senators at a gala event. Jesse is a very unique student, and one of the rarest students I have had in the past 10 years that I have taught, because he would come to me with several scores of music that he had written and you dont normally have students coming up to you with this," Koepp said. "Hes just all about music and practicing for hours and hours a day. He is very dedicated in his craft, he is a student that every teacher could dream of having because of how focused, driven and passionate he is. The 18-mile path between Liberty and Guedry Cemetery in Batson is lined with hundreds of U.S. flags for Wednesday's funeral for Chief Warrant Officer II Lucas Maurice Lowe, 33, of Hardin. Lowe was one of two Texas National Guardsmen killed Dec. 28 when their Apache helicopter crashed into Galveston Bay. The flags were placed along the route Lowe's body will be carried by hearse as it leaves North Main Baptist Church in Liberty en route to the cemetery in Batson for interment. Hardin Lions Club members on Tuesday were busy putting out the last of the 560 flags, even though the club was mourning the loss of its former president, Sherry Mettlen, who died earlier in the day after a lengthy battle with cancer. Bonita Davis, in her third year as the club's current president, said the flags, some of which were loaned to the Hardin chapter by the Liberty Lions Club chapter, are the club's way of paying tribute to Lowe for his service to the country and to show his family that the community is standing behind them. "Lucas was a student in my English class when I taught in Hull-Daisetta," Davis said. "I know a lot of people talk highly of people after they pass but Lucas was truly a good person, even as a kid." Flags have also been placed outside the homes of all of Lowe's immediate family members in Liberty County and around the campuses of Hardin's junior high, intermediate and high school campuses. Davis said the students at each of these schools are expected to step outside Thursday as Lowe's funeral procession passes. For Davis, this is a teachable moment. "We want our students to see how to treat members of the military when they die in the line of duty. His death should matter to us all," she said. Lowe's funeral will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at North Main Baptist Church. He will receive full military honors as he is laid to rest at Guedry Cemetery. The procession will travel north on SH 146 from Liberty, turn east on FM 834 in Hardin and turn north on FM 770. Persons wishing to pay their respects are asked to stand along the route as the procession passes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lucas Lowe Family Benefit Account at Texas First Bank - Liberty, 2103 N. Main St., Liberty. A community baby shower is being planned for Lowe's wife, Kami, who is expecting the couple's twins. This outpouring of support will take place on Sunday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Liberty Church of Christ, 3201 N. Main St., Liberty. A gift registry has been established at Babies R Us. Anyone unable to attend but who wishes to provide a gift can drop it off during regular business hours at Tarver Abstract, 400 Main St., Liberty. One of Houston's top-ranked chefs, Adam Dorris, yesterday resigned his post at Pax Americana, the restaurant he opened to great acclaim two and a half years ago. "It is time for me to focus on Presidio and future projects," Dorris wrote in a statement, referring to the casual "Texas food hall" project he is opening with bar entrepreneur Charles Bishop on West 11th Street in the Heights. Houston Restaurant Weeks topped the $2 million donation mark for the first time with its 2016 fundraising initiative. The announcement of the $2,015,157 donation (the 2015 campaign raised $1.9 million) was made Wednesday by HRW founder Cleverley Stone, who presented the Houston Food Bank with the record-breaking sum generated from the five-week-long culinary event. The donation will yield more than six million meals by the Houston Food Bank for those who are food insecure in the Greater Houston region. "What started as an idea in 2003 to raise money for the Houston Food Bank, has happily become a citywide marriage of food and fundraising. It's a win-win-win. The restaurants, Houstonians who enjoy dining out and the Houston Food Bank all look forward to HRW each year," Stone said. "I give my heartfelt thanks for the extraordinary efforts by participating restaurants, the sponsors and volunteers who all donate their resources, time and money to make HRW happen every year. And thank you to the diners for patronizing HRW restaurants in August. Without all of you there would be no HRW." Houston Restaurant Weeks is run by volunteers and 100 percent of donations raised from participating restaurants goes directly to the Food Bank. To date, HRW has raised more than $9.6 million for the Food Bank. It is the largest annual fundraiser for the country's largest food bank. During the announcement the top 10 restaurant donors also were revealed. B&B Butchers & Restaurant topped the list of donors, followed by Peli Peli in the Galleria, Brennan's of Houston, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House and Masraff's. The Top 10 list was rounded out by the Capital Grille at CityCentre, Americas in River Oaks, Del Frisco's Grille, Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse and Eddie V's Prime Seafood in CityCentre. "Because Cleverley is selfless in donating five months of her time each year to Houston Restaurant Weeks along with other volunteers, 100 percent of donation proceeds from Houston Restaurant Weeks come directly to the Houston Food Bank to feed hungry people," said Houston Food Bank's president and CEO Brian Greene. "It's an amazing endeavor by an extraordinary individual who understands that food is essential to the health and wellbeing of all children, seniors and adults in our community. We are grateful for Cleverley's compassion and longstanding commitment to hunger relief." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Houston man was sentenced to 12 years in prison Tuesday for his part in a street-racing crash that killed a Baptist minister and his wife last year. Alexis De La Rosa Sosa, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony racing and two counts of failure to stop and render aid in exchange for the sentence. After he was sentenced, and one of the couple's adult sons gave a victim impact statement, Sosa turned to the gallery and spoke to dozens of friends and family in court for the sentencing. "I would like to ask that you forgive me. Since that day God has transformed me," Sosa told them through a translator. "I ask that you forgive me." THE ARREST: Suspect sought in Tuesday's fatal hit-and-run has turned himself in The couple, who had been married more than 30 years, were killed in northwest Harris County after returning home from visiting a niece and her newborn baby at a local hospital. The couple's 2004 BMW was struck by Sosa's 2006 Chevrolet pickup as he ran a red light while street racing with another vehicle on April 12. Jesse Estrada, 60, was co-pastor at Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer Bautista and owner of J J & Sons Remodeling. Maria Sabillon, 68, was a retired home caregiver for special needs children. During the sentencing in state District Judge Catherine Evans' court, one of the couple's sons said he forgave Sosa. THE CRASH: Minister, wife killed in crash with suspected street racer "I don't hate you, I actually pray for you and your family," Allan Sabillon said from the witness stand. "Because that's what my parents, and God, would want." After the brief hearing, Sabillon and two brothers publicly urged the other driver in the race to turn himself in. That driver, who was in a dark-colored Dodge Charger, has never been identified. brian.rogers@chron.com twitter.com/brianjrogers This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Ty Pozzobon, a 25-year-old professional bull rider who frequently visited Texas, passed away Monday, officials confirmed to the Merritt Herald. Pozzobon, who is a native of Merritt, British Columbia, was a professional bull rider for eight years, according to the Professional Bull Riders website. The bull rider's death is not being considered suspicious, according to the Herald report, and police are turning over the investigation to the the coroner. Ty Pozzobon was a cowboy through and through and loved being a professional bull rider, said Sean Gleason, PBR CEO in a statement. His infectious personality and enthusiasm for doing what he loved touched so many of us, and we will remember him always. Pozzobon's last competitive trip to Texas was in September 2016, when he rode in the Fredericksburg, TX PBR Touring Pro Division, according to PBR. RELATED: San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo announces 2017 performers In February 2016, Pozzobon posted a video on Facebook from his recent visit to San Antonio, where he celebrated his performance in the first round of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Pozzobon was the 2016 Professional Bull Riders Canada champion and four-time PBR world finalist, the Calgary Sun reported. The cause of his death has not been released. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Northwest area nonprofits and business and community leaders have teamed up to better help those in need. Spearheaded by the Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries, the new Tomball Benevolence Network is a group of community and business leaders, schools, churches and other nonprofits, to begin a new cloud sharing resource guide. "We are in the process of developing software that will be tailored to the Benevolence Network to bring together all the resources in the Tomball area - medical, housing, financial, plus we are going to be soliciting volunteers from churches and businesses to contribute skills or services," said Becky Loving, director of Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries. Currently, there is not a concise resource for those in need in the community, Loving said. The network will include such information as where to seek housing shelter in an emergency, food assistance, healthcare needs or the number to call after a sexual assault or domestic violence incident. In addition, the network will include such local community members who can help with counseling, legal assistance or if someone in need has a car problem, they can find a mechanic in the network that will fix their car for a reduced rate. "Or there may be church congregations that would be willing to repair an auto, and we would pay for the parts, but they would do the labor," Loving said. "Or even prayer - there's a community volunteer to pray with them or give them a ride to their to their job," Loving said. "Providers of all types will be connected in this network." The idea first started a year ago, when the a large group of community leaders held a meeting to determine how they can better help those in need in the community. "They see needs, but they don't know where to go to find the solution," Loving said. "What they saw we could do is help utilize our resources in a more efficient and effective way," Loving said. The number of financially unstable households in Northwest Houston continues to rise along with the population. Hundreds of families and seniors in northwest Houston struggle to pay for basic needs, primarily food. Many residents currently work jobs that are only paying minimum wage, with no healthcare benefits, said Carole Little, president and CEO of Northwest Assistance Ministries. At TOMAGWA Healthcare Ministries, an organization that provides care for low-income residents, the oil and gas industry decline has meant an increase in the need for low-cost healthcare in northwest Houston, said TOMAGWA's development director and pastor, Rev. Steven G. Lightfoot. Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries helps residents in need throughout the year, including with food and with help paying rent and utilities. The agency helped 60 percent more households in November compared with November of 2015. The nonprofit helped 317 households in November 2015 and 525 households last month. Those growing needs have been the driving force behind the new Tomball Benevolence Network. Over the last year, the Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries and other area leaders has been developing the program and the software. The network of community help will be shared throughout the organizations by a cloud software. Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries has already been beta testing the software with area churches. "It's been really well received," Loving said. "A lot of people are ready to start yesterday." The Tomball Benevolence Network's new program will be officially up and running this spring. "Anybody can be a member-different churches, the Lyons Club, TOMAGWA, The Tomball Pregnancy Center," Loving said. "They'll be able to access the resources themselves. It's in a cloud. It's all free of charge." "It really will be a big service to the community," Loving said. Tomball Benevolence Network Spearheaded by the Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries, the new Tomball Benevolence Network is a group of community and business leaders, schools, churches and other nonprofits, to begin a new cloud sharing resource guide. Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries has already been beta testing the software with area churches. The Tomball Benevolence Network's new program will be officially up and running in March or April. Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley is moving forward with plans to connect Texas 249 and FM 2978; and while he has moved that connector south of Woodlands Parkway as urged by residents, the issue is drawing concern from Woodlands residents and township officials yet again. With no discussion Tuesday morning, Montgomery County commissioners approved two contracts related to the project. The court awarded land surveying services to Tomball-based Arborleaf Engineering and Surveying Inc. for $264,855 and engineering services for the project to Houston-based R. G. Miller Engineers Inc. in the amount of $264,477. The Woodlands Township Board Chairman Gordy Bunch said he was surprised to hear about the project. "It goes against the communications we had with Commissioner Riley and Judge (Craig) Doyal," said Bunch, adding there was supposed to be discussion before any movement on the connection. "No one was notified that I was aware of. "So to go forward with a project is disappointing, that's the nice word." Bunch questioned the cost of the contracts approved by commissioners, the reason for the relocation, and what happens to the rights of way already purchased for the project. Riley could not be reached for comment before press time. Doyal said Riley is using his budget for the engineering of the project and added that the rights of way still would be used for the project. No timeline on the project was available. The issue arose in early 2015 when residents learned Riley was planning to extend Woodlands Parkway from FM 2978 to Texas 249. The project was part of a $350 million road bond referendum set to go to voters in May of that year. Concerned about the increase in traffic in the community, residents of The Woodlands urged the court to remove the project from the May bond. But the court, specifically Riley, refused to take the project off his list. And on May 9, 2015, voters rejected the bond, with 57.19 percent of more than 28,300 votes countywide against it. In August 2015, the court agreed to move forward with another road bond for the Nov. 3 ballot in the amount of $280 million. That referendum excluded several projects, including the Woodlands Parkway extension. Voters passed the $280 million referendum easily, with 63.36 percent of the more than 45,500 votes for it. The extension of Woodlands Parkway has been part of the thoroughfare plan since the original draft in the late 1980s. However, it wasn't until last year when the project was included on the May $350 million road bond that residents and community leaders divided themselves over the issue. The majority of the opposition came from Precinct 3 in The Woodlands, where residents said they didn't want the project, which is within Precinct 2. There were concerned it would increase traffic through The Woodlands on an already-congested parkway. Riley maintains his community wants and needs the road and that it would be unlikely motorists would use the route through The Woodlands as a way east to Interstate 45. Community leaders in The Woodlands, including Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack, pushed for Riley to go farther south with a connector, possibly widening Hardin Store Road to allow more through traffic between FM 2978 and Texas 249. Bunch also favors widening Hardin Store Road, noting it makes "more sense" to widen an existing road rather than build a new one. "You can straighten out that goofy 90 degree turn on Hardin Store and widen it before you get around to building a one-lane road between Mansions Drive and Dobbin Huffsmith Road," Bunch said. But Riley, along with Doyal, said Hardin Store was not a viable option because of the difficulty in obtaining rights of way to widen the current two-lane road. According to Doyal, one of the main reasons he purchased the majority of rights of way for the future extension of Woodlands Parkway while he served as Precinct 2 Commissioner was due to the fact that it was more difficult to purchase those rights of way along Hardin Store Road. He said the railroad tracks that cross Hardin Store Road would be a challenge. The township board approved a resolution opposing the extension of Woodlands Parkway, Branch Crossing north, Gosling Road north and Grogan's Mill north in February. However, Bunch said he probably will put the item on the next township meeting to have the board, with its new members, reaffirm that resolution. The political class is still coming to grips with what appears to be Donald Trumps novel management philosophy: Government by Twitter. Put aside the by-now-familiar weirdness of our president-elects gloating over Arnold Schwarzeneggers poor Celebrity Apprentice ratings or swipes at Meryl Streep. Trumps Twitter addiction poses heretofore unnoticed challenges for his administration. The president-elect often emphasizes the value of being unpredictable. And he has a point in certain contexts. Keeping our enemies guessing has advantages. Defenders of Trumps habit of jabbing corporations about their offshoring decisions will tell you that Trump is setting the tone from the top. Since such decisions are often made with a narrow and subjective cost-benefit calculus, the argument goes, using tweets to encourage executives to err on the side of America first is a valuable way to change the business culture. Whether or not you like Trumps economic reasoning, you can see why he likes keeping CEOs afraid of the crack of his Twitter whip. But what about his own appointees and allies in Congress? When Ive talked to veterans of the Ronald Reagan administration, particularly from the speechwriting or policy shops, Ive often heard a common observation. Knowing what the boss believed was both empowering and efficient. If you know a policy or a line in a speech will never fly with the president, you wont bother pursuing it. Peter Robinson, the acclaimed speechwriter, has written at length about how knowing Reagans vision made his job easier. Robinson could write Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! because he knew it was what Reagan wanted to have happen. Ronald Reagans writers were never attempting to fabricate an image, just to produce work that measured up to the standard Reagan himself had already established, Robinson would later write. His policies were plain. He had been articulating them for decades. The vast literature on leadership and management hammers away on this point: Provide a vision and then let the troops do the hard work. Jack Welch, the legendary former CEO of General Electric, put it this way: In order to lead a country or a company, youve got to get everybody on the same page and youve got to be able to have a vision of where youre going. British Field Marshal Bernard Monty Montgomery said that his definition of leadership is: the capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence. Except for trade policy, there are few areas where Trumps troops have a clear idea of exactly what the boss wants, and his compulsive tweeting adds a layer of unpredictability. Ive talked to a half-dozen committed and principled conservatives considering jobs in the administration, and I heard one recurring concern: Will Trump have my back? The point isnt about personal loyalty, but resolve in the face of the inevitable political and media backlashes that will come with any serious reform effort. Consider two recent incidents. The House GOP caucus voted to sharply curb the power of the Office of Congressional Ethics. Contrary to some opportunistic statements by House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), theres bipartisan consensus that the OCE is a hot mess. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) led an effort to scrap it, knowing that the GOP would take a political hit for doing so. When the predictable firestorm hit, Trump hied to Twitter to mock the effort as a distraction, earning a nanosecond of favorable coverage by killing the initiative. A more crucial example is the effort to repeal Obamacare. Trump issued a series of Twitter fatwas last week, saying that Congress shouldnt do anything that lets Democrats off the hook for the problems of the Affordable Care Act. Politically, I think Trump is right to be concerned about the perils of repealing Obamacare without having a replacement ready. But his glib response elicits fear among some conservatives that he wont stand fast on repealing Obamacare, or much else. There are countless areas entitlements, civil rights, immigration, etc. where serious conservative reforms will spark controversy, horrible headlines and negative coverage on the shows the president-elect watches obsessively. Will Trump impetuously use Twitter to triangulate against his own troops? Right now, Trumps defenders wave off such concerns, saying hes using Twitter to communicate a clear vision to his team and the whole country. Time will tell. To me, that seems like a generous reading between the lines or between tweets about Meryl Streep. The Bonne Terre City Council met in regular session Monday and heard a report from Alliance on the December operations report and a report from the police chief. Bonne Police Chief Doug Calvert said he was asked to complete a traffic study of the roadway between Berry Road and Nesbit Drive. City Administrator Jim Eaton also asked for a road name, as well as traffic control recommendations. Mr. Eaton addressed with me that we needed to get a street named for the street between Nesbit Drive and the street that runs in front of the ATM machine, said Calvert. It didnt have a name and we came up with the name Progress Drive. Calvert added he felt there should be a four-way stop put in at the intersection of Nesbit Drive and Progress Drive by the treatment center. The eventual plan was to put a right-in and a right-out at the Hardee's/Dairy Queen area, explained Calvert. But some of the businesses in the area have expressed some concerns about losing business because of the right-in/right-out. If the right-in/right-out does go in and MoDOT will put that in, hopefully without using too much city money. Calvert said they want the businesses in the area to basically sign off on it and right now it is about 50/50. He added if it does happen, the four-way stop will become more necessary because of the increased traffic flow. You would no longer be able to make a left turn from the Dairy Queen or Hardee's onto Nesbit Drive if the right in is out in, said Calvert. In lieu of that, if that is not something the council wants to entertain because the businesses are not happy with it or MoDOT is not happy with, I would at least advise to do some increased signage. During his report, Alliance Bonne Terre Division Local Manager Jay Brandle said they have ordered a new control panel for Hillcrest at the apartment complex. They are expecting in two weeks we will have it delivered and installed, said Brandle. That is one of our capital improvement projects that we have had for this year. We had a rebuilt spare pump for Turkey Creek lift station in the garage and pump three is showing considerable amount of wear. The pump is still in service at Turkey Creek and still working, but we expect from maybe six months to five years from now its going to go out. So we do have a backup pump ready to go in. Brandle went over several project updates with the council while giving his report. He said a treatment plant loader and gearbox has been on their report every month for the last year and three months. Browning is the gearbox manufacturer ... well they dont make the gearbox we need anymore for the northeast wastewater treatment plant, explained Brandle. Its obsolete and we have eight of those gearboxes, so that is why this project has been taking so long. They have found a gearbox that is going to work for us, but it has to have some shims and sleeves to be retrofitted to be able to work with the shaft diameter on our rotors. He said they have the gearbox on hand and its scheduled to be installed Thursday. He said they will have to call GWS with their crane. We are really hoping that his thing works, then we can get this cleared off of our list, stressed Brandle. We have been working with the city on a solution for placing some yard lighting. Jim (Eaton) and I have been working pretty close on this and I think we are going to convert over to LED. We dont have very many lights that are working now. The only other issue and its not really an issue, since we made a temporary repair to it, is the grit auger screw at the northwest plant, reported Brandle. Grit runs into an auger box and then the auger removed the grit. Over time the grit has actually wore a hole into the side of the auger box. I think that auger is probably 20 years old. He went on to say they have had a metal plate welded on it and it's working out for now. They are going to see what they can get a new one for and possibly put it in next years budget. The first week of 2017 is officially over. How are those New Years resolutions going so far? This week is a gold star week for those off to a good start making big changes. Its reassuring to see progress, and food trend predictions are popping up all over to foretell whats ahead for us in nutrition this year. Food magazines, bloggers and others supposedly in the know would have us believe there are some serious and not so serious trends to look out for in 2017. Most of the time, they have the pulse of the food world at their fingertips, but sometimes Im not so sure whose pulse theyre taking. The 2017 food trends lists available are vast and varied. Serious lists include things like GMO labeling, sustainability and sugary soda laws, while more lighthearted lists include chocolate cake for breakfast. What I wondered, however, was: What are the masses looking for? So, I asked Google. Trending top 10 Google searches for food and drink were interesting in the last weeks of 2016. Granted, the latest numbers available were for November 2016, but still. Maybe egg nog will pop up when December is finished being tallied. Topping the drinks list were coffee, wine and beer. Honestly, I see those holding fast for 2017. Trending Google food searches were more interesting. Properties of water topped the list, followed by chicken as food then pizza. I had to Google properties of water for myself to see what came up. Perhaps there is a global elementary school project that propelled this to the top of the list, though I think its far more likely it is categorized incorrectly. At any rate, properties of water has spent 15 months in the top 10. Really? Chicken as food has spent a whopping 137 months in the top 10 and pizza, right up there with cake at number four, at 155 months. The top 10 foods did reveal a crossover with coffee and wine apparently being considered food groups, too. Well, some good news there after all, but it is disconcerting that a number of folks are still trying to figure out what water is. Clearly, your idea of a food trend varies depending on your level of immersion into the food industry and issues. Farmers work every day to get information to consumers about what they grow and how they grow it, but ultimately its up to the consumer on how they use that information. Whatever your resolution or food trend fandom might be, know that farmers are working hard to ensure you have what you want to follow those trends. SkillsUSA, the national organization for the career and technical education students at the UniTec Career Center, held their annual canned food drive as one of the clubs community service projects. The project is organized as a competition between classes to collect the most canned good and then reward the winning class with a Subway sandwich party. Students at UniTec Career Center collected 3,500 cans this year. Bruce Prattes Electrical Technology class won first place with 2,516 cans. Pratte and his classes are known for their outstanding contributions and dedication to the canned food drive. Second place went to Victor Radosevichs class with 315 cans. UniTec teachers, students, and staff have always felt this is a very worthwhile and positive community service project that the SkillsUSA club promotes each year so everyone gets involved to help make it a success each year. The students have about a month to collect canned food or pool their money to buy food items. Willette Home Furnishings, Boyer Funeral Home, Hubs Pub, A-1 Homecare, Southeast Missouri Credit Union, Bullseye Equipment and Tool Rental, Belgrade Financial Services-Julie Pratte, Dannys Lawn care, Save-A-Lot, First State Community Bank, ABC 1-2-3 Daycare, and Shades of Renee also made contributions to this community service project. Clint Price, the manager at Save-A-Lot in Bonne Terre, has generously worked with Pratte for the past 10-plus years to get the most value for the students money to purchase canned food. This partnership has been very successful and very much appreciated by UniTec and those who will benefit from this project. The canned goods have been delivered to the local Ministerial Alliance for its annual Christmas Basket program to help those in need. The St. Francois County Commission made a plea for the publics help to locate the person who has been vandalizing county signs. During the regular commission meeting Tuesday morning, Associate Commissioner Gay Wilkinson said there have been several signs that have been pushed over with a vehicle or possibly an UTV. We havent had issues like this for a year or so, but it looks like it has flared again, said Wilkinson. The sign person with the road and bridge, Ben Sebastian, told me that signs have been vandalized now. We have just gone through the whole county and put up highly reflective signs and metal posts that are in concrete. Wilkinson said it appears that either a Jeep or a UTV has come up to them and pushed the sign over, damaging the pole. They are just pushing them over, with the exception of one, said Wilkinson. There has been one that was stolen and my hope is that is by making this public that anyone who has seen any questionable activity or have a license plate or something that can be reported to the sheriff. Wilkinson said they need to stop this now. Sugar Grove Road has five signs down. Old Jackson Road has two signs down. Best Road has two signs down. Colony Church Road has two signs down. Turley Mill Road has one down. Worley Road has one sign down. The Copenhagen sign was stolen and there may be more, stressed Wilkinson. This is just what was reported to me (Monday) and it appears to be vandalism. Plain and simple, its costly to the county, its dangerous to the public because there are stop signs and there are road signs. This cant be tolerated." Wilkinson added they had a positive result the last time they put it out to the media when they were needing help in locating these people. They suffered a huge penalty and we need everybodys help, stressed Wilkinson. I appreciate it. We want to discourage this and stop it. The signs are identifiable as county property and you wouldnt want to be caught with one of those signs. St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock said it can be a felony offense depending how many signs and how much it adds up to cost the county. Sebastian said it will cost the county $460 to replace the posts and the signs on the damaged posts. He said they found more posts and signs Tuesday that will have to be replaced. There are six of the name signs that will have to be ordered because they were so badly bent, but they were able to salvage a couple of them in the meantime. Anyone with any information on the vandalism of the county signs and posts is asked to call the St. Francois Sheriffs Department or Central Dispatch at 573-431-3131. 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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 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate UFO enthusiasts have a website to congregate with each other to report the "alien spacecraft" that they see in their area. Website UFO Stalker offers spacecraft spotters a place to report their sightings, which are then displayed on an interactive map that shows what type of craft was seen, where and what time of day. FAILURE: UFO spotted over co fools no one, not even tin-foiled alien hunters The map, which uses Google Maps interface, covers the entire world and users are able to zoom in and out of different cities. For Houston, there are distinct hotspots throughout the metropolitan area. The densest locations clearly lie in Katy near the Grand Parkway, downtown Houston, the Sugar Land area, Willowbrook area, near Space Center Houston off of I-45, Humble (near Bush Airport) and Pasadena. You would think that sightings near Bush Airport would be written off as an airplane, yet there is a large concentration of reports right by the large airport. UFO Stalker LOCAL MYSTERY: Security guard records mysterious UFO over Houston mall The postings detail what day the event occurred, the location, a summary of the sighting and the object that was seen. Spotters can choose from several categories for their report, including "alien encounter," "black triangle sighting" and a "UFO sighting." The UFO sightings are the most common in the Houston area, though there are several black triangle sightings. Users are also able to upload photos and videos of their encounter to use as additional evidence to their experience. To see some of the recent UFO sightings in Texas, click through the gallery above. And if you're wondering why you've never seen a UFO yourself, there's a simple way to increase your chances - just look up to the sky, especially if you're near an airport. DOWNTOWN SIGHTING: Video shows possible UFO over Houston This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It started out as a hunting trip in west Texas with an experienced guide at the helm. It turned into a shootout that left two people hospitalized. The violence took place Friday, Jan. 6, in Presidio County, near the Texas-Mexico border. MEXICO VIOLENCE: U.S. diplomat shot in Guadalajara A group of hunters led by 26-year-old Walker Daugherty of Chloride, N.M., stopped for the night at Circle Doug Ranch near Candelaria, not far from the border. Then, law enforcement and family members say, gunmen opened fire on the camp from multiple directions. Daugherty fired back to stop the gunmen from stealing an RV the hunters were using. Daugherty and 59-year-old Edwin Roberts of Pensacola, Fla., were each shot; the guide in the stomach and Roberts in the arm. ASSASSINATION: Top Mexican prosecutor in border city killed Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez told The Albuquerque Journal there's no evidence the shots were fired from across the border and such incidents are rare. Daughterty's family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his hospital costs. Daugherty has no health insurance. Through Wednesday afternoon, $23,055 had been raised toward the goal of $30,000. For now, Dominguez said, the shooting remains under investigation as law enforcement tries to sort out what went on. >>>Click through the above gallery to see photos of the Texas-Mexico border taken from the air. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate With just a few days left in office, an emotional President Obama delivered his final address to the nation on Tuesday night. He even shed a few tears, and he wasn't the only one. Some supporters at the speech, first lady Michelle Obama, first daughter Malia and fans on social media got teary-eyed. (First kid Sasha missed the momentous event. Remember, the 15-year-old is still in high school, and Tuesday was a school night. Malia graduated from high school in 2016 and will head to Harvard after taking a year off.) GOODBYE, AMERICA: Obama forceful and fearful in his goodbye speech In front of a crowd of thousands in chilly Chicago, Obama listed his accomplishments over the past eight years; teared up when he thanked his wife and daughters; and tried to boost Americans' confidence even as the nation remains divided over the next president, Donald J. Trump. And, the current leader of the free world may or may not have thrown a little "shade," or insults, at Republicans. Trump, however, didn't respond to Obama's speech on Twitter Tuesday night. Instead, he focused on a CNN report on his alleged ties to Russia. RESPONSE: Trump calls report on Russia 'fake news' The crowd cheered for most of his speech. They even booed when Obama first mentioned the next administration. AWKWARD: Obama and Trump plan to carpool to inauguration Memes on social media ran the gamut on emotions, too: from "Don't go, Obama" to "Please go." Click through the slideshow above to see some of the social media reactions to President Obama's farewell address. In his 26 years as a state senator, Rodney Ellis earned a reputation for outspokenness. So it may come as a bit of a surprise that at his first meeting as a Harris County commissioner , he remained largely silent outside of a few words of thanks. "I want to observe," Ellis, who was sworn in as Precinct 1 commissioner on Jan. 1, said after the meeting. "I want to get to know my colleagues." Ellis succeeds Gene Locke, who was appointed by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett to serve out the remainder of longtime Commissioner El Franco Lee's term after his death a year ago. Ellis defeated Locke for the Democratic nomination and the seat in an unusual election process last year. Ellis was welcomed by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, a Republican. "It is a great honor to be here at your first regular court meeting Commissioner Ellis," said Vince Ryan, the county attorney and a Democrat, who rarely attends commissioners court meetings. The sole Democrat on the court, Ellis said he is still getting a handle on county business, but hopes to dive soon into criminal justice reform. Tuesday's meeting lasted less than 20 minutes. With little discussion, commissioners approved a $700,000-plus study of flood risks in the Cedar Bayou watershed; the purchase of $550,000 worth of new equipment for the county crime lab; and revisions to the county's security initiatives in the Port of Houston. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Former Mexican President Vincente Fox is needling Donald Trump where he lives - on Twitter. Fox, on Tuesday, took to trolling the President-elect about the North American Free Trade Agreement and Trump's pledge to withdraw from it. Twitter In a series of three tweets, Fox laid out the case that the U.S. dropping the agreement, which links Mexico, the United States and Canada in a trade zone, wouldn't hurt his country. Trump's constituents would be the ones to feel it. WHOOPS!: Sean Hannity retweets 'Make Russia Great Again!' and Twitter goes nuts For good measure, Fox also said Trump would be "loco" to pull out of the deal, which was pushed by President George H.W. Bush and eventually passed under President Bill Clinton. Twitter Twitter It's the third time in the last week that Fox has used Twitter to gig Trump, a prolific tweeter in his own right. Fox has also tweeted at Trump about the Republican's pledge to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and have the Mexican government pay for it and intelligence reports showing Russia interfered in the U.S. election to benefit Trump. NEXT POTUS?: Twitter calls for Meryl Streep to run for president after Golden Globes speech "Losing election by more than 3M votes and in addition this," Fox wrote on Friday. "Are you a legitimate president?" Fox seems to be enjoying poking at Trump as he seeks to Make Twitter Taunts Great Again. Click through the gallery above for a sampling of who Trump follows on Twitter. The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Pipeline company sought to limit required safeguards for soil Navigator CO2 Ventures wanted to reduce its obligations to sample and restore topsoil for the construction of its proposed carbon... Popular holiday Scrooge Contest to begin The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of its Christmas season Celebrity Scrooge Contest. This years... Last week, New York governor Andrew Cuomo commuted Judith Clarks prison sentence. Clark, a former member of the Weather Underground, has served 35 years in prison for her role as a getaway driver in the failed 1981 robbery of a Brinks armored truck at the Nanuet Mall in Nyack. During the attempted heist, Clarks accomplices killed a Brinks guard and two police officers. A case could be made for Clarks commutation, but Cuomo hasnt made it. In fact, in a front-page feature in the New York Times, Cuomo comes across as less serious and more contemptible than Clark herself. Clark at least purports to have gained an understanding of the psychological roots of her far-left ideology. She claims now to be appalled by the violent radical mindset that led her to complicity in murder. But Cuomo doesnt even pretend to such political self-awareness. Rather, he epitomizes the worst radical chic tendencies of the illiberal Left to indulge the extremist politics of Clark and her erstwhile comrades. Theres some evidence that Clark has rehabilitated herself in prison. She has gained a reputation for good works, including founding an HIV/AIDS education program, training service dogs in the Puppies Behind Bars program, and serving as a college tutor. Yet, on one level, her good behavior is irrelevant to the question of whether she deserves clemency. Admirable deeds can be performed even by those who are committed to radical political violence. The only real question is whether she has renounced her commitment to such violence and the extremist ideology that gave rise to it. The neoconservative Ron Radosh somewhat hesitantly made the case that Clark had indeed had a change of heart a few years ago, when the Times began beating the drum for her release. Another former radical, David Horowitz, vehemently disagreed, arguing that if Clark were truly remorseful she would spill the beans on her old revolutionary comrades, who may have been involved in various unsolved bombings and assassination attempts during the sixties and seventies. Certainly, if the authorities think Clark has any information on unsolved terrorist acts she should not be released until she divulges it. With her sentence now commuted from 75 years-to-life to 35 years-to-life, Clark will be eligible for parole starting this year. When it considers her application, the Board of Parole should ask Clark to prove that shes no longer hooked on her terrorist ideology. Cuomo should have done the same while deciding on her commutation application, but theres not much indication that he did. The Times article describes an extraordinaryand possibly inappropriateprivate meeting between Cuomo and Clark at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in September. If the piece is accurate, Clark paid lip service to the destructiveness of her ideology and the clueless liberal governor responded with banal platitudes. In the most incredible passage in the Times article, Cuomo equates Clarks actions, and her description of the groupthink and zealotry that motivated them, with the sacrifices of American and other servicemen in battle: Ms. Clark . . . knew that the risk of violence was part of the robbery, she said, and as a getaway driver, shared culpability for the bullets fired by others. I talked to him about how I understood that the groupthink and zealotry and internalized loyalty had sapped me of my own moral compass, Ms. Clark said. This part of the conversation helped the governor recognize some of the forces that propelled the mayhem. Youre fighting for good versus evil, Mr. Cuomo said this week. Thats what sends young men into war with guns to kill other people. Sounding more like a fan than a governor, Cuomo says, When you meet her you get a sense of her soul. Her honesty makes her almost transparent as a personality. He goes on to question the entire concept of penal justice: The older I get, the correction systemwhat are we accomplishing in the first place? Lock a person up for 10 years, and you have accomplished what? You take a bad situation and every time you make it worse. One wonders: how long, in Cuomos view, should someone who participates in a politically motivated triple murder spend behind bars? Ten years? Five? A week? Perhaps most tellingly, Cuomo depicts himself as a profile in political courage, standing up to an undefined foe he simply calls them. I believe showing mercy and justice and compassion and forgiveness is the right signal, he says. You cant make them happy. You live your life by them and youre lost. Is it possible that by them, the governor is referring to the widows and children of the men slain by Clarks comrades? Unlike Clark, those still-grieving families didnt get to meet personally with Cuomo before he decided to commute the sentence of a woman who has helped ruin their lives. By them, perhaps the governor means the decent, hard-working members of the law enforcement community who risk their lives every day to keep Cuomo and the rest of us safe from crazies, criminals, and terrorists like the Weather Underground. Clark, if she is truly reformed, may deserve parole after 35 years. Andrew Cuomo deserves only our scorn. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images The media spun President Obamas Tuesday night farewell address as a call to unity. But the speechs setting and Obamas words about the Constitution were a reminder of how his presidency deepened divisions within the nation. In the modern era, presidential farewell addresses have been delivered from the Oval Office, a symbol of the presidents role as head of state. Obamas speech, by contrast, had the feeling of a campaign rally. He seemed more like a party leader than a president. Much of Obamas speech was a restatement of Democratic positions on inequality, climate change, and race. His comments about the Constitution, however, were troubling: Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But its really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power. We the people give it meaningwith our participation, and the choices we make. Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms. Whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law. With just a few sentences, Obama demonstrated the incoherence at the heart of the philosophy of the living Constitution. According to this view, shared by Obama, the Constitutions meaning wasnt fixed at the time it was enacted, but is determined by the whims and preferences of twenty-first-century Americans. If that is the case, how can we possibly have the rule of law? If that is the case, our freedoms are not protected from ordinary politics but determined by thema recipe for endless social division, as different parties try to substitute their preferred vision of rights for those in the Constitution. Only if the meaning of the Constitution transcends those divisions can it serve as the nations anchor. Obamas encomium to a Constitution with no core was a fitting coda to a presidency that never respected the rule of law. His argument that Supreme Court justices should decide cases based in part on empathy was an invitation to lawlessness. One of his appointees, Sonia Sotomayor, accepted the invitation. In Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, she claimed that the state of Michigans ban on affirmative action violated the Fourteenth Amendments Equal Protection Clause. Thus, for Sotomayor, a law that mandated equal treatment with respect to race violated a constitutional provision mandating equal treatment. She arrived at this conclusion because of her empathy for those benefitting from affirmative action. With his executive orders, Obama also flouted the Constitution. His immigration order suspending deportations and allowing millions of illegal aliens to obtain work permits was precisely the kind of extra-legal maneuver favored by Stuart monarchs. The Take Care Clause of our Constitution was designed to prevent such abuses. In important instances, Obama overrode specific provisions of the Affordable Care Act in order to keep it politically viable. Our system of checks and balances is designed to require compromise between Congress and the president. But after the Democrats lost control of Congress in 2010, Obama resorted to governing with his pen, rather than by persuasion. Sadly, presidential lawlessness is often contagious, as successive occupants of the Oval Office cite the actions of their predecessors as justification for exceeding legal boundaries. Lets hope that President Trump and congressional Republicans break with tradition and say farewell to the kind of constitutional division and lawlessness that Obama has entrenched in our politics. Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images BNM anunta concurs pentru postul vacant de expert coordonator (durata determinata) responsabil de control pe teren si din oficiu a sistemelor de plati The most confrontational moment of Donald Trumps first press conference in 168 days featured the President-elect pointing his finger at a CNN reporter and declaring, You are fake news. CNN Senior White House Correspondent Jim Acosta stood pleading with Trump to acknowledge his question, referencing earlier attacks made by Trump and his press secretary about the accuracy of a CNN report detailing Trumps ties to Russia. Mr. President-elect, since you have been attacking our news organization, can you give us a chance? Acosta yelled above the scrum of reporters. No! Not you. No! Your organization is terrible, the President-elect shot back. When Acosta persisted in shouting for recognition, Trump pointed a finger at him and said, Dont be rude. No, Im not going to give you a question. Donald Trump refuses to take a question from CNNs Senior White House Correspondent @Acosta https://t.co/SYIPLekALG https://t.co/Im5Dlc38B4 CNN (@CNN) January 11, 2017 Trump then turned to the next question, and the press conference proceeded from there. It was a striking moment not only for the direct confrontation between the two men, but also for the fact that it seemed to have no effect on other journalists in the room. No one immediately leapt to Acostas defense. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Related: Eight steps reporters should take before Trump assumes office In the hothouse of a packed Trump Tower lobby, with dozens of reporters trying to get their questions in, its understandable that no one stopped to consider the implication of Trumps actions. But watching on television, I wished those journalists in attendance had picked up Acostas line of questioning, or even refused to continue asking questions, until the President-elect acknowledged the organization he had earlier attacked. Journalism is a competitive business, but its not a zero-sum game. Journalism is a competitive business, but its not a zero-sum game. We all campaign for scoops, access, and sources, but we are, effectively, on the same side. If Trump ignores or blacklists outlets he deems hostile, and others in the industry dont defend them, the public loses out on the perspective those reporters bring, and we as an industry lose out in our efforts to hold power accountable. Confronting Trump directly runs the risk of playing into his complaints of a biased press. But Trump is no longer a candidate. After the election, CJR Editor Kyle Pope called for a return to the journalist as malcontent. Todays press conference presented just such an opportunity. Acosta later said on CNN, Sean Spicer, the incoming press secretary, did say to me that if I were to do that again, I was going to be thrown out of this press conference. It would not be the first time that team Trump had ejected a reporter to whose work the President-elect objects. In August of 2015, Univision anchor Jorge Ramos was ejected from an Iowa press conference after challenging Trump on his comments about Mexicans as rapists. Ramos was soon allowed back into the room due, at least in part, to the lobbying of Tom Llamas from ABC and Kasie Hunt from MSNBC. This fall, Ramos told CJR that he appreciated their support, but also noted that no other journalists in the room came to his defense. Related: BuzzFeed was right to publish Trump-Russia files Today, the question Acosta wanted to askwhether Trump or anyone on his team had been in contact with Russian authoritieswas eventually posed by ABC News Cecilia Vega. Trump did not directly answer the question during the press conference, but Vega reported that, as he was walking from the podium, he told reporters neither he nor his team had interacted with Russian agents. It was unclear, based on Acostas later comments, whether that was coincidental, or whether Vega was taking up his line of questioning on purpose. Much has been made of Trumps relationship with the press, and fears about his views on the First Amendment as well as traditional norms are justified by his actions. With just over a week until he assumes power, the press needs to be ready to work together to ensure that reporters are provided the access and information necessary to accurately and honestly cover the new administration. Standing in the way of such a united effort to push back against Trumps singling out certain organizations is the fractured media industry itself. In the past, there may have been some utility to reporters working as a group, but with unabashed boosters in the studios of certain Fox News hosts, the morning hours of MSNBC, and the pages of Breitbart, as direct access to 17 million followers through his own Twitter feed, Trump has a greater ability than any previous president to push his message unchallenged. Next Friday, the new administration begins. As a candidate, and now as the President-elect, Trump and his team have shown a willingness to retaliate, bully, and ban journalists whose questions he doesnt want to answer. As an industry, we must be prepared for more moments like todays, and we must be ready to respond accordingly. Related: Journalisms moment of reckoning has arrived. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon. The news that respected Wall Street reporter John Carney is leaving his role at The Wall Street Journal to head up a new vertical at the right-wing news site Breitbart raised eyebrows among media types late Monday. As Bloombergs Joshua Green first reported, Carney will lead a team of contributors in establishing a business, markets, and economics news site that is informed by what Carney describes as an optimism about the potential for the American economy. CJR reached out to Carney to find out why he was leaving an established, reputable media brand for a digital upstart that often finds itself mired in controversies stemming from its far-right agenda. Below are excerpts of our conversation, which have been edited for clarity. What attracted you to the position with Breitbart, and how did it come about? I got my start in journalism at digital startups (Gawker, Dealbreaker.com, Business Insider) so when Breitbart wanted to expand into [business coverage] I thought it was a great opportunity to get back involved in [the startup] world. Ive loved The Wall Street Journal, and Ive learned a lot in my time here (three years), but I have always had this very digital focus and a sort of entrepreneurial, startup energy. The opportunity to get back into that was really attractive to me. How would you characterize Breitbarts current economic and business coverage? It hasnt been a focus for them. They have done some, and theyve concentrated on their strengths. Were going to be informed by an optimism about the potential for the American economy and economic nationalism and populismthe idea that the American worker has gotten a raw deal and that we can get a better deal. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Could you explain the term economic populism? A lot of our politics has [come to] focus on petty issues while our economy is actually rotting at the core. Many Americans have not seen their incomes improve in decades and, in fact, a large and important section of America has actually seen their fortunes decline over the years. Economic populism is an economics that sees its vision of success as improving and bettering the prospects of all Americans. Its not enough to grow if too much of that growth is concentrated at the top, or if the middle classes are deteriorating. Economic populism is both a vision of success and an optimism that it can be done. Will you have any input into the editorial direction of the site more broadly, or are you going to stick to business, finance, and economics? Im going to stick to business, finance, and economics. Economics and finance crosses over into politics a lot in terms of policy, taxes, so theres not a completely bright line between the two, but my experience as a journalist is in business, finance, and economics. Thats why they asked me to come on board, so thats what Im going to be focused on. Whats the response been from friends and colleagues to the news? Theyve been really great. I probably walked in [to the Journal] this morning with a bit of trepidation. Its not every day when you change jobs that it ends up in headlines. Usually you get to tell people in person before they read about it somewhere, and while I had told The Wall Street Journal that I was going to leave I had not told them exactly what the next step was going to be. But everybody has been fantastic. Breitbart has a reputation as a breeding ground for racist, sexist, and xenophobic views. Does that aspect of the site concern you? I did a thorough review of everything at Breitbart, and I dont think that that reputation is justified. I think it is a site that cares about a very broad swath of Americans. Its a center-right, populist website, and Im not going to be doing politics explicitly, but I also dont think that that reputation is deserved. Very few people really got the rise of Trump as right as [Breitbart] did and I think they deserve a lot of credit for being ahead of the curve on that. Were going to use that as our model. Perhaps a lot of the reason some of us in mainstream media have been behind the curve is because we bought into too many of the orthodoxies. Breitbarts ability to look beyond those has really been an asset for them, and its one that were going to carry on into business, markets, and finance. Theres also been some controversy over recent days about Breitbart spreading fake news and conspiracy theories. I havent seen any of that. What I can tell you is that Ive been involved in journalism for a long time. Theres not going to be any fake news emanating from Breitbart. Frankly I havent even seen it, so I dont buy it. Breitbart has emerged from being a fringe, right-wing website to being a significant media player over the course of the election campaign. What do you attribute that to? I think it was because they were able to reach beyond a lot of the cliches of politics. [The mainstream media] had gotten so used to conservative-versus-liberal, Republican-versus-Democrat, that it was ignoring a lot of really important issues to peopleissues that both helped Breitbart rise in terms of its readership and helped Donald Trump get elected, frankly. I think America was ready for something new and different. Breitbart provided that, and I think thats been the secret of their success. What attracts you about working for Breitbart? Theyre daring. Theyre unorthodox. Theyre willing to take chances, and they have a very single-minded dedication to not trying to be respectable, but as I look at it, to just tell the truth as they see it. And thats what I want to do. Thats what I see them as doing, and I find that spirit of willingness to be the dissenting truth-tellers very attractive. What role do you see Breitbart playing in the media landscape over the coming years, and do you think your employment is a way of making the site more legitimate? I think Breitbart is going to be building on their past success to expand even more. I think that the media landscape is always changing, and I think theres a big role for a place like Breitbart to play in the changing landscape. Do you think your economics and finance coverage will appeal to both sides of the political spectrum, or is it targeted at a conservative audience? I think some of those dichotomies of conservative and liberal have worn out their usefulness. I think that our coverage will appeal to people who work in manufacturing, people who are union members, people who live in towns like Wheeling, West Virginia, where the steel mill has been on the rocks for years. They may have been traditional Democrats for years and voted Republican this time around. I dont think of it as having a purely partisan appeal. I think it will have a pretty broad appeal, and at the same were going to appeal to people on Wall Street. I have been writing for a Wall Street audience for years, and I think were also going to be able to write for them. Breitbart was pro-Trump during the campaign. Do you have any concerns about your ability to remain impartial? No. I have a long history of writing about very powerful people, whether theyre on Wall Street or in Washington, and I have never been somebody whos afraid to speak the truth to power. Ill be a cheerleader for anything people are doing thats right and good, and Ill be a critic of people, whether they are in the private sector, in the public sector, or in the media, when they go wrong. I think holding the powerful to account is at the core of what journalism is, and were going to do that. No one has immunity, regardless of what their office or name may be. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Shelley Hepworth , formerly a CJR Delacorte Fellow, is Technology Editor at The Conversation in Australia. Follow her on Twitter @shelleymiranda. The frequency of large-scale tornado outbreaks is increasing in the United States, particularly when it comes to the most extreme events, according to research recently published in Science. The study by researchers including Joel E. Cohen, a visiting scholar at the University of Chicago, finds the increase in tornado outbreaks does not appear to be the result of a warming climate as earlier models suggested. Instead, their findings tie the growth in frequency to trends in the vertical wind shear found in certain supercellsa change not so far associated with a warmer climate. Whats pushing this rise in extreme outbreaks, during which the vast majority of tornado-related fatalities occur, is far from obvious in the present state of climate science, said Cohen, the Abby Rockefeller Mauze Professor at Rockefeller University and Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University, who conducted the research while a visiting scholar in UChicagos Department of Statistics. Tornado outbreaks are large-scale weather events that last one to three days, featuring several thunderstorms and six or more tornadoes in close succession. In the study, published in the Dec. 16 issue of Science, the researchers used new statistical tools, including extreme value analysisa branch of statistics dealing with deviationsto analyze observation-based meteorological estimates associated with tornado outbreaks together with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration datasets. The researchers estimated that the number of tornadoes in the most extreme outbreak in a five-year interval doubled over the last half-century. This means that in 1965 the worst outbreak expected over five years would have had about 40 tornadoes, while in 2015 the worst outbreak expected over five years would have had about 80 tornadoes. Viewing the data on thousands of tornadoes that have been reliably recorded in the United States over the past half-century as a population has permitted us to ask new questions and discover new, important changes in outbreaks of these tornadoes, Cohen said. To understand the increased frequency in tornado outbreaks, the researchers looked at two factors: convective available potential energy, or CAPE, and storm relative helicity, which is a measure of vertical wind shear. Earlier studies had projected a warming climate would increase CAPE, creating conditions favorable to a rise in severe thunderstormsand potentially tornado outbreaks. But Cohen and his colleagues found the increases in outbreaks were driven instead by storm relative helicity, which has not been projected to increase under a warming climate. Our study raises new questions about what climate change will do to severe thunderstorms and what is responsible for recent trends, said co-author Michael K. Tippett, an associate professor at Columbia Universitys Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The fact that we didnt see the presently understood meteorological signature of global warming in changing outbreak statistics for tornadoes leaves two possibilities: Either the recent increases are not due to a warming climate, or a warming climate has implications for tornado activity that we dont understand. Citation: More tornadoes in the most extreme U.S. tornado outbreaks, by Michael K. Tippett, Chiara Lepore (Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University) and Joel E. Cohen. Science, DOI 10.1126/science.aah7393 Source: University of Chicago Five U.S. senators have called on the National Transportation Safety Board to conduct a comprehensive review of all passenger railroads implementation of sleep apnea testing for engineers and inward-facing cameras on trains. A letter, sent Sunday to NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart, was signed Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, of New Jersey, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, of New York, and Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut. The five Democrats noted that operator fatigue and sleep apnea have been cited in the investigation of a New Jersey Transit crash that killed one person and injured more than 100 others last September in Hoboken. Operator fatigue also is being probed in an accident that occurred Wednesday, when a Long Island Rail Road train crashed into the end of a platform at Brooklyns Atlantic Terminal, injuring about 100 people. Whats even more concerning than the slow progress railroads are making is an apparent growing trend of railroads pledging to implement sleep apnea testing and inward cameras only after a derailment has occurred on their system, the senators wrote in the letter. Passenger railroads should be able to heed the lessons of other passenger railroads, and each of them should be taking steps to implement these two important provisions as quickly as possible. The NTSB has long recommended sleep apnea testing, comprehensive fatigue risk management programs and inward-facing cameras, which would show inside a trains cab and could give a fuller picture of the operators actions, not just outward-facing cameras, showing outside the train. The Federal Railroad Administration called last month for mandatory sleep apnea screening and treatment, saying it told railroads that engineers with severe sleep disorders shouldnt be allowed to operate trains until they are treated. It also urged railroads to install inward-facing cameras in passenger train cabs to record engineers actions and aid crash investigations. Amtrak and some commuter railroads are already testing engineers for sleep apnea. Freight railroads say they also provide access to screening and treatment. Metro-North, a commuter railroad in New York and Connecticut, found that 1 in 9 of its engineers suffers from sleep apnea. People with the disorder are repeatedly awakened and robbed of rest as their airways close and their breathing stops, leading to dangerous drowsiness later. The federal agency first recommended sleep apnea testing in 2004. Its drafting rules that would make screening for all train operators mandatory. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A newspaper analysis shows the South Carolina attorney general has initiated no prosecutions involving about 400 complaints of price gouging by businesses during Hurricane Matthew. Records obtained by The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette show the office of Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson has received the complaints for the period of Oct. 4 through Nov. 3 when the states price-gouging law was in effect because of the storm. Wilsons spokeswoman says the office has ongoing investigations; she declined to release any details on those cases. Meanwhile, officials in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina say theyre citing several businesses with price gouging. In one case, the Florida Attorney Generals Office said it is pursuing a civil case against a franchise hotel chain that several South Carolina consumers also accused of price gouging. Wilsons office provided some details about the complaints such as the town where the business is located and the reported price, but the office declined to release the names and addresses of businesses being investigated. But Wilsons spokeswoman, Hayley Thrift Bledsoe, wouldnt say how many of the complaints were determined to be unsubstantiated or still under investigation. Further, she couldnt provide any examples in recent years of when the office prosecuted a business for price gouging. Under South Carolina law, price gouging is considered a gross disparity between the quoted price and the average price for a good or service in the 30 days immediately prior to an official state-of-emergency declaration. But the statue doesnt define gross disparity. The problem there is how do we define what that means? said Geoffrey Rapp, associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Toledo College of Law, who has written about price-gouging laws. A vague definition makes it less likely for a state to prosecute, Rapp said. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by a maximum 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The case of the Red Roof Inn hotel chain illustrates how South Carolinas enforcement of the anti-price-gouging law during Hurricane Matthew contrasts with other states. At least four people alerted the S.C. Attorney Generals Office Twitter account of potential price gouging at the Red Roof Inn-Santee near Orangeburg, the newspapers review found. Their tweets included photos of room rates ranging from $522 to $530. We cannot control the Expedia site, said Peter Patel, general manager of Red Roof Inn Santee. hey made a mistake. We didnt charge anyone $500. An Expedia representative disagreed. Hotels are responsible for putting in their rates into Expedias Marketplace, wrote Expedia senior manager Amanda Graham in an email. We dont manage those prices. A representative from Red Roofs corporate office cited the incident as the result of a technical mapping issue that was almost immediately resolved. No guest booked this rate through Expedia, spokeswoman Karen Zhu wrote in an email. Red Roof does not condone price gouging or engage in this practice. The S.C. Attorney Generals Office will not release any information about ongoing cases, so it is unknown if the allegations involving Red Roof are under investigation. However, the hotel chain is facing civil action in Florida, according to officials there. In the days leading up to the hurricane when evacuees flooded the Gulf Coast, Red Roof Inn-Clearwater raised room rates by 80 percent and up to 200 percent, with some guests being charged $140 more than the average nightly rate, according to a news release from the Office of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondis office is asking the hotel to pay civil penalties and restitution. Zhu declined comment on the Florida facility, saying only that its a franchised property. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Medical certificates given to truckers nationwide by a chiropractor operating out of an Atlanta, Ga., truck stop will soon be revoked, federal authorities said. Prosecutors say Anthony Lefteris was authorized to perform the exams, which are meant to ensure that truck drivers operate safely on the nations highways. But they say he skipped required tests such as vision and hearing, and falsified records. Now, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says it will revoke all the medical certificates signed by Lefteris during the past two years, and truckers who received their exams from him will have to obtain new ones in order to maintain their Commercial Driver Licenses. More than 6,600 truck divers from 48 states are affected, though most are based in Georgia, authorities said. Once theyre notified by mail, theyll have 30 days to get re-certified. Drivers that fail to obtain medical requalification within the 30-day time period will be medically disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, said Duane DeBruyne, a spokesman with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Two lawyers listed in court records as attorneys for Lefteris did not immediately return email and phone messages on Monday. On Dec. 28, Lefteris pleaded not guilty to all eight counts of an indictment accusing him of making fraudulent entries on the certificates, court records state. Prosecutors built their case by sending undercover officers to Lefteris office in the Petro Atlanta truck stop near Interstate 285, court records show. Its among several large truck stops which have had doctors available to do the exams for truck drivers and sign the required paperwork for them. The probe began when federal investigators learned that Lefteris was conducting an average of 360 medical exams per month, when other medical professionals typically did 13 or 14, prosecutors said in court records. Those numbers aroused suspicions, which led to the investigation and charges, prosecutors said. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. LORDSTOWN, Ohio -- Clean Energy Future, a Boston-based developer of gas-turbine power plants, announced today that it will build a second 940-megawatt plant here. The Trumbull Energy Center will be right next door to its twin, the Lordstown Energy Center, now under construction and expected to go into service in June 2018. The company expects to have financing for the Trumbull Energy Center in place by this December. Construction is planned to begin in January 2018. The second plant should be in service by May 2020, said William Siderewicz, president of Clean Energy Future. Financing for each of the Lordstown plants is about $900 million, said Siderewicz. Because the power plants use the exhaust heat of the gas turbines to run a steam turbine, the combined cycle system is rated at 66 percent efficient, he said, or roughly twice as efficient as a typical coal-fired power plant. In other words, the electricity should be priced at about half the cost of power from coal plants, said Siderewicz, in an interview before today's press conference. Together, the two power plants will generate 1,880 megawatts, enough electricity to power 1.7 million homes, he said, and at a much lower cost than conventional coal and nuclear power plants. Clean Energy Future and its partners are building two similar gas-turbine power plants in Oregon, Ohio, about a mile from a FirstEnergy coal-and-coke-fired power plant that will be shut down or sold because it cannot compete with gas. The first of the two Oregon gas plants will begin generating and pushing power into the 13-state regional wholesale grid this May. The Lordstown construction announcement comes just as Ohio lawmakers begin to consider how to deal with demands from FirstEnergy, American Electric Power and Dayton Power and Light to somehow re-regulate Ohio's electric markets in order to protect their less efficient and more-expensive-to run coal and nuclear power plants. FirstEnergy has threatened to close or sell its old power plants unless Ohio and Pennsylvania re-regulate the markets -- pushing the cost of running the old plants onto customers in the form of higher rates. Full re-regulation would also eliminate the ability of customers to choose their own power suppliers. FirstEnergy has sought a way around federal competitive market rules since 2014 in arguments urging the Public Utilities Commission to increase customer rates in order to subsidize its power plants because they cannot compete with modern gas turbine generators. Over the objections of competitors and the concerns of PJM Interconnection, the non-profit company that manages the high-voltage grid and electric markets, the PUCO approved a deal in 2016 forcing customers to subsidize the old plant. But the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission immediately objected. Late last year, the PUCO approved a small delivery-rate increase supposedly for upgrades to the company's power delivery system, but without any requirements to prove the new money ($200 million a year for three years) would be used for that. Opponents called it a "bailout" and have appealed. FirstEnergy has appealed because the amount is too low. Siderewicz argues that re-regulating Ohio's electric markets would amount to a "$100 billion bailout of Ohio's utilities and their investors, paid for solely by ordinary rate payers." Siderewicz, formerly a senior vice president based in Boston for the independent power company Calpine Corp. of San Jose, California, developed the Fremont Energy Center in Ohio in 2001. American Municipal Power owns and operates the 710-megawatt combined cycle gas-turbine power plant. Citing publicly available plans filed with PJM Interconnection, Siderewicz said his company's four gas-fired plants are among 12 gas-turbine plants planned for Ohio with a total capacity of more than 11,000 megawatts, or nearly 10 times the output of FirstEnergy's Perry nuclear power plant. All of the gas-turbine plants will be built by independent power companies rather than traditional utilities such as FirstEnergy and AEP, he said. Clean Energy Future has partnered with Siemens Energy and Siemens Financial Services of Germany, the French multi-national bank Paribas and Texas-based Fluor Corp., an engineering and construction company, to plan, finance and build the two Lordstown plants. Siemens manufactured the equipment in its North Carolina facility. The projects have created jobs for hundreds of union workers, said Siderewicz, and have a $1.76 billion impact on the economy of Mahoning and Trumbull counties. "There are over 400 men and women currently working on this project," said Carlton Ingram, vice president of the Western Reserve Building Trades and business representative of the International Union of Operating Engineers, local 66. "It is definitely a partnership of labor with the ownership," he said. "It has been very positive and we are proud to have them in the area." Arno Hill, mayor of the Village of Lordstown, said the impact of the project already has been unparalleled. He said the schools are in line to receive more than $20 million over the next 15 years from the first project alone. "Everybody is upbeat," he said. A train leaves Harbin Railway Station in North China's Heilongjiang, July 22,2016. Tao Zhang | NurPhoto | Getty Images China has unveiled new plans to partially privatize the country's industrial champions, including the state railway system and a weapon maker, but concerns remain whether Beijing is seeking a real change in its bloated state sector or just using a new trick to lure money to fill a financial black hole. China Railway Corporation, which runs the world's largest high-speed railway network, said it would spin off some businesses to allow private investors to participate, following a "mixed ownership reform" plan announced by China North Industries Group, the country's key military equipment maker. While these assets were largely off-limits to private investors before, Beijing also made it clear that the controlling power of China's industrial conglomerates would be firmly in the hands of the government, or the ruling Communist Party. The latest 'reforms' are not intended to 'weaken state-owned enterprises' or 'to seek a complete privatization'", Ji Xiaonan, the supervisory board chairman of big state companies at the State-Owned Asset Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) wrote in an article in People's Daily yesterday. watch now Instead, China aimed to improve its state firms so they could better serve China's socialist system and facilitate the "rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", Ji wrote. Unlike the former Soviet Union, China has adopted a slow process to revitalize its state sector. After three decades of push and pull, state enterprises, with combined assets of 130 trillion yuan (HK$146 trillion), now provide only part of the jobs and tax revenues in the country, although they are still coddled with cheap credit from the banking system and other preferential policies. "China will make larger efforts this year to induce private investors to participate in the restructuring of state-owned enterprises," said Li Jin, chief researcher at the China Enterprise Research Institute. More from the South China Morning Post : Belt and Road set to deliver significant boost to China Railway Old new hand in the driver's seat at China's railway giant Beijing's spending promises fail to help state-run building firms Li said the railway industry was opening up to private money. The Hangzhou-Taizhou railway line in eastern Zhejiang province, for instance, will get 51 per cent of its funding from private investors, he noted. "[Beijing] will soon open up other state monopolies, such as airlines and telecom, to woo investor interests." Such a move might be appealing to private investors who have long been kept away from the country's core sectors of energy, telecoms, aviation and financial services. watch now Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy May 21, 2015. A Chinese H-6 strategic bomber flew around the Spratly Islands at the weekend in a new show of force in the contested South China Sea, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. It was the second such flight by a Chinese bomber in the South China Sea this year. The first was on Jan. 1, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The flight could be seen as a show of "strategic force" by the Chinese, the official said. It comes after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a tougher approach to China when he takes office on Jan. 20, with tweets criticizing Beijing for its trade practices and accusing it of failing to help rein in nuclear-armed North Korea. WHEN: Today, Tuesday, January 10th WHERE: CNBC's "Closing Bell" Following is the unofficial transcript of a CNBC EXCLUSIVE interview with Mylan CEO Heather Bresch on CNBC's "Closing Bell" (M-F, 3PM-5PM ET) today, Tuesday, January 10th. All references must be sourced to CNBC. KELLY EVANS: DONALD TRUMP ALSO VOWING TO LOWER DRUG PRICES AS PRESIDENT. JOINING US NOW FROM JPMORGAN HEALTH CARE CONFERENCE OUT IN SAN FRANCISCO IS OUR MEG TERRELL ONCE AGAIN WHO IS NOW JOINED IN A CNBC EXCLUSIVE BY MYLAN CEO HEATHER BRESCH. MEG TIRRELL: KELLY THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HEATHER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. HEATHER BRESCH: THANK YOU. TIRRELL: SO YOU GUYS MAKE THE EPIPEN, OF COURSE. THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST STORIES IN THE DRUG INDUSTRY THIS YEAR. HOW WOULD YOU REFLECT ON WHAT 2016 MEANT FOR MYLAN? BRESCH: YOU KNOW, I GUESS AS I REFLECT I WOULD SAY LOOKING BACK I THINK EPIPEN STARTED A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT AND MUCH NEEDED CONVERSATION IN THE HEALTH CARE SPACE. I THINK GIVEN THE COVERAGE OVER THE LAST SIX, EIGHT MONTHS OF JUST HOW IT WORKS AND STARTING TO DIVE INTO THESE ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE, AGAIN, VERY NEEDED FOR US TO GET TO A MEANINGFUL ANSWER AND SOLUTION. TIRRELL: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU REALLY I THINK BROUGHT UP AS PART OF THIS CONVERSATION IS REALLY THE ROLE THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM OF DRUG PRICES AND PARTICULARLY OF THE MIDDLEMEN. WE HAD EXPRESS SCRIPTS THE LARGEST PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER ON EARLIER AND WE ASKED THEM, DO THEY PLAY A ROLE IN INCREASING OR INCENTIVIZING RAISING LISTPRICES AND THEY SAID NO. HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT? BRESCH: YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I'LL JUST SPEAK FROM WHAT I KNOW, WHICH IS THE EPIPEN EXAMPLE THAT I SHARED, AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT A SYSTEM WHERE AS THE MANUFACTURER, AS THE SELLER, AS THE PERSON, AS YOU SAID, WHO IS OWNING EPIPEN AND WE MAKE LESS THAN HALF OF THAT LIST PRICE, I THINK THAT DEMONSTRATES AN IMBALANCE IN THE SYSTEM. SO IT WASN'T -- IT WAS JUST REALLY ABOUT EXPOSING SOMETHING THAT MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, EVEN PEOPLE WITHIN THE HEALTH CARESPACE OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE COVERED THIS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME WERE SHOCKED AND HAD NO IDEA OFREALLY HOW IT WORKS. AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT OBVIOUSLY STARTED A MUCH-NEEDED CONVERSATION. TIRRELL: A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN HAVING THAT CONVERSATION MAYBE BECAUSE PBMS HAVE A LOT OF POWER WHERE THEY PLACE DRUGS ON FORMULARY PROGRAMS FOR PATIENTS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THEM. HOW HAS THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION AND REALLY BRINGING THE PBMs INTO THE LIMELIGHT AFFECTED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM? HAS IT AFFECTED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH DOING BUSINESS WITH EXPRESS SCRIPTS, CVS, ETC? BRESCH: WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CUSTOMERS. AND AS YOU KNOW MYLAN IS MUCH MORE THAN EPIPEN. EPIPEN IS A VERY IMPORTANT PRODUCT BUT IT'S DOWN IN MID SINGLE DIGITS WHAT IT MEANS TO OUR REVENUE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT MYLAN'S PORTFOLIO, WE HAVE OVER 630 PRODUCTS JUST IN THE UNITED STATES, OVER 2700 GLOBALLY. YOU LOOK AT THE SIGNIFICANCE -- THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE WE PLAY INTHE U.S. HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE AN IMPORTANT PLAYER SO WE HAVE GREAT RELATIONS. AND IT'S ABOUT OUR WHOLE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO. OUR AVERAGE SALES PRICE IS 25 CENTS A DOSE. LAST YEAR WE FILLED 1 IN EVERY 13 PRESCRIPTIONS IS A MYLAN MEDICINE. 21 BILLION DOSES THAT'S MORE THAN PFIZER, J. AND J., MERCK. SANOFI, ASTRA ALL COMBINED AND I THINK WHEN PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND OUR SCALE, OUR DIVERSIFICATION, OUR DIFFERENTIATION AS A COMPANY, IT PUTS MYLAN IN A UNIQUE ROLE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS FOR OUR PATIENTS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO THIS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. TIRRELL: SO YOU DO HAVE A VERY BIG AND DIVERSE BUSINESS, BUT THE EPIPEN STORY REALLY DRIVING AND PROBABLY COMMANDING A LOT OF YOUR ATTENTION OVER THE LAST YEAR. AS A RESULT OF THAT ENTIRE SITUATION, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'VE CHANGED ABOUT HOW YOU DO BUSINESS? BRESCH: YES. YOU KNOW, LOOK, I THINK EVERY DAY IS A LEARNING, ESPECIALLY IN THIS INDUSTRY. AND THE DRAMATIC SHIFT IN THE WAY HEALTH CARE PLANS ARE DELIVERING HEALTH CARE TO PATIENTS HAS PUT A PATIENT LENS THAT REALLY NEVER EXISTED FROM THAT PHARMACY COUNTER INTERACTION. SO, IT ABSOLUTELY HAS MADE MYLAN A STRONGER COMPANY, ME A STRONGER LEADER BECAUSE I'M STEPPING BACK AND LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS OF THIS DRAMATIC SHIFT AND REALIZING THAT WE REALLY OVERNIGHT, AND I BELIEVE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE, OF HAVING CONSUMERIZING HEALTH CARE AND ASKING, YOU KNOW, AND A LOT OF TIMES, THE CEO OF A HOUSEHOLD IS A MOTHER. SHE'S TAKING CARE OF THAT HOUSEHOLD. SHE'S IN CHARGE OF HOW HEALTH CARE DOLLARS GET SPENT. I TRULY UNDERSTAND THE OUTRAGE WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO COST. SO AS I STEP BACK AND TRY TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING THROUGH AN EMPLOYER AND THROUGH THIS PATIENT LENS, IT GIVES A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO APPLY THOSE LEARNINGS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IF EPIPEN STARTED THIS CONVERSATION, I WILL AT LEAST DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO SEE IT THROUGH. AND SEEING IT THROUGH MEANS CHANGING THE WAY THAT PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AND THE WAY A PATIENT THROUGH THAT PATIENT LENS NEEDS TO CHANGE DRAMATICALLY. TIRRELL: WELL, YOU MENTIONED THAT OUTRAGE, OF COURSE. AND THIS REALLY HAS BEEN EMBRACED AS A POPULIST ISSUE FROM REALLY BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE. AND MOST RECENTLY BY PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP, WHO SAID HE DOESN'T LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH DRUG PRICES, HE IS GOING TO BRING THEM DOWN. AND WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT WHAT MEANS? WHAT WILL THAT IMPACT BE ON YOU? BRESCH: LOOK, I'M EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC. I BELIEVE THAT OBVIOUSLY HE IS A VERY BUSINESS-MINDED INDIVIDUAL THAT'S VERY SOLUTION ORIENTED. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS TODAY, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT THINK IT'S JUST IT'S NOT RATIONAL. WE DON'T HAVE A MARKET-BASED SYSTEM FOR BRAND PHARMACEUTICALS AND WE HAVE A REBATE BASED SYSTEM. I'M NOT SAYING ONE IS RIGHT OR WRONG, BUT THEY ARE PHILOSOPHICALLY VERY DIFFERENT. PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ANGRY AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHO TO BE ANGRY OVER ABOUT MAKING VERY PERSONAL AND EMOTIONAL DECISIONS ABOUT PRODUCTS THEY NEED OR THEIR CHILDREN NEED. SO IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM AT THAT FRONT LINE BECAUSE DEDUCTIBLES ARE 8, $10,000 OF WHAT NEEDS YOU LOOK LIKE AN UNINSURED PATIENT UNTIL YOU HIT THAT DEDUCTIBLE. SO IF WE'RE ASKING THEM TO GET ENGAGED, THEN WE NEED TO GIVE THEM THE TOOLS AND THE TRANSPARENCIES TO ALLOW THEM TO SHOP. I SAY THAT PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY ARE THE BEST SHOPPERS IN THE WORLD. WE EXPECT THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND THE LOWEST COST. YOU LOOK AT THINGS LIKE PLASTIC SURGERY, YOU'RE ENGAGED AND YOU'RE SHOPPING AND THAT HAS HAPPENED THERE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE TOOLS. YOU CAN'T SHOP, YOU CAN'T COMPARE. SO THAT LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, THAT LACK OF ENGAGING, YOU KNOW, THOSE CEOs OF HOUSEHOLDS, EVERY MOTHER OUT THERE THAT'S THINKING ABOUT HOW TO AFFORD AND PAY FOR, NEEDS THE TOOLS AND TRANSPARENCIES TO KNOW HOW TO SHOP. TIRRELL: WELL, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY COMPLICATED AND NUANCED SITUATION, BUT WE'VE SEEN THE PRESIDENT-ELECT USE A VERY BLUNT TOOL IN ADDRESSING A LOT OF THINGS HE SEES IMPORTANT, WHICH ARE TWEETS. BRESCH: YEAH. TIRRELL: ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT BEING THE TARGET OF A TRUMP TWEET? BRESCH: WELL LOOK, I CAN'T SPEAK TO HIS TWEETS, BUT WHAT I CAN SPEAK TO IS WE TOOK A VERY DECISIVE ACTION ON EPIPEN. AND HE APPEARS TO ME TO BE SOMEONE WHO APPRECIATES VERY DECISIVE AND IMMEDIATE ACTION. SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD HOPE THAT THAT IS HOW HE WOULD LOOK AT THIS EPIPEN WHAT THE EPIPEN SITUATION WAS AND THE CONVERSATION IT STARTED. TIRRELL: HEATHER BRESCH, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US. BRESCH: YEAH, THANK YOU. About CNBC: With CNBC in the U.S., CNBCin Asia Pacific, CNBC in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and CNBC World, CNBCis the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-timefinancial market coverage and business information to approximately 381 millionhomes worldwide, including more than 94 million households in the United Statesand Canada. CNBC also provides daily business updates to 400 million householdsacross China. The network's 15 live hours a day of business programming inNorth America (weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC'sglobal headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBCNews bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of new realityprogramming, CNBC's highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC anda number of distinctive in-house documentaries. CNBC also has a vastportfolio of digital products which deliver real-time financial market news andinformation across a variety of platforms including: CNBC.com; CNBC PRO, thepremium, integrated desktop/mobile service that provides live access to CNBCprogramming, exclusive video content and global market data and analysis; asuite of CNBC mobile products including the CNBC Apps for iOS, Android andWindows devices; and additional products such as the CNBC App for the AppleWatch and Apple TV. Members of the media canreceive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBCUniversalMedia Village Web site at http://www.nbcumv.com/programming/cnbc. For more information aboutNBCUniversal, please visit http://www.NBCUniversal.com. Jim Cramer was convinced last week that a jump in small business optimism would have no influence on the stock market. "I was wrong," the "Mad Money" host said. The monthly National Federation of Independent Business survey of small business optimism report this week indicated that December had greatest surge in optimism since 1980, when Ronald Reagan was elected. The survey polled 619 businesses, and showed a jump to 105.8, the highest since 2004. The survey was heavily skewed toward the notion of expansion with the notion that more optimism leads to more hiring and job creation, which translates into economic improvement. "I can't emphasize how important this all is because right now there is a perception in the media that there is nothing but trouble ahead with Trump's nominations, with his plans, with his style," Cramer said. The best option is for Toshiba's lenders to keep credit flowing but beyond that, the conglomerate also needs a complete overhaul at the top, the president of a market intelligence company said on Wednesday. Toshiba met with creditors on Tuesday to negotiate credit terms and request that they don't use the provision in debt agreements to call in their loans early, so as to give the embattled company time to work out a plan, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Toshiba's main lenders agreed to continue backing the 142-year old electronics conglomerate, but additional capital support will depend on its turnaround plan, Nikkei Asian Review reported early on Wednesday. watch now "It really is in the banks best interest to extend credit further to Toshiba and try to get it back on its feet," said Roger Kay, president and founder of Endpoint Technologies Associates, in a Squawk Box interview. He added that Toshiba's semiconductor business is still healthy, and there's speculative talk that the company could sell some of that business to raise cash and appease banks. It is also important to note that Toshiba's goodwill impairment is a non-cash event, said Damien Thong, analyst at Macquarie Capital Securities, in a note on Monday. Thong also added that "Toshiba's liquidity is likely more than enough to cover bond redemptions and capex (capital spending) over the next year even without operating cash inflows or fresh external financing beyond the untapped commitment line." The Japanese conglomerate announced on Dec. 27 that it might book goodwill charges of "several billion U.S. dollars" related to its U.S. subsidiary Westinghouse Electric's nuclear acquisition, and which will impact Toshiba's financials. Since the announcement, shares of Toshiba have tumbled 23 percent. Kazuhiro Nogi | AFP | Getty Images Just when it seemed the estate-planning landscape had settled, enter Donald Trump as the incoming president. As in most areas of public policy, the president-elect's plans for tax reform are still largely unknown. His victory will likely be good news for wealthy Americans worried about their estates and the taxes their heirs may have to pay on them. However, there is still enough uncertainty about Trump's ideas and his ability to execute them that estate planning pros are proceeding with caution. "[President-elect Trump] has not gone into much detail about his tax plans," said Adrienne Penta, a senior vice president with high-end investment advisory firm Brown Brothers Harriman. "It is always easier to talk about sweeping tax reform than to do it. Martin Barraud | Getty Images "It's still uncertain whether we'll have estate-tax repeal and what it will mean for people." That being the case, Penta is advising her high-net-worth clients not to undo estate-planning strategies they may have in place and wait to see how tax reform plays out. "Now is not the time to make drastic changes to estate plans," she said. Trump, however, has vowed to do away with the "death tax." The issue has become a red herring in terms of revenue to the federal Treasury. The American Taxpayer Relief Act passed in early 2013 extended the indexed $5 million individual exemption ($10 million for couples). It now stands at $5.45 million and affects only a tiny percentage of Americans, generating about $20 billion in revenue to the government last year. "Estate-tax repeal is now a political issue, not a revenue one," said Michael Cyrs, an estate and wealth transfer advisor with Savant Capital Management. He said that federal revenues from the tax have dropped roughly $50 billion to $70 billion since the 2001 Tax Act began raising the exemption and lowering the tax rate. More from FA Playbook: Have a pension? Know your payout options The hidden costs of buying your own home Why advisors should care about the new fiduciary rule While federal estate-tax repeal seems likely, Trump has also indicated he will institute a tax on capital gains in estates, though he would set an exemption of at least $10 million to protect small businesses and farm owners. Currently, assets get a step up in cost basis to market value when transferred to heirs of an estate. It's unclear whether the tax would apply to unrealized gains or only when the assets are sold. Either way, it could prove to be a nettlesome issue for Americans inheriting large amounts of assets. "If the estate tax is replaced by a capital gains tax, it could be even more complex to administer and to produce the documentation on cost basis," said Penta of Brown Brothers Harriman. There is also still the matter of state taxes on estates as high as 20 percent, in the case of Washington State. The motivation for estate planning, however, now has much less to do with tax avoidance and much more to do with controlling how wealth is transferred to heirs and/or charities. "Taxes used to drive everything in estate planning," said Cyrs with Savant Capital Management. "Now the bigger issues are asset protection, avoiding court involvement and developing a distribution plan for children." That means Americans won't have to spend as much on complicated tax-saving trust vehicles, but they still have to take care of fundamental estate-planning issues relevant to everyone regardless of their wealth. There's been a sea change in the way people view wealth transfer. A lot of people are saying they don't want to give large sums to their children. Michael Cyrs estate and wealth transfer advisor with Savant Capital Management "People still have to plan for all the other things, like becoming incompetent, protection from creditors and succession planning for business owners," said Jonathan Blattmachr, a senior advisor with Pioneer Wealth Partners. "Those things have to be planned for." Three essential items for every American to address are: Guardianship for young children if you die prematurely. Powers of attorney for both financial and health-care decision-making, should you become incompetent or otherwise unable to make either type of decision. Living wills that articulate your desires regarding medical treatment if you become unable to give consent. Another key decision is whether to use a simple will or to create a trust to administer your estate. The demand for complex (and expensive) trust structures to avoid taxes has fallen off a cliff in the last three years. However, the control that simple trusts provide remains very attractive to many people. Blattmachr believes every family should use trusts to transfer assets. "I may be the most pro-trust lawyer in the country," he said. "Trusts are the greatest asset-protection and management tool in the U.S." Philippine President R. Duterte (left) and Indonesian President J. Widodo Indonesian authorities are sending mixed messages on the death penalty. The country abstained on a UN resolution for its abolition, and the president hinted at ending it, but some senior political figures are calling for the increased execution of drug offenders. On December 19, 2016, Indonesia was one of 31 countries that abstained from voting on a UN resolution that called for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, the Jakarta Post reports. The UN has voted on a resolution on abolishing the death penalty every 2 years since 2008. Indonesia has abstained on every such resolution since 2012; prior to this, it had consistently voted against the measures. Human rights advocates, including the Human Rights Working Group, praised the government's abstention, as Indonesia has built a reputation as a prolific executioner of non-violent drug offenders under President Joko Widodo. Suryadi Swabhuana, Jurit bin Abdullah, Ibrahim bin Ujang, Between 2010 and 2014, despite numerous people being sentenced to death in Indonesia, no executions took place [NB: 5 executions were indeed carried out in Indonesia in 2013: Adami Wilson Muhammad Abdul Hafeez . No executions were carried out between 2009 and 2012. -- DPN]. This changed after Widodo entered office in October 2014, since which 18 people have been executed - all for drug trafficking. Many of those executed were foreigners whose respective governments engaged in futile diplomatic efforts to reduce their citizens' sentences. At least 2 death row inmates, including one who was executed last year, accused law enforcement of torture during their interrogation. Despite Widodo's renewal of the death penalty, he recently hinted at potential reform. In an interview with ABC News in November 2016, the president said, "We are very open to options. I don't know when but we want to move towards that direction [of abolishing capital punishment]." While Widodo's remarks suggest that human rights progress may be on the horizon for Indonesia, statements from other authorities paint a far darker picture of the future of the country's drug policy. Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo stated in early December that executions were planned "in the near future", and that the state would be prioritising people convicted of drug-related crimes. In December, Budi Waseso - chief of the country's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) - told members of a new regional counter-narcotic taskforce, "Don't hesitate to shoot drug traffickers, drug dealers and drug users. Anyone involved in drug trafficking should be punished harshly, including traitors in the BNN body". With echoes of President Rodrigo Duterte's calls for the slaughter of alleged drug offenders in the Philippines, Waseso's remarks suggest that a striking intensification of the Indonesian approach to drug policy may occur. Indonesian NGOs have repeatedly urged the government to officially end the death penalty, pointing out the lack of evidence for its supposed deterrent effect, and arguing that it contributes to societal harms. Ardhany Suryadarma, Policy Manager for the EU-funded project, Asia Action on Harm Reduction, proclaimed: "These executions only exacerbate the stigmatisation of people who use drugs, driving them underground, and away from [harm reduction interventions, which] ... keep individuals safer and curb the HIV epidemic." The country has, seemingly, reached a crossroads, and the next step that it takes in regard to the death penalty will clarify its place in a region that is increasingly divided on the matter. For example, Malaysia seems to have introduced a secret moratorium on capital punishment for drug-related offences. Conversely, President Duterte's state-mandated violence against people allegedly involved with drugs has left at least 6,000 people dead in the Philippines since July 2016. Despite international condemnation, his government advocates the continuation of his lethal campaign. There are clearly conflicting ideologies between different authorities in Indonesia, and it is unclear which path the government will take. The country is currently at a crossroads: will Widodo stay true to his word and move towards adherence to the UN resolution? Will Indonesia return to its traditional approach of state-mandated executions? Or will it begin implementing extrajudicial killings as seen in the Philippines? | Report an error, an omission; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Source: talkingdrugs.org, January 10, 2017 watch now Alibaba founder Jack Ma's visit to Trump Tower this week wasn't just the latest example of a foreign business leader cozying up to the president-elect. Ma, whose Chinese online retailer is more valuable than all but 12 U.S. corporations, is perhaps the best known business executive in the country Donald Trump most frequently attacked during his campaign for taking advantage of unfair trade deals. Ma smartly decided to pursue face time with Trump. And Ma came bearing a promise: to help create 1 million U.S. jobs by enabling small businesses to sell goods on Alibaba's prosperous e-commerce platform. It played right into Trump's boisterous pledge to boost growth and get Americans working again (despite a nine-year low in unemployment). But experts who have spent years tracking Alibaba and Chinese online commerce aren't buying Ma's pitch. "Jack Ma is great at PR and Trump is a sucker for anybody who kisses his whatever," said Harley Lewin, a partner at New York law firm McCarter & English who has spent 40 years protecting brands and fighting infringement globally. "Ma is going to say that because those are the buzzwords that appeal to the incoming administration." watch now While the idea of an American entrepreneur developing a product and using Alibaba to distribute it in a country with over 1.3 billion people is enticing, the reality is much more complicated. U.S. companies face big challenges when doing business in China, including government subsidies for domestic products, the costs of moving goods and piracy. Ma says he's here to help. But there's a problem. Alibaba is a haven for counterfeits. In December, Taobao, Alibaba's consumer website, was put back on the "notorious marketplaces" blacklist by the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Taobao had been removed from the list in 2012 after making efforts to protect intellectual property rights holders, but "current levels of reported counterfeiting and piracy are unacceptably high," the trade office said. In Lewin's extensive work in China, he has noticed a consistent pattern: When a product or category proves to be popular, the number of counterfeits explodes, and brands are powerless to stop it, no matter how much policing they do. Ma even acknowledged in a speech in June that the fakes are often of "better quality, better prices than the real products, the real names." Amazon vs. Alibaba "It makes sales into China prohibitive," Lewin said. "You can't compete with the volume of selling of fakes on the internet." That's not all. Once a company has introduced its product to Chinese counterfeiters, they can start selling their knockoffs globally, whether on Alibaba, Amazon.com or eBay . That makes Chinese counterfeiting a problem that extends far beyond China. Alibaba spokesman Robert Christie told CNBC that there are certain categories of products that Chinese consumers only want to buy from businesses outside the country, and Alibaba is targeting brands that can fulfill that demand. Christie referred back to an op-ed that Ma wrote in The Wall Street Journal in June 2015, outlining Alibaba's strategy for luring U.S. businesses. Ma said items like fresh foods, cosmetics and baby products present a particular opportunity for sellers in Europe and the U.S. to crack the Chinese market. "If you ingest something or it touches their skin, they don't want it made in China," Christie said. "That's everything from makeup to vitamins to lotions to clothes. We know there's big demand for that in China." In the meeting with Trump, the headline number that Ma laid out was 1 million new businesses over five years, Christie said. The million new jobs assumes one employee per business. As for the counterfeit problem, Alibaba Vice Chairman Joseph Tsai said in an interview in November that the company has spent years developing systems to enforce IP protection and crack down on piracy. The site uses homegrown technology to scour 10 million listings a day and takes down an average of 25 listings for every complaint, Tsai said. Over 100,000 brands, including 75 percent of the world's most valuable consumer names use Alibaba to access China, according to Christie. Brands like Apple , Disney and Nike "would not be using Alibaba as their gateway to the China market if they did not believe we were an honest broker with an ongoing, rock-solid commitment to protecting their intellectual property," he said. "We are actively using our big data capabilities not only to remove suspect products from our site, but also to help put counterfeiters in China behind bars." The problem that Ma's created has cost the U.S. millions of jobs. Rob Dunkel founder of 3PM Marketplace Solutions There's another reason to be skeptical of Ma's expressed affinity for the American small business. Because of the extremely low barrier in place for Chinese merchants to sell into the U.S. the type of "terrible deal" Trump railed against throughout his campaign Alibaba has served as a platform for cheap Chinese goods to enter the U.S. and undercut domestic competitors. While Taobao has failed to crack the U.S. consumer market, Alibaba.com and the AliExpress site have served as suppliers to U.S. retailers, who turn around and sell those products at higher prices on Amazon and elsewhere. That inventory includes counterfeits and knockoffs as well as legitimate products priced far below what American companies can reasonably charge. "The problem that Ma's created has cost the U.S. millions of jobs," said Rob Dunkel, founder of 3PM Marketplace Solutions, whose technology helps brands protect themselves against fraudulent activity. "Why should we believe you now?" Dunkel has some additional advice for the president-elect: "The question Trump should be asking is, `What's Jack's plan to protect U.S. companies' IP?'" A Trump spokesperson didn't respond to a request for comment. The Trump-Ma affair was just an initial meeting and until Trump takes office on Jan. 20, nobody can predict how much of his anti-China trade rhetoric morphs into policy. If Trump is truly concerned about boosting the competitiveness of U.S. companies, particularly with respect to China, he'll first need to get a grasp on how platforms like Alibaba are opening the door to the imbalances he proclaims to detest. According to the Counterfeit Report, counterfeiters destroy some 750,000 U.S. jobs and cost domestic businesses over $250 billion a year. "I'm not sure people understand how endemic an issue this is," said Rania Sedhom, managing partner of New York-based Sedhom Law Group, which represents brands that sell online. "I don't think the government as a whole understands the true consequences and where the money is going." WATCH: Alibaba's Jack Ma says job creation will focus on small business McDonald's sale of its China and Hong Kong operations raises numerous concerns about worker conditions, an American labor union has warned. On Monday, Carlyle and Chinese state-owned enterprise Citic won the deal to purchase the U.S. fast-food giant's businesses in the two regions for $2.08 billion. The deal grants Citic and Carlyle franchise rights for 20 years, with Citic receiving a controlling stake of 52 percent, Carlyle taking 28 percent and McDonald's keeping the remaining 20 percent. A deliveryman working for a McDonald's fast food restaurant in Beijing on January 9, 2017. NICOLAS ASFOURI / AFP / Getty Images McDonald's owns and operates the bulk of outlets in the mainland and Hong Kong, but it has long indicated a desire to embrace a franchise model that would enable it to profit from sales while slashing operating costs. The franchise system will benefit the brand in both areas but it will spell trouble for local employees, warned The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a group that represents two million workers in the U.S. and Canada. "Experience in other markets such as Brazil and Puerto Rico has shown the McDonald's master franchisee model being adopted in Greater China is not in the interests of workers, as it makes it harder for franchisees to provide adequate pay and conditions," SEIU explained in a statement on Monday. Essentially, the model creates an inherent misalignment of incentives between McDonald's and the development licenseei.e. the franchiserthat typically results in financial problems, with poor returns for shareholders and squeezed margins for operators, SEIU cautioned. The issue of sub-franchising, a process in which smaller franchisees operate stores under the McDonald's brand through agreements with the developmental licensee, is a major factor here. Royalties paid by sub-franchisees are often passed on directly to McDonald's in full and exclude the developmental licensee, even though the latter assists sub-franchisees with operational matters, the SEIU said. watch now The furor over EpiPen "absolutely has made Mylan a stronger company, me a stronger leader," CEO Heather Bresch told CNBC's Meg Tirrell during an interview broadcast from the J.P. Morgan Health Care Conference in San Francisco. Mylan 's CEO said Tuesday that the company has learned from the controversy last year over big price hikes for EpiPen, and that she's hopeful Donald Trump will appreciate moves the pharmaceutical giant has taken to control the anti-allergy device's cost to consumers. "I truly understand the outrage when you have no idea what something's going to cost," said Bresch. She argued that the controversy had focused the issue of hike drug prices though a "patient lens" and created a new "conversation" about what is driving those prices. "As I step back and try to look at everything ... through this patient lens, it gives a different perspective, and we're continue to apply those learnings.," Bresch said. "Most importantly, if EpiPen started this conversation, I will try at least to do everything in my power to see if through, and seeing it through means changing the way that pharmaceutical pricing, and ... that patient lens needs to change dramatically." Asked if she was worried about sustaining direct criticism from President-elect Donald Trump, who has voiced his displeasure about high drug prices and promised to do something about them. Bresch said, "Look, I'm extremely optimistic." "I believe that obviously he is a very business-minded individual that's very solution-oriented," Bresch said. "You look at how the system works today, you can't help but think it's just, it's not rational." "We don't have a market-based system for grand pharmaceuticals, and we have a rebate-based system." "People in the United States are angry, and they don't know who to be angry over [when] making very personal and emotional decisions about products they need, their children need," she said. "I can't speak to his tweets," said Bresch when asked if she feared being targeted by Trump on his preferred social media platform for criticizing companies, celebrities and critics. "But what I can speak to is, we took a very decisive action on EpiPen and he appears to be someone who appreciates very decisive and immediate action. So it's how I would hope he would look at what this EpiPen situation was." Mylan sparked widespread public outrage last summer because of news that the company had hiked prices of life-saving EpiPen more than five-fold since 2008, leaving some customers paying more than $600 out-of-pocket for a package of two of the auto-injection devices. Bresch at the time blamed a pharmaceutical distribution system that entailed multiple entities drug makers, pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacies who all profited from selling medications. She also pointed to an increase in the number of consumers in high-deductible insurance plans, which require them to pay more out of pocket for health services. Gilead CEO John Milligan called on the pharmaceutical industry to do more amid criticism of drug pricing. "I think we've done a bad job as an industry of being transparent. We haven't really talked about what is paid by the payer or paid by the patient," Milligan said on CNBC's "Fast Money" on Tuesday. The biotech industry has been under intense scrutiny amid criticism from presidential hopefuls in the past year. Sen. Bernie Sanders has called out individual pharmaceutical companies for raising prices on orphan drugs. Hillary Clinton was also vocal about the issue, taking down the price of a key biotech ETF in the wake of her comments. President-elect Donald Trump told Time magazine that he wants to bring down drug prices because he doesn't like what has happened with them. The payment system in the United States is fragmented, which Milligan said "creates a disconnect between the price that's often published and the price that people pay." The Gilead CEO added he believes there's too much burden placed on the patient in the current system. For a trip to make the neighbors jealous this year, forget the usual suspects. While Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles remain travelers' three most-searched-for destinations for the second year in a row, according to new data from Kayak.com, if your aim is to instill FOMO (fear of missing out), it's time to shift your attention to other spots on the map. Many of the up-and-coming destinations have landed on consumers' radars thanks to better deals, either from a stronger dollar or as airlines expand their routes, said David Solomito, a vice president for Kayak. Median airfares from the United States to New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia can often come in at less than $1,000 round-trip. "We see that access and added routes brings more competition and lowers prices," he said. "That really helps that far-flung part of the world become more accessible." Based on more than a billion Kayak searches, these destinations are seeing a surge of interest: John Gabbert grew up on a 250-acre farm in rural Northern California, raising pigs, sheep turkeys, chicken and ducks. He put himself through college with a half-dozen call center jobs, cold-calling people to sell them insurance, copiers and human resource services. He went on to work in finance in San Francisco and launch a fin-tech startup, but it was his knack for picking up the phone and talking to strangers that he parlayed into the success of his future business. Discovering a problem, deciding to fix it In his time after college in finance research, Gabbert discovered a lack of clear research for private equity deals. He spent five years trying to get the firm he was working for to invest in its own software to improve the data. But the firm resisted. How willing are you to power through and not worry about hundreds of people telling you that you are insane or that you have an idea that will not pay off? John Gabbert founder and CEO of PitchBook Gabbert decided that he would innovate himself. He hadn't necessarily been dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur. But when he found a problem, he decided to fix it, and that was the genesis of what would become PitchBook. The Seattle-based company currently has 600 full-time employees, serves 2,000 elite corporate customers including Andreessen Horowitz, and has annual revenues of $50 million. In December, investment research firm Morningstar bought PitchBook for $225 million. A PitchBook team event in 2016. Photo courtesy PitchBook 20 months sleeping on a pal's couch In the early years, however, Gabbert was getting by on a hope and a prayer, as well as a deep conviction that he was creating a product that there was a market for. "We build products that meet people's needs and we are very, very focused on customers. I was confident that there was a need for this information. I had done years of work in the space," says Gabbert, in a conversation with CNBC. "I was truly, 100 percent all-in on this." Gabbert slept on a friend's couch for 20 months in San Francisco while he continued to work his full-time finance job and build the idea for PitchBook. His wife and kids moved to Seattle to be near family. The process took longer than he had expected. "I didn't think that was going to take 20 months. I thought maybe it was going to take a few months," says Gabbert. He doesn't regret the time, though. That was when he developed a rock solid business plan for PitchBook, he says. He formally launched the company in March 2007 in Seattle. In the first years, when he and his wife tracked his hours, they found he was regularly putting in over one hundred hours a week. From 2005 through 2009, Gabbert reached out to more than 200 potential investors. He talked to angels and venture capital investors all around the world. No one was interested. Part of the reason for the 200 rejections Gabbert received was timing: Just as Gabbert was pitching his financial services tech product in 2008, the finance industry was imploding. Still, he managed to get a "yes" from 17 angels. "My closing ratio is about 8.5 percent," says Gabbert. He raised $2.75 million in small investments, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 each, to get the product going. Every dollar he raised went back into the company. By the summer of 2009, he had $20,000 left. And he needed more money to get the company built. Leaving a voicemail for a billionaire "I would love to think that I had some secret. But truthfully, a lot of it is just wiring. The whole grit piece gets talked about. I think it's just that," says Gabbert. "How willing are you to just power through and not worry about hundreds of people telling you that you are insane or that you have an idea that will not payoff? ... Yeah, I have grit. You just gotta power through." About that time, Gabbert read an article in Crain's Chicago talking about Morningstar expanding its business portfolio. Gabbert knew that his product would help Morningstar in their new market. He called the main line for Morningstar and left a voicemail for Joe Mansueto, the billionaire founder and CEO. Mansueto emailed him. Gabbert sent his two-page teaser. And Mansueto invited Gabbert to go to Chicago. In September 2009, they made a deal. Mansueto wanted to invest $3 million, but Gabbert only took $1.2 million. He wanted to keep Pitchbook lean. John Gabbert, CEO and Founder of PitchBook Data Photo courtesy PitchBook For Barack Obama, the past eight years have been quite a whirlwind as the president of the United States. With his presidency drawing to a close, his farewell address on Tuesday struck a note of hope, just as he did back in 2008 when he was elected. Speaking in Chicago, Obama covered a range of topics from what he'd done during his presidency, to highlighting threats against democracy such as inequality and race divisions. With the inauguration ceremony for Donald Trump due in just over a week, questions are now starting to emerge over what the future holds for the outgoing president. Will Obama stick to his political roots or venture into other fields? "He's fifty five (years old), this guy's young. Politically, he still has life he'll be writing and so forth," Peter Trubowitz, professor of international relations and director of the U.S. Centre at London School of Economics, told CNBC Wednesday. "The thing I expect him to do is focus his attention actually to almost go back full circle to life as a community organizer I don't mean as a community organizer." Chamath Palihapitiya, the former Facebook executive turned technology investor, is going all-in on Amazon and Alphabet. But he's bearish on Apple, for the time being. Palihapitiya said Amazon is the most important company on the planet, so much so that he dumped all of his Facebook stock and moved it into the e-commerce giant. He's stated in the past that Amazon will reach a $3 trillion valuation in 10 years. "There's a handful of exceptionally good companies but there's always one company that's the best," Palihapitiya said on Wednesday at the CB Insights Innovation Summit in Santa Barbara, California. "It does something that is just so fundamentally utilitarian and does it incrementally better everyday." Palihapitiya started his firm Social Capital in 2011, and has rapidly become a force in Silicon Valley, known for prescient investments in start-ups and for developing a broader strategy that also backs public companies. He recently even launched a hedge fund. He's also not shy about speaking his mind. Alphabet is Palihapitiya's second favorite company for reasons that go way beyond search and mobile. Rather, he's bullish on Google's Tensor Processing Units, or TPUs, which are processors built for machine learning. In short, they're pushing computing farther and faster on less silicon, and Palihapitiya sees Google as the way the world will get to artificial intelligence at scale. Apttus, a U.S. software firm backed by Salesforce's venture arm and some of Silicon Valley's biggest entrepreneurs, is planning to go public this year, the company's chief executive told CNBC. The Silicon Valley start-up sells so-called "quote-to-cash" software which provides salespeople with the ability to create an offer, develop a quote and contract, then collect the cash from customers. Apttus raised $88 million in September from investors including Gulf Islamic Investments, K1, KIA, and Iconiq Capital, a highly secretive wealth management firm that manages investments for the likes of Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Salesforce Ventures is also an investor. Now Kirk Krappe, CEO of Apttus, said the company is on track for an initial public offering (IPO) the first half of this year. "We have done our internal assessment, we have hired an outside company, we have an exact plan of everything we need to put in place. We have probably done fifty to sixty percent of the preparation already we need to expand the board of directors which is a common thing you need to do before you go public. We need to hire some critical senior management team like a general counsel for instance on board," Krappe told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday. 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. Following the announcement, the digital currency fell from around $915 to as low as $784.56. Bitcoin is currently hovering around the $806 mark. The People's Bank of China published an announcement this morning that it will carry out site inspections on January 17 to check whether enterprises dealing in bitcoin have the correct licenses, have implemented anti-money laundering systems and whether there is market manipulation. The price of fell by around 10 percent after Chinese authorities announced plans to inspect bitcoin enterprises. A man walks out of a shop displaying a bitcoin sign during the opening ceremony of the first bitcoin retail shop in Hong Kong on February 28, 2014. Chinese investors dominate the global bitcoin volume trade. For some time, Chinese regulators have been concerned about bitcoin and whether it is having a negative effect on the renminbi . Last week, the People's Bank of China met with three of the country's largest bitcoin exchanges to talk about market regulations. Charles Hayter, chief executive and founder of digital currency comparison website CryptoCompare, said today's announcement was a "ratcheting of the rhetoric" from the Chinese authorities. "Instead of 'we're watching' you it's now 'we're investigating' you," he told CNBC. "The intentions of the Chinese state are clearer and it looks like they're trying to bring the Chinese bitcoin exchanges to heel - whether they are looking to make an example is yet to be seen." Hayter added that the move may have positive impacts in the long term, as it may bring more respectability to the industry as it matures. "But in the short term this could affect volumes which have been one of the key drivers of the recent rally." Bitcoin had been steadily rallying through 2016 and appreciated to more than $1,100 on January 5th, near to its record high, but the digital currency subsequently crashed, dropping back to the $900 level. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. There's an enormous amount we don't yet know about CNN's bombshell report that US intelligence agencies believe Russia has "compromising personal and financial information" on President-elect Donald Trump and that his campaign was in direct contact with with Russian intermediaries before the election. We don't know who CNN's sources are or if those people's information is accurate. We don't know which Trump aides were allegedly dealing with the Russians or whether those Russians worked for Vladimir Putin's government. And we don't know the answer to the biggest question of them all: just what does Russia have on Trump? "So while people are being delicate about discussing wholly unproven allegations, the document is at the front of everyone's minds as they ponder the question: Why is Trump so insistent about vindicating Russia from the hacking charges that everyone else seems to accept?" Benjamin Wittes, Susan Hennessey, and Quina Jurecic wrote in a post for the Lawfare blog. More from Vox: The most important issue facing Trump's transportation secretary? Robots. Today in Obamacare: I used to think Obamacare repeal was for sure. 2 things changed my mind The head of the UK Labour Party is trying to act like a left-wing Trump. So far, it's a disaster. There is one thing, though, that we can say with absolute certainty. If the allegations are true, they will spark criminal investigations and the types of Congressional probes that could end Trump's presidency before it fully begins. If the allegations are false, Trump will accurately be able to say that he'd been slandered by a politicized intelligence community looking for ways of undermining his legitimacy. Trump's weeks-long war with the CIA means that this kind of moment may have been inevitable: after weeks of quiet sniping, sources inside the agency or familiar with its work have responded by leaking something truly and genuinely explosive. A lot of people have joked about whether Russia had something on Trump. Turns out that it might Here's what we know. Late on Tuesday afternoon, CNN reported that the heads of America's top intelligence agencies had showed Trump evidence that the Russians had compromising information on him. The allegations came from unsubstantiated memos compiled by a former British intelligence operative that had been in circulation since last summer but that US spy agencies had only recently deemed "credible." According to CNN, Sen. John McCain passed a full set of the memos to FBI Director Jim Comey last month. The New York Times reported that top intelligence officials have also briefed President Obama, the top leaders of the House and Senate, and the chairman and ranking member of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees on the information from the memos even though none of it has been proven true: The decision of top intelligence officials to give the president, the president-elect and the so-called Gang of Eight Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress and the intelligence committees what they know to be unverified, defamatory material was extremely unusual. After the CNN report, Buzzfeed published the actual dossier, which includes the allegation that Russia's FSB, the successor to the KGB, believed it had "compromised Trump through his activities in Moscow sufficiently to be able to blackmail him." More specifically, the dossier alleges that Russia had information that Trump engaged in "perverted sexual acts which have been arranged/monitored by the FSB" and had been recorded having sex with prostitutes in a Moscow hotel. My colleague Zack Beauchamp notes that there are three other less salacious but potentially more damaging explanations of what Russia may have on Trump, and of why the president-elect would have have been so worried about its release. First, proof that Trump isn't as rich as he claims. Second, evidence that Trump's campaign directly coordinated with a Russian government hell-bent on ensuring his election. And third, that Trump's business dealings with Russia -- and the amount he may owe Russian investors in his company -- is far, far greater than we think. Trump took to Twitter Tuesday night to flatly deny the CNN report (and later take a shot at BuzzFeed): Tweet It may be a while until we know if Trump is right or if the CNN report is accurate. In the meantime, the president-elect has a different problem entirely: He's taken so many jarringly pro-Kremlin positions that something that would seem too ludicrous for Hollywood -- Russian spies preparing to potentially blackmail an American president -- seems like a semi-plausible explanation. Trump's embrace of Vladimir Putin and war on the CIA starts to make sense if you believe he was worried about being blackmailed by Russia One of the enduring mysteries of the 2016 election is how Republican voters who have for decades venerated Ronald Reagan for defeating the Soviet Union got so strongly behind a pro-Russian candidate like Trump. During the campaign, the president-elect praised Putin's strength as a leader, brushed aside concerns about Putin's abysmal human rights record, hinted that he might recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea and talked about leaving NATO entirely or opting to ignore America's legal obligation to defend any NATO member who comes under Russian attack. Trump's pro-Russian positioning goes all the way back to the Republican convention, when his campaign softened the party platform's language on Ukraine to remove all reference about providing weapons to Kiev so it could protect itself from Russia. A short time later, Trump hinted to ABC's George Stephanopoulos that he was fine with Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. "The people of Crimea, from what I've heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were," Trump said. One of Trump's former campaign managers, meanwhile, had been a paid consultant for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine like its former president, Viktor Yanukovych. The campaign manager, Paul Manafort, later resigned as part of an internal campaign shakeup. Trump himself has spent months praising Putin. "I will tell you that, in terms of leadership, he's getting an 'A' and our president is not doing so well," Trump said during an NBC forum in September. He has also effusively praised Russia's bombing campaign in Syria: "What's wrong with Russia bombing the hell out of ISIS and these other crazies so we don't have to spend a million dollars a bomb?" Never mind that Russian bombs have targeted the relatively moderate opposition more than ISIS, and that the point has been to prop up Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. With Russian help, Assad's forces just finished reconquering the rebel stronghold of Aleppo. Trump's rhetoric about Russia has been even more startling since November 8. He has spent weeks mocking the CIA's conclusion that Putin tried to interfere in the election to help him win the White House by pointing to the spy agency's faulty intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq War. When US spies personally briefed Trump on their findings about Russia, he issued a remarkable statement that barely mentioned Russia. Instead, Trump lumped it in with China and other unnamed countries and outside groups as potential perpetrators. Trump's complete refusal to admit that Russia interfered in the election has baffled and infuriated many Republican lawmakers, who have called for Congressional investigations into Moscow's activities during the campaign and condemned Putin as a quasi-dictator. Just this week, five Republican senators said they'd back a Democratic bill that would make it harder for Trump to lift the punishing US sanctions on Russia. It would make a bit more sense if Russia did in fact have something on Trump that was so big and so embarrassing that he would do Putin's bidding to ensure it never became public. Given that Trump has survived the release of an audio recording of him bragging about sexual assault, it would presumably have to be something huge. It's hard to predict exactly what will come next. Congressional Republicans say they want to probe Russia's interference in the election, but it's not clear if this will be enough to make them stop consistently rejecting Democratic calls to create bipartisan investigative panels modeled on the 9/11 commission. Regardless of whether the CNN story holds up, the leak is sure to further fuel Trump's war with the nation's intelligence agencies. Given the array of threats facing the US, that may be one of the most dangerous outcomes of all. China's President Xi Jinping's delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) to be held in Davos next week is open to a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump's team, according to the Associated Press, citing a remark made by an official on Wednesday. The AP article quotes Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong telling reporters at a press briefing that "there are open channels of communication" with Trump's delegation. The open stance comes despite Trump having berated China in a series of tweets in recent months, accusing the country of protectionism and threatening to impose punitive barriers to its imports. According to AP, Li referred to such criticism as "unjustified", explaining that "trade protectionism will lead to self-isolationism and it is in the interests of no-one." President Xi will be the first Chinese president to visit the Davos summit as the country's delegation has in recent years been led by China's Premier Li Keqiang. The Chinese President intends to use his keynote speech at the WEF gathering to make a bid for "inclusive globalization", according to an article published by Reuters on Wednesday, also referencing Li's speech. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson said Wednesday he's not prepared based on his knowledge or what's been reported in the public realm to classify Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. At his confirmation hearing, Tillerson, a former Exxon chairman and CEO, was pressed on the issue by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who ran against President-elect Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. "Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal," Rubio asked Tillerson. Tillerson responded: "I would not use that term." Rubio retorted, "Let me describe the situation in Aleppo [Syria], and perhaps that will help you reach that conclusion. In Aleppo, Mr. Putin has directed his military to conduct a devastating campaign." "He's targeted schools, markets, not just assisting the Syrians in doing it. His military has targeted schools and markets and other civilian infrastructure that resulted in the death of thousands of civilians," Rubio added. Aleppo has been a hotbed of the terror group Islamic State, or ISIS. "I understand there's a body of record in the public domain. I'm sure there's a body of record in the classified domain," Tillerson said. "Those are very, very serious charges to make. I would want much more information before reaching a conclusion." Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where the hearing was being conducted, asked Tillerson if he were able to confirm through U.S. intelligence agencies the types of actions Rubio described, "you would agree, that those, in fact, would be war crimes, right?" Tillerson responded, "Yes, sir." Russia's stated purpose in Syria is to fight ISIS. The U.S. and its allies have also been waging bombing efforts against the militants, while trying to diplomatically edge out of power Syrian leader Bashar Assad, an ally of Moscow. The extensive questioning of Tillerson about Russia was expected due to his business dealings with Russia and his perceived close ties to Putin. European financial technology firm iZettle has raised 60 million euros ($63.4 million) to help fund a recent acquisition and fuel expansion of its new lending product. The Swedish start-up is a rival to U.S. firm Square, which is run by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. It provides small point-of-sale terminals that connect to apps on a smartphone or tablet allowing small businesses to accept debit and credit cards. But the company has also been growing new areas of revenue and last year introduced Advance a small business loan service. It allows companies to get access to capital from iZettle which is paid back as a percentage of the firm's daily card payments. watch now The 60 million euro round is made of up of equity from existing investors as well as debt funding from U.S.-based Victory Park Capital. Jacob de Geer, founder and CEO of iZettle, said the debt portion of the funding was to fuel the Advance lending product it offers. "IZettle is moving more into becoming a one-stop-shop for commerce," de Geer told CNBC via telephone, explaining how the start-up moved from point-of-sale terminals into new products. Advance has seen "astronomical" growth, de Geer said, after launching the product last August, but added that the company was not releasing figures as it was still a young product. IPO ahead? IZettle also announced the appointment of new Chief Financial Office Maria Hedengren. "We have been going for over five years, but the company is at a stage where it's time to grow up even more, to strengthen the core management of the company, to facilitate and enable us to - in 18 to 24 months - to decide on the next step," de Geer said. "You see consolidation going on, you see incumbents looking for ways to update their organization, the IPO market is heating up. There are so many different options we need to prepare for." When CNBC asked if the hiring of a CFO meant iZettle was preparing to go public or be acquired, de Geer said he had not decided on the direction of the company in that sense. Johan Jeppsson | Bloomberg | Getty Images "There are a couple of opportunities, one could be to go public or continue to standalone, or another one could be to merge with another company. We don't have a set agenda where we want to take the company from that perspective," de Geer told CNBC. The Swedish firm has begun to become acquisitive too. In September, iZettle bought Intelligentpos, a start-up that turns iPads into sales terminals, which targets more medium-sized enterprises. De Geer said he could not comment on any planned acquisitions but is "constantly scaling the market for complimentary services." US entrance to rival Square? President-elect Donald Trump criticized the cost of Lockheed Martin's F-35 program during his news conference Wednesday. Shares of the defense contractor fell more than 1 percent after the comments. Source: FactSet "I'm very much involved with the generals and admirals on the airplane, the F-35," Trump said. "It's way, way behind schedule and many, many billions of dollars over budget. I don't like that. ... We're going to do some big things on the F-35 program and perhaps the F-18 program. We're going to get those costs way down." Lockheed Martin shares dropped 2 percent on Dec. 12 when the president-elect first put the company in his crosshairs over F-35 costs with this tweet: @realDonaldTrump The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th. On Dec. 21, Trump met with the CEO of Lockheed, Marillyn Hewson, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, along with the CEO of Boeing, a company he criticized in December as well for the cost of the 747 Air Force One program. After that meeting, Hewson said she "appreciated the opportunity to discuss the importance of the F-35 program and the progress we've made in bringing the costs down." But apparently Trump wasn't satisfied by what he heard from Hewson, tweeting the next day that he was asking Boeing to price out an alternative to the F-35, knocking the company's stock again. Trump tweet Based on the tremendous cost and cost overruns of the Lockheed Martin F-35, I have asked Boeing to price-out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet! Through all that, Lockheed Martin's shares rebounded again in the new year and had nearly wiped out all the declines that resulted after Trump's first negative tweet, until Wednesday. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson issued a statement to CNBC on Trump's comments: Seth McConnell | The Denver Post via Getty Images London's financial bosses urged the U.K. government to consider extending Brexit negotiations to a five-year transitional process in order for Britain to avoid a systemic economic meltdown. The chief executive of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and HSBC chairman renewed calls for the U.K. government to clarify its future relationship with the European Union (EU) in a meeting with MPs at the Treasury select committee on Tuesday. U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to start formal divorce procedures from the EU by the end of March. However, LSE Chief Executive Xavier Rolet projected that a two-year negotiation process would be "too short" and therefore insufficient in protecting the country's financial industry. "The economic system (in London) is like a Jenga tower you don't know what will happen if you pull pieces out," Douglas Flint, HSBC chairman, told MPs on Tuesday. "There are two risks to jobs. One is we move the jobs, the other is the jobs are simply eliminated because the market opportunity (in Europe) is unattractive," he added. Mark Carney, Bank of England governor, said that he agreed with Douglas Flint's "Jenga tower" description regarding the precarious position of London's economic system with Brexit on the horizon. "I think that the financial stability risks around that process are greater on the continent than they are for the UK," Carney said. "I'm not saying there are not financial stability risks to the UK, and there are economic risks to the UK. But there are greater financial stability risks on the continent in the short term, for the transition, than there are for the UK." A new study by Oregon State University researchers and others could help predict the spikes in toxic algae that have led to periodic closures of shellfish harvests on the West Coast. The study, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, finds a strong connection between warm ocean conditions caused by two major climatic cycles El Nino and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or PDO and periodic increases in domoic acid in shellfish. Domoic acid is a powerful neurotoxin produced by certain types of plankton and ingested by shellfish. It can cause serious health effects in humans, ranging from gastrointestinal illness to seizures and, in rare cases, death. It has also been responsible for periodic die-offs of marine mammals. When toxin levels rise to unsafe levels, fisheries managers announce harvest closures to protect human health, causing millions of dollars in losses to West Coast fishing and tourism industries. Both El Nino and PDO can raise water temperatures in parts of the Pacific, but they occur on different time scales. When both are in a strong warm phase at the same time, the researchers found, it can interrupt the usual pattern of cold water flowing south along the West Coast of the United States. You have a weakening of the California current, explained Angel White, an associate professor in OSUs College of Earth, Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences and a co-author of the PNAS study. You can get a little slosh-back of that warm California water. With financial support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the team used the OSU research vessel Elakha to collect samples of copepods tiny crustaceans that are carried by ocean currents from multiple locations off the Oregon coast starting in 2007. Copepods from cold northern waters tend to be rich in lipids, while their southern counterparts are poor in the nutritious fatty acids, so analyzing the relative numbers of the different types provided information about the movement of water masses up and down the coast. When the conditions are right, the south-flowing California current gets weaker, allowing more lipid-poor copepods to float north along with more of the toxic plankton that can get into shellfish and cause commercial and recreational harvest closures for razor clams, Dungeness crabs and other species. The hypothesis we have is that the (plankton) populations to the south are just more toxic, White said. The researchers combined their data with NOAA datasets going back even further to create time series spanning two decades. The information helped fill a data gap for Oregon waters, which had not been as well studied as the seas off Washington and California, and create a clearer picture of long-term patterns affecting ocean conditions along the entire coast. It all suggests that were seeing warm water transfers from the south, and thats only happening in PDO years when both the PDO and El Nino are strongly positive, White said. Spikes in toxic plankton and the possibility of costly shellfish harvest closures arent the only harmful effects of these periodic changes in ocean conditions, White and her colleagues noted. The warmer southern waters also bring larvae of the invasive green crab, and the shortage of lipid-rich copepods in the food chain can have a negative impact on salmon runs. Based on their findings, the researchers created a risk-analysis model for the West Coast which could provide an early warning sign for fisheries managers that shellfish harvest closures may be necessary. "This is going to be another tool in a resource manager's bag," said co-author Matthew Hunter, who works in the Astoria office of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. When the model shows elevated risk factors, Hunter said, it could be a cue to do more sampling to check for toxic plankton in the ocean and increased domoic acid levels in shellfish populations. "This will allow us to be more proactive than we've been in the past," he said. The researchers were cautious about drawing connections between their findings and global warming. While generally warmer ocean temperatures could certainly contribute to more frequent outbreaks of shellfish toxicity, White said additional study would be needed to determine causal relationships. Its hard in science to get support to really sustain that kind of long-term monitoring, White said. We just now have time series to look at the PDO. I think we would need longer time series to look at climate change. OSU doctoral student Morgaine McKibben was the lead author of the study in PNAS. Her co-authors were White, William T. Peterson and Vera L. Trainer of NOAA, A. Michelle Wood of the University of Oregon and Matthew V. Hunter of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. In an unprecedented move against a fellow senator, Democrat Cory Booker testified Wednesday that Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, is not fit for the job of the nation's top law enforcer. "The next attorney general must bring hope and healing to this country, and this demands a more courageous empathy than Sen. Sessions' record demonstrates," the New Jersey Democrat told the Senate Judiciary Committee. Booker said that race-related challenges cannot be solved if they are not confronted. "If one is to be attorney general, they must be willing to continue the hallowed tradition in our country of fighting for justice for all, for equal justice for civil rights," Booker said. He added that he prays that his colleagues will join him in opposing Sessions' nomination. Booker's office said that the Senate historian has been unable to find any previous instance of a sitting senator testifying against a fellow sitting senator nominated for a Cabinet position, according to NBC News. Booker told MSNBC's "All In" on Monday that he thinks "these are extraordinary times and they call for extraordinary measures." The senator cited Sessions' history of "consistently voting against or speaking out against key ideals of the Voting Rights Act, taking measures to try to block justice reform" as reasons for his testimony. Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., also testified on the second day of the Alabama Republican's confirmation hearing. "Those who are committed to equal justice in our society wonder whether Sen. Sessions' call for law and order would mean today what it meant for Alabama when I was coming up back then," said Lewis, who was born in Alabama. Back then, the law was used to violate the rights of the poor. While the country has made progress, Lewis said there are forces that want to take the country back, but people want to go forward. "It doesn't matter how Sen. Sessions may smile, how friendly he may be, how he may speak to you, but we need someone who's going to stand up and speak up and speak out for the people that need help, for people that have been discriminated against," he said. Later in the hearing, Jesse Seroyer, former U.S. Marshal, Middle District Of Alabama, said he never saw Sessions investigate a case with any political agenda or motive. During Sessions' time as Alabama's attorney general, Seroyer said he earned respect for his willingness to do what was right. "I've known Jeff Sessions for 20 years," Seroyer said. "He's a good and decent man. He believes in law and order for all the people." Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., said Sessions has advanced an agenda that will greatly harm African-American people and communities. "In closing, each and every senator who casts a vote to confirm Sen. Sessions will be permanently marked as a co-conspirator in an effort to move this country backwards, toward to a darker period in our shared history," he added. Seth Meyers confronted incoming White House adviser Kellyanne Conway late Wednesday about reports that Russians held unverified compromising information about Donald Trump but she said the president-elect was "unaware" of any briefing. In a combative encounter, the "Late Night" host asked Conway about reports that briefing materials prepared for Trump and President Barack Obama included damaging allegations that initially circulated among Trump opponents and was passed to U.S. intelligence agencies. Meyers acknowledged that the news broke moments before the pre-scheduled appearance, but Conway was unable to shed any light on the reports and the former "SNL" comedian jumped in to correct some of her answers. More from NBC News: Wilkes-Barre faces heroin scourge turning it into 'the most unhappy place in America' Moscow rejects report on Donald Trump ties as 'total hoax' 'Yes we can': Obama encourages nation in emotional farewell "Nobody has sourced it," Conway said. "They're all unnamed, unspoken sources. It says it was based on a Russian investigator to begin with" "It was based on MI6 British investigators," Meyers contradicted. "Well, one of those and then it says it also may have originated with a Russian investigator," she continued. "It also says that groups that wanted Hillary Clinton to win may have been behind the investigations themselves and most importantly it says the FBI is trying to confirm it so nothing's been confirmed." She said Americans "should be concerned that intelligence officials leaked to the press and won't go and tell the president-elect or the president of the United States himself they would rather go tell the press." "But the report was that about them going to the President-elect," Meyers said. "And it says that they never briefed him on it, that they appended two pages to the bottom of his intelligence briefing," Conway responded. "I believe it's that they did brief him on it," Meyers corrected. "Well, he says he's not aware of it," she said. "Well that concerns me!" Meyers replied. Conway said it was "not fair" that people questioned Trump's view on intelligence briefings on alleged Russian hacking. "He received that intelligence briefing. He made comments about it afterwards and I have to tell you there wasn't very compelling information in terms of the nexus that people like to make between alleged hacking and the election results," Conway said. "Vladimir Putin didn't tell Hillary Clinton to ignore Michigan and Wisconsin." Conway was asked why it had taken Trump so long to hold a press conference with reporters. His first since being elected is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday. "The president-elect has been busy forming his government," she said. "But every president who puts together a government is busy," Meyers said. "They haven't had" Conway began. "They haven't had to meet with Kanye," Meyers interrupted. Conway also defended Trump's use of Twitter, describing it as the "democratization of information" and free of charge. "You don't have you don't have to wait for some anti-Trump journalist to curate the information and add bias," she said. Just in: @SethMeyers asks Kellyanne Conway about the bombshell allegations surrounding Trump and Russia. See her interview on #LNSM tonight. Meyers pointed out that Trump did not have to reply to follow-up questions. "He does," she said. Later, sensing hostile laughter from the audience, Conway said: "I'm almost 50 years old and I'm so astonished to hear people ridicule the office of the president. I was raised differently, no matter who it is." After clashing again over Trump's use of Twitter, Meyers offered a bet with Conway that Trump would not release his tax returns in the next four years. "And I bet and I know because this was talked about during the campaign I bet most Americans really care what their [own] tax returns look like after four years when he's been president," she replied. Among Donald Trump's many visitors to Trump Tower, aside from Kanye West and other celebrities, have been several big-name CEOs. Examples include Alibaba's Jack Ma, FedEx's Fred Smith and SoftBank's Masayoshi Son. And while many of them get their flashy marble-lobby photo op, they may also get something else out of the deal: big gains in their company stocks. CNBC compiled a list of CEOs who have held one-on-one meetings with the president elect, and we found a distinct pattern. When a CEO visits Trump, the company's stock usually rises that day and almost always does better than the overall market. Our data focuses on CEOs who had one-on-one meetings with Trump and excluded large group meetings such as the tech sector gathering in mid-December. Amid the political uncertainty across Europe, Greece's debt troubles and Italy's banking crisis, there is one nation showing signs of life. A solid growth rate, strong business activity and rising employment indicate that Spain is the "real success story" in the euro zone, economists told CNBC on Wednesday. "If you forget Germany, Spain is the real success story in this business cycle," Claus Vistesen, chief Eurozone economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, told CNBC over the phone. Government data released this week showed that Spain's economic growth accelerated 3.3 percent year-on-year in 2016. On Monday, IHS Markit said in its services PMI report that companies took on extra staff in December, extending the current sequence of job creation to 27 months. Figures also indicated an increase in both business activity and new orders. Federico Santi, analyst at Eurasia group, told CNBC over the phone, that "Spain is one of the most positive stories in the euro zone," thanks to a strong reform implementation over the last few years, mainly in the labor market and the banking sector. "The fiscal stance is much more growth friendly," he added. However, the Spanish economy is still struggling with a budget deficit and high levels of unemployment. According to projections from the European Commission, Spain's deficit should reach 4.6 percent of GDP in 2016 well above the 3 percent threshold deemed "acceptable" in European fiscal rules. Unemployment is one of the highest across the region. Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, said this week that the jobless rate stood at 19.2 percent in November compared to an average of 9.8 percent in the euro area. But analysts have downplayed these figures. Vistesen from Pantheon Macroeconomics said that the figures are somehow "distorted" because many Spaniards have gone back to studying or are working without being registered. But above all the unemployment numbers have declined over the last few years. It was 22.5 percent in 2015. It is worth noting that the economic recovery in 2016 took place amid political uncertainty. Spain was without an official government for several months and had to repeat a general election to try to overcome the political impasse. "The political uncertainty didn't do anything to growth," Vistesen said, explaining that the failed attempts to form a coalition government were never raising questions over Spain's membership of the euro and the EU. Looking to 2017, analysts expect Spain to continue growing, though at a slightly slower pace than in 2016. The European Commission's forecasts a rate of 2.3 percent. In a prepared statement, Tillerson said the United States must be "clear-eyed" about its relationship with Russia, which poses a danger today. "I think that's a fair assumption" that he would have known about the campaign and authorized it, Tillerson responded. But Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida pressed him. "Mr. Tillerson, you've engaged in significant business activities in Russia, so I'm sure you're aware that very few things of a major proportion happen in that country without Vladimir Putin's permission." At a hearing that was interrupted at least three times by protesters, the former Exxon Mobil CEO initially said he was not in a position to make that determination. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson said Wednesday it's a "fair assumption" that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized Moscow's alleged campaign to disrupt the U.S. election. Former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing as secretary of State, January 11, 2017. "It has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia," Tillerson said in the prepared statement. Tillerson said the absence of American leadership had opened the door to this behavior and sent unintentional signals. President-elect Donald Trump has faced criticism over flattering remarks he has made about Russia and Putin, and for his denial until recently that Russia was behind cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and other U.S. targets. The U.S. intelligence community concluded the Russian state acted to disrupt the U.S. democratic process during the 2016 election, in part to damage Democrat Hillary Clinton's chances of being elected. Rubio, a 2016 presidential contender who frequently sparred with Trump, asked Tillerson whether he would advise the president-elect to sign a bill that imposed mandatory visa bans and asset freeze sanctions on actors who engage in cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure and democratic process, regardless of what country they hail from. Tillerson said it is important to deal with those attacks on a country-by-country basis, taking into consideration all other elements of the relationship with the nation, including trade and national security ties. Rubio said he found that answer "troubling" because it implies he may advise the president not to impose sanctions on a country with which the administration was trying to improve relations. Trump has frequently said he will seek to improve relations with Russia. Asked whether Trump agrees with his views on Russia's involvement in Ukraine and in Syria's civil war, Tillerson said he and the president-elect "have not had the opportunity to discuss this specific issue or the specific area." Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez said he would have thought Russia would have been at the top of their conversation considering recent developments. "Has that not happened?" Menendez asked. "That has not occurred yet," Tilleson responded. Tillerson added that to his knowledge, Exxon Mobil never lobbied against sanctions on Russia. Menendez, a long-time member of the Foreign Relations committee, said Wednesday that Exxon had in fact lobbied "aggressively" against Russian sanctions after its invasion of Ukraine and last year against related legislation, employing lobbyists to support these efforts. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson on Wednesday expressed views on climate change that differ significantly from those of President-elect Donald Trump. "I came to the conclusion a few years ago that the risk of climate change does exist and that the consequences of it could be serious enough that actions should be taken," the former Exxon Mobil CEO said at his Senate confirmation hearing. Tillerson said the type of work that should be done on climate change is the largest subject of public debate, and the world's ability to predict the effects of greenhouse gas emissions is very limited. He did not directly respond to a question as to whether human activity is causing climate change. Trump said he would keep an open mind about climate change during a November interview with The New York Times. But he has made a number of statements, including during the Times interview, that cast doubt on climate change science and humans' role in global warming. In 2012, Trump suggested on Twitter that climate change was a hoax created by the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing less competitive. He later said the tweet was a joke, and during a debate with Hillary Clinton, denied ever having said it. See the tweet. Tilllerson said he feels free to express his views to Trump on global climate change agreements. However, he noted that Trump has pushed an "America first" policy, suggesting U.S. participation in international climate pacts may be subject to considerations about their impact on American business. "There is important considerations as we commit to such accords, and as those accords are executed over time. Are there any elements of that that put America at a disadvantage?" he said. Trump threatened during the campaign to "cancel" the Paris Agreement, a pact among about 200 countries to take action to curb climate change. In the Times interview, he said he has an "open mind" on this issue, too. Exxon Mobil, the world's most valuable publicly traded energy company, has been accused of misleading the public and investors on the risks of climate change. An investigation by Inside Climate News chronicled Exxon's research into climate change decades ago and its subsequent funding of efforts to block government action to curb fossil fuel emissions. Tillerson declined on Wednesday to answer Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine's questions about whether Exxon misled the world about climate change. Exxon has in recent years acknowledged the risks posed by climate change. Surveys show the overwhelming majority of the scientific community believes humanity is the primary cause of global warming. President-elect 's pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, faces tough questioning at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday over his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin as both Democrats and Republicans worry about Moscow's increasingly aggressive behavior. The central question facing Tillerson, 64, the former chairman of Exxon Mobil is how effectively he can transform himself from a Big Oil "dealmaker" to being America's top diplomat with little government experience. According to excerpts from his opening statement released before the hearing, Tillerson will say that Russia poses a danger and NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Moscow. He will argue, however, that Russia's resurgence happened in the "absence of American leadership" and will call for open and frank dialogue with Moscow. "We must be clear-eyed about our relationship with Russia," Tillerson will say. "Russia today poses a danger but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests," according to the transcript of his remarks. "We need an open and frank dialogue with Russia regarding its ambitions, so that we know how to chart our own course," he will say. He will also emphasize the need to destroy Islamic State, and will criticize China's behavior in the South China Sea and call on Beijing to pressure North Korea. Tillerson's confirmation hearing comes at a time of rising tensions with Russia over its role in the U.S. presidential election and an assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia was behind the hacks of political figures in an effort to help Trump win the Nov. 8 election. Moscow has denied the allegations. opposed U.S. sanctions against Russia in 2014 over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine because he thought they would be ineffective. On Tuesday, 10 senators - five of whom sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that will vet him - introduced legislation to impose even tougher sanctions on Moscow, and promised to grill Tillerson about whether he would back them. One of the senators, Republican John McCain, who has called Putin "a thug and a murderer," was quoted by media as telling reporters last week when asked if he could support Tillerson: "Sure. There's also a realistic scenario that pigs fly." In 2012, Tillerson received the "Order of Friendship" award from Putin. The same year, Exxon deepened its cooperation with Russian oil company Rosneft to expand an oil drilling project in the Arctic after U.S. sanctions over Ukraine were imposed. At the time of the sanctions, Russian oil tsar Igor Sechin told Reuters he would miss three things: exploring U.S. culture, the chance to show his children American landscapes and riding motorbikes with Tillerson. The state of Oregon will have the opportunity to use an expert witness to research the financial records of counties involved in a lawsuit challenging the states paid sick leave law, Linn County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Murphy has ruled. In December, Murphy ruled in favor of eight counties seeking a summary judgment that paid sick leave is an unfunded mandate and a new program. Under the provisions of the Oregon Constitution, that gives the counties the option of not participating, if the cost of the program will be more than one-hundredth of 1 percent of their annual budgets. But Murphy also had said that he would allow state attorneys to argue the point about the cost of the program and whether it crossed that financial threshold in a separate hearing on Dec. 29. The state contended that the counties discovery processes are seriously deficient and that the counties presented insufficient facts to meet the financial threshold requirement because they included accrued but not untaken sick leave and improperly included employees who are not yet entitled to sick leave. The counties attorney argued that the defendants are now raising new arguments not raised of record prior to the original argument on the motions for summary judgment. The sick leave law was passed by the 2015 Legislature and requires employers with 10 or more workers to provide them at least 40 hours of paid sick leave each year. Employers with nine or fewer workers must provide 40 hours of unpaid sick time. Linn County has estimated that the program would cost it more than $41,000 a year; one-hundredth of 1 percent of the county's budget is about $14,000, so county officials have said the cost of the sick leave measure easily surpasses the constitutional threshold. Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, John Lindsey and Will Tucker believe the state is in effect saying that the counties can mitigate the extra costs of paid sick leave by keeping seasonal employees under the 90-day threshold. We have great respect for the court and accept its thoughtful decision yesterday, Nyquist said in a statement. While we have not yet prevailed on the budget threshold issue, we are confident we will." The counties will have 90 days to provide documents that show their financial burden would exceed the economic threshold. Other counties in the lawsuit are Douglas, Jefferson, Malheur, Morrow, Polk, Sherman and Yamhill. The state declined comment. On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump held his first news conference since his election in November. This is a transcript from the press conference. Thank you very much. It's very familiar territory, news conferences, because we used to give them on an almost daily basis. I think we probably, maybe won the nomination because of news conferences, and it's good to be with you. We stopped giving them because we were getting quite a bit of inaccurate news. But I do have to say that, and I must say that, I want to thank a lot of the news organizations here today. Because they looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies, who knows, which would be a tremendous blot on their record if they, in fact, did that, a tremendous blot, because a thing like that should never have been written, it should never have been had, and it should certainly never have been released. But I want to thank a lot of the news organizations for, some of whom have not treated me very well over the years, a couple in particular, and they came out so strongly against that fake news and the fact that it was written about by primarily one group and one television station. So, I just want to compliment many of the people in the room. I have great respect for the news and have great respect for freedom of the press and all of that, but I will tell you, there were some news organizations, with all that was just said, that were so professional, so incredibly professional, that I've just gone up a notch as to what I think of you, OK? All right. We've had some great news over the last couple of weeks. I've been quite active, I guess you could say, in an economic way, for the country. A lot of car companies are going to be moving in. We have other companies. Big news is going to be announced over the next couple of weeks about companies that are going to be building in the Midwest. You saw yesterday Fiat Chrysler , big, big factory going to be built in this country as opposed to another country. Ford just announced that they stopped plans for a billion-dollar plant in Mexico. And they're going to be moving into Michigan and expanding very substantially an existing plant. I appreciate that from Ford. I appreciate it very much from Fiat Chrysler. I hope that General Motors will be following, and I think they will be. I think a lot of people will be following. I think a lot of industries are going to be coming back. We have to get our drug industry coming back. Our drug industry has been disastrous. They're leaving left and right. They supply our drugs, but they don't make them here, to a large extent. And the other thing we have to do is create new bidding procedures for the drug industry, because they're getting away with murder. Pharma. Pharma has a lot of lobbies and a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power, and there's very little bidding on drugs. We're the largest buyer of drugs in the world, and yet, we don't bid properly. And we're going to start bidding and we're going to save billions of dollars over a period of time, and we're going to do that with a lot of other industries. I'm very much involved with the generals and admirals on the airplane, the F-35. You've been reading about it. And it's way, way behind schedule and many, many billions of dollars over budget. I don't like that, and the admirals have been fantastic, the generals have been fantastic. I've really gotten to know them well, and we're going to do some big things on the F-35 program, and perhaps the F-18 program, and we're going to get those costs way down, and we're going to get the plane to be even better, and we're going to have some competition and it's going to be a beautiful thing. So we've been very, very much involved. And other things. We had Jack Ma. We had so many incredible people coming here. They're going to do tremendous things in this country, and they're very excited. And I will say, if the election didn't turn out the way it turned out, they would not be here, they would not be in my office or anybody else's office. They'd be building and doing things in other countries. So there's a great spirit going on right now, a spirit that many people have told me they've never seen before, ever. We're going to create jobs. I said that I will be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created, and I mean that. I really I'm going to work very hard on that we need certain amounts of other things, including a little bit of luck, but I think we're going to do a real job, and I'm very proud of what we've done, and we haven't even gotten there yet. I look very much forward to the inauguration, it's going to be a beautiful event. We have great talent, tremendous talent, and we have all of the bands or most of the bands from the different segments of the military. And I've heard some of these bands over the years. They're incredible. We're going to have a very, very elegant day. The 20th is going to be something that will be very, very special, very beautiful. And I think we're going to have massive crowds, because we have a movement. It's a movement like the world has never seen before. It's a movement that a lot of people didn't expect. And even the polls, although some of them did get it right, but many of them didn't, and that was a beautiful scene on November 8 as those states started to pour in, and we focused very hard in those states and they really reciprocated. And those states are going to have a lot of jobs and they're going to have a lot of security, they're going to have a lot of good news for their veterans. And by the way, speaking of veterans, I appointed today the head secretary of the Veterans Administration, David Shulkin. We'll do a news release in a little while and tell you about David. He's fantastic. He will do a truly great job. One of the commitments I've made is that we're going to straighten out the whole situation for our veterans. Our veterans have been treated horribly. They're waiting in line for 15, 16, 17 days. Cases where they go in and they have a minor, early-stage form of cancer and they can't see a doctor. By the time they get to the doctor, they're terminal. It's not going to happen. It's not going to happen. So, David is going to do a fantastic job. We're going to be talking to a few people also to help David. And we have some of the great hospitals of the world going to align themselves with us on the Veterans Administration, like the Cleveland Clinic, like the Mayo Clinic, a few more that we have, and we're going to set up a group. These are hospitals that have been the top of the line, the absolute top of the line. And they're going to get together with their great doctors, Dr. Toby Cosgrove, as you know, from the Cleveland Clinic, has been very involved. Ike Perlmutter has been very, very involved, one of the great men of business. And we're going to straighten out the VA for our veterans. I've been promising that for a long time, and it's something I feel very, very strongly. So, you'll get the information on David, and I think you'll be very impressed with the job he does. We looked long and hard. We interviewed at least 100 people, some good, some not so good, but we had a lot of talent, and we think this selection will be something that will, with time, with time, straighten it out and straighten it out for good, because our veterans have been treated very unfairly. Okay, questions? Yes, John. Reporter: Mr. President-elect, thank you so much. Trump: Thank you. Reporter: Appreciate it. A couple of aspects of the intelligence briefing that you received on Friday that we're looking for further clarification on. Trump: Sure. Reporter: First of all, did the heads of the intelligence agencies provide you with a two-page summary of these unsubstantiated allegations? And secondly to that, on the broader picture, do you accept their opinion that Vladimir Putin ordered the hack of the DNC and the attempted hack of the RNC? And if you do, how will that color your attempts to build a relationship with a leader who has been accused of committing an act of espionage against the United States? Trump: First of all, these meetings as you know are confidential, classified, so I'm not allowed to talk about what went on in a meeting, but we have many witnesses in that meeting, many of them with us. And I will say, again, I think it's a disgrace that information would be let out. I saw the information. I read the information outside of that meeting. It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen. And it was gotten by opponents of ours, as you know, because you reported it and so did many of the other people. It was a group of opponents that got together, sick people, and they put that crap together. So, I will tell you that not within the meeting, but outside of the meeting, somebody released it. It should never have been number one, shouldn't have even entered paper, but it should never have been released. But I read what was released, and I think it's a disgrace. I think it's an absolute disgrace. As far as hacking, I think it was Russia, but I think we also get hacked by other countries and other people. And I can say that, you know, when we lost 22 million names and everything else that was hacked recently, they didn't make a big deal out of that. That was something that was extraordinary that was probably China. We have much hacking going on. And one of the things we're going to do we have some of the greatest computer minds anywhere in the world that we've assembled. You saw just a sample of it two weeks ago up here where we had the six top people in the world. They were never in the same room together as a group. And we're going to put those minds together and were going to form a defense. And I have to say this also the Democratic National Committee was totally open to be hacked. They did a very poor job. They could have had hacking defense, which we had. And I will give Reince Priebus credit, because when Reince saw what was happening in the world and with this country, he went out and went to various firms and ordered a very, very strong hacking defense. And they tried to hack the Republican National Committee and they were unable to break through. We have to do that for our country. It's very important. Reporter: Mr. President-elect [inaudible question] Trump: Well, you know, President Putin and Russia put out a statement today that this fake news was indeed fake news. They said it totally never happened. Now, somebody would say, "Oh, of course he's going to say that." I respected the fact that he said that. And I'll be honest, I think if he did have something, they would have released it. They would have been glad to release it. I think, frankly, had they broken into the Republican National Committee, I think they would have released it just like they did about Hillary and all of the horrible things that her people, like Mr. Podesta, said about her. I mean, what he said about her was horrible. If somebody said about me what Podesta said about Hillary I was the boss, I would have fired him immediately, or that person, because what he said about her was horrible. But remember this we talk about the hacking, and hacking's bad, and it shouldn't be done, but look at the things that were hacked. Look at what was learned from that hacking, that Hillary Clinton got the questions to the debate and didn't report it? That's a horrible thing. That's a horrible thing. Can you imagine that if Donald Trump got the questions to the debate, it would have been the biggest story in the history of stories, and they would have said immediately, "You have to get out of the race." Nobody even talked about it. It's a very terrible thing. Reporter: Mr. President-elect. Thank you, Mr. President-elect. On that intelligence report, the second part of their conclusion was that Vladimir Putin ordered it because he aspired to help you in the election. Do you accept that part of the finding? And will you undo what President Obama did to punish the Russians for this if given a chance? Well, if Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability, because we have a horrible relationship with Russia. Russia can help us fight ISIS, which by the way is, number one, tricky. I mean, if you look, this administration created ISIS by leaving at the wrong time. The void was created, ISIS was formed. If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks, that's called an asset, not a liability. Now, I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't. And if I don't, do you honestly believe that Hillary would be tougher on Putin than me? Does anybody in this room really believe that? Give me a break. REPORTER: Can you make clear whether during your visits to either Moscow or St. Petersburg you engaged in conduct that you now regret and that a reasonable No REPORTER: Reasonable observers say that you are potentially vulnerable to blackmail by Russia or by its intelligence agencies. Let me just say what I do. When I leave our country I'm a very high-profile person, would you say? I am extremely careful. I'm surrounded by bodyguards. I'm surrounded by people. And I always tell them anywhere, but I always tell them, if I'm leaving this country, be very careful, because in your hotel rooms, and no matter where you go, you're going to probably have cameras. I'm not referring just to Russia, but I would certainly put them in that category. And number one, I hope you're going to be good anyway. But in those rooms, you have cameras in the strangest places, cameras that are so small with modern technology, you can't see them and you won't know. You'd better be careful or you'll be watching yourself on nightly television. I tell this to people all the time. I was in Russia years ago with the Miss Universe contest, which did very well. Moscow, the Moscow area, did very, very well. And I told many people, be careful, because you don't want to see yourself on television. Cameras all over the place. And again, not just Russia, all over. Does anyone really believe that story? I'm also very much of a germophobe, by the way, believe me. REPORTER: How do you plan to disentangle yourself from your business? But first, I have to follow up on some of these Russia remarks. Based your comments here today, do you believe the hacking was justified? Does Russia have any leverage over you, financial or otherwise? And if not, will you release your tax returns to prove it? So, I tweeted out that I have no dealings with Russia. I have no deals in Russia. I have no deals that could happen in Russia, because we've stayed away. And I have no loans with Russia. As a real estate developer, I have very, very little debt. I have assets that are and now people have found out how big the company is I have very little debt, but I have no loans with Russia at all. And I thought that was important to put out. I certified that. So, I have no deals, I have no loans and I have no dealings. We could make deals in Russia very easily if we wanted to. I just don't want to because I think that would be a conflict. So I have no loans, no dealings and no current pending deals. Now, I have to say one other thing. Over the weekend, I was offered $2 billion to do a deal in DubaI with a very, very, very amazing man, a great, great developer from the Middle East, Hussein Dumak (sp), a friend of mine, great guy, and was offered $2 billion to do a deal in Dubai, a number of deals. And I turned it down. I didn't have to turn it down, because as you know, I have a no-conflict situation because I'm president, which is I didn't know about that until about three months ago, but it's a nice thing to have, but I don't want to take advantage of something. I have something that others don't have. Vice President Pence also has it. I don't think he'll need it. I have a feeling he's not going to need it. But I have a no conflict of interest provision as president. It was many, many years old. This is for presidents because they don't want presidents getting I understand, they don't want presidents getting tangled in minutiae. They want a president to run the country. So I could actually run my business. I could actually run my business and run government at the same time. I don't like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that, if I wanted to. I would be the only one that would be able to do that. You can't do that in any other capacity, but as a president, I could run the Trump Organization great, great company and I could run the country. I'd do a very good job. But I don't want to do that. Now, all of these papers that you see here yes, go ahead. Reporter: Do you believe the hacking was justified and will you release your tax returns to prove what you're saying about no deals in Russia? Well, I'm not releasing the tax returns, because as you know, they're under audit. Reporter: But every president since the '70s has Gee, I've never heard that. I've never heard that before. You know, the only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters, OK? Reporter: You don't think the American public is concerned about that? No, I don't think so. I won. I mean, I became president. No, I don't think they care at all. I think you care. I think you care. First of all, you learn very little from a tax return. What you should do is go down to federal elections and take a look at the numbers. And actually, people have learned a lot about my company, and now they realize my company is much bigger, much more powerful than they ever thought. We're in many, many countries and I'm very proud of it. And what I'm going to be doing is my two sons, who are right here, Don and Eric, are going to be running the company. They are going to be running it in a very professional manner. They're not going to discuss it with me. Again, I don't have to do this. They're not going to discuss it with me. And with that, I'm going to bring up Sheri Dillon, and she's going to go these papers are just some of the many documents I've signed turning over complete and total control to my son. [Break as Trump's attorney speaks about his business relations being turned over] REPORTER: Thank you Mr. Trump. American news. What is your response to your critics that say not only do you but also your Cabinet is filled with conflicts of interest and do you plan to set an example in the future to make sure that your Cabinet and everyone throughout your administration TRUMP: Great question. I really think that when you watch what's going on with what's happening and why I was just watching, as an example, Rex Tillerson, I think it's brilliant what he's doing and what he's saying. I watched yesterday, as you know, our great senator who is going to be a great attorney general, and he was brilliant. And what people don't know is that he was a great prosecutor and attorney general in Alabama, and he was brilliant yesterday. So I really think that they are I think we have one of the great Cabinets ever put together. And we've been hearing that from so many people. People are so happy. You know, in the case of Rex, he ran incredibly ExxonMobil, when there was a find, he would get it. When they needed something, he would be there. A friend of mine who is very, very substantial in the oil business, Harold Hamm, big supporter, he said there's nobody in the business like Rex Tillerson. And that's what we want. That's what I want to bring to government. I want to bring the greatest people into government, because we're way behind. We don't make good deals anymore. I say it all the time in speeches. We don't make good deals anymore. We make bad deals. Our trade deals are a disaster. We have hundreds of billions of dollars of losses on a yearly basis. Hundreds of billions with China on trade and trade imbalance, with Japan, with Mexico, with just about everybody. We don't make good deals anymore. So we need people that are smart, we need people that are successful and they got successful because, generally speaking, they're smart. And that's what I put. I'm very proud of the Cabinet. I think they're doing very well. It's very interesting how it's going. But it's I think they're doing very, very well. REPORTER: Thank you, Mr. President-elect. I want to ask a few questions on Obamacare. Can you be specific on what guidance you're giving congressional Republicans on the timeline for repeal and replace, whether it needs to be simultaneous or a delay? TRUMP: Finally, Obamacare. REPORTER: I want to ask you if you TRUMP: Uh-oh. REPORTER: have outlined a plan for what you want the replace package to look like, would it guarantee coverage to those who have gotten health insurance through the Obamacare law? TRUMP: You will be very, very proud, not only as the media and reporters, but you're going to be very proud of what we put forth having to do with health care. Obamacare is a complete and total disaster. They can say what they want. They can guide you any way they want to guide you. In some cases they guide you incorrectly. In most cases you realize what's happened. It's imploding as we sit. Some states have over 100 percent increase. And '17 I said this two years ago, '17 is going to be the bad year. It's going to be catastrophic. Frankly, we could sit back and it was a thought from a political standpoint but it wouldn't be fair to the people. We could sit back and wait and watch and criticize and we could be a Chuck Schumer and sit back and criticize it and people would come they would come begging to us, please, we have to do something about Obamacare. We don't want to own it. We don't want to own it, politically. They own it right now. So the easiest thing would to be to let it implode in '17 and, believe me, we would get pretty much whatever we wanted but it would take a long time. We're going to be submitting as soon as our secretary's approved, almost simultaneously, shortly thereafter, a plan. It will be repeal and replace. It will be essentially simultaneously. It will be various segments, you understand, but will most likely be on the same day or the same week, but probably the same day. Could be the same hour. So we're going to do repeal and replace. Very complicated stuff. And we're going to get a health bill passed. We're going to get health care taken care of in this country. You have deductibles that are so high that after people go broke paying their premiums, which are going through the roof, the health care can't even be used by them because the deductibles are so high. Obamacare is the Democrats' problem. We're going to take the problem off the shelves for them. We're doing them a tremendous service by doing it. We could sit back and let them hang with it. We are doing the Democrats a great service. So as soon as our secretary is approved and gets into the office, we will be filing a plan and it was actually pretty accurately reported today, The New York Times, and the plan will be repeal and replace Obamacare. We're going to have health care that is far less expensive and far better. OK. REPORTER: Sir. STAFFER: Which one, Mr. President-elect? TRUMP: Well, I was going right here. Go ahead. Then CBS. REPORTER: President-elect Trump, when you look at all the meetings you've had with Carrier and Softbank and Alibaba, do you conceive of making this a program, maybe sitting inside of Commerce? And then my follow-up question, how soon will we see the program on capital repatriation and cuts? TRUMP: Well, if I could save jobs. For instance, I was doing individual companies and people said, "Well, that's only one company." Like, we did a good job with Carrier and I want to thank you, United Technologies, which owns Carrier. But we saved close to a thousand jobs. And they were gone. And Mike Pence and his staff really helped us a lot. But those were that was a tough one because they announced a year and a half before that they were leaving. It's always tough when they're building a plant, a little tougher than before they start or before they make an announcement. I want to thank United Technologies. But we've been meeting with a lot of companies. But what really is happening is the word is now out that when you want to move your plant to Mexico or some other place and you want to fire all of your workers from Michigan and Ohio and all these places that I won, for good reason, not going to happen that way anymore. You want to move your plant and you think, as an example, you're going build that plant in Mexico and you're going to make your air conditioners or your cars or whatever you're making and you're going to sell it through a, what will be a, very, very strong border, not a weak border like it is we don't even have a border. It's an open sieve. You're going to sell through a very strong border. Not going to happen. You're going to pay a very large border tax. So if you want to move to another country and if you want to fire all of our great American workers that got you there in the first place, you can move from Michigan to Tennessee and to North Carolina and South Carolina, you can move from South Carolina back to Michigan, you can do anywhere, you've got a lot of states at play, lot of competition, so it's not like, oh, gee, I'm taking the competition. You've got a lot of places you can move. And I don't care as long as it's within the United States. The borders of United States. There will be a major border tax on these companies that are leaving and getting away with murder. And if our politicians had what it takes, they would have done this years ago and you'd have millions more workers right now in the United States, that are 96 million really wanting a job and they can't get. You know that story. The real number. That's the real number. So that's the way it is. OK, go ahead. REPORTER: A question about the Supreme Court and the border security, but I also want to ask you about something you said on Twitter this morning: Are we living in Nazi Germany? What were you driving at there? Do you have a problem with the intelligence community? On the Supreme Court, what's your timeline? You said a while ago you were down to four. Have you conducted those yet? What's your timeline for nominating? On the border fence, it now appears clear U.S. taxpayers will have to pay for it upfront. What is your plan to get Mexico to pay for it? TRUMP: I got it. Anything more? [crowd's laughter] TRUMP: On the fence. It's not a fence, it's a wall. You just misreported it. We're going to build a wall. I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico, which will start immediately after we get to office. But I don't want to wait. Mike Pence is leading an effort to get final approvals through various agencies and through Congress for the wall to begin. I don't feel like waiting a year or a year and a half. I'm going to start building. Mexico in some form, and there are many different forms, will reimburse us and they will reimburse us for the cost of the wall. That will happen, whether it's a tax or whether it's a payment. Probably less likely that it's a payment. But it will happen. So remember this, OK, I would say we are going to build a wall and people would go crazy. I would then say who is going to pay for the wall? And people would all scream out, 25, 30,000 people, because nobody has ever had crowds like Trump has had. You know that. You don't like to report that but that's OK. OK. Now we agree. Finally, he agrees. But I say, "Who is going to pay for the wall?" And they will scream out, "Mexico!" Now, reports went out last week, oh, Mexico is not going to pay for the wall because of a reimbursement. What's the difference? I want to get the wall started. I don't want to wait a year and a half until I make my deal with Mexico. And we probably will have a deal sooner than that. By the way, Mexico has been so nice, so nice. I respect the government of Mexico. I respect the people of Mexico. I love the people of Mexico. I have many people from Mexico working for me. They are phenomenal people. The government of Mexico is terrific. I don't blame them for what's happened. I don't blame them for taking advantage of the United States. I wish our politicians were so smart. Mexico has taken advantage of the United States. I don't blame the representatives and various presidents, et cetera, of Mexico. What I say is, we shouldn't have allowed that to happen. It's not going to happen anymore. So in order to get the wall started, Mexico will pay for the wall. But it will be reimbursed. OK? Supreme Court judge. So as you know, I have a list of 20. I've gone through them. We've met with numerous candidates. They're outstanding in every case. They were largely recommended and highly recommended by Federalist Society. Jim DeMint was also very much involved in this group, which is fantastic and he is a fantastic guy so between Leo and Jim DeMint and some senators and some Congress people, we have a great group of people. I'll be making the decision on who we will put up for Justice of the United States Supreme Court, a replacement for the great, great Justice Scalia. That will be probably within two weeks of the 20th. So within about two weeks probably the second week, I consider the first day because we'll also be doing some some pretty good signings. And I think what we'll do is we'll wait until Monday. That will be our really first business day as opposed to doing it on Friday, because on Friday people are going to have a very good time at the inauguration. And then Saturday as you know we're having a big church service and lots of good things are happening. So our first day, and you will be invited to the signings, but we'll be doing pretty good signings on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and then also the next week. And you're all invited. But on the Supreme Court, I'll be make that decision and it will be a decision which I very strongly believe in. I think it's one of the reasons I got elected. I think the people of this country did not want to see what was happening with the Supreme Court. So I think it was a very, very big decision as to why I was elected. [ inaudible ] I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out. I think it's a disgrace. And I say that and I say that. And that's something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do. It's a disgrace. That information that was false and fake and never happened got released to the public, as far as BuzzFeed, which is a failing pile of garbage, writing it, I think they're going to suffer the consequences. They already are. And as far as CNN going out of their way to build it up and by the way, we just found out, I was coming down, Michael Cohn is a very talented lawyer, good lawyer in my firm. Was just reported that it wasn't this Michael Cohn were talking about. All night long, Michael Cohn. I want to see your passport. He brings his passport to my office. I say, wait a minute, he didn't leave the country. He wasn't out of the country. They had Michael Cohn of the Trump organization was in Prague. It turned out to be a different Michael Cohn. It's a disgrace what took place. It's a disgrace and I think they ought to apologize to start with, Michael Cohn. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. No, not you. Not you. Your organization is terrible. Your organization is terrible. Let's go. Go ahead. Quiet. Quiet. She's asking a question. Don't be rude. Don't be rude. Don't be rude. No, I'm not going to give you a question. I'm not going to give you a question. You are fake news. Go ahead. Go ahead. REPORTER: with the sanctions that they put on Russia after the hacking. TRUMP: I don't think he went too far. REPORTER: What do you think of Lindsey Graham's plan for a bill to send you tougher ones? TRUMP: Plans to send me a bill for what? REPORTER: Tougher sanctions. TRUMP: I haven't heard Lindsey Graham is going to do that. Lindsey Graham, I've been competing with him for a long time. He's going to crack that 1 percent barrier one day. I didn't realize Lindsey Graham was still at it. It's all right. I heard he's a nice guy actually. I've been hearing it. I've been hearing it. Go ahead. Yeah, go ahead. You've been waiting. REPORTER: As far as we understand, the intelligence TRUMP: Stand up. REPORTER: Ian Pannell from BBC News. TRUMP: Another beauty. REPORTER: Thank you. As far as we understand it, intelligence community are still looking at the allegations. It's false news, as you describe it. If they come back with any kind of conclusion with any of it stands up, if any of it is true, will you consider your position, would you think TRUMP: There's nothing they can come back. Yes, yes, go ahead. Go ahead. REPORTER: Can you TRUMP: Go ahead. REPORTER: public state news and all the problems seen throughout the media over the course of the election, what reforms do you recommend for this industry here? TRUMP: Well, I don't recommend reforms. I recommend people that are that have some moral compass. You know I've been hearing more and more about a thing called fake news and talking about people go and say all sorts of things. I will tell you some of the media outlets that I deal with are fake news. More so than anybody. I could name them, but I won't bother. You have a few sitting right in front of us. So they're very, very dishonest people. But I think it's just something we're going to have to live with. I guess the advantage I have is that I can speak back. When it happens to somebody that doesn't have this, doesn't have that kind of a megaphone, they can't speak back. It's a very sad thing. I've seen people destroyed. I've seen people absolutely destroyed and I think it's very unfair. So all I can ask for is honest reporters. Yes. REPORTER: I just want to follow up on the questions about the U.S. intelligence community and be very clear about what you're saying. Do you trust your U.S. intelligence officials and what do you say to foreign policy experts who say you are actually weakening national security by waging this war of words against that community? TRUMP: Intelligence agencies are vital and very, very important. We are going to put in Mr. Pompeo and others, you know the senator, Dan Coats, we're going to put in outstanding people. Within 90 days they're going to be coming back to me with a major report on hacking. I want them to cover this situation. I also want them, however, to cover maybe most importantly, because we're hacked by everybody. You know the United States, our government, out of a list of 17 in terms of industries, it's the worst, number 17 in terms of protection. If you look at the retail industry, if you look at the banking industry, various industries, out of 17 industries they put this in the category of an industry, the United States is last in terms of protecting, let's say hacking defense. Like we had a great hacking defense at the Republican National Committee. That's why we weren't hacked. By the way, we were told they were trying to hack us but they weren't able to hack. I think I get some credit because I told Reince and Reince did a phenomenal job. But I said I want a hacking defense. The Democratic National Committee did not do that. Wait, wait, wait. Let me finish. Within 90 days we will be coming up with a major report on hacking defense. How do we stop this new phenomena, fairly new phenomena, because the United States is hacked by everybody. That includes Russia and China and everybody. Everybody. OK. Go ahead. Go ahead. REPORTER: You said just now that you believe that Russia indeed was responsible for the hacking of the DNC and John Podesta's e-mail, etcetera. TRUMP: But you know what, it could have been others also. REPORTER: Why did you spend weeks undermining U.S. Intelligence community before simply getting the facts and then making a public statement. TRUMP: I think it's pretty sad when intelligence reports get leaked out to the press. I think it's pretty sad. First of all, it's illegal. You know, these are these are classified and certified meetings and reports. I'll tell you what does happen. I have many meetings with intelligence. And every time I meet people are reading about it. Somebody is leaking it out. So there's maybe it's my office. Maybe my office. Because I have a lot of people, a lot of great people. Maybe it's them. And what I did is I said, I won't tell anybody. I'm going to have the meeting. And I won't tell anybody about my meeting with intelligence. And what happened is I had my meeting. Nobody knew. Not even Rhona, my executive assistant for years. She didn't know. I didn't tell her. Nobody knew. The meeting was had. The meeting was over. They left. And immediately the word got out that I had a meeting. So I don't want that. I don't want that. It's very unfair to the country. It's very unfair to our country what's happened. That report should have never first of all, it shouldn't have been printed because it's not worth the paper it's written on. I thank The New York Times for saying that. I thank a lot of different people for saying that. But I will tell you that should never ever happen. OK. REPORTER: Thank you, Mr.President-elect. Can you stand here today once and for all and say that no one connected to you or your campaign had any contact with Russia leading up to or during the presidential campaign and, if you indeed do believe that Russia was behind the hacking, what is your message to Vladimir Putin right now? TRUMP: He shouldn't be doing it. He won't be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when I'm leading it than when other people have led it. You will see that. Russia will respect our country more. He shouldn't have done it. I don't believe he will be doing it more now. We have to work something out. But it's not just Russia. Take look at what's happened. You don't report it the same way. Twenty-two million accounts were hacked in this country by China. And that's because we have no defense. That's because we're run by people that don't know what they're doing. Russia will have far greater respect for our country when I'm leading it. And I believe and I hope, maybe it won't happen, it's possible, but I won't be given a little reset button like Hillary. Press this piece of plastic. The guy looked at her like, what is she doing? There's no reset button. We're either going to get along or we're not. I hope we get along. But if not, that's possible, too. But Russia and other countries and other countries including China, which has taken total advantage of us economically, totally advantage of us in the South China Sea by building their massive fortress, total. Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, all countries will respect us far more, far more than they do under past administrations. I want to thank everybody. So this is all just so you understand, these papers, because I'm not sure that was explained properly. These papers are all just a piece of the many, many companies that are being put into trust to be run by my two sons and I hope at the end of eight years I'll come back and I'll say, "Oh, you did a good job." Otherwise, if they do a bad job, I'll say, you're fired. Goodbye, everybody. Goodbye. Here's a tip you can borrow from president-elect Donald Trump's playbook: Give your money to the U.S. Treasury to pay down the national debt. At a press conference Wednesday in New York, one of Trump's lawyers, Sheri Dillon, a tax attorney at Morgan Lewis, said that the president-elect would give the profits his hotels generate from foreign governments to the Treasury. That is part of a plan to avoid conflicts of interest under the new administration. Reports of foreign diplomats staying at Trump's hotels have raised concerns that these individuals could curry favor with the incoming president. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at his election night rally in New York, U.S., November 9, 2016. Carlos Barria | Reuters Dillon said that the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution which bars individuals holding office in the U.S. from accepting payments from foreign states did not apply to the hotel visits. It remains to be seen just how much money could be transferred to the Treasury if Trump donated his hotels' profits from foreign entities. However, if you wanted to give some of your own spare cash to Uncle Sam, you absolutely could. Trim the national debt Yes, people voluntarily hand their money over to the federal government. Treasury will take your check on the condition that it's used to reduce the public debt. They will also take intangible personal property, but only on the condition that that property is sold and the proceeds go toward cutting the deficit. You can make your gift while you're alive or leave the government a bequest as part of your estate plan. During the last fiscal year, people gifted $2.7 million to the Treasury, in addition to taxes, to lower our rapidly growing debt. For the current fiscal year, Uncle Sam has scraped together $154,242 in contributions. In this undated handout photo from Eon Productions, actor Daniel Craig poses as James Bond. Craig was unveiled as legendary British secret agent James Bond 007 in the 21st Bond film Casino Royale. "Until Trump's budgets and direction is clear for federal workers, we would likely see a slowdown in our view," cautioned Stifel analyst William Loomis in a Booz Allen research note written shortly after the election. Also he cited the "significant turnover" of political appointees as "possibly creating a near-term temporary slowdown." "I get the sense that they are going to seriously look at repurposing elements of the agency so that it is much more focused on operations and not existing within the Beltway and passing memos around," said Ed Turzanski, an international policy and national security expert at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a think tank in Philadelphia. In tweets, Trump has dismissed national intelligence findings of Russian hacking and influence in the presidential election and then Wednesday tweeted about those who "try to belittle our victory." Previously, he also knocked the Central Intelligence Agency for failed prewar intelligence on Iraq and there's been recent talk he's about to trim down the agency. The changing political landscape in Washington and friction between President-elect Donald Trump and the U.S. intelligence community could have major implications not only for the spy agencies but for the shadow private contractors such as Booz Allen Hamilton that support them. Booz Allen, which gets 97 percent of it revenue from U.S. government agencies, provides everything from cyber and IT services to work designed to enhance the nation's intelligence capabilities. There have been at least two cases of security lapses since 2013 involving Booz Allen employees, including Edward Snowden, who was hired by the consulting firm and leaked NSA documents. "We think we are well positioned to adapt to any new priorities of the incoming Trump administration," Booz Allen said in a statement for this story. "Because we have deep understanding of the missions of our government clients and have unique advantage of offering technical skills through a management consultant's lens, we can move quickly to support a changing focus within the government." Still, Booz Allen's 10-K filing last year cautioned that business could be impacted due to "changes in the political climate" and added that there's risk its relationship with the government could be harmed "due to perceived or actual deficiencies in the performance or quality of our work." Overall, the U.S. budget for the national intelligence program was $53 billion in fiscal 2016 and another $17.7 billion for the military intelligence program. The exact amount of money spent on intelligence contractors is not released but spending is believed to have risen sharply since 9/11 with terrorism analysis, language and data support and cyber. The CIA and NSA didn't respond to an emailed request for comment. "We see maneuvering on the chess board every now and then between which things we fund on contract," said Cortney Weinbaum, a national security policy associate in the Washington office of Rand Corp., the think tank. "We just don't know where those movements will happen over the next four years." Adding to the uncertainty, the president-elect has made a point to tweet about perceived waste in government contracts or programs. And in the case of intelligence contractors, there's been waste linked to private firms that supply services to the intelligence community, according to documents from the intelligence community's inspector general and obtained under a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit last year by Vice News. "Operationally you'd be told by people in the intelligence community that you're not going to get rid of the subcontractors," said Turzanski, who worked in the U.S. intelligence community during the Reagan administration. "You really do need them." That said, Turzanski expects it's likely the incoming administration will want to conduct a "very thorough review" of how these subcontractors operate. He believes the scrutiny is driven by "concerns over operational security and the integrity of what we produce." Meantime, talk about a restructuring and cuts in the CIA first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 4 could be far reaching but might turn out to be a positive for outside contractors such as Booz Allen. "The more people you push to the field, the more expensive it is," said Weinbaum, a former physicist for the Defense Intelligence Agency. "You'd actually end up having to do more hiring whether it's from contractors or within government to support more people in the field." Also, Weinbaum sees the intelligence community's reliance on private contractors as a good thing. "The private sector brings expertise and fresh ideas and fresh blood into government," she said. Turzanski agreed: "In the brave new world of cyber espionage and cybersecurity, a lot of the expertise resides outside the United States government. Instead of trying to recreate that capability, you go out and hire what you think is the best; that means you're going to go to subcontractors." Finally, the flare up in ties between the intelligence community and the incoming administration is seen as a national security risk due to already low morale at the spy agencies. Indeed, the former director of the NSA, Keith Alexander, recently spoke about the problem of employees leaving. "When they're being told by their leaders that what they do for a living is maybe questionable, it hurts morale at those agencies," said Weinbaum. "You have more people who could be disgruntled employees and that's the last thing you want in an intelligence agency. Plus you just have a loss of talent; they can get much higher-paying jobs somewhere else with their skills and they know it." A Union Pacific employee closes the entry door on a rail car at the company's facility at the Port of Oakland in Oakland, California. About 12 percent of Union Pacific's traffic is to and from Mexico, he said. That includes freighting soybeans from Missouri to processing plants in Mexico, before sending the finished product back to the United States. It makes sense financially to send the soybeans across the border because of the North American Free Trade Agreement. "I'm optimistic that they'll get trade right from the perspective of, when you really look at how goods trade works, it's virtually impossible to unwind what's been created to this point," said Lance Fritz, chairman, president and CEO at Union Pacific . He was speaking Tuesday at a Reuters Breakingviews panel on predictions for 2017. The head of America's largest railroad isn't worried about disruptive changes to trade policy from the Trump administration. Some analysts worry those conditions could change for the worse because of President-elect Donald Trump's threats to overhaul NAFTA and other free trade agreements. The Mexican peso hit fresh record lows versus the U.S. dollar on Wednesday as worries about tougher trade policies persisted. "The one thing that I'm concerned about is trade, because if you look back in history, there are numerous examples of how trade wars are crippling," said Peter Weinberg, founding partner and head of advisory, Perella Weinberg Partners. "I think the U.S. economy on a relative basis is strong, and there are lots of things about this country that are amazing, including just the entrepreneurial spirit, like nowhere else in the world," he said at the Reuters panel. "But I think it is fragile. And I don't think we have a free pass to growth." Fritz said while he shared those concerns, he feels positive about Trump's plans for tax cuts and deregulation. "What matters to us is we have a vibrant goods economy, that we have consumers consuming and manufacturers manufacturing and industry being healthy," the Union Pacific chief said. "So to the extent that a corporate tax reform makes the U.S. more attractive in those ways, that's fantastic for business," he said, adding that coming changes in regulation would likely be more business friendly. To be clear, Union Pacific's latest investor "Fact Book" from 2015 says the company does not physically operate in Mexico, but cooperates with the country's two largest railroads for interchanges at the border. Union Pacific even has a minority stake in one of the Mexican rail companies. Trump has called for building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and imposing tariffs on imports. "There's a huge difference between those two things, pro-business and pro-free markets," Weinberg said. "They're not the same. ... My hope is this won't be sort of a blind pursuit of protected markets. I just don't think that's where we're going to be. If we are, that's going to be a problem. But I don't think that's where we're going to be." Some analysts and business leaders do see a need for change to existing U.S. trade relationships. They say foreign government subsidies have given certain nations unfair advantage over the U.S. SYRACUSE, N.Y. Syracuse Hancock International Airport will undertake a $45.1 million project to renovate the facility. New York State will contribute nearly $36 million to the project, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during his regional State of the State address held Wednesday morning in Syracuse. Cuomo spoke in the Carrier Theater inside the John H. Mulroy Civic Center at 411 Montgomery St. Cuomos announcement was part of the second round of the $200 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, which first launched last year, his office said in a news release issued following his remarks in Syracuse. In a separate news release, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said the county will pledge $1 million toward the airport project. Cuomos office expects the project to create nearly 870 construction jobs. Construction crews should complete their work by 2019. The announcement of this renovation project comes nearly four years after Hancock finished a $60 million project that focused on the security terminal and expanded concession space. Passenger fees completely funded that project, the office of Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said in a March 2014 news release when the city transferred the operating certificate to the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. The upcoming project seeks to turn an archaic facility into a state-of-the-art transportation hub that meets the needs of the 21st century traveler, Cuomos office said. The work, which will target the airports aging infrastructure includes a redesign of the grand hall; the food, beverage and retail concessions; and the exterior facade. The effort will also include a new Regional Aviation History Museum; a glass pedestrian bridge; and an eco-friendly roof along with new flooring and furniture. Syracuse Hancock International Airport supports more than 7,500 jobs and generates nearly $597 million in economic impact throughout Central New York, according to Cuomos news release. This investment will improve safety and security and make Syracuse Hancock International Airport a modern transportation hub, Matthew Driscoll, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, contended. Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com Prince had a serious stash of gold bars when he died The physical gold holdings of Prince, the late music superstar, were recently revealed as part of an ongoing lawsuit over the rights to his possessions. The precious metals holdings of Prince, the legendary musician who died unexpectedly April 21 from a prescription drug overdose, were apparently quite significant, according to a recent report from the Star Tribune. The Minneapolis newspaper reports that Prince had in his possession at the time of his death 67 gold bars, each weighing 10 ounces. With the price of gold at $1,193 per ounce on Jan. 11, the total value of Prince's gold is around $800,000. Prince didnt leave a will, and a lawsuit over the rights to his possessions has been ongoing since April. The lawsuit has led to more clarity about his assets and how much the superstar was worth. Connect with Coin World: Sign up for our free eNewsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter It is unclear where he purchased or received the bars. Princes businesses and properties in total are valued between $100 and $300 million, roughly. In addition, his companies Paisley Park Enterprises Inc., NPG Records Inc., NPG Music Publishing and LotusFlow3r had around $6 million in cash on hand at the time of his death. The Minnesota natives jewelry collection, cars and house furnishings also add to his impressive list of tangible assets. Read the Star Tribune's full breakdown of Prince's assets here. Gold is a safe-haven asset Why do people like Prince invest in gold? Gold investing has historically been viewed as a hedge against the unpredictability of the overall economy, and in turn, a safe haven when other markets experience a downturn. Gold is valuable. That is based on the fact that we know theres not a lot of it, and we know it is appealing to people. So while the health of someones investments in the stock market is subject to the performance of the companies invested in, gold is a known commodity with a value that, while it does fluctuate over time, generally does not fluctuate with the suddenness that a companys stock can. ALBANY POLICE Laptop thief couldn't wait to get online 5:55 p.m. Monday, 100 block of 10th Avenue. A woman sitting on the Bolt bus at the Albany Depot train station was startled when a man jumped onto the bus and grabbed her laptop, then ran off with it. Police found the suspect, Julius Kamya, 30, of Washington, sitting behind the train station about 50 yards away, trying to use the laptop. Police say he claimed he didn't know where he'd gotten it. Kamya was arrested and charged with second-degree theft, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, providing false information to police and illegal possession of methamphetamine. Tools taken 6:24 a.m. Monday, 400 block of 12th Avenue. A car parked on the street near a residence had its windows smashed. More than $680 worth of construction tools were stolen. Police do not yet have suspects. Elementary burglary 6:01 a.m. Monday, 3100 block of Madison Street. A janitor at Lafayette Elementary School arrived at work at 5:30 a.m. to discover the office door had been forced open. He discovered a jar of change missing. Police later discovered an open side door, but no other items were missing. So far, only the change jar was reported stolen. Painting truck with GPS unit taken, tracked 6:26 a.m. Tuesday, 2600 block of Highway 20. A thief, or thieves, who took a 2012 Nissan work van belonging to Fitzpatrick Painting managed to drive it to Sheridan. Police know this because the van has a GPS tracking system. Officers expect to recover the vehicle. LINN COUNTY SHERIFF Traffic and foot chase spans downtown Crawfordsville 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. When a deputy attempted a traffic stop after recognizing a fugitive, the suspect, 54-year-old Freddie Seiber, pulled into a driveway and bolted from his 1979 Chevrolet El Camino. Because he'd left the car in gear, it rolled into the patrol vehicle, badly denting the door. The foot chase took the deputy across town and lasted almost three minutes. Seiber was found hiding in a shed near the covered bridge. He was arrested and booked in Linn County Jail for felony elude (in the El Camino), misdemeanor elude (on foot), damaging property and fleeing the scene of an accident. He was originally wanted on a first-degree theft charge, warrants for failure to appear in court and third-degree escape. The arresting officer also cited Seiber for driving on a suspended license. Kwiecinski: Why Mizzou basketball should be fun to watch in 2022-23 It wouldn't be January without a look at this year's CES to see what's hot and what's not. On 2017's hot list, according to NetworkWorld Multimedia Editor Keith Shaw, who's just back from the show in Las Vegas: virtual reality, drones and home automation (with a helping does of Amazon Alexa). As Shaw explained to Computerworld Executive News Editor Ken Mingis and Apple expert Michael DeAgonia, there's good news for VR fans: the cost of getting a halfway decent setup continues to come down. The bad news? The really cool stuff like an InnoSim dynamic VR chair still costs a bundle. Shaw also managed to find a selfie-taking drone for selfie-obsessed drone lovers, a $700 laundry-folding robot -- yes, really -- and a high-tech vacuum that kills mites and germs. Paging Howard Hughes.... Also on this year's hot list are Apple AirPods, like the ones DeAgonia managed to score just before Christmas. Yes, he admits, people tell him they look goofy, and no, he doesn't care. They work well, sound good, last for hours and stay in his ears just fine during workouts and runs. Then he proves it with a bit of head-bopping to demonstrate. For an audio podcast only, click play (or catch up on all episodes) below. Happy listening, and please, send feedback or suggestions for future topics to us. We'd love to hear from you. There is a reason it is called the World Wide Web: It is supposed to be worldwide, allowing people from all countries to use it for communication, commerce and self-expression. But the French government is trying to create unilateral internet policies that affect those outside French borders, setting up potential conflicts. In March 2016, French authorities fined Google 100,000 for not expanding Frances right to be forgotten rules to all Google users worldwide. Last month, Google announced that it would continue to fight this decision, arguing that sovereign nations should not be able to create their own internet policies. The debate over the right to be forgotten serves as a useful example of why it is time nations adopt a framework for international internet policymaking that balances their own domestic rights with respect for the global nature of the internet. [To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page.] The Google-France conflict arises from a 2014 court decision that ruled that Europeans have the ability to request that search engines remove links from queries associated with their names if those results are irrelevant or outdated. Google has continuously updated its compliance with the ruling to meet increasing European demands. Currently, the company delists search results for all European users based on geolocation signals, such as their IP addresses. This implementation of the right to be forgotten allows the company to remove offending results for European users, without affecting the rest of its users worldwide. Unfortunately, Googles move was not enough for French lawmakers. The problem with making domestic laws the de facto laws for the global internet is that all countries do not share the same values and laws. For example, there is no global consensus on the right to be forgotten. In fact, critics around the world have derided the policy because of its negative impact on free speech and because the people who most stand to benefit from this type of policy are convicted sex offenders, board-sanctioned doctors and disgraced politicians who want their past indiscretions removed from the public record. Indeed, many other nations, including the United States, put a higher premium on freedom of expression and transparency than the right to hide. Actions such as Frances will inevitably lead to the creation of conflicting laws. What if, say, the Brazilian government created transparency laws that said search engines could not remove links within the country, in direct conflict with the global right to be forgotten? Which law would a search engine be obliged to follow? Furthermore, by forcing a global internet company to apply a domestic law to users in other countries without allowing those countries to decide for themselves about the merits and drawbacks of that policy, the French government could set a precedent for other countries to demand similar power. Many of these countries would not share Frances democratic values. For example, surely French citizens would not like it if the Chinese government prohibited French newspapers from publishing online stories critical of China or if African or Middle Eastern countries used their apostasy and blasphemy laws to bowdlerize French satirists. French lawmakers would rightly defend their nations sovereignty and say no. Rather than acting unilaterally, French lawmakers who do not like other nations policies should work to establish formal international agreements regarding these policies, such as a universal rule for the right to be forgotten. There are several issues, such as spam or child pornography, where an international consensus has formed that certain materials are bad and should be removed from the internet, resulting in international agreements to curb their distribution. However, when a country is unable to convince other nations to sign on to a broad goal, that country should not impose its own values on other nations and should work to limit the impact of its laws and practices to within its own borders. For example, Frances policies should not try to force search engines to delist right-to-be-forgotten links for users outside of its own borders, just as other nations should not attempt to interfere with French domestic policy as it manifests itself online. Beyond rules regarding censorship and privacy, how one country approaches internet policy can affect other countries in many areas, including e-commerce, content regulation, intellectual property and cybercrime. And while nations may not agree on goals or values, this does not mean they cannot collaborate to build a global internet system that works well for everyone. But this vision of a global internet will not result from forcing domestic policies on other countries or unfairly putting multinational corporations in the middle of international disputes. The French government should not impose the right to be forgotten on the rest of the world, and other nations should stand up to these attempts to unilaterally determine policy for the global internet. But this will only happen if Americans tell their elected officials that they do not want French lawmakers determining what they see online. Moreover, if France fails to gain consensus around this idea, perhaps this is a policy that should best be forgotten. Alan McQuinn (@AlanMcQuinn) is a research analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading science and tech policy think tank. Daniel Castro (@CastroTech) is ITIFs vice president. The families of three Americans killed in ISIS terror attacks are suing Twitter for allegedly knowingly providing support for the terrorist group and acting as a "powerful weapon for terrorism." The suit was filed over the weekend in a federal court in New York City on behalf of the relatives of three U.S. nationals who were killed by ISIS in the March 22, 2016, terrorist attacks in Brussels and the Nov. 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris. At least 32 people died in the Brussels attack and about 130 in the attack in Paris. [To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page.] The suit alleges that Twitter has violated, and continues to violate, the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act. The plaintiffs are asking for a jury trial and monetary damages to be determined at trial. Twitter did not reply to a request for comment. "Twitter's social media platform and services provide tremendous utility and value to ISIS as a tool to connect its members and to facilitate the terrorist group's ability to communicate, recruit members, plan and carry out attacks, and strike fear in its enemies," the suit alleges. "ISIS has used Twitter to cultivate and maintain an image of brutality, to instill greater fear and intimidation, and to appear unstoppable ..." The lawsuit also contends that specifically for the Brussels and Paris attacks, ISIS used Twitter to issue threats, as well as to announce and celebrate the attacks. The lawsuit was filed by the family of siblings Alexander Pinczowski and Sascha Pinczowski, who were killed in Brussels, and the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, who was killed in Paris. Last year, another lawsuit was filed by Gonzalez's father against Twitter, Facebook and YouTube for allegedly knowingly allowing ISIS to "use their social networks as a tool for spreading extremist propaganda, raising funds and attracting new recruits." In December, the families of three victims of the June shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, sued Facebook, Twitter and Google, the owner of YouTube, for allegedly "providing support to the Islamic State." Forty-nine people were killed in the attack. The question, if either case goes to trial, is whether a social network can be held responsible for the actions of any of its users. "While I certainly can sympathize with the families, it's hard for me to see how Twitter can be held responsible for the rise of ISIS and their terror activities," said Dan Olds, an analyst with OrionX. "Let's imagine the world a few decades ago, before the internet. Would someone try to hold AT&T responsible for criminal activities that were planned over the telephone? Or is the printing press manufacturer responsible for magazines that encourage terrorism that were printed using presses they built and sold? " In response to the attacks, Twitter took steps to prevent terrorists from using its network. In August, the company reported that in the previous six months, it had suspended 235,000 accounts for violating its policies related to the promotion of terrorism. That was in addition to 125,000 accounts that been suspended since mid-2015, bringing the total number of terrorist-related suspended accounts to 360,000. "We strongly condemn these acts and remain committed to eliminating the promotion of violence or terrorism on our platform," the company said in a blog post at the time. Judith Hurwitz, an analyst with Hurwitz & Associates, said it would be a significant challenge for Twitter to keep terrorists completely off its site. "Perhaps Twitter could do a better job identifying users who are terrorists," she said, saying the company would likely need advanced machine learning tools to weed out the bad players. "Of course, it would have to be advanced Remember that terrorists are very good at adapting. If they are thrown off of the system, they can come back with a different persona and try to game the system." Brad Shimmin, an analyst with Current Analysis, said social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Google can't be held responsible for their users' actions. "There is no way of effectively policing those sites based upon affiliation or behavior," Shimmin said. "Twitter itself has gone to some extreme measures to single out and remove accounts engaged in this sort of thing. That will help, and I think such efforts are a moral responsibility for Twitter and other social networking vendors, but those actions can't rule out future misuse." Olds said it would be impossible for Twitter to keep terrorists from using its site 100% of the time, but the company could do a better job of curtailing it. "Terrorist messages should be able to be rooted out with some solid language processing software," Olds said. "I'd like to see them do more along these lines. The technology is there, they just need to adapt it to anti-terrorist tasks." If Twitter loses the lawsuit and is ordered to pay significant damages, the impact on other social networks would be chilling, he said. "Social networks would be forced to keep a much closer eye on user activities and crack down on anything that could be interpreted as 'bad,' " Olds said. "The end result would be self-imposed censorship on the part of the nets, which would greatly upset many users. But I just don't see this happening at least not with this case." Democratic groups and figures weren't the only ones targeted in Russias suspected campaign to influence last year's U.S. election. Russian cyberspies also targeted computers from state-level Republican groups and stole information from local voter registration records, FBI director James Comey said. "There were successful penetrations of some groups and campaigns, particularly at the state-level on the Republican side," Comey said during a senate committee hearing on Tuesday. [ For more, see Hacking the Election: Myths and Realities ] He and three U.S. intelligence chiefs spoke at the hearing, following their Friday report accused the Kremlin of ordering a covert campaign that helped boost incoming President Donald Trump's election chances. As part of that campaign, the hackers stole sensitive files from the Democratic National Committee, in addition to an aide to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and leaked them online. On Tuesday, Comey discussed other targets Russian cyberspies allegedly hacked. Among them, were state-level voter registration records that included name and address information. "What the purpose of those intrusions was is not clear," Comey said. "But theres no doubt the Russians attacked, intruded, and took data from some of those systems." Any alteration to a voter registration database might sow chaos on election day, he said. "Someone shows up to vote and your address is different," he said. "That creates delay, controversy, and confusion." Comey also said that Russian hackers had targeted old email domains belonging to the Republican National Committee. Although the breached domains were no longer in use, the hacker nonetheless "harvested" information from them, he said. Despite the hacking efforts, no evidence was found showing Russia ever breached vote tallying systems or altered any votes during the election, U.S. intelligence chiefs said. Comey also said there was no sign that Russia ever hacked Trumps campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies have so far declined to release evidence proving the Kremlins involvement in the hacks, citing the need to protect its methods. But the intel gathering relied on "multiple high-quality sources," including human ones and technical collection, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said during the hearing. Russia, however, has denied any involvement in the hacks. On Monday, a Kremlin spokesman said the unfounded accusations were driving a "witch hunt." Trump has also remained skeptical over Russia's suspected role in the hacks. Nevertheless, some U.S. lawmakers have been urging the incoming administration to take greater action and punish the Kremlin. "This sounds like a pretty effective and successful effort to sow chaos," Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, said during Tuesday's hearing. "In essence, it sounds like they achieved what they wanted: to get us to fight against each other over whether our elections were legitimate." Weve learned a lot more about the iPhone as it celebrates its tenth anniversary this week, blogger Sonny Dickson shared some interesting details about the two main prototypes for the iPhone user interface. This morning, ex-Appler Tony Fadell has taken to Twitter to share a whole bunch of new insights into how the iPhone was born. Exactly! No doubt in anyone's mind which was the right path. Those on the iPod based UI knew is was doomed. SJ pushed us, "Make it work!" https://t.co/LHq6jQaAew Tony Fadell (@tfadell) January 11, 2017 Made on a Mac Apparently the user interface variants were designed on Macs and only years later ported to work on iPhones. The thing is all the teams involved in the project had a feeling that the right user interface would be the one that eventually won, Fadell explained in a Tweet. No doubt in anyones mind which was the right path. Those on the iPod based UI knew it was doomed. Steve Jobs pushed us, he wrote. Steve asked us to test all the possibilities. There were many competing UI ideas - both physical & virtual clickwheels. The clickwheel was very iconic & we were trying to leverage that. https://t.co/pgs12H8Qm9 Tony Fadell (@tfadell) January 11, 2017 All about the Clickwheel If you ever used an iPod you will remember the Clickwheel user interface you had to control music (and later podcasts and video) playback on the device. Were gonna use the best pointing device in the world. Were gonna use a pointing device that were all born with were born with ten of them. Were gonna use our fingers. Steve Jobs, iPhone launch 2007 This was a brand new paradigm in user interfaces when it first appeared wed never had something so intuitive. Thats why Apple wanted to take a closer look at the UI while developing it. The Clickwheel was very iconic and we were trying to leverage that, Fadell wrote. Incredibly hard to work on something you didnt believe in - especially when I used a rotary dial phone growing up. The push button won! https://t.co/TiwWOrVi9i Tony Fadell (@tfadell) January 11, 2017 Make it so History shows us that in the end the iPod Clickwheel was destined to pass into history MultiTouch won out. Thats why Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, was able to say the iPhone used the worlds simplest user interface: touch and was able to amuse his audience by showing a picture of an iPod dressed up as an phone that was equipped with a rotary dialer. Given their gut feeling that touch would win through, the teams had to work extra hard to develop a ClickWheel interface. Incredibly hard to work on something you dont believe in especially when I used a rotary dial phone growing up, Fadell says. The push button won. (We know from a New Yorker report that design of the interface took a great deal of effort. Even as late as 2004 the essential technology behind the interface hadnt been invented. The studio hadnt invented the essential technology - nor, indeed, had Apple engineers - but the designers helped guide it to market, over years, the report claimed.) There were many variations as we co-evolved the designs - both HW UI and SW UIs. Good design process doesn't follow a straight line... https://t.co/0rtFpABoBT Tony Fadell (@tfadell) January 11, 2017 There were lots of designs Apple works very hard on design. Thats one of the reasons the company became so incensed when the entire industry decided to draw inspiration from its iPhone design. These days it seems every phone is a rectangle with a Multitouch interface and a big display. It need not have turned out that way, Fadell reveals. He says there were many variants as the company co-evolved the smartphone design. Good design process doesnt follow a straight line. The need to iterate and iterate one again led to some interesting contrasts. For example, at point there was an iPod with a larger display for watching video that used a virtual Clickwheel and an iPod phone with a physical wheel. Wrong!!! There was never a competition. We, together, were searching for the best solution. Steve asked us to test all the possibilities... https://t.co/DNkT2WZnqV Tony Fadell (@tfadell) January 11, 2017 Cooperation, not competition There have been some reports characterizing the effort made by the iPhone design teams as competitive, but thats not how Fadell sees it. The ideas were competing, not the teams, he explained. We, together, were searching for the best solution. Steve [Jobs] asked us to test all the possibilities. Did they know it was special? There are still some industry pundits who don't seem to recognize the transformative nature of the iPhone. Not only did the device set the template for every smartphone since (though you may want to watch this movie trailer for a unique slant on this), but the teams involved in creating the device knew that what they were doing was transformative. Thats also why Apples Steve Jobs was able to say his company had been lucky to have brought a few revolutionary user interfaces to market in our time when announcing iPhone. The rest is history, some of which isnt written yet. 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. Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) is surely glad it had cybersecurity insurance as it was hit with ransomware on New Years Eve. Its unclear how much of the $28,000 ransom will be recovered via insurance, but the college made the decision to pay. A ransom note, left on one of the colleges servers, read: You have 7 days to send us the BitCoin after 7 days we will remove your private keys and its impossible to recover your files According to the college newspaper Valley Star, the ransom note also included step-by-step directions for how to purchase bitcoins and make the extortion payment, as well as a demo to test the decryption process. Check our site, you can upload two encrypted files and we will decrypt your files as demo. Although the San Fernando Valley community college believes it was randomly targeted, the ransomware infection disrupted many computers, online, email and voice mail systems. The decision to capitulate and pay came after the district consulted outside cybersecurity experts and law enforcement. LAVC president Dr. Erika Endrijona explained (pdf), It was the assessment of our outside cybersecurity experts that making a payment would offer an extremely high probability of restoring access to the affected systems, while failure to pay would virtually guarantee that data would be lost. Sure enough, the cyber thugs delivered a decryption key after the college coughed up the $28,000 ransom demand. The LA college described the process to unlock hundreds of thousands of files as a lengthy one, but the key has worked in every attempt that has been made. The attack probably forced the college to come up with a New Years resolution pertaining to backups. Rebuilding from backups is not instantaneous, but it beats having no backups at all. When a Montana school district was hit with ransomware, Matt Jensen, superintendent of the 900-student Bigfork public schools, wasnt thrilled with the prospect of rebuilding from backups; but at least it had some backups. The schools network was backed up twice, so even though the on-site servers were compromised with ransomware, the off-site backup was not. He refused to pay. We weren't going to negotiate with them," he said. Theres no guarantee the attackers will decrypt the data and paying would only empower a criminal group. Ransomware is a proven extortion method. We can expect new variants to continue entering our infrastructures in 2017 and more frequently, said Michael Patterson, CEO of Plixer. He advised, Security teams need to run fire drills on critical systems to determine how quickly they can return to normal business operations from backups Vs just paying the ransom and moving on. Companies need to be ready, as this threat is growing and our recourse options are very limited. New sophisticated Spora ransomware Speaking of new ransomware variants, Emisoft described a new ransomware, dubbed Spora, that is capable of working offline; it does not need to communicate with a command and control server to encrypt files. Emisoft wrote, A couple of things immediately caught our attention: Firstly, the presentation and the interface itself have a professional, almost beautiful, look. Secondly, and unlike other ransomware, the ransom it asks for seemed comparatively low. A victim becomes infected by opening a zipped email attachment that contains an HTA file, which is a HTML application. If a user hasnt enabled show hidden files, folders and drives in File Explorer options, then all he or she might see is something like Invoice.doc entirely missing the real hidden extension of .HTA; in this example it could be Invoice.doc.hta. After opening the zipped file, Word or WordPad will open with a fake corrupt document warning, presumably to trick victims into believing theres nothing suspicious about it. Meanwhile, a second file which is actually the ransomware starts encrypting data. The ransom is set by an automated process, but the actual amount depends upon how many encrypted files the attackers deem to be valuable. While primarily in Russian, Emisoft showed an English example of the Spora ransom demand. Bleeping Computer noted that victims are required to enter the ransomware infection ID on the attackers site to login to the Spora decryption process. Next the .key file must be loaded to synchronize a computer with the decryption portal. The attackers, Emisoft added, do offer a customer support messaging system. You can choose to only recover your files or pay for removal of the ransomware and immunity from future attacks at an extra cost. This is something unique to the Spora ransomware, as we have not seen anything like this before. As of right now, Emisoft said, Unfortunately, after evaluating the way Spora performs its encryption, there is no way to restore encrypted files without access to the malware authors private key. Keep backups, sooner or later, you will be glad you have them. In recent months, a lot of ink was spilled to criticize Facebooks role in the dissemination of news, especially related to the past U.S. presidential election. On Wednesday, the company announced a new suite of initiatives aimed at improving its collaboration with journalists and media companies. The Facebook Journalism Project is based on three core initiatives. First, the company is developing new features to help publishers better use its platform for publishing and promoting their stories and businesses. Second, Facebook is working on new tools to help journalists use the social network for their reporting along with training to help them better use Facebook. Third, the firm is working to curb the spread of fake information and better educate its users about what stories they can trust. Facebooks moves could help the company as it faces mounting criticism for the way it handles the dissemination of news. One of the key themes running through this entire release is Facebooks emphasis that it is interested in working with journalists on this entire initiative, rather than dictating changes from a top-down level. The changes came about as a response to conversations around Facebooks role in the news ecosystem. The company has long maintained that its a platform for the dissemination of information but has disclaimed responsibility for the content. Wednesdays moves are a recognition by the company that its position requires a new kind of responsibility. While the timing is close to heated criticisms of Facebook over its handling of fake news during the election, the conversations that led to these changes began prior to that. The moves are a good first step for Facebook, especially related to the companys collaboration efforts around its platform, product development, tools, and training, Michael Friedenberg, the CEO of IDG Communications, said in an interview. I think this is a great starting point, he said. Anything that has to do with ... the business model and around the areas of monetization would be beneficial to see, beyond what theyve already done. As part of its collaborative work with journalists, the company said its committed to gathering feedback from publishers. Facebook will be going on a tour to meet with publishers in the U.S. and Europe this year to gather feedback about its products and how it can better work with journalists. The company is particularly interested in working to promote local news, Fidji Simo, Facebooks director of product, said in a blog post. While that particular initiative is in its earliest stages, Facebook is interested in working with publications and journalists to promote content relevant to users local communities. On Wednesday, the company announced that its working with a handful of news outlets on a new feature that would allow publishers to compile multiple Instant Articles in a single Facebook post for easier viewing. Facebook is also working with Bild, a German publication, to integrate trial subscription sign-ups into Instant Articles, which might help boost revenue from stories shared on the social network. The company will also allow people to use CrowdTangle, a social media monitoring platform that it acquired in November, for free. The service previously required a paid subscription and is used by publishers like Vox Media and NPR. To curb fake news, the company is working on a set of public service ads aimed at educating people on Facebook about how to be informed consumers of news. The companys long-term goal is to provide support for organizations working on improving news literacy, which could include financial grants when necessary, Simo said. On top of that, the company also highlighted its previously announced work to curb fake news in the platform, which includes a collaboration with fact-checking organizations on verifying stories on Facebook. While these changes could help assuage concerns about journalism as it relates to Facebook, they dont solve the core problem at hand. Facebook is one of the largest sources for news around the world, with hundreds of millions of daily active users. The company controls the flow of information through its platform and has the ability to change how that works at will. Case in point: Last year, the company announced that it was reducing the number of news stories that will show up in users News Feeds, instead opting to prioritize posts by other users. That one algorithmic change could have a far greater impact on the state of news on Facebook than all of these other initiatives, combined. Well have to see. IDG Communications operates the IDG News Service. Neither entity is taking part in the Facebook experiments mentioned. Josh Blue is one of many local comedians who have shared stories at The Narrators. Live storytelling is all the rage, and The Narrators show has been on the cutting edge of the trend for more than five years. If you're ready to see what all of the fuss is about, grab a free seat at Buntport Theater on Jan. 18. When Sarita Field invited a romantic interest over to make tamales, the first date seemed totally benign. But it ended up being the worst Tinder date -- "He seemed smart, tall, handsome, and normal," Field recalls. While the tamales cooked, though, Field's date excused himself to the restroom, and the night quickly deteriorated. "He had come over with these Christmas socks that had jingle bells," she continues. "When he came out of my bathroom, he was wearing nothing but the socks." "I remember as it was happening thinking the situation would make a great story someday," she adds. And it did. On the third Wednesday of every month, seven storytellers convene before an audience of strangers to share 10-minute-long vignettes centered on a theme. "What we try to do is pick words or phrases that can be interpreted from many directions," explains The Narrators co-host Erin Rollman. It's up to the night's storytellers to interpret the theme. Ron Doyle is co-host of The Narrators. "Adhering to the theme is the least important thing," adds Ron Doyle, the show's other co-host, and the man who produces a weekly podcast employing excerpts from the live show. "We don't edit," Doyle continues. "We give them a theme. But what really connects the show is that all of the stories are true, from real people." Topics for 2017 range from Red-Handed (Feb. 15) and Jinx (April 19) to Space (Sept. 20). The night Field took center stage the subject was Naked . "Even if somebody can't understand the feeling of having your date go to the bathroom and walk out naked, they can understand being on a bad date," Field says, adding, "Yes, you're human, and other people are experiencing the same human emotions." "The simplicity has always been what's attracted me," Rollman interjects. "It's very raw, very bare. . . . We don't know in advance what storytellers will talk about, and we've had people say in that forum stuff they've never said out loud before." The humanity factor And listening to a good narrative isn't just fun, it can actually synchronize the brains of the storyteller and listener, says Uri Hasson , a Buntport Theater's Erin Rollman is co-host. Storytelling comes naturally for Rollman, a founding member of Buntport Theater who has been yarning with The Narrators since its began at Paris on the Platte in summer 2011. Doyle doesn't share Rollman's sentiments. He came on board in 2012, initially to produce The Narrators podcast; by then, the ensemble had moved its show to Deer Pile , the community performance space above City O' City "The stories are all hard for me," Doyle admits. "I'm an anxiety-ridden freak," he says. As co-hosts, either Doyle or Rollman hit the stage each month. One performance stands out for Doyle: "I told the story about my brother-in-law dying -- four days after it had happened," he says. "I didn't know I was going to talk about it until I was on the spot, and I bolted right after the show." Local writer Laura Bond -- also a A comedian started The Narrators, and local jokesters are still central to the series. "Comedians are definitely in the DNA of the show," says Doyle. "Many people who share stories are involved in comedy scene, so it can be hilarious," Bond says. "But even the comedians' stories have a narrative arc, and there's almost always something poignant and personal -- and that's what makes it real." "The fact that not all participants are performers is important," adds Rollman. "You get people who are really nervous, and that ups the humanity factor." Storytelling as group therapy Orvedahl retired from day-to-day activities with The Narrators in 2015, which was around the time Robert Rutherford and his partner, Mary Robertson -- both former co-hosts for The Narrators in Denver -- brought the show to San Diego. That same year, The Narrators moved its live production to Buntport Theater, all part of Rollman's diabolical master plan to "manipulate the schedule and go to every show," she says. The hour-and-a-half-long production is so popular that viewers -- up to 160 per show -- will cram together on the theater house floor once the room's 120 seats are taken. Performers also compete for space, and are booked out six months in advance. Among a growing audience, repeat storytellers like Bond might recognize a few friendly faces, but can't help noticing all of the new listeners, too. "You never know what the crowd will be like," says Bond. "This is one of the few places in Denver where our diversity is on display. It's a testament to so many things, including Denver itself, and how it attracts new people who are interested in engaging with the creative community." Denver comedian Jamae Burris performs. Rollman and Doyle actively seek a diverse group of storytellers. "We want to encourage empathy among different types of people," says Rollman. (Would-be storytellers can snag a spot on stage by expressing interest on The Narrators' Facebook page , or by approaching one of the hosts after a live show.) Storytelling is a bit of a buzzword right now, and that's for good reason. "I think it's healing," Rollman says. "Most evenings, I come home from The Narrators and just feel good." The show is "a weird form of group therapy" that leaves storytellers and audience members "buzzing and alive and connected," says Doyle. "That's a big reason we are committed to keeping the show free." ever!Last August, Field -- an admissions officer at a local university with a penchant for performing -- stood up in front of a crowd at Buntport Theater, and spilled her awkward Tinder date tale for The Narrators , a live monthly storytelling show formed in Denver in 2010 by standup comedian Andrew Orvedahl We humans have been sharing our stories since the first paintings were etched into cave walls. Today, 27,000 years later, storytelling is still an essential mode of communication. In fact, personal stories and gossip make up 65 percent of our conversations, according to Jeremy Hsu, writing for Scientific American neuroscientist based at Princeton University.Confluence Denver contributor -- has performed with The Narrators a half-dozen times. "It is terrifying and exhilarating," she says, caland calls the show "a rite of passage" for many Colorado creatives looking to participate in the local literary and comedy scenes. Polling data on support for English parliament Brexit will dominate 2017, but Theresa May is right that the vote was not just about the issue of Europe: it was underpinned by a growing mistrust of the establishment. In response, she has set herself a colossal task reshaping Britains place in the world and tackling the issues creating discontent at home. The problem is that there has been a growing gap between her aims and the solutions offered. This is unsurprising given no majority in the Lords, a Commons majority of ten and no election mandate. This gap exists even before the Conservative Party becomes unmanageable as Brexit materialises, disappointing either soft or hard liners, and before a potentially overdue recession hits, as each decade since the 1970s has seen a downturn. For all these reasons, the Prime Minister needs an election. But she needs an issue to help guarantee victory, and a failsafe to ensure that if we end up with a similar result to now, she is strengthened by her decision to call a vote. Fortunately, there is an issue that is both morally right and can be pressed into service a referendum on a federal system for the UK, with English MPs in charge of English matters. Brexit brings into relief the current constitutional mess The Labour Party created an asymmetrical and unfair system. Areas that vote generally vote Labour (Scotland, Wales, London) were given preferential powers. This was in part due to local demand, but the corresponding issue of England was never dealt with because Labours preferred solution of a regional England was deeply unpopular with voters (as shown by the 2004 North East vote). Brexit will exacerbate this, because it brings back powers in multiple areas (e.g. fisheries, agriculture) that will need to be shared within the constituent parts of the UK. The time for a solution to our constitutional mess is now and the solution should be a federal UK with England having its own executive and legislature. The Scottish parliament already controls huge numbers of policy areas; agriculture, forestry and fisheries, education, the environment, health, housing, planning, law and order, local government, culture, economic development, transport, some powers over income tax and borrowing powers, SDLT and miscellaneous other areas such as the misuse of drugs, as well as the administration of elections to the Scottish parliament. Strong support for an English Parliament There is clear support for an English parliament among English voters. By an overwhelming majority of 3:1 voters support English devolution, as shown by the table above. This also means that the executive for English matters (e.g. ministers for health, education, housing and planning etc.) would need to come from English MPs. Our system is not designed to split powers between the executive and the legislature, and trying to introduce this on top of other reforms will be impossible. By contrast, simply setting out that English matters and English ministers should be decided by English MPs, and come from English MPs, is simple. The referendum would be able to be framed around the issue of fairness: why should the SNP end up deciding on English schools, roads and hospitals? The powers that Scotland has in this regard should be given to England and Wales, creating a federal system where international negotiations are carried out by a UK wide parliament and executive which deals with UK wide areas, with the remainder dealt with by the constituent parliaments. Crucially, this would not expand the number of politicians: we should be saying that existing English MPs would form the English parliament and executive. This would negate the only way that opponents could try to fight this proposal. Running as the Conservative and Unionist party would provide an electoral boost This change would enable the Conservatives to run outside England as the Unionist party. Much of the reason that the Tories appear weak is that their vote share has declined as non-English politics have fragmented the Conservative Party won a majority of just 12 on 41 per cent of the vote in England in 2015, not that much lower than the 46 per cent it won there in the 1983 Thatcher 144 seat landslide. We need to adjust to this fragmentation of the vote. By running this year as the Unionist party outside of England, the chances of winning seats outside of England would increase, particularly in Scotland, where Ruth Davidson is already the unofficial leader of unionism. In England, meanwhile, Corbyn would almost certainly come out against letting the English administer their own affairs depressing the Labour vote as people would feel (rightly) this was just based on partisan feeling not principle and potentially lowering Labour turnout. What could this mean after an election? With a referendum passed at the same time as an election, there would almost certainly be a clear majority for the Conservatives in a new English parliament and executive. While the UK voted 52 per cent in favour of Leave, 400 of the 574 constituencies in England and Wales (or 70 per cent of seats) voted in favour of Leave. (The Tories have a 14 per cent or so lead in some national polls.) By creating an English parliament and executive selected by that parliament, May removes the only risk to an election this year that she ends up no stronger than at present. Even if the result is a rerun of 2015, this would give a Tory 100 strong majority, clearing the way for an English government that can undertake the reforms she wants. Crucially, in such circumstances May would force Conservative MPs to stand on a pro-Brexit manifesto, forcing those like Anna Soubry to either leave or agree with whatever terms May decided upon. Moreover, this is the worst case scenario: the best case is that she will have a majority of some 50-100 MPs across the UK as a whole. In either case, May would have a real shot at achieving her goals, both in terms of Brexit and the domestic reforms she wants. DUP and Sinn Fein brace for election Arlene Foster, the now former First Minister of Northern Ireland, has said she is open to talks to prevent the provinces devolved institutions from collapsing, according to the News Letter. Local parties have seven days to resolve their differences before James Brokenshire, the Secretary of State, has to call an election which the Belfast Telegraph reports she warns will be brutal and possibly result in a return to direct rule the governing of Northern Ireland from Westminster. Danny Kinahan, a liberal-minded Ulster Unionist MP, has already called for the British Government to introduce reforms to the devolved institutions. Fosters ejection from the post of First Minister followed automatically from the resignation of Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister on Monday. Under Northern Irelands power-sharing arrangements, the Executive can only operate with the participation of both unionists and nationalists. McGuinness decision is in marked contrast to his track record as a devolved politician, in which hes befriended enemies and apparently acted as Sinn Feins dovish side. If he chooses to bow out of politics now, his successor may introduce a much more confrontational dynamic. As Sam McBride of the News Letter points out, Sinn Feins usual habit, under McGuinness, of collaboration with the Democratic Unionists has been put under unsustainable pressure by the ongoing revelations about the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal, which we looked at last month. The party now says its ready to face the electorate. Parliamentary arithmetic means that the fate of the DUP, which eight Westminster MPs and an increasingly close working relationship with the Government, will be a matter of close interest in London. Naomi Long, the leader of the Alliance Party, has already accused the Prime Minister of compromising her neutrality on Ulster in order to keep hold of her allies. Unfortunately, an election is unlikely to solve anything: the power-sharing system means that it is almost impossible, barring a shock return to pre-eminence of the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP as an alternative cross-community government, for an election to actually change the government. There is some speculation that the republicans could capitalise on the RHI fallout and edge into first place. However that very prospect may also hold the DUP vote together although the First Minister and Deputy First Minister have equal power, the symbolism matters deeply to unionist votres. On the other hand, Sinn Feins vote has proved less solid in recent times. This change of tack is likely in part a bid to regain their image as the tough nationalist party. Labour slumps in latest Welsh polls According to Wales Online, the latest polling finds that Labours support in the country has slumped to its lowest level since the final days of Gordon Browns premiership. Professor Roger Scully, an expert in Welsh elections, says that although the party remains comfortably ahead of its rivals such results bring it to a tipping point where it started losing significant numbers of constituency seats in the Assembly. Indeed they would fall to just 22 overall, with the Conservatives moving back to their pre-2016 total of 14 and into joint-second place with Plaid Cymru. UKIP and the Liberal Democrats would each pick up an extra seat, rising to eight and two respectively. The research also highlighted the potential impact of new boundaries and the cut in constituency numbers on Welsh Labours position. Under both arrangements the Tories would have their current total of eleven seats, and Plaid their three but Labour would have just 14, out of 28 total. However, Scully does point out that Labour are currently benefiting from the lack of a single strong opponent, implying that the party may have further yet to fall if the Conservatives can start landing more blows on Carwyn Jones administration. Scottish Conservatives accuse Nationalists of wasted decade A preoccupation with independence has led the SNP to neglect the day-to-day government of Scotland since they came to power in 2007, according to the Scottish Tories. The Daily Express reports that Conservative research has identified 51 promises made by the Nationalists ahead of the 2007 and 2011 Holyrood elections which have gone unfulfilled, on subjects ranging from class sizes and school performance to NHS waiting times and major infrastructure projects such as a new Forth crossing and broadband uptake. Meanwhile business leaders have warned Nicola Sturgeon against holding another independence referendum whilst Kenny MacAskill, a former SNP Justice Secretary now touting a Lab-Nat pact at the next general election, argued that the economic case for independence is now more complicated than it was in 2014. Mays starting point regaining control of our borders means no Single Market membership The non-negotiable baseline of Theresa Mays Brexit negotiating position is that we must regain control of our borders. This means that we will no longer be members of the Single Market, since membership is incompatible with such control, as Christopher Howarth explained yesterday on this site. Let me be clear, she told the Conservative Party Conference last October, We are not leaving the European Union only to give up control of immigration again. It is not going to a Norway model. Its not going to be a Switzerland model, she added. It is going to be an agreement between an independent, sovereign United Kingdom and the European Union. What does she want it to look like? The contours, contrary to so much wishful thinking to the contrary, are discernable. We will leave the EU altogether. We will seek to opt back, so to speak, into bits of it but outside the ECJs authority. This would mean Single Market access, based on a mutual recognition of standards and maintaining some present customs arrangements. We would pay for access to some projects and for some services. We would control our trade. The deal she wants An agreement of this kind would meet the aims that have already been set out: bringing back control of our laws to Parliament; bringing back control of decisions over immigration to the UK; maintaining the strong security co-operation we have with the EU; and establishing the freest possible market in goods and services with the EU and the rest of the world. It would be in the mutual interest of Britain and our European neighbours. Free trade and common security what on earth could be wrong with that? Nothing whatsoever. But this may not be how other European Governments, let alone the European Commission, see the coming negotiations. Some say that since the EU runs a trade surplus with us, it will not cut off its economic nose to spite its face. Others counter that we have more to lose, since we export a larger percentage of our goods to the EU than vice-versa. But whichever way you cut the argument, there is much more to life than economics, even when it adds up to mutual self-interest. For many within the EU institutions, over half a centurys worth of faith is invested in the status quo (not to mention jobs, careers and pensions). But she might not get a deal at all There must therefore be a chance that May is thwarted, and that no deal is reached, especially since the timetable is very tight: the negotiation is unlikely to take place in earnest until the autumn, when this years cycle of elections on the continental mainland are complete. That would mean that a deal on goods and services must be agreed in 18 months, unless all concerned agree an extension. In a rational world, this would be straightforward, since we have tariff-free access to EU markets already. But the world is not always a rational place. The tactics which she will deploy must be marshalled carefully. She must have a plan for getting trade talks on the table at the same time as the divorce talks about payments and pensions. She must work out which matters, if any, require interim arrangements, since it may not be possible to agree all of them within the timeframe but also weigh the danger of temporary fixes becoming permanent. Above all, she must try to avoid the talks going down to the wire because, if there is no deal near their end, pressure will build on her to fold or else seek to prolong the negotiations, thus risking propelling them into the never-never. The minuses of WTO: finicky details and potential problems But if the low road of tactics is fog-bound, the high one of strategy offers a clearer view. May has first to work out how damaging to prosperity, jobs and investment not getting a deal might be. There are certainly hazards if a settlement falls through and we are left with trading with the EU on WTO terms Most Favoured Nation Status (MFN). One of the most obvious is whether our customs would have the capacity to cope with the new conditions. Then there the mass of finicky details that have the potential to add up to significant problems. One of those most often cited is aviation flight numbers, landing slots, and so on. Another is the recognition of the licensing of medicines. Separately, there is the question of how Britain and Ireland would handle customs, border control and citizenship. The controversy over how important passporting is to the City rolls on. But it is far from impossible to believe that, although the City wont collapse, some jobs will leak abroad (though less to Paris and Frankfurt than to New York). Some firms might take fright at tariffs, low though most of these will be, and seem to relocate. Potential investors could look elsewhere. The pluses of WTO: closer to a low tax, low regulation, Singapore-in-the-Atlantic But the arguments do not all point one way. David Davis maintained in a pre-referendum campaign lecture that in the Single Market period our exports grew if anything slower than our OECD competitors, despite our membership. Some Ministers believe that, if Britain wants to become a kind of Singapore-in-the-Atlantic, a deal would be second-best, because it would draw us closer to EU tax and regulation norms than the alternative. A clean break from the customs union would also maximise trade deal opportunities with the rest of the world. Furthermore, those potential problems are not insoluble. As Lee Rotherham has shown on this site, MFN terms is a shorthand in this context for the 42 different types of arrangement which the EU has agreed with different states and regions. We would be unlikely to end up with what might be called hard WTO i.e: default MFN tariffs with no added agreements to smooth the path to easier trade. And even if we did, what would ultimately count in terms of trade between Britain and EU countries isnt whether goods from both are compliant with each others requirements, but whether they are so with international ones. Mays message must be: no deal is better than a bad deal. It is precisely because the MFN route is so fiendishly multi-faceted that few politicians have even begun to get to grips with it. And the media has scarcely begun to do so either, largely because the Governments March 31 deadline for moving Article 50 is still two months ago. But the drift carries a risk for May. If MFN terms are framed as a calamity for Britain, and a deal falls through, she will be left with nowhere to hide when it happens. It is hard to see how her premiership could survive such an outcome. One of her tasks during the next few weeks, therefore, is to frame the debate herself. To do so, she must have a convincing message: namely, that what matters most for Britain isnt getting a deal, but getting a good deal. This would be, on balance, the best outcome certainly the most problem-free. But just as a good deal would be better than no deal, so no deal would be better than a bad one: thats to say, limited access, an eye-watering bill and border control unregained. To that end, her gambit must be that she is prepared, if necessary, to take the MFN route. It might not be the best road, but it wouldnt be a bad one. It would be the lesser of two goods. Her counter-attack on critics: you want to defy the British people, and give up on immigration control May will come under ferocious assault if she breaks off talks, or if they collapse, but she has a devastating counter-punch. There is only one way of minimising the MFN downside, even if at the same time it also minimises the upside (such as new trade deals): namely, to stay a Single Market member. Which means giving up on regaining control of our borders. Besides, there will be no turning back once the talks have begun. Article 50 will have been moved. We will be leaving the EU. The only way back in would require joining the Euro and Schengen. The logic of Mays electoral focus on ordinary, working people leads here: to her pointing out to them, in the event of Britain taking the MFN path, that the only alternative her opponents can offer is giving up on controlling immigration. But for the moment, that prospect is hazy and she might get that deal, after all. Closer in view is her coming big speech on Brexit. She does not have to say in it that shes prepared to take the MFN option if necessary. None the less, she will need to signal so before Article 50 is moved. After all, you are more likely to win a negotiation if youre prepared to walk away. But if you say it, you have to mean it. Despite his hopes of crippling Britains newspapers, I can reveal that Max Mosley isnt actually allergic to them. At least, he leafed through the Daily Telegraph yesterday in the reception of Skys Westminster studio without having to put on gloves or administer any protective lotion to his hands before doing so. This small triumph aside, he didnt have a very positive air about him. And no wonder: the last few days have seen his plans to corral the media into regulation by Impress, the body funded by his family trust, is on the verge of failure. Impress has failed to persuade (or pressure) a single national newspaper to submit to its regulation. This is not very surprising, given it has close links to the anti-press campaigns of Hacked Off and people like Mosley, various of its leading cheerleaders openly loathe the free press and some of its own senior staff and advisers are on record saying some pretty unpleasant things about newspapers they dislike, including expressing the desire to ban the Daily Mail. Not only has the organisation failed to, er, impress the national media, but it has had precious little success in signing up anybody else. Its painfully short list of regulated publications includes a bit of double-counting, a smattering of local newspapers and not much else. Given that there are thousands of print publications in the UK, thats a striking vote of no confidence from the industry it wants to oversee. Mosley and others had a final card up their sleeve for this circumstance, though a stick to penalise publications that refused to become part of Impress. As ConservativeHome reported back in October, Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 creates the provision for publications that havent joined a recognised regulator (of which Impress is the only one) to be made to pay the costs of people who sue them even when the case fails. In other words, if you dont join Impress then Section 40 could leave you liable to be financially penalised even for publishing true stories a remarkable injustice, and a measure which would clearly be harmful to the operation of the press and the public interest. Section 40s introduction comes down to the decision of Karen Bradley, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Happily for press freedom, there has been a growing call for her to choose not to introduce it indeed, for it to be repealed lest any future government be able to use the measure as a threat. Over the last week, a remarkable alliance has emerged on all sides of Fleet Street to express concern that Section 40 would threaten the exposure of future public interest stories such as the exposure of the Rotherham abuse scandal. Every single national newspaper is now united in opposition to this bad law, with the FT and The Guardian who normally keep their distance from other papers on the topic adding their voices today. The latters decision is particularly notable: The Guardian was the chief Fleet Street ally of Hacked Off and others over the phone hacking scandal, but even it believes Impress has distinctly unimpressed, that the independence of the press is best served by self- not state- regulation and that there is no other option but to repeal section 40. Its a humiliating blow for Mosley and his fellow anti-press campaigners. Local newspapers already pressed financially without this added threat have also expressed their opposition. Yesterday, two political events took place that are relevant to the future of this battle. MPs voted against the idea of dragging the saga on with Leveson Part Two, and the Governments consultation on whether to introduce Section 40 ended. Campaigners for a free press believe that they have the advantage of numbers in the consultation after a surge of support from the public, but as a consultation is not a referendum they must now hope that the weight of evidence, good sense and the opinion of the overwhelming majority of journalists and publications will carry the day. ConservativeHome shares that hope, as the freedom of the press is a pillar of a free society which benefits everyone (not just those of us who write news for a living). Bradley should do the right thing and sink Section 40 for good. If she does, Mosleys outfit will be forced to justify its existence rather than coast into authority by virtue of wielding a big stick. It will no doubt be found fatally wanting. 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Close The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends a daily supplement of folic acid among child-bearing women to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. This means that folic acid supplementation isn't just for expectant mothers. An independent panel of experts advised in 2009 that women who are pregnant or able to get pregnant should take a daily supplement of about 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid to prevent potentially fatal birth defects. However, despite the mandatory addition of folic acid to enriched grain products in the country, many women still do not consume ample amounts of folic acid, a very important vitamin. In an editorial published in JAMA Pediatrics, Laura Mitchell, a professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center said that when folic acid is taken before or during early pregnancy, it could reduce the risk of having a child affected with neural tube defect. The editorial came with a new report from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). In the report, health officials said that fortification was linked to a drop in neural tube defects, from 10.7 cases per 10,000 live births before fortification to seven cases after fortification. "The USPSTF recommends that all women who are planning or capable of pregnancy take a daily supplement containing 0.4 to 0.8 mg (400-800 g) of folic acid. (A recommendation)," the government agency said in the report published in JAMA Pediatrics. "The USPSTF found convincing evidence that folic acid supplementation in the periconceptional period provides substantial benefits in reducing the risk of neural tube defects in the developing fetus," it added. What Is Neural Tube Defect? Neural tube defect includes anencephaly, a condition in which the baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. It also includes spina bifida, a condition that occurs when the spinal cord and the bones surrounding the spine do not form properly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in the United States, 3,000 pregnancies are affected by neural tube defects each year. Interestingly, Hispanic women have higher rates of this condition than non-Hispanic women. Across the globe, however, there are more than 300,000 babies born with neural tube defect each year. The intake of folic acid among women of childbearing age can help prevent an estimated 150,000 to 210,000 of the more than 300,000 neural tube defects that occur each year in countries worldwide. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close For the past few years, there have been prevalent reminders about the dangers of long exposure to the sun. Most skincare experts recommend wearing sunscreen with at least an SPF of 50 whenever going out even when staying indoor. These experts also advised avoiding sun tanning as it increases the risk for melanoma or any type of skin cancer. However, a recent study found that most college students would rather risk getting skin cancer just to get a tan. The study conducted by researchers from Indiana University examined the data collected about the tanning habits of female college students in both Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses of Indiana University. A total of 629 female undergraduate and graduate students between the ages of 18 and 23 answered a self-administered questionnaire about their tanning habits specifically their indoor tanning habits. Previous studies have proven that the risk of melanoma increases by 25 percent for those who use indoor tanning beds. Women who used tanning beds before the age of 35 have an 87 percent chance of getting melanoma. This is because indoor tanning exposes the users to ultraviolet radiation that is known to promote premature skin aging and skin cancers. According to the survey, a whopping 99.4 percent of the correspondents agreed that tanning, even indoor tanning, can cause premature skin aging and skin cancer. However, 69.1 percent would still rather get a tan at the risk of premature skin aging and skin cancer. Around 78.7 percent of the college students disagreed that indoor tanning is safe or at least safer compared to outdoor tanning. Most of them get a tan because it makes them feel attractive and 83 percent feel relaxed and pleasant during tanning compared when they are not tanning. The research, published in the Journal of Dermatological Science, notes that women who use indoor tanning or tanned indoor or used tanning devices were most likely influenced or exposed to people who also tan the same way themselves or find a tanned appearance attractive. It also adds that most women believe that a tanned skin stimulates the healthy production of Vitamin D in the skin even at risk of getting skin cancer. The relaxed and pleasant feeling the women who tan experienced during tanning is actually a manifestation of their addiction to tanning. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close For years, mammograms have been widely used to detect breast cancer, the test is linked to over diagnosis, exposing many women to treatment options they do not really need. However, in a new study by researchers at the Nordic Cochrane Center and Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark, widespread breast cancer screening may detect more small, slow-growing tumors that are unlikely to be fatal. Hence, the study highlights how routing screening may lead to over diagnosis of non-aggressive tumors. The researchers followed thousands of women in Denmark over more than a decade and found that about one-third of the abnormalities detected by mammograms may never cause health problems such as breast cancer. This may lead to exposing women to treatment options that are not necessary. "Overdiagnosis means that healthy women get unnecessary breast cancer diagnoses," Dr. Karsten Juhl Jorgensen, lead author of the study, said as reported by Fox News. "A breast cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event for the woman and her family, with substantial implications for their quality of life," Jorgensen added by email. "It also leads to overtreatment with surgery, radiotherapy and sometimes chemotherapy - we know these treatments have serious, sometimes lethal, consequences," she added. Published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, the study involved comparing the frequency of advanced breast tumors in Danish women ages 50 to 69 years old, who were screened and who weren't screened. The researchers concluded that one out of every three breast cancer diagnosis in the screened women group possibly represented over diagnosis, which is defined as the detection of a tumor that would likely never cause any symptom if left alone. However, over diagnosis often lead to treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, which could harm the women without giving any benefit. "I think breast screening in its current form is no longer a good way to spend resources," coauthor Dr. Karsten Juhl Jrgensen, deputy director of the Nordic Cochrane Center in Copenhagen, told Forbes. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close The long-lasting debates over the use of e-cigarettes aren't finished yet. Now, state health officials released new risks of vaping. The Tennessee Department of Health reports that some of the risks linked to the use of e-cigarettes are nicotine dependence, exposure to harmful chemicals and the risk of death. "Some of those products associated with e-cigarettes are known to have adverse health impacts," Dr. David Reagan, Chief Medical Officer for the Tennessee Department of Health, said as reported by WKRN-TV. He said that there is little or no control or regulation on e-juice, the smoke-able liquid. "It's just kind of the wild, wild west out there and I think that's why the FDA stepped in and set some rules and regulations," he added. In February 2013, the Tennessee Department of Health issued its first public health advisory on e-cigarettes and after reviewing an unbiased, scientific research it has updated its advisory. Now, it's providing more information on the devices and urges users to understand the risks linked with their use. Risks Of E-Cigarettes According to Clarksville Online, liquid nicotine, a primary ingredient in many e-cigarettes and similar devices can be fatal if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Thus, in the new advisory, TDH recommends that users protect themselves and not allow kids access to the liquids. Moreover, there were reports of exploding devices. This risk triggered the U.S. Department of Transportation to ban the devices in checked baggage. The U.S. Surgeon General also reported that more teens are using the devices, warning that e-cigarettes could create a new generation of nicotine-addicted Americans. Lastly, the smoke and emissions that come from the devices may contain harmful chemicals that could pose harm to both humans and animals. "Our recommendation is that people who are considering them for smoking cessation should instead use CDC-approved methods. Those who are thinking about them for recreational purposes should know they are placing themselves at risk for developing a life-long nicotine addiction or exposing themselves and others to substantial harm," Dr. John Dreyzehner, TDH commissioner, said. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Mevani supporters, who were detained at Adalaj Anti-Narendra Modi protest against the Vibrant Gujarat world business summit, planned by top Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani with last-hour help of Sagar Rabari of the Khedut Samaj Gujarat, a non-political farmers' organizations, fizzled out on Tuesday, with the detention of the two leaders. A dozen of their supporters were also detained at Adalaj, the spot "fixed" for starting the protest. The two leaders were picked up from the residence at about 7 am in the morning, much before they could start their journey to reach the spot where the protest was to begin Adalaj, about 10 kilometres from the Mahatma Mandir in Gujarat capital, Gandhinagar,where the Vibrant Gujarat business meet began on Tuesday.Mevani, after taking Rabari's support, had announced on Monday that he would disrupt the high profile business summit. The Patels' pro-quota organization owing allegiance to young leader Hardik Patel, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, also declared support to Mevani.The Vibrant Gujarat summit was inaugurated by the Prime Minister at Mahatma Mandir. There was strong police picket along all roads leading to Gandhinagar, anticipating the protest. Opposition political parties, including Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, kept themselves away from the move to disrupt the summit.The two leaders were taken to the Gujarat University police station. Mevani had announced at that he, along with Rabari and other supporters, would start their protest at 12 noon to reach the Vibrant Summit site.The police claimed they arrested the two leaders convener of the Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch and general secretary of the Khedut Samaj Gujarat, respectively for violation of the police commissioners notification under section-144 of CrPC, which prohibits rally or any public meeting of more than four persons.The detentions took place following sharp differences surfacing between two main leaders who had planned to protest against the Vibrant Gujarat business summit Alpesh Thakore, who has emerged as a top other backward caste (OBC) mobilizer in the recent past, and Mevani.First Thakore went ahead with a separate rally early this month in Ahmedabad against the Gujarat government's failure to give employment to local people. Then, following talks with government officials, he declared his decision to withdraw his support to Mevani, as was assured that Gujaratis would get 85 per cent reservation in jobs.This invited ire from the Dalit leadership, which wondered whether he was afraid of being arrested or there was some secret agreement with the state government.On being detained, Mevani, in a WhatsApp message, said he had been arrested by Gujarat police for announcing to disrupt the vibrant Gujarat summit, which he termed a fraud. He added, farmers', Patidar leader and Dalits leaders all have been arrested.He further said, there is no scope of doing any peaceful demonstration here in Gujarat, of asking Modi how many jobs he had create through these vibrant Gujarat summits. If one asks him why fertile land of farmers was being handed over to industries, one would be dubbed anti-development, he added.Mevani wondered, whether land was available for "business groups and corporate giants, but not for Dalits and tribals, or other landless people." Mevani and Rabari were released at 10.00 pm at night.In a separate development, around 100 fixed pay employees working with state government offices were detained in Gandhinagar as they tried to organize protest against the Vibrant Gujarat summit. On that first morning, Eckford accidentally arrived earlier than the rest of the group, and (on her own) had to face reporters, armed members of the national guard, and about 400 angry white protesters, all of whom blocked her path to the school's entrance. That's when that famous photo was taken, among others. Will Counts/Arkansas Democrat For younger readers, imagine everyone else is a Twitter egg. Continue Reading Below Advertisement She was 15. Think about that. Think of how fragile you were at that age, how the smallest slights seemed like life-ending catastrophes. How you (wrongly) felt like you were the center of everyone's scorn and mockery. Imagine that bundle of nervous hormones striding through a crowd of people who are, in fact, all screaming directly at you. Behind them, you see the fucking military and realize they aren't there to protect you from the mob -- they're there on behalf of that mob. Treating you like you're a suicide bomber there to level the building, rather than a kid who wants to quietly learn stuff alongside everybody else. Someone who just wants to fit in. Continue Reading Below Advertisement And that screamer stalking Eckford through the crowd? Her name is Hazel Bryan. Upon entering the ship, they find its AI is planning to reboot its systems and blow up the planet Han and Leia are currently galavanting across. Oh, and they find a ghost. The ship is being haunted by a Jedi named Callista who helps them fight the ship's malignant AI. Along the way, Callista and Luke fall in love. Marvel Comics According to Wookieepedia, Callista Ming is 1.7 meters tall and dead. Continue Reading Below Advertisement In the process of destroying the ship, Luke's Padawan sacrifices herself. It's a hard day for Luke. He's got this new girlfriend who doesn't have a body and his new apprentice just got turned into a corpse. A ... hold on, you don't think Luke would ask his ghost girlfriend to ...? No. NO. Oh, come on, Luke. NO. He does it. He lets his ghost girlfriend drive his apprentice's dead body. And she is good to go. She throws her undead parts at Luke repeatedly. She even surprises him by dressing his apprentice's corpse up in lingerie on their second anniversary, but Luke never goes all the way. However, the author does make it clear the two were very physical. They just always stopped short of fully switching off the targeting computer. Channel programs News PCM Hires CompuCom, SHI Sales And Services Superstars As The Company Chases More Growth Michael Novinson Share this PCM has hired CompuCom Executive Vice President of Professional Services David Hall and SHI Senior Vice President Keith Joseph to supercharge the fast-growing solution provider's lifecycle services and commercial inside sales practices. PCM CEO Frank Khulusi told CRN that a minor reorganization has resulted in the departure of commercial sales leader Tom Ducatelli and endpoint technology group leader Brian York from the El Segundo, Calif.-based company, No. 28 on the CRN Solution Provider 500. Ducatelli and York left PCM last week, Khulusi said, while Hall and Joseph started at the company Monday. "We're always going to be fine-tuning our process," Khulusi said. "We like to stay one step ahead of the competition." [RELATED: PCM Accelerates Cloud Push With Purchase of $4.1M Microsoft Gold Partner] Khulusi said PCM is looking to significantly increase its capabilities by bringing in people to widen the company's technology and sales expertise. PCM saw sales grow by 44 percent in its most recent quarter thanks to the fact that it acquired three companies in 2015 with combined revenues totaling $1.3 billion. In the last 12 months, the S&P 500 Index has gained more than 18 percent but PCM's stock price has climbed to over 145 percent, reaching its highest price in more than a decade. "PCM is going to be a dominant force in the industry for a long time to come," said Tom Ducatelli, the company's former executive vice president of commercial sales. "I was proud of my time there, and pleased with the success we had." David Hall comes to PCM after 27 years leading professional services, integration services, managed services and consulting for Plano, Texas based CompuCom, No. 23 on the 2014 CRN SP 500. He will be in charge of PCM's lifecycle services business, tasked with overseeing the services organization around the company's mobility-centric solutions, data center networking and Wi-Fi practices. PCM President Jay Miley praised Hall's knowledge across many technology categories and deep relationships with key vendors and end users. Khulusi, meanwhile, said he was impressed by Hall's steady hand behind the wheel during both periods of hypergrowth and periods of adversity for CompuCom. A CompuCom spokesperson said David Hall left the company at the end of December and is being replaced on an interim basis by Andy Deltuvia, vice president of professional services. Keith Joseph, meanwhile, joins PCM after nine years as a sales general manager and senior director at Somerset, N.J.-based SHI, No. 13 on the CRN SP 500, and nine years as a regional sales manager at Lincolnshire, Ill.-based CDW, No. 5 on the CRN SP 500. He will be working for PCM's inside sales business inside the company's commercial sales organization, which is led by Michael Rapp. Miley said PCM was impressed by Joseph's track record leading large inside sales organizations toward hyper-growth, while Khulusi praised Joseph's resume, commitment to culture and deep experience across multiple aspects of business. "We're looking forward to having a great year with them," Miley said. Tom Ducatelli's and Brian York's departures, meanwhile, came about as a result of structural changes in PCM's Endpoint Technologies and Commercial Sales organizations. Ducatelli was with PCM for 18 months while York was there for three years, spending the first 1.5 years as senior vice president of services before transitioning into the newly-created senior vice president of endpoint technologies role. "The executive team at PCM is incredibly tenured and incredibly solid," York told CRN. "I'm leaving some really good people." PCM's Endpoint practice which includes endpoint, mobility, digital signage, point-of-sale, print and volume-oriented business is being broken up by functional area, Miley said. Hall will take stewardship of the services capabilities while the endpoint vendor management responsibility will fall under the purview of marketing leader Adam Shaffer. Both areas had previously been led by York. "PCM wants to have one consolidated service organization that spans all the way from networking to end-user computing," said York. "It was time for them to structure things differently, and as a result, it was my time to provide value elsewhere It was an extremely amicable thing." As a result of consolidating the services organization, David Hall's reach will extend into the data center and networking portions of PCM's Advanced Technologies group, which is led by Herb Hogue. Khulusi said Hogue would play a large role in bringing the cloud expertise of Calgary, Albert-based Microsoft Gold partner Stratiform, which PCM acquired last week, to the U.S. Meanwhile, Rapp will lead the combined inside and field sales teams for PCM's commercial practice, which accounted for nearly 80 percent of company's $585 million of revenue last quarter. Ducatelli was brought in 18 months ago to lead PCM's field sales organization, but ultimately ended up integrating hundreds of salespeople from the December 2015 acquisition of Systemax's TigerDirect business. "You can't have two Type A sales leaders running around in the same organization," Ducatelli said. "This is the right business decision." Ducatelli said he helped integrate 700 TigerDirect account executives from across the United States and Canada, with a focus on training them in Microsoft and Cisco technologies and teaching them how to sell to businesses rather than consumers. He also on-boarded 120 account executives at PCM's brand new outbound sales center in Rio Rancho, N.M., which will eventually employ some 300 account execs. York, meanwhile, said he shepherded PCM's Endpoint Technologies organization to more than 30 percent sales growth in 2016. This was done, he said, by aligning the company's internal services portfolio to the programs and portfolios of the company's manufacturers and taking a holistic approach to the company's sales and services capabilities. "Structurally, we had a lot of flexibility to do that over the past year and a half, and we took advantage of it however we could," York said. "I will carry that solutions approach with me wherever I go." Cloud News Rackspace's Incoming President Sets Sights On Bigger Deals And International Expansion Joseph Tsidulko Share this Jeff Cotten, named Tuesday as incoming president of Rackspace, told CRN he would focus on growing the company's managed services practice while continuing to evolve its multi-cloud sales model. Starting Feb. 1, Cotten will formally assume a title held the last couple years by Rackspace CEO Taylor Rhodes, who convinced him to join the San Antonio, Tex.-based cloud, colocation and managed services provider eight years ago. The two previously worked together at Electronic Data Systems (EDS). While Cotten has held several leadership roles at Rackspace since joining the company, his last position involved leading the team that offers managed services for the AWS public cloud, signaling the escalating importance of Rackspace's partnerships with hyper-scale cloud providers. [Related: Email Isn't Simple Or Safe, And Most Solution Providers Shouldn't Try It Alone] Cotten told CRN he would continue "nurturing and development of the hyper-growth businesses" of managed services around AWS and Microsoft Azure, while working on several of the other priorities the for 2017, its first year as a private company following its acquisition by Apollo Global Management. "When we got down to looking at what our priorities are for 2017, Taylor [Rhodes] felt very passionately he wanted a partner in crime to focus on those various priorities as an organization," Cotten told CRN. Beyond the MSP partnerships with former rivals in the public cloud, Cotten said he would work to broaden a portfolio of managed offerings that help customers move up the stack application hosting environments and development platforms. Those priorities also include an expansion primarily into the Germany, which Rackspace has explored in recent years through its international outpost in Zurich, Switzerland. Cotten will also take charge of evolving and expanding the company's sales model after executive vice president of global sales, Alex Pinchev, retires at the end of the month. "The big sales theme that Alex drove is really moving up-market in the enterprise, doing larger deals with a more consultative and solution-oriented approach," he told CRN. Rhodes will personally spearhead two of Rackspace's other priorities: further evolution of its private cloud business and a more-focused approach on handling its 100 largest customers, Cotten told CRN. Cotten started at Rackspace as a manager in its front-line Fanatical Support and Services division. In the years since, he built much of the company's enterprise field sales organization and ran the international business. Six months ago Cotten took over the rapidly growing AWS business. Managed services News Sources: Dimension Data Executive Exodus Continues, With North America President And SVP Of Human Resources Out Sarah Kuranda Share this Dimension Data is seeing yet another wave of top-level executive departures, with sources telling CRN that North American President Waheed Choudry and Senior Vice President of Human Resources Denise Messineo have left the systems integrator. As a result, Senior Vice President of Services Grant Sainsbury and Senior Vice President of Global Sales Daniel Mosley will now be taking larger roles at the company, sources said. Dimension Data declined to comment. [Related: Sources: Dimension Data Americas CEO Slaga Out As Company Restructures] Choudry had been with Dimension Data since the company's acquisition of Nexus in 2014, where he was president and COO. He had been at Nexus since 2004. Messineo had served as senior vice president of human resources since 2000. CRN reached out to Choudry and Messineo directly, but have not heard back from either executive. Messineo has updated her LinkedIn profile to indicate she finished working at Dimension Data in January 2017 and is now an "independent leadership consultant." According to his LinkedIn profile, Steve Rogers, senior director of the networking business unit, also left Dimension Data in December to take a role as vice president of solutions and alliances at Groupware Technology. The changes are the latest moves in a series of major reorganizations at Dimension Data, the fourth in less than six months. The most recent of those changes were the departures of Dimension Data Americas CEO Mark Slaga and CFO Eric Gibson in December. Dimension Data is No. 11 on the 2016 CRN Solution Provider 500. Dimension Data also saw the sudden resignation of global CEO Brett Dawson, who stepped down in June after 12 years at the company. Sources also told CRN in recent months that the company has instituted layoffs in customer service, alliances, solutions engineers, sales and the managed services group over the past year. One source said the latest executive departures appear to be part of a push to integrate Dimension Data further into NTT, which acquired Dimension Data in 2010 for $3.2 billion. Some divisions of Dimension Data already have publicly been integrated with NTT and other portfolio companies, most notably the company's security divisions. In August, NTT said it was bringing together its subsidiary security brands, including Solutionary, and parts of Dimension Data and NTT Communications, into a single managed security services company called NTT Security. Dimension Data also has been pushing to move from a model of 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, sources said. Dimension Data's parent company, NTT Data, as a whole saw 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. 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. Security News CRN Exclusive: Invincea Launches Partner Program To Target Next-Generation Endpoint Security Competition Sarah Kuranda Share this Invincea has shifted to a 100 percent channel model and launched a new partner program as it looks to take on stiff competition in the next-generation endpoint security market, the company announced Wednesday. As of Jan. 1, Invincea, which offers a next-generation antivirus solution, will no longer sell direct, Vice President Worldwide Channel Sales Edward DeWolfe told CRN. Before that, he said the company sold both direct and through partners. Chief Marketing Officer Dan Lowden said the sales strategy shift started when the Fairfax, Va.-based company landed $10 million in growth capital in November. At that time, he said, Invincea decided to move to a fully channel go-to-market model. [Related: 10 Endpoint Security Trends That Translate Into Opportunity For Solution Providers] "We are putting the pedal to the metal, and we are growing the company. We think a 100 percent channel model is the way to rapidly reach and grow the company to be successful," Lowden said. He said the channel team has already grown 500 percent. The company's new Next-Gen Partner Program includes three levels: silver, gold and platinum. Partners can choose to enter the program at any level, choosing which levels of requirements they wish to meet in exchange for escalating margin and incentive offerings, DeWolfe said. Dave Mendenhall, CTO and vice president of sales and sales engineering at Miami, Fla.-based GigaNetworks, said the new partner program would help with the "ease of business" with Invincea, something that is important as clients are clamoring for next-generation supplements to their legacy antivirus solutions. "I think they have the right amount of effort and focus in making their partner program very channel friendly," Mendenhall said. Invincea is also rolling out a new partner portal, with quotes, incentive claims, reports, opportunity tracking, deal registration, marketing and more to supplement the new partner program, DeWolfe said. He particularly highlighted a sales tool program called "Test Drive," which allows partners to create a real demo testing environment at their clients for the Invincea X solution. Mendenhall said the "Test Drive" solution was especially useful for his business, as it can be co-branded and makes the solution purchasing process more straightforward. After building up MSC Cruises from next to nothing in a challenging South American market, Roberto Fusaro is now in Ft. Lauderdale and part of the team that will build up the Italian brand in North America. The Argentinean was named president of MSC USA in August. Sailing year-round from Miami, the MSC Divina will be joined by the new MSC Seaside in December 2017 as the company pushes into the North American battlefield. The Seaside is happening right now, even though she will be christened in 2017, said Fusaro. She will be the most innovative ship in the market, and we need to build on the momentum and keep the sales going. Capacity Uptick The Fincantieri-built Seaside will be named in Miami on Dec. 21 and embark on its first sailing a Christmas cruise on Dec. 23. This is a ship that will be contrary to what the industry is. It is open to the sea, Fusaro told Cruise Industry News. The Seaside will debut a new ship design with more open deck space, promising to connect guests to the ocean. The double-ship year-round operation is still just a fraction of North American capacity, and one look at the 11 ships MSC has on order unveils a bigger global plan. We have the most ambitious building plan in the industry, Fusaro said. We are building 11 new ships on three prototype platforms. Our market share in the U.S. does not do us justice; closing the gap is one of our main goals. That is a two-step approach, filling ships sailing out of Florida with North American passengers, but also sourcing U.S. guests to go to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean on MSC ships. Trek to MSC Fusaro became a CPA and was educated at the University of Buenos Aires, working for Arthur Andersen and getting his MBA in the United States. He joined the cruise industry with American Family Cruises, which had Costa Crociere as a business partner, in the 1990s. Fusaro was CFO, but the line didnt work out and folded. He then joined Costa in South America before moving to MSC in 2005. It was very exciting, said Fusaro of his time with MSC in South America. We were an unknown, and the cruise industry was unknown. We had lots of challenges. The authorities did not understand (cruise) and to a certain extent, they still dont. Most of my job was to make sure we werent overburdened with cumbersome regulations, and that infrastructure was in place to bring new ships to the market. The company out-maneuvered its competition in Brazil, bringing in new and better ships, and taking over market share as the region expanded rapidly and then contracted a bit. This coming season, MSC is expected to be the biggest operator in South America by far. Building Up Now, Fusaro is onto North America, an established market that has its own set of supply and demand challenges. In South America it didnt make sense to go for market share because the market was small, we had to grow it, he explained. Our role here is completely different. The market knows what cruises are about and we need to make sure we differentiate MSC. He called brand awareness the companys biggest challenge in North America. MSC is the best kept secret in the cruise industry. We need to make sure we establish our position in the market, Fusaro continued. Part of that positioning will come from customer focus. We need to look at things from our customers point of view and do what makes sense for them, Fusaro explained. Excerpt from Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine: Winter 2016/2017 Its a stable cruise business for the Port of San Francisco, with the Grand Princess operating year-round cruises from the Bay Area, sailing in the summer to Alaska and to Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera in the balance of the year. Well have around 80 calls and 290,000 passengers in both 2016 and 2017, said Michael Nerney, maritime marketing manager. In the summer, the Grand Princess sails a 10-day Alaska program, with the California-based cruise line listed as the ports best cruise customer and booked through spring 2019. In addition, there are shoulder season calls wrapped around the Alaska market, which looks ready to take off for 2017 and beyond. We expect to see those ships in May, and September and October, said Nerney. Among the added value for transit calls is the ability to stay in San Francisco overnight or late into the evening, a trend, said Nerney, that was picking up. The port is in discussions to implement an incentive program to deliver a guarantee on calls and passengers, but plans are still on the drawing board. California air rules may be limiting West Coast growth, with ships required to plug in to shorepower if they become frequent visitors. That shorepower is available at the 2014-opened Pier 27. We have two years under our belt there, the passenger scores have been very good, Nerney said. For busy days, Pier 35 becomes a second berthing option. The terminals are centrally located near icons like Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. Another major draw: sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge into the port. Its also a destination that can handle an influx of tourists without raising an eyebrow. As for the passenger mix, Nerney estimated a 50 percent fly-in demographic. In five years, Nerney hopes the San Francisco operation can be increased to 100 or 120 calls if the situation is right. It should be a draw to returning passengers too, who can sail to Alaska in the summer and elsewhere the rest of the year. Passengers can look forward to a team of local volunteers that come down and meet the ships. The volunteers are armed with brochures and maps, pointing guests in the right direction. Little things like that can make a big difference on the guest experience, Nerney said. Everyone likes to visit San Francisco, he continued. Wed like to see some of the lines a bit more often. We can handle ships, big and small, and are happy to do it. --- Get an in-depth, behind the scenes look at the North America cruise market and the ports that make it happen in the 2016-2017 Winter edition Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine. Subscribe today. The Passenger Ship Safety Conference will take place Jan. 17-18 in Ft. Lauderdale, its debut in the North American marketplace, focusing on key topics facing the cruise industry. Cruise line executives and safety and security suppliers are set to give presentations. Also expected are United States Coast Guard and FBI representatives. Captain Buddy Reams, director of prevention operations Seventh Coast Guard District (Retired), USCG Chief Maritime Officer, NACE International, will give opening remarks. Reams is best known in the industry for his time at the head of the Coast Guards Cruise Ship National Center of Excellence. The opening session will focus on technical innovations and regulatory changes as it relates to growing ship sizes. Among the presenters will be Kevin Douglas, vice president of technical projects newbuilding, Royal Caribbean Cruises; Brad Schoenwald, senior marine inspector, the Coast Guards Cruise Ship National Center of Excellence; and Juha Ilvonen, head of sales for Marioff. There is also a fire prevention and detection panel scheduled, including Ryan Allain, vice president of safety, security and environmental for MSC Cruises and Martina Gallus, director of deck safety for Carnival Cruise Line. The afternoon will turn to cyber risk management, including speakers Chris Collins, Miami Cyber, FBI; and Rear Admiral Paul F. Thomas, assistant commandant for Prevention Policy, USCG. Following that is a mass evacuation segment, touching on alternative lifeboat design, life saving applications and developing search and rescue plans. Wednesday, Jan. 18, continues with more relevant topics, including fire suppression and alternative fuel systems, including LNG, and considerations around them. There is also a damage stability and ship design segment of the conference to end the day. The events will take place at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel. More information on the conference is available here. BRIDGEPORT Its a crime story with two endings. Theres the sad one, in which a 21-year-old woman died after overdosing on heroin and her Shelton dealer was sentenced Wednesday to 46-months in federal prison. Then theres an inspiring ending: This woman, who was found stricken on April 15 in an apartment in Arctic Street in Bridgeport, decided at age 15 to donate her organs. What 15-year-old does that? her mother told a federal probation officer. She was an angel. Court documents referred to the young woman as Victim 1. Reports published shortly after her death said she was Erikka Lyn Hughes, of Stratford. When she was taken off life support days after the overdose, her kidneys went to a 42-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman; her liver to a 60-year-old woman and her heart to a 6-year-old boy. These individuals have sent letters to (the victims) mother expressing their sincere gratitude, and the letters have made her both proud and saddened, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Spector wrote U.S. District Judge Victor Bolden. In honor of her daughter, (the victims) mother has founded Erikkas Army to battle the constant flow of heroin into this country and to remove heroin dealers from our communities. Meanwhile Jorge Morales, the 30-year-old Shelton dealer who admitted selling at least 80 grams of heroin between April, 2015 and April 2016, is headed to a federal prison. Once he finishes the 46-month sentence, Morales must spend the first six months of his three years of U.S. Probation Department supervision confined to his home. Morales, who has prior convictions for selling narcotics, caught the attention of U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly when police reported finding glassine bags stamped This or That. On the day the victim overdosed, the FBI had an informant purchase heroin bearing the same stamp on its bags from Morales, court documents indicate. A check of cellphone records disclosed that 23 text messages and 23 calls were made between Morales and the victim between April 3 and April 15, 2016, including four calls that last day. Spector told the judge that despite arrests, court orders and incarcerations in the past, Morales has been entirely undeterred and recidivism was a concern. Equally troubling, Morales has not maintained full or part-time employment since 2011, the prosecutor added. Morales lawyer, Assistant Public Defender James P. Maguire, painted a troubled life of a client who was born in Puerto Rico, had a drug-addicted father and witnesses a cousin being shot to death. Morales told his Probation Officer that he began using heroin in 2012 to combat the depression resulting from the death of an older half-brother who served as a father figure. Maguire said the federal sentence is nearly four times the effective length of Mr. Morales one prior prison sentence (and) adequately reflects the seriousness of this conduct. With respect to deterrence, this sentence will send Mr. Morales away from his family for far longer than he has ever experienced, and it can be expected to effectively deter him from future wrongdoing. BRIDGEPORT Sacred Heart University has issued a letter of apology to a local man for wrongly posting his name and photograph on leaflets as the suspect in the off-campus rape of a student. The letter, written to Gary Douglas, 29, of Bridgeport, is part of his settlement of a $1 million defamation lawsuit against the Fairfield school. On behalf of Sacred Heart University, we extend apologies for a member of my staff misidentifying you in a BOLO leaflet displayed in connection with the assault that took place on a Sacred Heart University student on April 1, 2016, wrote Paul J. Healy, director of the universitys emergency management and public safety office. We realize you had no involvement whatsoever in that incident and regret that your photograph was mistakenly displayed by security at the University. We wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors. Douglas lawyer, Thomas Ganim, confirmed Wednesday that a settlement in the Superior Court lawsuit had been reached but declined comment on the details, citing a confidentiality agreement with the university. The terms of the settlement do not allow us to comment on specifics, SHU spokeswoman Deborah Noack said. However, the suit was satisfactorily resolved in a fair and equitable manner for all involved. Police and prosecutors have confirmed that Douglas was not a suspect in the sex assault. Alfonso Fonzie Reid is going on trial Tuesday in the case before a Superior Court jury. In his July lawsuit, Douglas claimed on April 1, Healy issued leaflets with the heading, Sacred Heart University Department of Public Safety Bolo Information, Off Campus Sexual Assault and a photograph of Douglas and his car. The leaflets also warn, Do not allow the suspect on campus. Police said the 19-year-old rape victim was drinking with friends at the Golden Star Cafe on Main Street when the 39-year-old Reid tricked the young woman to separate from her friends. He is accused of taking her back to his home, where he allegedly raped her repeatedly, ordering her to hold a stopwatch to time his assaults on her. Police said Reid was identified as the assailant from campus surveillance video. They said prior to Reids arrest on April 6, they had no other suspects. The arrest of Alfonso Reid, which clearly identified him as the person committing the crime of rape, further exposed the defendants negligent, reckless and intentional conduct in falsely accusing the plaintiff, Gary Douglas, as the actual rapist by widely publicizing and distributing his photograph, the lawsuit stated. On April 26, Douglas demanded university officials retract the leaflets but no retraction occurred, according to the suit. In their false accusation, the defendants have held the plaintiff, Gary Douglas, up to public hatred, ridicule, embarrassment and contempt causing him to suffer much damage to his reputation, mental anguish, loss of sleep and appetite and his ability to earn income, the suit reads. If youre the kind of person whos driven to succeed, you probably started your career just like I did. Hungry for knowledge and ready to take on any obstacle in my path, I charged out into the world shouting Bring it on! and ran straight into a brick wall. That wall is called being pigeonholed. The better you are at something and the longer you do it, the more likely that youll be stuffed into a neat little classification from which you will find it annoyingly difficult to escape. Some call it the competency curse, but from what Ive seen, it happens no matter how good or bad you are at your job. While its popular to whine about all manner of isms these days, heres a problem that affects everyone. I dont care if youre black, white, green or gender agnostic, your career is far more likely to be stunted by being branded according to your experience than your appearance. Related: How to Succeed in Business Beyond Your Wildest Dreams As a young engineer frustrated by an inability to break into the management ranks, I once sought the advice of my bosss boss. He told me that his biggest mistake was becoming indispensable at his current position and never cultivating an understudy to take his place. What a dilemma. If youre lousy at your job, you never get promoted. If youre good, you still get stuck. Talk about a Catch-22. I soon learned that, even if you do manage to segue to a different field, you just get stuck with a different label. Its a sticky problem that plagued me throughout my career. But there are creative ways out. Listen and learn. It took forever, but I finally became an engineering manager, only to get trapped in the middle management abyss. Beyond frustrated, I did something youd never think of to overcome the dilemma: I chucked it all -- 10 years of experience -- to start at the bottom as a sales engineer. Granted, I initially took a salary hit, but with all that technical and management experience under my belt, I was able to become a top salesman practically overnight. I made lots of connections and, within two years, ended up running sales at a software startup. But after a successful IPO, the company got squashed by Microsoft. The timing sucked. I was out on the street, pounding the pavement during a recession. Since sales leadership jobs were few and far between, I set my sights on marketing. Once again, I found myself categorized, this time as a sales guy. Still, I used my connections to land an interview with a fast-growing public company in Silicon Valley. Related: 25 Best Habits to Have in Life As I sat across from the VP of marketing, he looked down at my resume, shook his head, and said, Im sorry that you came all this way, but Im afraid you dont meet our requirements. Im looking for someone with at least five years of marketing experience and an MBA. You have neither qualification. Thats when I learned the second way to overcome being pigeonholed: I sold the guy. Maybe it was that my wife and I were almost out of savings and I was desperate. I wasnt entirely sure where it came from, but I pulled out all the stops and, 30 minutes later, had the guy convinced that I had the capability he was looking for. Sure enough, I went on to become a successful VP of marketing over the following years, but that wasnt the end of this insidious curse. Having been contacted by several executive recruiters, I finally decided to throw my hat into the ring for a CEO job. Thats when I found myself sitting across from a prominent venture capitalist. Once again, he looked down at my resume, looked up at me, and asked, How did a marketing guy end up being considered for a CEO job? Related: 'Why Him?' Director on Elon Musk's Amazing 'I Can't Come to Work Today' Excuse With 20 years of experience, including a decade as a pretty accomplished senior executive with some very well-known companies, I was still being typecast. Sheesh. Still, I got the job. In case it doesnt pop right out at you, the solution to the pigeonhole dilemma is this: If you believe in yourself, are reasonably competent, are willing to take risks, can think on your feet and are good with people, nobody will ever be able to tell you what you can and cant do. Related: This Is How You Solve the Stickiest Career Dilemma Here's How to Determine If College Is Worth the Cost 5 Steps to Freedom Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Famous Floridita restaurant: 200th anniversary of its creation Submitted by: Juana Travel and Tourism Havana 01 / 10 / 2017 With various activities aimed at highlighting the quality of its offer and services, history and international prestige, El Floridita bar-restaurant, known as cradle of daiquiri, marks this year the 200th anniversary of its creation. The establishment, located in Old Havana, became world famous by the American writer and journalist Ernest Hemingway, who used to visit it. Currently, there are many tourists wishing to be photographed next to the bronze statue that reminds the author of The Old Man and the Sea and enjoy the refreshing drink. Ariel Blanco Rodrigo, director of the center, told the press that throughout 2017, they will develop actions that promote the attractions and the historical and social wealth of one of the most popular bar-restaurants worldwide. Particularly in October, they will carry out the activity of greater connotation, when about 200 members and representatives of the International Bartenders Association (IBA) will celebrate the event together with the workers of the entity. In that month they will also celebrate the international competition of cocktail King of Kings, crowning of the now famous "King of the Daiquiri", which will be attended by the winning bartenders of the eight previous editions, always made in El Floridita. October 7, Cuban Bartender's Day, will be a very special date to revere the famous establishment, according to Blanco Rodrigo, who said they anticipate several surprises. The participation of its workers in fairs and other meetings is part of the actions for the bicentenary of the emblematic gastronomic unit which opened its doors in 1817 with the name of La Pina de Plata in the corner of Obispo and Monserrate Streets, same place where it currently operates. The list of personalities who have visited this famous entity includes boxer Rocky Marciano, writer Tennessee Williams, filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Italian actress Ornella Muti, French fashion designer Paco Rabanne and French actor Jean Paul Belmondo. (acn) US actor Danny Glover reiterates his friendship with the Cuban people Submitted by: Juana Cienfuegos Havana United States Personalities 01 / 10 / 2017 US actor Danny Glover said in Cienfuegos that he is grateful of the Cuban peoples generosity during a visit to the Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, ICAP. The renowned actor said he wanted to speak to the Cuban people to express his friendship, look for support for those that suffer in the work and demand an end to the criminal economic blockade imposed by the United States against the people on the island. The anti-racism activist and Good Will ambassador for UNICEF visited ICAPs Solidarity Hall to look at the exhibition dedicated to the leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro. Photos that reminds of the presence of Fidel in Cienfuegos, Bay of Pigs, his exchanges with politicians and renowned figures in favor of Latin American integration and the Concept of Revolution declared by the Commander in Chief in May of 2000, called the attention of the US actor and friend. Before visiting the city of Cienfuegos, the restless fighter for the return of the Cuban Five paid homage to Ernesto Che Guevara at the Plaza where his remains lay to rest in the city of Santa Clara. Danny Glover recently received the Friendship Medal given by the Cuban Council of State in recognition to his commitment with the revolutionary process on the island and his ideals of equality and social justice. I am a retired newspaperman. I am 69 and live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 45 years, Lou Ann. We grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather. More on who I am is here. Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com STORY LINK Concerning UK Trade Data Sends GBP USD Reeling Pound US Dollar (GBP USD) Trade Deficit Compound 'Brexit' Concerns US Dollar Falters Ahead of Trump Press Conference GBP USD Exchange Rate Forecast: US Jobless Claims Expected to Rise Current Interbank Exchange Rates Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound to US Dollar exchange rate fell from its best levels since Monday on Thursday afternoon as Sterling was weakened once more by the latest Brexit jitters.Investors became anxious and jittery on the Pound as it was finally confirmed when UK Prime Minister Theresa May would hold high highly anticipated Brexit speech. Though the speech is supposedly intended to offer clarity, markets fear it will be another nail in the single market hopes coffin.[Previously Updated 10/01/2017]The GBP USD exchange rate reached fresh two-month lows this morning, sliding to its worst levels since the Sterling flash crash in October as the UKs latest trade report disappointed investors.The Pound US Dollar (GBP USD) exchange rate continued its decline this morning following the release of the UKs trade balance report.Figures show that the UKs trade deficit rocketed in November, rising from 1.5bn to nearly 4.2bn as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that imports jumped by 3.3bn, with electronics like laptops seeing a significant rise.The news added to the Pounds recent woes following an interview with Prime Minister Theresa May over the weekend, in which she said that she was not interested in keeping bits of [EU] membership, which was widely interpreted by investors as a sign the government would not seek to retain access to the single market in 'Brexit' negotiations.The fall in Sterling also comes despite an impressive rise across the board in UK production as Manufacturing, Construction and Industrial sectors all reported notable growth in November after slumping the month before.The US Dollar's upward momentum has slowed this morning as markets await Donald Trumps first press conference since becoming president-elect.Investors will be hoping for a glimpse at what his economic plans are as they continue to speculate on how he plans to stimulate the economy and drive growth in the US job market. They will also hope to hear more about his trade plans as he frequently threatened to tear up a number of free trade agreements, which he blames for the demise of US industries in the so-called rust belt.Greenback traders have become increasingly dovish recently as a cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over Trump's presidency, despite his inauguration being just over a week away.Observers have become increasingly concerned about Trump's budding relationship with his counterpart in Russia, Vladimir Putin, and his wiliness to anger China in holding talks with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens as it shows a marked deviation from current US foreign policy and breeds further uncertainty.The GBP USD exchange rate may see a slight lift tomorrow following the release of the latest US employment data, which is forecast to show that Continuing Jobless Claims grew from 2112k to 2118k in the last week of 2016.However, the bump is unlikely to last long as an expected spike in US Retail Sales from 0.1% to 0.7% in December will likely cause the US Dollar to strengthen.Meanwhile, a lull in UK domestic data for the remainder of the week is likely to hamper the Pound as there will be little to distract markets from their 'Brexit' concerns. There are currently predictions that the government may lose its Supreme Court battle, forcing it put the triggering of Article 50 to a vote in parliament.At the time of writing the GBP/USD exchange rate was trending around 1.21 and the USD/GBP exchange rate was trending around 0.82. 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: Dollar Pound Forecasts With Snapchat, you can capture and share photos and videos with some or all of your Snapchat friends, and you can share for a limited time or for all time. Pros In the moment: Snapchat keeps you and your friends in the moment by hosting unopened snaps for only 24 hours. Once a snap is opened, you have 10 seconds to view it before it disappears. Funny faces: One of our favorite Snapchat features is the funny interactive overlays called Lenses that you can superimpose over your face. To use it, turn your camera to selfie mode and tap your face. Once the app scans your face, 17 difference overlay options will appear, from cartoony add-ons like a dog nose and ears to others that distort your facial features or turn you into a monster. The final option enables you to superimpose faces from your camera roll onto your own. The new Face Paint Lens lets you draw all over your face. Bring a friend into the photo for twice the laughs. Memories: If you'd like to preserve your snaps, tap the Save to Memories button at the bottom of your snaps or stories. To keep these photos and videos private, lock them with a passcode. Bitmoji: You can now send Bitmoji, or personalized emoji, in chat or affixed to snaps. Download the Bitmoji app, create your Bitmoji, and then go to Snapchat Settings to link accounts. If a friend has also linked their Bitmoji, you'll see special Friendmoji stickers when you chat with them or reply to their snap. Many modes of communication: With Snapchat you can communicate with your friends via chat, phone, or video calling. You can also customize any of these with overlaid text, stickers, or drawings. News discovery: Tap the Discover tab to gain access to myriad media blogs and vlogs, from BuzzFeed to Vice to Mashable and more. SEE: The Best Mobile Apps for Watching Video Cons Not always secure: Snapchatters can always screen-capture or photograph your snaps, so be careful not to send anything too private over the service. If someone does screenshot your snap, Snapchat will alert you. Unintuitive interface: Snapchat is one of the most complicated apps for beginners to navigate. Figuring out how to go forward and backward, close screens, and access certain features is unnecessarily challenging. Bottom Line Snapchat for iOS has grown from a simple app for sharing disappearing photos and video to a full-service communication platform. I'm pretty certain Elizabeth Warren's bill to force Trump to avoid conflicts of interest isn't going anywhere. The bill would force Trump (and Pence)-- and their spouses and dependent children-- to divest any financial assets that pose a conflict of interest and place the money into a blind trust. If it were to pass and be signed into law, it would make Trump immediately impeachable, defining his stance on his conflicts as a "high crime or misdemeanor." Meanwhile, last night, el Presidente-elect met with Jack Ma. Jack's a billionaire, founder of Alibaba, China's Amazon (plus)-- in fact, the richest billionaire, not just in China, but in Asia. I don't know how accurate that is, since there are a lot of shady billionaires in places like Saudi Arabia, India, Indonesia and other countries where national wealth often finds its way into personal bank accounts, but let's just acknowledge that Jack's loaded. Trumpanzee, who should ask him why Google, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and DWT are all blocked there, addressed the press after the Jack pow-wow. We had a great meeting... And a great, great entrepreneur, one of the best in the world. And he loves this country and he loves China." Jack shared his plan with Trumpanzee to create a million new jobs in the U.S. by teaching American small businesses to see stuff in China via Alibaba. Trumpanzee said he and Jack would do "some great things" together. I was in China yesterday. China wants to turn the Beijing airport into the world's biggest air-hub, replacing Heathrow. With that in mind, I noted that Beijing airport is the most irrational and dysfunctional airport I'm ever experienced, a poster child for gross inefficiency and, on top of everything else, absolutely Orwellian. I'd avoid it at all costs in the future. While late planes in and late planes out caused me have to suffer for hours and hours in a sub-par business lounge, I read a blatant government mouthpiece, the Global Times. The Global Times wasn't dancing around edges of Trump's conflicts of interest-- and how China plans to take advantage of them. I'd be laughing at this report... if it was about anyone else but Trump and his crew of criminal miscreants. In the report, Yang Sheng starts off talking about the Taiwan problem Trump has decided to stoke for God-knows-what-reasons, but keep reading, even if you don't care about Taiwan per se. U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and his team said they will not meet with Taiwan island's leader Tsai Ing-wen during her stopover in the U.S., but Chinese observers said they prefer to see his actions. As China's influence over the U.S. grows, Trump will learn his lesson and become more aware of China's bottom line, they said. The Associated Press (AP) quoted Trump transition spokeswoman Jessica Ditto as saying on Saturday that "the president-elect would not be meeting with the Taiwanese leader while she is in the U.S., nor will members of his transition team." Trump sounded unaware of Tsai's trip when he was asked about it ion New Year's Eve. "Nobody's ever mentioned that to me," he told reporters. "I'm not meeting with anybody until after January 20, reported. "Trump's words are not very trustworthy as he has no basic knowledge and sense of the U.S.' position on cross-Straits relations., sometimes sounding very irrational on Twitter. Compared with his words, his actions better reflect his mindset," said Chu Yin, an associate professor at the University of International Relations. Although Trump and his team claim they will not meet Tsai while in the U.S., Taiwan media still says a lunch meeting with people from Trump's team is scheduled with Tsai in her U.S. stopover. ...Chen Yixin, a political expert at Taiwan-based Chinese Culture University, said that "the possibility of a Trump-Tsai meeting is almost zero percent," because Trump would not stoop to fly to Houston or San Francisco only to meet with her, but members of his team are not yet officials, so there's a possibility they could meet with Tsai. Chu added China enjoys a strong influence over the U.S. so Trump will learn his lesson if he keeps challenging China's bottom line."For instance, his family members also have business dealings with China." The New York Times reported that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and advisor, is working on a deal with Anbang Insurance Group, a financial Chinese behemoth with estimated assets of $285 billion. "And a president-elect or president, if he challenges China, not only will the U.S. feel the impact, but his family and businesses as well," Chu added. Trump honored in Shanghai with a statue befitting his stature Yeah, Jared's working on a deal , alright. Everyone in Trump's circle is working on deals. But let's focus on Kushner for a moment. Jerry Nadler, Ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee did today-- with a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch about his glaring conflicts of interest. This is the letter: County-specific poll may foretell whether Pa. is going blue or red Remember when the Wisconsin state Senate ground to a halt to put a break on Scott Walker's anti-union jihad? The architect and leader of that was Chris Larson, who just reminded his supporters the other day that with Trump about to be installed in the White House-- and with a Republican Congress and majorities in legislatures across America-- including his own state-- "each and every victory the progressive movement has logged is about to be on the menu for repeal. It's on us to step up and fight like never before so our children don't have to struggle to get a fair shot at the American dream." I've been trying to persuade Chris to run for federal office for years but he still thinks the greatest contributions he can make are right there in Wisconsin. He's running for reelection to his state senate seat and Blue America has endorsed him -- our first legislative endorsement of the year. He's campaigning on a platform that states, strongly, that "we cant afford to go back to a time when our family and friends couldnt marry the person they love; when women had to pay more than men for their health care insurance; or when we viewed climate change as something deniable and without consequence. The rights set in place under Franklin Roosevelts New Deal and Lyndon Johnsons Great Society are about to be second guessed. Under the threat of attacks on our societal values, we simply cannot abandon our commitment to each other.... The out-of-touch, harmful, and reckless priorities of Scott Walker, Donald Trump, and Paul Ryan are looming over us, growing darker and darker each day. Now is not the time to retreat." I asked Chris to re-introduce himself with a guest post. He wrote about why he feels so strongly that "we have the important task of keeping our commitment to each other by expressing our shared values. Fighting Back In Wisconsin -by Wisconsin State Senator Chris Larson The guarantees that were put in place by great progressive leaders are about to be ripped up. We saw this happen in Wisconsin where many of the progressive guarantees were born. If you know nothing about Wisconsin, you should know that we pride ourselves on our progressive ideals, our dedication to quality education, and our appreciation for the great outdoors. We pioneered open primaries, passed the first workers compensation law, and were the first to bar discrimination of women. We put in place unemployment insurance before others and gave public employees the right to join a union and collectively bargain for their fair share. On educating our people, Wisconsin was ahead of the curve in ensuring every child has access to a quality education. We not only put it in our state constitution, we set up the first Kindergarten in the country. Our appreciation for the environment was one thing that could bring us all together. Weve got a place where you can camp for cheap and hunt and fish on public land. Our US Senator Gaylord Nelson set up Earth Day so we would all think more about finding balance with our planet. All this changed after Republicans took control of our state. Quickly, after the 2010 tea party wave, the largest cuts to education in state history forced the University of Wisconsin to fall out of the top 5 research institutions for the first time in 45 years. Class sizes have ballooned while local school boards were forced to pass a record number of referendums to make up the state-funding gap for local schools. In the meantime, they went after the working man and what resulted was Wisconsin tripped itself out of the gate. We have the fastest shrinking middle class in the country and we fell behind the nation in job growth. Scott Walker made it a point of pride to refuse federal funds for job creation and expansion of health care coverage for our neighbors. Our health care costs are now among the highest in the Midwest. They've done just about everything to allow polluting industries to right the rules on destroying our shared environment. Republicans caved to threats from mining interests and re-wrote laws and rules in their favor. As a result, pristine lakes and streams have dried up and neighbors are forced to dig well after well in search of fresh water. Knowing these things wouldnt fly with voting Wisconsinites, Republicans sought to galvanize their power by quickly silencing the voice of the public. Very quickly, they went after public employee unions, their members, and others who fund progressive politics. Walker broke the law by coordinating with the special interest Club for Growth so they could push back against the historic recall against him. When this was revealed, the Republican court ordered an end to the investigation and that evidence be destroyed. If that wasnt enough, the Republicans in the legislature set a new low by making it illegal for similar future investigations to take place against politicians and also made Wisconsin the first state where this previously illegal coordination would now be legal. Not to let anything to chance, they put forward the most restrictive voter ID law in the country, redrew legislative districts to lock their majority in place, and spent millions to get a state Supreme Court that rubber-stamps their agenda. We cant let this happen to the rest of our country. The fight is on us now. The question is whether we fight back or just let it happen. We cant allow a Russian puppet and those that put party over country to destroy the things we care most about. If we dont fight now, our children will have to reinvent the hallmarks our country established in previous generations: the rights set in place under Franklin Roosevelts New Deal and Lyndon Johnsons Great Society. We cannot abandon our commitment to each other. We are still fighting back in Wisconsin. Despite Scott Walkers unparalleled corruption, power grabbing, and illegal coordinating, Wisconsin was still the closest state in the country. Were still fighting back because we have to. I hope youll stand up and fight back for what we care about, too. It's the only way things will move forward again. So what is Labour's policy on Brexit? The Mail feels compelled to ask because after an extended round of media interviews and a long, incoherent speech on the subject by leader Jeremy Corbyn, we are none the wiser. It was billed by party spin doctors as a major policy statement but instead all we got was verbiage and risible class war rhetoric. The result was utter confusion. Mr Corbyn began by saying he was not wedded to the principle of free movement of people within the EU, hinting that he favoured stricter border controls. But in an instant U-turn, he refused to sanction any fresh restrictions on migration. When the opposition is as moribund as Labour today and with absolutely no sign of renaissance, democracy is diminished He said we should maintain membership of the single European market. But he also wants to give state subsidies to British industry which would be illegal under EU competition legislation and against the fundamental rules of the single market. Meanwhile, he claimed to be committed to protecting British jobs. But he then said Labour would increase pay and strengthen employment rights for migrant workers giving them even greater incentive to come here and compete for low-paid jobs. And of course, no Corbyn speech is complete without praising his trade union paymasters to the skies and blaming all Britain's ills on the evil bosses and their Tory lackeys. To end inequality and fund public services he proposed a wage cap on high-earners and a new punitive income tax rate on salaries over 73,000. Within a few hours, the salary cap idea had also been dropped. Yet with a breathtaking lack of self-awareness, he had the nerve to accuse Theresa May and her ministers of being 'in complete disarray'. Talk about pot and kettle! If the situation weren't so serious, these vacuous Left-wing ramblings resembling some sort of bizarre 1970s Trotskyist tribute act would be riotously funny. But a strong opposition is a cornerstone of our parliamentary system. If the situation weren't so serious, these vacuous Left-wing ramblings resembling some sort of bizarre 1970s Trotskyist tribute act would be riotously funny Its job is to hold the ruling party to account, scrutinise and debate new laws and represent the interests of ordinary Britons who didn't vote for the Government. So when the opposition is as moribund as Labour today and with absolutely no sign of renaissance, democracy is diminished. For Mrs May, however, this presents a rare opportunity. By delivering a smooth Brexit and presenting a bold and confident vision for Britain's future, she has the chance to win over millions who have been abandoned by Labour. If she succeeds, she can truly claim to be a one-nation prime minister. Britain's soft cells Juicy fillet steaks, take-away fish and chips, mobile phones, seemingly unlimited supplies of vodka and drugs and now personal deliveries from firms such as Amazon and Argos. What on earth is going on in our jails? We report today that offenders are being allowed to choose from a list of up to 1,000 items including computer games, DVDs, trainers, radios and clothes. And because of the risk of theft (an occupational hazard in these institutions), purchases from the prison shop are being delivered by officers direct to the cell door. It's a far cry from Porridge. Yes, the Mail believes passionately in rehabilitation but prison is also supposed to be a place of punishment. By making it such a soft option, where is the deterrent to reoffending? The Duchess of Cornwall is likely to be relieved that the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana in August wont be marked by a Wembley concert, or memorial service, like the tenth in 2007. Camilla didnt attend that service, apparently on the advice of the Queen. After her marriage to Charles, she wasnt given the title Princess of Wales for fear of it attracting an adverse public reaction. Nor would Camilla become Queen Consort to King Charles, said a Clarence House statement on the day of their wedding. She would be known as Princess Consort. An indication that William and Harry have no objection to her becoming Queen Consort could change that. Will it be forthcoming? The Duchess of Cornwall is likely to be relieved that the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana in August wont be marked by a Wembley concert, or memorial service, like the tenth in 2007 Claire Foy did her chances of a gong no harm when, after winning a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the Queen in Netflixs The Crown, she spoke effusively about HM, saying: I really wouldnt be here if it wasnt for some extraordinary women one is Queen Elizabeth II. Dame Judi Dench was more reticent after playing Victoria and Elizabeth I, informing Prince Edward in a 2015 interview: I suppose Ive got a lot to thank your family for. Charlotte Church will not play at Trump's inauguration One-time Voice of an Angel Charlotte Church, 30, messages Donald Trump saying: Your staff have asked me to sing at your inauguration. 'A simple internet search would show I think youre a tyrant. Bye. Ms Church performed at President George W Bushs 2001 inauguration, recalling later: He asked me where I was from. When I said, Wales he replied: What state is that in? Orgy enthusiast Max Mosley, 76, who backs financially the organisation seeking control of the Press, is asked by Sky Newss Adam Boulton: Are you still a fascist? He replied: No. I mean, Im a member of the Labour Party. Its too stupid to discuss. Boulton, 57, reminded Mosley that he once wrote a letter to the Press stating that we do wish to end coloured immigration. Mosleys response: I would have phrased it differently. As you would. Lord Sugar, 69, comments on Arnold Schwarzeneggers performance as new host of Americas version of The Apprentice: It is painful. Arnold not great, sorry to say. Sorry to say? What humbug. He sought the job himself. And after Arnie was chosen he commented: I cant wait to see what a cock-up hes going to make of it. The Queen is ticked off by The Tablet, the Roman Catholic newspaper, for wrongly attributing part of her Christmas message to Saint Teresa of Calcutta, saying she was inspired by her motto, Do small things with great love. The Tablet attributes this sentiment to Saint Therese of Lisieux, a French Carmelite nun known for her philosophy of living the Little Way a spiritual life built on doing small things, with great love. No doubt HM will lovingly remind palace flunkeys to get such small things right next time. A cancer-stricken mother who has been told her condition is incurable refuses to give up hope that she can beat the disease to be there for her disabled daughter who is facing her own fight for life. Londoner Juliet Recordon, 37, has aggressive stage four cancer and is undergoing ground-breaking treatment in Germany in an attempt to save her life. She had feared shed never have children after previously being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2012, and refused a full hysterectomy post treatment to preserve her chances of having a baby. Her miracle daughter Elsa, aged two, was born in 2014, but she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and suffers from seizures triggered by fluid build-up on her brain, which could cause fatal hydrocephalus. Although she knows that hope is running out, Juliet is determined to stay alive so she can care for the daughter she fought so hard to have. Juliet and Simon hold three-month-old Elsa in a Singapore hospital in December 2014 Shortly after Elsa's birth, mum Juliet was told her cancer had returned and that she had just six months to live Juliet, 37, and Simon, 38, have admitted they are struggling to pay medical bills for Juliet and disabled daughter Elsa 'I was crying, worried my diagnosis meant I wouldn't be able to have children one day,' Juliet said of the 2012 diagnosis, shortly after she and husband Simon, 38, had moved to Singapore. But a specialist advised Juliet that her best chance of being able to conceive would be to have only her cervix removed rather than a full hysterectomy, although it would potentially put her at a greater risk of the cancer returning. However Juliet was given the all clear following a successful surgery, and in March 2014, the couple were delighted to find out she had fallen pregnant. But their joy was short-lived when in September 2014, Juliet's waters broke. She was rushed to hospital and - after contracting an infection - doctors had to deliver her baby by emergency C-section at just 25 weeks. Proud parents Juliet and Simon with Elsa, was born on September 3rd 2014 weighing a tiny 1.7lbs She was diagnosed with meningitis at two days old and needed life-saving surgery and antibiotics Elsa, who suffers from cerebral palsy, needs ongoing treatment, surgery and round-the-clock care Baby Elsa was born on September 3rd, weighing just 1.7lbs. She was diagnosed with meningitis at two days old and needed life-saving surgery and antibiotics. Juliet and Simon, who runs a window-cleaning business, kept a vigil beside Elsa's incubator after her surgery, but a few weeks later, Juliet began experiencing crippling back pain. A PET CT scan revealed the cause - Juliet now had stage four cancer, which had spread to the lymph nodes in her neck, chest, liver and pelvis. Two years after her diagnosis, Juliet is still battling cancer and is determined to prove the doctors wrong Despite her illness little Elsa continues to thrive, pictured here swimming with her parents Juliet refused to give up, even when doctors told her she had six months to live. 'I told them it wasn't going to be that way for me, because my daughter needed me,' she said. Doctors then diagnosed Elsa with extensive brain damage as a result of the meningitis - only the right side of her brain was functioning. Juliet faced six cycles of chemotherapy and Simon split his time between visiting both Juliet and Elsa in hospital. After five months in hospital, Elsa could finally come home - however, Elsa was blind in one eye and suffered from cerebral palsy, causing her to have up to 20 seizures a day. Juliet, pictured here being visited by her daughter and husband in hospital, has said: 'I want to get well for Elsa' Little Elsa is also blind in one eye, and suffers up to 20 seizures a day Doctors told her parents that she would need ongoing treatment, surgery and round-the-clock care. After three chemo cycles, a scan in March 2015 revealed Juliet's cancer had gone - but just three months later it returned. 'Doctors said there was nothing more they could do and eventually suggested I move into palliative care, but I told them I'm not giving up,' she said. Two years on, Juliet is still battling cancer and is determined to prove the doctors wrong. She has had surgery to remove a tumour on her spine and is now in hospital in Calw, Germany - having specialised immunotherapy and a combination of medications, including a ground-breaking vaccine. 'I want to get well for Elsa, it's my aim to be cured,' Juliet said. Although she is developmentally delayed, her mother insists Elsa is a happy child She and husband Simon, 38, are now struggling to pay the mounting medical bills to fund care for both Elsa and her mother. Elsa is now two and currently has shunts in her brain to drain out excess fluid build-up. Although she is developmentally delayed, her mother insists she's a happy child. 'She loves it when I sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow to her and she smiles when she hears my voice,' Juliet said. Simon is a full-time carer to them both and because their medical expenses are so high, they have set up a Go Fund Me page to help with Juliet's hospital bills and ongoing treatment for Elsa. Cancer-stricken Juliet has said: 'I just keep thinking that if Elsa can survive everything she's been through, then I can too. I'll never give up' Writing on her GoFundMe page, Juliet says: 'I'm now in a critical condition again and need additional funding for life saving treatment. 'We are also seeking funding for Elsa's hospitalisations and planned operations for her brain shunts.' At the moment Juliet is very weak so struggles to pick Elsa up sometimes, but she said: 'I just keep thinking that if Elsa can survive everything she's been through, then I can too. I'll never give up. Kim Moody took a deep dive into Trumpland in terms of who voted for him.She doesnt see the same huge defection of angry, white, blue-collar workers in the Rust Belt from their traditional Democratic voting patterns having handed the White House over to Trump, although he certainly won Rust Belt states the traditionally red one, Indiana, plus 3 traditionally blue ones Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan and the big swing state Ohio. Clintons roadmap to victory included Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Moodys research, though, shows it was wealthier voters that gave Trump the edge, not white, blue-collar workers. Exit polls taken during the primaries, when the Trump revolt began, showed that the whole election process was skewed toward the better-off sections of U.S. society, and that Trump did better among them than Clinton. Looking at those voters in the general election from the 26% of U.S. households earning more than $100,000, who are unlikely to be working class these days, we see that Clinton got 34% of her vote, and Trump a slightly larger 35% of his, from these well-to-do voters. In other words, upper-income groups were overrepresented in the voting electorate as a whole, and both candidates drew a disproportionate part of their vote from the well-to-do, with Trump a bit more reliant on high-income voters. This in itself doesnt rule out a working-class shift to Trump, but the medias version of this is based on a problematic definition. Among other problems, a large majority of those without a college degree dont vote at all. Furthermore, people who dont vote are generally to the left of those who do on economic issues and the role of government. Of the 135.5 million white Americans without degrees, about a fifth voted for Trump a minority that doesnt represent this degreeless demographic very well. Another problem is that there are only about 18.5 million white, blue-collar production workers the prototype of the defecting white industrial worker. If we double this to account for adult spouses to make it just under 40 million, and assume that none of them have degrees, it still only accounts for a little more than a third of those white adults lacking the allegedly class-defining degree. Of course, there are another 14 million or so white service workers who are working class, but even if we include them and their spouses we still account for only about half of the huge 70% of white adults in the United States who lack a college degree. There are also millions of Americans who dont have a college degree, who are not working class, and who are actually more likely to vote than the left behind industrial workers. There are some 17 million small business owners without that degree. As a 2016 survey by the National Small Business Association tells us, 86% of small business owners are white, they are twice as likely to be Republicans as Democrats, almost two-thirds consider themselves conservative (78% on economic issues), and 92% say they regularly vote in national elections. They drew an average salary of $112,000 in 2016 compared to $48,320 for the average annual wage. Add in the spouses, and this classically petty bourgeois group alone could more than account for all the 29 million of those lacking a college degree who voted for Trump. There are also 1.8 million managers, 8.8 million supervisors, and 1.6 million cops whose jobs dont require a college degree. To this we could add insurance and real estate brokers and agents, and so on. Some may have a degree, but it is clear that there are tens of millions of non-working class people in the United States who lack such a degree, and who are more likely to be traditional and frequent Republican voters than a majority of white, blue-collar workers. The relatively high-income levels of much of Trumps vote point toward a majority petty bourgeois and middle-class base for Trump, something The Economist concluded in its earlier survey of Trump primary voters when they wrote, but the idea that it is the mostly poor, less-educated voters who are drawn to Mr. Trump is a bit of a myth. The first point, then, is that Trumps victory was disproportionately a middle-class, upper-income phenomenon. Trumps Union Vote To test the extent to which white, blue collar or related workers handed Trump victory, we will look at the swings in union household voting in national elections. This is far from perfect, of course, since only a minority of workers belong to unions these days, about half are public employees, and non-white workers make up a quarter of the total. Nevertheless, we can safely assume that any swings toward the Republicans came mostly from white union members and their families. It is important to bear in mind as well that the union household vote has declined as a percentage of the total vote in presidential elections from about 26-27% in 1980 to 18% in 2016 so that the impact of the union household vote has diminished though not disappeared. Union Household Vote in Presidential Elections, 1976-2016 Two things are clear from the table. First, an average of about 40% of union members and their families have been voting Republican in presidential elections for a long time, with the Democrats winning a little under 60% of the union household vote for the last four decades. Only in 1948 and 1964 did over 80% of union household members vote for the Democratic candidate, Harry Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson respectively. Nevertheless, in 2016 a relatively small number shifted to Trump from 40% for the Republican in 2012 to 43% in 2016. This three percentage points represents a shift of just under 800,000 union household voters across the entire country. Even more interesting is that the Democratic vote fell by seven points from 2012 to 2016 as union household members defected to a third party, refused to answer the question when surveyed, or didnt vote and werent surveyed. While the unspecified no answer group of those surveyed lends some credibility to the theory of the silent Trump voter, this drop nonetheless points to the fact that the Democrats have lost votes since 2012. Putting this in historical context, Trumps shift of union household voters is actually less dramatic than the swing from 1976 to 1980 for Reagan, and even less so than the 14-point desertion of union household voters from Carter in 1980, half of which went to independent John Anderson rather than Reagan, in an election when union householders composed 26% of all voters. In other words, Trump attracted both a smaller proportion and number of these voters than Reagan or Anderson. These same voters have swung for some time between Democrats, Republicans, and high-profile third-party candidates such as Anderson, Ross Perot who got 21% of union household voters in 1992, and Ralph Nader, who got three percent in 2000. The meaning of the 2016 shift was more sinister to be sure, but it was also long in the making as the Democrats moved to the right. This is not to say that the swing of union household or white working-class voters away from the Democrats doesnt reflect the conservative social views, racism, and in the 2016 election, sexism of many white working- and middle-class people as well as their anger at their deteriorating situation. Clearly Trump won almost 10 million union household votes, compared to almost 12 million for Clinton. These numbers are significant, but we know that many are not as new to voting Republican as is often thought. This, of course, is not something to take comfort in, but it is an indication of the results of the Democratic Partys choice to emphasize higher-income people that began under Bill Clinton and the Democratic Leadership Council. It seems clear that a significant number of white working-class people voted for Trump who had voted for Obama in 2008 or 2012 even if more just didnt vote. The Democrats Self-Made Debacle While there was a swing among white, blue-collar and union household voters to Trump, it was significantly smaller than the overall drop in Democratic voters. While recent voter suppression laws demanding state-issued photo IDs in some 17 states along with the racial cleansing of voter rolls in many states have undoubtedly limited voting for Blacks, Latinos and low-income whites, most non-voters dont vote because they dont see anything compelling to vote for. At the same time, working-class voter participation has remained low in part because the political parties have reduced the direct door-to-door human contact with lower-income voters in favor of purchased forms of campaigning, from TV ads to the new digitalized methods of targeting likely voters. [D]espite all the vast amounts of money raised and deployed, all the digital and expert sophistication available to this party of the people and Clintons allegedly massive ground game force in the battleground states, the Democratic Party as a whole no longer can or tries to mobilize enough of those among its traditional core constituencies Blacks and Latinos, as well as white workers and union members to win national and even state offices in these key states. To be sure, Clinton won the popular vote nationally, perhaps as John Nichols gloated in The Nation by an unprecedented margin that might run as high as two million or more. The problem is that 1.5 million of that can be accounted for from Clintons margin over Trump in New York City alone. The majorities in the coastal states of California and New York by themselves accounts for more than her net majority; the rest of the country continues to see its Democratic vote stagnate or decline. The Democrats are and have been for decades the party of the (neoliberal) status quo when millions of all races have seen their living standards shrink and future prospects disappear and, as a result, have come to despise the status quo. And as the many millionaire Democrats in Congress (average wealth of a Democratic Representative is $5.7 million) and their business buddies demonstrate for all to see, they are part of the nation's elite. The decline in manufacturing jobs, the shrinking of union representation, the creation of more and more lousy jobs, the withdrawal of aid to the cities, etc. have created not just angry white men who voted for Trump, but angry white, Black, Latino and Asian men and women who, for good and sound reasons, no longer see the Democrats as their defenders. Many in this legion have voted with their feet, and it wasnt to the polls. In 2014, the last off-year Congressional election, non-voters numbered almost 128 million adult citizens a majority of eligible voters the vast majority of these were middle-to-lower income working-class people. Strong evidence that the Democrats can no longer motivate or mobilize the majority in much of the country is the fact that the millions of non-voters are on average and in their majority politically to the left of those who do vote on key economic issues. As one study put it, Nonvoters tend to support increasing government services and spending, guaranteeing jobs, and reducing inequality more than voters, by about 17 percentage points. This includes whites as well as Black and Latino non-voters. The Democrats cannot mobilize the forces needed to defeat the right, in part because they cannot implement any policies capable of addressing the plight of the majority that might attract these left-leaning non-voters. Nationally the Democrats have been losing elections at just about every level since 2009. In that year, during the 111th Congress the Democrats had 257 members in the House of Representatives. By 2015, in the 114th Congress that was down to 188 Democrats, the lowest number since the 80th Congress in 1947-49, over which time voter participation rates fell from 48% to 42% in off-year Congressional elections. In 2016 the Democrats won back just six seats in the House. Between 2009 and 2015 the Democrats lost 203 seats in State Senates and 716 in State Houses or Assemblies. An indication of what was to come in Ohio and Pennsylvania in 2016 could be seen in the loss of 21 Democratic seats in the state legislatures of each of these states between 2009 and 2015. Consequences of Failure This time, however, the falling Democratic vote meant the victory not of a run-of-the-mill conserv-ative or even a Tea Bagger, but of a racist dema-gogue bent on doing serious damage. And he will. There will be resistance. Rather, there will be increased resistance. And this will offer new possibilities for organizing, even in a more hostile atmosphere. At the same time many, including not a few on the socialist left, will run for cover in the Democratic Partys Big Tent, arguing that now is not the time to take on the Democrats, that the great task is to elect a Democratic Congress, any Democratic Congress, in 2018 to rein in Trump just as the Republicans blocked Obama after 2010, and so on. But such a political direction will only reinforce the Democrats neoliberalism, digital-dependency, and failed strategies. We had better bear in mind what this approach has not done for the past four decades and will not do in the coming years. It will not significantly or permanently increase voter turnout for working-class people, especially African-American and Latino voters. The rate of voter turnout has fallen for the past few decades and particularly for off-year Congressional elections. Both Black and Latino rates of voter participation in off-year elections, long below average, have nose-dived since 2010 and did not recover in 2016 despite the threat of a Trump victory. Nor will the centrist liberalism, much less neoliberalism, of Democratic incumbents and most likely candidates win back those white working-class people or those in union households who have been voting Republican for decades, much less the recent angry Trump converts. Politics as usual have failed! Who put Trump in the White House? The Democrats. There's certain royals that mostly need no introduction regardless of who you're talking to - from King Charles to Prince Harry and Kate Middleton. However, other princes and princess across Europe are just as interesting, glamorous and charming as their well-known counterparts. For instance, Prince Sebastien of Luxembourg, 30, has recently been hailed as one of the most eligible people in Britain, according to Tatler. Elsewhere, another lesser-known royal who is by no means unworthy of our attention is Afonso, Prince of Beira. The 26-year-old is already hotly desired by his Portuguese fans thanks to his dashing good looks and his role as Honorary Commander in the Voluntary Fire Brigade of Lisbon. Equally sought-after by wannabe princesses is Prince Achileas-Andreas of Greece, who with his stunning good looks, appears to be the definition of a Greek God. Here, FEMAL reveals the lesser-known European princes and princess royal fans need on their radar... Advertisement She may have a full-time live-in nanny and a mother who gives her plenty of help with Prince George, three, and Princess Charlotte, 20 months, but Kate, 35, suggested it still wasn't easy bringing up a family after listening to the stories of a group of mothers who have been through problems such as a family history of abuse and addiction. 'Parenting is tough,' admitted Kate, as she met young mothers battling emotional problems today at the Anna Freud Centre in London. She added: 'And with the history and all the things and the experiences you've all witnessed, to do that on top of your own anxieties, and the lack of support you also received as mothers...I find it extraordinary how you've managed actually. So really well done.' Scroll down for video The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as visit the Child Bereavement UK centre in London on their first joint engagement of 2017 Kate was asked if she was braced to spend the morning with a group of children under five at a centre that helps parents with personality disorders bond more closely with their offspring. 'I did just leave a room of six under threes,' she said, smiling. It was not clear if Princess Charlotte, who will be two in May, had got friends over on a play date or whether Kate was referring to having pals with their own children to stay as they celebrated her 35th birthday on Monday back at their country home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk. She visited the unit to learn more about its work with families who have children under five that are at risk of being taken into care. She heard one mother describe how she had been trafficked from Nigeria and had not wanted her son, now six, when she was pregnant but now had a much improved relationship after coming for treatment when he was three. 'I got depressed really badly,' she said. 'I needed help because I was trafficked to this country.' Kate listened to another mother, who had her first baby when she was 17, describe how she had her first four children taken away from her because she came from a 'really bad family' and had no support. William told nine-year-old Aoife whose father had died from pancreatic cancer: 'I lost my mummy when I was very young too' Meanwhile, Prince William movingly comforted a little girl grieving for her father today, telling her: 'I lost my mummy when I was very young too.' The prince, who later this year will mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, asked Aoife, nine: 'Do you know what happened to me? You know I lost my mummy when I was very young too. I was 15 and my brother was 12.' The prince, accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, was visiting the Child Bereavement UK Centre in Stratford, which is marking its one year anniversary, and provides support for children and families when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing personal loss. He urged Aoife, whose father John died from pancreatic cancer six years ago, not to bottle up her loss, adding: 'Do you speak about your daddy? It's very important to talk about it. Very, very important.' Prince William chats to Aoife about the loss of his mother as they take part in an art project and urges her not to bottle up her feelings over the loss of her father Kate got stuck back into royal duties for 2017 today, fitting in a visit to the Anna Freud Centre this morning and an engagement at the Child Bereavement UK Centre with Prince William this afternoon Aoife's mother, Marie, said afterwards: 'I couldn't believe it when he started to talk about his mother. It was very emotional and I was willing myself not to start to cry. I almost did. ' 'I am telling my children that if they take anything away from this day, it is what he said about how important it is to talk. Kids do not forget that. Sometimes it hurts but we can remember the happy things too. It is so important to talk. ' As Royal Patron of Child Bereavement UK since 2009, William has long supported the vital work undertaken by the charity, which makes such a positive difference to bereaved families across the country. The charity also provides training for 8,000 professionals a year whose work brings them into contact with bereaved families. Child Bereavement UK was established in 1994 in the presence of Diana, Princess of Wales, whose best friend, Julia Samuel, is Founder Patron of the organisation. Mrs Samuel has remained close to William and was asked to be Prince George's god-mother. William prepares to cut a cake celebrating the first birthday of the Child Bereavement UK Centre in East London Kate observes bereaved children taking part in an art project to help them process their feelings of grief The Duchess is presented with a bouquet of flowers by Shinobi from one of the centre's bereaved families as she arrives Kate shakes hands as she arrives with Prince William to the Child Bereavement UK Centre to mark its first anniversary On arrival at the centre William and Kate were given a briefing about the work of the charity before sitting in on a session where a group of youngsters were making 'memory jars'. The jars were filled with tightly packed layers of multi-coloured salts, each colour representing a memory of their loved one. William sat down with Aoife, nine, and her brother Keenan, 12. They lost their father John to pancreatic cancer six years ago tomorrow. William knelt down to chat with the youngsters and told Aoife about his own personal experience at losing his mother, before turning to her mother, Marie, to discuss the importance of talking about the person they have lost. The charity Child Bereavement UK is celebrating its first anniversary and as royal patron, William took on the cake cutting duty William said: 'I think that for children it is sometimes difficult to understand that. ' He asked of Marie: 'Are there family or friends that can keep an eye on you too? That's important, too, you know.' Marie, from Redbridge, said afterwards: 'Pancreatic cancer is very aggressive and difficult to diagnose and John didn't fit the bill at all - he was young, healthy and ate well. 'We lost him very quickly after he was finally diagnosed. My children were almost six and three. My son wanted to talk about it but my daughter was finding it very hard and didn't want to. 'It took my a long time to find Child Bereavement UK, we have been working with them since June, but what they have done for us as a family has been remarkable. 'Aoife didn't want to sit down with a counsellor one-on-one, but they work there with activities, enabling her to discuss her feelings in a more relaxed way. 'And it has helped me enormously too. Tomorrow is the sixth anniversary to losing my husband.To be honest it will be just another day for us. It's the moments that you don't expect when it hits you. Like when you used to sit down and watch the TV together in companionable solitude.' Kate arrived in the same blue Eponine coat dress she wore to the Anna Freud Centre in London this morning The Duchess looked delighted to be taking part in an art project with young people during her second engagement of the day Kate enjoys an animated chat with families at the Child Bereavement UK Centre in East London The Duchess is back on royal duty after the Christmas and New Year and looked in fine form this afternoon as she completed a busy day of engagements Aoife said she told William that she had chosen bright colours - reds, yellow, pinks and greens - for her memory jar because her father liked bright colours and loved gardening. 'It was really nice that he talked to me. It was like there are other people who know what it is like to lose someone.' Indeed, William has previously opened up about his grief at losing his mother Princess Diana in a car crash in 1996. 'Never being able to say the word "Mummy" again in your life sounds like a small thing,' he said. 'Life is altered as you know it, and not a day goes past without you thinking about the one you have lost.' William with his mother Princess Diana who died tragically in a car accident in Paris in 1996, when he was 15-years-old He added: 'I know that over time it is possible to learn to live with what has happened and, with the passing of years, to retain or rediscover cherished memories.' William was joined on today's engagement by his wife Kate, who wore a 1,650 blue Eponine cost dress and also showcased a subtle style tweak by wearing her tendrils of her brunette hair swept back and held in place with mini bulldog clips. He also spoke to Shinobi, 12, who had earlier presented Kate with a bouquet of flowers, who had lost his grandmother three and half years earlier. His mother, Lorna, had thought he was coping, but later heard from his school that he was finding her death difficult to cope with. She said William also talked about losing his mother to them - and how much anger he felt at the time. Kate chats to youngsters who have been bereaved as they make memory jars filled with tightly packed layers of multi-coloured salts. Each colour represents a memory of their loved ones 'He told us how he felt angry when she died. He very specifically used that word anger, he felt angry about it. He also told us how important it was to talk about how we feel when we lose someone as he found it very difficult to talk about it,' she said. 'I was very touched that he wanted to speak to us about. 'We also spoke to the Duchess who told us that it was ok to feel the way we are feeling. That we shouldn't be afraid to feel sad.' Kate also spoke with several children and their families as they prepared the coloured salt to pour into their memory jars. She asked one little girl: 'What colours have you chosen? Does that make you remember something about your father? It's really lovely that you can talk about things with your friends at school.' Speaking after the event, Julia Samuel, who has known William sine he was born and greeted both him and Kate with a warm kiss, praised the prince for his openness. She said the couple 'put people at their ease by being so warm and so open and cracking jokes. You can see the terror in peoples' eyes as they walk in and then you can see that fall away within a few minutes as people realise they are normal. That is always kind of touching to see. William and Kate listen to speakers as they learn more about the work of Child Bereavement UK, of which the Duke is royal patron 'Also their depth of understanding of people. It is much more than a line, the surface of what a charity does -- they really understand and care about the issues.' She adds, 'Bereavement -- and particularly child death which is so unbearable to think about -- is something he's shining a light on and helping us raise awareness of the need of people who have children who die in the way that no one else can do. 'That's because people can see how authentic, and heartfelt, he is and he's experienced it. People can pick up authenticity within seconds.' She adds, 'Him just coming here because of his position raises awareness. We were going for ten years before he became our patron and we did well. But the ten years since he's become patron have been transitional.' 'William has great depth of understanding in a way that you never expect from such a public figure and yet he is also so friendly and funny,' she said. 'You can see when people meet him that their eyes widen a little when they recognise him but when he talks to them about what has happened to them and himself, then he very quickly becomes a human being. 'I don't think any of us can even begin to understand what he and Harry went through. Their mother's death was such a public event and yet they were feeling such a depth of personal grief. 'What they have both learnt and are so keen to get across, however, is that talking about your grief at the earliest possible stage is so important. The earlier we talk about these things, the less harm is done.' Prince William and his wife Kate the Duchess of Cambridge speak to a volunteer as youngsters take part in an art project She added: 'What William is bringing to our charity is just immeasurable. He has lived and breathed what these families are experiencing. He is really involved as a patron and believes in the service we can offer. 'Grief is an invisible wound, people don't know what you are suffering, they don't offer you a chair to sit on because you look ill. 'But William knows and recognises this and I think people respond to this. 'Bereavement - particularly the death of a child - is unbearable to think about and he is something he's shining a light on and helping us raise awareness of the need of people who have children who die in the way that no one else can do. The Duchess accessorised with sapphire and diamond earrings to match her engagement band The royals' first joint engagement of 2017 saw them visit the Child Bereavement UK Centre in East London, a cause that is close to William's heart 'That's because people can see how authentic, and heartfelt, he is and he's experienced it. People can pick up authenticity within seconds.' While at the Stratford site, the royals were introduced to local professionals, and volunteers who work at the service, before meeting families and children who have been supported by the charity. They then attended one of the charitys Family Support Group sessions where children, their parents, and carers can meet other families to explore themes of memories, feelings, support networks and resilience. These sessions can help to decrease their sense of being alone and feeling different when someone important in their lives has died. The engagement closed with a short reception to mark the Stratford Centre's first anniversary where William cut the birthday cake in front of staff, volunteers, users of the service and donors. Their visit is Kate's second engagement of the day, after visiting an early years centre run by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families in Finsbury Park earlier. The Duchess was introduced to two adorable little girls who were all dressed up in their best outfits for the royal visit Mother-of-two Kate does her best to put a smile on 15-month-old Riley's face as she joins in with a play therapy session Riley was greeted with a cheery royal wave from the Duchess, but he appeared to be feeling a little shy Riley was more interested in staring at the camera than he was in playing with the royal visitor Kate hands Riley some building materials as she joins a 'theraplay' session, which promotes the attachment relationship between parents and children Kate, 35, also showcased a subtle style tweak by wearing her tendrils of her brunette hair swept back and held in place with mini bulldog clips The Duchess of Cambridge looked elegant in a belted blue coat by Eponine as she arrived at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families in North London this morning Don't go yet! Riley, 15 months, and four-year-old Maddison peer through the glass panel in the door after Kate's departure The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Anna Freud Centre Early Years Parenting Unit in London Kate and Chief Executive Officer of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Peter Fonagy (left) arrive for a visit at the Early Years Parenting Unit (EYPU) of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families She may have celebrated her 35th birthday this week, but Kate's glowing complexion is showing few signs of ageing The Duchess of Cambridge listens intently during a conversatoin with staff and guests at the Early Years Parenting Unit The Duchess of Cambridge debuted a new 1,650 Eponine coat dress this morning as she kicked off the New Year in style with her first engagement of 2017 at The Anna Freud Centre in North London The Duchess looked relaxed and refreshed after her Christmas break spent at her parents home in Berkshire Kate gives a cheerful wave as she departs from the Anna Freud Centre. This afternoon she will visit the Child Bereavement UK Centre in Stratford, East London with her husband Prince William Kate showed off her slim legs in a blue coat dress by Eponine, which fell to just below the knee Kate was looking fresh-faced and relaxed after her Christmas break (left) as she arrived at the Anna Freud Centre, of which she is the royal patron The Duchess was clearly in good spirits after enjoying a few weeks off with her family over Christmas and New Year Later, Kate met parents taking part in a 'theraplay' session that helps the child-parent relationship. She demonstrated her maternal side as she entertained 18-month-old Le'Jaun with smiles and waves during the session. 'What's this strange woman?' his mother, Amber, 19, said, as he stared at the Duchess. Amber has been receiving treatment at the centre for four months to help her cope with anxiety attacks. 'I don't think the work that is done here is publicised enough,' Amber said, praising the help she has received. It was the latest in a series of royal engagements for the Duchess designed to draw attention to child mental health issues. She is a champion of early intervention and working with the whole family to resolve problems with children. Royal patron Kate learns more about the work of the Early Years Parenting Unit The Duchess was keen to learn more about the work of the Early Parenting, which aims to keep families together and help parents become more responsive to their children's needs The mother-of-two looked completely at ease as she joined in a 'theraplay' session at the Anna Freud Centre The Duchess was greeted by staff members at The Anna Freud Centre where she will be introduced to parents who benefit from its services and support Kate climbs out of her car as she arrives at the Anna Freud Centre in North London to learn more about the organisation's work with parents and young children The unit in Holloway opened in April 2011 and offers an assessment and treatment programme for groups of parents with personality disorders, and their children under five, who are at risk of being taken into care. The treatment aims to address the parents' personality disorders - often the result of abuse, trauma and addiction in their families - help deal with the children's developmental needs, and improve the parent-child relationship. Staff at the centre try ultimately to keep families together and help parents become more aware of and responsive to their children's needs. Later Kate met privately with families who have benefited from another of the centre's early years service, Parent Infant Psychotherapy (PIP). The PIP service supports expecting and new parents, advising them about the impact of a new baby. It was the Duchess' second visit to the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families since she became patron in May last year. Peter Fonagy, chief executive of the Anna Freud Centre, said: 'The Duchess is stimulating interest in similar services throughout the country and right across the world.' Their name could be the only thing this Geordie father and his new pal in Africa have in common - but it formed the basis of a friendship that has won over Twitter. Anthony Freeman, from Newcastle, received a friend request from another Anthony Freeman in Sierra Leone back in October - and the pair have been messaging back and forth ever since. When the UK-based Anthony's daughter, Holly Freeman, discovered her father's endearing online chats with his new friend overseas, she shared them on Twitter - where they've been liked and shared thousands of times by touched users. Anthony Freeman (left), from Newcastle, received a friend request from another Anthony Freeman in Africa, and his daughter Holly (right) shared their messages on Twitter Touched and amused by her father's conversations with his new friend, Holly posted screen grabs on Twitter Holly's father, who goes by Tony, received a friend request in late October last year from a man in Africa, also called Anthony Freeman. Holly spoke to Buzzfeed about the situation and said: 'When my dad told me he had made a new friend with his same name, I just didn't believe him...'. That was until he showed her their conversations. The other Anthony, from Sierra Leone, simply started the conversation by saying 'hello namesake' and it continued from there. Holly's tweets have since gone viral - with over 50,000 likes and 13,000 retweets The conversation started with the African Anthony Freeman messaging the British Anthony with a simple: 'Hello namesake' The men discussed the weather and the political climate in their respective countries As the festive season approached, they began messaging again to say 'season's greetings' The two men discussed everything from the weather to politics in their respective countries, and got in touch to wish one another well over the festive season. Holly's father told Buzzfeed that they have built a 'good friendship' and created a 'bond through our names.' Twitter users expressed their delight after reading the two men's polite exchanges Twitter user @SingleMaltSuds said that African Anthony's saying 'remain strong' had become his new mantra. She is a world record breaking three-time Olympic gold medalist. But Stephanie Rice admitted it was harder than she expected to stay in shape after retiring in 2014. The 28-year-old told Body and Soul she struggled mentally and physically after stepping out of the pool for the final time. She explained after receiving such huge praise for her sporting accomplishments, she had begun to base her self worth in succeeding as a swimmer. Scroll down for video This is me: Stephanie Rice said she struggled to adjust to life outside the pool after a long athletic career left her basing her self-worth in succeeding as a swimmer 'When I finished swimming I thought 'I'm no longer good at anything', and you are, it's just that you place so much focus on your external achievements,' she said. Finishing up as a professional swimmer also left her struggling to find a new reason to exercise. Stephanie said it took her 'a couple of years' to find joy in it again, after training so hard for so long. She said it took getting to a 'full low' of not exercising for up to two years, before she began looking for ways to exercise that she 'actually enjoyed'. 'I wasn't making myself do HIIT sessions and CrossFit, I was like "you know what I might just do some yoga" and it grew from there,' she said. Having a stretch: Instead of seven hour high intensity exercise sessions, the 28-year-old said she is more relaxed about her workout routines Now, the swimmer varies her training. She aims to exercise between three and six times a week, and will combine yoga and impromptu workouts with gym sessions where she lifts weights. Currently on holidays in the Barossa Valley with family, Stephanie has been sharing her new workouts, which involve a huge amount of bike riding. The Brisbane-born athlete revealed she was chosen in a state development squad as a child for both road and velodrome riding before turning her attention solely to swimming. Champion: Stephanie is a world record breaking Olympic medalist in swimming, but revealed she also has a fondness for bike riding Over the past few days, the Rice family have been averaging between 15 and 20 kilometres on mountain bikes every day. Stephanie also revealed her new motivation to get moving. 'I prioritise exercise because I love the way it makes me feel both physically and mentally,' she told her social media following. Back on top: After two years at a 'full low', the athlete says she finds joy in exercise again 'Just getting the blood flowing is the best feeling to me - it always lifts my energy, spirits and positivity.' She says taking time to discover herself outside of swimming and the responsibilities and pressures that come with it was an important journey. 'I'm more grounded and stable in who I am,' she says of her rejuvenated mindset. 'When you ask yourself those questions and come through it, it's really empowering.' Pining for a sparkling smile? While many women swear by chemical whitening treatments to give them a brighter smile, there's a whole other movement that claims they key to whiter teeth can be found in your kitchen cupboard. Turmeric is just one of the colourful ingredients lauded for its teeth-whitening abilities as well as a whole host of other health benefits. But can brushing with natural ingredients really give you a sparkling smile? Femail takes a look. Sparkling smile! Whilst chemical whitening remains popular, there's a movement that claims there are natural teeth whiteners that can be found in your kitchen cupboard (stock image) Though it'll leave a nasty stain on your clothing, turmeric is a favourite of well known bloggers, including Mommypotamus, for teeth whitening. She suggests using a small amount on a wet toothbrush, and leaving the bright yellow paste on your teeth for three to five minutes before brushing again with regular toothpaste. She says the results are obvious within days. 'If youll do it consistently for a few days to a week, I think youll be surprised by how much of a difference it makes,' she wrote. Spicy! Some people claim turmeric is a good teeth whitener, despite its ability to stain almost everything else Directions: Fans of the method use a small amount on a wet toothbrush, and leave the bright yellow paste on teeth for three to five minutes before brushing again with regular toothpaste Another natural health ingredient, charcoal, has also been spruiked as the key to attaining whiter teeth. Melbourne-based nutritionist Steph Lowe, who runs the food side of former Bachelor Sam Wood's 28 fitness program, told Body and Soul the ingredient is set to make a splash this year. 'Activated charcoal offers some pretty amazing health benefits. Most commonly it has been used to improve digestive function and decrease the production of gas, but it also has fantastic teeth whitening properties,' she told the publication. 'Charcoal works by binding with surface staining culprits like coffee and wine, removing plaque with one application,' she said. She predicted that there will be an abundance of charcoal-based teeth whitening products launching in 2017. Real mouthful: Activated charcoal is predicted to make a splash in 2017, thanks to its teeth whitening abilities Meanwhile, Dr. Irwin Smigel, president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, told Redbook Magazine that the malic acid contained in strawberries can naturally remove surface tooth discolouration. Another 'natural' - and controversial - way to care for your pearly whites is said to be Diatomaceous Earth (also known as silica powder) - which has been spruiked by Pete Evans' wife Nicola Robinson in a homemade toothpaste. Previously, the partner of the well known TV chef has taken to Instagram to promote the benefits of tooth remineralisation, saying there are more natural ways to care for your teeth than chemical enhancers. Scrub: Blogger Mommypotamus and celebrity chef Pete Evans' wife Nicola Robinson swear by diatomaceous earth, which acts almost as an exfoliant for teeth Though natural methods appear to work well for some, aesthetic and general dentist Dr. Angelo Lazaris warned you should be very cautious when using an abrasive mix of ingredients. 'Calcium carbonate powder and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and Diatomaceous Earth (silica powder) are all extremely abrasive so of course the teeth will be whiter because any extrinsic (surface) stains will be removed as will the enamel!', Angelo previously told Daily Mail Australia. 'Id be very cautious about advocating such an abrasive cocktail because enamel can not regenerateonce its gone, its gone forever', he continued. They are the incredible images that show the moment a mother helped to deliver her own baby from her womb. Lying in an operating theatre, dressed in a hospital gown, Australian mum of four Sarah Toyer reaches down to place her hands on her baby son, Spencer, and welcome him into the world for the very first time. Spencer was born by caesarean section and his proud mother, from Queensland's Gold Coast, has since shared the images of her 'maternal assisted caesarean' on Facebook, to urge other mothers to 'stick to your guns about the birth you want'. Captured on camera: Australian mum of four, Sarah Toyer, is pictured delivering her own baby boy, Spencer Mum's message: The mother shared the pictures to Facebook to urge others to 'stick to their guns' about the birth they wanted 'I wanted to share to let other mums know there's always another way to birth even if you have to have a C-section,' Mrs Toyer told Daily Mail Australia. Mrs Toyer, who also has three other children, Jay, Ruby, Wyatt, posted details of her experience to the Facebook page Birth Without Fear, alongside the incredible images which were taken by her husband Joseph, 'When I discovered I was pregnant I was determined to have a maternal assisted c-section!' she wrote. Mother's determination: When she discovered she was pregnant with her fourth baby, Mrs Toyer said she wanted a maternal assisted caesarean First touch: 'I reached down and put my hands under his arms and lifted the rest of him out of my own body,' the mother wrote of the experience 'I talked to every midwife, doctor, and surgeon about what I wanted to do, but they all said it would depend on the surgeon on call that day. 'So, when the day came along we waited eight hours at the hospital, then I was standing there next to the surgeon scrubbing up just as she was,' she said. 'Maybe half an hour later I was lying on the operating table watching my son's head being pulled from my womb. Magical moment: Mrs Toyer said the experience was the most incredible of her life Birth choices: She urged other mothers to stay firm about the kind of birth experience they wanted 'I reached down and put my hands under his arms and lifted the rest of him out of my own body. It was the most incredible thing I have ever done.' The experience moved Mrs Toyer so much, she urged other women to be firm about the kind of birth they wanted. A young woman who was forced to have her right leg amputated below the knee following a cancer diagnosis now takes her detached limb on her adventures - and has even given it its own Instagram account. Kristi Loyall, from El Reno, Oklahoma, was diagnosed with epitheliod sarcoma, a rare form of cancer in April last year after four years of symptoms that baffled medics. The 25-year-old was told the devastating news that she would need an amputation but has since found a lighter way to share her recovery with followers - by taking the skeleton of her foot along wherever she goes. Best foot forward: Cancer survivor, Kristi Loyall, from El Reno, Oklahoma posing with her foot, which was amputated in April 2015. The plucky 25-year-old now takes her limb wherever she goes, posting images back to the One foot wander Instagram account 'Footzilla' as she has named her detached limb now has some 5,000 - and counting - followers on Instagram Following the amputation, Kristi requested her foot back from the hospital and then sent it to a company who made it whiter, degreased it and pinned and aligned it. Right, a more macabre-looking image from the One foot wander account Now in remission, Loyall currently isn't working because of her disability and is hopeful that by sharing the bizarre images she can raise funds for ongoing care. The Instagram account One foot wander documents her detached limb in a variety of different scenes from reclining on a picturesque beach, to standing with pet dogs and being pictured in front of urban skylines. Creepier shots include the skeleton foot pictured in front of a waterfall at nighttime and next to a piece of art depicting Frankenstein. Following the surgery last year to remove her limb, Loyall sent the bones away to a company called Skulls Unlimited where it was whitened, pinned together and degreased. Dem bones: Loyall says she hopes people will appreciate her trying to find the lighter side of her situation The diagnosis of her cancer took four years after doctors were convinced there was nothing sinister behind the numbness and pain the 25-year-old had been experiencing Loyall hopes to raise $10,000 via GoFundMe to help pay for her ongoing care Now, Loyall is hopeful that she can not only raise money towards her future care as a disabled person but that she can raise a smile at the same time with the eye-raising collection of travel snaps. Her GoFundMe page has currently raised just over $1,000, ten percent of its goal of $10,000. The lighthearted photographs often show the foot in holiday settings including the beach Best foot forward: Footzilla enjoys a trip to a scenic lighthouse Loyall has raised over $1,000 of her $10,000 target to cover future care Loyall's illness took nearly four years to diagnose and began with numbness in her little toe in 2011. When the lack of feeling in her foot spread and also caused pain, she saw a variety of doctors including podiatrists and even a neurologist. Initally, it was thought a vitamin B-12 deficiency might be the cause of the problem but then the Loyall noticed a lump on her foot in 2015. The latest optical illusion to sweep the web features a sketch of a bear with a man's face hidden in his fur. The cartoon - which asks 'Where is my master?' - dates back to the 1880s and was originally aimed at children. However, it's left thousands of adults scratching their head as they try to spy the face hidden within the animal's fur. Scroll down for reveal It's left thousands of adults scratching their head as they try to spy the face hidden within the animal's fur It may appear too tricky to solve at first, but if you tilt your head slightly to the right it may help. The animal's owner can be seen facing the base of the bear's neck - with the top of his face appearing just below the bear's left ear. The puzzling sketch just the latest in a long line of optical illusions to go viral. The animal's owner can be seen facing the base of the bear's neck - with the top of his face appearing just below the bear's left ear. Earlier this week, an image of a girl who appears to have three legs left the internet in a state of confusion. The snap, which shows a young girl kneeling on a red blanket, is proving so difficult to decipher it has apparently taken one internet user 'two years' to work out. So does she really have an extra limb - or is this just another clever optical illusion? Scroll down for the reveal... This image of a girl has baffled the web as she appears to have three legs. Frustrated viewers confessed they were 'still trying to figure it out' after several attempts The picture has been baffling internet users for some time, but recently resurfaced after it was shared byImgur user AMassiveTRexHoldingaBaby. They wrote: 'Legit had to stare at this pic for a full minute before my brain told me what was going on.' On closer inspection, the girl appears to be holding a brown vase - but its shape and colour makes it deceptively tricky to distinguish from her legs. Over Christmas, a seemingly simple picture of six women in a bar left the internet equally baffled. The snap, posted by Reddit user jr0d7771, shows the friends sitting side-by-side on a sofa, appears to have something amiss - but this only becomes clear on closer inspection. Scroll down for the reveal... This seemingly mundane snap, which shows six friends sitting on a sofa in a bar, appears to have something wrong with it - but this only becomes apparent on closer inspection If you look closely, you will see there are only five pairs of legs for the six women - meaning that the third woman from the left appears to be missing two limbs. Reddit users were desperate to solve the problem and spent hours squabbling over the correct answer. Kacie1989 suggested: 'I actually think the first girl has [her] legs draped OVER the second girl's legs.' Others were confused by the girl on the far right, whose left leg appeared to be abnormally long. Have you spotted it yet? If you look closely, you will see there are only five pairs of pins for the six women - meaning that the third woman from the left appears to be missing her legs However the most plausible explanation came from Canadian_Ireland, who wrote: 'The second girl's legs are behind the first girl's legs.' This would suggest that the girl with the 'missing' legs is actually sitting at a slight angle, with her legs appearing to belong to the friend on her right. In October, seemingly mundane photo of three women sitting on a park bench was the latest snap to leave internet users scratching their heads. At first glance the photo appears to show the trio pausing for a sit down during a sunny stroll. An optical illusion image of three women sitting on a park bench that's recently resurfaced online has been causing confusion But there appears to be no seat on the bench and the women are hovering mid air. The most likely explanation is that the bench features smaller pull-out seats. Brainteasers like these are becoming increasingly popular online. At first glance the below picture looks like a regular selfie of a woman striking a seductive pose on her bed. Scroll down for the reveal... At first glance this picture looks like any normal selfie you might see. However, if you look closer you will see that something is not quite right However, if you look closer you will see that something is not quite right with the black and white image. The shot has been driving the web to distraction ever since it went viral, with puzzlers unable to figure out the oddity. The image recently resurfaced on Facebook after it first originated in 2003, when it was posted by Deviantart user Missmiserystock. It was titled 'Look carefully'. The woman in the image actually has six fingers, instead of the usual five Eagle-eyed viewers spotted that the woman actually has six fingers instead of five. The subtle abnormality is likely to be a clever trick of Photoshop, designed to confuse. The British wife of a man who has openly described himself as a paedophile has defended her decision to stand by him and left viewers horrified. Dr Tabitha Abel, who appeared on ITV daytime show This Morning today, who said that while her husband Gary Gibson, 65, first told her he was sexually attracted to young girls five years ago, she believes he is not a child molester. Her comments provoked outrage from viewers, with on tweeting: 'That disgusting woman is as bad as her disgusting paedophile husband! He should be locked up!! I feel sick to my stomach!!' Christian ex-teacher Gary, who is from Oregon, and said he chooses not to act upon his urges, and Dr Abel said today that a paedophile and a child molester were 'not one and the same'. Dr Tabitha Abel, who is originally from the UK but lives in Oregon with her husband, has vowed to stand by him despite his shocking admission Gary Gibson (pictured) identifies himself as a 'virtuous' paedophile because he does not act upon his urges Dr Abel spoke with presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield via video link on This Morning where they tried to understand her controversial decision Viewers watching the interview were left angry when Tabitha tried to defend her husband and explain how he wasn't a child molester 'There is a difference between attraction and action,' she told the studio via video link today, adding: 'I do believe he is a paedophile, but he has not acted on that.' Despite his shocking admission, Dr Abel said she believes her husband when he says he is not a child molester. ' Whether he is aroused by a little girl when he is out shopping is another case,' she said. 'I was assured by him that he had done nothing. '[People] are stuck with the idea that being a paedophile is being a child molester, that is not the case, they are not one and the same,' she said. People quickly took to Twitter to share their horror over Dr Abel's opinion on her husband Gary Gibson Presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby appeared shocked by Dr Abel's reasoning and asked whether Tabitha believed her husband had ever been able to find an outlet for his urges. She insisted that because he had never acted upon anything, and said: 'I hear what you are saying and this is the case with many paedophiles and they would look at child porn. 'For his part I do believe him that it is not of any interest to him to look at it on the internet.' Tabitha believes that attraction is different from action and has defended her husband over what she believes is a mental health condition Investigator Mark Williams Thomas was also on the show and asked Tabitha whether she believed children were safe in her husband's company Tabitha was also asked directly by investigator Mark Williams Thomas whether she truly believed her husband was a paedophile and whether she would ever trust him in the company of her friend's children. 'Yes I do think he is attracted to children. I do believe he is a paedophile, but he has not acted on that,' she added. 'I do believe he is safe around children. I dont believe he is planning his next act. Gibson set up a non-profit organisation - the Association for Sexual Abuse Prevention - to help people like him who choose not to offend. Gary Gibson, 65, from Oregon - pictured with his wife Tabitha Abel - is described as a 'virtuous paedophile' The Christian ex-teacher, whose family has a history of incestual child abuse, is one of 1,800 members of an online forum for non-offending paedophiles. He detailed some of his alleged family history in a series of online videos. 'My grandfather sexually abused my mother and I think at least one of his sisters, and my fathers woman was known on the streets to be one that invited the little boys into her house and did things with them,' he said in a video published last month. 'So, I think, she is a paedophile. I know for a fact my father sexually abused several of my sisters nearly all of them. 'When I was six, my two older sisters taught me to play "go to sleep". 'My understanding was I was to get them to take their panties off and get them ready to sleep. 'I dont think it was abuse, but it left me with the impression that little girls want to be touched. 'When I was about 12, I spent a summer with my cousins and there was some sexual games that went on there both of these girls were five years younger. 'I was 12, I think one of them was seven and one of them was five. 'I knew that it was wrong, but frankly in the fifties, every male I knew was sexually attracted to children and little girls.' I was always a little close, maybe I hugged them too tight, or did some things I shouldnt have done, but I never penetrated a child, never what I would call had sex with a child. Gary Gibson, in December 2016 In the speech, he then questioned whether paedophilia was something that could be passed down among a family, before saying he never considered himself to be one throughout most of his adult life. 'I had never called myself a paedophile, but for more than 50 years I have been sexually attracted to little girls. I choose not to act on it,' he said. 'I knew I was attracted to little girls, I was always a little close, maybe I hugged them too tight, or did some things I shouldnt have done, but I never penetrated a child, never what I would call had sex with a child. 'I choose not to do that, but I struggle with it.' His struggles intensified when his first marriage broke down in the nineties, and he decided to 'spend some time out in the South Pacific', where he said there were 'a lot of little girls running around naked'. Gary Gibson (right) is pictured marrying his current wife, British nurse Tabitha Abel, in 2005 After a couple of years he returned home, and met British nurse Tabitha Abel - woman who would become his wife - through a Christian singles dating site in 2004. Christian former teacher: Mr Gibson said he is normally not aroused by teenage girls They married in 2005. Eventually, they built a log cabin in Oregon, which included rooms for their grandchildren. But he was still dogged by his desires. 'The first time I remember changing my daughters diaper I thought, "Am I going to touch her" or something, but I made the decision right there that was not going to happen,' he said in the video, before explaining how he and his wife chose to adopt foster children because their grandchildren did not visit enough. Gibson says the children eventually moved on for 'other reasons', however a 10-year-old girl who had lived with him and Abel developed what he called 'false memories'. 'Now you tell me, I mean society says children never lie about sexual abuse. But here the Oregon State Police show up at our door one day and say, "Do you know why Im here?"' the 65-year-old said. 'They proceeded to tell me this girl disclosed that I lay on the bed naked with her. I said that never happened, and then they said: Well, she said you put your penis inside of her. I said that never happened, and they asked me to do a polygraph. Explanation: Mr Gibson (left) whose wife Tabitha (right) is British and from Canterbury in Kent, admitted he 'doesn't fit the standard profile' of men sexually attracted to children 'So I contacted a lawyer, this was like two days before Christmas 2010, the attorney said dont do the polygraph.' The first time I remember changing my daughters diaper I thought, "Am I going to touch her" or something, but I made the decision right there that was not going to happen Gary Gibson, in December 2016 He said it was that brush with the police that forced him to 'come out' to his wife. 'I told her I didn't do it, but this is where I'm at... I'm attracted to kids,' he said. During a recent interview, Gibson explained why he is attracted to young girls - but not young boys or teenagers. The 'comfortably out' paedophile, whose wife is a nurse, said he is normally not aroused by teenage girls and does not have any desire for young boys. 'When they pass 12 they tend to get into themselves, start to make themselves look older, and I like things natural - so there we are,' he told The Sun in the UK. 'When they start wearing lipstick and stuff like that I don't find it very appealing.' Despite his attractions, Gibson added he is 'a normal everyday person'. 'I don't go around in a white van giving candy to kids in the park,' he said. WHAT IS THE ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION? ASAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the primary prevention of child sexual abuse. It brings together mental health professionals and individuals who are sexually attracted to children. The organization provides public health education, while members provide support for non-offending paedophiles who want to avoid acting on their attraction to children. -- ASAPInternational.org Advertisement Gibson' wife then told the British newspaper she does not consider her husband to be a paedophile because: 'most people I consider a paedophile to be a child molester which he isn't.' The interview then went into some more graphic details about Gibson's sexual habits. He told the newspaper he does not seek out pornography involving children when he masturbates, but added he doesn't 'beat himself up' if he does watch scenes involving young people. 'I don't feel bad it about because it's not reality, I can differentiate between fantasy and reality,' he said. The 65-year-old also seemed to have come to terms with his life as a paedophile, despite understanding that it makes him unpopular with many. 'If people knew I was a paedophile they wouldn't like me,' he said. 'But overall my life has gone fairly well.' GARY GIBSON EXPLAINS 'COMING OUT' AS A PAEDOPHILE IN HIS OWN WORDS My grandfather sexually abused my mother and I think at least one of his sisters, and my father's mom was known on the streets to be one that invited the little boys into her house and did things with them. So, I think, she is a paedophile. I know for a fact my father sexually abused several of my sisters nearly all of them. Is pedophilia inherited? I don't know, but whatever inheritance I got from my ancestors I think was initialized by experiences I had as a young person. When I was six, my two older sisters taught me to play 'go to sleep'. My understanding was I was to get them to take their panties off and get them ready to sleep. I don't think it was abuse, but it left me with the impression that little girls want to be touched. When I was about 12, I spent a summer with my cousins and there were some sexual games that went on there both of these girls were five years younger. I was 12, I think one of them was seven and one of them was five. Basically, their brother taught me to play 'doctor' with them. When I got home, one of my sisters told me she would beat me up if I ever did anything like that again. I knew that it was wrong, but frankly in the fifties, every male I knew was sexually attracted to children and little girls. Is that true or not, I don't know, but I've talked to hundreds of other people who had the same experience. It seemed very normal to me. I had never called myself a paedophile, but for more than 50 years I have been sexually attracted to little girls. I choose not to act on it. It was pretty easy for me to pretend to be like a regular normal adult male, and I got married and for 25 years my first marriage went along pretty normally. I knew I was attracted to little girls, I was always a little close, maybe I hugged them too tight, or did some things I shouldn't have done, but I never penetrated a child, never what I would call had sex with a child. I choose not to do that, but I struggle with it. There was no one to talk to about it, I was totally alone. And so then I was single again in the late-nineties, in 1997 and 1999 I spent some time out in the South Pacific, lots of little girls running around naked there. I struggled with it and I came back and talked to a counselor and started to get my act together while I was single, and when I told her she abandoned me. I was more at risk during that time than I probably ever have been, because I felt so alone, and like a ticking time bomb. But life went on, and Tabitha and I got married. We met on Christian Singles dating, we built a log cabin with some rooms upstairs so our grandchildren can come and visit us I have three children, 10 grandchildren and never had any problems with them. The first time I remember changing my daughter's diaper I thought, 'Am I going to touch her' or something, but I made the decision right there that was not going to happen. Now we decided to have foster children. Well, why didn't I tell my wife I struggled with it? I didn't feel like coming out, so we had foster children. Things went pretty well but three years after, they left. They left for other reasons we moved onto other things, the foster girl developed false memories. Now you tell me, I mean society says children never lie about sexual abuse. But here the Oregon State Police show up at our door one day and say, 'Do you know why I'm here?' They proceeded to tell me this girl disclosed that I lay on the bed naked with her. That never happened, and then they said: 'Well, she said you put your penis inside of her.' I said that never happened, and they asked me to do a polygraph. So I contacted a lawyer, this was like two days before Christmas 2010, the attorney said don't do the polygraph. As a result of that experience, I came out to Tabitha. I told her I didn't do it, but this is where I'm at. That I'm attracted to kids. She then encouraged me to become a licensed professional counselor. And so I promptly went online, and went to Walden University a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counselling and almost completed it, when I was at a residency in Portland, and the students got together with the instructor. He said he wanted us to share something we are dealing with, and when I was my turn I said that they would reject me if I shared what I was dealing with. But then a girl said they wouldn't reject me, so I told them I'm sexually attracted to children and they all rejected me. They then took me in before the administrative council and they said I had to leave the premises immediately. So I left, they told me I could complete the degree by doing some 'reeducation programs' to reprogram my mind, but then they backed out on that and dismissed me from the university. That's my story. That's why I have a personal interest in helping people. Advertisement Child protection charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation operates a helpline (0808 1000 900) and website called Stop it Now! which aims to reduce child abuse by offering those viewing indecent images confidential and anonymous help to stop. A mother has made an emotional plea to doctors to prescribe her son a cannabis derivative to help with debilitating seizures. Hannah Deacon, from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, opened up on This Morning today about her ongoing battle to find a successful treatment for five-year-old Alfie's epilepsy, which has deteriorated since he was diagnosed at eight months old. Deacon, who provides '24/7' care for her son, says that cannabis oil, the use of which is currently banned in the UK, could reduce or even stop the seizures, which see him frequently hospitalised. Scroll down for video Hannah Deacon, from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, broke down on This Morning today as she revealed her frustration at not being able to try cannabis oil to treat her five-year-old son's seizures with support from UK doctors Five-year-old Alfie has had just two hours of school in his reception year because of his devastating seizures, which occur every seven to ten days and need hospital treatment Deacon opened up to This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield about her quest to try and use a derivative of cannabis to help ease her son's genetic condition Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield on the daytime show, Deacon, who also has a two-and-a-half year-old daughter, said the fact she can't use the drug in her son in a controlled manner with support from doctors has left her desperate. The family can't travel abroad to countries where some cannabis oils are legal, including the US and Holland, because her son is currently too ill to travel. She said: ' I don't think you should take your whole family abroad to have help. Basically, my son has no life at the moment.' Deacon added: 'It's in contravention of his human rights. What he goes through, you wouldn't allow an animal to go through... we have to hold him down, we have to put needles in him, he's screaming.' Alfie, who's currently in St Thomas hospital in London, pictured with h is father and younger sister Alfie had his first seizure at eight months old and they've become increasingly more frequent as he's got older The distraught mother-of-two explained her family's plight to This Morning's Dr Raj Singh 'He's not disabled in that he knows what's going on. He's very bright and he's very clever - he knows what these interventions are and it's not right that it's allowed to happen.' The price of the treatment, which is administered under the tongue, is also prohibitive, costing around 300 for a 100ml bottle. Deacon says she's reluctant to try the oil, even if finances and her son's health allowed the family to travel to Holland, without the support of doctors for fear it may turn his current anti-epileptic medication toxic. There have been no randomised, controlled studies on the effectiveness of products related to cannabis when treating seizures, advised This Morning Dr Raj Singh. Alfie first began having seizures at just eight months old and they were infrequent at first. However, when he turned four they began happening every three weeks. Dr Singh explained that while cannabis oil has been found by some to be effective in treating seizures, there have been no intense studies into it, which is why its use remains illegal in the UK Holly Willoughby, clearly moved by Deacon's story, offered a hug mid interview after she wept while recounting the interventions that her and Alfie's dad have to perform when he has a seizure New medication saw him seizure-free for a few months last year but he's currently having one every seven to ten days and each requires a two to three-day stay in hospital. Diagnosed with the genetic disorder PCDHG, which more commonly affects girls, the condition frequently leaves him 'in status' where he'll constantly have seizures unless medical treatment intervenes. A steroid therapy that suppresses his immune system means he's only been to school for two hours in this year. Deacon also reveals that her son has had to sleep in his parents' bed for the last three years. Reaction: Viewers on Twitter said they supported the Deacon family's plea Deacon said: 'It [the drug] may work for my child or it may not work but I've made contact with people in the US and Holland and Ireland and, with support, they are getting results.' On Twitter, many viewers took the Deacons story to their hearts, and said the cannabis derivative should be legalised. @Unicorn1405 wrote: '@thismorning need to legalise #cbd for medical reasons like #epilepsy' @aynsleypower: 'So sad to see that mom so upset not able to have support in giving her son cannabis oil to help him #thismorning #procannabisoil' Investing in EU bonds is investing in the future. We are sowing the seeds today, so we can harvest growth, jobs, and prosperity tomorrow. Their Instagram accounts are flooded with sun-soaked snaps of exotic locations, designer shopping halls and wads of cold hard cash. But while their pictures look as if they could easily belong to the infamous Rich Kids of Instagram, they are in fact showcasing the lives of the high class escorts who flaunt their luxurious lifestyles on social media. Rather than naming themselves escorts or call girls, many of these professional sex workers prefer the more elite sounding title of 'courtesan', and they're not shy about showing off the expensive gifts and cash tips they receive from clients. Coralpinkjade who describes herself as a 'modern courtesan' is one of the many high class escorts flaunting her luxury lifestyle on Instagram Italian male escort Igorgigolotop shows off his gym honed figure on the Amalfi Coast Boston-based Eva Huntington flaunts her figure in the pool on a trip to Palm Beach Male 'gigolos' such as Italiant Igorgigolo who describes himself as an 'elite straight male companion for women' are racking up thousands of followers with their brooding snaps Coralpinkjade, for example, describes herself as a 'modern courtesan, relaxation expert and discreet companion'. Her Instagram shows her soaking up the soon poolside at luxury hotels, enjoying cocktails and dinner and lounging in the Jacuzzi on the rooftop of a client's apartment. 'Some guys have the bestest houses. We set another session for Saturday, at night this time,' she announced. As well as boasting about staying in 'really nice hotels' she's brazenly shared a snap of herself 'counting the cash' in the lobby following an outcall. High class 'courtesans' are flaunting the perks of their lifestyles online, and they're lavish enough to rival the Rich Kids of Instagram Paris-based escort Eva Rodriguez was treated to a designer shopping spree by one of her clients and came back with nude Louboutin heels and a Gucci scarf Ardenmoon takes a spin in a supercar in Vegas As well as demanding premium fees from their clients, high class escorts often receive luxury gifts from their moneyed clients. London escort Abigail Hart, 24, showed off a wad of cash containing at least nine $50 notes, explaining that it was an added sweetener from a client. 'Unexpected Brexit outcome,' she explained. 'My client tipped in dollars because of the exchange rate. God bless USD.' London escort Abigail Hart, 24, showed off a wad of cash containing at least nine $50 notes, explaining that it was an added sweetener from a client Cassandra4you, an 'elite escort and travel companion' based in the UK, also had a good start to her day when a client 'spoiled' her with a huge bunch of roses Paris-based escort Eva Rodriguez was treated to a designer shopping spree by one of her clients and came back with nude Louboutin heels and a Gucci scarf. 'Nothing better than generous men,' she commented. Italian gigolo Igor strikes a moody pose with a female clients as they admire the scenery Globe trotter: The Italian gigolo poses on the bank of the Seine near the Eiffel Tower in Paris International escort Hamish James admires the view from the Sirocco & Sky Bar Lebua, Bangkok Bareclona-based Annaalbabcn who describes herself as an 'unapologetic bonne vivante' captioned this shot of herself sipping a cocktail at a luxury hotel as 'decadence' Coralpinkjade shows off her curves in the pool while staying at a 'really nice hotel' with a client After visiting a client, Coralpinkjades pauses to 'count the cash' in the hotel lobby Coralpinkjade enhoying the view from a rooftop Jacuzzi at a client's apartment Eva Huntington shows off her figure by the pool in very skimpy swimwear Cassandra4you, an 'elite escort and travel companion' based in the UK, also had a good start to her day when a client 'spoiled' her with a huge bunch of roses. Naturally she took the opportunity to show them off by posing naked with them to protect her modesty. And it's not just female escorts who are turning into social media stars. She donated the money from the award to Alliance Against Bullying charity Wore an intricately patented Etro dress and arrived with a black Prada jacket award at Berlingske Hus in Copenhagen, Denmark on Wednesday She was Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has been awarded the Berlingske Foundation Award of Honour. The Australian-born royal accepted the award for her work as a patron of vulnerable groups in society, at the Berlingske Hus in Copenhagen, Denmark on Wednesday. The 44-year-old stunned in an intricately patterned Etro dress and arrived with a black Prada jacket. Scroll down for video The 44-year-old stunned in an intricately patented Etro dress and arrived with a black Prada jacket She wore a purple Quidam clutch and black suede Gianvito Rossi heels She accessorised with a purple Quidam clutch and black suede Gianvito Rossi heels. During the ceremony Berlingske Foundation's chairman Mads Bryde Andersen commended the princess's work. 'A model not only for other role models, but for everyone with a commitment to the society we live in,' Ms Bryde said. Princess Mary donated the 100,000 Danish Krone (11,000 British Pound) that came with the award to the Alliance Against Bullying. The alliance is an anti-bullying group made up of The Mary Foundation, Save the Children and Children's Rights. The annual award is presented to a Dane who has made a significant contribution to politics, business, culture or society. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has been awarded the Berlingske Foundation Award of Honour Sophie, the Countess of Wessex looked in heaven this afternoon as she cooed over youngsters during a visit to the Corporals mess at Ward Barracks, Bulford. The mother-of-two was delighted as she met with the military member's families during her engagement on Wednesday afternoon. The 51-year-old royal was introduced to Fiona Cox and her daughter Thalia whom Sophie scooped into her arms without hesitation. Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, showcased her maternal instincts as she met six-month-old Caleb Tyson during her visit to the Corporal's Mess in Ward Barracks, Bulford She could later be seen beaming at six-month-old Caleb Tyson who seemed equally keen on the Countess. Sophie did not let the side down this afternoon arriving at the barracks in full military garb on Wednesday. The royal wore a pair of sand coloured trousers which complemented her camouflage jacket worn especially for the occasion. The Countess visited the barracks in Salisbury to open the Corporals Mess and greet family members. The Countess visited the barracks to open the mess and meet with family members and she seemed especially delighted by the younger guests This is Sophie's first engagement of 2017 and the first time she has been spotted since attending church on New Year's day. The five Rifles battalion in Bulford have been getting settled after moving from their former barracks in Germany last year. Their relocation is part of a larger scheme to see British soldiers bought back from Europe bases. As the Countess arrived this afternoon she was greeted by members of the barracks who sounded their horns upon her arrival. Band The Killers are squaring off against Panda Express in one of the stranger cases of intellectual property theft. The group took to Twitter on Sunday to share a picture of a fortune that came out of a cookie at the Chinese food chain, which bears a line just a little too similar to one of their songs. 'Smile like you mean it,' reads the fortune - the same phrase as the title of one of The Killers' tunes off of their 2004 album Hot Fuss. Rings a bell: The Killers shared a photo on Twitter showing a fortune cookie bearing a fortune that is the same as the title of one of their hits Taking it lightly: The band shared the photo on Twitter joking that they should get 'orange chicken for life' for use of the phrase Luckily for 'America's favorite Chinese restaurant', the gracious band were ready to make a deal: orange chicken in place of royalties. 'I'm thinkin' orange chicken for life and we'll let you off the hook for using our stuff,' the band joked on Twitter. The post was an instant hit on Twitter, eventually being retweeted more than 13,000 times and attracting hundreds of responses. Target: Panda Express claims to be 'America's favorite Chinese restaurant' Having a laugh: The tweet became a big hit on the social media site, attracting plenty of amused responses Just an idea: Users joked about the situation, with this one putting forward a song name idea Topical: This user modifies some of the band's lyrics to poke fun at the situation 'The band I love most blackmailing the restaurant I hate most...this is one of the most satisfying days of my life,' wrote one user. Another suggested to them: 'Just make your next single "Honey Walnut Shrimp" and call it a wash.' Some users, however, took the tweet possibly a bit too seriously, chastising the band for thinking they 'invented every generic phrase ever'. Putting it out there: The tweet on the band's official account has been shared more than 13,000 times Not smiling: Some social media users didn't get the joke, chastising the band for trying to claim such a phrase Hitting back: Panda Express eventually responded to the claim with a play on the song title 'You don't own the words Smile like you mean it & I think you'd find them hard to copyright tbh,' said one user. Eventually, the restaurant itself did come back with a somewhat disappointing response to the band's proposition on their own account. An English professor from Canada was in for quite a surprise when she ordered a used copy of a book she'd lost years before and ended up receiving her original lost copy in the mail. Gena Zuroski, who teaches at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, used to keep a copy of Consuming Subjects in her office, allowing students to borrow it if they needed. But several years ago, a student presumably walked off with the book and Gena only recently got around to ordering a new copy. In for a major surprise... Gena Zuroski from Ontario lost her copy of Consuming subjects several years ago The English professor ordered a used copy of the book online and was shocked to get her own lost copy in the mail 'Its a wonderful book and I used it heavily while researching my dissertation. Im almost certain I lent it to a student and it just didnt come back, which happens occasionally,' she told BuzzFeed. She'd originally bought the book when she attended Brown University, so it had a Brown Bookstore label. It was also filled with her notes and highlighting. For years, she was left without a copy, but realized before Christmas that it was silly not to replace such a valuable work. 'Its a book I go back to frequently and like to recommend to my students, which is how it escaped me,' she explained. Gena said she lends the book out to her students and one must have walked off with it Traveled a long way... Though she lives in Canada, the book was mailed from St. Louis So she spent $14.45 on a used copy from a third-party seller on Amazon, and experienced quite a shock once it was delivered. The student who walked off with the copy seems to have sold or donated it to Motor City Books in St. Louis, which sold the book online. Gena opened the package and quickly realized this new book was the one she had lost all those years ago. 'When I turned it over, I noticed that the original price sticker on the back looked a lot like the Brown Bookstore label on my own copy,' she said. 'I actually thought for a minute, "What are the chances of my getting another copy of this book from the same original store?"' Work saved: The book, which she bought as a student at Brown University, has all of her highlighting and notes in the margins The chances are actually probably greater than the ones for what actually happened. 'I was completely stunned,' she said. 'I flipped through it and all my underlining and marginalia were there!' Gena went on to share a picture of the book's title page, which has her handwritten name and the date March 2000, on Twitter, where it has been liked more than 10,000 times. from the Trump Organization and her After the press conference, Ivanka confirmed on her Facebook page that she is taking a leave of Tiffany Trump's older siblings spent the morning at Trump Tower, but instead of attending Donald's press conference with her family, the aspiring lawyer was seen walking around New York City. The 23-year-old, who is the President-elect's only child with Marla Maples, was photographed heading to lunch in the West Village after her half-siblings Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric attended Donald's first press conference since his electoral win. While Ivanka, 35, was decked to the nines in a green pencil dress for her appearance at the media event, Tiffany opted for a more casual look to stroll around the city. Enjoying the weather: Tiffany Trump was photographed walking around New York City's West Village on Wednesday afternoon Other plans? Tiffany was absent from her father Donald's press conference that morning The future First Daughter sported skinny jeans and a pale gray wool while enjoying Wednesday's mild winter temperatures. Tiffany kept her long blonde hair down, and accessorized her look with a black leather Yankees cap, a snakeskin handbag, and thigh-high black boots that appeared to be from her sister Ivanka's eponymous fashion line. The University of Pennsylvania graduate, who was recently seen touring Harvard Law School, was also carrying a backpack, a water bottle, and her cellphone, as she walked around. Keeping it casual: The 23-year-old donned a gray wool coat, skinny jeans, black thigh-high boots, and a leather Yankees cap for her day out Style star: Tiffany's half-sister Ivanka, 35, looked glamorous as she left her Park Avenue apartment and headed to Trump Tower on Wednesday morning It's unclear if Tiffany was asked to attend the press conference, which was Donald's first in 167 days. During the event, her father furiously denied he was ever briefed on a dossier of claims passed to intelligence chiefs that he was secretly taped watching degrading sex acts by prostitutes in Moscow. Donald also announced that he was turning over 'complete and total control' of his business to sons Don Jr., 39, and Eric, 33. Meanwhile, Ivanka has stepped down from her role as Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions at the Trump Organization after 11 years with the company, so she could follow her father to the White House during his presidency. Family affair: Tiffany's half siblings Eric, Ivanka, and Donald Jr. (from left to right) attended the media event with Donald All smiles: Ivanka donned an elegant green pencil dress to the press conference, which was Donald's first since he was elected She also sold off all her common stock and resigned from her director position at her fashion line, as she and her family prepare to move to Washington, D.C. After the press conference, Ivanka confirmed her resignation on her Facebook page, explaining that when her father takes office as the 45th President of the United States, she will take a 'formal leave of absence' from The Trump Organization and her eponymous apparel and accessories brand. 'I have appointed Abigail Klem as president to lead my brand. She will work with a board of trustees to manage the strategic and day-to-day operations of the business,' she added. Power couple: Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner has been named Donald's senior adviser and he was also there Wednesday. He is pictured with Steve Bannon at the press conference Media event: Donald announced that he was turning over 'complete and total control' of his business to sons Don Jr., 39, and Eric, 33 'I am confident that under her leadership the company will continue creating smart, solution-oriented product and content. My brothers will oversee The Trump Organization, and I know that in their capable hands the business will thrive.' And while Tiffany missed her father's press conference, she did get to spend some quality time with him over the holidays at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. After celebrating Christmas with her mother Marla in her home state of Georgia, she jetted to Florida for some fun in the son. Look of love: Tiffany rang in 2017 with her boyfriend Ross Mechanic at her father's lavish New Year's Eve bash at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida Feeling casual: Tiffany took to Instagram to share a pictures of herself in Mar-a-Lago before (left) and after the party (right) Donald's youngest daughter rang in 2017 with him at his lavish New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, which was attended by 800 guests. Tiffany's longtime boyfriend Ross Mechanic was among the partygoers, and a few days later she shared a snapshot of them at the event together. In the sweet photo, Ross has his arm wrapped around Tiffany's waist as they pose in front of one of the dining room tables in the ballroom. 'Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2017,' she captioned the image, which sees her in a black and white gown by designer John Paul Ataker. Settling down for a nice hot cuppa in the afternoon is one of lifes simple pleasures. But dont even think about putting the kettle on if you fancy getting a good nights sleep. Even though it may be hours before you think about slipping into your pyjamas, experts say an after-lunch hot drink ruins the chance of a good kip especially in middle age. Even though it may be hours before you think about slipping into your pyjamas, experts say an after-lunch hot drink ruins the chance of a good kip especially in middle age (stock image) Scientists and health professionals say the over-50s should steer clear of tea or coffee after midday because they take longer to absorb stimulants in the beverages. Potential trace amounts of caffeine may remain in the body by nightfall, which can wreck the chances of drifting off. Just two cups of coffee after lunch could leave the equivalent of one cup in the system by 8pm. Younger people, by contrast, are better able to deal with caffeine in the afternoon. The advice comes from the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), which warns that not getting enough sleep can lead to cancer, dementia and depression. Still in the system at 8pm It has come up with a range of sleep-boosting tips for the over-50s, who often find it difficult to get an uninterrupted nights slumber. Advice includes napping for no more than half an hour in the early afternoon and waking up at the same time every day, as well as a warm bath before bed. But as a nation of tea lovers, it is the after-lunch hot drink ban that Britons may find hardest to follow. Professor James Goodwin of charity Age UK, said: As we age, drinking even small amounts of coffee in the afternoon can interfere with both falling and staying asleep, as well as decreasing our ability to maintain our usual sleep pattern. If at 2pm, someone drinks two regular cups of coffee, which is about 200mg of caffeine, the equivalent of one cup will still be present at 8pm and for the body to halve that again will take until about 2am. These effects are less noticeable in younger people and vary greatly from one person to another. The Sleep Council has found as many as four in five people aged 45 to 54 do not sleep well. They can struggle to sleep as deeply, and wake more during the night, as their internal body clock shifts. Older people tend to get more tired early in the evening and staying up late becomes more difficult, but they still need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. The guidance from the GCBH states that being drowsy during the day is not normal for this age group and cites scientific studies that show a lack of sleep damages memory and attention span. The advice includes getting up at the same time every day, for a good sleeping routine, keeping pets and smartphones out of the bedroom and using a soft amber-coloured night light rather than turning on the main light when getting out of bed at night. A warm bath and warm socks can also help combat sleeplessness. On taking 40 winks, the guidance advises to keep them short. It says: Afternoon naps of 30 or minutes or less in the early afternoon are unlikely to disrupt night time sleep. Naps can help older people stay alert until later in the evening than they normally would. However, long, late naps can be hazardous to sleep at night because (they are) likely to decrease the ability to fall asleep and then stay asleep. It advises those who suffer from persistent insomnia or restless sleep to avoid naps altogether. Other tips for a good sleep by the GCBH founded by Age UK and the American Association of Retired Persons include restricting food and drink three hours before going to bed, and not using alcohol as a sleep aid. Nutella's manufacturers have hit out at a landmark report that found one of its ingredients to be cancerous. The chocolate spread relies on palm oil for its smooth texture and considerably long shelf life. However, a report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared it to be more carcinogenic than any other oil, following similar claims by the WHO. Now, since Nutella's profits have taken a 3 percent hit, the manufacturer Ferrero has launched a televised campaign, insisting they use palm oil in a way that is not dangerous. The commercial insists the spread would not be the same without refined palm oil. It does not mention the other compelling factor: since palm oil is the cheapest oil on the market, a switch in ingredients would cost Ferrero an extra $8-22 million a year. Nutella relies on palm oil for its smooth texture and considerably long shelf life. But it is now at the center of a controversy over claims refined palm oil could be carcinogenic WHY COULD REFINED PALM OIL BY CANCEROUS? The detailed EFSA report, published in May 2016, said palm oil is more dangerous than other vegetable oils when refined at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius. High temperatures are used to remove palm oil's natural red color and neutralize its smell. This process, however, causes contaminants called glycidyl fatty acid esters (or, GE) to form. When digested, GE has a tendency to break down and release glycidol, a compound strongly believed to cause tumors. According to a report by the US National Institutes of Health, oral exposure to glycidol has caused tumors at many different tissue sites in lab mice and lab rats. However, Ferrero says it uses an industrial process that combines a temperature of just below 200C and extremely low pressure to minimize contaminants. Advertisement 'Making Nutella without palm oil would produce an inferior substitute for the real product, it would be a step backward,' Ferrero's purchasing manager Vincenzo Tapella said. He features in a TV commercial aired in Italy over the past three months that has drawn criticism from politicians as they call for palm oil to be banned. The detailed EFSA report, published in May 2016, said palm oil is more dangerous than other vegetable oils when refined at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius. High temperatures are used to remove palm oil's natural red color and neutralize its smell. This process, however, causes contaminants called glycidyl fatty acid esters (or, GE) to form. When digested, GE has a tendency to break down and release glycidol, a compound strongly believed to cause tumors. According to a report by the US National Institutes of Health, oral exposure to glycidol has caused tumors at many different tissue sites in lab mice and lab rats. However, Ferrero says it uses an industrial process that combines a temperature of just below 200C and extremely low pressure to minimize contaminants. The process takes longer and costs 20 percent more than high-temperature refining, Ferrero told Reuters. But it said this had allowed it to bring GE levels so low that scientific instruments find it hard to trace the chemical. 'The palm oil used by Ferrero is safe because it comes from freshly squeezed fruits and is processed at controlled temperatures,' Tapella says in the TV ad, which was filmed at the firm's factory in the northern town of Alba and was accompanied by full-page ads in newspapers carrying the same message. It is this 'refining' process that Nutella's makers boast about so fiercely on their website's 'ingredients' section. 'Palm oil is used in Nutella to give the product its creamy texture, as well as to heighten the flavor of its ingredients, thanks to its properties that enable it to have a neutral odor and taste after the refining process,' the website reads. 'Furthermore, it is the best ingredient for giving Nutella the right smoothness, guaranteeing its special spreadability,' it continues. The description even goes as far as to claim palm oil protects consumers from demonic 'trans fats': 'Above all, avoiding the hydrogenation process that would produce otherwise unhealthy trans fats.' It concludes: 'Palm fruit oil also helps to maintain the unique taste of Nutella along its whole shelf life, due to its higher stability to oxidation compared to other vegetable oils.' EFSA does not have the power to make regulations, though officials will be issuing guidance towards the end of the year. Measures could include regulations to limit the level of GE (genetic engineering) in food products, but there will not be a ban on the use of palm oil. The World Health Organization and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization flagged the same potential risk that EFSA had warned of regarding GE, but did not recommend consumers stop eating palm oil. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also has not banned the use of palm oil in food. For now, Ferrero is taking the opportunity to appeal directly to consumers. The hazelnut and chocolate spread, one of Italy's best-known food brands and a popular breakfast treat for children globally, is a dominant voice in the food sector. Ferrero executives are hoping they can use their considerable influence to win over customers. Meanwhile rivals are opportunistically advertising themselves as 'palm oil-free' - possibly spurring the dent in Nutella's sales. Ferrero said in a statement: ' The health and safety of consumers is an absolute and first priority for Ferrero and we confirm that Ferrero products are safe. 'EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has analyzed the presence of contaminants in a large number of products and oils stating that the presence of contaminants depends on the oils and fats used as well as the processes they are subjected to. 'It is for this reason that Ferrero carefully selects quality raw materials and applies specific industrial processes that limit their presence to minimum levels, fully in line with the parameters defined by the EFSA. 'In addition, our Quality teams constantly monitor such factors and guarantee the food safety of our products to the consumer.' A heartbroken mother has released the final picture of her dying 14-month-old son to raise awareness of meningitis. Gaynor McConnell, 33, from Manchester, wants to show other parents the disease doesn't always start with a mottled rash after she lost her son, Cayden, to it. Despite her ordeal, she has decided to publicise the shocking image which shows him lifeless and hooked up to several life support machines. Now, four years on, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have admitted care was below standard after they missed crucial warning signs early on. Gaynor McConnell, 33, has released the final picture of her dying 14 month old son Cayden to raise awareness for meningitis The full-time mother, said: 'I was watching him on the bed and he was lifeless, I knew straight away that something was wrong. 'Since birth Cayden had battled viral infections and flu like symptoms, he'd even battled meningitis once before at four months old. 'He was a real little fighter so when he started to become lethargic in February 2012, I never imagined he was going to die. 'Just a few weeks before he was happy and smiling on the trampoline with me as we took photos together. 'It was incredibly hard to share his final picture but I want to ensure other parents are aware of the symptoms and never take no for an answer.' Cayden was diagnosed with spina bifida - a fault in the development of the spinal cord which leaves a gap or split in the spine - at birth. He had an undiagnosed dermoid tumour in his spine, which his family were told was likely to have caused his two bouts of meningitis. Now, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Addenbrooke's, has admitted liability for Cayden's death. She wants to show other parents that meningitis doesn't always start with a mottled rash after losing her son, Cayden, to the deadly disease Ms McConnell added: 'I trusted the doctors and the specialists looking after Cayden as I thought they knew best, but everything in my gut instinct told me something was seriously wrong. 'He was always ill, having colds and infections, but doctors said this was perfectly normal and just gave him anti-biotics. It was incredibly hard to share his final picture but I want to ensure other parents are aware of the symptoms and never take no for an answer. Gaynor McConnell, 33, from Manchester 'I was made to feel like he was just one of those babies that is often poorly and gets every bug and illness going around. 'I'd already had two boys so knew that babies soon picked up illnesses, but I always felt something was wrong. 'I was even told there was nothing to worry about with the lump at the bottom of his back, but I was never happy. A mum knows best.' Cayden was first taken seriously ill and admitted to hospital at four-months-old after suffering from a fever and not feeding well. Doctors recognised that an external lump at the base of his back had increased in size and meningitis was suspected and diagnosed. Cayden remained in hospital for three months before being discharged home and dying on February 15, 2012 (pictured before diagnosis) Cayden fought the disease, but an MRI scan taken at the time showed an open passage running from the base of his spine to the area of his lump. This is something that should have led doctors to take action at the earliest possible opportunity to prevent a further episode of meningitis, experts say. As part of a legal claim against Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, it was alleged this should have led doctors to investigate and discover that Cayden had a dermoid tumour which needed removing. He failed to improve and despite the tumour eventually being removed by surgery and excess fluid being drained from his brain, he suffered multiple fits over the following weeks. Cayden remained in hospital for three months before being discharged home and dying on February 15, 2012. Ms McConnell, a full-time mother-of-three, said: 'I can never forgive the doctors for how badly they let Cayden down. It is disgusting' Cayden was first taken seriously ill and admitted to hospital at four-months-old after suffering from a fever and not feeding well - this was discovered to be meningitis Ms McConnell said: 'I can never forgive the doctors for how badly they let Cayden down. It is disgusting. 'Losing him was completely heart-breaking and it destroyed and changed two families for the rest of their lives. 'I'm a different person now. It changes you as you can never be the same again. I don't trust people in the same way I used to do.' Renu Daly, specialist medical negligence solicitor at Hudgell Solicitors, said: 'There were clear, basic failings in the care and treatment Cayden received at Addenbrook's Hospital and this ultimately led to him contracting meningitis for a second time in his short life, which killed him. 'The MRI scan taken in April 2011 after Cayden's first episode of meningitis, at the age of four months, clearly showed him to have open tract. 'They should have been aware there and then that there would have also been a dermoid tumour which needed to be removed to prevent further infection. But after beating meningitis once, an MRI scan showed an open passage running from the base of his spine to the area of his lump. This ultimately led to him catching the disease for a second time - which proved fatal, experts say The full-time mother, said: 'I was watching him on the bed and he was lifeless, I knew straight away that something was wrong' 'By the time Cayden attended hospital after contracting meningitis a second time, his chances of survival were virtually obsolete. 'Had doctors performed as they should and taken steps which are basic in terms of handling this sort of situation, Cayden would still be with his family. He would have recently enjoyed his sixth birthday and Christmas with his mother and brothers.' Ms McConnell and Cayden's brothers Kye, 16, Tyler, 13, and Lacey, three, have since started a new life in the Manchester area, but there will always be a huge gap in their lives which can never be filled. She added: 'Losing Cayden has made me feel passionate about the need to better educate parents about meningitis and the many different strains of it, how to look out for them and how dangerous they can be. 'Cayden had the warning signs which sadly the doctors ignored, the rash is often the final symptom and not the first like most parents think. 'It's why I've decided to share pictures of Cayden. He looked like any other boy but he was dying inside. ' Hopefully these pictures will make all other parents think about what happened and not accept doctors dismissing their concerns.' Despite the tumour eventually being removed and excess fluid (the dark ring running around the brain) being drained, he failed to improve Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - which runs Addenbrooke's - has admitted the standard of care provided was below that expected Ms McConnell and Cayden's brothers Kye, 16 (left), Tyler, 13 (right), and sister Lacey, three, have since started a new life in the Manchester area, but there will always be a huge gap in their lives which can never be filled Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has admitted the standard of care provided was below that expected. They further admitted the second episode of meningitis, which ultimately proved fatal for Cayden, would have been prevented with better care. A spokesperson for Cambridge University Hospitals said: 'A formal apology has been made by the Trust to Cayden's family and we are working closely with the family's solicitor to reach a settlement. 'An investigation was carried out and the care given to Cayden fell below the standard he was entitled to expect and led to a second episode of meningitis that sadly proved fatal in 2012. 'We offer our sincere condolences to the family for their terrible loss.' A 16-year-old boy who went to sleep perfectly healthy died from sepsis just hours after waking up the next morning. Adam Tolfree, from Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, was rushed to hospital on Saturday morning after his family became concerned. He had woken up with a rash - a tell-tale sign of the deadly blood infection, throwing up and had a high temperature. But after a short battle he tragically passed away later that evening, reports Cambridge News. Adam Tolfree, from Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, went to bed on Friday evening in good health. But the next morning he woke with a rash and was rushed to hospital - he died just hours later from sepsis In a statement, his family paid tribute to their 'model son' and credited the efforst of staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital who fought to keep him alive. They said: 'He was kind and good hearted and someone who had made a big difference to people's lives, by being there for them when they needed him. He was thoroughly enjoying life. 'The family have drawn great strength and comfort from the extraordinary volume of messages of love and support from so many people. 'At times like this, you realise just how many wonderful, caring people there are. 'We would like to pay tribute to the fantastic efforts of the medical team in A&E at Addenbrooke's Hospital, who battled so hard to save him. 'And also to thank everyone for their kindness and love at such a difficult time.' His family also claim that Adam, who grew up in Zambia and the US, was up to date with all his vaccinations. In a statement, his family paid tribute to their 'model son' and credited the efforst of staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital who fought to keep him alive The student was studying for his A-levels at Long Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge. Friends paid tribute to him after hearing of his sudden death, saying he would be remembered for his 'kindness' and 'loveliness'. Janine Parker said: 'I shall miss this lad so much - his smile, kindness and just general loveliness - thoughts are with all his family.' Georgie Fayee Barton said: 'Having Adam in my life was such a honor... losing him at such a young age... it has absolutely killed me losing you Adam.. I really miss and love you.' And those who did not know the teenager, still expressed great sadness at his death. Charlotte Dyer added: 'So so sad. Too young. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.' Heather Chambers, vice principal at Long Road Sixth Form College where Adam was a student, said: 'Adam was a very positive 16-year-old, who studied psychology, biology and chemistry A-levels. 'He was hard working, had high aspirations and was very well liked and respected by other students and his teachers. 'He was very friendly, with a wide group of friends from both Bassingbourn Village College where he previously studied and Long Road Sixth Form College and they will all miss him.' SIGNS OF SEPSIS UNDER-FIVES High-pitched cries of distress Unresponsive Breathing rate of more than 40 to 60 breaths per minute Heart rate of more than 140 to 160 beats per minute Rash or mottled skin Temperature less than 36C or higher than 38C AGES 5 TO 11 Altered behaviour, complaints of being ill Breathing rate of more than 25 to 29 breaths per minute Heart rate of more than 115 to 130 beats per minute OLDER YOUTHS AND ADULTS Altered mental state Not passed urine in 18 hours Breathing rate of more than 25 breaths a minute Heart rate of more than 130 beats a minute Advertisement His biology teacher added: 'He had a mature personality with good values sometimes only shown by people many years beyond his age.' There will be a celebration of Adam's life to which all his family and friends will be invited. Sepsis affects 150,000 people a year and kills an estimated 44,000, of whom 1,000 are children. It is usually triggered by an infection but escalates rapidly, sparking a vicious immune response in which the body attacks its own vital organs. But despite the severity of the condition, it is very tricky to detect. It can develop rapidly and needs prompt treatment in hospital with antibiotics. Adam's death comes after m inisters agreed to fund a national campaign to raise awareness of sepsis in September. The Daily Mail played a part in their decision after previously revealing the number of children needlessly dying from the infection. Although the signs of sepsis are hard to spot, greater knowledge of some of the symptoms could help people get treatment more quickly, and save lives, they said. In July, an NHS watchdog ordered that doctors and nurses must treat sepsis with the same urgency as heart attacks. They must ask themselves 'could this be sepsis?' whenever they see patients with a rash, high temperature or raised pulse. Many assert that President-elect Donald Trump is against free trade. But standing against the theft of intellectual property and old-fashioned mercantilism, as Trump has promised to do, is an appropriate role for the chief executive. Allowing other countries to cheat us is not free trade. America consistently outperforms the rest of the world in the sphere of intellectual property. People throughout the world identify with American art, music, software, and clothing designs, and benefit from American pharmaceuticals and patents. Yet American intellectual property is routinely stolen. Each year, the United States Trade Representative publishes a report entitled Special 301 Report on intellectual property theftyet does nothing about it. This year Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and Venezuela are the 11 countries on the Priority Watch List. USTR has the most significant concerns regarding insufficient [intellectual property rights] protection or enforcement or actions that otherwise limited market access for persons relying on intellectual property protection. Another 23 countries are on a watch list. Most of the same countries are on the priority watch list year after year. China and several other countries have been on the list for many years. There is no credible punishment from stealing American intellectual property, so countries continue to do it. Theft pays. Intellectual property is stolen when American corporate employees are thrown in prison or harassed in a government shake-down, or when American companies are hauled into foreign courts and accused of stealing their own patents. Sometimes American Internet companies are kicked out a country that fosters its own imitative companies to displace the American ones. In other places, pharmaceuticals are manufactured without license. And by now everyone knows about foreign hackers invading American websites. American businesses have grown inured to intellectual property theft. They expect theft in countries around the world and they cannot fight back because they risk being banned from lucrative markets. The combination of theft and no enforcement reinforce one another, and our government needs to respond. It is not just American businesses that lose, it is also American creators. Millions of Americans create and promote intellectual property. When foreigners copy CDs and sell these pirated copies on the streets, our creators are worse off. Although USTR publishes reports every year identifying American intellectual property theft, it usually does nothing to prevent such theft or punish countries that foster intellectual property theft. America continues to provide full access to American markets for offending countries. Pirate countries have little if any incentive to respect our property. The wonder is not that some countries steal our intellectual property; the wonder is that all countries do not steal our intellectual property given the weakness of our response. Countries may tell us that it is impossible for them to prevent their citizens from copying our goods. But when China, for example, can make book publishers in Hong Kong disappear because it disagrees with the content of the books, it can certainly close down the fake Apple stores. America should take a tough line with countries on the USTRs Section 301 Priority Watch List. Here are five suggestions. 1. We could limit their commercial activities in the United States. Alternatively, we could limit imports of those products with their intellectual propertyor ours. 2. When an American company is being harassed in a foreign country, we could haul the ambassador in and ask what is going on. If China holds up our imports, we could hold up their imports. 3. If the country is on the special watch list, the Commerce Department could request the International Trade Administration do audits of intellectual property protection in those countries. 4. We could limit, and not expand, the commercial activities of countries on that watch list. 5. If a country appears for a second year on the list, the Commerce Secretary could be required to prepare a special report to the President on remedial actions. Our government should be proudly standing up for our companies. It is not free trade when other countries steal our products. And retaliating against theft does not violate the principles of free trade. Diana Furchtgott-Roth is a senior fellow and director of Economics21 at the Manhattan Institute. Follow her on Twitter here. Interested in real economic insights? Want to stay ahead of the competition? Each weekday morning, E21 delivers a short email that includes E21 exclusive commentaries and the latest market news and updates from Washington. Sign up for the E21 Morning Ebrief. Babies made without mothers could come sooner than we think, leading biologists claim. Late last year, a team at the University of Bath discovered that sperm and skin cells - or any other kind of non-egg cell - might be all you need for conception. At the time, they said the scenario of men conceiving with men was 'speculative and fanciful'. But in a new report published today, the top embryologists at Harvard and Brown Universities urge nations to begin contemplating the legal minefield that would surround mother-less babies. 'With science and medicine hurtling forward at breakneck speed, the rapid transformation of reproductive and regenerative medicine may surprise us,' they write. The injection of sperm into a parthenogenote mouse embryo, pictured. If injecting sperm into a mammalian parthenogenote can produce offspring, theoretically at least it should be possible to achieve the same result using mitotic cells not derived from eggs HOW COULD THIS BE USED? Gay men, for instance, could have babies with each other, and a man could even fertilize his own cells to produce offspring containing a mixture of genes inherited from him and his parents. More realistically, the technique could allow women whose fertility has been wiped out by cancer drugs or radiotherapy to have their own children. While eggs can be frozen before cancer therapy and later fertilized in an IVF clinic, currently nothing can be done once they have been lost. Conception using sperm and somatic cells would also aid the preservation of endangered species, since it avoids the need to recover eggs. Advertisement 'Before the inevitable, society will be well advised to strike and maintain a vigorous public conversation on the ethical challenges of IVG [in vitro gametogenesis].' Eggs can be tricked into developing into an embryo without fertilization, but the embryos, called parthenogenotes, die after a few days. Scientists at Bath have developed a method of injecting mouse parthenogenotes with sperm so they can go on in many cases to become healthy pups. Working with mice, the team produced healthy offspring while bypassing the normal process of fertilising an egg cell with sperm. Although the embryos in the experiment started out as egg cells, the experiment raises the prospect that one day they could do the same with adult cells. Writing in Science Translational Medicine, Dr. Eli Adashi of Brown University, I. Glenn Cohen, professor at Harvard Law School, and Dr. George Daley, dean of Harvard Medical School, warn this is something that they have contemplated for a while. 'These things may happen, and it may just be a question of time,' said Dr Adashi, who has been tracking the development of IVG, mostly in Japan and the United Kingdom, since 2005. For years, scientists at their institutions have been looking at the idea of IVG, which holds the promise of radically advancing fertility and the ability to intervene against disease at the pre- or post-embryonic stage. But it also could lead to ethical nightmares - if people become empowered to create and choose among scores of embryos in the pursuit of ideal children, for example. 'There's something troubling about an inexhaustible supply of gametes that can be fertilized into an inexhaustible supply of embryos,' said Dr Adashi, professor of medical science and former dean of medicine and biological sciences at Brown University. Producing sperm or eggs without the need for functioning reproductive organs could help patients for whom reproductive function has been lost. This could be because of chemotherapy or a disease, the authors wrote. HOW SKIN CELL BABIES ARE MADE The discovery that embryos could be made with skin cells was made at the University of Bath. For the experiment, the scientists started off by creating 'parthenogenote' mouse embryos. These are all-female embryos made without sperm by tricking an egg into developing as if it has been fertilised. Mammalian embryos produced this way usually die after a few days because they lack the right programming. But Dr Perry's team of researchers found injecting the parthenogenotes with sperm transformed them into normal embryos that went on to produce healthy offspring. The outcome, reported in the journal Nature Communications, is hugely significant because parthenogenotes share much in common with ordinary cells such as skin cells. In the study, 30 mouse pups were born with a success rate of 24 per cent. This compares with a 1 per cent to 2 per cent success rate for offspring created by the Dolly the Sheep method of cloning by transferring DNA to donated eggs. Some of the mice went on to have offspring themselves, and a number had offspring that went on to have their own pups. Fertility is generally seen as a sign of fitness and good health. Advertisement IVG could also revolutionize in vitro fertilization because it could vastly expand the supply of eggs. Currently they must be drug-induced and then surgically harvested in very small quantities and at great expense. Healthy men have no trouble producing sperm by the millions. But the possibility of an abundant and cheap supply of eggs - made from sloughed skin or a cheek swab - is the most concerning, Dr Adashi said. Future physicians could root out some inherited diseases even before fertilization occurs, the authors wrote. They could also more easily study disease and development at the molecular and cellular level. Two-cell embryos pictured, produced during an experiment by the University of Bath which opened a window to a sci-fi future in which babies are conceived from skin cells. For the experiment, the scientists started off by creating 'parthenogenote' mouse embryos Furthermore, people could also generate personalized embryonic stem cell lines for future medical needs, using existing technology to transfer a nucleus from one of their mature body cells into an enucleated egg cell. But ethical minefields abound - particularly around the idea of 'designer babies'. Many people are adamantly opposed to creating embryos for research or therapeutic use and in an IVG-enabled scenario in which that's done easily in a lab, the ethical questions are magnified. Current U.S. law prohibits public funding for the creation of embryos for research. Clinical uses of IVG will certainly undergo tough regulatory scrutiny in most any country. 'IVG may raise the specter of 'embryo farming' on a scale currently unimagined, which might exacerbate concerns about the devaluation of human life,' Cohen, Daley and Adashi wrote. WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT? If living offspring can be conceived from a parthenogenote mouse embryo, it should also be possible to create babies from skin cells - or cells from other tissue - using the same technique. The work challenges the dogma held for almost 200 years that only eggs fertilised with sperm cells can produce living mammalian offspring. If in future babies can be conceived by injecting ordinary non-egg cells, such as skin cells, with sperm, the ramifications will be huge and highly controversial. But the research is at a very early stage. Difficult obstacles would have to be overcome before the parthenogenotes used by the scientists can be replaced with ordinary cells. The scientists stress that some of the more far-fetched scenarios are 'speculative and fanciful' - but they do not rule them out. They do plan to move on to ordinary cells. Advertisement 'IVG could, depending on its ultimate financial cost, greatly increase the number of embryos from which to select, thus exacerbating concerns about parents selecting for their 'ideal' future child.' In the most speculative scenario, Adashi says IVG might enable single-parent babies, in which one person produces both sperm and egg, leaving no need for a second parent. It's not yet clear, however, that a person can produce the other gender's gametes via IVG. It could be that producing a baby with just one parent's genes - the ultimate in inbreeding - would be to risk the baby's health. Finally, it's even conceivable that people could be made parents without their knowledge or consent. 'Should the law criminalize such an action?' Cohen, Daley and Adashi asked. Allegations that police searching for insurgents beat, sexually assaulted or raped at least 16 tribal women in 2015 are being investigated by authorities in central India. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said preliminary investigations found police raped eight women, molested six, and assaulted two in October 2015, during a search for insurgents in central Chhattisgarh state. The claims came to light on Tuesday after the government was slammed for rights abuses. Central Chhattisgarh is in the grip of Maoist unrest (photo for representation only) The NHRC, a government body, suggested there could be more 'victims' of police abuse as it has yet to record statements from about 20 other women with similar allegations of violence by security personnel. Chhattisgarh's Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra said he was aware of the NHRC investigation, adding that state's Crime Investigation Department (CID) was probing the incident. 'Let us wait for their report. Strict action will be taken if anyone is found to be guilty,' Paikra told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from Raipur, Chhattisgarh's capital. Indian soldiers and police patrol the area in the search for insurgents (photo for representation only) Chhattisgarh is one of India's poorest and most troubled regions. A decades-old Maoist insurgency - waged mostly in vast, mineral-rich forests by rebels who say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and landless - has left villagers caught between militants and security forces. Both sides are accused of abuses against impoverished tribal communities. Security forces are blamed for extrajudicial killings, sexual assault and arson, while rebels are accused of recruiting children, extortion, kidnappings and killing villagers suspected of being informants. Indian Maoists in the Bijapur District in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh ready their weapons (photo for representation only) The NHRC said it was prompted to investigate the incident following a news report that police had sexually harassed and assaulted more than 40 women and gang-raped at least two while passing through five villages in Bijapur district from October 19 to 24, 2015. The commission said Chhattisgarh security personnel had 'grossly violated' human rights, and called on the state government to probe the incident within a month, report its findings, and consider paying compensation to the victims. A senior CID official said the probe could take at least a few months as investigators needed to trace victims, most of whom live in remote forests with security risks due to the presence of Maoist rebels. 'The task of tracing the women and bringing them from their villages to the court to record their statements is a daunting task,' said CID Inspector General HK Rathore. Text alerts will now be sent to doctors to remind them to ask for organ donations in a bid to solve the shortage in the country which has fuelled a black market trade. The nationwide campaign Poochna Mat Bhoolo - which means 'don't forget to ask' in Hindi - will target 300,000 doctors and is the latest in a string of awareness campaigns in the country. Doctors will now be prompted to ask families of the deceased to consider donating their organs. Text alerts to be sent out as many as 300,000 doctors as part of a nationwide campaign Poochna Mat Bhoolo to encourage more organ donations The new initiative comes after a kidney racket involving a poor woman was busted in a top Mumbai hospital last year. According to government data, 200,000 people are on a waiting list for kidneys in India and 30,000 currently await a liver. Legal donations meet about 3 to 5 percent of the demand. 'Families don't remember to donate organs when a loved one dies, or it's too late by the time they do. So we are reminding doctors to speak to them immediately after a death,' said Krishan Kumar Aggarwal, president of the Indian Medical Association, which launched the drive. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj underwent a successful kidney transplant last month 'Human trafficking for organs will stop if cadaver organ donations pick up.' Commercial trade in organs is illegal in India. Donations to a patient by a close relative are allowed but are few in number. Some waiting patients, in desperation, seek the services of middlemen to arrange organs for money. The middlemen scout villages for potential donors, whom they sometimes lure with money and false promises of a job in the city. The drive to encourage doctors to help ask for organ donation comes after a kidney racket was uncovered in Mumbai hospital last year 'Organ failures are commonly caused by lifestyle diseases and most often affect the rich, which leads to the possibility of exploitation of the poor,' Anil Kumar, who heads India's organ transplant programme, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Kumar's department has been alerted to various forms of organ trade - from people posting advertisements on websites offering money to donors, to kidnappings for organs, as well as people from Nepal trying to sell organs in India to rebuild their homes after the earthquake. Campaigners say the organ supply-demand gap can be bridged if doctors, particularly those in intensive care units of major hospitals, are sensitised to counsel families to donate organs. The Poochna mat Bhoolo campaign is critical as it would have doctors speak to families, eliminating middlemen. A transgender model will become the first to walk the catwalk at one of India's premier fashion events next month - a year after she was turned down for the show. Anjali Lama, who is from Nepal, will appear at the Lakme Fashion Week, which she first auditioned for last year, in a sign of greater acceptance of a community that is ostracised despite recent laws ensuring their protection and more opportunities. The model, aged 32, will showcase fashion for several leading designers at the show running from February 1 to February 5 in Mumbai. Anjali Lama, who is from Nepal, will appear at the Lakme Fashion Week, which she first auditioned for last year 'It wasn't easy for me in the early days when there was so much rejection and discrimination,' Lama told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. 'Now I am getting an overwhelming response from the fashion industry after being selected, and other transgender people tell me they are proud of me.' Born Nabin Waiba Tamang, Lama said she took the name Anjali, a common name in India and Nepal, after a transgender friend suggested it. Lama joined a modelling academy in Kathmandu, but did not come out to her family. A landmark judgment in 2014 at India's Supreme Court ruled that transgender people had equal rights under the law, and granted legal status to the third gender - but they continue to face discrimination When someone from her village found out Lama was living as a transgender woman and told her family, they cut ties with her and told her that she had let them down. 'My mother, to some extent, was more accepting but there really wasn't much awareness then,' Lama said. 'There is more awareness and acceptance now in Nepal, and that has helped more people like me to come out,' she said. Nepal emerged from a decade of conflict against Maoist rebels in 2006 after which it began to acknowledge the rights of the country's LGBT community. India's first transgender music group, 6 Pack Band, is popular throughout the country In 2007, the country's Supreme Court ruled that citizens were entitled to select their gender identity. Nepal granted protections to LGBT people in its new Constitution and began issuing passports with a third gender category in 2015, one of only a handful of countries to do so. Still, discrimination and abuse persist, and jobs are hard to come by. But many believe that India still has a long way to go in ensuring that transgender people have equal access to jobs and education In India, transgender people are eligible for quotas in jobs and educational institutions. They are even getting a boost from Bollywood films, with a pop band of transgender women featuring on the soundtrack of a Hindi movie last year. The Lakme Fashion Week is committed to inclusivity and breaking stereotypes in gender, size and beauty, said Jaspreet Chandok, fashion head at IMG Reliance, an organiser of the event. The Modi government never pushed former L-G Najeeb Jung to act against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal even as Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) indulged in alleged 'nepotism, favouritism and cheating'. These damning claims were made on Wednesday by the former lieutenant governor, who also clarified he had asked the PM to let him 'move on' on several occasions, but Modi gave his endorsement only the third time. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV's Karan Thapar, Jung tried to clear the air over the circumstances of his exit. In his first no-holes-barred interview to India Today TV, former L-G calls Delhi CM an 'inexperienced man in a hurry' 'Life has its own chapters and phases. It (as L-G) was an interesting phase and now it is over,' he said, adding that he had 'absolutely no' idea what he was going to do next. On being asked why he had such a fractious and publicly acrimonious relationship with the Delhi government, Jung squarely blamed the CM. 'I think on Mr Kejriwal's side it was exuberance of age, perhaps a bit of inexperience and an approach that you have overwhelming majority and you could do as you please,' said Jung. 'He is a young man in a hurry to perform; perhaps with time it will get tempered.' The Kejriwal government has been jostling with the Centre for control on land, police and administrative powers over the bureaucracy that is currently in the hands of the L-G who reports to the union home ministry. Coming to the report submitted by the Shunglu Committee which he appointed, Jung said: 'A large number of decisions were taken in the previous one and a half years that were not strictly legal or constitutional.' Kejriwal had alleged that the panel set up by the L-G to examine key decisions of the AAP government since it took power in February 2015 was looking to frame deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Explaining the functioning of the body, Jung also clarified that files were sent by the secretaries 'where they thought wrong decisions were taken'. 'It was admittance by the secretaries and ministers that they had acted illegally.' Jung said the CBI was looking at several files under charges of 'cheating, nepotism'. 'These are cases of malfeasance which are punishable under the criminal code of procedures.' DCW Chief Swati Maliwal during a Press Conference After Anti-Corruption Branch is conducting a raid at Delhi Commission for Women Over Kejriwal's wife's relative Nikunj Agrawal, Jung said he was first appointed irregularly as resident doctor at a hospital, then made officer on special duty in the office of health minister Satyendra Jain and then irregularly sent to China and later to IIM-Ahmedabad. 'This is irregular. This smacks of nepotism, gross favouritism and violates Article 16 of the Constitution. CBI has registered an FIR,' Jung said. Coming to the case of Soumya Jain, daughter of Satyendra Jain, Jung said, 'She is an architect and wrote to her father that she will advise on construction of mohalla clinics; she is appointed. Three bus drivers in Paraguay have had their hands nailed to a cross as part of a hunger strike after they 'unjustly' lost their jobs. Elvio Cristaldo and Eligio Martinez decided to crucify themselves in San Lorenzo, a suburb of the capital city Asuncion, after they were sacked for refusing to work fewer hours. Clemente Lovera has even had his mouth sewn shut and is starving himself until he is allowed to return to his position. Clemente Lovera, 29, lies still, his lips sewn together with wire and his hands nailed to a wooden cross. The father-of-two is being force-fed liquid food through a straw Radicalized: Justin Kaliebe was just 16 in 2011 when he converted from Catholicism to Islam and swore jihad on the US. The FBI tailed him for 18 years, arresting him in 2013 At 18 years old, high-school student Justin Kaliebe swore allegiance to al-Qaida. On Tuesday, in a court in Central Islip, New York, the now-22-year-old man broke down in tears as he was told he would face 13 years in prison. 'I am not the monster that the government says I am,' Justin Kaliebe told US District Court Judge Denis Hurley before being sentenced. 'I never intended to hurt anyone. That's not who I am.' Keliebe was seen on surveillance video proclaiming his commitment to jihad in 2013. He told Hurley judge that he was a disillusioned and immature high school student at the time he plotted to join the terrorist organization. But the judge said that while Kaliebe is 'a nice young man', his offense 'is very serious.' 'He was radicalized to the Nth degree,' he said. 'He was a very dangerous individual. People who engage in this type of activity ... must recognize that serious consequences will follow.' Kaliebe also faces 20 years of post-release supervision. Kaliebe was just 16 years old when he converted from Roman Catholicism to Islam and ended up on the radar of undercover agents on the hunt for would-be radicals on suburban Long Island. FBI agents and New York City police officers watched him for 18 months before swooping as the youth attempted to board a plane to Yemen at John F Kennedy International Airport. Had he made the journey, he planned to join the militant group al-Qaida. Filmed: Kaliebe (seen in 2013 FBI footage) wanted to fly to Yemen to join al-Qaida. An FBI agent tried to convince him not to but he refused. He was arrested in 2013 in JFK airport Kaliebe pleaded guilty within a month of his arrest, but his sentencing was delayed for four years while the court decided whether he understood the gravity of his crime. He said Tuesday that he has renounced Islam, received his high school diploma while in prison and teaches fellow inmates to read. Kaliebe's attorney also argued that the young man has Asperger's syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum, and had developmental and psychological issues and a troubled home life. 'He may have committed himself to a violent cause, but he's not a violent man,' said the attorney, Anthony La Pinta, who pleaded with the judge to 'temper justice with mercy.' The judge, who noted that Kaliebe appeared to be 'basically a nice young man,' could have sentenced him to 30 years. Federal prosecutors asked for a 24-year sentence, conceding that Kaliebe had psychological, physical and emotional issues but arguing a stiff sentence needed to serve as a deterrent to society. They said the undercover agents interacting with Kaliebe made video recordings of him talking admiringly about Anwar al-Awlaki and Osama bin Laden as leaders who 'bore witness to the truth with their blood.' Just days before Kaliebe's arrest, he pledged in one of those secretly recorded conversations that he would rather go to prison than abandon his plan to join Islamic militants. 'One of my highest goals in life is to fight with the mujahedeen,' he said. 'And I define victory as martyrdom ... or victory on the ground.' Sentenced: Now 22, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison Tuesday despite renouncing Islam and allegedly reforming his character. The judge said he was 'nice' but his crime was 'serious' When the agent asked Kaliebe to reconsider and stay home, Kaliebe refused. 'If the cops were to come right now and would force me out of this car and arrest me, it would still be better for me to go to prison than for me to stay here and live a life, a demeaning life,' he said. Kaliebe briefly cooperated with prosecutors after his arrest but then declined to help in their investigation of another Long Island man, Marcos Alonso Zea. He ultimately was convicted of helping the teen develop his plan to link up with militants in Yemen. Zea is now serving 25 years. His attorney said Tuesday that Kaliebe stopped cooperating after being warned in prison that informants could face retribution from fellow inmates. In a letter to the judge, prosecutors conceded that Kaliebe had painful childhood experiences, but they said he knew what he was doing when he allied himself with Zea, an extremist. They said the teenager willingly chose a violent path and knew what he faced if arrested. Sunrise host David Koch has slammed politicians for spending taxpayer's dollars on exclusive events and lavish holidays and says it would be like him taking his family away and charging channel seven. The Australian television personality explained why taxpayer are so furious over recent spending allegations which have seen MPs claim thousands on private flights and 'work functions' abroad. Julie Bishop has been caught up in the latest travel scandal with the senior politician claiming $2716 to go to the polo with her partner. Sunrise presenter David Koch, pictured here with wife Libby and their grand-children, says he 'would be fired' if he spent 'network seven's money like politicians spend taxpayer's money Koch was speaking with prominent right-wing politicians Pauline Hanson and David Leyonhjelm when he made the comparison after a poll found 97 per cent of people thin MPs need their travel allowances cut 'If I charged Channel 7 for taking the family to Ayers Rock, to Uluru I would be fired for that,' Koch said. 'When MPs are caught stealing from us as taxpayers there are virtually no consequences.' Koch was speaking with prominent right-wing politicians Pauline Hanson and David Leyonhjelm when he made the comparison after a poll found 97 per cent of people thin MPs need their travel allowances cut. Ms Hanson agreed more needed to be done to keep the politicians from 'rorting' the system. 'Every politician must be investigated,' Ms Hanson said. 'There has to be accountability when we sign off our travel,' she said. The controversial One Nation senator then revealed she had to pay for a recent work trip to Norfolk Island despite claiming she had 'back to back' meetings while she was there. 'It was knocked back so I paid for my own trip and accommodation. 'So I thought it was in a process that. But apparently it is not.' Ms Hanson is calling for all politicians to be investigated over spending The television personality made the comparison as an explanation to why Australians are so angry with MPs for overspending Liberal Democrat Senator Mr Leyonhjelm claimed politicians can't win. 'People say ''you live in an ivory tower and you need to get out more and meet ordinary people and stop with your silly ideas''. 'So you go out more and then they go look you are going out ans spending all our money you shouldn't do that either.' Though he did admit judgement was a major problem - with people claiming allowances for events not crucial to their work. 'People say ''you live in an ivory tower and you need to get out more and meet ordinary people and stop with your silly ideas'',' Mr Leyonhjelm said The televised debate comes after fresh claims embattled health minister Sussan Ley abused the allowance system. Taxpayers paid Ley to fly to Canberra after attending a socialite's wedding with multimillionaire businesswoman and Liberal Party donor Sarina Russo. The Liberal frontbencher, who temporarily stepped down as health minister on Monday, attended the Gold Coast wedding of Angelique Boyce with Ms Russo in May 2015 - the same month she purchased a $795,000 luxury apartment while on a taxpayer-funded trip. Koch outlined the recent spending of Julie Bishop before the debate There are also reports Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop charged the Australian people $2,716 to go to the polo with her partner. The Liberal Deputy Leader was invited to last year's Portsea Polo by event sponsors Jeep and Peroni. She was seen relaxing in a Mercedes Benz VIP marquee with her partner, David Panton, and did not appear to be working as she chilled in a sunhat and sandals. But Ms Bishop billed taxpayers $2,715.86 for the trip, including flights from Sydney to Melbourne and then back to Perth. The debate on Sunrise ended with Ms Hanson claiming she will always be accountable for 'every dollar' she spends. A mother and ex-Marine allegedly killed her nine-year-old daughter before taking her own life in an alleged murder-suicide in Florida. Ericka Joseph and her daugher Akili were found at Joseph's home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida around 5.30am yesterday. Authorities confirmed they were treating the deaths as a murder-suicide. Scroll down for video Ericka Joseph, left, allegedly killed her nine-year-old daughter Akili, right, before taking her own life in an elleged murder-suicide in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Authorities wheel the bodies of Ericka Joseph, 46, and her daughter Akili, 9, out of Joseph's Fort Lauderdale home Akili was due to fly back to Bogota, Colombia with her father, Joseph's ex-husband, who had custody of the girl. He had been in Fort Lauderdale and had eaten dinner with Akili the night before, WSVN reported. But when he came to pick her up the following morning to head back to Colombia, no one answered the door. He then contacted a family member who then discovered the pair dead in a bedroom, CBS Local reported. Joseph closed her home's hurricane shutters the night before the killings, neighbors said Akili was due to fly back to Bogota, Colombia with her father, Joseph's ex-husband, who had custody of the girl. Pictured: Joseph's home Information later emerged that neighbors had seen Joseph close her home's hurricane shutters late the night before despite no storm warning. This would have muffled any unusual noises coming from the home. Neighbors said they heard screaming and gunshots from the home earlier this morning, local10 reported. Neighbors said they heard screaming and gunshots from the home earlier this morning. The bodies of Akili, left, and Ericka, right, were found around 5.30am this morning Akili had eaten dinner with her father the night before and was due to fly back to Colombia with him Family members couldn't think of any warning signs following the deaths of Ericka Joseph, 46, and her daughter Akili. Joseph's brother Tony Williams said she seemed to be transitioning from her military life to civilian life well. He told WSVN: 'It's a rough transition, but she was coping with that very well, we thought.' He added: 'She might have been battling something that was unknown to the family at this time, which now caused a great tragedy.' A former sailor sentenced to one year in jail for mishandling classified information is pleading to President-elect Donald Trump to pardon him for his crime. Kristian Saucier of Arlington, Vermont, was sentenced to a year in prison for taking photos of classified areas inside a nuclear attack submarine despite his pleas that it was similar to how Hillary Clinton used a private server to send classified emails. Saucier appeared in federal court in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in August where a judge also ordered him to serve six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring during a three-year period of supervised release after the prison time. He pleaded guilty in May to unauthorized detention of defense information and had faced five to six years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. Kristian Saucier of Arlington, Vermont, was sentenced to a year in prison for taking photos of classified areas inside a nuclear attack submarine despite his pleas that it was similar to how Hillary Clinton used a private server to send classified emails Kristian Saucier, above, was a 22-year-old sailor on the USS Alexandria when he took photos of classified areas in the sub, he said to show them to his kids one day He also did not cooperate with the investigation into his misconduct - destroying a laptop and an SD card following an interview with the FBI. He wrote in a petition filed to the White House on Monday: 'While my conduct in taking the six photos was admittedly wrong and without excuse, the Department of Justice's heavy-handed response to my misconduct was certainly a product of the scrutiny brought about by a fervent political climate and not by the gravity of my misconduct.' 'Indeed, if not for the high level of the Clinton misconduct and the lengthy presidential campaign process, there can be no doubt that my far less egregious acts of taking six photos of my work station would have otherwise been received with a significantly lower form of punishment.' Saucier wrote: 'While my conduct in taking the six photos was admittedly wrong and without excuse, the Department of Justice's heavy-handed response to my misconduct was certainly a product of the scrutiny brought about by a fervent political climate' Saucier felt his punishment was heavy-handed due to how he felt Hillary Clinton, left, was treated over her use of a private email server. He hopes Donald Trump, right, will pardon him. Saucier was prosecuted more aggressively than other sailors caught doing the same thing, perhaps because he destroyed the evidence Sauciers attorney Jeffrey Addicott told the Navy Times that he hopes Trump will be sympathetic to his client's case. He said: 'The reason this case cries out for clemency and pardon is just the gross injustice. 'This is a matter of justice and justice isnt just about whether you are guilty or not hes admitted that. 'Its about the punishment as well.' The pictures were taken aboard the USS Alexandria, showing the nuclear reactor compartment, the auxiliary steam propulsion panel and the maneuvering compartment Saucier admitted to taking six photos of classified areas inside the USS Alexandria in 2009 when it was in Groton and he was a 22-year-old machinist mate on the submarine. The photos showed the nuclear reactor compartment, the auxiliary steam propulsion panel and the maneuvering compartment, prosecutors said. Kristian Sauciers attorneys tried working a Hillary Clinton angle, arguing that the Democratic presidential nominee had been 'engaging in acts similar to Mr. Saucier' with information of much higher classification, according to US News. The filing said it would be 'unjust and unfair for Mr. Saucier to receive any sentence other than probation for a crime those more powerful than him will likely avoid,' attorney Derrick Hogan wrote, according to the outlet. Prosecutors said 'Saucier methodically documented the entire propulsion system of the nuclear submarine, including the design of the nuclear compartment and nuclear reactor' Saucier took the photos knowing they were classified, but did so only to be able to show his family and future children what he did while he was in the Navy, his lawyers said. He denied sharing the photos with any unauthorized recipient. 'It was a foolish mistake by a very young man,' his lawyer, Greg Rinckey, said after the sentencing. 'It's a very sad case because Kristian Saucier is a fine young man. We don't believe this was really his true character.' Saucier is expected to receive an 'other than honorable' discharge from the Navy next month, Rinckey said. He is to report to prison on October 12. Saucier was serving on board the USS Alexandria, right, when he took the images Saucier was sentenced to one year in prison and a $100 fine, along with six months home confinement, 100 hours of community service and a ban on owning guns, his legal team says. Calling for a significant sentence, prosecutors said: 'During the course of the investigation, at no time did the defendant admit or take responsibility for his conduct and did not truthfully disclose the salient facts, or engage in a meaningful debriefing of his conduct.' Early in the investigation, Saucier claimed his ex-wife 'could have had one of his shipmates take the photographs, given the LG phone to Band, and had Brandt turn in the LG phone to NCIS in order to get him into trouble'. Saucier took the photos knowing they were classified, but did so only to be able to show his family and future children what he did while he was in the Navy, his lawyers said Saucier was sentenced to one year in prison - his lawyers wanted probation According to court documents: 'Saucier methodically documented the entire propulsion system of the nuclear submarine, including the design of its nuclear compartment and its nuclear reactor. 'Moreover, the defendant is grasping at highly imaginative and speculative straws in trying to further draw a comparison to the matter of Secretary Hillary Clinton based on virtually no understanding and knowledge of the facts involved, the information at issue, not to mention any issues of intent and knowledge.' Despite the seemingly harsh sentence, Rinckey said 'We're very pleased.' But he added, comparing the outcome to that of Clinton's, 'It could be argued here that depending on what your name is, that's the type of justice you get in the United States.' A former sailor who worked with Saucier, Gene Pitcher, told Politico, 'I just dont think its fair. In reality, what [Clinton] did is so much worse than what Kris did. ... I think its just a blatant double standard.' Experts have said that Saucier was prosecuted more aggressively than he would have been if he hadn't destroyed evidence, including a laptop, camera and memory card He added that he had seen other sailors get in trouble for taking photos, but that they usually just lost pay or rank, and Saucier is the only one he's seen prosecuted. 'Felony charges appear to be reserved for people of the lowest ranks. Everyone else who does it either doesnt get charged or gets charged with a misdemeanor,' Edward MacMahon, a Virginia defense attorney not involved in the Saucier case, told Politico. A big difference in the two cases, experts point out, is that Clinton's material was not marked classified when she sent it, whereas Saucier admitted he knew the places he photographed were classified, said the outlet. Part of the reason Saucier may have been treated so aggressively is the way he handled being found out - initially denying he'd taken any pictures, and then destroying his laptop computer, a camera and a memory card after an interview with the FBI in 2012. It's happened to all of us starting a dinner party with a glass of wine means, inevitably, ending it with a huge dessert and most of the cheeseboard. But dont beat yourself up about giving into temptation after a drink or two as scientists have found that alcohol really does make you hungrier. The aperitif effect is nothing to do with overindulgence, but your brain being tricked by the alcohol into entering starvation mode. Scientists have found that alcohol does make you hungrier as it tricks your brain to enter into 'starvation' mode (stock image) It should have the opposite effect, with a glass of red wine containing 160 calories. However, according to the British study led by Londons Francis Crick Institute, the alcohol fires up neurons in the brain normally activated by starvation. This pathway in the brain can be blamed for the increase in appetite which can see us say yes to dessert after a cocktail or two. The previous popular explanation was a loss of self-control, with someone who has said yes to a glass of wine likely also to disregard the social rules on over-eating. The researchers found the ethanol in alcoholic drinks activated so-called AgRP neurons in brain slices taken from mice. These neurons are normally activated by starvation and evoke intense hunger. When fed the equivalent of around two bottles of wine in human terms over three days, mice ate up to a fifth more food. Blocking the neurons activity stopped the mice from over-eating, suggesting staying away from alcohol could have the same effect. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, states: Drinking an aperitif to stimulate appetite has been mentioned as a human practice since at least the 5th century AD. Modern studies confirm that alcohol intake acutely stimulates eating, and correlates with obesity. It should have the opposite effect, as a glass of red wine contains 160 calories. But this is not the case The study presents the latest evidence that overeating is caused by the brain, and provides an alternative explanation to hedonic hunger where someone eats for pleasure rather than need. Responding to the findings, Dr Tony Goldstone, from the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London, said: This explains the aperitif effect where people eat more when they have had some alcohol. The study shows it is not just a social effect. It was also previously thought that drinking alcohol could simply inhibit your ability to say no to food. However, this study shows that an important starvation pathway in the brain is activated by alcohol. This is a paradoxical effect even when someone is not starving and has just consumed alcohol which contains calories. We do not yet know what possible evolutionary advantage there could be for this. The test used was an alcoholic weekend test, where mice were given alcohol at doses that are the equivalent of around 18 units (UK measurements) for three days. on the warrant that listed the wrong address Hundreds of puppies, six cats and one horse that were seized last week over 'horrendous conditions of neglect' must now be returned to their owner. A Houston judge ordered more than 150 animals to be returned to Puppy-Dogs-R-Us owners by Wednesday, despite that animals were 'abandoned, neglected and starved'. The case in Liberty County, Texas, was dismissed due to a technicality in the warrant that had the wrong address listed on it. Hundreds of puppies, six cats and one horse seized last week over 'horrendous conditions of neglect' at a facility near Houston, Texas. A judge ordered they must be returned to Puppy-Dogs-R-Us by Wednesday An officer said the animals were 'virtually abandoned on the outskirts of the property without food, clean water, care or human interaction for weeks' Animals at Puppy-Dogs-R-Us in Dayton, Texas, were abandoned on the property and had not seen human interaction in three weeks, according to Capt. Ken DeFoor of the Liberty County Sheriff's Department. Dogs and cats stood on top of wire crates and kennels to escape their own waste on the floor, according to the SPCA. DeFoor said to Dayton News that the facility was 'horrendous' and animals were 'virtually abandoned on the outskirts of the property without food, clean water, care or human interaction for weeks'. The conditions on the 20-acre facility were described as 'horrendous' and dogs stood on top of their kennels to avoid the ground covered in waste Puppy-Dogs-R-Us had been under investigation since 2009 and had received several warnings from the SPCA and the sheriff's office over the past years Puppy-Dogs-R-Us had been under investigation since 2009 and received several warnings from the SPCA and the sheriff's office over the past years. On the 20-acre property animals were kept in 'a hot metal shed over the summer', and some 'kept in the house, which was full of flies,' DeFoor added. The SPCA and the Liberty County Sheriffs Office will monitor the facility and investigate any further apparent violations regarding abused animals. The SPCA and the Liberty County Sheriffs Office will monitor the facility and investigate any further apparent violations regarding abused animals Six cats were rescued from the facility A federal politician has reduced childcare workers' jobs to merely 'wiping noses and stopping the kids from killing each other'. Senator David Leyonhjelm made the controversial comments during his appearance on Channel Ten show The Project on Tuesday night. The Liberal Democrat explained he would not support a childcare reform, which he estimated would cost the Australian Government upwards of three billion dollars of borrowed money. Scroll down for video. Federal Senator David Leyonhjelm made the controversial comments during his appearance on Channel Ten show The Project on Tuesday night He argued childcare costs were rising because of over-regulation of the industry, and the training and study requirements unnecessarily placed on childcare workers. 'Apart from the fact you want to make sure there aren't any paedophiles involved, you have to have credentials these days to be a childcare worker,' he said. 'A lot of women, mostly women, used to look after kids in childcare centres. 'Then they brought in this national quality framework and they had to go and get a certificate three in childcare in order to continue doing the job they were doing. 'You know, wiping noses and stopping each other from killing each other.' 'You know, wiping noses and stopping each other from killing each other,' Mr Leyonhjelm said Senator Leyonhjelm appears on Sunrise to explain his comments, but does not retract his statement David Koch (centre) asks Mr Leyonhjelm if he is 'embarrassed' about the comments he made Tuesday night Mr Leyonhjelm explained he would only support a childcare reform if required credentials for workers were wound back to reduce costs. 'You know, wiping noses and stopping kids from killing each other.' His comments sparked outrage from viewers across the country, even prompting Channel Seven morning show Sunrise to bring him back into the spotlight and ask him to explain his comments. Presenter David Koch asked him: 'Are you embarrassed?' Mr Leyonhjelm defended his Tuesday night comments when he appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise on Wednesday morning Mr Leyonhjelm defended what he said on Tuesday night saying: 'You don't need a certificate and 18 months study to wipe children's noses and stop them from killing each other'. Further explaining his argument, he said: 'That's why it's so expensive. Childcare costs are going up because of over-regulation'. One Nation Party Leader Pauline Hanson chimed in to support the senator's comments. 'I'm with David on this one, he's right. I've been a mother of four children, I didn't need a certificate to rear my children,' she said. 'The rising costs, we cannot afford it, it needs an investigation.' 'I'm with David on this one, he's right. I've been a mother of four children, I didn't need a certificate to rear my children,' Pauline Hanson said Not everyone supported Mr Leyonhjelm's sentiments however. He was slammed on social media platforms with people claiming he did not understand the importance of a childcare worker's job. 'Senator David Leyonhjelm what an absolute jerk. Early childhood educators shape lives. Your interview tonight was beyond disrespectful,' one woman said. 'Bl**dy moron Leyonhjelm, you need qualified professionals in childcare and not any person. All research is that quality educated professionals make a difference,' another said. The backlash continued, with the majority of people disagreeing with the senator's comments and hitting back at his apparent lack of understanding of the job. 'Disgraceful comments. What would Leonhjelm know about childcare workers? Mugshot: Orien Greene, 34, is seen here after his arrest Monday morning for allegedly entering the homes of two Florida women, aged 56 and 40, and molesting one of them Former Celtics guard Orien Greene has been arrested on suspicion of illegally entering into two homes in his girlfriend's Florida neighborhood, then peeping on the sleeping women inside - and molesting one of them. Greene, 34, was picked up by Pembroke Pines police Monday after entering the two homes near Flamingo West Drive, both of which had been left unlocked. The player is then alleged to have stared at the first woman as she slept, but actively kissed and 'rubbed the buttocks' of the second woman, according to a police report obtained by TMZ. Exactly what Greene had been doing prior to the alleged trespasses is not clear. But according to police, early on Monday morning he entered the home of a 56-year-old woman and went to the master bedroom, where he watched her sleeping. He then left and went to a second home right across the road and found a second woman, aged 40, who was also asleep. The player allegedly kissed the sleeping woman on the neck and 'rubbed her butt', the report said. After she woke up and began to shout at the intruder, Greene reportedly fled the scene and went to his girlfriend's house, which is nearby. Greene was arrested and booked on charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor battery. The women are 'in fear of their lives', WSVN reported. A neighbor told the station: 'It's ridiculous because I feel bad. We even pay for our guards and everything.' 'I'm sorry to say that, but if it's like that, how can we feel safe anymore? It's really scary.' Greene was bailed on $30,000 bond and fitted with an ankle monitor. He has been told not to contact the victims. The former pro was a second-draft pick for the Boston Celtics in 2005 but was later waived and picked up by the Indiana Pacers. He has also played with the Sacramento Kings and a number of non-US teams. In 2010 he received a two-year ban, backdated to 2009, for trying to cheat drug tests. Russia has denied 'completely fake' allegations that it has a blackmail file on Donald Trump containing footage of him watching prostitutes in a Moscow hotel bed. U.S. officials allegedly included a two-page synopsis of 'kompromat' Russian for compromising material as part of their security briefing of Trump on Friday. The material, described by Trump as 'fake' and a 'political witch hunt', was based on memos compiled by a British intelligence operative who was considered 'credible' by the U.S. intelligence community, CNN reported. The document claims Russian sources told the operative that they had extensive material on the now president-elect - including a secret film of him in the suite where President Obama stayed in Moscow, watching prostitutes committing degrading sex acts on the bed where the president slept. But Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin , dismissed the reports as a 'complete fabrication and utter nonsense'. What is believed to be the 35-page document itself was published by Buzzfeed, which pointed out that it contained errors. Little of its contents can be independently verified, while there has been no official confirmation of the details of the briefing. Denying even the existence of a 'kompromat' on Trump, Peskov said this morning: 'This information does not correspond to reality and is no more than fiction.' Briefing: President-elect Trump was briefed face-to-face by James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence on the Russian threat Kremlin overlord: Trump was told that Vladimir Putin was in possession of apparently incendiary material Degrading acts in bed used by president: The extraordinary - and entirely unverified - allegations that Donald Trump ordered prostitutes to commit degrading sex acts in the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow are contained in a dossier drawn up by a former British spy He insisted that the Kremlin 'does not engage in collecting compromising material'. And he added: 'There are those who pump up such a tantrum and do their best to maintain a 'witch hunt', and by the way this is how president-elect Trump characterised this fake. 'And why is the continuation of this hysterical state needed? To force our relationship to stay degraded. 'It is a complete fake - not worth the paper it was written on.' The memo also states that Peskov 'controlled' another dossier containing compromising material on Hillary Clinton compiled over 'many years'. But Peskov denied there was any such material. Elsewhere, the memo states that Peskov was 'the main protagonist in Kremlin campaign to aid Trump and damage Clinton', but that he is now 'scared and fears being made scapegoat by leadership for backlash in US'. Trump himself has already dismissed the claims, tweeting: 'FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!' In later tweets, Trump slammed 'Very unfair' reports, insisting Russia had 'never tried to use leverage over me' and that he had 'nothing to do with Russia - no deals, no loans, no nothing'. Part of the document is seen above. Click here to see the full document first published by Buzzfeed Donald Trump denied the allegations shortly after they were published on Tuesday night In a later tweet, Trump repeated Russian claims that the report was 'a complete and total fabrication', adding: 'Very unfair!' Donald Trump insisted Russia had 'never tried to use leverage over me' and that he had 'nothing to do with Russia - no deals, no loans, no nothing' In one message, he wrote: 'I win an election easily, a great "movement" is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!' The apparent leak by security services comes just nine days before Trump's inauguration. Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, told Mic that the claims were absolutely false and 'so ridiculous on so many levels.' 'Clearly, the person who created this did so from their imagination or did so hoping that the liberal media would run with this fake story for whatever rationale they might have.' His counselor Kellyanne Conway also hit back against the allegations, and attempted to cast doubt on them by saying they came from 'unnamed sources', during an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers. She then said: 'I have to say as an American citizen we should be concerned that intelligence officials leaked to the press but wont go and tell the president-elect or the President of the United States himself, Mr Obama, what the information is. They would rather go tell the press.' When Meyers corrected her by pointing out the reports came from briefings last week, Conway said Trump 'was never briefed'. DOSSIER TIMELINE Summer 2016: A series of memos containing explosive details about Donald Trump are drawn up with datelines ranging from June to December. November 2016: Trump wins the United States presidential election. December 2016: Document reaches the top of the FBI. Reports claim senator John McCain presents material to agency director James Comey on December 9. January 6: Donald Trump is allegedly briefed about the claims. January 10: Document is leaked and details of its contents published. Advertisement The Trump administration's transition team did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Buzzfeed News, it has been reported. Obama had little to add publicly to the bombshell revelations. 'You know I hadn't seen the reports, we were on the plane together, and I hadn't read the news since then and as a matter of principle and national security I don't comment on classified information,' the president said in an interview with NBC News late Tuesday. He added however that he hopes Congress and the Trump administration will continue to work toward finding answers about who is responsible for hacking scandals that have roiled American politics in recent months. According to CNN, the briefings, which included the documents of incendiary material, were presented by the country's most senior intelligence chiefs - Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan, and NSA Director Admiral Mike Rogers. But they are all yet to comment on the matter. The meeting last week was at a time when Trump has been feuding with the intelligence community. The intel chiefs reportedly included the information in order to make Trump aware that the information was circulating within the U.S. intelligence community, lawmakers and senior intelligence officials told the network. It was included to bolster the agencies' conclusion, also made publicly, that Russia had dirt on both Republicans and Democrats, but released only the bad info on Democrats, via leaks to the WikiLeaks site, as part of the narrative of election interference to bolster Trump. The document also charged there was an information exchange between Trump surrogates and representatives of the Russian government. The document also referenced Trump's alleged '(perverted) conduct' at the presidential suite of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow. Pictures show the hotel's interior Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton (pictured) in Moscow overlooks the Kremlin and Red Square The charge has echoes of what then-Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, who got top-level security briefings, charged this fall. Reid wrote FBI director James Comey in October: 'It has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government - a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States.' Buzzfeed on Tuesday published memos, which the site noted could not be verified, charging that Russia had been 'cultivating, supporting and assisting' Trump for 'at least five years.' The site wrote that the documents were 'understood to be by a former British intelligence agent' and was prepared for political opponents of Trump. Degrading: The dossier claimed Russians purport to have footage showing Donald Trump ordered prostitutes to commit sex acts at a hotel used by the president and first lady 'whom he hated' Dealings: The dossier apparently includes claims about Trump's financial dealings with Moscow. In 2013 he held his Miss Universe contest in the Russian capital The document states that Trump had declined 'sweetener' real estate deals in Russia that the Kremlin lined up in order to cultivate him. The business proposals were said to be 'in relation to the ongoing 2018 World Cup soccer tournament'. Russian authorities tried to 'exploit Trump's personal obsessions and sexual perversion' in order to compromise him. The document also referenced Trump's '(perverted) conduct' at the presidential suite of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow, where the President and First Lady Michelle Obama 'whom he hated' had stayed. It cited 'Source D' as saying Trump's conduct included hiring prostitutes 'to perform a 'golden showers' (urination) show in front of him.' It says the hotel was known to be under the control of Russia's FSB, with hidden cameras and microphones. KREMLIN DENIES MEMO CLAIMS Russia has denied allegations that the Kremlin collected compromising information about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, dismissed news reports as a 'complete fabrication and utter nonsense.' He insisted that the Kremlin 'does not engage in collecting compromising material'. He added: 'There are those who pump up such a tantrum and do their best to maintain a 'witch hunt', and by the way this is how president-elect Trump characterised this fake. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for President Vladimir Putin (pictured), dismissed news reports as a 'complete fabrication and utter nonsense' 'And why is the continuation of this hysterical state needed? To force our relationship to stay degraded. 'It is a complete fake - not worth the paper it was written on.' The memo also states that Peskov 'controlled' another dossier containing compromising material on Hillary Clinton compiled over 'many years'. But Peskov denied there was any such material. 'This was absolutely fabricated, this is total nonsense. This is what is called "pulp fiction".' This morning, the Russian state-run media has blasted 'troubling' suggestions the FBI should be investigating Donald Trump over some of the claims in the document. News outlet Sputnik warned its readers: 'The fact that multiple media outlets practically simultaneously decided to publish these reports despite admitting their erroneous character is telling by itself. 'However, allegedly the FBI has been in the possession of these memos for some time too.' Sputnik also highlighted a report on the Wikileaks whistleblowing website which claimed as unreliable media reports of Russian agents having kompromat on Trump. Nikolay Kovalyov (right) a former head of Vladimir Putin's (left) security service has denied that the FSB snooped on Donald Trump and collected compromising material on him when he was in Moscow '35 page PDF published by Buzzfeed on Trump is not an intelligence report. Style, facts & dates show no credibility,' WikiLeaks said on Twitter. Meanwhile a former head of Vladimir Putin's security service has denied that the FSB snooped on Donald Trump and collected compromising material on him when he was in Moscow. Nikolay Kovalyov claimed: 'Of course, there is no kompromat.' Commenting on the press reports that 'kompromat' on Trump was gathered since the times when Trump came to Moscow as organiser the Miss Universe pageant in 2013, he said: 'To gather compromising materials about a man who came to hold a beauty contest - who would be interested in it? 'You can rely on my experience. This is not our routine here in Russia.' Kovalyov is now a Russian MP for Putin's United Russia party. He was head of the FSB from 1996-98 and was replaced in the position by Putin, who used the position as the launch pad to his political career. 'The feeling is that (Barack) Obama's administration has put all its efforts on compromising the winner of the presidential race, and they believe that in this fight all means are worth it,' said Kovayov. 'They have got enough compromising materials in their motherland, let them sort it themselves there. 'It is not correct to drag Russia into their political fight.' Advertisement A spokesman from the hotel told MailOnline this morning: 'In line with our company standard to protect the privacy of our guests, we do not speak about any individual or group with whom we may have done business.' The site noted that the document contained some errors, such as misspelling the name of a company, the 'Alfa Group.' The documents quote an unnamed Russian intelligence official as saying there was enough information to blackmail Trump. The New York Times reported that intelligence officials considered the material 'so potentially explosive' that they decided they needed to tell Trump, Obama, and top congressional leaders about it. The paper described the memos as being 'generated by political operatives seeking to derail Mr. Trump's candidacy.' CNN's story was reported by four reporters, including former Watergate scribe Carl Bernstein. Bernstein said on air that the raw intelligence memos were drafted by a retired MI6 British intelligence operative. MI6, formally the Secret Intelligence Service, conducts foreign intelligence gathering for the UK government. Chain of information: The dossier was drawn up by an unnamed British ex-spy, obtained by a British diplomat and passed personally to John McCain - who then gave it to James Comey, the FBI Director Offered? NBC News reporter Tom Winter suggested that he and other reporters had been offered the information but had not acted on the offer The operative had been hired by a political opposition research firm who did work first for Republican and then Democratic political opponents of Trump. 'He then took it to an FBI colleague that he had known in his undercover work for years,' Bernstein said on CNN. He said a British diplomat in Russia became aware of the findings independently. The ambassador then took the information to Arizona senator and staunch Russia critic Senator John McCain, who then 'personally' provided the information to FBI Director Comey. Pervert: Revelations around Anthony Weiner were made public by the FBI but the Trump 'dossier' was not On Twitter, NBC reporter Tom Winter suggested the information had already been 'shopped' to reporters last summer but never acted on. It is unclear if outlets other than NBC were offered it. DailyMail.com was not. The apparent confirmation of Reid's claim that FBI Director Comey was in possession before the elections of explosive information about Trump including the claim that Russia tried to cultivate the future U.S. president as an asset is certain to inflame Democrats. Democrats were already fuming that Comey decided to reveal just 11 days before the election that the bureau was conducting a search of material contained on the laptop of longtime Clinton aide Huma Abedin. The device contained emails between Abedin and Clinton which Comey said could be relevant to the closed investigation into the former Secretary of State's handling of classified material on her secret email server. It was found while the FBI investigated the sexting relationship Abedin's pervert husband Anthony Weiner had with an underage girl. The relationship was first disclosed by DailyMail.com. After the disclosure of fresh moves on the email probe rocked the campaign, Comey announced two days before the election that the investigation had not changed the original decision not to charge Clinton in connection with her email scandal. Comey wrote Congress that he felt obliged to reveal the new search for Clinton emails to avoid 'misleading' the public. 'We don't ordinarily tell Congress about ongoing investigations, but here I feel an obligation to do so given that I testified repeatedly in recent months that our investigation was completed,' Comey wrote. A handcuffed teenager shot himself in the head as he was being driven to jail after telling officers he was suicidal. Zachary Anam was arrested at Barton Creek Square shopping mall in Austin, Texas, on Sunday and placed in the back of a patrol car in handcuffs to be taken to a downtown police station. The 19-year-old began telling the officer that he was suicidal and pulled his hands, which were still handcuffed, round to his front with the gun in his hand. He is believed to have been keeping the weapon in the back of his trousers. Zachary Anam, 19, shot himself with a stolen gun he had hidden in the back of his waistband while he was handcuffed in the back of a police patrol car. He is seen left in a family photograph and right in a previous mugshot The officer pulled over and jumped out of the car as did a patrol car following him, alerting others over his radio that the teenager was armed. Anam was left alone in the backseat with the weapon for six minutes before he fired one shot to his head. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead the following day. Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said there were many questions surrounding the teenager's death which remain unanswered. The most resounding is how he was able to bring the weapon in to the back of the patrol car after being arrested. Police are investigating whether Anam was properly searched after his initial arrest by security staff at Macy's, where he was first taken into custody, and later by Austin Police Department Officers. Anam, who was the subject of several felony and misdemeanor arrest warrants, was initially arrested for shoplifting. After telling producing his gun, the officer pulled over and got out of the car, leaving Anam in the vehicle alone. The officer called for back up and several others arrived. They were seen with their guns pointed towards the vehicle (above) moments before he shot himself Police found a controlled substance on the teenager but did not recover the weapon. The gun, a Glock .380 semi-automatic pistol, was reported as stolen during a car burglary in August last year. Once in the police car, Anam told Officer Ivan Wall that he was suicidal. 'Officer Wall let him know there would be services and counselors available to him at the jail at which point he made a comment somewhat to the effect of he wasn't sure if he could wait that long,' said Chief Manley at a press conference, explaining the chain of events. The teenager's girlfriend Erica Acuna (above together) was among those to pay tribute to him 'Our officer then inquired if he had the means available and what you can see on video is Mr Anam is able to pull his arms, he is able to lean forward in the seat, you can see him pull his arms around the right side of his body, almost to the front of his body, and lay down in the back seat and therefore he is able to place his head in front of the muzzle of that weapon that he had,' he continued. Officer Wall pulled over and exited the car as did Officer John Ricker who was following the pair. For several minutes, the pair stood outside it while Anam remained in the vehicle. They alerted colleagues to the threat and were working to formulate a plan to keep the busy, downtown area where they were, safe, Chief Manley said. Around six minutes later, the teenager fired the fatal shot to his head. Officers later watched footage of the entire ordeal back to learn how he was able to bring his hands free enough to fire the gun. 'It's all on video. Our cars record while officers are transporting individuals that they have in their custody,' Chief Manley added. It is not yet known what item he was trying to steal from Macy's that led to the arrest. Officers Wall and Ricker were placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. At the start of his press conference, Chief Manley shared his condolences with the young man's family. Austin Police Chief Brian Manley (left) said there were still questions to be answered about the teenager's death. He extended his condolences to his family 'Although we came in contact with Mr Anam as the result of him being arrested at the mall, at the end of the day, we have a family that lost a son, their young son. 'Regardless of the circumstances, a loss of life, especially a life so young, is tragic and our hearts go out to his family.' Anam's family and friends have since paid tribute to him as a loving friend and 'bright' son. The teenager's girlfriend Erica Acuna posted a heartbreaking tribute to him on Facebook. 'To my love, my heart, my everything the years I spent by your side will forever be cherished. 'You were my motivation and biggest fan, I could never stop loving you,' she said. Another relative said: 'My cousin Zachary (Zac) was a bright, jovial and thoughtful young man. 'His family loved him deeply and friends adored him completely. He was a varsity wrestler and always had a smile on.' She added that he had 'struggled' with 'darkness and demons'. He would have been 20 in March. Prisoners are ordering themselves treats from Amazon from their cells, it was revealed yesterday. They can buy computer games, CDs, DVDs, trainers, electronic appliances, cosmetics and clothes from the internet store and retailers such as Argos. Although they do not have access to the internet, they can choose specialist items from a list approved by the Ministry of Justice if there is enough money in their prison spends account. Prisoners are ordering themselves treats from Amazon from their cells, it was revealed yesterday This holds money they have earned in jail or that was sent in by family and friends. The products are ordered by the prison and delivered there to be collected by escorted inmates, who sign for their goods and can inspect them to make sure they meet expectations. The MoJ insists all parcels are searched rigorously for contraband. But critics said last night it was fresh evidence that jails were too cushy and were becoming holiday camps. Conservative MP Philip Hollobone said: You could not make it up. People will be astonished that prisoners are allowed to buy luxury items from Amazon and other catalogues. Prison is meant to be about punishment and rehabilitation. It is not meant to be a holiday camp where inmates can order anything they fancy. Losing your liberty should mean you cannot do everything that people do in their ordinary law-abiding lives. The more normal you make prison, the less it becomes a punishment. They can buy computer games, CDs, DVDs, trainers, electronic appliances, cosmetics and clothes from the internet store and retailers such as Argos It also emerged yesterday that prison officers were being used as glorified postmen to deliver goods bought by inmates from the so-called prison shop system, which sells domestic items such as food, drinks, phone credits and toiletries. Guards have been told to take the packages directly to convicts in their cells to prevent them being stolen by other prisoners. Prison chiefs said the scheme cut down on thefts, bullying and compensation claims for missing goods. Both this and the Amazon scandal emerged in a report yesterday by HM Inspectorate of Prisons into HMP Hewell in Worcestershire, which holds 1,074 Category B, C and D convicts. It follows widespread anger over photographs that were published in the Mail showing convicts at out of control HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset enjoying steak, alcohol and drugs in pictures taken on smuggled mobile phones and posted on social media. Conservative MP Philip Hollobone slammed the treatment prisoners are getting The latest revelations will only add to concerns at a time when prisons are facing a security crisis with drugs, weapons and mobile phones regularly being smuggled behind bars illegally. Under prison rules, inmates who have enough money in their bank accounts and have earned privileges can purchase goods. A national list of products, approved every three months by the National Offenders Management Service (NOMS) to make sure they do not pose a security or health and safety risk, has up to 1,000 items on it. Each prison can whittle this down to 375 products at any one time and inmates fill in forms to purchase the goods, which are ordered by the authorities. The report on HMP Hewell said: Prisoners could order products from a reasonable range of catalogues and Amazon, although not many prisoners knew they could use Amazon. Separately, inmates at jails in England and Wales can order items under the weekly prison shop system, also known as the canteen list. This enables them to buy food, including chocolate bars, tea bags, coffee, and toiletries. Individual governors decide how the goods are delivered, but at HMP Hewell prison officers were ordered to deliver parcels to inmates cells. The report said: Shop purchases were now delivered straight to prisoners cell doors, which had reduced the incidence of missing products and theft. The new policy followed a report in 2014 that said: The prison shop system was inefficient and widely criticised by prisoners and staff. Prisoners could wait for up to 17 days to receive their first order, and this often led to debt and bullying. Missing items from shop orders was one of the top complaints received. Wardens were said to be fuming at the new policy. One, who does not work at HMP Hewell but has served in jails across the UK for more than ten years, said it would create tensions. He added: Prison officers are having it tough enough at the moment without having to act as glorified postmen. Referring to the Amazon orders, he added: Some prisoners order a fair amount from the catalogues and a lot of the stuff is sent back as it isnt exactly what they wanted. So youve got wardens delivering stuff and then carting it back to be returned. The whole thing is faintly ridiculous and just adds to the problems of prison staff. Prison officers are already under huge pressure from spiralling violence, the scourge of legal highs and riots in overcrowded jails. In November, Justice Secretary Liz Truss secured an extra 500million to crack down on the chaos in prisons and promised to hire 2,500 extra frontline wardens. Bosses at the Ministry of Justice said the new policy was part of a scheme to treat prisoners with respect. In November, Justice Secretary Liz Truss secured an extra 500million to crack down on the chaos in prisons and promised to hire 2,500 extra frontline wardens A Prison Service Instruction details how inmates must be given the chance to inspect items bought from catalogues and if they are not happy with the contents, they should be able to send the items back. It states: Prisoners must be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect the products being sold to them before acceptance. Prisoners may reject products according to their statutory rights. Proof of acceptance must be gained from the prisoner and the prisoner issued with a receipt clearly itemising the products that have been sold to them, the unit price paid, and the total amount charged to them. If goods are rejected, then a credit note must be given. Jeremy Wright will say technology has made it easier for terrorists to mount UK attacks The Attorney General will today pave the way for the military to kill more jihadists overseas in self-defence attacks. Jeremy Wright QC will say technology has made it easier for terrorists to mount attacks on UK streets, and laws which once applied have become outdated. The countrys top law officer will also suggest that civilians may die as part of pre-emptive strikes in a bid to save lives in Britain. In a landmark speech setting out a re-defined legal basis for wiping out UK enemies in pre-emptive attacks, he will say the frontline has irretrievably altered, and the law has to keep up with the changing times. While Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp did not exist at the time of 9/11, today technology is used to evade law enforcement, conceal those who would do us harm, and to inspire attacks ... that previously would have taken months of planning. Sir Jeremy will say he does not want to make it easy to resort to the use of force. But he will state that countries need to be able to take necessary and proportionate action when there is clear evidence of armed attacks being planned and directed against them. In the speech in London, Sir Jeremy will set out the legal justification for pre-emptive attacks such as the RAF drone strike which killed British jihadists Reyaad Khan, from Cardiff, and Ruhul Amin in Syria in 2015. And he will give an unprecedented insight into the considerations that must be weighed up before action is taken against extremists abroad. Under international law, the use of force in self-defence is permitted against what can be described as an imminent attack. Sir Jeremy will set out the justification for attacks such as the RAF drone strike which killed British jihadists Reyaad Khan (far left) and Ruhul Amin (right) in Syria in 2015 The Government endorses a five-point list of factors to assess whether the attack is imminent, Sir Jeremy will reveal. These include the likelihood there could be other chances to wipe out the threat that may be expected to cause less serious collateral injury, loss or damage. It therefore leaves open the prospect of the Government being allowed to justify a pre-emptive strike on a target even if there could be a serious loss of life. Other factors that must be considered include the nature of the threat and the probability of an attack. One koala has been pictured swapping his gumtree for a bedframe after seeking refuge in an elderly couple's home. The furry bedfellow had been wandering on the grounds of Ron Snow, 76, and his wife Carol's, 72, Lismore property in Lismore, in north-east NSW on Sunday when he came across the couple's kelpie. Fearing Millie might get too close for comfort to the six-month-old marsupial, Mr Snow herded the koala into the family home where he made a bee-line for the bedroom. One koala has been pictured swapping his gumtree for a bedframe after seeking refuge in a couple's home Ron Snow (pictured with wife Carol) had been waking his dog Millie when he came across the six-month-old koala 'He was crossing from one tree to another right in front of my dad and the dog who has never been close to one,' the couple's daughter Mellissa wrote online. 'Dad saved it from the dogs curiosity and grabbed it and put it inside the house.' Koala's are a not an unusual sight on the Snow's homestead, where they planted eucalyptus trees across the two-acres to encourage the furry friends to visit. But the couple were certainly not expecting to get so close to the cute critter. Millie the kelpie was moved to another room away from the young koala as it clung onto the bedframe, a suitable place considering the marsupials sleep for 20 hours a day. Once the dog was safely secured in the next room, Mr Snow was able to return the young koala back to the wild, sustaining a few scratches on his hands in the process. The koala was herded into the family home where the he made a bee-line for the bedroom The Snow's captured pictures of the furry bedfellow as he clung onto the bed frame, a suitable place considering the marsupials sleep for 20 hours a day The driver of an SUV crashed into a Salem, Oregon, home, killing Srabonti Haque, who was asleep in her bedroom The driver of an SUV crashed into a Salem, Oregon, home, killing a 36-year-old woman who was asleep in her bedroom. Srabonti Haque died in the crash Monday night, Salem police said in a Tuesday news release. Her husband and two children were home at the time but were not injured. Alan Jacobs, 54, drove his SUV off the road and went through the home, according to authorities. The victim's cousin has claimed Jacobs had a heart attack. Salem police said that Jacobs was driving on Volcano St SE on Monday evening. Authorities wrote that: 'Volcano ST is a steep downhill street which ends at Sussex AV SE. Sussex AV runs to the east at that point, forming an L shaped intersection.' 'Jacobs' vehicle continued southbound instead of turning to the east on Sussex AV, running into and almost completely through the residence,' the release said. Neighbor Shelly Sigrist told KATU: 'There were neighbors running down the street and one neighbor was on the phone with 911 giving the address. '[The driver] didn't know what happened, he was shaking his head and seemed disoriented ... everyone was just devastated, we couldn't believe it.' Alan Jacobs, 54, drove his SUV off the road and went through the home, according to authorities Haque's husband and two children were home at the time but were not injured Police are investigating, and they said in the release that no arrests have been made. Police spokesman Lt. Dave Okada told the Statesman Journal: 'We find out all the facts available to us, reconstruct what happened and apply those facts to applicable statutes, if there are applicable statutes, and find out from there.' He told the newspaper authorities could possibly request consent for blood or urine from Jacobs. Haque's cousin Arunabha Rahman Anjan told the Dhaka Tribune: 'All we know is the driver was an African-American man who suffered a heart attack right before he smashed through the walls of the house. We are waiting for the police report.' He said that his cousin 'left from Bangladesh about 12 years ago'. Haque was on the floor and taking care of a bad back at the time of the crash, the newspaper reported. She leaves behind her husband and two twin children, the report said. The United States will defend itself and its allies from any threat from North Korea. Senior U.S. officials repeated that iron-clad position following North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns New Years Day claim that his country has soared as a nuclear power and is now in the last stages of preparing to test an intercontinental ballistic missile. White House spokesperson Josh Earnest pointed out that there are radar facilities and antiballistic missile facilities that have been installed in places like Japan and Guam and in Alaska. There are naval vessels, ballistic missile defense ships that are patrolling the Pacific Ocean. To address the threat from North Koreas extended range SCUDs and No Dong medium-range ballistic missiles, the United States is also working with South Korea to install as quickly and efficiently as possiblethe Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system aimed at defending against North Korean ballistic missile threats. In addition to the defenses that are in place to protect the United States and its allies, Mr. Earnest noted that progress has been made in building important diplomatic support to apply pressure to the North Korean regime to limit their ability to continue to develop this program. In November, the U.N. Security Council imposed new and expanded sanctions on North Korea, targeted at undermining Pyongyangs ability to raise the hard currency it needs for its nuclear program. State Department Spokesperson John Kirby called the new sanctions the most stringent that have been imposed on North Korea in decades, and observed they show that the international community is clearly galvanized [as] it hasnt been before. After a trilateral meeting in Washington January 5th with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama and South Koreas First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters the international community has sent a clear message that it will not accept North Korea as a nuclear power. Our cooperation together and with other countries in making sure that we have in place the best possible defenses is critical and that will remain going forward, said Mr. Blinken. At the same time its absolutely, vitally important that we exercise sustained, comprehensive pressure on North Korea to get it to stop these programs, to come back to the negotiating table, and to engage in good faith on denuclearizationand I believe as long as we sustain it and build on it, [the pressure] will have an effect. Jeremy Hunt was told to get a grip on the NHS crisis last night as the country's top medical bodies warned that it could be ignored no longer Jeremy Hunt was told to get a grip on the NHS crisis last night as the country's top medical bodies warned that it could be ignored no longer. In a series of separate interventions, some of the most powerful organisations warned the Health Secretary that immediate action to alleviate the pressure was essential. The Royal College of Physicians which represents 33,000 senior doctors warned that lives were being put at risk in 'over-full hospitals'. It said the queues of ambulances outside A&E were 'visual testament' to the extent of the crisis. It was supported by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which serves 21 separate bodies and said hospitals were under more pressure than ever before. Meanwhile a group of 75 health charities and organisations highlighted how 'barely a day goes by' without further revelations of the escalating pressures. To illustrate the point, a blizzard of statistics and new developments yesterday laid bare the depth of the crisis. They included: Figures showing 18,435 patients languished on trolleys in the last week alone because of a lack of beds. The number of over-70s waiting more than 12 hours in casualty has almost trebled in two years. Some 165,000 patients with mental health problems attended A&E in 2015/16. A whistleblower claimed desperately-ill patients were being treated with drips on chairs as there were no more trolleys. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development claimed bed-blocking rates in England were twice as high as Norway, and three times that of Denmark. Mr Hunt continued to attempt to downplay the crisis yesterday and at one point was filmed running away from a reporter who was trying to ask a question about his department's response. At a conference earlier he had claimed that the vast majority of hospitals were coping better with the pressures than last winter. And on Monday he had suggested patients were causing the problems in A&E, claiming as many as one in three did not need to be there. Mr Hunt continued to attempt to downplay the crisis yesterday and at one point was filmed running away from a reporter MENTAL HEALTH CASES UP 50% IN FIVE YEARS The number of children who have attended A&E as a result of mental health issues has almost doubled in the last five years. Figures show that between 2011/12 and 2015/16, the number of people who visited emergency departments with psychiatric problems rose by almost 50 per cent to 165,000. Among under-18s, the figure doubled to nearly 22,000, according to NHS Digital. But doctors from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have suggested that the figures, which account for around 1 per cent of A&E attendances, could just be the 'tip of the iceberg'. They only include patients who had a primary diagnosis of a psychiatric condition, and not those who had been brought in with self-inflicted injuries recorded as something else. Experts blamed the problem on a lack of support for patients in the early stage of illness. Dr Peter Aitken, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, told the BBC: 'Years of underfunding has meant these children have not been able to benefit from early intervention.' A Department of Health spokesman said: 'Improvements must be made in mental health care both within and outside of the NHS.' Advertisement But figures from NHS Digital, the official statistics agency, yesterday showed that record numbers of patients over 70 were enduring waits in A&E of 12 hours or more. There were 88,252 cases in 2015/16 up from 34,088 in 2013/14, or almost trebling in two years. Separate data showed the crisis had intensified significantly in the past few weeks. NHS figures leaked to the BBC said that in the week ending January 8, some 18,435 patients waited between four and 12 hours on trolleys as there were no beds. A further 485 patients waited longer than 12 hours. Dr Mark Holland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine which represents hospital specialists, said the NHS in England was now performing at an all-time low and this was predicted months ago. He said: 'This is not a 'winter' crisis. This is a blizzard in an eternal winter of the NHS.' Today an open letter from the Royal College of Physicians, signed by RCP president Professor Jane Dacre and 49 members of the council, warned that hospitals were 'over-full, with too few qualified staff'. It said that the NHS was 'under-funded, under-doctored and overstretched'. The letter said: 'Patients are waiting longer on lists, on trolleys, in emergency departments and in their homes for the care they need. People's lives are being put at risk or on hold, affecting families across the country.' In a series of separate interventions, some of the most powerful organisations warned the Health Secretary that immediate action to alleviate the pressure was essential TORY PEER: TREASURY MUST FUND SOCIAL CARE Chancellor Philip Hammond last night came under fire from the most senior Tory in local government over cuts to social care for the elderly. Lord Gary Porter, chairman of the Local Government Association, said the Treasury needed to 'grow up' and fund social care properly. The peer said more money was needed urgently to stop vulnerable people having to go to hospital and costing taxpayers more in the future. 'The Treasury are going to have to grow up and start properly funding adult social care,' he told the Huffington Post. 'It's about stopping people going to the hospital in the first place, and if they have to go ... getting them out as quickly as possible. 'We have to put some new money in now ... if we don't spend it now we will spend more down the line.' Over the last five years it is estimated social care funding has been cut by around a quarter. Lord Porter said councils were seen as a 'soft target' and the Government keeps coming 'back, back and back' to cut even more, leaving town halls short of around 5.6billion. Advertisement The RCP urged the Government to invest extra money into the health and social care system, adding that 'investment levels are not sufficient'. It was backed up by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges which warned that the unprecedented pressure was 'inevitably impacting on patient care'. Separately, a group of 75 health organisations including the charity Independent Age and the Royal College of Nursing have written an open letter to the Government. This warns that 'millions of older, ill and disabled people will continue to be badly let down' if ministers do not take urgent action. The pressures in A&E have been partly blamed on a lack of social care funding which means elderly patients cannot be discharged from hospital even when they are ready to go home. At Worcestershire Royal Hospital last week an elderly woman died after 35 hours on a trolley. Leaked emails obtained by the Health Service Journal yesterday revealed NHS bosses had been warned of problems ten days earlier. A Department of Health spokesman said: 'Since last year we have 3,100 more nurses and 1,600 more doctors. 'We're joining up health and social care for the first time and investing 10billion to fund the NHS's own plan to transform services and relieve pressure on hospitals.' Millions of Britons already rely on their smartphones to find their way when they are out and about. But now more and more people are using digital navigation indoors often to track family and friends. The shift in behaviour means that by 2022, a quarter of the instances in which people switch on digital navigation will be under a roof. More and more people are using digital navigation indoors often to track family and friends. The shift in behaviour means that by 2022, a quarter of the instances in which people switch on digital navigation will be under a roof (stock image) And even this year, one in 20 instances will be indoors, a major report by Deloitte has found. In many cases, smartphone users simply switch on Google or Apple maps in order to find their way around large buildings like shopping centres, high rise offices and hospitals. However, a growing number of people are using tracking apps indoors to help them keep tabs on others. Many nervous parents use it to keep a close eye on their children, according to Paul Lee, Deloittes global head of research for technology, media and telecommunications. For parents, people tracking is a massive feature. Its keeping your kids safe and also, if youre a kid, its reassuring to know that your parents know where you are. It may sound intrusive but kids like feeling cosseted. Other technology fans routinely use tracking apps do so to make it easier to meet up with friends and family when they are out and about. Instead of agreeing a time and place to meet up, they just follow each other as moving dots on a map. We dislike minor inconveniences and one of the minor inconveniences is not being able to find people, Mr Lee said. Before mobiles, you used to agree a time and place to meet. With mobiles, you could leave it and agree a place later but with this, you dont even need to do that. Somewhat surprisingly, the apps are popular across different age groups. Getting lost is an issue which affects everyone, Mr Lee said. If you look at GPS in cars, that is fairly mainstream as an application. As long as [digital navigation] is available in the right size font, it will be used by different generations. But whilst many people will all find this too intrusive, there are other uses of digital navigation which hold rather more appeal. For parents, people tracking is a massive feature. Its keeping your kids safe and also, if youre a kid, its reassuring to know that your parents know where you are,' said Paul Lee, Deloittes global head of research for technology, media and telecommunications (stock image) Users can buy devices that keep tabs on their pets, and prevent them going beyond a certain digitally-prescribed perimeter effectively an invisible fence. Indoor navigation can also be used to cut down queuing times for people collecting things such as parcels and prescriptions. Staff are able to see when the user is getting close, and start preparing the goods ready for their arrival. It can also save time picking up a child from nursery, so [the staff] can get their coat on. There are so many applications out there where having a two-minute alert makes a big difference, Mr Lee said. President Barack Obama returned to his adopted hometown of Chicago on Tuesday night to cap off his presidency with a farewell address. But the Windy City, where Obama cultivated his optimistic brand of American politics, has seen 762 homicides in the last year - a 63 percent increase compared to the 485 homicides recorded in 2015. Some Chicagoans have been left pointing fingers at the president, claiming he did not do enough to address the problems plaguing the city. Scroll down for video President Barack Obama returned to his adopted hometown of Chicago on Tuesday night to cap off his presidency with a farewell address, pictured above, - but some residents in the Windy City had mixed feelings about his legacy Chicago has seen 762 homicides in the last year - a 63 percent increase compared to 2015. Pictured, crosses one man made, commemorating each person killed in the city this year Chicago saw the city's highest number of homicides in nearly two decades, with 762 recorded in 2016. The nation's third largest city also saw 1,100 more shooting incidents last year than it did in 2015, according to data released Sunday by the Chicago Police Department. The statistics underline a story of bloodshed that has put Chicago at the center of a national dialogue about gun violence. The numbers are staggering, even for those who followed the steady news accounts of weekends ending with dozens of shootings and monthly death tolls that hadn't been seen in years. The number of homicides skyrocketed from 485 in 2015, to 762 in 2016 - the largest spike in 60 years. Former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy (left with Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2015) pointed fingers at the president Rev. Michael Pfleger, third from left, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, second from left, and state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, right, led hundreds in a march on New Year's Eve to remember those who died in 2016 Charles Lipson, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, said problems of gun violence and income inequality have only gotten worse in the city under Obama's administration Charles Lipson, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, slammed Obama's administration, saying problems in the third largest city in the country were exacerbated under his presidency. He told the Washington Times: 'He didn't need to come to Chicago for the speech, and he knows that doing so calls attention not only to the city's troubles but to his administration's failures to solve them.' 'Chicago's troubles highlight the deep national divisions, social breakdown, income inequality and gun violence that Barack Obama was elected to ameliorate. 'His administration not only failed, most of the problems grew worse, he added. Obama's legacy has left other Chicagoans with mixed feelings. One woman, whose son was killed in a shooting, asked: 'If [Obama] cant help us, who can?'. Barack is pictured with his wife Michelle and daughter Malia after delivering his final address to the nation Garry McCarthy, Chicago's former Chicago Police Superintendent, also pointed fingers at the president. He told Fox: 'I can't help but just look at criminal justice, and criminal justice in this country has not had a friend in the federal government during this administration.' Obama's legacy has left other Chicagoans with mixed feelings. One woman, whose son was killed in a shooting, was reluctant to openly slam the president. She spoke to Yahoo, and chose not to give her name, wary that her neighbors might judge her. But she said, 'If [Obama] cant help us, who can?' But the president's supporters have said there's no easy solution. Half of GP surgeries are closing their doors to patients during normal office hours, a major report reveals. This includes a fifth that shut for at least one afternoon a week and tell their patients to call 111 if they are ill or go to A&E. The National Audit Office warns that the lack of access to GP surgeries is partly to blame for the crisis in casualty units. Half of GP surgeries are closing their doors to patients during normal office hours It calculates that practices which are open for fewer than 45 hours a week have an 8 per cent higher rate of A&E attendances. The report also highlighted the recruitment crisis among family doctors and warned that Government targets to provide weekend appointments would not be met. Ministers have repeatedly promised that by 2020 every patient in England will be able to see a GP seven days a week. But officials calculate the NHS will have 1,900 fewer family doctors than they predicted in three years' time, as they are struggling to fill training places. It also highlighted how many of the existing GPs work part time, particularly as a growing proportion of the workforce is female. Labour yesterday said GP satisfaction levels 'have never been worse' while doctors said plans to improve access were in 'disarray.' The guidelines alongside a GP's contract with the NHS state that they must provide services to patients between the 'core hours' of 8am to 6.30pm. But the terms are vague and surgeries do not necessarily need to stay open during these times. Ministers have repeatedly promised that by 2020 every patient in England will be able to see a GP seven days a week Practices are still counted as providing services to patients if they close for lunch or one afternoon a week and tell patients to call 111. Today's report looked at opening times of all surgeries in October 2015 and found that 46 per cent of surgeries in England close between 8am and 6.30pm. This included 18 per cent who were shut from 3pm on at least one day a week. Most others closed for one or two hours over lunch or early in the evenings, from 5pm. Three quarters of surgeries who close early are being paid an average of 8,200 a year because they provide so-called 'extended access'. This means they stay open for two hours longer on one evening even if they close every lunchtime or on some afternoons a week. The report questioned whether this extra funding was 'good value for money'. Labour's Meg Hillier, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee, said: 'The Government is trying to shoehorn in seven-day access to general practice without a clear idea of the additional costs or benefits it will bring patients or taxpayers. 'This is on top of problems for patients in accessing their GP even during a standard working week, when nearly half of all practices close at some point during supposedly core hours, and practices are struggling to recruit and retain enough doctors.' Julie Cooper, a Labour health spokesman, said: 'It is really clear from this report that the Government has little understanding of the scale of the crisis in many of our GP surgeries. Access to GPs has never been worse, satisfaction levels are falling, patient safety is being compromised and morale amongst GPs and their staff is at an all-time low.' Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: 'Jeremy Hunt says he wants a seven-day NHS, but under his watch GP surgeries are struggling to stay open nine to five.' The report also found that GP surgeries which open for fewer than 45 hours a week had on average 22 extra A&E attendances per 1,000 patients, a rise of 8 per cent. Health minister David Mowat insisted that the Government's plans to improve access were on track. He said: 'Not only does evidence show that extended GP access is helping to relieve pressure on other parts of the health service such as A&E, with 17million patients already benefiting from evening and weekend appointments we will ensure that everyone in the country gets this by 2020.' The recruitment crisis has been fuelled by rising numbers of doctors retiring early in their 50s. But they are not being replaced by younger trainees who are instead opting for careers in hospital. Morris dancers who blacked up to celebrate an old English tradition are not racist, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said yesterday. The Alvechurch Morris group was forced to abandon a performance in Birmingham city centre at the weekend after being heckled by passers-by who accused them of racism for blackening their faces. Video footage shows passers-by accusing the group of mocking black people with their performance. Alvechurch Morris group were heckled by passers-by who accused them of racism for blackening their faces But Mr Javid, whose Worcesteshire constituency is home to the group, yesterday said he was proud of the Morris dancers But Mr Javid, whose Worcesteshire constituency is home to the group, yesterday said he was proud of the Morris dancers. Mr Javid, Britains first male Asian cabinet minister, said they had been marking Plough Monday an old English celebration of midwinter when farm labourers blackened their faces with soot to disguise themselves while touring wealthy homes to ask for a penny for the ploughboys. In a message on Twitter, Mr Javid said: Proud of traditional Morris dancers from Alvechurch (in my constituency). They are as racist as I am. #PloughMonday. Morris dancers have faced increasing accusations of racism in recent years over traditions that involve blacking up. Lester Holloway, an anti-racism campaigner at the Runnymede Trust, yesterday claimed that blacking up was inherently racist. You have to understand how people feel about the whole concept of blacking up 0 it is offensive to black people, he said. Mr Holloway questioned the validity of the tradition, saying many Morris groups do not black up. But Tory MP Michael Fabricant, who is a Morris dancer, said allegations of racism were nonsense. There is no attempt to make out you are a black person, he said. I could understand it if you were talking about the Black and White Minstrels, deliberately making themselves out to be slaves. But they are not. These are guys who dont paint their hands and where blond hair. In a message on Twitter, Mr Javid said: Proud of traditional Morris dancers from Alvechurch (in my constituency). They are as racist as I am. #PloughMonday The Alvechurch group were one of a number of Morris groups performing in Birmingham at the weekend to celebrate Plough Monday. A source close to the group told ITV News: The atmosphere had been great with the vast majority of people, but I was absolutely amazed by the vitriolic abuse they started to receive they were roundly abused and threatened with violence. The source said the dancers were forced to abandon the event after a group of young men started running amongst them, knocking off their hats. Primary school teacher Frances Cappuccini died eight hours after giving birth to her second son A new mother bled to death after a botched C-section when doctors were forced to wait ten minutes for vital drugs. Frances Cappuccini, 30, struggled in labour for 12 hours before finally being allowed to give birth to her son Giacomo. But hours later, she had to be rushed for emergency surgery when it emerged that a surgeon had left part of her placenta in her body. Five hours after surgery, Mrs Cappuccini died of a heart attack after losing so much blood that she never regained consciousness at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Kent, in October 2012. Consultant anaesthetist Dr Errol Cornish told an inquest into her death that stimulator drugs were not available to him in the operating theatre and precious minutes were wasted waiting for them. It took five minutes for the first stimulator to arrive but when that failed to work, there was another delay of five minutes until the second dose was delivered. Dr Cornish explained that the drugs were needed because Mrs Cappuccini was not breathing and the nerve stimulator would bring her around. The inquest, at Gravesend Old Town Hall in Kent, also heard how Dr Cornish left an operation to rush to the schoolteachers aid after Dr Nadeem Azeez failed to rouse her. He suggested that Dr Azeez, the anaesthetist in charge of the new mother, had removed her ventilation tube too early. Dr Cornish told an inquest he has thought about what happened every day since then, and concluded that the teachers death was not inevitable. He recalled how he decided in a nanosecond to ask for urgent help from an on-call anaesthetist and expected it to arrive in maybe five minutes. But it took between 35 and 40 minutes to come a delay that he agreed was manifestly unsatisfactory. The white-haired South African and Dr Azeez both faced gross negligence manslaughter charges after Mrs Cappuccinis death at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Kent, in October 2012. An international arrest warrant was issued for Dr Azeez, who fled to his native Pakistan before the charges were eventually dropped. Dr Errol Cornish (left, leaving the inquest), the consultant anaesthetist who treated Mrs Cappuccini, and Nadeem Azeez (right) the anaesthetist in charge of the new mother Dr Cornish told the inquest that Dr Azeez had told him Mrs Cappuccini had been breathing well and had also moved her arms. But he said in hindsight this was extremely unlikely and said the anaesthetist had lulled him into a false sense of security. He said: I dont think he told me half of the truth. He never told me about the blood loss. His recollection of Mrs Cappuccini breathing well and moving her arms it just doesnt fit with the rest of the picture. He agreed that Dr Azeez had probably taken the ventilation tube out before Mrs Cappuccini was able to breathe unaided. The doctor who has worked in around 20 UK hospitals also revealed he had no idea he was supposed to have been supervising the junior anaesthetist that day. He said he had never met him before and did not have a clue about his abilities or experience. The senior doctor also said he had to leave a patient on the operating table to help Dr Azeez, something he had never done in 20 years as an anaesthetist. He said: It goes against many years of my training to leave my patients. It was a very traumatic decision to have to make. Yet he described Dr Azeezs demeanour as quietly silent, adding: He was calmish. He did not appear agitated. He didnt seem anxious or worried. Mrs Cappuccini (pictured on her wedding day) struggled in labour for 12 hours before finally being allowed to give birth to her son Giacomo via C-section The senior anaesthetist told the inquest that he had been troubled by the teachers death ever since. He said: Not one single day has gone through my life when I havent gone through every aspect of this unfortunate episode. Every single day I have thought about it and wished it had gone differently. My family and colleagues will confirm to you that every single day I go through this single case and ask, was this the inevitable outcome? and the answer I come to is no. I dont want to sound pompous or arrogant, I say that with humility. In a statement heard on Monday, Dr Azeez sent his condolences to Mrs Cappuccinis family, adding: Unfortunately my best was not good enough to prevent her tragic death. He revealed he had suffered from depression, insomnia and flashbacks and said he had decided to relinquish his registration as a doctor. The inquest heard he had last provided a statement in February 2014 and had not been contactable since. Mrs Cappuccinis husband Tom previously told the inquest they had been advised to have a caesarean after the traumatic birth of their first child. He also said they had been told not to have an epidural. But Dr Dib Datta, consultant obstetrician at the trust, denied he had advised the teacher to not have an epidural over fears it could mask problems with the birth. He said: I put quite some time into breaking that myth. It is impossible I would have made that stand. Brandy Kay Jaynes (pictured), the mother of a 12-year-old boy found dangerously malnourished and locked in a filthy bathroom, has been charged with child abuse The mother of a 12-year-old boy found dangerously malnourished and locked in a filthy bathroom has been charged with child abuse. Utah woman Brandy Kay Jaynes, 36, was arrested on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated, intentional child abuse early Monday morning. The boy had allegedly been kept in a filthy bathroom at his home in the small southeastern Utah city of Toquerville near the state line with Arizona. Court documents state the boy was rushed to the Dixie Regional Medical Center by his father, who found his son locked up at Jaynes' home and covered by a blanket, according to The Spectrum. He weighed just 30 pounds, which is considered by the Centers for Disease Control to be the average weight for a two-year-old, and was unable to stand on his own. Investigators also believe the boy was likely kept in the dark. When officers later searched the home, they found three-square-feet of duct tape mounted on the light switch so it could not be turned on. A police statement went on to describe how the bathroom was covered in feces, and that the toilet bowl was: 'full to the point that you could not see any water'. They also found latches on the door so it could be locked from the outside. It has since been revealed two of his siblings said their brother had been locked in the filthy bathroom for at least one year. Pictured is the house where the boy was found in a filthy locked bathroom over the weekend The boy had allegedly been kept in a filthy bathroom at his home (pictured) in the small southeastern Utah city of Toquerville near the state line with Arizona Washington County Sheriff's Office Lt. David Crouse said Tuesday the children said they hadn't even spoken to their brother through the door in six months. Crouse then said a doctor who treated the boy described this as the worst case of malnourishment he had ever seen. 'It would be my definition of a torture room,' he said. 'There was fecal matter and urine on the floor, there was open cans of food, like can of beans with a spoon in it; there was also a video camera that was capable of wifi monitoring.' Court documents state the boy was rushed to the Dixie Regional Medical Center (pictured) by his father, who found his son locked up at Jaynes' home and covered by a blanket The Lieutenant also explained how a baby monitor had been set up so that people outside the room could speak to the boy and tell him what to do, however he could not contact anyone outside. The boy is expected to remain in hospital for several weeks to recover. He was arrested and charged with mailing threatening communication on Tuesday Olson, from Fargo, North Dakota, has been sending messages to her since 2014 A man was arrested after he emailed a North Dakota senator threatening to shoot her 'in her red head'. Kevin Lee Olson, 55, was arrested and charged with mailing threatening communications to Democratic senator Heidi Heitkamp. Olson, from Fargo, North Dakota, emailed the senator last month and told a judge he did not want an attorney to represent him when he appeared in court on Tuesday. Kevin Lee Olson, 55 was arrested on Tuesday after he sent an email to a North Dakota senator threatening to shoot her in 'her red head' Olson, from Fargo, North Dakota, was charged with mailing threatening communications to Democratic senator Heidi Heitkamp (pictured). He has been sending messages to her since 2014 According to an affidavit, the email was sent on December 22 and said: 'It's [sic] seems the only consideration these days is when one becomes a criminal. I guess I should find you, you [expletive], and shoot you in your red head!' Heitkamp's office reported it had received emails from Olson in the past, including one sent in 2014 in which Olson stated: 'I'm coming for you!! Now what will you hide behind??' Although court documents didn't specify which senator had been threatened, the senator's office confirmed it was targeting her. Heitkamp told KFGO-AM that her office notified the authorities, who decided it was serious enough to warrant intervention. She said: 'A lot of it isn't always flattering, but sometimes there's a piece that you go "Well, that's not something we should not take seriously."' The criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court on Monday against Olson, and he was arrested at his home in south Fargo on Tuesday. His detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Advertisement Barack Obama paid tribute to his 'brother', Joe Biden, on Tuesday as he gave an emotional farewell speech in Chicago. Looking back on his eight years in office, the outgoing President paid homage to his wife, his daughters and the American people - but seemed to save a special place in his heart for his VP. 'To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best,' he said. 'Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother.' It was a moving end to the pair's professional relationship - and a surprising one, given that the pair once strongly disliked each other. Scroll down for video Brothers: Barack Obama called VP Joe Biden his 'brother' in his farewell speech Tuesday, before the pair embraced on stage Teaerful: Biden is seen wiping tears from his eyes during Obama's final speech. His wife Jill sits next to him Love: The Presdient said the Obamas loved Biden and his wife Jill 'like family'. 'Your friendship has been one of the great joys of our life,' he added. Biden acknowledged the kind words with his trademark finger-point In closing his comments to Biden, Obama said: 'We love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our life.' The bromance between the pair has become near-legendary now, inspiring memes and tribute videos. But the pair originally had an intense dislike of one another. Biden had entered congress in 1972 aged 30, becoming the sixth-youngest Senator in US history, and had attempted - and failed - to grab the presidency in 1988. Obama appeared in the senate in 1997, aged 35, and had a similar young-buck quality that set Biden on edge as the pair served together in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The older statesman resented the Chicago lawyer's fast-rising star, while Obama saw Biden - who had run up a quarter of a century in the Senate - as patronizing. Biden returned to the race in 2008, where he called into question Obama's lack of experience in politics, saying: 'I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.' Farewells: Biden (seen at the farewell speech sat next to wife Jill as well as Michelle and Malia Obama) was told that he had been Obama's first and 'best' choice for VP Friends: First lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden share a moment Obama speaks during his farewell address in Chicago 'Family': President Barack Obama is joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, daughter Malia Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden after giving his presidential farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago Goodnight, Chicago: Biden's plans for the future remain unknown, but he has not ruled out taking another swing at the presidency in 2020 But some early stumbles with race relations - referring to Obama as 'the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy' and joking about the number of Indian-Americans in Delaware - saw him losing campaign contributions. That led to him dropping out of the race early. And that in turn led to the Obama camp coming calling about a possible VP ticket. Biden initially turned down the offer, saying it would be a step down from the Senate position he'd proudly held for so long. Time to say goodbye: Biden greets guests following President Barack Obama's farewell speech to the nation Sweet tooth: Biden, who famously loves ice cream, had been to the Detroit Auto Show earlier in the day, where he was given some of the area's celebrated Mackinac Island fudge But the pair had - perhaps to their own surprise - hit it off in initial meetings, and Biden came to reconsider that decision. The road ahead wasn't easy, though, and Biden's habit of making off-the-cuff quips frustrated the Obama team on the election campaign, calling the remarks 'Joe-bombs'. Obama became so irritated by the gaffes that at one point he remarked 'How many times is Biden gonna say something stupid?' according to the book Game Change. Biden was frozen out of strategy meetings and their relationship became strained, but he apologized to Obama in a phone call and the pair were able to restore their relationship. From there their friendship went from strength to strength, and Biden became Obama's closest political ally and friend. Their relationship even became so famous that it left a series of popular memes in the weeks after Trump's election victory, portraying Biden as a mischievous prankster out to fool the new President, and Obama as his weary adult guardian. What lies ahead for Biden remains to be seen - but he has not written out another swing at the presidency in 2020. A Russian call girl delayed Manhattan court proceedings by refusing to emerge from her cell to attend the hearing because she did not want to have her picture taken. Svetlana Travis Zakharova, who has been charged with extorting $400,000 from disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, wanted to stay in her cell to avoid the media during Tuesday's hearing. Justice Charles Solomon told her lawyer: 'I've had cases with much more press coverage than this.' He added: 'If she doesn't come out, there will be serious consequences.' Svetlana Zakharova initially refused to leave her cell. Eventually she appeared in court, above, on Tuesday Travis was arrested in New York on a grand felony charge after allegedly extorting $400,000 out of Spitzer over two years Zakharova's relationship with Spitzer came to light when she accused him of choking her in February 2016 Zakharova, 25, finally emerged clad in her prison-issue sweatsuit, the New York Post reported. She said that she didn't want to be photographed before the trial on Tuesday. But Solomon said he's dealt with 'much higher profile' defendants - who didn't complain - than the likes of her. Zakharova stands accused of extorting Spitzer to the tune of $400,000 and the case has been adjourned to February 14. She is held on $1m bond following her conviction of extorting Spitzer for nearly $400,000 - which she did by threatening to expose their relationship to the public. He paid her regular payments of up to $50,000 to buy her silence between 2014 and 2016. She also targeted an unnamed victim in a housing scheme. Zakharova stands accused of extorting Spitzer to the tune of $400,000 and the case has been adjourned to February 14 She is held on $1m bond for extorting Spitzer by threatening to expose their relationship to the public Home: Zakharova photographed in her native Russia. She is held on a $1million bond Zakharova's relationship with Spitzer came to light when she accused him of choking her in February 2016. Spitzer resigned from his governorship in 2008 after his patronage of prostitution service 'Emperors Club VIP' was revealed to the public. His wife Silda divorced him in 2014. He has three daughters. More glamorous times: Zakharova poses with a cute dog before her legal drama unfolded They were all reported missing and The bodies of two women and three children have been found dead on a Native American pueblo in New Mexico. The FBI have confirmed that one of the five bodies found on Santa Ana Pueblo is missing Albuquerque woman Leticia George. The 20-year-old has been reported as missing since Friday along with her sister Vanessa George, 25, and their three young children, who are believed to be the other bodies found. Leticia George, 20, (left) has been confirmed by the FBI as one of the five bodies found at a Native American pueblo near Albuquerque. She was reported missing along with her sister Vanessa George, 25, (right) and their three children on Friday Authorities believe the remaining bodies found on Santa Ana Pueblo are Vanessa and the women's daughters. Pictured here are some of the missing children All three daughters, Zoe Becenti, four, Chloe Becenti ,one, and Leticia's daughter Haleigh, one, are missing and are believed to be the bodies found at the pueblo Leticia's body was found on Sunday in a rugged area of the Santa Ana Pueblo and two children's bodies were discovered Monday in the same area. Another woman and child were found dead on Tuesday. These bodies have not been formally identified, but they are believed to be Vanessa George, her daughters Zoe Becenti, four, and Chloe Becenti, one. The remaining child is thought to be Leticia George's one-year-old daughter Haleigh. Leticia George's body was found on Sunday on the rugged terrain, just outside Albuquerque. Two children's bodies were found on Monday and another woman and child's body were found on Tuesday. The FBI took over the homicide case and have ruled out outside foul play The women and children were last seen in a white truck and a vehicle matching that description was found at the scene On a missing person flyer, Vanessa George and her two children were described as missing and endangered. The post also said she was the victim of domestic violence by her estranged boyfriend who was the father of her daughters. Outside foul play was ruled out on Tuesday, according to FBI spokesman Frank Fisher. He said in a statement: ' Autopsies are pending to determine the cause of each death, but foul play by another party is not suspected at this time. A white pickup truck with front-end damage was found abandoned in the area where the bodies were discovered, but Fisher wouldn't speculate if the victims died of exposure. 'That's part of the investigation going on,' he said. 'We want to see the autopsy results.' A GoFundMe page has been sent up for the sisters while they were reported as missing. It featured several photos of the women and their children. Donald Trump has rubbished allegations U.S. intelligence officials provided him with information they believe showed the Russian government had dug up dirt on his political and personal dealings. According to CNN, U.S. officials included a two-page synopsis of 'kompromat' Russian for compromising material as part of their security briefing of the president-elect on Friday. 'FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!' Trump furiously tweeted shortly before 8:30pm on Tuesday after the story broke. Scroll down for video Donald Trump has rubbished allegations U.S. intelligence officials provided him with information they believe showed the Russian government had dug up dirt on his political and personal dealings Donald Trump denied the allegations shortly after they were published on Tuesday night Trump's counselor Kellyanne Conway also hit back against the allegations, attempting to cast doubt on them by saying they came from 'unnamed sources', during an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers. She then said: 'I have to say as an American citizen we should be concerned that intelligence officials leaked to the press but wont go and tell the president-elect or the President of the United States himself, Mr Obama, what the information is. They would rather go tell the press.' When Meyers corrected her by pointing out the reports allegedly came from briefings to Trump himself last week, Conway said Trump 'was not aware of it'. The material was based on memos allegedly compiled by a British intelligence operative who was considered 'credible' by the U.S. intelligence community, CNN reported. Kellyanne Conway (pictured) also hit back against the allegations, and attempted to cast doubt on them by saying they came from 'unnamed sources' Conway also tried to divert the discussion saying that officials shouldn't be leaking information to the press Buzzfeed later published what they claimed was the 35-page memo, intelligence officials are said to have presented to Trump. Their report pointed out that it contained errors inconsistent with a high level briefing paper. Little of its contents can be independently verified. The memo claims Russian sources told the operative that they had extensive material on the now president-elect - including a secret film of him in the suite where President Obama stayed in Moscow, watching prostitutes committing degrading sex acts on the bed where the president slept. Briefing: President-elect Trump was allegedly briefed face-to-face by James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence on the Russian threat, CNN reported The meeting last week was at a time when Trump was feuding with the intelligence community. Intel chiefs allegedly included the information in order to make Trump aware that the information was circulating within the U.S. intelligence community, lawmakers and senior intelligence officials told CNN. It was included to bolster the agencies' conclusion, also made publicly, that Russia had dirt on both Republicans and Democrats, but released only the bad info on Democrats, via leaks to the WikiLeaks site. The document also charged there was an information exchange between Trump surrogates and representatives of the Russian government. Kremlin overlord: Trump was told that Vladimir Putin was in possession of apparently incendiary material Degrading acts in bed used by the president: The extraordinary - and entirely unverified - allegations that Donald Trump ordered prostitutes to commit degrading sex acts in the Ritz-Carolton in Moscow are contained in a dossier allegedly drawn up by a former British spy The charge has echoes of what then-Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid charged this fall. Reid wrote FBI director James Comey in October: 'It has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government - a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States.' Buzzfeed on Tuesday published memos, which the site noted could not be verified, charging that Russia had been 'cultivating, supporting and assisting' Trump for 'at least five years.' The site wrote that the documents were 'understood to be by a former British intelligence agent' and were prepared for political opponents of Trump. Degrading: The dossier claimed Russians purport to have footage showing Donald Trump ordered prostitutes to commit sex acts at a hotel used by the president and first lady 'whom he hated' Dealings: The dossier apparently includes claims about Trump's financial dealings with Moscow. In 2013 he held his Miss Universe contest in the Russian capital The document states Trump had declined 'sweetener real estate deals in Russia that the Kremlin lined up in order to cultivate him. Russian authorities tried to 'exploit Trump's personal obsessions and sexual perversion' in order to compromise him. The document also referenced Trump's '(perverted) conduct' at the presidential suite of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow, the President and First Lady Michelle Obama 'whom he hated' had stayed. It cited 'Source D' as saying Trump's conduct included hiring prostitutes 'to perform a 'golden showers' (urination) show in front of him.' It says the hotel was known to be under the control of Russia's FSB, with hidden cameras and microphones. The site noted that the document contained some errors, such as misspelling the name of a company, the 'Alfa Group.' Chain of information: The dossier was drawn up by an unnamed British ex-spy, obtained by a British diplomat and passed personally to John McCain - who then gave it to James Comey, the FBI Director The documents quote an unnamed Russian intelligence official as saying there was enough information to blackmail Trump. The New York Times reported that intelligence officials considered the material 'so potentially explosive' that they decided they needed to tell Trump, Obama, and top congressional leaders about it. The paper described the memos as being 'generated by political operatives seeking to derail Mr. Trump's candidacy.' CNN's story was reported by four reporters, including former Watergate scribe Carl Bernstein. Bernstein said on air the raw intelligence memos were drafted by a retired MI6 British intelligence operative. MI6, formally the Secret Intelligence Service, conducts foreign intelligence gathering for the UK government. A father and six-year-old daughter who set sail from New Zealand in a 19ft homemade catamaran have miraculously turned up at an Australian campsite 27 days later after being feared lost at sea. A panicked search for Alan Langdon, 49, and his daughter Que ended on Wednesday after they were spotted at a camping ground in Ulladulla, a coastal town 230 kilometres south of Sydney. The pair survived almost a month on the catamaran that was reportedly built in Mr Langdon's garden and made it 1,200 miles from New Zealand's North Island across the Tasman Sea - one of the roughest stretches of water in the world. Mr Langdon has since revealed one of his catamaran's two rudders broke four days into the treacherous journey. Scroll down for video Found: Alan Langdon, 49, and his six-year-old daughter Que have been found after being feared lost at sea Made it: Mr Langdon's damaged yacht sits next to other boats in Ulladulla Harbour Treacherous: Mr Langdon sailed this 19ft homemade catamaran (pictured) across the dangerous Tasman Sea from New Zealand to Australia with his six-year-old daughter Rudders are essential for steering but Mr Langdon claimed the pair 'were always safe'. 'Yes we are safe and well. We were always safe, we just couldn't let anyone know. We had plenty of food and saw lots of whales,' he told the Milton Ulladulla Times. Locals noted how the catamaran was still stocked with packets of food and large containers of water as well as a boogie board when it arrived in Australia. Appearing in a Facebook live interview with the local newspaper after arriving in Ulladulla, Mr Langdon revealed he has been sailing for most of his life. Que told how dolphins helped them know when bad weather was coming and the pair admitted there had been a couple of bad swells. 'When we were coming out of New Zealand there were big waves there,' Que said. The schoolgirl said 'seeing the dolphins' was her favourite part of the trip and revealed she survived on 'soup, crackers and muesli bars... and two packets of chocolate'. Mr Langdon said a pod of whales followed them for 500 miles and they also encountered albatrosses along the way. Incredible feat: The pair sailed from Kawhia Harbour in New Zealand's North Island across the rough Tasman Sea to Ulladulla, a coastal town 230 kilometres south of Sydney Safe: Mr Langdon is said to be an experienced sailor (he is pictured on the catamaran). The pair eventually turned up at a camping ground in Ulladulla,a coastal town 230 kilometres south of Sydney Que's mother and Mr Langdon's ex-partner, Ariane Wyler, had alerted authorities after the pair went missing on December 17 sparking an air search. The couple split last year and are reportedly locked in a custody battle. A court hearing next month will decide custody arrangements. After alerting the authorities of her daughter's disappearance, the desperate mother also hired a child recovery specialist, Col Chapman, to carry out a private search. Appealing for help to find her daughter via her Facebook page, she wrote: 'Please support me so Que can be found as soon as possible!' Pictures of the father and daughter were shared widely by the media and New Zealand police and it was a sailor who is said to have first spotted the missing pair after the catamaran arrived in the quiet town of Ulladulla, The Courier-Mail reports. Worried: Que's mother and Mr Langdon's ex-partner, Ariane Wyler (pictured right), had alerted authorities after the pair went missing on December 17 sparking an air search Journey: Mr Langdon (left, with Que, and with his catamaran, right) - an Australian citizen who lives in New Zealand - said the pair 'were always safe' Child recovery specialist Mr Chapman told the New Zealand Herald that Ms Wyler is currently in Switzerland looking after her sick mother. He said she is 'thrilled, she's over the moon she couldn't be happier' that her daughter has been found safe. 'We suspected he was coming here [to Australia],' Mr Chapman said. 'They are safe and well.' Australian Border Force officers will now need to speak to Mr Langdon as it appears he entered Australia without properly notifying authorities. However, it is unclear if Mr Langdon, an Australian citizen who lives in New Zealand, will face any charges. The pair were believed to have been headed to the Bay of Islands in New Zealand to spend Christmas with friends, and possibly visit family near Whangarei. A toddler has died in hospital after being rescued from in an inflatable pool in Queensland on Tuesday afternoon. The boy, whose age has not been confirmed, died at Lady Cilento Hospital in Brisbane on Wednesday, reported the Courier Mail. A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia paramedics were called to a private residence in Morayfield about 4.45pm on Tuesday afternoon, after a reported near drowning incident. A toddler has died in hospital after being rescued from in an inflatable pool in Queensland on Tuesday afternoon (stock image) The paramedics reportedly performed CPR on the child at the scene. The toddler was then transported to Lady Cilento Hospital in a critical condition. Queensland Police have said the death is not suspicious but a report will now be prepared for the coroner. The toddler's death is the latest in a series of backyard tragedies across Australia in recent months. Twins Robbi and Charli Manago, aged 23 months, died at The Children's Hospital at Westmead in December, after being found unsconscious in their family's pool in Kellyville Ridge, in New South Wales. In November, sisters Taya and Patricia Young, aged four and three, also drowned in their backyard pool in Logan, south of Brisbane. Paramedics were called to Morayfield about 4.45pm on Tuesday. The toddler was taken to Lady Cilento Hospital in Brisbane (pictured) in a critical condition, where he died on Wednesday Advertisement People are being evacuated from a California town only 20 miles from San Francisco following the second round of storms battering California and Nevada. Residents of San Anselmo, California have been urged to seek higher ground as the Corte Madera Creek has overflowed as of 7.30pm PST Tuesday night. This comes as a fresh round of winter storms bore down on Northern California and Nevada Tuesday after a torrential weekend drenching. Scroll down for video People are being evacuated from a California town only 20 miles from San Francisco following the second round of storms battering California and Nevada. Pictured: Flooding at a miniature golf course in Guerneville, California A miniature golf course is partially submerged in floodwaters on January 10 in Guerneville, California A new round of storms are bringing heavy rains and flooding to Northern California just days after rain and snow storms pounded the region bringing much needed water to drought stricken California A truck drives on a flooded street on January 10 in Guerneville, California. Residents across Northern California have been asked to evacuate their homes following intense flooding in the area Authorities asked 2,000 people to voluntarily evacuate Wilton, a rural community near state capital Sacramento, where floods threatened to spill over a levee. The town of 5,000 residents had a predicted rainfall of one foot and rain is expected to top the levee along the Cosumnes River channel tonight. Authorities opened an evacuation center to help displaced residents. Rain is in the forecast for much of Central and Northern California and Northwestern Nevada as the region has been pummeled by winter storms Rain and snow is expected to continue through Thursday as the Bay Area and parts of the northern Central Valley may receive 2 to 3 inches of rain Much of California's Sierra Nevada looks to receive snowfall as an area east of Fresno in particular looks set to receive 5 to 6 inches of snow Meanwhile, Yosemite National Park reopened the valley floor to visitors after a storm-swollen river forced its closure through Monday. Park spokesman Scott Gediman said two roads into the park opened at 8am Tuesday. A third road was closed due to a rock fall but was expected to open later Tuesday. Officials plan to close Highway 140 at 6 pm Tuesday tonight because of rain and snow. Gediman said it was snowing heavily. A grocery store and food court are open and hotels are expected to reopen today. Yosemite National park reopened its valley floor to visitors on Tuesday. Pictured: Floodwaters stand in the driveway on January 10 in Guerneville, California Floodwaters surround a nursery on January 10 in Guerneville, California. Another flooding scene from Guerneville, California Avalanche warnings and storm conditions prompted several ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada to close Tuesday. Pictured: Floodwaters stand in a driveway on January 10 in Sebastopol, California Avalanche warnings and storm conditions prompted several ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada to close Tuesday or halt chair lift operations due to high winds and low visibility. The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche warning through Wednesday morning saying on its website a 'high avalanche danger exists for all elevations.' Sugar Bowl ski resort's website said that due to the road closure of I-80, high winds and low visibility it would be closed Tuesday. Adventure Mountain in Lake Tahoe was closed due to blizzard conditions. Mammoth Mountain spokeswoman Joani Lynch said that just one lift was running Tuesday morning after heavy overnight snowfall. Bear Valley said the 'extreme weather' forced it to stop all lifts Tuesday but it planned to reopen Wednesday. Its website said 'Wednesday will be an epic day, so come and enjoy.' The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche warning through Wednesday morning saying on its website a 'high avalanche danger exists for all elevations' Pictured: A flooded road in Guerneville, California State officials opened the Sacramento Weir gates for the first time in more than a decade as stormy weather continues to lash Northern California and Nevada. Pictured: Signs block a flooded roadway and vineyard on January 10 in Forestville, California Evacuations were still advised for roughly 3,000 people living in low-lying areas of Guerneville and Monte Rio. Pictured: A road closure in Monte Rio The Russian River floods the River Bend RV park on January 10 in Forestville, Calif State officials opened the Sacramento Weir gates for the first time in more than a decade as stormy weather continues to lash Northern California and Nevada. Evacuations were still advised for roughly 3,000 people living in low-lying areas of Guerneville and Monte Rio. Department of Water Resources engineers opened a number of the dam's gates early Tuesday to direct water through the Sacramento and Yolo bypasses. The Sacramento Weir has been in operation for 100 years. It is nearly 2,000 feet in length and consists of 48 gates that are removed manually to allow water to spill from the Sacramento River. The weir is opened after the Sacramento River hits 29.87 feet. It was last opened in December 2005. City crews clear tree branches and debris from the Truckee River in downtown Reno, Nevada on Tuesday A woman crosses the Truckee River on a bridge in downtown Reno, Nevada, in the rain on Tuesday A man stops to take a picture of the Russian River as it floods Johnson's Beach on Tuesday, January 10 in Guerneville A car is submerged as the Russian River floods Johnson's Beach on Tuesday, January 10 in Guerneville A tree damaged by a recent storm is shown in a Fresno, California front yard from Saturday, January 7 Anderson Peak and Ben Lomond received the most rainfall in the last 24 hours. Northern California has been hit with heavy rain recently as mountainous areas have received heavy snowfall Northern California and Nevada were braced for another powerful storm early Tuesday morning after getting lashed by downpours that flooded roads, homes and vineyards and toppled a storied giant sequoia. Parts of Northern California were soaked by more than a foot of rain over a 72-hour period that ended early Monday, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate and leaving thousands without power. The heavy rains forced rivers out of their banks and toppled trees, among them the famed 'Pioneer Cabin' in Calaveras Big Trees State Park that had a drive-thru tunnel carved into its base more than a century ago. California's wine industry suffered a blow over the weekend as Sonoma County - home to 60,000 acres of vineyards and more than 425 wineries - was flooded, with up to 13 inches of rain falling since Friday. The rains - brought by a storm surge known as an 'atmospheric river' - submerged swathes of what is one of California's top wine production areas, traditionally outproducing the better-known Napa Valley. Sonoma's Russian River rose to its highest level since 2006, spilling over its banks and forcing the closure of schools and roads. North Korea now has enough plutonium to make 10 nuclear bombs, South Korea warned on Wednesday. Seoul's defence ministry said the North is believed to have some 50 kilogrammes (110 pounds) of weapons-grade plutonium as of the end of 2016, up from 40 kilogrammes eight years earlier. The North also has a 'considerable' ability to produce weapons based on highly-enriched uranium, it said in a two-yearly white paper, but did not estimate weapons-grade uranium stocks, citing impenetrable secrecy in the state's uranium programme. The announcement comes a week after leader Kim Jong-Un said it was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korea has carried out five nuclear tests and is seeking to develop a ballistic missile capable of hitting the US mainland. Pictured is a test-fire of a strategic submarine-launched ballistic missile Earleir this month North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was pictured visiting a quilt factory at the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill The isolated communist state, which has carried out five nuclear tests and numerous missile launches, is thought to be planning a nuclear push in 2017 as it seeks to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. Analysts are divided over how close Pyongyang is to realising its full nuclear ambitions, but all agree it has made enormous strides since Kim took over as leader from his father Kim Jong-Il who died in December 2011. US think tank the Institute for Science and International Security estimated in June that the North's total nuclear arsenal was more than 21 bombs, up from 10-16 weapons in 2014, based on estimates of plutonium and uranium. In this December 12, 2012 photo released by the Korean Central News Agency, North Korea's Unha-3 rocket lifts off from the Sohae launch pad in Tongchang-ri, North Korea In February 2016 North Korea released this photo of its long-range rocket launch of the earth observation satellite Kwangmyong 4 at an undisclosed location in North Korea The North has boosted plutonium supplies by reactivating its once-mothballed nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, the defence ministry said. North Korea deactivated the Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under an aid-for-disarmament accord, but began renovating it after Pyongyang's third nuclear test in 2013. The type of plutonium suitable for a nuclear bomb typically needs to be extracted from spent nuclear reactor fuel. The ministry also said the North has improved its ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads. Kim Jong-Un said in a New Year's speech that Pyongyang was in the 'final stages' of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile of the kind that could threaten US territory. He was 18 at the time of the attack in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, in July 2015 He did not show in court for his sentencing hearing Tuesday where he Asa Robert, 20, was convicted of rape and criminal sexual act, sexual abuse, assault, burglary, robbery, and two counts of criminal trespass in November The Brooklyn man who was found guilty of raping and sodomizing an 82-year-old widow has been sentenced to 115 years in prison. But he did not show up to court to hear the January 10 decision. Asa Robert, 20, was found guilty in December 2015 of suffocating, raping and sodomizing the elderly woman during the attack last summer. Robert's defense attorney Samuel Karliner said: '[Robert] specifically said he does not want to come out because he does not want his picture taken.' Scroll down for video Asa Robert was sentenced to 115 years in prison for raping and sodomizing a disabled elderly woman, among other charges. He is seen at an earlier hearing Guilty: Asa Robert, now aged 20, has been convicted of rape, sexual abuse and other charges after he broke into the Brooklyn home of an 82-year-old widow and raped her last year Karliner also said that Robert maintains his innocence, the New York Post reported. Supreme Court Judge DelGuidice said: 'The basic tenant of civic behavior is to have deference towards those more vulnerable than everyone else.' He chose to offer 'no mercy' to Robert, who DelGuidice said showed 'no mercy' to any of his victims. Robert had previous offenses and will go to court again in February because he allegedly assaulted a police officer. He was convicted in December of first-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act, following his conviction last week of first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree criminal trespass. Robert could have received up to 122 years in prison. In November 2016, the victim, who is now 83 years old, came face-to-face with her attacker, recounting for the jury in harrowing detail how Robert broke into her home, put a knife to her neck and proceeded to sexually assault her. Robert, who was 18 years old at the time, was arrested in July 2015 on a slew of charges stemming from the attack targeting the octogenarian. The incident took place on the morning of July 13, 2015, when police said Robert slipped into the woman's home in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn while she was sweeping her front yard and laid in wait for her with a knife in his hands. Cuffed: Robert was arrested in Bedford-Stuyvesant in mid-July 2015, just a few days after the brutal rape and home invasion During Robert's trial in late November, the 4-foot-5, 90-pound victim, who has been using a wheelchair since the day of the brutal attack, recounted for the jury how Robert pounced on her when she went to lay down, grabbed her by the neck, pushed her onto her bed and threatened her with the knife. 'He started to yell, "Gimme the money,"' she recalled, according to a report by the New York Daily News. 'I said, "I'm a poor old lady, my family handles all my money."' The widow, who is not being named because she is believed to be the victim of a sexual assault, said Robert proceeded to ransack her home, shoving clothes into a bag. He also reportedly pilfered an umbrella. The victim even offered the teen her late husbands Hawaiian shirt in the hope that he would leave without harming her, reported the New York Post. As Robert was making his way toward the door, the widow told the court he suddenly turned around and ordered her back into the bedroom, where he proceeded to rape, sodomize and suffocate the octogenarian, despite her repeated pleas to stop and call 911. This was the most disgusting thing that has ever happened to me, she told jurors of the attack. He was on top of me like a pile of bricks. It felt like he was trying to crush me to death.' Merciless: The octogenarian testified in court last month that Robert (pictured) sexually assaulted and sodomized her for a long time, despite her repeated pleas to stop and call 911 The woman said Robert stayed on her for a long time and continued assaulting her 'no matter what I said.' After he finally got off the woman, she said Robert brought her a bottle of water and her medical alert button. When he left her home, the victim called her son-in-law for help and he summoned police to her home. However, it was not until a week later that she told her daughter about the rape. Police used surveillance video to identify Asa Robert as a suspect, and he was picked up in Bedford Stuyvesant just a few days later. PIX11 reported that his past criminal record included at least eight arrests, including for robbery, gang assault and resisting arrest. Parents who lost their teenage son in a car crash were 'stunned' to discover that a $75,000 fundraiser had been set up to help the driver responsible for the wreckage. Mike and Lynn Mundt of Sante Fe, New Mexico, mourned the death of their 16-year-old son Alex Mundt, who was riding in a car driven by his friend Abigail McGaha when it crashed in October 2015. McGaha, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor death by vehicle, was driving between 70 to 100mph despite speed limits of 35mph, police said. Abigail Mcgaha (left) was driving at speeds more than double the speed limit when the SUV crashed and killed her friend Alex Mundt (right), who was visiting her in North Carolina McGaha was driving at 70 to 100mph despite 35mph speed limits. She pleaded guilty and her family members created the $75,000 fundraiser Mundt, who lived in New Mexico with his parents, was visiting McGaha in Charlotte, North Carolina, in October 2015 after the two became friends at camp. Mundt had his seatbelt on in the backseat of the SUV when McGaha drove at more than twice the speed limit, police said. The resulting crash killed Mundt, and she was charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving. WSOC But McGaha pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, and now her family members have set up a GoFundMe page to help her cover legal fees as well as medical bills and other expenses. Joseph McGaha, who created the $75,000 fundraiser, wrote: 'Except for serving the remainder of her probation, Abbys criminal legal battle is pretty much behind us. 'But the civil battle remains with Alexs family. In an effort to avoid a civil lawsuit, we have settled with Alexs family. 'This obviously has placed a great financial burden upon us, and we have utilized money that we had been saving for years.' Mundt's father said: 'Those are natural consequences of crime and to ask the community to pay for the consequences of crime is incredulous to me' Joseph McGaha said the family had already paid the Mundts their first payment in November, with a second payout due in February. More than 40 people have contributed just under $5,000 in eight days. Mundt's father toldWHIO: 'I'm stunned that they would do such a thing. Two families have been booted off a Jetstar flight after refusing to take their assigned seats because they had not been seated together. A video taken on board a flight from Bali to Adelaide shows a group of people being removed from the plane by flight attendants before take-off. Passengers on the plane claimed two fathers in the group had questioned why they were not allocated seats with the rest of their families. But Jetstar claimed the families had taken other passengers' seats and refused to budge, leading to them being kicked off the plane late on Tuesday night. Two families have been booted off a Jetstar flight after apparently taking other passengers' seats because they had not been seated together Vincent Bamforth posted a video online showing the family packing up their hand luggage and being escorted from the plane. He said a young boy 'was bawling his eyes out' as his family exited the aircraft. 'Jetstar you performed poorly, over exercised your power and should be shamed internationally,' Mr Bamforth said. 'Your captain is irresponsible and lacked due care and showed complete ignorance.' Other passengers claimed flight attendants overreacted after the two fathers asked to be seated near the rest of their families. 'Two families were kicked off the plane last night at 10.30pm for simply asking why the dads were not placed near the families,' the passenger wrote. 'The hostess complained to the manager hostess who then came and spoke to them about their behaviour and how a hostess shouldn't be spoken to like that. 'Neither families showed any disrespect and the hostess and they still kicked them off the plane with young children over nothing. There are plenty of witnesses to say they were in fact not being rude and simply were asking a question.' A video taken on board a flight from Bali to Adelaide shows a group of people being removed from the plane by flight attendants before take-off Another passenger, Elena Della Foresta Scamoni, said Jetstar's actions were 'completely out of line'. 'I was on that flight and the flight attendant overreacted. They didn't refuse to sit like Jetstar say they just questioned why the seats were the way they were and they couldn't sit alongside their family. 'The young flight attendant overreacted. No one was rude to her, they merely discussed this between each other. Jetstar didn't even let the two families explain the story. The families were shocked [and] the attendant was upset. 'To kick two families off with young children was disgusting and completely unnecessary. They were no way abusive or rude. 'Jetstar should be ashamed of themselves for doing such a thing to families with young children. It was completely out of line.' Jetstar claimed the families had taken other passengers' seats and refused to budge, leading to them being kicked off the plane late on Tuesday night (file picture) But a Jetstar spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the passengers were removed from the flight after refusing to move from other people's seats. 'We had customers board a flight from Bali to Adelaide overnight who had taken other passengers seats and refused to move to their allocated seats. 'The passengers refused to follow numerous requests from our crew so the captain decided that they would not travel on that flight. 'Like all airlines, our customers are allocated specific seats and we can't have a situation where passengers sit wherever they like. This causes disruptions to other customers and delays the flight departing.' She added the family were booked onto another flight on Wednesday morning, free of charge. He was holding an electronic cigarette, which Olango was shot outside an apartment nearby San Diego in A police officer will not face charges for killing an unstable black man who was holding an e-cigarette when he was shot dead last year. San Diego police officer Richard Gonsalves will not face criminal charges because he used reasonable force in the death of Alfred Olango, an attorney said on Tuesday. Gonsalves had reason to believe he was in danger when Olango, 38, pointed what the officer thought was a weapon towards him but was actually an e-cigarette, a prosecutor said. Police officer Richard Gonsalves (left) will not face criminal charges for killing 'unstable' Alfred Olango (right) in September 27, 2016. Olango, 38, was holding an electronic cigarette which Gonsalves thought was a weapon Police have released a photo of the electronic cigarette Alfred Olango was holding when he was shot Olango, a Uganda refugee, was shot on September 27, 2016, in a El Cajon, California, after police received 911 calls saying he was acting erratically and walking in traffic. The victim's sister had described Olango as unbalanced in multiple 911 calls and asked that he be taken to a mental health facility. Officers were also told Olango did not have a weapon on him when they were called. He had repeatedly refused demands by an officer and pleas by his sister to take his hand out of his pocket, according to attorneys. A frame from video provided by the El Cajon Police Department, shows Olango, second from left, facing the police officers When he finally did, videos released by authorities showed him in a shooting stance, with both hands around an object that turned out to be a bulky vaping device. Olango extended both arms 'simulating the firing of a weapon directly at the officer,' who ducked and fired four shots, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said. Officers, one armed with a Taser, both fired within a minute of confronting Olango. Olango was a refugee from Uganda and was killed in the parking lot in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon. He was described as unstable and 'mentally ill' The footage, which was released by the Ej Cajon Police Department, showed Olango walking near a takeaway taco shop. Two police officers can be seen approaching him in the short clips, and after a brief standoff he was shot dead. The cellphone footage, which was filmed by a person working in the drive-through window of the taco store, has audio unlike the surveillance video. In it, a woman can be heard pleading with police, 'officer, don't shot him', at the start. One of the officer's replies to the woman, 'ma'am, back up', before another male voice - which could not be identified - is heard saying, 'shut the f*** up'. Seconds later, four shots are fired. The woman is then heard screaming and she runs away from the scene. Two officers were seen in the video approaching Olango after he had been wandering around in the parking lot near a taco store His death in September prompted days of protests and his relatives filed wrongful-death claims with the city, which usually precede lawsuits. They said Olango, a native of Uganda, had a breakdown after the death of a close friend. Olango's father and others had said they doubted that the district attorney's office could conduct an impartial investigation and they called for an independent probe. The Rev. Shane Harris of the civil rights group National Action Network, who has been in regular contact with the family, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the decision. El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis stands at the podium while he releases the video of the officer involved shooting that killed El Cajon resident Alfred Olango Olango's death sparked protest of the police killing for several days Harris called the decision 'a slap in the face.' Dumanis acknowledged that the shooting had drawn international attention and protests. 'We are living in a time where the actions of police officers are under scrutiny more than ever, especially when it comes to police shootings,' Dumanis said. An attorney who announced the family's wrongful-death claim filings in November said they want to send a message that police across the nation must do better when dealing with people in mental crisis. The El Cajon Police Department has specially trained officers to help defuse sometimes-volatile situations that involve people in the throes of mental illness. However, officials said none were available to go to the call involving Olango. Demonstrators carry signs and shout slogans in El Cajon after the shooting of Alfred Olango The Bellevue Hill woman's descent into petty crime was documented at a court hearing on Wednesday A glamorous, private-school educated woman from a privileged family spiraled into a life of crime after becoming heavily addicted to the drug ice, a court has heard. Amanda Arbib, 26, from Bellevue Hill, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining money by stealing credit cards and people's personal details in the mail - and keeping them in her Gucci handbag. She is also facing breach of good behaviour bond matters for previous charges - which include admitting to police she was 'keeping a bag of the drug ice in her bra'. Arbib's lawyer Ahmed Dib told the Downing Centre Local Court the woman suffered 'severe depression' after the death of her father, 'fell in with the wrong crowd' and became addicted to the deadly drug. Mr Dib told the court on Wednesday it was 'one of the worst addictions' he had seen in his clients and that she had fell from 'such grace'. Ms Arbib suffered from 'one of the worst addictions' her lawyer Ahmed Dib had seen in his clients, a court heard Ms Arbib - pictured here lying on the back of a motorcycle in andold photograph - did not front court as she is in rehabilitation, her lawyer told the court Ms Arbib (with friends) has pleaded guilty to a string of charges relating to stolen credit cards and more He told the court she was in a detox rehabilitation program and it was 'imperative' she be allowed to finish it before she faces sentencing later in the year. In an incident where she has been convicted of a series of charges, in late 2015 police found Arbib with a bag of other people's mail. They took her to the police station where she claimed she had drugs in her bra and admitted she had taken ice earlier in the day, the police statement of facts said. But she refused to name the person she sourced an unidentified 'brown substance' from. Officers found her sitting near a well-known drug den and detected 'the strong and distinct smell' of GHB in a plastic Coca-Cola drink bottle she was carrying, the police facts state. In one matter, police found her sitting near a drug den with a plastic Coca-Cola bottle containing GHB Ms Arbib has the support of her family and had 'fallen in with the wrong people, the court heard on Wednesday In October 2016, police found Arbib carrying Master and Visa cards belonging to more than 11 different people in a Gucci bag, Nike backpack and two zip-up bags, a police statement of facts filed to the court said. Arbib 'quickly turned and walked in the opposite direction' after police made eye contact with her in Wolli Creek that day. Detectives found she was also carrying people's council rates notices, insurance and electricity notices, the facts said. On Wednesday, Magistrate Megan Greenwood told Mr Dib his client must attend court at the next appearance in April for sentencing. The magistrate ordered an updated pre-sentence report be handed to the court then and bail was continued. Arbib, who attended the exclusive $30,000 a year Jewish school Moriah College, made headlines in 2015 after a Mercedes 4WD belonging to her family was firebombed. A Washington woman who allegedly filmed herself stalking a neighbor, shouting abuse and ranting about 'Spanish privilege' has been charged with a hate crime. Sandra Jametski, 48, of White Center posted the video to her Facebook page on November 21, apparently showing herself following the car of her neighbor, who is being identified only as Dolores, 44. 'This is America. We don't drive like that here,' the woman can be heard saying as she moves behind the silver Nissan. 'We don't drive like you're in Mexico, lady.' 'This is my freakin' neighborhood,' she continues. 'This is where I grew up. I grew up here, not them. This woman don't deserve to belong here, she don't belong here. She don't f**king belong here.' Scroll down for video Angry: Sandra Jametski, 48, is accused of posting a video (left and right) in which she stalks a neighbor's car while ranting about 'Spanish' people in her neighborhood Arrested: Authorities say Jametski (pictured in court in December) threatened the neighbor with violence and deportation. She was arrested for 'malicious harassment', a hate crime Jametski, who also goes by the name Sandra Huddleson, was incensed because she believed that Dolores had caused a collision that resulted in her car being totaled a year earlier, The Seattle Times wrote. According to the police record Jametski was at fault - but the woman claims that she is not responsible, and that Dolores lied to police to swing the result in her favor. Prosecutors say she followed the woman, who lives close by and was taking her son on their usual two-and-a-half-mile drive to his school, ranting all the way. At one point in the video the furious woman accuses Dolores of driving without indicating properly. 'You get a super good look, everybody,' the woman in the video says at one point, 'this is what it calls [sic] to be Spanish privileged in America. Yeah, this is what we call Spanish privilege.' Dolores and her husband are both from Mexico, the Times said. Later Jametski allegedly says: 'I'm encased with Spanish people all around me, so it's okay to lie to a police officer if you're Spanish because you can get away with it in America. 'Oh yeah, you can get away with it in America. You can get away with it in America.' Prosecutors claim that Jametski followed Dolores into the parking lot of her son's school and confronted her there. Papers say she was still filming as she blamed one of Dolores's children for causing the car crash - and then things got nastier. Blame: In the video, the woman says she got the blame for a car crash after the neighbor lied about it. The neighbor says Jametski crashed herself when illegally overtaking She questioned Dolores's immigration status, made foul-mouthed threats to have her deported, and threatened to ram her SUV, charging papers say. Dolores declined to call police, but that night the family made an unpleasant discovery, the Times said: They were sent a link to the video on Jametski's Facebook profile. 'She knew our house, she knew our cars, she knew where my brother goes to school,' said Dolores's daughter, Adriana. 'She seemed to have a personal vendetta against everyone in our family. We just felt really threatened and scared and just didn't feel safe,' the 21-year-old said 'That's what made my husband afraid,' Dolores said. 'She doesn't want to do something herself; she wants to involve other people who don't like Hispanics.' Police charged Jametski with malicious harassment - a hate crime. According to Dolores and Adriana, another daughter, then 16, was tailgated by Jametski's car in 2015. They say she signaled to turn left, but then Jametski's car attempted to overtake on the left before veering off and striking a pole. The police report concluded that the cars had not struck one another. Jametski was jailed on December 3 and is being held on $500,000 bail. She pleaded not guilty in a December 15 arraignment. That high bail figure is partly because Jametski has convictions for second-degree assault and driving under the influence senior deputy prosecutor Mike Hogan said. The mayor of a New Jersey borough put his old skills to the test when he happened upon a burning home and saved a woman's life by getting her out safely. Paulsboro Mayor Gary Stevenson says he doesn't consider himself a hero after rescuing Yenitza Perez, a shift worker who was sleeping when the blaze broke out at her home on Tuesday morning. The Democrat, who is a former fire chief and current volunteer firefighter, noticed the fire after leaving a funeral that was a block away from the smoldering home. He told NBC Philadelphia: 'I don't consider myself a hero. I'm just a citizen with the title of mayor.' Scroll down for video Paulsboro Mayor Gary Stevenson put his old skills to the test when he happened upon a burning home and saved a woman's life by getting her out safely The Democrat, who is a former fire chief and current volunteer firefighter, noticed the fire after leaving a funeral that was a block away from the smoldering home He made a call to 911 and looked to see if people were in the residence, the television station reported. Two other men showed up, and the trio began making noise before Perez appeared, its report said. Stevenson says he doesn't consider himself a hero after rescuing Yenitza Perez, a shift worker who was sleeping when the blaze broke out at her home on Tuesday morning The mayor explained to the news outlet: 'I'm not sure if I was in the right place at the right time or the wrong place at the wrong time. 'God had me there at the right time I guess and fortunately the girl heard me banging and the other guys yelling. She woke up and that was key.' Stevenson attempted to help her escape, but Perez said she had to head inside to retrieve her purse, NBC Philadelphia reported. He recalled: 'I said "Honey, we've got to get out of this house because this roof is going to collapse right on both of us and we're both going to be trapped here."' In her account, Perez wrote on Facebook Wednesday: 'I went back upstairs bc I thought my mom was sleeping and then since my room was right there I said can you grab me my purse he didn't know where it was at so I ran to get it myself and ran outside!' Stevenson has been a member of the Gloucester County borough's fire department since 1984 and also served as its chief for 12 years before becoming mayor. He is a volunteer firefighter in Paulsboro, where he's a funeral director, according to NBC Philadelphia. Stevenson told the station that Perez wasn't hurt. Perez wrote on Facebook Tuesday: 'So an update everyone is safe and were staying with my older brother while we get ourselves situated.' Stevenson has been a member of the Gloucester County borough's fire department since 1984 and also served as its chief for 12 years before becoming mayor Fire officials say the blaze was electrical. It originated in the attic of the two-story house, which suffered extensive damage. Perez created a GoFundMe page to help the family, which says: 'Unfortunately, we lost everything we are a family of 6. My parents, two sisters, and a 1 year old.' 'So far all we have is each other and that's what we are most grateful about.. We are asking for our fellow friends and families to reach out to us and help,' it says. A former Miss USA and Miss Virginia USA beauty queen has been arrested in Sydney, Australia, for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend. Brittany Nicole 'Nikki' Poteet, 26, was charged on Wednesday with assault occasioning actual bodily harm stemming from a domestic incident that took place on December 16 involving 29-year-old Wade McKenzie. McKenzie has taken out an apprehended violence order, which is similar to an order of protection in the US, against the former pageant queen. She is expected to enter a plea before her next appearance. Beauty queen jailed: Former Miss Virginia USA and Miss USA Brittany Nicole Poteet (pictured left and right) has been charged with assaulting her boyfriend in Australia The 29-year-old beauty is accused of attacking 29-year-old Wade McKenzie in Sydney last month Poteet, who moved to Australia in 2014, is no stranger to controversy and has had run-ins with the law in Virginia prior to her arrest in Sydney last month, reported News Corp. The winner of Miss Virginia USA 2011 and Miss United States 2012 titles was arrested in 2013 and charged with misdemeanour assault and battery following a dispute with her ex-boyfriend, James McElroy. The charges were dropped after McElroy said he could not recall the alleged altercation. In 2011, Poteet was forced to publicly deny allegations that she hurled homophobic slurs at her gay roommate, his boyfriend and their friends. Dethroned: Poteet was forced to hand back her Miss USA crown after she posted a photograph on Facebook showing her wearing the tiara with the caption 'Miss Alcoholic USA' Troubled past: Poteet was charged with assaulting her ex-boyfriend in 2013 - but the charges were dropped when he told court he didn't remember the incident. The photo on the right shows Poteet during the Miss USA contest in Las Vegas Down Under: The 26-year-old former beauty queen, who has a Master's degree in nuclear engineering, moved to Sydney in 2014 The roommate, Derek Powell, said of Poteet in an interview with NBC12: 'She became extremely violent calling myself a f** and a c***. I just don't think that is a good role model for the Commonwealth of Virginia or young women or for anyone.' Speaking to the publication Think Progress, Poteet insisted that she liked gay people and that her 'best friend in the world' was gay. Poteet works as recruitment consultant in engineering and renewable energy for the Sydney-based HR firm Cadden Crowe Poteet was later asked to hand back her crown after she posted a photograph on Facebook showing her wearing the tiara with the caption 'Miss Alcoholic USA'. Director of the Miss United States Pageant Organisation Chris Wilbur told NBC12 at the time: '[Poteet's] character was not a good fit for the organisation so we gave her the option to change or leave. She chose to leave.' Ms Poteet, who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a Master's in nuclear engineering, currently works as a recruitment consultant in engineering and renewable energy for the Sydney-based HR firm Cadden Crowe. Her LinkedIn profile indicates that Poteet also has a side job as an events coordinator for the Australian Solar Council. No 10 today slapped down Kremlin claims of a 'witch hunt' against President Vladimir Putin with jibes about Russia's weak economy and Britain's free press. In an extraordinary escalation of tensions between London and Moscow, Russia said the UK government was 'panicking' and trying to drive a wedge between US President-elect Donald Trump and Moscow. The furious attack came as fresh accusations surfaced about Moscow's meddling, with claims - angrily denied by Mr Trump - that the Kremlin has assembled a dossier of 'dirt' against him. But Theresa May's official spokeswoman dismissed the claims today. Theresa May's official spokeswoman dismissed a Kremlin attack on Britain today, slamming Russia's economy and hobbled press She said: 'If you want to look at the record of the UK Government in recent years and make comparisons with the Russians, you might think about negative economic growth in Russia and the UK being one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world? 'How many times the UK has consistently advanced and supported UN Security Council resolutions on Syria - I think Russia was meanwhile vetoing them? 'The fact that we have freedom of expression and a free press in the UK who will choose what they report? 'Those are just the realities of the UK Government versus the Russians. You ought to look at what the UK Government's record of actions are and what the Russian record of actions are.' US officials allegedly included a two-page synopsis of 'kompromat' Russian for compromising material as part of their security briefing for Trump last week. The material was reportedly based on memos compiled by a former British intelligence agent. The Russian embassy in London said the government was 'panicking' and trying to drive a wedge between US President-elect Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin The Russian embassy accused the government of a witch hunt on its Twitter feed and website What is believed to be the 35-page document itself was published by Buzzfeed, which pointed out that it contained errors. Little of its contents can be independently verified, while there has been no official confirmation of the details of the briefing and Donald Trump has branded the claims as 'fake'. The document claims Russian sources told the operative that they had extensive material on the now president-elect - including a secret film of him in the suite where President Obama stayed in Moscow, watching prostitutes committing degrading sex acts on the bed where the president slept. Trump himself - who is due to be formally installed as president in nine days - has already dismissed the claims, tweeting: 'FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!' American intelligence agencies have also accused Russia of directly interfering in the presidential election by hacking the Democrat computer network and leaking damaging material about Hillary Clinton. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson yesterday that Russia was 'up to all sorts of very dirty tricks'. Donald Trump has dismissed claims over his ties to Russia and said allegations of a dossier of 'dirt' on him are fake The angry denial came in a post on the billionaire tycoon's Twitter feed - although he did not specify what he was referring to Mr Johnson told the Commons yesterday that he had spoken to high profile congressional leaders as well as Mr Trump's advisers about the issue of Russian dirty tricks. 'The point that we have made to the incoming administration, and indeed on Capitol Hill, is just this: as I said earlier, we do think that the Russian state - the Putin Kremlin - is up to all sorts of very dirty tricks, such as cyber-warfare,' he said. 'But it would be folly for us further to demonise Russia or to push Russia into a corner, so a twin-track strategy of engagement and vigilance is what is required.' Theresa May is preparing for her first meeting with the incoming US commander-in-chief when she visits Washington in the coming weeks. Boris Johnson (pictured speaking to senior Republican Bob Corker in Washington this week) said he had told Trump's aides Russia was up to 'very dirty tricks' Part of the document, allegedly compiled by a former British intelligence agent, is seen above. Click here to see the full document first published by Buzzfeed In a ranting press release on its website, the Russian embassy claimed the UK authorities were attempting to undermine the EU referendum result by claiming it was tainted by foreign influence. It directly criticised former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove for standing down from a Cambridge University intelligence forum over fears of Kremlin influence. The embassy also suggested the UK was being hypocritical when criticising alleged Russian war crimes in Syria, highlighting the use of British-made banned cluster bombs in the civil war in Yemen by a Saudi-led coalition. And it claimed Britain had once again 'outsourced' the fight against extremism to Russia. 'Ultimately, defeating Nazi Germany was 'outsourced' to the Soviet Union,' the post said. Ruthless rapist and killer Mikhail Popkov - known as The Werewolf - has confessed to killing a total of 81 women, Russian state investigators confirmed today. This makes him the third worst known serial killer in history, and the most prolific in the former Soviet Union, overtaking his idol Andrei Chikatilo, aka the Butcher of Rostov, who was executed for committing 53 murders, and the Moscow maniac Alexander Pichushkin, known as the Chessboard Killer, who killed 49. His death toll also outruns Ukrainian Anatoly Onoprienko, who was convicted of a total of 52 murders between 1989 and 1996 and died in jail in 2013. Popkov (pictured) is serving a life sentence already for 22 murders. Russia banned the death penalty in 1996, although some politicians have been calling for it to be restored Law enforcement officials acted today to clarify confusion in Russian reports yesterday over the married father-of-one's gruesome reign of terror. They say Popkov, who has already been found guilty of 22 murders, has now admitted another 59, a toll which is accepted by police. The Siberian beast, a former policeman, sexually assaulted his young female victims before slaying them with axes, knives or screwdrivers over an 18 year period immediately following the collapse of the Soviet Union. 'To clarify the numbers, Popkov has confessed to 59 new murders,' said Lieutenant Karina Golovacheva, an official of the Russian Investigative Committee, equivalent of the FBI, in Irkutsk region, told The Siberian Times. Lieutenant Karina Golovacheva (pictured, left) said Popkov (right) had confessed to 59 more murders, taking his total tally up to 81, the third worst serial killer in history THE BUTCHER OF ROSTOV The hunt for Andrei Chikatilo (pictured) was featured in the 1995 film Citizen X Andrei Chikatilo was born in 1936 in the Ukraine, then part of the USSR. As a child he witnessed the horrors of the Second World War. Later a medical condition led to bedwetting episodes and in an inability to maintain an erection. His first sexual episode led to ridicule, triggering a violent internal rage. A teacher by profession, he spent most of his life in the southern city of Rostov. A Soviet detective, Viktor Burakov, suspected him but was prevented from arrested him because the Russian Communist Party believed serial killers were a Western phenomenon. Eventually he confessed to the gruesome murders of 52 people and was executed in 1994, two years before the death penalty was abolished Advertisement She said: 'We are not counting in this total those 22 for which he was already sentenced. These cases are already closed. 'So there are 59 new murders. That means, if we add them to the earlier 22, it will be 81 murders in total.' Of the new 59 cases, he has been charged with 47 so far. But a further dozen charges will be laid 'in the nearest future', she said. 'We are quite sure about the 12 other cases,' said Lt Golovacheva. She said the investigation is ongoing and his final toll could be even higher. 'When the investigation is finished, and Popkov has read the case materials, the trial can begin,' she said. If he killed 81, only two serial killers in the world would have killed more - Luis Garavito and Pedro Lopez, both of whom operated in South America. Garavito - known as La Bestia (The Beast) - killed 138 young boys in Colombia while Lopez, the 'Monster of the Andes', raped and murdered 300 girls in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Experts believe Popkov deliberately waited to give his full confession to delay the moment when he is sent from his current prison, with relatively comfortable conditions, to a harsh penal colony to serve his life sentence. In a court appearance in Irkutsk this week, he was asked by judge Pavel Rukavishnikov how many women he had killed. As is common with murderers in Russia, Popkov (pictured) was taken back to the scene of his crimes - in handcuffs - and asked to reconstruct what happened. He is seen here near the village of Savateevka, near Angarsk He shrugged and replied: 'I can't say exactly, I didn't keep a record.' But the mass killer told the court: 'I admit my guilt in full...committing the murders, I was guided by my inner convictions.' After he was detained in 2012, he told police he wanted to 'cleanse' the streets of 'prostitutes'. THE BEAST OF THE UKRAINE Anatoly Onoprienko (pictured) died in prison in 2013 Anatoly Onoprienko's mother died when he was four years old and he spent much of his childhood in an orphanage in the Ukraine. When he grew up he studied forestry but drifted through life, earning a living cutting down trees. Onoprienko's murder almost exactly coincided with the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1989 he and a friend killed a family of seven - including five children - in a house in Bratkovychi to eliminate witnesses after breaking in to steal valuables. But his rate of killing accelerated for some reason in December 1995. He would often break into houses in rural Ukraine, looking for something to steal, and would shoot dead entire families to prevent them identifying him. In March 1996 Ukrainian police tortured to death a man they wrongly suspected of committing some of the murders. A few days later Onoprienko was caught, convicted and jailed for life for 52 murders. He died in prison in 2013 Advertisement 'They abandoned their husbands and children at home and went out to party as if it was the last day on Earth,' he said. He often offered victims lifts late at night in his police car before taking them to remote locations where he raped and killed them, leaving their naked bodies in woods by the roadside. Despite detailed evidence of rapes before killing his victims, his is charged only with murders. Senior investigator Andrei Bunayev disclosed last year: 'The investigation will be very long because there are a lot of cases. 'He names the places where bodies are hidden. We find these bodies, and check his involvement.' He said Popkov 'left biological traces in some cases which were not studied earlier - but now there is an opportunity to examine them'. In other cases, sites were dug up guided by the convicted mass murderer. 'He confidently guides us to the place where a body is found and explains what happened, what injuries he caused,' said Mr Bunayev. When he was a serving policeman, he was twice called to investigate murder he himself had committed. After he quit the force in 1998, it is known Popkov drove between his home city of Angarsk, in Irkutsk region, where many of his crimes were committed, and Vladivostok, on the country's Pacific coast, a distance of some 3,900 kilometres. Yet a painstaking search has not found evidence of crimes in other regions - so far. Popkov was a policeman for many years in Angarsk (pictured) and after he left the force he began selling cars, which he brought from Vladivostok Viktoria Chagaeva (pictured) holds a picture of her sister. She says: 'The pain does not go away - it was me who gave Tanya a ticket to go to a concert, and she was killed after attending it' Two of his earlier victims were Tanya Martynova, 20, and Yulia Kuprikova, 19, found dead on 29 October 1998 in an Angarsk suburb following a night out. 'The pain does not go away - it was me who gave Tanya a ticket to go to a concert, and she was killed after attending it,' said her sister Viktoria Chagaeva, 49, who owns a beauty salon in Angarsk. Popkov's wife Elena, 51, and daughter Ekaterina, 29, a teacher, initially stood by him, refusing to believe he was a mass killer. Mikhail Popkov with his daughter Ekaterina, as a child. Now 29, she says: 'I do not believe any of this. I always felt myself as 'Daddy's girl'' But since his first trial they have moved to another city to begin new lives. One theory is that he began his murder spree after - wrongly - suspecting his wife of cheating on him. 'I just had some reasons to suspect her,' said Popkov, of his belief that his wife had slept with another man. He admitted to having a negative view of women who went out at night to drink without their husbands or boyfriends. Now he says: 'I had no right to evaluate people, their behaviour ... this is my repentance.' Popkov's daughter Ekaterina (left) and wife Elena (right) have moved away from Angarsk He evaded capture for years because police could not contemplate that one of their own officers could be a mass killer. He daughter at first refused to believe he could be a mass killer. 'I do not believe any of this. I always felt myself as 'Daddy's girl',' she said. 'We walked, rode bikes, went to the shops, and he met me from school.' Her father 'doesn't look like some maniac', she said. Popkov has previous told journalists that he was only caught because of advances in DNA technology used to tackle crimes. He said: 'I could not anticipate the examination of DNA. I was born in another century. Now there are such modern technologies, methods, but not earlier. If we have not got to that level of genetic examination, then...I would not be sitting in front of you.' Asked he could turn back time, what he would do differently, he said: 'All initially should have been changed. Straight from school. Since childhood.' The cousin of the late Mob Wives star Big Ang was arrested for allegedly not paying $100,000 in sales tax on the New York bar that she and the reality star owned together. SallyAnn Lombardi, 57, the cousin of Angela 'Big Ang' Raiola, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with felony grand larceny and criminal tax fraud. She is accused of collecting $100,000 in sales tax for the Staten Island, New York, bar, The Drunken Monkey, but never paying the money to the state. Lombardi, who opened The Drunken Monkey with Raiola in 2007, failed to file tax returns between 2009 and 2015, when the business was under her ownership, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the New York Daily News. Angela 'Big Ang' Raiola found fame on the hit VH1 show, Mob Wives, which aired from 2011 to 2016. Raiola died of brain, lung and throat cancer in February 2016 when she was 55 years old Lombardi was arraigned on Tuesday and released on her own recognizance, a District Attorney spokesman told the Daily News. New York officials forced The Drunken Monkey to close in 2015 after it was revealed that Raiola, a convicted felon, was a silent owner at the bar. The bar, which sits in the West Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island, re-opened last year under a new owner, with the new name the Funkey Monkey. Raiola, who died of brain, throat and lung cancer in February 2016, was banned from owning a bar without state permission after she pleaded guilty in a 2003 federal drug-dealing case. A State Liquor Authority probe - started after a 46-year-old man was killed by a punch while breaking up a fight outside the bar - discovered that she received power of attorney over the bar after Lombardi was in a car crash in 2009. Additionally, the organization found that Raiola was listed as a signatory on a bank account associated with the bar. New York officials forced The Drunken Monkey to close in 2015 after it was revealed that Raiola, a convicted felon, was a silent owner at the bar Lombardi told the Daily News that the bar didn't start making money until Raiola became a reality star in 2011. Mob Wives aired on VH1 from 2011 until a month after Raiola's death last year. After joining the show, Raiola took over the bills for the bar, Lombardi told the Daily News. 'She was my best friend, my first cousin and my partner. It's horrible. She's not even gone a year, and she's turning over in her grave, believe me,' Lombardi said of the arrest. 'I don't know what to say. I'm devastated. This was also supposed to be settled,' she added. 'Her husband was supposed to make a deal with the tax department and pay everything up to date. But then her cancer got the best of her... and that was the main priority.' Raiola died in February 2015 when she was just 55 years old after battling stage-four brain and lung cancer. She was first diagnosed with throat cancer in early 2015 and learned in December 2015 that it had spread to her brain and lungs. She had admitted to smoking at least one pack of cigarettes a day for over 40 years prior to the cancer diagnosis. Raiola was first diagnosed with throat cancer in early 2015 and learned in December 2015 that it had spread to her brain and lungs Raiola lived in Staten Island and became a cast member on Mob Wives because she was the niece of Salvatore 'Sally Dogs' Lombardi, a captain in the Genovese crime family. Throughout the years, she has owned and operated several popular mafia hangouts, including the aforementioned Drunken Monkey'. She became so popular during the show's run that she earned two spin-offs on VH1 - Big Ang and Miami Monkey. Raiola gave viewers a closer look at her life while Miami Monkey followed her as she opened an outpost of the Staten Island bar she owns, Drunken Monkey, in Miami, which was closed when the spin-off was canceled in 2014. Both shows ran for just one season. Doctors discovered a lump the size of a lemon in her throat in April 2015 after she had complained of severe neck pain. It was removed along with some of her lymph nodes in a grueling eight-hour procedure. After the surgery, she said that she loved smoking but had given it up. 'I don't regret it,' Big Ang told the Daily News. 'I love smoking. I still love the thought of smoking. But it's not worth it. I realize that now.' A family has revealed their terror after they had to be rescued from their yacht during at Atlantic crossing attempt. James and Fran Coombes set off from Portugal last November heading for Barbados on board their yacht, Dove II, with children Heath, nine, and Isla, seven and relative Tony White, 71. After smooth sailing initially, they ran into trouble two weeks into the journey when winds picked up to 30 knots and the rudder on their 50ft boat was destroyed by the rough seas, leaving them stranded in the water for three days. The family, of Cornwall, detailed their adventures on a blog, with Mrs Coombes writing in depth about the trauma they endured as several rescue attempts failed. The Coombes family set off on an Atlantic crossing from Portugal in November aboard their 50ft yacht Dove II, pictured James and Fran Coombes took children Heath, nine, left, and Isla, seven, right, with them on the holiday that was planned for three years After initial plain sailing, things took a turn for the worse while near the Caribbean island of Martinique, with Mr Coombe, a former Royal Navy diver, forced to jump off the vessel to check the rudder. Mrs Coombes wrote on the blog: 'Now I am writing this from three days ahead but trust me when I say I remember every single second. At 6.30am on the 15th day of our crossing our rudder completely disintegrated and we were left with no steering. The boat made a crunching noise, not loud and swung up into wind, Jim who was at the wheels first thought was that we had lost the autopilot, however after grabbing the wheel and finding no resistance suspected the rudder. He ran up on deck, removed the spinnaker pole and we pulled in the genoa. Mr and Mrs Coombes, pictured, detailed their adventures on an online blog 'He then scared me to death as he grabbed his diving torch and mask and literally jumped off the back of the boat, I just stood there watching and when I looked at Tony his face reflected my look of complete horror. She added: Jim reappeared after what felt like forever but was probably seconds or at the most minutes, the results were not good, he climbed back on board and announced that the stock was still in place but we had lost all of the fibreglass, basically we had the skeleton of a rudder. This was not a good situation to be in, in fact it was everything I feared happening to us. After making calls to the coastguard at Falmouth, Jamaica, they were put in touch with authorities at Fort de France in Martinique, who rang every half hour to make sure the family were alright. Four hours later a cargo vessel, the 600ft long and 96ft wide Newseas Jade, arrived to begin a rescue. Mrs Coombes wrote: We received a call on the vhf from Newseas Jade the captain was going to bring the boat alongside ours using some thrown lines and we would do a boat to boat transfer of myself, Tony and the children. James had decided to stay with the boat and as heartbreaking as this was I understood and at this time didnt feel he was in any danger. I woke the children and put their life jackets on, I took them up to the cockpit and explained what we were about to do. But disaster struck after two weeks when high winds and rough seas destroyed their rudder, leaving them to be rescued by the Newseas Jade cargo ship and Tilly Mint yacht, pictured Mrs Coombes wrote that her children, pictured, were 'terrified' during the three days they were stranded in the water awaiting rescue They were awesome and incredibly brave, James explained how to climb the ladder up the side of a vessel, (use the rope not the rungs as you can squash your fingers) but then the children realised he wasnt coming and that broke them, Heath just begging to stay with James and I was going to have to make them leave their daddy. After several failed rescue attempts due to poor light and rough seas, Mrs Coombes said her children were terrified and screaming to make it [the Jade] go away. After making a temporary rudder, the family were able to move the boat slowly through the rough seas while the Jade stayed with them even though it was Christmas. A second cargo ship was then dispatched by the coastguard to aid them the following day but again there were problems trying to connect the ships while Mr and Mrs Coombes did not want their children trying to cross between the vessels via lines as they thought it was too dangerous. Mrs Coombes wrote: We were all very disappointed, we had thought this would be an off and as hard as it would be to leave James, I just wanted my children safe and away from this situation. The family, pictured, enjoyed two weeks of plain sailing before the drama, and Mr Coombes is pictured here soaking up the sun in the Atlantic with his children Mrs Coombes said her son Heath, pictured, was scared during the eventual rescue and was heartbroken to leave his father behind on the yacht I got Tony and the kids, we were in a little circle in the cockpit and I said were going to make a wish please send a yacht, a yacht with loads of really experienced crew, enough so that some can rescue us and some can jump onboard with Jim and help him get to land. Their prayers were answered when the coastguard called back and said a British yacht, the 40ft Tilly Mint, was on its way. On day 18 of the voyage the rescue began, with Mrs Coombes, the children, and Mr White jumping off the boat and onto the Dove IIs life raft. Mr Coombes, pictured, a former Royal Navy diver, stayed behind on the Dove II to try to salvage it, but eventually had to abandon ship Mrs Coombes wrote: When you think of life rafts you think I could do that, I could hang out in a life raft, drifting around, life would be fine and Id survive. No, just no. This one was a six man raft, it was tiny and you feel incredibly exposed and open to the elements, its sitting on a piece of plastic floating over 4,000ft of sea? I got on my knees and James basically threw me Heath, he was so brave, I hadnt witnessed him and Jamess goodbye but he just sat where I told him, didnt scream, didnt cry, he just said Mummy, I dont like this. Isla came down next and again she landed in my arms in the raft, she was very scared but she sat down next to Heath. I was saying things like It's like a paddling pool! But as I looked at their faces they were just scared and in the end I just said repeatedly youre fine, were going to be ok. Tony appeared in the raft and James cut us free, we were off the boat, we were in a life raft in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They were soon all safely aboard the Tilly Mint, but Mr Coombes was left trying to salvage the Dove. Disaster struck again when the main sail snapped, leaving Mr Coombes no choice but to call for rescue. The children and their parents were eventually taken safely aboard the Tilly Mint and docked at Martinique where they spent Christmas Mr Coombes has continued to search for the Dove II, pictured, with a reward offered for its safe return Mrs Coombes wrote: Bless him, he was a broken man, he was sat in the cockpit, the main sail was a mess where the lazy jacks were gone, the boom was swinging back and forth and there were ropes everywhere. It was like the boat had totally rejected him but in a way it was saving him. He and the crew completed the transfer very quickly and that was it, we were rescued, all of us. They set foot on land in Martinique on Christmas Eve after 20 days on the water, and celebrated Christmas by wrapping fridge magnets and keyrings in tourist maps, with the children given 'paper bag stockings'. Mr Coombes has since been searching for the Dove II while the family were given free accommodation at a hotel in St Lucia by a family friend. Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik must be held in solitary confinement because he is trying to spread his ideology from prison - using dating adverts, a government lawyer has said. On the second day of an appeals case into Breivik's prison conditions, Attorney General Fredrik Sejersted told the court the right-wing extremist, who killed 77 people in twin attacks in 2011, was following the script outlined in his 1,500-page anti-immigration manifesto he published just before his killing spree. 'He has completed the active phase, and now he is working on his project as an ideologist and a writer to create networks,' Sejersted said. 'There is unfortunately reason to believe that Breivik's ideological project is unfolding as planned.' The 37-year-old has considered the possibility of using 'national-socialist dating adverts' as a means of spreading his ideology, since their content is protected under the European Court of Human Rights, Breivik noted in a letter read by prison officials. Anders Behring Breivik (C) with his lawyers Mona Danielsen (L) and Oystein Storrvik (R) on the second day of the appeal case in Borgarting Court of Appeal at Telemark prison in Skien Because of European Human Rights laws that say everyone has the right to respect for a private and family life and freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Breivik believes he could place a dating advert to publicise his ideas. He could also potentially use them to offer up his contact details to other extreme right-wingers outside of jail as part of his bid to form a fascist party. 'Basically, I consider the writing of dating adverts such a lame activity that it should be criminalised,' Breivik wrote in a letter to supporters in August 2015 and from which Sejersted read excerpts to the court. 'But in a bid to break the blockade on information at almost any price, I envisage an experiment. Paradoxically, there is no other type of text that is as protected as the publication of a dating advert,' Breivik wrote. In his preliminary remarks, Sejersted has argued that the strict prison conditions imposed on Breivik are justified by the danger he poses and the need to prevent him from building a network capable of carrying out new attacks. Sejersted said that the self-proclaimed neo-Nazi continues to spread extremist ideology through voluminous writings. He added that his correspondence should be monitored, including opening his letters. During day one of the appeal hearing, Breivik gave a Nazi salute in court. Anders Breivik is pictured on the second day of the appeal case. The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Breivik have both appealed the Oslo District Court's judgement Dressed in a dark suit, the bearded Breivik stared briefly at reporters while making the salute in the court room at Telemark prison in Skien, Norway - but did not speak. The 37-year-old right-wing extremist sued the government last year, saying his solitary confinement, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed during the early part of his incarceration violated his human rights. The government is appealing against a surprise decision by the Oslo District Court, which sided with Breivik's claims that his isolation in the maximum-security Skien prison breaches the European Convention on Human Rights. The ruling said 'the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society. This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers.' Extremist mass murderer Anders Breivik gave a Nazi salute in court on Tuesday as the Norwegian government appealed a ruling that he has been treated inhumanely in prison It also ordered the government to pay Breivik's legal costs of 331,000 kroner (32,000). However, it dismissed his claim that his right to respect for private and family life was violated by restrictions on contacts with other right-wing extremists. Launching the state's appeal on Tuesday, Sejersted defended the draconian measures used in holding Breivik, including no contact with other inmates, use of strip searches and handcuffs, as fully justified for an unrepentant far-right extremist. 'There is no violation of his human rights,' he said. 'He has not broken down, he has not expressed remorse, he is proud of what he has done,' he told the court, saying Breivik was ever more convinced of his extreme right-wing ideology. Sejersted told Reuters that Breivik's letters and other writings showed that he had embraced a more purely Nazi-style ideology in the past two years, shifting from a more home-grown fanaticism. The gymnasium of the Telemark prison is where the appeal case regarding Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik's prison conditions is being held Breivik was convicted of mass murder and terrorism in 2012 and given a 21-year prison sentence that can be extended for as long as he's deemed dangerous to society. Legal experts say he is likely be locked up for life. He is being held in isolation in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise. He has also complained about the quality of the prison food, having to eat with plastic utensils and not being able to communicate with sympathisers. The government has rejected his complaints, saying he is treated humanely despite the severity of his crimes and that he must be separated from other inmates for safety reasons. Breivik had carefully planned the attacks on July 22, 2011. He set off a car bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens. Breivik drove to the island of Utoya (pictured) where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labour Party's youth wing Breivik drove to the island of Utoya (pictured) where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labour Party's youth wing Dressed in a police uniform, Breivik then drove to the island of Utoya, about 25 miles away, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labour Party's youth wing. Sixty-nine people there were killed, most of them teenagers, before he surrendered to police. At the time of the attacks, Breivik claimed to be the commander of a secret Christian military order plotting an anti-Muslim revolution in Europe, but now describes himself as a traditional neo-Nazi who prays to the Viking god Odin. He made a Nazi salute to journalists at the start of his human rights case last year. The massacre shocked the oil-rich, quiet Scandinavian country and many feel Breivik has had too much attention and visibility. A father has spoken of the terrifying moment he fought off a shark after he was attacked in the waves at a Bali beach. Daniel Moore, from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, was surfing with his son at Balian Beach on Monday when a bull shark emerged from the water. The 48-year-old man said he suffered serious bite wounds to his arm after the predator latched onto him during the horrific attack. Scroll down for video Queensland father Daniel Moore, 48, (pictured) has spoken of the jaw-dropping moment he fought off a shark after he was attacked in the waves at a Bali beach 'I had my right hand in the water, and the next thing, it just exploded around me,' he told 9 News Brisbane. 'There was a lot of splashing going on and I knew I was in a bit of strife... put it that way... I knew I had to get back in.' Thrashing around in the water, the father said he was able to shield himself from being attacked further when he struck back at the beast. 'It bit down hard, I just managed to hit it with my left hand and it released straight away,' he said. But he struggled to swim back to shore as his left arm was seriously mangled. 'I couldn't really use my hand at that stage because all the tendons obviously been severed,' Mr Moore said. 'The anxiety of potentially being hit again with that much blood in the water [by] other sharks... I was pretty keen to get back in.' He suffered serious bite wounds to his arm after the bull shark latched onto him on Monday He was surfing with his son at Balian Beach when a bull shark emerged from the water His son and a friend rushed to his aid and managed to paddle the injured father back to shore before paramedics treated him at the scene. He was rushed to hospital to undergo surgery to reconstruct his hand and forearm. Despite the ordeal, Mr Moore was in good spirits when he said the attack hasn't deterred him from surfing again. Laughing from his hospital bed, he said that he doesn't plan on returning to Bali anytime soon. For some inexplicable reason I woke up this morning thinking of the jobs Ive had during my stint on Mother Earth and I laughed at the varied past Ive had. Oh Im sure Im not alone in the vastness of my experiences. But at the same time I feel quite sure, in fact, all those jobs were put on my lifes path to make sure I was well equipped to be able to do the things I needed to do as they presented themselves during the my life so far. Such as My first job was pretty poopie. Seriously, I picked up poop. Yep for fifty cents a day I would go over to this ladys house and with a shovel and a sack I would pick up the nuggets her dog left on the small lawn. Looking back now I was harangued into taking over that job from a friend. Just as in the Mark Twain story where one kid convinced his friend it was sooooo much fun to paint the fence so his friend would paint the fence for him? Well I too was suckered in by those oh so shiny 50 cent pieces that my friend had every day. Soon I found myself picking up poop for my very own shiny half dollar! That lasted about a week I think. One day I just stopped goingI bet the dog didnt stop going. I am a very good pooper scooper to this day! Im a girl so of course I was a waitress for a spell. I was put to work in a small Chinese restaurant for my first stab at slinging hash. I was told I would be assigned a work mate to show me the ropes. Great, since I didnt know any Chinese. I showed up on time, bussed tables and waited for my teacher to show this grasshopper the tricks of the trade. A week went by and I still hadnt taken an order from a customer. I wasnt even sure what I was doing there every day. I felt I was just taking up space. Well apparently so did the owner/head cook as the next week my name wasnt even on the schedule. I didnt go back the next week, and as I think about it now I didnt even get paid for the week I was there! Dont suppose my paycheck got lost in the mail do you? No, me neither. I did go on to be a waitress/short order cook at a small casino. There I was self-taught somewhat. First thing I learned was not to leave an empty glass coffee pot on the hotplate then put it under the faucet to rinse it out. FYI-hot glass and cold water do not mix. Man those things really explode! That day I learned that the older woman who was the manager had been in the business for like a zillion years and could run off a line of words that would make a sailor blush! But she also taught me how to make eggs over easy, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and create a perfect cup of iced coffee all at the same time. Oh and the way to walk away from a table to ensure you get a little bit bigger tip! She would say something like, To wish you gotta swish. I am a bit envious of someone who has yet to experience a first, second and even third job. I was very lucky to have some amazing bosses. When I messed up they told me so, in no uncertain terms. Thats how I learned a new coffee carafe was fifteen bucks, or about a days worth of tips! But at the same time, to the man or woman, they took the time to show me the ropesuh except for that gal in the Chinese restaurant. But to her side of the story she was just a kid too. I dont think, however, that she went on to become management material. I did hear though that she went on to work as a guard at a prison. Ya just never know do you? There are all sorts of jobs to choose from when you are just starting out. Yes some are kind of poopie and you might get a boss that is a stinker. But some jobs are so neat that getting paid made me feel like I was robbing the place, like it was jobbery. Best advice I know is, if you are not happy in your work? Quit and move on. There is work to work, pay to get paid. Might not be a 50k+ job, but really, how much is enough? Theres no set price on happy that I have noticed. NHS England chief Simon Stevens blasted Theresa May today for claiming the Government had given the health service more money than it had requested. He also said it was unhelpful of the Prime Minister to deny there is a gap in NHS funding. It signals an escalation in the war of words between Mr Stevens and Mrs May over NHS funding and comes after the PM was accused of being 'in denial' about the crisis in hospitals. NHS England chief Simon Stevens, pictured, blasted Theresa May today for claiming the Government had given the health service more money than it requested Mrs May appeared to take a swipe at him at the weekend when she said the Government had given the NHS more money than it needed. She said: 'We asked the NHS a while back to set out what it needed over the next five years in terms of its plan for the future and the funding that it would need. 'They did that, we gave them that funding, in fact we gave them more funding than they required. So funding is now at record levels for the NHS, more money has been going in.' But today Mr Stevens hit back: Its right that by 2020 NHS England will be getting an extra 10billion over the course of six years. I dont think thats the same as saying were getting more than we asked for over five years because it was a five-year forward view, not a six-year forward view. And over and above that weve obviously had a spending review negotiation in the meantime and that has set the NHS budget for the next three years and its a matter of fact, its not news, Ive said it previously to select committee back in October that like probably ever part of the public service we got less than we asked for in that process and so I think it would be stretching it say that the NHS has got more than it has asked for. Mrs May took a swipe at Simon Stevens at the weekend when she said the Government had given the NHS more money than it needed NHS England chief Simon Stevens, pictured middle at the Public Accounts committee hearing today, also said it was unhelpful of the Prime Minister to deny there is a gap in NHS funding He added: There are clearly very substantial pressures and I dont think it helps anybody to try and pretend that there arent, but thats not a new phenomenon, its a phenomenon that is intensifying. Labour said Mr Stevens' comments proved Mrs May was 'in total denial about the crisis' in the hospitals. Mr Stevens was speaking after newspaper reports claimed Mrs May's aides had privately criticised Mr Stevens over the growing crisis in hospitals. Her inner circle accused him of a lack of enthusiasm and being too slow to react to the unprecedented pressure at A&E departments, where 18,435 patients have been stranded on trolleys in the last week alone because of a lack of beds. And they expressed frustration at Mr Stevens for his 'political' interventions, including his call for ministers to scrap pensioner perks to pay for social care. Jeremy Hunt was told to get a grip on the NHS crisis last night as the country's top medical bodies warned that it could be ignored no longer A figure close to Downing Street told The Times: 'They don't think he is enthusiastic and responsive enough and they don't think he is on board with the direction of travel.' But a No 10 source said: 'We don't recognise any of this.' It comes as figures reveal that a quarter of people attending A&E are waiting more than the Government's four-hour waiting target. And last week three times as many people waited more than 12 hours on a trolley for a hospital bed as in the whole of January last year. But speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, Mrs May lashed out at the British Red Cross as she said its description of a 'humanitarian crisis' in the NHS was 'overblown and irresponsible'. She acknowledged there were 'a small number of incidents where unacceptable practices have taken place'. But she insisted there were 'always extra pressures' on the NHS during the winter and said they were particularly severe this year because of the ageing population and the 'growing complex needs of the population. The PM also dismissed suggestions the Government will scrap the four-hour waiting target at A&E for non-urgent cases. But she insisted the focus should not just be about targets but also providing the 'appropriate care for them and the best possible care for them in their circumstances'. NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens, pictured middle at the Public Accounts committee hearing today, engaged in a further war of words with the Prime Minister today Asked about the Red Cross's description of the NHS facing a 'humanitarian crisis,' the PM told Mr Corbyn: 'I have to say to him that I think weve all seen humanitarian crisis around the world and to use that description of a National Health Service, which last year saw 2.5million more people treated in Accident and Emergency than six years ago, was irresponsible and overblown.' But Mr Corbyn responded: '1.8million people had to wait longer than four hours last year in the A&E departments. MENTAL HEALTH CASES UP 50% IN FIVE YEARS The number of children who have attended A&E as a result of mental health issues has almost doubled in the last five years. Figures show that between 2011/12 and 2015/16, the number of people who visited emergency departments with psychiatric problems rose by almost 50 per cent to 165,000. Among under-18s, the figure doubled to nearly 22,000, according to NHS Digital. But doctors from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have suggested that the figures, which account for around 1 per cent of A&E attendances, could just be the 'tip of the iceberg'. They only include patients who had a primary diagnosis of a psychiatric condition, and not those who had been brought in with self-inflicted injuries recorded as something else. Experts blamed the problem on a lack of support for patients in the early stage of illness. Dr Peter Aitken, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, told the BBC: 'Years of underfunding has meant these children have not been able to benefit from early intervention.' A Department of Health spokesman said: 'Improvements must be made in mental health care both within and outside of the NHS.' Advertisement 'Now the Prime Minister might not like what the Red Cross said but on the same day the British Medical Association said conditions in hospitals across the country are reaching a dangerous level. 'The Royal College of Nursing has said NHS conditions are worst ever, the Royal College of Physicians has told the Prime Minister the NHS is underfunded, under-doctored and overstretched.' If she wont listen to the Red Cross, who will she listen to? He added: She seems to be in some degree of denial about this and wont listen to professional organisations whove spent their whole lifetime doing their best for the NHS. In a series of separate interventions today, some of the most powerful organisations warned the Health Secretary that immediate action to alleviate the pressure was essential. The Royal College of Physicians which represents 33,000 senior doctors warned that lives were being put at risk in 'over-full hospitals'. It said the queues of ambulances outside A&E were 'visual testament' to the extent of the crisis. It was supported by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which serves 21 separate bodies and said hospitals were under more pressure than ever before. Meanwhile a group of 75 health charities and organisations highlighted how 'barely a day goes by' without further revelations of the escalating pressures. To illustrate the point, a blizzard of statistics and new developments yesterday laid bare the depth of the crisis. They included: Figures showing 18,435 patients languished on trolleys in the last week alone because of a lack of beds. The number of over-70s waiting more than 12 hours in casualty has almost trebled in two years. Some 165,000 patients with mental health problems attended A&E in 2015/16. A whistleblower claimed desperately-ill patients were being treated with drips on chairs as there were no more trolleys. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development claimed bed-blocking rates in England were twice as high as Norway, and three times that of Denmark. Yesterday Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt refused to answer questions over the future of the Government's four-hour waiting target for patients at A&E. On Monday he appeared to signal he was scrapping the target for non-urgent cases but then said his comments were misinterpreted. As he refused to clarify the matter, Mr Hunt was chased down the street by TV cameras as he struggled to find his ministerial car. Mr Hunt continued to attempt to downplay the crisis yesterday and at one point was filmed running away from a reporter A lethal hoverboard bought for a little girl at Christmas exploded into flames and gutted her devastated family-of-six's home. Traumatised Clare Happe, 32, said she now wished she'd never bought the unbranded board for her daughter Summer-Lily for 185 on Facebook. Clare and her partner Charlie Heatley, 25, forked out 555 for three identical hoverboards from the same seller. Traumatised Clare Happe, 32, said she now wished she'd never bought the unbranded scooter for her daughter Summer-Lily for 185 on Facebook Clare and her partner Charlie Heatley, 25, forked out 555 for three identical hoverboards from the same seller The mother-of-four said the drama had shattered her oldest children, Taylor Dodd, 15, Harrison Happe, nine, and Summer-Lily Happe, seven Distraught Ms Happe said they'd lost everything in the terrifying New Year's Day inferno and stressed they could easily have been killed. Choking back tears, Clare, of Barking, Essex, said: 'I can't believe it. 'To stand outside and watch everything you worked so hard for just go up in smoke was awful.' She said they now face being out of the house they were renting for more than three months with repairs set to hit at least 10,000. The devastating late-night blaze seriously damaged all three bedrooms, ceilings, walls and floors. 'There was a loud explosive bang,' said Clare. 'They [the children] all started screaming when I told them the house was on fire.' She said she'd been sleeping in one of the worst-hit bedrooms with her seven-month-old tot Charlie Heatley, who called after her boyfriend, just 10 minutes before the fire erupted. Firefighters dashed to the scene and took two hours to put out the blaze after Clare rang 999. Distraught Ms Happe said they'd lost everything in the terrifying New Year's Day inferno and stressed they could easily have been killed The mother-of-four said the drama had shattered her oldest children, Taylor Dodd, 15, Harrison Happe, nine, and Summer-Lily Happe, seven. 'Harrison has been affected the most. 'He had to be sent home from school the other day due to anxiety,' said Clare. 'This change has affected them very badly - they are all traumatised.' After sleeping in Dagenham's Premier Inn for four nights, the family have now been rehomed in Stratford, east London, by Southern Housing Group. 'It's been a struggle but it's better than a hostel,' said Clare, who has lived in Barking almost four years. 'We're still in limbo though - we can't wait to go home. 'Poor Summer-Lily came out with just the clothes on her back. 'She lost all her toys and clothes and everything. 'She said to me: 'Mum, at least I've got you' - and that broke my heart.' Clare and Charlie, who are both jobless, have now thrown away identical hoverboards they gave to Taylor and Harrison for Christmas. The furious couple have vowed to never again buy an electric item on Facebook. 'I totally regret buying them now. 'I just wanted the kids to have what other kids had so they didn't feel left out,' said Clare. 'I just feel very sad though. 'Now they have nothing.' She said they aim to take legal action against the seller, who charged 185 for each hoverboard. 'We have lost everything in our home,' said Clare. 'We want the seller to realise it could have been a lot worse - we could have lost our lives.' A London Fire Brigade spokesman confirmed the ferocious fire was sparked by 'faulty electrical equipment'. The drama comes after hoverboards have been caught up in a catalogue of serious safety scares over the last three years. Mother-of-two Shannon Williams said a hoverboard has burned down her home in Washington DC after they left the Christmas present plugged in and charging. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has launched an investigation into the accident as well as dozens of others blamed on hoverboards across the States. The CPSC recalled more than 500,000 hoverboards last July after warning that their lithium-ion battery packs could overheat. A string of international airlines have banned hoverboards from flights and the US Postal Service has stopped shipping the gadgets by air. A transgender teenager seeking treatment for a sore finger and dizziness was instead inappropriately touched by a doctor on the genitals, a tribunal has found. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled on Wednesday Dr Saeid Saedlounia went against medical procedure by inspecting the breasts, bottom and genitalia of a 17-year-old patient at a medical centre in Sydney's north-west in 2014. The patient, who is biologically female but identifies as male, claimed to the Health Care Complaints Commission he received no treatment or diagnosis for his finger. This included squeezing the teenager's breast and asking him to spread his legs as one would for a pap smear test. A transgender teenager seeking treatment for a sore finger and dizziness was instead inappropriately touched by a doctor In a statement to police, the teenager described how he could feel the doctor's ungloved fingers 'probing' his anus and then moving to his genitals. 'I felt really scared and frightened and I froze,' he said. 'This happened for a few minutes although it felt like forever. 'I felt like I was just stuck there.' The tribunal did not accept all the patient's allegations, saying it was likely he had 'reconstructed' some aspects. But it did find Dr Saedlounia was guilty of professional misconduct for touching the teenager's vagina, not wearing gloves and not examining his sore finger or dizziness. The tribunal noted in its written judgment Dr Saedlounia had a tendency to be dishonest and denied ever treating the teen. In another 2014 case, a female patient told the tribunal she felt 'creeped out' by Dr Saedlounia's sexual innuendo. During an appointment with him, the woman told Dr Saedlounia the name of a surgeon who would be reconstructing her nipples following her breast cancer. The patient, who is biologically female but identifies as male, claims he received no treatment or diagnosis for his finger 'He laughed loudly, and in a suggestive way, commented with innuendo: "You must have some special relationship with [that doctor] that you want him to do your nipples",' she wrote. 'I told my husband immediately afterwards that the session with Dr Saedlounia was creepy.' Dr Saedlounia, who has practised as a doctor in Australia since 2007, did not attend the tribunal, nor was he represented. Submissions are yet to be made on appropriate orders following the tribunal's findings. Russia has denied allegations that the Kremlin collected compromising information about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, dismissed news reports as a 'complete fabrication and utter nonsense.' U.S. officials allegedly included a two-page synopsis of 'kompromat' Russian for compromising material as part of their security briefing of Trump on Friday. Russia has denied allegations that the Kremlin collected compromising information about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (pictured) Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured), dismissed news reports as a 'complete fabrication and utter nonsense.' The document claims Russian sources told the operative that they had extensive material on the now president-elect - including a secret film of him in the suite where President Obama stayed in Moscow, watching prostitutes committing degrading sex acts on the bed where the president slept. But Peskov insisted that the Kremlin 'does not engage in collecting compromising material'. He added: 'There are those who pump up such a tantrum and do their best to maintain a 'witch hunt', and by the way this is how president-elect Trump characterised this fake. 'And why is the continuation of this hysterical state needed? To force our relationship to stay degraded. 'It is a complete fake - not worth the paper it was written on.' The memo released last night also states that Peskov 'controlled' another dossier containing compromising material on Hillary Clinton compiled over 'many years'. But Peskov denied there was any such material. Elsewhere, the memo states that Peskov was 'the main protagonist in Kremlin campaign to aid Trump and damage Clinton', but that he is now 'scared and fears being made scapegoat by leadership for backlash in US'. Degrading acts in bed used by president: The extraordinary - and entirely unverified - allegations that Donald Trump ordered prostitutes to commit degrading sex acts in the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow are contained in a dossier drawn up by a former British spy Part of the document is seen above. Click here to see the full document first published by Buzzfeed Donald Trump denied the allegations shortly after they were published on Tuesday night In a later tweet, Trump repeated Russian claims that the report was 'a complete and total fabrication', adding: 'Very unfair!' Donald Trump insisted Russia had 'never tried to use leverage over me' and that he had 'nothing to do with Russia - no deals, no loans, no nothing' 'This was absolutely fabricated, this is total nonsense. This is what is called "pulp fiction",' Peskov said of the reports. A US official told The Associated Press on Tuesday that intelligence officials had informed Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not allowed to publicly discuss the matter. After news reports were published about the briefing, Trump tweeted: 'FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!' This morning, the Russian state-run media has blasted 'troubling' suggestions the FBI should be investigating Donald Trump over some of the claims in the document. The document also referenced Trump's alleged '(perverted) conduct' at the presidential suite of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow. Pictures show the hotel's interior Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton (pictured) in Moscow overlooks the Kremlin and Red Square News outlet Sputnik highlighted memos from 'an anonymous source who claims to be a former British intelligence officer'. The report stated: 'According to him, the Russian government has been nurturing Donald Trump as a potential president for 'at least 5 years', offered him lucrative business opportunities, supplied (him) with intelligence and arranged for 'perverted sexual acts' to be able to blackmail the president-elect'. It stated that Buzzfeed 'has broken an unverified rumour that Trump hired prostitutes to urinate in front of him' at Russia's most elite hotel, the Ritz-Carlton, opposite the Kremlin. 'Specifically, the memos claim that the FSB hired a presidential suit in Moscow's Ritz-Carlton Hotel where Barack and Michelle Obama stayed and invited prostitutes to defile their bed by performing 'a 'golden shower' (urination) show' in front of Mr. Trump, stated the report. But Sputnik warned its readers: 'The fact that multiple media outlets practically simultaneously decided to publish these reports despite admitting their erroneous character is telling by itself. Dealings: The dossier apparently includes claims about Trump's financial dealings with Moscow. In 2013 he held his Miss Universe contest in the Russian capital 'However, allegedly the FBI has been in the possession of these memos for some time too.' It concluded that questioning by Sentator Ron Wyden of FBI director James Comey suggested 'the president-elect indeed might be under investigation, making the situation even more troubling'. Sputnik also highlighted a report on the Wikileaks whistleblowing website which claimed as unreliable media reports of Russian agents having kompromat on Trump. '35 page PDF published by Buzzfeed on Trump is not an intelligence report. Style, facts & dates show no credibility,' WikiLeaks said on Twitter. Meanwhile a former head of Vladimir Putin's security service has denied that the FSB snooped on Donald Trump and collected compromising material on him when he was in Moscow. Nikolay Kovalyov (right) a former head of Vladimir Putin's (left) security service has denied that the FSB snooped on Donald Trump and collected compromising material on him when he was in Moscow Degrading: The dossier claimed Russians purport to have footage showing Donald Trump ordering prostitutes to commit sex acts at a hotel used by the president and first lady 'whom he hated' Nikolay Kovalyov claimed: 'Of course, there is no kompromat.' Commenting on the press reports that 'kompromat' on Trump was gathered since the times when Trump came to Moscow as organiser the Miss Universe pageant in 2013, he said: 'To gather compromising materials about a man who came to hold a beauty contest - who would be interested in it? 'You can rely on my experience. This is not our routine here in Russia.' Kovalyov is now a Russian MP for Putin's United Russia party. He was head of the FSB from 1996-98 and was replaced in the position by Putin, who used the position as the launch pad to his political career. 'The feeling is that (Barack) Obama's administration has put all its efforts on compromising the winner of the presidential race, and they believe that in this fight all means are worth it,' said Kovayov. 'They have got enough compromising materials in their motherland, let them sort it themselves there. Kovalyov is now a Russian MP for Putin's United Russia party. He was head of the FSB from 1996-98 and was replaced in the position by Putin, who used the position as the launch pad to his political career 'It is not correct to drag Russia into their political fight.' However, Ilya Ponomaryov - forced out of the Russian parliament after being the only MP to vote against the annexation of Crimea - claimed the alleged compromising material could be used as 'blackmail' by the Kremlin. 'Everyone trying to guess what kind of kompromat it is: either loans for his businesses or his entertainment in Moscow during the beauty contest,' he said. 'Russia may blackmail Trump threatening to publish confirmation of its help for him during the election.' The exiled politician claimed the scandal is a prelude to a battle that could see new president Trump impeached. 'The scenario with Trump's impeachment is very real,' he said. 'US political opponents of Trump - both Democrats and Republicans - intend to use the scandal over his alleged help from Russia during the elections as grounds for his impeachment.' The BAFTAs face a race row for the second year running after only white actors were put for its two top awards. The hashtag #Baftassowhite is trending on Twitter as one critic branded the nominees for best actor and best actress all 'pale as hell'. There was particular fury over the decision to ignore legend Denzel Washington for his role in the acclaimed film Fences. Instead, all the Leading Actor nominees are white: Jake Gyllenhaal, Andrew Garfield, Casey Affleck, Viggo Mortensen, and Ryan Gosling. #Baftassowhite: Denzel Washington and Viola Davis have been snubbed for the top BAFTA awards this year, sparking another race row It is the same for best actress where Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone, Meryl Streep and Natalie Portman are in the running but Viola Davis, who won a Golden Globe this week, misses out. Moonlight's Barry Jenkins is not in the race for best director when his film is nominated for best film and won it at the Golden Globes. Scott Feinberg tweeted: '6x Oscar nominee/2x Oscar winner Denzel Washington NEVER has been nominated for a BAFTA. I'm sorry, but that's not above board'. Mel Smith wrote: 'The @BAFTA nominations are pale as hell. And the lack of love for Moonlight is enough for me to ignore them out of existence. #BAFTAsSoWhite' Another said: 'This whole #BAFTASoWhitething is ridiculous. Did they not learn anything from last year?' Emma Stone (left) and Natalie Portman (right) are among those in the running for best actress Meryl Streep was nominated but Viola Davis, who won a Golden Globe this week, misses out Other nominees for best actress include Emily Blunt (pictured left) and Amy Adams (right) It appears to be another PR disaster for BAFTA who could face another protest over the lack of black nominees. L ast year campaigners descended on the event in London. Demonstrators waved angry placards and branded the film industry 'male, pale and stale'. Their cause was bolstered by the fact that only two black actors won awards. The Creatives Of Colour Network, which organised the protest, had its cause backed by BAFTA chairman Anne Morrison. All the Leading Actor nominees, including Ryan Gosling (left) and Andrew Garfield (right) are white. There was particular fury over the decision to ignore legend Denzel Washington Viggo Mortensen was also among those nominated for a BAFTA in the Leading Actor category Casey Affleck (pictured left) and Jake Gyllenhaal (right) were also both nominated for a BAFTA She agreed that there is not a 'fair playing field' for aspiring ethnic minority stars. The BAFTA controversy came hot on the heels of the high-profile boycott of the Oscars. Star Wars star John Boyega also weighed into the debate, saying: 'It is important that the conversation of diversity carries on'. The Oscars were also at the centre of a row because no black people have been nominated for major awards. Alois Brunner - of the world's most wanted Nazi criminals who invented mobile gas-vans to kill Jews during WW2 - met his death in a squalid cellar in Damascus 16 years ago. The fate of Brunner has been one of the lingering mysteries left over from WW2. But on Wednesday a French magazine reported that the monster, who described Jews as 'human garbage', met his end in the country which gave him sanctuary after 1945. Veteran Nazi-hunter Serge Klarsfeld said from his Paris home that he had read the report in the magazine XXI and found it 'highly credible.' Brunner, who was 89 in 2001, was one of the most notorious of Nazi killers during the Holocaust which claimed six million Jewish lives. Alois Brunner, one of the most notorious figures of the Holocaust, died in Syria in 2001 a new report claims. Brunner (pictured left and right) became an advisor to the Syria secret police 'passing on torture and interrogation methods developed by the Nazis' Until a few years ago he occupied the number one slot of most wanted war criminals on a list compiled by by the Simon Wiesdenthal Nazi hunting organisation in America. Brunner was the right-hand-man to Adolf Eichmann, the supreme logistician of the Holocaust of who plotted the transports across Europe to the extermination camps in occupied Poland. A diabolical Nazi, Brunner was the inventor of mobile 'gas vans' - innocent looking lorries whose passenger compartments were sealed. Exhaust gas from the engine of the trucks fed back into the van, killing all its occupants. The vans operated outside of ghettoes and concentration camps in eastern Europe before the static killing factories like Auschwitz went on-line. Brunner was also personally responsible for rounding up at least 130,000 Jewish men, women and children in France and had them shipped off for extermination. The Nazis began using mobile gas chambers in specially adapted vans (pictured) after its mobile killing unit reportedly got tired of shooting large numbers of women and children How thousands were killed in gas vans Alois Brunner was the inventor of mobile 'gas vans' - innocent looking lorries whose passenger compartments were sealed. Exhaust gas from the engine of the trucks fed back into the van, killing all its occupants. The use of the gas vans began in 1941 after Einsatzgruppe members - the mobile killing unit - complained of battle fatigue and mental anguish caused by shooting large numbers of women and children. Gassing also proved to be less costly. The vans operated outside of ghettoes and concentration camps in eastern Europe before the static killing factories like Auschwitz went on-line. Advertisement He fled to Syria after the war where the regime sheltered him for decades. Israeli agents managed to send him parcel bombs on two occasions which wounded him but did not end his life. Now three ex-members of the Syrian secret service who he tutored in torture and clandestine police work have confirmed to XXI that his remaining years were spent in 'miserable and squalid' conditions beneath an apartment block in Damascus One of his guards called Omar said Brunner, who went by the name of Abu Hussein, 'suffered and cried a lot in his final years. Everyone heard him. In the end he couldnt even wash himself. 'All he had to eat were army rations -- awful stuff -- and an egg or a potato. He had to choose one or the other.' Klarsfeld, whose father was murdered in Auschwitz, once flew to Damascus in the 1980's to plead with the Assad regime to give Brunner up for trial in the west. 'I am satisfied to learn that he lived badly rather than well in exile,' said Klarsfeld after the magazine was published on Wednesday. 'XXI's investigation is highly credible. They have questioned someone who knew him at close quarters,' he added. Brunner left Germany for Egypt in 1953 with a passport in the name of Georg Fischer and worked for a time as a gun-runner for Algerians fighting to throw off French colonial rule in their country. Then he moved on to Damascus where he passed on all the terrible interrogation and torture techniques of the Gestapo he had learned during the Third Reich. Convicted by French courts in absentia to death, he lost an eye and four fingers in the two Mossad bomb attacks, but nothing diminished his love of Nazism or his hatred of the Jews. Brunner was the right-hand-man to Adolf Eichmann, the supreme logistician of the Holocaust of who plotted the transports across Europe to the extermination camps in occupied Poland. He is pictured here on trial before he was executed for crimes against humanity in 1962 In a 1987 telephone interview with the Chicago Sun-Times in 1987 he stated that he didn't regret his part in the Holocaust. 'All of them deserved to die because they were the devil's agents and human garbage. I have no regrets and I would do it again.' According to XXI, Brunner was practically under house arrest in his apartment in the diplomatic quarter of Damascus from 1989 onwards. He was moved into the basement by the Assad regime for unspecified 'security reasons.' 'Once he was in the room, the door was closed and never opened again,' Omar told the magazine. He claimed Brunner was buried secretly in accordance with Muslim rites in the city's Al-Affif cemetery in December 2001. 'In a dictatorship like Syria, he was untouchable as long as the dictator didn't want rid of him,' said Klarsfeld. Adolf Eichmann is pictured here at the height of his power as the Nazi SS Lieutenant Colonel in charge of Hitler's Jewish bureau. He 1960 he was found hiding in Argentina and captured by Israel's intelligence service 'Until the end he kept his hatred of Jews intact, as well as his faith in National Socialism,' he added. 'He was someone who hated France as much as he hated Jews.' In 2011 it was learned Nazi hunters were foiled in 1989 from capturing him by the fall of the Berlin Wall. The East German state was poised to get back Brunner from his exile in Syria when the country imploded, and with it the last chance to make him answer for his crimes. Documentation came to light that showed Damascus was prepared to send him back to the German Democratic Republic in return for trade deals and money. The details of the negotiations were found by journalists working for the Austrian news magazine Profil which discovered them in the archives of the old Stasi secret police of East Germany in Berlin. 'Brunner, Alois, will likely be extradited from Syria to the GDR,' read a Stasi document from 1988. Another document from April 1989, quoting former East German foreign minister Oskar Fischer, went on: 'Comrade Erich Honecker has arranged for the GDR general prosecutor to initiate the necessary measures to prepare for criminal proceedings against Brunner in the event that he arrives in the GDR.' Facebook will have to face off against German justice authorities next month when representatives for the global social network site answer charges of spreading fake news about a refugee. The site has been used by right-wingers and hatemongers for months to spread false stories about refugees in Germany. There have been fake tales of child rapes, refugees committing arson, robbing and generally running amok. In September 2015 Anas Modamani (right) posed for a selfie with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel as she visited a refugee shelter in Berlin. Far-right websites have falsely claimed he was a terrorist and even that he set fire to a homeless man Now one Syrian migrant, Anas Modamani, has hired a lawyer to fight his corner after he claimed Facebook allowed two false stories about him to spread. Mr Modamani, 19, became famous in 2015 when he snapped a selfie with Chancellor Angela Merkel. But that image has since been used on social media along with false claims he is a terrorist and had set fire to a homeless man. The fake fire story and accompanying photo was shared more than 500 times on Facebook but according to the site's 'community standards' the rules did not warrant it being removed. Last year a homeless man was set ablaze in Berlin by a group of young men, all of whom have now been arrested. Mr Modamani was not one of them. His image was also used last summer to compare his likeness to Najim Laachraoui, one of the Brussels bombers, with some sites writing: 'Did Merkel take a selfie with a terrorist?' Mr Modamani, (pictured at the Brandenburg Gate) who fled the war in his home city of Damascus and came to Germany, is now suing Facebook His lawyer, Chan-jo Jun, said he had had enough of the defamatory slurs: 'Anas Modamani is fighting back based on his personal rights so that no person is able to slander him or accuse him of crimes.' Mr Jun has sought to bring charges against Facebook several times over the past year, including prompting an investigation into company founder Mark Zuckerberg in November, alleging violations of Germany's hate speech laws. Mr Jun said: 'Facebook is unusually difficult about implementing German law. 'For example, slander and abusive insults are against German law, but not against its community standards.' The lawsuit against Facebook also names on an official from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, who it accuses of spreading fake news about Mr Modamani. The lawsuit comes as Germany mulls legislation to stop the spread of fake news in 2017, an election year in which Angela Merkel is seeking a fourth term in power amid growing concern about her open-door policy for migrants. Police in the Bavarian town of Rosenheim this week opened a criminal investigation into a fake news story shared through social media about an asylum seeker supposedly raping a 17-year-old girl. A Victorian chief financial officer could face jail after he skipped jury duty to attend meetings as his company prepared to go public. Powerwrap chief financial officer Sean Slattery faces up to three months in prison for not turning up for jury service in October last year. The Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday granted the Juries Commissioner's application to penalise Slattery for not attending jury service. Powerwrap chief financial officer Sean Slattery faces up to three months in prison for not turning up for jury service in October last year Justice John Forrest warned Slattery he faces imprisonment or a fine of more than $4,000. 'There is a real prospect that I am considering imprisonment,' the judge said. He said the court 'cannot operate on the whims of commercial interests' and that other people put aside work commitments for their jury duty. 'Why would that differ from a plumber who makes arrangements?' Justice Forrest said. Slattery, who does not dispute he did not turn up for jury duty in October, said work had prevented him from attending. 'I'm a chief financial officer of a company that is about to conduct an initial public offer,' he told the court. Slattery was scheduled to meet with potential investors on October 12, the same day he was due at court after receiving a summons in September. 'I was required to attend these meetings,' he said. If he hadn't attended those investor meetings, Slattery said there would have been a 'potential conflict of raising equity' for his company. A Victorian chief financial officer faces jail after he skipped jury duty to work on his company's IPO (stock image) Slattery, who does not dispute he did not turn up for jury duty in October, said work had prevented him from attending (stock image) Slattery says he doesn't take jury duty lightly. 'I wasn't asking to be excused, I was asking for a deferral,' he said. The CFO of the financial services company said he has previously attended jury service and was 'happy' to do it again at a later date. But Justice Forrest said people cannot choose to be jurors only 'when it suits them'. 'A fundamental requirement of a democratic society is that members of the public participate in jury service,' he said. Counsel for the Juries Commissioner, Daniel McCredden, said Slattery had been granted a deferral in May, which was why he was not granted one in October. Slattery, who represented himself in court, has been advised to seek legal help before the court hears submissions about penalties next week. Police have been filmed punching and kneeing a man in the groin as he allegedly tried to stop cops from arresting a girl accused of threatening to kill a shop worker. Two officers were recorded grappling with the man outside Westfield in Mount Druitt, in Sydney's west, on Monday evening. They used pepper spray on the man as they arrested him for allegedly trying to stop them from detaining a 17-year-old girl. Officers had been called after a report a teenage girl had threatened to kill a 7-Eleven worker and shoved a shopping trolley through the store's front door. Police have been filmed punching and kneeing a man in the groin as he allegedly tried to stop cops from arresting a girl who is accused of threatening to kill a shop worker The girl is accused of trying to run away from the police, leading to the struggle as the man allegedly attempted to intervene in her arrest. The teenager was allegedly already on bail and is accused of giving police a false name when officers confronted her. Officers were then forced to call in assistance as a group of around 15 people surrounded them and made threats, New South Wales Police said. A 27-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were arrested. Two officers were recorded grappling with the man outside Westfield in Mount Druitt, Sydney, on Monday evening They used pepper spray on the man as they arrested him for allegedly trying to stop them from detaining a 17-year-old girl The teenager is charged with stalking or intimidating intending fear or physical harm, twice assaulting a police officer, resisting a police officer, behaving in an offensive manner, giving a false name, escaping police custody and breach of bail. She appeared at Parramatta Childrens Court on Tuesday and has been granted bail, again, until her next hearing on February 21. The 27-year-old man has been charged with wilfully obstructing a police officer and has been granted bail. He is due to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court on February 9. Sworn Donald Trump enemy John McCain admitted Wednesday that he passed the dossier of claims of a Russian blackmail plot against the president-elect - calling it 'what any citizen should do'. McCain - a longstanding anti-Trump Republican who had disassociated himself from the candidate's campaign weeks before the election - cast himself as an innocent and concerned member of the public as he justified his move. He claimed he had no idea whether it was accurate or not - but that he believed the FBI should have it because it was 'sensitive'. 'I did what any citizen should do. I received sensitive information and handed it to the FBI,' he told CNN - the network which broke the story that the document existed. It was then published in full by Buzzfeed. 'What any citizen should do': The Arizona senator, 80, claimed he was simply acting as a concerned member of the public when he had his face-to-face meeting with the FBI Director 'That's why I gave it to the FBI. I don't know if it is credible or not but the information I thought deserved to be delivered to the FBI, the appropriate agency of government.' He added: 'It doesn't trouble me because I don't know if it is accurate or not. I have no way of corroborating that. 'The individual gave me the information. I looked at it. After receiving that information I took it to the FBI.' He added that he was now aware from media reports that the FBI was apparently already in possession of the information. ' The Arizona senator had issued a public statement amid mounting questions of his exact role in the affair - and how a document riddled with errors and unverifiable claims came to be published. 'Late last year, I received sensitive information that has since been made public,' he said. 'Upon examination of the contents, and unable to make a judgment about their accuracy, I delivered the information to the Director of the FBI. 'That has been the extent of my contact with the FBI or any other government agency regarding this issue.' But the 2008 Republican loser, who disowned his party's candidate weeks before the election, may have been far more intimately involved than that. John McCain admits he handed the report w over to FBI Director James Comey late last year. The agency were first handed parts of it in August Donald Trump, pictured, has denied allegations contained in an explosive dossier compiled by a former British MI6 agent claiming on Twitter he is being subjected to a 'political witch hunt' The dossier claims Russian authorities filmed Trump in a Moscow hotel room with two prostitutes who 'defiled a bed' which had previously been used by President Barack Obama Trump branded the leaked dossier as 'fake news' and 'a total political witch hunt' The chain of how the document reached the FBI is not officially known. However Carl Bernstein, the Watergate reporter who contributed to the first story about its existence, published by CNN on Tuesday afternoon, suggested that McCain was handed it by a former British ambassador to Moscow. Bernstein told CNN: 'It came from a former British MI6 agent who was hired from a political opposition research firm in Washington who was doing work about Donald Trump for both republican and democratic candidates opposed to Trump. 'They were looking at Trumps business ties, they saw some questionable things about Russians, about his businesses in Russia, they in turn hired this MI6 former investigator, he then came up with additional information from his Russian sources, he was very concerned by the implications of it, he then took it to an FBI colleague that he had known in his undercover work for years, he took it to this FBI man in Rome who turned it over to the bureau in Washington in August. 'And then, a former British ambassador to Russia independently was made aware of these findings and he took the information to John McCain Senator John McCain of Arizona in the period just after the election, and showed it to McCain additional findings. 'McCain was sufficiently disturbed by what he read to take it to FBI director James Comey himself personally, they had a five minute meeting the two men, very little was said, McCain turned it over to him and is now awaiting what the FBIs response is to that information.' The identity of the former British ambassador has not been disclosed. Only one former British ambassador to Moscow remains in UK government service, Sir Tim Barrow, who went on to be Foreign Office political director and is now Britain's ambassador to the European Union. McCain's long-standing opposition to Trump is well known although he only formally ended support for the Republican candidate in October, when the notorious 'p****' tape emerged. The Arizona senator said at the time: '"Donald Trumps behavior... concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy.' US intelligence agencies have claimed that Russian spies hacked the Democratic National Committee and leaked damaging emails designed to undermine Hillary Clinton's campaign for president. Trump claimed Russia said the report was a 'complete and total fabrication' Trump has once again taken to Twitter in order to defend himself from allegations He said 'crooked opponents' were trying to destroy his victory with 'fake news' Some of the allegations relate to a 2013 visit to Moscow of the Miss Universe competition where Trump is alleged to have paid two prostitutes to defile a bed during a bizarre sex act The new information, which has not been independently verified, claims that Russian officials also gathered highly damaging information on Trump, but only released the details attacking Clinton through the WikiLeaks website. The Kremlin has denied all of the allegations, while Trump tweeted: 'FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT'. JOHN MCCAIN'S FEUD WITH DONALD TRUMP JULY 18, 2015 Donald Trump questions John McCain's war record claiming: 'Hes not a war hero. 'Hes a war hero because he was captured? I like people who werent captured.' AUGUST 1, 2016 McCain continues to endorse Trump's campaign, even though Trump attacked the Gold Star family of Captain Humayan Khan who was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004 OCTOBER 8 McCain withdrew his endorsement of Trump after audio of the reality TV star was leaked including the phrase 'grab her by the p****' DECEMBER 9 McCain meets FBI Director James Comey and hands over the Kremlin dossier assembled by a former British spy Advertisement However, McCain was so concerned about the information contained within the 35-page dossier, which included allegations that Trump had hired prostitutes in Moscow to urinate on a bed that had previously been used by US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, that he passed the information onto the FBI CNN reported that intelligence chiefs had presented Trump with a two-page summary of the dossier late last week following a briefing with President Obama. It is not known if it included the most salacious details. Trump has consistently denied that Russian intelligence agencies had launched a massive cyber attack ahead of last November's election. The dossier which McCain passed to FBI Director James Comey was compiled by the former MI6 man. The memos describe sex videos involving prostitutes filmed during a 2013 visit by Trump to a luxury Moscow hotel, supposedly as a potential means for blackmail. They also suggest Russian officials proposed lucrative deals in order to win influence over the Republican real estate magnate. One claim, that special counsel to Trump Michael Cohen met with Kremlin officials in Prague in August 2016 has been branded as 'fake news'. Cohen denied that he was central 'to the ongoing secret liaison relationship between the New York tycoon's campaign and the Russian leadership'. Cohen tweeted a photograph of his passport and said he had never visited Prague. According to reports, the former MI6 man had been hired to conduct 'opposition research' on the Trump campaign by first Republican enemies of Trump, then Democratic ones. Russia denied the claims, with President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling journalists: 'The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump.' The Kremlin spokesman called the dossier a 'total fake' and 'an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations'. Earlier, the Kremlin had denied hacking the Democratic National Committee and leaking information to deliberately weaken Hillary Clinton's campaign. Donald Trump's transition team has repeatedly denied allegations that it had received any help from Moscow. The dossier was compiled by a former member of the British Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, based in Vauxhall Cross in central London, pictured, Jan. 10 Tina L. Bricker, 33, of Elko was arrested on Lamoille Highway and South Ninth streets on a warrant for petit larceny; obtaining money, property, or labor under false pretenses; making a false statement to obstruct a public officer; possession of a controlled substance; and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail: $9,060 _____ Draven L. Cisneros, 21, of West Wendover was arrested at 810 Alpine St. on a probation and parole hold. No bail listed. _____ Joshua J. Gemberling, 34, of Elko was arrested at 3021 Idaho St. Room 116 for failure to register a change of address with law enforcement as a convicted person. Bail: $640 _____ John C. Macfarlane, 40, of Kearns, Utah, was arrested at 100 Wendover Blvd. for petit larceny and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail: $1,355 _____ Zacharia D. McClard, 33, of Elko was arrested at 485 S Fifth St. for two counts of selling a controlled substance. Bail: $20,000 _____ John D. Power, 53, of Spring Creek was arrested in the Elko County Jail for failure to appear after bail on a warrant for failure to appear after bail on a gross misdemeanor crime. Bail: $25,000 _____ Thomas E. Wilson Jr., 22, of Spring Creek was arrested at 5J Music Store for two counts of failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime and failure to appear on a traffic citation. Bail: $1,442 The charges listed above do not imply guilt. Under the law, everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Tens of thousands of people have voted to oppose the implementation of unfair new libel laws that would muzzle the free Press. More than 140,000 people have responded to a Government consultation on whether to implement Section 40 (s.40) of the Crime and Courts Act, which could force newspapers and websites to pay libel costs even if they win a defamation case. While the Department for Culture Media and Sport has not given a breakdown, newspaper industry sources are confident there was a clear majority in favour of the repeal of s40. The consultation closed yesterday and it is believed at least 50,000 members of the public responded online calling for repeal of s40 and tens of thousands more submitted the same in postal responses. Analysis of social media views also suggested up to 65 per cent are also in favour of repealing s40. Culture Secretary Karen Bradley is in charge of the consultation on Press regulation, where the majority said they did not want to implement section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act or accept a State-backed regulator called Impress financially supported by shamed millionaire Max Mosley, right Under section 40, newspapers that refuse to sign up to a State-backed regulator called Impress would be forced to pay the costs in libel cases, even if they won. Impress is backed by supporters of Hacked Off and financial support 3.8 million came almost entirely from the motor-racing tycoon Max Mosley. SECTION 40: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The Government consultation on Section 40 of Crime and Courts Act is over. Civil servants will now log every response to the question of whether it should be repealed, delayed or commenced. A section of the consultation asking for evidence to back up arguments will also be considered. A final decision will then be made by minister Karen Bradley although it is likely to rest with Theresa May. The Government has not set a deadline but it is not likely to be this week because the consultation could face a court challenge. Advertisement The Mail, MailOnline and the majority of the press have argued that no country can call itself a true democracy without independent media, free from state interference. Critics also agreed that it would hand the rich, powerful, criminal and corrupt a weapon to silence criticism and continue their wrongdoing. Many thousands of people have registered their dissent about the proposed censorship of British newspapers and news websites. The UK News Media Association said today Article 40 would cost the regional and national newspapers it represents 100million a year in extra legal costs. Some would be put out of business. The Department for Communities and Local Government has today said that 140,000 took part in its online consultation. There was also a 130,000-strong petition handed to civil servants. The Government has not said how they voted. But analysis of online opinions suggests that up to 65 per cent of likely respondents believe Section 40 should be repealed completely. Warning: The UK News Media Association says it would cost the regional and national newspapers it represents 100million a year in extra legal costs and put some out of business Max Mosley, the son of former fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, has been on a mission to 'reform' the Press since the now-defunct News of the World revealed how he had organised a sadomasochistic orgy. A recent YouGov poll also found only four per cent of voters think a Press regulator should be funded by donations from wealthy individuals and trusts, such as Mr Mosley. Culture Secretary Karen Bradley is in charge of the consultation on Press regulation. The public appear to have told Mrs Bradley that they do not want to implement section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act. Her department will now spend the coming days and weeks logging the responses and considering their evidence before making a final decision. Most newspapers and websites, including the Daily Mail and MailOnline, are instead members of the independent regulator IPSO, which is free of State control. Crucially, IPSO is funded by its members which is the model suggested by Lord Justice Leveson's report into Press standards in November 2012. An apprentice jockey in New Zealand has been left red-faced after powering his horse first over the finish line - only to find out he had another lap to go. Rafi Firdhaus, a 3kg claimer, kicked away to a huge lead on Locally Sauced in the 2,180m event in Hokitika on Wednesday, pushing a margin of five lengths on his nearest rival. The racecallers could be heard voicing their disbelief at the blunder as Firdhaus shot a few cheeky glances over his shoulder while crossing the line. Rafi Firdhaus was shame-faced after powering his horse first over the finish line 'I hope this rider in front knows there is another lap to go,' the racecaller said. But the error was laid bare moments later when Firdhaus pulled his mount up. 'He's misjudged this, this rider. He's miscounted the rounds Rafi Firdhaus.' After realising his mistake, the jockey launched back into the race and finished a relatively solid fourth. The apprentice jockey kicked away to a big lead in the 2180m event in Hokitika Germany has seen a dramatic drop in new asylum-seekers with 600,000 fewer arriving in the country last year, figures released by the interior ministry on Wednesday show. About 280,000 new asylum-seekers arrived in the country last year, less than a third of the previous year's huge influx of 890,000. Arrivals declined sharply with the closure of the Balkan migrant route in March and the subsequent agreement between the European Union and Turkey to stem the flow across the Aegean Sea to Greece. While new arrivals declined, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said that the number of rejected asylum-seekers who left Germany was up though still not to authorities' satisfaction. In total, 80,000 people either left voluntarily or were deported, he said. Migrants and refugees are pictured on March 1, 2016, waiting to cross the Greece-Macedonia border near the village of Idomeni. With Austria and Balkan states capping the numbers of migrants entering their soil, there was a swift buildup along the Greek - Macedonian border Asylum claims made in Germany in 2016 Wednesday's figures showed that 745,545 formal asylum applications were made in Germany last year. The figure is higher than the number of new asylum-seekers arriving in the country because many of the people who arrived in 2015 only put in their applications last year. The biggest single groups by far were: 268,866 applications from Syrians 127,892 from Afghans 97,162 from Iraqis Nearly 60 percent of applicants were granted either full refugee status or a lesser form of protection. 256,136 were granted asylum 153,700 allowed to stay temporarily 55,000 migrants went home 25,000 were deported Source: Federal Ministry of the Interior Advertisement Asylum applications have lagged well behind arrivals and many people who came to Germany in 2015 applied only last year. Wednesday's figures showed that 745,545 formal asylum applications were made last year 268,869 more than in 2015. Those included 268,866 applications from Syrians, 127,892 from Afghans and 97,162 from Iraqis, the biggest single groups by far. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, which has been beefed up in the course of Europe's migrant crisis, decided last year on more than 695,000 asylum applications, more than twice as many as in 2015. Nearly 60 percent of applicants were granted either full refugee status or a lesser form of protection. The agency has also cut the average time required for an asylum decision to under three months, and introduced a nationwide database to combine identity records for all asylum-seekers. De Maiziere said that about 55,000 migrants returned home voluntarily last year, compared with the previous year's 35,000. Another 25,000 were forcibly deported. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who faces a national election later this year and still draws criticism for her welcoming approach to migrants in 2015, has promised a 'national effort' to ensure that people who aren't entitled to stay go home. The number of returns is still too low, de Maiziere said, adding that talks are underway with state authorities who are responsible for returns to push it up. This map shows how the Balkan migrant route has been cut off. The red lines indicate border fences that were erected or reinforced in 2016 Refugees and migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, wait in queues to receive food distributed by the Greek army at a transit camp in the western Athens' suburb of Schisto in February 2016. Balkan border controls left thousands stranded in Greece this year De Maiziere rejected the suggestion that the drop in new arrivals was the result of Europe's efforts to prevent people reaching the continent, but acknowledged that Germany was working to ensure refugees stay in their home region. Meanwhile, rising numbers of migrants from the Middle East and Central Asia are ending up homeless in sub-zero temperatures in Serbia with more arriving from Bulgaria as countries further along the so-called Balkan corridor to western Europe tighten their borders. Serbian authorities and international agencies are unable to house all the newcomers, with about a fifth of the almost 7,000 sleeping rough in Belgrade city centre or at the border with Hungary, according to the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR). German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said about 280,000 new asylum-seekers arrived in the country last year 'We are concerned that the migrant crisis has not abated and there are things we cannot influence,' Serbia's minister for labour, employment, veterans and social policy, Aleksandar Vulin, said in December. Although the Balkan route used by hundreds of thousands of migrants fleeing conflict to reach western Europe has been made far more difficult in the past year, with countries tightening border controls or erecting fences, loopholes remain, including a fairly porous boundary between Serbia and Bulgaria. As well as the Balkan route closure, in March 2016 an EU-Turkey deal to tackle the migrant crisis formally came into effect. The 28-nation EU and Turkey deal sees Turkey make sure to stem the flow of migrants into Europe in return for billions of euros to take care of them there. Under the deal, migrants arriving in Greece are now expected to be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or their claim is rejected. However, Turkey and the EU have been at loggerheads about Turkey's security crackdown since a failed coup in July. Theresa May phoned Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny for crisis talks last night in a bid to stem the political chaos engulfing Northern Ireland. The pair pledged to work together to find a solution to the collapse in the Stormont administration, triggered by the resignation of Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness earlier this week. He quit in protest at the Democratic Unionists' handling of a botched renewable energy scheme, forcing DUP First Minister Arlene Foster from her post too. Theresa May and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, pictured during his visit to Downing Street in July, held crisis talks last night in a bid to stem the political chaos engulfing Northern Ireland Under the terms of the Northern Ireland peace process the parties must share power and if Sinn Fein fail to appoint a replacement for Mr McGuinness the region will be forced to hold fresh elections - less than a year after going to the polls. Northern Ireland faces the very real prospect of direct rule from Westminster being reintroduced for the first time in a decade if the parties fail to find a resolution after the election. Mrs May and Mr Kenny had a 15-minute phone call last night to discuss the crisis. While the looming collapse of power-sharing was triggered by the renewable heat incentive (RHI) affair - a scandal that has left Stormont with a 490 million bill - other vexed disputes between the two main parties have been reignited by the furore. A Downing Street spokesperson said: 'The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach spoke yesterday evening. 'They recognised the difficulties and seriousness of the situation in Northern Ireland and how important it was to work together - with the Irish Government and the parties of Northern Ireland to find a solution. SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN NORTHERN IRELAND NOW? The Northern Ireland Executive was created in 1999 after the sealing of the historic Good Friday Agreement. In an effort to manage tensions between the communities, it sets out strict rules on powersharing. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister are drawn from the main unionist and republican parties. They have equal powers, and must govern as heads of a coalition. The resignation of Mr McGuinness and Sinn Fein's refusal to appoint a replacement will automatically collapse the executive. Fresh elections will be called if there is no compromise within seven days. If new elections fail to resolve the impasse, Mr Brokenshire can ask the electorate again. The alternative is to re-establish direct rule from London - something which has not happened for almost a decade. The last period of direct rule ran from 2002 to 2007 amid bitter dispute over the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Advertisement 'In addition, they spoke about how the Northern Ireland Secretary and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, will be working very closely together over the next few days and months to support the parties of Northern Ireland in finding a resolution.' The spokesperson added: 'The Prime Minister also said how important it was to make sure that Northern Ireland's voice and interests are heard as we prepare to leave European Union and how the Northern Ireland Secretary is fully committed to making this happen. 'She added that it was still our intention to hold a Joint Ministerial Committee at the end of the month to bring the devolved nations together in getting the best deal for the whole of the United Kingdom. 'They also agreed to maintain regular contact over the comings months.' Yesterday the Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said Northern Ireland's devolved system could be destroyed by 'divisive' elections that now appear 'highly likely'. He outlined the 'grave' political dangers facing Ulster after Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness quit as deputy first minister in the power-sharing executive. A political row over the role of DUP first minister Arlene Foster in a disastrous renewable energy scheme means fresh elections could be ordered as soon as next week. Mrs Foster signalled today she was prepared to resume talks to avoid a full collapse of the Stormont executive - but she continued her refusal to resign. Updating the Commons on the latest developments, Mr Brokenshire said the 'situation is grave' after the scandal exposed 'deeper tensions' within the executive. He said: 'This has led to a break down in the trust and cooperation that is necessary for the power-sharing institutions to function effectively. 'Over the coming hours and days, I will continue to explore whether any basis exists to resolve these issues prior to me having to fulfil my statutory duty to call an election. The collapse in the Stormont administration was triggered by the resignation of Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness earlier this week First Minister Arlene Foster, who presided over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), has steadfastly refused to stand aside while the scandal is probed 'We do however have to be realistic: the clock is ticking. If there is no resolution an election is inevitable despite the widely held view this election may deepen divisions and threaten the continuity of the devolved institutions.' Mr Brokenshire said it was 'imperative a comprehensive and transparent' inquiry was established Renewable Heat Initiative scandal (RHI) which threatens to leave a 490million black hole in Stormont's finances. The Northern Ireland Secretary is flying back to Northern Ireland this afternoon to resume efforts to try and end the impasse without early elections. If elections are held but fail to resolve the political dispute, Mr Brokenshire would be forced to hold another poll. Continued failure would ultimately lead to the re-imposition of direct rule from London - a move which could threaten the wider peace process. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said new elections are now 'inevitable' just six months after the province last went to the polls. The move could affect Theresa May's timetable to trigger the Article 50 EU exit process by the end of March. The Supreme Court is currently considering whether she must first seek the consent of devolved assemblies like Stormont which would be impossible in an election campaign. Brexit is likely to be a major issue in new elections, because most voters in the province voted Remain but it is led by the pro-Brexit DUP. Mr McGuinness's walkout follows months of wrangling over the RHI which threatens to leave a 490million black hole in Stormont's finances. The subsidy scheme was set up by Ms Foster in 2012 in her previous role as economy minister. It was meant to boost use of renewable energy but the subsidy rates were set far too high and no cap was set on the amounts that could be claimed. This led to huge abuse, with firms said to have exploited the free-for-all by leaving their heating on at all hours with the windows open. Northern Ireland's devolved system could be destroyed by 'divisive' elections that now appear 'highly likely', James Brokenshire warned MPs yesterday The scheme was closed last February because of 'significant financial risk' to the province. But Stormont is locked into 20-year contracts with firms which signed up and the final bill could top 1billion. Rival politicians accused Mrs Foster of incompetence and she faced disputed allegations of corruption. But she refused to step aside to allow an independent investigation, despite claims that she had a 'clear conflict of interest'. Mr McGuinness said it was time to let Northern Ireland voters give their judgment on the scandal. He added: 'The DUP's handling of this issue has been completely out of step with a public mood, which is rightly outraged at the squandering of public money and the allegations of misconduct and corruption.' Under the terms of the power-sharing deal, his resignation will automatically bring down Mrs Foster as First Minister and trigger new elections unless Sinn Fein nominates a new Deputy First Minister, which it has vowed it will not. Mrs Foster hit back yesterday by accusing Mr McGuinness of staging a cynical stunt. 'Sinn Fein's actions are not principled; they are political,' she said. 'At precisely the time we need our government to be active, we will have no government and no way to resolve the RHI problems.' Reverend Chris Oakey kept the potentially deadly animals in his office without carrying out a risk assessment, an Ofsted report said A private school headteacher has been slammed by Ofsted for keeping a seven-foot boa constrictor and tarantulas in his office, a report has revealed. Reverend Chris Oakey kept the potentially deadly animals at Luton Pentecostal Church Christian Academy in Bedfordshire without carrying out a risk assessment, an Ofsted report revealed. The report, which rated it as 'inadequate', also said that the the 240-a-month church school had failed to check if staff were suitable to work with children. Inspectors said: 'The proprietor has not ensured that all necessary risk assessments are carried out and that they are updated regularly. For example, a seven-foot-long boa constrictor and a number of tarantulas are kept in the principal's office. 'No risk assessment has been made to ensure that keeping such animals in school does not pose a risk to children.' The report said the school also kept a number of other pets - to 'enhance the work of the school' - which had not been assessed for their risk to children. It is not known what these other animals were. The independent Christian school has 58 pupils aged three to 13 years old and charges parents 240-a-month and 150 per month if grant-aided. In its previous inspection is was rated as 'good' but was found to be 'inadequate' in all areas during Ofsted's latest inspection which was carried out in October last year. In addition to the safeguarding issues the report found that the school had not properly checked staff were suitable to work with children. It said: 'Prohibition from teaching checks have not been done. The approach to employing new staff is lax and relies too heavily on personal connections and the surety of already knowing prospective employees.' The report was published last week and also said the school had not met the 'independent school standards'. Inspectors said that the head had kept the animals in his office at Luton Pentecostal Church Christian Academy in Bedfordshire, which was rated as 'inadequate' in the report The headteacher kept a potentially deadly boa constrictor (left) and tarantulas (right, both stock images) It said the school had no first-aid policy, leaders 'did not promote harmony' and that pupils' attainment is 'below expectations for their age'. Ofsted did say, however, that pupils were 'polite, friendly and well-mannered' and that behaviour was 'good throughout the school'. It said leaders were 'deeply committed' to further improvements. IS A BOA A SAFE PET? Public Health England says that all reptiles carry salmonella and are not suitable as pets. Although expert reptile keepers will advise that snakes can be kept safely, but most advise owners to start small. Adults generally weigh around 8lbs but they can grow up to 13ft. Boas are known to be temperamental snakes and can give a nasty bite, although they are not venomous. Advertisement Advice issued to schools by Public Health England says reptiles 'are not suitable' as pets and that 'all species carry salmonella'. Andrea Williams is the chief executive from Christian Concern, a not-for-profit company which is supporting Luton Pentecostal Church Christian Academy. She said: 'His (Mr Oakey) office is away from the pupils. All the lessons are on the ground floor of the building and his office is on the first floor. 'He has kept snakes for years. His office is always locked when he is not there and the boa constrictor is kept in a tank which is locked.' Mrs Williams explained that the school is in a deprived part in the centre of Luton, Beds, and has pupils from a variety of backgrounds. She said that many of the pupils have never interacted with animals before and it is part of their education which is 'overwhelmingly' supported by their parents. She added: 'It is a pioneering school in a deprived area which has won diversity awards where children are loved and nurtured and go on to do very well.' An Ohio woman accused of injecting her father with a lethal dose of heroin has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and been sentenced to three years in prison. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Lindsay Newkirk, of Columbus, injected heroin into the arm of her 55-year-old father, Leonard Newkirk, in February after injecting herself. On the night of the incident, the father and daughter were staying at 40 Motel on West Broad Street in Columbus. Heroin USA: Lindsay Newkirk (left), 27, has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the February 2016 death of her father, Leonard Newkirk (right), 55 Mr Newkirk was found unresponsive at 40 Motel on West Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio (pictured) on the morning of February 13, 2016 When Lindsay woke up in the hotel room the following morning, her father was unresponsive. The woman called for help, but Leonard Newkirk was already dead. The 27-year-old woman pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on Tuesday under a deal with prosecutors, and a charge of corrupting someone with drugs was dropped. Newkirk's prison term will be followed by five years of supervised release. The Columbus Dispatch reported that defense attorney Thomas Lininger said that Newkirk and her father were both long-time drug users and that it was clear she did not intend to kill him. Lindsay Newkirk told police after her arrest that she would often prepare the heroin and try a small dose on herself first before shooting up her dad. Lindsay Newkirk (left) told police she would often prepare the heroin and try a small dose on herself first before shooting up her dad (right) Judge Kimberly Cocroft on Tuesday indicated she was glad Newkirk has expressed interest in taking advantage of programs to address her addiction while in prison, adding that she did not want to read the woman's obituary in the paper. The snow in Salento fell over the weekend as sub-freezing temperatures gripped swathes of Europe 'Two days of snow, two flashes in the sky, I know the world ends,' he said Over 500 years ago an Italian philosopher made the apocalyptic prediction that two consecutive days of snow in the sunny, southern Italian town of Salento would mean 'the end of the world'. Now Matteo Tafuri's prophecy is at risk of coming true after freezing temperatures hit Italy's Peninsula, blanketing Salento's beaches in snow. 'Italian Nostradamus' Tafuri, who lived from 1492-1582, was one of the most eminent personalities of Apulia region of Italy in the 16th century. Warning that two days of Salento would lead to the end of the world, he wrote: 'Salento of palm trees and mild south wind, snowy Salento but never after the touch. Two days of snow, two flashes in the sky, I know the world ends, but I do not yearn.' Snow has covered the beaches of southern Italy for two days in a row this weekend Philosopher Matteo Tafuri said that two consecutive days of snow in the sunny, southern Italian town of Salento (pictured) would mean 'the end of the world' According to the Encyclopedia of Renaissance Philosophy, Tafuri was a lover of Greek and Latin literature, a physician and skilled astrologer. After travelling to England, he was jailed after being suspected of Lutheranism. He also 'indulged in some misguided prophecies, predicting the imminent death of Charles V,' the encyclopedia says. After his release he is said to have travelled to Ireland, where he was accused of practising magic. But papal intervention led to the charges being dropped and he returned to Italy. Italian philosopher Matteo Tafuri is thought to have lived from 1492-1582 The snow in Salento fell over the weekend as schools were closed in a handful of Italy's southern cities not accustomed to such heavy snowfall. Individual schools also closed in Rome and Bologna because heaters weren't working, news reports said. The sub-freezing temperatures have been blamed for the deaths of at least eight people and have disrupted road, rail, air and ferry travel. On Tuesday officials said sub-freezing temperatures across swathes of Europe have claimed over 60 victims in recent days - notably in Poland, Romania and the Balkans - with migrants and the homeless among the most vulnerable. Six people died in Poland and seven more in the Balkans over a 24-hour period as temperatures plunged across Europe, while Romania announced six deaths in recent days. Authorities in Warsaw said the toll of hypothermia deaths in the country since November 1 had now risen to 71. Freezing temperatures hit Italy's Peninsula this weekend. A beach on the peninsula is pictured here in summer Polish police urged people to help those most vulnerable, especially the homeless, as the mercury sank to below -20 degrees Celsius (minus four degrees Fahrenheit) in some regions. 'Another six people died due to exposure over the last 24 hours,' the centre for national security (RCB) said on Tuesday in a statement. Local authorities have also issued smog alerts across Poland, urging children and the elderly to remain indoors as coal and waste-fired home furnaces drive up air pollution to the highest levels recorded in years. Last winter in Poland was unusually mild but still claimed 77 lives in the nation of 38 million, compared to 78 in 2013-2014 and 177 in 2012-2013. In the Balkans, a father and son were amongst at least seven people reported to have died in the last 24 hours, local media said - three each in Serbia and Macedonia, and one in Albania. Social media users have shared bizarre photos of Salento's beaches covered in snow Tafuri's prophecy said: 'Salento of palm trees and mild south wind, snowy Salento but never after the touch. Two days of snow, two flashes in the sky, I know the world ends, but I do not yearn.' In southern Serbia, where temperatures have fallen below -20 C and a state of emergency has been declared, an 88-year-old father and his 64-year-old son died of the cold in the village of Duga Poljana. But in the east of the country there was rare good news as national television station RTS reported the miraculous survival of a man in the village of Smoljinac who survived for two days in temperatures reaching minus 20 Celsius after falling down a well. Finally rescued by a neighbour, he was taken to hospital. In Slovakia, six people have succumbed to the cold weather in recent days, according the country's Central Emergency Services told AFP Tuesday. The current deep freeze sweeping Europe has also killed six people in Romania in recent days, according to first official figures released by the health ministry in Bucharest. This raises the total number of deaths across the continent to over 60 in just a few days, with many of the victims being migrants or homeless people. In Greece, which has more than 60,000 mainly Syrian refugees on its territory, many migrants have been moved to prefabricated houses and heated tents. It has also sent a tank landing craft to Lesbos to pick up refugees and migrants currently living in miserable conditions in the Moria refugee camp, navy spokesman Spyridon Pollatos told AFP. The craft 'should arrive on Wednesday and can house 500 people', Pollatos said. More than 2,500 people, 'including children, women and disabled people' are living 'in tents, without either hot water or heating' at the Moria camp, said Apostolos Veizis of Doctors Without Borders. Since Friday, Greece has been hit by an unusually cold snap and heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, traffic on the Danube between Romania and Bulgaria was halted indefinitely on Tuesday. Schools remained closed in large parts of Romania, with more snow storms forecast for Tuesday evening. Heavy snowstorms also reached Turkey over the weekend, paralysing its biggest city Istanbul where almost 65 centimetres (25 inches) of snow fell, forcing hundreds of flights to be cancelled on Saturday. Ivanka Trump's fashion line wants to put the future-First Daughter's name on bras, underwear and other lingerie despite the 35-year-old resigning from the company, according to court documents. Ivanka Trump Marks LLC filed legal documents on Tuesday to expand its product line to include tights, socks, stockings, leggings, lingerie, underwear, bras, panties, shorts, briefs, shapewear, camisoles, tank tops, corsets, chemise, hosiery, undergarments, teddies and sleepwear. The company also wants to put Ivanka's name on the attire, legal documents obtained by TMZ show. The clothing line using Ivanka's name will partner with G-III for the clothing line, which is expected to hit stores in the spring. The documents were filed just after Ivanka stepped down from her post as Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions as the Trump Organization after 11 years with the company while also resigning from her job running her eponymous line of clothing, shoes and jewelry. Ivanka also sold off all her common stock in the Trump Organization so that she can no longer benefit from the company's profits. Ivanka Trump's fashion line wants to put the future-First Daughters name on bras, underwear and other undergarments. The 35-year-old will resign from the company before moving to Washington, DC. Ivanka is pictured above in advertisements for her jewelry line Ivanka Trump (above in September) stepped down from her job as Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions as the Trump Organization after 11 years earlier this year, and sold off all her common stock in the Trump Organization so that she can no longer benefit from the company's profits The decision of the married mother-of-three to step down from her jobs seems to confirm the long held belief that she will be performing some of the duties which are normally assigned to the first lady while her father is in office. She will certainly be the most visible first daughter that has ever been in the White House, and a source close to the family tells DailyMail.com that she is taking that role 'very seriously' at this time. 'She want to be respectful,' added the source. Donald's wife Melania has made it very clear since the election that she plans to spend a majority of her time in New York City after husband is in office, taking care of their 10-year-old son Barron and allowing him to finish the school year. This would mean that Ivanka could be the one hosting state dinners and meeting with foreign dignitaries and officials while also travelling the country for appearances and speaking engagements. Melania will however be the actual First Lady, and in November met with Michelle Obama to discuss the role while also revealing that she was champion cyberbullying as her cause once her husband took office. Vanity Fair was the first to report that Ivanka had stepped down from her leadership and director positions at the two companies. That move also means that Ivanka is officially in compliance with ethics laws and free to accept a job in her father Donald's administration at a later date should she have a change of heart. It was reported earlier this week that Ivanka would not accept a position in the White House, where her husband Jared, 36, will be working as an adviser to her father. It was announced on Monday that Ivanka's husband Jared would serve as one of Trump's advisers in the White House, but would not accept a salary (Ivanka, Jared and Donald above on election night) She would not however be able to accept a salary or official cabinet position however under an anti-nepotism law that prohibits elected officials from appointing relatives to any agencies they oversee. It is unclear however if that law applies to a president appointing a family member to serve as an adviser to them in the White House or work in the West Wing. In an interview with Fox News Sunday last month, Donald made it very clear that he wanted his daughter to be involved in some capacity with his administration, saying she and husband Jared were 'two very talented people' and that his team was looking over the legal restrictions. 'I would love to be able to have them involved,' said Donald. Ivanka (above in October at the opening of the Trump hotel in DC) has worked for her father since 2005 'If you look at Ivanka - she's so strongly, as you know, into the women's issues and childcare ... Nobody could do better than her.' Donald later kept the door open for Ivanka to come with him to Washington DC when he wrote on Twitter that his sons Donald Jr. and Eric would be staying back in New York to run the Trump Organization and take care of business operations, with no mention of his daughter. The news that Ivanka has stepped down comes the day after Donald finally announced that Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner would be taking a role as a senior adviser in his administration after he is sworn into office next week. In the two months since he was elected Ivanka has run into a number of problems because of how close she is to her father. The first major incident came just one week after the election, when her company sent out an email giving information and pricing on the $10,000 bangle from her jewelry line that she wore for the family's interview on 60 Minutes. There was much public outcry over the fact that the move seemed to be a clear attempt on Ivanka's part to profit from her father's position as president. Abigail Klem, the president of the Ivanka Trump brand, later addressed the situation and apologized, telling DailyMail.com: 'This notification was sent by a well-intentioned marketing employee at one of our companies who was following customary protocol, and who, like many of us, is still making adjustments post-election. 'We are proactively discussing new policies and procedures with all of our partners going forward.' Ivanka and Jared came under fire just one week after the election when photos emerged showing them in a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister (above) Ivanka has said her first task when the family moves to DC will be settling in her three children, Arabella, Joseph and Theodore (above last month) Just days later, Ivanka once again found herself under fire when photos were released that showed her sitting in on a meeting her father was having with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Jared was also photographed at the meeting. An individual with knowledge of the meeting later dismissed the outrage, telling DailyMail.com that Ivanka was simply stopping by the meeting when the photos were taken to say hello as she had been working nearby in her office at Trump Tower. And a family source added: 'The President-elect has always encouraged Ivanka and his children to attend meetings with him. This was informal, but the family obviously needs to adjust to the new realities and they will.' Ivanka has also had to deal with a great deal of public criticism as a result of her close relationship and support for her father including protesters who picketed outside the Park Avenue apartment where she lives with Jared and their three children - Arabella, five, Joseph, three, and Theodore, who will turn one in March. There was a movement that began in November calling for not only a boycott of Ivanka's clothing, shoes, jewelry and fragrances, but also the companies that carry them in their stores. That forced the staff at the company to release a statement addressing the concerns of the public, saying: 'Our company's message is not political - it never was and it never will be - however, Ivanka, personally, has an increased opportunity to advocate for woman and be a positive force for change.' The company that revealed that they were separating all social media accounts to make a distinct difference between Ivanka the person and Ivanka Trump the brand. The former British spy who allegedly compiled a 'dirty' dossier smearing Donald Trump has been revealed. Ex-MI6 man Christopher Steele is reported to be the source of a salacious file alleging the Kremlin had compromising evidence about Mr Trump's sex life, that it planned to use to blackmail him. Yesterday, Mr Trump called the dossier, alleged to have been handed to US Senator John McCain by a former British ambassador, 'fake' and 'phony' and Moscow has dismissed the claims as 'utter nonsense.' Mr Steele, 52, is said to be an expert in intelligence analysis and counter-terrorism and sources say he once worked with murdered Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. He is now the director of a private security and investigations firm called Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd, run out of plush offices in Belgravia, central London. The involvement of a former British intelligence officer and ambassador is embarrassing for the Government with Theresa May under pressure to reassure the President-elect that the UK had nothing to do with the 35-page briefing. The former British spy who allegedly compiled a 'dirty' dossier smearing Donald Trump has been revealed as Christopher Steele The British security services had originally tried to block UK news organisations from naming Mr Steele by issuing a D-notice, which prevents the revelation of certain information for security reasons. Mr Steele has now fled his home in Surrey, in fear of a backlash from the Kremlin and sources say he is 'terrified for his safety'. In recent weeks, the former spy declined requests for interviews through an intermediary, who said the subject was 'too hot', reports the Wall Street Journal. It is believed that Mr Steele could have worked with Russian agent Litvinenko. The former KGB man was poisoned with polonium in London in 2006, with an inquiry finding his murder was on the orders of the Russian state. It is believed that Christopher Steele once worked with murdered Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko (pictured, in hospital) A source told the Times: 'I think he [Mr Steele] was one of the people who was working with Litvinenko.' There have been conflicting reports on Mr Steele, with one source telling the newspaper he was not 'hugely impressed' with his expertise, while another said he was 'deeply expert' on Russian affairs. His Linkedin profile is vague about his career history. However, a diplomatic service list shows that the ex-spy was posted to the U.K.'s Moscow embassy in 1990 with the title of 'Second Secretary', serving under ambassador Sir Rodric Braithwaite. It is not known how long he was posted at the embassy for, but he is later listed to have served at the U.K.'s Foreign & Commonweath Office in 2003, and as 'First Secretary' at the Britain's Paris embassy in 1998. Orbis was founded in 2009 and a statement on the company's website says: 'Ethical business practice is a fundamental value for the Orbis Business Intelligence team. 'Our documented procedures, developed in conjunction with external legal counsel, ensure compliance with relevant UK, US and EU legislation.' The firm also says it has a 'global network' of experts and business leaders and is able to execute 'intelligence gathering operations' and 'complex, often cross-border investigations.' The dossier row threatens to overshadow the Prime Minister's visit to Washington later this month, at a time when she is desperate to secure a post-Brexit free trade deal with his administration. Rubbishing the dossier, Mr Trump has claimed 'sick people put that c**p together', even suggesting that US secret services had leaked it to damage his reputation before his inauguration. Donald Trump has dismissed claims in a flimsy dossier of 'dirt' on him but claims ex-MI6 agent Mr Steele was behind it has piled pressure on Theresa May to reassure him Britain had nothing to do with it Fury: This angry denial came in a post on the billionaire tycoon's Twitter feed shortly after the report was published by Buzzfeed Pictured: The doorways pictured lead to the offices of Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd in Belgravia, central London A Downing Street spokeswoman said yesterday the Government was 'not aware' of the allegation that a ambassador was involved in passing on the memos to a US senator. Diplomatic mission: Boris Johnson has been trying to build bridges with Trump's team during a visit to Washington this week (pictured) The spokeswoman said No 10 would not be commenting further on the controversy, which could undo work carried out by Boris Johnson to build bridges with Trump's team during a visit to Washington this week. Mr Steele was reportedly hired by enemies of Donald Trump and was asked to do a 'general' trawl on the billionaire's links to Russia. He was described as 'reliable, meticulous and well-informed' by one source. Russian sources allegedly told the operative that they had extensive material on the now President-elect - including a secret film of him in the suite where President Obama stayed in Moscow, watching prostitutes committing degrading sex acts, specifically 'golden showers [urination]', on the bed where the president once slept. Critics have questioned the credibility of the intelligence dossier because it contains a number of key spelling mistakes. It also has mistaken references to areas of Moscow an expert on the city would be expected to get right and its claims are not backed up with evidence. Carl Bernstein, the Watergate reporter who contributed to the first story about the dossier, claimed yesterday that Senator McCain was handed it by a former British ambassador to Moscow later last year. TIMELINE: THE TRUMP DOSSIER 2007: The Ritz-Carlton opens in Moscow in 2007 2009: Barack Obama and his family stay there when they travel to the city 2013: Donald Trump visits Moscow to judge the Miss Universe pageant June 2015: Trump officially announces he is entering the race to become Republican presidential nominee 2015-16: A Republican rival hires an investigative firm to uncover dirt on Trump. By the time work has begun, Trump has won the primary vote but now a Democrat wants the same service July 2016: A large amount of material has been gathered on Trump based on sources, which is believed to be of huge consequence, if true. The allegations are passed to the FBI September 2016: The FBI asks for more information but gets no reply October 28: FBI Director James Comey announces the bureau will be investigating Hillary Clinton over mishandling of confidential emails October 31: The document on Trump is leaked to David Corn, of the Mother Jones online political magazine Nobember 9: Trump is elected President Later in November: The documents are mentioned in an intelligence report on Russian interference given to Barack Obama and Trump November 18: John McCain discovers the contents of the document December 9: McCain hands the dossier directly to Comey January 11: CNN publishes the story on Trump, followed by an unredacted version by Buzzfeed Advertisement The Guardian last night reported that McCain met a man, who they describe as a 'western diplomat', at a conference in Novia Scotia, who informed him of the existence of the dossier. The Senator then dispatched an ex-US official to an unknown meeting place, where he met the diplomat after being told to look out for a man clutching a copy of the Financial Times. The pair then drove to the 'western diplomat's' house and discussed the document. It was unclear whether the 'western diplomat' was the former Russian ambassador referred to by Bernstein. The identity of the former British ambassador has not been disclosed. There have been nine since 1985. Only one former British ambassador to Moscow remains in UK government service, Sir Tim Barrow, who went on to be Foreign Office political director and is now Britain's ambassador to the European Union. There is no suggestion he is the source. Bernstein told CNN: 'It came from a former British MI6 agent who was hired from a political opposition research firm in Washington who was doing work about Donald Trump for both republican and democratic candidates opposed to Trump. President-elect Donald Trump blasted 'phony stuff' contained in a dirt dossier against him that was released and blasted whoever leaked it mentioning the intelligence agencies 'They were looking at Trump's business ties, they saw some questionable things about Russians, about his businesses in Russia, they in turn hired this MI6 former investigator, he then came up with additional information from his Russian sources. 'He was very concerned by the implications of it, he then took it to an FBI colleague that he had known in his undercover work for years, he took it to this FBI man in Rome who turned it over to the bureau in Washington in August. 'And then, a former British ambassador to Russia independently was made aware of these findings and he took the information to John McCain Senator John McCain of Arizona in the period just after the election, and showed it to McCain additional findings. KREMLIN WRITES OFF MEMO AS 'NONSENSE' Russia has denied allegations that the Kremlin collected compromising information about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, dismissed news reports as a 'complete fabrication and utter nonsense.' He insisted that the Kremlin 'does not engage in collecting compromising material'. He added: 'There are those who pump up such a tantrum and do their best to maintain a 'witch hunt', and by the way this is how president-elect Trump characterised this fake. 'And why is the continuation of this hysterical state needed? To force our relationship to stay degraded. 'It is a complete fake - not worth the paper it was written on.' The memo also states that Peskov 'controlled' another dossier containing compromising material on Hillary Clinton compiled over 'many years'. But Peskov denied there was any such material. 'This was absolutely fabricated, this is total nonsense. This is what is called 'pulp fiction'.' Advertisement 'McCain was sufficiently disturbed by what he read to take it to FBI director James Comey himself personally, they had a five minute meeting the two men, very little was said, McCain turned it over to him and is now awaiting what the FBI's response is to that information.' Yesterday Donald Trump furiously denied he was ever briefed on a dossier of claims passed to intelligence chiefs that he was secretly taped watching degrading sex acts by prostitutes in Moscow. He said he was never shown or told about the claims - published in full by Buzzfeed after a report by CNN - when he met intelligence chiefs last week. 'Does anyone believe that story? I'm also very much of a germophobe by the way,' he said at a press conference in New York. He stared down the assembled media for the first time since he won the election Wednesday and opened with a blistering attack on the press and the intelligence community after the release of an unproven dirt dossier on him. 'It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen. And it was gotten by opponents of ours,' Trump said. 'Sick people and they put that c**p together.' Speaking on his LBC radio show tonight, former Ukip leader and Trump ally Nigel Farage claimed a member of the President-elect's team told him the allegations would just make more people think the 'establishment' were 'out to get Trump'. Mr Farage added: 'I think he looks very much in control. I think support for him across America is growing.' British MPs told MailOnline that Mrs May must act swiftly to reassure the President-elect that the report was not UK-sponsored. No10 and the Foreign Office have flatly refused to comment on the memos - which were apparently commissioned by political opponents and have been furiously denied by Mr Trump. Tory MP Philip Davies said Mrs May's planned visit to Washington in the coming weeks was a huge opportunity to revive the Special Relationship, and nothing should be allowed to overshadow it. 'I hope the British Government confirm to President-Elect Trump that the actions of this individual do not reflect the UK as a whole or the UK Government,' Mr Davies said. 'We look forward to the Trump presidency re-establishing the special relationship between the UK and the US.' The extraordinary - and entirely unverified - allegations that Donald Trump ordered prostitutes to commit degrading sex acts in the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow are contained in the dossier Part of the document, allegedly compiled by former British intelligence agent Mr Steele, is seen above. Click here to see the full document first published by Buzzfeed Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said the timing of the allegations pointed towards an effort to smear Mr Trump just nine days before he takes over in the Oval Office. He told MailOnline: 'The question is why has this story come out now? Everything happens for a reason. Most things happen for a reason. 'It already appears to be unravelling. Someone's released the story I'm sure the source will be revealed in time.' Conservative backbencher Nigel Evans told MailOnline: 'It looks like this originated at a time when somebody was trying to undermine his bid for the presidency. 'There was enough stuff that did come out, enough revelations about things that he said some of which probably did damage his candidacy that I would thought if there was anything there (in this dossier) it would have emerged. 'Trump is denying it. Putin is denying it. It seems to be one of these fake news things.' Fellow MP Michael Fabricant said: 'I can well understand the President-Elect's concerns over these stories as they seek to delegitimise his election to President. There are some in the United States who would like to see a re-run of their General Election as part of an anti-Trump campaign. The Russian embassy in London said the government was 'panicking' and trying to drive a wedge between US President-elect Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin 'They are like some of those in the UK who seek to over-turn the Referendum result and keep us in the European Union.' Meanwhile, former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind has said any Russian efforts to compromise Mr Trump would show they know he will be his 'own man'. Sir Malcolm said Moscow's intelligence services see gathering compromising material against politicians as 'what they are paid for'. The Tory grandee, who also served as chair of the powerful Intelligence and Security Committee, said he had no idea whether the dossier was real. 'The Russians are not assuming that Trump is going to be a friend,' he told MailOnline. He said that gathering 'dirt' on foreign politicians was a key role for the Russian agencies. 'I have not the slightest doubt that the Russian intelligence agencies assume that is what they are paid for,' Sir Malcolm said. 'They have an interest, a role in finding out as much as they can about the personal lives of politicians.' Sir Malcolm said he was not too concerned about the tensions between the incoming US administration and the intelligence agencies. 'I would have thought that the intelligence agencies, when they met Trump, would have made clear that their function is to share the information they have with whoever is the President.' Mr Trump - who is due to be formally installed as president in nine days - has already dismissed the claims, tweeting: 'FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!' American intelligence agencies have also accused Russia of directly interfering in the presidential election by hacking the Democrat computer network and leaking damaging material about Hillary Clinton. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson yesterday that Russia was 'up to all sorts of very dirty tricks'. Some 35 pages of memos drawn up by the former MI6 agent - said to have served in Russia in the 1990s - was published by Buzzfeed, which pointed out that it contained errors. Theresa May lashed out at the British Red Cross today as she said its description of a 'humanitarian crisis' in the NHS was 'overblown and irresponsible'. The Prime Minister came under renewed pressure over the Government's handling of the unprecedented demand for Accident and Emergency services today as top medical bodies warned the unsustainable pressure could be ignored no longer. A blizzard of new statistics has laid bare the depth of the crisis, with more than 18,000 patients left stranded on trolleys in the last week alone because of a lack of beds. Theresa May, pictured at PMQs today, lashed out at the British Red Cross today as she said its description of a 'humanitarian crisis' in the NHS was 'overblown and irresponsible' Facing Mrs May at Prime Minister's Questions today, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused her of being 'in denial' of the 'crisis' in the NHS. Mrs May acknowledged there were 'a small number of incidents where unacceptable practices have taken place'. But she insisted there were 'always extra pressures' on the NHS during the winter and said they were particularly severe this year because of the ageing population and the 'growing complex needs of the population. The PM also dismissed suggestions the Government will scrap the four-hour waiting target at A&E for non-urgent cases. But she insisted the focus should not just be about targets but also providing the 'appropriate care for them and the best possible care for them in their circumstances'. Asked about the Red Cross's description of the NHS facing a 'humanitarian crisis,' the PM told Mr Corbyn: 'I have to say to him that I think weve all seen humanitarian crisis around the world and to use that description of a National Health Service, which last year saw 2.5million more people treated in Accident and Emergency than six years ago, was irresponsible and overblown.' Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Theresa May of being 'in denial' of the 'crisis' in the NHS But Mr Corbyn responded: '1.8million people had to wait longer than four hours last year in the A&E departments. 'Now the Prime Minister might not like what the Red Cross said but on the same day the British Medical Association said conditions in hospitals across the country are reaching a dangerous level. 'The Royal College of Nursing has said NHS conditions are worst ever, the Royal College of Physicians has told the Prime Minister the NHS is underfunded, under-doctored and overstretched.' MENTAL HEALTH CASES UP 50% IN FIVE YEARS The number of children who have attended A&E as a result of mental health issues has almost doubled in the last five years. Figures show that between 2011/12 and 2015/16, the number of people who visited emergency departments with psychiatric problems rose by almost 50 per cent to 165,000. Among under-18s, the figure doubled to nearly 22,000, according to NHS Digital. But doctors from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have suggested that the figures, which account for around 1 per cent of A&E attendances, could just be the 'tip of the iceberg'. They only include patients who had a primary diagnosis of a psychiatric condition, and not those who had been brought in with self-inflicted injuries recorded as something else. Experts blamed the problem on a lack of support for patients in the early stage of illness. Dr Peter Aitken, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, told the BBC: 'Years of underfunding has meant these children have not been able to benefit from early intervention.' A Department of Health spokesman said: 'Improvements must be made in mental health care both within and outside of the NHS.' Advertisement If she wont listen to the Red Cross, who will she listen to? He added: She seems to be in some degree of denial about this and wont listen to professional organisations whove spent their whole lifetime doing their best for the NHS. In a series of separate interventions today, some of the most powerful organisations warned the Health Secretary that immediate action to alleviate the pressure was essential. The Royal College of Physicians which represents 33,000 senior doctors warned that lives were being put at risk in 'over-full hospitals'. It said the queues of ambulances outside A&E were 'visual testament' to the extent of the crisis. It was supported by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which serves 21 separate bodies and said hospitals were under more pressure than ever before. Meanwhile a group of 75 health charities and organisations highlighted how 'barely a day goes by' without further revelations of the escalating pressures. To illustrate the point, a blizzard of statistics and new developments yesterday laid bare the depth of the crisis. They included: Figures showing 18,435 patients languished on trolleys in the last week alone because of a lack of beds. The number of over-70s waiting more than 12 hours in casualty has almost trebled in two years. Some 165,000 patients with mental health problems attended A&E in 2015/16. A whistleblower claimed desperately-ill patients were being treated with drips on chairs as there were no more trolleys. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development claimed bed-blocking rates in England were twice as high as Norway, and three times that of Denmark Mr Hunt continued to attempt to downplay the crisis yesterday and at one point was filmed running away from a reporter who was trying to ask a question about his department's response. At a conference earlier he had claimed that the vast majority of hospitals were coping better with the pressures than last winter. And on Monday he had suggested patients were causing the problems in A&E, claiming as many as one in three did not need to be there. But figures from NHS Digital, the official statistics agency, yesterday showed that record numbers of patients over 70 were enduring waits in A&E of 12 hours or more. There were 88,252 cases in 2015/16 up from 34,088 in 2013/14, or almost trebling in two years. Separate data showed the crisis had intensified significantly in the past few weeks. NHS figures leaked to the BBC said that in the week ending January 8, some 18,435 patients waited between four and 12 hours on trolleys as there were no beds. A further 485 patients waited longer than 12 hours. Dr Mark Holland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine which represents hospital specialists, said the NHS in England was now performing at an all-time low and this was predicted months ago. He said: 'This is not a 'winter' crisis. This is a blizzard in an eternal winter of the NHS.' Today an open letter from the Royal College of Physicians, signed by RCP president Professor Jane Dacre and 49 members of the council, warned that hospitals were 'over-full, with too few qualified staff'. It said that the NHS was 'under-funded, under-doctored and overstretched'. The letter said: 'Patients are waiting longer on lists, on trolleys, in emergency departments and in their homes for the care they need. People's lives are being put at risk or on hold, affecting families across the country.' The RCP urged the Government to invest extra money into the health and social care system, adding that 'investment levels are not sufficient'. It was backed up by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges which warned that the unprecedented pressure was 'inevitably impacting on patient care'. In a series of separate interventions, some of the most powerful organisations warned the Health Secretary that immediate action to alleviate the pressure was essential Separately, a group of 75 health organisations including the charity Independent Age and the Royal College of Nursing have written an open letter to the Government. This warns that 'millions of older, ill and disabled people will continue to be badly let down' if ministers do not take urgent action. The pressures in A&E have been partly blamed on a lack of social care funding which means elderly patients cannot be discharged from hospital even when they are ready to go home. At Worcestershire Royal Hospital last week an elderly woman died after 35 hours on a trolley. Leaked emails obtained by the Health Service Journal yesterday revealed NHS bosses had been warned of problems ten days earlier. A Department of Health spokesman said: 'Since last year we have 3,100 more nurses and 1,600 more doctors. 'We're joining up health and social care for the first time and investing 10billion to fund the NHS's own plan to transform services and relieve pressure on hospitals.' Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. The key is Russian national interest. Winston Churchills quote came a quarter century and two months after the start of World War I. In late August 1914, one month into that conflict, a massive Russian army was defeated at the Battle of Tannenberg. While the German offensive through Belgium that brought Britain into the Great War on August 3, 1914 had stalled at the First Battle of the Marne in mid-September, the relatively small British Army committed to France would be destroyed within a year, to be replaced with conscripts. Ultimately, 700,000 British soldiers were killed. Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1914, faced the threat of submarines and a German Imperial Fleet with nearly as many dreadnaughts as the Royal Navy. But Britain endured and prevailed. Russia fought on with some success against Austro-Hungarian forces while a broken economy paved the way for the Bolshevik coup of late 1917. Barely a quarter century later on August 23, 1939, Joseph Stalin shocked the world with the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact opening the way for Nazi Germany to invade Poland a week later and for the USSR to invade Poland three weeks later. Churchill understood that Russian diplomacy was focused on national self-interest (as well as other ambitions). Although Stalin sought to create an industrial dynamo, his political paranoia instituted a 1938 purge that ravaged his military by executing four out of five Soviet marshals and imprisoning or killing 80 percent of the remaining officer corps. Stalin realized Russias vulnerability was along its western flank. He also knew Hitlers immediate interests lay in destroying Poland and then conquering the Baltic States, the Low Countries, and ultimately destroying France. In the autumn of 1939, England faced an uncertain future but Churchill was back at the head of the Admiralty. On May 10, 1940, with German forces massed in France and the Low Countries and readying for Operation Sea Lion, Churchill became Prime Minister of Britain. After the Red Army occupied eastern Poland in late September 1939, Stalin ordered an invasion of Finland hoping to shore up the Soviet Unions northern flank against future German aggression. At the time, Churchill called for war with Russia. Fortunately, London demurred. Russia, whether under tsars such as Peter I and Alexander I, or commissars as demented as Stalin or as seemingly enlightened as Mikhail Gorbachev, will pursue whatever is in Moscows best interest. Vladimir Putin is no exception. Furthermore, wise Russian leaders understand and respect force. That remains as true today as it was for Alexander I when he accommodated Napoleon with the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807 before destroying the Grande Armee in the fall and winter of 1812. Putin is determined to reclaim Russias world power status and will do whatever he thinks necessary to achieve that end. Eight years of the Obama administrations leadership from behind brought the world to a perilously chaotic international situation. President-elect Donald Trumps administration inherits challenges from rogue states like Iran and North Korea, the continuing (and growing) threat of Islamist fundamentalism, China seeking regional if not global hegemony, and an emboldened Russia reasserting itself in Europe and penetrating the Persian Gulf and southern Europe via Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean of coastal Syria. Trump must restore Americas international credibility with diplomacy that reassures and supports allies. An insipid foreign policy coupled with a depleted military capability invites catastrophes rendered between 1914 and 1918 and 1939 and 1945. Russian national interest will be as much a part of Putins approach as it was for leaders from Peter the Great to Stalin and ultimately to Mikhail Gorbachev. What made possible the December 25, 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union was the strength of vision expressed by President Ronald Reagan who undertook the largest peacetime buildup of U.S. military might in history coupled to his unerring sense of Americas potential for greatness. The only way to deal effectively with international threats is to do so with credible diplomacy grounded in economic stability, and supported by unassailable military strength. A train journey costing an 'exorbitant' 501 that spans barely half the country has been revealed as the country's most expensive standard class ticket. The anytime return between Shanklin on the Isle of Wight and Buxton, Derbyshire, costs more than any other, even journeys between Cornwall and Scotland. The revelation comes amid controversy over an average 2.3 per cent fare rise across the country, which came into effect at the beginning of January and prompted protests at stations nationwide. A train journey costing an 'exorbitant' 501 that spans barely half the country has been revealed as the country's most expensive standard class ticket The 240-mile journey was found by Paul Kelly of BR Fares, an independent website designed for experts to search the complex system of ticketing. Passengers could travel hundreds of miles further and still save more than 30. Mr Kelly said: 'The Shanklin to Buxton fare is clearly an exorbitant price. 'The fare was also the most expensive standard class fare last year, with a 0.6 per cent increase from last year's 498.40. 'I suspect the pricing is influenced by the fact that it is intended for travel via London and Manchester, and a London to Manchester Anytime Return costs a similarly absurd 338.' The fare exceeds the 467.40 price of an open anytime return between Wick in Scotland and Penzance in Cornwall, offered by numerous operators. The journey from Shanklin (pictured) on the Isle of Wight includes a ferry crossing and takes six-and-a-half hours The route involves three other operators on the various legs of the journey - Island Line, South West Trains, and Northern. James MacColl, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: 'With rail passengers battling with complex ticketing which results in these astronomical prices on some routes, it's clear the fares system needs fundamental reform. COACH IS LESS THAN 100! GO CHEAPER ANY OTHER WAY The train from the Isle of Wight to Buxton in the midlands is by far the most expensive way to travel. Commuters can get a ferry over from the Isle of Wight to Portsmouth for just 14.40 return and a National Express coach would cost an extra 62.10. However, after the 45-minute ferry journey, the coach trip can take up to 12 hours, with two changes. Although drivers could rent a car for as little as 23.25-a-day with online company rentalcars.com, and fuel for the journey both ways could cost under 100 - and save time. By contrast, the journey from Shanklin by train takes six-and-a-half hours one-way, taking the passenger from Shanklin to Ryde Pier, on the ferry to Portsmouth, from there to London Waterloo, then to London Euston, Stockport and finally to Buxton. Advertisement 'This should start with an end to the policy of constantly raising fares. 'But without long-overdue improvements like an end to split ticketing and introduction of equal season ticket discounts for part-time commuters, passengers will still be left with an impenetrably complicated and simply unfair ticketing system.' The fare also shows how proposals in 2013 to cap the price of a return ticket at 500 proved fruitless, despite a 1,000 first class ticket between Cornwall and Scotland being reduced. The Rail Delivery Group, which represents freight and passenger operators, is in discussions with the government about how fares it describes as unwanted and unnecessary can be removed from the system. A spokesman said: 'This particular fare hasn't been bought by anyone in at least the past four years. 'I imagine that anyone making that journey would use cheaper available options. 'For example, if you catch the first train of the day from Shanklin, by the time you reach Euston an off-peak ticket is valid so, using that, the actual cost would be 151.20 - for a ticket which you can just walk up and buy on the day without the need to book in advance. Donald Trump's soon-to-be White House counselor Kellyanne Conway suggested the timing of the release of the dirty dossier is suspect. 'The timing here smells to high heaven,' she said during an appearance on CBS This Morning. 'Here we are announcing his first press conference as president-elect, the Russian hacking issue is fading out of the news.' And then, last night, Buzzfeed released to the public a collection of memos written by an ex-British intelligence agent charged with gathering opposition research on Trump, which said Russia had compromising information on the billionaire. Conway then hinted that this new Russian-themed story came out because there was 'no smoking gun' produced that concretely linked Russian hacking efforts to Trump's winning of the presidential election. Scroll down for video Donald Trump's incoming White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said on CBS This Morning that the timing of the release of the dossier 'smells to high heaven' Kellyanne Conway (right) was asked by Charlie Rose (center left) if she could acknowledge the report had been around for awhile and reporters were asking questions about it Instead, the dossier which Buzzfeed called both 'explosive' and 'unverified' and noted contains spelling errors referenced that Trump had engaged in 'perverted' conduct while staying at a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow, where President Obama and the first lady, 'whom he hated,' had also stayed. There, said a 'Source D,' Trump's conduct included hiring prostitutes to 'perform a "golden showers" (urination) show in front of him.' The hotel, the report said, was under the control of Russia's FSB, the state security agency, and thus bugged with hidden cameras and mics. CNN reported that intelligence officials included a two-page synopsis of the 'kompromat,' the Russian word for compromising material, as part of the security briefing package they presented Trump with on Friday. Last night on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Conway said Trump was 'never briefed' on the matter. This morning, the pushback continued. 'It's not a U.S. intelligence document,' said incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus today on Morning Joe, speaking specifically of the 35-page Buzzfeed-published dossier. 'I was in the room OK? On Friday. The first I heard of all of this salacious garbage was when someone printed out this document last night,' Priebus said. Because the contents of the briefing were classified, 'I can't even verify whether the 2-page document exists,' Priebus stated. 'Here's the deal. What I'm telling you is there is no craziness in Russia,' Priebus continued. 'This was opposition research done by some campaign or operative that somehow leaked out. It is not an intelligence document.' On CBS, Charlie Rose pointed out to Conway that 'you have acknowledged that it's been around for awhile and people have tried to call up and confirm it.' 'And were unable to,' she replied. 'And failed.' Conway said she expected reporters to question Trump about the report today, as the president-elect faces the media for a press conference for the first time since last summer. Emergency dispatcher Layla Wray was calm and collected as she received a call from her daughter this weekend, after their house caught fire An emergency dispatcher remained amazingly cool-headed this weekend, when she received a call from her own daughter as their house was burning down. Layla Wray, 39, was working at the Madison County, Texas emergency dispatchers office around 12:20am on Saturday when the call came in. In audio from the call, Cassidy appears panicked as she tell her mom that the house is on fire. Despite hearing a mother's worst nightmare, Wray - who has been working as as dispatcher for a year and a half - was collected as she alerted firefighters and tried to calm her daughter down. '911 what's your emergency?' Wray said as she answered the call 'Mommy, mommy!' Cassidy says. 'What?' 'It's Cassidy, the house is on fire!' Scroll down for video Wray quickly informed firefighters about the incident and then calmed her daughter down Everyone got out of the house safely but by the time firefighters arrived the house was too far gone and is now considered a complete loss A fund has been started to help the family find a new home, since they did not have fire insurance Video courtesy of KXXV-TV 'Your house is on fire? Cassidy?' 'Yes.' 'OK, OK, OK, what's going on, tell me what's happening.' 'Mommy...(inaudible)' 'Alright, alright, calm down, calm down.' '(Crying)' 'I've already got somebody in route, OK?' In fact, the only time that she slipped into mom mode was when she overheard her kids fighting on the other end of the phone. 'Y'all do not need to be fighting over this. There's other (expletive) happening,' Wray is heard saying on the tape. Wray's husband, son and dogs were also in the house when it caught fire but all escaped without injury. Unfortunately, by the time that firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was too far gone and is considered a complete loss. The cause of the fire has not been determined yet but it's believed that it started on the back porch. Madison County Sheriff Travis Neeley has praised Wray in the wake of the fire. Madison County Sheriff Travis Neeley has praised Wray (pictured) for the way she handled the personal emergency 'She did an outstanding job. She did what she was trained to do,' Neeley told ABC 13. 'How many people can sit there and do this job and take a call from their own child? She did a fantastic job,' he added. The Wrays unfortunately did not have fire insurance, but the community has rallied around them - raising more than 10,000 already in a Go Fund Me to help the family find a new home. For the meantime, the family is staying in a hotel, and Neeley says that a local citizen is paying for the bill through January 15. Wray is expected to return to her job later this week. The father of a 13-year-old boy who was injured in a plane crash that killed a British backpacker has described his horror as he watched the aircraft plunge onto a beach. Jason Lonnon was flying in a plane behind the doomed Cessna when it suddenly plummeted and crashed into a sand dune on Middle Island, Queensland, on Tuesday. His son, Jesse, was one of the four people on board the stricken plane as it came crashing down to earth. He was hauled from the wreckage with just a broken foot but a British woman in her 20s died at the scene and a 29-year-old Irish woman suffered critical head injuries. Pilot Les 'Woody' Woodall, 62, was also critically injured in the crash but has told friends from his hospital bed that he believes the plane's engine failed. Scroll down for video Jason Lonnon (left), whose 13-year-old son, Jesse (right), was injured in a plane crash that killed a British tourist has described his horror as he watched the aircraft plunge onto a beach Jason Lonnon was flying in a plane behind the doomed Cessna when it suddenly plummeted and crashed into a sand dune on Middle Island, Queensland, on Tuesday Father Mr Lonnon told 7 News that he feared the worst when his son's plane suddenly dropped out of the sky. 'We thought they were getting ready to land but they disappeared out of sight behind the sand dune and a few seconds later saw the plane wreck in the ground. 'It's hard to describe how I felt at the time just knowing that my son was down there in that mess.' Mr Lonnon's plane quickly came down to land on the beach and he and other tourists scrambled over to pull bodies out of what remained of the aircraft. 'I managed to get the door of the plane open and we started pulling people out onto the beach,' he said. 'There was fuel leaking everywhere and we just got them out as quickly as we could.' Jesse was taken to hospital with a fractured foot and will not be able to walk for a few weeks, but will make a full recovery. Jesse was hauled from the wreckage with just a broken foot but a British woman in her 20s died at the scene and a 29-year-old Irish woman suffered critical head injuries Pilot Les 'Woody' Woodall, 62, was also critically injured in the crash but has told friends from his hospital bed that he believes the plane's engine failed Mr Lonnon's plane quickly came down to land on the beach and he and other tourists scrambled over to pull bodies out of what remained of the aircraft The cause of the crash is under investigation but pilot Mr Woodall believes it was caused by a catastrophic engine failure. Bruce Rhoades, who runs the 1770 Castaway travel company whose plane crashed, has visited pilot Mr Woodall in hospital and said he believes the smash was caused by a catastrophic engine failure. Pilot Les Woodall was injured in the crash Mr Rhoades, who was flying the plane Mr Lonnon was travelling on, told the Gladstone Observer: 'After we got him out of the wreckage I spoke to him and the silly b*****d was apologising for wrecking the plane. 'Woody said it was engine failure and he told me he elected to turn away from the water and tried to go over the sand dunes because he was afraid that if they went into the water, passengers might drown.' Mr Rhoades, who runs 'survivor' tours on Middle Island, added that he attempted CPR on the British girl. She was later pronounced dead by paramedics. Neither of the two tourists' identities have been released. It is not clear what caused the single-engined plane to come down. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an investigation into the crash. Rescue choppers played a critical role in the response, with land access to the crash site limited to just one route, and that's dependent on low tide Plane spotting blogger Damian Freiberg told Daily Mail Australia that a member of his group heard the emergency call to air traffic control on his radio scanner moments after the crash. He said that a member of his group heard that 'the plane had flipped over and that the wing had broken off'. 'The first that we heard was that there were two aircraft and that the one that went down was flying first. The one flying behind saw it go down,' Mr Freiburg said. 'The one that crashed didn't seem to make any radio calls but the other one made a radio call reporting that it had gone down with four people on board. 'The second aircraft landed and then most of the calls came from a Queensland police helicopter. It circled overheard for some point but no one could access the crash site because it was such a remote site. 'They were the first ones to report that the plane had flipped and that the wing had broken off. 'It sounded pretty grim by the sounds of things. There were mentions of CPR and people lying down on the beach.' It is not clear what caused the single-engined plane to come down on Tuesday morning A previous picture of the light plane that crashed on Tuesday, about 10.30am, photographed by Simon Coates Aviation Photography The 1770 Castaway tour company offers adventurous day and overnight trips to isolated beaches and bushland on Queensland's coast. The excursions, which in the firm's own words 'aren't for princesses', include daytrips out to Middle Island, as well as excursions to isolated beaches were tourists can 'live like a castaway or a survivor' for up to three days. A spokesman for 1770 Castaway said: 'We offer our deepest condolences to the families and all the loved ones of those involved in the Middle Island tragedy. 'In respecting the due process of several investigations and in not wanting to preempt the outcome of those inquiries, we cannot offer any comment regarding the circumstances of the accident and we would ask that the privacy of all concerned be respected at this very difficult time. '1770 Castaway are offering all the investigators its full co-operation.' A pub landlord has hit back at a 'keyboard warrior' he says used TripAdvisor to try to 'close down' his business after a row over parking. Ian Burton clamped the cars of a surfer and his brother after they used parking spaces reserved for customers of the Ship Inn in Saltburn, North Yorkshire. But a review posted on TripAdvisor by the disgruntled surfer accused Mr Burton of calling him abusive names and warning customers that the landlord clamps cars. Mr Burton has now told of his own version of events online, accusing people of using TripAdvisor as a 'blackmailing tool'. Pub landlord Ian Burton says customers are 'blackmailing' pubs and restaurants with threats of disgruntled posts on TripAdvisor He clashed with a customer who parked in his pub's car park without buying a drink or food The landlord said: 'There are faceless people behind a keyboard who can ruin your business, and when it is shared people simply believe it wholesale. 'We have put 100,000 into the business over three years, we care, but sometimes you wonder why you bother. 'I would never park my car over somebody's driveway and stay for four hours, stopping them from earning a living - this is just the same.' The row exploded after the man, called 'Daniel P' on TripAdvisor and believed to live in Singapore, arrived at the pub on one of its busiest days of the year, December 27. He is said to have come in to ask if he could use the car park while he and his brother went surfing - but bought a voucher after the landlord told him spaces were only for customers. The landlord said the man then came back in and tried to get a refund on the ticket, before continuing to use the car park without buying anything. The pub is next to a beach on the North Yorkshire coast and the landlord says its car park is used by those not wanting to pay and display at council sites 'We have a number of problems with people parking at the pub to go surfing or walking, because they don't want to pay the prices at the council car parks,' said Mr Burton. 'It's not about money, it's to try and protect our customers,' he added. The customer's review said he had been 'intimidated' by a number of 'neanderthals' who backed up Mr Burton - but the landlord claims that was an unfair way of describing some regulars who had come out to see what was happening. Police were called, and Mr Burton eventually released the clamps. The controversial review has since been taken down. A woman has become the 21st water-related death in NSW since Christmas after being found unconscious in a backyard swimming pool. The woman, aged in her mid 70s, was found by a relative in Bowral's Warby Street at 11.20am. Paramedics performed CPR and she was rushed to hospital, where she died. The death comes amid a spate of deaths in rivers, pools and beaches across the state, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. A woman was pulled from a backyard swimming pool in Bowral's Warby Street NSW police said the woman's death did not spear to be suspicious as they investigate if the woman suffered a medical episode in a brief for the coroner. Charli and Robbie Manago, aged 23 months, died just days apart after their mother found them unconscious in their backyard pool on December 20. On Monday a 51-year-old man drowned after suffering a 'medical episode' in Umina Beach on the NSW Central Coast. Last week a 44-year-old man who vanished when he was swimming with his family in Lake Eucumbene in the Snowy Mountains in NSW. Paramedics performed CPR on the woman and she was rushed to Bowral hospital, where she died 21 DROWNING DEATHS ACROSS NEW SOUTH WALES THIS SUMMER January 11- A woman, aged in her mid 70s, drowned in a pool in Bowral on NSW Southern Highlands January 9 - A 51-year-old man drowned at Umina Beach on NSW Central Coast January 8 - A 30-year-old man died while snorkelling at Gravelly Beach on NSW Central Coast January 3 - An 83-year-old man drowned in his pool in Sydney's north January 1 - Vera Peacock, two, found dead in her pool at Macquarie Fields Wayne Cornwall, 44, died at Lake Eucumbene in the Snowy Mountains December 30 - Adnan Kahn-Alfridi drowned at a swimming hole in west Sydney Man, 73, drowned at Brighton Le Sand, a suburb in southern Sydney A 46-year-old man drowned at Kolora Lake Reserve, Yamba December 29 - Man drowned at Evans Head in northern New South Wales December 28 - Peter Abd-El-Kaddous, 42, drowned in Murrumbidgee River An elderly man found in surf at Belongil Beach, near Byron Bay December 27 - Tui Gallaher, 14, drowns at popular Maroubra Beach in Sydney Mohamed Amine Hamza, 25, died at popular waterhole near Greendale December 26 - Geoffrey Blackadder, 60, drowned at Wooli Beach Sujan Sharma, 27, drowned while on a canoe trip at Kangaroo Valley Weibin Duan, 56, died while swimming at the unpatrolled Merry Beach December 25 - Sujan Adhikari, 29, from Nepal drowns at Wattamolla Lagoon December 20 - Twins Robbi and Charli Manago drown in their backyard swimming pool in Kellyville - they both died more than five days later December 18 - 14-month-old girl drowns in backyard pool in Medowie Advertisement Rex Tillerson's appointment to secretary of state hangs in the balance after he butted heads with the Republican senator who will cast the deciding vote. Tillerson angered Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Marco Rubio when he sidestepped questions today about world affairs, repeatedly claiming that he didn't want to base his opinion on public information. 'Many of his answers were concerning to me. I think it's important if you are going to stand for moral clarity that you be clear,' Rubio told reporters afterward. The GOP lawmaker would not commit to voting for the Republican president-elect's nominee. He said he needed to think it over and make sure he's '100 percent behind' his decision. 'I'm prepared to do what's right. I'm not analyzing it from a partisan standpoint.' Rex Tillerson's appointment to secretary of state hangs in the balance after he butted heads with the Republican senator who will cast the deciding vote Tillerson came under assault from Democrats on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee like Senator Bob Menendez, right, as well as Florida Republican Marco Rubio, left Tillerson came under assault from Democrats on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee as well as the Florida Republican. He said in the hearing that he hasn't talked to President-elect Donald Trump about Russia and had primarily discussed foreign policy with him in terms of a broad set of principles. Rubio tried to get Tillerson to call Russian President Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal' for participating in the bombing of civilians in Aleppo. But Tillerson told him, 'I would not use that term.' 'Those are very, very serious charges to make, and I would want to have much more information before reaching a conclusion,' Tillerson said. He later said, in response to another senator's question on the subject, that killing civilians 'is not acceptable' and he would consider it a war crime if classified intelligence lines up with public reports. Responding to a question from Rubio about charges that Putin has jailed and killed dissidents, Tillerson said he did not have 'sufficient information' on the topic to provide an assessment. 'In terms of assigning specific responsibility, I would have to have more information,' he said, a mantra for his responses to senators' questions about his opinion on world affairs. The GOP lawmaker would not commit to voting for the Republican president-elect's nominee. He said he needed to think it over and make sure he's '100 percent behind' his decision. He's seen shaking Tillerson's hand today at the beginning of the hearing At the hearing Tillerson did say that a unclassified report on hacking in the lead up to the election is 'troubling' and indicated that Russia carried out the cyber attacks to denigrate Hillary Clinton and undermine confidence in voting. Because he has not received his clearance yet, Tillerson said he had not been briefed on the classified report and is 'not in a position' to say whether Putin himself ordered the attacks on Democrats. Pressed by Rubio to acknowledge that Putin had knowledge of the hack he said, 'I think that's a fair assumption.' Tillerson wouldn't say whether he'd advise Trump, who said a press conference later in the day that he now believes that Russia was behind the hacks, to rescind Obama administration sanctions on Putin's allies. He said as a matter of general principle that he'd decide on the appropriateness of sanctions on a 'country by country basis,' calling them a 'powerful tool' when applied 'carefully.' 'But designing poor sanctions....can have a worse effect than having no sanctions at all,' Tillerson told the committee. In an especially heated moment with Senator Bob Menendez, Tillerson said sanctions are designed 'to harm' and 'disrupt' American business The New Jersey Democrats told Tillerson that's not the case at all. 'I'm only stating a fact - I'm not debating it,' Tillerson replied. 'But the fact is sanctions...do impact American business interests.' The former oil executive claimed during the conversation that neither he nor his company had lobbied against sanctions on Russia for its incursion into Ukraine, in the face of conflicting evidence. 'I have never lobbied against sanctions, personally...to my knowledge Exxon never directly lobbied against sanctions, not to my knowledge,' he stated. Panel Chairman Bob Corker interrupted to say that the remembers Tillerson calling him. 'I know you weren't lobbying for sanctions,' Menendez said. Several minutes before, Tillerson revealed the Menendez that he hadn't spoken to Trump about Aleppo, or any other conflict that involves Russia. 'That has not occurred yet, senator,' he said. Menendez retorted, 'That's pretty amazing.' The most controversial of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees took his grilling from lawmakers on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday morning The panel's chair, Bob Corker, left, said it's 'very possible' that Tillerson is an 'inspired choice' Rubio could single-handedly derail Tillerson's nomination by voting against him in committee. Democrats need one Republican to swing their way to keep Tillerson's nomination from reaching the floor. Even if Tillerson made it past the Foreign Relations committee, Republicans hold such a slim majority in the full Senate, no votes from Rubio and Arizona Sen. John McCain, who's indicated that he's not inclined to approve Tillerson, either, could keep him from getting the gig. Republicans hold 52 seats in the Senate - they need 51 votes to confirm Tillerson. Rubio told reporters after the confirmation that Tillerson 'is someone I've done extensive research on. This is a fine upstanding American. He has been nominated to what I believe is the second-most important position in the executive branch.' 'It's clear I'm concerned by some of his answers and, you know, encourage by a few others.' The Republican legislator said he'd come to a decision 'soon.' Tillerson tried to quell Republican opposition today by coming out swinging against Russia in his opening statement for its unlawful invasion of Crimea. Yet he also said the United States needs to have 'an open and frank dialogue with Russia regarding its ambitions so we know how to chart our own course.' 'We must also be clear-eyed about our relationship with Russia,' Tillerson told senators at his confirmation hearing. 'Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests.' In his prepared remarks, Tillerson said, 'American leadership must not only be renewed, it must also be asserted. That begins with accountability, he said. 'We must hold ourselves accountable to upholding the promises that we make to others,' he said. 'We must hold our allies accountable to commitments they make.' The U.S. cannot look the other way when state actors like Russia and Iran violate international norms, he argued. It 'only encourages more bad behavior, and it must end.' Rex Tillerson (C) is introduced by former U.S. Secretary of Defense Bob Gates (L-R), former Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) before his testimony Russia invaded Ukraine and supported Syrian forces that 'brutally' violated the rules of war, he stated. 'Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia.' 'But it was in the absence of American leadership that this door was left open, and unintended signals were sent. 'We back tracked on commitments we made to allies. We sent weak or mixed signals with red lines that turned into green lights,' he stated, slamming President Barack Obama's infamous 'red line' warning to Syria. He said later, in response to a question from a senator, that he does believe the United States should uphold its Article 5 commitment to defend NATO countries when they're assaulted. 'I think the absence of a very firm and forceful response to the taking of Crimea was judged by the leadership in Russia as a weak response,' he said. 'It required a proportional...show of force to indicate to Russia that there will be no more taking of territory.' Tillerson hammered 'radical Islam,' a phrase that the current administration is unwilling to use but has been pushed aggressively by Republicans and Trump. 'We need to be honest about radical Islam. It is with good reason that our fellow citizens have a growing concern about radical Islam,' Tillerson proclaimed. 'Radical Islam poses a grave risk to the stability of nations.' The most 'urgent step' toward defeating radical Islam is defeating ISIS, he argued. 'Defeating ISIS must be our foremost priority in the Middle East.' He vowed, if confirmed, to make sure the State Department does its part to support Muslim countries that reject radical Islam. Hitting China, Tillerson said, 'It has not been a reliable partner in using its full influence to curb North Korea. 'China has proven a willingness to act with abandon in pursuit of its own goals, which has at times put it in conflict with American interests.' Tillerson hammered 'radical Islam,' a phrase that the current administration is unwilling to use but has been pushed aggressively by Republicans and Trump The most controversial of president-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees, Tillerson took his grilling from lawmakers on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee all-day Wednesday. The 64-year-old oil baron retired from ExxonMobil last month to link up with Trump. A friendship award from Vladimir Putin, a business deal Tillerson made with Russia's state run oil company, and Trump's own comments have Republicans and Democrats in the Senate concerned that Tillerson will not be tough enough on Putin. Tillerson received an introduction from Robert Gates, a defense secretary to George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Gates said Tillerson is 'superbly qualified,' 'deeply knowledgeable' and 'would bring decades of experience' to the position. Calling himself a 'hardliner,' Gates said he spent his entire adult life dealing with the Soviet Union. 'This new administration must thread the needle between pushing back against Vladimir Putin's aggressions, meddling, interventions, ambitions and bullying and at the same time find a way to stop a dangerous downward spiral in our relationship with Russia.' 'I believe Mr. Tillerson is the right person at the right time to help accomplish both of those goals,' he said. Members of CodePink stage a protest as they wait in-line to enter the confirmation hearing of Former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson on Capitol Hill The panel's chair, Bob Corker, said it's 'very possible' that Tillerson is an 'inspired choice.' That he's lead a company with 70,000 employees, has spent 40 years at Exxon, eventually rising to the top, and knows world leaders, 'To me that is going to give our new president much...confidence in your ability to offer advice.' 'This is a momentous time, this to me is the most important nomination that the president has made....you have the ability, no doubt, to draw a crowd,' he said, remarking on the international attention the hearing has received. Corker brought up problems with NATO and the conflicts the U.S. is involved in around the world and told Tillerson, 'You've got to restore our credibility.' Ranking Democrat Ben Cardin told Tillerson in his opening remarks 'there is no question about your impressive business record' but the 'view from the C-Suite in Exxon is not at all the same as the view from the seventh floor of the Department of State. 'And those who suggest that anyone who can run a successful business can, of course, run a government agency do a profound disservice to both.' Cardin said that 'troubling' questions remain about Tillerson's relationship with Putin. 'We need to stand up to his bully in Moscow,' he said, reviewing charges of Russian hacking. The Democratic senator charged that while it was not likely Tillerson's intent, it's 'not too great of a distance from Exxon business partnerships to Putin's slush funds.' Activists rally against former ExxonMobil CEO and Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson outside Dirksen Senate Office Building today before his hearing A millionaire, whose net worth jumped to $240 millionaire after an $180 million settlement with the Exxon freed him of his stock, Tillerson brings more baggage than just his Russian connections. USA Today revealed in a Monday report that ExxonMobil's European subsidy did business with Iran, Syria and Sudan while Tillerson was at the top. The deals were legal, Exxon argued, because the company, Infineum, does not employ anyone from the United States. The Securities and Exchanged Commission asked in a letter why the oil and gas company did not disclose the deals with countries listed as state sponsors of terror to its shareholders, though. Tillerson stepped on toes in Iraq when he made a deal with the autonomous Kurdish region to develop oil fields in 2011, angering the Iraqi central government, with whom it also had deals. George W. Bush's State Department had warned Tillerson against the move that was bad politics. His position on climate change is also of concern to Democrats. He acknowledged in a 2012 speech to Council of Foreign Relations that burning fossil fuels does contribute to global warming - but declared, 'We have spent our entire existence adapting. We'll adapt.' In his remarks he said environmental groups 'manufacture fear' and 'lazy' journalists who don't double check their claims promulgate it. His industry's biggest challenge, he said, is 'taking an illiterate public and try to help them understand why we can manage these risks.' Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune hit him as a climate denier in a statement Wednesday that also claimed Exxon 'deliberately concealed its knowledge of climate change for decades...while being responsible for one of the costliest environmental disasters in history. Disturbing surveillance video shows the moment high-level offenders 'were getting ready for war' during a riot inside their housing unit at a maximum security prison in Massachusetts that houses convicted murderer Anthony Hernandez. It took hours for correction officers to regain control of the P-1 Housing Unit at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility in Shirley after 46 inmates refused to be locked in their cells following a fight between two gang members. Hernandez, a former New England Patriots player, is an inmate serving a life prison sentence at the facility, but officials declined to say whether he was housed in the unit where the incident happened due to confidentiality rules. However, a source told CBS Boston he is housed in a different unit and was not involved in the disturbance on Monday that left the P-1 Housing Unit completely destroyed. The incident started around 3.50pm when a fight between two inmates dramatically escalated. Scroll down for video Correction officers have regained control of the P-1 Housing Unit at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility (above) in Shirley after 46 inmates refused to be locked in their cells sparking a riot that lasted for hours The Massachusetts maximum security prison is where convicted murder Aaron Hernandez is incarcerated. He is said not have been involved in the riot that outside law enforcement agencies respond to (above) Hernandez (above) is serving a life sentence at the prison for the murder of Odin Lloyd (image on TV screen above) after he was charged in June 2013 for the crime Surveillance footage, which was blurred by officials due to confidentiality rules, captured inside the unit shows the roughly four dozen inmates smashing tables and snatching fire extinguishers off the walls (above The Massachusetts Department of Correction describes the two inmates as high-ranking members of two gangs in the prison that are considered a security threat within the general prison population. Corrections officers were trying to secure the inmates in their cells, but another fight broke out and the remaining inmates refused to return back to their cells. The officers were then pulled out of the unit, leaving the inmates who then started destroying the unit as they 'were getting ready for war,' a top public safety official said Tuesday. Secretary of Public Safety Daniel Bennett said it was best to have the corrections officers leave in order to prevent serious injuries. 'When it was apparent the prisoners were not going to go back into their cells, the (officers) backed out of the unit to make sure there was no violence and no one got hurt,' Bennett said. Those who were actively involved in the riot at the prison that destroyed the unit (above) will reportedly be moved to other facilities that will have segregation space, as they will also face disciplinary sanctions Shocking photographs released by the DOC show the ultimate destruction of the housing unit (above) Inmates at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility completely trashed their cells during the incident (above) Officials say the inmates destroyed camera and computer systems inside the unit (above) Department of Correction Commissioner Thomas Turco said 'There are some first and second degree murderers in that unit.' Surveillance footage, which was blurred by officials due to confidentiality rules, captured inside the unit shows the roughly four dozen inmates smashing tables, snatching fire extinguishers off the walls and destroying computers that are situated in the area where officers usually are stationed. Inmates could also be seen making knives, clubs and other weapons out of the broken items. Bennett explained that the high-level offenders planned to attack corrections officers with the weapons they made. 'They armed themselves,' Bennett said. 'They were getting ready for war.' The footage also shows the moment some inmates attempt to gain access to cells where other prisoners are housed. Shocking photographs released by the DOC show the ultimate destruction of the housing unit, as it is being declared 'a total loss.' Insulation from the walls and bedding were tossed about inside the housing unit at the prison Portions of the ceiling (above) inside the P-1 Housing Unit were completely ripped out by inmates The Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility first opened in 1998 and is the state's newest prison with 500,000 square feet of space. It's unclear how long it will take for the space where the riot occurred on Monday to be repaired (above) Inmates destroyed the furniture that was inside the unit, as the photo above shows a damaged table Portions of the ceiling were ripped out by inmates, who also completely trashed their prison cells. In order to get the inmates back under control, a Special Operations Unit was forced to use a chemical agent prisoners around 7pm. Authorities searched each inmate involved to check for injuries and if they were hiding weapons. Officials say the inmates who live in the P-1 Housing Unit were moved to other units in the prison. Those who were actively involved in the riot will reportedly be moved to other facilities that will have segregation space, as they will also face disciplinary sanctions. Authorities say criminal charges could be filed against some. Authorities searched each inmate involved and, surprisingly there were no serious injuries or deaths following the riot. Above the base level of the unit is pictured after the riot on Monday Officials say the inmates who live in the P-1 Housing Unit that was destroyed are being moved to other units in the prison. Above the trashed unit is pictured on Monday, as inmates also used fire extinguishers to destroy furniture inside Christopher Fallon, the assistant deputy commissioner of communications for the DOC, said the law does not allow him to reveal which inmates specifically were involved in the riot. The Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility first opened in 1998 and is the state's newest prison with 500,000 square feet of space. There are 366 security camera as well as a high-tech computerized control system at the prison that houses 1,000 inmates. It is named for Corrections Officer James Souza and industrial instructor Alfred Baranowski. They were killed in 1972 at MCI Norfolk during an aborted escape attempt by a convicted murderer. The DOC also released photographs (above) showing the weapons inmates were able to create with broken pieces of furniture, computer parts and sprinkler heads Pictured above are weapons correction officers confiscated from inmates after the riot on Monday Syed Raheel Farook, the older brother of the San Bernadino terrorist, was convicted of immigration fraud this week The brother of the San Bernadino terrorist has been found guilty of arranging a sham marriage for his Russian sister-in-law to the American accomplice who helped orchestrate the 2015 shooting. Syed Raheel Farook was convicted of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud in Riverside, California, this week for setting up the 2014 marriage between Mariyah Chernykh and Enrique Marquez Jr. Marquez Jr. helped Farook's younger brother Syed Rizwan Farook orchestrate an attack on a staff Christmas party at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernadino on December 15 the following year. Fourteen people were killed and 22 injured when the terrorist and his wife, Pakistani immigrant Tashfeen Malik, opened fire on them. The pair were later killed in a shootout with police as they tried to flee arrest in an SUV. Syed Raheel is married to Tatiana Chernykh, Mariyah's sister. The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit immigration fraud this week and will be sentenced on November 13. He faces five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Tatiana and Syed Raheel married in August, 2011. Her sister Mariyah entered the country two years earlier and began a relationship with her live-in boyfriend Oscar Romero with whom she now has a child. Syed Raheel arranged a sham marriage for his wife Tatiana's sister Mariyah. The Russian sisters are pictured above with their parents. Tatiana is seen (right) and Mariyah is pictured (left) Syed Raheel organized the marriage between Enrique Marquez Jr. (left) and Mariyah in November 2014. The Russian native was in fact in a relationship with Oscar Romero (right). The pair have a daughter together Marquez Jr. is accused of buying the guns used by Syed Raheel's younger brother Syed Rizwan and his wife Tashfeen Malik (above together) to kill 14 people at a Christmas party in San Bernadino, California, on December 2, 2015 When her visa expired, her fake marriage to Marquez Jr, who lived on the same street as the shooters, was set up. Marquez Jr. admitted the sham relationship while being questioned by FBI agents after the 2015 shooting, telling them how his fake bride paid him $200 a month to keep up the charade. He is accused of buying the rifles used by Syed Rizwan and Tashfeen Malik in the attack and is awaiting trial. The Chernykh sisters are scheduled for trial on March 28. They were arrested alongside Syed Raheel in April last year. U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker said her office continues to seek justice for the victims of the San Bernardino killings. 'As I have said many times, we are committed to leaving no stone unturned in this investigation,' she said in a statement. Syed Rizwan and his wife were killed in a police shootout in their SUV after the attack Syed Raheel married Tatiana Chernykh in 2011. She is pictured (right) on their wedding day. Tatiana entered the country in 2006 and was previously married to a man in Virginia The sisters (above with Mariyah's real partner, Oscar Romero) are awaiting trial for immigration fraud The Chernykh sisters grew up in a small, Jewish village in Russia. Neither is believed to have converted to Islam or hold fanatical beliefs. It's not clear how Tatiana came to meet Syed Raheel. A Navy Veteran between 2003 and 2007, he previously once won the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Neighbours told DailyMail.com police were often called to the home he shared with Tatiana to diffuse angry domestic disputes. His murderous younger brother worked for the government as an environmental health specialist. He met his wife online while she was still living in Saudi Arabia and moved her to the US on a fiancee visa before their marriage. The pair had at least one child together, a six-month-old baby daughter who they left with her grandmother while they carried out their killing spree on December 2, 2015. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack afterwards. Farook and his wife fled in an SUV but were themselves killed four hours later in a police shootout. The attack is the deadliest mass shooting on US soil since the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre and the worst terrorist attack since 9/11. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told a Senate committee hearing that he wouldn't be surprised if Russian hackers put child pornography on US computers. The spy chief made his comments during a hearing into Russian cyber attacks during the US election, where he also said he was confident that Russia hacked DNC emails. During the hearing, held by the Senate Intelligence Committee, Clapper said he believes Russia is still engaged in cyber operations and has tried to influence a 'couple of dozen' elections in different countries. When asked how Germany, France and the Netherlands had increased security for their upcoming elections, Clapper said he could not say. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Russia could put child porn on US computers during a hearing into Russian cyber attacks during the US election Clapper said that he believes Russia made moves to support Donald Trump in the presidential election because 'he'd be easier to make deals with' than the Democrats Clapper said, however, that much of the report must remain closed to protect sensitive sources and the methods by which they gathered information. He said hacking conclusions were made based on 'human sources, technical collection and open source information'. Clapper said that he believes Russia made moves to support Donald Trump in the presidential election because 'he'd be easier to make deals with' than the Democrats. He also said he 'wouldn't put it past' Russia to plant child porn on computers belonging to US citizens, Sky News reported. FBI Director James Comey said on Tuesday that Russia hacked into Republican state political campaigns and old email domains of the Republican National Committee but there is no evidence it successfully penetrated President-elect Donald Trump's campaign Comey also told lawmakers Russia did not release information obtained from the state campaigns or the old RNC email domains, comments that may buttress the U.S. intelligence view that Moscow tried to help Trump against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign. FBI Director James Comey said on Tuesday during the same hearing that Russia hacked into Republican state political campaigns and old email domains of the Republican National Committee Russia has denied interfering in the election but President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian suspected spies from the United States and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies last month. Pictured above, Russian President Vladimir Putin US intelligence agencies on Friday released an assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a covert effort to help Republican Trump's electoral chances by discrediting Clinton. The report, which omitted classified details, was the US government's starkest public description of what it says was a Russian effort to manipulate the American electoral process by leaking hacked emails from Democrats. Russia has denied interfering in the election but President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian suspected spies from the United States and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies last month in response to the allegations. Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a news conference on Tuesday those penalties were 'a start and not the end' of US retaliation for the hacks, and senior officials have suggested covert action may be taken. U.S. Senators Dean Heller and Catherine Cortez Masto, along with U.S. Representatives Dina Titus, Ruben J. Kihuen and Jacky Rosen teamed Wednesday to introduce legislation to keep the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Repository from being resurrected. The Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act permits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to authorize construction of a nuclear waste repository only if the Secretary of Energy has secured written consent from the governor of the host state, affected units of local government, and affected Indian tribes. The act ensures Nevada, and every other state, has a meaningful voice in the process if it is considered for a nuclear waste repository. The Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository is a figment of the federal governments imagination, said Heller. Its time for the federal government to admit what Nevadans already know: Yucca Mountain does not have a path forward. For decades, billions of dollars were wasted by bureaucrats in Washington in an attempt to force an ill-conceived move of this nuclear waste to Nevada. The bottom line is obvious. Congress must now focus its efforts on a consent-based approach for siting project, as required by our bill and recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Americas Nuclear Future. Yucca Mountain is not a viable solution for dealing with nuclear waste, said Cortez Masto. Nevadans have been clear that they do not want a nuclear dumping site in their back yard and any discussions of sites for nuclear repositories must include the states and key stakeholders. I will continue to work with the Nevada delegation and Governor Sandoval to ensure that the Yucca Mountain project stays dead. We will not allow dangerous proposals that threaten the health and safety of Nevadans to go forward. Today we send a clear message to the next administration and those in Congress who have long-championed the Yucca Mountain project that the State of Nevada remains opposed to nuclear waste storage within our borders, Titus said. No state or community should have a nuclear waste dump forced upon them. This bipartisan, bicameral, commonsense legislation gives voice to those most affected while creating a process to address the nations nuclear waste concerns. The Fourth Congressional District isnt a dumping ground for the rest of the countrys nuclear waste, especially when the health and safety of my constituents is at risk. Im proud to support the Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act and will continue Senator Reids legacy by fighting day-in and day-out to ensure the Yucca Mountain project stays dead, said Kihuen. This bipartisan legislation is absolutely vital to Nevadas future growth, the attraction of jobs and business, and our tourism industry. This bill will require state and local government consent before a nuclear waste site can be authorized, and is important in our effort to prevent the use of Yucca Mountain for that purpose. Im proud to work with Senators Heller and Cortez Masto, and my House colleagues, Congresswoman Titus and Congressman Kihuen, to ensure that Yucca Mountain remains a dead issue for the good of our state and the quality of life of our constituents, said Rosen. An Australian man called Sam Mitchell discovered a Briton has the exact same name - and paid for him to fly to Tasmania after a whirlwind friendship. Sam James Mitchell, 19, put his full name into Facebook on December 31 and found his namesake, 22, from London - before deciding to send him a message. Despite being from opposite ends of the world, the two strangers met on New Year's Eve when the Briton was flown out to Tasmania by his new friend. Australian Sam wrote in his original message: 'You may be wondering why I have sent you a friend request. I had to because we share the same name. Middle name as well. Good day sir.' London Sam then responded: 'Yeah, and what is stranger is that I've just moved from the UK to Australia.' Sam James Mitchell, 22, from London (left) with Sam James Mitchell, 19, from St Marys, Tasmania (right) Tasmanian Sam's first message to London Sam - and his United Kingdom counterpart's response The pair shared some name-related banter on Facebook and even later changed their profile pictures so they were the same After the pair shared a bit of name-related banter on Facebook, Tasmanian Sam's brother Bradley suggested flying London Sam to their hometown for New Year's Eve celebrations. Four hours after the first message, London Sam was on a plane to Launceston but they were not sure if it was real until he checked in. 'We weren't sure what to think of each other. It wasn't until 20-odd minutes after we picked Sam up we realised we were going to get along just fine... made the next few days a bit more fun,' Tasmanian Sam told Daily Mail Australia. When asked what they had in common, the immediate response was 'beer'. Four hours after their first contact, London Sam was on a plane from Melbourne to Tasmania Tasmanian Sam and his friends weren't certain it was really happening - until London Sam (pictured) checked in for his flight The two Sams pictured together in Tasmania, where they spent a few days getting to know each other Once London Sam was in Tasmania, they got stuck into the 'Sam Mitchell Olympics'. Here, they compete in the 'bucket race' - a version of the sack race, with mid-event beer skol Trying out jelly beans of every flavour during their Olympics Meeting: London Sam (right) was unfortunate enough to get a vomit-flavoured bean when the two played drinking games together The Ashes rebooted: They finished off the Sam Mitchell Olympics with a game of beer pong 'We went to a mates house and held the Sam Mitchell Olympics,' Tasmanian Sam said. The pair competed against each other in the 'bucket race' - an adapted version of a sack race - with a compulsory mid-race pint skol. Next they tasted tested jelly beans of every flavour, London Sam got vomit flavour. Finally, they went head-to-head in a game of beer pong. And the winner was Sam Mitchell, of course. Sealed with a kiss: The two Sams shared a quick kiss to celebrate the new year under the fireworks The two Sams are pictured as they prepared to celebrate New Year's Eve together in Tasmania '[We] drank a few beers and got ready for New Year's Eve out on the town. And at midnight under the fireworks shared a kiss,' Tasmanian Sam said. 'We'd joked about it. And when the fireworks hit. We both felt deep down in our hearts, it was the right thing to do.. 'It was lengthy enough for our mate to take a photo. Let's leave it at that... Can't give too much away. We'll have nothing left to write in our romantic novel.' London Sam, who is on his working holiday visa, is already back in Melbourne - and looking for a job. Despite being apart for now, there are talks of further Sam Mitchell Olympics - with other countries represented - although they said they may have to meet for a beer to plan beforehand. Jeep junkies rejoice, the popular car maker is bringing back a classic. Confirmed after leak during a dealer meeting, the company plans to announce the new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer large SUVs in the coming years. Thought to arrive in 2019, the three-row crossover bares resemblance to the current Jeep Grand Cherokee, but is more 'muscled up'. However, based on leaked images the wood paneling that were signature to the Wagoneer does not seem to be an option for the new models. Confirmed after leak during a dealer meeting, the company plans to announce the new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer large SUVs in the coming years The three-row crossover model bares resemblance to the current Jeep Grand Cherokee, but is more 'muscled up', and is thought to come out in 2019 Based on leaked images the wood paneling that were signature to the Wagoneer (as pictured) does not seem to be an option for the new models Auto Blog revealed that the SUV will use a truck-based frame to create a taller and wider model than what is currently available. The Wagoneer will also have seven-element headlights in the front and back, alluding to the seven-slot grille that all Jeep models have. The original Wagoneer was sold between 1963 and 1991, and had various models. It was the first 'sport utility vehicle', and carried the SUV title before it was coined across car makers. Auto Blog revealed that the SUV will use a truck-based frame to create a taller and wider model than what is currently available The Wagoneer will also have seven-element headlights in the front and back, alluding to the seven-slot grille that all Jeep models have The original model was discontinued when Jeep replaced it with the Grand Cherokee The original Wagoneer was sold between 1963 and 1991, and had various models. It was the first 'sport utility vehicle', and carried the SUV title before it was coined across car makers The original model was discontinued when Jeep replaced it with the Grand Cherokee. It will be the first full-size three row SUV since the Jeep Commander, which was discontinued in 2010 due to consumer disinterest, as reported by Fox. Jeep CEO Mike Manley said to expect the SUV to be expensive, with prices upwards of $130,000, according to Auto Blog. Taxpayers forked out more than $30,000 to fund an Iftar dinner at Kirribilli House last year. The fast-breaking Ramadan dinner was hosted by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at his official Sydney residence, and was attended by a selection of prominent Muslim figures including TV presenter Waleed Aly and his wife, Susan Carland. Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman, an Islamic preacher who once said that AIDS was a 'divine punishment' for gays, was also one of the 75 people invited to the exclusive function. Freedom of Information documents, obtained by The Daily Telegraph, reveal the extravagant dinner in June cost taxpayers a staggering $33,694. Taxpayers forked out over $30,000 to fund an Iftar dinner at Kirribilli House last year, hosted by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and attended by prominent Muslim figures Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman (pictured), an Islamic preacher who once said AIDS was a 'divine punishment' for gays, was invited to the extravagant dinner The multi-faith feast - which was prepared by a halal caterer and included a selection of lamb, chicken, salmon for a shared main course - cost $7,300. Departmental staff were flown to Sydney at the cost of $5,700, while the marquee set back organisers $9,600 and staff were paid out $1,812 for the evening. Taxpayers even paid $814 for flowers - with a carefully selected bouquet placed at the centre of every dining table. The feast featured a guest list of 75 people, including AFL player Bachar Houli and author and mechanical engineer Yassmin Abdel-Magied. Mr Turnbull later voiced his regret for inviting Sheikh Alsuleiman to the feast, which included representatives from Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist faiths. Freedom of information documents revealed that the multi-faith feast cost taxpayers $7,300 Flowers placed at each table cost taxpayers $814, while the marquee (pictured) cost $9,600 In a sermon uploaded to YouTube in 2013 the sheikh, president of the Australian National Imams Council, said gay people were responsible for spreading diseases and attracted 'evil outcomes to our society'. 'Allah will send on them diseases they have never experienced before,' he was recorded saying. 'What's the most common diseases these days, HIV, AIDS, that's so common, and there's no cure to it.' Mr Turnbull, MP for the Sydney seat that hosts the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, said he would not have invited him if he had known his views, emphasising the need for acceptance of diversity of sexuality and religion. 'I said earlier today, and I say again now, a statement of the strongest condemnation of those remarks,' he told reporters. 'I regard as unacceptable, and I will always condemn, any remarks which disrespect any part of our community, whether it is on the basis of their sexuality, their gender, their race, their religion.' Two New Jersey parents have filed a lawsuit after their 7-year-old son lost all of his right toes in an escalator incident at the mall, claiming he was left disabled and disfigured. The boy, who hasn't been named, was riding an escalator at Oxford Valley Mall near Langhorne, Pennsylvania, when his foot got trapped between a step and the right side skirt panel, the suit states. It took rescuers 20 to 30 minutes to free him, after which he was taken to the hospital with a partially amputated toe and skin torn off all of his right toes, NJ.com reported citing the document. Doctors had to amputate the 7-year-old's toes on his right foot and had to keep operating on his foot and leg during the next month, according to the complaint. Parents Celestino Rivas and Maria Jimenez, of Trenton, are blaming escalator company Schindler Corporation and the Oxford Valley Mall. They say both were negligent in maintaining and repairing the escalator. Two New Jersey parents have filed a lawsuit after their 7-year-old son lost his right toes in an elevator incident at Oxford Valley Mall (file picture) near Langhorne, Pennsylvania Rivas and Jimenez are now seeking compensation for the trauma their son suffered along with themselves. The 7-year-old was on a Christmas outing to the mall with his family the day he got injured, the family's attorney Craig Hubert told NJ.com. The mother heard 'piercing screams' as she and the boy rode from the second to the first floor and realized her son's foot had gotten trapped, the suit states. '[The 7-year-old's] right foot began to be dragged into a widening gap between the step he was standing on and the right side skirt panel,' the complaint reads. The 7-year-old was riding an escalator at Oxford Valley Mall (file picture) with his mother when his foot got trapped, after which doctors had to amputate his right toes, the suit states The escalator kept moving until someone pressed the emergency button, bringing the escalator to a halt, according to the filing. The mother then tried and failed to pull the 7-year-old's foot out of the escalator. Rescuers freed him after 20 to 30 minutes, a scene that the boy's parents as well as his aunt looked on 'helplessly', the suit states. The boy was taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with a partially amputated small toe and skin pulled off from all of the toes on his right foot, according to the filing. Doctors amputated the boy's right toys and operated on his foot and leg again during the next month, the document reads. The boy's injuries, according to Hubert, have left him unable to walk normally. The family, Hubert said, came out of the incident traumatized and had to handle hefty medical bills. The complaints states that the boy was wearing proper shoes at the time of the incident. Addressed allegation that he had prostitutes commit degrading sex acts on bed used by Obama saying: 'I'm, also very much of a germophobe' Also suggested it could have been leak from intelligence agents and called it 'disgrace' -'that's something Nazi Germany would have done' Advertisement Donald Trump furiously denied he was ever briefed on a dossier of claims passed to intelligence chiefs that he was secretly taped watching degrading sex acts by prostitutes in Moscow. He said he was never shown or told about the claims - published in full by Buzzfeed after a report by CNN - when he met intelligence chiefs last week. 'Does anyone believe that story? I'm also very much of a germophobe by the way,' he said at a press conference in New York. He stared down the assembled media for the first time since he won the election Wednesday and opened with a blistering attack on the press and the intelligence community after the release of an unproven dirt dossier on him. 'It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen. And it was gotten by opponents of ours,' Trump said. 'Sick people and they put that c**p together.' Later, in a departure from his usual rhetoric, he said of election hacking: 'I think it was Russia.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO President-elect Donald Trump blasted 'phony stuff' contained in a dirt dossier against him that was released and blasted whoever leaked it mentioning the intelligence agencies Attack: Trump warned that is was possible intelligence agencies had leaked the claims against him and said it would be 'a tremendous blot on their record if they did that.' The crooked media: Trump took questions from the press in two separate appearances on stage during the conference - but refused to answer questions from 'fake news' outlet Buzzfeed who were behind the publication of the full Russian dossier Trump also refused to call on CNN's Jim Acosta at the conference after the outlet broke the news on the prostitute allegations before Buzzfeed published the entire document As soon as he took the stage, Trump opened up an attack on a flurry of salacious and unproven claims about compromising information Russia may hold over him. He blasted those who published it, but in a twist, complimented outlets which stayed away from the claims. 'They looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies,' Trump said, referencing a dirt dossier against him. 'Who knows, it may be the intelligence agencies which would be a tremendous blot of their record if they did that,' Trump said, in just his latest shot at the intelligence community. 'A thing like that should have never been written and it certainly should never have been released,' Trump continued. Then he hailed 'a couple' of news agencies who did not publish the dirt - an apparent reference to the New York Times and the Washington Post which had both said they were given the material but were unable to verify it. 'And they came out so strongly against that fake news and the fact that it was written about primarily by one group and one television station,' he said, conflating reports by BuzzFeed, which released the dossier, and CNN, which reported that intelligence officials had provided a summary of information in a secret briefing. Trump also addressed head-on and rejected claims that Russia had gained material with which it could blackmail him from the presidential suite of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow. He said he constantly advises aides when traveling abroad to be mindful of potential snooping. 'I told many people, be careful because you don't want to see yourself on television cameras all over the place.' 'When I leave our country I'm a very high-profile person, would you say?' Trump said he is 'extremely careful.' A family affair: Trump was joined by his three eldest children - Eric, Don Jr and Ivanka He announced that Ivanka had relinquished all ties with his companies to join him in Washington, while his two sons will have full control of the business The Trump children watched from the wings - alongside vice president-elect Mike Pence - as their father delivered his first press conference since winning the election Team Trump: Also watching from the wings were Donald's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway (left) along with his son-in-law, Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner, who is a senior adviser to him and Steven Bannon, far right, his chief strategist Degrading acts in bed used by president: The extraordinary - and entirely unverified - allegations that Donald Trump ordered prostitutes to commit degrading sex acts in the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow are contained in a dossier drawn up by a former British spy Part of the document is seen above. Click here to see the full document first published by Buzzfeed Dealings: The dossier apparently includes claims about Trump's financial dealings with Moscow. In 2013 he held his Miss Universe contest in the Russian capital 'I'm surrounded by bodyguards. I'm surrounded by people. I always tell them if I'm leaving this country, be very careful.' Speaking specifically to the hotel story described in the dirt dossier as a perverted act, Trump said: 'Does anyone really believe that story? I'm also very much of a germophobe, by the way. Believe me.' Trump was asked if, like President Obama, he believes the U.S. should punish Russia for what the intelligence community has concluded was its interference in the U.S. elections. He answered instead with a defense of the benefit of strong U.S.-relations with Russia. 'If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability,' Trump said. KREMLIN DENIES MEMO CLAIMS Russia has denied allegations that the Kremlin collected compromising information about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, dismissed news reports as a 'complete fabrication and utter nonsense.' He insisted that the Kremlin 'does not engage in collecting compromising material'. He added: 'There are those who pump up such a tantrum and do their best to maintain a 'witch hunt', and by the way this is how president-elect Trump characterised this fake. 'And why is the continuation of this hysterical state needed? To force our relationship to stay degraded. 'It is a complete fake - not worth the paper it was written on.' The memo also states that Peskov 'controlled' another dossier containing compromising material on Hillary Clinton compiled over 'many years'. But Peskov denied there was any such material. 'This was absolutely fabricated, this is total nonsense. This is what is called 'pulp fiction'.' This morning, the Russian state-run media has blasted 'troubling' suggestions the FBI should be investigating Donald Trump over some of the claims in the document. News outlet Sputnik warned its readers: 'The fact that multiple media outlets practically simultaneously decided to publish these reports despite admitting their erroneous character is telling by itself. 'However, allegedly the FBI has been in the possession of these memos for some time too.' Sputnik also highlighted a report on the Wikileaks whistleblowing website which claimed as unreliable media reports of Russian agents having kompromat on Trump. '35 page PDF published by Buzzfeed on Trump is not an intelligence report. Style, facts & dates show no credibility,' WikiLeaks said on Twitter. Meanwhile a former head of Vladimir Putin's security service has denied that the FSB snooped on Donald Trump and collected compromising material on him when he was in Moscow. Nikolay Kovalyov claimed: 'Of course, there is no kompromat.' Commenting on the press reports that 'kompromat' on Trump was gathered since the times when Trump came to Moscow as organiser the Miss Universe pageant in 2013, he said: 'To gather compromising materials about a man who came to hold a beauty contest - who would be interested in it? 'You can rely on my experience. This is not our routine here in Russia.' Kovalyov is now a Russian MP for Putin's United Russia party. He was head of the FSB from 1996-98 and was replaced in the position by Putin, who used the position as the launch pad to his political career. 'The feeling is that (Barack) Obama's administration has put all its efforts on compromising the winner of the presidential race, and they believe that in this fight all means are worth it,' said Kovayov. 'They have got enough compromising materials in their motherland, let them sort it themselves there. 'It is not correct to drag Russia into their political fight.' Advertisement 'Guess what folks, that's called an asset, not a liability.' Returning to the dossier, he once again fingered the intelligence agencies as the leakers, calling it 'disgraceful.' 'That's something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do,' Trump said. He called it 'a disgrace that information that was false and fake and never happened got released to the public.' He added: 'I think it's pretty sad when intelligence reports get leaked out to the press. First of all, it's illegal. These are classified and certified meetings and reports.' Then he told a story of an extraordinary sting operation he says he conducted on the nation's top spooks. 'I'll tell you what does happen. I have many meetings with intelligence. And every time I meet, people are reading about it. Somebody's leaking them out,' Trump said, after inveighing against leaks. 'So I said maybe it's my office. Maybe my office. Because I've got a lot of people Maybe it's them?' 'What I did, is I said I won't tell anyone. I'm going to have a meeting, and I won't tell anybody about my meeting with intelligence,' Trump continued. 'Nobody knew not even Rhoda, my executive assistant for years. She didn't know I didn't' tell her. Nobody knew.' Having set the trap, Trump says the word leaked anyway 'The meeting was held. They left, and immediately the word got out that I had a meeting. So, I don't want that. It's very unfair to the country. It's very unfair to our country what's happening,' he said. Vice President-elect Mike Pence said the reports 'can only be attributed to media bias an attempt to demean the president-elect and our incoming administration.' With just nine days before his swearing-in, Trump prepared to take on the 'dishonest' media he frequently castigates amid months of pent-up questions about his governing plans, his cabinet, and his vast business holdings. Trump unloaded Wednesday morning on media reports that to intelligence officials had provided a two-page summary of information of claims that the Russians might have compromising information on Trump during a classified security briefing with him. A dossier of the dirt itself was subsequently published by Buzzfeed, which noted that it had not verified its contents. 'Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!' Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. 'Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is 'A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE.' Very unfair!' he tweeted shortly thereafter. Trump's presser was set to begin just hours after Arizona senator and Trump critic John McCain admitted passing the dossier of claims of a Russian blackmail to the head of the FBI. 'Late last year, I received sensitive information that has since been made public,' McCain said in a statement. 'Upon examination of the contents, and unable to make a judgment about their accuracy, I delivered the information to the Director of the FBI.' 'That has been the extent of my contact with the FBI or any other government agency regarding this issue,' Trump said. In other breaking news, Trump's secretary of state pick, Rex Tillerson, said in congressional testimony that 'Russia today poses a danger.' 'Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia,' he added. Trump has repeatedly called for better U.S. ties with Russia. Reporters were also preparing to grill Trump about efforts to disentangle himself from his business. As late as 20 minutes before his news conference was to begin, Trump's transition had provided no written materials or explanation of how he would deal with his business interests. Trump has said he would step back from his business but hasn't previously outlined how. Trump's transition has revealed that Ivanka Trump's husband, Jared Kushner, will joint he administration as a counselor to the president. Ivanka Trump has said she is selling her own shares in the Trump organization, and has rented a house in Washington. SHINE A LIGHT: A Trump Tower employee polishes the brass on a velvet rope in preparation for a press conference by President-elect Donald Trump in the lobby of Trump Tower Trump scheduled his press conference on the same day controversial State Department nominee Rex Tillerson faced a confirmation hearing Trump battled media reports on Twitter, noting that the Kremlin called the a 'total fabrication' Trump tweeted that he has 'nothing to do with Russia' The president-elect has said his two adult sons, Don Jr. and Eric Trump, will take charge of the organization. Trump has cancelled a handful of international deals, but still controls 500 companies that could present conflicts of interest. Among those businesses getting scrutiny is Trump's luxury hotel in Washington, which opened for business in October. Ethics experts have said if Trump accepts payment or gifts from a foreign power through his business, it would violate the Constitution's emoluments clause, which prohibits any gifts. Trump's last press conference was July 27, when he took heat for what he later said was a joke when he invited Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's emails. A man who had unprotected sex with his girlfriend when she thought he was using a condom has been given a suspended prison sentence in Switzerland. The woman reported her boyfriend to the police after discovering her lover had not abided by her wishes. The Frenchman was arrested and appeared before a court in Lausanne this weekend charged with rape. A man has been charged with rape after he had unprotected sex with his girlfriend when she thought he was using a condom The Frenchman was arrested and appeared before a court in Lausanne this weekend He claimed before a jury how he had intended to wear a condom, but it ripped while he was putting it on. The woman insisted she would have refused sex if she had known her boyfriend was not protected. A British backpacker found hanged in her hotel room in Thailand had been having a row about 'silly things' with her boyfriend. Abigail Brown, 26, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, was found by her boyfriend, James Brum, in their apartment in the seaside resort of Phuket. The Sun reported Thai police saying the couple had argued at the White Room nightclub in Patong beach after she saw him chatting up other women. Thai police have confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Miss Brown's death. Abigail Brown (pictured, left) was found hanged in her apartment in Chalong, Phuket after a late-night argument with her boyfriend James Brum (right) Miss Brown had recently trained at the Tiger Muay Thai camp close to the apartment she shared with Mr Brum, 30, a professional mixed martial arts fighter. The couple spent the evening watching a film together. She returned to the apartment alone at 3.20am and her boyfriend found her three hours later. According to police Miss Brown was found with injuries consistent with suicide and briefed local media there was nothing to indicate she had been assaulted prior to her death. Her body is due to be repatriated tomorrow. The cause of the argument between the couple is unknown. Miss Brown (pictured), who was known to friends as Abi and often used her stepfather's surname, Rowland, had been living in Thailand since August last year Miss Brown regularly posted updates on social media in Mr Brum's company and had referred to him on more than one occasion as 'the hubby'. She had joked with friends online that she was 'still working' on their engagement. Miss Brown had been living in Thailand since August 2016. Last night tributes were paid to Miss Brown known to friends as Abi Rowland after her mother Jane remarried who was described as somebody who 'excelled in everything' by her half-brother Will Rowland in a post on social media. Miss Brown had been training at a Muay Thai camp with Mr Brum, who was a professional mixed martial arts fighterr Mr Rowland said: 'As some of you may already of heard, on Saturday my older sister Abi sadly passed away. 'I honestly couldn't of asked for a better older sister, she always excelled in everything and always kept me and everyone around her so, so proud. 'Words can't describe how much she will be missed and how much she meant to us all, I have lost a big part of me and my life. Abi was honestly one of a kind still can't believe it.' Police question people outside the apartment in Phuket where Miss Brown's body was found. They have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances Lieutenant Somkiet Sarasit said: 'The only injuries found were around her neck and that these coincide with her being hanged by the bedsheet. 'The young woman hanged herself. There was no fighting and no cuts to her body. 'The man said that they had been out together. They had an argument and she returned early. They had been fighting about silly things.' Mr Brum's mother Cecilia said: 'Abi was a very nice girl, always lovely to talk to. They were in Thailand having a great time.' Mr Brum's father Stanley told The Sun: 'It's so sad and he must be in such shock but we want to support him and help Abi's family in any way we can.' His wife Cecilia said: 'Abi was a very nice girl, always lovely to talk to. They were in Thailand having a great time. But I do miss James a lot. This news is so sad.' Her friend, Laura Cave, said on social media: 'My heart is broken, words can't even describe how much I will miss you. Your presence would light up every room. 'I will forever treasure all of the precious memories we shared together, your beautiful soul, infectious smile, cheeky personality and our weird personal jokes. 'You touched my life in only a short amount of time, you are one of a kind and I am forever grateful to have crossed paths with you. 'Rest in peace my beautiful girl, I will miss you forever.' A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: 'We are providing support to the family of a British national who died in Phuket, Thailand on January 7.' Rachel Koy, 21, from Cardiff, could suffer a reaction if someone who has been eating nuts breathes near her A university graduate claims she is struggling to get a job because of her severe allergy to peanuts. Rachel Koy, 21, from Cardiff, could suffer a reaction if someone who has been eating nuts breathes near her - meaning she can only remain in completely nut-free zones. After finishing her three years at Cardiff University, Miss Koy, who has always wanted to work in the charity sector, bagged a dream job as a full time support worker at an autistic society. The history graduate says she told her new employers about her allergy, which requires her to carry two adrenaline pens at all times, from the start of her application. They assured her it was fine and promised they could cater to her needs and place her in a nut-free support centre. Miss Koy spent three months over summer completing the necessary training, only to be told at the start of September - when she was ready to start the role - that the nut free placement wasn't possible after all. Instead, they offered her a part-time replacement job over 50 miles away from her home. Miss Koy said: 'This was the hardest rejection, I couldn't afford to commute that far and I wanted the full time job I got in the first place. 'They said it would be a lengthy process having to persuade people not to put nuts in packed lunches and with the nature of the work it could be difficult getting non verbal autistic people to understand the severity of it. 'It's just so sad, I've always wanted to be able to give back to the community and I fell at the first attempt.' Frustrated at her allergy getting in the way of her dream job, Miss Koy then applied to a market research role, removing the information about her health from her CV. She got the job and worked full time in the call centre for a month without telling anyone about her allergy. Speaking to student newspaper The Tab, Miss Koy said: 'I guessed people were eating peanuts there because I never felt quite right, but eventually someone actually started eating some right next to me and I had to ask them to put them away because it wasn't safe. 'I know I should have told them in the first place but I wanted to see if I could cope. 'My supervisor got wind of it and was very stressed about keeping me safe. 'Because there is such a high turnover of staff they said it was pretty much impossible to police it and make sure every member of staff knew about it.' The history graduate says she told her new employers about her allergy, which requires her to carry two adrenaline pens at all times, from the start of her application After finishing her three years at Cardiff University, Miss Koy, who has always wanted to work in the charity sector, bagged a dream job as a full time support worker at an autistic society Miss Koy was forced to quit again and got a job as a copy girl for a law firm shortly after in November. Despite being told they could accommodate her condition, two hours into her first day HR called Miss Koy in for a chat and said she needed to leave there and then. She said: 'Again, they'd told me it would be fine and it wasn't. 'I was diagnosed at ten and have only had anaphylaxis once when I was 12, I take so many precautions and manage it so well but no one wants to take on the risk. 'It's an unrecognised disability and there are people with nut allergies like mine who have been unemployed for years. 'It's such a shame and so isolating, I'm claiming Jobseeker's Allowance when all my friends are working or in further education. 'Doctors have advised me to go and work in a small office based environment with a compact team who can all be made aware of my situation, it's quite sad that I have to limit myself so severely because of a food allergy. The parents of a Texas baby hospitalized with a congenital heart defect are turning to an unlikely source to soothe her: the Dallas Cowboys. Since she was born on October 4, Lola Catron has lived at Fort Worth's Cook Children's Hospital, due to a congenital heart defect. She underwent surgery twice, the first when she was three days old and the second just last week. The three-month-old girl has been extra fussy as she continues to recover from her most recent surgery, but her parents have found that putting on Dallas Cowboys games soothes her. Scroll down for video The parents of Lola Catron (pictured left and right) says their daughter is soothed by watching Dallas Cowboys games Little Lola has been hospitalized since birth for a congenital heart defect. For the past week she has been recovering from a second heart surgery 'It's literally instantaneous,' Lola's dad, Bryan Catron (right), said. 'She just stops and watches the TV. And I'm like, "All right, I'm in with the Cowboys."' Lola's mom Laura pictured left 'Much like parents feel with Frozen, that's how I am with Cowboys games right now.,' Lola's mom, Laura, told Fox 4. And it's just the Cowboys - don't even think about putting on her mom's favorite team, the Denver Broncos. 'Trust me, I would rather her watch my team,' Mrs Catron said. 'And I put the Steelers on, and she started crying. I put Cleveland on, and she started crying.' Lola's mom is a Broncos fan and says she would prefer if her daughter was calmed by her team's games, but she is fine with anything that distracts her baby The parents have shared several videos showing the instantly calming effect the games have on their daughter Lola takes her meal in front of an iPad playing a Cowboys game recently Laura Carton says she hopes media coverage raises awareness about Lola's battle with her congenital heart defect Mrs Catron has shared multiple videos showing the instantly calming effects the videos have on her little girl. 'It's literally instantaneous,' Lola's dad, Bryan Catron, said. 'She just stops and watches the TV. And I'm like, "All right, I'm in with the Cowboys."' 'I don't know if it's the whistles that does it, but something does it so that's pretty awesome,' he added. Laura Carton says she hopes media coverage raises awareness about Lola's battle with her congenital heart defect. Number 10 has rubbished claimed that firms could face an immigration tax if they employ EU workers after Brexit. Immigration minister Robert Goodwill raised the prospect of copying the 1,000 annual charge on businesses employing non-EU migrants, which will take affect from April, for all immigrants arriving in Britain after we leave the EU. It would mean a four-year contract for non-UK workers would cost employers 4,000. But later today the Prime Minister's spokeswoman slapped down Mr Goodwill by saying the idea of introducing an annual 1,000 levy on immigrant workers was 'not on the Government's agenda'. Scroll down for video Immigration minister Robert Goodwill, pictured, raised the prospect of copying the 1,000 annual charge on businesses employing non-EU migrants, which will take affect from April, for all immigrants arriving in Britain after we leave the EU Mr Goodwill also suggested that a seasonal scheme for agricultural workers such as fruit pickers coming to Britain for short periods was being considered. EU rules on freedom of movement will be a central issue in Theresa May's upcoming Brexit negotiations with EU leaders. The Government has said it will seek controls over the numbers of people coming to the country but the shape of any post-Brexit immigration system has yet to be outlined. Prime Minister Theresa May is still committed to reducing net immigration to below 100,000. Discussing the incoming scheme that will charge firms a 1,000 annual charge for employing non-EU migrants, Mr Goodwill told a Lords EU committee today: 'That's something that currently applies to non-EU. 'That may be something that's been suggested to us that could apply to EU. 'But we are not in a position to really speculate as to what the settlement will be post-Brexit negotiations.' But the prospect for a levy for hiring EU workers sparked a furious reaction from opponents. Mr Goodwill also suggested that a seasonal scheme for agricultural workers such as fruit pickers coming to Britain for short periods was being considered The party's spokesman Don Foster said it 'would kill off British businesses', adding: 'The Conservatives used to represent business interests, they have now sacrificed them on the altar of populism.' Ufi Ibrahim, of the British Hospitality Association, described the suggestion as 'very worrying', warning that it would increase costs for hospitality and tourism businesses and lead to higher prices for consumers. The Prime Minister's spokeswoman said Mr Goodwill had said 'there are a number of options that could be considered'. Lib Dem spokesman Don Foster said charging firms 1,000 a year to employ EU workers 'would kill off British businesses', adding: 'The Conservatives used to represent business interests, they have now sacrificed them on the altar of populism' She added: 'This Government is focused on delivering a system that reduces immigration.' Mr Goodwill also indicated that a seasonal agricultural workers route was being weighed up. Under a previous scheme, fruit and vegetable growers were allowed to employ Bulgarians and Romanians for up to six months at a time, with an annual quota of 21,250. The programme closed when restrictions on migrants from the two countries were lifted at the start of 2014. Mr Goodwill said: 'I had a delegation from the National Farmers' Union at the end of last year saying could we introduce a seasonal agricultural workers' scheme for non-EU people. 'That's certainly one of the options that could be open to us post-Brexit.' He said such an approach, which could apply to either EU or non-EU migrants, would not contribute to net long-term migration numbers as they cover those coming to Britain for at least a year. A seasonal scheme has less impact on local communities because people stay for a short time often in temporary accommodation, the Home Office minister said. Theresa May, pictured at PMQs today, has repeated the Tory pledge to reduce net immigration to below 100,000 Net long-term international migration from both the EU and the rest of the world has been running at near record-levels of more than a third of a million - well above the Government's target of less than 100,000. A range of options for an immigration system have been proposed following the Brexit vote, including a work permits regime or a so-called 'emergency brake' approach. Mr Goodwill said a number of models are being explored but told peers it would be 'pointless' to speculate ahead of the negotiations. Seamus Nevin, head of employment and skills policy at the Institute of Directors, said employers accept that immigration policy will be changing but warned charging 1,000 for each EU worker would hit businesses dependent on skills from abroad. He added: 'The UK needs these companies to do well if we are to make a success of Brexit. 'Businesses are already working with ministers to improve the home-grown skills supply, but this tax will only damage jobs growth at a time when many businesses are living with uncertainty. Online fans of President-elect Donald Trump are embracing a highly improbable theory that the most salacious parts of the dirty dossier, published last night by BuzzFeed, are the creation of an anonymous 4chan user. Their 'proof' is a 4chan posting from November 1 that says, 'So they took what I told Rick Wilson and added a Russian spy angle to it.' A Reddit post from last night, lays the whole conspiracy theory out. Scroll down for video Online fans of President-elect Donald Trump are suggesting the contents of a controversial dossier, released by BuzzFeed, came from 'fanfiction' mailed to an anti-Trump GOP operative Online conspiracy theorists point to this November 1 post, which suggests someone made up a story, told it to Rick Wilson, and that's how the dossier came about A Reddit user outlined the strange theory, suggesting that the salacious parts of the controversial dossier, released by BuzzFeed, were nothing more than fictional stories made up by a 4chan user and mailed to an anti-Donald Trump GOP political consultant Rick Wilson pushed back at the 4chan and Reddit chatter, saying he wasn't involved. He was brought into the conspiracy theory because he warned of damning opposition research on Donald Trump that could come out several weeks before the election '/pol/lacks mailed fanfiction to to anti-Trump pundit Rick Wilson about Trump making people piss in a bed Obama slept in.' From there, it suggested Wilson, who helped independent candidate Evan McMullin run for the White House against Trump, gave the material to the CIA and that's how portions of the 35-page dossier ended up in a two-page intelligence report, reportedly given to President Obama and President-elect Trump. GOP consultant Rick Wilson got dragged into a weird conspiracy theory about the origins of the dirty dossier Wilson, both on Twitter and in a Medium post, pushed back vigorously upon hearing these claims. First, he said he wasn't BuzzFeed's source and even challenged BuzzFeed to reveal him as the news organization's source if he was. 'Why? Because the first time I saw the memo was when BuzzFeed published it,' Wilson said. 'Ive never had possession of that memo, never shared it, never pitched it, and never requested or caused others to do so.' 'Allegations from the memo were making the rounds in the IC, political, and media worlds, to be sure, but its origins are elsewhere,' the GOP strategist added. He was likely fingered because of comments Wilson made in mid-October suggesting to the Daily Caller that there was opposition research on Trump coming down the pipeline that could 'end the race.' Wilson told the Caller's Jamie Weinstein that there were some damaging stories out there related to Trump's personal life. 'Trumps personal life has long been a complicated thing and there are a number of stories out there that are being worked [on] by the networks and by the other folks that I think would be very consequential, particularly in how conservative and evangelical voters view Donald Trump,' Wilson said at the time. The dossier was an opposition research document, not an official write-up from the intelligence community, but Wilson didn't have anything to do with it. He wasn't BuzzFeed's source. Trump, at today's press conference, suggested that someone within the U.S. government had given the dossier to the online publication. Wilson was also neither the creator of the file, nor the one who handed it over to the U.S. government, as both of those sources have likely been revealed. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., volunteered the information that he handed information to the FBI. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday afternoon that the writer of the dossier was Christopher Steele, an ex-British intelligence official, according to 'people familiar with the matter.' A 19-year-old man who was arguing with his mother and pointing his gun at deputies was shot by them, according to a Louisiana sheriff. Austin L. Rackley, of Sulphur, was shot in the neck Monday night and later hospitalized in stable condition, according to reports. The incident took place at Mosswood Estates Mobile Home Park in Carlyss, according to KPLC. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso said two deputies arrived at the scene after receiving a call that a man was holding a gun to his head. Scroll down for video Two deputies arrived at the scene, a gated community (inset), after receiving a call that a man was holding a gun to his head He said they ordered him to put down the gun, but instead he pointed it at them, prompting them to fire. Mancuso told KPLC: 'They encounter a 19-year-old man who has a gun who is arguing with his mother. Deputies encounter him, they take cover behind another trailer. 'They give him verbal commands to put the weapon down. He ends up raising the weapon at them. They fire shots striking him. 'He was brought to a local hospital and has since been brought to a Lafayette hospital.' Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso (pictured) said they ordered him to put down the gun, but instead he pointed it at them, prompting them to fire Officials didn't say how many times Rackley was shot. Neither have they released the races of those involved. Jeremy Corbyn was under fire last night after he suggested British forces on Nato duty in Eastern Europe are escalating tensions with Russia. His spokesman said the Labour leader did not support the deployment of hundreds of UK troops to deter aggression by President Putin and implied that a future Labour government might not come to the aid of a Nato ally if it were attacked by Russia. But his remarks appear to have caused yet more infighting with the Labour party, with Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffith 'absolutely furious', according to senior sources. Jeremy Corbyn, pictured in the Commons today, believes Britain should consider ending troop deployments and RAF flights in eastern Europe to 'ratchet down' tensions with Vladimir Putin Just hours previously she had jetted out to Estonia to give an interview for Forces TV to visit the 800 troops sent out to Estonia as part of a Nato taskforce. And in her interview, she appeared to hold a contradictory view to that of her party leader and close ally. She said: 'I think its very, very, important that we now play a very strong role in Nato, particularly as we are leaving the European union. 'I think its very important for Nato to be absolutely clear, following what has happened in Ukraine, that we are standing together as Nato nations and there is no way that we would tolerate any attack on any one of our member states.' But his remarks appear to have caused yet more infighting with the Labour party, with Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffith 'absolutely furious', according to senior sources Article 5 of the Nato treaty commits members to collective defence. But Mr Corbyn's spokesman said: It doesnt define what that response should be... that can be a whole range of things. Asked specifically whether Mr Corbyn supported the Governments decision to send 800 troops to Estonia as part of a Nato task force, he said: Jeremy has expressed concerns about that being one of the escalations of tensions that have taken place. The comments prompted fury among Labour MPs and led to fresh questions about Mr Corbyns fitness for office. Sources close to defence spokesman Nia Griffith told the Daily Mirror she was absolutely livid over the suggestion that Labour did not support Natos policy of collective defence. Michael Dugher, a former Labour frontbencher, described the intervention as an own goal which had sabotaged Mr Corbyns efforts to hold the Government to account over the NHS. Mr Dugher said Mr Corbyns team appeared to be continuing to fight the Cold War for the wrong side. Former Labour defence minister Kevan Jones said the comments undermined support for British troops. Anyone in our Armed Forces is going to take a pretty dim view of being undermined in this way while they are protecting the security of Europe, he said. The idea that being part of Nato escalates tensions is completely wrong collective defence through Nato is vital. Theresa May, seen leaving No 10 today, said at the weekend Britain stood ready to defend Estonia and other Nato allies were Russia to invade Mike Gapes, a Labour member of the Commons foreign affairs committee, pointed out that Labour had always backed Nato, adding: Collective defence is absolutely essential for all members. Tory MP Bob Stewart, an ex- Army colonel, said: Jeremy Corbyn barks at the moon when he starts talking about defence. The Prime Ministers spokesman said Mr Corbyn was wrong, adding: Nato is not seeking confrontation with Russia. We would like to pursue a relationship of co-operation with Russia, but we are also going to make sure we are standing up for our allies within Nato. Asked if that meant not sending British troops to join the NATO mission in the spring, the spokesman added: 'Jeremy has expressed concerns about that, about that being one of the escalations of tensions that have taken place.' Asked if RAF Typhoons should be withdrawn from an air policing operation, the spokesman said: 'Jeremy has made the case we need to address the relationship with Russia, which has tensions on both sides. 'It is crucial that not be used to ratchet up tensions but the basis for serious engagement to reduce tensions. 'We want talks and engagement to wind down tensions, military tensions, particularly on the Nato-Russian border.' 'That's not a question of being in any way uncritical. There is many issues he has raised on condemned in relation to Russia's role but there clearly needs to be a ratcheting down of tensions between the West and Russia. British Typhoon jets (pictured at RAF Akrotiri) routinely patrol the skies of eastern Europe while the Army is sending troops and tanks to Estonia alongside forces from Denmark and France 'There are dangers involved in that military escalation particularly on the Nato-Russia border and, of course, in the Middle East where there is a full scale war going on. 'We want to see engagement and negotiation to wind down those military tensions.' Asked if Britain should go to the defence of Nato-ally Estonia if Russia invades he said: 'Article 5 means if there is an attack on another Nato state, there has to be a response. 'It doesn't define what that response should be. From the wording of the treaty, that can be a whole range of different things. 'What we are looking for is a reduction in tension.' The air policing operation, partly operated by RAF Typhoons, pictured, was increased in response to Russian aggression In April, Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. The soldiers will be sent to the Eastern European country and will be joined by forces from Denmark and France, according to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. The operation, planned with outgoing US President Barack Obama, was designed with US hopes for binding commitments from Europe to fill four battle groups of some 4,000 troops. It is part of NATO's response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and concern it could try a similar tactic in Europe's ex-Soviet states. France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones. Fears are high after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to occupy the Crimea peninsula in 2014 and Russian-backed forces invaded Ukraine, which is not a Nato member Speaking on Sunday, Mrs May said British troops would also take part in military exercises in Estonia designed to highlight the 'seriousness with which Nato considers its responsibilities'. She told Sky News: 'Article 5 of Nato says that we do go to the support of any Nato country that has military action against it. 'Sometimes people think there is going to be a change in the American approach to Nato. From the conversations I've had, I think America remains fully committed to Nato, as we do. Former animal services officer David Goucher (pictured) was arrested on animal cruelty charges Tuesday A former animal services officer in Texas has been arrested for fatally slamming a kitten to the ground after it bit him at the city animal shelter where he worked. David Keith-Manning Goucher, 22, was arrested on Tuesday in Denton, Texas on a felony charge of cruelty to a non-livestock animal. On the morning of December 15, Goucher, an animal services officer at the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, was in the cat area of the city-run shelter attempting to change the collar on a kitten, a female co-worker told police. The kitten became irritated and bit Goucher on the hand, after which he raised the kitten up in the air and threw the defenseless animal forcefully onto the floor in front of his co-worker, the witness said. The kitten died shortly after from injuries sustained in the incident, according to police. Goucher failed to report that he'd been bitten, as the shelter's policy requires, instead logging the kitten as 'sick, died in shelter,' police said. When police arrived the next morning to investigate the tip they'd received from the witness at the shelter, they were told that Goucher had given notice and quit his job there. Goucher had quit his job at the Linda NcNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center (pictured) by the time police arrived to investigate the animal cruelty claims reported by a co-worker Former animal services officer David Goucher (pictured) could face up to two years in Texas state prison if convicted of felony cruelty to animals Residents of Denton reacted with outrage at news of the former city employee's arrest. 'If he would do that to a small defenseless animal, what could he do to humans?' Kelly Lewis Patrick wrote on the Denton Police Department's Facebook page. 'I just wish he could stay [in jail] longer than the law allows currently!' Animal cruelty resulting in the death or serious injury of an animal is a state jail felony in Texas, which typically carries a prison sentence of six months to two years. The Linda McNatt shelter took in over 4,700 animals in 2014. Although it is not a no-kill shelter, it claimed a 'live exit rate' of 80 percent in 2011. A mission statement on the shelter's website pledges to 'always treat every animal with compassion, kindness and humane consideration.' ' and that his son's death was likely a robbery gone wrong The father of a Democratic National Committee staffer shot dead in Washington DC in August has insisted that his son did not pass on incriminating emails to WikiLeaks, despite rumors he is to blame for the leak still circulating six months after his death. Seth Rich, 27, was gunned down in the affluent Bloomingdale neighborhood of DC in the early hours of July 10 while he was on the phone to his girlfriend after a night out at Lou's City Bar. Rich worked as a data analyst at the DNC and had built a voter turnout database in the months before his death. But despite speculation from the public, fueled by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's own comments, Rich's father, Joel, insists that his son did not provide emails to WikiLeaks prior to the 2016 presidential election. Amid suspicions that Seth Rich passed along incriminating emails to WikiLeaks before his death, the DNC staffer's father, Joel (left), says his son would never do such a thing. Seth Rich, 27, was shot dead in Washington DC in the early hours of July 10 'Anyone who knew Seth knew that wasn't the way he would have handled the problem,' Rich's father, Joel Rich, told Fox News. 'He would not go outside the system.' During an August interview, Assange suggested the DNC leak may have been the work of an insider. But he told DemocracyNow he didn't know their identity, and wouldn't reveal if he did. Joel Rich called Assange's comments 'bizarre', and says he, like Washington, DC, police, believes that his son's death was the result of a robbery gone wrong. 'The reason Seth was killed is probably because he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,' he said. 'There are all kinds of scenarios, but until something else is proven, these are just scenarios.' Above all else, Rich wanted to make a difference in the world, Joel Rich said. 'At work, Seth was able to extend his desire to make everyone feel included to the basic right to vote in American elections,' Joel Rich said. 'What makes Seth stand out is wanting to help others and wanting to make a difference,' he added. 'As a parent, you always think your children are great, but after speaking to people who knew him who started calling the day after he was killed, we realized we didn't have to be as modest about what we said about him.' There are suspicions that Rich passed on incriminating DNC emails to WikiLeaks prior to the 2016 presidential election Rich worked as a data analyst at the DNC and had built a voter turnout database in the months before his death. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (pictured) suggested that the leak was an inside job Despite DC police suspecting a robbery, Rich's family said that nothing had been taken from their son. The mystery surrounding his death has sparked a flurry of theories posted online, including claims that he was on his way to speak to the FBI when he was shot. There have also been suggestions he fed Wikileaks the 3,000 DNC emails that were released at the start of the party's convention last week. Reddit user The_Donald also constructed a timeline that links Rich to the Clintons, as pointed out by Heat Street. He said Rich developed a relationship with environmentalists supporting Bernie Sanders. They then suggest this relationship was somehow connected to Rich's death. There is no evidence to suggest any of these claims are true. The trail seemed to have gone cold after the DNC staffer was killed on July 10. Rich's body was found covered in bruises on the 2100 block of Flagler Place NW, but he still had his watch, cell phone and wallet on him. Last year, Rich's parents, Joel and Mary (pictured) appealed to the public requesting help finding their son's killer Like Washington, DC, police, Rich's (left) parents believe that their son's death is the result of a robbery gone wrong In the days before he was shot dead, Rich appealed for the end of gun violence on his Facebook page A police report seen by DailyMail.com also states the circumstances surrounding Rich's homicide are 'unknown'. Security footage from a nearby store obtained by Fox News show two men following Rich from a crosswalk in the moments before he was shot. The camera only captured images of the assailants' legs and of Rich when he fell to the ground after being shot. Following Rich's death, Assange offered a $20,000 reward leading to an arrest of the killers. Republican lobbyist Jack Burkman offered an additional $100,000 while the DC Police also offer $25,000. 'The Metropolitan Police Department is committed to bringing the person or persons responsible for Seth Rich's death to justice,'DC police told FoxNews.com in a statement. 'As we mark the six-month anniversary of his death, we urge anyone with information to come forward and help bring his family the answers they deserve.' Police have said there had been numerous robberies in the area in the lead up to Rich's murder and suspect he may have engaged in a fight with his attackers. With Donald Trump's inauguration fast approaching, President Barack Obama has put convicted military document leaker Chelsea Manning on his short list for a possible commutation of sentence, according to a new report. Manning, a transgender former Army intelligence analyst known before her transition as Bradley Manning, is serving a 35-year sentence for handing 700,000 sensitive military and diplomatic documents, among them classified files, to WikiLeaks. On Wednesday, NBC News reported, citing an unnamed source within the Justice Department, that the outgoing president is weighing the possibility of granting Manning a reprieve. Awaiting a reprieve: Army document leaker Chelsea Manning is on President Obama's short lift for a possible commutation of sentence, according to a Justice Department source Fellow whistleblower: NSA leaker Edward Snowden on Wednesday tweeted an appeal to the president, asking him to grant Manning clemency and save her life The source tells NBC the decision on Mannings fate could come as early as today. Manning has already made two suicide attempts while incarcerated at the maximum-security US Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth and went on a hunger strike last year in an attempt to get officials to allow her to undergo gender reassignment surgery. Speaking to NBC, Manning's aunt, Deborah Manning, said she is more hopeful now than ever before that her niece would be granted clemency. 'I do think it's the last hope for a while,' she added. During Mannings trial in 2013, prosecutors argued that the Army private was a traitor, not a 'whistelblower,' who used her military training and skills as a hacker to harm the US and provide assistance to al-Qaida. Among the trove of documents Manning had given to WikiLeaks were war logs from Iraq and Afghanistan, diplomatic cables, detainee files from Guantanamo Bay and an infamous video from 2007 dubbed 'Collateral Murder' that showed an Apache helicopter attack that killed civilians in Baghdad, including children and two news cameramen. If Obama, pictured left delivering his farewell address Tuesday, decides to commute Manning's sentence, her conviction would stand but she might serve a shorter prison term, or be released. Manning is pictured on the right before her transition, when she went by Bradley The soldier's defense team sought to paint the defendant as naive and well-meaning, and claimed that the prosecution failed to produce evidence that Manning's leaks harmed national security or diplomatic interests. Manning ultimately pleaded guilty and before her sentencing issued an apology to the nation. 'I'm sorry that my actions hurt people,' Manning told the court. I'm sorry that they hurt the United States. I understand that I must pay the price for my decisions and actions.' If Obama decides to commute Manning's sentence, her conviction would stand but she might serve a shorter prison term, or be released. Manning's supporters have long argued that the 35-year sentence in a maximum security correctional facility was excessive, and that in handing down the harsh punishment, the judge sought to send a message to another high-profile government whistleblower, Edward Snowden. Manning's aunt said of Chelsea: 'I think in a way she was a scapegoat for Edward Snowden.' As news of the possible commutation spread on Wednesday, Snowden himself made an appeal to President Obama on Manning's behalf. 'Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency as you exit the White House, please: free Chelsea Manning. You alone can save her life,' the former NSA contractor said in a tweet. Manning, pictured in 2013, is serving a 35-year sentence for handing 700,000 sensitive military and diplomatic documents Snowden, who has been hiding out in Russia after leaking to the press a massive cache of classified material detailing global government surveillance programs in 2013, has asked Obama to grant him clemency. If Obama fails to pardon Snowden, his supporters say he may face the death penalty under the incoming administration of Donald Trump, who has called him a terrible traitor. Four current and former Army intelligence officers anonymously told NBC News that Mannings disclosures were far less significant than those made by Snowden. The poorest children in New Delhi are so desperate to learn they attend a school on the pavement set up by a selfless pensioner. Shyam Bihari Prasad's students come to the unremarkable pavement seven days a week and it has become an invaluable resource for families that cannot afford education. The 67-year-old retired from his telecommunications job in 2010 to look after his granddaughter with his wife. The poorest children in New Delhi are so desperate to learn they attend a school on the pavement The school was set up by Shyam Bihari Prasad (pictured) who retired from his job in 2010 . He started the unconventional education facility three years ago The school exists to tackle the gaps in education for New Delhi's poorest class of children Three years ago he decided to set up the unconventional school to tackle the gaps in education for New Delhi's poorest class of children. He said: 'Because there is no space and in this costly city, no one is ready to give space for educating them. That's why I have started on this footpath. 'When I was starting, very little children were there and they were begging for food and biscuits in front of the gates. 'I saw the children and thought why not? These children should should be provided with education. Some of the children are very intelligent. 'Because these children are street children, there was no discipline on how to speak, how to stand. After giving moral education, very slowly after three years, they are in this position.' In the beginning, the humble school did not even have mats to sit on and children stood to be taught. In the beginning, the humble school did not even have mats to sit on and children stood to be taught As the school started to gain popularity with locals it started to recieve donations of supplies Children are not charged to attend the school and all the supplies are provided by locals However, as the school started to gain popularity with locals it started to receive donations. Children are not charged to attend the school and all the supplies are provided by locals and individuals who come across the street school. Mr Prasad said: 'Someone donated the mat, someone else donated the blackboard and chair. Everything is donated by people like you and not by government or NGOs. 'I do my work and the rest is donated by passersby, like books. I don't have to do anything - I just work hard.' Conducting classes seven days a week, Shyam offers his 35-40 students lessons in English, Hindi, maths and social sciences After starting with no supplies at all, the pupils now have mats, books, chairs and some desks The children have to be taught on the footpath because there is no space or money to set up a school for poor children in the city Conducting classes seven days a week, Shyam offers his 35-40 students lessons in English, Hindi, maths and social sciences. Pooja Kumari Naik, 10, who had never been to school before, has been attending Shyam's for two years and his lessons have encouraged his fierce desire to learn. Pooja said: 'I want to become a teacher when I grow up. Our uncle is very good. He teaches us English very well. He explains Hindi very nicely and we feel very good when he teaches us. Britain has agreed to hand over half of its territory on Cyprus if the island's Greek and Turkish communities can reach a historic settlement at crucial talks this week. The British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will join the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot halves of the island tomorrow as they edge closer to a solution which would reunify Cyprus for the first time since 1974 when Turkey invaded. Britain ruled Cyprus until independence in 1960 and still has two large sovereign base areas - RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia - which remain key to British interests in the Middle East. A British Tornado jet prepares for takeoff at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Britain today agreed to hand over half of the land surrounding the base in the event of a deal between Cypriot leaders Britain used to rule all of Cyprus but in 1960 the island was granted independence, with Britain deciding to hold onto two pieces of land (pictured) for military purposes But in 2009 then prime minister Gordon Brown offered to hand back almost half of the base if the two sides could come to an agreement to reunify the island. Today the Foreign Office confirmed for the first time that Theresa May's government is willing to abide by the offer made by Mr Brown. A Foreign Office spokesman told the Mail Online: 'We are still committed to that. We will offer almost half of the sovereign base area but only if a deal is reached and passed by referendums in both communities.' But he pointed out the handover of land - mainly Greek Cypriot villages and farmland, which is currently under British military control - would not affect British military operations. RAF Akrotiri has been a key staging point for British fighter jets and bombers operating in Syria, Afghanistan and, before that, Iraq. British bombers used the base during their recent mission to destroy ISIS positions in northern Syria. President Anastasiades (far left) and President Akinci (far right) are seen during talks in Geneva, sponsored by the UN and their envoy Espen Barth Eide (third from left) The United Nations envoy for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, who is supervising crunch talks between the two sides in Geneva, said they were on track to overcome the final obstacles in the way of a 'historic' peace deal. President Nicos Anastasiades of the Republic of Cyprus, and Mustafa Akinci, who is President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), have been meeting in Switzerland since Monday. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, whose grandfather was Turkish, said: 'I welcome the continued courage and commitment that has been shown by both sides. The talks in Geneva on the Cyprus settlement offer both sides a unique opportunity to find a solution. 'The UK fully supports the settlement process and is ready and willing to help in any way it can. 'I hope that all those involved will approach the talks with a sense of openness and flexibility. I believe that if approached in this light, a solution is in reach to bring lasting peace to Cyprus'. Greek Cypriot refugees flee Famagusta, under the protection of British troops, after the Turkish invasion in 1974. Many have not seen their homes since Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority after a coup by extremist Greek nationalists who wanted to unite the island with Greece. After several weeks of fighting the Turkish Army conquered the northern third of the island and eventually set up the TRNC, although it has never won diplomatic recognition. Many Greek Cypriots fled to the south, abandoning their homes, as did some Turkish Cypriots in the south. The UN-sponsored talks would draw up a unified republic with two federated states, a Greek Cypriot one in the south and a Turkish Cypriot one in the north. Today Mr Anastasiades and Mr Akinci formally handed over to the UN maps which have been drawn up showing the territorial boundaries they would accept. The Turkish Cypriot side are thought to be willing to give up Famagusta, and the nearby ghost town of Varosha, which was always an overwhelming Greek Cypriot town. British soldiers are pictured talking to two migrants who arrived by boat on the beach close to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus STOCK PHOTO European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said today: 'I really think, without overdramatising what is happening in Geneva, that this is the very last chance to see the island being recomposed in a normal way.' Mr Eide said: 'We are on track. We have dealt with some of the most difficult issues. We have touched upon almost all of them, we have solved many of them, and we are close to solving some other issues.' He did not rule out the possibility that Mrs May, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might come to Geneva this week if a deal was in sight. 'It's actually quite normal procedure that a topic like this starts at a high political level and when and if successful, it's escalated to the very highest level,' he said. A statue of the Virgin Mary said to have wept in front of witnesses is being studied by Catholic Church miracle investigators. The humble plaster statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe began to shed tears in front of its owner after she finished praying at her home in Acapulco, in the state of Guerrero in south-western Mexico. The saint is a Mexican version of the Virgin Mary, nicknamed la Morenita, or the brunette. Her shrine became one of the Catholic Church's most worshipped sites after she appeared to a peasant in Mexico City nearly 500 years ago. Now church leaders are investigating claims made by Guadalupe Hernandez, whose statue of the virgin apparently sheds real tears. Images and video footage of the statue with tears seemingly streaming down its cheeks have astonished devout followers who have flocked to Acapulco to worship it. Owner Guadalupe explained: 'It was midday and I stood in front of her and I spoke to her. I finished my prayer and looked at La Morenita and I saw her crying.' Guadalupe Hernandez from Mexico says her statue started to cry after she prayed to it She filmed the strange occurrence and showed it to members of the Catholic Church Priest, Father Octavio would neither confirm nor deny the miracle but asked believers to pray She added: 'It is a gift from God, I do not know why and I do not know what is behind it, but, well, we will wait.' Guadalupe first showed the statue's tears to her neighbour, Max. She said: 'I told him, Max, come in, watch the Virgin. Watch, I am not sure if it is wrong. I don't want people to misunderstand this.' But local priest Father Juan Carlos Flores removed the statue from a makeshift shrine, where pilgrims gathered to honour it. He told local media it has been sent to a religious colony in Emiliano Zapata where its tears will be investigated by senior priest Father Octavio Gutierrez Pantoja. Father Octavio would neither confirm nor deny the miracle but asked believers to pray. The Virgin of Guadalupe basilica was established in a Mexico City suburb in the 1500s after Mary appeared to a peasant and asked him to build her a church. It has since become the world's third most visited sacred site. Two Ohio men could face charges over a Facebook prank in which they posted photos of zombie decorations in a small pond and told their friends they found an actual body. Dustin Smith, of Sycamore Township, posted photos of fake disfigured heads and other body parts on Facebook, claiming to have found real bodies frozen under a pond near East Fork Lake. In reality, Smith and his friend, Jasen Dixon, had posed the body parts up in a pond in Dixon's backyard, using decorations from a 'zombie nativity scene' that the Dixons display each year. Two Ohio men face possible charges after pranking their Facebook friends by using photos of zombie decorations and claiming they found a dead body In the post, he claimed that he and friend Jasen Dixon found a body in nearby East Fork Lake. Pictured above, two of the photos Smith put on Facebook In reality, Smith and his friend, Jasen Dixon, had posed the body parts (including the hand above) up in a pond in Dixon's backyard 'We had a little zombie figure and threw him in the pond and we thought we needed to take a picture of it and post it on my buddy (Dustin Smith's) Facebook page,' property owner Jasen Dixon told WCPO. 'He pretended he was camping at East Fork and ran across a body frozen in the ice. We messed with people and everyone was falling for it,' added. Several Facebook friends believed the body was real, telling Smith to call police. Eventually, someone else called the police on Smith and he was forced to explain the situation to authorities. 'We kept the joke going for about two hours,' he said. '(Smith) eventually comes clean and said he was just messing with people. But 30 minutes later, he gets a call from (the Department of Natural Resources).' The Ohio Department of Natural Resources are still investigating the case, and spokesman Matt Kruse would not elaborate on any charges the men could face Dustin Smith, of Sycamore Township, Ohio, was the one who posted photos of fake disfigured heads and other body parts on his Facebook page. The Facebook post prompted concern from Smith's friends, and eventually, someone else called the police on Smith At first, Dixon and Smith thought it was a prank call and hung up, but when they received another call from the number, they realized it was the real deal. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources was still investigating the case as of Tuesday, but spokesman Matt Kruse would not elaborate on any charges the men could face. Another spokesman for the department, Matt Eiselstein, told WCPO that law enforcement is 'working with the local prosecutor on potential charges'. Bodies have previously been found in East Fork Lake, where the men claimed to have found the body in their Facebook post. Up until December 2015, the cost of restructuring Spains bankrupt savings banks had totaled 60.7 billion, of which nearly 41.8 billion was put up by the state through the Orderly Bank Restructuring Fund (FROB) and the rest by the banking sector, according to Spains Audit Court. In a new report, this public oversight body has found that the real cost of bailing out the sector in the wake of the Spanish property crash and the global economic crisis will not be fully understood until all the lenders are newly privatized. Soon after its IPO, Bankia had to be bailed out by the state. CLAUDIO ALVAREZ The Audit Courts report criticizes the FROBs unclear accounting methods, and estimates that 58 million was spent on professional fees paid to third parties for services such as consulting work and record-keeping. What emerges from these findings is that the financial crisis may have been bad for the taxpayer, but highly profitable to advisors, consultants and notaries, among others. The state paid 3.8 million for other notary expenses, other advisory work and reports The full cost to the taxpayer of the banking bailout remains a mystery. The Spanish state still controls 65% of Bankia and BMN (headed by former savings bank Caja Murcia). Until these lenders are privatized, either together or separately, and the bad bank (known as Sareb) is liquidated, the states losses will not be clear. And Sareb still has 12 years ahead of it. The one thing that has emerged is that the state will not be recovering all the money that it invested in the bailout. Government officials are resigned to the fact that 26.3 billion of public funds have been lost forever, even though the Popular Party (PP) government said in 2012 that citizens would not foot the bill for the banking crisis. On the private side, banks put up a little over 8 billion for the Deposit Guarantee Fund (FGDEC), but had additional expenses including guarantees for questionable credit lines that bring the total cost of the bailout to the private sector to slightly over 18.9 billion. Unclear expenses A broken promise In June 2012, when the Spanish government announced its rescue plan for the country's crippled banking system, in part funded by the European Central Bank, Economy Minister Luis de Guindos told Congress: "Have no doubt that most of the money going to the nationalization of these banks will be recovered. The loan will not be paid for by society, on the contrary." The same day, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insisted: "This is a loan to the banks and the banks will pay it back." Besides offering these numbers, the report also chides the FROB for failing to have applied a document with analytical accounting to each sale procedure, an oversight that led to notable deficiencies at the time of assigning resources to each lender. The report specifically mentions the bailout and sale of Catalunya Banc. The Audit Court also finds outlays of 10.8 million in fees charged by representatives and expenses to select FROB representatives. The state additionally paid 5.8 million to consultants that helped with the sale of the regional lenders CAM, Banco de Valencia, Catalunya Banc, Novagalicia Banco, Unnim Banc and Cajasur. A further 3.8 million are tacked to the bill for other notary expenses, other advisory work and reports. English version by Susana Urra. Lauer left with a copy of 'The Today show: An inside look at 25 tumultuous years ... and the colorful and controversial people behind the scenes' Meredith Vierra was the only former co-host of Lauer's to attend, with Katie Couric and Ann Curry both absent from the Savannah Guthrie took a short break from her mommy duties on Tuesday night to head out and celebrate her Today co-host Matt Lauer at a dinner marking his 20th anniversary as anchor of the long-running NBC morning show. The event was held at the Hunt & Fish Club in New York City, just a few blocks away from where Today tapes at Rockefeller Center. In addition to Guthrie, Lauer was joined by on-air talent including Al Roker, Tamron Hall, Carson Daly, Willie Geist, Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford. Meredith Viera showed up as well, meaning that two of the four women who have hosted alongside Lauer over the past two decades were in attendance. The other two, Katie Couric and Ann Curry, did not attend the event, though Couric was on hand last week when Lauer's anniversary was celebrated on the show. Lauer meanwhile was photographed leaving the dinner with a copy of Robert Metz's 1977 book, 'The Today show: An inside look at 25 tumultuous years ... and the colorful and controversial people behind the scenes.' Scroll down for video Party people: The staff of Today celebrated Matt Lauer's 20th anniversary as host of the show with a dinner on Tuesday at the Hunt & Fish Club in New York City New book: Lauer (posing with left with a copy of 'The Today show: An inside look at 25 tumultuous years ... and the colorful and controversial people behind the scenes' Hall and Today's executive producer Don Nash both shared a group photo from the event, where the guest list seemed to be restricted to producers and talent. 'About last night... a great dinner celebrating,' wrote Nash on his photo, which he posted to Instagram. Hall echoed Nash's sentiment when sharing her picture of the group, writing: 'Great night.' Hall also later posted a look at the menu for the night, with the group going with a three-course dinner that is a bargain at the establishment at a cost of just $39, not including alcohol. Guests had an option of a salad or crab cake to start followed by a main course from which they could select filet mignon, arctic char, or lemon chicken. Dinner: Guests were able to chose from a prix fixe menu A deep chocolate cake and pear tarte were among the dessert offerings. The dinner came on a busy news night for the group, who no doubt finished up early so they could be well rested for their appearances on Wednesday morning. This week, Vierra has been filling in for Guthrie. Their dinner was happening at the same time that the controversial and unverified dossier about Donald Trump was published online, and just before President barack Obama delivered his farewell speech in Chicago. This is now the second time in a week that Guthrie has popped up to help Lauer celebrate his landmark anniversary. She also stopped by Today last Friday when lauer was celebrated on the morning show. Lauer was shocked to see his morning co-host back on the plaza, who he greeted by giving a giant hug. 'Oh my goodness, what are you doing here,' asked Lauer. 'I couldn't miss this,' said Guthrie, who had apparently been texting Lauer all morning to make him believe that she was at home with her two children. Last week: Guthrie surprise Lauer last Friday (above) when he celebrated his anniversary on the show (above) Much love: 'I couldn't miss this,' said Guthrie, who had apparently been texting Lauer all morning to make him believe that she was at home with her two children Guthrie was not the only surprise guest on Friday either, with new mom Dylan Dreyer also stopping by despite the fact that she too is on maternity leave. Dreyer looked particularly svelte despite the fact that she just had a baby last month, something she chalked up to the fact that she got the stomach flu just after giving birth. She was not on hand for the dinner on Tuesday night. While appearing on the show Friday, Guthrie told Lauer: 'Matt you know this but I've looked up to you all my life, cause you're so old. I just want to say we adore you.' She then had Lauer take a look at the crew and people in the control room who were all wearing shirts with the number '20' on them. 'You're shaking, Lauer said to Guthrie at one point. 'That's because I love you so much. You know I get emotional, I'm a breast-feeding mother,' explained Guthrie. A cellphone shopkeeper in southern California has been arrested on suspicion of brandishing a weapon and assault, after a dispute over an iPhone refund erupted into a cursing and gun-waving spat that customers caught on camera. Basel Mohammad Farha, the salesman, was arrested and booked on suspicion of brandishing a weapon, making threats, and assault with a deadly weapon after the Monday incident in South Gate, California, about seven miles from downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles comedian Pat Gallegos was among the group of three friends and relatives who accompanied a female cousin to the Metro-PCS store to ask for a refund for an iPhone 6s, according to NBC Los Angeles. "My cousin is a very nice and shy girl so she asked me to go with her," said the account user who posted video of the shocking encounter that followed on YouTube. The Metro-PCS cellphone shop (pictured) where a salesman was caught on video appearing to threaten customers with a handgun is about seven miles from downtown Los Angeles As taunts of 'P***y' and 'Whatta you have?' are heard faintly off camera, the bearded shopkeeper in a purple Metro-PCS shirt is seen pulling what appears to be a semi-automatic pistol from his rear waistband. The man, identified by cops as Farha, cocks the action of the pistol and waves it at the customers standing outside the shop door, shouting 'Get the f**k outta here, I said!' One of the customers, identified by NBC as Gallegos, is shown briefly in the video clutching what appears to be paperwork for a phone contract. The dispute came about after Gallegos' female cousin bought a new iPhone at the store. But when she got home, she discovered that the iPhone was used, and still had photos, contacts, and notes from the previous owner. Along with three friends, the woman went to the store to ask for a refund, as a one-week refund clause in her contract allowed, when Farha pulled a gun on the group, the customers claim. The South Gate Police Department responded quickly to the report of a gun, and arrested Farha after taking interviews and viewing the video, witnesses said. 'Based on the circumstances of the case, officers felt there was a threat,' said Det. Sgt. Ismael Ververa. Formal charges are pending are pending in the case, and Farha was released on a $200,000 bail. Advertisement The Air Force has just released it's annual collection of best pictures, which give a unique insight to the lives of America's Airmen. The pictures show Airmen carrying out adventurous acts like speeding through the skies in jets, jumping out of airplanes at 10,000 feet and helping NASA launch rockets into space. The pictures also show them performing lesser-known military activities, like airlifting a donated firetruck to Nicaragua and evacuating American families from politically tumultuous Turkey. Other Airmen spend most of their time grounded - like Senior Airman Angelique Culver, a dental lab technician at the Joint Base San Antinio-Lackland in Texas. Mark A. Welsh III, who posed for a portrait, also spends most of his time at a desk as the Air Force's Chief of Staff. The photos also show off the Air Force's many various aircraft, ranging from super fast jets to mammoth cargo planes. Scroll down to see a few of this year's best photos. An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker on July 18, 2016, while taking part in exercise Red Flag 16-3 at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada Loadmasters with the 439th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, load a 1982 Mack 1250 GPM pumper fire truck onto a C-5B Galaxy at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst New Jersey on August 12, 2016. Master Sgt. Jorge A. Narvaez, a traditional New Jersey Air National Guardsman with the 108th Security Forces Squadron, was instrumental in getting the truck donated to a group of volunteer firefighters in Managua, Nicaragua. The truck donation is done through the Denton Program, which allows U.S. citizens and organizations to use space available on military cargo aircraft to transport humanitarian goods to countries in need Maj. Nathan Shepard, a 673rd Medical Operations Squadron physical therapist, examines a Sri Lankan patient while being assisted by a translator during Pacific Angel 16-3 in Jaffna, Sri Lanka on August 15, 2016. The exercise helped multilateral militaries in the Pacific improve and build relationships across a wide spectrum of civic operations, which bolster each nation's capacity to respond and support future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division prepare to jump in the Sicily Drop Zone out of a C17 Globemaster III during battalion mass tactical week at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina on July 12, 2016. Army and Air Force units worked together during joint readiness exercises to improve interoperability for worldwide crisis, contingency and humanitarian operations Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III poses for a portrait on June 24, 2016 in his office in Washington, D.C. As the CSAF, he serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 660,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces, both in the U.S. and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the secretary of defense, National Security Council and the president Special Tactics Training Squadron students swim the length of the pool with their hands and feet bound during a pre-scuba class at Hurlburt Field in Florida on June 29, 2016. The training familiarizes trainees with the basics of water operations. Trainees perform tasks such as tying knots underwater, staying afloat without their arms and hands, and using snorkeling gear U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigade and German Army 1st Airborne Brigade paratroopers parachute during a joint airborne operation near the Aviano Air Base in Italy on August 25, 2016 An A-10C Thunderbolt II, assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron, performs a low-angle strafe during the Hawgsmoke competition at Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona on June 2, 2016. The two-day competition included team and individual scoring of strafing, high-altitude dive-bombing, Maverick missile precision and team tactics A formation of F-15C Eagles assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, and an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron, fly over Gloucestershire, England, to attend the upcoming Royal International Air Tattoo airshow held at Royal Air Force Fairford on July 7, 2016. The Royal Air Force Lakenheath aircraft were on public display, along with many other military aircraft from around the U.K., to provide an opportunity for U.S. and military allies to showcase their abilities A HH-60 Pave Hawk returns from an exercise mission July 12, 2016, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada as part of Red Flag 16-3. The exercise is one of four Red Flags at Nellis AFB, with this iteration focusing on air, space and cyberspace operations Senior Airman Tariq Russell, a 21st Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, shakes the paw of his partner, Paul, at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado on June 14, 2016. MWD handlers are assigned one dog for their entire duration at Peterson AFB An United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Heavy rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on June 11, 2016. The Delta IV rocket carried a classified national security payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office An F-22 Raptor is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Nevada Test and Training Range during the U.S. Air Force Weapons School's Deliberate Strike Night on June 16, 2016. The exercise is part of the final seven-day advanced integration portion of the school's curriculum, testing stealth and conventional airframes' abilities to conduct attacks during the hours after sunset A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress leads a formation of aircraft, including two Polish air force F-16 Fighting Falcons, four U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, two German Eurofighter Typhoons and four Swedish Gripens over the Baltic Sea, June 9, 2016. The formation was part of exercise BALTOPS 2016 Amelia McNab, sleeps on a seat inside a C-17 Globemaster III at Baltimore Washington International Airport, Maryland on April 1, 2016. Amelia is the daughter of two military parents. Defense Department dependents in Adana, Izmir and Mugla, Turkey, were given a departure order by the State Department and secretary of defense Colombian air force Capt. Juan Monsalve prepares for take-off during Exercise Green Flag East at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana on August 17, 2016.The Super Tucano is the Colombian air force's most effective aircraft currently in operation, providing air support to its military forces on day-to-day operations Aircrew members assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron prepare to land a CV-22 Osprey on January 7, 2016, at Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico. The aircraft landed to pick up Command Sgt. Maj. William Thetford, the U.S. Special Operations Command senior enlisted adviser, during his visit to Cannon Air Force Base,New Mexico Senior Airman Angelique Culver, a 59th Dental Support Squadron dental lab technician, examines dentures at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas on January 26, 2016. The 59th DSS supports more than 90,000 patients, seven residencies and two dental fellowships by providing a high-performance health system dedicated to excellence in global dental care and education Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Jonas, the 374th Operations Support Squadron's survival, evasion, resistance and escape operations NCO in charge, jumps out of a C-130 Hercules while flying over Yokota Air Base, Japan on March 2, 2016. During the high-altitude, low-opening airdrop, Jonas jumped from 10,000 feet and parachuted to the base Fourteen KC-135 Stratotankers line up during a simulated alert call March 24, 2016, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Known as the elephant walk, the alert call was part of an exercise, which displayed the rapid mobility capabilities and teamwork of the men and women at McConnell AFB to take flight within minutes of being notified of a mission The 45th Space Wing supported NASA's successful launch of Orbital ATK's Cygnus spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on March 22, 2016 Members from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron operate air blast sweepers on the runway at Misawa Air Base in Japan on February 24, 2016. Airmen from the 35th CES ensure the flying mission is carried out and the base populous is able to safely commute during the winter Staff Sgt. Brian Alfano, a survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructor with the 103rd Rescue Squadron, demonstrates an overt method for marking a drop zone during a bundle drop training flight at Homestead Air Reserve Base on Florida on January 19, 2016 Advertisement Chinese archaeologists are trying to solve the mystery of a long-lost Buddha statue which appeared from a lake after the water level lowered dramatically. The stone relic, found in Nancheng County in Fuzhou, could date as far as the 14th century, according to state media Xinhua News Agency. The holy figure was discovered at the end of last year when a few villagers saw its head emerging from the surface of the water in the lake in Fujian Province. Forgotten by time: A long-lost Buddha appeared from under a lake in south-east China after the water level lowered Incredible discovery: The stone relic could date as far as the 14th century and was carved on a cliff face Long-lost treasure: The Buddha was discovered when villages of Nancheng County saw its head emerging from the water The water level of Zuixian Lake, also known as Hongmen reservoir, was lowered by more than 30 feet due to a project to renovate a hydropower gate. The dramatic change in the water level has led the mysterious Buddha statue, which was carved on a cliff face, to appear. The statue seems to depict the image of the Gautama Buddha. In addition to the statue, villagers also found an imperial decree carved into the stone, Xinhua reported. After the local made the discovery, archaeologists have arrived at the Nancheng County to start an underwater detection project. Xu Changqing, head of the provincial research institute of archaeology, believed that the statue had been carved during China's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Buddha was found in the Zuixian Lake, also known as Hongmen reservoir, in Nancheng County in Fuzhou Mysterious figure: The change in the water level led the mysterious Buddha statue, carved on a cliff face, to appear Ancient relics: In addition to the statue, villagers also found an imperial decree carved into the cliff face in Zuixian Lake Archaeologists also found rectangular holes carved on the cliff. They believed that the holes could provided proof that a temple had existed in the area. The Hongmen Reservoir contains 1.2 billion cubic meters of water and has more than 1,000 islands. According to Nancheng County's governmental website, it was located on the site of an ancient town known as Xiaoshi. When the reservoir was built in 1958, 63 towns and villages, including Xiaoshi were completely submerged to create the lake. Dating back to 202 BC, Xiaoshi occupied a strategic location between Fujian and Jiangxi, two provinces in south-east China, and was an important trading town. The town had held the governmental seat of Nancheng County for nearly 500 years. A review into the death of a four-year-old girl who was plied with drugs by her mother has found care service professionals made a series of failures. The report identified a 'number of missed opportunities' to better protect Poppy Widdison, who collapsed at home in Grimsby and later died in 2013. Her mother, Michala Pyke, 37, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Poppy, alongside her partner John Rytting, 40, following a trial late last year. However a report showed that council agencies were unable that Pyke and Rytting, both with a storied history of drug abuse, were living together until Poppy's death. The report identified a 'number of missed opportunities' to better protect Poppy Widdison (right) from her mother Michala Pyke (left) The review by the North East Lincolnshire Local Safeguarding Children Board said agencies not know the extent to which Poppy 'was exposed to risk and harm' daily. Interviews with relatives of Pyke revealed that they blamed aspects of her behaviour on her 'childhood experiences of racism growing up in a predominantly white town'. Adopted by a white British family as a child, they claimed Pyke struggled 'as a dual heritage woman in a mainly white community'. A post-mortem could not establish what killed Poppy, but tests showed she ingested large amounts of heroin, ketamine and methadone in the months before her death. During Pyke and Rytting's trial, it was claimed that the pair fed Poppy sedatives so they could have sex, joking that the substances were like 'smarties'. The report revealed Pyke was taken to a women's refuge while pregnant with Poppy following an assault by Poppy's father. The court heard that Pyke texted partner John Rytting (pictured) with a message about giving the youngster diazepam: 'She can have a blue smartie and go to sleep lol xxx' She was eventually removed from the refuge by police, stating that she did not want the unborn baby and wished to terminate the pregnancy. It was during this time in the refuge that 'a full picture' of Pyke's behaviour became apparent, the report said, yet social services still decided to cease assessing her. After Poppy was born, she was due to be taken into care by her grandparents, but 'her legal status remained unchanged' and Pyke retained parental responsibility. The review damned agencies for taking a 'loose approach' to assessments, meaning Pyke was able to 'hide negatives' and exhibit 'token' engagement with care agents. It added: 'The review identified a number of missed opportunities to better protect [Poppy] during the pre and post-birth period some seven years ago. 'Despite initial assessments identifying significant areas of risk for the baby, these were not fully recognised. '[Pyke]'s long history of non-engagement with services, and like many parents wishing to hide aspects of her life from agencies, using controlled engagement as a strategy, was, from [Pyke]'s parent's perspective, an extension of her lifelong struggle as an adopted dual heritage woman in a mainly white community. 'All of these issues potentially impacted on [Pyke]'s emotional capacity to parent and trust childcare agencies and may explain why substance misuse offered some escape. Pyke and Rytting, who are no longer together, deny two charges of child cruelty. Both have admitted a single charge of cruelty against Poppy by assaulting, ill-treating or neglecting her by exposing her to controlled drugs 'A thorough assessment should have explored such issues.' Rob Myall, Independent Chair of the North East Lincolnshire LSCB, said: 'The review identified areas of good practice and areas for learning for the organisations involved. 'The findings and recommendations from the Child L Serious Case Review were fully accepted by the North East Lincolnshire LSCB Leadership Board. 'The LSCB Leadership Board has implemented an action plan in response to the recommendations and to embed learning and informing practice. 'Due to the complexity of enquiries that have been necessary in this case, it has been conducted over a three year period. During this time, significant changes have taken place across NEL (North East Lincolnshire) and much of the learning and many of the recommendations cited in this review have already been implemented.' A gay teacher who was fired after writing on Facebook about his upcoming wedding has sued the Catholic school who sacked him. Lonnie Billard, 69, said in a filing Wednesday that Charlotte Catholic High School violated federal law by firing him from his substitute teaching position in 2014, after he announced he was due to marry his longtime partner Richard Donham. The filing, which was filed Wednesday, doesn't invoke state law but comes amid continued litigation over a North Carolina law limiting protections for LGBT people. Billard, who married Donham in May 2015, said their relationship was well known around the school and believes people 'should be able to fall in love' without risking their jobs. But a diocese spokesman said publicly that Billard opposed the Roman Catholic church's teachings when he posted about their relationship on Facebook, according to the filing. Gay teacher Lonnie Billard (left), 69, said in a lawsuit Wednesday that Charlotte Catholic High School (right) violated federal law by firing him after he wrote about his wedding on Facebook Billard taught English and drama full time at the school for more than a decade, earning its Teacher of the Year award in 2012. He then transitioned to a role as a regular substitute teacher, typically working more than a dozen weeks per year, the lawsuit states. He posted about his upcoming wedding in October 2014, and was informed by an assistant principal several weeks later that he no longer had a job with the school. Not long after that, local diocese spokesman David Hains publicly stated that Billard was let go for 'going on Facebook, entering into a same-sex relationship, and saying it in a very public way that he does not agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church,' according to the lawsuit. Hains said Wednesday that officials from the diocese hadn't seen the lawsuit and typically don't comment on pending litigation. Billard's lawyers argue the firing violates prohibitions against sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. 'I know that the Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage, but I don't think my commitment to my husband has any bearing on my work in the classroom,' Billard said in a statement. 'I have never hidden the fact that I'm gay and my relationship with my partner was no secret at school.' Billard told WCNC the classroom had always felt 'like home' to him. 'People should be able to fall in love and get married without risking their jobs,' he added. His son Ian posted a photo of Billard and Donham, along with Ian's mother and her new partner. Ian, who officiated Billard and Donham's wedding, called the photo of his parents and two stepfathers 'the real Modern Family' . Billard's son Ian posted this photo of Billard (right) and Donham (second from right), after their May 2015 wedding, which Ian officiated. Also pictured are Ian's mother (second from left) and her new partner (left). Ian captioned the photo 'the real Modern Family' The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which determined Billard has the right to sue, says on its website that religious organizations can give employment preference to members of the faith but can't otherwise discriminate against protected classes of people. The commission's position is that the definition of 'sex' contained in Title VII protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from workplace discrimination. It says a number of federal court decisions support the view that sexual orientation is covered under prohibitions against sex discrimination. However, a law professor who has studied the rulings involving LGBT rights and Title VII said that it is not a settled matter of law. 'Several cases in the last few years offer more support for the point that Title VII protects against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, but in my view don't definitively resolve the issue,' Maxine Eichner of the University of North Carolina said in an email. The issue of how sex discrimination is defined under federal law plays an important role in current high-profile cases on gender identity. A case scheduled to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court this year involves a transgender teen who sought access to the boys' bathroom at his Virginia high school. Central to that case is the interpretation of sex discrimination under a separate federal education discrimination law known as Title IX. John Graham Jones, 63, is alleged to have inappropriately touched the nine complainants An instructor has gone on trial accused of a string of sex assaults on women learner drivers after he told one to spread her legs so they don't touch the steering wheel. John Graham Jones, 63, from Macclesfield, is alleged to have inappropriately touched the nine complainants during driving lessons. Mr Jones, who runs John's School of Motoring, has denied 16 charges of sexual assault at a trial at Chester Crown Court. Opening the trial, prosecutor Myles Wilson said nine women claim that Mr Jones touched their thighs or breasts during lessons. He said: 'This defendant, while working as a driving instructor, is accused of touching up some of the females he was supposedly teaching to drive. 'He touched their thighs using his hands and brushed his hand against their breasts. 'The prosecution say he tried to get away with it by pretending that it was an accident, brushing against breasts as he adjusted a wing mirror or trying to be reassuring. But he did this too much and too many times to be explained away as an accident or innocent.' The court heard that the first complainant contacted police after two alleged incidents. Mr Wilson said: 'She describes the defendant acting in an over familiar way, referring to the clutch as 'the beast'. He began touching her thigh, not just once but regularly. It left her feeling uncomfortable. 'The prosecution say she felt so uncomfortable she didn't know what to do, so she pretended it wasn't happening. 'On another lesson he went a bit further, not only touching her thigh but when taking her upper arm allowed his fingers to touch her breast. He left it there for a few seconds. Mr Jones, who runs John's School of Motoring, has denied 16 charges of sexual assault at a trial at Chester Crown Court 'He made reference to spreading her legs so they wouldn't touch the steering wheel. 'He called her names like honey bunny.' The court heard that when Mr Jones was interviewed by police he told them he was 'a touchy feely type of person' and believed any contact was an accident. Mr Wilson said: 'This was sexual. It is just implausible that he could have accidentally touched the breasts of all these women. No one could be that clumsy.' The jury was told that during the investigation two male pupils described 'feeling uncomfortable' when Mr Jones patted their knees. 'He says he is tactile and wanted to put them at ease. They were not left feeling at ease,' Mr Wilson said. Theresa May, pictured leaving No 10 today, has legislation ready for a Supreme Court defeat Government ministers have privately conceded defeat on a landmark Supreme Court case on Theresa May's powers to trigger Brexit talks. Legislation has been drafted that hands the power to invoke Article 50 of the EU treaties - the trading bloc's divorce proceedings - to Parliament. The Supreme Court justices are widely expected to uphold a High Court ruling that only Parliament can enact the result of the EU referendum and begin Brexit. The date of the ruling is unknown but it is expected within weeks. Sources told the Guardian ministers had asked for early sight of the judgement for 'contingency planning' but were rebuffed. Remain campaigner Gina Miller brought the case and insisted she would not appeal further if she lost. Once it is delivered, Mrs May faces a tight timetable to pass a law on triggering Article 50 in time for her self-imposed deadline of the end of March. Any such measure is expected to clear the Commons by a landslide and Lords leader Lord Fowler has said peers will not hold it up. Senior Vote Leave campaigner Dominic Raab told the paper: 'I hope we get some common sense from the supreme court, but I don't expect the ruling to hold up triggering article 50, and the vast majority of people whichever way they voted now want us to get on and deliver Brexit.' Former chief whip Mark Harper said he expected legislation that was 'very tight that gives authority to ministers to trigger article 50 before the end of March'. A supreme court spokesperson said: 'In view of the potential sensitivity of the case, there will be no copies of drafts available to anybody before the day of hand-down'. Mrs May stood by her timetable again today amid claims political turmoil in Northern Ireland could force a delay. Remain campaigner Gina Miller, pictured outside the court in Westminster in December, brought the case and insisted she would not appeal further if she lost. The SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson called on the Prime Minister to delay triggering Article 50 if voters go to the polls because it would leave Northern Ireland voiceless in the Brexit process. 'In these circumstances will she postpone Article 50 or will she just plough on regardless?' he asked. Mrs May said she wanted a swift resolution to the political crisis in Northern Ireland. She added: 'It is still the case that ministers are in place and that obviously there are executives in place, that we are still able to take the views of the Northern Ireland people.' In the first session of Prime Minister's Questions of the new year, Mrs May repeated her intention to set out more details about the Government's approach to Brexit soon. 'I will ... in a matter of weeks be setting out some more details of our proposal on this issue.' Donald Trump's roots on his mother's Scottish island are to be featured in BBC religious show, Songs of Praise, just days before he becomes American President. The programme on Sunday looks at Mr Trump's family connections to the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis. Mr Trump's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod was born on the island at Tong, near Stornoway. Donald Trump at the house in Tong, on the Isle of Lewis, where his mother was brought up before she emigrated to the United States The billionaire visited his mother's house and his cousins in 2008 after flying in on his private Tristar with 'Trump' emblazened on its side. On that trip, the president-elect revealed that he had been to Lewis once before as 'a three or four year old' but, not surprisingly, could remember little about it and promised to return with his youngest son Barron. One thing that Mr Trump has in common with adherents of the old religion on Lewis is that he takes the pledge and does not drink. He suffered the horror of watching his own brother Freddy die of alcoholism, which reinforced whatever strictures he absorbed at his mother's knee. The ecclesiastical history of the island during his mother's youth is to be explored in Songs of Praise with an examination of the spiritual revival movement in the first half of last century. With hymn singing from Stornoway High Church, the show is broadcast on BBC1 at 4.30pm on Sunday. On his last trip to Lewis, Mr Trump was accompanied by his eldest sister Maryanne Trump Barry, a US Federal judge, who has regularly visited her cousins on Lewis. The billionaire visited his mother's house and his cousins in 2008 after flying in on his private Tristar with 'Trump' emblazened on its side In 2015, she donated nearly 160,000 to a care home in Stornoway - in memory of her mother. Together with a one-off funding allocation from the Scottish Government, the donation has resulted in nine new care home beds at Bethesda Care Home. Mr Trump's mother died in August 2000 at the age of 88, but had returned to Lewis regularly before her death. His grandfather Malcolm MacLeod was said to be a fisherman and crofter at Tong. And valuation rolls produced by the National Records of Scotland show that Mr MacLeod was not only a crofter but also set up a shop and post-office in Aird of Tong, supposedly becoming the area's first postmaster. He clearly had leadership skills - skippering a fishing boat at 17, and one other report says he later became a county councillor. And if Mr Trump's education policies need any inspiration then he should look no further than his grandfather. According to another report, Mr MacLeod also served as the 'compulsory officer' to enforce attendance at the local school. His wife Mary lived until the age of 96 years, dying in 1963 at 5, Tong, while Malcolm died in 1954 aged 87. However a heartbreaking tragedy also hit the family. Mr Trump's great grandfather drowned in a fishing accident off Lewis leaving his widow bring up four children. Among them was Mary MacLeod, Mr Trump's grandmother - Malcolm's wife - who was only one at the time of the tragedy which claimed her father Donald Smith. Donald was lost in Broadbay, off Vatisker Point near Stornoway when a squall of wind overturned his open boat in 1868. He was aged 34 and left his widow to carry on the family croft after his death and to bring up their four children, the youngest of whom was Mary. Two other men - Donald MacLeod and Iain Thomson - also lost their lives. There were two survivors - Donald Maclennan and Angus Smith. Leading Island genealogist Bill Lawson said he had had repeated requests to research Mr Trump's local family tree - and even one from Visit Scotland. 'The drowning of Donald Smith is a real family tragedy and it is possible Mr Trump was given his first name in his memory,' said Mr Lawson, who runs Co Leis Thu?, the Genealogy Research Service in Northton on the Isle of Harris. The prehistoric Callanish or Calanais standing stones on Lewis, which are believed to be older than Stonehenge 'There were a few drownings in the area before they built some kind of harbour at Brevig. In bad weather very often the whole boat went down. 'Vatisker Point was particularly bad because it was where the wind collected. 'Families tended to have much larger groupings then and they would have helped to gather around the widow. But it would have been a tremendous shock and a struggle for them.' It is not clear if Mr Trump is named after his great grandfather or an uncle, also called Donald. Mr Trump's mother Mary Anne - who was born in 1912 in Tong - emigrated to America and met and married property magnate Frederick Trump. She was also a great philanthropist. Mary Anne was the 'mainstay' of the Women's Auxiliary of Jamaica Hospital in New York. She and her husband were also active in the Salvation Army, the Boy Scouts of America and the Lighthouse for the Blind. said there was no obvious cause to the fire in the empty home A notorious Florida home that became famous for sex parties so wild they were featured on MTV has been destroyed in a 'suspicious' fire. The St Cloud property, better known as Sausage Castle, went up in flames just before 5am on Wednesday morning. No one was injured, as the Sausage Castle has been vacant for six months following numerous code violations and threats of foreclosure and demolition. Investigators at the scene said there appears to be no obvious cause to the fire and there was no reason it should have started in an empty home. But gone in the flames is the 'Neverland for adults', where panties hung from the ceiling, sex toys filled the fish tanks and church pews were plastered with porn. The notorious Sausage Castle in St Cloud, Florida has gone up in flames in a 'suspicious fire' that began just before 5am on Wednesday The 'neverland for adults', run by Mike Busey (pictured with his 'Busey Babes') was famous for wild sex parties where people could live out their craziest fantasies Mike Busey, who claims to be actor Gary Busey's nephew, calls himself the Peter Pan of Sausage Castle, which enjoyed nearly a decade of notoriety as it ran into more and more trouble with the county. Just an hour away from Walt Disney World, Busey set out to create a castle where his guests could indulge in their wildest sex fantasies. Residents included Busey, his friends and the 'Busey Babes', the Sausage Castle version of Hugh Hefner's Playmates. Busey also rented out rooms in the $117,000 home to veterans and had an application on his website to prospective tenants willing to pay the monthly $700 rent. And many dreamed of living at what has been described as the 'home to underdogs and rejects', where Busey promised anyone can 'experience without judgement'. Only one wall was left standing after the fire was extinguished, and officials said they planned to knock it down to reach hot spots It was a dramatic end to a house that has been featured on MTV's Jackass and Girls Gone Wild Busey promised that Sausage Castle was a place where anyone could 'experience without judgement' at one of his legendary parties Busey made headlines last year when he invited any veteran to come to the Sausage Castle for free dinner, drinks and a sex act performed by a porn star. Walt Disney World interns were also invited over for special parties, where they could frolic on the granite strip-club stage or spin the living room's 'Wheel of Debauchery'. Busey also hosted 'Rockstar Weekends' at the house, where a guest could pay thousands of dollars to live out their sexual fantasies. The parties became so crazy that the Sausage Castle was featured on MTV's Jackass and Girls Gone Wild shows, and Busey turned his crew into a stage act known as the 'Mike Busey Traveling Stage Show'. It has been quite the lifestyle change for the Christian college student who used to pray every single day. But Busey decided to give up on the church and create his own. Neighbors often complained about the noise and the sound of automatic weapons being fired Busey made headlines last year when he invited any veteran to come to the Sausage Castle for free dinner, drinks and a sex act performed by a porn star He drew his inspiration from one of his first apartments, where the parties were filled with so many men that it received a nickname that would become its lasting legacy. 'The fascination with me is that I'm this fat broke guy with a small d*** and I'm surrounded by rock stars and hot chicks,' Busey told Vice in 2015. 'I give the average Joe hope he can grow up to be fat with an ugly haircut and bad teeth and f*** beautiful women.' Busey was arrested in 2012 (pictured) for selling alcohol without a liquor license at the Sausage Castle There have been seven different Sausage Castle locations in about 15 years, with Busey bragging that he was evicted from five of them because his landlords couldn't handle the constant 'tour buses, rock n' roll shows and lots of drunk people'. But the dream crumbled in recent years as Busey faced an arrest as well as code violations that totaled more than $340,000 by January 2016. Busey was arrested in 2012 for selling alcohol without a liquor license at Sausage Castle, according to the Orlando Sentinel. An undercover cop payed $20 to enter 'Mike Busey's End of the World Sexy Santa Holiday B-Day Party', where he then bought a $3 beer. Busey, who rented the property for entity 'IE, LLC', has also been fined for building a stage and Tiki bar as well as converting the garage into a party area without permits. Eventually the violation notices led up to fines that were totaling up to $250 a day. The county claimed that Sausage Castle was not built in accordance with the original builder's plans in 2001, overflowing over lot lines and partially sitting on the state-owned sovereign bottom of Alligator Lake. Busey had a stripper pole installed in the living room, which he outfitted with church pews decorated with pornography The living room also features a 'Wheel of Debauchery' for guests to spin But Busey remained steadfast in his belief that he was being attacked for his lifestyle. 'I'm taking heat from people for living life a little differently,' he told the Orlando Sentinel in February 2016. 'They don't want me here...They obviously have personal issues with me and my way of life. 'People think I'm just this crazy person who loves to party. I like guns, I like women and I like having a good time. And that's too much for them.' Busey raised more than $15,000 to start a new Sausage Castle location, and appears to have been successful if his Instagram is any indication. It remains unclear when he moved out of the St Cloud location, which no longer has running electricity. With the last wall knocked down on Wednesday morning to extinguish the final flames, the most famous Sausage Castle was officially dead. But Busey is clearly trying to keep the dream alive. Spains defense minister, Maria Dolores de Cospedal, has fully accepted the findings of the Council of State the governments top advisory body that her ministry, then led by Federico Trillo, bears responsibility for the 2003 airplane crash in which 62 members of the Spanish armed forces were killed as they returned from Afghanistan. Cospedal met with relatives of the victims on Tuesday for 90 minutes, promising a change of attitude in the governments handling of the case. Families of the victims of the Yak-42 accident. Samuel Sanchez Until now, Spains ruling Popular Party, which was also in power in May 2003 when the Yak-42 transport plane crashed into a mountainside near the Turkish city of Trabzon, has denied that the Defense Ministry was in any way responsible for the tragedy. After Tuesdays meeting, relatives of the victims said they were comforted by Cospedals approach, and were prepared to make a new start and that they trusted she would keep her word. Cospedal is due to present the Council of State's findings before Congress Curra Ripolles, the spokeswoman for the association that represents relatives of the victims, said on Tuesday: Although the word sorry was not used during the meeting, Cospedals intention to clarify the facts is enough for the families. The Council of State's report, which EL PAIS reported on last week, admits to the states responsibility in the greatest tragedy to befall the Spanish army in peace time. There are facts, prior to the date of the crash, that would have allowed the administration to ponder the particular concurrent risk of the troop transport in which the accident took place, reads the report, to which EL PAIS has had access. Put differently, certain circumstances could have been noted that would have led the competent bodies to adopt measures that might have removed the risk that was being run, adds the document. The Council of States findings will not result in further financial compensation for the relatives, but it is a moral victory after more than a decade of setbacks. We don't care about compensation, said Miguel Angel Sencianes, the president of the families association on Tuesday, adding that he wanted the truth to be known, and describing the attitude of Federico Trillo in the aftermath of the disaster as insulting and humiliating. Trillo is Spains ambassador to the United Kingdom. Following the release of the Council of States findings last week, opposition parties called for him to be relieved of his position. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy came out in defense of the diplomat, who has since been relieved from his role as ambassador, along with 70 other diplomats who have served out their terms. The move is not, the government claims, related to the report about the Yak crash. Diplomatic career regulations set out a period of between three and five years for an ambassador. Trillo was sent to London in March 2012, which puts him within this time frame. Cospedals intention to clarify the facts is enough for the families Curra Ripolles, spokeswoman for relatives of victims Ripolles concluded that by accepting the Council of States non-binding findings, Cospedal had confirmed that the Yak-42 was an illegal flight, that the aircraft should never have taken off, and that the accident could have been avoided. However, in the Defense Ministry's statement concerning the meeting on Tuesday, it recognized the states liability is not associated with the affirmation of the concurrency of subjective actions generative of any type of blame. In other words, there will be no further judicial investigation or demands on Trillo of responsibility. At Tuesdays meeting, in which the name of Trillo was not mentioned by Cospedal, the families called on the minister to find the contracts related to the 43 troop transport flights prior to the accident and to establish why the obligatory insurance policy was not taken out. Cospedal reportedly told the families that she would investigate on land, sea and air, although she noted that Jose Bono, a former defense minister and a senior official in the Socialist Party administration that came into office in 2004, was unable to locate the contracts in question despite numerous efforts. The results of the investigation and of the Council of States findings into the Yak-42 disaster will be laid out in a report that Cospedal is due to present before Congress. If this concludes, as yesterdays events suggest, that Trillo was responsible, even if he is not guilty judicially, it is hard to see how he could retain his position as ambassador to the United Kingdom for a day longer. English version by Nick Lyne. Philip Hammond today admitted that he had finally come to terms with the publics decision to back Brexit despite his previous warnings about leaving the EU. In a significant shift in tone, the Chancellor urged fellow Remain supporters to accept the result and focus on achieving a strong divorce deal with Brussels. Mr Hammond, who has attracted criticism for his gloomy tone in the aftermath of the referendum, said that his position had moved on after once claiming that Brexit would leave Britain poorer. The referendum decision is irreversible, he said. People like me who believed that it was better to remain inside the EU and to campaign for reform within, have moved on. The debate is now about what kind of Brexit. Philip Hammond, pictured, today admitted that he had finally come to terms with the publics decision to back Brexit despite his previous warnings about leaving the EU He made the comments during a visit to Germany where he sought to relieve tensions with Angela Merkel just days after she clashed with Theresa May over the terms of a Brexit deal. The Prime Minister shrugged off threats from the German chancellor that the UK would be denied access to the single market if it tried to take back control of its borders. Despite his more upbeat tone, Mr Hammond told an economic summit in Berlin attended by the German Chancellor that a lot is at stake in the months after article Article 50 is triggered. He also sought reassurance from German leaders that they would not try to cause damage to the British economy during negotiations. I understand Germany will approach the challenge with the priority of protecting the integrity and unity of the EU, he said. But this does not have to be a negative sum-game. He also attempted to calm fears about the possible financial implications in the Eurozone by insisting that maintaining the value of the Euro was a key objective for the UK. Chancellor Philip Hammond sought to relieve tensions with Angela Merkel, pictured, just days after she clashed with Theresa May over the terms of a Brexit deal We will not do anything that would undermine the EU or risk its unravelling, he told the annual Die Welt economic summit, which is attended by business leaders and politicians from across Europe. The private conference was also attended by Mr Hammonds predecessor George Osborne and former European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who is hoping to replace Merkel. Ahead of the elections in Germany later this year, Mr Hammond said he hoped a deal would bolster the working relationship between the two countries. He said: We need to harness that energy for the good of the future of the EU and the UK. We need to find a solution which recognises the constraints on both sides, but delivers an outcome that supports continued economic growth. Mr Hammond, who also held talks with his German counterpart Wolfgang Schauble on Tuesday night, previously said that leaving the EU would leave the UK weaker, less safe and worse off. While his language has conflicted with Brexit-supporting colleagues - once claiming that the referendum result had been chilling - the Chancellor reassured Brexiters during his first Autumn Statement last year. Donald Trump said today that he believes Russia ordered hacks on Democrats that coincided with the presidential election. 'I think it was Russia, but I think we also get hacked by other people,' he said. 'It's not just Russia,' he argued at another point in his news Wednesday news conference. China hacked 22 million accounts, he said, talking about the 2015 data breach at the Office of Personnel and Management. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Donald Trump said today that he believes Russia ordered hacks on Democrats that coincided with the presidential election. 'I think it was Russia, but I think we also get hacked by other people,' he said Trump condemned the illegal acts but said emails involving Hillary Clinton's campaign that were published by Wikileaks revealed pertinent information. He showed little remorse for the theft of data from the Democratic National Committee, which he said was 'totally open to being hacked' because 'they did a very poor job.' The president-elect subsequently said, in response to a question about Vladimir Putin engineering the hack and leak strategy to help him, he believes the Russian leader's support for him is an 'asset.' 'But remember this, we talk about hacking, the hacking's bad, and it shouldn't be done...but look at what was learned from that hacking,' he proclaimed. Trump said Clinton received debate questions beforehand and 'didn't report it - that's a horrible thing.' Government hacking occurred 'because we have no defense,' he said during the Q and A session as he made reference to the OPM breach and the theft of civil servants' sensitive, personal information. 'That's because we're run by people who don't know what they're doing.' When he's president, Trump said cyber attacks on the U.S. and its citizens will end. Every country, he said, Russia, China, Japan, Mexico 'will respect us, far more, far more than they do under past administration,' he said, painting with a broad brush. Trump also said he views warmer relations with Russia positively because the nation can help in the fight against ISIS. 'If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset not a liability,' he said, speaking in the third person. 'Because we have a horrible relationship with Russia.' The president-elect subsequently said Wednesday, in response to a question about Vladimir Putin engineering the hack and leak strategy to help him, he believes the Russian leader's support for him is an 'asset' Trump said he hopes to get along with Putin, 'but there's a good chance I won't. 'And if I don't, do you honestly believe that Hillary would be tougher on Putin than me? Does anybody in this room really believe that? Give me a break,' he told reporters. Clinton has said she believes Putin personally had a hand in the cyber attacks and that he did it because he has a 'beef' with her. While Putin was out of power, Clinton, then the former of secretary of state, presented the Russian foreign minister with a red 'reset' button as a symbolic gesture at the beginning of the Obama administration. Trump mocked the move today, saying at his news conference, 'There's no reset button. We're either going to get along or we're not. 'I hope we get along, but if we don't, that's possible, too.' Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, said earlier in the morning that he'd reviewed the unclassified report on the hacking and found it 'troubling.' He said he had not seen the classified report, as he does not yet have security clearance. The one presented to the public indicated that Putin did the hacking to help Trump, he acknowledged. Trump admitted that Putin's government ordered the hacks on the opposing political party and Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, today - but he recoiled slightly at another point in his presser and said, 'Well, you know what, it could have been others, also.' The president-elect had suggested in a previous statement that mentioned China, as well, that Russia did do the hacking after a meeting with the heads of the heads of the CIA and FBI and the director of national intelligence. He said in the Friday statement that 'Russia, China, other countries, outside groups and people are consistently trying to break through the cyber infrastructure' the public and private sector must 'aggressively combat and stop cyberattacks.' The president-elect said he'd ordered his administration to bring him a report within 90 days that covers all kinds of hacking and how to prevent it. 'We're hacked by everybody,' he declared today. A repossession agent who pleaded guilty to killing a mother-of-three while trying to take back her car in a high speed pursuit was sentenced up to 15 years in prison. Kenneth Drew, 50, sobbed in court as the judge ordered him to spend one to 15 years behind bars at Utah State Prison for the death of 35-year-old Ashleigh Best. It was a surprising sentence, as Drew accepted a deal that recommended he only spend one year in a local jail if he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The prosecution recommended that he then serve 60 months of probation before having his second-degree felony charge downgraded to class A misdemeanor. Kenneth Drew, 50, sobbed in court as the judge ordered him to spend one to 15 years behind bars at Utah State Prison for the death of 35-year-old Ashleigh Best Best (left) was killed after crashing into a tree at speeds of at least 70mph in Pleasant Grove, south of Salt Lake City, on May 17 as Drew pursued her Drew put his face down on the lectern as the judge read his sentencing on Wednesday They also agreed that Best's family could not advocate for a specific sentence, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. But Drew was still given the maximum punishment allowed. He will have to begin serving his sentence in a week. Brennen Best, Ashleigh's husband, said he was 'extremely happy' with the sentence but said it was 'just a little victory'. 'I think that the facts of the case couldn't be overlooked,' he told the paper. 'The facts are that he chased my wife 12 blocks, put her into a tree and killed her. And he has to answer for that.' 'My answering is that I lost my wife. My wife lost her life. My children have lost their parents. I'm just a shell of what I was.' 'I don't think what was done was on purpose. But I do believe we should all be accountable for our actions,' he added. Best was killed after crashing into a tree at speeds of at least 70mph in Pleasant Grove, south of Salt Lake City, on May 17. Drew had gone to her house after midnight to take her Lincoln Navigator on behalf of a bank because she had fallen behind on title loan payments. Prosecutors said Drew was driving alongside Best when he grinded his right tire into her door. Best jumped the curb and slammed into a tree (pictured is her car after the accident) Brennen Best, Ashleigh's husband (pictured together), said he was 'extremely happy' with the sentence but said it was 'just a little victory' Brennen stepped between the tow truck and the SUV and argued until Drew agreed to leave the vehicle and allow the couple time to make a payment and return with proof, according to police documents. A short time later, Best got in her SUV and drove away. Her husband told police he had instructed her to drive the SUV to her mother's house. Drew later told police he was angry about the deception and sped after her in his tow truck with his girlfriend in the passenger's seat. A neighbor's security camera shows Drew trying to force Best against a curb as both cars accelerated. Prosecutors said Drew then drove alongside Mrs Best's SUV, grinding his rear right tire into her door. Best jumped the curb and slammed into a tree. She died a short time later from her injuries. It was a surprising sentence, as Drew accepted a deal that recommended he only spend one year in a local jail if he pleaded guilty to manslaughter Drew apologized for what he called an 'unfortunate accident' during his sentencing hearing. 'There was no intent for anything to happen,' he added Drew claimed he was just following Best to keep an eye on the SUV but investigators said evidence, including pictures and GPS data, showed that wasn't the case. On Tuesday Loni DeLand, Drew's defense attorney, argued that although there was 'no question' he had been reckless, the crash was not intentional. DeLand argued that Best's driving ability may have been affected by a mixture of drugs in her system that included antihistamine, anti-anxiety medication and methadone. He asked the judge for jail with work release, claiming the crash could have been 'induced by either party'. Drew apologized for what he called an 'unfortunate accident' during his sentencing hearing. 'There was no intent for anything to happen,' he added. But his words rang hollow to Best's family, including her father Patrick Holloway. 'To blame her or to excuse him by saying that she had a fault in his recklessness, I just can't think of anything to compare it to,' he said. 'I don't think this man has felt he had to apologize for anything.' Drew had gone to Best's house after midnight to take her Lincoln Navigator on behalf of a bank because she had fallen behind on title loan payments Todd Kendhammer (pictured), 46, told authorities that a pipe flew off a flatbed truck and pierced through his car's windshield, striking and killing his wife of 25 years A man who repeatedly insisted to police that his wife was killed in a freak-car accident has been charged with her murder. Todd Kendhammer, 46, told authorities that a pipe flew off a flatbed truck and pierced through his car's windshield, striking and killing his wife of 25 years. However, investigators have since found discrepancies in his account of the events, leading them to believe that he murdered her. He has been charged with first degree intentional homicide in his wife Barbara's September 17 death in West Salem, Wisconsin, reported the LaCrosse Tribune. According to the account that Kendhammer gave to police, the couple left their home at N6617 E Scotch Coulee Road in West Salem between 7:30 and 7:45am on September 16, and were headed to Holmen for a job he had to do. According to the account that Kendhammer gave to police, the couple left their home at N6617 E Scotch Coulee Road in West Salem between 7:30 and 7:45am on September 16, and were headed to Holmen for a job he had to do Kendhammer (left) has been charged with first degree intentional homicide in his wife Barbara's (right) September 17 death in West Salem, Wisconsin As they were driving north on a straight and flat stretch of highway just south of Bergum Coulee Road, Kendhammer claimed a 53-inch pipe fell from an oncoming flatbed truck, bounced off the pavement, and passed through the passenger side of the windshield, hitting Mrs Kendhammer, according to the Tribune. He said the pipe did not hit the pavement before piercing the windshield. He then said he punched the windshield, attempting to block the pipe, then tried to push it off of his wife while turning onto Bergum Coulee road, causing the car to accidentally roll into a shallow grassy ditch. Next, he claimed, he got out of the car and pulled the pipe from the windshield before pulling his wife out of the car, attempting CPR, and calling 911, reported the Tribune. As they were driving north on a straight and flat stretch of highway just south of Bergum Coulee Road, Kendhammer (pictured in court) claimed a 53-inch pipe fell from an oncoming flatbed truck, bounced off the pavement, and passed through the passenger side of the windshield, hitting Mrs Kendhammer He said the pipe did not hit the pavement before piercing the windshield. He then said he punched the windshield, attempting to block the pipe, then tried to push it off of his wife while turning onto Bergum Coulee road, causing him to accidentally roll into a shallow grassy ditch Next, he claimed, he got out of the car and pulled the pipe from the windshield before pulling his wife out of the car, attempting CPR, and calling 911 However, investigators have found many errors in his reports, reported WEAU. Mrs Kendhammer was scheduled to work at 8am at West Salem Middle school, which is the opposite direction from Holmen. A witness passing by the scene told authorities he saw the car in the ditch, but its windshield appeared intact. He also said he did not see anyone in or around the car. Additionally, no video showed a flatbed truck traveling south at the time of the incident, and when authorities tried to recreate the accident, they concluded that the broken glass found in the car's gear shift could only get there if the windshield was damaged while the car was in park, reported the Tribune. On the phone with police Kendhammer (pictured after he was arrested) was frantic and somewhat inaudible, and when emergency crews arrive they report that he was unsteady and concerned Pictured after the incident, Kendhammer was found kneeling next to his wife, with injuries to his knuckles and scratches on his chest. His wife was found lying on the ground, unconscious, and her blood was on the rear passenger tire. Paramedics did not find glass shards on the wife. Injuries to his hands are pictured On the phone with police, Kendhammer was frantic and somewhat inaudible, and when emergency crews arrive they reported that he was unsteady and concerned. He was found kneeling next to his wife, with injuries to his knuckles and scratches on his chest. His wife was found lying on the ground, unconscious, and her blood was on the rear passenger tire. Paramedics did not find glass shards on the wife, according to the Tribune. A witness passing by the scene told authorities he saw the car in the ditch, but its windshield appeared intact. He also said he did not see anyone around the car Additionally, no video showed a flatbed truck traveling south at the time of the incident, and when authorities tried to recreate the incident, they concluded that the broken glass found in the car's gear shift could only get there if the windshield was damaged while the car was in park All of the compiled evidence, along with the 20 minutes that the two were alone before he reported her injuries, suggests that she was assaulted and the windshield was smashed when she was not in the car. Her injuries showed patterns consistent with beating, and there was no blood found on the pipe said to have pierced the windshield Barbara Kendhammer never regained consciousness, and was declared brain dead at 5:02pm the next day, September 17. An autopsy of the wife showed blunt impact injuries to her head and neck, inconsistent with her husband's account. Dant County Deputy Medical examiner Kathleen McCubbin reported that there were three bone-deep cuts in the back of Mrs Kendhammer's head, a fracture in the back of her skull, and a broken nose. She was also bleeding and covered in bruises, and had injuries consistent with strangulation. Following the incident, Kendhammer was reportedly jittery and emotional for days. He insisted that her casket was not opened again after the funeral ceremonies, according to the Tribune. All of the compiled evidence, along with the 20 minutes that the two were alone before he reported her injuries, suggests that she was assaulted and the windshield was smashed when she was not in the car. John Humphrys said the Tony Blair government threatened to stop co-operating with the Today programme Veteran broadcaster John Humphrys has claimed Tony Blair's government threatened to stop co-operating with flagship radio show Today if the BBC did not 'deal with' him. He said an interview with then social security secretary Harriet Harman had prompted the unprecedented response from the New Labour leadership. The government said that unless the BBC dealt with the 'John Humphrys problem' it would cease co-operating with the Radio 4 show, Humphrys claimed. He recalled: 'An admittedly lively exchange with Harriet Harman, who was the social security secretary at the time, produced a response from Downing Street the like of which the programme had never generated before. 'It was a letter threatening to withdraw co-operation from Today unless something was done about what they called the "John Humphrys problem". 'That letter foreshadowed a more confrontational relationship between Downing Street and journalists, especially in the BBC, over the years to come.' He also said a report on Blair's handling of the run-up to the invasion of Iraq 'nearly brought down the BBC'. The broadcaster said: 'In 2003, we invaded Iraq because, we were told by Tony Blair, Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. He didnt. He said Blair's government said the BBC needed to deal with the 'John Humphrys problem' 'Three months later I did a perfectly unremarkable early-morning, three-minute interview with a correspondent. Ive done thousands of them over the last 30 years. 'Did I say unremarkable? It nearly brought down the BBC. Andrew Gilligan had been told by a reliable source that the dossier warning us of the threat from Saddam had been deliberately sexed up. 'That claim was ultimately to lead to the suicide of the source, Dr David Kelly, the destruction of Tony Blairs reputation and the resignation of the two most senior men in the BBC - the director-general and the chairman.' Humphrys said the government's response had been orchestrated by then Number 10 spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who later told him he wanted to alter the way the Prime Minister dealt with the media. Mr Campbell told him, Humphrys said; 'We had to change the terms of the trade, that the press had been, frankly, setting the political agenda ... and in a way which, in my mind, was detrimental to the interests of the Labour Party. Former Number 10 spin doctor Alastair Campbell later admitted being 'too aggressive', Humphrys revealed 'I think at times we probably went over the top. I think sometimes we were too aggressive.' Humphrys recalled that interviewing then PM Margaret Thatcher was 'a truly scary prospect for the new boy' because her answers were unpredictable, but she never complained about the coverage she received while in Downing Street. He said Mrs Thatcher once called in to Today from the kitchen of Number 10 to react to an item on the programme, although her then press secretary Bernard Ingham knew nothing about it until he heard the interview while driving. 'I nearly drove off the bloody road,' he later told Humphrys. Humphrys said: 'Mrs Thatcher never complained about the treatment she got at the hands of us lot. Keppley flipped his sirens on and rushed the team to hospital in time for surgery Wrecked car had a transplant team en route to patient already on operating table A Pennsylvania police officer responding to a crash wound up driving a surgeon, an assistant and a donated liver 60 miles through the snow for an emergency transplant. Police Sgt. Darrick Keppley of East Cocalico Township, Pennsylvania says he came upon a disabled vehicle Saturday afternoon that had skidded off the icy road. The SUV, which had lost a tire, was carrying a team in the middle of transporting a liver roughly 100 miles, from York, Pennsylvania to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. A patient already was in the operating room when the team's car skidded off the road 40 miles into the life-saving journey. Sgt. Darrick Keppley drove a surgeon, an assistant and a donated liver about 60 miles to a transplant operation already underway in Philadelphia, after their vehicle slid of an icy road Dr. Warren Maley was in the SUV transporting the liver for transplant when it slid off the road and lost a tire Keppley arrived on the scene and offered to help. Although he couldn't immediately get in touch with his chief, the police sergeant didn't hesitate to offer the transplant team a ride. The doctor and an organ transplant assistant piled into his vehicle, and he switched on his lights and sirens and navigated the snowy 60 miles east to Philadelphia. 'He went lights and siren, and that got us there probably twice as fast,' abdominal surgeon Warren Maley told WGAL. Keppley says he was hoping to get a Philly cheesesteak while he was in town, but knew he had to get back to work. President-elect Donald Trump, after growing suspicious that intelligence officials were leaking news about their classified briefings with him, says he conducted a sting operation to try to prove top spies were behind the leaks. Trump revealed the extraordinary scheme to try to entrap the senior spies in a furious press conference where he suggested the intelligence community had been behind salacious and totally unproven allegations against him. I think its pretty sad when intelligence reports get leaked out to the press. First of all, its illegal. These are classified and certified meetings and reports, Trump said during a press conference at Trump Tower his first since getting elected. Then he revealed the details of the stealthy sting he says he conducted on the nations senior spooks. Ill tell you what does happen. I have many meetings with intelligence. And every time I meet, people are reading about it,' Trump complained, possibly referencing reports on his classified briefings, which he has chosen not to receive daily. President-elect Donald Trump said he set a trap for his intelligence briefers and that they fell for it by leaking word of a classified briefing he had with them Scroll down for video 'Somebodys leaking them out, Trump said, after inveighing against leaks generally. So I said, "Maybe its my office. Maybe my office." Because Ive got a lot of people Maybe its them? What I did, is I said I wont tell anyone. Im going to have a meeting, and I wont tell anybody about my meeting with intelligence, Trump continued. He even shielded one of his closest aides from word of the meeting. Nobody knew not even Rhona, my executive assistant for years. She didnt know I didnt tell her. Nobody knew, Trump continued drawing laughter from collected family members and staff. Having set the trap, Trump says the word leaked anyway. The meeting was held. They left, and immediately the word got out that I had a meeting. So, I dont want that. Its very unfair to the country. Its very unfair to our country whats happening, he said. President-elect Donald Trump blasted 'phony stuff' contained in a dirt dossier against him that was released and blasted whoever leaked it mentioning the intelligence agencies Degrading acts in bed used by president: The extraordinary - and entirely unverified - allegations that Donald Trump ordered prostitutes to commit degrading sex acts in the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow are contained in a dossier drawn up by a former British spy Trump blasted the intelligence community at his press briefing, saying it was behind the leak of a dossier of information about him, but without revealing evidence President-elect Donald Trump conducted the sting after growing frustrated that word of his classified briefings were leaking. Pictured are FBI Director James Comey, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and CIA Director John Brennan (L-R) testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee OUT OF THE LOOP: Trump says he didn't even tell his executive assistant, Rhona Graff Thomas Barrett, chief of media relations for the Director of National Intelligence, declined to comment on the substance of Trump's alleged sting. 'Im sorry, we have nothing to offer on this matter,' he told DailyMail.com. As president-elect, Trump is entitled to a daily briefing of the 'crown jewels' of the intelligence community. The briefings typically are conducted by high level intelligence officers. On Friday, he got a briefing that included James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence and other top intelligence officials. At his Wednesday press conference, he went after the intelligence community as being behind the leak of a dirty dossier of material alleging the Russians had compromising information on him, saying it would be a 'blot' on the record if true. The office of Director of Intelligence James Clapper declined to comment on Trump's purported sting operation He blasted those who published it, but in a twist, complimented outlets which stayed away from the claims. 'They looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies,' Trump said, referencing a dirt dossier against him. 'Who knows, it may be the intelligence agencies which would be a tremendous blot of their record if they did that,' Trump said, in just his latest shot at the intelligence community. Its bulls**t. President-elect Donald Trump didnt pay prostitutes to urinate on his bed in the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow, three years ago. Neither did Trump do this to deliberately defile a bed that had been used by Barack and Michelle Obama. And nor did Vladimir Putin secretly videotape the whole thing to use as blackmail against Trump at a later date. Its all complete baloney. No, Donald Trump didnt pay prostitutes to urinate on his bed in the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow, three years ago Horribly damaging, deeply offensive baloney which will of course have caused huge distress to Trump, his wife Melania, and their wider families. That is my considered verdict on Watergate Scandal No2. How can I be so sure? First, Trump has categorically, furiously, emphatically denied it. (His Im a germaphobe defense alone at todays press conference is pretty compelling, given Ive personally seen him recoil from shaking hands many times). Second, the Russians and Putin himself have equally categorically, furiously, emphatically denied it. Trump - a germaphobe - denies it, Russia denies it and none of it is verifiable. Meanwhile it's horribly upsetting and distressing to his wife family Third, the 35-page dossier containing the bombshell claim has done the rounds of many of Americas leading media outlets for months and nobodys been able to verify any of it, even as they were champing at the bit to destroy Trumps presidential campaign. Fourth, and perhaps most damningly of all, even Buzzfeed, the website part-owned by NBC that broke ranks and published it last night, admits it has no evidence to prove its true, has not been able to independently verify it, and may never be able to verify it. Buzzfeed News is publishing the full document so that Americans can make up their own minds about allegations about the president-elect that have circulated at the highest levels of the US government, it stated. Its editor Ben Smith added: There is serious reason to doubt the allegations. Sorry? So let me get this absolutely straight: they havent got a Scooby-doo if this devastatingly embarrassing hookers-and-urination claim is true or not? Nor are they prepared to investigate it further to try to verify it before publication? Instead, Buzzfeeds just chosen to fling it all into the public domain like a farmer depositing a large truckload of excrement into a field of ravenous pigs, so we can all wallow in Trumps humiliation even if he never actually did any of it. There are many other anonymously sourced, unsubstantiated allegations in this dossier about Trumps supposed links to Russia, all of which he also denies. That doesnt necessarily mean theyre all false, as Trump has been known to be economical with the truth himself when it suits him. And it absolutely right that reporters should investigate them. Buzzfeed, part-owned by NBC, admits it has no evidence to prove any of its true. I know and respect Ben and he was a regular on my CNN show, but saying, Publishing this dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017' makes me think we're all going to hell in a handcart But he has vehemently denied them and that should be noted. However, of all the myriad claims in the dossier, its this explicitly lurid and distasteful one about his supposed sexual antics that ignited around the world via social and mainstream media, and exposed Trump to instant global ridicule. The moment I heard about it, my gut reaction was that it was utter nonsense. As Trump said at his press conference, every high profile person who goes to Russia is warned that Russian intelligence agencies routinely bug hotel rooms in big cities like Moscow and St Petersburg precisely to amass such potentially damaging material with which to blackmail people. He may be many things, but hes not stupid. What I think were dealing with here is a variant on the legendary story, also involving pigs, about Lyndon Johnson when he was running for president. Concerned about the race getting close, he told his campaign manager to start a massive rumour about his opponent having sex with a pig. Christ, we cant call him a pig-f***er! the campaign manager protested. Nobodys going to believe a thing like that. I know, said Johnson. But lets make the sonafab*tch deny it! Trump has now had to publicly deny paying prostitutes to urinate for him. A claim that was made, it has emerged, by unnamed people who had been specifically tasked with unearthing damaging information about a political rival. That damage is now mostly done, and its outrageous given its almost certainly untrue. Publishing this dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017, said Ben Smith, someone I know well, and respect, from my time at CNN when he was a regular guest on my show. Really, Ben? Then frankly, were all truly going to hell in a handcart. Because if the new journalism is simply publishing whatever comes across your newsdesk, without any independent proof that its true, then thats not journalism its exactly as Trump called it today: cr*p. Or to put it more politely, its another blazing log on the ugly bonfire currently fuelling fake news. I am more sensitive than most to this phenomenon as an alleged form of it once cost me my job. I ran British newspaper Daily Mirror for a decade and was fired in 2004 for publishing supposedly fake photographs of British troops abusing Iraqi civilians. (The Mirror had vociferously opposed the Iraq War). Ironically, the images depicted those troops urinating on their victims. Years later, many of the troops we accused were prosecuted for abuse, and in one case jailed, and the veracity of those photos remains, to me at least, an unresolved mystery. But the more relevant point for the purposes of this column is that my reporting staff worked on verifying them for two months. We established that the two soldiers who brought them to us were who they said they were, had been fighting in Iraq when the incident occurred, and that the veracity of the incident itself was inconvertible. Finally, when we felt we were ready to publish, we presented the photos to the Ministry of Defence in London ten hours before publication and they raised no issues of authenticity. Nevertheless, after a two-week firestorm following publication, led by Tony Blairs government who insisted the pictures were fake, I was unceremoniously fired. I sincerely believed then and I still believe now, that those photos, as with the abuse they depicted, were genuine. Buzzfeed, by contrast, dont know or seemingly care if their published documents are genuine. They want the public to decide. That way, surely, lies the death of real journalism? Fake news is a massive problem in the modern media landscape. It is eroding all trust in all news media. Trumps undoubtedly helped fuel some of this crisis by aggressively promoting absurd conspiracy theories such as Barack Obama being born in Africa. Trumps has helped fuel the fake news crisis by aggressively promoting absurd conspiracy theories such as Barack Obama being born in Africa So for him to cry foul now will strike many as pretty rich and I would absolutely urge him when hes President to stick to facts in his public pronouncements, not wild rumours. Just as I would urge him to repair relations with the US intelligence agencies because this current war of mutual attrition helps nobody. BUT, and its a vital but, that doesnt make the behaviour of Buzzfeed any more acceptable. If they can do this to the new President, and get away with it, then anyone in the US mainstream media can now publish anything without bothering to even check if its true. That will, I guarantee it, be the death of US mainstream media. And yes, Buzzfeed is absolutely now mainstream media, given its huge financial support from NBC. My former employers CNN, who first reported yesterday on the dossier, but crucially didnt include the details of the specific allegations, are not as culpable as Trump believes in all this, but theyre not blameless either. They gave an official gloss to a dossier that looks extremely flimsy and full of wild badly-sourced allegations, thus making it seem more important and accurate than it was, and of course, prompting Buzzfeed into running with the full works. And the real villain here is whoever leaked it to Buzzfeed and other media in the first place, if the motivation was purely to damage Trump at the expense of the truth, particularly if that person works for the US intelligence community. The stakes are very high here. A free press is the very cornerstone of any democracy. If fake news goes mainstream like this, without any checks and balances, then the pivotal place of the free press in American culture will be over, toast, defunct, kaput. So shame on you, Buzzfeed. As Trump said at his press conference, what you did to him was an absolute disgrace. Daniel Lexvold, 37, was shot by police after attacking them with a logging chain A man who was shot by police was caught on the dashcam charging at officers with a log chain. Daniel Lexvold, 37, was pulled over by La Crosse County police after fleeing a domestic disturbance 40 minutes earlier. The man was stopped by a sheriff's deputy on N3075 Hwy 16 around 9pm that evening in Medary, Wisconsin, and was wanted for disorderly conduct, the La Crosse Tribune reported. Once he was cornered Lexvold refused to cooperate and exit his car, prompting the deputy to call for more officers. When Lexvold finally got out of his car, he began to swing a log chain before quickly charging at officers and injuring the K-9, Sayibe, and shattering the squad car window. Lexvold finally exited his car and began to swing a log chain before quickly charging at officers and injuring the K-9, Sayibe Officers began to shoot at Lexvold after repeatedly telling him to put he chain down and a stun gun proved to be ineffective The footage shows police officers repeatedly telling the man to put the weapon down, but Lexvold continues to threaten them with the chain leading officers to taser him. The stun gun however, had no affect on the man who forward to attack the cops before deputy Brandon Stoughtenger and officer Ryan Deflorian fired at him. Lexvold was released from Gundersen Health System on Monday and taken to La Crosse County Jail where he is facing 14 criminal charges. Lexvold is seen charging at police with the weapon, injuring the dog, before police finally fired a non-fatal shot In addition to the seven bonds for 21 crimes he committed between August 2015 and November, Lexvold is facing three counts of attempted battery of a police officer, battery to a law enforcement canine, resisting officers, criminal damage to property, domestic-related disorderly conduct, and seven counts of felony bail jumping. Police officers treated the man until paramedics arrived and while no officers were hurt, Sayibe the canine, was treated by vets. According to the La Crosse Tribune, In 2015, Lexvold was also charged for running over a man's bicycle, exposing his buttocks, and driving without a license. In 2016, he threw a pan at a woman and barricaded himself in his bedroom. The shooting is now being investigated by the State Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, according to local reports. A number of traditional Anzac Day marches have been cancelled by local RSL sub-branches who cannot afford police anti-terrorism measures. Although the Blue Mountains City Council has already spent up to $70,000 on the April 25th events, police said water-filled barriers would need to be installed to close the roads and prevent a truck attack like those in Berlin and Nice. 'The terrorists are winning. I say that because the reaction to events overseas continues to provoke over-reactions here,' David White from the region's ex-services organisation told the Blue Mountains Gazette. Scroll down for video A number of traditional Anzac Day marches have been cancelled by local RSL sub-branches who cannot afford police anti-terrorism measures. Pictured is the 2016 march in Sydney The cancelled marches include those in Katoomba, Blackheath, Springwood and Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains. Ex-servicemen are pictured at the 2016 service in Sydney 'We are devastated that we have had to take this action because it's such a long, unbroken tradition and something which we believe is cherished by the local communities'. The cancelled marches include those in Katoomba, Blackheath, Springwood and Glenbrook. On Wednesday, Mayor Mark Greenhill said the Blue Mountains Council would try its best to help cover the excess costs for the anti-terrorism measures, saying the cancellation was 'incredibly sad'. 'Blue Mountains City Council will support the local RSL branches within available resources, to ensure the ANZAC Day marches have the best chance of going ahead in 2017,' he wrote on his Facebook page. War veteran Owen Wood said the parades 'demonstrate to the younger generations that this is something that should never ever be forgotten' and has been to the Katoomba parade for the past three decades On Wednesday, Mayor Mark Greenhill said the Blue Mountains Council would try its best to help cover the excess costs, saying the cancellation is 'incredibly sad' Mayor Mark Greenhill said the extra costs should be covered by the state governments. The 2016 march in Brisbane is pictured 'The Council will consider providing financial support or the provision of heavy vehicles as an alternative to water-filled and concrete barriers to help the RSL branches meet the new security requirements'. But he said the funding should be provided by the state governments. War veteran Owen Wood said the parades 'demonstrate to the younger generations that this is something that should never ever be forgotten,' 7News reported. Mr Wood has marched in the Katoomba parade for the past 30 years. The extra terror measures are believed to be a result of the terror attack in Nice that claimed the lives of 86 people, including 10 children, after a 19-tonne truck ploughed through the Promenade de Anglais in July 2016. Three Australians were injured in the attack. The extra terror measures are believed to be a result of the terror attack in Nice that claimed the lives of 86 people after a 19-tonne truck ploughed through the Promenade de Anglais It really is that simple: There are girls with penises and boys with vulvas. A new public awareness campaign by the Basque advocacy group Chrysallis Euskal Herria , an association of families with transgender children, has hit the bus shelters and subway stations of the Basque Country and Navarre, in northern Spain. The poster that went up in Basque cities this week. The campaign was funded by an anonymous donor from New York with Basque family roots, who donated 28,000 in exchange for assurances that his or her identity would remain under wraps, the association said. The 150 posters distributed across mass transit networks show drawings of four nude children holding hands: a boy and a girl with vulvas, and another boy and girl with penises. The goal is to raise social awareness about transgender children and for these children to feel represented, explains Beatriz Sever, the groups press officer. The campaign was made possible thanks to the enormous repercussion of an earlier drive The campaign, which is targeting the cities of Pamplona, Vitoria, San Sebastian and Bilbao, was launched on Tuesday and will end on January 16. There is an evident gap in societys ability to approach the issue of transgender children in a normal way, said Sever in a telephone conversation. The more we talk, the easier it will be for some parents to detect what is happening to their own children. Many of them deny their kids real identity simply out of ignorance. The association was formed in 2013 by eight Basque families with transgender children ages three through 17. Since then, their number has grown to 40. Banned on Facebook Facebook followed its usual policy of censoring the image because the children are depicted in the nude. We did not fight the decision because we were afraid that our page would be shut down. On one hand, its given us even more visibility, but then we were not looking for something like this to happen, because it draws attention away from our main message, said the association representative. Sever said it was essential to have this explicit depiction of genitals on the posters. A 2008 protest against treating transgender identity like a psychological pathology. Joan Sanchez It makes all the difference between children either being accepted or not. We need to make people understand that nature is not a photocopying machine. Those who deny their identity typically use genitals as an excuse. I myself, as a mother, once used that same argument, until I finally understood what was going on, she reveals. Another goal of the campaign is to ensure unconditional support for transgender children from their immediate circle of friends and family, and to prevent rejection. This is a life-and-death matter, notes Sever. According to a 2011 survey of transgender adults by the United States National Transgender Equality Association, 41% of respondents reported attempting suicide compared to 1.6% of the general population. Mysterious sponsor The campaign was made possible thanks to the enormous repercussion of an earlier drive to raise awareness about transgender children. That campaign, carried out in April 2016, handed out educational material in eight different languages. That earlier effort reached the ears of a New York financier with Basque roots, who got in touch with Chrysallis Euskal Herria and offered to put up the 28,000 required to put together this latest awareness drive. The association expressed its gratitude to the sponsor, and said it will ask the Basque regional government to create a specific department to assist the families of transgender children. English version by Susana Urra. In an unprecedented move, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., spoke out about one of his Senate peers, testifying against the nomination of Sen. Jeff Session, R-Ala., for President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. Booker told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee this afternoon that he was guided by his 'conscience' and love of 'country,' while criticizing Sessions for not promoting 'civil rights, equal rights and justice,' what the New Jersey senator argued was one of the key components of the attorney general's job. 'In many times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility toward these convictions,' Booker said. Alongside him, testifying for the Democrats, sat Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., likely the most prominent civil rights activist in the House of Representatives, and Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. The trio of black lawmakers had their testimony scheduled for the final hour of the two-day session and senators weren't permitted to follow up with questions. That fact wasn't greeted kindly. 'To have a senator, a House member and a living civil rights legend testify at the end of all of this is the equivalent of being made to go to the back of the bus,' Richmond said. Scroll down for video A trio of Democratic black lawmakers Sen. Cory Booker (left), Rep. John Lewis (center) and Rep. Cedric Richmond (right) challenged the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general saying that he doesn't have a strong record on civil rights and racial equality Sen. Cory Booker made history by being the first sitting senator to testify against another sitting senator as he publicly opposed Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., the House's most prominent civil rights activist, wondered if Jeff Sessions' calls for 'law and order,' really meant using the law to 'violate the human and civil rights of the poor' Many members of the Congressional Black Caucus were in attendance and made their numbers known by sitting directly behind the witnesses. Law enforcement groups have touted Sessions' nomination for attorney general, as the longtime Alabama senator has talked about being a 'law and order' guy. 'Those who are committed to equal justice in our society wonder whether Sen. Sessions' calls for "law and order" will mean today what it meant in Alabama when I was coming up back then,' Lewis said. 'The rule of law was used to violate the human and civil rights of the poor, the dispossessed, people of color,' Lewis continued. 'I was born in rural Alabama not very far from where Sen. Sessions was raised.' Lewis recounted his childhood of growing up in Southern segregation and the beatings and brutality he and his fellow civil rights organizers experienced for progress to be made. 'The forces of law and order in Alabama were so strong that to take a stand against this injustice we had to be willing to sacrifice our lives for our cause,' Lewis said. 'Often the only way we could demonstrate that a law on the books violated a higher law was by challenging that law by putting our bodies on the line and showing the world the unholy price we had to pay for dignity and respect,' Lewis continued. Rep. John Lewis talked about his experience in Sen. Jeff Sessions' home of Alabama, saying that 'law and order' there, when he was a kid, meant segregation and violence against blacks Rep. John Lewis shakes hands with Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the panel Jeff Sessions' nomination is going through A protester briefly interrupted testimony on Wednesday as sporadic outbursts occurred throughout the two days of hearings for Sen. Jeff Sessions nomination for attorney general He eventually pivoted to explain why his experience with whites in the deep South as a youth and as a young activist pertained to Sessions too. The senator, Lewis suggested, just didn't have a real record. 'It doesn't matter how Sen. Sessions may smile, how friendly he may be, how he may speak to you, but we need someone who's going to stand up, speak up and speak out for the people who need help, for people who have been discriminated against,' Lewis said. While the civil rights icon's testimony was held to the end, Sessions' record on race was front and center starting from the very first minutes of the two-day hearings. Even before Sessions got a chance to speak, several protesters dressed like members of the Ku Klux Klan made their views known as they shouted down 'Jefferson Bearegard' and called the senator a 'racist.' Sessions, as his own witness, opened up the hearing by pushing back at allegations of racial insensitivity that plagued his 1986 nomination in front of the same Senate panel to the federal district court bench. He called charges of racism 'damnably false.' The longtime senator from Alabama, who was the first in the upper chamber to endorse the president-elect, told lawmakers that he would recuse himself from going after Hillary Clinton. 'This country does not punish its political enemies,' he said. Sessions seemed to break with Trump in saying that he didn't support a Muslim ban, a pitch the Republican candidate made, but later revised. He also suggested he wouldn't support waterboarding, calling it 'absolutely' illegal, while also expressing confidence in the FBI and other intelligence agencies who have pointed a finger toward Russia in explaining the Democrats' election year hacks. Protesters dressed like members of the Ku Klux Klan interrupted the Jeff Sessions hearing before it even began calling out 'Jefferson Bearegard' as a 'racist' Sen. Jeff Sessions awaited his turn to speak with his granddaughter on his lap. Four of the attorney general nominee's grandkids attended yesterday's confirmation hearing Sen. Jeff Sessions (right) appears at his confirmation hearing as protesters wearing KKK garments wave at him in the background While staunchly pro-life, saying he considered Roe v. Wade 'unconstitutional,' he also said he would support the nation's abortion laws, because as attorney general he needed to back the laws of the land. In the early moments of the hearing, Sessions sat in the crowd with his young granddaughter perched on his lap. Four grandchildren, overall, were attending the Senate session yesterday. Protesters, some dressed in white hoods to represent the KKK, started screaming out before Sen. Chuck Grassley, the committee chair, could even begin. Subsequent outbursts from protesters, which were quickly subdued by Capitol security, plagued the first day of testimony, with some people there representing Codepink and others 'Black Lives Matter.' When Grassley began, he brought up the Ku Klux Klan too but Sessions' record in going after it. Grassley talked about how Sessions oversaw the investigation of Klansman Francis Hays 'for the brutal abduction and murder of a black teenager Michael Donald.' 'He made sure that case was brought to state court where the defendant was eligible for and received the punishment that he justly deserved: the death penalty,' Grassley said. Attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions (center) enters his confirmation hearing alongside Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R- Iowa Members of the group Codepink were also on hand at yesterday's confirmation sessions for attorney general nominee, Sen. Jeff Sessions When it was Sessions' turn to speak to the senators, he wanted to get the hurdles that hurt him decades ago, quickly out of the way. WHO IS JEFF SESSIONS? President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general Jeff Sessions has served in the U.S. Senate for Alabama since 1997. Before that, he was his state's attorney general and prior to that a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. He was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 to serve on the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Alabama, but he didn't make it through the Senate Judiciary Committee, a panel he later served on as a U.S. senator. It's the group he's testifying before today. Advertisement 'Let me address another issue straight on,' he began. In his own words, Sessions explained why his nomination by President Ronald Reagan was thwarted. 'I was accused in 1986 of failing to protect the voting rights of African-Americans by presenting the Perry County case, the voter fraud case, and of condemning civil rights advocates and organization.' 'And even harboring, amazingly, sympathies for the KKK,' Sessions continued. Sessions labeled the voter fraud case a 'voting rights' case saying that African-Americans had complained that their votes had been stolen or altered by the trio of civil rights activists dubbed the 'Marion Three.' In January 1985, Evelyn Turner, along with her husband, Albert Turner Sr., and Spencer Hogue Jr. were indicted by a grand jury on 29 counts for allegedly altering absentee ballots in support of candidates endorsed by the Perry County Civic League. Speaking earlier this week, Evelyn Turner still contends that the charges were racially motivated,saying to CNN of Sessions: 'Have you ever known a leopard to change his spots? I haven't ... Sessions is still a racist.' 'As for the KKK, I invited civil rights attorneys from D.C. to help us solve a very difficult investigation into the unconscionable, horrendous death of a young African-American coming home from the 7-11 store one night, simply because he was black,' Sessions explained, bringing up the death penalty case that Grassley referred to in the chairman's opening remarks. The case involved the killing of 19-year-old Michael Donald in 1981, a black teenager hung from a tree by two Klansman, Tiger Knowles and Henry Hays, the son of Bennie Hays, the second-ranking Ku Klux Klan member in the state at the time. Henry Hays would die in the electric chair in 1997, the first execution in Alabama since 1913 for someone convicted of white-on-black crime. 'I would say it has been very disappointing and painful to have it suggest that I think the Klan was OK, when we did everything possible to destroy and defeat and prosecute the Klan members involved in this crime,' Sessions later said to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who was recalling the story of how this death penalty case also financially strapped the KKK. Sessions had sung a similar tune when asked about it by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. 'I am from South Carolina so I know what it means to be accused of being a conservative from the South meaning a racist or a bigot. How does that make you feel?' Graham asked. In his opening statement, Sessions added that he never called the NAACP 'un-American,' another charge leveled at him in the 1980s. 'Or that a civil rights attorney was a "disgrace to his race,"' addressing yet another comment that he allegedly said to a white lawyer defending a black client, which came out during the hearing held in front of the same committee, but 30-plus years ago. Sessions also addressed a more recent past, telling the panel that he would recuse himself from any investigations involving Trump's political rival because of comments he made during the 'contentious' presidential campaign. 'I've given that thought, I believe the proper thing for me to do would be to recuse myself from questions involving those kinds of investigations involving Secretary Clinton that were raised during the campaign and could be otherwise connected to it,' Sessions said to the senators. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-.R.I., asked Sessions if he ever chanted 'lock her up,' a rallying cry among Trump supporters to punish Clinton for misdeeds. 'No I did not. I don't think,' he answered. 'I heard it at rallies and so forth, sometimes humorously done.' Sessions noted that he did say a 'few things,' including calling for a special prosecutor. 'I think that is one of the reasons I believe I should not make any decisions about any such case,' Sessions added. The attorney general nominee was also asked to explain his position on Trump's highly controversial Muslim ban, which the Republican candidate first announced last December in the aftermath of the San Bernardino terror attack, but has since revised. Protesters, some of whom belonged to the group Code Pink, would occasionally cause a stir yesterday in the Senate hearing room 'I have no belief and do not support the idea that Muslims as a religious group should be denied admission to the United States,' Sessions said. Graham asked Sessions if he believed Russia was behind the election year hacks. 'I have done no research into that, I know just what the media says about it,' Sessions answered. 'Do you like the FBI?' Graham followed up with. Sessions answered that some of his best friends work for the agency. Graham noted how the FBI came to the conclusion that Russians were involved in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's emails. Graham asked the nominee if there was any reason to be suspicious of the FBI. 'I'm sure it was honorably reached,' Sessions said of the agency's conclusion. Later, in the context of the Russia hacks, when asked if he would charge the president of crimes if it was warranted he answered yes. 'If there are laws violated, and they can be prosecuted, then of course youd have to handle that in the appropriate way,' Sessions said. In the Tuesday afternoon session, Sen. Patrick Leahy brought up Trump's comments exposed in the leak of a 2005 Access Hollywood tape, in which the billionaire boasted about grabbing women by 'the p****.' Another protester got tossed from yesterday's confirmation hearing for Sen. Jeff Sessions, in the early moments of the two-day affair 'Is grabbing a woman by her genitals without consent, is that sexual assault?' Leahy asked. 'Clearly it would be,' the Alabama senator answered. Leahy then asked if Sessions would be willing to prosecute a president, or other high-ranking government official, if there was a federal sexual assault case built. 'The president is subject to certain lawful restrictions and they would be required to be applied by the appropriate law enforcement official, if appropriate, yes,' Sessions said. Late in the day, Sessions was asked his take on Trump's claim that he would have won the popular vote too, 'if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.' Sessions declined to say if he agreed, though when prompted by questioning from Sen. Al Franken answered, 'I do believe we regularly have fraudulent activity happen during election cycles.' There are nearly zero instances of proven voter fraud. Sessions spent the first portion of the confirmation answering questions posed to him by the Senate panel. Throughout the day, the hearing was interrupted by protesters who were promptly kicked out. As Cruz delivered a lengthy comment in Sessions' direction, at the start of the afternoon session, someone yelled loudly the chant of 'Black Lives Matter.' Tomorrow witnesses will be called on his behalf and, by Democrats, to speak against the nominee. Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who called out Donald Trump for the Republicans' comments on Muslims at the Democratic National Convention, attened the Jeff Sessions hearing Civil rights activist Al Sharpton attended the first day of confirmation hearings for Sen. Jeff Sessions After that, a third set of witnesses will be called and for the first time ever a sitting senator, Democrat Cory Booker, will testify against a peer, as the New Jersey lawmaker called Sessions' views 'a real danger to our country.' 'We've seen Jeff Sessions that's Senator Jeff Sessions consistently voting against or speaking out against key ideals of the Voting Rights Act, taking measures to try to block criminal justice reform,' Booker said yesterday on MSNBC. Civil rights leader, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., will also testify against the Republican. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the committee's new ranking member, noted in her introduction how many of her colleagues on Judiciary had worked alongside Sessions for 20 years. 'And that makes this very difficult for me,' she said, as many Democrats, along with progressive groups, are waging a war against Sessions, considered one of the president-elect's more controversial picks. The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, defended Jeff Sessions' record on civil rights as he kicked off the hearing Sen. Jeff Sessions (center) waits for questions from senators flanked by his wife Mary (left) and their granddaughter Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate Republican, was one of two lawmakers who spoke on behalf of Jeff Sessions' attorney general nomination before the Alabama Republican took the hot seat Progressive activists could be found in the audience, taking things in. Civil rights leader Al Sharpton was spotted in the Capitol Hill crowd. So was Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who called out Trump for the Republican's comments on Muslims at the Democratic National Convention. To kick off the first day's events, Sessions got the blessing of his other home state lawmaker, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala. But in a more politically-astute move, moderate Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was also asked to praise Trump's attorney general nominee. Collins is known to break with her party on occasion and vote the Democratic way. The idea of putting her front and center was to display that Sessions had the support of both the right-wing and the center of the president-elect's political party. The family of a 10-year-old boy who died after getting decapitated on a 168-foot water slide had settled with the Kansas amusement park. Caleb Schwab's family reached a deal with the park owner's Wednesday. Terms of the agreement, which was filed in Kansas' Johnson County District Court, weren't immediately available. The judge who approved the wrongful death settlement found it was 'fair, reasonable, valid, just and equitable' and that it served the best interests of all plaintiffs, including Caleb's three brothers, The Kansas City Star reported. Caleb, the son of Kansas lawmaker Scott Schwab, died in August after an ill-fated ride on Schlitterbahn park's Verruckt ride, which was billed the world's tallest water slide. The ride is now set to be destroyed. Caleb Schwab's family (pictured) has reached a settlement with the owner of Kansas City's Schlitterbahn park after the boy was decapitated on a ride in August A spokeswoman for Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts, Winter Prosapio, confirmed the settlement. She declined to elaborate, other than to say the park's owners plan to follow through on demolishing the slide as announced in November. An attorney for two women injured with Schwab during the ill-fated ride last August 7 says Wednesday's action does not resolve any potential liabilities against the park by his clients. No charges have been filed. The ride has been closed since Caleb died on the ride this August. The boy was decapitated, someone familiar with the investigation previously said. Verruckt, which is German for 'insane,' featured multi-person rafts that made a 17-story drop at speeds of up to 70 mph, followed by a surge up a hump and a 50-foot descent to a finishing pool. The 10-year-old boy (pictured) died during an ill-fated ride on the 168-foot Verruckt ride, which was billed the world's tallest water slide and is now set to be destroyed Police investigated the matter because a death was involved, a spokesman said, but he noted that such accidents typically are handled as civil cases. A spokesman told The Kansas City Star Wednesday that the police investigation has been completed. Although there has been no public indication that the ride's restraints played any role in Caleb's death, investigators have almost certainly inspected those safety features. The Verruckt (pictured) featured a 17-story plunge and reached speeds of up to 70 mph Riders were harnessed with two nylon seatbelt-like straps, one crossing the rider's lap, the other stretching diagonally like a car shoulder seatbelt. Each strap was held in place by long straps that closed with fabric fasteners, not buckles, and riders held ropes inside the raft. After Caleb's death, previous riders talked about how the shoulder straps snapped or popped off during their trips down the slide. The regulation of waterslides and other amusement rides has drawn scrutiny since Caleb's death. Kansas is known for its light regulation of amusement park rides, and the Texas-based company that operates Schlitterbahn lobbied legislators to help ensure that it remained responsible for its own inspections. Kansas requires annual inspections of permanent amusement park rides but allows private inspectors to do the checks. Caleb's father had paid an emotional tribute to his son during the boy's funeral this summer, describing him as his joy. 'When my kids were born, Nathan was my pleasure, Caleb was my joy, Alex was my delight and Isaac was my treasure. We've lost some joy. We've lost Caleb, my joy. But we'll get it back,' he said. Two teenage brothers were tragically shot dead in Syracuse on Tuesday evening, and police have no information on possible suspects. Authorities identified the victims as 17-year-old Daniel Diaz-Marrero and 19-year-old Ismael Diaz-Marrero, both residents in the city. Syracuse police say officers responded shortly after 5pm on Tuesday to a report of a shooting on Grant Avenue on the city's west side. When officers arrived they found two young men suffering from gunshot wounds. Two teenage brothers, Daniel Diaz-Marrero (left) and Ismael Diaz-Marrero (right) were shot dead in Syracuse on Tuesday evening Syracuse police say officers responded shortly after 5pm on Tuesday to a report of a shooting on Grant Avenue on the city's west side and found Daniel (right) and Ishmael (left) shot Both were taken to Upstate University Hospital, where they both died. On Wednesday morning it was announced that the teens were brothers. Police say they have no information on possible suspects and are working to determine what led up to the incident. Officials say Daniel was a senior at Fowler High School and Ismael was a sophomore business major at Le Moyne College in suburban DeWitt. Le Moyne President Linda M. LeMura wrote a Facebook post announcing their tragic deaths earlier on Wednesday. 'It is with deep sadness that I write to tell you of the tragic death of Ismael Diaz-Marrero, a sophomore business student at the College,' LeMura's post reads. Officials say 17-year-old Daniel (above) was a senior at Fowler High School in the city Ismael (above) was a 19-year-old sophomore business major at Le Moyne College in suburban DeWitt 'Ismael passed away last night following a shooting on the west side of Syracuse; his brother Daniel was also killed.' She stated that grief counselors would be available to anyone on campus who wanted to speak with someone. LeMura also announced that a prayer service would take place on campus in the afternoon for the brothers. Syracuse City Schools Spokesperson Michael Henesey said that a crisis response team would be available to help grieving students and staff. Ismael graduated from Henninger High School in 2015. One Facebook user mourning their deaths wrote: 'Breaks my Heart. Never thought 2017 would bring so many tears. 'Enjoyed seeing Ismael at the Rec Center. He was always polite, respectful, and I liked seeing him when he came in and wishing him the best when he left. They had so much ahead of them. Devastated.' Anyone with information is asked to contact the Syracuse Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (315) 442-5222. Their deaths are the first and second homicides of the year for Syracuse. Kei'Choura Cathey (pictured) was arrested in July of 2015 in a home invasion case that left a victim shot through the head and stuffed in the trunk of a car A Tennessee woman charged in a brutal home invasion says she was denied access to an abortion while in jail awaiting trial, and is seeking $1.5 million in a civil rights suit after giving birth last April. Kei'Choura Cathey, 29, filed the suit against Maury County Sheriff Bucky Roland last month, the Tennessean reports. After discovering she was pregnant just weeks after being jailed on charges of armed robbery and conspiracy to commit murder, Cathey claims she asked Roland, through her lawyer, for access to medical assistance for an abortion. Roland, declined to provide transportation or funding for the procedure, telling Cathey that he would only assist in providing the abortion if it were "medically necessary to save the mother's life or the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest," the suit claims. Most U.S. courts have recognized a prisoner's right to access abortion services, though questions over who should pay and whether a court order is required remain legally fuzzy. The Supreme Court has never ruled on the matter. Cathey was originally arrested in July of 2015, when a horrific robbery and murder plot left a victim near death. Cathey (pictured in a photo dated February 2016) was released on bond in January after six months in jail awaiting trial for assault and conspiracy to murder Maury County Sheriff Bucky Roland (pictured) declined to provide transportation or funding for Cathey's abortion while she was in custody, a new civil rights suit claims Cathey was in custody at the Maury County Jail in Tennessee (pictured) for the first two trimesters of her pregnancy Police responding to a home invasion call found Javontay Garrett, then 27, shot in the head and stuffed in a car trunk. Police said Cathey and two accomplices lured Garrett into a home in order to steal money and drugs, then shot him. Garrett survived the ordeal. Cathey was charged with especially aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit felony murder, according to WKRN. After discovering her pregnancy a few weeks after the arrest, Cathey spent her first two trimesters in the Maury County Jail. In January of 2016, Cathey managed to post bond, but by that time it was too late for an abortion procedure. The child was born in April. Sheriff Roland, who has yet to respond to the suit, is himself the son of a career criminal, and has an unusual connection to the jail he now oversees. In 1977, when Roland was 2 years old, his father, mother, grandmother, aunt and two uncles were among 42 inmates and visitors who died in a fire at the Maury County Jail, he told WSMV in a 2014 interview. Last year, Harvey read the wrong name at the show, which resulted in the woman who thought she won being decrowned live in stage The comments came just two weeks before he is set to host the Miss Universe pageant in the He then suggested a similar book for black women, whose response would be: 'That's one page too! You like Asian men? I dont even like Chinese food' , before bowing his head and saying in a clipped accent: 'No. Thank You' 'Excuse me, do you like Asian men?' he asked the Steve Harvey is under fire after airing a segment on his eponymous talk show during which he mocked the looks of Asian men. The actor and comedian was making fun of self-help books on the program Monday in light of the new year, including one entitled 'How to Date a White Woman: A Practical Guide for Asian Men.' As soon as he read the title and saw the book cover on the screen behind him, Harvey broke down in a fit of laughter that caused him to double over. Once he finally managed to collect himself after about five seconds, he looked at the audience and asked: 'Excuse me, do you like Asian men?' That was just a rhetorical question it seems however, as Harvey then said in a clipped accent while twice bowing his head: 'No. Thank You.' At that point the camera immediately panned to a woman in the audience who was seen loudly laughing, while the woman next to her had a more uncertain expression on her face. Scroll down for video Not so funny: Steve Harvey (above) mocked Asian men on his talk show Monday Doubled over: The host kicked off the segment by making fun of a book entitled 'How to Date a White Woman: A Practical Guide for Asian Men' Harvey's next bit was even more amusing he seemed to believe, as he revealed another possible book title to his audience: 'How to Date a Black Woman: A Practical Guide to Asian Men.' After he announced that title to the audience he paused for a quick beat before saying: 'That's one page too! You like Asian men? I dont even like Chinese food.' He paused once again at that point for a few seconds, then said: 'It dont stay with you no time. I dont eat what I cant pronounce.' That last line was followed by Harvey throwing his hands up in the air and breaking down in laughter. He then doubled over once again, and turned his back to the audience briefly as he continued to laugh. Many took to Twitter soon after to voice their how upset they were with Harvey's comments. Meanwhile, that segment and the subsequent outcry, come just two weeks before Harvey is set to host the Miss Universe pageant later this month. This year, the event will tale place in the Philippines, an island nation located in Southeast Asia that is home to reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach. Harvey and reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, who is from the Philippines Harvey hosted the event last year, during which he managed to deliver what might have been one of the most memorable pageant moments of all time. With just two contestants left in the competition, Harvey announced that the winner of the crown was Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez. As soon as he said those words Gutierrez broke down in tears while she was handed a giant bouquet of flowers and the crown was placed on her head. She then began to wave to the audience and blow kisses to the crowd, at which point Harvey started to speak. 'Folks, I have to apologize, ' said Harvey. 'The first runner-up is Colombia. Miss Universe 2015 is Miss Philippines.' That announcement was met with a sea of boos and hisses from the audience, whiel a confused Wurtzbach looked on in shock when she finally realized what was happening on stage. The crown was then taken off of Gutierrez's head and given to Wurtzbach. Despite that error, Harvey was still asked back for this year's event though, which will air on January 29 and once again be live. Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Areval (left), was crowned first, but then crown was then given to Wurtzbach (right) Harvey will also have to travel down to the Northern District of Texas Federal Court six days before that on January 23 in regards to a lawsuit filed by a former employer who is suing him for going on racist rants when he worked for him, 20 years ago. Radar Online uncovered court documents in the case, in which Joseph Cooper claims that Harvey once told his fans to 'spit on white people' and 'go assault old white women.' Cooper also recorded the comments, which Harvey said were taped during his early stand-up days when his humor was 'edgier.' Harvey also accused Cooper of trying to extort him for $5million with the recordings, which the former employee claims are 120 hours long. A Movie World rollercoaster will remain closed indefinitely as the theme park investigates a malfunction that left patrons dangling mid-air for almsot two hours. Twenty thrill seekers were left stranded at the top of the Arkham Asylum ride at the Gold Coast attraction on Wednesday afternoon after carriages became stuck. It took Movie World staff and firefighters more than an hour and a half in the 30C-plus heat to free them. Movie World general manager Greg Yong said a 'mechanical issue with the chain' had caused the rollercoaster to stop. Scroll down for video Movie World's Arkham Asylum rollercoaster will remain closed as the Gold Coast theme park investigates how a ride malfunction left 20 thrill seekers dangling mid-air for hours on Wednesday The patrons, who were mainly teenagers, were stranded in the 30C heat for more than an hour and a half before they were freed Mr Yong said the ride would remain closed while the company investigated the incident. 'We don't see it being closed for an extended period of time but I can't really tell you any more until we do a full analysis,' he said on Wednesday. 'These kind of mechanical issues are something that takes a little bit of time for us to investigate.' The incident comes less than three months after the Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy killed four patrons in October. The Arkham Asylum carriage became stuck shortly before midday and paramedics were called to a 'vertical rescue.' Movie World general manager Greg Yong confirmed the ride would stay closed until 'a full analysis' is complete Firefighters were called to the Oxfenford theme park just before midday, after being told they may have to stage a vertical rescue A fire truck exits Movie World after dozens of rollercoaster passengers were stranded mid-ride There are no reports of injuries. Trapped patrons are pictured Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Inspector Scott Beasley said those rescued were mostly teenagers - 19 of which were female and one was male. 16 of them were walked down, while the remaining four had to be lowered into a cherry picker, Inspector Beasley told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. All passengers were in 'good spirits', hydrated, and reassured they were safe, he said. At a press conference, Paul Young from Queensland Ambulance Service said those who'd been on the ride the longest were 'flushed' and 'hot' and were provided with bottles of water. No one had sore necks, Mr Young said, according to Nine News. 20 thrill-seekers at the Gold Coast's Movie World were stuck on a rollercoaster Emergency crews rescued the group of teen passengers from the Arkham Asylum rollercoaster A witness took photos of the 20 patrons trapped on the ride on Wednesday Patrons outside Movie World as passengers on the Arkham Asylum were evacuated Weatherzone reported the temperature was 30 degrees about the time the tourists became stuck at the Oxenford, Gold Coast, theme park. The ride reaches speeds of up to 85km/h, and goes 32 metres high, according to the Movie World website. Passengers wear a virtual reality mask throughout the ride, where they experience 'five stomach-churning inversions'. Late last year, after four people died on a ride at nearby Dreamworld, all Gold Coast theme parks underwent exhaustive safety audits. The group of revellers were rescued by firefighters who used a cherry picker to reach them Firefighters were called to the theme park just before midday on Wednesday Firefighters were told told they may have to stage a vertical rescue The entrance of the Arkham Asylum rollercoaster ride at Movie World on the Gold Coast (stock image) A group wait in line to go on one of the theme park's other rides on Wednesday The front entrance of Movie World on the Gold Coast (pictured) In November, the government said every ride at Movie World had been cleared and it said the park had 'robust' systems in place for all of its attractions. Movie World is not owned by the same company as Dreamworld. Roger Singh, principal solicitor at Sydney's Shine Lawyers, told Daily Mail Australia this could hurt the tourism industry at the Gold Coast. 'This could be another nail in the coffin for the leisure industry on the Gold Coast strip because of the dent in people's confidence in safety of the facilities,' said Mr Singh, who has dealt with accidents, trauma and compensation. 'It's absolutely vital and incumbent of the industry to make sure no stone is left unturned and [they are] keeping on top of the most stringent of safety standards. While people were still being rescued, Movie World Australia posted a photo to Twitter which some considered to be poor timing One social media user wrote: 'And THIS is why autotweets are a bad idea' 'It's early days to say as to what has caused this, but if it has been caused by some level of negligence then this adds to the sad state of affairs with respect to the leisure industry on the Gold Coast strip and will go potentially further and the confidence of the public. 'If it established that it occurred as some mismanage or malfunction then this would open leave open action to be taken,' he said. While people were still being rescued, Movie World Australia posted a photo to Twitter which some considered to be poor timing. 'Tag someone that you think should add these to their New Year's resolutions!' Movie World wrote, about 2pm NSW time (1pm QLD time) on Wednesday. The tweet included an image of the Superman Escapes ride. One social media user wrote: 'And THIS is why autotweets are a bad idea.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Movie World. Four people were killed in a tragedy at Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride in October Young girls are pictured walking through a floral tribute outside Dreamworld theme park after the October tragedy Stock images of the Arkham Asylum rollercoaster, which goes upside down, are pictured Thousands of holiday plans are in turmoil as the Tigerair stoush drags into a second day, with further flights between Australia and Bali cancelled. Flights between Denpasar and Melbourne, Perth or Adelaide have all been cancelled on Thursday and early Friday morning, leaving holidaymakers stranded in Bali. Tigerair claimed a new 'administrative change' imposed by the Indonesian government forced the immediate flight suspensions. But a spokesperson for the Indonesian transport ministry said the airline had breached its licence over ticketing arrangements, and claims the airline should not be issuing one-way tickets. A father took his three children to the airport on Thursday morning and was told their flight to Bali was cancelled Travellers are pictured at Melbourne Airport on Thursday morning Tigerair Australia sent out text messages to affected passengers Ticketing should be controlled by its parent company, Virgin Australia, a statement from the ministry provided to ABC said. FURTHER TIGERAIR FLIGHTS CANCELLED TT1 MEL-DPS Dep: 9:15am / Arr: 12:25pm, 12 January TT24 DPS-PER Dep: 1:30pm / Arr: 5:15pm, 12 January TT25 PER-DPS Dep: 9:25am / Arr: 1:10pm, 12 January TT16 DPS-ADL Dep: 1:55pm / Arr: 9:25pm, 12 January TT19 PER-DPS Dep: 7:25pm / Arr: 11:10pm, 12 January TT2 DPS-MEL Dep: 12:01am / Arr: 8:40am, 13 January Advertisement '[Tigerair] did not meet the rule for chartered flights,' spokesman, Agoes Soebagio, said. 'They should not sell tickets in the territories of Indonesia.' Tigerair had claimed the airline complied by all regulations until the government imposed an 'administrative change' which caused the immediate flight suspensions. 'Tigerair was and is in compliance with all original conditions imposed by the Indonesian Government on the operation of its Bali services,' the airline said in a statement. 'Tigerair is working with the relevant Indonesian authorities to meet the new requirements as soon as possible.' But Indonesian aviation expert Gerry Soegatman said Tiger would have already known about the regulation or was given bad advice, he told ABC. It's understood the issue is not safety related. A newlywed couple were supposed to be jet-setting off on their honeymoon, and received a text at 4am to say the flight was cancelled Travellers line up at an information desk at Melbourne Airport on Thursday A Jetstar statement said an 'administrative change' grounded the flights A father told Nine Network he took his three children to the airport on Thursday morning, only to discover the flight had been cancelled. A newlywed couple were supposed to be jet-setting off on their honeymoon, and received a text at 4am to say the flight was cancelled. The couple have spent an extra $1,600 on other flights and will arrive 10 hours later than planned. Virgin will operate two flights from Bali on Thursday in order to bring as many affected customers back to Australia as possible. Remaining flights to and from Bali on Friday are currently under review. Customers currently in Australia who are affected by the cancellation of Thursday's Tigerair services will be offered a full refund. However, some have complained on Facebook they have been told the refund could take up to one month. Tigerair flights between Denpasar and Melbourne, Perth or Adelaide have been suspended on Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday morning (stock image) Passengers on suspended services will be contacted directly by Tigerair. All other Tigerair flights remain unaffected. The turmoil has left many travellers outraged as they were forced to change or cancel holiday plans at the last minute. Britt Walker, 22, was outraged after her week-long trip to Bali with her mum was cancelled. She had been due to fly from Melbourne to Denspar on Wednesday but was notified of the cancellation just five hours before the plane was due to depart. 'Basically we received a text message with no real explanation,' Ms Walker told Daily Mail Australia. Britt Walker, 22, was outraged after her week-long girls trip to Bali with her mum was cancelled on Wednesday The Indonesian government has imposed new administrative requirements for the operation of its flights between Bali and Australia 'Customer service wasn't open for an hour after we got the text, and when we did get onto them, they didn't really know what was happening.' The 22-year-old said this cancellation was the second time time her flight to Bali was cancelled. 'We were booked to go to Bali with AirAsia in September last year but they also cancelled. We re-booked with Tiger for today and this was the result.' She say Tigerair offered to book her on another flight, but she instead chose to fly with another airline. 'We've been issued a refund, but have been told it will take two weeks to go back into our account,' the 22-year-old told Daily Mail Australia. 'No compensation for petrol costs, parking we had prepaid, loss of accommodation or anything else.' Passengers waiting for upcoming flights either from Australia or from Bali have now been left wonder whether their travel plans will actually go ahead There has been no timeline confirmed over how long flights will be grounded, but Tigerair say they are working with the Indonesian government to resolve the matter Many frustrated passengers took to social media trying to find out if their flights have been affected Five-minute altercation was live-streamed to Facebook and has 53,000 views Footage shows the teenage girls targeting another two passerbys at a bus stop The fight is believed to have happened in Blacktown, Sydney's west, on Tuesday A vicious fight on a Sydney bus between a group of teenage girls, believed to be only 13-years-old, has been live-streamed to Facebook. Shocking footage shows a group of six teenagers eating McDonald's at a bus stop in Blacktown, on Tuesday when they start yelling at two young girls walking past. After telling them they are 'dressed like s***' the groups begin arguing until the two girls eventually try and board a bus, but are pulled backwards by their hair. A vicious fight on a Sydney bus between a group of teenage girls, believed to be only 13-years-old, has been live-streamed to Facebook (pictured) A group of six teenagers eating McDonald's at a bus stop, believed to be in Blacktown, on Tuesday when they start yelling at two young girls walking past 'Look at these s**** walking by. Put some clothes on,' one of the teenagers can be heard yelling in the video when the two girls walk past the bus stop. 'Put some pajamas on and keep walking'. After a number of taunts are thrown at them, the two girls eventually stop and confront the six youths from a further down the station. They ask why the group are staring and filming and start to blow kisses toward the other teenagers when they are abused for their 'short shorts'. The group-of-six slowly approach the two girls and scream in their face until they decide to board a bus further down the platform. As they walk toward the bus, a teenage boy yells urges on his friend to 'hustle' them. 'She just said suck a d***. Are you going to take that?' he can be heard asking while laughing. 'Look at these s**** walking by. Put some clothes on,' one of the teenagers can be heard yelling in the video After a number of taunts are thrown at them, the two girls eventually stop and confront the six youths , blowing them kisses The two girls board the bus, but the other teenagers grab one by the hair and pull her backwards The two girls board the bus, but the other teenagers grab one by the hair and pull her backwards, launching a huge fight as shocked witnesses watch on. The bus driver attempts to close the doors, but is screamed at by one of the teenagers to open it so their friend can join the fight. The six teenagers eventually run to a nearby park from the bus laughing and saying: 'That's the way'. NSW police media confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they were investigating the incident. 'A review of the video and an investigation surrounding the circumstances is currently underway,' a spokesperson said. The entire fight was live-streamed by a teenage boy to Facebook and has been viewed more than 53,000 times since it was uploaded on Tuesday. The bus driver attempts to close the doors, but is screamed at by one of the teenagers to open it so their friend can join the fight Four children were rescued from a locked car in Sydney's west on Wednesday afternoon as heatwave conditions saw temperatures soar to 40.9 degrees. The children aged nine, eight, seven and six were allegedly left inside the car in a Bankstown carpark by a 44-year-old woman who has since been charged by police. The children were described as 'distressed but not injured' by police after witnesses rescued them from the hot car just after 3pm. A woman has been charged with leaving four children in a car on Canterbury Road in Sydney's west on Wednesday The children were allegedly rescued from the vehicle by witnesses and were described as 'distressed' Police were called to the parking lot on Canterbury Road but the woman had already left with the four children. She later turned herself in at Bankstown's police station. The woman was charged with leaving a child in a motor vehicle causing emotional distress. She will appear at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 22 February 2017. Advertisement Thousands of GP practices are closing their doors on weekday afternoons, while others take a three-hour lunch break every day, an investigation by the Daily Mail has found. Many anxious patients or parents with sick children who are unlucky enough to fall ill during these times have no choice but to go to already stretched A&E units. Yesterday a report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee said surgeries part-time hours were partly to blame for the crisis in hospitals. It highlighted how half of the 7,600 practices in England closed at least once during the normal working week, including a fifth that took one or two afternoons off. Some surgeries were also accused of gaming the system and claiming extra cash by staying open slightly later on just one evening a week. The reduced opening times of GP practices during normal working hours drastically limit the availability of appointments. Many patients with urgent concerns do not want to wait, so go to their nearest casualty unit where they can be seen far more quickly. Leading doctors and nurses say conditions in A&E are the worst they have ever experienced, and pressures are set to intensify over the next few days with a severe cold snap. The Mail yesterday visited surgeries in London, Birmingham, Derby, Plymouth, Bristol, Cambridge and Newcastle which had all closed for the afternoon. Our reporters encountered anxious patients hoping to see their GP who had no idea the doors would be locked. Many said it was extremely hard to get an appointment and several particularly parents admitted going to A&E instead. Under their NHS contract, GPs have to provide a service to patients between the core hours of 8am and 6.30pm. But surgeries do not necessarily have to be open during these times, as long as they tell patients to call the NHS 111 helpline or an out-of-hours provider. Earlier this week, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt tried to blame patients turning up with minor illnesses for the overcrowding in A&E Among the surgeries visited by the Mail was the Kingsway Medical Practice in Burnage, Manchester, which offers no appointments after 11am on a Wednesday. Edna Affleck, 81, a retired nurse, said: Ive had to wait for up to a month for an appointment so I try to avoid going and self-medicate instead. Another practice with limited opening hours is The Avenue Surgery in Brighton, which closes for three hours every lunchtime. Patient Chareen Edwards, 26, who has three children under five, said: If there is anything badly wrong with the kids I have to take them to the hospital and sit in A&E, which is totally wrong ... Ive complained to anyone who will listen but they dont pay any attention. Controversially, surgeries can receive an extra 8,200 of NHS funding a year if they open slightly longer for one evening a week. They are entitled to this even if they close for a long lunch or on a midweek afternoon. The River Place Health Centre in North London is closed on Wednesdays from 1pm. Christine Wheeler, 71, said: Its almost impossible to get an appointment ... Ive had to call 111 for GP issues and when I had a chest infection shortly after Christmas I had to spend two hours in A&E. David Morgan, 34, turned up at the nearby Highbury Grange Health Centre at around 1.30pm yesterday hoping to see a doctor about pain in his hand only to be told he was too late. He said: Its a real inconvenience to be honest. Id much prefer to see a GP face-to face than call 111. If it gets worse I am going to have to go to A&E later in the day. The Pavilion Surgery in Brighton closes between 11.45am and 2pm daily. A 68-year-old patient, who did not give their name, said: It seems like theyre never open ... it used to be you could see a doctor whenever you were ill. Now I think youd probably die before you saw your GP. The Ladybarn Group Practice in Withington, Manchester, is closed from 1pm on Wednesdays. Zoe Eagle, 26, a hairdresser and mother of a four-year-old, said: I had to take my daughter to A&E a year ago she had a really bad temperature and was coughing constantly. I couldnt get her in here. I dont like going but sometimes there is no other option. Earlier this week, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt tried to blame patients turning up with minor illnesses for the overcrowding in A&E. But campaigners pointed out that they had no choice when it was so difficult to see a GP. Yesterday a report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee said surgeries part-time hours were partly to blame for the crisis in hospitals (stock image) Katherine Murphy, of the Patients Association, said the limited hours were concerning. And shadow health minister Julie Cooper MP said it was glaringly obvious that the Government would not be able to recruit the 5,000 new GPs promised by 2020. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Associations GP committee, said: In a climate of inadequate funding and severe staff shortages, GPs are working flat out to keep up with the unprecedented demand. While some GP practices may close their front door during core hours for reasons such as staff training or lack of funding, as part of their contract they will still provide arrangements for patients to receive services. Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, added: While a practice may be temporarily closed to patients, it does not mean that care isnt being delivered GPs may still be using this time to conduct telephone or online consultations for patients, or by making home visits. The Mail contacted the surgeries and several of the local health trusts in charge but they would not provide comments. Thirty-four days and nights: thats how long people traveling to downtown Mexico City from the western municipality of Nezahualcoyotl spend trapped in their cars every year, according to mobility solutions firm Sin Trafico. Its a similar story of pain for people who live closer to the center with travel times three times longer during peak hour, the company says. Subsidized gas prices in the past have helped fuel Mexico City's love affair with the car. Jorge Nunez (EFE) More information La pesadilla del trafico en la urbe mas congestionada del mundo Last year, Mexicos capital was ranked the most-congested city in the world by traffic data analysts TomTom, and the result of this mobility crisis is lower quality of life, productivity losses, high levels of pollution and plenty of driver frustration. Then there is the lack of public transport in a city of six million cars, according to official figures a number that has doubled in the last 10 years. The traffic isnt the result of speed controls or sidewalks or fewer lanes because of public transport, says Roberto Remes who heads up the Public Space Authority in Mexico City. The reality is there are more and more cars. The traffic isnt the result of speed controls or sidewalks: there are just more cars Roberto Remes, Director of Mexico City Public Space Authority Adding to the problem is the citys disproportionate urban sprawl, says Bernardo Baranda, Director of Latin America for The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. While most people work in the area bounded by the key Reforma and Insurgentes avenues, which crisscross the city from east to west and north to south, respectively, they live much further out. This is the great tragedy; people who live a long way from work dont have access to quality public transport, adds Baranda. Residents on the outskirts use a car if they can afford it. If not, they are forced to spend up to 40% of their wages on getting to work, according to a study by Maria Eugenia Negrete with The College of Mexico. Driving has become a question of mental health and a way to improve quality of life. You cant ask people to leave their cars at home if there is no decent public transport, says Jesus Padilla, President of the Mexican Association for Transport and Mobility. Almost every time a child is born, Mexico City gets a new car and that is unsustainable. Meanwhile, policies designed to eliminate and reduce property rental or promote the construction of second homes, and until recently subsidies on gas prices, have also led to an increase in the use of cars in Mexico City. The great tragedy is people who live a long way from work dont have access to quality public transport Mobility expert, Bernardo Baranda Specialists say the only way forward is a bigger and better public transport network, although they recognize this is a tough sell. When public policies favor cars, there is no problem, but when you try and support pedestrians, there are more obstacles, says Remes. Under the so-called Rey Peaton (The Pedestrian is King) program, Mexico City is aiming to add 10 kilometers to its underground railway network every year, at a cost of 1 billion. Remes says the project will only go ahead if ticket prices are raised or new taxes imposed, but adds other cheaper options such as the metrobus bus network are both also necessary and viable. Eighty percent of public investment is destined for 20% of motor vehicles, while 70% of people are using public transport. We have to turn this pyramid on its head because we are on the wrong road to nowhere, warns Padilla. English version by George Mills. section but refrained from revealing if Loyalty was born naturally She welcomed her other three sons via LaQueena Hunter-Grover welcomed baby Loyalty Adonis on December 9 A Louisiana mother whose bump was so large friends thought she may have been carrying twins has given birth to a 14lb baby boy. LaQueena Hunter-Grover welcomed baby Loyalty Adonis, her fourth child, on December 9. Now a month old, he weighs just shy of 15lbs, is 2ft tall and is affectionately nicknamed 'the incredible hulk'. Too large for regular newborn Pampers, he wears diapers designed for babies aged three months and over. His 43-year-old mother from Des Allemands, Louisiana, told KTLA5 how throughout her pregnancy, friends and strangers assumed she must have been having more than one baby. 'People would come up to me and say, "Oh, I think thats twins or even triplets. 'Maybe theres another hiding behind one of the babies,"' she said. As doctors delivered the baby in December, Mrs Grover said her husband Leroy was astounded was their size of the newborn. Scroll down for video The baby was born weighing 14lbs and 1 ounce. He spent 27 days in the neonatal intensive care unit Loyalty, now a month old, weighs almost 15lbs and is two feet tall. His mother affectionately calls him 'big chunk' and 'the incredible hulk' As doctors delivered the baby in December, Mrs Grover said her husband Leroy was astounded was their size of the newborn 'Right when the doctor was taking him out, my husbands mouth literally just dropped. 'He was like, "Thats a big baby!"' When a nurse told her how heavy the baby was, she said she 'would have passed out' had she not already been lying down. Mrs Grover did not reveal whether she gave birth naturally. Her other three sons were born via Cesarean section and all weighed around 7lbs. Loyalty spend almost a month in the neonatal intensive care unit before being brought home. Announcing his birth last month, LaQueena joked that she had become a mother to a 'line backer', lovingly calling the newborn 'big chunk'. She told friends how he 'turns into the green man' when he's hungry, a reference to the cartoon character. Hull at first tried to pat her back, then turned her over for the Heimlich A Texas mother rescued her infant daughter, who was choking on veggie chips, in a terrifying moment that was captured on her nanny cam. Jennifer Hull, 34, was in the playroom with her one-year-old daughter Hollis and three-year-old Hatilynn when she heard her youngest gasping for air. The two girls had been playing with their dollhouse when Hollis began to choke on a chip and immediately ran to her mother for help. Scroll down for video Jennifer Hull, 34, saved her daughter from choking on a veggie chip in a harrowing rescue that was captured on the nanny camera at her Prosper, Texas home One-year-old Hollis immediately ran to her mother for help, and Hull turned Hollis around and performed the Heimlich maneuver. The chip immediately flew out of her mouth 'I immediately jumped into mommy mode when it happened,' Hull told ABC News. Hull began to hit Hollis on the back and asked Hatilynn to bring her baby sister some water. But when that didn't work, Hull remembered what she had been taught in the infant safety classes she took before her children were born. Hull turned Hollis around and performed the Heimlich maneuver. The chip immediately flew out of her daughter's throat. The stay-at-home mother revealed her husband cried for the rest of the night when he came home from work and saw the scary footage. 'He felt helpless as he watched the video,' she said. 'We were both so shocked at how scary it really was.' 'It's even scarier when we think of what the outcome could have been,' she added. Hull said she has a hard time talking about the experience, but that she decided to share her story to make other parents more aware. Hull cradled her daughter for comfort after the horrifying ordeal was over Hull had learned the Heimlich maneuver after taking infant safety classes before her two daughters were born Hull said she has a hard time talking about the experience, but that she decided to share her story to make other parents more aware The mother hopes it will encourage other parents to educate themselves about child safety before welcoming their own newborns. 'We sat through every class that our hospital gave,' she said. 'It's the least that you can do if you're going to bring a baby into the world.' But even with all that preparation, Hull said she still feels guilty Hollis even had to go through the traumatic experience at all. 'I just wished I could have noticed her when she first started to have trouble breathing,' she said. 'I wish I could have gotten to her sooner.' And Hull said no lessons prepared for the emotions she felt seeing her daughter in danger. 'It's different when it's your child, who's helpless and gasping for air,' she said. One Golden Retriever has proved why dogs are really a man's best friend. Bob, whose last name hasn't been released, was celebrating on New Year's Eve when he needed more firewood for his Michigan home. He quickly ran out of his home in pajamas and slippers to grab a piece of wood when he slipped and fell, breaking his neck, according to CBS News. It was late and his screams for help went unheard by his neighbors, but luckily his canine pal, Kelsey was there to take action. Bob (center right), whose last name hasn't been released, was celebrating on New Year's Eve when he needed more firewood. When he went outside he slipped and broke his neck. His Golden Retriever, Kelsey (left), came to his rescue and barked until help came 'I was screaming for help but my nearest neighbor is about a quarter mile away and it was 10.30pm, but my Kelsey came,' Bob told CBS News. Kelsey prevented Bob from becoming hypothermic by laying on top of him and licking his face and hands. She was there by his side as he laid in the snow paralyzed for nearly 20 hours. 'By morning my voice was gone and I couldn't yell for help, but Kelsey didn't stop barking,' Bob told the network. That night the temperature dropped to 24 degrees 'She kept me warm and alert. I knew I had to persevere through this and that it was my choice to stay alive,' Bob said, adding that Kelsey kept him awake until lost consciousness. Kelsey prevented Bob from becoming hypothermic by laying on top of him and licking his face and hands as he laid in the snow paralyzed for nearly 20 hours But Kelsey kept barking and the next day Bob's neighbor found him and called 911. By the time he was rushed to the McLaren Northern Michigan hospital he had developed hypothermia. Doctors told CBS that Bob's core body temperature was under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 'I was surprised to find out that I didn't have any frostbite,' Bob said. 'I am sure it was because of Kelsey's determination.' Neurosurgeon, Chaim Colen, performed spinal decompression surgery on Bob, who was 'surprised' that he didn't have frostbite. Bob told CBS that he's forever 'thankful for my two heroes'. 'Kelsey kept me warm, alert and never stopped barking for help. Dr Colen saved my life and ability to move.' Not for the first time, the Watergate complex in Washington DC was the scene of drama on Wednesday. Firefighters were called to the infamous building in the nation's capital about 1:30pm after it was reported a blaze broke out on the 13th floor. Social media users shared photographs of flames visibly coming from an empty apartment. Scroll down for video Firefighters were called to the Watergate complex in Washington DC on Wednesday. Pictured is smoke from the fire 'All of a sudden we look out the window and see a condo has caught fire in Watergate 700. DC FD is on the scene now,' Jocelyn Miller tweeted, while also sharing two pictures of the fire. 'Fire at the Watergate residential building,' Patrick Garrigan wrote when he posted a video of the blaze. DC Fire and Emergency Services provided an update on the fire at 1:42pm, tweeting: 'Working fire 700 block N. Hampshire Ave NW in the Watergate Complex. Fire 13th floor.' About 10 minutes later the account published a video showing firefighters racing into the complex to put out the blaze. Firefighters were called to the infamous hotel about 1:30pm on Wednesday. Pictured is a fire truck outside the complex DC Fire and Emergency Services provided an update on the fire at 1:42pm, tweeting: 'Working fire 700 block N. Hampshire Ave NW in the Watergate Complex. Fire 13th floor.' Pictured is a firefighter outside the building Then, at 2:10pm, DC Fire and EMS said it had been put out. 'Watergate fire extinguished. We are hard at work removing smoke from several floors. Searches are negative. Building evacuated,' a statement read. No injuries were reported after the fire. The building shot to political infamy after a break in at the Democratic National Committee office housed inside in 1972. The men who broke in were later connected to President Richard Nixon, and it was revealed they were attempting to steal documents and to wiretap phones. In August 1974, after his role in the scandal came to light, Nixon resigned. A fire truck was pictured near the entrance of the complex on Wednesday afternoon (left), while firefighters were also seen racing from the truck and into the building (right) This is the moment quick-thinking Chinese doctors used a phone light to help deliver a baby in a car after the mother went into labour outside the hospital. The woman was not able to make it into the hospital when she went into labour on January 8 in Zhongshan City, southern China's Guandong province reports Huanqiu, an affiliation with the People's Daily Online. The mother is making a swift recovery in hospital with her new baby. Good thinking: A light from a mobile phone was used to help deliver the baby on January 8 The woman had reached outside the hospital however the baby would not wait. According to reports, by the time medical staff reached the car, the baby was halfway out. He Fenjun, chief physician told reporters that someone told him about the woman outside and he hurried to the vehicle. The baby was delivered at 2.25am and transferred to the building He said that the baby's head had come out and its chest was exposed. The doctor then went in search of a pediatrician to help. Dr Pan Cong came over to the car and helped deliver the baby. Using mobile phones for light, the doctor was able to cut the umbilical cord and wrap the baby in blankets. The baby was born at 2.25am and was transferred to the pediatric department for further treatment while the mother was taken to the maternity ward for examination. People have been discussing the story on Chinese social media site Weibo. One user commented: 'The baby is so impatient that it wanted to come out earlier.' While another said: 'I wish that baby's future will be bright.' It traveled from Patagonian to Falkland across an ice bridge 16,000 years ago Further research found it resembled the jackal species from Africa and Eurasia When Charles Darwin stopped briefly at the Falkland Islands on the famous voyage of the Beagle, he ran into one of the great mysteries in animal evolution. The islands had just one native terrestrial mammal, which he confusingly described as a 'wolf-like fox'. It wasn't clear what the species was descended from, or how it had ended up in such a remote place, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest mainland. When Charles Darwin stopped briefly at the Falkland Islands on the famous voyage of the Beagle, he ran into one of the great mysteries in animal evolution. The islands had just one native terrestrial mammal, which he confusingly described as a 'wolf-like fox' THE FALKLAND WOLF Charles Darwin discovered a 'wolf-like fox' while investigating the Falkland Islands on the famous voyage of the Beagle. DNA testing in 2009 showed its closest living relative is the maned wolf of South America, which is actually neither a wolf nor a fox. By looking through the South American fossil record, scientists identified its direct ancestor as an extinct fox known as Dusicyon avus which was once found as far south as Patagonia. A 2013 study found Falklands wolf DNA split from its mainland ancestors about 16,000 years ago during the last ice age. This meant Dusicyon avus probably walked across an ice bridge from Patagonia to the Falklands, before evolving in complete isolation into the warrah. Advertisement The Falkland Islands wolf, known also as the warrah or Dusicyon australis, was hunted to extinction in the latter half of the 19th century. As such it was little studied. Darwin's visit, in the species' final decades, remains one of the only scientific observations of this poor animal. Scientists long thought that the extinct Falklands wolf was, as its name suggests, similar to a wolf. However, new research by colleagues and me published in the journal Mammal Review reveals that, in terms of skull shape and feeding habits, this mysterious 'wolf' was more like a jackal. The Falklands wolf had previously been linked to wolves, coyotes and domestic dogs, and scientists even named it Canis antarticus. It wasn't until 2009 that DNA analysis was used to prove its closest living relative is the maned wolf of South America, which is actually neither a wolf nor a fox. Nevertheless, this species of wild canid (the wider dog family) is characterised by unusually tall limbs, which make it very different from the rather sturdy Falklands wolf. So where did the Falklands wolf come from? By looking through the South American fossil record, scientists identified its direct ancestor as an extinct fox known as Dusicyon avus which was once found as far south as Patagonia. The Falklands wolf walked across an ice bridge from Patagonia (now Argentia), before evolving in complete isolation into the warrah. Thousands of years ago, Patagonia was only separated from the Falklands by a small passage of shallow sea that was frozen WHAT WAS THE ANIMAL LIKE? An expert from Liverpool John Moores University realised the Falklands wolf and Dusicyon avus most closely resembled the jackal species found in Africa and Eurasia. Shared features such as wide elongated muzzles, narrow cheekbones, large first lower molars and thick lower jaws, are typical of medium-sized opportunistic predators. As with jackals alive today, the Falklands wolf would have been an a unfussy eater, capable of scavenging or killing everything from small ground-nesting birds to marine mammals like seal pups. Jackal-like feeding habits may even have determined the fate of these 'wolves', as they would also have targeted sheep which were imported to the Falklands from the 1850s on wards. The Falkland Islands wolf is one of many species that, after colonising South America, quickly evolved features similar to distantly-related counterparts in the Old World. Advertisement A 2013 study found Falklands wolf DNA split from its mainland ancestors about 16,000 years ago during the last ice age. At that point, when sea levels were much lower, Patagonia was only separated from the Falklands by a small passage of shallow sea which would have frozen over at times. This meant Dusicyon avusprobably walked across an ice bridge to the Falklands, before evolving in complete isolation into the warrah. Mystery solved. So we now know where the warrah came from, but what was it actually like? I wanted to figure out its ecology, and that meant looking at its bones and comparing them to other canids and what we know about their behaviour. Researchers mapped out various landmarks, like its jaw, in a fossil of the creature found in South America. The team discovered that this animal resembles the jackal species found in Africa and Eurasia To do this, I worked with a team of LJMU colleagues, a paleontologist from Argentina, and curators at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London. We dug through the cupboards at the NHM and World Museum Liverpool to build a database of more than 120 digital images of representative skulls of living wild canid species, including rare specimens of Falklands wolf and its ancestor Dusicyon avus. We then mapped out various anatomical landmarks that would be present in each (the tip of the upper and lower jaw, say, or the relative position of upper and lower canines and molar teeth) and used this information to quantify the shape of all the wild canid skulls we investigated. This gave us directly comparable data which helps reveal similarities and differences between species. We realised the Falklands wolf and Dusicyon avus most closely resembled the jackal species found in Africa and Eurasia. Shared features such as wide elongated muzzles, narrow cheekbones, large first lower molars and thick lower jaws, are typical of medium-sized opportunistic predators. DARWINS 'WOLF-LIKE FOX' The Falkland Islands wolf (Dusicyon australis), is also known as the warrah and occasionally as the Falkland Islands dog. It was the only native land mammal of the Falkland Islands until it became extinct in 1876, making it the first known canid to have gone extinct in historical times. The first recorded sighting was by Captain John Strong in 1690. He took one, but during the voyage back to Europe it became frightened by the firing of the ship's cannon and jumped overboard. When Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1833 he found the species present on both West and East Falkland, and tame, but numbers were dwindling and he predicted that the animal would join the dodo among the extinct within 'a very few years.' Islanders hunted it for its fur, and were also concerned it would attack sheep. Advertisement As with jackals alive today, the Falklands wolf would have been an unfussy eater, capable of scavenging or killing everything from small ground-nesting birds to marine mammals like seal pups. Jackal-like feeding habits may even have determined the fate of these 'wolves', as they would also have targeted sheep which were imported to the Falklands from the 1850s onwards. The Falkland Islands wolf is one of many species that, after colonising South America, quickly evolved features similar to distantly-related counterparts in the Old World. The bush dog of South America is another. With its short muzzle and wide cheekbones, this small canid resembles in skull morphology the much larger African hunting dog and the Asiatic dhole. All three species hunt in packs and independently converged on the same head shape, which gives them an unusually strong bite and means they can grab hold of fleeing large prey like deer or capybara. South America represented an important 'laboratory' for the natural selection of modern canid species. The continent now has the world's richest diversity of dogs, wolves and their relatives. Elon Musk has dipped into the age-old adage, if you cant beat 'em, join 'em', advising that this is just what humans should do in order to prevent an eventual robot uprising. In a recent interview with Y Combinator, Musk explained that the best outcome between humankind and machines would be a collective lifestyle where we are the AI. Such a scenario would stamp out the possibility of an evil dictator AI, Musk said, allowing anyone who wants to take part to become an AI-human symbiote. Scroll down for video In a recent interview with Y Combinator, Musk explained that the best outcome between humankind and machines would be a collective lifestyle where we are the AI. DO WE LIVE IN A SIMULATION? Last summer, when asked at the Code Conference in southern California if the answer to the question of whether we are in a simulated computer game was 'yes', Elon Musk said the answer is 'probably'. Musk believes that computer game technology, particularly virtual reality, is already approaching a point that it is indistinguishable from reality. 'If you assume any rate of improvement at all, then the games will become indistinguishable from reality, just indistinguishable,' he said. 'Even if the speed of those advancements dropped by 1000, 'We are clearly on a trajectory to have games indistinguishable from reality, and there would be billions of there. 'It would seem to follow that the odds that we're in 'base reality' is one in billions', Mr Musk said. Advertisement Musk likened the situation to the cooperation of the limbic system and the cortex in the human brain. In the interview, he explained that these two systems the primitive brain that controls your instincts, and the thinking part, respectively work well together, and it would extremely unusual to find someone who wished to get rid of one of them. Building off of this, he told Y Combinator, I think if we can effectively merge with AI, like improving the neural link between the cortex and your digital extension of yourself, which already exists but just has a bandwidth issue, then effectively, you become an AI-human symbiote. This would also solve the control problem, he went on to explain, as it could become so widespread that anyone who wants it can have it. We dont have to worry about some evil dictator AI, Musk told Y Combinator, because we are the AI collectively. That seems like the best outcome I can think of. In November, Elon Musk predicted that the rise of machines in the workplace could soon mean job displacement and a universal basic income for humans. The billionaire explained that our options may be limited in the future as automation becomes the norm, and this could even leave people with more time to enjoy their lives. Musk said humans will eventually need to achieve symbiosis with digital super-intelligence in order to cope with the advancing world but, he warns doing this might be the toughest challenge of all. In an interview with CNBC, the CEO of Tesla, SolarCity, and SpaceX said certain jobs, like truck driving, may soon be lost to automated technologies. And with machines taking over the workforce, human income would shift as well, potentially necessitating universal payments from the government. Machines equipped with artificial intelligence are ever creeping into the workforce, and for humans, this could soon mean job displacement and a universal basic income, according to Elon Musk (pictured) There is a pretty good chance we end up with a universal basic income, or something like that, due to automation, Musk told CNBC. Im not sure what else one would do with this. 'I think that's what would happen. Musk went on to explain that some people may have plans to do more complex and more interesting things with these capabilities in the future. This will open the door for more leisure time, he said. And then we have to figure out how we integrate with a world in the future with advanced AI, Musk told CNBC, noting that this will likely be the toughest part. Models with the new self-driving capabilities will have eight cameras, rather than the four in the simpler autopilot vehicles, Musk revealed last month. This will provide 360 degree visibility around the car at up to 250 meters of range Ultimately, he said, it would need to be some kind of improved symbiosis with digital super-intelligence. The Tesla CEO pointed to the example of the potential future capabilities of semi-trailer trucks. One day, these trucks may not require drivers, and could instead operate autonomously while a human oversees an entire fleet. When a problem arises, the fleet operator could take over remotely. This comes just weeks after Musk revealed all Tesla cars moving forward will be equipped with full autonomous capability including the Model 3. He claims the technology will soon enable 'full autonomy all the way from LA to New York,' saying this would be achieved 'without the need for a single touch.' According to the firm, Model S and Model X vehicles with the new hardware are already in production. Musk says that, 'the foundation is laid for the safety level to be at least twice that of a person, or maybe better.' He notes, however, that it will take time to complete the validation of the software and go through the regulations before the true self-driving systems can be activated. A mysterious new video has emerged which conspiracy theorists believe may show a UFO in the sky over Italy. An unusual bright green spherical object, which changes shape and colour in the four minute video, was caught on camera in Salento this week. It is unclear what the object is, but the video is said to be completely genuine, untampered footage. Scroll down for video A mysterious new video has emerged which conspiracy theorists believe may show a UFO in the sky over Italy. An unusual bright green spherical object, which changes shape and colour in the four minute video, was caught on camera in Salento last night LINKS BETWEEN CONSPIRACY, NARCISSISM AND SELF-ESTEEM Over the course of three online-based studies, researchers at the University of Kent showed strong links between the belief in conspiracy theories and these psychological traits. The results showed that those people who rated highly on the narcissism scale and who had low self-esteem were more likely to be conspiracy believers. However, while low self-esteem, narcissism and belief in conspiracies are strongly linked, it is not clear that one - or a combination - causes the other. But it hints at an interesting new angle to the world of conspiracy and those who reinforce belief. Advertisement The video was posted on Facebook by Lucio Margiotta, a music teacher at the Music Academy of Salento, who saw the light in the sky at around 8pm local time. Mr Margiotta said: 'UFO sighting of 9/1/2017 at about 19.38 hours. I don't know what was and what it is to call it but it is very strange.' In the film, a bright white, spherical object can be seen in the sky, which appears to change shape, size and colour. At one point it turns a bright green colour, and becomes a ring, similar to a smoke ring. Finally, the ball splits into two, before quickly fading away. The video was shot on a smartphone at maximum (x8) zoom, and Mr Margiotta said that no filters or effects were applied. It is unclear what the object is, although the fact that it was filmed on a smartphone suggests that the rings may be a result of autofocus, distorting the image. Nigel Watson, author of the UFO Investigations Manual, told MailOnline: 'It is noteworthy that the distant light only turns into a halo when Lucio Margiotta zooms in on it, which suggests that the autofocus system of the camera is distorting the light to produce this unusual effect. 'It would be interesting to know if the witnesses saw this light turn into a halo, or whether they just saw a distant light.' In the comments on the Facebook video, others have suggested that the phenomenon may be Venus. Emy Negro said: 'was Venus ... the highest peak of visibility of this planet goes from 19:30 to 20:00 ... if there is little haze is more visible. 'The circle you saw was merely caused by the zoom of your camera...you were trying to focus and the image distorted.' But others were convinced that it was a sign of alien life, such as John Martin, who said: 'They visit me at my home on a regular basis. They are the sphere beings. 'If you speak to them as friends and wave, they often will respond with a bright flash.' While some are convinced that flying saucers exist, most sightings turn out to be man-made objects such as weather balloons or satellites, or down to natural phenomenon like ball lightening or meteors. In the film, a bright white, spherical object can be seen in the sky, which appears to change shape, size and colour A phishing scam is placing Netflix users' credit card and personal information at risk. The scam sends users an email, appearing to be from Netflix, which asks them to update their membership details. The email includes a link that shows a fake log-in page and asks them to input details such as payment information. The scam sends users an email, appearing to be from Netflix, which ask them to update their membership details. The email includes a link that shows a fake log-in page and asks them to input details such as payment information HOW TO SPOT SCAM EMAILS After being targeted by a separate phishing scam in December, Amazon provided some advice on how to spot fake email. Most companies will never ask for details such as a National Insurance Number or bank card pin. A common giveaway is poor grammar or spelling in the scam email. Users should also check the return address of the email, and the web address that the link sends you to. Netflix's help page says: ' Phishers will go to great lengths to try to hijack your account or steal your personal information. 'They may create fake websites that look like Netflix, or send official-looking (but fake) emails asking you for personal information. 'Netflix will never ask for any personal information in an email. 'This includes payment information, social security number or tax identification number, and your account password.' Advertisement Another page then appears requesting users to reveal their name, date of birth and address. That's all hackers need to access cash from user banks accounts. Once all the private details have been handed over, the scam redirects to the real Netflix page - which means many users are none the wiser. Security site, FireEye reported that the phishing websites were no longer active. Users are still being warned to avoid any suspicious emails asking for personal details that appear to be sent from Netflix. On its help page, Netflix said: 'Phishers will go to great lengths to try to hijack your account or steal your personal information. 'They may create fake websites that look like Netflix, or send official-looking (but fake) emails asking you for personal information. 'Netflix will never ask for any personal information in an email. This includes payment information, social security number or tax identification number, and your account password.' This isn't the first time that Netflix has been targeted by phishing scams. Last month a separate scam appeared that claimed Netflix subscriptions had been made on users' Apple ID accounts. Users were asked to enter their banking details and told they would receive a refund once they had done so. And in August, Netflix users were warned of an 'extremely convincing' scam email that asks customers to hand over personal details including credit card information. The Australian Communications and Media Authority [ACMA] detected the phishing scam this week and has urged users to delete the email with the subject line: 'Netflix Membership On Hold.' 'Attention Netflix users: A fake email is being circulated The link in the email takes you to a fake sign-in page almost identical to the real Netflix page,' ACMA said in a statement issued. Once all the private details have been handed over, the scam redirects to the real Netflix page - which means many users are none the wiser 'This is a scam targeting Australian and overseas Netflix users, aiming to steal your Netflix credentials. 'The fake sign-in page is extremely convincing and is a reminder that phishing scams aren't just about stealing your bank account detailsyou need to keep ALL your personal information, including all login details, safe and secure. 'If you receive an email, delete it immediately.' If you're worried that the website you're on is the real Netflix site, you can always type www.netflix.com directly into your web browser. Netflix added: 'If you get an email that looks suspiciously like a phishing attempt, please let us know by forwarding it to phishing@netflix.com.' It's the kind of idea you might dream up after one glass too many but this one has matured nicely. A young entrepreneur has developed a slim-line wine bottle which can be posted through letterboxes. It holds the same amount as a 750ml bottle but has been flattened and made longer so it can fit through a standard slot in a front door or postbox. Joe Revell, 29, of Garcon Wines, said he came up with the idea after listening to a friend complain about missing deliveries at home, when he was not there to open the door and sign for the bottles. The new bottles are made from hard glass-like plastic and are contained within protective cardboard boxes (pictured) which cushion the fall from the letterbox to the floor to ensure there are no breakages Currently, bottle deliveries are usually dropped off by a courier and someone needs to be at home to collect them. This often results in people missing deliveries and having to retrieve their order from a depot, which is no more efficient than picking a bottle up at the shop. The bottles are made from hard glass-like plastic and are packaged in cardboard boxes which cushion the fall from the letterbox to the floor. The bottle itself is 13.5in about 2in taller than a regular wine bottle but around half as thick. Garcon Wines is to become the UKs first subscription based wine by post service when it begins shipping in the spring. Club members can choose from a variety of subscriptions with daily, weekly or bi-weekly deliveries. Company co-founder Santiago Navarro said: I was well aware of the problems that exist with wine delivery, having previously owned an online wine company. The plastic wine bottles (pictured) have been flattened and made longer so they hold the regular level of 750ml (1.3 pints) Their thin size means the bottles can fit into a postbox and through a standard slot in a front door. The cardboard box is similar in shape and size to packaging that contact lenses are delivered in to customers We spent lots of time speaking with designers from around the world when eventually the eureka moment came to us. Since then we worked for a year and a half to get these bottles manufactured. There has never been anything like it before. The bottle feels very nice in your hand, with similar rigidity and clarity to a regular bottle. Mr Navarro will source wine from around the world and ship it to the UK in bulk, where it will be decanted into the bottles. Currently, bottles are dropped off by a courier, meaning someone needs to be at home to collect their purchase. This often results in people missing deliveries and having to retrieve their order from a depot Garcon Wines is to become the UK's first subscription based 'wine by post' service when they begin shipping in the spring, that will work out at under 10 ($12.13) a bottle The Spanish Supreme Courts prosecutors office wants a former Catalan government official to be barred from holding office for nine years over his role in organizing an informal independence vote on November 9, 2014. The regional poll had been expressly prohibited by Spains Constitutional Court, but it went ahead anyway with a majority of participants voting to break from Spain. Francesc Homs is now a deputy for the Catalan Democratic Party. EFE Prosecutors on Wednesday formally requested the initiation of trial proceedings against Francesc Homs, who was then head of the Catalan Presidency Department and the regional government spokesman. He is being charged with one count of serious disobedience and one count of prevaricacion administrativa, an abuse of office that occurs when a public official knowingly issues an unlawful order. Homs was fully aware that his actions were in violation of his duties to obey the decisions of the Constitutional Court Homs, who is currently a deputy for the Catalan Democratic Party (PdeCAT), heir to the old Convergence and Union (CiU), is not the only former official to face the law over the November 2014 poll. Artur Mas, then the regional premier, and two former top aides have also answered questions in court in connection with the case. The prosecutors brief says that Homs did not adopt the suspension of any of the acts or events being carried out with a view to holding said consultation, and which depended directly on the Presidency Department that he was heading. Instead, Homs is described as actively supporting the preparatory work for the non-binding vote. Homs argument Homs has argued that the Catalan regional government was no longer involved in the ballot after the Constitutional Court veto came into effect on November 4, and that it was then organized by volunteers. Prosecutors claim, however, that private companies tasked with the organization continued to operate after that time, carrying out work that included mass-mailing campaigns, the maintenance of websites dedicated to the vote, and IT tasks. Some of these actions included putting his departments legal experts at the service of the CTTI, the technology center that provided tech support for the poll. He also sent a letter to the head of T-Systems, a company tasked with creating the computer programs necessary to conduct the vote, assuring him that the Constitutional Courts ban did not affect them, and that they should carry on with their work. Homs was fully aware, particularly as the head of the Generalitats legal services, that his actions were in violation of his duties to obey the decisions of the Constitutional Court. The prosecutors brief comes two weeks after the judge in charge of the case, Andres Palomo, ended the preliminary investigation and concluded that there are grounds to charge Homs, who disobeyed the Constitutional Courts orders in an open, obstinate and pertinacious manner. English version by Susana Urra. Samsungs highly-anticipated Galaxy S8 smartphone could be released mid-April about a month later than the previous model. A new report from The Investor claims the release schedule has been confirmed, and could be set for the third week of that month. It comes amid a flurry of rumours surrounding the firms latest flagship model, with many speculating that it will ditch the home button in favour of fingerprint scanning. Scroll down for video A leaked image revealed last week is said to be of the Galaxy S8 with an end-to-end curved display. The home button and capacitive navigation keys are also missing, suggesting a fingerprint scanner is either on the back or embedded under the glass THE GALAXY S8 A new image of what could be the Samsung Galaxy S8 has surfaced on the web. The home button and capacitive navigation keys have also been removed from the front - allowing for an end-to-end curved screen. Some speculate that a fingerprint scanner could be on the backside of the phone or underneath the glass. Samsung could have also developed a full-screen mode that manually activates, which allows for an end-to-end screen. Other rumors suggest the firm is unveiling the phone next month at the at Mobile World Congress Advertisement Samsung Electronics has confirmed the release schedule has been set in mid-April, possibly in the third week, an industry source told The Investor. Some outlets have claimed that the exact date has been set for April 18. But, Samsung has not confirmed any of the rumours. We cannot confirm the details of the Galaxy S8 launch, a Samsung spokesperson said. According to the report, the firm is working toward a 60-million shipment goal much higher than some of its more recent Galaxy S devices. The report says Samsung will begin mass production of the S8 in March after receiving the parts from its main vendors in February, including camera iris scanner module maker Partron and camera lens firm Sekonix. As the release date of the S8 has been postponed to mid-April, Samsung seems to have set a more ambitious goal than before to make up for the loss caused by the Note model, a source told The Investor. A new photo revealed last week claims to show Samsungs what the S8 will look like. Posted to a Chinese blog, the leaked image believed to be of the Galaxy S8 shows a curved end-to-end display a feature many rumors have suspected. The home button and capacitive navigation keys are also missing, suggesting a fingerprint scanner is either on the back or embedded under the glass. Keeping with the previous rumors, the phone appears to have tossed out all of the on-screen buttons. The decision to remove the home button is a move to increase teh screen-to-bezel ration - unlike previous models like the Galaxy S7 (pictured) For many Samsung customers, the Galaxy S8 isnt just the firms next phone, but a chance for the smartphone maker to redeem themselves for the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. And although other rumors speculate the handset wont be out until February, it has been one of the most talked about devices for the past few months. Weibo shared the latest picture of the device, and unlike others, this image is not an artists impression. Keeping with the previous rumors, the phone appears to have tossed out all of the on-screen buttons, reports SamMobile. MORE GALAXY S8 RUMORS 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. Rumors suggest that pixels of the dual-cameras will support 16 megapixels and 8 megapixels. Another new addition to the Galaxy S8 could also be an upgraded Application process (AP) that corresponds to handset's brain. Sources say Samsung is going to start mas-producing 10-nano Snapdragon 830s, which will be used for Galaxy S8, at the end of this year at the earliest. The artist impression also shows the handset in four vibrant shades of red, blue, purple and yellow - another feature yet to be seen by Samsung users. Advertisement The decision to remove the home button is a move to increase the screen-to-bezel ration. However, because of these missing features SamMobile questions if the photo is a product of some Photoshop wizardy. Typically, when you head into settings, they dont automatically hide, reports Josh L. On the other hand, Samsung could have developed a full-screen mode that manually activates, which allows for an end-to-end screen. If this is in fact true, then users would simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen and the keys will appear. In addition to what the Galaxy S8 could look like, other rumors reveal Samsung is anticipating a high demand once the handset hits the market. 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 Unnamed sources told South Koreas Electronic Times that the firm has set an initial production target of 10 million Galaxy S8 smartphones, reports Reuters. Samsung is counting on the S8 to rejuvenate sales after it scrapped the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones last year in one of the biggest product safety failures in tech history however, they have yet to shed light on the cause of the exploding phones. While Samsung originally put the problem down to the battery manufacturing process, reports earlier this week claim there was a fault in the phone itself. The latest reports say the fires were caused by an 'aggressive' design flaw that squeezed the phone's battery pack to dangerous pressure levels. Researchers have discovered that white rhinos can communicate key information to each other using poop. Their dung contains chemicals that can inform other white rhinos about their age, sex, territory and even whether a female is in heat. The researchers collected dung samples from white rhinos in South Africa's Hluhluew-Imfolozi Park and found that the rhinos use communal defecation sites so that all rhinos in their social group can read the signals. Scroll down for video The researchers collected 150 dung odor samples from free-ranging white rhinos and then analyzed the chemicals in the dung HOW THEY DID THE STUDY Researchers collected 150 dung odor samples from free-ranging white rhinos in South Africa's Hluhluew-Imfolozi Park. They collected samples from males and females, who varied in age, territorial state and breeding state. They isolated the chemicals in the dung samples. Each sample was from a different rhino, which they identified by recording variations in horn shape, skin folds and other characteristics. They then analyzed the chemicals in the dung using a method called Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. They artificially created three dung odors: one representing a territorial male, one representing a female in heat and one neutral smell. They exposed male rhinos to these odors. They observed the rhinos for three days after exposure. Advertisement Rhinos can't see well, so they depend on their sense of smell. Their communal defecation grounds, called middens, could play an important role in acting as a communication hub for social groups of rhinos. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, identified specific chemicals in the dung that informed other rhinos about each other. The chemicals that give off the smells in dung are called volatile organic (VOC's). To test the effects of the specific chemicals, researchers artificially created three dung odors: one representing a territorial male, one representing a female in heat and one neutral smell. They exposed male rhinos to these different odors and observed the rhinos for three days after exposure. To do the study, researchers collected 150 dung odor samples from free-ranging white rhinos in South Africa's Hluhluew-Imfolozi Park. They collected samples from males and females, who varied in age, territorial state and breeding state and isolated the chemicals in the dung samples. Territorial male white rhinos are solitary and exhibit marking behaviors, including spray urination and dung kicking, and male rhinos showing these behaviors were classified as being territorial Each sample was from a different rhino, which they identified by recording variations in horn shape, skin folds and other characteristics. They then analyzed the chemicals in the dung using a method called Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. They classified the white rhinos using knowledge about their behavior. Territorial male white rhinos are solitary and exhibit marking behaviors, including spray urination and dung kicking, and male rhinos showing these behaviors were classified as being territorial. They identified females in heat by observing the behavioral reactions of adult males. For white rhinos, there is a consort period where a territorial male moves with a female in heat for several days. New photos of China's latest secret stealth submarine have emerged - and it is believed could soon carry missiles powerful enough to reach America. The 'Jin' Type 094A has a large 'hump' concealing 12 submarine-launched ballistic missiles known as 'big waves', with a range of over 11,000km. It is believed the secret sub has been given a major overhaul since it was last spotted. Scroll down for video The Type 094A, China's newest nuclear missile submarine, is currently based at Hainan Island, in the underground submarine base at Yulin. The new variant has a curved tower and front, making it more aerodynamic underwater. According to Popular Science, the sub, seen in the image at Hainan Island, in the underground submarine base at Yulin, is a new version of China's Type 084A sub, four of which have been seen before. The new variant has a curved tower and front, making it more aerodynamic underwater. The JL-2C missile, a longer ranged variants of China's existing missiles, which boasts multiple nuclear warheads with global reach According to PopSci, 'The Type 094A's conning tower has also removed its windows. Additionally, the Type 094A has a retractable towed array sonar (TAS) mounted on the top of its upper tailfin, which would make it easier for the craft to 'listen' for threats and avoid them.' Crucially, it boasts a bigger missile payload bay, and is believed to carry new 'big wave' missiles. A big hump: The old (bottom) and new (top) Type 094A (top). The newer version has a larger 'hump' to accommodate more missiles. Officially known as the JL-2A, it has a 11,200-kilometer range. This means it could reach almost the entire US from its home base. Longer ranged versions, like the JL-2C variant, can carry multiple nuclear warheads with global reach. According to a recent Congressional report, Chinese subs are already patrolling with nuclear-armed JL-2 missiles able to strike targets more than 4,500 nautical miles. China's submarine fleet The Chinese are currently working on a new, modernized SSBN platform as well as a long-range missile, the JL-3, the commission claimed. Earlier this year the Chinese navy released a rare photo of the Type 093B 'Shang' submarine, which can launch missiles vertically at ships and other targets overhead. This model improves upon the capabilities of earlier nuclear attack submarines, and is expected to be quieter and faster. According to the Popular Science blog Eastern Arsenal, this reveal marks an extremely rare event. It's thought that there were three Type 093B SSNs launched last year. These were preceded by two Type 093 SSNs, which were launched 15 years ago. Though they were intended to be stealthy, the Type 093s were equipped with noisy reactors and propulsion systems, the blog explains, and this was only worsened as they climbed to higher speeds. China's new nuclear attack submarine is among the military's most secretive platforms and the world has just been given its first glimpse. The Chinese navy has released a rare photo of the Type 093B 'Shang' submarine THE TYPE 093 The Type 093B SSN is a nuclear attack submarine. It's expected to be quieter and faster than earlier models, and is equipped with a vertical launch system. This makes for quicker launches, and larger size of the cells means it can support UACs or underwater robots. Advertisement In the new version, the submarine uses more advanced metallurgy and reactor resigns to reduce noise to an estimate stealthiness between the USN Los Angeles Flight I and Flight III SSNs. Little is disclosed regarding the stealth and performance given the view of the photo, but the article points out numerous other 'noticeable improvements.' This includes a vertical launch system battery, which has been installed behind the conning tower. A vertical system will make for faster launches, and the cells are larger and thus better suited for the launch of underwater robots or UAVS. But, the submarine will still have cruise missiles, which are shot from a torpedo tube. In the photo, sailors can be seen loading a missile canister into the tube. Submarines can fire missile canisters from their torpedo tubes, which break open to launch the missile inside. In the photo, sailors can be seen loading a missile canister into the tube Along with this, the 093B has a flared base, a feature that's seen similarly in modern attack submarines. This may contain sensors, the blog explains, and installation mounts on the sides of the hull indicate there will be side-mounted active sonar to look for warships and submarines. Recent improvements in the underwater force show China is beginning to catch up to other powers at sea, including the US and Japan. The country is already working on another nuclear attack submarine, the Type 095, which could launch before 2020. Most restaurants dont have rules that extend beyond no smoking or no jeans. But at Nihonryori Ryugin, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo, the list of rules is actually bigger than the menu. They include no shorts, no mobile phones and even perfume is banned. Is this a little over the top? MailOnlines etiquette expert William Hanson firmly believes it isnt and here he explains why Ryugin is his sort of restaurant, despite the huge number of edicts. At Nihonryori Ryugin, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo, the list of rules is actually bigger than the menu There are so many that diners must actually invest quite a bit of time going over them in order to be absolutely certain that they want to book a table there. Some of the rules are fairly standard for a posh eatery. Guests need to dress in a semi-formal manner, the restaurants website explains: T-shirts are not allowed for both men and women. Short pants and sandals are not allowed for men. Diners arent allowed to bring their own wine, either. So far, so standard. But then things become more regimented. Cancel a table on the day and youll be charged 20,000 yen (141 or $172). And that amount is charged for every guest that doesnt turn up. Please note and understand this condition, the restaurants website says. Mobile phones? Keep them out of sight. And the restaurant doesnt like SLR cameras being used for the purpose of snapping the dishes. Because guests might drop them and damage the tables, leading to tears at our restaurant. The website explains: Frequent accidents have occurred during meals caused by SLR cameras, cameras with long straps, and mobile phones. The rules may be regimental at Ryugin, but the food (pictured) is exquisite The "antique" tableware has been handled carefully and respectfully over hundreds of years without being damaged until this day and they are very valuable to us. Accidentally dropping the camera and ending the life of the tableware so soon will bring tears at our restaurant. The tableware is living history of the craftsman who made them and are irreplaceable treasures of the restaurant.' Leaving the table to smoke isnt allowed, either. Because it interferes with the preparation of the dishes. Perfume and eau de cologne? Not allowed. Because they will compromise the experience. Meawhile, guests who cant eat fish, vegetables, seafood-based stock or hate soy sauce or miso are asked not to book a table. Plus, children under 10 are banned, along with sandals and T-shirts. At Ryugin (pictured) taking photographs of the food is strongly discouraged - over fears that guests might drop their cameras and damage the antique tableware William Hanson (pictured) fully approves of Ryugin's rules And the restaurant, which is officially the 31st-best in the world, doesn't like guests meeting each other outside. It would much rather they came in to the waiting room - a tea room that also serves alcohol. Too much? Maybe for some. But etiquette expert William Hanson is all for it. He told MailOnline Travel: This is my sort of restaurant. Diners have become too slapdash and ego-driven when it comes to restaurants today, thinking that just because they are paying they can call the shots. Just eat the food, chat to your dinner companions, pay and leave. Part of the bargain when dining out is that you follow the rules and expectations of that particular venue. If you dont like the rules, dont dine there. That adage works perfectly in this instance. More restaurants should seize the initiative to set the ground rules and not worry it may drive away business. 'It should give them a good and solid customer based, getting rid of the wheat from the chaff.' He added: If/when I open a restaurant Ill be demanding my clients hold their knife and fork properly, or else they are escorted from the premises. Young British Foodies Chef of the Year, Adam Rawson, said that he fully respected the restaurant's rules, but warned that too many can dampen the experience. He told MailOnline Travel: 'I agree that there needs to be a certain level of behaviour when you dine at a three-star restaurant, but as you sit down you would normally get the vibe of the restaurant so naturally wouldn't be throwing your arms around and dropping cameras, or nipping out for 10 fags during the meal. 'I'd always respect the restaurant and the chef if the food was amazing and for what they achieve, but if there are too many rules, I'd feel a bit trapped and I wouldn't appreciate the experience as much. Eating out for me needs to be fun and memorable, not only the food, but the full experience.' An air steward has become an internet star after a video emerged of him giving a hilarious pre-flight announcement on board a plane. The man - Adrian Thomas - cracked jokes during the safety demonstration to the delight of his giggling passengers. The former flight attendant, who now works in the motor industry, was in the announcer seat when he was filmed back in 2013. Scroll down for video An air steward (pictured) has become an internet star after a video emerged of him giving a hilarious pre-flight announcement on board a plane The former flight attendant (left), who now works in the motor industry, was in the announcer seat when he was filmed back in 2013. But the hilarious video was only released this week and has already gone viral with over 90,000 shares already But the hilarious video was only released this week and has already gone viral, being viewed and shared more than 90,000 times already, with the number rising by the hour. In the footage, he can be heard giving a very tongue-in-cheek safety announcement for an internal South African flight, bound for Cape Town. He is heard saying: 'If you don't know the person sitting next to you, say hello quickly. You never know, you might get lucky in Cape Town when we land.' During the safety briefing he adlibs his own jokes. In the footage, Thomas can be heard giving a very tongue-in-cheek safety announcement for an internal South African flight, bound for Cape Town He says: 'If the sign comes on, this is known as the brace position. This is when we all kiss goodbye to our asses.' Passengers can be heard laughing loudly during the speech, with his former colleagues now coming out to say this was not a one off and in actual fact, the joker was well-known for raising a smile in the cabin. One, named Aziza Bassa, said: 'Adrian Thomas we miss u man! Come back to this.' Another commented on how the flight service, Kulula, regularly makes flying fun for passengers. Emily T. Fernandez said: 'Kulula has the best inflight announcements. The one time we landed in Cape Town they said 'Welcome to Mauritius'!' A tiny Welsh beach has been named one of the best in the world - beating the legendary sands of Copacabana in Rio and Bondi in Sydney. The picturesque Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire beat a string of luxury travel destinations to earn a place in the top 25. Judges at Passport Magazine described the remote bay, which drops down from jagged cliffs, as a 'visual overdose of beauty'. The picturesque Welsh beach of Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, pictured, beat a string of luxury travel destinations to earn a place in a new list of the world's 25 best beaches It was one of only two British beaches on the list - along with Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire. And both beaches were chosen ahead of five-star destinations in the Caribbean, the French Riveria and the Costa Del Sol. The travel magazine said: 'Barafundle Bay, part of southwest Wales' Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, is a revelation - all the more so for the process of arriving there. 'As you approach by car, rolling countryside turns more dramatic, sheer and craggy cliffs dropping precipitously to the sea.' L'Espiguette Beach in Aigues-Mortes (pictured), France, won the top prize Judges added: 'Ascending, the dirt track disappears and you're in open green fields, the pastures backed by rolling hills and the shimmering bay below, ringed by rocky cliffs. 'It's a luxuriant curve of sand, topped by dunes and grasses on hills that make it feel immensely private. 'The long stretch of cliff known as Stackpole Head sticks straight into the sea like an arm. A little boulder sits jauntily offshore. 'The waves crash against the smooth sand. Your company here? Twelve people, four dogs, and a visual overdose of beauty.' The only other British beach to make the list was Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire, pictured The magazine also heaped praise on Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire, although admitting: 'With its chilly waters and often-cloudy skies, this is not a beach for swimming and tanning.' It added: 'Rather, it's a photographer's and scenery-gulper's delight: the centuries-old houses and byways of the village rising behind, the craggy coast filled with Jurassic fossils and roiling gray waters, the beachcombing and strolling. 'Walking on the beach here is like stepping into the history and pre-history books, or, more appropriately, the ancient legends combined with some modern-day pirate stories from this isolated smuggler's cove.' They enjoyed a brief trip home to Australia over the Christmas period, before heading to Miami in the US. And over the past few days, Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone, 41, and his actress wife Lindsay Price, 40, have enjoyed a short trip to Cuba. The couple - who are based in Los Angeles - have shared a number of images with their fans on Instagram, with Lindsay posting a montage clip as they left on Wednesday, writing: 'Adios Havana!' Scroll down for video 'Adios Havana!' Over the past few days, Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone, 41, and his actress wife Lindsay Price, 40, have enjoyed a short trip to Cuba 'We will never forget you. #imcominghome,' Lindsay added. The pair can be seen cosying up together as they dined out. They also enjoyed a cruise around town in a number of vintage cars, which Cuba is known for. 'First time's a charm': On their last night, Curtis shared online a shot of Lindsay puffing on a cigar On their last night, Curtis shared online a shot of Lindsay puffing on a cigar. In the snap, Lindsay stuns in a white top and red lipstick. He clearly enjoyed the moment, saying 'When in Rome!!!! I mean Havana!!!! That's it's @lindsayjprice first times a charm (sic)'. Relaxing: The couple are seen here enjoying a refreshing drink in a cafe They appeared to holiday with friends, with Curtis posting a group shot of himself with Lindsay and another couple, in a convertible car. It's believed the pair were in Cuba - where the Kardashian family recently visited for the first time - for just four days. Cuba is in the Caribbean and is a communist nation. Just cruising: They appeared to holiday with friends, with Curtis posting a group shot of himself with Lindsay and another couple, in a convertible car Whirlwind: It's believed the pair were in Cuba - where the Kardashian family recently visited for the first time - for just four days A new experience: Cuba is in the Caribbean and is a communist nation Before this, Lindsay and Curtis took their two young children, sons Hudson, five, and Emerson, two, to Australia to spend it with Curtis' family in Melbourne. The My Kitchen Rules star has been married to Lipstick Jungle actress Lindsay since 2013. Last year, Curtis told The Daily Telegraph that he'd like to relocate to Australia with his young brood. 'I want my kids to be little Aussie kids as much as they're little American kids, it's important for them to spend time at home,' Curtis said. 'I have no imminent plans, but one day I'd love to,' he added. She's traveled around the world by plane, train and automobile for her bikini blog. But Australian beauty Natasha Oakley has said her favourite moment on her current Caribbean holiday has been horse riding on a beach. The busty blonde bombshell took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a shot of herself sitting on a white horse in a tiny black bikini, gazing across the seas from a beach on the idyllic island of Anguilla. Scroll down for video 'My favourite moment': Blonde bombshell Natasha Oakley shared to Instagram on Wednesday, a shot of herself sitting on a white horse in a tiny black bikini, while in Anguilla In one snap, she sits on the horse and gazes off camera into the distance, putting her ample cleavage on display. She shows off a golden holiday tan and has her long locks out in loose tousled curls. In another image, she poses with the horse as she leads it through the shallows, wearing a black and white striped mini dress. One can only dream! In another image, she poses with the horse as walks and leads it on the shore, wearing a black and white striped mini dress Natasha wrote in part of her caption: 'Loving every moment in Anguilla but this one is definitely favorite. Hanging out on the beach with Indie,' she said, referring to the horse. She also shared online a short Instagram Story video where she joins boyfriend Gilles Souteyrand for a dip in the beach. The model and personal trainer also shared online a snap of himself horse riding. The duo - alongside Natasha's best friend and business partner Devin Brugman and others - have been staying at the tropical paradise for the past few days. Romantic escape: Natasha is in the island paradise with boyfriend Gilles Souteyrand and best friend and business partner Devin Brugman and friends Another day in the life! Gilles also shared online a snap of himself going horse riding on the beach They've also enjoyed boating, with Natasha and Devin jumping from the yacht with a friend in one social media snap. Natasha captioned it: 'Do something everyday that scares you.' Natasha recently shocked fans by revealing that she airbrushes her social media snaps, most of which picture the bronzed beach-bunny posing provocatively in barely-there swimwear. 'I think that everyone is doing that (retouching) because of what they see in the media,' she told The Daily Telegraph. 'Do something everyday that scares you': They've also enjoyed boating, with Natasha and Devin jumping from the yacht with a friend in one social media snap 'I think with the general population are just trying to follow exactly what they see with pictures being edited'. She also admitted that she feels pressure to look good all the time but is adamant her aim to look good is more for herself than anyone else. 'I feel it - I'm a human and a natural curvy woman!' Shannen Doherty shared a sleepy snapshot taken by her husband Kurt Iswarienko, and posted to her social media account on Tuesday. 'Sometimes you just need a shoulder to crash on,' she captioned the photo, including her signature battle cry with the hashtag 'onetiredcancerslayer.' But the actor, 45, wasn't the only one who got caught sneaking a catnap after she reached a treatment milestone on Friday. Scroll down for video 'One tired cancer slayer!': Shannen Doherty shared a sleepy snapshot taken by her husband Kurt Iswarienko, and posted to her social media account on Tuesday Caught on camera! The 90210 star quietly recorded a video of her man snoozing beside her in the backseat of a car while the two were heading home from a night out The 90210 star quietly recorded a video of her man snoozing beside her in the backseat of a car while the two were heading home from a night out. 'Date night,' Doherty started the caption to the video, which she shared on Saturday. 'He fell asleep.' Iswarienko awoke briefly to his wife leaning toward his chest and he let out a little laugh as she giggled and looked at him lovingly. Earlier on Saturday, the Charmed actor celebrated reaching a milestone in her battle against cancer by getting her hair done at her favorite salon, after taking charge of her hair loss by publicly documenting the shaving of her head in a six-part social media post in July. The star shaped things up and went a little darker with the help of her hair stylist, Anh Co Tran, and colorist, Johnny Ramirez from the Ramirez Tran Salon in Beverly Hills. The occassion for this particular beauty parlor visit was Doherty's completion of an aggressive round of radiation treatment on Friday. 'Cancer slayer!': Shannen Doherty relished in the silver lining of her final radiation treatment with a photo of her hair stylist Anh Co Tran (L) and colorist Johnny Ramirez (R) that she posted to social media on Saturday Doherty had been required to undergo almost daily radiation sessions since mid-November. The beginning of that portion of her medical care was marked by a computed tomography (CT) scan on November 18 that resulted in her tearful, emotional breakdown. The Mallrats actor was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Doctors' recent revelation that the illness had spread beyond her lymph nodes led to the realization that radiation would be necessary, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Brynne Edelsten certainly knows how to make an entrance, and even her court date in Melbourne on Wednesday was no exception. The 33-year-old wore tummy-baring midriff top that showed off her stomach to attend a divorce settlement hearing with ex-husband, Geoffrey Edelsten. She paired the revealing outfit with a black jacket and skintight blue skirt, while her often flamboyant ex donned a more court suitable, boxy black suit. Scroll down for video Is that really appropriate? Brynne Edelsten wore a tummy-baring midriff top that showed off her stomach to attend a divorce settlement hearing with ex-husband, Geoffrey Edelsten in Melbourne on Wednesday Still at it: The former partners are still nutting out the details of their financial settlement over 21 months after their divorce was finalised in April 2015 Flashing: Brynne seemed to try and cover up her tummy on the way into the court room The former partners are still nutting out the details of their financial settlement over 21 months after their divorce was finalised in April 2015. In October 2015, the socialite complained that Geoff was dragging his feet on her monetary agreement. In an interview published by The Daily Telegraph, the former reality TV star took a stab at her ex hubby, saying: 'With Geoffrey everything takes so long'. Turns out she had to wait a lot longer than she thought, with Geoff marrying and divorcing a second woman, Gabi Grecko, 27, before settling his divorce with Brynne. In June 2015, Brynne told Kyle & Jackie O during a KIIS 1065 radio interview that she hoped for a large monetary settlement, but had heard that her ex was skint. 'From what I hear, he's bankrupt,' she told the radio hosts, but added that she suspected he might surprise her. Cashed up? Kyle & Jackie O that she hoped for a large monetary settlement but had heard that her ex hubby was skint 'We haven't settled yet, we're divorced legally but we haven't reached an agreement yet. But you never know with Geoff,' she said. She added: 'Geoff has so many secrets and hides so many things, so you never know what's true or not true, so I have no idea where he stands.' Suited up: Brynne's often flamboyant ex donned a more court suitable, boxy black suit Still at it: In an interview published by The Daily Telegraph , the former reality TV star took a stab at her ex hubby, saying: 'With Geoffrey everything takes so long' Did it go her way? Brynne looked a bit unhappy leaving court In January 2014, it was announced Brynne and Geoff's marriage was over, with Brynne alleging her husband had 'a dalliance' with another woman 18 months prior. Geoff however denied he was ever unfaithful. In December, Brynne Edelsten revealed she's healthy 'mentally and physically' after losing 20kgs and splitting from ex-husband Geoffrey. Suited and booted: Geoffrey wore some interesting buckled black shoes to court Glum: The former doctor also looked downcast as he left in his Mercedes after the court date The socialite revealed she's recovered from her 'hideous' divorce and is now living a healthier and happier lifestyle. 'There were a lot of things that werent healthy or positive in my life,' she told Yahoo7, and said 'cutting out those people and habits' helped her transformation. New wife: Geoff married and divorced a second woman, Gabi Grecko, 27, before settling his divorce with Brynne 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 Last month, he announced he was in a same-sex relationship. And on Tuesday, Tim Dormer looked blissful as he stripped down to a pair of Speedos for a beach outing with boyfriend, Ash Toweel. The loved-up couple were seen taking an ocean dip at Bondi Beach, parading their fit physiques in their budgie smugglers. Scroll down for video Summer loving: On Tuesday, Big Brother star Tim Dormer (L) was seen on a loved-up outing with boyfriend Ash Toweel (R) at Bondi Beach Reality star Tim, who shot to fame on Big Brother in 2013, let his trademark curly locks go free as he waded in the water on the warm summer's day. The 32-year-old wore a pair of barely-there navy and white budgie smugglers. Meanwhile, Tim's beau also flaunted his physique in skimpy pair of Speedos. Splashing around: Ash gazed lovingly at his beau as the couple waded out of the water Ash, who is a performer, showed off a number of tattoos- both large and small- as he made his way out of the ocean. The couple were in the midst of a conversation, with Tim sporting a large grin while Ash looked on lovingly. The same day, Tim uploaded a photo of he and Ash to his Instagram account that showed the couple jumping down a sand dune. 'Roadtrip sand dune fun': Later on Tuesday, Tim and Ash were seen mucking around on a sand dune, clearly enjoying each other's company 'Roadtrip sand dune fun,' Tim captioned the snap. Tim went public with his same-sex relationship last year in a tell-all interview with Who magazine. Tim admitted he had 'always been fluid in his sexuality' and that he and Ash realised there was something 'special' between them when they had a 'spontaneous' weekend away in Byron Bay in 2014. All smiles: Tim announced his relationship with Ash in an interview with Who magazine last month Now he isn't afraid to share his feelings for Ash, who he met at a party in 2013 after winning Big Brother. 'I finally fell in love,' Tim told the publication, adding he really 'missed' Ash while he filmed Big Brother Canada last year. Tim has gone to have great success in the reality TV world since his Big Brother days. Inseparable: Tim and Ash are seen together in a post shared to Tim's Instagram account Not only did he appear on the Canadian version of the show, he also went on to star on The Celebrity Apprentice. Tim came second on the show, beaten out by Sophie Monk. He's the American actor also known for his accomplishments in singing and dancing. But if there is one thing a multi-talented Neil Patrick Harris isn't good at, it's an Australian accent. The star of Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events debuted the accent during Wednesday's Sunrise, with disastrous results. That's unfortunate! Neil Patrick Harris absolutely butchers attempt at an Australian accent during Sunrise interview The How I Met Your Mother star was on the Channel Seven show promoting his new show when interviewer Nelson Aspen quizzed him about his skill on with the Aussie way of speaking. 'In all of your repertoire, have you been able to master an Aussie accent?' Nelson asked, also adding: 'I have never, I've been with Sunrise for 13 years and I still can't do an Aussie accent.' 'My Aussie accent is amazing actually,' Neil replied with deadpan humour. Stick to your day job? Sunrise interviewer Nelson Aspen was less than impressed with Neil's accent attempt Then, in an accent that can be best described as eastern European or Russian, Neil gave it his best shot. 'Our family is very much looking forward to coming to Australia to be able to interact with all of the different people from that community,' he said slowly. 'Thank you Mr Putin,' Nelson joked back, unable to hide his laughter over the terrible imitation. No accent required: Neil plays villain Count Olaf in the Netflix show, a role that doesn't an accent but has three hours of make-up Neil plays villain Count Olaf in the Netflix show, a role that doesn't require an accent but has three hours of make-up. The actor better known for his roles as the lovable funny guy said he relished the chance to take on the part. 'I'm a fan of dark acerbic comedy,' Neil told Sunrise. Funny guy: The actor is no stranger to making himself look silly for the sake of comedy '... I just like the notion of playing someone who looks nothing like me, full tilt.' The actor is no stranger to making himself look silly for the sake of comedy. On Monday night's The Late Late Show With James Corden, Neil split his pants while facing off in a Broadway Riff-Off with James. 'I had a nice wardrobe malfunction, split my pants from my a** to my knee and I left it all on the stage for you,' Neil later admitted to the audience. In the few short years since he embarked on a career as a model, Rafferty Law has made huge strides for himself in the relentlessly competitive industry. And on Tuesday, the handsome 20-year-old was back on the day job as he stepped out in Florence, Italy, for the Hilfiger Edition Fall 2017 fashion presentation. Rafferty, whose parents are Jude Law and Sadie Frost, donned a red, black and white striped sweater under a stylish black leather jacket as he posed with fellow models. Scroll down for video Model behaviour: Rafferty Law modelled for the Hilfiger Edition Fall 2017 Presentation in Florence, Italy, on Tuesday Among the models making an appearance alongside budding DJ Rafferty were Stormi Brie, Lucky Blue Smith, Gabriel Kane Lewis and Presley Gerber, son of celebrated supermodel Cindy Crawford. Away from modelling, Rafferty won't be following in his famous actor parents' footsteps, preferring to focus on a musical career instead. The Dior model - who plays the guitar, piano, bass, drums and keyboard - is a big fan of clubbing and DJs in his spare time. The squad: He modelled alongside the likes of (l-r) Stormi Brie, Lucky Blue Smith, Rafferty Law, Gabriel Kane Lewis and Presley Gerber The man: Julian Ocleppo, left, was joined by Lucky Blue Smith as he posed for a shot with his designer stepfather Tommy Hilfiger Busy writing with different musicians, he was formerly in the band The Dirty Harrys along with his best friend Marley, son of Pulps bassist Steve Mackey. And the young musician puts his passion for music down to his parents 'playing wicked music from a young age'. Meanwhile, Raffery modelled for Dolce & Gabbana in October alongside the sons of industry icons Daniel Day-Lewis, Cindy Crawford and Pamela Anderson for the brand's new campaign. Loving coupole: Tommy also stopped for a snapshot with his stunning wife Dee Ocleppo Feeling Lucky: The model struck his best poses as he promoted the new batch of designs Stripes: The label's signature stripes - as well as plaid - were a big feature at the unveiling Showing off his model chops, he posed in a number of the Italian fashion house's finest evening wear alongside Gabriel-Kane, Presley Gerber and Brandon Thomas Lee. Jude and Sadie, who ended their six-year marriage in 2003, are also parents to Iris, 15, and Rudy, 14 - while Jude welcomed his fourth child Sophia in 2009, following a brief relationship with American model Samantha Burke. Ada, another daughter for the actor, was born in March 2015, following a fleeting romance with Catherine Harding. Big Apple: On the same day, Rafferty's dad Jude Law was seen out and about in New York City Temporary digs: The actor was spotted making his way back to his hotel in Tribeca Grey day: The British screen star wrapped up in a woollen grey coat with a matching scarf She was compared to a Liquorice Allsort by her Good Morning Britain co-host, Ben Shephard. But Susanna Reid, 46, had the last laugh as the 75 J by Jasper Conran dress sold out in minutes after viewers flocked to purchase the garment having seen her wear it on Thursday's show. The outfit sold out online in just 89 minutes, whilst sales of the dress in-store shot up by 54%. Scroll down for video Style icon: She was compared to a Liquorice Allsort by her Good Morning Britain co-host, Ben Shephard. But Susanna Reid's 75 dress sold out in minutes after she wore it on Thursday Whilst the dress may have been a hit with the viewers, it didn't go down too well with her co-host, who quipped she looked like a bag of sweets. Sharing a picture of the pair together, Ben wrote: 'Am with Betty Bassett this morning on @GMB thanks @pinkpinkgirl80 love it @SusannaReid'. He helpfully attached a picture of Liquorice Allsorts for reference. Susanna also shared a picture of the pair together which she captioned: 'He might think I'm a liquorice allsort, but I think he's awesome...' Revenge never tasted so sweet: Whilst the dress may have been a hit with the viewers, it didn't go down too well with her co-host, who quipped she looked like a bag of sweets Sweet chemistry: Susanna also shared a picture of the pair together which she captioned: 'He might think I'm a liquorice allsort, but I think he's awesome...' It is not the first time clothing worn by the presenter has flown off the shelves in what is now being dubbed the Susanna effect. A Marks & Spencer dress, and a Love Damsel one, also both sold out after she modelled them on the popular breakfast time show. On Tuesday, celebrity fashion designer, Kyri, whose clients include Amanda Holden and Myleene Klass, told Daily Mail: 'I can see why Susanna is a style icon for a lot of women.' Earned her fashion stripes: Susanna's colourful striped J by Jasper Conan shift dress sold out online in just 89 minutes, whilst sales of the dress in-store shot up by 54% She continued: 'Having worked with her for red carpet events, she is a smart, beautiful, intelligent woman - she is aspirational to many. This is definitely a case of the Susanna Effect. 'The silhouettes she wears are timeless but she keeps them fresh with the use of bold colour and prints. 'Susanna knows what suits her shape and sticks with this because the dresses she wears are form fitting and flattering.' Fashion icon: It is not the first time clothing worn by the presenter has flown off the shelves in what is now being dubbed the Susanna effect It is the second time in a week that the former BBC Breakfast host has been praised with regards to her appearance. She recently Instagrammed a photograph of herself devoid of all make-up, beside a professionally made-up one, writing: [Right] Me on Instagram = extra eyelashes, make-up & filters. [Left] Me in Real life = blemishes, lines & flaws. Praised for her honesty, and for encouraging women to go au naturel, she received thousands of likes. Islands of Australia Rating: Our Dancing Town Rating: Forget A-listers and Z-listers. There are two types of celebrity in the world: the kind who are dispatched on exotic travelogues, to explore hidden idylls... and the kind who get sent to the back of beyond to eat spiders and koala giblets. What determines their fate? Take Joe Pasquale and John Bishop, for example. Theyre both popular comedians. But while John enjoyed an Australian tour by bicycle a couple of years ago for the camera, Joe found himself up to his neck in bugs on Im A Celebrity and is currently being starved on ITVs Sugar Free Farm. Perhaps Joes agent hates him, and wants to see him publicly tortured. Or perhaps some celebs are just so desperate for attention that theyll do anything to be on telly, while others hold out for the more dignified proposals. Actor Martin Clunes is game for sending himself up, poking fun at the image he has earned as the curmudgeonly, pompous Doc Martin. He apparently doesnt mind making a fool of himself, so long as he isnt subjected to miseries in the process Its impossible to imagine Martin Clunes submitting to the humiliation of Celebrity Big Brother, TVs most rancid barrel of gunk, whose bottom is currently being scraped with vigour on Channel 5. Yet the actor is game for sending himself up, poking fun at the image he has earned as the curmudgeonly, pompous Doc Martin. He apparently doesnt mind making a fool of himself, so long as he isnt subjected to miseries in the process. Its an admirable stance, which is rewarded with an absolute peach of an assignment in Islands of Australia (ITV). Starting in Sydney Harbour, where he tries a little kayaking, Martin is pitched into a tour of the outposts that circle the continent. He cant visit them all, of course: there are 8,220 and, as he points out, if he set foot on a new one every day, it would take him 20 years. But to explore just a couple of dozen, over the next five weeks, is a delightful adventure, and one that only a billionaire with an ocean-going yacht and a year to spare could possibly hope to copy. All in all, a better gig than Big Brother, youd have to agree. Martin is no historian. He digs into the stories of Lord Howe Island, where Victorian botanists were chuffed to discover the Kentia Palm (the ideal pot plant), and Norfolk Island, where the mutineers from the Bounty settled with their Tahitian brides (the islanders still speak a dialect of Polynesian and 18th-century English). But he travels like a tourist, not a specialist. This show feels less didactic than BBC2s Coast Australia, which covers similar ground not so much a history lesson, more a holiday. In Islands of Australia (ITV) Martin Clunes is pitched into a tour of the outposts that circle the continent. He travels like a tourist, not a specialist. This show feels less didactic than BBC2s Coast Australia - not so much a history lesson, more a holiday What really thrill him are the animals he sees. The fish around Lord Howe Island come to be fed by hand, which made Martin skip in the water like an excited child. And on Restoration Island, where hermit Dave Glasheen lives off what he can catch, he was besotted by a tame dingo called Polly. Isnt she pretty! he exclaimed. Actually, Polly looked like a cross between a jackal and a labrador, with a full set of sharks gnashers. But Martin was smitten. Another big man with a self-deprecating sense of humour was on a mission in Barnsley. West End performer Steve Elias, remarkably graceful on his toes for such a hefty fellow, wanted to lead a parade of high-kicking miners and policemen in Our Dancing Town (BBC2). West End performer Steve Elias wanted to lead a parade of high-kicking miners and policemen in Our Dancing Town (BBC2) The people who did latch on to Elias's plan, to stage a choreographed display through the town centre to celebrate Barnsleys heritage, were already dance enthusiasts such as Joan, 72, (pictured) who had dreams of being a Bluebell Girl in her teenage years but was denied permission to quit school early by a council committee Its an improbable notion, and Steve struggled to make the townsfolk understand. Most of the ex-miners he talked to were drily dismissive. The people who did latch on to his plan, to stage a choreographed display through the town centre to celebrate Barnsleys heritage, were already dance enthusiasts such as Joan, 72, who had dreams of being a Bluebell Girl in her teenage years but was denied permission to quit school early by a council committee. It wasnt until the parade went ahead that Steves grand vision made sense. With a great selection of music, from Benny Goodmans Sing Sing Sing to David Bowies Rebel Rebel, he made Barnsley look like the set of a Hollywood musical spectacular. Neil Young and Bee Gee's legend Barry Gibb's cancellations left Australia's Bluesfest in a sorry state last year. Now, Jimmy Buffett may have saved the day. The 70-year-old Margaritaville musician and restaurant entrepreneur has announced he would play the Easter weekend festival in idyllic Byron Bay this year. Scroll down for video Saviour! Jimmy Buffet will play Australia's Bluesfest in Byron Bay after Neil Young and Bee Gee's legend Barry Gibb cancelled last year Jimmy's last New South Wales tour in 2011 saw him transform a traditionally quiet Sydney Opera House into an epic party of spring break proportions. His fans, who affectionately use the title 'Parrotheads,' formed conga-lines as they sang and drank. The musician's memories of his other Sydney show that year may not be as fond. During the performance, he fell from the stage and was rushed to hospital with a serious head injury. Reports at the time claimed he was unconscious for around 10 minutes. Fall! During his last Sydney tour, Jimmy Buffett fell from the stage and was rushed to hospital Peter Noble OAM, Festival Director at Bluesfest penned a high-spirited comment to accompany the announcement. 'YES, Jimmy is coming all the way to Australia to play one show just for you! He wrote.' 'Jimmy and The Coral Reefers will be present and presenting his unique "island escapism" style at the epicentre of Australian escapism.....Byron Bay (sic).' Stoked! Bluefest Festival Director Peter Noble penned a high-spirited comment to accompany the announcement. 'This is a coup, and Bluesfest is proud to bring him to our stage.' He stated Peter added: 'When Jimmy does decide to go on tour, he is one of the highest grossing artists anywhere.' 'This is a coup, and Bluesfest is proud to bring him to our stage.' The jubilant comments come as the festival is yet to sell out after being hit with the cancellations of Neil Young and Barry Gibb. Relief! The jubilant comments come as the festival is yet to sell out after being hit with the cancellations of Neil Young (L) and Barry Gibb (R) Not alone! Joining Jimmy at the festival will be the likes of Santana, Zac Brown Band, Patti Smith and The Doobie Brothers Outside of music, Jimmy owns Margaritaville Cafe and Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chains, named after his songs of the same name. A version of the restaurant opened in Sydney's Darling Harbour but has since closed. Byron Bay Bluesfest runs from April 13-17 and will also feature Santana, Zac Brown Band, Patti Smith and The Doobie Brothers. She confessed to loving the single life over the summer. But Paris Hilton may now be having a change of heart. The 35-year-old was spotted wrapped up in the arms of a handsome and shirtless mystery man while enjoying a romantic beach day for two in Tulum, Mexico on Tuesday. Beach day for two! Paris Hilton was spotted wrapped up in the arms of a handsome mystery man while enjoying a romantic date on the beach in Tulum, Mexico on Tuesday Her Prince Charming? The socialite looked happy and relaxed in the company of her hunky new friend Stretched out on the sand, the socialite looked the picture of bliss as her new beau tenderly caressed her back and nuzzled in close. Unable to take his eyes or hands off the gorgeous heiress, Paris' mystery hunk lavished her with tons of affection as she laid on her side on the warm sand. And it's clear Paris was enjoying every moment of it. The socialite could hardly take her eyes off of the shirtless hunk as he picked at the food on his plate during a break from their snuggle session. Food for thought: The socialite could hardly take her eyes off of him as he picked at the food on his plate during a break from their snuggle session Intimate: Stretched out on the sand, the socialite looked the picture of bliss as her new beau tenderly caressed her back and nuzzled in close Getting cheeky: The hotel heiress flashed a glimpse of her pert posterior as the wind whipped up her dress The heiress appeared transfixed by her handsome other half. Paris tinkered with a glass of a rosey-hued beverage as they chatted with each other. Following their PDA session, the couple picked up their belongings off the beach. Getting to know you: It's clear Paris was enjoying every moment of their alone time Cheers to us: The 35-year-old tinkered with the rosey-hued beverage Just the two of us: Hilton's shirtless beau affectionately wrapped his toned arms around her following their PDA session Paris almost showed off more than intended, as her beautiful and vibrant maxi dress was quickly swept by the breeze. But the star remained in good spirits, in spite of the unpredictable direction her dress flew in. By the looks of her outfit, Paris appeared to have been inspired by the relaxed mood of her vacation. Single girl no more? The star couldn't have looked happier as she soaked up a bit of sun Double the fun! The couple appeared to be having a blast picking up their belongings together The star looked incredible in a beautiful, multicoloured dress with an intricate waistline. The dress featured a thigh-high slit, which flashed a bit of skin as she as she cuddled up to her beau. Her pal, meanwhile, ditched the shirt for a black shawl, ripped jeans, and edgy silver jewelry. Cleaning up nicely: The shirtless hunk picked up his dishes Mellow in yellow: The star opted to protect herself with a stylish pair of vibrant sunglasses Blown away! Hilton and her beau's clothing were swept away by the breeze Paris is only a few days into her rejuvenating Mexican getaway, and the star couldn't have looked happier as she enjoyed some quality time with her new beau. It comes months after the heiress split from her millionaire boyfriend Thomas Gross after just one year of dating. Back in April, sources close to the reality star allegedly told TMZ that the duo broke things off because they failed to find a balance between running their own empires from one place. Pick-me-up: Hilton appeared to be reaching for her beau's shawl Skin is in: Hilton's gorgeous and summery dress flashed her long, toned legs The ex factor: The socialite was last in a relationship with millionaire boyfriend Thomas Gross Thomas is based in Switzerland, while Paris' fashion and DJ work insists the beauty regularly jets between Los Angeles and Ibiza, something she struggled to do from their home in the Swiss Alps. The publication also claimed that Paris found it difficult to be away from her sister and mother, despite her ability to make the 12-hour flight between L.A. and Switzerland on Gross' private jet. Back in August, the heiress admitted that the single life suited her. 'For now I am having the time of my life,' she told the Daily Star. 'I'm single right now and I love it. I don't think that will change for a while.' Refreshing: The star took a sip from her drink as she gazed at her picturesque surroundings That's hot: Paris admired her hunky and shirtless pal He's the larger than life character who is accustomed to making a splash on Melbourne's social scene. And Geoffrey Edelsten made a similar entrance when arriving for a divorce settlement hearing on Wednesday with his estranged wife Brynne Edelsten, 33. The colourful 73-year-old arrived in a flash Mercedes which retails for $100,000 brand new, and a blacked out number plate which he attributed to a car accident last year. Scroll down for video Making an entrance: Geoffrey Edelsten arrives for court in a Mercedes with blacked out number plates Geoffrey wore a black suit and shirt to court, accessorising with a yellow and purple patterned tie. He paired the conservative outfit with a pair of heeled cowboy boots. Clutching a notepad and some papers, Geoffrey wore a sombre expression as he made his way into the court. 'The number plate has been destroyed': When asked why his number plate was blacked out, the entrepreneur told Daily Mail Australia the car he has 'had for a while' was involved in an accident before Christmas Clutching a notepad and some papers, Geoffrey wore a sombre expression as he made his way into the court When asked why his number plate was blacked out, the entrepreneur told Daily Mail Australia the car he has 'had for a while' was involved in an accident before Christmas. 'It was smashed into by a bus and it's on its way to the repair shop,' Geoffrey said. 'The number plate has been destroyed.' A splash of colour: Geoffrey wore a black suit and shirt to the hearing, accessorising with a yellow and purple patterned tie A touch of Texas: He paired the conservative outfit with a pair of heeled cowboy boots Victorian law states that number plates must be clearly visible from a distance of 20 metres, and obscured plates carry a fine of $110 and three demerit points. However the luxury car aficionado also added that the relevant authorities were aware of the issue, which had been delayed due to closures over the holidays. Geoffrey declined to comment on how his day in divorce settlement had gone, adding there was 'nothing I can say about it' while it was still before family court. Getting repaired: The luxury car aficionado also added that the relevant authorities were aware of the issue, which had been delayed due to closures over the holiday The Australia's Next Top winner got nothing but warm receptions on the reality show. Now, Montana Cox has been greeted with a much colder response on location for her real world career. The 23-year-old took to Instagram on Tuesday to document her experience with sub-zero temperatures while working in Zurich, Switzerland. Scroll Down For Video Chilly response! Montana Cox took to Instagram on Tuesday to document her experience with sub-zero temperatures while working in Zurich, Switzerland In the image, The brunette beauty held a finger to her temple as she snapped a bathroom selfie. The caption read: ' -1, Schlieren, Zurich.' Montana wore minimal makeup as her plump pink lips formed a pout. She completed her outfit with a tight long sleeved top, letting her luscious curly locks fall behind her glowing face. Dreamy! In a second image snapped several hours later, the Australia's Next Top Model star flaunted her stunning looks, exposing her lithe legs and dreamy blue eyes In a second image snapped several hours later, the reality star flaunted her show-winning looks. With her lithe legs exposed and tucked into her chest, she offered a dreamy stare to camera. Her stunning blue eyes looked bright and beaming as she donned a fluffy pink dressing gown. At least the Australian model made her flight this time. Whoops! Daily Mail Australia understands 23-year-old recently had to travel from Brisbane to Los Angeles on Christmas Day after missing the previous flight Daily Mail Australia understands the beauty recently had to make the 13-hour trip from Brisbane to Los Angeles on Christmas Day after missing the previous day's flight. The svelte stunner, who now lives in the US, has been working steadily since being crowned the winner of ANTM in 2011. She is signed to the prestigious IMG Models, and has worked for renowned labels such as Chanel, Lanvin, and Dior. While Casey Affleck nabbed the Best Actor in a Drama gong for Manchester By The Sea he failed to thank one person - his big brother who got him into the business. The oversight was not missed by Ben Affleck, who made light of the snub on Jimmy Kimmel's late night show on Monday. The 44-year-old cried crocodile tears as he had some fun roasting his little brother on live TV over his Golden Globes acceptance speech. Scroll down for video Don't forget me Mr Bigshot! Ben Affleck teased little brother Casey while on Jimmy Kimmel Live, noting the actor failed to thank him in Golden Globes acceptance speech 'Someone was omitted I was a little taken aback,' the director said humorously of his brother's failure to mention him. 'That's not the kind of thing I would do. If it's me, you know, I thank people,' he said mischievously. 'I needed that little push, but I did say "My brother is brilliant"' he carried on dryly. 'Those words came out of my mouth.' The moment of oversight: The 44-year-old cried crocodile tears as he had some fun roasting his little brother on live TV over his Golden Globes acceptance speech 'Someone was omitted I was a little taken aback,' the director said humorously of his brother's failure to mention him 'We didn't hear anything like that last night [at the Globes]. I mean [there was] the thing with Denzel [Washington], and the thing with Matt [Damon], he was Mr. Hollywood,' he concluded. Securing the award for Manchester By The Sea, Casey looked incredibly humbled as he took to the stage to thank both his co-stars and his nearest and dearest on Sunday. Gushing of his co-star Michelle Williams, he said: 'There's no award that belongs to just one actor. I wish Michelle could be on stage with me because she made most of it work. She's perfect.' 'That's not the kind of thing I would do. If it's me, you know, I thank people,' he said mischievously 'I needed that little push, but I did say "My brother is brilliant"' he carried on dryly. 'Those words came out of my mouth.' He then went on to praise the film's producers Kevin Walsh and Matt Damon - best friend of brother Ben. 'To Kevin Walsh and to Matt Damon for giving me the opportunity, your support, your friendship. Then, making a joking dig at the Bourne star to the audience's hilarity: 'I suspect you won't be passing on any more movies...but I'll take this one.' All fun and games! Casey (L) headed straight out to celebrate his achievement at the Amazon Golden Globes after-party - with his proud brother Ben (R) by his side However he finished his speech with a sweet tribute to his family - hinting at their endless support and comfort both during the filming of the project, and the run-up to awards season - which has seen Casey hit by sexual harassment allegations. He said: 'I just want to say that despite how I might think I'm in charge at my house, it's my kids who give me permission to do this, because they have got the strength of character to keep at bay all the noise that sometimes surrounds people who live publicly, and to let me travel for months at a time.' Hovhannes Sahakyan: I do not think new elections will be held in Vanadzor city (video) The Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) rules out new elections of the Council of Elders in Armenias Vanadzor city no matter how long the opposition parties may continue their boycott. New elections and the like They can be delayed for 6 or 7 months or a year at best. I do not think that social problems can wait for such a long time. I do not think that new elections will be held in Vanadzor, HHK lawmaker Hovhannes Sahakyan said to A1+ Company. Like other political forces, the HHK is preparing for the April 2 parliamentary elections. Currently, they are clarifying lists and choosing key participants. All political forces seem to have restored the hope and faith that they can come to power and implement their programs through elections, Mr. Sahakyan added. The party sees itself as a major player in the political domain and considers it normal that all other forces view the HHK as their main contender in the elections. At the same time, the ruling political party does not accept the criticism that a majoritarian voting system is hidden under the guise of new proportional representation system. Under the new electoral system, the opposition forces can, according to various calculations, nominate 20 candidates in 13 polling stations against one HHK candidate, if, of course, they form an alliance representing up to 5-7 political forces. Doesnt this fact ensure competition? The election campaign officially starts on March 5, but the opposition announces that people are already instructed how to vote in the elections. On January 9, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued a statement in which they referred to a December 29 attempted incursion on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border which resulted in casualties. The international mediators called upon the parties to cease mutual accusations, return human remains and undertake all necessary measures to stabilize the situation on the ground. Such passive and toothless statements give birth to new subversive attacks. The technique used on the frontline makes it clear who the attacker and initiator is, the HHK lawmaker said. The Co-Chairs also extended their condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and to all Armenians and Azerbaijanis for whom hopes for the New Year have been darkened with the grief of senseless loss. They recently returned from a tropical getaway at the Casa Aramara in Punta Mita. But the fun continued as Kylie Jenner and her beau Tyga spent the afternoon with the rapper's, King Cairo, at Toys 'R' Us in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The 19-year-old reality star played stepmother for the day as she left the store pushing the four-year-old in a cart overflowing with toys. Scroll down for video Shopping spree: Kylie Jenner and her beau Tyga spent the afternoon with the rapper's four-year-old son, King Cairo, at Toys 'R' Us in Los Angeles on Tuesday The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star bundled up on the rainy day in an oversize grey sweatshirt and loose-fitting black bottoms. Her dark tresses were swept up in a messy bun and she went with barely there make-up but appeared to be wearing a touch of nude gloss and thick coat of mascara. She stepped out in black socks and matching fuzzy slip-ons while pushing little Cairo in the shopping cart. Playing stepmom? Kylie showed off her maternal side as she pushed Cairo in the shopping cart Low-key: The 19-year-old reality star tried to go incognito as she made her way to the car Playtime! Kylie made several purchases as she left with a shopping cart overflowing with toys Staying warm: The trio bundled up for their outing on the cold rainy afternoon Laid-back look: The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star donned an oversize grey sweatshirt and loose-fitting black bottoms A few toys that could be seen was the Play-Doh 3-in-1 Town Center and Trackers Jungle Cruiser. Tyga, 27, covered up in a black hoodie which he layered over a blue tee and teamed with multi-coloured sweatpants. The Rack City hit-maker's son - who he shares with ex Blac Chyna, 28 - looked adorable in an orange bomber jacket and cornrow braids. Casual attire: Tyga, 27, covered up in a black hoodie which he layered over a blue tee and teamed with multi-coloured sweatpants Child's play: Cairo appeared elated as he sat in the cart filled with toys presumably for him Toying around: Several items could be seen including the Play-Doh 3-in-1 Town Center and Trackers Jungle Cruiser Quite a handful! The Rack City hit-maker's arms were filled with numerous purchases from the popular toy store Showers: The rapper covered up in a dark hoodie for the rainy day shopping spree Playing house? Kylie looked ever the doting caretaker as she gently placed Cairo in the car Meanwhile, the trio returned from a sun-soaked getaway at a luxurious villa owned and rented out by Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis in Punta Mita, Mexico. Tyga shared a snap of a romantic moment with his girlfriend as the couple cuddled up together. In the photo the Kylie Lip Kit entrepreneur can be seen perched on her beau's lap as she shows off her figure in a black bikini with white embroidery and matching choker. The father-of-one kisses Kylie's back as he wraps his arms around her and the teen TV star nonchalently glances behind her as she enjoys a snack. Natural beauty: The brunette star's dark tresses were swept up in a messy bun and she appeared to be wearing a touch of nude gloss and thick coat of mascara Blinged out: Kylie carried little Cairo into the toy store as she showed off a large pair of diamond stud earrings Cutie Cairo! Tyga's son - who he shares with ex Blac Chyna, 28 - looked adorable in an orange bomber jacket and cornrow braids The sweltering hot Australian summer wasn't the only thing heating it up on Wednesday. Former The Bachelor contestant Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris was looking pretty scorching as she uploaded a snap of herself to Instagram on Wednesday. The 28-year-old stretched out her flawless bikini body as she reclined on an inflatable in the pool. Scroll Down For Video Scorching! Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris was looking scorching hot as she flaunted her ample cleavage and tanned legs while wearing a skimpy black bikini in the pool on Wednesday In the image posted to the blonde beauty's Instagram, Kiki exposed her ample cleavage and tanned legs, sliding her toned arms into the crystal clear water. She opened her plump pink lips to offer a seductive gaze towards camera. The reality star perched her sunglasses on the band of her skimpy black swimwear, accessorising with long chain necklaces. 'get me involved.' She wrote in the caption. Pjs? Earlier, The Bachelor star shared a post in which she wore nothing but a revealing lace one-piece. The former glamour model labelled the sensual outfit as 'pjs' The genetically blessed star is rarely seen on Instagram without flaunting her assets. Kiki recently shared a post in which she wore nothing but a revealing lace one-piece. The former glamour model labelled the sensual outfit as 'pjs' and insisted she wore them all morning on the drizzly Sydney day. Recently, the beauty announced via social media that her holidays had come to an end, although her promise in the caption to 'pack the bikini away' evidently did not quite ring true. Rare! The genetically blessed star is rarely seen on Instagram with her ample assets covered up No more bikini? As recently as Monday, the 28-year-old claimed it was time to 'pack away the bikini' after her holidays had come to an end She posed with a luggage bag in white short-shorts and a revealing one-piece swim top. The Bachelor star has been spotted spending the festive season with her new boyfriend Jeremy Banks after returning from a recent trip to Bali with him. Although Kiki didn't find love with Richie Strahan on the show, she seems to have fallen head-over-heels for Jeremy, who she confirmed she was seeing on Halloween. She recently shared an intimate photo of herself sprawled on top of her husband. And Tammin Sursok, 33, again boldly showed affection for Sean McEwan on Instagram on Wednesday - but this time in a more tasteful post. The Pretty Little Liars star shared a tender wedding snap taken at her August 2011 nuptials to Sean and she openly declared her love for the man she calls 'the love of my life.' Scroll down for video Wedded bliss! Tammin Sursok, 33, again boldly showcased affection for Sean McEwan on Instagram on Wednesday - but this time in a more tasteful post 'Found this gem. 6 years married 10 years together. The love of my life. @seanmcewen #weddinginspiration #verawang #weddingphotography #weddingseason #italy #florence #weddingdress #vougemagazine #vougephotographer,' she captioned. The South African-born actress exchanged 'I Dos' with the movie producer before family and friends in Italy. The wedding snap comes just one day after former Home and Away star Tammin shocked fans with a crude Instagram photo. Paying tribute: The Pretty Little Liars star shared a tender wedding snap taken at her August 2011 nuptials to Sean and she openly declared her fondness for the man she calls 'the love of my life' PDA alert! Tammin gave fans more than they bargained for when she shared a cringeworthy photo of herself lying on the ground, sprawled on top of her husband Sean on Tuesday Mother-of-one Tammin gave fans more than they bargained for when she shared a cringeworthy photo of herself lying on the ground, sprawled on top of Sean on Tuesday. Each were clad in red carpet attire, with a seemingly motionless Sean donning a dapper suit while Tammin wearing a yellow gown. The Australian beauty seemed worse-for-wear, with her hair haphazardly lying strewn Sean's face. They can't help it! The pair have never been shy to share PDA moments on social media since tying the knot 'Passed out or turned on. You decide. Goodnight folks,' she wrote in the bizarre picture's caption. The pair have never been shy to share PDA moments on social media since tying the knot. They tied the knot in a ritzy ceremony and reception that lasted over three days and was held in the Italian city of Florence. Promoting her children's clothing line on an episode of The Morning Show in October, the beauty told host Larry Emdur she and her husband kept things spicy and have sex on 'Tuesdays and Fridays.' The brunette beauty then added that her three-year-old daughter Phoenix already 'knows how she was conceived.' Speaking to the Today show last year, the former Home and Away star also revealed that her husband has been trying to expand their brood. TMI? The South African born star then added that her three-year-old daughter Phoenix already 'knows how she was conceived' My husband keeps trying to have a baby with me everyday,' she proclaimed. 'He would like five kids,' she beamed. The family has recently returned to Sydney from a two-week luxury holiday in Hawaii. But Roxy Jacenko and her two children, Pixie and Hunter, couldn't help but find their way back to the shoreline once more on Wednesday. The 36-year-old PR queen took to Instagram from a North Bondi Beach to share a sweet afternoon treat with her kids. Scroll down for video Ice-cream for dinner! Roxy Jacenko dotes on her two children as she treats them to a swim and soft serve cones in the searing Sydney heatwave on Wednesday While the city was sent into a heatwave, the well-known publicist chose to cool off with her young ones in the calm waters. Showing off her enviable frame, she wore a green one piece that flaunted her gym-honed physique and flashed a hint of cleavage. Roxy accessorized her look with a blue NY cap and aviator sunglasses, and left her long blonde locks down. The Sweaty Betty owner took multiple selfies with her children, as they were seen in high spirits and laughing along with their mother. She described one adoring post: 'Afternoons with these two.' Fit mama! Showing off her enviable frame, Roxy wore a green one piece that flaunted her gym-honed physique and flashed a hint of cleavage 'Afternoons with these two': The doting mother-of-two took multiple selfies with her children, as they were seen in high spirits and laughing along with their mother The doting mother also treated Pixie and Hunter to ice-creams served in pink cones, covered in sprinkles and with flakes in them during the hot outing. She later joked the sugary dessert was 'dinner' with her caption: 'Dinner and Swimming lessons.' Clearly pleased by the soft serves, the children posed with the melted ice-cream stuck to their cheery grins. Lucky boy! The PR queen treated Pixie and Hunter to ice-creams served in pink cones, covered in sprinkles and with flakes in them during the hot outing, as she joked it was 'dinner' Adorable! Clearly pleased by the soft serves, the young siblings posed with the melted ice-creams stuck to their cheery grins Hunter, who has his own Instagram account with 20.7k followers, uploaded a picture to say: 'When you know who says she's taking care of dinner.' His older sister Pixie licked her lips for the adorable picture, as they both wore sun protective rashie tops and hats for the water. When it came time to leave the beach, Hunter was strapped into his stroller while the two girls went to kiss him on either cheek. Kisses! When it came time to leave the beach, Hunter was strapped into his stroller while the two girls went to kiss him on either cheek She's known for never taking a fashion misstep. And Tuesday night was no different for Elizabeth Olsen who stunned at the Marie Claire Image Maker Awards in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old star looked lovely in a blush-coloured gown with keyhole cutout following along the front center of her number. Pretty in pink! Elizabeth Olsen stunned at the Marie Claire Image Maker Awards on Tuesday night in Los Angeles The younger sister of twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made sure to turn heads in the halter-style backless frock. Her full-length dress showed off her slender figure, and an added bow cinched at the waistline further highlighted her enviable physique. She swept her silky red tresses halfway back but allowed a few wisps free to frame her exquisite face. Revealing: The 27-year-old star looked lovely in a blush-coloured gown with keyhole cutout following along the front center of her number Showstopper! The younger sister of twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made sure to turn heads in the halter-style backless frock A touch of shimmering eye shadow, rosy blush and deep burgundy glossed lip rounded out the Captain America: Civil War star's red carpet look. In total, eight awards will be handed out for the night. The Image Maker Awards, presented by Marie Claire, honors the creative people who work behind the scenes in the beauty and fashion industry. Elizabeth attended the star-studded event to show her support for hairstylist Mark Townsend and make-up artist, Kate Lee, who have both worked with the actress on a number of occasions. Flawless! The Captain America: Civil War star's dress showed off her slender figure, and an added bow cinched at the waistline further highlighted her enviable physique Final touches: A touch of shimmering eye shadow, rosy blush and deep burgundy glossed lip rounded out the Avengers: Age of Ultron star's red carpet look She has been chosen with the honour of presenting the awards to the Dream Team winners. The Avengers: Age of Ultron actress spoke about how she met Townsend with The Hollywood Reporter. 'Going to the Toronto [International] Film Festival and you have to go to all these events at night and when you're going with people that you enjoy hanging out with, it makes everything that much better,' she gushed. 'We met when I was 14-years-old. That was the first time he ever did my hair was from my freshman year winter formal because Mark had just done my sisters, and we were all going to the same high school dance and so Mark gave me a great updo,' the beauty continued. He recently went public with his aspiring chef and MRK alum girlfriend, Nelly Riggio. And with Adriano Zumbo's love life once again in the spotlight, fans have become more intrigued than ever into the dating past of one of Australia's most successful dessert chefs. Adriano's first major romance took place while he was 19. Scroll down for video Making headlines: Adriano Zumbo's love life was thrust into the spotlight after he confirmed a new relationship with MKR's Nelly Riggio earlier this year Speaking to Daily Life, the reality TV judge revealed his failed engagement to a former employer's 'blonde and beautiful' daughter, who was 17 at the time. Speaking candidly back in 2012, Adriano opened up about his first heartbreak. 'When I was 19, I began work at a French sourdough bakery in Balmain. The boss's daughter was 17, blonde and beautiful. Former flame: He dated hotshot family lawyer Daniella Ruggero between 2012 and 2014 'Back then, I was one of those kids who was into looks. We got engaged but it went pear-shaped, and after three years together we split,' he continued. His next romance was with hotshot family lawyer Daniella Ruggero. The couple lived together in Sydney's suburb of Balmain. Twitter posts 2012 and 2014 documented their blossoming relationship, with the pair often spotted together in romantic photos. What happened? Twitter posts 2012 and 2014 documented their blossoming relationship, with the pair often spotted together in romantic photos Loved-up: The former couple also attended high profile media events together and even made newspaper society pages The last mention of their relationship on social media was in May 2014, which suggests they broke up. In 2015, Adriano told Sunday Life he has become 'good at judging' whether females want to be around him or the fame. 'I've become good at judging whether a girl wants to be around you just because she's after your status or because you're popular,' he said. Happily ever after? Adriano has found love with aspiring chef and reality star Nelly Riggio New start: Nelly was offered a role in research and development for Zumbo's dessert chain in Sydney, relocating from Brisbane for the position Going public: Over the weekend, Adriano confirmed he was dating Nelly 'I need a strong woman who can handle the attention I get and not get upset if I cuddle a stranger for a social photo.' Perhaps it was this line of judgement that resulted in his budding relationship with aspiring chef and former My Kitchen Rules star Nelly Riggio. The Daily Telegraph's Confidential reported on Tuesday that Nelly - who featured in the last season of MKR with then-boyfriend JP Huillet - landed a job in Sydney for Zumbo's dessert chain. Nelly moved from Brisbane to Sydney last September, to take on a role in research and development. 'Too distracted to write anything': Nelly also took to her own Instagram to confirm the romance Over the weekend, Adriano confirmed he was dating Nelly, cuddling up to the pretty brunette during a trip to the Maldives. 'Happy New Year 2017 from the Maldives!!!! Looking forward to many more years with this hottie,' adding in two emojis with love heart eyes. While Nelly took to her own Instagram account after, posting a snap that saw her embracing her famous beau. Online chatter: Instagram fans soon questioned the timing of the relationship, referencing past boyfriend JP Huillet History: The former couple were referred to as the 'lovebirds' in promo campaigns for the last season of My Kitchen Rules 'Too distracted to write anything,' Nelly captioned the photo, adding in the hashtags #spadate and #massages. Instagram fans soon questioned the timing of the relationship, referencing past boyfriend JP Huillet. The couple were referred to as the 'lovebirds' in promo campaigns for the last season of My Kitchen Rules. On-screen lovers: JP and Nelly starred on the last series of popular reality cooking competition, My Kitchen Rules 'But what happened to jp,' wrote one social media user, alongside a sad face emoji. While another commented: 'Are you guys together? Awe what happened to jp and nelly,' adding in a love heart emoji. Another Instagram follower offered their well wishes: 'Clear that they split, hope it wasn't too hard on them, break ups [are] never easy.' Stephanie Davis has reportedly gone into labour in her native Liverpool. Focused on the 'safe arrival of her son,' Stephanie is said to have been taken to hospital on Tuesday to welcome her first child, according to The Sun. The pregnant actress, 23, who announced her pregnancy last May, is thought to welcome Jeremy McConnell's baby in the coming hours, after the chosen godfather teased on Twitter that he'd 'never been so excited. Scroll down for video Has she or hasn't she? Stephanie Davis sparked a frenzy among fans about whether or not she had welcomed the baby, after one newspaper claimed she'd gone into labour A source told the newspaper: 'Steph is so excited that the day has finally come that she will meet her son. 'At the moment she is focusing on welcoming her little boy her priority is his safe delivery and spending some quality time with him.' A representative for Stephanie Davis has been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Stephanie has been noticeably absent from social media for the last two weeks and the friend insists that while she is grateful for fans' support, 'her attention is on getting to grips with being a mum.' Expecting: Stephanie's due date was in January and while she's been absent from social media, the godfather of her baby said he was 'excited' All the while, Stephanie's friends and family appear to be dropping public hints about the birth for her. On Tuesday evening, Steph's close pal Jay Roberts, who has been chosen as the godfather, tweeted: 'I've never been more excited in my life!!!' beside a gritted teeth smiley. Stephanie announced that Jay would be her unborn son's godfather in September, thanking him for being there 'every step' of the way. She told Twitter fans: 'Say hi jay. Hes taking me my last scan with my mum dad,don't know what I'd do without him,he's been there every step (sic) Expecting: Stephanie (here in November) announced her pregnancy last May '... (cont) Of the way, my absolute rock and going to be the best godfather to my little boy @jayroberts94 love ya mister xx #sonervous #hopeallisgood' Stephanie hasn't had the easiest of pregnancies as she was struck down with acute morning sickness in the first and second trimester and then she experienced some bleeding, which she feared was a sign of her losing her baby, in the third trimester. However, doctors quickly established that her baby was fine and she had colitis. Stephanie then started experiencing Braxton Hicks - irregular practice contractions that can be felt around mid-pregnancy and increase in frequency and strength as the pregnancy progresses - and pressure at the bottom of her stomach last month. Excitement is building: The star's close pal Jay Roberts - who will be the godfather - announced her excitement on Tuesday night Her rock: Stephanie named Jay as her baby's godfather in September when she revealed that he had been there every step of the way While the brunette beauty is gearing up to become a mother, the baby's father Jeremy McConnell - who is adamant he isn't related to the unborn tot - is off on holiday. The former Hollyoaks star is due to welcome a baby boy in January and revealed she's been packed and ready for the birth since December, but has kept off social media since Christmas. Stephanie herself has not posted on social media for two weeks, so instead her fans flooded her latest pregnancy picture with well-wishings. Dropping hints? The baby's father Jeremy McConnell appeared to have his ex-girlfriend and the child on his mind as he shared a snap from his trip to Thailand captioned: 'Waiting for u son', on Sunday One wrote: 'Hope all is well with you and your baby boy. Take as much quiet time as you need to bond with bubba' Another well-wisher said: 'Congratulations on your baby,' while another sent: 'I feel like you've definitely had him by now. So congrats' One fan insisted: 'Baby is deffo here. She's waiting to post because she will have that all important magazine deal first' Just this week, father Jeremy appeared to have his ex-girlfriend and the child on his mind when he shared a snap from his trip to Thailand captioned: 'Waiting for u son'. The 26-year-old model - who met Stephanie exactly a year ago last Monday when he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house - seemed remarkably carefree. Exes: Jeremy and Stephanie embarked on a toxic romance after meeting on CBB which culminated in a bitter split shortly before she announced she was expecting Jeremy's child Jeremy's holiday comes just days before Stephanie's due date. A source close to Stephanie told The Sun: 'This is just another example of Jeremy trying to rile Stephanie. 'Even when she is hours away from giving birth, he can't just do the right thing and show her even an ounce of support or respect.' Stephanie spoke to new! magazine this week about how she and Jeremy are expecting to deal with the impending paternity test. Who's the daddy? She has maintained constantly throughout her pregnancy that Jeremy is the father, yet the Dubliner has lashed out at her claims and insisted he wants a paternity test Jeremy insisted on a paternity test in December when he made the accusation that Stephanie was 'with other people' at the end of their on and off romance. 'Jeremy knows the truth,' Stephanie defiantly told the magazine. 'But I'm keeping that private. 'I'll sort that with him. If I could have done [the test] straight away, I would have, but it was too dangerous for the baby.' Despite, Jeremy's long-haul trip, the star is ready to come back at a moments notice. His representative told MailOnline: 'Jeremy is currently in Thailand enjoying a short holiday with friends, which has been booked for sometime. 'He has an open return ticket should he need to return to the UK before the end of his trip'. She recently admitted that she feels 'more naked' without false lashes than she does without pants. So it came as no surprise to see Skye Wheatley, 22, fully glammed up and sporting extra thick eyelash extensions while lounging around indoors on Wednesday. The former Big Brother personality, who is famous for documenting her face and body transformation on social media, looked red-carpet ready despite relaxing indoors - while promoting luxury mink lashes on Instagram. Scroll down for video Selfie queen! Skye Wheatley showed off a set of over-the-top lashes in a sultry selfie shared to Instagram on Wednesday The bubbly blonde showed off her plump pout and new nose while posing for yet another glammed up selfie. 'I feel more naked without my lashes then without my pants on (sic) that weird?' she recently told her followers. The selfie comes two weeks after the Gold Cast beauty eagerly gave fans a no-frills glimpse into the harrowing recovery process of her recent nose job. Candid: 'I feel more naked without my lashes then without my pants on (sic) that weird?' she recently wrote to her Instagram followers In a lengthy video uploaded to her popular YouTube page last month, the blonde socialite documented both physical and psychological aspects of her rhinoplasty experience. The gruesome ordeal sees Skye jet from her native Queensland to Sydney's affluent Double Bay area, where she is met with a celebrity plastic surgeon. 'So happy to get rid of these nostrils!' cheered Skye, hours before she went into theatre. Following her procedure, Skye is seen trudging through the hospital with a split and bandage on her extremely swollen nose, with noticeable bruising beneath her eyes. Gory: Skye was happy to give fans a no-frills glimpse into the harrowing recovery process of her recent nose job by sharing a gruesome video on YouTube last month Going under the knife: The gruesome ordeal sees Skye jet from her native Queensland to Sydney's affluent Double Bay area, where she is met with a celebrity plastic surgeon 'I'm in a little bit of pain but yeah, everything went well apparently,' she told fans. Over the next few days, Skye documented the healing process by filming close-up shots of her bloodied stitches and swollen, makeup-free face. On day two of recovery, she told fans: 'I'm in so much pain, like so much pain. My face is swollen up even more.' Ouch! Following her procedure, Skye is seen trudging through the hospital with a split and bandage on her extremely swollen nose, with noticeable bruising beneath her eyes In pursuit of perfection: Over the next few days, Skye documented the healing process by filming close-up shots of her bloodied stitches and swollen, makeup-free face She also complained that her nose was congested and bemoaned the fact that she wasn't allowed to take a shower. 'I've been putting peas on my eyes, taking pain killers. I feel much better today but my nose has not stopped bleeding, it's crazy,' she said on day three of recovery. On day four, Skye revealed that she was feeling constipated due to the painkillers she was taking, but assured fans that it was 'super normal.' Healing: She also complained that her nose was congested and bemoaned the fact that she wasn't allowed to take a shower 'I'll update you guys on whether I end up going to the toilet or not. I have not gone to the toilet since surgery,' she admitted. As the days wore on, Skye became increasingly anxious about whether her new nose would meet expectations. 'I had another panic attack last night about my nose and I texted my doctor's wife like 10 times and I'm like 'oh my god is my nose going to be pointy?'' she revealed on day six of recovery. 'I have not gone to the toilet since surgery': On day four, Skye revealed that she was feeling constipated due to the painkillers she was taking, but assured fans that it was 'super normal' Skye, who famously had a botched boob job in Bangkok, told fans on day seven: ' I'm so on edge and I feel like I'm about to have a mental breakdown. Like, I am so anxious, I've got so much anxiety about my nose and what it's going to look like.' 'I guess I just keep looking at it in the cast and really hard for mett o gauge what its actually going to look like,' she sighed. 'I'm just really f****** nervous, I just need this to be really good because I can't have a f****** botched nose and botched boobs. I would be a walking life lesson for other women,' she groaned. The finished product! By day 10, Skye's splint and bandages had been removed to reveal a swollen version of her brand new nose By day 10, Skye's splint and bandages had been removed to reveal a swollen version of her brand new nose. 'This was the most traumatic experience of my life. So yeah, just make sure you know what you're in for,' she warned fans at the time. While confessing that she was still unhappy with the 'pointy' profile of her nose, Skye claimed that her anxiety levels had dropped since having the bandages removed. Skye has since taken to Instagram to showcase her dramatic new look, prompting some fans to comment that she looks almost unrecognisable. Sill unhappy? While confessing that she was still unhappy with the 'pointy' profile of her nose, Skye claimed that her anxiety levels had dropped since having the bandages removed He confirmed his split from The Bachelorette's Sam Frost two weeks ago. And Sasha Mielczarek appears to have brushed off heartbreak with the help of his construction worker pal, having launched a collaborative fitness blog for tradies this week. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday to unveil his new project, Sasha uploaded a photo of himself and his chum in a pub giving each-other a high-five while taking a sip from their glasses. Scroll down for video Living the bachelor dream! Sasha Mielczarek appears to have brushed off heartbreak with the help of his construction worker pal, having launched a collaborative fitness blog for tradies this week In the caption, he wrote: 'Hi 5! Yes that's right the moment you've all been waiting for - and no it's not your leopard skin g-string you missed out on for Christmas! @chrisweir05 and myself want to introduce you to @fittradie!' 'A blog full of gramatical errors where two Aussie fellas (didnt even mean to rhyme there but you're welcome) will offer their perspectives on how to lead a healthy yet balanced lifestyle where smashing the odd Chiko Roll or a can of froff (beer) is strongly encouraged.' He went on: 'If you have a spare 5 minutes go to the link in my bio and have a 'Captain Cook' (look).' Worried? Sources close to Sam's family claim the reality star's family is relieved she split from Sasha due to his father's ties to a bikie gang. Sasha poses with Mielczarek's Snr (centre) and his brother Jay (R) who's tattoo shop was pelted with bullets in 2015 'If you like it share it with your friends and if you don't tell a stranger so you can waste their time too,' he concluded. Sasha is likely to have more time to dedicate to his new blog following his recent split from Sam Frost, who often invited him to appear on her 2DAY FM radio show. It comes after Woman's Day reported that Sam family is glad she split from Sasha due to his father's ties to a bikie gang. Sisterly love: Sam's family have always been close to her, especially her sister Kristine, who has said in the past that, 'Being Sam's big sister, I'm very protective of her' 'Sam's family have always been fearful of Sasha's dad's ties to the Rebels motorcycle gang,' a close friend told the publication this week. In an October 2015 interview with OK! magazine, Sasha confirmed his biological father, Sasha Mielczarek's Snr, had been linked to the bikie club. Sasha Jnr, himself however, has no links to the outlaw gang. Confident: Sam, seen here with her brothers, wasn't worried about Sasha's family. 'There's nothing I could ever find out that could sway me because he tells me everything. It's all cool on my end,' she insisted 'That's a fact,' he told the publication, clarifying his father's involvement with the motorcycle club, before adding, 'and at the end of the day, I chose a different path'. Former Bachelorette Sam did not seem too fazed either by Sasha's dad's ties to the Rebels bikie club, insisting in 2015 that her man 'has been really open about it'. 'There's nothing I could ever find out that could sway me because he tells me everything. It's all cool on my end,' she insisted. Troubles: The Woman's Day report goes on to say that 'alarm bells rang' for Sam's family (she's pictured here with her mother Debbie) when a Picton, NSW tattoo shop run by Sasha's brother Jay was pelted by bullets in 2015 The Woman's Day report goes on to say that 'alarm bells rang' for Sam's family when a Picton, NSW tattoo shop run by Sasha's brother Jay was pelted by bullets in 2015. Sasha's father denied that the incident had anything to do with his bikie affiliations. 'The place next door was hit three times and this shop has been caught in the crossfire,' Sasha Mielczarek's Snr told The Daily Telegraph at the time. Family ties: 'Sam's family have always been fearful of Sasha's dad's ties to the Rebels motorcycle gang,' a close friend told Woman's Day this week 'I don't have a criminal record and we don't let people loiter around the shop. The business is now run by Jay anyway.' Sam's family have always been close to her, especially her sister Kristine, who has said in the past that, 'Being Sam's big sister, I'm very protective of her'. She had a difficult 2016 following her shock split from Liev Schreiber. And perhaps in honour of the new year, Naomi Watts, 48, stepped out looking like a new woman while attending the Stella McCartney Fall 2017 presentation in New York on Tuesday. Sporting an elegant white dress and a beaming smile, the Hollywood actress oozed happiness and contentment as she posed for snaps just months after announcing her devastating separation from her partner of 11 years Liev, 49. Scroll down for video Chic: Actress Naomi Watts, 48, oozed elegance and contentment while attending the Stella McCartney Fall 2017 presentation in New York on Tuesday The mother-of-two displayed her shapely pins in a knee-length long-sleeved gown, that featured intricate detailing across the front. She paired the chic look with black sandal heels and a monochrome designer tote. Her luscious blonde locks were neatly parted at the centre and swept up in a messy updo and her makeup consisted of minimal foundation, smokey eyes and pink lipstick. Famous faces: The Gypsy star appeared to be in good spirits as she mingled with famous guests at the star-studded event. At one point, she posed for a group snap alongside Julianne Moore (far left), the event host Stella McCartney (C-R), and Maggie Gyllenhaal (far right) Fancy seeing you here! Naomi and Julianne are both esteemed Hollywood actresses The Gypsy star appeared to be in good spirits as she mingled with famous guests at the star-studded event. At one point, she posed for a group snap alongside the event host Stella McCartney along with fellow actresses Julianne Moore and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Last year, the Australian beauty said she feels content after separating from Liev and that her focus is on the two children she shares with the actor: seven-year-old Samuel and nine-year-old Alexander (whose nickname is Sasha). Winter fashion: The mother-of-two sported a thick black winter coat to shield her from the freezing New York temperatures Chic! She showed off her fashion-forward style in the elegant look Mingling with guests: Naomi looked radiant and happy at the star-studded event 'I feel I'm in a good place in my life and I want to make sure my kids are healthy, my kids are happy and things are going to go well. Those are my hopes for me and for all of us,' she told News Corp. The high-profile couple announced their amicable split in September via a joint statement, saying it was the 'best way forward' for their young family.' After meeting at the Met Gala in New York in 2005, the couple had their first child, Alexander, in 2007 before welcoming Samuel a year later. Moving on: Naomi broke her silence regarding her split from Liev Schreiber last year, telling The Daily Telegraph that it's been a 'scary' transition Happy place: The Gypsy star said she feels in a 'good place' two months on from their amicable split The boys: After meeting at the Met Gala in New York in 2005, the couple had their first child, Alexander, in 2007 before welcoming Samuel a year later Naomi feels her celebrity status has no bearing on how much the breakup affected her, saying 'transitions are scary for anybody.' The mum-of-two is currently busy planning where the trio will spend Christmas. She is keen to return to Australia and spend the festive season with her mum and other family members in Byron Bay, but work commitments may mean that they spend the holidays in New York. Down Under: The former Home and Away star is keen to return to Australia and spend the festive season with her mum and other family members in Byron Bay Breakup: Naomi feels her celebrity status has no bearing on how much the break-up affected her, saying 'transitions are scary for anybody' The former Home and Away star is currently filming Gypsy, a drama series due to air on Netflix next year - a starring role which continues her success in the acting world. She said she has built a career around playing roles which aren't 'centred on vanity,' although it hasn't meant she's been immune from the strains of growing older in the public eye. She said: 'It's probably a bit harder ageing in the spotlight, and it's tough getting older on camera and feeling the pressure because there's more judgment and more focus on you.' As she approaches 50 gracefully, the actress is reaping the rewards of a diverse and varied career that has given her more longevity than some of her peers. Naomi told the publication: 'For the most part, I've chosen roles that aren't centred on vanity. I'm prepared to look old if I have to, that's not a problem.' She was spotted at a flea market in Los Angeles the previous day. And less than 24 hours later, Lily-Rose Depp was seen landing at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris alongside her lookalike mother, her suitcase no doubt filled with her new purchases for her trip back home. The 17-year-old daughter of Vanessa, 44, and Johnny Depp, 53, was rocking a laid-back look for her travels. Scroll down for video Mother daughter trip: Lily-Rose Depp was seen landing in Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport with her mother Vanessa Paradis A fine vintage: Lily-Rose was spotted at a flea market in LA the previous day, shopping for throwback clothes French star Vanessa kept a low profile in a tweed look coat complete with warm woolen accessories. The previous day, Lily kept things low-key as she nipped out to hunt for vintage clothing and jewelry at a local flea market in LA. With a bodygaurd at arm's length, the teen was joined by a female friend. Staying snug: French star Vanessa kept a low profile in a tweed look coat complete with warm woolen accessories Travelling together: Vanessa and her lookalike daughter opted for laid-back looks Specs appeal: Vanessa and Lily hid behind large shades as they arrived Eager to go unnoticed, Lily wore a white and yellow long-sleeved T-shirt, with the sleeves rolled right up. Clearly warm in the Californian weather, she tied a black sweater around her waist and slung her retro red bag across her body. She wore black skinny jeans and her dark blonde hair scraped back into a ponytail. Heading off: Joe Le Taxi star Vanessa blended into the crowds Back on her home turf: The pair were spotted arriving in central Paris by car The only item helping her to stand out from the crowd as the daughter of a Hollywood star were the huge sunglasses she sported, keeping the sun from her eyes as she rifled through the various offerings at the flea market. Her look - and the items she was hunting for - was a far cry from when she recently opened the Chanel fashion show in Paris. She appeared to be shopping for bracelets and necklaces and bought a few bags worth of vintage clothing. Lily featured in three movies in 2016, the most acting credits she's amassed in a single year. Shopping spree: The only item helping her to stand out from the crowd as the daughter of a Hollywood star were the huge sunglasses she sported, keeping the sun from her eyes as she rifled through the various offerings at the flea market The teenage star played the character of Kate Barlow in Planetarium, a fantasy drama alongside Natalie Portman where two sisters are believed to posses the ability to connect with spirits. She also played the protege and rival Isadora Duncan in The Dancer, a biographical, musical drama about her character's complex relationship with the character of Loie Fuller, played by Soko. Her third role was as Colleen Collette in the horror comedy Yoga Hosers, a role she has been announced to reprise in the upcoming film of the same genre, Moose Jaws. The film will also see Lily acting opposite her famous father. Actor and model: The teenage star appeared in three feature-length films in 2016, the most acting credits she's amassed in a single year Stepping out: Vanessa made an appearance with boyfriend Samuel Benchetrit in Paris on Wednesday afternoon Close: Vanessa appeared to be in high spirits as she chatted to her beau on a rainy Parisian street She's enjoying a role in Channel Ten soap Neighbours as well as ambassador duties for fitness giant Puma. But Jodi Anasta (nee Gordon) made time for family on Wednesday, seen doting over two-year-old daughter Aleeia, whom she shares with ex-husband Braith Anasta, 34. A clip shared to the 31-year-old's Instagram story saw the precious tot beaming as she was given a Barbie doll. Scroll down for video Model mother! Jodi Anasta (nee Gordon), 31, was seen doting over two-year-old daughter Aleeia, whom she shares with ex-husband Braith Anasta, 34, in a clip shared to Instagram on Wednesday 'What have you got?' Jodi is heard saying to Aleeia in the clip shared to Instagram. Aleeia could not hide her excitement, grinning from ear to ear as she opened a box to reveal a brunette Barbie doll. Jodi's daughter looked cute-as-a-button in a white and pink ensemble, with coordinating trainers and a headband to match. Aleeia is then heard saying, 'a Barbie doll,' to camera. Cute: Little Aleeia was seen sporting a white and pink ensemble in the clip shared to Jodi's Instagram account Precious: The tot could not hide her excitement over discovering she had been given a Barbie doll The post came shortly after Jodi had enjoyed a walk with model and television host Nikki Phillips. Jodi and Nikki are both Oceania ambassadors for fitness giant Puma, regularly promoting the brand at various events and on their Instagram accounts. New Zealand-born Nikki highlighted her slimline figure in a black crop top, full-length leggings and white trainers, naturally by Puma. Gold and black statement sunglasses worked as a stylish accessory, while her blonde locks were swept back off her face. 'Morning walks': The post came shortly after Jodi had enjoyed a walk with model and television host Nikki Phillips Trim and terrific: Jodi and Nikki are both Oceania ambassadors for fitness giant Puma, regularly promoting the brand at various events and on their Instagram accounts Svelte: New Zealand-born Nikki highlighted her slimline figure in a black crop top, full-length leggings and white trainers, naturally by Puma It appeared that after the two beauties enjoyed a walk, Jodi was quick to go back to parental duties for daughter Aleeia. Jodi and Braith - who announced their separation in December 2015 - share custody of their little girl. Numerous snaps on their Instagram accounts see the parents gushing over their daughter. In happier times: Jodi and Braith - who announced their separation in December 2015 - share custody of their little girl. Pictured in August 2015 New flame: Former NRL star Braith confirmed he is dating personal trainer Rachael Lee, after being spotted together on several occasions New man: Jodi is also said to be enjoying a budding romance with real estate agent Warren Ginsberg It appears that Braith and Jodi however, have moved on after the end of their three-year marriage. Former NRL star Braith confirmed he is dating personal trainer Rachael Lee, after being spotted together on several occasions. Jodi is also said to be enjoying a budding romance with real estate agent Warren Ginsberg. She recently surprised soap fans by taking on a role in teen soap Hollyoaks, making a brief first appearance as glamorous matriarch Tabitha Maxwell-Brown in November. And now, Dallas star Linda Gray has been filming scenes in chilly Merseyside after jetting in from her Los Angeles home. The 76-year-old actress appeared to be taking the wintry January temperatures rather badly as she was spotted bundled up in two coats. Scroll down for video Bundled up: Linda Gray was spotted filming Hollyoaks scenes in Merseyside on Tuesday Dressed in a padded grey coat over another chic black jacket and black suit, the star, who played troubled Sue Ellen in the 1980s soap, kept her feet warm in light brown Ugg style boots. The glamorous eighties star was spotted carrying a plate wrapped in tin foil while filming scenes outside a church in Rainhill, Merseyside. She joined fellow Hollyoaks stars Sophie Porley who plays her on-screen granddaughter Ellie Nightingale and Lysette Anthony who stars as her daughter Marnie. Chilly debut: The 76-year-old star was well wrapped up in a padded grey jacket, tights and UGG style boots Different role: Linda said she hoped her character would 'shake things up' a bit in the soap Linda made her Hollyoaks debut back in November when Tabby's daughter Marnie called her at her home across the pond. Marnie found herself in financial trouble after investing in a property development scam and the only person who could bail her out was her mother. However, when Marnie's son James invited Tabby over to the UK, Marnie worried at her reaction to learning she had got back with ex-husband, Mac Nightingale. Screen granddaughter: Sophie Porley (Ellie Nightingale)was among the stars filming with Linda in Merseyside Glammed up: Lysette Anthony, who plays Marnie Nightingale, also joined the shoot Purple patch: Ellie sported a long padded jacket over slim-fitting black jeans Making an impression: The Nightingale family made their debut back in 2015 Talking about her Hollyoaks role, Linda said, 'I'm thrilled to be going from one iconic series to another. Hollyoaks viewers are going to love it when Tabby whips up a storm just like Sue Ellen did. 'Hollyoaks have wonderful producers and they invited me over and when I saw some of the episodes, I said, "perfect, sign me up!" I have to go in and just shake it up a little.' She explained about her character: 'She needs heavy duty, massive amounts of therapy, otherwise we love her. She's a charmer!' Hollyoaks newbie: The famed star - who became a household name following Dallas- opened up about her C4 character last year We are family: She first appeared on the soap back in November when Tabby's daughter Marnie Nightingale called her at her home across the pond Reunited: Linda looked typically glamorous glam in scenes where her character met up with family including granddaughter Ellie Hollyoaks executive producer, Bryan Kirkwood added: 'When we came to discuss who could possibly play Marnie's mother the list was very small. 'Lysette Anthony has fast become a fabulous soap b***h so having Linda Gray play her mother, Tabitha is the perfect fit.' However, Linda admitted she'd initially found it hard to understand her co-stars' Northern accents. Back in the day: Linda as the troubled Sue Ellen on Dallas - pictured in 1979 Back in the day: The actress, 76 played the wife of Larry Hagman's infamous character JR Ewing in the 1980s series Appearing on Good Morning Britain last year, she said: 'It was a little hard to understand the very first day. 'I was like, "excuse me, pardon me, could you say that again?" Then I was right there...' Linda played JR Ewing's (Larry Hagman) troubled wife in the U.S. soap from 1978 to 1989 and then again in 1991. She also appeared in the rebooted version of the show in 2012 alongside Hagman and Patrick Duffy, although Hagman sadly passed away the same year. She became a mother for the second time last month via surrogate. And on Monday, Sally Obermeder announced a new family tradition that she has happily adopted for her children from the surrogate family. Taking to Instagram, the TV presenter said: 'I absolutely fell in love with one of the rituals that our surrogate family had - the creation of the summer fun list.' Scroll down for video 'The creation of more family traditions': Sally Obermeder trials new parenting tactic as she gets daughter Annabelle to write a 'Summer Fun List' after welcoming baby sister Elyssa After previously stating how she and daughter Annabelle, 5, had become close with her surrogate mother's children, she decided she wanted to bring some of their family traditions into her own family home. One of those family traditions was the creation of the 'Summer Fun List', a written wish list of activities and adventures the child would like to do during their holidays. She said: 'Even though we talk about what we want to do over the holidays there was something about having it written up... ticking them off one by one.' Summer fun list! Annabelle, 5, stood proudly beside her list of 21 fun activities she'd like to complete this summer, with some ideas surprising her Sally Baking made the list! Annabelle appears to like cooking with mum in the kitchen and added baking choc chip cookies to her 'Summer Fun List' Uploading a picture of Annabelle standing proudly beside her list, she detailed what the toddler had asked for, with some surprising the mother-of-two. Hanging on a wall in the kitchen, the list of 21 activities has already received one tick. The media personality said her list began as expected: 'Annabelle chose all the usual things I expected her to choose - Inflatable World, the Zoo, Skyzone, the beach, having her nails done.' Beach date: While she's only just returned from a holiday in Hawaii, she still placed a visit to the beach high on her list of 21 fun things to do on her holidays However, she added that her toddler surprised her: 'A few that i never knew she wanted to do - making lemonade and having a lemonade stand, walking across the Harbour Bridge and having a BBQ in the park.' Sally mentioned she even explained why she chose the park, saying: 'because thats more fun than having a BBQ at home.' Showing her creative side, the tot also requested a 'crafternoon' and to get her face painted at Bunnings Warehouse. Her expected choices: Sally mentioned Annabelle chose all the usual things she expected her to choose, including Inflatable World, the Zoo, Skyzone, the beach and having her nails done The sweet list also included a sleepover with her Aunty Maha (Sally's sister). Sally ended her post optimistically: 'So weve hung it up in the kitchen and well see how go.(sic).' So far a trip to Rushcutters Bay Park has been the only item successfully ticked off the handwritten sheet. She was recently seen struggling to push a pram through snow during a winter trip to Sweden. So it comes as no surprise that Lara Bingle (whose married name is Worthington), 29, ditched freezing temperatures in Northern Europe for summer heat in the Maldives this week. The Australian model and beauty entrepreneur was seen relaxing in the picturesque Laamu Atoll in a low-key selfie shared to Instagram on Monday. Scroll down for video Holiday mode: Lara Bingle was pictured enjoying a trip to the Maldives this week The mother-of-two followed up the photo with two seemingly random holiday snaps, including one picture of nature simply captioned 'Maldives' and another of what looked like underwear alongside the words: 'The sun is shining on @herthelabel.' Lara looked content and refreshed while posing for a mirror selfie, three months after giving birth to the second child she shares with husband Sam Worthington, 40. The couple also shares a son Rocket Zot, who turns two in March. Relaxation: The model and beauty entrepreneur shared this holiday snap with her Instagram followers on Monday Random: She also shared a second snap of what looked like underwear but may have been swimwear The Maldives getaway snaps come after Lara found herself bogged on an icy street in Sweden and unable to move a pram, presumably with her youngest son inside. In a video posted to her Instagram Story on Monday, Lara appeared slightly amused by her predicament. The blonde is seen kicking her legs and desperately trying to plow through the the snow as she struggles to push the bogged pram forward. Snowed in: Lara struggled desperately to free her bogged pram in Sweden this week Rugged up against the cold weather in a beanie and heavy coat, the 29-year-old perseveres for some time before she begins to slide along and gives up. It's unclear which of her two sons is in the pram, but as Lara gave birth to her second son, whose name shes not revealed, in October, it is likely to be the younger child. No snow here! Lara was recently pushing a pram with son Rocket aboard in New York Mum of two: Lara had second son, whose name shes not revealed, in October, with hubby Sam Worthington, 40 Both of her sons are fathered by Aussie actor Sam, who she married in 2014. It was a serious change of scenery and weather as the founder of The Base cosmetics had also recently been in the Maldives. It's unclear if Lara was in the tropical paradise before or after her trip to wintry Sweden but she posted images from both locations in the same two days. Married woman: Both of Lara's sons are fathered by Aussie actor Sam, who the entrepreneur married in 2014 The jet-setting beauty took a selfie of her outfit in front of a doorway at what appeared to be a hotel located at the tropical destination on Sunday. Lara also shared a picture of what appeared to be a bra or bikini top hanging off a palm tree, which certainly looked like more fun than being stuck in the snow. James Jordan split opinion among CBB viewers after claiming co-star Austin Armacost is only used to 'playing with soft boys' during an intense argument. The former Strictly Come Dancing star's comment prompted some fans to accuse him of homophobic and bullying behaviour. The pair traded vicious insults after an erratic Austin encouraged bedmate Nicola McLean to put water in James's bed before kicking the dancer as he inspected his sheets. Scroll down for video Head to head: James Jordan splits opinion among CBB viewers after claiming co-star Austin Armacost is only used to 'playing with soft boys' during an intense argument James said sternly: 'Do not start playing with the rough boys, you're going to get hurt. 'You're used to playing with little soft boys, don't play with real boys.' Bursting into loud laughter, Austin hit back: 'Yeah, because the dancer's the rough boy!' The response to the row was mixed, with one distressed viewer writing: 'Slightly concerned watching @The_JamesJordan his bullying is out of hand it's very upsetting to watch pls @bbuk DO SOMETHING now pls' Losing it: The pair traded vicious insults after an erratic Austin encouraged bedmate Nicola McLean to put water in James's bed before kicking the dancer has he inspected his sheets As another claimed: 'james j's comment to austin about "soft boys" was homophobic asf #cbb"' While a third felt completely differently, writing: '@The_JamesJordan homophobic???? I think not!! Austin had been acting out since nominations' James's torrent of swear words didn't impress one viewer, who wrote: '@The_JamesJordan Never realised what a foul mouthed nasty piece of work you are. Pushing his buttons: The former Strictly Come Dancing star's comment prompted some fans to accuse him of homophobic and bullying behaviour Up to no good: Austin and Nicola antagonised James Laughing at his expense: Austin found the prank amusing Team James: Reality stars such as Scott Thomas, Olivia Buckland and Stephanie Pratt were full of praise for the way James handled the situation Hard to watch: One viewer asked show bosses to intervene If the shoe was on the other foot: One viewer called Austin's actions sexual assault Say what you really mean: Many commentators didn't hold back As another declared: '@bbuk I want to punch James Jordan for upsetting @austinarmacost LEAVE him alone he's a STAR and the WINNER' One even regarded Austin's behaviour as sexual assault: 'If Austin had put his finger up a womans bum like he did to #JamesJordan he'd have been chucked out for sexual assault! @channel5_tv #CBB' A spokesman for Channel 5 told MailOnline: 'Big Brother does not tolerate unacceptable language in the Big Brother House. Big Brother intervenes where necessary to remind housemates of this.' Meanwhile, reality stars such as Scott Thomas, Olivia Buckland and Stephanie Pratt were full of praise for the way James handled the situation. Determined to push Austin's buttons, James called the American a 'quitter' and claimed he'd leave the house within the next two days. His lack of compassion didn't go down well, with Austin raging: 'You f***ing bell-end, d**k-head, d**k-cheese, f***ing c**t, gutter-rat, twat.' Getting personal, James targeted Austin's love life, saying: 'You miss your boyfriend boo-hoo, youll f**king have another boyfriend next year.' It's not the first time that the Kardashians have been accused of thickening out or slimming down their Instagram pictures. But Kylie Jenner fans were led to believe that she added a new wart to her right knee on Tuesday night, as a steamy new bikini picture appeared on beau Tyga's page. Puzzled about the beauty spot, which to some resembled a 'third nipple', Tyga's 11.7m followers also asked why she'd slimmed down her leg beyond recognition. Scroll down for video Flashback: Tyga shared this snap of himself with girlfriend Kylie Jenner on holiday in Mexico last week Flashback: Tyga shared this snap of himself with girlfriend Kylie Jenner on holiday in Mexico last week 'It looks like there's a huge mole or some kind of bump on her knee!!' exclaimed one bewildered fan. Another asked: 'Is that a wart on the top of her right knee,' and a further fan probed, 'Is that a mole on her knee?' Meanwhile, taking a wild guess, a fourth said: 'She has a nipple on her knee,' while another concluded: 'She got a damn ladybug on her.' Laughing at the seemingly-epic blunder, another suggested: 'It's a nipple on her shrunken leg!!! I thoroughly enjoy these stupid girls. money can't fix stupid!' Luckily, one follower seemed to get to the bottom of the mystery and spot that a tall plant in soft focus had been mistaken in front. 'Totally thought she had a wart on her knee,' said the user, 'But it's all perspective - something in front of her knee hahaha.' The plausible explanation didn't put an end to all of the photoshop talk because others were concerned about the missing half of Kylie's leg 'Why does her right leg look skinnier than the other?' puzzled one fan, who failed to see that the Kardashian's leg was hidden behind her lover's. In the photo, the KUWTK star can be seen perched on her beau's lap as she shows off her figure in a black bikini with white embroidery along with matching choker. Nothing to see here: Kylie proved that there was no such wart on her knee in a series of her other Miami pictures 'What's wrong with the right leg?' asked another, while one user said: 'Her leg look deformed.' Two others commented: 'omg one of her legs look photoshopped' and 'Is her leg photoshopped.' In the snapshot of their recent trip to Miami, the rapper is seen kissing Kylie's back as he wraps his arms around her and the teen TV star nonchalantly glances behind her as she enjoys a snack. The couple spent a few days soaking up the sun at the Casa Aramara in Punta Mita, a luxurious villa owned and rented out by Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis. Tyga's son King Cairo, four, was also with the duo as well as Kylie's BFF Jordyn Woods. Sister time: The 19-year-old reality star posed alongside sister Kendall at NBCUniversal's 74th Annual Golden Globes After Party on Sunday night When she returned to Los Angeles last week for NBC Universal's 74th Annual Golden Globes After Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Kylie was flaunting the natural look of her lithe legs. Attending the bash with sister Kendall, 21, Kylie flashed a glimpse of her distinctive thigh scar in a silver, side-split dress. Kylie, 19, has previously spoken of her pride at her distinctive marking which she obtained as a five-year-old while playing hide and seek with In an interview with Celebuzz in 2011, the youngest Kardashian opened up about the day she received her scar. Just chilling: The ladies sat in their glamorous gowns flashing some leg with sexy thigh-high slits, drawing particular attention to Kylie's leg scar 'When I was about five my sister and I were playing hide and seek and I hid inside this really tall-enclosed gate. 'After a while when my sister didn't find me I had to climb up on this sharp pole sticking out from the gate. 'I slipped and the pole went into my leg. I tried pulling away to get the pole out but it just tore through my whole leg. It's smaller now though because I grew!' The girlfriend of rapper Tyga, 26, has been photographed on multiple occasions with her unintentional body mark, choosing not to hide it. With her penchant for a healthy and active lifestyle, it's no surprise Nikki Phillips was chosen as an Oceania ambassador for fitness giant Puma. And the New Zealand-born beauty flaunted her enviably slender frame, as she took to Instagram on Wednesday, capturing a morning walk with pal Jodi Anasta at Sydney's Centennial Park. The 33-year-old model and television presenter was then seen stripping down to a skimpy bikini, soaking up the sun's rays with stylist and close pal, Donny Galella. Scroll down for video Trim and terrific! Nikki Phillips, 33, shared a clip to her Instagram story on Wednesday, that saw her flaunting her enviably slender frame in workout gear, while out on a walk with pal Jodi Anasta, 31 'I don't think we picked the best day to do a lap around Centennial Park...38 degrees,' Nikki was heard saying with a laugh, in the short clip shared to Instagram. 'We're melting,' she continued, raising her lithe arms in the air. Nikki wore a black crop top, full-length leggings, and white trainers, naturally by Puma, with gold and black sunglasses working as accessories. The camera then panned to pal Jodi Anasta, 31, also an Oceania ambassador for Puma, who opted for a white ensemble and a black cap, with her tresses swept into an effortless ponytail. Vocal: 'I don't think we picked the best day to do a lap around Centennial Park...38 degrees,' Nikki was heard saying with a laugh Famous face: The camera then panned to pal Jodi Anasta, 31, also an Oceania ambassador for Puma, who opted for a white ensemble and a black cap, with her tresses swept into an effortless ponytail Nikki was then seen in a later clip shared to her Instagram story, stripping down to a skimpy bikini. The triangle design of the green, black and white bikini top, highlighted her delicate decolletage and taut torso. Shielding her eyes behind another pair of stylish sunglasses, this time a white-rimmed kind, Nikki swept her short tresses into a low-key style. Soaking up the sun: The blonde beauty was then seen in a later clip shared to her Instagram story, stripping down to a skimpy bikini But first, let's take a selfie: Nikki worked on her tan, no doubt making the most of Sydney's scorching hot weather, with celebrity stylist and close pal, Donny Galella Nikki worked on her tan, no doubt making the most of Sydney's scorching hot weather, with celebrity stylist and close pal, Donny Galella. The personality just recently returned from a vacation in Callala Bay on New South Wales' south coast, with husband of two years, musician-turned-jewellery designer, Dan Rumble. While on the short getaway, Nikki shared a number of stunning snaps to Instagram, drawing attention to her lean legs and naturally cinched waist. Her main man: The personality just recently returned from a vacation in Callala Bay on New South Wales' south coast, with husband of two years, musician-turned-jewellery designer, Dan Rumble [pictured] She's taken an extended vacation away from catwalks and studio shoots in her homeland of Brazil. And Alessandra Ambrosio, 35, looked refreshed and in sensational shape as she hit the beach in Canasvieiras with gals pals. The brunette beauty wore a tiny turquoise bikini which flaunted her statuesque figure and washboard stomach. Scroll down for video Bikini babe: Alessandra Ambrosio, 35, looked refreshed and in sensational shape as she hit the beach in Canasvieiras with gals pals The Victoria's Secret model emanated an attractive bronze glow as she went for a dip in the water. She whipped her damp tresses back before running her hands through them. The stunner covered her eyes with trendy shades and wore a wicker sun hat as she waded waist deep beside pals. Keeping active, Alessandra had a go on a paddleboard. The exertion must have caused her to work up an appetite as she headed to the beach hut for refreshments once she was back on shore. Sensational: The brunette beauty wore a tiny turquoise bikini which flaunted her statuesque figure and washboard stomach Whip it: Alessandra whipped her damp tresses back before running her hands through them Cooling off: The Victoria's Secret model emanated an attractive bronze glow as she went for a dip in the water Admiring the view: Alessandra gazed out into the horizon Amused: Alessandra pointed back to shore with a big smile on her face Reaching up: Alessandra stretched, releasing the tension in her stunning frame Going for a dip: The calm water lapped against the stunner's hips Busty: The model's cleavage looked ample in her bikini Stylish: Alessandra accessorised with an array of bracelets and necklaces All at sea: Alessandra looked at one with nature as she held her arms outstretched Tinkering: She made a subtle adjustment to her bikini top in the water As she waited for her ice cold beverage, Alessandra adjusted her bottoms - putting on quite the cheeky display. The catwalk queen wrapped a pink beach towel around her shoulders as she munched on a fresh piece of fruit. The model and her friends congregated underneath some blue parasols and sat comfortably on their beach chairs. Footprints in the sand: Alessandra made her way casually across the white sand Making a splash: Water droplets flicked up into the air as Alessandra held her paddle Holiday fun: Keeping active, Alessandra had a go on a paddleboard Take a break: Alessandra sat on the board as it drifted across the water Sitting comfortably: Alessandra looked carefree as she rested on the board Spec-tacular: The stunner covered her eyes with trendy shades Knee-deep: Alessandra planted her paddle into the seabead Pert posterior: Alessandra adjusted her bottoms - putting on quite the cheeky display Happy! Alessandra wore a beaming smile as she waited for her refreshments Refreshed: Alessandra quenched her thirst with an orange beverage Not an inch to pinch: She may be on holiday, but Alessandra has stayed in great shape Since Christmas, the Vogue cover girl has been enjoying a holiday in her home country. The dark-haired beauty is in South America with her fiance Jamie Mazur and their two children: Anja Louise, eight, and Noah Phoenix, four. Their two children were both born in Florianopolis. Take a bit: The catwalk queen wrapped a pink beach towel around her shoulders as she munched on a fresh piece of fruit Her artfully posed slew of bikini snaps in recent weeks has prompted her brother Sam to tease her mercilessly via Instagram, even revealing how she achieves the perfect 'selfie'. But a seemingly undeterred Louise Thompson posted yet more swimsuit snaps on Wednesday, showing off her slim physique in a bikini adorned with dollar bills and Mickey Mouse. And in another shot taken from her holiday in Sri Lanka, Louise poses in a nude-coloured swimsuit while running her fingers through her beachy wet hair. Scroll down for video Another day, another bikini: Louise Thompson again took the opportunity to show off her svelte figure - this time in a bikini adorned with dollar bills 'Nude is necessary. Basically living in my low back #showpo swimsuit these days!!' she wrote alongside the Instagram snap. The star seemed unruffled by her brother's recent attempts to tease her about her constant social media posts - the cheeky Made In Chelsea star even posted a snap showing the lengths his sister and her beau Ryan Libbey will go to share the snaps. Sam used an Instagram Story to show how a professional photography and lighting team appeared to be involved in setting up some of his sister's snapshots. It featured one image from beside a pool with two figures, who appear to be the couple, sat in front of a professional camera. Beachy: Louise ran her fingers through her wet hair in yet another swimsuit snapshot Louise has been enjoying an idyllic trip to Sri Lanka, where she has spent much of the holiday stripping off to show off the figure personal trainer Ryan has helped her hone. On Tuesday alone, both the genetically-blessed pair shared images on their respective social media accounts with Ryan teasing Louise for stealing screen time. He added a caption on the shot reading : 'Trying to get some camera time on my own before the misses takes over, again!... She caught me red handed though...' Secret's out! Hilariously, her co-star brother Sam has decided to out the lengths the couple will go to in order to share their self-promoting, body-baring snaps - with the results including a professional photographer and lighting team Still going! Made In Chelsea star Louise have left fans scratching their heads as to how they are sharing a bevy of artistically posed images on a romantic break for two The ripped couple have posed in a number of images - often with both in front of the camera leading to questions over who was snapping. This is the second time Sam has laid into the couple on this holiday alone, as last week he enlisted the help of his co-star girlfriend Tiffany Watson to replicate his sibling's picture, in which Ryan scooped her up with one hand. Louise, who has undergone a massive body transformation of late after hooking up with her personal trainer beau, litters her social media accounts with sponsored posts, often publicising fashion brands. Life's a beach! Louise posted another snap on Instagram on Tuesday afternoon of the couple enjoying 'tans, tummy feeding and top knots' on their Sri Lankan break Top joker: Yet Sam, who frequently mocks his sister on social media, took to his Instagram story to share an image from beside a pool with two figures who appear to be the couple sat in front of a professional camera Ouch! This is the second time Sam has laid into the couple on this holiday alone, as last week he enlisted the help of his co-star girlfriend Tiffany Watson to replicate his sibling's picture, in which Ryan scooped her up with one hand While the brunette beauty wins thousands of likes on the posts, hilarious Sam opted to swoop on his sister's penchant for promotion by mimicking her snaps near-exactly - much to her chagrin. The funnyman recruited Tiffany to help him rib Louise's self-satisfied snap, which she posted on Monday from her New Year Maldives getaway. Louise posed in a powerful shot in which Ryan made a seemingly effortless move to launch the brunette reality star into the air with just one hand, while the caption read: 'We're gonna crush 2017'. Eek! The couple were seen stumbling around on the grass as Sam tried and failed to lift her into the air - with great difficulty Agh! Slimline Tiffany seemed outraged that she could not be erected with ease, as she gasped: 'Can you really not lift me?' before they eventually managed a feeble imitation of her the original snap Hilarious Sam, who is enjoying a romantic break in Morocco, shared a video which opened with the image of Louise and Ryan before transcending into a slip with Tiffany. The couple were seen stumbling around on the grass as Sam tried and failed to lift her into the air - with great difficulty. Slimline Tiffany seemed outraged that she could not be hoisted with ease, as she gasped: 'Can you really not lift me?' before they eventually managed a feeble imitation of her the original snap. Don't hurt yourself: It looked as though Sam was at risk of dropping his girlfriend Who wore it best? Sam raided his sister Louise's wardrobe for a third time as he continues to mock her Instagram poses Late last month, Sam raided his sister wardrobe for a third time as mocked her Instagram poses by teaming a slinky lace minidress with an eye-catching statement necklace for the amusing snap. Remaining straight-faced for the comical picture, Sam was unable to match Louise's impressive plump pout. He leaned against the same fireplace from his sister's snap, with an abstract art piece hanging above his left shoulder. The cheeky chappy wrote beside the image: 'Just being strong and independent in our misspap loungewear... for discount use Louise's code: I'm a k**b' Taking the mickey: Sam took the mickey out of his sister Louise, as he uploaded a picture of himself wearing the same feminine sequined frock Recycled: Louise shared a stunning shot clad in a lace grey dress last week, but little brother Sam couldn't resist mimicking the shot He previously slipped into some festive sequins to imitate the brunette beauty, 26. Doing a convincing impression of his big sister, Sam even flicked his head back with vigor to create the same flirty pose as Louise. Captioning the picture in the tiny white minidress, Sam wrote: 'Me and @louise.thompson slaying in sequins.' In a nod to Louise's penchant for fashion promotions, he name-dropped the brand, adding: 'Rocking our #motelrocks And you guys thought last week was a one off! Louise.....YOU'RE A BELLPIECE' The public takedown began earlier this month when Sam playfully attacked Louise's 'barrage' of Instagram posts by posting a shot of his own. Moving on: Louise didn't let being mocked deter her from sharing more snaps, taking to the photosharing site just hours later to post another shot of herself, this time clad in her lingerie Somehow getting hold of one of his sibling's ensembles, he expertly mirrored a snap she'd uploaded the week before, complete with the same accessories and sultry pout. He quipped: 'After the past months barrage of @louise.thompson instagrams...I think it's time I took some serious p**s! 'So here we go! Gliding into 2017 wearing our Lacey #axparis dresses.' Adding insult to injury, Sam's post garnered a whopping 36,700 likes, whilst Louise's original post only received 15,800. Before seeing the huge amount of likes he had amassed, Louise commented: 'OMG, you freak !!! If you get more likes than me @samthompsonuk.' Fuming: Louise jokingly labelled Sam a 'freak' after seeing the post Luckily, Louise later saw the funny side, commenting on his post: 'I guess you're going to get endorsed by ladies frocks now?' And whilst she may have been joking, fans seemed to suggest this could be the case, with one quipping: 'I saw Louise's post and loved the dress. Now I love it even more.' Other fans then hunted down Louise's original post, merely to tease that Sam had 'worn it better'. But she didn't let it deter her, taking to the photosharing site just hours later to post another shot of herself, this time clad in her lingerie. Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders Google Ad PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT Google Ad The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Caitlyn Jenner has accepted an invitation to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. The transgender reality star will travel to Washington, D.C. for the January 20 event,UsWeekly reported Wednesday. Jenner, 67, who was a vocal opponent of Democratic presidential nominee Hilary Clinton, has previously spoken about how she believes Trump will be 'good for women.' She said yes: Caitlyn Jenner has accepted an invitation to attend the January 20 inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the united States, it was reported Wednesday Jenner's decision to attend the inauguration makes her one of a few celebrities to show public support for the new president, who it's been widely reported has been having trouble finding famous names willing to perform at the ceremony. The former Olympic gold medalist is a conservative Republican but has been critical of GOP reluctance to fully embrace and support the LGBT community. The former wife of Keeping Up With The Kardashians momager Kris Jenner has also expressed interest in serving as a 'trans ambassador' under a Republican presidency. Activist: The conservative transgender reality star visited Capitol Hill back in September to lobby Republicans to better support the LGBT community In September Jenner visited Capitol Hill to raise awareness of LGBT issues at the invitation of the American Unity Fund, an advocacy group created and backed by GOP donors who believe the party should promote a more inclusive message. 'I have kind of positioned myself with the Republican party to try to help these people understand. [To help] the Republican party understand what the issues are for the LBGT community,' Jenner explained during an appearance on HBO's Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons back in August. Jenner starred in the E! reality series I Am Cait for two seasons before the show's cancellation due to poor ratings. She is the father of two daughters with ex Kris - KUWTK celebrities Kendall and Kylie Jenner - and four children from previous marriages. Political animal: Jenner, 67, pictured shopping for groceries on Wednesday, has previously expressed interest in serving as a 'trans ambassador' under a Republican presidency Has her own style: The former Olympic gold medalist paired a striped sweater with skinny jeans, boots and a white padded jacket for the grocery run Demi Lovato's been taking in a spellbinding safari at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya over the past few days. She's regaled her tens-of-millions-strong social media following with updates from the outdoors, but has also provided a more intimate view from her holiday. Her Instagram Story's included a mirror selfie in which she posed in a multicoloured bikini that bared her toned legs and enviably flat midriff. Scroll down for video Showing what she's got: On Wednesday, Demi Lovato posted an Instagram Story mirror selfie in a multicoloured bikini from her holiday digs in Kenya On that platform on Wednesday, she's also uploaded views of the sprawling landscape ahead, dotted with animals she's identified in captions. 'ELEPHANTS!!!' white text blared across the bottom of a Wednesday post. 'GIRAFFES!!,' and 'Rhinos!!' turned up as well, and a group of 'ZEBRAS!!!' galloped about each other on the plain, flinging up clouds of dust. A close-up selfie posted to social media provided a glimpse at her outfit for the day: a red, white and blue checked shawl draped over a pearl grey striped top. Out and about: She's been taking in a spellbinding safari at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya over the past few days 'ELEPHANTS!!!' 'ZEBRAS!!!': On her Instagram Story, she's uploaded views of the sprawling landscape ahead, dotted with animals she's identified in the captions Viewed from a distance: In another Instagram Story upload, a pair of rhinos could be seen trundling across the grass a ways off Her hair slicked back and tightly braided, she'd popped on a pair of earrings and had various designs painted across her forehead and cheeks. In another social media photo - this time taken by someone else - she'd wrapped the fabric round her frame until it almost resembled a smock. Flanking her were two Maasai men in traditional dress, one of whom was holding what appeared to be a large spear. Checking out the tree: The singer also caught sight of a couple of giraffes, who'd got closer to her than the rhinos had Trio: She posed for a photo flanked by two Maasai men in traditional dress, one of whom was holding what appeared to be a large spear Grin and pout: A selfie uploaded Wednesday saw her giving the camera a sidelong grin, surrounded by her fellow travellers On Wednesday, her Instagram page played host to various photos of herself with her travelling companions, all of whom wore the same shawl she did. In one photo, in which members of the group smiled broadly up at the camera, they'd wrapped the shawls about their necks. In another, they were seen from the back whilst sat in a row on the plain, their shawls draped luxuriantly over their backs. Brimming with cheer: She uploaded an Instagram selfie on Wednesday in which her travelling companions smiled much more broadly Absorbing the views: Another Instagram photo saw the group from the back whilst they were sat in a row on the grass Closer up: One image was a closer-up image of the 24-year-old sat on the ground, sandwiched between two female friends who stared off alongside her One image was a closer-up image of the 24-year-old sat on the ground, sandwiched between two female friends who stared off alongside her. A social media selfie uploaded Wednesday saw her giving the camera a sidelong grin, surrounded by her fellow travellers, a couple of whom pouted. Three days past, her Snapchat Story had been quite full as well, with one post showing Lovato herself bedecked in local garb and another showing her having a bit of a laugh with a female friend. Seen from above: Three days past, her Snapchat Story had been quite full as well, with one post showing Lovato herself bedecked in local garb Carlos and Alexa PenaVega are thrilled with their newborn son Ocean's $15K nursery designed by Vanessa Antonelli. 'The nursery is everything we wanted!' the 28-year-old new mother gushed to Life & Style Magazine. Alexa's 27-year-old second husband assisted with selecting the 'soothing neutral' decor, $2,400 Natart crib and dresser, as well as the $1,300 Metal & Lights marquee. Scroll down for video 'The nursery is everything we wanted!' Carlos and Alexa PenaVega are thrilled with their newborn son Ocean's $15K nursery designed by Vanessa Antonelli On newsstands now! Alexa's 27-year-old second husband assisted with selecting the 'soothing neutral' decor, $2,400 Natart crib and dresser, as well as the $1,300 Metal & Lights marquee The 28-year-old new mother admitted to Life & Style: 'He's actually pretty good when it comes to design and ideas!' 'He's actually pretty good when it comes to design and ideas!' the Spy Kids alum admitted. The PenaVegas celebrated their baby boy's first month on a tropical isle Saturday, and he already boasts 182K Instagram followers. The Bible-quoting Christian couple were also enjoying another milestone during the beachy babymoon - their third wedding anniversary. 'You and Ocean are the greatest blessings I ever could have asked for,' Alexa gushed on Instagram Thursday. Combined their surnames: The PenaVegas celebrated their baby boy's first month on a tropical isle Saturday, and he already boasts 182K Instagram followers 'You and Ocean are the greatest blessings!' The Bible-quoting Christian couple were also enjoying another milestone during the beachy babymoon - their third wedding anniversary The Spy Kids alum gushed on Instagram Thursday: 'What a way to celebrate our anniversary and our new Lil O than our favorite spot! I love you my angel. Secret to a great marriage? Jesus' I do (again): The half-Colombian actress divorced her first husband - film producer Sean Covel - after less than two years of marriage in 2012 'What a way to celebrate our anniversary and our new Lil O than our favorite spot! I love you my angel. Secret to a great marriage? Jesus.' The half-Colombian actress divorced her first husband - film producer Sean Covel - after less than two years of marriage in 2012. For Carlos and Alexa's seventh onscreen collaboration, they'll play Isabella and Juaquin in this year's family dramedy Sleep Away. The Grease: Live star also voices Roberto 'Bobby' Alejandro Martinez-Millan Luis Santiago Jr. in the second season of The Loud House, which airs Wednesdays on Nickelodeon. Former Dancing with the Stars rivals: For Carlos and Alexa's seventh onscreen collaboration, they'll play Isabella and Juaquin in this year's family dramedy Sleep Away She couldn't contain her excitement after announcing she had become engaged to her beau Alex Bowen on Christmas Eve. But Olivia Buckland was forced to defend the happy news after some of her Instagram followers accused Alex of getting down on one knee for publicity and a magazine deal. In a Snapchat rant posted on Tuesday, the Love Island star, 22, defiantly hit back at her critics, stating: 'Stop being jealous b****es, get over it!' Scroll down for video 'Stop being jealous': Love Island's Olivia Buckland, 22, hit back at her critics who accused her of getting engaged to Alex Bowen for a magazine deal Continuing on, the pretty blonde revealed: For the people writing on my Instagram saying they saw this coming and we got engaged for a magazine deal go find something else to do with your boring life because Im in love with Alex and hes in love with me. We were always going to talk to a magazine or someone about it, because theres loads of people out there who want to know how it happened and are interested in our lives. Im sorry no one is interested in your lives you dont understand, obviously. Olivia, who fell in love with Alex, 24, on the ITV2 series Love Island last year, signed off on a positive: Shout out to all my babes that have wished us congratulations. Soon to wed: Olivia and Alex became engaged on Christmas Eve during a festive holiday to New York 'I'm in love with Alex': Olivia couldn't contain her anger in the Snapchat rant and was adamant she and her beau were in it for the long haul The couple became engaged in New York, with Alex getting down on one knee during a rooftop date. The reality TV hunk shared a snap of Olivia's silver encrusted, perfectly manicured hands, which he titled: 'She said yes!' The newly-engaged beauty couldn't resist flashing her ring once more as she modelled the striking ring while standing alongside her husband-to-be. 'I have no words for how happy I am,' she wrote. 'My fiance my everything @ab_bowen this was magical. So magical.' The next day, the reality starlet was a vision of beauty as she lay in bed with the sparkler on show as she wrote: 'When does this sink in. Last night was the most amazing thing.' 'I'm sorry no one is interested in you': Alex defended her magazine deal by revealing there were some other people who wanted to know about their magical engagement 'She said yes!' The reality TV hunk shared a snap of Olivia's silver encrusted, perfectly manicured hands So happy': The newly-engaged beauty couldn't resist flashing her ring once more as she modelled the striking ring while standing alongside her husband-to-be The couple also spilled the beans about the moment they got engaged to OK!, with Olivia stating: He got down on one knee and I was thinking, "oh my God what is happening? I was so shocked!" She added: It was crazy. It didnt hit me for about 20 minutes, and then an hour later we were sat in a bar and I just burst into tears! Alex chimed in: I was half way through saying: "Will you marry me?" and I hadnt even finished and she was like: Yes, yes, yes, I will! Olivia admitted: These days I know we are young to be engaged but my mum was at this age. And surprisingly, the beauty revealed that Alex's former frame Zara Holland was also welcome to the big day - despite being given the boot and dethroned from her Miss. GB title after having sex with Alex on Love Island. She is a Nasty Woman for life and she does not care what you think of it. Lena Dunham has once again pushed the boundaries of what most would consider good taste as she looks towards a very different year to 2016. The 30-year-old actress and writer has bared all - literally and metaphorically - in a new interviewer with Nylon released Wednesday. Doing it her way: Lena Dunham has once again pushed the boundaries of what most would consider good taste as she looks towards a very different year to 2016 in a new Nylon magazine interview released Wednesday The Girls' creator is the magazine's cover star and, once again, proves when it comes to being a Hollywood starlet, she is not that type of girl. In the interview Lena reveals her fears and hopes now that Donald Trump rather than her Presidential pick Hilary Clinton is going to be in office and discusses the fact she will not 'do another show that starred four white girls'. But her fashion spread all but steals the show from her deep confessions as it is rather unconventional and revealing. For the February issue, Lena has model swimwear with some attention demanding poses. Did not hold back: The Girls' creator is the magazine's cover star and, once again, proves when it comes to being a Hollywood starlet, she is not that type of girl posing in a myriad of risque positions that are not for the faint-hearted In two of the images - one on the floor and one on a chair - the star poses with her leg pulled up the air while wearing a swimsuit. While both poses threaten to expose more than just her maroon one piece, the star has revealed she has never felt better. On Instagram on Wednesday, the famous feminist said: 'For the first time in my career, posing for pictures feels honest and joyful. 'Feels honest and joyful': In two of the images - one on the floor and one on a chair - the star poses with her leg pulled up the air while wearing a swimsuit Photo range: Lena - who often demands magazines do not use Photoshop on her images - did also model her outfits with more traditional poses as well 'Maybe that's being 30. Maybe that's demanding to be seen for who I am, teensy stomach moles on pale rounded stomach and all. Still nasty: The actress' Nylon cover story is titled, 'Lena Dunham, Nasty As She Wanna Be' 'Thank you beloved @nylonmag for introducing me to so much style and content over the years, and for embracing me in my totality on your cover. I'm feeling v blessed and highly favored.' The star also thanked the photographers Sylvia Sanchez and Maurio Mongiello for helping her feel powerful in the unconventional shoot. 'It's not just any photog who takes me here. Ass out heart open. Thank you Sylvia Sanchez and Maurio Mongiello! And Sally Lyndley, for anointing me with sacred crystals.' Lena - who often demands magazines do not use Photoshop on her images - did also model her outfits with more traditional poses as well. While the images of the star with her legs in the air are probably not everyone's cups of tea - Lena does not care. The star told Nylon that she has learnt to not be so concerned about what people think of her. 'Not my problem': While the images of the star with her legs in the air are probably not everyone's cups of tea - Lena does not care, as she is learning not to need everyone to like her Gets them talking: When it comes to the millennial marvel, people certainly have a lot of options which have ranged from light-hearted criticism to all-out threats, especially due to her support for Hilary Clinton during the presidential campaign 'The older I get, the more I'm like, ''I don't f**king know what anybody is seeing when they look at me,'' and the coolest thing is it's not my problem. 'That's an interesting thing. It kind of doesn't matter. I used to think the worst thing in the world could be for someone to have a thought about you that you didn't have yourself. Now I'm like, ''Have at it, guys!'' As a female in a male dominated industry, she is doing her best to stop trying to be liked by everyone. Nasty Woman: As a feminist and a Democrat, she had long been a target for alt-right trolls on the internet and, post Donald Trump's win, she was besieged by threats from her now empowered-opponents Moving forward: Lena said she does her best to understand these people, as 'what we're dealing with in America isn't just misogyny, isn't just racism, but is also this unspoken constant tug between people living on different sides of the class divide' Not a working class hero: The star said, 'There's a sense of snobbery or intellectualism that feels like it's the enemy of patriotism and also the enemy of the working class, which is by no means where I ever wanted to position myself' 'Sometimes being a creator, and especially being a female creator, is an exercise in shutting people's voices out, because there are so many who think they understand better than you how to do your job.' And when it comes to the millennial marvel, people certainly have a lot of options which have ranged from light-hearted criticism to all-out threats, especially due to her support for Hilary Clinton during the presidential campaign. As a feminist and a publicly declared Nasty Woman, she had long been a target for alt-right trolls on the internet and, post Donald Trump's win, she was besieged by threats from her now empowered-opponents. Different approach: The 30-year-old - who has been accused of being exclusionary especially when it comes to women of colour, said she would not do a show 'that starred four white girls' like her hit Girls However, Lena said she does her best to understand these people: 'So much of what we're dealing with in America isn't just misogyny, isn't just racism, but is also this unspoken constant tug between people living on different sides of the class divide. 'You come in and you're like, ''I went to Oberlin. My godparents are both art critics. I was raised at a women's action coalition meeting,'' and that's repugnant to them on a thousand levels. 'There's a sense of snobbery or intellectualism that feels like it's the enemy of patriotism and also the enemy of the working class, which is by no means where I ever wanted to position myself.' Changing times: Lena is still coming to grips with her place and the place of her rebellious and culture-defining show Girls, which is in its final season, in a Trump world Prepared for social media war: The show will hopefully 'bring up important conversations, and not just become the worst Twitter abuse storm in history - or it will' However, while Lena has prided herself in giving a voice to those who have been left out of the conversation, she two has been accused to being exclusionary and also promoting cultural stereotypes, especially when it comes to women of colour. The star admits Girls is flawed: 'I wouldn't do another show that starred four white girls. New environment: Lena said it would be interesting promoting the show around the same time as Donald Trump's (pictured Tuesday at his first press conference since he was voted in) Inauguration 'That being said, when I wrote the pilot I was 23. Each character was an extension of me. I thought I was doing the right thing. I was not trying to write the experience of somebody I didn't know, and not trying to stick a black girl in without understanding the nuance of what her experience of hipster Brooklyn was.' Lena is still coming to grips with her place and the place of her rebellious and culture-defining show Girls, which is in its final season, in a Trump world. 'We wrote in a climate where we were thinking a lot about this election, and the election was heating up as we shot the show, and that energy for sure made its way into how we tackled topics. I don't mean to be demurring, but there are some big female issues, more than maybe ever before. 'It's going to be interesting promoting this show right after Trump is inaugurated. 'Hopefully it'll bring up important conversations, and not just become the worst Twitter abuse storm in history - or it will.' 'The confluence, for me, of the show ending and this new era beginning in which I know that we as public women are going to have to fight harder than we ever have before, is a really interesting, complicated moment.' Just days before, she revealed they performed nine solid hours of sex scenes while filming Live By Night. And Sienna Miller proved just how close the steamy scenes placed her with co-star and director Ben Affleck at the London premiere of the film on Wednesday - where the duo got super cosy on the star-studded red carpet. The 35-year-old actress looked sensational in a silky slip dress yet the blistering chill descending on the capital grew too much so the Hollywood hunk wrapped his coat around her before partying on into the wee hours. Scroll down for video Always a gentleman: Sienna Miller proved just how close the steamy scenes placed her with co-star and director Ben Affleck at the London premiere of the film on Wednesday - where the duo got super cosy on the star-studded red carpet Sienna dazzled in her chic monochrome gown with thin spaghetti straps and a delicate silk material, yet the six degree temperature led her into her co-star's arms. Just days before at the LA premiere the duo were seen getting close and they made no exception on Wednesday as Ben wrapped an arm around her. Strutting along the red carpet the duo greeted the world's press as a unit, before whispering to one another while they posed for the masses of cameras. Ben plays Joe Coughlin in the movie, the son of a Boston policeman, who falls in love with Sienna's character, Emma Gould, the mistress of the Robert Glenister's character, Albert White, who is the boss of an Irish gang of Boston. Good sports: The 35-year-old actress, who plays Irish minx Emma Gould, looked sensational in a silky slip dress yet the blistering chill descending on the capital grew too much so the Hollywood hunk wrapped his coat around her What's so funny? Ben sported a shocked expression while Sienna stared humorously at his ensemble Good pal: Ben did his best to keep the blonde bombshell warm Hanging out: The two co-stars put on a fun-spirited display as they posed together on the red carpet - despite the chilly British weather Dream team: The good pals were in good spirits as they put on a very cosy display on the red carpet Leading man and his lady: All eyes were on the acting duo as the stepped out in style for the event No action-packed movie would be complete without a romantic story laden with sex scenes - and Sienna admitted the duo were forced into a bevy of romantic scenes - some of which left her in unprofessional fits of laughter. Speaking to E!, Sienna revealed: 'Ben and I are like brother and sister, thank God, so there was no awkwardness. There was just a lot of stupid giggling. He's very professionalI am not, but he is. 'In that environment it was a cool scene. There was a montage in the script saying we did it everywhere: in the car, in the bar...I was like: "That's an entire day of just love scenes! OK. How do we do this?" Up close: Sienna recently admitted their whopping nine hours of sex scenes tickled her The object of his desire: The handsome star plays Joe Coughlin in the movie, the son of a Boston policeman, who falls in love with Sienna's character, Emma, who is the mistress of the Robert Glenister's character, Albert White , who is the boss of an Irish gang of Boston Screen siren: Sienna Miller, 35, commanded attention as she made a glamorous arrival for the Live By Night's premiere at London's BFI Southbank on Tuesday night Rock on! Sienna and Ben seemed determined to let the party live on as they headed to the Chiltern Firehouse restaurant in Marylebone shortly after 'Obviously, by the time nine hours of it has gone past, I was shaking with tears running down my face. I mean, I can't tell youbut you have to laugh. Ben is just professional. It is what it is.' Sienna's slinky satin number, which was mostly white with a diagonal slot of black, contoured her slim figure to perfection and bared her toned arms. Opting for a vintage vibe, the British beauty's garment featured a black corsage on the left side of her chest. Famed for her sensational sense of style, Sienna's dress ticked all the red carpet boxes as she posed and preened while preparing to launch the movie. Hollywood hunk: Joining Sienna on the red carpet was her hunky co-star, Ben Affleck Glamour: The actress, who plays Irish minx Emma Gould, absolutely oozed elegance in a figure-hugging monochrome dress Monochrome magic: The slinky satin number, which was mostly white with a diagonal slot of black, contoured her slim figure to perfection and bared her toned arms Slinky: The garment hugged her trim midriff and pert derriere Her glossy blonde locks were styled in old school Hollywood waves and were pinned back on one side, framing her striking features - which were accentuated in a glamorous coat of make-up. Her towering open-toe heels boosted her height as she worked her angles on the red carpet while holding on to a chic, black clutch with one silver-encrusted hand. Taking her time as she posed for photographers and mingled with fans, Sienna was clearly in good spirits for the occasion. Vintage vibe: Her glossy blonde locks were styled in old school Hollywood waves and were pinned back on one side Like a pro! There was a moment when she was all alone, soaking up the attention from the photographers Nice touch: Opting for a vintage vibe, the British beauty's garment featured a black corsage on the left side of her chest Stunner: Her eyes featured a generous dose of mascara, while her lips sported pink gloss Standing tall: Her towering open-toe heels boosted her height as she worked her angles on the red carpet Dripping in diamonds: Sienna couldn't resist flashing her stunning silver earrings as she posed over her shoulder Eternal beauty: Her stunning features were difficult to miss Ben meanwhile looked typically dashing in a fitted three-piece navy suit with showed off his muscular frame. The handsome star was wise enough to prepared for the cold in his slick coat yet was forced to share with slinky Sienna. He teamed the look with a light blue shirt, navy tie and brown shoes - while also sporting grey scruff. Star: Sienna braved the chill to sign autographs for fans Say cheese! She ensured to pose for photographs as well Dapper: Ben meanwhile looked typically dashing in a fitted three-piece navy suit with showed off his muscular frame Stylish: He teamed the look with a light blue shirt, navy tie and brown shoes Fifty shades of grey: The father of three also sported grey scruff Pleasing them: He took time out to sign autographs for eager fans Wrapping up: At one point it seemed like the weather was becoming too much for Sienna to handle The squad: Sienna and Ben posed alongside their co-stars, Robert Glenister (L) and Chris Messina (R) They're all there! All the stars squeezed in together for a group shot Popular lady: Sienna also got cosy with her other co-star, Chris Messina Also stepping out in style for the premiere was Made in Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt, who kept it super flirty in a heavily patterned co-ord set which flashed a peek of her toned stomach and flaunted her long legs. Model Jada Sezer showed off her curvaceous figure in a skin-tight black dress which flaunted her sensational pins. Actor Chris Messina put on a stylish display as he arrived with his gorgeous wife Jennifer Todd, who was clad in a stunning midi-length number. Talented man: As well as acting in it, Ben has also directed the flick 'There was a lot of stupid giggling': Speaking to E! News, Sienna revealed they resorted to humour to get them through the hours of sex scenes Details: Sienna ensured to harbour all of her essentials in a chic black and red rimmed clutch Glam arrival: Also stepping out in style for the premiere was Made in Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt, who kept it super flirty in a heavily patterned co-ord set which flaunted her long legs Gorgeous: The reality star accentuated her blue eyes with a heavy dose of mascara, which she teamed with a glossy pink pout Enviable frame: Model Jada Sezer showed off her curvaceous figure in a skin-tight black dress which flaunted her sensational pins Elegant: Sienna's former step-mother, interior designer Kelly Hoppen, looked incredible in a sophisticated jade green velvet one-sleeved jumpsuit as she turned out to support the star Perfect pair: Chris Messina put on a stylish display as he arrival with his gorgeous wife Jennifer Todd who was clad in a stunning midi-length number Spill the beans: The Scottish beauty was on hand to interview Ben for his role in the gangster flick, which is currently in cinemas Tell us more: Jenni also had a giggly chat with Sienna, who was presumably spilling more sexy behind the scenes secrets with Ben Sienna and Ben seemed determined to let the party live on as they headed to the Chiltern Firehouse restaurant in Marylebone shortly after. The blonde beauty had dealt with the cold by pulling on a slightly mismatched navy coat atop her gown. Ben meanwhile remained in his ruggedly handsome ensemble as he prepared to indulge in the delights of the London night life. Meal: Later in the evening, Sienna was seen departing a post-premiere meal at 34 Restaurant So happy: The actress appeared to be in particularly jovial spirits as she made her exit Maintaining the glam: The screen star still looked just as glam as when she hit the red carpet A helping hand: The actress was guided through a group of handlers as she made her way out Layered: She threw on a smart blue jacket in an effort to stave off the biting wintry chill Celebrate! Her co-star Ben was also seen leaving the same eatery after their celebratory night Sign of the times: The Hollywood actor briefly paused outside to sign an autograph for a fan He may well be 20-years older, but the inexorable passage of time has done little to mellow Frank Begbies fiery temper in dramatic new character vignettes from the eagerly anticipated T2 Trainspotting. After spending the last two decades in prison the no-nonsense Scot, played by Robert Carlyle, begins life as a free man by exacting revenge on a justifiably terrified Mark Renton for his theft of 16,000 in ill-gotten cash the result of a sizeable heroin deal. Cornered in a squalid, neon lit public toilet, Renton has nowhere left to hide as an ageing Begbie clambers over a cubicle partition in a furious bid to punish his former friend for the 20-year old misdemeanour. Scroll down for video Some things never change: He may well be 20-years older, but the inexorable passage of time has done little to mellow Frank Begbies fiery temper in dramatic new character vignettes from the eagerly anticipated T2 Trainspotting Renton, played by Ewan McGregor, is also back in his native Edinburgh for the first time since fleeing to Amsterdam, where he kicked his drug habit and started a new life, but his attempts to atone appear to fall on deaf ears. Begbies a nutter, hes been in prison for 20 years,' Carlyle explains in an accompanying interview. 'He gets out, the first thing he want to do is kill Renton, thats for sure. Hes a different guy, hes 20 years older. 'You see the old and the new Begbie all in one. The flippant, crazy kind of thing. Theres still a lot of fun about the character, but theres lots of despair as well. You're on your own: Cornered in a squalid, neon lit public toilet, Renton has nowhere left to hide as an ageing Begbie clambers over a cubicle partition in a furious bid to punish his former friend Old times: Stills from Danny Boyle's new film also find the reformed character reacquainting with old pals Spud and Sick Boy while embracing the rugged lowlands surrounding their home city The passage of time: Renton and Sick Boy are 20 years older in Danny Boyle's eagerly anticipated sequel 'I know this guy so well, hes become like a friend. Every country I go to people know this character. Hes psychotic but I love him in a strange kind of way.' Stills from Danny Boyle's new film also find the reformed character reacquainting with old pals Spud and Sick Boy while embracing the rugged lowlands surrounding their home city. The sequel to the 1996 cult-hit is adapted from Scottish author Irvine Welsh's 2002 novel Porno. Cheers! Trainspotting 2 - abbreviated for the screen as T2 - sees the reunited cast attempt to make a name for themselves in the lucrative adult film industry Begbies a nutter, hes been in prison for 20 years,' Robert Carlyle explains in an accompanying interview. 'He gets out, the first thing he want to do is kill Renton, thats for sure Party time: Surreal party sequences pepper the forthcoming film Speaking about the movie earlier this year, Welsh - who also returns as hapless drug dealer Mikey Forrester - told NME: 'I tell you, this film is going to be quite emotional for people. 'Because the film sort of tells you to think about yourself. You are going to be thinking: "F**k. What have I done with my life?"' T2 Trainspotting sees the reunited cast attempt to make a name for themselves in the lucrative adult film industry. The film goes on general release across the United Kingdom on January 27, 2017. He's back: James Cosmo also returns for the sequel, reprising his peripheral role as Renton's long suffering father Since embarking on their romance last year, Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor have kept fans entertained with a stream of snapshots from their travels and exploits. And Millie, 27, has revealed that one of the factors she so adores about her beau is his precision when it comes to taking the perfect picture for Instagram. 'I love taking pictures, and Ive got a very good boyfriend as well who will take literallyhe takes a lot of pictures very quickly, he just knows the angles,' the former Made In Chelsea star cooed in an interview with GLAMOUR. Scroll down for video Insta attraction: Millie Mackintosh has gushed about her beau Hugo Taylor's ability to take the perfect shots for Instagram She added: 'He hands me my phone and theres about fifty different options and Im like, "Thats why I hired you, thank you." Thats the key, its the patient Insta-boyfriend.' During her interview, which took place on Wednesday as part of the publication's week-long #ThePositivityProject pop-up initiative, the beauty also spoke about why living in the limelight is something that appeals to her. 'I think maybe somewhere deep inside me Ive always been a bit of an attention seeker,' she admitted. Telling all: The reality TV star-turned-designer made the revelation on Wednesday during an interview for GLAMOUR's week-long #ThePositivityProject pop-up initiative Shots: Since getting back with Millie in May, Hugo has shared countless shots of his belle Holding on tight: Millie shares a slew of snapshots from their recent getaway to Cape Town And while Hugo, 30, is able to capture his belle in a flattering light at all times, Millie revealed that a years-old hair disaster once left her far from camera ready. She said: 'I went through a phase of hating being called strawberry blonde, which actually now Ive really embraced because its quite a rare hair colour 'So I used to dye it a really toxic shade of blonde that I once did at my friend's house when I was about 14 and I came back to school with like bright yellow hair and it was like straw and instantly wouldn't dry nicely because it was so brittle.' Naked ambition: Over the festive season, Millie shared a completely nude snap on Instagram Bootylicious! Millie also shared a smouldering snap in a high cut purple swimsuit. She captioned the shot 'leaving 2016 behind' as she gazed out over the ocean Over the festive season, Hugo's camera skills were pushed to the limit, as the couple enjoyed a sun-soaked break in Cape Town, South Africa. Last week, Millie shared a sweet snap of the duo cosied up in front of a blissful setting while Hugo sent temperatures soaring with a slinky lingerie snap of his girlfriend. Clearly proud of his stunning partner, Hugo took to the photosharing site to post a sexy snap of the reality beauty sitting at his feet in a negligee. Bust-booster! Millie put on a busty display as she posed in a retro black bikini as she enjoyed her 18th holiday of 2016 Isn't life peachy? The ex-reality star showcased her gym-honed figure as she ran into the sea in her black scallop-edged halterneck bikini top and matching retro-style bottoms Fun in the sun! Wearing her wavy auburn locks tied halfway off her face, the TV personality turned fashion designer offset her winter tan with a pair of mirrored circular sunglasses Looking sensational as she went make-up free, the stunner gave a cheeky grin to the camera while sizzling in her silky number. The silk lingerie boasted tiny spaghetti straps which sat on her slender shoulders while the plunging neckline flashed her perky cleavage. While Hugo was opting for sexier snaps, Millie went for a more romantic look as she shared a stunning image in which the couple cosied up in front of a lake. Pucker up, baby! Millie and Hugo looked more in love than ever as they packed on the PDA in yet another social media snap Stunning: Admitting he was ending the year on a definite high, Hugo held a glass of champagne in one hand as he looked out towards a beautiful sunset Looking angelic in a white maxi dress, the fashion designer held on to her boyfriend's arms as they looked out onto the sunset. She added a caption reading: 'New favourite place for sunset' - after which the stunning shot amassed over 11,000 likes in just one hour. Throughout the trip, the couple worked hard on their tans, though two weeks ago Millie flashed a look at some painful looking sunburn on her derriere. Chic: The reality star turned fashion designer looked typically stylish in a blue gingham bardot top and white hotpants as she posed in front of a picturesque back drop with a glass of wine Puppy love: Bikini-clad Millie showed off her tattooed back as she perched on the beach, while surrounded by adorable pooches during her getaway Sporting a tiny black bikini, red skin was on show as the star climbed the steps to head back to her villa after another beach day. Meanwhile, while Millie has been flaunting her enviable figure in a number of saucy swimsuits, she decided to take it one step further as she shared a completely nude snap on Instagram. Proud of her gym honed physique, the former reality star posted the incredibly saucy snap of her gazing out of her hotel room in the nude to her 1.3 million followers. Captioning her naked pic, she cheekily wrote: 'My morning view'. Inked up: Hugo gave Millie a run for her money in the tattoo stakes as he showcased four etchings on his back as he wandered towards the sea in another Instagram snap In search of sun: The statuesque beauty left her Instagram followers green with envy as she revealed she was on her 18th holiday in 12 months Last year was turbulent for Millie - announcing her split from rapper husband Professor Green, 33, in the early part of 2016 - though she was able to take her mind of things with plenty of exotic holidays. Her trip to South Africa marked her 18th vacation for 2016 alone. Since reuniting with Hugo in May, Millie has taken her globe-trotting to Monaco, Mauritius, Greece and France's Antibes, among many other destinations. Holiday glow: Although it's been a turbulent year in terms of Millie's personal life, she's taken her mind off things with plenty of exotic holidays Christmas looks very different this year: Millie was waking up to beau Hugo and 'the breakfast of dreams' on Christmas Day, following her split from husband Professor Green in February In fact, by the time Millie and Pro Green's divorce was finalised that month, she was kicking off a string of jet-set vacations with a celebratory trip to Monte Carlo on Hugo's 30th, which came just two days after the paperwork was completed. Millie and Hugo previously dated back in 2011 when they met on E4 reality show, Made In Chelsea. But the union was not to last and ended rather dramatically when Millie discovered Hugo had cheated on her with her friend, Rosie Fortescue. Quite the contrast...: In 2015, Millie (centre with ex-husband Professor Green) was celebrating her second Christmas with her now-ex-husband, her parents and grandfather Jet-setter: Millie and sunglasses entrepreneur Hugo flew Business Class to South Africa in the evening of Christmas Day following a low-key yuletide in London At the time, Millie claimed she would always love Hugo, saying in an interview: 'I loved him - those feelings dont disappear but I just always have to remind myself why were not together. 'I do think that, for the rest of my life, every time I see him, Ill get that feeling in my stomach. I dont think I could ever not get that butterfly feeling.' Millie and Pro Green announced their split in February after just over four years together. Their two-and-a-half-year marriage was dissolved in just 30 seconds in May. Make-up free Millie: The former Made In Chelsea let fans know that she was happily watching the sun rise in South Africa during the festive season Full steam ahead! Millie's string of jet-set getaways sped up in May, when she took a break to Monte Carlo for Hugo's 30th birthday just two days after her divorce was finalised In a statement at the time, they said: 'It is a mutual decision, we still care deeply about each other and would like it to be known that it is on amicable terms and we wish each other well.' They were granted a decree nisi at Central London Family Court with Millie citing 'unreasonable behaviour' as the reason for their split. Millie and Stephen started dating in November 2011 after the rapper saw her on the cover of men's magazine FHM, and they eventually tied the knot in September 2013. The rapper has since moved on with model Fae Williams. The sweet life: One of her most luxurious holidays was a trip to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius with a large group on a shoot for Hugo's sunglasses brand, Taylor Morris She has dove right back into work following her Australian wedding to hunky husband, Tom Ackerley - the smitten couple having the time of their life during their trip Down Under. And it appears that perhaps Margot Robbie was missing her man as she made her way through LAX airport in Los Angeles with a female pal on Tuesday. The actress looked a little downcast as she walked through the terminal, no doubt eager to get back into the arms of her beau. Flying solo: Newlywed Margot Robbie looked a little downcast as she flew out of LAX airport in Los Angeles on Tuesday The Suicide Squad star rugged up for the cooler Californian climes, wearing a pair of black leggings teamed with Ugg boots paired a casual knitted sweater and a warm black jacket. Looking flawless as usual, Margot tied her long blonde locks back into a ponytail to reveal her perfect complexion. Meanwhile, Margot absolutely stunned at her first red carpet appearance since her December wedding to Tom, on Tuesday night. Keeping warm: The Suicide Squad star rugged up for the cooler Californian climes, wearing a pair of black leggings teamed with Ugg boots paired a casual knitted sweater and a warm black jacket Stepping out in a jaw-dropping leather outfit at the Marie Claire Image Maker Awards in Los Angeles, the Suicide Squad star had that freshly-wed glow. Wearing what appeared to be a very low-cut leather top over a skirt, or a two-sectioned flowing black dress, the actress was the epitome of goth chic. But it was Margot's pear-shaped diamond engagement ring and matching gold wedding that caught the eye, as it sparkled under the bright red carpet lights. Stunning: Meanwhile, Margot absolutely stunned at her first red carpet appearance since her December wedding to Tom, on Tuesday night That glow: Stepping out in a jaw-dropping leather outfit at the Marie Claire Image Maker Awards in Los Angeles, the Suicide Squad star had that freshly-wed glow Tousled, wavy blonde bed-hair with dark roots, heavy dark eyeliner, and a 1990s inspired nude lip, completed the Hollywood star's bewitching look. Flashing a fair bit of skin and even bigger smile, the blonde beauty couldn't keep the grin off her face. The 26-year-old looked on top of the world as she posed with celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff, giving her a cuddle in front of the cameras. Wedding bling: The 26-year-old looked on top of the world as she posed with celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff, giving her a cuddle in front of the cameras and flashing her wedding ring The awards ceremony was Margot's first red carpet event since her Byron Bay wedding to British director Tom on October 19. The pair were joined by 50 guests at the secret ceremony at a private estate in Coorabell, and banned the congregation from having phones or cameras. Margot officially announced she had married longtime boyfriend Tom, who is believed to also be 26, by flaunting her pear-shaped diamond ring on social media shortly after the nuptials. So in love: Tom posted this stunning picture of the couple following their December nuptials in Byron Bay, Australia Confirmed! Margot confirmed the pair tied the knot with this cheeky snap Tom is a UK based assistant film director, who first caught the eye of the bubbly blonde while working on war drama Suite Francaise in 2013. vIn an interview with Vogue in May, Margot said her boyfriend was the best-looking guy in London. It was previously reported they live together in Shepherds Bush, London. He is one of the most famous faces in Hollywood with three dozen films under his belt, a massive fan base and an estimated worth of $45 million. But on Tuesday afternoon Ben Affleck was treated like just another regular guy as he tried to fly out of LAX airport in Los Angeles to make the British premiere of his latest directorial effort Live By Night the next day. The 44-year-old Oscar winner was patted down by a TSA officer before he went on to his gate. Scroll down for video... Checked out: Ben Affleck was treated like just another regular guy as he tried to fly out of LAX airport in Los Angeles on Tuesday Batman wouldn't stand for this: The agent put his hands along the star's legs Affleck had only his black socks on as he had to take off his shoes. And the Argo star also took off the leather bomber jacket, cap and sunglasses he had when he entered the airport. All that was left was a thin black T-shirt and oversized dark jeans. Not a stone unturned: The Town star's socks and pockets were also checked All clear? The 44-year-old Oscar winner was looked over by a TSA officer before he went on to his gate The male TSA agent was seen patting down Ben and then he later shook the actor's hand. Affleck appeared to have a more private screening and not just the standard check after walking through a scanner. He also seemed to be allowed to look at the screening computer. No shoes, no problem: Affleck had only his black socks on as he had to take off his shoes Before TSA: The Argo star wore a leather bomber jacket, cap and sunglasses before he walked into the airport This airport experience comes just before he looked like an A-list movie star at the BFI Southbank London premiere of Live By Night. He was nicely gussied up in a dark suit as he posed with co-star Sienna Miller. And the incident comes just two days after he worked the room at the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday evening. He was there to watch brother Casey get the Best Actor nod for his work in the drama Manchester By The Sea. All cleaned up: This airport experience comes just before he looked like an A-list movie star at the BFI Southbank London premiere of Live By Night with co-star Sienna Miller Dashing: He was nicely gussied up in a dark suit and took time to sign autographs for fans And the ex of Jennifer Garner also made it the stage where he co-presented a category with his female Live By Night co-stars Sienna Miller and Zoe Saldana. Ben has been busy plugging his 1920s set tale. On Wednesday the Boston-raised actor's interview with UsWeekly was shared. He was asked about his holiday vacation in Montana with Jennifer as well as his brother Casey and Matt Damon. On stage: And the incident comes just two days after he appeared at the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday evening with Miller and Zoe Saldana Affleck said Jennifer did the cooking for the families. 'Jen is a really great cook,' he began. 'She's probably the best cook I know. We had roast chicken this year; it was really, really good. Other than that, we do pizza nights, where a guy comes and makes pizza and nobody has to cook.' The ex of Jennifer Lopez then added he does all the clean up after wards, most likely so Garner can look after their three kids, Violet, 11, Seraphina, eight, and Samuel, four. When promoting Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice in the spring, Ben told E! News: 'You know, I just marvel at my mother who did a great job of raising my brother and I. Happy for his sibling: Ben was also there to watch brother Casey get the Best Actor nod for his work in the drama Manchester By The Sea 'Parenting is hard work but it's so rewarding and I certainly do my best. 'Jen is a superhero mom. She is an amazing mother and I'm really lucky to have her as a partner to co-parent these kids with. We try our best, we put them first and that's what we do.' In his UsWeekly interview, Ben also stressed how much his family means to him and it comes before his career. Close: On Wednesday the Boston-raised actor's interview with UsWeekly was shared. He was asked about his holiday vacation in Montana with Jennifer as well as his brother Casey and Matt Damon. He said Jen cooked them all a meal. Pictured 2013 'Family comes first,' he said. 'My kids like to do a lot of crafts. Just getting a chance to spend time with them, play with them, do stuff with them, activities that are focused on house and home, that's ideal.' He also admitted that he doesn't have much chill time, except on Sundays when he watches the Patriots game with Damon. 'That's a nice, relaxing day,' he said. And he stressed that he is not out partying. 'I go to bed pretty early, around 10 pm. I'm old, I'm sad to say.' Live By Night opens in US theaters on January 13. They've failed to see eye to eye on several occasions in the Celebtity Big Brother house. So it came as no surprise to see Stacy Francis and Austin Armacost had yet another explosive row during Wednesday night's episode. During the Land Of Nod task, the duo were partnered up by James Jordan and told they would have to watch a series of egg timers and turn them over before they ran out of sand. Scroll down for video At it again! It came as no surprise to see Stacy Francis and Austin Armacost had yet another explosive row during Wednesday night's episode of Celebrity Big Brother The pair couldn't resist taking digs at each other, however, and it wasn't long before they put the task to one side to have yet another blazing row. Following their altercation the night before, X Factor US star Stacy asked Austin: 'Do you think when you drink you express more of how you feel?' Not willing to say sorry, however, Austin snapped back: 'I believe everything I said last night. I don't remember saying I don't like you.' Blaming the booze: Following their altercation the night before, X Factor US star Stacy asked Austin: 'Do you think when you drink you express more of how you feel?' However, Stacy snipped back: 'You're antagonistic you're choosing to start fights!' As Austin changed the subject, he said it would 'inevitable' they would lose, as Stacy snapped: 'He's so negative! He says I'm loud and negative!' 'No, just annoying!' Austin interrupted. But Stacy carried on, shouting: 'Keep your negative opinion to yourself you're so annoying!' Fuming: As Austin changed the subject, he said it would 'inevitable' they would lose, as Stacy snapped: 'He's so negative! He says I'm loud and negative!' As Austin told her that everyone else believed she was annoying too, Stacy snapped back: 'Your opinion is not as important as you think it is! 'I'll be as loud as i want to be. I'l go louder and louder and louder and louder!' When Austin then shot back: 'You're making yourself look like an idiot!' she fired back: 'You're the biggest idiot in this house!' Her efforts to win Richie Strahan's heart on The Bachelor fell rather short. But Tolyna Baan didn't let that setback dent her spirits, finding new love just months after being kicked off the hit show. Baan, from Melbourne, Victoria, took to Instagram recently to share a photo of her and new beau Steve Veenstra, proclaiming her happiness as they spent the festive season by each others side. 'My first Christmas with my beautiful man and family,' she wrote. Scroll down for video Happy couple: Former Bachelor contestant Tolyna Baan (left) has found love with new beau Steve Veenstra (right) Fun in the sun: The happy couple enjoyed a trip to Echuca, Victoria, over the festive season Second chance: After failing to win the heart of Richie Strahan, Baan has now found love again Oddly, she also added a line referring to December 24 as 'Christians eve'. The 31-year-old personal trainer has dabbled in a number of modelling shoots before and after her rise to fame on The Bachelor. And she may be hoping her new boyfriend will help her build on her career, through his connections as a director for clothing company CC Apparel. But over the New Year period the happy couple seemingly put work to the back of their minds, choosing to unwind and relax on a country getaway. The couple made the most of the sunshine and summer weather with a getaway to the waters of the Murray River at Echuca, in northern Victoria. There, Baan and her beau not only welcomed in the New Year, but also enjoyed time out wakeboarding and taking multiple selfies. Beach babe: Just weeks earlier the personal trainer from Melbourne showed off her bikini body with this photo posted to Instagram Happy snaps: While on her trip to Echuca, in Victoria's north, the bubbly blonde shared these shots of her posing by the town's famed paddle steamers (left) and on the Murray River (right) After the wild rollercoaster ride of 2017, the Bachie reject is seemingly hoping to take great leaps forward in the new year both personally and professionally. Taking to Instagram again just days later she shared a photo of herself from her time on the Bachelor, accompanying it with an inspirational caption. 'Game Face on. 2017 is here and so is a new attitude!' Baan wrote 'Goals need to be set to be achieved and work forward.' Sophia Bush's marriage to her One Tree Hill co-star Chad Michael Murray lasted a mere five months in 2005. The 34-year-old actress discusses the much-publicized demise and aftermath of the relationship in an open letter published by Cosmopolitan this month. While she didn't mention the actor by name, Sophia said: 'In my 20s, when I was starting out my career as an actor, I wasn't looking for a relationship, but one found me and became serious, even though I hadn't planned to settle down until my 30s, 'It was a massive event in my life': Sophia Bush has opened up about the demise of her marriage to One Tree Hill co-star Chad Michael Murray 'But when the person you're with asks you to marry him, you think: "This must be happening because it's supposed to." The Chicago Fire star added: 'I refuse to let that one relationship define me, which is why I've done my best to avoid discussing it for 10 years, 'The reality is that, yes, it was a massive event in my life. And the trauma of it was amplified by how public it became, which was incredibly foreign and bizarre to a girl who'd been just another college kid 24 months before her life blew up.' Short-lived: Sophia, 34, married Chad in April 2005 but they announced their separation just five months later Sophia also writes about how people should stop searching for 'The One' and that every relationship, no matter how short lived, can serve a purpose. 'Some are meant to heal you, some are meant to teach you how to build yourself up and some are meant to show you how to trust your own intuition,' she explained. 'Not every love can last forever. When you take the pressure of The One off, you'll open yourself up to endless possibilities, 'You'll learn to have a truly deep, knowing relationship with yourself first. Then the rest will fall into place. Reasons, seasons, and lifetimes. Theyre all valid.' she concluded. 'I refuse to let that one relationship define me, which is why I've done my best to avoid discussing it for 10 years,' Sophia, pictured in 2005, told Cosmopolitan Sophia and Chad married in Santa Monica in April 2005 but announced their separation just five months later and their divorce was finalised in December 2006. The actress tried to have the union annulled citing fraud but the request was denied. In 2014 she said of the relationship: 'We were two stupid kids who had no business being in a relationship in the first place. To all the other co-stars who've worked it out, more power to you' Chad, 35, is currently expecting his second child with wife Sarah Roemer, 32 who he married in 2015. She recently branded Hugo Taylor as the perfect 'Insta-boyfriend' as he knows how to work his angles for a selfie. And Millie Mackintosh and her beau proved they were a photogenic couple as they cosied up for snaps at the English National Ballet's production of Giselle at St Martins Lane in London on Wednesday. Looking effortlessly glamorous for the outing, Millie, 27, opted for a burgundy trouser suit that flattered her lithe frame. Camera ready: Millie Mackintosh and her beau proved they were a photogenic couple as they posed for snaps at the English National Ballet's production of Giselle at St Martins Lane in London on Wednesday Her cropped trousers highlighted her enviably long legs, whilst she gave her modelesque frame an extra boost with patent pointed courts. She teamed the garment with a matching jacket which she wore open to expose her sparkling black vest. Featuring a plunging neckline, her sequinned top offered a look at her perky bust whilst it's loose fitting nature ensured the ensemble was demure. Suited and booted! Looking effortlessly glamorous for the outing, Millie, 27, opted for a burgundy trouser suit that flattered her lithe frame Chest a glimpse! Featuring a plunging neckline, Millie's sequinned top offered a look at her perky bust whilst it's loose fitting nature ensured the ensemble was demure Brunette beauty: Still sporting a sunkissed glow from her recent break to South Africa, the pretty brunette opted for a neutral make-up palette that accentuated her flawless features Still sporting a sunkissed glow from her recent break to South Africa, the pretty brunette opted for a neutral make-up palette that accentuated her flawless features. Framing her face, she wore her chestnut coloured locks in loose waves, styling her glossy tresses in a centre parting. She finished off the look with a small black clutch bag that she carried with her perfectly manicured fingers. Leggy lady! Millie's cropped trousers highlighted her enviably long legs, whilst she gave her modelesque frame an extra boost with patent pointed courts All about the accessories: Millie finished off the look with a small black clutch bag that she carried with her perfectly manicured fingers Cute couple: Hugo, 30, looked equally as stylish on the night as he donned a fitted navy suit Meanwhile, Hugo, 30, looked equally as stylish on the night as he donned a fitted navy suit. Cuddled up to his girlfriend, the pair made for a handsome couple as they posed for pictures, which Millie recently said was one of her beau's best traits. In a recent interview with Glamour magazine, the former Made In Chelsea star gushed: 'I love taking pictures, and Ive got a very good boyfriend as well who will take literallyhe takes a lot of pictures very quickly, he just knows the angles. She added: 'He hands me my phone and theres about fifty different options and Im like, "Thats why I hired you, thank you." Thats the key, its the patient Insta-boyfriend.' She's travelling the world to promote her new Australian film, which tells the tale of an Indian boy adopted by Tasmanian parents. But Nicole Kidman found herself facing questions about the President-elect of the United States this week. During an interview with the BBC, the Oscar winner told journalist Victoria Derbyshire that Americans needed to support Donald Trump once he's in office. Scroll down for video Tough questions: Nicole Kidman found herself facing questions about the President-elect of the United States this week while promoting her new movie, Lion In the closing stages of an interview in which she had spoken at length about her new film Lion, the Oscar-winner was asked what she thought of Trump. Nicole, who has dual US and Australian citizenship, called on Americans to set aside the controversy surrounding the election and support the President-elect. 'I just say: He's now elected and we as a country need to support whoever is the President, because that's what the country is based on.' Move on: During an interview with the BBC , the Oscar winner told journalist Victoria Derbyshire that Americans needed to support Donald Trump once he's in office The Trump team continue to make headlines in their search for stars to appear at the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, with some of those invited such as Charlotte Church taking the opportunity to take pot shots at Trump. Nicole struck a far more conciliatory tone, calling for the nation to back their President regardless of the controversies surrounding his past and the election, saying 'whatever, however, that happened, he's there and lets go.' The red-headed superstar then pivoted to her work as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, noting the work she has done with the UN as well as raising funds for ovarian and breast cancer. Roaring approval: Nicole did the interview to help publicise her new film Lion For women: Nicole then pivoted to her work as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, noting the work she has done with the UN and raising funds for ovarian and breast cancer Standing alone: Nicole insisted she is 'issue based' and not aligned with one political party On the day of last year's election, Nicole's musician husband Keith Urban posted a proud photo to Instagram of the pair, proclaiming they had visited the polling booths. But unlike many celebrities, they did not reveal which presidential candidate won their vote. In the interview on Tuesday, Nicole insisted she is 'issue based' and not aligned with one political party. Undecalared: On the day of last year's election Nicole's musician husband Keith Urban posted a proud photo to Instagram of the pair, proclaiming they had visited the polling booths - but unlike many celebrities, they did not reveal which presidential candidate won their vote 'I believe In it': Nicole also declared she supported gay marriage, saying 'I believe in allowing people who love each other to share their lives together and to honour it and to let them' The British journalist then turned the conversation to Australian politics, and the debate surrounding gay marriage, asking what she would say to politicians who opposed it. 'I believe In it,' Nicole said, 'I believe in allowing people who love each other to share their lives together and to honour it and to let them. I really believe that we should stay out of peoples business like that. 'I love when people love each other ... and commitment is a beautiful thing.' Trump's China trademarks risk constitutional crisis: experts US President-elect Donald Trump has at least 45 trademark applications pending in China, AFP has learned, each of which could potentially violate the American constitution -- underlining possible conflicts of interest in his relations with the Asian giant. Since his election, Trump has angered Beijing by reaching out to Taiwan, appointing China sceptics and threatening punitive tariffs on the country's exports. But that has not stopped him from quietly working to secure the rights to his name in the worlds second largest economy, filing trademark applications as recently as June. US President-elect Donald Trump has been working to secre the rights to his name in China, the world's second largest economy TIMOTHY A. CLARY (AFP) The businessman turned politician already holds at least 72 marks in China, part of an extensive, international portfolio that forms a central pillar of his enormous wealth. He filed for an additional 42 in April, almost a year after declaring his presidential run, Chinese government data shows, and three more around two months later, having effectively clinched the Republican nomination. All were filed in his own name and registered at his Trump Tower address in New York. The approval process typically takes 12 to 18 months, so Chinese authorities will only make their decision long after he takes office later this month. Experts from across the US political spectrum said the applications could put Trump on a collision course with the US constitution: article 1, section 9, clause 8 forbids federal officials from receiving a gift or "emolument" -- a salary, fee or profit -- from a foreign government. "Grants of trademarks, permits, etc could be deemed to be privileges bestowed by a foreign government that are covered by the clause," said Robert Painter, a former White House ethicist for Republican president George W. Bush. Barack Obama's former ethics lawyer, Norman Eisen, agreed: "Each of these trademarks is a potential emolument." The "concern of the constitution is that flows of benefits to presidents from foreign sovereigns will distort their judgement, and trademarks are certainly capable of doing that". The constitution has no specified remedy for a breach, added Jay Wexler, a constitutional law scholar at Boston University. However, he said in my view, impeachment would be the proper remedy for a serious violation". The president-elect's transition team did not reply to requests for comment by AFP. A lawyer for the Trump Organization, Alan Garten, asked for a list of questions then did not respond to multiple emails. - Trademark Ivana During his White House bid, Trump frequently excoriated China, accusing it of raping the US with unfair trade and fiscal policies. But that has not stopped the president-elect -- known for his hardball negotiating tactics -- quietly pursuing business deals in the country, including with its government. Trump has claimed his intellectual property (IP) is worth $3.3 billion, accounting for roughly a third of the $10 billion-plus fortune he reported in a July 2015 statement. Trademark protection is crucial to licensing the Trump name on products from hotels to neckties, and his existing rights give him exclusive control over it in English and Chinese in China for a variety of business classes ranging from hotels and restaurants to medical, beauty and agriculture. He also holds at least five Chinese trademarks on the name of his ex-wife Ivana -- the first of them registered in 2005, more than a decade after their divorce. The new applications claim the right to the words "Trump" and "Donald Trump" in a variety of businesses, as well as several variations of his name in Chinese. Intellectual property lawyers told AFP the new applications may be intended to protect against IP "squatters" in a country where trademarks are typically granted to the first applicant. IP enforcement in China is generally considered weak, and the system has left companies from New Balance to Apple unable to fend off speculators. But the CEO of Trump's hotel business, Eric Danziger, has said it is seeking between 20-30 hotel deals there, and AFP previously reported its negotiations with the countrys largest state-owned enterprise, State Grid. Government trademark databases elsewhere in Asia show Trump personally owns trademarks in Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as India and Indonesia, where he has major licensing deals. Intellectual property experts said the arrangement was unusual, as holding trademarks in companies had tax advantages. A Trump holding company, DTTM Operations, made four further applications in April this year. - 'Trump is the business' - The president-elect has said he will remove himself from his company's operations, handing the family business to his sons. But "Trump is the business essentially, so I don't know how you can divorce yourself from that, said Chinese legal expert Edward Lehman. Just after Trump's November electoral triumph, Chinese officials decided a decade-long trademark wrangle in his favour, raising media questions over whether he had received special treatment. The debate will probably persist until Trump completely separates himself from his business interests, including the trademarks, said Boston University's Wexler. "How do we know that the president won't be influenced in his dealings with China by China's actions on those applications?" he asked. China aircraft carrier enters strait, Taiwan warns against 'panic' China's only aircraft carrier has entered the Taiwan Strait in a highly symbolic show of strength, but Taiwan insisted Wednesday there was no need for panic even as tensions boil over the island's diplomatic status. Beijing has upped its military drills near the island in recent weeks after being incensed by a congratulatory phone call from Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen to US president-elect Donald Trump, and by a subsequent transit stop by Tsai in the US. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be brought back into its fold. The US is the island's most powerful ally and main arms supplier, despite having no official diplomatic relations since recognising Beijing in 1979. China's only aircraft carrier has entered the Taiwan Strait in a highly symbolic show of strength STR (AFP/File) The Liaoning aircraft carrier has not entered Taiwanese waters but has gone into an area covered by the island's air defence zone, Taiwan's defence ministry said. Beijing responded that it was "very normal" for the Liaoning to pass through an international waterway as part of drills. "Every year, in this season, China's navy has a few exercises in the near seas and other maritime regions. These exercises are all for training," said Liu Zhenmin, vice minister of foreign affairs. Taiwanese media said that F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft were dispatched Tuesday night to monitor the Chinese carrier group. The defence ministry would not confirm those reports. Tsai, who is currently on a visit to Central America, has been regularly instructing the national security team and the defence ministry by phone, presidential office spokesman Alex Huang said. "The military is monitoring the whole situation and will act as necessary. We urge Taiwan's people to be at ease," the defence ministry said in a statement. "There is no need for us to overly panic," said the chairwoman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which handles the island's relationship with Beijing. "The national security council has a good grasp of the situation. We are doing what is necessary," Chang Hsiao-yueh told reporters at an end-of-year briefing. "The government has sufficient capabilities to defend our country's safety," she added. - 'Reactive measures' - Experts have said the manoeuvres of the second-hand, Soviet-built Liaoning are "symbolic" rather than any real military threat. The Liaoning has been carrying out its first exercise in the Pacific and already passed south of Taiwan last month. It entered the southwest of Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) at 07:00 Wednesday local time (23:00 GMT), the defence ministry said, along with escort vessels. By midday it was moving north along the mainland's coast, the ministry said. Local media said the carrier was expected to move out of the strait later Wednesday. "There is currently no navy or air force activity out of the ordinary," it added. Tsai visited the US at the weekend on a transit to Central America, despite protests from Beijing. She stopped in Houston on Saturday and met with Republican Senator Ted Cruz during her stay, which was slammed by Beijing as an attempt to "undermine China-US relations." Tsai is this week visiting Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador -- among the dwindling number of states that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of with Beijing. While the focus of her visit is to bolster ties with allies, her US stopovers are being closely watched with speculation she may make contact with Trump and his team. Tsai has faced a mounting backlash from Beijing since she took office in May because she has refused to recognise that Taiwan is part of "one China". All official communications with Taipei have been severed by Beijing and tourist numbers have plummeted as Chinese visitors are discouraged from travelling to the island. MAC's Chang said Wednesday that Taiwan was taking "relevant reactive measures" against military, diplomatic and economic actions by China since Tsai came to power. "We urge China (to understand) the hopes of people on both sides to maintain peaceful and stable development in relations," she added. China's Liaoning aircraft carrier has not entered Taiwanese waters but has gone into an area covered by the island's air defence zone The deployment of China's Liaoning aircraft carrier in the Taiwan Strait is seen as a show of strength by Beijing STR (AFP) Barack Obama addressed America and the world for the last time as US president Tuesday, in a speech that was both a tearful goodbye and a call to arms. Capping eight years in the White House, Obama returned to his adopted hometown of Chicago to recast his "yes we can" campaign credo as "yes we did." Surveying the staging posts of his presidency -- from the Iran nuclear deal to reforming healthcare -- the speech sought to lift supporters shaken by Donald Trump's shock election. Capping his eight years in office, US President Barack Obama returned to his adoptive hometown of Chicago to recast his "yes we can" campaign credo as "yes we did" Joshua LOTT (AFP) Obama urged them to pick up the torch, fight for democracy and forge a new, fairer, "social compact." "For all our outward differences, we are all in this together," he said, warning that naked partisanship, racism, and inequality all threaten democracy. "We rise or fall as one." "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions." The incoming Republican president has smashed convention, vowed to efface Obama's legacy and hurled personal insults left and right, while in a virtually unprecedented move US intelligence has accused the Kremlin of seeking to tip the election in Trump's favor. Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup. Obama painted the task ahead as a generational challenge. - Emotional finale - "A faith in reason and enterprise and the primacy of right over might," he said, had allowed the United States to "resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression, and build a post-World War II order with other democracies." "That order is now being challenged," said Obama in comments that resonate as Americans ponder whether Russia helped to put Trump in the White House. "First by violent fanatics who claim to speak for Islam; more recently by autocrats in foreign capitals who see free markets, open democracies, and civil society itself as a threat to their power." "The peril each poses to our democracy is more far-reaching than a car bomb or a missile. " Obama's last trip on Air Force One was a pilgrimage to Chicago, where he addressed a sell-out crowd of some 18,000 not far from where he delivered his victory speech eight years ago. Diehard fans -- many African Americans -- braved Chicago's frigid winter to collect free tickets, which were selling for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist. They were joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill -- who the president described as "family" in an emotional finale to his speech. Wiping a tear from his eye, Obama paid a poignant tribute to his own family, his daughter Malia who was present and Sasha who stayed in Washington because of an exam, and the first lady who he addressed as his best friend. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor," he said. "A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud." Obama also acknowledged that his historic presidency was not a panacea for the country's racist past. "After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America," he said. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society." - Life after White House - With an approval rating hovering around 55 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, Obama still carries considerable political weight. Some 51 percent of Americans polled believe that Trump is doing a bad job as president-elect. Trump's unorthodox politics have thrown the 55-year-old Obama's transition and post-presidency plans into flux. Having vowed a smooth handover of power, Obama has found himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on January 20. After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents. Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obama's second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter -- whose post-presidency remade his image as an elder statesman. Many Obama aides who had planned exotic holidays or coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches. Obama's foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role -- funneling idealistic youngsters into public life. Many aides were in the crowd, having flown into Chicago for celebratory parties. Supporters who had earlier shouted "Four more years! Four more years!" -- lingered in the hall until long after Obama had left. The Obama years Valentina BRESCHI (AFP) US President Barack Obama paid tribute to First Lady Michelle Obama (C) and addressed his daughters, praising the "two amazing young women" they had become Joshua LOTT (AFP) President Barack Obama (R), First Lady Michelle Obama (2L), daughter Malia Obama (C), Vice President Joe Biden (2L), and Jill Biden wave to supporters in Chicago Joshua LOTT (AFP) Then Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama addresses supporters during his election night rally at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, on November 5, 2008 Jewel Samad (AFP/File) Hong Kong anger over China museum project Plans to boost Hong Kong's cultural credentials by building a new branch of China's most famous museum in the city have sparked protests against what critics say is cultural brainwashing and kowtowing to Beijing. The backlash comes at a time of heightened sensitivity in the semi-autonomous city where there is increasing concern that Chinese authorities are tightening their hold. With its collection of ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, jades, timepieces and other items from multiple Chinese dynasties, Beijing's Palace Museum is the most visited in the world, with more than 14 million people coming through its doors each year. Plans to build a Hong Kong branch of Beijing's Palace Museum has sparked protests in the city, such as one led by pro-democracy lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung (C), and Raphael Wong (L) Isaac LAWRENCE (AFP) Project organisers say a locally managed and curated Hong Kong branch, displaying artifacts on long-term loan from Beijing, would be a stellar attraction for the city. But opponents argue the public should have been consulted before the green light was given to a project they feel has been developed to please Beijing. Recent demonstrations against the plans have included protesters throwing paper tanks at officials, in a reference to China's Tiananmen Square crackdown. The Palace Museum is housed within Beijing's Forbidden City, just north of the square where tanks rolled in to quash pro-democracy protests in 1989. "It's not simply brainwashing -- it is cultural whitewashing by introducing more Chinese history and culture that is perceived to be positive," said Avery Ng, chairman of the League of Social Democrats. Ng said the museum disregarded Hong Kong's identity "including its own history and the dark side of Chinese history". Others say the public may have appreciated the museum if it had been discussed transparently. "People appreciate museums and art if you do it in a proper way," said former legislator Lee Cheuk-yan, who organises the city's annual Tiananmen vigil. He called the lack of public consultation over whether the museum should go ahead a "dictatorial approach". - 'Diluting culture' - The Hong Kong Palace Museum will be built in the West Kowloon Cultural District, a sprawling arts project already mired in delay and accusations of political interference. It replaces a performance venue originally slated for the area. Set to open in 2022, it will be funded by a HK3.5 billion ($450 million) grant from the city's Jockey Club, which runs Hong Kong's horse racing meets, lottery and betting shops. Hong Kong's deputy leader Carrie Lam is chairman of the cultural district authority's board and critics accuse her of pushing through the museum project to impress Beijing. Lam is widely expected to run for city leader in March, with little hope of succeeding in her election bid without the nod from China. But she has defended herself and the project. "I know that today's society is full of mistrust, but for this issue, we really do not have any selfish motives and private interests," she told reporters Tuesday. "We should not let this cultural issue be politicised." A six-week public consultation into the design, operation and programming for the museum kicked off Wednesday, after criticism mounted, but it does not ask whether the project should go ahead. The board already approved plans for the museum in November. City residents who spoke with AFP said they did not support the project. "By building something like this they just want to merge us together," real estate agent Kong Lung, 27, said, adding he felt it was an example of the "mainlandisation" of Hong Kong that had taken place since the city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. "Every day since the handover you can see that mainland Chinese have been coming to Hong Kong and that's already diluted the Hong Kong culture," he said. Others said they felt the museum plan was a political move. "I don't see why they have to build the Palace Museum here, I don't see it to have any relationship with Hong Kong," said education publisher Danny Chung, 28. "I think those responsible for it are trying to ingratiate themselves with those in Beijing," he added. Japan plans to have new emperor in 2019: media Japan is planning for Emperor Akihito to retire and be replaced by his eldest son on January 1, 2019, reports said Wednesday, as the country works on a legal framework for its first abdication in 200 years. Akihito, 83, expressed a desire in August to abdicate after nearly three decades on the Chrysanthemum Throne, citing his advancing age and weakening health. Major national newspapers -- the Yomiuri, Asahi, Mainichi and Nikkei -- cited unnamed sources as saying Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, would succeed his father on New Year's Day 2019. Emperor Akihito (C) waves to well-wishers: media suggests he could abdicate on January 1 2019 TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA (AFP/File) Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga declined to comment on the reports at his regular news conference on Wednesday. After Akihito's announcement last year, the government established a panel of experts to help decide how best to proceed on an issue fraught with historical and legal challenges. Though abdications have occurred in Japan's long imperial history there has not been one for 200 years. Under current laws there is no legal mechanism for one. The six-member panel has discussed various legal options, with speculation rampant it will propose parliament pass a special one-time law to allow Akihito to step down. The leading opposition Democratic Party, however, opposes a one-time change, arguing that this would not ensure stable future successions. It has advocated a revision to the permanent law that governs the imperial family. Abdication is a highly sensitive issue in light of Japan's modern history of war waged in the name of Akihito's father Emperor Hirohito, who died in 1989. - 'The emperor's feelings' - Some scholars and politicians worry that the abdication issue could open a can of worms and risk Japan's monarchs becoming subject to political manipulation. Under the constitution they play only a symbolic role. The panel plans to compile a summary of its views on the issue this month, a government official said. Its firm proposals, however, will come no later than the end of March before the government submits legislation to parliament, reports said. As for the timing of the abdication, the Yomiuri said the panel considers that January 1, 2019 would be appropriate given he will have reigned for 30 years -- something the emperor himself mentioned as a milestone year in his August speech. The Asahi said Akihito would step down sometime on December 31, though the Nikkei reported it could also happen on New Year's Day when Naruhito is enthroned. The reports also said that the government plans to announce the official name of Naruhito's reign era at least six months beforehand to avoid confusion in daily life. Years in Japan are numbered both in terms of the length of an emperor's reign, as well as in accordance with western calendar years. When Hirohito died on January 7, 1989, the 64th year of his Showa era ended after just seven days. The government announced the first year of Akihito's Heisei era would start the following day. "The government's plan to start a fresh imperial era on New Year's Day is in line with the emperor's feelings" to ease burdens on the Japanese people, the Yomiuri said. Previous emperors, including Hirohito, were deemed semi-divine. But in the aftermath of Japan's World War II defeat and occupation they became constitutionally limited to a role as "symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Malaysia to hold OIC meeting on Rohingya crisis Foreign ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will meet to discuss the Rohingya Muslim crisis next week in Kuala Lumpur, a Malaysian official told AFP Wednesday, as thousands continue to flee Myanmar. Fifty-six OIC representatives are expected to attend the January 19 meeting which will be led by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who recently called on Myanmar to stop the "genocide" of Rohingya Muslims. Buddhist-majority Myanmar refuses to recognise the Rohingya as one of the country's ethnic minorities, instead describing them as Bengalis -- or illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh -- even though many have lived in Myanmar for generations. Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh after Myanmar's security forces launched counter-insurgency operations in November 2016 MUNIR UZ ZAMAN (AFP/File) There has been a large exodus of Rohingya from northern Myanmar's Rakhine state after the army launched clearance operations while searching for insurgents behind deadly raids on police border posts three months ago. Escapees from the persecuted Muslim minority in Bangladesh have given harrowing accounts of security forces committing mass rape, murder and arson. The stories have cast a pall over the young government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, with Muslim-majority Malaysia being especially critical. Myanmar's government has said the claims of abuse are fabricated and launched a special commission to investigate the allegations. In November, Kuala Lumpur summoned the Myanmar ambassador while around 500 Malaysians and Rohingya protested outside the embassy. A senior Malaysian minister has also called on ASEAN, the ten-country Southeast Asia bloc, to review Myanmar's membership, while the foreign ministry has accused Myanmar of engaging in "ethnic cleansing." Philippine minister says Nickelodeon can't build on pristine Palawan American children's television network Nickelodeon will not be allowed to build an underwater theme park on one of the nation's most pristine islands, the Philippine environment minister said Wednesday. Nickelodeon's parent firm announced Monday it would build a "themed attraction" inspired by its cartoon characters such as Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants as part of a 400-hectare (1,000-acre) development on Palawan, generating alarm from environmentalists. Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said Wednesday she would reject the project. Nickelodeon's parent firm announced Monday it would build a "themed attraction" as part of a 400-hectare (1,000-acre) development on Palawan, generating alarm from environmentalists Noel CELIS (AFP/File) "Lopez says she won't allow the underwater theme park in Palawan. ," the environment department posted on its Twitter account. In an interview with ABS-CBN television, Lopez said she would not allow any project that would damage the environment and the welfare of local communities. "That's our wealth. It's not allowed. You can't kill the corals. For a theme park? No. No way, man," said Lopez, who has been a vocal opponent of mining projects in Palawan. "The commitment of the government is first and foremost and always, always to the benefit of our people." Conservation groups call Palawan the nation's "last ecological frontier" because of its relatively untouched coastlines and forests, which are among the oldest and most diverse in Southeast Asia. Palawan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, a subterranean river and the Tubbataha coral reefs. Monday's statement by Nickelodeon's parent firm, Viacom International Media Networks, said its resort would open in 2020 and feature restaurants and lounges six metres (20 feet) below sea level. It also said the Palawan project would "take its place alongside" other Nickelodeon-branded attractions such as Wet'n'Wild in Australia, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Land in Russia and IMG Worlds of Legends theme park in Dubai. An online petition organised by local environmentalists calling for the project to be stopped attracted more than 125,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. Viacom's Philippine partner, Coral World Park, issued a statement on Wednesday insisting the development was not a "theme park" and emphasised that it would not all be underwater. The statement also highlighted the project's "ocean conservation focus" and said it would help fund environmental protection in the area. It referred to plans for a marine sanctuary and said the Coral World Park would "be the largest coral reef conservation program in Asia". Sri Lanka to raise $1.5 bn through bonds in new year Sri Lanka announced Wednesday it would raise $1.5 billion through a domestic bond sale this year as it moves to rebuild its foreign exchange reserves. The cabinet approved the borrowing through dollar-denominated bonds to be offered to banks and investors in the country, said government spokesman Gayantha Karunatileka. The move to borrow locally came weeks after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the country's foreign reserves were "below comfortable levels". Last June Sri lanka's government, which came to power in January 2015, received a $1.5 billion bailout from the IMF after facing a balance of payments crisis Juan BARRETO (AFP/File) Last June the government, which came to power in January 2015, received a $1.5 billion bailout from the IMF after facing a balance of payments crisis. The IMF, in a November review before releasing the second tranche of the funds, said Sri Lanka's performance was "broadly satisfactory" but that it needed to build its dwindling foreign reserves. Foreign reserves at the end of December were $6.06 billion, up from $5.64 billion a month earlier, according to government data. Sri Lanka in December also secured a three year $1.34 billion loan from the World Bank to fund a range of projects. It is also selling part of a loss-making $1.4 billion harbour to a Chinese company to help repay crippling debts. Trump slams Russia leaks ahead of news conference US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday furiously denied explosive claims that Russian intelligence has gathered compromising personal and professional information on him, hours before he faces the media for the first time since his election win. Intelligence chiefs last week presented America's incoming 45th president, as well as current President Barack Obama, with a two-page synopsis on the potentially embarrassing but unsubstantiated allegations, according to CNN and The New York Times, who cited multiple unnamed US officials with knowledge of the meeting. The Kremlin has dismissed the dossier -- drawn up by a former British intelligence agent hired to do "opposition research" on Trump during the presidential campaign and published by US media outlet BuzzFeed -- as a "total fake" aimed at damaging bilateral ties. US President-elect Donald Trump faces explosive claims that Russian intelligence gathered compromising information on him Don Emmert (AFP/File) Trump called it more evidence of a political witch hunt to delegitimize his November victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton, with nine days to go before the 70-year-old billionaire takes office. "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" he said on Twitter. "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" Trump called the situation "a sorry state." "I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS," he said. His early morning tweets came ahead of an 11:00 am (1600 GMT) news conference at Trump Tower, his first in nearly six months. Even before the allegations surfaced widely in US media on Tuesday, reporters had been expected to grill Trump over his ties to Russia after the US intelligence community concluded Moscow interfered in the November election in a bid to tip the race in Trump's favor. - The dossier - Without corroborating its contents, BuzzFeed published a 35-page dossier of memos on which the synopsis presented to Trump is based. The memos, which had been circulating in Washington for months, describe sex videos involving prostitutes filmed during a 2013 visit by Trump to a luxury Moscow hotel, supposedly as a potential means for blackmail. They also suggest Russian officials proposed lucrative deals in order to win influence over the real estate magnate. Trump was reportedly informed of the existence of the dossier -- and its salacious details -- last Friday when he received a briefing from US intelligence chiefs on alleged Russian interference in the presidential election. The classified two-page synopsis reportedly included allegations that there was a regular flow of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and Russian government intermediaries, which a Trump aide denied. "The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling journalists. The Kremlin spokesman called the dossier a "total fake" and "an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations." - No more rule book - No other US president-elect in modern times has waited so long to go formally before the media, considered important to shore up public accountability, yet Trump has reveled in ripping up the rule book. The New York billionaire, never previously elected to office, has preferred to make off-the-cuff statements, punch out incendiary tweets and call out anyone who dares cross him -- from Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep to an Indiana union leader. While he has conducted one-on-one interviews with select media and taken questions from reporters in informal settings, his performance at the press conference will be scrutinized, as polls show his already bleak approval ratings deteriorate further as the clock ticks down to inauguration day on January 20. Washington's feud with Russia will be scrutinized even further at the Senate confirmation hearing -- also on Wednesday -- of former ExxonMobil boss Rex Tillerson as Trump's pick for secretary of state. Rolf Harris groped blind, disabled woman: prosecutor Veteran Australian entertainer Rolf Harris groped several women and girls in public, including a blind and disabled victim, British prosecutors said Wednesday. The former television star, 86, is on trial for seven counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault which allegedly took place between 1971 and 2003. A judge ruled in December that Harris did not have to attend the trial in person due to his age and health. He watched the hearing at a London court via video link. Veteran Australian entertainer Rolf Harris is on trial for seven counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault which allegedly took place between 1971 and 2003 Niklas HALLE'N (AFP/File) Harris has been a household name in Britain for more than 50 years as a much-loved television presenter, musician and songwriter. One alleged victim, an adult at the time who is blind and suffers from cerebral palsy, claims Harris touched her breasts when he was a guest on a hospital radio show that she presented in 1976. Harris "kissed the back of her neck and... began slobbering over her" at the start of the alleged assault, prosecutor Jonathan Rees told jurors. Another woman said Harris put his hand up her skirt when she was 12, as she and her mother approached him for an autograph. "Whether it was Mr Harris's celebrity status that apparently made him so brazen is something that you may wish to consider," Rees said. "Harris was convicted of 12 offences of indecent assault, carried out on four female victims who were variously aged between 8 and 19" at an earlier trial, Rees said. Harris, who denies the allegations, appeared on a screen, seated at a table wearing a dark jacket and tie. The trial is expected to last around six weeks. After studying art in London, Harris found fame in the 1960s when he secured his own television show after landing work at the BBC. He scored a chart hit with the 1969 track "Two Little Boys", about two youngsters who grow up to fight in a war together, and performed his song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" with the Beatles. China muted after Tillerson vows islands blockade China offered a muted response Thursday after Donald Trump's secretary of state pick Rex Tillerson warned the US would stop it from using its artificial islands in the South China Sea. Tillerson's comments, during his confirmation hearing in the US senate, are the latest salvo the Trump team has aimed at Beijing. "We're going to have to send China a clear signal that, first the island building stops, and second, your access to those islands is also not going to be allowed," Tillerson told the panel. Former ExxonMobil executive Rex Tillerson testifies during his confirmation hearing for Secretary of State before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on January 11, 2017 Saul Loeb (AFP) Beijing has fuelled regional tensions by turning tiny, ecologically fragile reefs and islets in the strategically vital South China Sea into artificial islands hosting military facilities. The former ExxonMobil chief said China's building in the disputed waters and its declaration of an air defence identification zone over the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands in the East China Sea were "illegal actions". "They are taking territory or control or declaring control of territories that are not rightfully China's." Beijing asserts a claim to almost the whole of the South China Sea, based on a "nine-dash line" dating to 1940s-era maps. An international tribunal -- whose jurisdiction Beijing rejected -- ruled last year that there was no legal basis to such claims. Tillerson added that "building islands and then putting military assets on those islands is akin to Russia's taking of Crimea." -- 'Conflict with American interests' -- Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang offered a measured response to the comments during a regular press briefing, saying that China has "the full right" to conduct activities in the region. The South China Sea situation has cooled down and we hope non-regional countries can respect the consensus that it is in the fundamental interest of the whole world, he said. Taken at face value Tillerson's threat to deny access to China is not a "credible objective" for the US and may be "counterproductive", Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University told AFP. The US has military power in Asia but relatively few ships, he said, making a blockade unrealistic, and "it's very difficult to imagine the means by which the United States could prevent China from accessing these artificial islands without provoking some kind of confrontation". Tillerson's remarks came amid rising tensions between the two countries as Trump has suggested Washington could jettison its decades-old "One China" policy, and the Chinese military has ramped up activities in a show of strength, with its Liaoning aircraft carrier passing through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday. Tillerson said the US should affirm to Taipei it will live up to its commitments to Taiwan, which could require the US to intervene militarily if China attacks the island, but added he did not know of any plans to alter the "One China" policy. In his remarks to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he also criticised China for failing to sufficiently help rein in North Korea. "China has proven a willingness to act with abandon in the pursuit of its own goals which at times has put it in conflict with American interests. We have to deal with what we see, not what we hope," Tillerson said. "It has not been a reliable partner in using its full influence to curb North Korea," he added. Beijing is a close Pyongyang ally and is seen as critical in helping contain the pariah state's nuclear activities. But the former oil executive said disagreements with Beijing on some issues should not preclude "productive partnership" on other matters. "I do agree with him on that," China's foreign ministry spokesman Kang said. While Trump and his surrogates have repeatedly blasted Beijing over trade policy and the South China Sea, official reaction to the incoming president has been measured, with the foreign ministry emphasising the positive aspects of bilateral ties between the worlds two largest economies. But state media, which authorities often use to telegraph policy positions, has met Trumps rhetoric with attacks of its own, with a stream of editorials lambasting inability to keep his mouth shut and his provocation and falsehoods. Disputed claims in the South China Sea Adrian LEUNG, Gal ROMA (AFP) Chinese warships conduct naval drills near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea The USS Decatur sailed close to a string of islands claimed by China in the South China Sea in October 2016, provoking an outcry from Beijing MC3 Gerald Dudley REYNOLDS (Navy Media Content Operations (N/AFP/File) China has warned Washington the "One China" policy is "non-negotiable" after US President-elect Donald Trump hinted he might do so unless Beijing makes several concessions Greg Baker (AFP/File) Hamas 'honey trap' dupes Israeli soldiers The smartphones of dozens of Israeli soldiers were hacked by Hamas militants pretending to be attractive young women online, an Israeli military official said Wednesday. Using fake profiles on Facebook with alluring photos, Hamas members contacted the soldiers via groups on the social network, luring them into long chats, the official told journalists on condition of anonymity. Dozens of the predominantly lower-ranked soldiers were convinced enough by the honey trap to download fake applications which enabled Hamas to take control of their phones, according to the official. Dozens of predominantly lower-ranked Israeli soldiers were convinced by a Hamas honey trap, allowing the group to take control of their phones Hazem Bader (AFP/File) The official however did not say how the army determined that those behind the scheme were from Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip. Hamas officials could not immediately be reached for comment. "The enemy knows the language of young people and installed viruses that can control the telephones of dozens of soldiers," the official said. The actual damage done to the army was limited and the virus has been dealt with, the official added, but the army has decided to raise the issue publicly to warn soldiers of the potential dangers of social networks. "The existing potential threat can turn into a real threat to the security of Israel," the source said. "We will disseminate and denounce the false profiles of Hamas, impose stricter rules for soldiers who are on social networks and train military personnel to react to attacks before it is too late." Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008. While the border between Israel and Gaza is relatively quiet currently, the two sides remain enemies and technology has previously played a role in the conflict. Kenya opposition forms 'super alliance' to unseat Kenyatta Kenya's main opposition leaders on Wednesday announced the formation of a super alliance in a bid to unseat incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta in August elections. The country's five main opposition parties said they intend to field a single candidate in the presidential vote under the National Super Alliance (NASA), formed at a gathering attended by thousands of supporters in the Kenyan capital. "We are committed to a joint platform for the forthcoming general elections as a united opposition against the Jubilee administration," read a statement signed by the opposition leaders. Opposition leaders (from-L) Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula and Nick Salat raise their hands at a rally in the capital Nairobi on January 11, 2017 where they announced their new super alliance against the president Tony KARUMBA (AFP) If the alliance makes it through the tricky next step of jockeying to choose its flag-bearer, it could pose a serious threat to Kenyatta's bid for re-election. One of the main contenders will be opposition heavyweight and former premier Raila Odinga, 72, who lost out on the top job in 2007 and 2013, both times accusing his opponent of rigging the election. Fears are high of a replay of 2007 when the widespread belief among the opposition that incumbent president Mwai Kibaki stole the vote sparked violence that quickly split along tribal lines and left more than 1,100 dead. While long seen as an oasis of stability, politics in Kenya is strictly divided along tribal lines and the impression of a winner-takes-all system has created deep and dangerous divisions. The spectre of fraud this time around has already sparked tension ahead of the August 8 vote. Many had feared the opposition meeting would result in a call for massive protests against an election law which the ruling party rushed through parliament over Christmas to allow manual vote counting if an electronic system fails. The furious opposition sees this as a bid to rig the election, while the ruling party insists a back-up system is essential. Odinga said the opposition leaders had decided instead to focus on getting millions of unregistered voters to sign up in a final drive starting next week. "We will deal with election laws ... but you must all go out ... and not rest until everybody you meet is a registered voter," Odinga told the gathering. Election officials have in the past been accused of not doing enough to register voters in opposition strongholds. Authorities are also in the process of vetting new members of the election commission, which stepped down en masse after deadly opposition-led protests in May and June against the body -- seen as biased towards Kenyatta. Kenyatta has overseen strong economic growth -- expected to hit six percent in 2017 -- but the country continues to be strangled by massive corruption, with regular scandals involving eye-watering sums of money hitting the headlines. Springsteen archive to open near his New Jersey hometown A Bruce Springsteen archive will open at Monmouth University in New Jersey, a short distance from the working-class town where the rock legend grew up. The university near the Jersey Shore late Tuesday announced the creation of the archive, which will store written works, photographs and other artifacts for future research. Called the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, the institute will preserve the legacy of the "Born in the USA" star and also advance study on earlier US music icons such as Frank Sinatra and Woody Guthrie, the university said. US musician Bruce Springsteen, pictured in 2016, will set up at Monmouth University in New Jersey BERTRAND GUAY (AFP/File) The university is some 15 miles (25 kilometers) from Springsteen's hometown of Freehold, which inspired his classic song "Born to Run," and even closer to Asbury Park, the oceanfront city where he launched his music career. Monmouth University's president Paul Brown said in a statement that the archive's location "brilliantly captures the essence of Springsteen's music" and noted that the university already had a significant music program, which includes an affiliation with the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. The archive will be a more formal expansion to the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection, which opened at the university in 2011 to store early newspaper and magazine clippings about The Boss. Springsteen, 67, has increasingly focused on his legacy. Last year he released a well-received autobiography, also entitled "Born to Run," in which he related his humble upbringing and rise to fame and also revealed his struggles with depression. Israeli Arabs strike in protest at house demolitions Arabs across Israel closed businesses and schools on Wednesday in a one-day strike to protest against the demolition of Arab homes built without the required, but hard-to-get, permits. On Tuesday, authorities tore down 11 homes in the Arab town of Qalansuwa, in northern Israel. Arab Israelis say discrimination by the Jewish state that makes it impossible for them to obtain planning permission to expand their communities. Israeli Arabs hold a poster reading in Arabic "No to the demolition of houses, today it is your neighbour, tomorrow it will be you" the day after the demolition of houses over building permits in the Israeli Arab city of Qalansuwa on January 11, 2017 JACK GUEZ (AFP) The result is that many families resort to building homes without permission, leaving them liable to demolition. Mohammad Barakeh, the head of an Arab Israeli umbrella organisation and a former lawmaker, said observance of Wednesday's strike "exceeded expectations." "There was an excellent response in all Arab villages and towns," he told AFP. The Joint List, a coalition of predominantly Arab parties, condemned Tuesday's demolitions. "The act of demolishing 11 houses, whose owners built on their private lands in Qalansuwa, is an unprecedented crime and a declaration of war against the residents of Qalansuwa and against the Arab community in Israel," it said. The Joint List is the third largest bloc in the Israeli parliament. Arab Israelis make up some 17.5 percent of the country's population, and are descended from Palestinians who remained on their land after the creation of Israel in 1948. Israeli public radio said the strike was widely observed in Nazareth and Umm al-Fahm, the country's largest Arab cities, and in the mixed-population city of Haifa. Israeli daily Haaretz said Qalansuwa mayor Abed al-Bassat Salameh resigned in the wake of Tuesday's demolitions after years of trying in vain to win official approval for an updated town plan. It quoted Mustafa Mahlouf, one of the owners of the destroyed properties, as saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Interior Minister Gilad Erdan "want to talk about enforcement to satisfy the settlers and decided that Qalansuwa would be the first victim." Netanyahu is facing settlers angry at a court order to evict Israelis from an unapproved settlement outpost in the occupied West Bank found to have been built on private Palestinian land. In a video address last month as the court-imposed deadline to vacate the Amona outpost approached, Netanyahu linked the rogue outpost and Arab construction in Israel. "The law must be equitable; the same law which obliges vacating Amona also obliges removing illegal construction in other parts of our country," he said. "Therefore I have given orders to speed up demolition of illegal construction... in all parts of the country and we shall do that in the coming days." The court later extended the deadline to evacuate the Amona outpost to February 8. Trump lashes out over 'phony' Russia dossier claims Donald Trump attacked US intelligence agencies and the media as he denied explosive allegations about his ties to Russia, but admitted for the first time that Moscow had likely meddled in the US election. Just over a week before he takes office, Trump said he had ceded "complete" managing control of his global property empire to his two adult sons but stopped short of making a full divestment, earning a swift rebuke from an ethics watchdog and Democratic Party opponents. "It doesn't meet the standards that the best of his nominees are meeting and that every president in the last four decades has met," said Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics. In a press conference US President-elect Donald Trump accused CNN of being "fake news" over reports of unsubstantiated claims Russia has compromising information on him TIMOTHY A. CLARY (AFP) "He needs to get rid of his business interests and he needs to put them in what's called a blind trust," Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren told Bloomberg TV. But the hour-long press conference, his first in six months, focused firmly on the unsubstantiated claims that his aides colluded with the Kremlin to win the US election, and that Russia has compromising information on Trump. The president-elect accused CNN of generating "fake news" and slammed BuzzFeed as "a failing pile of garbage" after it published a dossier with the allegedly incriminating material, drawn up by a former British intelligence agent hired to do "opposition research" on Trump. "It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen," he said, referring to allegations of lurid behavior in a Moscow hotel room. - 'Nazi Germany' - The 70-year old Republican billionaire suggested it may have been released by the intelligence agencies, which would be a "tremendous blot on their record." Trump dodged questions about whether his campaign had contacts with Russian intelligence, instead tearing into reporters whose outlets reported on the allegations of the existence of compromising material. "I'm not going to give you a question. You are fake news," he told a CNN reporter, igniting a fresh raft of questions about his respect for constitutional guarantees about the free press. The US intelligence community concluded Moscow interfered in the November election in a bid to tip the race in Trump's favor. But intelligence chiefs last week presented Trump, as well as President Barack Obama, with a two-page synopsis on the potentially embarrassing but unsubstantiated allegations involving Russia, according to CNN and The New York Times. US intelligence chief James Clapper late Wednesday expressed his "profound dismay" to Trump over the leaks. "This evening, I had the opportunity to speak with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss recent media reports about our briefing last Friday," Clapper said. "I expressed my profound dismay at the leaks that have been appearing in the press, and we both agreed that they are extremely corrosive and damaging to our national security," he said, adding that he did not believe that the US intelligence community was the source. -'No dealings with Russia' - Even before the new allegations became public, Democrats and Trump's Republican allies had become increasingly uneasy about Russia's role in the election, with calls for an independent investigation growing. The Kremlin has dismissed the dossier as a "total fake" aimed at damaging bilateral ties. Trump began the press conference muted and disciplined, but became increasingly agitated as questions piled up. "I have no dealings with Russia. I have no deals in Russia. I have no deals that could happen in Russia, because we've stayed away. And I have no loans with Russia," Trump said. The president-elect finally admitted for the first time that he believes Moscow likely meddled in the US election. But while secretary of state-designate Rex Tillerson, also seen as close to Moscow, called Russia a "danger" during his confirmation hearing, Trump may have fanned the flames by downplaying Moscow's role. "As far as hacking, I think it was Russia, but I also think we've been hacked by other countries, other people," he said. Trump aides bristle at the suggestion that Russia weighed in behind Trump, seeing it as an effort to delegitimize his election victory. Trump again refused to back away from his openness towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. - The dossier - "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," Trump said. "I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't." Without corroborating its contents, BuzzFeed published a 35-page dossier of memos on which the synopsis reportedly presented to Trump is based. The memos, which had been circulating in Washington for months, describe sex videos involving prostitutes filmed during a 2013 visit by Trump to a luxury Moscow hotel, supposedly as a potential means for blackmail. They also suggest Russian officials proposed lucrative deals in order to win influence over the real estate magnate. "The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. US President-elect Donald Trump said he had ceded "complete" managing control of his global property empire to his two adult sons but stopped short of making a full divestment Timothy A. CLARY (AFP) US President-elect Donald Trump (R), pictured with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, dodged questions about whether his campaign had contacts with Russian intelligence Timothy A. CLARY (AFP) Clashes in Tunisia town over Libya border trade Clashes erupted on Wednesday in Tunisia's border town of Ben Guerdane between police and protesters demanding the free flow of vital trade with neighbouring Libya, witnesses said. Protesters set fire to tyres and blocked the road between Ben Guerdane and the border crossing of Ras Jedir about 30 kilometres (20 miles) away, they said. They gathered outside official buildings in Ben Guerdane and security forces intervened after they were targeted by stone-throwers, witnesses said. Tunisian youths throw stones towards a police station on January 11, 2017, in the Tunisian southern border town of Ben Guerdane, as locals protest the closing of a border crossing with Libya vital to the region's economy FATHI NASRI (AFP) Private radio station Mosaique FM reported the police fired tear gas to break up the protest. The interior ministry told AFP police broke up a "protest of around 150 people" in a "legal way". There were no immediate reports of any arrests or casualties. Ras Jedir is the main crossing between western Libya and southeastern Tunisia, a region whose economy is largely dependent on cross-border trade, both legal and illegal. Tensions have been high in recent months, with a part of the population accusing the authorities of ignoring their plight. The authorities have said the issue is thorny in view of the political chaos and fighting between militias in Libya. In May last year, security forces used tear gas against hundreds of people in Ben Guerdane protesting against the closure of the Ras Jedir crossing by Libyan authorities. Two months earlier, Tunisia closed two border crossings with Libya for a fortnight in response to a deadly jihadist attack on Ben Guerdane. More than 50 dead in Yemen fighting in two days Fighting in Yemen has killed 55 rebels and soldiers in two days after the government launched a major offensive in a coastal area near key shipping lanes, officials said Wednesday. Government forces began the assault Saturday in a bid to recapture the Dhubab district near the Bab al-Mandab strait which links the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Troops clashed with Iran-backed Huthi Shiite rebels on Wednesday at a key military base in the region, leaving five soldiers and 12 rebels dead, loyalist military sources said. Yemeni pro-government forces patrol during clashes against Shiite rebels in Yemen's western Dhubab district, about 20 miles north of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on January 11, 2017 SALEH AL-OBEIDI (AFP) The Yemeni government and its allies say the presence of rebels near the key waterway poses a threat to international shipping. On Tuesday aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government attacked two Huthi boats in the Red Sea port of Salif, killing 31 fighters, a government military official said. The death toll was confirmed by a source at a military hospital in Hodeida who said many more rebels were wounded. In the southern province of Shabwa, seven government soldiers were killed and 12 wounded Wednesday in Katyusha rocket fire from a pocket of rebel territory, military sources said. Libyan strongman visits Russian aircraft carrier Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar on Wednesday visited a Russian aircraft carrier off the coast of the North African nation in the latest sign of growing relations with Moscow. The visit comes against a backdrop of rising tensions between Haftar's forces, aligned with an administration based in eastern Libya, and militias loyal to a UN-brokered unity government in Tripoli. "Marshal Haftar visited the Russian aircraft carrier off (the eastern town of) Tobruk to meet a Russian military delegation," a military source close to Haftar said without giving further details. Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who is in the charge of the Libyan National Army (LNA), is accused by his rivals of wanting to install a military regime in Libya. He enjoys the support of Arab states including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan Abdullah DOMA (AFP/File) Russia's defence ministry confirmed the visit to the Admiral Kuznetsov, which recently completed a two-month mission off Syria supporting President Bashar al-Assad against rebel forces. It said Haftar met Russian officers and crew before speaking by video link with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu about counter-terrorism efforts in the Middle East. The latest sign of closer ties follows a trip by Haftar to Moscow in late November to seek support for an end to the UN arms embargo against Libya. Haftar's forces, which call themselves the Libyan National Army (LNA), have battled jihadists in second city Benghazi for more than two years and control key eastern oil export terminals. UN envoy Martin Kobler has expressed alarm about the tensions between the LNA and western militias who support the unity government and who drove Islamic State group jihadists from the city of Sirte in December. VW pleads guilty to US criminal charges, pays $4.3 bn in 'dieselgate' Volkswagen AG will plead guilty to three criminal charges and pay a total $4.3 billion in fines to settle the emissions cheating scandal known as "dieselgate," US officials announced on Wednesday. The US Justice Department also charged six Volkswagen executives deemed responsible for the conspiracy, five of whom are believed to be in Germany while one was arrested in Miami on Saturday. The Justice Department charged VW with conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Clean Air Act by using defeat devices on its diesel vehicles that evaded emissions standards. The company also was charged with obstruction of justice for destroying documents related to the scheme. Volkswagen is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Clean Air Act with defeat devices on its diesel vehicles that evaded emissions standards SAUL LOEB (AFP/File) The company will pay $2.8 billion in criminal fines, and $1.5 billion in civil fines. That is in addition to $17.5 billion already agreed in settlements with car owners, dealers and for environmental cleanup. The settlement also requires the company to employ an independent corporate compliance monitor for at least three years. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the size of the penalty reflects the unusual level of premeditation of wrongdoing at high levels of Volkswagen. "The knowledge and choices they made went to the executive levels and that did set it apart from other companies," she said at a news conference in Washington. The six VW executives believed to be in Germany were identified as Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Jens Hadler, Richard Dorenkamp, Bernd Gottweis and Jurgen Peter. All are described as heads of divisions or supervisors. On Monday, Oliver Schmidt was arraigned in a court in Miami following his arrest upon visiting the country. Lynch said it was "too early to predict" how US officials might work with their German counterparts to bring the other executives to justice. She also said the investigation could extend to other individuals. The settlement requires the German automaker to cooperate with the Justice Department on its ongoing prosectors of the executives. Volkswagen said it would also cooperate with inquiries by the Braunschweig and Munich public prosector's offices in Germany. "Volkswagen deeply regrets the behavior that gave rise to the diesel crisis," Volkswagen chief executive Matthias Muller said in a statement. "The agreements that we have reached with the US government reflect our determination to address misconduct that went against all of the values Volkswagen holds so dear. They are an important step forward." - Junior employees overruled - Muller was tapped to lead the German automaker in a management shakeup just days after US and California regulators announced the first charges in the case in September 2015 following the discovery that diesel cars that were marketed as clean spewed nitrogen oxide and other pollutants at 40 times the legal levels. Regulators discovered that the excess emissions, which were not present during environmental tests of the cars, were released on the road because of "defeat device" software designed to evade US clean air laws. The Justice Department said the fraudulent technology was specifically devised beginning in 2009 and executed by the defendants named in the case. An affidavit the Justice Department released this week following the Schmidt arrest showed that senior Volkswagen employees were briefed on the illegal technology in July 2015, two months before the US regulators announced charges. They opted to cover up the case rather than come clean, prosecutors said. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told reporters the investigation turned up evidence of lower-ranking employees who questioned the use of the defeat devices, but were overruled. One of the executives named in the case overseas more than 10,000 employees, she said. "We don't really see many multinationals decide at a very high level to knowingly" violate US law, Yates said at the Washington press conference. While the US criminal settlement is a key landmark, dieselgate is expected to continue to dog Volkswagen. In Germany alone, shareholders have filed claims seeking damages from VW totalling some 8.2 billion euros. Financial analysts have estimated the total bill for the scandal could be as much as 35 billion euros. At this week's Detroit auto show, Volkswagen unveiled a new fully electric, autonomous prototype bus as it attempts to pivot to better days. But auto analysts say questions hang over the company's efforts to reinvent itself after the emissions scandal. Deny and deflect: Trump comes out swinging Donald Trump was combative and in control at his first news conference in months on Wednesday, sticking to his campaign formula -- boasting of his successes, cracking jokes and slamming media he considers hostile. Journalists sat elbow to elbow, knee to knee in the crowded marble lobby of Trump Tower, clamoring with question after question nine days before the Republican is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Branding as "fake" an explosive and unsubstantiated report that claims Moscow holds deeply compromising information about him, Trump picked more than a dozen journalists to ask questions on topics dominated by Russia, but extending to healthcare, tax cuts and conflict of interest. US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a press conference on January 11, 2017 at Trump Tower in New York TIMOTHY A. CLARY (AFP) It was vintage Trump: the former reality star and billionaire tycoon who loves nothing more than setting straight the record -- as he sees it -- praising some media outlets and laying siege to others. Through it all he pitched himself directly to his voters, raising his right hand or jabbing his right index finger to hammer home a point and glossing over details at one point as "very complicated stuff." It was standing room only, the lobby back decorated with a blue curtain and 10 US flags, and considerably larger than the briefing room at the White House where Trump will face the media post-inauguration. There were props and visuals: a table groaning with stacks of files over which he waved his arm as evidence of the steps he was taking to isolate himself -- but not divest -- from his company. His smartly dressed adult children stood to his right. Key aides such as son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon watched from the left. -'Germophobe' - A smattering of supporters on the sidelines whooped and applauded when Trump landed particularly funny or biting blows. His performance is a tried and tested formula: deny and deflect. No sooner had he admitted -- in a first -- the Russian hacking of US targets ahead of the election, than he deflected back to attacking his former presidential opponent Hillary Clinton. He began with politeness and praise for The New York Times and other outlets he previously criticized, for pushing back against the unsubstantiated political research report claiming that Russia holds compromising information about him. There was also defiance, as he called the intelligence services "disgraceful" for allowing "fake" information to be released to the public, saying it was "something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do." He assailed a CNN reporter, refusing to take his question, pointing his finger straight at the network's White House correspondent. "Quiet," he snapped at the reporter. "I'm not going to give you a question," he said. "You're fake news." He trashed BuzzFeed, which published a copy of the unverified report, as "a failing pile of garbage." "Another beauty," he said of the BBC when one of its reporters asked a question. And on the dossier itself, he came out swinging, presenting himself as a wise guy well versed against potential spying on foreign hotel rooms, be they in Russia or anywhere else. "Does anyone really believe that story? I'm also very much of a germophobe by the way. Believe me," he said to more laughter -- his hygiene obsession stuff of legend -- apparently referring to a detail in the report about supposed sex videos involving prostitutes. - 'You're fired!' - Then there was condescending Trump. "Oh gee, I never heard that before," he sniped when a reporter pressed him on his tax returns -- which he continues to resist releasing. Added to the mix was the hyperbole. "I will be the greatest job producer that God ever created," he said. Then were the snippets of Trump vanity such as comparing his wealth to that of Nelson Rockefeller, vice president in the 1970s, and demonstrations of his apparent altruism for the American people. For example, he claimed to have turned down a $2 billion deal last week in Dubai while his lawyer revealed that he would funnel payments from foreign governments to his hotels into the US Treasury. Then there was the "financial loss of millions of dollars" that he and his children had forgone by terminating pending deals at the Trump Organization after winning the election. Rather than personally present his plans to isolate himself from his Trump Organization, he brought out Sheri Dillon, partner in Washington law firm to do so, as he stood to the side. After a whirling hour of back-and-forth with the press, the end was sudden and abrupt: a joke at the expense of his sons, Donald Jr and Eric, who will run his company during his presidency. Booker, with a likely eye on 2020, testifies against Sessions Democratic US Senator Cory Booker took the unprecedented step Wednesday of testifying against a Republican colleague nominated to be Donald Trump's attorney general, saying Jeff Sessions's civil rights record deserved scrutiny. Booker -- who may be seeking to highlight his progressive bona fides ahead of a potential 2020 presidential run -- apparently became the first sitting US senator to testify against another senator nominated to a cabinet post. Booker, 47, acknowledged that some of his colleagues "are unhappy that I am breaking with Senate tradition to testify on the nomination of one of my colleagues." Senator Cory Booker testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions for attorney general on January 11, 2017 Tasos Katopodis (AFP) But he insisted that Sessions was unfit to become the nation's top law-enforcement officer at a time of heightened concern about race in America following the divisive 2016 presidential election campaign. Appearing alongside other Congressional Black Caucus members, Booker said Sessions was not prepared to stand up for America's marginalized. "Senator Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requisite of the job: to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights and justice for all of our citizens," Booker said. "In fact at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility towards these convictions," he added. "In the choice between standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country." The two men are worlds apart. Sessions, 70, is from a different generation, a genteel white former federal prosecutor from Alabama in the Deep South. Booker is the first African American elected to the Senate since current President Barack Obama in 2004. He grew up near Newark, New Jersey, where he later served as mayor, and said he has "seen unimaginable violence on American streets." Sessions stands accused of making racially charged comments toward African-Americans and about civil rights early in his professional life, and his 1980s nomination to a federal judgeship was torpedoed over the allegations. On Tuesday, the hearing's first day, Sessions strongly rejected the charges as "damnably false." Two African Americans testified in support of Sessions Wednesday, including lawyer Willie Huntley, who said that "at no point in the time that I've known Jeff has he demonstrated any racial insensitivity." Booker's testimony comes at a dispiriting juncture for Democrats, with their nemesis Trump, who defeated Hillary Clinton in November, taking office in nine days. The party -- soundly beaten in federal, state and local races in recent years -- has struggled to find fresh talent, but Booker is seen as a rising star. Along with Senator Elizabeth Warren and possibly Vice President Joe Biden, Booker is viewed as a potential frontrunner for his party's 2020 nomination. IS using hobby drones to bomb Iraqi forces in Mosul: US official Islamic State jihadists are using small commercial drones to attack Iraqi security forces in the battle for Mosul, a US commander said Wednesday. Colonel Brett Sylvia, who commands an "advise and assist" US unit in Iraq, said IS fighters are attaching small munitions to quadcopters in an attempt to kill local forces as they retake Mosul, the last major IS bastion in Iraq. "They are small drones with small munitions that they've been dropping," Sylvia said. An Iraqi special forces Counter Terrorism Service member shoots at a drone flown by Islamic State group jihadists in Mosul's al-Rifaq neighbourhood on January 8, 2017 Dimitar DILKOFF (AFP/File) While the munitions were no larger than "a small little grenade," he said, that was enough to do what "Daesh does, and that's just, you know, indiscriminate killing," he said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. The group's use of small drones is not new, Sylvia said, though initially they were mainly used for reconnaissance. "They are (now) using them to drop munitions as Iraqi forces push into Mosul," he said. He added that US-backed local troops have been able to bring down many of the drones, making them "much less effective than they were." Tens of thousands of allied troops launched a huge offensive on October 17 to retake Mosul and areas around it. Early in the offensive, a variety of forces quickly retook significant swaths of land, but the going has been much tougher inside the city itself. Iraqi forces have retaken at least 80 percent of east Mosul from Islamic State jihadists, the spokesman of the special forces spearheading the campaign said Wednesday. Over the past two weeks, Iraqi forces have overrun several districts and, for the first time, reached the Tigris River that runs through the heart of the city. But the western part of Iraq's second city remains largely in IS hands. "There's a lot of fight that's left to do in western Mosul," Sylvia said, noting that IS had conducted extensive defensive work. Lawmaker reaches plea deal as sex-assault trial set to start ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) A former state lawmaker accused of trying to extract sexual favors in exchange for rent agreed to a plea deal on the eve of trial and faces possible prison time. Republican former state Sen. Norman McAllister was charged with sexual assault. He pleaded no contest to prohibited acts and lewd and lascivious conduct. He faces up to seven years in prison. A jury was seated Tuesday, and trial was supposed to start Wednesday. But McAllister reached a plea deal in which prosecutors dropped the most serious sexual-assault charge. FILE - In a Wednesday, June 15, 2016 file photo, Vermont state Sen. Norman McAllister sits in court during the first day of his trial on two counts of sexual assault, in St. Albans, Vt. McAllister, the former Vermont lawmaker accused of forcing a woman to have sex for rent, has agreed to a plea deal Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, and faces possible prison time. (Gregory J. Lamoureux/County Courier via AP, Pool, File) McAllister will be sentenced later. Charges were dismissed against McAllister in a sexual-assault trial involving a different accuser who lied last year. McAllister had been accused of forcing the woman into oral sex and intercourse at his home farm, where she worked. McAllister, whose colleagues voted to suspend him after his arrest, had maintained his innocence. He sat stoically at the defense table as the woman testified he forced her to have sex in a barn. But one of McAllister's defense lawyers got the woman to acknowledge she had changed key aspects of her story. The lawyer for the accuser said the state decided to drop the charges after the woman admitted outside the courtroom she had lied on the witness stand. The prosecutor in that aborted trial said the woman accusing McAllister of rape lied once in her testimony and expressed remorse immediately afterward. Deputy State's Attorney Diane Wheeler said the woman told a state's attorney's office staff member just after the first day of testimony ended that she had lied when she denied that she had befriended and kissed a man she worked with on McAllister's farm. McAllister's lawyer said the real reason charges were dropped was there were numerous inconsistencies in her sworn statements. ___ Anti-doping leaders call for ban of Russian teams A global group of anti-doping leaders is calling for Russian teams to be excluded from international competitions while establishing a process to allow individuals from the country to compete if they can prove they have taken part in effective anti-doping programs elsewhere. Leaders from 19 national anti-doping organizations, including those in the United States, Britain and Sweden, held a summit this week and released their recommendations Tuesday. They also call for removal of major international competitions from Russia, a process that already has begun in the wake of Part 2 of the McLaren doping report, which was released last month. The McLaren report detailed state involvement in a widespread doping conspiracy that touched almost every corner of international sports. The details included a cover-up involving 12 medalists from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Since the report, track's governing body, the IAAF, has set out guidelines under which Russians can compete as independent athletes if they can prove they've been subject to anti-doping regimens outside their own country. The National Anti-Doping Organizations leaders recommend the same sort of process for all sports. Obama speech marks unofficial countdown for black Americans PHILADELPHIA (AP) LaKeitha Carlos was at home in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon and decided to check the flights to Chicago, just in case. A last-minute ticket was only $194. Carlos took a moment to reflect on how, eight years earlier, she had worked as an organizer in Atlanta to get Barack Obama elected president, marking her start in politics. The wife and mother only briefly considered her choice: Should she drop everything to see the president one last time? President Barack Obama speaks at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, giving his presidential farewell address. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Two hours later, she was on a plane, wearing an Obama T-shirt and overcome with emotion. As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency. The first black president's words resonated across the country for many African-Americans finally able to bask in seeing a family that looked like them in the White House. After eight years, the era comes to a close in 10 days. The scene Tuesday was reminiscent of election night in 2008. Then, Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, greeted a cheering crowd in Grant Park in Chicago to claim victory at the end of a campaign run on hope and change. The Obamas were not yet in their 50s; their children, Malia and Sasha, were 10 and 7. Tonight, he walked out alone. At times during the address, which lasted about an hour, there were shouts of "We love you!" from the crowd, who pleaded for four more years. "I can't do that," Obama answered. Tickets for Tuesday's once-in-a-lifetime speech were hard to come by. People waited for hours in the freezing cold Saturday to score seats to see Obama in person. For Carlos, the nostalgia was powerful and her concern over an uncertain future strong. "There were a few of us that believed that he could do it," she recalled ahead of the speech. "To see that come to fruition has been amazing. It's sad to be here tonight. In a way, it feels anticlimactic." Others, like Peggy Montes, chose to stay home and watch. Montes, founder of the Bronzeville Children's Museum, said the Democratic president's mark on her life was personal and professional. She recalled that as an Illinois state legislator Obama helped secure the state funding to start the museum, believed to be the first of its kind for blacks nationwide. Montes was invited to both of Obama's presidential inaugurations and attended. The Obamas are now a focal point of an exhibit at the museum greeting visitors as they walk in the door. Like many in Chicago, Montes said Tuesday's speech was bittersweet. "I'm sad because he will be leaving, but I'm also grateful for the fact that he did touch our lives for such a short period of time," she said. "He came in when the people were in distress. He was able to lift them up." Horace Small, executive director of the Boston-based anti-poverty group Union of Minority Neighborhoods, said Obama's election was a tremendous source of pride for everyone, especially poor and middle-class blacks. But Small said the middle-class blacks benefited more than those battling poverty because Obama didn't talk more about race and class. "But poor blacks did benefit from the fact that there was a black man in the White House less than 100 years after we were hanging from trees," Small said. Small said Obama failed to mobilize citizens to pursue policies that could have impacted poverty in black communities. Amy Maldonado, an immigration lawyer based in East Lansing, Michigan, who voted for Obama twice, said she was extremely disappointed in Obama because of his deportation policies and his detention of Central American children. She said that Obama reacted too late to protect some immigrant college students and that activists were forced to sue his administration over a lack of legal representation of detained immigrants. "I will not be sorry to see this president go," Maldonado said. "I have no love for this administration." In Albuquerque, New Mexico, around three dozen emotional Democratic activists gathered to eat green chile stew and Native American Pueblo bread and watch Obama's farewell address. Next to the New Mexican food was a box of tissues. "We're going to need them," New Mexico Democratic chair Debra Haaland said. Minutes into his speech, some activists could be heard sniffling and seen wiping tears. They clapped when Obama mentioned the need to protect immigrants and fighting for economic equality. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican and the nation's only Latina governor, said it was not her role to assess the presidency of Obama, who rarely visited the state with the country's largest percentage of Hispanic residents. "I think that it's up to the American people and for history to decide on what impact his presidency has had on our country and the world," Martinez said. ___ Associated Press writers Russell Contreras in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report. ___ Errin Haines Whack covers urban affairs for The Associated Press. President Barack Obama waves as he arrives to give his presidential farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) President Barack Obama speaks at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, giving his presidential farewell address. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Singer Eddie Vedder performs before President Barack Obama gives his presidential farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Democratic activists gather to watch President Barack Obama's farewell address at union in Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency and Democrats gathered around the country to listen to his final words. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras) New Mexico Democratic chair Debra Haaland, standing, gathers to watch President Barack Obama's farewell address in Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency and Democrats gathered around the country to listen to his final words. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras) Democratic activists gather to eat green chile stew and Native American Pueblo bread while watching President Barack Obama's farewell address at union in Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency and Democrats gathered around the country to listen to his final words. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras) Trump news spreads faster than reporters can verify PASADENA, Calif. (AP) The spread of a report about supposed damaging information about President-elect Donald Trump collected by Russia became a public test of journalistic standards Tuesday but burst into public consciousness even as those standards were being debated. Hours after news reports circulated that Trump had been briefed by intelligence officials about the existence of the dossier on him, BuzzFeed News published a summary of those allegations. It published despite its editor noting that there is reason to doubt the truth of them. Most news organizations, including The Associated Press, held back on the specific allegations because they had not been substantiated. "Even Donald Trump deserves journalistic fairness," tweeted David Corn, Washington bureau chief of Mother Jones. President-elect Donald Trump speaks with reporters after meeting French businessman Bernard Arnault at Trump Tower in New York, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Yet the news spread so quickly that by Tuesday night, one specific, salacious allegation was a top trending topic on Twitter. Ben Smith, editor of BuzzFeed, explained in a note to his staff that was published on Twitter that the news organization published the information so Americans could make up their own minds about allegations that have been circulating at the highest levels of the United States government. "Our presumption is to be transparent in our journalism and to share what we have with our readers," Smith wrote. "We have always erred on the side of publishing." He noted the doubt about the allegations, and said BuzzFeed had tried and will continue trying to verify them. "People of good will may disagree with our choice," he wrote. "But publishing this dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017." It's the latest, and a vitally important, example of how the internet has changed the flow of news and information, said veteran media ethicist Bob Steele. "It's a very, very difficult time for editors of mainstream news organizations," he said. BuzzFeed is taking a big risk by publishing the information, he said. It's important if such allegations are spread that organizations are clear about what has or hasn't been substantiated, and whether an effort is being made to do so, he said. The president-elect's reaction on Twitter: "Fake news! A total political witch hunt!" Kelly McBride, a media ethicist for the Poynter Institute, compared BuzzFeed's action to document dumps by websites like WikiLeaks. Smith "says that this is the job of reporters in 2017," McBride said. "What I want to ask back is, 'Where's the reporting?' The job of reporting is to actually report. They didn't put anything out there about what they're doing to verify or debunk the claims or even if they're going to verify or debunk the claims." It doesn't mean journalists should be above asking the public for help in getting to the bottom of stories; one example is stories about sexual abuse by religious officials, she said. Massachusetts weighs doing away with winter time shift BOSTON (AP) Lacking authority to change the laws of physics to allow more sunlight on the darkest days of winter, a special commission is instead considering whether Massachusetts should change the laws of man and observe daylight saving time year-round. If adopted, Massachusetts residents wouldn't have to set their clocks back in November and forward in March, as most of the U.S. does. Benefits of having daylight saving time throughout the year could include energy savings and less seasonal depression, proponents suggest. Skeptics argue it would be impractical for Massachusetts to make such a change on its own if the rest of New England does not. And if the sun sets later in the day it also would rise later in the morning, posing dangers for children walking to school in the dark. "Are we just going to be trading one problem for another problem?" asked Republican state Rep. Paul Frost, a member of the 11-member commission that met for the first time Wednesday and hopes to make recommendations by March 31. Massachusetts isn't alone in weighing the pros and cons of doing away with the seasonal time shifts. California, Alaska and nearly a dozen other states have debated similar measures. Some of Massachusetts' neighbors also have broached the subject. A Rhode Island lawmaker proposed a bill last year that he hoped would lead the entire Northeast region to shift one-hour eastward to the Atlantic Time Zone, which includes several Canadian maritime provinces. "When I moved up here in 2011 I was horrified when the sun set at 4:11 p.m. and I thought to myself there has to be a better way," said Tom Emswiler, a Quincy resident who penned a widely read newspaper op-ed piece and then asked his state senator to file a bill creating the commission, to which Emswiler was later named. The New England region juts out further into the Atlantic than other eastern states, making winter days seem even shorter, Emswhile said. Public health data suggest more heart attacks and car crashes occur when clocks spring ahead in March and sleep patterns are altered, he said. While potential energy savings are disputed, panelist Peter Shattuck said after Congress in 2005 extended daylight saving time by several weeks, energy consumption during that additional period decreased by 0.5 percent. "If people don't have to turn on the lights as early, they use less electricity," said Shattuck, Massachusetts director for the Acadia Center, an energy and environmental advocacy group. Commission members pledged to keep open minds. That includes Frost, who nonetheless cast himself a skeptic. "I have a lot of concerns ... from the safety aspect, from the economy aspect, from a confusion aspect," said Frost, who wondered how Boston could be in one time zone part of the year while states barely an hour to the north and south could be in another. Haley on UN job: South Carolina crises, lessons in diplomacy COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says dealing with lawmakers and serving as the state's healer-in-chief through deadly natural disasters, a shooting massacre and other crises have equipped her for the role of United Nations ambassador. "Everything I've done leading up to this point has always been about diplomacy," the conservative Republican told reporters Monday. "It's been about trying to lift up everyone getting them to work together for the greater good and that's what I'm going to attempt to do going forward." The South Carolina-born daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley at 38 became the nation's youngest governor in January 2011 and was easily re-elected in 2014. She turns 45 on Inauguration Day, two days before Senate confirmation hearings begin on her nomination by President-elect Donald Trump. In this Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 photo, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks to a reporter in Columbia, S.C. Haley says dealing with lawmakers and serving as the state's healer-in-chief through deadly natural disasters, a shooting massacre and other crises has equipped her for the role of United Nations ambassador. (AP Photo/Seanna M. Adcox) Though known nationally as a conciliator, Haley's relationship with South Carolina's GOP-controlled Legislature has been more contentious than congenial over her tenure. For one, she's never shied from publicly bashing those she disagrees with. Amid a 2015 debate on road funding, she told a group of real estate agents to "take a good shower" after leaving the Statehouse, prompting House Speaker Jay Lucas to declare people expect better of their public officials, "not middle school insults that serve no purpose." And like Trump, she frequently uses social media to criticize. She defended his Twitter use against those who call that un-presidential, adding "I understand why he does it." "They said that wasn't a way I should be governor," she said of her Facebook posts, noting those helped her even to derail a bid by lawmakers to budget themselves a pay raise. "Anything happening in the state, that was my way of communicating with the public." While Haley lacks foreign policy credentials, she can communicate, wooing business to her state by lobbying corporations and foreign governments. She also relishes the national spotlight, having addressed the Republican National Convention in 2012 and delivered the GOP response to President Barack Obama's last State of the Union address in 2016 with some feisty jabs. Also in 2012, she promoted a memoir with a national book tour and glamour shots in Vogue magazine. Yet if confirmed, Haley will leave the governorship at perhaps the pinnacle, term-limited with two years left and likely rocky ones at that. While Haley appeared in line to become chairman of the Republican Governors Association her final year in office, the agenda of an increasingly lame duck governor was likely to be ignored by state lawmakers. Last year, she made a largely unsuccessful push to defeat GOP legislators she opposes and lost a key state Senate ally she did endorse. Her political group spent more than $1 million in the anti-incumbent effort, but Haley's targets are now leading the state Senate's two most powerful committees and the chamber itself. At home, her legacy centers largely on her leadership in ousting the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds after a June 2015 massacre at a historic black church in Charleston. Dylann Roof, the white gunman sentenced to death Tuesday, could be seen in photos brandishing the rebel flag. Instead of sparking the race war Roof wanted, the killing of nine blacks kindled consensus that the divisive symbol had to go. Haley said the shooting made her realize that where many saw a flag symbolizing ancestors' sacrifices in the Civil War, many others saw a symbol of hate. "South Carolinians had the chance to put themselves in other people's shoes, and they had a chance to see there was a hurtful symbol that had been hijacked by a murderer," she said Monday. "We moved forward." Haley also led South Carolina through a white police officer's shooting of a black motorist, captured on dramatic cellphone video. No riots followed, even after the officer's murder trial deadlocked. A retrial is planned. Haley also led through devastating 2015 floods and Hurricane Matthew's 2016 landfall. "Being able to hold people together and ... remind them of what we're capable of those are all things you realize over time make you stronger and make you wiser," she said. "So I don't know what it takes to be U.N. ambassador. I know that I will do everything I need to make sure I make the people of this country proud." Haley had her own public spats with Trump during the primaries. But she said both freely speak their minds and she gladly accepted the U.N. post when offered. "Whenever I saw something wrong, I called him out on it just like I do everybody else," she said. "He knows that I'll speak my peace, and he speaks his peace, so we have a respect about each other. Above all things, when the president-elect calls and asks you to serve your country, you don't say no to that." Sex offender accused of 2 sex assaults jailed without bail BOSTON (AP) A convicted sex offender will remain jailed as he faces charges of blindfolding, gagging, binding and sexually assaulting two women in their Boston home. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office says 52-year-old Ronald Brown was arraigned on charges including aggravated rape, kidnapping and robbery and ordered held without bail on Tuesday. A plea of not guilty was automatically entered on his behalf in October. His lawyer didn't comment then. Police say Brown, who listed his permanent residence as a homeless shelter, entered the women's apartment in the early morning hours of Oct. 11, then bound and assaulted them. Lebanese leader defends Iran ties after Saudi visit RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) Lebanese President Michel Aoun said after a visit to Saudi Arabia that his country's close ties to the kingdom's archrival Iran should not impede relations with the wider Arab world. "We have normal relations with Iran," which "shouldn't be a barrier in the face of normal relations with the Arab world," Aoun said in remarks published by the pan-Arab and Saudi-run Asharq al-Awsat newspaper on Wednesday. Iran is a longtime supporter of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which represents much of Lebanon's Shiite community and has a military capability rivaling that of the army and police. Aoun, whose Christian party is allied with Hezbollah, said Iran's support for the group "could continue indefinitely." In this Tuesday Jan. 10, 2017 photo released by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, and made available today, President Michel Aoun of Lebanon, waves during his visit to the Lebanon embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Press Agency via AP) Saudi Arabia halted a $3 billion arms deal with Lebanon in February and banned Saudis and other Gulf nationals from traveling there after what the Saudis described as Beirut's failure to condemn attacks on Saudi missions in Iran by demonstrators angered by the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Weeks later, Lebanon abstained from an Arab League vote branding Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Hezbollah is fighting alongside President Bashar Assad's forces in Syria, while Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries support the rebels. Aoun said he discussed the arms deal with Saudi officials, without elaborating. The former general also said that "the decision about the return of the tourists has been taken." Saudi officials told The Associated Press that the Saudi king has promised to review the restoration of the aid package to the Lebanese army but without giving a timetable. They also said that the king has assured Aoun that he will give instructions to the powerful Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman to "give attention to the issue." A senior Lebanese official told the Associated Press that Saudis have conditions to unblock the military aid to Lebanon, including assurances that such assistance won't end up in the hands any Lebanese parties a reference to Hezbollah, which the Saudis view as a terrorist organization. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the press. Aoun flew from Saudi Arabia to Qatar on Wednesday, said QNA, the official Qatari news agency. Aoun was elected in October after a 29-month vacuum in the country's top post. Lebanon's political factions are deeply divided, with some, like Aoun's party and Hezbollah, aligning with Iran, and their opponents siding with Saudi Arabia. In December, the parliament approved a national unity government headed by Lebanon's top Saudi ally, Saad Hariri. He endorsed Aoun, ending the deadlock. In this Tuesday Jan. 10, 2017 photo released by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, and made available today, President Michel Aoun of Lebanon, right, is received by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Press Agency via AP) In this Tuesday Jan. 10, 2017 photo released by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, and made available today, President Michel Aoun of Lebanon, left, is received by Saudi King Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Press Agency via AP) Turkey arrests 60 businessmen for alleged Gulen ties ISTANBUL (AP) A Turkish court on Wednesday ordered 60 businessmen formally arrested pending trial over their suspected ties to the movement allegedly responsible for the failed coup in July, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The agency said 110 businessmen were brought before an Istanbul court to be formally arrested on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization." Fifty were given conditional release, barring them leaving the country and requiring them to regularly report in to authorities, though the prosecutor will appeal. The suspects are accused of belonging to the movement of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, which Turkey accuses of orchestrating the coup attempt. Gulen denies any involvement. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's office had issued detention warrants for 380 businessmen as part of its investigation into the financing of the Gulen movement. Of the 380 total, 164 people were detained by authorities in operations across 35 provinces, while 110 were determined to be abroad and authorities are still searching for 106 others. Of the 164 people detained, 54 people were released by the prosecutor while 110 people were the ones sent to the Istanbul court to be formally put under arrest. Those placed under arrest Wednesday include Bekir Boydak and Mahmut Sami Boydak, brother and son of Boydak Holding Chairman Mustafa Boydak. The Boydak Holding company is alleged to have ties to the Gulen movement, with several family members detained even before the failed coup. Meanwhile Anadolu said an Istanbul court on Wednesday arrested 84 military personnel who used an encryption program allegedly favored by the Gulen movement. This brings the total number of military personnel arrested as part of the investigation into the encryption program up to 315 people according to Anadolu. Czech lawmakers OK conflict-of-interest law despite veto PRAGUE (AP) Czech lawmakers have overridden a veto by President Milos Zeman to approve legislation that limits the business activities of future government ministers. The law bans ministers from owning media organizations, and bars companies in which ministers have more than a 25-percent stake from receiving state subsidies and participating in public tenders. Finance Minister Andrej Babis, who owns two major newspapers and the Agrofert conglomerate which receives state subsidies, fiercely opposed the bill but said he doesn't plan to withdraw from the government. FILE - In this Wednesday, March 23, 2016 file image, Czech Republic's Finance Minister Andrej Babis gestures prior an extraordinary session of Parliament's lower house in Prague, Czech Republic. Czech lawmakers have overridden a veto by President Milos Zeman, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 to approve legislation that limits the business activities of future government ministers. Babis, who owns two major newspapers and Agrofert conglomerate which receives state subsidies, fiercely opposed the bill but said he would abide by it and doesnt plan to withdraw from the government. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, file) Zeman said the move is not in line with the constitution but Parliament's lower house overrode his veto in Wednesday's 129-49 vote. Babis' ANO movement is a favorite to win parliamentary elections in 2017, paving the way for him to become prime minister. Hamburg's spectacular Elbphilharmonie opens for 1st concert BERLIN (AP) Hamburg's spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall finally hosted its first concert on Wednesday night, several years behind schedule and far over the original budget. President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel were among the guests at the maiden concert that was conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester is playing music from the renaissance to the present, including works by Beethoven and Wagner and a new piece by German composer Wolfgang Rihm. FILE - This Feb. 2, 2016 file picture shows the glass-clad exterior of the Elbe Philharmonic Hall in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburgs spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is to finally host its first concert on Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 night, several years behind schedule and far over the original budget. Germanys President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the guests expected at the maiden concert, to be conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester will present a melange of compositions from the renaissance to the present. (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP.file) The grand opening was sold out quickly and the almost 500,000 tickets for the first half of this year are also long gone, but curious onlookers were invited to follow a light show on the building's facade. Hamburg Mayor Olaf Scholz stressed that the concert hall should be accessible to everyone. "I firmly intend that ... all children who go to school in Hamburg will have once heard a concert at the Elbphilharmonie," Scholz said, according to the German news agency dpa. The landmark building with its wave-shaped roof and shiny glass facades was built on top of a former cocoa and coffee warehouse jutting out into the harbor of Germany's second-biggest city. It's also home to a hotel with 244 beds and houses 44 apartments. There's an outside platform that is accessible without charge to everyone. The main concert hall can seat 2,100 people, none more than 30 meters (100 feet) from the conductor. The stage is in the center, surrounded by terraced tiers. The hall is covered by plaster paneling, the so-called "white skin," and sits atop 362 bags of feathers for sound insulation. It has been praised for its impressive acoustics. Construction started in 2007 and was originally supposed to be finished in 2010. The cost to taxpayers climbed from an initially planned 77 million euros to 789 million euros ($835 million). But the delays and cost increases were set aside for the grand opening. "Hamburg is setting an example for the great significance of art and culture in a free society," Scholz said. In this Jan. 10, 2017 images a laserboard displays a countdown with the words '1 DAY'TO'GO' on the outside of the new Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany. The concert hall opens on Jan. 11, 2017. (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP) FILE - This Nov. 4, 2016 file picture shows a view into the great hall, photographed during a press tour through the The Elbe Philharmonic Hall (Elbphilharmonie) in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburgs spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is to finally host its first concert on Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 night, several years behind schedule and far over the original budget. Germanys President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the guests expected at the maiden concert, to be conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester will present a melange of compositions from the renaissance to the present. (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP,file) FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2016 file picture the sunset reflecting in the windows of the new 'Elbphilharmonie' Philharmonic Building in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburgs spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is to finally host its first concert on Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 night, several years behind schedule and far over the original budget. Germanys President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the guests expected at the maiden concert, to be conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester will present a melange of compositions from the renaissance to the present. (Axel Heimken/dpa via AP,file) FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2016 file photo visitors of the Plaza of the Elbphilharmonie explore the access to the observation platform in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburgs spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is to finally host its first concert on Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 night, several years behind schedule and far over the original budget. Germanys President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the guests expected at the maiden concert, to be conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester will present a melange of compositions from the renaissance to the present. (Axel Heimken\dpe via AP, file) FILE - In this May 5, 2016 file picture the Elbe Philharmonic Hall is photographed in Hamburg, Germany. a Hmburgs spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is to finally host its first concert on Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 night, several years behind schedule and far over the original budget. Germanys President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the guests expected at the maiden concert, to be conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester will present a melange of compositions from the renaissance to the present. (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP,file) FILE = This Nov. 4, 2016 file photo shows a view into the staircase in the foyer, photographed during a press tour through the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburgs spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is to finally host its first concert on Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 night, several years behind schedule and far over the original budget. Germanys President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the guests expected at the maiden concert, to be conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester will present a melange of compositions from the renaissance to the present. (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP) The architects Jacques Herzog, left, and Pierre de Meuron arrive for the inauguration of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. The concert hall will be inaugurated with a concert and an official ceremony. (Daniel Reinhardt/dpa via AP) FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2017 file photo the building of the Elbphilharmonie, the philharmonic orchestra concert hall, is illuminated by a light show test at the harbor in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburgs spectacular new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is to finally host its first concert on Wednesday Jan. 11, 2017 night, several years behind schedule and far over the original budget. Germanys President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the guests expected at the maiden concert, to be conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester will present a melange of compositions from the renaissance to the present. (Bodo Marks/dpa via AP) Despite suffering without doctors, Kenyans support strike NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) A wave of contractions forces Sharon Andisi to crouch by the dusty taxi rank outside a hospital. Although she is about to give birth, she has just been turned away from Kenya's only public maternity hospital because of a month-long strike by state doctors. As a crowd gathers around her outside the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, a taxi driver offers to take Andisi to a private hospital. Like most Kenyans, Andisi, 23, an out-of-work teacher, cannot afford the $100 fee the private clinic charges for a delivery without complications, compared to the $15 charged in public facilities, but she has no choice. Just as she makes it to the reception at Edna Clinic, Andisi gives birth to a baby girl she names Rosa. In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, pregnant Sharon Andisi, 23, arrives outside the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, only to be turned away because of a month-long strike by state doctors, in Nairobi, Kenya. Such scenes have become frequent across Kenya as the doctors' strike stretches into a second month, with doctors adamant that President Uhuru Kenyatta's government must honor a collective bargaining agreement it signed in 2013 to increase their salaries by 180 percent. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi) Andisi was lucky. A local broadcaster, Citizen TV Saturday, followed a pregnant woman whose baby died after she was turned away from Pumwani hospital, where more than 350 mothers give birth a week during normal operations. Such scenes have become frequent across Kenya as the doctors' strike stretches into a second month. The strike began on Dec. 5. The doctors are adamant that President Uhuru Kenyatta's government must honor a collective bargaining agreement it signed in 2013 to increase their salaries by 180 percent. The strike has caused a near-total paralysis in the health sector and dozens are believed to have died from a lack of emergency services. Early in December, Kenyatta said at least 20 people had died as a result of the strike. Kenyatta has twice asked the doctors to return to work, first appealing to their humanity for the suffering masses and then offering a partial increase of the salary hikes negotiated in agreement with doctors in 2013. The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentist Union rejected both offers and urged the government to pay the salary increases it promised three years ago. In 2012, doctors went on strike to protest the dilapidated state of public health care. Emergency rooms in some of Kenya's public hospitals frequently don't have gloves or medicine, and power outages sometimes force doctors to use their cell phones to provide adequate light for a surgical procedure. "We are totally fed up," said union official Dr. Nelly Bosire. Despite the high level of academic qualifications required to become a doctor, doctors in public hospitals earn a basic monthly salary of $400, compared to a Kenyan legislator who earns about $13,600 a month, Bosire said. She said doctors have been pressing for pay increases since 1984. Kenyatta's administration argues that the doctors' demands will set off pay hike demands from other civil servants. Meanwhile, Kenya's health ministry is being investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption commission for the loss of millions of dollars. The government has said it would fire all striking doctors who had not returned to work by Wednesday. A Kenyan court also issued a warrant of arrest for union officials for failing to stop the strike, as the court had ordered them to do. But many of the doctors are not frightened by threats of being fired because they run businesses on the side to supplement their meagre government incomes, Bosire said. Despite the travails she went through giving birth, Andisi said she supports the doctors' strike. "I have suffered today moving from one place to another in labor ... I could have lost my life or the baby's. Government should look after the doctors. Surely the government is hurting us," she said. "The government doesn't see how we suffer ... 90 percent of those suffering are the common people." In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, pregnant Sharon Andisi, 23, crouches down outside the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, after being turned away because of a month-long strike by state doctors, in Nairobi, Kenya. Such scenes have become frequent across Kenya as the doctors' strike stretches into a second month, with doctors adamant that President Uhuru Kenyatta's government must honor a collective bargaining agreement it signed in 2013 to increase their salaries by 180 percent. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi) In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, nurse Grace Devie holds the newborn baby of Sharon Andisi, 23, who was turned away from a state-run hospital because of a month-long strike by state doctors, at the private Edna clinic in Nairobi, Kenya. As the doctors' strike stretches into a second month, doctors are adamant that President Uhuru Kenyatta's government must honor a collective bargaining agreement it signed in 2013 to increase their salaries by 180 percent. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi) The first self-sufficient boat powered only by emission-free energy will start a six-year trip around the world in the spring. Energy Observer, a former multi-hull race boat converted into a green vessel equipped with solar panels, wind turbines and a hydrogen fuel cell system, will be powered by wind, the sun and self-generated hydrogen. The 5 million euro ($5.25 million) boat, which is currently in a shipyard in Saint-Malo, will set sail from the Brittany port and will make its first of 101 stops across 50 countries in Paris as part of a six-year circumnavigation. This computer image provided by Energy Observer, shows the Energy Observer boat, which is powered solely by renewable energies and hydrogen. ZERO-EMISSION BOAT Designed in 1983 under the supervision of Mike Birch, the boat enjoyed a successful career in open-sea sailing races, including winning the Jules Verne Trophy in 1994, with Peter Blake at the helm. Now known as the Energy Observer, it's since been converted into a green vessel equipped with solar panels, wind turbines and a hydrogen fuel cell system, will be powered by wind, the sun and self-generated hydrogen. The technology fitted to the boat, which is also equipped with a kite sail, will enable the production of hydrogen through electrolysis process. The 5 million euro ($5.25 million) boat, which is currently in a shipyard in Saint-Malo, will set sail from the Brittany port and will make its first of 101 stops across 50 countries in Paris as part of a six-year circumnavigation. Advertisement 'This boat will demonstrate that there are many solutions for energetic transition,' said French environmentalist Nicolas Hulot, who attended the project presentation on Wednesday at the UNESCO headquarters. 'All solutions are within nature.' Designed in 1983 under the supervision of Mike Birch, the boat enjoyed a successful career in open-sea sailing races, including winning the Jules Verne Trophy in 1994, with Peter Blake at the helm. The Energy Observer project was conceived in 2015 by skippers Frederic Dahirel and Victorien Erussard, with scuba diver and filmmaker Jerome Delafosse also behind the project. 'I'm passionate about new technologies,' Erussard said. 'Building a self-sufficient boat could have seemed utopian, but this is going to be an incredible vessel. It's very promising for the future.' The technology fitted to the 30.5-meter (100-foot) boat, which is also equipped with a kite sail, will enable the production of hydrogen through electrolysis process. Designed in 1983 under the supervision of Mike Birch, the boat enjoyed a successful career in open-sea sailing races, including winning the Jules Verne Trophy in 1994, with Peter Blake at the helm The technology fitted to the 30.5-meter (100-foot) boat, which is also equipped with a kite sail, will enable the production of hydrogen through electrolysis process 'We bank on the diversity of renewable energies,' Essuard said. 'And if there is no sun or wind, or at night, we have the option to draw in our hydrogen reservoirs. 'We will produce this hydrogen in a decarbonized manner through electrolysis of the sea water.' According to Florence Lambert, the director of the CEA Liten research institute which devised the boat's energy system, Energy Observer is a good example of what energy networks will look like in the near future, with its well balanced mix of renewable energies and hydrogen storage system. According to Florence Lambert, the director of the CEA Liten research institute, Energy Observer is a good example of what energy networks will look like in the near future, with its well balanced mix of renewable energies and hydrogen storage system 'We are not talking about the delirium of an explorer or a scientific,' she said, adding that the prospects for hydrogen-powered transport look bright. Mark Z. Jacobson, an engineering professor at Stanford University who develops roadmaps for countries to convert to 100 percent renewable energies by 2050, proposes that transportation worldwide be transformed into a combination of battery-electric transport and hydrogen fuel cell-battery electric hybrid transport. 'I believe that it is fantastic that a boat powered by hydrogen and electricity will travel the world,' he said in written comments to The Associated Press. 'It is an important step forward and consistent with this proposed path to 100 percent clean, renewable energy worldwide for all purposes to solve energy security, job creation, air pollution, and climate problems.' Pictured, Energy Observer expedition leader Jerome Delafosse, left, and captain, Victorien Erussard, pose in front of the two floats of Energy Observer, which is the first boat to be powered solely by renewable energies and hydrogen, in Saint Malo, western France Leader of tiny Malta sees tough EU exit talks for Britain VALLETTA, Malta (AP) The leader of the European Union's smallest nation warned Britain on Wednesday that it can only lose by leaving the EU and that no member state is likely to break ranks and negotiate with London until it has departed. "We want a fair deal for the UK, but that fair deal needs to be inferior to membership," Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told reporters as his country assumed the EU's rotating presidency in the first half of a year likely to prove rocky for Europe. Britain is set to become the first member country ever to leave the EU, probably in 2019, and Prime Minister Theresa May has said she would officially trigger two years of exit talks by the end of March. As the British economy shudders and the pound fluctuates, London also is seeking to launch bilateral talks with each of its 27 European partners. So far, they are holding out, determined to protect their interests and the EU's future. "There will be a united front from the European side on dealing with this resolutely and in a fair manner," said Muscat, whose Mediterranean island state has close historic and cultural links with Britain. "I have rarely been at a discussion of any other subject where the 27 member states have basically the same position." Tiny Malta faces a challenging six months at the EU's helm. Elections are due in heavyweight members France and Germany, and citizens have become increasingly critical of a unified Europe due to the bloc's failure to manage the refugee crisis and to keep citizens safe from extremist attacks. The problems have fueled support for far-right, anti-immigrant parties, particularly in France and the Netherlands, where parliamentary elections will be held this year. The far-right could also enter the German Parliament for the first time since World War II. "We are facing a perfect storm," Malta's Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech said. "The next 12 months are a defining moment for Europe," Grech warned, saying that nations have been too slow to act on their promises. "Citizens believe that national solutions are more effective than European solutions." ___ Man gets 3 years for lying about Islamic State group contact ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A Minnesota man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for lying to the FBI about his social media exchanges with Islamic State group recruiters. Twenty-three-year-old Abdul Raheem Ali-Skelton, of Glencoe, pleaded guilty in April to lying about his communications with the group. Prosecutors argued Tuesday for a five-year sentence. Minnesota Public Radio reports (http://bit.ly/2id8vtq ) that Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Kovats said Ali-Skelton maintained secret contact with "the worst of the worst of terrorist organizations." Ali-Skelton apologized and distanced himself from IS ideology, saying he never supported terrorism. His attorney cited mental health issues, saying communicating with the group made Ali-Skelton feel important. The case was separate from a terrorism conspiracy case that ended in the sentencing of nine young Minnesota men in November. ___ SAO PAULO (AP) For more than 30 years, the bones of Josef Mengele, a German doctor who conducted horrific experiments on thousands of Jews at Auschwitz, lay unclaimed inside a blue plastic bag in Sao Paulo's Legal Medical Institute. Dr. Daniel Romero Munoz, who led the team that identified Mengele's remains in 1985, saw an opportunity to put them to use. Several months ago, the head of the Department of Legal Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo's Medical School obtained permission to use them in his forensic medical courses. Today, his students are now learning their trade studying Mengele's bones and connecting them to the life story of the man called the "Angel of Death." "The bones will be helpful to teach how to examine the remains of an individual and then match that information with data in documents related to the person," Munoz said recently, flanked by students. In this Dec. 7, 2016 photo, forensic doctor Daniel Munoz shows the skull of Nazi war criminal Josef Mengele, at the school of medicine of Sao Paulo University in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In an ironic twist that many Holocaust survivors may see as a form of justice, forensic medical students in Brazil are now learning their trade with the remains of Josef Mengele, the notorious Nazi Angel of Death of the Auschwitz concentration camp who conducted horrific experiments on thousands of Jews. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) Mengele died nearly four decades ago when he drowned off the coast of the state of Sao Paulo. He had been on the run for years, hiding while being pursued for performing experiments on inmates and sending thousands of them to the gas chambers during World War II. Mengele's life on the run, and the mystery surrounding his whereabouts, are part of what make his bones a useful teaching tool, Munoz said. "For example, examining Mengele's remains, we saw a fractured left pelvis," he said, adding that "information found in his army record said that he fractured his pelvis in a motorcycle accident in Auschwitz," the notorious Nazi death camp in German-occupied Poland. Holding Mengele's skull, Munoz pointed to a small hole in the left cheek bone, which he said was the result of long-term sinusitis. Munoz said that a German couple who harbored Mengele in Brazil told police that he often suffered from dental abscesses that he himself would treat with a razor blade. "I don't know what I feel" about Mengele's bones being studied, said Cyrla Gewertz, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor. "I already have too many painful memories of him and what he did to me and others at Auschwitz. These are memories I cannot erase from my mind." After the war, Gewertz, who said she was also interned in other concentration camps like Ravensbruck and Malchow, went to Sweden, where she lived for seven years and where she met and married her husband with whom she came to Brazil in 1952. Originally from Poland, Gewertz has a tattoo on her left arm identifying her as an Auschwitz prisoner: A24840. She said she came face to face with Mengele on several occasions. "(Mengele) told me to strip and step inside a large vat with extremely hot water," said Gewertz during an interview in her Sao Paulo apartment. "I said the water was too hot and he said if I didn't do what he ordered, he would kill me. After that I had to step into a vat with freezing water." Gewertz said she once saw Mengele kill a newborn baby girl by throwing her off the roof of the camp's barracks. "He was an evil, perverse man," she said "He was a torturer." After the war, as leading members of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich were put on trial for war crimes, Mengele fled to Argentina and lived in Buenos Aires for a decade. He moved to Paraguay after Israeli Mossad agents captured Holocaust mastermind Adolf Eichmann, who was also living in Buenos Aires. In 1960, he arrived in Sao Paulo, where he received shelter from German couple Wolfram and Lisolette Bossert and a family of Hungarian immigrants. Mengele, then 67, died while swimming in a beach in the coastal town of Bertioga in 1979. The Bosserts buried him in Embu on the outskirts of Sao Paulo under the false name of Wolfgang Gerhard. Years later, German authorities intercepted a letter sent by the couple to Mengele's family with news of his death. They alerted Brazilian authorities. In 1985, his body was exhumed. Teams from Germany, Israel, the United States and Brazil confirmed it was Mengele, using methods including the vetting of personal accounts from people who knew him in Brazil, comparing handwriting in seized letters and analyzing the recovered cranium to see if it matched old photos of Mengele. Professor Maria Luiza Tucci Carneiro, a historian who coordinates the University of Sao Paulo's Laboratory for the Study of Ethnicity, Racism and Discrimination, said she hopes the classroom learning eventually goes beyond the science to history and ethics. Students should also learn "how physicians, psychiatrists and other leading scientists were in the service of the Reich, lending their knowledge to exclude the ethnic groups classified as belonging to inferior races," said Carneiro. "An exclusion that culminated in genocide." In this Dec. 7, 2016 photo, forensic doctor Daniel Munoz shows the skull of Nazi war criminal Josef Mengele, at the school of medicine of Sao Paulo University in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In an ironic twist that many Holocaust survivors may see as a form of justice, forensic medical students in Brazil are now learning their trade with the remains of Josef Mengele, the notorious Angel of Death of the Auschwitz concentration camp who conducted horrific experiments on thousands of Jews. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) In this Dec.19, 2016 photo, Auschwitz survivor Cyrla Gewertz speaks during a interview in Sao Paulo, Brazil. "I don't know what I feel" about Josef Mengeles bones being studied, Gewertz, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor. "I already have too many painful memories of him and what he did to me and others at Auschwitz. These are memories I cannot erase from my mind." (AP Photo/Andre Penner) Police: Man fatally shot after attacking Tennessee deputies REAGAN, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents are investigating the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old black man that involved two sheriff's deputies. The shooting happened late Tuesday in Henderson County after Darrion M. Barnhill attacked the deputies, slamming one of them to the ground, a TBI statement says. The struggle escalated, leading at least one deputy to fire his weapon, the TBI said. Barnhill was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The TBI says deputies had responded to a complaint that Barnhill was beating on the door of a home in Reagan. The agency says deputies recognized he faced outstanding warrants and ordered him to surrender, but he became aggressive instead. The TBI did not release information about the deputies. The sheriff's department referred questions about the shooting to the TBI. New York City traffic deaths dropped to record low in 2016 NEW YORK (AP) Traffic deaths in New York City have declined for the third straight year, dropping to a record low of 229 in 2016. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that the downward trend in traffic deaths shows his Vision Zero traffic-safety campaign is working. The 229 traffic fatalities were pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people in cars. The number fell from 234 in 2015. City officials say 229 is the lowest number of traffic deaths since record-keeping began in 1910. Pedestrian deaths increased slightly to 144, up from 139 in 2015. The first few days of 2017 have already seen several traffic deaths. The latest was 88-year-old Feliks Dadiomov, who was hit by a car Tuesday night. Serbian president meets convicted war criminal BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbia's president urged greater protection for the rights of Serbs in the Balkan region as he met Wednesday with a former top Bosnian Serb leader who was convicted as a war criminal. The call by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic is similar to ones that triggered the bloody disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. His meeting with Bosnian Serb leader Momcilo Krajisnik reflects a resurgence of nationalist sentiment that led to the Balkan wars that left more than 100,000 people dead. Krajisnik spent 13 years in prison for persecuting and forcibly expelling non-Serbs during Bosnia's 1992-95 war. He was released in 2013 after his conviction by the United Nations war crimes tribunal in the Hague, Netherlands. FILE - In this Jan. 9, 1996 file photo, Bonsnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic, left, and Serb member of Bosnian Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik roll the cake, marking St. Stevan, Republic of Srpska patron-saint day. Serbia's president Tomislav Nikolic has met a convicted Bosnian Serb war criminal Momcilo Krajisnik urging the protection of human rights for the Serbs living in the Balkan regions. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File) A 1995 U.S.-sponsored peace agreement made Bosnia a union of Bosnian Serb and Muslim-Croat regions. But that deal seems to be unraveling, with Bosnian Serb leaders calling for secession of their mini-state called Republika Srpska and joining it with Serbia. Krajisnik, who leads a non-governmental organization called Association of Creators of Republika Srpska, said after the meeting with Nikolic that Bosnia "has become an impossible country." "The Serb people (in Bosnia) are not feeling comfortable," Krajisnik said. "Nor do the Croats....The situation in Bosnia is alarming." Krajisnik, who was the No. 2 behind Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, predicted there would be "sporadic skirmishes," but not another war in Bosnia. Nikolic, who is staunchly pro-Russian, said in a statement that his discussion with Krajisnik emphasized "the status and protection of human rights of Serbian people in the countries in the region, as well as the protection of Cyrillic and the Serbian language." The Youth Initiative for Human Rights in Serbia said in a statement that the meeting represented "a step further" in the denial of wartime crimes committed by Serbs. Claims that the rights of Serb minorities in Bosnia and Croatia were jeopardized led to the violent disintegration of the former Yugoslav federation after the Serb-led Yugoslav army intervened. Baltimore, US to announce details of police reform decree BALTIMORE (AP) The city of Baltimore and the U.S. Justice Department have reached agreement on a consent decree that will require the city to reform its police department. Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a joint news conference to describe the details of the decree at City Hall on Thursday morning, after a city spending board meets to approve the deal. A federal judge also must approve it to make it binding. The projected cost has not been announced, but the previous mayor said it could be $30 million. The Justice Department opened a formal investigation of the department's patterns and practices after the death in police custody of a 25-year-old black man, Freddie Gray. Six police officers were charged but none were convicted in the arrest and death of Gray, whose neck was severed inside a police van. The agreement, finalized in the waning days of the Obama administration, is intended to remain in effect under a new attorney general. Civil rights advocates have expressed concern that Sen. Jeff Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee, may not pursue allegations of police misconduct with the same vigor. The Justice Department opened similar investigations into about two dozen local law enforcement agencies under President Barack Obama, including Ferguson, Missouri; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Cleveland. In Chicago, where a white officer was videotaped fatally shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times, a Justice Department report to be released Friday will conclude that police officers have a pattern and practice of violating people's rights, according to an official familiar with the findings. That official spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, lacking authorization to speak publicly about it. In Baltimore, one of the largest departments to come under such scrutiny, the Justice Department concluded in August that officers routinely used excessive force, discriminated against African-Americans and made unlawful arrests. It found that officers stop large numbers of people mostly in poor, black neighborhoods with dubious justification, and unlawfully arrest citizens merely for speaking in ways police deem disrespectful. The report also said that physical force was often used unnecessarily, against juveniles, the mentally disabled and civilians who aren't dangerous or pose an immediate threat. Force is often used as a retaliatory tactic in instances where officers "did not like what those individuals said," the report concluded. It also identified serious training deficiencies, accusing the department of "systemic failures" that violated the Constitution and the rights of citizens. The federal investigation found that blacks accounted for 95 percent of the people stopped at least 10 times by Baltimore police, and roughly 84 percent of all pedestrian stops, between 2010 and 2015. Some individual black residents were stopped 30 times or more. The details have not been made public, but the agreement will likely mandate reforms to the way officers handle sexual assault complaints and respond to juveniles and individuals suffering from mental illness. The agreement also will likely outline new requirements for training officers and ensuring oversight. The police department has already equipped officers in the field with body cameras to improve transparency and accountability, which Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said should help improve a fractured relationship with the citizens of Baltimore. Davis also said officers are now required to undergo 80 hours of in-service training twice the time required by the state and that new technology will ensure that officers receive, review and understand rules and policies. --- UN peacekeeping chief warns Congo elections could be delayed UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. peacekeeping chief warned Wednesday that elections in Congo recently scheduled to be held this year could be pushed back by any delays in establishing voting lists, creating a transitional government, and implementing a Dec. 31 political agreement. Herve Ladsous also told the U.N. Security Council that every effort must be made to ensure that all political players, including the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, sign up to the agreement. It was mediated by Roman Catholic Church officials and calls for President Joseph Kabila to leave power after the presidential and legislative elections to be held by the end of 2017. Kabila, who became president in 2001 after his father's assassination, was constitutionally barred from seeking a new term after his term expired Dec. 19. But his party said voting wasn't possible before mid-2018 for logistical reasons, sparking months of unrest, driven by Kabila's apparent attempt to stay in power, in which dozens of people died. Congo also faces clashes in its mineral-rich east where scores of armed groups vying for control of gold and other resources are blamed for killing hundreds of civilians since October 2014. Ladsous called the agreement "a major contribution to improving the situation which could have exploded," and stressed that "everything must be done to ensure that the electoral process is not subject to any delays." Monsignor Marcel Utembi, president of the Catholic church body known as CENCO that mediated the agreement, also called on the international community "to do everything to ensure success of the agreement" and keep to the election timetable. In a video briefing to the council from Kinshasa, Utembi called for "logistical, financial and technical support to ensure good conduct of the election." He also stressed the urgent need to maintain peace in the run-up to elections and to mobilize "significant resources ... to meet the vital social needs" of the people. Congo's U.N. Ambassador Ignace Gata Mavita said voting lists have been revised in 12 of Congo's 26 provinces and the process will continue. New business group opposes Straits of Mackinac pipelines TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) A business group is forming to support environmentalists battling to decommission two oil pipelines beneath the Straits of Mackinac, where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. The Great Lakes Business Network is targeting Line 5, operated by the Canadian company Enbridge. It extends from Superior, Wisconsin, across portions of northern Michigan to Sarnia, Ontario. The portion beneath the straits divides into two 20-inch lines. The 10 founding members of the network include breweries, food and tourism companies and the national outdoor retailer Patagonia. Larry Bell of Bell's Brewery said Tuesday a 2010 spill from an Enbridge pipeline that polluted the Kalamazoo River illustrated how damaging another spill in the Straits of Mackinac could be for businesses. 6 people injured in explosion at Minnesota truck plant DODGE CENTER, Minn. (AP) A truck plant explosion in a small southeastern Minnesota town injured six people Wednesday but many more employees could have been hurt, authorities said. Many employees at McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing Inc. in Dodge Center who would have been in the area of the paint shop explosion were off-site at a training exercise when the blast happened around 10:30 a.m., Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose said. Six people were injured, Rose said. Two were flown by medical helicopter to a St. Paul hospital and two were taken by ambulance to a Rochester hospital. Their conditions were not immediately available. Another two were being treated at the scene for minor medical issues, the sheriff said. McNeilus is part of Oshkosh Corp. in Wisconsin. Oshkosh Corp. spokeswoman Katie Hoxtell said five injured employees were "under medical care." She said she could not give details. Rose said it's his understanding "it was quite an explosion." All employees have been accounted for, he said. The complex closed production for the day, and investigators remained inside. Rose said the scene is safe and the road outside the complex has reopened after being closed following the explosion. The company will work with local authorities on the investigation, Hoxtell said. Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health investigators also will investigate, agency spokesman James Honerman said. The plant, on a 145-acre campus, makes cement trucks and refuse trucks and is a major employer in Dodge Center, a town of 2,700 about 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis. Employment fluctuates between 1,000 and 1,200, Mayor Bill Ketchum said. "Anytime you have something like that big town or small town it's a tragic thing. It could have been a lot worse than it was," Ketchum said. ___ Doctors: Dad who dropped girl off bridge now competent ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) A state mental hospital evaluation concludes a Florida man is now competent to stand trial on charges that he threw his young daughter to her death off a Tampa Bay area bridge. Pinellas Circuit Judge Chris Helinger said during a Wednesday hearing that she's read the report on 27-year-old John Jonchuck and set a competency hearing for March 27. Assistant Public Defender Jane McNeill says she'll want to have doctors chosen by the defense also assess Jonchuck. Authorities say that in January 2015, Jonchuck stopped his car on the bridge, grabbed 5-year-old Phoebe from the back and then walked to the edge, where he dropped her over. Doctors have been treating Jonchuck to restore his competency to stand trial. 10 (ish) films to look forward to in 2017 LOS ANGELES (AP) Hollywood might still be patting itself on the back for its 2016 films, but there's a lot to look forward to in film this year in all genres. Here are 10-ish films to put on your radar for the year. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 (Feb. 10), THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS (April 14) Two franchises, both unlikely, both silly and both endlessly watchable get new installments this year. Keanu Reeves is back as the vengeful hit man John Wick in the sequel to the 2014 sleeper hit. And the Fast and Furious crew is joined by Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren in movie No. 8, directed by "Straight Outta Compton's" F. Gary Gray. This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Gal Gadot in a scene from "Wonder Woman," in theaters on June 2. (Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP) BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (March 17) "Harry Potter's" Emma Watson stars as the beautiful, bookish Belle in director Bill Condon's live-action, musical adaption of the fairy tale, which he promises will include nods to both Disney's animated feature as well Jean Cocteau's black and white classic. "Downton Abbey's" Dan Stevens plays the Beast opposite a strong supporting cast of Luke Evans, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Emma Thompson and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (May 5 ), SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (July 7), THOR: RAGNAROK (Nov. 3) What superhero fatigue? The studios have assembled some formidable talent behind some of the year's most high profile sequels (and reboots). Taika Waititi will bring his comedic edge to the "Thor" world, while James Gunn tries to recreate that mixtape magic with "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." One film that doesn't require any catch-up work is "Spider-Man: Homecoming," yet another reboot of the web-slinging teen, but a promising one star Tom Holland upstaged even the likes of Robert Downey Jr. when introduced in "Captain America: Civil War." Director Jon Watts says his "Spider-Man" will be in the vein of classic high school films. ALIEN: COVENANT (May 19), BLADE RUNNER 2049 (Oct. 6) Ridley Scott is back to playing his old hits this year, with a twist. Scott directs the sixth installment in the "Alien" universe with "Alien: Covenant," about a crew traveling to a remote part of the galaxy in search of paradise, only to find something much more horrifying. Katherine Waterston stars with Michael Fassbender. As for "Blade Runner 2049," Scott's only producing "Arrival" and "Sicario" director Denis Villeneuve is directing the longtime-coming sci-fi sequel, set 30 years after the original film. Ryan Gosling stars as a new LAPD officer who needs to find Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard. WONDER WOMAN (June 2) Gliding by the crazy fact that it's taken until 2017 for one of the most popular characters in comic book history to get her own feature film, this one also looks like it packs the potential to define this whole modern era of DC Comics adaptations ("Justice League," out Nov. 17, could too). "Wonder Woman" has the promising team of "Monster" director Patty Jenkins at the helm and Gal Gadot wielding the iconic lasso in this World War I-set origin story. THE BEGUILED (June 23) Sofia Coppola is making a Western, and not just any Western a remake of Clint Eastwood's 1971 film (itself an adaptation of "A Painted Devil" by Thomas P. Cullinan) about an injured Union soldier in an all-girls Confederate boarding school whose presence causes rifts among the women. Kristen Dunst, Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell and Elle Fanning star. DUNKIRK (July 21) Christopher Nolan is perhaps the only filmmaker working on this level whose movies are events in and of themselves. He doesn't need the stamp of Intellectual Property to make his a must-see (regardless of what you think of "Interstellar"). "Dunkirk" takes us to the beaches of France early in WWII when the Allied forces were surrounded and evacuated. Newcomer Fionn Whitehead leads the cast, which includes Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance and even Harry Styles (yes, that Harry Styles). VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (July 21) Most Americans probably aren't familiar with the French comic source material Valerian and Laureline, but don't let that dissuade you from checking out Luc Besson's ("Lucy," ''The Fifth Element") wildly ambitious sci-fi epic starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as a pair of space and time travelling agents. BABY DRIVER (Aug. 11) So Edgar Wright didn't get to do "Ant-Man." The maestro behind "Hot Fuzz" and "The World's End" has his own action pic up his sleeves, and an original one at that, about a getaway driver (Ansel Elgort), the girl he wants to leave it all behind for (Lily James) and the crime boss (Kevin Spacey) who might destroy it all. STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII (Dec. 15) At the rate of one new Star Wars film (spinoff or otherwise) a year for the foreseeable future, it's hard to imagine that The Force Awakens-level excitement can be sustained, but "Episode VIII" has its own credentials separate from the nostalgia of that galaxy far, far away. Simply: It's a Rian Johnson film, the mind behind "Looper" and "Brick," and he's setting the story for the final two films of the main trilogy (he's writing Episode IX but ceding directing responsibilities to Colin Trevorrow). There's also the bittersweet knowledge that it'll feature one of Carrie Fisher's final performances, fittingly in her most iconic role. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr This image released by Summit Entertainment shows Keanu Reeves in a scene from the film, "John Wick: Chapter 2," in theaters on Feb. 10. (Niko Tavernise/Summit Entertainment via AP) This image released by Universal Studios shows Charlize Theron, left, and Vin Diesel in a scene from "The Fate of the Furious," expected in theaters on April 14. (Universal Studios via AP) This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Fionn Whitehead in a scene from, "Dunkirk," a film also starring Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Mark Rylance, scheduled for release on July 21, 2017. (Melinda Sue Gordon/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP) This image released by Sony Pictures shows Ansel Elgort, right, and Jamie Foxx in a scene from "Baby Driver," in theaters on Aug. 11. (Wilson Webb/Sony/TriStar Pictures via AP) This image released by STX Entertainment shows Dane DeHaan from the film, "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets," in theaters on July 21. (Domitille Girard/STX Entertainment via AP) This image released by Disney shows Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast in "Beauty and the Beast," a live-action adaptation of the studio's animated classic. The film will be in theaters on March 17. (Disney via AP) This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Katherine Waterston in a scene from "Alien: Covenant," in theaters on May 19. (Mark Rogers/Twentieth Century Fox via AP) Mexico's 2nd woman presidential hopeful criticizes president MEXICO CITY (AP) A former governor has become Mexico's second female presidential hopeful, a sign that the 2018 presidential election season has already opened. The announcement by Ivonne Ortega that she wants to run for the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party illustrates the big the divisions in the party, known as the PRI. President Enrique Pena Nieto is a PRI member. He recently implemented a deeply unpopular, 20-percent increase in fuel prices. Ortega said in a series of video ads launched Monday she would have done things differently, and gave a list of ten things she would do that Pena Nieto didn't. Former first lady Margarita Zavala has already indicated her desire to run for the conservative National Action Party. Theresa May said there had been a small number of incidents of unacceptable practice in the NHS as she sought to defend the Governments handling of problems in the health service. During Prime Ministers Questions, the Prime Minister acknowledged the system was under pressure but said the Government had committed extra money to the NHS. Leader of the Opposition, @jeremycorbyn, asks about waiting times in A&E departments & conditions in the #NHS https://t.co/oZTHMeMoVO #PMQs UK House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) January 11, 2017 We acknowledge that there are pressures on the health service, there are always extra pressures on the NHS in the winter, but we have the added pressures of the ageing population and the growing complex needs of the population, she said. Mrs May said the Government was standing by the four-hour target for A&E, which says 95% of patients must be dealt with within that time frame, after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt suggested earlier in the week he may water it down. Under the Tories our NHS is in crisis, with some patients having to wait for hours in overcrowded A&E departments or on trolleys. RT #PMQs pic.twitter.com/0noP0gRrCG The Labour Party (@UKLabour) January 11, 2017 That target has not been met by NHS hospitals across England since the summer of 2015. Mrs May also called the Red Cross description of a humanitarian crisis in the NHS as irresponsible and overblown. Hearing PM rubbish Red Cross claim about state of NHS is shameful. Think they are better placed to say what a humanitarian crisis is #PMQs Imran Hussain MP (@Imran_HussainMP) January 11, 2017 Deeply concerned that the PM does not appear to have any answers on the NHS crisis #PMQs Mark Tami MP (@MarkTamiMP) January 11, 2017 Total silence on the Tory backbenches. Total denial on the Government frontbench. You can't pass the buck anymore. #NHSCrisis #PMQs David Lammy (@DavidLammy) January 11, 2017 The PM provided risible answers to @jeremycorbyn's perfectly reasonable questions on the mess she &her colleagues have made of the NHS #pmqs ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) January 11, 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Mrs May of being in denial and failing to listen to organisations including the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) which have written to the Prime Minister saying the service is under severe pressure. Mrs May said: The Government has put extra funding into the health service 2,500 more people are treated within four hours every day in the National Health Service thats because of the Government putting in extra funding and the hard work of medical professionals But I also say its not just a question of targets. We continue to have a commitment, as the Health Secretary has made clear, to the four-hour target, but its about ensuring people are provided with the appropriate care for them and the best possible care for them in their circumstances. Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks during Prime Minister's Question Mr Corbyn recounted how a woman called Sian who works in the NHS and has a 22-month-old nephew saw him treated on two plastic chairs pushed together with a blanket because there were no beds. He said: Does the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary think this is an acceptable way of treating a 22-month-old? PM: Last year the NHS saw 2.5m more people treated in A&E than 6 years ago #PMQs CCHQ Press (@CCHQPress) January 11, 2017 PM: Govt has put extra funding into NHS - 2500 more people are treated within 4 hours every day #PMQs CCHQ Press (@CCHQPress) January 11, 2017 PM: Yesterday Jeremy Corbyn proved that he is not only incompetent but he would destroy our economy and that would devastate our NHS #PMQs CCHQ Press (@CCHQPress) January 11, 2017 Mrs May replied: I accept there have been a small number of incidents where unacceptable practices have taken place. We dont want those things to happen, but what matters is that the NHS looks into issues where there are unacceptable incidents that have taken place and then learns lessons from them. She said over the few weeks around Christmas there was a single day when more people were treated within A&E than had ever happened before. She added: This is the reality of the National Health Service. A&Es have missed the 4-hour target on treatment for 15 months in a row #PMQs Labour Press (@labourpress) January 11, 2017 The Tories cut 4.6 billion from social care in the last Parliament #PMQs Labour Press (@labourpress) January 11, 2017 With the NHS in crisis we need a plan to give it the funding it needs but #PMQs shows Theresa May is in total denial & has no answers Labour Press (@labourpress) January 11, 2017 Mr Corbyn said more money for social care must be brought in so people are not forced to stay too long in hospital when they are ready to leave. Mrs May said: We have put extra money into social care. He talks about delayed discharges there are some local authorities working with their health service locally where there are virtually no delayed discharges. Half of the delayed discharges are in only 24 local authority areas. What does that tell us? It tells us its not just about funding, its about best practice. Waits of more than 12 hours among elderly people have more than doubled in two years, according to the NHS Digital data. Long waits among those aged 70 and over went from 34,088 in 2013/14 to 88,252 in 2015/16. Swansea have been dealt a blow in their survival fight with the news Wales international Neil Taylor has fractured his cheekbone. The Swans revealed the 27-year-old suffered the injury in training on Wednesday morning and went to hospital later in the day, with Taylor now requiring surgery for the issue. No time-frame has been put on Taylors return at this stage but his absence will be keenly felt as new Swansea boss Paul Clement tries to steer them away from trouble. Swansea defender Neil Taylor Wales left-back Neil Taylor is set for some time on the sidelines. Let's hope he makes a speedy recovery #TogetherStronger https://t.co/FTNUlXFENj FA WALES (@FAWales) January 11, 2017 No top-flight side has conceded as many times as Swansea, who have shipped 45 goals in 20 fixtures, and Clement is expected to bolster his defence this month. Swansea have a brutal run of fixtures coming up which Taylor could miss, with Arsenal, Southampton and Leicester all due to visit south Wales before March, while the next three away games are at Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. US President-elect Donald Trump has said he is voluntarily handing over control of his business empire to his two sons Donald Jr and Eric. Speaking at a press conference in New York, Mr Trump said there was no requirement for him to give up the management of the Trump Organisation during his time in the White House, as presidents were exempted from conflict of interest rules. He brushed aside calls for him to release his tax returns, insisting voters did not care about the payments he had made. Well this could be interesting in 4 to 8 years. #nopressure https://t.co/KEbz0IjvKV Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 11, 2017 Facing questions on the returns which he consistently refused to release during his election battle with Hillary Clinton the Republican president-elect told reporters: I won. I dont think they care at all. Im not releasing the tax returns, because as you know they are under audit, said Mr Trump, who said reporters were the only people interested in them. FINAL PUSH! Eric and I doing dozens of radio interviews. We can win this thing! GET OUT AND VOTE! #MAGA #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/dYcxRCBQUd Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 8, 2016 Thanks Ed! It was an an incredible honor to support my father in this movement! https://t.co/4UQcpIfFiV Eric Trump (@EricTrump) November 11, 2016 He said that information released about his company during the election campaign had shown voters that it is much bigger and much more powerful than they ever thought we are in many, many countries, and Im very proud of it. Mr Trump said that his sons would run his company in a very professional manner, adding: They are not going to discuss it with me. The president-elect with his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr (Jane Barlow/PA) He insisted there was no requirement on him to avoid conflicts of interests as president, adding: I didnt know about that until about three months ago, but its a nice thing to have. But I dont want to take advantage of something. I have something that others dont have. Vice-president Pence has it, but I dont think hell need it I have a feeling he wont need it. I have a no conflict of interest provision as president. This is many, many years old. This is for presidents because they dont want presidents getting tangled up in minutiae, they want a president to run the country. Surreal day for our family. Thanks to the great Americans I met along the trail over the past year who taught me so much about our country! Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 9, 2016 I could actually run my business and run government at the same time. I dont like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that if I wanted to. As a president, I could run the Trump Organisation a great, great company and I could run the country. Id do a very good job, but I dont want to do that. Mr Trump said that over the past weekend he was offered two billion US dollars to do a deal in Dubai with a very, very, very amazing man, a great, great property developer from the Middle East. He said: I turned it down. I didnt have to turn it down because as you know I have a no conflict situation as president. Mr Trump also sought to alleviate concerns that he could violate the US constitutions emoluments clause designed to keep the president free from outside influence if foreign governments spend money at or on one of his business. Britain picks ex-BoE deputy governor Clementi as new BBC chair LONDON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - An ex-Bank of England deputy governor is the British government's choice to be the new chair of the BBC, culture minister Karen Bradley said on Tuesday, as the state-owned broadcaster's structure is overhauled. David Clementi, who completed a report on the governance and regulation of the BBC last March, will be the first chair of the corporation under a new unitary board structure. It replaces the BBC Trust and was recommended by Clementi. He also recommended that the BBC should face external regulation for the first time in its 95-year history, a proposal taken up by the government in May and which subjects the broadcaster to tighter scrutiny. "The new BBC Charter will secure the future of the BBC, strengthen it and give it an unprecedented degree of independence," Bradley said in a statement. "It will make it more transparent, accountable and representative. I am confident that Sir David will provide the strong leadership necessary for the BBC to remain the world's best broadcaster." Clementi, who was at the Bank of England between 1997 and 2002 and has chaired Prudential and Virgin Money, said in a statement that "it would be a great honour to join the BBC at an important time in the organisation's history". He must appear before lawmakers for pre-appointment scrutiny on Jan. 17. Clementi would replace Rona Fairhead, the former boss of the Financial Times Group, who said she would step down as chair of the BBC Trust in September. Director-General of the BBC Tony Hall said he was "delighted" by the choice of Clementi in a statement. London copper renews drive higher after early pause By James Regan SYDNEY, Jan 11 (Reuters) - London copper built on hefty overnight gains on Wednesday, reversing early losses, while zinc also maintained a firmer tone, supported by supply concerns. Zinc held its gains on the back of news that processing fees for China's zinc smelters hit record lows last month as supply from mines continued to dwindle. Still, a steady U.S. dollar against other major currencies kept trading volumes and currency-based arbitrage activity light across the metals complex. Last week the index rose its highest since December 2002. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange gained 0.3 percent to $5,780 a tonne by 0700 GMT after initially recoiling at the start of trading. The contract galloped to a one-month high on Tuesday. The most-traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose 3 percent to 47,160 yuan ($6,812) a tonne, gathering momentum on the back of a surge in Chinese producer prices in December. Underlying that is rising concerns of further supply-side disruptions. Workers at Chile's Escondida copper mine - the world's biggest - have already rejected a wage offer from BHP Billiton . Also, a proposed ban on the export of copper concentrates from Indonesia is due to come into force on Jan. 12. "While the government is expected to issue new export rules later this week, traders appear nervous," ANZ commodities strategist Daniel Hynes said in a note. Three-month zinc was flat at $2,720 a tonne after touching its highest level in nearly a month in the more active London session. Shanghai zinc rose 1.7 percent. LME nickel was 0.6 percent down at $10,555. LME aluminium was up 0.17 percent to $1,752 a tonne. ShFE aluminium was up 2.7 percent. ShFE nickel was 1.13 percent firmer. PRICES Three month LME copper Most active ShFE copper Three month LME aluminium Most active ShFE aluminium Three month LME zinc Most active ShFE zinc Three month LME lead Most active ShFE lead Three month LME nickel Most active ShFE nickel Three month LME tin Most active ShFE tin PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - Jan 11 SOFIA, Jan 11 (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. -- Bulgaria will consider banning power exports if the freezing temperatures continue, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said, outlining that the power consumption hit a 20-year record on Monday. (24 Chasa, Trud, Monitor, Capital Daily, Standart, Duma, Standart) -- President-elect Rumen Radev declined appeals to extend the life of the current parliament and said he will appoint an interim government and call early election shortly after he takes office on Jan. 22. (24 Chasa, Trud, Duma, Monitor, Standart) -- Bulgarian businessman Ivo Prokopiev has been charged for persuading former finance minister Simeon Djankov to allow a sale of a minority state stake in power distributor controlled by Austria's EVN at discount price, prosecutors said. Djankov and former energy minister Traicho Traikov are already charged for the deal carried out in 2011. All deny any wrongdoing. (Trud, 24 Chasa, Monitor, Standart, Capital Daily) Italian PM Gentiloni's heart procedure completely successful -doctors By Steve Scherer and Antonella Cinelli ROME, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni is making an excellent recovery following a "completely successful" heart procedure at a Rome hospital, doctors said on Wednesday. The 62-year-old, who took office last month, had emergency angioplasty to unblock a blood vessel late on Tuesday. "The full success of the intervention was confirmed this afternoon by the excellent clinical progress being made by the premier," a medical bulletin from Rome's Gemelli hospital said. The procedure, which widens a narrow or obstructed artery or vein by stenting, was done after a CAT scan and blood tests. Gentiloni tweeted that he felt well and would be "back at work soon". It was not clear when he would leave the hospital, but a spokesman for the premier said his trip to London on Thursday to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May had been cancelled. Gentiloni, of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), formed a government after Matteo Renzi stepped down in the wake of a referendum loss over his flagship constitutional reform. He felt unwell after returning from a meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Paris and was examined by a doctor at his office, who sent him to hospital, a government source said. "He left for the hospital on his own two feet," the source said, noting that Gentiloni did not suffer a heart attack. Doctor Pietro Santarelli, a retired cardiologist who worked for years at the Gemelli, said that from the information available he believed Gentiloni could be out of the hospital in a few days. Angioplasty has become a routine procedure, he said. "If the time from the onset of the symptoms and the time that he went into the operating room was too long then perhaps some heart muscle could have been damaged," he said. Santarelli said the fact that Gentiloni was able to walk to the car that took him to the hospital was a good sign and that the prime minister was likely to have been suffering from "unstable angina," possibly caused by a clot. Doctors would now do enzyme tests and ecocardiograms to see if any permanent damage had been done to his heart, he said. Gentiloni, who was foreign minister until last month, took power during a banking crisis that has already required him to step in to rescue Italy's third-largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, and pledge as much as 20 billion euros ($21 billion) to prop up other lenders. PRESS DIGEST - RUSSIA - Jan 11 MOSCOW, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The following are some stories in Russia's newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. VEDOMOSTI www.vedomosti.ru - A Moscow court has decided to extend the house arrest of Russia's former economy minister Alexei Ulyukayev for three months. Ulyukayev was detained in November on suspicion of extorting a $2 million bribe. Investigators say they want to distance him from witnesses in the case, the daily says. - Russia's aviation watchdog, Rosaviation, in December ordered every fifth working Sukhoi SuperJet 100 plane grounded because of "technical defects" discovered by experts. KOMMERSANT www.kommersant.ru - Georgy Poltavchenko, the governor of St.Petersburg, confirmed on Tuesday that control of the city's St.Isaac's Cathedral would be transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. He promised that a museum on its territory, which receives up to 3 million tourists every year, would continue to function. - The Ministry of Industry and Trade is calling on the government to restrict some equipment imports and provide state loans to Russia's own heavy industry, according to draft guidelines being drawn up by the ministry. - Russia is hoping an alliance with Turkey will pay off ahead of talks in Kazakhstan aimed at settling the conflict in Syria, the daily says. IZVESTIA www.izvestia.ru - Russia is losing billions of roubles as a result of illegal forestry, Russia's Audit Chamber has reported. - Russians have cut their consumption of meat, fish, milk and sugar in the last two years due to growing food prices and shrinking incomes, the daily says, citing official statistics. - The Union of Russian Journalists has appealed to experts, including the police, to draw up guidelines for journalists on how to cover problems of drug addiction. The aim is to prevent them from making mistakes which could be regarded as promoting drugs. MOSKOVSKY KOMSOMOLETS www.mk.ru - Russia's former economics minister Alexei Ulyukayev has not accepted allegations he is guilty of trying to extort a bribe and has refused to give testimony, the daily says, in connection with a court's refusal to ease the conditions of his house arrest. - Police in the Siberian town of Irkutsk could charge a serial killer, Mikhail Popkov, with almost 50 more cases of murders in the regional town of Angarsk. The former police officer was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing 22 women over the course of 18 years before being arrested in 2012, the daily says. Budapest Bank's CEO to step down, to move to Raiffeisen Bank Hungary BUDAPEST, Jan 11 (Reuters) - State-owned Budapest Bank's chief executive Gyorgy Zolnai is to step down, to take over at Austrian lender Raiffeisen Bank International's Hungarian subsidiary from May, the lenders said on Wednesday. The move comes as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government is looking to privatise Budapest Bank, the country's ninth-largest bank by assets, with Economy Minister Mihaly Varga having said the bank could be sold in the first half of 2017. Meanwhile Zolnai, aged 51, will succeed Heinz Wiedner at Raiffeisen Bank Hungary, the country's fourth-biggest lender by assets. Wiedner, 63, will retire from the post after six years, a period when foreign banks have clashed repeatedly with Orban over higher taxes and moves to boost local ownership. Orban has since increased Hungarian ownership of its banks, previously dominated by foreign names, to above 50 percent and last year the state sold its holding in MKB Bank, the country's sixth largest by assets, to a consortium of investors for $134 million. Previously senior officials have floated the idea of merging Budapest Bank and MKB Bank to exploit synergies in a market which the central bank and the government have said includes too many large players for a country the size of Hungary. Orban's government has yet to give any details on how it plans to privatise Budapest Bank. Ivory Coast's Ouattara slims down government in modest reshuffle ABIDJAN, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara named a new and smaller government team on Wednesday, with few changes to top positions, according to a statement read on state-owned television. Adama Kone and Abdourahmane Cisse - finance and budget ministers respectively - held onto their jobs, as did Agriculture Minister Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly. But Thierry Tanoh, the former CEO of pan-African Ecobank , replaced Adama Toungara as energy minister. Amadou Kone takes over as transport minister from Gaoussou Toure. Trade minister Jean-Louis Billon also lost his post. Marcel Amon-Tanoh, who was appointed interim foreign affairs minister when Albert Toikeusse Mabri was dismissed in November, will keep that post in the new cabinet. Despite a two-day mutiny at the weekend that led to the dismissal of the heads of the army, police and gendarmes, Defence Minister Alain-Richard Donwahi and Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko both kept their jobs also. The new cabinet has 28 ministers and a secretary of state compared with 35 posts previously. It includes seven new members. Angola reports first two cases of Zika virus LUANDA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Angola said on Wednesday it had recorded its first two cases of the Zika virus, just three months after a yellow fever epidemic that killed at least 400 people was brought under control. Zika, a viral disease carried by mosquitoes, has spread to more than 60 countries and territories since an outbreak was identified in Brazil in 2015, raising alarm over its ability to cause the rare birth defect microcephaly. "Up until two months ago, we didnt have any detected case, but, now, we have two cases of Zika," Health Minister Jose Luis Gomes Sambo told reporters in the Angolan capital Luanda. "We have to take preventable measures, especially in the anti-vectorial fight against the mosquitoes." Angola is only just recovering from a yellow fever outbreak, which began in a densely-populated Luanda slum before rapidly spreading across the southwest African country and into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Australia's Tigerair grounds flights to Bali over Indonesian rules JAKARTA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Tigerair Australia said on Wednesday it had cancelled at least six scheduled flights to and from the popular holiday destination of Bali after the Indonesian government imposed new administrative requirements. "Tigerair Australia is still working with the Indonesian Government to resume flights to and from Bali as soon as possible," Tigerair, a unit of Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd , said on its website. (https://tigerair.com.au/fly/travel-alerts) However, a spokesman for Indonesia's transport ministry said that it had suspended three of Tigerair's chartered flights to Denpasar, the capital of Bali, from Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, but not the airline's scheduled flights. "(Tigerair) did not meet the rule for chartered flights. They should not sell tickets in the territories of Indonesia," Agoes Soebagio, a spokesman for air transport at the ministry, said by telephone. Australian media reported that hundreds of passengers were stranded at airports on Wednesday, with many airing their complaints on social media. Fincantieri's bid for STX France seen finalised in April -French minister By Emmanuel Jarry PARIS, Jan 11 (Reuters) - A bid by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for STX France is likely to be signed formally around Feb. 15 with the deal finalised in April, French industry minister Christophe Sirugue told Reuters on Wednesday. "Signature will probably be around February 15, with the closing probably in April," Sirugue told Reuters in an interview. The sale of STX France, which specialises in building cruise ships at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard and is profitable, forms part of a broader sell-off of businesses following the demise of the South Korean STX shipbuilding group. The French state has and aims to keep its 33 percent stake with blocking rights in STX France, which Fincantieri is interested in to gain a foothold in the cruise shipbuilding market. The head of French state-controlled military shipbuilder DCNS also said last week it was "very likely" that DCNS - in which Thales has a minority stake - would enter into the capital of STX France. "What is needed is for us to keep our 33 percent, it's imperative since it gives us minority blocking rights," said Sirugue. Brazil's Renova to delay search for partner after asset sale, source says By Guillermo Parra-Bernal SAO PAULO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Renova Energia SA's imminent sale of a wind farm project will likely prompt the Brazilian renewable power company to put on hold the search for a new partner for an undetermined period, a person with direct knowledge of the plan said on Wednesday. According to the person, the board of Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais SA, Renova's largest shareholder, has convened a meeting for later in the day to approve the sale of Renova's Alto Sertao II project to AES Corp's Brazilian unit for 700 million reais ($218 million). The project's sale could be announced on Thursday, said the person, who requested anonymity since the plan is confidential. Proceeds from the Alto Sertao II sale could be used to finish construction of 400-megawatt wind farm Alto Sertao III and repay maturing debt, the person said. Killer Breivik wants to spread ever more radical Nazi ideology -Norway By Alister Doyle SKIEN, Norway, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Mass killer Anders Behring Breivik wants to spread his ever more radical Nazi-style ideology, Norway's attorney general said on Wednesday in defending Breivik's near-isolation in jail after a court ruled the conditions breached his rights. Breivik, who killed 77 people in 2011 in Norway's worst peacetime atrocity, still believed in a fascist revolution led by white supremacists, attorney general Fredrik Sejersted said. Sejersted defended the restrictions that mean Breivik has no contact with other prisoners but is compensated with a three-room lock-up with a gym, newspapers, a playstation and TV. He urged the three appeal court judges to overturn a ruling in April 2015 by a lower Oslo court that Breivik's isolation from other prisoners violated a ban on "inhuman and degrading treatment" under the European Convention on Human Rights. A psychiatrist's assessment written in December 2016 said that Breivik "is more conspiratorial", wanted contact in jail with other extreme right-wingers and to form a fascist party with radicals on the outside to spread his views, he said. It also said that he was more convinced his ideas were right and that others' were wrong. Breivik writes hundreds of letters, and any deemed to risk inciting crimes are censored by the authorities. "He still wants to inspire others," Sejersted told the high-security appeal hearing in a temporary courtroom in Skien jail where Breivik is being held. "He still believes in a fascist revolution." Breivik, who made a Nazi salute at the start of the court hearing on Tuesday, sat grim-faced and often shook his head in disagreement as Sejersted spoke. He is serving Norway's longest sentence - 21 years with the possibility of extension. On July 22, 2011, Breivik killed eight people with a car bomb outside the prime minister's office in Oslo and then shot 69 others on an island near the capital, many of them teenagers attending a youth camp of Norway's then-ruling Labour Party. Breivik's lawyer Oeystein Storrvik said Breivik was kept in over-strict isolation and only allowed contact with lawyers and others approved by the authorities, such as guards and health workers. "He has no one he can talk to in confidence and become friends with," he said at the appeal that runs from Jan. 10 to Jan. 18 . "Everything is 100 percent monitored." Last year the Oslo court agreed that Breivik was wrongly kept in a "locked world" for between 22 and 23 hours a day, and only allowed out for exercise in a yard. It agreed with censorship of his letters. Sejersted said Breivik received many letters, especially from women. Some sent him photos of themselves that he had put on his cell wall. One had even written him erotic fantasies. Photo of dead Syrian boy boosts fundraising 100-fold - study By Luke Mintz LONDON, Jan 11 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - An iconic photo of three-year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi washed up dead on a Turkish beach had a greater impact on fundraising efforts for Syrian refugees than hundreds of thousands of deaths, a study has shown. The photo of Kurdi appeared in media across the world in the days after he drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in September 2015. His family were Syrian refugees of Kurdish origin, attempting to flee the war to Europe. "People who had been unmoved by the relentlessly rising death toll in Syria suddenly appeared to care much more after having seen Aylan's photograph," said the report, from science research institute 'Decision Research'. The study used fundraising data from the Swedish Red Cross, which showed a significant increase in donations after news of Kurdi's death, as well as data from Google Trends, which showed a major spike in searches for the terms "Syria" and "refugees". Both the number of donors and the total raised increased after the photo circulated. In the week after Kurdi's death, the study said the average number of daily donations to a Syrian refugee fund run by the Swedish Red Cross rose 100-fold. Before the photo circulated, the charity received fewer than 1,000 donations in a day; afterwards, it rose to almost 14,000. It said the average amount raised each day by the fund was 55 times higher, netting an extra 1.9 million crowns ($210,730) per day. While the surge in interest faded quickly, long term donations did rise. The study, authored by Paul Slovic from the University of Oregon, found the "newly created empathy waned rather quickly" after the initial burst of interest in Kurdi's story, but Kurdi's death prompted a 10-fold rise in those signing up for regular monthly donations. Only 0.02 percent of these donors had cancelled by January 2016. "The main take-home message of this paper is that emotional reactions ... can influence actual donation behaviour strongly," Arvid Erlandsson, a contributor to the report, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Emotional reactions are ... prone to fade out quickly, thus resulting in sharp increases and decreases in helping behaviour, despite the existing need being very stable." Erlandsson went on to suggest that charities and governments could try harder to channel "emotional reactions" into their fundraising efforts. The image of Kurdi joins other iconic photos that have come to symbolise human conflicts and tragedies, including Sharbat Gula, or 'Afghan Girl', whose image on the front cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985 is among the most famous of the Soviet-Afghan War. Similarly, the 1972 image of nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc fleeing a napalm attack in Vietnam came to symbolise the horrors of the Vietnam War. Kurdi died in September 2015, along with his five-year-old brother. Their family had fled from their home in the northern Syrian town of Kobani. Shots of the small boy's body being cradled by a Turkish policeman circulated worldwide and galvanised several governments into policy changes, with the German government agreeing to admit thousands of refugees then stranded in Hungary only two days later. Polish parliament reconvenes despite opposition blockade Jan 11 (Reuters) - Poland's parliament resumed proceedings after the winter recess on Wednesday in defiance of an opposition blockade of the plenary hall, a move that could escalate a crisis posing a risk to stability in the European Union state. Trump's secretary of state pick says China should be barred from S. China Sea islands By David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state has set a course for a potentially serious confrontation with Beijing, saying China should be denied access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea. In comments expected to enrage Beijing, Rex Tillerson told his confirmation hearing on Wednesday before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee that China's building of islands and putting military assets on those islands was "akin to Russia's taking Crimea" from Ukraine. Asked whether he supported a more aggressive posture toward China, he said: "We're going to have to send China a clear signal that, first, the island-building stops and, second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed." The former Exxon Mobil Corp chairman and chief executive did not elaborate on what might be done to deny China access to the islands it has built up from South China Sea reefs, equipped with military-length airstrips and fortified with weapons. Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for specifics on how China might be blocked from the artificial islands. China claims most of the energy-rich waters through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims. When asked repeatedly about Tillerson's comments on blocking access to islands, China's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said he couldn't make any guesses as to what Tillerson was referring to and would not answer hypothetical questions. China's right to carry out 'normal activities' in its sovereign territory in the South China Sea is 'indisputable', Lu said, speaking at a daily briefing on Thursday. He did not elaborate. Tillerson also said Washington needed to reaffirm its commitment to Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province, but stopped short of Trump's questioning of Washington's long-standing policy on the issue. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging that China takes the position that there is "one China" and Taiwan is part of it. But the United States is also Taiwan's biggest ally and arms supplier. "I don't know of any plans to alter the 'one China' position," Tillerson said. Tillerson said he considered China's South China Sea activity "extremely worrisome" and that it would be a threat to the "entire global economy" if Beijing were able to dictate access to the waterway. He blamed the current situation on what he termed an inadequate U.S. response. "The failure of a response has allowed them just to keep pushing the envelope on this," Tillerson said. "The way we've got to deal with this is we've got to show back up in the region with our traditional allies in Southeast Asia," he said. Democratic President Barack Obama's administration conducted periodic air and naval patrols to assert the right of free navigation in the South China Sea. These have angered Beijing, but seeking to blockade China's man-made islands would be a major step further and a step that Washington has never raised as an option. Under his strategic "pivot" to Asia, Obama has increased the U.S. military presence in the region, and Trump has vowed a major naval buildup. Tillerson's words also went beyond Trump's own tough rhetoric on China. Regional military sources said while the U.S. navy had extensive capabilities in Asia to stage blocking operations with ships, submarines and planes, any such move against China's growing naval fleets would risk dangerous escalations. RELUCTANT TO CHALLENGE Obama has sought to forge a united front in Southeast Asia against China's pursuit of its territorial claims, but some allies and partners who are rival claimants have been reluctant to challenge Beijing. Tillerson called China's South China Sea island-building and declaration of an air defense zone in the East China Sea it contests with Japan "illegal actions." "They're taking territory or control, or declaring control of territories that are not rightfully China's," he said. The response was muted from the Philippines, a traditional U.S. ally that last year won an international arbitration case that included a challenge to China's island-building within its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. "These are not policies yet and let us wait if they will implement what was said in the hearing," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on Thursday. "Let's wait until Trump is in office." His comments reflect the sharp change in Manila's approach to China under new President Rodrigo Duterte, who wants good diplomatic and business ties with Beijing and says challenging it is provocative and pointless. He makes no secret of his lack of trust in the Obama administration and has chided it for what he considers inaction in the South China Sea. Tillerson also said the United States could not continue to accept "empty promises" China had made about putting pressure on North Korea over that country's nuclear and missile programs. He said his approach to dealing with North Korea - which recently declared it is close to carrying out its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile - would be "a long-term plan" based on sanctions and their proper implementation. Asked if Washington should consider imposing "secondary sanctions" on Chinese entities found to be violating existing sanctions on North Korea, Tillerson said: "If China is not going to comply with those U.N. sanctions, then it's appropriate ... for the United States to consider actions to compel them to comply." He accused China of failing to live up to global agreements on trade and intellectual property, echoing past remarks by Trump, who has threatened to impose high, retaliatory tariffs on China. But Tillerson also stressed the "deeply intertwined" nature of the world's two biggest economies. "We should not let disagreements over other issues exclude areas for productive partnership," he said. A purohita handling a key portfolio had a ceremony held in his office to mark the resumption of duties for the new year 2017. This purohita who once excelled in a popular game had been at loggerheads with the highest authorities in yahapalanaya over plans to hand over a port coming under his purview to a foreign investor under a Public-Private-Partnership agreement. Addressing the members of his staff, the purohita had said: I tried my level best to save this place from being handed over to foreigners. But all my efforts have gone down the drain. If you look forward to securing a job for a child of yours at this place in the future, take some decisive action some course of action like the strike they launched in the recent past to chase me out -- to prevent this port from going into foreign hands. This is all I have got to tell you The purohitas exhortation left the entire staff stunned with amazement, they say. Prosecutors have charged relatives of former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon with conspiracy to bribe a government official. Mr Ban's younger brother and his nephew stand accused of offering money to a Middle Eastern official, through an American middleman. They allege the two men bribed the official to use state funds to buy their building project. Mr Ban served as UN secretary general from 2007 until 2016. He was succeeded by former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres on 1 January 2017. Mr Ban is now being seen as a possible future president in his home country of South Korea. Reuters quoted his spokesman as saying Mr Ban was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the allegations against his relatives. Prosecutors say that in early 2013 the South Korean construction firm Keangnam, of which Mr Ban's brother Ban Ki-sang was an executive, was faced with growing debt and sought to sell a building complex in Vietnam known as Landmark 72. In a 39-page indictment unsealed on Tuesday at a Manhattan courthouse, prosecutors alleged that he and his son Joo Hyan "Dennis" Bahn, a Manhattan estate agent, stood to make millions of dollars in commission on the sale, valued at up to $800m (657m). US officials say that the two men paid millions of dollars in bribes and tried to trade on the prominence of their South Korean family name in order to persuade a Middle Eastern official from an unnamed country to arrange a purchase of the complex by that country's sovereign wealth fund. Federal papers say the two even tried to secure a meeting to discuss the deal with that country's head of state during his visit to New York during an annual UN general assembly meeting. Mr Bahn, who has pleaded not guilty, was released on bail. According to the indictment, a $500,000 initial bribe was paid to US businessman Malcolm Harris who presented himself as an agent of the official, with another $2m promised upon the closing of the sale. But Mr Harris allegedly double-crossed Mr Bahn and his father and made off with the money. Neither Mr Harris nor Mr Ban Ki-sang have been detained. "This alleged bribery and fraud scheme offends all who believe in honest and transparent business," said US Attorney General for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara, "and it stands as a reminder that those who bring international corruption to New York City, as alleged here, will face the scrutiny of American law enforcement." M Ban's relatives are charged with corruption, money laundering and conspiracy.(BBC) It is not unusual for the Ministries and statutory bodies to print diaries and calendars for distribution among well-wishers and clients as a token of goodwill. However, a Ministry handling public funds is said to have brought out a diary for 2017 at an unusually heavy cost, they say. This attractive diary - each copy costing the exchequer about Rs.8,000 has been printed by a company owned by a nightingale domiciled in the UK and it is intended for distribution among a select few, they say. What a waste of money at a time the government is in dire straits being strapped for funds even to meet essential public expenditure, lament the Ministry employees. The Italian Naval Ship ITS Carabiniere arrived at the Colombo Port today on a four-day goodwill visit. The Commander of the ship, Francesco Pagnotta held a news briefing on-board the ship for local media. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe Introduction of commercial mediation will offer Sri Lankas business community an optional dispute resolution mechanism in addition to litigation and arbitration, both of which are riddled with delay and expense. Mediation, if practiced in strict compliance with its intrinsic principles, offers a process that will hopefully be devoid of those evils, said Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) CEO Dhara Wijayatilake. She made this observation at a preliminary briefing convened by the CCC last week to discuss the steps that are required to be taken to provide mediation services for commercial dispute resolution in terms of the Commercial Mediation Centre of Sri Lanka Act No. 44 of 2000 as amended by Act No. 37 of 2005. The briefing was attended by the members appointed to the board of management of the centre by the justice minister on the nomination of the CCC, National Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL) and Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) and other representatives from private sector companies. A representative of The Asia Foundation (TAF), which has provided assistance for the Community Mediation programme of the Justice Ministry from its inception in 1990, was also present at the briefing and provided technical support. Wijayatilake observed that if Sri Lanka is serious about inspiring investor confidence, there is a need to look at alternative dispute resolution methods that are more efficient and effective than the adversarial process available through litigation. The business community looks for processes that have the potential to deliver on both of those features, i.e. effectiveness and efficiency. TAF Resident Representative Dinesha Wickremanayke spoke of the importance of training for mediators and highlighted the assistance given to the Justice Ministry to train mediators for community mediation as well as for the special land mediations conducted in the North. Speaking on the current status of community mediation in Sri Lanka, TAF Senior Technical Advisor Ramani Jayasundere explained that the mediation boards function in every Divisional Secretarys division in the island to resolve community disputes. She presented statistics that pointed to a greater use of the community mediation boards for the resolution of money matters after the increase of the monetary threshold, which required that disputes up to Rs.500,000 in value, must mandatorily be referred to these boards before action could be filed in a court of law. The board of management of the centre also includes a nominee of the justice minister and a nominee of the industry and commerce minister. The members also discussed the several steps that the board would need to pursue to offer mediation services to the private sector and noted that training of mediators would be an essential step and that the four chambers would have to ensure collectively that mediation services are sustained, if successful. Chinas One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative is carving out new pathways across the Eurasian continent, signifying Beijings ambitions to remake the world around it. This project, if implemented, will fundamentally change Chinas role and relationships in South Asia, perhaps in some ways that are not intended. In the Indian Ocean region, OBOR has two aspects. One is the Maritime Silk Road, a series of linked port projects aimed at facilitating trade and new production chains linked with China by sea. The other is a series of planned northsouth pathways from China to the Indian Ocean, including the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the BangladeshChinaIndiaMyanmar Economic Corridor. These projects come with huge price tags and would involve the construction of roads, railways, pipelines and other major infrastructure in corridors stretching for hundreds and even thousands of kilometres. Beijing has many motivations for these ambitious undertakings. Most immediately, they put to work Chinese infrastructure companies that are facing a tough domestic market. They also promise the development of new regional production chains with China at the centre. These corridors could also drive development in poor and politically-unstable parts of Pakistan and Myanmar, potentially helping to stabilise those troubled countries. This reflects Beijings views on the transformative impact of state-driven economic development. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reportedly characterised the Chinese projects in Pakistan as a means to wean the populace from fundamentalism. But these new overland pathways also have the potential to fundamentally alter Chinas role in South Asia and the entire strategic make-up of the region. Geopolitically, South Asia has long functioned more or less as an island rather than as part of a bigger continent. Any overland connections that South Asia has with the rest of the continent are, at best, tenuous and excepting a tiny proportion of trade that is carried overland to and from Eurasia, essentially all of South Asias connections with the rest of the world are by sea or air. Consequences These geographic constraints have had considerable political, economic and strategic consequences for the region. One is in underpinning Indias role as South Asias predominant power. The relative lack of landward connections into the Eurasian continent also amplifies the importance of control over the maritime trade routes across the northern Indian Ocean. Geography has also caused Eurasian states, such as China, to have very limited contact with their South Asian neighbours. Sitting on the other side of the Himalayas, China may as well have been on the other side of the world. While it has been a strategic player in South Asia for some time, it has been from far away. Chinas virtual remoteness allowed it to keep its hands clean of domestic political and security problems, even while it provided substantial military and diplomatic support to the Pakistani government. This has helped China to project itself as a benevolent partner that does not meddle in internal affairs. But Chinas role in the region may be about to fundamentally change. The CPEC will involve many thousands of Chinese engineers and workers building billions of dollars of infrastructure over thousands of kilometres of territory on a scale far exceeding any previous Chinese investments in Pakistan. While the final route is yet to be determined, the corridor will likely traverse the territories of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan. These are territories with long-running insurgencies or long histories of violent resistance to meddling foreigners. Pakistan has sought to address CPEC security risks by forming a special army corps of 12,000 personnel devoted to protecting the project. But, at least until recently, China has been surprisingly sanguine about these risks and its ability to rely on the Pakistan Army. If separatists or fundamentalist insurgents see benefit in attacking Chinese nationals and assets, then the Pakistan Army may be in for a difficult time. There are already past reports of Chinese security forces providing protection to Chinese workers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and it is not difficult to contemplate a growing Chinese security element in other Pakistani territories if the Pakistan Army is unable to cope by itself. CPEC also has the potential to enmesh China much more closely in Pakistan for reasons beyond just physical security, making it a key player in the countrys internal political and security affairs. India is still formulating its views about CPEC, but has already expressed outright opposition to some aspects. Indias Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called OBOR a national initiative devised with national interest, stating that it was not incumbent on others to buy it. Some in Delhi argue that anything that helps Pakistans economic development and potentially stabilises the country would be a good thing for India. But one aspect that infuriates Delhi is Chinas plans to build infrastructure in Kashmir and Gilgit, territories claimed by India. India has repeatedly presented its strong objections to China without any apparent response. New geopolitical dynamic We are already seeing some indications of a new geopolitical dynamic over CPEC. There is Beijing pushing for the Pakistan Army to be given a leading roleabove that of any civilian authoritiesin CPEC. Then there is the prospect of Chinas much closer involvement in Pakistans domestic political affairs, both in Islamabad and regionally. And there is India, a major regional power looking for ways to threaten Chinas plans in Pakistan. In August 2016, in a national Independence Day speech, Indian Prime Minister Modi sent a clear message that India may begin to publicly support Balochistans separatist insurgents. This represents a big shift for India and was directed almost as much at Beijing as at Islamabad. A senior and well-connected Chinese scholar responded that China will have to get involved if India seeks to disrupt the CPEC. On 21 September, in the wake of the deterioration in IndoPakistan relations over Kashmir, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang publicly warned his civilian Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, that he hoped Pakistan can continue to provide safety protection to the program construction and Chinese personnel in Pakistan. These may well be the opening moves to a whole new strategic dynamic in South Asia driven by Chinas great OBOR ambitions. (Courtesy: East Asia Forum) (David Brewster is a Senior Research Fellow with the National Security College, Australian National University) As per the Extraordinary Gazette No. 1998/11 of December 20, 2016, under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 made by the industries and commerce minister reads as follows: Companies (Secretaries) Regulations published in the Extraordinary Gazette 471/6 of September 14, 1987 by the addition of the following sub section ix as a new subsection under section 2(1)(b), which reads as follows. (ix) he/she is a member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka. This amendment is based on the decision of the cabinet of ministers on September 4, 2014, where the approval was granted for the recognition of the CMA qualification for the purpose of functioning as a company secretary. The cabinet decision also equated the CMA qualification similar to CA Sri Lanka and the two foreign accounting bodies operating in Sri Lanka, CIMA UK and ACCA UK, for recruitment to the Sri Lanka Accounting Service, Sri Lanka Audit Service and to include the CMA qualification in the schemes of recruitment in government corporations, state-owned business operations and state banks. CMA Sri Lanka was set up with the technical assistance of CMA Canada, now CPA Canada, in 1999 and incorporated by Act of Parliament No. 23 of 2009. It is the national professional management accounting body in Sri Lanka. CMA is also a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global body for the accountancy profession, South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) and Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA). As a result of these cabinet decisions, 2400 members of CMA Sri Lanka will now enjoy both local and global recognition and have received the official recognition for its qualification on par with other local and international professional accounting bodies operating in Sri Lanka and will be able to play a lead role in financial and cost management accounting and contribute to the economic development of Sri Lanka. By Supun Dias The Condominium Management Authority (CMA) joined hands with the University of Moratuwa (UoM) to conduct research work in setting construction standards in the development of condominiums in Sri Lanka. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed recently by UoM Vice Chancellor Prof. Ananda Jayawardana and Condominium Management Authority (CMA) Chairman C.A. Wijeyeweere. Recognizing the rapidly expanding trend, the CMA and UoM Architecture Department have embarked on a joint research venture to investigate the social, economic and environmental impact of high-rise living, in order to ensure the well-being of the people. The research will mainly cover three areas. Defining the high-rise residential building typology, climate responsive design strategies for high-rise residential buildings and benchmarking the energy performance. According to the researchers, Sri Lanka is heading towards a new age in high-rise residential living, as a solution for urban migration across all income levels. In the future, several issues may arise due to the increasing trend in the construction of high-rise residential buildings without building typology-specific regulations/guidelines. Secondly, climate-responsive design is the first step in improving energy efficiency in any building. Achieving indoor thermal comfort in hot-humid climates such as in Colombo is a challenge due to the high temperature and humidity outdoors. The high-rise residential building typology around the world does not seem to respond to climatic conditions as compact, core dependent form dominates from Singapore to Toronto. Therefore, the second step of the study will be to identify applicable climate-responsive design strategies for high-rise residential buildings in the hot-humid region. The third area of research will be on high-rise residential development, which has the potential for energy saving than low-rise development. Therefore, not only can high-rise residential development be a solution for the housing issue but can also reduce the burden on energy supply if the design and operation are guided by energy-efficient strategies. CMA Chairman C.A. Wijeyeweere said that with the end of the war in 2009, higher income and recent beautification of Colombo is moving people into the city at higher rates than in the past. He further stated that as urban migration continues, the Colombo housing market is reaching out to the challenge with a new building typology, the high-rise residential building. The new trend in vertical living is becoming prominent across all income levels as evident in the changing Colombo skyline. Though their numbers are still comparatively few, due to the scale and density of high-rise residential buildings, their dominance in the urban built environment is irrefutable, he said. It is no doubt that high-rise living is a solution for urban migration. In countries where such living is popular, such as Singapore, highly specified regulations and guidelines are in place and they do not compromise on the quality of living. When specified regulations are not in place, the result is the construction of chaotic cities in Asia, he added. Matara Magistrate DamithThotawatte today sentenced to death five family members including two women after they were found guilty of clubbing to death a 44-year-old resident of Gandara Kottegeda in 2009. (Krishan Jeewak Jayaruk) Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy will deliver the 21st Annual Tax Oration organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) on January 19, 2017. Dr. Coomaraswamy will speak on the topic Revenue-Based Fiscal Consolidation Towards Sustainable Growth. Dr. Coomaraswamy was appointed as the 14th Governor of the Central Bank in July 2016. He is a well-known economist and was the former Director Economic Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Organised by the CA Sri Lanka Faculty of Taxation, the annual tax oration is a significant event in the institutes calendar and attracts a large number of professionals, including high-level tax officials from the public sector and members of CA Sri Lanka. CA Sri Lanka established its Faculty of Taxation in 1995 with the objective of assisting the members to further the knowledge and practice in taxation. The faculty organises various events hosted by eminent professionals to share knowledge on subjects related to taxation. The medallion to the orator of this event, as in all preceding events, comes from Esmond Satarasinghe, a member of the founding Council of CA Sri Lanka. The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU), yesterday proposed to restore the special concessions under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) for imports from Sri Lanka in exchange of an improved human rights and labour record. The European Commission today proposed that a significant part of the remaining import duties on Sri Lankan products should be removed by the European Union in exchange for the countrys commitment to ratify and effectively implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour conditions, protection of the environment and good governance. These one-way trade preferences would consist of the full removal of duties on 66 percent of tariff lines, covering a wide array of products including textiles and fisheries. These preferences would come under a special arrangement of the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences, known as GSP+, a statement issued by the European Commission said. It also noted that the European Parliament and the Council have now up to four months to raise potential objections before the measures become effective. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said, The GSP+ preferences can make a significant contribution to Sri Lankas economic development by increasing exports to the EU market. But this also reflects the way in which we want to support Sri Lanka in implementing human rights, rule of law and good governance reforms. I am confident of seeing timely and substantial further progress in these areas and the GSP+ dialogue and monitoring features will support this reform process. This should include making Sri Lankan counter-terrorism legislation fully compatible with international human rights conventions, she added. The European Commission statement noted that granting access to the GSP Plus scheme does not mean that the situation of the beneficiary country with respect to the 27 international conventions is fully satisfactory. Instead, it offers the incentive of increased trade access in return for further progress towards the full implementation of those conventions and provides a platform for engagement with beneficiaries on all problematic areas. As is the case for all GSP+ countries, the removal of customs duties for Sri Lanka would be accompanied with rigorous monitoring of the countrys progress in the area of sustainable development, human rights and good governance, the statement noted. Sri Lanka had already benefited from GSP Plus in the past. In 2010, the EU decided however to stop the preferential treatment for Sri Lankan imports due to the failure to address the reported human rights violations in the country. In 2015, Sri Lankas new coalition government set out a path of major reforms aiming for national reconciliation, respect of human rights, the rule of law and good governance principles, as well as sustainable economic development. The government applied for GSP Plus in July 2016 and the European Commissions assessment has concluded that it met the GSP Plus entry criteria set out in the EU regulation. The EU is Sri Lankas biggest export market accounting for nearly one-third of Sri Lankas global exports. In 2015, total bilateral trade amounted to 4.7 billion euros. The EU imports from Sri Lanka amounted to 2.6 billion euros and consisted mainly of textiles as well as rubber products and machinery. There are currently eight GSP Plus beneficiaries: Armenia, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay and the Philippines. The European Commission today proposed that a significant part of the remaining import duties on Sri Lankan products should be removed by the European Union in exchange for the country's commitment to ratify and effectively implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour conditions, protection of the environment and good governance. Removal of customs duties would be accompanied by rigorous monitoring and conditional on continued commitment to sustainable development, human rights and good governance, European Commission said in a statement. These one-way trade preferences would consist of the full removal of duties on 66% of tariff lines, covering a wide array of products including textiles and fisheries. These preferences would come under a special arrangement of the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences, known as GSP+. This arrangement is designed to support developing countries by fostering their economic development through increased trade with Europe and providing incentives to take tangible measures towards sustainable development. The European Parliament and the Council have now up to four months to raise potential objections before the measures become effective, it said. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said: "GSP+ preferences can make a significant contribution to Sri Lanka's economic development by increasing exports to the EU market. But this also reflects the way in which we want to support Sri Lanka in implementing human rights, rule of law and good governance reforms. I am confident of seeing timely and substantial further progress in these areas and the GSP+ dialogue and monitoring features will support this reform process. This should include making Sri Lankan counter-terrorism legislation fully compatible with international human rights conventions." Granting access to the GSP+ scheme does not mean that the situation of the beneficiary country with respect to the 27 international conventions wass fully satisfactory. It offered the incentive of increased trade access in return for further progress towards the full implementation of those conventions, and provides a platform for engagement with beneficiaries on all problematic areas. As is the case for all GSP+ countries, the removal of customs duties for Sri Lanka would be accompanied with rigorous monitoring of the country's progress in the area of sustainable development, human rights and good governance, the statement added. New students were today admitted to grade-1 in schools countrywide. The Minuwangoda Zonal Education (Planning) Deputy Director Bagya Rupasinghe and Reggie Ranatunga Vidayalaya Principal Tushari Priyadarshani are seen guiding the schools new students to their respective classes after welcoming them. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana Customs Narcotics Control Unit today seized a parcel containing 1358 grams of cannabis and 84 grams of hashish valued at Rs. 10 million at the Colombo Mail Exchange. Customs Spokesman Dharmasena Kahandawa said the Mail Exchange Customs Officials detected an EMS parcel from Spain to a bogus address in Mattegoda. The narcotics were packed in an enclosure of a speaker box. Investigations are carried out on instructions of Director of Customs (Social Protection) Sisira de Silva and conducted by Jagath Obesekera (DDC), G. M. Ratnayake (SC) & the staff of NCU. (Chaturanga Pradeep) Video by Buddhi Colombo High Court today re-fixed the trial against Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra and eight others over an alleged abduction of a youth in Dematagoda area, since the absence of the accused, Premachandra. Submitting a medical report on Hirunika Premachandra, Defence Counsel who appeared for the accused, informed court today that his client is currently being treated at a private hospital for a considerable illness, therefore could not appear before court. Subsequently, Colombo High Court judge R. Gurusinghe re-fixed the trial of the case for April 26 and 27. The Attorney General had filed indictments on 29 counts against the suspects. Earlier, the suspects were produced in Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court at the non summary trial and now on bail over the incident. The victim, Amila Priyanga, was alleged to have been abducted by the suspects. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras which were later used by the police to arrest the suspects. (Shehan Chamika Silva) The government should promptly implement recommendations on transitional justice proposed by the Consultation Task Force (CTF), the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said today. Issuing a statement, the HRW said the CTF report reflects the first broad survey of Sri Lankan citizens on their aspirations for truth and justice, as called for by the October 2015 resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The task force report is remarkably comprehensive and clear in setting out the concerns and needs expressed by Sri Lankans across all communities on the transitional justice process, said Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW. The government should now own the reports recommendations and set out a framework for putting them into action, in line with its pledges at the Human Rights Council, he said. The Consultation Task Force was formally appointed in February 2016, and began receiving submissions in April 2016 on the proposed mechanisms outlined in Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1, in which the government promised to deliver justice, accountability, and reconciliation in the aftermath of Sri Lankas 26-year-long civil war. The task force, aided by civil society representatives, received 7,306 submissions from the Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and other communities, as well as the security services during the course of their hearings. The CTF concluded its consultations in August 2016. The task force reported that there had been no government interference or attempts to impede their work, and that the report reflected the views of all 11 members. In a news conference held after the reports release, CTF members noted that concerns about justice and accountability were raised both in the countrys north and south by many in all communities. Sri Lanka is on the March 2017 agenda of the Human Rights Council, where High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein is expected to report on Sri Lankas compliance with the resolution. This will include the governments willingness to promptly implement the CTF report recommendations. However, the immediate response by senior officials has been disappointing. Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne both separately ruled out the participation of foreign nationals on the special court, while Finance Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said that President Maithripala Sirisena rejected the inclusion of foreign judges and would not allow the government to prosecute war heroes. The cabinet spokesperson claimed that Al Hussein had agreed that there should be no foreign involvement in the court during a previous meeting a claim that Al Hussein himself immediately rejected. The report recommendations also contain important confidence-building measures that the government could adopt immediately. These include a robust victim-witness protection law, meaningful outreach by the government across all communities, symbolic gestures to allow public grieving and memorialization, and a minority rights commission. The Sri Lankan government took the bold step of agreeing to a multi-ethnic task force for broad consultations on transitional justice, Adams said. Now that the task force has listened to the country, its crucial that the government doesnt drop its key recommendations. The government should recognize that its commitments were not only to concerned governments in Geneva, but to its own citizens seeking justice and reconciliation after a terrible war, he said. Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the USA, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, who was charged with misappropriating USD 332,000 from state funds when purchasing a building for the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington, was re-remanded till January 13 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today. However, the suspect was not presented to court today due to bad health. The Prisons Authority has submitted a medical report on the suspects health condition. Meanwhile, the defence counsel informed court that a written bail application would be submitted soon on behalf of the suspect, seeking bail on exceptional circumstances. The FCID filed charges under section 5 of the Public Property Act, where a suspect who has misappropriated public properties or assets for more than Rs. 25,000 has no bail relief unless granted for exceptional circumstances or by a High Court Judge. (Shehan Chamika Silva) LTL Transformers Ltd (LTLT), Sri Lankas internationally-acclaimed transformer manufacturing company, has procured an order for the supply of 1,000, 11 kV/200 kVA distribution transformers, to the value of Rs.600 million, to the Lahore Electricity Supply Company (LESCO) in Pakistan. According to LTL Transformers, it is, to date, one of the largest export orders procured by the company, which has been manufacturing distribution transformers for over 30 years now. The company was the pioneering venture of LTL Holdings, set up in the early 1980s to meet the demand for distribution transformers to keep pace with the rapid electrification schemes islandwide. Today it produces all Sri Lankas distribution transformer requirements. Since then, LTLT has been successful in bidding at international level and securing tenders for the supply of transformers to over 20 countries. The company is proud that it has been able to capture a sizable section of the international market, earning substantial foreign exchange to the country. The transformer factory in Angulana, Moratuwa is one of the most up-to-date transformer manufacturing plants in the world where production conforms to the highest international standards. Currently about 60 percent of all production at the factory is for export orders. Today, LTLT has spread its wings to most parts of the world, riding in its exemplary performance and track record and ability to now compete internationally to procure assignments abroad, brining pride and glory to Sri Lanka. LTLT is therefore justifiably proud to bring honour to Sri Lanka, proving once again that given the correct environment, training, teamwork, perseverance and hard work, Sri Lanka can aspire to be world class. SLFP Chairman President Maithripala Sirisena would be the next Presidential candidate of the SLFP, Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B. Dissanayake said yesterday. He said partys women and youth councils and trade unions attached to the SLFP demanded that President Sirisena should be fielded as the Presidential candidate and added that however he had not expressed his views on the matter. Minister Dissanayake told a news conference that even though he as the common candidate had vowed not to contest as the presidential candidate again, he would have to abide by the request of the party having undertaken the chairmanship of the party with the consent of the partys majority. He said the SLFP and UNP unity government had more work to do adding that the unity government had gained a lot of victories to the country. There are people who are opposed to the unity government both in the UNP and SLFP. I would like to tell them that we have been able to obtain many victories as a unity government, he said. Mr. Dissanayake said there were some issues in the UNP and the SLFP unity government over several matters such as strengthening government service, privatization and foreign investments. If we are to develop the country, eliminate poverty and resolve the issue of unemployment, we need foreign investment. We need to provide them with required facilities and lands, he said. He said the government was planning to bring in foreign investment and factories to the country next few years. (Ajith Siriwardana) Video by Susantha U.S. President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, their daughter Malia, Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife Jill acknowledge the crowd after President Obama delivered a farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (Reuters) In the wake of the police apprehending a drone used by a TV station to cover clashes in Hambantota on Saturday (7), the Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry today laid down guidelines and regulations on the use of drones for media purposes. Accordingly, approval from the Director General of Civil Aviation, an approved person or approved organisation, has to be obtained for the use of pilot-less aircraft with a gross mass of between 1 kg and 25 kg. While claiming that the regulations on the use of drones around airspace have been relaxed after the end of the war, the Mass Media Ministry says that it was aware of footage taken by drones, by citizens as well as tourists visiting Sri Lanka, widely available across social media as online video platforms. We recognise that many events today in their promotional material or live coverage feature the use of drones. "We also note their use in health applications, precision agriculture practices (smart farming), the coverage of public rallies, the aftermath of natural disasters, around disaster risk reduction, sporting events and private functions like weddings and parties. Given the increasing availability of high-end consumer drones in Sri Lanka, the manufacture of sophisticated drones within the country and with their purchase price dropping sharply, The Media Ministry expects their use in commercial and recreational purposes, including in the field of journalism and the Media Ministry fully supports the use of drones by journalists and media personnel in pursuit of their professional news gathering operations and coverage of events, places and processes. However, given a rapid increase in usage and the evolving nature of drone technology, the Ministry's primary responsibility is to ensure usage of drones for journalism is in compliance with existing rules and regulations, as well as conducted in a manner that is, above all else, safe, ethical and respects the privacy of citizens. In this respect, media reports over recent months, from coverage around the exhumation of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge's body in Colombo to the coverage of the unrest in Hambantota recently, have focused on the use of drones by media organizations and raised questions around regulations, ethics and professionalism. (Sandun A Jayasekera) This is an edited version of an address delivered by Senaka Weeraratna, Hony. Secretary of the German Dharmaduta Society, on September 28, 2016 in support of his resolution entitled Recognition of Buddhism as an official religion in non Buddhist countries at the First Plenary Session of the 28th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) held in Seoul, South Korea from September 26 to 30, 2016. The WFB being the leading international Buddhist Organisation, was founded by a great visionary, Dr. G.P. Malalasekera, in 1950 in Colombo to unite all Buddhists despite glaring ideological differences among the various traditions, under the umbrella of Fellowship. There were 129 Buddhist delegates from 27 countries representing Asia, Europe and North America (including Hawaii) at this historic meeting which saw the founding of the WFB. It is now generally accepted that this meeting marked the first event in Buddhist history when Buddhists (laity and Sangha) of nearly all sects in the globe were duly represented. Among the notable figures present on this occasion was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the then Minister of Law and Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Indias Constitution (also known as the father of Indias Constitution and regarded by some as the Modern Manu. More importantly he was greatly instrumental in the revival of Buddhism in India in the modern era being the leader of Indias Dalits (so-called untouchables) who converted to Buddhism. Ambedkars advice to WFB In the Book Ambedkar and Buddhism by Sangarakshita (1986), an interesting account is given of his stance at the inaugural meeting of the WFB which took place at the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy on May 25, 1950. Sangarakshita says as follows: On 25 May, (1950) he ( Dr. B.R. Ambedkar) arrived in Colombo by air with his wife and Rajbhoj and the same day attended the inaugural meeting of the World Fellowship of Buddhists at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Since he was not attending the meeting as a Delegate (for that would have implied that he considered himself a Buddhist), he declined to speak at the official session and, instead, addressed the delegates after they had adopted the resolution inaugurating the fellowship. There were people in India, he told them, who thought that the time had come when the effort might be made to revive Buddhism, and one of the objects of his visit was to observe Buddhist ceremonies and rituals, which the people of India had no means of witnessing. Having thus explained the purpose of his visit, Ambedkar turned to the conference itself. He was not fully satisfied, he said, with the resolution that had been passed calling for a World Fellowship of Buddhists. What was wanted was a declaration on the part of all the Buddhist countries that they were determined not merely to have a Fellowship but that they would propagate the religion and make sacrifices for it. Whether the delegates realized it or not, what Ambedkar was really saying was that the Buddhist countries of Asia should be less inward-looking and more outward-looking. He himself was, as usual, sufficiently outward-looking. After the conclusion of the inaugural WFB conference, Dr. Ambedkar not only saw as much as he could of the ceremonies and rituals of Buddhism in Sri Lanka,but found time to address the Young Mens Buddhist Association, Colombo, on The Rise and Fall of Buddhism in India. Buddhism had not totally disappeared from India, he asserted. Though its material form had disappeared, as a spiritual force it still existed in India and commanded respect, he said. Suitable evidence of acknowledgement of major Buddhist influence in Indian History, is the inclusion of the Asoka Chakra being a depiction of the Buddhist Dharmachakra which appears at the centre of the Flag of India. It also appears on a number of Edicts of Asoka most prominent among which is the Lion Capital of Ashoka. Dr. Ambedkars advice to the WFB was that it must not confine itself to mere fellowship but instead WFB must be forthright and determined to make sacrifices in fostering (and protecting Buddhism), and have an impact on the unfolding major events in the world. Protection of Buddha Gaya Today, there are threats even to the sanctity of the Maha Bodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya. It is subject to constant disturbance from sound amplifiers i.e. loudspeakers, installed at a nearby Mosque situated only 60 metres away from the Maha Bodhi Temple. The tranquillity and serenity that one associates with the most sacred place on earth for Buddhists i.e. place of enlightenment of the Buddha, is not possible due to management of the Temple not being under the control of Buddhists. It is tantamount to humiliation of Buddhists to be forced to listen as a captive audience to shrieking sounds in a foreign language amplified many times over in the most sacred site for Buddhists. The Govt. of India which has taken special steps to attract tourists from all over the world to visit important Buddhist sites in India must address this issue on an urgent and serious footing without any further delay. WFB must add its voice and urge the Govt. of India to act effectively to put a stop to highly amplified sounds of another Religion that disturbs the tranquillity and calm of the main Maha Bodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya. Official recognition of Buddhism in non-Buddhist majority countries The resolution before this House is a call to the WFB to lobby the international community to extend official recognition to Buddhism in countries outside Asia. It is estimated that there are now altogether between 1 and 4 million Buddhists in Europe, the majority being in Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. Despite a commitment to multi-culturalism and religious pluralism in Europe, the official recognition of Buddhism is confined only to two States i.e. Russia and Austria. In most Islamic countries in West Asia, the existence of Buddhism as a religion is denied because it does not subscribe to the belief in a creator God. This translates itself into denial of any form of freedom of worship, including access to places of worship for Buddhists in the Middle East despite over one million expatriate Buddhists working and living in these countries. In some Islamic countries, including Maldives, Buddhists are not allowed to enter these countries with books on Buddhism or any artefact that resembles affinity or respect for Buddhism, such as Buddhist statues. In some airports they are pulled out from the possession of the foreign visitor by customs officials and dashed to the ground. This is a clear violation of a fundamental human rights. The right to choose ones religion and practise it. Many international bodies, including the UNHRC, are complicit tacitly in such human rights violations through conduct of omission and deafening silence. However, in contrast to the practice of countries in the Middle East, several Islamic majority countries in South East Asia i.e. Indonesia and Malaysia, and South Asia, such as Bangladesh have given official recognition to Buddhism and declared Vesak as a public holiday. Pakistan officially recognizes Buddhism and held the first ever Vesak Festival organized by the Government of Pakistan at Taxila commencing in year 2016. In Europe, so far only Russia and Austria, have granted official recognition to Buddhism, despite Buddhism being one of the oldest religions and accepted as a global religion by the UN which has allocated a special day in its annual calendar for celebration of Vesak (Buddhas birth anniversary). The non-recognition of Buddhism as an official religion in Europe has led to discriminatory treatment such as categorizing Buddhists as being members of sects and cults among other things. The absence of State recognition to Buddhism in almost all European countries functions as an impediment to the proper practice and development of Buddhism in Europe. There are no public holidays for Buddhism or any other non-Christian religion in the public holiday calendar of European nations with Christian heritage. This is in stark contrast to the conduct of traditional Buddhist countries e.g. Sri Lanka, which has granted public holidays on days of religious significance to adherents of both Abrahamic and Eastern Dharmic religions. Even UK denies official recognition to Buddhism. It does not allow the construction of new Buddhist Temples. But allows Buddhists to occupy existing buildings and use them for their religious functions. This is also true of several other West European countries. What does official State recognition of Buddhism mean? Official recognition would allow Buddhists certain rights such as access to the media, financial support, legal standing, and recognition equal to those of Christian Churches, and right to teach in a school. It would allow them the legal right to form voluntary societies as exclusive Buddhist societies with membership restricted only to Buddhists. However, despite restrictive laws, there is growing public acceptance and accommodation of Buddhism in several European countries including UK, France and Germany. No mechanism to protect and save Buddhist communities If we look at the world today we see powerful and influential organizations like the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation and World Council of Christian Churches who would stand by and publicly support the cause of their co-religionists unequivocally. Leading Buddhist organizations must do likewise. We must evolve mechanisms to help protect and save Buddhist communities and Buddhist Nations in danger. The protection and preservation of Buddhism must be placed high on the WFB Agenda. This is because it is Buddhism more than any other religion that has lost more ground and space to other religions during the last 1000 years. The WFB must take leadership in association with the Governments of Buddhism-friendly countries and other Buddhist organizations and Buddhist communities, in lobbying for greater official recognition of Buddhism by nations outside Asia. Buddhists in these countries are entitled to equal rights similar to those enjoyed by the followers of the Abrahamic faiths. (The writer is an Attorney-at-Law holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (University of Sri Lanka), and Master of Laws (Monash University, Australia). He holds a Diploma and Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies obtained from the Post Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya. Building on the immense success of last years inaugural Single Country Exhibition, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in partnership with the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka recently announced the launch of a new, larger and even more diverse exhibition, which is geared to be held at the BMICH from January 13 to 15, 2017, featuring several renowned Pakistani companies spanning textile, agro, engineering, marble and granite, handicrafts, garments, accessories and jewellery. Elaborating on the current bilateral trade dynamics and expectations for the future, TDAP CEO S.M. Muneer provided a few crucial insights into what he views as vibrant opportunities for growth moving forward. Having previously served as Chairman of one of Pakistans leading exporters of value-added yarns, he is the recipient of the award for Best Businessman of the Year, the highest award from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). Following are the excerpts: What are the most recent statistics with regard to bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan? According to our most recent information, in 2015-16 Pakistan exported goods worth approximately US $ 247.145 million to Sri Lanka as compared with US $ 266.908 million in 2014-15. Meanwhile, when we consider Pakistani imports from Sri Lanka, we were US $ 74.585 million in 2015-2016 as compared to 57.801 million in 2014-15. Do you feel that this is an optimal trade balance and if not what are some of the inhibiting factors? Unfortunately, I would say that there appears to still be some misconceptions in both countries about the trade potential and at the moment it would appear that neither country views the other as a priority market, as compared with their primary trading partners and despite the abundance of opportunities. Absence of regular visits of trade delegations and single-country exhibitions has led to sub-optimal business links between business communities of the two countries and this is a critical factor that we hope to work more closely with our Sri Lankan counterparts and companies to improve upon. From a Pakistani perspective, one of the major complaints that our exporters have expressed to us is the continuing lack of opportunities for interaction and exposure to the Sri Lankan market and Sri Lankan businesses. This is another challenge that we are working to address but it certainly has affected the ability of both sides to identify more opportunities, communicate those opportunities to each other and thereby strengthen and expand current partnerships while forging new, mutually beneficial relationships. Has bilateral trade been increasing or decreasing in recent years between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and what impact does the free-trade agreement (FTA) have on these dynamics? Sri Lankas exports to Pakistan grew from US $ 46 million to US $ 63 million between 2004 and 2013 and Sri Lanka claimed only 0.14 percent of total Pakistani imports from the world in 2013. More recently our exports have decreased to US $ 247.145 million in 2015-16 while import from Sri Lanka increased to US $ 74.59 and there are certainly encouraging signs that these engagements are gaining greater momentum. However, given the remarkable synergies that we see between our two nations, we remain convinced that we have barely scratched the surface in terms of our bilateral trade relationships, particularly given the FTA. What more can be done to improve bilateral trade between the two nations? I think the first step is always the most difficult one and that is to facilitate meaningful and lasting trade relationships by establishing the initial links between our corporate sectors. In that regard there is certainly a lot more that can be done from both sides to improve trade such as through the frequent exchange of trade delegations and holding of single-country exhibitions to lay the groundwork for stronger trade ties. In that context, we would also urge the two countries to come to an agreement for the granting of on-arrival visas to facilitate and streamline interactions necessary to boost trade. What is your outlook for the Sri Lankan economy moving forward? We are encouraged by Sri Lankas move to develop its capacities as a logistical hub and we see tremendous potential for mutually beneficial trade synergies resulting from this. Combined with ambitious infrastructure programmes and impressive performances in niche segments, we believe that the overall outlook for the Sri Lankan economy is very positive and if these reforms continue to be implemented, then in my estimate, Sri Lanka is on the right track for sustainable growth. Given the above, what is the significance of this years Single Country exhibition? I would say the Single Country exhibition is an absolutely vital platform from which to showcase Pakistani businesses in the local market and in so doing, we also create significant opportunities for spot selling and perhaps more importantly, B2B meetings between buyers and sellers. Even last year we quickly saw new business relationships formed at the exhibition itself and we are greatly encouraged to see that some of those engagements have already been consolidated into rapidly growing business ventures and we anticipate similar reactions on a larger scale for 2017. Registration of Persons Department Commissioner General P. Viyani Gunathilake and FIU Director H. Amarathunga exchange the MoU in the presence of Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy and other officials In terms of the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006 (FTRA), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Registration of Persons Department yesterday, at the Central Bank to receive information in order to facilitate investigations and prosecutions on money laundering and terrorist financing. Registration of Persons Department Commissioner General P. Viyani Gunathilake and FIU Director H. Amarathunga signed the MoU on behalf of the respective institutions in the presence of Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, who is also Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) National Coordinating Committee. Money laundering and terrorist financing are internationally connected financial crimes, which could threaten the stability of global economic and financial system. The MoU would enable sharing information for the identification of persons suspected of being involved in money laundering and terrorist financing, which is vital for intelligence purpose. The FIU has already entered into similar MoUs with Sri Lanka Customs, Immigration and Emigration Department and Inland Revenue Department while arrangements are being made to sign MoUs with other relevant domestic government agencies for the above purpose soon. Sri Lankan Airlines is pleased to note that despite the closure of the runway during the daytime hours from 6th January to 6th April 2017, its services and operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake are proceeding seamlessly, with minimal inconvenience for both inbound and outbound tourists. The current smooth synergy between the Civil Aviation Authority, Airport and Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (AASL), Sri Lankan Airlines (the ground handler) and the Defence authorities has resulted in a business as usual approach, resulting in operations continuing smoothly despite the ongoing renovation of the runway. As the key parties to ensuring uninterrupted services at the international airport, all partners have benefitted by cooperating fully with each other whilst ensuring strong team work and proactive attitude. Their combined foresight is helping the new arrangements to work smoothly. This renovation is a massive undertaking and marks the first time a renovation like this has taken place, which has required significant adjustments for all stakeholders. However, the stipulation by the authorities for passengers to report to the airport 5 hours before the flight has helped significantly. The CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines, Suren Ratwatte commented, I commend the support, patience and understanding displayed by all stakeholders, as we do our best to ensure uninterrupted services. I would especially like to thank all the airport employees for their untiring efforts to tide us over this challenging period by sustaining their commitment to enhanced customer care. I am also grateful to all our passengers for arriving early at the Bandaranaike International Airport in order for us to facilitate their travel with minimum hassle and delays. Passenger check-in counter have been opened 5 hours before the flights in order to carry out all procedures with ease, whilst encouraging online check-in as well. Words are easy for politicians and in politics. Take the people for example. Its hard to think of a term that has been as abused. Its all in the name of the people isnt it? There are of course other useful (and cheap) words in the lexicon of politics. The nation has a lot of utility value, for example and has been used and abused all over the world and across history. And then, there is civil society. Civil society is defined as the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and the will of citizens and includes the family and the private sphere, referred to as the third sector of society, distinct from government and business. It is supposed to refer to a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective activity and as such implies all manner of collectives, regardless of size. However in usage it is the exaggeration of this definition that dominates. Its useful, this exaggeration, for political purposes. In usage, it would (like to) count every single citizen who is not a politician or a business owner. Perhaps this is why those who call themselves representatives of civil society see civil society as an alternative to states and governments. What really is civil society in Sri Lanka? How representative are those who claim to speak on behalf of those whose memberships are assumed but not necessarily membered in the term? These are not questions that the self-appointed reps of civil-soc (RCS) will like to answer. Lets consider a few examples. In the early years of the new millennium there was a protest at Liptons Circus. It was a peace demonstration or rather a demonstration for peace, meaning agitation to put a stop to military activity. Most of the key voices in that collective were and still are ardent advocates of federalism, some on occasion endorsing moves to confer parity of status to the LTTE vis-a-vis the Government of Sri Lanka. Thats not what is important here. Whats interesting is that it was a demonstration by 100 womens organizations. Whats telling is that less than 100 turned up! In 2006 February, another captain of this interesting industry was asked on the sidelines of talks between the then government and the LTTE in Celigny, Switzerland, how many people he could bring to a demonstration if he didnt receive funds from donor agencies. He was honest. None, he said. Membership, even temporary membership, has a price tag then Not too different to the rice packet, alcohol and a few hundred bucks plus transport that are spent to purchase support for the two major parties in the country, one observes. Civil society, however, assumes the kind of purity (of purpose and practice) that politicians dare not demand or, as of late, would not bother claiming. On the other hand, politicians seek and obtain votes. They are up for election. They are up for rejection. Even if one considers the fact that only those with money or are supported by the moneyed can reasonably expect to win, there is some rudimentary representational claim that they can make. The lords and ladies of civil society dont have even that! Whats civil society? Ask those who are counted in as members but have never met the lords and ladies who claim to represent them. Ask them their names. They wouldnt have a clue. Civil society is the other of what they are not. Some are lords, some ladies and some are wannabe lords and wannabe ladies. Some genuinely think they are the subaltern they like to believe the entire enterprise is, but even among them only a handful would not be getting paid at the end of the day. The lords and ladies, then, make pronouncements on behalf of a largely non-existent membership. They attach themselves (typically) to political formations that are for the most part admiring of the West, its dominant paradigms of development, its preferred economic policy regimes and the narratives of history and progress it prefers. In the name of the people, mind you. In the best interest of the nation, remember. Dont be fooled, tell yourself. People talk of majorities as though they are pickpockets or worse. People talk of majoritarianism as though it is a cuss word. Havent heard of minoritarianism being used anywhere, even though minorities of the ethnic kind have unleashed violence and caused destruction throughout history. No? Well, research English, Portuguese and Dutch histories in Sri Lanka, not to mention Dravidian hordes, Tamil-speaking and otherwise, whove adventured here. Well, forget all that think of the Europeans who discovered a new (sic) world across the Atlantic. Krisantha Sri Bhaggiyadatta wrote a book titled The only minority is the bourgeoisie way back in 1985. I do not remember if it was in this collection but he had a pithy line in one of his books, perhaps, The 52nd state of amnesia: when they say you are a visible minority, it means youre a sitting duck! Well, the bourgeoisie is not the only minority. It is a minority that is visible and perhaps so powerful that its minority status misses the eye. It is a silent, pernicious and destructive minority. Civil society cant hold a candle to the bourgeoisie of course but it is still pernicious. Not invisible in the bandying of terms, but made visible by the fact of that which it invisibles, if one were to use the term, namely the non-existent membership in whose name it operates. Pernicious is an apt descriptive. Consider who civil society backed to the hilt over the past 30 years. Among politicians, they were behind Chandrika Kumaratunga. They were, rather reluctantly forced to back Sarath Fonseka in 2010, a man they had previously vilified since he was on the other side of their preferred victor in the war, namely the LTTE. They were less reluctant in their support of Maithripala Sirisena of course, but today while some of them mutter dismay over pronouncements made by the President, they treat the Prime Minister as a holy cow. If the election of Kumaratunga was a victory for the progressives, then yes they played a role, albeit a role smaller than claims. So too with the victory of January 8, 2015. Both Kumaratunga and Sirisena have proven that celebration was early and unwarranted. Civil society, anyway, is supposed to go beyond personalities and parties. Lets conclude. If we talk of minorities or sections of minorities that are as bad or worse as chauvinistic majorities, ethnically speaking Sri Lanka has wholesome minorities. Compared to that peculiar minority called civil society. The kind weve discussed above. Just to clear confusion, if you talk of the collective of maranaadhaara samithi (death-donation societies) or thrift and credit cooperatives or Sarvodaya societies, they are far more numerous, do much more in real terms to uplift communities and get a lot more done. They too are legitimately part of civil society. And, if we talk membership that is known, understood, acknowledged and evident in practice, they are a majority that outnumbers many times over the collective assumed to be represented by the lords and ladies of civil society. Civil society. It needs to be unpacked, clearly. If done comprehensively perhaps a true civil society might emerge and a far more useful one too. Malinda Seneviratne is a freelance writer. Email: malindasene@gmail.com. Blog: malindawords.blogspot.com. Twitter: malindasene. Interactions, The three-person art exhibition held recently at the Harold Pieris art gallery, offered an interesting perspective of three very different creative impulses, combining the paintings, drawings, installations and photography of Sidath Perera, Yanthi Lebbe and Eric Suriyasena. Through his acrylic paintings and pen and ink drawings, Sidath Perera offered a window into a voluptuous world of suppressed fantasy and desire. His works consist of nudes and voyeur male figures, hinting at a subterranean world of creature comforts bent on feasting the senses. However, this sensuality is kept in check by muted colours the lushness which might have recalled the tropical paradise of Paul Gauguin is not there, as if the artist held himself in check. Eric Suriyasena offers a world of sensuous colour and harmonious design in keeping with traditional motifs and design configurations. They offer a sense of peace and harmony, with no hint of conflict. They are mostly large designs best viewed from a distance, creating a sense of tranquility through the viewers eye and mind. Yanthi Lebbes work differs markedly from the other two artists. Her works include photographs as well. It is mostly monochrome, a condition which, as the artist puts it, came about as the result of personal grief and a deep sense of loss. But there is a sensuous feel about her black and white which overcomes the limitations of these two colours. Her mixed media installation Human Interaction examines the evolution of ideas and matter as they evolve. The artist uses the term metamorphosis to describe this process, as evolve suggests a more mundane, everyday cycle of renewal and decay. The idea that broken objects can have a new lease of life, more attractive in form than before, is expressed through the ancient Japanese ceramic technique of Kintsuki/kinsukurai whereby broken ceramic is mended bonding them and painting them with gold or silver lacquer. The artist also uses illustrations from Lewis Carolls Alice in Wonderland -- the well-known Mad Hatters Tea Party episode to explore the interaction between emotions, its cause and the chaos created by it. But her most striking work was a relatively small black and white photograph, taken of her own leg looking down from a seated position. Its a good example of creating an abstract design from an everyday situation and objects, drawing the eye to a focusing point (the artists foot) through several layers consisting of folds, black and white dots and enigmatic shapes. There is no Presidential Election around the corner, but the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), out of the blues, sprang a surprise in political circles saying that President Maithripala Sirisena would be its candidate next time. One cannot disregard it as a knee-jerk comment by a party politician, as it was announced to the country by none other than the SLFP General Secretary, Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake. It was called a decision by the Central Committee of the party. Mr. Dissanayakes remarks were asserted later again by Social Welfare and Social Empowerment Minister S.B. Dissanayake, representing the Central Committee. The SLFPs latest position has stirred a debate in political circles, as the President was elected with the promise to abolish the executive presidency and not to seek office for a second term. So, it has evoked responses from various quarters. The latest stand might have been announced to neutralize the Joint Opposition harbouring thoughts to field a candidate at the election. Another school of thought is that abolition of the executive presidency will further diminish the political clout of the SLFP. Though the election is due only in 2020, the political parties have, however, started readying for it with some form of preparations. Identification of possible candidates and social media campaigning are the activities presently being carried out in closed quarters. As for the prospective candidacy of President Sirisena, it is highly unlikely that the United National Party (UNP), which is the main force that brought him to power this time, would throw its weight behind him at the election in 2020. The party is giving mind to fielding its own candidate for it as it looks at the moment. As such, if the President wishes to contest and win presidency for the second term, he will have to do it by making a compromise with the Joint Opposition only. Otherwise, his own political base will hardly suffice for the purpose. Be that as it may, any patch-up between President Sirisena and his predecessor Rajapaksa is a distant possibility, because bitterness runs high as things stands at the moment. Antagonism showed once again when the President pooh-poohed the avowal by Mr. Rajapaksa to topple the government this year by roping in the members of the ruling side in Parliament at a critical point. In response to Mr. Rajapaksa who made such remarks during a meeting with the Foreign Correspondents Association, the President, addressing a function in the Kandy area to mark the inauguration of a recently constructed bridge, said the unity government would serve its full term, and it would be a daydream for anyone to unseat it. If there is anyone to form a government, a parliamentary majority will have to be shown. That is possible as far as I am, along with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, in agreement with it. None of us will support such an exercise. It is a dream for anyone to change this government before its term ends, he said. The Joint Opposition rushed in, to respond to the President in the immediate aftermath of it. On behalf of it, Prof. G.L. Peiris who is also the Chairman of the newly formed Sri Lanka Podujana Party, countered the President at a press conference. Quoting the constitution, he said, the person to be appointed as the Prime Minister, should be the one commanding the majority support of Parliament. Otherwise, he said the government could not be run as legislations or annual budgets could not be enacted. We now have a situation in which a state minister has resigned. There are many others, as a result of deep disillusionment with the government, who are talking about coming over. There are informal consultations taking place. When it reached the situation in which the Prime Minister loses his majority, the duty of the President, in terms of the Constitution, is to identify an alternative Prime Minister who will command the support of Parliament, he said. He said that the Speaker had no role whatsoever in this case. The Speaker has a role in the situation of an impeachment of the President. If the resolution for an impeachment is passed by two thirds, he has to accept it. Here, there is no impeachment against the President, he said. Different views among MPs of both sides on forming a new government On the formation of a new government under the current Parliament, the MPs of both sides hold different positions. Within the SLFP, some Ministers like Mahinda Amaraweera and Duminda Dissanayake want the status quo to remain until the term ends for the present Parliament. Alongside, there are others in the party who want to review the party stand after the initial two year period meant for the unity government in September, this year and opt for a SLFP-led government with some understanding with the Joint Opposition. The President is not averse to some compromise with the Joint Opposition for future politics in general, as long as Mr. Rajapaksa is excluded. However, the Joint Opposition will not be ready for such exclusion in making compromises. Overtures are made to the Joint Opposition by the SLFPers to find any consensual point. The UNP also consists of members who want to form a government of its own casting aside the SLFP. There again, some insist on proceeding with the current set-up till the next election, notwithstanding current odds against its forward march. Aspirants of the local authorities election were in for a rude shock as the logistics for it hit the hard road once again. That happened after much wrangling emerged over the acceptance of the report of the delimitation review committee. Subject Minister Faizer Mustapha insists that all the five members who served in the committee should place their signatures on the final report whereas some others including his colleagues in the government argue that it was not wrong for him to accept it even with three signatures. Against this backdrop, a new discussion has now been opened whether the election should be conducted under the mixed system or revert to the old Proportional Representation System. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for a meeting with the political party leaders on Monday. At the meeting, the political parties such as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the All Ceylon Peoples Congress of Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen favoured representation to the local authorities more from the Proportional Representation System. However, Joint Oppositions parliamentary group leader Dinesh Gunawardane who sat in the meeting despite not being invited, stood for the current mixed system. His position was asserted at the meeting by Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. In fact, the JVP voiced against the current system first, and was backed by the SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem and Mr. Bathiudeen, desirous of the old system. At one point, the JVP representative MP Vijitha Herath even threatened to boycott the election, in case the government proceeded with the new formula. Over this, he was shot back by Minister de Silva and Mr. Gunawardane. It is characteristic of the JVP to boycott the election, they snapped. Finally, there was agreement to conduct the election under the new system. Minister Mustapha also said he would accept the report and announce the electoral wards in a gazette notification as per the legal requirement to conduct the polls sooner or later. Kabir takes on SLFP for decision to retain executive presidency State Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim who was present at the meeting, took on the SLFP at once and inquired how it could make unilateral statements that the executive presidency would not be abolished. The SLFP has signed a MoU with us. How can it make such announcements? he thundered. His views were not entertained as such at the meeting as they were not directly relevant to the topic for discussion on the day. The local authorities - Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas have functioned without elected representatives for the last two years now. Meanwhile, a delegation led by Prof. Peiris met with Election Commissions Chairman Mahinda Desapriya this week, and stressed the need for the election to be conducted as early as possible. The delegation said four committee members had signed the report on delimitation and therefore the Minister concerned had no ground to reject it. TNA now skeptical on constitution-making process The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had its parliamentary group meeting early this week to take stock of things in terms of progress. Most of its MPs are of the opinion that the constitution-making process is unlikely to succeed. They had some hope with the submission of reports by the sub-committees recommending power devolution in the interest of the Tamils. But, they lost hope after the SLFP announced that it would stand only for the unitary form of governance. After a careful calculation of the situation, the TNA, however, decided not to do anything that would derail the whole process at this juncture. Instead, the party would wait and see how the situation developed. It would also try to get something out of the process. Let alone, most MPs are of the view that nothing will happen in their favour. It is learnt that the SLFP is to stick to the 13th Amendment as the basis. It will opt for anything, within the contours of the 13th Amendment. This is the seventh of the interview series titled Mirror Business S&P SL20 Insights conducted in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) as an investor relations initiative. The column encourages S&P SL20 companies to bring attention to developments in the industry, the company and discuss growth prospects. Following are the excerpts from an interview with Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC Managing Director/CEO Kishu Gomes What key milestones has the company achieved in 2016? The completion of 15 years of an incident-free safety record is the single biggest achievement that we feel very proud of. While 2016 year-end performance cannot be publicly shared due to governance demands, as seen with the 3Q performance, the company has been able to grow the bottom line despite testing market conditions and uncertainties around government policies on taxes and duties. The most significant achievement that creates real value for the country is the export market volume growth that grew at double digit level. The expansion of retail branded channel saw many people from suburban and rural areas becoming self-employed and some of them laying the foundation to become successful entrepreneurs. We passed on the benefit of lower raw material prices in the global market on the back of record low prices in the global petroleum arena by way of significant price reductions to all large industrial customers including the government entities such as the CEB, Railways and SLTB and numerous incentives and free offers to customers both in local and export markets. More importantly, the contribution we made in terms of addressing a national crisis in the area of road safety, HIV and AIDS awareness can be spoken about as a value addition to the country as a leading business entity. What does 2017 hold for the company and what do you see as potential opportunities? Could you also elaborate on a few industry-wide growth prospects going forward? With a potential power crisis anticipated, the industry can expect a higher demand on the thermal power generation sector. If the government puts the Megalopolis project on a faster track and other proposed highways, we will see substantial growth in the construction sector. Continued growth in the vehicle population is expected to realize incremental volume in the automotive sector. As a company, we will continue to grow volume in export markets, which we believe will help the country to show economic growth. Toll blending of products for OEMs will be another area that will help us grow volume. In your opinion, what challenges do you anticipate in the industry and how do you intend to address them? The biggest challenge to all players in the industry will be the growing number of unlicensed players operating in the market and those who adulterate the products of companies that have powerful brands. In the absence of a proper regulatory body and an effective regulation by the Petroleum Ministry and the shadow regulator, the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL), the number of such unscrupulous operators keeps multiplying. This costs the country a substantial amount of money by way of reduced revenue of taxes, duties, licence fees and sales commissions and customers getting deceived by these illegal operations. This leads to foreign currency drain having to replace engines early as a result of shortened life due to the use of adulterated products. Already based on our estimates, 20 percent of market is illegal and adulterated, which is a serious issue that affects all stakeholders of the business. Unfortunately, the relevant stakeholders have not understood and realized the magnitude of the issue, hence the response so far has been poor. Aggravating this issue, the governments decision to further liberalize the market to entertain more players will add more complications to the industry. Reduction of the duty gap between raw materials and finished goods from 13 percent to 7 percent will discourage any new existing players to get into manufacturing in order to create real economic value for the country. As Chevron being a local manufacturer, we have a policy of buying all inputs of right quality, be it material or services to multiply the value to the country. Focusing on the shareholder, what efforts and initiatives are you taking to drive shareholder value? Continuous operational excellence to increase productivity and efficiency, volume growth via exports and in the chosen local market segments, toll blending for OEMs, market leading dividend policy are a few areas thatll improve the shareholder value. As part of a global organisation having access to global synergies that is reflected in the profitability of the business is something only Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC can boast in the lubricant industry. How has listing on the CSE been beneficial to your company? Transparency, visibility and share of voice for the value we create for all stakeholders of the business has helped us to be admired and respected as one of the top performing blue-chip companies in Sri Lanka. Finally, what is your message to the shareholders of your company? Be wise in making investments and always be driven by the fundamentals of business and its strengths and capabilities rather than being driven by sentiments. The manifesto released by the Congress for Punjab elections has raised many an eyebrow. The party has promised sops it may find impossible to deliver on. We are citing such tall promises fulfilling which will surely be a herculean task: Shutting down liquor vends The Congress has promised to shut down five percent of the liquor vends in the state for five years, should it be voted into power. To realise the promise, it will have to sacrifice a sizeable chunk of the state's coffers as liquor sale is a major source of revenue for the state. Punjab stands at number six in the country in terms of liquor consumption, which has doubled during the last decade. The state government, which earned Rs 1,363 crore from liquor sales is now netting more than Rs 3,057 crore (2015-16). The AAP, a strong contender in the Punjab polls, has ridiculed the grand old party saying it will not be able to keep the promise as few Congress leaders - including Balbir Sidhu, the party's Mohali MLA who released the manifesto with Manpreet Badal on Monday - also own the liquor businesses. No red beacons in Punjab? "It is ridiculous that Congress is talking about closing down the liquor vends. It was Captain Amrinder Singh who had given an open hand to liquor Barron Ponty Chadha to open vends in the state when he was a CM. Will the Congress leaders able to shut down the vends owned by them?" asks senior AAP leader,Kanwar Sandhu. End to drug trade in '4 hafte'! Like AAP, the Congress has also vowed to adopt a zero tolerance policy for drug trafficking, stating its government will wipe out the menace in just "4 Hafte (four weeks)". Experts say the claims to end the trade within a month is a mere pipe dream as the business is deeply rooted and spread like wildfire during the past decade. The party has not made it clear how it plans to break the nexus between the mafia, the police and the politicians. Skill Punjab? The Congress has also promised to provide jobs to each household in the state, along the lines of the Skill India mission. The election manifesto says that the party would provide one job per family and open employment bureaux in each district. There are a total of 32,68,562 households in Punjab. Providing jobs to 32 lakh people will be a herculean task. The party has also promised jobs to Dalits, not to mention the unemployed from the general category. How will the party provide jobs to 12,00,764 Dalit families? In addition, the party has promised a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 2,500 to 3.61 lakh youth. The Akali Dal-BJP government could only provide jobs to 52,000 people and the sixth pay commission has yet to be implemented. The government spends 32 percent on salaries and pensions alone. Needless to say, jobs along with an unemployment allowance will be no easy task when the government is facing a huge debt trap (of more than Rs 1.25 lakh crore). Waiver for farmers The Congress in its manifesto has promised a number of soaps to the farmers, including loan waivers, introduction of farmer pension, health insurance and crop compensation. It has promised to continue to provide free electricity to the farmers upon election. According to a survey conducted by Punjabi University, Patiala, the farmers of Punjab have an outstanding debt of Rs 69,355 crore. There is no clarity as to how the Congress will generate money to pay off the debts. Even if the government plans to waive loans, what about those which the farmers have raised from third parties? Curbing VIP Culture The Congress has promised it will end the VIP culture in the state by doing away with red beacons and effecting a 90 percent cut in the security provided to VIPs. In December last year, politicians and political experts took to the floor to deliver criticism of the Russia-China-Pakistan conference for its decision to deliberate extensively and deliver verdicts on the security situation in Afghanistan without including Kabul in its discussions. Some felt that this was an indication of greater influence of Russia and China on South Asian affairs, while others saw this as a move to strong-arm a traditional US ally as part of a larger power struggle. As usual, Pakistan sat on the backbenches, content in its interesting foreign policy amalgam of gleaning benefit without gaining attention. However, this paradigm shift in Pakistans foreign policy if there was a paradigm to begin with needs to be called out. After the exhilaration of independence died down, international relations theorists began to critique Pakistans blatantly pan-Islamist policy, taking note of events ranging from Pakistan celebrating "Egypt Day" in December 1950 and founding the World Muslim Congress in February of the following year, to Prime Minister Liaquat Khan calling for "unity amongst all Muslims and particularly amongst Arabs" to fight the "evil designs" of imperialism. Newspapers reporting Pakistan celebrating "Egypt Day" in December 1950. Pakistan, prominent academics almost unanimously argued, had justified its existence on Islam and it was on this same premise that it conducted its relations with other states, with particular focus on countries in the Middle East. From this observation stemmed most contemporary political theories centered on Pakistan, most of which lambasted Pakistan for exploiting religion in the interest of national unity and international alliances. Interestingly, Pakistan never chose to reject this criticism, being almost "defiantly" Muslim in response. However, a close inspection of the recent agreements with China and Russia, suggests a contrary position. First, both nations that Pakistan has entangled itself with are anything but "pro-Islam". Russias purges of Muslim communities during Stalins rule, coupled with a prohibition of Islamic practice at the state level, have left behind a legacy of socio-economic discrimination for the minority, which persists today. In China, mistreatment of Muslim communities today is even more explicit. The Uyghur community of the Xianjing province - ironically the area that will connect the two countries in the new Economic Corridor faces immense daily discrimination, ranging from harassment by law-enforcement authorities to a de facto ban on observing Islamic practices during the sacred month of Ramadan. All of this doesnt even take into account how this new troika has sought to isolate Pakistans Muslim neighbor, Afghanistan; as averred to above, in December of last year, Pakistan joined Russia and China in a tripartite conference to warn of the increasing terrorist threat in Afghanistan at a conference where Kabul wasnt even present. All of this is symptomatic of a larger dynamic in Pakistans foreign policy calculated self-interest through stellar diplomacy. Only in Pakistan can one receive millions of dollars of aid from the US in the aftermath of investigations against "communist" parties while collaborating with communist Russia to establish the nationalised Pakistan Steel Mills. Only in Pakistan can one explicitly stand to support the Egyptian cause against Britain during independence discussions while conducting the majority of its trade with England in the same year. Pakistans "pan-Islam" ideology is the best kind of ruse bold enough to seem candid, but without overriding the states true objectives. The foundational criticism of Pakistan hence has given it its sole source of legitimate identity. It is one thing to be nothing but Islam and anti-India. It is completely another to be nothing at all. Pakistans Islamic tightrope has perhaps been the greatest balancing act in the history of Asian diplomacy. Muslim leaders and political commentators around the world need to recognise that there is no grand theory to explain Pakistans design. To call it pan-Islamic would not expose the bare bones of Pakistans identity but rather, clothe them in some semblance of purpose. It is time to peel back the layers of religious rhetoric and see if there is anything there that is fundamentally Pakistan. GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.; Alector, Inc.; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. The company was formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline plc and changed its name to GSK plc in May 2022. GSK plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom. 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. 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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 Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who has been chosen by Donald Trump to be the next attorney general in the U.S., vehemently disputed what he called amazing allegations that he holds racial bias and claimed he understands struggles that LGBT Americans go through. However, Sessions told the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, which is holding his confirmation hearings for leading the Justice Department that he was critical of the H-1B visa program and he implied that religion could play a role, albeit indirect, in whether a person was accepted into the United States. Get Warning: Undefined variable $CompanyName in /home/acctdp/public_html/wp-content/themes/responsalambre/single.php on line 65 alerts: When Sessions entered the hearing room of the Senate on Tuesday, protestors dressed as members of the Ku Klux Klan were shouting while others held signs that said, Love trumps hate and Stand Against Xenophobia. He appeared unfazed by the protestors, and many inside the hearing room cheered when those protesting were removed. Several times during the day, other protesters interrupted his testimony. At least two people who shouted also interrupted his opening comments. In an indirect message to the protesters, Session told the committee that he abhors the Klan, its hateful ideology and what it represents. In the statement to the members of the committee, Sessions spoke of the polarizing issue related to policing communities that are minority populated. He defended law enforcement saying it has been unfairly maligned and insisted he understood the struggles of African Americans. He faced many tough questions related to his civil rights record and his plan to cool tensions between officers of the law and communities that they serve. Sessions, who is 70, has been fiercely criticized by top Democrats as well as some civil rights organizations over allegations that have been around decades that he used racist remarks during his time being a U.S. attorney in Alabama. On Tuesday, he dismissed those allegations as false or having been taken out of context. Charles Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa and the chairman of the committee said that the 20 years Sessions had in the senate mean the members know him well. 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Ltd., Turbo Systems Verwaltungs Ltd, Turbocharging Bangladesh Limited, Turbocharging Brasil Ltda., Turbocharging Systems Co. Ltd., Turbocharging Systems France SAS, Turbocharging UK Limited, Turbosystems Nigeria Limited LTD, Validus DC Systems, Vectek Electronics, Ventyx, Verdi Holding Corporation, W.J. Furse & Co. Ltd., Yangzhou SAC Switchgear Co. Ltd, and Zhejiang Chargedot New Energy Technology Co. Ltd.. Read More RICHMOND Republic Mark J. Peake will replace Rep. Tom Garrett Jr., R-5th, in the 22nd Senate District, meaning that the GOP will retain its 21-19 control of the Senate. With all precincts reporting, the Lynchburg lawyer fended off independent Joseph Joe Hines and Democrat Ryant Washington, a former Fluvanna County sheriff who served in the McAuliffe administration as an adviser to the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Peake had about 53 percent of the vote to 39.6 percent for Washington and about 7.3 percent for Hines, according to unofficial results posted by the Virginia Department of Elections. Nearly 3,500 votes separated Peake and Washington. The 22nd District runs west from Goochland County, to include Amherst and Appomattox counties, as well as parts of Lynchburg. "At the end of the day, we ran a good race. All three candidates voiced their concerns, but we recognize that the numbers are going the opposite direction, so therefore we spoke to Mr. Peake," Washington said in a phone interview Tuesday night with The News & Advance of Lynchburg. "We wished him well and let him know we will still communicate with him as a senator and hope that he will take what was said and heard through the campaign and truly be a representative for all the people of the district." Hines had declined to comment on the results until all precincts had reported. Peake may not take the seat when the 2017 General Assembly convenes Wednesday. He said he may not be sworn in for a week after results are certified, but that timeline is not yet settled. Voting may have been delayed in the race in Lynchburg precincts because election officials there didnt print enough ballots, said Edgardo Cortes, commissioner of the state Department of Elections. Lynchburg voting officials were instructed to print emergency paper ballots while a state official traveled to the city and officials with both political parties were updated on what happened. Initially, ballots were printed for just 5 percent of the citys active, registered voters, he said. Some precincts switched to electronic voting machines, causing long lines, and some registered voters reported leaving their voting locations out of frustration or confusion. Gov. Terry McAuliffe had gotten involved in the race because a Democratic upset in the Republican-leaning district would have given the Democrats a 20-20 tie in the Senate. And since Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, a Democrat, would break most tie votes, a win in the 22nd essentially would have given Democrats control of the Senate. In the 9th Senate District, Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, easily won a special election to replace Democrat A. Donald McEachin, who was elected to Congress in November from the 4th District. McClellan defeated Libertarian candidate Corey Fauconier; no Republican ran for the seat. The district includes parts of the city of Richmond, and Henrico, Hanover and Charles City counties. McClellan received 7,847 votes to 691 for Fauconier, according to unofficial election results. In the 85th House District in Virginia Beach, Republican Norman Rocky Holcomb, a captain in the office of Sheriff Ken Stolle a former GOP state senator won the seat of Republican former Del. Scott W. Taylor, who was elected to Congress in November in the 2nd District. Holcomb defeated Democrat Cheryl Turpin, a high school teacher who received several thousand small donations from Democrats across the country after appeals by liberal groups for her campaign. With all precincts reporting, Holcomb had 3,300 votes, or about 53 percent, to Turpins 2,934, for 47 percent, according to unofficial results. (Lynchburg) News & Advance staff writer Alex Rohr contributed to this story. WARM SPRINGS Virginias mental health agency and its local counterpart in Bath County say they cannot be held legally responsible for the suicide of a senators son. In November 2015, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds claimed in a $6 million wrongful death lawsuit that his son died two years earlier as a result of neglect by the states fragmented mental health care system, which was unable to place the troubled 24-year-old in a psychiatric facility. One day after he was released from emergency custody, Austin Gus Deeds stabbed his father multiple times and then shot himself to death at the senators Millboro farm. Attorneys for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services are asking that the lawsuit be dismissed. In a response filed Monday in Bath County Circuit Court, Assistant Attorney General Scott Moore cited the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity, which generally shields public agencies and officials against lawsuits stemming from their performance of a governmental function. The Rockbridge Area Community Services Board, also named as a defendant, is making a similar argument in defense of its actions and those of Michael Gentry, who handled Gus Deeds case as mental health worker for the local agency, which serves Bath County. Gentry is accused of not working hard enough to place Gus Deeds in a psychiatric hospital after his father had him detained temporarily on an emergency custody order the morning of Nov. 18, 2013. Gus Deeds was released later that day after Gentry said he could not find an available bed within the legally required eight hours even though it later became clear that at least five psychiatric facilities in the area had room that day to admit him. The following morning, Gus Deeds confronted his father outside a barn at their Bath County home. Creigh Deeds was stabbed 13 times, but he managed to escape and was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital. A short time later, Gus Deeds fatally shot himself with a rifle. According to the lawsuit, Gentry's inadequate search for an empty bed was nearing an end when he received a call from Gus Deeds' mother, begging that her son not be released. Gentry "brushed off" Pamela Miller Mayhew's concerns that her son would kill Creigh Deeds and himself if he was not hospitalized, the lawsuit alleges. The local and state mental health system "acted with a complete neglect for the safety of Gus," the lawsuit alleges. Under Virginia law, the protection of sovereign immunity does not apply if there is evidence of gross negligence. While the lawsuit alleges gross negligence, the states response points to a number of steps that Gentry took in an effort to help Gus Deeds, which included evaluating him, talking to his family members and a physician, and calling or faxing at least seven different facilities in search of an available bed. It is clear from the allegations in the compliant that the defendants were not indifferent to Austin [Gus Deeds]; they showed some degree of care, Moore wrote in arguing that they did not act with gross negligence. Apart from invoking sovereign immunity, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is also saying that it cannot be held responsible for the actions of Gentry, who was not a state employee when he treated Gus Deeds. Although the department provides funding for community services boards like the one Gentry worked for, the local agencies do not function as an arm of the state, Moore wrote. Roanoke attorney John Lichtenstein, who represents Creigh Deeds, has said earlier that mental health providers had a responsibility to find a hospital bed for the senators son. Instead, they released him, even after they were made acutely aware that because of his illness, Gus was a danger to others and himself. Although the lawsuit was filed in November 2015, the case file sat inactive after Lichtenstein did not ask that papers be served on the defendants for scheduling reasons. Lawsuits must be served with a year of their filing to remain active, and Lichtenstein started the process in October 2016. Now that the local and state mental health agencies have received copies of the lawsuit and filed their answers, Lichtenstein will respond in writing before a hearing is scheduled for a judge to consider the motions to dismiss the case. Many of the problems cited in the lawsuit are not new to the debate about how Virginia treats its mentally ill. A key part of the 23-page document is the assertion that systemic problems at the root of Gus Deeds' mistreatment had been identified and then ignored by the state two years earlier. In a review of the mental health system conducted in the wake of the 2007 Virginia Tech mass shootings, the state's inspector general documented the fragmented way in which people with psychiatric emergencies are treated by state hospitals, community services boards and local jails. The lawsuit lists more than a dozen improvements suggested by the inspector generals report that were not implemented, including making sure that hospital beds are available, mental health workers get proper training, and community services boards receive better guidance. Though the list is long, what [Deeds] has failed to show is that the Commonwealth has a legal duty to perform any of those tasks, Moore wrote, arguing that decisions left to the legislatures and state agencies discretion cannot be the basis for a lawsuit. Mr. Jefferson's Capitol is no longer the Capitol of the Confederacy. The National Park Service today approved a new National Historic Landmark designation that recognizes the 229-year-old seat of state government solely as the Virginia State Capitol instead of also as the Capitol of the Confederacy. "We have long thought it should just stand on its own as the Virginia State Capitol," said Julie V. Langan, executive director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, which applied last year for the updated designation with the Capitol Square Preservation Council. The previous designation as The Capitol of the Confederacy dates to 1960, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. The Capitol served as the seat of government for the Confederate States of America from 1861 until its retreat from Richmond in 1865. "It really speaks to the time at which the designation was made," Langan said in an interview. The timing of the new designation also is not coincidental, as Virginia prepares to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the House of Burgesses in 1619. "It is fitting that this designation update comes as we prepare to commemorate our 400th anniversary in 2019," said Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, called the Capitol "the home of the oldest elected representative law-making body in the Western Hemisphere" and "a world-class architectural masterpiece that set the model for public architecture here and across America." Thomas Jefferson, a former governor and member of the Continental Congress, designed the Capitol with the assistance of French architect Charles Louis Clerisseau and then-Gov. Patrick Henry laid the cornerstone in 1785. The Capitol became home to the General Assembly when the legislature moved the seat of government to Richmond from Williamsburg in 1788. Its illustrious history already included ratification of the U.S. Bill of Rights in 1791 and the treason trial of former Vice President Aaron Burr in 1807. The designation as a national historic landmark applies just to the Capitol building, which the state restored and expanded in 2007 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown Colony. However, the Executive Mansion, completed in 1813 and still the country's oldest continually occupied governor's residence in the U.S., is a National Historic Landmark in its own right. The surrounding Capitol Square - a landscape park created in 1816 and fenced as a 12-acre square two years later, is considered "a contributing site" to the Capitol designation, House Speaker G. Paul Nardo said. The Capitol itself has undergone many changes since Jefferson first conceived its design as inspired by the Roman temple, Maison Carree in Nimes, France. The influence of Virginias Capitol to the architecture of public buildings in this nation cannot be overstated, Langan said in a statement. The Capitol embodies Jeffersons ideas blending classical temple architecture with his notions about the role of civic buildings in a republic. The state added wings on either side of the Capitol to house the House of Delegates and Senate chambers, with "hyphens", or passageways connecting them to the original building. The $104.5 million project to restore the Capitol in time for the Jamestown anniversary including the construction of a 27,000-square-foot underground extension beneath the South Lawn, as well as restoration of the interior to its appearance prior to the 1906 expansion. "The strong and sensible stewardship of this national treasure is a high priority for me and all Virginians," Howell said in a statement today. Virginia State Police have issued a senior alert for an 80-year-old Pennsylvania woman who may be in danger. Catherine B. Hemlepp was last seen Tuesday in Fairfax County. She is 5-foot-7, weighs about 150 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a white hat, orange vest and flowered pants. Hemlepp went missing as she and her husband were heading to Pawleys Island, S.C., Winchester police said. Hemlepp's husband lost track of his wife about 12:20 p.m. Tuesday while traveling on Old Dominion Road in Fairfax County. The couple were traveling in separate vehicles, police said. In a call shortly after midnight, Hemlepp told her husband that she was staying at the Shenandoah Motel in Winchester; however, there is no motel by that name in Winchester or Frederick County, police said. Officers searched Winchester-area hotels but did not find Hemlepp, police said. Hemlepp has dementia, and her cell phone has been switched off, Winchester police said. Hemlepp was last seen driving a maroon 2017 Ford Escape with Pennsylvania license plate WR9679P. The SUV has a New York Fraternal Order of Police frame around the rear license plate and a University of Kentucky decorative license plate on the front. Anyone who has seen Hemlepp or has information about her whereabouts is asked to call Winchester police at (540) 662-4131. Gov. Terry McAuliffe may have hoped for some surprise good news in Tuesdays special General Assembly elections, but tonight hell deliver his State of the Commonwealth speech facing the same daunting political landscape. Republicans will still control both legislative chambers, and the partys four gubernatorial contenders are ramping up their attacks on McAuliffes legacy in the hope of retaking the governors mansion in November. Limited to one four-year term, McAuliffe wanted to hand off the executive branch to Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, a succession plan jeopardized by former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriellos surprise entry into what is now a two-person Democratic primary. With six would-be governors needing to stand out, theyll search for opportunities over 46 days of debate covering thousands of bills. Leaders from both parties say they want to keep the gubernatorial race out of the halls of the statehouse. On the eve of the session, it already had seeped in. With Northam by his side, McAuliffe held a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday to call for a full repeal of the states voter photo ID law, setting off howls from Republicans who accused Northam of rushing to the left. Ed Gillespie, the GOP gubernatorial front-runner and former Republican National Committee chairman who has sought to make his presence felt on legislative issues by sending lawmakers a detailed policy letter, quickly released a statement saying hed work to preserve the voter ID law. Northams role presiding over the Senate, which gives him a deciding vote on most bills in the event of a 20-20 tie, may give him greater visibility in the weeks ahead. But because elected officials are banned from campaigning or raising money during the session, Perriello can travel the state for support, raise money and weigh in on policy issues from afar. Northam, who has the backing of Virginias Democratic establishment, will likely have to fend off attacks on his record as lawmakers take up reforms to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the state authority on the legislatures radar this year after a state report pointed to lax oversight of public incentives used to lure businesses to Virginia. Gillespie has sought to tie the VEDPs problems to Northam because Northam serves on the authoritys board, though the report made clear that many of the identified problems existed before McAuliffe took office. In addition to VEDP, balancing the state budget in the face of a $1.26 billion revenue shortfall will top the legislative agenda, with compensation for state employees a key sticking point. McAuliffe proposed a $130.6 million compensation package that includes a one-time 1.5 percent bonus for state employees, but legislative leaders already have dismissed the idea as doing too little for state employees to stem a surge in turnover that is taking a heavy toll on state police, mental hospitals and prisons. The governor may fare better with proposals to spend an additional $31.7 million on behavioral health and treatment of substance use disorders. McAuliffes proposed voter ID repeal, accompanied by other measures to expand absentee voting and tighten ethics laws by banning the personal use of campaign money, is the latest big-ticket item on the governors 2017 legislative wish list with seemingly steep odds. Hes also called for a dramatic reduction in the states use of drivers license suspensions as a way of collecting court fees from offenders who dont pay. He is still holding out hope for some form of Medicaid expansion, even with the Affordable Care Act in peril due to the coming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said McAuliffes hands have been tied by an opposing legislature, leaving the governor to focus his considerable energies on economic development and unilateral executive orders. Now, McAuliffe has to focus on getting bits and pieces from his last General Assembly session, and the Republicans have even more reason not to help him, Sabato said. They want a Republican to succeed McAuliffe. And McAuliffe has to do everything he can to elect Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, lest the GOP take full control of Virginia government and wipe out what legacy McAuliffe has created. McAuliffe has made it clear that he strongly backs Northam over Perriello, but he said that, during the session, hell spend no time worrying about politics. I dont even want to hear about the governors race, McAuliffe said. I dont care. Though divided government may have stymied McAuliffes ability to get bills passed, its allowed his supporters to argue for keeping the veto pen in Democratic hands as a check on the Republican legislature. McAuliffe has promised to veto bills he sees as discriminatory against LGBT people or restricting womens access to abortion, issues that could roil the Republican primary field and prove tricky in a purple state where the GOP is riding a losing streak in statewide elections that dates to 2009. McAuliffes latest target is a transgender bathroom bill introduced by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William. McAuliffe said he told Marshall hell veto the bill, which would force transgender people to use the bathroom in public buildings and schools corresponding to the sex on their original birth certificate. McAuliffe called the bill a jobs killer, and hinted it could be featured in his speech tonight. Marshalls bill is unlikely to win wide support, but not all Republicans are running from it. Corey Stewart, a fiery Prince William County supervisor seeking the Republican nomination for governor, said he supports the bill and thinks its common sense to keep people born as men out of womens bathrooms as a matter of public safety. Gillespie and his establishment, weak-kneed Republican politicians down in Richmond probably will kill the legislation before it sees the light of day, said Stewart, who served as the chairman of Trumps Virginia campaign but was fired for his role in an unauthorized protest at the RNC headquarters. Hes adopted a similarly anti-establishment tone in his run for governor, saying Gillespie and his many Republican endorsers in the General Assembly are part of a good ol boys club that stifles strong conservative legislation. Gillespie has endorsements from 62 of the legislatures 87 Republican members. Hes also set up nine policy work groups headed by Republican lawmakers. In addition to his own relationships with lawmakers, Gillespie hired Matt Moran, a legislative insider and former aide to House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, as his campaign spokesman. In his letter laying out his views on General Assembly issues, Gillespie called for reducing funding for the VEDP, higher funding for the corporate-led GO Virginia initiative to promote regional economic cooperation, and urged support for a pay raise for state employees that was canceled last summer due to the revenue shortfall. Longtime Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth said he expects Howell, who has endorsed Gillespie, to advance a Gillespie-friendly legislative agenda while burying items that might get in the way, such as Marshalls bathroom bill. One lawmaker who wont be looking to help Gillespie is state Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, who stresses his status as the only GOP gubernatorial candidate with in-depth policy chops built from decades of experience in state government. If endorsements meant anything, we wouldnt have a Congressman (Scott W.) Taylor, we wouldnt have a Congressman (Dave) Brat, we wouldnt have a President Trump, Wagner said. Newly announced Republican candidate Denver Riggleman, a Nelson County distillery owner, could also launch bombs from afar at what he has described as a rigged system that gives Richmond lobbyists outsize power. CHARLOTTESVILLE Once Melissa McBride and Tony Borash were fully moved into their home in Lake Monticello in 2008, they noticed the Fluvanna SPCA was only a five-minute drive away. With the work of the move over, McBride decided she would visit the shelter once a week and walk dogs any more than that, and shed be liable to take them all home, she said. It wasnt long before the husband and wife duo became more involved and saw what might best be described as organizational deficiencies with the shelter. The resources were in place, the people were passionate, but what the organization lacked was, well, organization. As school administrators with experience and affinity for making systems work, they began expanding their roles at the FSPCA, joining the organizations board and, according to shelter manager Meghan Swejkowski, helping to revitalize the rural animal shelter as a pillar of the Fluvanna community. Theyve helped rebuild some bridges and establish relationships that are going to help the shelter for a very long time here, Swejkowski said. I dont think our relationship with the community has ever been better. McBride and Borash met during what they remember to be the 2002-03 school year at Albemarle High School. Borash came to the area for his undergraduate years at the University of Virginia and, like many others, found himself making a home in Charlottesville. He finished a masters at UVa and started teaching physics at Albemarle High School. Originally from South New Jersey, McBride was working on her own masters from UVa, which led to a full-time administrative internship at the same school. The two felt a bond in their dedication to education, which emanates in their work today. If theres a core passion, its teaching, and learning in particular, and being able to change lives of all sorts of little ones for the better, Borash said. The two swiftly rose through the ranks, taking on progressively larger administrative roles in the county school system. With a natural inclination to think big picture, McBride now oversees special education for all 16 of the countys elementary schools, while Borash is a jet-setting adviser for schools around the country. In 2008, her final year as a doctorate fellow at UVa, McBride, a lifelong animal lover, finally worked up the courage to volunteer at the FSPCA, despite the concern that she might want to adopt every pup in sight. I cant lie, that was my first inclination, McBride said. I think the first month I volunteered, going every Tuesday to walk dogs, I would sob. Volunteering at the shelter pressed a button for McBride. With her track record as a special-education teacher and administrator, shes always been charged to be a voice for the voiceless, be they the students she affectionately calls itty-bittys, their parents or furry, four-legged friends. Dog-walking turned into helping with adoption outings, then helping with social media. Before long, she brought home a pup named Ladybug from an adoption outing. That was about the time Borash started joining her at the adoption events, although McBride suspects that was to keep an eye on her, lest she come home with another unexpected adoptee. From there, their relationship with the shelter just kind of blossomed, McBride said. Applying their managerial expertise, they endeavored to standardize the shelters operations and establish stronger ties to other area organizations. Simple changes, such as having shelter workers and volunteers wear an FSPCA T-shirt while on duty, helped to create a sense of routine while cultivating a brand. Four years into their time with the shelter, the two decided to join its board, hoping that it could be an opportunity to push the FSPCA to new heights with a wider network of community partners. The challenge seemed manageable as it was, they were spending most of their free time at the shelter already. By default, it really felt like our home away from home, McBride said. This was our avocational, personal life passion project. Over the next four years, McBride and Borash continued to expand the shelters resource network while upgrading its facilities. Because the FSPCA serves as Fluvannas pound, it acts as both an animal welfare organization and an arm of the countys governance. When they joined the board, the duo felt the pound service aspect could be improved, and worked to strengthen it by reinvigorating the shelters relationships with other county offices. That web of relationships soon included County Administrator Steve Nichols, Sheriff Eric Hess and Fluvannas animal control officers, among others. That model of networking to create efficiencies and opportunities has since extended beyond local government, and to great effect. Asked why the shelter is currently on such solid footing, McBride and Borash credit a seemingly endless roster of people and organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, the pet store Happy Tales and a host of others. They point particular and excited praise at Dr. Jim Starkey of the Tucker Veterinary Hospital, who provides free checkups for the shelters animals. The pairs enthusiasm for their community partners is reciprocated. Melissa Riley, an attorney with McGuire Woods who provides pro bono legal advice for the shelter, and whom McBride calls our hero, commended McBride and Borash on the level of sacrifice they provide to get so much accomplished. Working in animal advocacy, especially as a public servant, can be heartbreaking and stressful, she said, but theyve never wavered from giving it their all. They jumped in with both feet and were willing to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and not only do the governing work of the board, but also the oversight that was necessary, Riley said. With their terms on the board coming to an end, the pair said they are leaving the shelter in a place to excel, with all the right people in the right place at the right time. Whatever challenges arise, Borash said he believes the system and network theyve helped put in place will continue to thrive. Theyre on the precipice of doing some really innovative work, McBride added. I can sleep well at night knowing that. As they scale back their involvement, McBride and Borash call on other leaders in Fluvanna County to step up and offer their skills to the FSPCA; be they a teacher or an attorney or an accountant, almost any practical skill set can be of service. And while they wont be on the board, each of them plans to continue serving the shelter, in whatever form theyre needed a fact that comes as no surprise to shelter manager Swejkowski, whos seen firsthand the invaluable service theyve provided. Theyll be around, she said with a laugh. I dont think they could leave. LYNCHBURG A temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Route 151 and U.S. 250 in Albemarle County, just over the Albemarle-Nelson line, is slated to go up in the next couple of months. According to Stacy Londrey, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation Culpeper District, of which Albemarle is a member, work should be fairly quick to complete. Londrey did not give an exact timeline for the project, but Nelson County Administrator Stephen Carter said during a recent Nelson Board of Supervisors meeting that he thinks the project should be completed by March. Also included in the project is installation of an advance-warning flasher for U.S. 250 eastbound traffic, where there is a steep downhill that makes stopping difficult, especially for tractor-trailers, Londrey said. The advance flasher will be intelligent, meaning it is activated when the signal turns yellow or when the traffic backup at the signal reaches a certain length, said Paula Jones, a spokeswoman for VDOTs Lynchburg District, which includes Nelson. The total cost for the project is about $200,000. For months, Supervisor Tommy Harvey and other board members have acknowledged the ongoing problems near the intersection. During peak hours, there often are long backups on Route 151 as motorists wait to turn at the stop sign that cause unnecessary frustration, Harvey has said. According to VDOT, an average of 6,700 vehicles travel U.S. 250 each day, and Route 151 carries 10,000 vehicles per day. Both roads have about 7 percent truck traffic, which is relatively high, Londrey said. The backups, Laundry said, also lead to an increased risk of rear-end crashes and can cause more serious crashes when people pull out in front of vehicles traveling swiftly on U.S. 250. I would venture to say that the crash risk is even greater when brewery and winery traffic is at its peak, she added, since most of those drivers would be unfamiliar with the area. When U.S. 250 is repaved in 2018, VDOT plans to add a high-friction surface treatment to the roads eastbound lane, which should help to prevent hydroplaning and skidding when conditions are wet or icy. Long term, VDOT is proposing a roundabout at the intersection, but the proposal is dependent on funding. VDOT applied for funds for the roundabout through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program. Albemarle also has submitted an application for funding through the states program. According to the programs website, Smart Scale is about picking the right transportation projects for funding and ensuring the best use of limited tax dollars. It is the method of scoring planned projects based on an objective, outcome-based process. VDOT expects to hear about the applications in the spring. If the applications are approved, VDOT will determine a schedule for the project, which would include a public hearing. Nelsons only stoplight was installed in early 2006 on U.S. 29 in Lovingston. Other VDOT projects in the area are nearing completion. A VDOT traffic study of the Arrington area near Oak Ridge Estate should be completed by the spring. According to Rick Youngblood, district planner for VDOTs Lynchburg District, the study was established to review event planning scenarios to identify potential infrastructure improvements needed to support the Lockn Music Festival, as well as other events of various sizes. The first meetings on the study began about six months ago. The approximately $100,000 study was undertaken by VDOTs regional on-call contractor and currently is in process, according to VDOT. When the study is finalized, it will be posted on the Lynchburg District Projects and Studies page on VDOTs website. According to Jones, Nelson also has submitted two additional project applications for funding through Smart Scale. One of the projects tackles access management along U.S. 29 through the Colleen corridor. The proposal focuses on entrance consolidation and reconstruction near the Colleen Drive-In. The application was submitted by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. The amount requested is $1.3 million from the High Program and District Grant programs. The other project application, also submitted by the planning district commission, focuses on the intersection of Routes 6 and 151. According to Jones, the project would widen the east leg of the intersection, creating a wider receiving lane for turning vehicles. Consideration also would be given to a roundabout or southbound left-turn bay. The amount requested is $2.2 million from the District Grant Program. The projects are not currently part of any VDOT Six-Year Improvement Plan and will have to be screened and evaluated prior to moving forward, Jones said. The public will have an opportunity to comment on them should they be approved for inclusion in the draft and final plans. Painters at the event (Photo: VNA) The exchange camp took place in an atmosphere of friendship, and the painters from the two countries had the opportunity to exchange and share knowledge in the field of painting. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh stressed that India has a great culture, which is a source of inspiration for many painters and artists. He said that the participation of Vietnamese painters and photographers in the event aimed to contribute to the comprehensive strategic partnership, which was established during a visit to Vietnam in September 2016 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, because the cultural sector has been identified as one of the pillars of this relationship. On this occasion, the Ambassador wished the painters and photographers to continue to compose memorable works, and wished that the friendship and the relations between the two countries, especially the cultural relations, will further develop. Painter Luong Xuan Doan, Deputy Head of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, expressed his admiration for the Indian culture and was deeply moved by the solemn reception by Indian friends. He also thanked the Vietnamese Embassy for trusting Vietnamese artists to successfully organize a large-scale painting and photo exhibition in India. This is the first of a series of activities in 2017 to mark 45 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. He also added that the Vietnamese artists would make further efforts to bring works imbued with Vietnamese soul and identity to Indian friends in particular and international friends in general. Earlier, on January 4th, at Centrix Arts Centre in New Delhi, Vietnamese painters and photographers also had a meeting with Indian artists. On January 8th, the painters taught painting for children of staff from the Vietnamese Embassy and representing agencies in India. They also organize a painting and photo exhibition in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, on January 9th -11th./. News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-11-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the Kinetic introduced the exotic MV Agusta motorcycles in the country and now it is planning to bring another Italian motorcycle brand, the SWM, to Indian shores. The company already manufactures some parts for SWM motorcycles and also runs the multi-brand premium bike dealerships, Motoroyale, which will soon offer other popular global brands in the country. The company has also started testing the feasibility of some SWM motorcycles and might introduce them here in future. One of our close sources told us that Kinetic is checking the probability of bringing the SWM bike in India within the right price bracket. Since Kinetic engineering is already producing some important parts of these motorcycles, it is now looking at the possibility of complete local assembly or even production of these bikes. Based in Milan, Italy, SWM was founded in 1971 and stands for Sironi Vergani Vimercate Milano (SV.VM). Justifying the name is the fact that founder Piero Sironi was from Vimercate and Fausto Vergani was from Milan. The company, mostly, offers mid-weight machines in different segments, such as enduro, supermoto, dual sport and classic. And Kinetic is looking forward to starting with two models from its classic range -- the Gran Milano and the Silver Vase. Powered by 445cc single-cylinder, air/oil-cooled, 4-valve engine, the former gets a classic cafe-racer design while the latter comes in a scrambler avatar. Launching these Italian machines in the right price bracket in the country is the most challenging task for the company thanks to the competition. To match its contemporaries, the price has to be around Rs 2 lakh. And for that, Kinetic has to produce some major components locally along with the CKD operations in India. The source also told that the company doesnt have any plans to launch any of these bikes in the country this year. So, we might have to wait for a year, at the least, to get our hands on the SWM bikes. Source: BikeDekho.com The firm contract for the 72 planes was inked by GoAir on December 30 while it had entered into a MoU with Airbus in this regard in July last year. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: GoAir has firmed up the order for 72 A320 neo planes, estimated to be worth over Rs 52,000 crore, as the no-frills airline expands its fleet and prepares to fly overseas. With the latest development, the carrier -- part of the Wadia group -- now has placed firm orders with Airbus for 144 A320 neos (new engine option). The airline inducted the first A320 neo -- which have better fuel efficiency -- in June last year and now has a fleet of 23 aircraft. "With the neo induction, Go Air will expand its network and offer fliers better connectivity and continue its growth as one of India's preferred low-cost airline," it said in a release today. The firm contract for the 72 planes was inked by GoAir on December 30 while it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus in this regard in July last year. This is in addition to the earlier order for 72 such aircraft. While GoAir did not disclose the total value of the latest order for 72 aircraft, a back of the envelope calculation based on Airbus listed price for 2016 shows that the order would be worth more than Rs 52,000 crore. This is on the basis of current foreign exchange rate and listed price of USD 107.3 million for one A320 neo. "The A320 neo provides the latest technical innovations and unbeatable economics... This new order will further strengthen our network by adding more domestic and international routes in the years to come," GoAir Managing Director and CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said. The single aisle A320 neo family of aircraft has new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver over 15 per cent in fuel savings while 20 per cent would be there with further cabin innovations by 2020, the release said. "We are delighted that GoAir has renewed its confidence in Airbus. The A320 neo offers unbeatable operating costs... By doubling its order to 144 aircraft, GoAir will benefit from a greatly expanded network," Airbus Commercial Aircraft Chief Operating Officer (Customers) John Leahy said. Not only GoAir, rival IndiGo is also flying a significant number of A320 neos while national carrier Air India is expected to take delivery of the first such aircraft next month. GoAir, which has received government's approval to fly to nine countries including Iran, Uzbekistan and Kazakhastan, is likely to start international operations this year. Company aims to develop a large, modern and futuristic textile industrial complex that will manufacture and supply world class textile products for the global markets. New Delhi: Diversified Welspun Group today said it would invest Rs 4,000 crore on three large textile projects in Gujarat. Welspun India said in a BSE filing that three MoUs are being signed with the state government at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017. The group, which has presence in home textiles, line pipes and infrastructure, will invest Rs 2,000 crore in setting up an integrated textile manufacturing zone. It will invest Rs 1,000 crore on capacity enhancement of its technical textile business, while a similar amount has been earmarked for its advanced textile arm that makes specialised materials for aerospace, defence and automobiles. Welspun Group Chairman B K Goenka said: "Our continuous investment in the state is a testament to our long term commitment to Gujarat. It is our aim to make Gujarat the textile hub of the world. "Welspun continues to invest into development of well- researched products and technology of the future and the current investment is in line with this philosophy." Welspun Group has already invested Rs 10,000 crore in Gujarat so far and fresh investments take the total to Rs 14,000 crore. "These investments will further consolidate Welspun's global leadership position and explore new avenues for its upcoming businesses in Technical as well as Advanced Textiles," the company said. Welspun is developing an integrated textile manufacturing zone, which will be a part of the government's Sagarmala project wherein Kutch is among the first identified key locations. "The company aims to develop a large, modern and futuristic textile industrial complex that will manufacture and supply world class textile products for the global markets," the company said. The Kutch facility, it added, will provide an ecosystem for entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing facilities and would generate direct employment of nearly 5,000 as well as indirect employment to nearly 15,000 people. The group is also enhancing capacity of its technical textile business with the addition of new products and training and skill development. "Under this vertical, the company has already made its mark with products for specialised use in healthcare, fire departments and other utilities," Welspun said, adding that it will give direct employment to nearly 1,500 people. It also plans to generate a direct employment of 2,000 persons and indirect employment of 5,000 through the expansion of its advanced textile arm, under which it focuses on manufacturing specialised materials for applications in aerospace, defence and automobile sectors. New Delhi: The government is expected to announce an incentive package for labour intensive leather sector in the forthcoming Budget with a view to give a boost to the segment and generate jobs. The commerce and industry ministry has asked its finance counterpart to give financial assistance for the Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP) and for setting up of mega leather clusters in the country, an official said. As the ILDP, which is a central sector scheme, has provided huge support to the sector, the finance ministry may consider extending it for three more fiscals. It will end by this fiscal. The commerce ministry has asked for about Rs 7,000 crore for this programme for three years. "The incentives are asked broadly on the lines of the package announced for the textiles sector. Presentations have already been given to Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Ministry," the official said. The industry has also demanded cut in excise duty to 6 per cent from 12 per cent for non-leather products like footwears till the Goods and Service Tax comes into force. The major players of the sector includes Bata India, Liberty Shoes, Mirza International and Relaxo Footwear. The commerce ministry is hopeful for the package in the Budget as the sector has huge potential to attract investment and generate jobs, the official added. Synthetic leather accounts for about 90 per cent of the total leather manufacturing in the country. The sector is important as it is a thrust segment under the 'Make in India' initiative. Chairman of Council for Leather Exports Rafeeq Ahmed has time and again asked the government to extend financial support. As per industry experts, Rs one crore investment in the sector results in creation of jobs for about 250 people. Currently about 30 lakh people are directly employed in the sector. China is giving tough competition to Indian leather manufacturers in terms of pricing. Support to the sector will also help boost shipments. Leather and leather goods are among the 25 focus sectors under the Make in India initiative. The government aims to increase the exports to USD 15 billion by 2020 from the current USD 7 billion. Mumbai: Its no secret that Shah Rukh Khan is extremely protective of his children, especially his lovely teenage daughter Suhana. When it comes to his daughter, SRK is just like any possessive father. In a recent interview, the actor stated the guidelines for anyone who would like to date his daughter, Suhana. The actor was talking to a magazine when he listed the seven guidelines which are as followed, Get a job. Understand I dont like you. Im everywhere. Get a lawyer. Shes my princess, not your conquest. I dont mind going back to jail. Whatever you do to her, I will do to you. Well, those are some tough guidelines but what else can you expect from King Khan. Earlier, on KJos Koffee with Karan season 5, Shah Rukh Khan spoke at length about his life, especially his kids. During the chat, the actor confessed that he would rip the lips of anyone who would try to kiss his daughter. Well, now after those mentioned guidelines, one thing is for sure, SRK is not joking around. Mumbai: 2016 was a pretty happening year when it came to controversies and scandals that surrounded Bollywood. While we had several issues grabbing her attention, it was Kangana and Hrithiks legal battle that topped the list. Its not wrong to say that Kangana had her say all the way through 2016 ever since her scandalous affair with Hrithik Roshan came out. It all began after Kangana called him a silly ex. The comment didnt go down well with Hrithik and that was the beginning of the extremely controversial war of words between Krrish actors. After Hrithik initiated the legal battle with Kangana, he kept quiet and chose not to comment on the issue in interviews, while the actress didnt shy away from speaking her mind. However, Hrithik recently pulled a Kangana on the actress herself when he referred to her as a mild irritant. The actor was interacting with the media while promoting his upcoming film Kaabil, when he was asked if he had a difficult 2016, to which the actor said he was grateful that he had a great year except for a mild irritant. Well, not Kangana surely has something to get irked about. We wonder how the actress will react to Hrithiks this comment. Maybe, the next war or words is about to begin! Mumbai: Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone have said gazillion times they are friends and not rivals. But the fact is that Deepika is trying her best to match up to every step that Priyanka takes in Hollywood. When Priyanka dazzled in her golden Ralph Lauren gown at the Golden Globe event, Deepika wasnt far behind when she made her international appearance at the after party in a yellow Elizabeth Saltzman off shoulder gown. While Priyankas co-stars Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson described her as beautiful and stunning, Deepikas co-star Vin Diesel, from xXx- Return of Xander Cage called his co-star incredible. Both the actors will have their Hollywood co-actors promoting their films in India. So, here begins the rat race. Recently Priyanka praised about her on-screen chemistry with Ranveer Singh. We wonder how Deepika is going to react seeing Priyanka slithering her way into Deepika's fiercely guarded territory. The actor was last seen in the successful 'Kodi'. Mumbai: After the likes of Kamal Haasan and Suriya came out in support of Jallikattu, Tamil Nadu's bull taming sport, it was actor Dhanush's turn to do the same. The actor took to his Twitter feed to make his displeasure over the ban on the sport evident. Dhanush identified it as an integral part of the culture and ethnicity of the state. Kamal Haasan had compared banning of Jallikattu to a hypothetical ban on biriyani, asking for a ban on the latter, if the former were justifiable. Actors Suriya, Simbu, Shivakartikeyan etc had all come out in support of the sport, vociferously, and asked for a lift on the ban by the Apex court. The state CM Pannerselvam had also reiterated the government's resolve to go ahead and conduct the sport. The government has also asked the Centre to promulgate an ordinance for the smooth functioning of the bull taming sport. The accused identified as Klaus Andres told investigators that his wife Li Ping Cao, accused him of cheating and left his home after an argument between the two. (Photo: YouTube Screengrab) Cairns, Queensland: A 70-year-old Australian man has been sentence to life in prison for murdering his Chinese-origin wife and dissolving her corpse in acid at their home in the Australian city of Cairns. According to a report in the Daily Mail, the accused identified as Klaus Andres told investigators that his wife Li Ping Cao, accused him of cheating and left his home after an argument between the two. However, police refused to believe his story and launched an investigation into Li Pingsdisappearance. During investigation, police got suspicious when they learned that the accused had bought 40 litres of acid from a hardware store. We established that he'd not only purchased acid on that day, but a number of days, and he'd purchased a total of 60 litres of acid - which is an enormous amount of acid to buy, police said in a statement. Thereafter, police launched a search operation at the accuseds property. Forensic officers examined the stormwater drain out the front of his house. There was a large stormwater drain directly out the front of his house and we discovered porcelain false teeth in the drain, detective Sgt McLeish was quoted in the report. He was found guilty of murdering Li Ping and was sentenced to life in prison. The couple had been married for seven years. The Board of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) on January 10 issued decision No. 14-rsh/BT on placing the PJSC Platinum Bank (Kyiv) on the list of insolvent banks, the NBU said in a statement on its website on Wednesday. "As of January 1, 2017, the bank did not reach the positive value of capital," the regulator said. As the result of banks stress testing in the first half of 2016, in June 2016 the necessary amount of additional capitalization was approved for all banks in the second twenty in order for them to reach the positive value of regulatory capital by January 1, 2017, the NBU said. According to the NBU, Platinum Bank submitted to the National Bank its restructuring plan, which included the implementation of a number of activities with the aim of additional capitalization of the bank. The National Bank said that 97% (197,000 people) of all the depositors of the Platinum Bank will get back their deposits in full, because their volume doesn't exceed UAH 200,000 the maximum amount of individual deposits guaranteed by the Individual Deposit Guarantee Fund. All in all, the Fund will ensure payments of guaranteed amount of deposits to the tune of UAH 4.8 billion. Platinum Bank was established in 2005. According to the NBU, as of October 1, 2016, the bank ranked 22nd in terms of its assets (UAH 7.277 billion) among 100 operating banks. The regulator pointed out that as of January 10, 2017, the PJSC Platinum Bank is controlled by Ukrainian businessman Borys Kaufman and Israeli businessman Gregory Gurtovoy. The National Bank explained that it recognized Gurtovoy and Kaufman as owners of a significant share of the bank based on the analysis of the bank's operations, irrespective of the actual shares formally owned by these businessmen. Kaufman himself confirmed his significant influence on the management of the bank in a written statement submitted to the NBU. The NBU declared the bank's structure as non-transparent in June 2016 and in August 2016 Kaufman submitted to the National Bank a package of documents to coordinate an acquisition of a 75% stake in the bank by him through controlled companies. "As of today, the National Bank has not agreed with Kaufman the acquisition of the bank's shares, taking into account the absence of certain documents, in particular the lack of clearance from the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. According to the National Bank, the Antimonopoly Committee in December 2016 returned without consideration a package of documents on the acquisition of a control package in the PJSC Platinum Bank by Kaufman," the central bank said in a press release. As reported, on December 29, Platinum Bank announced it was additionally capitalized for UAH 120 million as part of the previously announced capitalization program. As of October 11, 2016, Gregory Gurtovoy, Dmytro Zinkov, David Halpert, Boris Goldstein, Paul Gillham, Madjid Dusan Pajic, Marko Micanovic, Milica Kostic, Chrysostomos Sofokleous, Marinos L.Karydas, as well as Paul Mousel from Luxembourg are the ultimate owners of PT Platinum Public. The latter, in turn, is the sole direct shareholder of Platinum Bank. Each of these persons indirectly through offshore companies holds from 7.91% to 9.9% of the bank's shares. Kim Kardashian was tied up and locked in the bathroom. (Photo: AFP) Nice, France: French police suspect that a 72-year-old convicted cocaine dealer was among five masked gunmen who broke into Kim Kardashian's apartment and robbed her of jewels worth millions last year, a source close to the probe said Wednesday. Pierre B. -- nicknamed "Pierrot" -- was arrested Monday at a villa on the Riviera in a series of coordinated raids in Paris and the south of the country over the October 3 robbery. He was convicted of cocaine trafficking in 2006 and had appeared on the police's radar "from time to time" since over his links to criminal gangs in southern France, the source said. A 60-year-old is also in custody and suspected of being among the five armed men who took part in the stunning heist at a luxury apartment in central Paris, when thieves made off with jewellery worth around nine million euros ($9.5 million). Investigators say all five suspected robbers are in custody as well as the suspected mastermind of the break-in. Three of the 17 arrested so far were released Wednesday, a legal source said. They include a chauffeur, who drove Kardashian during her Paris stay, whose arrest led to suspicions that the gang had inside information on the US reality star's movements. Cash, no jewels found The driver's brother remains in custody on suspicion of tipping off the others that her bodyguard Pascal Duvier was absent on the night of the robbery and giving them details about her residence. Duvier was not with Kardashian because he was providing security for her sister Kourtney at a Paris nightclub. He no longer works for the family. Police tracked down the suspects after finding DNA at the crime scene which led to a surveillance operation on the suspects. A police source said that nearly all those arrested were known for organised crime. They included three women, including a 65-year-old. The armed and masked men wearing police uniforms burst into Kardashian's residence in the chic Madeleine area of the capital where the 36-year-old and her entourage were staying during Paris Fashion Week. Kardashian was tied up and locked in the bathroom. The thieves, whose booty included a ring worth around four million euros, fled the scene on bicycle or on foot. The star's 30,000 euro diamond necklace was found in the street by a passer-by hours after the heist. Searches have turned up 200,000 euros in cash, but none of the other jewels have been recovered, investigators say. The nine million euro haul was the biggest from an individual in France in two decades. It also generated more unwanted publicity for Paris, which has seen its image damaged by major terror attacks in 2015 and last year. Luxury hotel bookings and foreign tourist arrivals in France are both down. The biggest French jewellery heist ever occurred in July 2013, when robbers attacked an exhibition of "Extraordinary Diamonds" at the Carlton hotel in Cannes and made off with an estimated 103 million euros in jewels. Kardashian, the world's highest paid reality television star, harnessed the power of social media to rise to fame, with nearly 50 million followers on Twitter and 90 million on Instagram. No motive was given and police didn't say how the victims were killed. (Representational Image) Copenhagen, Denmark: Danish police say they believe a 45-year-old man has killed his wife and their four children before taking his own life. Police say the victims are a 42-year-old woman and two boys and two girls, aged between 3 and 16, who were part of the same family. In a statement late Tuesday, police ruled out media speculation that a gas leak had caused the deaths. No motive was given and police didn't say how the victims were killed. Police were alerted Monday about "suspicious circumstances" in Ulstrup, a village southwest of Randers, about 185 kilometers (115 miles) northwest of Copenhagen. Phillip Cullen, of Cadbury Heath, Bristol, is accused of six offences related to the endangered Large Blue (Maculinea arion). (Photo: YouTube) London: A 57-year-old man in the UK has appeared in court charged with capturing and killing two of Britain's rarest species of butterfly. Phillip Cullen, of Cadbury Heath, Bristol, is accused of six offences related to the endangered Large Blue (Maculinea arion). He is alleged to have captured and killed two butterflies from sites in Gloucestershire and Somerset in 2015. He denied all charges at Bristol Magistrates' Court and was granted unconditional bail yesterday. Cullen will appear for trial on March 16, BBC reported. The prosecution is believed to be the first involving offences related to Large Blue butterflies in the UK. The court heard the two butterflies were allegedly taken from Daneway Banks near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on June 18, 2015, and from Collard Hill, near Street, Somerset, between June 17 and 20 that year. It is claimed that witnesses saw Cullen taking them before Dead butterflies were found at Cullen's Bristol home on February 13 last year after a police search, the court was told. Prosecutor Kevin Withey told the court, "The defendant faces charges in terms of capturing, killing and possession of a protected butterfly. "The butterfly became extinct in this country in the late 1970s and was reintroduced and is a protected species in certain parts of the country," he said. "Significant care is given to its wellbeing and its hopeful future flourishing," Withey said. The globally-endangered species has always been rare in Britain, but became extinct in 1979. In 2004, it was found on nine sites in the country following a major conservation programme. Malyshev Plant (Kharkiv) continues implementing a contract to supply Oplot combat tanks to Thailand in line with the approved schedule. The plant is preparing for the transfer of a new batch of the tanks, the press service of the plant told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. "Today we have not received any official information from the Thai customer that the contract is terminated or the conditions of the contract are revised. The contract is being implemented in line with the approved schedule. Soon the customer would accept the new batch of tanks. It is planned to complete the contract in full amount this year," the press service said, commenting on foreign media reports that Thailand decided not to buy Ukrainian Oplot tanks in favor of China's VT-4 tanks over the internal situation in Ukraine. The press service said that the media campaign about the alleged problems with supplies of Ukrainian Oplot tanks to Thailand is not the first: similar reports were seen last year. Recently Thailand's Bangkok Post reported with the reference to Commander-In-Chief of Thailand Armed Forces General Chalermchai Sittisat that Bangkok and Beijing are discussing expansion of defense cooperation. Among promising directions is purchase of armored vehicles from China to replace U.S. M-41 tanks bought in the United States in 1957. Thailand has signed a contract to buy 28 Chinese VT-4 tanks and seeks to boost the supplies in 2017. Gen Chalermchai said that after problems with the delivery of 49 Oplot tanks ordered from Ukraine, the army committee which decides on military hardware procurements has opted to cut the number of tanks to be bought from Ukraine. The problem facing the Ukrainian supplier was due mainly to Ukraine's internal situation, he said. However, the Ukrainian tank maker should be able to deliver all 49 tanks to the Thai army by October, 2017, according to Gen Chalermchai. Any moves by India to step-up military ties with Vietnam to counter China will create "disturbance" in the region and Beijing will not "sit with its arms crossed", state media said today, taking exception to a report that New Delhi plans to sell surface-to-air Akash missiles to Hanoi. "If the Indian government genuinely treats its enhancement of military relations with Vietnam as a strategic arrangement or even revenge against Beijing, it will only create disturbances in the region and China will hardly sit with its arms crossed," an op-ed in the Global Times said, highlighting China's concerns over reports of supply of Akash surface-to- air missile system to Vietnam. The supply of missiles was supposed to be a "normal arms sale, yet was portrayed by the Indian media as a response "to counter the Chinese threat", it said, referring to reports that the missile sale was in response to China blocking India's move to become member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and to impose a UN ban on Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar. "There should be no dispute when India decides to intensify its military ties with Vietnam, a crucial member of ASEAN as well as a key pillar of India's Act East Policy. Yet such ties should be built for the sake of peace and stability in the region, rather than stirring up troubles or anxiety for others. "However, when India and Vietnam are in talks about possible sales, New Delhi seems to keep taking a sneak peak at Beijing as if the deal is stealthily aimed at China," it said. The tabloid, part of the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC) official group of publications has been carrying articles targeting India almost on daily basis with aggressive and hostile language. While striking threatening posture against India over its increasingly close-knit ties with Vietnam, another article in the same daily today warned Hanoi that it must improve ties with China notwithstanding the South China Sea dispute. "Aside from its endeavour to improve relations with China, Hanoi must deal with rising nationalism at home intermingled with anti-China and anti-Communism sentiment at times, which is adverse to the CPV's (ruling Communist Party of Vietnam) leadership itself, as well as the development of China-Vietnam relations. "Vietnam's leaders must have realised the importance of the issue and they have spared no efforts in developing cooperation with China in politics, economy and culture," it said, referring to the visit of Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of CPV, to Beijing starting from tomorrow during which he is scheduled to have talks with top Chinese leaders. Vietnam, along with Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, questions Beijing's claims over almost all of the SCS area and China has been seeking to pacify Hanoi, highlighting the fraternal ties between CPC and CPV. The article on India said "due to geopolitical factors, some nations have been cozying up to India over the years, which to a large extent contributed to India's fruitful development". "New Delhi understands that the best strategy for itself is to continue its collaboration with all parties, instead of picking a side and turning hostile to one another. Otherwise, it might not only turn others' troubles to its own puzzles, but also suffer enormous losses of development opportunities. "During a short visit Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid to Vietnam in September last year, an expert in India voiced that India can make the same statement in China's backyard that they do in ours. Yet Vietnam is not a backyard to any country. Such a statement only mirrors India's outdated diplomatic mindset. "India has a dream to grow into a great power. But under today's international circumstances, it will be extraordinarily hard to achieve the goal on its own. What India needs is more pragmatic cooperation with other countries," the report said. Beijing always emphasises the importance of cooperation with New Delhi and hopes the latter will join the Belt and Road initiative which will help promote the country's infrastructure construction, improve connectivity within the region and may even turn into a push to solve the India- Pakistan contradictions, it said. "It is hoped that the hype in the Indian media does not represent the country's government. There are divergences between Beijing and New Delhi, yet there are more common interests that await the two to explore," it added. The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday said steps would be taken to ensure the smooth conduct of Jallikattu this Pongal. The Opposition DMK also said that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre has to take steps against the apex courts verdict just like it did in the Cauvery issue. Asserting that the state government could not bring any emergency ordinance to conduct the bull-taming sport, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said his government would ensure that Jallikattu is conducted smoothly. There is no question of backing down from organising Jallikattu, the chief minister added. Further, a delegation of AIADMK MPs, led by Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M Thambidurai, presented a memorandum to Union Minister of State for Environment Anil Madhav Dave, seeking promulgation of an ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to hold Jallikattu. In the memorandum, addressed to the prime minister, AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala noted that lifting the ban on Jallikattu would bring joy to Tamils all over the world. The sporting event was inextricably linked to the rural and agrarian customs and practices and psyche of the Tamils, and also helps in the conservation of native germplasm since bulls with excellent physical attributes alone are reared for the sport, the letter read. DMK slams Centre Addressing mediapersons at the party office on Wednesday, DMK working president M K Stalin recalled the stance of the Centre in the apex court against immediately setting up the Cauvery Management Board, and wondered why the Union government had not taken a similar line of approach in the Jallikattu case, reports PTI. When they can work against the Supreme Court in the Cauvery issue, they can do the same with Jallikattu, too, he said. Protests by students across the state, demanding lifting of the ban on Jallikattu, entered the second day on Wednesday. In Madurai, Trichy, Thanjavur, Karaikudi, Salem, Coimbatore, Sivaganga, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari, several thousands of college students, including girls, boycotted classes and took out rallies. They also threatened to defy the ban and conduct the sport if the Centre failed to pay heed their request. Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday clarified that Navjot Singh Sidhus decision to join the Congress was unconditional, with no strings attached. On having a deputy chief minister in the state, he asserted that the decision would be taken by the Congress president and the vice president at the appropriate time. Capt Amarinder said Sidhu would be the partys candidate for Amritsar East as announced by the latters wife. The delay in joining the party was on account of his professional commitments, which he wanted to complete before getting into election gear, he said. Sidhu will be joining soon, he said. In one of the biggest such hauls in India, the Uttar Pradesh Police seized 6,400 freshwater turtles stuffed in bags which were destined for China and other Southeast Asian countries as part of a massive smuggling network. Raj Bahadur Singh, the kingpin of an inter-state gang involved in smuggling of turtles, was arrested in the raid carried out at Gauriganj town of Amethi on Tuesday, a Special Task Force (STF) spokesperson said here. The turtles, weighing 440 quintals, were found stuffed in sacks and lay scattered on the ground inside the compound of Singhs house. We have recovered such a huge amount of turtles from one single location. We are investigating this further and looking at the involvement of more people in the smuggling ring, said Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Chaturvedi, who led the STF raid. During interrogation, Singh disclosed that small poachers were involved in catching turtles from Gauriganj, Jagdishpur and Salwan areas and supplying them to organised smugglers, the official said. There is a high demand for turtles abroad for their meat and use in occult activities, and also used as aphrodisiacs. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is investigating into crimes committed by some banks that removed refinancing loans abroad, NABU Director Artem Sytnyk has said. "We have a criminal case concerning some banks that removed the refinancing funds abroad, including via Austrian banks and eventually to offshore companies," he said on Channel 5 TV late on Tuesday. He did not disclose the names of the banks. He said that there are not suspects in the case. It is at the initial stage and the movement of the funds is to be tracked. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, which has decided to contest in around 100 seats, mainly in Muslim-dominated constituencies, could spoil the prospects of the SP and the BSP in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has been touring the constituencies where Muslims are in sizeable numbers, and addressing gatherings and seeking support for his outfit. According to AIMIM leaders, the party has identified around 100 seats in the eastern, central and western regions in the state from where it would field candidates. It has already declared nominees for 10 seats in some constituencies where polling is scheduled in two phases next month. Last year, AIMIM had contested for the first time in the state from the Bikapur Assembly seat in Faizabad. Its nominee had secured nearly 12,000 votes and finished fourth, barely trailing the BJP. The SP had won the seat, while BSP finished second. Both the SP and the BSP only help the BJP to win. Neither of these parties has done anything for the Muslims in the state during their successive regimes. They have only used the Muslims as a vote bank, said AIMIM leader Shaukat Ali. Ali asked the SP and the BSP to withdraw their candidates from Muslim-dominated seats to ensure the defeat of the BJP. These parties put up Muslim candidates in such seats that in turn result in the division of votes, and this makes the BJPs job easy, Ali added. Muslims, who constituted around 20% of the electorate, played a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the polls in as many as 125 seats. Gowrishankar Swami, pontiff of the Jangama Mutt at Gollahalli in Gubbi taluk of the district, died of heart attack at a hospital in Bengaluru in the wee hours of Wednesday. The mortal remains of the seer were taken to Seethakallu in Tumakuru taluk, his native place, for burial. Police were deployed at the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru after seer Shivakumara Swami and administrative officer Vishwanathaiah, in a press release, said that the deceased pontiffs body should not be brought to the Siddaganga Mutt. Gowrishankar Swami was named as the successor of Shivakumara Swami in 1975, but was expelled from the Mutt in 1988 due to a dispute. A case in this regard is pending in the court. Senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa on Wednesday said the suspension of former mayor D Venkatesh Murthy from the party has made him acquire the status of a state leader and, the state party president B S Yeddyurappa needs to be thanked for the same. I congratulate Yeddyurappa for suspending Murthy from the party. Till now Murthy was a leader in Bengaluru. By spending 50 paise to issue the suspension order, Murthy has been made state level leader, Eshwarappa said sarcastically, while addressing a meeting of Sangolli Rayanna Brigade in Padmanabha Nagar here. Murthy received the suspension order on Tuesday on the grounds that the BJP has received complaints that he was involved in anti-party activities. The suspension came just a day before the Brigade members assembled to hold a preparatory meeting for the convention to be held on January 26 in Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district. It is said that Padmanabhanagar MLA R Ashoka brought pressure on the leaders to suspend Murthy from the party due to political rivalry. In a veiled attack on the party and Yeddyurappa, Eshwarappa said, We say that the BJP is a disciplined party. But now discipline has vanished. The partys disciplinary committee should have handled suspension of Murthy. Instead, the suspension has been effected through Bengaluru city district president. Earlier, the party had issued notices to former minister Sogadu Shivanna and Nandeesh of Tumakuru. But so far no action has been initiated. None of the Brigade members should be disheartened if the BJP suspends them. Because, all of them will get good positions in the party. The Congress may be hoping that I and Yeddyurappa will fight. But I am sure our party leaders will hold talks with us and find a solution. Sending a clear message to his party that he would not withdraw from the Brigade, Eshwarappa said the Kudalasangama event would be attended by not less than two lakh people. Later, speaking to journalists, Eshwarappa said Brigade leaders K Virupakshappa and Mukudappa would meet Yeddyurappa to seek the withdrawal of Murthys suspension. Murthy said, When the Padmanabha Nagar MLA (Ashoka) was not even an elected representative, I was a BJP corporator. I had helped him to become MLA. But now he is distributing pamphlets asking people not to attend the Brigades programmes. But, none can stop the growth of the Brigade. Speakers at the gathering said that it would be better to project Eshwarappa as chief minister, going by the manner in which he is being treated by the BJP. The Supreme Court on Wednesday relied to a great extent on its ruling in the 1998 Jain-Hawala diary case to reject a plea for an SIT probe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, supported by senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, cited the apex courts verdict in the Lalita Kumari case (2014) to state that the investigation must be ordered on receipt of any information on cognisable offence and falsity of allegations or otherwise can be ascertained during the probe. The court, however, observed that the said decision was not relevant, and held that the investigation cannot be ordered in the instant matter. The court relied upon the CBI vs V C Shukla (Jain-Hawala diary case) as well as the Haryana Vs Bhajan Lal case, cited by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, to hold that the computer printouts, hard disks, diaries and excel sheets do not comply with the requirement of the Indian Evidence Act and are found to be fabricated. The diary related to entires made by middlemen regarding bribes paid to over 100 politicians, including BJP leader L K Advani, V C Shukla and others, between 1988-91. However, the case could not stand legal scrutiny as those entries could not be substantiated. In the plea made by NGO Common Cause, the court noted that the Income Tax Settlement Commission has already closed the matter on November 11 after finding that the documents relating to payment of kickbacks by Sahara to a group of people had got no value in the eyes of law. We find the materials placed on record in the Sahara and Birla case are random computer sheets, diaries and emails. Those were not maintained in the required manner. In case of Sahara, the Income Tax Settlement Commission has already concluded that those were not admissible, the bench said. Peoples court will decide, says Cong With the Supreme Court rejecting any probe in the Sahara diaries, the Congress on Wednesday said the peoples court will fix accountability of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports DHNS. The battle of fixing accountability of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be decided in the peoples court, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said. He said the simple issue was whether the prime minister took money from the Sahara and Birla groups. He needs to answer it and does not require a certificate from any court, Surjewala said. Despite the state government facing stiff opposition from various quarters to execute the multi-crore Yettinahole project, the work has not stopped on ground zero. Also, the government has no intention of stalling the work. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had convened a meeting on December 27, 2016 to discuss the Yettinahole project, which aims at bringing water from Sakaleshpur in Hassan district to various districts such as Kolar, Chikkaballapur and parts of Benglauru Rural. At the meeting, elected representatives from the BJP and activists from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts had strongly opposed diversion of the Netravati river water. On last Wednesday, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and RSS leaders had announced that the diversion of water from the Yettinahole, which feeds water to the Netravati river, would not be allowed. Officers who are monitoring the Yettinahole civil work on a daily basis in the villages of Sakaleshpur taluk on Wednesday told DH that there is no instruction from the government or court to stop the work. Except felling of trees in the forest areas, the rest of the scheduled works are on. Four officials from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) visited the Yettinahole project sites on January 4 and 5. The officials visited the project site on the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) as certain individuals and an NGO have moved the Supreme Court against the project. The objections raised include large-scale tree felling and illegalities in the execution of the work. The MoEF is scheduled to submit its report to the NGT on January 16. The state government officials have claimed that the construction of weirs (low dams) that form the lift component of Stage I has been going on. About 60% of the work has been completed by constructing six of the eight weirs. As the project is mainly for providing drinking water, there is no need to obtain environment clearance for the project. The MoEF has cleared the project and power supply has been sanctioned by the KPTCL. The government has opted for both, direct purchase of land from farmers and parting with its own land for the project. The total land required for Phase I is about 257 hectares. The forest land required is 13.93 hectares, the government land 33 hectares and the remaining is private land. For Phase II, 4,913.13 hectares would be required. The total cost of the project, as estimated in 2012-13, was Rs 12,913 crore. So far the government has sanctioned Rs 1,800 crore. The project aims at lifting and distributing 24 tmcft of water and of these, 15 tmcft would be for drinking purpose. Sources said permission has been taken for chopping 11,000 trees. Of these, 6,000 are in the forests. So far, nearly 2,500 trees have been axed in the forests. For now, clearing of trees has been stopped in view of the NGT hearing. But, the work on the lift irrigation component is on. Employing the power of sarcasm, Rahul Gandhi took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his assertions of being a yoga practitioner and style of speech delivery, which he likened to film star Amitabh Bachchan. Rahul also poked fun at Modis oft-used catch-phrase mitron to deliver a Bachchan style take down of the prime minister. Like a magician, he said, Mitron put your hands in your pocket. People did as he said...and then he said, The money in your pockets is now just a piece of paper, he said amid cheer from his followers. The Congress vice president also recalled a popular song from Bachchan starrer Namak Halal. Aap ka to rehta hai bas ek sapna, Ram naam japna, garibon ka maal apna (you only have one dream, chant the name of Lord Ram and snatch the money from the poor), Rahul said, urging Congress workers to fight against this philosophy of the Modi government. The Congress leader also ridiculed Modi for showcasing his love of yoga. I have observed him keenly. The self-declared yoga practitioner cannot perform the padmasana, Rahul said referring to Modi performing yoga at India Gate to commemorate the International Yoga Day. I have performed yoga. I am not an expert. But experts tell me that those who do yoga regularly, they can sit in padmasana. Those who cannot sit in padmasana, do not do yoga, Rahul said. The Congress leader said, even economists considered to be the proponents of demonetisation had told him that the prime minister had not understood the concept properly. Talking about the Congress election symbol, Rahul said he found the hand' in pictures of Lord Shiva, Guru Nanak, Buddha, Mahavir and Hazrat Ali. I asked (senior leader) Karan Singh what does it mean. He told me, the symbol signifies do not fear, face the truth, the Congress vice president said. BJP, RSS have weakened institutions Hitting out at the Narendra Modi government, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the prime minister of systematically chipping at the institutions the Congress had assiduously built over the past 70 years, DHNS reports. The BJP, under Narendra Modi, has done in two and a half years what we did not do in 70 years....every single institution we built ... the BJP, RSS and Modi have weakened the institutions, the Congress vice president said. More than 5,000 Congress leaders from across the country, in addition to top leaders such as chief ministers and working committee members, have gathered here for the day-long convention against demonetisation. Determined to oust the Narendra Modi government in 2019, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday showed that he has taken firm control of his party by chairing a convention against demonetisation. At the day-long Jan Vedana Sammelan, Rahul hit back at Modi for unleashing hardships on people, and declared that India will see acche din only when the Congress is voted to power in 2019. Speaker after speaker at the convention, attended by over 6,000 Congress workers from the working committee members to the district presidents, urged Rahul to lead the fight against the BJP. Acche din (better days) are only going to come when the Congress comes to power in 2019, said Rahul amid a loud round of applause. In his inaugural remarks, Rahul accused the prime minister of systematically chipping at the institutions the Congress had assiduously built over the past 70 years. The BJP, under Narendra Modi, has done in two and a half years what we did not do in 70 years... every single institution we built... the BJP, RSS and Modi have weakened the institutions, Rahul said, referring to the role of the RBI in the note ban decision, and the governments tiff with the judiciary with regard to the appointment of judges. The Congress party will defeat these people and remove them from here. We will defeat their ideology, Rahul said amid slogans of Modi ko hatao. Mimicks PM It was a Rahul Gandhi show throughout, with the crowd frequently raising slogans of Rahulji sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hai. Rahul hit out at Modi, often mimicking him by using the prime ministers catch phrase mitron and even likening his speeches to dialogues delivered by actor Amitabh Bachchan. Drawing up the contrasts between the Congress and the BJP, Rahul said the Congress always held out an assurance to the people not to be afraid. On the other hand, Modi and the RSS believe in instilling fear, he said. Public outcry against molestation of women on the night of December 31 continued with a demonstration by students outside Town Hall on Wednesday. More than 200 people gathered on the steps of the hall with posters condemning violence against women. The protest #IWillGoOut was organised by a student group Night in My Shining Armour to reclaim public spaces for women. The demonstration was organised at 8 pm making a point that it is not just men who can go out at night. Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Malini Krishnamurthy addressed the crowd and assured the demonstrators that the police are with them. She urged women to report incidents to the police and not be silent. Several women expressed their opinion about the incidents on December 31 and about womens rights in general. Arpana Udupa, a resident of Kammanahalli said, I moved to this city more than ten years ago and I think it used to be safer back then. Similar to the recent case in Kammanahalli, my neighbour was also harassed by guys on a two-wheeler. She said the laws are in place, but it is the mindset of people that needs to change. Men often dont understand what the situation is like for women. We have to be on alert, constantly looking out for danger. Men and women spoke out strongly against victim blaming. A young man wearing a dress held a poster which read I am a guy in a dress. Will I be molested too? The crowd shouted the slogan My body, my rights. Ramesh Jalihal, a father of two girls, was at the demonstration to extend his support. As a father, I do worry about my daughters being out late and I used to impose restrictions about them. But I believe that mindset has to change, he said. The group urged the crowd to take part in future events they will plan to continue the movement. Act of vandalism at Polish memorial in Lviv region won't set Polish, Ukrainian peoples against each other Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin is sure that the destruction of a memorial to Poles killed during WWII in the village of Huta Peniatska (Huta Pieniacka) in Lviv region will not complicate relations between Ukraine and Poland. "I strongly denounce the act of vandalism at the Polish memorial. Such provocations won't set us against each other. As for the criminals, they must be punished," Klimkin said on Twitter. It was reported earlier that unidentified individuals had partially ruined a monument to Polish residents of Huta Peniacka killed during WWII. Preliminary reports by law enforcement officials indicate that a memorial cross had been destroyed, and the tombstones carrying the names of the slain village dwellers had been painted in the colors of the Ukrainian flag and a red-and-black flag. SS lettering has also been painted on one of the tombstones. Svitlana Dobrovolska, a spokesperson for the Lviv regional police department, said it was not fully clear so far when exactly the act of vandalism had been committed, as the memorial is located several kilometers away from the nearest populated area. Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Andriy Deschytsia views the act of vandalism in Huta as a provocation. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mariana Betsa also said this was "an obvious act of provocation." The village of Huta Peniacka inhabited by Poles was exterminated in February 1944. Historians have differing accounts of those events. Most Ukrainian historians believe the village had been annihilated by German troops, while Polish historians tend to believe that a unit of the SS Galicia (Halychyna) Division was responsible for killing its residents. Following a representation by tobacco manufacturers to modify a circular that was issued by the state government on banning chewing tobacco, the state has now sought the opinion of the law department. Tobacco manufacturers have submitted a representation to the health department seeking partial revocation of the ban. While the circular states that there would be a ban on sale, storage and manufacture of the product, manufacturers have sought permission for its manufacture. Shalini Rajneesh, principal secretary, department of health and family welfare, said the request has now been sent to the law secretary to understand the legal implications of the changes they have sought. Their contention is also being considered. They fear their livelihood will be affected if all units are shut, she added. K V Dhananjay, who is fighting the case for Cancer Patients Aid Association, criticised the move and said that any changes would only bring down the impact of the circular. We are the mouth cancer capital of the country. The government had said that it would stop manufacture of chewing tobacco and it should not be going back on this now. If any changes are made, we will take the matter to the court yet again, he added. Another source, working for an anti-tobacco forum, said that it would be a matter of shame if the state government went back on this now. The state government submitted to the Centre and Supreme Court that we have effectively implemented the ban. The Union government also sent a letter congratulating the state. It is not right to go back on the decision now, the source added. The matter, he said, aggravated after the health minister called for a meeting with members of the anti-tobacco rally and tobacco manufacturers to discuss on the issue. In an ammendment that was made to the Food Safety and Securities Act in 2011, it was said that tobacco or nicotine could not be considered food and hence had to be banned. Following this, the Supreme Court and Union government wrote to state governments saying chewing tobacco should be banned. Tobacco consumption in Karnataka constitutes 28% of the countrys consumption. Out of this, 20% is chewing tobacco, according to statistics available with the government. India on Wednesday threatened to deny visa to Amazon officials unless the global e-commerce giant apologises for trying to sell tricolour doormats in Canada. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter to read out the riot act to Amazon, which recently triggered a controversy in Canada by trying to sell doormats themed on the national flag of India. She also threatened to withdraw the visas already issued to the officials of the e-commerce company for their visits to India. Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately, Sushma tweeted. If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian visa to any Amazon official, she said. We will also rescind the visas issued earlier, Sushma added. The minister also asked acting High Commissioner of Canada to India, Arun Kumar Sahu, to lodge a protest with the top brass of Amazon. Indian High Commission in Canada: This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level, Sushma said in another tweet. The minister swung into action after a Twitter user, Atul Bhobe, posted a screenshot of the Amazon Canada portal where the doormats themed on the national flag of India were put up for sale. The Indian community in Canada as well as social media users strongly reacted after Amazon Canada started selling the doormats, themed not only on the tricolour of India, but also on national flags of other countries. 3,000 signatories An online petition was signed by over 3,000 people to force Amazon to apologise and remove the tricolour doormats from its site. The strong protests over social media forced the e-commerce major to remove them from its portal. In a bid to reduce the increasing number of road accidents, the Centre has directed the states to suspend the driving licence of an offender for at least three months for breaking traffic rules, including over-speeding, signal-jumping, overloading and using mobile phones while driving. At the National Road Safety Council meeting held here on Tuesday, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, told the transport ministers of several states, including Karnataka, to initiate stern action against traffic rule violators. Directing the states to tighten the procedure for issuing a permanent driving licence, the minister said the driving licence of an errant driver could be suspended under Section 19 of the Motor Vehicle Act and Rule 21 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. He asked the states to establish sensor-based computerised driving tracks in a time-bound manner in order to eliminate human intervention while issuing a permanent driving licence. Gadkari instructed the states to identify black spots on state highways and rectify them expeditiously, promising Central funds for taking up repair works. He said 10% of the Central Road Fund (CRF) earmarked for road safety could be used for the purpose. The total collection under CRF more than doubled to about Rs 70,000 crore last fiscal, the government had said. So far, 789 black spots have been identified on the national highways based on the fatalities, which occurred between 2011 and 2014, and 93 spots have been rectified. Work on the remaining black spots is on. The minister asked the states to consider building road over-bridges and road under-bridges at level-crossings on the state highways. With India over five lakh road accidents in 2015, killing 1.46 lakh people, Gadkari said the government was committed to reducing accidents. The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed the fact that the newly appointed Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland is on the Russian sanctions list. "She remains under sanctions since 2014, it's no secret. She was added to the sanctions list as a response measure, because Canada imposed restrictions on Russia, including officials," a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry told reporters. "The issue of removing her from the response sanctions list is the issue of reciprocity and the mirror principle. The fact that she is blacklisted will not impede contacts of the Russian officials with her at international forums," the source said. At the same time, the source said that Moscow is ready to cooperate with Canada and mend relations with this country. "We are ready to cooperate with Canada in all directions, improve relations and end the sanctions war. But we did not start it. The question is for Ottawa," the source said. Media said earlier that the newly appointed Canadian Foreign Minister Freeland is on the list of persons banned from entering Russia. Prior to her appointment as the foreign minister, Freeland served as the trade minister. Ukrainian MP Nadia Savchenko has published on her Facebook page the adjusted list of Russian military and civilians, who were convicted in Ukraine for crimes against the country committed in 2014-2016, and an additional list that was supposedly requested by the Ukrainian side. "Here are the lists adjusted as a result of joint work with you, as of January 10, 2017. Here's what we had time to process. You can check it," she wrote on her Facebook page. Savchenko explained that the names of those who were freed are published in blue ink, while the names of those who perished are in red. "The orange color indicates Russians, whom the DPR (the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic) is looking for. Yellow are Russians sought by the LPR the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic)," the lawmaker said. On the whole, the list of Russian military and civilians who ended up in Ukrainian prisons in 2014-2016 includes 101 names. Of these, six have been released, one is dead, 42 are wanted by the DPR, three by the LPR. The list of persons, whom Ukraine wants to free, includes 135 names. Of them, 14 were put on this list in January 10, 2017. According to the color code, of them one person has been released and two died. As reported, on January 10, Savchenko posted on Facebook lists of prisoners held in the Donbas territories uncontrolled by the Ukrainian authorities, Ukrainian inmates of Russian prisons, as well as list of persons the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics wish to receive from Kyiv. In particular, she posted a list of 41 Ukrainians containing their first, middle and last names and dates of birth, which are held by the DPR and the LPR and that were confirmed by the republics. She also presented a similar list of 121 Ukrainians requested by the Ukrainian side. In addition, she published a list of 524 people requested by the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk republics. Yuriy Tandit, an advisor to the SBU chief, said that the lists published by Savchenko are incorrect and this step may also harm the families of persons mentioned in them. Facebook is known for being an aggressive competitor, one that has in the past eaten up the likes of MySpace, Orkut and now even Twitter. Unless a social apocalypse happens anytime soon, Facebooks 1.79 billion monthly active users are here to stay, and those billion plus users want to watch videos on the platform. According to Cisco, 69% of the worlds consumer-based internet traffic will be generated by videos in 2017. The number is expected to balloon to 80% by 2019. This is a big pot of money waiting to be claimed by content providers and producers alike. Although late to the party, Facebook is charting out a roadmap to blow up video consumption on the platform. To put things in perspective, Faceboook reported 4 billion daily video views in April 2015. In October of the same year, the social network doubled its video views to a whopping 8 billion a day. In Q1 2015, 725 of the 1000 most popular videos on Facebook were stolen from YouTube Is Facebook stealing videos? While these statistics may sound really impressive, theres an ugly truth behind them. According to a report by Ogilvy and Tubular labs, 725 of the 1000 most popular videos on Facebook were stolen from YouTube. These stolen YouTube videos were natively uploaded on Facebook, amassing around 17 billion in views. This made for a huge chunk of Facebooks video traffic in Q1, 2015. Early last year, Facebook changed its strategy from sharing data on the number of video views to hours watched, announcing that its users were watching almost 100 million hours of video content a day. In a bid to promote videos on the platform, Facebook gives more reach and incentive to videos that are uploaded natively, rather than links from other websites like YouTube and Vimeo. When it comes to counting views, Facebook counts a 3 second watch time as a single view, whereas YouTube counts 30 seconds watch time as 1 view. On Facebook, it does not matter if a viewer is watching an autoplay video with the sound turned off. So, a 3 second view will still be counted if you stumble upon a video while are just scrolling through your timeline. Whats in it for marketers? A 3 second view was not enough for advertisers to get their message across. As of now, not much. Up until now, Facebook did not allow pre-roll or mid-roll ads. So to help creators monetise the otherwise professionally made videos they were freely giving the platform, Facebook rolled out its suggested videos programme in 2015. The company decided to split 55% of its video ad revenue with select creators, same as YouTube. The only difference was that Facebook had a workaround to avoid ads inserted in videos. Since most of Facebooks videos are autoplay, seeing an advertisement in the beginning of a video would have irritated its users and killed its viewership. So Facebook came up with a whole new space to show videos to its users, wherein they would be directed to scroll for suggested videos. After a few videos, users would see a video ad, just like watching a commercial on television The problem was that a 3 second view was not enough for advertisers to get their message across. Hence earnings through suggested videos were also minimal for creators. Facebook then gave advertisers an option to pay on a cost-per-view basis, once their ads were played for at least 10 seconds. However, reports suggest that publishers are not making the kind of profits they would have hoped to with suggested videos. As per what a video publisher told The Wall Street Journal, the amount of time and effort spent to produce a Facebook video paled in comparison to the returns. Facebook then introduced Live videos last year and gave publishers an opportunity to collaborate with advertisers to earn revenue. Now, Facebook is finally giving in to the YouTube module of ads inside a video, and is expected to add mid-roll advertisements to any video above 90 second in duration. Publishers will soon be able to insert ads after 20 seconds of video playback. What does it mean for YouTube? It means competition is heating up fast and YouTube needs to sit up and take notice. Aggressive as Facebook is with its videos strategy, YouTube has been a key player in the segment for more than a decade. In 2015, YouTube was barely breaking even. The online video portal posted $4 billion in revenues in 2014, which at the time was pulling down Googles overall profits. Things changed rapidly in 2016 as YouTube video ads helped spur revenues for Alphabet. Still, Google depends on search ads more than YouTube ads as the latter do not result in direct sales conversion when compared to the former. YouTube has also been fighting to keep its star creators on the platform by paying them bonuses in exchange for exclusive contracts. The biggest problem that YouTube faces though is the way audiences access its content. YouTube videos are mostly watched through embeds or links shared on other platforms and websites. Consumers dont really come to YouTube directly, like they do on Facebook. Apart from movie trailers and music videos, other content on YouTube is likely to get a better audience and a larger reach on Facebook. That said, its not like YouTube is being overshadowed by Facebook. However, the company does need to catch up with better advertising strategies and more incentives for publishers in order to retain its streaming prowess. The Netflix and Amazon Prime factor Between this battle for video supremacy, Facebook and YouTube both face a whole new level of competition from streaming juggernauts like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Both platforms are rapidly increasing their user base and content libraries with premium Hollywood and original content, which also takes up a major chunk of online video viewership. These platforms which work on a licensing and subscription module are also fighting in the same space as YouTube and Facebook, with an obvious disparity in the number of users as of now. But, the disparity won't remain for too long as people start scouting for options other than Facebook and YouTube. If there is no clear winner in the video streaming space as of now, the next few years will be crucial for Facebook and YouTube to tip the scales in their favour. Also, with internet penetration swelling by the day, the true test for who can lure more viewers and advertisers has now officially begun. If you are a content producer, its time you dip your toes into this world, because early movers will definitely have an upper hand when it comes to Facebook videos. Let us know which platform you prefer for your daily video needs in the comments section below. B2X will offer 31 walk-in service centers which will be based on B2X SMARTBAR, and will offer support and service for any warranty or out-of warranty related issues B2X has announced that it has partnered with Xiaomi to offer 31 walk-in service centers across India. These service centers are based on B2X SMARTBAR and will offer support and service for any warranty or out-of warranty related issues. This solution is integrated with B2X SMARTCARE Technology platform that provides real-time visibility on all service interactions and the entire, end-to-end service process. Read the complete press release below B2X, the leading technology-enabled provider of customer care services for mobile devices and consumer electronics, announced today that it has been selected by Mi India as one of their strategic customer service partners. Mi India is the Indian entity of Xiaomi, a leading smartphone manufacturer with whom B2X already collaborates in Europe where B2X supports Xiaomis wide array of accessories in multiple European markets. Xiaomi entered India in 2014 and is currently the #4 smartphone manufacturer in India. In a move to accentuate their customer experience further, Xiaomi has expanded their association with B2X to India. B2X has rolled out a comprehensive service offering to 31 walk-in service centers across India, providing premium face-to-face support for people using Xiaomi smartphones. These service centers are based on B2X SMARTBAR, one of the most innovative in-store customer care solutions for mobile devices and consumer electronics. SMARTBAR is used by some of the most successful mobile brands in the world to deliver a cohesive customer service experience. B2X SMARTBAR is a flexible in-store service solution that provides personal support and service for any warranty or out-of-warranty related issues including cross-selling devices and accessories. All services and repairs are performed by certified customer support experts and certified service engineers. The solution is integrated with the B2X SMARTCARE Technology platform that provides real-time visibility on all service interactions and the entire, end-to-end service process from the moment customers enter the store to the moment a repaired device is being returned. We are very excited to help Mi India deliver a superior customer experience in India. Many people around the world and here in India already fell in love with Xiaomis beautiful and well-engineered mobile devices. We will make sure that we exceed their expectations and deliver instant and personal service and support for any question people may have, says Max Grabmayr, CEO of B2X India. Its a great honor for us to expand our partnership with Xiaomi to the Indian market. India is the second largest and fastest growing smartphone market in the world. We are very happy that Xiaomi has selected B2X to help deliver a premium customer service offering to its customers in such a dynamic market environment. We are confident that we will add a lot of value to Xiaomis go-to-market approach in India and the success of the Xiaomi brand, says Rainer Koppitz, Chief Executive Officer of B2X. We had a record-breaking start in the Indian market and sold more than one million devices within 18 days. India is for us one of the most important markets in the world and outstanding service is a key part of peoples overall experience with Xiaomi, says Liu Tao, Overseas Service Senior Manager at Xiaomi. B2X is an important strategic partner for us who helps us expand our service network catering for the continuous massive growth in the Indian market. Fabulous! Vasanth M on Flipkart.com | Aug-2017 Hi guys , This is a simple , honest , down to earth review. I have used all types of Brands like Samsung , One plus , Motorola and Redmi. Never used Lenova . Lenova was not my cup of tea. After reading, doing lots of Google search , reviews , comparsions etc....These are my comments. Why you should buy this model ? ------------------------------------------------------ 1. Display - I don't know what is SAMOLED screen, but the display is very very good. 2.Phone look - The phone is simple, decent . 3.Battery Life - I bought this model purely for it's battery life. Use Google Now launcher , update the system software, all apps, You get very decent battery life. My phone has 24 X 7 either wifi or 4g , I browse a lot, watch you tube , access social media for hours , and play games So in nut shell battery consumption is more ...... Yet I get full day ( 10 hours ). 4. Camera - As I said I'm not a tech guy , I find no issues in Camera , it is one more mobile with decent camera. ( I rarely use it) 5.Quick Charge - The charging is good. You won't find a better phone with quick charge with this Budget 6.No Heating issues - Guys , this phone never get heated at any time. So people staying in cold places don't buy this model. 7.Value for money - This model is purely value for money ,no other alternative, may be Lenova K8 is also an option which will be launched by August 2017end. 8.Performance - Snapdragon - Guys I don't know what is 625 Qualcomm means ? Or what is the tech aspects? But from lay man's point of view , this model is decent ,fast , never hangs , what more do u want ? 9.Ram - I bought the 3GB Ram model during the Flipkart s Independence Sale in August 2017, 4GB model disappeared in seconds , Buy any model 3GB or 4gb but buy it during a SALE, Tyou save good money. 10.Battery Saver - There is button ( Similar to One plus models) on the left hand side. You push up , your phone enters Super battery saver, it is a good option because when ever u don't use data or wifi u can switch to this model by pushing the button (Trust me this is good idea ) Minus points - 1.32 GB ( Now a days we get 64GB for the same price ) 2.Headset - very cheap quality. (Buy Samsung headsets or Mi models) May be when Lenova launches P3 in future ,they will add 64 GB along with good headsets , waterproof , dual Camera etc.... For 12K I got this model and I am happy in terms of Budget, performance, Battery, Display , quick charge . I have not recommended any phones to anyone in my life till date. But for the 1st time , I'm requesting others to buy this model. I'm not writing this review to get likes . This is an honest review. I wish Lenova P2 made headlines like Redmi note4 or Moto G5 . Thanks Vasanth This review helpful helpful? Lovely Flipkart Customer on Flipkart.com | Jul-2017 Quality at its best price. Been a while using it & m loving the smoothness. The battery is somethin I've not experienced before. Lasts longer than a girl friend. This review helpful helpful? Best in its price segment. Mrinal Shekhar on Flipkart.com | Jul-2017 With Lenovo cutting the price of this phone, now it's a must buy in its range. Pros (compared to Redmi note 4) 1. Super AMOLED display. 2. Massive 5100 mah battery. 3. Nougat update available. 4. Fast charging. 5. NFC. Cons (compared to Redmi Note 4) 1. Internal storage (must be 64GB). 2. Lenovo UI. I find MIUI slightly better. Other Cons (similar Cons in Redmi note 4) 1. Hybrid SIM Slot. 2. Camera quality. (In this context i find Honor 6x camera best in this price segment). Conclusion : overall its best considering all factors in its price segment. This review helpful helpful? One of the best under 20k Amartya Adhikari on Flipkart.com | Jun-2017 Everything works fantastic. Ignore bad rumours. 1.Fantastic Display 2.Multitasking 3.Gaming,Sound,Video all are working 4.BATTERY LIFE 5.LATEST ANDROID OS there's only 2 small issues 1.The storage might not look enough for everyone. 2.After the Android 7 upgrade(OTA) the camera quality slightly decreased(Its my personal thought). anyways, THANK YOU FLIPCART Very fast delivery. This review helpful helpful? Must buy! Diptangshu Chaki on Flipkart.com | Jun-2017 A great buy for Rs 12999(Got it for Rs 11699 with credit card)!! 1.Display (9/10) It uses a super AMOLED panel as seen in top end Samsung phones but the quality of the panel is not that great but its good. The screen appears bright and vibrant and the contrast levels are good. Colors are slightly oversaturated but is an absolute delight for the eyes. 2.Build Quality (8.5/10) The phone feels a bit heavy due its mammoth battery but with its 2.5D glass on the front and shining chamfered edges around the bezels makes it look really premium. Due to its curves on its back it has a good grip. The buttons provides haptic feedback and the fingerprint sensor doubles up as navigation keys. 3.Battery (10/10) Battery is the USP of the device.It can last for around 1.5 days with heavy usage with sceeen on time of around 11 hours which is probably the highest in any smartphone.It has support for fast charging and can charge the phone in 1 hr 40 mins with its 24W rapid charger. 4. Camera (7/10) Although it uses a powerful Sony IMX258, the images doesn't come out to be very good. In daylight conditions, the camera takes good pictures with good colors and decent details. But at night the images loses details and appear grainy and is quite hard to focus. The front camera takes good selfies under good lighting conditions but is almost impossible to get a blurred free image under artificial lighting.Overall its an average camera. 5.Sound (8.5/10) Even at this price, they haven't provided dolby atmos speakers with this handset and that is disappointing. It has a mono speaker at the bottom which is a 1.4W speaker.Although it doesn't have dolby atmos support, the sound is pretty loud and the quality is really good.The experience with the earphones has also been great. 6.Performance (8/10) The performance is not the best out there but its definitely quite good. Didn't get any lags while playing medium graphics games but haven't tested high graphics games.The UI is very light and almost like the stock Android with few tweaks and is very responsive.Bloatwares are installed but the good thing is all of them can be uninstalled. You get around 1.4GB of free RAM with no apps running and RAM management is quite good. Overall a great buy at 13000!! Reasons to choose Lenovo P2 over Redmi Note 4: 1. Better battery life. 2. Louder and better sound quality. 3. Gorilla Glass 3 protection(Redmi Note 4 has a scratch resistant glass but no gorilla glass protection). 4. Similar Camera performance. 5. Same Processor and RAM (Redmi Note 4 3GB version). 6.Super AMOLED display. 7. Lenovo's proprietary Theatermax technology (All the contents can be viewed in VR glasses). 8. Support for Fast charging. 9. NFC support. This review helpful helpful? Meets my expectation !!! Y.Navin Raj on Flipkart.com | May-2017 This is a great smartphone which meets my expectation... This Lenovo p2 mobile has very good vibrant and excellent display,and has a massive battery..!!!! And has a good hardware and excellent processor at this price range!!! I liked it very much!!!! This is one of the best mobile in Lenovo, Since I never seen a good mobiles in Lenovo This review helpful helpful? Gr8 Lenovo Avanish Mathur on Flipkart.com | Apr-2017 So i want to buy a smartphone with great battery life and i finally found it.... 3 specs which make this phone class apart 1. what else its 5100 Mah Battery 2. Super Amoled Display 3. Vr Support Except these 3 other pros are: 4. Speakers: though this phone have single speaker at the bottom but its sound is awesome ...loud enough 5. Fast fingerprint sensor 6. Home button can also work as shortcut keys 7. Snapdragon 625 is a power efficient chipset 8. good ram management 9. UI is user friendly and touch is smooth and responsive 10. Ultra power saving mode: i know u all will think that its a useless feature but who know when we will need it . cons: 1. The biggest disadvantage of this phone is Camera. its an average camera but i expected better one at a price of 15k. I think lenovo will fix the issue with the software update 2. No dolby atmos support 3. earphones are pathetic.. i recommend u all to use other good quality earphones and headphones This review helpful helpful? Thanks flipkart Miltan Chowdhury on Flipkart.com | Apr-2017 Get in 4 days.I ordered 3gb variant but I got the 4gb variant..thanks Flipkart This review helpful helpful? Good choice Prakriti Prakash on Flipkart.com | Jan-2017 SD625 is great , back up is good , Sound quality very Good , Display awesome , Ram management also very good. UI is clean no lagging ever . Stock Camera very bad , it has Sony imx258 but camera app gives hazy pictures . Please use Open Camera instead , you can see the difference yourself. This review helpful helpful? Nokia 6 was launched in August 2017 & runs on Android 8 OS. The Smartphone is available in more than three color options i.e.Arte Black, Matte Black, Tempered Blue, Silver, Copper & has a built in fingerprint sensor as the primary security feature, along with the host of connectivity options in terms of 3G, 4G, GPS, Wifi, NFC Bluetooth capabilities. Priced at Rs. 13499 the phone is available with 32 GB of internal storage. The Smartphone is powered by 1.4 GHz Many major Japanese companies after Euromaidan (2014) have been actively conducting economic activities in Ukraine, which is a signal to the rest of the business to invest in Ukraine, Japanese Ambassador to Kyiv Shigeki Sumi said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. According to the presidential press service, during the meeting on the occasion of the signing the decree on celebration of the Year of Japan in Ukraine by Poroshenko, the ambassador thanked the president for the high recognition of his country's role. "It is extremely important. Relations between Japan and Ukraine have never been as close as it is today," Sumi said. The Japanese diplomat noted the significance of the fact that "after Euromaidan a significant number of large Japanese companies began their active economic activities in Ukraine." . "If large companies have begun investing in Ukraine, it means that other companies will invest in your country," Sumi said. He also noted that "the celebration of the Year of Japan is not only important for politicians or businessmen, but also for ordinary people who feel and understand the importance of cooperation between the two countries." Alexander Mining has signed a marketing agreement with a prominent Mongolian commodities expert over the potential commercial use of the AIM company's leaching technologies in the country. Alexander said Dr Jadambaa Temuujin, chief research scientist at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences's chemistry department and with "strong ties" with many mining and minerals processing companies in Mongolia, had agreed to a two-year deal with a rolling mutually agreeable six monthly extension thereafter. Under the agreement, Temuujin will be paid a commission for the first three years of licence commercial use for every opportunity he introduces to Alexander that leads to the company executing a commercial technology licencing agreement and then receiving licencing revenue. "Mongolia, with its favourable location adjacent to China, is a noted mining country and is highly prospective for the discovery of new mineral deposits," said chief executive Martin Rosser. Mongolia's copper and coal deposits have attracted many international and domestic companies, including Rio Tinto, have both been identified and exploited, with the country already a significant exporter of copper, coal, molybdenum, silver and zinc. Alexander pointed out that the Mongolian government is actively exploring ways to increase the extent of processing within the country, while plans are underway to build a centralised copper smelting and converting facility near Ulaan Baatar to reduce concentrate exports. Shares in the company were up 23% to a still-small 0.23p just after 1300 GMT on Wednesday. Physiomics announced on Wednesday that it is making good progress towards the strategic objectives announced in its most recent full year results, posted on 27 October 2016. The AIM-traded firm announced an initial payment by Sareum on 5 December, for modelling carried out by the company in 2010 to support the identification of an optimal combination regime of a Chk1 inhibitor and a DNA-targeting chemotherapy using the pre-clinical version of the company's Virtual Tumour technology. It said the payment was triggered by a number of pre-conditions including the announcement by Sareum on 27 September that its partner, the CRT Pioneer Fund, licensed exclusive worldwide rights for a Chk1 inhibitor cancer drug candidate CCT245737 - to be renamed PNT737 - to ProNAi Therapeutics. On 6 January, the company confirmed the award of a substantial Innovate UK Grant in the field of personalised medicine whose provisional award had previously been announced on 22 November. The project is titled Decision Support Systems For Stratified Cancer Treatment. In line with Physiomics strategic objective to explore the personalised medicine market set out in its full year results, the board said the objective of the project is to create a prototype decision support system to improve cancer care by helping medical professionals make treatment decisions based on patient specific data. The company continues to work with a number of existing clients on pre-clinical and clinical projects, the board said in a statement. In particular, it remains engaged with Merck Serono on a project using the Physiomics' Virtual Tumour Clinical. The Company is in active dialog with existing and new clients regarding extensions and new projects. Physiomics added that it is participating in the Biotech Showcase partnering conference in San Francisco from 9-11 January. During this week in San Francisco most of the world's most successful biotech and pharmaceutical companies attend either this conference or the JP Morgan Healthcare conference that takes place annually at the same time and location. Physiomics has confirmed meetings with a significant number of companies with oncology pipelines. Its board said it anticipates that in the first half of the current financial year, revenues will be broadly in line with the comparable period last year. Looking forward, the company expects that in the second half of its financial year, revenues will be at least in line with the comparable period in the previous year. The company will provide a further update later in the current quarter when it publishes its half year results for the current financial year. South Korea's unprecedented investigation into government corruption has led to Samsung boss Lee Jae-yong being named as a suspect, just weeks after the impeachment of the country's President Park Geun-hye. In December the South Korean tech giant admitted to donating around 16m to organisations linked to the key person-of-interest in the case, Choi Soon-sil. Lee is the current de-facto head of Samsung Group, and a co-vice chair of Samsung Electronics, the world's largest maker of smartphone and tablet devices. Lee admitted that Samsung had given money to help the equestrian career of Choi's daughter, including the purchase of a horse valued at around $850,000. The large scale investigation has so far already included the questioning of two of Samsung's highest executives. Lee was expected to be questioned in relation to the case also, but his naming as a suspect has come as a surprise. Samsung has been accused by authorities in the country of giving large donations to non-profit foundations operated by Choi. She has been charged with coercion, bribery and attempted fraud. Park was impeached by lawmakers in the country after months of accusations that Choi, a close friend of the former prime minister, had used her influence to impact on key business and political decisions in the country. Specifically, the case involving the executives surrounds a controversial merger between Samsung C&T, its construction arm, and affiliate company Cheil Industries. The deal was agreed despite widespread opposition from shareholders. Total production grew at a 1.3% year-on-year clip, bouncing back from the 1.2% decline seen in the month before and exceeding the 0.5% which economists had penciled in. Manufacturing activity was particularly strong, with output up by 4.3% over the year (consensus: 2.7%), recovering from a 0.6% dip in October. Upon seasonal adjustment, total industrial production was flat month-on-month after rising 0.2% in the month before. Factory output rose 0.7% on the month, following a gain of 0.3% in October, helped in part by the depreciation in the country's currency, the peso, according to Andres Abadia, Senior International Economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. Offsetting that was a 1.0% drop in mining output while that of construction fell 0.9% as public sector building weakened as a result of the ongoing fiscal tightening. US president-elect Donald Trump faces the press for the first time on Wednesday since his election victory, as reports of his personal links with Russia surfaced on Tuesday. A series of reports given to FBI director James Comey by Republican senator John McCain were drawn up by a former British counter-intelligence official and published by news site Buzzfeed. Trump has responded to the reports, which have been labelled as "unverified and potentially unverifiable", with a Twitter outburst late on Tuesday. "FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!", Trump tweeted but made no specific reference to the unverified intelligence reports. The reports are dated from June to October of 2016, and contain lurid claims about how Russia has been "cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for at least 5 years". Trump's attorney Michael Cohen also denied that he reports were accurate, describing the allegations in them as "ridiculous". "It's so ridiculous on so many levels," Cohen said. "Clearly, the person who created this did so from their imagination or did so hoping that the liberal media would run with this fake story for whatever rationale they might have." Until now Trump has dealt with the media almost exclusively through short messages published via Twitter, but Wednesday will see him appear at Trump Tower to face questions about the unsubstantiated reports. At midday the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.22%, Germanys DAX was up 0.29% and Frances CAC 40 was 0.12% higher. Meanwhile, oil prices also rose with West Texas Intermediate up 0.7% to $51.20 per barrel and Brent crude 0.7% higher at $54.03. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) will release oil inventory numbers for last week at 1530 GMT. Craig Erlam senior market analyst at OANDA said: Markets have been buoyed in recent months by the prospect of growth friendly stimulus measures promised by Trump during the election campaign including tax cuts and fiscal stimulus. The negatives associated with a Trump administration including a trade war with China leading to protectionism have so far been brushed to one side which could be a big downside risk for the markets this year. With markets having priced in so much already from the Trump administration despite there being a serious lack of detail on the matter, and having overlooked the risk factors, there may well be potential for Trump to fail to live up to expectations in todays press conference. In corporate news, Sainsbury's rallied after it said third quarter like-for-like grocery sales were only just positive but last year's acquisition of Argos helped lift the group as online sales proved a decisive factor over the key festive period. Total group sales for the 15 weeks to 7 January rose 0.8%, with group LFL sales up 1.0%. Supermarket LFLs edged up 0.1% but Argos LFLs climbed 4%. On the downside, aerospace and defence group Cobham tanked as it posted group trading profit below guidance for the year ended 31 December and said it was not recommending a final dividend. Travel operators Thomas Cook and TUI were under the cosh after downgrades by Credit Suisse. The United Arab Emirates plans to invest $163bn (134bn) in projects to generate half of the nations power requirements from renewables by 2050. The big oil player says it wants to balance economic needs with environmental goals. The UAE produces around 2.99m barrels per day (bpd) of oil, of which it exports around 2.44m bpd, according to OPEC statistics. On the World Banks worldwide list of CO2 emissions per capita, the UAE comes eighth below fellow Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The gulf state does however have considerable solar power potential and is keen to reduce its use of fossil fuels. UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum said he hopes that by 2050, 44% of the country's energy needs will be provided by renewables, with 38% from gas, 12% from cleaner fossil fuel and 6% from nuclear energy. "The plan aims to increase usage efficiency by 40% and boost clean-energy contributions to 50%. He who does not think of energy is not thinking about the future. The UAE government has made an achievement in drawing up a unified energy strategy for the country," he said on Twitter. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been the frontrunners with this green initiative. In 2014 Abu Dhabi did just that and opened the worlds largest solar power operating station and Dubai is following suit with its recent plans to construct a solar power plant by 2030. South Korean firms are also constructing four nuclear reactors near Abu Dhabi, which is anticipated to produce 1,400 megawatts by 2020. Elsewhere, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen pledged in November to solely use renewable energy by 2050. UK industrial production in November was much better than expected, data from the Office for National Statistics confirmed on Wednesday, with a strong rebound in North Sea oil and gas output and a cold snap driving heating demand. ONS revealed that UK industrial production rose 2.1% in November compared to October and 2.0% versus the same month last year, which was more than double the respective consensus forecast and reversed the falls from the preceding month. As well as a strong rebound from manufacturing production, the surge was driven by a jump in output from the mining and quarrying category, as the North Sea's giant Buzzard field resumed production after temporary closure in October, while energy supply output jumped on the back of a cold weather snap boosting heating demand. Manufacturing production was up 1.3% month-on-month, beating the consensus estimate of 0.50% and a turnaround from the revised 1% decline from the previous month. Year-on-year manufacturing production rose 1.2% after falling 0.5% in October, better than the expected rebound of 0.4%. Seasonally adjusted construction output declined 0.2% on the previous month, extending the 0.6% fall in October when the market had expected a bounce back of 0.2%. One upside was a 1.2% month-on-month increase in new house building. As part of the ONS's new 'theme day', it also revealed the total UK trade deficit widened to 4.2bn in November from 1.5bn in October, but remained on course for a narrowing in the fourth quarter compared to the third. Sustainable growth? Economist Sam Tombs at Pantheon Macroeconomics said the effect of the surges in oil and energy sector output together accounted for 1.2 percentage points of the 2.1% increase in industrial production, but cautioned that "they do not represent sustainable growth momentum", with manufacturing output's underlying trend "only slightly upwards". Despite the rebound, industrial production in the fourth quarter will be lower than the third, Tombs said, if the month-to-month increase in production is smaller than 0.2% in December. "We think production likely fell in December, despite the improvement in manufacturing surveys at the tail end of 2016, because unusually warm temperatures in December likely depressed output in the energy supply sector. As a result, industrial production likely fell for the second consecutive quarter in Q4 - technically marking a recession for the sector - leaving the services sector as the sole locomotive of growth at the end of last year," Tombs said. Chris Williamson at Markit said the data from ONS, including trade balance numbers, added to signs that the weaker pound is benefiting the economy, especially in terms of exports, which rose 2.8% in November. The conclusion from the trade picture is there we are now seeing some tentative evidence of the economy benefiting from the improved international competitiveness resulting from the weaker pound, but the official data are still not as upbeat as business surveys such as the PMI, which depict a considerably more buoyant picture of export performance." On construction data, Howard Archer at IHS noted that construction output was down 0.1% in the three months to November compared to the three months to August and so will need to have jumped 1.5% month-on-month in December to have avoided contraction in the fourth quarter. "This cannot be ruled out though as construction output can be highly volatile from month to month and December survey evidence from the purchasing managers was improved." Heathrow airport has had a milestone year with a record 76m passengers and 1.5m tonnes of cargo as well as its upcoming expansion with the new runway. The airport claimed that the introduction of larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 have contributed to the increases in passenger volumes as well as helped reduce the airports impact on local communities. December particularly saw an influx of passengers with 6.2m travelling through. Emerging markets in the Middle East and Asia continued to be drivers for growth as well as a strong performance on North American segments. Emerging markets also pushed up trade through the airport during that month, increasing 5.1%, to destinations like Brazil, India and China. Chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: "Heathrow celebrated 70 years as the country's front door in 2016 and I'm proud that we were able to end this year on such a high note. Whether it was welcoming back a triumphant Team GB from Rio or giving that special Heathrow service to a record number of passengers, increasing Britain's trade with the rest of the world or securing Government support for expansion - Heathrow is Britain's airport and we will continue to help all of our country thrive for decades to come." Londons FTSE 250 was down 0.1% to 18,392.02 in afternoon trade, with broker notes providing a good chunk of the action. Evraz was the standout gainer after Citigroup bumped up the stock to neutral from sell. Recruiter Pagegroup was a high riser after it posted an increase in fourth-quarter gross profit and said it expects operating profit for 2016 to be towards the top end of the range of market forecasts. Group gross profit was up 3.8% to 163.4m, marking a record quarter for the group, although gross profit I the UK was down 6.7% to 33.8m, as client and candidate confidence levels deteriorated and activity levels dwindled. Engineers Spectris and Spirax-Sarco Engineering were lifted by a note from Bank of America Merrill Lynch that upgraded both stocks. Spectris was upgraded to 'buy' from 'underperform' on the potential for self-help, with a 2,600p target price, and Spirax was upped to the same rating from 'neutral' previously as it offers "quality and cyclical growth with lower relative valuation", with a target of 4,600p. Debenhams pushed higher ahead of a trading statement on Thursday. On the downside, aerospace and defence group Cobham tanked as it posted group trading profit below guidance for the year ended 31 December and said it was not recommending a final dividend. It a post-close trading update, the company said group trading profit for the year came in at 245m, below the range of 255m to 275m set out in the update back in October. Travel company Thomas Cook was weaker as Credit Suisse cut its stance on the stock to neutral from outperform, noting the shares have risen 63% from the post-Brexit lows and reached its target price and pointing to uncertainty in the UK and Germany. Tullow Oil gushed lower on disappointing production guidance. Following first oil from its TEN field offshore Ghana in August, the company produced an average of 65,500 barrels of oil per day from West Africa and said in 2017 it expects to average between 78,000 and 85,000 bopd, which was below some analysts' expectations. UBM was under the cosh after Berenberg cut the stock to sell from hold and trimmed the price target to 675p from 700p. With the full price of the recent Allworld acquisition (14x 2017E EBITDA) limiting scope for future accretive M&A and potentially putting off trade suitors, we see the risk/reward as unattractive and see better opportunities elsewhere in the peer group. Risers Evraz (EVR) 220.50p 5.76% Pagegroup (PAGE) 411.60p 4.73% Spectris (SXS) 2,484.00p 4.11% Cranswick (CWK) 2,434.00p 3.40% AO World (AO.) 186.80p 3.09% Debenhams (DEB) 54.20p 2.85% Spirax-Sarco Engineering (SPX) 4,396.00p 2.66% Zoopla Property Group (ZPLA) 345.60p 2.40% Greencore Group (GNC) 244.40p 2.22% Centamin (DI) (CEY) 146.60p 2.16% Fallers Cobham (COB) 137.80p -16.28% Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 84.70p -4.24% Tullow Oil (TLW) 312.70p -3.10% Bodycote (BOY) 625.50p -2.87% Stagecoach Group (SGC) 214.80p -2.45% Virgin Money Holdings (UK) (VM.) 322.00p -2.42% UBM (UBM) 730.00p -2.21% Ladbrokes Coral Group (LCL) 119.90p -2.04% Inmarsat (ISAT) 751.50p -2.02% Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 2,891.00p -1.97% KYIV. Jan 11 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Environmental experts hope that the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians put on the UNESCO World Heritage List would be expanded thanks to the inclusion of an additional 6,000 ha of primeval forests in June 2017. "The area of our primeval forests put on the UNESCO list is 29,000 ha and 40,000 ha is the buffer zone surrounding these forests. It is planned to expand the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians by 6,000 ha thanks to five new areas In June 2017 we expect that the World Heritage Committee at a meeting will include these new areas to our preserve," coordinator of volunteer work at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Andriy Plyha said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday. He said that these areas are included in the Enchanted Land national park, Sinevir natural park (both are located in Zakarpattia region), Horhany national preserve (Ivano-Frankivsk region) and two areas located not in the Carpathian Mountains: a parcel in the Rastochie natural preserve (Lviv region) and a parcel in the Podilski Tovtry national park (Khmelnytsky region). Plyha said that this would help to protect the unique forests at the international level. Xaar , a British industrial inkjet technology supplier, has signed an agreement with Xerox corporation to partner in bulk piezoelectric (piezo) inkjet printheads. The partnership capitalises on each companys considerable expertise in bulk piezo printhead development, which will in turn deliver substantial benefits to the market through leveraging both companies market-leading technology to bring consumers a broader range of bulk piezo printheads. "Continued investment in technology and product development, together with strategic partnerships, are key elements of our 2020 vision," said Doug Edwards, Xaars chief executive. Xaars share price rose 1.71% to 427.94p at 1007 GMT on Wednesday. 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. October 30, 2022 Holidays are about making memories and there are so many reasons why visiting Walt Disney World during the holidays is a must-do. Now more than ever, in this fast-paced world, its so important to take that time to give experiences to your families because in doing so, you will be creating memories that will last a Oller: Ranking some of the top games by members of the OSU defense columns KYIV. Jan 11 (Interfax-Ukraine) Coordinator for environmental conservation police of the Ukrainian branch of the World Wildlife Fund Svitlana Matus has expressed the hope that a draft bill on preserving primeval forests will be considered by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in January. "The legislative base for preserving primeval forests in Ukraine is non-existent, and that's why, together with civic organizations and the Ecology Ministry, we have taken the step of proposing a the requisite changes in the law, as well as adding the term "primeval forests" and measures to protect them We hope that the bill will be floored for consideration in January. We need the help of lawmakers," Matus said during a press conference at the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Wednesday. She said changes are also envisioned for the Forest Code of Ukraine, the Administrative Criminal Code of Ukraine and the law of Ukraine "On the natural [land] reservation fund." According to Matus, European legislation protects such forests from being cut down. "We are not only preserving our Carpathians, but balancing our legislation, updating laws to European standards," she said. "Primeval forests each year are growing smaller and smaller. There are less that 50,000 hectares left in Ukraine, and they are all not located in the same place. If we compare this with the land area of Kyiv, which is a little more than 84,000 hectares, then the total area of primeval forests in Ukraine is smaller than the land area of Kyiv. And every year it diminishes in size," she said. As earlier reported, draft law No. 4480, on introducing changes to several legislative acts of Ukraine regarding the preservation of primeval forests in line with the Framework Convention on preserving and maintaining the stable development of the Carpathians was registered in parliament in April 2016. Some 13 lawmakers proposed the bill, which defines the term "primeval forests", as well as imposes a ban on cutting them down, including in vacation communities. Violations would be punishable by fines ranging from 50 to 100 untaxed minimum personal incomes. Photo shows an international nuclear conference held in Beijing in April, 2015. The event, attended by industry insiders from China, France and the UK, was organized by China General Nuclear Power Corporation. [Photo: sasac.gov.cn] The British government has asked nuclear regulators to embark on the process for approving a Chinese-designed reactor for a proposed plant in the UK. General Nuclear Services (GNS), an industrial partnership between French utility firm EDF and Chinese utility giant, China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), is looking to use the design at a planned new nuclear station in Bradwell, Essex. A new statement from the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said the agency had asked the countrys independent nuclear regulators, the Office for Nuclear Regulation, and the Environment Agency, to begin a Generic Design Assessment (GDA) of the British version of HPR1000, a third-generation nuclear technology to which China has exclusive intellectual property rights. GDA is a professional process for approving a new nuclear reactor and usually takes about 4 years. CGN is planning to make several investments in Britain's nuclear power sector, most notably the new Hinkley Point C project in southwest England. The $24 billion project, built by EDF and supported by $8 billion of cash from CGN, gained a green light from the UK government in September last year. The decision to grant Hinkley is seen by some as a move to address concerns that Prime Minister Theresa May was less receptive to foreign investment than her predecessor David Cameron, particularly investments from China which has plans to invest in the UKs infrastructure. Britain needs to fill an electricity supply gap over the next decade as many of its ageing nuclear plants are due to close by 2030 and its inefficient coal plants are forced to close by 2025. Subscriber content preview MOSIER, Ore. (AP) Union Pacific is asking a federal judge to reject local rules that threaten to derail its plans to add a second main track along the Columbia River Gorge where a crude oil train derailed last June. The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad filed the lawsuit Tuesday against Wasco County and the Columbia River Gorge Commission, which moved to block the project last fall. . . . Subscriber content preview ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) A western Alaska village is asking President Barack Obama for a disaster declaration to help residents escape ongoing erosion and thawing permafrost brought on by warmer temperatures. Alaska's Energy Desk reports that the town of Newtok has submitted its request for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The federal money is typically designated for disasters such as hurricanes and landslides rather than the slow-moving danger of erosion. . . . India to foot bill for vaccinating peacekeepers sent to Haiti without cholera vaccination Peacekeeping personnel from India sent to Haiti without cholera vaccinations, a serious lapse on India's part, are getting inoculated there and New Delhi would foot the bill. The peacekeeping personnel who had not received vaccination prior to deployment would be vaccinated and the costs of inoculating them in the field would be deducted from the reimbursements to the countries sending them, Stephane Dujrraic, the spokesperson for secretary-general Antonio Guterres told reporters yesterday. Dujarric's comments came in response to reports that an Indian contingent sent to work as police in peacekeeping operations in Haiti had not been vaccinated against cholera, which had killed 10,000 Haitians in an epidemic that started in 2010. "Cholera vaccination is mandatory for all peacekeepers deployed in peacekeeping operations," he said. "It is the responsibility for member states to ensure that their personnel receive all mandatory vaccination prior to deployment." The UN said there were 440 Indians serving as police in its Haiti peacekeeping operations as of August. Sending police or troops that had not been vaccinated against cholera, to Haiti was a serious matter in view of the magnitude of the toll from the epidemic that was linked to peacekeepers from Nepal and blamed on improper disposal of waste that contaminated local water supplies. Meanwhile, the UN is probing Indian peacekeepers for arriving at the Caribbean country without the mandatory cholera vaccination. Over 100 personnel of the Assam Rifles, India's oldest paramilitary force, landed in Haiti last year in July-August after being certified by the home ministry as having taken the vaccine. The UN is now seeking a clarification from the Indian government as to why it confirmed that the troops had been vaccinated. The UN had been particularly dismayed as it had been accused of causing the cholera outbreak in Haiti in 2010. Green energy push will continue despite Trump, says Obama Renewable energy sources will continue to grow in the US despite the antipathy of the incoming Trump administration, President Obama has said. Power companies are unlikely to switch back to coal, regardless of Trump's plans to boost production of the polluting fuel, the president said. Trump has also said he wants the US to pull out of the Paris climate agreement. But President Obama says this would see the US lose its "seat at the table". The president's views appeared in a policy forum article in the highly regarded research journal, Science. The editors believe it is the first time that a sitting president has written such a feature. In the article, the President argues that a "massive scientific record" shows that climate change is "real and cannot be ignored". Obama also details the reasons why he believes the trend towards a low-carbon economy is now "irreversible". He points to the fact that between 2008 and 2015 the US economy grew by 10 per cent while emissions of carbon dioxide fell by almost the same amount. Obama says that US businesses have increasingly seen the financial benefits from cutting carbon through greater energy efficiency, and he believes that the policies he has put in place have helped US energy production move to lower carbon sources. Citing the examples of corporations like General Motors and Alcoa, the President says the US consumed 2.5 per cent less energy in 2015 than in 2008 while the economy was now 10 per cent bigger. There would be a huge financial penalty if economies don't reduce their emissions, Obama writes. If CO2 continues to rise then global temperatures could go up by 4 degrees Celsius by the end of this century, and that could cost the world economy 4 per cent of GDP. In US terms, that would equate to the loss of federal revenue of between $340 billion and $690 billion every year. Pointedly, Obama says that 2.2 million Americans now work in jobs connected to energy efficiency - double the 1.1 million that work in fossil fuel production and electricity generation. Thanks to hydraulic fracturing or fracking, gas has emerged as a transformative energy source, now accounting for 33 per cent of US electricity production. Coal has suffered thanks to a plentiful supply of cheap gas, a situation unlikely to change under President Trump Despite Trump's plans to revive the coal industry by cutting red tape, "it is unlikely that utilities will change course and choose to build coal-fired power plants, which would be more expensive than natural gas plants, regardless of any near-term changes in federal policy". Even states that supported Donald Trump in the presidential election had moved heavily to renewables. Iowa generated 32 per cent of their electricity in 2015 from wind, up from 8 per cent in 2008. On the Paris climate agreement, Obama said this was a "fundamental shift in the diplomatic landscape which has already yielded substantial dividends". Pulling out of the agreement, as Trump has mulled doing, would see the United States lose its seat at the table, and be unable to hold other countries to their commitments, the President wrote. Continued participation in the Paris process, Obama said, would yield great benefit for the American people and the international community. However, the outgoing president was careful to offer an olive branch of sorts to President-elect Trump. He argued that the targets that the US signed up to in the Paris agreement could be achieved in many different ways and "this does not mean that the next administration has to follow identical domestic policies". Sam Boswell Honda will be hosting the first ever Wiregrass Winter Jam in February, bringing a fun, family-oriented event to the community. Musical performances from ONeal Boswell, Chad Chig Martin and special guest The Alabama Outlaw Band will join the stage to entertain the crowd. The event will be held at the Enterprise High School Performing Arts Center on Feb. 18, beginning at 7 p.m. VIP tickets for the event are $25, with general admission tickets costing $10. There are also preferred tickets at $20 apiece and mezzanine level tickets, which are $15 each. Tickets may be purchased online at www.samboswellhonda.com. I am going to do some originals and play so many foot stomping songs that most everybody knows the words to, Martin said. This night is about fun. But the event will also benefit a worthy cause. The concert will benefit the Wiregrass Wounded Veterans Committees (WWVC) efforts to build a fully handicap accessible cabin at Lake Tholocco on Fort Rucker. All proceeds will be donated to this effort. The WWVC is looking to build a three bedroom, two bathroom cabin at the lake as an unconditional and unsolicited gist with a value not to exceed $225,000. According to the efforts GoFundMe page, the group, which is completely comprised of volunteers, will have no administrative costs. Once completed, the cabin will be donated to Fort Rucker MWR allowing for injured and ill veterans to have American Disabilities Act compliant lodging. Those interested may also donate directly to the cause by visiting www.gofundme.com/handicap-cabin. The WWVC was established in 2010 by the Enterprise Lions Club to coordinate community-wide support for wounded warriors attending the clubs annual Boll Weevil 100-mile bike ride and 10K run. Today, the committee pays for the food, lodging and entry fees of warriors participating in the Boll Weevil 100 as part of their recovery and rehabilitation program. WWVC funds are administered and accounted for through the Enterprise Lions Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To date, the WWVC has donated over $200,000 to participating U.A. Army Medical Command Warrior Transition Units at Fort Benning, Fort Campbell, Fort Gordon, Fort Jackson and Fort Stewart. For updates on the event as it unfolds, visit the Facebook page under Wiregrass Winter Jam. (Global Times) 08:41, January 11, 2017 A Beijing court on Tuesday heard an appeal of a gay rights activist against China's Ministry of Education(MOE) over a textbook that describes homosexuality as a "psychological disorder," after losing her lawsuit at a previous hearing. Qiu Bai (pseudonym), a senior at Sun Yat-sen University in South China's Guangdong Province, sued the MOE before the Beijing First Intermediate People's Court in June 2016, but lost because the court said the plaintiff did not have a "direct interest" in the matter. Two MOE staffer attended the one-hour-long hearing on Tuesday without a lawyer, Qiu told the Global Times. "They kept silent on the ministry's responsibility to review textbooks and on the fact that the textbook has stigmatized homosexuality," Qiu added. The only change in their wording was that the ministry admitted the textbook might exert "indirect influence" on her rights, instead of denying any impact, she added. In the textbook, Consulting Psychology, which was included in Guangdong's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) for college textbooks and published in 2013, homosexuality is defined as a psychological disorder, together with pedophilia, zoophilia and necrophilia. The book also lists subsequent psychological problems caused by homosexuality, describing the causes of the "illness" and provides four methods to cure the "illness." The book recommended "aversion therapy," which includes electric shock, to rid the person of his or her homosexual attachment. The court rejected Qiu's request for a public hearing and failed to rule on the appeal on Tuesday. This is the fourth time Qiu has sued the MOE over the textbook. She dropped her first case after a meeting with representatives from the ministry, since she thought her voice had been heard. Beginning Jan. 1, new common-law marriages will not be recognized by the state of Alabama. This comes after a bill, HB 332 - sponsored by Representative Mike Jones from Andalusia, was passed in the Alabama legislature earlier in 2016, with Governor Robert Bentley singing it on May 3. The bill prohibits anyone from entering into a common-law marriage after Jan. 1. Those common-law marriages entered into before the first of the year will still be recognized and deemed valid by the state. The abolishment of the common-law marriage was brought about by after a state Appeals Judge, Judge Terri Willingham Thomas, urged state lawmakers to do away with it. It was after she issued a dissenting opinion in a divorce case last January in which a Shelby County woman challenged a lower courts decision that she wasnt married by common-law to her longtime partner that Judge Thomas told state lawmakers the practice of recognizing weddings without a marriage license or ceremony was outdated. In her opinion, Thomas thinks common-law marriages are legally cumbersome and lead to confusion and court fights, and with anyone now able to get married, they are not needed. Common-law marriage refers to the legal protection of marriage given to couples who live together as a married couple, but who have not applied and received a marriage license from the state. The legal definition for the union varies from state to state but it usually includes requirements of proof of age, proof of the relationship, such as using the same last name or having a joint bank account. The practice of common-law marriages dates back to colonial times when it was often difficult to find a preacher to perform a marriage ceremony. In the past it was believed that a couple had to be together a period of seven years to be considered as having a common-law marriage, but there is actually not a set number of years that a couple must live together. Once established, common-law marriage is just as legally valid as traditional marriages and requires a divorce to terminate the union. The new Act that ends common-law marriages became effective on Jan 1, 2017, Barbour County Probate Judge Susan Shorter commented. But that does not mean that all common-law marriages are no longer valid common-law marriages that were in existence before Jan. 1 will still be considered valid Jan. 1 is the date that new ones can no longer become valid. Eventually, after several years, common-law marriages will be a thing of the past for Alabama, but for quite some time we will still be dealing with it. With Alabamas departure from allowing new common-law marriages, only nine states are left that will allow such unions to be created, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. They include Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Iowa, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. New Hampshire recognize common-law marriages for the purpose of inheritance only while Georgia (1997), Indiana (1958), Ohio (1991), Florida (1968) and Pennsylvania (2005) recognize any unions created before specific dates. I am sick and tired of reading and hearing on an almost daily basis unsupported diatribe in the media that attempts to portray one of President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet picks, Sen. Jeff Sessions, as a racist. I am certain nothing could be further from the truth. In the mid 1970s as an FBI agent, I worked with then-Assistant U.S. Attorney Sessions when he would be assigned to prosecute my cases in the Southern District of Alabama. Jeff was a constant professional and if he had ever been anything less, I would have avoided him like the plague. My father was a military officer who commanded a black transportation unit in World War II. He never to my knowledge used any racial disrespectful terms, and such terms were not allowed in our home. In all my professional contacts with Jeff, I never once heard him say or suggest anything that would cause me to think he was racially prejudiced. I recall one evening he and I were working late in his office in the Mobile federal courthouse, preparing for a trial. We heard gunshots that appeared to originate from either inside the courthouse or directly in front of it. We both went to investigate. When we got to the first-floor front entrance, we found a young black man dead immediately outside the front door. He had been shot twice by a young Mobile police officer who responded to a call from the courthouse security guard. We learned the young man had become distraught after learning he had once again failed his legal bar exam. He left his family home taking an unloaded firearm with him to the federal courthouse. He confronted the security guard with the firearm and demanded that he be allowed to speak with someone who could get him out of the country. He then sat down behind one of the large courthouse columns. When the officer arrived and exited his car, the man stepped out, raised the gun and refused to comply with the officers order to drop the gun. His actions resulted in his tragic and needless death. While we both worked at the scene to help in any way possible, Jeff repeatedly made comments that expressed his sadness and I observed tears in his eyes. Any time I have been present where Jeff was speaking, he would call my name and tell his audience, He trained me an honor I did not deserve, but one I would gladly accept. Jeff is a brilliant man and a highly competent public servant. I wish all those who serve in public office had the same qualities as those embodied in the character of my friend and colleague Jeff Sessions. Those who attempt to destroy his character and reputation for political reasons should be ashamed. William Land Special Agent, FBI, Retired Dothan Toyota looks to fill the safety gap between Australia's highest selling passenger car in 2016, the Corolla, and its rivals. The Japanese brand has added a suite of safety equipment which includes forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and auto high beam as standard to its range-topping ZR hatch. In response to this added equipment Toyota has raised the price by $450 to $30,020 before on-road costs. Pricing for the rest of the Corolla hatch range remains unchanged. However, Toyota is offering this safety technology - which is standard on rivals like the Mazda3 - as a $750 option on all other grades, including the Corolla Hybrid. This safety upgrade brings the hatch into line with the recent updates to the Corolla sedan range. Toyota has also dumped the manual option from the mid-tier SX, leaving the Ascent and Ascent Sport Ascent Sport the only models offering a non-CVT transmission. 2017 Toyota Corolla Hatch prices* Toyota Corolla Ascent - $20,190 (manual), $22,200 (CVT) Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport - $21,210 (manual), $23,250 (CVT) Toyota Corolla SX - $26,000 Toyota Corolla ZR - $30,020 *All prices exclude on-road costs China 'would have faced a more challenging US without Obama: experts (Global Times) 08:45, January 11, 2017 Chinese analysts believe US President Barack Obama has made the Sino-US relationship "softer" rather than "tense," as the US commander-in-chief prepared to make a farewell speech in Chicago for his eight-year tenure. "Though Obama has taken a relatively tough stance against China in the last two years, without him, China would have faced a more challenging US side," said Liu Weidong, a research fellow at the Institute of American Studies of the China Academy of Social Sciences. Although Obama visited China in less than a year after assuming office in January 2009, the charming relationship between the two countries was followed by ups and downs. His personal appeal earned him a good reputation in the world's most populous nation compared to many of his predecessors who took a tough stance on China. Since 2010, when the US government put forward the regional strategy dubbed "Pivot to East Asia," China often became the butt of accusations made by the US, ranging from cyber attacks on the US to freedom of navigation in South China Sea. Obama's tenure also witnessed President Xi Jinpingtaking over from Hu Jintao, but China's reaction toward the changing US policy remained restrained, said Jin Canrong, associate dean of the Department of International Studies at the Renmin University of China. "There were strategic confrontations between the two countries, but also successful dialogues when Obama was at the helm," Jin told the Global Times. The upgraded high-level US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue has been held annually and strengthened the ties in many aspects. "Generally speaking, the Sino-US relations didn't suffer any drastic change during the Obama administration," Jin noted, adding that the discord between the White House and the Pentagon also had an impact on the bilateral ties of the two most influential countries. The Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement among 12 Pacific Rim countries, notably not including China, was regarded as a flaw of the Obama administration by Sun Chenghao, assistant research fellow at the Institute of American Studies of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. "The US should be more open-minded," Sun said. "It would have been better if the Obama administration had adopted a more strategic policy toward China rather than just finding solutions to problems." The US' plan to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula has also caused huge concerns in the neighboring countries of China and Russia. But Obama's commitment to revising the US climate policy and coordination in nuclear negotiations over Iran also won positive reactions from China, highlighted by a successful Paris Agreementsigned in April 2016 and Iran nuclear deal in July 2015. During Obama's eight-year tenure, the Global Times polls have shown that a large majority of the Chinese people view the Sino-US ties as the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Experts believe that Obama's successor, President-elect Donald Trump, will create more thorny issues for China after assuming power next week. New year, new me. Nope. New Year new films? Yes, loads of them, by this stage we know a lot of them will be a load of old rubbish but not all of them will be. What follows is a sort of round up of some of the upcoming films worth getting excited about in 2017. Next week - music to keep the ears peeled for. Alien: Covenant Ok Prometheus was a load of crap, but is there anyone apart from me who is still holding out that this one wont be? Ok its just me but its not like Im often wrongoh wait. Lean On Pete From Andrew Haigh, director of the brilliant 45 Years comes this adaptation of the wonderful Willy Vlautin novel. Regular readers of this column will know of Vlautins work through his (now defunct) band Richmond Fontaine. Lean on Pete is a racehorse; he and a 15-year-old boy journey from Portland, Oregon, to distant relatives in Wyoming. The film features turns from Steve Buscemi, Chloe Sevigny and Steve Zahn amongst others. Blade Runner 2049 After a hell of a long time we will get to return to the universe of one of the greatest ever sci-fi films, Ridley Scotts Blade Runner. This time its Sicarios Denis Villeneuves turn at the helm. Could be amazing and should be. Metalhead From Derek Cianfrance director of Blue Valentine, a change of pace here, this time the filmmaker is going down the quasi-documentary route with the story of a heavy metal drummer who perforates his eardrums while playing and must learn to adapt to and cope in a world he can no longer hear. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Five years since the pretty dreadful Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges director Martin McDonagh returns with this tale about a woman who goes to war with the local police following the death of a family member. Redoubtable Michel Hazanaviciuss who made the Oscar winning The Artist has finished a biopic of Jean-Luc Godard, one of my favourite filmmakers. It focuses on Godards relationship and subsequent marriage to the then 17-year-old actor Anne Wiazemsky. Louis Garrel plays Jean Luc, Stacy Martin plays Wiazemsky. T2 Trainspotting Is there anyone who is not excited about this one? Over a decade after Trainspottings release, Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle are back. With the ever brilliant Danny Boyle behind the lens, if this is not the ultimate return to form Ill buy a hat and then eat it. Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson/Daniel Day Lewis movie From the two men that brought us the sublime There Will Be Blood, not much is known about their upcoming as yet untitled project but chances are it will be an absolute gem. These boys dont let you down. Much. Weightless A new film from the once wonderful Terence Mallick, given his last two films To the Wonder and Knight of Cups were appalling I wont be having many sleepless nights lying awake with excitement about this, but were still a tad optimistic about this Austin music scene film. It features Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Michael Fassbender, Christian Bale, Rooney Mara and Benicio del Toro. Could be genius, could be dreadful. We will soon know. Wonderstruck The latest film from Todd Haynes, it splices the story of a girl in 1920s New York who grows up to be Julianne Moore with a partially deaf boy in the 1970s Midwest. Based on the novel by Brian Selznick, whose earlier book was adapted by Martin Scorsese as Hugo, Michelle Williams, one of the best actors on the planet co-stars. You Were Never Really Here The brilliant Lynne Ramsays first film since We Need to Talk about Kevin. Her new film is about a war veteran whose attempts to save a young girl from a sex trafficking ring go horribly wrong. Joaquin Phoenix stars. Join me next week for a rummage through what to expect from the music scene in 2017. You lucky people Buoyed by $8 million in seed funding, Yanir Yakutiel launched a fintech start-up in November, last year, to assist small businesses under-serviced by banks and other traditional lenders. The former finance and shipping expert spoke to Dynamic Business about Sail, including the process of raising capital and its participation in the Tel Aviv Landing Pad program established by Austrade in collaboration with the NSW government. Dynamic Business: What service does Sail provide small businesses? Yakutiel: We are an online small business lender targeting the S in the SME. We provide term loans, ranging between $5,000 and $100,000, and can provide funding within 24 hours. This means small businesses finally have fast access to finance, allowing them to better manage their cashflow, expand, hire staff, purchase equipment or stock and much more. We want to revolutionise the customer experience for business owners applying for a business loan. We do this by leveraging big data in real-time to provide a simple, secure and responsible lending solutions to Australian business owners. Dynamic Business: What distinguishes Sail from other lenders? Yakutiel Theres definitely a lot of activity in the fintech space in general and alternative lending in particular at the moment. I believe most of the alternative lenders in Australia are lending companies before they were technology companies. What sets Sail apart is that we are a technology company first and foremost. Weve invested heavily in our user product, back end systems, loan management, core banking software and security features. Our proprietary algorithm uses machine learning to deliver better risk analysis and our security software, which is similar to airport-grade ID security, enables customers to upload personal documents safely. Our technological infrastructure gives us a competitive advantage in terms of scaling. Other lenders have done a phenomenal job, but if were looking at core technology, we are at the forefront in the Australian market. Dynamic Business: What led you to start the company? Yakutiel: Ive been lucky enough to have gained extensive exposure within financial services firms in many corners of the world, including 15 years in investments, financing, mergers and acquisitions, debt raising, joint ventures, and valuations. I also launched, managed and developed successful global businesses across different countries before launching Sail. I started Sail in January 2016, after repeatedly seeing small businesses being squeezed out of credit markets. Small businesses in Australia are particularly under-serviced by the big banks. With the advent of new technology, specifically financial technology, I saw the opportunity to create a technology-based solution to meet the unique funding needs of small business owners. Dynamic Business: Who is Sail backed by and how did you secure support? Yakutiel: Sail is backed by prominent Sydney-based investors and brothers Marc and Gideon Lubotzky, whove joined our board of directors. The key to raising capital was inspiring potential investors and leaving them confident that we could execute the business plan. It is very easy to make a beautiful presentation, but investors want to see someone with faith in their convictions and who is completely determined and focused on executing a well-designed plan. It was also necessary to assemble the right team that reflects a balance of skills, personalities and talents, so as to nail the product and user experience. Ive been very lucky to have built a strong team. Dynamic Business: What went into qualifying for the Tel Aviv Landing Pad program? Yakutiel: Simply put, we met the criteria outlined by Austrade and the NSW Department of Industry. We were asked to outline our vision for the business, scalability, proof of concept and existing funding, along with differentiation factors, our value proposition and market relevance. The eight participating fintech and cybersecurity startups were selected by a joint panel but I think we did a good job at demonstrating our understanding of the market and our customer value proposition. Dynamic Business: What opportunities did the 10-day intensive program provide? Yakutiel: The program was an excellent opportunity for Sail and the other start-ups to learn from Israels innovation ecosystem. It gave us access to world-class thought leaders in tech startups, VC investors, legal practitioners, CEOs & founders, accelerator programs, networking opportunities and access to the worlds biggest tech innovation festival, the DLD Summit. Dynamic Business: What key insights did you return to Australia with? Yakutiel: It really gave us the opportunity to recalibrate our trajectory of what were trying to achieve at Sail. We were able to take a step back, listen to the experts in the industry and better understand the hurdles they overcame, how they managed to scale their business and the areas in which they fell short. The experience allowed us to foresee issues in our own business plan we would otherwise not have realised. We came back to Sydney with a refreshed outlook on where were heading and an expanded network and resources to support us through the start-up journey. Dynamic Business: Does Tel Avivs start-up community differ to Australias? Theres definitely a more established start-up community in Tel Aviv. People are very comfortable working for early-stage companies in Israel, whereas people in Australia are geared towards graduating university and going into a stable job with an established business. Israelis have a high tolerance to risk, along with a mindset where it is okay to question the status quo, and its okay to fail. Its great to see Australia investing in its own start-up ecosystem but there is a long way to go until we reach the heights of Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv & Shanghai. There is always room for the ecosystem to grow, however, and all it might take is a few more homegrown successes. Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a State visit to Switzerland and attend the World Economic Forum on 17th January. Switzerland has always taken the lead in developing bilateral ties with China, more so than many other European or Western countries. Xi's visit to the country will further boost bilateral trade and economic ties, according to Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies under the China Institute of International Studies. The visit is expected to upgrade the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and Switzerland and push forward trade and economic cooperation, Cui noted. Having officially come into effect in 2014, the agreement is the first FTA pact inked between China and a country in Europe. It has been a locomotive to drive pragmatic cooperation in various fields between the two countries. "China has a huge comprehensive economy with a wide range of sectors, " said Cui, adding that the Swiss economy is small but strong, with several industries topping the world in terms of technologies and markets. The two countries are highly complementary in trade. As a result, the implementation of the FTA will further promote bilateral cooperation and benefit the people of both nations, Cui said. Given a sluggish world economy, Cui suggested that the FTA be expanded to more fields. China and Switzerland can seek more in-depth cooperation in Switzerland's specialties such as banking, insurance, futures and other financial sectors. China can also expand the renminbi business in Europe with the help of the agreement. "The smooth upgrade of the FTA will not only invigorate the trade growth of the two countries, but also set a role model for other countries in Europe. The agreement will further expand China's trade and investment in other European countries and accelerate the trade arrangements with them and even the EU at large," Cui said. Cooperation between the two will drive scientific and technological innovation in China, Cui said. Switzerland is hailed as a nation of innovation as it has topped the global innovation index issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization for six consecutive years. Similarly, China has set innovation as a national strategy. The two countries signed a joint statement to establish an innovation strategic partnership on April 8, 2016. Switzerland's spirit of innovation is worth learning from, Cui said. For instance, it has perfected certain industries such as the watch industry due to the scarcity of resources. Likewise, craftsmanship has been emphasized in Chinese society in recent years, which corresponds well with the diligent attitude of Swiss watchmakers. China's economy is not moving in an unhealthy direction, said Xu Shaoshi, chairman of the country's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Jan. 10. Xu made the remarks at a news conference on China's economic new normal and supply-side reform, held by the State Council Information Office. China's economy is expected to grow about 6.7 percent in 2016, and the economy is predicted to exceed 70 trillion yuan (about 10.1 trillion U.S. dollars) for 2016, an increase of 5 trillion yuan, Xu said. Given a steady economic performance, China can maintain its economic growth within a reasonable range, said the chairman, countering predictions that a sharp downturn and hard landing are inevitable. According to Xu, more than 13 million jobs have been created in urban areas, and a total of 16 million people from rural areas are expected to settle in cities. In addition, the country lifted more than 10 million people out of poverty in 2016, relocating 2.49 million people in impoverished regions. The chairman noted that the number of unsold houses has been reduced for each of the last nine months. He said related departments and local governments will take specific measures to cope with high property prices in first- and second-tier cities, as well as high inventory in third- and fourth-tier cities. "Recently, housing prices have been effectively curbed, and the government is creating long-term mechanisms to promote the steady and sound development of the real estate industry, including laws, regulations and financial policies," Xu added. The delivery of 15 new buses to Pristina today marked the beginning of a new era of public transport in the capital of Kosovo. The buses will offer a more comfortable and environmentally friendly service. In June 2016 the EBRD signed an agreement for a loan of up to 10 million to the municipal transport company Trafiku Urban to finance the purchase of 51 diesel buses that comply with Euro 6 emissions standards. The loan was fully guaranteed by the government, represented by the Ministry of Finance. The first 15 buses were delivered today and they will be immediately put into service on routes connecting east and north-east Pristina. The delivery of the first buses was marked in a ceremony in Pristina attended by Shpend Ahmeti, the Mayor of Pristina; Ivo Silhavy, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Kosovo; Lin OGrady, EBRD Deputy Director for Municipal and Environmental Infrastructure; and Elena Petrovska, EBRD Head of Kosovo. Mayor Ahmeti said: The introduction of the new buses marks the beginning of a major reform of public transport in Pristina. They will offer sustainable and modern service to our citizens and significantly reduce pollution. It is the first EBRD public municipal investment in Kosovo. The loan for the buses will be complemented by technical assistance grants. On behalf of the EBRD, Ms OGrady and Ms Petrovska expressed satisfaction with the start of the implementation of the Banks first municipal project in Kosovo. The project also includes the introduction of performance-based public service contracts and a sustainable urban mobility plan with the goal of boosting private sector participation and supporting the sustainable economic development of the municipality. The EBRDs sovereign loan to Trafiku Urban is supported by donor funding of 600,000 provided by the Czech Republic for the preparation and implementation of the project as well as the sustainable urban mobility plan for the city of Pristina. Mr Silhavy said: A well-functioning and environmental friendly public transport provides a prosperous and healthy life for a city. I am delighted that public transport in Pristina is being transformed into a modern system. The Czech Republic is supporting Kosovo on its path to the EU. This means not only political support but also support to improve peoples standards of living. Thanks to the EBRD investment, new buses are entering into service right now. Fewer emissions and less noise, more reliability and comfort this is the message that these buses are bringing. The new fleet of diesel buses will significantly reduce levels of air pollution and noise in the city. They will also improve the reliability, safety and quality of public transport as well as boost operational efficiency. The old buses will be phased out as the new ones enter into service. The EBRDs strategy in Kosovo focuses on strengthening private sector competitiveness and reinforcing the investment climate as well as upgrading public infrastructure and addressing shortcomings in the energy sector. These goals are embedded in Kosovos integration process with the EU. The EBRD began investing in Kosovo in 1999. To date, the Bank has signed 51 projects in the country with a cumulative business volume of close to 220 million. Kosovo became an EBRD member and country of operations in December 2012. 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The illustration was posted on Alibabas official Twitter account to explain the trade opportunities between small businesses in the U.S. and customers in China. However, the maps soon drew criticism for excluding Alaska and Hawaii on the U.S. side, and Taiwan and the South China Sea islands on the Chinese side. We apologize for making this rookie mistake, stated the group on its official Sina Weibo. We offer no excuse for this mistake, but will make an immediate rectification. We hereby offer our deepest apologies. The same day, the original illustration was replaced by a new and corrected version. Ma met with Trump in New York on Jan. 9 to discuss how Alibaba, as an e-commerce giant, can create more jobs by helping U.S. businesses to sell products to China. This was the first meeting between the U.S. president-elect and a high-profile Chinese businessperson. It followed a barrage of tough rhetoric from Trump on China, including threats to impose a 45 percent tariff on Chinese goods and the selection of China critics for important positions in the administration, according to the Global Times. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has declared the rusty patched bumble bee an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). This is the first-ever bumble bee in the U.S., and the first wild bee of any kind in the contiguous 48 states, to receive ESA protection. This landmark decision was made in a race against extinction of the Bombus affinis which is balancing precariously on the brink of extinction, the agency said in its announcement Tuesday. The bee, known for its distinctive reddish mark on its abdomen, was once common and abundant across 28 states from Connecticut to South Dakota, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces, but has plummeted by 87 percent since the late 1990s. Only small, scattered populations remain in 13 states and one province. The rusty patched bumble bee is among a group of pollinatorsincluding the monarch butterflyexperiencing serious declines across the country, USFWS Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius said. Why is this important? Pollinators are small but mighty parts of the natural mechanism that sustains us and our world. Without them, our forests, parks, meadows and shrublands, and the abundant, vibrant life they support, cannot survive, and our crops require laborious, costly pollination by hand. The rusty patched bumble bee is already listed as endangered under Canadas Species at Risk Act and as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Natures Red List. The insect is an important pollinator of prairie wildflowers, as well as food crops such as cranberries, blueberries, apples, alfalfa and more. Bumble bees are especially good pollinators; even plants that can self-pollinate produce more and bigger fruit when pollinated by bumble bees, the USFWS said. Each year, insects, mostly bees, provide pollination services valued at an estimated $3 billion in the United States. According to the invertebrate conservation group Xerces Society, the rusty patched bumble bees faces a number of threats including the spread of pests and diseases by the commercial bumble bee industry, other pests and diseases, habitat destruction or alteration, pesticides, invasive species, natural pest or predator population cycles and climate change. The group and its partners have petitioned the government for the listing of the insect for years. We are very pleased to see one of North Americas most endangered species receive the protection it needs, Sarina Jepsen, director of endangered species at the Xerces Society, said in reaction to the listing. Now that the Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the rusty patched bumble bee as endangered, it stands a chance of surviving the many threats it facesfrom the use of neonicotinoid pesticides to diseases. The use of highly toxic insecticides known as neonicotinoids have been identified as a major culprit to the widespread decline of pollinator species. Germany, France and Italy have banned neonicotinoids and in March, Maryland became the first U.S. state to pass strict restrictions on neonicotinoids for consumer use to protect its bees. https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/713396784282861568 Specifically, the use of neonicotinoids continues to grow throughout the range of the rusty patched bumble bee. A number of scientific articles clearly document the lethal and sublethal effects that these chemicals are having on bees and other pollinators, and their use has intensified extensively within the rusty patched bumble bees range during the same time period that declines have been observed, the Xerces Society explains. The Xerces Society also suggests that the massive rise in the use of the controversial herbicide glyphosate on genetically modified corn and soybean fields in the last 20 years has effectively eliminated milkweed and other wildflowers from the agricultural landscape. While no direct link has been made from the use of these pesticides to the declines observed in the rusty patched bumble bee there is little doubt that stressors like pesticides at the very least put increased pressures on an already imperiled bumble bee, especially when one considers the scope at which these chemicals are being adopted and used, the group points out. Lori Ann Burd, director of the Center for Biological Diversitys environmental health program, also warned that neonicotinoids are a particular threat to pollinators and urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rein in use of bee-killing pesticides. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services wise decision to protect the rusty patch bumble bee as endangered acknowledges the much larger threat dangerous neonicotinoid pesticides pose to all of the worlds pollinating insects, including the 4000 species of wild bees right here in North America, Burd said. Until the Environmental Protection Agency takes the necessary steps to rein in the reckless use of bee-killing pesticides on hundreds of millions of acres on the American landscape, well continue to see declines of the pollinators critical to the long-term health of our ecosystems. Rebecca Riley, senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), who partnered with the Xerces Society to encourage the USFWS to take action on the listing petition for this species, also praised the new designation. Riley called the listing the bestand probably lasthope for the recovery of the rusty patched bumble bee. The final rule listing the rusty patched bumble bee as endangered will be listed in the Federal Register on Wednesday and takes effect on Feb. 10. By Alex Kotch The Trump White House is going to be very, very Koch-y. During the 2016 presidential campaign, billionaire industrialists and Republican mega-donors Charles and David Koch made headlines by refusing to endorse a candidate. But ads in U.S. Senate races paid for by Koch-linked independent political groups hurt the image of Donald Trumps foe, Hillary Clinton, whom they criticized while associating Democratic Senate candidates with her. And the massive ground game of the Kochs well-known political group, Americans for Prosperity, helped turn out thousands of Trump voters in battleground states. From the time Trump picked his vice presidential running mate, Koch favorite Mike Pence, the brothers influence on Trump World has grown ever stronger. From transition team staffers to his cabinet, Trump has brought numerous Koch lieutenants and allies into his inner circle. His taunting of Marco Rubio for being a puppet of the Koch brothers is long gone. Its very likely that Trump is eager to work with Charles and David Koch, who represent exactly what Trump values mostwealth and powerwhich is also reflected in his potential Cabinet of billionaire executives. And though the Kochs may object to Trumps Islamophobia or other select viewpoints, they stand to add to their combined $88 billion through Trumps planned environmental deregulation, privatization, corporate tax cuts and other policies favoring the wealthy to be carried out by his U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pick, who recently sued that agency; his secretary of state choice, the CEO of Exxon; his labor pick, a fast-food CEO who doesnt believe in the minimum wage; and others. Heres What You Need to Know on Six of Trumps Cabinet Nominations https://t.co/fjKLBIfatV @Green_Europe @globalactplan EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) January 7, 2017 David Koch attended Trumps election night victory party. Then on Dec. 21, Trump had an informal chat with Koch at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida (where Koch is a member) about preparations for his administration. The Kochs allies have been helping shape the Trump administration for some time. The liberal Center for American Progresss political arm found that one-third of Trumps transition team, which recommends Cabinet nominees, ambassadors and advisers to the president-elect, has ties to the Koch brothers. These transition team members include Trump mega-donors who are also part of the Koch political network, such as Rebekah Mercer, and employees of Koch-funded think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Institute for Energy Research. Heres a look at some of the top Koch allies wholl be running the government very soon and what kinds of Koch-backed policies we can expect them to champion. The Koch Brothers Darling The Kochs must have popped champagne when Trump announced that Mike Pence, the conservative governor of Indiana, would be his running mate. Pence is adored by the Kochs and their vast political donor network; Ken Vogel and Maggie Haberman described him in Politico as among the best messengers for this new Koch brand in a field of prospective [presidential] candidates who fit some portions of the brothers political bent but not others. Pence has addressed a gathering of Americans for Prosperity, the Kochs most well-known political group that spends millions on elections each cycle opposing liberal policies and helping elect conservative Republicans. This year he planned to speak at one of the Kochs donor seminars, where the brothers meet with uber-wealthy allies and pool their hundreds of millions of dollars for joint political spending, but canceled two weeks beforehand. David Koch gave Pences two gubernatorial campaigns $300,000. Americans for Prosperity ran ads supporting Pence, and the Republican Governors Association, to which Koch and Koch Industries have donated a combined $10.8 million since 2003, spent $4.2 million in 2012 and 2016 backing Pence. Pence, who may be an even more powerful vice president than Dick Cheney, will be in prime position to advocate for the issues about which the Kochs care most, including corporate tax cuts, which he instituted in Indiana, and opposition to bailouts and market regulation. According to Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., Pence will be in charge of both domestic and foreign policy. And hell preside over the U.S. Senate, over which Republicans have a narrow majority. Indiana is one big free market, [and] much like Koch Industries, Mike Pence picks the right fights, said Kellyanne Conway, a Republican pollster whose company has worked for Pence and for Americans for Prosperity. Conway became Trumps campaign manager last August and was recently named a counselor to the president who will help effectively message and execute the Administrations legislative priorities and actions. Conway is also a board member of the Koch-aligned and Koch-funded Independent Womens Forum, which, The Nation reports, has pushed the Koch agenda. Several of Pences former staffers have gone on to work in the Koch political network, including Marc Short, who went from being Pences chief of staff when Pence was a congressman to president of Freedom Partners, the Koch political operations central bank, which gives out enormous amounts of money to right-wing political spending groups. Short returned to advising Pence this summer when the governor joined Trumps campaign and will soon take a job in the West Wing, likely heading legislative affairs, according to the Washington Post. A Grim Future for the Environment Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general who recently sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is, incredibly, Trumps pick to head that very agency. Pruitt has called the climate change debate far from settled. Texas oil and gas investor Doug Deason, who, along with his billionaire father, Darwin, is a Republican political mega-donor and key figure in the Koch political network, pushed for his friend Pruitt to head the EPA. (Doug and his wife Holly wrote a tribute to the Koch brothers last year, supported by Freedom Partners.) Its hard to imagine anyone whose anti-environmental policies would benefit Koch Industries profits more than Pruitt, who is bound to deregulate the environment and encourage fossil fuel production as much as possible, benefiting large fossil fuel corporations like Koch Industries, which operates oil refineries and gas pipelines, sells natural gas and owns tar sands land in Canada. As Oklahoma attorney general, he established a federalism unit to combat unwarranted regulation and overreach by the federal government. As the Chicago Tribute reported, Pruitt defended Exxon against allegations that it knew about climate change for decades and misled the public; fought to restrict clean water protections; and submitted a letter to the EPA that was actually written by Devon Energy, whose corporate PAC donated to his attorney general campaigns. Sure enough, Koch Industries PAC also contributed $10,000 to Pruitts attorney general campaigns in 2010 and 2014. Other top contributors include Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy and ExxonMobil. Whats more, the independent Republican State Leadership Committee, to which Koch Industries has given nearly $1.3 million in the last decade, spent $150,000 supporting Pruitt in the 2010 race. In 2014, Freedom Partners even gave $175,000 the political nonprofit Pruitt directed. Rick Perry is also in a curious position: Hes nominated to lead the Department of Energy, a department that he said he wanted to eliminate during the 2012 presidential campaign (and couldnt name in his famous whoops moment at a debate). Perry may not have been a Koch favorite for president, but Koch Industries has directly given $111,000 to his campaigns over the years, and David Koch has contributed $75,000. But perhaps Perrys biggest fan is Darwin Deason, who gave $5 million last election cycle to a super PAC supporting Perry. As governor of Texas, Perry allowed the expansion of wind energy, but he supported new coal plants and has close ties to the oil and gas industry. The Department of Energy has a big focus on nuclear energy but also regulates the oil and gas industry and leads the governments fossil fuel development. The Center for Media and Democracy got a sneak peak at Trumps likely energy policy by obtaining a memo sent by the head of his energy transition team, a former lobbyist for Koch Industries named Thomas Pyle. Included in Pyles account of Trumps energy plan is a withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, increasing federal oil and gas leasing and green-lighting pipelines such as the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines. Intelligence A Koch favorite has been tapped to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. Mike Pompeo, a U.S. representative from the Kochs home state of Kansas, was involved with the brothers long before his days as a politician; his private aerospace company used seed money from Koch Venture Capital and Pompeo was president of a company that worked with Koch Industries Brazilian distributor. When he ran to represent the district thats home to the Koch Industries headquarters in 2010, Pompeo received more Koch-linked donations than any other candidate that cycle, and after winning, he hired a Koch Industries lawyer to be his chief of staff. In 2014, the Kochs funded his campaign again. The Koch Industries PAC is the single largest donor to Pompeos campaigns, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics. Pompeo is a vigorous supporter of the NSAs surveillance program, wants whistleblower Edward Snowden executed and opposes the U.S. deal with Iran. As CIA chief, its unclear how the Kochs influence will affect his decisions, but in the House he advocated for their causes, pushing the Americans for Prosperity-backed No Climate Tax Pledge and introducing a bill to quicken the natural gas pipeline approval process. If the Koch brothers want to weigh in, theyll have the ear of one of their closest political allies. Education Betsy DeVos, a billionaire and recent chair of the pro-school choice and politically active American Federation for Children, is Trumps pick to lead the Department of Education. Aside from donating $265,000 to sitting senators who will vote on her confirmation, her foundation has contributed millions to Americans for Prosperity and to other conservative political groups backed by the Kochs. DeVos has devoted her life to pushing for charter school expansion and private school vouchers, which use public funds to pay for kids to attend religious and other schools. There is no doubt that she will do all she can as secretary to divert traditional public school funding into under-regulated charters and private schools. Both Charles and David Koch have favored privatizing schools for decades, and many Koch-funded organizations team up on school-choice projects. Corrupt Counsel to Defend Corrupt President Donald McGahn, a lawyer who has worked for Freedom Partners and its affiliated super PAC, will be chief White House counsel. As a member of the Federal Election Commission from 2009 to 2013, he was known for hobbling the enforcement of campaign finance laws in favor of letting big money flood politics and transforming the commission into the ineffective, gridlocked body that it is today. McGahn, who defended Rep. Tom DeLay in a money laundering scandal and in a Russian pay-to-play scandal, will have to defend probably the most conflicts-of-interest-ridden president in history. In other words, McGahn is about the last person who will help Trump dissolve his conflicts of interest or critique a president set to make private profits all around the world while in office. Trumps transition team has even reached outside of the team itself for additional advice from people deeply embedded in the Koch political operation. One of the Department of Veterans Affairs harshest critics, Florida GOP Rep. Jeff Miller, may become head of that department. Trump is considering Miller for the job and members of a closely Koch-linked social welfare nonprofit are advising his transition team on the matter; one employee of the group is actually on the transition team. Concerned Veterans for America, which spends millions every year, often on ads criticizing Democrats or praising Republicans, wants to privatize veterans health care and make firing workers easier. Trump hasnt yet named his selection for Veterans Affairs, but Pete Hegseth, president of Concerned Veterans for America, is also on the shortlist. And its not just the transition team thats looking for help from Koch minionsits Trump himself. As Steve Horn reported in DeSmog, the only person Trump spoke to on the record about a big anti-regulatory act thats been on the Kochs agenda for years was Phil Kerpen, former vice president of policy for Americans for Prosperity. The REINS Act just passed the House on Jan. 5. Another Koch ally, Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Bill Shuster, is hoping to privatize air traffic control under a corporate president who, despite winning several states with the help of union voters, is no fan of unions. Shuster has already met with Trump and the Transportation nominee, Elaine Chao, and indicated that Trump is open to privatization. The congressman, whos received $30,000 from the Koch Industries PAC since 2012, fought a federal wind energy tax credit, in line with the Kochs campaign targeting the program. In 2016, a Koch-funded outside political spending group, American Action Network, put $208,000 toward ads benefiting Shuster. Shusters 2016 campaign manager was Andy Post, who previously worked in media relations for the Charles Koch Institute and was grassroots coordinator for Americans for Prosperity during the 2012 election cycle. Hes now communications coordinator with the Presidential Inaugural Committee. This article merely scratches the surface of the Koch brothers influence on the incoming administration. With one-third of Trumps transition team reportedly linked to the Kochs, more unfilled positions will go to Koch-linked individuals. From environmental regulation to veterans health care, the Koch agenda will be well represented in the White House. Reposted with permission from our media associate AlterNet. By Deirdre Fulton At his senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson dodged questions about ExxonMobils long history of denying climate science, lending credence to claims his tenure would be a disaster for the planet. [facebook https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1416870398325893/ expand=1] When pressed by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) about the major charges unearthed by the ongoing ExxonKnew investigationnamely, that the oil company hid evidence going back to the 1970s of how the burning of fossil fuels impacts the climate, and funded misinformation campaigns to spread skepticism about growing scientific consensusformer Exxon CEO Tillerson essentially pled the fifth, said Oil Change International executive director Stephen Kretzmann. Since Im no longer with ExxonMobil, Im in no position to speak on their behalf, said Tillerson, who recently separated from the company after 42 years. The question would have to be put to them. Kaine asked as a follow-up question: Do you lack knowledge to answer my questions or are you refusing to answer my question? Tillerson responded: A little of both. The coy retort left environmentalists unimpressed. Tillerson is still lying about what Exxon knew about climate change, said 350.org executive director May Boeve, whose group organized a 200-strong anti-Tillerson protest outside the hearing on Wednesday. Asked directly about the companys climate cover-up, Tillerson demurred and denied. We need a secretary of state who acknowledges that the climate crisis requires bold action, not an oil industry CEO who is dedicated to spreading misinformation. Added Carroll Muffett, president of the Center for International Environmental Law: The universe of subjects Rex Tillerson knows, admits to knowing, or is permitted to speak to is vanishingly small for someone who would be the U.S. voice to the world. Listening to his hearing, it would be easier to conclude Tillerson is under criminal investigation than under consideration for secretary of state. Greenpeace activists hold banners reading Reject Rexx outside the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., January 11, 2017, before the start of a confirmation hearing on the nomination of former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State in the incoming Donald Trump administration. Pat Ryan / Greenpeace Meanwhile, InsideClimate News reporter Neela Banerjee noted that Tillerson answered questions about whether the United States would remain in the Paris climate accord in a such a non-committal way that he left open the possibility for the Trump administration to ditch the agreement or pull out of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as some of the Presidents team have recommended. And when questioned about whether human activity is contributing to climate change, Tillerson also failed to give a straight answer. The increase in greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere are having an effect, he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Our ability to predict that effect is very limited. In fact, Banerjee wrote, [t]hats incorrect. Climate scientists have gotten an increasingly fine-grained view of the effects climate change is having and could have, including longer and more intensive heat waves and droughts, sea level rise and its impact on coastal communities, loss of species, increase in pests, and constrained water resources. ExxonMobil itself has for decades been preparing for rising sea levels, warming temperatures and increasing storm severity caused by climate change, as the Los Angeles Times reported in its 2015 ExxonKnew investigation. If after 40 years of climbing up the company ladder and 10 years at the helm, Tillerson lacks knowledge about ExxonMobil corporate strategy on climate changeincluding its role in spreading climate disinformation and funding denial groupsthen he should have been fired as CEO long, long ago, declared Kathy Mulvey, climate accountability campaign manager for the Union of Concerned Scientists. And as someone who continues to disparage climate models, he is unfit to lead the U.S. and world on climate action. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Swiss flag flies over Lake Geneva on May 10, 2016. Muslims parents in Switzerland may not exempt their girls from having swimming lessons with boys, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled after a hearing. The court, based in in Strasbourg, France, said that Swiss authorities had acted legally by giving precedence to enforcing "the full school curriculum" and the children's "successful integration" into society. The court rejected the case brought by a Muslim couple in the Swiss city of Basel who cited religious reason in wanting their two elder daughters, pre-pubescent at the time, to sit out swimming lessons with boys. In its statement the European court said the refusal to exempt the girls had interfered with the right to freedom of religion. But it also said the law involved was designed to "protect foreign pupils from any form of social exclusion" and Switzerland was entitled to design its education system according to its own needs and traditions. Schools, it said, play an important role in social integration, and exemptions from some lessons are "justified only in very exceptional circumstances." The Muslim couple who brought the case are both Swiss nationals, of Turkish origin, refusing to send their daughters to the compulsory mixed lessons in the city of Basel. PARENTS FINED In 2010, the parents were fined 1,400 Swiss francs ($1,382) in the first move of its kind after they withdrew their daughters aged seven and nine from the school swimming lessons. They also lost their appeal at a cantonal (state) administrative court a year later. The Basel court stated that it was greatly "in the public interest that all children, including girls of the Muslim faith, go to school swimming lessons." It said this was not only so that they should learn to swim but also because such lessons encouraged socialization and integration. The European Court of Human Rights' decision described the parents as "fervent practitioners of the Muslim religion." The parents had said it was against their religious convictions to send their children to mixed swimming classes and that it violated Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights on the freedom of religion. They argued the school had rejected their request for their daughters to attend single sex swimming classes in another school. In their defense the parents said although the Qur'an does not call for the female body to be covered until puberty, their beliefs "required them to prepare their daughters for precepts that would be applicable from puberty." In 2016, officials in Basel suspended the citizenship process for the family of two teenage Muslim brothers who refused to shake hands with female teachers. Switzerland has also applied the law to other cases - a man of Bosnian origin was fined last year for refusing to allow his daughter to take part in swimming lessons during school hours, among other activities. Muslims account for around 5.6 percent of Switzerland's 8.2 million people while more than 70 percent of the polulation consider themselves to be Christians. (Photo: Russian Orthodox Church)Russian Patriarch Kirill and Russian President Vladimir Putin light a candle in 2015. President Vladimir Putin has offered another sign he is prepared to coalesce Christian belief with national stability as he congratulated Orthodox Christians and all Russian citizens celebrating Christmas. "The Russian Orthodox Church, other Christian denominations are playing a huge, truly unique role in reviving the high ethical, moral values, guarding our rich historical and cultural heritage," said Putin in a Christmas message Jan. 7, Interfax news agency reports. Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas around the time that Christians further West celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, on Jan. 6 when wise men brought gifts for the baby Jesus after his birth. The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world with the overwhelming majority of Christians in Russian belonging to the church. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates religious holidays according to the Julian calendar while most non-Orthodox Christians as well as Orthodox believers from some churches use the Gregorian calendar which the Russia has done for secular purposes since 1918. In his praise of Christians Putin said, "They increasingly cooperate with State and public organizations in the cause of education, enlightenment and charity, in strengthening the institution of family and bringing up the young generation." According to the Kremlin press office the Russian president said, "The Christmas days are shining a special joy onto our lives, awakening the kindest feelings, turning us towards spiritual sources and traditions. "This is the time for good thoughts and deeds, sincere care for our loved ones and those who need help and support." 'PRESEVERING CIVIL PEACE' Orthodox believers and Christians "are doing a great deal for harmonization of the inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue, preserving civil peace and accord in our country," said Putin. "Such a big and constructive effort deserves deep gratitude and respect." He wished "best wishes of health, success and well-being to Orthodox Christians and all Russian citizens celebrating Christmas." Putin favors the Russian Orthodox Church due to its patriotic and socially conservative message and has expanded massively in the country recent years, Christian Today reports. Mark Woods writing in the newspaper said that accession in 2009 of Moscow Patriarch Kirill, a Putin loyalist, about 5,000 more churches have been built or recovered from secular use, and the church has recruited 10,000 more clergy, and 122 monasteries have been founded. In Moscow alone 160 new parishes have been founded. "While Putin makes a point of including 'other Christian denominations' in his Christmas message, many Russian Christians have deep concerns about the effects of the 'Yarovaya Law' passed last year, a sweeping expansion of anti-terror and public safety measures. Among its effects are a draconian clampdown on evangelism and missionary activity," writes Woods. The New York Times reported Sept. 13, 2016 that Russia has used tanks and artillery to project its power into neighboring Ukraine and Georgia, but "Putin has also mobilized faith to expand the country's reach and influence." "A fervent foe of homosexuality and any attempt to put individual rights above those of family, community or nation, the Russian Orthodox Church helps project Russia as the natural ally of all those who pine for a more secure, illiberal world free from the tradition-crushing rush of globalization, multiculturalism and women's and gay rights," wrote Andrew Higgins in the Times. Over the past two decades, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, there has been an upsurge in affiliation with Orthodox Christianity in Russia, the Pew Research Center said Feb. 14, 2014. Pew said that between 1991 and 2008, the share of Russian adults identifying as Orthodox Christian rose from 31 percent to 72 percent citing data from from the International Socail Survey Programme (ISSP). Changes to the way spending on schools must be reported under the Every Student Succeeds Act along with a dramatic political fight in Washington about proper use of federal money in schoolsare part of the picture as schools prepare for the new environment under ESSA come the 2017-18 school year. With the election of Donald Trump to the presidency and Republicans continued control of Congress for at least the next two years, the prospects for increased education funding are not stellar in the near future. As an authorization bill, ESSA did not by itself increase or decrease the amount of money available for various federal education programs. That job is up to the lawmakers in charge of appropriations, subject to approval by the full Congress and the president. Meanwhile, budget caps are still in place for federal spending after years of acrimonious spending negotiations (including the portions of the budget that pays for education). But with unified control of Congress and the White House, Republicans are in a position to significantly recast the federal budget. Last month, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed a continuing resolution for the federal budget that funds the government through April 28. The resolution does not make significant changes to K-12 funding and puts off longer-term education spending issues until later this year. In the near future, it will likely be tough to get additional money from Congress for major education programs that undergird ESSA, said Noelle Ellerson Ng, the associate executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association. Its possible Congress could cut overall domestic spending, creating competition for funding among programs within the Education Department, as well as between the department and other domestic agencies, she said. I dont see Congress coughing up the money to support the bill they passed a year ago, Ellerson Ng said. I think its a missed opportunity because there was great, strong, bipartisan work to move a reauthorization of ESEA. Consolidating Programs Digging deeper, a part of ESSA that consolidates many federal programs into block grants for states and covers areas like the arts and education technology is authorized for $1.6 billion in the law. But in budget requests and bills from President Barack Obama and House and Senate lawmakers who deal with appropriations, that section of the law (called the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant) has fallen far short of the authorized amount. That prospect has worried many educators and advocates for a variety of educational interests, from STEM groups to organizations promoting the arts. For example, under the Senate proposal to fund that section of the law at $300 million, many districts might get only $7,000 to $8,000 to spend in their block grants, a small sum for most districts. Priorities for ESSA Funding In a September 2016 survey, district leaders identified the areas they would be most likely to fund using money from the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant, a new block grant created under ESSA. More than half of survey respondents (57 percent) reported they would be most likely to devote the funding to efforts to increase students access to STEM programs. Source: Education Week Research Center, 2017 In a September 2016 survey conducted by the Education Week Research Center, 57 percent of district leaders said theyd be most likely to spend any such block grant on increasing students access to STEM programs. And although a weighted-student funding pilot included in ESSA got a decent amount of attention when the bill passed just over a year ago, the Education Department reported that as of November, there was still no such pilot program for weighted funding ready for districts to apply to. Uncertainty for a Touchy Rule One of the sharpest debates about school funding under ESSA took on added complexity when Trump was elected, and was still roiling at the time this report went to press. The Obama Education Department had proposed regulations designed to shift up to $2 billion in state and local education funding to Title I schools, meaning those with a relatively high share of low-income students. The proposal had four different options for districts to comply with the part of the law requiring federal aid to supplement, not supplant state and local K-12 money, and the department said its proposal would ensure that needy students got a bigger and fairer share of the pie. But Republicans in Congress, teachers unions, and state and district education associations heavily criticized the draft rules as Washington overreach, impractical, and potentially harmful. With Trumps victory, the prospects for those Obama proposals dimmed further. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the chairman of the Senate education committee, said soon after the election that the Obama proposals for ESSA spending would be killed off. Yet even if that were to happen, federal officials eventually would need to settle on a way of handling oversight of the supplemental-money requirement. The draft rules fate remained unclear as of press time for Quality Counts. Separately, ESSA itself contains potentially significant financial flexibility for districts in a few ways. The statutory language covering the supplemental-money rule says that states no longer have to itemize their costs to show that federal money is being used on top of state and local money for schools. And under the law, states now have the power to grant districts waivers of the requirement that only schools in which at least 40 percent of students are from low-income backgrounds can use Title I aid (those dollars earmarked for disadvantaged students) for schoolwide purposes. Per-Pupil Spending Transparency One important shift in ESSA doesnt focus exclusively on federal money, said Michael Griffith, an independent school finance consultant: the requirement that states must report per-pupil spending at the state, district, and school levels on their public report cards. I think at the district level, [people] understand how big a deal that is, but people at the state level dont get that as much, Griffith said. You ask state policymakers now: Will that cause an issue for districts? They say, No, they probably already budget that way anyway. The answer is, they dont budget that way. Another potential difficulty for states is what exactly is included in those per-pupil spending figures. Various districts might make very different decisions on that score that arent immediately obvious to parents, policymakers, and others who see and react to the numbers, said Nora Gordon, an associate professor of public policy at Georgetown University who studies school finance. You know that people are going to look at that stuff nationally. Theyre going to look at districts across states, Gordon said. And given that Republicans will now control the presidency as well as Congress, its unlikely that federal lawmakers and other Washington officials will show interest anytime soon in dictating requirements on that issue to state and local leaders, Gordon added. This week, as Ive done for the better part of a decade, Im releasing the annual RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings. The 2017 results are an attempt to recognize the myriad ways in which academics can contribute to public discussion of educational practice and policy. This year, however, on the cusp of Donald Trumps inauguration and after two months of provosts and education school deans proclaiming that Trumps victory marked the triumph of bigotry, xenophobia, and misogyny, its hard for me to dwell on the role of public scholarship without reflecting on scholarly biases. As I see things, the ability of education researchers to inform discussions of practice and policy is hampered by their community being so philosophically unrepresentative of the nation as a whole. Its no great secret that the American professoriate leans left. Liberal college faculty outnumber their conservative counterparts nearly 5-to-1, a tilt that has grown steadily more pronounced over the past quarter-century. In their 2016 Oxford University Press book Passing on the Right, Jon Shields and Joshua Dunn note that the self-identified conservatives make up 5 percent to 17 percent of faculty in social science and just 4 percent to 8 percent in the humanities in American colleges and universities. At this point, some readers will surely protest, Rick, what are you talking about? Education research does not lean left. They will note that there are education researchers who endorse and those who oppose testing and test-based teacher evaluation. That some look favorably upon charter schools and Teach For America, and that others are more skeptical. Doesnt this suggest a broad ideological spectrum? In a word: No. How Left-Leaning Are Universities? Explore the geographic distribution of 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholars concentrations and the political composition of their universities faculty. Source: Mitchell Langbert, Anthony J. Quain, and Daniel B. Klein (Econ Journal Watch, 2016); Associated Press These differences over policy instruments dont actually reflect much heterodoxy regarding some of the fundamental value differences that shape the nations public debates. Whatever their take on teacher tenure, college access, or online learning, for instance, university-based education scholars tend to frame their findings in race-conscious terms, justify recommendations with reflexive claims of equity, and casually nod assent when education school deans send out missives attributing the president-elects victory to xenophobia and misogyny. I know, I know. To university-based education researchers, all this can seem innocuous, unobjectionable, and even inevitable. But this manner of thinking and talking reflects one shared worldview, to the exclusion of others. While education school scholars may almost uniformly regard a race-conscious focus on practice and policy as essential for addressing structural racism, a huge swath of the country sees instead a recipe for fostering grievance, animus, and division. What those in ed. schools see as laudable efforts to promote equitable school discipline or locker-room access strike millions of others as an ideological crusade to remake communities, excuse irresponsible behavior, and subject children to goofy social engineering. Many on the right experience university initiatives intended to promote tolerance and diversity as attempts to silence or delegitimize their views on immigration, criminal justice, morality, and social policy. For readers who find it hard to believe that a substantial chunk of the country sees things thusly, well, thats kind of the issue. See Also For more in this package, please visit: The Leftward Tilt of Education Scholarship Now, lets be clear: I am not suggesting that those who see things from the right are correct. I am suggesting that our views are principled and legitimate, and that were dumbstruck by the suggestion that they constitute little more than an attempt to rationalize bigotry or injustice. And, while those who see these things from the right make up a substantial part of the country, we are nearly invisible among university-based education researchers. Who Are the 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholar Rising Stars? This table lists the top 10 junior scholars who have not yet received tenure, according to the 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings. Many champions of diversity are entirely unbothered by this absence. Neil Gross, a sociologist at Colby College who studies diversity in academe, told Inside Higher Education last spring that he doesnt consider ideological homogeneity a problem because he hasnt seen any evidence that conservatives make for better theorists or methodologists. There are many possible responses to this, one of which is to ask what this logic means for those championing racial or gender diversity. Ill simply note that the rationale for intellectual diversity is not that conservatives are better at X, but that they ask different questions, bring different assumptions, and see things differently. Practically speaking, the result of the academys tilt is that, as the Trump Department of Education gears up for the next four years and the two-thirds of governors who are Republicans plan their agendas, university-based education researchers have been on the periphery. Im not giving away any great secret when I note that Trumps education team, conservative leaders, or the two-thirds of state legislatures controlled by Republicans are far more likely to look to think tanks or advocacy groups than to implacably hostile universities for input and guidance. This is unfortunate. When the range of scholarly views on fraught questions can be reduced to settled dogma, education scholars turn into little more than a readily discounted interest group. Indeed, Im always struck when the American Educational Research Associationcharged with speaking for thousands of theoretically diverse scholarstakes pointed, predictably progressive stances on politically sensitive questions, as if there were not sincere disagreements about the core issues and how the relevant research ought to be read. The Public Influence of Edu-Scholars Linda Darling-Hammond, Diane Ravitch, and Gloria Ladson-Billings took the top three spots in the 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings. Click on the chart below to learn who took the other two spots. (The affiliations cited are drawn from the scholars CVs.) One response is to assert that this just shows that the real scholars are in general agreement, and that only shallow ideologues see things otherwise. But those who have bothered to read their Burke and Kirk, Tocqueville and Hayek, Nock and Nash will, I think, recognize how bizarre a conceit that is. I think its truer to say that right-leaning education researchers feel unwelcome in the academy and have thus migrated almost wholesale to think tanks and advocacy groups. I dont think this is good for research, policy debate, or scholars on the right or on the left. What might we do about any of this? Scholars should make it a point to engage with those outside of their philosophical comfort zone, and to explore the work of serious thinkers who see the world from the right. They should seek out and welcome lines of inquiry that start from premises inimical to their own. They should encourage their schools and departments to seek scholars and students who arent just racially or methodologically diverse, but also those who come at big questions with different assumptions and values. Admittedly, this means the academy would feel less a cozy refuge for those who grimace at the mention of Fox News or Jeff Sessions and who seek a community where their beliefs are widely shared and regularly affirmed. Im not saying it would be fun. But I am saying that its the price of relevance and the hallmark of responsible public scholarship. Chinese President Xi Jinpingwill pay a visit to Switzerland in mid-January and attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 (WEF 2017) to be held in Davos, China's foreign ministry announced on Tuesday. Leading a high-level delegation, Xi will be the first Chinese President to attend the event. Xi's attendance not only reflects China's high attention to the WEF, but also demonstrates the country's resolve to promote global governance and to cope with global challenges. Advocating globalization, the WEF is known as the highest-level unofficial meeting on global economy. China has kept a good relationship with the forum and sent delegations to the forum for many times since 1979. In 1991, the WEF President Klaus Schwab visited China with the aim to invite the then Chinese premier to attend the meeting. Since then Chinese leaders have led delegations to the event several times. Over the past years, Schwab attached great importance to WEF's cooperation with China. He proposed to hold the Summer DavosForum in China in 2005, which has been held annually for 10 consecutive years. Moreover, the Chinese economy has been a hot topic at the forum over the last decade, becoming enormously popular among the participants. China's economic new normal, foreign investment and technological innovations have been frequently mentioned by the participants attending the forum. Scholars who have attended the meeting pointed out that it is not imaginable to hold a WEF meeting without the attendance of China. Serving as an engine to global growth, China's contribution to the world economy surpassed 30 percent in 2016, according to statistics. For the organizers and participants of the WEF, China plays a decisive role in the event. Though the world has witnessed a sluggish economy following a 60-year golden era of growth, as well as the emerging anti-globalization and protectionism in some developed countries, China has never shed its responsibility as a major country to promote global governance and regional integration, restoring confidence of the international community. As a result, the country's "Belt and Road" initiative has been widely recognized by the world. China is now approaching the center of the world stage, contributing efforts to global growth and governance. Schwab stressed on many occasions that China has achieved an impressive success through reform and opening up and hoped the whole world could share the country's experiences and concepts in development. The world economic governance needs a change, calling for more guidance from China. WEF 2017 is expecting China to make more achievements. For the 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings , Education Week Commentary and Frederick M. Hess, the creator of the rankings, decided that the politics of scholarship on the eve of the Trump presidency would prompt an interesting and important conversation for those inside and outside the academy. For this special section, Hess offers his own thoughts on the leftward tilt of education scholarship, while three education and policy scholars were invited to respond to the following query: Its no great secret that the American professoriate tilts to the left, particularly in the social sciences and humanities. The disjuncture between the academic mainstream and a large swath of the American public was especially evident during the heated presidential campaign and, more recently, in the course of the Trump transition. What should public-minded academics make of this? Is it a problem if academic sentiment generally aligns with one side of the political spectrum? Does it create challenges for the academy or limit the ability of academics to offer policy ideas or engage in a more robust public debate? What, if anything, should publicly engaged academics try to do about any of this? The Global Challenge: Education in a Competitive World Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Education Week, American educations newspaper of record, released Quality Counts 2012 on Jan. 12. The event featured the governor of this year's top-ranked state, former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and other education leaders. This year, the 16th edition of the reportThe Global Challenge: Education in a Competitive Worldtakes a critical look at the nations place among the worlds public education systems and provides a fresh perspective on the political, social, and cultural challenges America faces in meeting the demands of an interconnected world economy. To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020. The EU, working together The Economic Resilience Initiative forms part of the joined up EU response to the challenges posed by forced displacement and migration, and is implemented in close cooperation with EU member states, the European Commission, donors and other partners. Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom have all made vital contributions to the Economic Resilience Initiative. To make a difference in the partner countries, the EIB is building on over three decades of experience supporting investment projects in the region. Given the urgency and importance for the EU, the EIB has started stepping up its support to the two regions in late 2016 as part of its own commitment to the Economic Resilience Initiative. With the arrival of the first donor contributions towards the end of 2017, the Bank has also started preparations on high-impact projects, which depend on support from donor resources. Video: Building economic resilience in Europes neighbourhood Panicked tourists were stuck in the air for half an hour following a sudden machinery malfunction on the night of Jan. 10 at Shanghai Disneyland. No injuries or casualties were reported. Some tourists had reportedly queued up for two hours to experience "Soaring Over the Horizon," one of the hottest attractions in the park. Seniors citizens and children sitting in the front row were stranded for the longest time and appeared somewhat emotional, witnesses said. Some tourists were complaining because they missed the fireworks show due to the incident. Meanwhile, staff members explained that they had no idea what the status of the machinery was, as they were just shift workers. Each affected tourist was given a free pass to "Soaring Over the Horizon" as compensation. Shanghai Disneyland has yet to issue a statement about the incident as of press time. A university in western China's Shaanxi province has reportedly taken a new and drastic step to save water, installing a batch of female urinals on its two campuses. According to a Wechat account @zhiboxian (Xi'an Livestream), the university claimed the devices can save 160 tons of water every day. The urinals quickly became an Internet sensation, though many netizens have been wondering how they will work. The university has not yet offered an official response. (File photo) Air China Cargo has officially announced its company-wide ban on transporting shark fins, making its mother company the first airline from the Chinese mainland to ban the products, which have caused the overhunting of sharks in many waters. Air China Cargo has a long-standing commitment to playing our role in a more sustainable world. We understand the communitys desire to promote responsible and sustainable marine sourcing practices, and this remains important to Air China Cargos overall sustainable development goals, wrote Air China Cargo, an affiliate of Air China, in a press release on Jan. 6. The company added that it is one of the first airlines in China to raise awareness about the unsustainability of the global shark trade. We applaud Air China for taking an ethical stance on this issue to help protect sharks and help our oceans, said Alex Hofford, a wildlife campaigner with the NGO WildAid. Hofford petitioned Air China to ban shark fin cargo in December 2016. In a WildAid press release, the organization also called on FedEx to take action to save sharks, and said it would approach more Chinese airlines in the future in an attempt to widen the ban. Full enforcement of shark fin bans by airlines and shipping lines is vital to their success. Airlines and shipping lines should strictly check that shark fin cargo presented for shipment is not being simply mislabeled and shipped as seafood, dried seafood or dried marine products etc, WildAid stressed in its press release. Air China is the 36th international airline to ban the transportation of shark fins, along with another 17 international shipping companies. In July 2016, China COSCO Shipping Corporation also banned the transport of shark fins, Thepaper.cn reported. Despite being a nation enamored with shark fin as a delicacy, Chinese citizens are also increasingly aware of shrinking shark populations, along with other wildlife protection causes. In addition to many restaurants skipping dishes with shark fins, a number of shops have also enacted "no shark fin" policies, as more and more of the public sees shark fins as a brutal violation rather than food. CBS network's police procedural drama series, NCIS: Los Angeles, returned on televisions the other day, and it was just the beginning of another set of episodes that are definitely going to excite fans and followers of the action drama series. Just this Sunday, the CBS show came back and aired its twelfth episode for the eight season entitled 'Kulinda', where it featured character Sam Hanna, portrayed by actor LL Cool J, to go undercover for the investigation of the culprit behind a councilman's bodyguard murder. The episode also featured Daniela Ruah's character, Kensi Blye with the team's psychologist, where she had faced some questions regarding her recovery and if she would be able to come back on her job and be a hundred percent capable. She subsequently begged for her job and her future with it and the character's struggle in the episode was really shown in the episode. According to a report from Glamour, NCIS: Los Angeles stars Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen, who plays the character Marty Deeks, have shared in an interview that the story involving Special Agent Kensi Blye and her mental and emotional struggles has been an important part of the storyline this season. "It's really a wonderful thing that they are taking the time to highlight a character as strong as Kensi", Olsen mentioned. He added that he appreciates and has been praising Ruah for portraying a very important role in the series. It was also reported that Ruah feels like she is being inspired by the character on the show, saying This is one of the most intense and rewarding arcs I've played on this show. She is me; I am her. I really like being able to show emotions that I don't normally feel." According to the aforementioned source, the next episodes of the second part of season 8 is going to feature more of Kensi and a possibility of her returning to her job on NCIS and how she will recover and go back to her normal life. Meanwhile, a report from TV Line suggested that it will not be a long time when the viewers finally find out the mole or moles, on the team. Actor Chris O'Donnell, who portrays one of the main characters, Special Agent G. Callen, revealed that they have already filmed the episode where his character finds out that someone close to him is not who he thought the person was. Although the actor did not reveal further details about the said mole, he assured that the next incoming episodes will be more exciting as more revelations are going to be revealed. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 13, is scheduled to air on January 15, 2017 on CBS. In a surprising development, Ben Affleck was spotted with a blonde in Los Angeles. The woman has been identified as Elizabeth Weaver leaving everyone to conjecture if she is the new woman in his life. What is baffling is that he and wife Jennifer Garner are still co-habiting and they recently put their divorce on hold. Ben Affleck was seen with a mysterious blonde who has been revealed to be Elizabeth Weaver, the founder of a boutique nursing care service in LA, reports Heavy. Her agency deals in personalized care and has served high-profile clients in LA and New York City. Weaver has attended the University of Alabama, Capstone College of Nursing and did her B.D. in Nursing in 2006 and since 2007, she has been practicing as a private registered nurse. So, could it be that she is serving Affleck as a nurse and helping him with his notorious addiction? It seems difficult because after their photographs made it to the media, speculations about the duo dating each other started doing the rounds. They were first seen in Beverly Hills on January 5 and photos showed them to be on a sushi lunch date. A source has also termed Affleck's outing with Weaver as a date but the representative of the Justice League actor refused to comment on the photos of the couple, thereby strengthening the doubts about their relationship. In the meantime, Affleck and wife Jennifer Garner have put their divorce on hold, claims US Weekly. Notably, Garner and Affleck announced their split in July 2015 but they have not filed divorce paperwork. It is worth mentioning here that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have been living together in their $17.5 million mansion with their three children daughter Violet and Seraphina and son Samuel. They are on good terms with each other and decided to stay together for the sake of co-parenting. Both have spoken highly of each other and things never turned ugly despite the estrangement. Microsoft Surface line-up has been a massive hit till now. Everyone is waiting for the Microsoft Surface Phone 2017, which expected to be released this year. Rumors suggest that the Surface Phone will have a camera better than any and will also sport a Carl Zeiss tag. It is also highly possible that Microsoft will borrow certain features from the Lumia phones or at least be inspired from them. According to the NEUROGADGET report, the Microsoft Surface Phone will be running on the latest Windows 10 operating system and will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset. Leaked images have also confirmed single grille speakers at the top along with 3.5mm headphone jack. The same speakers will also be present at the bottom with USB Type-C port in the middle. However other claim from Neowin says that, the Microsoft Surface Phone 2017 is naturally expected to run on the latest version of Windows 10 Mobile operating system. The problem is, Windows 10 is not a popular operating system for a reason, some of which were relaid by NuAns president Tetsushi Hoshikawa. The latest Surface Phone will be made available in 2017 and Microsoft is working round the clock. The company is also reportedly running trial production test to find out glitches and flaws in the device. Certainly, the Surface Phone 2017 will not be just another run of the mill device. It is being developed with care and will reportedly carry some of the best specs and killer features to awe fans. The speculated features of Microsoft Surface Phone 2017 include a 5.7-inch touch screen display with 2K resolution, Office 365, Azure AD and Skype. Surface Phone will go against other top flagships of 2017 as Apple iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 and even possible Google Pixel successors. In the meantime, Microsoft has slashed Surface Book prices by US$150 in the US, writes GSMArena. This is being considered by many as a clear sign that the company will soon release the successor, Microsoft Surface Book 2 and Intel has announced its 7th generation Intel Kaby Lake processors at CES 2017 also. So, the Surface Book 2 may come out anytime now as the device is rumoured to be waiting for the Kaby Lake processors. Again, Microsoft has not confirmed anything officially, hence, fans should tune in for official announcement for Surface Phone 2017 as well. NVIDIA is expected to unveil the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti around early March 2017, which is the actual release date coinciding with the PAX East gaming festival. That is going to happen in Boston that kicks off March 10. As expected, the GTX 1080 Ti is lined up to smash together head-on with AMD's upcoming Vega 10 GPU family, a new report said. The Vega 10 GPUs are likely to hit the stores either in June 2017 or ahead of the GTX 1080 Ti, as reported b WCCFTech. Basically, the Vega 10 GPUs will arrive latest by March and the report cites an undisclosed NVIDIA AIB employee who revealed the company's plan to launch the 16nm GTX 1080 Ti marginally ahead of the Vega GPU cards. It looks like the NVIDIA game plan is to intentionally delay the upgrade of the GTX 1080 and allow the original card to strike it out with the Radeon RX 500 card series that likely will come out starting in February. The strategic push back will allow the King of GPUs to further polish the GTX 1080 Ti. The Vega GPU demo has also been shown at the recently concluded Las Vegas CES event that did not leave even an iota of doubt about the Vega 10's capabilities to oust NVIDIA not only in terms of performance but also in pricing. As Vega GPU seems to have the capacity to easily overthrow the GTX 1080 and outsell it with a comparatively lower price tag, it is imperative for Nvidia to further polish GTX 1080 Ti with utmost focus on the two determinants. Rumors also say AMD will release Vega 10 in dual-GPU that likely will match with performance tweaks on the GTX 1080 Ti. However, it remains to be seen, if NVIDIA will be willing to resort to price cuts or pull down below the $1000 mark so as to keep its market dominance, reports Yibada. Moreover, the WCCFTech report said the GTX 1080 Ti will boast of the GP102-based core and loaded with at least 10GB of GDDR5X VRAM. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti release date, according to TweakTown, will be available in all variants from day one, which means that GPU enthusiasts will be limited to the Founders Edition. The report also added that the card is expected to fly off the shelves no matter the sticker price. There's no question among many people that Melania Trump has some big shoes to fill as the new FLOTUS of the U.S.--especially when it comes to fashion, something that Michelle Obama has indisputably set a high bar for. It's already become clear that Trump knows she has to live up to some high expectations set because of Obama (her RNC speech comes to mind), and she may already be trying to compare when it comes to the fashion game, as she has sported some very popular looks at campaign events. However, her looks, while also fashionable, are very different from the ones that Obama has sported. Here are popular looks each sported for various campaign events: Presidential Debates Michelle Obama (2012): For the debates in 2012 as her husband campaigned for re-election, Michelle Obama once again showed her flair for bold designs and trends that somewhat buck tradition, but also exuded class, with a blue Preen number at the first debate, a pink Michael Kors dress at the second debate, and a grey dress with black lace by Thom Browne at the third. Melania Trump (2016): As her husband campaigned to become the next President, Trump showcased some streamlined looks that were still very fashionable overall-and even one which many questioned as a possible slam at recent allegations against her husband. Her looks included a $2600 black Roland Mouret dress, a pink Gucci "pussy Bow" dress/blouse, and a Ralph Lauren black jumpsuit. National Conventions Michelle Obama (2016): As she campaigned for Hillary Clinton and showed support for the Democratic nominee at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, Obama sported a classic cap-sleeved blue dress by Christian Siriano. Melania Trump (2016): Most emphasis on her appearance at the event was on her alleged plagiarism of a speech by Obama, but Trump also stunned in a white Roksanda dress with puffy sleeves. Election Night Michelle Obama (2008): A Red and Black Narciso Rodriguez dress was criticized at first, but set the tone for the bold choices Obama would make in the eight years to follow. Melania Trump (2016): Trump set the tone for her tenure as First Lady with another streamlined look, sporting a white Ralph Lauren Jumpsuit as Donald Trump announced his victory over Hillary Clinton. Chinese historians have reached a consensus that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression lasted 14 years, Li Zongyuan, curator of the Museum of the War of Chinese Peoples Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, told Thepaper.cn. Li made the remarks after China's Ministry of Education ordered Chinese textbooks to revise the phrase "eight-year war of resistance" to "14-year war of resistance." The ministry stressed that the 14 years after the September 18 Incident in 1931, a pretext for Japanese invasion, should be treated as part of the invasion's history. "The revision is a correction," said Li, explaining that the six years of resistance before 1937 -- which included the establishement of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army and the Suiyuan Campaign -- is ignored if the clash is described as lasting eight years. He believes the run-up to the war was gradual, and setting the starting point as 1937 is not completely accurate. According to Li, the Communist Party of China (CPC) issued five documents to oppose the Japanese invasion immediately after the September 18 Incident, and declared war against Japan in April 1932. Li said the Museum of the War of Chinese Peoples Resistance Against Japanese Aggression adopted the 14-year definition back in 2005, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the end of the war. With regards to the history between 1931 and 1937, Chinese historians used to focus more on domestic issues, such as Soviet areas, encirclement campaigns and the Long March, Li said. Nowadays, however, scholars have revised their evaluation of anti-Japanese campaigns by the CPC and Kuomintang during this era. Despite absorbing an estimated 10 million RMB ($1.44 million) in the process of its construction, an overpass in the Shunyi district of Beijing has been abandoned since it was built in 2010. Due to poor supervision, the overpass has been occupied by piles of rubbish, which eventually lead to a dead end. Wang Ruiying, a professor at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, expressed concern that the overpass may be corrupted by water, as its drainage system could be compromised by the garbage. An employee of the municipal engineering department of Shunyi noted that the overpass was built to support the Northern Airport Line to Beijing Capital International Airport. However, use of the line has yet to be planned. He added that the overpass will be reopened to traffic within two years. He further described plans to petition the local government to remove the rubbish and set up obstacles to prevent further dumping. Written by ACM *Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- In an Historic "Double" Record Today, controversial CIA Officials appointed by the Out-going US President Barack Hussein Obama, vainly attempted to Back his own "Cold War"-like "Conspiracy" Theory and Slander against Russia, (notoriously addressed Against New US President-Elect, Don Trump), at the Same Time that it was revealed that CIA + FBI of Mr. Obama's era have practicaly Left the American People UnProtected vis a vis Deadly Islamist Terrorism, inspired by 2011-2016 grown "ISIL"'s atrocious BeHeaders Targetting mainly Innocent Civilians. With the Difference that, while they proved definitively Unable to provide Evidence for their "Cold War"-like "Complot" Theory with Anti-Russian Hysteria of these last Months, on the Contrary, they - unwillingly - were Proved to have Really Abandoned Defenceless American People, Largely UnProtected in Front of ISIL's Deadly Terrorism, which Brutaly Killed anOther 5 innocent Victims, Wounding Dozens more of Civilians, in a Gun Attack at a US International Airport this Same Day... Indeed, even if USA Security Officials had been Informed of the Fact that this Killer, an Hispanic Puerto-Rican born in notoriously Islamized New Jersey before Returning Back to Puerto Rico, who Migrated later into Alaska (USA), was, among others, often "Watching ISIS' Videos", and admitted that "he was Influenced by ISIS", apparently Converted to Islam, Lived near a controversial Islamist Mosque with Wahabit (Saudi Arabia) links and Focused on Proselytism, made Troubled Statements (which Alarmed even his own Girlfriends, who tried vainly to Warn his Family a.o.), grew Recently a Beard, Published at the Internet Selfies wearing a Kiffayeh, and Pointing his Index Finger as Islamic Extremists use to do ("Sabbabah" sign), etc., nevertheless, they had Left him Free to Circulate Everywhere, even with Bullets and a Gun ! Obama/Hillary's US Administration had even Awarded earlier to that ISIL-influenced Mass Killer a Medal for the "Global War on Terrorism" !... However, they could Not Back by any Facts, their Last-Minute and long-Delayed, desperate Attempt to Convince, beyond any reasonable Doubt, on Mr. Obama's, and Failed Candidate in Last Year's (2016) US Presidential Election, Hillary Clinton's notorious Accusations, that Russian President Vladimir Putin would have Manipulated so Hard that Vote in the USA, that he would have made, for the 1st Time in History, the 350 Millions North American People change their minds and Choose the Conservative Candidate Don Trump, instead of Hillary : Falling so Low as to Become surprisingly Close to ... "Conspiracy" Theorists, Obama's appointees' Claims rely Only to " OUR UNDERSTANDING", their "INSIGHTS", and/or "Our JUDGEMENTS", as that Report Acknowledges. Without even Evoking any Fact-backed Evidence at all, on the Contrary, those Obama-apointed, US Security Bureaucrats Admit that "an ASSESSMENT ... is a SERIES OF JUDGEMENTS" on "Who was the LIKELY Perpetrator' (etc). Such overall "Judgements Often Include" also Other, more specific "Judgements of HOW LIKELY (sic !) it is that Something has Happened, .. and CONFIDENCE LEVELS (re-sic !! ) in those Judgements". It's on such a Shaky makeshift Pseudo-"Basis" that they are Obliged to Limit themselves into Merely Claiming that "(They) ASSES" (sic !) that it was done so. On Some Points, hey even "Assessed" "with High Confidence" (re-sic !!), Since "(They) Further Assess" (re-re-sic !!!), that, simply, Russians "PREFERED (US) President-elect Trump"... - Don't Say !... I.e. Obviously because of Trump's Famous Declared Will to Try to Find a Peaceful "Deal" between USA and Russia on several Issues, (and Focus on Fighting against Deadly Islamist Terrorism, which Multiplies Deadly Hits Targetting Civilian People both in Europe and in the USA). Instead of Perpetuating and/or Aggravating an already Damaging and Dangerous Cold War- Mongering, as his Political Competitors (Hillary/Obama) notoriously did, (even Heavily Pressing EU/CoE Officials to Quarell with Russia, Damage the PanEuropean Economy, Peace and Cooperation by a Never-Endng Spiral of "Sanctions", etc., these Last Years., as Never Before, since the "Detente" era (1975), followed by the "Fall of the Berlin Wall" (1989) and Europe's Historic ReUnification at CoE and EU levels (1996-2007). But the Only so-called Pseudo -"Evidence" cited by those Obama-Appointed CIA Officials in their Report, partly Unveiled Today, is Limited, First of all, in an Alleged ...Scheduled Attempt by "Bloggers" (sic! ) to Prepare "a Twitter campaign" (re-sic !!) on Election Night, using the Hasgtag "#DemocraryRIP", if Hillary Rigged the Vote, (as Trump had clearly Warned Before)... In Addition, those Obama-Hired US Government Officials Accuse certain Russian Journalists and 2 Medias (that most Americans usualy Ignore), to have made what they call an "Unfair Coverage" of USA's Election, while, However, they Totaly Ommit even to Mention the Notoriously Scandalous Biais of Most Western Establishment's (mosty inside USA) mainstream Medias, Exclusively in Favor of Hillary Clinton, (often Grossly Insulting Trump, even Contrary to any elementary Press Deontology, as certain among them Admitted). Which was Massively Followed and Aggravated also by almost All Established Pollsters' (with the Unique Exception of only One !), alleged "Predictions" of a Hillary Win against Trump, which, Finally, Proved to be All Fake ! -------------- However, Never did Obama, Hillary, or anyone of their Cronies, f.ex. in Establishment's Media, Dare Claim that the American People should Not Know the Truth, on "Hot" Pubic Policy Issues, which Affected their Lives and/or the Society in which they Live, and were Revealed Just thanks to "Wikileaks" and/or Other's Publications of Leaked Emails and/or other Documents. Claim that the Truth on such "Hot" Issues should, perhaps, be Hidden, both to Citizens and to the whole of Society at large, even just before the crucial November 2016 US Presidential Elections, would Obviously appear to be Unacceptable in a Democracy. On the Contrary, the Report Published Today clearly Admits the Fact that Hillary and/or Podesta, as well as NDC's emails "Disclosures through Wikileaks did Not contain Any evident Forgeries", in other words, simply Revealed to the People the Truth... -------------------------------------- Moreover, Obama's Agents' Claim that 150 Million Population-strong Russia, despite its current Financial Problems due to "Sanctions" Imposed in Recent Years by the Out-Going US Administration, Might have Managed to "Manipulate" the 350 Millions-strong USA, the World's Richest and Most Powerful Country, would Inevitably Result into Diminishing North America's Image thoughout the whole World, since it would Appear as much more Unstable, Fragile, and "Weaker" in the eyes of all. ------------------------------ Trump's Replies Start ------------------------------------ In this regard, Trump's Senior Counselor, Kellyanne Conway, criticaly observed that Hillary and Obama had neither said nor did practicaly Nothing noticeable about alleged Russian "Hacking", BEFORE Trump's Win in the US Presidential Election of November 8, Last Year, and hadn't taken any Measures to prevent and/or address such eventual Risks on Time. Trumps' Press Spokesman, Sean Spicer, contested Obama's New Sanctions against 35 Russian Diplomats as, at least; "Out of Proportion". - Himself, US President-Elect Don Trump, (who reportedly feels that CIA a.o. Security Agents during Obama's term have gone too "Politicized", while his Councelor Kellyanne Conway stressed that:"We certainly dont want intelligence interfering with politics", Neither "politics interfering with intelligence"), clearly Tweeted that "there was Absolutely No Evidence" that any alleged "Hacking" might have, eventualy, "Affected the Election Results", and that this Key Point was "Stated very strongly" by US "Intelligence ... there", (i.e. during a White House Briefing. + His Top Counselor, Kellyanne Conway, observed thet "Even" pro-Hillary/Obama Establishment's Media, as, f.ex. "New York Times" and/or "Washington Post", are Merely Claiming Alleged "Aspirations" or "Attempts". "There is No Evidence" that "Any Alleged Attempt" by "Russia" might, eventually, have "succeeded" "to Influence the Election". "They did Not", she stressed. - "When he (Officially) becomes (US) President, after January 20th, and he Meets with His (Not Obama's) Security and Intelligence Team, he, as President Trump, Will Make a Decision on what to Do", she anounced, Opposing a Crystal-Clear "No" to Establishment's Media maniac insistence to ... "Punish Russia" (sic !), as they asked... => The "Only reason" that all this "is Discussed (Now), is that the Loss by the Dems was so Big, that they are totally Embarrassed!", Trump pointed out. Earlier, Trump had Criticized several Discrepancies : F.ex., he slamed the "Delay" of that Obama "<> Briefing on so-called <>", until 7 January 2017, finding it "very Strange!". Observed that "Wikileaks"' Head, "Julian Assange said", in another new TV Interview, that "Russians did Not give him the Info!", (in fact, more Widely speaking : "Not a State part"), while even "a 14 year old Could have Hacked Podesta" (Hillary Campaign Manager) emails, Denouncing "Media Coverage" to be "very DisHonest". Questioned "why" the "Democratic NC.. did Not have "HackingDefense" like the Republican NC", as well as "why have they Not Responded to the Terrible things" Revealed by their Leaked Emails, (f.ex. about "Giving the Questions" of the US Presidential Debate "to H(illary)", Sabotaging, earlier, her Competitor, Burnie Sanders, etc). He also Denounced the Fact that Establishment's Media as "NBC" got, 2 Days Before him, "an Exclusive Look into the Top Secret Report" that "he (Obama) wes presented" earlier, Wondering : - "Who Gave them this Report, and why ?"... Therefore, Trump "Ask(ed) the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees to Investigate Top Secret Intelligence Shared with NBC, Prior to Me seeing it". He also slamed "the Democratic (Party) National Committee" Refusal to "allow thhe FBI to Study or see its Computer info, after it was, supposedly, Hacked by Russia", Asking, then, "How and why are they so Sure about Hacking, if they Never Requested an Examination of the Computer Servers?". It was a "Gross Negligence by the DNC (which) allowed Hacking to take place", as they claim, while, on the Contrary, "the Republican NC had Strong Defense!", he observed. => Concluding that "It is for the People to Make up their own Minds as to the Truth". Because the Establishment's "Media Lies", (as once again he Denounced, using his Famous, and very Popular, mainstream Media Criticism). + The Move came as Trump has just Selected Experienced Long-Time Senator Den Coats, (a Jurist, also former Ambassador to Germany, often eyed by Conservative former US President GWBush in relation to various Top Jobs at Key Sectors), to become the New Director of USA's National Intelligence (DNI), which supervises all Security and Intelligence operations. >>> As far as Foreign Policy is concerned, "Having a Good Relationship with Russia is a Good thing, Not a Bad thing. Only "Stupid" people, or Fools, would think that it's bad!", added, as a matter of General Principle, the New US President-Elect. "We have Enough Problems around the World, withOut yet anOther one", he observed. "When I am President, (from 20 January 2017), Russia will Respect us far More than they do now, and Both Countries will, perhaps, Work Together to Solve some of the many Great and Pressing Problems and Issues of the WORLD!", Trump urged. ----------------------------------- Obama-hired US Security Agents do Not Act, when they Have Proof (f.ex. v. Florida Airport Mass Killer, etc), but Take Action, when they Have Not, (f.ex. v. Russia) !... ------------------------------------- However, Out-going US President Obama - Appointed Security Officials, Scandalously appeared, Now, much More Interested into Bashing and Attacking Russia and its President, Vladimir Putin, (even these precise Days of Christmas for all Russian - Orthodox People, Armenians, etc., when he Personaly celebrated the Holy Nativity Day at a Christian Church, among the People who Braved a Heavy Snow, as he notoriously uses to do Evey Year, Same as Don Trump, but Unlike Barack Hussein Obama), than in Protecting at least the Simple Civilian American People, from Various persistent Mob Harassments, Brutal Aggressions, even Sadic Violence, and Islamist Terrorist Mass Killings... Indeed, Already during the 2016 US Presidential Electoral Campaign, converging Revelations, Backed by considerable Evidence Data, Denounced a series of Systematicaly Organized Attempts to Send, throughout All over USA, various kinds of Individual Perturbators, to Disturb or Manipulate Press and Other Collective Contacts, or Aggressive Mobs due to Provoke and Stage even Violent Clashes, etc., Targetting Public Meetings of Pro-Trump Supporters, with almost Total Impunity. Even Odious (also Written) Public Calls to "Rape" the US President-Elect's Wife, and/or "Kill" himself, etc., Scandalously Appeared among pro-Hillary/Obama Demonstrators, shortly After Trumps' Electoral Win, as Many Photos, Videos, and other Internet Sources blatantly Showed. Meawhile, Brutal Aggressions against Supporters of Don Trump are Spectacularly Growing : + F.ex., After the above Mentioned Systematicaly Orchestrated Mob Disturbances and Violent Aggressions on Public Meetings for Trump during the Electoral Campaign, also an Individual, Poor Black Woman, (reportedly "Homeless"), who had been Calling to "Vote Trump", (inter alia, also by Denouncing the Fact that "American People are Abandoned at the Street", while "Irregular Immigrants are Sleeping Inside" Homes, etc), was Suddenly surrounded by a Hostile Mob Crowd, and Aggressed by at least 2 Coward Thugs (1 White Brute and 1 Black), who Bullied her and Pushed her to Fall Down to the Ground, while Destroying her Papers and Yelling Anti-Trump Slanders, in Addition to Insulting their Victim, even Fallen in front of their Feet... ++ But it's also anOther, much More Vicious, Mob Brutal Attack, this time against a Working Class Middle-Age White Supporter of Trump, just After the Vote, on November 2016, which went again UnPunished, (as even Left-leaning "Washington Post" Newspaper noted) : The Victim's Car was Hit by the Assaillants' Car and Scratched, pushing him to Stop, but Afterwards he was Violently Assaulted himself by 2 Black Thugs, Repeatedly Hit, Punched and Knocked, even at his Head, and Thrown Down, trampled Underfoot, while the Aggressors were Yelling that he should "Not Vote Trump !", echoed by a Hostile Group Surrounding them all, before One of them Steels his Car and Drives Away, leaving the Owner Desperately Trying to Hang on his Property (Needed also in order to Bring Bacj Home after Work his Wife, as he explained later), his Body being Dragged Behind the Stolen for Kms Among the Street's Traffic, with an Obvious Risk to be Killed, (etc). Nevertheless, Afterwards, astonishingly the Police did Not Arrest Anyone for such a Sly Violent and obviously also Politicaly Motivated, Life-Threatening Assault, Car Robbery, etc.... And Even the main Video Showing that Vicious Mob Aggression of a Trump Supporter was ... Censored by "YouTube" (notoriously Controlled by Oligo-Monopolistic "Google" Big Corporation, from Obama/Hillary-leaning California), Despite the Fact that it wasn't just the Conservative and Local Media, as well as Many WebNews and other Internet Actors, who Published Articles Denouncing such Brutal Attacks, but even the pro-Hillary/Obama "Washington Post" and "Chicago Sun", (etc), mainstream Medias which published Reports of that Violent Incident. +++ Moreover, These Last Days of January 2017, USA was Shaken and Revolted by the Horrible Spectacle, Never Seen Before, of a Poor and Defenseless Handicaped Youngster, aged just 18, being Viciously Aggressed, Kidnapped, Brutaly and Sadicaly Tortured by 4 Thugs, all Black (f.ex. Tied, Gagged, Grossly Insulted, Beaten, Threatend with a Knife, Forced to Drink Toilet Water and Kiss the Floor, Twice Cut by a Knife and Wounded with Blood at his Head, etc), by 4 or 5 Coward Mobsters, who Accused their Victim simply to Agree with Trump !... >>> The Repetition of such Growing Violent Aggressions against Trump's Supporters, obviously must Now be Taken Seriously : It has Become Today No More just some Isolated Incidents, but rather a Systematic and Spectacle-seeking, Vicious Attempt to Massively Terrorise all People Supporting at least the Main Political Ideas of New US President-Elect, Don Trump, Brutaly Threatening them to Face even More Mob Violence against their Person and Human Dignity, withOut Any Efficient Protection by the Police, (at least, until now). F.ex. the Last Horror Torture was Video-Filmed and initialy Published at the Web by some of the Aggressors themselves !... Eventual Attempts to Provoke a Rift between the Black Minority and the New US President Elect, should be Doomed to Fail, not only because f.ex. the 1st Victim was a Black Woman (See Above), but mainly Because Donald Trump already Got + 8% More Votes from Black People in the 2016 Election than his Conservative Predecessor Romney on 2012, (and Much More than McCain, Back on 2008), while an Exceptionaly Great Number of Afro-American Blacks prefered, this Time, to Abstain from Voting, as they Used in the Past, for the "Dems" (i.e. Hillary Clinton on 2016), Receiving a Warm "Thank You" Public Message from Trump himself, who had specialy Focused on Poor or Impoverished People, and mainly Black Americans, Strongly Denouncing the Fact that Obama/Hillary's policies had Thrown them, during the Last 8 Years, in an Even Worse Situation and Poverty than in the Past, as he Stressed in his Landmark, Official Nomination Speech, at the National GOP Convention, last July 2016, in Ohio's Cleveland city, (where Trump had Spectacularly Criticized the "Socialists/Liberals" Dems from their "Left" side... : See relevant "Eurofora"s NewsReport then, at : ...). While, on the Contrary, Obama's Out-Going Adminstration notoriously Faced the Most Numerous, Wider and Stronger, Massive Demonstrations by Black protesters, towards this End of his 8 Years-Long Presidential Term, (Obliged, f.ex., even to Call the "National Guard" !), than Any Other US President during the Last 50 Years !... Such an Unprecedented Horror, as the Latest Kidnapping and Torture of a Defenseless Handicaped Youngster, (revealed by Explicit Videos Published at the Web), occured at Obama's stronghold in Chicago, currently governed by a Mayor that he had Earlier Appointed at the White House, and having, meanwhile, become the No 1 City throughout all USA in Killings of Civilian People (even More than New York and Loss Angeles taken Together !) , but also, in great part, for Protests against Police Brutality, etc. To the point that Obama's nowadays Chicago Risks to become even Worse than what it was during the Oppressive, Controversial and UnPopular former US vice-President, Lyndon Johnson, a "Socialist"/Liberal, who became infamous by the "Chicago Song" (1968) about Brutal Police Attacks on Demonstrators, for the Aggravation of Vietnam War, and for Profiting from 2 Murders of John and Robert Kennedy (1963 + 1968) in order to snatch the POTUS top job, but also for pushing a Legal Bill which practicaly Threatens Christian Churches, Schools and/or Humanitarian NGOs to Withdraw their Tax Reductions, if they don't Obey US Federal Government's desiderata, as Trump recently Reminded, (proposing to Repeal that Controversial Law). By the way, John Kennedy recently Surfaced anew at the Web nowadays, when several Dissidents published at the Internet some Critical Tweets, which became very Popular, observing the Fact that, while John Kennedy notoriously had "Put a Man to the Moon", by Launching an Historical Boost for Human Space Flight, on the Contrary, Barack Hussein Obama only "Put Men in Girls' Restroom !", (reference to his Controversial Trans-Gender policies)... Naturally, once again, Obama's "Security" apointed Officials might, perhaps, Accuse all the Authors of such Critical Cartoons (and there are Many !) to be ...Russia's "Paid Trolls" at the Internet, as they've just done with that Last-Minute, curiously Delayed, Jnuary 2017, Caricatural Pseudo-"Report" with UnProven Slander Claiming that Russia would have Manipulated the November 2016 US Presidential Election, making Trump win, mainly by operating "Hacks" and "Leaks" of Hillary's, Podesta's and DNC's emails on "Hot" and Topical Political Issues interesting American People, (even if they didn't Deny that such Leaks Said the Truth). But, certainly, they could Not claim at all that even .. World-Famous American Austronaut and 1st Man to the Moon, Niel Armstrong, who also Launched a Strong Criticism against Obama's decicion to practicaly Stop all NASA's Human Space Flights, (ambitiously prepared during former US President GWBush era's landmark "Space Exploration" Strategy for NASA), and Replace them mainly with various ..Genetic Manipulation "Tests" above the ISS. Armstrong suddenly Died, shortly After Voicing his Strong Criticism of such Controversial Obama's policies. By anOther Coincidence, Today it's anOther Obama Critics' Voice which has been Suddenly Muzzled, in a Different Way : - A Pioneer WebNews Media, (which had Started almost at the Same Time as "Eurofora" co-Founder's 1st Internet News - then called "EIW"- , right from the very Beginning of the World Wide Web, back in the 1990ies), of Famous Conservative Editor Matt Drudge, who used to Publish at the Net his original "Drudge Report" : That prestigious WebNews Site (which had insisted to Always Keep the Original Internet page Out-Look, i.e. simply with Text and Links, etc), Suddenly Faced a series of CyberAttacks these Days, which left its FrontPage Totaly Black, just after Drudge had prepared to Publish a lot of News Criticizing, precisely, that Controversial Obama Security Agent's slanderours and UnProven "Conspiracy" Claims against Russia and Trump's Electoral Win !... Both Drudge and several Experts or Medias pointed out that such Vicious and Massive "D.O.S."b Brutal Attacks couldn't, normaly, be made but Only by "a Government"'s powerful Technical Means, (without, however, going as far as to Explicitly and Definitively Accuse some from Obama's Out-Going Federal Administration)... Even if it wasn't found yet, Who were the Hackers that committed this Cyber-Attack against Drudge's critical WebNews site at this Particularly Important moment, nevertheless, Many Conservative and Other Media published and Denounced that e-Aggression against Freedom of Speech and Media Freedom, ("1st Amendment" in US Constitutional Law), while, on the Contrary, most "Socialist"/"Liberal" Establishment's old Media remained quite Silent on that. ---------------------------------- + Meanwhile, ISIL's and/or Other Islamist Terrorists' Calls to attempt to Disrupt, by Any Means, the forthcominfg Official Inauguration of New US President-Elect Don Trump, from January 20, 2017, criss-crossed Various, Parallel but almost Synchronous and Converging, other Calls by several Leftist or "Socialist", "Dem. Party" fans, etc., to Oppose a so-called "Resistance", Bashing, Slander, Boycott, Delays, Obstructions, and/or Manifold Negative Positions and Sabotage Moves, Against at least the 100 First Days of the incoming New US Federal Administration for the period of 2017-2021, (apparently Seeking to Block Trump's Famous Declaration about a Series of Sharp Measures of Change, due to be Taken during "100 Days" After he Takes Over as New US President, according to a Landmark Speech at the Historic Ghettysbourg). ------------------------- While Victims of Brutal Islamist Terror multiply... --------------------------------- Looking very much as a new Convert to Islam, Both by his Appearance (recent Beard, Islamist Finger-pointing, "Keffiyeh" wear, etc), and his Way of Life, (Watching "ISIS" Websites at the Internet, etc), the Portorican Migrant had chosen a Home Near to the unique Muslim Mosque existing in Alaska : "LaskaMasjid", reportedly Located Only "6 Minutes Walk" from his Home. Obviously referring from the outset to Saudi Arabia, (See f.ex. the Huge FrontPage Photo at its Website, etc), whose Suni Salafism has notoriously Inspired various Islamic Extremists, including even" ISIS", etc., that Anchorage Mosque has also a "Catchy" Focus on Proselytism, arboring as its No 1 Webpage a very Comprehensive ..."Invitation to Islam", as it says, Warning its Readers that ..."Life is too Short" (sic !) in order to attempt to live it according to Any Other Beliefs... And it's there, in relation with this Anchorage Mosque, that a Convicted Islamic Terrorist, a previous Convert to Islam himself too, Found an Accomplice for the Preparation of a Project to Kill a Number of Targeted People, cited in a Selective List, (See Infra) for which he was Condemned to Prison just afew Years Ago, (See Infra). - "Al Jazeera"'s Controversial WebNews Agency interestingly observed, already on 2014, that, during the Out-Going US President Barack Hussein Obama's term, Emerged what it calls "a Mosque-building <> in America", (Noted and Documented by "Wikipedia" too), also Driven by a Recent Phenomenon of "Fast Growth of the Muslim Community", which is, at least "Partly Connected to waves of Government Refugee Resettlement", after 7 Years of Barack Hussein Obama's Administration (2009-2014). In Anchorage (Alaska), Muslims' "Numbers have Risen, MOSTLY DUE to (Federal) Refugee-ReSettlement Programs", (Imposed by Washintgton D.C. to the States, which are Obliged to accept them), as "WSJ" observed, already on 2011, (i.e. just After the 4 First Years of Barack Hussein Obama's term). So that, f.ex., an "Islamic School" President at California, by a Coincidence Named ..."Jihad Turk" (sic !), was Glad to praise what he called an "Incredible Enthousiasm and Energy around Fund-Raising (even by Foreign Sources ?) and Building" Mosques, as "Wall Streat Journal" noted. Facilitating such things, the Chief of that Muslim Lobby in Anchorage was a ..."Banker from Gambia". it's, indeed, particularly with the Above-Mentioned Recent, Government-Imposed "ReSettlemets" from some Foreign Countries of mainly Muslim Population, that a U.S. Survey "Found a + 74 % Increase in the Number of Muslim Congregations established Between 2010 and 2011, (i.e., already from the First Years of Barack Hussein Obama's term), "Rising up to 2.106", instead of just 1.209 Back on 2000, "WSJ" noted. This Pushed also for the Numbert of "purpose-Built Mosques" to "More than Double" "by 2011", (Growing up to 632, instead of just 314, Back on 2000). I.e., something Strikingly Similar to the Reasons that several Central-Eastern European Countries gave for notoriously Refusing to Obey even to Sanctions-Threatening Dictates to Accept Collective Re-Locations of Irregular Migrants/Mass Asylum Seekers thrown into the EU by Turkish Smugglers, after a Leftist Government changed Greece's "Push-Back" Policies at its Long Sea-Borders, Reaching Up to 1,5 Million People (Most Obviously Not Real "Refugees" at all) between 2015-2016. Symbolicaly, that Anchorage Mosque's brand New Building, (much Bigger than the Previous : at least "15,000 Square Foot", equiped even with "a Kitchen", and Full of Various Multi-Purpose "Rooms", among which the Religious Space looks as a Minority, Contrary to Christian Churches, Boudhist Temples, and even Classic Mosques in History, f.ex. at Arab Countries), reportedly has a Direct Window View to the Famous "McKinley Mountain" of Alsaska, (the Highest at the Northern Hemisphere of Earth, and the 3rd Highest in the whole World), notoriously Named after an Historic former US President, William McKinley, a Long-Time Conservative Politician, who had become Popular and re-elected mainly for Succeeding to Boost the American Economy, and particularly domestic Industry and Working Class, towards the Beginning of the 20th Century, with certain Policies (f.ex. on Foreign Trade, Currency, etc), which Remind Today at least some among the New, Incoming US President-Elect, Don Trump's well-known pre-Electoral Choices. But even the Name of McKinley, (who had been Brutaly Murdered in New York), was Recently ...Erased by Mr. Obama's Decision (just 1 Year Before the latest US Presidential Election : on 2015) to Re-Name it "Denali", (an allegedly Former Indian indigents' Name, by a Strange Coincidence, especialy during Nowadays rampant and Forced Islamisation, Strongly Reminding Now : ..."Ben Ali" !)... Meanwhile, that, at least Twice-related with Islamic Terrorism Cases "Anchorage Mosque", of Saudi Arabia Wahabite lean, and Blatantly committed to Active Proselytism of Converts, (See relevant Data cited Infra and Supra), was reportedly Launched from 2010, (i.e. Shortly After Barack Hussein Obama's term had started), thanks also to some "Generous Donations", as its Website acknowledges. While "Efforts" had Started Since 1990, suddenly, the "WSJ" confirmed that Anchorage's Muslim "Congregation Finally scraped together Enough Money to breack ground on New Mosque in 2010", (Costing at least 3,5 Millions , according to initial Estimations). By a Coincidence, during that Same Year of 2010, a High Profile, Deadly Airplane Crash occured around Anchorage, Killing Alaska's Longest serving Senator, Ted Stevens, and seriously Wounding and NASA's former Director and then European AirSpace EADS' CEO for North America, Sean O'Keefe (who survived, later-on, but was Obliged to Resign). Aviation-relevant Local Weather data played an Important Role in that abnormal Crash, (since it was just a Routine Flight towards Senator Stevens' Holiday Home, near Anchorage, which, Normaly, shouldn'g raise any Problem at all). And it's precisely on Weather Forecasts used in Local Aviation around Alaska's Anchorage, (also with an Office Next tp that of Alaska State Aviation Authorities), that was Working, then, that Islamist Terrorist, (linked to the Same Mosque Network at Anchorage, as Nowadays' Florida Airport Mass Killer, Both Converts to Islam), Paul RockWood, who was Condemned on 2010 for Direct Complicit to Attempts to Murder a Number of US Politicians and other People, named in a "List" that he had Drafted himself, Targetted because they were considered to be Opposed to Islamic Extremists' desiderata, (See Infra). Stevens had been already Targetted by Obama and Controversial "Bi-Partizan" Establishment's Senator McCain, just a Year Earlier, (2009), who had reportedly Asked his Resignation, on Pretext of a Banal Affair, on which, as it was Later revealed by a Judge, (Alerted by an FBI "Whistle-Blower"), Federal Security Agents had pushed Unworthy "Witnesses" against him, But Hindered genuine Witnesses in Stevens' favor, etc., resulting in an UnFair Trial. In Addition, O'Keefe, who Headed GWBush's ambitious "Space Exploration" Plans, Opposed Obama, inter alia, also on the Strategic Issue of Human SpaceFlight, that the Out-Going US President has notoriously Curtailed, and practicaly Stopped, precisely since his 2010 Budget, (preferring to Focus, instead, on Genetic Manipulation and other various "Tests" on board of the ISS : Comp. "Eurofora"'s NewsReports : ...+...., plus : ...), provoking a "Hot" Controversy even by World-Famous US Austronaut, 1st Man in the Moon, Neil Armstrong, etc. (+) Last, but not least, the Locations of the 2010 Deadly Air Crash, at Aleknagik, and that Islamic Terrorists' Aviation-related Job on Local Weather Info, at King's Salmon, (Both at the South-West of Anchorage, in Alaska), are Strikingly Near, one to another, so Close that they Look, from away, as almost identical ! (Comp. relevant MAPs). Anchorage Mosque's Muslim Lobby Chiefs had previously Protested versus "Ted Stevens' Airport"'s Security Checks, particularly when they Boarded Flights to Foreign Countries, mainly towards the Middle East, and they had also Complained Against f. Alaska Governor Sarah Pallin, (a Conservative vice-Presidential Candidate in the 2008 Election, and Now Supporter of Don Trump, in 2015-2016), who called Stevens, after his Death, "an Alaskan Hero" who has "Dedicated his Life to his Country". Shortly After Both were Eliminated from Alaska's Political Life, Between 2009-2010, i.e. from the Beginning of Barack Hussein Obama's term, (Pallin having been notoriously Obliged to Resign after a peristent Harassment with Slander, etc., against herself and All her Family and Friends by Obama/Hillary's Cronies, and Stevens having been Brutaly Killed in that Strange Crash), Suddenly, after about 30 Years of Vain "Efforts" between 1990-2010, suprisingly, Anchorage's Muslim Lobby's Chiefs found enough "Generous Donations" in order to "Finaly" Mark a "Break-Through" for Building that More than 15.000 Square Feet Big, and 3,5 Millions $ Costing brand New Mosque, Despite its 2010 link already with a 1st Convicted Islamic Terrorist, (Comp. Supra). ----------------------------------- The Fact that the recently Bearded Portorican, Kiffayeh-Wearing and Islamic SIgn-Making, "ISIS"-Video Watcher, who has just Committed that Cold-Blood Mass Killing of Civilian People, had reportedly Served in the Past for Less than 1 Year at the National Guard in Iraq , before being able to Migrate to Alaska (U.S.) and Find there a Job in a Private Security Company, is Not InCompatible : - F.ex., an Islamic Extremist living also in the U.S., who said that he had Worked for the U.S. Army in Kuweit, including as a Truck Driver, etc., was reportedly found in one of the areas allegedly used by Controversial "Jamaat al-Fuqra" Gang, linked to Pakistan and "Muslims of America", that various Federal Security Reports have considered as Organisers of a Secret Network of potentialy Dangerous "Islamic Compounds" in several States accross the USA, (See, f.ex. : http://www.libertynewsonline.com/article_363_34882.php) which have also added later Members in Alaska, according to a 2016 "FoxNews" TV data, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO2YwweYcGY), i.e. where Today's, 2017 Mass Killer was coming from, (Comp, Inter Alia, f.ex. also a recent Controversy around relevant Statements by Amy Demboski, Elected Counselor of Anchorage). Alaska was, indeed, Recently Added to a reportedly Foreign-led Network of 100% Islamic Cultural Ghettos linked to a Pakistan-Headquartered "Sheikh", recently Build at least in 22 States throughout all USA, particularly in Hidden Locations at Rural/Forest/Mountain areas, Isolated from Normal Cities, but Often Near Important Infrastructures, where their Muslim Inhabitants were seen to Gather also quite a lot of Weapons, organizing Collective Arms "Trainings", etc, Organized through a more recent "Muslims of America" (MOA) NGO, apparently Covering its Older (and Still Existing) Organisation "Jamaat al-Fuqra", often accused to be Dangerously Extremist, in several Cases Criminal, and even overall "Islamist Terrorist"-like Groups. They were Spotted and Examined by several FBI Reports, the Most Critical ones having been Published, already since 2003, and Mainly on 2006-2007, i.e. during the Conservative former US President GWBush's era, (when Warnings about "Terrorism"-related Activities were Explicit and Stronger), while some Recent, 2011 and/or 2014-2015 FBI Reports, made during the Out-Going Barack Hussein Obama's term, appear somewhat more Lenient than before, while still being Cautious, Vigilent and Critical. But, at the End of 2016, an Extensive Interview of Experts published by "FoxNews" TV on those "Islamic Compounds", (as f.ex. ..."IslamBerg" near New York, etc), as well as a Comprehensive Publication at the Web of All "Fuqra"-Gang related Official, FBI and/or Independent Experts' Documents and overall Informations about MOA/JAF such Islamist Networks, (reachable at : www.fuqrafiles./com ), clearly contain much more Serious Warnings. Even if those Unusual and generally Unknown by the Large Public, Strange Islamic Communautarist Groups, systematicaly Attempt to get ordinary Jobs for many of their Members at Nearby Cities, and Claim to be "Peaceful", simply "Loving Nature", etc., (as, f.ex., also that Anchorage-related, Alaska Muslim MOA Member, recently Failed Local Candidate for the "Dems" Party of Hillary and Barack Hussein Obama, who Became Furious, asking "Sanctions", etc., when Anchorage's Elected Local Counselor Amy Demboski simply Mentioned at her WebNews site a Blog which Linked to that "FoxNews" TV Video, even if she did Not Mention his Name), nevertheless, the Overall Impression, resulting from All those FBI a.o. Official Reports, several Press Publications, Independent Experts and/or relevant NGOs, etc., as well as Many clearly Worrying Facts cited there, and even More the Surprizing and AbNormal Reality of a Foreign-led Network of 100% Islamic Compounds, Hidden in Remote/Isolated locations, but Systematicaly Spreading Accross the Country, and Massively Equiped with Guns, Arms "Trainings", etc, particularly in the Context of Rapidly Growing Islamist Terrorism, Obviously canNot let Anyone Totaly Indifferent, (unless if he/she was blatantly Irresponsible)... Especialy when, according to MOA/JAFuqra issues Experts, inside those Strange Islamic Networks, there is Talk about "Preparing" to Face Trump's New U.S. Presidency Even with Arms, if they deem it necessary for their Islamic Compounds' Spread plans... In Addition, More Recently, some have Started to speak about "ISIS"-related Suspects for Islamic Terrorism reportedly Attempting to Enter in the USA from its Southern Borders with Mexico from Decembe 2016 - January 2017. What is Sure is, at least, that, Already, Back on 2015-2016, when 1,5 Millions of Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants were Send from Turkey to Europe, via Greece's "Left"-leaning, current Government, several Groups among them were, Later-on, suprisingly Found in ...Latin America, Trying to Travel Northwards, in order to Reach the US Border via Mexico, etc. More of that, Nowadays, canNot be Excluded at all. -------------------------------------------------------- + And on 2016-2017, Astonishingly, even if the Florida Airport Killer, (who flew there from his Hometown of Anchorage, Alaska), had Taken the Exceptional Initiative to Warn, previously, Himself the FBI that he was "Pushed" to Watch ISIS' Websites and to prepare a Violent Action, in accordance with those Islamist Terrorists' notorious Deadly Aims, Nevertheless the US Authorities in Alasca did Nothing serious, (except from Treating him as a simple Mentaly Disturbed person needing Medical Help)... However, some Years Earlier, also in Alaska and near Anchorage, anOther "Convert" to Islam, of purely American origin, had been Arrested and Condemned for Terrorism, when it was found that he Prepared a Deadly Attack, after becoming, secretly the adept of an Islamic Extremist Preacher, who Left the US. - "Naturaly, we take it very Seriously when somebody starts Talking about ... Killing Citizens because of a Hatred that is fueled by Violent Internet Sites", had said Then, Karen L. Loeffler, U.S. Attorney for Alaska. And that had happened Back on 2010, i.e. Before ISIS' emergence !... (Rockwood case)... => Why Not also on 2016, After Many Islamist Terrorist Attacks throughout the World, including in Europe, and even inside the USA itself ? Nevertheless, US Authorities already Knew that this Previous Terrorism case, in which another Convert to Islam, Rockwood, had been Condemned for Planning to Help Murder a List of People, Together with an Accomplice, (in fact a cover FBI Agent), had Also involved Direct Personal Links with that precise Anchorage Mosque, which also stands so Close to Esteban Santiago's chosen Home... (See : http://www.clarionproject.org/category/tags/alaska ). -------------------------- Obama Administration awarded a Medal on "Global War on Terror" earlier to Florida Airport Deadly Terrorist ! ------------------------------- But Obama Administration's Security Agents even Awarded a ...Medal for his "Services" to the "Global War on Terrorism" (sic !) earlier (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/esteban-santiago-identified-gunman-fort-lauderdale-shooting-article-1.2937904), to that Terrorist who may have used Jihad Websites with Islamic Extremist content already "since 2007" according to some Claims, (that FBI has reportedly Started to Check), (f.ex.: http://gotnews.com/breaking-records-suggest-fortlauderdale-shooter-estebansantiago-puerto-rican-islamic-terrorist-anime-fan/ + http://gotnews.com/breaking-fortlauderdale-terrorist-estebansantiago-joined-myspace-aashiq-hammad-recorded-islamic-music/ , http://www.ibtimes.com/who-esteban-santiago-fort-lauderdale-airport-shooter-identified-after-killing-5-2471244 ), and, at any case, had clearly Warned FBI himself, on 2016, that he felt Pushed to "Watch <>' Videos" and Take relevant "Action", as Everybody learned Nowadays. Couldn't they "Assess" the "Likely" Risks, by "Judging" them at a "Confidence Level", etc., (following the Language they abused in the Hillary a.o. Emails' issue against Russia : Comp. Supra) ? Not Even when Today's Florida International Airport Killer (and Already even Self-Declared ISIS Adept, "pushed" to take Violent "Action", as he had Warned FBI himself : Comp. Supra) got as Only Declared Luggage (in his 2 succesive AirFlights) just a Gun and Bullets in a Bag ?... In such a Context, it's not without any reason that even the Brother of the Florida Airport Massacre, reportedly Accused Obama's Federal Security Officers for Not having Done anything to Prevent the Killings, Despite Warnings, (Comp. Supra) : - "How is it possible that the Federal Government Knows, ... and then Give him his Weapon Back? Bryan Santiago Questioned? - "They havd Blood in their Hands !", he Concluded. Indeed, judging at least from these Last Days, their Hands might have been Too Busy, preferably Dealing, as a matter of 1st Priority, with ... Hillary's, Podesta's, and DNC's E-Mails, (after having done Nothing, not even about that, for Months)... *** Opposing view: Indonesia's minister of finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati The Indonesian governments stoush with JPMorgan over a November equities research note does not reflect well on a government that has otherwise won praise for market reform. Indeed, it seems illogical based on the facts as presented that one has to wonder if some deeper and as yet unrevealed reason is to blame. The background: on November 13, emerging markets equity strategist Adrian Mowat in Hong Kong put out a report on the back of the Trump election win, downgrading Indonesian equities to underweight and downgrading Turkey and Brazil at the same time. There are losers from Trumponomics, Mowat wrote, noting that the spike in volatility that Trumps victory brought would increase emerging market risk premia and could reverse investment flows. Indonesia, with a particularly high level of foreign ownership of local assets, was considered particularly vulnerable. The recommendation was, Mowat said, tactical: We think you will get a better buying opportunity. There are rumours that the central bank disagrees with the ministry on its actions, and that calls have been made at the highest levels In the bigger scheme of broker research, it was pretty harmless stuff. However, it enraged Indonesias ministry of finance sufficiently to remove the bank from its primary dealer list for Indonesian bonds, in effect also removing it from underwriting roles on sovereign issues, including international ones. It has since become clear this action came from the top, as minister of finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati not only defended the ministrys action but said she would add a condition to agreements with primary dealers to remind them to ensure their professionalism, accuracy of information and freedom from conflicts of interest. She said JPMorgan had provoked irrational behaviour by making negative comments at a sensitive time. If thats really all there is to it, this is a huge and counter-productive over-reaction. It also makes little sense. If the argument is that brokers cant say anything negative about Indonesia, that helps nobody. Mulyani, and Indonesia in general, have been associated with greater, not lesser transparency; Mulyani is an ex-World Bank managing director with a reformist reputation that survived an earlier stint as finance minister. This magazine, a long-standing admirer, awarded her for her outstanding contribution to finance in 2008. Any market hoping to retain foreign flows in its assets, and perhaps to attract more, needs a certain amount of openness of information, including the freedom to criticize. If investors dont think they can trust the independence of research, theyre likely to ignore it, and from that its a short step to ignoring the whole market. Mulyani knows that; it simply cant be the reason. If the argument is that JPMorgan had a conflict of interest, its not clear how. Perhaps if the offending report had been about Indonesian debt, it might make some sense, but this was a macro report with a temporary tactical recommendation on equities, bundled up with other countries and with the suggestion it will be reversed when valuations are more attractive. And if there was a conflict of interest between a primary dealer selling bonds and a research arm assessing them, wouldnt it be a bigger conflict if JPMorgan was telling people to buy them? Taken aback Even some of the most experienced brokers in Indonesia have been taken aback by what has happened. They themselves are no strangers to being summoned to the ministry for a dressing down, or at least to hear pleas to be more sensitive in their coverage. However, being axed from the front line of new issues is a whole other step. Most think this has to do with longer-term dissatisfaction with JPMorgan and Indonesia, and perhaps this is closer to the truth. It is true that some articles, particularly from Barrons, have jumped on previous JPMorgan calls on Indonesia and created some noise around them, which might have riled the ministry. And some local brokers say there is annoyance that banks such as JPMorgan and Deutsche have, they believe, made a lot of money dealing in Indonesian bonds, sometimes gaining from volatility that Indonesia itself could do without. Under this analysis, the ministry had been waiting for an opportunity to kick a primary dealer to make a point, and this provided it. Mulyani might also be making a stand against what she sees as feeble Chinese walls in western investment banks. Its not clear yet what other primary dealers in Indonesian bonds including Deutsche, Standard Chartered and Citigroup are going to do about their own research, but its unthinkable that regional strategists wont be able to express a broad market view on the countrys stock markets. There are rumours that the central bank disagrees with the ministry on its actions, and that calls have been made at the highest levels. Clearly, Indonesia fears volatile flows it suffered as much as anyone in the 2013 taper tantrum but this is not the way to shield the country from them. The nuclear weapon states (NWS) manage the current nuclear order. The five nuclear powers: China, France, Russia, the UK and the US, are the permanent members of the Security Council (P5) with veto power over any decision on threats to world peace. Furthermore, the P5 have absolute power over the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (the NPT). The treaty not only legitimizes the possession of nuclear weapons by the P5, although under the obligation to disarm, any amendments to the treaty also have to be accepted by all five nuclear states. The P5 even control non-proliferation, as proven when they, in addition to Germany, negotiated the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). Any effort to ban nuclear weapons, in order to be effective, has to have the support of the NWS. The power of the nuclear weapon states is only limited by the grand bargain of the NPT. This bargain, approved by all signatory states, is at the core of the Treaty. The NWS agreed to disarm and the non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS) agreed not manufacture nuclear weapons. Yet the current implementation of the treaty is unbalanced. Focus is on non-proliferation, with disarmament clearly at the margins. Although the number of nuclear weapons has been reduced, they are being modernized and new weapons are being developed. There is no sign of the good faith negotiations towards complete disarmament required by the article VI of the NPT. The non-nuclear weapon states have reacted to this unbalance. First by raising awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapon use and secondly by proposing a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. A resolution introduced by Austria (and sponsored by 40 others) to start negotiations on a legal instrument to ban nuclear weapons carried the vote in the UN First Committee in October 2016. 123 states, mostly NNWS, voted for the motion, whilst 38, mostly NWS and umbrella states, voted against. 16 states abstained. While all states agree on the goal of a nuclear weapons-free world although some see it as more utopian than others there is clearly no agreement on how to get there. The NWS see a ban treaty as a threat to their right to nuclear weapons, in spite of the fact that they control any changes to the NPT. They argue that the weapons are necessary for their safety. Furthermore, they claim that a ban treaty will undermine the NPT and even endanger any further nuclear disarmament. They support a step-by-step process and work through the Conference of Disarmament. The NNWS supporting a ban, on the other hand, consider the NWS to be in breach of their NPT-obligations to disarm. According to them a ban on nuclear weapons is in no way in conflict with the NPT. It is rather a step to implement the NPT as it adds momentum to the treatys article VI requiring nuclear weapon states to disarm. The consequences of the October 2016 vote are uncertain. Negotiations on the treaty will take place in March and June/July 2017, most likely without the participation of the P5. The UN has no power to sanction and enforce their participation. Nevertheless, one should take note of the fact that China abstained in the First Committee vote, highlighting that the P5 are not a homogenous bloc. Of the nuclear armed states outside the NPT, Israel voted against, India and Pakistan abstained and North Korea voted in favour. Could the ban treaty negotiations be an arena, not only for banning nuclear weapons, but also for the universalization of the NPT, an eternal issue on the NPT-reform agenda? The NPT badly needs reform, especially after the 2015 Review Conference collapsed on the issue of a WMD-free zone in the Middle East. In spite of the lack of P5 support, the UN resolution has already achieved some change. The non-nuclear weapon states have finally found a voice and they are the drivers of the debate. At a recent conference of the EU Non-proliferation Consortium held in Brussels, the very first panel dealt with the possibility of a ban treaty. The representative of Chile challenged those of the US, Russia and France, who were left on the defensive. Although the power is still with the nuclear weapon states, the NNWS have gained in bargaining power and are setting the agenda. Article VI of the NPT provides them with the legal backing. In addition, a ban already exists on both biological and chemical weapons. Instead of focusing on the 2017 negotiations, it is time to think further ahead. The next step after a more general ban treaty prohibiting the development, manufacture, possession and use of nuclear weapons should be a verifiable convention on nuclear weapons, setting clear timelines for nuclear disarmament. This would operationalize the disarmament article VI of the NPT, and would, no doubt, strengthen the treaty rather than undermine it. The opinions articulated above represent the views of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELNs aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europes capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security challenges of our time. You can spend hours reading about intelligent design, its arguments and evidence, but theres no substitute for personal interactions with the top scholars in the field. Thats especially true for rising scientists and scholars interested in advancing ID-related research themselves. Thats why each year the Center for Science & Culture offers the Summer Seminars on Intelligent Design. Intended primarily for college undergraduates (juniors and seniors) and graduate students, the Summer Seminars offer the opportunity to learn from the stars of the ID community like Stephen Meyer, Douglas Axe, Michael Behe, Jonathan Wells, Ann Gauger, Richard Sternberg, John West, Paul Nelson, Robert Marks, Scott Minnich, Jay Richards, and more. The next Seminar will take place in Seattle from July 7 to 15. It is an invaluable chance to take a first step in what might be the beginning of a career in advanced ID research. Weve seen many of our graduates go on to just such promising futures. Youll be hearing from them in due course. More information is here. The Seminar comprises two tracks, the CSC Seminar on Intelligent Design in the Natural Sciences, and the C.S. Lewis Fellows Program on Science and Society. Last year we had fifty participants, our biggest group yet, and diverse in every way. But applying is highly selective. In past years weve had students from Berkeley, Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge, Ohio State, New York University, the University of Washington and around the world: Ghana, Brazil, Italy, Jamaica, Australia, Canada, Norway, China, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. There really is no deeper way to explore the science of ID or its relevance to the humanities. See here for reviews from our past students. The deadline is April 4. Questions? Reach us at cscseminar@discovery.org. We cover room and board, with travel scholarships available based on need. If youre not a student, we also hold open a small number of spots for professionals, professors and scientists, clergy, and teachers. If you know someone who might be interested and qualified, please spread the word. And support this important work which may in fact be the single most important thing we do at Discovery Institutes CSC. The battle of ideas over the origins of life and the universe wont be won tomorrow. We are in it for the long haul, and the students who join us each summer will be at the forefront of this crucial intellectual struggle in the generation to come. It doesnt happen for free. Please join us in the work of mentoring young people who will play a vital role in the future of our culture. Give generously now, whatever you can, to keep the Summer Seminars going strong! The many people who habitually make a "V" sign when posing for photographs may need to be more cautious in the future. According to a recent study by a Japanese research institute, it's possible for fingerprints to be stolen with information no more sensitive than a high-definition "V" sign photo. A number of fingerprint identification experts told Beijing News that retrieving fingerprints from high-resolution photos is technically feasible. However, the risk of this happening is not so high. According to Yin Desen, a researcher for the Ministry of Public Security, the technical processing of such images can yield fingerprints, but retrieving fingerprints from a single photo is more difficult. Several experts stated that they have never encountered a criminal case involving fingerprints stolen from photos. Yin nevertheless suggests that people take precautionary measures when linking their fingerprints with other information. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenias Armed Forces have 42 times violated the ceasefire in different directions along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops by using large-caliber machine guns, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said Jan. 11. The Azerbaijani army positions located on the nameless heights of Azerbaijans Gazakh district underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in Shavarshavan village of Armenias Noyemberyan district. The Azerbaijani army positions located in Kokhanebi village of Azerbaijans Tovuz district underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in Chinari village of Armenias Berd district. Moreover, the Azerbaijani army positions underwent fire from the Armenian positions located near the Armenian-occupied Goyarkh, Chilaburt villages of the Tartar district, Shikhlar, Qaraqashli villages of the Aghdam district, Kuropatkino village of the Khojavand district, Horadiz village of the Fuzuli district, as well as from the positions located on the nameless heights of the Goranboy, Tartar, Khojavand, Fuzuli and Jabrayil districts. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. From: American Evaluation Association (AEA) For Immediate Release: Dateline: Washington , DC Tuesday, January 10, 2017 Steve Bell, Research Fellow at Abt Associates specializing in rigorous impact evaluations, here to share some thoughts about experimental evaluations in practice. In this week-long blog series, we are examining concerns about social experiments to offer tips for how to avoid common pitfalls and to support the extension of this powerful research method to wider applications. Today, we ask whether randomization necessarily distorts the intervention that an experiment sets out to evaluate. A potential treatment group distortion occurs when the experiment excludes a portion of a programs normally-served population to form a research control group. As a result, either (1) the program serves fewer people than usual, operating below normal capacity, or (2) it serves people who ordinarily would not be served. The first scenario can be problematic if the slack capacity allows programs to offer participants more services than usual, artificially enhancing the intervention when compared to its normal state. The second scenario can be problematic if the people who are now being served are different than those ordinarily served. For example, if a program changes its eligibility criteriafor example, lowering background educational requirementsthen a different group of people is served, and this might lead to larger or smaller program impacts than would be the case for the standard program targets. Fortunately, The problem of a different-than-usual participant population diminishes in degree as the control group shrinks in size relative to the studied programs capacity. With few control group members in any site, the broadening of the pool of people served by the program is less substantial. This supports another solution: where feasible, an evaluation should spread a fixed number of control group members across many local programs, creating only a few individual control group cases in any one community. This is a desirable option as well for program staff who are often hesitant to turn away many applicants to form a control group. In sum, social experiments need not distort the programs they set out to study. Up for discussion tomorrow: Practitioner insights on how to overcome some common administrative challenges to running an experiment. Rad Resource: For additional detail on this issue of the fidelity of policy comparisons, as well as other issues that this week-long blog considers, please read The American Evaluation Association is celebrating the Design & Analysis of Experiments TIG Week. The contributions all week come from Experiments TIG members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the Hello. I am, Research Fellow at Abt Associates specializing in rigorous impact evaluations, here to share some thoughts about experimental evaluations in practice. In this week-long blog series, we are examining concerns about social experiments to offer tips for how to avoid common pitfalls and to support the extension of this powerful research method to wider applications.Today, we ask whether randomization necessarily distorts the intervention that an experiment sets out to evaluate. A potential treatment group distortion occurs when the experiment excludes a portion of a programs normally-served population to form a research control group. As a result, either (1) the program serves fewer people than usual, operating below normal capacity, or (2) it serves people who ordinarily would not be served. The first scenario can be problematic if the slack capacity allows programs to offer participants more services than usual, artificially enhancing the intervention when compared to its normal state. The second scenario can be problematic if the people who are now being served are different than those ordinarily served. For example, if a program changes its eligibility criteriafor example, lowering background educational requirementsthen a different group of people is served, and this might lead to larger or smaller program impacts than would be the case for the standard program targets. Fortunately, Olsen, Bell and Nichols (2016 ) have proposed a way to identify which individuals would ordinarily have been served so that impact results can be produced for just that subset.The problem of a different-than-usual participant population diminishes in degree as the control group shrinks in size relative to the studied programs capacity. With few control group members in any site, the broadening of the pool of people served by the program is less substantial. This supports another solution: where feasible, an evaluation should spread a fixed number of control group members across many local programs, creating only a few individual control group cases in any one community. This is a desirable option as well for program staff who are often hesitant to turn away many applicants to form a control group.In sum, social experiments need not distort the programs they set out to study.Up for discussion tomorrow: Practitioner insights on how to overcome some common administrative challenges to running an experiment.For additional detail on this issue of the fidelity of policy comparisons, as well as other issues that this week-long blog considers, please read On the Feasibility of Extending Social Experiments to Wider Applications. The American Evaluation Association is celebrating theWeek. The contributions all week come frommembers. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. Volkswagen is on the verge of pleading guilty to criminal charges and paying $4.3 billion to resolve a federal criminal investigation into its cheating on vehicle emissions tests, the automaker said Tuesday. The expected guilty plea, and the recent arrest of a Volkswagen executive on conspiracy charges, make the case against the company the U.S. governments most aggressive in recent years. The $4.3 billion total includes both criminal and civil fines, and the civil part of the fines include environmental and customs-related penalties. The details were provided by the company in a financial disclosure. The agreement raises the cost of the emissions scandal to more than $23 billion in the U.S. and Canada, blowing by the $19.2 billion Volkswagen had set aside to resolve the disputes and making its payout for settlements be the largest for an automaker in the U.S. Volkswagen is expected to plead guilty to charges including wire fraud, violating the Clean Air Act and customs fraud, said two people briefed on the settlement. The people could not talk publicly about the deal because it is not yet final. The draft still needs to be approved by Volkswagens boards and U.S. courts. Volkswagen said its management board of top executives, which includes CEO Matthias Mueller, and its board of directors would deal with the issue in the very short term. People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News that VWs supervisory board plans to meet Wednesday to review the agreement. The accord would resolve one of the last big obstacles in the U.S. ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. That will allow the carmaker to begin rebuilding its reputation and focus on plans for clean energy vehicles. This is good news, Arndt Ellinghorst of Evercore ISI said in an emailed statement The most important news is that VW managed to come to an agreement that allows the company to move on from here. Its a major relief that this doesnt get dragged into the new U.S. administration. The draft settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Customs and Border Protection also would include the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the companys compliance and control measures for three years, the company said. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment. The criminal case against Volkswagen, and the expected guilty plea, have set it apart from other recent auto industry investigations. In a 2014 agreement with the U.S. Justice Department, Toyota agreed to pay a $1.2 billion fine over unintended acceleration problems but did not plead guilty. Similarly, General Motors agreed in 2015 to pay $900 million to resolve a deadly ignition-switch scandal, striking a deal with the Justice Department that avoided criminal charges against individual executives. Takata Corp. is also in advanced negotiations with the Justice Department to resolve allegations of wrongdoing related to defective air bags, though a settlement has yet to be reached, people with knowledge of the discussions told Bloomberg News. The resolution will probably involve a financial penalty in the hundreds of millions of dollars and may include criminal charges against the company, the people said. In its statement, the carmaker didnt say in the statement whether individuals would be charged or plead guilty. Oliver Schmidt, the companys liaison with U.S. environmental regulators, was arrested Saturday in Florida and is scheduled to appear in court there again Thursday. Another employee, engineer James Liang, has pleaded guilty in the criminal case. 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. An intensive investigation into the manipulation of diesel emissions tests began more than a year ago, involving U.S. and German investigators and prosecutors. Volkswagen has admitted to equipping diesel cars with software that turned emission controls on when the vehicle was being tested and off during daily driving. In all, some 11 million vehicles worldwide were equipped with the software. The company has already agreed to pay $14.7 billion to settle claims over about 482,000 cars with 2.0-liter diesel engines and is due to file a final proposal for fixing or repairing models with 3.0-liter engines by Jan. 31. VW still faces investor lawsuits in the U.S. and in Germany, as well as consumer lawsuits and a criminal probe in Germany. VW said the deal will likely result in a further $3 billion provision in 2016 fourth-quarter results, which will be treated as exceptional. Despite the scandal, Volkswagen stands a decent chance to pass Toyota for the title of worlds biggest carmaker for the year. Booming business in China helped Volkswagen increase its sales to 10.31 million vehicles last year across all its brands, which include Audi, Porsche and Skoda, the company said Tuesday. Neither Toyota nor General Motors has reported 2016 sales yet. But Volkswagen was barely behind Toyota after 11 months of 2016, and China in particular fueled the strong December for the German automaker. The Associated Press and Bloomberg News contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Responding to student concerns, the University of Texas Healths School of Nursing plans to ditch its 7-point grading scale, which students believe gave them lower scores for the same amount of work. But thats not enough, students of the San Antonio-based university say. A petition submitted in December demanded that the 10-point scale be restored before the end of the semester last year, a demand that was not met by administration. While 77 nursing school students from the accelerated program, which has almost 90 students total, signed the petition, students from both the traditional and accelerated programs were upset with the change in the grading scale and what they said was late notice of the policy changes. This came as a shock. Students were upset and disappointed. Were really concerned, really worried, said Mary Byrd, 31, who is a student in the traditional nursing school program. In a 7-point grading scale, a 91 percent is considered a B and an 82 a C. For Alysha White, a student in the 15-month accelerated nursing program, a low standardized test score coupled with the change in the grading scale caused her to fail a course last fall. She will have to wait until next fall to retake the course, which she said postpones her graduation date by a year. Its a conundrum, said Eileen Breslin, dean of the school. The administration is committed to improving the school to be competitive and comparable to others around the nation, but also acknowledges that the tougher standards can be rough for students caught in the transition. Students were also upset with two more policy changes last year: the standardized nursing tests called Assessment Technologies Institute tests, or ATIs, are now mandatory and count as 15 percent of students course grades, and the base percentage for passing changed from 70 to 75 percent anything below 75 is considered failing. The nursing school administrators said the policy changes were not sudden. They said they arose how they always do: starting with subcommittees that include student representatives who have voting power, rising to larger committees, then passing through faculty council and assembly before getting institutional approval in fall 2015. So the student representatives should at least have been aware of the potential changes to these policies from the very beginning, said Breslin and Cynthia ONeal, the associate dean for the nursing school. However, students in the accelerated nursing program started in May 2016 and were not at UTH when the policy was changing. Many of them had already submitted tuition before their first day of school, which is when they said they were informed of the 7-point grading scale. Byrd said she had to quit her part-time job last semester because it became much more challenging for her to get an A after the policy changes. But ONeal pointed out that student grades in last fall semester were nearly the same overall as those in the spring when the 7-point system was not yet in place, ONeal said. Some students said the administration is solely concerned with weeding out the lower-performing students to boost the number of passing scores on the national nurse licensing exam called NCLEX. Nursing schools must keep the passing level at 80 percent or higher to meet accreditation standards. UTHs nursing school dipped 1 or 2 percentage points below in 2014 and 2015, which caused the Texas Board of Nursing to place it on warning status in January 2016. But at the beginning of this month, the board released 2016 data indicating that with the new policies in place, the school achieved an 89.6 percent passing rate 10 percent higher than the previous year. The January board meeting agenda includes a proposal that the schools status be updated to full approval. I think its a big problem if the school only wants to be concerned about their NCLEX passing rate and not concerned about producing quality nurses that are going to be good at what they do, said Paula Jackson, a single mother who decided to transfer out of UTH after the controversies last year. Breslin said the changes werent about the exam but were part of the ongoing quality improvement of the faculty, who are always looking to where we need to be. We hear them and we value them, said Breslin about the upset students. And we welcome their participation in governance. sfosterfrau@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In a bipartisan plea to Texas lawmakers, Commissioners Court on Tuesday strongly condemned a legislative proposal to tighten appraisal or revenue caps on local governments. Members blasted the proposal embodied in Senate Bill 2, whose low assigned number reflects its status as a high-priority item in the just-started, 140-day biennial session. Its author, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said the measure would ensure local property tax rates decrease as property values rise. But the county officials unanimously-approved resolution said appraisal caps or revenue caps would diminish local control and tie the hands of county officials by limiting their ability to provide essential services to address the needs of their citizens. The Bexar resolution also stated lowered caps will not necessarily result in a reduction of property taxes, and will result in a shift of taxes from rapidly appreciating properties to those remaining relative stable in value and to all non-residential properties. Claiming difficulty in meeting the demands of under-funded and unfunded state and federal mandates, the county leaders urged the 85th Legislature, which convened in Austin on Tuesday, to seek other solutions to rising property taxes, such as an overhaul of appraisal systems. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been a leading proponent of the lowered caps, claiming Texas has the sixth-highest property taxes in the nation. Patrick, a Republican who presides over the Texas Senate, recently asserted that property levies are taxing people out of their homes and hampering business growth. This must change. Precinct 3 Commissioner Kevin Wolff, a Republican, disagreed with Patricks approach. He said mostly-GOP county judges of 12 surrounding counties have gone on record against reducing the growth limit on the rollback tax rate from 8 percent to a proposed 4 percent. The Republican Party is supposed to be about local control, Wolff said. I dont like to see it when local control is taken away, he said, adding that the proposed caps appear to be good politics, bad policy. It sounds real good to the general public Were going to keep those evil electeds (elected officials) from raising your property taxes, he said. Wolff, the lone GOP commissioner, said lawmakers should consider other ways to control property tax increase, but whether theyll be serious about it or whether they just want to play politics, I guess well find out here in the next few months. His father, County Judge Nelson Wolff, who often speaks out against reduced caps, said state leaders must strive to help local governments in times of rising service demands. Local government is really the only viable working government in Texas today. State government ranks at the bottom on health care, ranks at the bottom on education per-capita spending. (Its) miles and miles behind in trying to provide infrastructure, Nelson Wolff said. The major economic engines are the four major cities of Texas. For the life of me, I dont know why they want to fool around with us, the county judge said. The courts first meeting of 2017 started with the swearing-in of Kevin Wolff and Precinct 1 Commissioner Sergio Chico Rodriguez by U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia, both re-elected to new four-year terms. It also included the first appearance of Sheriff Javier Salazar, who took office Jan. 1. jgonzalez@express-news.net Twitter: @johnwgonzalez A San Antonio airman is recovering from wounds sustained in the recent Fort Lauderdale airport shooting that claimed the lives of five people. The Air Force on Tuesday revealed few details about the victim, Senior Master Sgt. Christopher B. Prather, saying that neither he nor his family wanted to talk with the media. Prather, who is stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, was one of six people wounded in the Jan. 6 shooting. Five others were killed when a passenger who had arrived at the airport pulled a handgun from his checked baggage and began firing. He soon surrendered. The Air Force issued a brief statement saying Prather is an active duty member of the services Installation and Mission Support Center on Lackland, and has worked there since August 2016, when he came to Texas from the Air Combat Commands headquarters in Langley, Virginia. He conducts manning, force development and career field management in his specialty for airmen in the command he supports. The Air Force requests the public and media respect the privacy of Sergeant Prather and his family during this time of healing and recovery, it said. The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center did not provide details of Prathers injuries, describe his condition or say where he is being treated. The center supports civil engineering, Security Forces, contracting, financial management, and morale, health and welfare operations at 77 Air Force bases worldwide, and has been in San Antonio since April 6, 2015. It is similar to the Armys Installation Management Command, which is headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Friends commenting on Prathers Facebook page offered prayers for a speedy recovery. One of them, Jakki Cunningham Perry, wrote, Thank God for his grace, mercy & protection! Can't wait to see you in person and hug ya! She punctuated the message with a happy face. Authorities identified the airport gunman as Esteban Santiago, a 26-year-old Iraq war veteran who the Associated Press said had been discharged for unsatisfactory performance last year from the Army National Guard. Investigators said Santiago told them he bought a one-way ticket as part of a planned attack. Armed with two magazines, he fired 15 rounds at passengers using a Walther 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Both magazines were emptied, the Associated Press reported. He could face the death penalty. sigc@express-news.net A mystery buyer has purchased a five-story building on Houston Street downtown after plans to turn it into a boutique hotel fell through last year. Blauners-Houston LP, a New York-based partnership that had owned the building at 401 E. Houston St. since 2008, sold it on Thursday to TX Sculptor 1031, county property records show. TX Sculptor 1031 is affiliated with Investment Property Exchange Services, a Dallas company that organizes like-kind property exchanges a form of property exchange allowed by the IRS that brings tax benefits. Craig Brown, the senior vice president of Investment Property Exchange Services, declined to comment. The new owners of the 58,000 square-foot building didnt respond to a request for comment forwarded to them by Brown. Sid Blauner, one of the previous owners, declined to provide more information on the transaction. The building is in the center of what many see as an emerging tech district along downtowns Houston Street. A block away, local developer GrayStreet Partners plans to renovate two historic buildings into tech-oriented office space and retail, including a food hall. Last year, Memphis-area developer InnVenture Inc. was under contract to buy the building in order to renovate it into an Aloft hotel. But the developer backed out in the fall after realizing it wouldnt get the historic tax credits because of its plan to add four stories to the top. In October, the city Historic and Design Review Commission gave conceptual approval to plans to renovate the building to create between 112 and 120 hotel rooms. The building, which was built in 1912 and is known as the Burns Building, is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a historic property by the city. The Bexar Appraisal District valued it at $4 million last year. A longtime tenant, Bromley Communications, left in 2015 when it moved a few blocks west to the former AT&T headquarters at 175 E. Houston St. The building appears to have been vacant since then. For many years, it served as a JCPenney department store. rwebner@express-news.net @rwebner Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: The OSCE is expected to monitor the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops Jan. 12, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry Jan. 11. 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 the Ashagi Veysalli village of Azerbaijans Fuzuli district, said the ministry. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Hristo Hristov, Simon Tiller and representative of the High Level Planning Group, Major Javit Elias. On the Azerbaijani territories occupied and controlled by Armenian armed forces, the monitoring will be carried out by field assistant of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Peter Svedberg and head of the High Level Planning Group, Colonel Hans Lampalzer. 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. SALEM, Ohio Five sisters gather around a kitchen table in Salem, Ohio, to recount the stories of their grandmother, Mary Eliza Filson Shaw, a school teacher in Columbiana County. The sisters Eleanor Bates, Ruth Anne Bailey, Marjorie Pannier, Joanne Harris and Sandra Boyce reminisce with memories of their grandmother, an influential mentor and pioneer in the agricultural community. Through the years, Shaw taught at Mount Hope, Chandler and Bowman; all one-room schoolhouses just outside of Lisbon in Columbiana County. She would travel from her home to the schools in a wagon, known as a buckboard, pulled by Daisy, the pony. A buckboard is a four-wheeled wagon of simple construction. The buckboard is the front-most board on the wagon that could act as both a footrest for the driver and protection for the driver from the horses rear hooves in case of a buck. When Shaws wagon was no longer needed in the early 1900s, it was placed on the ceiling rafters of a garage on the farm. The farm was sold in 1995 and the wagon was moved by Shaws great-grandson Mike Bates. Mike kept the disassembled wagon for more than 20 years before offering it to his brother, Jim, to restore. I was excited to get the wagon, Jim Bates said. Throughout my childhood, Id look up at the wheels and other parts and wonder what it would look like together. The wagon had been dismantled for more than 100 years, and as Jim talked with his mom, Eleanor, and all five of her sisters, he began to piece together the life of Mary Shaw, as well as the wagon. Piecing it together Mary Shaw traveled using the wagon in the late 1800s, after she was educated to be a school teacher at Rogers Academy in Rogers, Ohio. She married James Thompson Shaw on Jan. 1, 1903, and in 1905, they had one son, Clifford Shaw, the sisters father. After only being able to bear one son, they took in foster children, said granddaughter Marjorie Pannier. Their grandmother would read the girls poems and teach them English composition using diagrams and phonics. The sisters remember their grandmothers teaching of phonics as a no-no, as during that time the schools were teaching students to read by sight words. Eleanor Bates did eight years of schooling in seven years, crediting her advancement to her grandmothers tutelage. History Mary and James Shaw bought nearly 80 acres in Center Township, Columbiana County in 1915. They had 10 registered Jersey cattle, four Percheron horses, raised Rhode Island Red and Leghorn chickens and pigs, along with crops. The were leaders in community and agricultural organizations, and were charter members of the Lisbon Grange and the Mount Zion Lutheran Church. They advised one of the first 4-H clubs in Columbiana County, the Lisbon Junior Livestock. Mary was active in the Columbiana County farm womens group organized by Extension, and the sisters remember her attending Camp Whitewood annually with this group. Pannier and Harris both took after their grandmother as 4-H advisers. James Shaw was also a member of the local USDA Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service committee. As an off-the-farm job, he sold Oliver machinery. When Clifford took over the farm, he increased it to 240 acres, married Alma Stapleton and raised six daughters. He was posthumously enshrined in the Columbiana County Agriculture Hall of Fame for his leadership. All six daughters still live in Columbiana County less than 7 miles from the farm. The farm is an Ohio Century Farm and is now owned and operated by Larry and Nanette Bates, Larry is the oldest son of Eleanor Bates. They now farm mostly grain crops. Restoration Starting the restoration, Jim Bates found himself engrossed in the history, and proud of familys accomplishments, but totally confused how the pieces of the wagon should go together. As many might do in this age of technology, Bates started Googling wagons in this era to get an idea of what it would have looked like. In his internet searches, he came across a man in South Dakota who restores similar wagons and had pieces and parts he would later need. I called this guy in South Dakota and talked to him about how to restore it, he helped a lot with little things a first-timer would never know, Bates said. The only thing Bates did to the wagon that wasnt part of the original design, was add an oak ridge to stabilize it for safety, as he knew his own grandchildren and family members would want to climb up in it. The wagon is now composed of 70 percent original wood and hardware. The thing about the wagon that surprised me the most was the high step, to get in, Bates said. To which his Aunt Marjorie added, it was to keep the women spry. Bates removed the seat of the wagon to do some repairs and found another piece to the puzzle. The bottom of the seat was signed: Dennis Duffer Esquire, Lucerne, Ohio. He is the man believed to have built the wagon. Pride The wagon now resides in Salem, Ohio, and is a point of pride and discussion for the family. It is great to get these sisters together, said Bates, talking about his mother and aunts. These are the stories and people who built agriculture and community in Columbiana County, he said. A cold and windy Polar maritime airmass, with its origins over northern Canada, will spread southwards across the UK in the next 24 hours, bringing a real taste of winter to the whole of the UK from tomorrow (Thursday 12 January). It will be a windy spell of weather and many parts of the UK can expect to see some snow showers and widespread overnight frosts. National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued for wind and snow, with the heaviest and most frequent snow showers likely across northern and western Scotland, Northern Ireland and around Irish Sea coasts, but eastern coasts will also be affected at times on Friday and Saturday. There will be gales which could lead to temporary blizzard conditions as well as a risk of hail and thunder in some locations. Farmers are being urged by the industry to take extra care during extreme weather, and to stay safe and well on farm. Although the south of the UK is likely to avoid the majority of the snow showers, this area will have a wet day on Thursday with persistent heavy rain for much of the day, which is expected to turn to sleet or snow for a time in the afternoon and evening. For Friday and as we head into the weekend it looks like the cold weather will continue although snow showers will become more isolated. Inland areas will be more sheltered and so may escape any snow altogether. 'Be mindful' NFU Vice President Guy Smith said he wanted to stress the importance of keeping vigilant when it comes to preventing life-threatening accidents during the winter months. The last thing any of us want to hear about is a farming fatality, a grieving family and a community in shock, said Mr Smith. Figures for deaths on farm dropped to 29 last year but that downward trend hasnt been maintained and its likely itll rise to nearer the average of 37 for 2016/17. Thats why we are continuing to support the farm safety campaign and educate farmers to stay safe on the farm. Mr Smith concluded: As winter closes in farmers just need to be mindful of working alone and doing jobs around the farm in adverse weather conditions. There needs to be an element of common sense and safety involved in all decisions because Im in a hurry is not a good enough reason. Instead just ask yourself Who would fill your boots? if something serious were to happen to you. A round-table discussion on Brexit which aimed to involve the younger generation's view of its implications has been organised at Harper Adams University. The discussion with students and Guy Smith, the vice president of the NFU, covered topics such as migrant flow and greater pride in British produce. "Brexit is a greater issue for the younger generation," said Mr Smith. "Decisions being made now could colour the political framework for a generation, making it more pertinent for you than me. "We've got to be positive about our future. Its an enormous challenge, but we mustnt be intimidated or cowed by the enormity of the situation. "Lots of events are going to occur over the next two years as we negotiate our leaving terms, and so the NFU is going to have to be fast-footed and agile to react to them." Pesticide legislation Student Helen Brown, BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management, asked about the future of pesticide legislation. "If we make it harder for companies to bring pesticides into the UK, are they going to bother? Also, are our farmers going to have access to products that those in other countries do?" she asked. Mr Smith admitted the question was on his mind too: "It is really complicated. Youre right that the legislation presently comes from Brussels, but we currently have the ability to inform the debate with science and to argue our case for local solutions. "Ive spoken to the minister, George Eustice, to discuss how he sees this in the future what level of pesticide control we will take back into the Whitehall regulation framework, so this is a live issue. Some comparisons were made between the UK and New Zealand. Mr Smith highlighted the differences between the two countries, which prevent NZ being a straightforward role model for future British policy. "Its quite a popular opinion among politicians that we should just do the New Zealand model, believing that would make us more innovative. "But what is often overlooked is that New Zealand has a very different agricultural landscape: it is very isolated in the world; it has to rely on exports and it has a very thinly spread population of three million on a landmass the same size as the UK. They dont have to operate in urban environments, as British farmers have to, and they also dont face the same competition law environment as we do." Migrant labour The need to maintain access to a migrant workforce was raised by Jack Davies, FdSc Agri-Business student. Guy Smith came to the University to discuss Brexit and a domestic agricultural policy with a group of students "Some of our farmers are very dependent on migrant workers. I know a couple of farmers who couldnt survive without seasonal workers. How would they cope?" he asked. Thats obviously a politically red hot topic at the moment, and there currently appears to be more heat than light, responded Mr Smith. We will need access to that labour pool, especially for horticulture businesses. I think its important, especially as its nutritious, healthy food that the fresh produce sector creates. If thats not done here, the food will have to be imported. "But there are some machines out there that could do the work, said student Ben Bull, BSc (Hons) Agriculture. And therefore ultimately we might not need to rely as much on a seasonal labour force as the farmer could use robots instead." "I am keen to see places like Harper Adams developing this technology, such as driverless tractors, said Mr Smith. We should be marketing our industry as one that is interested in innovation. "However, I am being told by horticulturalists that technology that could be used commercially, such as robotic strawberry pickers, is still around ten years off. In the interim we do need migrant workers for the agricultural sector. "In addition, when the technology is available, farmers will need to be able to afford it." British produce Alison Skea, BEng (Hons) Agricultural Engineering student noted: "I think we should be promoting our British-made machines. "Before we go into robotics and smarter systems we should take a good look at using current technologies in more effective ways. Theres such a push on buying British food products, but I dont feel like theres such a push on buying British engineering products." "One problem is that the machinery sector is a global sector now," said Guy Smith. "I have a tractor that was manufactured in the UK, but it has parts that were built in Italy and France, so buying truly British machinery is difficult. "With regard to British food products, we have lost 20 per cent of our home market in the last ten years. We used to be 90 per cent sufficient in indigenous food, were now only 70 per cent. I think part of the domestic agricultural policy should be to reconquer some of that market. "I spent time in Germany," noted Alison. "And you just dont find produce or machinery that isnt German. "I found out about the referendum while I was working out there and I got so much stick about our decision, saying how stupid and naive we were. It made me feel like saying 'Come on, we can do this. Let's get together and make the most of our strengths in food production and in engineering'." "Alison, I think you are right to suggest that we should support British industry," replied Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Dr David Llewellyn. "And I believe we have an opportunity to reinvent a smarter technology sector for agriculture. Thats what were trying to promote at Harper Adams, not just on this campus, but also getting local decision-makers to think about investing in this field." Education The final topic for discussion was the need for more farming education in schools, raised by Jack Davies. He said: Education is important. When I was at school I had no lessons about farming and one about where milk comes from. "The kids didnt know what a tractor was. I have friends who dont know the difference between locally produced bacon and other bacon to them its just bacon, because theyve never had education about food production." "I couldnt agree more," responded Guy Smith. "The NFU has created packs to be sent to schools that teachers can use to educate children about farms through the prism of the whole curriculum English, Maths and Science. This approach was met with approval from around the table. Mr Smith then put the whole idea into perspective. But its also worth remembering that a number of industries believe they should be taught about in schools, and its a matter of perspective. I drive over a bridge and to me its just a bridge I dont think about the architecture behind it, and thats the same view of someone outside of farming eating food. Sometimes we have to look in the mirror and consider if we are being hypercritical of the lack of understanding about out food systems. "Why have we, as an industry, not done better at communicating with the public?" This was met by heads nodding in agreement from around the table. Mr Smith concluded: "We must harness the natural curiosity of children. An invitation for a farmer to take their tractor or cow down to a school for a day may appear to get in the way of work that needs doing on the farm, but its a very important activity that we should do more to engage with." The Animal and Plant Health Agency is warning farmers and smallholders not to feed catering or kitchen waste to livestock such as pigs and poultry, even if they are being kept as pets. It remains illegal to feed catering waste, kitchen scraps, meat or meat products to farmed animals. The Government says this is to prevent the introduction and spread of 'potentially devastating notifiable animal diseases', such as African and Classical Swine Fever, and Foot and Mouth disease. These diseases cause significant animal health and welfare problems and can cause potential damage to the economy. APHA and Trading Standards says they both continue to find and investigate incidents where farmers and smallholders are illegally feeding pigs and poultry with catering waste, often because they are unaware of the disease risk posed to their livestock by giving them this type of food. The most likely source of the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak in 2001 was pigs being fed undercooked catering waste containing the virus which originated from outside the UK. The outbreak resulted in the destruction of more than 10 million cattle and sheep, with compensation running into many millions of pounds. Farmers must 'safeguard' health of their animals Simon Hall, APHAs Veterinary Director, said: It is important that farmers and smallholders help safeguard the health and welfare of their animals by not feeding them with meat, meat products or any waste from kitchens. They should also ensure that farmed animals do not have access to catering waste from any other sources, such as dustbins. The catering waste ban acts as a national barrier to the introduction of potentially devastating animal diseases, and helps reduce the spread of an undetected disease once it has entered the country. Catering waste means all waste food originating in restaurants, catering facilities and household kitchens. Due to the risk of cross contamination, this includes vegetarian kitchens, where products of animal origin such as milk are used in food preparation. The National Farmers Union has said the Grocery Code Adjudicator (GCA) has played a 'major role' in changing the culture and behaviours of the 10 biggest UK retailers. The farming union has submitted evidence as part of a Government review into unfair trading practices, alongside the statutory review of the GCA role. NFU President Meurig Raymond said he believes Christine Tacons clarity and interpretation of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) has led to significant changes. Results from the GCA Annual Survey show that both Tesco and Iceland, over the past 12 months, have improved the most in changing their trading practice. Tesco improved from 37% in 2015 compliant with GSCOP, to 65% in 2016 and Iceland from 3% to 26% compliant. Improvements still need to be made by Morrisons, however, who ranked bottom of the league table when comparing all retailers overall assessment of compliance with the Code. Aldi and Sainsburys were top. 'A change in retailer behaviour' Mr Raymond said the GCA plays an 'important role' within the grocery sector. He said: Undoubtedly Mrs Tacon has had a positive impact since she took office in June 2013. The NFU believes the power of the GCAs presence has enabled a change in retailer behaviour and therefore this way of working now needs to be replicated throughout the whole supply chain. It is also vital that the position remains independent. The power of intermediaries has increased in the years since the Competition Commissions investigation of 2008. Many businesses have increased their market power which they have been able to assert over suppliers and, to a lesser extent, retail customers as we have seen reported in the media over the past few months. The increasing consolidation of suppliers and processors within the supply chain, in turn reducing competition and increasing buying power, leads to a power imbalance within the supply chain; that of the intermediaries versus farming businesses. This has led to unfair trading practices to be pushed onto producers. The NFU believes more retailers, food service and food manufacturers should fall under the scope of GSCOP to ensure the principles of fair trading are inherent across the whole supply chain. Ornamental sector The NFU is also calling for the ornamental horticultural sector (floriculture, nursery, Christmas trees) to be brought under the GSCOP legislation. The industry is worth 2 billion to the UK economy but direct suppliers do not fall within the definition of groceries in the GSCOP. This means suppliers of flowers and plants to UK supermarkets do not have the protection the GSCOP or GCA provide. We would also like to see the principles of the agri-sector voluntary codes of practice, such as the Dairy and Livestock Voluntary Code, made compulsory and overseen by the GCA to give them more teeth. This will give primary producers the confidence that the supply chain is not abusing their buying power and position over that of the British farmer. Mr Raymond added: Farmers need to have confidence in their trading relationships to be able to invest in their businesses. This allows them to innovate and become more efficient in producing quality British food. The UK's first ever research to address dementia in farming and rural communities has identified areas of significant concern. Research carried out by Plymouth University into the experience of dementia in farming and farming families, and its impact on their businesses and home lives, has identified four areas of concern which need to be addressed if dementia in the countryside is to be managed. It is the first time that research has addressed this issue in farming. The four areas of concern identified by the study were: the farm environment; a reluctance to ask for help; support services, and; changing rural communities. The areas of concern emerged after listening to farmers and their families about their experiences of dementia and how it impacts on their business and home lives. Sixteen farmers from across Devon were interviewed, along with seven professionals from different organisational perspectives working with, and supporting, farmers living with dementia. The year-long study was undertaken by Dr Claire Kelly and Dr Richard Yarwood from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at Plymouth University with support from Ian Sherriff, Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia at the University and Chair of the Prime Ministers Rural Dementia Friendly Task and Finish Group. 'Hazardous nature' of farms Concerns about the farm environment related to the hazardous nature of farms themselves, with opportunities for people to be crushed by animals, fall into slurry pits and be trapped in or under machinery. The interviews showed that it can be hard for farmers affected by dementia to maintain standards of animal health and welfare, and that running a farm while at the same time caring for a family member living with dementia can lead to enormous strain on other family members. Many farmers were unaware of the support and help available to them Reluctance to ask for help The interviews also showed that farmers can be reluctant to ask for help, which can lead to isolation and a desire to hide problems from the outside world. Farmers were often concerned about what might happen to the farm but reluctant to take steps to address the issue. The unique social and economic context of farming means that often, farmers continue working long after the state retirement age. As a consequence health issues such as dementia, which show increased prevalence amongst older populations, can be particular issues for farm businesses. As farms are generally homes as well as businesses, this can also lead to additional strain and financial pressures on the wider family if plans to hand-on the business to the next generation have not been made. Linked to this is the fact that few had made plans about what would happen to their farms when they stopped farming. There was a lack of knowledge about crucial legal steps such as setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney to cover when they were no longer able to run the farming business. Few had kept their wills up-to-date. Dr. Claire Kelly said: Farming and the farm itself are more than merely business interests; they are an important part of lifestyle and identity. There is therefore justifiable fear that a diagnosis of dementia can lead to the loss of the farm, the home and everything that is familiar. Taking over financial responsibility for the farm can take many months to sort out if someone becomes incapacitated but in the meantime, the farm needs to continue to function as a business, so fodder needs to be bought, animals bought and sold, etc, which can be very difficult if the farm business is solely in the name of the person living with dementia. Unawareness of support available Many farmers were unaware of the support and help available to them. Some organisations strive to provide help but are stymied by this lack of awareness and/or joined-up thinking between relevant agencies such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Rural Payments Agency, Trading Standards and Social Services. Often there is no engagement by these agencies until a formal diagnosis of dementia is made, which can sometimes be quite late on when the farm is already in crisis. The cost of accessing services was also an area of concern, in that the cost in time and money of taking people to and from appointments can be particularly prohibitive for farmers, especially in remote rural areas. Dr. Richard Yarwood said: There was a perception that types of support are often urban-focused and inappropriate for people who have lived and worked outdoors all their lives and been very independent. Pride, a tradition of self-reliance and the desire for privacy often prevent people from asking for help. Changes in rural communities Underlying these concerns was one regarding changes in rural communities. Farming is an isolated job and has become more so as the composition of rural communities has changed. Fewer people living in the countryside work on the land and consequently, a reliance on the availability of community help may be misplaced as many community members lack knowledge of farming. Equally, some farmers may not know members of their local community, decreasing the likelihood that they will seek help there. Plymouth University's recommendations 1. Where possible farmers should plan ahead for the eventuality of ill health (including dementia) or retirement. This should include Lasting Powers of Attorney, succession planning and so on. 2. There is a need for joined up thinking and working between statutory agencies, dementia support organisations and rural communities, with initiatives such as dementia friendly parishes. 3. Farmers can be reluctant to ask for help, fearing a loss of privacy, yet they need help to network with each other. Mutual support and experience-sharing is a particularly valuable way for farmers who are reluctant to engage with formal agencies, to gain access to farming-specific help and information on living well with dementia. Allowing farmers to share experience with other farmers in other areas of the UK, for example, would provide that mutual support without having to share information with those close to home or on neighbouring farms. 4. There is a need for all agencies working with farmers to undergo dementia training. Agencies working with farmers can become dementia friends. 5.Lessons can be learnt from initiatives to combat farming stress. Main concern is for farmers and their families to recognise issues and seek support. Dementia - a growing health problem Dementia is a growing health problem, with an anticipated increase in the number of cases of 156 per cent between now and 2051, according to statistics from the Alzheimers Society. Ian Sherriff commented: This equates to two million people, and the burden will fall on rural areas where there are significantly higher proportions of elderly people. The burden will impact farming businesses, communities and the rural economy, yet little is known about how this impact will manifest itself and what kind of specialist care networks will need to be in place to tackle it. Our research has gone some way to identifying and addressing concerns, and we are looking forward to working with the farming community and the agencies and organisations that support it, to implement our recommendations. Retailers stocking more British pork but 'more can be done' "We have been working really hard within the business to lay the foundation of this strategy and this important piece of work has led to the reduced spending in 2015-16, compared to previous years, to ensure that the capital was allocated to the right sites," Mr Kalajzic said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: The world community should help in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Carole Crofts. Crofts made the remarks during her meeting with Azerbaijans deputy prime minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov. The ambassador expressed regret with the fact that Armenia keeps status quo and emphasized that the United Kingdom supports the conflicts peaceful settlement. Ali Hasanov, for his part, spoke about good relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom and said that about 1,550 UK companies operate in Azerbaijans oil and non-oil sectors. The deputy prime minister praised the UKs support at international organizations for Azerbaijans fair position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Hasanov brought to the attention of the UK ambassador the inadmissibility of illegal visits and activities of UK citizens and companies in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, sales of the gold, unlawfully extracted from a mine in the occupied Azerbaijani territories and processed in Armenia, in many European countries, including on the London Stock Exchange. He also emphasized the importance of preventing such unpleasant facts. The deputy prime minister reminded that Armenia still ignores and doesnt implement the decisions and resolutions adopted by international organizations on Armenias withdrawal from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and return of refugees and IDPs to their native lands. Armenia intensively violates the negotiation process. The Armenian authorities do not want to resolve the conflict; they continue to occupy our lands with the help of their patrons and continue to hold a destructive position. International community does not exert any pressure on the aggressor country, said Hasanov. He added that over the past 20 years, Armenia has not achieved any success. The countrys economic situation has seriously deteriorated and the aggressor country is isolated from international and regional projects implemented with participation of Azerbaijan, according to Hasanov. 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. Further during the meeting, Carole Crofts said she will make every effort to expand the mutual cooperation in political, economic, cultural, energy security and other areas. The ambassador added that work is carried out to implement a number of projects in various spheres between the two countries. Crofts reminded that the UK has been successfully cooperating with Azerbaijan for more than 20 years. She noted that BP is the company that invested the most in Azerbaijan. The envoy said she got acquainted with various Azerbaijani regions and she was deeply impressed by the hospitality of the Azerbaijani people. She highlighted Azerbaijan's rapid development in recent years and elevation of its image on the international arena. 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 Events and things to do to celebrate Veterans Day in Cumberland County Cumberland County will honor veterans for two weeks starting with the annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday in downtown Fayetteville. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland urged Armenia to return the body of the Azerbaijani serviceman, without delay. "The Council of Europe does not have a direct role in the negotiations, and always refers to, and supports the role of, the OSCE Minsk-Group" - said Jagland in the statement. "However, we are concerned about the humanitarian aspects of the conflict. I am aware that the violations of the ceasefire on 29 December resulted in casualties, and that the Armenian Armed Forces are still holding the body of an Azerbaijani serviceman killed in the fighting. I urge the parties to respect the ceasefire, and I fully support the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Groups call for the return, without delay, of human remains - in accordance with the agreements of the Astrakhan Summit of 2010 - bearing in mind the humanitarian nature of this issue," said statement. A reconnaissance group of the Armenian Armed Forces tried to violate the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border on Dec. 29, 2016. The Armenian group found itself in the ambush of the Azerbaijani army while violating the borders and suffered heavy losses. Chingiz Gurbanov, a serviceman of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, went missing during the fight. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: The success of a White House petition last year, calling on the Obama administration to assist in the liberation of the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia has put Armenia under increasing pressure due to the level of awareness it raised, said Elkhan Suleymanov, president of the Association for Civil Society Development in Azerbaijan. We the People is a serious platform established by the Obama administration in 2011 and the White House response to our petition was real political support to Azerbaijan, said Suleymanov, who initiated the petition. The petition on Establishing Justice and Preventing a Great Catastrophe calls for the immediate withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories and to assist in the prevention of a humanitarian catastrophe in the region because of the dangers posed by the neglected Sarsang dam, which is located in the Armenian-occupied territory. According to the US-based Pew Research Center, this petition has become the second most popular in the history of the platform, receiving more than triple the signatures needed to secure a reply by the Obama administration. In its response in June last year, the White House stressed the importance of the return of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijans control and urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to demonstrate restraint and enter into an immediate negotiation on a comprehensive settlement, which would include a determination of Nagorno-Karabakhs status. The petition was submitted in the wake of Resolution 2085 adopted last year by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which accused Armenia of environmental aggression and deliberately depriving Azerbaijanis of water flowing from the Sarsang reservoir. It also called for the immediate withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the region concerned. We had important victories last year, Suleymanov said, adding that sadly Armenia has not reacted to these demands and instead creates confusion in the international community by presenting itself as a conflict party rather than an aggressor. In addition to PACE, the UN, European Parliament and OSCE have all called for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from the Azerbaijani territories, according to the PR Newswire website. It is critical that we continue to raise this issue, keep up international pressure and achieve the imposition of sanctions on Armenia, Suleymanov said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. The brother and nephew of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were charged Tuesday with FCPA and other offenses in connection with the planned $800 million sale of Vietnams tallest building. Ban Ki Sang, 69, of Seoul, South Korea and his son Joo Hyun Bahn, who also goes by Dennis Bahn, 38, of Tenafly, New Jersey, were each charged in federal court in Manhattan. They face one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, three counts of violating the FCPA, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering. Dennis Bahn was arrested in Tenafly Tuesday morning and released on bail. He also faces an additional charge of aggravated identity theft. His father remains at large, the DOJ said. The building in Vietnam is known as Hanoi Landmark 72. It opened in 2012. It includes two 50-storey office buildings and one 72-floor tower, the tallest building in Vietnam. There are apartments, offices, and hotels in the complex. Landmark 72 was owned by Keangnam Enterprises Co. Ban Ki Sang was a senior executive at Keangnam. When the company faced a liquidity crisis, the DOJ said, Ban convinced Keangnam to retain his son, who worked as a broker at a Manhattan real estate firm. Keangnam entered into an exclusive brokerage agreement with Dennis Bahn. He stood to earn a multimillion-dollar commission for finding an investor to finance the $800 million sale, the DOJ said. And his fathers company would have received much-needed capital. The father and son plotted to bribe Malcolm Harris, who claimed to be an agent for a foreign official of a Middle Eastern country. The DOJ didnt name the official or the country. Harris allegedly agreed to take bribes of $500,000 upfront and $2 million more on closing of the Landmark 72 sale to the Middle Eastern countrys sovereign wealth fund. Prosecutors said a fourth man, San Woo, also known as John Woo, 35, of Edgewater, New Jersey, allegedly helped secure the $500,000 for the upfront bribe. But prosecutors said Harris cheated Ban, his son, and Woo, and stole the $500,000. He used the money to rent a luxury penthouse apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and for other personal expenses, the DOJ said. When the Landmark 72 deal stalled, Dennis Bahn lied to Keangnam. He allegedly forged emails from the purported foreign official and other documents to make the sale seem imminent, the DOJ said. He also allegedly stole $225,000 of the $500,000 that Keangnam had advanced Bahns firm to cover brokerage expenses. The DOJ charged Harris Tuesday with wire fraud, conducting monetary transactions in illegal funds, and aggravated identity theft. Hes still at large. Woo was charged in a separate complaint with conspiracy to violate the FCPA. He was arrested at New Yorks JFK Airport Tuesday and released on bail. When the Landmark 72 sale didnt happen, Keangnam was forced into receivership and delisted from the Korean stock exchange. The chairman of the company, Sung Woan-jong, committed suicide in April 2015 after being investigated for alleged corruption. He reportedly left a list of politicians in Korea he claimed to have bribed. Ban Ki-moon served as UN Secretary General from 2007 until 2016. He was expected to announce later this week a run for the presidency of South Korea. A spokesman said Ban was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the allegations against his relatives. ___ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. Its been about a year since the Iran deal, more formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA, came into effect. What has that year looked like? And what might be coming for the Iran deal? Under the JCPOA, the United States eased up on its nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, which included an extremely limited segment of its primary sanctions (those applicable to U.S. entities) as well as most of its secondary sanctions (those applicable to non-U.S. entities). So far, with regard to the primary sanctions, a few foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies started to do business in Iran under the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) General License H. For the most part, though, companies have been hesitant or just not well-positioned to qualify to use this narrow authorization for foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies. Boeing and Airbus had licenses granted by OFAC to contract with Iran for the sale of commercial passenger aircraft. The greatest challenge to those actually willing to take advantage of the lifting of sanctions, both primary and secondary, has been financing. Many global banks even if they dont have any U.S. affiliations and even if the payment is denominated in something other than U.S. dollars have refused to finance Iran-related transactions. Finally, Donald Trump during his campaign vowed to dismantle the Iran deal, renegotiate a better one, or enforce it so aggressively that they dont have a chance. Since the election, President Elect Trump has been largely quiet on this issue. But his picks for national security adviser, retired Army Gen. Mike Flynn, and CIA head, Rep. Mike Pompeo, have voiced opposition to the Iran deal. Its difficult to predict to what extent President Trump will act on what he said on the campaign trail. The new administration might not take any concrete action at all with regard to the JCPOA. It could even further ease certain sanctions in order to allow U.S. businesses more opportunities to compete with the rest of the world in the Iranian market. Part of the President Elects criticism of the deal was that U.S. businesses are missing out while all of these countries [are] going to make lots of money and lots of other things with Iran If the president decides to withdraw from the Iran deal, there wont be much in his way, at least not legally. The JCPOA is not a treaty and its not even an executive agreement; its merely a political commitment. That means the new administration could simply reinstate the U.S. sanctions that were in place before January 2016. Alternatively, if the president chooses to honor the political commitment to any extent, he could trigger the deals provisions for snapback by reporting a breach by Iran to the UN Security Council. Like the other possible scenarios, snapback would also be a unilateral action. The U.S. does not require any sort of approval from the other P5+1 countries or the Security Council to reinstate its own sanctions against Iran. While OFAC has been relatively quiet since the easing of sanctions in January 2016, it did offer some guidance last month on what it would look like in the event the sanctions snap back. We knew that the grandfathering of contracts signed prior to snapback would not be permitted. But it wasnt clear whether companies would have an opportunity to wind down their operations involving Iran before being subject to enforcement. In its updated Frequently Asked Questions, OFAC said companies will have a 180-day window to wind down business involving Iran, if the company was properly acting under a JCPOA-related authorization and the business was undertaken pursuant to a written agreement entered into prior to the snapback date. Companies will also be allowed to receive payment after snapback if the goods or services have been fully provided or delivered by the snapback date and the payment is made consistent with the terms of a written agreement entered into prior to snapback. Although the trade community generally relies on OFACs FAQ guidance, the FAQs arent binding on the new administration. The Trump Administration is likely to honor the reasonable wind-down period, partly to give some degree of certainty to companies doing business in Iran, and partly to help maintain a level of confidence in the U.S. economic sanctions regime as a whole. ____ Nina Mohseni is an associate attorney at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg in Chicago where she practices customs and international trade law. She is on the board of the Chicago chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT Chicago) and the junior board of the British American Business Council of Chicago (BABCC). She is also a founding member and former chair of the Chicago Bar Associations International Corporate and Trade Law Committee. Ben-Hur is available on Digital Download now and Blu-ray and DVD 16th January. Sofia Black-D'Elia Interview by Laurent Bouzereau Talk about the Family unit. When you first meet the Ben Hur Family, it is under grave circumstances. Judah comes in and is quite injured. Um, and I think you immediately get a sense of whos the Boss which is Naomi. Uh, you know there is no man of the family since our Father is no longer with us. And so, she is the Mom, she is the Dad, she is, you know, the the Care Giver and um, Im his little Sister, and I look up to him a lot. And um, its an interesting Family Dynamic at that time because typically, I would be married off by the time I was 18 to the highest bidder. Judah would be married and we would flee the Nest. Naomi would take care of the Palace but obviously in the case of Ben Hur things happen a little differently. And the thing is also the Mother is very young. In the original Film, the Mother was older. Theres a sense that she was having these Children when she was very young. Thats, you know, at that time, you would die by Age 45 so you had to have your kids early in order to be a Mom at all I think, which is great for Ayelet because we get to have her. Exactly, and it sounds like shes almost like a Child herself to some degree. Yeah, I think thats fair to say. I think that was the case for so many people on You were asked to grow up and now too but especially then, you are asked to grow up so quickly, uh, and so and so young. These women were having Families, Children at a time when I would be going to College, you know, and deciding a Major. So um, shes a bit of a Child herself. Uh, I think Naomi is a quite strong Character. Uh, Survival Instinct kicks in for her I think, when her Husband dies and she just kind of OK, I have to figure this out. She does a pretty good job until the shit hits the fan but..its a tough job. How does Masala fit into the Family profile. What I love about Masala is that he figures in differently for every person within the family. So for Judah, its his best friend and his Brother. For Tirzah, it's the love of her life. And for Naomi, it's a son in a way but also a commodity and something that she has to deal with logistically because he's not Jewish. He's not a Hur and he's living here and so she takes responsibility for him but she feels that she can only do it to a certain extent. So I love that each of us have a very, very different view and at the end of the day, what really matters is what Messala feels about us. And how does he feel about you? I like to think that he thinks I'm Super Hot and he likes me a lot. I think he loves me and I think that there's a very sweet love between the two of them because he is a type of older Brother figure, uh, and she trusts him and I think he's been there for her and taken care of her, and probably was into her, when other people didn't. And of course, there's a separation that happens. First an emotional one and then a physical one. Tell us about the emotional thing that happens. Well emotionally for him, he feels that he's been turned away from the family by Naomi. I think I see it for the first time when Judah comes in and is injured but I think Messala's been feeling that for the majority of his life that he isn't really a part of this family and he won't ever truly be accepted by her, especially as a Suitor for me. He makes the decision to leave and makes something of his own life that has nothing to do with us. I think with the hopes that he would come back as a fully formed man and might be more acceptable to Naomi as a Suitor, and for other reasons, he makes the final sever without saying Goodbye to Tirzah or Naomi and just kind of leaves and we don't seem him for a very long time. And of course, there's a Political Climate for what's happening for the Country at the time. What can you tell us about what's happening at that time? Oh gosh, so much. It's interesting because it's kind of the calm, the eerie calm before the Storm. This isn't the Jewish War yet, the Great, you know, the Jewish Roman War yet. It's just kind of starting to trickle in. So there's still, Romans are still trying to be respectful towards the wealthier Jewish Families while maintaining their control and power and slowly but surely take over more and more. It's a very interesting time in Jewish History and these people are desperately trying to hold onto their Religion and the things that mean the most to them, while also not being arrested and hung on a cross and so, [SOUNDS LIKE: Ben Hurgy] takes place at a very interesting time. And you start to see when the Parade comes in, I think that's such a powerful scene because it really is the beginning of the end for these people, or at least the life that they've always known. And Tirzah's a really good example of that because she's kind of the Teenager going through that. And so she becomes a Zealot and fights with her people, and one man's terror is another man's freedom fighter. To me, she's a freedom fighter because she's just standing up for herself and these people that have very aggressively come into their world. So the Political aspect to me is very fascinating. Set the scene of the Zealot trying to kill Pontius Pilate as he is marching into town. That's kind of the close, I would say the Climax of the story because this is why everything goes wrong. There's a Zealot that we momentarily forget is in the house and he aims at Pontius Pilate and we get blamed for it. And Messala accuses of this crime, mostly because he doesn't have another choice. And also, we've put him in that position. I think what's interesting about this situation is that both sides are very justified. We are justified in being devastated that he wouldn't stand up for us, and he is absolutely justified in punishing us for his people and the life that he's made for himself depends on it. And so the whole family kind of gets separated. Naomi and I end up in a Leper Colony, basically sentenced to Death. And Judah also basically sentenced to Death but ends up in Slavery. So this one action of one boy which really obviously symbolizes so much more, destroys this Family unit. Talk about him seeing you 5 years later and you are saved because of a miracle. Yeah, it's incredible. I think we're saved in two ways. I think Judah comes back. It's a very terrifying moment for all Parties involved because we think he's dead. Naomi doesn't even remember him because she's really far gone. He think we've been dead and now he finds that we're ill and near death and we're saved by a miracle physically but I think emotionally we were both saved by the idea that there's hope, that my Brother, her son is still out there, that he was still looking for us and that someone still loves us and wants to save us so I think that's emotionally what brings us out of that hole literally and otherwise. And then obviously the miracle which we don't really ever understand or address, is what physically starts to heal our wounds. This is a metaphor for the whole story because the story is about emotional scars and the ability to forgive and go forward. The Death of Jesus brings this on. Yeah, it's the, I think Ben Hur is a true epic because it really is like the root of all of the biggest emotions. It's Shakespeare. It's all about the betrayal, it's the forgiveness, it's the Brotherhood, that kind of stuff, not that it's necessarily missing from Cinema now but it hasn't been done like this in awhile and it is so epic in its idea because how do you forgive the person you love betraying you and leaving you to die and all of that stuff which is so dramatic. But I think Ben Hur does a very good job of bringing it down to a relatable level. And yeah, what's interesting about the Jesus miracle of it all is that most of the Characters don't even realize that's happening. It's kind of an audience treat that they see, they can connect the dots. But it's almost out of our grasp of understanding and suddenly, we're able to walk again. Our wounds are a little bit better. We're capable of remembering things and Judah has a beautiful forgiveness with his Brother and Messala reciprocates and it's all very human and only if you're really looking for it, I think you see the mystique in it all. How did you get the part? I auditioned like everyone else. I got lucky. I really liked Timor and I felt in my audition that we understood each other very well and so I was excited that he asked me to do it. What kind of Director is he? He's very kind and patient which I wasn't necessarily not expecting but my experience with his films are so visual and he's such a genius in the way that things look and feel and futuristic style and all those things and so I wasn't expecting him to be so grounded in these Characters and care so much about the minute details of their lives which I think is what makes it a great Movie as opposed to a good Movie and he's very sweet and a listener, a very good listener. I've really enjoyed my time with him. He's lovely. Had you seen the original version? I did not see the Black and White but I did see the Charlton Heston Ben Hur. Did you see it before getting the part? I saw it when I was younger but didn't remember much of it to be honest and then I re-watched it after I found out that I had gotten the part to get a Refresher Course before reading the Novel. What was your reaction to the movie today? I think the Chariot Race still holds up pretty well. It's a pretty incredible work of Film. That really blew my mind but at that point, I had known I was going to be playing this girl and so what stood out to me more than anything was the lack of Female Characters in it. And when they did show up on screen, how insignificant they seemed. I didn't even remember what Esther looked like by the end of the film and to me, when you read Ben Hur, Esther is the heart of it in a way. She's the one that pulls Judah out and saves him in a way before anyone else does. So that's what stood out to me and what made me so excited about John Ridley's script and this version was that these women matter and they have a great effect on the men around them. What was your reaction to the book? It's really long. It's a great book. I was obviously reading it not for enjoyment necessarily, more just as a preparation and what else can I learn about Tirzah and this family before anything happens because I think that that was so important to me at least, that when you come into this house, it doesn't feel like a Movie Set, it feels like a normal family unit under the circumstances. And so I was really reading it for how did they speak to each other? What were his descriptions of her, kind of more background on that, which is where I really saw the strength of Naomi and the respect that she demanded. Because when I read the script for the first time, I thought SOFIA and me would just say Screw you Mom, I'm doing what I want and I'm marrying this man and I'm going to leave this house. And it was only in doing my research of this time period, and reading the original Ben Hur Novel, I realized that that was not an option. She would have never thought to do that, no one would have. So it was very informative for me. I don't think it's necessarily my cup of tea for Beach reading but it was definitely helpful. What is your reaction to the Production value side of this film? I'm still shocked by it to be honest. I've never done anything of this scale before, not even close. So I am easily overwhelmed especially when you go and you see the Circus and this. I mean, it's beautiful and the detail is incredible, how much they cared that it was an accurate depiction of the time period is really impressive to me. It looks beautiful but that wasn't all they were concerned which I really appreciate and I think Viewers will as well. In terms of the look of your Character, you obviously go through a transformation. Tell us about the Make up and how disturbing it may have been to play such a scary Character. I think it's funny because Jack felt similarly. That was the scene that stuck with him the most when he had seen the Original as a Child and he was very concerned with it being just as affecting. And I think we did it. I think our Makeup Team is incredible. And I think what makes it so creepy and stay with you the way they did this Makeup on Ayelet and I is that it's very realistic. So it's not some grotesque over the top of Leprosy or your idea of Leprosy. It's specific and subtle at times and true to what it would have looked like so that to me, is what makes it so scary. You know, no eyebrows, like the little things like that because your facial hair is the first thing to go and it was a very difficult thing to play because that kind of disease is like Science Fiction, it's so unimaginable. And the Makeup really helped me understand what it might have felt like and the effect that you have on other people is almost just as traumatizing as how you feel inside because you are the lowest form of a Human Being at that time if you have Leprosy, you are treated like the dirt beneath a person's shoe and so when you look in the mirror and you see why they might jump, it's very helpful. I wonder what documents they may have used. Are there still people who get Leprosy? Yes, it's to a different degree of course. And I think it's a different, I don't want to say strain of it but the disease has changed a bit. At that time, it was a lot of lesions on the skin. They look pus filled almost and it's like the deterioration of everything physical so your bones start to weaken, your mind starts to weaken. You start to lose your hair and what's crazy is at that time, they were so terrified of contracting this disease that someone, even with severe Acne or Psoriasis would be considered possible Leper so it was a very scary time. It's like in the Woody Allen Film when Owen keeps going back into time and then he says that I realize that they didn't have Dental Care and they didn't have Novocain. I would never go-- You're like Ben Hur Wow, I would love to wear that house and live in this house and then you realize how screwed they were, Healthcarewise and then you're like I'm OK in 2015 cause it's bad, it gets real bad. I'm wondering did you get to go Matera? Yes, we were there for almost 2 months. Talk about filming there. It's spectacular. Oh, it's so beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. Really, the magic kind of rubs off on you. The Caves and the people are so kind and I got to go to a Church that was built in the 1500s and a man named Chestere owns the land in his Family. And to explore something that's that old in kind of unchartered territory was really special and it helps into getting into this film because you're kind of brought down to a very simplistic level and reminded of how little they had around them. And Matera was really something that I'll never forget. It was really beautiful. I don't think I'll ever film in a place like that again. And then Rome. Yeah, the History here is insane. I can't believe just how much it feels like all of it's Ben Hur which has taken over so much space, it's incredible. I'm Italian but I've never been to Italy until now so it's a little bit of a home coming for me and I feel a great connection to it and feel very lucky to be here and especially doing this so Rome has been wonderful. They shot the Original Ben Hur here. Yeah I know, it's insane. We have a lot of good Ju Ju at Chinichi. You get some good vibes when you come in here. Tell us about your Co-Stars, what you felt they brought to Terzah. They're all really, really special. Jack is such a wonderful Leader of this Team and I can't imagine anyone else playing this role. It's a very difficult Character to play. And it always amazes how easy he makes it look. And he's so great with us, with all these other Actors, and with his crew and I'm so impressed by him as an Actor and as a person. I don't look up to him as a Brother, which helps for the Movie and he's been so sweet to me and kind of taken me under his wing and I can't say enough about him. I think he's pretty spectacular and I really can't wait to see the final product. And Toby is such a Power House and I think brings a great sensitivity and vulnerability to Messala which is necessary because he's naturally a very strong Character and I think that him bringing all of those different layers and complexities is what's going to make him so relatable so that when he kicks his family out, you kind of agree and you kind of understand and feel for him. And I've loved so much working with Ayelet, who plays my Mom. She's a riot and a tough, strong Israeli woman, and is just so ferocious when she comes here ready to work and has taught me a lot, and taken me under her wing as well, and just been very patient with me. It's interesting to be the youngest in this group, especially when you haven't done big Movies like this because a part of you is nervous and it's really up to the people around you to make that easier and the transition easier and they've all done that for me so I'm very grateful. Who plays Esther? Nazanine is technically a Slave of ours. I think we've always treated her like Family. She's a bit of a Sister to me, a daughter to Naomi and a love interest to Judah. And so she is the one that kind of keeps him tethered to the ground or tries to at least because he kind of does whatever he wants at the end of the day. But Esther is a very spiritual person. She's very strong. Life kind of beats her down repeatedly and somehow she gets back up every time and Nazanine plays her beautifully. And I can't wait to see cause I never really, that story line is something that I never get to see. I'm never on set when they shoot Judah Esther's stuff which is some of my personal favourites in the book and the script so I'm excited to see it. Talk about Morgan Freeman. Man he's pretty cool. He's really nice. He's just so powerful. I haven't had many scenes with him but when I am on set and he was there, he's just been this strong, calm patient presence and if he says something, you listen. As an Actor, if he's talking to you and seeing you, you just go OK because he's so powerful and it's so cool that he is in this Movie and that Character is so vital to the story and it was not in the Charlton Heston Film and so I'm very, very excited that it's Morgan Freeman and he is kind of this Powerhouse that takes control of the whole second half of the film. He's different than Charlton Heston. Yeah, he's a little different and a little comical I would say. It's almost like a Caricature of a Human Being. And this is a man that pulls Judah out of his Death basically and saves him, and gives him another chance, and says prove yourself, and makes him strong again, even stronger than when you first meet him. And so who better to do that than Morgan Freeman? There are so many iconic scenes in the Movie including the Chariot Race. What can you tell us about how different it will be compared to the Film with Charlton Heston? Well as a fan, I'm definitely following it. I had the pleasure of riding the horses for a couple of weeks, just rehearsing with them and stuff and being over there and seeing the size of that stable and everything. It's just so beautiful and they're doing such an incredible job. And the Chariots themselves are unbelievable. The Art that went into them blows my mind. I can't say too much about how it's different because that's totally the Judah Messala Show and I think they're better people to ask. I almost have tried to keep my distance a little bit because I really want to see it for the first time on a big screen. How important is the sub-story of Jesus? I think it's very important as far as Jesus the Man is concerned because he's kind of the anti-thesis to Judah in the beginning, like he's much more patient, much more understanding, much more accepting of this-- You know what I was saying before, this chaos that's been thrown upon Jerusalem. He is the opposite of Judah in that sense and so I think he's very important to show the road not taken and how some did survive under Roman rule. I think religiously, it's more Spiritual than Biblical. I think he represents a kind of Faith, a kind of Hope. Like I said Patience. I don't know that it's necessarily like Biblical Jesus. I read Zealot, the Novel by Risa Aslom which is really helpful because I think that that to me in the story, that is more of the Jesus that we see is just the kind of man Rodrigo plays so beautifully. So he's not an idea and he's a person that really helps Judah and see the better sides of himself. Reading the script, it felt like a brand new story I could relate to in our time. Did you think that this is a timeless story that is being reinvented for a new Generation? Absolutely I think there are so many aspects of this film that are very relatable now and are important now. The Female Characters in this have no choices really. You get married based on how much money you're worth. You live in a house that's decided by a man. You don't work. You can't read. You can't go into the Holiest part of the Temple if you're a woman at that time. And showing that life now I think is so important, A, to see how far we've come and B, how far we need to go. So I think it is a timeless story in this sense. Those things never change. They get better but it's still things that we can improve upon. Also, Oppression is obviously a very hot topic right now and I think what Judea kind of went through at that time is similar to what other Cultures are going through. I always say that yes, the Costumes are different and our hair looks different but Human Beings don't change and so, the Brotherhood in this story, the Love stories, the Spirituality, all of that, that never changes, no matter how much time has passed. So I think Timor is the perfect person to kind of bring that older story into today. Prince Harry's romantic getaway with Meghan Markle has increased interest in holidays in Norway. Prince Harry The 32-year-old royal and the brunette beauty recently travelled to the little-known village of Tromvik for a winter vacation, and according to Google Trends, their break has coincided with a spike in interest in vacations to the Scandinavian country. Indeed, data has shown that web searches for Tromvik Lodge - the luxury apartment where the Prince stayed - and its surrounds have surged by more than 200 percent. What's more, interest in the currency exchange rate has risen by 300 percent, underlining the influence of the British royal and the 'Suits' actress. Earlier this week, a local revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan, 35, were "very discreet" during their romantic getaway. Despite being among the most recognisable couples in the world, the duo managed to keep a low profile, according to Tromvik local Julie Lilanda. She said: "They were very discreet." Meanwhile, another local, Stig Jakobsen, explained why it is the perfect location for a romantic vacation. He said: "It's a very picturesque spot with a panoramic view of the ocean. "At this time of year the bay is literally full of whales - a ridiculous amount of whales, because they come in to eat the herring, which swim into the fjords near there. "It is very popular with winter tourists because of the Northern Lights and the whales, of which we have an enormous amount. You can basically go in boats to within 10 feet of a huge whale. So it is quite spectacular." The British royal has been dating Meghan since May last year, but has remained tight-lipped about their burgeoning relationship. ITV have today announced their commission of a brand new six-part series, created and written by Mark Marlow and starring BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith. Sheridan Smith / Credit: FAMOUS Titled Clean Break, the drama will focus on ordinary working class woman, Sam, who is caught between two worlds the everyday life of a devoted and loving Mum and the darker, dangerous world of insider trading. Smith plays office cleaner Sam, whos described as one of an invisible army of cleaners on a zero hours contract who mop, sweep and vacuum in the early hours. Struggling with an online gambling addiction, Sam realises she has access to lucrative Stock Market information which if used correctly could be the answer to all her prayers. Money isnt the only problem facing Sam, who is facing a custody battle for her two daughters 14-year-old Alice and 8-year-old Lily with her husband. Clean Break is set in Canary Wharf, contrasting that shiny world with the one of modern suburbia and promises to explore how far Sam will go to survive, claw back some self-respect and get her life back on track. Head of Drama at ITV, Polly Hill said of the commission: I am delighted to be commissioning Mark Marlows first drama. Its such a wonderful script that finds real humour and joy in the human struggle to survive. Sheridan is perfect for the role of Sam and Im thrilled shes returning to ITV to play her. Produced by Jane and Sister Pictures, its a fantastic team and promises to be a real treat for our audience. Jane Featherstone, founded of Sister Pictures added: Its such a pleasure to be making a show for ITV about contemporary Britain with a strong and complicated female lead character. Its also enormously gratifying that this comes from an exceptional brand new voice, Mark, and a brilliant up and coming director, Lewis Arnold. Expect it to be moving, funny and surprising. Clean Break will be filming in the London area during autumn of this year. by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on It was a teary day as the President of United States of America; Barack Obama delivered his farewell address at Chicagos McCormick Place Tuesday night. The President was accompanied by the First lady - his lovely wife Michelle and elder daughter Malia, who was just 10 years old when the family first moved into the White House, 8 years ago. The younger daughter, Sasha was unable to attend the symbolic farewell speech. Emotions were high as the Obama family and supporters were moved to tears and urged America to fulfil the promise of democracy as a new era of government is about to begin. Here are some highlights from the speech: Barack Obama thanked his wife of 25 years: Michelle, for the past twenty-five years, youve been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend. You took on a role you didnt ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. Youve made me proud. Youve made the country proud. Told daughters Malia and Sasha he was proud of them: Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad. Expressed gratitude to Vice President Joe Biden: To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delawares favourite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother. We love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our life. Took a stand in support of Muslims, women and LGBTs: I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans who are just as patriotic as we are. Thats why we cannot withdraw from global fights to expand democracy, and human rights, womens rights, and LGBT rights no matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem. For the fight against extremism and intolerance and sectarianism are of a piece with the fight against authoritarianism and nationalist aggression. If the scope of freedom and respect for the rule of law shrinks around the world, the likelihood of war within and between nations increases, and our own freedoms will eventually be threatened. Implored with America to protect democracy: Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote. When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes. And all of this depends on our participation; on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power swings. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended a groundbreaking ceremony of Ordubad Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) Jan. 11. The president was informed that the capacity of the plant will be 36 MW. The diversion-type plant will be located on the Araz River. The reservoir with the capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters will be built for the plant. Three units with the capacity of 12 MW each will be installed. The length of the diversion-type canal will be 12,738 meters. The president laid a foundation stone for the new plant. Canadian apparel retailer Gildan Activewear has acquired American Apparel through a court supervised auction. Gildan entered into an asset purchase agreement with American Apparel that served as the initial bid in a bankruptcy court supervised auction on November 14, and the same day, American Apparel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Gildans final cash bid of around $88 million includes the acquisition of the worldwide intellectual property rights related to the American Apparel brand and certain manufacturing facilities. Canadian apparel retailer Gildan Activewear has acquired American Apparel through a court supervised auction. Gildan entered into an asset purchase agreement with American Apparel that served as the initial bid in a bankruptcy court supervised auction on November 14, and the same day, American Apparel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.# The Canadian garment retailer will also separately purchase American Apparel inventory, to ensure a seamless supply of goods as it integrates the brand within its Printwear business.We are excited to be moving forward with this acquisition, as the American Apparel brand will be a strong complementary addition to our growing brand portfolio, CEO of Gildan Glenn Chamandy said. We see strong potential to grow American Apparel sales by leveraging our extensive printwear distribution networks to drive further market share penetration. (AR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India One of the biggest manufacturer and exporter of garments, Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (VINATEX) expects that its sales will rise 12 per cent, production value 14 per cent, while exports will grow 11 per cent, all over the prior year in 2017. VINATEX also added that it has enough orders in hand to keep them busy in the first quarter of 2017.Vietnamese media quoted VINATEX general director Le Tien Truong as also informing that the industry will face various challenges in the current year, which includes that trade deals like the EU-Vietnam FTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, will not come into effect in 2017. One of the biggest manufacturer and exporter of garments, Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (VINATEX) expects that its sales will rise 12 per cent, production value 14 per cent, while exports will grow 11 per cent, all over the prior year in 2017. VINATEX also added that it has enough orders in hand to keep them busy in the first quarter of 2017.# According to Truong, competition will turn more fierce as competitor countries helped by advantages in exchange rates as well as tax rates will continue to bag orders, while economic instability in the EU too will become a matter of concern for the Vietnamese sector.In 2016, VINATEX saw its revenue growing 5 per cent over 2015 to $2.5 billion, with pre-tax profits also rising at the same pace to reach VND 41 trillion. These results came in the year when, overall Vietnamese garment exports climbed 5.7 per cent year over year to $28.3 billion. (AR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India OrganoClick, a green chemical and material technology company that develops performance materials based on cellulosic fibres, is representing Sweden in the environmental and corporate sustainability category of the European Business Awards. The company has already been named national champion for Sweden in this public voting competition. The European Business Awards, Europes largest business competition, is set up to celebrate business excellence and best practice in the European business community. It requires the national champions in each country to make a presentation video, telling their unique story and explaining their business success. The public will watch the videos and vote for their favourite. We really want to put Sweden on the European map of eco-friendly companies in the frontline. It is with great hope for the public votes that we head for the champion title. We want to inspire the world to make great business with environmentally friendly solutions, said Marten Hellberg, CEO of OrganoClick. OrganoClick, a green chemical and material technology company that develops performance materials based on cellulosic fibres, is representing Sweden in the environmental and corporate sustainability category of the European Business Awards. The company has already been named national champion for Sweden in this public voting competition. # OrganoClick was chosen from 33,000 businesses, by an esteemed panel of judges made up of European business and political leaders, academics and entrepreneurs, to represent Sweden in the category of environmental and corporate sustainability. OrganoClick was internationally recognised for its research and development of alternative chemical technologies to replace environmentally harmful chemicals currently in use in fibre based materials. In addition, it has successfully taken its products to market with a rapid international sales growth. OrganoClick produces and markets functional materials based on environmentally friendly fibre chemistry. Examples of products that are marketed by OrganoClick are the water-repellent fabric treatment OrganoTex, the flame and rot protected wooden material OrganoWood (through the subsidiary company OrganoWood AB) and biobased binders for nonwoven materials. OrganoClick was founded in 2006 as a commercial spinoff company based on academic research examining the modification of biofibers performed at Stockholm University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. (KD) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Invistas Cordura brand is celebrating five decades of continuous advancements in military and workwear sectors. The brand is launching an array of new fibre and fabric innovations, exciting end-use applications, on-trend collaborations, a 50 for 50 global road-show, and is featuring success stories from supply chain partners and brand customers.The Cordura brand has pushed its legacy T420 nylon 6,6 staple fibre to the next level of tenacity. The new state-of-the-art, patent-pending Invista T420HT fibre is the highest tenacity nylon 6,6 staple fibre Invista has ever produced. This military-grade fibre technology is super strong and exceptionally durable, offering a new dimension of lightweight comfort and protection for extreme environments. Already adopted for use in combat uniforms by a major international military, multiple wear trials with fabrics made with Invista T420HT are underway, including extensive testing by the US military. Dickies is the first commercial customer to use fabrics made with this new innovation and will launch its Dickies PRO with Cordura military-grade fibre technology collection in Fall 2017. Invista's Cordura brand is celebrating five decades of continuous advancements in military and workwear sectors. The brand is launching an array of new fibre and fabric innovations, exciting end-use applications, on-trend collaborations, a 50 for 50 global road-show, and is featuring success stories from supply chain partners and brand customers.# Carefully crafted blends of natural fibres and nylon 6,6 in fabrics like Cordura denims and Cordura combat wool, are driving soft-comfort performance materials of the future. Blends of cotton, Tencel, and wool with Cordura denim technology create durable, long-lasting and cross-functional fabrics with next generation technical benefits including moisture management, thermal regulation, and more. Collaborations with Cone Denim on a first of its kind Cordura Selvage Denim and with Artistic Milliners on new Cordura Combat Wool denim blends usher in new technical denims of the future.Cordura and Woolrich, Americas Original Outdoor Clothing Company, have made a reimagined Wool-Dura collection of fabric and garments that take inspiration from its hunting-centric predecessor while adding a modern, cross-functional twist for todays urban consumer. The Wool-Dura collection mixes the legendary durability of Cordura fibre with the natural Woolrich wool qualities of warmth, comfort and softness to create a new contemporary classic.The 50th anniversary road-show kicks off at Winter Outdoor Retailer 2017 in Salt Lake City, and then heads to SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Munich Fabric Starts Blue Zone, ISPO Munich in Germany, IDEX in Abu Dhabi, Techtextil in Frankfurt, Germany, and more. (GK) Fibre2fashion News Desk - India The Government of Pakistan has announced incentives worth Rs 180 billion to boost the countrys exports. The package includes removal of customs duty and sales tax on import of cotton. Customs duty on man-made fibres other than polyester has also been scrapped. The package is applicable for an 18-month period from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. Under the package, sales tax levied on import of textile machinery stands abolished. Moreover, new duty drawback rates have been announced. These will be 7 per cent for textiles and garments, 6 per cent for made-ups, 5 per cent for processed fabric, and 4 per cent for yarn and grey fabric. Announcing the trade initiatives, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the package would help achieve the objective of export-led growth. The Government of Pakistan has announced incentives worth Rs 180 billion to boost the country's exports. The package includes removal of customs duty and sales tax on import of cotton. Customs duty on man-made fibres other than polyester has also been scrapped. The package is applicable for an 18-month period from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.# The package announced by the Prime Minister is the countrys biggest trade enhancement package and most of the incentives are related to exports, commerce minister Khurram Dastagir Khan told reporters after the announcement. There will be no condition on getting duty drawback in first six months (January to June) of the scheme. However, exporters will have to record 10 per cent growth in exports during next fiscal year 2017-18 as compared to the ongoing financial year, Khan said. He said the package would increase Pakistans exports by $2.5 to $3 billion by the end of June 2018. Pakistans total exports declined by more than 12 per cent from 2013 to 2015, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. In the first half of current fiscal 2016-17, Pakistans total exports dropped 3.82 per cent to $9.912 billion compared to $10.306 billion in the corresponding period of previous fiscal. (RKS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The Speed-to-Market Scheme (STMS) that aims at developing the Speed-to-Market textile and apparel export segment of Mauritius in the wake of Brexit will be launched this month after consultations with various stakeholders. It will allow Mauritian exporters to become more competitive vis-a-vis other countries exporting via air freight to Europe. Another one of the schemes objectives is to enhance the competitiveness of Mauritian exports in the European market, especially in terms of speed of delivery. At the same time, it will provide support to the textile and apparel enterprises facing difficulties in the wake of Brexit, according to an official statement by the Mauritian government. The scheme will only be applicable to the textile and apparel manufacturing companies. It will provide a 40 per cent refund on air freight cost to exporters to Europe including the UK. It will be time-bound for 2 years and will be operated and managed by Enterprise Mauritius. The Speed-to-Market Scheme (STMS) that aims at developing the 'Speed-to-Market' textile and apparel export segment of Mauritius in the wake of Brexit will be launched this month after consultations with various stakeholders. It will allow Mauritian exporters to become more competitive vis-a-vis other countries exporting via air freight to Europe.# The refund will be applicable for exports as from April 1, 2017. The STMS air freight rebate scheme for textile and apparel was announced in the Budget speech 2016/17 by the minister of finance and economic development of Mauritius. (KD) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India HON PM BAINIMARAMA SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF MAGODRO SECONDARY SCHOOL Vinaka Vakalevu. Thank you. Ni sa tiko saka na turaga na Tui Magodro,Ni tiko talega na Turaga kei na Marama, e na tikina vakaturaga o Magodro,The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts;The School Manager and members of the Committee;The Principal and Staff,Our new students;Ladies and Gentlemen.Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.Im delighted to be here today in Magodro for a day truly worthy of celebration, the official opening of the new Magodro Secondary School.Thank you all for the wonderful welcome. I can think of few ways better to start off the new year than to be among all you today, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of your community and celebrating a new beginning.I always feel blessed when I am able to leave Suva and spend time in the communities that form the backbone of our nation, to be with my fellow Fijians from all over our country who work hard every day and who count on their government only to give them and their children the same opportunities that others have. And being here with you all today to bring new opportunity into the lives of your young people I can safely say is the best part of my job.Expanding access and improving the quality of our childrens education has been one of my Governments most significant accomplishments over the past decade. It has been a very personal quest for me, and I consider it to be far and away my proudest achievement that we have realised for the benefit of the Fijian people.There are many responsibilities that a Government owes to its citizens. And one of the most important and most sacred of those duties is laying down a solid foundation for the next generation. So that they inherit a country we are proud to pass on to them. So that our children can build upon the progress we have achieved, and have the wisdom and the ability to overcome the challenges that are to come.That begins with education. That begins with inspiring our young people to pursue their passions in life and to learn as much as they can during this stage of their lives. And for the people of Magodro, that begins right here with the construction of this new secondary school.Thanks to our free education initiative for Years 1 to 13 and our free fares for travelling students, all across our islands students have been able to attend school without financial limitations. Limitations that once held back far too many of our young people. And due to the construction of new primary, secondary and tertiary institutions throughout the nation, young Fijians have educational options available to them as never before seen in our history.I understand that adequate access to secondary education has been a long-standing issue for your community. That some of you have taken your children all the way to the Thomas Baker Secondary School or to Government boarding schools, or even sent your young ones to live with relatives in Nadi all in the pursuit of secondary education opportunities for your children.Allow me to first commend you on the commitment you have shown to your childrens academic success, and let me assure you that the days of sacrifice that you have endured are over. The academic options you have struggled to bring into the lives of your children are now at your doorstep, and the education your children will receive here will rival that received by students anywhere else in Fiji.Now your children can dedicate their time and effort to their studies without suffering the stress and inconvenience and wasted time of traveling long distances to school. They can attend school as they should, in the comfort of their own communities, where you, their parents, can more easily take an active part in their educations. That is because the schools will be here, and the teachers will not be distant strangers located many kilometres away, but real people who live among you and know you as friends and neighbours.The establishment of this school is a small part of the large vision my Government is setting out for our country for the new Fiji. A Fiji where location does not determine the opportunity Fijians can access or the success they can find in life. That applies not only to increasing access to education, but access to reliable infrastructure, to water, electricity and telecommunications, and to other essential Government services. Of course, this will take time. But every day we are working to bring improvements such as this new secondary school into the lives of Fijians from every corner of our country.I was very pleased to learn that your communitys commitment to education extended to the very establishment of this school. And that residents of the Bukuya, Nadevo, Navaga, Tabalei, Tabuquto, Nasivikoso and Bila villages all contributed towards the construction of the new premises. Vinaka vakalevu for all your efforts.My Government has invested a total $95,000 for the construction of a new classroom and a bedroom house to accommodate our teachers. Renovations have also been made to the ablution blocks to give students access to proper wash facilities. And given the impact I know this new school will have on your community, we are glad to have invested every penny.To our pioneer students of Magodro Secondary congratulations. Take ownership of your new institution, and be proud to be leading the way for the many generations of students that will follow. Care for your new school, respect your teachers and take advantage of the limitless opportunities that secondary education can bring into your lives.Ladies and gentlemen,I very much look forward to seeing your young people work hard and succeed at this new institution.Thank you again for your warm welcome, and it is now my pleasure to officially declare the Magodro Secondary School open. Deepika Padukone has been on a roll. After wowing Mexico, the beauty has been slaying London as she promotes xXx: Return Of Xander Cage across the world. Before heading back to Mumbai with co-star Vin Diesel, DPs stopping for one last appearance in the British capital. Donning a chic cold shoulder dress and bronzed make-up, Deepika took our breath away. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: Additional measures will be taken to strengthen Azerbaijans military potential, said President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the socioeconomic development in 2016 and objectives for the future. A lot of funds were allocated to the budget, the president said. Military expenditures are in the first place in our budget expenditures. And it must be so. We are living in a state of war. Despite all crises, decline in oil prices, we provide our army with most advanced weapons, ammunition and equipment, he added. Last year very important steps were taken, the president said. Most advanced weapons were brought to our country and this process will continue this year. Today the Azerbaijani army is one of the strongest armies in the world both in terms of combat readiness and logistics, he said. We have the most advanced weapons with high accuracy and destructive power. Some of them have been demonstrated, and others will be demonstrated when and where necessary. We all know that Farhan Akhtar comes from a filmy background as his father Javed Akhtar is a lyricist and his mother Honey Irani is an actor and a screenwriter. Little do we know about his great-great-grandfather Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi. The actor is now keen to dig deep into his roots and wants to know more about him by visiting the place he lived many years ago. Priyanka Chopra Bids Farewell To US President Barack Obama! Farhan Akhtar's great-great-grandfather Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi was a renowned poet, philosopher and a religious scholar from Khairabad, which is located 80kms from present day Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The Rock On 2 star is keen to visit and explore the place. A source close to the actor was quoted as saying, "Apparently, his great-great-grandfather was also a very important part of the revolt in 1857. He had died serving life imprisonment in cellular jail (aka Kala Pani) in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While Farhan has heard stories about him from the elders of his family, he wished to find out more by personally visiting the place some day when he gets the chance to." The source concluded, "The actor is now interested in tracing back his roots and to delve deep into the curiously captivating life of his great-great-grandfather." Can Bollywood Do A Meryl Streep At Award Functions? Can B-town Openly Insult Leaders? After a special screening of Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi starrer Haraamkhor, actors Kalki Koechlin and Vicky Kaushal were appreciative of how the "powerful story" has been told. The Jio MAMI Film Club with Star, premiered the movie here on Tuesday night. Kalki said, "I've seen an early cut of the film two, three years ago. I loved the film. I am excited to see the final product. I am very proud of (director) Shlok Sharma that, finally, he got the film out. He is a good friend of many years, so I am very happy for him. It is a very powerful story and both Shweta and Nawazuddin have done an outstanding job." Vicky Kaushal, who featured with Shweta in the film Masaan, said, "To some extent, I am also part of the journey of this film. Shlok, Nawaz bhai, Shweta are all my close friends. I am aware of all the hardships the film had to face. Ultimately, the film is going to release. I feel very happy for the entire team." Priyanka Chopra Bids Farewell To US President Barack Obama! The crowd-funded film about a student-teacher romance faced hurdles with the censor board. It is releasing on January 13, 2017 after getting a green signal from the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. The movie had won the Silver Gateway of India trophy at the 17th Edition of the MAMI film festival. Can Bollywood Do A Meryl Streep At Award Functions? Can B-town Openly Insult Leaders? Celebrities and a certain section of people are going gaga over Meryl Streep's speech targeting the President-elect Donald Trump for mocking a disabled reporter during his campaign. Bollywood stars have praised Meryl for her boldness and Twitterati wanted B-town to grow a spine and call 'a spade a spade' without any fear. Priyanka Chopra Bids Farewell To US President Barack Obama! However, film-maker Mahesh Bhatt said that whenever Bollywood celebs speak out against anything, the backlash is too much to handle and one doesn't take the risk to be openly talk about politics in the country. He gave out examples of the Pakistani artists being banned in India after the Uri attacks. Salman Khan and Mahesh Bhatt were against the idea of film artists being compared with terrorists from across the border and both the celebs received taunts as being anti-nationals. Mahesh Bhatt opened up by saying, "When there was this huge uproar about banning Pakistani artists, everyone saw the kind of reaction people like me, Salman and Om Puri got, who said that one should not think paint artists and terrorists with the same brush. We were called anti-nationals, crackpots and what not. Unlike politicians, film stars don't have foot soldiers to protect them." Can Bollywood Do A Meryl Streep At Award Functions? Can B-town Openly Insult Leaders? The film-maker also said why Bollywood stars like to remain mum on political issues. "Even those in the industry who you have worked with are used as tools to criticise you. Having said that, of course you will face some kind of a reaction if you go against the popular belief or opinion. If you are scared of being lonely, then don't try to be 'right.' It's that simple." Sonam Kapoor Calls Donald Trump A Joker For Labelling Meryl Streep An Over-rated Actress! The President of the United States Barack Obama gave his final speech in Chicago by signing off with his famous campaign slogan which he used in 2008 'Yes We Can'. The crowd chanted "Four more years" and he responded "Chicago, I can't do that." On January 20, 2017 Barack Obama will hand over the Presidential responsibilities to Donald Trump and said that the Presidential transition is going on very smoothly. The outgoing President's farewell speech was so moving, that Priyanka Chopra took to her social media handle and posted a picture of her television screen showcasing the goodbye speech from Obama and captioned it as, "What an incredible legacy.. #FarewellAdress #Obamas." In May 2016, Priyanka Chopra had attended the White House Correspondents Dinner and met Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama in the Oval office. An excited PeeCee had heaped praises on the President by saying, "Lovely to meet the very funny and charming Barack Obama and the beautiful Michelle Obama." Can Bollywood Do A Meryl Streep At Award Functions? Can B-town Openly Insult Leaders? PeeCee's meeting with the Obamas at the White House went so well, that Michelle invited her to to be a part of her girls initiative project 'Let Girls Learn'. The project aimed to empower 62 Million girls around the world who at present do not go to school and the initiative helped them achieve education. The US President is also a passionate supporter of the cause. Shraddha Kapoor Opens Up About Her Live-in Relationship With Farhan Akhtar! Films inspired by true-life events are a hit with the audidence these days. It's time to see yet another engrossing story about unsung heroes whose ultimate sacrifice we never knew about. This morning, the makers of The Ghazi Attack released the first trailer of the film and we are totally digging into it. The film which is touted to be India's first war-at-sea film stars Rana Daggubati and Taapsee Pannu. The Ghazi Attack is an epic underwater tale of the immense courage and undying patriotism of the men aboard the Indian submarine S-21 who destroyed the Pakistani submarine PNS Ghazi when it ventured into Indian waters with the ambition of destroying INS Vikrant and conquering the Visakhapatnam port on the eastern coast of India in 1971. The plot of the film revolves around an executive naval officer and his team who had remained underwater for 18 days. Watch the trailer here... What makes the film even more interesting is its stellar cast which comprises of Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni and the late Om Puri! The film boosts of some excellent production values and we are already hooked to whatever little glimpse of the war scenes that we got in the trailer. Rana Daggubati shed weight for his role of Arjun, a naval officer and the film has seen never before seen stunts. The actor was earlier quoted saying, "For the first time in our cinema, you will see daring underwater stunts. We shot for them for 12 days taking all necessary precautions. While one part was shot in the Olympic pool, large parts of the underwater stunts were shot in the oceans off the coast of Vizag." He further added, "It was dangerous because we didn't know what we would encounter deep inside the ocean. We had to look out for sudden underwater currents. Sometimes pieces of metal would suddenly come at us. The terrain was unknown so it was both thrilling and a challenge to shoot. To shoot such scenes, one has to be trained specially. Luckily for me, I am already a certified deep sea diver with a professional diving license. But I also took some additional training for this shoot which was choreographed professionally," The film has Taapsee Pannu playing a Bangladeshi refugee. Presented by Karan Johar and directed by Sankalp Reddy, the bilingual flick is slated to release on 12th February, 2017. Shahrukh Khan Says None Of The Actors Including Him Can Compete With Salman Khan At The Box Office! In the upcoming British drama miniseries, Taboo, Tom Hardy plays the character named James Keziah Delaney, a tormented man trying to return to his native place after his father's death. But the actor says the role of Delaney is one of the most tortured characters he has ever portrayed. "Delaney is probably one of the most tortured characters I've played because, for me, he's connected to everyone in the piece in a very personal way. It wasn't just about playing James Delaney but also about really immersing myself in everyone else." Said Tom Hardy in a statement. "We're still on the edit on Episode 8. It's a slow burn in the way a novel would be. After Episode 3, it starts moving around like a chess piece. I don't find it that dark - I just had fun playing in it." Hardy explained. Hardy also puts light on the prospect of him featuring in the future Batman movies and said, "I was speaking to Chris [Nolan] when we were doing screen tests and he asked what I thought I would like to do vocally," "And I said, 'there are two roads that it could go down at this moment in time, one is orthodox and however you want to build it.' Instead, he showed him a video of Gorman, and the voice of Bane was born. Bane is not too far from the real person," Hardy stated further. Nivin Pauly, the young actor is all set to essay the lead role in actress-director Geetu Mohandas's maiden Malayalam feature film venture, Moothon. The actor shared his excited about the project in a recent interview. Interestingly, Nivin stated that Moothon is his dream project. According to the actor, his role in the movie is very challenging and demands a lot of preparations. Nivin will be using Jeseri (Lakshadweep) dialect in the movie. He will also have a few dialogues in Hindi, as the movie is partially set in Mumbai. Nivin Pauly is planning to take a special language training for his character. The actor will be appearing in an entirely different get-up in the movie. Moothon, which depicts the story of a 14-year-old boy who comes to Mumbai in search of his elder brother, is scripted by director Geetu himself. The movie will be shot at the various locations of Lakshadweep and Mumbai. The screenplay of Moothon was shortlisted by the Screen Writers Lab of Sudan's Film Festival 2015, as one of the best screenplays. Geetu Mohandas has won the Global Film-making Award for the Best Screenplay, for Moothon. Anurag Kashyap, the Bollywood director has co-written the dialogues of the movie. Geetu's husband, the National-award winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi handles the cinematography. Moothon will start rolling in April 2017. Vidya Balan, the supremely talented Bollywood actress was supposed to make her Malayalam debut, with the Kamala Surayya biopic Aami. But as per the latest updates, Vidya has backed out from the Kamal-directed project. Reportedly, the actress has been receiving threats from various religious groups, due to the controversial nature of the movie. The recent controversies regarding Kamal, the director of the project is also a reason for Vidya's decision. Kamal has been heavily criticised for his comments on the Government decision to play National Anthem in the theatres. Reportedly, the director's stand hasn't gone well with Vidya Balan, who prefers to stay away from controversies. Reportedly, Aami is based on Kamala Surayya's biopic Ente Kadha and some other literary works based on her life. The audiences and media are quite sure that the movie will evoke controversies, Initially, the team was planning to begin the shoot of Aami in September 2015, but it was delayed multiple times due to Vidya's unavailability. Rumour mills had speculated that the project has been shelved. But director Kamal and Vidya's PR team slammed the rumours immediately. Aami, which is written by Kamal himself, also has some prominent actors including Prithviraj, Murali Gopy, and Anoop Menon in the star cast. TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- A report released today by Sotheby's International Realty Canada revealed significant shifts in the performance of key Canadian top-tier real estate markets in 2016. The country's four major metropolitan centres reflected resilience in spite of major domestic and global changes, as local market fundamentals emerged as the dominant forces in reshaping market performance across the country. The Greater Toronto Area (Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto and York) dramatically accelerated its rapid pace of growth to lead Canada's four major metropolitan centres with $1 million-plus sales surging 77% year-over-year, and luxury sales over $4 million rising 95% over 2015 figures. Following years of record-setting gains, Vancouver's top-tier real estate sales slowed in the latter half of 2016 as a series of municipal, provincial and federal policy changes, including the introduction of a 15% foreign buyers' tax, amplified a trend towards market moderation that had emerged over the summer. While sales volume over $1 million increased 26% year-over-year in the first half of 2016, it declined 34% year-over-year in the last half of 2016. However, annual sales over $1 million in 2016 remained consistent with 2015 levels, with a nominal 1% year-over-year decline. Vancouver's luxury real estate sales over $4 million increased 36% overall in 2016 compared to 2015. Top-tier real estate activity in Calgary increased in 2016 despite the city's continued economic challenges, as motivated sellers entered the market with adjusted pricing. $1 million-plus residential real estate sales activity increased 19% year-over-year. A stable provincial economy and political landscape resulted in a healthy 23% gain in Montreal's $1 million-plus sales volume over 2015. "Toronto's luxury real estate market shattered previous performance records for the second straight year and exceeded industry expectations," says Brad Henderson, President and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty Canada. "At the same time, in light of the unexpected and unrelenting changes that rippled across the housing industry in 2016, the top-tier real estate markets in Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal demonstrated tremendous resilience, and in many cases sheer defiance, to post healthy performance across the board." According to Henderson, local market factors such as inventory constraints or oversupply, regional economic performance, levels of local consumer confidence and domestic demand, prevailed in shaping the top-tier real estate market even as major changes in municipal, provincial and federal policy directly impacted the sector and the housing finance system in 2016. Similarly, global political and economic headwinds were tempered by regional trends and hyper-local real estate conditions. Canadian top-tier real estate market highlights included: Vancouver Following a record-breaking first half of 2016 that sent $1 million-plus real estate sales rising another 26% to 3,111 properties sold, the city of Vancouver's top-tier market normalized in the second half of the year. From July 1 to December 31, 2016, 1,404 properties sold over $1 million, down 55% from the first six months of 2016, and down 34% compared to the same period in 2015. Overall, the city's annual $1 million-plus residential real estate sales (condominiums, attached and single family homes) remained in line with 2015 performance, declining 1% year-over-year, with 4,515 units sold compared to 4,578 units in 2015. Luxury real estate sales over $4 million experienced an overall 36% year-over-year increase to 573 sales in 2016. While single family home sales over $1 million fell 47% from 2015 levels in the second half of 2016, in total, 2,895 homes sold over this price point in 2016, a modest decline of 16% from 2015. In spite of a 35% year-over-year decrease in $4 million-plus sales in the last half of the year compared to the same period in 2015, the annual sales volume of homes sold in this luxury price range increased 34% overall, with 520 homes sold compared to 388 in 2015. With intensifying demand from homebuyers seeking alternatives to single family homes, $1 million-plus attached home sales increased 38% year-over-year to 612 properties sold. Sales of condominiums over $1 million increased 48% year-over-year with 1,008 sales in 2016 compared to 679 units in 2015. Calgary Calgary's top-tier real estate sales activity stabilized in 2016, as prices adjusted to better align with buyers' market conditions. Following 2015, a year in which $1 million-plus residential real estate sales volume (condominium, attached and single family) decreased over 40% compared to 2014, sales over $1 million increased 19% year-over-year to 612 units sold in 2016. Sales of $1 million-plus single family homes, Calgary's predominant top-tier housing category, increased 22% year-over-year to 548 homes sold in 2016 even as attached home sales over $1 million held steady with a marginal 4% decline to 45 units sold. In spite of two sales by Sotheby's International Realty Canada in 2016 that set city records for the highest sold prices for condominiums listed on MLS over the past three years at $8,389,500 and $5,145,000, $1 million-plus condo sales remained consistent when compared to 2015, with 19 units sold. Greater Toronto Area (GTA) In 2016, the Greater Toronto Area (Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto and York) exhibited the strongest sales gains of Canada's four major metropolitan markets for the second straight year, with real estate sales over $1 million (condominiums, attached and single family homes) up 77% year-over-year to 19,692 properties sold compared to 11,112 units in 2015. This exceeded the 48% gain in sales over $1 million in 2015 over 2014. In the city of Toronto alone, $1 million-plus and $4 million-plus real estate sales increased 44% and 87% respectively, to 7,799 and 209 properties sold. With consumer demand heavily outweighing available inventory, sales of $1 million-plus single family homes sustained heated growth across the GTA: sales were up 77% year-over-year in 2016 with 17,553 of homes sold, while sales over $4 million increased 96% with 272 units sold compared to 139 units sold in 2015. As in 2015, the percentage gain in sales volume of $1 million-plus attached homes exceeded that of all other residential housing types, as rising single family home prices drove buyers to purchase 1,324 units in 2016, an annual increase of 101%. Top-tier condominium market activity was strong throughout the year: sales over $1 million were up 51% in the GTA with 815 units sold in 2016. Montreal Montreal's top-tier real estate market experienced healthy growth in 2016 as modest gains in Quebec's provincial economy, enduring political stability and steady consumer confidence sustained positive real estate market conditions. Overall, real estate sales over $1 million increased 23% year-over-year with 613 properties (condominiums, attached and single family homes) sold, while luxury sales over $4 million increased 29% with nine units sold in 2016, compared to seven units sold in 2015. Both single family and attached home sales over $1 million increased 25% year over year to 334 units and 197 units sold respectively. While the completion of new condominium developments and the addition of new inventory softened prices, the volume of condominiums sold over $1 million increased 14% year-over-year to 82 properties. Sotheby's International Realty Canada's bi-annual Top-Tier Real Estate Report examines the market for $1 million-plus residential properties sold in Vancouver, Calgary, the Greater Toronto Area and Montreal. The annual report analyzes year-over-year data and key market variables for the first six months of 2016, offering insight into top-tier real estate sales trends in Canada's key urban centres. For more information on Sotheby's International Realty Canada and the 2016 Year End Top-Tier Real Estate Report contact: Talk Shop Media Chantel Cassar 604.738.2220 chantel@talkshopmedia.com About Sotheby's International Realty Canada Combining the world's most prestigious real estate brand with local market knowledge and specialized marketing expertise, Sotheby's International Realty Canada is the leading real estate sales and marketing company for the country's most exceptional properties. With offices in over 30 residential and resort markets nationwide, our professional associates provide the highest calibre of real estate service, unrivalled local and international marketing solutions and a global affiliate sales network of approximately 850 offices in 65 countries to manage the real estate portfolios of discerning clients from around the world. For further information, visit www.sothebysrealty.ca. Disclaimer The information contained in this report references market data from MLS boards across Canada. Sotheby's International Realty Canada cautions that MLS market data can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in widely divergent neighborhoods or account for price differentials within local markets. This report is published for general information only and not to be relied upon in any way. Although high standards have been used in the preparation of the information and analysis presented in this report, no responsibility or liability whatsoever can be accepted by Sotheby's International Realty Canada or Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates for any loss or damage resultant from any use of, reliance on, or reference to the contents of this document. Contacts: Talk Shop Media Chantel Cassar 604.738.2220 chantel@talkshopmedia.com Featuring Blockchain, Securing The Internet of Value and the HUMAN(IT) Manifesto WISeKey International Holding Ltd (WIHN.SW) ("WISeKey") today announced the final composition of its Annual Cybersecurity Roundtable Discussion, on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 12.00-2.00pm CET at the Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvedere in Davos. Since 2013, when the company hosted the first Davos Roundtable on Cybersecurity, WISeKey Founder and CEO, Carlos Moreira has been at the forefront of the industry, leading dynamic and revealing discussions with market experts about the future of securing internet technology. A notable feature of the Davos agenda, the Cybersecurity Roundtable session is an invitation only assembly of technology industry leaders, policy makers, academics and media. This year, roundtable host Carlos Moreira will be joined by Eugene Kaspersky, Founder of Kaspersky Labs; David Fergusson, CEO of The M&A Advisor; Matthew Bishop, Senior Editor of The Economist; Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Minister of Youth ICT, Government of Rwanda; Blockchain investor Wei Wang, Chairman of China Mergers Acquisitions Association; leading Technology Professor, Primavera De Filippi; founder and the CEO of Blockchain startup Stratumn, Richard Caetano. Leading Blockchain expert Don Tapscott, the best-selling author of "Blockchain Revolution," will return to the roundtable to deliver a keynote introduction to the session. "I'm pleased to be keynoting this event again this year. In my new book Blockchain Revolution, we explained our belief that blockchain technology represents nothing less than the second generation of the Internet, and as such we want to ensure it reaches its full potential. It is great to see Wisekey showing leadership in the realm of cybersecurity," noted Don Tapscott. For more information and to request attendance at the Roundtable, CLICK HERE During 2016, WISeKey, the OISTE.ORG Foundation and their global partnership ecosystem delivered new initiatives around the world bringing the number of interconnected devices featuring WISeKey's vertical platform to 2.6 billion of the total estimated Internet of Things (IoT) market volume of 8 billion. "As we predicted, while the Internet of Things is delivering previously unthinkable technological achievements, one of the greatest challenges has been how to secure the interconnectivity of billions of devices," advises WISeKey's CEO, Carlos Moreira. "And, while we will continue to pioneer the security of IoT, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we will do so with a keen awareness of the need to manage the dynamic relationship between humanity and technology. At the Annual Cybersecurity Roundtable, WISeKey will introduce The HUMAN(IT) Manifesto to declare the company's commitment to a bright and secure future a proclamation for choosing wisely. "Seismic shifts to the major physical systems of the world-transportation, food production, energy consumption, scientific discovery, education and healthcare are occurring at an increasingly rapid pace," stated WISeKey's Senior Advisor and HUMAN(IT) Manifesto Co-Author, David Fergusson. "To encourage and empower the person to be at the center of gravity of the internet, we have developed The HUMAN (IT) Manifesto which we invite all to join us in supporting." To sign the HUMAN(IT) ManifestoCLICK HERE About WISeKey WISeKey (SIX Swiss Exchange: WIHN) is a leading global cybersecurity currently deploying large scale digital identity ecosystems with a patented process. WISeKey's Swiss based cryptographic Root of Trust ("RoT") provides secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, for the Internet of Things, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. The WISeKey RoT serves as a common trust anchor to ensure the integrity of on-line transactions among objects and between objects and people. To receive WISeKey's latest news, subscribe to our Newsletter or visit the WISeKey Investors Corner. Disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170110006498/en/ Contacts: WISeKey Youmna Abisaleh, +41-22-594-3000 Marketing Communications yabisaleh@WISeKey.com or Investor Relations (United States) The Equity Group, Inc. Lena Cati, 212-836-9611 lcati@equityny.com Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: Azerbaijans international relations expanded last year, said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. The meeting, chaired by the president, was dedicated to the socioeconomic development in 2016 and objectives for the future. Azerbaijan has already been known as a very reliable and worthy partner on international arena for many years, Ilham Aliyev added. Our example certainly attracts more attention and we are approached with great respect particularly at the time when world crises, wars and unstable situation are increased. President Aliyev hailed Azerbaijan's great positive international image. We have a say and our influence is growing in international organizations, he said. We will expand our international relations this year too. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Tullow Oil plc. (TLW.L) said that its West Africa 2016 oil production was in line with recent guidance averaging 65,500 bopd. This included 4,600 bopd of production-equivalent payments received under Tullow's Business Interruption insurance policy for the Jubilee field. In Europe, working interest gas production performed in line with expectations and full year net production averaged 6,200 boepd. In addition, Tullow Oil said that Paul McDade, currently Chief Operating Officer, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer following Tullow's Annual General Meeting on 26 April 2017. At the same time, after six years on Tullow's Board and five as Chairman, Simon Thompson will step down from the Board. Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Tullow Oil, will succeed Thompson as Chairman of the Group for a transition period of up to two years. Ann Grant, Senior Independent Director, will retire at the AGM after nine years' service on the board. Jeremy Wilson, a non-executive Director of Tullow Oil plc and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, will succeed Ms Grant as Senior Independent Director. Mr. Heavey's tenure as Chairman will not exceed two years from 26 April 2017 and his appointment is subject to a vote at the AGM. Tullow will be consulting shareholders ahead of the AGM to answer any questions that this succession plan raises. In 2017, West Africa working interest oil production, including production-equivalent insurance payments, is expected to average between 78,000 and 85,000 bopd. Europe working interest gas production is expected to average between 6,000 and 7,000 boepd. In 2016, Tullow expects to deliver revenue of $1.3 billion, gross profit of $0.5 billion and operating cash flow of $0.7 billion. Due to the current low oil price and the impact of disposal and farm-down transactions, a number of accounting charges are forecast to be incurred in the 2016 income statement. These charges comprise a goodwill impairment of $0.2 billion, a post-tax exploration write-off of $0.3 billion, a post-tax impairment charge of $0.1 billion and an onerous service contract charge of c.$0.1 billion. In 2016, Tullow's oil and gas hedge programme contributed $363 million to revenues, and as we look ahead to 2017, the hedging position continues to provide protection of future revenues and cashflows. The mark-to-market value at the end of December 2016 was $91 million and Tullow will benefit in 2017 from approximately 60% of entitlement oil production hedged at an average floor price of around $60/bbl on a pre-tax basis. Capital expenditure will continue to be carefully controlled during 2017. The Group's capital expenditure associated with operating activities is expected to reduce from $0.9 billion in 2016 to $0.5 billion in 2017. The 2017 total comprises Ghana capex of c.$90 million, West Africa non-operated capex of c.$30 million, Kenya pre-development expenditure of c.$100 million and Exploration and Appraisal spend limited to c.$125 million. Uganda expenditure of $125 million will be offset by the Uganda farm-down deferred consideration. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Metsa Group's Wood Products Industry Metsa Wood sells its wood element business located in Palkane, Finland, to Lapwall Oy. The transaction is expected to be finalized by the end of January. Personnel of the wood element business will in its entirety transfer to the new owner's payroll.In connection with the transaction the parties agreed on a multiyear contract concerning Kerto LVL and spruce plywood deliveries. "Lapwall is an important partner for us, with whom we develop the wood construction ecosystem," says EVP Esa Kaikkonen from Metsa Wood.The divestment does not have a material financial impact on Metsa Group.METSA GROUPFurther information: Juha Kasslin, VP Sales development, Metsa Wood. Tel: +358 50 598 8796www.metsagroup.comMetsa Group is a forerunner in bioeconomy utilising renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. Metsa Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh forest fibre paperboards and tissue and cooking papers.Metsa Group's sales totalled EUR 5.0 billion in 2015, and it employs approximately 9,600 people. The Group operates in some 30 countries. Metsaliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsa Group and is owned by approximately 116,000 Finnish forest owners.Follow Metsa Group: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Instagram Slidesharewww.metsawood.comMetsa Wood provides competitive and environmentally friendly wood products for construction, industrial customers and distributor partners. We manufacture products from northern wood, a sustainable raw material of premium quality. Our sales in 2015 were EUR 0.5 billion, and we employ about 1,600 people. Metsa Wood is part of Metsa Group. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Public transport operator National Express Group Plc. (NEX.L) Wednesday said it has reached an in principle agreement for Trenitalia, the passenger rail transportation company part of FS Italiane Group, to acquire the c2c franchise. The total consideration is expected to be around 70 million pounds, resulting in a small net profit for National Express. Completion of the acquisition is conditional upon final consent from the Department for Transport and is expected to occur within the next three to four weeks. Trenitalia UK made an offer following initial partnership discussions regarding future franchise bidding. The acquisition is the first step in Trenitalia's plans to expand in the UK rail passenger market, in line with the internationalisation plans of the entire FS Italiane Group. Trenitalia will retain c2c's existing management and staff and build on its successful track record of delivering value for passengers. Barbara Morgante, CEO of Trenitalia, said: 'We see significant chances to invest in UK Rail and this in principle agreement with National Express allows us to foster these ambitions. This is why we are extremely delighted to have this exciting opportunity to run the UK's consistently best performing railway and serve the people of East London and South Essex.' 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. EDINBURGH, Scotland, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This year Edinburgh will mark the 70th anniversary of its world-famous festivals with a year-long celebration, transforming Scotland's historic capital city like never before. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/455792/Edinburgh_Festival.jpg ) In 1947 a unique idea was born. The Edinburgh Festivals, led by the Edinburgh International Festival closely followed by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Film Festival, began as an initiative for humanity when inhumanity had done its worst through the extended global conflict of WWII. For seventy years that inspiration has been sustained, making Edinburgh and its festivals an unparalleled destination for cultural excellence and international exchange, and cementing its global reputation as the world's leading festival city. To mark the start of the year, a 70-second film has been produced to capture some of the extraordinary moments from Edinburgh's Festivals and offer a taste of what to expect in 2017. From theatre, dance, opera, music and literature to film, science, visual art, jazz and major events; Edinburgh's Festivals present something for everyone. Every venue and space imaginable in the city becomes a stage, from the majestic Edinburgh Castle, theatres, concert halls and pop up Spiegeltents to the city's iconic cobbled streets. There has never been a better time to plan a trip to the festival city and if you've never been before, 2017 is the year to go. In 2017 the world is invited to Edinburgh as the following festivals put people and culture centre stage: Edinburgh International Science Festival (1-16 April), Imaginate Festival (27 May-4 June), Edinburgh International Film Festival (21 June - 2 July), Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (14-23 July), Edinburgh Art Festival (27 July - 27 August), The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (4 - 26 August), Edinburgh International Festival (4 - 28 August), Edinburgh Festival Fringe (4 - 28 August), Edinburgh International Book Festival (12 - 28 August), Scottish International Storytelling Festival (20 - 31 October), Edinburgh's Hogmanay (30 December 2017 - 1 January 2018). 2017 presents an ideal opportunity to experience an unrivalled and unforgettable festival experience in one of the most iconic cities in the world. To find out more and to view the 70th Anniversary video visit http://www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/edfests70 DALLAS (dpa-AFX) - Telecom companies' grandfathered unlimited data plans are on a hit. AT&T, the second-largest cellular carrier in the U.S., plans a $5 monthly increase in the price of its legacy unlimited data plans, the second hike in a year. Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless is forcing its unlimited data subscribers who use more than 200GB a month to change their plan to limited plans or face disconnected service. AT&T's mobile customers who have held onto unlimited data plans for years, even after the company stopped selling them to new subscribers, will see the hike beginning March. AT&T reportedly said, 'If you have a legacy unlimited data plan, you can keep it; however, beginning in March 2017, it will increase by $5 per month.' For almost seven years, AT&T charged the unlimited data plan at $30 a month until it was raised in February 2016 to $35 a month. The latest price hike will make the plan at $40 a month just for data. The smartphone plans will cost around $90 a month including voice and texting. The company also encouraged its legacy customers to move to any of its new plans, most of which have data limits. According to the firm, the new plans offer several benefits compared to legacy unlimited plan. AT&T was the first carrier to offer unlimited data plans for iPhone in 2007. Later, the company had stopped selling unlimited smartphone data to new customers, but last year introduced a new unlimited plan only to people who also subscribe to DirecTV or U-verse TV. Verizon Wireless, meanwhile, reportedly advised their employees about the policy change regarding the unlimited data subscribers. The company is sending notices to affected customers of their excessive usage, with a deadline to change their plan. Once a line is disconnected under the new policy, Verizon will give customers a 50-day window to resubscribe, only to plans without unlimited data. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de PUNE, India, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Flexible Foam Market by Type (Polyurethane, Polyethylene, Polypropylene), Application (Furniture & Bedding, Transportation, Packaging), Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to grow from USD 35.86 Billion in 2016 to USD 64.14 Billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 5.99% from 2016 to 2026. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 94 market data Tables and 33 Figures spread through 192 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Flexible Foam Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/flexible-foam-market-162971324.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. The market is mainly driven by the growing use of flexible foams in furniture & bedding, automobiles, and packaging applications. In the automobile application, use of flexible foams results in reduced weight of vehicles, while in the packaging application, these foams not only ensure light weight of packages, but also offer cushioning and shock absorption properties. Polyurethane (PU) foam is the largest type in the flexible foam market Flexible polyurethane foams are commercially available in different forms such as slabstock, molded, and integral skin. These foams are flexible, structured, and non-reactive to chemicals and high temperatures, which makes them suitable for a wide variety of applications such as furniture & bedding, packaging, automotive, apparels, footwear, and other niche applications. PU foam also has environmental benefits; for instance, product made from polyurethane foam can be recycled and reused. Hence, the flexible foam market is expected to grow at a significant pace during the forecasted period. Ask for PDF of the Report at http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=162971324 Transportation is the fastest growing application segment in the flexible foam market Transportation application includes automobile, railways and aerospace. But automobile is the dominating industry in transportation application. The automobile industry is focusing on the weight reduction of vehicles. Companies are finding innovative ways to make use of materials to reduce the weight of the vehicles, which results in increasing efficiency. Flexible foam when combined with metals, helps to decrease weight, increases shock absorption and reduces vibration and dampening of the automobile. Hence, automobile manufacturers are focusing on increasing the use of flexible foam in the automobile. Make an Inquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=162971324 Asia-Pacific has been the fastest-growing market for flexible foam In 2015, Asia-Pacific was the fastest-growing segment for Flexible Foam Market, in terms of both, volume and value, and is projected to continue the same during the forecast period. Emerging markets in Asia-Pacific such as China, India, South Korea, and the Southeast Asian countries are attracting global players to establish their manufacturing bases in this region. Manufacturers are vying to reach the wide customer base in countries such as China and India, to provide technologically advanced and quality products. Increased investments in various technological, infrastructural, and R&D sectors are driving the flexible foam market in the Asia-Pacific region. The players profiled in the flexible foam market report are BASF SE (Germany), Bayer Material Science (U.S.), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Huntsman Corporation (U.S.) Rogers Corporation (U.S.), Ube Industries, Ltd (Japan), Recticel (Belgium), Zotefoams Plc (U.K.), The Woodbridge Group (Canada), and Sekisui Alveo AG (Switzerland). Browse Related Reports: Polypropylene Foams Market by Application (Automotive, Packaging, Consumer Products & Others), by Type (Expanded Polypropylene Foams and Extruded Polypropylene Foams) & Geography - Trends and Forecasts to 2018 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/polypropylene-foams-market-136622272.html Polymer Foam Market by Type (PU, PS, PVC, Phenolic, Polyolefin, Melamine, and Other), by Application (Packaging, Building & Construction, Furniture & Bedding, Automotive, and Others), by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Row) - Global Forecasts to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/foams-market-1011.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr.Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street Suite 2175, Seattle, WA 98101, United States Tel: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets HELSINKI, Finland, Jan 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MUNKSJO OYJ, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 11 January 2017 at 10:50 CET Ahlstrom Corporation's ("Ahlstrom") Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders ("EGM") was held today in Helsinki. According to a stock exchange release published by Ahlstrom, the EGM resolved, inter alia, to approve the combination of Ahlstrom's and Munksjo's business operations through a statutory absorption merger of Ahlstrom into Munksjo and approve the merger plan. The EGM also authorised Ahlstrom's Board of Directors to resolve on the distribution of an extra dividend in the total amount of maximum EUR 0.49 per each outstanding share in Ahlstrom prior to the completion of the combination. All decisions were taken in accordance with the proposals of Ahlstrom's Board of Directors. The release is available at www.ahlstrom.com. The completion of the combination is subject to, inter alia, approval by the EGM of Munksjo as well as merger control approvals from competition authorities. Munksjo's EGM will be held later today in Helsinki, and its decisions will be published by Munksjo as a separate stock exchange release. Munksjo Oyj For more information, please contact: Anna Selberg, SVP Communications, Tel. +46 10 250 10 32 Laura Lindholm, Head of Investor Relations, Tel. +46 72703 63 36 Notice to Shareholders in the United States The new shares in Munksjo have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or under any of the applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The new shares in Munksjo may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act), unless registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws of the United States. The new shares in Munksjo will be offered in the United States in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 802 thereunder. Munksjo and Ahlstrom are Finnish companies. Information distributed in connection with the merger and the related shareholder votes is subject to disclosure requirements of Finland, which are different from those of the United States. It may be difficult for Ahlstrom's shareholders to enforce their rights and any claim they may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws in respect of the merger, since Munksjo and Ahlstrom are located in non-U.S. jurisdictions, and all of their officers and directors are residents of non-U.S. jurisdictions. Ahlstrom's shareholders may not be able to sue Munksjo or Ahlstrom or their officers or directors in a court in Finland for violations of the U.S. securities laws. It may be difficult to compel Munksjo and Ahlstrom and their affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment. CONTACT: This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/munksjo/r/munksjo-oyj--ahlstrom-s-extraordinary-general-meeting-of-shareholders-approved-the-combination-of-ah,c2163537 TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Equifax Canada (NYSE: EFX) data suggests high-risk and suspected fraudulent mortgage activity is on the rise noting a 52 per cent increase in suspected fraudulent mortgage applications since 2013. According to data from Equifax's enterprise fraud management solution, 'Falsified Account Statements' and 'Falsified Documents' were the most prominent application tags, as reported by investigators. The other was 'Conflicting Information'. Of those applications flagged, 67 per cent were from Ontario while the next highest was 12 per cent from B.C. Equifax also conducted a survey to chart the attitudes and perceptions of Canadians with respect to the current housing market. One-in-five Canadians, who do not have a mortgage, indicated they are nervous they will never own a home because of rising prices and want to buy a home but can't because of the down payment. "We're certainly seeing more mortgage applications being flagged as suspicious by our reporting institutions," said Tara Zecevic, Vice President, Customer Insight at Equifax Canada. "While we cannot entirely attribute these increases to consumers overstating personal income or falsifying applications, we do want to remind people that there are serious consequences for making false or inaccurate claims on any loan or mortgage applications. Not only will it stretch your finances, it is in breach of your contractual obligations with the lender, and simply put, it's against the law." Little White Lies With respect to mortgage fraud, the results of the recent Equifax survey showed: -- 13 per cent of Canadians indicated they felt it was okay to tell 'a little white lie' when applying for a mortgage to get the house they want. -- 16 per cent said they believe mortgage fraud is a victimless crime -- 8 per cent admitted to misrepresenting the facts on a credit or loan application The Cost of Buying a Home When asked about housing prices, the results of the recent Equifax survey showed: -- 84 per cent believe that the cost of home ownership is too high for first-home buyers today -- Nearly three-in-ten Canadians cite 'more demand than supply' (29 per cent) and 'foreign buyers' (27 per cent), as the main factors driving up home prices -- B.C. residents (compared to other provinces) were significantly more likely to cite foreign buyers as the top reason for home prices being driven up (75 per cent versus 42 per cent for all other provinces, respectively) Examining Trust When asked about who they trust in the home-buying experience, the results of the recent Equifax survey showed: -- 44 per cent of Canadians trust real estate agents the least during the home-buying experience -- About one-in-four also distrust homeowners (27 per cent) and home inspectors (26 per cent) -- 20 per cent distrust mortgage brokers, another 16 per cent don't trust their bank and equally 16 per cent have little trust in their insurance agent -- Only 9 per cent said they trust all professionals involved in the home- buying experience The survey was conducted online using Leger's weekly OMNI via LegerWeb, capturing a representative sample of 1,547 Canadians from across the country. A sample of this size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5% 19 times out of 20. About Equifax Equifax powers the financial future of individuals and organizations around the world. Using the combined strength of unique trusted data, technology and innovative analytics, Equifax has grown from a consumer credit company into a leading provider of insights and knowledge that helps its customers make informed decisions. The company organizes, assimilates and analyzes data on more than 820 million consumers and more than 91 million businesses worldwide, and its databases include employee data contributed from more than 6,600 employers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. It is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index, and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. Equifax employs approximately 9,400 employees worldwide. Some noteworthy achievements for the company include: Ranked 13 on the American Banker FinTech Forward list (2015); named a Top Technology Provider on the FinTech 100 list (2004-2015); named an InformationWeek Elite 100 Winner (2014-2015); named a Top Workplace by Atlanta Journal Constitution (2013-2015); named one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies (2011-2015); named one of Forbes' World's 100 Most Innovative Companies (2015). For more information, visit www.equifax.com Contacts: Media Contacts: Andrew Findlater SELECT Public Relations (416) 659-1197 afindlater@selectpr.ca Tom Carroll Equifax Canada (416) 227-5290 MediaRelationsCanada@equifax.com LONDON, ABU DHABI and DUBAI, UAE, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Membership will allow DarkMatter to interact with more than 800 telecom operators globally, as it develops end-to-end secure communications offerings DarkMatter, the international cyber security firm headquartered in the UAE, announces it has become an Associate Member in the GSMA, the global organisation that represents the interests of the mobile telecom industry. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/456368/Faisal_Al_Bannai.jpg ) DarkMatter's membership will permit the firm to become active in GSMA working groups such as Fraud and Security, Web and SIM. These three groups address issues such as safeguarding SIM cards, encryption on the internet, the introduction of HTTP2, mobile malware, cloud service risks and controls, and SS7 security. The GSMA includes nearly 800 operators and another 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem. The Association, which also produces a range of events that convene the mobile industry, such asMobile World Congress, has 13 global offices, including one in Dubai. As an Associate Member of the GSMA, DarkMatter further benefits from the GSMA's resources and can participate in working groups of GSMA programmes such as Personal Data and Connected Living, which are relevant to the firm's own efforts to help secure mobile and Internet of Things devices, and create secure access to online services. Commenting on the membership, DarkMatter's Founder & CEO, Faisal Al Bannai said, "This is DarkMatter's first substantive industry membership, and we are proud that it is with an organisation as esteemed as the GSMA. Mobile communications have transformed the way in which we work and live, and with the growth in connectivity, and the expansion of applications that are going mobile, it is imperative we secure this fundamental environment from cyber threats." Faisal Al Bannai continued, "The convergence of mobility, IT, and the web means millions of connected devices are being added to the digital ecosystem on a continuous basis. At DarkMatter we have enjoyed success in developing end-to-end secure communications applications, and we hope to leverage our membership in the GSMA to further establish our activities in this area, while exchanging valuable insights with the leading mobile operators globally." In addition to DarkMatter's collaboration to help improve the security of the mobile ecosystem, the firm will also benefit from GSMA networking opportunities, access to knowledge databases, and best-practice guidelines and industry intelligence and insight. Membership also offers DarkMatter the opportunity to participate at events and marketing opportunities. The significance of becoming a part of the GSMA cannot be overstated. The industry body brings together operating companies serving 4.8 billion unique mobile subscribers globally, in an industry that generates over a trillion dollars of revenue annually. Picture caption - Faisal Al Bannai is Founder and CEO of DarkMatter. He may be contacted on Twitter handle @albannai_faisal VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - The centuries-old concept of a guaranteed unconditional regular payment, or universal basic income, has returned to the attention of the world at the start of 2017 with Finland launching a two-year long experiment among 2,000 unemployed. CLICK HERE for a primer on Universal Basic Income The Belgium-based Basic Income Earth Network, an international network that serves as a link between individuals and groups committed to or interested in basic income, defines basic income as 'a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement.' A darling for the Left to reduce poverty and inequality, the concept of a universal basic income traces its origin to Thomas More's 1516 essay Utopia. In recent years, the idea is being embraced by libertarians and some conservatives as they worry over rising unemployment in the era of robotic automation. The main criticism leveled against the universal basic income is that it could discourage people from seeking work and make them lazy. Less work translates to less productivity in the economy and less revenue for the government, all of which could make the basic income an expensive social welfare measure. Economists also point out that basic income payments are mostly marginal and hence, would matter only to the most poor and only if it is in addition to other welfare benefits such as medicare. All experiments on basic income are trying to disprove the notion that a basic income could create a disincentive to work. Instead, it could support the unemployed people's efforts to find a job such as gaining skill training. In the Finnish experiment, 2,000 persons aged between 25 and 58 were selected from a random sample of existing jobless benefit recipients. They are set to receive a monthly income of EUR 560 for two years, in addition to existing welfare benefits. The first payment will be made on January 9. In Switzerland, a proposal for a basic monthly income for every resident was rejected overwhelmingly in a referendum held in June 2015. The rejection does not seem to have deterred the world from trying out the revolutionary welfare scheme. Along with Finland, Scotland is also set to trial universal basic income schemes in Fife and Glasgow later this year. The Netherlands also will carry out a two-year basic income scheme experiment in Utrecht and surrounding cities this year. The Italian coastal city of Livorno launched a scheme to provide a guaranteed basic income to the city's 100 poorest families in June last year. In Canada, Ontario's provincial government also announced plans to run a basic income pilot scheme. Localized schemes have been trialed in Brazil by NGO's, while charities are planning to run pilot schemes in Kenya and Uganda this year. Media reports citing BIEN's co-founder Guy Standing suggested that the Indian government is set to outline a basic income scheme for all its citizens as early as in January. BIEN's Standing is also set to make a presentation at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, which will be held from January 17 to 20. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for a visit Jan. 11. President Aliyev was welcomed by Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov. A guard of honor was lined up for the president at the Nakhchivan International Airport. President Aliyev met with members of the government of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Metrie celebrated the opening day of the 2017 International Builders' Show in Orlando with the official launch of the "Every Room Tells a Story - 2017 Builder & Designer Challenge". The winners of the 2016 Builder & Designer Challenge were announced at a VIP event held last night. "Metrie is pleased to once again challenge builders, interior designers, architects, and remodelers from across North America to design and share a room featuring Metrie's Then & Now Finishing Collections," says Kent Bowie, Executive Vice President at Metrie. The challenge is open to professionals across North America to showcase their world-class design skills by creating and building a room with moulding and interior doors from Metrie's Then & Now Finishing Collections. Submissions are welcome between January 10, 2017 and September 30, 2017. The grand prize, worth more than $25,000 in cash and prizes, includes a trip for two to the 2018 International Builders' Show. In addition, three People's Choice winners will be selected by the public through online voting in October. Professionals can learn more at Metrie.com/Challenge, and are asked to share their stories as they unfold on social media using the MyMetrieStory hashtag. The response to the 2016 Builder & Designer Challenge exceeded expectations and winners were announced during last night's VIP event in the Metrie booth (W3653). Metrie announced three People's Choice winners as well as the grand prize winner of the $25,000 prize package. "We were absolutely thrilled by the quality and number of submissions we received from industry professionals across North America for the 2016 Builder & Designer Challenge," says Bowie. "The challenge allowed building and design professionals to bring their visions to life using Metrie's interior finishings, and have their projects evaluated by not only industry professionals, but the public through online voting." The 2016 grand prize winner, Calista Munnell of Calista Interiors from Seattle, WA, was selected by a panel of three Metrie appointed judges with reputable industry expertise. Munnell was awarded a prize package worth more than $25,000, which included $10,000 cash, a trip for two to the 2017 International Builders' Show in Orlando, a $12,500 marketing promotions package, and reimbursement of Then & Now Finishing Collections products used in the room project. Three additional winners were awarded based on the public voting component of the challenge, whereby the public was asked to vote for their favorite project on the Metrie Challenge website. Shawn, Chad and Gordon White of G.A. White Homes; Maurie Jones of Wayne Homes; and Scott Allison at Champion 1 Builders were announced as the People's Choice Award recipients and each awarded $1,000 cash, a trip for two to the 2017 International Builders' Show in Orlando, and reimbursement of Then & Now Finishing Collections products used in their room. About Metrie: Our story began in 1926 as a small, family-owned and operated business in Vancouver, B.C. But our innovative designs and commitment to fine craftsmanship have helped us expand operations to include seven solid wood and MDF manufacturing facilities, plus 26 distribution centers in the U.S. and Canada. Our legacy has grown to include more than 5,000 moulding profiles and products manufactured in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. This enables us to help create finished spaces where life can unfold, one story at a time. Visit www.Metrie.com or our blog TheFinishedSpace.com for more information. Metrie Social Media: Facebook - Facebook.com/OfficialMetrie Twitter - Twitter.com/OfficialMetrie Instagram - Instagram.com/OfficialMetrie LinkedIn - LinkedIn.com/company/Metrie Pinterest - Pinterest.com/OfficialMetrie YouTube - YouTube.com/OfficialMetrie Houzz - Houzz.com/Pro/Metrie Contacts: Contact: Zoe Weber Zoe.Weber@Edelman.com 604-648-3452 Denise Tripamer Denise.Tripamer@metrie.com 815-717-2659 LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Clifford J. Perry and Richard Cowan Co-Founders of Freedom Leaf, Inc., "The Marijuana Legalization Company" (OTC PINK: FRLF), issued a statement today noting that Attorney General nominee, Jeff Sessions avoided any threats to the marijuana industry, saying only that, "We should enforce the laws as we are able." Of course, the Federal government has never been able to stop Americans from freeing themselves from marijuana prohibition. When Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) broached the subject, Sessions failed to provide any real clarity, stating, "Using good judgment on how to handle these cases will be a responsibility of mine. I know it won't be an easy decision but I will try to do my duty in a fair and just way." He added: "One obvious concern is the United States Congress has made possession in every state and distribution an illegal act. If that's something that's not desired any longer Congress should pass a law to change the rule. It is not the Attorney General's job to decide what laws to enforce." Freedom Leaf CEO Cliff Perry stated, "Sessions predictably said that it is not the job of the Attorney General to make the laws, but to enforce them," and that "Congress should pass a law, if that is what the public wants. Clearly, that is what the American people want." Marijuana Legalization was the only clear winner in the November elections, and we beat the Drug Warriors in every state except one out of the eight that passed legislation. (In Arizona, we lost with 46.68%, where President Elect Trump won with 49.5%.) Richard Cowan, a former Executive Director of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), said, "After these overwhelming victories for the marijuana movement. No one has a mandate to oppose the will of the people that was so clearly expressed in these elections." Clifford Perry, Freedom Leaf CEO, noted that many of the states where the people voted for marijuana reform (in 2016 or before) also have Republican Senators: Alaska (2), Arkansas (2), Colorado (1), Florida (1), where Marco Rubio won reelection with 51.9% and medical marijuana got 71.32%, Maine (1), Montana (1), Nevada (1), North Dakota (1). "Twenty-eight states and Washington, D.C., allow marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. Will they represent their voters or the DEA?" stated Perry. Moreover, on October 19, Gallup reported that 60% of Americans now support marijuana legalization, whereas President Elect Trump got less than 48% of the popular vote. Nonetheless, there has been a rash of alarmist articles about how the Trump administration might somehow block the clear will of the people. Mr. Perry also noted that "Freedom Leaf is not directly involved with cultivation or sale of the plant, but we are 'The Marijuana Legalization Company,' and we are here 'for the duration' as they used to say in another war." About Freedom Leaf Freedom Leaf, Inc., The Marijuana Legalization Company, is a fully reporting and audited, publicly traded company trading under the symbol (OTC PINK: FRLF). Freedom Leaf, Inc. is the leading go-to resource in the cannabis, medical marijuana, and industrial hemp industry. It is involved in mergers and acquisitions in the marijuana industry, including incubation/acceleration and spin offs of new marijuana/hemp related companies. Freedom Leaf Inc.'s flagship publication is Freedom Leaf Magazine, The Good News in Marijuana Reform. The company produces a portfolio of news, print and digital multi-media verticals, websites, and web advertising, for the ever changing emerging cannabis, medical marijuana and industrial hemp industry. Freedom Leaf, Inc. does not handle, grow, sell, or disperse marijuana or related products. Safe Harbor Statement Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "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 forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Freedom Leaf, Inc. or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences include the uncertainty regarding viability and market acceptance of the Company's products and services, changes in relationships with third parties, and other factors described in the Company's most recent periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K dated June 30, 2016 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Investor relations information can be found on the Freedom Leaf, Inc. website. CONTACT: Raymond Medeiros PR and Business Development Director Phone: 415-601-1974 ray@freedomleaf.com Freedom Leaf, Inc. 3571 East Sunset Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89120 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Asanko Gold Inc. ("Asanko" or the "Company") (TSX: AKG)(NYSE MKT: AKG) announces the appointment of Fausto Di Trapani as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, following the resignation of Greg McCunn, who has decided to pursue other business opportunities. Mr McCunn will be available in an advisory capacity as required to support a seamless transition as part of a long term succession plan. Mr. Di Trapani, a Chartered Accountant, joined Asanko in 2012 as Executive: Finance and has played a major role in the transformation of the Company's Finance function from late stage exploration through project development and production to the multi-jurisdictional fully integrated function it is today. This has included the deployment of a group wide ERP system to improve forecasting and budgetary controls, securing the Red Kite project finance facility and leading the Company's procurement processes to bring the Asanko Gold Mine into production on time and under budget. During his 18 year career, Fausto has held a number of senior financial management roles at significant listed resource companies including Mantra Resources, Norilsk Nickel International and BHP Billiton. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Accounting Sciences degree. Commenting on the management change, Peter Breese, President and CEO, said, "I'd like to thank Greg for his enormous contribution to Asanko over the past five years. During this time, Asanko has successfully transitioned from a junior exploration company into a growth oriented gold producer with a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility. I wish him great success in his future endeavours. As Asanko moves forward, Fausto's strong financial background and solid African experience will be instrumental as we strive to successfully execute our second phase of growth, starting with the recently approved Phase 2A growth project." Enquiries: For further information please visit: www.asanko.com, email: info@asanko.com. About Asanko Gold Inc. Asanko's vision is to become a mid-tier gold mining company that maximizes value for all its stakeholders. The Company's flagship project is the multi-million ounce Asanko Gold Mine located in Ghana, West Africa. Asanko is managed by highly skilled and successful technical, operational and financial professionals. The Company is strongly committed to the highest standards for environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighbouring communities. Contacts: Asanko Gold Inc. Alex Buck Manager, Investor and Media Relations Toll-Free (N.America): 1-855-246-7341 +44-7932-740-452 alex.buck@asanko.com Asanko Gold Inc. Wayne Drier Executive, Corporate Development +1-778-729-0614 wayne.drier@asanko.com www.asanko.com DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - January 11, 2017) - Willow Bend Systems, a leading managed IT services provider dedicated to maximizing business performance for its customers, today announced it is publishing a guide to help small businesses determine the best IT strategies for their companies. The e-book, Dallas Small Business Owner's Guide to IT, is available for free download at http://www.willowbendsystems.com/dallas-small-business-owners-guide-to-it. Many Dallas-area small business CEOs are focused on running and growing their companies and, thus, aren't as fluent with the IT processes that make their businesses tick. However, these businesspeople do realize that technology is essential to growth and success. The choices available to CEOs are to internally manage IT or to outsource to technical support specialists. Determining which strategy works best for a small business is essential to success in the present and the future. Willow Bend Systems' new e-book examines important factors CEOs should consider when determining their IT strategies. Features of the guide include: Essential technologies that should be in every small business's toolbox The importance of understanding IT risks and vulnerabilities The challenges of internally managing IT solutions A detailed look at why IT solutions and systems may require outsourced support "Most Dallas small business owners grasp how IT is becoming an increasingly important part of a company's stability and growth," says Shayne Reich, President of Willow Bend Systems. "IT strategy is among the most important decisions CEOs will make toward securing success today and tomorrow. Our new guide gives small business owners the advice necessary to reach a decision." For more information about this new e-book or Willow Bend's services, visit the company's website at www.willowbendsystems.com. About Willow Bend Systems Willow Bend Systems leverages your existing technology to develop IT solutions that work for your business. With managed IT services, infrastructure hosting, IT hardware sales, and IP phone systems, Willow Bend Systems delivers comprehensive, streamlined IT solutions that help you focus on your clients, not your technology. For more information, visit www.willowbendsystems.com. Contact Information Shayne Reich President Willow Bend Systems 214.785.6830 sreich@willowbendsystems.com NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Editors Note: There are two photos associated with this press release. Winning Brands Corporation (OTC PINK: WNBD) www.WinningBrands.com has entered into a securities purchase agreement that will save the company time in securing capital for growth. The move follows Winning Brands' recently announced comeback strategy to deepen distribution of its existing products and broaden revenue sources to new sectors via launch partnerships with innovators in new product categories. GPL Ventures LLC of New York City has agreed to purchase U.S. $1.5 Million of Winning Brands common stock pursuant to a January 5, 2017 securities purchase agreement with Winning Brands that will form the basis of a Tier I offering to be filed under the new provisions of SEC Regulation A. These new provisions were announced by the SEC on March 25, 2015 and are designed to facilitate smaller companies' access to capital by providing investors with more investment choices. The U.S. $1.5 Million securities purchase agreement is beneficial to Winning Brands because it removes the uncertainty of whether Winning Brands shares will be subscribed after Winning Brands' filing with the SEC of Form 1-A becomes effective. The price of the stock under the offering has not been finalized, but will be described in the offering circular in due course, together with all other material details of the securities purchase agreement and Winning Brands operating information. Winning Brands will regain the OTC Markets Pink Current Information Tier and be in full regulatory compliance prior to the filing of the Regulation A offering. The new provisions of SEC Regulation A Tier I greatly expand the scope of permitted subscribers to a qualified offering. This can now include unaccredited investors and persons with a relationship to the company or an interest in its products. The shares will be free-trading and the subscription proceeds will benefit the company directly, which is important to the implementation of Winning Brands new business model. Winning Brands is coming out of a quiet period during which it was assessing how to restore momentum and organize new opportunities for the distribution of its existing products and start launch partnerships for inventions requiring launch assistance. Winning Brands has substantially reduced its overhead costs over the years, thus lowering its break-even point to more readily achieve profitability through future growth. Cost containment combined with brand new sources of revenue from new product launch partnerships expands Winning Brands' scope and potential for success. The new Tier I provisions of Regulation A permit up to U.S. $20 Million per year. The company will therefore be able to maintain its future growth by acting upon exceptional new product opportunities as they arise. Winning Brands has developed a specific recruitment method for these new product opportunities, with positive results. There is already a waiting list of eligible launch projects arising from submissions by innovators. Winning Brands CEO, Eric Lehner, summarizes: "We appreciate the experience and goodwill that GPL Ventures LLC brings to Winning Brands' forward momentum. GPL is based in New York City and has the means and the contacts to deliver results in the funding process. We are moving forward and good new things are happening. Just knowing this is in the works has already made a positive impact. Winning Brands will expand distribution of our fire safety cleaner products to fire departments in Q1 as a result. Without the prospect of the additional capital for growth we would not have been able to make new operational commitments to our new distributor. There is much more that we can do." Mr. Lehner maintains a CEO weblog for the benefit of shareholders at www.WinningBrandsCorporation.com/blog . It is a journal of the company's mission, providing answers to many shareholder questions. It is a regular source of public information pertaining to the company pursuant to SEC Fair Disclosure guidelines. ABOUT WINNING BRANDS CORPORATION: Winning Brands is expanding its scope to include cooperative product launches with innovators whose projects can benefit from public company partnership. Winning Brands has previously been, and continues to be, a manufacturer of record for advanced environmentally oriented cleaning solutions such as KIND, 1000+ Stain Remover, World's Most Versatile Cleaning Solution, and others through its subsidiary Niagara Mist Marketing Ltd by means of contract packaging. 1000+ is an alternative to conventional cleaning solvents because of its unique desirable properties; VIDEOS Link; WEBSITE Link . The remarkable multi-cleaning characteristics of 1000+ Stain Remover for household, commercial and industrial applications can be seen on FACEBOOK. 1000+ Stain Remover is available to U.S. NAVY personnel at 7 NEX depots in Japan, Spain, Italy and the Middle East; in the U.S. at HOME DEPOT (online), WALMART (online), DO IT BEST HARDWARE stores and many independent retailers. In Canada, the leading chain retailer is LOWES HOME IMPROVEMENT:. 1000+ Stain Remover is also available in select international markets including Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, UK, Serbia and the Caribbean. TrackMoist and ReGUARD4 are industrial products by which Winning Brands serves commercial markets. Safe Harbor: Statements contained in this news release, other than those identifying historical facts, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Safe Harbor provisions as contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relating to the Company's future expectations, including but not limited to revenues and earnings, technology efficacy, strategies and plans, are subject to safe harbors protection. Actual Company results and performance may be materially different from any future results, performance, strategies, plans, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. TrackMoist, 1000+, KIND, ReGUARD4 are trademarks of Niagara Mist Marketing Ltd in connection with indicated uses. To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20170110-Stain_Remover_US_800.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20170110-Bunker_Gear_Cleaner_800.jpg Contacts: Winning Brands INFORMATION and INTERVIEWS: Eric Lehner CEO (705) 737-4062 eric@winningbrands.ca HELSINKI, Finland, Jan 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MUNKSJO OYJ, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 11 January 2017 at 13:05 CET Munksjo Oyj's Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") was held in Helsinki today. Resolutions relating to the combination a) Resolution on the merger The EGM resolved to approve the combination of Munksjo's and Ahlstrom Corporation's ("Ahlstrom") business operations through a statutory absorption merger of Ahlstrom into Munksjo pursuant to the Finnish Companies Act and approve the merger plan. The completion of the combination is subject to, inter alia, merger control approvals from relevant competition authorities. The registration of the execution of the merger is expected to take place in the beginning of the second quarter of 2017. Further, the EGM resolved on the amendments to Section 1, the first sentence of Section 2, Section 4 and Section 6 of the Articles of Association of Munksjo, as set out below as part of the merger. "1 The name of the Company is Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj. The domicile of the Company is Helsinki."; "2 The Company's field of business is to engage in the manufacture, converting and sale of fiber-based solutions and products and in other related or supporting activities."; "4 The Board of Directors of the Company shall comprise a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of twelve (12) ordinary members."; and "6 The Company shall have one (1) auditor, which shall be an audit firm authorised by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office." The shareholders of Ahlstrom shall receive as merger consideration 0.9738 new shares of Munksjo for each share owned in Ahlstrom, that is, the merger consideration shall be issued to the shareholders of Ahlstrom in proportion to their existing shareholding with a ratio of 0.9738:1. In case the number of shares received by a shareholder of Ahlstrom as merger consideration would be a fractional number, the fractions shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Fractional entitlements to new shares of Munksjo shall be aggregated and sold in the market and the proceeds will be distributed pro rata to Ahlstrom's shareholders being entitled to receive fractional entitlements. Any costs related to the sale and distribution of fractional entitlements shall be borne by Munksjo. b) Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors The EGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors that the number of members of the Board of Directors shall be eleven (11). c) Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors The EGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors that the members of the Board of Directors of Munksjo to be elected for a term of office commencing on the date of registration of the execution of the merger and expiring at the end of the first Annual General Meeting of Munksjo following the date of registration of the execution of the merger be paid the following remuneration: to the Chairman of the Board of Directors EUR 80,000 per year, to the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors EUR 50,000 per year and EUR 40.000 per year to the other members of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee shall receive EUR 12,000 per year and the ordinary members of the Audit Committee EUR 6,000 per year each. The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee shall receive EUR 6,000 per year and the ordinary members of the Remuneration Committee EUR 3,000 per year each. Travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the company's travel policy. The annual remuneration of the members elected hereunder shall be paid in proportion to the length of their term of office. d) Election of the members of the Board of Directors The EGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors that Peter Seligson, Elisabet Salander Bjorklund, Sebastian Bondestam, Alexander Ehrnrooth, Hannele Jakosuo-Jansson, Mats Lindstrand and Anna Ohlsson-Leijon, current members of the Board of Directors of Munksjo, be conditionally elected to continue to serve on the Board of Directors of Munksjo and that Hans Sohlstrom, Jan Inborr, Johannes Gullichsen and Harri-Pekka Kaukonen, current members of the Board of Directors of Ahlstrom, be conditionally elected as members of the Board of Directors of Munksjo for the term commencing on the date of registration of the execution of the merger and expiring at the end of the next Annual General Meeting of Munksjo following the date of registration of the execution of the merger. e) Authorisation of the Board of Directors to resolve on the payment of funds from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity The EGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors to authorise the Board of Directors of Munksjo to resolve, based on the audited financial statements of the company for 2015, by one or several resolutions, on an extra payment of funds from the company's reserve for invested unrestricted equity as return of equity in the total amount of maximum EUR 0.45 per each outstanding share in the company (representing a maximum total amount of approximately EUR 22,842,711 after excluding the treasury shares held by the company) to the shareholders of Munksjo prior to the completion of the combination. The return of equity shall be paid prior to the registration of the execution of the merger. The authorisation shall be valid until the close of the next Annual General Meeting of Munksjo. The minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting The minutes of the meeting will be available on www.munksjo.com/egm as from 25 January 2017, at the latest. Munksjo Oyj For further information, please contact: Anna Selberg, SVP Communications, Tel. +46 10 250 10 32 Laura Lindholm, Head of Investor Relations, Tel. +46 72703 63 36 Notice to Shareholders in the United States The new shares in Munksjo have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or under any of the applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The new shares in Munksjo may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act), unless registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws of the United States. The new shares in Munksjo will be offered in the United States in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 802 thereunder. Munksjo and Ahlstrom are Finnish companies. Information distributed in connection with the merger and the related shareholder votes is subject to disclosure requirements of Finland, which are different from those of the United States. It may be difficult for Ahlstrom's shareholders to enforce their rights and any claim they may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws in respect of the merger, since Munksjo and Ahlstrom are located in non-U.S. jurisdictions, and all of their officers and directors are residents of non-U.S. jurisdictions. Ahlstrom's shareholders may not be able to sue Munksjo or Ahlstrom or their officers or directors in a court in Finland for violations of the U.S. securities laws. It may be difficult to compel Munksjo and Ahlstrom and their affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment. CONTACT: This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/munksjo/r/munksjo-oyj--decisions-taken-by-the-extraordinary-general-meeting,c2163554 Ingersoll-Rand plc (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, will release its 2016 fourth-quarter and full-year financial results on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, at 6:30 a.m. ET. On the same day, Michael W. Lamach, chairman and chief executive officer, and Susan K. Carter, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will hold a conference call for analysts and investors, beginning at 10 a.m. ET, to review the company's results. A real-time, listen-only webcast of the conference call will be broadcast live over the internet. Individuals wishing to listen can access the call through the company's website at www.ingersollrand.com. For those unable to listen to the live event, a replay will be available at approximately 1 p.m. ET, Feb. 1, 2017, on the company's website. About Ingersoll Rand Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands including Club Car, Ingersoll Rand, Thermo King and Trane - work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005557/en/ Contacts: Ingersoll-Rand plc Media Relations: Misty Zelent, 704-655-5324 mzelent@irco.com or Analysts: Joe Fimbianti, 704-655-4721 joseph_fimbianti@irco.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- GMV Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "GMV") (TSX VENTURE: GMV) is pleased to announce that, in addition to its two recently acquired exploration permits (NR issued December 14, 2016), the Company has now acquired a 100% interest in another four new exploration permits at the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD). These permits further extend the north and northwest boundaries of its Mexican Hat gold exploration project located in S.E. Arizona. The Company has now increased its land position by approximately 2,573 acres within the last month. GMV has acquired a 100% interest in the following: 1. Permit Application No. 08-119128 (480ac in Section 28, T18S, R25E); 2. Permit Application No. 08-119129 (400ac in Section 29, T18S, R25E); 3. Permit Application No. 08-119130 (640ac in Section 32, T18S, R25E); and 4. Permit Application No. 08-119131 (52.56ac in Section 5, T19S, R25E); The Company also confirms that the field portion of the previously announced AMT geophysical surveys have been completed. As originally designed, these covered the Mexican Hat, the Hernandez Hill and the southern portion of a larger epithermal target area. The results have identified resistivity anomalies coincident with the mineralized domains at the Mexican Hat, the silicified domains at the Hernandez Hill as well as other new targets. The Company will drill the Hernandez Hill target this month. Meanwhile, RC drilling continues at the Mexican Hat. The Company's large-scale metallurgical test has finished the leaching phase and is in the washing phase where the cyanide levels are reduced to near zero levels. Once this is completed, it will be safe to dismantle and commence assaying the leached material to assess the efficiency of the leach. The gold recovered from the leach, and the residual gold remaining will be used to calculate the "reconciled head grade" of the column, to be used to determine the total percent of gold recovered. This final phase of the test is expected to take four weeks. Dr. D.R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geol., P.Eng., is the Q.P. for this release within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical content of this release and has approved its content. About GMV Minerals Inc. GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat project, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The Mexican Hat property contains an inferred mineral resource of 23,452,000 tonnes grading 0.70 grams of gold per tonne hosting 531,400 troy ounces of gold. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980s to early 1990s. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ian Klassen, President Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management of the Company regarding future events or results. Such statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements except as may be required by law. Contacts: GMV Minerals Inc. Ian Klassen (604) 899-0106 info@gmvminerals.com Global vaccines and biologics technology leader to focus on the development, production and delivery of high-quality autogenous, wildlife and commercial vaccines and diagnostic solutions for use in animals in Canada and US Jose Ochoa, a veteran biopharmaceutical industry business officer, will lead the new organization Company concurrently launches Ecoporc SHIGA, the first fully licensed swine vaccine for the Canadian market, during the Banff Pork Seminar IDT Biologika, a world leader in vaccines, announces today that it has established a new organization to serve the animal health needs of veterinarians, farmers and government agencies in the Americas. IDT Animal Health Americas will leverage the company's global expertise and technology to offer an innovative range of high-quality autogenous, wildlife and commercial vaccines and diagnostic solutions for use in animals. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005321/en/ Jose Ochoa has been appointed head of the newly formed business unit, IDT Biologika Animal Health Americas. IDT Biologika concurrently launched its first fully licensed swine vaccine for Canada during the Banff Pork Seminar. (Photo: Business Wire) "Following IDT's acquisitions in North America in 2015, and the recent acquisition of Ridgeway Biologicals Ltd. in the United Kingdom, the new organization further strengthens IDT's presence around the globe and unites all quality animal health development, production, approval and distribution activities for the Americas under one umbrella," said Andreas Kastenbauer, head of IDT's global animal health division. "By organizing our Animal Health business in the US and Canada, arguably two of the most important markets in the world, we are rapidly advancing toward our goal of becoming the leading autogenous and commercial vaccine manufacturer in the Americas." An experienced and fully-integrated leadership team will guide IDT's Americas Animal Health operations. Jose Ochoa, who joined IDT from Emergent BioSolutions in 2015, has been appointed head of the new regional business unit for the Americas, responsible for overall growth and operations. He takes on this new role within Animal Health while maintaining his position as Chief Business Officer with IDT Biologika Corporation in Rockville, Maryland. Jackie Gallant, Founder and President of Gallant Custom Laboratories, sits on IDT's Scientific Advisory Board and will continue to oversee research and development of innovative autogenous biologics, with a focus on serving animal health customers throughout Canada. She will be supported by Dr. Guy Moser, General Manager, Gallant Custom Laboratories, and Sam Mostafa, Gallant Custom Laboratories, who will serve as key account manager for animal health vaccines in Canada. Andreas Kastenbauer, Managing Director of IDT, will continue to head IDT's global Animal Health Division. "IDT brings to the Americas deep and broad disease fighting expertise in a wide range of animal health conditions that impact livestock, poultry, and wildlife, including salmonella, edema, influenza, rabies and more," said Mr. Ochoa. "We are currently building a sales network for solutions in swine diseases and our pipeline products. The company will continue to invest in the people and infrastructure needed to realize our full potential and to support future expansion into Latin America." Launch of Ecoporc SHIGA Swine Vaccine IDT Biologika concurrently launched its first fully licensed swine vaccine for Canada during the Banff Pork Seminar. Ecoporc SHIGA, developed by IDT, is an innovative vaccine that reduces clinical symptoms, animal losses and antibiotic use related to edema disease in swine. Edema disease is an acute, often fatal, enterotoxemia of recently weaned pigs caused by specific virotypes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. Edema disease causes serious losses to the pig industry, resulting in a high rate of mortality among infected pigs. "Vaccines like Ecoporc SHIGA are vitally important to animal welfare, disease prevention and consumer protection. By reducing antibiotic use, vaccination is a modern solution contributing to public health," said Dr. Gallant. The product, which has been granted Canadian-wide approval last year, will soon be available to veterinarians and farmers. In addition, to Ecoporc SHIGA, IDT is committed to offering a portfolio of products that address unmet needs, emerging infectious diseases, and major challenges in terms of keeping North American livestock healthy, thereby promoting human health. About IDT Biologika IDT Biologika is an innovative, privately-held life science company with nearly 100 years of history and expertise in the research, development and manufacturing of biologics for the global protection of human and animal health. IDT is building a global animal health vaccine network, which was just recently bolstered by the acquisition of Ridgeway Biologicals Ltd. on January 5. Ridgeway is a leading manufacturer for autogenous animal health vaccines in the United Kingdom. In addition, Gallant Custom Laboratories, acquired last summer, is now fully integrated into the IDT family of companies and helps IDT meet the regional and local manufacturing needs of customers who provide vaccines to the livestock and poultry industry. Headquartered in Dessau-Rosslau, Germany, the company holds an additional animal health vaccine dedicated R&D and Manufacturing location in Greifswald -- district Riems. In Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland, France and Spain, IDT's Animal Health Business Unit operates through its own subsidiaries. In its US manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland, IDT Biologika GmbH primarily works on vaccine development for clinical phase 1 and 2 projects and provides early development capabilities for the human vaccine market. IDT Biologika is a company of the Klocke Holding Group. The Klocke Holding Group companies specialize in contract manufacturing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and cosmetic products. With more than 2,200 employees and producing at eight locations in Europe and North America, the family-owned Klocke Group offers comprehensive services for production and packaging of pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit www.idt-biologika.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005321/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: Sam Brown Inc. Mike Beyer, 1-312-961-2502 mikebeyer@sambrown.com or IDT Biologika Peter Kellner, 49 162 4248453 Corporate Communications peter.kellner@idt-biologika.de BELLINGHAM, WA--(Marketwired - January 11, 2017) - eXp World Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: EXPI), the holding company for eXp Realty LLC, The Agent-Owned Cloud Brokerage, announced today the Company ended 2016 with 2,401 real estate brokers and agents on its platform, representing an increase 1,537, or 178%, when compared to 864 at the end of 2015. eXp Realty has now grown its family of agents and brokers across 42 states and D.C. in the U.S., as well as Alberta, Canada. The Company continues to attract top talent with its unique agent-centric model that allows agents and brokers to build their own businesses, while establishing a direct ownership interest the Company as a shareholder and partner. "Our rapid growth in 2016 not only exceeded our goal of 2,200 agents by year-end, but also established us as one of the fastest growing brokerages in North America," said Glenn Sanford, Founder, CEO and Chairman of eXp World Holdings, Inc. "Our model has resonated with quality real estate professionals, allowing us to attract some of the top producing agents as well as some of the highest ranking teams throughout the U.S. and Canada. These entrepreneurial, high-achieving professionals recognize agent ownership as a fundamental shift in the relationship between the agent and the brokerage firm. Looking ahead to 2017, we expect to continue our accelerated growth rate in both agent count and revenues as a result of our unique commitment to agent ownership, support and engagement." About eXp World Holdings, Inc. eXp World Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: EXPI) is the holding company for a number of companies most notably eXp Realty LLC, the Agent-Owned Cloud Brokerage. As a full-service real estate brokerage, eXp Realty LLC provides 24/7 access to collaborative tools, training, and socialization for real estate brokers and agents through its 3-D, fully-immersive, cloud office environment. eXp Realty, LLC and eXp Realty of Canada, Inc. also feature an aggressive revenue sharing program that pays agents a percentage of gross commission income earned by fellow real estate professionals who they attract into the Company. As a publicly-traded company, eXp World Holdings, Inc. uniquely offers real estate professionals within its ranks opportunities to earn equity awards for production and contributions to overall company growth. For more information, please visit the Company's Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, or visit www.eXpWorldHoldings.com. For eXp Realty please visit: www.eXpRealty.com. Safe Harbor Statement The statements contained herein may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update them. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company's expansion, revenue growth, operating results, financial performance and net income changes. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in forward-looking statements include changes in business or other market conditions; the difficulty of keeping expense growth at modest levels while increasing revenues; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/1/11/11G127081/Images/G127081figure1-94255cb90f52bab8aa3cd793147db2a1.jpg Investor Relations Contact: Greg Falesnik Managing Director MZ Group - MZ North America 949-385-6449 Email contact www.mzgroup.us Media Contact: Russ Cofano President eXp World Holdings, Inc. 573-825-0780 Email contact Trade Contact: Jason Gesing CEO eXp Realty, LLC 617-970-8518 Email contact Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: Azerbaijan continued its steady development in 2016, security measures have been ensured in the country, the people of Azerbaijan have lived and continues to live in peace and tranquility, said President Ilham Aliyev. He was addressing a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the socioeconomic development in 2016 and objectives for the future. The source of stability in the country is the will and choice of our people, the president said. President Aliyev described Azerbaijan as one of the countries distinguished by its stability. Of course it is impossible to separate all the work we have done from the world context, he said. While considering the dangerous processes in the region and across the world, we once again see that Azerbaijan is committed to its path, and Azerbaijan is going the path of independence and development. We have tried and we will try to further protect our country and our people from every possible risk and ensure our path of independence, he said. The history and the developments taking place around us have already shown that the path we had chosen is the only correct way. This is the path of independence, stability and development. NEW YORK, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NetworkNewsWire.com News Coverage: Last month, a letter signed by 10 U.S. senators arrived on the desk of Jamal El-Hindi, the acting director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN), requesting guidance on how banking services might be offered to "indirect businesses" - such as SinglePoint, Inc. (OTC: SING), Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) and Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTC: CBIS) - that serve the state-sanctioned marijuana industry. The implications of such guidance also carry considerable potential for banking players ranging from small financial institutions to bellwether banks like Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) and Citigroup (NYSE: C). The letter came at the prompting of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, a member of the Senate Banking Committee that oversees federal monetary policy, banking regulation and issues affecting the U.S. currency. It's a widely applauded push, and SinglePoint, Inc. for one, is banking on this initiative to clear the way for payment processing providers, such as its SingleSeed Payments subsidiary, to offer an array of payment and transaction services to marijuana shops and dispensaries. According to a recent report in the Houston Chronicle (http://nnw.fm/qq6NB), this action is part of a wider effort by many policymakers to regularize the patchwork legal nature of the $7 billion marijuana industry, marked by a lack of banking options that forces marijuana businesses "to rely solely on cash, making them tempting targets for criminals." Although 28 states and the District of Columbia have now legalized either adult recreational or medical use of marijuana, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) still classifies it as a Schedule I substance "with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." Yet, there is growing evidence in the medical profession and the general population that marijuana has beneficent therapeutic properties. Companies like Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTC: CBIS) have set out to develop novel cannabinoid-based therapies for unmet medical needs, while others like Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) - the first publicly traded cannabis company - focuses on a variety of cannabinoid-based applications for consumer and medical markets. In a collection of 60 peer-reviewed studies on medical marijuana (http://nnw.fm/75PYw) examining the employment of marijuana in the treatment of a long list of ailments - including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer and HIV/AIDS - 41 (68.3%) demonstrated positive results. Another 14 (23.3%) were inconclusive, and five (8.3%) of the trials reported negative outcomes. Senator Warren has argued that loosening the restrictions that force marijuana business to transact in cash payments has a number of advantages. "You make sure that people are really paying their taxes. You know that the money is not being diverted to some kind of criminal enterprise. And it's just a plain old safety issue. You don't want people walking in with guns and masks and saying, 'Give me all your cash.'" There is some hope that the barriers preventing payment services providers like SingleSeed from doing business with marijuana establishments will be removed. FINCEN previously lent a sympathetic ear to similar pleas. In February 2014, the bureau offered guidance on how financial institutions could provide services to marijuana-related businesses consistent with their Bank Secrecy Act obligations. That earlier guidance appears to have been tailored to businesses that dealt directly in marijuana like pot shops and marijuana dispensaries. It did not address the plight of the indirect businesses that service the marijuana industry, leaving it up to individual financial institutions to determine how to classify and treat indirect businesses. Tossing the buck to financial institutions has had paltry success: "the number of banks and credit unions willing to handle pot money rose from 51 in 2014 to 301 in 2016," a figure that appears encouraging until placed in a wider context. There are 11,954 federally regulated banks and credit unions. In general, it's still an area dominated by small state-chartered banks and credit unions. Supporters of a bankable marijuana industry, however, see an inevitable day when large banks like Bank of America and Citigroup will offer full banking services to the cannabis industry. When that day comes, financial technology (fintech) companies will have the chance to capitalize on a monstrous opportunity. SinglePoint's SingleSeed Payments subsidiary, for example, is already primed to offer ATM, Pay-by-Text[TM] and text message marketing to the cannabis industry. As it stands, progressive fintechs are in a similar quandary to their federally regulated counterparts and look forward to further guidance from FINCEN. For more information, visit Singlepoint, Inc. (SING) For more information about NetworkNewsWire, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com Please see full disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website: http://nnw.fm/Disclaimer NetworkNewsWire (NNW) New York, New York 212.418.1217 Office DISCLAIMER: www.NetworkNewsWire.com is source of all content listed above. FN Media Group, LLC (FNM), is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with NetworkNewsWire (NNW) or any company mentioned herein. 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This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW & FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Media Contact e-mail: editor@financialnewsmedia.com U.S. Phone: (954)345-0611 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Leading Edge Materials Corp. ("Leading Edge Materials") or (the Company") (TSX VENTURE: LEM)(OTCQB: LEMIF) is pleased to announce the submittal of application documents to Swedish authorities to undertake drilling at the Company's 100% owned Bergby lithium project. Bergby lies in central Sweden, 25km north of the town of Gavle, and is secured by three exploration licenses that cover a total of 1,903 Ha. The site is close to infrastructure, with major roads, rail and power supply passing immediately adjacent to the claim boundaries. The village of Norrsundet lies 5km east of the Bergby project, a deep-water port where until recently a major wood chip and pulp mill operated. The proposed drilling will be the first program ever undertaken at the Bergby site, and is anticipated to be completed during the first half of 2017. Permission has been requested to drill up to 40 diamond holes, comprised of a combination of short holes to prospect beneath glacial soil cover and deeper holes to test the extent of the lithium mineralized pegmatite. As previously reported (see press releases dated 19th Oct 2016 and 1st December 2016), Leading Edge Materials has discovered both an extensive boulder field and located outcrops with high grade lithium mineralization at Bergby. Fifteen samples taken from three outcrop areas returned Li2O (lithium oxide) averaging 1.71% and ranging from 0.01% to 4.65%; and Ta2O5 (tantalum pentoxide) averaging 133 ppm and ranging from 16 ppm to 803 ppm (see Table 1). Samples included representative chip samples, composite samples and selective grab samples depending on outcrop quality, and were taken from three sites across an area of approximately 350m x 750m. Blair Way, President and CEO, stated "The Bergby lithium project was a new discovery by Leading Edge Materials geologists in mid-2016, and we have moved quickly to be in a position to drill within less than 12 months. With high grade lithium mineralization in both boulders and outcrop over a broad area, we are looking forward to the flow of drilling results. The Company continues to seek quality assets that align with our strategy to become a leading supplier of battery materials. With a fully permitted graphite mine, and both lithium and cobalt properties, our expanding asset base will allow Leading Edge Materials to play a pivotal role in the rapidly growing lithium ion battery market." Europe is playing a leading role in the transition to low-carbon energy generation from renewable sources, and the efficient storage of that energy. Electric mobility (EV's, HEV, PHEV's) and stationary electricity storage are dependent on high purity graphite, lithium and cobalt, where Leading Edge Materials is an active European player. Lithium has a strong and expanding market, due to the essential role it plays in lithium-based batteries for the automotive, consumer product and stationary electrify storage industries. The high electrochemical potential of lithium results in the high power to weight ratio that is essential for efficient mobile batteries. On behalf of the Board, Blair Way, President & CEO Samples submitted by Leading Edge Materials Corp were analyzed by the ME-MS81 and Li-OG63 technique by ALS Chemex Ltd's laboratories in Pitea, Sweden and Vancouver, Canada, where duplicates, repeats, blanks and known standards were inserted according to standard industry practice. The qualified person for the Company's exploration projects, Mark Saxon, Director of Leading Edge Materials, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy has reviewed and verified the contents of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Information. Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are Forward-Looking Statements. Forward-Looking Statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may," "will," "can," "should," "could," or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-Looking Statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-Looking Statements are subject to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the Forward-Looking Statements including, among other things, timing of the ground magnetic survey and shallow soil sampling program, timing of a diamond drill program at Bergby, the Company has yet to generate a profit from its activities; there can be no guarantee that the estimates of quantities or qualities of minerals disclosed in the Company's public record will be economically recoverable; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; competition with other companies within the mining industry; the success of the Company is largely dependent upon the performance of its directors and officers and the Company's ability to attract and train key personnel; changes in world metal markets and equity markets beyond the Company's control; mineral resources are, in the large part, estimates and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized; production rates and capital and other costs may vary significantly from estimates; changes in corporate goals and strategies, unexpected geological conditions; and delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the Forward-Looking Statements, and the assumptions on which such Forward-Looking Statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the Forward-Looking Statements are based will occur. Forward-Looking Statements herein are made as at the date hereof, and unless otherwise required by law, the Company does not intend, or assume any obligation, to update these Forward-Looking Statements. Table 1: Analytical values for 15 outcrop samples from Bergby project, Sweden, as reported 1st December 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Element Value Unit ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Li2O (lithium oxide) Average 1.71 % Minimum 0.01 % Maximum 4.65 % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ta2O5 (tantalum pentoxide) Average 133 ppm Minimum 16 ppm Maximum 803 ppm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cs (cesium) Average 94 ppm Minimum 8 ppm Maximum 305 ppm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rb (rubidium) Average 388 ppm Minimum 16 ppm Maximum 1545 ppm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sn (tin) Average 42 ppm Minimum 13 ppm Maximum 167 ppm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contacts: Leading Edge Materials Corp. +1 604 685 9316 www.leadingedgematerials.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Callinex Mines Inc. (the "Company" or "Callinex") (TSX VENTURE: CNX)(OTCQX: CLLXF) is pleased to provide its year-end letter to shareholders from President and CEO, Max Porterfield: Dear Shareholders, I would like to thank you for your continued support of Callinex and our management team. The past year has been a transformative period as the Company has executed on its exploration and acquisition goals to better position itself within the base and precious metals markets. During 2016 we completed several successful exploration programs throughout our project portfolio and acquired a large resource base of zinc rich assets in Canada. The Company's portfolio now consists of four highly prospective projects: Pine Bay, Nash Creek, Superjack and Point Leamington. These projects have the potential to discover and/or develop economic polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits within established mining jurisdictions. The majority of exploration over the past year focused on the Pine Bay Project where we completed approximately 12,000m of drilling that led to two new discoveries. These exploration campaigns enhanced the prospects for a significant economic discovery along two productive horizons. Our immediate focus is to follow-up on the intersection from drill hole 284-3-93-DPN which intersected 10.3m of 13.1% Zn Eq. at the edge of one of the largest alteration zones within the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt (See News Release dated November 1, 2016). The strength of mineralization and precious metal grades were new developments for the project and indicate the system is more robust than previously known. We are eager to follow-up on this intersection while also systematically testing the newly identified and underexplored potential of the Pine Bay Project. Additionally, we completed initial work programs at our Nash Creek, Superjack and Point Leamington projects to further de-risk these assets and prioritize future exploration work. At the Nash Creek Project we published an updated resource estimate that increased the tonnage and grade of the indicated mineral resource (See News Release dated November 9, 2016). Given current zinc prices, the Company will evaluate options for completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the project during 2017. Work completed at the nearby Superjack Project included two borehole surveys that suggest the high-grade mineralization extends at depth. We believe these projects are attractive given their location and exploration potential within an increasingly favorable long-term outlook for base metals. In particular, zinc was one of the top performing metals in 2016 and it is expected that the supply-demand deficit will widen further this year. Heading into the New Year, Callinex remains a leading mineral exploration company as a result of its quality project portfolio located within established mining jurisdictions, world-renowned technical team, supportive shareholder base and strong treasury. The Company is well positioned to achieve its goals in 2017 and we appreciate and encourage your ongoing support. Sincerely, Max Porterfield, President & CEO About Callinex Mines Inc. Callinex Mines Inc. is focused on discovering and developing zinc and copper rich mines within prolific Canadian VMS mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively exploring its Pine Bay Project, located in the Flin Flon mining district of Manitoba, which hosts significant historic VMS deposits that are within close proximity to a processing facility. The larger project portfolio hosts three significant zinc rich mineral resources including the Point Leamington, Nash Creek and Superjack Projects located in Eastern Canada. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expenditures. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others, the ability to complete the proposed drill program and the timing and amount of expenditures. Except as required under applicable securities laws, Callinex does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Contacts: Callinex Mines Inc. Max Porterfield President and Chief Executive Officer (604) 605-0885 info@callinex.ca 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. MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - US President-elect Donald Trump has denied reports that the Russian Government has been providing him intelligence on his political opponents, and that they collected compromising information on his personal life and finances. On Tuesday, US media published an unverified letter containing salacious allegations against the United States' incoming president. The letter, purportedly from a former British intelligence agent, alleges that Russians have been feeding Trump intelligence on his opponents, including Hillary Clinton, for years. It also details Trump's alleged 'personal obsessions and sexual perversion.' The full text of the alleged intelligence memo was published by online news site BuzzFeed on Tuesday. The sensational dossier claims Trump hired group of prostitutes to defile a Moscow hotel suite where Obama and his wife stayed during their official trip to Russia. The information was contained in a highly classified report that US intelligence agencies reportedly presented to President Barack Obama and Trump last week. It followed an unclassified report by US intelligence agencies that the Russian Government carried out cyberattacks targeting US general elections. Trump tried to defend himself against the allegations through a series of tweets. 'Fake news - a total political witch hunt!' The businessman-turned politician insisted that Russia has never tried to use leverage over him. 'I have nothing to do with Russia - no deals, no loans, no nothing.' 'I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state,' he added. He also lashed out at the Intelligence agencies for having allowed this 'fake news' to leak into the public. 'One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Copper Lake Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: CPL)(FRANKFURT: W0I) ("Copper Lake" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has completed a channel sampling, mapping, core assaying and prospecting program over the Billiton Main VMS prospect area within the Marshall Lake project area during the 2016 field program. Highlights: -- Channel sampling at Billiton Main Prospect yields: -- Up to 2.36 g/t Au, 60 g/t Ag, 1.61% Cu, and 4.20% Zn over 0.60m -- Up to 0.64 g/t Au, 286 g/t Ag, 3.05% Cu and 5.60% Zn over 0.80m -- Core assays from previous drilling at the Billiton Main Prospect of up to 28.70 g/t Au, 271 g/t Ag, 3.43% Cu and 6.05% Zn -- Grab samples from regional prospecting of up to 0.96 g/t Au, 23 g/t Ag and 1.15% Cu at the VTEM-005 target -- Grab sampling of up to 4.05% Zn from the VTEM-008 target Copper Lake Interim CEO Terry MacDonald stated that "The 2016 compilation program has outlined a number of new gold targets. Subsequent prospecting, channel sampling and the assaying of historical core has confirmed the presence of significant gold mineralization in a number of new zones over a wide area within the Marshall Lake property as well as significant gold assays from the historically tested Cu-Zn Billiton Main target. The presence of gold mineralization, hitherto unrecognized, as well as the known Cu-Zn mineralization associated with the VMS system will be the focus of our exploration program in the coming months". During 2016 Copper Lake completed a data base compilation of all historical exploration work on the Marshall Lake project area including drilling, surface sampling and geophysical VTEM, IP and magnetic surveys. The compilation and interpretation completed resulted in the out-lining of a number of VTEM anomalies and several gold mineralized structures as well as geological zones not previously explored. The compilation outlined a zone of gold mineralization within the Cu-Zn VMS Billiton Main Zone. The 2016 field program conducted in October and November was designed to test the potential of gold mineralization at the Billiton Main Zone with channel sampling as well as the re-assay of historical drill core not previously assayed as well as the ground truth a number of VTEM anomalies defined. The 2016 field program included the collection of 42 samples from 8 continuous channels at the Billiton Main Zone and 22 grab samples from the regional follow-up program. The core assay program of historical drill core from the Billiton Main Zone totaled 217 samples from 216.78m of core from previously un-sampled core. Final results of compilation and interpretation from "plate modelling" of VTEM anomalies conducted as part of the 2016 program are pending. To view Figure 1: Marshall Lake: Prospect Location Map, please visit this link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/X82343.pdf Billiton Main Zone Field mapping outlined a number of outcrops at Billiton Main located over a strike length of approx. 350m showing strong folding, some shearing and high strain zones with sericite-silica-chlorite alteration. Structures are oriented roughly East-West and fold hinges plunge approx. 40 degrees to the east. Disseminated to massive sulphides occur with quartz veining, with many of the sulphide zones being folded and deformed. The quartz veins are also folded and boudinaged. Channel samples were designed to test for gold mineralization associated with the sulphides and quartz veins. Significant channel sampling results are included in Table 1. Table 1: Billiton Main Zone: 2016 Significant Channel Sampling results ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel From To Length Au Ag Cu Zn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Metres Metres Metres (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ML-03 0.00 5.00 5.00 0.61 39 0.83 1.29 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- contains 4.40 5.00 0.60 2.36 60 1.61 4.20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ML-04 0.00 0.80 0.80 0.64 286 3.05 5.60 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sampling of historical core from the Billiton Main Zone was mostly conducted on zones of quartz veining and quartz-sericite alteration, as sulphide rich zones had been previously been sampled in the testing for Cu-Zn VMS mineralization. The half core samples were designed to test for gold and silver mineralization in structures and quartz veins away from the main sulphide rich lenses. Significant gold and silver assay results from historical core are summarized below in Table 2. Table 2: Billiton Main Zone: 2016 Historical Core Re-Assay Program ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drill Hole From To Length Au Ag Cu Zn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Metres Metres Metres (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAR-06-03 38.25 39.00 0.75 1.22 123 2.07 3.74 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAR-06-04 38.45 38.80 0.35 28.70 150 3.43 1.98 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAR-06-06 46.00 46.30 0.30 2.15 8 0.10 1.98 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAR-06-09 82.00 84.00 2.00 2.70 239 0.84 5.01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- including 82.00 83.00 1.00 4.04 271 0.93 3.95 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAR-06-10 84.00 85.00 1.00 1.08 63 0.54 6.05 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To view Figure 2: Billiton Main Zone Location, please visit this link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/X82343.pdf Regional Prospecting VTEM-005 Prospecting was conducted over the area covering the VTEM anomaly #005 defined by the 2008 VTEM survey. The target is located some 1.5km to the west of the Billiton Main Zone. Felsic volcanics were seen to host minor sulphide stringer and quartz-sericite-chlorite alteration however as the centre of this VTEM is located under a swampy area it would appear that the main anomaly was not tested by sampling. Significant results of up to 0.96g/t Au and 1.15% Cu were returned from sampling distal to the VTEM anomaly (Table 3). Further follow-up work recommended as the anomaly has not been historically tested. Table 3: VTEM-005 Target: 2016 Significant Grab Sampling Results ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prospect Sample Sample Au Ag Cu Zn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area # Type (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VTEM-005 S125604 Grab 0.09 8 0.81 0.06 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VTEM-005 S125606 Grab 0.96 23 1.15 0.03 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VTEM-008 Prospecting over the area defined by VTEM anomaly #008 identified a surface expression of stringer style mineralization containing chalcopyrite and sphalerite in felsic volcanics. The anomaly is located some 2km north of the Teck Hill Zone which hosts VMS style mineralization. The sampled outcrop is approximately 290 metres from the centre of the VTEM anomaly. Grab sampling of significance are included in Table 5. Results indicate that this previously untested anomaly requires additional follow up. Table 4: VTEM-008 Target: 2016 Significant Grab Sampling Results ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prospect Sample Sample Au Ag Cu Zn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Area # Type (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VTEM-008 S120971 Grab 0.09 24 0.02 2.68 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VTEM-008 S120972 Grab 0.01 2 0.02 3.16 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VTEM-008 S120973 Grab 0.05 7 0.07 4.05 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quality Assurance and Quality Control Program Field samples were collected under the supervision of an independent contract project geologist, Craig Fitchett P.Geo. of Orix Geoscience. Channel and chip samples were collected to sample distinct geological and alteration units. Channels were cut using a mechanical "core saw". Drill core was sawn in half using an electrical core saw with the same half sampled, with a maximum core length of 1.5m and a minimum of 0.3m sampled. Samples were delivered to ALS-Chemex in Thunder Bay with certified standards and blanks, dried and crushed to 70% passing 2mm. A split of 3kg is pulverized to 85% passing -75um (200#). Gold was assayed by Fire Assay with a 50g charge and an AAS finish (AA-AA26). Other elements including Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn in a 33 element suite, were analysed after undergoing a four acid digestion and analysis by ICP-AES (ME-ICP61a). Assay results undergo precision and accuracy checks prior to being entered into the database. The content of this press release has been reviewed by Gary O'Connor, MAusIMM, a director of Copper Lake Resources. About Copper Lake Resources Copper Lake Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded Canadian company currently focused on advancing two significant properties located in Ontario, Canada: 1. The Marshall Lake VMS copper, zinc, silver and gold property is an advanced exploration stage property located 120 km north of Geraldton, Ontario via good all weather gravel road from the Trans-Canada Highway and just 22 km north of the main CNR rail line. Copper Lake currently has a 68.75% interest in the property and has the option to increase its interest to 75% by incurring additional expenditures of $670,000 by July 15, 2017. The Company can further increase its interest to 87.5% by taking the project to bankable feasibility stage. 2. The Norton Lake nickel, copper, PGM property (69.79%) is located approximately 100 km north of the Marshall Lake property. On behalf of Copper Lake Resources Ltd. Terrence MacDonald, Interim CEO The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address such matters as future exploration, drilling, exploration activities, potential mineralization and resources and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors of which are beyond the reasonable control of the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include such matters as market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Any forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and subject to change after that date. Contacts: Terrence MacDonald Interim CEO 416-561-3626 terrence_macdonald@hotmail.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Tudor Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: TUD)(FRANKFURT: TUC) (the "Company" or "Tudor Gold") is pleased to report on the final results of its 2016 field exploration program on the Electrum Property, in the "Golden Triangle" area near Stewart, B.C. Background The Electrum project is a 60:40 joint venture between Tudor Gold (as operator) and American Creek Resources Ltd. ("American Creek"). The Electrum property is located directly between the past producing Silbak Premier mine some 25 km south and Pretium Resources' Brucejack deposit some 20 km to the north (currently under development with production targeted for 2017). Within that same area are several other past producing mines as well as new projects undergoing exploration. One small area of the Electrum property itself includes the site of the historic East Gold mine which was mined by hand between 1939 and 1965, and which produced 3,816 oz of gold and 2,442 oz of silver from 45 tons of hand selected ore (BC Ministry of Mines Assessment Report 30206); mining operations ceased with the unfortunate and untimely death of the mine operator. More recently, the Scottie Gold mine operated from 1981 to 1985 approximately five kilometers from the Electrum property. The current owners of the Scottie Gold mine, Rotation Minerals Ltd., note on their website that the mine "milled vein material averaging 16.20 g/t gold, producing 2,967,748 grams of gold (95,426 ounces gold) from 183,147 tonnes of mineralization" (these historic production values have not been independently verified by Tudor Gold). Tudor Gold was attracted to the Electrum property by the presence of a complex system of mineralized fault structures within which are networks of gold and silver bearing quartz veins. The gold and silver typically occurs within these veins as electrum, a naturally occurring amalgam of both metals. The complexity of both the fault structures and the vein networks make it very difficult to specifically target the veins of gold and silver bearing materials using conventional surface-based exploration techniques such as diamond drilling or magnetotelluric surveys. With that in mind, Tudor Gold set out to develop an exploration program which includes sub-surface exploration techniques and which targets mineralization rather than just vein structures. In this way, Tudor Gold will gain a better and more useful understanding of the overall geology of the property. The success of the East Gold mine demonstrates that the mineralized fault material is accessible using conventional underground mining systems and practices. The cost of either rehabilitating the East Gold mine or opening new adits is, however, prohibitive at this stage of the project's development. Tudor Gold is instead focused on a scalable bulk sampling program which would, if warranted, conclude with the development of an open-cut mine of sufficient size to generate both a return for shareholders and financing for further exploration on the property. As with other properties in this area of the "Golden Triangle", an open-cut mine could be carried out in association with related conventional underground mining. Tudor Gold's exploration programs and long-term planning take into account two of the key economic advantages of the Electrum property; it is within 4 kilometers of a power-line, and the property is adjacent to an established haul road leading to the bulk terminal and deep-water port at Stewart, B.C. 2016 Exploration Program The exploration program achieved the following three goals set for the 2016 field season: 1. Diamond drilling aimed at furthering the exploration work previously carried out by American Creek, 2. Trench sampling of a newly discovered mineralized surface exposure in what is now referred to as the "New Blast Zone", and 3. Collection and analysis of a 4 tonne bulk sample from the New Blast Zone. In addition to the work aimed at achieving these goals, work carried out during the 2016 field season included the construction of temporary (removable) bridges and the stabilization and improvement of road access to ensure safe and efficient access to the property. 2016 Diamond Drilling Nineteen drill holes totaling 1,406 meters were completed. A total of 1492 core samples were collected and assayed. The 2016 drilling program was carried out to extend and expand on the drilling programs carried out by American Creek in previous years. The results of the 2015 American Creek drilling program included these findings previously released by American Creek: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) (m) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EL15-02 9.0 10.0 1.0 1.04 78.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EL15-03 16.5 17.5 1.0 6.09 242.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EL15-04 32.0 33.0 1.0 6.76 38.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EL15-05 28.0 29.0 1.0 1.31 189.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35.0 36.0 1.0 6.93 62.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EL15-07 13.0 14.0 1.0 14.65 22.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14.0 15.0 1.0 6.59 461.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35.0 36.0 1.0 3.47 58.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EL15-08 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.05 89.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- One of the key goals of both the American Creek and Tudor Gold drilling programs was to confirm that mineralized exposures visible on the surface carried on at depth below the surface. The results of these drilling programs do suggest that, as expected, mineralization carries on at depth. Of particular interest, holes TG16-13-UTM, TG16-14-UTM, and TG16-15-UTM reveal sub-surface mineralization in the area generally below the newly identified "New Blast Zone". Because of the complexity of the fault structures in this area, however, Tudor Gold is currently unable to state with the certainty required by NI 43-101 that the sub-surface mineralization confirms the presence of an unbroken, continuous zone of mineralization linking these drill holes with the surface mineralization. Trench Sampling As noted in a press release issued September 12, 2016, a trenching program was carried out on the New Blast Zone. The program targeted a vein system which is infilled with a fine-grained blackish, blue-grey mineralization. The structure includes wide sharp edged quartz fragments in a foliated sulphide-quartz-carbonate matrix; the sulphides are pyrite, pyrrhotite, with thin galena/silver seams. Twelve representative specimens were collected across the vein structure. Assays of those specimens yielded averages of 3,461.92 grams (111.30 oz) silver per tonne and 2.24 grams gold per tonne. Complete results of the trench sampling may be found in the noted press release on the Tudor Gold website at www.tudor-gold.com. Four Tonne Bulk Sample Following the success of the trench sampling program, a 4 tonne bulk sample was collected from the New Blast Zone. The sample was collected utilizing localized blasting resulting in an exposed face of approximately 120 square meters, and a total rubble pile of approximately 600 cubic meters, from which was selected approximately 4 tonnes of representative material. The collected bulk material was then crushed to a size of "3 inch minus" using a crusher at a quarry in Mission, British Columbia. The crushed material was then provided to ALS Global's metallurgical laboratory ('ALS') in Kamloops, BC for metallurgical processing and testing. The processing included the use of rod and ball mill grinding followed by both floatation and gravity separation. The resultant material was then analyzed in four separate test runs over four consecutive days. The overall results of the analysis are set out in the following table: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) PB (%) Zn (%) Sulphur (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.82 539 1.96 1.97 13.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As with the trenching program, Tudor Gold is very encouraged by these results. A complete description of the processing and testing employed by ALS will be added to the Tudor Gold website at www.tudor-gold.com. 2017 Exploration Program Tudor Gold is satisfied that the results of the 4 tonne bulk sample program, together with all previous exploration work on the property, justifies scaling up the exploration program on the Electrum property. Tudor Gold is satisfied that all of these results justify long-term planning based on an assumption that currently known mineralization on the property has the potential to support a modest sized open-cut mine that can be scaled up as further exploration dictates. Subject to obtaining all necessary permits and financing, the current plan for the 2017 field season is to carry out the largest possible bulk sample program along with an as yet to be determined amount of diamond drilling. The anticipated bulk sample program will utilize commercially available mining equipment commonly used in open-pit mining. Blasting will be carried out with the use of track-mounted drills, and on-site crushing will be carried out with the use of track-mounted crushers. It is anticipated that crushed, mineralized material will be hauled to Stewart and from there it will be transported to an appropriate smelter for final processing. Walter Storm, President and CEO, stated: "We are very pleased with the results of the work on the Electrum this summer. Not only have we confirmed and increased the known mineralized gold and silver zones, we have also begun to develop a much better understanding of the geology of the property and we are satisfied that we have a proper basis for expanding our exploration program." The Qualified Person for this Press Release, about the Electrum property, is James McCrea, P. Geo. for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Walter Storm, President and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please visit the company's website at www.tudor-gold.com. Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. All statements including, without limitation, statements relating to the potential mineralization and geological merits of the Electrum property and other future plans, objectives or expectations of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertain ties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Note: 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: Tudor Gold Corp. Aris Morfopoulos Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary 604-721-2650 aris@tudor-gold.com www.tudor-gold.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Minco Gold Corp. (the "Company" or "Minco Gold") (TSX: MMM)(NYSE MKT: MGH)(FRANKFURT: MI5) is pleased to report that it has acquired an initial 5.9% per cent stake in El Olivar Imperial SAC ("El Olivar"), a privately held Peruvian corporation. El Olivar's principal asset is the wholly owned Planta Sol de Oro gold tailings and processing project located near Nasca, Peru, 445 kilometres south of Lima. Over the next 12-18 months, El Olivar plans to construct a mill and leach plant designed to process gold-bearing tailings from the Sol de Oro property and from other gold-bearing feed sources acquired throughout the region. Investment Details Minco Gold subscribed for 400,000 Units of a private placement of 1,600,000 million Units priced at US$1.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one Class A voting share and 1.5 Class A share purchase warrants, with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional Class A voting share for a period of six months from closing at a price of US$1.00 per share. Under these warrant terms, Minco Gold will have the right to acquire an additional 600,000 shares for US$600,000. During the course of the six month term of the warrants issued as part of the private placement, El Olivar will work towards securing all necessary regulatory permits to proceed with construction of the processing plant. Class A shareholders will be provided a first priority security over the assets of El Olivar in the event that the final permits and approvals are not received. In addition to the equity stake, Minco Gold shall receive an annual cash dividend in U.S. dollars equal to 6% of the invested amount, payable starting on the date that is 18 months from the closing date. The Class A Shares may be converted at any time into Common Shares of El Olivar at the option of the holder. After a period of 10 years from the commencement of commercial production from the processing plant, Class A shareholders will have the option to either convert their Class A Shares to Common Shares or redeem the shares for cash at face value. The conversion rate will initially be 1:1, subject to customary adjustments. Prior to the private placement, El Olivar had 4.7 million shares issued to three principal shareholders, the largest being Beach Meadows Resources Inc., a private Canadian company holding 50% of the shares. Michael Doggett is the majority owner of Beach Meadows Resources and is also a Director of Minco Gold. Manuel Cabrera is El Olivar's Operations Manager. Mr. Cabrera is a Peruvian citizen and Metallurgical Engineer who has managed mineral processing plants for 35 years and is noted for his expertise on the processing of gold ores. The third principal shareholder, Jim Moore, is the Chairman and comptroller of El Olivar. Mr. Moore is the past President & CEO of Inter-Citic Minerals and has extensive international business and equity market experience. Ken Cai, President & CEO of Minco commented that, "the investment in El Olivar provides exposure to an interesting project run by people we know and is structured in a way that provides Minco with optionality, security and dividend payments as the project advances." The investment in El Olivar was made for investment purposes. The company may otherwise determine to increase or decrease its investment in El Olivar depending on market conditions and any other relevant factors. About Minco Gold Minco Gold Corporation (TSX: MMM)(NYSEMKT: MGH)(FRANKFURT: MI5) is a Canadian company involved in the acquisition and development of high-grade, advanced stage gold properties. The Company also owns 11 million shares of Minco Silver Corporation. For more information on Minco Gold and its properties, please visit the website at www.mincogold.com. Contacts: Minco Gold Corporation Jennifer Trevitt (604)-688-8002 pr@mincogold.com www.mincogold.com DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Parks Associates announced that DTE and Powerley will deliver a joint keynote at the eighth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 20-22, 2017, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. The research firm announced new smart energy research today, from the upcoming 360 View: Energy Management, Smart Home, and Utility Programs, showing that 82% of U.S. broadband households performed some energy-saving action in 2016, including 50% who adjusted their thermostat in order to save money and energy. Irene Dimitry, Vice President, Business Planning and Development, DTE Energy; and Manoj Kumar, CEO, Powerley will deliver the day's closing keynote at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21. The presentation will focus on strategies for driving energy efficiency, consumer engagement, and new connected business models through energy management and home automation solutions. "Energy providers are accelerating the adoption of smart home solutions, expanding the market beyond early adopters," said Tom Kerber, Director of IoT Strategy, Parks Associates. "Many smart energy devices have an outstanding return-on-investment, yet upfront cost is an obstacle to adoption. Energy programs are expanding the smart home market and the utility relationship with consumers. The Smart Energy Summit will highlight energy providers on the forefront of the smart home." "In bridging the smart grid to the smart home, utilities are reshaping our relationship with energy while redefining their businesses," said Manoj Kumar, CEO, Powerley. "As we look beyond the meter, we have an opportunity to engage customers in an entirely new connected home experience that is enriched by energy management." Additional keynotes and key speakers at Smart Energy Summit include: Kevin Butt, General Manager, Environmental, Toyota Motor North America Abigail Daken, ENERGY STAR Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Jeremy Eaton, Vice President and General Manager, Connected Home, Honeywell Ann McCabe, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission The Smart Energy Summit agenda is designed with strategic insights including representatives from utilities, state and national regulators, telecom and security companies, retailers, and OEMs. The Summit features Parks Associates' latest consumer research highlighting the adoption of smart energy solutions and analysis of utility strategies to integrate smart home, solar energy, and value-added services into grid operations, energy efficiency, and DR programs in order to expand their services. Conference sponsors include People Power Company, Alarm.com, Austin Energy, Bidgely, Carrier, ecobee, Hampton Products International, Powerley, The Weather Company, Whisker Labs, ipCapital Group, MivaTek, and State Farm. Conference supporters include Advanced Energy Economy, Internet of Things Consortium, AltEnergyMag.com, Antenna, B2 Group, CIOReview, Conference Guru, Engerati, Green Button Alliance, Hometoys, IoT Today, ISE Magazine, Israeli Smart Energy Association, KNXtoday, Mission Data, NEEP, oneM2M, Open Connectivity Foundation, OpenADR Alliance, POWERGRID International, Smart Energy Journal, Smart Grid Spain, Smart Grid Today, TD The Market Publishers, TelcoProfessionals, Utility Dive, Utility Post, Wi-Fi Alliance, and WSNBuzz.com. Parks Associates is accepting press pass requests for Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer at http://www.parksassociates.com/ses-presspass. More information about the Smart Energy Summit is available at www.SES2017.com. To speak with an analyst or request specific research data, contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com or 720-987-6614. About Smart Energy Summit Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer examines new cross-industry opportunities in the expanding market for energy solutions, including connected devices, energy management, utility services, and home control platforms and services, as they evolve within the smart home and consumer-based Internet of Things. Smart Energy Summit focuses particularly on the challenge of engaging consumers with energy-related solutions. Research analysts, thought leaders, and industry executives present and discuss business strategies, case studies, partnership opportunities, and consumer research that utilities, service providers, retailers, and manufacturers can use to expand and monetize their energy offerings. The eighth-annual Smart Energy Summit will take place February 20-22, 2017, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. The summit agenda features leaders from utilities, state and national regulators, telecom and security companies, retailers, and OEMs. Follow the event on Twitter at @SmartEnergySmt and SmartEnergy17 and on the Smart Energy Insights Blog. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.ses2017.com. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3097824 Holly Sprague Parks Associates 720.987.6614 hsprague@gmail.com OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 18, 2017 / Carube Copper Corp. (CUC: TSXV) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced private placement financing of 13,000,000 units ("Units") @ $0.105 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,365,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the company and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.15 per for a period of two years from the closing date. The proceeds will be used for exploration and general working capital purposes. The actual allocation of net proceeds may vary from the aforementioned uses depending on future operations, unforeseen events or opportunities. The closing of the placement constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101") as certain insiders of the company subscribed for Units. The company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the participation in the offering by insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the private placement, which the company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to avail itself of the proceeds of the private placement in an expeditious manner. Certain eligible persons (the "Finders") were paid cash commissions totaling $72,379.40 which represents 6% of the proceeds raised from subscribers introduced to the company by such Finders and were also issued an aggregate of 689,328 unit broker warrants ("Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Unit at a price of $0.105 for a period of two years from the closing date of the offering. The common shares, warrants and Broker Warrants are subject to a hold period of 4 months and a day following the closing. Contacts Jeff Ackert, President and CEO 1-613-839-3258 jackert@carubecopper.com Vern Rampton, Executive VP of Corporate Development 1-613-839-3258 vrampton@carubecopper.com Alar Soever, Chairman 1-705-682-9297 asoever@carubecopper.com www.carubecopper.com Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Carube Copper Corp. (TSXV: CUC) is a Canadian exploration company focused on the exploration and development of copper and gold projects in Jamaica and Canada. In Jamaica, Carube Copper holds a 100% interest in 11 licenses, totalling 535 square kilometres. In Canada, it holds a 100% interest in three porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum properties, totalling 492 square kilometres within the Tertiary-aged Cascade Magmatic Arc in southwestern British Columbia. Exploration continues on these properties with the goal of joint-venturing them to larger exploration and mining companies. Carube Copper continues to seek opportunities in Canada and the Caribbean for acquisition and development. DISCLAIMER & FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Carube Copper Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors which cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements." IMPORTANT NOTICE: By reference herewith, Carube Copper incorporates into this release the entire disclaimer set forth on its website at http://www.carubecopper.com/uploads/1/6/5/2/16521880/disclaimers-and-forward-statements.pdf SOURCE: Carube Copper Corp. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a soldier barracks and military-household complex in a military unit of Detached Combined Arms Army in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Deputy defence minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, commander of Detached Combined Arms Army, Lieutenant General Karam Mustafayev reported to the head of state. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the soldier barracks and military-household complex. President, Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev viewed the conditions created at the soldier barracks. The barracks occupies a total area of 4,000 square meters. The three-story building is supplied with all necessary equipment. The barracks has 24 rooms. President Ilham Aliyev viewed food products, had a conversation with cooks, and posed for photographs together with them. Then the head of state viewed the new military equipment. TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- The Mint Corporation (TSX VENTURE: MIT) ("Mint" or the "Company") announces the following: Mint Middle East LLC ("MME"), a company 51% owned by Mint, after having been assessed and found to be in accordance with the Information Security Standards has received the ISO/IEC 27001:2003 certification as a vertically integrated payment solutions provider. This certification related to information security is another evidence of the capability of our team and platform and further strengthens Mint's market positioning to be a best in class payments company meeting international standards. General Disclosure Statement Investors are encouraged to read the Management Discussion and Analysis Documents filed on SEDAR for a description of additional risks associated with investing in the Company. The following statement is only intended to inform investors on certain of the many risks associated with investing in the Company. The Company operates predominantly in the Middle East. It is exposed to significant political, legal and regulatory risks associated with operating in this emerging and volatile market. The key management personnel and operations of the Company are based in countries which do not have strong and reliable judicial enforcement. This results in additional risk with respect to the enforcement of legal and contractual rights, including, for example but without limitation, the enforcement of the rights of creditors, the protection of intellectual property rights, the enforcement of joint venture arrangements, and binding key employees with non-compete agreements. Since inception, the Company has not reached profitability. The Company relies heavily on debt financing to fund its business plan. This has exposed the Company to unique financial risks associated with significantly higher than normal debt levels. Investors in the company are strongly encouraged to be aware of the significant risks of the Company, to conduct additional due diligence and to seek the help of a licensed investment advisor before investing in securities of the Company. Moreover, investors must be aware that the purchase of the Company's securities involves a number of additional significant risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the Management Discussion and Analysis reports filed on SEDAR by the Company. Investors considering purchasing securities of the Company should be able to bear the economic risk of total loss of such investment. About The Mint Corporation Established in 2004, Mint is a vertically integrated prepaid card and payroll services provider with its own processing platform, ATM network and proprietary branded card products delivered to unbanked workers in the United Arab Emirates. Mint operates as a payroll card and processing services provider in the UAE through its ownership in Mint Middle East LLC and Mint Gateway for Electronic Payment Services LLC. 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: The Mint Corporation Rishi Tibriwal (647) 252-1675 rtibriwal@mintinc.com www.themintcorp.com VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - January 11, 2017) - Black Dragon Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: BDG) ("Black Dragon" or the "Company"). Brian Wesson releases the following letter to update on corporate and financial matters as well as a strategy update to shareholders. Dear Shareholders, Further to my letter of September 19, 2016 (the "September Update"), the Company's focus is to extract value for shareholders by moving Salave to production as quickly as possible. The immediate goals are: 1. Re-engaging with Stakeholders; 2. Recapitalising the Company; and 3. Completing the Feasibility Study. Re-engaging with Stakeholders We re-emphasise our commitment to operating the project with the support of our stakeholders. Since the September Update, we have progressed our strategy towards the next stage of permitting. In light of the fact that the mining concessions have been granted and in good stead, as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Spain in September 2016, management can focus on completing the Feasibility Study and engaging with stakeholders on the social and administrative feasibility of the project options. The Company's focus is on presenting a final project for Administrative Mining Project Authorisation and feasibility that is the result of a transparent and collaborative process, independent of the legal process underway and, as such, we are and will work extensively with our in-country consultants, the regulatory authorities and stakeholders. We anticipate submitting applications for the remaining relevant permits and publication of the Feasibility Study prior to Q3, 2017. We have reached out to the relevant authorities at all levels of the government. Spain has recently finalised the re-election of the federal government and are finalising appointments to the relevant departments. We continue to engage with the local and regional authorities to foster the necessary trust in the Company and management. We are in the process of selecting a Board of Directors and management team for our Spanish subsidiary and operating company in Spain. It is critical that the project is operated as a Spanish and Asturias-based project with an extensive local presence, and we have taken great measures to identify candidates that have the necessary expertise and are sensitive to the needs of the local communities. Our local Spanish team will be administering the project, handling the day to day operations and providing accessible and effective community relations. Black Dragon's technical team will join where required and provide assistance to the local management team with the support of the executive directors and management of Black Dragon. The Company's executive directors, technical and corporate team expects to spend significant time connecting with the Spanish team and collectively engaging with the stakeholders in Asturias and Tapia in Q1 2017. The executive directors will continue to spend significant time in Spain on an ongoing basis, working with the authorities and stakeholders to ensure the project supports and ultimately becomes an integral part of the community. We have set up a temporary website, www.fenixmineriaoro.es, from which the community can contact management and discuss any issues or concerns as and when they arise. We will update the website as we progress with consultations. Recapitalising the Company As previously announced, management has been reviewing the financing options with a view to balancing the Company's requirement to ensure it is sufficiently capitalised to be able to focus its resources on fast tracking to production and maximising the value to shareholders. The Company's priority is repaying the reduced workout of the RMB debt to clear the burden on the balance sheet and re-focus on the project. The Company exercised the option agreement, as negotiated by Lionsbridge, in December 2016 and expects to close the definitive RMB agreements on or before 20 January 2017. The repayment of the RMB debt will facilitate the project financing which is expected in Q3-Q4 2017. Management is in discussion with potential project financiers to fast track this process. Completing the Feasibility Study As previously announced, there are considerable resources available for the Feasibility Study with the majority of the studies underlying reports completed. Furthermore, we have engaged TetraTech to complete the feasibility study. The TetraTech mandate is to work with the Company with input from our Spanish legal counsel, Herbert Smith Freehills, technical advisor Westech International, the relevant Spanish permitting authorities and stakeholders to finalise a final project design that addresses the concerns of all parties while maximising the value for shareholders. The completed reports will then form the basis of the study which is expected to be published in Q2-Q3 2017. Much of the technical work completed to date has been published by the following groups: a. Technical reports on the mineral resource base completed by Mining Development Associates , Golder Associates and Roscoe Postle and Associates Inc. b. Metallurgical test work carried out by Ausenco Ltd. and ALS Metallurgy Kamloops. The relevant reports determined that flotation kinetics are good and a high-grade concentrate can be produced removing any need for the use of cyanide, de-risking the permitting process. c. Extensive environmental reports published by the University of Oviedo, Spain based consultants Congeo and Amphos 21 and SRK, (UK). d. Reports covering design elements such as the mine planning, paste fill, plant layouts and costing by international and Spain based consulting groups. As announced in the prior update to shareholders, the Salave project is the largest undeveloped Gold deposit in Europe with significant intrinsic value. Management's view on the project is supported by: 1. The 69,000 meters of mostly diamond drilling completed across the mining concessions demonstrating the geology to be consistent with other intrusive hosted/related multimillion ounce gold deposits such as Fort Knox, Pogo and Donlin Creek in Alaska and Telfer and Boddington in Western Australia. 2. The quality of the orebody and depth potential is demonstrated by intersections including Hole RN 70 which intersected two discrete zones of high grade mineralisation, 29.5 g/t Au over 18.15m at 252.2 meters depth and 37.7 g/t au over 21.65 m at 281.0 meters depth. 3. The exploration upside is demonstrated by drill intercepts on strike of the existing resources and the lack of drilling at depth despite the continuation of high gold grades at depth and down plunge of the known mineralisation. The mineralisation typically occurs as wide zones averaging 18 m thickness and generally dipping at 30 degrees with grade increasing at depth. Regional upside is underpinned by mining concessions that cover an area of 662 hectares and an Investigative Permit that cover an additional 2,765 hectares, comprising a significant land holding of 3,426.97 hectares in a highly prospective region. 4. The overall economic viability demonstrated in Golder's PEA report issued in 2011 5. The confirmation of a resource base amenable to underground mining as per Mining Development Associates NI 43-101 technical report (Oct. 7, 2016). The current mineral resource for Salave includes measured and indicated resources containing 944,000 ounces of gold (6.52 million Tonnes @ 4.51 g/t Au) calculated at a 2.0 g/t Au cutoff grade using a USD$1,100/ounce gold price (See February 6, 2014 and October 17, 2016 News Releases). 6. The amount of land owned including 10 hectares of freehold land primarily over the Salave deposit and historical Roman open cut workings. The Technical Information disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Douglas Turnbull, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Signed "Brian Wesson" President and Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Board of Directors Black Dragon Gold "BDG" is the 100% owner of the largest undeveloped gold project in Europe, the Salave project. Salave is situated in the North of Spain in the province of Asturias. The Company is moving Salave to production supported by a strong management team and board of directors experienced in the design, construction and operation of mining projects worldwide. The Salave project has measured and indicated resources totalling 6.52 million Tonnes grading 4.51 g/t Au containing 944,000 ounces of gold at a 2.0 g/t cutoff grade and gold price of USD$1,100/ounce. In addition to the current mineral resource, historical exploration work suggests there is the potential for additional mineralisation within Black Dragon's landholdings. The company considers Salave to be a near term development project. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information". Forward-looking information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology, or negative connotations thereof. All information in this release, other than information of historical facts, including, without limitation, expecting timing for commencement and completion of the feasibility study, timing for the submission of applications for and receipt of permits, timing for the completion of transactions with RMB as well as completion of related financing, availability of and timing for project financing, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, future production estimates and the timing of same and the timing and results of future resource estimates, are forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such expectations are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information include changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, the Company's ability to maintain the support of stakeholders necessary to develop the Salave project, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For more information on the Company and the key assumptions, risks and challenges with respect to the forward looking information discussed herein, and about our business in general, investors should review the 2015 technical report on the Salave project and the Company's other continuous disclosure filings which are available at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Clyde Wesson Vice President Suite 545, 999 Canada Place Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3E1 Tel: (604) 684-6264 info@blackdragongold.com www.blackdragongold.com PUNE, India, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Interventional Radiology Products Market by type (Stents, Catheters, IVC Filter, Accessories), Procedure Type (Angioplasty, Angiography, Biopsy, Thrombolysis, Embolization), Applications (Oncology, Cardiology, Urology & Nephrology) - Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market is expected to reach USD 8.02 Billion by 2021 from USD 6.35 Billion in 2016, at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2016 to 2021. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 79 market data Tables and 37 Figures spread through 144 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Interventional Radiology Products Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/interventional-radiology-product-market-67681703.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. The report provides a detailed overview of the major drivers, restraints, challenges, opportunities, current market trends, and strategies impacting the interventional radiology products market along with the estimates and forecasts of the revenue and market share analysis. The major factors driving the growth of this market are rising incidence of chronic diseases, rising geriatric population, and increasing demand for minimally invasive surgeries. The report segments this market on the basis of type, procedure, application, and region. Based on type, the market is segmented into stents, catheters, IVC filters, hemodynamic flow alteration devices, angioplasty balloons, thrombectomy systems, embolization devices, biopsy needles, and accessories. In 2016, the stents segment is expected to dominate the global interventional radiology products market. The key factors driving the growth of the interventional radiology stents market are the growing geriatric population and increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases around the world. Based on procedure, the market is segmented into angioplasty, angiography, embolization, thrombolysis, biopsy & drainage, vertebroplasty, nephrostomy, and other applications. In 2016, the angiography segment is expected to account for the largest share of this market. The growing demand for minimally invasive procedures and rising geriatric population are the key factors driving market growth in this segment. Download PDF Brochure@ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=67681703 Based on application, the market is segmented into cardiology, urology & nephrology, oncology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics, and other applications. The oncology segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The major factors driving the growth of this market segment are the increasing incidence of cancer and rising demand for minimally invasive procedures. Based on region, the global interventional radiology products market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (RoW). In 2016, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the market. The rising incidence of chronic diseases (CVD), the increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures, and availability of reimbursement for minimally invasive products in this region are the major factors contributing to the growth of this market. Speak to Analyst: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=67681703 Key players in the interventional radiology products market include Abbott Vascular (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), Medtronic plc (Ireland), Cardinal Health (U.S.), B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), C.R Bard (U.S.), Biosensor International Group Ltd. (Singapore), Stryker Corporation (U.S.), Terumo Corporation (Japan), and Cook Medical Inc. (U.S.). Browse Related Reports: NEUROVASCULAR DEVICES/INTERVENTIONAL NEUROLOGY MARKET By Technology (Embolization, Carotid Stenting, Balloon Angioplasty, Neurothrombectomy), Product (Carotid Stent, Flow Diversion, Microcatheter, Clot Retrieval, Suction Device) - Global Forecast to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/neurointerventional-neurostimulation-devices-market-847.html INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY & PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DEVICES MARKET (Embolic Protection, Chronic Total Occlusion, Atherectomy, Thrombectomy, IVUS, Angiography Catheters, EVAR Stent Grafts, IVC Filters, Stents, Balloons and Accessories) - Forecasts to 2019 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/minimally-invasive-interventional-cardiology-devices-market-548.html About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr. Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street Suite 2175, Seattle, WA 98101, United States Telephone No: 1-888-600-6441. Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @ http://mnmblog.org/market-research/healthcare/medical-devices Connect with us on LinkedIn @http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets Company announces best quarterly revenue in its history and achieves 12th consecutive cash positive quarter WESTBOROUGH, Massachusetts, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --ExaGrid, a leading provider of disk-based backup storage with data deduplication solutions, today announced record revenue for Q4 2016. In addition, Q4 was the company's 12th consecutive cash positive quarter. ExaGrid grew double digits over the previous quarter and same quarter of the prior year as well as for the full year of 2016 over 2015. ExaGrid is growing faster than the overall market and continues to grow its market share position. Marking continued success in its upmarket move into enterprise accounts, ExaGrid also achieved a record number of six-figure new customer opportunities in the 4th quarter. "ExaGrid had a strong record quarter in both North America and EMEA, and was cash positive for the 12th consecutive quarter," said Bill Andrews, CEO and President of ExaGrid. "We are seeing a record number of customers move to ExaGrid's next generation approach from the first generation inline/scale-up deduplication appliances as well as from backup software with deduplication to disk. Customers that deal with the day-to-day complexities of backup understand the unique value that ExaGrid's scale-out architecture with landing zone brings to their data center environment." ExaGrid is the only second generation backup storage company that overcomes the three compute challenges of backup storage with data deduplication. All backup storage vendors reduce storage and bandwidth to varying degrees but provide slow ingest rates due to the fact that they perform data deduplication 'inline.' In addition, because they only store deduplicated data, restore speeds and VM boots are also very slow. ExaGrid's ingest is three times faster - and restores/VM boots are up to ten times faster - than its closest competitor. In addition, since each ExaGrid appliance adds compute with capacity, the backup window remains fixed in length as data grows. Only ExaGrid uses a scale-out architecture with a unique loading zone, which addresses all the scalability and performance challenges of backup storage. For the year 2016, ExaGrid: achieved a record bookings and revenue year maintained cash positive status across all four quarters and for the year overall announced the addition of three new strategic partnerships with Zerto, Nimble Storage, and Pure Storage won Storage Magazine's "Gold Product of the Year, Backup Hardware" was voted SVC Awards' "Product of the Year, Backup and Recovery/Archive" was rated #1 "Recommended Deduplicating Backup Appliance" in DCIG's 2016-17 buyer's guides "ExaGrid has over 300 published customer success stories on its website, which is more than all other vendors in the space combined," said Andrews. "This demonstrates how satisfied customers are with ExaGrid's architectural approach, product, and customer support." About ExaGrid Organizations come to us because we are the only company that implemented deduplication in a way that fixed all the challenges of backup storage. ExaGrid's second generation product offers a unique landing zone and scale-out architecture providing the fastest backup - resulting in the shortest fixed backup window, the fastest local restores, fastest offsite tape copies and instant VM recoveries while permanently fixing the backup window length, all with reduced cost up front and over time. Learn how to take the stress out of backup at www.exagrid.com or connect with us on LinkedIn. Read how ExaGrid customers fixed their backup forever. ExaGrid is a registered trademark of ExaGrid Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Media Contact: Christine Murphy ExaGrid cmurphy@exagrid.com 508-898-2872 x248 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151117/288171LOGO LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Uneeqo, Inc. (OTC PINK: UNEQ) ("Uneeqo" or the "Company") today shares with its stockholders Part Two of "The Uneeqo mSRM Model" to transform digital marketing to "Invitational Marketing." The Uneeqo Solution In the previous press release the Company discussed the transformation of the user journey from being the product through customer relationship management ("CRM") to owning their personalized digital space, managing personal and business relationships through mobile customer relationship management ("mSRM"). How does Uneeqo shift the paradigm for consumers to have the ultimate choice? Still in early development, the Uneeqo platform aims to change the paradigm for consumers by allowing users to create their own digital world in one place, where all apps and browsers are consolidated. Aside from simply cleaning up the clutter on a mobile device, the benefits run much deeper for the user. With the free app, users select which businesses they wish to receive communication from in the form of marketing and offers. No personal data is collected and contacts are not accessed by the application, making it safer for the user. The user decides which contacts are added to their "close-circle" for sharing information through messaging that is built into the platform. Users will be able to surf the web from inside Uneeqo, keeping them protected from unwanted ads and digital stalking, while allowing for secure purchases from multiple vendors through one checkout. In addition users will benefit from the personal integrated Uneeqo email facility, for registration pages that require an email address, with virtually no opportunity for spam, even if addresses are sold or tapped. Another feature in development is a "Virtual Communicator" for cross-platform use in web and mobile browsers that allows for simple consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer communication (for some 50 million webpages that current employ a chat option). By design it is intended to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) by consolidating branding, an mCommerce engine, instant communications and more within a single mobile app. The goal is to get in front of an expanding industry by minimizing the clutter in today's mobile advertising space and leveling the playing field so SMBs can easily reach and communicate with their targeted demographics, as per consumer invitation. Many of the features are similar to popular e-commerce websites and applications today (such as eBay and Amazon.com) in combination with communication tools (such as Skype, text messaging and FaceTime), all rolled into one. As such, users can search for products, request info and find nearest locations thanks to location-based technologies. With a click, the information can be shared with friends and associates. For companies, there's no need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to develop their own mobile application. Most SMBs simply cannot afford that in their budget as it is, let alone get consumers to download the apps. It is vital for them to be a part of the "app-sphere," though, considering that people spend on average nearly 240+ minutes every day in mobile applications, versus only about 22 minutes daily on the mobile web according to Smart Insights. For businesses, the Uneeqo turnkey solution provides a business dashboard for managing contacts, creating marketing campaigns, tracking performance and accounting, and for consumers a controlled digital space they own. Much like traditional CRM technology, algorithms are used to combine customers' choices (mSRM) with company services in a bid to serve the customer in a manner that doesn't leave them exposed and open to unsolicited ads and spam because advertisements are coming from businesses they chose to connect with. Companies with existing apps will be able to integrate directly into Uneeqo, eliminating the need for dozens of icons on a mobile device for a user. Uneeqo firmly believes that the "Age of the Customer" is reaching the full circle, not the way business envisaged it, but through Customer Choice, called mSRM. By Invitation Only! Chris Greyling About Uneeqo, Inc. Uneeqo, Inc. is an early stage technology company, developing a revolutionary "Invitational Marketing" and communication app, that changes the communication between consumers and businesses, placing the consumer central in the conversation, controlling the what, who and when. It is revolutionary in that we put the power in the hands of consumers; no more digital stalking or uncontrolled marketing messages. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.uneeqo.com, the contents of which are not incorporated into this press release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The foregoing contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws relating to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to, or representing management's beliefs about, our future transactions, strategies, operations, events and financial results. Such forward-looking statements often contain words such as "will," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is targeting," "may," "should" and other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current expectations and beliefs and are not guarantees of future performance. Our actual business, financial condition or results of operations may differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties which include, among others, those risks and uncertainties described in any of our other filings with the SEC. Certain other factors which may impact our business, financial condition or results of operations or which may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are discussed or included in our periodic reports filed with the SEC and are available on our website at www.uneeqo.com under "Investor Info." You are urged to carefully consider all such factors. We do not undertake or plan to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this news release, even if such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized. If we make any future public statements or disclosures which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this news release, such statements or disclosures will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this news release at www.uneeqo.com under "Investor Info." You are urged to carefully consider all such factors. We do not undertake or plan to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this news release, even if such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized. If we make any future public statements or disclosures which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this news release, such statements or disclosures will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this news release. Disclaimer: This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Uneeqo, Inc. Investor Relations Phone: 800-208-1902 Email: investors@uneeqo.com DW Catalyst Fund Limited For immediate release 11 January 2017 COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT DW Catalyst Fund Limited 2016 Review & 2017 Outlook with David Warren Monday, 23 January 2017 at 14:00 (GMT) Pre-registration is required in order to join the conference. Please email investor.relations@dwpartners.com by close of business on 20 January 2017 to pre-register. Participants will have the opportunity to hear a review of 2016 performance and market themes, and a discussion of outlook and upcoming opportunities for 2017 from David Warren, CEO/CIO of DW Partners, LP ("DW"). DW is a specialist credit manager and the Manager of DW Catalyst Offshore Fund, Ltd. ("DWCOF"). During the call participants will be provided with the opportunity to submit questions. A space is also available on the registration page for those who would like to submit questions in advance. A replay will be available for three business days following the conference. Access to the conference will be restricted to persons who can make the following confirmations and agreements: a) confirming that if you are in the United Kingdom you either (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and fall within the definition of "investment professional" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended or (ii) fall within the description of (or are investment personnel of) high net worth companies, high net worth unincorporated associations or partnerships or trustees of high value trusts as set out in Article 49(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005), as amended; b) confirming that you are outside the US and a non-US person (as defined in Regulation S); c) accepting that the information disclosed in the investor call is not for public dissemination and no recordings or transcripts are permitted to be made; d) agreeing that you are not a member of the press; e) agreeing that no information and opinions conveyed in the investor call will constitute investment advice; f) accepting that no information or opinions conveyed in the investor call will create any warranty; g) confirming that you understand that the information given in the investor call and subsequent discussions (if any) are for information purposes only and are not intended to constitute an offer, solicitation of an offer, invitation or inducement to purchase or sell any shares or any other securities in any jurisdiction; h) undertaking that you will not base any investment decision solely on the information that you receive during the course of the investor call; i) confirming that, if you are outside the United Kingdom, you are entitled to join the investor call without the DW Catalyst Fund Limited (the "Company"), DW, or any other person being in breach of any laws or regulations in the jurisdiction in which you are located and without compliance by the Company, DW, or any other person with any filing, reporting or other requirements; j) confirming that you understand that DW receives management and performance fees as Manager to DWCOF and that accordingly the views and opinions expressed by DW should not be considered as independent. This invitation and the information contained herein is personal and must not be forwarded and is not for publication, distribution or release in, or into, directly or indirectly, the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or to US persons. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale including in the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan. Information regarding the Company, including NAV reporting and RNS announcements is available to existing shareholders on the Company's website at http://www.dwcatalystltd.com. End WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to move into the White House, the results of a new Quinnipiac University poll found that outgoing President Barack Obama is far more popular than his successor. The poll found that 55 percent of voters approve of the way Obama is handling his job as president, while 39 percent disapprove. Quinnipiac noted the latest figures recorded in Obama's final month in office represent his best approval rating in seven years. Meanwhile, 51 percent of voters said they disapprove of the way Trump is handling his responsibilities as president-elect compared to 37 percent that approve. 'Obama leaves the White House a lot more popular than Donald Trump is as he crosses the threshold and saddles up for the most important job in the world,' said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. The poll also found that 45 percent of voters think Trump will be a worse president than Obama, while 34 percent say he will be a better president and 15 percent say he will be about the same. Voters largely said Trump is a strong and intelligent person, although most said he is not level-headed or honest and that he does not care about average Americans. Trump is scheduled to hold a news conference on Wednesday to discuss possible conflicts-of-interest related to his business empire, which the survey suggests are of great to concern to many voters. Sixty percent of voters are concerned Trump would veto a law that would be good for the country because it would hurt his business interests, including 40 percent that are 'very concerned.' The poll also showed that the vast majority of voters think Trump should close his personal Twitter account, which he frequently uses to attack critics and political opponents. '140 characters may not be enough to tell Donald Trump just how much Americans want him to knock off the tweeting,' Malloy said. 'While the president-elect argues his missives inform, many say stow the phone.' The Quinnipiac survey of 899 voters was conducted January 5th through 9th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- KSIX Media Holdings, Inc. ("KSIX" and/or "Company") (OTC PINK: KSIX), a Las Vegas, Nevada-based publicly traded company under the ticker symbol KSIX on the OTC, announces a shareholder update from Carter Matzinger, CEO of KSIX. Dear Shareholders: I am pleased to report on our accomplishments over the past year as well as the opportunities ahead of us. Most importantly on December 14, 2016, we completed definitive agreements with True Wireless, increasing revenues from $2.8 million in 2015 to over $16 million, incorporating True Wireless' $13.1 million 2016 revenues. The final acquisition of assets is subject to FCC approval. The foundation for working with True Wireless began in October of 2015 when we acquired Digitize IQ, which greatly expanded our digital marketing offerings including a proprietary online marketing technology. Digital IQ's revenues were concentrated in the mass tort sector and a primary goal for 2016 was to apply these methodologies into additional industry verticals to grow revenue. Several months ago, we started working with True Wireless developing an online marketing strategy that successfully increased their 3rd and 4th quarter revenues by 49%. In addition, new customer acquisition costs were reduced by over 250%. True Wireless is an eligible telecommunication carrier providing discounted and subsidized wireless (cell phone) services to those who qualify under the Lifeline Program within five states (OK, TX, AR, RI and AR). The Lifeline Program was originally adopted with the Lifeline Telephone Service Act of 1985 with the goal of ensuring that all Americans have access to phone service in order to connect to job, family and emergency services. The services provided by True Wireless make a difference in peoples lives. The FCC recently completed a comprehensive reform and modernization of the Lifeline Program that became effective March 31, 2016. There was a transition time for all companies offering the Lifeline Program as the FCC reviewed enforcement and compliance issues while developing their changes to the Lifeline Program Act. A significant outcome of the modernization was to include broadband and data services. After updating their service plans to meet the new broadband standards, True Wireless announced on December 29, 2016 the launch of broadband programs in their five operating states. There are many positive impacts of the broadband service including an extended one year service agreement. The addition of broadband and data to the previously voice only program opens many new avenues of service to True Wireless. The Lifeline Program is administered by the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) and is funded by payments made to USAC from telecommunication companies, not tax dollars. The USAC reported that in October of 2015 only 13 million households used the Lifeline Program, which is about 33% of the 39.7 million eligible US households. While we estimate about 17 million households currently receive services there is a tremendous untapped market of over 23 million American households. We anticipate that the addition of broadband and data services will also significantly increase utilization. True Wireless has a proven track record with a high level of service and unique product offerings within the Lifeline Program telecommunication services. KSIX brings True Wireless new marketing avenues to reach an increased market share. It is important to note, that these new avenues do not replace the traditional and proven methods that have led to True Wireless' success, but rather are additive new on-line strategies to complement the existing programs. We are already seeing the positive results of these programs and we will focus on ramping both traditional and new media initiatives in 2017. KSIX will also introduce more data management to provide additional consumer service offerings and revenue opportunities to True Wireless. Working with Brian Cox, CEO and Mike Fina, President of True Wireless we are developing a growth plan for 2017 that includes organic growth within the current five operating states as well as applying for both additional states and a national broadband license that would allow operations in all states. We are also creating additional product offerings that can be marketed to the True Wireless customer base. Prior to the FCC restructuring of compliance programs, Mr. Cox and Mr. Fina have been and continue to be extraordinary assets to the company bringing years of experience that achieved $61 million in revenue for True Wireless. With True Wireless addressing an extensive review of its regulatory FCC procedures and successful completion of their biannual FCC audit. There is no reason we cannot look to rebuild these revenues under the newly adopted March 31, 2016 comprehensive reform and modernization of the Lifeline Program, which creates additional opportunity within broadband services. While KSIX remains a diversified media and internet company, our focus will shift to True Wireless as a telecommunications company. We will continue to operate KSIX, LLC and Digitize IQ Divisions as they are complementary to True Wireless as well as significant revenue sources for the Company. The synergy between KSIX and True Wireless divisions provides an in-house asset to market. This allows us more control to manage our revenues as well as provide a significant marketing advantage to True Wireless in on-line marketing programs. The approval of either national broadband or additional states as well as new product offerings may dramatically increase these revenues. We are working closely with Mr. Cox and Mr. Fina in developing new bundled services for True Wireless to continue their tradition of providing the highest level of service within the Lifeline Program. We will also look to begin the process and application for national broadband approval and additional state approvals as soon as feasible. We look forward to reporting on accomplishments of these initiatives in the foreseeable future. Lastly, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the extremely talented and productive teams within both KSIX and True Wireless. While we have a great deal of hard work ahead, this is an exciting time for KSIX and our shareholders as we are uniquely positioned to increase market share given the quality of our service combined with our proprietary customer acquisition marketing systems. We look forward to building True Wireless into a national brand and leader in the Lifeline Program sector. Thank you for your support and confidence as we seek to create greater success for a prosperous 2017 and long-term company growth for our shareholders. For more on this press release watch our webcast interview on the Investor Town Hall Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GowRcSt9Q_M Stay up to date with more interviews on the InvestorTownHall.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbTPFozUQq53Hzgjkhm3_MQ Sincerely, Carter Matzinger, CEO KSIX Media Holdings ABOUT KSIX MEDIA HOLDINGS KSIX Media Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: KSIX) is an SEC fully reporting media and Internet company located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Currently, there are three divisions, KSIX, LLC, DigitizeIQ, LLC and True Wireless. KSIX and Digitize IQ operate a digital advertising network utilizing proprietary technology and intellectual properties designed to create new revenue streams and increase measurable audiences for clients. KSIX provides performance-based marketing solutions to drive traffic and sales. KSIX manages offer tracking, reporting, and distribution on the third-party platform. On December 14, 2016 KSIX entered into a definitive agreement with True Wireless that comprises a management agreement as well as an acquisition agreement subject to FCC approvals. ABOUT TRUE WIRELESS, LLC True Wireless LLC, an Oklahoma company, is an eligible telecommunications carrier providing discounted and subsidized wireless (cell phone) service to those who qualify. We provide government sponsored/supported cell phone service in Texas (TX), Oklahoma (OK), Arkansas (AR), Maryland (MD) and Rhode Island (RI). The service is subsidized under the Lifeline program. Americans who enroll in the program must qualify and maintain compliance. Contact Information KSIX Media Holdings, Inc info@ksix.com Investor Contact OmniVance Advisors PR@ksix.com 858-381-5740 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato was removed from JetBlue Flight for leading passengers protest in a much delayed flight. He was escorted out by Broward County Sheriff's deputies. The flight was originally scheduled to take off from Fort Lauderdale en route to John F. Kennedy International Airport at 1.40 pm, but was ready to fly by 8 pm only. The crew asked a few passengers, who paid extra for seats with comfortable legroom, to move to rear of the plane to balance a weight issue of the plane. The 79 year old D'Amato was sitting in the rear of the plane and he reportedly supported chanting by the passengers, who were annoyed by the delay. The crew asked D'Amato to leave the plane and when he refused, they called the Sheriff's deputies to remove him. Several passengers recorded the incident in their mobile phones and posted in social media. In one such video, the former senator said, 'We can still speak in this country... I'm making an appeal to all you people... Stand up for what's right and walk out with me...' 'They are throwing me off the plane because I complained about what they were doing,' he said in another video. In response to his call, two passengers left the plane with him. JetBlue has reportedly apologized to the Senator. The airline has also credited $100 to each passengers as a compensation for the delay. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Growing need for broadleaf weed regulation will continue to be the key driver to the demand for dicamba globally. The globaldicamba marketis foreseen to witness healthy growth, reaching a value worth US$ 313.3 Mn in 2016. North America may outpace the largest dicamba market i.e. Europe, in terms of Y-o-Y growth. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430874LOGO ) Use of dicamba as an herbicide for controlling broadleaf weed in domestic, commercial, and non-commercial applications, will remain the primary factor fuelling the demand. Farmland maintenance is the most prominent driver to dicamba market growth. In addition to easy usage and widespread availability, rising need for food safety and security, and growing awareness about efficient crop protection, are likely to favour the growth of the dicamba market, especially in developing countries. Surging need for maximum crop yield without losing facing significant loss is also identified to be one of the important market drivers. Steadily increasing exports from China are foreseen to push the market growth further. Request a Sample Report with Table of Contents: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2556 A number of modern agricultural practices involve replacement or combination of glyphosate with dicamba, which may create lucrative opportunities. Moreover, wide acceptance of integrated pest management is also expected to spur the consumption of dicamba. The U.S. EPA's recent approval for the usage of a non-volatile dicamba-based herbicide by Monsanto is now considered to be a major booster to dicamba market growth. Emergence of innovative applications of dicamba in addressing multiple weed destruction will be another critical factor pushing the market. Drift damage caused due to the volatility of dicamba can remain a longstanding challenge to the market growth. Similarly, reported cases of illnesses and allergies in humans post-exposure to dicamba, will remain a major barrier to mass adoption. Strict regulations regarding approval is another key factor expected to restrain the market growth. Preview Analysis on Global Dicamba Market by Revenue: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/dicamba-market With revenues beyond US$ 265.0 Mn in 2016, agriculture will continue to lead the market in terms of application, with over 84% market value share. Lawn and turf segment is also expected to register a remarkable market share of over 12% in 2016. While the Y-o-Y growth of agriculture segment is projected to be of around 8.7% in 2017 over 2016, that of the lawn and turf segment is estimated at 7.3%. Regionally, Europe is currently the largest market for dicamba. However, it may witness a slight decline post-2016. This region is likely to account for over 26% market share in 2016, whereas the revenues can reach beyond US$ 83 Mn. A higher growth rate is expected to be registered by North America, possibly accounting for almost 24% share of the market value in 2016. In 2017, Europe will exhibit a strong Y-o-Y growth of 7.7% over 2016, whereas that of North America is projected to be of 9.2%. Speak with Analyst for any Report Related Quires: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-2556 BASF SE, E I du Pont de Nemours & Company, Monsanto Co., The Dow Chemical Company, Bayer AG, Nufarm Limited, and Syngenta AG are some of the leading companies competing in the global dicamba market. Recently, DuPont and Monsanto Co. announced a multi-year dicamba supply agreement, confined to North America. Long-term Outlook:The global dicamba market is expected to expand at a robust CAGR of 15.4%. More From FMI's Cutting-edge Intelligence: Renewable Methanol Market Segmentation By Primary Source - Biomass, Municipal Waste and Industrial Waste, By End-Use Application - Formaldehyde, MTBE, Gasoline, Dimethyl Ether, Solvents and Others: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/renewable-methanol-market Segmentation By Primary Source - Biomass, Municipal Waste and Industrial Waste, By End-Use Application - Formaldehyde, MTBE, Gasoline, Dimethyl Ether, Solvents and Others: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/renewable-methanol-market PP Homopolymer Market Segmentation By Processing Technology - Injection Moulding, Film, Other Extrusion and Fibre, By End Use - Packaging, Electrical And Electronics, Textile, Automotive, Building and Construction: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/pp-homopolymer-market Segmentation By Processing Technology - Injection Moulding, Film, Other Extrusion and Fibre, By End Use - Packaging, Electrical And Electronics, Textile, Automotive, Building and Construction: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/pp-homopolymer-market U.S Lime Market Segmentation By Product Type - Quick Lime and Hydrated Lime, By Application - Cement Manufacturing, Metal Manufacturing, Chemical (Water Treatment, Flue Gas, Others), Fertilizer, Pulp & Paper and Others: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/us-lime-market About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse More Chemicals & Materials Market Insights Contact Us 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): + 44 (0) 20 7692 8790 Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Press Office: Press@futuremrketinsights.com Website: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of a residential building constructed for officers and ensigns of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Nakhchivan Jan. 11. The president cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the building, and then toured it. There are 48 apartments in the seven-storey building. The building also has a recreation room, beauty salon, men's hair salon and a 40-seat canteen. Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc / Index: AIM / Epic: EOG / Sector: Oil & Gas 11 January 2017 Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc ('Europa' or 'the Company') Update on Wressle Oil Discovery Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc, the UK and Ireland focussed exploration, development and production company, notes today's update from Egdon Resources ('Egdon') regarding the refusal of planning consent by North Lincolnshire County Council's Planning Committee for the development of the Wressle Oil Field ('Wressle') at Lodge Farm, Wressle, North Lincolnshire. At the same meeting the application for the installation of groundwater monitoring boreholes was approved. Europa has a 30%* working interest in Wressle which is located on PEDLs 180 and 182 ('the Licences'), alongside Egdon (operator, 25%), Celtique Energie Petroleum Ltd (33.3%), and Union Jack Oil (11.67%). The decision of the Committee goes against the positive recommendation of the County Council's Planning Officer which was determined after an extensive and thorough review of the field development plan. The partners in Wressle will now consider their options which include the right to appeal. Europa's CEO, Hugh Mackay, said "We are disappointed with the Planning Committee's decision. Lying just 5km away from the Europa-operated Crosby Warren field, Wressle is located in the heart of the East Midlands petroleum province, a region with a long heritage of conventional oil and gas production. Furthermore, at an anticipated gross rate of 500 bopd, Wressle has the potential to generate meaningful revenues not just for the participating companies, but also for the government in the form of tax receipts. With this in mind, we will be exploring with our partners all options on how best to take these licences forward and further updates will be provided in due course. "In tandem with this, work continues across our portfolio of licences, particularly in Atlantic Ireland where Europa holds one of the largest and most comprehensive licence positions which covers an area of 5,818 sq km and includes six play types, three basins and 20 prospects and leads. Here we are focused on increasing our drill ready prospect inventory from two to six and securing farm-out partners with whom we can prove these up via the drill bit. Farm-out discussions are continuing. Together with planned drilling activity at the 5.6 mmbo Holmwood prospect in the Weald Basin, 2017 promises to be an exciting year for Europa and I look forward to keeping the market updated on developments." *On 24 November 2016, Europa announced it had signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement ('SPA') with Upland Resources (UK Onshore) Limited ('Upland') in relation to a 10% interest in PEDLs 180 and 182. Completion of the SPA, which is subject to approval from the Oil & Gas Authority and the granting of planning consent, would result in Europa retaining a 20% interest in the Licences. * * ENDS * * For further information please visit www.europaoil.com or contact: Hugh Mackay Europa + 44 (0) 20 7224 3770 Phil Greenhalgh Europa + 44 (0) 20 7224 3770 Matt Goode finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Simon Hicks finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Frank Buhagiar St Brides Partners Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7236 1177 Susie Geliher St Brides Partners Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7236 1177 Notes Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc has a diversified portfolio of multi-stage hydrocarbon assets that includes production, exploration and development interests, in countries that are politically stable, have transparent licensing processes, and offer attractive terms. In 2016 Europa produced 123 boepd. Its highly prospective exploration projects include the Wressle development in the UK and seven licences offshore Ireland with the potential to host gross mean un-risked prospective and indicative resources of more than 4 billion barrels oil equivalent and 1.5 tcf gas across all seven licences. Qualified Person Review This release has been reviewed by Hugh Mackay, Chief Executive of Europa, who is a petroleum geologist with 30 years' experience in petroleum exploration and a member of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, American Association of Petroleum Geologists and Fellow of the Geological Society. Mr Mackay has consented to the inclusion of the technical information in this release in the form and context in which it appears. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2017) - Secova Metals Corp. (TSXV: SEK) (FSE: N4UN) (OTC: SEKZF) ("Secova" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a review of significant growth for the Company encompassing multiple acquisitions in Quebec, project advancements at the Duvay/Chenier project, strategic corporate financings, and the building of a dynamic and experienced team to lead the Company going forward. In 2017, Secova will begin drilling on the Duvay/Chenier project with the goal of establishing the minable resource associated with the known mineralization, along with project development on its Eagle River acquisition in the Windfall Lake area of Quebec. P. Bradley Kitchen, CEO of Secova, commented: "I am extremely pleased with our progress in 2016, and proud of each member of the Secova Team. We have also benefitted by the strong continued support of Tres-Or Resources (TSXV: TRS), our strategic partner at the Duvay/Chenier project. During the year, we remained focused on ensuring each strategic step clearly provided a path to being able to develop Secova's assets that would deliver a significant gold resource portfolio. In 2017, we are positioned to complete two key resource development programs at our gold projects in Quebec, respectively the Duvay/Chenier gold project and the Eagle River claims near the Windfall Lake gold deposit, where each project has the potential to yield multi-million-ounce resource deposits. I would like to thank each of our shareholders for their support during 2016 and the dedication of our amazing team in Quebec and British Columbia. We expect 2017 to be the year of significant advancement for Secova, and an elevated presence amongst our peers." Highlights of 2016 Activities: Increased the size of the Duvay/Chenier claims to 7,766 contiguous hectares. The company has the right to earn up to 90 per cent of the combined Duvay and Chenier claims from Tres-Or Resources Ltd. in the Abitibi region of Quebec. The consolidated Duvay property includes many other gold zones such as Grenadier West, East Mac, Bunker, Fontana and several others just outside of the property (such as Standard). Secova remains focused to develop its exploration program one step at a time. Completed first phase of IPower 3D survey for a length of 750 meters and to a depth of up to 400 meters. Historic results show attractive gold results and the majority of these results were from surface to 100 meters in depth. The new IPower 3D survey shows mineralization open to depths over 300 meters. First 3D gold mineralization model created from historic drilling, surface exploration and the IPower 3D survey. Modeling shows distinct areas of gold mineralization in multiple cigar shaped cylinders angled at 50 degrees from vertical and appear to be open at depth. Six targets identified along the current strike on the Duvay claims These targets suggested that mineralization continued to the North West and was the main driver for the company to arrange for the acquisition of the Chenier claims. Future targets to be confirmed along strike using the IPower 3D modeling to extend the current strike length by 1.3 km to 2.05km. Acquired the Eagle River gold project which is located in the Windfall Lake area in the Urban-Barry township of Quebec. These claims are directly adjacent to Osisko Mining Inc.'s Windfall Lake gold deposit and Bonterra Resources Inc.'s Gladiator gold deposit. This property is on the southern extension of the gold structure in the area and historic information shows multiple areas of potential gold mineralization. Added key strategic members to the technical and management team. Morgan Good, President of Secova Metals Corp. commented: "Over the past year we have been able to explore the property along the strike on the Duvay/Chenier gold Project to over 2.0 km. When the IPower 3D modeling is completed we will have a model of the gold mineralization to a depth of about 400 meters along the entire length of the strike. We have already identified six drill targets and expect to expand the number of targets with the results from the new IPower 3D survey. We are currently preparing the drill maps and will begin drilling shortly. Our interpretation and understanding of the deposit and region, has increased immensely, leading to a focused exploration program for 2017. Secova's technical team and contracted partners in Quebec should be congratulated for an amazing job and commitment on all levels." 2017 Strategic Goals: Begin diamond drill program at Duvay/Chenier targeting. Drill mapping is currently being prepared. Add 1.3km of IPower 3D gold mineralization modeling to have a model of the entire 2.05 km strike length. Update current geological model on Duvay/Chenier to include new drill results. For a more detailed review of Secova's 2017 Exploration plan, please refer to the Company's September 27, 2016 news release or review the geoscientific compilation (BMAG report) prepared by Dr. Ali Ben Ayad, PGeo, PhD, MBA, of BMA Geo-Conseil (BMAG). Develop a strategic exploration plan for the recently acquired Eagle River project. Continue acquisition strategy to potentially add other Quebec-based key projects of merit. Secova Metals Quick Facts: 7,766-hectare representing 174 contiguous claims (Duvay/Chenier Gold Project) in the Amos Township in Quebec . 2017 Exploration Program underway - up to 5,250 meters of drilling and an additional 1.3 km of mineralization modeling using IPower 3D survey . 2,165-hectare Eagle River gold project in the Windfall Lake camp of Urban-Barry township, Quebec. The Company will be planning its initial exploration program based on historic drilling information from the site and an intimate knowledge of the gold mineralization of the Windfall Lake gold camp. Other Corporate News The Company announces the resignation of Pierre-Jean Lafleur from the Board of Directors. M. Lafleur was instrumental in overseeing the compilation of the Duvay/Chenier geographic compilation and design of the current exploration program. We wish M. Lafleur all the best in his future endeavors. About Secova Metals Corp. Secova Metals Corp. is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on building a strong asset base through exploration of undervalued gold projects in Canada. Management has demonstrated expertise in advancing gold exploration projects into acquisition targets, most notably in the province of Quebec. Secova has the exclusive right and option to acquire from Tres-OR Resources Inc. ("Tres-Or"), an undivided 65% right, title and interest in the contiguous Duvay and Chenier Gold Projects. Secova can earn up to 90% of the property (an additional 25% ownership) by funding a pre-feasibility study after the initial exploration expenditures to bring the property towards production. The Company has a total contiguous land package of 174 claims covering over 7,766 hectares (17,458 acres) of land. The Duvay/Chenier project is located in the Abitibi gold belt, one of Quebec's premier mining jurisdictions. The Company has plans to advance the development of Duvay/Chenier and Eagle River as well as seek other avenues of growth through acquisition and mergers. For more information on Secova Metals Corp. please contact Morgan Good, Secova's President, at morgan.good@secovametals.com and Tel: +1 604-715-4751 or visit the website at www.secovametals.com for past news releases, media interviews and opinion-editorial pieces by CEO and Chairman Brad Kitchen. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, SECOVA METALS CORP. "Brad Kitchen" CEO, Director and Chairman Tel: +1 604-506-7555 info@secovametals.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to the Company's exploration and development plans. The words "will", "anticipated", "plans" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Goldcrest Resources plc ("Goldcrest" or the "Company") 11 January 2017 Correction Re Issue of Equity and Change of Corporate Adviser The announcement of yesterday, 10 January 2017 contained inaccuracies as follows: The Company stated that Taoudeni Resources Ltd holds the Company's Asheba Gold Project ("Asheba"). In fact, Asheba is held by the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Ensign Resources Ltd, an Isle of Man company. There remains a small loan of approximately 20,000 owing to Starvest plc. The disclosable interests on completion of the issue of equity were not accurately stated. The re-stated announcement is as follows: Issue of Equity and Change of Corporate Adviser The Company announces that it has raised 217,000 before expenses through the issue of86,800,001 new ordinary shares of 0.05p at a price of 0.25p each. Funds will be utilised for working capital purposes as the Company seeks to progress its existing and future interests. Additionally, the Company announces that a conversion notice has been sent to Pelamis Investments Ltd, being sole owner of the Convertible Loan Note, as announced 5th December 2016. The 70,000 will be fully converted into equity of the Company through the issue of 28,000,000 new ordinary shares of 0.05p each, also at 0.25p each per share. Furthermore, the Company announces that it has agreed to settle 121,300 of liabilities through the issue of48,520,000 new ordinary shares of 0.05p, again at 0.25p each per share. The Company is now debt free, save for a small loan of approximately 20,000 outstanding and owing to Starvest plc, and accordingly, the balance sheet has been strengthened, leaving the Company in a strong position to focus on Ensign Resources Ltd, the Company's 100 per cent. owned subsidiary, which holds the Company's flagship and prospective Asheba Gold Project ("Asheba"), located in Ghana. The Company is now also in a strong position to seek out other prospective gold projects. Appointment of Corporate Adviser and Broker The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Peterhouse Corporate Finance Ltd as its NEX Exchange Corporate Adviser and Broker with immediate effect. On completion of the placing, the following disclosable interests in the share capital of the Company are as follows: Name Amount of Ordinary Shares Percentage Hot Rocks Investments plc* 18,788,379 9.16 Woodland Capital Limited* 14,401,167 7.02 Gavin Burnell* 26,839,158 13,08 Peterhouse Corporate Finance Ltd 4,000,000 1.95 Gledhow Investments plc 10,800,000 5.26 Plutus Strategies Limited** 10,947,273 5.33 Jeremy Edleman 10,000,000 4.87 Bailee Holding Ltd 10,000,000 4.87 Pelamis Investments Ltd*** 40,000,000 19.49 SVS (Nominees) Ltd 10,449,449 5.09 * Gavin Burnell is the managing director of Hot Rocks Investments plc and Woodland Capital Limited. ** Plutus Strategies Limited is owned 50 per cent. by Paul Haywood, a director of the Company and 50 per cent. by Niall Tomlinson, a director of the Company. *** David Steinepreis owns 39 per cent. of Pelamis Investments Ltd. Paul Haywood, Managing Director commented: "The past year has been a challenging time for the company and I would first like to thank all those that have supported us to date and those that will be supporting the Company going forward. The restructure, strengthening of the Board and raising of additional capital perfectly positions the Company to now execute its growth plans and we look forward to updating the market on associated actions in due course". Following the issue of the 163,320,001 new ordinary shares, Goldcrest has 205,223,308 Ordinary Shares in issue, which also represents the total number of voting rights in the Company. This figure should be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. The Directors of the Issuer accept responsibility for this announcement. For further information please contact: The grid-connected project is expected to be operational by the end of Q1 2017, and will provide power to a major IT consumer in Chennai, under a long-term agreement with CleanMax Solar. "We are proud to be partnering with India's leader in the corporate solar market," said NexTracker CEO Dan Shugar. "Our advanced solar tracker technology and experience in the India market will complement CleanMax Solar's efforts to accelerate India's private sector adoption of renewable power generation." Though its market has grown exponentially in recent years, ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Swiss stock market ended Wednesday's session with a modest decrease. This was the first negative close that the market has had since the start of 2017. The weak performance of the pharma heavyweights dragged the market lower. Investors were in a cautious mood ahead of today's press conference by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. It is the first press conference that Trump has held since his surprise victory in the U.S. Presidential election. Global economic data was also on the light side Wednesday, which also kept investors on the sidelines. The Swiss Market Index decreased by 0.26 percent Wednesday and finished at 8,427.15. The Swiss Leader Index rose 0.03 percent, but the Swiss Performance Index lost 0.20 percent. The pharma heavyweights turned in a weak performance Wednesday. Novartis dropped 1.3 percent and Roche fell 1.1 percent. Credit Suisse reduced its rating on shares of Novartis to 'Neutral.' Shares of Actelion also surrendered 1.2 percent. The third index heavyweight, Nestle, ended the session unchanged. Dufry was among the best performing stocks of the session, with a gain of 2.7 percent. Shares of ABB climbed 2.2 percent after Merrill Lynch upgraded its rating on the stock to 'Buy' from 'Neutral.' Syngenta increased 1.8 percent and Lonza added 1.2 percent. Credit Suisse raised its price target on shares of Lonza. Sika finished higher by 0.5 percent after it announced a small takeover in Austria. 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. CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Brookfield Residential, a leading North American land developer and homebuilder, has been recognized as a 2017 Aon Best Employer in Canada and the United States. Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON) runs the Aon Best Employer program, which measures and recognizes employer excellence worldwide. This is the first year that Brookfield Residential has been awarded this prestigious recognition. "We are humbled and proud to be named one of the Best Employers in North America," said Alan Norris, President and Chief Executive Officer at Brookfield Residential. "Our people are our greatest assets so the fact that the ranking is based on employees' feedback makes this recognition even more special." With more than 15 years of experience in best employer studies across the world, and backed by more than 20 years of experience in employee research, the Aon Best Employers program compares organizations to identify those that strive to create a competitive advantage through their people and become employers of choice. Employees are asked to fill out an in-depth survey where Aon then uses to identify organizations who have achieved outstanding results among their counterparts for engaging employees, demonstrating effective leadership, building a performance culture and leveraging the strength of their employer brand. "This recognition is a testament to our ongoing commitment to cultivate a workplace that is open, inspiring and supportive," Norris commented. "We have offices in 12 markets across North America, and we work hard to engage our people, listen to their needs and address areas where we need to improve on. This achievement will motivate us to continue to work towards becoming the best place for people to work." "The Aon Best Employers program recognizes the outstanding achievements of organizations that demonstrate excellence in the workplace and consistently deliver strong, sustainable business results," said Neil Crawford, partner, the Aon Best Employers Program leader, Aon Hewitt. "These exceptional organizations stand above the rest because they empower results through high employee engagement, a compelling employer brand, effective leadership and a high performance culture. We congratulate Brookfield Residential on being recognized with this distinct honor." About Brookfield Residential Brookfield Residential Properties Inc. is a leading land developer and homebuilder in North America. We entitle and develop land to create master-planned communities, build and sell lots to third party builders, and conduct our own home building operations. We also participate in select, strategic real estate opportunities, including infill projects, mixed use developments, and joint ventures. We are the flagship North American residential property company of Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $250 billion of assets under management. Further information is available at BrookfieldResidential.com or Brookfield.com. Contacts: Investor Relations 403.231.8946 investor.relations@brookfieldrp.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- OK2 Minerals Ltd., (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: OK) will be hosting a conference call to discuss its drill results from the 2016 exploration season at its wholly owned Pyramid Copper Gold project in northern British Columbia. The Company will hold the conference call on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at 6:00am Pacific Time (9:00AM EST) to discuss the results to be released at 5:00AM PST (8:00AM EST) An accompanying presentation for the call will be available on the corporate website at www.ok2minerals.com Details of the conference call: Title: OK2 Minerals Drill Results Conference Call Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017 Time: 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time North American dial-in number: (866) 521-4909 International dial-in number: (647) 427-2311 A playback of the conference call will be available by calling toll free: 1-866-521-4909 About OK2 Minerals OK2 Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: OK) is a Canadian-based junior exploration company with two very prospective copper-gold exploration projects: the Pyramid project and the Kinskuch project, both located in northwestern British Columbia adjacent to or within the "Golden Triangle". ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF OK2 MINERALS LTD. Minaz Devji, CEO and Director Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: OK2 Minerals Ltd. Mike Devji (604) 258-8666 mike.devji@ok2minerals.com Investor Relations Kin Communications 1-866-684-6730 (toll-free) ok@kincommunications.com GATINEAU, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Elections Canada - The Associate Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stephane Perrault, has informed the leader of the Bridge Party of Canada that the party is deregistered effective January 31, 2017. - The party is being deregistered for failing to comply with section 402 of the Canada Elections Act. - The party may no longer issue tax receipts for contributions received after the effective date of its deregistration and is no longer entitled to any of the benefits of a registered party under the Act, including the use of broadcasting time. - A notice of the party's deregistration will be published in the Canada Gazette. - An updated list of registered political parties is available on Elections Canada's website. Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament. Subscribe to our news service at elections.ca. Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament. Contacts: Elections Canada Media Relations 1-877-877-9515 www.elections.ca VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Lara Exploration Ltd., ("Lara" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: LRA) is pleased to provide an update on permitting and development work being undertaken by partner Tessarema Resources Inc. ("Tessarema") at the Maravaia Copper Project, located in the Carajas District of Northern Brazil. On the permitting front, Tessarema has now been issued with the Installation License for its tailings facility and filed its Feasibility Study (known in Brazil as "Plano de Aproveitamento Economico") with the Department of Mines. Tessarema's consultants are currently working to secure the Operating Licenses that will allow the start of commercial production. Construction of the processing plant is also now well advanced, with the remaining large items of the crushing circuit installed in December. Please see the projects section of the Lara website (www.laraexploration.com) for an updated set of photographs of the construction work. Tessarema can complete its earn-in to 100% by starting commercial production at a rate of not less than 500 tonnes per day and making a final US$750,000 payment to Lara. Thereafter, Lara will retain a net smelter returns royalty of 2%. Qualified Person Michael Bennell, Lara's Vice President Exploration and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has approved the technical disclosure and verified the technical information in this news release. About Lara Lara is an exploration company following the Prospect Generator business model, which aims to minimize shareholder dilution and financial risk by generating prospects and then exploring them in joint ventures funded by partners. The Company currently holds a diverse portfolio of prospects and deposits located mostly in Brazil and Peru. Lara's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LRA". Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Lara Exploration Ltd. Chris MacIntyre VP Corporate Development +1 416 703 0010 www.laraexploration.com Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 By Seba Aghayeva Trend: President of Senate (upper house of the parliament) of the Czech Republic Milan Stech plans to visit Azerbaijan in the near future, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Czech Republic Farid Shafiyev told Trend Jan. 11. The aim of the visit is to hold negotiations dedicated to the development of interparliamentary relations between the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan, as well as discuss the wide range of issues of bilateral relations, noted Shafiyev. During the planned meetings, Milan Stech will exchange views on situation in the region and regional cooperation, as well as cooperation within international organizations and at a parliamentary level. Currently, the sides are working on the visits date. The Czech Republic ranks 12th among major importers from Azerbaijan. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic amounted to $312.02 million in January-November 2016 and $214.17 million of this amount accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products to the Czech Republic. The specific weight of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijans total export was 2.58 percent in 11 months of 2016. The global torpedo market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 3% during the period 2017-2021, according to Technavio's latest market research. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170111005887/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global torpedo market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) In this research report, Technavio covers the market outlook and growth prospects of the globaltorpedomarketfor 2017-2021. The market is further categorized into two segments based on application, which include aerial platform-launched torpedoes and naval vessel-launched torpedoes, of which aerial platform-launched torpedoes accounted for over 65% of the market share in 2016. "The increasing cold wars among countries are boosting the need to patrol oceans that surround countries. This has led to increased expenditure on the procurement of anti-submarine weapons, which augurs well for the growth of the torpedoes market," says Moutushi Saha, a lead defenseresearch expert from Technavio. Technavio's aerospace and defense research analysts segment the global torpedo market into the following regions: EMEA Americas APAC In 2016, with a market share of over 36%, EMEA emerged as the market leader in the global torpedo market, followed by the Americas with close to 33% and APAC with around 31%. EMEA: increasing tension between countries to fuel market growth Technavio expects that the torpedo market in EMEA will post a CAGR of more than 3% during the forecast period. The increasing tension between Russia and the US has led to Russia being one of the prominent markets in Europe. The Russian Navy has been upscaling their torpedo production with radioactive contamination warheads (Status-6 torpedo) that contaminate economic targets on enemy coasts, which includes fishing grounds. The Middle East also stands as a lucrative market, with Iran domestically developing the new Valfajr torpedo with anti-deception technology. This torpedo features short preparation time, which is expected to increase the tactical capability and a quick response from surface and subsurface combat units. "There is an increase in the number of lightweight torpedoes as they are versatile and can be launched from a variety of platforms including stationary craft, surface vessels, submarines, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft for anti-submarine operations," says Moutushi. Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=55532 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. Americas: R&D projects and collaborative partnerships to boost growth The US has been spending considerably on the advancement and development of various weapon systems, including torpedoes. The government actively encourages its domestic companies to undertake various R&D projects as well as form collaborative partnerships with companies of other nations. Additionally, Latin American countries also contribute substantially to the market growth as most of the nations are strengthening their naval combat capabilities. For instance, Raytheon received a USD 37 million contract from the US Navy to provide Mod 7 CBASS replacement kits and services for the heavyweight torpedo MK 48, which are in service with the US Navy and allied naval force of Canada and the Netherlands. The project is expected to be completed by July 2017. Similarly, the Royal Canadian Navy also invested in its military modernization programs and tested an integrated submarine combat system APAC: indigenous weapon building systems in India and China to drive market The long-standing military conflicts and territorial disputes among various nations have led to the strengthening of naval force across the territorial waters of the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the South China Sea. The threat of attacks from adversaries has prompted most countries to increase their military platforms and weapon procurement plans. Additionally, India's "Make in India" program of building weapon systems within the country and Russian manufacturers setting up plants in India are expected to drive the market. The Indian Navy is due to induct five more Scorpene type submarines in intervals by 2022. These torpedoes will be built indigenously by the country's own Visakhapatnam-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of Defence Research and Development Organisation. Similarly, China is improving its R&D and has started making new torpedoes, which show a considerable shift in technology from the older versions. For instance, China's high-precision high-speed torpedoes that have the capacity to sink a 1,000 ton plus target ship by negating the ship's decoy system which is meant to divert homing torpedoes from hitting ships. The top vendors in the global torpedo market as highlighted in this market research analysis are: ATLAS ELEKTRONIK BAE Systems Lockheed Martin Raytheon Saab Browse Related Reports: Global Naval Combat Systems Market 2016-2020 Global Light Weapons Market 2016-2020 Global Military Satellite Payloads and Subsystems 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 defense technologygeneral aviationand homeland security. 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, 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/20170111005887/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.technavio.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/11/17 -- Entree Gold Inc. (TSX: ETG)(NYSE MKT: EGI)(FRANKFURT: EKA) ("Entree" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first of two tranches of the non-brokered private placement announced on December 15, 2016 (the "Financing"). The Company has issued 17,309,971 units at a price of C$0.41 per unit for gross proceeds of C$7,097,088. A second tranche of 1,219,513 units is expected to close on or around January 16, 2017. Each unit (a "Unit") consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share of the Company (a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.65 per share for a period of 5 years. No commissions or finders' fees are payable in connection with the Financing. The securities issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a hold period expiring May 12, 2017. Net proceeds from the Financing are expected to be used to support the restructuring of Entree's business into two well-funded, separate publicly traded companies as announced on October 3, 2016, for the advancement of the Company's flagship assets in Mongolia and Nevada, and for general corporate purposes. Stephen Scott, President and CEO commented, "We are very pleased with the success of the Financing and the strong support from both existing and new shareholders. We also look forward to providing ongoing updates as we implement Entree's refreshed corporate strategy." Director and officers of the Company and their associates acquired an aggregate 1,144,902 Units on the same terms and conditions as other subscribers. Other insiders of the Company and their associates acquired an aggregate 5.5 million Units, including 914,634 Units acquired by Sandstorm Gold Ltd. Following closing of the first tranche, Sandstorm holds 23,900,380 common shares of the Company, or 14.03% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares. The insiders' participation is exempt from the formal valuation and shareholder approval requirements provided under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Holders in Special Transactions. The exemption is based on the fact that the market value of the insiders' participation or the consideration paid by such insiders does not exceed 25% of the market value of the Company. The Company will be filing a material change report in connection with the transaction less than 21 days before the expected date of the closing of the transaction, and considers the shorter period to be reasonable given the nature of the transaction and the fact that all necessary approvals have been obtained. The Units and Warrant Shares have not been, and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. federal and state registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. ABOUT ENTREE GOLD INC. Entree Gold Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company balancing opportunity and risk with key assets in Mongolia and Nevada. As a joint venture partner with a carried interest on a portion of the Oyu Tolgoi mining project in Mongolia, Entree has a unique opportunity to participate in one of the world's largest copper-gold projects managed by one of the premier mining companies - Rio Tinto. Oyu Tolgoi, with its series of deposits containing copper, gold and molybdenum, has been under exploration and development since the late 1990s. Additionally, Entree has also been advancing its Ann Mason project in one of the world's most favourable mining jurisdictions, Nevada. The Ann Mason project hosts the Ann Mason copper-molybdenum deposit as well as the Blue Hill copper deposit within the rejuvenated Yerington copper camp. Sandstorm Gold, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill Resources are major shareholders of Entree, holding approximately 14%, 10% and 8% of issued and outstanding shares, respectively. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws with respect to the Financing, anticipated closing of the second tranche of the Financing, anticipated use of proceeds, corporate strategies and plans; the potential spin-out of Entree's U.S. assets into a separate public company; and other matters that may occur in the future. While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee of Entree's future performance and are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, commodity prices, legal proceedings and negotiations and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the status of the Company's relationship and interaction with the Government of Mongolia, Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill Resources. Important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, amongst others, whether the size, grade and continuity of deposits and resource and reserve estimates have been interpreted correctly from exploration results; whether the Company has sufficient funds to spin-out its U.S. assets into a separate company; the Company's ability to obtain all necessary regulatory, court and shareholder approvals of a spin-out of its U.S. assets into a separate company and list that company on one or more stock exchanges; whether the results of preliminary test work are indicative of what the results of future test work will be; fluctuations in commodity prices and demand; changing foreign exchange rates; actions by Rio Tinto, Turquoise Hill Resources and/or Oyu Tolgoi LLC and by government authorities including the Government of Mongolia; the availability of funding on reasonable terms; the impact of changes in interpretation to or changes in enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices, including laws, regulations and government practices with respect to mining, foreign investment, royalties and taxation; the terms and timing of obtaining necessary environmental and other government approvals, consents and permits; the availability and cost of necessary items such as power, water, skilled labour, transportation and appropriate smelting and refining arrangements; and misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are also known and unknown risk factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations, including legal and political risk in Mongolia; risks associated with changes in the attitudes of governments to foreign investment; risks associated with the conduct of joint ventures; discrepancies between actual and anticipated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; global financial conditions; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; inability to upgrade Inferred mineral resources to Indicated or Measured mineral resources; inability to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; conclusions of economic evaluations; future prices of copper, gold, silver and molybdenum; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining government approvals, permits or licences or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; environmental risks; title disputes; limitations on insurance coverage; as well as those factors described in the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis and in the Company's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, dated March 30, 2016 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. Contacts: Entree Gold Inc. Monica Hamm, Senior Manager, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications 604-687-4777 or Toll Free: 866-368-7330 604-687-4770 (FAX) mhamm@entreegold.com ezCater, a Boston, MA-based nationwide marketplace for business catering, raised $35m in funding. The round, which brought total funding to date to $70m, was led by Iconiq Capital with participation from existing investor Insight Venture Partners. The company intends to use the funds towill be used to continue the companys rapid growth by accelerating product development, expanding its award-winning customer support, and bolstering sales and marketing. Founded in 2007 and led by Stefania Mallett, CEO, ezCater is a marketplace that connects business people to catering for any meeting, anywhere in the United States. The platform, which features online ordering, on-time ratings and reviews, and customer service. The company, which currently employs 175 people, operates a network of nearly 50,000 restaurants and caterer partners including tens of thousands of independent local restaurants, plus regional and national chains such as Boston Market, HoneyBaked Ham, and Ruby Tuesday. FinSMEs 11/01/2016 Ever since co-producer Karan Johar unveiled the first look of The Ghazi Attack, fans could not help but share their excitement about what is being touted as the first underwater war film of India. The excitement reached the brink when actor Rana Daggubati unveiled his first look from the film on his birthday. The trailer was released soon after. The film is set in 1971 when the Indian navy battled against its Pakistani counterpart in a bout that remained beneath the surface, in more ways than one. It was not only a classified mission of the Indian navy but was confined to the depths of the sea. Amitabh Bachchan has lent his voice to the opening narration which chronicles the history of the two warring nations in a nutshell. Glimpses of the four wars fought between the two countries bring to life the horrors of war. Bachchan's narration adds gravitas to those visions just like it did to other period dramas like Ashutosh Gowariker's Lagaan and Jodha Akbar. As the trailer builds up arguably the biggest classified war between the two nations, one cannot help but notice the presence of the recently departed Om Puri who plays a naval officer in the film. However, we soon switch to Kay Kay Menon's character who subtly spells out a soldier's dilemma - of sticking to his superior's instructions or fighting for his motherland. This is a war film in a completely different zone, not only in terms of the geography. Since the proceedings are under wraps, the naval officers associated with the mission are unlikely to get acknowledgement of their martyrdom in case they submit their lives for the greater good of the nation. The driving force behind their risky endeavors is only a sense of duty or a self actualization. Rana Daggubati and Atul Kulkarni distinctly stand out in the trailer. There is also Taapsee Pannu dishing out helpless cries in Bengali. The details of her character, however, are not clear yet. The Ghazi Attack also leaves an impression in terms of its scale, production design and technical brilliance. The film is directed by Sankalp Reddy and is co-produced by Dharma Productions and AA Films. It is slated to release on 17 February. New Delhi: Hit hard by demonetisation, auto industry is pinning hopes on the upcoming budget to boost consumer sentiment and looking for concrete incentives to promote fleet modernisation as well as electric vehicles. "Budget is something which we all are hoping that the government will bring measures to boost consumer sentiment," Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Director General Vishnu Mathur said. The general expectation is for the government to take steps to increase disposable income and improve the overall economy, he said, adding that for the automobile industry the demand is for concrete policy on fleet modernisation, specially of commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. "We have also pointed out that the incentive scheme for electric mobility under the FAME scheme must be extended as most of the automobile companies have been working towards this direction," Mathur said. In order to promote eco-friendly vehicles, the government had formally launched the FAME India scheme in 2015 offering incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles of up to Rs 29,000 for bikes and Rs 1.38 lakh for cars. It envisaged Rs 795 crore support for the first two fiscals. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) is part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan. On the taxation side, Mathur said it is unlikely that the GST will be implemented from April 1. "However, we have been seeking moderation of taxation for the automobile industry and reduction of slabs from the current four, ranging from 12-30 percent, to two slabs," he said. SIAM had proposed a base rate for small cars and two-wheelers and another 8 per cent addition to that for larger cars, he added. Hit hard by weak consumer sentiment post demonetisation, monthly automobile sales growth rate in India slipped to a 16-year low in December with total vehicle sales declining by 18.66 percent. For full coverage of Union Budget 2017 click here. New Delhi: The government is expected to announce an incentive package for labour intensive leather sector in the forthcoming budget with a view to give a boost to the segment and generate jobs. The commerce and industry ministry has asked its finance counterpart to give financial assistance for the Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP) and for setting up of mega leather clusters in the country, an official said. As the ILDP, which is a central sector scheme, has provided huge support to the sector, the finance ministry may consider extending it for three more fiscals. It will end by this fiscal. The commerce ministry has asked for about Rs 7,000 crore for this programme for three years. "The incentives are asked broadly on the lines of the package announced for the textiles sector. Presentations have already been given to Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Ministry," the official said. The industry has also demanded cut in excise duty to 6 percent from 12 percent for non-leather products like footwears till the Goods and Service Tax comes into force. The major players of the sector includes Bata India, Liberty Shoes, Mirza International and Relaxo Footwear. The commerce ministry is hopeful for the package in the Budget as the sector has huge potential to attract investment and generate jobs, the official added. Synthetic leather accounts for about 90 percent of the total leather manufacturing in the country. The sector is important as it is a thrust segment under the 'Make in India' initiative. Chairman of Council for Leather Exports Rafeeq Ahmed has time and again asked the government to extend financial support. As per industry experts, Rs one crore investment in the sector results in creation of jobs for about 250 people. Currently about 30 lakh people are directly employed in the sector. China is giving tough competition to Indian leather manufacturers in terms of pricing. Support to the sector will also help boost shipments. Leather and leather goods are among the 25 focus sectors under the Make in India initiative. The government aims to increase the exports to USD 15 billion by 2020 from the current USD 7 billion. For full coverage of Union Budget 2017 click here. New Delhi: Stainless steel industry body Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) has demanded a hike in import duty on stainless steel flat products and abolition of import duty on key raw materials, including ferro nickel. "ISSDA has urged the government on behalf of stainless steel sector for an increase in effective basic customs duty on stainless steel flat products from 7.5 per cent to 12.5 per cent to bring it on par with carbon steel," the industry body said in a statement. The government must also abolish import duty on key raw materials like ferro nickel, pure nickel, ferro moly and stainless steel scrap to safeguard the interest of the sector, since these are not available in the country, the statement added. "An increase in duty on finished products must be looked upon from the viewpoint that Indian stainless steel industry has been bogged down by an unprecedented surge in imports in the last three years, especially from China, and to remain globally competitive, Indian industry needs a level playing field," it said. "The industry has been facing difficulty in the last few years. One of the main reasons for this is the huge import surge, especially from China, which has primarily contributed to the deteriorating condition of the Stainless Steel industry," ISSDA President K K Pahuja said. "We urge the government to abolish the import duty on key raw materials which are domestically unavailable and increase the duty on finished products and bring it at par with carbon steel," Pahuja added. SHANGHAI China's trading exchanges are still rife with illegal behavior despite a recent crackdown by authorities, the official China Securities Journal reported on Wednesday, citing a recent meeting of the country's securities regulator.The paper said a government-led rectification campaign had helped to bring the situation under control, but there has been a "resurgence" of regulatory breaches at some exchanges.It said some precious metal and crude oil trading venues were suspected of engaging in illegal futures trading activities, while others were suspected of a range of offences including manipulating market prices and defrauding investors.Regulators attending the meeting will work to rectify the problems over the next six months, the newspaper said. China has put its exchanges under greater scrutiny after blaming a crash in its stock markets in 2015 on widespread irregularities, including price manipulation. The China Securities Regulatory Commission has also been accused of allowing the families of its officials to trade in stocks.. China's police authorities set up five specialist units last year to deal with financial crimes. (Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. NEW DELHI India, the world's biggest sugar consumer, is not considering to cut import duty on the sweetener at least in the near term, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Wednesday.Sugar prices in the local market have risen more than 10 percent in a month on an expected drop in the production after back-to-back drought ravaged cane crop in the top producing western state of Maharashtra. India's sugar production in 2016/17 is likely to fall to 22 million tonnes, down 4.3 percent from an earlier estimate, as mills in Maharashtra are closing early due to a cane shortage, industry officials told Reuters. (Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Malini Menon) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Online retail giant Amazon drew ire from India's Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, on Wednesday for selling doormats with the Indian flag printed on them. The matter was brought to Swaraj's attention by a user on Twitter, who asked Swaraj to pursue action against Amazon for listing such a product on its Canada website. @SushmaSwaraj Madam. Amazon Canada must be censured and warned not to sell India flag doormats. Please take action. pic.twitter.com/td4KXlDUQL Atul Bhobe (@atulbhobe) January 11, 2017 Swaraj, usually known for her calm demeanour, adopted an aggressive posture, and went all out after noticing the tweet. She even warned Amazon Canada that she will see to it that the company's officials aren't granted visas, adding that New Delhi will even rescind visas issued earlier. Swaraj did not stop at that, however, and demanded an unconditional apology from the tech giant, along with an assurance that it will withdraw all products featured on its site that insult the Indian national flag. She also tweeted to the Indian Embassy in Canada, directing them to take the matter up with Amazon officials at the "highest level". Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level. https://t.co/L4yI3gLk3h Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 The matter had drawn flak from the Indian community abroad even before it was brought to Swaraj's notice. A petition on change.org, terming the product as a "clear insult to more than 1.25 billion Indians living across the world", is already up with over 2,800 supporters on it at the time of writing this report. The petition claims that a similar product was also available on amazon.com, which was taken down after the outrage started. However, amazon.ca still has the product listed. The manufacturer of the product, XLYL, has several designs available, which are also listed on retailer's site. The ad describes it as "personalized durable machine-washable indoor/outdoor door mat with durable heat-resistant non-woven fabric top, sized in 23.6"(L) x 15.7"(W). Dry wet feet, grab dirt, dust and grime". The comments section under the product, which is priced at 35.99 canadian dollars (CDN), also sees several one star ratings and complaints from angry Indians. "A lot of people have lost their lives fighting for my country's flag. There are other countries flags that are also used as a doormat and I'm surprised to see no one reacting to that. I'm proud Indian and this is an insult to my country and all the soldiers that fight for my country. Please don't be ignorant. Take it down ASAP!", reads one of the comments on the page. Another Amazon user said that all such products featuring national flags of any country should be taken down as they are disrespectful. "Amazon should respect all national flags. National flags are not meant to be under foot or to be put on doormats. Astonishing to see such an approach. I appeal to reject such marketing acts," the comment reads. A simple search on the website reveals that flags of various countries including the US, Canada and Pakistan are all available as designs on doormats. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: Azerbaijans first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva has met with a delegation led by Jean-Marie Le Guen, French secretary of state for development and Francophonie attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France. Mehriban Aliyeva expressed confidence that the delegations visit to Azerbaijan will contribute to strengthening of the Azerbaijani-French ties. The first lady praised bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and France. Mehriban Aliyeva said good cooperation was established in the information technologies, space and other areas, adding French companies successfully operate in Azerbaijan. The president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation also emphasized relations in humanitarian area. Mehriban Aliyeva described operation of the Baku French Lycee and the Azerbaijani-French University as one of the greatest achievements in educational area, saying the University carries out admission for four specialties, and a fifth specialty will be taught at the University. Touching upon the 12 sister city agreements signed between cities and districts of Azerbaijan and France over the last years, Mehriban Aliyeva said this will serve to developing relations in political, economic and humanitarian areas. The first lady praised inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries. Mehriban Aliyeva, who also heads the Azerbaijani-French friendship group, expressed confidence on the possibility of establishment of further close cooperation in this area. Mehriban Aliyeva spoke about the activity of the Association of Friends of Azerbaijan in France, adding that the Association made a significant contribution to bilateral cooperation. Jean-Marie Le Guen, for his part, hailed the activity of the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, adding this activity is the contribution to friendship and cooperation with France. The French secretary of state stressed the special role of the first lady in operation of the Azerbaijani-French University in Baku. Income Tax officials suspect that an organised racket 'home delivered' new banknotes from government presses or the Reserve Bank to certain people days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation announcement, according to a report in Hindustan Times. Income tax officials launched a probe after they picked up an individual from a south Delhi market who had Rs 20 lakh in new Rs 2000 notes which were packed and reportedly bore the seals of two government presses in Maharashtra and West Bengal. The man, identified as Krishna Kumar, thought to be a courier waiting to deliver the money, was nabbed on 15 December after a tip-off from the Intelligence Bureau and charged with tax evasion. Officials also seized Rs 10,000 in Rs 10 notes. Two senior officials said that this was the first time cash bearing the seals of government printing presses found their way to the public, India TV reported. One of the officials said they were waiting for the Reserve Bank to share information with them. "If the printing press or the Reserve Bank chest is compromised, those loopholes need to be plugged," the official was quoted as saying. Cash management companies, which are used to move money from the Reserve Bank of India to banks, have come under the scanner. These mini packs may have been printed at Nashik and Salboni presses, which have printed 52 million notes a day since the government's demonetisation move on 8 November. One thousand notes of different denominations are bundled together and sent to the Reserve Bank of India using cash management companies. These packs are then broken down into bundles of hundreds, wrapped in bank labels and given to customers at branches or ATMs. Somewhere around the 1700's this French Philosopher called Montesquieu came up with an idea about how Government should ideally be run by three branches who were constantly fighting with each other. An odd way to formulate a government, but he argued, this would ensure that each branch went that extra mile to ensure that it was doing its job. Tussles between the Judiciary and the Executive in India are not new. Each government had to face them, and there has been almost no policy that an executive could propose that it hasn't had to get past the Judiciary. Further, India's large administrative machinery and complex system of laws result in the government becoming the nation's largest litigant and a party to over 46 percent of the cases that are currently pending in Indian courts. Even this data, by the government's own admission, is not concretely available. So, the question now comes is, does the government get treated specially when it comes before Indian courts or does it get treated like just any other litigant? The relationship between the central government and the Supreme Court is a complex one especially since both are, in theory, constitutional equals. So, when you have tussles between the two, one often views the other as infringing on the other's domain. Especially when it concerns remarks that are passed by the bench. Recently, before former chief justice of India TS Thakur retired, the Union Minister for Law and Justice went on record stating that some of the remarks passed by the former CJI were avoidable and should not have been made. But the counter to that argument can be that as a constitutional authority that is equal to the executive, it is purely up to the CJI to determine and set the limits of the propriety that comes with the office and the executive shouldn't have any say in the matter at all. In a democracy, the people are supreme runs the refrain, but India is not just a democracy, it is a democratic republic, which means that there is a democratic form of government that is preserved via certain constitutional institutions, of which the judiciary is one. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court in a bench led by CJI Jagdish Singh Khehar was hearing a matter regarding the government's failure to audit NGOs funded out of state funds. The lawyers for the petitioners and the amicus curiae brought it to the attention of the court that the central government was empowered to audit the NGOs that were receiving public funds but out of 33 Lakh NGOs only three lakh had filed audit reports. While the rules empowered the government to go ahead and audit these NGOs this was never followed in practice. The only exercise so far that had been conducted against such NGOs was to blacklist them. No action had been undertaken to investigate and recover the money or initiate prosecutions. Remarking on this the new CJI said, the government must work. It is slow. At the same time, the SC expressed its displeasure at the fact that officers of the lowest rank were filing affidavits before it and requested that only officers of a joint secretary level file affidavits before it. Before the SC every litigant is the same, be it the government or an ordinary person. The court as the guardian of the Constitution has a duty to ensure that the executive complies with its obligations under the law. While it may be easy for political classes to often spin this as the SC overstepping on its domain, such tussles between the executive and the judiciary are signs of a healthy democracy. In some cases, it may just be more politically expedient for the executive to wait for a court order before complying with the law, in order to not ruffle feathers with the party base. Especially in cases where you have NGOs funded by the government. If the executive is an ordinary litigant before the court, it also has concerns that are similar to an ordinary litigant. Judicial remarks are one of them, but they are one among many of the concerns that the government has when it comes to a litigation. Unfortunately, unlike other litigants, the government also has to be wary about the political ramifications of its legal arguments before the apex court, which sometimes makes it more difficult for the government to take a stance on an issue, or defend or oppose a particular law or policy. But what we must also bear in mind is that the government's attitude, like every other litigant, also depends on whether it's playing the role of a petitioner or a respondent, or which part of the government is presently before the apex court. Usually, there is a tendency in a litigation for a respondent to try and drag the matter on when there is no interim relief that's granted against it while a petitioner tries to speed things on. When there's an interim relief, the respondent is usually in a hurry to speed things along and the petitioner is keen to slow the matter down. Judges aim to keep the matter moving efficiently, but as a matter of litigation strategy, adjournments are unfortunately employed. The government, like any other litigant, also does employ this tactic. Further, the administrative machinery of the government is so complex, that there is no firm system in place for law officers to be in a position to respond to the court when needed to. Which means, when the apex court asks the government to file an affidavit in two weeks, it is almost always the case that, be it the high court or the Supreme Court, two weeks later the government will seek time to file an affidavit, because the law officer responsible for the matter is yet to receive adequate instructions from the top brass. When it comes to the Union executive (the president, prime minister and council of ministers), the Attorney General for India is the voice of the Union executive before the Supreme Court, and the statements he makes before it, bind the Union executive as he is their attorney. The Solicitor General's office and the Additional Solicitors Generals are also there to act in addition to the Attorney General for India. They handle other cases for the Union executive before the Supreme Court and other High Courts. However, like any other lawyer in any other case, their hands are also tied by the instructions they receive from their clients, who in this case is the administrative machinery or the political machinery responsible for a particular case. If in some cases instructions are not forthcoming, they will be constrained to seek time or take adjournments for not complying with deadlines. Over a period of time, the lack of a rational system of responding to litigation before the Supreme Court and the country's high courts creates an overall impression that the nation's largest litigant has a lackadaisical approach to the courts. While this impression may not actually be the case on the ground. The government, due to these administrative mix-ups often ends up losing litigations that cost it large sums of money. To this reference may be drawn to a recent order passed last Friday by the Bombay High Court, which outlines the failure of the Income Tax Department, to remove office objections in a tax appeal, losing their right to appeal an order from the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. The government when it tried to condone the delay, failed to fill up the blanks in the affidavit in support so they failed to have their delay condoned as well. The second time they did so, they failed to explain the number of days in the delay, and the high court held that it excelled the previous affidavit in terms of carelessness. The third time the revenue failed to make appropriate prayers in its application causing the court to remark that the application was purely an academic exercise and even then proceeded to offer the same reasons for the delay i.e., failing to explain why the delay in removing office objections was caused. Office objections are when an appeal is filed, but there are some technical lapses in the appeal, such as failure to include some documents etc, and the court office orders that they have to be removed within time or the appeal gets dismissed. The government, in this case, had to satisfy to the court why these objections were not cleared in time. They failed to do so on all three occasions. This was a tax appeal, so there were large sums of money involved and the administrative attitude of the government actually may have cost the public coffers money should they have succeeded on appeal. The government needs to set up a system by which it is more responsive in the manner in which it attends to the litigations that are happening before the courts. Either where it is petitioner or it is respondent. Like any litigant, especially when it is the nation's largest litigant, the government has a responsibility to be active and concerned about its litigations and must seek not to take up too much judicial time. The issue of creating a good impression before the courts is something that needs to be fixed across the board, not just before the Supreme Court, but also before the high courts and tribunals where the government is a party. This will not only help improve the ability of the government to litigate, it will reduce pendency of litigations and lead to fewer scuffles. That being said, tussles between the executive and the judiciary when it comes to matters of policy are very healthy for a democratic nation and show that the system, at least at the top, is working. United Nations: Criticising a "frozen" UN Security Council that represents a small minority of the world's population, India said only an "updated" and not "outdated" global institution can be effective in addressing the current challenges of conflict prevention and sustaining peace. "While the world is changing, the institutional architecture primarily responsible for areas of peace and security remains frozen. The Security Council which takes decisions on behalf of 'we the people' represents an increasingly small minority of the world's population," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said at a Council debate on 'Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace'. Akbaruddin said if the 15-nation Council has to make rules for "the people" and not just a small minority, it needs to adequately reflect new realities. "Addressing new issues, threats and challenges of the twenty first century needs an updated, not an outdated instrument. A Security Council which has lost its legitimacy cannot be-an effective tool to address the challenges of conflict prevention and sustaining peace," he said. With the established international order being upended in terms of economic, political and technological shifts, Akbaruddin said long-established states too are unable to fully respond to the "new factors and forces being unleashed". "History teaches us that ungoverned swathes often become grounds for competition or are storehouses for germination of new threats. Yet, we have no global governance architecture in frontier areas such as cyber, space and oceans. We ignore these at our own peril," he said. The Indian envoy stressed that prevention efforts can only be effective if they are undertaken with the consent and cooperation of the Member States concerned and are not seen as an imposition. "As the saying goes 'you cannot shake hands with a clenched fist'," he said. Akbaruddin told the Council meeting India believes that for the UN to develop a culture of conflict prevention, the world body needs to recognise that the primary responsibility for sustaining peace lies with Member States and the UN can only supplement what are essentially home-grown processes. "The emphasis on analytical instruments and tools such as fact-finding, agenda setting, diplomatic initiatives, peace operations is important but is too narrow an approach...We provide too few resources to strengthen institutional inadequacies of Member States and instead focus on strengthening institutional arrangements of the UN," he said. With efforts at prevention having failed to take firm institutional roots, Akbaruddin said such a scenario raises the question of why the international community has not got it right and whether the nations are using the right tools in the wrong way. Chennai: AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking promulgation of an ordinance for conduct of the bull taming sport jallikattu, noting that the ban on it had caused "resentment" in the state. Sasikala's letter to the Prime Minister on the issue comes days after Chief Minister O Panneerselvam urged the Centre to promulgate an ordinance for the conduct of the sport. "No cruelty is practiced on the animals per se. Also bulls are worshipped as a deity by the religious in Tamil Nadu and care is always taken by the youth taming them (to) not to inflict any pain on them," Sasikala told Modi in a letter. "The ban on jallikkattu has incensed the public of Tamil Nadu and the youth in particular, and all efforts have to be taken to revoke it," she said. This sporting event was "inextricably" linked to the rural, agrarian customs, practices and psyche of Tamils and also helped in conservation of native germplasm, since bulls with excellent physical attributes alone are reared for jallikattu, she noted. "The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India should clearly de-notify bulls as 'performing animals' and I request you to take appropriate steps to enable the traditional sport of Tamil Nadu to be played in our soil. This is my earnest request as there is widespread resentment against the ban," she added. Jallikkattu is a traditional sporting event of the state, held coinciding with the harvest festival of Pongal, and forms an essential part of the festivities, she said. Recalling that her predecessor late J Jayalalithaa was keen that jallikkattu was "restored to its original glory as the primal sport of Tamil Nadu, she said, "The bulls specially reared for the purpose are tamed by ardent youths and this sport is not in the least cruel to animals, unlike other sporting events involving horses, camels and other animals." The youth of the state in particular wanted the sport to be played, "as they feel that it is their divine traditional right, wherein they exhibit their courage in taming the bulls," she said. "In view of the above, I request you to kindly intervene in the matter to promulgate an Ordinance to amend the PCA (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Act, to de-notify the bulls from the notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, so as to lift the ban on jallikkattu and preserve Tamil Nadu's culture and tradition. This would ensure that sport is conducted during this week-end, during the Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu," she said. The lifting of the ban on jallikkattu would be the "ultimate joy" for Tamils not only in Tamil Nadu, but across the globe, which would ensure that the people of the state really celebrate the Pongal festival with traditional fervour and gaiety, she added. It's been four years since the gangrape (and the eventual death) of the New Delhi paramedical student. Juvenile justice laws in India have garnered considerable scrutiny ever since, given that one of the accused was a juvenile. He was given a lenient sentence of spending three years in a juvenile home, due to his young age. The sentence also required him to be under the watch of a child welfare officer for two more years, and quarterly reports on his reformation had to be sent to the Juvenile Justice Board. However, due to the variety of heinous acts committed by him in the crime, the judiciarys clement decision was not met favourably by the public, who demanded for him to be sent to prison. Following the aftermath of this decision, reforms were made in the Juvenile Justice Act of 2000, and as of January 2016, the age for trying juveniles was reduced to 16. Further, individuals between ages 16-18 could be tried as adults for heinous crimes, depending upon the decision by the Juvenile Justice Board (The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015). The judiciary may have been compelled to provide such a judgment due to the public backlash at the early release of the juvenile offender, and the demand of severe retribution for him. However, various child rights cohorts still hold strong opinions against such treatment of juvenile offenders, considering it to be an infringement of their rights. Incidences of minors being involved in committing sexual and violent crimes in India have increased considerably over the past few years. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data has consistently reported a rise in annual numbers of juvenile crimes and in the number of perpetrators apprehended under the IPC (Figure 1). Although it is imperative to find a proper solution to their legal detainment issues, it is also essential to understand the psycho-social causes of the upsurge in such felonies. Some studies have identified higher violent tendencies of juveniles, and potential underlying factors need to be analysed in depth; the root of the problem needs to be dealt with rather than focusing only on the punishment aspect of it. Individuals at the inception of their teenage years are more impressionable and potentially more violent because of imitating violent entities in their environment. A strong relationship prevails between sensation-seeking and positive and negative risk-taking among adolescents. Further, they have lower control over their impulses. Lower family income may instigate them to get things they cannot afford, by any means possible, and violent tendencies may surface due to their unfulfilled needs. If they have been victims of trafficking, they may be compelled to resort to violent means due to the fear of being abused themselves. In a case like this, individuals need to be treated with care and understanding, rather than demanding extreme punishments for them. Although it is seemingly an easy option to treat juveniles, between ages 16 and 18, as adults in case of heinous crimes, there are many complexities involved in that decision. For instance, how does one treat someone who is almost 16 and has committed a crime deemed adult in nature, but has not surpassed that age? Even in such a case, it can be argued that the person is mature enough to have committed the crime and understand its repercussions, and can be tried as an adult. However, the law would not permit that, thereby resulting in unintended discrimination. Further, there have been instances of minors as young as 13 years of age, committing acts such as raping of other minors, abduction and rape, and burning of animals. The NCRB compendium of 2016 reported that 27 percent of juvenile crime in 2015 was committed by individuals between ages 12-16, whereas 1.4 percent was committed by those in age group 7-12 (see Figure 2). Considering that almost 30 percent of juvenile crime incidences pertain individuals below 16 years of age, the question arises of how the judiciary should treat incidences like these. In accordance with the current law, juvenile delinquents who are convicted are sent to remand homes, where they spend some time (up to three years) in custodial treatment, and are released thereafter. This rehabilitation period may not be enough in cases of crimes like rape and murder as general recidivism may be likely in such cases. Secondly, if individuals as young as 13 are committing offences under someone elses influence, putting them in remand homes with other teenagers who can easily influence them may not be the best idea and would also risk recidivism. Studies have indicated that juveniles may partake in crime in order to merely belong to a place, which is a gang in most cases. In some instances, they might be peer-pressured to undertake antisocial activities so as to prove their loyalty. Many such groups influence impressionable youngsters into committing unlawful actions by convincing them that they have nothing to fear. Some individuals, who dont understand the implications of their actions easily get lured into exhibiting belligerent behaviours, just to fit in. Others knowingly indulge in anti-social activities, as they are aware of juvenile laws, thereby being unfearful of dire consequences. Therefore, decisions of their rehabilitation need to be taken with caution. Further, housing juvenile offenders along with hardened criminals in prisons always risks aggravation of their anti-social tendencies. Juveniles may indulge in crime for financial reasons, social reasons, or merely for the thrill of anti-social behaviour. Some such perpetrators often have tiffs with their immediate families, which may in themselves act as triggers for their anti-social actions. Many face overt control or extreme familial neglect and consequently seek approval and solace elsewhere. Other times the families themselves are involved in anti-social activities and youngsters get dragged into them. Juvenile rehabilitation is heavily focused on getting them back to their families. However, considering that their problems may stem from the families themselves, policy makers need to consider stronger alternatives for their living arrangements in the post-rehabilitation period. This may include providing them with a more secure environment to work in, which would supplement the financial support received by them upon release. Despite the governments attempts to remand the juvenile population, many challenges still persist. The staff and the nurses at juvenile homes often mistreat them, thereby potentially reducing the effects of rehabilitation and treatment. Further, they lack proper means for pursuing interests and hobbies, thereby instigating truant behaviour such as running away from the remand home to watch movies or undertake gang activities. This creates a vicious circle which needs to be broken. Policies would benefit from focusing on three aspects of juvenile delinquency. First, to identify the causes of increased incidences of transgressions, with increasing focus on the trend of violent crimes. Such an identification of causes should be followed up with educating juveniles about informed decision-making and helping them understand repercussions of indulging in the said causes. If their families or peers are responsible for their issues, then steps need to be taken to move such individuals to safe places and provide them with more conducive environments. Second, juvenile remand homes need to be under stricter surveillance so as to control for internal abuse of inhabitants. Last, policy-makers need to introduce research-based measures to assess the risk of recidivism, and base sentencing on such measures, thereby controlling loopholes in juvenile laws with respect to the age factor. Only if these aspects are achieved will the Indian judiciary be able to find a middle ground for rehabilitation of juvenile offenders, and to an extent, policy makers would be able to prevent occurrences of juvenile offences. (The author is a senior research assistant at the Department of Psychology, Monk Prayogshala. Monk Prayogshala is a not-for-profit academic research organisation based in Mumbai that works in the social sciences.) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) economic wing Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has questioned the role and two-year contribution of governments policy think-tank NITI Aayog. As a conclusion of the day-long round table of its review meeting on the performance of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Tuesday, SJM asked, "What differences has NITI Aayog made in these two years?" While reviewing NITI Aayog's work in the areas of agriculture, GM seed, health care and poverty alleviation, the RSS affiliate made scathing remarks. "There seems no synergy between the political leadership (NDA government) and the Aayog. The pro-poor approach that Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised upon while announcing the setting up of NITI Aayog, is nowhere visible in Aayogs functioning," SJM national co-convener Ashwani Mahajan told Firstpost, after the meeting. Besides raising red flag over NITI Aayogs handling of core issues like agriculture, health and poverty, Sangh parivars economic wing also questioned whether the Aayog had succeeded in honoring the spirit of its basic principles as laid down by Modi while forming the policy think tank. The prime minister replaced Planning Commission by NITI Aayog, as he wanted to bring in innovative and out-of-the-box thinking, cooperative federalism, bottom-to-top approach, rather than having an outdated bureaucratic system, where decisions were taken inside air conditioned chambers, divorced from reality. This roundtable was a stock-taking of the working of the Aayog and after the initial reviews, it seems that NITI Aayog is living in the shadow of erstwhile Planning Commission and globalisation, Mahajan, who chaired the meeting pointed out. Five key takeaways from Swadeshi Jagran Manchs review On GM seed: SJM observed that the policy think tank in its paper had mentioned that use of GM Mustard seed wont have any adverse impact on health and environment. BT Cotton farmers committed suicide, which led to a debate about the suitability of BT Cotton and GM technology in India. It is expected that the GM technology should be banned, but, surprisingly, Aayog has suggested that India should adopt it, SJM observed. Mahajan questioned: NITI Aayog in its paper has blindly supported the use of GM Mustard seed. Not a single state has supported it and its still under discussion. Parliamentary Standing Committee has already opposed it and the matter is in the court. Scientific findings have proved GM mustard as bad for human health, environment and for the farmers. Are we subservient to multi-national companies (MNCs) pushing for GM seeds? On healthcare: SJM observed: NITI Dialogue Paper on Health Sector shows the NITI Aayog is not in favour of free healthcare and strongly recommends dismantling the price control of essential medicines, higher role of private sector and insurance-based model to be offered by private players for health services to the people. The views in the paper are in contrast to the redrafted National Health Policy, which proposed free healthcare. On the one hand, we talk about reducing prices of drugs, and on the other, the Aayog says take away drug price fixing powers vested in the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority. Of the total Indian population, 30% still cant buy a low-priced Paracetamol tablet. Should we allow our medical and healthcare system to be completely market-oriented, so as to get more FDIs and let people die in the name of growth? asked Mahajan. On poverty alleviation: SJM in its review alleged that NITI Aayog has defended Tendulkar Committees benchmark to define poverty, rather than working out afresh. Its like old wine in new bottle. NITI Aayog has defended Planning Commissions poverty determinant. Earlier, the BJP had strongly opposed the then Planning Commission under UPA II that pegged the Below Poverty Line at Rs 32 per capita per day, but now Aayog is speaking like Montek Singh Ahluwalia. There is no novelty in their approach and those whore into policy formulation are unable to feel what poverty is, remarked Mahajan. On agriculture: SJM alleged that NITI Aayog has no roadmap on doubling farmers income. They have no roadmap for doubling farmers income or on how we can have agricultural growth. Instead the way they are pushing for the GM seeds, shows them as supporters of globalization, the SJM observed. On employment generation: Mahajan questioned, Why the SD Gupta committee report prepared during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government on employment generation and mentions in detail about industrialization to bring growth in jobs, hasnt yet been implemented? Whats the role of NITI Aayog in this direction? The roundtable Besides SJM, the roundtable was participated by former CAG VN Kaul, noted economists, policy analysts, environment activists, BJP leaders, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and NITI Aayog representatives. NITI Aayog stands for National Institution for Transforming India, but its 7 Pillars of Effective Governance approach seems to be a failure, as it couldnt yet bring the required transformation. The body has failed to live up to expectations towards India's economic planning by making it more indigenous, the SJM observed. What Niti Aayog says? While, NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy briefly attended the pre-lunch session, its vice chairman Arvind Panagariya in a mail expressed his inability to participate in the wake of budget preparations. I look forward to meeting you in the future to hear about the deliberations, he said in his mail. Besides, a task force preparing a report on poverty alleviation, various stakeholders have been consulted in preparing the draft of a land leasing policy, and a farmer friendly Bill, which will be tabled in the next session of Parliament. NITI Aayog will come up with a comprehensive digital economy initiative soon, a NITI Aayog representative told Firstpost. Whats next? The Swadeshi Jagran Manch will send the performance review report to the PM and organs of the government. It was suggested that the RSS affiliate should have quarterly meetings with NITI Aayog to review its working and Aayogs members should be present. Nobody is talking about the working vis-a-vis performance of NITI Ayog. This is the duty of the political class, but they are talking about other things like demonetisation. Our review meeting was not to criticize the Aayog, but to find a way forward through a democratic process of discussion, added Mahajan. Every year, lakhs of young men and women from different parts of the country come to the national capital with one dream, a dream that sometimes take years to materialise, a dream to be part of the coveted "civil services", the steel frame of India. Civil services remain one of the most coveted jobs in the country, and is still seen as one the easiest way of social mobility. And perhaps this is the reason why it attracts many young men and women from extremely humble backgrounds with limited financial means, to try their luck in this field. In 2011, bringing about a significant change in more than three decade old pattern, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) introduced a new civil service aptitude test (CSAT) paper in the preliminary test (PT), that serves as a screening for the civil services exam (CSE), which is conducted in three stages, with a mains exam and a personality test following the PT. Since the introduction of the CSAT, students from non-English backgrounds have alleged discrimination. Their contention has been that the new CSAT paper favoured students from English and technical backgrounds. The basis of this allegation was that the CSAT, apart from testing the comprehension and mathematical aptitude of the students, also checked their English language skills. Though UPSC maintained that questions on English language were elementary Class X level, in many cases, it was proved that they were much tougher than what USC claimed. This led to large scale protests in 2014 in Delhi and may parts of northern India which had large numbers of Hindi-speaking civil service aspirants. Following the protests, the then UPA government gave two additional attempts to UPSC aspirants with a relaxation in the upper age limit. "The central government approved two additional attempts to all categories of candidates with effect from civil services examination, 2014, with consequential relaxation of maximum age for all categories of candidates, if required," said a statement by the department of personnel, public grievances and pension said. According to various reports, it was on the intervention of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi that the decision was taken. Weeks before the decision, a group of UPSC aspirants was camping in front of Gandhi's residence at 12 Tughlaq Lane. While the decision pacified the students to a greater extent, the protests continued for the elimination of the CSAT paper altogether. Further in August 2015, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) ordered an extra attempt for the those aspirants who applied but did not take the preliminary examination in 2011 due to the introduction of CSAT. In May 2015, a major change was effectuated, when without much noise, the NDA government decided to make the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) a qualifying paper in the UPSC exam. According to the new rule, CSAT was made a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33 percent. This meant that the student were now required to score a minimum of 33 percent marks in this paper and this wouldn't be added to the final results of the preliminary exam. This was in addition the to the relaxation announced on 4 August, 2014, according to which marks in the English language comprehension skills of the UPSC aptitude test were not to be included in the merit list. And now, aspirants have once again started protesting. According to a report in The Hindu, UPSC aspirants in Shah Jahan staged a protest on Tuesday demanding "compensation in the form of additional attempts" because according to them, they lost the chance for additional attempts due to a discriminatory Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) paper during the preliminary examination". While there are many facts that support claims made by the non-English medium students of facing discrimination, the fact remains that there are numerous reasonable arguments that oppose any move of doing away with the English language test. Consider this: In the last 15 years, 11 toppers were either from from an engineering or medical background. Apart from their technical background, another thing that sets them apart is their medium of instruction. In last one decade, hardly any candidate with a non-English medium background has been able to make it to the top rank. The Nigvekar Committee, which was set up to suggest reforms in civil services, also said that the CSAT favors urban English-medium candidates and is hurting their rural counterparts. On the other hand, there arise valid arguments that in the current age of global governance, is it possible for a bureaucrat to work efficiently without some elementary knowledge of English. While points made by the pro-CSAT and anti-CSAT groups both hold ground, what is muddling the entire debate is its politicisation. As a large proportions of the protesting aspirants come from Hindi speaking states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the decision taken in 2014 after the intervention of Rahul Gandhi was seen as a move to appease voters in these states, especially since this is a crucial phase ahead of the general elections in May 2014. The protests continued and so was the politicisation of the issue. In May last year, a group of civil service aspirants submitted a joint memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which was supported by around 100 MPs, who backed their demand for three fresh attempts for all civil services exam aspirants who have appeared from 2011 to 2015. Now, with the upcoming assembly elections in five states including the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, from where lakhs of Hindi speaking students will give the exam, the aspirants have once again raked up the issue, hoping that electoral considerations might benefit their prospects. New Delhi: The police said on Wednesday they had recovered more than 6,000 freshwater turtles weighing over four tonnes from poachers who planned to smuggle them to Southeast Asia, in the largest-ever wildlife haul. The 6,430 flapshell turtles were discovered stuffed into 140 jute bags in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. "Wildlife authorities confirmed that this is the largest haul in the country's wildlife history, both in terms of number and weight 4.4 tonnes," Arvind Chaturvedi, head of the state's Special Task Force that rescued the turtles, told AFP. Indian flapshell turtles are not particularly rare but are a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act. Chaturvedi said police had arrested the "kingpin" and were likely to make further arrests. He said the poachers had filled half a truck with the turtles to take them to the eastern city of Kolkata, from where they were to be transported illegally to China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Their meat is considered an aphrodisiac while the bones are powdered for use in traditional medicine and soups. Rachna Tiwari of the US-based Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) said smugglers can earn up to Rs 1,000 per flapshell turtle, while a bigger softshell whose meat is considered a delicacy is sold for up to 8,000 rupees. "Enforcement against poaching has improved, but the scale at which these protected turtles are being poached, who knows, they may also soon become endangered," Tiwari told AFP. The turtles are currently at a makeshift sanctuary in the TSA's local centre. Uttar Pradesh is home to 14 of India's 28 endangered turtle species and at least 20,000 are reportedly smuggled out of the state every year. As the chorus of the song "Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat" rose to a crescendo on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, engrossed in the music, had started playing a stroke of tabla with his fingers on the desk. Given the fact that representatives from over 100 countries attended the inaugural session of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 along with some heads of state, Modi looked completely in control. Contrast this image of Modi with his situation in 2003 when after his victory in the assembly elections as the chief minister, Modi had launched his first event of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. He found it hard to convince the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to inaugurate it. Though LK Advani finally agreed to attend the function, the event evoked a cynicism among top BJP leadership. The moot question was: what is so vibrant about Gujarat? Of course, the ghost of 2002 Godhra and post-Godhra riots was far from being exorcised. Modi might have won the state assembly election in 2002, his victory was much less celebrated and regarded as pyrrhic one within the BJPs fold. From 2005 to 2011, the journey of vibrant Gujarat was quite tumultuous, marked by US and European nations officially ignoring the events and a hostile UPA regime slapping income tax notices against those industrial houses that were seen participating in vibrant Gujarat. The 2017 edition of vibrant Gujarat was unique in many respects. The scale of the event was such that it can be easily compared with any international event like Davos. Ambassadors of 100-odd countries with three heads of the state and important government representatives from all big countries sharing one roof with top Indian industrialists and international CEOs was certainly an extraordinary gathering. The flawless execution of the event proved that the state bureaucracy has honed its skill of hosting an international event to perfection. But the real story of the Vibrant Gujarat 'Global Summit lay elsewhere. In the morning, a session of "Nobel dialogue" was fixed where nine Nobel laureates participated. And they were equivocal in their assertion that the ignorance of political class about the science was a serious concern. And a group of them launched a frontal attack on a group of NGOs, particularly the Greenpeace, that have been resisting the use of genetically modified (GM) seeds. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan pointed out that those who have been using genetically modified medicines for diseases are opposed to GM seeds. Quoting figures, the panel comprising Harold Varmus, Randy Schekman, Richard Roberts and Ramakrishnan pointed out that the traditional agriculture would fail to feed the burgeoning population unless it is supplemented by technological intervention. They dismissed the fear of NGOs and their backers in politicians as hogwash and not based on science. The most unequivocal indictment of India came from David Gross, a physicist, who cautioned that India must not be afraid of failure, it has to think big. In a query about if the development of science is coterminous with the affluence, Gross said that India was richer than China three decades back. He clarified that science must be promoted irrespective of economic condition. If this is not done, "you will become a service economy without any manufacturing growth" he said, adding that Indias ratio of technical/scientists with per ten thousand population is far far below than any developed nation. For the first time, Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit proved to be a unique platform to offer an interface of scientists with industry. Students from various colleges from across the state were brought in to have interaction with top scientists of the world. At the same time, industrialists were given an opportunity to interact with Nobel laureates and think about developing world-class institutions to promote various discipline of science. However, the most significant political take away from the Nobel dialogue 2017 at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was the unequivocal support for the GM food. If one goes by the position taken by a section of the Sangh Parivar and a group of opposition leaders, the technological innovation in the agriculture is effectively stalled by this group by opposing the GM food. This is regarded as a setback for Modis plan for ushering India in the phase of a second green revolution. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has apparently contradicted the traditionalists and propagated to embrace technology and science in all walks of life, including agriculture, unabashedly. By all yardsticks, the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 is a roaring success. Though Modi is endowed with a greater political responsibility, his two-day stay in Gandhinagar for this event underlines the importance he attached to Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Since 2003 when Modi launched Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, he was confronted with doubts, suspicion, and possibility of a failure. He, however, trusted his instincts and went whole hog to make it a success. In todays context, Modi conveyed multiple political and social messages through Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit which has developed into an international interface for industry, science, and society. His tapping of fingers on the desk in consonance with the song Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat was an expression of satisfaction and contentment. Raj Thackeray is a charismatic leader like his late uncle Bal Thackeray. They have the same style of speech, aggression and sense of state politics. Now, a little over 11 years since Raj left the Shiv Sena and launched his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in March 2006, the MNS' stock is dropping fast. Raj left his uncle's party after attacking the Sena coterie and his cousin Uddhav's style of functioning. But after over a decade of running his own party, most founding members of the MNS have already quit and levelled the same allegations against Raj and his coterie. A majority of the party's leaders, MLAs, corporators, office-bearers and followers have already switched to either switch to their original home Shiv Sena or BJP. But the style of functioning of himself not changed by Raj. When Raj launched his party he coined the catchphrase "Mi Maharashtracha, Maharashtra Majha (I belong to Maharashtra and Maharashtra to me)". At the same time he took up such issues as sons of soil, unemployment of local youth, supporting the Marathi language and others related to the Marathi population. Numerous new voters and youths were attracted to MNS and in the 2009 Assembly election, 13 MNS MLAs were elected. The same formula was applied in the civic body elections and in 2007, the MNS opened its account in all municipal corporations across the state, with particularly remarkable numbers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, KDMC and others. The turning point of his downfall began after he extended support to Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate in March 2014 before the Lok Sabha election that year. But at the same time, Raj announced that the MNS would contest as well. However, a majority of his candidates lost their deposits, with the Shiv Sena and BJP benefitting. However, the performance of MNS drastically suffered in the last Assembly polls (October 2014), where only one MLA was elected. In 2009, 13 MLAs were elected, but in 2014, it was only Junnar's Sharad Sonawane who was elected. What is of further disappointment to the MNS is that Sonawane has not been sharing the party dais with the party president for a year or so and party sources confirmed to Firstpost that he plans to join the BJP. And every time election season has rolled around, Raj has told his party cadre that he would 'show the party's strength during the elections'. "We dont need an alliance. We will win the election solo," he used to claim. In vain. The problem is that Raj has not stuck with any single issue. He has always made U-turns on his announced positions. First, he announced support for Modi as prime minister, saying that the former Gujarat chief minister's development agenda would help the country. But after suffering a major setback in the Parliament and Assembly elections, Raj quickly began to oppose Modi's policies and decisions. He publicly criticised Modi and alleged that his own pre-election pronouncements were merely part of election strategy. Most recently, Raj also criticised the demonetisation decision, the MumbaiAhmedabad bullet train and the Shivaji statue in the Arabian Sea. But this time, it's 'do or die' for his party. More than six dozens corporators from Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Nashik left the party and joined the BJP or Shiv Sena. Former MLAs Ram Kadam and Pravin Darekar were frustrated with Raj's style of functioning and joined Devendra Fadnavis' camp. In Mumbai, the party had won 28 seats in the 2012 civic election, but now there are only a dozen of them left in the MNS. It's quite the same with the Nashik corporation. The Nashik mayor was a member of the MNS, but of 40 corporators, 24 have already left and the rest are reportedly also in search of greener pastures. The party's support base is shrinking daily, thats why he was ready to face the possibility of an electoral alliance if any party approached him. "If someone comes up with a proposal I will surely consider it," said Raj and has with that, once again, bowled a googly. It must be borne in mind that nobody seems to be willing to join hands with the MNS at this stage. In political circles, many party workers are also not willing to accept election tickets from the MNS. Raj was very much smart to catch the headlines. Without anyone's proposal or discussion, coming forth to announce his willingness to ally with another party showed that he is ready to tie-up with another party. But Raj has made the same mistake as he did in 2014. Just as his fleeting support for Modi, this call for alliance partners has been made without consultation with anyone. The temporary gain for him is that he gets to control the outflow from his party and create confusion between the Sena and BJP. But this situation in Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Nashik is very different in 2017, due to demonetisation. There are two sides: One that supports Modi's move and the other that opposes it. While Raj is in opposition, semi-urban people (as evident in recent municipal elections) strongly support the BJP. For Raj's sake, he needs understand the reality quickly and boost the morale of his party even quicker. Or else, he will be trapped in a net that even he will not be able to escape. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today attended the opening of the building of Nakhchivan city Russian secondary school No 3 after renovation. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the inauguration of the building. President Ilham Aliyev was informed about the work done here. The Nakhchivan city Russian secondary school No 3 was commissioned in 1939. The 600-seat school has 32 classrooms, labs, computer rooms, a library, a canteen and a gym. Here 460 students will be taught by 59 teachers. President Ilham Aliyev viewed the conditions created at the school. The head of state then met with the teaching staff and local residents. President Ilham Aliyev addressed the event. Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov also made a speech at the event. They also posed for photographs. New Delhi: Two-wheeler dispatches fell by a fifth or over 22 percent in December, the first full month after demonetisation, as dealers and buyers struggled with sparse cash. In fact, December dispatches - which means sales from factory to dealers - for all automobile categories combined fell 18.66 percent, the steepest decline in 16 years. Almost half of the sales of two-wheelers (scooters and bikes) come from the rural market, which has been the hardest hit due to demonetisation. Then, a majority of the two wheeler purchases are not financed, unlike passenger cars, thereby also increasing the cash component in the entire value chain. In fact, the decline in two wheeler dispatches was the biggest contributor to the overall fall in combined industry dispatch numbers. Dealers are struggling with stale inventory across most product categories but for motorcycles and scooters, this has reached alarming proportions. This is evident from production figures issues by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) - production of scooters fell by over 30% last month whereas that for bikes was down almost 25 percent or by a fourth. In fact, analysts from brokerage Emkay said the volume decline in two-wheelers could be up to 34% in December. They pointed out that market leader Hero MotoCorp reported a volume decline of 34 percent compared to December 2015 while TVS sales dispatches were down 8 percent (with scooters also seeing a drop of 15 percent, motorcycles of 18 percent and mopeds volumes grew +14 percent). Bajaj Auto's volumes were down 18 percent. While two-wheleer sales will likely take many more months to show a reversal in this massive decline, passengers cars and Utility Vehicles may have already been directed towards the recovery path. Industry lobby group SIAM struck an optimistic note while releasing December production and dispatch numbers, saying the impact of demonetization was temporary. Demonetisation has had its impact on the industry although we feel it is a temporary phase, said Director General Vishnu Mathur. The total decline in dispatches in the passenger vehicles segment (Includes cars, UVs and Vans) was just 1.36 percent during December - but the decline in UV dispatches was a steep 30 percent while passenger car dispatches were down about 8 percent. A look at passenger cars and the market leader in this segment - Maruti Suzuki India - shows why Mathur could be partly right. Maruti sells every second car in the domestic market and it is evident that any negative impact of demonetization on car bookings for Maruti has already reversed. Maruti accounts for every second car sold in India, and if the slowdown in bookings seen in November has already corrected for it, there is reason to believe other car makers will also slowly get back their mojo. Chairman R C Bhargava said late last month that bookings were down by a fifth or 20 percent in November on the demonetization announcement (year on year) but picked up in December. Till December 22nd, bookings were up 7 percent compared to the same month last year. Unlike some other car makers, Maruti has not curtailed production at all post demonetization as almost all its models continue to be waitlisted. The only two cars which continue to feel the shock waves of demonetization are the Maruti Omni vans and Eeco which are used both in goods and passenger transport sectors. Bhargava further said that if Maruti can see a turnaround, there was no reason for other car makers to not see a similar increase in bookings over the next few months. Demonetisation has impacted sales of cars and UVs in two ways. According to analysts Pramod Kumar and Sumeet Jain at Goldman Sachs, Maruti Suzuki is best placed within our passenger vehicle coverage as it enjoys almost 130,000 unit order backlog, has relatively lower system inventory and has the highest number of launches coming up in the next 12 months. The two analysts further said in a note to clients that in India, cars and utility vehicles are exposed to the rural cash based economic system (we estimate about 25 percent of volumes) which would be impacted by a liquidity squeeze in the short term. Also, customers who potentially benefited from the informal economy would now be scaling down their purchase ticket size or deferring purchase decisions in the short to medium term, impacting categories such as higher priced cars/SUVs. However, we expect the demand cut to be relatively low with most passenger cars/UVs sold through the formal channel, over 75% of sales financed by banks/ NBFCs/vehicle financing firms according to our estimate, and cash purchases carried out within the imposed limits on cash transactions. We see lower inventory, strong order backlog and urban market presence as positives in this scenario. Over the long term, we see more upside from this move as tax net would widen bringing down effective tax rates and increasing disposable income with consumers. We stick with our medium/long term structural themes SUVs and Automatics, the two analysts have said. It is clear that those vehicle categories where a large number of units are not financed and those where a majority of sales happen in the rural areas are impacted the most through demonetisation. If India gets back to a cash economy - already many small businesses and MSMEs have begun accepting and making payments in cash - then these segments will see a quick rebound. But if the current digital push continues, then the recovery in these segments could be many months away. Also, buyers may be waiting to assess the impact of GST which is expected to be operational in the new fiscal; they may also be waiting for any promised rate cuts from banks as well as any announcements in the upcoming Budget which could make their vehicle purchase cheaper. In a breather for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a plea for probing alleged payoffs by the Birla-Sahara group when he was the Gujarat chief minister. The case was related to some evidence gathered against the two corporate groups in Income Tax raids regarding bribing politicians, across party lines, which also included names like that of former Delhi chief minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, apart from Modi. The apex court, dismissing senior advocate Prashant Bhushan's plea seeking an SIT probe into the matter, observed that mere diaries and loose sheets cannot be taken as admissible evidence in a court of law against constitutional functionaries, according to CNN-News18. "If we were to order investigation on the basis of material with no evidentiary value, it would be difficult for constitutional functionaries to function, which would not be safe for the democracy," the court observed. "Given the shape in which these documents have been collected and filed, we are of the opinion that it would not be safe and proper to order investigation", the court said in its order while weighing the evidence placed before it in the context of earlier judgments of the apex court, including that of the Constitution Bench. The Supreme Court has shown a clear disinclination in admitting Bhushan's plea, citing weak evidence provided by him in the case. Earlier too, a Constitution bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India had observed that the evidence provided by Bhushan in the case was inadequate and had given the petitioner time to provide more evidence. Bhushan had then produced some internal reports of the Income Tax Department on the alleged graft case, however, that too could not stand the top court's scrutiny. Bhushan, meanwhile, has slammed the Supreme Court's verdict stating that it will go down as "one of the worst judgement" in the history, adding that it is a black day. "Its a very unfortunate and abject judgement and it will go down as one of the worst judgement in history... It is a black day at the top court today" NDTV 24x7 quoted Bhushan as saying. Moreover, speaking to Times Now, Bhushan said, "The verdict shows that when it comes to dealing with the high and mighty, sometimes even the Supreme Court wilts under pressure." Bhushan also asserted that especially in the Birla case, there was a humongous volume of incriminating documents, which included several recorded entries of payments and hundreds of emails with cross references to politicians. He wondered how could the Supreme Court dismiss them on face value without even ordering a free and fair probe. "Saboot to investigation me hi niklenge. isme aap ye kaanon aur samvidhan ka makhaul udane ke barabar hai (Evidence will only be found once an investigation is launched into an issue. This (the judgement) is a mockery of the Constitution)," Bhushan said. Meanwhile, the BJP camp has taken a sigh of relief with Bhushan's PIL now standing scrapped, as it has also been picked up by its opponents to corner the prime minister. Both Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal has been using it to attack Modi. Speaking to Times Now, BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao said that this case absolutely lacked any merit and its part of a conspiracy launched by Congress back in 2013 to incriminate Modi to contain his rising popularity amid people. Rao also slammed Bhushan for criticising the Supreme Court judgement stating that those who have made PILs a tool of profiteering have no moral ground to slam the apex court's judgement. Meanwhile, Congress has said that they "respect the Supreme Court judgement," adding that all they sought was a free and fair probe in the matter, reported NDTV 24x7. Keeping up the attack on the Narendra Modi-led Centre government and its decision to demonetise and scrap high-denomination notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi upped the ante on Wednesday by saying that acche din (good times) will only come when the Congress regains power in 2019 Lok Sabha Election. Speaking at the Jan Vedna Sammelan in New Delhi, Rahul launched a scathing attack on the prime minister for possibly every schemes launched by the BJP government Skill India, Make in India, etc. In possibly the most spirited attack against the ruling government, the Congress scion not only borrowed Modi's famed tagline acche din Rahul alleged that the BJP government is run by a couple of people. Rahul also mocked Modi for his Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (Clean India campaign). "Dhai saal pehle Modi ji aaye kaha Hindustan ko saaf kardunga, sabko jhaadu pakdaya. Fashion tha, teen-chaar din chala, phir bhool gaye (Two and a half years ago, Modiji said he will clean India. He made everyone carry a broom. That fashion stayed for a couple of days and then everything was forgotten.)" Rahul added saying Make in India and Skill India followed suit. The party vice-president's address to Congress cadre can also be seen as an official poll cry for the Big One 2019 general elections. "Demonetisation ek bahana hai, Modi ji ko pata lag raha hai ki yoga, Skill India, Make in India ke piche nahi chup payenge (Demonetisation is just an excuse, Modiji knows now that he cannot hide behind his schemes for too long)." Acche din are only going to come when Congress party is going to come in power in 2019: Rahul Gandhi at JanVedna Sammelan pic.twitter.com/n40BKKlY4s ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 People of country are wondering when are 'Acche din going to come'. I'll tell them it will come when Congress comes to power again: R Gandhi pic.twitter.com/cBNEDnLnrR ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 The Congress convention in Delhi was crucial as far as body language was concerned. A very confident Rahul (even though he reiterated most of the things that he has already said earlier), took centrestage and shared the dias with former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former finance minister P Chidambaram and leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad. Not only that, the party vice-president raised pertinent questions about press freedom and central government's "interference" in institutions like the judiciary and the Reserve Bank of India. Jo humne 70 saal me institutions, judiciary, RBI, press ki respect ki. Ye sab kaam Modi ji, RSS ne 2.5 saal mein band kar diya: R Gandhi pic.twitter.com/308ZkRf4HC ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 When a judge sits he represents the spirit of the people of the country: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/45SopF3kdI ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 Jo hamnay sattar saal institutions ki respect ki, RBI, judiciary ki, press ki, shayad zyada ki, Modiji ney dhai saal mey band kr dia: R G pic.twitter.com/mZQsIcOZYs ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 "Our friends in the media are under constraints. They come to me and say they want to say some thing but they cannot. The respect that we gave the press and the media and the judiciary for the past 70 years, Modi ended that tradition in the last two and a half years." Keeping up the attack, Rahul said that Modi has broken India's financial spine with the demonetisation drive. "Automobiles sector mein 60 percent kam gaadiyan biki hain. Hum 16 saal pehle ki sthiti mein pahunch gaye hain. (Automobile sale has dropped by 60 percent. Today our condition is as it was 16 years ago). Modi must ask why the demand for MNREGA has suddenly surged? Why are people migrating to villages instead of cities?" Even though a self-assured Rahul was a pleasing and almost a refreshing change, it is important to note two things here: The Congress, which has kept up an unrelenting opposition to the Modi government's demonetisation move, should keep at it with the same tempo. Politics is about perception and perceptions do not change overnight. Congress' report card in 2016 is quite abysmal, and if the party wants anything to change, they should start taking themselves seriously. Rahul's speech at the Congress Convention, for the first time, in many months manifested him as a serious politician. An unperturbed Rahul is a rare sight even though most of his speech was a repetition of everything that has been said by him on earlier occasions the delivery and the tone is quite crucial. Secondly, with the five state Assembly elections round the corner, it is of utmost importance that the Congress does not lose track of its issues ahead of the crucial political event. It is too far-fetched to say that Rahul or Congress will make any remarkable dent in the upcoming election, but if the party stops procrastinating and focuses on its political resurgence, it will not lose as pathetically in the 2019 General Election. (With elections being announced, many believe that the budget to be announced on 1 February, will contain sops for key sectors. There are two reasons for such sops. First, to counter the unfortunate effects of demonetisation on some sectors. And the second to win over key electoral groups. In this three part series, we explain why the three biggest segments that might benefit could be agriculture, milk cooperatives and milk processing units, and weaver units.) Milk (and its associate industry leather) is likely to play a crucial role in deciding how voters select their leaders in the forthcoming elections. Milk producers have very good reasons to be furious with existing governments. But they also have good reasons to be upset with the BJP. Unfortunately, they see good and bad in all the people who seek votes from them. But why? Heres an analysis Mythology and reality: In many ways, Uttar Pradesh (UP) is a constant reminder of the legends surrounding the life of Krishna, one of the Hindu Gods, and an avatar of Vishnu. Mythology talks of him as being raised among cowherds, and spending his childhood near Mathura and Brindivan. These same legends talk of Krishna growing up and finally opting to move out of the lands surrounding Mathura and Brindavan. He takes his friends and clansmen the Yadavas --- out of this territory and creates his own kingdom with its capital at Dwarka. Since the Yadavas are devoted to their cows, they take their cattle with them to the lands surrounding Dwarka. Dwarka is in Gujarat; Brindavan and Mathura in UP. It is, therefore, a bit more than mere coincidence that these two states are, even today, the largest milk producing areas in India (see table). And India itself more by design than mere accident has become the largest producer of milk in the world at the turn of this century. Milk is big in India Indias emergence as the worlds largest milk producer has a lot to do with the strategies Verghese Kurien adopted. It is his efforts that created Indias largest agricultural brand Amul. Today, milk accounts for almost 24 percent of agricultural GDP in this country. And many of the success stories are Gujarat-based. But the role of UP in Indias milk story just cannot just be forgotten or erased. It is deep-rooted in culture, commerce and even politics. When Kurien began his milk cooperative movement, he used NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) to promote the milk movement first in Gujarat and then across India (Operation Flood). Had it not been for Lal Bahadur Shastri, Kurien would not have been given charge of NDDB. Without this institution, Kuriens efforts would remain a Gujarat miracle, not a national movement. He was persuasive enough to make the government understand the strategic significance of milk in this country. It was a great nutrient in a land where many were malnourished. It was also an excellent revenue generator and a self employment opportunity. And most of all -- though unstated it nurtured a leather industry too. UP has always been a major leather producing centre. Gujarat would have been one too. But the long standing aversion to leather units prevented the industry from growing there. Instead it blossomed in neighbouring territories Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. While Kurien was in charge, he managed to push through the concept of cooperatives for milk production in UP. But after Kurien stepped down, even the cooperatives that Kurien had helped set up began closing down. As a result, today, very little of milk comes from milk cooperatives in UP. For instance, during 2014-15, milk from cooperatives (from both traditional cooperatives of the type promoted by Kurien and the Producer company type currently promoted by NDDB) accounted for barely 866,000 tonnes. Compare this with the total milk production of 25,198,000 tonnes in that state during the same year. The absence of cooperatives party abetted by almost every government that has ruled UP for the past two decades has led to exploitation of farmers by middlemen. UP milkmen exploited Ironically, even Mother Dairy began sourcing milk through middlemen. This was unfortunate because NDDB its parent company is mandated to promote cooperatives, not middlemen. Mother Dairy should have done the same as well. In fact, Gujarats cooperatives are allowed to purchase milk only from other milk cooperatives, and not even from private milk producers, let alone middlemen. But this was an unfortunate development, exacerbated by Mother Dairy being spun off as a separate wholly owned subsidiary of NDDB, rather than as a division of NDDB as was the case under Kuriens leadership. As a result, milk producers got barely Rs 18 per litre from middlemen, who in turn got upwards of Rs 24 per litre from Mother Dairy. Exact figures cannot be given here, because Mother Dairy has refused access to its annual report, even after being criticized by the Central Information Commissioner (CIC) for not divulging details as it was formed out of government funds. The person who got hurt was the UP milk producer. Unlike Gurajat where milk producers got Rs 28 per litre, UP farmers got precious little. At one point of time, milk prices crashed to Rs 14, leading to riots where farmers came onto the roads (literally) and poured their milk on the states highways to highlight their plight. Nor did UPs government put in place a minimum support price, the way Tamil Nadu and other forward looking states have done. It was only a couple of years ago after Narendra Modi took over as prime minister of India that the need to promote milk cooperatives in UP became a priority for the government. UP milk cooperatives Since the state government was unwilling to come forward, NDDB (and the central government) permitted Gujarats cooperatives to promote milk cooperatives on the outskirts of Delhi. Today, these cooperatives have a combined milk collection and processing capacity of around 4 lakh litres daily. NDDB instructed Mother Dairy to increase its procurement from cooperatives, and is expected to source over 90% of its milk from cooperatives in a couple of years time. The state government saw the writing on the wall. Last year, Akhilesh Yadav announ ced that the state would now start promoting milk cooperatives to improve the lot of farmers. Milk producers are expected to get at least Rs 25 per litre as against Rs 14-18 earlier. It is believed that this transformation compelled the prime minister bold enough to declare that farmer incomes would be doubled by 2022. The mathematics of milk production is simple. If a farmer uses the right sperm for artificial insemination (BAIF and Chitale are among the best producers of frozen straws which carry the sperm of carefully selected bulls), provides the cattle with the right milk feed (provided at discounted prices by cooperatives and even by private players like Hatsun, Heritage and Nestle), and ensures that the right vaccines are given at the right time, each cow can generate a surplus of Rs.100 per day (purchase price less cost of materials). Since much of cattle rearing is in the farmers backyard and is done by the family, the concept of labour charges does not arise. And if a farmer has 4-5 cows/buffaloes, he can earn anywhere between Rs 400-500 per day for 300 days a year (the animal goes dry for around 65 days while moving into another cycle of reproduction. Milk has thus become the most transformative product for changing rural livelihoods. It gives children a good source for nutrition besides improving household income. Farmers in UP are likely to vote for the BJP because of this introduction of cooperatives. But for one problem. Gau-rakshaks spoil the party. The milk industry works well if the farmer is allowed to sell off the old and disease-prone animal, or an unwanted male calf. The male calf is often sold by the trader to a farmer who wants a male calf with good parentage. The old cattle incapable of lactation is often sold to the butcher. While cow-slaughter laws have been in existence for decades, there has been an unwritten understanding that old cattle can be disposed of. The present government took up the ban on cow slaughter more rigorously. Unfortunately, it also allowed extra-legal methods to prevent sale of cattle as well. Groups of gau-rakshaks (translated as protectors of cows) went on a rampage to attack anyone transporting meat or cattle on the suspicion that the person had violated the provisions of the ban on cow slaughter. The strident movement hit both Dalits and Muslims. Both communities have been active in the business of tanneries. It wasnt long that both segments of the population decided to form a common front to challenge the government. In electoral terms, this would have been a disaster. Almost overnight, the vigilantes were booked, restrained, and the harassment of Dalits and Muslims stopped. Whether these groups will remember the harassment, is something that remains to be seen. Mixed signals So one has a peculiar situation in UP. The state government has not been farmer friendly. It allowed middlemen to exploit the situation by paying farmers a low price for their milk. But it did not enforce the ban on cow slaughter. The present government has allowed farmers to earn more. But the temptation to enforce the ban on cow slaughter may not rest easy with sections of the community. With all parties tainted for one reason for the other, it will be interesting to see which way people vote. Interestingly, the shrill enforcement of the ban on cow slaughter has only encouraged many farmers to stop rearing cows and instead opt for buffaloes. As a result, the cow population has begun declining in states where the ban is most strictly enforced. As a result the two states which have seen increasing number of cows are those which do not care to impose the ban on cow slaughter Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Not surprisingly, the best tanneries are located there and are expanding their business. The new milk producing centres will be the east (West Bengal has just promoted a milk cooperative and processing plant) and the North East (the first move has been made in Guwahati). All these areas do not care to impose the ban on cow slaughter. The cow may not become an endangered species after all. (This is the second part of a three part series. First part: Budget 2017: With polls nearing, will Uttar Pradesh's farm sector, industry get a boost? was carried yesterday) Congressmen and women can start rejoicing; they don't have to be in vedna (agony) over their fate anymore. They need not worry about the continuing downslide of the party, and need not take any corrective measures to set things right; no need to brainstorm to boost the ebbed morale of party workers, and no need to strengthen the party's organisational structure in the wake of repeated defeats in Parliamentary, Assembly and even municipal polls across the length and breadth of the country. Their leader Rahul Gandhi has declared the verdict of the 2019 Parliamentary elections defeat of Narendra Modi-led BJP and the return of Congress to power. However, what could still worry Congress supporters and die-hard Nehru-Gandhi family loyalists is that he stopped short of declaring himself as the Prime Minister of India in 2019. In his words, "Ache din will come when Congress comes to power in 2019." That should make lakhs of dedicated Congress workers and followers across the nation much happier, their leader is catapulting to power at the Centre on a borrowed slogan from Modi's 2014 catch phrase "ache din anne wale hain". It should be noted that Congress has also borrowed its pre-poll Uttar Pradesh catchphrase "27 saal UP behaal" from BJP's 2005 Bihar Assembly election catchphrase "15 saal bura haal" against the Lalu Yadav-Rabri Devi regime. The Congress' slogan will soon become meaningless and the party may have a hard time explaining its slogan and the withdrawal of Sheila Dikshit as chief ministerial candidate if it aligns, as is expected, with the Akhilesh Yadav faction of Samajwadi Party. The problem for Congress and vice-president is that he conveniently forgot what had happened to his party since the later part of 2013 and has been continuing even now in terms of electoral verdicts and popular support. The party high command is banking on the belief that public memory is short. Incidentally, Gandhi spoke of ache din to his party men and women at a convention his party had named 'Jan Vedna Sammelan' (public agony convention). His idea of voicing the supposed 'jan vedna' was to repeat his charges against Modi on demonetisation, except of course, predicting that in about two years from now, Congress would once again rule the country. Gandhi looked fresh and rejuvenated upon his return from a fortnight-long holiday at an undisclosed foreign location, apparently in the Western part of the world. On Day 2 of him landing on Indian soil, Gandhi's strategists thought it was an opportune time for their leader to identify with the people's vedna and be the voice of public agony and suffering, as also straightaway take off from where he had left, when he blasted Prime Minister Modi before revitalising himself with a yearending New Year party. Once abroad, Gandhi discovered that internationally Modi was an object of ridicule. "For the first time in history, the Prime Minister of India was ridiculed across the world. This has never happened before. Modiji is the first Prime Minister of India who is being ridiculed across the world," he said. It's something that seems to have encouraged Gandhi that his time was about to come. A recharged Rahul Gandhi revealed that some mediapersons "worried in their hearts" and approached him complaining about their plight and the alleged constraints they face if they try to write or speak against Modi and his government. They tell Rahul Gandhi in confidence that they "want to say certain things" but "hawa badal gaye hai, bola nahi jata" (atmosphere has changed, can't speak now). Gandhi did not reveal the names of these friends of his in the media who visited him with their grievances against Modi. He didn't reveal what kind of journalists these persons were, who chose to tell him about the Modi regime, but refrained to say it through the tool they had in print, broadcast and digital. The other thing Gandhi discovered during his tour abroad is that Modi could do yoga, but had no idea of the padmasana. The Congress vice-president's yoga teacher had told him that someone who does yoga frequently could also do the padmasana. He mocked Modi for his inability to do so. According to Rahul Gandhi, Congress cannot be questioned for what they did or didn't do in last 70 years, for Modi has undone everything Congress stood for. Corruption obviously was not a subject the Congress de-facto boss could have talked about. "We don't need to explain what we did or didn't do over the last 70 years. But in two-and-a-half years, BJP undid what we achieved in 70 years. They weakened every single institution Election Commission of India, Reserve Bank, judiciary that we constructed," he said. Yet again, Rahul conveniently forgot his grandmother Indira Gandhi and the Emergency, even his mother Sonia Gandhi exercising absolute power without responsibility from 2004-14 as chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC) while Manmohan Singh played her proxy as prime minister, in office not in power. The gathered Congress leaders in the front rows, however, seemed very happy, prompting Gandhi as he spoke. What gave them happiness was how Modi was being ridiculed and their leader's prediction that come 2019, they would again be rulers of the country. Hardselling Congress as the only party capable of taking on the BJP, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the Modi government on demonetisation. Speaking at the conclusion of the Jan Vedna Sammelan at New Delhi's Talkatora stadium, the Gandhi scion claimed that only the Congress party genuinely loves the country, while the BJP runs away from reality. Pitching a unique angle to Congress' idea of secularism, Rahul claimed that he had observed the party symbol the hand in every religion. Rahul added that when he asked Congress MP Karan Singh what it meant, the veteran leader told him that it means "Daro mat, sachaiyi ka saamna karo" (Don't worry, face the reality). Found Cong's symbol in Shiv ji, Gurunanak, Buddha, Mahavir's pictures.Asked Karan Singh ji what does it mean?He said 'daro mat':Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/XDNQK7pN6y ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 Repeating the words "daro mat" as the party's new catchphrase, the Amethi MP went on to remind the audience of the party's contribution to India's freedom struggle, the Green Revolution of the '60s, nationalisation of banks in the '70s, economic liberlaisation and MNREGA. He added that these steps reiterated Congress' support for the common man. He said this philosophy comes in contrast with the BJP's policy of "daro aur darao", accusing the ruling party of politics of fear. Congress philosophy says 'daro mat', and the other philosophy says 'daro aur darao': Rahul Gandhi,Congress VP pic.twitter.com/LlC35NGVc7 ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 He also continued his campaign against demonetisation, charging the government of favouring the rich, while saying the common man was affected by the note ban. Crores of people were standing in lines, did you find any corrupt person there? The corrupt ones were at the bank's backdoor: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/HZX44aTHjw ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 Narendra Modi ji ne socha jab Army surgical strike kar sakti hai, toh unhone gareebon, kisaanon pe kar diya: Rahul Gandhi,Congress VP pic.twitter.com/iCCRLNsv51 ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 Attacking the government for undermining UPA-era legislations, Rahul said that while the Manmohan Singh government gave the country MNREGA and the land acquisation bill, the current dispensation snatched away the people's lands and defrauded them. Guaranteed jobs for poor but PM took away their money;Told farmers not to fear for their lands but PM snatched their land away: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/jOmRlpkVT0 News18 (@CNNnews18) January 11, 2017 He also slammed the NDA government on the topic of surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army. Recalling a statement by the prime minister, who had compared the strikes to those conducted by the Israeli Army, Gandhi said that the Indian Army was and will always be better than its Israeli counterpart. Ram Gopal Yadav wants to create a new political party by the name of Akhil Bharatiya (All India) Samajwadi Party with motorcycle as the election symbol. He has met leaders of the BJP at least four times so far. Ram Gopals son and daughter in-law are allegedly involved in a case and Ram Gopal wants to save them, hence he wants to make a party to help the BJP by weakening the Samajwadi Party. The above revelations, not exactly new for the people of Uttar Pradesh, were made by Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav before a gathering of a few hundred supporters and the media at the party head office in Lucknow on Wednesday, shortly before he flew off to New Delhi. He was accompanied by brother Shivpal and leveled these allegations by seeking the affirmation of the assembled people. Coming on a day after Mulayam and his chief minister son Akhilesh had a long meeting in Lucknow, the assertions by the father were repetitive in the sense that he tried to lay all the blame for the current, prolonged woes of the SP on Ram Gopal, while insisting that son Akhilesh had been misled by Ram Gopal. It was also an emotional appeal to his supporters and that it was lifes hard work that was apparently being wrecked by Ram Gopal. It is another matter that around the same time, most UP ministers and SP legislators and other office bearers, had gathered at the chief ministers official residence on Kalidas Marg. The contrast could not be starker, if one goes by the strength of the crowd at the two places. Mulayam said the party was born out of a prolonged struggle and the genuine Samajwadis were worried at the turn of events now. He also said he was trying his best to avoid a split within the party, and insisted that he would never agree to rename it or change its election symbol. Then he said that one person was behind all the conflict, and asked the crowd to name him: The response was Ram Gopal and he said, yes, he is the one. Clearly, Mulayam tried to play the emotional card with his supporters, regardless of their number, by saying that it was because of his efforts that the party had become strong, and Akhilesh was there only because of the party behind him. However, since Mulayam has already announced that Akhilesh would be the chief minister in case the SP wins the coming Vidhan Sabha election, and he has also agreed to give all other powers to his son except for the national party presidents post, the allegations made on Wednesday were more in the nature of a last-ditch effort to consolidate his hold over his staunch followers in the party, since most others seem to have deserted him in favour of Akhilesh. On the other hand, sources say that the Akhilesh camp is ready with the plan to have a pre-election alliance with the Congress, Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). The formula of seat division is said to be ready with the Akhilesh faction contesting 300 seats, followed by 80 for the Congress and the rest for the RLD. A day ago, the outline of the alliance was reported to have been finalised in the Congress party at a meeting where Rahul Gandhi presided. Meetings between Rahul and Akhilesh, and between Priyanka Vadra and Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh, are also said to be on the cards in this connection. On part of the JD(U), the alliance formula was said to have been ratified at a meeting held in Patna a day ago. The first round of polling is to be held in Uttar Pradesh on 11 February, and while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has released the list of 400 candidates for the 403-member Assembly, the BJP list is likely in the next three or four days. While the picture on the SP front is not yet clear, the Congress is apparently waiting for the existence of two factions of the SP to become official. While the Election Commission is set to hear rival claims over the election symbol on 13 January, reports also say that Mulayam has sent feelers, through Amar Singh, to the Lok Dal to seek permission to use the latters symbol in case cycle is frozen. The Lok Dal was founded by former Prime Minister Charan Singh and its symbol is of a farmer ploughing the field. The Lok Dal president Sunil Singh is reported to have said that leaders close to Mulayam had approached him showing interest in contesting the polls on the LD symbol. He added that he was interested in giving the symbol to Mulayam. It is expected that Mulayam will try to establish his claim of being the political heir of Charan Singh and a benefactor of farmers. Mulayam Singh Yadav, addressing Samajwadi Party workers outside his Lucknow residence on Wednesday, pledged that he will do all that it takes to save his party from a split. Indirectly blaming his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav for the ongoing feud within the party, Mulayam said that there is only "one man" who is creating a rift within the party and the entire country knows who it is. He said that the rival camp is in cahoots with "another party" and he is aware of all the meetings that has taken between them. "A few people want to break the party. They went ahead and met the leaders of the Opposition parties thrice. And I have every information on that," he said. Mulayam also alleged, that it was Ram Gopal, who was goading Akhilesh towards a rebellion, while revealing that the former had even given a new party name and symbol to the Election Commission. "Will you people accept that?" he asked his supporters. "Un logo ne naya chinh aur nayi party ka naam bhi tay kar liya... Akhl Bhartiya Samajwadi Party ke naam se motorcycle chunav chinha vo nirvachan aayog ko de aaye hain... magar hum kisi bhi keemat par apni party ki ekta chahte hain. (These people met the Election Commission and even gave them a new party name and symbol: Akhil Bharatiya Samajwadi Party on the 'motorcycle' symbol. But I want the unity of my party at all costs".)," Mulayam said. Appearing resigned to the fate of an imminent split in the party he formed 25 years ago, Mulayam Singh also said he has given everything to the party and that he was left with nothing. "Mera jo bhi tha, maine party ko de diya hai. Aur mere paas kya hai.. bus aaplogo ka sahyog (I have given everything to the party, what else do I have now except your support)," he said in one emotive tone even as his supporters raised slogans in his favour. In a stirring speech to his supporters, Mulayam also recalled the struggle during the days of Emergency, that led to the formation of the party that has ruled Uttar Pradesh three times since it was founded. Addressing the party workers, he said that he is aware of the concerns of the party workers, adding that he is doing all he can to save "their cycle." "Main jaanta hu aap sab party ke bhavishya ke liye chintit hain aur aapki chinta jayaz hai, kyu ki ye party sangarsho se bani hai. Par hum dilli ja rahe hain aur halat me apni cyvle ko bachane ka pura prayas karenge," an emotional Mulayam told his supporters gathered in Lucknow, which has been the operational seat of the Uttar Pradesh's ruling party under his leadership, for more than a decade. Flanked by his brother and close aide Shivpal Yadav, Mulayam's speech was also laced with disappointment and hurt whenever he referred to his son. Recalling the early days of his political career, he said that Akhilesh was barely two years old when he struggled for the country and the party, and even went to the jail. He said that Akhilesh should have come to him if he had complaints, but instead his own son went to "others" who are now creating a rift within the party. He even said that it was Mulayam who made Akhilesh the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, while asserting that the cycle symbol, (read the original Samajwadi Party) is his. Backing , Shivpal, who is at loggerhead with his son and is seen to be at the eye of the storm, he said that Shivpal has been with him through thick and thin, adding that they had together struggled for the party and the country when Akhilesh was just a baby. He also mentioned how Shivpal Singh Yadav, his younger brother, who was seated next to him, would bring food for him to the prison during his period of incarceration and later hide it at various places. He sought to reassure the party workers that he will not allow a rift to appear within the party. Political observers feel that Mulayam Singh was now reconciled to the fact that all efforts of a patch-up with his son have failed and that a split in the party is imminent. A section, however, feels that Mulayam's impromptu speech on Wednesday also signalled that owing to the prospects of his party splitting, he might cede to the demands of his defiant son and not retain the party presidency for himself. With elections to the state assembly just round the corner and nominations for the first phase of polling to begin on January 17, fear of the party symbol being frozen are doing the rounds in both camps. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, however, seems to have made up his mind and is now trying to stitch up an alliance with the Congress for the crucial polls. With inputs from IANS By Jeff Mason | ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE President Barack Obama will give a farewell speech to the nation on Tuesday night, an effort to burnish his legacy, encourage demoralized supporters and express optimism about the future of the country.Obama boarded Air Force One for his final trip to Chicago - where he kicked off his political career and started a family - with his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, and their elder daughter, Malia."The president is not one to be overly sentimental, but given the circumstances, I think it would be unrealistic to expect anybody to not feel some nostalgia for this moment," his spokesman, Josh Earnest told reporters travelling with Obama.The Democratic president will leave the White House on Jan. 20 after eight years in office. His top policy achievements were jolted by the Nov. 8 election of Republican Donald Trump, who has threatened to undo Obama's actions on issues ranging from advancing healthcare reform to curbing climate. Vice President Joe Biden, his wife, Jill Biden, and many current and former White House staff members and campaign workers will attend Obama's 8 p.m. CST (0200 GMT Wednesday) speech at McCormick Place, the city's main convention centre.It was Obama's 445th trip on the presidential aircraft, a perk he has said he will miss when he leaves office. All told, he will have spent more than 2,800 hours or 116 days on the plane during his presidency, Earnest said.Obama has said he plans to reflect on his administration's achievements while also looking forward in his address, encouraging supporters to keep fighting for issues he championed in his 2008 and 2012 campaigns on the environment, gay rights and economic equality. Obama has encouraged Trump to rethink some of his views on repealing the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, while mobilizing Democrats to stand up for the law under a Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress.During his campaign, Trump promised to dismantle the law, ban Muslims temporarily from entering the United States and build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico - all policies Obama opposes. Obama plans to remain in Washington for the next two years while his younger daughter, Sasha, finishes high school. He has indicated he wants to give Trump the same space that his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, gave Obama after leaving office by not maintaining a high public profile.That may be difficult if Trump makes good on his plans. Democrats, lacking a national leader with Obama's departure and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's election loss, are eager for Obama to stay involved on some level. (Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Peter Cooney) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Azerbaijan and Iran have started studying opportunities for integration of the two countries bank card systems, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) told Trend. "Currently, this issue is being studied by a special expert commission," said the CBA. It should be recalled that during Iranian President Hassan Rouhanis trip to Azerbaijan in August 2016, a meeting was held between heads of central banks of Iran and Azerbaijan, Valiollah Seif and Elman Rustamov. The sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) after the meeting. Discussions also continued in December within the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. The memorandum envisages the integration of the two countries card systems, or in other words, it will be possible for both countries citizens to use their cards both in Iran and Azerbaijan. It should be noted that one of the possible ways to make it work is to connect Iranian banks to the national card payments network created by Azerbaijans Central Bank. In this case, citizens of Iran will be able to freely use their bank cards in Azerbaijan. Accordingly, if the connection is established, Azerbaijani nationals will be able to use their cards in Iran. Iran doesnt need to connect to international payment systems of Visa or MasterCard, since Azerbaijani banking cards operate as local cards, for the operations within the local banking system. This option [of international payments] is active only when a cardholder is outside the country. The issue has become more relevant due to increasing flow of Iranian tourists to Azerbaijan their number increased by one third in 2016. In line with the simplification of visa regime for Iranian citizens, even greater traffic of Iranian tourists can be observed in 2017. Starting from Jan. 10, 2017, Iranian nationals can electronically register their visas for entering Azerbaijan in three days. Thirty-two banks operate in Azerbaijan, 30 banks in Iran. Kabul: Bombings across three Afghan cities including Kabul killed around 50 people on Tuesday, in a day of carnage that shattered a relative lull in violence as Taliban insurgents escalate a deadly winter campaign. At least nine people died when explosives hidden in a sofa detonated inside the governor's compound in southern Kandahar during a visit by the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan, who escaped the attack with injuries. Just hours earlier, twin Taliban blasts in Kabul tore through employees exiting a parliament annexe, which houses the offices of lawmakers, killing at least 30 people and wounding 80 others. And on Tuesday, a Taliban suicide bomber killed seven people in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province, as the militants ramp up nationwide attacks despite the onset of winter when fighting usually wanes. The carnage underscores growing insecurity in Afghanistan, where US-backed forces are struggling to combat a resilient Taliban insurgency as well as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants. Kandahar's governor and UAE envoy Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi were wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, provincial police chief Abdul Raziq told AFP. He said around a dozen people were killed in the bombing, but local Tolo News gave a death toll of nine. No militant group has so far claimed responsibility. But the Taliban said they were behind the Kabul blasts. In the first explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up next to a minibus transporting government employees. As rescuers reached the scene, a car bomb exploded. Among the 30 dead were four policemen who were killed in the second explosion when they rushed to help the victims of the first blast. Health ministry spokesman Waheed Majroh warned that the toll was expected to rise as many of the wounded were battling for their lives in hospital. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said they were behind the twin blasts, adding the victims were mostly Afghan intelligence agents. The insurgents are known to exaggerate battlefield claims. "The deaths of scores of civilians in today's Kabul bomb attacks indicates that the Taliban are pressing ahead with a gruesome campaign of violence that makes no effort to spare civilian lives," Amnesty International said in a statement. "An immediate, impartial and independent investigation must be carried out to secure justice for the victims and their families." Today's carnage comes just two weeks before Donald Trump is sworn in as US president. The situation in Afghanistan will be an urgent matter for the new leader, even though America's longest war got scarcely a passing mention in the bitterly contested presidential election. President-elect Trump has given few details on his expected foreign policy, with even fewer specifics on how he will tackle the war in Afghanistan. Repeated bids to launch peace negotiations with the Taliban have failed and a fierce new fighting season is expected to kick off in the spring. Afghanistan last week welcomed the Pentagon's decision to deploy some 300 US Marines to Helmand, where American forces engaged in heated combat until their mission ended in 2014. The Marines will head to the poppy-growing province this spring to assist a NATO-led mission to train Afghan forces, in the latest sign that foreign forces are increasingly being drawn back into the worsening conflict. United Nations: A day after an international meeting in Islamabad to pave way for peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, Afghanistan launched a stinging attack on Pakistan for aiding terrorist groups and asked the Security Council to take action on governments promoting extremist violence. The Security Council could devise a method to identify "elements in some 'State institutions' (that) facilitate violence and extremist activities by non-state proxies as a means to advance their foreign policy agenda," Afghanistan's Permanent Representative Mahmoud Saikal said on Tuesday. Speaking at the Council debate on Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace, he did not mention Pakistan, but it was clear that he was referring to Islamabad's activities in the region. "The cycle of violence and insecurity in Afghanistan, and our part of the world is inextricably linked to the presence of sanctuaries and safe-havens in the region, from which extremist groups are sustained and enjoy an incessant flow of political, financial, material and logistical support for the continuation of their malicious activities," he said. On an issue with bearing on the meeting in Islamabad on Monday by Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US to facilitate peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, Saikal declared that interactions with "armed groups" active in his country should have Kabul's approval. He said, "Any kind of talks on the situation in my country has neither any value nor legitimacy without the participation and approval of our government which is the most democratically elected administration in the history of our nation." Without naming Islamabad, he added, "We have expressed strong reservations in regards to open declarations by some in our region of their contacts with armed opposition groups active in Afghanistan, conducted without the consent of the Afghan government." By Ayesha Rascoe | NEW YORK NEW YORK President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday angrily denounced the publishing of claims he had been caught in a compromising position in Russia and attacked U.S. intelligence agencies over the leak of the information."I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there," Trump told a news conference. He called the dossier that makes salacious claims about him "fake news" and "phony stuff.""I think it's a disgrace ... That's something that Nazi Germany would have done," the Republican said days ahead of his inauguration.Trump acknowledged that Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and the emails of other top Democrats during the 2016 presidential election, but defended his goal of better ties with Moscow."If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," Trump told about 250 reporters jammed into the lobby at his New York offices. Trump, who said he hoped for a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin but could not guarantee it, said he had asked intelligence officials for a report on defenses against hacking in 90 days.UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS The dossier that emerged late on Tuesday was first reported by CNN. BuzzFeed published the full document.Two U.S. officials said the allegations, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that was presented last week to Trump and to President Barack Obama. The president-elect has long said he hopes to improve ties with Moscow, but his plans have come under intense scrutiny after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia used cyber attacks and other tactics to try to tilt the election in his favor over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The real estate developer used the news conference to describe how he will separate himself from his global business operations to avoid conflicts of interest once he takes office.He also talked about how he plans to bring manufacturing jobs back from overseas plants, slamming drug companies for "getting away with murder" on pricing.U.S. stocks slipped to session lows, before recovering ground, as healthcare stocks took a beating following Trump's comments on drug pricing in his first formal news conference since his Nov. 8 victory. (Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Jeff Mason, David Alexander, Jonathan Landay and John Walcott in Washington and Jonathan Allen and Melissa Fares in New York; Writing by Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Alistair Bell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Ayesha Rascoe | NEW YORK NEW YORK U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday angrily denounced as disgraceful the publishing of claims he had been caught in a compromising position in Russia and said he hoped for a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin but could not guarantee it."Its all fake news, its phony stuff, it didnt happen, Trump said of a dossier that makes salacious claims about him.Trump, who was briefed by U.S. intelligence officials about Russian hacking of the 2016 U.S. election, said it was disgraceful that information from that briefing had been made public and he denounced sick people who put that crap together.It should never have entered paper, Trump said in a news conference days ahead of his inauguration. The Republican said U.S. intelligence agencies might have leaked the information. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, acknowledged that Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and the emails of other top Democrats during the election, but defended his goal of better ties with Moscow."If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," Trump told about 250 reporters jammed into the lobby at his New York offices. The dossier, which emerged late on Tuesday, was first reported by CNN. BuzzFeed published detailed elements of the report.Two U.S. officials said Tuesday evening that the allegations, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that was presented last week to Trump and to President Barack Obama. The Republican president-elect has long said he hopes to improve ties with Moscow, but his plans have come under intense scrutiny after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia used cyber attacks and other tactics to try to tilt the presidential election in his favor over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.U.S. stocks slipped, weighed down by healthcare stocks after Trump commented in the news conference about competitive drug pricing. Eight of the 11 major S&P sectors were lower. The healthcare sector .SPXHC dropped 0.787 percent after Trump said the country needs more competitive drug bidding. (Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Jeff Mason, David Alexander, Jonathan Landay and John Walcott in Washington and Jonathan Allen and Melissa Fares in New York; Writing by Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Alistair Bell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Auto refresh feeds Countless words have been written, spoken, printed, posted, and tweeted about the Obama presidency and the digital age. Certainly, President Obama is the first social media president: the first to have @POTUS on Twitter , the first to go live on Facebook from the Oval Office, the first to answer questions from citizens on YouTube , the first to use a filter on Snapchat. Over the past eight years, the President, Vice President, First Lady, and the White House have used social media and technology to engage with people around the country and the world on the most important issues of our time. For Michelle and me, Chicago is where it all started. Its the city that showed us the power and fundamental goodness of the American people. People reached out to share their stories, their concerns, and their hopes for themselves and for America. It would be impossible to fully capture the breadth, depth, and vibrancy of the mail that has reached 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue throughout President Obamas time in office. "Every day Im lucky to receive thousands of acts of hope every time somebody sits down and picks up a pen, and writes to me and shares their storyI want you all to know that Im listening, said President Obama. A Look Back at Eight Years Through Letters to the President In less than a minute, Barack Obama to address the Americans for the last time as their president "I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. Its the insistence that...We, the People, through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union." "Our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hardcontentious and sometimes bloody," Obama says. "The long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all." Marriage equality, take out the Al-Qaeda chief and 9/11 mastermind and climb over recession - Obama lists out a few landmarks of his eight year tenure in the USA. "Its up to all of us to make sure our government can help us meet the many challenges we still face." Depsite our party differences, we should concentrate on the state of our democracy, says Obama. "Our youth and drive, our diversity and openness, our boundless capacity for risk and reinvention mean that the future should be ours." "Change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. Our democracy wont work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity." "Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination in hiring, in housing, in education and the criminal justice system. Last year, incomes rose for all races, all age groups, for men and for women." "For too many of us, its become safer to retreat into our own bubblessurrounded by people who look like us. We all have to try harder...to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do. Without some common baseline of facts...and that science and reason matter, well keep talking past each other." In other words, it will determine our future." "That's what I want to focus on tonight -- the state of our democracy. Understand, democracy does not require uniformity. Our founders quarreled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity -- the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one. There have been moments throughout our history that threatened to rupture that solidarity. The beginning of this century has been one of those times. A shrinking world, growing inequality; demographic change and the specter of terrorism -- these forces haven't just tested our security and prosperity, but our democracy as well. And how we meet these challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our kids, and create good jobs, and protect our homeland. Obama's warning on what will become if the world expects too much of uniformity That, after all, is why we serve -- to make people's lives better, not worse." "Our democracy won't work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity. Today, the economy is growing again; wages, incomes, home values, and retirement accounts are rising again; poverty is falling again. The wealthy are paying a fairer share of taxes even as the stock market shatters records. The unemployment rate is near a ten-year low. The uninsured rate has never, ever been lower. Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in fifty years. And if anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we've made to our health care system -- that covers as many people at less cost I will publicly support it. Protecting our way of life is just not the job of our military; Democracy can buckle if we give in fear: Barack Obama In his own farewell address, George Washington wrote that self-government is the underpinning of our safety, prosperity, and liberty, but "from different causes and from different quarters much pains will be taken...to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth;" that we should preserve it with "jealous anxiety;" that we should reject "the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties" that make us one." "Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But it's really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power -- with our participation, and the choices we make. Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms. Whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law. America is no fragile thing. But the gains of our long journey to freedom are not assured. Our Constitution has no power on its own: Barack Obama in his last address to Americans To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother. We love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our life." Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad. "Michelle for the past twenty-five years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend. You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud. To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Yes We Can. Thank you. God bless you. And may God continue to bless the United States of America." I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change -- but in yours. "My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I won't stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my days that remain. For now, whether you're young or young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your President -- the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. Yes, we can. Yes, we did The Washington Post reported that Sasha is still in high school, attending Sidwell Friends in Washington DC and the school is in session. The report says she has a report due on Tuesday morning, so she could not skip school. The younger of President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, was noticeably absent in Chicago during her fathers farewell address. Thats because it was a school night. For a man who was able to evoke all sorts of 'feelz' (intense or otherwise) with the simple furrowing of his brow, pursing of his lips or pointing of a finger, the only fitting tribute would be one that encapsulates all these expressions. And what better format than the Graphics Interchange Format? See more GIFs here As hard as it is to fathom, we really are down to single digits now. That's right, it's a mere nine days till Barack Hussein Obama leaves the White House having occupied it for eight years and Donald Trump enters it. So glad I voted for this man. So glad I witnessed this leader, husband and father. #ObamaFarewell We're going from a president our kids can look up to, to one we have to explain: don't act or be like him. #ObamaFarewell #GoldenShowers . @POTUS showing how much he loves and respects @FLOTUS @MichelleObama and his daughters moved Cookie and I to tears. #ObamaFarewell Regardless of your personal beliefs, respect that you've witnessed one of the most defining and important American presidents #ObamaFarewell . @POTUS has led our country with grace and dignity. Economic turnaround, climate action, marriage equality, and so much more #ObamaFarewell . @POTUS @BarackObama without question is the greatest speaker and man that I know. #ObamaFarewell Reactions pour in after Barack Obama bids goodbye to America as their 44th President in a powerful and emotional farewell speech Joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill, Obama's trip was a sentimental walk down memory lane, were it not slap-bang in the middle of a tumultuous presidential handover. Here are ten highlights from Barack Obama's eloquent final speech in Chicago. Obama's last trip on Air Force One is a pilgrimage to his adoptive hometown, where he addressed a sell-out crowd not far from where he delivered his victory speech eight years ago. Die-hard fans many African Americans braved Chicago's frigid winter to collect free tickets, which sold for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist. Barack Obama closed the book on his presidency Wednesday, with a farewell speech in Chicago. This speech was something to look forward to after Donald Trump's shock election. Sasha has a report tomorrow morning so she couldn't be there. The Washington Post reported that Sasha is still in high school, attending Sidwell Friends in Washington DC and the school is in session. The report says she has a report due on Tuesday morning, so she could not skip school. The younger of President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, was noticeably absent in Chicago during her fathers farewell address. Thats because it was a school night. For a man who was able to evoke all sorts of 'feelz' (intense or otherwise) with the simple furrowing of his brow, pursing of his lips or pointing of a finger, the only fitting tribute would be one that encapsulates all these expressions. And what better format than the Graphics Interchange Format? See more GIFs here As hard as it is to fathom, we really are down to single digits now. That's right, it's a mere nine days till Barack Hussein Obama leaves the White House having occupied it for eight years and Donald Trump enters it. BIDEN: look at this. u gotta say something OBAMA: joe its my farewell address BIDEN: just say "pees-ful transition of power". pls OBAMA: joe pic.twitter.com/t2pnuTW2He So proud of @POTUS and all that we've accomplished together. An incredible journey filled with remarkable people. I love you Barack. -mo pic.twitter.com/TFUN3GDLyz Barack Obama closes the book on his presidency Tuesday, with a farewell speech in Chicago that will try to lift supporters felled by Donald Trump's shock victory. Obama's last trip on Air Force One will be a pilgrimage to his adoptive hometown, where he will address a sell-out crowd not far from where he accepted the presidency eight years ago. Diehard fans many African Americans have braved Chicago's frigid winter to collect free tickets, which now sell for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist. The First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will come along on for the ride. Obama's cross-country trek would be a sentimental trip down memory lane, were it not slap-bang in the middle of a tumultuous presidential handover. Trump has smashed conventions, vowed to efface Obama's legacy and hurled personal insults left and right. The 2016 election campaign has raised serious questions about the resilience of US democracy. In a virtually unprecedented move, US intelligence has accused the Kremlin of tipping the electoral scales in Trump's favor. Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup. With an approval rating hovering around 55 percent, Obama will hope to steel them for new battles ahead. Lead speechwriter Cody Keenan said the address will be about Obama's vision for where the country should still go. "It's not going to be like an anti-Trump speech, it's not going to be a red meat, rabble rousing thing, it will be statesman-like but it will also be true to him," Keenan told AFP. "It will tell a story." Life after White House Trump's unorthodox politics has thrown 55-year-old Obama's transition and post-presidency plans into flux. Obama, having vowed a smooth handover of power, finds himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on 20 January. After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself being dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents. Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obama's second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter whose post-presidency has remade his image as an elder statesman. Many Obama aides who had planned to take exotic holidays or launch coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches. Obama's foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role funneling idealistic youngsters into public life. Presidential precedent Presidents since George Washington have delivered a farewell address of sorts. Washington's final 7,641-word message which is still read once a year in the Senate by tradition contained warnings about factionalism and interference by foreign powers that seem oddly prescient. But speechwriter Keenan sees few obvious templates: "Bush and Clinton did theirs from here (the White House), George HW Bush went to West Point, gave a foreign policy speech," he told AFP. "They are all totally different." The trip to Chicago is not just for nostalgia, Keenan indicated. "The thread that has run though his career from his days as community organiser to the Oval Office is the idea that if you get ordinary people together and get them educated, get them empowered, get them to act on something, that's when good things happen," he said. "For him, as someone who started as a community organizer, whose campaign was powered by young people, ordinary people, we decided we wanted to go back to Chicago." "Chicago is not just his hometown, it's where his career started." And now it is also where Obama's presidential career will effectively end. In the warm afterglow of yet another rousing speech delivered from the farewell podium in that rich baritone, with lines like "You have made me proud, and you have made me proud, and you have made the country proud," thrown at the missus while wiping an errant tear, it is so easy to fall in love with Barack Obama all over again. And yet while discussing the legacy of the outgoing Potus we must put a stone on our hearts, firm up our trembling lips and judge Obama for his work. And if we do that, one truth will leap at us. In his life, in the values that he represented and stood for, in the way he conducted himself in the world's highest public office while being subjected to the greatest scrutiny, Obama remains an incredibly decent man. He's almost a freak of nature. The mutual respect and the premium that he placed on relationships, including the one with wife Michelle, the sunny smile of the first African-American US president will always remind us that power can go hand in hand with modesty, integrity and politeness. But in his work and the policies that he adopted, Obama leaves behind a rancorous US divided bitterly among the fault lines of faith, race and identity. He also leaves behind a world that is unsure of America's role in it. He has largely failed in his missions, overseen the rise of the world's most fearful Islamic-terror franchise, antagonised old friends like Israel while trying to build bridges, spawned a stillborn healthcare policy and has generally been unwilling to take hard decisions always settling for political correctness over what is just. A true leader is never afraid of courting unpopularity. While that has created a halo around him, it has altered the ground realities in a post-truth America. In my opinion, towards the end of his regime, coinciding with the rise of Donald Trump, Obama has turned increasingly bitter and confrontational to the point that he has tried to place as many obstacles as possible in the path of the president-elect instead of ensuring a smooth transition. In short, he has been a bad loser. His conduct since Hillary Clinton's defeat is not becoming of the grace that he has displayed during his time at the White House. Looking at the coverage of Obama's formal farewell address that he delivered from his adopted hometown of Chicago, one point seems clear. The global liberal media still cannot have enough of him. The fulsome praise, the prose tinged with unbearable sadness and the highlighting of the warnings that Obama had for a Trump-led US create an impression that Potus still reigns American minds. The media would have us believe that Obama, who 'stands for light and all that is right' could have easily defeated Trump, 'who stands for darkness and all that is wrong', had he been the Democrat candidate instead of Clinton. And yet such an impression is blatantly wrong, indicative of the fault lines that Obama's regime had created and the disconnect that exists between the media and the plebeians. Make no mistake, Trump benefitted hugely from the fact that the former US secretary of state was perceived as an extension of Obama. Clinton represented the cozy Washington consensus not unlike the Lutyen's power corridors and, to borrow Ashok Malik's phrase, the Khan market consensus of India. She was perceived as an embodiment of all that was wrong with the president's policies and the American voters rejected Obama as much as they did Clinton. Perverse as it may seem, Trump, the quintessential member of the Establishment somehow was able to convince the voters that he was running against the Establishment, the coastal power centre of the liberal elites. Therefore, we must be careful while interpreting Obama's tall claims. He told the world on Wednesday that: "Today, the economy is growing again; wages, incomes, home values, and retirement accounts are rising again; poverty is falling again. The wealthy are paying a fairer share of taxes even as the stock market shatters records. The unemployment rate is near a ten-year low. The uninsured rate has never, ever been lower. Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in fifty years. And if anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we've made to our health care system that covers as many people at less cost I will publicly support it." But is that really the case? Had the American economy been in such a pink of health, why would the electorate in six states that voted for Obama in 2012 would incredibly switch their allegiance to Trump? These were not the power centres of coastal America but the raw, angry middle America who were fed up with the president's policies, the joblessness the extent of illegal immigration and what they perceived as the growing income inequality. While they lost their jobs and their lives, the coastal, cosmopolitan America grew richer. As The Washington Post pointed out following Clinton's defeat, "Of the nearly 700 counties that twice sent Obama to the White House, a stunning one-third flipped to support Trump. The president-elect also won 194 of the 207 counties that voted for Obama either in 2008 or 2012. By contrast, of those 2,200 counties that never supported Obama, Clinton was only able to win six. Thats just 0.3 percent crossover to the Democratic side." We must therefore judge Obama by his work, not his words. He failed to tackle income inequality and as Wall Street Journal says, his "progressive agenda failed most acutely on its core promise of economic 'fairness.' The president made income redistribution to address inequality his top policy priority, above economic growth. The result has been the slowest expansion since World War II and even more inequality. Higher taxes and wave after wave of new regulation dampened investment, while expanded entitlements and transfer payments lured more Americans out of the workforce." In his speech, Obama issued a clarion call against discrimination. He said: "Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination in hiring, in housing, in education and the criminal justice system... we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans." And yet his regime is guilty of not initiating true and meaningful reform of the criminal justice system that gave rise to movements like Black Lives Matter. He will be remembered as a president who was suspended in the middle, a harbinger of inaction satisfying neither the system that perceived him as being too soft on offenders, or the black movement that was banking on him to pass legislation such as the dream act. In sum, as The Guardian puts it: "the mainstream media and academia failed to highlight these painful truths linked to Obama. Instead, most well-paid pundits on TV and radio celebrated the Obama brand. And most black spokespeople shamelessly defended Obamas silences and crimes in the name of racial symbolism and their own careerism. How hypocritical to see them now speak truth to white power when most went mute in the face of black power. Their moral authority is weak and their newfound militancy is shallow." In foreign policy, Obama created more problems than he had inherited. The post-Cold War equilibrium is over. America is no longer the sole superpower with Chinese hegemony slowly replacing it in Asia and Eurasia. Under him, the US-Russian relationship is at its lowest ebb and a defiant Vladimir Putin is altering global geopolitical order by aligning with China. Obama is also largely responsible for creating the monster called ISIS through his premature extraction of American forces before installing a stable Iraqi government and his shoddy handling of Syrian affairs. The Iran nuclear deal could have been his sole legacy but even here, mistrust runs deep over his actual achievement. For all of his oratory, Obama unfortunately created so much animosity with the Congress that he had to rule by fiat towards the end of his second term which may mean that nearly all of his policies would be overturned. The Americans and even the world must mourn a terrible waste of potential. As the final leg of Obama's presidency comes to an end on Tuesday, one can't help but reminisce about the times when the POTUS inspired not just the citizens of the United States, but also the people across the globe. Over the past eight years, President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and the White House have relentlessly used social media to inform, engage and interact with the people it serves. Whether it was a TV, a computer or a smartphone, there was always a way to stay connected to the first and most forward 'social media President.' In fact Obama's legacy was progressive, literally and figuratively, when it devised WhiteHouse 2.0. From Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, iTunes and even MySpace the White House was fresh in its thinking, social media and otherwise, in Obama's two terms as President. So here are some digital words, videos and virtues that Barack Obama will be remembered by. Between Two Ferns Obama made quite the interesting choice in order to reach a younger demographic about his healthcare initiatives. He featured on comic website Funny or Die's show Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis to urge citizens to discuss HealthCare.gov. So move aside Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel! There's a new fern in town. But that wasn't the only YouTube appearance that the President made. Obama's many YouTube interviews Through multiple live-streamed events, with Google News Lab and other media outlets, Obama has interacted with Youtube celebrities about State of the Union adresses, his life as a President, his many popular memes and more! He has also been a Late Night show host favourite, laughing along with these personalities rather than being laughed at by them. Obama has even made it a point to put across his weekly addresses regularly through Youtube. Obama sure is giving Mann Ki Baat a run for its money! Obama does Twitter diplomacy right through the @POTUS handle As the video above mentions, Obama is the 'First President to ever live-tweet'. Obama may have been the 44th President of the United States but he was the first to fully unleash the power of Twitter. With Live Q & A's, tweets about new policies and schemes and engaging photos and videos about the daily grind at the White House, Obama has always been objective, informative and agreeable on the platform, making it no surprise that he has over 13 million Twitter followers. It's safe to say that you won't be getting any 3 am rants from this President while it lasts. Its been the privilege of my life to serve as your President. I look forward to standing with you as a citizen. Happy New Year everybody. President Obama (@POTUS) January 1, 2017 Also in case you're wondering what will happen of Obama's Twitter legacy, there a digital transition plan for that too! The White House will preserve Obama's tweets at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and President-Elect Donald Trump will be given a new handle @POTUS44 to run his Twitter campaign. Humans of New York There's a reason why #ThankObamaIn4Words started trending in no time after the 2016 Us Presidential elections. Obama has left his mark on the people, not just by being a strong leader, by also accepting the fact that he is only human. This vulnerability was brilliantly captured by Brandon Stanton from the popular Facebook page Humans of New York's. In this post by HONY, Obama answers the question When is the time you felt most broken? Obama opened up about how he was having a tough time when he was running for Congress in 1999 and how after all the struggles and ordeals, the rest was history. We can go on and on about one of the most social media savvy President's to ever exist, but the list would go on. Obama can write articles, scholarly and otherwise, in the Harvard Law Review, JAMA and even the Lonely Planet and then also make videos like these: There's only one thing that we can say about Obama's digital, political and social contribution. Thanks Obama! "Four more years," the crowd in Chicago chanted as President Barack Obama began his farewell speech on Tuesday night. "I can't do that," replied Obama. The world needs hope more than it did eight years ago when Obama burst onto the scene with his epoch-defining campaign and its defining message of "yes, we can." The world needs Obama's moral and political leadership more than ever before. Even India does. And, at his farewell, it seemed Obama was indeed talking to India, its people and reminding us how we would miss his leadership. It is almost tragic that we can't have a few more years of Obama in a world, in an America, that seems to be at a threshold of erasing his legacy, negating his ideals. Over the past few decades, the world has seen many politicians and presidents. There have been despots, tyrants, dictators, war-mongers and bigots whose sole purpose in life has been the perpetuation of their own regime, quest of more power. In the pursuit of their goals, they forced wars and invasions, unleashed fear, totalitarian states, bigotry and undermined the very foundations of the democracy and society that chose them or helped their ascent to power. But, Obama like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela was different. He tried to lead people with the power of his moral force, humanitarian ideals and the message of peace, harmony, equality, love. Obama tried to lead a movement of hope for the high ideals humanity pursues. In an age when politics strives to divide and rule, Obama turned into a symbol of universal brotherhood by recruiting his campaign voters of all categories: White, Black, Hispanics, Christians, Muslims, Indians; those from the south, the ones from the north; those with degrees and white collar jobs, those without them. The rise of Donald Trump in the US, the far-right in every corner of the world, the raging headwinds of xenophobia, aggressive nationalism, bigotry and fear, may perhaps force us to think Obama failed in his mission of making the world more liberal, inclusive and optimistic a frustration that was evident in his farewell speech. But, Obama represented the very ideals that humanity was built on. And, one day, if not already now, he would be remembered as a symbol of the good in us, someone who strove for the greater common good, a leader who aspired not for the commonplace, but the grand and magnificent in every human. His farewell speech, thus, was a fitting finale to his legacy. In a mix of humility a rare trait among politicians and emotions that made everyone around him emotional, Obama harked back to the themes of his leadership and warned of the dangers we face. "Its the conviction that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," Obama said, words that define his ideology as well as a reminder to those, including Trump, who propagate discrimination on the basis of colour, religion and nationality. Not everyone gets respected and loved as a global leader, gets recognised as the beacon of universal hope. Even the greatest presidents of their countries, Ronald Reagan for instance, fail to transcend a few boundaries and, in the end, are remembered just as leaders of their country, their party, or, at best, a small part of the world. Obama was able to do it because his message cut through geographical, religious and linguistic barriers. And he spoke to the world as if he was talking to every citizen, addressing his concerns, fears and dreams, speaking of their well-being. Many themes of his farewell speech, for instance, could have applied even to India. His rebuke to bigots, call for strengthening democracy and its institutions, focus on the importance of debates, his assertion that democracy is a clash of ideas and not the monopoly of a select few and their ideologies, his warnings against rising naked partisanship, splintering of media into a channel for every taste and belief that right should prevail over might are as relevant to India today as they are to his own country. Was India listening when he rapped those who claim sole ownership to patriotism, underlining the fact that his country belongs equally to everyone, including the immigrants and the Muslims who made it their own, strengthened it with their commitment to the Constitution and hard work? "So regardless of the station we occupy; we have to try harder; to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do; that they value hard work and family like we do; that their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own," Obama said. Obama talked about how faith in reason, and enterprise, and the primacy of right over might, allowed us to resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression, and build a post-World War II order with other democracies, an order based not just on military power or national affiliations but on principles the rule of law, human rights, freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, and an independent press. That order, he said, is now being challenged first by violent fanatics who claim to speak for Islam; more recently by autocrats in foreign capitals who see free markets, open democracies, and civil society itself as a threat to their power. The peril each poses to our democracy is more far-reaching than a car bomb or a missile. It represents the fear of change; the fear of people who look or speak or pray differently; a contempt for the rule of law that holds leaders accountable; an intolerance of dissent and free thought; a belief that the sword or the gun or the bomb or propaganda machine is the ultimate arbiter of whats true and whats right. It is a message that Indians would do well to remember. It is a shame Obama will not be around for four more years to remind us. There are certain things even Obama can't. Barack Obama came to Chicago and stitched up what Meryl Streep had rent asunder at the Golden Globe Awards when she went all schmaltzy and theatrical over her dislike for Donald Trump. Obama advocated unity and togetherness and a promise of a better future after him. Meryl chose division of the people and performed to a perfectly scripted role in slagging off the 45th President of the United States. While the initial reaction was to applaud her courage, a second thinking brought doubt that she showed disrespect while attacking it. Obama, as well, took the moral high ground but he sent a strong message of intent to the worlds democratic nations. India included. In fact, listening to him, I thought it could have been a speech for New Delhi. Here's how: We are all equal (so much for the caste system). We must work together for a stronger country and the common good (so much for the BJP, Congress, Samajwadi Party and the infighting we witness). Power is not ours to keep, we must hand it over with grace and dignity (a promise we, in India, often forget). Potential will only be realised when all of us work with common purpose on that depends the state of our democracy (we could take something home from that). Democracy does not require uniformity, what it needs is solidarity (Hello? The five states going to the polls, get the message!) We must meet the challenges to our democracy where everyone has an economic opportunity and poverty is falling (perhaps the demonetisation detractors could hold their fire, maybe there is a pot of gold at the end of the arc). Do better than I have done on any project I initiated (Obamacare) and I will publicly support it (hear that, Arvind?). Politicians serve, they do not score brownie points (Every single time Parliament is disturbed or derailed and pomp, splendour and arrogance take first place). We need a better and stronger and fairer economy (point taken). We must create opportunity for all the people (Are we doing that? Is the populist reservation system the answer?). Race relations are better than they were thirty years ago but we are not where we need to be (can we say the same about our system and the wars on Dalits, have we become worse?) We need Tolerance (we seem to have lost her). We must have laws against discrimination but laws are not enoughwe must change the minds (and so must we. But will we, can we and do we even want to?) Should protest any attempt to alienate any part of our country from the rest (Absolutely. Think Kashmir). Regardless of the station we occupy each of us must value hard work and work together it is not easy because we retreat into our own bubbles where we become so secure (Indians are so good at this ,we say one thing and do another, we love birds of our feather and that is the only opinion we reflect). The third threat to democracy is our inability to not listen to the other side. We pounce on the other party for doing the same thing we have done but are doing. (Do we do anything else back at home? I am looking at you Rahul?) Global warming is a problem to deny the problem is to betray the world (We have a 498 point pollution level in our capital). We must ensure the primacy of right over might (molesters, gangsters, Mafioso, the bully boys and cabals of India, are you listening?). We must salute our troops and the men and women who risk their lives (Give us an answer, BSF. Tell it like it is). We must guard against the weakening of the values that make us what we are (think about it, think about how our prejudices are growing, frightening thought). Our democracy is threatened when we take it for granted (voting rates should rise, it should be easier to vote, not harder). The trust in our institutions is low (yes, it is, abysmally so). Because we have to participate (not sit in our home and pontificate but not get involved). Our political dialogue has become so ferocious (and ugly and mean and rotten). We blame the leader we elect without examining our role in electing them (high note to end on, need one say more). More than 12 years since he delivered a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston to announce his arrival on the American political stage, outgoing United States President Barack Obama wrapped up his eight-year tenure in the White House with oratory that has defined his political career rousing and emotive. His farewell speech in Chicago, his hometown, was in parts, a defence of his legacy, a repudiation of the rhetoric from his successor-to-be President-elect Donald Trump, and an exhortation to his partys supporters to keep the faith. The speech started with Obama speaking to the nation about his "successes", from overcoming the Great Recession to creating jobs. Or those in tackling the Islamic State and keeping the American homeland secure. While critics will counter those claims, this was a necessary statement to make simply because Obama, himself, claimed that Hillary Clintons campaign was for his third term, and the subsequent defeat in November, has been considered by some, in part, as a referendum on the Obama years in the Oval Office. While the new administration is expected to swiftly move to dismantle and replace the Affordable Care Act, derisively called Obamacare, which quickly turned into an issue that has won Republicans most of the election cycles since 2008, the President laid out a clear challenge to Trump to get rid of a programme that has secured coverage for the uninsured and for those with preexisting conditions, as he said that if anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements weve made to our health care system that covers as many people at less cost I will publicly support it. This lays down the line for a partisan battle in the US Congress in the weeks ahead over this legislations fate. He also spoke up for the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, another achievement of the Obama years, and another thats threatened: Now, we can and should argue about the best approach to the problem. But to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations; it betrays the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our Founders. Obama repeatedly spoke of the greatness of America, contrasting with Trumps campaign slogan of Make America Great Again. And one volley may have been levelled at Trump, (though he was only mentioned once by name in the context of the transition), as Obama spoke of political dialogue turning so corrosive that it was coarse with rancor that Americans with whom we disagree are not just misguided, but somehow malevolent. We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others; when we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt. That may have been targeted the Trumpian chant of DraintheSwamp. The first African-American President of the USA also addressed the hopes of a post-racial America created by his election in 2008, one, he said was never realistic. While speaking of the divide that remains, and riffing on social justice themes relating to the LGBT community, Muslims in America and illegal immigrants, Obama may well have rallying the troops to the battles ahead with Trump. In a deviation from the prepared text, Obama described the most important office in America as being that of the citizen. And thats one he will occupy in the years ahead. I wont stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my days that remain, he said, signalling that his pending move into a walled-off Washington manor means he will remain a player, in a manner, in politics, perhaps even taking on the Trump agenda. Perhaps, a parting shot across the bow. It was certainly an emotional valedictory speech for Obama, as he wiped tears at times when he spoke of his wife First Lady Michelle Obama and his daughters, Malia and Sasha. As chants of Four more years rang through the arena, Obama responded, I cant do that. Perhaps fittingly, he ended the speech with the chorus that resounded through America in 2008: Yes We Can, though in between that repeated line was another, Yes We Did. As Bruce Springsteens Land of Hope and Dreams served as the coda for the evening, thats the impression Obama will want to leave behind as his historic journey to Americas highest office concludes. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Baku will host the Azerbaijani-Czech business forum as part of Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic Jan Mladeks visit to Azerbaijan January 17, the Azerbaijan Export and Investments Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) said in a message Jan. 11. According to the message, the forum will be organized by AZPROMO and supported by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy. The Czech companies operating in agriculture, food industry, finance, insurance, energy, logistics, construction, law, petrochemistry, mechanical engineering, glass production and other sectors of the economy are expected to participate in the forum, the message said. According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic amounted to $312.02 million in January-November 2016, $214.17 million of which accounted for the export of Azerbaijani goods to the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic ranks 12th in the list of main importers of Azerbaijani goods. The share of the Czech Republic in the total export from Azerbaijan totaled 2.58 percent in January-November 2016. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov New York: President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday flatly denied "phony" explosive allegations about ties with Russia and lurid behaviour on a trip to Moscow that have tainted his election victory and threatened to engulf his presidency. Just over a week before Trump takes office, the US has been rocked by unsubstantiated claims that his aides colluded with the Kremlin to win the election, and that Russia has compromising sexual material on Trump. "I think it's a disgrace that information would be let out," Trump said, training fire on media outlets that published the allegations and the intelligence agencies who he suggested may have leaked it. "It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen. It was a group of opponents that got together, sick people, and they put that crap together," he said. "It was released by maybe the intelligence agencies, who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies, which would be a tremendous blot on their record." The US intelligence community has concluded that Moscow interfered in the November election in a bid to tip the race in Trump's favor. Intelligence chiefs had also presented America's incoming 45th president, as well as current President Barack Obama, with a two-page synopsis on the potentially embarrassing but unsubstantiated allegations involving Russia, according to CNN and The New York Times, who cited multiple unnamed US officials with knowledge of the meeting. The Kremlin has dismissed the dossier, drawn up by a former British intelligence agent hired to do "opposition research" on Trump during the presidential campaign and published by US media outlet BuzzFeed, as a "total fake" aimed at damaging bilateral ties. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer turned his fire on BuzzFeed. "It's frankly outrageous and highly irresponsible for a Left wing blog that was openly hostile to the president-elect's campaign to drop highly salacious and flat-out false information on the internet just days before he takes the oath of office," he said, introducing Trump. Trump later called BuzzFeed "a failing pile of garbage" and warned they would "suffer the consequences". "I have no dealings with Russia. I have no deals in Russia. I have no deals that could happen in Russia, because we've stayed away. And I have no loans with Russia," Trump then said. Even before the allegations surfaced widely in US media on Tuesday, Trump's Republican allies have become increasingly uneasy about Russia's role in the election, with calls for an independent investigation growing. The issue threatens to sap legitimacy from the Trump administration before it even enters the Oval Office. Trump fanned the flames by again downplaying Russia's influence in the outcome of the election and defended his openness towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. "As far as hacking, I think it was Russia, but I also think we've been hacked by other countries, other people. If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability, because we have a horrible relationship with Russia," Trump said. "I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't." On Wednesday, Trump would not comment on the classified briefing, but did say he had read some of the information "outside of the briefing," without specifying which parts. "The Kremlin does not have compromising information on Trump," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling journalists. The Kremlin spokesman called the dossier a "total fake" and "an obvious attempt to harm our bilateral relations." Meanwhile, Donald Trump's businesses will continue to pursue deals in the US, though not abroad, while he is president, and he will relinquish control of the company, a lawyer who worked with the Trump Organization on the plan said. Trump will put his business assets in a trust and take other steps to isolate himself from his company, according to Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis, who spoke at Trump's first news conference since his election on 8 November. The announcement appears to contradict what Trump had said a tweet last month "no new deals" while in the White House. The plan also falls short of what some government ethics experts have urged Trump to do sell his assets and put the cash in a blind trust overseen by an independent manager, as many recent presidents have done. Dillon said that was not practical, and that Trump "should not be expected to destroy the company he built". Also, some ethics experts had worried that a complete divestment would take too much time and prove too complicated given that much of Trump's wealth is tied up in real estate that can't be sold quickly and that his business interests are so sprawling. Trump has stakes in 500 companies in about 20 countries. Under the plan intended to help allay concerns about conflicts of interest, Trump will hand managerial control of his company to his two adult sons and a longtime business executive. Dillon also said that the Trump Organization will appoint an ethics adviser to its management team who must approve deals that could raise concerns about conflicts. Trump plans to donate money spent by foreign governments at his hotels to the US Treasury, Dillon said. Trump's new hotel in the nation's capital, not far from the White House, has been under the spotlight since he opened it late last year. There were news reports that diplomats were choosing to stay at the hotel and throw parties there in an apparent attempt to curry favor with the president-elect. Trump also vowed to forge ahead with plans for a wall on the southern US border after taking office, and said Mexico would reimburse the United States for the cost. "I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico, which we'll start immediately after we get to office, but I don't want to wait," Trump told a news conference. "We're going to start building," he said. "Mexico in some form and there are many different forms will reimburse us and they will reimburse us for the cost of the wall. That will happen. Whether it's a tax or whether it's a payment." With inputs from agencies New York: An allegedly plagiarized book written by one of Donald Trump's political appointees is being withdrawn from sale until the author addresses the accusations, her publisher said on Tuesday. The president-elect nominated Monica Crowley, a talk-radio host and Fox News commentator, to a senior communications job with the National Security Council last month. Since then, her 2012 book "What The (Bleep) Just Happened" has landed her in hot water, with CNN reporting that some 50 sections were copied some with minor changes from news articles, websites, think-tank reports and Wikipedia. The passages in question are often factual and include figures and economic or historical explanations. A section on Keynesian economics, for example, appears lifted from a 2009 article published on investopedia.com. Noting that the book had already "reached the end of its natural sales cycle," publisher HarperCollins said that it would be removed from sale until the author "has the opportunity to source and revise the material." Trump's team neither confirmed nor denied the accusations, but said in a statement that "any attempt to discredit Monica is nothing more than a politically motivated attack." The controversial book aimed to show that the United States economy had been torn apart and its prestige diminished abroad first and foremost at the hands of President Barack Obama's administration. According to the website Politico, Crowley also plagiarised multiple passages in her 2000 Columbia University doctoral dissertation on diplomatic relations between the United States and China. BRAZZAVILLE A former opposition leader in Republic of Congo was arrested on Tuesday for arms possession after months in hiding, police said.Okombi Salissa, who lost last year's election to President Denis Sassou Nguesso, but accused the longtime leader of rigging the poll, had an arrest warrant out against him since December for holding weapons."This arrest was made without violence. It is part of an investigation against (Salissa), concerning an attack on state security," the police said in a statement. The country's chief prosecutor Andre Oko-Gakala in November presented to the public weapons supposedly found at the home of Salissa's wife. The size of the arms cache or its intended purpose was not immediately clear. Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, another opposition candidate, was arrested and charged last June with illegally holding ammunition and arms. (Reporting by Christian Elion and Philon Bondenga, writing by Edward McAllister, editing by G Crosse) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Andrew Osborn | MOSCOW MOSCOW The Kremlin says U.S. intelligence agency allegations it ran an influence campaign to help President-elect Donald Trump win the White House are false. But if U.S. spies are right, Moscow may wish it hadn't bothered to meddle in the first place.The belief, widely held in the West, that the Kremlin helped discredit Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by orchestrating embarrassing media leaks, has relegated U.S.-Russia relations to a post-Cold War low and stoked fears Russia will try to subvert French and German elections this year. And true or not, the bipartisan view that Russia tried to help Trump, supported by a classified U.S. intelligence report, may make it harder, not easier, for Trump to make common cause with President Vladimir Putin, something both men say they want.In the latest wrinkle, U.S. officials said on Tuesday that Trump has been presented with claims that Russia had compromising information about him. The accusations are uncorroborated and denied by the Kremlin."There was initial delight in Russia when Trump won and there was more delight after Trump picked Rex Tillerson as secretary of state," said Alexei Makarkin, deputy director at the Moscow-based Center for Political Technologies."There is significantly less delight now."Former Exxon-Mobil CEO Tillerson, Trump's pick for America's top diplomat, is seen as a friend of Russia. His firm has been thwarted from carrying out a huge project in the Russian Arctic by economic sanctions imposed by the outgoing Obama administration to punish Moscow for its actions in Ukraine.Makarkin said Trump and his circle would now be accused of being Kremlin stooges every time they pushed for detente with Russia, with senior Republicans likely to warn that any rapprochement would hand political capital to the Democrats.Putin, who has repeatedly praised Trump's political skills, is hoping his incoming U.S. counterpart will ease or annul the sanctions, stay out of Russia's domestic affairs, and maybe even team up with the Kremlin in the Middle East.But the furore over hacking and allegations of wider Russian interference have triggered pressure from Democrats and Trump's fellow Republicans in Congress for tougher, not weaker, anti-Russian measures.That has amplified Congressional calls for an independent bipartisan investigation into Russian dirty tricks and prompted President Barack Obama to expel 35 suspected Russian spies, denting early Russian optimism about a Trump presidency. APPLAUSE When the announcement that Trump had won the Nov. 8 presidential election was made in Russia's parliament by Vyacheslav Nikonov, the grandson of Stalin's foreign minister, lawmakers erupted in applause. In Moscow, Clinton was widely seen as being anti-Russian. Two months later, the mood has soured."The new hacking allegations against Russia are clearly timed to coincide with the handover of power in the United States," Alexei Pushkov, a senator who sits on the upper house of parliament's defence and security committee, said. "The aim is to force Trump into enmity with Russia." Victoria Zhuravleva, an expert on U.S.-Russia relations who writes analytical papers for the government, said the current mood in the United States meant Trump would struggle to improve relations with Moscow even if he wanted to."If we are realistic we have nothing to wait for," said Zhuravleva, who said Congress could stymie Trump's Russia policies and would probably present him with proposals to hit Moscow with fresh sanctions rather than roll back existing ones.To be sure, some observers of U.S.-Russian relations say the Kremlin still emerges from the affair with a major win: the new U.S. president favours closer ties with Russia and has named people who share that view to key posts. And Trump can plough ahead with rapprochement even if some in Washington oppose it."The Constitution privileges the Executive in war and foreign policy," Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones, author of 'We Know All About You: The Story of Surveillance in Britain and America,' wrote in e-mailed comments."Once Trump and Putin begin to play together (if they do), the hacking issue will become a minor historical footnote."But with U.S.-Russia tensions so strained, some in Russia fret Washington will strike back with its own cyber attack. German Klimenko, Putin's Internet adviser, has suggested Russia must be ready to disconnect itself or to be involuntarily cut off from the global Internet."America could say it will throw up virtual borders to protect itself from (external) influence," Klimenko told Reuters. "I can imagine ... any actions." With so much focus on alleged Russian meddling, attention is now turning to presidential elections in France and Germany this year with some European politicians and intelligence services warning Moscow will try to interfere there too.The Kremlin's preferences appear clear from state media, where Chancellor Angela Merkel has been denigrated as 'an old witch.' French National Front leader Marine Le Pen and centre-right Francois Fillon have both been portrayed more positively.Former intelligence agents and cyber experts say neither country has the technical ability to protect itself or fully understand by whom and how it is being hacked, creating a rich opportunity for disinformation and unverifiable claims. Several intelligence experts said elements of Russia's intelligence community won't be able to resist trying to replicate their U.S. election operations in European elections -- even while other parts of the ruling elite see such operations as highly risky."This publicity (around the U.S. election) made Russia look so powerful that it almost provokes them to try their hand elsewhere," said Andrei Soldatov, co-author of Red Web, which examines how the FSB security service uses the Internet. Yuri Felshtinsky, a friend of murdered Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko and an expert in the Russian intelligence services, said Europe should brace itself. "During the U.S. campaign Russia created a very powerful tool to influence elections. This tool, including hacking and the creation of web sites involved in publishing fake news, will now be used everywhere." (Additional reporting by Christian Lowe and Maria Tsvetkova in Moscow; Editing by Peter Graff) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Washington: India-US defence relationship is on the right path and the two nations are discussing ways to develop this partnership through technology sharing, co-production, America's outgoing Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on Wednesday. "We're on the right path. It's just a matter of taking those steps. And they involve deepening our cooperation in lots of ways. I mean, there's exercises and other kinds of operational activities," Carter told reporters at final Pentagon news conference. In various capacities, Carter has been closely involved in building India-US defence relationship over the years and in the last few years he gave a great impetus to the ties between the two largest democracies of the world. Last summer he was instrumental in US declaring India as a major defence partner. "There is something that I think Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and Defence Minister (Manohar) Parrikar have been equally intent upon as President Obama and myself, which is the development of defence relationships for new technology, which involve technology sharing, co-production, and so forth," Carter said in response to a question. "We have a great number of projects. I was in New Delhi not long ago and discussing all these, and there are many of them -- so too many to enumerate. All of them on course. They all have their own schedules and sort of technical timelines to them," he said. "But this is a relationship which is, I've said many times, is destined for the future because of the nature of our two societies, the values that we share; the human relationship between our peoples," Carter said. Moscow: The Kremlin said it was "total nonsense" that Russian officials had assembled a file of compromising information on US President-elect Donald Trump. Two US officials said on Tuesday evening that the heads of four US intelligence agencies had presented Trump with classified documents last week, including unverified claims that Russian intelligence operatives had compromising information about him. Addressing reporters on a conference call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the dossier containing the claims was a hoax which had been dreamt up to further harm US-Russia relations, which are already at their lowest level since the Cold War. "It is an attempt to damage our bilateral relations. It is pulp fiction," said Peskov. He also dismissed assertions in the dossier that he himself was heavily involved in running a Russian campaign to undermine defeated presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. "You have to react to this with a certain humour, but there's also a sad side to this. Hysteria is being whipped up to maintain a political witch hunt," he said. Peskov said the Kremlin did not engage in compiling compromising dossiers on anyone and was focused on building relations with Russia's foreign partners instead. On Tuesday evening, Trump also dismissed reports that Russia had compromising information on him. "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" he wrote in a Twitter post. FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Asked to respond to the prospect of new US sanctions affecting Russia's oil and gas sector, Peskov said that such measures, if they happened, would damage Russia, bilateral ties, and the global economy. The Russian energy sector would definitely get compensation if such sanctions were imposed, he added. Peskov said the Kremlin was unfazed by reports that Trump's pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, would say at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that Russia posed a danger. It had previously praised Tillerson, who has experience of working with top Russian officials in the oil sector. Peskov said the Kremlin stood by its assessment of Tillerson as someone who was willing to listen and was constructive, but was aware he was likely to be a tough operator too. "We understand that Tillerson will continue to be quite tough in pursuing his line," said Peskov, saying the Kremlin was not wearing rose-tinted glasses when it came to the former US oilman. Islamabad: Pakistan will soon be recognised as a "minorities-friendly country", Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday as he ordered renovation of Katas Raj complex, one the most sacred places of Hindus in the Muslim-majority country. Pakistan is pursuing policies to establish the country's identity as a minority-friendly country and followers of all religions have equal rights in the country, Sharif said speaking at the Katas Raj Temples Complex in Chakwal. "The day is not far when Pakistan will be recognised as a minorities-friendly country due to steps being undertaken to better the lives of minority groups," he was quoted as saying by the state-run APP news agency. The prime minister said he has advised government officials to spare no efforts in hosting pilgrims and the protection and expansion of minorities' places of worship. He said that he is the prime minister of everyone and "not just Muslims" and instructed Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq to restore the holy sites in the area to their original state by renovating them. He said he would ensure his full support for the construction of Baba Guru Nanak and Gandhara universities. Sharif referred to historic examples to elaborate that it was a part of the Islamic faith to treat the majority and minorities equally. He said that Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Baha'is are working hand-in-hand to defend the country and contribute their share to its peace and prosperity. Sharif visited the Katas Raj in Chakwal district near Islamabad to inaugurate water filtration plant of Amrat Jal. The filtration plant set up at the temple's holy Amrat Jal pond will provide Clean drinking water to the Hindu pilgrims visiting the place. "The renovation should be done to restore the building to its original shape. It should be done within the one and half year of remaining tenure of my government," he said. He also planted a sapling on the occasion. By Luke Mintz LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - An iconic photo of three-year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi washed up dead on a Turkish beach had a greater impact on fundraising efforts for Syrian refugees than hundreds of thousands of deaths, a study has shown.The photo of Kurdi appeared in media across the world in the days after he drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in September 2015. His family were Syrian refugees of Kurdish origin, attempting to flee the war to Europe."People who had been unmoved by the relentlessly rising death toll in Syria suddenly appeared to care much more after having seen Aylan's photograph," said the report, from science research institute 'Decision Research'.The study used fundraising data from the Swedish Red Cross, which showed a significant increase in donations after news of Kurdi's death, as well as data from Google Trends, which showed a major spike in searches for the terms "Syria" and "refugees".Both the number of donors and the total raised increased after the photo circulated.In the week after Kurdi's death, the study said the average number of daily donations to a Syrian refugee fund run by the Swedish Red Cross rose 100-fold. Before the photo circulated, the charity received fewer than 1,000 donations in a day; afterwards, it rose to almost 14,000.It said the average amount raised each day by the fund was 55 times higher, netting an extra 1.9 million crowns ($210,730) per day. While the surge in interest faded quickly, long term donations did rise. The study, authored by Paul Slovic from the University of Oregon, found the "newly created empathy waned rather quickly" after the initial burst of interest in Kurdi's story, but Kurdi's death prompted a 10-fold rise in those signing up for regular monthly donations. Only 0.02 percent of these donors had cancelled by January 2016."The main take-home message of this paper is that emotional reactions ... can influence actual donation behaviour strongly," Arvid Erlandsson, a contributor to the report, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation."Emotional reactions are ... prone to fade out quickly, thus resulting in sharp increases and decreases in helping behaviour, despite the existing need being very stable." Erlandsson went on to suggest that charities and governments could try harder to channel "emotional reactions" into their fundraising efforts. The image of Kurdi joins other iconic photos that have come to symbolise human conflicts and tragedies, including Sharbat Gula, or 'Afghan Girl', whose image on the front cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985 is among the most famous of the Soviet-Afghan War. Similarly, the 1972 image of nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc fleeing a napalm attack in Vietnam came to symbolise the horrors of the Vietnam War.Kurdi died in September 2015, along with his five-year-old brother. Their family had fled from their home in the northern Syrian town of Kobani. Shots of the small boy's body being cradled by a Turkish policeman circulated worldwide and galvanised several governments into policy changes, with the German government agreeing to admit thousands of refugees then stranded in Hungary only two days later.Over 5,000 refugees were killed in 2016 while travelling across the Mediterranean, according to the Missing Migrants Project.($1 = 9.0162 Swedish crowns) (Editing by Lyndsay Griffiths. 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 news.trust.org to see more stories) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Lin Taylor LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - More than 9,400 undocumented Afghans have returned home from Iran and Pakistan in the first week of 2017, raising concerns over how the war-torn Asian nation will cope with the rising influx, the United Nations said on Wednesday.The vast majority were young men crossing the border from Iran.Although repatriation is not compulsory, the Pakistani government has stepped up pressure to send people back amid growing local animosity towards Afghan refugees.The United Nations migration agency the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - said most returnees from Iran were young men deported while looking for work, or on the migration route to Europe. Future patterns were hard to predict. "It can be very unpredictable as there are a lot of factors at play that could push returns up at any day," said Matthew Graydon, a UN spokesman in Afghanistan.Graydon said unregistered Afghans face greater challenges than returnees who are officially logged as refugees because they are not entitled to cash grants from aid agencies, nor other benefits such as education or government-allocated land. In the first week of 2017, 1,643 unregistered Afghans chose to return or were deported from Pakistan, and 7,776 returned from Iran, according to the IOM, with more expected as the weather improves in the next two months.Another half a million undocumented Afghans are expected to be repatriated from Pakistan by the end of 2017. Numbers of returnees have been steadily rising over the past two years, with no letup in sight.Since January 2016, more than 700,000 unregistered Afghans have returned from Pakistan and Iran, up 50,000 on the year before, the IOM said, stretching limited resources in a country still under threat from the Taliban, al Qaeda and Islamic State. The rise in returnees comes amid a precarious security situation in Afghanistan, which has seen a steady increase in attacks since international troops ended combat operations in 2014, with record numbers of civilian casualties."There's still a lot of fighting here and it's put a lot of strain on the services and economy," said Graydon."We're ramping up and scaling up our facilities at the borders to be able to support a lot more families and we are anticipating that a lot more people will come," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a telephone interview. After the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, more than 6 million Afghans crossed into neighbouring Pakistan and Iran.IOM transit centres near the borders are providing basic accommodation, protection for unaccompanied minors, healthcare, household items such as pots and pans, as well as transport for families to resettle in their desired location."It's going to take a concerted effort within the humanitarian community and the government to make sure that their reintegration needs are met," said Graydon. (Reporting by Lin Taylor @linnytayls, Editing by Lyndsay Griffiths. 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 news.trust.org to see more stories) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Dustin Volz and Jonathan Landay | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON Russia hacked into Republican state political campaigns and old email domains of the Republican National Committee but there is no evidence it successfully penetrated President-elect Donald Trump's campaign, FBI Director James Comey said on Tuesday.Comey also told lawmakers Russia did not release information obtained from the state campaigns or the old RNC email domains, comments that may buttress the U.S. intelligence view that Moscow tried to help Trump against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign.U.S. intelligence agencies on Friday released an assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a covert effort to help Republican Trump's electoral chances by discrediting Clinton. The report, which omitted classified details, was the U.S. government's starkest public description of what it says was a Russian effort to manipulate the American electoral process by leaking hacked emails from Democrats.Russia has denied interfering in the election but President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian suspected spies from the United States and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies last month in response to the allegations. Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a news conference on Tuesday those penalties were "a start and not the end" of U.S. retaliation for the hacks, and senior officials have suggested covert action may be taken.Comey told lawmakers the Federal Bureau of Investigation "did not develop any evidence that the Trump campaign, or the current RNC, was successfully hacked." He did not say whether Russia had tried to hack Trump's campaign. Trump has disputed the accusations of Russian cyber attacks during the election, but his incoming chief of staff said on Sunday that the New York businessman accepts the U.S. intelligence community's conclusions that Russia was responsible, and that further action may be taken against Moscow. SENATE HEARING Comey declined to comment on whether or not the FBI might be investigating links between Russia and associates of Trump, who frequently called during the campaign for improved relations between Washington and Moscow. The FBI director was pressed by Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, to publicly provide a declassified answer to the question before Jan. 20, the day Trump will be inaugurated, but Comey suggested he would unable to do so. Comey appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee along with the director of national intelligence, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency and the chief of the National Security Agency at a time of controversy in Washington about the 2016 election.Testifying before Congress for the first time since Trump beat Clinton on Nov. 8, Comey has been criticized by Democrats for statements about a separate investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server as secretary of state.The controversy over Russia's alleged role in attempting to influence the election has roiled Washington, with Democratic lawmakers calling for an independent commission to investigate the matter and Republicans worried that the affair might call into question the legitimacy of Trump's victory. Comey said there was evidence Russia hacked Republican state-level political campaigns and "old" email domains that the RNC was no longer using.In contrast, Friday's report assessed that Russian military intelligence used intermediaries such as WikiLeaks, DCLeaks.com and the Guccifer 2.0 "persona" to release emails that it had acquired from the Democratic National Committee and top Democrats as part of the effort to help Trump and harm Clinton. The DNC denied "multiple requests" made by the FBI to examine its hacked servers, Comey said. He added that his agents relied on a forensic analysis conducted by the cyber security firm CrowdStrike, which was hired by the DNC to help clean up the hack when it was detected last spring. Senior U.S. Republican and Democratic senators introduced legislation on Tuesday seeking to impose a wide range of sanctions on Russia over its cyber activities and actions in Syria and Ukraine. (Reporting by Dustin Volz and Jonathan Landay; additional reporting by Idrees Ali; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and Tom Brown) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 By Azad Hasanli Trend: Entrepreneurs from Russias Omsk oblast will visit Baku in March 2017, says a message posted on the website of the Omsk regional government. This will be the first business mission of Omsk entrepreneurs to visit Azerbaijan, according to the message. Omsk businessmen will go on 11 missions in seven countries to expand sales markets and increase sales of Omsk products. Besides Azerbaijan, they will also visit Finland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, China and Mongolia. Business delegation from Russias Chelyabinsk oblast is also expected to visit Azerbaijan in June 2017. According to Russias Siberian Customs Directorate, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Omsk province amounted to $10.57 million in January-October 2016, $8.6 million of which accounted for the export of Azerbaijani goods to Omsk province. Washington: A gunman who killed nine black churchgoers in 2015 has been sentenced to death by a federal jury, a media report said. Dylann Roof, 22, was found guilty of 33 counts of crime, including hate crime, the jury concluded after a two-phase trial. It pronounced its verdict on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported. Roof, who had admitted that his actions were driven by racial hate, did not show any sign of remorse during the trial and denied that he had mental health problems. The executions of people on death row has been put on hold due to concerns over the drugs used, which means it could be years before Roof is put to death. Nine people were killed on 17 June, 2015 at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina in what the authorities described as "a hate crime" by a white gunman, later identified as Roof. According to the police, Roof stayed at a prayer meeting for almost one hour before opening fire. A law enforcement official was quoted by CNN as saying that witnesses told them that the suspect said he was at the church "to shoot black people." Roof was captured by police on the following morning of the shooting. The case sparked anger in the US and an effort to root out remaining traces of racism in the southern US state. The confederate flag was removed from the statehouse as a result of the shooting. By Patricia Zengerle and Yeganeh Torbati | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, said on Wednesday he favored maintaining current U.S. sanctions against Russia for now and that NATO allies were right to be alarmed by Moscow's growing aggression.Tillerson's backing for a more assertive policy towards Russia than Trump has espoused was tempered, however, by his refusal to commit to support maintaining President Barack Obama's executive order authorizing additional sanctions against Moscow because of its interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.Tillerson, oil company Exxon Mobil's (XOM.N) former chairman and chief executive who had extensive business dealings in Russia, refused to call President Vladimir Putin a war criminal and kept the door open to a possible change in U.S. sanctions policy against Russia, saying he had not seen classified information on Russian meddling."I would leave things in the status quo so we are able to convey this can go either way," Tillerson said, suggesting "open and frank" dialogue with Moscow to better understand its intentions.Tillerson stopped short of endorsing some of Trumps most hardline positions on a number of foreign policy issues, including the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal, relations with Mexico, and climate change, which could lead to areas of disagreement between him and the White House if he is confirmed.He left room for broad reversals or changes to Obama policies, including trade with Cuba and the Iran nuclear deal, which he said ought to undergo a full review.The hearing was interrupted sporadically by protesters opposed to Tillerson's nomination. He is expected to be confirmed.'ABSENSE OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP' Tillerson's responses were calm and measured, without any obvious reliance on notes. But he appeared unsure of the facts around Exxon Mobil's lobbying on sanctions and sidestepped questions on pressing issues such as human rights worldwide and matters like whether he would allow a travelling press corps at the State Department.He blamed Russia's increasing aggression towards Ukraine since 2014 on an "absence of American leadership" and said there should have been a defensive military response by the United States to deter the Russians from further encroachments. "I'm advocating for responses that will deter and prevent further expansion of a bad actor's behaviour," he said.Tillerson said it was a "fair assumption" Putin was aware of Russian efforts to interfere in the U.S. election. He said he had not discussed Russia policy with Trump, which Democratic Senator Robert Menendez said was "pretty amazing."Some of Tillerson's answers may reassure sceptical Republicans and Democrats concerned that Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, will act on his stated aim to improve ties with Russia by revoking all, or some, sanctions against Moscow.In one of the most tense exchanges, Republican Senator Marco Rubio pushed Tillerson hard on whether he believed Putin was a war criminal, specifically referring to Russia's military actions in support of Syria's government."I would not use that term," Tillerson said, adding: "Those are very, very serious charges to make and I would want to have much more information before reaching a conclusion."Rubio, who ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination and whose vote on the committee is key, shot back: "There's so much information out there. It should not be hard to say that Vladimir Putin's military has conducted war crimes in Aleppo." He added: "I find it discouraging, your inability to cite that which I think is globally accepted."IRAN DEAL REVIEW On another contentious matter, Tillerson said he would recommend a "full review" of the nuclear deal with Iran reached with the United States and other world powers, but he did not call for an outright rejection of the 2015 accord in which Tehran agreed to curtail its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions.Trump has made contradictory statements about the nuclear deal and threatened at one point to dismantle it.Tillerson also faced questions on China's response to North Korean missile tests and whether he would be able to make unbiased decisions after a long career at Exxon Mobil, the world's largest publicly traded oil producer. Tillerson was also grilled on his views on climate change but dodged a direct question about whether he believed it was caused by human activity."The risk of climate change does exist and the consequences of it could be serious enough that action should be taken," he said, adding: "The increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are having an effect. Our abilities to predict that effect are very limited." His hearing came at a time of fraught ties with Russia. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia was behind the hacks of U.S. political figures in an effort to help the Republican Trump defeat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 election. Moscow has denied the allegations.In another disclosure, also denied by Moscow, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday that classified documents that the heads of four U.S. intelligence agencies presented last week to Trump included claims that Russian intelligence operatives had compromising information about him. Trump dismissed the reports, first made by CNN, as "fake news."Tillerson opposed U.S. sanctions against Russia in 2014 over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine because he said he thought they would be ineffective.On Wednesday, he said he never personally lobbied against sanctions and emphasized that he was not aware of Exxon Mobil directly doing so.Tillerson later acknowledged he spoke to U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew regarding gaps between American and European sanctions on Russia.Democratic Senator Chris Murphy vigorously challenged Tillerson on the issue, saying he called a U.S. senator to express concerns over the measures, which "likely constitutes lobbying." (Additional reporting by Lesley Wroughton in Washington and Ernest Scheyder in Houston; Writing by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Will Dunham and Peter Cooney) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Ayesha Rascoe | NEW YORK NEW YORK President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday angrily denounced unsubstantiated claims he had been caught in a compromising position in Russia and attacked U.S. intelligence agencies over the leak of the information."I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there," Trump told a chaotic news conference only days before he takes office. Trump called the dossier that makes salacious claims about him "fake news" and "phony stuff." "I think it's a disgrace ... That's something that Nazi Germany would have done," the Republican said. Trump acknowledged for the first time that Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and the emails of other top Democrats during the 2016 presidential election. "I think it was Russia, he said.But the New York businessman said other countries were also hacking the United States and defended his goal of better ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," Trump told about 250 reporters jammed into the lobby at his New York offices. The president-elect has long said he hopes to improve ties with Moscow but his plans have come under intense scrutiny after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia used cyber attacks and other tactics to try to tilt the election in his favour over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.Trumps comments are likely to intensify tensions between U.S. intelligence agencies and the president-elect, who initially disparaged their conclusion that a Russian government hacking campaign was aimed at boosting his candidacy. Asked whether he had a message for Putin about hacking, Trump said many countries were hacking the United States and added that he thought Moscow would have greater respect for his administration."He shouldn't be doing it. He won't be doing it," Trump said.UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS The Russia dossier that emerged late on Tuesday was first reported by CNN. BuzzFeed published the full document.Two U.S. officials said the allegations, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that was presented last week to Trump and to Obama. In the news conference, Trump declined to answer whether anyone connected to him or his campaign had contact with Moscow during the presidential campaign.The event was a freewheeling affair, with Trump aides cheering from the sidelines at one point and the president-elect angrily refusing to take questions from a CNN reporter. Trump's comments on Russia were softer than those by Rex Tillerson, Trump's pick for secretary of state, who was grilled on the issue by senators at his confirmation hearing.Tillerson, the former chairman of Exxon Mobil who received an "Order of Friendship" award from Putin in 2012, said Moscow should be held accountable for its actions during the U.S. election, although he declined to say whether he would support upholding President Barack Obama's executive order imposing sanctions for cyber-hacking.Trump described how he will separate himself from his global business operations to avoid conflicts of interest once he takes office. He also talked about how he plans to bring manufacturing jobs back from overseas plants, slamming drug companies for "getting away with murder" on pricing.U.S. stocks slipped to session lows, before recovering ground, as healthcare stocks took a beating following Trump's comments on drug pricing in his first formal news conference since his Nov. 8 election victory. (Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, David Alexander, Jonathan Landay, Yara Bayoumy, Warren Strobel, Dustin Volz and John Walcott in Washington and Jonathan Allen and Melissa Fares in New York; Writing by Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Alistair Bell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Julia Edwards Ainsley | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's choice for attorney general promised on Tuesday to stand up to Trump, his close ally and future boss, saying he would oppose a ban on Muslims entering the country and enforce a law against waterboarding even though he voted against the law.Questioned by a U.S. Senate committee tasked with confirming his appointment, Senator Jeff Sessions distanced himself from comments he had made defending Trump from criticism over a 2005 video that emerged in October showing Trump boasting about grabbing women's genitals.At the time Sessions told The Weekly Standard magazine he would not characterize the behaviour as sexual assault. He later said the comments were taken out of context. Asked on Tuesday whether "grabbing a woman by her genitals without consent is ... sexual assault," he replied, "Clearly, it would be."With 10 days to go before Trump takes office, Sessions, 70, was the first Cabinet nominee to face questioning. He appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Trump's pick to run the Department of Homeland Security, retired Marine Corps General John Kelly, later went before the Homeland Security committee.As attorney general, Sessions will serve as the top U.S. federal prosecutor and be responsible for giving unbiased legal advice to the president and executive agencies. With that in mind, lawmakers from both Trump's Republican Party and the rival Democratic Party sought to establish how closely Sessions hewed to Trump positions and whether he could put aside his staunchly conservative political positions to enforce laws he may personally oppose. A senator since 1997, Sessions was widely expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. Protesters accusing Sessions of having a poor record on human rights interrupted the Capitol Hill proceedings several times.MUSLIM BAN Sessions said he would not support banning anyone from the United States on the basis of religion, and said Trump's intentions were to restrict people from countries harbouring terrorists, not all Muslims. Elected on Nov. 8, Trump at one point had campaigned on a proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country. Sessions said he favoured "higher intensity of vetting" for refugees seeking to enter the United States from countries that harbour terrorists but added he would oppose ending the U.S. refugee program.Sessions said he would enforce a 2015 law that outlawed waterboarding terrorism suspects even if it meant resisting Trump. The senator said he had voted against the law, believing those in high positions in the military and intelligence community should be able to do so. During the campaign Trump said waterboarding, which simulates drowning and is widely regarded as torture, was an effective technique and vowed to bring it back and make it "a hell of a lot worse." More recently Trump has said retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, his nominee for secretary of defence, had persuasively argued against it. Sessions said he would enforce laws upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, even those he disagreed with, such as decisions making abortion and same-sex marriage legal.CLINTON EMAILS Sessions said the comments he made during the 2016 presidential campaign about Hillary Clinton's email practices and charitable foundation would cloud the perception of impartiality if the Justice Department continued investigating Clinton. He said he would recuse himself and favoured a special prosecutor to carry out any future investigations. Trump, who defeated Clinton, said during the campaign that if elected he would ask his attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to see that Clinton go to prison for her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state and her relationship with her family's charitable foundation. Sessions said he agreed with Trump in opposing Democratic President Barack Obama's executive action that granted temporary protection to immigrant children brought to the country illegally by their parents and would not oppose overturning it.Sessions, representing the deeply conservative Southern state of Alabama, has long opposed legislation that provides a path to citizenship for immigrants. He has also been a close ally of groups seeking to restrict legal immigration by placing limits on visas used by companies to hire foreign workers. As head of the Justice Department, the attorney general oversees the immigration court system that decides whether immigrants are deported or granted asylum or some other kind of protection.Sessions renewed his criticism of the Obama administration for not being tougher on countries that refuse to take back criminal migrants ordered deported from the United States. A key plank of Trump's election campaign was his pledge to deport illegal immigrants and to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico.Separately, Kelly told his hearing a physical barrier on its own is not enough to keep people and drugs from illegally entering the United States. In written testimony, Kelly said "rapidly processing" and deporting immigrants in "significant numbers" would deter future illegal migration.Currently, the U.S. immigration court system has a backlog of over 500,000 cases awaiting a decision on deportation, asylum or some other kind of protection. Many migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border are given a notice to appear in court one to three years in the future. DEFENCE AGAINST RACISM Back in the Judiciary Committee, Sessions several times defended himself against charges of racism. He said allegations that he harboured sympathies toward the Ku Klux Klan, a violent white supremacist organization, are false. "I abhor the Klan and what it represents and its hateful ideology," Sessions said in his opening remarks.Sessions was denied confirmation to a federal judgeship in 1986 after allegations emerged that he made racist remarks, including testimony that he called an African-American prosecutor "boy," an allegation Sessions denied. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said the Senate Judiciary Committee had received letters from 400 civil rights organizations opposing his confirmation to the country's top law enforcement post. (Reporting by Julia Edwards Ainsley; Additional reporting by David Alexander, Eric Beech, Sarah Lynch, Dustin Volz and Ian Simpson; Editing by Frances Kerry and Howard Goller) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON The U.S. military might hold its fire rather than strike a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile test in order to glean intelligence, if Pyongyang's ICBM launch did not appear to pose a threat, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Tuesday.The remarks stood in contrast to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's vow that, once in office, North Korea would never be able to fulfil its threat to test an ICBM. Trump said in a Jan. 2 Tweet: "It won't happen!""If the missile is threatening, it will be intercepted. If it's not threatening, we won't necessarily do so," Carter said in his final news briefing before President Barack Obama's administration leaves office on Jan. 20."Because it may be more to our advantage to, first of all, save our interceptor inventory, and, second, to gather intelligence from the flight, rather than do that (intercept the ICBM) when it's not threatening."The top U.S. military officer, Marine General Joseph Dunford, who will stay in his role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concurred with Carter's remarks. Dunford will be Trump's top uniformed military advisor. North Korea declared on Sunday it could test-launch an ICBM at any time from any location set by leader Kim Jong Un, saying a hostile U.S. policy was to blame for its arms development.Once fully developed, a North Korean ICBM could threaten the continental United States, which is around 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from the North. ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500 km (3,400 miles), but some are designed to travel 10,000 km (6,200 miles) or farther. Preventing an ICBM test is far easier said than done, and Trump has given no indication of how he might roll back North Korea's weapons programs after he takes office, something successive U.S. administrations, both Democratic and Republican, have failed to do.Former U.S. officials and other experts have said the United States essentially had two options when it came to trying to curb North Korea's fast-expanding nuclear and missile programs - negotiate or take military action. Neither path offers certain success and the military option is fraught with huge dangers, especially for Japan and South Korea, U.S. allies in close proximity to North Korea. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. For the last time in his presidency, Barack Obama will take the stage Tuesday night to address the American people. The speech in Chicago will bookend the political career of a charismatic statesman known for his powerful oratory, with several memorable addresses marking milestones in his White House tenure. Each address is "a way to tell a story," Obama chief speechwriter Cody Keenan told AFP, and the balancing act each time is to offer a vision on an issue without getting trapped by the "very real danger of being out of touch." "There were arguments internally in the early years of the administration about how optimistic and forward looking you could get in economic speeches when unemployment is still at like eight or nine percent," he said. Obama, a former law professor, is very involved in drafting his speeches. "We will usually sit down with him in the Oval Office and he will just talk and we will type it out and that gives us something to go work with," Keenan said. "We'll spend a couple of days, write a draft, give it to him. If he doesn't like it, he will take out a yellow legal pad and write his thoughts and if he does, he will start outlining the whole thing," he said. It usually takes three or four drafts to arrive at a final product... which are often tweaked at the last minute anyway. Here's a look at five key speeches in the career of the 44th president of the United States. Boston: Disrupting the political scene, 27 July, 2004 "There's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America." At the time unknown on the national scene, a young senator from Illinois named Barack Hussein Obama the son of a Kenyan father and a white American mother was the breakout star of the 2004 Democratic convention. "Probably his most successful speech was the one where he introduced himself to the country for the first time," Keenan said. "All he did there was tell the country's story and tell his own story and weave them together." Cairo: Appealing to the Muslim world, 4 June, 2009 "I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect." Addressing the world's 1.5 billion Muslims with the traditional Arabic greeting "Salam alaikum," Obama called for ending "this cycle of suspicion and discord." Oslo: War and peace, 10 December, 2009 "To say that force may sometimes be necessary is not a call to cynicism it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason." Less than a year after taking office, Obama delivered his views on the conditions for using force as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. He also gave a nod to the "considerable controversy" generated by his winning the award. "I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage," he pointed out. Selma: The march continues, 7 March, 2015 "We just need to open our eyes, and our ears, and our hearts to know that this nation's racial history still casts its long shadow upon us." Speaking at the Edmund Pettus Bridge 50 years after the brutal repression of a peaceful protest there, America's first black president rallied a new generation to the spirit of the civil rights struggle. Accompanied by his wife Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha, and 50 others, Obama then walked across the infamous bridge over the Alabama River. Charleston: 'Amazing Grace', June 26, 2015 "For too long, we've been blind to the way past injustices continue to shape the present." Obama made the pronouncement during a rousing eulogy for pastor Clementa Pinckney and eight members of his congregation at the historic "Mother Emanuel" black church, who were killed in a hail of gunfire unleashed by a white supremacist. After focusing on America's struggles with race and guns in a sermon-like address, he paused then began singing Amazing Grace. The thousands of mourners joined in. "We had the lyrics in there twice, in the middle and then at the end," Keenan said. "That morning, we were flying on the helicopter to (Joint Base Andrews) and he said, 'You know, I might sing the second one if it feels right.'" "I watched from the plane, on the tarmac, and you could tell within about three minutes, with that crowd there and the organ playing while he was speaking, that, of course, he was going to sing it." As Barack Obama prepares to leave office on 20 January, here are nine things his presidency may be remembered for: Making history If historians were to write only one thing about Barack Hussein Obama, they would likely note that 143 years after slavery was abolished a young Illinois senator became the first black president of the United States. Obama, just 47 at his 2009 inauguration, harnessed magisterial oratory to rally a diverse electoral coalition behind a message of "hope and change." In office, Obama sometimes struggled to turn that poetry into the prose of governance. Racial tensions underscored by police shootings of unarmed black men and conspiracy theories about his birthplace persisted. But the very fact of his election confirmed monumental changes in American society. Too big to fail Obama's first term in office was dominated by economic freefall. A real estate crisis spawned a financial meltdown that torpedoed Wall Street banks and lenders, and was metastasising into an economic crisis of global proportions. Outgoing president George W. Bush and the Federal Reserve had kicked off the government's first panicked efforts at containment, but Obama faced down ideological opposition to large fiscal stimulus, extending government spending by $831 billion and providing ballast to the economy. As he leaves office, the political and social aftershocks of that financial cataclysm are still being felt, but the economy has added jobs for 75 straight months. 'Justice has been done' "Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden." With those words on May 2, 2011, Obama exorcised the anger and frustration of millions of Americans that the most powerful country on earth could not hold the man accountable for the 9/11 attacks. The risky special forces operation was also illustrative of Obama's controversial drone-and-raid approach to counterterrorism. As he leaves office, Al-Qaeda offshoots and affiliates remain potent, but their leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan has been decimated. Legislative toil "It's one of the few regrets of my presidency that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better," Obama said in his final State of the Union address. From the moment Obama was elected, Republics in Congress vowed to oppose him tooth and nail. Efforts to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and enact gun controls even after the massacre of young students at Sandy Hook, the emotional nadir of his presidency would fall victim to partisan rancor. A deal with a half-life For more than two decades, the United States had rolled out sanctions and covert actions to prevent arch foe Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Obama tried a different tack, engaging in secret talks with the Islamic Republic. That gambit ultimately yielded a deal that saw Iran halt its sprint toward a nuclear weapon, in return for substantial sanctions relief and a dollop of international legitimacy. The pact would strain US relations with Iran's enemies Israel and Saudi Arabia, but prevented a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and defused tensions between Iran and the United States that have simmered since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. No turnabout on Syria No international crisis tested Obama's foreign policy or his high bar for US military intervention like Syria. Even when Bashar al-Assad defied Obama's red line on chemical weapons use and killed countless thousands of civilians along with Russian and Iranian forces the man who came to office on an anti-war ticket rejected calls to step in. Syria will likely be in crisis for years to come. Critics will long argue about whether Obama's policy was sensible and to what degree his decision damaged America's reputation, allowed the Islamic State group to grow, fueled an immigration flow that destabilised Europe and allowed Russia and Iran to extend influence in the region. Change the climate After the climate skepticism of Bush, Obama's eight years in office resulted in a tidal wave of environmental legislation, protecting marine ecosystems, curbing carbon emissions and boosting renewable energy. In a bid to engrain environmentalism into America's body politic, Obama hiked Alaskan glaciers, snorkeled at Midway Island and rushed through ratification of the Paris Climate Accord. But Obama's environmental agenda is likely to come under sustained assault from his successor, putting the durability of that legacy into question. A very big deal Democrats had tried and failed for decades to provide Americans with universal health care. Obama wasn't quite able to do that but he extended insurance coverage to tens of millions of citizens who previously had none. Republicans decried the "Obamacare" plan as socialism incarnate, at one point claiming it would even create "death panels." But they failed to stop it from passing. They may yet have a crack at repealing it under Donald Trump's watch. Meet the neighbours Obama's trip to Cuba may be remembered in the same way as Richard Nixon's visit to China, but in truth it was the capstone of a much broader effort to improve US relations with Latin America. Resurgent left wing populists in the region had rekindled past memories of "yanqui imperialism" US-led coups, death squads and heavy-handed intervention. Barely 100 days after Obama took office, he told regional leaders at a Summit of the Americas that the United States had changed. The approach was to deny leaders like Hugo Chavez any excuses for sideshow anti-Americanism. He shook Chavez's hand, met Nicaraguan firebrand Daniel Ortega and visited the tomb of a popular Salvadoran priest killed by US-linked death squads. Obama alluded to "mistakes" in a coup that installed dictator Augusto Pinochet in Chile, released documents about involvement in Argentina's dirty war and, of course, visited Havana. People recount their best Obama moments Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: Everyone in life either for life, or for love, care and compassion - has a debt of gratitude to someone. Therefore the progressive mankind one day every year the 11th of January celebrates as the International Thanksgiving Day. As around the world and in our republic, this day was celebrated with the Azer Turk Bank team. Employees of branches and offices sincerely thanked the bank's customers for their cooperation and gave them gifts. Clients, in turn, expressed their contentment with Azer Turk Bank family, which always refers to them with attention. Some 75 percent of shares of "Azer Turk Bank" performing activities since 1995 belong to Azerbaijan. More information about the Bank, its service network, products and services is available at www.azerturkbank.az , the Banks corporate pages at social networks or at (012) 945 Call Center. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 11 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Elena Panova presented a copy of her credentials during a meeting with Turkmen officials in the countrys Foreign Ministry, said the ministry in a message. During the meeting, the sides noted the role of Turkmenistans strategic partnership with the UN. The parties also exchanged views on issues of further cooperation in the security, development and humanitarian spheres. Speaking about confidential and mutually beneficial relations, the two sides noted with satisfaction the active and multilevel political and diplomatic dialogue conducted on a regular basis, according to the message. The headquarters of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) is located in Ashgabat. Earlier this week two foldable smartphones Galaxy X1, Galaxy X1 Plus with model numbers -SM-X9000 and SM-X9050 surfaced in China. Now a new report from South Korea says that the Samsung is expected to release more than 100,000 units of these devices in Q3 2017. The report also said that the smartphone will fold out and may be used as a 7-inch tablet when unfolded. It also said that Samsung initially completed the development of fold-in smartphones that tuck inside when folded and began development of fold-out technologies around August 2016. Since the company already secured fold-in phone technology, it was not a big challenge to shift into the fold-out phones, according to sources, says the report. Despite technical completion, Samsung has not made a final decision about whether they will unveil the device this year because of marketability and profitability issues, according to the report. Samsung is expected to make the final decision once it carries out the delayed annual personnel reshuffle in its information technology and mobile communications unit. Source Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10 By Emil Ilgar Trend: Iran plans to increase the oil recovery rate of the reserves from the current 26 percent to 40 percent in 30 years, Gholamreza Manouchehri, deputy director for development and engineering affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), said Jan. 10. He added that given the 800 billion barrels of in-situ crude oil (and gas condensate) reserves, each percent of recovery rate growth means extraction of more than 8 billion barrels of oil, Mehr News Agency reported. Based on the current recovery rate, Irans proven extractable crude oil reserves stand at 159 billion barrels. Manouchehri said that Iran needs $200 billion for its oil and gas projects by 2021, of which 70 percent can be attracted from domestic financial reserves. He also said that the current oil production level stands at 3.9-4 million barrels per day. Didi Chuxing is wasting no time on expanding its global reach this year. China's largest ride-hailing company said last week that it's investing in Brazil's largest ride-sharing company, called 99. It's Didi's first move into Latin America and it's a clear sign that the company is bent on dominating the ride-hailing market across nearly every continent. What Didi's doing with 99 Didi is investing more than $100 million in 99, and, in return, it'll gain a seat at 99's board table and offer the company "strategic guidance and support." More importantly, though, it's a way for Didi to influence the global transportation industry and put its mark on yet another ride-hailing company. You may recall that Didi was part of a $350 million investing round for Grab (formerly GrabTaxi) in Southeast Asia in 2015, gave $30 million to Ola in India, and invested $100 million in Lyft. Didi also formed a partnership with Lyft a couple of years ago, which at the time was thought to take on Uber. And, of course, Didi bought out Uber's business in China last year for about $1 billion, and gained a seat on the company's board as well. That deal gave Didi control over all of Uber's former customers in China, along with its data in the country. Uber gained a seat on Didi's board as well -- along with the $1 billion investment -- and now has a 20% stake in Didi. The move also gave Didi nearly all of the ride-hailing business in China and proved to the rest of the ride-hailing world that it's a force to be reckoned with. 99 will reportedly use the new Didi money to expand its reach into other Latin American countries and solidify its dominance in Brazil. The company already has 140,000 drivers spread across 550 cities in the country, and boasts 10 million downloads of its taxi-hailing app. 99 problems and Didi is one Didi's investment is just one more step in a series of moves that has given the company increasing control over ride-hailing companies the past two years. The company's adept at taking on rivals and building partnerships, and sometimes, contradictorily, partnering with companies in some countries while taking them on in others. Didi partnered with Lyft to take on Uber, only to then join Uber's board and Uber to join its board. Didi is gaining access to the world's fifth-largest country by population with the 99 investment, and though its plans aren't entirely clear beyond more expansion, it should concern Didi's competitors all the same. So far, Didi has proved it can enter markets outside of China -- through its partnerships -- while its rivals are typically left specializing in their own local markets. Didi's president, Jean Liu, said in a Wall Street Journal interview last year, "We intend to go global. We aspire to be a global company." And Liu told Vanity Fair in 2016 that, "We're a big sponsor and big believer in local players. If there are no existing local players, we'll go there by ourselves. We will play a global game." Didi has made it clear that global expansion is one of the company's top priorities and the recent investment in 99 proves that the company plans to make the same aggressive moves this year, as it did last year. Each year, the factory of ITB Precisietechniek, a Dutch manufacturer, produces hundreds of millions of its products at its plant in Queretaro, a prosperous industrial city some 150 miles northwest of Mexico City. The plant is what those in the auto industry call a tier two manufacturer. Its machines mold plastics into components, which are then shipped off to a different company that uses them to produce car parts. Those, in turn, will end up in cars sold to U.S. consumers. Business has been good, general manager Pieter de Korver told FOXBusiness.com. Weve expanded our facility last year and have enjoyed continued growth over the past few years. ITBs plant, located on an industrial park on the outskirts of the city, is just one of the many hundreds of manufacturers that form the complex supply chain of the Bajio cluster. The region in Central Mexico is the heart of Mexicos automotive industry. A large chunk of the 3.6 million cars the country produces each year are made here. Most of them are shipped to the United States. It took Donald Trump only a few updates on Twitter to throw this thriving industry into disarray. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10 By Dalga Khatinoglu Trend: Iran has prioritized development of Tous gas field, the second upstream gas project after Khangiran in the countrys north-eastern part. The decision comes 10 days after Turkmenistan cut gas flow to Iran. Astan Quds Razavi Holding would develop Tous field, Mohammad Mam Beigi, the managing director of East Oil & Gas Production Co., told IRNA Jan. 10. Tous reserve contains 60 billion cubic meters (bcm) of sour gas and Iran projects to produce 4 million cubic meters per day (mcm/d) of gas from the field, he said. Mam Beigi didnt mention when Astan Quds Razavi Holding would start developing the field, but he said the company has finished the study of reserve according to a memorandum of understanding. Currently, only Khangiran field in northeast of Iran is operating with nearly 48 mcm/d of gas production. Turkmenistan cut gas flow to Iran on January 1 due to a dispute over gas price and violation of take-or-pay term of the sides agreement. Iran doubled gas import from Turkmenistan in 2015 to 9 bcm, but according to the agreement, it should have imported 14 bcm. During a period from 2006 to 2016, Iran imported about 74.35 bcm of Turkmen gas, the official statistics of Irans Oil Ministry indicates. But based on the agreement, which was amended in 2007 and came into force in 2010, Iran should have imported 130 bcm of Turkmen gas. Gov. Jerry Brown sees a budget deficit and an urgent need for spending cuts. Legislative leaders see a surplus with room to comfortably increase expenditures. Always at odds when it comes to the budget, the Democratic governor and the Democratic Legislature are particularly far apart this year as they embark on six months of spending negotiations amid uncertainty about federal funding under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Brown staked out a conservative opening position Tuesday, warning of a potential $1.6 billion budget deficit and proposing a spending plan that keeps general fund expenditures flat at $122.5 billion. Since costs rise every year, his plan would require cuts to keep pace, and he suggested eliminating billions of dollars allocated to education, state building construction, subsidized housing, college scholarships and child care providers. He seeks to boost the state's reserve fund to $7.9 billion up from $6.7 billion in the current budget year to help soften what he warned is an inevitable recession after 10 years of economic recovery. "You've got to save your money or you're going to lose the farm," Brown said, acknowledging that he expected "some shoving back and forth" with lawmakers as a final budget compromise is negotiated by June. Democratic legislative leaders gave Brown's budget a tepid reception. Acknowledging the need for caution in the face of federal uncertainty, they nonetheless rejected Brown's proposed cuts to college scholarships and child care while insisting they will still push to increase spending on social welfare programs. "This is not a time to eliminate important programs that lift up the middle class," Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, said in a statement. Brown said months of lower-than-expected revenue, combined with the likelihood of a recession and the potential for drastic cuts in federal spending, demand restraint. His projection for a deficit was a stark contrast with the forecast released in November by the Legislature's nonpartisan budget expert, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor, who projected a surplus as high as $2.8 billion. Drawing on that forecast, Assembly Democrats in December called for $1 billion in new spending for things such as expanding the state earned-income tax credit, mandatory full-day kindergarten and reducing college costs. To maintain current spending, Brown proposes cutting $3.2 billion from future commitments, about half by giving schools and community colleges less than expected. He wants to stop enrolling new college students in the Middle Class Scholarships program, saving more than $30 million, cancel $300 million in upgrades to state buildings and drop a $400 million proposal for affordable housing that the Legislature rejected last year. Brown also proposed canceling higher payments for state-funded child care providers. The governor's budget includes $800 million more to cover people who joined Medi-Cal under Obamacare. He also revisited his previous proposal, which has stalled in the Legislature, to increase gas and vehicle taxes to raise $4.2 billion per year for road construction and maintenance. In all, California's spending plan would reach $179.5 billion when restricted "special funds" and bonds are included. Brown also proposed eliminating driver's license suspensions for people who fail to pay court fines a move sought by social justice activists who say the practice traps people in poverty. Many Republicans, who are more often aligned with Brown than legislative Democrats on spending, offered qualified support for the governor's approach but said he should look to fix roads with existing funds rather than new taxes. Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, the ranking Republican on the Senate budget committee, called the budget "perilously balanced" and urged Brown to continue holding the line on spending. "We cannot be getting loose with the purse in California," he said. Trump and the Republican-led U.S. Congress have vowed to repeal or alter many programs that affect California, from immigration to President Barack Obama's health care law. California has embraced the program and has enrolled about 5 million people in private health insurance or publicly funded Medi-Cal coverage. The proposed budget assumes federal policies remain the same, but Brown noted the uncertainty is another reason to maintain the fiscal prudence for which he consistently advocates. "If they do go down that road, it will be extremely painful for California," Brown said. ___ Associated Press writer Don Thompson contributed to this report. The wife of a New York man who was killed in last years terror attack in Brussels is suing Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) for its alleged role in aiding ISIS. She accuses the social media giant of knowingly providing material support and resources to the jihadist group. Attorney Keith Altman, who represents the families of four terrorist victims, says the social media company is not doing enough to combat terror. These companies believe they have no responsibility or obligation to prevent or deter terrorists from using their sites as instruments to conduct terrorist operations, Altman said during an interview with FOX Business Networks Trish Regan. Altman said social media sites like Googles YouTube (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) are the tools of choice for terrorist groups who look to radicalize individuals and raise money. I think this is absolutely Twitter, Google and Facebooks responsibility. They are placing ads on twitter on terrorist postings. This is a revenue source for these people, he said. It's always fun to hear what pharmaceutical company executives might say at the J. P. Morgan (NYSE: JPM) Healthcare Conference. This year, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) was represented by three top members of its management team at the conference. Here are three things the Pfizer executives said that might be at least a little surprising. Image source: Norbert Nagel on Wikimedia Commons. We're not done making acquisitions Pfizer has been on a major spending spree over the past 18 months. The company bought Hospira in 2015 for $16 billion, picking up the smaller rival's biosimilars and injectables.In June of 2016, Pfizer acquired Anacor Pharmaceuticals for $5.2 billion, gaining promising atopic dermatitis drug crisaberole (now branded as Eucrisa). Just three months later, the big drugmakerpurchased red-hot biotech Medivation, shelling out $14 billion to seal the deal and add prostate cancer drug Xtandi to its lineup. Throwing in a few smaller transactions, including the purchase of part of AstraZeneca's antibiotics business, Pfizer has spent roughly $38 billion in acquisitions in a relatively short period. If you think the big pharmaceutical company is done with making acquisitions, think again. Pfizer CFO Frank D'Amelio said at the J. P. Morgan conference that the drugmaker is still looking to make more deals. What kind of deals might Pfizer make? D'Amelio said the company prefers acquisitions that will grow its top-line revenue either "now or soon." However, he added that Pfizer won't rule out deals with smaller companies with early-stage pipeline candidates. As for potential timing of future acquisitions, D'Amelio said that the company won't wait if the right opportunity comes along. We love Trump Okay, the Pfizer folks didn't actually say they loved Donald Trump. Pfizer CEO Ian Read stated last year that he couldn't "distinguish between the policies that Donald Trump may support or those that Hillary Clinton may support."However, it sounds like that perspective has changed. The company's executives at the J. P. Morgan conference sounded quite enamored with the President-elect's tax proposals. D'Amelio was enthusiastic about the prospects of lower corporate tax rates. He mentioned Trump's proposal of a 15% corporate tax rate and House Speaker Paul Ryan's proposal of a 20% rate, saying that "both would be good." He also had clearly been thinking about the possibility of lower taxes on repatriation of cash parked overseas, calling it "a big positive." D'Amelio even walked through a hypothetical scenario for what repatriation could mean for Pfizer. He said that, should changes be enacted, it could give the company "huge capital firepower." We're not afraid of potential Ibrance rivals Pfizer's fastest-growing drug in 2016 was Ibrance. Sales for the CDK inhibitor soared to nearly $1.5 billion in the first three quarters of last year. What about potential competition that could be on the way? Albert Bourla, who heads up Pfizer's innovative health business segment, didn't seem worried. Bourla mentioned seeing more data from other CDK inhibitors over the last few months. He was referring to a couple of recent updates. In October, Novartis(NYSE: NVS) announced positive results from a late-stage study of ribociclib in combination with hormone therapy Femara in treating advanced breast cancer. A couple of months earlier, Lilly (NYSE: LLY) provided an update on its late-stage CDK inhibitor abemaciclib. You'd think that Pfizer might be at least a little afraid of ribociclibpresenting a threat to Ibrance. Novartis stopped the late-stage study in May, earlier than planned, after interim analysis showed the drug had already met its primary endpoint. Lilly, on the other hand, didn't get such good news in its interim analysis ofabemaciclib. Bourla's view, though, is that any positive results from Novartis and Lilly merely strengthen the case for CDK inhibitors as a class. He expressed confidence that Ibrance will win for several reasons, including the strength of its clinical data, first-mover advantage, and positive patient experiences. Not surprising What wasn't surprising in the least was that Pfizer's team thinks the company's future remains promising.Albert Bourla spoke about the potential for a label expansion for Ibrance this year and the tremendous potential for newly approved atopic dermatitis drug Eucrisa. Pfizer's research and development head,Mikael Dolsten, talked up the company's big pipeline and opportunities for combination therapies with other drugs. Based on the drugs in Pfizer's lineup currently, Wall Street is projecting annual growth of just under 7% over the next five years. That's much better than the past five years. Combined with Pfizer's nice dividend, that kind of growth could mean solid returns for investors. And if the company makes more of those acquisitions and gets the tax reform it's hoping for, Pfizer shareholders could receive a pleasant surprise of even higher returns. 10 stocks we like better than Pfizer 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 Pfizer 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 January 4, 2017 Keith Speights has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The head of IranAir took delivery in France on Wednesday of the first Western airliner under an international sanctions deal, calling it a "sunny day" for relations between Iran and Europe and a memorable one for aviation in the nation of 80 million people. Chairman Farhad Parvaresh invited Fabrice Bregier, the head of planemaking at Airbus, to fly on the new A321 to Tehran, where the airline plans to mark its arrival in its fleet with a ceremony on Thursday. The 189-seat plane, already painted in IranAir's livery, is the first of 100 ordered from Airbus following a deal reached in 2015 between Tehran and world powers to lift sanctions against Iran in return for curbs on the country's nuclear activities. The airline has also ordered 80 aircraft from Boeing and is in the final stages of negotiating an order for 20 turboprops from Toulouse-based ATR, which is jointly owned by Airbus and Italy's Leonardo Finmeccanica . Highlighting Iran's emergence from years of isolation, the Airbus delivery marks the first brand-new jet directly acquired from a Western manufacturer for decades, other than the replacement of an Airbus jet shot down by the U.S. Navy in 1988. Republicans in the U.S. Congress have objected to the nuclear pact, signed by the United States, Britain, Russia, France, China, Germany andIran. It also faces opposition from hardliners in Iran. Parvaresh said he hoped the United States would not block the agreement under president-elect Donald Trump, who at times has pledged to pull Washington out of the nuclear accord. Both Airbus and Boeing need U.S. export licenses to deliver the jets because of the number of U.S. parts. Both have received licenses but Boeing needs to have the majority extended due to the lengthy delivery period and analysts expect it to point to the Airbus delivery in order to press the case for its sales to remain in force. "Everything has been done according to the international regulations and rules up to now. We hope that nothing special happens to end this contract, Parvaresh told reporters. The first Airbus aircraft will enter service on Saturday starting on busy domestic routes such as Tehran to Mashhad for the next couple of months, he said. IranAir hopes to receive "at least two more from Airbus" by the start of the Iranian new year in March, and a total of six A320 aircraft in calendar year 2017, he added. It also expects to receive three larger A330 jets in 2017. IranAir could also receive one to two turboprop aircraft by the Iranian new year, but a contract has yet to be signed. "We are very optimistic we can finalize it in January or so," Parvaresh said. The arrival of new aircraft will allow IranAir "step by step" to phase out elderly planes including Fokker 100 regional aircraft serving domestic routes, Parvaresh said. Analysts say IranAir has one of the world's oldest airliner fleets, held together until now by smuggled or improvised parts. (Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta) President Barack Obama will give a farewell speech to the nation on Tuesday in an effort to burnish his legacy, encourage demoralized supporters and prod the incoming Trump administration to keep some of his signature achievements in place. Obama will deliver the speech at 8 p.m. CST (0200 GMT Wednesday) in Chicago, where he kicked off his political career and started a family. His wife, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden will attend the speech at McCormick Place, the city's main convention center. The Democratic president, who leaves the White House on Jan. 20 after eight years in office, has said he plans to reflect on his administration's achievements while looking forward in his address. His future and that of his top policy achievements were jolted by the Nov. 8 election of Republican Donald Trump, who has threatened to undo Obama's actions on issues ranging from advancing healthcare reform to curbing climate change. Obama has encouraged Trump to rethink some of his views on repealing the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, while mobilizing Democrats to stand up for the law under a Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress. During his campaign for the presidency, Trump promised to dismantle the law, ban Muslims temporarily from entering the United States and build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico - all policies Obama opposes. Obama plans to remain in Washington for the next two years while his younger daughter, Sasha, finishes high school. He has indicated he wants to give Trump the same space that his predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, gave Obama after leaving office by not maintaining a high public profile. That may be difficult if Trump makes good on his plans to take apart many of Obama's signature achievements. Democrats, lacking a national leader with Obama's departure and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's election loss, are eager for Obama to stay involved on some level. Obama is likely during his remarks to encourage supporters to keep fighting for issues he championed in his 2008 and 2012 campaigns on the environment, gay rights and economic equality. The chief executive officers of German chemical giant Bayer AG and U.S. seed behemoth Monsanto (NYSE:MON), Werner Baumann and Hugh Grant, are in New York pressing their case with President-elect Donald Trump to approve the massive merger between the two entities and to tout the creation of U.S. jobs if the deal goes through, people with direct knowledge of the matter tell the FOX Business Network. The meeting between the two CEOs and Trump at his transition headquarters in midtown Manhattan took place during a busy day for the President-elect. Earlier he held his first press conference since winning the 2016 election and answered thorny questions about everything from a Russian hacking scandal to plans to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Baumann and Grant left Trump Tower on Wednesday around 2pm ET with investment banker Michael Kramer of Ducera Partners and media specialist Arthur Schwartz. The CEOs are the latest chiefs of multinational companies to tout their business plans in the U.S. and their willingness to work with the President elect to create jobs. "Today, Werner Baumann, Bayer CEO, and Hugh Grant, Monsanto CEO, had a productive meeting with President-Elect Trump and his team to share their views on the future of the agriculture industry and its need for innovation," a Monsanto spokesperson told FOX Business. A spokesperson for Bayer could not immediately be reached for comment; a Trump spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment. The pending deal, terms of which were first reported by FOX Business in September, needs regulatory approval from the European Union and the U.S. Department of Justices Antitrust Division when President-elect Trump takes office later this month. During the meeting, both CEOs touted their plans to create or keep jobs in the U.S., though the exact nature of those efforts could not be immediately determined, these people say. Its also immediately unclear how Trump responded to their plans during the meeting. The CEOs are hoping that the prospect of additional U.S. jobs coming from the merger will be enough incentive for the incoming Trump administration to approve the acquisition. Since the merger was announced, investors have grown increasingly concerned over the deal getting the necessary regulatory approvals to proceed given the size of the combined entity and the possible antitrust concerns it could produce. Another potential stumbling block for the deal is Monsantos status as the largest producer of genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs a technology that can mass produce food at a relatively low cost. The seed-producing giant has received a wave of criticism from those who believe the development of these crops could lead to severe health problems for those who consume them. Critics believe teaming up with Bayer would further enhance Monsantos GMO business. But a more business friendly Trump administration may be amenable to embracing the deal, particularly with the added incentive that both CEOs are committed to creating jobs in the United States. Since winning the election, Trump has used impromptu press conferences from his Trump Tower transition headquarters as a bully pulpit to press corporate chieftains to create and keep jobs in the U.S. In December, Trump met with the chief executive of telecommunication conglomerate SoftBank Group, touting a deal to bring thousands of jobs to the U.S., even if plans were largely crafted before the election. This week, Trump met with the CEO of Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group, Jack Ma, who promised he would help create one million U.S. jobs by allowing small American businesses to sell their products through Alibabas platform. Former Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) CEO Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for Secretary of State, laid out a plan for the U.S. to take a tougher stance on global terrorism and Russia, as lawmakers grilled the longtime oilman in his confirmation hearing Wednesday. Tillerson, appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, faced questions over business relationships in Russia and his past skepticism of U.S. sanctions on the country. Sanctions imposed in 2014 derailed a large deal between Exxon and Rosneft, Russias state-run oil producer, to drill for oil in the Arctic. Exxon estimates that it lost as much as $1 billion. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) pressed Tillerson, 64, on past statements on the use of sanctions, arguing that the longtime businessman had made broad criticisms. Tillerson, who earlier in the hearing called sanctions a powerful tool to deter actions by countries including Russia, shook his head in disagreement. I have not lobbied against sanctions, Tillerson said, later adding, The use of sanctionscan be a powerful tool as long as theyre constructed to be effective. Tillerson said if confirmed he would keep current sanctions on Russia in place until a long-term strategy is developed. He also said the U.S. should have provided military and intelligence assets to Ukraine in response to Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014. In opening remarks, Tillerson suggested that Russia should face repercussions over its alleged covert attempts to meddle in the presidential race. U.S. intelligence agencies believe Russia orchestrated the hack of the Democratic National Committee, an assessment that Trump agreed with during a press conference Wednesday. Also, reports surfaced this week saying U.S. intelligence leaders presented Trump with unsubstantiated or disproven claims of wrongdoing allegedly held by Russia. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests, Tillerson said. The U.S. should seek cooperation when possible on reducing the threat of terrorism, but where important differences remain, we should be steadfast in defending the interests of America and her allies, he continued. Russia must know that we will be accountable to our commitments and those of our allies, and that Russia must be held to account for its actions. When asked about the threat of cyber-attacks from countries such as Russia and China, Tillerson pushed for a comprehensive strategy to combat the threat. The U.S. is vulnerable, he argued, because it has not maintained proper IT infrastructure and defenses. Tillerson, a 41-year veteran of the worlds largest publicly-traded oil company, also addressed his departure from Exxon Mobil. I have no reservations about my clean break from private-sector life, he said. Wednesdays hearing began with supporting testimony from fellow Texan Sen. Ted Cruz and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, among others. Darren Woods, formerly the president of Exxon, has replaced Tillerson as chairman and CEO. Tillerson rose to the CEO position in 2006. Stewart Glickman, equity analyst at CFRA Research, noted that succession planning was already well underway because Tillerson was due to reach Exxons mandatory retirement age of 65 in March. If this Rexit proceeds as planned, we think XOM is still in capable hands to steer the company going forward, Glickman wrote in a research note to clients. Exxon shares climbed 1% to $86.79 on Wednesday. In an unprecedented move, Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, testified against fellow sitting senator, Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions, during his cabinet confirmation hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday. "If one is to be attorney general, they must be willing to continue the hallowed tradition in our country of fighting for justice for all, for equal justice for civil rights," Booker said. He went on to say Sessions has demonstrated "hostility" towards those values. Sessions began the confirmation process for the position of AG on Tuesday amid much remonstration in Washington, D.C. Despite his extensive experience defending the Constitution, his nomination has been marred with controversy. Sessions has faced significant resistance from Democrats who decry past allegations of racism and disparage his firmly conservative political views on topics including voting rights, policing and immigration. Although it is not without precedent for a Senator to vote against the nomination of a fellow Senator, never in the countrys history has a sitting member of the legislative body actively testified against the confirmation of one of his or her peers for a cabinet position. Three years ago Democrats changed the nomination rules to eliminate the 60-vote threshold for most Cabinet appointments, meaning Trumps nominees need just a simple majority to be confirmed. With the threat of a filibuster effectively eliminated, and Republicans holding a secure 52-vote majority within the chamber, most of Trumps nominations are considered buttoned up: Thus begging the question, what are Booker's true motives? Senator Booker is putting partisan politics over legitimate policy concerns with his stunt, Congressman Chris Collins (R-NY) said in a statement to FOXBusiness.com. This is just the latest desperate attempt by Democrats to derail the inevitable and avoid the reality that Americans rejected their liberal ideas on Election Day. Booker may seek to divide Republicans by pointing out fundamental ideological differences that Sessions could bring into the next administration. Democrats will drive a wedge between Trumps views on key issues and those of Sessions, Howard Schweitzer, managing partner at Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies and former chief ethics officer at the US Export-Import Bank, told FOXBusiness.com. Still, all of these strategies may point toward a larger, more egocentric goal for Booker. As Democrats look to regroup after their unexpected loss to Trump, Bookers name has been floated as a potential front-runner to lead the Democratic Partys presidential bid in 2020. Publicity is likely a big motivator behind Bookers commitment to thrust his own views of Sessions into the spotlight. Sen. Cory Booker will use his testimony to cement support among the Democratic activist/populist wings of the party as he considers a 2020 presidential run, Schweitzer, who has helped confirm over 20 nominees at the Senate, said. Regardless of his motives, Booker may want to think about the dangerous precedent he is setting for the future. Republicans are unlikely to forget his testimony when the pendulum swings the other way. A former Miss United States and Miss Virginia USA beauty queen has faced a Sydney court for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend. Brittany Nicole Poteet, who has previously twice faced unrelated accusations of assault in the US, appeared in the Downing Centre local court in Sydney charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The tall, glamorous blonde made a brief appearance before NSW Deputy Chief Magistrate Christopher OBrien on Wednesday. Police allege that on the evening of December 16 at Neutral Bay, that the 29-year-old assaulted Wade McKenzie occasioning actual bodily harm. Related: 'Bridalplasty' contestant murdered: Student confesses to beating her to death with hammer McKenzie has taken out an apprehended violence order (AVO) against Poteet, who is required to enter a plea before her next court appearance. Poteet made news in the US when she was forced to deny claims she verbally attacked her gay flatmate and made a homophobic slur, and when she was charged with assault and battery against a former boyfriend. The charges were dropped and the beauty queen, who is known as Nikki Poteet, denied making the comments. However, Poteet was forced to hand back her Miss United States crown after she posted a picture of herself wearing it on Facebook with the caption Miss Alcoholic USA. According to her profile on Business in Heels, Poteet is a Southern belle as well as a double degree graduate in biomedical and nuclear science. The multiple beauty pageant winner, who moved to Australia in 2014, works as an HR consultant with Sydney firm Cadden Crowe and is an events coordinator for the Australian Solar Council. In 2011, Poteet was crowned Miss Virginia USA, and went on to compete at the national Miss USA pageant. Poteet says on her LinkedIn profile that she also worked as a volunteer mentor to Miss Teen Philippines America pageant entrants. In her reigning year as Miss Virginia USA, she volunteered ... to read my favorite childhood books to migrant children and promoted science and maths to school students. Poteet also made headlines after her roommate accused her of making gay slurs. Derek Powell told the US publication Think Progress that in November 2011, at the Richmond, Virginia home they shared, Poteet lashed out at him, his boyfriend and their friends. Poteet denied the assertions, telling the political news site that she liked gay people. Think Progress reported that Poteet said, the guy thats in my pageant office is gay and hes my best friend in the world, I talk to him every day." In March 2013, Richmond County, Virginia police arrested Poteet following a dispute with her ex-boyfriend, James McElroy, NBC news reported. Charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. Poteet faced a Richmond court in May 2013. When prosecutors asked McElroy what had happened, he said he couldnt remember and the judge dismissed the charges. Following the court appearance, NBC also reported that Poteet had relinquished her Miss USA 2012 crown because of controversy over the Miss Alcoholic USA Facebook post. Director of the Miss United States Pageant Organisation, Chris Wilbur, told NBC in a statement, [Poteets] character was not a good fit for the organization so we gave her the option to change or leave. She chose to leave. Poteet worked as a Nuclear Safety Analysis Engineer for Dominion Virginia Power for four years before moving to Australia. This article originally appeared in News.com.au. Emmy winner Loretta Swit also happens to be a talented artist. The 79-year-old actress has just released a book of her paintings and drawings. Called Switheart, proceeds from the book will be donated to charities and programs that are dedicated to ending animal suffering and cruelty. She spoke to FOX411 about her activism and of course her role in M.A.S.H. as Hot Lips Houlihan. FOX411: Did you realize that "M.A.S.H" would become a classic? Loretta Swit: I don't think you ever realize that, but I will say that while we were shooting, even from the very beginning, we were aware of how very special it was. The symbiosis, the the camaraderie, the love and respect we had for each other. And the material, to be blessed with those gifted writers starting of course with Larry Gelbart. So you had to know that this was going to be an incredible experience. That it turned into a phenomenon - no. There's no way we could have predicted that. FOX411: Major Houlihan was an amazing role model for girls. Swit: Was she ever, was she ever! FOX411: Are you proud of that? Swit: Of course! I had everything to do with making her that. We worked hand in hand with those writers. I was doing a play on Broadway during hiatus and we had a conference call with the producers and the writers and we talked about her future and they asked me, 'What do you see happening to her now? Where do you see her character going?' And I told them, I thought the relationship with Frank Burns had reached a point of no return and that they were writing her brighter. He was not a good doctor and she was in awe of the expertise of the other doctors and she was such a good nurse. He was married. It was a flawed relationship which demeaned her and it could not continue. I had the idea that she would go on R&R to Tokyo and she would meet someone who had a higher rank than Frank who was single and available and she would fall in love and get engaged and married. My producer said, 'And then what?' So I said, 'Then she finds out he was cheating on her and they get divorced.' And she gets back into town single and liberated knowing that her work was very fulfilling and she didn't necessarily need a partner in life to fulfill herself. She was doing a good job and it filled her with self-respect and honor and she became a bigger person on her own rather than either in a demeaning relationship or one that was disloyal. For Margaret it was a tremendous growing process. We watched her evolve and that was a joy. She was a tremendous role model. I still get letters from people saying they became nurses because of what they saw her do. She was an inspiration to young women. She was a raging feminist working in a man's world and being her own person. Being strong and having integrity. FOX411: The show was on right at the end of the Vietnam War. Swit: We would be mistaken very often for which war it was and our reply was always the same: "It doesn't matter. War is wrong. It's hell. It's ugly. Let's stop doing it." So it didn't matter. FOX411: It's still on constantly. Swit: It never has been off the air. "M.A.S.H" went into syndication in year three and it's never been off the air. From year one to year eleven. So from year three to the present day it's been in syndication globally. It's a lot of coverage and I have a lot of friends out there who consider me family. They feel that I'm family. FOX411: Are you still in touch with your costars? Swit: They're my family. It's like saying, 'Do you stay in touch with your family?' FOX411: These watercolors you paint are beautiful. How long have you been painting? Swit: Since I was a kid. I won my first art prize when I was six. This was something I just did the way you get up and breathe and eat and shower. FOX411: When did your love of animals and advocacy begin?Swit: I think that's the same passion. I don't recall a moment in time when it occurred to me. It was, 'Doesn't everybody?' I thought everybody did what I did and I found out subsequently that they didn't and that there was a great need to teach people about it and so I pursued that avenue and I'm still doing that with the book. I'm still trying to tell people about the plight of our animals and what they can do to help. What we do in the humane environment, we have to do on our own. We need to realize that we need to do it. We cannot depend on any government taking control of that. We have to do it and we have to be after them to help us do it, certainly, to subsidize our work but we have to grab hold and do what we've been doing all this time. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 By Orkhan Quluzade Trend: Turkey is eyeing to build a wall along the state border with Armenia, the Turkish newspaper Star reported Jan. 11. The wall is supposed to help fight terrorism, smuggling and prevent illegal border crossing. The three-meter high concrete walls are planned to be built in the Turkish provinces of Ardahan, Kars and Igdir. The proposal is being discussed by the Turkish national defense and finance ministries, according to the newspaper. The work is currently underway in Turkey to build a wall along the border with Syria, designed to prevent illegal immigration from Syria to Turkey. The construction of the wall is expected to be completed in April 2017. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade After recovering from a series of highly publicized food safety scares and news of multiple lawsuits, Chipotle Mexican Grill is working on getting its groove back after a difficult year. On Tuesday, CEO and founder Steve Ells spoke with investors and fellow executives about the company's future. Ells told meeting attendees in Orlando that 2016 was indeed a challenging year for us, the most challenging weve ever faced," but presented several new ideas for 2017. But are these ideas big enough to turn the burrito chain around? Food safety changes Still recovering from the E.coli outbreak, the food chain announced another round of food-safety changes. Chipotle says it's equipping all 2,200 locations with breakthrough technology a device that sucks pathogens directly out of the air. RGF Environmental Group, a Florida-based food-sanitation company, manufactures three high tech devices that it says prevents the spread of harmful, foodborne bacteria like E.coli and listeria. WOMAN SUES CHIPOTLE FOR $2 BILLION OVER USE OF PHOTO Bigger and better advertising campaigns The company, which historically has been adverse to over-the-top campaigns, is slated to launch its biggest advertising campaign ever in April. Chipotle says it will produce more ads consistently throughout the year that focus on its quality ingredients. The brand may even advertise on TV. Digital ordering Chipotle has had online ordering since 2009-- but the company has since made significant changes to its digital ordering platform. Redesigned and, so says the company, simplified, Chipotle's online ordering process as well as enabled digital payments will ideally make everything more seamless for customers. Smarter pick up times (which allow customers to pre-order ahead of time to avoid lengthy lunchtime queues) are also available at 1,100 locations. Adding a sweet treat to the menu Although the simplicity of the Chipotle menu has historically been key to the brand's success, the chain is looking to add something they've never done before: a sweet ending. Ells remained secretive about the new treat but says it requires just one extra ingredient to make and will likely roll out sometime in the spring. FOR THE LATEST TRAVEL FEATURES FOLLOW FOX LIFESTYLE ON FACEBOOK Improving the hiring process In the past, Ells says store managers were encouraged to have every single crew member interview each potential candidate. While it helped teams bond, the chain now says this method has proved inefficient and time consuming, as crew members had to be pulled off of the service line during peak service hours. On average 17 candidates would be reviewed and it took over five days to fill a single position-- often losing qualified candidates to competitors. The chain hopes to dramatically reduce the number of applicants for review and decrease the time between interviewing and hiring. Better employees, says Chipotle, will lead to a better consumer experience. Ells says he's confident these tweaks will equate to a better 2017 for the burrito chain. The changes I outlined are already on their way and we are beginning to see results. In the coming months you will see the return of the kind of restaurant operations that Chipotle was known for from the very beginning, says Ells. A robber in Michigan left behind more than he bargained for after attempting to steal from a local Starbucks Sunday night. According to Fox 2 Detroit, the amateur thiefs wallet was found at the scene of the crime at the coffee shop location in Roseville. Fox 2 reported that customer Jesse Grider stopped the thief in his tracks just after the suspect swiped the tip jar from a counter. Grider told the station that he immediately sprang into action. "I don't think so, homie don't play that," he said. Grider held the man down and put him in a headlock while his girlfriend grabbed the jar and returned it to a Starbucks employee But the thief wrestled his way out of Grider's grasp, and fled the store-- but not before leaving something pretty important behind: his wallet. Starbucks promptly turned it over to the authorities. Police say they are in contact with the 40-year-old suspects family members who said that he sometimes stays at a local homeless shelter. The man remains at large and police did not release his name, but they are confident he will be caught. FOR THE LATEST FOOD & DRINK FEATURES FOLLOW FOX LIFESTYLE ON FACEBOOK The workers at Starbucks called Grider and his girlfriends actions pretty amazing. Grider, who was visiting Michigan at the time, told Fox 2 that he was amazed that his trip could be so memorable. "He left with less than when he came in. It's the opposite of a robbery basically," Grider told Fox 2. More from Fox 2. Kolton Hessman was born with his heart on the wrong side of his chest, and ever since November, the 3-year-old has been on life support as he waits for a donor organ that doctors hope will make him new again. But Koltons family, from Tennessee, said a simple social media post and a police officers generosity have helped them cope as their son fights for his life. It all started when Grant Hessman, Koltons father, set up a Facebook page to update family members on the status of his son, who is undergoing treatment at Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville. Nearly 1,000 miles away, Boston Police Officer Kevin Welsh saw the Praying4Kolton Facebook page on his newsfeed. I was just looking at the screen and saw a picture of Kolton, a beautiful little boy. When I read his story, it moved me to tears, Welsh told FoxNews.com. I thought, This little boy is a fighter and when I learned he wanted to be a police officer I needed to do something. Welsh sent Kolton a care package with Boston Police Department patches and cars, and started reaching out to fellow law enforcement officials asking them to keep the boy in their prayers and send him packages. Officers heard the call and began sending gear to Kolton and paying him a visit at the hospital. Ever since, police departments nationwide have joined in. This brightens Koltons day to see all the patches, badges and visitors from law enforcement and more, Hessman told FoxNews.com. It keeps him strong. It keeps his mind from thinking of his condition. Despite the distance, Welsh and Hessman have formed a bond over Kolton, and they have both been working to spread the message about his need for a donor heart and the importance of organ donation. The family hopes to get a heart from a young donor with the blood type B or O. He has been special since birth a fighter from the start, Hessman told FoxNews.com. Five days into the 1993 calendar 15 days before his White House stay concluded George H.W. Bush traveled to West Point for one last presidential address. The event was short on bells and whistles. Gray-uniformed Army cadets provided the backdrop. The event opened with the National Emblem March and wrapped up with the West Point March. Bushs reward for making the trek up the Hudson River: a cadet parka a curious bit of clothing for a Navy man. Bush 41 was all business that solemn day. He chose the venue to impart wisdom on what role the attending future warriors would play in global theatres. He chose not to pat himself on the back for peacefully concluding the Cold War and humiliating Saddam Hussein, but instead outlined Americas commitments as a triumphant superpower in a reshaped world. Fast-forward 14 years and five days to Chicagos Lakeside Center at McCormick Place and President Obamas Tuesday evening farewell address before an effusive crowd the second time, now, that an outgoing president said goodbye in a venue beyond the nations capital. Obama chose the moment and the setting (its where he gave his victory speech on Election Night 2012) to bask in idolatry rather than say much that will stand the test of time. Two things you should know about Obamas last hurrah: First, it wasnt so much farewell as to be continued. Come a week from Friday, Obama will be the first ex-president since Woodrow Wilson to stay in Washington once his administration ends. On Tuesday night, Obama made it clear that, unlike the enfeebled Wilson (or the gracious George W. Bush, for that matter), he plans to be quite vocal on everything from illegal immigration, replacing ObamaCare, climate change, and the Iran nuclear deal if he feels the necessity. Second, Obama chose the moment and the setting (its where he gave his victory speech on Election Night 2012) to bask in idolatry rather than say much that will stand the test of time. As such, it was a disappointing finale to a presidency that, too often and in too many different ways, placed too high of a premium on celebrity status and cult of personality an American colossus ruled by Narcissus. Heres a list of presidential farewell addresses, from the pre-modern written versions to this generations televised goodbyes. They include our nations first President George Washington establishing a peaceful transfer of power, Andrew Jackson showcasing populism, Dwight Eisenhower warning of a military-industrial complex and Ronald Reagan embracing of a shining city on a hill. Those and most other presidential farewell tended to be futuristic in their substance. Big-picture speeches. And Obama? He did go big-picture in the beginning, tapping the Founding Fathers and the concept of a more perfect union and a republic defined by generational embraces of American exceptionalism. And he lamented the current state of democracy Americans needing to set aside their differences for the good of the nations solidarity. However, too much of the 54-minute address was devoted to a recitation and defense of a progressive record. Obama talked up the broadening the definition of marriage, rebooting relations with Cuba and what he claims to be a healthier economy with poverty on the wane. On the topic of inequality, he referenced a new social compound thats, in effect, a back door to more unionization, more social-program spending and higher taxation of the affluent. Get used to more of this. Part of Obamas post-presidency will include revamping Organizing for Action, a group born from his campaign machine and tasked with candidate recruitment. Obama also claimed that race relations have improved over the recent decades, arguably his wobbliest words as (a) he removed his presidency from the equation and (b) in a city fraught with intra-racial homicides, it was just five days ago that four black Chicagoans were arrested for torturing a white special-needs teen live on Facebook. However, the topic of race was also one of Obamas stronger moments: calling on white Americans to better understand minority struggles with equality; minorities learning to better appreciate white struggles with a changing economy. We all have to try harder, he neatly surmised. Still, Obama couldnt resist the subtle dig at his successor (science and reason matter) and the loyal opposition (how can elected officials rage about deficits when we propose to spend money on preschool for kids, not when were cutting taxes for corporations?), even if it was cloaked in a nobler call for both parties to stop engaging in double standards. Not until nearly midway into his remarks did the only president to serve an entire two terms with a nation at war delve into terrorism. Not that it was much a deep dive. The former constitutional law professor rolled ISIS into a big ball of human rights, womens right and LBGT rights and from there, naturally, protecting voting rights and a closing passage in which Obama called for his countrymen to became a nation of community organizers. Add it up and, for one last time, America was witness to the Obama paradox. Twice, this very personable man was elected to the nations highest office. Hell leave office with healthy approval numbers. Yet on three separate occasions two midterm elections and Hillary Clintons ill-fated stab at hope and change the American people rejected the mans ideas and ideology. One good thing about star power, as Obama showed this one last time as president: it means not going unnoticed. Back in 2009, George W. Bushs press minions had to grovel for airtime for their bosss farewell address from the East Room of the White House. This time around, none of the three major television networks balked at granting Obama coverage live and in primetime. And good television it was. As per usual, the words were melodic. The crowd was spellbound; a fawning media will swoon over the passages. But with Obama its always been a temporary high a long, rhetorical nitrous oxide hit before returning to the sobering realities of a sluggish economy, flawed health care reform, a socially divided nation and a world stage dotted with bad actors. Despite the lofty language, the kind optics and the mans cool presence on stage, Obamas party paid a terrible price down-ticket in congressional, gubernatorial and state legislative numbers. Last November, the electorate handed the presidency to a man whos the anti-Obama in taste, temperament, experience and execution. Saying farewell can be hard especially when ones party has been left in the dust. Barack Obama ended his presidency as he began it, delivering soaring rhetoric and political pageantry that far exceeded his actual record of governance. Indeed, the rhetoric of Barack Obamas farewell address did not match the bleak reality of his presidency. Despite his high approval ratings, Obama remains more than anything else a symbol for Democrats disheartened by the stunning defeat of Hillary Clinton, rather than a truly successful president leaving behind a legacy of accomplishment. Obama promised America unity and healing after the Bush years, but delivered polarization and division. Today, America is far more divided and partisan than when Obama became president, a trend exacerbated by his own patronizing and belittling political style. The division that Obama has sown over the course of his presidency has had real consequences for the stature and stability of our country. America is weaker, both at home and overseas, than when Obama took office. In his address Tuesday night, Obama decried the cynicism and polarization in our politics, yet his tenure has witnessed the rapid deterioration of bipartisanship at every level of American government. It is fitting that ObamaCare, the presidents signature piece of legislation, was rammed through Congress without a single Republican vote. The repudiation of ObamaCare by the incoming Republican administration, and the speed with which Congressional Republicans are moving to repeal it, should come as no surprise. Weak economic growth has also been a hallmark of the Obama years, despite Obamas insistence that he presided over the longest stretch of job creation in our history. The anemic, jobless recovery has left millions underemployed and hollowed out entire sectors of the American economy. In fact, Obamas economic performance was so dismal that the mere prospect of new governance has rallied markets and sent consumer confidence indicators surging. Obamas legacy abroad is even more dismal than at home. America has surrendered leadership in Middle East, where terrorist organizations including ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Hamas run rampant. Hundreds of thousands are dead in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, and beyond. Obama claimed to have shut down Irans nuclear program without firing a shot, but Iran is now more powerful and influential than ever, and has already begun to violate Obamas toothless nuclear deal. Europe is hopelessly divided, while Vladimir Putins resurgent Russia freely invades its neighbors with barely a word of protest from Nobel Peace Prize-winner Obama. The EU and NATO are faltering, while Obama dithers. In Asia, Obama has left our allies entirely at the mercy of a totalitarian, expansionist China. Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and South Korea have desperately sought Obamas support, but received only token platitudes. Obama has done nothing to halt North Koreas nuclear progress, which could lead to an Asian arms race and regional conflict. Put another way, Obamas presidency was a disappointment, and he leaves behind a broken, unimpressive legacy. He always prioritized the symbolism and theater of the presidency over concrete policy accomplishments that benefitted Americans. The 2016 election was a clear an unambiguous repudiation of Obamas policies and presidency. Hillary Clinton ran on a continuation of the Obama administration, and lost to unlikely outsider Donald Trump in no small part because voters desperately wanted real change in government. In his address, Obama insisted that the future should be ours. But the truth of his legacy is that the future now belongs to the Republicans who steadfastly opposed Obama for the last eight years, and their President-elect Donald Trump. Attorney General-designate Jeff Sessions, who comes before the Senate for confirmation this week, has often been skeptical of efforts to reform the criminal justice system. He stood opposed to a growing bipartisan coalition in Congressone that spanned the ideological spectrumthat sought to expand rehabilitative programming in federal prisons and restore proportional sentences for drug crimes. While everyone was aiming for public safety, skeptics, including Sen. Sessions, questioned whether the proposed reforms would get us there, ultimately scuttling a legislative consensus. Sen. Sessions skepticism is not inherently bad. Just as tough on crime legislation was in vogue a generation ago, criminal justice reform is now in the vanguard, but not all reforms are created equal. It is imperative that legislators and policymakers undertake criminal justice reform thoughtfully, prioritizing those reforms proven to improve public safety. Fortunately for all of us, we can both protect the public and reform our nations broken prison system at the same time. Many states, including those that helped carry President-elect Trump to victory, have shown us how. Now Sen. Sessions has a chance to apply their best principles and practices in his leadership of the federal justice system. The number one job of the criminal justice systemall the way from the local level to the federalis to keep the public safe. Properly applied, criminal justice reform helps us meet that goal. Prison is meant, at least in part, to deter people from engaging in criminal behaviors. One might think that worse prisons are more effective deterrents, but the opposite has turned out to be true. When prisons are overcrowded and violent, when prisoners lack access to educational or rehabilitative programs, and when sentences are unduly long, the justice system becomes a revolving door. Nationwide, approximately two-thirds of the 600,000 prisoners released in 2017 will be arrested again within three years. Thats a systemic failure to protect Americans from becoming victims of crime. Conversely, the smart criminal justice reforms that stalled in Congress this past session included reforms with demonstrated efficacy in improving public safety in the states and local governments where they were first implemented. Texas, despite its lock-em-up reputation, has used a variety of criminal justice reforms, including diversionary drug courts and parole reform. In the process, it has reduced its behind-bars head count enough to shutter three entire prisons. Thanks to its reforms, Texas shrank its prison population 10 percent between 2008 and 2013, more than twice the average national reduction, while simultaneously cutting its crime rate. And it wasnt just in Texas; according to the Pew Center on the States, the 10 states that cut their prison population the most had a 13 percent average reduction in their crime rates (states that increased their incarceration rate still enjoyed the benefits of a national drop in crime, but their crime rates fell less). While the federal system has a unique population and policies, public safety lessons learned at the state level, like the importance of proportional sentencing and risk assessment tools for assigning individuals to the best rehabilitative programs, can and should be applied at the federal level. The budget of the Federal Bureau of Prisons is nearly $8 billion. Where incarceration is necessary to achieve justice, our taxpayer money is spent wastefully when it warehouses prisoners instead of rehabilitating them. A better prison system would give men and women behind bars opportunities to take responsibility for their crimes, make amends, and learn to live differently. It is to the publics advantage to use proven, safe, and effective alternatives to incarceration. Diversionary sentencing and incarceration programs have been adopted in more than 27 states. These alternative programs keep people connected to their communities and out of expensive prison cells. And effective in-prison programs, designed to address well-researched criminogenic factors, help make sure those who are released return to the community as productive, law-abiding citizens. Sen. Sessions has often repeated the adage, If you cant do the time, dont do the crime. And he is rightin a society built on law and order, those who commit crimes must expect to be held accountable. But that accountability must uphold human dignity by staying in due proportion to the harm done, and it must not ultimately cause even greater harm to the community. We know what happens when we lock people up in a system that does not rehabilitate them, and the costs to societyboth human and financialare far too high for us to continue to bear. Now, thanks to the pioneering work of many states, we know how we can protect the public while building a criminal justice system reflective of our deepest national values. Prison Fellowship urges Sen. Sessions to advance federal criminal justice reforms that embody those values proportion, accountability, and restorationshould he become our next attorney general. If theres one message both Republican and Democratic voters sent to their elected representatives in last years primary and general elections, it was this: we are tired of political gridlock. Do something useful! But while most Republican lawmakers are getting ready, with varying degrees of enthusiasm and trepidation, for Donald Trumps presidency, some Democrats are lost in a foggy swamp of denial, and seem determined to impede the incoming administration by whatever means necessary. What voice of the electorate? How soon they forget! Lets look at what stunts have been pulled on Capitol Hill since last Novembers election, but before Trump even takes office: Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee tried to object to the ratification of the Electoral College results, claiming that voter suppression might have invalidated the election. Democrats pulled an all-night talkathon on the Senate floor, illegal under that bodys rules, to block the repeal of Obamacare. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer presided over a Make America Sick Again photo-op, to denounce the Republican plan to scrap the Affordable Care Act. Sen. Schumer promised to fight tooth and nail against Trumps first appointee to the Supreme Court, to replace Antonin Scalia, before Trump becomes president and well in advance of his submission of a nominee. Several Democratic members of congress took pictures of themselves on the floor of the House to protest a new rule that will fine selfie-snappers up to $2,500. What is the point of these diversions? Is it to make government more efficient? Hardly. Its just more of the hold-my-breath-til-I-turn-(Democrat)-blue hysterics that began the day after the election, when universities around the country (including my alma mater, Cornell) held cry-ins and brought in grief counsellors for stricken students who could not accept the results. To see elected members of congress acting in the manner of whining college kids is simply sad. Both parties claim they want to represent the people who sent them to Washington. So, what do the people want? A Fox News poll last month left little doubt: They want their elected representatives to stop quibbling and relearn the lost art of problem-solving. Sixty-two percent of the people polled by Fox said the country was seriously off track. And when asked who they trusted to fix important problems, the most common response was market forces and business. Fewer than half as many people said they trusted government to make their lives better. Nowhere in the poll do respondents say they want the loyal opposition to engage in gimmicks and obstructionism. To be fair, the new presidents aggressive Twitter habit doesnt help concentrate the nations attention on things that matter, either. The childish displays of pique that have marked the interregnum between Barack Obamas administration and the beginning of the Donald Trump era indicate that those Democrats acting out, despite claiming to be listening to the people, have little interest in any opinions but their own. Tuesday night President Obama delivered his farewell to the nation, choosing the McCormick Place in his Chicago hometown as the stage. The dramatic setting, the enormous crowd and the almost concert-like optics set this apart from every other presidential farewell. With echoes of past speeches and playing off the themes of the hope and change campaign of 2008, the speech was part emotional goodbye and part pep talk for his party -- after Democrats were decisively defeated in an election Obama repeatedly said was meant to secure his legacy. In his address, President Obama defended that legacy, but he also sought to reach beyond parties and disappointments to give the American people his idea about a way forward. The speech had special interest for me beyond the current political scene. I was listening particularly closely because my new book on Dwight Eisenhower, "Three Days in January: Dwight Eisenhowers Final Mission," is built around his iconic farewell address, delivered on January 17, 1961. Serendipitously, the book launched on the day of President Obamas farewell speech. It was that research on Eisenhowerand particularly the final days of his transition leading up to John F. Kennedys inauguration--that first got me thinking about the meaning of the presidential farewell address. What is its purpose for presidents then and now? Eisenhower was a great student of George Washington whose dramatic farewell in 1796 is worth our attention. That transition in 1796 was a critical moment of truth for our young nation, which had yet to experience what would become one of its most precious traditionsthe peaceful transition of power. It had literally never been done before. Washingtons farewell, printed and distributed in a newspaper article, was the decisive moment when the nation learned he would not seek a third term, but rather, would pass the baton and step aside. With great humility, the man who had been at the helm of our government through its first years, wrote, Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. In other words, he was communicating that the presidency was not about the man but the office, and it was the Constitution that would see the country through. Still, he went on to give a forceful defense of the principles upon which the country was founded, and a strong warning against foreign intervention and for national unity. As evidence of the power of this enduring message, every year in February, in honor of Washingtons birthday, the U.S. Senate reads aloud the text of his farewell addressa tradition that has been observed since 1896. Clearly, he set the mold. President Obama made a point of referencing Washingtons farewell in his own speech Tuesday, particularly his warning that self-government is the foundation of our nation and we must guard it always with jealous anxiety. Arguably, Eisenhower is the only president since Washington whose farewell words have made a lasting impression. In saying goodbye, American presidents typically attempt to accomplish two things: defend their records and look ahead to the challenges facing the nation. The speeches are rarely memorable, and that is one reason Ikes stands out. Three presidents in our modern era never had the opportunity to give farewells. Roosevelt and Kennedy died in office. Nixon gave a hasty speech that was more of a personal goodbye as he prepared to escape the shame of his resignation. With other modern presidents, the farewells seem to reflect the men themselves. Some of them were crafted in the twilight of disappointing terms. Lyndon Johnson recited a catalog of accomplishments delivered not as a separate farewell but in his final state of the union address before congress. His lengthy speech was ponderous and tortured. Carter, still resentful about being defeated for a second term, was somber while detailing Americas ills. Reagans farewell isnt as memorable. But reading it, one is often struck by how perfectly it reflected the man with all his warmth and personal feeling. Speaking from the Oval Office, he said, People ask how I feel about leaving. And the fact is, parting is such sweet sorrow. The sweet part is California and the ranch and freedom. The sorrowthe goodbyes, of course, and leaving this beautiful place. He went on to tell story after story in his masterful style. Rather than a policy checklist Reagan chose to speak of higher ideals and call for patriotic engagement. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both said in their speeches that they were more optimistic about America than when they began their presidenciesa striking statement for Bush in light of 9/11 and the ensuing war on terrorism. President Obamas farewell came at the end of an acrimonious election, addressing a nation that is deeply divided. In the soaring oratory that is his trademark, he called on the nation to lace up its shoes and get to work, saying, The long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion. While taking veiled swipes at the incoming Trump administration whose agenda is starkly different than his, he covered little new ground, mostly repeating his standard theme of hope, and declaring as his two immediate predecessors had that he was more optimistic than ever about the future of America. Watching this speech, it seems clearer than ever that Dwight Eisenhowers farewell stands out as the most important of our eraand possibly the most significant address since Washingtons. Notably, the speech only received cursory attention at the time. The country and the media were swept up in the excitement about a glamorous president-to-be. Only later, after Kennedy was mired in problems, and then Johnson was burdened with the trials of Vietnam, did people begin to take a new look at Eisenhowers words. Eisenhower gave the speech not before a cheering crowd or a congressional chamber, but in a black-and-white televised address, sitting at his desk in the Oval Office. The speech was not an afterthought. In fact, it had been a year and a half in the making, a serious effort involving some thirty drafts. At the Eisenhower Library, you can hold the original drafts of the speech with gloved hands, and see Eisenhowers many scribbled notations in his effort to get it just right. In the end, although Ike was speaking to the country, he was also addressing an audience of onepresident-elect Kennedy. He was determined to pass on to this eager young man the importance of balancing the interests of the nation, a caution about the dangers of an untamed military-industrial complex, and the importance of bipartisanship. In many ways Eisenhowers farewell still speaks to our times. The themes are a template for the modern era. We still struggle with that delicate balancing act, while we face new questions about our place in the world. Eisenhowers address survives because it wasnt about him and his accomplishments. It wasnt soaring or poetic, just the plainspoken talk of a man giving a warning and a reminder of who we are as a nation and what we need to do to protect our sacred democracy. As he said quite simplyand, like President Washington You and I, my fellow citizens, need to be strong in our faith that all nations, under God, will reach the goal of peace with justice. May we be ever unswerving in devotion to principle, confident but humble with power, diligent in pursuit of the nations great goals. By day, Pavel Fesyuk is an exterminator. By night, hes a mixed martial arts fighter. Pavel works for Town and Country Pest Solutions, a family-owned business in Rochester, New York, that follows a simple rule: Love God, Love People, Serve Others, Tell Everyone. Click here for a FREE subscription to Todds newsletter: a must-read for Conservatives! On Tuesday, Pavel was on his way to a pest control appointment when he came across a motorist standing in the roadway. I was approaching a red light and I saw the man standing at the back of his car, Pavel told me. I thought maybe he was trying to flag someone down. It was clear the man was in distress. It turns out he was choking to death. Pavel jumped out of his vehicle and rushed to the mans side while the dash cam video in the company van recorded the entire incident. Click here to preorder Todds NEW book The Deplorables Guide to Making America Great Again! He tried patting the man on the back hoping that would dislodge whatever was in the guys throat but it did not work. And performing the Heimlich maneuver proved to be a bit difficult because the victim was a bit larger than Pavel. In addition to being a fighter, Pavel appeared on two seasons of the hit television show "America Ninja Warrior." So, he knows a thing or two about improvisation. And thats how he came up with the idea to employ a maneuver he normally uses on fighters during cage matches. I got a Gable Grip on the guy and just picked him up off the ground, Pavel said. The improvised emergency maneuver did the trick and the blockage was cleared in a matter of just a few seconds. He thanked me but it all happened so fast I didnt even get his name, he said. Back at the pest control company, Pavels co-workers were shocked by the video. They called him a hero but thats not how Pavel sees things. I just helped somebody out. I took 30 seconds out of my day to help somebody, he said. Caleb Fabry, the president of Town and Country Pest Solution, sent me a copy of the video on Facebook. This guy showed us in this video that nothing matters but life and love, Mr. Fabry said. I think that is one of the most touching parts of this whole video. And that brings me back to the companys ethos. Yes, we kill bugs and remove animals from peoples homes, but more importantly, we do what we do because we love helping others, plain and simple, Mr. Fabry said. We believe that our business is successful and in the good place that we are in only because of our God. We give Him all the glory. I believe there is a lesson for us to learn from this modern-day parable that unfolded on a street corner in Rochester. The gentleman who nearly choked to death told Paul something that shook me to my core. He said he was trying to get people to help him, but they kept driving around him. He was choking and nobody cared, Pavel said. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him, the Gospel of Luke records. Pavel Fesyuk is that Good Samaritan. He offered a helping hand to a stranger in need. He had mercy on him. Now, go and do likewise. In a new millennium already marked by political firsts -- our first Black president, Americas first female presidential nominee, and the election of the first non-politician president -- the American people have had a front row seat to another first on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Wednesday, for the first time, a sitting senator, New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker, will testify against another sitting senator, Alabamas Jeff Sessions, at Sessions confirmation hearing to be our next attorney general. Who are the players on this political stage? One man, Sessions, a Republican, has been a U.S. Senator for 20 years. Thirty-five years ago, when a KKK member was found guilty of lynching an African-American teenager, Alabamas then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions helped to facilitate the state prosecution so that the death penalty could be imposed. Henry Hays became the first white man executed in Alabama for murdering a Black person since 1913. Sessions was also instrumental in breaking the back of Alabamas KKK by imposing a $7 million civil judgment. He spent over two decades going after the Klan in Alabama. Where does he stand on other policies that directly impact the Black community? He is opposed to abortion policies that take the lives of over 1,800 Black babies nationwide every day. He is an advocate for education reform for African-American urban children via education savings accounts and school vouchers. Sessions has stood against the damaging impact of minimum wage, which has led to an 83 percent unemployment rate nationwide among unskilled Black teen males. He is a law and order advocate, which is music to the ears of the innocent living in our nations murder capital -- urban Chicago. As a Southern, conservative, white American Jeff Sessions is not only responsible for the demise of the 1900s Democratic terrorist group, Alabamas KKK, but is also an unapologetic political advocate for those the most at risk within the African-American community. Wednesday, Cory Booker, a senator from New Jersey broke precedent and testified against him. Booker, the former mayor Newark, New Jersey, is an advocate for full access to abortions, supporting Planned Parenthood, an organization whose eugenic roots were founded with the goal of eliminating the Black race. There have been over 40 million black babies killed since 1973. Though once a proponent of school choice for poor Black urban children policies, he now appears to be waffling. He remains an advocate for high minimum wages, though they have been statistically proven to result in a disproportionately high percentage of black teen unemployment, hopelessness and crime. As a Northern, Black, American liberal, Bookers loyalty is to policies and a party that has wrought misery within every urban community it controls. Unfortunately, the strategy of racial divisiveness we are witnessing on Capitol Hill this week is not new and has only become more prevalent over the last 8 years. The Democratic Partys attempts to smear, as evil racists, those who disagree with them will once again be seen this week on the Senate floor. With their target, a conservative, Southern, white Christian man they simply cant help themselves. Also predictable will be the political foot soldiers tasked with their frontal attack, members of what I call the royal Black class elites, while receiving direction from behind-the-scenes by the partys liberal, white leadership. It appears that, for the Democratic Party, the message of the November 2016 election has not yet resonated. That message, which came straight from We the People is that were seeking solutions that transcend our diversity to unite us. Black -- or white -- racism has no place and will no longer be tolerated. It is within our long fought-for nature that we strive not judge by the color of skin, but by the content of character. As it was in 2016, future elections will prove to be of dire consequences for any politician or political party that uses divisiveness as a strategy. Its simply NOT the American way. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11 Trend: The date for Syria peace talks in Astana will be set following the ongoing consultations in Ankara and they could be postponed for a week, a source in Syrian opposition told Sputnik Jan. 11. The timeframe for the talks in Astana has not been determined yet; most likely it will be postponed for a week, the source said. The source added that participants of the Astana talks would attend intra-Syrian consultations in Geneva to form a unified opposition delegation, which would include both political forces and representatives of armed groups. Later this month hundreds of private jets are expected to descend on a small town in the canton of Graubunden, Switzerland, for a few brief days. They will be carrying the elite of the elite, who will be attending the World Economic Forum (WEF). Held in the beautiful Alpine mountain resort of Davos-Klosters, attendance is strictly by invitation only. Basic membership in the WEF costs $50,000. A premium membership can set you back $500,000. But in recent years the WEF has enjoyed another source of income. Since 2013, the Obama administration has been sending foreign assistance dollars to the WEF through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). According to government records, the tab to taxpayers thus far is $26 million. Davos attendees include a global elite, including heads of state, business titans, and celebrities. There are cocktail parties sponsored by multinational corporations and dinners catered by world-class chefs and served by bartenders performing magic tricks. Celebrities like Leo DiCaprio and Bono mingle with current heads of state and tech billionaires from around the world. Attendance is so tight for the 2017 event the WEF is considering housing staff in temporary containers to make room for guests. This is without a doubt the most connected non-profit on the planet. The organization boasts that it provides a platform for the worlds 1,000 leading companies to shape a better future. The globalist missionary zeal of the organization combined with its luxurious parties has earned it the Davos meeting the nickname Burning Man for Billionaires. Not surprisingly, the WEF is also flush with cash. According to the non-profits 2015-2016 annual report, the organization took in $223 million (current exchange rate) in revenue, most of it from membership dues and partnership fees. Despite the obvious wealth of the WEF and its members, USAID has given assistance to the WEF in the form of tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer money. Since 2013, USAID has given the World Economic Forum $26,091,370 under its Foreign Assistance to Programs Overseas initiative, which comprises nearly two-thirds of all grant and other funding WEF took in over that time period. So why is USAID, which is supposed to focus on disaster relief and poverty relief, subsidizing such an organization? According to the federal governments spendingwebsite usaspending.gov, its unclear. The money came in sizeable grants of $9.5 million in 2013, $11.1 million in 2015, and $5.7 million in 2016. The taxpayer money began to flow the same year USAID administrators began attending the luxurious confab. USAID administrators Rajiv Shah (2011-15) or Gayle Smith (2016) have attended every Davos meeting since 2011. In 2013, USAID changed its mission statement to make its prime goals to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies. Well, Switzerland is a resilient democratic society. They got that part right. According to government contract reports, its unclear if taxpayer funds were taken by the WEF and sent to Africa or Asia, but it doesnt seem so. The principal place of performance of these grants was Switzerland, with the recipient city of Cologny, where the WEF has its headquarters. Not surprisingly, a search of online real estate records reveals the town has a substantial luxury real estate market. USAID official, when asked to comment, said this: "The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works with public and private partners to advance Americas security and prosperity by promoting resilient, democratic societies and ending extreme poverty. USAID has awarded grants to the World Economic Forum (WEF), including an innovative public-private partnership to spur economic growth and reduce poverty by reducing the time and costs to trade in developing countries. USAID remains committed to stringently vetting, tracking and evaluating the results of awarded grants, to include those disbursed to the WEF, and to its public and private sector partners." How the global elite choose to spend their time is their business, but U.S. taxpayers should not be subsidizing their social lives. The 47th annual World Economic Forum convenes on January 17th and the theme is responsive and responsible leadership. In keeping with that idea, the responsible thing for the incoming Trump administration to do would be to halt grants and funding of this elite organization with taxpayer dollars. President Obama spent much of Tuesdays farewell address boasting about his success, but the facts paint a much different picture. The truth is, he oversaw the precipitous decline of the American economy, rammed through a disastrous health care law and presided over a thoroughly failed foreign policy. The last eight years have brought the lowest labor participation rates since the 1970s, with 95 million Americans out of the labor force. The so-called recovery has been the weakest one since the 1940s. We have the lowest home ownership rate in 51 years despite mortgage rates artificially kept at record lows. Over 11 million more Americans are on food stamps since he became president and more than 43 million Americans now live in poverty. One of every six men between 18 and 34 are either in prison or out of work. And by the time he leaves office, President Obama will have added more to our national debt that all the other presidents before him combined. When President Obama finally leaves office, the national debt will be almost $20 trillion. Prior to taking office, the man who has tacked on $9.3 trillion to what our children and grandchildren owe once said the then $9 trillion national debt was unpatriotic. Then, of course, there's President Obama's assault on the business community through his burdensome regulations. Consider this: The estimated cost of regulations under Obama is a staggering $873 billion. That includes a shocking $344 billion cost in Environmental Protection Agency regulations alone. All told, the number of new regulations that been finalized under President Obama checks in at almost 3,000. When it comes to jobs, President Obama is always bragging about how many he's created, but facts are stubborn things. In the past eight years, America has lost more than 300,000 manufacturing jobs and, although the president doesnt mention it, America had a global trade deficit of over $732 billion last year. Yet another drag on the American economy is ObamaCare, his signature legislation and crowning achievement. Remember when Obama repeatedly told you that under his plan you could keep your doctor, you keep your plan and that that it would drive down overall health costs to the point the average family would save $2,500 a year? And how ObamaCare would actually reduce the deficit? No matter how we reform health care, we will keep this promise to the American people, Obama said on June 15, 2009. If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan, period. Well, millions of people lost their doctors and their insurance plans, but that was just the start of the ObamaCare disaster. This year, Affordable Care Act premiums are exploding by 25 percent on average. In Arizona, they're jumping by a stunning 116 percent. Deductibles are so high that even if ObamaCare recipients pay their premiums, they cant afford to use their coverage in many cases. As for the average American family saving $2,500 a year on health care, the exact opposite has happened. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the increase in health care costs for employer-sponsored benefits since 2008 is now $5,462. That is a 43 percent increase. It just keeps getting worse. Choice in health care providers available through ObamaCare is evaporating. In states like Alabama, Alaska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Wyoming, people buying on the exchanges have a single insurer to choose from. Its because insurers are now pulling out after losing massive amounts of money. So much for choice. So what about foreign policy? Obama gave Iran, the No. 1 state sponsor of terror, $150 billion and allows them to continue to spin their centrifuges? And of course, he paid a ransom for four U.S. citizens Iran held prisoner, reversing longstanding policy and signaling to the world that theres money to be made from taking Americans captive. Obama drew a red line when he warned Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad not to use chemical weapons. When Assad crossed it, Obama did nothing. Partly as a result, that country civil war continues and has created a massive worldwide humanitarian crisis. In Egypt, Obama he gave Mohammed Morsi, the former Muslim Brotherhood head who became president but is now in prison for murder, F-16s, tanks and $1.5 billion in taxpayer funds. In Libya, the president helped overthrew Qaddafi, and that country has since fallen into chaos, creating a hotbed for ISIS. And speaking of ISIS, back 2014, President Obama called the worlds most dangerous terrorist organization theJayVee team. The next year, just hours before the horrific ISIS attack in Paris that killed 130 people, Obama assured us that ISIS was contained. ISIS was never a junior varsity team, and certainly was not contained. In fact, it seized vast parts of Iraq because Obama created a vacuum when he pulled U.S. troops out too early for purely political reasons. There's no doubt President Obama's legacy is one of severe damage to the country. But the good news is that well have a new president in 10 days in Donald Trump. The president-elect has promised to clean up this mess and he has a very clear plan to do it. He will create millions of new jobs, lower taxes, reform the tax code, negotiate better and fairer trade deals, cut burdensome regulations, encourage multi-national corporations to bring back trillions of dollars, promote energy independence repeal and replace ObamaCare, build a border wall, vet refugees and appoint originalist justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. And the soon-to-be President Trump wont be afraid to say "radical Islam" while destroying ISIS. He will drain the swamp, and reduce the size of government, eliminate bureaucratic waste, fraud, abuse and send control over public education back to the states. Theres reason to believe real, lasting change is coming our way. It will be up to all of us to hold Trump and his team accountable. Adapted from Sean Hannity's monologue on "Hannity," Jan. 10, 2017 Bret Baier currently serves as FOX News Channel's (FNC) anchor and executive editor of Special Report with Bret Baier (weeknights at 6-7PM/ET) and chief political anchor of the network. He joined FNC in 1998 as the first reporter in the Atlanta bureau and is now based in Washington, DC.Read More Most recently, Baier moderated a one-hour policy debate between Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for The Senate Project, a diverse new coalition between the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. The debate took place at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston, Massachusetts and aired live on FOX Nation with an encore presentation on FNC. Earlier in 2022, Baier provided live breaking news coverage surrounding Russias invasion of Ukraine, interviewing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. He also spoke with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Throughout his tenure at FNC, Baier has played a critical role in every major political event since joining the network. In 2021, he co-anchored a one-hour election special entitled, Democracy 2021: Virginia Showdown with The Storys Martha MacCallum. The program presented special live coverage of the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races as well as the New York City mayoral race. Previously, he co-anchored FNCs Democracy 2020 election coverage alongside MacCallum, which garnered the highest ratings for election night coverage in cable news history, with 14.1 million total viewers. During the 2020 election season, Baier and MacCallum co-anchored coverage of the 2020 presidential debates with the first 2020 presidential debate being the most-watched in cable news history with nearly 18 million viewers, as well as the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Baier and MacCallum also moderated a series of presidential election town halls with then-candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders, Julian Castro, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and former mayor Michael Bloomberg. The duos town hall with former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders in April 2019 ranked as the highest-rated town hall featuring a 2020 presidential candidate, while their sit-down virtual special with President Donald Trump from the Lincoln Memorial in May 2020 drew in nearly 4 million viewers. In addition, Baier conducted an interview with 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the first Democrat to appear on the network for the 2020 election cycle. He also helped lead coverage of the 2018 election, which marked the highest-rated midterm election coverage in cable news history with total viewers, topping all of broadcast and cable news, according to Nielsen Media Research. In 2019, Baier provided live coverage of the United States summit with North Korea, anchoring his nightly newscast Special Report from Hanoi, Vietnam. In 2018, he also contributed to FNCs live coverage of the U.S. summit with North Korea that took place in Singapore, following which, he sat down with President Donald Trump on Air Force One for a wide-ranging interview, his first interview with the president in nearly 600 days. In October 2018, Baier presented an exclusive interview with Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir to discuss the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Earlier that year, he exclusively interviewed the President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega on the countrys political and civil unrest. In April 2018, he presented an interview with former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director James Comey and later, contributed to the networks live coverage of his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee. In May 2017, Baier anchored live from Saudi Arabia to cover President Trump's first foreign trip and in April 2017, he held an exclusive interview with Jordan's King Abdullah II discussing the war on terrorism. Previously, Baier co-anchored extensive coverage of President Donald J. Trump's inauguration alongside MacCallum, which delivered the highest-rated inauguration coverage in network history, according to Nielsen. In June 2016, Baier sat down for an exclusive interview with the Dalai Lama during the Tibetan leaders' visit with then-President Obama in Washington. In March 2016, Baier hosted FNC's only Democratic town hall with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, which was held in Detroit, the night before the Michigan primary. This marked Clinton's first appearance on FNC in two years and Sanders' first interview with Baier. In August 2015, Baier, co-moderated the first GOP presidential debate of the 2016 election cycle. According to Nielsen, the debate delivered 24 million total viewers and 7.9 million in the key 25-54 demo, making it the highest-rated non-sports cable telecast of all time. Baier also co-moderated the network's second and third debates of the 2016 election cycle, held on January 28th in Des Moines, IA and March 3rd in Detroit, MI. For the 2012 and 2016 political seasons, Baier served as co-anchor of FNC's America's Election Headquarters. On March 15th, 2016, FNC's coverage of the primary races in the seven select states averaged over 5 million viewers, which was the highest-rated primary night in cable news history, according to Nielsen. In addition, he provided expansive coverage of the 2012 campaign cycle, anchoring presidential and vice presidential debates, as well as the Republican and Democratic conventions. Baier also moderated FNC's five Republican presidential primary debates. Baier has interviewed then-President Barack Obama, then-President George W. Bush and then-Vice President Dick Cheney. In 2014, he interviewed Hillary Clinton to discuss her book, "Hard Choices" and the 2016 presidential election. Additionally, he has anchored more than two dozen political specials on FNC, reported from Iraq 12 times and Afghanistan 13 times, traveled the world with various administrations and military officials and reported from 74 countries. He also hosted 13 Hours At Benghazi, a documentary featuring exclusive interviews with the American security operatives who fought on the ground during the attacks in Benghazi. Special Report with Bret Baier was acknowledged in 2012 by TIME Magazine's Joe Klein as the only "straight newscast" in cable news at 6PM/ET. He was awarded the 2017 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. Prior to his anchor role, Baier was named chief White House correspondent in 2006 and covered the second term of the George W. Bush administration. Before that, he served as national security correspondent covering military and national security affairs, as well as defense, military policy and the intelligence community from the Pentagon. As FNC's Southeastern correspondent from 1998 to 2001, he covered a range of stories, including the 2001 Timothy McVeigh execution and the 1999 Elian Gonzalez story. He has also provided a series of reports from Cuba and covered more than a dozen hurricanes. Prior to joining FNC, Baier worked for WRAL-TV (CBS 5) in Raleigh, NC, WREX-TV (NBC 13) in Rockford, IL and WJWJ-TV (PBS 2) in Beaufort, SC. A graduate of DePauw University, he has a B.A. in political science and English. He is also the author of four New York Times Best-Sellers, "Three Days in January," "Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage and Love," "Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire," as well as "Three Days at the Brink: FDRs Daring Gamble to Win World War II" which was released in October 2019. His most recent book, "To Rescue the Republic: Ulysses S. Grant, the Fragile Union, and the Crisis of 1876" was released in 2021. Declaring "yes we did," President Obama used his farewell address in Chicago Tuesday night to tout and defend his administration's record of change over the last eight years -- while voicing regrets about rising partisanship and frayed race relations as he prepares to transfer power next week to President-elect Donald Trump. Its good to be home, Obama said in his speech to the thousands gathered at Chicago's McCormick Place. Tonight its my turn to say thanks. Obama used the speech to warn of an increasingly divided nation, saying "were not where we need to be, and all of us have more work to do" to solve racial and economic inequality in particular. However, he told the crowd that after eight years as president, he still believes in the beating heart of our American idea our bold experiment in self government. "I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours." Faced with the President-elect Donald Trump's vows to roll back many of his policies, the president spent much of his speech defending his legacy. If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history," he said, before listing off a series of other achievements, "...you might have said our sights were set a little too high." When he mentioned his successor, the crowd booed but was quickly silenced by Obama. In a marked departure from his fiery stump speeches during the election campaign on behalf of Hillary Clinton, he chose not to attack Trump directly, but called for America to rediscover a sense of common purpose. He gave a sign that he may follow this himself, by saying about plans to gut ObamaCare: if anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements weve made to our health care system that covers as many people at less cost I will publicly support it. Yet, while citing his achievements, Obama warned that particularly on racial and economic inequality, America's democracy still faces serious threats, warning race is still a divisive force in the country. "After my election, there was talk of a post-racial america. In such a vision, however well intended, it was never realistic," he said. In addition to foreign threats from ISIS to Russia and China, he warned about threats from home -- including warning about efforts to label some people more American than others. Were not where we need to be. All of us have more work to do. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves, he said. The speech, which was attended by First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia, was frequently interrupted by cheers and applause from the audience. When he thanked his family for their support, Obama was visibly emotional, and paused to wipe away tears. Obama also used the speech to warn against a growing partisanship, which he says threatens American democracy, and risks ruining political debate. Increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence thats out there, he said. "But without some common baseline of facts; without a willingness to admit new information, and concede that your opponent is making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, well keep talking past each other, making common ground and compromise impossible. He called on Americans to be vigilant about democracy and not to take it for granted. Obama issued a rallying cry to his supporters, saying: If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If youre disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself, he said. Show up. Dive in. Stay at it. Sometimes youll win. Sometimes youll lose. The Associated Press reported that Obama directed his team to craft an address that would feel "bigger than politics" and speak to all Americans including those who voted for Trump. His chief speechwriter, Cody Keenan, started writing it last month while Obama was vacationing in Hawaii. The AP reports that former aides, including advisers David Axelrod and Robert Gibbs, were consulted on the speech. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A visibly emotional President Barack Obama thanked his wife and daughters during his farewell address in Chicago Tuesday evening. Addressing 18-year-old Malia and 15-year-old Sasha, the president said, "You have become two amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful, but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful and you are full of passion. "You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad." Only Malia was in the audience for the speech at the McCormick Place convention center. She joined her parents on stage after the speech. Obama wiped away tears as he closed his speech by praising his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden. Obama said his wife's role as first lady was one "you didn't ask for and you made it your own ... You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. "You have made me pround and you have made the country proud." The Obamas hugged former aides and other audience members long after the speech ended. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Pentagon has dispatched a sea-based X-band radar unit to the Far East in response to recent nuclear threats by North Korea's Communist dictatorship, a U.S. defense official told Fox News Tuesday. The radar will be stationed nearly 1,000 miles off the coast of the Korean peninsula and will help the U.S. military detect North Korean missile launches. A similar unit was deployed to the region this past fall. Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced in his annual New Year's address that the country had reached the "final stages" of intercontinental ballistic missile development. President-elect Donald Trump responded with a tweet, saying "It won't happen!" but did not indicate how his administration would prevent it. On Sunday, North Korea's foreign ministry said it could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile at any time." Outgoing Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday that the U.S. military stands ready to shoot down any North Korean missile that might approach the United States. If the missile is threatening, it will be intercepted,said Carter, who briefed reporters with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford. Carter said that a test launch of a North Korean missile that is not deemed a threat would not be shot down because tracking the flight would be useful to gather intelligence. Earlier Tuesday, outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry told midshipmen and staff at the U.S. Naval Academy that Washington will need more forceful ways to deal with North Korea and urged Trump's administration to work closely with China, Pyongyang's main trading partner, to exert more economic pressure on North Korea. Kerry said the aim should be resuming talks on denuclearization that could open the way to economic assistance for North Korea, sanctions relief and a formal peace on the divided Korean Peninsula. But Kerry said if the North persists in developing the long-range missile it "drags the United States into an immediate threat situation to which we may then have to find other ways, more forceful ways of having an impact on the choices that he is making." Kerry didn't elaborate. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker cast aside long-standing precedent Wednesday and testified against a sitting Senate colleague, as he urged the chamber not to confirm Jeff Sessions for attorney general a move that earned him a rebuke from Republicans. Critics charged the New Jersey senator was merely burnishing his credentials for a presidential run, with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., writing on Facebook he was disappointed Booker has chosen to start his 2020 presidential campaign by testifying against Senator Sessions. According to the Senate historian, no sitting senator has ever testified against a colleague at a Cabinet nomination hearing. Cotton said Booker knows better than to use the hearing as a platform for his presidential aspirations. The first-term senator countered in his testimony that Senate traditions were not the priority here. "I believe, like perhaps all of my colleagues, that in the choice between standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country," Booker told the Senate Judiciary Committee. Testifying during the second day of Sessions confirmation hearing, Booker charged that his colleague is incapable of fulfilling the responsibilities of the office of attorney general. Senator Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requisite of the job [of attorney general] -- to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights and justice for all of our citizens, Booker said. The senator asserted that at times during his career Sessions has demonstrated a hostility toward these convictions. Ever since President-elect Donald Trump nominated him to the AG post, Sessions has been battling efforts to revive allegations of past racist comments which helped derail his failed 1986 nomination for a federal judgeship. Wednesdays testimony coincided with other civil-rights figures testifying against Sessions including NAACP head Cornell Brooks and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a civil rights icon who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. Sessions, however, adamantly denied claims of harboring racial animus during the opening day of the hearing Tuesday. He decried the false charges and said critics were painting a caricature of him. Jeff Giertz, Bookers communications director, confirmed to FoxNews.com that the senator attended parts of yesterdays Judiciary hearing in-person and watched the hearing throughout the day when he wasnt able to be in the room. Though Booker, a former Newark mayor, came out against a Senate colleague just three-plus years into his term, Democrats came to Bookers defense -- suggesting his break with tradition pales in comparison to Republican tactics. He is taking a stand and is doing so fully recognizing that a lot of his Republican colleagues will be upset. Republicans did not think much of discretion and deference when they refused to give [Obama Supreme Court nominee] Merrick Garland a hearing, Jim Manley, a former spokesman for ex-Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, told FoxNews.com. Cotton answered Bookers testimony on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, by joking that his attacks on Jeff Sessions are so far-fetched I half-expected his make-believe friend T-Bone to be next witness. T-Bone is a reference to an individual Booker frequently claimed over the years had threatened his life when he was mayor of Newark. It came to light during his campaign for the Senate that T-Bone was not an actual person. South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott, the only other black member of the Senate, gently chided Booker for his appearance Wednesday. I have always respected Senator Booker as a colleague. This is not a decision I would have made, he said in a statement to FoxNews.com. Bookers comments Wednesday stand in contrast to remarks he made less than a year ago. I feel blessed and honored to have partnered with Senator Sessions in being the Senate sponsors of this important award, Booker said of his collaboration with Sessions on a bill honoring participants of the Selma civil rights marches with the Congressional Gold Medal. President Obama, in his farewell address Tuesday night, focused his speech on gains made during his two-term presidency and used the platform to urge his pary to rally after November's election. Hes trying to fire up his party, Bret Baier, the anchor of Special Report said. He continued, It is a party in the wilderness when it comes to the politics of where it goes. Obama issued a rallying cry to his supporters, saying: If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life. .@BarackObama to daughters: Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad. - TCT #Tucker @FoxNews Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) January 11, 2017 If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If youre disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself, he said. Show up. Dive in. Stay at it. Sometimes youll win. Sometimes youll lose, he said. WATCH ENTIRE SPEECH: PART 1 | PART 2 He bid farewell to the country in his hometown of Chicago in front of 18,000 inside McCormick Place. His speech was forceful at times, especially when defending his major initiatives. If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history," he said, before listing off a series of other achievements, "...you might have said our sights were set a little too high," he said. READ THE SPEECH When he made a reference to the next president, Donald Trump, the crowd booed. No, no, no, no, no, he said. One of the nations great strengths is the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next. Baier, who was interviewed after the speech by Tucker Carlson on Tucker Carlson Tonight, pointed out that Obama got emotional when he talked about his family. No matter what your ideology is, you have toat this momentrespect the sacrifice that a family goes through, when not only running for president, but being in that office for eight years. It comes with a lot of perks, but it comes with a lot of sacrifice as well. Hillary Clinton's allies aren't done campaigning against Donald Trump. Liberal PAC American Bridge, launched by Clinton ally David Brock, on Wednesday announced the leadership team for a new anti-Trump project called the Trump War Room. The group tapped Shripal Shah, a former Clinton campaign staffer and alumnus of the Democratic National Committee, to run the outfit. The Trump War Room is set to be the research and communications powerhouse that will fight Trump at every turn, American Bridge said in a statement. The Trump War Room will continue to put a spotlight on all the different ways that Trumps decisions are driven not by the national interests of the American people, but by Trumps own personal self-interests that could put our national security in jeopardy. The project also has added former Clinton campaign official Emily Aden, who will be the Trump War Rooms director of rapid response, the announcement said. Aden was deputy research director for the Clinton campaigns in 2008 and 2016. Brock announced in December he was going to launch the project, saying in a press release that while Trump may be president-elect, he definitively does not have a mandate. Trump supporters for weeks have accused Clinton backers and the Democratic National Committee of being sore losers, amid new efforts aimed at opposing the incoming administration. Dawn Le, spokesperson for American Bridge, told FoxNews.com the project would consist of research on Trumps statements and policies, as well as video tracking and a rapid-response operation. Theres a lot of concern about the Trump administration and what it will mean for our civil rights, civil liberties, and whether he will be using his presidency for profit for himself, his family and his business, Le said. Asked if the project aims to undermine Trump, and not accept that he was elected, Le said American Bridge understands that hes been elected president. When the inauguration begins, he will take office, theres no denying that, she said, adding: It not a secret that people who work at American Bridge wanted Hillary Clinton to be president. The move follows the hiring by Californias Democratic lawmakers of Eric Holder, the former attorney general under President Obama, to help the state fight the GOP-led Congress and the Trump administration. The decree allowing citizens of 80 states to entry Belarus without visas for a period of no longer than five days was published Wednesday, Sputnik reported. The decree allowing citizens of 80 states to entry Belarus without visas for a period of no longer than five days was published Wednesday on the national National Legal Internet Portal of Belarus. According to the text of the decree, it enters into force one month after its official publication. On Monday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed the decree abolishing visa requirements for five-day period on entry via the Minsk National Airport. The decree covers the citizens of 39 European countries, Brazil, Indonesia, the United States, Japan and other countries. The selling of Jeff Sessions as attorney general began before his fellow senators began questioning him yesterday. Through a series of calculated leaks, the Trump transition team tried to combat the lingering image problem from the Senates rejection of him for a judgeshipa story I covered decades ago. The Trump strategists made sure that the Washington Post and New York Times had an advance copy of the Alabama senators opening statement. That produced this headline, invaluable to the pro-confirmation forces: Sessions to press image of tough lawman and independent voice at attorney general hearings. As he seeks to convince his colleagues he is worthy of being the next U.S. attorney general, the Post story began, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) will cast himself as an old-school law enforcer who will crack down on violent crime, work to improve morale at local police departments and remain fiercely independent of the president who appointed him, according to a copy of prepared remarks he will make at his confirmation hearing that begins Tuesday. The story also had Sessions asserting his independence by saying the AG must be willing to tell the president no if he overreaches and cannot be a mere rubber stamp. A separate leak to Politico included the opening remarks of Susan Collins, who would introduce Sessions and is a key supporter as the Senates most moderate Republican: We have worked closely on some issues and on opposite sides on others. In fact, it would be fair to say that we have had our share of vigorous debates and policy disagreements. I can confidently vouch for the fact that Jeff Sessions is a person of integrity, a principled leader, and a dedicated public servant." The Times had a somewhat sympathetic profile: Jeff Sessions, a Lifelong Outsider, Finds the Inside Track: Mr. Sessions is in many ways Mr. Trumps antithesis: reedy-voiced, diminutive and mild-mannered, a devout Methodist and an Eagle Scout who will soon celebrate a golden wedding anniversary with his college sweetheart. Once the hearing was under way, Sessions provided the day's major headline by saying he would recuse himself from any investigation involving Hillary Clinton because he had criticized her and her private server as a Trump supporter during the campaign. That came in the opening sequence with GOP Chairman Chuck Grassley and was probably planned. Sessions also sought to disarm his liberal detractors by saying he regarded past court rulings on abortion and same-sex marriage as the law of the land. When the Senate heard testimony in 1986 that Sessions, then a federal prosecutor, had said racially insensitive things and called the NAACP and ACLU un-American, it was hard to imagine that he would one day be the nominee for attorney general (or that Donald Trump, then a year away from publishing The Art of the Deal, would be president). But the courtly Sessions got himself elected to the Senate, and as a well-liked member of the exclusive club, will have little trouble being confirmed. Sessions is a staunchly conservative pick who will have a far different approach, especially on civil rights and immigration, than the Justice Department of Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch. He has said the Voting Rights Act is intrusive but necessary. But Sessions defenders are making sure the press knows that he once prosecuted two KKK members for murdering a black teenager, and that he co-sponsored legislation to award congressional gold medals to Rosa Parks and Alabama civil rights marchers. None of this happens by accident. Sarah Flores, a strategist for Carly Fiorinas campaign who is now working on the nomination, told USA Today that they had held several mock sessions to prepare for hostile questions by Democratic members. Given that the hearing was televised, the process is as important as the outcome. The goal of the Trump team was not just for the nominee to avoid land mines but to burnish his image a bit after a barrage of negative publicity. By working the press, these strategists are trying to change the narrative that sunk Jeff Sessions 30 years ago. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson and Sen. Marco Rubio clashed during a pair of contentious exchanges Wednesday, with an incredulous Rubio pressing the prospective diplomat to brand Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" and Tillerson coolly blunting Rubio's broadsides by explaining his more deliberative vision. During the tense back-and-forths at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing, Rubio, R-Fla., cross-examined Tillerson on policy regarding Russia, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. At the end of Rubio's second questioning period, Tillerson sought to allay any concerns the aggressive Rubio may have had. "There seems to be some misunderstanding that I see the world through a different lens, and I do not," Tillerson said. "...But I'm also clear-eyed and realistic about dealing with cultures." Tillerson's statement followed a heated initial session during which the ExxonMobil CEO refused to specifically call Putin a "war criminal." "I find it discouraging your ability to cite that, which I think is globally accepted," Rubio said. That exchange mirrored later questions by Rubio, who tried getting Tillerson to categorize Saudi Arabia as a "human rights violator" and denounce the practices of controversial Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. Tillerson also wouldn't bite when Rubio, a former opponent of President-elect Donald Trump during the Republican presidential primary, tried to get Tillerson to say Putin murdered political foes. Still, Tillerson took a noticeably harder line toward Putin and Russia than Trump has done during the transition period and prior to it. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests," Tillerson said during his opening statement. "...Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia. Tillerson called Russia an "unfriendly adversary" during later testimony, stopping short of saying the nation was an enemy of the U.S. Russia took center-stage during the early portion of the hearing for Tillerson. Senators grilled Tillerson amid swirling questions about alleged meddling in U.S. politics by the Kremlin and Tillersons own business ties to Russia. "My love of country and my patriotism is going to dictate that I serve no one's interests but that of the American people," Tillerson said. Tillerson said that Russia had no legal claim to Crimea -- "that was a taking of territory that was not theirs" -- and said the Obama administration should have provided Ukraine with help defending its borders. "The absence of a very firm, forceful response to the taking of Crimea was judged by leadership in Russia as a weak response," Tillerson said. While Russia dominated the early proceedings, Tillerson also addressed other areas. He took aim at Chinas illegal building of man-made islands in the South China Sea and radical Islam, which he said posed a grave risk to the stability of nations and the well-being of their citizens. On Syria, Tillerson said the U.S. currently had too many competing goals and needed to focus on defeating ISIS before a discussion could occur about who should lead the country. The Obama administration's dual priorities of ousting President Bashar al-Assad and eradicating ISIS were sometimes at odds with each other, Tillerson said. Tillerson called ISIS an imminent threat but named cyber intrusions as the "greatest and most complex threat" facing the U.S. He also said the American government had stumbled under the Obama administration. If we do not lead, we risk plunging the world deeper into confusion and danger, Tillerson said. One moment of levity occurred when Sen. Tim Kaine asked Tillerson about ExxonMobile's climate change policies. Tillerson told Kaine that Kaine would need to ask current executives, to which Kaine asked if Tillerson lacked "the knowledge to answer my question or are you refusing to answer my question?" "A little of both," Tillerson said to laughs. On the topic of Trump's frequent use of Twitter, Tillerson said he wouldn't "tell the boss how to communicate with the American people. That's gonna be his choice." Tillerson testified a day after a contentious Senate session involving Attorney General nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions. The audience at Tillersons Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing again appeared to be filled with protesters, including Code Pink activists who were dressed in Statue of Liberty garb, a man outfitted in a suit made of money and some protesters suited up in T-Rex costumes a play on Tillersons name. One early protester was ejected after she screamed I reject you! at Tillerson. At a feisty news conference packed with big announcements, President-elect Donald Trump blasted the media and even the intelligence community Wednesday for disgraceful reports about Moscows supposed dirt on him while unveiling a sweeping plan to separate himself from his business empire. Trump also unveiled his pick for Veterans Affairs Department secretary, vowed to roll out a plan soon to repeal and replace ObamaCare and reiterated his intent to build a border wall. But he was most animated while rebutting reports that the Russians may have compromising information about him. Its all fake news. Its phony stuff. It didnt happen, Trump said. Calling the claims nonsense, he questioned whether the intelligence community leaked the information. He said it would be a tremendous blot on their record if they did and stood by a tweet likening the leak to the tactics of Nazi Germany. Thats something that Nazi Germany would have done, and did do, he said. Trump said the reports should never have been written, while praising others in the media for their restraint. Ive just gone up a notch as to what I think of you, he quipped. He later sparred with a reporter from CNN, which along with BuzzFeed first reported on the claims -- though BuzzFeed published the more salacious details. The crux of the press conference, however, was an announcement from his team about his plans for The Trump Organization -- which now includes handing control of the global company bearing his name to sons Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, along with chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg. Trump also plans to resign all offices and positions in his companies, and place his assets and investments in a trust. According to an attorney who spoke at the press conference, daughter Ivanka whose husband Jared Kushner has accepted a senior adviser job in the White House will relinquish all management authority as well. Further, the Trump team announced the organization will donate all profits from foreign government stays at Trump hotels and properties to the U.S. Treasury, and bar foreign deals during his presidency. The transition team also made clear Trump will not fully divest himself from his business interests, even as he cedes control of the operation. An attorney for The Trump Organization said it was not realistic to do so. And Trump plans to retain an ownership interest in the Old Post Office in Washington, D.C., where his new hotel opened last year. The press conference tackled numerous hot-button topics, from ObamaCare to immigration to his Cabinet. Addressing one of the few unfilled positions, Trump announced he has chosen David Shulkin to lead the VA. He currently is under secretary for health in the Veterans Affairs Department under the Obama administration. On the Affordable Care Act, Trump played down deliberations among fellow Republicans about how to proceed on the repeal effort. Without offering specifics, he said his team would submit a plan to repeal and replace the law almost simultaneously most likely on the same day or the same week could be the same hour. Trump argued the Republicans would actually be doing Democrats a favor. ObamaCare is the Democrats problem. Were going to take the problem off the shelves for them. Were doing them a tremendous service by doing it, he said. The press conference comes at a busy and tumultuous time for the president-elects transition team. At the same time Trump is finalizing his Cabinet nominations and trying to get them confirmed and in place for the start of his administration, he continues to grapple with reports about Russian interference during the 2016 presidential campaign. He was briefed last week on intelligence community findings about Russian hacking and other meddling during the campaign that allegedly included the breach and leak of emails from Democratic official accounts. But the story took a salacious turn overnight when it was reported that Trump and President Obama also were briefed on an unverified report Russia had compromising personal and financial information on him. Both Moscow and the Trump team have vehemently denied the allegations. Trump, further, turned fire on the intelligence community Wednesday morning and blamed them for leaking the details. Incoming press secretary Sean Spicer also blasted the reports at Wednesdays press conferece. Its frankly outrageous and highly irresponsible for a left-wing blog to drop highly salacious and flat-out false information on the Internet just days before he takes the oath of office, he said, referring to BuzzFeed. The fact that BuzzFeed and CNN made the decision to run with this unsubstantiated claim is a sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks. The United States designated an Indonesian radical group behind an attack in Jakarta as a terrorist organization on Tuesday. The U.S. also announced sanctions on two Australians; both previously believed killed in the Middle East, and two Indonesians, one of whom is in prison in Indonesia. Sanctions come as a way to foil Islamic State group operations and recruitment in Australia and Southeast Asia. The announcements occurred after officials in both Australia and Indonesia disrupted plans for attacks over the holiday season. The thwarted attacks were inspired by ISIS. The State Department said it has designated the ISIS-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah as a terrorist group, which in practice prohibits American citizens from being involved with it and allows U.S. property to be frozen. JAD militants are believed responsible for an attack in Jakarta in January 2016. The attack left eight people dead, including the attackers. The sanctioned Australians are Neil Christopher Prakash, also known as Khaled Al-Cambodi, who was the senior Australian recruiter for ISIS, and Khaled Sharrouf, an ISIS fighter in Syria and Iraq since 2014 who carried out executions for ISIS. The Indonesians are Bahrum Syah, who sent funds to militants in Indonesia from Syria, and his mentor Aman Abdurrahman, who from prison has recruited militants to the ISIS cause, authorized attacks and was ISIS's main translator in Indonesia. The steps taken on Tuesday showed a continued U.S. commitment to anti-terror efforts in Australia and Indonesia. The Associated Press contributed to this report. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 The head of Kazakhstan's space agency said Monday that Russia's lease of a launch facility in the Central Asian nation, the only site worldwide currently being used to get astronauts to the International Space Station, may be suspended. Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency cited Kazcosmos head Talgat Musabayev as telling parliament that proposals are being considered to bring the Baikonur facility under Kazakhstan's jurisdiction. [pullquote] Russia pays Kazakhstan $115 million annually for use of the Soviet-built Baikonur cosmodrome under an arrangement set to expire in 2050. Russia spends $160 million per year operating the facility. It is likely that Russia will continue to use Baikonur, since its own in-country launch facilities remain underdeveloped, but the possible absence of a lease will create an air of uncertainty over how the facility will be administered in future. A three-man crew from the United States, Russia and Canada is due to leave for the space station next week onboard a Russian-built Soyuz spacecraft. "The rent agreement on Baikonur adopted in 1994 has run its course. The head of state held talks with (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and has tasked us with formulating a new, all-encompassing agreement on Baikonur," Interfax-Kazakhstan cited Musabayev as saying. Musabayev said that if the lease agreement is rescinded, it could be done over several stages, Interfax reported. He suggested the lease for the launch facility for the Zenit vehicles used to carry satellites into orbit could be first to be cancelled. It is unclear what is motivating Kazakhstan's decision to push for a revision of arrangements on Baikonur, but it is known that it has been pushing for an increased role in the space industry. Observers worry that the transfer of Baikonur to Kazakhstan could lead to an exodus of specialists from the town, worsening the shortage of expertise in Russia's space program. Out of the more than 70,000 people currently living in the town of Baikonur, around four-tenths are Russian citizens, while most of the remaining resident of subjects of Kazakhstan. Although the town still formally lies within Kazakhstan's territory, it is rented out to Russia. Security is provided by both Russian and Kazakh law enforcement services, and both national currencies are used, although the Russian ruble is generally preferred. Conditions in the town, which lies in a remote spot in Kazakhstan's arid southern steppes, have steadily worsened over the past few years. Abandoned apartment buildings have become a common sight and criminal activity is on the rise, while the quality of basic household utilities has degraded notably. Researchers in the UK are working on a fishy idea that just might help the environment in Egypt. The concept? Use shrimp shells as an ingredient in creating green shopping bags. Since plastic bags are a petroleum-based environmental nightmare, the idea is that the new bags would be biodegradable. The researchers are focused on specifically improving environmental conditions in Egypt, although plastic bags are a concern the world over. The technique involves creating a polymer called chitosan by starting with shrimp shells, then extracting chitin from them, according to the University of Nottingham in England. The idea is that the innovative new material would be both biodegradable and affordable. US ARMY ASKS FOR BIODEGRADABLE AMMO Use of a degradable biopolymer made of prawn shells for carrier bags would lead to lower carbon emissions and reduce food and packaging waste accumulating in the streets or at illegal dump sites, Nicola Everitt, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham who focuses on creating materials out of waste products, said in a statement. Everitt is working with Egypts Nile University on the project. Besides shopping bags, the chitosan product could also be used as a material to package food. Chitosan has an antimicrobial effect, and the University of Nottingham said that the new material they are working on could help extend food shelf life. Ultimately, the project aims to turn the waste product shrimp shells into a useful product, and at the same reduce the amount of plastic bags in the environment. Non-degradable plastic packaging is causing environmental and public health problems in Egypt, including contamination of water supplies which particularly affects living conditions of the poor, Everitt said in the statement. Follow Rob Verger on Twitter: @robverger A Los Angeles college reportedly paid hackers a $28,000 ransom after a cyberattack kept students and faculty locked out of their accounts. The Valley Star, the Los Angeles Valley College school newspaper, reported Friday that hackers locked students and staff out of files, emails and messaging systems and threatened to delete everything if the ransom wasnt paid within a week. The school eventually paid the fee in bitcoins after it determined that was the cheaper alternative than to remove the hackers ransomware virus. Philip Lieberman, a cybersecurity expert, told CBS Los Angeles that the school didnt really have much of an option. He added that operations like the one Los Angeles Valley College experienced is common because the hackers are based in Eastern European with countries the U.S. doesnt do business with. This is, in fact, a very large, well-organized, multinational group thats well known to the U.S. government, well known to law enforcement, but cant be stopped until our country and their country come to an agreement on stopping it, he told the station. The hack occurred on Jan. 3 and Los Angeles Valley College paid the ransom three days later. The paper reported the school used a so-called cyber-insurance policy to pay the fee. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department of cybercrimes was investigating the incident. Would you board flight 666 to HEL on Friday the 13th? For superstitious travelers, that might be tempting fate. But Finnair passengers on AY666 to Helsinki which has the 3 letter designation HEL don't seem too bothered. Friday's flight is almost full. [pullquote] "It has been quite a joke among the pilots" said veteran Finnair pilot Juha-Pekka Keidasto, who will fly the Airbus A320 from Copenhagen to Helsinki. "I'm not a superstitious man. It's only a coincidence for me." The daily flight AY666 from Copenhagen to Helsinki falls on Friday the 13th twice in 2013. Friday the 13th is considered bad luck in many countries and the number 666 also has strong negative biblical associations. Some airlines, like Scandinavian Airlines, take these fears seriously and don't have a row 13 on board. However, the negative connotations are a relatively new phenomenon for northern Europeans, and Finnair and other regional carriers like Norwegian and Estonian Air keep row 13. "Less than 100 years ago, the number 13 did not have this sinister meaning; it's quite recent in the north," said Ulo Valk, professor of comparative folklore at the University of Tartu in Estonia. "There are 12 hours, 12 months and in Christianity 12 apostles and this is a divine number. Add one more and it brings in a certain element of chaos," he said. But passengers on flight 666 to HEL should have a calm flight over the Baltic at this time of year. "It's hopefully smooth skies" says Keidasto. "And if there's some passenger who is anxious about this 666 our cabin crew is always happy to help them." Qatar Airways Travel Festival is back for a second year, offering travelers the chance to get some major savings on flights, hotels, and rental cars. The promotion includes even greater savings for travelers this year, with some of the lowest rates to destinations like Abu Dhabi starting at just $420. The round-trip flight deals, which apply to Economy and Premium Class flights between January 11 and December 15 of this year, also include flights to Bangkok for as low as $475 and flights to Kuala Lumpur for $450. Those who are traveling with family and friends will be rewarded with additional discounts as part of the festival's companion deals, while adults traveling will be able to bring up to two children (up to age 12) for free when purchasing Economy Saver and Economy Value fares. Members of the airline's Privilege Club will earn double their Qmiles and Visa cardholders will get an additional 15 percent off of their purchases made during the promotion period, but deals don't just apply to flights. Travelers will also get a 10 percent discount on car rentals and a 10 percent discount on hotel reservations with AccordHotels when ordering from the airline's website. There's also opportunities to win a slew of prizes and goodies that include free upgrades to Business Class, Gold Privilege Club memberships, up to 100,000 Qmiles, and the opportunity to win free tickets to any of the more than 150 destinations the airline flies to, at a valued cost of $40,000. Those who want to take advantage of the deals will need to book by January 16. Obama said during his Farewell Address to the Nation that he would publicly support a better health care system if one was made that was "demonstrably better" than the one his administration created, Sputnik reported. US President Barack Obama said during his Farewell Address to the Nation that he would publicly support a better health care system if one was made that was "demonstrably better" than the one his administration created. "And if anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements weve made to our health care system that covers as many people at less cost I will publicly support it," Obama said during his speech in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday. Obama also noted that the number of those uninsured in the United States is at its lowest and that health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years. SpongeBob Squarepants may live in a pineapple under the sea but environmentalists in the Philippines are fighting to keep the beloved cartoon out of their oceans. On Monday, Viacom International, Nickelodeon's parent company, announced its first collaboration with Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc., to develop the undersea attraction in Palawan-- an archipelagic province in the western Philippines in the Mimaropa region. But as soon as the project for the nearly 1,000 acre theme park was announced, environmentalists raised alarm, citing Palawan's pristine natural beaches and coral reefs could be jeopardized by extensive development, reports CNN. MASSIVE NICKELODEON THEME PARK COMPLEX PLANNED FOR NEW JERSEY The theme park, slated to open in 2020, would feature a slew of attractions based on Viacom owned properties including "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," and "Dora the Explorer." According to a press release, the park would be located amidst a cluster of 16 white sand islands of the Coral World Park (CWP) providing visitors with a multi-island experience accessible by speedboat. The theme park would also include hidden lagoons, hot springs, an animal reserve and world-class diving among shipwrecks. The resort would also feature a hotel, multiple restaurants and lounges located 20 feet below sea level. The companies also claim that once completed, CWP will be the largest coral reef conservation program in Asia as the characters within the park will "advocate ocean protection." But environmentalists have denounced Viacom's plans and are calling for an immediate halt to the project. On Wednesday, Regina Lopez, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said she would not allow the underwater theme park to go forward. Lopez says she won't allow the underwater theme park in Palawan. #environment2017 DENR (@DENR_Official) January 11, 2017 Criticisms of the park continued to escalate among conservation groups Wednesday. A petition created by co-founder of Save Philippine Seas, Anna Oposa, urges people to say no to the underwater theme park in Palawan and had already received over 150,000 signatures by Wednesday morning. "Palawan, specifically Coron is a beautiful place. I think it would be shameful if there would be a theme park built. #CoronIsNotBikiniBottom." "By building artificial structures, you will undeniably damage and disrupt Palawan's marine ecosystems -- our Last Frontier," Oposa says. For a channel that targets children, Nickelodeon is setting a terrible example to the younger generation by taking away their right to enjoy our natural resources, said Oposa. FOR THE LATEST TRAVEL FEATURES FOLLOW FOX LIFESTYLE ON FACEBOOK A letter to the chairman of Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc. has been sent along with the signatures of people backing the campaign, asking for a dialogue regarding the issues, according to the petition. Dozens of social media posts also echo Oposa's position. Palawan, specifically Coron is a beautiful place. I think it would be shameful if there would be a theme park built. #CoronIsNotBikiniBottom Gil Cuerva (@gilcuerva) January 11, 2017 I love Nickelodeon, but NO to the under-water theme park in Palawan.#CoronIsNotBikiniBottom Mia Villanueva (@miavnueva) January 11, 2017 The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development said the project had yet to be approved. Palawan Governor Pepito Alvarez told CNN that "his office has not received any application to put up the theme park." The siblings of a malnourished 12-year-old boy in Utah told deputies that their brother had been locked inside a filthy bathroom for at least one year, possibly two, authorities said. The child looked like he was the victim of a concentration camp from World War II, one official said. Washington County Sheriff's Office Lt. David Crouse said Tuesday the children said they did not speak to their brother through the door in six months. He declined to give their ages, but said one was old enough to understand things. The boy was found Sunday at his home in the small southeastern Utah city of Toquerville near the state line with Arizona. Crouse says investigators have discovered the boy was likely kept in the dark. They found 3 square feet of duct tape mounted on the light switch so it could not be turned on. He says a doctor who treated the boy says it is the worst case of malnourishment he had ever seen. Crouse says the boy was unable to stand on his own and weighed 30 pounds. He's expected to stay in the hospital for several weeks to recover. Crouse says seeing the pictures of the gaunt boy and the feces-filled bathroom was horrible. Brandy Jaynes, 36, was charged with second-degree felony child abuse after the boys father found him emaciated in his Tocqueville, Utah, home. Her lawyer did not immediately return a call for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report A New York man and his 49-year-old mother have pleaded guilty in the slaying of a man who was killed over a winning scratch-off lottery ticket. PHOTOS: RIOT LEAVES MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISON WING IN RUINS The Monroe County District Attorney's Office says 29-year-old James McCracken, of Rochester, pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder in the slaying of 66-year-old Robert Pinckney. McCracken's mother, Jacqueline Staples, pleaded guilty to a robbery charge. Prosecutors say Staples was with Pinckney at his residence in September 2015 when she became aware that he had a winning scratch-off lottery ticket. She called her son, who arrived soon after and stabbed and bludgeoned Pinckney to death. The mother and son later went to a nearby convenience store to cash the ticket. Officials declined to release the amount the winning ticket was worth. McCracken will be sentenced March 13 to 20 years to life in prison. His mother will be sentenced the same day to eight years. A prosecutor has told jurors at the opening of a terrorism trial an Arizona man provided a "launching pad" for a New York college student to join the Islamic State group in Syria. Prosecutor Andrew DeFilippis urged jurors to carefully listen to evidence against Ahmed Mohammed el-Gammal (ehl-gahm-AHL') before convicting the Avondale, Arizona, resident. Defense attorney Annalisa Miron says the Manhattan federal court trial should end in acquittal because prosecutors have made her client a scapegoat. Opening statements Tuesday concentrated on what happened to Samy el-Goarany (ehl-goh-AHR'-nee) before and after he went to Syria in January 2015. Prosecutors say his family was notified in fall 2015 he had died in Syria. Miron says the 24-year-old Baruch (buh-ROOK') College student planned his own trip to Syria. Authorities in New Mexico discovered five bodies on a North American pueblo on the edge of Albuquerque over the last few days, but foul play wasnt suspected in the deaths. The bodies are believed to be that of two missing sisters and their three children. FBI spokesman Frank Fisher said a child and adult woman were found Tuesday. Another womans body was located Sunday and two childrens bodies were discovered Monday. All were found across Santa Ana Pueblo. Fisher said the recovered bodies appear to be two women and three children listed Sunday in an Albuquerque police missing persons bulletin. "Autopsies are pending to determine the cause of each death, but foul play by another party is not suspected at this time," Fisher said in a statement Tuesday night, adding that the Office of the Medical Investigator will attempt to identify the bodies. Authorities have said sisters Vanessa George, 25, and Leticia George, 20, of Albuquerque were missing, along with Vanessa George's two children 4-year-old Zoe Becenti and 1-year-old Chloe Becenti plus Leticia George's 1-year-old daughter. Fisher said the body found Sunday in a rugged area on the Pueblo has been identified by relatives as Leticia George. A white pickup truck with front-end damage was found abandoned in the area where the bodies were discovered, but Fisher wouldn't speculate if the victims died of exposure. "That's part of the investigation going on," he said. "We want to see the autopsy results." The police bulletin described Vanessa George as endangered and missing with her children. IT also said she was the victim of domestic violence by her estranged boyfriend who was the father of her two kids. Court records show the man pleaded not guilty after being charged Dec. 29 with battery against a household member. The police flier said he was released from jail the next day. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the investigation began after family members asked police to conduct a welfare check on the sisters and their daughters. Officers didnt find anyone at the home. The FBI took over the probe into their deaths with help of several other local law enforcement agencies. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, used strong words in the first day of his Senate confirmation hearings to deny any hints of a racist past. On day two, a group of black lawmakers will speak out against his nomination including New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker, who will take the rare step of testifying against a current Senate colleague. Booker's testimony underscores Democratic unease with the Alabama Republican, who was rejected for a federal judgeship by the Senate Judiciary Committee three decades ago amid accusations of racial impropriety. Sessions on Tuesday called those accusations "damnably false," denying that he had ever called the NAACP "un-American" and saying he had never harbored racial hostility. He said the allegations which included that he had referred to a black attorney in his office as "boy" are part of a false caricature. "It wasn't accurate then," Sessions said. "It isn't accurate now." Sessions has solid support from the Senate's Republican majority and from some Democrats in conservative-leaning states, and is expected to easily win confirmation. Still, he faces a challenge persuading skeptical Democrats that he'll be fair and committed to civil rights, a chief priority of the Justice Department during the Obama administration, as the country's top law enforcement official. Republicans on the panel defended Sessions, with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz describing how Sessions helped secure convictions in a 1981 murder of a black teenager when he was a federal prosecutor. Two Ku Klux Klan members, Henry Hays and James Knowles, were arrested and convicted. "I know we need to do better, we can never go back," Sessions said. "I am totally committed to maintaining the freedom and equality that this country has to provide to every citizen, I can assure you." Booker calls his opposition "a call to conscience" and said he didn't make the decision to speak at the hearing lightly. "The attorney general is responsible for ensuring the fair administration of justice, and based on his record, I lack confidence that Senator Sessions can honor this duty," Booker said. Senate officials searched and could find no other case in the country's history when a sitting senator testified against a colleague picked for a Cabinet post. Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat, is also expected to testify against Sessions. Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana, also will be appearing, as will David Cole, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union. Sessions also will have advocates in the hearing room Wednesday, including former Attorney General Michael Mukasey. As Sessions was questioned Tuesday, protesters repeatedly interrupted the proceedings. Some loudly called Sessions a racist, and two were dressed as members of the Klu Klux Klan. They were quickly hustled out by police. In his testimony, Sessions laid out a sharply conservative vision for the Justice Department he would oversee, pledging to crack down on illegal immigration, gun violence and the "scourge of radical Islamic terrorism." He vowed to stay independent from the White House and stand up to Trump when necessary. He also distanced himself from some of Trump's public pronouncements. Sessions said waterboarding, a now-banned interrogation technique for which Trump has at times expressed support, was "absolutely improper and illegal." Though he said he would prosecute immigrants who repeatedly enter the country illegally and criticized as constitutionally "questionable" an executive action by President Barack Obama that shielded certain immigrants from deportation, he said he did "not support the idea that Muslims, as a religious group, should be denied admission to the United States." Trump earlier in his campaign called for a temporary total ban on Muslims entering his country but has more recently proposed "extreme vetting." And Sessions asserted that he could confront Trump if needed, saying an attorney general must be prepared to resign if asked to do something "unlawful or unconstitutional." He also promised to recuse himself from any investigation there might be into Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom he had criticized during the presidential campaign. Trump said during the campaign he would name a special prosecutor to look into Clinton's use of a private email server, but he has since backed away. The FBI and Justice Department declined to bring charges last year. Sessions was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and before that served as Alabama attorney general and a U.S. attorney. He's been a reliably conservative voice in Congress, supporting government surveillance programs, objecting to the proposed closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility a sharp departure from Obama's Justice Department and opposing a 2013 bipartisan immigration bill that included a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. Dylann Roof was formally sentenced to death Wednesday for the church massacre in Charleston, S.C., after victims relatives described the pain he unleashed in a hail of gunfire at Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015. WOMAN CHARGED IN DEADLY HOMECOMING PARADE CRASH GETS LIFE SENTENCES Since June 17th, Ive gotten to know you, said Felicia Sanders, who survived the shooting but lost her son, Tywanza. Yes, I know you because youre in my head. Youre in my head every day. Youve made me develop a lot of I cants. I cant hear balloons pop. I cant hear fireworks And most importantly, I cannot shut my eyes to pray. Even when I try, I cannot because I have to keep my eyes open to see everyone around me. Sanders was one of 22 relatives to deliver victim impact statements this morning at Roofs official sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court in Charleston. Roof stared forward, refusing to make eye contact with them. $5M BONDS FOR PARENTS OF OHIO GIRL FOUND DEAD AT RESTAURANT Despite their pain, several speakers tried to break through Roofs seemingly emotionless exterior. They urged him to abandon his white supremacist views and repent for his actions that claimed the lives of nine parishioners. I forgive you, said Dan Simmons, Jr., whose father, Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., was killed in the church massacre. I know that you dont understand that. But God requires me to forgive you. I forgive you. He also requires me to plead and pray for you. And I do that. Federal statue requires the judge to follow the unanimous verdict the jury reached late yesterday, calling for a death sentence. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said, "This hate, this viciousness, this moral depravity, will not go unanswered." Although discharged from their duties, a majority of jurors voluntarily returned to the courtroom this morning to hear the families speak and watch the official outcome of their decision. Speaking with reporters outside the courthouse late yesterday, Melvin Graham described the jurys verdict as a very hollow victory because it could not bring back his sister Cynthia Hurd. But what it can do is just send a message to those who feel the way (Roof) feels that this community will not tolerate it, Graham said. Graham echoed the praise of many victims relatives for the support theyve received from people around Charleston, the state of South Carolina and the nation. He said he hopes the love and solidarity will continue. Every time I hear about the shooting, I cry. We have to stop this, Graham said. And I think that if we could just stand up with each other like we did in the beginning, then maybe weve got a pretty good shot of stamping this out. But weve got to stand together. Graham said he strives to one day forgive his sisters killer and hopes, one day, Dylann Roof will repent for his actions. Hes in Gods hands now, Graham said. If he turns his life around, if he makes a humble confession to God, when he gets there he can join my sister and the other eight in heaven. Fox News Chip Bell and Multimedia Reporter Terace Garnier in Charleston and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A North Carolina father faces a prison term after being convicted in the death of his 9-year-old son in a drunken driving wreck. Multiple media outlets report 47-year-old Robert Altman was sentenced to between roughly 5 and 7 years behind bars for felony death by motor vehicle in the death of his son. Briar Altman was thrown from the pickup truck on Aug. 30, 2014. Robert Altman also was sentenced to two years for drunken driving. Testimony and evidence in Chowan County Superior Court last week showed Altman drove 75 mph on a narrow, rural road after leaving a pig-picking where he drank beer. Evidence also showed he had a blood alcohol content of .21 percent. The legal limit in North Carolina is .08 percent. The Latest on the Texas execution scheduled for Wednesday evening (all times local): 3:15 p.m. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to block the scheduled execution of a Texas death row inmate who killed two men after one of them mocked him for falling for a fake drug deal. The court's ruling on appeals for 48-year-old Christopher Wilkins came about three hours before his scheduled Wednesday evening lethal injection. It would be the first execution in the nation this year. Wilkins' attorneys had argued to the Supreme Court that he had poor legal help at his trial and during earlier appeals and that the courts improperly refused to authorize money for a more thorough investigation of those claims to support other appeals and a clemency petition. State attorneys argued courts had rejected similar appeals and that defense lawyers were simply employing delaying tactics. ___ 8:10 a.m. Lawyers for a Texas death row inmate who killed two men after one of them mocked him for falling for a fake drug deal are looking to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep him from becoming the first prisoner executed in the nation this year. Christopher Wilkins, 48, is set for lethal injection Wednesday evening. Wilkins explained to jurors at his capital murder trial in 2008 how and why he killed his friends in Fort Worth three years earlier, saying he didn't care if they sentenced him to death. In an appeal pending before the high court, Wilkins' attorneys contended he had poor legal help at trial and during earlier appeals and that the courts improperly refused to authorize money for a more thorough investigation of those claims to support other appeals and a clemency petition. State attorneys said courts have rejected similar appeals and that defense lawyers are simply employing delaying tactics. A former Navy sailor who mishandled classified information, then compared his case to Hillary Clinton's in a failed bid to avoid prison time, has now asked President-elect Donald Trump to pardon him. NAVY DESTROYER FIRES WARNING SHOTS AT IRANIAN VESSELS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ Former Machinist's Mate 1st Class Kristian Saucier admitted to taking six photos of classified areas inside the USS Alexandria, a nuclear attack submarine, while it was in port in Connecticut in 2009. He snapped the photos knowing they were classified, but did so only to be able to show his family and future children what he did while he was in the Navy, his lawyers said. Saucier asked for probation. In court filings, he compared his case to Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server when the former Democratic presidential nominee was secretary of state. The FBI declined to charge Clinton for her handling of classified information while using the server. THE PUSH FOR MOSUL: OPERATIONAL UPDATE However, a judge in Connecticut sentenced Saucier last August to one year behind bars, and ordered him to serve six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring during a three-year period of supervised release after the prison time. The Navy also handed him an "other than honorable" discharge. Saucier, of Arlington, Vt., filed a petition Monday for a presidential pardon, the Navy Times reported. The former sailor doubted President Obama would give him a pardon but hoped Trump would consider it, attorney Jeffrey Addicott said. "This is a matter of justice and justice isnt just about whether you are guilty or not hes admitted that. Its about the punishment as well." "If not for the high level of the Clinton misconduct and the lengthy presidential campaign process, there can be no doubt that my far less egregious acts of taking six photos of my work station would have otherwise been received with a significantly lower form of punishment," part of Saucier's petition read. It was not clear when Trump or Obama might consider making a decision. Saucier's photos showed the submarine's nuclear reactor compartment, the auxiliary steam propulsion panel and the maneuvering compartment, prosecutors said. They added that the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service were never able to determine whether the photos had been distributed to unauthorized people because Saucier destroyed key evidence including his laptop computer, a camera and a memory card after an interview with the FBI in 2012. The investigation began in 2012 when a waste station supervisor in Hampton, Conn., found Saucier's cellphone with the submarine photos on top of a pile of demolition trash and showed it to his friend, who was a retired Navy chief and brought the phone to the NCIS, according to court documents. Saucier's lawyers also said two other Alexandria crew members were caught taking photos in the same locations as Saucier, but were not prosecuted only disciplined by the Navy. "Theres no evidence he transmitted the photos and hes sitting in federal prison and has lost all his benefits his family has lost all their benefits. The judge told him it was for having classified information on an insecure device. How does that compare with Hillary Clinton, who used an insecure device to transmit classified information and there are no criminal charges?" Saucier's mother, Kathleen, told the Navy Times. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 11 By Atilla Caner Trend: Iraqi President Fuad Masum has approved the revival of the countrys nuclear program for peaceful purposes, the presidential administration of Iraq said in a message Jan. 11. The revival of the nuclear program is fully consistent with the principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to the message. It is also noted that it is planned to create a special commission to monitor the implementation of the nuclear program in Iraq. The revival of the nuclear program is a very important step, the message said. The Iraqi nuclear program was suspended in 2003 after the invasion of the US-led coalition forces to Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein, the countrys fifth president. After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, the US authorities declared that no nuclear bombs were found in Iraq, and the information that the Iraqi authorities intend to build nuclear weapons was a mistake of intelligence services of the US and the UK. Two high school lacrosse players accused of killing a guinea pig for good luck before a game in suburban Detroit have been sentenced to probation. Judge David Groner says the incident "shocked the conscience." But he told the young men Wednesday that they have bright futures and won't have criminal records if they stay out of trouble while on probation for a few years. Michael Roth and Tanner Coolsaet played for Grosse Ile (EEL) High School last spring. Police say the guinea pig was stabbed and beaten with a bat off school property and thrown into the Detroit River. The players, now ages 18 and 19, were charged with killing an animal. Coolsaet and Roth told the judge they made a mistake. A younger player was charged in Juvenile Court. In a stinging rebuff to the United Nations and its anti-poverty efforts, Eritrea, one of the poorest countries in Africa, has told the world body that it wants out of its long-term development agreement because the U.N. makes the problem worse, not better. The reason, given in a January 26 notification letter from the countrys powerful Finance Minister, obtained by Fox News, is that aid only postpones the basic solutions to crucial development problems by tentatively ameliorating their manifestations without tackling their root causes. The structural, political, economic, etc. damage that it inflicts upon recipient countries is also enormous. In other words, the government argues, U.N. aid does more harm than good. Whether that critique, which echoes the complaints of many critics in wealthy donor countries, is the true reason behind the U.N.s rejection is unclear. Fox News tried to contact the Eritrean finance ministry for further explanations, but was told that the finance minister, Berhane Abrehe, was unavailable. For its part, a spokesman for the United Nations Development Program, which coordinates U.N. activities in the small but strategically placed nation, said that the U.N. and the government are currently discussing what are the best possible arrangements for post June 2011, taking into consideration the governments recently-articulated priorities. No decisions have been taken. The Eritrean rebuff is another blow for the United Nations in a desperately poor and strife-ridden area of East Africa where the world organization has been struggling to maintain its presence, effectiveness and credibility. Eritrea (population: 3.6 million) has been a significant factor in the Islamic upheaval that threatens to convert the entire region into chaos. Since 2009, Eritrea has been under U.N. Security Council sanctions, mostly aimed at arms trafficking, for its role in supporting the Islamic insurgency in nearby Somalia. The Somali civil war, in turn, puts pressure on Eritreas closest rival, Ethiopia, which occupies areas that Eritrea claims as its own. Whether the Security Council sanctions have, in turn, provoked the latest clampdown on U.N. humanitarian activity is unclear. Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton (a Fox News contributor) held that position while a U.N. peacekeeping operation failed to maintain a neutral zone between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Bolton says: There is always a possibility of war breaking out again between the two countries, and instability generally in the whole region a la Somalia. I suspect this is about reducing the international presence in Eritrea so they can do in greater secrecy whatever it is they have in mind. More than a dozen U.N. agencies work in Eritrea on a wide variety of programs covered by a United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), an umbrella agreement that covers their integrated operations, and also provides for monitoring and evaluation of their programs. The current Eritrean UNDAF runs from 2006 until June 2011. Under the five-year plan, the U.N. was supposed to spend about $90.3 million (in a country with a per-capita income of about $700 annually) on everything from vaccination programs to HIV transmission education to education and food production to civil service reform. According to the finance ministry letter, most of those activities will be discontinued, though the document says the government will stay engaged with a few, select U.N. agencies, which are unnamed. Most of the acceptable U.N. activity will be aimed at seeking and improving water supplies in the drought-stricken nation, and improving sanitation. A UNDP spokesman said the organization hoped to make lemonade out of that limitation by gaining an opportunity for the U.N. system to scale up its support in these sectors. Just which U.N. agencies would be allowed to keep operating is unknown. Several approached by Fox News said their position was still unclear. No U.N. personnel, however, would be allowed to freely and directly approach Eritrean individuals or organizations that would benefit from their activities, according to the finance ministry letter. Click here to read the letter. Whether the rejection will have any spillover effect on other countries in the region is equally unknown George Russell is executive editor of Fox News next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 In Nicaragua, where Marxist dogma has given way to a free market economy, the red-and-black flags of the Sandinista revolution have been supplanted by the pink and baby blue colors favored by the country's first lady, "la companera" Rosario Murillo. Her husband, Daniel Ortega, is president, but as chief of communications, Murillo is the voice and the other face of the government. At border crossings and on roadside billboards throughout the country, "Daniel and Rosario" are pictured side-by-side. On the government website, she dominates the page of "Speeches by Daniel and Rosario." And while Ortega occasionally appears in public, Murillo holds forth on current events each weekday on national television, often with supporters at her side. She speaks on behalf of her husband's government in a stream of rhetoric that blends socialism, New Age spirituality and Catholicism, but brooks no criticism. This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Sandinistas' ouster of dictator Anastasio Somoza, and as always on such occasions, Murillo stood beside Ortega at the official commemoration, welcoming Latin American dignitaries with a bejeweled fist raised in triumph. "The faith in each and every one of us has made it possible for God to fill us with miracles," Murillo told the crowd. "Who would have said that 35 years would pass so quickly, always in the scent and roar of combat," she went on. "The revolutionary people of centuries past and present inspire us in the advance of socialism that, for us in Nicaragua, is made up of Christian faith, family values, the life and spirit of community." Politics long have been a family affair in Nicaragua, and Latin America has a tradition of women leaders stepping in when their husbands leave the political stage. Given that, the political partnership of Ortega and Murillo leads many here to speculate that she aspires to succeed Ortega as president one day. Ortega may have fueled a recent spate of such talk in April after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake damaged many buildings in the capital of Managua. He went on television to say that while he protected their grandchildren, Murillo began issuing instructions to Cabinet members. "The problem with the presidential couple is that their vocation is to remain in power," said Rosa Maria Zelaya, former president of the council overseeing elections. "They are preparing the succession in the person of Murillo, for whenever it is necessary." Barring illness or death, the 67-year-old Ortega is not likely to leave office soon, thanks to his backers in Congress and on the Supreme Court who approved a constitutional change allowing for unlimited re-election. And supporters say the image of a power-hungry first lady is a form of sexism that overlooks her many contributions to Nicaragua. "The opposition would love for Murillo not to exist," said Aldo Diaz Lacayo, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the United Nations. "She is efficient, productive and pivotal in implementing all of the government policies." ___ Murillo, 63, joined the Sandinista movement in the 1960s, while working as a secretary to La Prensa newspaper editor Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, who was later assassinated for his opposition to the Somoza regime. In a photograph taken July 19, 1979, the day Somoza fled Nicaragua, Murillo is wearing green fatigues, a black beret over short hair, and a rifle slung over her shoulder, standing with several of the nine Sandinista commandants who led the uprising. Today, Murillo's shoulders are draped in her jet black hair and colorful outfits, many of them pink and blue, apparently for the New Age colors of divine purpose and harmony with family and the world. Besides references to God, Murillo's speeches are peppered with allusions to the mysteries and miracles of life, and Mother Earth. Many Nicaraguans see her as their protector. "We are the children and she is the mother who takes care of us," said Dennis Centeno, a computer programmer who was attending a concert in commemoration of the Sandinistas' namesake, Augusto Cesar Sandino. A lover of jewelry, Murillo wears multiple necklaces and bracelets and several turquoise rings on each finger. Her style provides a vibrant contrast to Ortega, who has grown bald and paunchy with age, and usually dresses in a plain white shirt. While all but one of the original Sandinista leaders have either split with Ortega or died, Murillo remains his confidant, gatekeeper and spokeswoman. Supporters and detractors alike say that to get to Ortega, they first must go through Murillo. "Ortega holds the political power, but she wields it in his name," said Dora Maria Tellez, the Sandinista militant who led an assault on the National Palace in 1978, taking Somoza's congress hostage. Tellez broke with Ortega and Murillo years ago over their authoritarian style of governance, she said. "Before it was Somocismo, now it's Orteguismo. The Somocista political model has not been defeated in Nicaragua." Ortega ruled Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990, first as coordinator of the Junta of National Reconstruction and then as president, until losing an election to Violeta Chamorro, the wife of the assassinated newspaper editor for whom Murillo had worked. Murillo led the re-election campaign that returned Ortega to power in 2006 with the help of a loyal opposition, and another in 2011. The Ortega government identifies with left-leaning leaders of Latin America such as Cuba's Raul Castro and Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, and calls itself socialist for the handouts it gives to the poor. Thanks to about $500 million a year in support from Venezuela, thousands of Nicaraguan families receive sacks of beans, rice and other basic foods each month, plus dried fruit and sardines for Christmas and Mother's Day. And there are free doctor's visits for the poor. In the eyes of ice cream vendor Leonel Lopez, that's good government. His children also receive school supplies and free school lunches. "They help us because we are poor," said Lopez. But the government's mainstay is the business community it once opposed. Jose Adnan Aguerri, president of the Nicaraguan Council of Private Enterprise, explains that his organization has supported an overwhelming majority of the laws passed by the Sandinista-controlled congress. They generally hammer out their differences with Ortega and Murillo before a law is submitted to a vote. "We're not going to beat the Sandinistas in elections. We have to make deals," Aguerri said. The government's biggest business deal isn't with local entrepreneurs. The concession to build the Great Inter-Oceanic Canal of Nicaragua, a waterway three-times the size of the Panama Canal, has been granted to Beijing-based telecommunications CEO Wang Jing, along with tax-free side projects including ports on Nicaragua's Pacific and Atlantic coasts, an oil pipeline bisecting the country, a cargo railway, two free-trade zones and an international airport. The proposed canal is not without detractors. Some question why the government has not been forthcoming about funding sources, timelines or regulations to control the sizable construction project. But Ortega and Murillo hail it as the beginning of a new and prosperous future for Nicaragua. The government is to be paid $10 million a year for 10 years once the canal is built, and gradually will secure full ownership of the waterway in a century. When the proposed route of the canal was announced this month, Murillo called it "almost a reality" and thanked God. "We are in the month of July, the month of transformations, month of our evolution," Murillo said. "Comrades, it is a historic day for our country, a day of great transcendence in the ... material, social, cultural transformation of the life of our country." ___ In the 1980s, Murillo was the leader of the Culture Workers Union and in the '90s she was a member of congress and spokeswoman for the Sandinista Front, then an opposition party. For many former allies, the break with Murillo came in 1998 when her then-30-year-old daughter, Zoilamerica Ortega Murillo, publicly accused stepfather Daniel Ortega of having repeatedly sexually abused her as a girl. She filed charges against her stepfather but later dropped them and moved to Costa Rica. She declined an interview request for this story. Ortega denied the charges and Murillo publicly defended him. "Ortega kept quiet, paralyzed, and she (Murillo) took on the strategic defense," said Azalia Solis, a feminist activist and former Sandinista guerrilla. "She delivered her own daughter and charged a price: power." Since then, Ortega and Murillo have kept the rest of their large family close, and many others at a distance. Most of their extended family lives in a compound in central Managua surrounded by high walls, and they travel in convoys with heavy security. The government, Ortega family and friends control most of the media, including seven of the country's eight television stations and the newspapers, except for the Chamorro family's La Prensa. Murillo is a communications chief who takes no hard questions and doesn't suffer critics. Government officials meet only with the most trusted Sandinista journalists. Even those loyal to Murillo decline to discuss her achievements on the record, for fear of a reprimand. Repeated requests for interviews with Murillo, four government ministers, the mayor of Managua and Sandinista Front officials went unanswered. "Ortega and Murillo have been a political duo for years," said Carlos Fernando Chamorro, editor of the online publication, Confidencial. Chamorro is the son of former President Chamorro and her late husband. Once a Sandinista, he now is a strong opponent of the Ortega-Murillo team. He and his online publication have been the target of government political attacks, including criminal investigations for alleged money laundering that date back to 2008 and remain open. "He makes the decisions and she delivers the government's message ... appealing to the most conservative values of Nicaraguan society," Chamorro said. "There are two values: the traditional family and the word of God interpreted by the will of his representative in Nicaragua, in terms of communication, which is Rosario Murillo." next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Land conflicts between settlers and Miskito Indians on Nicaragua's Atlantic coast have left at least nine people dead this month and 20 wounded. Indians have armed themselves and are seeking to expel the settlers, who are drawn in part by the area's rich tropical hardwood forests. The latest death was that of Yatama Indian community leader Mario Lemans. Hundreds of Indians gathered Thursday in the coast's main city, Puerto Cabezas, in preparation for his funeral. President Daniel Ortega has blamed illegal land sales for the wave of settlers. Police say Indians have burned some settlers' homes. The Indians say police stationed in the area have shot at them. Unusually warm winds and seas helped make last year the hottest ever recorded in New Zealand. The average temperature during 2016 was 13.4 Celsius (56.1 Fahrenheit), according to a report released Monday by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. That was nearly 1 degree Celsius warmer than normal and fractionally hotter than the previous record set in 1998. The climate agency began keeping records in 1909. Agency forecaster Chris Brandolino said ocean temperatures around New Zealand were warmer than normal for the first seven months of 2016 and that winds during the year came more often than usual from the north rather than the cooler south. He said there was no clear reason for the 2016 changes but that they had come against a backdrop of global warming caused by increased carbon emissions. "We are expecting temperatures to continue to rise," Brandolino said. "It's very concerning." New Zealand's economy relies on farming, an industry which is particularly dependent on the weather. Anders Crofoot, the vice president for advocacy group Federated Farmers, said sheep and beef farmers in north Canterbury were hit by a drought last year. He said one downside of climate change was the possibility of more volatile weather, such as heavy but infrequent rainfall. He said in the longer term, climate change could force farmers like kiwifruit growers to move or consider alternative crops as the weather became less favorable to them. He added that certain crops like avocados and oranges could benefit from warmer weather. He said farmers were beginning to talk about climate change more and to consider it their planning. He said many farmers were trying to find ways to reduce their own carbon emissions and farm more efficiently. North Korea has been getting some pretty high praise lately from the stoner world. Marijuana news outlets including High Times, Merry Jane and Green Rush along with British tabloids, which always love a good yarn are hailing the North as a pothead paradise and maybe even the next Amsterdam of pot tourism. They've reported North Korean marijuana to be legal, abundant and mind-blowingly cheap, sold openly to Chinese and Russian tourists at a major market on the North's border for about $3 a pound. TWO TEEN BROTHERS FROM CUBA WERE KILLED OVER POT IN NY, OFFICIALS SAY But seriously, North Korea? Baked? The claim that marijuana is legal in North Korea is not true: The North Korean penal code lists it as a controlled substance in the same category as cocaine and heroin. And the person who would likely help any American charged with a crime in North Korea emphatically rejects the idea that the ban is not enforced. SOUTH KOREA SEEKS ARREST OF SAMSUNG HEIR AS BRIBERY SUSPECT IN POLITICAL SCANDAL "There should be no doubt that drugs, including marijuana, are illegal here," said Torkel Stiernlof, the Swedish ambassador. The United States has no diplomatic relations with the North, so Sweden's embassy acts as a middleman when U.S. citizens run afoul of North Korean laws. "One can't buy it legally and it would be a criminal offense to smoke it," Stiernlof said. He said that if a foreigner caught violating drug laws in North Korea happened to be an American citizen, he or she could "expect no leniency whatsoever." Americans have been sentenced to years in North Korean prisons for such seemingly minor offenses as stealing a political banner and leaving a Bible in a public place. Even so, the claim that North Korea is a haven for marijuana smokers has cycled through the internet in various incarnations with great success over the past few years. Radio Free Asia, a U.S.-government-funded news service, lit up the latest round of stoner glee late last month with a story that Chinese and Russian tourists are stocking up on North Korean pot by the kilo in Rason, a special economic zone on the country's northernmost frontier that has a large, bazaar-style marketplace. The same market was the setting for one of the earliest blogs on the topic, a first-person account of getting high in the North from 2013. Categorically confirming or denying such claims is difficult because foreigners' access to the market is restricted. But where there's smoke, there usually is at least a little fire. Troy Collings, a frequent traveler to North Korea and managing director of Young Pioneer Tours, offered a more mundane explanation: It's just hemp. Ditchweed. Nebraska no-high. "I've seen and even purchased hemp, but it doesn't contain any THC and is just sold as a cheap substitute for tobacco," he told the AP in an email. "It grows wild in the mountainous regions of the North and people pick it, dry it and sell it in the markets, but it doesn't get you high no matter how much you smoke." Hemp is grown in North Korea with official sanction. It's used to make consumer goods including towels, cooking oil and noodles, as well as and military uniforms and belts. It's also used as rabbit fodder. The rabbits are grown for food. But industrial hemp is generally so low in THC, the active ingredient found in its cannabinoid cousins, sativa and indica, that it's useless for medicinal or recreational purposes. It's even cultivated in a different manner, focusing on male plants that do not produce buds. It's the buds of female plants that recreational users are most after. The Pyongyang Hemp Processing Factory actively markets hemp products as "environmentally friendly" and "perfect for the 21st century." An official at the plant told The Associated Press that while several varieties of hemp grow in North Korea, all are very low in THC. "No one smokes this in our country," she said, requesting she not be named because of the sensitive nature of talking to the American media. "It's only used for making things." North Korea grows something else that might be confused with marijuana: a mix of brown and greenish leafy tobacco that is used in pipes and sold openly in Pyongyang and elsewhere. Smoking a lot of that could certainly give someone a buzz and probably a bad headache. But from the nicotine. Nevertheless, Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours, another agency that specializes in bringing foreign tourists to the North, said the idea marijuana is legal in North Korea has become so widespread that it's not uncommon for prospective tourists to ask what to expect. "We apologize, but have to inform those enquiring about this that weed is not legal. They are not going to be able to get any there," he said. "The idea that the country is full of stoners blissfully getting high in a legal-weed paradise is not an accurate one," he added. "Not having seen or done something doesn't mean it is never seen or done, of course. But I have never seen this." The U.S. government is paying the salaries of tens of thousands of non-existent Afghan soldiers, police, teachers and civil servants, a top Pentagon official said Wednesday in reporting on the scale and variety of misspent U.S. money. John Sopko, special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR), said the salaries of ghost soldiers is just one of many ways Americans' money is wasted in Afghanistan all for rather modest gains. His comments summarize a SIGAR report that aims to help inform the new Congress and administration of the most pressing reconstruction challenges in 2017 and beyond. Sopkos message was one American leaders have heard before. Including U.S. war funding unrelated to reconstruction, U.S. appropriations for Afghanistan now totals more than three quarters of a trillion dollars -- not including the $43.7 billion requested for fiscal year 2017, he said in a speech before the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. U.S. taxpayers footing the bill for security at unused Ghost Hotel in Kabul To date, more than $115 billion of U.S. taxpayer money has been spent, sometimes wisely too often not. Another $7.5 billion has been appropriated but not yet spent, and international donors have pledged to provide financial support to Afghanistan and its security forces through 2020. Despite the huge amounts spent in Afghanistan, conditions are deteriorating. As of Aug. 28, 2016, only 63.4 percent of the countrys districts were under Afghan governments control or influence, a reduction from the 72 percent as of Nov. 27, 2015, Sopko said. Afghan forces are generally capable and effective at protecting major population centers, preventing the Taliban from maintaining prolonged control of specific areas and at responding to Taliban attacks. But the Afghan military, a reportedly 320,000-strong force is basically playing whack-a-mole following the Taliban around Afghanistan. In addition to the military situation, American efforts to curb opium production are failing. Although the United States has committed more than $8 billion to counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan, the opium trade has grown significantly since the fall of the Taliban. [The U.S.] estimates that as much as 60 percent of the Talibans funding comes from poppy production and cultivation. The scale of money spent on Afghanistan since reconstruction efforts began in 2002 mirrors the scale of casualties among U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Sopko said 2,247 U.S. military personnel have died in support of operations there, while more than 20,000 others were wounded in action. After 15 years, Afghanistans government is still in no position to support itself -- and corruption in endemic, he said. The percentage of Afghans who believe corruption is a problem of daily life, now 90 percent, has steadily increased over time. In 2016 Afghans paid more in bribes than the government is expected to have generated in revenue from taxes, customs, tariffs and other sources of income. There is evidence that the Taliban has instructed its field commanders to simply purchase U.S.-supplied weapons, fuel and ammunition from Afghan soldiers because to do so is both easier and less expensive, Sopko said. Some of the blame for the wasted military spending, growing drug problem and widespread corruption can be laid on Washingtons doorstep. The U.S. contributed mightily to the problem by dumping too much money, too fast, into too small an economy, with too little oversight, he said. There have been some improvements because of American efforts to ensure that money is properly spent. I was encouraged to hear that, as of this month, Afghan security forces are being paid based on a DOD-developed verification system, known as AHRIMS [Afghan Human Resources Information Management System] that relies upon ID cards embedded with biometric information being registered daily to measure attendance, he said. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 The Irish nationalist Sinn Fein party says it's determined to force Northern Ireland to hold a new election, part of a showdown with Protestant leaders over the British territory's unraveling unity government. Sinn Fein leaders emerged Wednesday from a Belfast meeting with Britain's Cabinet minister for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, saying they had no interest in pursuing negotiations until after a new election. Northern Ireland's nearly decade-old government will formally collapse Monday if Sinn Fein, the Irish Catholic side of the coalition, refuses to nominate a successor to Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. The former IRA commander resigned this week following months of disputes with his Protestant partner atop the government, First Minister Arlene Foster. Brokenshire is meeting with Foster and others Wednesday in hopes of brokering an election-averting compromise. The number of asylum seekers entering Germany fell by about two thirds last year but the proportion of rejected applicants who left remained low, the government said Wednesday, raising fears that criminals or extremists may remain in the country. The influx of migrants from war-torn or poor economic regions has raised security concerns, particularly after last years terror attacks in Germany. In December, rejected asylum seeker Anis Amri killed 12 and left scores wounded. Government data showed that roughly 280,000 people entered Germany last year in search of asylum, down from a record of about 890,000 in 2015. But only 80,000 left Germany either voluntarily or were deported. The development of the asylum figures show that the German governments measures have an effect. We have succeeded in regulating, steering the number of people coming to us, said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. However, the number who left was too low, given the number of rejected asylum claims, he said. We are in talks with the states to further increase the number of these returnees. The number of filed asylum claims, which lags behind the number of newly arrived migrants, rose to 745,545 in 2016 from 476,649 in 2015. The biggest group of applicants came from Syria, followed by Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, and more than half received asylum or refugee status. Click for more from The Wall Street Journal. Donald Trump said the United States could team up with Russia to crush ISIS together, Sputnik reported. Russia can assist the United States in the fight against the ISIS terror group, US President-elect Donald Trump told reporters during a press conference in New York City on Wednesday. "Russia can help us fight ISIS, which by the way is number one tricky, I mean if you look, this [Obama] administration created ISIS by leaving at the wrong time," Trump stated. "The void was created, ISIS was formed." A prosecutor at Greece's Supreme Court has argued against extraditing to Turkey another two of eight Turkish servicemen wanted in their country for alleged participation in last year's failed coup. Haralambos Vourliotis told judges Wednesday the helicopter crewmen faced severe mistreatment in Turkey and could not expect a fair trial there. All eight fled to Greece in a military helicopter a day after the July 15 attempted coup in Turkey and requested asylum. The court is examining their cases separately. In December, a lower court denied Turkey's extradition request for five of the eight, and accepted it for three of them. On Tuesday, another prosecutor recommended that another two of the eight should not be extradited. All eight deny involvement in the coup. The Supreme Court ruling is due Jan. 23. Israel's Supreme Court has given the government a month to explain why it prevents women from praying from a Torah scroll at a key Jewish holy site. In the court's ruling Wednesday, it also suggested that an alternative site for women to pray at Jerusalem's Western Wall was insufficient and ordered that searches of visiting women be halted. Israel's government agreed in January to create an equal prayer site after three years of negotiations between Jewish liberal groups, ultra-Orthodox leaders and the government. But the site was never established, with liberal groups accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of caving to pressure from two ultra-Orthodox parties in his coalition. The groups accuse the government of violating the right to equality and freedom of worship by not implementing its decision. Kurdish militants have claimed responsibility for last week's car bombing attack that killed a policeman and a courthouse employee. The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, or TAK, says that two members of its "revenge team" died in the Jan. 5 Izmir attack, according to a news agency close to Kurdish militants. Firat News Agency, quoting a statement by the group Wednesday, identified the attackers as "comrades" Mustafa Coban and Enes Yildirim. TAK threatened "new acts of revenge" against the "fascist" Turkish state, which is fighting Kurdish rebels in the southeast. The two assailants were shot dead after they detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a roadblock and engaged in a shootout with police. Turkish authorities consider TAK to be an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Mexico is willing to negotiate over President-elect Donald Trumps plan to build a border, but the country will not pay for it, the countrys new foreign relations secretary said Tuesday. VIDEO: TRUMP FACES QUESTIONS ABOUT BORDER WALL AHEAD OF NEWS CONFERENCE Luis Videgaray added that paying for the proposed wall was unacceptable. Trump said last week that any money the U.S. spends to build the wall would be paid back by Mexico. The border wall was a big part of his immigration policy in the months before his election. CALIFORNIA MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER OF AMERICAN DIPLOMAT IN MEXICO There is no way thats going to happen, Videgaray said in an interview with the Telesvisa network. Its not a matter of how much does it cost, or wheres the money coming from, its a matter of dignity and national sovereignty. The wall became a hotbed of contention in Mexico and boiled over when Trump met with President Enrique Pena Nieto last year. Videgaray has initially resigned from Pena Nietos administration after ther Mexican president failed to take a public stance on the proposed border wall. Videgaray and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner played a large role in setting up the meeting between Trump and Pena Nieto, according to the Wall Street Journal. Videgaray also added Tuesday that Mexico wasnt just willing to negotiate changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement. He said theres enormous uncertainty over Trumps actions, which include pressuring companies not to move jobs to Mexico and threatening a tax to those who do. That is why this (negotiation) process is so important, to dispel this uncertainty." He said talks should start "as soon as possible." Mexico's peso weakened further Tuesday, closing at an interbank rate of 21.73 to $1. Videgaray said his government's main concern would be "how to protect jobs in Mexico," and said "there are a lot of reasons to think the negotiation would be favorable for Mexico." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from the Wall Street Journal. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 The governor of Nigeria's embattled northeastern Borno state accuses aid agencies including UNICEF of profiting from funds meant to help refugees from Boko Haram. He says they should leave the country. The criticism follows Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's charges that the United Nations and private agencies are exaggerating a massive humanitarian crisis created by the northeastern Islamic uprising to boost funding. For months, children and others have been dying of starvation there. The United Nations in December launched an appeal for $1 billion, warning tens of thousands of children will die this year without critically needed aid. Gov. Kashim Shettima said Tuesday that only eight of 126 registered agencies "are actually providing humanitarian services." He charged the rest are "using the name of Borno to make money, and enriching themselves." Strains between Pope Francis and the Roman Catholic Churchs traditional wing have erupted into the open with leaders of a millennium-old lay Catholic order publicly telling the pope, in effect, that he has no authority to meddle in the orders affairs. The conflict between the papacy and the Knights of Malta, a 1,000-year-old lay order, is the latest example of an apparently widening breach between Francis and a group of progressive European bishops on one side and conservatives, including an American cardinal, on the other side. What is now an open conflict was rumbling last year after the pope issued an apostolic exhortation that appeared, to some, to loosen church teaching on whether civilly remarried Catholics may take Communion. The conflict with the Knights of Malta began after the orders Malteser International aid group distributed condoms in Myanmar to combat HIV/AIDS. Church teaching prohibits using contraception. Albrecht Boeselager, the orders third-highest-ranking official and the one who oversaw the aid group, was held responsible for the condom distribution and was asked on Dec. 6 to resign. He refused, saying he had been unaware of the distribution and terminated it as soon as he learned of it. In response to Boeselagers refusal to resign, the orders leaders began a disciplinary action against him, stripping him of his office and suspending his membership in the Knights. Both the orders spiritual patron, Cardinal Raymond Burke, and its chief executive, Grand Master Matthew Festing, said the dismissal was in accordance with the Holy See, according to the Tablet, a Catholic newspaper in Britain. However, on Dec. 12 the Vaticans secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, wrote to Festing denying that the pope approved of the dismissal, the Tablet said. The letter also said Francis was forming a five-member commission to investigate the matter. Parolin told an Italian newspaper, Il Messaggero, that the Knights were faced with an unprecedented crisis. On Tuesday evening, the order issued a statement declaring that it would not cooperate with the Vaticans investigation and saying the papal commission was legally irrelevant. On the surface, the wrangle pits the Vatican against a prestigious order that employs about 25,000 medical personnel and some 80,000 volunteers in 120 countries to give medical aid to impoverished peoples and offers assistance to victims of natural disasters, according to the National Catholic Register. But the wrangle also brings to the surface opposition to Francis from the churchs conservative wing, one of whose leaders is Burke, the U.S. cardinal. Francis removed Burke from his powerful position as the Vaticans supreme court justice. Conservatives say that the real source of the conflict with Boeselager stems from his allegedly having overseen -- for years -- the distribution of condoms for disease prevention and family planning while he was in charge of the Knights international relief efforts from 1989 to 2014. One Catholic group recently came to the Knights defense with a report that concluded that under Boeselagers leadership the order distributed oral contraceptives. Last month that group issued a compilation of what it said was a pattern of violating the churchs teaching on contraception. The composition of the popes commission, which had its first meeting Jan. 5, also troubles conservatives, who say its members are allies of Boeselager. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent order to reduce Moscow's military forces in Syria, two U.S. officials tell Fox News the opposite is taking place. The officials said that Russia had deployed four additional attack aircraft to its coastal airbase in Syria earlier this week. One official said the jets had stopped in Iran to refuel before continuing on to Syria. [The Russians] say they are pulling out, but we have seen no evidence to support that. On the contrary, we have seen new things coming in, said one official. The four Russian Su-25 jets, known as Frogfoots by NATO -- arrived Monday, according to one official. The Su-25, similar to the U.S. Air Forces A-10, is used for close air support. The Russian jet has reinforced armor siding to protect the pilots from ground fire. One official also said the Russians have deployed additional Russian civilian contractors, as well as fighters from Chechnya, but would not provide any specific numbers. The Russian military maintains roughly 36 fighter jets and helicopter gunships in Syria, a number unchanged in the last month, according to officials. Putin ordered the military reduction in Syria in late December following the announcement of a new cease-fire agreement with Iran and Turkey. The United States was excluded from those talks. On Friday, a top Russian military officer said Moscows only functional aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, would be returning home after deploying to the shores of Syria in mid-October. Despite that announcement, U.S. officials say the Admiral Kuznetsov is currently conducting live-fire training exercises in the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya. Long-range bombers have also conducted strike missions in Syria from an airbase outside the city of Mozdok in southern Russia. The Kuznetsov conducted dozens of airstrikes in Syria for more than two months. In some cases, jets from the ship flew ashore to Russias airbase in the port city of Latakia before conducting the missions. In addition, two jets from the aircraft carrier crashed during flight operations in the eastern Mediterranean in November and December. In all, Russian aircraft made just 154 flights off the Kuznetsov in two months, a figure that U.S. officials believe speaks to the limited capability of the Russian forces. We do that in a few days [from our aircraft carriers], the official told Fox News. Russia began airstrikes in late September 2015. The next month, President Obama predicted Russian and Iranian forces would find themselves in a "quagmire" in Syria. Serbia's president urged greater protection for the rights of Serbs in the Balkan region as he met Wednesday with a former top Bosnian Serb leader who was convicted as a war criminal. The call by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic is similar to ones that triggered the bloody disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. His meeting with Bosnian Serb leader Momcilo Krajisnik reflects a resurgence of nationalist sentiment that led to the Balkan wars that left more than 100,000 people dead. Krajisnik spent 13 years in prison for persecuting and forcibly expelling non-Serbs during Bosnia's 1992-95 war. He was released in 2013 after his conviction by the United Nations war crimes tribunal in the Hague, Netherlands. A 1995 U.S.-sponsored peace agreement made Bosnia a union of Bosnian Serb and Muslim-Croat regions. But that deal seems to be unraveling, with Bosnian Serb leaders calling for secession of their mini-state called Republika Srpska and joining it with Serbia. Krajisnik, who leads a non-governmental organization called Association of Creators of Republika Srpska, said after the meeting with Nikolic that Bosnia "has become an impossible country." "The Serb people (in Bosnia) are not feeling comfortable," Krajisnik said. "Nor do the Croats....The situation in Bosnia is alarming." Krajisnik, who was the No. 2 behind Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, predicted there would be "sporadic skirmishes," but not another war in Bosnia. Nikolic, who is staunchly pro-Russian, said in a statement that his discussion with Krajisnik emphasized "the status and protection of human rights of Serbian people in the countries in the region, as well as the protection of Cyrillic and the Serbian language." The Youth Initiative for Human Rights in Serbia said in a statement that the meeting represented "a step further" in the denial of wartime crimes committed by Serbs. Claims that the rights of Serb minorities in Bosnia and Croatia were jeopardized led to the violent disintegration of the former Yugoslav federation after the Serb-led Yugoslav army intervened. In 1992, Bosnia's Serbs rebelled against the majority in Bosnia who opted for independence. They preferred to stay in Serb-dominated Yugoslavia while Muslim Bosniaks and the Catholic Croats wanted Bosnia to be an independent state. Yum China Launches Taco Bell Brand In China Taco Bell Favorites Fine-Tuned for Chinese Consumers January 11, 2017 // Franchising.com // Shanghai, China Yum China Holdings, Inc. (Yum China, NYSE: YUMC ), and Taco Bell Corp., the worlds largest Mexican-inspired restaurant chain, today announced that they have opened the first Taco Bell restaurant in the second largest economy in the world: China. The inaugural restaurant is located near Shanghais landmark Oriental Pearl Tower in the Lujiazui area, the citys central business district, and is Taco Bells latest international market entry as it grows the brand globally. We are thrilled to bring Taco Bell to China with the official opening of the first restaurant at a spectacular location in Shanghai, said Micky Pant, Chief Executive Officer of Yum China. Consumers in China today want the best the world has to offer, and Taco Bell is one of the most exciting brands anywhere. Leveraging our deep insights into Chinese consumer preferences, developed from close to 30 years operating in this market, we thoroughly researched and fine-tuned the Taco Bell menu for China and the initial response from customers is very encouraging. The menu features the brands favorites that have been adapted to local tastes. High quality ingredients coupled with newly developed sauces create items such as the Shrimp and Avocado Burrito unique to Taco Bell restaurants in China. The Crunchy Taco Supreme is now loaded with Taco Bells signature Nacho Cheese Sauce and the Volcano Chicken Burrito features spicy Sriracha sauce. Customers can also order shared plates featuring seasoned nacho chips, spicy fried chicken, and Mexican fries. These menu items pair perfectly with a variety of alcoholic beverages including ice-cold beer on draft and specialty cocktails like the Margarita and the Mojito. The Mexican inspired classics are made-to-order in a transparent, open kitchen where fans can see their food being handmade. Self-order kiosks allow consumers to study the menu and beat the rush at peak hours. The unique menu and ambience combine to create a totally unique and fun experience for Chinese consumers. The official launch of the restaurant follows the soft opening during which Taco Bell fans have been sharing their love for the brand through social media posts, blogs, and videos. Over 1,000 fans participated in a selfie soft opening promotion and continue to voice their excitement for the brands arrival in China. Mr. Pant continued, Taco Bell is an innovative brand with a strong heritage that we believe will resonate well with Chinese millennials. Built around the concept of Live Mas literally meaning Live More Taco Bell encourages its customers to try things theyve never tried before. I look forward to creating experiences that surprise and delight people as we expand the Taco Bell brand in China. The Shanghai restaurant showcases Taco Bells classic California-inspired look and design, perfect for enjoying meals worth sharing with friends and groups. The restaurant features guitars, graffiti art and surfboards hanging from the ceiling, while also integrating advanced technology throughout, including free Wi-Fi, digital ordering kiosks, digital menu boards and a range of payment options, providing customers with a fully immersive and convenient in-restaurant experience. Building restaurants in new international markets is a key component to the overall growth and evolution of Taco Bell and weve just scratched the surface of our global unit expansion potential, said Brian Niccol, Chief Executive Officer of Taco Bell Corp. The opening of this Taco Bell restaurant in China is an exciting milestone for the brand as this market holds tremendous growth potential. We look forward to supporting Yum China as it builds Taco Bells presence in the country. Currently, Taco Bell has more than 7,000 restaurants in the world with over 300 in 26 countries outside of the United States. Taco Bells first restaurant in China is part of the brands global growth strategy of reaching 1,000 restaurants internationally by 2022. About Yum China Holdings Yum China Holdings, Inc., with executive offices in Shanghai, China, is a licensee of Yum! Brands in mainland China. It has exclusive rights in mainland China to KFC, Chinas leading quick-service restaurant concept, Pizza Hut, the leading casual dining restaurant brand in China, and Taco Bell, which opened in China at the end of 2016. Yum China also owns the Little Sheep and East Dawning concepts outright. Yum China is well positioned for growth thanks to its strong competitive position, integration of its brands into Chinese popular culture and consumers daily lives, expanding geographic footprint in China and existing operational expertise. It has a strong capital position, no external debt and expects to continue growing its system sales and profit by adding new restaurants and through growing same-store sales. Yum China has more than 7,300 restaurants and more than 400,000 employees in over 1,100 cities, and generated over $8 billion in system sales in 2015. A new generation of younger consumers who are digitally sophisticated and brand driven are fueling growth in consumption in China. The ongoing growth of the middle class and urban population in China is expected to create the worlds largest market for restaurant brands, with Yum China poised to be the market leader. About Yum! Brands Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, has nearly 43,000 restaurants in 135 countries and territories and is one of the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders in North America. The Companys restaurant brands KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell are the global leaders of the chicken, pizza and Mexican-style food categories. Worldwide, the Yum! Brands system opens over six new restaurants per day on average, making it a leader in global retail development. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this communication contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as expect, expectation, believe, anticipate, may, could, intend, belief, plan, estimate, target, predict, likely, will, should, forecast, outlook or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by Yum China or Taco Bell in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that are believed to be appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future business plans and earnings and performance of Yum China and Taco Bell, and anticipated effects of population and macroeconomic trends. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of the expectations, estimates or assumptions expressed herein will be achieved. The forward-looking statements are only made as of the date indicated on the relevant materials, and Yum China, Yum! Brands and Taco Bell disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: whether Yum China or Taco Bell is able to achieve development goals at the times and in the amounts currently anticipated, if at all, the success of marketing campaigns and product innovation, the ability to maintain food safety and quality control systems, the ability to control costs and expenses, including tax costs, as well as changes in political, economic and regulatory conditions in China and elsewhere. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known or that are currently believed to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult Yum Chinas and Yum! Brands filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional detail about factors that could affect financial and other results. SOURCE Taco Bell Media Contact: Public Relations 949-863-3915 media@tacobell.com ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Four members of an illegal armed group were eliminated in a special police operation in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, according to a source in police, Sputnik reported. Four militants were killed and one detained in a special police operation in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Chechnya on Wednesday, a local police source said. "A special operation was carried out near the villages of Kurchaloy and Geldagan. Four members of an illegal armed group were eliminated, one was detained," the source told RIA Novosti. According to the source, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov personally supervised the operation. Turkish police have neutralized two PKK terrorists in a clash in southeastern Turkeys Siirt province, the security sources said early Wednesday, Anadolu reported. Two women terrorists were preparing to carry out an attack on local law enforcement units when the police raided their home in downtown Siirt, the sources said. The ensuing clash left both of them dead and officers seized a long barreled weapon, two pistols, 12 grenades and anti-tank and anti-personnel rocket ammunitions during the operation. The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its armed campaign in July 2015 and since then has been responsible for the deaths of around 1,100 security personnel and civilians, including women and children. A few weeks after the elections, in a much-needed gesture of goodwill, I apologized to millions of Americans for having mispronounced pecan. No, it wasnt easy to eat a piece of my own humble pie. Both blunder and apology came during guest spots on the radio show All Things Considered. A year ago, in response to the innocuous question Whats your favorite holiday pie? I had answered pecan, despite the fact it has nearly twice as many calories as pumpkin or sweet potato. I emphatically pronounced it puh-KAHN. No sooner had I uttered the word than friends, farmers and pie makers where I live in North Carolina started haranguing me. The correct pronunciation, they insisted, was PEE-can. To be honest, I always thought a PEE-can is what you put under a bed, but I bowed to the arm-twisting. Still, you would have thought Id just said I am joining the NRA on NPR. Fortunately, I did get credit from fellow Tar Heels for noting that pecan pie is not just for Thanksgiving, as most Yankees believe. Alex Willson, a fourth-generation pecan farmer, agreed. He explained on the phone from Sunnyland Farms in Albany, Ga., that pecan pie is a great dessert at any Southern table, all fallincluding Hanukkah and Christmas. Hanukkah? That was news to this Jew. But back to my apology. Once it was given, I found I still needed to find the phonetic truth about how to pronounce pecan. To do so I queried 200 real-life friends, 30,000-plus online followers and a handful of experts. What exactly determines our pronunciation of pecan? Race? Gender? Religion? Geography? One thing I quickly learned is that the answer is as sticky as the Karo syrup used in my pie recipe. Many think how we pronounce the nut in question is determined by the Mason-Dixon Line. Not so fast. A poll conducted by the National Pecan Shellers Association asked Americans how they say it: A whopping 45 percent of Southerners say PEE-can, while nearly 70 percent of those living in the Northeast do, too. Thats heresy to many in the South, including my Hillsborough neighbor and Georgia native Frances Mayes (author of Under the Tuscan Sun), who insists on puh-KAHN. My own investigation corroborated the pecan pickers poll. Jimmy Holcomb, who grew up in eastern North Carolina, defiantly says PEE-can, while the Mississippi-born wife of a colleague says puh-KAHN . . . and if you say PEE-can, watch out. Kathleen Purvis, author of the 2012 cookbook Pecans, wrote in a North Carolina magazine: Conventional wisdom holds that the difference is regional, one more thing separated by the Mason-Dixon Line. Sorry, but thats just not so. Ive listened to people from all over. And in my experience, this pronunciation isnt North versus South. Okay, then what is it? Josh Katz, author of Speaking American: How Yall, Youse, and You Guys Talk, has studied dialects far and wide, includingno surprisethe pronunciation of pecan. His book and a corresponding map actually detail four ways to say it, since the emphasis can be on one syllable or the other, though for the life of me Ive never heard anybody say pee-CAN. Katz says the urban-rural fault line is a big part of a lot of dialect variation, in particular pronunciation. With that distinction in mind, urban dwellers in North Carolina are more likely to say PEE-can, while country folk generally say pih-KAHN (his take on puh-KAHN). Purvis agrees, Its urban versus rural. Now were onto something, I thought. That is, until I bumped into Sandra Davidson, a podcast host from Buies Creek, N.C. (thats rural!), who said with no apparent irony, Its PEE-can pie but praline puh-KAHN ice cream. How can that be? I replied, forcing her into retreatfor the momentsaying she was going to ask her mother. Another friend made another crazy distinction: I live in Massachusetts, and I say puh-KAHN pie. Sounds snooty. But referring to the nuts, I say, PEE-cans. In other words, it takes PEE-cans to make puh-KAHN pie. This is nuts! I said to her. I agree, she answered. Exhausted and getting hungry for some pie, I decided it was time to use my phone-a-friend lifeline and called William Ferris, one of the countrys greatest folklorists and an expert on all things Southern. (His official title: senior associate director of the Center for the Study of the American South at UNC Chapel Hill.) Ferris grew up on a farm outside Vicksburg, Miss., and shocked meand no doubt some of my well-schooled friendswhen he claimed that how you pronounce pecan is connected to class and education. Ill skip his aural distinction because, as my educated friend Amy Barr told me, shed be angry if I fell on the dumb end of the spectrum. Before giving up on finding the right answer, I had two more phone calls to make: that is, to North Carolinas top elected officials. Governor-elect Roy Cooper told me (through his press aide) that he definitely says PEE-can. The states top Republican, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, says puh-KAHN. Well, that says it all, doesnt it? Its not about Karo vs. maple syrup, bourbon or chocolate as the secret ingredient in pie. No, the pecan wars are political: Blue State versus Red State! By the end of my quest, Id discovered two things to be true: No matter how you say it or slice it, any pecan pie tastes better with a shot of Gentleman Jack. Second, we should just eat our pie and not talk about it. Parliament has adopted the third article of Turkey's constitutional reform package that lowers the age of candidacy for an MP with a big majority of over 340 votes, Anadolu reported. The article, which calls for lowering the age of candidacy from 25 to 18 as well as prohibiting individuals to run as a candidate if they have connections to the army, was voted in favor on Wednesday by 341 of the assemblys 550 lawmakers; 139 others rejected it, 3 papers were left blank and 2 votes were deemed invalid. The secret voting process was interrupted by physical fights between lawmakers of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and Republican People's Party (CHP) following a holdup in the voting process. The process, however, continued after tensions calmed down. Later on Wednesday, the parliament is expected to discuss the fourth and fifth articles of the new draft constitution. The fourth article proposes to hold general elections every five years, instead of the current every four years, as well as to have presidential elections in Turkey on the same day. The fifth article deals with regulations over job definition and responsibilities of the parliament. The article is one of the most discussed items, which seeks to end the parliament's authorization to inspect ministers and the Cabinet. Wednesday marks the third day since the debate over the constitutional reforms began in the parliament. On Tuesday, the first two items of the constitution were adopted. Those items concerned the exercise of judicial power and an increase in parliament seats, respectively. Fifteen more amendments proposed by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party will be voted in parliament. Tuesdays first secret ballot changes the ninth article of the Constitution "the judicial power shall be exercised by independent courts on behalf of the Turkish nation" to read as "independent and impartial courts". The second item of the package increases the number of lawmakers from 550 to 600 in accordance with the rising population. The parliamentary process will likely be followed with a referendum in which the option of replacing Turkeys parliamentary system with a presidential model will be put to the electorate. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his supporters have argued that Turkey needs a strong presidency to avoid weak governance and allow the country to successfully tackle a number of challenges, including terror attacks from Daesh, the PKK and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). Opponents claim it will weaken democratic checks and lead to increased authoritarianism. To reach a referendum, the proposed changes must first be passed by 330 deputies. If it gets the support of 367 lawmakers it could pass into law without a referendum, although the ruling AK Party has said it will hold a popular vote regardless. A simple majority must agree to the changes in a referendum. The AK Party has 316 seats and Erdogan hopes the support of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which has 39 seats and which last month agreed to back the package, will be enough to secure a referendum. Parliaments other parties -- the Republican People's Party (CHP), which has 133 seats, and the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), with 59 deputies -- remain opposed to a presidential system. Two independent deputies are split over support for the amendments. Among the changes are plans for an elected president to form a government independently of parliament and for the role of prime minister -- typically the person leading the largest parliamentary party -- to be abandoned. Parliamentary and presidential elections would be held on the same day every five years, instead of the current four for the parliamentary vote. The president would be limited to two terms of office but will not be required to leave his or her political party. When elected to the presidency in August 2014, Erdogan had to resign as AK Party leader due to the supposedly apolitical nature of the post. In the judiciary, the Constitutional Court, Turkeys highest court for constitutional affairs, would be reduced to 15 members while the Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors, which deals with judicial and prosecution appointments, would add the justice minister to its number. Classes will start in August for Spotsylvania County Schools in 2018, after a 5-2 vote by the School Board this week. The calendar will not change for the 2017-18 school year, with classes starting after Labor Day, meaning that 2018 will see a one-time short summer of eight weeks. This is the second time the district has voted to change its start date in relation to Labor Day in the last five years, and the third time in just over a decade. This is a vote that I can guarantee you will not make everyone happy, and I wish we could, I really do, said Lee Hill member Amanda Blalock, who was named the boards new vice-chairwoman in a unanimous vote early in the meeting. Blalock replaced Erin Grampp, the Berkeley district member, who took over as chairwoman from Baron Braswell after a 7-0 vote. Three principals, members of a calendar committee that has been meeting since April, presented options and a summary of the recommendation process to the board. Freedom Middle School Principal Alan Jacobs, who led the presentation, said the committee included members from all of the districts schools and 10 parent representatives. The group sent out a survey via email and notified the community about the survey through autodial phone calls, then received about 4,300 responses, Jacobs said. Three community forums were also held in the fall. We tried to get specific things that were not necessarily related to Do we start before Labor Day or after Labor Day because that always seemed to be the question in the past, and we felt like we wanted to go in a little bit different direction, Jacobs said. So we asked our questions a little bit differently this year. Two-thirds of the survey respondents preferred to end the first semester before the winter break, and 90 percent preferred no work be assigned during the break, he said. Regarding the end of the school year, almost 84 percent wanted to end school in late May or early June, and about 79 percent wanted to end the year close to spring SOL testing. The committee presented three options, two for the 2017-18 school year and one for the 2018-19 year, with classes starting Aug. 13. Although there were no other options named for the second year, the School Board could have rejected the 2018-19 calendar, but all board members seemed to favor going back to an earlier start, before Labor Day. Grampp, who voted against the motion, said she favored the 2017-18 option that would have started classes before Labor Day for the upcoming school year because it would not shorten summer quite as much in 2018. Chancellor district member Dawn Shelley, the other no vote, said she wanted more time to get input from the public. Other board members said that they felt the survey, forums and other interactions they had with the public had provided the opportunity for feedback, and wanted to move forward with a decision. They also said they felt one change was better than two, even if it resulted in one very short summer. Academically, we already know what should be done. Were wasting time doing this every couple of years, said Bill Blaine, Salem district board member. Dozens of comments on Blalocks Facebook page from people who said they were parents or staff seemed almost evenly split between criticism and celebration for the change. Similar discussions with fewer comments took place on other social media. Virginia law officially requires that school begin after Labor Day, but most of the divisions in the state use waivers, many of which are based on inclement weather, to start in August. In the Fredericksburg region, the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, Louisa and King George all begin before Labor Day, while Stafford and Hanover counties and the city of Fredericksburg start classes after. Benefits of the calendar change include less weather-related disruption or more ability to accommodate missed days, more time before Advanced Placement tests and less time after SOL exams, the ability to complete a semester without the long winter break at the end, and the ability for seniors to send out transcripts earlier, according to the committee presentation and parent comments. Potential concerns mentioned in the presentation and echoed by comments on social media were vacation planning, adjustments in staff contracts and other administrative and management issues, summer renovations, difficulty with summer jobs and internships, and dealing with hot weather in August. There was a time decades ago when universities werent expected to account for the economic value they brought to a community. It was enough that they were doing research and teaching students, said John Accordino, interim dean of Virginia Commonwealth Universitys L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. But people look to universities now in ways they didnt used to. The result has been the kind of report VCU released Tuesday the day before the General Assembly convenes detailing its economic and cultural impact on the region. The university generates nearly $6 billion in economic activity in the state annually, including $1.5 billion within the city of Richmond and $4 billion in the metro area. VCU activities support 63,000 jobs statewide, including 18,000 jobs in the city and 47,000 in the region, according to the report. Together, VCU and the VCU Health System account for 21,679 workers in the metro area. But the contribution is far greater than the numbers, Richmonds new mayor said during a news conference at the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park. The seeds for the growth of Richmonds ever-evolving identity continue to be sown and nurtured here on this campus, Mayor Levar Stoney said. The university thinks beyond its building and really embraces this community, added Barry Matherly, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership. He called VCU a developer of the region and of minds. The university is committed to being a force of good for Richmond, VCU President Michael Rao said. This is a university that is absolutely positively focused on catalyzing the economy of our region, he said. During last years session, state lawmakers adopted legislation requiring each public college or university to report its active contributions to efforts to stimulate economic development. The information is to be included as part of a required six-year plan submitted to the state. Accordino said this report predates that new law. VCUs Impact on the Region: Talent, Innovation, Collaboration took more than a year to complete and was researched by the universitys Center for Urban and Regional Analysis. The study used in-depth interviews and focus groups to reach some conclusions, said Accordino, the centers director. The reports economic calculations were based on the multiplier effect for each dollars impact. The multiplier of 3.2 meant that for every dollar that VCU spends in the state, the commonwealth sees a total economic impact of $3.20 to reach the economic impact of $5.9 billion. About 67,000 VCU alumni live and work within the metro area, and their degrees and skills lead to increases in the average wage, which enhances the economy overall, the report says. In addition, the VCU Health System is a nearly $3 billion enterprise with more than 11,000 employees. It annually totals 36,000 admissions, nearly 100,000 emergency department visits and more than 650,000 outpatient visits. VCU enrolls more than 31,200 students who contribute to the diversity of the region and are helping to make RVA the hip place that it is fast becoming, Accordino said. The students contribute 1.5 million hours of service, which the report says equals $32 million in volunteer work. The report also outlines the universitys regional stewardship as a community developer, particularly of inner-city Richmond, and a convener that breaks down boundaries between local governments and other organizations. The university is also seen as a thought leader that attracts more than $200 million each year in sponsored research and as a moral leader for taking principled stands and actions, especially its health care for the indigent. Unlike traditional universities, VCU has not walled itself off from the community, Accordino said. It is in the community. It is of the community, and that is essential for achieving true impact. (804) 649-6119 REPUBLICANS opposed the Department of Education from its beginning and threaten to abolish it now, arguing that educational policy should be reserved to the states. Two respected Democrats also objected to the DOEs creation almost 40 years ago. New York Sen. Daniel Moynihan warned that it would become a partisan sword. New York Rep. Shirley Chisholm worried about divorcing education from other policy areas vital to student success, such as making sure they had decent housing and enough to eat. History has proved the critics right. Its time for the department to be dismantled. It has done some good in pointing out education inequity. But more often it has served political, not educational, interests. In fact, the DOE was created by President Carter in part as a gift to the National Education Association for the unions support of his candidacy. Politics was the DOEs original sin, and it has gotten only worse. Although President Reagan opposed the departments existence, he recognized its political utility. His secretary of education, William J. Bennett, used the influence of the office as a weapon in the culture wars by promoting traditional curriculums. Betsy DeVos, President-elect Trumps choice for secretary, is likely to continue its politicization. She has a track record of advancing school vouchers and charter schools. She will likely advocate for a privatization agenda, no matter the views of local communities. This politicization of education is most clearly evident in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act and the departments enforcement of its provisions. This measurea signature part of President George W. Bushs legacy, with an assist from Sen. Edward Kennedyrequired the restructuring and potentially the closing of an entire school if all its students in specific subgroups (for example, minority, economically disadvantaged, or special ed students) did not achieve proficiency on reading and math tests. It rejected the idea that poverty, students home lives or other factors outside school might lead to low achievement. Such suggestions were just excuses for bad teaching. Of course, effective teachers, good reading and math skills, and periodic student assessments are important. But the No Child Left Behind Act had obvious failings. Universal proficiency was simply an impossible. And it was a fiction that students life circumstances had no effect on their learning. Rather than admit the impossibility of proficiency for all students, the DOE took a hard line. Secretary Rod Paige pledged to enforce the law. A few months after the No Child Left Behind Act passed, he named 8,600 schools that failed to meet the laws requirements. Unless they improved, the department would sanction them. In the face of these threats, school districts slashed budgets in nontested subjects, like art and music, and students sat for exam after exam in math and reading. The DOEs approach changed only marginally under President Obama. Initially, Obamas secretary, Arne Duncan, continued the departments relentless enforcement of the laws punitive provisions. But as local educators complaints intensified and student achievement stalled, Duncan admitted in 201110 years after its passagethat No Child Left Behind was a slow motion train-wreck and granted waivers to states to avoid the laws full force. However, policies such as the incentive grants in the Race to the Top program still emphasized education outcomes measured by tests, the pillar of NCLB. When Congress reauthorized No Child Left Behind in 2015, the law was renamed but the focus remained on testing. To be fair, the DOE didnt initiate or write the legislation. But it did bring the full weight of the federal government against states and local school boards. No Child Left Behind erroneously presumed that Congress and the departmentnot local education agenciesunderstood how best to address schooling for high-needs learners. Its the locals, however, who can help such students. Local school boards are less ideological and more pragmatic than politicians. They see students in personal and concrete terms. They have to work with classroom teachers, administrators and community leaders as partners. Because they are less wedded to a political dogma, they respond more quickly when a policy isnt working. Washington has a role to play in education. The federal government alone is positioned to prevent local control from becoming a pretext for discrimination. It also must maintain funding to schools and colleges. But a separate executive branch department isnt necessary. Essential tasks can be shifted to Health and Human Services and the Justice Department. After 40 years of top-down, intrusion, its possible to imagine a more collaborative, less rigid relationship between our schools and the national government. Abolishing the DOE is a good place to start. Bruce Meredith is former general counsel to the NEA-affiliated Wisconsin Education Association Council. Mark Paige, is an assistant professor of public policy at the University of MassachusettsDartmouth. ADS ADS With the round cases, harmonious forms, rounded crowns and diamonds on single models in the new collection, IWC Schaffhausen establishes a link between the Da Vinci of the 1980s and todays pure designs without denying the familys heritage. The twin-frame bezel with the peripheral groove is a reminder of this period. Newly designed, movable horns with curved lugs ensure that straps and bracelets fit perfectly around the wrist and make the watches more comfortable to wear. All Da Vinci Automatic, Da Vinci Automatic 36 and Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 models - with the exception of Reference IW459308 and Reference IW356601 - are equipped with the new butterfly clasp. The clasp has three fold-out wings so the wearer can put on and take off the watch without fully opening the strap or bracelet. Two Da Vinci watches are fitted with a pin buckle: the Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 (Ref. IW459308) has an 18-caratred gold clasp, the Da Vinci Automatic (Ref. IW356601) one in stainless steel. The two models with Haute Horlogerie complications the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph and the Da Vinci Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph feature a folding clasp with two wings. The Da Vinci Automatic 36 (Ref. IW458307/IW458308/IW458310/IW458312) and the Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 (Ref. IW459306/IW459307/IW459308) are not only smallerand slimmer, but also have a more feminine design: with rounded crowns and a recessed inner circle on the dial, as previously found in the Portofino 37 mm collection. Gold cases, diamond-set bezels and alligator leather straps by Santoni in the colours raspberry, bronze, dark brown and dark blue specially developed for IWC underscore the watchs aesthetic appeal. The moon phase display is now the visual centre of the silver-plated dial in the Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36. The gold- or silver coloured moon moves clockwise against the dark blue night sky. The so-called Flower of Life is engraved on the case backs of all Da Vinci Automatic 36 and Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 models. This geometrical figure features several regularly overlapping circles and was the object of intensive study and numerous drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. The Da Vinci Automatic (Ref. IW356601/IW356602) with its 40-millimetre diameter was designed for both men and women as a classic watch with three hands and features a discreet, elegant design. The minimalist dial with its large Arabic figures and lancet-shaped hands perfectly matches the purist design of the Da Vinci Automatic. One model comes with a silver-plated dial and a black Santoni leather strap, the other with a slate-coloured dial and stainless-steel bracelet. The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (Ref. IW392101/IW392103) is the first watch from IWC to combine the mechanical chronograph with a perpetual moon phase display on a subdial in a new complication module. The moon phase is displayed by a disc, partly silver- or gold-plated, partly dark blue, which rotates to show the shadow of the earth and the waxing or waning moon below an aperture in the dial. In order to achieve this, IWCs watchmakers had to design the in-house 89630 calibre that powers the perpetual calendars other functions: the date, month, day and four-digit year display. The Da Vinci Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph (Ref. IW393101) in 18-carat red gold offers the unusual combination of a classic tourbillon with a retrograde date and a sporty chronograph on a single dial. The further-developed 89360 chronograph calibre, the new IWC-manufactured 89900 calibre, permits down-to-the-second setting of what is known as the hacking tourbillon via a newly designed system of levers. The result is a technically sophisticated and optically balanced complication with a clear, uncluttered design. The wearer reads stopped hours and minutes off from a totalizer at the top of the dial, while a central seconds hand shows elapsed seconds. The flying tourbillon is positioned below at 6 oclock and, on the left-hand side, the gently curved arc of the retrograde date display almost visually connects one complication with the other. Apart from this, the pallet lever and escape wheel were manufactured with the use of diamond shell technology for the first time. This involves a diamond coating that reduces friction, thus generating a higher output of energy. FOR VIRGINIANS looking for a reprieve from partisan politics, well, we hope you enjoyed the holidaysbecause of our seemingly nonstop campaign calendar enters a new phase today when the General Assembly opens for a 45-day session. It's an election year in the commonwealth, so much of what's said and done in Richmond will have a lot to do with what politicians hope will happen in November. Voters will choose a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, plus all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are at stake on Nov. 7. We hope the so-called "brochure bills" filed to look good on campaign mailers don't take an inordinate of the assembly's attention. Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who is in his final year in office, and state lawmakers have plenty of meaningful work they could do for the people of Virginia. But whatever they do, it will have to be done without additional revenue because there's little to no chance for general election-year tax increases. Plus, the legislature must patch up a $1.26 billion hole in state's $100 billion two-year budget. The constitutional requirement to balance the budget means state colleges and universities face a 5 percent cut, and promised 3 percent raises for state employees, including state police officers, college faculty, teachers, mental health workers and state-supported local employees have been rescinded. Virginia's economic picture could improve as legislators await final revenue figures from 2016, but there's little optimism at this point that raises can be restored. And the Democrat governor's proposal for a 1.5 percent one-time bonus for state workers hasn't gained much support from the Republican-controlled legislature. House Speaker Bill Howell, RStafford, has been pushing for an overhaul of state employees' retirement system, which would move Virginia to private-sector style savings plans with a state contribution. The commonwealth faces more than $68 billion in long-term pension liabilities for some 600,000 current and retired public workers. Howell also wants to ensure the state is getting a good return on money invested in the Virginia Retirement System to help reduce the unfunded pension liabilities. Though details have yet to emerge on these plans, it makes sense to address these issues. Decent retirement benefits can help the state get and keep good workers. And giving state employees raises on a dependable basis rather than making them the first item cut when times get tight is a priority among legislators on the budget committees. The state has experienced greater turnover lately with its aging workforce, which has left hundreds of vacant positions in key areas such as the state police, corrections and mental-health workers. It's crucial for Virginia to refill the ranks of the state police, whose starting salary is often less than that of local sheriff's offices and police departments. And if the state is to fulfill efforts to improve services for those suffering from mental illness it must have trained staff members to deal with people in crisis. Legislation such as a ban on abortion after 20 weeks, transgender bathroom usage, gay marriage and other hot-button issues have already been filed. However, McAuliffe has already promised to veto abortion restrictions or measures he deems discriminatory. While Republicans have nearly a two-thirds majority in the House to overturn a veto, they do not have the numbers in the Senate. So McAuliffe has yet to have any of his vetoes overturned. The governor has proposed a couple of common-sense criminal justice measuresone would end the practice of suspending driver's licenses over unpaid court fines or fees and another would increase the threshold value of stolen items from $200 to $500 to be considered a felony. Sen. Bryce Reeves, RSpotsylvania, has previously proposed similar legislation raising the value of the property stolen that constitutes a felony, but it failed in the House. Both measures deserve to pass this time around. Though there's little indications that it will happen, the assembly should revise the bill it passed last year on the proffers developers pay local governments to offset the costs of their development in return for rezoning land. Growing counties such as Stafford and Spotsylvania were caught off guard with the building and development lobby rewrote the rules. Surely a fair compromise could be reached so that projects can proceed and taxpayers aren't required to pick up the cost for roads, schools and other community needs. Barbara Barrett is confused. The 58-year-old retired teacher and elementary school counselor, who lives outside of Spokane, Washington, is due for a mammogram. But Tuesdays headlines about mammograms leading to overtreatment in a third of breast cancer patients have given her and thousands of other women across the country huge cause for concern. Yet again. I have increased anxiety about what I would do if something were found during my mammogram, she said. And Im definitely confused reading the new info. Is there a way to know whether a tumor found in a mammogram should be treated or left alone? The headlines are based on a Danish study and an accompanying commentary by the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Both the study and commentary point to one of mammographys biggest flaws: Along with picking up aggressive cancers that can go on to kill, they can also pick up slow-growing tumors that may never amount to anything. These early cancers include DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) or stage 0 breast cancers that are sometimes, but not always, harmless. Unfortunately, were not quite yet able to consistently differentiate between the early-stage cancers that kill and the cancers that simply creep along (not to mention creep you out). So some women diagnosed with breast cancer may get, say, a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy. Or get a lumpectomy and radiation for their DCIS when hormonal therapy alone might suffice. Some may even get chemotherapy that they dont really need because a mammogram has only pointed to cancer not a crystal clear vision of what the future holds. Early cancers dont always advertise their intent. Theyre merely diagnosed and treated and sometimes, yes, overtreated. And thats a huge concern for cancer patients, for researchers and oncologists and, perhaps most of all, for women like Barbara Barrett who are trying to make health decisions while being inundated by headlines like: Third of breast cancer patients treated unnecessarily, study says, and Time to rethink mammograms, American Cancer Society top doc says. 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. Buildings at central business district are shrouded in heavy smog on Dec. 31, 2016, in Beijing, China. (Photo : Getty Images) As smog worsens in China, citizens are growing more and more concerned about the health effects, and have demanded the installation of more air purifiers and the heavier sanctions against violators of the environmental law. The local government has broken its silence and vowed to intensify the battle against the smog problem this year. Advertisement "It's too early to conclude as to what extent smog will have on health," said Mao Qun'an, director of the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) publicity center. At a press conference held last Saturday, the health authority ensured the public that there is no evidence that linked smog to cancer. The NHFPC has been studying the health impacts of air pollution since 2013, which covers 31 provincial areas. According to Mao, their recent data shows that as the air pollutant density drops compared to the same period in 2013, there is no significant difference in the number of patients. The health authority has promised the public that it will be making up specific plans to help vulnerable groups, which include children and the elderly, resist the damage caused by smog. It is also planning to set standards for masks and air purifiers. Creation of new police force Meanwhile, Beijing's acting mayor Cai Qi has announced that it will be implementing tougher measures to improve the air quality in the city's 16 districts. "Like many of us, I am used to checking the weather and air quality index of Beijing first thing in the morning. I totally understand the public's concern and complaints over air pollution," Cai told the media last Saturday. Beijing will be creating an environmental police force, which will be cracking down on open-air barbeques, garbage incineration and biomass burning. The Beijing mayor said that these acts were the result of lax supervision and weak law enforcement. Last year, Beijing waged wars against the use of coal in rural areas and high pollution vehicles which resulted in a 10-percent decrease of the average concentration of PM2.5 in the air as compared to 2015. However, China still has a long way to go in its battle against smog. "The root cause of the region's smog problems, from a long-term perspective, is an unclean industrial and energy mix, which requires big changes," said Environmental Protection Minister Chen Jining. As China intensifies its war against the smog problem, it must be able to address its root causes in order to come up with effective solutions. Chinese protestors stage an anti Japan rally outside the Japan Embassy on Sept. 15, 2012, in Beijing, China. (Photo : Getty Images) With the upcoming Trump presidency and the issues hounding the Xi government, the reaction of Chinese nationalists and the ability of the Chinese government to keep them on Xi's side is one of the many uncertainties that faces Asia. Last year, thousands of Chinese netizens attacked Taiwanese websites in a coordinated action after the election of Tsai Ing-wen. The Taiwanese President wanted to reduce the island's reliance on the mainland. Advertisement "There are lots of historic questions still unresolved but we can't just look at Japan. We need to change U.S.-China relations. The real problem is the U.S.," said Sima Pingbang, a popular nationalist blogger. Unlike their older counterparts who focused only on Japan, this new generation of Chinese nationalists are now tackling issues that involve Taiwan, the U.S. and the Muslim world. Xi appeased the nationalist movement through his rhetoric about "national rejuvenation" last year during the 80th anniversary of the end of the Long March. He called for a strong China in the international stage and a strong Communist Party at home. Anti-Beijing Sentiment Growing Offline But it looks like Xi also has to address the growing anti-Beijing sentiment offline. Citizens have become cynical with Beijing's economy-first policies, giving rise to a new political movement known as the New Left or new-Maoism. The start of the movement dates back to the early 2000s when intellectuals became concerned about the polarization in Chinese society because of the government's market-orient reform. "Chairman Mao was a truly great man but this is not the country he dreamt of, this is not real communism. The economy today is dominated by monopoly industries controlled by the children of senior officials. The current government, led by Xi Jinping is very bad," said an unnamed university professor who identifies with the neo-Maoist movement. It seems that more and more Chinese people are making their voices heard, both online and offline. Despite the moves to detract and appease these sentiments, it seems that the growing nationalist movement at home will become a potent force in driving China's politics both locally and internationally. A north Wales livestock farmer has won a case against a utility company after his cattle became infected with a rare human parasite. The farmer, who wished not to be named, found a cow had contracted the rare Cysticercus bovis tapeworm larvae after the electricity company had been working on his land. See also: More on parasite control Cysticercus bovis is the larval form of a parasitic tapeworm that infests the muscles of cattle and is caused by cattle ingesting eggs of the human tapeworm Taenia saginata. The parasite cannot be spread from person to person, or between cattle. Commenting on the case, Eifion Bibby of Davis Meade Property Consultants, who represented the farmer, said: Infection was discovered on our clients farm after an electricity company had been refurbishing existing pylons and cables on land which was later grazed by cattle. The farmer breeds pedigree cattle and the diagnosis of the disease had a traumatic effect on him. Fortunately, it seems that the infection was limited to one animal and the utility company has ultimately been honourable and accepted responsibility, he said. How are cattle infected Cattle become infected by ingesting materials contaminated with tapeworm eggs from human faeces. The eggs, which are the infective stage for cattle, can survive months under wet, cool conditions and are resistant to a number of common disinfectants. The eggs hatch and the embryos work their way into the cattle muscle tissue, where they develop into larvae and form cysticerci, or cysts. These cysts can remain viable and infective for several months or even longer. Be aware The farmer is now urging landowners to be aware of the risks. The recent C bovis infection of livestock was most distressing to me and I would remind all landowners that such infections are a very real possibility, the farmer said. As Cysticercus bovis is spread from human faeces to cattle, there is also concern as to what potential there might be of infection arising when septic tanks overflow or there is a burst sewage pipe within agricultural land. We cannot emphasise enough the significance of high-level biosecurity on farms at all times, and the importance of utility companies ensuring that their representatives, including contractors, have welfare units available to their personnel, said Mr Bibby. Some utility companies refer to biosecurity in their codes of practice. Nonetheless, it is a case of questioning the utility companies if [biosecurity is] not referred to, being vigilant that appropriate measures are adopted and, if need be, seeking professional advice. Traveler & Pet At Airline Counter (Photo : Manny Ceneta / Stringer) If you're planning on bringing your furry friends along, your next trip to China might only require them to be away in quarantine for only an hour after arrival. However, this is only applicable to animals that are considered "low risk." Under the current rules and regulations implemented by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, cats and dogs that arrived from overseas have to spend seven to thirty days at an inspection facility. Advertisement During the mandatory quarantine period, animals have to undergo extensive tests for rabies and other diseases that could cause an epidemic. But the rule is now being considered for revision. The government agency said that in the future, animals deemed 'low risk' could be released to their owners immediately after passing a simple test at the port of entry. The consideration for the revision of the mandatory quarantine period just comes in time as China sees an increased number of pets coming from overseas. China saw around 8,000 cats and dogs being brought in from the period of January to November, about half arriving at the Beijing and Shanghai airports. "During peak seasons, such as summer holidays, we can receive seven or eight dogs or cats a day," said Zhang Ao, a staff at the quarantine inspection office at Beijing Capital International Airport. Aside from the peak seasons, the surge in the number of pets arriving from abroad is also due to more people being posted to countries like China, where business is continually booming. The transport of pets is not only tedious, but it is also an expensive one. Air travel of pets could cost as much as or even more than a person's air fare. With this possible rule change with the mandatory quarantine for pets, at least that's one less thing to worry about at the airport. WHATS UP The Cherokee County Literacy Association is having a hot dog sale fundraiser on November 12 at 11:00 a.m.2:00 p.m. in the office parking lot at 409 Buford Street. Plates for... Blacksburg town employees to get bonus of $175 Blacksburg town employees were rewarded for their work Tuesday with a little extra in their holiday bonuses. Blacksburg Town Council unanimously agreed to give most full-time and part-time employees an... In this region, no one fights alone Traditional rivals Landrum and Liberty presented a $4,700 check at Fridays Blacksburg game from a competitive fundraiser to celebrate Pink Out Week. Students competed to see which school could raise... Pet Obituary Cameo CamiWard 7/27/2004 10/29/2022 Cameo chose her forever family by walking into their yard June 2006. She loved her cat proof backyard, window and screen porch. Cameo for many years played hide and go... Microsofts Project Scorpio: Halo Boss Reveals Console Is Beefier Than Expected Microsoft's Project Scorpio console is all set for its upcoming market release later this year. Gamers eagerly seek for more information on what could be one of the most powerful gaming machine. And while Microsoft has been discreet when it comes to details of their interesting project, Halo's Boss Frank O'Connor teases as he spills few details about the console's potential. Game Rant reports that while Boss Frank admits that he can't remember Project Scorpio's specific specs, he is certain that the its features came out to be more beefier than initially expected. Halo director responds to avid gamers by assuring them that Project Scorpio comes with an impressive console power. While the spilled information may seem biased coming from Halo's head himself, gamers still find themselves talking about how Project Scorpio can change gaming. As of the moment, Microsoft has yet to reveal Halo 6 but many assume that Xbox release would definitely be the next chapter in Halo's universe along with its flagship console. Tweak Town notes that while Project Scorpio features 6 folds worth of power, the head of Xbox Phil Spencer firmly assures palyers that none of the previously released Xbox One consoles will be abandoned behind new game releases. This translates to relief among players who can now look forward to improved graphics and frame rates with Project Scorpio. Quicker load times for most games can be expected as well. Project Scorpio also presents potentials for virtual reality, although this may not necessarily be made available via Xbox One or Xbox One S. And with Microsoft working on the upcoming launch of its HoloLens Project, greater potentials might be unlocked when the two projects come together. Gamers anticipate that Project Scorpio can live up to the current hype that surrounds its upcoming release. Microsoft remains positive that the console generate will generate their anticipated volume of sales. The new rules would apply to employees, and elected and appointed officials. Walt Disney Co. president and CEO Robert A. Iger goes by the book to bring mainland China its first-ever Disneyland. (Photo : Getty Images) Targeting to hire 2,000 full- and part-time workers in China, the Shanghai Disney Resort is teaming up with various educational institutions in the country to search for a fresh pool of talent. Walt Disney via House of the Mouse is partnering with 10 Chinese vocational schools, colleges and universities this year to boost its recruitment, China Daily reported. Advertisement Called the "Shanghai Disney Resort Talent Class," the project cements Walt Disney's commitment to hiring 98 percent of its Shanghai resort workers in the country. "The essential element in guest satisfaction is the interaction that our 10,000 staff members have with visitors," Philippe Gas, general manager of Shanghai Disneyland Resort, was quoted as saying by China Daily. Disney will be organizing a variety of classes with its partner institutions to teach company practices. There will also be internship opportunities for participants, including slots for accountants, makeup artists, mechanical technicians and animation designers. Best-performing students will likewise be given a chance to intern at Disney's Florida resort. About 30 to 50 students are expected to fill in each class. The participating institutions include Tourism College of Zhejiang, Shanghai Sanda University and Shanghai Polytechnic University. Disney's target of 2,000 new hires this year is said to prioritize the disabled population, according to Lara Tiam, Shanghai Disney's VP for human resources. The world-famous resort, however, is bracing for a rapid turnover rate. In the service and hospitality sector alone, the turnover rate was about 20 percent in 2015, per recruiting site 51job.com. "The focus on customer service is very important for Disney, but there is still a huge gap between their standard and normal Chinese standards," said Sara Wong, Kelly Services' Hong Kong director of recruitment outsourcing, in a 2016 interview with Bloomberg. In 2012, Disney filled up 100 high-skill positions, including engineers and designers, to help with construction. Politically, the state of Oregon is an outlier and you can say the same for California and Washington Democrats enjoy an edge in each of those states, forming what some political analysts have called a "big blue wall" on the West Coast. In Oregon, of course, the edge is substantial, in terms of registered voters, control of the Legislature, and statewide elected offices. (Dennis Richardson, the Republican elected secretary of state, broke a statewide GOP election drought that dated back to 2002, but other statewide political positions in Oregon are held by Democrats.) But, again, Oregon is an exception to the national rule. Across the United States, Republicans have been making successful inroads into state politics, so much so that it might have played a big part in Donald Trump's presidential win. The numbers nationally speak for themselves: Across the United States, Democrats lost 30 seats in state legislatures in the 2016 elections. They lost control of legislatures in Iowa, Minnesota and Kentucky. Democrats control legislatures in just 12 states; the GOP has control in 32 states. In the remaining states, the legislature is split, with one party in control in one chamber and the other party in control in the other. (One state has a unicameral legislature in which the members supposedly are nonpartisan. Can you name the state? The answer is below.) The picture is just as bleak for Democrats when you look at governors' mansions across the United States: In the 2016 election, Republicans gave the boot to Democratic governors in Missouri, New Hampshire and Vermont. Only 16 of the nation's governors are Democrats. This saves money when the Democratic Governors Association gets together for meetings, but this likely is not the way in which that group would prefer to save a buck or two. Not surprisingly, this shift at the state level hasn't occurred by happenstance: According to a recent article in The New Republic, the GOP has been focusing efforts on the state level for years. In 2010, for example, the party poured $30 million into state races, some three times more than Democrats. This is part of the reason why Trump felt confident about outsourcing so much of his campaign's get-out-the-vote efforts to the Republican Party: The GOP had built strong state networks that offset what some political observers (including us) thought could be a critical advantage for Hillary Clinton. The Republicans, smartly, are playing a long game here: They're looking ahead to 2020, when state legislatures will take the lead in a new round of redistricting. Legislatures dominated by one particular party obviously are more likely to favor that party when it comes time to redraw the electoral map in those states. The end result could be even more districts that are basically sure bets to stay in control of one party. (The long-term solution here might be to move toward independent nonpartisan redistricting commissions, but that could be a hard sell in many legislatures, although those independent commissions could be created through initiative efforts.) So it's no surprise to hear that the candidates seeking the top spot with the Democratic National Committee are emphasizing the importance of re-energizing the party at the state and local levels. Nor is it a surprise to learn that President Barack Obama plans to spend part of his time after his term ends on an effort to combat the GOP's advantage in state legislatures. The big question is whether Republicans have too much of a head start. By the way, the state with a unicameral legislature that supposedly is nonpartisan is Nebraska. But guess what? Republicans actually enjoy a big advantage there as well. (mm) Oregon State University professor David Noakes will review "The Geography of Genius: A Search for the Worlds Most Creative Places, from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley" by Eric Weiner at noon Wednesday at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library as part of the Random Review program. What circumstances account for the creative and ingenious ideas concentrated in Silicon Valley today or in ancient Athens, Florence or Calcutta? In "The Geography of Genius" Weiner, a National Public Radio foreign correspondent for many years, takes readers on a literary journey to centers of brilliance and innovation throughout history. His mission is to reveal the catalysts and conditions leading to the birth of a geographic center of creativity at a specific location and time. Noakes is professor of fisheries and director of the Oregon Hatchery Research Center at OSU. He received his Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley in 1971. He is editor in chief for the international journal, Environmental Biology of Fishes. Noakes is engaged in extensive collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. His collaborators come to the Hatchery Research Center from across Oregon and throughout the United States as well as Canada, South America, Europe and Asia. Up next: Next month's program, on Feb. 8, will feature Rain: A Natural and Cultural History by Cynthia Barnett. Charles Goodrich will be the reviewer. The City Club of Corvallis may be getting into the public policy business. Founded in April 2007, the group meets nine times a year to hear presentations on a variety of topics. Now the organization is considering whether to follow the example of some of its big-city cousins, such as the 1,500-member City Club of Portland, by doing independent research on important local issues and taking positions in policy debates. The idea is being championed by club member and former Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning, who kicked off Tuesdays meeting of the City Club of Corvallis by saying a research program could be an opportunity to engage in a deeper discussion about how decisions are made in our community. Chris Trejbal, the Portland clubs communications director, was one of two guest speakers at the meeting. He said his group has produced more than 1,000 research papers during its 100-year history and has become a respected voice in that citys policy discussions. At City Club, we believe a lot of people have opinions, but not a lot of people have informed opinions, and we want to help them get there, Trejbal said. He said the clubs goal is to produce thorough, nonpartisan, timely research on relevant issues and make it available to the public. About one-third of the groups white papers are comprehensive, in-depth reports that take fro nine months to a year to produce. The remainder, produced in a much shorter time span, take a position on ballot measures. A committee is formed for each research project. It typically meets once a week, interviews a diverse set of subject matter experts and sifts through the available literature on the subject. The panels findings are put into a written report with a set of well-supported, attainable recommendations. The finished report is presented at one of the clubs weekly meetings and is then put to the membership for a vote. A simple majority is required to adopt the findings; if a report receives at least two-thirds support, the club will publicly advocate for its recommendations. If you do good work, you will influence public policy and public conversations, Trejbal told the Corvallis club members. I think you have an excellent opportunity to do that. With only 50 members and no paid staff, however, the City Club of Corvallis has far fewer resources to put into in-depth research projects. To address that challenge, club leaders hope to enlist the services of the Oregon Policy Analysis Laboratory, an Oregon State University research group staffed by grad students under the guidance of faculty mentors. Erika Wolters, the program coordinator for OPAL, told the City Club members that the lab was set up to offer independent, nonpartisan advice on policy issues. She said the students are trained researchers who can design and deliver in-depth analyses of policy issues on a nine-month timeline. Among the labs current clients are the Eugene Water & Electric Board and the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon. A show of hands at the end of the meeting indicated that most of the 30 or so City Club members present were in favor of pursuing the idea. Despite the local clubs small membership base, President Steve Schultz believes the organization has the wherewithal to make a research program work. I believe the resources of the university in town, with OPAL, really provides us with an opportunity other small clubs wouldnt have, he said after the meeting. And besides that, we have so many well-educated people around town, Schultz added. A lot of clubs dont have that. Were very fortunate were the city club in this town. Schultz said the board would continue to discuss how its research program might work and should reach a decision on how to proceed before the club goes into its annual summer hiatus. Board member Nick Houtman, who has been working with Manning on the idea, said he thinks research from the City Club of Corvallis would be an asset to the community. I see a need for it, Houtman said. Its one thing to have interesting meetings and talk about stuff. Doing this work could make a real, solid contribution to the community, and I look forward to helping with that. Two people were seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday morning on Highway 97 north of Bend. Three others were not injured, including a 25-year-old Philomath man. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a report of a crash at about 6:20 a.m. near milepost 129 on Highway 97. A preliminary investigation reveals that a 1999 Toyota Corolla had been traveling northbound on the highway when it lost control on the icy roadway and collided with a southbound 2000 Dodge pickup, OSP reported. Emergency personnel arrived on scene to find a 34-year-old Redmond woman, Kelly Shehan, trapped in the Toyota. She was extricated and transported by ground ambulance to St. Charles Hospital in Bend. The Toyotas driver, 46-year-old Kimberly Baker, of Redmond, was also transported to the Bend hospital, also with serious injuries. The driver of the pickup, Wayde Pratt, 20, of Sisters, and passengers, Joel Pratt, 25, of Philomath, and Martin Langager, 25, of Lebanon, were not injured. Highway 97 was closed for just over an hour for the crash investigation and to clear the roadway, OSP reported. Join Us At SoundCloud (Photo : SoundCloud/Youtube) The music streaming site SoundCloud revealed that approximately $70 million lost between 2013 and 2014. The issue is horrible enough for the company to gain more capital in the next 12 months. The main goal is required to have a huge stock of money towards the administrative expenses to grow its service. Advertisement The financial records were released to the public by SoundCloud. The leading platform for creating, listening, and sharing sound lost 23.1 million for the year 2013 and the operating loss of 39 million for 2014. The investment in technology and marketing headcount increased faster than the company's revenues. The annual report unveiled that the directors were required to consider whether the group can continue in operational existence. It was confirmed that the SoundCloud will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence even though there were material uncertainties the business is facing. The Berlin-based sound creating company reportedly spends $64 million to generate just $19.5 million income in 2014. The Financial Times published that the company could run out of cash by the end of 2017 unless it persuades new investors. According to the Music Business Worldwide, SoundCloud lost almost $52 million in 2015, and Spotify was in process of acquiring SoundCloud to the tune to $1 billion. However, Spotify dropped the negotiations because it was preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2017. The biggest issue that SoundCloud has been facing financially is the average revenue per user. Though the platform has 175 million users, the income generated is only equated to 11.2 cents per users. It's way lower than the other streaming competitors such as Spotify and Pandora. Spotify has $27 per user while Pandora generated 100 times as much as SoundCloud. The streaming company is required rising on the venture to remain solvent. SoundCloud raised $77 million in 2016. However, it will not be enough to fuel the loss and to remain sustainable. If SoundCloud will not focus on balancing the financial sheets, it may be forced to shut the operations down. China is currently dealing with worsening levels of air pollution. (Photo : YouTube/DB (English) BBC News) China is currently dealing with high levels of air pollution. According to reports, the smog or haze episodes have made citizens concerned for their health, with some turning to remedies such as anti-smog tea to clean their lungs. However, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) expert said that these so-called teas have no effect on the body, and that these types of beverages could cause further health problems in the long run. Advertisement Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine president Liu Quanqing told China Central Television (via China Daily) that these anti-smog teas have no beneficial effects at all. Ive looked at many formulas, Liu said. They all contain ingredients that are medicines and cant be used as food, which may cause health problems if taken for a long time. Liu also said that apart from the teas, other remedies which have been claimed to aid in cleaning the lungs such as consuming radish, kelp, or wood-ear fungus, have not been proven at all. Apart from respiratory problems, it appears that Chinas smog problem has also been affecting the publics mental health. According to Liu, there have been patients who have been admitted not because of actual respiratory problems, but because of mental health problems connected to the fear of getting sick due to the smog. Meanwhile, Forbes reports that people have been going on more haze-free vacations as they seek to take a literal breather from the poor air quality in China. The media outlet reports that search engines saw a rise in searches on where to go to wash the lungs as a result of the countrys smog problem. Online travel site Ctrip revealed that in Dec. 2016, more than 150,000 Chinese citizens travelled abroad to seek fresh air. According to the site, the fresh air destinations for Chinese travelers include Thailand, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada, among others. Some are even reportedly opting to go as far as Scandinavia and Antarctica, as the latter has been dubbed as the worlds last pure land. As Chinas smog problem continues to engulf the country with unhealthy air particles, citizens are advised to maintain good eating habits and to stay in a positive frame of mind to be able to deal with the countrys pollution crisis. Collapse on the U-Bahn steps in Bad Godesberg : Four young persons come to aid of elderly stroke victim Bonn Four young people came to the aid of an 82-year-old woman after she collapsed on the steps of the Bad Godesberg underground station. Now she has started a search to find her young helpers. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken She had never been in such a miserable situation, says Anna Becker (name changed). On the stairs of the underground tram station, she suddenly felt terrible. Everything was hazy. I had to vomit. I staggered. I was totally helpless, recalled the 82-year-old who had just been shopping in Bad Godesberg. She crouched down on the stairs; it was the only way to keep herself from falling. I noticed a lot of people walking past me. I was so weak. I couldnt say anything, I couldnt ask for help, says Anna Becker as she swallows. In hindsight, she cannot conceive that nobody came to her aid for some time while she was in that condition. Then suddenly a young man kneeled down and spoke to her and held her head. He even wiped her mouth, from which she vomited again. In the Waldkrankenhaus (Wald Hospital), they told me I had a slight stroke, explains Anna Becker. The young man had immediately recognized that the woman was in danger, but as he got out his cell phone, he said he had no reception on the stairway. He quickly went up into the open so he could call an ambulance. Two more young men rushed to her aid in the middle of the stairway. The 82-year-old says that as she was half sitting and laying on the steps, the young men spoke to her. The two said they were from Syria, they spoke to me in broken German. Mutter (mother) they called her touchingly, and then in English: Do not worry. Stay calm, well help you. And then again Mutter. But she had not been able to answer. Then there was a young woman who assured her that the ambulance was coming as quickly as possible to take her to the hospital. The two young Syrians and the young woman discussed how they could best stabilize the elderly woman and ensure that she did not get chilled on the cold steps. The three of them put a sweater under me and one of them held my hand, she says as she swallows. She had to stay in the hospital for one week and thought for a long time about the incident. She says she is so grateful for the four young people, that they did not just pass her by like the other people. She regrets that she couldnt say anything to them in her condition at the time. Now she is hoping that the young people will read about the incident in the General Anzeiger. Please write: I know that thanks in Arabic is shukran, says the elderly lady. So danke (thank you) and shukran to all my four helpers. Fair organizers to meet in Bonn : Protecting fairs from terror attacks Bonn On Thursday, the worlds largest meeting of the fair and festival trade will meet at the WCCB in Bonn. The president of the German fair and festival association spoke about the exporting of German Christmas markets and new security challenges because of terrorism. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Around 1,000 fair and festival organizers, politicians, administrators and association members will meet at the World Conference Center (WCCB) in Bonn on Thursday. Their mission is to set the course for the future of fairground events and festivals throughout Germany. Albert Ritter is the president of the Deutschen Schaustellerbundes (German Fair Association) and he spoke about the latest developments in the industry. Mr. Ritter, Christmas markets now account for a quarter of sales of all fairs and exhibitions. Where do the rest of the sales come from? Albert Ritter: With a tradition that is 1,200 years old, folk festivals and classic fairs are still the bread and butter of fair and festival organizers. Christmas markets have gradually developed very strongly. The advantage of Christmas markets is the location - right in the city center. Folk festivals can be located somewhat on the outskirts. Besides that, Christmas markets run for four or five weeks, and people have more money when they have a 13th monthly salary (an extra month of salary that some companies pay at Christmas time). However, the Christmas markets are only in December and folk festivals run throughout the year. Thus, they continue to account for a lions share of the sales. What kind of revenue are we talking about? Ritter: Altogether, the branch takes in approximately 3.7 billion euros annually; around 2.65 billion of that is from folk festivals. German Christmas markets are now also exported abroad. Do German fair organizers profit? Ritter: I would of course prefer that the tourists come to us. The original version is the most beautiful. But German Christmas markets are already a brand abroad, its true - of course with bratwurst and mulled wine. The Frankfurter Kongressgesellschaft, for example is the organizer of the German Christmas market in London. Many local organizers are now traveling to around 100 German Christmas markets worldwide - including not only the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland but also the USA. The Nuremberg Christkindl market, for example, goes to Chicago once a year. What challenges does the industry currently face in Germany? Ritter: In times of terrorist attacks, like last seen at the Christmas market in Berlin, the theme of terrorism presents a lot (of challenges) coming to us. Much is expected of us, and unfortunately also that we alone should bear the costs of higher security. What kind of costs are associated with the extra security measures? Ritter: For each event, there are additional costs of around 60,000 to 80,000 euros. In addition, the fees for fair organizers holding events generally increase. What many do not know: fair organizers are partly responsible for payment of public order officers, special timing of buses to accommodate those attending an event, and the expenses of the volunteer fire departments. At the same time, everyone earns from the folk festivals: not only transport companies, but hotels and butchers, taxis and energy suppliers. What do you suggest? Ritter: As far as security is concerned, a large portion of the money should come from the state. At the end of the day, security at folk festivals and public events in public places are in the interest of the state. 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. Morgan Stanley's New York headquarters are seen on April 17, 2014 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images) American Morgan Stanley and Swiss UBS are planning expansions in China, raising their stakes to 49 percent in separate joint venture deals. The two foreign banks committed to expanding their operations in the country. Morgan Stanley and its local partner, Huaxin Securities, are planning to raise the stakes to 49 percent from the current 33.3 percent. According to sources, the joint venture is still awaiting approval from the Chinese securities regulator. Advertisement Meanwhile, UBS plans to raise their stakes to 49 percent from the current 25 percent of UBS Securities. Registered in 2006, UBS Securities became the first foreign-invested and fully licensed securities firm in China. The Swiss firm currently holds the second largest stake of the mainland brokerage, just behind Beijing Guoxiang Property Management who owns about a third of the stakes. Morgan Stanley China posted a net profit of 30 million yuan in 2015, as compared to a loss of 470,000 yuan in 2014. UBS Securities on the other hand posted a net profit of 296 million yuan in 2015 versus 118 yuan during the previous year. Since 2012, China has allowed foreign firms to own up to a maximum of 49 percent of joint ventures from its previous 33 percent. Together with the increase in profits generated from its China-based business, these increased the confidence of both companies to push forward with the raising the stakes up to the cap. However, not all foreign companies followed suit because most of the securities joint ventures in China were either small or were struggling to reach breakeven because of slow growing onshore deals. "The China securities market is ripe for growth, and foreign investment banks will look to put more money there when it comes to boosting revenue. It's a long-term bet," said Benjamin Quinlan, chief executive of consultancy firm Quinlan & Associates. Going through with the securities deal and expanding its operations in China is a good investment. This will definitely keep Morgan Stanley and UBS as top firms in China for many years to come. Microsoft's Move Besides, after months of defending its policies with regulators, Microsoft has announced that it's making a series of privacy-related moves. First, Microsoft is launching a Web-based privacy dashboard that will now allow users to see and control their activity data including location, search, browsing, and Cortana Notebook data across multiple Microsoft services. New Ways to Review and Manage Activity Data With the introduction of new privacy dashboard on the web, Microsoft is basically taking a step forward in supporting its privacy principle of transparency. And now, it lets users easily see and manage their data. So when users are signed in with their Microsoft account, they can go to account.microsoft.com/privacy to review and clear data such as browsing history, search history, location activity, and Cortana's Notebook all from one place. Microsoft has promised to continually add more functionality and categories of data over time. SEE ALSO: Latest Android Distribution chart shows Android Froyo is dead Privacy Changes for Creators Update Secondly, apart from this privacy dashboard, the company is also introducing a new privacy setup process for Windows 10 with the Creators Update. Microsoft is making some setup changes and it will now allow users to choose their privacy settings in a desired manner and make informed choices as well. Starting with the privacy setup experience, Microsoft says this will replace Express Settings, and the company also says the setup screen will look different depending on which version user are upgrading from or whether it's a fresh install of Windows 10. If users are already running Windows 10, then Microsoft says that the company will use notifications to prompt users to choose their privacy settings. Moving on, Microsoft claims that it has simplified its Diagnostic data collection from three levels to two: Basic and Full. So if users previously selected the Enhanced level, now they will have the option to choose Basic or Full with the Creators Update. Further, the company has reduced the data collected at the Basic level which means that it will include data that is vital to the operation of Windows. The data will help keep Windows and apps secure, up-to-date, and running properly. Users will also have an option of basic error reporting back to Microsoft. As such, the company's detailed changes to Windows 10 will be rolled out via the Windows Insider Preview and will be made available to all users via the Windows 10 Creators Update. SEE ALSO: Samsung's A3 (2016) and A5 (2016) smartphones to get Android Nougat update soon Microsofts Impact While Windows 10 has received criticism regarding the user privacy since its release from users and critics alike, Microsoft now seems to take on a journey to make explicit changes that will address the customers' needs and help them get a better and richer experience with Windows and other Microsoft products. Nonetheless, as it seems like Microsoft is working hard on the new settings and controls and also make a lot of changes, users will have to wait until the Creators Update is available in April to see whether Microsoft has truly addressed all of the issues or not. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Cheap and best smartphones to buy in India at Rs 2,000 Features oi -Harish Kumar Best smartphones priced below Rs. 2,000. Gone are the days when the cheap and affordable smartphones were packed with very basic specifications that might not render a decent performance. Nowadays, smartphone makers are launching low-priced smartphones with decent hardware to make sure the consumers with a tight budget also get a good user experience. It was recently that the Indian government has urged the manufacturers to make smartphones priced around Rs. 2,000 to make the devices reachable to users without burning a hole in their pockets. This doesn't mean that there are no such low-priced smartphones in the market. The Indian smartphone space has devices priced in all ranges to cater to the needs of consumers without varying requirements. SEE ALSO: Here is a list of top-rated cheap 4G Mobiles with prices Today, we at GizBot, have listed some of the cheap and best smartphones that are available in India for purchase below a price point of Rs. 2,000. Do take a look at these offerings and decide which one will be a great buy for you or to gift someone. Notably, these smartphones will definitely be good replacements of feature phones and many buyers can get them without concerns on their budget. Spice Xlife 415 Buy At Price of Rs 1,974 Key Features Android v5.1 (Lollipop) 1.2 Ghz Quad core Processor 4 Inch(10.16cm), 640x480 px display, DragonTrail display glass protection 3.2 MP Primary Camera, 1.3 MP Secondary Dual SIM, WiFi, 3G 512 MB RAM 4 GB Internal Memory 1600 mAh, Li-Ion battery Karbonn Alfa A112 Buy At Price of Rs 1,939 Key Features 1 GHz Single Core Processor 256MB RAM With 512MB ROM Dual SIM 2 MP Rear Camera With LED Flash 0.3MP Front Camera 2G WiFi Bluetooth FM Radio 1300 MAh Battery Spice Xlife 405 Buy At Price of Rs 2,000 Key Features 1 GHz Single Core Processor 256MB RAM With 512MB ROM 4 Inch WVGA Touch Screen Display Dual SIM 2 MP Rear Camera With LED Flash 0.3MP Front Camera 2G WiFi Bluetooth FM Radio 1300 MAh Battery Intex Aqua G2 Buy At Price of Rs 1,929 Key Features 2.8 Inch QVGA Touchscreen Display With 120PPI Single Core 8810PL 32bit Processor 256MB RAM With 512MB ROM Dual SIM VGA Rear Camera With LED Flash VGA Front Camera 2G WiFi Bluetooth 2.1/FM 1100 MAh Battery Karbonn Alfa A110 Buy At Price of Rs 1,999 Key Features 3.5-inch (8.89 centimeters) WVGA capacitive touchscreen with 320 x 480 pixels resolution 3MP primary camera with LED flash 0.3MP front facing camera Android v4.2 Jellybean operating system 1GHz processor 256MB RAM 512MB internal memory expandable up to 32GB and dual SIM (GSM+GSM) 1300mAH lithium-ion battery Videocon Infinium Zest Flame Buy At Price of Rs 1,499 Key Features 3.5 Inch Touchscreen Display 1 GHz Single Core Processor 256MB RAM With 512MB ROM Dual SIM 2 MP Rear Camera With LED Flash VGA Front Camera 3G WiFi Bluetooth FM Radio With Recording 1400 MAh Battery Karbonn A108 Plus Buy At Price of Rs 1,999 Key Features 3.5 Inch HVGA Touch Screen Display 1GHz Processor 256 MB RAM Dual SIM 2 MP Rear Camera With Dual Flash Digital Front Camera 2G WiFi Bluetooth FM Radio 1100 MAh Battery Micromax Bolt A24 Buy At Price of Rs 2,000 Key Features 2.8 Inch Capacitive Touchscreen Display 1 GHz Spreadtrum SC6820 Cortex A5 Processor 256 MB RAM Dual SIM 0.3 MP Rear Camera 2G/WiFi Bluetooth/FM Karbonn A108 (White) Buy At Price of Rs 1,945 Key Features 3.5 Inch HVGA Touch Screen Display 1GHz Processor 256 MB RAM Dual SIM 2 MP Rear Camera With Dual Flash, Digital Front Camera 1300 MAh Battery Datawind Pocket Surfer 2G4* (Black, 512 MB) Buy At price of Rs 1,450 Key Features 256 MB RAM 512 MB ROM 3.5 inch HVGA Display 0.3MP Primary Camera 900 mAh Battery Best Mobiles in India Meizu M5s to be unveiled on January 27 News oi -Prajith Meizu M5s is the companys first smartphone to be unveiled in 2017. Meizu, the Chinese phone maker, seems to kick start the year 2017 with the launch of a mid-range smartphone dubbed the Meizu M5s. Back in December 2016, the smartphone was spotted paying a visit to TEENA (a Chinese Telecom regulatory authority) giving us insights about the design and specifications. Now, the launch date of the smartphone has been revealed as the company started sending out press invites for an event scheduled on January 27. Also Read: Meizu M5S With Metal Body and Octa-Core Chipset to Be Unveiled in China Going by the earlier rumors, the M5s is another mid-range offering in the company which will ship with a 5.2-inch HD display. It is speculated to come equipped with the octa-core MediaTek MT6753 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. A 13MP camera at the back and a 5MP selfie camera will take care of imaging department. A 2930mAh battery will provide the juice for the device. As of now, theres no information if the smartphone will be limited to China or will be launched globally as well. But, given that two versions of the device leaked earlier, we expect to see a global variant as well. Source Best Mobiles in India Samsung Galaxy S8 launch set for third week of April, reveals new rumor News oi -Sneha Samsung Galaxy S8 expected to launch between April 17 to 23. When will Samsung launch Galaxy S8? This is one question that's creating a lot of buzz in the webosphere for a really long time now. Well, amidst all the rumors, here comes another one, which suggests that Samsung might finally unveil its most awaited Galaxy S8 will hit the market on April 17. Yes, rumors are such that Samsung will launch its flagship Galaxy S8 on April 17 now. However, adding the rumors also predicts that if the South Korean vendor doesn't unveil the smartphone on April 17, it will surely launch it by April 23. Well, the South Korean giant denies providing any details on the launch date of Galaxy S8 as of yet. SEE ALSO: Samsung won't scrap Note series, Galaxy Note 8 launch expected between April to June 2017 Ahead of the launch of the upcoming flagship, reports are such that Samsung is supposedly targeting 60 million unit shipments for Galaxy S8 and claims its to be its best launch and will help the company regain its market shares, which it lost due to Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. However, media reports further state that Samsung is expected to begin mass-producing the Galaxy S8 in March, with the aim to deliver 5 million units per month. Other than the launch date, there has been a whole range of circulating rumored specs that Samsung Galaxy S8 might come packed with. To get a detailed insight on all the rumored features in terms of camera, storage, display and more, read here. Source Best Mobiles in India WikiLeaks founder dismisses US intel. report on Russian 'hacking' Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 4:24AM WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has denounced the US intelligence community's recent report on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election as a politically motivated "press release". American officials, including outgoing President Barack Obama, have accused the Kremlin of carrying out cyberattacks against US political organizations to help Republican candidate Donald Trump win the White House. On Friday, the US intelligence community released an unclassified 25-page report claiming that the Russian government had directed hackers to target various Democratic Party organizations and operatives to influence the outcome of the election. Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Assange called the report politically motivated and damaging to the intelligence community's reputation. "It is not an intelligence report," he said. "This is a press release. It was clearly put out for political purposes." Assange said the US intelligence provided no evidence that Russian actors had given WikiLeaks hacked material. He, however, did not provide any clues about the source of the documents which he released in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election. He said the report is vague and that US intelligence officials should be embarrassed by the declassified document. The US intelligence community's document accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of personally ordering his government to help Trump win the November election. The report claims that Russia "sought to help" Trump by running a smear campaign against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, but falls short of concluding that the Russian interference tipped the scales in favor of the Republican candidate. James Jatras, a former US Senate policy adviser and diplomat, told Press TV on Monday that the outgoing US administration, mainstream media and intelligence community are spreading the Russian hacking fiction in order to discredit Trump's presidency and undermine potential efforts to mend ties with Moscow. "If you look at that report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, it really doesn't pass the laugh test. There is no proof in it. It's a bunch of allegations on a 'just trust us' basis, that we have seen abused so many times in the past whether it was in Benghazi or WMDs in Iraq," the analyst stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US raid on Daesh leaders in Syria successful: Pentagon Iran Press TV Mon Jan 9, 2017 8:50PM The Pentagon says that a US military mission against Daesh leaders in Syria has been successful and led to the deaths of two Takfiri militants. According to officials, the Army Delta Force commandos conducted a raid on the Daesh-held territories of eastern Syria on Sunday. The operation was aimed at capturing suspected Daesh leaders in the city of Dayr al-Zawr, which is located almost 90 miles southeast of the group's de facto Syrian headquarters in Raqaah. "It was focused on ISIL (Daesh) leadership," said Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis, adding, it was "routine" and "successful." "The US, and entire counter-ISIL coalition, will continue to pursue ISIL leaders wherever they are to ensure the security and stability of the region and our homeland," Davis said on Monday. According to the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, after 2:30 pm local time on Sunday, six Apache helicopters flew over the desert areas near the village of Kubar, nearly 60 kilometers northwest of Dayr al-Zawr. Two of the choppers remained in the air, while troops in the others attacked a number of Daesh vehicles, according to first-hand accounts recorded on the WhatsApp messaging service which a local activist, Abdul Rahman Hasson, provided to The Los Angeles Times. "They went down, killed some Daesh fighters and took some others. We have no confirmation of the numbers of those killed," Ahmad Ramadan, another activist said. "A van and a pickup with Daesh fighters as reinforcements were destroyed by the helicopters in the air," Ramadan added. The US-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against purported Daesh positions inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate. The coalition has repeatedly been accused of targeting and killing civilians and failing to fulfill its declared aim of dislodging terrorists. Nearly twenty civilians were killed on December 8, 2016, when a US-led strike targeted al-Msheirfeh region north of Raqqah. Several people also sustained injuries in the blitz. Also on October 4 last year, at least 20 civilians were killed and 40 others sustained injuries after US-led coalition warplanes bombed the Kurdish-majority village of Thulthana in the northern province of Aleppo. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An orange, which is a good source of vitamin C, is being sliced and prepared for eating. (Photo : YouTube/ Lavanya K) Vitamin C is considered by many as one of the safest and most effective nutrients for immune system boost and protection. However, recent studies revealed that the C vitamin may also be helpful in directly influencing the body's fight against cancer. Experts from University of Iowa recently found out that high dose of the C vitamin greatly affects cancer cells found in human tissues. The said vitamins according to their research tends to break down to generate hydrogen peroxide, which can damage tissue and DNA. Advertisement Moreover, the damaging impact of hydrogen peroxide generated by vitamin C does not affect normal tissues of the body. However, tumor cells with low levels of catalase enzyme activity are more likely to susceptible to damage and even death, according to Science Daily. "In this paper we demonstrate that cancer cells are much less efficient in removing hydrogen peroxide than normal cells," the publication quoted professor at the University of Iowa Garry Buettner as saying. "Thus, cancer cells are much more prone to damage and death from a high amount of hydrogen peroxide. This explains how the very, very high levels of vitamin C used in our clinical trials do not affect normal tissue, but can be damaging to tumor tissue." In view of the given facts, the research promises a more potent solution or medication for cancer once perfected. However, since it is still a trial, it is good to note that vitamin C should still be taken within a safe level to avoid severe side-effects of an overdose. According to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, as cited by Live Strong, the suggested tolerable upper limit for vitamin C is 2,000 mg per day, or 2 g. If one goes beyond it, it is already considered as an overdose that could eventually result to gastrointestinal problems, kidney stones, and even hemochromatosis. Watch a clip about foods with vitamin C here: Coalition Targets ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 10, 2017 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 Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 15 strikes in Syria: -- Near Ayn Isa, a strike destroyed a vehicle bomb and an ISIL tactical vehicle. -- Near Dayr Az Zayr, a strike destroyed an oil pumpjack. -- Near Palmyra, a strike destroyed two ISIL weapons caches. -- Near Raqqa, 12 strikes engaged six ISIL tactical units; destroyed an improvised bomb, seven fighting positions and a vehicle bomb; and damaged four supply routes. Strikes in Iraq Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 11 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government: -- Near Huwayjah, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL-held building. -- Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a heavy machine gun, seven ISIL-held buildings, four vehicle bombs, a vehicle bomb facility, two weapons caches, three tactical vehicles, a tunnel entrance and a mortar; damaged 18 supply routes; and suppressed two mortar teams and an ISIL tactical unit. -- Near Tal Afar, three strikes destroyed an ISIL-held building and four unmanned aerial vehicle construction facilities. 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 they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group'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 This time it's different: Collective training advisors in Afghanistan By Capt. Grace Geiger January 10, 2017 SUROBI DISTRICT, Afghanistan -- Radio chatter crackles loudly through a handheld speaker as Afghan and U.S. forces perch on a dusty mountainside, watching an element maneuver through the barren valley Dec. 27. The U.S. forces on the mountainside are from Train Advise Assist Command-East, part of an expeditionary advisory package observing the unit. The ground forces conducting the drill belong to the 3rd Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army Corps operating out of Camp Torah in Surobi district. The company level unit, known as a "tolay," is conducting a collective training cycle as a part of the winter campaign strategy. The scene could be right out of previous years of the war here, but this time around advisors are getting to observe training within a brigade element. Ordinarily, they would see only what happens within the corps headquarters. "To our knowledge, nothing like this has been done before in the 201st Corps," said Maj. Tino Colon, the operations advisor in the military advisory team for Train Advise Assist Command-East. "Collective training used to mean manning guard towers or observation posts. This time it's different." Colon is assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. In his second deployment working with the 201st Corps, he said, he has watched the transformation of the organization. "Before, they didn't incorporate the entire tolay in the training process," Colon explained. "They are now incorporating -- not only the tolay leadership -- but all organic elements and enablers. This allows them to build cohesion as a unit and increase their effectiveness." Colon and his team of advisors have been working with the 201st Corps on a daily basis, training the trainers and evaluators. Their advising efforts, he said, have resulted in Afghan-led training and a sustainable, long-term program for the corps. According to Colon, the tolay training has allowed the unit to practice the integration of enabler support into their battle plans. During this drill, the unit uses mortar fire as an enabler in conjunction with their maneuver to take out a simulated enemy outpost. "The employment of fires [mortars] illustrates the communications between ground forces and the forces shooting," Colon said. "The corps artillery officer is already coming up with an improved scheme of fires for the next cycle of training." For those who are observing the training from the mountainside, it's hard to forget war is still going on. There has been recent insurgent activity in Surobi. A group of U.S. soldiers provides them with security as they advise the Afghan counterparts. "We are the first line of defense," said Sgt. Eric Capel, a guardian angel assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. Capel is one of the many guardian angels, a term used for the soldiers who are responsible for providing security to the advisory teams. "Being here allows us [guardian angels] and the advisors to see the effect of the advising effort first-hand," Capel said. "We get to see the advisors in action and also see how their efforts are enabling their Afghan counterparts to get better. This is really the whole reason why we are here." Spc. Timothy Leslie, also a guardian angel assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, agrees with Capel. This will be something people will look back on years from now and remember, Leslie said with pride. "Being out here is important to me," Leslie said. "I get to be a part of history as it takes place. I get to watch the 201st Corps improve, and know I contributed to that effort by providing security for the advisors. Because of my work, the advisors were able to focus solely on their jobs." The 201st Corps will continue conducting collective training iterations throughout the winter months to improve overall readiness, with the coalition forces by their side. As the Corps undergoes its training cycle, it remains responsible for security in seven provinces and the Surobi district in eastern Afghanistan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Army charts a course toward blended retirement in 2018 By David Vergun January 10, 2017 WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- Beginning January 2018, a new Department of Defense enterprise-wide retirement system will go into effect. The blended retirement system, which was instituted by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, will take effect for all Soldiers joining the Army beginning Jan. 1, 2018, but some current service members will have the option to opt into the new system. Soldiers with less than 12 years of active duty service and National Guard and Reserve members with less than 4,320 points will have until Dec. 31, 2018, to choose whether to remain in the current system or opt into the new one. The new blended retirement system offers three options: -- Option 1. A traditional defined-benefit plan. This will be the default plan for Soldiers currently in the Army. Soldiers who forego the traditional plan option will receive: -- Option 2. A 401K-type defined-contribution plan with a portable retirement account through the Thrift Savings Plan. In addition to option 2, they can receive: -- Option 3. A one-time continuation payment at the mid-career point. Army News Service spoke with Col. Steven Hanson, Army G-1 Compensation and Entitlements Allowances branch chief, to get a rundown of each. 1. DEFINED-BENEFIT PLAN The defined pension benefit upon retirement is similar to the current system, Hanson said The current retirement system awards a pension of 2.5 percent of basic pay per year, multiplied by the number of years of service, for those serving 20 or more years, he explained. So someone with 20 years would receive 50 percent of base pay per year in retirement. The new blended retirement system awards 2 percent per year. So that same Soldier serving 20 years would earn a pension of 40 percent of base pay. Soldiers who already have 20 years in service are covered by the older plan, which awards 2.5 percent of basic pay per year. 2. THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN The Thrift Savings Plan is similar to a 401K plan, Hanson said. Under the Thrift Savings Plan, the government will contribute 1 percent of base pay after 60 days and then will match up to 5 percent of contributions after two years. Even if the Soldier does not contribute anything, the government will continue contributing 1 percent after the initial 60-day period. 3. ONE-TIME CONTINUATION PAYMENT The exact dollar amount of the one-time continuation payment for Soldiers with eight to 12 years of service will be determined sometime during in fiscal year 2017, Hanson said. At minimum, the amount will be 2.5 months of base pay for active duty and half a month's basic pay for those in the Guard and Reserve. A Soldier who accepts this one-time payment, known as continuation pay, must agree to serve for three additional years. DECISION MAKING When it comes to deciding whether or not to opt in or remain in the current system, Hanson said, each Soldier must consider his or her own unique circumstances. In about three weeks, the Army will put out a mandatory Joint Knowledge Online course to provide Soldiers with the information they need to decide what is best for them. Should a Soldier require further guidance, they can receive additional help from counselors at Army Community Services or Army Emergency Relief. ANALYSIS Overall, the implantation of the blended retirement system is good news for the vast majority of Soldiers, Hanson said. Currently, some 70 percent of officers and 90 percent of enlisted serve for less than 20 years, and they leave the Army with no retirement benefits. Under the new system, all Soldiers who serve honorably for at least two years (approximately 85 percent of service members) will now have some retirement benefits when they leave the service. It is widely recognized that Thrift Savings Plan is an excellent retirement plan, Hanson said, with benefits and low fees. Even after separating from the Army, Soldiers can keep contributing or roll it into some other plan like a 401K. The other good news, he said, is that Soldiers currently serving are not being forced into a new plan. "There's no opting out," he noted. "Only opting in." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Singapore demands return of armored cars detained in HK, China responds People's Daily Online (CRI Online) 14:41, January 10, 2017 China's Foreign Ministry on Monday said they hope Singapore can respect the "One China Policy" after Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent a letter to Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, demanding the nine Singaporean armored cars the city detained six weeks ago to be returned immediately. The military equipment was seized en route back home after finishing a routine training in Taiwan on November 23, 2016. Carried by the commercial shipping company of APL, the nine cars were scheduled to arrive in Singapore on November 29. Lu Kang, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said the "One China Policy" is the basic prerequisite for the country to develop relations with any other countries. He also said Singapore is expected to comply with the law in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government said their investigation is underway and it will take some time. Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said the military equipment belongs to the Singaporean government and thus enjoys the sovereign immunity under international law. He said Hong Kong customs' action went against both its indigenous law and the international law, and the city is due to return the armored cars. Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said they wouldn't let the accident kidnap bilateral relations, yet he argued that their military arrangement with Taiwan is not a secret, but has long been known to all. Ng Eng Hen further said they would reclaim the cars and continue overseas training after the investigation completes. However, according to Hong Kong's Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations, armored cars and tanks are categorized as strategic commodities that can only enter or leave the city with a permission signed by the Trade and Industry Department. The Singaporean armored cars hadn't provided such documents when passing through Hong Kong. Ng said the cars, worth about 21 million US dollars, involve no ammunition or sensitive materials and can be openly purchased on the market. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UAE ambassador injured in Kandahar blast Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 6:9PM The United Arab Emirates' ambassador to Afghanistan has been injured after a bomb ripped through a guesthouse in the eastern city of Kandahar, the UAE Foreign Ministry says. "[The ministry] is following the heinous terrorist attack on the guesthouse of the Kandahar governor which resulted in the injury of his Excellency Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and a number of Emirati diplomats," the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. According to local sources, at least nine people were killed and 18 others wounded after explosives hidden in a sofa in the governor's compound in Kandahar were detonated during a visit by the UAE envoy. Kandahar's governor was also wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, provincial police chief Abdul Raziq said. The explosion came on the same day that at least 38 people were killed and 72 others injured in twin bomb attacks in a crowded area near Afghanistan's parliament in the capital city of Kabul. Most of the victims were civilians, an Afghan security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday. Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed responsibility for the twin blasts. The Taliban militants lost their grip over Afghanistan in the 2001 US-led invasion, but security has never taken hold in the country despite the presence of foreign boots on Afghan soil. The Taliban are conducting constant bomb attacks across the country, with several international efforts to broker peace talks with the terrorist group ending in failure. Nearly 10,000 US troops are still in Afghanistan under Washington's so-called plan to assist Afghan forces to combat Taliban, al-Qaeda and Daesh Takfiri terrorists. The Daesh terrorist group is competing with the Taliban in acts of terror. Daesh has claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on Shia events and mosques. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN chief urges 'new approach' to prevent war, promote peace Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 5:43PM New Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has urged a "whole new approach" to prevent war and promote peace instead of focusing on responding to conflicts. "People are paying too high a price. We need a whole new approach," Guterres said on Tuesday in his first address to the Security Council since taking office in January. Guterres, who succeeded Ban Ki-moon on January 1, has vowed to shake up the world body and boost efforts to tackle international crises, including the conflict in Syria and the bloodshed in South Sudan. He expressed regret that too much time and resources have been spent on responding to crises rather than preventing them. The former Portuguese prime minister called for "a surge in diplomacy for peace" and urged the world body to make greater use of the measures in the UN Charter to find peaceful solutions to the ongoing disputes. He said it had proved very difficult to persuade national and international decision-makers to prioritize prevention, perhaps because "the television cameras are not there when a crisis is avoided." The new UN chief is faced with a deeply divided Security Council that has failed to take decisive action to put an end to the nearly six-year foreign-backed militancy in Syria. "Too many prevention opportunities have been lost because member states mistrusted each other's motives, and because of concerns over national sovereignty," Guterres said. "Today, we need to demonstrate leadership, and strengthen the credibility and authority of the United Nations, by putting peace first," he added. Speaking in an interview with Portugal's SIC television channel on December 28 before taking office, Guterres said the crisis in Syria "has become a cancer on a global scale." He also noted that the conflict had caused "not only the suffering of the Syrian people" but also ignited "violent reactions which in some cases lead to terrorist acts." Since March 2011, Syria has been gripped by deadly militancy it blames on some Western states and their regional allies. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura have put the death toll from the conflict at more than 300,000 and 400,000, respectively. This is while the UN has stopped its official casualty count in Syria, citing its inability to verify the figures it receives from various sources. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Twin blasts in Kabul kill 38, wound 72 near parliament Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:50PM At least 38 people have been killed and 72 others injured in twin bomb attacks in a crowded area near Afghanistan's parliament in the capital city of Kabul. Most of the victims were civilians, an Afghan security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday. Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed responsibility for the blasts. Zabi, an injured parliament security guard, was quoted by AFP as saying that first a man set off his explosive vest "leaving a number of innocent workers killed and wounded." "The second one was a car bomb. The vehicle was parked on the other side of the road and flung me back when it detonated," he added. Mohibullah Zeer, an official at Afghanistan's Public Health Ministry, said the blasts killed at least 38 people, injuring 72 others. In late December 2016, an Afghan lawmaker was wounded in a bomb attack in a crowded area in Kabul. The Taliban militants lost their grip over Afghanistan in a 2001 US-led invasion, but security has never taken hold in the country despite the presence of foreign boots on Afghan soil. The Taliban are conducting constant bomb attacks across the country, with several international efforts to hold peace talks with the terrorist group ending in failure. Nearly 10,000 US troops are still in Afghanistan under Washington's so-called plan to assist Afghan forces to combat Taliban, al-Qaeda and Daesh Takfiri terrorists. The Daesh terrorist group is competing with the Taliban in acts of terror. Daesh has claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on Shia events and mosques. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thai king orders amendment to new draft constitution Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:6PM Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has ordered a series of amendments to the new draft constitution in the first case of such intervention by the new monarch since he took power last month. The head of the National Council for Peace and Order, the military junta which currently rules Thailand, said on Tuesday that Vajiralongkorn had declined to approve the new charter because of clauses concerning royal powers. "His majesty's private principle secretary has sent a letter to the government saying discussion is needed on the section of the charter regarding the monarchy," Prayut Chan-O-Cha said, adding that the amendments would mostly affect "three or four points" that concern the authority of the king. Prayut did not say which specific clauses of the draft would be altered but said that the entire revision process would take several months. Thailand's junta drafted the new constitution after it seized power in a coup in 2014. The document was approved in a controversial referendum last year despite criticism that the plebiscite lacked independent campaigning. Thai king orders amendment to new draft constitution If endorsed, the draft would be Thailand's twentieth in less than a century of the kingdom's rule. Vajiralongkorn, now 64, succeeded his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October. The monarch has limited formal powers under the current charter but the institution has traditionally enjoyed warm relations with the military while it wields significant political clout behind the scenes and controls vast wealth. The media and the public in Thailand are also banned from criticizing the king. The late Bhumibol was a unifying figure who reigned for seven decades in Thailand. Despite several key interventions during the times of political crises, he insisted to remain "above politics." He had close ties with the military and signed off on a dozen coups during his reign. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi airstrikes leave a dozen civilians dead across Yemen Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:46AM At least a dozen people, including a woman and some children, have lost their lives and several others sustained injuries when Saudi military aircraft conducted a string of airstrikes against various areas across Yemen. Saudi jets launched three aerial attacks against an outdoor market in the Nihm district of the western-central province of Sana'a on Tuesday morning, killing a little girl and two other civilians. Several people were also injured in the assaults, Arabic-language al-Masirah TV reported. Eight people were killed and 15 others injured shortly afterwards when Saudi warplanes struck a nearby school. Shabawah area in Ta'izz Province was also hit, though no reports of casualties were available. Moreover, Saudi warplanes pounded an area in the Monabbih district of the mountainous northwestern province of Sa'ada as well. There were no immediate reports of casualties and the extent of damage. A woman also lost her life on Monday night, when Saudi jets carried out a strike in the same Yemeni province. Yemeni forces respond Meanwhile, Yemeni army snipers, supported by fighters from allied Popular Committees, shot dead two Saudi troops in the kingdom's southwestern border region of Jizan in retaliation to the Riyadh regime's atrocious military campaign against its southern neighbor. The Saudi troops were killed in the al-Farizeh military base of Jizan region, located 969 kilometers south of the capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday. Separately, scores of Saudi-backed militiamen loyal to the former Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, were killed and wounded as Yemeni soldiers and their allies struck their gathering at a hilly area in the Maqbanah district of Yemen's southwestern Ta'izz Province. Yemeni soldiers and Houthi Ansarullah fighters also targeted two armored vehicles in the Dhubab district of the same province, killing all pro-Hadi gunmen on board. The Saudi war on Yemen, which has killed at least 11,400 Yemenis, was launched in an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate the former government. The Saudi war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools and factories. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US troops begin arriving in southeast Poland Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:53AM Thousands of US troops are massing in Poland as part of a planned NATO operation in what has been touted by Washington as "defense against Russian aggression," a provocative move that recalls the hay days of the Cold War era. Around 4,500 US troops began arriving on Monday in the southeastern city of Wroclaw, home to a key NATO and Polish air base, gearing up for upcoming drills in the military alliance's member states near Russia. The troops will be followed by more than 2,800 pieces of American military equipment, including tanks and armored vehicles, and they all will be in turn redeployed in five other locations in future. The major deployment of the troops has been described as the largest movement of an armed US military brigade to Europe since the conclusion of the Cold War. On Friday, US warships started unloading the military hardware, which includes 87 tanks and 144 Bradley fighting vehicles, in the northern German port of Bremerhaven, from where they would be transported by rail and road to Poland. The US troops first arrived in the German city before starting to move to Wroclaw. Troops will be on rotation in Poland and beyond for between four and six months and will cooperate with local units. The US also aims to conduct a joint military exercise with Poland, which will kick off at the end of January. Moscow has already lambasted the move as "truly aggressive." The US and its allies have been at odds with Moscow since the strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, controlled by Ukraine, joined Russia following a referendum in March 2014. Western countries have been fearful of a repeat of that scenario in other countries, and have sought to step up their military presence in Eastern Europe. The European Union, the US and some other Western countries have also imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia. NATO, for its part, has suspended all practical cooperation with Moscow and started to deploy troops and weaponry to Baltic StatesLatvia, Lithuania and Estonianear Russia since then. Moscow is seriously wary of the US-led alliance's military build-up near its borders. In response to the aggressive measures, Russia has beefed up its southwestern military capacity, deploying nuclear-capable Iskander-M missiles to its Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad bordering Poland and Lithuania. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Largest military comfort women station to be demolished. (Photo : Getty Images) A former Japanese brothel turned into a house for comfort women was supposed to be demolished because residents claim that they have no gas and proper bathrooms. However, debate arose when opposition from various historians and history enthusiasts claim that the house should be preserved. Advertisement The Shanghai Hongtai Construction Company in the first quarter of 2016 was stopped by the local government and was told that they cannot continue with the demolition. Online debate on what to do with the building still goes on. Many believe that the Hainai House is a cultural relic and should be preserved. However, He Ying, president of the district's cultural relic museum, said that the Hainai House is not an official cultural relic. "There is a standard to stipulate what is regarded as relic and should be preserved. It is based on its scientific, artistic and historical value," said He. A local resident said that local comfort women centers are not required to be preserved by the government. Some residents claim that most people regard "comfort women" as prostitutes during the Japanese war. There are 166 former military brothels in Shanghai according to Su Zhiliang, director of the comfort women research center at Shanghai Normal University. The Japanese government said that there is no proof that comfort women in China were forced to work in the brothels. China refused to acknowledge the claim. According to state media, Japan should not change history and "apart from Korean women, victims also include the women of China, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, who also deserve an apology and compensation." Lu Kang, a representative from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Japan should "face squarely and reflect upon its history of aggression and deal with the relevant issue in a responsible manner." Gambian minister resigns amid political impasse Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:32AM Gambian Communication Minister Sheriif Bojang has left his post in protest at President Yahya Jammeh's refusal to concede defeat in last month's election. Bojang's resignation is the first high-profile cabinet defection since Jammeh refused to accept the outcome of the presidential election held in December 2016. In a statement, Bojang said Jammeh's defiance was an attempt to subvert the will of the Gambian people, adding that the voters' decision had to be respected. Bojang has fled The Gambia to neighboring Senegal. Jammeh, who has been in power for 22 years, lost last month's vote to the opposition coalition's candidate Adama Barrow by a thin margin. The veteran leader initially conceded, but later changed his mind and called for a new vote, saying he would challenge the result in the Supreme Court. Barrow has nevertheless asserted that his inauguration will go ahead regardless of the court case. Back in October, Bojang announced that The Gambia had decided to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, calling the body the "International Caucasian Court" and accusing it of racism and bias against Africa. The news made headlines as The Gambia was following in the footsteps of South Africa and Burundi. Several officials have already either fled the country or resigned fearing a crackdown by Jammah who is notorious for stifling his opponents. Early in January, the electoral commission's chairman fled the country after he received threats for declaring Jammeh as the loser of the election. Foreign minister Neneh Macdouall Gaye also resigned in December. On Wednesday, three leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, will visit The Gambia to mediate a solution to the country's political impasse. This is going to be the second visit by ECOWAS leaders to The Gambia in less than a month. West African leaders have repeatedly pursued mediation to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in The Gambia. Last month, after a visit to the country, they declared that ECOWAS did not yet intend to deploy its standby military force and sought a peaceful transfer of power. Nevertheless, if Jammeh refuses to step down by January 18, when his term expires, ECOWAS may use military intervention. Jammah has already dismissed ECOWAS mediation efforts and accused the body of declaring a war against his country. The Gambia's army announced loyalty to Jammah last week, going back on its initial pledge of allegiance to President-elect Adama Barrow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ivory Coast president sacks chiefs of army, police, gendarmerie Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:37AM Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara has sacked the heads of the army, police and gendarmerie after a two-day military revolt that renewed tensions in the West African country. Angry soldiers and military officers on Friday started a revolt against the central government over pay and bonuses, capturing the second largest city of Bouake before troops in military camps across the country joined the mutiny. Most of those involved in the armed revolt are reportedly former rebels who were later integrated into the army. The presidency said in a statement on Monday that army chief General Soumaila Bakayoko was replaced by his second in command, General Sekou Toure. Bakayoko is the former military head of a 2002-2011 insurgency and has become increasingly unpopular with many troops. Gervais Kouakou Kouassi, the superior commander of the National Gendarmerie and Director General of the National Police Bredou M'Bia were also relieved of command with immediate effect, the statement said. Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan resigned and dissolved the cabinet on Monday, two days later than he was expected to step down based on the standard procedure for changing the government in the country. The delay came due to the military uprising. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Alain-Richard Donwahi held out an olive branch to the mutineers in a televised address. "I assure you that the president of the republic understands you. He is a man of his word," he said. Donwahi said he would return to Bouake on Friday to meet again with the mutinous soldiers. He was briefly trapped inside the house in the city where talks were held on December 7 after some mutineers opened fire outside. Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, is West Africa's largest and most prosperous economy. The French-speaking country emerged from nearly a decade of short wars and a protracted crisis in 2011. However, the factionalized, ill-disciplined military and increasing political divisions have sparked fresh concerns about the state of security in the country and how the government could continue to realize its economic objectives in the future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Least 38 Killed In Kabul Bomb Blasts RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan January 10, 2017 Afghan officials say the death toll from twin bombings near the parliament building in the capital, Kabul, has risen to 38, with civilians and military personnel among the victims. Mohibullah Zeer, an official in the Public Health Ministry, said another 72 people were wounded in the January 10 attack that was claimed by the Taliban. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Sadiq Sadiqi told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that a suicide bomber blew himself up, followed by a car bomb in the same area in "what appears to have been a coordinated attack." The initial blast came at rush hour in a busy area of government offices near the Afghan parliament. The second explosion occurred after security forces had arrived at the scene. According to some reports, another vehicle with explosives was stopped by security forces near the area. A Taliban spokesman said the attack targeted a minibus purportedly carrying Afghan intelligence agency staff, but that claim could not be confirmed. The Interior Ministry said at least four police officers were killed in the attack. Afghan media reported that a district head of the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan's main intelligence agency, was among those killed. Media reports say most of the victims were civilians, including parliament staff. Rahima Jami, a female lawmaker from the western Herat Province, was among the wounded, the Tolo news agency reported. The wounded were taken to Istiqlal and emergency hospitals.The head of Istaqilal Hospital, near the scene of the bombings, told RFE/RL that more than 60 people have been brought to the hospital for treatment. Also on January 10, at least seven people were killed and six injured by a suicide-bomb attack Helmand province in the south of the country, the provincial chief of police said. The attack reportedly occurred in the house of a local tribal elder. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the Helmand attack, but it bore the hallmarks of the Taliban. With reporting by dpa, AFP, and Reuters Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-kabul-bomb- attacks-parliament-deaths/28223768.html Copyright (c) 2017. 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 Afghan Governor, U.A.E. Ambassador Injured In Guesthouse Blast RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan January 10, 2017 Afghan officials say at least five people were killed and nine others, including the provincial governor and the Emirati ambassador, were injured in a blast at a government guesthouse in the southern province of Kandahar late on January 10. Local government spokesman Samim Khpalwak said the blast hit the compound in the provincial capital, Kandahar, where Governor Hamayoon Azizi was hosting a dinner attended by the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Kabul, several Afghan officials, and Emirati diplomats. The spokesman said the governor and the ambassador were injured in the blast. He said the attack occurred at 7 p.m. local time. Khpalwak, who was also present at the gathering, told RFE/RL that explosive devices were apparently hidden in sofas. The U.A.E. Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident, saying in a statement that the Emirati ambassador and several other diplomats were wounded in "the heinous terrorist attack on the guesthouse." The ministry identified the wounded ambassador as Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi. It didn't say how many U.A.E. diplomats were wounded. Earlier in the day, the U.A.E. embassy in Kabul tweeted photos of the ambassador holding a meeting with Afghan officials and attending a ceremony to lay the foundation of an orphanage in Kandahar. U.A.E. combat troops were deployed to Afghanistan after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban administration. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came just hours after deadly twin blasts near the parliament headquarters in the capital, Kabul. Dozens were killed and wounded in that attack, which was claimed by the Taliban. With reporting by tolonews.com and AP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan- kandahar-blast-governor-uae- ambassador/28224246.html Copyright (c) 2017. 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 Beijing Sends Heavy Bomber Over Disputed South China Sea Islands Sputnik News 23:43 10.01.2017(updated 23:53 10.01.2017) Beijing leaders seized the past weekend as an opportunity to flex the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) muscles in a region where many parties have staked competing territorial claims. Since January 1, China has flown strategic bombers over the Spratly islands on at least two occasions. Beijing has grown increasingly irritated with US Freedom of Navigation patrols roaming the waters of the South China Sea, suspecting that they are part of a coordinated espionage effort. The point of such military training exercises, and of this mission particularly, is to showcase China's "strategic force," according to a PLA official. US Commander Gary Ross noted that the Pentagon continues "to observe a range of ongoing Chinese military activity in the region." Some speculate that China is aiming to strengthen its posture in response to President-elect Donald Trump's pending inauguration on January 20. Trump has targeted Beijing across a range of issues, including artificial currency manipulation, trade agreements imbalances, and China's failure to handle Pyongyang's volatility. Speaking with Taiwan and publicly berating Chinese economic policies may be part of a strategy to improve US leverage in negotiating bilateral deals. Beijing has called for increased military spending in addition to accelerated development of nuclear weapons in retaliation. In December 2016, China's Liaoning aircraft carrier completed a series of military exercises near the disputed waters, alerting Taiwan that the threat of its enemies is "growing by the day." Further, satellite imagery released last month showed a military buildup on the Spratly islands, which Beijing insists are basic territorial defense posts. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to Provide More Intelligence, Recon Support to Turkish Forces in Syria Sputnik News 22:26 10.01.2017(updated 23:27 10.01.2017) The United States and its allies are set to provide additional intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance support to Turkish forces in northern Syria. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The United States and its allies are set to provide additional intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) support to Turkish forces in northern Syria to fight Daesh terror group, US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner said in a briefing on Tuesday. "The [US-led] coalition has now provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support, what we call ISR, to our Turkish partners and to Turkish forces," Toner stated. "We are poised now to provide additional support as these operations continue." US government officials, Toner continued, are consulting with their Turkish counterparts to discuss other ways to maximize the overall impact of Washington's military support in the fight against Daesh in Syria. The United States has also supported Turkish operations on the ground through airstrikes against Islamic State positions, Toner added. The Turkish army launched Operation Euphrates Shield in August against Daesh militants in northern Syria, which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said was designed to establish a safety zone for refugees and clear the region of terrorists. The Syrian government and Kurds have criticized Ankara for violating the country's territorial integrity. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Republika Srpska Could Exit From Deal on BiH Armed Forces - President Sputnik News 21:59 10.01.2017(updated 22:05 10.01.2017) The Republika Srpska could withdraw from an agreement on the BiH Armed Forces amid the recent activities, President Milorad Dodik said Tuesday. BELGRADE (Sputnik) The Republika Srpska, a largely Serbian entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, could withdraw from an agreement on the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina amid the activities of the central authorities following the celebration of the Republika Srpska Day, President Milorad Dodik said Tuesday. On Monday, Republika Srpska celebrated the holiday, violating the ruling of the country's constitutional court. Representatives of the Bosnian Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment participated in the celebrations. Following the festive celebrations officials from Sarajevo, as well as from Brussels, criticized the ceremonies and the participation of the troops in them. "The framework of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina is undermined. When they were created it was specified that their Serbian part would participate in celebrations of all commemorative dates for Republika Srpska I know that there are a lot of problems in this context and it would not be an easy move but we should make the first step and to gather Republika Srpska's politicians and officials to find out if it is possible and politically beneficial to send an application on withdrawal from an agreement on Armed Forces to allow Republika Srpska to exit the deal," Dodik said, as quoted by the Radio Televizija Republike Srpske broadcaster. He added that the potential withdrawal of Republika Srpska from the agreement would mean the end of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Republika Srpska is one of the two autonomous entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their relations are largely affected by the civil war among Serbs, Bosnian Muslims and Croatians in 1992-1995. Republika Srpska does not agree to celebrate the national day of Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 1, for on that day in 1992 the Bosnian parliament proclaimed the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina without the presence of Bosnian Serbs. On September 25, 2016, Republika Srpska held a referendum and decided to celebrate the national day on January 9, as the entity had been declared on this date in 1992. In November 2016, Bosnia and Herzegovina's constitutional court ruled against the holiday. The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina were created in 2005 after the unification of the armed forces of both the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Army of Republika Srpska. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brothers-in-Arms: Vietnam Ramps Up Its Defense Potential With Russian Help Sputnik News 15:03 10.01.2017(updated 15:05 10.01.2017) Vietnam now ranks seventeenth in the complete Global Firepower (GFP) list and second in Southeast Asia after Indonesia, thanks much to modern arms supplies from Russia. The Global Firepower (GFP) list puts the military powers of the world into full perspective depending on their defense outlays, air and naval might, number and quality of Air Force bases and seaports, etc. Commenting on the information contained in the Global Firepower 2016 report, AEC News Today wrote that with its history of victorious wars fought against France, the US and China, Vietnam possesses a military force to reckon with. In an interview with Sputnik Vietnam, former Deputy Defense Minister, Col. Gen. Nguyen Van Duoc said that his country owned much of its military potential to the assistance it once received from the Soviet Union and the weapons now being supplied it by the Russian Federation. "We have the very same feelings of love and respect for Russia that we once had for the Soviet Union. Our military-technical cooperation is expanding all the time with Russia providing us with everything we need: tanks, warplanes, naval ships, submarines and air-defense systems. Much of what they have in the Russian Army we now also have here in Vietnam," he said. Meanwhile, a Kilo-class Russian diesel-electric submarine, armed with Kalibr missiles, the last of the six such vessels ordered by Hanoi, is on the way to Vietnam. These submarines are extremely silent and are very aptly called "black holes" by Western military specialists. A second pair of Gepard-class frigates is now in the final stages of their trials in the Black Sea and will soon be handed over to the Vietnamese Navy, in addition to as many supplied earlier. The Soviet Union started supplying North Vietnam with firearms and anti-aircraft systems back in the early 1950s. In 1954 Soviet Katyusha multiple rocket launchers helped the North Vietnamese forces win the Battle of Dien Bien Phu the final battle of the First Indochina War. During the 1960s and 1970s, Soviet missiles and warplanes shot down an estimated 1,700 US military aircraft and it was Soviet tanks that rammed the gates of the Doc Lap presidential palace in Saigon on April 1975, the day when the North Vietnamese Army took the capital of South Vietnam. In recent years Russia and Vietnam have signed a raft of arms-delivery contracts worth over 4.5 billion dollars. The list of Russian military supplies to Vietnam include Tor, Buk and S-300 air defense systems and the sides are currently negotiating the supply of the state-of-the-art S-400 missile systems. Russian Mi-8 helicopters are the backbone of Vietnam's combat helicopter fleet and Russia has also supplied 10 Su-27 fighters and 32 Su-30MK2 multi-role fighters that offer enhanced combat capabilities against aerial, ground and sea-based targets. Apart from the already mentioned Gepard-class frigates, Russia has also provided the Vietnamese Navy with high-speed Svetlyak-class frigates and a number of Tarantul-class missile corvettes. After watching the performance of Molniya-class guided missile boats, the Vietnamese military started building them under license in Vietnam. Russia has supplied Vietnam with the Bastion mobile coastal missile complex that can effectively protect a 600-kilometer stretch of the coastline and keep an eye on up to 200,000 square kilometers of open water area. When a group of US naval ships sailing close to the Crimean coast caught sight of Bastion batteries deployed on the peninsula, they quickly turned back and steamed away. According to military experts, Russian-made arms account for a hefty 90 percent of Vietnam's arsenal. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attack in Egypt that kills 9 policemen 10 January 2017 The Security Council has denounced the terrorist attack in Egypt yesterday that reportedly killed nine policemen and injured more than 13 people. In a press statement issued overnight, the 15-member body "condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack" that took place in the northern Sinai city of Al-Arish, and "reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security." The Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States to cooperate actively with the Government of Egypt and all other relevant authorities in this regard. "Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the Council reiterated, reaffirming the need for all States to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. The Council expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Egypt and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INTERVIEW: Robert Serry on the 'Endless Quest' for Middle East peace and reflections from No Man's Land 10 January 2017 The United Nation's former point person for Middle East negotiations has said that Israelis and Palestinians need at least the prospects of a two-state solution, and urged the international community to create conditions for more effective discussions in the future. In his new book, Robert Serry offers an insider's perspective on conflict management and peace efforts during the three most recent peace initiatives and three wars in Gaza. He shares his reflections on walking the tight rope of diplomacy between Israel and Palestine, his analysis of what has gone wrong and why a "one-state reality" may be around the corner. Mr. Serry was the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process from 2007 to 2015. Speaking to UN News about his book, Mr. Serry, who was also the UN Secretary-General's Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, admits that he has been struggling with questions about what his message should be given the length of time he spent with the UN. "Parties should learn the lessons from what has happened during the past 20 years of field negotiations. If you simply repeat the experiment again, by putting the parties together at one table, and expecting a different result, well, according to Einstein, that is a definition of madness," he said. What then is the answer for achieving peace? His new book is The Endless Quest for Israeli-Palestinian Peace: A Reflection from No Man's Land. He discussed it at a recent meet-the-author event at the UN Bookshop in New York. The interview has been edited for clarity. UN News: What inspired you to write this book? Robert Serry: I think it was my long stay I didn't expect to stay for seven years and also what I have been experiencing during these long seven years in Jerusalem, working on behalf of Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General, in the efforts of the international community to bring peace to Israel and to Palestinians. I never intended to stay that long, but every year my contract was extended. While I was doing the job, I started to think about reflecting on what was happening, because I feel that I have been there in what could have become a very decisive period in the history of this conflict. After all, we have seen three peace initiatives. The first one started at Annapolis, and the last one was the one of Secretary John Kerry, and I am afraid, not coincidentally, all peace initiatives were followed by wars in Gaza. The UN was in the midst of it, particularly in Gaza, where we have a major humanitarian responsibility to the people of Gaza, including the majority being refugees in Gaza. So the idea of writing a book grew while I was doing my work. I started to take some notes, and then I got this opportunity after I finally completed my assignment in 2015. I was offered the Sergio Vieira de Mello Academic Chair's position in the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University, not far from New York. There's a unique cooperation, by the way, between the UN and this university, because it allows a former envoy like me, to take a step back and reflect on what you have done, what you have experienced. That actually gave me the opportunity, and inspiration to do what I have always done in mind during my work there, which is write a book. Writing is a little bit in my blood, I believe, because I have been writing another book about my stay for the Dutch government as the first Dutch Ambassador in Ukraine. UN News: The subtitle a reflection from no man's land how fitting is that, in your view? Robert Serry: You always look for a title that will intrigue people. Why in no man's land? It becomes clear in the preface of the book; I was working as the UN envoy, in no man's land. In Jerusalem, you have the Government house, which was the previous residence of the last British Governor, before the British left. After the first Arab-Israeli war, that was designated in the first armistice between Israel and Arab countries as the no man's land, and the UN bought it at that time for the first ever UN peacekeeping operation, which is UNSO?), and of course now after many years of unresolved conflict, nowadays, the Special Coordinator or the Representative of Ban Ki-moon the Highest Official is also residing in that building. It sits on top of a hill, and historically in a Holy city. So I felt myself in a no man's land, between Israel and the Palestinians. That is also why I put that in the subtitle of the book. Of course, there is also something else here: so much more land is still not allocated. If we think about what the border of Israel is, and what the future border of Palestine is going to be, it's an illusion to that unfortunate situation. UN News: How different is the most recent peace initiative from the previous two? Robert Serry: I don't think we can talk about a new initiative yet. The last one was the Kerry initiative, and I have been writing a chapter about it in the book. There are, of course, ongoing efforts, particularly with French participation at this point, to renew negotiations. I have been trying to take a step back, rather than thinking about a new process and rushing back to negotiations. Somewhere in my book, I am also saying that parties should learn the lessons from what has happened during the past 20 years of field negotiations. If you simply repeat the experiment again, by putting the parties together at one table, and expecting a different result, well, according to Einstein, that is a definition of madness. I feel like, for that reason also, it is very important for the international community to look at its own involvement in the conflict. And why is it that Resolution 242 will be fifty years old next year, yet the Security Council has never been able to update that important resolution. In my book, one of my main conclusions is that we need end-game parameters for the parties and for more effective future negotiations. It's only one of the conclusions of my book; there are a lot of conclusions to be drawn as well. But from the point of view of the international community, I think that is what has been lacking, and I hope that in the nearest future, there may be something like that. I don't believe so much in just starting negotiations, under the present circumstances, and then expecting a different result. UN News: The way things have been unfolding what, in your view, has gone wrong? Why is the peace process not moving forward? Robert Serry: Well, you cannot say that one thing has gone wrong. There are a number of factors that I discuss in my book, and in the conclusion I come to seven main lessons learned. But in terms of the things that have gone wrong and which have deepened the so-called one-state reality that I talk about and I am also, I think, one of the first, as a Special Envoy for the United Nations back in 2011, to term it this way that rather than going towards a two-state solution, parties were actually retreating towards a dangerous one-state reality. Now you see many others also talking about that. In terms of why this is happening, it's very clear that on the Israeli side if they continue to build settlements settlements in the state of a prospective other country that will not work; that is an obstacle as the international community has been saying time and again. That's a very clear reason why this one-state reality will only deepen if that continues. But I should also add that on the Palestinian side, an aggravating factor which can also deepen the one-state reality is their continued division. I've been very much involved, for the UN also, in trying to help the Palestinians in trying to achieve reconciliation based on the paramount principle of non-violence; a government that actually has authority over both the West Bank and Gaza, and make sure that that paramount condition on their side is respected non-violence as a basic condition for trying again negotiations. I just mentioned some of the reasons. There are other things discussed in the book. UN News: Based on those factors, would you say that a two-state solution is still feasible, given what is happening? Robert Serry: In the book, I also have a chapter called, "If not two states, what else?" Why am I actually having a chapter like that? I must tell you that I have also been struggling with what my main message should be in the present, dire circumstances. Is it still possible to have a two-state solution, or are the many pundits now (a growing number of pundits in literature as well) declaring the two-state solution an illusion declaring it dead? What should my position be now, having been involved in such a long time with the United Nations? In the end, I came to the conclusion not to declare the two-state solution dead because, dear friends, where then is the other solution? Where is the other horse to jump on? Is it the one-state solution? Is that really possible? A binational, democratic state comprising Palestinians and Israelis? I think you probably need decades to get there in terms of the amount of distrust that exists now and yet trust is needed for such binational solutions. That's why I think you do the people both the Israelis and the Palestinians an even bigger disservice by declaring the two-state solution now dead. But they have to realize it is five to midnight, or even too late. I'm also talking about a more inclusive state solution maybe in the Palestinian state, there remains an Israeli minority. These are things I have just been proposing because of my great concern that the classical two-state solution, based on total separation, is now dead. UN News: I was going to ask about your suggestion that a one state reality rather than a two state solution is around the corner Robert Serry: Well it is around the corner, and it's there. I have been among the first to warn the parties that this is what is happening right now. Since I left my office in Jerusalem, it has only deepened. But we have to think about the consequences of what we are saying. Does it mean that we then have to give up a two-state solution, also as an international community? UN News: That's the question one would ask. Maybe a two state solution makes sense, but the reality speaks to something different? Robert Serry: Well present day realities are clearly heading in a different direction. But I've been also thinking about what that direction in the end can bring us. I think it is an unsustainable direction. It is bound to lead to renewed conflict. I repeat myself now: we are doing both Israelis and Palestinians a disservice by starting to discard that option altogether. UN News: Some people think the Kerry initiative was the closest this came to being a success. Wasn't it? Robert Serry: My chapter in the book is called "The Kerry Initiative: a last rolling of the dice?" So it was a crucial attempt where he also tried to define for the parties the so-called end- game parameters. Today I regret that Kerry wasn't actually able to bring it to an end. Because that is what the parties need: to at least preserve the prospects for a two-state outcome in the future. I am personally not very optimistic about any negotiations in the future, given the state of affairs among Palestinians and among Israelis. [I am not optimistic] that it will lead to a different result. UN News: Maybe it's something you don't want to pronounce yourself on but given the change in the administration in the US, do you think that things might play out differently in this process? Robert Serry: Well, at least in every situation where you have uncertainty, there is always an opportunity, but of course, also, new dangers. With President-elect Trump, we know that he is keen at least he has been saying it that he would like to resolve it. But then I would advise him to take a step back and look at what previous presidents have been trying, and to not to repeat the same experiment. A fresh approach is needed. I don't believe that it will be a good start for the president to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, if that is what would happen in the beginning of a new American involvement in the conflict. I hope he will take a step back, reflect, and come with a fresh approach. There is a need for a fresh approach, and let's hope. I don't want to prejudge what Trump is going to do. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijings smog problem is a recurring phenomenon that highlights the gravity of air pollution in the city and the need for tougher measures. (Photo : Getty Images) Public sentiment against the apparent idleness of authorities against heavy smog in China's urban areas have intensified by the day. But last weekend, Chinese government ministries have finally spoken about the country's worsening pollution problem, promising to get rid of it step-by-step. As reported by Xinhua, Environmental Protection Minister Chen Jining expressed his guilt on China's ongoing air pollution debacle in a press conference in Beijing. Chen noted that the smog problem started afflicting the country since the start of winter last year. Advertisement Adding that the smog has totally strained the daily lives of many Chinese people, Chen promised to take thorough action. In a Global Times report, he pointed to the generally cold weather and poor winter heating systems as among the reasons behind the heavy smog. The National Meteorological Center resonated with Chen's remarks, emphasizing that conditions brought forth by winter has helped prolong air pollution. The urban corridor along the capital Beijing, the industrial city of Tianjin, and the metropolises within Hebei Province, has suffered heavily from the smog. The high usage of automobiles in urban areas served as a major cause of smog in China's urban areas. Automobile emissions account for 31.3 percent of pollutant particles in Beijing, while the same accounts for 29.2 percent in Shanghai and 28 percent in Hangzhou, Chen noted. Beijing acting mayor Cai Qi said that the city plans to help solve the problem through the organization of an environmental police force. Cai said that said force will be present in the capital's 16 districts, as part of his stricter actions against air pollution in 2017. Meanwhile, the National Health and Family Planning Commission reassured the public that there is no medical study proving that the current smog problem isn't cancerous. Mao Qun'an, director of the agency's publicity center, said that insinuations linking smog to cancer remains premature. Nonetheless, the agency vows to play its part by assisting the most vulnerable sectors--the children and the elderly specifically--against the ill effects of air pollution due to smog. It also promised to provide a fixed standard to ensure the effectiveness of air purifiers and masks. 30 Dead as Taliban Suicide Bombers Hit Kabul By Ayaz Gul January 10, 2017 Afghan officials say a twin suicide bombing in the capital Kabul Tuesday killed more than 30 people and wounded some 80 others. Witnesses say the insurgents targeted a convoy of officials leaving parliament offices. The death toll is likely to increase. Top security officials, civilians and parliamentarians are said to be among the victims. One suicide bomber blew himself up near parliament offices in the Darulaman area of the city moments before another bomber detonated his explosive-laden vehicle in a bid to maximize casualties. Witnesses saw rescue workers and private citizens transporting victims to area hospitals but routine evening traffic jams hampered the movement. The Taliban instantly claimed responsibility, saying the attack killed and wounded dozens of people. The insurgent group often issues inflated casualty toll for such attacks. Amnesty International denounced the Taliban for showing no contempt to for civilian life and called for an immediate impartial and investigation to secure justice for the victims. "The deaths of scores of civilians in today's Kabul bomb attacks indicates that the Taliban are pressing ahead with a gruesome campaign of violence that makes no effort to spare civilian lives,'' lamented the London-based rights watchdog. Kandahar blast In a separate incident, an explosion occurred in the southern city of Kandahar Tuesday evening, killing at least 11 people and wounding 18 others, including the provincial governor and the UAE ambassador. UAE diplomats were also among the wounded The incident occurred inside the governor's office where a meeting was underway, provincial security officials told VOA requesting anonymity. Officials requesting anonymity told VOA the envoy along with some other wounded officials have been taken to a U.S. military hospital for treatment. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for what the UAE foreign ministry called a "heinous terrorist attack." Earlier in the day, , a Taliban bomber stormed a meeting of local security officials and police personnel in Lashkargah, capital of Afghanistan's largest southern province of Helmand. That attack killed at least 10 people and wounded many more. The victims included civilians and military personnel, according to provincial officials. Most of the territory in Helmand, a major poppy-growing Afghan region, is controlled by the Taliban. The Kabul government fully controls only the provincial capital. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Retired US Military Officers Urge Trump Not to Reinstate Torture By VOA News January 10, 2017 Nearly 200 military officers urged president-elect Donald Trump not to reinstate torture, according to a letter acquired by The New York Times. "Torture is unnecessary. Based on our experience and that of our nation's top interrogators, backed by the latest science we know that lawful, rapport-based interrogation techniques are the most effective way to elicit actionable intelligence," stated the letter, signed by 176 retired officers from all branches of the military. Among the signatories are two former Afghanistan war commanders and Adm. William H. McRaven the Special Operations commander who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Trump said during the 2016 campaign and at a Republican primary debate in February that he "liked" waterboarding and that as president he would "bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding." Citing their "over 6,000 years of combined experience," the officers expressed their concern over these comments, pointing out that not only is torture illegal under international law, but according to them, it is not the best way to get key information. "Most importantly, torture violates our core values as a nation," the letter went on. "Our greatest strength is our commitment to the rule of law and to the principles embedded in our Constitution." Waterboarding, which simulates drowning, was used against suspected terrorists in the early 2000s during the George W. Bush administration. Congress banned the use of torture on detainees in 2006. Mattis influence Trump has since suggested he changed his mind, however, after meeting with retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, Trump's nominee for secretary of defense. He said Mattis told him he never found harsh interrogation techniques "to be useful," adding that the general preferred developing trust with "a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers." Republican Senator John McCain spoke out against Trump's comments in November, telling the audience at an international security forum in Canada that he didn't "give a damn what the president of the United States wants to do." "We will not torture people... it doesn't work," said McCain, who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Opposition to torture has been strong and bi-partisan since the founding of our republic through the administration of President Ronald Reagan to this very day," the letter echoed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Namibia's Century-old Genocide Continues to Fester By Anita Powell January 10, 2017 A new lawsuit in a U.S. court is reawakening a century-old mass slaughter of Namibia's Herero and Nama peoples by German colonial forces, an event that has been described as the 20th century's first genocide. When Vekuii Rukoro was a boy in what is now Namibia, his family would gather around a fire and tell stories. Stories of horror and humiliation, of unarmed women and children killed by German soldiers, of terrified families driven into the searing desert to die of thirst, and of concentration camps whose gruesome indignities would be repeated on new victims in Germany and Poland decades later. Herero chief takes lead "Untold suffering, misery and brutalities," Rukoro said. "When we sat around the bonfire at night, this is where oral history would be passed along from generation to generation. And that is where we came to know what happened to our ancestors." Rukoro is 62 and the elected paramount chief of the Herero people, who number about 400,000. Between 1904 and 1908, tens of thousands of indigenous Herero and Nama people were killed by German troops after they revolted against colonial rule. More than a century later, Rukoro is leading a charge to sue the German government in U.S. District Court in New York, seeking an apology and group reparations. No resolution despite talks Germany has not issued a formal apology for this dark episode, but the issue has been discussed between the two governments for at least a decade, with no resolution. Rukoro says if Germany does not allow Nama and Herero representatives to participate in talks, there will be consequences. He threatened a public-relations and diplomatic "offensive," and says his group will lobby to have Germany labeled a war criminal and a pariah state. "We are not going to sit here, 100 years, for another 120 years and allow another imperialist situation to continue to depress us as Africans of our rights," Rukoro said. "No. No. No." Germans are divided Germany's position on the apology and negotiations remains unclear. The German foreign ministry did not immediately respond to VOA's request for comment. But two years ago the foreign minister said, "We think that the time has come to intensify and formalize this exchange between the governments of our two countries." That has not happened, says German human rights activist Christian Kopp, who says Germany should apologize and offer reparations, but he feels many Germans do not agree. "I think Germany would be divided. There are some, and I would not say it is the majority, maybe 50 percent, maybe even less, who would feel better after this," Kopp said. "And there are others ... and there are many, many people who say, 'Well, why is it always the Germans who have to ask for forgiveness?' So there will be many many Germans who will not be happy about this." A deep responsibility Rukoro's lawyer, New York-based Ken McCallion, says the damages cannot be understated. "They went from being a very successful and relatively prosperous indigenous people to really grinding poverty, and that stain has really continued to today," McCallion said. "In addition to that, there were cultural losses. In eradicating the people, the German authorities were really seeking to eradicate their history and culture." Rukoro stressed he is not seeking individual payouts for all living descendants, he wants reparations that benefit the entire community. And, he says, he feels a deep responsibility to keep agitating. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gambian President's Options to Stay in Office Shrinking By Ricci Shryock January 10, 2017 Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's options to stay in office may be shrinking. The five judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone needed to constitute the Gambian Supreme Court did not come to Banjul for Tuesday's scheduled hearing. The session was called to weigh in on President Jammeh's request to nullify December's election results. The international community has already recognized President-elect Adama Barrow as the winner and called on Jammeh to step down. The head of Gambia's Bar Association says the hearing has been rescheduled for next Monday, There has been no confirmation from the judges that they will show up for that date, which comes just three days before Barrow's inauguration. Three West African presidents are expected in the Gambian capital Wednesday to continue the mediation efforts led by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari's special adviser, Femi Adesina, told VOA's Daybreak Africa that diplomacy remains the best course of action, although the West African bloc ECOWAS has not ruled out military force. "This is not interfering. This is rather mediation and peacemaking. Because there is the potential, what you have on the ground is like sitting on gunpowder, on a keg of gunpowder that can explode at any time, and innocent people would be affected, so it's better to work for peace, talking to President Jammeh. And that is what ECOWAS is doing," Adesina said. 'Growing isolation' Jammeh's allies are dwindling. This week the minister of information resigned and fled to neighboring Senegal, and Jammeh fired 12 ambassadors who had spoken in favor of transition. Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's deputy regional director for West and Central Africa, said the defections could give ECOWAS some strength in negotiations. "Civil society groups that you would never have thought would dare speak out like that before are now doing so. Even the dentists' association... So I think, bit by bit, there is growing isolation; but, the key thing is looking at how much the army and the heads of the army remain with the president. There will certainly be some divisions in that; but at the moment the head of the army does seem to be staying close to Jammeh, and I think that is where people will be looking for movement," Cockburn said. In a statement Tuesday on Twitter, President-elect Barrow said ECOWAS leaders are coming Wednesday to "persuade [Jammeh] to step down for the last time." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address State Department Terrorist Designation of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC January 10, 2017 The Department of State has designated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons determined to who have committed, or pose a serious risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. The consequences of this designation include a prohibition against U.S. persons from generally engaging in transactions with Jemaah Ansharut Daulah, and the freezing of all property and interests in property of Jemaah Ansharut Daulah that now or in the future are in the United States or under the possession or control of U.S. persons. JAD is a terrorist group based in Indonesia that was formed in 2015 and is composed of almost two dozen Indonesian extremist groups that pledged allegiance to ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. ISIL is a U.S. Department of State-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and SDGT, and al-Baghdadi is a U.S. Department of State designated SDGT. In January 2016, four people were killed and 25 wounded following an attack by a suicide bomber and gunmen in central Jakarta. The attack was attributed to JAD militants financially supported by an Indonesian ISIL militant based in Syria. Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control also designated two Indonesians and two Australians for acting for or on behalf of ISIL pursuant to E.O. 13224. A list of State Department-designated FTOs and SDGTs is available here: http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/index.htm. Identifiers: Name: Jamaah Ansharut Daulah AKA: Jemaah Anshorut Daulah AKA: Jamaah Ansharut Daulat AKA: JAD Location: Indonesia NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US THAAD in Japan Aimed at Containing Russia, China's Nuclear Capabilities Sputnik News 18:03 10.01.2017(updated 18:09 10.01.2017) Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada plans to visit the US territory of Guam on Thursday in order to see the newest Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in a search for better defense capabilities against a possible nuclear attack by North Korea. "The Defense Ministry has no concrete plan to introduce THAAD at this stage, but the installation of this kind of new asset can be one of the measures to reinforce our [missile defense] capabilities," Inada said at a press conference on Tuesday. She added that Japan is trying to find ways to strengthen its ballistic missile defense system, as North Korea's nuclear and missile programs "pose a new level of threat." The Minister spoke two days after Pyongyang said it was not ruling out a new ballistic missile test "anytime anywhere." In an interview with Sputnik China, Valery Kistanov, an expert at the Institute of the Far East in Moscow, said that Washington could pressure Tokyo to deploy THAAD missiles just like it previously did Seoul. "The US wants to station THAAD in the Far East as a vital element of its global missile shield program, which is primarily aimed against Russia. In Europe the Americans are deploying antimissiles in Romania and Poland and South Korea, and Japan are their key allies in the Far East," Kistanov said. He added that on a strategic plane, the THAAD system was meant to contain Russia's nuclear forces and also those of China, the more so now that China is seen in Japan as a major security threat. "The US, just like Japan, wants to contain China's growing clout in the Asia-Pacific region. This is what President Obama wanted, but, judging from what Donald Trump is doing, he is going to stay this course, despite all his rhetoric about Japan and South Korea needing to care more about their own security," Kistanov observed. With the Patriot PAC-3 missile defense system now stationed on its soil and Aegis warships guarding the country's territorial waters, Japan already has everything it needs to handle a possible missile strike from North Korea. The THAAD system is designed to intercept short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles at the terminal incoming stage. It also boasts a greater range compared to what Japan has today. In Moscow, military expert Vladimir Yevseyev still believes that the Pentagon overrates THAAD's capabilities, just like it does Pyongyang's missile potential. "Given [THAAD's] questionable efficiency against a real missile attack, I would not be provoking other countries by going ahead with its deployment. China could respond to its appearance in Japan by deploying more medium-range missiles. This would undermine security in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan," Zhou Yongsheng, an expert with the Chinese Diplomatic Academy's International Relations Center, said that the deployment of the THAAD system in Japan would seriously boost Washington's missile defense capability and also that of Japan. "Besides, this would also have a big impact on South Korea. China doesn't want to see THAAD in South Korea and it hopes that Seoul will not kowtow to the US on this issue. However, with the present state of relations between China and Japan, Beijing could be forced to take real, strategic measures against this system," Zhou Yongsheng said. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, which South Korea agreed in 2016 to be deployed on its territory by the end of 2017 with the stated aim of countering threats from North Korea, serves as one of the main irritants in relations between South Korea and China. China and Russia have repeatedly voiced opposition to the deployment of THAAD, arguing that its real aim was to deter the strategic weapon systems not only in the Korean peninsula's North, but primarily in China's hinterlands and Russia's Far East regions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Why China Needs New Arctic Icebreaker Sputnik News 19:22 10.01.2017(updated 21:18 10.01.2017) The building of a new Chinese arctic icebreaker in addition to already existing analog vessel Xuelong has given rise to numerous speculations. The project is much talked about in the context of China's growing global influence, geographical expansion of Chinese naval voyages, and rising interest in Arctic resources as a whole. Russian military expert Vasily Kashin told Sputnik China that the construction of the new icebreaker is actually an orderly and expected step. The expert stressed that in reality China has carried out mass construction of icebreakers long before the new project was started. Chinese icebreakers were built to ensure the needs of navigation in the Bohai Bay and were a part of the Chinese People's Liberation Army North Fleet. The largest of such ships known as Haibing 722, a type 272 icebreaker, is 337 feet long, 60 feet wide, and fully loaded displaces 4,860 tons. It can resist Force 12 winds and has a range of 7,000 miles. The icebreaker has a landing pad suitable for a Changhe Z-8 transport helicopter, which allows deploying it not only in China's adjacent waters, but around the world. Type 272 icebreakers were built to replace old type 071 and 210 ships (with displacement of 3,200 and 4,000 tons correspondingly). "Obviously, type 272 icebreakers, just like their predecessors, will be also used to perform a number of auxiliary tasks: search and rescue, hydrographic studies, etc. However, Chinese navy icebreakers are unsuitable for operations in the polar regions," Kashin said. Currently, China has only one vessel designed to operate in the Arctic Xuelong ("Snow Dragon"). But strictly speaking, it is not even an icebreaker, but a type 10621 ice-class ship vessel which was built for China at Kherson Shipyard in Ukraine in 1993. Even though the country does not have territories in the Arctic and the Antarctic, it has paid great attention to research over past decades due to its high significance for environmental studies and probable economic benefit. "China is quite active in this field and has four research stations in Antarctica including two stations operating all year round. Such research activity is difficult without an arctic icebreaker," Kashin said. Not only polar countries, but also Great Britain, France, Spain, South Korea, Japan have arctic icebreakers. India is building one now. "For example, the Japanese icebreaker Shirase is much bigger and far more modern than the Xuelong. Perhaps, prestige considerations have also played their role in China's decision to build its own arctic icebreaker," Kashin assumed. Xuelong was imported to China in 1993, soon after its construction. The ship has been modified twice to meet the needs of the country, but another modernization will. It be able to upgrade it to present-day requirements. "The initial project of Xuelong was pretty simple. Thanks to its size the ship can transport oversized cargo. However, its capacity is not enough to pave a way through the ice. So I would not call it an arctic icebreaker; it's simply an icebreaker," the head of China Institute of Polar Research told Sputnik China. He also said that when Xuelong was moving to Antarctica thought the Bering Strait, it had great difficulties breaking the ice because of initial shortcomings of its type. "That made China to think about building a brand new arctic vessel. The icebreaking capabilities of the new ship will by far exceed Xuelong and it will receive equipment of the highest quality," the Chinese researcher said. The new vessel will be 122.5 meters long and 22.3 meters wide, with a displacement of 13,990 tonnes and have a navigational capability of 20,000 nautical miles. The ship, which will have a crew of 90, will have a cruising radius of 37,000 km, and it will be fitted with twin propeller drives. The project was approved at the highest state level. The design contract, which cost more than $613 million, was signed with Aker Arctic Technology of Finland in 2012, and it will be built by Chinese Jiangnan Shipyard. The construction began in December 2016. The vessel is scheduled to be completed in 2019. It will not operate under the People's Liberation Army Navy but as a civilian vessel under the Polar Research Institute of China. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House reacts to US Navy activities in Persian Gulf ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Tue / 10 January 2017 / 14:10 Tehran (ISNA) - In response to the reports about an event in which a U.S. Navy destroyer fired three warning shots at Iranian patrol boats in the Persian Gulf, White House spokesman said, US destroyer fired shots at Iranian patrol boats to warning them. White House spokesman, Josh Earnest remarks came after Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said a US Navy destroyer fired warning shots at a group of four fast-attack boats of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval forces. Josh Earnest said: "These types of actions are certainly concerning and certainly risk escalating tensions." The incident is the latest of several confrontations between US and Iranian vessels around the Persian Gulf. In August, US defense officials claimed that Iranian naval patrol boats approached a US destroyer in Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have already insisted that Iran always act according to international water laws and are responsible to protect its maritime border. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's daily oil production near 4mn barrels Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:56AM Iran says its production of oil has reached around 4 million barrels per day (mb/d) a yet another indication that the country is regaining its crude production abilities after multiple years of sanctions. The announcement was made by Gholam-Reza Manouchehri, the deputy for development and engineering affairs of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). Manouchehri told the domestic media that the country was already on the way to make a stronger oil market recovery, emphasizing that this would be expedited through the development of several key projects within the next few years. He named South Azadegan as a crucial project over which Iran was negotiating with several global energy giants. The official emphasized that a tender for the development of South Azadegan which is located in the oil-rich southwestern province of Khouzestan - would be held next month. Manouchehri said that the NIOC expects Chinese companies to team up with European giants over South Azadegan. He added that they would have to also bring an Iranian company on board under the regulations for the new format of Iranian oil-sector contracts. South Azadegan was discovered in 2001 and was described at the time as the world's biggest oil find in decades. It has recoverable reserves of about 2 billion barrels. Located in a former theater of Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), South Azadegan is believed to be connected with Iraq's supergiant Majnoon oil field which has recoverable reserves of 13 billion barrels which was also being developed by Shell and is now producing 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil for Iraq. Iran has already signed five heads of agreement with companies including Shell, Total, Inpex for the development of South Azadegan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Rafsanjani Laid To Rest In Tehran RFE/RL January 10, 2017 Hundreds of thousands of Iranians jammed central Tehran for the funeral of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, an influential figure who continued to wield clout even after his eight years in office ended nearly two decades ago. Mourners packed streets around Tehran University, where Rafsanjani was lying in state on January 10 before he was buried next to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution and founded its system of theocratic rule. A national holiday was declared in honor of Rafsanjani, who served as Iran's president from 1989 to 1997 and died of heart failure on January 8, at the age of 82. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held prayers over Rafsanjani's casket. State television in the tightly controlled country said he participated despite his "differences" with Rafsanjani, who was widely considered a moderate. The official display of unity was undermined by chants calling for the release of reformists held under house arrest and by the absence of another former president, Mohammad Khatami, a political ally of Rafsanjani who is out of favor with the current leadership. Some reports suggested that Khatami was banned from attending the funeral. Videos posted on social media seemed to show mourners chanting slogans in support of Khatami and opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi. Musavi and Mehdi Karubi, both reformist candidates in the country's controversial 2009 presidential election have been under house arrest since 2011 for their role in postelection protests. "Our message is clear, house arrest must end," some chanted, according to amateur videos of the funeral posted on social media. "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein," others chanted. Some of the mourners shouted slogans targeting state television, which has a record of censoring dissenting voices. "Our state television, our shame," people chanted. Other high-level figures at the funeral included President Hassan Rohani, parliament speaker Ali Larijani, and judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani -- Ali Larijani's brother. Major General Qassem Suleimani, the hard-line conservative leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' foreign operations division, also attended. The streets of the capital were festooned with black banners and portraits of Rafsanjani. Fares for public transport were waived. Rafsanjani was elected president months after he helped Khamenei secure the post of supreme leader after Khomeini's death in 1989. But their relationship drifted toward rivalry as Rafsanjani sided with reformists who promoted greater freedom. In his condolence message, Khamenei said political differences had never been able to "entirely break up" their nearly 60 years of friendship. On January 9, U.S. President Obama's administration issued a statement calling Rafsanjani a "prominent figure throughout the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and sending condolences "to his family and loved ones." With reporting by Reuters, AP, dpa, and AFP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/iran-rafsanjan i-funeral/28223101.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A glimpse of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center's control room during a rocket launch. (Photo : YouTube/CCTV+) The aerospace industry is dominated by men. But lately, more women are making valuable contributions to the industry, regardless of the dangers that come with the job. Four female technicians working at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in north China have shown that when it comes to working with rocket ships, they are every bit as capable as their male counterparts. Women of China reports that despite difficulties, these technicians have managed to get their respective jobs done. Advertisement Zhang Weihong, a senior engineer at JSLC, said that her team is responsible for carrying out safety inspections around the launch platform. Apart from dealing with the areas extreme weather conditions, Zhang revealed that her job can be dangerous. I need to climb up and down the outdoor 50-meter tower, whatever effect it might be on my body, said Zhang. Meanwhile, 32-year-old energy expert Zhang Yan said that her main job is to do electricity testing at each sub-system that fuels the rocket system. Shi Changxiangs job puts her in the spotlight, as she is tasked with giving the igniting gesture at the exact moment after the five-second countdown. As for Wei Xiao, the 31-year-old leads the telemonitoring team. From her post, she listens to the sound of the rocket on her earphones instead of looking at the actual scene. With these women based in the desert part of north Chinas inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, their base of operations is often hit by sandstorms, which may delay operations. But they are determined to do a good job as China is gearing up to dominate space. It is expected that along with more female technicians, more female astronauts will be joining Chinas movement as the country becomes a contender in the aerospace industry. Back in 2012, Liu Yang became the first Chinese woman to reach space, which is a significant achievement for Asian women. At the time, Liu told Space that she is honored to perform the mission on behalf of all Chinese spacewomen. Its likely that the aerospace industry and the world will see more from Liu and the four JSLC technicians in the future. What Rafsanjani Takes To His Grave Golnaz Esfandiari January 10, 2017 Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who died of heart failure on January 8 at the age of 82, was an architect of the Islamic establishment in Iran whose image transformed from shark to voice of reason. Rafsanjani, who served as president from 1989 to 1997, may have taken the answers to some of the Islamic republic's biggest mysteries to his grave. Killings Of Dissidents Outside ... In 1992, three Iranian Kurdish leaders and one of their supporters were assassinated in a restaurant in Berlin. A German court eventually implicated the Iranian political establishment in the killings, including then-President Rafsanjani and his intelligence minister, Ali Fallahian, for whom an international arrest warrant was issued. The killings are widely seen as part of a spate of slayings of Iranian intellectuals and dissidents inside and outside the country. According to the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, since 1979 the Iranian leadership has been linked to at least 162 killings of opponents in 19 countries. The center has named Rafsanjani as among the Iranian leaders who played "a central role in ordering and facilitating political assassinations." Unnamed Western officials told Time magazine in 2001 that decisions about the assassinations were made by the Supreme National Security Council, which was then chaired by Rafsanjani. ... And Intellectuals Inside The Country There have long been suspicions that Iran's leadership ordered the assassinations of dissidents inside the country as well. Tehran blamed "rogue" Intelligence Ministry agents for the killings of four dissidents inside the country in 1998 and 1999, shortly after Rafsanjani's presidency ended. Activists and human rights groups have suggested that up to 80 writers and dissidents were killed from 1988 to 1998, a period during which Rafsanjani was president for all but two years. Iranian investigative journalist Akbar Ganji has suggested that Rafsanjani, who was a key figure within the establishment before and after his presidency, at the least turned a blind eye to such actions. Iran's lone Nobel laureate, Peace Prize winner and rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi, has gone further, saying she believes the assassinations were conducted with Rafsanjani's "knowledge." She noted that a deputy intelligence minister eventually charged in the four dissidents' killings, Saeed Emami, "mysteriously died in prison to cut any connection with the top." Fallahani, she says, told the authorities that if he were to appear in court, his "boss" should also come -- an apparent reference to Rafsanjani. They are charges that Rafsanjani never publicly addressed and, perhaps understandably, didn't include in his memoirs. Writer Faraj Sarkohi, who was arrested and tortured during Rafsanjani's presidency, is also convinced that Rafsanjani was fully aware of the Intelligence Ministry's actions. He thinks the decisions were made at the top and that the ministry had free rein to eliminate those considered a threat to the Islamic establishment that came to power following the 1979 revolution. Rafsanjani was president in 1996 when Sarkohi and 20 of his colleagues had a brush with death that they and others have blamed on the Intelligence Ministry. The bus carrying them to a literary event in nearby Armenia was traveling through a mountainous region when the driver appeared to try to steer it over a cliff, turning the wheel and jumping out of the moving vehicle. One of the passengers managed to take control of the bus and prevent a tragedy. Sarkohi, who went into exile in 1997 after his imprisonment stemming from his criticism of censorship, says that under Rafsanjani the Intelligence Ministry had an "open hand more than ever to conduct a campaign of terror." "How is it possible for the Intelligence Ministry to be able to murder dozens of [dissidents], persecute and torture them without the knowledge of the president who supported the intelligence minister?" Sarkohi told RFE/RL. "That's now how things are run in the country." AMIA Bombing Rafsanjani was president during the 1994 bombing of the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires that left 85 dead and more than 300 wounded. Argentina accused Hizbullah of carrying out the attack on orders from the Islamic republic, and prosecutors called for the arrest of Rafsanjani and seven others. Iran has denied any role in the bombing. Payam Akhavan, an associate law professor at McGill University and the founder of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, tells RFE/RL that Rafsanjani's role in many of the Islamic republic's human rights abuses cannot be forgotten. "Rafsanjani was one of the most influential figures in the first years of the Islamic Revolution, during which tens of thousands were executed in Iran and many [were] assassinated abroad," Akhavan said. "The question of legal and moral responsibility for such crimes against humanity cannot be swept under the carpet in the name of reform and progress," he added. "To the contrary, there can be no better future if we whitewash the past. Imposing historical amnesia is not the solution for a better Iran." From 'Shark' To 'Voice of Reason' In the course of Rafsanjani's political tenure, thousands of Iranians were executed and many were jailed and persecuted. He was unpopular among many Iranians, who nicknamed Rafsanjani "The Shark" and "Akbar Shah" (King Akbar) due to reports of his wealth, charges of corruption, his alleged role in the state campaign against dissidents, and perceived political shrewdness. The disputed 2009 reelection of Mahmud Ahmadinejad as president and the mass protests that followed marked a turning point for Rafsanjani. By expressing support for the opposition Green Movement behind the protests, and criticizing the authorities' brutal suppression of the protests, Rafsanjani was rehabilitated in the eyes of many. He gained a reputation as a supporter of reform and a voice of reason. In a statement e-mailed to RFE/RL, the Middle East director of Human Rights Watch, Sarah Leah Whitson, said that while Rafsanjani never cleared his name of association with human rights abuses, "he died with more respect than he had at the height of his political power." His January 10 funeral in Tehran was attended by hundreds of thousands of Iranians, including many pro-reform citizens who used the opportunity to call for the release of Mir Hossein Musavi, a leader of the Green Movement who has been under house arrest since 2011. Passing The Torch Rafsanjani leaves an unclear future for his wife, Effat Marashi, and five children -- two daughters and three sons. His family has in the past come under pressure by hard-liners who opposed Rafsanjani and took actions to hurt him and diminish his influence. One son, Mehdi Hashemi, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence for financial crimes, was granted prison leave to attend his father's funeral. Daughter Faezeh Rafsanjani, who was jailed in 2012 for "antistate propaganda," was seen at his funeral flashing the V sign. Faezeh Hashemi is a former lawmaker who became the target of hard-line criticism last year after reuniting with a former cellmate, a Baha'i community leader who was temporarily released on jail. The Baha'i faith is not recognized in Iran and its followers there are often subject to persecution. Rafsanjani failed to publicly side with his daughter. He described the Baha'i faith as a "deviant sect" and said that Faezeh had made a "mistake" and that she must "redeem" herself. Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/iran-rafsanjani -secrets-he-takes-to- the-grave/28224008.html Copyright (c) 2017. 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 Daesh car bomb attacks drop sharply in Mosul: Iraqi Cmdr. Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 6:46PM The number of car bomb attacks by Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the Iraqi city of Mosul has fallen sharply, signifying the weakening of the group, a top Iraqi commander says. "Car bombs have been a key component" of Daesh since the operation to liberate Mosul started on October 17, Major General Maan al-Saadi of the elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) said on Tuesday. "At the beginning, they launched many car bombs, now much fewer. There are one, two or three a day, never more than 10. In the first phase, they used more than 50 a day," he added. In many cases during the ongoing Mosul operation, Daesh terrorists ran their explosives-laden vehicles into Iraqi forces. Iraqi government forces have managed to regain control over a number of neighborhoods in east Mosul as they try to flush Daesh Takfiri terrorists out of the area. The Iraqi Federal Police announced in a statement on Monday that security personnel had wrested full control of Palestine neighborhood in the eastern part of the city, located some 400 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad, killing 35 Daesh terrorists in the process. On Sunday, Iraqi forces pushing ahead in east Mosul reached the Tigris River in the center of the city for the first time. The full liberation of east Mosul would take place in a matter of days, another CTS commander said on Monday The west bank of Mosul remains under full Daesh control. In the next phase of the operation, Iraqi forces, assisted by their allied forces, plan to move into the streets of west Mosul. Iraqi army soldiers, supported by fighters from the allied Hashd al-Sha'abi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, launched a joint operation on October 17 to retake Mosul from Daesh terrorists. A total of 137,880 people, or 22,980 families, have been displaced from Mosul and neighboring areas ever since the start of the operation, according to figures released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Monday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daesh Takfiris cut off water to thousands of civilians in Mosul Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:29AM Daesh terrorists have cut off water supply to dozens of liberated areas in Mosul to keep civilians under control as the Iraqi army and allied fighters renew their push to expel the extremists out of their last urban stronghold. Nineveh provincial council member Hossam al-Abbar told Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network on Monday that Daesh terrorists have cut water to 30 neighborhoods in the eastern flank of the city, located some 400 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad. Abbar added that only 10 liberated districts have access to potable water intermittently. He further noted that water stations in al-Ghabat neighborhood, which nurture western Mosul, are still under Daesh control, and that the terror group has turned off the pumps which send water toward liberated neighborhoods in the city. The official said Daesh has ordered its members to target areas retaken from them with mortar shells and artillery rounds. Abbar also urged the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works plus Ministry of Finance to allocate a certain budget as well as tankers to supply drinking water to Mosul neighborhoods. Zuhair Hazem al-Jabouri, an official with Mosul's energy and water department, said last month that "Daesh is depriving people of drinking water in eastern Mosul. They want to force people to retreat with them in order to use them as human shields." Iraq kills top Baghdadi aide Amid army advances in and around Mosul, a high-ranking aide to Daesh ringleader Ibrahim al-Samarrai aka Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in a precision airstrike carried out by the Iraqi Air Force in the central part of the city. A Nineveh provincial source, requesting anonymity, said the senior Daesh figure, identified by the nom de guerre Abu Loei, was killed along with four other terrorists during an airstrike against al-Islah al-Zeraei neighborhood. Abu Loei was reportedly the director of Daesh security affairs. An unnamed security source also said federal police forces are closing in on Mosul University's building, noting that the site is considered as one of the main positions of Daesh in the eastern side of the city. Iraqi army soldiers, supported by fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units -- commonly known in Arabic as Hashd al-Sha'abi -- and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, launched a joint operation on October 17 to retake Mosul from Daesh terrorists. A total of 137,880 people, or 22,980 families, have been displaced from Mosul and neighboring areas since the start of the operations, according to figures released by the International Organization for Migration. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PKK Forces Exiting Iraqi City of Sinjar Vow 'to Ensure Stability in Region' Sputnik News 15:18 10.01.2017 A leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Murat Karayilan, has promised to withdraw his troops from the Sinjar area in northern Iraq, saying that he will be continuing negotiations with the region's ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Sputnik spoke with prefect of Sinjar, Mehma Khelil in an interview. Earlier, the leader of the PKK outlined the importance of national unity and stressed that it was in the Kurdish people's best interest to build that unity without wasting the "blood of the martyrs". The PKK leader added that the Kurdistan Workers Party and the KDP have been conducting ongoing negotiations on the subject of the former's presence in Sinjar and that PKK was ready to leave the area at the conclusion of the talks. Prefect of Sinjar, Mehma Khelil told Sputnik that representatives of the PKK on the eve of a meeting held with the leadership of Iraqi Kurdistan have decided to leave Sinjar in the near future. "The exact date is still unknown. The fighters of PKK will leave not only the central quarters of the city but also the nearby villages. All members of the PKK who are present there right now will withdraw from Sinjar," Khelil said. He further said that this is an important positive step and it means addressing the issue through dialogue, since the exit of the PKK fighters from the territory of Sinjar will help "to ensure stability in the region and establish a process in which the return of civilian population in the city and its surrounding areas will become possible." Sinjar was liberated from Daesh, a terror group outlawed in Russia and many other countries, by Kurdish-led forces in November 2015. Kurds have already established a military base in the region. In Turkey, Kurds represent the largest ethnic minority, and are striving to create their own independent state, however, the PKK is outlawed in Turkey. The Kurds comprise ancient tribal groups, which are currently living in parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Kurdistan is an autonomous region of Iraq. Its status is formalized in the country's Constitution. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hundreds from western Mosul getting medical attention amid fight to retake Iraqi city 10 January 2017 Nearly 700 people have been moved to hospitals from the frontlines in Mosul, Iraq, as the United Nations and partners are working to scale up humanitarian efforts for thousands of people fleeing the fighting between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) and Iraqi forces. "Trauma casualty rates around the front lines are extremely high," Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told journalists in Geneva. The majority of people receiving medical attention have been brought in with gunshot wounds. In addition, about 135,500 people have been displaced as a result of the efforts to retake Mosul, with the figure spiking in the past 10 days, according to the latest situation report by the UN humanitarian arm. "The UN has increased access to the areas that had been retaken," Mr. Laerke said. He noted that given the "very high risk" of unexploded ordinance, however, aid workers have to wait until the areas are cleared before moving in. Much of the response is currently in the Government- and UN-managed camps to the south and the east of Mosul, where the majority of the displaced people are sheltering, added Mr. Laerke. The response there is focused on helping people sustain cold temperatures. Anecdotal reports from people who fled western Mosul suggests the ISIL has redirected fuel sources to its military, limiting the electricity available for people to heat their homes. Despite efforts, however, "there is no humanitarian access to ISIL-controlled areas of western Mosul," said Mr. Laerke, cautioning that the UN is "very concerned" for the safety, security and protection of the people there. "It is possible to count, record and assist those fleeing, but it is impossible to say how many remained there," the spokesperson said in reference to Mosul. For more than two months, most major trading routes into the western part of the city have essentially been sealed off, resulting in a "siege-like situation" where few goods are available. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: More Iraqi Civilians Fleeing Mosul as Military Operations Intensify By Lisa Schlein January 10, 2017 The United Nations reports increasing numbers of civilians are fleeing Mosul as Iraqi military operations to wrest the city from Islamic State (IS) control intensify. Latest figures show more than 135,000 people have fled Mosul since the Iraqi military offensive to retake the city from IS militants began on October 17. The United Nations reports 4,000 were displaced on January 2, one of the largest movements of people in a single day since the conflict began. Jens Laerke, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says most of the newly displaced are being cared for in camps run by the government and by humanitarian agencies, although people also are seeking help from family and friends. Laerke says aid agencies have no access to IS-controlled areas, increasing humanitarian concerns for the civilians remaining there. He says these fears are reinforced by reports from those who have escaped harsh conditions under which they were forced to live. "Some of those who have fled from the western part of Mosul, IS-held Mosul, are saying that there are very few consumables left in terms of food, other consumables for daily sustenance," says Laerke. "They also are talking about being restricted, for example, in running their generators by those who are in control of the area.... We are very concerned for their safety, their security, and their protection." Laerke says the United Nations has increased access to areas retaken by Iraqi government forces in Mosul; but, he says aid agencies are restrained from rushing in because of the high risk of death and injury from unexploded devices. He says contaminated areas must be cleared to make it safe to go in. He says trauma casualties remain extremely high because of increased military activity, especially near the front lines. The United Nations reports more than 3,100 civilians have been wounded in the fighting since December 5. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistani Security Forces Credited For Decline In Militant Attacks RFE/RL January 10, 2017 The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) says that the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan last year declined by 28 percent to 441, and it gave much of the credit to the country's security forces. But while there were fewer attacks, the number of people killed did not decline as much because the attacks last year were generally larger and deadlier. PIPS said attacks by militants, nationalists, insurgents, and sectarian groups claimed 908 lives in 2016, down 12 percent from 2015. "Whatever Pakistan has accomplished in its war against terrorism is largely due to extensive operations launched against militants by security and law enforcement agencies across the country," the group said in its Pakistan Security Report. The PIPS said the "major actors of instability" are still active in the country and that their support bases remain strong. "The presence of supporters and affiliates of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in parts of the country is still a big challenge," it said. It said that the instability in neighboring Afghanistan gave ISIS the opportunity to extend its reach out to new recruits. It added that weak coordination between Pakistan and Afghanistan on border issues and counterterrorism is hindering operations. It urged both countries to "evolve certain joint counterterrorism mechanism to address the common challenges." About 48 percent, or 211, of the total reported terrorist attacks in 2016 were directed toward the security forces and law enforcement agencies. The reported added that 206 police officers were killed in attacks. Civilians were the apparent targets of 89 attacks, the study said. About 27 attacks hit tribal elders and volunteers of antimilitant peace committees, mainly in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The report pointed out that in the province of Balochistan, "changing dynamics" now mean that region's security forces face a much larger threat from various Islamic militants than from Baluchi nationalist insurgents. The nationalists have continued "low-intensity" attacks but, the report said, groups such as Lashkar-e Jhangvi (LeJ) and the Pakistani Taliban have been carrying out major attacks. A separate report last week by the Pakistani Center for Research and Security Studies said there was a 45 percent drop in violence-related deaths in 2016 in the country from the previous year. It also credited the work of the country's security forces for the decline. Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/pakistani -security-forces-credited-decline -militant-attacks-balochistan- terrorist-attacks/28222966.html Copyright (c) 2017. 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 China Frequently Breached S Korean Air Defense Identification Zone in 2016 Sputnik News 12:15 10.01.2017(updated 12:19 10.01.2017) Chinese military aircraft breached the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) on numerous occasions last year, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Monday, around 10 Chinese military planes, including bombers and an early warning aircraft, entered KADIZ for several hours from 10 a.m. (01:00 GMT) to 3 p.m., prompting South Korea to counter by sending 10 F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets. "Chinese military planes used to enter KADIZ mainly near Ieodo. It was rare to see Chinese planes intruding on KADIZ in the past," a JCS official said, as quoted by Yonhap news agency. According to the JCS, the Korean Defense Ministry is looking into the intentions of the intrusion, despite the Chinese authorities stating that the aircraft were carrying out military drills. Submerged reef Ieodo, controlled by Seoul, lies 149 kilometers (92.5 miles) southwest of South Korea's southernmost island of Marado and 247 kilometers northeast of the nearest Chinese island of Tongdao. Ieodo is home to some South Korean scientific research facilities. In 2013, South Korea expanded its own KADIZ to cover Ieodo after China included it in its own air defense identification zone that is designed to give a country more time to check unauthorized planes that may pose security problems. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address International Pressure Building on South Korea During Impeachment Turmoil By Brian Padden January 10, 2017 Diplomatic tensions are on the rise between South Korea and important powers in the region at a time when the government in Seoul has been weakened and divided by the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. Park was suspended from office in December after the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to impeach the president for alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar influence peddling scandal. The prime minister is currently acting head of state until the Constitutional Court either upholds the impeachment motion, prompting a new presidential election, or returns Park to power. It could take months before South Korea again has a fully functioning elected government. Comfort women Japan analyst Hosaka Yuji with Sejong University says widespread public disapproval of President Park in the wake of her impeachment has undermined support for one of her key diplomatic achievements, ending the long standing dispute with Tokyo over the issue of "comfort women." This name was given to the over 200,000 women throughout the Pacific region who were forced into prostitution by the Japanese military during both WWII and Japan's colonization of Asia. "The legitimacy of the agreement between South Korea and Japan on the "comfort women" issue has disappeared in South Korea," said Hosaka. The governments of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Park reached a 2015 settlement that relieved Japan of any further responsibility and liability for all past wartime grievances. The deal included a written apology from Prime Minister Abe and a pledge by Tokyo to provide $8.9 million to support the surviving victims. Japan for its part requested that South Korea remove a "comfort woman" statue that sits across from the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. For years activists have staged weekly rallies at the site to demand Tokyo make a sincere apology and official restitution. The South Korean government agreed to try to facilitate this request but backed down when confronted by angry groups representing the surviving comfort women. These advocates denounced Abe's apology as insincere, demanded official reparations from Tokyo, and vowed to continue their protests. Many of Abe's nationalist supporters, who downplay the extent of the atrocities committed by the Japanese military during that period, were also unhappy with the prime minister for agreeing to make any form of apology. The deal is now in danger of falling apart after a second "comfort woman" statue was placed in front of the Japanese consulate in the South Korean city of Busan. In protest, Japan this week recalled its ambassador and consul general to South Korea, and last week suspended currency swaps with its neighbor. Prime Minister Abe has demanded South Korea remove the statues, saying, "Even if the Korean government changes, the Korea-Japan 'comfort women' agreement must be carried out." On Monday, a leader of the Democratic Party in the National Assembly called for the government to terminate the agreement and return Japan's money. But on Tuesday, acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn urged all sides to respect the agreement and refrain from further escalating tensions. THAAD Meanwhile, China has reportedly been taking retaliatory measures to punish South Korea for agreeing to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. Seoul and Washington argue that the advanced THAAD system that uses infrared seeking technology, six mobile launchers and 48 interceptor missiles is needed to defend against North Korea's advancing ballistic missile development efforts. China has voiced its strong opposition to the THAAD deployment in South Korea, saying it will only provoke the North to further increase its military capabilities, and complained that the radar system can be used against other countries in the region. South Korean media outlets say Beijing has recently banned Korean airlines from running private charter flights between the two countries during the upcoming Chinese New year holiday this month. Beijing has also been accused of limiting the number of Chinese tourists in South Korea and barring some K-pop Korean music groups from entering China, forcing them to cancel their concerts. In the wake of Park's downfall, some opposition leaders in Seoul have called for the THAAD deployment to be delayed to appease China. A group of South Korean opposition legislators recently traveled to Beijing to discuss the issue. Woo Su-keun, a professor of international relations at Donghua University in Shanghai says Beijing is now increasing pressure to take advantage of the political turmoil in Seoul. "China sees South Korea's impeachment as a golden opportunity not to be missed. By showing that it will be difficult to deal with China if South Korea pushes ahead (with the THAAD deployment), China is trying to change the situation," said Woo. Trump Some political observers are also concerned that without strong leadership in Seoul, U.S.-South Korean ties will suffer, if as expected, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump exerts pressure on South Korea over trade and defense cost sharing after he takes office later this month. Youmi Kim in Seoul contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin slams US blacklisting of more Russians Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 2:23PM Russia has censured Washington's decision to blacklist the head of its top law enforcement agency and a lawmaker among three other Russians as yet another effort to further deteriorate bilateral ties. "We deeply regret the fact that a lingering period of unprecedented degradation in our bilateral ties occurred during [US President Barack] Obama's second presidential term," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov during a press briefing in Moscow on Tuesday after the US Treasury Department announced Monday its decision to impose financial sanctions and visa bans on five Russian lawmakers and state officials. The move came after Washington expelled 35 Russian diplomats over allegations that Russia ran a hacking campaign to influence the US presidential election last November. Moscow has dismissed the accusations as "witch-hunt." Those included in the US blacklist are Russia's head of Investigative Committee, Sergey Bastrykin, investigator Stanislav Gordiyevskiy, lower house lawmaker Andrey Lugovoy, businessman Dmitry Kovtun, and financier Gennadiy Plaksin. The sanctions were part of the so-called Magnitsky Act, the list of personal sanctions imposed by the US on several dozen Russian citizens allegedly involved in the death of Sergey Magnitsky in 2009. Magnitsky was an employee of an international financial company who died in custody in Moscow while under investigation over a large-scale tax fraud. The initial act came into force in 2012. Peskov added, "We are convinced that this does not meet our interests, or those of Washington. We think it's a shame that it happened. At the same time, we still hope that one way or another it will be possible to reach a more positive trajectory for relations with America soon." Meanwhile, US State Department spokesman John Kirby claimed on Monday that additions to the sanctions list followed "extensive research" and targeted individuals with "roles in the repressive machinery of Russia's law enforcement systems, as well as individuals involved in notorious human rights violations." More Russians have been blacklisted over the years. The list now includes 44 names of those whose assets under US jurisdiction are frozen and are barred from doing business with Americans or receiving US visa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Song Hye Kyo Instagram Post (Photo : Instagram/Song Hye Kyo) Has the euphoria of winning the Grand Excellence (Daesang) award in the 2016 KBS Drama Awards worn off from Descendants of the Sun actress Song Hye Kyo? Or is she nursing a deep heartache that no award could compensate? Even fans noticed the sadness after the 35-year-old actress posted on Instagram a black-and-white photo of herself seated alone and apparently dining. She looked somber in the picture which got almost 250,000 likes and elicited around 1,800 comments. Advertisement Why So Lonely? Significantly, the first two comments came from yenghun who wrote, Look so lonely and hunt_lee who asked, Why pictures are always black & white? Is Song Hye Kye trying to tell fans she is sad? The photo made fansofsongcouple write: I dont like this picture, so sad. It led honey_hk56 to request the actress to Please share a colorful photo to us. We miss your beautiful eyes, cute nose and sexy lips! DOTS 2 Clamor Other fans asked her to do a new drama or movie with Song Joong-ki. It echoes a similar request by fans of the actor for the SongSong couple to make the rumored Descendants of the Sun 2, following their Daesang award. Besides the clamor for the couple to do another drama or a film together growing stronger after the Daesang, the secret wedding rumor has been revived, sparking anew interest in Song Hye Kyos love life, Asianstarz reported. It would be recalled that two weeks before the 2016 KBS Drama Awards, Song Hye Kyo posted a photo on Instagram showing her crying. It led people to ask if Song Joong-ki or Hyun Bin, a former boyfriend, was the reason behind her tears. But the photo was actually taken during her recent fan meet in Seoul to thank her followers for her 20 years in the industry. US senators push for more sanctions on Russia over election hack Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:17PM Three US senators plan to introduce new legislation that calls for "comprehensive" sanctions on Russia over its alleged attempts to influence the 2016 US presidential election. Republican Senator John McCain said Monday he would join Democratic Senators Ben Cardin and Robert Menendez in introducing the legislation. The senators did not say what "comprehensive" meant, but they said the legislation would go beyond the sanctions that have already been imposed on Moscow. Several Democratic members of Congress have urged for the formation of an independent panel to investigate Russia's alleged hacking of Democratic organizations and officials during the recent US senators push for more sanctions on Russia over election hackresidential contest between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. On Friday, US intelligence agencies published a report on Russia's alleged cyber attacks to influence the US election. Russia has denied the allegations. The hacked emails, which were reportedly provided to WikiLeaks by individuals working for the Russian government, were a regular source of embarrassment to Clinton during the presidential race and may have contributed to her defeat. On Saturday, Trump called for closer ties between the United States and Russia despite the hacking allegations, saying that only "stupid" people or "fools" would think close ties were unwise. Trump has consistently dismissed the intelligence agencies' conclusion as politically motivated, but he appeared to accept Russian involvement in the election after receiving an intelligence briefing on Friday. Last week, outgoing President Barack Obama ordered a series of economic sanctions against Russia, as well as the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats over the cyber attacks. Washington and its allies had already levied broad economic sanctions against Russia and blacklisted dozens of its citizens after Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Ties between the US and Russia further deteriorated when Moscow last year launched an air offensive against Daesh terrorists in Syria, many of whom were initially trained by the CIA to fight against the Syrian government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US sanctions five prominent Russians citing rights abuses Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:44AM The United States has imposed new sanctions on five prominent Russians, including a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US Treasury Department announced on Monday that the sanctions were meant to punish Russia over what it called human rights abuses. Under the act named after Russian tax fraud whistleblower Sergey Magnitsky, who died in a Moscow jail in 2009, the five Russian people will have their US assets blocked and are banned from travelling to the United States. Chief federal investigator Alexander Bastrykin and two other men, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun, who are wanted in the UK for the murder of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko a decade ago, were blacklisted. Gennady Plaksin, former head of the Universal Savings Bank, and Stanislav Gordiyevsky, former investigative agency official are the other two targets who both are said to be involved in covering up Magnitsky's death. The figures include those have played "roles in the repressive machinery of Russia's law enforcement systems, as well as individuals involved in notorious human rights violations," US State Department John Kirby said Monday. "Each of the most recently added names was considered after extensive research," Kirby added. The reason why the Magnitsky Act had still not included Putin himself was that Washington does not want a complete breakdown in its ties with Moscow, according to a senior administration official. "We need to preserve the possibility of working with Russia in areas in which it is in the US national interest," the official told AFP, on condition of anonymity. "This includes pressing for diplomatic solutions to the crises in Syria and eastern Ukraine." "Our goal in imposing sanctions is to change behavior... We have taken steps to make clear that interference in US democratic processes will not go unanswered." Washington expelled 35 Russian diplomats last month over US accusations that Russia influenced the November 8 presidential election in favor of Trump and against his opponent, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. US intelligence agencies have claimed that Russians hacked Democratic Party emails to damage Clinton, an allegation Moscow has dismissed. Trump, who disputed the findings by the US intelligence community, has repeatedly pledged to improve ties with Russia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow Region to Receive First T-72B3 Tanks of Latest Version - MoD Sputnik News 18:21 10.01.2017(updated 18:27 10.01.2017) The first batch of Russian T-72B3 battle tanks to be deployed in the Moscow Region, a spokesman for the Western Military District said Tuesday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The first batch of Russian T-72B3 battle tanks of the latest upgrade will enter service with the First Guards Tank Army divisions deployed in the Moscow Region, Col. Igor Muginov, a spokesman for the Western Military District, said Tuesday. "The first batch of T-72B3 of the latest upgrade will enter service with the divisions and military units of the tank army deployed in the Moscow Region," Muginov said. According to Muginov, the modernized version includes more powerful engine and improved fire control system. "Thus, the driving position is equipped with an automatic transmission, digital display, and rear view camera. The tank hull was also modernized," Muginov added. The T-72B3 is the latest modernized version of the T-72 Soviet battle tank developed in late 1960s. It features a ballistic computer for better accuracy and thermal weapon sights, as well as new-generation communications equipment. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Aerospace Forces Carried Out Over 71,000 Strikes on Terrorists in Syria Sputnik News 13:24 10.01.2017(updated 16:14 10.01.2017) Russian Aerospace Forces carried out over 19,000 sorties and over 71,000 airstrikes on terrorists since the launch of the Syria campaign, Russian General Staff said in a statement on Tuesday. "The actions of our Aerospace Forces <> have changed the course of the fight against terrorism in the Syrian Arab Republic," chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov said at a Defense Ministry select meeting. More than 12,360 square meters [4,772 square miles] and 499 settlements have been liberated from terrorists since Russia's Aerospace Forces' campaign in Syria began, the General Staff said in the statement. In the course of the campaign, Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed more than 200 objects of infrastructure under Daesh control, as well as 174 oil plants, Gerasimov said. "This allowed [us] not only to disrupt the supply system of Daesh' militant groups, but also to deprive them of their main source of income," Gerasimov said. Gerasimov stressed that all airstrikes were conducted only after the intelligence had been verified by different sources, which included cosmic reconnaissance and data from unmanned aircraft. At the same time, the US-led international coalition against terrorism has failed to achieve significant results in Syria, instead fueling casualty numbers among civilians and government forces, Gerasimov said. "They have not achieved any significant results With that said, a significant number of casualties among civilians and government troops were registered," chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov said at the Defense Ministry's select session. On January 6, the General Staff announced the start of the reduction of the Russian group in Syria. Russia has been conducting a military operation against terrorists in Syria since September 30, 2015, at the request of legitimate President Bashar Assad. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Senators Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Boost Sanctions Against Russia By Wayne Lee January 10, 2017 Legislation with bipartisan support that would increase sanctions against Russia for its alleged interference in November's U.S. presidential election was introduced Tuesday in the Senate. "When our nation was attacked at Pearl Harbor and when our nation was attacked on 9/11, we took steps in order to deal with those who attacked us and to prevent further attacks against our country in the interest of national security," said Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, the bill's chief sponsor. "It cannot be business as usual. We need to take steps to make it clear that this type of activity will have consequences and our legislation does that," Cardin added. Among the bill's co-sponsors are Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, both critics of President-elect Donald Trump, and former Republican presidential hopeful and Senator Marco Rubio. The legislation - called the "Countering Russian Hostilities Act of 2017 - is designed to show that key Republicans are intent on punishing Russia despite Trump's desire to strengthen bilateral ties. The measure was introduced four days after the U.S. intelligence community released a declassified version of a report accusing Russia of meddling in the election. Frozen assets, bans The bill would impose visa bans and freeze assets of those who undermine the cybersecurity of democratic institutions, possibly making it more difficult for banks to conduct business with Russian military and intelligence agencies. It also would codify sanctions imposed on Russia by President Barack Obama's administration in response to Russia's alleged meddling in the election and its 2014 annexation of Crimea. In addition, the measure would authorize $100 million for the State Department and other U.S. agencies to counter Russian propaganda. If the bill becomes law, the Trump administration would not be required to implement the sanctions. Senator Cardin said a waiver probably would be included in the bill to allow the president to waive the sanctions if it is in the best interests of the U.S. Clapper questioning Also on Capitol Hill Tuesday, the top spy chief said the intelligence community's recently released report that concluded Russia orchestrated computer hacks during the 2016 presidential campaign was based on a mix of human resources and the collection of technical and open source information. "Moscow's influence campaign blended covert intelligence operations with overt efforts by Russian government agencies, state-funded media, third-party intermediaries and paid social media users," National Intelligence Director James Clapper said during questioning before the Senate Intelligence Committee. In the report released Friday, the intelligence community said it had "high confidence" that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered a campaign to undermine the democratic presidential electoral process in the U.S. U.S. officials said Russian efforts were intended to undercut the election chances of Democrat Hillary Clinton and help Trump, the Republican candidate. Russia has rejected U.S. claims that it interfered in the presidential election, and a spokesman said the legislation threatening U.S. sanctions are an attempt to further harm relations between the two countries. Russia refutes The allegations against Russia are "substantiated with nothing" and "amateurish," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday. Russia also criticized the new U.S. sanctions against Russian officials, saying they will further degrade relations between the two countries. On Monday, the U.S. announced the sanctions against Russia's top investigator and four other officials for what the State Department called "notorious human rights violations." Kremlin spokesman Peskov told reporters Tuesday that Russia regrets the decline in relations during President Barack Obama's second term and hopes for positive developments in the future. The five Russians, along with two other men with alleged ties to Hezbollah, were sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act. U.S. officials did not say exactly for which transgressions the seven are being sanctioned. But State Department spokesman John Kirby said, "Each of the most recently added names was considered after extensive research." Human rights Kirby said the five Russians played "roles in the repressive machinery of Russia's law enforcement systems, as well as individuals involved in notorious human rights violations." They include Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the Investigative Committee, Russia's main investigative agency, which has led criminal probes of leading Kremlin opponents. Two others on the list are Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun, whom Britain has named as the two top suspects in the poisoning death of Russian spy and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. The 44 people now on the list are barred from entering the United States and their U.S. assets are frozen. U.S. citizens are forbidden from carrying out any financial transactions with them. The Magnitsky Act was named for Russian anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in 2009 after spending a year in prison and in poor health. Russian investigators ruled there was nothing criminal in Magnitsky's death. The State Department alleges there is plenty of evidence, though, to show Magnitsky was beaten in his jail cell, and his illnesses went untreated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria crisis deepened by US-led coalition intervention: Russia Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 4:57PM Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has accused the US-led coalition of having made no positive contribution to the counter-terrorism fight in Syria, but rather worsened the conflict gripping the Arab country. Speaking at a Defense Ministry meeting in Moscow on Tuesday, Shoigu stressed that Moscow had achieved its main objectives in Syria regarding the anti-terror battle. He further noted that the US-led alliance's assistance for Russia's Syria campaign "did not rate at a zero, but a negative score, and to my great regret we did not see this support." Shoigu's comments came two days after US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter claimed that the Russians had given "virtually zero" support to Washington in its alleged fight against Daesh militants in Syria and Iraq. The coalition's non-cooperation "required the exertion of all our forces, all our capabilities, deploying quite a serious grouping including aircraft carriers and others," the Russian official added. 'US-led strikes kill civilians in Syria' Separately on Tuesday, Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov said the coalition airstrikes did not have "any significant results" in Syria and caused a "considerable number of deaths among civilians and government troops." Russia's involvement in Syria "changed the course of fighting terrorism in Syria," Gerasimov added. On January 3, over 20 civilians lost their lives in a coalition air raid on the town of Sarmada in Syria's Idlib Province in violation of a nationwide ceasefire that took effect on December 30, 2016, he further pointed out. The official went on to say that the 2016 September airstrikes by the US-led alliance killed 62 Syrian soldiers and injured 100 others near Dayr al-Zawr Airport. Moscow launched its campaign against Daesh and other terror outfits in Syria at the Syrian government's request in September 2015. Its air raids have helped Syrian forces advance against foreign-backed militants wreaking havoc in the Middle Eastern state since 2011. This is while the US-led coalition has also been conducting airstrikes against what are claimed to be Daesh terrorists inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China 'firmly' opposes Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen US stopover Iran Press TV Mon Jan 9, 2017 9:13PM China has "firmly" voiced it opposition over meetings between Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and senior Republican officials during a visit to the US. "We firmly oppose leaders of the Taiwan region, on the so-called basis of a transit visit, having any form of contact with US officials and engaging in activities that interfere with and damage China-US relations," said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, on Monday. China's reaction came after Tsai met with senator Ted Cruz and Texas Governor Greg Abbott as she stopped in the US while on a Central America tour. Her office also confirmed that she had a phone conversation with US Republican Senator John McCain. "I was honored to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan today," said a statement released by Cruz. "We discussed our mutual opportunity to upgrade the stature of our bilateral relations in a wide-ranging discussion that addressed arms sales, diplomatic exchanges and economic relations." He noted that Houston area Congress members had received a "curious" letter from the Chinese Consulate asking that they refrain from meeting with Tsai. Tsai is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco on Friday before returning to Taiwan. She began her nine-day tour on Saturday with visits to Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador. At the time, US President-elect Donald Trump said he would not be meeting with her as it is "a little bit inappropriate" to meet anybody until he takes the oath of office. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be part of the mainland. China has warned Tsai against seeking independence while Beijing 2005 Anti-Secession Law authorizes the use of force against Taiwan if it formally secedes. 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. Washington cut diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 and acknowledged the Chinese position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan, Honduras reaffirm strong bilateral relationship ROC Central News Agency 2017/01/10 10:37:29 Tegucigalpa, Jan. 9 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () of Taiwan and President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras have reaffirmed the ties between the two countries and promised to take the bilateral relationship into a new era. In Honduras at the start of a four-country tour of Central American, Tsai said on Monday that her visit to Honduras and Hernandez's trip to Taiwan last October represent a "important watershed in our relationship." "It will develop further from existing friendly diplomatic ties to a steadfast relationship focused on trade and economy that will be mutually beneficial," Tsai said at a joint press conference following talks between the two leaders and several ministers. "Steadfast" is a new catchword used by the Tsai administration to describe the type of relationship it wants to maintain with Taiwan's allies. In Chinese, the term means "matter-of-fact" and "pragmatic." Also speaking at the press conference, Hernandez said bilateral ties are set to enter a new phase, in which "a focus on trade" will benefit the people of Taiwan as well as the people of Honduras. He called Tsai "the most respected, the favorite daughter of Honduras." During the talks, the two sides discussed cooperation in agriculture, tourism, textiles, agricultural product processing and assistance that Taiwan could provide to Honduras in its development of micro businesses, Hernandez said. Five highly competitive products, including potatoes, avocados and coffee, could be exported to Taiwan in the near future, he said. Tsai noted that Hernandez was the first foreign leader to congratulate her after she won the presidential election on Jan. 16 last year. On the first stop of her four-nation tour in Central America, Tsai said she was deeply impressed with the resilience, prosperity and vitality demonstrated by the Honduran society under Hernandez's leadership. The two sides have agreed on expanding an existing scholarship program to bring more Honduran students to study in Taiwan and promoting Taiwanese investment in the Central American country, she said. Earlier in the day, Tsai visited the Basilica de Suyapa, a major Catholic church in Tegucigalpa, accompanied by the Honduran president's mother, Elvira Alvarado, and his sister, Hilda Rosario Hernandez Alvarado. After the press conference, Tsai and her entourage boarded their chartered plane for the next stop -- Nicaragua. Tsai left Taiwan on Jan. 7 and is due back on Jan. 15 after also visiting Guatemala and El Salvador. (By Sophia Yeh and Jay Chen) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nicaragua reaffirms support for Taiwan's international participation ROC Central News Agency 2017/01/10 16:05:30 Managua, Jan. 9 (CNA) Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega reaffirmed his country's support for Taiwan's participation in United Nations-affiliated organizations and other international organizations, during a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen () in the capital of Nicaragua on Monday. He expressed gratitude to Tsai and the people of Taiwan, saying Nicaragua has long benefited from the mutual assistance and bilateral cooperation and that relations between the two countries have been growing in areas such as trade. Ortega said he was also grateful to Taiwan for providing assistance that met Nicaragua's needs. At a recent summit in Nicaragua of leaders in the Central American Integration System (SICA), Ortega said, his country stressed its commitment to strengthening relations with Taiwan. In his meeting with Tsai, he pledged that Nicaragua will continue to support Taiwan's participation in U.N.-affiliated organizations and other international organizations related to humanitarian assistance, public health, education, culture, civil aviation safety, environmental protection and climate change. "We will continue to fight for greater rights for Taiwan," he said. In response, Tsai said the support of the international community has helped Taiwan reach its current level of economic development and that Taiwan is willing to give back by helping other countries develop and improve the lives of their people. She said the four Central American countries that she is currently visiting are all Taiwan's long-term friends and Taiwan will do its best to help bring about rapid economic development in Central America. Tsai said she was pleased to be invited to Ortega's inauguration, at which she will convey in person the congratulations of the people of Taiwan. She also expressed the hope that her visit would help deepen the friendship between the two countries. During the meeting, which was also attended by Nicaragua's Vice President Rosario Murillo, Tsai thanked Nicaragua and Taiwan's other Central American allies for their support of Taiwan's efforts to participate in the international community. China, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory, often tries to squeeze Taiwan's international space. In a post on her personal Facebook page after the meeting, Tsai said she had invited Ortega to visit Taiwan and he had promised to consider doing so. In response to Ortega's proposal of increased exchanges under a free trade agreement with Taiwan, Tsai said Taiwan is transforming its economic structure and would welcome more bilateral exchanges and greater cooperation. Tsai is scheduled Tuesday to attend the inauguration of Ortega, who was reelected in November to a third consecutive term as president. Nicaragua is the second leg of Tsai's Central American tour, which also includes Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Tsai's meeting with Ortega shortly after her arrival in Managua was broadcast live on Nicaragua television and the Taiwanese reporters traveling with her were not invited to cover the meeting. Tsai's official itinerary, which was released to the Taiwan media before she departed Taiwan on Jan. 7, showed meetings with her counterparts in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador but not Nicaragua, an omission that Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang () said was deliberate to allow flexibility in terms of time. Tsai's visit to Nicaragua will end Wednesday after which she will fly to Guatemala and El Salvador before returning to Taiwan on Jan. 15, with a stopover in San Francisco en route. Tsai's nine-day state visit to Central America is aimed at consolidating ties with Taiwan's diplomatic allies there after the small West African island nation of Sao Tome and Principe broke relations with Taiwan on Dec. 20, 2016. (By Sophia Yeh and Elaine Hou) ENDITEM/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing-Taiwan Ties Deteriorate Amid US Policy Drifting Toward Self-Ruled Island Sputnik News 18:14 10.01.2017(updated 18:15 10.01.2017) Recent days have been marked by escalation in the already tense Beijing-Taiwan relations, as the island's independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen, currently on her Latin American tour, not only had a stopover in the United States but also met with US officials, to a well-expected displeasure of Beijing. MOSCOW (Sputnik) In case the United States continues drifting toward more engagement with Taiwan, the self-ruled island regarded in Beijing as its "inseparable province," the cross-strait relations risk becoming even tenser. STARTING POINT OF ESCALATION January 16 last year was a bad day for China the candidate from Taiwan's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party Tsai won a landslide victory in the presidential elections, bringing to an end the eight-year rule of Beijing-friendly Ma Ying- jeou from the Kuomindang party. President Ma's years in power were marked by Taiwan's rapprochement with China, with the launch of direct charter flights between China and Taiwan, opening of the island to mainland Chinese tourists, easing of restrictions on Taiwanese investments in mainland businesses. Ma also was the first Taiwanese leader since 1949 to meet his Chinese counterpart in Singapore in November 2015. At the same time, Tsai had in advance been regarded by Beijing as a threat to status-quo in cross-strait relations. Since 1949, when the Kuomindang forces were moved to Taiwan after being defeated by Mao Zedong's communists, Beijing has regarded the island as its breakaway province. In 1992, both sides of Taiwan strait reached a cornerstone consensus that there is only one China, though with tricky different interpretations, that allowed both Beijing and Taipei to agree that Taiwan belongs to China, while disagreeing on which one is China's legitimate governing body. However, this consensus presupposed that Taiwan would not seek formal independence. Upon being inaugurated on May 20 last year, Tsai failed to officially endorse the 1992 consensus, causing Beijing's outrage. Already in June 2016, Beijing cut off the diplomatic contact with Taiwan, citing president Tsai's refusal to endorse the concept of a single Chinese nation. "Tsai's win did not come as a surprise and Beijing had enough time to prepare for it. Thus, in my view, much of the outrage that Beijing expresses is manufactured in order to generate pressure on Taiwan, i.e. it is not that Taiwanese actions are overly provocative, or provocative at all, rather Beijing hopes that signaling tensions will 'scare' Taiwanese (possibly pressured by Americans) into giving in Beijing's demands especially regarding acquiescence to Beijing's understanding of 'One China'," Michal Thim, an expert on Taiwan at the Prague-based Association for International Affairs, told Sputnik. REVENGE BY TOURIST CUTS China used different tools to put pressure on Taiwan. First of all, China, where citizens must obtain permission from the government to go to Taiwan, unofficially cut off the number of tourists visiting the island. According to the figures of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, from May 20, the day of Tsai's inauguration, to December 27, the island saw a 36-percent decline in arrivals of Chinese tourists, compared to almost two million mainlanders who visited Taiwan during the same period of 2015. However, the Czech expert stressed that China-originated tourism had a quite marginal benefit for Taiwan's economy with 2016 numbers suggesting that drop in Chinese tourists has been compensated by an increase in tourism from other countries. In 2016, Taiwan's foreign visitors arrivals totaled 10 million, almost the same number as in the previous year. "Moreover, Chinese tourists have a rather unflattering reputation and much Taiwanese (except business that opted to rely exclusively on Chinese tourism) will welcome further cuts with cheer," Thim claimed. The expert's view correlates with the Taiwan Thinktank's October poll outcome. The institution polled the Taiwanese people on Chinese tourism and found out that 85 percent of them wanted to increase the inflow of tourists from other countries, while just 6 percent wanted more tourists from China. Last year, residents of the picturesque town of Sizihwan in Taiwan's south organized a protest threatening to seal themselves off after being overwhelmed by some 4,000 mainland tourists a day. In mid-summer, when numbers of China's tourists just started to decrease, Taiwanese Internet users launched an online parody advertisements campaign celebrating the drop in numbers of Chinese visitors with slogans like "Without Chinese tourists, it's now possible to relax in the most popular destinations" or "No more trouble caused by Chinese tourists; a carefree journey begins here." FIGHT FOR DIPLOMATIC RECOGNITION Since 1971, when the United Nations recognized the People's Republic of China as "the only legitimate representative of China to the UN", most countries switched their diplomatic recognition from Taiwan, officially called The Republic of China, to the People's Republic of China, however maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan through their de-facto diplomatic representations under the banners of trade or cultural offices. Currently, just 21 countries in the world, mostly in the Caribbean, Oceania and Central America, but also Vatican, maintain full diplomatic relations with the island, being mostly fared by Taiwan's generous development aid allocated to them in exchange for recognition. While during the previous Taiwanese leader's tenure the longstanding diplomatic competition between the mainland and China, often referred to as "checkbook diplomacy," cooled down, upon Tsai coming to power, Beijing redoubled its efforts on poaching the island's diplomatic allies. In December, in an image blow to Taiwan, the small nation of Sao Tome and Principe declared an end to its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan only to announce in a couple of days the reestablishment of diplomatic ties with China. According to an unnamed Taiwanese foreign affairs official, Sao Tome and Principe had asked Taipei for US$210 million in financial aid, which the country refused to provide. On the eve of Tsai's trip to Nicaragua, Hong Kong media reported that Nicaragua could become the next country to switch recognition in favor of China as it had already done in 1985 under Daniel Ortega. Taiwanese officials reportedly had difficulties in talks with their Nicaraguan counterparts in organizing Tsai's meetings while Ortega, again in power since 2006, was the only one among the leaders of four host countries who wanted to avoid a personal meeting with the Taiwanese leader. But on Monday, much to surprise and relief of Taipei, he held a meeting with Tsai shortly after she arrived in Managua. "The Chinese government could increase pressure on Taiwan by inducing some of Taipei's diplomatic partners to sever their diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establish formal ties with China, as Sao Tome did recently. Moreover, China could also take measures in the economic sphere, such as limiting Chinese tourist visits to Taiwan," Frans Paul van der Putten, senior research fellow and an expert on China within the Netherlands Institute of International relations Clingendael, told Sputnik, when asked what measures China could undertake to pressure Taiwan over exceedingly pro-independent moves. Thim, for his part, agreed that in the nearest future Beijing would stick to measures like blocking Taiwan's international participation and cutting tourist groups and possible poaching of another of existing diplomatic allies of Taiwan, but suggested that the latter two measures would have little impact. "'Stealing' diplomatic allies may generate very short shocking effect but many Taiwanese consider (even if unfairly) 'diplomatic allies' as a waste of financial resources," he said. CHINA'S DRILLS The Czech expert also suggested that China would probably conduct more military exercises with clear Taiwan-related purpose, such as amphibious landing drills and naval drills near Taipei-controlled offshore islands, while trying to give these exercises as much publicity as possible. "Theoretically Beijing could increase pressure on Taiwan's holding in South China Sea, it could also incite riots on the offshore islands near China's coast, like the islands of Jinmen and Mazu, where the population harbors more Beijing-friendly views than on Taiwan's main island. But these are measures that if undertaken, would cause great alarm across the region and Beijing could hardly pretend it is Taiwan and not China that creates troubles," the expert said. Last December, China conducted military drills with its sole aircraft carrier around Taiwan, saying that its air force and naval exercises were "routine". Judging by recent statements by unnamed Chinese military officials to Reuters, conducting war games near Taiwan remained one of the options along with a series of economic measures to cripple the Taiwanese if the island further "creates trouble". The Chinese sources did not elaborate concrete economic measures being considered to take down on Taiwan, but any restriction could prove harmful. Taiwan's exporters heavily rely on the mainland Chinese market and, according to Taiwan's bureau of foreign trade, mainland is Taipei's largest trading partner, accounting for almost 30 percent of the island's total trade volume. While in the beginning of 2016 Taiwan was hoping to join the US-championed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to benefit from access to the US markets, now these aspirations vanished amid the devolution of the TPP itself. THIRD PLAYER IN BILATERAL TIES According to experts, a lot in China's action toward its self-ruled "province" will depend on the US position. "If Sino-US relations become more tense in 2017 then this could lead to a further deterioration of the relationship between China and Taiwan," van der Putten claimed. The Dutch expert's comment's come as Trump has been casting doubt on the incoming US administration's commitment to the "one China" policy. Following election victory in December, in a break-up with a long-standing diplomatic tradition, Trump had a 10-minute telephone conversation with the Taiwanese leader, later described by Tsai as an "intimate and relaxed conversation". In response to the controversial move, China lodged a complaint with the US over the phone call. At the same time, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the conversation was "just a small trick by Taiwan," hinting at the lack of diplomatic protocol knowledge by the newly elected US leader, and expressing hopes that one call would not change US policy toward China. However, January 8 presented a further blow to Beijing. On that day, President Tsai en route to Taiwan's diplomatic allies Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras made a stopover in the US city of Houston, despite Chinese calls to block her from transiting through the United States. Moreover, Tsai met with Texas governor Greg Abbot and Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz for a "wide-ranging discussion that addressed arms sales, diplomatic exchanges, and economic relations," according to Cruz. Following the meeting, Cruz admitted that the Houston congressional delegation had received "a curious letter" from the Chinese consulate asking members of Congress not to meet with the Taiwanese leader, and to uphold the "one China" policy, while adding that "the Chinese do not give us veto power over those with whom they meet". In a well-anticipated response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry "strongly condemned" Tsai's meeting with the US officials, while a state-run Chinese newspaper The Global Times warned Trump that China would "take revenge" if the US steps away from the one-China policy. While Trump himself has ruled out meeting Tsai on her current trip, saying it would be "a little bit inappropriate" to do so before his inauguration, the Taiwanese leader may probably meet some other US officials when she stops in San Francisco on January 13 on her way back to Taiwan. According to Thim, it is yet impossible to say what policies concerning Taiwan and China Trump's administration will follow. "This is a proverbial million dollar question," he said when asked what decisions Trump would make concerning the issue. "There is a circle of advisors close to Trump that see relations with Taiwan as on equal footing to those with Korea or Japan. Trump has not exactly restricted himself from criticizing China on whole range of issues either. But Taiwanese are also aware that Trump's business-like approach may leave them as tradeable item. I see Taiwan getting more support from DC in short-term. Not only because of Trump's stance on China but also because Japan favors closer relations with Taiwan too. And I am sure that this prospect gives Beijing big headaches already," he elaborated. In the meantime, van der Putten suggested that the Trump administration could increase US arms sales to Taiwan. When in 1979 Washington switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing, it still maintained robust ties with Taiwan through the Taiwan Relations Act signed the same year, allowing among other things US arms sales to Taiwan. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, from 1979 to 2014 the US supplies counted for more than three-quarters of Taiwan's imported weapons. Whether or not US arms sales to Taiwan are to increase is yet to be seen, but military exchanges between the sides are certain to stay as one of the most worrisome factors for Beijing in 2017. On December 23, outgoing US President Barack Obama signed into law a defense bill that stipulates "a program of senior military exchanges between the United States and Taiwan," which was met by a loud protest from Beijing. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Actresses Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs celebrate the WB's 'Charmed' 150th episode cake cutting on the set at Paramount Studios on February 1, 2005. (Photo : Getty Images/Kevin Winter ) TV series from the late 90s to the early 2000s are making a huge comeback. Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham returned to Stars Hollow in Netflix's all new episodes of "Gilmore Girls" while Wentworth Miller is reprising his role as Michael Scofield in this year's "Prison Break" Season 5. The hit series "Charmed" is not behind on the trend as The CW has confirmed that the magical trio will return for a reboot. Advertisement It has been announced that The CW has ordered a "Charmed" reboot pilot for production. Unlike "Gilmore Girls" and "Prison Break," which retained its original cast members, the "Charmed" reboot is presumed to focus on a new cast. Although not a lot is revealed about the project, the show's original cast and diehard fans have expressed mixed reaction to the supposed project. Holly Marie Combs, who played Piper Halliwell in all eight seasons of "Charmed," wished the new generation well. Alyssa Milano, who played Phoebe Halliwell, sent love to the fans, saying "There are no fans like you. You're the best of the best." Milano also shared a throwback photo on Instagram with guest star Billy Zane. Rose McGowan, who joined the show after Shannen Doherty made her exit, said that the original four are "irreplaceable." According to TVLine, the "Charmed" reboot will not be connected to the original series starred by Combs, Milano, McGowan and Doherty. "At this point, it is a self-contained, self-sustained show. There is the power of three element in there, but at this time, it is a very standalone show," The CW president Mark Pedowitz revealed. The "Charmed" reboot will be set four decades, particularly in 1976, before the original series and will revolve around three witches who band together to fight an evil force in a small New England town. The magical trio are not blood sisters, contrary to the original "Charmed" series. The new characters include Tina, who is "reserved, even standoffish"; Paige, who is wholesome and "all-American"; and Annie, who is "intense, smart, and quick to anger." According to US Magazine, The CW has commissioned "Jane the Virgin" writers Jessica O'Toole and Amy Rardin to helm the story for the "Charmed" reboot. Turkey's pro-Kurdish party set to boycott vote on presidential powers Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:30PM Turkey's pro-Kurdish party is set to boycott a parliamentary vote on planned changes to the constitution that would envisage expanded powers for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ayhan Bilgen, a lawmaker and spokesman for the Peoples' Democratic Party, also known as the HDP, said on social networking website Twitter late on Monday that lawmakers would boycott a controversial new draft constitution in protest against the arrest of its lawmakers. "We will not use our vote for this illegitimate reform while our deputies are unjustly under arrest and prevented from carrying out their duties," Bilgen said. Selahattin Demirtas, one of the HDP's co-leaders, earlier denounced the debates from behind bars. Demirtas said the arrest of 11 members of the party had stripped them of their chance to challenge the draft constitution and "makes the debate and the vote controversial from the very start." Nearly a dozen HDP members of parliament are currently in jail for alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a "terrorist" organization On December 30, 2016, the draft law, submitted by the ruling Justice and Development Party, also known as the AKP, passed the parliament's constitutional commission. Turkey's parliament on Monday began debating the new constitution. Debate on the proposals is expected to last for two weeks and upon approval by the legislature, the reformed constitution will be put to a referendum before the spring. Supporters of the draft say such a law would enable the head of state to restore stability to the country, which has been shaken by terrorist attacks and a botched military coup in July 2016. Critics, however, denounce it as a means of restoration of the Ottoman era powers to Erdogan, whom they see as an authoritarian figure. The draft, if approved, would allow Erdogan to stay in office for two more terms until 2029, pave the way for the abolition of the post of prime minister, in which Erdogan himself served from 2003 until 2014, and enable the appointment of vice presidents. It will also empower the president to appoint and fire ministers. Other proposed amendments would increase the number of seats in the 550-member parliament to 600, reduce the minimum age of legislators from 25 to 18 and set parliamentary and presidential elections on the same day. The ruling AKP, which currently has 317 seats in the parliament, needs a majority of 330 out of the 550 seats available to call a referendum on the draft law. Critics have claimed the move is part of a power grab by President Erdogan but supporters say the presidential system is needed for efficient government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish MPs back debates on bill extending presidential powers Iran Press TV Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:59AM A new draft constitution long sought by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which will considerably enhance his remit, has passed its first parliamentary hurdle. The lawmakers started debating the draft on Monday. It was then put to its first vote at the 550-member legislature, with 338 supporting debates on the proposed 18-article constitution. The proposal needs the support of at least 330 deputies at the parliament to qualify for being put to national referendum. The ruling Justice and Development Party, which has been founded by Erdogan, has 316 deputies eligible to vote on the bill and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 39. The latter is widely known as the "AKP's lifeline," having repeatedly lent it political support at defining junctures. The first vote is largely viewed as a foretaste of how the bill will be treated throughout the rest of the debates, which comprise two readings and are expected to take some two weeks. If signed into law, the proposal will usher in a presidential system for running the country as opposed to the current parliamentary one. The system, also known as executive presidency, will allow the president to serve two five-year tenures. Erdogan could thus end up staying in office for two more terms until 2029, with the next elections scheduled for 2019. Under the new rules, the president can also take back the helm of the ruling party, and appoint and dismiss deputy presidents as well as ministers at will. Those in favor say it will spearhead the country's exit out of the current volatility, marked by sporadic terror attacks and the aftereffects of last July's failed coup. At Monday's debate, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim defended the mechanism, saying, "There needs to be one authority in the executive branch... Two captains sink the ship, there needs to be one captain." Opponents, though, say the proposed system heralds totalitarianism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish Troops to Receive First Batch of New MPT-76 Rifles on Wednesday Sputnik News 17:07 10.01.2017 Turkish forces will receive the first batch of domestically developed and produced MPT-76 assault rifles on Wednesday, local media reported Tuesday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The new rifles will be distributed to 500 Turkish troops by the manufacturer Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKEK), a company source told the Anadolu news agency. The MPT-76 rifle (National Infantry Rifle) was designed and produced by Turkey's state-owned MKEK in an effort to replace the Turkish army's aging arsenal of German Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifles. The MPT-76 was first tested by the army in 2014, when ground troops received a shipment of 200 rifles. Feedback and improvements followed. The rifle is expected to become the new standard army weapon in Turkey. It shoots 7.62 mm NATO rounds and is based on the US AR-15 rifle while using a gas piston system similar to that of Heckler & Koch weapons. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon hails importance of UK's defence network 10 January 2017 Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has praised the important work of the UK's growing defence network. At a meeting with British Defence Attaches, hosted in London, Sir Michael called on the UK's military diplomats to take advantage of the growing network to deliver security and prosperity for Britain. In a move which underlined the UK's global role, Sir Michael last year announced the creation of three new regional hubs for defence engagement. The new British Defence Staffs for the Gulf, Asia Pacific and West Africa are now established, allowing our personnel to advance the UK's important defence and security interests in their region. The new hubs will be based in Dubai, Singapore and Abuja. Britain last year also strengthened its commitment to NATO Allies and European partners by creating new Defence Attache posts in Albania, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Georgia. In Africa, 2016 saw the UK establish a new Defence Section covering Senegal, The Gambia, Mali and Niger. The expansion of the Ministry of Defence's overseas network delivers on a key commitment of the Government's 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). The SDSR increased the importance of defence engagement overseas, by making it a core defence task. Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: "The UK's 120 Defence Attaches work to protect and advance Britain's interests abroad, strengthening relationships with our allies and advancing defence and security partnerships." "Britain's new Defence Staffs are now up and running, underlining our global role, promoting the UK abroad and furthering security and prosperity at home." At the annual gathering in London, Sir Michael outlined his 2017 priorities to the Attaches. These include: 1. Pressing home the Coalition's advantage against Daesh, including pushing the group out of Iraq. 2. Continuing to strengthen NATO, underlining its position as the world's foremost defensive alliance. 3. Demonstrating the UK's commitment to European and global security. With a 178 billion equipment programme, the UK meets NATO's 2% target for GDP spending on defence. This year, Britain is leading NATO's 'spearhead force' - 3000 troops at high readiness, ready to respond to any threat. The UK will also deploy to Estonia in spring 2017, underlining our commitment to the defence of NATO. The UK has an extensive Defence Attache network, with over 120 DAs in 80 countries worldwide. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Intel's new technology covers speed of up to 5Gbps; T-Mobile plans to achieve 12Gbps speed Intel office premises seen with logo (Photo : Getty images/James Leynse) Intel is pushing its boundaries for the 4G infrastructure after unveiling a 5G modem that will attain speeds of over 5Gbps. The company marked the upcoming technology as "a milestone for the industry." According to Intel, the 5G modem carries a single chipset that relies on both millimetre-wave (mmWave) and sub-6GHz spectrum bands, Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), beam-forming technology, advanced channel coding, and 4G fallback. Advertisement According to ZDNet, MIMO technology sends multiple channels of data at the same time, allowing users to have outstanding performances simultaneously, while beam-forming technology uses antenna arrays to produce a beam where the user is. The modem also incorporates Intel's 28GHz 5G Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), as well as its 4G XMM 7360 LTE modem for 4G/5G interworking. Aicha Evans, corporate vice president and general manager of Intel's Communication and Devices Group, stressed the interest on the 5G technology because of its faster reception, as it combines multiple wireless high-speed and low-bandwidth technologies that opens communication across an array of wide range bands. "Today's communications systems weren't designed to accommodate the massive bandwidth required to support such an evolution, or the ultra-low latency needed to allow devices or even vehicles to react to split-second events," Evans said. According to Phone Arena, the 5G networks will enable fast transfers and streaming of high-resolution content because of the kind of bandwidth and extra-low latency it utilizes. This improvement allows smart devices and vehicles to react seamlessly to split-second events. "Our goal is to support both early trials and to lay a foundation enabling accelerated development of products that will support the 3GPP NR specification and help drive global adoption of the 3GPP 5G standard," Evans added. Beyond mobile connection, Intel's 5G modem is also compatible with autonomous cars, drones, robots, servers, base stations, networking equipment, and other internet-of-things devices. Aside from Intel, some American carriers have already pushed 5G technology into their architecture. Verizon has employed 5G equipment for fixed 5G service in ten cities, while AT&T builds a fixed 5G signal to stream its DirecTV Now service. In the future, T-Mobile plans to enter the 5G game in 2020, with initial tests achieving 12Gbps download speeds. South Korea, Samsung and Korea Telecom also plan to put 5G connectivity possible in the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics. An intruder robbed a 70-year-old Pelham, North Carolina, woman at her home on Wednesday morning. A man in his late 20s between 5-foot-10 and 6-feet tall forced open the front door of a home in the 5000 block of Old U.S. 29 around 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to a news release from the Caswell County Sheriffs Office. The suspect took the womans purse and prescription medication, the news release stated. The suspect also was wearing black gloves, a black mask and dark clothing. He was last seen running on Old U.S. 29. Sheriffs deputies believe he may have gotten into a vehicle and fled the scene. Capt. Frank Rose with the Caswell County Sheriffs Office said this is a separate incident from the purse snatching incident on Jan. 4 in Pelham. Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the Caswell County Sheriffs Office at (336) 694-9311 or Caswell County Crime Stoppers at (336) 694-5199. A study of how to fix salaries for employees of Pittsylvania County Schools is finished, school officials said Tuesday night. Assistant Superintendent for Administration Lillian Holland told school board members that partner Evergreen Solutions had completed the final chapter of the study Friday. The study seeks to improve, among other things, the starting salaries and salary scale for school system positions. Holland said the group analyzed all positions based on several factors, and offered solutions. Implementation would need to be done in one to two years, no more than three years, Holland said. School board members decided to meet with Evergreen on Feb. 2 to discuss the full details of the study. Emily Bett Rickards attends 'Arrow' Press Line during Comic-Con International 2016 at Hilton Bayfront on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Frazer Harrison) The mid-season finale of "Arrow" Season 5 broke a lot of hearts and dealt a particularly massive blow on Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak. As the show returns to The CW, Team Arrow will suffer the consequences of this event and might drive Felicity into a very dark path. Oliver mistakenly shoots down Felicity's new boyfriend Billy when he was tracking down Prometheus. Oliver was tricked into thinking that he was aiming his arrow at a man he believed to be Prometheus. It turned out that his target was Billy. His death leaves a deep scar on Felicity and will have a serious impact on the character's development as the show moves forward. Advertisement "One thing Felicity is not going to do, I can tell you for sure, is blame Oliver. She recognizes the manipulations that have led to this situation," Wendy Mericle told TVLine. "Her heart is broken in that last moment for Oliver and for Malone and for herself." While Felicity will not harbor any ill feelings toward Oliver, Billy's death will push Felicity into undergoing a drastic change. Moreover, she is expected to embark on a darker, dangerous path. It is speculated that Felicity will focus all of her anger and frustrations on finding Prometheus and ending his life. Her dangerously ambitious solo mission will make her more detached from Team Arrow. She might also meet people from her past who will help her with her new agenda. "It's the sum of a bunch of stuff, and Billy was sort of the final straw.... Felicity's been living in this darker world for the last four-plus years now and one of the things we're exploring is how much what Oliver and Diggle and Roy and Laurel have been doing as vigilantes affected her and affected her way of thinking about things," executive producer Marc Guggenheim told Collider. One of theories being suggested is that Felicity might follow her father's footsteps, who was known as the hacker named The Calculator. Using her skills with technology, Felicity is speculated to wipe out Star City of evil deed as a vigilante. To the editor: Republicans want to repeal and delay Obamacare and are hoping that the mere passage of a repeal plan will cause insurers to abandon the exchanges and destroy the Affordable Care Act. It will leave a lot of registered voters more than 20 million, including Republicanscompletely uncovered until the replacement plan passes if ever. Even worse theres a chance this it could destroy the entire individual health insurance market, not just the ACA. I truly think if Republican governors like their Democratic counterparts had set up exchanges and Medicaid expansion thus giving people more choices, especially the poor, and the greedy insurance companies had wanted their insurers to have good insurance, the ACA would have worked. But also the ACAs plan on the healthy insurers paying a little more to look after the sick ones just didnt work. The bones were good especially with the pre-existing clause and families keeping their insurance for their children up to age 26. I think a single-payer system would have worked better like it does in Canada. I have family there, and they claim it works for them. Why not in this country? Even though I am on Medicare I would be willing to pay a little more on my taxes to help people that dont have health insurance. Under a single-payer system everybody would have it and not be forced with a penalty to get it. Even if you lose your job, you would still have it. There would be uniform benefits for everybody. There would be enhanced prevention, and you can choose your doctor. It would end insurance industry interference and would reduce administrative waste and save money. There would be common-sense budgeting and reimbursements applied equally with public oversight and public ownership. No one would come between you and your doctor. I truly hope the GOP will use common sense in this matter and look after the ones that put them in office, not just the rich insurance companies who want it the way it used to beno preventive care and terrible policies that covered nothing. I would rather pay a little more for a good policy like the ACA-mandated ones than a cheaper ones that covers nothing. Under the ACA, my Medicare was even better that most people realize. Insurance companies were made to look after people, not just themselves. We are the only country that doesnt have good health insurance. This has to stop. ROBERT HAYDEN Blairs There are several ways Danville Utilities could cover the lost revenue from its upcoming waiver of online credit card fees, according to its director. The absorbed $3.75 credit and debit-card fee the city currently charges customers for paying their utility bills online will be factored into Danville Utilities 2017-18 budget, said Director Jason Grey. Fee waivers begin July 1 for a one-year trial period following a Jan. 3 vote from Danville City Council. The fee charged for residential customers will be absorbed by Danville Utilities something Councilman Fred Shanks pointed out would leave a gap in the utilitys budget of somewhere in the range of $87,000 to $150,000. Grey said he hopes to balance some of that deficit by encouraging paperless billing and automatic electronic payment of bills. During an interview last week, Grey pointed to other ways the gap could be filled, including possible reductions in operational costs and employee attrition. Older workers could retire and younger ones may be hired at a lower cost, Grey said. There are different areas to make it up, possibly, he said. Money could also come from utilities unrestricted fund balance, which accumulates money similar to a savings account, Grey said. He also hopes more transactions could lower the waived fees utilities would be absorbing. Representatives with Paymentus, Danville Utilities credit card processing company, told city officials they expect a 25 percent increase in the number of transactions with the fee waiver. Grey told City Council in December it would cost about $110,000 per year with the increase in use. There were 23,361 online transactions between April 2015 and March 2016, with the average amount $241 per person. Most online users are residential customers. Those online transactions represent about 10 percent of total residential transactions, Grey said in October. About 60 percent of public utilities that accept online credit card payments waive the fee, Grey told the commission in October. Grey said he hopes Danville Utilities upcoming new website will prompt more customers to pay their bills online rather than just writing a check and mailing it in. Our goal is to have that up and running this month, he said. Danville Utilities site is currently part of the citys website. City Finance Director Michael Adkins said he expects an increase in online payment transactions, especially among customers who get reward points for using their credit cards. The city is trying to survey customers to see if there is a strong need to also offer face-to-face credit card payment options in person at the Charles H. Harris Financial Service Center, Adkins said. City Councilman James Buckner expressed disbelief during a Dec. 20 City Council work session that the choice was not available for customers. Other payment options for customers include paying by phone through an automated payment system operated by Paymentus, paying by mail or paying by cash, check or money order in person at the center at 311 Memorial Drive. The center also has drive-thru service. With the start of the new year, Destination Downtown South Boston will begin SoBo Start-Up!, a six-week business development boot camp program for all levels of entrepreneurs. Participants can be individuals with new business plans or individuals with an established business who are seeking to revamp their future business plans or expand. The kickoff for SoBo Start-Up! will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday in the Southern Virginia Higher Education Foundation Board Room located in the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. Individuals curious to learn more about SoBo Start-Up! or obtain an application for the program should plan to attend. Destination Downtown South Boston is very fortunate to be one of five groups in Virginia to receive a Virginia Community Business Launch grant which Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced back in October, said Tamyra Vest, executive director of Destination Downtown South Boston (DDSB). These funds are a valuable resource, and SoBo Start-Up! will allow us to aid individuals who are working to bring their business to the town of South Boston. The Virginia Community Business Launch initiative was created to help localities with their efforts to foster a more robust entrepreneurial environment. A team comprised of DDSB members and representatives of the town of South Boston, the Longwood Small Business Development Center and the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce have been working for numerous weeks to get the program finalized and ready to share with the community. We already have about a half-dozen individuals weve been communicating with about the program, and we look forward to having them, as well as other interested entrepreneurs, attend on Thursday, said Vest. Well have other South Boston business owners at the event, and we hope the kickoff will give interested people a chance to ask questions, learn more and socialize. Following the kick-off event, budding entrepreneurs can apply to participate in classes that are set to begin on March 7. Classes will cover topics such as business plan and business pitch development, business operations, financials and marketing. The program culminates with a business competition at the end of April, at which time participants will present their business pitch and their full business plan to vie for a portion of the grant funds. The program can hold as many as 30 participants, and the goal at the programs completion is to have three new businesses open in the town of South Boston and at least five jobs created. Those planning to attend the kickoff on Thursday should call 434-575-4209 or visit www.downtownsobo.com to RSVP online. GREENSBORO, N.C. Consumers during the holidays were met with a barrage of deals from their favorite stores, enticing them with prices too good to pass up. Now, they are being bombarded with a different message from some of those same retailers: Were closing. Macys, The Limited, and Sears (which includes Kmart) have all announced in recent days that they are closing stores. The Limited is shuttering all its stores, including one at the Friendly Center, and Macys which also closed a number of stores last year plans to cut more than 10,000 jobs as it closes more than 60 stores across the country. However, neither the Macys nor Sears at the Friendly Center is closing, but Rockingham Countys last Kmart, in Madison, is. Its the natural cycle of retail. Stores open and stores close. But its not business as usual for so many retailers to close so many stores at once, according to Roger Beahm, executive director of the Center for Retail Innovation at Wake Forest University. There are cycles to these things, certainly, he said. But its also not normal to be shutting down stores if you are a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer. You dont plan on shutting down stores because that is taking you in the wrong direction relative to your growth plan. Some retailers, such as Macys, are choosing to funnel more of their money into their online business. The Cincinnati-based department store said last week that its latest round of closures will help generate annual expense savings of $550 million, allowing it to invest $250 million in its digital business and other growth strategies. Its a worthy investment, based on the latest holiday online figures. The 2016 holiday season brought in nearly $92 billion in online sales, an 11 percent increase over last year, according to Adobe Digital Insights, which tracks the online transactions of retailers across the country. And the industry and market research firm IBISWorld points to the rapid growth of e-commerce coupled with plummeting mall foot traffic as to why big-box retailers are closing more stores this year. For most operators in the $164.8 billion department stores industry, many store locations have become more valuable as real estate holdings than functional retail outlets, said IBISWorld analyst Madeline Hurley in a statement. She added that, as store sales continue to decline, online sales are expected to increase 12.2 percent this year, meaning many companies will shift their focus to their online segment in order to stay afloat. Beahm said shoppers today are becoming upwardly mobile, using their handheld devices much more frequently for shopping. As a result, he said retailers are learning to be more effective at reaching their customers through their digital platforms, and brick-and-mortar stores will decline in number. Beahm said online does not carry the same overhead costs as brick-and-mortar, thus retailers can offer better values to customers via online marketing. Struggle for relevance But online apparently isnt enough to save every retailer. The Limited, an Ohio-based womens store that had been a staple in malls across the country, closed all its locations this past weekend amid reports of an impending bankruptcy filing. The store sold career and casual clothing geared toward young women. For such stores, relevancy could be the real problem, Beahm said. He said the key is for retailers to stand for something relevant in the minds of consumers. If they lose that relevance, they lose business, he said. Beahm said a lot of retailers that were sharply positioned in their early days have lost that positioning. Closings not all bad Store closings inconvenience consumers because they may have to travel farther to shop at their favorite stores. But its not all bad news for them or the malls that are losing stores, Beahm said. Vacancies in malls and shopping centers create opportunities for other stores to move into those spaces, and Beahm said property owners will be aggressive at pursuing them. But the key is to rent those spaces to businesses that will complement the other retail tenants. Its not just to rent the space, Beahm said. Its to rent it to the right retailer that will create a win-win. TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan 11, 2017) - Copper Lake Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:CPL)(FRANKFURT:W0I) ("Copper Lake" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has completed a channel sampling, mapping, core assaying and prospecting program over the Billiton Main VMS prospect area within the Marshall Lake project area during the 2016 field program. Highlights: Channel sampling at Billiton Main Prospect yields: Up to 2.36 g/t Au, 60 g/t Ag, 1.61% Cu, and 4.20% Zn over 0.60m Up to 0.64 g/t Au, 286 g/t Ag, 3.05% Cu and 5.60% Zn over 0.80m Core assays from previous drilling at the Billiton Main Prospect of up to 28.70 g/t Au, 271 g/t Ag, 3.43% Cu and 6.05% Zn Grab samples from regional prospecting of up to 0.96 g/t Au, 23 g/t Ag and 1.15% Cu at the VTEM-005 target Grab sampling of up to 4.05% Zn from the VTEM-008 target Copper Lake Interim CEO Terry MacDonald stated that "The 2016 compilation program has outlined a number of new gold targets. Subsequent prospecting, channel sampling and the assaying of historical core has confirmed the presence of significant gold mineralization in a number of new zones over a wide area within the Marshall Lake property as well as significant gold assays from the historically tested Cu-Zn Billiton Main target. The presence of gold mineralization, hitherto unrecognized, as well as the known Cu-Zn mineralization associated with the VMS system will be the focus of our exploration program in the coming months". During 2016 Copper Lake completed a data base compilation of all historical exploration work on the Marshall Lake project area including drilling, surface sampling and geophysical VTEM, IP and magnetic surveys. The compilation and interpretation completed resulted in the out-lining of a number of VTEM anomalies and several gold mineralized structures as well as geological zones not previously explored. The compilation outlined a zone of gold mineralization within the Cu-Zn VMS Billiton Main Zone. The 2016 field program conducted in October and November was designed to test the potential of gold mineralization at the Billiton Main Zone with channel sampling as well as the re-assay of historical drill core not previously assayed as well as the ground truth a number of VTEM anomalies defined. The 2016 field program included the collection of 42 samples from 8 continuous channels at the Billiton Main Zone and 22 grab samples from the regional follow-up program. The core assay program of historical drill core from the Billiton Main Zone totaled 217 samples from 216.78m of core from previously un-sampled core. Final results of compilation and interpretation from "plate modelling" of VTEM anomalies conducted as part of the 2016 program are pending. To view Figure 1: Marshall Lake: Prospect Location Map, please visit this link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/X82343.pdf Billiton Main Zone Field mapping outlined a number of outcrops at Billiton Main located over a strike length of ~350m showing strong folding, some shearing and high strain zones with sericite-silica-chlorite alteration. Structures are oriented roughly East-West and fold hinges plunge ~40 to the east. Disseminated to massive sulphides occur with quartz veining, with many of the sulphide zones being folded and deformed. The quartz veins are also folded and boudinaged. Channel samples were designed to test for gold mineralization associated with the sulphides and quartz veins. Significant channel sampling results are included in Table 1. Table 1: Billiton Main Zone: 2016 Significant Channel Sampling results Channel From To Length Au Ag Cu Zn # Metres Metres Metres (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) ML-03 0.00 5.00 5.00 0.61 39 0.83 1.29 contains 4.40 5.00 0.60 2.36 60 1.61 4.20 ML-04 0.00 0.80 0.80 0.64 286 3.05 5.60 The sampling of historical core from the Billiton Main Zone was mostly conducted on zones of quartz veining and quartz-sericite alteration, as sulphide rich zones had been previously been sampled in the testing for Cu-Zn VMS mineralization. The half core samples were designed to test for gold and silver mineralization in structures and quartz veins away from the main sulphide rich lenses. Significant gold and silver assay results from historical core are summarized below in Table 2. Table 2: Billiton Main Zone: 2016 Historical Core Re-Assay Program Drill Hole From To Length Au Ag Cu Zn # Metres Metres Metres (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) MAR-06-03 38.25 39.00 0.75 1.22 123 2.07 3.74 MAR-06-04 38.45 38.80 0.35 28.70 150 3.43 1.98 MAR-06-06 46.00 46.30 0.30 2.15 8 0.10 1.98 MAR-06-09 82.00 84.00 2.00 2.70 239 0.84 5.01 including 82.00 83.00 1.00 4.04 271 0.93 3.95 MAR-06-10 84.00 85.00 1.00 1.08 63 0.54 6.05 To view Figure 2: Billiton Main Zone Location, please visit this link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/X82343.pdf Regional Prospecting VTEM-005 Prospecting was conducted over the area covering the VTEM anomaly #005 defined by the 2008 VTEM survey. The target is located some 1.5km to the west of the Billiton Main Zone. Felsic volcanics were seen to host minor sulphide stringer and quartz-sericite-chlorite alteration however as the centre of this VTEM is located under a swampy area it would appear that the main anomaly was not tested by sampling. Significant results of up to 0.96g/t Au and 1.15% Cu were returned from sampling distal to the VTEM anomaly (Table 3). Further follow-up work recommended as the anomaly has not been historically tested. Table 3: VTEM-005 Target: 2016 Significant Grab Sampling Results Prospect Sample Sample Au Ag Cu Zn Area # Type (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) VTEM-005 S125604 Grab 0.09 8 0.81 0.06 VTEM-005 S125606 Grab 0.96 23 1.15 0.03 VTEM-008 Prospecting over the area defined by VTEM anomaly #008 identified a surface expression of stringer style mineralization containing chalcopyrite and sphalerite in felsic volcanics. The anomaly is located some 2km north of the Teck Hill Zone which hosts VMS style mineralization. The sampled outcrop is approximately 290 metres from the centre of the VTEM anomaly. Grab sampling of significance are included in Table 5. Results indicate that this previously untested anomaly requires additional follow up. Table 4: VTEM-008 Target: 2016 Significant Grab Sampling Results Prospect Sample Sample Au Ag Cu Zn Area # Type (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) VTEM-008 S120971 Grab 0.09 24 0.02 2.68 VTEM-008 S120972 Grab 0.01 2 0.02 3.16 VTEM-008 S120973 Grab 0.05 7 0.07 4.05 Quality Assurance and Quality Control Program Field samples were collected under the supervision of an independent contract project geologist, Craig Fitchett P.Geo. of Orix Geoscience. Channel and chip samples were collected to sample distinct geological and alteration units. Channels were cut using a mechanical "core saw". Drill core was sawn in half using an electrical core saw with the same half sampled, with a maximum core length of 1.5m and a minimum of 0.3m sampled. Samples were delivered to ALS-Chemex in Thunder Bay with certified standards and blanks, dried and crushed to 70% passing 2mm. A split of 3kg is pulverized to 85% passing -75um (200#). Gold was assayed by Fire Assay with a 50g charge and an AAS finish (AA-AA26). Other elements including Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn in a 33 element suite, were analysed after undergoing a four acid digestion and analysis by ICP-AES (ME-ICP61a). Assay results undergo precision and accuracy checks prior to being entered into the database. The content of this press release has been reviewed by Gary O'Connor, MAusIMM, a director of Copper Lake Resources. About Copper Lake Resources Copper Lake Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded Canadian company currently focused on advancing two significant properties located in Ontario, Canada: The Marshall Lake VMS copper, zinc, silver and gold property is an advanced exploration stage property located 120 km north of Geraldton, Ontario via good all weather gravel road from the Trans-Canada Highway and just 22 km north of the main CNR rail line. Copper Lake currently has a 68.75% interest in the property and has the option to increase its interest to 75% by incurring additional expenditures of $670,000 by July 15, 2017. The Company can further increase its interest to 87.5% by taking the project to bankable feasibility stage. The Norton Lake nickel, copper, PGM property (69.79%) is located approximately 100 km north of the Marshall Lake property. On behalf of Copper Lake Resources Ltd. Terrence MacDonald, Interim CEO The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address such matters as future exploration, drilling, exploration activities, potential mineralization and resources and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors of which are beyond the reasonable control of the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include such matters as market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Any forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and subject to change after that date. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan 11, 2017) - Tudor Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE:TUD)(FRANKFURT:TUC) (the "Company" or "Tudor Gold") is pleased to report on the final results of its 2016 field exploration program on the Electrum Property, in the "Golden Triangle" area near Stewart, B.C. Background The Electrum project is a 60:40 joint venture between Tudor Gold (as operator) and American Creek Resources Ltd. ("American Creek"). The Electrum property is located directly between the past producing Silbak Premier mine some 25 km south and Pretium Resources' Brucejack deposit some 20 km to the north (currently under development with production targeted for 2017). Within that same area are several other past producing mines as well as new projects undergoing exploration. One small area of the Electrum property itself includes the site of the historic East Gold mine which was mined by hand between 1939 and 1965, and which produced 3,816 oz of gold and 2,442 oz of silver from 45 tons of hand selected ore (BC Ministry of Mines Assessment Report 30206); mining operations ceased with the unfortunate and untimely death of the mine operator. More recently, the Scottie Gold mine operated from 1981 to 1985 approximately five kilometers from the Electrum property. The current owners of the Scottie Gold mine, Rotation Minerals Ltd., note on their website that the mine "milled vein material averaging 16.20 g/t gold, producing 2,967,748 grams of gold (95,426 ounces gold) from 183,147 tonnes of mineralization" (these historic production values have not been independently verified by Tudor Gold). Tudor Gold was attracted to the Electrum property by the presence of a complex system of mineralized fault structures within which are networks of gold and silver bearing quartz veins. The gold and silver typically occurs within these veins as electrum, a naturally occurring amalgam of both metals. The complexity of both the fault structures and the vein networks make it very difficult to specifically target the veins of gold and silver bearing materials using conventional surface-based exploration techniques such as diamond drilling or magnetotelluric surveys. With that in mind, Tudor Gold set out to develop an exploration program which includes sub-surface exploration techniques and which targets mineralization rather than just vein structures. In this way, Tudor Gold will gain a better and more useful understanding of the overall geology of the property. The success of the East Gold mine demonstrates that the mineralized fault material is accessible using conventional underground mining systems and practices. The cost of either rehabilitating the East Gold mine or opening new adits is, however, prohibitive at this stage of the project's development. Tudor Gold is instead focused on a scalable bulk sampling program which would, if warranted, conclude with the development of an open-cut mine of sufficient size to generate both a return for shareholders and financing for further exploration on the property. As with other properties in this area of the "Golden Triangle", an open-cut mine could be carried out in association with related conventional underground mining. Tudor Gold's exploration programs and long-term planning take into account two of the key economic advantages of the Electrum property; it is within 4 kilometers of a power-line, and the property is adjacent to an established haul road leading to the bulk terminal and deep-water port at Stewart, B.C. 2016 Exploration Program The exploration program achieved the following three goals set for the 2016 field season: 1. Diamond drilling aimed at furthering the exploration work previously carried out by American Creek, 2. Trench sampling of a newly discovered mineralized surface exposure in what is now referred to as the "New Blast Zone", and 3. Collection and analysis of a 4 tonne bulk sample from the New Blast Zone. In addition to the work aimed at achieving these goals, work carried out during the 2016 field season included the construction of temporary (removable) bridges and the stabilization and improvement of road access to ensure safe and efficient access to the property. 2016 Diamond Drilling Nineteen drill holes totaling 1,406 meters were completed. A total of 1492 core samples were collected and assayed. The 2016 drilling program was carried out to extend and expand on the drilling programs carried out by American Creek in previous years. The results of the 2015 American Creek drilling program included these findings previously released by American Creek: Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) EL15-02 9.0 10.0 1.0 1.04 78.0 EL15-03 16.5 17.5 1.0 6.09 242.0 EL15-04 32.0 33.0 1.0 6.76 38.0 EL15-05 28.0 29.0 1.0 1.31 189.0 35.0 36.0 1.0 6.93 62.0 EL15-07 13.0 14.0 1.0 14.65 22.0 14.0 15.0 1.0 6.59 461.0 35.0 36.0 1.0 3.47 58.0 EL15-08 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.05 89.0 One of the key goals of both the American Creek and Tudor Gold drilling programs was to confirm that mineralized exposures visible on the surface carried on at depth below the surface. The results of these drilling programs do suggest that, as expected, mineralization carries on at depth. Of particular interest, holes TG16-13-UTM, TG16-14-UTM, and TG16-15-UTM reveal sub-surface mineralization in the area generally below the newly identified "New Blast Zone". Because of the complexity of the fault structures in this area, however, Tudor Gold is currently unable to state with the certainty required by NI 43-101 that the sub-surface mineralization confirms the presence of an unbroken, continuous zone of mineralization linking these drill holes with the surface mineralization. Trench Sampling As noted in a press release issued September 12, 2016, a trenching program was carried out on the New Blast Zone. The program targeted a vein system which is infilled with a fine-grained blackish, blue-grey mineralization. The structure includes wide sharp edged quartz fragments in a foliated sulphide-quartz-carbonate matrix; the sulphides are pyrite, pyrrhotite, with thin galena/silver seams. Twelve representative specimens were collected across the vein structure. Assays of those specimens yielded averages of 3,461.92 grams (111.30 oz) silver per tonne and 2.24 grams gold per tonne. Complete results of the trench sampling may be found in the noted press release on the Tudor Gold website at www.tudor-gold.com. Four Tonne Bulk Sample Following the success of the trench sampling program, a 4 tonne bulk sample was collected from the New Blast Zone. The sample was collected utilizing localized blasting resulting in an exposed face of approximately 120 square meters, and a total rubble pile of approximately 600 cubic meters, from which was selected approximately 4 tonnes of representative material. The collected bulk material was then crushed to a size of "3 inch minus" using a crusher at a quarry in Mission, British Columbia. The crushed material was then provided to ALS Global's metallurgical laboratory ('ALS') in Kamloops, BC for metallurgical processing and testing. The processing included the use of rod and ball mill grinding followed by both floatation and gravity separation. The resultant material was then analyzed in four separate test runs over four consecutive days. The overall results of the analysis are set out in the following table: Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) PB (%) Zn (%) Sulphur (%) 2.82 539 1.96 1.97 13.8 As with the trenching program, Tudor Gold is very encouraged by these results. A complete description of the processing and testing employed by ALS will be added to the Tudor Gold website at www.tudor-gold.com. 2017 Exploration Program Tudor Gold is satisfied that the results of the 4 tonne bulk sample program, together with all previous exploration work on the property, justifies scaling up the exploration program on the Electrum property. Tudor Gold is satisfied that all of these results justify long-term planning based on an assumption that currently known mineralization on the property has the potential to support a modest sized open-cut mine that can be scaled up as further exploration dictates. Subject to obtaining all necessary permits and financing, the current plan for the 2017 field season is to carry out the largest possible bulk sample program along with an as yet to be determined amount of diamond drilling. The anticipated bulk sample program will utilize commercially available mining equipment commonly used in open-pit mining. Blasting will be carried out with the use of track-mounted drills, and on-site crushing will be carried out with the use of track-mounted crushers. It is anticipated that crushed, mineralized material will be hauled to Stewart and from there it will be transported to an appropriate smelter for final processing. Walter Storm, President and CEO, stated: "We are very pleased with the results of the work on the Electrum this summer. Not only have we confirmed and increased the known mineralized gold and silver zones, we have also begun to develop a much better understanding of the geology of the property and we are satisfied that we have a proper basis for expanding our exploration program." The Qualified Person for this Press Release, about the Electrum property, is James McCrea, P. Geo. for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Walter Storm, President and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please visit the company's website at www.tudor-gold.com. Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. All statements including, without limitation, statements relating to the potential mineralization and geological merits of the Electrum property and other future plans, objectives or expectations of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertain ties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Note: 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. Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2017) - Carube Copper Corp. (TSXV: CUC) announces that pursuant to its press release of September 21, 2016, the company has finalized a definitive agreement with OZ Minerals Ltd. to acquire 100% of OZ Minerals' holdings in Jamaica, which include: OZ Minerals' 70% interest in the Bellas Gate Joint Venture licenses covering 84 square km; and OZ Minerals' 100% interest in five other licences covering 276 square km. Subject to the impending transfer of the licenses by the mining authorities, Carube Copper will then own a 100% interest in eleven licences covering over 535 square km (subject to underlying royalties). These licences cover the best copper-gold prospects identified to date by Carube and OZ Minerals in Jamaica. Jeff Ackert, President and CEO of Carube Copper comments: "The signing of the final agreement now paves the way for Carube Copper to fund our own exploration and/or enter partnerships for exploration on any of our 100% owned copper and gold licenses. We have already received serious interest in these assets and we are reviewing a number of strategic alternatives. We are very pleased to see this enthusiasm in the geology and copper mineralization on our Jamaican package and the fact that we have high priority targets ready to drill." To view an enhanced version of Carube Copper's Exploration Licences in Jamaica, please visit: [http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/24457_a1484142256347_26.jpg] Carube Copper's Exploration Licences in Jamaica During OZ Minerals' tenure at the Bellas Gate JV, over 14,000 metres of drilling was completed on 11 of the more than 20 prospects at Bellas Gate. Additional work was completed, including: high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys, 46 line kilometres of Induced Polarization (IP) surveying, geochemical soil sampling which included analysis of 4,000 soil samples and geological mapping which included assaying of over 400 rock samples. Carube Copper and OZ Minerals systematically investigated the myriad of copper porphyry prospects on the Bellas Gate property. Of those showings, 12 targets were drilled with 6 of them having intersected significant porphyry copper/gold mineralization; examples of each are summarized below including the corresponding graded copper equivalent (CuEq). Provost: Hole PVT-16-002 339m of 0.34% CuEq (0.28%Cu, 0.12 g/t Au), including 10m of 1.79% CuEq (1.28%Cu, 0.90 g/t Au) Connors: Hole CON-14-005 --294m of 0.56% CuEq (0.41%Cu, 0.27 g/t Au), including 96m of 1.00% CuEq (0.67%Cu, 0.58 g/t Au) Geo Hill: Hole GOH-14-001-- 220m of 0.28% CuEq (0.24%Cu, 0.07 g/t Au), including 40m of 0.41% CuEq (0.33%Cu, 0.14 g/t Au) Hendley: Hole HEN-15-003 -- 261m of 0.26% CuEq (0.22%Cu, 0.07 g/t Au), including 24m of 0.45% CuEq (0.39%Cu, 0.11 g/t Au) Mab Hill: Hole MAB-15-001 -45m of 0.27% CuEq (0.20%Cu, 0.11 g/t Au) Camel Hill: Hole CH12-007 -- 207m of 0.35% CuEq (0.27%Cu, 0.15 g/t Au), including 20m of 0.66% CuEq (0.46%Cu, 0.35 g/t Au) *The intervals do not necessarily indicate true width of mineralization, as their geometry is not known. Copper equivalents are calculated using a US $3.00/lb. copper and a US$1200 per ounce gold price assuming unlimited internal dilution and 100% recovery of both metals. Note: full details of results previously published at www.carubecopper.com/projects/jamaica/bellas-gate.htm Under the terms of the final agreement: 1. In relation to the Bellas Gate Project, Carube will: pay OZ Minerals $8,500,000 within one year of commencement of commercial production; pay a further $4,000,000 within two years of commercial production; and grant OZ Minerals a 2% NSR with a buy-back of 2/3 of the NSR for $1.3M with royalty payments capped at $20M. 2. In relation to the five OZ Minerals licenses, Carube will: pay OZ Minerals $1,500,000 within a year of commencement of commercial production on any of the five licenses (one-time payment); and grant OZ Minerals a 2% NSR with a buy-back of 1/2 of the NSR for $0.5M on any of the licenses. In other corporate matters, the company announced that it has awarded 473,750 Restricted Share Units to certain officers and consultants under the corporate RSU/DSU Plan. The Units will vest in January 2018 at which time they will be convertible into common shares on a one for one basis. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts Jeff Ackert, President and CEO 1-613-839-3258 jackert@carubecopper.com Vern Rampton, Executive VP of Corporate Development 1-613-839-3258 vrampton@carubecopper.com Alar Soever, Chairman 1-705-682-9297 asoever@carubecopper.com www.carubecopper.com QP Statement: This press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Vern Rampton, P. Eng. in his capacity as a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101. Carube Copper Corp. (TSXV: CUC) is a Canadian exploration company focused on the exploration and development of copper and gold projects in Jamaica and Canada. In Jamaica, Carube Copper holds a 100% interest in 11 licenses, totalling 535 square kilometres. In Canada, it holds a 100% interest in three porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum properties, totalling 593 square kilometres within the Tertiary-aged Cascade Magmatic Arc in southwestern British Columbia. Exploration continues on these properties with the goal of joint-venturing them to larger exploration and mining companies. Carube Copper continues to seek opportunities in Canada and the Caribbean for acquisition and development. DISCLAIMER & FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Carube Copper Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors which cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements". IMPORTANT NOTICE: By reference herewith, Carube Copper incorporates into this release the entire disclaimer set forth on its website at http://carubecopper.com/disclaimer.htm VANCOUVER, Jan. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Rathdowney Resources Ltd. ("Rathdowney" or the "Company") (TSXV: RTH) announces that it plans to complete a private placement of up to approximately 26,315,790 units ("Units") of the Company at a price of $0.19 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for proceeds of up to approximately $5 million (the "Offering"). Each Unit shall consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.24 per Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of closing of the Offering. The Units, Shares and Warrant Shares will be subject to applicable resale restrictions, including a four month hold period from date of closing of the Offering under applicable Canadian securities laws. Completion of the Offering is subject to regulatory approval, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Proceeds will be used to advance Polish permitting activities and further refine mining engineering work to progress the Company's Olza zinc-lead-silver project towards feasibility and completion of permit licensing, as well as for general corporate working capital purposes. About Rathdowney and Project Olza Rathdowney Resources Ltd. is focused on advancing Project Olza through permitting and into production. Project Olza is located in the Upper Silesian Mining District of southwestern Poland, a world-class region of Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead deposits with well-developed mining infrastructure. A railway line through the Olza project-area provides direct access to smelters in Europe and to tidewater to reach off-shore facilities. Strong potential financial returns are indicated for a 6,000 tpd low-cost, bulk-tonnage underground operation and conventional treatment facility, producing two clean, low-iron, marketable concentrates (Preliminary Economic Assessment)1. In addition, extensive property-wide historic drilling by the Polish State as well as recent drilling by Rathdowney have shown excellent potential to expand mineral resources2 to support a long-life mine. David Copeland, PEng., Chairman of Rathdowney and a qualified person as defined under NI43-101, has reviewed the technical information in this release. On behalf of the Board of Directors David Copeland Chairman 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. 1 For additional details, see Rathdowney's April 20, 2015 news release and December 31, 2014 Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report which is filed at www.sedar.com. 2 Current mineral resources: 24.4 million tonnes of inferred @ 7.02% Zn+Pb (5.53% Zn, 1.49% Pb) estimated at a 2.0% Zn cutoff; Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Historical estimate (1990) Zawiercie I & II: 77 Mt @ 6.15% Zn+Pb by the Polish State Geological Institute (PSGI) from PSGI 1992 report based on the Polish resource classi?cation system, which is very similar to the Soviet classi?cation system. A QP has not done sufficient work to classify the estimate as current mineral resources and the Company is not treating it as current. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: the Olza project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and development of the Olza project will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, potential environmental issues and liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com. Information Concerning Estimates of Inferred Resources This news release uses the term "inferred mineral resources". Rathdowney Resources Ltd. advises investors that although these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations (under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. In addition, "inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and 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 pre-feasibility studies, or economic studies except for Preliminary Economic Assessment as defined under 43-101. Investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. SOURCE Rathdowney Resources Ltd. Avengers: Infinity War updates: Filming to begin in Scotland; Which characters are joining the massive film Actors Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth, who play Hulk and Tgor respectively, onstage at Marvel's Hall H Panel for 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron' during Comic-Con International 2014 on July 26, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Albert E. Rodriguez) New developments for "Avengers: Infinity War" has been revealed. Now that Chris Hemsworth has completed filming for "Thor: Ragnarok," the main "Avengers" lineup is now ready to film the third "Avengers" movie. Reports confirm that "Avengers: Infinity War" will begin filming in Edinburg and Glasgow Scotland in February. The filming, which is expected to last for six months, will begin on Feb. 28, The Telegraph reported. Advertisement "Avengers: Infinity War" will be the largest film project ever to be filmed in Scotland, dwarfing Brad Pitt's zombie thriller "World War Z." The colossal film is expected to boost Scotland's economy by 10 million, The Daily Record reported. "World War Z," on the other hand, generated a 3.33million boost to Scotland's economy in a matter of 17 days of filming. "It's a massive boost for the Scottish film industry. As is normal, Disney have been keeping everything top secret, but executives have been scouting locations across Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Highlands," a source reveals. Having "Avengers: Infinity War" film in Scotland offers big opportunities for small businesses. Bars and restaurants in Glasgow and Edinburgh will be preparing to cater to the production cast and crew, as well as the hordes of tourists who will be stopping by Scotland to do some star-spotting. Robert Downey, Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlet Johansson, Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo are expected to arrive in Scotland soon. Marvel has also confirmed that Benedict Cumberbatch will reprise his role as Doctor Strange in "Avengers: Infinity War." Liv Tyler will also join the movie. Although her character hasn't been revealed yet, it is presumed that she will return as Betty Ross, the love interest in Edward Norton's 2008 "The Incredible Hulk." Scottish actress Karen Gillian is also on board as the super villain Nebula. Characters from other Marvel movies are also expected to appear in "Avengers: Infinity War" such as Josh Brolin who played Thanos in "Guardians of the Galaxy." Anthony Mackie's The Falcon and Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther are also rumored to take part. "Avengers: Infinity War" has been set for a tentative release date of April 25, 2018. FM Sameh Shoukry's two-day visit will include meetings with German ministers and parliamentary figures as well as interviews with German media Egypt's Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry heads to the Berlin for a two-day visit on Wednesday to meet with German ministers and parliamentary figures, and hold interviews with German media, a Tuesday foreign ministry statement read. Shoukry will discuss with a number of high officials regional issues including the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Iraq, as well as the Palestinian cause. The FM will present Egypt's position on political settlements to end the crises in these countries, emphasising the importance of allowing those populations to determine their own fates without external pressure or interference. Shoukry will also discuss Egypt's role in combating illegal immigration, which according to the statement is "an important issue for the German side as the issue has major consequences for European societies." The visit will include meetings with Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Undersecretary for Foreign and Security Policy Christoph Heusgen, Minister of Interior Thomas de Maiziere and Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel. Shoukry will also meet with the German Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Alexander Dobrindt, minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Muller, parliamentary group leader of the ruling CDU/CSU faction Volker Kauder, and Vice President of the Bundestag Edelgard Bulmahn. The Egyptian foreign minister will also sit for interviews with a number of prominent German media outlets. The visit "puts into practice Egypt's vision of opening up to its main partners on regional issues of concern," the statement read. "The scheduled meetings, although the visit is short, reflect Germany's appreciation of Egypt as a regional partner with whom it would like to enhance its relationship," the statement added. Egypt and Germany have strengthened economic and political ties over the past few years. In November, the first German air flight arrived at the Sharm El-Sheikh airport, putting an end to the European country's one-year travel ban to the Red Sea resort city after a Russian passenger plane crashed near the city in 2015. In 2015, German company Siemens signed an eight billion euro ($9.05 billion) deal with Egypt to build gas and wind power plants. Germany has also begun supplying Egypt with submarines, delivering in 2016 a submarine built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Two more submarines destined for Egypt are currently under construction. Search Keywords: Short link: Amid ongoing investigations into how Russia may have used cyberhacking to influence the 2016 presidential election, the Obama administration added the nations elections systems to the list of critical infrastructure.The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision, which was announced last Friday, is meant to ensure that elections systems -- which include voting machines, storage facilities and voter registration databases -- are a high priority for federal cybersecurity assistance and protections.The need for heightened safeguards became clear last year when the FBI found that hackers infiltrated voter registration databases in Arizona and Illinois. In both cases, state officials later verified that voter information had not been altered. But in the case of Illinois, a hacker was able to steal personal information from nearly 90,000 voters.The decision to add elections systems to the list has caused confusion and concern among the state and local officials who handle U.S. elections.In a statement released on Monday, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) said, "While we recognize the need to share information on threats and risk mitigation in our elections at all levels of government, as we did throughout the 2016 cycle, it is unclear why a critical infrastructure classification is now necessary for this purpose."David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, agrees.DHS and the federal government absolutely has access to [cybersecurity] resources that a state wouldnt possess, he said. That being said, those were largely already being shared with the states before this designation ever occurred.Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill, the president of NASS, said during a press call on Monday that she worries increased federal involvement could bring harm to the elections system by adding an unnecessary layer of bureaucratic oversight and by centralizing an inherently local -- and decentralized -- system.But in his announcement of the designation, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson stressed that the feds will only offer cybersecurity assistance to those who request it.This designation does not mean a federal takeover, regulation, oversight or intrusion concerning elections in this country, he said in the statement. This designation does nothing to change the role state and local governments have in administering and running elections.There are currently 16 sectors and 20 subsectors of critical infrastructure. Similar to elections, many of them are largely run by state and local governments -- a fact that DHS thinks should calm some of their concerns."If you talk to the electric sector, if you talk to the water sector, they can tell you this is very much a partnership, where we are not dictating anything," said Caitlin Durkovich, DHS assistant secretary for infrastructure protection. "We are helping bring to light the threats and hazards that could impact a particular infrastructure."Some, however, are skeptical of those assurances.Christy McCormick, a member of the bipartisan U.S. Election Assistance Commission, opposes the designation. She wonders whether the states and localities that choose not to request assistance will still receive the same important security information -- both classified and unclassified -- from the federal government. If not, then she questions the extent to which the assistance is really voluntary. McCormick also wants to know if DHS assistance will require states to conform to any federal security standards.Leading up to last weeks announcement, state and local elections officials had tried to clarify what the designation would do and how it would be different from what DHS already provides.We kept asking for something in writing, said Merrill of NASS. And we never got that.Unlike laws and regulations, a designation of this kind doesn't require a public comment period or other vetting that might reverse Johnson's decision. But Merrill said the secretaries of state would discuss the topic in February at their annual conference, where they may vote to ask the Trump administration to remove the designation.Both NASS and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission view the DHS decision as unnecessary because most states are already working with the federal government to guard their elections systems against cyberthreatsLast fall, at least 33 states and 11 county or local election agencies approached DHS about taking advantage of federal cybersecurity services.The Arizona and Illinois incidents have led to some confusion about whether election systems, more broadly, have been hacked. So far, there is no evidence that any machines in any state or locality that count and report votes were hacked. Still, some cybersecurity experts have demonstrated how theyhack machines to affect vote tallies.Dan Wallach, a computer scientist at Rice University who researches the security of electronic voting systems, said the DHS decision should also make grants available to upgrade state and local cybersecurity infrastructure."In practice," he said, "this designation should be nothing but helpful." Jini Kims relationship with Medicaid is business and personal.Her San Francisco start-up, Nuna, while working with the federal government, has built a cloud-computing database of the nations 74 million Medicaid patients and their treatment.Medicaid, which provides health care to low-income people, is administered state by state. Extracting, cleaning and curating the information from so many disparate and dated computer systems was an extraordinary achievement, health and technology specialists say. This new collection of data could inform the coming debate on Medicaid spending.Andrew M. Slavitt, acting director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, described the cloud database as near historic. Largely because Medicaid information resides in so many state-level computing silos, Mr. Slavitt explained, weve never had a systemwide view across the program.This week, for the first time, Nunas executives are talking about the companys funders, business strategy and work for Medicaid, starting on Monday evening at the J. P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Although it did not come online until 2013, the State of Michigan used an error-prone computer system that has wrongly accused tens of thousands of people of unemployment insurance fraud to assess jobless claims dating to 2007, officials confirmed Monday.That means a significant number of Michigan residents falsely accused of fraud -- estimated to number between 27,000 and 50,000 -- could be out of luck in terms of seeking damages from the state.Due to the statute of limitations, only Michigan unemployment insurance claimants who had money seized from them on Sept. 9, 2012, or later are able to participate in a class action against the state over the false fraud findings. The lawsuit now is in the Michigan Court of Claims and the Michigan Court of Appeals."I would hate to think there's a category of people going back a decade now who ... don't have a remedy," Royal Oak attorney Jennifer Lord, who filed the lawsuit in 2015, told the Free Press on Monday.At a hearing in the Michigan Court of Claims on March 8, Assistant Attorney General Peter Kotula told Judge Cynthia Stephens that the state began using the Michigan Integrated Data Automated System (MiDAS) on new claims in October 2013. That has been reported previously, based on public statements by unemployment insurance agency officials.But at the hearing, Kotula also disclosed that MiDAS -- which had an astounding error rate of making false fraud findings in 93% of the cases it looked at -- was used to re-assess older unemployment insurance claims in a search for possible fraud, going back another six years to the depths of Michigan's recession, when claims were unusually high."Did the MiDAS system do a look back?" Stephens asked, according to a transcript obtained by the Free Press."Yes, it did," Kotula replied. "It goes back six years, and it would hit the main -- the Great Recession period."Those wrongly accused of fraud were in many cases subjected to highest-in-the-nation, 400% fraud penalties, wage garnishment and other aggressive collection techniques, such as seizure of income tax refunds. Lord said tens of millions of dollars were unlawfully taken.Michigan's unemployment rate hit double digits for extended periods before the state began to emerge from a lengthy recession, late in 2009.Lord said she thinks the cases from 2007 to 2013 would have been in addition to the 50,000-plus cases identified between 2013 and 2015.But Dave Murray, a spokesman for the Unemployment Insurance Agency, said Monday that the 2007 to 2013 cases are included in the 2013 to 2015 numbers, because, although the claims were made much earlier, the MiDAS system made the fraud determinations during that two-year period. The agency says it put a stop to the automated fraud determinations in the latter part of 2015, requiring the judgment and participation of agency officials after that date.It's not clear what -- if any -- recourse there is for Michigan residents who were falsely accused of unemployment insurance fraud and had money seized prior to Sept. 9, 2012. Lord said she and other attorneys are studying legal theories that might allow such people to make claims against the state.Asked if the state would return money wrongly taken from jobless claimants, even in cases where the statute of limitations has expired, Murray said: "Right now, the focus is on reviewing the cases that were determined in the auto-adjudication process," but "the agency wants to be fair to anyone who is determined to be falsely accused."House Minority Leader Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, said Monday that "if at any point in time the state government has wrongly taken money away from our citizens, they should be repaid immediately."Murray said in December that an Unemployment Insurance Contingent Fund has been used to refund about $5.4 million to 2,571 claimants falsely accused of fraud."Some people have not yet been reimbursed because the agency doesn't have accurate contact information," Murray said. "We continue our efforts to contact these people."For those eligible for the lawsuit, Lord said she is also seeking compensation for other damages related to the fraud findings, such as damage to credit ratings and job prospects, plus emotional distress."Why is the attorney general still spending taxpayer money defending the lawsuits?" Lord asked."They have essentially admitted the allegations that these folks were deprived of their money without due process."Andrea Bitely, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Bill Schuette, said "the State of Michigan is being sued," and "the Department of Attorney General is doing its constitutional duty and representing the State of Michigan. I cannot comment further because this is pending litigation."Last week, the director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency was re-assigned as part of a top-to-bottom review of the agency, but Singh criticized Gov. Rick Snyder on Monday for not acting more quickly, noting the state auditor general identified the false fraud issue more than a year ago. He said slow response to problems has been a common problem with the Snyder administration, on problems including the Flint drinking water crisis.Also Monday, Snyder signed into law Senate Bill 1008, sponsored by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell, which takes $10 million from the Unemployment Insurance Contingent Fund to help balance the state's budget.The balance in the fund's penalties and interest account -- largely built on money seized from claimants accused of fraud -- swelled from $3.1 million in 2011 to about $160 million in December, officials say.It's not known how much of the contingent fund is composed of money that was wrongly seized, but it could be substantial.Instead of being used to help balance the budget, "the money should be reserved to be immediately returned to those people that we have wrongly accused," said Singh.Unemployment insurance premiums are paid into a trust fund and cannot be used for other purposes, but the contingent fund isn't under those restrictions. The fund is normally used to pay for administration of the state's Talent Investment Agency, including the development of workforce training programs.Snyder spokeswoman Anna Heaton said a balance transfer from the contingent fund has been used in past administrations as part of the budget agreement. She said the size of the fund has grown further since October, to about $160 million in December."If the balance decreases significantly due to refunds from the reprocessing of claims, reimbursement to the fund would be a potential option in a future budget cycle," Heaton said Monday.Snyder on Monday also signed House Bill 4982, sponsored by Rep. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, barring the Unemployment Insurance Agency in the future from adjudicating a claimant's case as fraud without human verification. Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed Tuesday a local-government efficiency program that would require county executives to bring together local officials to develop a cost-savings plan that would be put to the voters on this November's ballot.The plan, presented during Cuomo's third of six regional State of the State speeches, is aimed at applying pressure via the ballot box on local officials to find a way to decrease the local tax burden.County officials must meet with local officials and submit a draft plan for shared services and efficiencies to county legislatures by Aug. 1, under the governor's proposal. Legislatures would have 45 days to review the plan, and if they don't act, it automatically would be placed on the ballot.If the plan is not approved by a majority of voters this November, the county government would have to prepare a new plan for consideration in November 2018.Cuomo's office said the plan would require legislation to implement."I need you to call your senators and say, 'You work for me; get this done otherwise you can pay my property taxes next time,'" Cuomo said later in the day in a speech on Long Island, the fourth of the tour.At Farmingdale State College, the governor proposed the creation of recovery high schools aimed at helping students recovering from addiction finish their education.This is not the first time the state has weighed the creation of such high schools, which was discussed during the work of a task force the governor convened on addiction at the end of the last legislative session.The schools are part of a six-point addiction plan Cuomo unveiled Tuesday afternoon. The governor wants to add fentanyl to the state's controlled substances schedule and eliminate prior authorization requirements to make substance use disorder treatment available to all.Cuomo's latest proposals also included linking existing multi-use trails that run along the Erie Canal and Hudson Valley and building out extensions to cover central tourism areas of the state with a path for biking, walking and other activities. The 750-mile Empire State Trail would run from Buffalo to Albany and from New York City to the Canadian border and would include 350 miles of new trail.The full cost for it is $200 million, and Cuomo plans to seek $53 million for the first of three phases of construction in the upcoming state budget with construction completed by 2020. The Egyptian cabinet has dismissed media reports that it was considering either raising the minimum wage to EGP 1500, or implementing compulsory military service for women. The cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) said on its website Tuesday evening that it communicated with officials in the planning ministry who described the media reports as "inaccurate." The last time the government raised the minimum wage for public sector employees was in 2014. In September 2013, the government announced it would raise the minimum monthly wage for all public sector workers from EGP 700 to 1,200, starting in January 2014. According to figures from state statistics body CAPMAS, the country registered a workforce of 27.2 million in the second quarter of 2013, of which the public sector employs about one third. In another statement published Tuesday evening, the IDSC denied recent reports it was considering mandatory military service for women in the Egyptian Armed Forces. According to the IDSC, officials at the Ministry of Social Solidarity denied these reports, saying that all university and higher institute graduates are already required in accordance with the law to perform public service. On Saturday, the Ministry of Social Solidarity said in a press release that according to Public Service Act No. 76 of 1973, young people of both sexes are obliged to perform community service twice after graduation in assignments given by the ministry. This includes males who have served their compulsory military service and those who have completed their university education. Community service assignments vary from giving literacy classes, to supervising children at orphanages, to participating in family planning campaigns, the ministry said. Search Keywords: Short link: Even with financial shortfalls looming, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback tried to strike an optimistic tone during his State of the State speech Tuesday.In the annual address to lawmakers, Brownback focused on new programs at a time when lawmakers are worrying about cuts to existing ones. He also challenged lawmakers to focus on education, and quickly fix the state's budget shortfall.He didn't offer many specifics on his plan to solve the roughly $342 million gap, or the state's ongoing financial problems.Brownback said "the budget is balanced" and that details of his plan would be made public Wednesday.Kansas officials estimate the state could be short more than $1 billion through the end of fiscal year 2019."We will propose modest, targeted revenue measures to fund essential state services," Brownback told lawmakers.Lawmakers will likely have to work quickly to fix the 2017 budget shortfall. Brownback challenged them to send him a bill mending this year's budget by the end of January.As legislators prepare to debate rolling back a signature part of Brownback's tax cuts, the governor pointed out that President-elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan are looking at adopting similar tax cuts on a national level.The House's tax committee signaled Monday that the LLC exemption, which took roughly 330,000 businesses off the state's tax rolls, could be repealed to help mend the state's budget woes."The purpose of our small business tax cut has been to increase the number of small businesses and increase private sector job growth," Brownback said Tuesday. "That policy has worked."But according to the Kansas Department of Labor, private sector job growth has fallen in the last year. From November 2015 to November 2016, the state lost 4,500 private sector jobs.Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, said that Kansans have grown tired of Brownback's policies."This is not fiscal responsibility," Hensley said. "This is poor leadership."But Sen. Jim Denning, an Overland Park Republican who serves as majority leader, said based on Brownback's speech it looks like cuts will be made. That could help lead to a structurally balanced budget, he said."I think the governor did a really good job," Denning said. "He's optimistic, trying to give us a path out of here. But at the same time, letting us know it's going to be a hard lift."The governor highlighted several proposals that are part of his budget plan. They included $5 million for starting new residency programs for doctors and a privately funded medical osteopathy school, both aimed at improving rural health care in the state.Brownback said his budget also seeks to help ease dentistry shortages in the state by working to create a dental school at the University of Kansas Medical Center.The governor called building a new school finance formula the most significant task in front of lawmakers."Now is the time, this is the session, for us to craft a new school finance system that puts Kansas students first," Brownback said. "Let's get it done."A new formula needs to be written because the block grants that essentially froze funding in 2015 expire this summer. Lawmakers threw out the old formula, with Brownback's encouragement, that same year.Kansas children suffered for decades, Brownback said, under an overly complicated school finance formula. He said it lacked accountability and handcuffed school boards.The governor said he wants to see a school finance system driven by student achievement."We need to measure success not by dollars spent, but by the achievements of our students," Brownback said.Brownback also stressed that money should be used to give teachers merit-based pay increases.He asked that a grading system be created for Kansas schools to help parents see how their child's school ranks."The zip code in which you are born should not determine the quality of the education you receive," Brownback said.He also shared a vision for higher education, and challenged Kansas colleges and universities to help students graduate with a bachelor's degree for $15,000 or less.The first Kansas college that meets that challenge for a less expensive degree will get 50 student scholarships fully funded by his new budget proposal.The governor has cut millions from higher education funding in the last year to help ease the state's financial issues.Brownback's speech came in front of a more moderate group of legislators, some of whom ran on repealing the governor's signature tax cuts.Rep. Melissa Rooker, a Fairway Republican, took issue with the governor's talk of merit pay and grading Kansas schools."It was education proposals that we have seen fail miserably in other states," Rooker said. "My word for tonight is extraordinary, in terms of the disconnect between reality on the ground (and) the kind of leadership called for in such times and the policies being proposed."Bob Beatty, a political scientist from Washburn University, said the speech was not very warmly received by many lawmakers and attributed it to the ideological shift of the Legislature."Usually, there's several standing ovations. ... That's the fewest number I've seen in 11 years," Beatty said."There's a mismatch between the mood of the Legislature and the governor and that showed up in the speech, the reaction to the speech." Description GIS 11 January, 2017: Government has agreed to the appointment of a Migration Service Provider to offer pre-departure security screening and health screening. The latter will also ensure compliance with recruitment standards by Recruiting Agencies from all labour sending countries with a view to curtailing abuses targeting migrant workers. Furthermore, the Migration Service Provider would also identify and appoint Recruiting Agents with a proven track record and a minimum of 10 years experience of supplying workers, and monitor recruitment practices through an ongoing audit to ensure compliance with recruitment standards. The Service Provider should itself have a proven record of having 10 years experience and be operating in at least 10 countries. Ohio launched a new kind of RFP Jan. 5 aimed at improving participation on the part of smaller cloud-based analytics companies.first reported on the effort in early December, when state CIO Stu Davis outlined his goal of not only streamlining IT procurements within state government, but also making state contracts accessible to lesser-known service providers.According to the states procurement opportunity website , an inquiry period will be open until Feb. 3, and bids will be opened by the state on Feb. 17. The website lists the estimated award date as March 17.Davis said last December that he had informally partnered with 18F , the digital federal consultancy within the General Services Administration, for advice on how to better align state resources under the Ohio Department of Administrative Services purview.Rather than relying on a system of onboarding new contractors annually, the CIO said the new process will allow for more regular updates to the state's list of service providers.The procurement effort will give the state new analytics capabilities in the areas of audit compliance and regulation; crime, corrections and recidivism; cybersecurity; education; environmental and natural resources; government process automation; life sciences and public health; public safety and security; risk management; transportation; utilities; waste, fraud and abuse; and workforce. (TNS) -- DETROIT Get used to the idea of self-driving cars because they could be on the streets of Columbus in five years, said Mayor Andrew Ginther.He made the comment Monday during a panel discussion of mayors organized by Ford Motor Co. at the North American International Auto Show. Also participating were the mayors of Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit.The city leaders said self-driving cars could be a reality in five to seven years. Ginther added that he thinks it will be closer to five years in Columbus' case.Interviewed after the panel, he pointed to the work that has been sparked by the Smart City Challenge, which Columbus won last year . This is generating investments in a variety of projects, including those related to autonomous vehicles, transit and electric vehicles.One of those projects is the development of a self-driving vehicle system to move workers from the Linden neighborhood to jobs in nearby areas.Elsewhere at the auto show, automakers spoke about their plans to develop self-driving vehicles, with testing taking place now and a larger rollout to come.The topic is of vital interest to the mayors because it affects the basics of planning. For example, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said he expects there to be less of a need for parking structures as vehicles are able to drop off workers in the city center and then drive to less-congested areas to park themselves.The moderator, New York Times Co. CEO Mark Thompson, asked the mayors all Democrats how President-elect Donald Trump, a Republican, could affect issues in their cities."There are places where we will cooperate and places where we will stand our ground and confront," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a former chief of staff to President Barack Obama.One of the points of disagreement is likely to be immigration, Emanuel said.But the mayors spent more time talking about how they would work with Trump on issues rather than against him."Mayors are the least-partisan politicians," said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. "Most Democratic mayors in this county are dealing with Republican governors and Republican statehouses."Ginther said that parts of Trump's agenda, including his plan to invest in city infrastructure, "could be a great opportunity."The mayor said he hopes that the president-elect will "evolve" on some of his more divisive stances.Atlanta's Reed expressed doubt about the likelihood of that kind of evolution. "I gotta get some of that Columbus air," he said with a laugh. (TNS) COLUMBUS A lawyer for the state today sparred with members of the Ohio Supreme Court over whether its law imposing restrictions on cameras run by cities like Toledo are really aimed at overriding local policing powers.At issue in the case, specifically involving Daytons red-light and speed enforcement cameras, Dayton argued that Senate Bill 342 enacted in 2015 does nothing to regulate the behavior of citizens but rather seeks to restrain how local police react to that behavior.We dont have a permissive legislation for a citizen to do something here, Chief Justice Maureen OConnor told State Solicitor Eric E. Murphy. You have restrictive legislation to preclude a municipality from exercising home rule.The high court did not immediately rule. A decision on Daytons program is expected to also decide the fate of automated traffic cameras in Toledo and Springfield, which have appeals pending before the court, and in other cities.Lower appellate courts have decided differently in the latest turf war between state and local powers.If the state cant regulate traffic cameras, how can a state regulate, for instance, traffic control devices? Mr. Murphy asked. The state requires municipalities to follow the manual of uniform traffic-control devices, the same way the state regulates police.The case addresses the legal question of whether the state can substitute its own police power rules for those cities enacted under their home-rule authority. The court has twice before upheld the camera programs, most recently in a narrow 4-3 decision in 2015 when upholding Toledos civil administrative process to hear appeals of citations.But those decisions were in the absence of a state law that directly conflicts with city ordinances.This photo enforcement program has been proven to save lives, said Daytons attorney John C. Musto. It reduced red-light running accidents by 46 percent. It reduced overall accidents by 30 percent at locations where they were installed. After this program was shuttered because of restrictions by the state, red-light running drastically increased. Speed drastically increased. Traffic fatalities increased.At issue is a law that took effect on March 23, 2015. It recognized such camera programs for the first time, but it imposed statewide standards for local rules that the cities claim make them economically impractical to continue. That, they argue, is the real reason behind the law.Among other things, the law requires a full-time police officer to be physically present when a red-light or speed violation is digitally captured. It requires 3-year traffic studies and 30-day public awareness programs before new cameras are installed. It limits citations to violations of 6 miles or more in excess of the speed limit in school, park, or recreation zones and 10 mph elsewhere.Youve got 15 police officers around the city, and their only duty is to sit there and babysit a camera while violent crime is occurring in other aspects of a municipality -- thats okay? asked Chief Justice OConnor, who served as former Gov. Bob Tafts lieutenant governor and public safety director.The state had a lot of testimony about unfairness with respect to these procedures, Mr. Murphy said. There was a lot of debateabout whether this was about revenue versus safetyUnlike Dayton, which lost its case before the Second District Court of Appeals and at least temporarily halted its program, Toledo has won its case so far and has continued to operate its cameras.Through November, Toledo collected $1.9 million in net fines from its stationary cameras, well ahead of the $1.5 million projected. The camera program is operated by Arizona-based Redflex Traffic Systems, which keeps a share of fines. The criminal court upheld decisions to freeze the assets of Nazra for Feminist Studies founder Mozn Hassan and Arab Organisation for Criminal Reform founder Mohamed Zaree Related Feminist human rights activist Mozn Hassan banned from travel A Cairo criminal court upheld on Wednesday a decision to freeze the assets of Egyptian feminist and human rights activists Mozn Hassan in the case known in the media as the NGOs foreign funding case. Mozn Hassan is accused of receiving illegal foreign funding in the on-going case, in which other prominent human rights activists in Egypt are also charged. During her appeal hearing, Hassan said the NGO she founded, Nazra for Feminist Studies, ceased operations for nearly a year. She also presented the NGO's tax payment records to the court. Hassan was banned from travelling outside Egypt in the spring of 2016 due to the charges brought against her. The court also upheld a decision to freeze the assets of human rights activist Mohamed Zaree in the same case on Wednesday. Zaree, the founder of the Arab Organisation for Criminal Reform was also banned from travel in 2016. Search Keywords: Short link: Related Five Egyptian policemen injured in South Sinai shooting South Sinai's Security Directorate has decided to expand security measures by requiring all travellers heading to the governorate to present proof of hotel bookings at security checkpoints, the bodys head Ahmed El-Tayyel confirmed on Tuesday to Ahram Online. According to El-Tayyel, people travelling to South Sinai through the Ahmed Hamdy tunnel that connects the eastern and western banks of the Suez Canal will now also have to present confirmed hotel or camp bookings to be allowed entry into the governorate. "Security forces already question travellers about their bookings in South Sinai's cities," El-Tayyel said. El-Tayyel explained that this procedure comes as part of the interior ministrys plan to "strengthen security measures and is not related to any specific threat." Those who fail to provide proof of hotel confirmation at the Ahmed Hamdy tunnel will be declined entry to the governorate. The directorate already requires workers in the governorate to carry an ID that shows a security clearance. The decision has been enforced since the beginning of 2017, El-Tayyel said, and was implemented to ensure the security apparatuses in the governorate had a clear knowledge of who was entering and leaving South Sinai. The South Sinai coastline area past the Ahmed Hamdy tunnel has been seen a number of recent development projects to build tourist resorts. Ras Sudr resort is one of the most popular tourist sites in South Sinai, a 60 kilometre drive after crossing the tunnel to Sinai. The Egyptian army and police have been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai, mostly concentrated in the cities of Sheikh Zuwaid, Rafah and Al-Arish. Search Keywords: Short link: The Cairo Court for Urgent Matters banned on Wednesday protests in front of the cabinet building and "surrounding areas." The court ruled that protests sought outside of the cabinet headquarters must be held at Fustat Park, the only location in Cairo governorate where protests are allowed to take place without authorised permits or notifications. The decision comes only a few days before a planned Saturday demonstration outside the cabinet headquarters in downtown Cairo, which has been called by several political parties to protest against the Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea island deal. The ruling can still be appealed. Egypt's interior minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar filed the lawsuit this week to ban the protests one day after the protest's organisers said security officials had finally agreed to receive the protest notification outside the cabinet headquarters as mandated by the protest law. Security officials had previously refused to receive the notification, pushing the organisers to postpone the protest to Saturday. Khaled Dawoud, one of the organisers and the spokesman for Egypts Democratic Coalition told Ahram Online on Wednesday that their legal team was currently reviewing the ruling to decide on next steps. The Coalition includes several parties: the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, the Constitution Party, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and others. "Filing an appeal against the ruling is among the procedures that we might implement," Dawoud said. He added that a statement would be released by the end of the day following a meeting with the rest of the protest organisers, who include leaders from several parties. Dawoud said he believes protest organisers should not be "obliged to protest at a certain place," referencing the court's decision to transfer protests sought outside the cabinet to Fustat Park. Saturday's protest in front of the Cabinet's headquarters would have been the first official protest to be called for since a Higher Constitutional Court ruled in December that Article 10 of the controversial 2013 protest law, which permits the countrys interior minister to bar scheduled protests, was unconstitutional. The court said that those looking to organise street protests should only be obliged to notify authorities beforehand and present documentation as required by law, and are not required to obtain prior approval. Fustat Park, the only location in Cairo governorate where unauthorised protests are not banned according to the 2013 protest law, was the site of a few rallies in the past two years. In February 2016, Zamalek fan group Ultras White Knights (UWK) gathered at the park to pay tribute to 20 fans who had been killed during a deadly stampede ahead of a league game in 2015. Labour unions and workers' movements also protested at the park against a then-new and controversial civil service law in September 2015. Search Keywords: Short link: What A Sacrifice, Mr Naidu! Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu always tried to project himself in a larger-than-life size image. He tries to create an impression among the people that he should have actually been in the Prime Ministerial position, but had sacrificed the big post only for the sake of the state. Speaking at the India Today conclave in Chennai, too, Naidu made a similar claim. I could have become the Prime Minister had I really wanted to. But I sacrificed the post twice once for H D Deve Gowda and next time for I K Gujral. At that time, my whole focus was on developing Andhra Pradesh and make it no. 1 state in the country. Even now, if I get a chance to become the Prime Minister, I would reject it because development of the state is on top of my agenda, he said. Well, if there are people who are listening to him, Naidu can go to any extent to put flowers in their ears. But he has no answer why he had failed to develop the state during his nine-year regime in the past and the two-year regime now. If he is of Prime Ministers material, why did people reject him twice in 2004 and 2009? Only Naidu can make such tall claims. The multi-year project is organized by the Ministry of Transport and the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA Corporation). Toyota is also participating in this project. Scania will design the worlds first full-scale autonomous truck platooning operations, based on its own advanced technology. The platoon will traffic public roads while transporting containers between port terminals in Singapore. The aim is to organize convoys of four truckswith the following three trucks behind the lead truck autonomously driven, as well as to fully automate the processes for precise docking and undocking of cargo. The truck platooning trials will take place in two phases. The first phase will focus on designing, testing and refining the truck platooning technology to adapt to local conditions. These will be conducted by Scania and Toyota at their respective research centers in Sweden and Japan, to leverage their existing development work. The second phase will consist of local trials and development of the technology in Singapore. Scania has recently been engaged as the lead partner in the 5.4-million European research project COMPANION (Cooperative Mobility Solution for Supervised Platooning), which has developed systems for implementing truck platooning technology on roads. Scania is currently working on enhancing wireless communication between heavy vehicles, which will allow the distances between vehicles to be safely reduced, reducing drag and lowering fuel consumption. To this end, Scania has teamed up with Ericsson, a world leader in communications technology, which will contribute its expertise in 5G technology as well as in software and services, to enable new forms of mobility. Autonomous vehicles and platooning are cornerstones of future sustainable transport systems. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate our leadership and technology in this new exciting area. We are pioneering in this field, which has the potential not only to save lives in traffic, but also to significantly decrease the environmental impact of transport. Claes Erixon, Head of Research and Development at Scania The Government of Singapore is in the forefront of new autonomous vehicle technology. Singapore has tested autonomous cars, taxis, utility vehicles and buses, and is now adding trials of truck platooning concepts. Truck platoons have already shown the potential to achieve major fuel savings as well as contribute to increased road safety. Trucking as we know it today is a highly labor-intensive industry. We face a shortage of truck drivers. In this regard, truck platooning technology presents us with an opportunity to boost productivity in both the port sector and the trucking industry. It will also open up opportunities for truck drivers to take on higher-skilled roles as fleet operators and managers. Pang Kin Keong, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Chairman of the Committee on Autonomous Road Transport in Singapore ( CARTS With the vehicle population in Singapore approaching one million, the initiative seeks to address the increasing travel demand and land constraints; 12% of Singapores total land is used for road and land transport infrastructure. Additionally, it faces a shortage of drivers. It has therefore established Singapore as a living laboratory for new vehicle concepts that will increase productivity, road safety, optimize road capacity and enable new mobility concepts. Eight of the buses are slated to go into service this year; 12 more in 2019. Up to eight of the new 40-foot battery buses will likely operate on Metro Routes 226 and 241 in Bellevue. As part of a pilot project last year, Metro began running three all-electric buses on these routes, which serve some of the countys densest job centers, including the Microsoft campus and downtown Bellevue. King County, Washington, Executive Dow Constantine announced that King County Metro Transit will acquire 120 battery-electric buses by 2020. As part of this commitment, Metro will purchase up to 73 battery buses from Burlingame, Calif.-based Proterra. The first 20 are scheduled to go into service this year and 2019. Metro serves Seattle and the rest of King County. The 40-foot Catalyst buses have a range capacity spanning from 62-350 miles per charge (nominal range), with a quick charging time of just 10 minutes. Maintenance costs of all-electric buses are expected to decline versus hybrid-diesels, primarily because they have fewer moving parts. The 73 battery-electric buses from Proterra will cost up to $55 million, starting with 20 buses totaling $15.12 million. Charging stations to support the initial orders of those buses will range from $5.5 million to $6.6 million. Federal funding often helps pay for Metros new bus purchases. Last year, King County Metro received a $3.3-million grant from the Federal Transit Administrations Low-or No-Emission Vehicle Deployment Program to help fund some new battery buses and charging stations for three buses that are in operations on the eastside of King County. Metro will also acquire up to nine long-range electric buses from different manufacturers to test the battery technology with a range of about 140 miles. With this approximately $7-million acquisition, Metro is challenging the industry to produce buses that can travel farther. Metro also is calling on the industry to develop 60-foot long buses, better able to replace the articulated buses that make up 55 percent of its fleet. Each battery bus reduces tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 65 tons each year, the equivalent of 21 cars off the road. The new buses run cleaner, quieter, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Cutting diesel emissions also means better air quality, benefiting people with asthma and other health issues. Metro is a leader in clean technology. It was the first transit agency to adopt diesel-electric hybrids, and it currently operates more than 170 electric trolley buses. By committing to replacing its current fleet with clean vehicles, Metro is influencing the development and expansion of the all-electric bus market. Transportation is the regions largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, emitting nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions. The Countys Strategic Climate Action Plan calls for both increased transit service and a cleaner fleet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The new battery bus technology will reduce Metros fuel use as it provides more service to customers. To better serve our customers, we want battery buses that travel longer distances and can carry more people. Were committed to expanding our battery bus fleet, and need the industry to accelerate development of standardized battery bus charging systems so they can work flexibly for any bus route, and also build more 60-foot-long articulated buseswhich serve as the transit workhorses in King County. Rob Gannon, Metro Transit General Manager In conjunction with this battery bus order, Metro is conducting a comprehensive analysis of the best approach for achieving a zero-emissions fleet. A Battery Bus stakeholder group is advising on the approach and priorities for achieving a zero emissions fleet. MP Tarek Radwan said the main objective of the visit is to gain support among US Congress members for designating the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation A 15-member Egyptian delegation will visit the United States on 21 January one day after Donald Trump takes office as president to discuss issues related to political Islam, terrorism, human rights and democratisation in Egypt. Tarek Radwan, deputy chairman of the Egyptian parliament's foreign affairs committee, said the visit will last one week from 21 to 28 January. "The delegation will include Egyptian MPs and civil society representatives," said Radwan. Radwan said the delegation will include MP Dahlia Youssef, chairwoman of the Egyptian-British Parliamentary Friendship Association, MP Tarek El-Khouli, head of parliament's human rights committee and a leading official of the liberal Free Egyptians Party Alaa Abed, businessman MP Mohamed El-Sallab and independent MP Rasha Ramadan. The delegation will also include civil society activists, including Dahlia Ziada, Dawlet Swailem, Ibrahim Negm, ambassador Mona Omar, Basma Wahba and Coptic priest Radi Iskandar.Radwan told reporters Wednesday that the schedule of the visit will be drawn up by Egypt's foreign ministry. "As far as I know the delegation will meet with US Congress members and officials affiliated with the new administration of president-elect Donald Trump," said Radwan. Radwan said the visit comes on the heels of Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry's US visit last month. "The foreign ministry wants us to open contacts with a new US congress and a new administration which is completely different, in terms of being hostile to the Muslim Brotherhood and other political Islam movements," said Radwan. The deputy chairman said that Egypt's foreign ministry would arrange meetings with Donald Trump's Middle East affairs advisor Walid Phares and Republican Party congressmen who have repeatedly announced that they are in support of designating the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation on the US State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. "We are in a war against this group and other radical political Islam movements, so it is important to exploit the new anti-radical Islam atmosphere in America to achieve our goal," said Radwan. He also said that the parliament's moves against political Islam have gained momentum in recent weeks. "While parliament's foreign affairs committee issued a very important report on the dangers of political Islam in November, a parliamentary delegation visited London in December to ring alarm bells on this issue," Radwan said. In his presidential campaign speeches last summer, US president-elect Donald Trump described the Muslim Brotherhood as "a radical political Islam movement." Trump also said if elected, he would hold an international conference on terrorism and radical Islam. Trump's advisor Walid Phares, a Lebanese American academic, told an Egyptian parliamentary delegation last September that the election of Trump and a Republican majority in the US Congress would put the Muslim Brotherhood on the US's list of terrorist organisations. Radwan said the upcoming delegation will also be keen to present a balanced view of the situation of human rights and democratic transition in Egypt. Search Keywords: Short link: WINSTON-SALEM Gildan Activewear Inc. had to increase its offer for bankrupt American Apparel LLC by a whopping 33 percent, but it appears to have been enough to acquire the retailers brand rights. The Montreal basic-apparel manufacturer, with a significant yarn production presence in Mocksville and North Carolina, said Tuesday its $88 million bid won an auction in bankruptcy court. Other reported potential bidders for American Apparel LLC included Amazon, Forever 21 and Next Level. There was no listing of auction results in American Apparels bankruptcy filings. The offer is $22 million higher than Gildans initial proposal of $66 million, which was made Nov. 14 as part of a stalking horse portion of the retailers Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing. A stalking horse offer typically represents a floor for a potential auction bid for assets. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge will review Gildans winning bid Thursday. If approved, Gildan said it could close on the acquisition by early February. The American Apparel brand will be a strong complementary addition to our growing brand portfolio, Glenn Chamandy, Gildans president and chief executive, said in a statement. We see strong potential to grow American Apparel sales by leveraging our extensive printwear distribution networks in North America and internationally to drive further market-share penetration in the fashion basics segment of these markets. Gildan repeated what it is buying is the worldwide intellectual property rights related to the American Apparel brand and certain manufacturing equipment. Gildan reconfirmed it would not acquire any of American Apparels 110 stores. Much of American Apparels brand cachet comes from the bulk of its products being geared toward millennials and made domestically. While Gildan is known for mainstream basic apparel, American Apparel is known primarily for its sexually oriented advertising and chief executive Dov Charney, who faced allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace. Gildan reiterated it will purchase separately inventory from American Apparel to ensure a seamless supply of goods to the printwear channel while the company integrates the brand within its Printwear business. Gildan may consider keeping the companys 1.5 million square feet of production and distribution operations, according to a court filing. But there is no guarantee it will keep manufacturing in Los Angeles, where a state minimum wage of $15 an hour went into effect Jan. 1. According to a December report in California Apparel News, American Apparels factory employees in Los Angeles received layoff notices that theyll be out of a job on Jan. 7 unless the new owner decides to keep their facility open. Gildan said it would provide projections of American Apparel contribution to its fiscal 2017 guidance with its fourth-quarter 2016 report. Stifel analyst Jim Duffy said Tuesday that buying the American Apparel brand rights brings potential to accelerate growth leveraging another recognizable brand. In addition, acquisition of U.S. manufacturing competency could also prove strategic with potential for border adjustability as an element of tax reform under the Trump administration. We see opportunity in the fashion basics portion of the printwear business, as well as potential for use of the trade name in branded apparel. Despite the challenged retail backdrop and soft demand picture for the basics category, we remain appreciative of Gildan as a multi-year share gainer that is under performing margin potential. American Apparel voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Nov. 13 its second time requiring protection from creditors since October 2015. It listed assets and liabilities between $100 million and $500 million and creditors between 25,001 and 50,000. American Apparel exited bankruptcy protection in early 2016 as a smaller, leaner company, shrinking from 230 stores and 8,500 employees in six factories to 110 stores, three factories and 4,400 employees. However, major losses returned quickly, including a 33 percent decline in sales in the third quarter compared with a year ago. The company faced unfavorable market conditions that were more persistent and widespread than the debtors anticipated, said Mark Weinstein, who has been appointed as American Apparels chief restructuring officer. These market conditions were particularly detrimental to retailers. The initial plan was to conduct an auction of the American Apparel assets on Dec. 21. However, a committee of unsecured creditors requested that Judge Brendan Shannon delay until mid-January approval of the Gildan plan. The creditors wanted the additional four weeks to try to attract a higher bid. American Apparel responded by saying the company simply does not have the funds necessary to run a protracted sale process, given a cash burn rate of up to $2 million a week. GREENSBORO The News & Record is moving its press operations to Winston-Salem later this year, part of parent company BH Media Groups plan to consolidate printing for all its North Carolina papers. The Winston-Salem Journal, the News & Records sister paper, will add a second press and make other significant investments in its production facility in 2017, News & Record publisher Daniel Finnegan said Tuesday afternoon. The printing facility is at 2051 E. 5th St. in Winston-Salem. BH Media, based in Omaha, Neb., publishes the Winston-Salem Journal, the News & Record, the Hickory Daily Record, the Statesville Record & Landmark, the McDowell News and the Morganton News Herald, as well as five weekly or semi-weekly papers. BH Media has owned the News & Record since early 2013. Finnegan said moving the News & Records production to the expanded print facility will allow the paper to improve print quality and increase page and color capacity. He said there will be no change in when the papers are delivered: by 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and by 7 a.m. on Sunday. It wasnt clear Tuesday how many jobs would be affected by the change. The News & Records production department, which includes the mail and press rooms, employs about 100 full- and part-time workers, according to production manager Dennis Creamer. The paper anticipates that a significant number of the production employees in Greensboro will be able to transfer to the Winston-Salem facility, Finnegan said. The project is scheduled to begin in early 2017 and be completed by the fall. The new press will increase the normal page capacity by 33 percent. In addition to the installation of the second press, the Winston-Salem plant will be expanded to increase storage capacity and add space for packaging. Finnegan said that the News & Record is considering other options for its building at 200 E. Market St. Developers and downtown advocates have said the property is in a prime area for redevelopment. We would consider selling if the right opportunity came along, Finnegan said. In 1956, Greensboro opened its doors to hundreds of refugees fleeing communism after the Hungarian uprising against the Soviet Union. Greensboro native Barry Farber helped people escape the country and find safety. In October, the Hungarian government in Budapest honored Farber for his service in helping Hungarians escape the invading Soviet army. Greensboro deserves the credit, Farber said. Greensboro outperformed every other city per capita in the United States. Farber was born in Greensboro, attended what is now Grimsley High School and went to UNC-Chapel Hill to pursue a lifelong interest in reporting. Farber loved language, and upon graduating from UNC he joined the Army translating Russian documents from an office in Washington, D.C. What we were doing was tracking everything that went from the Soviet Union to the North Koreans, he said. He had some journalism experience working at The Daily Tar Heel, UNCs student newspaper, but after leaving the Army, he decided he needed more reporting experience. I thought to get a job in New York, I needed to do something spectacular, and going to Moscow in 1956 was pretty spectacular, he said. This was the first year (Russia) allowed foreigners just to come. He decided he would go and send stories back to The Greensboro Daily News. He traveled all over Europe, even to communist Moscow in July 1956. He called home from Moscow and said the phone call made the front page of the paper. The Revolution While in Europe, he decided to head to Hungary to cover the revolution that was erupting against the communist government. Farber said two newspapers from the American press covered the refugee exodus in 1956 The New York Times and The Greensboro Daily News. (New York Times) sent their Washington correspondent, Bruce Jolly, and I went sort of on my own, but the paper was overjoyed to have me go, he said. The refugee crisis started in October, when mostly young people decided they had enough of communist rule. The struggle lasted for several months, leading to 10 days of freedom. During this time, Hungary kicked out the Soviets. Hungary was back in Hungarian hands, he said. As the Soviet Army was gearing up to re-invade and seize the country with a massive force, people began fleeing in fear nearly 200,000 people fled out of the two million population. Many who stayed faced imprisonment or execution. On Christmas night, Farber and other journalists found themselves helping 200 people escape the border. They may have been journalists when they got to the border, but the minute they got there, they forgot about their pens and pencils and pads and cameras and started lifting babies out of a rubber boat, Farber said. He said Hungarians were using rubber rafts to cross a creek near the Danube River to escape five at a time while the volunteers pulled them across into Austria. People came from 17 countries to help the refugees, most had to pay their own way and support themselves once there. That was the beginning of the end for European Communism; it never gained after that, he said. There is no escaping that you would not have a free eastern Europe now if you did not have the Hungarian uprising. Ferenc Kumin, consul general of Hungary in New York, said that the Russian Army was in the region where Farber was that night, which could have led to a confrontation. Barry actually risked his life when he went there and helped others, he said. Through it all, Farber continued to write stories for the Greensboro readership about the uprising. Hungarians on Elm Street It took a few years for the refugees to make it to the United States, but once they were here, Greensboro opened its doors to hundreds of people. Farber is Jewish, the Hungarians were mostly Catholic and Greensboro at the time was mostly Protestant. Cultures were about to meld as refugees arrived from New York at the Greensboro train station. Farber said they were eager to become Americans. Until the Hungarians descended upon Greensboro, the closest thing to a cosmopolitan was somebody who had ever been to Tennessee, he said. Farber found the families temporary housing with the help of William Stern, a Greensboro realtor. One Greensboro resident even gave the deed to a house he owned to a family of four from Hungary. Lorillard Tobacco Co., maker of Kent cigarettes, hired many of the refugees. We had volunteers, food, money, medical expenses, education, he said. People would come on their own and give our refugees English lessons, it was so beautiful. It came natural to us; we thought everybody was good. With all the evil in the world, it was so heartening to resettle refugees in Greensboro, he said. Kumin said that the refugees were warmly welcomed into Greensboro, where they quickly assimilated into the local community. They have become very good patriotic Americans, he said. They were mostly received as heroes who fought against communism. A lot of the refugees were college students who used their education to help the community. After the fall of communism in Hungary, many refugees went home. Kumin said the American experience those refugees brought back helped his country transition into a functioning democracy. They established new enterprises, they brought the idea of free market economy and how to work under free circumstances, he said. Farber returns to Hungary From 1957 on, Farber worked in radio, after getting a job on the Tex and Jinx show, one of the most popular talk shows in the 1950s. They were really the first talk show to ask anything more substantial than Tell me about your next movie, baby, he said. He started his own show in 1960 and went on to become famous for his conservative talk radio show and as a media pioneer. He stayed in New York, where he still lives today. He remained an advocate for Hungarians. In an interview for the New York celebration of the uprisings anniversary, Farber said he was known in the radio world for talking about Hungary a lot. In 2016, the Hungarian government was looking for a group of people to honor for the 60th anniversary of the uprising. The General Consul of Hungary to America was looking for a volunteer to send, which proved to be difficult. Think about it: This was 60 years ago, Kumin said. Those men who helped the refugees escape were likely in their 20s back then. Finding them wasnt an easy job, Kumin said. I was very, very lucky to find Barry Farber. Farber was among volunteers from across the globe honored in Budapest on the 60th anniversary. He was one of two Americans at the ceremonies. We were trying to treat them as heroes, because that is what they are, Kumin said. Farber and the other honorees spent two days attending events held in their honor. The entire time they were being thanked for saving Hungarian lives. This is an almost untold story of what he has done, Kumin said. Its history; it is our history. Fifteen migrant workers from Egypt were kidnapped and tortured in Libya last week with their kidnappers demanding from their families a ransom of 300,000 Libyan dinars to release them or they would be killed, Hamada Salah, a brother of one of the kidnapped, told Ahram Online. "On 5 January, I received a phone call from my younger brother Mohamed telling me that he and other Egyptian workers have been kidnapped from Tarhuna [western Libya] by a militant group for a ransom," Salah said. The Egyptian foreign ministry has not released any statements on the issue. Ahram Online could not reach the ministry of foreign affairs for comments. The reportedly kidnapped Mohamed Salah, 24, hails from Sherif Pasha village in Upper Egypts Beni Suef. "My brother went to Libya in December 2016 to find work - he was working on a farm there," Salah said. Salah said he spoke to Mohamed regularly on his mobile phone from before the kidnappers seized the device and began to speak with him directly. "I got a phone call from the kidnappers telling me that they are demanding 300,000 Libyan dinars in order to release my brother and the rest of the hostages or they will kill them," he said, adding that the kidnappers told him they tortured the hostages. Salah said he reported the incident immediately to the police but has not yet received any updates from the Egyptian authorities. The brother added that the kidnappers sent him on his Whatsapp account a set of photos showing the reportedly abducted Egyptians handcuffed by metal chains with signs of torture on their backs. One of the photos showed an unidentified hostage chained while being completely naked and showing signs of torture. The photos went viral on Facebook after Hamada Salah shared them seeking help. Salah said he does not know the exact identity of those who kidnapped his brother, or information about the other hostages. He added that the man who spoke to him on the mobile phone was using a Libyan mobile number, and that the Whatsapp account featuring the photos was titled "Mohamed Libya." Ahram Online could not independently verify the authenticity of the photos circulating on social media of the reportedly kidnakked Egyptians Since 2015, the Egyptian foreign affairs ministry has urged citizens to avoid travelling to Libya due to the unstable security conditions following the killing of 20 Egyptian migrant workers near Derna earlier that year by the Islamic State militant group. The warning was renewed in 2016 and is still in effect. Aside from the Islamic State militant group killings, there have been several other cases of militant groups kidnapping Egyptian migrant workers for ransom. Despite the warning and difficult economic conditions, Egyptian workers continue to migrate to Libya. In similar cases of kidnapping, the Egyptian foreign ministry, Egypt's embassy and intelligence services follow up on the matter with the Libyan government as well local tribes in order to release the hostages. In a number of of those cases, missing migrants have turned out to have been detained by Libyan authorities for illegally entering the country. Search Keywords: Short link: A woman who pleaded guilty to setting an apartment fire that killed four people in 2002 could be eligible for parole in 12 years. Janet Danahey pleaded guilty in July 2002 to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson in Guilford County Superior Court and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As one of former Gov. Pat. McCrorys last acts, he signed a commutation order for the 38-year-old Danahey on Dec. 30, making her eligible for parole on Jan. 1, 2029, according to Howard Neumann, chief prosecutor for the Guilford County District Attorneys Office. There was nothing in the paperwork the district attorneys office received that explained why McCrory granted Danaheys request for commutation, Neumann said. For years, the question of whether Danahey should go free has been a divisive one. There are those who think the punishment doesnt fit the crime. And there are those who think she cant be punished enough for taking four lives. Danahey, then 23, started the fire at the Campus Walk Apartments on Howard Street near UNC-Greensboro. Shes always maintained she did it as a prank on her ex-boyfriend, using lighter fluid to set fire to a box of Christmas decorations and a futon at 2 a.m. However, winds quickly spread the fire throughout the complex. Many escaped by jumping from windows. Four people lost their lives that February night: sisters Rachel and Donna Llewellyn, 21 and 24; Elizabeth Beth Harris, 20; and Ryan Bek, 25. At the time, it was the deadliest fire in the city in nearly four decades. Harris father, Bob Harris of Lewisville, forgave Danahey not long afterward. He said the Bible taught him that. Harris said he is disappointed Danahey was not immediately paroled in December. I would have preferred shed received time served, he said. Beth would be 36 this year. Harris said he still misses his daughter and wonders what her life might have been like, citing milestones that have been missed such as marriage and starting a family. I still have a big, empty hole in my heart, he said. So often, something out of the clear blue can trigger my thoughts. I do think of her quite often. But (forgiving Danahey) was one of the easiest things to do. I had no choice but to do it. The clemency request was filed in June 2012 during former Gov. Bev Perdues tenure and subsequently sparked an outpouring of emotion in the community, ranging from sympathy to outrage. Former Greensboro mayor Jim Melvin wrote a letter of support for the clemency petition. Although he didnt know Danahey or her family before the fire, Melvin started visiting her in prison. Others would follow suit. Some family members of the victims, however, were adamantly opposed to clemency. Perdue left office without acting on it, leaving the request in a state of suspension for the next governor: McCrory. Around Dec. 9 (2016), we got word from the clemency office the request was reopened, said Neumann, adding that the victims families were aware it was being considered. Locke Clifford, one of Danaheys attorneys, said he was glad McCrory had the integrity to do what is right. He explained that Danahey found out that the building had caught fire only after it was too late for her to do anything to help. Janet has been a model prisoner since that day. Still, Clifford took issue with Danahey having to wait another 12 years before being considered for parole. Twelve more years is a long time for her, he said. It is a tough time to be a Democrat. The weeks that follow a defeat at the ballot box are never flattering for the losers, but this time around, the Democrats seem to be particularly demoralized. Their melancholy and fatigue appear to be getting worse. Their opposition to President-elect Donald Trump and the Republicans is lame, lazy and leaderless. Eventually they will get their game back, but I admit to feeling some satisfaction watching them struggle as the confirmation hearings for Trumps Cabinet picks get underway. Jeff Sessions (R), my senator from Alabama, appears to be waltzing to his confirmation as attorney general. In response, the best the Democrats can do is roll out an oldie but goody specifically, a corny sit-in at one of Sessions offices. NAACP President Cornell William Brooks (who was, of course, arrested at the recent sit-in) says they are prepared to sometimes engage in activity that some would describe as radical. Radical? A cliche, 1960s-style sit-in? Is that the best they can do? The Democrats are also suddenly outraged that some of Trumps Cabinet picks, namely Betsy DeVos, are also GOP donors. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote in a letter to DeVos ahead of DeVos hearing that making large political contributions to buy influence does not qualify you to help set policy for the education of Americas school children. That is beyond hypocritical; it is wildly insulting. Since when does being politically active and a good, civic-minded donor disqualify someone from serving in a Cabinet position? Do the Democrats really want to go there? Meanwhile, out in Hollywood, the left is hyperventilating. You have only to look at the breathless adoration from the left for actress Meryl Streeps Woe is me, Hollywood is the victim speech on Sunday night at the Golden Globes. Streep, who was and still is a major Hillary Clinton supporter, attacked Trump and then excused herself, saying disrespect invites disrespect. The Democratic elites are in the midst of a major pity party. It would almost be funny if it werent so pathetic. So what is the takeaway for Republicans as the Democrats grasp at straws and try to regain their footing? Republicans must avoid giving the Democrats a hand up as they wallow in defeat and avoid doing what the Democrats want Republicans to do. The mini-scandal of the Republicans vote to move the independent Office of Congressional Ethics under the oversight of the House Ethics Committee was not a good way to kick off the 115th Congress. Regardless of the merits of the move, the optics played into the Democrats hands and allowed them to dominate the headlines on the first day, when Republicans should have had the upper hand with a powerful message. And while were at it, when I read Michael Rosenwalds piece in The Washington Post about the move to make it easier to buy a silencer for your gun, I thought it might be from the Onion, or at the very least, that there might be April Fools! written in bold print at the end of the piece. My second thought was that maybe my pals in the newsroom were over-hyping the story to feed a negative stereotype of gun-crazed Republicans. So I called an authentic, smart, Tea Party Republican I know, and sure enough, the story is for real. A lot of Republicans actually want the federal government to loosen restrictions on gun silencers. What? Think of all the people who are alive today because they heard the sounds of shots fired and escaped to safety. Even in The Washington Posts account of the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting, a driver who was waiting for former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer to arrive is quoted as saying that he heard the gunfire and immediately dropped to the floor. Gun noise prevents gun deaths, and thats that. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous. There are plenty of good causes Republicans in Congress could be working on and that Donald Trump Jr. could lend his considerable clout to. This is not one of them. The GOP shouldnt go near the gun silencer issue with a 10-foot pole even one with a silencer attached. Republicans are about to face a lot of difficult fights in Congress, from the repeal and replacement of Obamacare to implementing tax reform to balancing the budget and paying down our national debt. They need to be smart and laser-focused on the issues that really matter. The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress will have their hands full even without giving the Democrats extra ammo. Meryl Streeps evisceration of President-elect Donald Trump at the Golden Globes on Sunday night left a lasting impression because she refrained from delivering an ideological rant; rather, she presented a demonstration of moral shaming. She did not mention him by name or label him. She described what he did/does and explained why it matters: There was one performance this year that stunned me. It sank its hooks in my heart. Not because it was good. There was nothing good about it. But it was effective and it did its job. It made its intended audience laugh and show their teeth. It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter, someone he outranked in privilege, power and the capacity to fight back. It kind of broke my heart when I saw it. I still cant get it out of my head because it wasnt in a movie. It was real life. Aside from rank Trump apologists, who can really look at the video of Trump, arms flailing, and not see an act of immense cruelty directed toward a specific person? Republicans (including Trump) dismiss every utterance from Hollywood as liberal or out of touch, but criticizing his mocking of a disabled person should be something on which all Americans can agree. Had Streep pushed a particular agenda (e.g., climate change) or mocked Trump voters, Republicans would have grounds for complaint. She did neither, so they are reduced to eye-rolling and insults (one of the most over-rated actresses is among the least effective barbs from Trump). On immigration, she did not call him a xenophobe or push for relief for DACA beneficiaries. She did something much more effective. She reminded Americans that immigration is central to the definition of America, and yes, to its greatness. The people she pointed out and millions of others enrich America. Too much time is spent defensively arguing that immigrants do not hurt us; Streep reminded us to focus on what we lose when immigration gets cut off and/or when people get deported. Streep went on to explain why Trumps egregious behavior matters: And this instinct to humiliate, when its modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybodys life, because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing. Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose. Again, outraged Republicans surely dont want to defend bullies, right? If not, and if Republicans do not embrace Trumps venom, taunting and bullying, they should applaud, not whine about, her speech. And finally, any conservative outrage over a call to a free and independent press suggests the Fox Non-News nighttime propaganda has truly warped the right. What great sin did she commit by calling for the principled press to hold power to account, to call them on the carpet for every outrage? Once upon a time (the past eight years), conservatives supported the Bill of Rights and wanted a more aggressive media. Trumps reaction and that of right-wing pundits more generally ignore the substance of what Streep said for good reason. Streep humanized Hollywood elites (and what is Hollywood anyway? Its just a bunch of people from other places) and made a universal appeal to decency. Her sentiments are virtually unassailable (e.g., dont mock the disabled, dont bully, do support a free press). Trump and his apologists could only sputter in response and tweet. Its stunning to watch a president-elect defend our enemies, quote international criminal and accused rapist Julian Assange, while dismissing the American heroes who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. More stunning still, Republicans are defending him. Why has the president-elect blindly defended Putin, who murdered journalists, shot down civilian aircraft, invaded NATO allies and attacked our national elections? Is it extortion? Rumor is the president-elect owes billions to Russia. We dont know. He refuses to disclose tax returns. Is he a bully who calls names to mask his insecurity, then caves when confronted? Or is Trump so narcissistic, he cant admit he didnt win the election himself? Was his razor-thin electoral victory a direct result of Russian influence? Ironically, the birther guy, who spent years de-legitimizing Obamas election, is upset when his legitimacy is questioned. The GOP snickered at birth certificate questions fueled by Trump/Alt-Right. By failing to condemn the Birthers, the GOP/Trump diminished the office of president. Now they have to live with the consequences. Time for Republicans to pull up their big-boy pants. Our commander-in-chief shouldnt grovel at the feet of our enemy, and the party of Reagan shouldnt make excuses for his behavior. Brad Schamp Archdale EDEN With cool temperatures outside, how about a warm Klassic Pulled Pork Sandwich sound, smoked in-house and topped with fried onion strings and sweet slaw? Or a Klassic Pizza Burger, stuffed with steamy mozzarella, pepperoni, pizza sauce and onion? Or perhaps a plate would satisfy your appetite like Klassic Carolina Chicken, a half-pound chicken breast with sauteed mushrooms, onions and Swiss. Komfort Klassics is a new restaurant in Leaksville, which Mike Ward has opened in the former Angelos Pizza Pub location at 629 Monroe St. It is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The restaurant features Southern cuisine and traditional classics, by Chef Pete Thompson. Other staffers with familiar faces at the location include Bev Cilurso, Jennifer Self Parker, Brian Parker, David Parker and Beth Parker, along with Mitch Neal. I think the name Komfort Klassics says it all. Its comfortable. You dont have to come in and look at the menu and try to figure out what were serving you. We dont have to have 20-minute talks with wait staff every night about the food so they can explain it to people, Ward said. When you open a restaurant, it has nothing to do with the restaurant YOU want to open, Ward said. It has to be what the people in a 9-mile radius are willing to come in and eat so youre basically tied to, held hostage by, your demographics. In Eden, locals were looking for Southern food and barbecue so thats the avenue Ward took, bringing comfort food like homemade biscuits into an approachable, casual atmosphere. Economically, Eden right now is not in the place of say, Greensboro. You cant expect to come into this market and make gourmet burgers that sell for $12 apiece. So here, it has to be sustainable, it has to be good, fresh food, made daily and the price point has to be right, Ward said. So if you look at my menu, youll see ridiculously low prices it gives you and your husband and kids a chance to come in and everyone can eat for like $25. Komfort Klassics burger with handcut fries or homemade chips runs less than $7. Homemade chili is $3.85, and a chicken fried steak platter is $9.59. Ward said with a menu full of familiar fare like chicken salad, lasagna, steak, pork chops and onion rings, diners are more likely to tell their friends about the restaurant. Chicken arrives on-site a day and a half from the kill date, and the aged beef is so tender, the ribeyes can be cut with a butter knife. Were trying to center everything on quality items. Our beef is absolutely the best that I can get. Most people pay $8 per pound for ribeye; I pay $11, even with my price break, Ward said. He can afford to do that by changing other things so the restaurant cuts its own fries and pit-smokes its own barbecue of which probably 150 pounds was sold in the first two days. My game plan is to become a community restaurant, to be invested with the churches, the schools, the town and the chamber of commerce, Ward said. Ward of the World A restaurant consultant with a long history in the business, Ward trained in fine dining at Nobles Restaurant in Charlotte. Then he was one of the original investors in Sagebrush in the 1990s. I was in the right place at the right time, Ward said. He helped them open 10 Mels Diners locations because they didnt know how to make breakfast and I did. At 19 years old, Ward was named a general manager of Sagebrush, until the business was sold to Carousel Restaurants. I opened Boxcar Grill [with the former Sagebrush folks] in Claremont, and shortly after that, Golden Corral called, he said. Ward worked at many locations, from Winston-Salem and Greensboro to Homestead, Florida. I ended up going to North Myrtle Beach and built that store, and stayed on as GM. During his tenure with Golden Corral, Ward worked at the #8, #5 and #1 locations in the country. A lot of what I learned in the restaurant business, I learned there, like you cant do everything yourself and youre only as good as the people you develop around you, Ward said. I became more of a systems analyst than an actual chef. Restaurants have a tendency that once they start to decline and go into slow sales mode, they forget the basics and are thinking about what they can cut from necessities. He ran some more restaurants, including stints with Joes Crab Shack and Fusion then the Boxcar Grill owners came calling again, where he helped open three sites. He worked there until May 2016. Ward was an original partner in the new Reidsville restaurant, Southern Kulture, but realized he wanted to go in a different direction, so he sold out. Thats when he came to Eden, where he now has a house and a carwash on Kings Highway, in addition to Komfort Klassics. Hes also consulting for 912 Bethlehem, and plans to reopen Ernies Family Restaurant at 1447 Freeway Dr. in Reidsville. For more information on Komfort Klassics, call 336-627-3651. Ibrahim Halawa is standing trial over 2013 violence charges; Egyptian president said that constitutionally no one can interfere in the judiciary's work except after final verdicts are issued Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi met with an Irish Parliamentary delegation in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the case of Irish-Egyptian prisoner Ibrahim Halawa among a number of other issues, state news agency MENA reported quoting a presidential statement. Halawa, who was arrested in August 2013 during clashes between security forces and supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi at the Fateh Mosque in Cairo's Ramsis, is standing trial with 493 others on charges ranging from attacking security forces, vandalizing public buildings, attempted murder, to murder. "Egypt is working to consolidate the rule of law and respect the principle of separation of powers, stressing that, constitutionally, no one can interfere in the judiciary's work except after final verdicts are issued," El-Sisi said about Halawa's case. On their part, the Irish delegation said they fully respect the rule of law in Egypt and the independence of the Egyptian judiciary. The MPs also thanked the Egyptian authorities for allowing them to meet Halawa in prison and for allowing the Irish Embassy in Cairo to check on his health conditions and his treatment. The Irish delegation, headed by the Irish Parliament Speaker Ceann Comhairle, arrived in Egypt on Tuesday on a five-day visit. During the meeting, the Egyptian president hailed the "special" bilateral relations with Ireland, while the Irish MPs praised Egypt "for the work accomplished for its democratic transition, restoring stability and undertaking steps for economic reform." The meeting also tackled means to bolster bilateral cooperation in the number of field; particularly the development of agricultural techniques and increase cattle production as well as explore business and trade opportunities between the two countries. The delegation visit comes after the Irish parliament last July asked Egypt to release Halawa. However, the request was rejected by Egypt. In December 2015, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for Halawa's release. The request, rejected by Egypt, was described by Cairo as "a violation" against the independence of the Egyptian judiciary and the country's sovereignty. Halawa, who is now 21, is not the only dual national currently jailed in Egyptian prisons. American-Egyptian Aya Hegazy, 29, and her husband are also facing trial on criminal charges. In September 2015, Canadian-Egyptian Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy, who was arrested and charged in 2013 with spreading false news, recieved presidential pardon following a final verdict in his case a month before. In February 2015, Fahmy renounced his Egyptian citizenship to qualify for deportation in accordance with a December 2014 presidential decree that allows state authorities to deport convicted foreigners. He later regained his Egyptian citizenship after filing a lawsuit. The European parliament cited the 2014 decree when calling for the release of Halawa in December 2015. Halawa was arrested with his three sisters, but the three were released shortly after. Search Keywords: Short link: This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GREENWICH The town finance board is back to full strength as one vacancy was filled Tuesday while another was avoided. Democrat Tony Turner, a small business owner and member of the Representative Town Meeting, was appointed to fill a vacancy left by last months resignation of board member Mary Lee Kiernan, who left to become president and CEO of YWCA Greenwich. Turner will fill the rest of Kiernans term, which goes through November. Also Tuesday, Democrat John Blankley withdrew his resignation, which he announced last month after he was passed over by the Democratic caucus to succeed Kiernan as both a member of the powerful BET Budget Committee and as leader of the Democratic caucus on the board. Many in town government urged Blankley, a business executive and entrepreneur who has been on the board since 2013, to reconsider. I simply could not ignore the goodwill and encouragement Ive received from so many quarters, Democrats and Republicans alike, to remain on the BET, Blankley said Tuesday. In order for someone to resign from a position on a town board, a formal letter must be submitted to the Town Clerks office. Blankley never sent one in, which allowed him to take back his stated intention to resign. At the time of his resignation, Blankley said he didnt feel he could continue on the board after what amounted to a no-confidence vote was taken against him by his fellow BET Democrats, who preferred Leslie Moriarty to be on the Budget Committee and Jill Oberlander to serve as caucus leader. At Tuesdays meeting, BET Chairman Michael Mason formally approved Moriartys appointment to the committee, which gets the first crack at the first selectmans proposed municipal budget and has the power to cut or adjust budget lines. Blankley participated in Wednesdays meeting by phone from Arizona, saying he wanted to be a part of the meeting specifically so he could vote for Turner, whom he said he had a high regard for. The two worked together on Blankleys unsuccessful run for state Senate in 2016. At a special meeting Tuesday, BET members unanimously approved Turners nomination to the board. Turner, a town resident for more than 20 years, is the owner and founder of Riverside-based Financial Tracking, which provides compliance software to financial services companies. He was in his third year on the RTM before his appointment and will resign from the body as a result of his joining the BET. He has strong roots in the community and experience relevant to the BET, Oberlander said. We look forward to working with him. Turner has also served as a member of the New Lebanon School Building Committee. BET member Bill Drake, who is also Turners neighbor, served there with him and seconded his nomination. Hes a practical, friendly, cooperative person who will be able to handle all the tasks on the BET, Drake said. He is a gentleman in the best sense of the word. Mason, a Republican, joked that he had some good news and bad news for Turner, saying he now had an official town parking pass but also a BET meeting schedule for the next year, which he estimated included 2,080 hours of meetings, mostly after dinner hours. The BET by design is split politically, six Republicans and six Democrats. The chairman gets an extra vote in the case of a tie. After his unanimous appointment, Turner said he was happy with the show of support. I think the acceptance with the unanimous vote shows that everyone, like me, is very interested in teamwork, Turner said. Without a team viewpoint, well never make it through some of the issues coming up. Weve all got to work as closely as we can and its a phenomenal start. GREENWICH Greenwich Hospital has been cited by a consumer-satisfaction organization. From the hospital: Greenwich Hospital has received the 2017 Womens Choice Award as one of Americas Best Hospitals for Obstetrics for the fourth year in a row. The award goes to the nations top 17 percent of hospitals considered the best to have a baby. Greenwich Hospital is recognized as the regions destination hospital for maternity care, offering women in Connecticut and New York the best possible birthing experience, said Anna Cerra, RN, DNP vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer for Greenwich Hospital. Our compassionate and highly skilled doctors and nurses provide the full range of mother-baby care, including fertility, perinatal and neonatal services to handle all types of pregnancies and deliveries. More than 2,800 babies were born at Greenwich Hospital in 2016. The hospital also has a level IIIA neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for newborns who require specialized care. The Womens Choice Award is the only award recognizing excellence in obstetrics based on robust criteria that considered patient satisfaction and clinical excellence. Greenwich Hospital received the award by meeting the following criteria: presence of a level IIIA NICU; low rates of early elective deliveries; high patient safety rankings by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and high recommendation scores based on federal patient surveys. Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump made no bones about his plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, recently denouncing the legislation as a catastrophic event. This week, the wheels were put in motion to start that process, but many including some Republicans in Congress are leery about moving forward without knowing what will take ACAs place. There have been concerns that Congress will repeal Obamacare without a replacement, leaving millions of Americans without healthcare. In Connecticut, as many as 248,000 people could be without insurance by 2019, according to a fact sheet released by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research institute. (Repeal and replace) was a mantra of the campaign trail, said Angela Mattie, professor and chair of Quinnipiac Universitys department of healthcare management and organizational leadership. The problem is, what are you going to replace it with? Healthcare is a complicated business. Trump, a Republican, has said he wants the replacement implemented as soon after the repeal as possible. But many experts say its still unclear how that process will work or what an alternative would involve. I think we just have to wait and see what happens, said Katherine Yacavone, president and CEO of the Bridgeport-based Southwest Community Health Center, which provides health care on a sliding scale for the uninsured and under-insured. What would it mean? On Thursday, Republicans in Congress begin the march to repeal the Affordable Care Act, with votes from the Senate and the House that would pass a budget resolution protecting any future repeal bill from filibuster by Democrats. The bill itself would need to be produced by Jan. 27, but its still unclear as to what would happen next. The future is cloudy enough that even some Republicans in Congress have said they want to hold off on gutting the legislation until there is a solid alternative in place. Despite the uncertainty, there are some ideas about what a replacement healthcare plan could involve, said John Thomas, a law professor at Quinnipiac University who specializes in health law. He said a potential replacement would include getting rid of the individual mandate, which requires most Americans to pay a fee if they dont have health insurance, and eliminating the expansion of Medicaid in some states. Under the ACA, states had the option of expanding Medicaid to all Americans under age 65 whose family income is at or below 133 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Connecticut was the first state to expand Medicaid under the legislation. If that piece of ACA in particular goes away, Thomas said, I think it will have a devastating effect. Indeed, according to the report, repeal would cost Connecticut $866 million in Medicaid funding in 2019 and $10.5 billion between 2019 and 2028. The report offers other details of the repeals potential impact on Connecticut There are pieces of the existing Affordable Care Act that Trump has vowed to keep, including the provision that keeps young adults on their parents insurance until age 26 and the provision that wont deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. But Mattie said its unclear how the new legislation would support the pre-existing condition provision, as it largely depends on the individual mandate. You cant (keep that provision) and get rid of the individual mandate, because then there arent enough people in the insurance pool, Mattie said. She said even supporters agree that the ACA isnt the end-all be-all and needs reworking. But, if people dont have insurance, Mattie said, they are more likely to use emergency rooms to treat non-emergency ailments, such as ear infections, or to delay treatment until they are gravely ill both of which would be costly to taxpayers. Uncertain how to respond The uncertainty over what exactly repeal and replace will mean has some local health care advocates confused and frustrated about how to respond. Until we know whats going to happen, you cant have an effective advocacy strategy, Yacavone said. Im hoping that once the rhetoric calms down, we can get down to what this means. She said, regardless of whats going on on the national stage, Southwests clients have continued to enroll in Access Health Connecticut, the state exchange set up as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Indeed, the marketplace reports that 104,495 customers have enrolled in 2017 coverage. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Looking ahead to spring and summer, residents and businesses will likely face restrictions due to the ongoing drought. But even with rules in place limiting water use, data provided by the mayors office show Stamford which shares a reservoir system with Greenwich, New Canaan and Darien has lower spikes in usage during warmer months than neighboring towns. Dariens water use surges 150 percent when temperatures are at their hottest, versus a 30 percent increase in Stamford, according to 18 months of Aquarion Water Co. billing data analyzed by Mayor David Martin. Greenwich uses 130 percent more water during warm months and New Canaan ups its intake 110 percent. Make no mistake: with more than 122,000 residents, Stamford takes in millions more gallons than its smaller neighbors. In the summer, however, the citys average household water use peaks at 5,000 gallons per month, while Greenwich reaches 23,000 gallons per household in a city of 62,000. Martin attributes the spike to lawn watering, which has been banned in towns and cities across the state as the drought persists. Fairfield County is still in the midst of a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor which has tracked the regions drought for the past 31 months. The big numbers are in irrigation, and thats where we have to focus, Martin said. Martin has proposed an ordinance requiring irrigation contractors to install rain sensors and provide clients with instructions for turning off their systems, measures he hopes will preserve whats left in reservoirs. We dont have enough rain, he said, so if we want to save the water we have in place you have to do it through summer irrigation. Martin plans to meet with irrigation companies in March to discuss the ordinance, should the Board of Representatives approve it. The proposal is set to be advertised for a public hearing. Watering bans The mayor has also met with elected officials to drum up support for a coordinated water conservation effort. I dont want to impose hardship on the city of Stamford while the town of Greenwich has been spraying their green grass, and vice versa, Martin said. Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei, whose town has enforced a watering ban, agreed with the need for collaboration. Clearly there needs to be a more regional or statewide approach to establishing a uniform conservation proposal, he said. Empowered by town ordinance, Greenwich has limited water use and banned all outdoor watering since fall. It has helped us achieve a reduction in use but it doesn't have the same weight as if it were a state requirement, Tesei said. Besides the outdoor watering ban, Aquarion has asked all customers to cut usage by 20 percent while its reservoirs are critically low. Stamfords two reservoirs, North Stamford and Laurel, are at 44 percent capacity; the 20-year average is 80 percent. The reservoirs serve mostly Stamford and surrounding communities. Water isnt owned by any one community, even though reservoirs are domiciled in one community, Tesei said. The Aquarion system is a system of repositories that feed a system. Unsightly piping Stamford, Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan residences also have wells in areas not served by Aquarion. Peter Fazekas, spokesman for the utility company, did not have data about the breakdown of wells versus public hookup in the towns it serves. Aquarion is working to identify its top 100 users, but has not released data about which towns top the list. To redirect water from fuller reservoirs in the Bridgeport system, the utility installed a temporary pipe to redirect 4 million gallons of water a day to Stamford, New Canaan and Greenwich. New Canaan First Selectman Rob Mallozzi said usage in his town dropped once residents were made aware of the water emergency. Were part of a region and our region is suffering, Mallozzi said. If it means that weve had to put up with some unsightly piping to make sure water is getting to everyone, then were doing our part. An earlier version of this article gave incorrect percentage increases for water use in Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan and Darien. On July 4, 1776, our forefathers declared unanimously that the citizens of the United States of America had certain rights that cannot be given or taken away, including the pursuit of Happiness. Fast forward a few centuries, and we find ourselves in a workaholic, technology-crazed nation where we are plugged into email and available to work 24/7/365 -- and we are still pursuing our happiness. For many years, work and life have been labeled as two separate events that compete for equal balance and attention. As more and more of our personal lives overlap with work, it is natural that we should pursue our happiness at work, too. With this equation, it would be wise for employers to institutionalize practices at work that support employee well-being and help to create a positive work environment. In turn, organizations will benefit by having more engaged employees who will be more committed, more productive and more willing to go the extra mile -- employees who say how can I help rather than this isnt in my job description. *Need link to report* Employee engagement has measured surprisingly low in the U.S. for many years, most notably by the Gallup organization, which reports only 30 percent of American workers as engaged. This leaves 70 percent of the workforce just going through the motions, or worse, actively seeking ways to disrupt other employees productivity or damage the organization in some way. With this dismal outlook, employers can move the dial in their own organizations and increase their employee engagement by following these steps: The first step is to pay attention to the people. People naturally want to be recognized both as professionals and as human beings. When you start to acknowledge the people in your organization, they will notice, and their work will respond to your well-deserved attention. This can be as simple as stopping by someones office and saying hello and thank you for the well-planned meeting agenda. Related: 5 Companies Getting Employee Engagement Right Reframe your employees relationship with accountability. Too often, accountability at work is viewed as something that happens to you when you do something wrong. This relationship with accountability will stifle information sharing and creativity and breeds fear in work cultures. Create opportunities for employees to connect being accountable for their job responsibilities and work product as something to be proud of -- and that being accountable represents success, not failure. Related: How to Increase Accountability Without Breathing Down People's Neck Make sure you appropriately reward all behavior. Your best employees will notice when poor performers are not called out on their bad behaviors, and it will foster resentment. If allowed to linger, your best employees will leave, and you will be left with your poor performers. Connect the position to the purpose. People crave work that is both meaningful and challenging, so make sure your employees understand the connection between their responsibilities and tasks, big and small, and the organization's mission and vision. Institute multiple engagement touch points. This includes the first day -- make sure they know they made the right choice when they accepted your job offer -- ninety days and one year markers. Small but meaningful engagement touch points can boost employee engagement at times it would naturally start to ebb. Prioritize well-being initiatives over a fun work environment. A fun work environment, with perks such as game rooms or happy hour, provide short-lasting rewards for employees, but it doesn't lead to long-term motivation or engagement. Invest the money into well-being initiatives that address important issues such as decreasing stress and increasing resilience. Your best and most engaged employees are most likely the hard workers who face burnout as a result of the consistently high levels of work they produce. Make sure they are taking advantage of opportunities to pause, refresh and breathe. Related: To Meet Employees' Expectations, Improve Engagement, Don't Just Cater to Their Whims Practice gratitude. A little gratitude can go a long way and takes minimal effort. A popular theory in positive psychology is that we must maintain a ratio of several positive to one negative event to maintain a positive outlook and perspective, especially at work. Positive events can include very simple things such as being on the receiving end of a thank you for a job well done, listening to a favorite song or taking a short walk. Create opportunities for these types of events for your employees, and yourself, and encourage them to do the same. To transform your employee engagement initiatives into lasting results, be sure your organization is committed to turning the dial. Shifting a culture has to be an organization-wide initiative with buy-in at all levels -- not just a program that is coming out of Human Resources. Seek out champions who want to be a part of moving the work forward to create a team of engaged employees and foster a positive workplace culture. Happiness can and should be pursued and realized at work as a part of life, not something that happens off the clock. Related: Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved A Syrian provincial governor said on Wednesday the government and rebels had agreed on a plan to repair damage to a spring in the Wadi Barada area that supplies water to the capital, state television reported. The report could not be immediately confirmed with rebel fighters. The local media office for activists in rebel-held Wadi Barada, where the spring is located, denied any agreement had been reached between rebels and the government. The spring was knocked out of service in late December, reducing water supplies to the 70 percent of residents of Damascus and surrounding areas that it serves. The government and rebel groups in Wadi Barada, a mountainous valley about 20 km (10 miles) northwest of Damascus, agreed for technicians to enter the damaged spring facility, state television said. The United Nations has said the spring was damaged because "infrastructure was deliberately targeted", without saying who was responsible, leaving 4 million people in Damascus without safe drinking water supplies. The U.N. warned the shortages could lead to waterborne disease outbreaks, and a spokesman has said sabotaging civilian water supplies constituted a war crime. Rebels and activists have said government bombardment damaged the spring. The government said insurgent groups polluted the spring with diesel, forcing the state to cut supplies. Clashes and air strikes in Wadi Barada have threatened a shaky nationwide ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey nearly two weeks ago to pave the way for peace talks. The governor of the Damascus countryside province said in comments published on state news agency SANA on Wednesday, that a preliminary agreement had been reached with local fighters in parts of Wadi Barada to hand over their weapons to the government. Fighters not originally from the valley will be evacuated out of the area. The Syrian army will then enter the areas to remove explosives and technicians will repair damage to the spring, governor Alaa Ibrahim said. "In the coming hours it will become clear if it is possible to implement the agreement," SANA quoted Ibrahim as saying. Rebels in the area could not be reached immediately, but local activists denied that any agreement had been reached. Through a series of local deals, sieges and army offensives, the Syrian government, backed by Russian air power and Iran-backed militias, has been steadily suppressing armed opposition around its heavily-fortified capital. The Syrian army and allied fighters from the Lebanese group Hezbollah launched an offensive in late December to capture Wadi Barada, overlooked by pro-government military positions. The government says it wants to enter the valley to secure the capital's water supply. Rebel groups and local activists say pro-government forces are using the water issue to make political and military gains. Rebels in Wadi Barada have allowed government engineers to maintain and operate the valley's pumping station, the capital's main water source, since they took control of the area in 2012. Fighters have, however, cut water supplies several times in the past to put pressure on the army not to overrun the area. The United Nations estimates 45,000 people live in the Wadi Barada area, and thinks at least 7,000 people have been displaced form the area in recent fighting. Search Keywords: Short link: Photo: Jeff Rotman/Getty Images In what environmental activists will no doubt see as a major victory, Air China has become the first airline in China to ban shark-fin shipments. This is no small thing: It carried nearly 90 million passengers in 2016, and throws it weight into the ring with no less than 35 other airlines and 17 global shipping companies in supporting the ban. Speaking with the Washington Post, Alex Hofford of Hong Kong conversation group WildAid calls it a bold move thats likely to have a huge and lasting impact on shark populations and marine ecosystems worldwide. Like countless other ocean animals, many species of shark are facing possible extinction as the situation in the worlds waters grows more and more dire. Some 73 million are slaughtered every year just for their fins, a disproportionate number of which end up in China, where shark-fin soup is a delicacy. China Airs decision is significant, if not entirely unprecedented: The Chinese government banned shark-fin soup at state banquets in 2012, and the state-owned China Cosco Shipping banned shark fin in July. In the United States, where shark-fin soup has received significant attention, shark-finning was made illegal in 2000 and, more recently, Congress introduced legislation to ban the trade last year. Dale Taldes whole fish with olives, capers, ginger, and scallion. Photo: Melissa Hom You have to start with noodles, of course, which have been the most obvious link between the cuisines of Italy and East Asia for at least a few centuries. Long, thin strands of springy dough are the foundation of some of the worlds most important dishes, and even though Japanese food and Italian food may not seem entirely compatible at first, there are many shared sensibilities beyond noodles, like a love of umami and pristine ingredients. Yet its only been recently that chefs in America began to openly explore the true extent of this connection, working toward something like a newfangled Italian-Chinese-Japanese fusion. Ive been eating ramen noodles for over 45 years, says Hisanobu Osaka, the current chef at Chicagos Intro, which hes fashioned into a Japanese-style trattoria. I started thinking, What if I made homemade ramen dough, and changed the shape of ramen noodles to a pasta noodle, like rigatoni or agnolotti? The result is a noodle that has the telltale chew of ramen, and the sauce-clinging abilities of Italian pasta, which Osaka serves with braised pork belly and scallions. Its exactly like a ragu, he says. In Japan, there is a long-established fascination with itameshi, or Italian food a mingling of cultures that makes sense to lots of chefs. David Chang hit upon something similar, adding some pronounced influence from a famous Chinese dish, when he started mixing gnocchi-like rice cakes with ragu based on mapo tofu at Momofuku Ssam Bar back in 2006, or offering a version of cacio-e-pepe-esque butter noodles laced with miso-like fermented chickpeas when he opened Momofuku Nishi last year. Chang is hardly alone: In St. Louis, youll find miso-ricotta ravioli at Sardella. A New York pop-up called Pasta Omakase offers dishes like tortellini in tonkatsu broth. The wildly popular Union Square udon spot, TsuruTonTan, serves a truffle creme version of its signature dish, tossed with a grating of Parmigiano-Reggiano. A dish of rigatoni a la Singapore with clams, shrimp, Italian sausage, Chinese broccoli, and XO sauce from Massonis opening menu. Photo: Melissa Hom Kengo Nakamura offers spaghetti with miso, as well as linguine with tomato and uni at Trattoria Nakamura-Ya in Las Vegas (making a point to use the Japanese name for sea-urchin roe). And uni pasta shows up again, mixed with caviar and chanterelle mushrooms, at Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston, South Carolina. (In fact, uni pasta has become so prevalent on restaurant menus, New Yorks Adam Platt recently deemed it the fettuccine Alfredo of our postmillennial dining age.) The ItalianEast Asian connection certainly doesnt begin and end at noodles. If you start digging into cuisines like classical Cantonese or Japanese, you see that its really about the ingredient and not doing a lot to it, says Dale Talde, and that plays into the ethos of the Italian mentality of cooking. At Massoni, which Talde just opened in Manhattan, he offers dishes like head-on fish cooked with ingredients that lean both Italian (Castelvetrano olives, capers) and Cantonese (ginger, scallion). It eats like an Asian fish, Talde says, but has accents of Italian. The chef also points to the restaurants version of Bolognese sauce: I keep thinking, its the same exact dish as dan dan noodles, just without pickled mustard greens and Sichuan peppercorns in the soffrito. Another big driver of chefs willingness to combine these ingredients in such a freewheeling fashion is the ever-important need to give diners as much umami as possible. When I eat pasta in Italy, in the sauce I can feel that same umami that I taste in ramen stock, Osaka says. That taste often comes from aged and fermented ingredients, whether thats miso and soy sauce, or cheese. Pasta Omakases Angie Rito says she and her partner Scott Tacinelli were inspired to begin their fusion pop-up for a simpler reason: People really like this food. Both cuisines now appeal to a wide audience, but separately, Rito says. At their core, they focus on the same things so it makes sense to mix them together. Other combinations are more subtle, but no less effective, like the nori that Talde sneaks into Massonis Caesar salad. These interpretations are what make cooking fun, Talde says of his inclination to cross-pollinate as much as he can. Its a natural progression of the way cultures mix. Kantar Worldpanel released its report on the smartphone market for the three months ending in November. Several outtakes are that Europe loves a new iPhone, Android strengthens its positions in China and Windows Phone is going into the abyss. The Android share declined in the United States, Great Britain, France and Japan as iOS made gains on the back of the iPhone 7 launch. In US iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 6s were the three most popular devices with a combined 31.3% share. After them were the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge respectively at fourth and fifth with 28.9% of smartphone sales. Google Pixel snatched 1.3% of sales in the same period. China, on the other hand, saw Android rose 7.2 percent points to 79.9% with Huawei having a quarter of all the sales. Oppo posted strong growth with 12.9% signaling the first potential shift in the market since Huawei overtook both Apple and Xiaomi in 2015. In terms of single devices, iPhone 7 is the best-selling device in China at 6.6%. Europes Top 5 markets saw iOS gain 2.7pp, while Android also expanded by 1.7pp. The two platforms have pushed Windows Phone and other platforms down to a combined share of just 3%. Check out all the data from Kantar in the interactive chart below. Source In two short days HTC is holding an event during which it's expected to announce a new series of smartphones branded U: the U Ultra and U Play. Today however the Taiwanese company has decided to reveal that its most recent mid-range offering, the Desire 650, would be coming to Europe soon. The Desire 650 was unveiled back in November of last year as a totally unimpressive successor to the Desire 630, itself just a few months old at that point. So far, however, its availability was confined to HTC's native Taiwan. That will all change in February, when the Desire 650 is scheduled to land in the UK. Pricing for that market hasn't been outed yet, but we do know that the Dark Blue color version will be exclusive to O2, while the Lime Light iteration (pictured above) will be sold elsewhere too. The Desire 650 may also make its way to other countries in Europe at around the same time or shortly afterwards, but no official details have been revealed. The phone comes with a 5-inch 720p screen, a 13 MP main camera, a 5 MP selfie snapper, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 2,200 mAh battery. Intriguingly, it's powered by the extremely old Snapdragon 400 chipset, featuring a 1.6 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 processor and Adreno 306 GPU. The handset runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Source Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said his country's ties with Saudi Arabia were recovering, after tensions linked to the regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran led Riyadh to cancel $3 billion of military aid to Beirut last year. Aoun, an ally of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, visited Saudi Arabia this week, trying to mend relations with the Sunni Muslim monarchy which has traditionally backed Hezbollah's opponents in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia cancelled the military aid in February last year when the Lebanese government failed to join other Arab states in condemning attacks by Iranian demonstrators on Saudi missions in Iran. It has also warned wealthy Saudi visitors to stay away from Lebanon, depriving the country of vital tourism revenue. Aoun told the Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat in an interview published on Wednesday - a day after he held talks with King Salman - that Saudi tourists would soon return to Lebanon. Asked if his visit had turned a new page in relations with Saudi Arabia, Aoun said: "Yes. When this transient era clears, we will be certain that it had no roots from the Lebanese people's side." "It is obvious that ties should be normal, regardless of any differences that may arise, or that may have arisen in the past, in relation to the Syrian file," he added, referring to the civil war in neighbouring Syria - one of several Middle East conflicts where Tehran and Riyadh back opposing forces. The dispute has also cast a shadow on the fate of an estimated 750,000 Lebanese nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia and in other Gulf Arab states, who transfer between $7 and $8 billion each year to support extensive families. Asked about the fate of Saudi aid to the Lebanese army, he said: "This issue will be discussed by the defence ministers of the two countries." Aoun, who was in Qatar on Wednesday on the second leg of his first trip abroad since he was elected in October, said Saudi Arabia has already decided to allow tourists back to Lebanon, and that details were being worked out between experts from both sides. In talks in Doha, Aoun agreed with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to resume meetings of the higher joint committee between the two countries, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency. Aoun invited Tamim to visit Beirut and asked the emir to keep up his efforts to free nine kidnapped Lebanese army soldiers believed to be held by Islamic State militants as well as two Orthodox bishops and a Lebanese journalist who were abducted in Syria in 2013. "There was a promise from the emir to continue the efforts in this regard despite the sensitivity of the subject," the statement said. Search Keywords: Short link: Samsung Gear S3 lands in India, to go on sale next week Inline with expectations, Samsung has announced its Gear S3 smartwatch for India. The device (both classic and frontier variants) carries a price tag of INR 28,500 (around $418), and will go on sale in the country next week - January 18 to be precise. "With the Gear S3, we continue to build on our wearables heritage of offering diverse choices to enhance consumers unique lifestyles," said Manu Sharma, Vice President, Mobile Business, Samsung India. "With the new Gear S3, we expand our Gear collection and introduce not only a great smartwatch, but a great watch. With smart capabilities and sophisticated, elegant design, the Gear S3 marks a significant addition to our smartwatch portfolio." Source After the seminar on the fight against corruption, for the benefit of the mayors of the West conducted on October 20 and 21, it is the turn of the mayors of the Artibonite to attend this seminar on November 13, 14 and 15... Haiti - Politics : New Bureau in the lower house, blockade in the Senate Tuesday, Deputy Cholzer Chancy was re-elected as President of the Lower House by acclamation and the members of the Bureau of the Chamber were elected. Composition of the new Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies : Cholzer Chancy, President (AAA) Jacques Saint-Louis, Vice-President of the Sessions (PHTK) Enel Apollon, Vice President, to the Administrative Affairs (Pitit Dessalines) Jean Willer Jean, 1st Secretary (KID) Hermano Exinord, 2nd Secretary (INITE) Gary Bodeau, Quaestor (BOUCLIER) Luc Claude Guillaume, Vice-Quaestor (Renmen Ayiti) "Thanks to the honorable colleagues deputies who elected me as President of the Chamber of Deputies for a second term," declared Cholzer Chancy. At the level of the Senate the situation is more complicated and the election of the Bureau could not take place as planned, several senators having expressed the desire to be a candidate for President of the Bureau. The Senators of Artibonite Youri Latortue (favorite in the race) and Carl Murat Cantave, have not yet found the necessary consensus and the absence of a quorum (14 senators on roll-call) prevented the meeting. According to our information, Senator Jean Renel Senatus (Groupe du Center) suggests that he will also run for the Senate presidency. Note that Ronald Lareche, the outgoing President of the Upper House, has discharged of his responsibilities. For now, the Senate is paralyzed and cannot make any administrative action or convene members of the Government until the election of a new Bureau. The election of the bureau should be back on the agenda this Wednesday. S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - DR : Seizure of nearly 2 tons of contraband garlic from Haiti The CESFRONT (Cuerpo Especializado de Seguridad Fronteriza) informs that it has seized in the course of several control operations, nearly two tonnes of garlic (200 bags) at the Dominican border, that Haitians and Dominicans had tried to smuggle from Haiti via Montecristi and Dajabon. General Frugis Martinez, Chief of CESFRONT said that the smuggled garlic had been found at the control points of vehicle from Haiti. He specified that this merchandise was intended for various commercial establishments in Dajabon, Montecristi and other places in the border area. During these operations General Martinez also said he seized many motorcycles that had been stolen and detained several dozens of illegal Haitians who were trying to enter the Dominican and seized the vehicles that transported these illegal migrants. Recall that smuggling of garlic from Haiti to the Dominican Republic is important: in May 2016, 300 kg of garlic seized (30 bags) https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-17564-icihaiti-dr-seizure-of-smuggled-garlic-from-haiti.html mid-March 2016 more than 4 tons seized (440 bags) https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16908-icihaiti-smuggling-seizure-of-more-than-440-bags-of-garlic-from-haiti.html end of August 2015 more than 4 tons seized (437 bags) https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-14964-icihaiti-dominican-republic-seizure-of-more-than-4-tons-of-smuggled-garlic-from-haiti.html always in August 2015, more than a ton (137 bags) https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-14821-icihaiti-dominican-republic-seizure-of-garlic%C2%A0smuggles.html in February 2015 more than 12 tons (1,204 bags) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13202-haiti-dominican-republic-seizure-of-12-tons-of-garlic-smuggled-from-haiti.html . SL/ HaitiLibre Search Keywords: Short link: Ivory Coast Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan resigned and dissolved the government on Monday, a move that had been expected following elections last month but which was delayed two days by an army mutiny. Duncan had been expected to stand down on Saturday but held off after dissident soldiers took over army bases in cities across the West African country on Friday demanding bonus payments. It took 48 hours to reach the deal to quell the revolt in an army that is made up of government troops and former rebels and riven with divisions. "I have tendered my resignation and that of the government," he said after a meeting with President Alassane Ouattara. President Alassane Ouattara kept hold of his majority in the Dec. 18 parliamentary polls. However, legislative elections are usually followed by a change of government as a matter of procedure. Ouattara is expected to name a new prime minister later on Monday evening. Earlier, Guillaume Soro was re-elected as president of the National Assembly with 95 percent of the votes cast by deputies. Soro led a rebellion that controlled the northern half of the country for years starting in 2002. He later served as prime minister between 2007 and 2012. The government's dissolution paves the way for the implementation of measures contained in a new constitution. Ivory Coast is French-speaking West Africa's largest and most prosperous economy, as well as the world's leading grower of cocoa. In 2011 it emerged from a spate of short wars and a protracted crisis lasting nearly a decade to retake its place as the economic engine of the region. Ouattara signed a new constitution that had been approved by referendum into law in November, casting it as the way to ensure peace is maintained in Ivory Coast. It modifies clauses in the old constitution that lay behind the conflict, especially concerning nationality requirements for presidential candidates. Though largely resolved, the aftermath of the conflict has left the government hostage to an ill-disciplined and factionalised military, and Ouattara's inability to reign it in threatens to undermine its economic success.vory Coast Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan resigned and dissolved the government on Monday, a move that had been expected following elections last month but which was delayed two days by an army mutiny. Duncan had been expected to stand down on Saturday but held off after dissident soldiers took over army bases in cities across the West African country on Friday demanding bonus payments. It took 48 hours to reach the deal to quell the revolt in an army that is made up of government troops and former rebels and riven with divisions. "I have tendered my resignation and that of the government," he said after a meeting with President Alassane Ouattara. President Alassane Ouattara kept hold of his majority in the Dec. 18 parliamentary polls. However, legislative elections are usually followed by a change of government as a matter of procedure. Ouattara is expected to name a new prime minister later on Monday evening. Earlier, Guillaume Soro was re-elected as president of the National Assembly with 95 percent of the votes cast by deputies. Soro led a rebellion that controlled the northern half of the country for years starting in 2002. He later served as prime minister between 2007 and 2012. The government's dissolution paves the way for the implementation of measures contained in a new constitution. Ivory Coast is French-speaking West Africa's largest and most prosperous economy, as well as the world's leading grower of cocoa. In 2011 it emerged from a spate of short wars and a protracted crisis lasting nearly a decade to retake its place as the economic engine of the region. Ouattara signed a new constitution that had been approved by referendum into law in November, casting it as the way to ensure peace is maintained in Ivory Coast. It modifies clauses in the old constitution that lay behind the conflict, especially concerning nationality requirements for presidential candidates. Though largely resolved, the aftermath of the conflict has left the government hostage to an ill-disciplined and factionalised military, and Ouattara's inability to reign it in threatens to undermine its economic success. Haiti - FLASH : Guy Philippe was extradited on what legal basis ? Many wondered about the legality of the extradition of Senator Guy Philippe on Thursday January 5th, great is the confusion in the minds of many including our parliamentarians, what say the texts of laws in Haiti ? First of all, many speak of the agreement signed on 17 October 1997 between US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and President Rene Preval, which would have served as a legal basis for the extradition. To be precise, none of the articles of this agreement makes mention of extradition, even when interpreting it in the broad sense... There is indeed an extradition treaty between Haiti and the United States, but it is dated August 9, 1904, and it is stipulated in its article 4 "None of the contracting parties will be bound to deliver its own citizens." The amended Haitian Constitution, currently in force, is very clear : Article 8.1 "The Territory of the Republic of Haiti is nviolable and may not be alienated either in whole or in part by any Treaty or Convention. " Article 41 "No person of Haitian nationality may be deported or forced to leave the national territory for any reason whatsoever. No one may be deprived for political reasons of his legal capacity and nationality." Article 42 "No citizen, civilian or military may be distracted from the judges whom the Constitution and the laws assign to him." This means, in light of the Constitution, that the intervention of the agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Haitian soil in collaboration with the Brigade for the Fight against Narcotic Drugs (BLTS) is unconstitutional. Moreover, the Haitian laws of August 1912, June and February 2001, dealing with extradition, specify the procedures to be followed, including the intervention of the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the investigating judge until the acceptance or refusal of extradition. Note that Danton Leger, the Chief Prosecutor, said he had not been kept informed of the arrest of Senator Guy Philippe and was surprised that he had not been transferred to the Public Prosecutor's Office after his arrest... Finally, at the international level the fact that Haitian law does not authorize the extradition of its citizens is known. The 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 Reports of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American States (OAS) recalled that "The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti prohibits Extradition of Haitian citizens" and "Haitian law does not authorize the extradition of Haitian citizens." The question that now arises is to know on what legal basis Guy Phlippe has been handed over to the Americans, if however one can still speak of extradition in this case... So far, neither the de facto President, nor the Prime Minister, nor the Minister of Justice nor the police authorities, not even the American authorities, have given satisfactory explanations on this increasingly opaque case, which generates more questions than answers... See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19767-haiti-flash-americans-attacked-houses-burned-down.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19757-haiti-flash-violent-reprisals-of-guy-philippe-s-supporters.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19731-haiti-flash-guy-philippe-the-charges-are-known-appearing-on-january-13-2017.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19730-haiti-justice-guy-philippe-appeared-the-minister-of-justice-convened.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19721-haiti-flash-senator-guy-philippe-extradited-to-the-usa.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19720-haiti-flash-arrest-of-senator-guy-philippe.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping politics... Privert disconnected In his speech on the State of the Nation de facto President Jocelerme Privert indicates that he will leave power on February 7, leaving "a stable and socially peaceful country..." https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19761-haiti-politics-privert-s-speech-on-the-state-of-the-nation.html Balance sheet of the Prime Minister Monday in the Parliament, Prime Minister Enex Jean Charles, proceeded to the presentation and filing of the balance sheet of his Government. We invite you to watch this video : Guy Philippe request validation of his power Senator Guy Philippe, in a letter would have asked the Senate to validate his power. A Senate that is paralyzed until the election of a new Bureau... https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19769-haiti-politics-new-bureau-in-the-lower-house-blockade-in-the-senate.html Sauveur Pierre Etienne left the OPL Sauveur Pierre Etienne, General Coordinator of the Organization of the People in Struggle (OPL) announced his resignation of the party in the name of the democratic alternation and the modernization of the party. Ecumenical ceremony at the National Palace The Office of Communication of the Presidency announces the holding of an ecumenical ceremony on the courtyard of the National Palace on Thursday 12 January 2017 at 10:00 am, in tribute to the victims of the earthquake who harshly hit the Haitian nation 7 years ago... The KID calls for respect for the electoral calendar Several candidates for local and regional authorities, from the KID, are calling on the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to respect the date of 29 January for the local elections and the second round of legislative elections. "Makeda" to Jacmel The painter Christina Clodomir alias "Makeda" will be in Jacmel from 13 to 15 January 2017 for two days of Yoga Retreat at "La Colline Enchantee", with a vegetarian menu. On Sunday, January 15, from 5:00 pm, you are cordially invited to the "Special Sunset Class" on Boulevard Petion Bolivar. For more information : go to the Departmental Tourist Office of the South-East or call (+509) 3816 1000. HL/ HaitiLibre Senior U.S. Republican and Democratic senators will introduce legislation on Tuesday seeking to impose a wide range of sanctions on Russia over its cyber activities and actions in Syria and Ukraine. The legislation is sponsored by 10 senators - Republicans John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, Ben Sasse and Rob Portman and Democrats Ben Cardin, Robert Menendez, Jeanne Shaheen, Amy Klobuchar and Richard Durbin. The bipartisan support increases the measure's chances of being passed by the Republican-led Congress. A House of Representatives aide said Russia sanctions legislation also was being prepared in that chamber. It could set up a showdown with the administration of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20 and has repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. The measure is being introduced a day before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds its confirmation hearing for Trump's nominee to be secretary of state, former Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson. Many lawmakers from both parties have raised questions about the decades Tillerson spent working with Russia's government as an executive at the oil company, and his ties to Putin. His hearing, set for Wednesday and Thursday, is expected to largely focus on those issues. According to a preliminary summary seen by Reuters, the bill would impose visa bans and freeze the assets of people "who engage in significant activities undermining the cyber security of public or private infrastructure and democratic institutions" or aids such activities. It would impose sanctions on those who engage with the Russian defense or intelligence sectors, which could affect international companies doing business with Russia. It also puts into law sanctions on Russia that President Barack Obama imposed via executive order late last month. U.S. lawmakers have long called for a tougher response to Russian annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and intervention in the Syrian civil war on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Their impatience has increased since U.S. intelligence agencies released a non-classified version of a report Friday saying Putin ordered a campaign to try to sway the 2016 U.S. election in favor of Trump. The bill also sets new sanctions over Ukraine and Syria, including putting into law four executive orders from the Obama administration sanctioning Russia over its actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Among other things, it would mandate sanctions on investments of $20 million or more in Russia's ability to develop its petroleum and natural gas resources. Search Keywords: Short link: Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby. 12:22, 4 NOV 2022 University of Hawaii medical students plan public protest on January 9 for #ProtectOurPatients News Release from John A. Burns School of Medicine, January 8th, 2017 Motorists and pedestrians near Ala Moana Boulevard are likely to see something out of the ordinary on Monday, January 9, 2015 at around 12:30 p.m. University of Hawaii medical students, clad in their white medical lab coats, plan to hold an organized protest demonstration in support of #ProtectOurPatients. #ProtectOurPatients is a nation-wide, grassroots movement organized by medical students to raise awareness about the potential repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), frequently referred to as Obamacare. On January 9th, a large group of health professions students from across the country will unite under the banner of #ProtectOurPatients in Washington, D.C. to deliver a petition asking Congress to prevent millions of Americans from losing health insurance. The Hawaii medical student demonstration is being led by a student interest group at the UH medical school, the Partnership for Social Justice (PSJ). President-elect Donald Trump and Republican majorities in Congress are threatening to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and defund Planned Parenthood, said Arcelita Imasa, a third-year student at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and a spokesperson for the PSJ student group. With healthcare for some 30 million Americans in jeopardy and the threat that 400,000 more women will lose access to desired reproductive care, we medical students cannot be silent, said Imasa. The MD student protest is entirely organized by the student interest group, and doesnt necessarily reflect an official position by the medical school or University. However, Jerris Hedges, MD, JABSOM Dean said, JABSOM is proud that our students hold such strong community values and will speak up for those patients who may not have a voice in the rapidly changing healthcare landscape. About the John A. Burns School of Medicine The John A. Burns School of Medicine honors its unique research environment to excel in science-based efforts to eliminate diseases that disproportionately affect people in Hawaii and the Pacific region. Annually at JABSOM, more than 500 future physicians are learning medicine, JABSOM researchers secure $52 million in grants, and overall economic stimulus to Hawaii from the school tops $456 million. JABSOM also confers degrees in Clinical Translational Research, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Tropical Medicine, Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Technology and Developmental and Reproductive Biology. http://jabsom.hawaii.edu. ---30--- Related: SA: Pair of rallies protests Trumps policies University of Hawaii: Report Trump Voters to Campus Police UH Promises to Protect Illegals from Trump REPEAT WELFARE FRAUDSTER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS PRISON News Release from Hawaii Attorney General Jan 10, 2017 HONOLULU Attorney General Doug Chin announced that Mary Jane Delgado Ponce received today the maximum sentence of five years in prison for theft in the second degree, a class C felony. On October 26, 2016, an Oahu jury found Ponce guilty of obtaining thousands of dollars in food stamp benefits from the state of Hawaii by deception. State circuit judge Shirley M. Kawamura presided over the trial and sentencing. As a repeat offender, Ponce must serve a minimum of 20 months before being eligible for parole. From April 1, 2010 through April 30, 2014, Ponce, also known as Mary Jane Dalumpinis, was overpaid $3,723.00 in food stamp benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Ponce was overpaid because she did not disclose to state officials that she was married. Attorney General Chin said This defendant was previously convicted of welfare fraud in 2009 and began defrauding the state again one year later. People should not steal public funds and abuse this important social safety net. SNAP is administered by the state department of human services. It provides food and nutritional support to qualifying low-income and needy households. In fiscal year 2014, SNAP helped an estimated 193,565 state residents (98,440 families). # # # 2008: Mokule'ia campers rousted A Sudanese diplomat was arrested in New York City and charged with sexually rubbing up against a woman in a subway car but the charges were dropped and he was released because he had diplomatic immunity, police said on Tuesday. Mohammad Abdalla Ali, 49, was riding a train out of the city's Grand Central Terminal on Monday afternoon when he approached a 38-year-old woman from behind and rubbed his crotch against her, New York Police Department spokeswoman Arlene Muniz said in a phone interview. Ali was brought to a precinct and charged with sexual abuse and forcible touching but those charges were later voided and he will not face prosecution, police said. Representatives of Sudan's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, where Ali is listed as finance attache, could not immediately be reached for comment. New York police said they had reported the incident involving Ali to the U.S. State Department. A spokesman at the State Department had no immediate comment. The principle of diplomatic immunity generally restricts criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits against ambassadors and their staff, and it has been used to nullify charges ranging from abuse of domestic workers to parking violations. A tally in 2011 found that New York City was owed nearly $17 million in parking tickets issued to diplomats. Search Keywords: Short link: Leadership abilities identifying new leadership techniques, the struggles sometimes faced with self-awareness, fear of comment and advice, and the general two-sided nature of leadership. The leader their own character, values and beliefs, self-belief and motivation, and guardedness over vulnerabilities or insecurities Company culture the ways in which you operate, business heirarchies, old-fashioned business models and economic circumstances Interaction with leaders who set out a company narrative with clarity, covering where the company has come from, where it stands now, and where it will go in the future Reporting to leaders who encourage and grow their employees and treat them as individuals Belonging to a culture in which employees voices are heard, and communication is open across all levels Company values being lived and exercised in the daily operations of leaders and employees Identify your particular place within the company and what you contribute Be clear about managements expectations and resources for improvement Voice your opinions to the whole company Feel involved and valued within the business If needed, instigate an employee engagement survey to measure the current levels and how much work needs to be done Have your CEO be clear on a public platform about how accountability rests with all managers to form strong relationships with all staff members, and ensure it is emphasised as a priority Demonstrate how this core value can be incorporated into talent and leadership programmes, starting with First Line Management and working downwards Establish a list of proposed training schemes for all management levels, with particular emphasis on holding open and honest conversations and building professional relationships. >In part three of a three-part series, Nigel Purse outlines how to create simple, actionable steps to secure employee engagement on your CEO's agendaAs the head of HR, working towards a healthy employee engagement situation is probably on your to-do list of potential moves thatll make your company great. But while the importance of employee engagement is hard to dismiss, it is unlikely that CEOs or Board members share your sentiment, for a variety of reasons. What can you do to overcome these hesitations, and to give your business a push in the direction of improvement?The first important step is in making your CEO feel comfortable enough to act, and in order to achieve this, it is helpful to learn a little about what drives people to succeed, and what causes them to resist change. Ashridge Business School reported recently that there were three categories of barrier stopping many CEOs from supporting the implementation of employee engagement:You are likely to experience these barriers in combination, so it is quite impossible to deal with them all at once. Take a more measured approach and break it down, and look at the way your CEO interacts at work and the value placed on their professional status. It is getting better insight to their character, and more specifically, their hesitations, that will help you to identify better ways of approaching them about employee engagement. The drivers of employee engagement, and the ways in which it can be implemented should also be taken into consideration.As obvious as it may seem, any number of CEOs and HR leaders have fallen into a trap of miscommunication, which can leave any efforts at improved employee engagement looking a bit limp. Drivers of employee engagement are often identified as:This probably is no surprise. The masses of data and evidence collected over the years suggest that these approaches to the motivation and improved output of employees are very effective. The common misunderstanding is about where responsibility lies, and with whom.The responsibility is very often presumed to be that of the corporate team, but accountability reaches much further. The above influences are driven by how line managers interact with their employees on an individual level. The corporate centre is responsible for the upkeep of this culture shift, and to supply line managers with all the resources they require to introduce effective employee engagement.Although they cause no harm, half-baked schemes like teambuilding days and company blogs do not make up for improper management. Such ideas are often implemented in business settings to give the impression of regard for employee satisfaction and engagement, where proper, full-time commitment to employee engagement gives everybody the opportunity to:CEOs are central to influencing their line managers and ensuring that proper practices are taking place to ensure a comfortable and effective introduction of employee engagement. It is important to uphold expectations and ensure that all staff, management and otherwise, are working efficiently towards this common goal.Now, these simple principles can be worked into a plan of action for your CEO to introduce and endorse, and this is nowhere near as daunting as it sounds.There are several important points to remember when taking steps to make proper employee engagement a central fixture within your business:As management, you need to champion high employee engagement, and this is not easy. But by introducing some of these ideas into your company culture and your employees everyday experiences in the workplace, you can start to build a strong and supportive team with proud employees, proud board members and proud CEO.In your managerial role, it is your job to champion the all-round advantages of good employee engagement, and this is always a challenge. But the implementation of some of these ideas into the way your company works, you can begin to strengthen and reinforce your team, from the ground up, and all its operations. You will have satisfied staff, and happy board members.For further information on Ashridge click here The following information is provided by local law enforcement agencies. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Compiled by Jessica Isaacs Jan. 3 INCIDENT: Burglary forcible entry was reported at 153 Payne Branch Road Unit 2 in Blowing Rock.INCIDENT: Calls for service were reported at 261 Lakeview Drive in Deep Gap. ARREST: A female suspect, 65, of 136 Church Meadows Court in Fleetwood, was charged with DWI, drive left of center and failure to wear seat belt driver. Trial date: Feb. 22. ARREST: A male suspect, 43, of 371 Reed St. in Asheville, was charged with two counts of FTA criminal summons. Secured bond: $750. Trial date: Jan. 17. ARREST: A female suspect, 38, of 1386 Samson Road in Boone, was charged with all other offenses/harassing phone calls. Secured bond: $500. Trial date: Feb. 9. Jan. 4 INCIDENT: Larceny was reported at 2115 Browns Chapel Road in Boone. ARREST: A male suspect, 64, of 5605 Bamboo Road in Boone, was charged with simple assault. Trial date: Jan. 17. ARREST: A male suspect, 29, of 338 Brook Hollow Road in Boone, was charged with FTA release order 15A-305(b)(2). Secured bond: $2,500. Trial date: Jan. 18. ARREST: A male suspect, 41, of The Glade Road in Boone, was charged with OFA/non-support. Bond: $570. Trial date: Jan. 20. ARREST: A female suspect, 29, of 11036 N.C. Highway 105 in Banner Elk, was charged with child support warrant. Secured bond: $2,413. Trial date: Jan. 20. Jan. 5 ARREST: A female suspect, 34, of Lazy Lake Road Apt. 6 in Boone, was charged with FTA. Secured bond: $470. Trial date: Jan. 20. Jan. 6 INCIDENT: Larceny from buildings was reported at 1444 N Pine Run Road in Boone. INCIDENT: Calls for service were reported at 165 Briarcliff Road in Blowing Rock. INCIDENT: Larceny from buildings was reported at Appalachian Ski Mountain, 940 Ski Mountain Road. ARREST: A male suspect, 34, of 4304 Bamboo Road in Boone, was charged with felony FTA and misdemeanor FTA. Secured bond: $30,000. Trial date: March 20. ARREST: A male suspect, 28, of 266 Clay Hodges Road in Boone, was charged with FTA. Secured bond: $25,000. Trial date: March 20. ARREST: A male suspect, 54, of 1552 W King St. Apt. J in Boone, was charged with DWI. Jan. 7 INCIDENT: Vandalism was reported at 2130 Broadstone Road in Banner Elk. INCIDENT: Larceny from buildings was reported at 478 Deck Hill Road in Boone. Jan. 8 ARREST: A male suspect, 25, of 549 Welcome Home Church Road in North Wilkesboro, was charged with felony fraud and misdemeanor fictitious info to officer. Secured bond: $2,500. Trial date: Feb. 8. Jan. 9 INCIDENT: Breaking and entering was reported at 146 Crim Road in Boone. Refugees and other distress migrants have been forced to leave their homes in exceedingly large numbers for the past 18 months. It has become commonplace to refer to the current situation as the worst refugee crisis since World War 2, with over 65 million people a figure in excess of the entire population of many countries forcibly displaced. No individual region or triggering factor can be singled out as the only precipitating cause. Refugees have been fleeing relentless bombing in Aleppo, Homs, Mosul, and Juba victims of civil wars that they have no control over and that are determined by forces indifferent to humanitarian tragedy. Refugees have been pushed out of El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico by vicious drug wars and the gangs and other forms of criminal violence that they spawn. In Eritrea, Ukraine, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, refugees flee their homes because of intolerable political oppression by authoritarian governments who care only about keeping power whatever the human cost. 2017 doesnt look any better. So, how can the current extreme humanitarian suffering of millions of forced migrants be alleviated over the coming year? The most obvious answer is peace. A toxic combination of violence and conflict, deployed to maintain or assert power, lies at the heart of all the migration push factors above. Any moves - diplomatic, economic, political, or social that contribute to ending or reducing conflict will alleviate human suffering. If a lasting and sustainable truce is negotiated in the Syrian conflict, if the South Sudanese power struggle is peacefully resolved, if the government of Myanmar can be persuaded to enforce the minority rights of the Rohingya community, if drug wars in Central America are undermined by effective social policies and law enforcement measures, massive human suffering and the inevitable refugee outflows will be reduced. The urgent necessity of these resolutions cannot be overstated. But peace is elusive. So then what kind of alternatives exist? This is the question that the UN General Assembly addressed in detail during its first ever plenary session on Large Movements of People, held on September 19th, 2016. The outcome document of that high-profile meeting, known as the New York Declaration, and signed by 193 affirming member states, sets out a comprehensive, ambitious, and convincing agenda for action. First and foremost, the declaration participants recognized the importance of continuing to support the right to refugee protection; this is a right that has been enshrined in international law since the end of World War 2. Despite the many hostile sentiments expressed towards unexpected large-scale migrations, no single country or politician has spoken about withdrawing their countrys support from this obligation. Building on this collective commitment, the UN called for a concerted effort to greatly increase the responsibility of sharing refugees among nations. Hopefully the humanitarian investment in assistance, protection, and inclusion will fall more equitably on a wider cohort of players than has been the case so far. This is a critical demand. If only a small number of countries are willing to host refugees then the refugee architecture rapidly becomes fatally flawed. Schools, hospitals, public housing, language classes, and skill training programs cannot function under conditions of massive overload; and the political consensus that supports investment in humanitarian assistance crumbles under the weight of overwhelming pressure and demand. The example of acute humanitarian burnout in Jordan and Lebanon, Germany and Sweden clearly illustrate the point. Second, more needs to be done to stop the flow of migrants from the source. Various elements are needed for such an effort. Much more robust and targeted investments are needed in infrastructure development in places where failing state structures enable the establishment and flourishing of gangs, criminal networks, and pervasive urban violence. Many areas in the capital cities of the Northern Triangle countries are a case in point: careful, systematic, and sustained reconstruction of police capability, local social and educational institutions, skill training, and employment opportunities are essential if the outflow of young people is to be stemmed. Recent improvements in the infrastructure and safety of some notorious inner city areas in Honduras, thanks in part to bilateral collaborations between the US and the local and central government authorities, illustrate the type of programming urgently needed. Another element of a harm prevention program is the expansion of safe, regular, and legal migration routes so that people needing to flee can do so. A key constituency for whom this is an urgent priority are adolescents and other young people. Despite their documented needs for exit in situations where abusive military recruitment, sexual exploitation, and gang warfare are endemic, these obvious migration candidates lack access to legitimate mobility. They are the most likely to be refused legal status and treated as mere economic migrants, illegal entrants or, more crudely, bogus asylum seekers. In these circumstances, reliance on smugglers becomes an essential element of departure unless, even worse, abusive and deceitful recruitment by traffickers takes its place. In either case young people exercising a legitimate survival strategy are forced into deeply and foreseeably unsatisfactory situations. Shoring up political stability, investing locally in the next generation of workers, parents, and voters, and more equitably distributing access to legitimate and legal asylum are essential policies that are desperately needed in 2017 and beyond. Will leaders with the vision and skill required to implement such policies emerge from the ashes of a very challenging 2016? Jacqueline Bhabha, JD, MsC is Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is director of research at the Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, the Jeremiah Smith Jr. Lecturer in Law at Harvard Law School, and an adjunct lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. From 1997 to 2001 Bhabha directed the Human Rights Program at the University of Chicago. Prior to 1997 she was a practicing human rights lawyer in London and at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. She serves on the board of the Scholars at Risk Network, the World Peace Foundation, and the Journal of Refugee Studies. The S Group will allocate 45 million euros for [lowering] the prices of home-grown food. We've held no talks whatsoever with producers about prices. We've clearly instructed all stakeholders that no talks about producer prices will be held in relation to the price reductions, Ilkka Alarotu, the head of assortments and pricing at the retail co-operative, tells Uusi Suomi. The S Group has reiterated that the cuts in the prices of home-grown vegetables will be made by lowering its own profit margin, not by imposing lower prices on agricultural producers. Alarotu commented on the issue following allegations that some of the purchasing agents of the co-operative have cited the price reduction campaign as a reason for demanding lower prices from agricultural producers in Ostrobothnia. Johan Aberg, the executive director of SLC, the Swedish-language sister organisation of the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK), revealed that such demands were brought to his attention at a meeting attended by roughly 7080 agricultural producers in Vaasa on Monday. The S Group has described the accusations as serious and promised to deal with the issue with due diligence. Alarotu told that the retail co-operative has looked into the issue and contacted all of its purchasing agents but has yet to obtain further information about the situation. He also admitted that it is possible that the allegations are indeed warranted. Aberg, in turn, underlined that the retail co-operative has repeatedly given assurances that the price reductions will have no impact on producer prices. Producers are appalled and angry that these declamations were almost immediately forgotten, he said. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Jussi Nukari Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Russia's actions during the U.S. presidential election and its behavior toward Ukraine dominated the confirmation hearing of Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state, as senators pressed him on Wednesday on how he would deal with aggression from Moscow. Tillerson, 64, the former chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp, faced a grilling on his views of Russian President Vladimir Putin and tough questioning from Republican Senator Marco Rubio about whether he believed Putin was a war criminal. Rubio specifically referred to Russia's military actions in support of the Syrian government in the Syrian civil war. "I would not use that term," Tillerson said. Tillerson also declined to say whether he would support upholding President Barack Obama's executive order imposing fresh sanctions, which was in retaliation for what Washington charges was Moscow's hacking and other efforts to tilt the 2016 presidential election in Trump's favor. Tillerson said it was "a fair assumption" that Putin was aware of Russian efforts to interfere in the U.S. election. The central question senators will pose to Tillerson is how he can pivot from a Big Oil "dealmaker" protecting the interests of shareholders to being America's top diplomat, and whether he shares Trump's view that relations with Moscow should be improved. The hearing was interrupted by sporadic protests. In prepared opening remarks, Tillerson said Moscow should be held accountable for its actions and NATO allies are right to be alarmed by Moscow's behavior. Tillerson did not mention Russia's alleged hacking of the election in his opening remarks and said he did not discuss Russia policy during a meeting he had recently with Trump. Bob Corker, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has said he expects the Republican-controlled Senate will easily confirm Tillerson. On Wednesday, Corker said Tillerson's background as a business executive made him an "inspired choice" for the job. Corker emphasized that Tillerson had not met Trump until recently and would not be able to speak for the president-elect during the hearing. Tillerson's confirmation hearing comes at a time of rising tensions with Russia. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia was behind the hacks of political figures in an effort to help the Republican Trump defeat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 election. Moscow has denied the allegations. In another revelation, also denied by Moscow, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday evening that classified documents that the heads of four U.S. intelligence agencies presented last week to Trump included claims that Russian intelligence operatives have compromising information about him. Trump dismissed the reports, first made by CNN, as "fake news." Tillerson opposed U.S. sanctions against Russia in 2014 over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine because he said he thought they would be ineffective. SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA During the hearing, Tillerson said sanctions were by design meant to disrupt American business overseas. Democratic Senator Robert Mendendez disputed that interpretation, saying sanctions were about putting patriotism over profit. "I have never lobbied against sanctions personally," Tillerson responded. He said he would support maintaining U.S. sanctions on Russia until the United States further develops its approach to the country. "I would leave things in the status quo so we are able to convey this can go either way," Tillerson said in response to a question on whether he thought right now is the right time to lift sanctions on Russia. On Tuesday, 10 senators - five of whom sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that will vet him - introduced legislation to impose even tougher sanctions on Moscow, and promised to grill Tillerson about whether he would back them. Setting a tough tone for the hearing, the panel's top Democrat, Senator Ben Cardin, regretted that remarks Tillerson submitted ahead of the hearing did not mention the "direct, confirmed cyberattack by Russia on America," although he did criticize U.S. leadership. "It is frankly not too great a distance from Exxon's business partnerships to Putin's Kremlin-controlled slush funds essential for his 'disinformation' campaigns around the world," Cardin, a co-sponsor of the sanctions bill, said in prepared remarks. In 2012, Tillerson received the "Order of Friendship" award from Putin. The same year, Exxon deepened its cooperation with Russian oil company Rosneft to expand an oil drilling project in the Arctic after U.S. sanctions over Ukraine were imposed. At the time of the sanctions, Russian oil magnate Igor Sechin told Reuters he would miss three things: exploring U.S. culture, the chance to show his children American landscapes and riding motorbikes with Tillerson. Search Keywords: Short link: PTY believes the proposed legislative changes would cut in half the passenger imports of strong beers, ciders and long drinks from Estonia. The mooted alcohol legislation reform would significantly reduce the passenger imports of beers, ciders and long drinks, indicates a survey conducted by Taloustutkimus and commissioned by the Finnish Grocery Trade Association (PTY). The passenger imports of all alcoholic beverages would decrease by 25 percent, while revenues from the alcohol tax would increase by 4.5 per cent or by almost 60 million euros according to the survey. The legislative reform would also only have a modest impact on total absolute alcohol consumption, as the projected increase in the consumption of mild alcoholic beverages would be all but offset by a drop in the consumption of strong alcoholic beverages. Related posts: - Ruling parties find agreement on alcohol law reform (23 May, 2016) Two-thirds of respondents also expressed their support for de-regulating the sales of alcoholic beverages at least to the extent proposed in the reform bill. Nearly six in ten, or 57 per cent, of respondents additionally voiced their approval with the proposed legislative changes, while no more than 12 per cent estimated that mid-strength beers should be retailed exclusively by Alko. Finns are ready to tear down regulations on alcohol sales and move towards a more European legislation, Kari Luoto, the managing director of PTY, says in a press release. The place of speciality beers and wines is alongside food both at the dining table and in grocery shops. This should be the case also in Finland, instead of us having one of the strictest regulatory environments for alcohol, he adds. The Finnish Government is proposing that the maximum alcohol content of beverages sold in grocery shops be raised from 4.7 to 5.5 per cent and that grocery shops be also allowed to retail alcoholic beverages not produced by means of fermentation, such as canned cocktails. Taloustutkimus interviewed a total of 2,091 people for the survey in December. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday angrily denounced the publishing of claims he had been caught in a compromising position in Russia and attacked U.S. intelligence agencies over the leak of the information. "I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there," Trump told a news conference. He called the dossier that makes salacious claims about him "fake news" and "phony stuff." "I think it's a disgrace ... That's something that Nazi Germany would have done," the Republican said days ahead of his inauguration. Trump acknowledged that Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and the emails of other top Democrats during the 2016 presidential election, but defended his goal of better ties with Moscow. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," Trump told about 250 reporters jammed into the lobby at his New York offices. Trump, who said he hoped for a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin but could not guarantee it, said he had asked intelligence officials for a report on defenses against hacking in 90 days. UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS The dossier that emerged late on Tuesday was first reported by CNN. BuzzFeed published the full document. Two U.S. officials said the allegations, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that was presented last week to Trump and to President Barack Obama. The president-elect has long said he hopes to improve ties with Moscow, but his plans have come under intense scrutiny after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia used cyber attacks and other tactics to try to tilt the election in his favor over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The real estate developer used the news conference to describe how he will separate himself from his global business operations to avoid conflicts of interest once he takes office. He also talked about how he plans to bring manufacturing jobs back from overseas plants, slamming drug companies for "getting away with murder" on pricing. U.S. stocks slipped to session lows, before recovering ground, as healthcare stocks took a beating following Trump's comments on drug pricing in his first formal news conference since his Nov. 8 victory. Search Keywords: Short link: The extra hospital beds promised by Health Minister Simon Coveney will not be open for several weeks, it has emerged. The trolley crisis eased slightly yesterday, but there were still 508 people waiting for admission, down from the record 612 people listed last Thursday. Hospitals continue to endure dangerously-full emergency departments across the country, with 33 waiting at St Vincent's Hospital and 20 at Beaumont. University Hospital Limerick continued to struggled to care for 44 patients who needed a bed, and Cork University Hospital was also suffering severe congestion for the second week in a row. Crisis However, it emerged that several of the extra beds announced by Mr Harris as part of a package of measures in response to the crisis cannot be rolled out for now. Hospitals waiting for the extra beds include the Mater in Dublin, St Luke's in Kilkenny and Tullamore Hospital. These include beds promised as far back as September in the "winter initiative" plan, which was supposed to avert a crisis. Twelve of those 55 beds are still idle. Eleven of the additional beds announced last week, as hospitals reached meltdown, will also not be opened until next month. All the beds are dependent on having enough nursing staff to cater to the patients who will be placed in them. University Hospital Galway has been allocated more funding than originally planned to open 28 beds because it could not be used elsewhere due to a lack of staff. Health Minister Simon Harris has said he was "more than sorry" about the gridlock facing the health services. "We have many good managers across the health service, but others need to do better and there are structures in place for this which must be followed," he said. Patients and hospital staff are braced for weeks of overcrowding, with the risk of another major spike in attendances as temperatures plummet. There were 174 patients waiting more than nine hours for a bed yesterday morning compared with 159 on the same day two years ago, according to HSE figures. A report on the toll taken by the winters flu shows it officially claimed the lives of 84 patients and hospitalised 1,856 over the 2016-17 period. The flu circulated for around 10 weeks. A particularly troublesome virus is circulating this winter which can cause a hacking cough. The severe symptoms can be suffered by people who catch the adenovirus. It can infect the airways and the intestinal tract, with common complications like pneumonia and meningitis. It can be potentially severe for people with lowered immunity. Meanwhile, efforts will begin tomorrow to avert industrial action by nurses from next month. They are demanding added incentives to encourage more nurses to apply for jobs in the health service and relieve shortages. Exploratory talks are to take place between the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the HSE . Redeployed The nurses have balloted by a margin of 90pc for action that could be triggered at the beginning of next month. It would initially involve a work-to-rule and see nurses refuse to be redeployed. This would mean that if there is a shortage in the emergency department, they could not be moved from another ward to make up for the shortage. Meanwhile, the nurses' union last night warned that its members in Cavan will engage in industrial action if the HSE goes ahead with a plan to move patients from Cavan Hospital to Virginia community nursing unit. A young Irish woman is fighting for her life after the light plane in which she was travelling crashed on an isolated beach in north-east Australia. The 21-year-old tourist, who has not been named, was flying to a remote island off central Queensland. She is believed to have suffered head injuries. An English woman in her 20s was killed in the crash yesterday morning. altitude The incident occurred as the single-engine Cessna 172 Skyhawk was flying to Middle Island, off the small coastal town of Agnes Water. The Queensland Ambulance Service said two planes were flying together when the one in front began to lose altitude. The pilot of the crashed plane, Les Woodall (62), is fighting for his life. He has a head injury, abdominal and chest injuries and a broken leg. A 13-year-old boy who was also in the plane was transported to nearby Rockhampton Hospital with a suspected broken leg. His parents are understood to have been travelling in the second aircraft. Bystanders tried to resuscitate the victims while waiting for medics to arrive. The passengers were part of an excursion run by a company called 1770 Castaway, which runs survivor trips to the island. A message of condolence was posted on its Facebook page today. "On behalf of everyone at 1770 Castaway, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and all the loved ones of those involved in the Middle Island tragedy. In respecting the due process of several investigations and in not wanting to pre-empt the outcome of those inquiries, we cannot offer any comment regarding the circumstances of the accident. "We would ask that the privacy of all concerned be respected at this very difficult time. 1770 Castaway is offering all the investigators its full co-operation. Thank you." Response Police in Australia said officers from the Rockhampton Forensic Crash Unit and Criminal Investigation Branch would investigate with the relevant authorities. Because of the remoteness of the crash site, it took authorities some time to reach the scene. LifeFlight, a rapid response rescue crew, confirmed the victims were tourists planning to stay on Middle Island. Reece Cullen (16) was fatally stabbed in an attack in Tallaght Gardai have uncovered a large knife in a stream near to where tragic teenager Reece Cullen was stabbed to death. Officers found the knife close to the house in Kilclare Crescent, Tallaght, where Reece (16) was murdered last Thursday. Detectives are investigating whether it was the murder weapon. Gardai arrested a 14-year-old boy but released him without charge on Saturday. A file has been sent to the DPP. A 29-year-old woman was also arrested for withholding information. Sources have said that gardai are still looking to speak to at least one other male teenager as part of the investigation. The new development in the case came ahead of Reece's funeral mass, which is due to take place at the Church of St Martin de Porres, Old Bawn, Tallaght, at 10am today. The teenager will be buried at Kilmashogue Cemetery in Rathfarnham. Reece was fatally attacked at about 3pm last Thursday. A post-mortem examination determined that he suffered one stab wound to the heart. He was discovered by a female neighbour bleeding at the foot of a staircase. The teen was rushed to Tallaght Hospital but he was pronounced dead a short time later. Dispute Gardai believe that the murder happened as part of a dispute between two groups of local teenagers. It is understood that one of the groups had threatened the other with a pellet gun on at least two occasions over the past month. The murder of Reece and a spate of recent knife attacks in the capital have caused widespread concern. Yesterday, Assistant Garda Commissioner Jack Nolan, who oversees policing in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), warned people about the sanctions for carrying a knife. Mr Nolan expressed his own concern at the prevalence of knife crime, and said gardai would be targeting people carrying such weapons in an enforcement-driven campaign. "I share concern about the use of knives in assaults. Some start in pretty innocuous fashion and wind up in pretty serious fashion," he told the Dublin City Council (DCC) Joint Policing Committee. Campaign "We are committed to, first of all, preventing this problem. We are currently in the process of analysing the extent of knife crime in the city. "We did it last year and we are doing it again to see areas, times and trend types. "We will then have a media campaign advising young people on the dangers of using knives, then we will have a very focused enforcement campaign, utilising the provisions of the firearms and offensive weapons act to allow An Garda Siochana to stop, search, arrest and detain individuals carrying knives or such implements." So far this year, three serious knife crimes have been carried out in the capital - including the fatal attack on young Reece. The other two incidents occurred in Ballyfermot on New Year's Day and Drumcondra on January 3. There was also a savage knife attack in Dalkey shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve. "These investigations are making positive progress. We need to address that knife crime affects not just the victim but also the person committing the crime," Mr Nolan added. "I would ask people who have a knife to leave it at home and to not have it in your possession." Dozens of migrants are at risk of freezing to death in Europe after heavy snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures hit Greece and the Balkans, aid agencies said on Wednesday. Central and southeastern Europe have been gripped by freezing weather and snowstorms for days, with night-time temperatures dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in some areas. The Missing Migrants Project, set up by the U.N. migration agency (IOM), has recorded 11 migrants deaths in the Mediterranean since the start of the year, including four who died of hypothermia at Europe's land borders with Turkey. In the past 10 days a Somali woman was found dead from suspected hypothermia in Bulgaria and an Afghan man died in northern Greece, while last Friday two Iraqi men were found frozen to death near the Turkish-Bulgarian border, according to local media reports compiled by the project. As refugees and asylum seekers continue to pour into Europe, poor conditions in crowded migrant camps and informal settlements are putting their health at risk, Help Refugees said. "The snowstorms are still going on and the situation is getting increasingly desperate as thousands are exposed to freezing conditions," Help Refugees co-founder Josie Naughton said by phone from Thessaloniki in northern Greece. The IOM said it was particularly concerned about more than 15,500 migrants and asylum seekers housed in camps without adequate facilities on the Greek islands, including many in places that have experienced heavy snowfall this week. "DEADLY CONSEQUENCES" The IOM's comments echo those of the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) which said last week migrants stranded on the islands should be quickly transferred to the mainland or other European countries. More than 7,500 people are also stranded in freezing conditions in Serbia, including dozens trapped near the Hungarian border.. Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) told British broadcaster ITV on Tuesday it had treated the first cases of frostbite in Serbia and warned of "deadly consequences" due to hypothermia if people are not given adequate winter shelter. In the capital Belgrade about 1,500 migrants, including hundreds of unaccompanied children as young as 10, are sleeping rough in abandoned buildings, Save the Children said. The agencies urged European governments to act rapidly to avoid further loss of life. "We call on governments, large organisations and international agencies to reassess their bureaucratic procedures and spend money where it's needed to prevent further loss of life," said Help Refugee's Naughton. IOM Director General William Lacy Swing said in a statement governments needed to respond to the dangers exposed by extreme weather conditions with food aid, shelter and other resources. Andreas Ring, Save the Children's Balkans representative, said European Union (EU) member countries had a duty to ensure safe migration routes for migrants. "The EU's failure to respond is leaving thousands of refugees and migrants, including unaccompanied children, literally out in the cold," Ring said in a statement. Search Keywords: Short link: The property in Cabinteely is reportedly home to 70 people The Department of Housing has said it was not aware that up to 70 people were living in a Dublin property and that any action taken would depend on the local authority or the Chief Fire Officer. It emerged yesterday that a property management company in Dublin is renting a number of houses to up to 70 people at a time, with 15 sleeping in some rooms. The owner of two properties implicated said he leases the houses to the company and allows them "to do what they like with them". "There's no breach of regulations," he said. One house, in Lehaunstown, Cabinteely, has around 70 people living in it, but there are only two showers. Enforcement A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said: "We haven't been notified about the property in Cabinteely. "Overcrowding may give rise to concerns in respect of fire safety and may lead to enforcement action by fire authorities. "Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing Regulations 2008, as amended. "The regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and safety of gas and electrical supply. "With very limited exemptions, these regulations apply to local authority and voluntary housing units as well as private rented residential accommodation. "All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations." Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council did not respond with a comment when contacted by the Herald yesterday, and Dublin's Chief Fire Officer could not be reached for comment. A former tenant described the living conditions in the house as "disgraceful and dangerous". "When I moved in, my room was in the basement," he said. "The other tenants were like, 'You do know the ceiling above you has completely collapsed twice during parties?' and 'Oh you have a window, lucky you'. "People all had yellow fungal diseases on their feet as there were only two showers at the time for the whole house. You wouldn't have washed a rat in them." Jordan Rhodes (21), originally from Newcastle, lived in the house for two months due to "desperation". He said that when an electrician called round one day, he told the tenants that if he had not fixed a problem with the fuse box, the house "could have been burned to the ground". "When I moved in, there were around 40 people living there, mostly South American and Eastern European," he added. "When I left, there were around 70, after they put more bunk beds in the basement. "There are extension leads all over the house because there are so many people living there. "I was told that the house was cleaned three to four times per week and that bin bags and toilet roll would be provided at all times, which of course wasn't the case." Denied A man who works for the property company uses the name "Dyl O'Reilly" to advertise properties on Facebook. "It's not great, I wouldn't even show it to you as you're Irish," he said when asked if it would be possible to rent the house in Cabinteely for 200 a month. Another property managed by the company, in the Rathmines area, has between 20 and 40 people living there - all females. The owner of the property denied any knowledge of this and advised us to take the matter up with the management company. The properties in Cabinteely and Rathmines are not registered with the Residential Tenancies Board. It is not known exactly how many houses the company is managing across Dublin. The firm is run by a father and son. The son has denied any involvement in the properties and said that, as of two weeks ago, the company had been passed over to new owners. Iraqi Ambassador Habib El-Sadr praised Egypt's support for Iraq's counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the strategic relations that bind the two countries Iraq's Ambassador to Cairo Habib El-Sadr has said his country to provide Egypt with the first petroleum shipment from Al-Basra Oil Terminal within days, according to a recent agreement signed between the two countries, the MENA state new agency reported Tuesday. In December, Egypt's Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla announced the country was seeking to reach an agreement with Iraq over importing crude oil directly and that he hoped to finalise the deal in the first quarter of 2017. In a Cairo meeting of the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) last month, El-Molla said that Egypt aims to import 1-2 million barrels per month from Iraq. The move came as part of Egypt's efforts to secure domestic market needs for petroleum after the Saudi national oil company Aramco informed Egypt in November that shipments of oil products expected under a prior multi-billion dollar aid deal had been halted indefinitely. In April 2016, the oil-rich kingdom agreed with Egypt on a $22-billion soft loan with facilitated payments to finance the latters petroleum needs for five years. Search Keywords: Short link: Cinema Zawya has announced on their website that they are extending screenings of Damien Chazelles La La Land to 17 January. The 2016 romantic musical comedy follows the story of jazz pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) who meet in Los Angeles and fall in love. Since its release, the film has received numerous awards, the most recent of which being six Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy, Best Original Score, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Actress-Motion Picture Musical or Comedy which went to the two lead roles, and Best Director, which went to Damien Chazelle. La La Land is also nominated for 10 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards: Best Film, Best Director, Best Leading Actress, Best Leading Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Original Music, and Best Sound. Programme: 4 January to 17 January Cinema Zawya, 4 Abdel Hamid Said Street, off of Talaat Harb Street, Downtown Cairo Screening times are at 12pm, 2:30 pm, 5pm, 7:30pm, 10pm 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: ABINGDON, Va.An Emory man charged with murder in the shooting death of his live-in girlfriend told authorities that he was using LSD, according to an affidavit. James Joseph Canter III, 25, of Hillman Highway, was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony after the body of Ashleigh Nicole Langbein, 23, was found at the home they shared. Canter told a Washington County Virginia Sheriff's Office deputy that "he must have done it" because no one else could have. Canter stated that he cannot remember details as he was impaired due to "dropping acid," LSD. EMORY, Va. An Emory man has been charged with murder in the shooting death Monday of his live-in girlfriend. James Joseph Canter III, 25, of Hillman Highway, was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony after the body of Ashleigh Nicole Langbein, 23, was found at the home they shared. Langbein, of Katy, Texas, was a May graduate of nearby Emory & Henry College. Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman said officers responded to the residence shortly before 4 a.m. after Canter went to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon to report a shooting. After we investigated, it was obvious she was shot multiple times, Newman told the Bristol Herald Courier. He said the officers found multiple shell casings from a .22 caliber handgun at the scene. The investigation soon led to Canter as a suspect, the sheriff said. Washington County Commonwealths Attorney Josh Cumbow said Canter is currently charged with second-degree murder rather than first-degree because officers suspect drugs may have been involved. Newman said detectives are working to establish a motive. Canter turned himself in at the regional jail, the sheriff said. The weapon believed to have been used in the shooting was found at an undisclosed location, according to Newman. He said the gun belonged at the couples residence, but he wouldnt say who owns the weapon. Newman said officers hadnt been called to the residence before and the only history Canter has with police are minor traffic-related charges. The shooting took place about a half-mile from the E&H campus, which prompted campus police to work with officers at the scene, according to a notice sent by the college to students. The two organizations determined there was no threat to the safety of students. Brent Treash, director for media relations at the college, said E&H will remain a resource for Washington County police and students who may seek counseling or prayer. Andrew Marshall, who lives next door to the crime scene, said he didnt hear anything during the night. He said he didnt know anything had happened until he saw officers at the house and read reports online. Marshall, who said he didnt know Canter or Langbein, said the neighborhood is usually a quiet and peaceful place. Canter is being held without bond at the Abingdon branch of the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. New tombs discovered at Gebel Al-Silsila area in Aswan continue to change perceptions of the nature and role of this ancient Egyptian quarry On the northern side of Gebel Al-Silsila in Aswan, the Egyptian-Swedish archaeological mission from Lund University has stumbled upon another group of rock-hewn tombs from the reign of New Kingdom pharoahs Amenhotep II and Thutmose III. Announced by Mahmoud Afifi, head of Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department at the Ministry of Antiquities, the Swedish mission, led by Maria Nilsson and John Ward, in 2015 discovered a series of rock-hewn tombs located in the north of Gebel Al-Silsila's east bank, in the area immediately to the north of the famous stele of King Amenhotep IV and stretching westwards to the Nile. "While the tombs had been described by previous visitors to the site, no comprehensive survey, nor any proper archaeological work, had been conducted until 2015," Nilsson said, adding that during the initial survey, 43 tombs were identified, and five tombs were chosen to be cleared of sand and a damaging layer of salt, in order to study their state of conservation. Returning to the site eight months later, Nilsson continued, the work proved successful as both external and interior walls, and to some extent also the ceiling, stabilised by exposing them to the sun, drying out prior dampness. In the initial clearing process the team was successful in identifying various architectural markers, including two rock-cut chambers, external courtyards, and dressed portcullis slot-cuts into the door jambs by the entry to the tombs, into which a stone slab would have been placed to seal the door after burial. During this season, Nilsson said, the team discovered another 12 rock cut tombs as well as three crypts cut into the rock, two niches possibly used for offerings, one tomb containing multiple animal burials, and three individual infant burials, along with other associated material. The majority of the tombs excavated so far with the main exception of two infant burials had been plundered in antiquity and left neglected without further disturbance, covered by up to three metres of Nile silt, blown in sand, and fallen quarry spoil and debris. "These readily identifiable stratifications have given a wealth of information with regards not only to the manner in which the spoil and silt have been deposited, but also provided a rudimentary chronological overview for the area," said Ward. He explained that the individual tombs excavated so far this season reveal multiple burials within the same chamber or crypt. A fact that suggests the tombs could belong to a complete family, and individuals of varying ages and sex. "In addition, the newly discovered infant burials present another aspect to the cemetery, clearly indicating family life at Al-Silsila," Ward pointed out. He added that three different styles of burials have been documented so far, including a rock-hewn crypt, a shallow grave covered with stone, and one infant wrapped in textile placed within a wooden coffin. Two of the three children were placed secreted within the overhangs of the natural sandstone bluffs. They were placed on their side, oriented in either a north-south direction, face towards the east, or alternatively a east-west direction, and facing north. Amulets depicting the figure of the god Bes, necklaces, ceramic vessels, worked flint and coloured pebbles were also found within the graves. Among the animal burials are a single chamber room with a crypt containing a dozen sheep and goats as well as a couple of Nile perch. An almost complete adult crocodile was also discovered resting on the floor in the courtyard immediately outside tomb number ST27. The crocodile was oriented in a north-south direction, with the head pointing to the north. Nasr Salama, director general of Aswan Antiquities, told Ahram Online that the archaeological material produced from the newly discovered tombs and burials chronologically correlate with those excavated previously, so far limited to the reigns of Thutmose III and Amenhotep II. In addition to the tombs themselves, he said, the excavation revealed finely dressed sandstone sarcophagi, sculptured and occasionally painted pottery coffins, painted cartonnage, textile and organic wrapping, ceramic vessels and plates, as well as an array of jewellery, amulets and scarabs. Nilsson explained that the vast amount of human remains so far recovered from the necropolis indicates that the individuals were generally healthy. At this time, very little evidence of malnutrition or infection have been noticed. Fractures of the long bones and increased muscle attachments amongst the skeletal remains indicate occupational hazards and an extremely labour intensive environment. Furthermore, she pointed out, many of the injuries appear to be in an advanced stage of healing, suggesting effective medical care. "The new finds add exciting new components to the necropolis, changing yet again the perceived function and apparent appearance of the site of Gebel Al-Silsila," Afifi told Ahram Online, adding that the team looks forward to increasing their understanding of the overall function and role of the area during the New Kingdom. Search Keywords: Short link: Will Donald Trumps administration resort to purging the American system of those connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, asks an article in Bloomberg Prefacing this article with a couple of points of clarification is essential. This article has very little to do with President-elect Donald Trump, his choice of advisers, and his intentions. Also, in no way am I siding with Trumps notions on Islam, and his sweeping statements regarding banning Muslims from entering the US. But this article has everything to do with the disputable argument in Bloombergs, Trumps coming witch hunt against political Islam. The headline sets off the tone of Bloombergs article, and as the Egyptian saying goes, The start of the poem is pagan, meaning that the rest will be much of the same: hogwash. The phrase witch hunt implies Trump will be hounding an innocent group, political Islamists, and as the article goes on, the Muslim Brotherhood in particular. The article underscores Trumps key advisers, those who lean towards considering the Muslim Brotherhood as a liability and who will aim to purge the American system and government of those connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. This while the writer grants both President Bush and President Obama checkmarks for distinguishing between Muslims who commit violence in the name of Islam and Muslims who seek to impose Islamic rule on secular societies through elections and free debate. Elaborating on this theory, the writer confirms Bushs acceptance of political Islam, for while in Iraq he embraced Sunni and Shia leaders from Islamist parties, which, if nothing else, is a condescending and racist remark. Since when did a peck on someones cheek affirm solidarity? As for President Obama, he went further. His government eliminated terms like jihad and radical Islam from official FBI and Homeland Security documents. I agree that the term radical Islam is erroneous, but that doesnt mean that radical Islamists dont exist. As for the term jihad, it is the term that jihadists, themselves, favour and prefer. Obviously, a wide distinction exists between the two groups those who commit violence in the name of Islam and those who seek to impose Islamic rule. Still, the latter is never content to impose Islamic rule by resorting to elections and free debate only. Ask Egyptians; they will tell you. Once the Muslim Brotherhood came to power, its members assumed that they owned the land. They immediately fought tooth and nail to change the essence of Egyptian society. In one year, the Muslim Brotherhood not only gained political dominance but also aimed at molding a new course for Egypt, altering education and curricula, the constitution, ideology, and governance to their liking. At Muslim Brotherhood and non-Muslim Brotherhood schools, bearded teachers and veiled students adorned textbook covers. The minister of education deleted the photo of a womens rights pioneer from a textbook because she wasnt wearing the hijab. New and altered textbooks promoted prominent Islamists from Hamas and other militant groups. Schools were accused of ordering students to sing Jihadi, jihadi, instead of Biladi, biladi, the opening words of the Egyptian national anthem. Soon, all schools would have focused on jihad and the caliphate to come. A mediocre constitution favoured Islamists and denied Copts and other sects their rights. Culture was stumped by a minister who lacked knowledge and went after the knowledgeable. A member of an Islamist group that assassinated 58 tourists and four Egyptians in the 1990s was chosen to oversee the attacked governorate, Luxor, as governor. As for Tarek El-Zomor, implicated in the assassination of President Sadat and imprisoned in 1984 until 2011, well, he was invited to attend a celebration marking Sadats victory during the October 6th war. Back to Bloombergs article, and midway through it the author tells us that indeed there is a kernel of truth as far as the Muslim Brotherhood goes, that evidence has been found linking the Council on American Relations (CAIR) with Hamas, the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, and that the FBI produced evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood instructed followers to advance the goal of overturning secular societies in the West to usher in Islamic rule. And a kernel of truth is all what we need to understand the mentality of the Muslim Brotherhood. Maybe the writer should become more aware of what the ex-leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Akkef, said. To hell with Egypt if it is a secular one and Id rather have a Malaysian Muslim than an Egyptian Christian rule Egypt. Bear witness, dear writer, the Muslim Brotherhood, if able, would impose radical Islamic rule on secular societies with or without elections and free debate. The article ends by saying that though it is still early in Trumps administration, there are signs that a purge will be coming: Ted Cruzs demand to Congress to review the Muslim Brotherhood designation as a foreign terrorist organisation for one. The writer is also disappointed that cooperation with Turkey may flounder since the Turkish ruling party is inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood. Even more so, the writer is concerned that the future of CAIR may be at stake. Doesnt the writer see any lopsidedness in pointing the above challenges to the Muslim Brotherhood when the US watched the Muslim Brotherhood wreak havoc in Egypt and didnt lift a finger? Doesnt the writer realise that the moment President Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood was deposed, violence as Egypt had never seen before erupted? Doesnt the writer see any anomalies in accepting the Muslim Brotherhood, the group that Egypt deemed a terrorist group, while ignoring Egypt and its needs altogether? Well, Egyptians do. While I try to convince the writer not to sympathise with radical Islam, I agree with him on one point. My article is in no way a green light to President-elect Trump to revive Senator McCarthys drive against communism, this time against Muslims. However, a clearer picture of what the writer considers political Islam, aka the Muslim Brotherhood, was in order. The writer is an academic, political analyst, and author of Cairo Rewind: the First Two Years of Egypt's Revolution, 2011-2013. Search Keywords: Short link: State police: Man found dead by suspected drug lab in Smithsburg area The Maryland State Police are investigating the death of a Smithsburg-area man after his body was found Thursday near suspected homemade ecstasy lab. Even though the US has one of the best democratic systems in the world albeit for some flaws in practice it appears that Trump poses an unprecedented threat to established and historically agreed upon democratic practices There are several pillars of US democracy, most notably civilian control of the armed forces, the sanctity of freedom of expression, the integrity of the president and not making any material profits while in office. But it looks like Trump does not care about any of these principles, whether while campaigning or even after he won the elections. Since the 1788 Constitution (the oldest in modern history) was adopted, the founders of the US system were keen on avoiding absolute and centralised control that would concentrate power in the hands of one person or one institution, to avoid authoritarianism. Constitutional amendments ensured that the president, Congress and the judiciary would not violate freedom of expression, and that the military remains out of politics and leaves that realm to civilians and elected officials. Trumps choice of James Mattis as secretary of defense in his new administration is a direct violation of federal law which prevents any military personnel from reaching this top military position before seven years have passed since they left the service. General Mattis left the army in 2013 after serving as commander of the US Central Command. Mattis will need the Senates approval and special exemption to be secretary of defense, since the law was written to prevent a military secretary from taking control of the army. It is preferred that a civilian is at the helm of the army, as a principle of US democracy. There is extensive concern that the brass will play greater political roles in the future, especially after Trump picked another general, Michel Flynn, as national security adviser. Other military names were floated for key civilian positions, which is why political experts are now concerned about changes in the nature of the relationship between civilians and the military within the US political system. US legislation exempts the president from most laws relating to conflict of interest, but the constitution prohibits the president from accepting any gifts or funds from foreign governments in any shape or form. This issue is of extensive controversy now because legal experts believe Trump is violating this clause by accepting or receiving financial compensation for renting large spaces in Trump Towers in New York to a state-owned Chinese bank, and renting rooms and halls to foreign governments and embassies in his new hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of Washington. Although Trump promised to step down from running his businesses to avoid conflict of interest before he is sworn in as president on 20 January, the Trump brand name on these buildings and skyscrapers keeps the US president a player in the field, especially in many instances when Trump does not invest a single dollar and only reaps the profits for the use of his brand name on these buildings. The president-elects promise to leave the business to his family is a point of ridicule, especially since his children are not distant from the governing and decision making processes. Thus, Trumps business practices show a conflict of interest between Trumps commercial empire and the supreme interests of the United States. The New York Times asks: How can Trump choose to go forward with putting pressure on Turkey when he is receiving tens of millions of dollars annually from his brand name on a skyscraper in Istanbul? This aspect points to a double jeopardy. On the one hand, the possibility some foreign companies will seek deals with Trump companies to curry favour with the new US administration, and on the other these buildings would become targets of terrorist attacks. On a third point, Trump is relentless in attacking the media, both written and broadcast, and is always sceptical about the integrity and neutrality of the US media. He believes mainstream media is conspiring against him. Although the First Amendment prohibits Congress from adopting any laws that hinder freedom of speech or the press, almost every day Trump attacks the media and criticises its coverage of his news. Trump forgets that as president his actions will be scrutinised by the media however they please. The First Amendment goes beyond freedom of speech and press and also includes the right to organise and right of assembly. It also protects the rights of citizens to worship however they want and not be forced to follow other religions. It also guarantees the rights of citizens to object to government policies and work on changing them. It seems that some of Trumps proposals harm and regress US democracy, as follows: Trump endangered the smooth transfer of power in a democratic fashion when he threatened during campaigning not to accept the election results if he lost. Trump doubted the integrity of the judiciary when he was sceptical about the character of a federal judge of Mexican origins who was looking into a case pertaining to Trump University. Trump vowed to use torture and waterboarding during questioning of suspected terrorists, which is a clear violation of US law. Trump vowed to criminalise and imprison anyone who burns the US flag, which the Supreme Constitutional Court views as within freedom of expression. He said US citizens who burn the US flag would be stripped of their citizenship. The writer is a political analyst. Search Keywords: Short link: Did Sudan return to the policies of supporting terrorism that the regime had espoused back in the 1990s? Following the horrific terrorist bombing in St's Peter Church in Abbasiya, Cairo, the suspect in this suicide attack was identified in a very brief time and also the cell that offered support and backup. It became clear that the operations threads end at some of the Muslim Brotherhood organisations leaders resident in Qatar and that all the perpetrators are Muslim Brotherhood members who resorted to violence and belonged to factions known by specialised battalions. It has also become evident that Mahmoud Shafiq, the person who carried out the bombing, was previously arrested in 2014. It was noticeable that the accused family his mother and sister asserted that he escaped to Sudan two years ago, that is after he was provisionally released. They added that he communicated with them by telephone. This piece of information was widely circulated via audio-visual and written media and documented through video or live telephone calls with the accused family. However, nobody paused before the extremely significant implications, its menacing repercussions and the indicators that caution against the hidden source of a wave or waves of forthcoming violence. Two weeks ago, I wrote an article warning about Sudans return to policies of supporting terrorism which the Muslim Brotherhood Salvation regime embraced whence it seized power in the June 1989 coup. It started with opening Sudanese lands for huge numbers of terrorist elements from various parts of the world. At that point, this regime offered support and shelter, opened camps for training and provided financial backing, especially for the operations and bombings that were executed at that time in Egypt. Afterwards operations developed to the extent of plotting the failed assassination attempt on former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Addis Ababa in 1995. Big Muslim Brotherhood Salvation leaders and their security bodies were implicated in this attempt whether in plotting, financing and offering logistics. The late Hassan Al-Turabi, the leader and godfather of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood, talked about this in documented detailed confessions broadcast by Al-Jazeera channel. This caused a huge uproar inside and outside Sudan. It is right to say that the late Al-Turabi did not want to review his convictions and ideas, but he basically aimed at condemning and scandalising some of his disciples who turned against him, and ousted him from power, then imprisoned and insulted him. However, the outcome was an unquestionable confirmation concerning the Muslim Brotherhood Salvation organisations practices. This organisation is returning to these practices now and repeating them with the same scenario and the old policies of denial and evasiveness where support and sponsorship of terrorism is presented in parallel with issuing public statements condemning it. We have referred to what was published on the sites of the Muslim Brotherhood members who fled to Turkey and some Arab Gulf states about the existence of hundreds of elements belonging to the Kamalist wing (referring to senior Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohamed Kamal, who is believed to be responsible for the group's "armed wing") in Sudan. Violent Muslim Brotherhood offshoots grew out of this wing calling themselves names such as Hasm (Decisiveness) and Liwaa Al-Thawra (The Revolution Brigade) and others that claimed responsibility for several bombings and assassinations inside Egypt. Mahmoud Shafiqs story clarifies the dangerous aspects and repercussions stemming from the transformation of Sudan into a safe haven for these elements. There, they receive sponsorship, training and moral mobilisation. Then they are driven towards Egypt to execute operations aimed at achieving complex objectives including preventing the return of tourism, weakening the economy, destabilising the country and spreading sedition under the sponsorship of a well-known regional alliance. This requires that we contemplate the situation carefully and take the necessary measures to deal with the sources of menace, for currently there is no time to be patient and hope that rationality would prevail and cooperation and division of interests which are evidently are being misunderstood after the menace has revealed its ugly face and omens began gathering on the horizon. The writer is head of the Nile Basin Studies Department at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. Search Keywords: Short link: HICKORY- The Publix Super Market in Hickory is set to open on Feb. 8, according to an email from Kimberly Reynolds, the company's regional media and community relations manager. The store will be located at 36 29th Avenue NE and will open at 7 a.m. The Record reported in August 2015 that the grocery chain had submitted plans to the City of Hickory. Construction on the store was underway in 2016. In December, the company held a jobs fair to fill about 140 positions, Reynolds said in a December email. Publix is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States, according to the companys website. Employees of the company receive company stock as part of their retirement plans and are given opportunities to purchase company stock on their own. More information on Publix Super Markets is available at http://www.publix.com. NEWTON Watching scenes of segregation at airports and in stores, the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s came to life for local home school students with a special event Tuesday at the Catawba County main library in Newton. Home school families were invited to the library to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and other influential African-Americans and their legacy from that time. The country officially celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. (The home school parents) wanted to do a Black History month program, and I thought Martin Luther King was more appropriate for this time of the year, Youth Services Librarian April Green said. Black History Month is in February. So Im doing a crossover into both with this, Green said. The students watched the American Moments Series episode, Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Movement. There also was a craft station and a writing segment, both to help the students express their dreams after watching the documentary, which included a portion of Kings famous I have a Dream speech. With the writing, they answered the statements, I can change my school by, I can change home by, Green said. It just encourages them to think about things theyd like to do, to dream about changing. For the parents of the home school students who attended the event, it was another example of how the library is an important asset for them. This library (Main in Newton) and the Southwest one have done marvelous programs for us, Tracie Patnode, who is homeschooling a daughter, said. It was a good refresher for our kids. They have a superficial knowledge but this Im hoping will be a little more in depth. Martin Luther King, Jr. was at the heart of the leadership of the modern American Civil Rights movement, from December 1955 until April 4, 1968. Drawing inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, King led a nonviolent movement in the late 1950s and 60s to achieve legal equality for African-Americans in the United States, according to thekingcenter.org. In 1964, at age 35, King became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Watching the documentary did reinforce home school student Elizabeth Patnodes belief people should stand up for what they believe. Even through tough times you should still stand up for it, Elizabeth Patnode said. She thought it was good to be reminded of the countrys past. For her craft project, Elizabeth Patnode created an image with a heart. I want the world to be happy all the time and have the same mind in everything, she said. Susan Lowman has two children in home school and also looks to the library for those extra experiences she needs to enhance her kids educational experiences. We love the library. Theyre always doing things, getting materials if we request things, just a huge resource, Lowman said. Even programs during the summer that they do for all kids, we bring ours as well to get them exposed to things they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Watching the documentary, her son Connor Lowman said he saw a country that was torn and unfair during the Civil Rights Movement. More Celebrations Lenoir-Rhyne Universitys Office of Multicultural Affairs will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. event Monday. This annual celebration, held in honor of the life and the legacy of King brings members of the Lenoir-Rhyne community and the Hickory community together in celebration, according to the schools website, lr.edu. It will be held at the universitys P.E. Monroe Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Immediately following this student led program, community members, along with the Hickory Chapter of the NAACP, participate in a march from Lenoir-Rhyne University to the Ridgeview community. The day's events conclude with programs and performances at the Brown Penn Center in Ridgeview. Also, the Hickory Area Ministers and the Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance will host the annual Spirit of King Community Celebration honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Hickory. A lot of attention is being spent on whether or not the Russians hacked the DNC. I ask, What difference does it make? If they did, would this be the first time any foreign government has tried to influence another countrys election? Would it even be one of the rare times? The answer is No, it is not. Countries, including the United States, have tried to exert influence over other countrys political process for as long as we have had countries. We do it not only with outright plans for regime change and military force, but also with billions of dollars in foreign aid to governments we like and sanctions against those countries whose current government we dont like. Then there are the radio broadcasts into countries spreading our version of the news to people in countries who block outside news. These actions are all intended to influence who is in charge in another country. Right or wrong, this is how the world works. The issue is not that the DNC was hacked, but that there was foul play by the DNC in favor of Clinton over Sanders. The hack wouldnt have mattered if there was nothing bad to find. Had a newspaper discovered the information through an inside source, it would have caused the same damage. The only difference a newspaper having an inside source would have made is that it would suggest that at least one person at the DNC had integrity. Mark Byrne Vice Chair Libertarian Party of Catawba County Taxpayer money could be better spent It is your taxes. What is best? Today, Donald Trump and congressional Republicans revealed they were lying about who will pay the bill for Donald Trumps border wall. The U.S. taxpayers are expected to pay for Trumps border wall instead of the Mexican people. I offer a few statistics and alternatives that may be a better use of the money. You decide. The proposed cost of Trumps Folly is $25 billion according to the congressional budget office. A four-lane highway averages $6 million a mile. For Trumps $25 billion, we could build 4,166 miles of four-lanes. A brand new Iowa Class battleship cost $100 million. For Trumps $25 billion, we could build 250 new battleships. A new F35 jet cost $60 million. For Trumps $25 billion, we could build 416 new jets to patrol the same border and protect the homeland. The average pay for a soldier is $32,000 a year. For Trumps $25 billion, we could pay for 781,250 new soldiers to be deployed. An estimated 6 million U.S. citizens live in the counties that border the U.S. / Mexican border. A new AR-15 averages $800. For Trumps $25 billion, we could buy over 31 million new AR-15s, enough to give every citizen along the border five rifles plus ammo to defend the border. The average construction cost of a new school is $50 million. For Trumps $25 billion, we could build 500 new schools for our children and our future. The average cost of four years of college is $128,000. For Trumps $25 billion, we could give a college education to over 195,000 of our children. One hundred ninety-five thousand college graduates will start new businesses, invent new things, and appreciably contribute to the security of our future and our society. A 2,000-mile hunk of concrete will only create maintenance cost. We know Donald Trump loves his uneducated voters. He told us so in Nevada, so school and college spending is probably low on his priorities. To the Donald and Republicans, a massive hunk of concrete no doubt looks like a better investment than your childrens future. The fact is this $25 billion Republicans want to spend is your tax dollars. What is a better bang for your buck? Wayne Eckard Granite Falls Thank you City of Hickory When I ventured out onto the streets of Hickory on Saturday afternoon, after the big snow, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the streets had been well-cleaned by city street staff. Even the small road where I live was plowed. I lived in the snowy North of Buffalo, N.Y., for two years, and the snow-plowing there was no more efficient than what I saw today. Our city workers need to be appreciated for all the work they do to make life easier for the rest of us. Lynn B. Spees Hickory 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/ US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken about scrapping the United States international commitments to tackle global warming such as the Paris Agreement. This is worrying, not least because the US is one of the worlds biggest polluters. Trumps disdain for global warming is way off the mark. The world has recently received dire warnings about the deteriorating health of our planet from two of its most fragile and critical ecosystems, the Arctic in the north and the Antarctica in the South. For India, with its extensive coastline, the implications are enormous. Read: Climate change: Arctic lost nearly 95% of its old ice since 1984 The Arctic Ocean has experienced the warmest winter this year since temperature records began to be compiled. There has been an extraordinary 20-degree deviation above what temperature levels should have been at this time of the year. Satellite images have also revealed that sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is at the lowest extent ever recorded. This may be dismissed as a freak phenomenon by climate change sceptics, but it comes as a culmination of a steady warming of the Arctic over the past half a century, resulting in a 75% loss of its ice cover. In the Antarctica, there had been complacency because the loss of the thick ice cover over the southern continent had been minimal in recent years. The loss of some ice-shelves located at the coast, had been made up by increased accumulation in other parts of the continent. However, just in the past few days, it has been reported that a massive ice-shelf in the western part of the continent, known as Larsen C, may be about to detach itself from the thick mass of ice covering the continent, and float way into the ocean as a gigantic iceberg. Larsen C is part of what was originally a very extensive ice-shelf, parts of which, Larsen A and Larsen B, have already disintegrated and floated away. Larsen A disappeared in 1995 and Larsen B in 2002. But Larsen C is by far the largest shelf in this part of the Antarctica, covering an area of over 50,000 sq. kms. Read: Nobody creates a narrative around climate change: Amitav Ghosh David Vaughan, Director of Science at the British Antarctic Survey, has said in a recent report: Ice-loss from this part of West Antarctica is already making a significant contribution to global sea-level rise and is actually one of the largest uncertainties in global sea-level prediction. The Arctic and the Antarctic are different eco-systems but both are very fragile. The Arctic is an ocean, enclosed by land, constituted by territories belonging to the US, Canada, Russia, Greenland, Norway and Denmark. The Antarctica is an ice-covered land-mass of continental proportions, which is surrounded by deep ocean. The melting of ice, floating in the Arctic Ocean, will not add to net sea-level rise, but the mass of ice covering the Antarctica and Greenland (in the Arctic region), would add to the volume of water in the worlds oceans and lead to significant sea-level rise. If all the ice over the Antarctica and Greenland were to melt, there could be an increase in sea-level of several tens of feet, by 2100, inundating most of the major towns and cities located on the sea-coast around the world. The Arctic Resilience Report recently warned that the accelerated warming of the Arctic could trigger tipping points, which in turn to lead to catastrophic and uncontrollable climate changes. It goes on to add the once these tipping points are reached, the effects would become their own drivers of global warming, regardless of human attempt to reduce carbon emissions. This means that these anticipated changes may lead to much more severe global warming and climate change than what is already happening as a result of anthropogenic factors such as burning of fossil fuels, cutting down of forests and environmental degradation. We are near the point where it would cease to matter whether we, as humanity, are successful in reducing and eventually eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Much more powerful drivers of climate change are likely to take centre-stage instead. But sea-level rise is not the only consequence to worry about due to the steady loss of the polar ice-caps. For example, the thick ice-cover over the Antarctica and over Greenland will release a huge amount of methane which lies trapped in the frozen bio-mass below the ice. The same is true of the perma-frost that covers the northern zones of Arctic littoral. Methane is a much more powerful climate change-forcing agent than carbon dioxide (CO2) is, though it stays in the atmosphere for a shorter time than CO2. The release of methane will lead to a significant spike in global warming . Read: India and US focus on climate change Another change relates to what is known as the albedo effect. The mass of white ice, both in the Arctic and the Antarctica, reflects back the rays of sun reducing the warming of temperatures. With its melting, much more of the heat from the sun will be absorbed by the oceans and the landmass, which will exacerbate global warming. And finally, climatic conditions and oceanic wave movements in the polar regions have a significant effect on weather patterns around the world, including the monsoons in our subcontinent. Against this background, it is imperative that leaders across the world shed their complacency and recognise and respond to what is a planetary emergency. The threat to human survival is real and is no longer a future possibility; it is a clear and present danger. If we do not heed the warning signals which are coming to us from the very ends of the Earth, the time for any effective human intervention will soon be past. Shyam Saran is a former foreign secretary and PMs special envoy for climate change The views expressed are personal Is there any reason for liberals to feel optimistic after a year of political disasters? Is there even a shred of silver lining to be found in the tatters of Brexit, Donald Trumps election, and European disunity? Christians believe that despair is a mortal sin, so one might as well try to find a glimmer of hope. In the United States, many liberals console themselves with the belief that the obvious dangers of being governed by an ignorant, narcissistic, authoritarian loudmouth backed by billionaires, ex-generals, peddlers of malicious fake news, and neophytes with extreme views will help to galvanise a strong political opposition. Trump, it is hoped, will concentrate the minds of all who still believe in liberal democracy, be they Left or even Right of centre. In this scenario, civil-rights groups, NGOs, students, human-rights activists, Democratic members of Congress, and even some Republicans, will do everything in their power to push back against Trumps worst impulses. Long-dormant political activism will erupt into mass protest, with resurgent liberal idealism breaking the wave of Right-wing populism. Well, perhaps. Read | Trumps choice for US attorney general says he can stand up to him Others seek comfort in the expectation that Trumps wildly contradictory plans lower taxes, while raising infrastructure spending; helping the neglected working class, while slashing welfare and repealing the Affordable Care Act will suck his administration into a swamp of infighting, incoherence, and incompetence. All these things might happen. But protest alone wont be of much help. Anti-Trump demonstrations in big cities will no doubt annoy the self-loving new president, and the moral glow of joining the resistance will warm the protesters. But without real political organisation, mere protest will go the way of Occupy Wall Street in 2011; it will peter out into ineffectual gestures. One of the most dangerous ideas of contemporary populism is that political parties are obsolete, and should be replaced by movements led by charismatic leaders who act as the voice of the people. By implication, all dissenters are enemies of the people. That way lies dictatorship. Read | Most US cops reported heightened tension after black killings, protests: Survey Liberal democracy can be saved only if mainstream parties can regain voters trust. The Democratic Party must get its act together. Feeling the Bern (the mantra of Bernie Sanders Leftist campaign) will not suffice to stop Trump from inflicting great harm to institutions that were carefully constructed more than two centuries ago to protect American democracy from demagogues like him. The same thing is true of international arrangements and institutions, whose survival depends on the willingness to defend them. Trump has expressed his indifference to Nato, and US security commitments in East Asia. His election will further erode Pax Americana, already battered by a succession of foolish wars. Without the US guarantee to protect its democratic allies, institutions built after World War II to provide that protection would not survive for very long. Perhaps there is a tiny ray of hope in this gloomy prospect. Europe and Japan, not to mention South Korea, have become too dependent on US military protection. The Japanese have fairly large armed forces, but are hampered by a pacifist constitution written by Americans in 1946. Europeans are completely unprepared to defend themselves, owing to inertia, complacency, and lassitude. Read | Trump names son-in-law Jared Kushner as senior adviser It is just possible that Trumps blustering America first rhetoric will galvanise Europeans and East Asians into changing the status quo and doing more for their own security. Ideally, European countries should build an integrated defence force that would be less dependent on the US. And the countries of Southeast and East Asia could construct a Japanese-led variant of Nato to balance the domineering might of China. But even if these arrangements came to pass (a huge if), it would not happen soon. Europeans are unwilling to pay higher taxes for their own defence. Germany has neither the wherewithal, nor the will to lead a military alliance. And most Asians, including many Japanese, would not trust Japan to lead such a coalition in Asia. The current Japanese government, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, would like to revise the pacifist constitution, as a necessary first step toward weaning the country off its total dependence on the US. But Abes revisionism is rooted in a nationalist ideology, which is prone to justifying historical atrocities instead of drawing lessons from them. This alone disqualifies Japan from leading others in a military pact. So, while it might be time to rethink the world order built by the US on the ruins of WWII, the Trump presidency is unlikely to bring this about in a careful and orderly manner. His election is more like an earthquake, unleashing forces no one can control. Instead of encouraging the Japanese to think about collective security in a responsible way, Trumps indifference is more likely to play to the worst instincts of panicky Japanese nationalists. Read | US blacklists Putins close aide, 4 others for human rights abuses Europe is in no shape to rise to the challenge of Pax Americanas erosion, either. Without a greater sense of pan-national European solidarity, European institutions will soon become hollow, and perhaps even cease to exist. But this sense is precisely what the demagogues are now undermining with such conspicuous success. If there is reason for confidence, it is not in the liberal democratic world, but in the capitals of its most powerful adversaries: Moscow and Beijing. Trump, at least in the short term, seems to be good news for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Without credible American leadership, or a strong alliance of democracies, there wont be much left to restrain Russian or Chinese ambitions. This might not lead to catastrophe in the next few years. Russia and China are more likely to test the limits of their power slowly, bit by bit: Ukraine today, perhaps the Baltics tomorrow; the South China Sea islands now, Taiwan later. They will push, and push, until they push too far. Then anything may happen. Great powers often blunder into great wars. This is no reason for despair, as we begin the New Year, but no reason to be optimistic, either. Ian Buruma, professor of democracy, human rights, and journalism, Bard College, is the author of Year Zero: A History of 1945 (Copyright: Project Syndicate) The views expressed are personal The Congress and the Samajwadi Party is likely to finalise an alliance in Uttar Pradesh after the election commission (EC) gives its ruling on claims by competing faction in the states ruling partys on its election symbol, the bicycle, sources said on Wednesday. While the two parties are yet to arrive at an agreement on the seat-sharing formula- the SP offering barely half of 120-130 seats demanded by the Congress- sources said the real reason for the delay in striking a deal was the ongoing feud in the SPs first family. The poll panel will take a decision on the symbol on Friday. The Congress had earlier maintained that it was ready to fight in more than 400 seats, if it goes alone. The Congress leadership, however, always had a soft corner for chief minister Akhilesh Yadav with partys general secretary in charge of UP Ghulam Nabi Azad publicly declaring that the chief minister has a clean image and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi describing as a good man. The Congress, which has not been politically significant in Indias most populous state for more than two decades, remains a sought-after ally for the SP faction. The SP hopes to thwart Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawatis overtures towards the Muslim voters with the help of the Congress. The alliance can also fight as credible and strong secular alternative to the BJP. Read: Akhilesh Yadav shuns Mulayam offer, wont give up Samajwadi Party president post The Congress, which had played the role of a junior partner to Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad in the last Bihar assembly polls, can replicate the model. Party insiders say that an alliance is the only chance of returning to power. For the 2017 elections, the BSP has given 97 tickets to Muslim candidates -- the highest ever -- and is seeking to carve a Dalit-Muslim alliance. Till the SP was united, it could bank on a share of the Muslim vote. But with the division, the competition for minority loyalty has increased. It could well split four ways between the BSP, the two SP factions and the Congress. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A distributor here has claimed receiving threat letters from Shiv Senas Chhattisgarh wing over the release of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khans forthcoming action crime thriller film Raees, which also features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. Directed by Rahul Dholakia, Raees is slated to release on January 25. Mumbai-based distributor Akshaye Rathi tagged Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackerays son and Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Twitter, and posted a snapshot of the letter, which has been written in Devanagari. In a series of Twitter posts, Rathi wrote, Dear Aditya Thackeray, we have received this threat letter from your Chhattisgarh unit against playing Shah Rukh Khans Raees. Do you endorse it? Dear Raman Singh and Abhishek Singh, please look into this to let law and order prevail in Chhattisgarh. Raees. The distributor even urged Shah Rukhs fans to help him bring the issue to light. Request all Shah Rukh Khan fans to help me bring this to the notice of Aditya Thackeray. Im sure he will take action against this nuisance. Raees, he wrote. The letter, which is not addressed to any specific person, warns distributors to oppose the films release. When IANS contacted Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan, he said none of the northern region distributors had received such a letter so far. If a film has been cleared for release, then nobody can stop it. Raees will release on January 25. Nobody in our region has received any kind of threat from anyone, Said Mahajan. Filmmaker director Shlok Sharma had a run-in with the legal authorities when he went to jail during the shoot of Gangs of Wasseypur. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who helmed the two-part crime-saga, revealed that Shlok is so passionate about his work that while he was the second unit director in Gangs of Wasseypur, he had to go to jail twice. I have seen his journey, not only as a filmmaker but as a person. Earlier he used to ask before doing everything, then started to decide on his own, when he became the second unit director he started to shoot those things which were not even on the list, he said. In Gangs of Wasseypur, he went to jail twice. He wanted to shoot such shots of tracks that he placed cameras on the bridge. He then went to jail for that and if they had a camera there, he would have shot there as well, Kashyap said. Shweta Tripathi plays a young school girl in Haraamkhor. The filmmaker was speaking at a special screening of the film at the Jio MAMI Film Club with Star, Tuesday night. Several Bollywood celebrities came to watch the film, including Kalki Koechlin, Vicky Kaushal, and the lead actress Shweta Tripathi. Kashyap, who is the co-producer of the film, said he was extremely happy with Haraamkhor and had seen both, the first edit as well as the final version of the movie. When asked if he is proud of his former assistant, Kashyap said, People give me a lot of unnecessary and undue credit. I only choose people. I didnt even know what the script was. I choose people and then they work with full freedom. Haraamkhor chronicles the relationship between a 14-year-old girl, played by Shweta, and her teacher, enacted by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The film was presented the Silver Gateway of India trophy at the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Haraamkhor will hit theatres January 13. Follow @htshowbiz for more Dia Mirza has often voiced her opinion on important issues, whether its animal rights or injustice against women. The actor, who was last seen in Love Breakups Zindagi in 2011, says that she is tired of the stereotypical roles that are offered to female actors. Although it is a new year, Dia feels the situation hasnt changed. The leading ladies in our films are not perceived as individuals with their own identities, because they are expected to just excite the audience. But there is a rebellion of sorts. In a male-dominated industry, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, she says. Dia, who married Sahil Sangha in 2014, and is running a production house says that in spite of being great at handling her personal life, she isnt limited to just running her house. I really think each one of us (married actors) is going to break the mould. I handle my home beautifully. However, I am not just my husbands name. I am never going to stop evolving and growing, she says. In fact, the actor feels that Kareena Kapoor Khan, who worked during her pregnancy, set a perfect example. Being pregnant is a wonderful thing. I have never understood why people make such a big deal of it though. I am glad, that the fact that Kareena was working was celebrated. Thats how it should be, says Dia. She recently celebrated fifteen years of her debut film, Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein (2001). Dia says that she still gets a lot of messages and compliments from her fans for that role. I was a baby when I did that film. I was so scared and unsure, but when I receive messages from young boys till now, saying, You are my first love, I feel a great sense of gratitude, she concludes. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Cyrus Mistry, the ousted chairman of Indias Tata Sons, sought to block the company from removing him from its board in a petition filed with a national tribunal on Wednesday. Tata Sons has called an extraordinary general meeting on February 6 to remove Mistry from its board. The $100 billion conglomerate ousted Mistry as chairman in October, sparking a bitter public spat, but he remains a director. Tata Sons is the holding company of listed Tata group companies in a business empire ranging from Jaguar Land Rover and steel mills to aviation and salt pans. Mistry contested his removal from the board in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), a quasi-judicial body that deals with corporate grievances in India. In a filing seen by Reuters, Mistry said that, by moving to remove him from the board, Tata Sons was violating an NCLT order asking both sides not to take any action until a preliminary ruling on Feb. 1. In the document, Mistry also seeks the imprisonment of his fellow Tata Sons board members, including interim Chairman Ratan Tata, over his allegation that they violated the tribunals order. Tata Sons denied being in contempt of the NCLT order and said it would give its response to the tribunal. Ratan Tata, patriarch of one of Indias most influential families, took over as interim chairman of Tata Sons after the ousting of Mistry, who had sought to shake up the firms management. While the board gave no detailed reason for the change of chairman, some media reports said there has been discontent with some of Mistrys actions, including asset sales. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today reiterated that the Centre is still aiming to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime from April 1 if all pending issues are sorted out. GST, which is to subsume most of central and state taxes like excise, service tax and VAT, needs to roll out by latest September 16, 2017, he said. This because, under the Constitutional Amendment passed by Parliament for the GST implementation, some of the existing levies would expire after September 16. Jaitley said the government was aiming to implement the new sales tax from April this year. We would want it to be implemented from April if all issues are resolved. There is a provision for GST implementation because constitutional amendment has been passed. So its Constitutional necessity that before September 16 it should be rolled out, he said on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here. GST, or a national sales tax, will replace a jumble of levies to create one of the worlds biggest single market. A single tax will make it easier to do business in the worlds seventh-largest economy as also help combat evasion, boost revenue for the government. But the rollout is struck because of differences between the Centre and states over control and administration of the tax as also on how the states that face revenue shortfall because of the GST rollout would need to be compensated. Jaitley is hoping to resolve the issue of dual control of tax payers at the next meeting of the GST Council on January 16. We would want it to be implemented from April if all issues are resolved. But implementing before September 16 is a necessity, he said. The Finance Minister said the digitisation that got a leg up post demonetisation of old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, together with GST will lead to expansion of formal economy and boost growth. The two steps together will lead to a larger economy and a cleaner GDP. I am hopeful that we will see the two this year, he said. The mobile wallet will become a part of our payments bank business, Vijay Shekhar Sharma told this reporter in December. Sharma is perhaps the biggest beneficiary of prime minister Narendra Modis demonetisation business. Paytm from a payments startup spiraled up to become a household name as India faced its biggest ever cash crunch. To its users respite, the Paytm mobile wallet has become the biggest alternative for cash. Millions of small merchants and first time users downloaded the Paytm app, and used it to buy everything from tea, grocery, vegetables and fill fuel in cars. But, Sharma is far from being content. In fact, he sleeps less, works over 16 hours in a day, holds more meetings, and is already preparing for his next big bang. In the next five days, in its biggest shift ever, all Paytm mobile wallets 160 million of them will move to Paytm Payments Bank Ltd, a newly created company, where Sharma will hold 51% stake directly, and some through One97, the parent company that owns the Paytm brand. In the payments bank business, Sharmas total holding will be about 61%. This will be an Indian company, owned by Indians, and I am proud about that, he said. Sharma, an Aligargh boy, who went to a Hindi medium school, faced a lot of discrimination as he couldnt speak fluent English. He would read the same book in Hindi and in English to learn the language. Sharma wasnt born rich. He has had his own rough days. Once, he was left with Rs 10, and he had to travel to South Delhi from Kashmiri Gate a distance of about 20 kms. He walked; otherwise he wouldnt have money for dinner. He has come a long way through. Sharma is on the verge of fulfilling his biggest ever dream build a banking business that will have more customers than Indias largest bank, the State Bank of India. I am dreaming with eyes wide open, he said. For the first time, Sharma said, that a bank will not have branches, but he hopes that more people will use its service, even in small towns and cities, by people who never had an opportunity to have a bank account. Moving the wallet out from One97, and putting it under Paytm Payments Bank is just the first step in that direction. Once that happens, Sharma will be able to urge the wallet holders to open a bank account with Paytm (it is not mandatory, though). The wallet balance will become the account balance. The same balance will be used to pay for an Uber ride, pay bills, make recharges and even shop online. Paytm will also push a whole bunch of micro financial service to the account holders, such as micro finance, loans, mutual funds, debit cards, and insurance. Most of these tie-ups are under works, Sharma has said. Its simple, Sharma laughs aloud. He is a jovial person. One you have a bank account, you will be eligible for financial services at the click of a button, he had told. We will change the way banking is done, Sharma sounded quite optimistic. But Sharma is not alone, Sunil Bharti Mittal-promoted telecom behemoth has already launched its payments bank. Its users already avail 7.25% interest in savings account. Paytm will also face a lot of resistance from incumbent banks. Initially, Sharma had plans to automatically convert all wallets to bank accounts, thats not happening right away. Users will have an option to open an account. But there is a catch. For any merchant, who has a Paytm bank account will be able to transfer money from his wallet at zero transaction fees, but to any other account, Paytm has intentions to levy a small amount. Thats also one reason why Sharma is confident that this is the beginning of a banking revolution. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amartya Sen is not the one who goes shooting his mouth off about others business. Rather his thoughts are calculated and well defined. That is also why one shouldnt take him as just another person criticising prime minister Narendra Modis demonetisation policy, which suck out 86% of the countrys bank noted, aimed to kill black money corruption. In fact, the Nobel laureate raised too many questions on the Modis governance and policy mechanisms, and the role of the Reserve Bank, which is Indias central banking institution that controls the monetary policy of the Indian rupee. In an interview with a leading television channel Sen said, Napolean after his failed attempt to raid Russia, on his way back, said that he actually did not want to do anything, just wanted to do a snowy excursion in the snowy mountains of Russia. Sen called Modis decision of demonetisation was a similar attempt -- a decision that was taken by a small group of people around the prime minister (not even the central government), and definitely not by the RBI, which would have been ideal. He called demonetisation a gigantic mistake as most of the currency in circulation was pulled out just to recover 6% of cash that was in the form of black money. To that effect, Sen said Modi uses his magic to convince people, but demonetisation was his Napolean moment. Modi did not consult the state governments, which poses a question on the countrys federal policy, and that the RBI was just following orders, and nothing more. Not only Sen, former RBI governer Y.V. Reddy talked about the banks eroding autonomy. Reddy also said that RBI is facing reputational risk. He said that over the years autonomy of the central bank has eroded and recent criticism from rating agencies will only be detrimental for the banks reputation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON It was raining praises for Prime Minister Narendra Modi from some global CEOs at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here while one of them went on to say that many in the US wished he could take over the American leadership. Heres what some of the top global business leaders said: Toshihiro Suzuki, president, Suzuki Motor Corporation Support from government for manufacturing sector is very encouraging for us. Our new automotive plant in Gujarat will start production from next month. I visited the site yesterday and found everything ready. Peter Huntsman, CEO, Huntsman Corporation At a time when courage is lacking, we find it in India. At a time when leadership seems to be at a low, we find it in Prime Minister Modi. David Farr, chairman and CEO, Emerson Electric Company Its my hope that Make in India, Digital India and Skill India will begin to make steady progress for future growth. To grow manufacturing from 12% to 25% by 2022, it will require massive investments from all of us globally. John Chambers, executive chairman, Cisco I have had the honour of looking at every major country in the world and there is no other country in the world that has a better plan for future than India. He named Modi among one of the top three leaders he has ever met. Stating that Indias efforts with regard to digitisation, Smart Cities and Make in India are what leadership is about as all these show the courage to outline goals, and doing things in an inclusive fashion. Kapkot has traditionally been a BJP strong hold but the Congress wrested the assembly seat in 2012 after three straight defeats, including the 2009 by-polls. The battle in Kapkot a hill assembly of Almora parliamentary constituency in Bageshwar is likely to be a repeat of 2012, where the sitting Congress legislator Lalit Farswan will face the BJP in a tough contest. Former chief minister and Lok Sabha member Bhagat Singh Koshyari defeated Congress candidates in 2002 and 2007 by 8,514 votes and 9,516 votes respectively. BJPs Sher Singh Garhia defeated Congress Kunti Parihar in the 2009 by-election after Koshyari vacated the seat as he was elected to Rajya Sabha. A typical hill assembly segment, Kapkot is divided into Kanda Kamsar and Kapkot valleys, still lacks road infrastructure and drinking water lift schemes and people have to travel far to fetch water. Schools are also need to be upgraded. While the Congress is certain to field its sitting MLA, the BJP is struggling to finalise a candidate as there are three strong contendersformer legislators Balwant Singh Bhauriyal, Sher Singh Garhia and Bhupesh Upadhyay. While Bhauriyal, who lost to Farswan in the 2012 assembly elections, has strong backing of BJP national general secretary and former RSS pracharak Shiv Prakash, Upadhyays chances of being nominated is buttressed by fellow BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya. Sources in the BJP, however, said that Nainital MP Bhagat Singh Koshyaribeing local and influential leader of the stateis likely to have the last laugh in the wrangle for a ticket for Kapkot. Although Koshyari supporter Suresh Garhia is also vying for a ticket is unlikely that he will get the support of his mentor for being a light weight candidate. Upadhyay has the edge in getting the ticket as he will be the first candidate form the Kanda valley that accounts for more that 50% vote share of the constituency. The Congress too is not free from infighting as two senior party leaders Bhagat Singh Dasila and Pratap Singh Chutiaare likely to contest as independents against Farswan. Chief minister Harish Rabats first meeting has not helped in sorting out difference among ticket aspirants, but Farswan is confident that the two rebel leaders will finally toe the party line. The two rebel party leaders will abide by the party diktat, irrespective what the opposition wants. The Congress is strong in Kapkot and win again. I have exhausted most of my MLA local area development fund for lift water schemes and renovation of roads and construction of bridges on local rivulets, said Farswan. Regardless of what the BJP is claiming, people in the remote hill areas are still facing a cash crunch and farmers have failed to get money for procuring seeds and manures. The BJP will have to pay for this in the elections, he said. A physiotherapist arrested for the murder of a 28-year-old bank manager in north Delhi stole an anaesthetic from AIIMS to make the lethal cocktail he injected his victim with, Delhi Police sources said on Tuesday. Ravi Kumar, who worked with Kotak Mahindra died on Monday, two days after Prem Singh jabbed him in Sadar Bazaar, where the bank branch was. Prem was paid Rs 1.5 lakh for the hit by a friend, Anish Yadav, who claimed to be in love with Kumars wife, police said. We havent received any theft report but if the police are investigating, we will fully cooperate with them, Dr DK Sharma, medical superintendent, AIIMS, said. Singh was with his cousin, who was to undergo a surgery at AIIMS, when he heard two doctors discuss the side effects of the anaesthesia. It gave him the idea that an injection could be used to murder Kumar and make a quick buck, a source said. When the cousin was called for a pre-surgery check-up on December 27, Singh stole a bottle of Midazolam, an anaesthetic, from the hospital, police sources said. Singh told police he had planned to use only Midazolam, thinking Kumar would die of a drug overdose. But, he wanted a foolproof plan. He searched on the Net for drugs which in combination with Midazolam could be fatal. He zeroed on Fortwin, an opioid used to treat pain, and Phenergan, which is used to treat allergy symptoms. He and Yadav bought the drugs and two masks from a chemist. Police, who are waiting for the post-mortem report, have contacted AIIMS and have sought assistance in the investigation. Yadav and Ravis wife were dating in college but the woman ended the relationship when he was arrested on charges of rape, sources said. Ravi Kumar married in July. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Capitals air travellers faced maximum flight disruptions in December with least number of domestic flights making it on time. This has been revealed in an annual report by the airport operator DIAL on the On-Time Performance (OTP) of domestic airlines. According to the report, 79% flights were delayed due to reactionary reasons or late arrivals while only 13% were delayed due to weather conditions like fog. Last month, the operator had prepared a report on the flight operations from November 30 to December 3 when over 900 flight were disrupted. Hindustan Times had reported on December 14 that airlines, and not fog, were largely to blame for the disruptions. In December, only 64% of the departing flights operated on time. Spicejets OTP was highest at 70%. The average OTP of arriving flights was 54%, second worst after June, when it was 29.28%. The other reasons for delay include passenger and baggage handling, aircraft and ramp handling, technical, automated equipment operations and air traffic flow management, an airport official said, quoting the report. If a flight departs 15 minutes after the scheduled time, it is considered delayed. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, which recorded 55 million passengers last year, has a long runway and equipment to assist instrument landing systems in extreme low visibility. In foggy conditions, airports and aircraft use sophisticated landing systems with pilots trained to deal with low visibility, technically known as Category-III or CAT-III, which has three classifications.However, the airport operators reports have revealed that airlines are not prepared to land in low visibility. There have been instances where airlines were found using CAT-III non-compliant planes for flights to Delhi during dense fog, a DGCA official said. A Spicejet spokesperson said that airline has been consistently topping the OTP charts in the metros for the past three months in a row. The airlines, however, have been contesting the authenticity of OTP data. Both Indigo and Spicejet have approached DGCA to investigate the manner in which the OTP data is collected at different airports. Meanwhile, reacting to the OTP report about reactionary delays Indigo airlines said, These are due to the late incoming aircraft from other stations where visibility is down and there are no modern landing systems to allow low visibility operations such as Chandigarh, Gauhati, Imphal, Bangalore, Srinagar, Jammu as well as late incoming aircraft that touches highly congested airspace such as over Mumbai and Goa. In 2015, January was the worst month for passengers with only 57% flights departing on time from Delhi, while in December, 77% flights departed on time. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Investigators worked off just a first name, Mintu, to nab two accused in the gangrape of a 15-year-old homeless girl in Delhi, adopting a time-tested method of searching from house to house in one of the most densely populated areas in the capital. The minor survivor gave birth to a premature baby on December 31, after she was sexually abused by five accused, all of them minors, over several months in the Mayur Vihar Phase I area. Three of the five accused are still absconding. Often criticised for slow pace of investigations, especially in cases of sexual assaults, the breakthrough in this case has been hailed in Delhi Police as an example of sticking to the basics and persevering in the face of odds. We were left with no option but to search for the suspect named Mintu (name changed), the only clue the girl provided to usfive teams were formed to develop the clue, identify the suspects and bring them to book at the earliest, said a senior investigating officer. Police said the traumatised rape survivor was not able to recall physical descriptions despite even several counselling. She was rescued in an unconscious state on December 29 from a pavement near the metro stations parking lot and regained her senses only on January 3. The teams went to work as soon as a case was registered under different sections including that of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO). With no specific lead, lack of description of the accused, lack of eyewitnesses and electronic evidence such as CCTV camera footage, the police resorted to their conventional style of investigation that includes gathering information through criminal intelligence networks and door-to-door search operations. For a week, from January 3 to 9, the police teams went from house to house in the Dallupura village, Khichripur, Pandav Nagar and other areas around the Mayur Vihar-I metro station, searching for one Mintu. Read | Four years after Dec 16: Number of rape cases in Delhi have increased More than two dozen boys with that name and living in the nearby areas were rounded up, their photographs taken and shown to the rape survivor, the police official said. However, the exhaustive operation did not yield any result as she said none among them was Mintu. Faced with a roadblock, the investigations slowed down. But police was yet to give up. As the teams kept going back to area one of them rounded up a group of six minors, all alleged snatchers who operated in the area. One among them was Mintu. Our team members heaved a sigh of relief when one of the boys identified himself as Mintu and also confessed that he along with his friends had been sexually exploiting the girl, said the officer. His interrogation led to the nabbing of the second juvenile accused who was also among the six apprehended. Their photographs were shown to the girl and she identified both of them. A police official said the survivor is being taken care of by an NGO, police and authorities at the Lal Bahadur Shastri hospital, where her premature baby girl is under observation in the intensive care unit. We are coordinating with the child welfare committed and NGOs to help the minor girl get back to the mainstream. All possible steps will be taken to rehabilitate her, said Ombir Singh, DCP (east). All requisite steps will be taken to secure the babys future. Read | A woman raped every 4 hours, 21 cars stolen every day in 2016: Delhi Police data A 15-year-old homeless girl was gang raped multiple times allegedly by a group of five teenagers over several months at different places around Mayur Vihar-I Metro station in east Delhi, police said on Tuesday. On December 29 last year, the girl was found lying unconscious on a pavement near the Metro stations parking lot by a rag picker who informed the police. Two days later, she delivered a premature baby girl at the Lal Bahadur Shastri hospital where she was admitted by the police. The teenager remained unconscious till January 3. After she regained consciousness, the police recorded her statement in the presence of a magistrate. The girl alleged that she was being sexually exploited by the five boys living in villages around the metro station. All she could remember about the people who assaulted her was just one name Mintu (name changed). She alleged that the others who sexually assaulted her were Mintus friends. Being a destitute, orphan and a minor, the girl did not know that whatever was happening to her was a serious sexual crime. She didnt even know she was pregnant. The future of the baby girl and her mother remains uncertain, even as they are currently being looked after by the police and the Lal Bahadur Shastri hospital staff. Omvir Singh, deputy commissioner of police (east), said that a case of gang rape under the sections of 376D of the IPC and 6, 9 and 10 of protection of children from sexual offences (POCSO) act was registered against unknown persons at the Mayur Vihar police station. We took up the probe and formed teams to identify and nab the suspects at the earliest, said the DCP. A door-to-door search was carried out in areas around Mayur Vihar such as Chilla village, Dallupura, Khichripur, Pandav Nagar, Trilokpuri and Kalyanapuri to nab Mintu, the one whom the girl had identified as the prime perpetrator. Police rounded up over two dozen boys with the name Mintu living in nearby areas, but couldnt succeed. It was chance bust up of a gang of snatchers that led the police to the prime accused, also a minor. The police caught the six-member gang on Monday. When one of them identified himself as Mintu, the police got suspicious and questioned him further. Mintu confessed to raping the minor destitute and on his information another juvenile accused was detained. The two teenagers have been sent to a correction home for boys while efforts were on to identify and nab the other accused, the police said. Anish Yadav, who roped in a physiotherapist to inject the husband of the woman he loved with poison, had planned to frame her, if he would get caught. Yadav and the woman were college mates and after consistent persuasion, she had started dating him. But after a rape case was lodged against Yadav at Dwarka in 2010, the womans family refused to accept the relationship. They also pointed out that Yadav had a volatile nature and was impulsive. By his own admission, Yadav was so much in love with his college mate that he wanted to be with her at any cost. But he told Prem Singh a physiotherapist who was paid 1.5 lakh for the job that if he would get caught, he must tell the police that it was the mans wife who had plotted to kill him. Yadav told the police that he tried to contact her several times but she never came on the phone. He later came to know that she got married in July 2016 with Prem Kumar. He claimed he decided to kill her husband as he dreamed of her telling him that she was not happy with her marriage and would love to be back with him. In reality, Yadav never met or spoke to the woman after she got married, a police source said. The plan It was Singh who suggested that they should kill Kumar by injecting poison in his body. Yadav agreed and the two planned the murder over six days. They anticipated what they would do, if they get caught. Yadav paid him 1.5 lakh for the job and told him that even if he gets caught he should name the woman. They left their mobile phones at home when they went to kill Kumar to avoid being traced, a police officer said. Preparation Singh allegedly stole a bottle of Midazolam, an anesthetic, from AIIMS and went home to research how it could be made into a poisonous concoction. He then zeroed down on two more medicines- Fortwin and Phenergan- that he and Yadav, later bought from a chemist shop along with two masks and a syringe. Singh also watched videos on the internet on how to inject anesthesia and the dosage enough to kill a person. Execution On the day of the incident both Singh and Yadav boarded the Metro and got down at RK Ashram Marg. Yadav then purchased wine from a shop and the two had a drink, reportedly celebrating the success of Yadavs love life. Singh then headed to Kumars office to execute their plan. Singh stabbed Kumars neck with the syringe. But he was caught by the passersby, said a police officer. Investigation and confession As per their plan, Singh earlier tried to mislead the police by saying that Kumars wife had hired him to kill her husband but his phone chats and call details exposed his plan. Yadav had sent him Kumars photographs on his WhatsApp along with directions. The chat read marne se pehle acche se photo dekh lena. Also the two had shared several internet links during the planning of the murder and spoke to each other daily, a police officer said. We we confronted him with these facts, he broke down and revealed that Yadav had hired him. HT tried to contact the woman but she has left for her husbands native village for the last rites. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi has no bias against Muslims and is, in fact, concerned about the lack of leadership among the community, former lieutenant governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung has said. Jung, who took everyone by surprise when he quit on December 23, told India Today channel in an interview on Wednesday that Modi was concerned about his party BJPs ties with Muslims. Political rivals often accuse the Prime Minister of being prejudicial towards the minority community. In my own interaction with the PM, I found no bias. I have had long, long discussions with him. Even on issues of relationship with Muslims, I found no bias, Jung said during the To The Point programme. His comments assume significance as they come ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, where Muslims account for 20% of the electorate. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal often targeted Jung for allegedly doing the bidding of the Modi government and not allowing him to perform his duties. During one of the many standoffs, the CM took to Twitter, saying Jung wanted to be the vice-president and was trying to please Modi. The presidential and vice-president polls are due later this year. Jung said Modi and even he was concerned about Muslims relationship with the BJP. I believe a lot of onus lies with the Muslim community also because if you look back, in the last 40 years Muslims have not produced a leader of their community... It is a community without leaders. And their leaders today what? ...Mr Bahuguna, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav? A former vice chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamia University, Jung said the community needed to communicate with the government but who goes to the PM to explain their perspective? Modi is concerned about this. He has expressed his concern to me that he would like to win them over but who is talking to him. On the contentious issue of triple talaq, Jung said Muslims should themselves discontinue the divorces practice, which was retrograde and not in the interest of women. Parliament itself would have taken a view on this. If the Parliament doesnt have the courage to upset the Muslim community then the courts must certainly step in. Religious leaders should sit together to decide on uniform civil code, Jung said, adding he was opposed to it being rammed down somebodys throat. The unified civil code applies to all the communities; just not the Muslims. I think it is time for the community to sit together; various religious leaders to sit together and resolve this matter, he said. After sanitation workers, the medical staff working at municipal corporations-run hospitals in the city may stop work to protest non-payment of salaries for two months. Thousands of patients will have to be turned away without treatment on a daily basis if the workforce chooses to go on strike en masse, as the five prominent hospitals run by the civic agencies four in north Delhi and one in east Delhi, have close to 4,000 workers, including doctors, nurses and paramedics. The busiest of its hospitals, Hindu Rao in north Delhi, alone caters to close to 4,000-5,000 outpatient department (OPD) patients each day, with a staff strength of 2,000. We are trying to release salaries in phases as soon as we get funds from the headquarters. We paid the nurses today but our doctors and contractual employees have yet not been paid salaries for November and December. It is difficult to expect them to keep working under the given circumstances, said a senior doctor at Hindu Rao, requesting anonymity. If these people choose to stop work, our hospital will literally collapse. We might make use of contractual employees but that will be just enough to keep the emergency running and attend to those in-patients who are critical enough to not be discharged. In almost all hospitals, the doctors have not been paid their last two months salary. Our doctors have begun silent protest in batches. They attend to patients and then sit on dharna. We cant hold them from stopping work for long. Our OPD footfall has dropped by 30%, out of the 2,000 patients we get in a day, said an administrative official from Swami Dayanand Hospital in east Delhi. Kasturba Hospital, which caters to women and children, under the north civic agency is also facing the heat. Our nurses have been paid November salary, but the doctors are yet to be paid. We have outsourced our sanitation work, which is some relief as we can use the services and also of those who are on contract, including doctors. It will keep us going for some time but in the long run if the situation doesnt improve, it will be very inconvenient for the patients, especially since we deal with women and children, said an official, requesting anonymity. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Fearing a major health crisis, residents of east Delhi prayed for a breakthrough as the strike by sanitation workers continued on seventh day. Roads in major localities such as Kanti Nagar, Jhilmil, Shahdara and Laxmi Nagar have turned into garbage dumps as over 2,000 metric tonnes of waste accumulated in east Delhi over the week. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation claimed that the strike was over and several areas have been cleaned but the residents did not agree. Tonnes of garbage can be found dumped on at least three places on the main road leading to Jagat Puri market. The garbage dumps are also overflowing. The piles of garbage are growing every day. I have not seen any truck in my area so far, said Anjana Kapoor, a resident of Kanti Nagar. Gurpreet Kaur, a resident of Laxmi Nagar, claimed that the situation remained the same and nobody had swept the road in front of her house till late Tuesday evening. Garbage is piling up on roadsides. We can only hope the situation becomes better, she said. In Jhilmil, almost all garbage dumps were filled to the capacity. Residents claimed that several people who had been contracted by the residents to collect garbage have also not been coming for the past week. I had been collecting the garbage in polythene bags. I will have to go out myself and dump them now, said Nihal Ahmed, a resident of Pratap Khand in Vishwakarma Nagar area. Read I Now, 1.4 lakh Delhi civic employees threaten to join sanitation workers strike Delhi stared at a major civic crisis as 1.4 lakh employees of all three municipal bodies threatened on Tuesday to join a strike by sanitation workers that has left large parts of the capital littered with mounds of rotting garbage. A joint front of municipal workers said they will go on strike if their pending salaries are not cleared by January 18, the same issue over which sanitation workers of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) launched an agitation last week. Following the threat, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation announced that it will pay pending salary for two months. One months salary was transferred to the accounts of employees in other categories, an NDMC official said. EDMC commissioner Mohanjeet Singh said majority of sanitation staff is back on work after the two months salary was transferred. They are working day and night to clear tonnes of garbage collected on roads since Thursday. On Tuesday morning we collected 1,400 metric tonnes of waste through 58 trucks. These trucks were parked at MCDs workshop in Jhilmil where a group of sanitation workers were on strike, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Once again, sanitation workers in East Delhi have given the rallying cry for a citywide strike that may cause a shutdown in the Capital. Once again, municipal corporations are pleading helplessness and accusing the Delhi government of not releasing adequate funds. Like smog in the winter air, some things in Delhi have become alarmingly predictable. The sanitation workers strike in East Delhi over non-payment of salaries is the fifth such agitation in the past two years, highlighting the gravity of the financial crisis in the EDMC (East Delhi municipal corporation). Its northern counterpart, NDMC, does not fare any better and has repeatedly failed to pay salaries to its employees regularly. While the BJP-ruled municipal corporations put all the blame for the financial crisis on the AAP-ruled Delhi government, numbers suggest a very different picture. In 2012-13, the first year after the trifurcation of the unified MCD, the EDMCs finances were perfectly in order. Its income was about Rs 1,534 crore against an expenditure of Rs 1,523 crore a surplus of Rs 11 crore. Fast forward to 2017-18, when EDMC expects to generate an income of Rs 1,579 crore against an expenditure of Rs 3,822 crores -- a whopping deficit of Rs 2,243 crore. Clearly, the EDMC has done remarkably well on one front spending the money it never had. But what explains this complete stagnation in revenues? The municipal corporations have two main sources of revenue own revenues that they generate directly by levying taxes, fees or user charges, and grants they receive from external bodies, primarily the Delhi government. First, lets look at the grants. Read | Haphazard trifurcation to blame for the civic mess, says ex-chief secretary The EDMC received a grant of Rs 270 crore from the Delhi government in 2012-13. In comparison, it received Rs 702 crore (over three times) in 2015-16, and Rs 605 in the first nine months of 2016-17. However, the overall revenues stagnated, pointing towards a dismal performance in shoring up its own revenues a result largely of inefficiency in tax administration and an unwillingness to take the political risk associated with increasing tax rates. Lets look at property tax, one of the major contributors to revenues globally. In Delhi, only 10% of property owners pay property taxes. To track down defaulters and shore up revenues, the MCDs initiated a project to digitise property tax records in 2015. The project is progressing at a snails pace and only a third of the records have been digitized. Further, multiple proposals to hike property taxes have been rejected by EDMC councillors, who are unwilling to stand up to any opposition from residents. The corporations are yet to act on the Delhi governments proposal to implement property tax in unauthorised colonies. Besides property and other obligatory taxes, the corporations have the legal authority to introduce around eight discretionary taxes such as professional tax, betterment tax, etc. However, they currently levy only two types of discretionary taxes. The corporations have been equally lethargic on various proposals to increase parking charges, or to impose user charges for garbage collection. What makes the bad situation worse is that their finances of the corporations are shrouded in secrecy since they do not release quarterly or even annual detailed statements of income and expenditure. This prevents regular public scrutiny. Read | NGT issues notice to Delhi govt, municipal corporation over sanitation strike In the present crisis, the corporations are frequently blaming the Delhi government for not implementing the recommendations of the Fourth Finance Commission that gives them a greater share in state tax revenues. However, the Commission also recommends a greater share for the Delhi government in the Central government taxes at par with other states, and therefore its recommendations cannot be implemented selectively but only after agreement between all parties concerned. EDMCs sanitation workers have clearly, and understandably, had it enough this time. But its the citizens of Delhi that need to say enough is enough to the deep financial mismanagement in MCDs, and demand far-reaching reforms that usher in accountability and financial transparency in the local governments of the national capital. Jasmine Shah is a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar and an urban expert (@jasmine441). The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday asked authorities what can be done to boost the sanitation services in east Delhi so that a collapse of the garbage management mechanism could be avoided in the future. The NGT query came even as the strike called by sanitation staff of East Delhi Municipal Corporation entered its seventh day. What measures can be taken in order to ensure that such a situation doesnt take place in the future? a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the environment ministry, the ministry of urban development, the AAP government, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation and workers union representatives. The next date of hearing is on Thursday. Since 2015, east corporation sanitation workers have gone on strike five times over non-payment of salaries. This time, its over non-payment of their November and December salaries. Though the Delhi government has released 119 crore to the civic body, workers say it is not enough for even one month. The tribunal had earlier on Tuesday issued notice to all the stakeholders, asking them what steps have been taken to remove waste from the streets. The east Delhi, the areas that have been hit the most are: Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Krishna Nagar, New Ashok Nagar, Vinod Nagar, Khichripur and other adjoining areas. Huge piles of garbage are lying outside these colonies with sanitation workers refusing to pick the garbage until their salaries are paid. In East Delhi, around 2500 MT garbage is generated every day. The NGT directions came after advocate Balendu Shekhar, appearing for the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), told the bench that urgent directions were needed as EDMC employees were on indefinite strike since January 5 due to non-payment of salary. He also sought the tribunals intervention to end the deadlock. The EDMC lawyer said there was an extraordinary situation and sought directions for immediate release of salary to sanitation workers saying that the dhalaos were overflowing with waste. The NGT had earlier directed all municipal authorities to draw up an integrated waste management plan for Delhi, identify landfill sites and improve condition of existing sites, among other issues. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The farewell addresses of United States presidents try to leave trenchant messages for that country, and vicariously for the rest of the world as well. Barack Obama has tried to follow in the footsteps of George Washington who inveigled against permanent alliances, Harry Truman who spoke of the threat of atomic war and Dwight D Eisenhower whose speech popularised the term military-industrial complex and its dangers. But it is always easier to speak at a higher level if one is a president who leaves office on a high note. US presidents like Richard Nixon or George W Bush gave goodbyes that were defensive and sought to explain the mistakes they made. Read | Obama farewell: Politics aside, different flavours of the US Presidents speech The Obama administration ends with a mixed record and it may be best remembered in the history books by the fact it was led by the US first African-American president. While no doubt a major accomplishment, his fathers racial background is hardly what Obama wants as the leitmotif of his presidency. And, as the president himself noted, his election did not make his country into a post-racial society overnight. His policy record is what counts and Obama has far less to show for his eight years in office than many of his supporters had hoped. Notably, two of the accomplishments he touted the most his healthcare reforms and climate change policies were so weakly imbedded in the countrys legislative framework that they are threatened with reversal in the coming Donald Trump administration. The progress the US made in gay rights during his years are arguably the success of a grassroots legal activism to which Obama provided only rhetorical support. Read | President Obama turns groomsman at his aides wedding However, it is in the global arena that Obama may face his severest criticism. Many of the foreign policy accomplishments Obama cited the US-Iran nuclear deal and ending sanctions against Cuba, for example are at best half-done given the continuing lack of legislative back-up. The so-called Obama doctrine held that the US had overreached globally, that its foreign policy had become too militaristic and that the rest of the world had to share the burden of policing the world. Obama was not incorrect in this view. But the naive and amateurish manner in which he decided to put this into practice is a major reason the Taliban control a quarter of Afghanistan today and the South China Sea has almost ceased to be an international maritime body. Obama spoke stirringly of the rules and values-based international order that the US created after World War II. However, it was also an order that survived because of the strength and credibility of US power, both diplomatic and military. Obama undermined the hard base of the world order and has left a new era of geopolitical disorder as the most visible part of his external legacy. Haryana has one doctor per 1,700 population and the government is making efforts to improve the figures to one doctor per 1,000 population. Anil Vij, state health minister, made the announcement on Wednesday while appealing to non-resident Haryanvis to invest in healthcare, education, and sport infrastructure in the state. Speaking at a sectoral session, Health education and sports. Improving indicators: Moving in right direction, at the first Pravasi Haryana Divas, Vij said interested people could adopt hospitals and villages to improve health facilities. The event was held with an aim to pursue non-residents to invest in the state. Vij urged the pravasi Haryanvis to deepen their connection with their roots by investing in the state in the fields of health and education. The minister lauded efforts being made by the private sector, including non-governmental organisations and social and educational institutions, to promote and develop education and health in the state. Concerted efforts being made by the state government in this regard are also yielding positive results. These include 20% increase in the number of patients availing of out patient department facility and improvement in sex ratio at birth that has crossed the 900 mark, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, secretary, department of health research of the Central government, said the state government should consider including the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine in its immunisation campaign to prevent chances of occurrence of cervical cancer. She said two doses of the vaccine should be administered to girls aged 11 and 12 years. The vaccine is available in the private sector and proven to be highly effective in reducing possibility of occurrence of cervical cancer. However, as it is expensive, the government should ensure that it is accessible to all. Cancer screening should also be carried out, she said. She also urged the minister to support research in medical colleges in the state. Additional chief secretary of Haryana school education department PK Das, president of Manav Rachna educational institution Dr Prashant Bhalla, founding partner and group CEO of Tenacity Group Inc Dr Nandini Tandon, member of national healthcare committee of CII Dr Shubnum Singh and Vikas Kohli of VIVO healthcare shared their views on the occasion. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Haryana government will be soon announce a new tariff policy for manufacturing units that are part of fresh investments, and make it easier for industry to get new power connections and upgrade sanctioned load. Special sops for the mobile phone manufacturing industry are also in the offing. Speaking at a panel discussion on IT and ITes industry at the Pravasi Divas, Anurag Rastogi, principal secretary, power department, said the government is working on the twin goals of improving the availability and reducing cost of power. It has been decided that a new power regime based on common sense, and actual ground conditions will be introduced, Rastogi said. The state government is also working on reducing the cost of power to industrial units and new units could be supplied cheaper power. The cost of power in Haryana is relatively high but this problem would also be addressed by boosting the transmission system. It is being considered to supply power to new units at favourable rates, he said. A sum of 20,000 crore has been spent as part of the infrastructure upgrade and Gurgaon would get six 220 kv sub-stations. To boost electronic and mobile phone manufacturing, the government will announce sops for the mobile phone industry too. Two to three large mobile phone companies have signed agreements with the state. They have asked for specific incentives, which are under positive consideration, Devender Singh, principal secretary, industries and commerce department, said. The state is also getting a digital upgrade in line with the vision of digital India. Haryana industries and commerce minister Vipul Goel said the optical fibre has been laid in 3,500 villages, and the rest would be connected soon. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Haryana government announced that it will set up two non-resident Indian (NRI) cells with dedicated teams and online interface to resolve problems of the Haryanvi diaspora at the inaugural session of Pravasi Haryana Divas - 2017 in the city on Wednesday. The government also announced a slew of measures to facilitate trade and investment, and ensure ease of doing business in Haryana. The announcements are aimed at attracting more investments to the state. Addressing the inaugural session, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the Haryana NRI Cell has been launched for a focused facilitation of pravasis, and NRIs can contact the cell for business queries, investment interest and other suggestions. The grievance cell would handle the complaints of NRIs and it would be headed by a deputy inspector general of police rank officer. The cell would have presence in every district. We have a fully functional citizens grievance redressal system in the CM Window. It has a track record of disposal rate of 91%. The system for NRI Grievance Redressal will be seamlessly integrated with the existing system, Khattar said. The CM said, to facilitate better business, the Haryana government modified and changed more than 300 laws, rules and procedures, and brought the state among the top five states in the World Banks Groups ranking of Indian states on Ease of Doing Business. To boost garment exports and manufacturing in Haryana, Union textiles minister Smriti Irani, who was the chief guest at the inaugural event, announced the setting up of a carpet cluster at Panipat and a hosiery cluster in Sirsa. The centre will set up a trade facility centre in Panipat and support major design initiatives to take the legacy of this city forward, Irani said. She appreciated the contribution of Gurgaon in the garment export industry, which has attracted top fashion houses across the world to set their base in the city. Both Khattar, and Irani urged the pravasi Haryanvis to be part of the Swa-prerit Adarsh Gram Yojana (Self-motivated model village scheme) and help in the development of rural Haryana. Union steel minister Birender Singh in his address asked the government to give equal attention to manufacturing and agriculture as Haryana has a strong tradition of farming. Indian farmers have excelled abroad and they must be invited to share their experience and skills so that the next phase of green revolution takes off, Singh said. Urging the pravasis to connect with their roots, Singh said their contribution would be of great help in the speedy development of the state. Earlier, Haryana industries minister Vipul Goel had said the first Pravasi Haryana Divas would reignite the passion among pravasis to contribute in the development of Haryana. He said there was a time when people would leave the state to explore business opportunities elsewhere but now the entire country was watching the development of the state. Vice-president, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Rakesh Bharti Mittal, said CII has been working closely with the state government to improve productivity, generate employment and improve the plight of the underprivileged sections of society. He also said this was the right time to invest in the state as there were a lot of opportunities. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Time does heal wounds. Two villages in Nagaland, just eight km apart, ended 65 years of animosity recently by signing a reconciliation agreement to live in peace and harmony, an official said on Wednesday. Fratricidal killings by Naga tribes have dominated headlines in the northeastern state over the years though officials say such incidents are gradually decreasing. Differences between the tribes is also said to be one of the reasons for the dominant Naga militant group NSCN-IMs failure to strike a peace with the Centre despite several attempts. Officials said residents of Chepoketa and Ikiye had turned foes overnight after the alleged murder of a government employee in February, 1952. Sakiye Aye from Ikiye was allegedly killed by some residents of Chepoketa, populated by the Chakhesang tribe. Aye was from the Sema tribe. In retaliation, villagers from Ikiye burnt down the Chepoketa village, the official added. The murdered person was a government servant. Since that incident there was no good relation between both villages. Now there is peace, Murohu Chotso, deputy commissioner of Phek, told HT. While Ikiye is in Zunheboto district, Chepoketa is in adjoining Phek. Chotso said last month the villagers decided to bury their enmity, five days ahead of Christmas. The reconciliation meeting was held at Chepoketa Baptist church on December 20, said to be due to the efforts of a retired police officer JP Vikhuga Jimo. According to a delayed press statement by the administration, Jimo took the initiative to pave the way for reconciliation to bring peace between the two villages. Church elders spoke on forgiveness and blessed residents of both the villages present at the meeting. To express their sincerity to the peace deal, the gaonburas traditional village headmen -- gave copies of the Bible and signed reconciliation papers Ironically, the headman of Ikiye, Hekheto, is the son of the murdered Sakiye. There are 16 major Naga tribes spread over the state, besides Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Some Naga tribes are also based in Myanmar. Headhunting, the practice of killing enemies and severing their heads for trophy as a rite of passage for men, was prevalent among some tribes, such as the Konyaks, till the early 20th century. Days after Hindustan Times reported about Amazon Canada offering Indian flag-themed doormats, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj lashed out at the e-tailer on Wednesday and threatened to rescind visas of officials of the e-commerce giant if it did not offer an unconditional apology. In a series of tweets, Swaraj described the doormats as unacceptable after the matter was brought to her notice on Twitter. She warned that Amazon officials would not be given Indian visas and visas granted earlier would be rescinded if the e-tailer did not withdraw the product and apologise. Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately, tweeted Swaraj, one of the most active Indian ministers on Twitter with nearly 7 million followers. Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 Swaraj also directed the Indian mission in Ottawa to take up the matter with Amazon. Even before Swaraj took up the matter, Amazons Canadian site had removed listings for the doormats after a series of protests by people from India and of Indian-origin. Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level. https://t.co/L4yI3gLk3h Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 The doormats were described as Personalised Durable Machine-Washable Indoor/Outdoor items and featured a stylised version of the tricolour. They were available on Amazon.cas marketplace from the vendor XLYL. The Canadian chapter of the Overseas Friends of the BJP was among those who protested, and it condemned the insult of the Indian flag in a social media post. The vendor, identified as Hana Houdek, removed the listings, which no longer appear on Amazon.cas searches. XLYL still lists similar doormats featuring the flags of the United Kingdom and the United States. Amazon removes product from its site Later on Wednesday, Amazon.com removed the doormats from its Canadian website. The item is no longer available for sale on the site, a spokeswoman for Amazon said in an email. Amazons portal in Canada sells doormats fashioned around other national flags, but under Indian law any desecration of its flag is punishable with fines and imprisonment. Amazons official support account on Twitter had earlier responded to angry user comments on Twitter by saying the mats were not being sold on their Indian portal and the concerns had been escalated. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, scotched speculation on Wednesday that he is in the race for the top job in Punjab, saying his party will make a states native the chief minister if his party wins the February 4 assembly polls. Speculation swirled after his deputy, Manish Sisodia, told people in Mohali on Tuesday that they should vote assuming that it is to make Kejriwal the chief minister. Political rivals the Congress and ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) latched on to the Delhi deputy chief ministers remarks, alleging that the AAP was trying to foist an outsider to head the government if it comes to power. Who says the CM will be from outside the state? The Punjab CM will be from Punjab only, said Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister whose AAP has emerged as a major force in its debut Punjab assembly elections. Then he said: Whosoever will be the Punjab chief minister, it will be my personal responsibility that all promises made by AAP are fulfilled. Kejriwals party is seeking to wrest power from the BJP-SAD combine that has been at the helm for two terms. The Congress too is in the fray. Kejriwal said party colleague Sisodias remarks have been misinterpreted. (Chief minister Parkash Singh) Badal and Captain Amarinder Singh have been saying that Punjabs CM should be from the state. I will take on the Badals and Amarinder after AAPs victory and recover every penny of the peoples money they have looted over the years, he said, addressing a rally 30km from Patiala. The AAP chief promised that Punjabs development will be his partys priority. We have prepared a blueprint of 150 projects if we form a government here, he said and promised to tackle one the states topmost problems drug abuse. Sisodias statement came against the backdrop of rivals accusing the AAPs central leadership of trying to run its Punjab unit from Delhi. But the party dismissed the allegations, saying he was only seeking votes in Kejriwals name. Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, who is shouldering the Congress campaign, alleged that Kejriwal has sought to become the Punjab chief minister without contesting elections. The Akali Dal too made similar remarks, saying Punjabis will never tolerate outsider Kejriwal as their chief minister. (with agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) MLA Lallan Paswan has stirred a controversy by purportedly asking insensitive questions to girls of a residential Dalit school in Bihars Vaishali district where he had gone in connection with death of a Class X girl allegedly after being raped. The MLA from Chenari (reserved seat) in Rohtas district, was captured on camera asking the questions relating to the incident during his visit to the residential school on Tuesday. RLSP is an ally of BJP in the NDA dispensation. A Class X girl was found dead under mysterious circumstances near the residential school on Monday morning with blood found on her body. The MLA is seen in the video shown on TV channels asking embarrassing questions to the girls about the incident in the presence of the Principal of the Government Ambedkar Residential High School in Vaishali district on Tuesday. The girls were seen answering to the queries of the legislator with great discomfort. Asked about the incident, the RLSP blamed the media for creating an unnecessary controversy. My intention was to help the girls of the Dalit residential school and in that spirit I was seeking information about the incident...media showed the video by concocting it, Paswan told PTI in Patna today. He, however, added, My way of seeking details of the incident might not be right but my intention was to help them. He also highlighted his own Dalit background to wriggle out of the controversy and said in a veiled criticism of media that one can portray a Dalit in anyway they like. Police have registered an FIR against the Principal, Warden and a night guard of the residential school with Sadar police station of Vaishali. Superintendent of Police of Vaishali Rakesh Kumar said Warden Sanju and night guard Mohammad Kaiser have been arrested in connection with the case and police have interrogated several people. Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi following his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, BJP on Wednesday said the Congress leader was voicing his own and not the poors pain, and accused him of being a spokesperson for those with black money. It also taunted the Congress vice president over his recent foreign visit, saying after a vacation abroad he, like a part-time politician, has chosen to speak about peoples sufferings. Rahul Gandhi was expressing his and not the poors pain. The whole country is today backing Modi in this war against black money. He is frustrated and depressed. He repeats the same lines against the Prime Minister but the country is not ready to hear his worn-out dialogues. He has become a spokesperson for those with black money, BJP spokesperson Shahmawaz Hussain told reporters. Addressing Congress Jan Vedna (Peoples Pain) conclave earlier in the day, Rahul had said it was for the first time that Indias Prime Minister was being ridiculed the world over for his ill-conceived decision on demonetisation. He also said achhe din (good days) will come when Congress comes back to power at the Centre in 2019. Hussain also took a dig at Rahul over his assertion that Congress will return to power in 2019, likening it to a dream and said while the next Lok Sabha elections were far away, the opposition party would fare poorly in the coming assembly elections in five states. He noted that Congress has been on a losing spree since 2014 LS polls and lost in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand assembly elections among others. In five states, the country continues to move towards Congress-mukt Bharat, he said. He alleged that Congress did everything to vitiate the atmosphere across the country following demonetisation but could not succeed due to popular support for it. While Congress has kept shouting slogans about the poor and poverty for generations, it is Modi who is working to alleviate the pains inflicted on them by it, he said. Read| BJP, RSS creating an atmosphere of fear in the country: Rahul Gandhi Mounting a scathing attack on BJP and RSS, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused them of creating an atmosphere of fear among the people, asserting the Congress will defeat their ideology and remove the saffron party from power. Observing that it is a clash between two philosophies, the Congress vice president said while his partys philosophy asks people to be fearless, BJPs is to create fear and scare the people. It is a clash between two philosophies. Congress says daro mat (dont fear), BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) says daro aur darao (create fear and frighten), Gandhi said. You look at BJPs policies. Their entire aim is to scare the people of the country. Fear terrorism, Maoism, demonetisation, scare the media. In two-three months, in the entire country, they have spread this fear, Gandhi said. He said while the Congress party told labourers and farmers to be fearless come what may, they will be guaranteed 100 days employment and none will be able to take away their land without paying the market price for it, Narendra Modi snatched away their money and land. Gandhi said in states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, where Adivasis have stood up for their land, water and forest rights, they have been shot down. These people (BJP and RSS) think that they can rule by spreading hatred and fear among the people. Congress party will defeat and remove them from power. We do not hate them (BJP and RSS) but we will defeat their ideology, Gandhi said. He said Congress party has always stood for dispelling the fear and asserted that India is strong and the country and its people do not to fear anything in this world. The basis of their politics, their structure, is to change fear into anger. This is not happening for the last two or two-and-a-half years but this has been going on for thousands of years. And they (BJP and RSS) are the ones doing it. This ideology is doing it,he said. Gandhi said the philosophy of being fearless has been there in the Congress party and he has seen it in the correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru for not fearing the British, during Green revolution, where farmers were asked to be fearless and trust themselves, bank nationalisation and under the UPA dispensation when the message do not fear and we are there with you was given by way of Land acquisation bill, Right to Food Act and MREGA. Read| Rahul Gandhi: Demonetisation Modis personal decision, BJP weakened RBI Gandhi also slammed Modi and his ministers for undermining the strength of the country and said, After the surgical strikes one of his ministers said that today Indian soldiers have done a job like that of the Israeli forces. What does this mean? Was the capability of Indian forces lesser than of the Israeli troops? he asked. I say our army is ahead of Israeli forces, the Congress leader said. Slamming Modi, Gandhi said, He doesnt believe in the people of the country. They (BJP) hate the reality of the country, and the reality is that we love each other, Gandhi said. Wherever he goes, he only talks about future; is India such in a bad place? Gandhi asked. A group of students were allegedly manhandled after they refused to stand up when the national anthem was being played inside a movie theatre in Chennais Vadapalani on Wednesday morning, police said. Police detained seven people in connection with the violence, which led to protests outside the theatre by the students. In November, the Supreme Court asked all cinemas to play the national anthem before a film is screened, a controversial decision that many say will embolden right-wing Hindu groups pushing a strident brand of nationalism. Since then, similar incidents have been reported in Kerala and Chennai. Read | National anthem at movie halls: Whos standing up, whos raising questions SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leaders invoked Rohith Vemula once again on Tuesday, at the conclusion of the partys Dalit Shiksha-Suraksha aur Swabhiman (Dalit education, security and self-respect) yatras. Party workers, gathered at the UP Congress Committee (UPCC) headquarters, raised Jai Bheem slogans. Vemula was a student of the University of Hyderabad who had committed suicide on January 17, 2016. Raking up the suicide, UPCC president Raj Babbar lambasted the Centre for neglecting the downtrodden classes. January 17 is not far away. Rohith Vemula gave his life on this day for his self-respect, security and rights. Unfortunately, the Union government appeared interested in knowing his caste instead of taking care of his education, security and self-respect, said Babbar, addressing party workers. Babbar quoted Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to emphasise his point that over the years, the grand old party had lost its connect with the Dalits. Rahul had often asked workers why the party failed in getting leaders like the late Jagjivan Ram, he said. The partys SC/ST department has been working to develop Dalit leadership on Rahuls directives, Babbar added. Attacking BJP, Babbar said that Rahul was mocked when he referred to Kalavati (widow of a Vidarbha farmer, who had been visited by the Congress vice-president). Those who used to laugh at Rahul for referring to Kalavati are now moving with water bottles and cooks to have food at Dalit households, he said. The UPCCs SC/ST department had launched these yatras to remove misgivings about the party among Dalits and take Congress programmes to the 2,800 Dalit-dominated villages in the 85 reserved assembly constituencies of the state. Congress Rajya Sabha MP, PL Punia, said, About 130 yatras were launched on December 4, 2016. They covered a distance of 3.5 lakh kilometres in 40 days. The yatras were a big hit and will help in strengthening the Congress in UP. Congress manifesto to include Free education from KG to PG Rs 1,000 per month for Dalit students residing in hostels A residential school for Dalit students in every block - on the pattern of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya A suraksha mitra in every police station area to ensure justice and rehabilitation for Dalit victims Ambedkar Arogyashree scheme (up to Rs 2 lakh) for free treatment of Dalit families at government and private hospitals A house for every farm labourer Rs 3 lakh loan without guarantee for Dalit youths to start their businesses A vikas mitra in every block to ensure that benefits of welfare schemes reach Dalits The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will hold a special programme at 14 district headquarters in the state where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will face a mock trial and would be hanged. Soon after Modi announced the spiking of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and people ended up spending long hours in front of ATMs and banks, Modi himself said people could hang him, if the demonetisation exercise did not turn out to be a success. The decision to organise the protest was decided at the CPI-M state committee meeting. State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Wednesday said demonetisation was effected to please the corporates. The end result is that Keralas economy has gone for a toss and each and every sector has been badly affected. We are going to launch a protest with the support of the people, said Balakrishnan. The state government will seek the Centres help to see that the RBI offices at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi are given permission to accept the spiked currencies from Kerala, he added. Former chief minister VS Achuthanandan said demonetisation was a fraudulent step and was handled by Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley alone. The very fact that the finance ministry is issuing numerous releases clearly shows that the RBI had no clue of what is happening. This was meant to please the Adanis and the Ambanis and for that, the common man has been fleeced, said Achuthanandan. On Wednesday, a weekly cabinet meeting decided to give Rs 2 lakh to the families of people who died waiting in ATM and bank queues. Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Virendra Singh Mast said on Tuesday demonetisation has taught farmers not to fritter away their earnings on lavish weddings, liquor and other extravagances. There were taking loans to fund weddings, spending five times more on liquor, using motorbikes to travel in areas where they can do with cycles and generally spending more, he said. The MP from Uttar Pradeshs Bhadohi also rubbished reports that the cash crunch had an overall negative impact on agriculture. Singh said farming communities in rural areas were showing the traits of the nouveau riche. Mast, who is also the chief of BJPs farmers wing Kisan Morcha, was speaking at a programme organised by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to draw up the report card of the NITI Aayog. The demonetisation scheme left farmers without cash just ahead of sowing winter crops. The governments decision to scrap high-value currency sent wholesale vegetable prices crashing to rock-bottom levels, bringing misery to millions of farmers hoping for good returns for their produce after two successive drought years. The steep fall forced farmers to discard their produce in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh as they could not recover even transportation costs. The government unveiled several measures to ease the hardships of demonetisation on the poor, farmers and traders but the opposition says poor implementation of the policy which is aimed at weeding out black money has triggered chaos across the country. While Centre has a minimum support price for grains, there is no such cushion for horticulture products, leading to farmers facing market vagaries. Read | Post demonetisation, a farmers wish list from the budget Congress party, which has been at the forefront of attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government on demonetisation that also brought several opposition parties together, has criticised demonetisation, saying the move had hurt farmers and the rural poor, and ravaged the agrarian economy. Mast also did not seem to favour the suggestion that the money that has come into the banking network after demonetisation could be used to announce loan waivers for farmers. Policies should not be intended to make farmers dependent on doles and waive-offs, he said. Those farmers who had been repaying their loans did not get any waivers, but the ones who had not repaid anything got a reprieve, eventually, it was the banks that benefited, he said. NITI Aayog has come in for criticism by Sangh affiliates two years after it was formed for failing to emerge as a think tank to guide government policy. Though the planning arm of the government has released a report on how demonetisation has not impacted the agriculture sector, speakers at the conference disagreed with the assumption. Ashwani Mahajan, the national co-convenor of the SJM, said it has failed to help formulate policy taking into consideration views from the ground. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The pakodas on the table at Bhure Da Dhaba are piping hot, but the discussion taking place in a corner of the roadside eatery on the controversial Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal is far more heated. Forty-five-year old Makhan Singh is agitated like many other farmers in poll-bound Punjab. The SYL canal a long-pending project to carry Punjab river water to Haryana is back in the headlines following a Supreme Court intervention and has infused further bitterness into already testy ties between the two neighbouring states. For farmers like Makhan, it has brought to the fore their own water woes. We dont want Haryana to get Punjabs water because we dont have enough for ourselves, the tall farmer says. Leaders should set politics aside and find a solution to our problems, he adds. The thirst for water Elections to the state assembly are just months away and the contentious issue of SYL has shone a light on the plight of Punjabs farming community. SYL is nowhere near taking off, but it has forced parties to stress their pro-farmer credentials. Dhaba Bites part I | Drug menace debate at Punjab eatery is serious food for thought Successive Punjab governments have successfully stalled the canal projecting themselves as the flag-bearers of farmers interests. The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP dispensation has taken a defiant stand against the Supreme Court, which has held as unconstitutional a 2004 law that annulled water-sharing agreements with neighbouring states. Punjabs approach - cutting across the government and the Opposition - stems from the argument that theres not a drop to spare. Virtual Reality Advertising & 360 Video VR Player Politics of a canal Sitting beside Makhan at the dhaba, 28 kilometres west of Chandigarh, his uncle, Amrik Singh, says the parties are only providing lip-service. With or without SYL, farms in the state are not getting canal water and tubewells too have to be progressively dug deeper to reach the depleting water table. The state government has ordered the land for SYL to be restored to farmers. But many in the nearby Chunni village, through which the canal was to pass, are not mollified. We dont want the land back. We want water, Amrik says. Dhaba Bites part II | A third of population, Dalits hold key in Punjab power game As a bright afternoon fades into a chilly dusk, Fatehgarh Sahib legislator Kuljit Nagra of the Congress, SAD district president Ranjit Singh Libra and advocate Amardeep Singh listen in across the table. Gurpreet Bhatti, the 43-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for Amloh constituency in Fatehgarh Sahib, also joins the conversation. Our agenda is to save Punjabs farmers, assures Libra, sporting a Proud Akali badge. Nagra agrees on the water scarcity, but not before taking a jab at the SAD for lacking sincerity and not making sacrifices on the SYL issue. The party that has made sacrifices will be benefited (in the election), says the 51-year-old leader, referring to the resignations of Congresss Amarinder Singh from the Lok Sabha and 42 party legislators from the assembly in November after the top court stayed the restoration of the canal land. The AAPs Bhatti, however, blames both the SAD and the Congress for politicising an emotive issue. Amarinder Singh (as Patiala MP in 1982) sent an invitation to (former prime minister) Indira Gandhi to start the digging of the canal. (Incumbent CM Parkash Singh) Badal acquired land in Punjab and took money from Haryana (for the construction work three decades ago), he says. Virtual Reality Advertising & 360 Video VR Player As the din over the SYL debate grows, lawyer Amardeep raises his voice to be heard amid the noise made by vehicles whizzing past. Parties are trying to gain mileage out of the issue, he says. There is no solution in sight, he adds, pointing out that the apex court has ordered a status quo on the land acquired for SYL after the government decided to give it back to farmers. The fate of SYL would ultimately be known after a protracted legal battle. For the moment, politicians are locking horns over it in the run-up to the elections. Both Akalis and the Congress insist they have done their bit to block the project to safeguard the states farmers interests. Read | Punjab elections: All you need to know about the electoral landscape here Though somewhat on the back foot since party chief Arvind Kejriwal hails from Haryana, the AAP -- seeking to wrest power in the state -- argues it is best suited to help farmers in Punjab. Five kilometers from Bhure Da Dhaba, the site through which the SYL canal was to pass lie covered in dried leaves. Impending elections have resurrected an almost-abandoned project pending since 1970s and added to the decibel levels. Virtual Reality Advertising & 360 Video VR Player TIMELINE 1966: In November, Haryana carved out of Punjab. Leaders start bickering over Ravi-Beas water. In November, Haryana carved out of Punjab. Leaders start bickering over Ravi-Beas water. 1968: The Centre decides to share Ravi-Beas water among Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana. The Centre decides to share Ravi-Beas water among Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana. 1976: Stakeholders agree to build the SYL canal. Punjab gets Rs 1 crore from Haryana to begin work. Stakeholders agree to build the SYL canal. Punjab gets Rs 1 crore from Haryana to begin work. 1980: Haryana completes work on its side in June, spending Rs 250 crore for the distribution network and Rs 55.81 crore for the canal. Punjab yet to begin. Haryana completes work on its side in June, spending Rs 250 crore for the distribution network and Rs 55.81 crore for the canal. Punjab yet to begin. 1982: On April 8, then PM Indira Gandhi breaks ground to mark the start of construction for the canal in Punjab. In August, the Akali Dal leads statewide protests against the canal. On April 8, then PM Indira Gandhi breaks ground to mark the start of construction for the canal in Punjab. 1985: On July 24, PM Rajiv Gandhi and Akali Dal chief Sant Harchand Singh Longowal sign an agreement to end agitation. On July 24, PM Rajiv Gandhi and Akali Dal chief Sant Harchand Singh Longowal sign an agreement to end agitation. 1990: In June, Punjab completes more than 114km of the 121-km-long portion in its territory. Government abandons work after militants kill 35 labourers and two engineers engaged in the construction. In June, Punjab completes more than 114km of the 121-km-long portion in its territory. Government abandons work after militants kill 35 labourers and two engineers engaged in the construction. 1996: Haryana moves the Supreme Court against Punjab, seeking resumption of canal construction. Haryana moves the Supreme Court against Punjab, seeking resumption of canal construction. 2004: On July 12, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh gets the assembly to pass the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act 2004, annulling the 1981 agreement and all subsequent ones. On July 12, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh gets the assembly to pass the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act 2004, annulling the 1981 agreement and all subsequent ones. 2016: In March, Punjab farmers start filling the canal after the cabinets approval to return 5,376 acres of land acquired from farmers. Supreme Court instructs Punjab to stop returning the SYL land and orders status quo. On November 10, the SC rules that the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act is invalid. (With inputs from Atul Nagpal) This is the third of the five-part series Dhaba Bites ahead of the assembly elections. BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, who was summoned by the Election Commission for his controversial statements on population, said on Wednesday that his remarks were made at a meeting called by religious leaders and he had not taken the name of any religion. He also demanded a Uniform Civil Code on population control. Whatever I said was not at a public meeting or an election rally. I spoke at a meeting called by religious leaders, Maharaj said after coming out of the Election Commission of India headquarters here. Maharaj said: I didnt take the name of any religion or community, but only raised concerns over rising population. Population must be controlled, women are not machines to deliver babies. The BJP MP was summoned by the ECI on Tuesday and issued show cause notice saying that it is prima facie of the opinion that he violated the Model Code of Conduct by making impugned statements. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader on January 7 stirred controversy with his comment in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, that, Population is rising rapidly, and so are the countrys problems. But Hindus are not responsible for this. Those who talk about four wives and 40 children are responsible. The Model Code of Conduct is in place in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh for the Assembly elections. The Supreme Court in a ruling last week said that any appeal for votes on the ground of religion, race, caste, community or language amounted to corrupt practice under the election law provision. China will not sit quietly if India boosts military ties with Vietnam to counter Beijing, a Chinese newspaper warned on Wednesday. An op-ed in Global Times also told New Delhi not to stir up troubles in Southeast Asia. If the Indian government genuinely treats its enhancement of military relations with Vietnam as a strategic arrangement or even revenge against Beijing, it will only create disturbances in the region and China will hardly sit with its arms crossed, said the daily which is said to represent the views of the Chinese leadership. According to reports, India is in talks with Vietnam to sell indigenous surface-to-air missile system. This was supposed to be a normal arms sale, yet was portrayed by the Indian media as a response to counter the Chinese threat, the daily said. Read: India, Vietnam sign civil nuclear cooperation pact in a boost to bilateral ties It said it was natural for New Delhi to deepen its ties with Hanoi, which is a pillar of Indias Act East Policy. It, however, cautioned that such ties should be built for the sake of peace and stability in the region, rather than stirring up troubles or anxiety for others. However, when India and Vietnam are in talks about possible sales, New Delhi seems to keep taking a sneak peak at Beijing, as if the deal is stealthily aimed at China. During an official visit to Hanoi in September, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced $500 million defence credit line to Vietnam, which is dubbed as the principal protagonist, in the South China Sea --claimed by Beijing. It said Indian experts and media describing Vietnam as Chinas backyard reflected Indias outdated diplomatic mindset. The article said due to geopolitical factors, some nations have been cosying up to India over the years, which to a large extent contributed to Indias fruitful development. New Delhi understands that the best strategy for itself is to continue its collaboration with all parties, instead of picking a side and turning hostile to one another. Otherwise, it might not only turn others troubles to its own puzzles, but also suffer enormous losses of development opportunities. India has a dream to grow into a great power. But under todays international circumstances, it will be extraordinarily hard to achieve the goal on its own. What India needs is more pragmatic cooperation with other countries, the newspaper, run by the Chinas Communist Party, said hoping that India will join the Belt and Road project. This will help promote the countrys infrastructure construction, improve connectivity within the region and may even turn into a push to solve the India-Pakistan contradictions. India has been non-committal to Chinas ambitious project. New Delhi has opposed the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through Pakistan-administered Kashmir claimed by India. It is hoped that the hype in the Indian media does not represent the countrys government. There are divergences between Beijing and New Delhi, yet there are more common interests that await the two to explore. Two people, including the husband of a Trinamool Congress councillor of Kharagpur in West Bengal, were killed when a gang of four to five people opened fire inside a Trinamool Congress office on Wednesday afternoon. Those dead were identified as 27-year-old Srinivas Naidu -- husband of councillor Pooja Naidu -- and 25-year-old Dharma Rao (25). A total of five people received bullet injuries. While three, including Rao and Naidu, were rushed to Kolkata, two were treated in Kharagpur. Naidu was declared dead when he was brought to a hospital in Kolkata. They were shot in the head and chest, said an official of the private hospital. Pooja is a councillor of ward 18 of Kharagpur civic body, who won the civic polls in 2015 on a BJP ticket but later switched to the ruling party of the state. The criminals, all of whom had covered their faces, arrived around 2:30 pm and hurled a crude bomb outside the party office. They then ran in and opened fire. We are trying to find out who were behind the act and why did they commit the crime, said West Midnapore police super Bharati Ghosh. Naidu was named in a few police complaints in Kharagpur. Sources claimed that a few weeks earlier, there was an attempt on Naidus life where he was shot at but escaped unhurt. The Trinamool party office is located at New Settlement Area in Kharagpur. For close to two months, there has been great ferment to Indias east. On October 9, 2016, there were attacks on Myanmars border posts in the Northern Rakhine state. This region is home to the Rohingyas, who are not recognised by the Myanmar regime as citizens and have been facing long standing discrimination. The attacks drew an iron-fisted response from the security forces. Various reports suggest that the forces engaged in shooting suspects arbitrarily, burning houses, looting property, destroying foodstocks, and even raping women, causing massive displacement. Rohingyas - Muslims of the northern part of Rakhine state - see themselves as an indigenous minority of Myanmar, but the Buddhist-dominated government labels them as Bangladeshi migrants. There is a history of restrictions on citizenship, free movement, work opportunities, access to government services and the right to vote on Rohingyas. In June and October 2012, there was acute anti-Muslim violence in the state, causing major despair among Rohingyas and forcing them to migrate. On the issue, both the Myanmar military and Aung San Suu Kyi, currently in a fragile partnership in Yangon, are on the same page. But events of the past few months indicate the crisis has entered a new phase. Delhis dilemmas Where does India stand on the issue? K Yhome of the Observer Research Foundation who has studied India-Myanmar relations closely says, Indias position is that this is an internal affair of Myanmar. But he points out that even as Delhi has maintained a cautious stance, it has been receiving Rohingya refugees and allowing them to settle in different parts of the country over the years particularly after the communal violence in Rakhine state in 2012. In December 2012, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid visited Rakhine state and donated $1 milion for relief in the violence hit state. But since the renewed conflict in Rakhine over the past few months, Delhi has not made any official pronouncement. Read | Persecuted in Myanmar, Rohingya Muslims find new home in Jammu Why this silence? A former official who knows Myanmar well, but insisted on anonymity, explains that the Rohingya issue is very complex. There are really strong emotions that are tied to it. There is a whole debate about the categorisation of Rohingyas itself. There is an information blackout. Any solution that treats it as only a Myanmar issue and does not bring in Bangladesh will not be acceptable to Yangon regime. To my mind, while it is not in our interest to see the problem fester, it seems almost seems irreconcilable and unresolvable. All that can be done is try to mitigate it. He argues that India should be wary of getting involved. If you dont have a solution or expertise to offer, it is a good reason to stay away. We also have to be invited by the relevant stakeholders and that is not the situation. He agreed that India may be in a somewhat better position than the west and the UN which the regime would not trust to offer good offices. But ASEAN is in a better position than us with their dense ties to Myanmar. Another official added it is not as if India had any great leverage to influence the regimes behaviour. Why will they listen to us in any case? Strategic drivers But Indias caution is also driven by other reasons. Constantino Xavier of Carnegie India, who has studied Indias policy dilemmas in Myanmar historically, says Delhis silence emanates from its focus on engaging with the new regime in Myanmar while letting Western governments, activists and OIC take the lead on pressuring Aung San Suu Kyi. Under the neighbourhood first and look East policies, Myanmar assumes a key role to connect with southeast Asia and cut off China from the Bay of Bengal. For Modis domestic audiences, the Rohingya issue is also less salient than, for example, the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. Yhome agrees and points to the fact that Indias criticism of the military junta for its suppression of the democracy movement in the 80s and 90s had an adverse impact on the bilateral relationship for years. As Delhi invests in its eastward drive, as its rivalry with China grows in many theatres, upsetting the Myanmar regime is seen as a strategic mistake. And given how strongly the entire Myanmar establishment feels about the issue, any criticism will be taken with great offence. India has real security interests too, which depend on the goodwill of the Myanmar regime. In 2015, for instance, following an attack by Naga rebels on a security convoy in Manipur, Indian forces carried out a covert raid across the border - with the quiet nod from Yangon. Delhi does not want that trust to be eroded. Yhome says India also wants to see the political transition succeed, and believes that as a nascent democracy, Myanmar be given the benefit of doubt. And so it is on the cost-benefit scale that India has come to a conclusion that silence is preferable. The security threat But theres realpolitik reason for India to consider the situation in its east, for the November attacks show Rohingya radicalisation is now real. In a recent report, the well regarded International Crisis Group, based on primary research, flagged the emergence of a new insurgent group - Haraqah Al-Yaqin - led by Rohingya emigres in Saudi Arabia, commanded by Rohingyas on the ground with international training and abreast with modern guerrilla tactics. The Crisis Group said, The current violence is qualitatively different from anything in recent decades, seriously threatens the prospect of stability and development in the state and has serious implications for Myanmar as a whole. Read | Rohingyas: Its a case of State policy-feeding terror It added that while the government has a duty to maintain security and act against attackers of the November incidents, what is needed is a judicious use of force and focus on a political and policy approach that addresses the sense of hopelessness and despair underlying the anger of many Muslims in the Rakhine state. This is precisely what the Myanmar has not done. Yhome points out that India is well aware of this risk, and after the 2013 Gaya terror attack targeting Buddhists, intelligence agencies drew a link with the atrocities against Rohingyas. And this is where Indias approach of silent pragmatism may have its limits. Xavier argues, A new Muslim militant minority across Indias eastern border poses a severe security threat to the stability in Bangladesh and, in turn, across Assam and northeast India. Several thousands of Rohingya refugees already reside in India and with support from activists they could disrupt Delhis relations with Myanmar in the same way Burmese pro-democracy activists in India irritated bilateral relations in the 1990s. He strongly advocates a policy that crafts a fine balance between keeping Myanmar engaged and nudging Aung San Suu Kyi to pursue credible conflict resolution mechanisms. For India, silence may not be sustainable. Read| 22,000 Rohingya from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh in one week, says UN SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On the Rohingyas issue, both the Myanmar military and Aung San Suu Kyi, currently in a fragile partnership in Yangon, are on the same page. But events of the past few months indicate the crisis has entered a new phase. Indias position is that this is an internal affair of Myanmar, says K Yhome of the Observer Research Foundation. New Delhi has maintained a cautious stance on the issue but not made any official pronouncement since the renewed conflict in Rakhine over the past few months. HT talks to Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, which has been tracking the situation in northern Rakhine. What is HRWs assessment of the crisis in the Rakhine state? Could you tell us a little about the scale of violence and violations? On October 9, 2016, Rohingya militants attacked government border guard posts in northern Rakhine State. Burmese security forces retaliated by inflicting horrific abuses on the Rohingya population including a campaign of arson, killings, and rape. Nearly 30,000 have been displaced according to the UN, and many of them have now escaped to Bangladesh. Refugees in Bangladesh described witnessing soldiers murdering their relatives and neighbors, even killing children. Their homes were burnt and they are in desperate need of medical and other humanitarian assistance. There are horrifying accounts of sexual violence. The Burmese government has the responsibility to respond to the security threat by militant groups, and to prosecute criminals. But it cannot permit the military to engage in a collective, racist punishment of the entire Rohingya community. Instead of denying that abuses occurred, shielding a military that has a long history of abuse including against her party supporters, Aung San Suu Kyi and her government should call for an independent investigation, punish soldiers if that have raped Rohingya women, killed children, and committed other serious violations. Read | Persecuted in Myanmar, Rohingya Muslims find new home in Jammu The Myanmar govt accuses human rights organisations of being one-sided and unfair in its critique. What would be your response? The present democratically elected government in Myanmar inherited an ongoing situation in Rakhine state, where the Rohingya have previously come under attack. Many in Myanmar refuse accept the Rohingya and other Muslims as Burmese nationals. The Rohingya have been fleeing these abuses for a number of years. Bangladesh says it is already hosting half a million Rohingya refugees, most of them unregistered. A large number have also sought refuge in India. There are awful accounts of desperate refugees making perilous boat journeys to hunt for sanctuary. In fact, Aung San Suu Kyis party, after it won elections and took office, announced a commission led by Kofi Anan to help resolve this issue. However, after the recent militant attacks on Oct 9 and Nov 3, there are serious allegations of summary killings, sexual violence, torture, arbitrary arrests, arson, and other abuses against Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw district, which was declared operation zone to search for the attackers and weapons that were robbed by the militants. The government has disappointingly responded engaged in denying these abuses, and restricting access to journalists and human rights monitors to block impartial information gathering. Denying a problem does not mean that it will disappear. A history of injustice and human violations, refusing citizenship rights to the Rohingya community, will lead to a festering problem. Myanmar has witnessed a glorious return to freedom from an oppressive military rule. The new government should not allow the military to persist with its abuses. This is an opportunity to reconcile, create a society that celebrates diversity, and adopts inclusive policies towards ethnic and religious minority groups. Read | Rohingyas: Its a case of State policy-feeding terror Do you think India has a role in this crisis and what would you like Delhi to do? Indian foreign policy is rooted in a basic understanding that it cannot ignore its neighbors. Earlier, after the military took control, placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest, and threw her supporters in jail, the Indian government protested publicly, even refusing to engage with the junta for a number of years. Numerous democracy activists were in exile in India-- some of them under the protection of NDA leader George Fernandes. There are over 50,000 Burmese refugees in India. In recent times, thousands of Rohingya have also arrived in India. As a country that hosts refugees, India should also tell Burma to end abuses which are forcing people to flee their homes. In the past, India has led by example, showcasing its own diversity. Aung Sun Suu Kyi has strong personal ties with India. India should use its influence to encourage her government to immediately allow unfettered humanitarian access to all parts of northern Rakhine State as the United Nations and others have urged, in order to reach people without adequate access to food, shelter, health care, and other necessities. India should also ask the government to press the military and civilian authorities to urgently end abuses and grant access. Read| 22,000 Rohingya from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh in one week, says UN SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The AIADMK on Wednesday urged the Prime Minister to immediately issue an ordinance to remove bulls from the list of animals that are banned from being exhibited or trained so that there is smooth conduct of Jallikattu this year. While AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that the ban on the bull taming sport had caused resentment in the state, a 27-member delegation led by Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai submitted a memorandum to the Prime Ministers Office in this regard. The delegation stressed that it is wrong to wait for Supreme Courts ruling on the issue when the Centre is empowered to make any changes in the list. Thambidurai said it was the UPA government in 2011 that included bulls in the list. Now, the powers of altering the list rests with Modi-led Central government. We believe the request of people of Tamil Nadu would be fulfilled immediately, he told reporters outside the PMO. The delegation of MPs submitted a memorandum regarding the issue to Nripendra Misra, principal secretary to the PM, and demanded that bulls be removed from the list of banned animals through an ordinance. The issue is not just confined to Tamil Nadu but to several other states in the country including Maharashtra, Thambidurai said. We want other states also to benefit from the outcome. Bull is considered as one of the family members and the sport does not hurt the animal. Jallikattu will encourage the breeding of cattle, the deputy speaker said. Meanwhile, the delegation met Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave on Wednesday morning and submitted another memorandum regarding the same. No cruelty is practiced on the animals per se. Also bulls are worshipped as a deity by the religious in Tamil Nadu and care is always taken by the youth taming them (to) not to inflict any pain on them, Sasikala told Modi in a letter. The ban on Jallikattu has incensed the public of Tamil Nadu and the youth in particular, and all efforts have to be taken to revoke it, she said. Sasikalas letter to the Prime Minister on the issue comes days after chief minister O Panneerselvam urged the Centre to promulgate an ordinance for the conduct of the sport. Belgian Malinois dogs which guard the White House and formed part of the SEAL team that eliminated Osama bin Laden, will now be used for wildlife protection and anti-poaching operations in Kanha and Pench tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh. MP lost 30 tigers in 2016, the highest in the country, with Pench and Kanha alone accounting for over 20 deaths. The trend of using tiger body parts in tantric rituals has picked up in and around Pench and Kanha, leading to a surge in tiger deaths. Read | In 10 months, India loses 78 tigers, MP accounts for a third After training three batches of sniffer dogs since 2008, the Police Dog Training Centre of the 23rd Battalion of Special Armed Forces in the outskirts of Bhopal is now training four Belgian Malinois dogs these days to sniff out skins and bones of tigers and leopards and track poachers and hunters. These dogs are known for their keen sense of smell, stamina for long chases and aggression. These dogs are trained to sniff out skins and bones of tigers and leopards and track poachers and hunters. (Mujeeb Faruqui/Hindustan Times) The nine-month training of Malinois dogs will end in April-end following which they will be deployed in Kanha and Pench and other protected areas, which will be decided soon. The dog costs Rs 82,000 and around Rs 67,000 is spent on its training. State wildlife department is upbeat about the proposed deployment of the elite dog force in and around Pench and Kanha tiger reserves. RP Singh, additional principal chief conservator of Forests (APCCF wildlife) said that currently the department has eight sniffer dogs deployed at Itarsi, Sagar, Jabalpur, Indore and Seoni. But now with the addition of four Malinois dogs, for the first time we will deploy them inside the tiger reserves at Kanha and Pench or in the tiger corridors. We will make efforts to have more Belgian Malinois dogs to cover all tiger reserves and vulnerable areas in the state, he said. Manglendra Singh Prasad, dog trainer, who is training these Malinois dogs at the training centre here, told HT that it is a much better breed than the German Shepherd.Malinois is a very disciplined, focused and friendly dog. Its energy levels are unparalleled among all the dog breeds I have worked with so far. It is the dog of this breed that was recommended for gallantry award last year for detecting fidayeen presence in Pathankot airbase attack. Once you introduce it to a scent of poachers or accused at a place in the forest or any other location, it has a good success rate in tracking them. Prasad said their Centre is the premier dog training institute in the country which has so far trained over 50 % countrys 40 plus sniffer dogs trained in wildlife protection. Read | Tigers vulnerable to poaching: 30% of illegal trade export from India SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Opening another front in her fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on demonetisation, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused him of removing crucial files related to the notes ban. She also alleged that demonetisation was a ploy to transform white money into black and black money into white. Crucial files are being removed by Narendra Modi and his office. We will get to know the magnitude of the scam only after Modi is ousted from office. This demonetisation is nothing but a ploy to change white money into black and black money into white, she told a rally outside the RBI office here. Mamata urged the Reserve Bank of India authorities to stand up against the anti-people Modi government and reveal the amount of money provided to various states after high-value currency notes were taken off circulation. Claiming that the CBI was being used to victimise her party because it raised its voice against demonetisation, the Trinamool Congress chief accused the central investigating agency of using former employees of Saradha and Rose Valley chit fund companies to create back offices in order to come up with false evidence to implicate TMC leaders in the scam. The TMC has been staging a 72-hour sit-in outside the RBI office here against demonetisation since January 9. The RBI was kept in the dark about the decision. It should stand up against the Modi government and reveal the real reasons behind demonetisation. It should make public how much money has been pumped back into the economy and the amount of money states have received post demonetisation, Banerjee said. She alleged that only Modi and two-three of his associates were aware of the decision to scrap old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. Read| Trinamool MPs met President, urge to intervene against Modis super emergency Banerjee indirectly hit out at a section of industrialists and officials close to Modi, describing them as part of Modis team behind the demonetisation decision. They (Modi government) have turned the CBI into the Conspiracy Bureau of India and are using it for pursuing vendetta politics. The CBI has created a back office to come up with false evidence against our leaders to implicate them in chit fund cases, she alleged. The TMC chief was referring to the CBIs arrest of two of her party MPs, Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Pal, in connection with the Rose Valley chit fund scam. Mamata alleged that the CPI(M) had entered into a political match-fixing with the BJP as it was under the Left rule that the chit funds had mushroomed in the state. It was during the CPI(M) regime that Rose Valley and Saradha chit funds came into being. What were the SEBI and RBI doing then? Several top CPI(M) leaders were involved in the chit fund business but none of them was summoned. It only shows that the CPI(M) and the BJP have teamed up in Bengal, she said. Indias economy has gone from bad to worse following the governments recall of high-value currency but the worst is yet to come, former prime minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday. Speaking at a Congress party convention in Delhi, Singh who is also a noted economist called Prime Minister Narendra Modis claims of a robust economy hollow. The demonetisation move was disastrous. It hurt the country but the worst is yet to come, he told Congress workers at the Jan Vedna Sammelan. Singh who is credited with ushering reforms and turning the course of Indias economy as finance minister in the early 90s had predicted in November that demonetisation will shave two percentage points off Indias GDP. Read | Note ban effect on vote bank: Why demonetisation is a key issue in 2017 assembly polls He reiterated the claim, saying almost all rating agencies had pared down growth estimates from 7.6% to 7% and as low as 6.3%. As a consequence, employment in fall in agriculture and informal sector, which contributes 45% to the national income. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also reiterated the Oppositions stance that the move has weakened the Indian economy and inflicted misery on millions of people. Chidambaram said nobody in the world except finance minister Arun Jaitley says that Indias GDP will not be hit due to demonetisation, ANI reported on Wednesday. Chidambaram was speaking shortly after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi came out all guns blazing at the BJP on Wednesday. Gandhi alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had weakened every institution, such as the Reserve Bank of India, judiciary and the election commission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay down the Modi Doctrine on Indian foreign policy as he inaugurates the Second Raisina Hill dialogues on January 17 with UK foreign minister Boris Johnson, Nepalese foreign minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, and a host of politicians and military leaders brainstorming in the Capital. The Raisina Hill dialogues will have participation of over 250 people from 65 nations and will end on January 19. Top government sources told Hindustan Times that PM Modi apparently sent his confirmation to speak at the dialogue on Wednesday, with his speech expected to focus on economic integration of the neighbourhood as well as increasing the pan-Asian transport connectivity as part of the Act Asia policy. The dialogue will be attended by Sri Lankan military leader-turned-politician Sarath Fonseka, US Pacific Commander Admiral Harry B Harris, former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, former prime minister of Canada Stephen Harper, and former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and power minister Piyush Goyal will also address the gathering along with a host of diplomatic advisers and counter-terror experts. Styled on the Shangri La Dialogue held annually in Singapore, the theme of the Raisina Hill Dialogues this time is New Normal: Multilateralism and Multipolarity. The dialogue will begin with foreign secretary S Jaishankar making a presentation on Indian foreign policy and an assessment of the future global trends. India is also planning to start an India-US leadership Forum from next summer where diplomatic and military leaders from both sides can discuss issues of mutual importance. While the work on PM Modis speech has just begun, the Indian leader will focus on the threat of global terror particularly emanating for the neighbourhood and the Islamic State, growing radicalisation as well as reiterate the freedom of navigation on high seas in both Asia and Pacific. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A turf war has broken out in Puducherry, with the elected government pitting itself against Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Kiran Bedi. While tensions have been mounting for some time now, the suspension of a Puducherry civil services (PCS) officer for allegedly sending obscene videos on a WhatsApp group, created by the L-G for administrative efficiency, has now led to open hostility. On Friday, January 6, Congress MLAs wrote to the Union home ministry seeking intervention against the L-Gs undemocratic conduct. The elected officials were given scant respect, not even involved seriously in addressing local issues which are normally within the domain of the elected representatives of the constituencies (sic), the letter stated. This letter was sent directly after the L-G cancelled an order issued by Congress chief minister V Narayanasamy directing government officials to desist from using social media for official work. On January 5, Bedi announced on Twitter, If Puducherry has to be a progressive UT it cannot be retrograde in communications. Hence @CM_Puducherrys order stands cancelled. According to the original circular by Narayanasamy, who took over as the chief minister in June 2016, his order was in accordance with the Official Secrets Act and guidelines of the information technology ministry. Officers are required to obtain the chief secretarys permission to use social media for official work. As soon as the CMs order was issued, a number of WhatsApp groups administered by government officials to interact with the media were shut down. On January 7, Bedi wrote an open letter to the people of Puducherry and sent it to all media houses in the UT. According to her letter, she has decided to step down on May 29, 2018, when she completes two years in Puducherry. I am happy to support them [the elected state assembly] as long as the law is not in conflict with a central law. She spoke of the various complaints against her and explained that her approach was not to punish, but to help perform, inspire and support. I have spent all my mornings over the weekends on visiting problem areas to bring about solutions, and we succeeded, she wrote. She adds that there is a lack of balance between the urban and rural budgeting, which currently heavily favours urban amenities. I have exercised financial prudence and not allowed any diversion of funds. Despite this, I have had complaints of abuse, the letter said. She ends with a promise to leave Puducherry clean, safe and prosperous. This is the first of many open letters, she said and has pledged to write one every month. A video and its aftermath The CMs circular was issued after AS Shivakumar, registrar of Cooperative Societies and a PCS officer, was suspended for sending an allegedly obscene video to the Prosperous Rural Puducherry group, administered by the Raj Niwas, the L-Gs office. A case was registered against the officer, and Bedi ordered his suspension. Shivakumar explained that he sent the obscene video by mistake while attempting to delete it. Despite an immediate apology, and representations from officials, the LG ordered his immediate suspension without following proper rules, a senior PCS officer alleged. According to him, the LG should have informed the chief secretary, and the order of suspension should have been issued from the latters office after due enquiry. Read: Puducherry govt wants me to be mere figurehead, says L-G Kiran Bedi A case was filed under section 67A of the information technology act dealing with transmission of obscene material over electronic media. Shivakumar was detained at the Orleanpet police station for over 15 hours without the case being filed. Though the police refused to comment on the detention, a senior police officer said that on the face of it, it looked like the video was sent by mistake. Within two minutes of sending the offensive video, the official apologised. However, we are investigating the case, he said. Bedis action in suspending Shivakumar has raised the hackles of government officers, who have rallied against her. The Election Commission stayed the suspension on January 4 stating that Shivakumar was appointed as an electoral roll officer. Its order said the L-G ought to have taken the commission into confidence and consulted before placing him under suspension. There have been persistent rumours of a rift between the CM and the L-G ever since they found themselves at the top posts within a month of each other mid-2016. In fact, within a couple of months, Narayanasamy made it a point to tell the media that things were cordial between them. Bedi, once a star in the Anna Hazare movement, switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the run-up to the Delhi assembly election early 2015. Though the CMs ban on social media came after the Shivakumars suspension, his ministers insist his order was to prevent the undemocratic use of social media. The Lieutenant Governor has been issuing a number of orders on WhatsApp groups directly to heads of departments, bypassing the secretaries in charge of these portfolios. According to the business rules of Puducherry, a minister is responsible for the actions of the various departments under his ministry; but in many cases, the minister was unaware of the orders that were coming from the L-G. This is undemocratic, grumbled a minister in the cabinet. While WhatsApp and other social media are useful for communication, official government work cannot be sanctioned through these apps, he added. Often, permission and orders have been issued through social media. Orders issued through the app cannot be used to release funds for work that needs to be done, and cannot be considered official. An unprecedented animosity The events of the past few days have left the Union Territory in a state of shock. According to Rajasekhar, a veteran journalist, this sort of animosity between the elected government and the L-G is unprecedented. Never before has a chief minister issued an order based on observations, but even more surprising is a Lieutenant Governor declaring the CMs order null and void. The government officials and the elected representatives are rallying against the L-G, he said. According to the Rules of Business of the Union Territory of Puducherry, when there is a dispute between the L-G and the elected government, the matter must be referred to the Union home ministry, a government official clarified. It is unprecedented, and against these rules, for the LG to issue an order cancelling that of the elected government, he added. In the meanwhile, the opposition party, AIADMK, has called for the L-Gs removal and the suspension of the cabinet for six months. The new government and the L-G took charge within a few weeks of each other, and since then, it has been as if there are two parallel governments. Officials are in a state of confusion and there is no work getting done, despite promises and announcements by both the LG and the CM, AIADMK legislative party leader A Anbalagan told reporters last Friday. Government employees, too, are bemused. CH Balamohan, president of the Confederation of Pondicherry State Government Employees Association, pointed out that the administration cannot function with two parallel governments. The Lieutenant Governor has been meeting separately with heads of department and issuing orders for separate programs without the knowledge of the Secretary. Often the orders issued by the L-G are in opposition to the orders of the Secretaries, which has been causing confusion within the ranks, he said. Another sore point has been Bedis requirement from the time she assumed office last May that government officials report for duty on weekends, and often as early as 6am. The L-G often conducts inspections early in the morning and on weekends; but for a government official, this is an additional burden, Balamohan said. The CM made it clear where he stood when, after the cabinet meeting to discuss Shivakumars suspension, he told reporters that the decision to work on weekends was left to officials discretion. Files pending among warring factions The CMs colleagues have also taken up cudgels on his behalf. The Lieutenant Governor has repeatedly flouted rules in a number of matters, social welfare minister M Kandasamy said. He alleged that a number of files placed before the L-G for consideration by elected representatives have been ignored. Even in routine matters like the transfer of PCS officers and the dredging of the port to allow fishing, the papers have been lying on her desk for several months. Accusing the L-G of flouting rules, he alleged she had convened official meetings at the Raj Niwas even before her appointment was confirmed in May 2016. Even during the model code of conduct ahead of the by-elections where Narayanasamy contested for the Nellithope constituency, the L-G continued to issue orders to officials, he said. The Election Commission had issued her a warning in November about this. Politicians say that despite a flurry of announcements from the Raj Niwas, and periodic inspections by the L-G, there has been no progress in the Union Territory. A number of schemes proposed by the current government have been placed on hold, they allege. We had proposed that the old age pension should be distributed in the homes of the elderly by bank officials, but the L-G refused permission, K Lakshminarayanan, parliamentary secretary to the chief minister, said. Ditto a proposal to purchase rice from local vendors to allow the Union Territorys free rice scheme to continue. The State Trading Corporation was unable to supply the required rice, so the scheme has been stopped for the past two months. When we approached the L-G to allow us to buy from local suppliers, she refused permission, he said. Even a large chunk of the MLA Local Area Development funds has been kept aside to pay arrears on schemes announced in the previous regime, instead of allowing current MLAs to introduce new schemes for their constituencies. Elected representatives have an obligation towards their constituencies. Unless they are given appropriate funds and allowed to perform their duties, the electorate is bound to be disappointed in them, social welfare minister Kandasamy said. He pooh-poohed that several of the LGs activities were simply media stunts, and no real work was being done. Journalist Rajasekhar observed that every week the media follows the L-G on her inspections, and every week there was a new announcement. But so far, there does not seem to be much of a follow-up. Veteran CPI (M) leader T Murugan said Puducherry appeared to be in a limbo with no major schemes up and running. A number of schemes have been announced, including the cleaning of all canals, implementation of beat policing and announcement of the 1031 crime helpline. But there has very little progress on these fronts in the past six months, Murugan said. Bedi, though, has her fan club and a number of residents are happy with her. Purushotham, a senior citizen, showered praise on her approachability and the gusto with which she undertakes work. We can contact her through Twitter, or even visit her at the Raj Niwas to air our grievances. This is a first for us. But even after seven months, there does not seem to be much change in the Union Territory. This could be because there are few people willing to cooperate with her. While there has been a deafening silence from Narayanasamy, Bedi has taken to Twitter to have her say. When a leader wants things done he will promote shared info. When he wants control & dependence he will ensure they r kept divided/deprived, she tweeted last Friday. And, for good measure, I am not in Puducherry to do a job but transform the UT. Make it cleaner, safer, responsive public services, financial prudence & rule of law, she added. (Published in arrangement with GRIST Media) Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi unleashed one of his most stinging attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, saying he has destroyed the soul of India in the past two and a half years of his rule. In his opening remark at a day-long convention, Jan Vedna Sammelan, Gandhi said Modi had turned the hard-earned money of the people of this country into paper through his demonetisation decision. He has broken the financial backbone of this country with demonetisation. This was his personal decision, Gandhi, who has been at the forefront of the oppositions protest against the government move, said. Addressing the party convention at Delhis Talkatora Stadium in Hindi and English, Gandhi said Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat have weakened every institution in the country such as the judiciary, the Reserve Bank of India, the election commission and the media. The RBI that is the financial bedrock of the country has been ridiculed. The governor of RBI has been ridiculedonly because the RSS and the BJP think no ones opinion matters other than their own, he said. Achhe din are going to come when the Congress comes back to power in 2019, the 45-year-old told the meeting convened to discuss the demonetisation exercise, which triggered uproar in the recently concluded winter session of Parliament. Read | Manmohan Singh slams Modi govt over demonetisation, says the worst is yet to come After a string of election losses, the Congress is gearing up for a tough fight in assembly polls in five states in about a month and has stepped up the heat on the National Democratic Alliance administration over the note ban. PM Modis surprise announcement to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8 sparked chaos and confusion across the country, with millions of consumers queued outside banks and ATMs to change old notes for new ones or withdraw cash. The government said the move was aimed at rooting out black money and corruption, but met with resistance from the Opposition, which blamed the government for close to 100 deaths reported after the shock move. Gandhi has alleged that the note ban and the subsequent cash crunch had hurt farmers and the rural poor, and ravaged the agrarian economy. He has been at the forefront of attacks against the PM and the NDA government on the demonetisation issue that had also brought several opposition parties together. The Congress party launched a three-phased nationwide campaign against the note ban on January 1. While the first phase of protest demonstrations and news conferences across the country is over, the main opposition party will launch the second phase from Wednesday. The Amethi MP had last month called the move as a single biggest arbitrary decision by any Prime Minister in the history of the world taken by an individual affecting the lives of 1.3 billion people. Gandhi also hit out at Modis allegations that the Congress had ruined the country in 70 years, saying party workers have sacrificed their lives in states such as Punjab and Assam. The PM keeps asking us what the Congress has done in past 70 years. I want to tell him the people of this country know what we did or did not in all these years. We never weakened the institutions and sacrificed our sweat and blood for our nation, he said. How many BJP workers have spilled their blood? We dont need to explain what we did. The Congress V-P took a jibe at the PMs initiatives of Swachch Bharat, Make in India, Startup India and Skill India and his campaign for yoga. It was a beautiful show but not Padmasana without which there is no yoga. Read | Note ban effect on vote bank: Why demonetisation is a key issue in 2017 assembly polls SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In an attempt to make the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes a key issue in the upcoming assembly elections in five states, the Congress is organising a day-long national convention against the anti-poor policies of the BJP-led NDA government on Wednesday. All top leaders, including the members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), All India Congress Committee (AICC) delegates, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chiefs apart from members of Parliament and legislative assemblies and councils from states have been invited for the meet. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will chair the convention, titled Jan Vedna Sammelan, held at Delhis Talkatora Indoor Stadium. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is unlikely to attend the event. Rahul, who has been at the forefront of attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government on demonetisation that also brought several opposition parties together, is expected to unveil the second phase of its nationwide agitation programme on the issue. The main opposition party had launched the first phase from January 1. Through the convention, the party will seek to send a message to the people that the Prime Minister brought misery and suffering to them through his decision on November 8 last year. The Amethi MP had last month called the move as a single biggest arbitrary decision in the history of the world taken by an individual affecting the lives of 1.3 billion people. Read: Back from foreign tour, Rahul holds series of meetings He had also alleged that he has information about the personal corruption by the Prime Minister and that there will be an earthquake if he is allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha on the note ban announced by Modi on November 8. Rahul had been demanding steps such as the compensation to state governments by the Centre for any loss of revenue due to the move apart from Income tax and sales tax rebate of 50% to small shopkeepers and businesses. His others demands were doubling the number of guaranteed work days and wage rate under MGNREGA for a period of one year besides providing Rs 25,000 to women of BPL families, especially those running households, who are badly hit due to demonetisation. Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi had written to all the party leaders across the country, asking them to attend the convention in a big way to highlight the Modi governments anti-people and anti-poor policies, including the note ban that has resulted in loss of many lives and also caused harassment to the general public. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav appealed for party unity on Wednesday, blaming his cousin Ramgopal Yadav of trying to create fissures barely a month before Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. I dont want the party to split, the party should always be united, Mulayam told party workers in Lucknow. Ram Gopal Yadav wanted to form a new party - Akhil Bhartiya Samajwadi Party - with motorcycle as the symbol. The former UP chief minister said he had declared Akhilesh Yadav as the partys CM candidate. Then whats the need of a new party?, he asked. We will save the party, I want to save the party. I want to save our cycle, Yadav said in an impassioned plea to workers at the SP office. In a meeting with Mulayam on Tuesday, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had refused to step down as the party president. He also turned down Mulayams offer that both the factions withdraw applications submitted to the election commission, staking claim to the party symbol a bicycle. Mulayam, said sources, was ready to give Akhilesh a free hand in deciding poll candidates, a big reason for chief ministers running feud with his uncle Shivpal Yadav that is tearing the party apart. Though Mulayam agreed to keep Shivpal, his younger brother, and Amar Singh out of the election, he was firm on not accepting the Akhilesh factions decision to throw Singh out of the party. Mulayam told Akhilesh while he would stay on as the party chief, the chief minister would get all the powers enjoyed by party general secretary Ramgopal. The offer was read as an attempt to distance Akhilesh from Ramgopal, who has stood by him in the family feud. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said that he blamed the Congress-led government for the deteriorating law and order situation in Manipur, saying the maintenance of law and order is the constitutional obligation of the state government. Rijiju, on the sidelines of a function organised by the BJP-led alliance government in Assam, also appealed to the Manipur government as well as the agitating United Naga Council (UNC) for joint efforts to call off the economic blockade to allow free and fair elections in the state. On November 1, the UNC imposed an indefinite economic blockade on the Imphal-Dimapur (NH 2) and Imphal-Jiribam (NH 37) highways in protest against the Manipur governments move to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam to full-fledged districts by bifurcating the Naga-dominated areas. The group claims the move hurts the interests of Nagas in the state and benefits other communities. I had visited Manipur two weeks ago and held a very positive meeting with chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh. The Central government is ready to intervene and assist the state government in any matter but maintenance of law and order is the constitutional obligation of the state government, said Rijiju. It is unfortunate that the blockades in Manipur are still on, causing problems to the common people. I also appeal to the UNC to sit for talks so that the problems and issues could be resolved for good, he said. At the same time I also appeal to the state government not to aggravate the situation. Let us not think of taking political benefit out of a humanitarian crisis, Rijiju appealed. Read| Assess grave situation in Manipur for smooth elections: Home ministry to EC The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) urged the Election Commission to take action against AAP leader Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Mohammad Mustafa for allegedly making inflammatory statements and trying to coerce the voters, respectively. The party has filed two separate complaints in this regard before Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi who, along with other election commissioners, is on a two-day visit to review poll preparedness in the state. The commission also held meetings with representatives of political parties, including ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and opposition Congress. SAD secretary Charanjit Brar has submitted purported video clips along with its complaints to the EC, said a party statement. The party, while briefing the election commissioner, said Mann had openly incited people to throw stones at senior leaders of the SAD and had even admitted the same during a television interview. It alleged that Mann urged people not to sow crops on part of their land in order to collect stones which could be used against Akali leaders and also asked them to stone the buses owned by SAD leaders. Requesting an urgent inquiry into the matter, Brar alleged that Mann had made such speeches with the sole intention of disturbing peace in the state. Notably, a few days ago a group of people threw stones at the cavalcade of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at Kandhwala Hazir Khan village in his constituency Jalalabad in Fazilka district, leaving four Akali supporters injured. In a separate complaint, SAD claimed that Mustafa who is posted as DGP (PSHRC), whose wife has been given ticket by Congress from Malerkotla seat, was allegedly coercing voters to support her candidature. In the complaint, it said according to reports received from SAD candidate, the DGP was allegedly openly roaming around in the constituency to canvas for votes for the Congress. It also urged the Commission to find out how Mustafa was visiting Malerkotla without taking leave from his department. This, the complaint said, was against service rules and also a violation of the model code of conduct and asked the Commission to conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action in the matter. Saudi Arabia has increased Indias annual Haj quota from 1.36 lakh to 1.70 lakh, biggest such expansion in last 29 years, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Wednesday. An agreement to this regard was inked by minister of state for minority affairs (Independent Charge) Naqvi with Saudi Arabias Haj and Umrah minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten at Jeddah on Wednesday, making the expansion effective from the current year. The Saudi authorities had five years ago slashed quotas for foreign pilgrims coming from each country by 20 per cent in view of safety of the devotees as they undertook expansion of Grand Mosque there. Accordingly, Indias quota was brought down to 1.36 lakh from nearly 1.70 lakh in 2012. Expressing pleasure at signing of the agreement, Naqvi said his meeting with Benten was very fruitful as constructive discussion was held on the whole gamut of issues related to the pilgrimage, transport and accommodation facilities for pilgrims and their safety. On behalf of the people and Government of India, we also extend gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Excellency Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, for his keen personal interest and initiative in organising a successful Haj 2016, Naqvi said in a statement. Naqvi exuded confidence that under the visionary leadership of Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, the excellent relationship between India and Saudi Arabia will be further strengthened. Stating India and Saudi Arabia share ideals of global peace, progress and prosperity, Naqvi said the two countries are tied together with strong civilisational, cultural, economic and political links. The regular visits by the leaders and senior-level officials of the two nations have further strengthened the relationship between the two nations. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia during April last year added new dimensions to our vibrant relationship, he said. The Minister also expressed satisfaction over the improvements in services offered to pilgrims which indicates Saudi Arabias firm commitment towards welfare and betterment of pilgrims. The NDA government has started issuing Haj applications from January 2. The last date for submission of applications is January 24. As part of its efforts to streamline the process, the government has urged pilgrims to submit their applications online. In December last year, a new Haj website was launched which provides all necessary information to Haj pilgrims, the statement said. On January 2, the Minister had launched the Haj Committee of India mobile application to help pilgrims apply online. In a breather to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a plea for probing the alleged payoffs by the Birla-Sahara groups when he was the Gujarat chief minister. Rejecting the plea by NGO Common Cause, the bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy said the evidence produced for seeking filing of an FIR against the Prime Minister and other political functionaries, including government officials, was not admissible. If we were to order investigation on the basis of material with no evidentiary value, it would be difficult for constitutional functionaries to function, which would not be safe for the democracy, the court observed. Given the shape in which these documents have been collected and filed, we are of the opinion that it would not be safe and proper to order investigation, the court said in its order while weighing the evidence placed before it in the context of earlier judgments of the apex court, including that of the Constitution Bench. Around 500 activists and residents in Shillong organised a rally on Wednesday, seeking justice for victims of sexual offence. Some of the protestors were wheelchair-bound. The rally in the citys Fire Brigade Ground coincided with the fifth day of police custody for rebel-turned-MLA Julius Kitbok Dorphang, as prescribed by a court, after the independent legislator from the Mawhati assembly constituency allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl. Meghalaya has become one of the most unsafe places for women and children in India. Often, sexual offenders enjoy political patronage. This rally has been planned to show that people are angry with our leaders, Civil Society Womens Organisation (CSWO) chief Agnes Kharshiing said. Leaders of opposition regional parties also participated in the rally. Watch | Rally against rape organised in Shillong CSWO had planned the rally soon after Dorphangs arrest and the shadow it cast on Meghalaya home minister HDR Lyngdoh, whose sons guesthouses was allegedly used for the rape. The victim, who had been homeless, was taken in by Shillong-based Mamoni Parveen and Sandip Biswa as their daughter. She was then taken to houses, guesthouses and hotels, where she was sexually exploited. After she was rescued by the police, she identified Dorphang from photos as one of those who sexually abused her. Activists say Dorphangs arrest might be the tip of the iceberg and a thorough, impartial investigation could reveal the involved of many high-profile people in sex rackets. Without the involvement of big names, this find of flesh trade cannot flourish, Kharshiing said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The executive has the power to grant legislative exemptions to whoever it wants to, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday, refusing to entertain a petition that challenged the basis for keeping political parties out of the Income Tax laws ambit. A political party is needed to project the political regime it follows. Each of them need financial support, for which they collect money from the public so they (electors) can be represented in governance and legislation, said a bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud. The public interest petition had also objected to a provision of the election law that introduced the term political party for the first time in 1989. The petitioner claimed that as the Constitution does not envisage the phrase political party anywhere, introducing those words in the law was unconstitutional. As the Constitution is silent on what comprises a political party, there can be no question of granting it tax exemption, he added. The bench dismissed the plea, stating that it was enough for an entity to be recognised by a statutory provision. The Constitution doesnt recognise the Hindu Joint Family either, but it is also mentioned in the tax law, it told the petitioner. The court maintained that if agricultural income can be exempted from the ambit of the Income Tax law, the same can be done for political parties. Its up to those who govern the country to decide who should be taxed and who should be exempted, it said, refusing to accept that the law was deplorable and arbitrary. On the argument that independent lawmakers should get similar benefits under the law, it held: An individual fights for himself, unlike a political party that has to set up an establishment for which they take money from the public. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modis demonetisation move has brought in a super emergency in the country, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress on Wednesday approached President Pranab Mukherjee seeking his intervention. At the conclusion of its three-day nationwide anti-demonetisation stir, Trinamools Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members staged a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan and apprised Mukherjee about the acute crisis the country was going through post Narendra Modis November 8 move to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. The Prime Minister had sought 50 days time to bring under control the situation. But far from being under control, the situation has gone from worse to worst, Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Derek OBrien told the media after meeting the President. We had initially called this (demonetisation) to be a financial emergency. But this is now a super emergency, OBrien added. Read| Mamata Banerjee urges President to save people from note ban hardship This is the third time the Trinamool -- which has been demanding a rollback of the move -- has sought Mukherjees intervention. Party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 16 and was part of an opposition deputation that met Mukherjee on December 16. Apprising Mukherjee about the acute crisis, the Trinamool held Modi responsible for 120 deaths across the country, which it claimed were due to demonetisation and also accused the Centre of vendetta politics. It is appalling that this government has resorted to the politics of vendetta to conceal its own incompetence and inefficiency. Anyone who has opposed demonetisation has been branded anti-national, corrupt, a supporter of terrorism or a hoarder of black money, the party said in its memorandum to Mukherjee. The government is blatantly misusing power and using state agencies to stifle opposition and silence critics, said the party whose two Lok Sabha members -- Tapas Paul and Sudip Bandyopadhyay -- were recently arrested by the CBI for their alleged complicity in a chit fund scam. The party claimed that demonetisation has impoverished a vast majority of the 415 million daily wagers with around 25 crore of them having suffered loss of work which led to reverse migration. Through this ill-conceived and poorly implemented exercise, this government has served to deceive and ambush its own citizens. Arbitrary and irresponsible conduct of this nature has shaken the peoples trust in the government irrevocably, the party said urging Mukherjee to intervene and end the unprecedented super emergency. The relatives of people who were killed in the Kashmir unrest said that they seek justice and not compensation, even as chief minister Mehbooba Mufti announced, on Monday, that each family will receive Rs 5 lakh and other compensatory measures, and there will be a district-level SIT probe into the killings. Nasir Shafi Qazi, 11, was the youngest casualty of the unrest. He was killed by pellets in September last year. You give compensation, when you accept your mistakes. The government is admitting to its mistakes, said Nasirs brother Mohammad Mansoor Shafi. In Kashmir, the killers do not get punishment, and we do not want compensation. Alhamdulillah jo hain, jaise hain zindagi guzaar lenge. (By Gods grace, we can live with whatever we have). Sartaz Ahangar, uncle of Basit Ahmad Ahangar, a 19-year-old sporting star from Veesu in Anantnag, who was killed during clashes in September last year, said, Government is offering Rs 5 lakh. I can pay Rs 10 lakh and sell my land if they punish those who killed Basit. We dont need the money, bring the killers to book. Even if India gives me all of its wealth, I will still seek justice for the dead boy, he added. As Mehbooba promised justice, she said in the legislative assembly in Jammu that the deaths of a college lecturer in Khrew village and an ATM guard in Srinagar during the unrest will be probed by Special Investigation Teams (SITs). Shabir Ahmad Mangoo, a 30-year-old college lecturer, was allegedly beaten to death by army men in Khrew in south Kashmirs Pulwama district in August, 2016. The army had regretted the incident and ordered a probe into the matter. On Tuesday, his distraught family said that the only way Shabir could get justice is by bringing his killers to the book. What had to happen has happened. Now, government is offering jobs and money, but will that make him come back? The person who had committed the crime should be punished, said Aijaz Ahmad Lone, brother of Shabir. Four months have passed. Had the state government done anything? Will the accused, still be on duty? he added. Riyaz Ahmad Shah of Srinagars Chattabal area was shot with a pellet gun from point-blank range in August, 2016, while he was returning from work. The pellet cartridge had burst inside his body, leaving 350-odd tiny metallic particles and perforating the organs. His brother Shakeel Ahmed Shah shared the same anxiety as Aijaz. Riyaz was killed in August and over four months have passed now. But nothing has happened till now. But yes, the chief minister has announced that investigation will be done. So, lets hope for the best, said Shakeel. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON These are the tense times at the Bird Hospital in Johri Bazaar area of Jaipur. Nearly all the cages meant for keeping the injured birds are full. The private facility run by a Jain Trust has only one doctor, who is currently on leave. Two workers, both retired government employees, are busy tending to the injured birds, most of them victims of the manjha a razor sharp nylon thread or the cotton thread coated with ground glass and metal and used to fly kites. Sakraat (Makar Sankranti) is a festival that we love to celebrate but it does tremendous harm to the birds, says R C Verma, one of the workers as he shows a foot long piece of manjha, which he had removed from the wings of a bird. He started working at the hospital a month ago and has been trained by 73-year-old L N Verma who retired from the government veterinary hospital in Tonk as senior compounder. R C Verma is apprehensive about the harvest festival on January 14. It is the day when hundreds take to flying kites as part of celebrations. Fierce competition is witnessed as enthusiasts try to bring down the kites of each other. It is this kite flying frenzy that spells trouble for the birds. On December 14 last year, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned manjha for kite flying. The order had come following an outcry over injuries and deaths caused by the sharp string. The ban, however, is yet to be fully implemented in Rajasthan where the glass-coated or metal coated manjha is still available in the markets. Another retired government employee Mohan Lal Pareekh, who too works at the bird hospital, shows a pigeon that lost both its wings after flying into manjha. When birds get entangled into manjha, they flap their wings hard to free themselves. It results in severe injuries and, in some cases, loss of wings, says Pareekh. On an average, 20-25 birds are brought to the hospital everyday. In the days leading to Sakraat, numbers go up to 70-80, Pareek says and adds that at present the hospital is treating only two birds for sickness. Rest all are being treated for injuries due to manjha. Manish Saxena, animal welfare officer with animal welfare board of India, claims to have been working for birds since 2002. Saxena and his team used to treat around 250-300 birds injured by manjha every year in Jaipur. The number shot up to 800-900 in 2010 but fell in the subsequent years. It could be because other organisations too started treating the birds, says Saxena. He says that on the days preceding and after Makar Sankranti in 2015, his team treated more than 400 birds. Nearly 15 per cent birds dont survive and nearly 20 per cent cant fly after treatment, he adds. He bats for strict and immediate and enforcement of the ban on manjha. State convener of People For Animals, Babu Lal Jaju, says that thousands of birds are injured across the state in the kite flying season. Although kite flying is observed more in Jaipur on Sakraat, it happens in other districts too. And manjha is easily available, probably because of administrations negligence and poor enforcement of the ban, he adds. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A meeting is on at village Sahjoti in Shahpur, where Jat reservation activists from Haryana are trying hard to convince choudhary Rajpal Singh, head of Deshwal Khap and his son, Sharanveer, to support their cause. The leader of the group, advocate Pratap Dahiya, is leaving no stone unturned in seeking the khap heads blessings for the success of the Jat reservation movement in Haryana and UP. Like many others, Dahiya knows that a khap leader with the power to influence his entire clan can make or break such movements. The group blames a particular party for befooling the Jat community in the name of reservation and is mobilising people to teach the political outfit a lesson in the UP assembly elections. Rajpal Singh and Sharanveer lend them a patient ear and promise their support in the larger interest of the clan and the society. However, they distance themselves from criticising any political party. The meeting is not unusual for the father-son duo. Leaders, activists and members of the Deshwal Khap which comprises 67 villages in UP come to meet them almost every day, to discuss social and other issues. During election season, the influx of visitors gets much bigger. Speaking to HT, choudhary Rajpal Singh says, We always support candidates with clean image. He agrees that his word is important to villagers, who pass it on to their families. Members of Deshwal Khap in village Sahjoti. (HT Photo) Wisdom imparted over hookah A khap or clan is usually formed by a group of people belonging to the same gotra. The role of a khap head becomes crucial during elections, when leaders of different political parties contesting the polls, especially those from within the clan, attempt to influence voters. Respected as village elders, choudharies (khap heads) are frequently sought for their advice. Every day, rounds of discussions take place over hookah. During poll time, it is common for political parties, their candidates and policies for farmers to be deliberated upon. Even though choudharies avoid giving direct advice to people, clansmen often attempt to read their minds during such discussions. This helps them in setting their clans mood either for or against a party or a candidate. For example, Mahendra Singh Tikait, the then head of Baliyan Khap (one of the biggest with 84 villages), is believed to have benefitted Bharatiya Janata Party in the Jat belt of UP in the 1990s, when he advised villagers to vote in the name of Ram. Opinions sought on issues impacting lives Naresh Tikait, who is the head of Baliyan khap and the national president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), a non-political organisation, says, Choosing a party or a candidate depends entirely on what the people think. However, they respect the khap heads and want to seek their opinion and guidance on issues that impact their lives. Naresh adds that he will soon convene a meeting to learn the opinion of his clan ahead of the assembly polls. The clans support will largely depend on the election manifestos of political parties, he says. Taking pride in traditions Sitting with khap heads and Jat reservation activists, Subhash Baliyan, general secretary of Sarv khap, says, Doab (the region lying between rivers Ganga and Yamuna) has 18 khaps. The choudharies desperately want their village youths to adhere to their traditions. For this, a team of 21 youngsters is being formed in every village, under the aegis of BKU, to sensitise the next generation about our traditions and values. General secretary of Sarv Khap Subhash Baliyan with his son. (Chahatram/HT Photo) Symbolising these values is Sarv khaps 350-year-old chaupal, located in village Soram of Muzaffarnagar district. This is where choudharies of all khaps get together a few times every year to issue guidelines for their clans on different matters. Subhash admits that political leaders adopt various measures to please khap heads and expand their voter base. The recent visit of union ministers Mahesh Sharma and Sanjeev Baliyan to Sarv khap chaupal supports this claim. Not only did the visiting dignitaries honour the choudharies for their contribution towards society but also sanctioned Rs 2.3 crore for the chaupals renovation. It was good that they thought of renovating the chaupal, says Naresh Tikait, head of Baliyan khap. College students Sunny, Vikas and Kamal also welcome the ministers move. This chaupal is a symbol of our pride and existence, they say. Underscoring the impact of khap heads views on their clans, including the younger generation, Sanjeev Sharma, a professor of political science at CCS University, says, Khap heads act as opinion leaders for their respective clans. Youngsters respect them too. Despite having exposure to multiple media platforms, the word of the elders matters to the young generation. Read more: UP elections: BJP sets 10-year condition for tickets to leaders children The ongoing feud in the Samajwadi Party (SP) has confused many smaller players who are pinning their hopes for a Bihar-like anti-BJP grand alliance on the possible split in the ruling party. Nominations for the first phase of voting will begin from January 17. But parties like the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Janata Dal (United) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), BS-4 are unable to decide whether to attack or praise the Akhilesh Yadav-led government, leave alone deciding their candidates. All the four parties have already declared their decision to fight together in UP assembly polls in order to thwart the BJP from coming to power. Their efforts to rope in the SP failed because SP chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav was reluctant to forge a pre-poll alliance that comprised Ajit Singh and the Congress. If the SP splits, the group to be led by chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav will readily forge an alliance with us and the Congress, said a RLD leader. But the wait is getting longer and longer even as the first phase voting that will begin from the Western UP, RLDs pocket-borough, is only a month away, he said. Read more: UP elections: Coming week will be crucial for Congress and SPs likely alliance The parties are in a dilemma about their poll strategy due to the prevailing uncertainty. They are refraining from attacking the state government in order to not ruin chances of an alliance with the Akhilesh faction in the event of a split. Probably due to these considerations, RLD chief Ajit Singh targeted only Modi in his speech during a rally in Basti on Saturday keeping mum on the ruling party in the state. JD (U) leader, KC Tyagi said, We are waiting for the final outcome of the SP before we take the next step. Though as a believer in social and democratic values, we wish the party and the family remain the united. Tyagi claimed the RLD-JD (U)-NCP-BS4 alliance would fight with full force at its command to stop the BJP from capturing power in UP even if the SP did not come on board. Read more: Akhilesh Yadav shuns Mulayam offer, wont give up Samajwadi Party president post SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Students from Arunachal Pradesh lodged a complaint against the ticketing staff of Taj Mahal on Sunday alleging that they were harassed and asked to prove their nationality in order to buy entry tickets as Indians. Students of Central Agricultural University, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh were at the iconic monument on Sunday afternoon when the incident occurred. The students later lodged a complaint alleging that they were discriminated against due to their facial features while other Indians were not asked to prove their nationality. The students claimed that though they furnished identity cards proving they were Indians, they were cross-questioned which prompted them to complain. Indian nationals are charged Rs. 40 for entry to the Taj while foreigners have to pay Rs. 1000 and those from BIMSTEC nations have to shell out Rs. 530. Officer of the Archaeological Survey of India at Taj Mahal however stated that tourists were asked to prove their nationality to ensure that appropriate tickets were purchased. According to the ASI official, the task had been outsourced but ASI observers were present to check the tickets. Nationality was not mentioned on the ID proof provided by the college and there are foreign students studying in various central universities. So proper verification was required and when sufficient evidence was provided, these students were allowed entry to Taj Mahal as Indians, said the official. Senior official of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Taj Mahal clarified that the CISF staff was not involved in the incident and the students had complaint against e-ticketing staff at entrance gates seeking action against them. Spelling trouble for Nitesh Rane son of Congress leader Narayan Rane the Bombay high court on Wednesday directed Bandra police to act on a complaint filed by a 40-year-old Bandra businessman, who alleged that men, purportedly acting at Niteshs behest, threatened his employees and tried to take over his office. According to Rohit Khandari, a few people came to his office, a textile unit, in Building 36 on Turner Road at Bandra (West) at 4.45 pm on December 26 last year and tried to forcibly take possession of the 1530-sq ft premises. He reported the incident to the Bandra police, but he was told to dial 100. His petition states that the police reached his office after he dialled 100. Khandari said the men told his staff they had come to recover money that the developer of the property, M/s. Kamla Landmarc Group, owed Nitesh. They purportedly also asked the staff to ask Khandari to visit Niteshs office and give him the keys to the premises. Khandari said that though he submitted CCTV camera footage of the incident of to the Bandra police, they refused to register an FIR and merely registered a non-congnisable (NC) offence under section 506 of the Indian Penal Code. He added that he received threatening calls the next day and was verbally abused, however, the police recorded an NC yet again. His counsel, senior advocate Rajiv Chavan, pointed out that attempts to criminally trespass, attempts to take forcible possession of property by evicting lawful occupants and attempts to lock out the petitioner the lawful owner are congnisable offences. He said Supreme Court orders mandate that the police must register an FIR if the complaint deals with a cognisable offence. Read Congress leader accuses Nilesh Rane, 4 others of assault Nilesh Rane arrested in case of assault on party worker The Maharashtras school education department put its selfie initiative to curb drop-outs on hold indefinitely on Wednesday. This is following teachers protests against the initiative, which asked them to take selfies with students every week and upload them online. After meeting teachers and chief minister Devandra Fadnavis in the morning, state education minister Vinod Tawde announced, We will stay the selfie initiative till the department irons out the problems in its implementation. Tawde said the initiative backfired because it was misinterpreted by the district-level education officials. Teachers were wrongly instructed by the officers, said Tawde. Teachers were supposed to take selfies only with selected students those belonging to migrant families and attending school irregularly. But officials asked teachers to take pictures with all students. Even the government resolution issued in November wrongly states that teachers must take pictures of all students in groups of 10. Because of this goof-up, teachers tried uploading several pictures on the mobile app designed for this initiative and slowed it down. We will now brief our officers properly to ensure that they understand the objectives of the initiative and then implement it again, said Tawde. Teachers demanded that the department must make some other arrangements to upload selfies and upgrade the app. We dont mind taking pictures but uploading them onto the mobile app took four to five hours, said Anil Bornare, a teacher of Swami Muktananda High School, Chembur, and member of the state teachers association. They have even demanded that department must provide WiFi facilities in schools or give Internet data packs to teachers. Many teachers dont have Android phones or 4G packs, said Uday Nare, a teacher of Hansraj Morarji Public School, Andheri. If the government wants us to take part in the initiative, they should provide access to Internet. READ Maharashtras selfie initiative to curb drop-outs delayed SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As the dates for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections were announced, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led improvement committee approved the proposal to build Bal Thackeray memorial at the mayors bungalow at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. The state government issued an ordinance for the memorial last week. The move is seen to be politically significant, with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis wanting to appease the ruling partner ahead of the BMC elections. The ordinance was issued by the urban development department, which comes under the chief minister. According to the proposal, no construction will be permitted inside the heritage bungalow for the memorial. No renovation can be undertaken without the permission of the municipal commissioner. The Congress and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had objected to the governments decision to convert the mayors bungalow into a memorial, terming it a poll tactic. According to the Supreme Court ruling, a memorial cannot be constructed on government bungalows. This proposal will not go through. It is a temporary arrangement by the BJP to please the Sena, said Mohsin Haider, a Congress corporator. According to the existing provision, the BMC cannot sell, lease or transfer any plot at less than the market value. But with the ordinance, the BMC will be able to lease the up-market plot for the memorial at nominal rates. Read Decks cleared for Thackeray memorial at Mumbai Mayors Bungalow Shiv Sena chief Uddhav inaugurates first memorial dedicated to father Bal Thackeray SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Just hours before the state election commission announced the dates for the upcoming civic elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it would hold talks with its ally Shiv Sena for an alliance for the local body polls, including the highly-contested Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The partys city chief and a bitter critic of the Sena, Ashish Shelar, made the announcement saying his party was positive about an alliance after a meeting at Varsha, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis official residence at Malabar Hill. HT had reported on Wednesday that such a meeting would be held at Varsha and BJP would say it will hold talks for an alliance. Given the timing of the announcement and the backdrop of the constant tussle between the allies, the big question of whether the alliance can materialise remains. What, however, may work in favour of the alliance is that both Fadnavis and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray seem inclined for a tie-up and are in touch with each another. After the Sena chief publicly asked for our stance on alliance, a decision was taken. The BJP is positive about an alliance and talks will be initiated from today, said Shelar. In a jibe at the Sena, he, however, said more than the numbers, his party was keen on an agenda that prioritised transparent administration in the BMC. In respons, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said he was also positive about an alliance, but there was a gap between holding talks and having an alliance. He refused to respond to Shelars jibe, saying he would respond when BJP president Amit Shah or chief minister Devendra Fadnavis made a remark. He also said a tie-up for district council polls would be taken by the local party units concerned. So far, we have not received any proposal from the BJP. There is a likelihood that talks will start from today. Three leaders from both sides will discuss, but the final decision will be taken by Fadnavis and me, said Thackeray. Until late on Wednesday night, there was no clarity on who would hold the initial round of talks. More clarity is expected on Thursday, when the BJP holds its one-day state conclave meeting in Thane. However, state BJP president Raosaheb Danve in a turnaround from the earlier statement that local party units would take decision on alliance said if the party took a state-level decision of an alliance, the cadre would toe the line. I spoke to Sena MP Anil Desai after the meeting at Varsha. We are positive about an alliance. If the alliance takes into count the BJPs increased electoral success post 2014 polls and is respectable, a tie-up is possible, said Danve. Read Maharashtra doesnt need BJPs development vision: Shiv Sena Exit state, central govt if you disagree with BJPs policies SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) old estranged allies -- on Wednesday said they were positive towards contesting the civic polls together, creating the possibility of starting alliance talks. The alliance, however, seems far from reality. According to sources, the Congress has allowed local units to decide on the alliance and the final call will be taken by the parliamentary board once local units submit a report to the state leadership. The parties may come together in areas where they desperately need each other and are not in a position to win on their own. The two parties have shown willingness to come together after the BJP and Sena decided to hold talks for alliance. The Congress-NCP hold strong position in rural areas and dominate a few municipal corporations such as Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur and Amravati. While they will strive to retain their position, the ruling side will look at making inroads in the Oppositions bastion. In Mumbai, both the parties have announced their decision to go solo, after the city Congress said no to teaming up with the NCP. We are seeking feedback from our local units. We are prepared to handle both the possibilities in all districts, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan told HT. State NCP chief Sunil Tatkare said they were always open to an alliance with the Congress. In 2012, the Congress and NCP contested the BMC elections together and won 65 (Congress-52 and NCP-13) of the total 227 seats. In 2007 too, both the parties contested the BMC elections separately and won 89 seats (Congress-75 and NCP-14), 24 seats more than 2012. A section of Congress leaders feel joining hands with the NCP may prove to be a liability. The leaders pointed out that in the recent municipal council elections, NCP lost its 35% incumbent seats, while the loss to Congress was just 15. Read Cong, NCP may not be allies for Goa polls, Pawars party looks for new partners NCP, Cong against each other for 4 Maharashtra legislative council seats The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a summons to controversial televangelist Dr Zakir Naiks Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). The central agency had filed Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIR) against Naik. Sources stated that based on IRF-related investigations, they will issue summons to Naik. We are tracing the flow of funds, including foreign funding. A substantial amount of money was deposited in the IRFs account and Naiks personal account, said a high-ranking ED officer. Sources said IRF representatives may be questioned next week. We are investigating why the money was deposited and how it was spent, added the officer. The IRF has maintained that it will be cooperative. An advocate has collected the summons. Whatever co-operation is required will be provided, said a person from the IRFs legal team, who did not wish to be identified. The ED had registered a Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) case late December last year with the probe revolving around Naiks funding and investments. The agency is probing whether his funds came from those who were inspired by his speeches. The EDs investigation will focus on the proceeds of crime and if Naik gained financially. A prior offence against Naik ws registered by the National Investigating Agency (NIA). The FIR accused him of speeches that spread communal unrest. The NIA registered a case against Naik under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) of IPC and sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Naik has been out of the country since reports emerged that his sermons influenced a few of the Bangladeshi attackers who targeted an eatery in Dhaka on July 1. Bangladesh banned Naiks Peace TV, saying it incited the attack, in which 22 people were shot. The economic offences wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police investigated the IRFs foreign funds. ED sources said they will refer to the polices findings too. Read In Mumbai: IRFs Dongri office gets ban notice ED registers criminal case against Zakir Naik, IRF ED to file money laundering FIR against Zakir Naik SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The state election commissioner , JS Saharia, is scheduled to announce the dates of the elections for ten municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 26 district councils at 4 pm Besides the BMC, nine other corporations, including Thane, Ulhasnagar, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur will go to polls in February. Similary, 26 of the 34 district councils, along with 296 panchayat samitis will go to polls next month. This accounts for more than 80% of the total voters in the state. The ruling BJP dominated the first phase of polls in the state in which elections were held for civic bodies governing small cities. This phase will now see a fierce battle between four prominent parties. While the BJP and Shiv Sena will try to win maximum civic bodies, the opposition parties, the Congress and NCP, will make an attempt to retain power in district bodies. The outcome of this election may set the tone for the 2019 assembly polls. JS Saharia has already announced that owing to the annual exams in the schools and colleges, the State Election Commission (SEC) has decided to hold all elections in February. He has also said that the SEC will ensure that elections for corporations and district councils will be held simultaneously. The SEC is expected to hold the elections for 332 bodies in two phases in the second and third week of February. With the central security forces unlikely to be allotted in the state, the SEC will also have to keep in mind the deployment of state security forces while finalising the poll dates. According to a highly-placed source, the commission will also have to consider the fact that Mumbai and Thane account for the highest number of the voters and the possibility of a close fight between major parties in these two cities while announcing the poll dates. The municipal corporation going for polls Mumbai, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Nashik, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Amravati, Akola and Nagpur. Read Mumbai civic polls: Political parties campaign on Facebook, Twitter Suspended particulate matter in air in most parts of the state were almost two times the safe limits in 2015, revealed an assessment of air pollution in Indian cities by not-for-profit Greenpeace India on Wednesday. Within Maharashtra, Nanded topped the list for poor air quality with annual concentration of PM10 (particulate matter of size less than 10 microns) at 162 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) as against the permissible limit of 60ug/m3 under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Safe limit for PM10 emissions annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is 20ug/m3. Exposure to high levels of PM10 they are solid and liquid particles, including dust and chemicals, floating in the air leads to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and premature death. Locations such as Panvel, Taloja, Navi Mumbai and Thane recorded higher annual PM10 levels than Mumbai that ranked number 10 at 107ug/m3. A study by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay last year attributed high particulate matter in Mumbai to power plant (37%), open burning (24%), commercial food sector (18%) and road transport (10%). In addition, all locations in 25 cities of Maharashtra were highly polluted between the months of October and January with PM10 levels exceeding 150ug/m3 thats nearly three times the safe limits. Pollution levels in Maharahtra are relatively less than other parts of the country, but still at very dangerous levels going by NAAQS and WHO standards. Hence its not safe to breathe in many parts of Maharashtra, said Sunil Dahiya, campaigner, Greenpeace India, adding that fossil fuel burning is one of the main culprits for the deteriorating air quality in India. Dahiya added that difference in pollution levels is also because some parts of Maharashtra such as Mumbai is near to coast. With winds in different directions, mixing of pollutants in coastal areas is very high, thereby diluting the concentration of pollutants. The report titled Airpocalypse by Greenpeace India, assessed air quality in 168 cities across 24 states and union territories found that none of the cities complied with standards set by WHO and NAAQS. The assessment was based on online reports and Right to Information applications by the state pollution control boards. Nationwide, Delhi emerged as the most polluted city with PM10 levels at 268ug/m3 followed by Ghaziabad (258ug/m3), Allahabad (250ug/m3), Bareli (240ug/m3) in Uttar Pradesh, and Faridabad (240ug/m3) in Haryana. The Global Burden of Disease study by (WHO) has estimated that every day 3,283 Indians died due to outdoor air pollution in 2015 that makes it approximately 11.98 lakh deaths in India in 2015. Additionally, India loses around 3% of its Gross Domestic Product due to air pollution, as per estimates by the World Bank. Air pollution is taking a toll on public health going by rising number of respiratory problems. No government, industry or corporate is paying the health cost due to poor air, said Dahiya. Therefore, there is a serious need for people to start looking at air quality data, and ask the government to share the data in a more simplistic and comprehensive manner. READ Mumbais day temperatures dip, pollution levels decline SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Doctors at KEM Hospital will evaluate the case of a 23-year-old Mumbai resident, who went to the Supreme Court to seek permission to abort her 24-week-old foetus that has a severe birth defect. The woman had approached the Supreme Court to terminate her pregnancy because the malformed foetus posed a threat to her life. A bench of justice SA Bobde and justice LN Rao agreed to consider the womans prayer and ordered the hospital to constitute a board to examine her on Thursday. A report shall be submitted to the court, which will now hear the case on Friday. The panel will comprise the same experts who had in July checked a rape survivor who had moved the top court with a similar plea because the law doesnt permit abortion beyond 20 weeks. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioner, said the woman was severely malnourished. The foetus has been diagnosed with anencephaly, a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull, he said. In the case of rape victim, the SC had relaxed the 20-week ceiling to allow the woman end to her pregnancy. It did so after taking a medical boards opinion that said continuance of pregnancy would gravely endanger the mothers physical and mental health. The top court is already seized of petitions challenging the law that fixes a ceiling in cases of abortion. The woman, who lives in the western suburbs, during a sonography test last month, had discovered that her unborn child has anencephaly, which can be detected at 16 weeks of pregnancy through an ultrasound, doctors said. This is the womans first child. She went for a check-up a little over 20 weeks of pregnancy. She is not highly educated and she did not know the importance of early screening, said Dr Sangeeta Pikale, a gynaecologist, who had evaluated her case. She went to many gynaecologists asking them to abort her baby, but all of them refused as she was more than 20 weeks pregnant, she said. According to Dr Nikhil Datar, medical director, Cloud Nine Hospital, Malad, who has filed the petition in the apex court, the foetus has no chances of survival. There is not a single case in which an unborn baby with anencephaly has survived. It is very traumatic for a mother carrying the child, he said. Even earlier, doctors from the city have approached the apex court with similar cases. In 2008, Dr Datar had moved SC, seeking permission for his patient Nikita Mehta who was over 20 weeks pregnant, to abort her unborn baby with a cardiac anomaly. Last year, he had helped a rape survivor file a similar petition. According to medical experts, this case has reiterated the need for altering the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act to allow abortion in special cases for foetuses that are more than 20 weeks old. Many severe anomalies are being diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy. These deserve termination especially when the baby is going to die or suffer irreparable limitations to basic quality of life, said Dr Pikale. Doctors added the modified draft of Medical Termination of Pregnancy bill, which allows abortion up to 26 weeks, should be introduced in the parliament soon. Certain cardiac anomalies can be defected only after a period of 20 to 24 weeks. What do these patients do then? said Dr Bipin Pandit, a medico-legal expert from the city. The law needs to change and must allow termination for up 24 weeks, which is in par with the laws in other developed countries, he added. Read more: Equal abortion rights for single women: A positive first step The ongoing airlines tiff over who fared better on the clock entered the second round on Tuesday after senior officials met the aviation regulator with concerns and calculators. Sources said that SpiceJet chairman and managing director, Ajay Singh expressed serious concern against the regulators decision to probe the methods of computation flight punctuality. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had set up a panel to investigate airlines on-time performances (OTP) days after Indigo Airlines accused the Mumbai airport of inaccuracy. While the SpiceJet spokesperson refused to comment, a senior official said Singh reiterated the points reported by HT on Monday. He told the DGCA chief, BS Bhullar that the probe reflected double standards as the airline crying foul now did not have any problem with the mechanism until it had the best OTP, said the official, requesting anonymity. The Indigo spokesperson said that its allegations were backed with evidence. We have questioned the discrepancy in the OTP and also provided evidence of the same to the DGCA, said Ajay Jasra, the head of corporate communication at Indigo. He added that manual recording of the data was prone to manipulation and not consumer interest. The reaction of some airlines is surprising. If their OTP data is indeed genuine, there is no reason for them to be nervous or oppose a fair and independent investigation. After discounts, OTP has become the primary yardstick to lure fliers. Some airlines have aggressively used it for branding. The squabble over the number game did not end there. Some airlines also blew their trumpets through press statements. On Tuesday, SpiceJet said it recorded the best OTP at the Delhi airport in December. A day earlier Indigo said that it was among the top ten most punctual airlines in the Asia Pacific citing a report by Flightstats Inc., a real-time global flight data service provider. Air India, which was named among the three worst airlines in the same report also dismissed the findings. In a note sent to Flightstats editor, the national carrier said that data was misleading and sought an explanation. Read At Mumbai airport, 380 flights miss their schedule every month: Survey SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Allahabad high court stayed the allotment of illegally constructed flats at the Supertech Czar Suites project in Greater Noida on Wednesday. The court also ruled that no third-party rights can be created for these flats, and if any have been done already, the builder Supertech Limited cannot transfer possession. If a buyer has already taken possession of an apartment, it will be subject to the outcome of the writ petition. The high court bench, comprising chief justice DB Bhosale and justice Yashwant Varma, passed the stay order on a plea filed by nine flat buyers. The petitioners said as per the original sanction granted by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) in 2007, the builder was permitted to construct 844 flats at the project. However, it later applied for a revised sanction, and constructed 1,904 flats in violation of the law. The petitioners said the builder constructed the flats without the permission of the development authority, and applied for sanction just to legalise it. They further requested the court to direct the seizure of all such illegally constructed flats, and prevent the builder from selling them to the public. The court, while passing the stay order, directed GNIDA to not issue a completion certificate for the project, and take appropriate action against the builder. It also asked the agency to ensure that one of its officials is present in court on February 8, the next date of hearing, so he/she can assist with the facts of the case. The students of Amity International School, from across its chapters in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad, had a momentous Wednesday as they got to rub shoulders with Nobel laureate Sir Richard John Roberts. Roberts, who shared the Nobel for physiology or medicine with Phillip Allen Sharp in 1993, exhorted the students to aim higher and shoot for the coveted prize. He held a motivational session on the Amity campus with the students of classes 10, 11 and 12 and encouraged them to dream big and go for glory. A biochemist and a molecular biologist, he was awarded the Nobel for the discovery of introns in eukaryotic DNA and the mechanism of gene-splicing. About 400 students, who attended the morning session, were advised to be driven in life and passionately pursue the goals that they set for themselves. Right from childhood, I was encouraged by my father to pursue Mathematics and Chemistry. I was so fascinated by these disciplines that I eventually decided to take up Chemistry for my higher studies. I believe teenagers should involve themselves in solving puzzles and crosswords as it would help improve their vocabulary and sharpen their minds. While choosing ones career path, he/she should keep in mind that its not just about money. One needs to be passionate about ones career and must ensure that he derives some satisfaction out of it, Roberts, a British national, said. In an afternoon session, the Nobel laureate interacted with undergraduate students from the Science stream. He shed light on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and said theyre safe and can even make food more nutritious. There is a misconception that food items made with the help of GMO technology is unsafe. This is nothing but a myth. The global scientific community has reached a consensus that GMO is safe. For a country like India, Bt Cotton (genetically modified cotton) is better than the traditional variety as it ensures more output, requires less land and is more profitable for the farmers as well, he said. Speaking on the launch of Sir Richard John Roberts Centre for Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), a faculty member of the varsity said it will be a morale booster for researchers. Researchers and scientists at our university are already researching on the salinity of our soil. Now with the launch of this centre, they will also be motivated to take up similar studies on GMO technology as well, Atul Chauhan, chancellor, Amity University, Noida, said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The UP Special Task Force (STF) on Tuesday night arrested a double murder accused who fled while being held in police custody at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi in 2011. A history-sheeter from the Kavi Nagar police station area of Ghaziabad, Ashok Pehlawan had 28 cases of heinous crimes against his name, including that of a double murder Sadarpur in Ghaziabad. The case in question dates back to 2008 when Pehlawan and his henchmen opened fire on property dealer Satish Yadav and his security guard, Dharmendra Yadav as they were driving home from a wedding party. The property dealer was at the wheel of his Toyota Innova as the assailants let fly. While Satish and Dharmendra died on the spot, his other security escort escaped with injuries. He had lived in Karnataka, Kerala and Gurgaon. He fled police custody in 2011 while being admitted at AIIMS for a kidney ailment. He was also convicted and handed a life term in a murder and abduction case. He married a Nepalese woman after his first wife was murdered, Rajiv Mishra, additional superintendent of police, STF (West), said. Ruby Yadav, Ashoks first wife and a former zila panchayat member from Dhaulana, was gunned down in broad daylight at Vijay Nagar in Ghaziabad in March 2011. Police said he was returning from Mussoorie in Uttarakhand when he was nabbed at the toll plaza in Meerut. He was brought to Kavi Nagar police station. Ashok had surrendered in court in the double murder case and lodged in Dasna jail. In June 2011, he was taken to AIIMS after complaining of illness. Four policemen had been deputed to watch him at the hospital. However, he managed to give them the slip and fled in June 2011. He had since been on the run. The Ghaziabad police had also put a reward of R5,000 on his head. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former Rajya Sabha MP from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Narendra Kashyap, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its Delhi headquarters on Wednesday. Expelled by the BSP last year, Kashyap hails from Ghaziabad and enjoys enviable following in western Uttar Pradesh. His induction into the saffron fold is tipped to boost the BJPs prospects in the upcoming polls. He was ushered into the saffron camp at a function in the Capital on Wednesday and led an exodus of a sizeable chunk of supporters and loyalists from nearly all the districts of western UP, which will poll in the first phase on February 11. His saffron switch has set off buzz that he may be angling for a ticket for the ensuing polls. The BJP has not put out its list of candidates so far. I didnt set any terms and conditions for joining the BJP. Getting a ticket is not my priority. I was inspired by Modijis style of functioning. Its up to the party to decide if Im good enough to win a ticket. I wish to be a sincere and loyal BJP member, Kashyap, also an advocate, said. His term at the Upper House expired in July. He was named in the FIR in a dowry death case after his daughter-in-law Himanshi was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his Sanjay Nagar residence on April 6, 2016. He was even lodged at Dasna jail in Ghaziabad along with his wife and son. His daughter-in-law was found with a bullet in her head. Her father, Hiralal Kashyap, also a BSP leader from Badaun, filed an FIR against the MPs family. Both families were locked in a bitter court battle and Hiralal opposed the MPs bail plea at both the lower and high courts. Taking note of the raging feud between the two leaders, the BSP leadership expelled both saying their court battle had brought a bad name to the party. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the former MP got bail from the Allahabad high court in July and was even seen with Hiralal at a prayer service for his daughter-in-law at their Sanjay Nagar address in September. Sources said Kashyaps move to the BJP could lead to hectic lobbying for tickets for five assembly segments in Ghaziabad. Several local BJP leaders have already begun jockeying for tickets in the district. Residents of Supertechs Czar Suites welcomed the Allahabad high courts order to stay the sale of flats and giving possession to buyers in the project. The Greater Noida authority had allotted 20 acres to Supertech in 2006 in Sector Omicron-1. The realty firm has built group housing towers on this project under the title of Czar. Around 450 families are living in the society. A group of residents filed a plea in the Allahabad high court demanding justice after the Greater Noida authority did not act on their complaints against the realty firm, Supertech Group. Residents alleged that the developer has built 1,904 housing units against the permitted 844 units in the project. I had bought a 2BHK flat for 28 lakh in 2010 and shifted there in April 2016 as the realtor told me that occupancy certificate (OC) has been obtained from the authority, which is mandatory to offer possession. Only after shifting did I come to know that Supertech Group has cheated me and others, as the authority is yet to issue OC for the project, Karunesh Joshi, a resident, said. Following a complaint, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Greater Noida authority on April 11, 2016, had ordered the sealing of illegal flats. The Supertech Group continued to sell flats illegally to new buyers. It is regrettable that the authority did not stop the builder from carrying out construction despite our complaints. The builder has not even delivered on the promised facilities, Arun Garg, vice-president of Czar Society apartment owners association, said. Residents have stopped the builder from carrying out construction since December 28, when an increase in maintenance charge was proposed. We demand action against officials of the planning department who allowed possession without the project getting OC, Arvind Singh, a buyer, said. Deepak Agarwal, CEO, Greater Noida authority said they will adhere to the court order. Once we get a written copy of the HC order, we will ensure compliance of the same, Agarwal said. Realty firm Supertech Group, however, maintained that there is no irregularity in the construction of the Czar Suites project. We have constructed the project as per the laid down building norms. We have told the same to the high court, which has only put a stay on fresh sales and allotment. We had submitted an application to the Greater Noida authority for obtaining occupancy certificate, but it delayed issuance of the certificate. The allegations made by the buyers are untrue. The court will grant us justice on the issue, RK Arora, chairman and managing director of Supertech Group, said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON First it was the prime ministers call for simultaneous elections in view of the repeated overwhelming costs (besides dislocation of normal life.) Then came the surprise announcement of demonetisation with the stated objective of rooting out the monster of black money from the economy. This would have surely hit parties which were getting ready to move sackfuls of black money to be distributed among the voters. Then came his direction to all his party legislators to disclose all their bank transactions from November 8. I thought it was a first positive step towards financial transparency of politicians. He repeated this call to the party workers on January 7. Beginning with his own party, this sends out a good signal. The most explicit development is the PMs expression of concern about the need for electoral reforms which he made in his address to the party MPs on the eve of the winter session of Parliament. The focus on a cashless economy, even if it is an afterthought, also has a bearing on political parties. When even a rickshaw puller or vegetable seller is told to stop cash transactions, the exemption of donations to political parties below 20,000 by cash must be dispensed with straightaway. This will take care of non-transparency of 80% of political funding which all political parties have shown as cash donations. Read: For cleaner polling, its time to push through big bang electoral reforms The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been deeply concerned about the use of black money in elections. While its recommendations for reforms have been falling on deaf ears, it itself took some proactive measures including setting up of a full-fledged expenditure monitoring division headed by an Income Tax commissioner in 2010. It led to some landmark achievements, including seizures of hundreds of crore rupees, unseating and disqualification of a sitting MLA in UP for improper declaration of election expenses and paid news in 2011, and countermanding of two elections to the Rajya Sabha in Jharkhand in 2012 to stop horse-trading that had become rampant in many Rajya Sabha elections. Recently, the EC took an unprecedented step to cancel elections to two Tamil Nadu assembly seats namely Aravakurichi and Thanjavur. Read: Cleaning up poll funding should not remain a slogan It seems the time is ripe for the long-standing concern. He should immediately review all the proposals of the EC for electoral reforms. What are the reforms that we are demanding? I recapitulate below just the political finance reforms: * Prescribe a ceiling for political parties expenditure like that for the candidates. *Consider state funding of political parties (not elections) with independent audit, and a complete ban on private donations. * Set up an independent national election fund where all tax-free donations could be made. * Enforce internal democracy and transparency in the working of the political parties and bring them under RTI. * Accept the ECs proposal to legally empower it to cancel elections where credible evidence of abuse of money is found. *Debar persons against whom cases of heinous offences are pending in courts from contesting elections. * Empower the EC to deregister those political parties that havent contested any election for 10 years and yet benefited from tax exemptions. * Make paid news an electoral office with two years imprisonment by declaring it a corrupt practice (Sec 100 RP Act) and undue influence (Sec 123(2). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a person of strong will. He must take his initiatives to their logical conclusion. SY Quraishi is a former chief election commissioner and author of An Undocumented Wonder - The Making of the Great Indian Election The views expressed are personal Fourteen months into power, Nitish Kumar-led Grand Alliance government in Bihar has so far succeeded in making one subdivision, eight blocks and 152 panchayats of the state open defecation-free. The government has resolved to make the state open defecation-free by 2019 through its resolve Shauchalay Nirman, Ghar ka Sammaan (toilet to every household) in towns and villages of the state. This is one of the seven resolves of the Grand Alliance government in the state. Presiding over the third meeting of the Bihar Vikas Mission, formed in January 2016, chief minister Nitish Kumar reviewed the implementation of the state governments seven resolves and other works on Tuesday. The state government had set a target of making the remaining 68,343 panchayats open defecation-free in the next four years. In the next three years, 7.93 lakh households of 140 municipal councils would be equipped with toilets. The CM directed the officials to speed up implementation of the project. Kumar also reviewed the implementation of the student credit card scheme, which promises `4 lakh interest-free loans to students for pursuing higher education. Kumar also reviewed the self-help assistance scheme of the government. The CM had announced to provide an allowance of `1,000 per month to youths in the age group of 20-25 for two years to help them search jobs. The officials informed the CM that so far 370 applications had been received for launching start-ups in the state. The government had formed a `500-crore venture capital fund to help young entrepreneurs start their own ventures. The meeting also reviewed the progress of the scheme for providing free wi-fi facility in all state universities and colleges from February 2017. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The state capital's quest for the smart city tag has now gone national with the Patna municipal corporation (PMC) uploading its blog on the project, on the Centre's website, www.mygov.in, to invite suggestions from across India and abroad. Patna is among the 11 cities, also including Jammu, Shimla, Bangalore, Itanagar, Srinagar and Amaravati, which were given wildcard entry to the contest for smart city mission. The union urban development ministry will accept final proposals of from cities till March end. Patna smart city mission committee chairman and divisional commissioner Anand Kishor said the concept plan, area-based development plan and pan-city solution proposals, would be uploaded on the website in due course to solicit public opinions on the proposal. "The upload has helped discussions to go national. Other details of proposal are being prepared by the department for international development (DFID), which is extending technical support in execution of various urban reforms," said Kishore. He said he did not fear any significant adverse impact on the mission from the governments recent decision to drop its consultant for the project, Arki Techno, in the midst of preparations for the contest. A senior officer of urban development department (UDD) said IPE Global, another consultant engaged in the support programme for urban reforms (Spur), had been finalising different parts of the proposal on the basis of database put together by the previous consultant. "All proposals will be ready by next month (ahead of the urban development ministrys March-end,"he added. Shimla and Itanagar have already uploaded their vision documents, concept plan and other area-specific plans on the website. Apart from the concept plan to augment infrastructure development, the cities also need to qualify on 13 parameters set by the Union ministry, which include the existing service-levels, past track record and reforms, implementation of national urban renewal mission scheme and self-financing capacity of the cities. As Patna waits for its turn, Bhagalpur has already been selected in phase two of the announcement for launch of the smart city mission. Besides, Muzaffarpur and Biharsharif-are on the list of 100 smart city probables awaiting formal announcement for their inclusion in list. Aware of the tough challenge ahead, the PMC is putting its records in order to firm up its claim. "Last time, we missed our chance by a whisker due to low rating of PMC facilities and services. Since then, we have substantially improved the mechanism to strengthen Patna's claim," said PMC additional commissioner and nodal officer of smart city project, Shirsat Kapil Ashok. The mission guidelines envisage an annual allocation of Rs 200 crore to each smart city for up to five years on a 50-50 sharing by the Centre and state government. "This means, each city will get Rs 1,000 crore over the next five years to overhaul urban amenities," said a former principal secretary of the UDD. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A perusal of records of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of government-owned Purnia sadar hospital may lead one into believing that only politicians face health emergencies in this northeastern district of Bihar. The records suggest that out of 36 lakh patients treated in the Purnia sadar hospital between 2010 and 2016, only 20 patients were admitted to the ICU. The majority of them were politicians. Most of the patients admitted to the ICU of Purnia sadar hospital since 2010 are political leaders, hospital sources said, while refusing to divulge the names of VIP patients. A hospital official, not willing to be identified, however, said: Politicians who have so far undergone treatment at the ICU included former Bihar minister Leshi Singh, Madhepura MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav and local strongman Awadhesh Mandal. Mandal is the husband of former minister and Rupauli MLA Bima Bharti Interestingly, these VIP patients have been admitted to the ICU more than once. You need a political clout to get admitted to the ICU here. Jailbirds with political links, who dislike prison restrictions, manage to get favourable recommendations for admission to a hospital where they can also meet people, said a doctor. He said a recommendation from the prison doctor is enough for them to be admitted even though they may not have any serious ailment. When reached for comments, Purnia civil surgeon MM Wasim said the hospital had only 32 doctors against the sanctioned strength of 62. As such, the hospital is unable to admit serious patients on a large scale in the ICU." The ICU was established in the in the burn ward of the hospital in 2006 and was shifted to its own building in 2010. It was approved years before Chandigarh became the capital of Punjab. Now, 50 years after land was allotted for the iconic Bradlaugh Hall in Sector 15, the grand idea is all set to be consigned to history. After many attempts to revive and resume the site over these decades, the UT administration has finally taken over possession of the land. It is now contemplating what it should set up in place of the historic building, which was originally established in Lahore in the late 19th century. We have resumed the site and have handed over possession to the chief engineer, said an official at the Estate Office, adding that the UT finance secretary had, some months ago, sought the status of the site and it has been conveyed to him as well. What comes up at the site is a matter for senior officers to decide, he said. Exactly 50 years ago in 1967, the UT estate officer issued the letter of allotment to the Bradlaugh Hall Trust which had its office at the Mathura Road in New Delhi. However, the project simply appeared jinxed despite the administration generously giving extensions to the trust to complete the project. Several chief ministers and governors were also associated with the project. The two-acre site was sold for Rs 12,000 at a concessional rate of Rs 6,000 per acre. The Punjab Cabinet Sub- Committee on the Capital, in its meeting held on July 1, 1954 had approved the allotment of land to the trust. One of the conditions of allotment of land mandated that the construction on the site must start within three months and must be completed within a year of allotment. Extension after extension The possession of land was given to the trust in 1968, but the trust did not start construction for years. For several years the authorities sat on the project. In April 1977, it sent resumption notice and then followed up with six more notices in nine months. The land was resumed. Then on the trusts request, the then EO wrote to trusts secretary Jagat Narain (Congress leader and founder of a Jalandhar-based newspaper group) allowing extension. The then chief administrator, Sewa Singh, restored the site to the trust and allowed extension in 1980. Nothing happened for next two years and the administration again started resumption proceedings. In the early 1990s, the trustees sought permission to start construction. They said the delay was because of killing of Jagat Narains son and trust secretary Ramesh Chander by terrorists. All necessary papers were with him and couldnt be traced earlier, they wrote. Former Punjab chief minister Darbara Singh, another trustee, couldnt devote time to the project being the CM, they added. The administration vacated its resumption order and also allowed extension to the trust in 1992. Several extensions were granted, the last being in 1999 on payment of extension fee of Rs 14 lakh. Still the construction didnt begin. In 2003, the estate officer resumed the site. This again triggered appeals and then a court case. All these, however, failed to find any favour and were dismissed. Bradlaugh hall in Lahore Built on the Rattigan Road Lahore, the Bradlaugh Hall played host to almost all the notable leadership of India, particularly for political figures in undivided Punjab. A hallmark of the anti-colonial freedom movement in the subcontinent, the building is reportedly crumbling now. The hall has been a famous place for political sessions, receptions to visiting leaders, and literary sittings or mushairas. It was constructed in memory of Charles Bradlaugh, a British MP and a supporter of the Indian freedom movement. Supposed to be a four-storey building In 1998, a detailed plan was finalised for the Bradlaugh Hall building, modeled on the New Delhis India International Centre. The plan was to have a composite block of two buildings a four storey and a single-storey building, with a library, lounge and an office on the ground floor. An auditorium, common room, restaurant, bar, multipurpose hall and cyber media centre were also planned at a cost of Rs 10 crore. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON First, the Congress, then the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and then the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), but only until Wednesday, when Darbari Lal, AAPs candidate from Amritsar Central, completed the circle and rejoined the Congress. The AAP, which had given the ticket to the turncoat on January 6 after replacing its leader Rajinder Kumar, has now claimed that Darbari was ousted over corruption charges. Also, it has now named its third candidate from the segment, former Congress councillor Ajay Gupta. At first, after pictures of Darbari rejoining the Congress in New Delhi emerged, AAP state convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich Ghuggi had first said that 80-year-old Darbaris ill-health was the reason for cancellation of his AAP ticket. A former three-time Congress MLA from Amritsar Central who also remained deputy speaker of the state assembly, Darbari was reportedly in hospital ever since he was given the AAP ticket. But, later in the day at a press conference, AAP spokesperson Himmat Singh Shergill cited allegations of corruption against Darbari in a prime land case as the reason. Shergill said Darbari was asked to respond to these allegations, but instead of giving answers, he joined the Congress. The AAP has named its first candidate only on January 5, while Darbari had been named as replacement a day later. Darbaris flip-flops began after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when he joined the BJP. But he remained in contact with Congressmen. His AAP stint was cut short when he rejoined the Congress in the presence of state unit chief Capt Amarinder Singh, MLA Raj Kumar Verka and senior leader Harish Chaudhary. But he may not fight the election now. The Congress has already announced OP Soni as its candidate from Amritsar Central. The party felt that Darbari may damage Congress prospects by dividing the anti-incumbency vote against SAD-BJP. Darbari told HT: I had got the ticket from the AAP but my old Congress friends and others advised me to go back to my party. I have been with the Congress for many decades, so I am happy now. Slamming Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for seeing the Congress party symbol hand in the hand of Guru Nanak, Punjabs ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday described the analogy as shocking in the extreme. Former Union minister and senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa lamented that Rahul chose to compare the killer hand of the Congress party and the holiest image of Guru Nanak Devs hand of benevolence in his speech at a Congress convention at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. Rahul had said, The Congress symbol is in Lord Shivas picture. The gods in every religion are showing the Congress symbol... When I see the image of Guru Nanak Dev ji, I see the Congress symbol, hand, in his hand. Calling upon Congress leaders, including state unit chief Capt Amarinder Singh to express their strongest disapproval of Rahul Gandhis sacrilegious statement, Dhindsa said: This is the most horrendous comparison which no one in his senses would ever dare to draw. After completing her postgraduation in biotechnology from Panjab University, she wished to pursue PhD or law, but fate had something else in store for her. With no political background, Daman Thind Bajwa, 28, now finds herself in the thick of hustings being the Congress candidate from Sunam. It was her indulgence in students politics being a leader of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, which catapulted her to the bigger poll arena where she is today. In 2013, she was elected as first woman president of NSUI in Punjab and then became vice president of the Youth Congress in 2015, the post she still holds. As NSUI president, she ran a statewide campaign Sada Haq in support of free education up to graduation level for the wards of the BPL families. She moderated Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singhs interactions with the college and university students a year ago. He (Amarinder Singh) was impressed and used to tell me that he had a bigger role for me in mind, says Daman, who was left with no choice but to take the plunge after her name figured in the Congress list of candidates. Now, shes toiling hard in the dusty lanes of Sunam, predominantly a rural constituency along the Patiala-Bathinda road, to set the tide in her favour. Coming from a family of army officers from Jalandhar, Daman married Harman Dev Bajwa, the son of a retired army Major, of Sunam in 2013. Ours was a love marriage. My husband supported me in grabbing the opportunity. Now, everybody from my parental as well as in-laws side are campaigning for me, she says. Her father, a retired army Colonel, too, has shifted base from Jalandhar to Sunam for the campaigning. Joining the electoral politics was never on my mind. I and my husband belong to ordinary families, but life is full of surprises, says Daman. An avid dog lover, Daman nowadays doesnt find time to tend to her pets and stray canines. I am campaigning the entire day and in the night, we have to plan for the next day. After a sleep of a few hours, the day begins again, she says. Her love for dogs is evident from the kurta she wore that carried prints of canines. I told you naI love dogs, she says when pointed out that the prints were unique. After getting a signal from Capt Amarinder Singh six month ago to get ready for a bigger role, Daman shifted her base to Sunam and organised a series of street plays to tell the voters how the Amarinder Singh government was better than the current dispensation. In the contest, she faces Aman Arora of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and sitting MLA Gobind Singh Longowal of Akali Dal. There is also a party rebel in Rajinder Singh Deepa, the brother-in-law of Aman Arora. Deepa is difficult to please. He would have opposed irrespective of who the candidate was. We can manage what is he capable of doing. He still thinks the party will change the candidate, which will never happen, she says. Main Sunam di nuh haan, main hunn ethon jana nee; appan Sunam di tarraki layi kamm karna hai (I am Sunams daughter-in-law, I wont go from here; we have to work for Sunams progess) Sunams electoral history shows that most of the legislators were outsiders, who fought, won and forgot the people. I am your nuh (daughter-in-law) and going to stay here. The constituency has seen little development, even finance minister (Parminder Singh Dhindsa), who now has ran away from here, failed to do anything for Sunam, she says addressing a small gathering of traders at Purani Anaj Mandi. She doesnt miss a chance to touch the feet of elderly who come across, pleading with folded hands: Mainu tuhadi vote te support di bahut lorr hai. She is politically immature, let us see how she performs on becoming an MLA, says Mandeep Singh, a Sunam resident. Apart from the birthplace of freedom-fighter Shaheed Udham Singh, Sunam has no other distinction to feel proud of . I want to make it the best town of the state, she tells the gathering during campaigning. On her priorities for the segment if she is elected as the MLA, Daman says she wants to have special public transportation facility for girl students and a new bridge connecting Sunam with Longowal as the existing one is in a dilapidated condition. --- Fresh faces Daman Thind Bajwa, 28, Congress Poll quotient: She is trying to play the nuh (daughter-in-law) card; trying to strike a rapport with the women Education: Postgraduate in biotechnology By the way: An avid dog lover, she, at times, even wears kurtas having prints of canines Role model: Capt Amarinder Singh Quote: Main Sunam di nuh haan, main hunn ethon jana nee; appan Sunam di tarraki layi kamm karna hai (I am Sunams daughter-in-law, I wont go from here; we have to work for Sunams progess) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Liquor baron Shiv Lal Doda, accused in the murder of a Dalit man, will contest the assembly election from Abohar segment again as an independent candidate from inside the jail. Doda, who finished second to Congress leader Sunil Jakhar in 2012, was permitted by a Fazilka district court to be taken out of the jail by police on Friday to file his nomination for the February 4 polls. His poll plans gained limelight last week after a raid by officials unveiled his illegal meeting with a group of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) workers and others inside the Fazilka sub-jail. Doda, better known locally as Sholly, and his co-accused nephew, Amit Doda who will also leave the jail with him to file papers as a covering candidate were then shifted to the Amritsar jail where they are currently lodged. Dodas entering the poll arena would make it a four-cornered fight in Abohar, with the Congress, BJP and the AAP in fray already. It was on Wednesday that he had sought a days parole for January 13 to file his papers, but the state government had opposed it. On Wednesday, additional district and sessions judge Laxman Singh gave him the permission. In 2012, Doda, who owed allegiance to the SAD and was also considered close to leaders of SAD ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had secured more than 45,000 votes but lost to Jakhar by 9,788, while BJP nominee Vijay Laxmi Bhadoo was third and lost her deposit. He is in jail as an alleged conspirator for the murder of Bhim Sain Tank in December 2015. His bail plea is scheduled for next hearing in the Supreme Court in February 6. A day after asking the voters to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as if Arvind Kejriwal is the chief ministerial candidate, Delhi deputy chief minister and senior AAP leader, Manish Sisodia, has gone silent on the issue. Sisodia, who was here on Wednesday seeking votes in favour of state wing of AAP convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich, was asked a few times about the issue but he chose to remain silent. However, many of the other AAP leaders, who were accompanying him during this meeting, with industrialists at a local resort alleged that media distorted Sisodia's statement. Earlier, addressing a huge gathering of industrialists, Sisodia said, The post of finance minister will be given to a trader or a businessman if AAP was voted to power in the state. Only a trader can understand the problems being faced by the industry and thus he can help to build the policies, which booms the industry. In late 70s and 80s, the small scale industry of Batala was renowned in the entire world for its quality of machinery. But see what has happened to this steel town now. 80% of the industry has vanished. Out of the 2,000 steel foundry just a few dozen were functioning that too his 50% of their actual production. Businessman was surrendering their VAT numbers and power connections. He added: But after forming the government, the first step by the AAP government will be to identify and fix the problem before it gets too late. Special emphasis will be given on setting up cottage industries in villages, he said. We have abolished the Inspector Raj in Delhi due to which businesses have started growing after registering a negative growth rate during the previous Congress government. In Punjab too, we will do the same. We have also charted out a plan, wherein special incentives will be given to industry in the border belt, said Sisodia. He added that new units automatically translated into more employment opportunities. If there is industry there will be jobs. If there are jobs youth will not take to drugs as they will remain busy in earning livelihoods for themselves and their families. This is the reason why we see setting up of more units as an antidote to drug use, he said. A protester hurled a shoe at Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, 89, injuring him in the eye during an election campaign at Ratta Khera village in his assembly constituency, Lambi, in Muktsar district on Wednesday. Eyewitnesses said Badals spectacles broke with the impact of the hit and there was minor bleeding. The chief minister was immediately escorted out of the venue. This is the second attack on the Badals in four days. On Sunday, protesters had hurled stones at deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badals cavalcade in Jalalabad in which four persons were hurt. The SSP said the Badal was just getting up after completing his address when the shoe was hurled. It first hit a security personnel and then got deflected towards the CM. In August 2014, a youth had hurled shoe at Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal during a public function at Issru near Khanna in Ludhiana. The shoe had missed him. (HT File Photo) Unfazed by the incident, Badal continued his canvassing and addresses gatherings at Chhappeanwali and Kolianwali villages in Malout. Also watch | Video: Stones hurled at Sukhbirs convoy in Jalalabad In a statement later, Badal said the incident proved beyond doubt that Akali Dals political rivals had lost the game and wanted to scuttle a peaceful, free and fair polls. Badals statement also said that as father figure in the state, he would continue to walk the path of patience, peace and communal harmony. Behind such incidents are people who want to set Punjab in flames again, Badal said. These desperate elements, he said, have the backing of our political rivals who are increasingly turning desperate. An hour after the incident, a video clipping went viral on social media that showed Gurbachans cousin Kulwant Singh saying the act was a mark of protest against sacrilege incidents in the state last year. Gurbachan was also present at Bargari during the protests against the sacrilege incidents last year, Kulwant said. AAP candidate from Lambi Jarnail Singh, who had hurled at Congress leader P Chidambaram in 2009, on Wednesday referred to the Rattan Khera village incident during his rally at Manna village. You go and see for yourself what has happened at Rattan Khera? Jarnail said. Its the goonda raj, sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and drug addiction, which has made people of Punjab so angry. But I appeal to them to channelise their anger through votes, Jarnail later told HT. Sources said the shoe-thrower was present at a rally addresses by Jarnail Singh in Ratta Khera village on Tuesday. At the rally, Jarnail, a former scribe, had explained why he had hurled a shoe at Chadambaram. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Even as the former BJP member parliament Navjot Singh Sidhu is yet to join the Congress, the local party leaders have started meeting him at his New Delhi residence. Sidhu, who is likely to join the Congress anytime has been the talk of politics and the Congress is having high hopes on him to push up the campaign. Though his wife and former BJP MLA Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu has already announced that her husband Navjot Sidhu will contest from the Amritsar East segment, all eyes are on Sidhus formal joining in the party. On Monday night, Congress MLA from Amritsar West Dr Raj Kumar Verka also met Sidhu at his Delhi residence and discussed the political scenario. Talking to HT, Verka said, I met Sidhu and discussed about the Congress situation and other issues of the Punjab politics. He will soon join the Congress but the date is yet to be announced. The Congress MLA admitted that coming of Sidhu into the Congress camp will give a lot of fillip to the party prospects in the coming assembly elections. Not only Delhi, various Congress leaders are also continuously visiting the residence of Sidhu in Amritsar. As Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu has already joined the Congress party, she is actively campaigning in the Amritsar East constituency. A local Congress leader said that Sidhu is a crowd-puller with his speeches and once he reaches Amritsar after joining the party, he will have a major impact on the urban seats fought by the Congress party. Meanwhile, though Sidhu wants to play an active role in the Punjab politics, there is a section of the Congress think tank that feels that in place of confining Sidhu into a constituency, he can be utilised as a star campaigner throughout the state and UP elections. Read| HT Analysis: The importance of being Navjot Singh Sidhu Megastar Chiranjeevis new film, Khaidi No 150, hits the screens this week, ahead of Makar Sankranti when big films are released. Needless to say, the expectations from the star are sky high. Chiranjeevis fans are waiting anxiously for its release because Khaidi No 150 marks a cinematic return of sorts for the much-loved actor, who was last seen onscreen in Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007). The buzz around the film is palpably high because it is also a remake of superhit Tamil film Kaththi (2014), which starred Vijay. Ahead of Khaidi No 150s release, here is a look at some of his biggest hits and lesser-known roles from films like Yamakinkarudu, Khaidi, 47 Rojulu, Subhaleka and Swayamkrushi that project the actors worth. Mana Voori Pandavulu (1978) Chiranjeevi in a still from Mana Voori Pandavulu, which was loosely based on Mahabharata. (YouTube Grab) Veteran filmmaker Bapu directed the 1978 Telugu drama Mana Voori Pandavulu, which happened to be Chiranjeevis second film. Playing one of the five leads alongside renowned stars such as Krishnam Raju and Murali Mohan, Chiranjeevi excelled in a very raw portrayal of a young man in a story inspired by the Mahabharata. Despite its revolutionary theme, the film was made in a manner that didnt echo its Leftist intentions. 47 Rojulu (1981) Based on a novel by celebrated writer Shivashankari, this 1981 Telugu drama by K Balachander marked Chiranjeevis Tamil debut as the film was simultaneously shot in the language as 47 Natkal. While the film may not have set the ticket-counter trilling, it was lauded for its auteurs courage to explore a sensitive topic such as bigamy in mainstream cinema, and Chiranjeevis convincing portrayal of a conniving and torture-inducing husband. Yamakinkarudu (1982) Chiranjeevis Yamakinkarudu was adapted from Mad Max (1979) starring Mel Gibson. (YouTube Grab) A big hit in the megastars career, Yamakinkarudu was adapted from Mel Gibsons Mad Max (1979). This cop-versus-gangster-cum-family-drama had Chiranjeevi and Sarath Babu playing best buddies who join the police force and manage to put dreaded criminal Jackal behind bars. Avowing revenge, Jackal kills Sarath Babus character. The rest of the film is about how Chiranjeevis character gets justice for his friend and put the criminal in his place. Subhaleka (1982) Subhaleka sees Chiranjeevi play a waiter who takes on social ills like dowry system. (YouTube Grab) This 1982 Telugu family drama marked Chiranjeevis first collaboration with veteran filmmaker K Viswanath. Inspired by playwright Gurazada Apparaos Kanyasulkam, Subhaleka was a brave take on the social malady of the dowry system. Chiranjeevis sincere portrayal of a waiter with tongue-in-cheek humour earned him his first Filmfare award for best actor. Khaidi (1983) Chiranjeevi in a still from his hit film Khaidi. (YouTube Grab) This was the first of his films to have Khaidi in its name. Loosely based on the 1982 work First Blood, the film set in rural India talks of class divide and how love triumphs over enmity. Chiranjeevi channels his rebel-with-a-golden-heart self with elan. Swayamkrushi (1987) Swayamkrushi had Chiranjeevi playing a cobbler. (YouTube Grab) In his second collaboration with K Viswanath in 1987 Telugu drama Swayamkrushi, Chiranjeevi in his Nandi Award-winning performance played a cobbler. His inspiring rags-to-riches tale turned the spotlight on issues like child abuse and the dignity of labour. It was the first film in the language to be screened at the Moscow International Film Festival. Yamudiki Mogudu (1988) This Telugu action fantasy film is a remake of Tamil hit Athisaya Piravi, starring Rajinikanth. The films plot revolves around a local goon, otherwise a good-hearted guy, who helps people in the neighbourhood. With films such as this, Chiranjeevi established himself as a multi-faceted star over the years. Rudraveena (1988) A story about a young man who strives for a better society and, in the process, locks horns with his father over contrasting ideologies. This three National Award-winning 1988 film by K Balachander also touched upon caste divide while focussing on the responsibility every individual has towards society. It was lauded as an important film on national integration, and was later remade in Tamil as Unnal Mudiyum Thambi with Kamal Haasan. Khaidi No. 786 (1988) Yet another remake of a Tamil hit, Khaidi No. 786 rode on the Khaidi tag yet again to bring further fame to the star. A typical family-cum-love story, the plot revolves around a music teacher who gets entangled in a marriage with a headstrong but much-in-love girl (played by Bhanupriya) and must, in some manner, bring some semblance of order into his now-turbulent life. Apadbandhavudu (1992) The film marked Chiranjeevis third collaboration with K Viswanath. His role as a cowherd in this 1992 Telugu drama earned him his second Filmfare award. Apadbandhavudu, which explored the caste and economic divide, dwelt on the relationship between a master and his servant. The film also marked writer-director Jandhyalas only screen appearance. (With HT inputs) Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop South Indian director Kamal, who plans to make a biopic on late writer Kamala Surayya, is worried over lead actor Vidya Balans delay in associating with the film. The director said though Balan initially seemed thrilled with the prospect of playing Surayya, a litterateur known for being bold both in writing and speech, she changed the shooting schedule on two occasions citing inconvenience. Kamal is yet to get a reply from her. There were reports that certain Hindu outfits warned Balan against taking up the role. A known iconoclast, the writer had embraced Islam in the fag end of her life ruffling many feathers. Surayya (1934-2009) was known as Kamala Das before her conversion. Vidya was reportedly warned against taking up the role of Kamala. The director, also the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, has lately been in the news for all the wrong reasons. During the recently concluded International Film Festival of Kerala, a few members of the audience refused to stand up while the National Anthem was being played. Later, angry RSS and BJP workers sang the Anthem in front of Kamals house, alleging that the anti-nationals enjoyed his support. BJP state general secretary AN Radhakrishnan even said Kamal could leave the country if he continued to dishonour the Anthem. A staunch critic of Prime Minister Modi, the director has rubbed saffron parties the wrong way on several occasions. However, Kamal said he doesnt know whether Balans volte face has anything to do with the ongoing tirade against him. I dont have any proof to buttress this. But if someone clubs these two, he/she cant be blamed either, he added. Vidya Balan strikes a stylish pose for the shutterbugs. The director said the idea to make Aami simultaneously in Malayalam and English was conceived two years ago, and the actor had agreed to play Surayyas role. He said he was planning to shoot a section of the movie in Kerala, and rest in Delhi and Mumbai. The biopic was expected to be released next year. Vidya told us five days before the start of the shooting on December 19 that she wasnt prepared. It created a lot of problems for us, Kamal said. The next communique from her office cited the ongoing strike in the Malayalam film industry as the reason for her absence. That was not a valid reason at all. The strike hasnt affected the shooting of any film in the state, said Kamal. The director said Balans name cropped up the moment the bilingual biopic was conceptualised. I am still confident about the movie. I am sure the bold actor wont swayed by pressure, if any, he said. The actor, who has acted in acclaimed movies like The Dirty Picture and Kahaani, has her roots in Palakkad, Kerala. However, a manager of the actor denied reports that she has walked out of Aami. The dates have been pushed slightly due to the film strike in Kerala, but otherwise everything is moving as planned. Vidya is very much a part of the film, and she doesnt have any political allegiances, the manager said over the phone from Mumbai. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Popular actor Vidya Balan has pulled out of a planned biopic on the controversial poetess Kamala Das with the film director saying her exit could be linked to his own troubles with the Hindu brigade. An iconoclast, Das, who died in 2009, had embraced Islam towards the end of her life and changed her name to Kamala Surayya. Reports in local media say a range of Hindu outfits, including the Shiv Sena, are opposed to Balan donning the role of the controversial figure. The director Kamaluddin Muhammed, better known as Kamal, told HT that Balan was initially thrilled to essay the role of Kamala, known for her bold writings and utterances. But she changed the shooting schedule of the movie titled Aami twice citing inconveniences. When contacted, a manager of the actor initially said the dates of the shooting had been only been slightly pushed owing to a film strike in Kerala. But Balans official spokesperson later clarified the actor has quit the film as she and the director had divergent approaches to the process. The films director feels his troubles with the Hindu brigade could have influenced her decision. (Prodip Guha) Insisting that Balan respected the director, she has opted out of the film in the most amicable and professional manner. Any other reason cited is untrue, the source added. Kamal, however, hinted that her decision could have something to do with run-ins with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). A national award-winning filmmaker with 48 movies to his credit, Kamal had courted controversy in December when RSS workers accused him of supporting some members of the audience who did not stand up while the national anthem was being played during the International Film Festival of Kerala. Vidya Balan was a natural choice as she hails from Kerala. (Proidp Guha) State BJP general secretary AN Radhakrishnan had even urged Kamal to leave the country if he continued to dishonour the anthem. The director said he had no idea whether Balans pulling out from his project had anything to do with his tiff with the RSS and the BJP. I dont have any proof to buttress this. But if someone clubs these two, they cant be blamed either, he said. He said Balan was a natural choice for the bilingual biopic. The Dirty Picture star has her roots in Kerala, her parents belong to Palakkad. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Selfie lovers may have different motives which often extend beyond self-obsession and showing off, according to a new study which counters the general belief that most selfie takers are narcissists. The study also identified three categories of selfie-takers: communicators, autobiographers and self-publicists. It is important to recognise that not everyone is a narcissist, said Steven Holiday, from Texas Tech University in the US. Communicators take selfies primarily to engage their friends, family or followers in a conversation, they are all about two-way communication, said researchers. Autobiographers use selfies as a tool to record key events in their lives and preserve significant memories. While people in this group still want others to see their photos, they are not necessarily seeking the feedback and engagement that communicators are. Self-publicists, actually the smallest of the three groups, are the people who love documenting their entire lives, said Harper Anderson from Texas Tech. And in documenting and sharing their lives, they are hoping to present themselves and their stories in a positive light, said Anderson. Identifying and categorising the three groups is valuable in part because it is a different kind of photography than we have ever experienced before, said Holiday. I can go on Facebook or Instagram and see that people have a desire to participate in a conversation. It is an opportunity for them to express themselves and get some kind of return on that expression, Holiday added. Understanding peoples motives can in turn be valuable, said researchers because years from now, our societys visual history is going to be largely comprised of selfies. To find out why people do it, that contributes a lot to the discussion on selfies and visual communication in general. The study appears in the journal Visual Communication Quarterly. Travellers are hungry for new experiences that take them off the beaten track and away from well-known destinations, finds an international survey by Booking.com. To satisfy adventurous appetites, the accommodation reservation platform has used traveller recommendation data to draw up a list of lesser-known destinations for culture vultures to discover this year. The study, which polled 34,000 travellers in 17 countries, found that 66% of respondents were looking for new travel experiences in 2017. The site recommends getting adventurous with trips to destinations that are less well-known on the global travel scene, overshadowed by famous hotspots like Paris, London and Rome. In fact, an alternative destination in Italy comes top of Bookings list. In a land with a strong musical tradition, Recanati, in the Province of Macerata, is a small town on the Adriatic coast with almost 22,000 residents which is a historical centre of accordion making. Also in Europe, the hotel reservation site suggests intrepid travellers with a taste for culture head to Viljandi in Estonia or Vezelay in France. Jaisalmer is known for its vibrant local culture and vast desert area. (Shutterstock) Destinations further off the beaten track include the Indian city of Jaisalmer, in second place. Located on the border with Pakistan, this fortified city is gaining interest among travellers and appeals to the curiosity of amateur historians thanks to its strategic location at a crossroads between India, Persia and the West. Another historical hotspot on the list is Borobudur, a Buddhist monument on the Indonesian island of Java. Built around 800 CE, this lesser-known site is sure to please culturally-minded travellers looking for an alternative to Bali. Barichara in Colombia also makes the list, at a time when the country is gaining ground as an upcoming destination for 2017 in all kinds of travel rankings. The ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls located in Ait Benhaddou, Morocco, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Istock) Booking.coms top culture destinations for travellers looking to head off the beaten track 1. Recanati, Italy 2. Jaisalmer, India 3. Viljandi, Estonia 4. Ait Benhaddou, Morocco 5. Borobudur, Indonesia 6. Uluru, Australia 7. Barichara, Colombia 8. Vezelay, France 9. Flores, Guatemala Follow @htlifeandstyle for more A report on the health of former Bigg Boss contestant Om ji Maharaj by an eight-member team of the doctors of All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) had said that the self-styled godman needs thorough psychiatric evaluation. The board formed in 2008 to conduct a thorough medal examination of Vinodanand Jha, popularly known as Om ji Maharaj, had said, The board is of the unanimous opinion that the complainant/alleged victim needs thorough psychiatric evaluation before any future proceedings. In 2008, Om jis was accused by his brother Pramod of breaking the lock of his bicycle shop along with three men and stealing 11 bicycles, spare parts, sale deed of the house and some other documents.Pramods advocate Saroj Kumar Jha said the hospital had formed the team after Om ji alleged that the police had prepared an unfair Medico-Legal Case (MLC). After the case was filed, Om ji Maharaj alleged that he was beaten by his brother and filed a cross FIR. Thereafter, police prepared Medico-Legal Case (MLC) report with which he was not satisfied, the advocate said. Om ji had registered his complained at various governmental bodies after which AIIMS conducted his health check up. The report, a copy of which is with HT, says that Om ji had complained of loss of hearing, blurred vision after being beaten by his brother. However, the board found that some of the alleged injury was inconsistent with the time period in question. Upon further inquiry, the complainant did not give any history of injury and it needs further investigation on part of concerned investigation officer, the report reads. Repeated phone calls and messages to Om ji Maharaj for clarification went unanswered. The former Bigg Boss contestant denied eye-check up four times despite saying earlier that he suffered from blurred vision. The report said that no apparent neurological cause was found to justify his complaints and his neurological complaints were disproportionate to the findings of the clinical examination and investigation. No opinion could be given for his eye problems as he refused ophthalmological examination. The report also said that no opinion could be given on his gastroenterology complaints as he did not report for barium swallow and refused endoscopic examination. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bigg Boss 10s biggest troublemaker Om Swamiji is hitting headlines for all the wrong reasons, even after he was kicked out of the house by host Salman Khan. Call it a desperate attempt to stay in news or misplaced bravado, the controversial swami is now claiming that he slapped Salman before he was kicked out of the show. He even alleged, in a series of interviews to publications, that Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan are ISI agents. Om claimed Bigg Boss is yet to show the footage where he slapped Salman, and added that the channels and Salmans silence over the issue only adds credence to the fact that he did slap the Dabangg star. Main usko wahi jhannatedaar thappad mara jo maine IBN7 pe September 2015 me maara tha, Om told The Quint. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Omji, who belongs to Hindu Mahasabha, said he will hold a rally against Salman on January 27. He has often said that Bharatiya Janata Party is his own party. I will break the Bigg Boss house and set it on fire, The self-proclaimed godman said that on December 30, 2016, Salman came inside the house to meet him. When Salman came inside, he gave me king of footage award. He is a chain smoker, so he started smoking in front of me. I said, You cant smoke here. This is against the rule, so go to the smoking area, he said. The former Bigg Boss contestant then claimed that Salman called him to the smoking room where there were no cameras. He was heavily drunk. He told me I have a bigger sena than your Hindu Mahasabha. I asked, How? He said that Hafiz Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim, Masood Azhar and Abu Salem are all his friends and also claimed I (Salman) am an ISI agent. I work for them. Om has often made several other claims without any basis. In an interview to Firstpost,he alleged that Salman revealed to him that ISI pays Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and himself. As per Oms claims, Salman also told him that he paid Rs 100 crore each to judges to get acquitted of the Jodhpur chinkara and Mumbai drink and drive cases. After that, he even threw a cigarette puff on my face, after which I lost my control and slapped him. I am totally against this traitor, he added. Follow @htshowbiz for more Afghan security officials began investigating Tuesdays attacks in the capital Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar as the death toll climbed to over 50, including five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of the Interior raised the death toll from the Kabul attack to 38, with 86 wounded, while 13 people were confirmed dead in Kandahar, where the diplomats were killed while on a visit to open an orphanage. The UAE ambassador and the provincial governor were also wounded in the attack, which killed several other officials including deputy governor Abdul Shamsi. President Ashraf Ghani spoke by telephone with Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, expressing condolences and stressing the need to redouble efforts to counter terrorism, a statement said. The violence highlights the precarious security situation in Afghanistan, which has seen a steady increase in attacks since international troops ended combat operations in 2014, with record numbers of civilian casualties. Many of the Kabul victims were workers in parliamentary offices who were returning home in the afternoon rush hour or members of emergency services as they were attending victims of an initial blast. The Taliban, seeking to reimpose Islamic law after their 2001 ouster, claimed responsibility for the attack, which they said targeted a minibus carrying personnel from the National Directorate for Security, Afghanistans intelligence agency. But they denied involvement in the Kandahar attack, set off by a bomb hidden under sofas in the governors residence while officials were having dinner. No other group has claimed responsibility. Ghanis national security adviser, Hanif Atmar, travelled to Kandahar on Wednesday to launch an investigation. However Kandahar police chief Abdul Razeq, a feared commander who was in the compound when the explosion occurred but who escaped injury, accused Pakistans intelligence services and the Haqqani network, a militant group linked to the Taliban. He said workers may have smuggled in the explosives during construction work and that a number of people had been held for questioning. The United Nations condemned the unprincipled, unlawful and deplorable attacks, which it said would make peace more difficult to achieve. Those responsible for these attacks must be held accountable, said Pernille Kardel, the UN secretary-generals deputy special representative for Afghanistan. Also on Tuesday, seven people were killed in a Taliban attack on a security unit in the southern province of Helmand as violence continued across the country. An older and grayer President Barack Obama returned home to Chicago on Tuesday night, not very far from where he launched his presidential campaign in 2007, to tell the US in his last speech while still in office, We did it. Yes, we did. Yes, we can, he said concluding his nearly hour-long speech, reprising a signature campaign line and building on it to capture for history his audacity as an African American to aspire for the top office, and win. And win twice. Some of you here tonight or watching at home, you were there with us in 2004 (the Senate race), in 2008, 2012, maybe you still cant believe we pulled this whole thing off, Obama said, Let me tell you, youre not the only ones. He turned towards his wife Michelle Obama in the audience then and teared up. You took on a role you didnt ask for and you made it your own, he said. As he spoke about her, he teared up some more, and so did Malia, their daughter. To the nation, he said: Have faith, and hold fast to it. Read | Your favourite Obama moment: This White House farewell video will move you to tears I do have one final ask of you as your President the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. Im asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours, he said. Quickly running through the achievements of his administration ending recession, re-booting the auto industry, resumption of ties with Cuba, marriage equality and affordable healthcare Obama segued to the present, and the future. Many challenges remain, which American has the potential to meet, but only if, he said, our democracy works, in a barely concealed reference to the ultra-partisanship of current day politics and a bitterly contested toxic presidential election. A shrinking world, growing inequality; demographic change and the specter of terrorism these forces havent just tested our security and our prosperity, but are testing our democracy, as well, said the president. And race specifically. Much remains to be done, he said. After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America. And such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. Read HT Column | Barack Obamas misses, and their consequences, will be with us for a long time Though he was quick to add much progress has been made compared to how race relations were 10, 20 or 30 years ago. If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and an undeserving minority, then workers of all shades are going to be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves. Obama also pushed back against the strain of isolationism being pushed by president-elect Donald Trump and skepticism about climate change, and sought to remind the nation that immigrants always strengthened the nation, not weakened it. He stressed the need for unity, understanding. For too many of us, its become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighbourhoods or on college campuses, or places of worship, or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions. The rise of naked partisanship, and increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste all this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable. As someone who faced uncompromising opposition, bordering on hostility, from Republicans for most of his presidency, Obama called for politicians to be willing to admit new information, and concede that your opponent might be making a fair point, and that science and reason matter then were going to keep talking past each other, and well make common ground and compromise impossible. Obama leaves office on January 20, the day Trump is inaugurated. Read | From POTUS to President of Playlists: Barack Obama gets a job offer BRICS nations contributed more than half of the global growth and their rising clout has made them indispensable to global financial stability, official media here said on Wednesday as China assumed Presidency of the five-member bloc that includes India. The ninth summit of the leaders of BRICS is scheduled to be held in Xiamen, a coastal city in East Chinas Fujian province, in September under Chinas Presidency. Highlighting Chinas perspective of the five member bloc, an article in the state-run China Daily on Tuesday said in the past decade, the BRICS, (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc has contributed more than half the global growth. With 42.6 per cent of the worlds total population and roughly one-third of the worlds land area, it has a combined GDP that accounts for about one-fifth of the worlds total, it said. At the same time, the group, with its rising international clout, has become an indispensable force behind global economic governance reforms and international financial stability, it said. However, the gloomy global economic picture and fall in commodity prices have brought a lingering slowdown to haunt the BRICS economies, overshadowing their effectiveness as drivers of the global economy, it said. Read| Naive for India to tilt towards US in China-US trade war: Chinese state daily But the five economies have showed resilience thanks to their multi-faceted mechanism of cooperation and huge potential. Despite the challenges, BRICS members have abundant natural and human resources, vast markets, huge growth potential and bright prospects in trade and investment, it said. Closer inter-BRICS cooperation and better coordination in multilateral platforms is the key to cope with the challenges and complexities of the global economic and political landscape, it said. Apart from carrying out structural reforms to make their growth more balanced and sustainable, the five economies also need to coordinate their development strategies through such vehicles as the New Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road), it said. In the international arena, BRICS countries are expected to provide more solutions to gnawing global issues including terrorism and climate change through closer coordination. As a bloc that represents the interests of the developing world, BRICS is also counted on to drive the wheels of South- South Cooperation, improve global governance and establish a fair, just and inclusive international order, it said. Cooperation in economic and political fields has over the years emerged as the two wheels of BRICS. The rise of the five emerging economies has brought profound changes to the world political and economic landscape. Under such circumstances, the group is bound to play a bigger role in international affairs as there is still much to be desired both in the international system and global governance, it said. Overall, there are enough reasons to believe BRICS will embrace an even brighter decade, which will also be a boon to the rest of the world, it said, adding that China will help anchor the international organisation in a better position to tackle global challenges and uncertainties. Britain on Wednesday set out the legal basis for drone strikes against terror suspects overseas, saying new technology meant some terror attacks were developing too quickly for traditional law enforcement to react. Attorney General Jeremy Wright, the governments top legal officer, said international law must adapt to changing times where social media was used to inspire and train militants within a short space of time. The governments policy has come under scrutiny since an unprecedented RAF drone attack killed two Britons fighting with the Islamic State group in Syria in August 2015. In a major speech, Wright will set out how decisions are taken when Britain can act in self-defence, including assessments of the immediacy, nature and probability of the suspected attack. The situation we face today does not always allow for the possibility of using criminal law enforcement measures to stop attacks, he will say, according to extracts of the speech obtained by AFP. We are a long way from being able to see troops massing on the horizon. Technology has made it easier for terrorists to carry out attacks. The law has to keep up with the changing times. The likelihood that there will be other opportunities to act that might cause less serious collateral injury, loss or damage is also a factor -- an acknowledgement of potential civilian deaths from drone strikes. Other issues to be considered include whether the anticipated attack is part of a concerted pattern of continuing armed activity, and its likely scale. The government must also consider the loss or damage likely to result from failing to act, Wright will tell the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Former prime minister David Cameron revealed the 2015 RAF drone strikes in a speech to parliament, saying it was Britains first such action in a country where it was not involved in military operations. He said that one of the targets, 21-year-old Reyaad Khan, had been planning barbaric attacks in Britain on high-profile public events that summer. British security services and counter-terrorism forces say they have foiled at least 10 attacks in Britain in the past two years. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus elevation of Chrystia Freeland as the new foreign minister in the first major overhaul of his Cabinet will be seen with optimism in India as she has played a role in trying to boost bilateral relations. Freeland, a former journalist, will replace Stephane Dion, who was dropped from the Cabinet that Trudeau formed in November 2015. Freeland, elected to the House of Commons from a Toronto constituency, was earlier minister of international trade. There will be plenty of optimism in India over this change at Global Affairs Canada. As international trade minister, Freeland travelled to meet and establish a rapport with Indias commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman when she visited Toronto in the autumn of 2016. Days later, Freeland travelled again from Ottawa for a meeting with finance minister Arun Jaitley, also in Toronto. There is appreciation of 48-year-old Freelands role in trying to accelerate negotiations for two pending trade and economic agreements between the two countries, as well as her attitude towards India. Shes very committed, very dynamic. Shes ready to remain engaged as much as possible, as broadly as possible, said a person who was involved in the bilateral meetings. While Freelands immediate priority will be to deal with the imminent Donald Trump presidency in the United States, she may soon be tasked with creating the framework for Trudeaus visit to India in 2017. Dion, meanwhile, had irked New Delhi with a tweet after the surgical strikes following the terror attack in Uri last year, in which he had equated India with Pakistan and asked the two South Asian neighbours to return to peaceful dialogue. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Five officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were among the dead in a bombing in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, the Emirates official WAM news agency said on Wednesday. The officials were on a mission to carry out humanitarian, educational and development projects, the news agency said. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered three days of mourning in honour of the martyrs who gave their lives in defence of humanitarian causes, it added. The blast, which struck the provincial governors office during a visit by the UAE delegation, was one of a string of bombings that hit three Afghan cities on Tuesday, killing some 50 people and wounding 100. The carnage underscores growing insecurity in Afghanistan, where US-backed forces are struggling to combat a resilient Taliban insurgency as well as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants. Kandahars governor and UAE envoy Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi were wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, provincial police chief Abdul Raziq told AFP. He said a dozen people were killed and an equal number wounded. No militant group has so far claimed responsibility. Taliban insurgents have escalated their campaign of violence in Afghanistan in recent days, even as winter takes hold. The assault on the UAE delegation was unusual. In the past the Emirates have had good relations with the Taliban. When the militant group held power in Kabul between 1996 and 2001, Abu Dhabi was one of just three governments that recognised it. Read: Taliban say didnt plant bomb in Kandahar wounding UAE diplomats President-elect Donald Trump conceded for the first time on Wednesday that Russia was behind the hacking of Democratic institutions during the presidential election, saying , I think it was Russia though a few minutes later he said perhaps it was another country. But you know what, it could have been others also, he said when asked why he had been so critical of US intelligence officials. Trump made these remarks at a news conference, his first after winning the elections, at Trump Tower in New York which was dominated by reports that US intelligence chiefs had told the president-elect about Russia possessing damaging information on him. The President-elect said he was untroubled by the US intelligence reports that were recently made public stating that Russia preferred him over Hillary Clinton and that President Vladimir Putin ordered the election meddling to benefit him. Read | US President-elect Donald Trump denounces reports of Russian ties to him If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what folks: That is called an asset, not a liability, he said. He added that a strong relationship could allow the two nations to work together on difficult international issues. When asked whether he had a message for Putin, Trump said: He shouldnt be doing it. He wont be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when I am leading it. Theres no reset button. Were either going to get along or were not, he added. But Trump didnt answer the query about whether he or anyone on his campaign staff had contact with Russia during the campaign. Read | Highlights: US President-elect Trump holds first press conference after win Meanwhile, he vigorously denied the swirl of allegations about his behaviour that was published online Tuesday, calling it fake news and praising Russian President Vladimir Putin for saying it was false. I respected the fact that he said that, Trump told reporters. Donald Trump trashed unverified claims about Russia possessing compromising personal and financial information about him as crap put together by sick people and seemed to accuse American intelligence of leaking it. No outlet reported details of the damaging information, saying they were unverified and unsubstantiated. The document itself was uploaded by a news publication that said it would let the American people make up their own minds. Read | Watch: You are fake news, Trump to CNN reporter in heated exchange during presser The US has designated an Indonesian radical network behind an attack in Jakarta as a terrorist group and announced sanctions on four militants in an effort to disrupt Islamic State group operations and recruitment in Australia and Southeast Asia. The announcements by the department of state and treasury department come after police in Australia and Indonesia foiled IS-inspired attacks planned for the holiday season in those countries. The state department on Tuesday said it had designated the IS-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah as a terrorist group, which in practice prohibits US citizens being involved with it and enables the freezing of any property in the US. JAD militants are believed to be responsible for a January, 2016 attack in the Indonesian capital which killed eight people including the attackers. Treasury announced sanctions against two Australians, both previously believed killed in the Middle East, and two Indonesians, one of whom is in prison in Indonesia. The statements did not say whether the four had any assets within US jurisdiction. However, the steps show continued US commitment to anti-terror efforts in Australia and Indonesia. The US and Australia were instrumental in upgrading Indonesias counter-terrorism capabilities following the 2002 bombings on the tourist island of Bali that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners. The sanctioned Australians are Neil Christopher Prakash, also known as Khaled Al-Cambodi, who was the senior Australian recruiter for IS, and Khaled Sharrouf, an IS fighter in Syria and Iraq since 2014 who carried out executions for IS. The Indonesians are Bahrum Syah, who sent funds to militants in Indonesia from Syria, and his mentor Aman Abdurrahman, who from prison has recruited militants to the IS cause, authorised attacks and was ISs main translator in Indonesia. US intelligence chiefs presented President-elect Donald Trump last week with documents containing unsubstantiated claims that Russians were in possession of compromising personal and financial information about him, multiple US media reports stated on Tuesday. They also informed him of exchanges between his surrogates and Russian intermediaries during the campaign. Both claims were made in a two-page note they gave him with a report on Russian meddling in the elections last Friday. These claims came on a day Trumps cabinet nominees began their confirmation hearings, with Jeff Sessions for attorney general going first, and a day before the President-elect is scheduled to hold a much-awaited news conference. Trump reacted angrily to the report, writing in all-caps on Twitter, his go-to social media platform: FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH-HUNT! His aides and sympathetic news outlets ran variations of the denial, hash-tagged #FakeNews. Read | Stupid people opposing better Russia ties: Trump hits back on Twitter Hillary Clintons campaign alums seemed angry too, but for a very different reason. Some of these allegations had been around for a while, but media outlets that knew of them chose to ignore it for one reason or the other. Today has brought a gush of reporting that outlets knew about and sat on prior to November 8, Brian Fallon, former Clinton campaign spokesman wrote on Twitter. I repeat: certain media outlets were told this prior to November 8, he added in another post. No one published them. Until Tuesday, that is. But no outlet reported details of the damaging information, saying they were unverified and unsubstantiated. The document itself was uploaded by a news publication that said it would let the American people make up their own minds. CNN, which broke the story Tuesday, said claims about Russia possessing compromising information on Trump were based on memos from a former British intelligence member whose past work was reportedly found credible by the US intelligence. The claims, being examined by the FBI, were apparently made by Russian sources who gave details of the compromising information, meetings between Trump surrogates and Russian intermediaries, and where they took place. Though it wasnt clear, the report seemed to suggest that the two-page synopsis culled from some 35 pages of memos from the former British spy were part of opposition research political dirt first commissioned by Trumps Republican rivals during the primaries, and then by Democrats after he won. Intelligence sources told CNN they decided to append the two-page note to the report on poll meddling to demonstrate that while Russians had damaging information on both parties, they only released those pertaining to Democrats. Read | US intel report ties Putin to hidden campaign in favour of Trump The American intelligence community has said that Russia, in its assessment, meddled in the elections on President Vladimir Putins instructions to undermine Hillary Clinton and help Trump win the presidency. Trump has been openly derisive of the intelligence assessment partly because he views it as an attempt to delegitimise his election he called it a political witch-hunt and only tangentially acknowledged it after the intelligence briefing. US lawmakers were briefed about Trump surrogates being in touch with Russian government intermediaries in classified briefings in late 2016, prompting Harry Reid leader of senate Democrats to ask the FBI to investigate them. Iraqi forces made new advances against Islamic State in east Mosul and fought the militants in areas near the Tigris river on Wednesday, seeking to build on recent gains, military officials said. The elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) pushed into the northeastern Sadeeq neighbourhood, officers on the ground said. A Reuters reporter in eastern Mosul said CTS forces were engaged in clashes in Sadeeq and were firing into neighbouring Hadba, where their units had been fighting the day before. Securing Hadba, Sadeeq and other nearby districts will allow the CTS to advance further towards the Tigris river that runs through the city, control of whose eastern bank will be crucial to launching attacks on western Mosul. Islamic State still holds all Mosul districts west of the river. Forces also clashed with the militants further south, a military statement said, seeking to build on gains along the river bank, which they reached last week for the first time in the nearly 3-month campaign. The U.S.-backed offensive to drive Islamic State out of Mosul, its last major Iraq stronghold, involves a 100,000-strong force of Iraqi troops, Kurdish fighters and Shiite militias. The ultra-hardline Sunni groups loss of the northern city would probably spell the end of the Iraqi side of its self-styled caliphate, which spans parts of Iraq and Syria. Japans government is planning legal steps that would allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate and his son to ascend the throne in two years, media reported on Wednesday, potentially setting the stage for the first abdication in two centuries. Japanese Emperor Akihito, 83, hinted in August that he wanted to abdicate, saying he worried that age might make it difficult for him to carry out his duties fully. Once considered divine, the emperor has no political power, but is defined in the constitution as a symbol of the state and the unity of the people. Under current law, abdication is not possible. However, reports in all of Japans mainstream newspapers including the Nikkei, said the government was considering steps that would allow Akihito to abdicate and for 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito to ascend the throne on Jan. 1, 2019. The abdication itself would take place on Dec. 31, 2018, or Jan. 1, some reports said. Akihito, who has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer, said in August that 2018 would mark his 30th year on the throne, which was taken as a tacit expression of when he would like to step down. He ascended the throne after the 1989 death of his father, Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought World War Two, and has worked to heal the wounds of the conflict in Asia during trips overseas. A panel of experts that began discussing the issue of his potential abdication late last year is expected to make recommendations later this year. The government could submit a special law to parliament on abdication as early as this spring, the reports said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Wednesday that he was unaware of any such development and declined to comment, citing the ongoing discussions. Opinion polls show a majority in favour of allowing abdication. But, media reports say there would be insufficient time to prepare by 2018. The reports said that pinning the change to Jan 1, 2019 would minimise inconvenience due to the Japanese custom of reign names that take effect as soon as an emperor ascends the throne and enumerate how long he has reigned. Akihitos reign name is Heisei and this year is Heisei 29. Shares in printing companies skyrocketed on Tuesday in anticipation of the printing needs required by a new reign name, with Nozaki Insatsu Shigyo Co Ltd surging 32.8 percent, but most had trimmed gains by noon on Wednesday. (Reporting by Elaine Lies and Daiki Iga,; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) A brazen attack on UAE diplomats in the Afghan city of Kandahar has triggered speculation of a possible link to the upcoming visit of UAE crown prince Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade. The attack on Tuesday night killed 11 people, including five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates, and injured the countrys envoy to Kabul, Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi. Afghan commentators were quick to note that the attack came days before Al Nahyan is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi to participate in the Republic Day celebrations. There is tremendous symbolism attached to the visit as a contingent from the UAE Armed Forces will march with Indian troops during the Republic Day parade. The UAE has strengthened security and defence cooperation with India in recent years. Since late 2015, some 10 Indian supporters of the Islamic State have been deported by the UAE. This enhanced cooperation is believed to have caused heartburn in Islamabad. The Taliban, which has a strong presence in Kandahar, a province that once served as the capital of the militant group, have told the Afghan media that they had no role in Tuesday nights attack. Commentators also noted that the UAE was one of only three countries to recognise the Taliban government in the 1990s. Read | Attack on Indian consulate in Afghanistans Herat thwarted, all four gunmen killed Kandahars police chief Gen Abdul Raziq on Wednesday accused the Pakistan-based Haqqani Network and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of plotting the deadly attack. Former National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief Amrullah Saleh said on Twitter that an investigation would show a Pakistani link to the attack. UAE diplmts on mission to launch orphanage in Kandahar were killed terror blast.A thorough investigation will prov Talbn & Pak in this attck Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) January 11, 2017 The possible involvement of the ISI in this attack cannot be ruled out. The ISI has often used attacks in Afghanistan as a sort of messaging towards India, said an Indian security official who did not want to be named. This would not be the first time that Pakistan-backed militants have targeted India or India-related interests in Afghanistan. In May 2014, militants attacked the Indian consulate in Herat three days before the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Though the attackers, believed to be from the Lashkar-e-Taiba, were killed, officials later said they had intended to take hostages at the consulate in a bid to embarrass Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who attended the inauguration in New Delhi. In January last year, terrorists tried to storm the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif at about the same time that Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives struck the Indian airbase at Pathankot. The attackers in Mazar-e-Sharif left messages scrawled in blood before they were killed, one of which read Revenge for Afzal Guru. Guru was convicted and executed for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack that too was blamed on JeM. Even by the standards of a country that saw hundreds killed in terror attacks last year, Tuesday was a particularly brutal day for Afghanistan. Besides the attack in Kandahar, suicide attackers struck near a NDS office in Lashkargah and outside the Parliament in Kabul, killing a total of 45 people. Read | Revenge for Afzal: Messages in blood link Mazar-e-Sharif to Pathankot SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON US President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday he is separating himself from his global business empire by transferring his assets into a trust and putting his two oldest sons in charge, an arrangement that watchdogs said was inadequate to prevent potential conflicts of interest in office. At a news conference, Trump said he would resign from all positions overseeing hotels, golf courses and hundreds of other businesses to help ensure that he will not consciously take actions as president that would benefit him personally. Here are the highlights from Trumps address: - Mexico has taken advantage of the US. The wall will come up and Mexico will pay for it . - Major border tax will be levied on companies that move their business outside of the US. - Obamacare is a complete and total disaster. We will submit a plan to repeal and replace Obamacare as soon as health secretary is approved. - I was offered $2 million to do a deal in Dubai. I turned it down: Trump on his no conflict of interest policy. - Im not releasing the tax returns because theyre under audit... The only people that care about my tax returns is the reporters... I won. I became president. - Trump says he has always been aware of spying in hotel rooms in countries including Russia. And he warns people he travels with specifically about small cameras. - If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability, because we have a horrible relationship with Russia. - Intelligence agencies info being leaked is a disgrace. I think it was Russia behind hacking. - I will be the greatest job producer God ever made. - I have great respect for the news and great respect for freedom of the press. 10.10pm: Donald Trump will resign from all positions in Trump organization entities, Ivanka will have no further involvement with management authority, says Sheri Dillon, Trumps tax attorney. 9.50pm: Mike Pence, the incoming vice president, says the media has attempted to delegtimize this election. He calls the publication of the Russia report was the result of media bias and an attempt to demean the president-elect. 9.45pm: Trump spokesperson Sean Spicer calls Buzzfeeds decision to publish the Russia report a sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks. Pakistan will soon be recognised as a minorities-friendly country, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday as he ordered renovation of Katas Raj complex, one the most sacred places of Hindus in the Muslim-majority country. Pakistan is pursuing policies to establish the countrys identity as a minority-friendly country and followers of all religions have equal rights in the country, Sharif said speaking at the Katas Raj Temples Complex in Chakwal. The day is not far when Pakistan will be recognised as a minorities-friendly country due to steps being undertaken to better the lives of minority groups, he was quoted as saying by the state-run APP news agency. The Prime Minister said he had advised government officials to spare no efforts in hosting pilgrims and the protection and expansion of minorities places of worship. He said he was the Prime Minister of everyone and not just Muslims and instructed Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman Siddiqul Farooq to restore the holy sites in the area to their original state by renovating them. He said he would ensure his full support for the construction of Baba Guru Nanak and Gandhara universities. Sharif referred to historic examples to elaborate that it was a part of the Islamic faith to treat the majority and minorities equally. He said Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Bahais were working hand-in-hand to defend the country and contribute their share to its peace and prosperity. Sharif visited the Katas Raj in Chakwal district near Islamabad to inaugurate the water filtration plant of Amrat Jal. The filtration plant set up at the temples holy Amrat Jal pond will provide clean drinking water to the Hindu pilgrims visiting the place. The renovation should be done to restore the building to its original shape. It should be done within the one and half year of remaining tenure of my government, he said. Three quarters of American police officers said their interactions with black people have become more tense following police killings of unarmed black men and waves of protests that followed, according to a survey published on Wednesday. The Pew Research Center survey found a widespread feeling among police that the general public misunderstood them and the public outcry over the deaths in recent years was motivated by anti-police bias rather than a will to hold police accountable. Police killings of several unarmed black men in 2014 led to nationwide protests and the rise of the grassroots movement known as Black Lives Matter. Supporters of the movement, including some Democrats, have said it shines a light on a previously overlooked problem of excessive use of force against blacks by police. Critics, including President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans, have criticized Black Lives Matter as unfairly maligning police doing a dangerous job. Within Americas police and sheriffs departments, the survey finds that the ramifications of these deadly encounters have been less visible than the public protests, but no less profound, the researchers wrote in a report accompanying the survey results. Seventy five percent of officers told Pew their interactions with black people had become more tense in the wake of high-profile police killings of blacks and the protests they generated. Two thirds of officers said the protests were motivated a great deal by a general bias towards police. Two thirds of officers saw the killings of unarmed black men as isolated incidents rather than a sign of a broader problem. This was in marked contrast to the sentiment of the general public, 60 percent of whom said in a separate Pew survey the killings pointed to a broader systemic problem. More than ninety percent of American police officers said they worried more about their safety because of the protests. About three quarters said they or their colleagues were less willing to stop and question people who seemed suspicious or to use force even when appropriate. Majorities of police officers and the general public supported the wider use of body cameras worn by officers to record interactions, at 66 percent and 93 percent respectively. Pew based its findings on online surveys with 7,917 officers from 54 police and sheriffs departments between May 19 and August 14 last year. There is no single margin of error for the results because of the complex, multi-stage way Pew arrived at its sample of police officers, Pew said. A team of officials led by Nepal Rastra Bank deputy governor Chintamani Siwakoti left for the Indian capital on Wednesday to sort out problems faced by Nepalese citizens possessing scrapped Indian currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denominations. Indias finance ministry wrote to Nepal last week to propose a date for a meeting of officials of the two sides to resolve the matter. The Nepali side, in its response, sought a meeting on Thursday, officials said. Siwakoti, who heads a technical panel formed to hold talks with India on the issue, is expected to meet senior officials of the Reserve Bank of India and, if required, finance ministry officials. India has set March 31 as the deadline for exchanging the demonetised notes, and reliable estimates suggest scrapped Indian currency worth more than Rs 36 million is present within Nepals banking channels. When the huge amount outside banking channels is included, the figure runs into billions of rupees, sources said. According to Nepals central bank, the Nepalese officials will ask their Indian counterparts to allow the notes to be exchanged through banking channels. We will ask them to provide an exchange facility for up to Rs 25,000 in the banned denominations, Siwakoti told the media ahead of the visit. The panel led by Siwakoti has suggested measures to ease the exchange of notes and developed software to facilitate and authenticate exchanges. The Nepal Rastra Bank plans to collect scrapped Indian notes from Nepalese citizens and send them to the Reserve Bank of India for verification before offering the equivalent amount in Nepalese currency. Nepalese citizens will have to open bank accounts in BFIs and deposit the demonetised notes. The Nepalese delegation, Siwakoti said, will also ask Indian authorities about the status in Nepal of new Indian notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denominations. Nepal is set to receive Indian notes of Rs 100 denomination worth one billion rupees to overcome a shortfall and Siwakotis team will request the Indian government to increase the annual quota of Indian currency supplied to Nepal. Currently, India supplies Rs 6.2 billion in cash to the Nepal Rastra Bank every year. India and Nepal have an open border and Indian currency is widely accepted across the country, especially at markets and villages along the frontier. North Korea now has enough plutonium to make 10 nuclear bombs, South Korea said Wednesday, a week after leader Kim Jong-Un said it was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile. The isolated communist state, which has carried out five nuclear tests and numerous missile launches, is thought to be planning a nuclear push in 2017 as it seeks to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. Analysts are divided over how close Pyongyang is to realising its full nuclear ambitions, but all agree it has made enormous strides since Kim took over as leader from his father Kim Jong-Il who died in December 2011. Seouls defence ministry said the North is believed to have some 50 kilogrammes (110 pounds) of weapons-grade plutonium as of the end of 2016 -- enough to make about 10 weapons -- up from 40 kilogrammes eight years earlier. The North also has a considerable ability to produce weapons based on highly-enriched uranium, it said in a two-yearly white paper, but did not estimate weapons-grade uranium stocks, citing impenetrable secrecy in the states uranium programme. US think tank the Institute for Science and International Security estimated in June that the Norths total nuclear arsenal was more than 21 bombs, up from 10-16 weapons in 2014, based on estimates of plutonium and uranium. The North has boosted plutonium supplies by reactivating its once-mothballed nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, the defence ministry said. North Korea deactivated the Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under an aid-for-disarmament accord, but began renovating it after Pyongyangs third nuclear test in 2013. The type of plutonium suitable for a nuclear bomb typically needs to be extracted from spent nuclear reactor fuel. Kim Jong-Un said in a New Years speech that Pyongyang was in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile of the kind that could threaten US territory. The address drew a swift response from US president-elect Donald Trump, who took to Twitter vowing to halt Pyongyang in its tracks. LaKeitha Carlos was at home in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon and decided to check the flights to Chicago, just in case. A last-minute ticket was only $194. Carlos took a moment to reflect on how, eight years earlier, she had worked as an organizer in Atlanta to get Barack Obama elected president, marking her start in politics. The wife and mother only briefly considered her choice: Should she drop everything to see the president one last time? Two hours later, she was on a plane, wearing an Obama T-shirt and overcome with emotion. As Obama said goodbye and thanked supporters on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the occasion marked the unofficial countdown to the end of his historic presidency. The first black presidents words resonated across the country for many African-Americans finally able to bask in seeing a family that looked like them in the White House. After eight years, the era comes to a close in 10 days. The scene Tuesday was reminiscent of election night in 2008. Then, Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, greeted a cheering crowd in Grant Park in Chicago to claim victory at the end of a campaign run on hope and change. The Obamas were not yet in their 50s; their children, Malia and Sasha, were 10 and 7. Tonight, he walked out alone. At times during the address, which lasted about an hour, there were shouts of We love you! from the crowd, who pleaded for four more years. I cant do that, Obama answered. Tickets for Tuesdays once-in-a-lifetime speech were hard to come by. People waited for hours in the freezing cold Saturday to score seats to see Obama in person. Read: Obamas last message to the US as President: We rise or fall as one For Carlos, the nostalgia was powerful and her concern over an uncertain future strong. There were a few of us that believed that he could do it, she recalled ahead of the speech. To see that come to fruition has been amazing. Its sad to be here tonight. In a way, it feels anticlimactic. Others, like Peggy Montes, chose to stay home and watch. Montes, founder of the Bronzeville Childrens Museum, said the Democratic presidents mark on her life was personal and professional. She recalled that as an Illinois state legislator Obama helped secure the state funding to start the museum, believed to be the first of its kind for blacks nationwide. Montes was invited to both of Obamas presidential inaugurations and attended. The Obamas are now a focal point of an exhibit at the museum greeting visitors as they walk in the door. Like many in Chicago, Montes said Tuesdays speech was bittersweet. Im sad because he will be leaving, but Im also grateful for the fact that he did touch our lives for such a short period of time, she said. He came in when the people were in distress. He was able to lift them up. Horace Small, executive director of the Boston-based anti-poverty group Union of Minority Neighborhoods, said Obamas election was a tremendous source of pride for everyone, especially poor and middle-class blacks. But Small said the middle-class blacks benefited more than those battling poverty because Obama didnt talk more about race and class. Read: Proud dad Obama gets emotional in farewell speech, thanks best friend Michelle But poor blacks did benefit from the fact that there was a black man in the White House less than 100 years after we were hanging from trees, Small said. Small said Obama failed to mobilize citizens to pursue policies that could have impacted poverty in black communities. Amy Maldonado, an immigration lawyer based in East Lansing, Michigan, who voted for Obama twice, said she was extremely disappointed in Obama because of his deportation policies and his detention of Central American children. She said that Obama reacted too late to protect some immigrant college students and that activists were forced to sue his administration over a lack of legal representation of detained immigrants. I will not be sorry to see this president go, Maldonado said. I have no love for this administration. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, around three dozen emotional Democratic activists gathered to eat green chile stew and Native American Pueblo bread and watch Obamas farewell address. Next to the New Mexican food was a box of tissues. Were going to need them, New Mexico Democratic chair Debra Haaland said. Minutes into his speech, some activists could be heard sniffling and seen wiping tears. They clapped when Obama mentioned the need to protect immigrants and fighting for economic equality. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican and the nations only Latina governor, said it was not her role to assess the presidency of Obama, who rarely visited the state with the countrys largest percentage of Hispanic residents. I think that its up to the American people and for history to decide on what impact his presidency has had on our country and the world, Martinez said. President Barack Obama wiped away tears as he paid tribute to his teenage daughters and to Michelle Obama, his best friend, at the emotional close of a farewell address in his adoptive city of Chicago on Tuesday. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the south side, for the past 25 years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend, Obama told the first lady, seated before him dressed all in black. You took on a role you didnt ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor, he told her, at one point pulling out a handkerchief to dab away tears -- as the crowd of 18,000 cheered wildly. A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. Youve made me proud. Youve made the country proud. It was in Chicago that the Obamas met, that their daughters were born, and as the president put it in a Facebook post ahead of the speech, for Michelle and me, Chicago is where it all started. So proud of @POTUS and all that we've accomplished together. An incredible journey filled with remarkable people. I love you Barack. -mo pic.twitter.com/TFUN3GDLyz The First Lady (@FLOTUS) January 11, 2017 While 18-year-old Malia was there to hear her fathers farewell speech, her 15-year-old sister Sasha was not -- the most notable of a series of public absences by the teen that prompted a flurry of good natured chatter on social media, and a hashtag #SashaObama. A White House official said Sasha stayed back in the capital Washington to prepare for a school exam in the morning. But Obama addressed both girls in praising the two amazing young women they had become, during the familys eight years in the White House. Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad, he said -- as Malia, dressed in black-and-white, shed a few tears with her mothers arm around her. You are smart, and you are beautiful, but more importantly, you are kind, and you are thoughtful, and you are full of passion, Obama told them. And you bore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. And finally, the 55-year-old president turned to Joe Biden -- who along with his wife Jill he described as a second family, drawing yet another standing ovation for the vice-president. You were the first decision I made as a nominee, and it was the best, Obama told Biden. Not just because you have been a great vice president, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother. After the presidents speech drew to a close, the Obamas and their daughter came together on stage for a warm embrace. Read | US President Obamas parting words: Its been an honour to serve you, I wont stop In a U-turn, Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday that former army chief Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not seek governments permission before joining the Saudi-led 39-nation military alliance. Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not submit any application for a no objection certificate (NOC). Theres nothing in our notice, the defence minister said in response to senate chairman Raza Rabbanis query. Asif said the former army chief had returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia and if he applies for the NOC, then it will be decided according to law, the Express Tribune reported. Senate chairman Rabbani on Monday asked Asif to brief the House whether General Raheel had sought permission from the government or taken it into confidence over his decision to head the Saudi-led military alliance to combat terrorism. Rabbani had also asked the ministry of foreign affairs to clarify what would be the implications of the decision in terms of foreign policy and its effect on a decision, taken at the joint sitting of parliament, not to become part of any such alliance. Earlier, defence minister Asif said last Friday that the former army chief had been appointed the commander of the Saudi-led military coalition. He went on to say that the government was taken into confidence about the former army chiefs new role. Questioning whether the governments permission was sought before Raheel accepted the role, Rabbani had asked Asif as to who confirmed his appointment and what the rules were for a retired army officer to take up such a position. From a few politicians to retired army officers, journalists, intellectuals all questioned the decision of a former Pakistani army chief to join a foreign military alliance less than two months after his retirement. Pakistani leaders were initially taken aback when Saudi Arabia, without proper consultation with them, had announced in 2015 that Islamabad was also part of the new alliance. Iran was not included in the grouping which appeared as a vague attempt to forge a Sunni Muslim alliance against Shia Iran to curtail its influence in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and rest of the Middle East. Pakistan was in an unenviable position as it has good ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. It was also not ready to be dragged into the politics of Middle East. Later, Pakistan confirmed its participation in the alliance, but had said that the scope of its participation would be defined after Riyadh shared the details of the coalition it was assembling. According to Saudi Arabia, the alliance is formed to fight Islamic State and other militant outfits. The Russian health ministry has unveiled plans to ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2015. The health ministrys proposal, which has the backing of President Vladimir Putin, would make Russia the first country in the world to completely phase out tobacco. The ban proposal, obtained by Russian newspaper Izvestia, will go into effect in 2033, when the affected Russian citizens (now babies) turn 18 years old. This goal is absolutely ideologically correct, Nikolai Gerasimenko, a member of the Russian parliaments health committee told the Times on Tuesday. However, Gerasimenko also admitted that he was uncertain whether such a ban would be enforceable. A Kremlin spokesman said such a ban would need serious consideration and consultation with other ministries. According to Russian media, the ministry of health said the document had already been distributed in a variety of federal agencies, including the ministry of finance, ministry of economic development and others. The number of smokers in Russia dropped by 10% in 2016, according to Russian news agency Tass. South Korean authorities said on Wednesday that a Samsung scion will be questioned as a suspect in a bribery case in the massive influence-peddling scandal that led to the impeachment of the countrys president. Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Electronics vice-chairman, will be summoned to face questions by investigators probing whether South Koreas largest business group bribed a jailed confidante of President Park Geun-hye to win favours, said Hong Jong-seok, a spokesperson for the special prosecutor team investigating the scandal. Those possible favours include getting the governments backing on a controversial Samsung merger in 2015 that was opposed by minority shareholders, Hong said by phone. Lee and members of his family were the biggest beneficiaries of the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, which helped Lee increase his control over Samsung Electronics without having to spend his money to buy its shares. The former health minister overseeing the government-controlled national pension fund was arrested last year. The pension fund, the biggest shareholder in Samsung C&T, voted for the merger even though its advisers recommended voting against it, giving the crucial vote Samsung needed to secure shareholder approval. Prosecutors are expected to grill Lee starting Thursday regarding why Samsung Group sent corporate funds to Choi Soon-sil, the jailed confidante, including buying costly horses for her daughter, who was on the national dressage team. Samsung Group did not immediately respond to an email Wednesday seeking comment. Two Samsung executives, including a man known as Lees mentor, were questioned in the case earlier this week. When Lee appeared at a public hearing last month, he told lawmakers that he was not aware of the decision to fund Chois daughter. He also denied that Samsung tried to win favours through the funds. Lee, the only son of Samsungs ailing chairman and a grandson of the companys founder, acknowledged that it was inappropriate but inevitable to send money to Choi. He did not elaborate further. Prosecutors asked lawmakers to file a complaint against Lee for alleged perjury at the hearing. Cho Myung-sik, a parliamentary official, said Wednesday that lawmakers had received the request and would review it. Authorities declined Wednesday to confirm how much money Samsung spent on Chois companies or foundations. Samsung Group declined to comment when asked about the matter last week. According to local media and legislators, Samsung signed a contract worth over $18 million with Chois company to bankroll her daughters equestrian training in Germany and donated another $17 million to two non-profit foundations whose funds were allegedly for Chois personal use. Hong, the spokesperson, said that prosecutors have examined a tablet PC that Choi had owned and found details about what type of benefits Samsung provided to her, including the Samsung funds used in Germany. Once prosecutors finish questioning Lee, they will determine whether to add more Samsung officials on a list of suspects, Hong said. President Parks powers have been suspended since December 9, when South Koreas opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach her over the scandal. Her trial is currently being held at the Constitutional Court to decide whether she will be permanently removed from power. The Taliban say they did not plant the bomb in southern Afghanistan that wounded the United Arab Emirates ambassador and other diplomats on Tuesday. They issued a short statement on Wednesday, blaming an internal local rivalry for the attack at the Kandahar governors guesthouse that killed five people and wounded 12. The Taliban claimed attacks earlier on Tuesday in Kabul that killed at least 38 people and wounded dozens. The Taliban have denied some attacks in the past attacks that diplomats and security forces later attributed to the group. Tuesdays Kandahar assault wounded governor Homayun Azizia, as well as UAE ambassador Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi and what Emirati officials described as a number of Emirati diplomats. Emirati officials did not respond to a request for comment. Barack Obamas eyes welled up as the outgoing 44th US President delivered his farewell speech in Chicago. He thanked his best friend -- his wife Michelle LaVaughn Robinson of the South Side -- and then, spoke of his pride in their two daughters, Malia and Sasha You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily, said Obama, Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad. At the close of his speech, his family joined him on stage and waved to the crowds, but the Internet did not fail to notice that one member of the family was missing: Obamas younger daughter, Sasha. What could be more important than witnessing her fathers farewell words? The Internet came alive with speculation: to those asking "where is Sasha" she probably at the White House setting home alone traps for Trump #imdown lol #ObamaFarewell CB Imprintz (@CBImprintz) January 11, 2017 "OMG. Wait. That was TONIGHT?!" - Sasha Sam Sanders (@samsanders) January 11, 2017 #WhereIsSasha Hopefully blocking the driveway to the White House pic.twitter.com/NodjX8x4tB Sabra Berger (@SabraBerger) January 11, 2017 sasha obama couldn't make it because she's at home planning her 2040 campaign Taylor Trudon (@taylortrudon) January 11, 2017 Turns out, the real reason was something different. Sasha, 15, a sophomore at private school Sidwell Friends, where her elder sister Malia graduated from last year, had an exam at school Wednesday morning, a White House official told CBS News. While her family travelled to Chicago, Sasha stayed back in Washington DC to study. Sasha Obama missed her dad's farewell address because of an exam. I need to remember this the next time that a student asks for a deferral. Duane Bratt (@DuaneBratt) January 11, 2017 Sasha Obama just nullified every plausible absence from class you were thinking of using this semester https://t.co/PHyhtMhb8b Elle Beene (@elle_beene) January 11, 2017 Sasha Obama is not under contract to be publicly showcased as a status symbol for patriarchy. She doesn't need any fucking "excuse." Donna M (@donna_m_cd) January 11, 2017 If Sasha Obama really missed this because of an exam in the morning, there are no more excuses for anything, ever. Viral Patel (@viralmpatel19) January 11, 2017 In an earlier interaction with Oprah Winfrey, First Lady Michelle Obama had mentioned that my first job was to make sure they were going to be whole and normal and cared for in the midst of all this craziness. The Obamas clearly wanted their kids to have a settled childhood, with academic commitments taking priority over anything else. In March, Obama announced that he and his family will stay in Washington for a couple of years after his presidency so that Sasha can finish high school, marking a departure from presidential custom. Transferring someone in the middle of high school, the president said. Tough. Thousands of people fled heavy fighting on Myanmars northern border with China overnight, activists said Wednesday, as the government blocked a senior UN official from visiting the area. Clashes between the army and ethnic minority militias in Myanmars borderlands have intensified in recent months, undercutting Aung San Suu Kyis vow to bring peace to the country since her party took power in March. Dozens have been killed and thousands displaced since fresh fighting erupted between the Myanmar military and the ethnic minority Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in November. The unrest has rippled across Shan and Kachin states, threatening the next round of peace talks between the government, military and ethnic groups scheduled for February. Dashi Naw Lawn, secretary of the Kachin Network Development Foundation, said the army launched airstrikes near the border town of Laiza on Tuesday. There was a big fight yesterday and the Myanmar army used planes to attack the area around Laiza, he told AFP on Wednesday. The fighting is getting worse and worse. Kachin activist Khon Ja said some 3,600 people had fled from two IDP camps overnight to escape the violence. She cited testimonies from escapees saying around a third had crossed a river into China, while the rest were stranded on the Myanmar side. The UNs relief agency said this week that 2,700 displaced people had been moved to new camps because of the clashes, warning there was not enough shelter to protect them against dropping temperatures. Myanmars army said its troops have killed seven KIA rebels and seized several bases over the weekend. The growing crisis comes as UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee was barred from visiting the conflict area this week as part of a 12-day trip to probe escalating violence in the country. She was not allowed to travel to Hpakant and Laiza, said her spokesman Aye Win. On Friday she is expected to visit Rakhine state to probe claims the army has been carrying out severe human rights abuses against the Muslim Rohingya minority -- allegations the government has denied. zz/cah/ssm/ceb The Kremlin said on Wednesday it was total nonsense that Russian officials had assembled a file of compromising information on US president-elect Donald Trump. Two US officials said on Tuesday evening that the heads of four US intelligence agencies had last week presented Trump with classified documents which included unverified claims that Russian intelligence operatives had compromising information about him. Addressing reporters on a conference call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the dossier containing the claims was a hoax which had been dreamt up to further harm US-Russia relations, which are already at their lowest level since the Cold War. It is an attempt to damage our bilateral relations. It is pulp fiction, said Peskov, who also roundly dismissed as false assertions in the dossier that he himself was heavily involved in running a Russian campaign to undermine defeated presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. You have to react to this with a certain humour, but theres also a sad side to this. Hysteria is being whipped up to maintain a political witch hunt. Peskov said the Kremlin did not engage in compiling compromising dossiers on anyone and was focused on building relations with Russias foreign partners instead. On Tuesday evening, Trump dismissed the reports that Russia had compromising information on him. FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! he wrote in a Twitter post. Asked to respond to the prospect of new US sanctions affecting Russias oil and gas sector, Peskov said such measures, if they happened, would damage Russia, bilateral ties, and the global economy. The Russian energy sector would definitely get compensation if such sanctions were imposed, he added. Peskov said the Kremlin was unfazed by reports that Trumps pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, would say at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that Russia posed a danger. It has previously praised Tillerson, who has experience of working with top Russian officials in the oil sector. Peskov said the Kremlin stood by its assessment of Tillerson as someone who was willing to listen and was constructive, but was aware he was likely to be a tough operator too. We understand that Tillerson will continue to be quite tough in pursuing his line, said Peskov, saying the Kremlin was not wearing rose-tinted glasses when it came to the former US oilman. US President-elect Donald Trumps pick for attorney general, Jeff Sessions, promised on Tuesday to stand up to Trump, his close ally and future boss, saying he would oppose a ban on Muslims entering the country and enforce a law against waterboarding even though he voted against the measure. Questioned for 10-1/2 hours by a U.S. Senate committee responsible for confirming his appointment, Sessions, a U.S. senator from Alabama, distanced himself from comments he had made defending Trump from criticism over a 2005 video that emerged in October showing Trump boasting about grabbing womens genitals. At the time, Sessions told The Weekly Standard magazine he would not characterize the behaviour as sexual assault. He later said the comments were taken out of context. Asked on Tuesday whether grabbing a woman by her genitals without consent is ... sexual assault, he replied: Clearly, it would be. With 10 days to go before Trump takes office, Sessions, 70, was the first Cabinet nominee to face questioning. He appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Trumps pick to run the Department of Homeland Security, retired Marine Corps General John Kelly, later went before the Homeland Security Committee. As attorney general, Sessions would serve as the top U.S. law enforcement officer and be responsible for giving unbiased legal advice to the president and executive agencies. With that in mind, lawmakers from both Trumps Republican Party and the Democratic Party sought to establish how closely Sessions hewed to Trump positions and whether he could put aside his staunchly conservative political positions to enforce laws he may personally oppose. A senator since 1997, Sessions was widely expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. Protesters accusing Sessions of having a poor record on human rights interrupted the Capitol Hill proceedings several times. MUSLIM BAN Sessions said he would not support banning anyone from the United States on the basis of religion and that Trumps intentions were to restrict people from countries harbouring terrorists, not all Muslims. Elected on Nov. 8, Trump at one point campaigned on a proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country. Sessions said he favoured higher intensity of vetting for refugees seeking to enter the United States from countries that harbour terrorists but that he would oppose ending the U.S. refugee program. He also said he would enforce a 2015 law that outlawed waterboarding terrorism suspects even if it meant resisting Trump. The senator said he had voted against the law, believing those in high positions in the military and intelligence community should be able to do so. During the campaign, Trump said waterboarding, which simulates drowning and is widely regarded as torture, was an effective technique and vowed to bring it back and make it a hell of a lot worse. More recently Trump has said retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, his nominee for secretary of defence, had persuasively argued against it. Sessions said he would enforce laws upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, even those he disagreed with, such as decisions making abortion and same-sex marriage legal. CLINTON EMAILS Sessions said the comments he made during the 2016 presidential campaign about Democrat Hillary Clintons email practices and charitable foundation would cloud the perception of impartiality if the Justice Department continued investigating Clinton. He said he would recuse himself and favoured a special prosecutor to carry out any future investigations. Trump, who defeated Clinton, said during the campaign that if elected, he would ask his attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to see that Clinton go to prison for her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state and her relationship with her familys charitable foundation. Sessions said he agreed with Trump in opposing Democratic President Barack Obamas executive action that granted temporary protection to immigrant children brought to the country illegally by their parents and would not oppose overturning it. Sessions, representing the deeply conservative Southern state of Alabama, has long opposed legislation that provides a path to citizenship for immigrants. He has also been a close ally of groups seeking to restrict legal immigration by placing limits on visas used by companies to hire foreign workers. Sessions said he would be more aggressive in investigating and prosecuting abuses of the H-1B visa program, which he said allows companies to discriminate against American workers by hiring foreigners. As head of the Justice Department, the attorney general oversees the immigration court system that decides whether immigrants are deported or granted asylum or some other kind of protection. Sessions renewed his criticism of the Obama administration for not being tougher on countries that refuse to take back criminal migrants ordered deported from the United States. A key plank of Trumps election campaign was his pledge to deport illegal immigrants and build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Kelly told his hearing a physical barrier on its own is not enough to keep people and drugs from illegally entering the United States. In written testimony, Kelly said that rapidly processing and deporting immigrants in significant numbers would deter future illegal migration. The U.S. immigration court system has a backlog of over 500,000 cases awaiting a decision on deportation, asylum or some other kind of protection. Many migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border are given a notice to appear in court one to three years in the future. DEFENCE AGAINST RACISM Before the Judiciary Committee, Sessions several times defended himself against charges of racism. He said allegations that he harboured sympathies toward the Ku Klux Klan, a violent white supremacist organization, were false. I abhor the Klan and what it represents and its hateful ideology, Sessions said in his opening remarks. Sessions was denied confirmation to a federal judgeship in 1986 after allegations emerged that he made racist remarks, including testimony that he called an African-American prosecutor boy, an allegation Sessions denied. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said the Senate Judiciary Committee had received letters from 400 civil rights organizations opposing his confirmation to the countrys top law enforcement post. The US military might hold its fire rather than strike a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile test in order to glean intelligence, if Pyongyangs ICBM(Inter Continental Ballistic Missile) launch did not appear to pose a threat, defense secretary Ash Carter said on Tuesday. The remarks stood in contrast to US President-elect Donald Trumps vow that, once in office, North Korea would never be able to fulfill its threat to test an ICBM. Trump said in a January 2 Tweet: It wont happen! If the missile is threatening, it will be intercepted. If its not threatening, we wont necessarily do so, Carter said in his final news briefing before President Barack Obamas administration leaves office on January 20. Because it may be more to our advantage to, first of all, save our interceptor inventory, and, second, to gather intelligence from the flight, rather than do that (intercept the ICBM) when its not threatening. The top US military officer, Marine General Joseph Dunford, who will stay in his role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concurred with Carters remarks. Dunford will be Trumps top uniformed military advisor. North Korea declared on Sunday it could test-launch an ICBM at any time from any location set by leader Kim Jong Un, saying a hostile US policy was to blame for its arms development. Once fully developed, a North Korean ICBM could threaten the continental United States, which is around 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from the North. ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500 km (3,400 miles), but some are designed to travel 10,000 km (6,200 miles) or farther. Preventing an ICBM test is far easier said than done, and Trump has given no indication of how he might roll back North Koreas weapons programs after he takes office, something successive US administrations, both Democratic and Republican, have failed to do. Former US officials and other experts have said the United States essentially had two options when it came to trying to curb North Koreas fast-expanding nuclear and missile programs - negotiate or take military action. Neither path offers certain success and the military option is fraught with huge dangers, especially for Japan and South Korea, US allies in close proximity to North Korea. US president-elect Donald Trump trashed unverified claims about Russia possessing compromising personal and financial information about him. During his first press conference after winning the elections, he called all such reports crap and said they had been put together by sick people. He also announced a plan to comprehensively separate himself from his businesses, which will be put under a trust to be run by his two sons, Don Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and a long time Trump Organization executive. Significantly, with implications for the organizations overseas interests, all pending foreign deals will be terminated forthwith, all 30 of them, which may include some in India. And the organization will not sign any new foreign deal. According to the long-awaited separation plan, Trump will not discuss his business with his sons, nor see detailed reports about them. All new deals made by the organization, to be made only domestically, will be vetted by an ethics adviser. Trump made these remarks and announcements at a news conference at Trump Tower in New York, which was dominated by reports US intelligence chiefs had told the president-elect about Russia possessing damaging information on him. Its a disgrace, Trump said when asked about the reports, which he had slammed in Tweets earlier in the day, and called them fake news, phony stuff and said some sick people had put that crap together. And, he said in his typically Trumpian manner giving himself room to deny it later,, that nonsense may have been released or leaked by intelligence agencies, which he added, would be a tremendous blot on their record if they did. The unsubstantiated information, which was contained in a two-page note given to him along with a report on Russian meddling in US elections last Friday, was gathered by a former British intelligence operative working for Trumps political rivals. They also informed him of exchanges between his surrogates and Russian intermediaries during the campaign. Both claims were made in a two-page note they gave him with a report on Russian meddling in the elections. These claims came on a day Trumps cabinet nominees began their confirmation hearings, with Jeff Sessions for attorney general going first, and a day before the President-elect is scheduled to hold a much-awaited news conference. Trump had reacted angrily to the report, writing in all-caps on Twitter, his go-to social media platform, FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! His aides and sympathetic news outlets ran variations of the denial hash-tagged #FakeNews. Continuing his twitter-tirade into Wednesday, Trump said, again very angry as the tweet using all-caps words suggested, Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! And went on to cite the Russian governments denials. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for President Vladimir, has called the report a complete fabrication, and said, This is an evident attempt to harm our bilateral ties. The Kremlin does not engage in collecting compromising information. Hillary Clintons campaign alums seemed angry too, but for a very different reason. Some of these allegations had been around for a while but media outlets that knew of them chose to ignore it for one reason or the other. Today has brought a gush of reporting that outlets knew about and sat on prior to November 8, Brian Fallon, former Clinton campaign spokesman wrote on Twitter, adding in another post, I repeat: certain media outlets were told this prior to November 8. No one published them, until Tuesday that is. But no outlet reported details of the damaging information, saying they were unverified and unsubstantiated. The document itself was uploaded by a news publication that said it would let the American people make up their own minds. CNN, which broke the tory Tuesday, said claims about Russia possessing compromising information on Trump were based on memos from a former British intelligence member whose past work was reportedly found credible by the US intelligence. The claims, which the FBI was looking into, were apparently made made by Russian sources, who gave details about the compromising information, meetings of Trump surrogates and Russian intermediaries, and where. Though it wasnt clear, the report seemed to suggest that the two-page synopsis culled from some 35 pages of memos from the former British spy were part of opposition research political dirt first commissioned by Trumps Republican rivals during the primaries, and then by Democrats after he won. Intelligence sources told CNN they decided to append the two-page note to the report on poll meddling to demonstrate that while Russians had damaging information on both parties, they only released those pertaining to Democrats. The American intelligence community has said that Russia, in its assessment, meddled in the elections on President Vladimir Putins instructions to undermine Hillary Clinton and help Trump win the presidency. Trump has been openly derisive of the intelligence assessment partly because he views it as an attempt to delegitimise his election he called it a political witch-hunt and only tangentially acknowledged it after the intelligence briefing. US lawmakers were briefed about Trump surrogates being in touch with Russian government intermediaries in classified briefings. Donald Trump got into a shouting match with CNN reporter Jim Acosta during his press conference as the President-elect refused to allow him a question and slammed the news network as fake news. Trump engaged in a war of words with the reporter over the release of an unverified dossier by BuzzFeed, which he termed as failing piece of garbage. With Trump looking to call on other reporters, Jim Acosta yelled out, Since you are attacking us, can you give us a question? Not you, Trump said, adding that, Your organisation is terrible! The reporter pressed on saying, You are attacking our news organisation, can you give us a chance to ask a question, sir? Trump countered by telling him dont be rude. Im not going to give you a question, Trump responded. Im not going to give you a question. You are fake news! the President-elect asserted. Donald Trump refuses to take a question from CNN's Senior White House Correspondent @Acosta https://t.co/SYIPLekALG https://t.co/Im5Dlc38B4 CNN (@CNN) January 11, 2017 Trump dismissed as nonsense the media claims that Russia has compromising information on him, saying the allegations may have been leaked by US intelligence agencies and it would be a tremendous blot on their record if they did that. Its frankly outrageous and highly irresponsible for a left-wing blog...to drop highly salacious and flat-out false information on the Internet just days before he takes the oath of office, he said, referring to BuzzFeed. The fact that BuzzFeed and CNN made the decision to run with this unsubstantiated claim is a sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks, he said during the press conference. Fortunately ABC's Cecilia Vega asked my question about whether any Trump associates contacted Russians. Trump said no. Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 11, 2017 --- Conceding disappointments during his presidency yet offering vigorous encouragement for the nations future, Barack Obama issued an emotional defence on Tuesday night of his vision to Americans facing a moment of anxiety and a dramatic change in leadership. Obamas valedictory speech in his hometown of Chicago was a public meditation on the trials and triumphs, promises kept and promises broken that made up his eight years in the White House. Arguing his faith in America had been confirmed, Obama said he ends his tenure inspired by Americas boundless capacity for reinvention, and he declared: The future should be ours. His delivery was forceful for most of his speech, but by the end he was wiping away tears as the crowd embraced him one last time. As it happened: US President Obamas parting words: Its been an honour to serve you, I wont stop Reflecting on the corrosive recent political campaign, he said, That potential will be realised only if our democracy works. Only if our politics reflects the decency of our people. Only if all of us, regardless of our party affiliation or particular interest, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now. A demonstrator holds up a banner as President Barack Obama delivers a farewell speech to the nation. (AFP Photo) He made no mention of Republican Donald Trump, who will replace him in just 10 days. But when he noted the imminence of that change and the crowd began booing, he responded, No, no, no, no, no. One of the nations great strengths, he said, is the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next. Earlier, as the crowd of thousands chanted, Four more years, he simply smiled and said, I cant do that. Soon Obama and his family will exit the national stage, to be replaced by Trump, a man Obama had stridently argued poses a dire threat to the nations future. His near-apocalyptic warnings throughout the campaign have cast a continuing shadow over his post-election efforts to reassure Americans anxious about the future. Read | From POTUS to President of Playlists: Barack Obama gets a job offer Indeed, much of what Obama accomplished over the past eight years from healthcare overhaul and environmental regulations to his nuclear deal with Iran could potentially be upended by Trump. So even as Obama seeks to define what his presidency meant for America, his legacy remains in question. Listing landmarks of his presidency -- from the Iran nuclear deal to reforming healthcare -- much of Obamas speech was dedicated to lifting up supporters shaken by the November 8 shock election. Obama called on them to pick up the torch, fight for democracy and forge a new social compact. For all our outward differences, we are all in this together, he said warning that partisanship, racism, and inequality all threatened democracy. We rise or fall as one. Watch | Obamas last speech as US President All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. Even as Obama said farewell to the nation in a televised speech of just under an hour the anxiety felt by many Americans about the future was palpable, and not only in the Chicago convention centre where he stood in front of a giant presidential seal. The political world was reeling from new revelations about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about Trump. Steeped in nostalgia, Obamas return to Chicago was less a triumphant homecoming and more a bittersweet reunion bringing together Obama loyalists and loyal staffers, many of whom have long since left Obamas service, moved on to new careers and started families. They came from across the country some on Air Force One, others on their own to be present for the last major moment of Obamas presidency. President Barack Obama waves as he is joined by First Lady Michelle Obama and his daughter Malia Obama. (AP Photo) Seeking inspiration, Obamas speech writers spent weeks poring over Obamas other momentous speeches, including his 2004 keynote at the Democratic National Convention and his 2008 speech after losing the New Hampshire primary to Hillary Clinton. They also revisited his 2015 address in Selma, Alabama, that both honoured Americas exceptionalism and acknowledged its painful history on civil rights. After returning to Washington, Obama will have less than two weeks before he accompanies Trump in the presidential limousine to the Capitol for the new presidents swearing-in. After nearly a decade in the spotlight, Obama will become a private citizen, an elder statesman at 55. He plans to take some time off, write a book and immerse himself in a Democratic redistricting campaign. Read | Obamas misses, and their consequences, will be with us for a long time An alleged Unknown Flying Object (UFO) sighting by the military in Chile more than two years ago has just been declassified and there is a lot of information about it online. This is one mystery that has the experts completely stumped. The Chilean government agency that investigates UFOs, CEFAA, states that a naval helicopter was carrying out the coastal patrol in November 2014 when the camera operator saw an unidentified flying object ahead. It was flying horizontally and at a constant speed. The UFO did not appear on radar screens and ejected an unknown material The crew communicated with local airports and military installations to confirm if the UFO had appeared on their radar screens. The UFO did not appear on their screens. Later, they attempted to contact the craft using standard civilian radio frequencies, but there was no success. Twice during the recording, the UFO ejects an unknown material into the air, which is only visible on the infrared spectrum, the substance it expels disappears. Before the crew could obtain any more information, the UFO vanished. The footage was captured on a Sophisticated Surveillance & Reconnaissance camera. Agencies were unable to explain this, but a french organization believes it could be a jet Many agencies were contacted to verify if artificial satellites or falling space debris could explain this phenomenon, but it was impossible. The team assembled to investigate the case include aeronautic engineers, astrophysicists, and video and image analysts. They were unable to explain this. After conducting a scientific review of the footage using calculations derived from examining the helicopter's path, hot spots from the infrared footage and studying the velocity of the unidentified object, and the nature of the dumped material, IPACO, a French organization, believes that the most probable is that the object is a jet airliner. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The news about Russia having information on Donald Trump has been circulating for long time. The US Intelligence agencies had warned the president-elect earlier about the claims and the potential for Russian operatives to blackmail him involving "perverted sexual acts." Last week in a meeting with the FBI, CIA and National Security Agency a summary of the unconfirmed records was presented to the President Barrack Obama and Trump. The allegations were about Trump's trip to the Russian capital in 2013. Apparently Trump made Russian prostitutes defile a Ritz-Carlton bed, which was previously used by president Obama and first Lady Michelle Obama on their previous occasion. As stated on Daily News the incident has been captured on surveillance cameras. The fact that Trump travelled to Russia in 2013 cannot be denied, as he hosted the Miss Universe pageant there and Barrack Obama and Michelle Obama travelled to Moscow in 2009. Later on Trump along with the Vice President-elect Mike Pence criticized and tweeted a link on Twitter about the story that was published by BuzzFeed. Trump said that BuzzFeed runs Unverifiable Trump - Russia claims. According to Tuipad, the allegations in the BuzzFeed document are unconfirmed, but the 35 page report says that the presidential suit in the Ritz Carlton hotel was bugged by the FSB intelligence agency. It also states that Trump participated in sex parties in St. Petersburg and the witnesses were bribed to remain silent. As for Trump coordinating with Russia during his political campaign is still unconfirmed, the report further says that Russian officials along with the approval of the president have been 'cultivating' Trump for five years. Earlier there was news about the US Intelligence investigating a meeting between Page and Igor Sechin, the head of the Russian oil company Rosneft. Nothing is known for sure but the US Intelligence has warned Trump about this issue earlier. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It looks like you've reached a page that doesnt exist (anymore). Please use the navigation or search above to find content on Hospitality Net. Go back to home GM Giulio DAlberto will be supported by another longtime GHM staff Christoph Girsch, the former Executive Assistant Manager in charge of hotel operations at The Chedi Muscat in Oman. Christoph joined The Chedi Muscat as the resorts Director of Food & Beverage in 2009 and has been instrumental in the numerous awards and accolades won by The Chedis stable of restaurants. Christophs role requires him to interact with a large multilingual and multicultural team, participate in marketing-related events on behalf of the property, meet topline budget expectations, all of which further sharpens his management skills. In this appointment as The Chedi Mumbais Resident Manager, not only does Christophs skillsets complement that of Giulios, his experience in various aspects of hotel operations and administration will be brought to the fore as they raise the bar for luxury hospitality in Indias most dynamic city. Fresh off their super hyped release of the signature camo print Shark hoodie A Bathing Ape is back pushing the release of their 2017 Spring/Summer collection. The complete collection harbors a myriad of bold prints and pretty much every type of camouflage print the Japanese label has done in recent years including the sensational tiger stripe. Several retro pieces are featured in the collection including an oversized poncho donning the brands first camo pattern. At any rate, both collections are pretty fire and have a wide variety of looks to offer. Check out some of the pieces in the gallery above and be sure to head over to bape.com for the full collection and be on the lookout for hypbeasts everywhere debuting their new Bape gear in an Instagram post near you. A Bathing Ape Drake and The Weeknd have excited fans of their early collaborative work after being seen at the same party over the weekend. Posts from Rap-A-Lots J. Prince and OVO co-founder Oliver El-Khatib put both Toronto artists at P. Reigns party this weekend, which raises the optimistic question: could they be working together again? As far as we know, Drake is still recording his More Life project, which is expected to arrive in the very near future (early 2017 is what we last heard), and a new track with Abel, who contributed extensively to Drakes 2011 album Take Care, would be a pretty incredible surprise for fans. Within the last year, both Drake and The Weeknd have scored #1 albums on The Billboard 200 and #1 song on the Hot 100. Seeing that theyre both even bigger artists than they were in the years that the first collaborated, a new track from the two would be a huge deal. Think itll happen, or is this just wishful thinking? Drake and The Weeknd Street artist KAWS has been a favorite among sneakerheads and streetwear connoisseurs for a long time. The artist has collaborated with a number of high profile brands, and has just revealed arguably his biggest collaboration yet: a KAWS x Air Jordan sneaker. After photos leaked on NikeTalk of what looks like a KAWS x Air Jordan 4, the artist took to Instagram to get ahead of the rumor mill and confirm collaboration. He didnt confirm which Jordan he was designing for, but he did acknowledge the photos in the post. Assuming the leaked photos are at least somewhat accurate, weve got a solid look at the shoes. The shoes are not brightly colored like a lot of KAWS work, instead using an all black suede upper with gold accents. The real flash comes at the sole it uses a completely translucent sole, showing KAWS signature X design on the bottom of the insole, similar to the MF Doom SBs. It may be an unfinished sample given how similar the shoes design is to the Royalty Air Jordan 4 that is coming out early next month. No release date has been confirmed for the Air Jordan x KAWS sneaker, but KAWS himself said spring and the NikeTalk post suggests March 1. Keep it locked here for more info. KAWSxAirJordan Following her robbery in Paris, Kim Kardashian took a much-deserved break from social media. In 2017, she decided to return to her beloved Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat accounts, and so far, shes put an emphasis on her new family in her posts. Today, Kim continued to admire her husband and children in a post she dedicated to my boys, depicting Kanye holding his young son, Saint, on the couch. While Kim seems to be moving on from her traumatic 2016, the investigation into her robbers continues. Earlier today, it was reported that two men from Kardashians limo company were arrested in connection to the crime. Earlier this week, some pictures from Kims website were speculated to reveal clues to Kanyes upcoming projects. Barack Obama gave his farewell speech in Chicago, the city he considers home, walking out to U2's 'City of Blinding Lights', the very same song he entered to, when he was first elected. In what's been an emotional night for many across the USA and the wider world, Barack Obama has made his farewell speech to his nation, the United States of America. As he began, rapturous chants of 'Four More Years' rang around McCormick Place Convention Center. Obama spoke of his achievements including job creation, marriage equality reform, economic growth, renewed US-Cuban relations, the end of the Iranian Nuclear Program and affordable healthcare for America's citizens, before moving on to the peaceful transition of power to Donald Trump and the tests to democracy which await America. President Obama was brought to tears as the crowd's longest applause of the night was reserved for Michelle Obama, showing how fond America is of its long-time First Lady. He ended the night with one final "Yes We Can", before Springsteen's 'Land of Hope And Dreams' ended the night. When we reflect on Obama's Presidency, there are criticisms that can be made: the failure to close Guantanamo Bay and the increase in drone strikes during his tenure as President are two of the most obvious examples. Despite the fact that he was stifled by Congress for his eight years in office, which dramatically reduced his ability to effect change, he will surely be remembered as one of the best Presidents of recent times. Furthermore, he was the first to break the 'colour' barrier the first black President in the U.S.A. and while the concept of a 'Post-Racial America' after his election has proved to be little more than a dream, Obama has surely paved the way for others to come. Advertisement Company and community officials on Thursday will gather to mark a California-based company's expansion that adds hundreds of jobs to the area. Customer service outsourcing company Alorica will host a meet-and-greet beginning 12:30 p.m. Thursday at its call center, 3200 FM 1960 Road West. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When national Latino leaders met privately with the presidential transition team on Tuesday, the head of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was there to make sure local concerns were addressed. President and CEO Laura Murillo, who has led the Houston chamber group for a decade, said those topics included trade and the future of NAFTA in addition to the broader concerns over tax and health care reform, immigration and small-business development. "The campaign is over. We need to work together," Murillo said in a phone interview afterward. She was invited to Washington to join the meeting with President-elect Donald Trump's representatives and officials from such national groups as the National Council of La Raza, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Murillo characterized the meeting as a step in the right direction toward mending some of the rifts from Trump's campaign stances that included mass deportations and forcing Mexico to pay for a border wall with the U.S. Murillo also confirmed that she will attend Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration. Yet she and others expressed disappointment that no Latino has been nominated for a Cabinet position or senior adviser role in Trump's administration. If none is appointed, it would the first time since Ronald Reagan's second term. Murillo, who has been critical of the president-elect in the past and has called for him to add Latinos to his inner circle, said the community must be "part of this country's fabric and not just a thread." Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, who did not attend the meeting, said finding a good match for a senior position in the Trump administration could prove difficult because not many prominent Latino leaders share the extremely conservative politics of many appointees thus far. At the same, Hinojosa said he is not surprised the transition team is reaching out - even if it's just for appearance's sake. Murillo, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, took aim at Trump during last year's Hispanic Chamber awards ceremony, with a rebuke of Trump's rhetoric regarding immigrants. "Never let it be said we are criminals or rapists," she told the mostly Hispanic audience. Murillo reiterated Tuesday that the local chamber will increase its public advocacy efforts this year. Hinojosa said that many Houston Latinos will be looking to local officials for guidance under the Trump administration on issues such as health care, education and immigration. "Hispanics, just like other Americans, want a fair shot," he said. Are you interested in an all-expenses-paid, six-week education to fill some of the hottest job openings in Houston? This too-good-to-be-true offer is for real as "Lone Star College offers fully funded fast-track training for in-demand careers." The Texas Workforce Commission has given the college funding to give $3,600 per student to the first 60 who apply and qualify. The field include mechatronics, nursing assistant, master and manual machining, payroll assistant, or oil and gas drilling floorhand-roustabout. "Lone Star College will provide students with the funds needed for supplies, books and uniforms to get them quickly trained and hired," said Stephen Head, the college's chancellor. "This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who is looking to start a new career." Mechatronics is a new to me, but apparently it's the study of operating huge, largely-automated manufacturing machines that combine pneumatic strength, computer brains and skilled operators. If you want to operate a real-life transformer, this is the certification to get. That's how tight the Houston job market is for people with the right skills. Oh, and those who can pass a drug screening. Every hiring manager tells me that finding workers who can pass a drug screening is their biggest challenge. They talk about going to job fairs where almost every young person turns and walks away when they hear about taking a piss test. Marijuana apparently is the biggest problem, and has become a nationwide challenge. Some have disputed the necessity for drug tests, even calling for an end to the practice. And this may make sense as more states legalize marijuana for recreational use. But while coming to work with a little pot in your system may not matter for a payroll assistant, it could have catastrophic effects for someone in mechatronics, operating a $1 million device capable of snapping a car in two. A responsible employer also doesn't want a machinist operating cutting equipment with a foggy head, or a roustabout swinging around a half-ton drilling pipe. This is not about demonizing marijuana, it's about basic safety. If you are looking to start a new career and any of the jobs listed above interest you, by all means take advantage of the grants available for a free education. But also know that you need to get clean if you want one of these well-paying jobs. It's for your own safety and those around you. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Regina Agu's minimal and elegant "Sea Change" installation at Project Row Houses quietly consumes the single-room space at 2511 Holman with an 80-foot curtain that wraps around three walls, containing a panoramic photographic print of a grass-lined beach. This isn't just an inventive way to display a landscape: It's partly about sargassum, the genus of brown seaweed that Galveston visitors know all too well. The image is printed on billboard vinyl, a material that's also used to advertise seaside attractions. It depicts four experimental sand dunes Texas A&M environmental scientists built on East Beach after the massive seaweed invasion of 2014, studying ways to use the invasive plants as a tool for slowing erosion. Beaches in the Caribbean and on the west coast of Africa also had major seaweed that year - an unusual coincidence that some scientists saw as a sign of climate change. Agu also saw it as a symbol of historical currents, including slave trafficking, across the "Black Atlantic." That idea comes into focus, subtly, at the other end of the room, where sheets of clear vellum hang on white walls. These casual, text-based works contain lines from Jean Rhys' darkly loaded 1966 novel "Wide Sargasso Sea," whose themes float fitfully among women's issues, race and class. More Information 'Sea Change' When: Noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, through Feb. 12 Where: Project Row Houses, 2521 Holman Info: Free; 713-526-7662, projectrowhouses.org See More Collapse This is conceptual art, not a science project, so none of this is obvious: "Sea Change" provides a springboard for viewers' own interpretations. The piece also seems an apt metaphor for the path of Agu, an emerging talent who wonders, cheerfully, how her career might be playing out if she had not drifted back to Houston. Agu was born in the Bayou City but grew up a world traveler with two younger brothers, a Louisiana-born mother and a Nigerian father whose work as a public health epidemiologist kept them hopping across Africa and Europe. She prepared to follow in her father's footsteps by earning a degree in public policy at Cornell University. But the summer after she graduated, in 2003, Agu needed to save money, and an uncle in Houston offered her a place to live. She didn't expect to stay long. Agu had always been artistic, but her path seemed pre-determined. "If you have an immigrant parent, you're going to be a doctor, a lawyer or an engineer," Agu said. She found jobs as a data analyst and technical writer, but in her free time she gravitated to Project Row Houses, where she met creative people who were as driven by community issues as personal expression. Their work involved research, collaboration and discussions about race, culture, history, politics and economics. In a place that routinely celebrated the experience and perspective of people in Houston's African-American-dominated Third Ward, Agu also felt the value of her own experience. "Houston is so open," she said. "It was like walking into this really rich scene." This brand of art wasn't about making objects that might sell for thousands of dollars at galleries, if you were lucky. Rather, it seemed meaningful. Agu also realized it was possible to live in Houston as a contemporary artist, applying the research skills she'd learned in college. Now, in her 30s, the tidal pulls of her life seem to be moving swiftly, in the right directions. Agu also has work up at the Station Museum of Contemporary Art in the group show "Friendly Fire," and she's participating in the national Open Sessions program of New York's Drawing Center. Both of those projects build on her study of the late poet Akilah Oliver's essay "the visible unseen," which addresses how graffiti artists both disrupt landscapes and create new ways of seeing them. "I'm really, really interested in representations of landscape," Agu said. At the Station, she draped a clear tarp over a pair of two-by-fours that lean against the wall, over a line of Oliver's text: "Dwelling is a fiction of stasis." Agu said she's responding to construction in the rapidly re-gentrifying Third Ward, where she lives with her partner, University of Houston art professor Gabriel Martinez. (He also has sculpture in the Station show.) Alabama Song, the collective he founded four years ago, is buzzing, too. Last year, it received a generous, three-year Seed grant from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. Alabama Song has organized live events during the Station's show in front of its painted "Bayoudiversity" wall. Agu said the collective also will be active at the Menil Collection this spring, and it has launched an experimental small press, paratext. Writing has played an increasingly important role in her work. She expects to develop that thread even more this year, also focusing more on photography and drawing. This week, Agu will visit California for a workshop with some of her favorite experimental writers and "poets with a capital P," including Robin Coste Lewis, Eileen Myles and Douglas Kearney. "There is a world of experimental and conceptual writing that's very active, but you have to look for it," she said. "I'm trying to actively learn as much as I can." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Would a beer by any other name taste as sweet? Or, in the case of the new Baroque Belgique from Green Flash Brewing Co., as funky? Fans of the San Diego brewery and its Cellar 3 series (greenflashbrew.com/cellar3) will answer yes enthusiastically. Anyone else who enjoys wild-fermented beers or has been intrigued by the growing interest in sours should give it a try as well. Baroque Belgique, a Belgian-style pale ale sold in corked, 750 ml bottles, is scheduled to land on Houston store shelves toward the end of this month or in early February. A pair of sample bottles of this new year-round offering arrived at the Chronicle recently. Those familiar with Green Flash Rayon Vert may feel a sense of deja vu Rayon Vert made its debut in 2012 and was billed as a "continuously evolving" brew. The bottle-conditioned beer was made with Brettanomyces, giving it a tartness that generated positive reviews on the major beer-rating sites. Yet it stayed in production for just two years. What made the beer "very risky to make," according to Green Flash spokeswoman Natalie McCain, is the wild Brett yeast strain's potential to infect other parts of the operation. But a couple of years ago, Green Flash opened a separate production facility called Cellar 3 that specializes in rare and barrel-aged beers "where we can better control our wild yeasts," McCain explained via email. More Information New beer What: Baroque Belgique From: San Diego's Green Flash Brewing Co. Part of: Cellar 3 series of beers brewed with wild yeasts and/or aged in barrels On Houston shelves: Late January or early February Suggested retail price: $13.99-$14.99 More information: greenflashbrew.com/cellar3 See More Collapse That facility now produces a variety of Belgian-inspired fare under the Cellar 3 brand. At 7 percent alcohol by volume, Baroque Belgique is less potent than other new Cellar 3 releases Divine Belgique (8.5 percent ABV, formerly released as Trippel) and Ideal Belgique (9.1 percent ABV, formerly Grand Cru). I'm hardly alone in enjoying all the new beers billed as tart, sour, funky or wild (including the excellent Tenebra Aeterna, a barrel-aged sour porter from Texas' own Real Ale Brewing). But I also understand that such flavor descriptions can be hard for the uninitiated to wrap their heads around. Here's how it was put to me several years ago: Though our body's natural reaction to something sour is to spit it out, once you realize a wild-fermented beer is not going to be fatal you open yourself up to an exciting new range of flavors. So make it a new year's resolution and go wild out there. The president of the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Laura Murillo, told members of President-elect Trump's transition team on Tuesday that Latinos are disappointed by their lack of representation in the new presidential cabinet and at all levels of government. "We want to be part of this country's fabric and not just a thread," Murillo said at the transition team's Washington, D.C., meeting with Hispanic leaders. As president of the chamber, which represents approximately 90,000 businesses in the greater Houston area, Murillo has previously criticized Trump's actions. In November, during the HHCC Annual Awards and Gala, Murillo told to an audience of about 1,300, mostly Hispanics, "Never let it be said we are criminals or rapists." It was a clear reference to the June 16 speech in which Trump announced his presidency. In it, he said: "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." Murillo was one of about 60 Hispanic leaders that meet with the transition team, including representatives of the National Council of La Raza, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The Washington Post reported that officials from the Trump team included the Republican National Committee's Jennifer Korn; Mercedes Schlapp, a Fox News contributor and longtime Trump backer; and Katrina Campins, a Latina from season one of The Apprentice. The newspaper said that a few Latino leaders, such as Roger Rocha, the president of LULAC, "argued in favor of the administration working together with Hispanic leaders where there are areas of agreement." Olivia.Tallet@chron.com Twitter: @oliviaptallet When students graduate from high school, they need to be prepared for the next step. For some students that means heading off to college. Others plan to enter the workforce immediately or join the military. The above high school rankings show the schools that performed best and worst in the TEA's post-secondary readiness index for the 2015-16 school year. This index, which comprises one fourth of each school's TEA Report Card, measures student readiness for college or a job following high school. UNFAIR SYSTEM? Texas issues preliminary letter grades to schools The measurement is comprised of the STAAR post-secondary readiness standard, graduation rates, the way schools create gratuation plans and college and career preparedness offerings at the school. The index looks for students who graduated under the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program. It also looks for students enrolled in at least two advanced or dual-credit courses or "a coherent sequence" of Career and Technical Education courses, such as auto tech or radiology. The ranking in the slideshow above includes high schools in the Greater Houston area that scored either below 65 or above 89 on the post-secondary preparedness index. Click through to see the schools ranked from worst to best. Two men are in custody after deputies recently found drugs valued at $300,00 as well as several guns at a residence in Fort Bend County. The cache of firearms and narcotics was discovered about 5:30 p.m. Monday in the 1200 block of West Sycamore in Fresno, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office. The University of Houston System's former campus in Cinco Ranch is expected to be sold by the end of the spring, according to David Oliver, associate vice chancellor and associate vice president for facilities and construction management at the System. The System is selling the 36,000-square-foot campus after closing it in 2016 as it continues preparation for a new 46-acre campus that is expected to open in the fall of 2019 on the northeast corner of Interstate 10 and Texas 99. The asking price for the Cinco Ranch campus is $6.8 million, Oliver said. Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle HOUSTON A fourth Houston man has been sentenced for his role in the 2012 fatal shooting over a pair of Air Jordan sneakers the victim had just bought. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Kegan Arrington was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery, escaping a possible capital murder conviction. Martha Blanco McGinnis visits Cuba with a little something for everyone: Clothes and shoes that are cheaper and better made than what's on the island, candy and coloring books for the kids, Christian books for her hometown church and cocoa, tea, oatmeal and more for her many friends and relatives. She returns home to northeast Houston with just the clothes on her back. Even the suitcases stay behind. "We leave everything there," she said. "We come back with nothing." Cuban-Americans rarely visit family empty handed. And while commercial flights are making it easier to access the island nation, they're also adding new restrictions to an already dizzying set of rules regarding what can and cannot be taken there. One United Airlines passenger walked into Bush Intercontinental Airport for the inaugural Houston-Havana flight with a 55-inch television and was told he could not check it on his flight. Another showed up with bicycles and was likewise turned away. "It's stressful for them," United spokesman Jonathan Guerin said. "It's hard for us to have to tell them that." More Information Cuban travelguidelines As air travel to Cuba becomes easier from the U.S., the rules for what passengers can take there remain complex. A few examples: Weight, size limits: United Airlines passengers from Bush Intercontinental Airport are limited to two pieces of luggage weighing up to 70 pounds each and are no larger than 62 linear inches. Value limits: The U.S. Commerce Department allows gifts up to $800 per recipient without a special license. The Cuban government allows gifts with a total value of up to $1,000. Restricted items: United prohibits bicycles, surfboards and other large items due in part to space limitations. The U.S. government forbids vehicles or items that could have a military use. Restricted recipients: High-ranking military or communist party officials and organizations administered or controlled by the Cuban government are not eligible. Cuban government fees: Duties vary based on the weight and type of item brought in. Travelers who pack 30 kilograms or less, not including 10 kilograms of permitted medicine, do not pay fees. However, some items such as televisions and other electronics are subject to government duty. More information: www.aduana.co.cu Sources: United Airlines, U.S. Departmentof Commerce, Cuban Customs See More Collapse Airlines, considering aircraft balance, available space and destination, have created restrictions on the weight and size of luggage. This compiles rules created by the U.S. and Cuban governments determining the value and types of items permitted. Still, it's cheaper to bring goods from the U.S. than to buy them in Cuba - Blanco McGinnis said even the two doctors in her family can't afford a nice pair of sneakers - so many Cuban-Americans are navigating the hurdles, extra fees and duties. "People take everything they can," said Felix Chevalier, a Houston-based lawyer representing U.S. businesses interested in Cuban investments. He recently saw someone carrying a car fender on a charter flight. subhed To avoid having passengers stash valuables in their vehicles or miss their flight to take items home, United wants travelers to know the rules before arriving at the airport. Passengers' luggage must not weigh more than 70 pounds and must be no larger than 62 linear inches when checking in for United's flight from Bush Intercontinental Airport to Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. United charges extra for bags over 50 pounds. Linear inches can be calculated by adding together an item's height, width and depth. Certain equipment, including bicycles, surfboards, wakeboards and windsurfing boards, are not permitted. And busy travel seasons, including the winter, spring and summer, have an embargo on the number of checked bags. Through Jan. 30, travelers are restricted to two checked pieces of luggage. This will be lifted temporarily but will return in the spring. The 70-pound weight restriction, however, is always in effect because Havana's airport does not permit heavier bags, Guerin said. Blanco McGinnis and her relatives in the U.S. have provided cellphones and laptops to those in Cuba, and they pay for cellular and internet plans. But she avoids taking larger items because those are difficult to travel with and they incur fees from charter operators and duties from the Cuban government. "It's very expensive," she said. The U.S. Department of Commerce has a license exception that allows Cuban-Americans and others to bring items to eligible individuals, including family members and religious, charitable and educational organizations. Travelers do not need to get licenses as long as they follow certain rules. Those using the license exception can take up to $800 worth of gifts to an eligible recipient in Cuba. That means they can take up to $800 of personal electronics, toys and other goods to their mother in one house and up to $800 of such items to their brother in another house, a senior Commerce official said. subhed There are some restrictions. For instance, travelers cannot take vehicles or items such as thermal-imaging cameras that could have a military use. They also cannot take goods to individuals who are high-ranking military or communist party officials, or to organizations that are administered or controlled by the Cuban government. For those wishing to take more than $800 worth of goods to a household, the official said they can apply for a license through the Department of Commerce. Travelers should expect to wait two to three weeks for that license to be approved. "They're complicated because we have a law that requires us to have a trade embargo with Cuba," the senior official said. Cuba has its own set of restrictions. If a traveler packs 30 kilograms or less, not including the 10 kilograms of medicine that's permitted, he or she doesn't have to pay any fees. A calculation kicks in after 30 kilograms to determine what fees are due. Certain items, including televisions, laptops and other electronics also are subject to duty. AUSTIN Texas state lawmakers formally gathered here Tuesday for their 85th regular legislative session, a five-month sprint of legislating that is expected to include the first major budget cuts in several years as well as heated debates over everything from mental health care to bathrooms. As they have every other winter for the past 171 years, the lawmakers gaveled in with much glad handing and oratory. The festivities were especially jovial due to Republican hopes about the prospects for incoming President Donald Trump as well as the unusual lack of opposition to Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, who was unanimously elected to his record-tying fifth term leading the state House. But before the applause ended, many lawmakers were turning their attention to the budget, which is expected to be about $7 billion smaller than last session. "We're going to be looking at everything," said state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills. "When we start, you've got to be open minded about everything and look at it and then you start paring back from there being very, very mindful because of the budgetary constraints." The nitty gritty was expected to start Wednesday, with lawmakers and advocates set to hold news conferences about border security, gun violence and the hotly-anticipated issue of whether transgender residents should be forced to use a rest room that aligns with the gender identify of their birth instead of their chosen identity. Also expected on Wednesday, according to several senators, is an effort by Democrats to try to reinstate an old rule that required 21 of 31 senators to agree before legislation could be debated. The long-standing rule was dropped two years ago by a Republican majority that wanted to make it harder for Democrats and dissident GOP members to block votes. But in the face of several controversial bills, including the bathroom legislation, some are quietly pushing for the return of the rule. Privately, Senate leaders made clear Tuesday that they would not allow the rule's comeback. Republicans, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, control 20 of the chamber's 31 seats, making it nearly impossible for Democrats to push much of anything. In the House, the chances of any rules fight were snuffed out immediately when Straus won the support of all 150 members. It was the first time that there was no opposition to Straus, who is seen by some hard-line conservatives as too moderate. In a speech thanking his colleagues, Straus defended the House's cautious style, a contrast to the Senate that is expected to continue this year. "Compromise is a good word in the House," Straus said. "We can show that this is still a place of thoughtful, inclusive leadership." Straus suggested he would focus on reforming the state's mental health care and child protective services systems, and he also issued a veiled jab at the bathroom bill, a top priority of Patrick, which has enjoyed broad support in public opinion polls but has been criticized by some as so offensive that it could likely force businesses to flee the state. "If someone wants to invest in Texas, if they want to bring commerce and opportunity to our state, we should welcome them," Straus said. "This state should invite economic activity, not turn it away." The biggest disruption in the pomp and circumstance was the presence of embattled state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, who is under criminal investigation for alleged misuse of state funds and had announced that she would resign her seat before reversing course and showing up after all. In an impromptu news conference with reporters, Dukes said she was talked into coming back by supporters who valued her expertise in the area of health and human services. Later in the day, the Travis County District Attorney's Office said that it would bring its case against Dukes in front of a grand jury next week. The more serious cloud hanging over the proceedings on both sides of the Capitol, however, was the looming budget cuts. Many lawmakers expressed optimism that they would successfully handle the dim revenue forecast handed down Monday by Comptroller Glenn Hegar. After all, they said, state leaders last summer ordered agencies to submit their budgets to include a 4 percent cut over current operations, a move that could save millions of dollars. In addition, the leaders said that zero-based budgeting where agencies have to justify each one of their expenditures as if starting anew will be used, and will help. "My father lived through the Great Depression, and I was here in 2011 when we cut $3 billion from education, so I've seen bad. This not nowhere near that bad," said Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and chair of the Senate Finance Committee. "We will have a budget. We will pay for the services we need." Some lawmakers even framed the cuts as an opportunity. Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, said the situation could spur a discussion of whether Texas should accept billions of dollars in federal health care funding. That money has long be available to the state if it went along with the Obama administration's push to expand access. Doing so has been a major priority of Democrats and the business community, although it has never been likely and the program might be eliminated altogether under Trump. One hope for lawmakers of both parties was that they could scale back their spending on border security if Trump fulfills his promise to build a wall on the southern border. An option that was not on the table, according to lawmakers, was tapping the state's so-called Rainy Day Fund. "There's no sense at this point that anyone wants to do that," said newly elected Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Mineola Republican who had served in the House since 2003, when the budget took a multibillion-dollar hit that caused layoffs and program cuts. "When the process is over, I think we'll be okay this biennium." While much of Tuesday's discussion centered on cuts, several lawmakers said also were looking to improve state operations, especially in the criminal justice realm. Senate leaders met Monday to discuss ideas from exploring successful community-based justice programs that cost less than state incarceration to even mothballing additional beds in state prisons that are currently empty, according to participants. "Our prison population is at a longtime low, and we have some opportunities to look at closing some additional units," said John Whitmire, D-Houston, who chairs the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. "As we see the strains we face with the budget, I certainly think that we will be looking at this -- knowing that we will have a bed for you if you commit a crime in Texas." In the public education area, state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who last session chaired the upper chamber's committee on that issue, said he does not expect the Legislature to overhaul the state's beleaguered school funding formula, which the Texas Supreme Court recently called byzantine, but he said lawmakers will look for improvements and try to set themselves up to tackle the issue in the future. Among other issues, lawmakers also said they expect to discuss whether to increase school choice and what to do about a recent Houston Chronicle investigation that found that the state has been systematically denying special education services to tens of thousands of children with disabilities. Also up for debate will be legislation to outlaw so-called sanctuary cities and much, more more. "It's going to be an interesting year," state Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, said with a smile. "We're excited." Andrea Zelinski and Bobby Cervantes contributed to this story. A federal judge has slapped the state of Texas with an exacting interim order demanding more information and prompt plans for a slew of changes to the troubled foster care system at the heart of a long-running class action on behalf of more than 12,000 children in permanent care. The order asks that, among other things, the state submit a plan for policies overseeing monthly in-person visits, create a central databank for all children in long-term state care and plan to launch a 24-hour hotline for kids to report allegations of abuse and neglect. "We're making progress," said Paul Yetter, a Houston-based lawyer representing the children. The order is the latest step in a case that started back in 2011 with a lawsuit alleging that the Texas foster care system violated children's constitutional rights by keeping them in unsafe care, moving them around repeatedly and failing to provide sufficient oversight. After finding the current system "broken" in a damning 255-page ruling in 2015, U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack demanded that the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services overhaul how it oversees foster services for the thousands of children in long-term care. In November, two court-appointed special masters issued 56 recommendations to fix the problems, but the state objected to all of them. Before issuing a final order, Jack issued Monday's interim action for a series of more immediate plans and information. "Despite the tremendous accomplishments by the parties to date, the Court is not prepared to enter a final order," she wrote. "The Recommendations of the Special Masters are preliminary in nature and require additional information gathering, input, and supervision by the Court." In the meantime, the interim order asks for the creation of a number of plans - including one to deal with missing health care records and one to assign an attorney to each child in long-term care - and some studies, including a look at various employee workloads. In issuing the order, Jack noted the state's own repeated findings of systemic flaws. "The refusal by the State to accept this burden despite over 20 years of studies conducted by the State or commissioned by the State, all of which found these same deficiencies, brought us to this point." Yetter celebrated the order as a step in the right direction. "This is a careful judge who is determined to get it right," he said. "The system is so broken, it can't be fixed without careful study." But the state pushed back, suggesting that the judge overstepped her bounds. "Sweeping changes to the state's foster care system should come from state officials, not from un-elected federal judges or their appointed special masters," Marc Rylander, spokesman for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, said in a statement. DFPS spokesman Patrick Crimmins offered a more neutral take on the matter. "We are carefully reviewing the interim order, which clearly recognizes that Commissioner (Hank) Whitman and state leadership agree with the need for significant improvement of our foster care system," he said. "We look forward to working with the Texas Legislature on this issue." A final order is expected later this year. Korea recently turned down proposals for a joint submarine drill with the U.S. and Japan due to anti-Japanese sentiment here, the Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday. The daily said the U.S. and Japan proposed the drill in trilateral defense talks in Seoul on Dec. 16 to build closer military ties based on an intelligence-sharing pact Seoul and Tokyo signed last year. But Seoul rejected the offer due to growing criticism of the pact, which was pushed through by embattled President Park Geun-hye's administration. Seoul declined the offer to "avoid a further deterioration in Seoul-Beijing ties" over the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery here, the daily added. The Defense Ministry here denied the report. "It's true that a joint sub drill was discussed. But we never turned it down," a ministry spokesman said. "We only agreed to have further discussions later." For some time, the Legislature has been inching toward a fairer, simpler and more straightforward budget by undoing billions of dollars in budget diversions. With respect to our traffic-clogged roads, the Legislature did the right thing two years ago and acted to restrain a long-standing practice of using road fund money for things other than buying rights of way and building and maintaining highways. Similarly, it has dedicated more funding from the state sales tax attributed to sporting goods to beef up our perennially underfunded state parks system. But there's still an elephant in the room: the Byzantine school finance system. In 1997, then-Gov. George W. Bush told lawmakers, "By relying too much on local property taxes, Texas is shirking its responsibility to our children. We are relying on a patchwork system that is inherently unequal and unfair to fund our future," as reported by R.G. Ratcliffe in Texas Monthly. This session, the Legislature needs to get serious about ending diversions across the board and stop relying on the rise in local property taxes to help lawmakers fund matters other than public education. When we pay our local property tax bill, we assume that the school district taxes ultimately benefit public education. But this isn't always the case. Any time property appraisals go up, the state reduces the revenues it sends to local school districts. Furthermore, under the Robin Hood program that was developed under court order to equalize funding between districts, certain "property wealthy" school districts are required to send the rise in their local property tax revenues to the state. The Legislature has come to rely on these so-called recaptured funds. While the money does flow directly to schools, the sleight of hand is on the back end when the state sends schools less money from "General Revenue" funds. In effect, our local property tax revenues benefit the state's bottom line, not public schools. Not only is the state shifting to local taxpayers its obligation to fund all Texas public schools, it's shifting to local taxpayers its obligation to provide other basic services. Bush predicted a decade ago that if the trend relying on local property taxes for school funding continued, that "more and more districts will become Robin Hood districts and our school finance system will be unbalanced, unfair and ultimately unconstitutional." In fact, the Robin Hood program has grown beyond recognition. At first, only 34 school districts, serving fewer than 1 percent of the state's students, were subject to recapture. Today 238 school districts will make recapture payments, according to Texas Monthly. With each upward appraisal in a growing community, the Legislature further abdicates its constitutional duty to fund education. The amount of recapture to be paid by districts to the state will exceed $2 billion in 2017. The state invoice to Houston ISD alone is expected to top an estimated $1 billion over four years. Lack of transparency in tax policy throws district accountability out of whack. Voters should be able to look at their local tax bills and see how much of the property tax checks they write annually actually are contributing to their local schools. The information allows them to hold local school districts accountable. Under the current system, they can't. Districts that are making recapture payments should not have to face angry voters who are getting priced out of their homes. They should not be the fall guys for the Legislature. It's easier for state officials to claim they have not voted for a new tax by instead relying on local collections to bolster state coffers. Let us be clear: That dog no longer hunts. Last May, the Texas Supreme Court issued a challenge to the Legislature to fix our broken public school finance system. While justices held that our public school finance system meets minimal constitutional standards, they urged bottom-to-top reforms. Lawmakers have acted to end fiscal shell games before. They should do it again and stop these sneaky budget practices, which are so harmful to our students - and Texas' future. President-elect Donald Trump's campaign promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and that Mexico would pay for it made for good politics, but now the obvious is becoming clear: If it is to be built, the tab will be picked up by American taxpayers. It turns out the newly convened Congress, with Republican majorities in both chambers, is discussing the inclusion of wall construction funds in upcoming spending bills, which Trump defended on Twitter by saying that any money spent "will be paid back by Mexico later!" Let's get a couple of things straight: The proposed 2,000-mile-long wall will be very expensive, with current construction estimates of up to $25 billion plus $750 million in annual maintenance costs, and there is no way Mexico will agree to pay for it. President Enrique Pena Nieto has been clear about that, and his domestic politics would never permit it. Yet Trump seems to think Mexico can be strong-armed into funding something it does not want and that serves no useful economic or even domestic purpose for either side of the border. Trump told the New York Times on Friday that repayment might come out of a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement that he has vowed to make more U.S. friendly. That differs from his earlier threat to cut off remittances sent home by undocumented Mexican workers in the U.S. until the Mexican government antes up for the wall, but whether that or his mass deportation threats for the undocumented might still happen remains to be seen. We find troubling the absence of any reasonable leadership out of Texas on the issue of the wall - 1,000 miles of which would be built in our state - but then we're reminded that Trump might have learned the value of border bashing and fear mongering from our highest state officials. While they are quick to extol the importance of Mexico as our state's leading trade partner - $95 billion in 2015 - they learned early on that demagoguery about the border stirs voters. Our view is that Mexico, with whom we have a long, shared history, should be treated as the neighbor, friend and important business partner it is, not a political punching bag. We're OK with negotiations to update NAFTA, which went into effect in 1994 and might need some changes, but Trump's allegations that it is broadly unfavorable to the U.S. are wrong. We would urge him to talk to President George H.W. Bush about it, since it was largely negotiated during his presidency. As for the wall, we would urge Trump to see it for what it is - a $25 billion white elephant that won't stop the flow of desperate people seeking to escape poverty and, increasingly, violence in their home countries. That money could be better spent helping our southern neighbors develop stronger economies and institutions so their citizens can stay put and have decent lives. President Ronald Reagan got it about walls. In Berlin in 1987, he famously told Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear his down - we would urge Trump to never build one. Tom Reel/Staff In the first check of the Legislature's temperature on bathroom-related legislation, the Texas House on Wednesday briefly considered restricting access to Capitol restrooms by sex. Rep. Matt Schaefer, a Republican from Tyler, offered an amendment to House Resolution 3, a general housekeeping bill that House lawmakers take up at the start of every session to establish the chamber's rules. Some Missouri school superintendents are warning parents and their children that a change in state law could lead to students being charged with felonies after fights or bullying, but legal and legislative leaders say the concern is overblown. The change, part of a state criminal code overhaul that took effect Jan. 1, increases the penalties for third-degree assault and harassment and creates a fourth-degree misdemeanor assault charge. The new law does not specifically mention schools, and education officials and prosecutors are struggling with how they will interpret it. The law says anyone who knowingly causes a physical injury to someone else, no matter the offenders age, can be charged with a third-degree felony. At least three school districts Ferguson-Florissant, Hazelwood and Kansas City have posted warnings on their websites saying the new law means students might face felony charges if they are involved in fights at school, on buses or on school grounds. Ferguson-Florissant School Superintendent Joseph Davis posted a YouTube video discussing the new law and imploring students and their parents to refrain from solving disputes by fighting, which to led to media stories discussing the new law and the concerns it was raising. All of which irritated Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, who sponsored the criminal code overhaul. He said the reports were totally erroneous and based on a minor change in a 1,000-page bill. Dixon said the change makes it less likely that a student would become a felon because they give prosecutors more discretion than was possible under the former law. I think (the superintendents) were trying to get the bluffing on the kids to convince them not to get into schoolyard fights, Dixon said. And honestly, more power to them, but dont misrepresent the work that we did because the press kind of picked it up. The Ferguson-Florissant district later posted a clarification that said the video was intended to keep students and parents informed of the laws. Davis declined an interview request from The Associated Press but said in a statement that district officials are discussing the law with attorneys and law enforcement. There is still a lack of consensus and clarity regarding the new laws and the implications for students and schools, the statement said. At this time we have not changed our policies nor the Code of Conduct. We will continue to meet in the coming days to determine what is in the best interest of our students and what we must do to uphold the law. The new law does not change much related to school fights but it does include an overly broad definition of harassment, which could make some bullying cases reportable offenses, said Susan Goldhammer, an attorney for the Missouri School Boards Association. These are difficult things schools struggle with every day, she said. How do we impress on (students) that their actions are important but at the same time, we dont criminalize common behavior? Whatever schools decide, prosecutors will ultimately decide whether or how to charge students. And it is unlikely prosecutors change course, said Dana Tippin Cutler, president of the Missouri Bar. Whatever schools decide, prosecutors will ultimately decide whether or how to charge students. And it is unlikely prosecutors change course, said Dana Tippin Cutler, president of the Missouri Bar. Our court personnel and prosecutors are going to continue to use discretion they always had about filing charges and pursuing criminal cases, Cutler said. And if the case doesnt merit it, theyre not going to waste time and resources pursuing it. ASSOCIATED PRESS An online exclusive is an article or story that does not run in the print edition of the Houston Herald. Typically 2-3 are posted online every Wednesday morning. Its another feature designed for users who purchase full web access from the Herald. Click here to subscribe for print, digital or both. Citing increasingly sophisticated cyber bad actors and an election infrastructure thats vital to our national interests, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced Friday that hes designating U.S. election systems critical infrastructure, a move that provides more federal help for state and local governments to keep their election systems safe from tampering. Given the vital role elections play in this country, it is clear that certain systems and assets of election infrastructure meet the definition of critical infrastructure, in fact and in law, Johnson said in a statement Particularly in these times, this designation is simply the right and obvious thing to do. The determination came after months of review and despite opposition from many states worried that the designation would lead to increased federal regulation or oversight on the many decentralized and locally run voting systems across the country. It was announced on the same day a declassified U.S. intelligence report said Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election. The declassified report said that Russian intelligence services had obtained and maintained access to elements of multiple U.S. state or local electoral boards. None of the systems targeted or compromised was involved in vote tallying, the report said. A 2013 presidential directive identified 16 sectors as critical infrastructures, including energy, financial services, health care, transportation, food and agriculture and communications. The designation announced Friday places responsibilities on the Homeland Security secretary to identify and prioritize those sectors, considering physical and cyber threats against them. The secretary is also required to conduct security checks and provide information about emerging and imminent threats. JEH JOHNSON Such a change does not require presidential action, and only requires the secretary to first consult with the assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism. Discussions about whether to designate elections systems as critical infrastructure surfaced after hackers targeted the voter registration systems of more than 20 states in the months prior to the November election. While the designation puts responsibilities on the Department of Homeland Security, it does not require entities that are determined critical infrastructure to participate. Much of the nations critical infrastructure is in the private sector. Johnson said election infrastructure included storage facilities, polling places and vote tabulation locations, plus technology involved in the process, including voter registration databases, voting machines and other systems used to manage the election process and report and display results. The designation allows for information to be withheld from the public when state, local and private partners meet to discuss election infrastructure security potentially injecting secrecy into an election process thats traditionally and expressly a transparent process. U.S. officials say such closed door conversations allow for frank discussion that would prevent bad actors from learning about vulnerabilities. DHS would also be able to grant security clearances when appropriate and provide more detailed threat information to states. The Obama administration has proposed international cyber rules for peacetime that would expressly note that countries shouldnt conduct online activity targeting critical infrastructure, which will now also include election systems. President Barack Obama used sanctions last week to retaliate against Russian efforts to interfere in the U.S. election process by expanding a prior executive order that allows for their use in the case of cyberattack on critical infrastructure to entities interfering with or undermining election processes or institutions. With election infrastructure designated as critical, an attack that takes the system down would also qualify for a response of sanctions. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi, who is the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, commended Johnsons action and said, In the long term, this will put our electoral systems on a more secure footing and maintain public confidence in our elections. Rep. Jim Langevin, a Rhode Island Democrat and co-chairman of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, said in a statement that the decision demonstrates the vital need to ensure votes cant be tampered with. We must also act as a nation to build our resilience against future information warfare attacks. Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp, who is a member of the U.S. Election Infrastructure Cybersecurity Working Group run by DHS, is among those who have opposed the designation. Testifying in September to a House Oversight subcommittee, Kemp said more federal oversight could make systems more vulnerable and could make protected records more accessible. When Johnson discussed the likelihood of the designation in a conference call with state officials on Thursday, Kemp called the action a federal overreach into a sphere constitutionally reserved for the states. According to a copy of his comments released by his office, Kemp told Johnson on the phone that this smacks of partisan politics given the dwindling days left in the Obama administration. Kemp has appealed to President-elect Donald Trump to investigate failed cyberattacks on the Georgia secretary of states network that traced to the Department of Homeland Security, calling the departments technical explanations insufficient. ASSOCIATED PRESS An online exclusive is an article or story that does not run in the print edition of the Houston Herald. Typically 2-3 are posted online every Wednesday morning. Its another feature designed for users who purchase full web access from the Herald. Click here to subscribe for print, digital or both. 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. Two Korean electronic giants were among the top 10 patent holders in the U.S. last year. Samsung Electronics ranked second in terms of patent registrations for the 11th year running and LG Electronics seventh. Samsung won 5,518 patents for smartphones, smart TVs and semiconductors, according to U.S.-based IFI Claims Patent Services on Monday. That is up 8.8 percent from the previous year and an average of 15 patents a day. IBM topped the list with 8,088 patent registrations or 22 a day, ranking first for 24th year running. Samsung was followed by Qualcomm, Google, and Intel with eight a day. LG, Microsoft and Sony won five to six. "Registering as many patents as possible in the U.S. will be useful in legal battles over patent rights with global companies in the future as well as securing future technologies," a Samsung executive said. Samsung has waged patent battles with Apple since 2011 and started a patent litigation with Huawei in May last year. As of the end of 2015, Samsung held 110,145 patents in total, 38,809 registered in the U.S. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. ee horrified employers have denied hiring a gang-member to threaten former workers after the Employment Relations Authority fined them $20,000 each for the offence.Kalpana Nandni and three former colleagues were pursuing a case with the ERA when she was allegedly visited at her home by a man with a Black Power facial tattoo. The man came late at night and warned Nandni that she shouldnt attend the upcoming employment case.According to Nandi, the man said; You people are really in danger, some people are after you and if you do go to attend the case something bad could happen to you and it's better if you don't attend.Despite the mans advice, the four workers continued their claim and it was found that Chirag Ahuja, Neelam Ahuja and Rhythm Ahuja all directors of now-defunct clothing companies had underpaid staff. They were ordered to reimburse their former workers a total of $68,782.The labour inspectorate also alerted the authority that two of the former employees had been threatened and a second hearing was scheduled to find out if the Ahujas had attempted to obstruct the authority.At the subsequent hearing, member of the authority Eleanor Robinson said it was likely the trio were behind the visit as the man had detailed information about the case which indicated he had been sent by someone involved.She also stressed that it was important any penalty would not only serve as a punishment to the offenders but also act as a deterrent to anyone who may consider similar tactics in the future.Robinson ordered each of the three Ahujas to pay $10,000 for each of the two counts of intimidation, with half to go to Nandni and former colleague Renuka Kumar and the remainder to the Crown.However, the Ahujas lawyer, Greg Bennet, said his clients maintained their innocence and were horrified such an amount had been awarded against them. He also said the decision would be appealed. umber of leading political figures have been paying homage to Joseph Harawira one of New Zealands most prominent worker advocates after the 70-year-old passed away earlier this week. Joe was relentless in his pursuit for justice for ex-sawmill workers who were exposed to pentachlorophenol (PCP), a deadly chemical used in New Zealand timber processing for years, said Te Ururoa Flavell, MP for Waiariki and co-leader of the Maori Party. What I admire most about Joes campaign was his steadfast determination to take on the corporate warriors, to conduct extensive research into the debilitating effects of PCP and to stand by and for the families affected by chemical poisoning, he continued. Harawira worked for 29 years in the timber industry before his health declined in 1982 he was just one of many sawmill workers who were suffering similar symptoms such as fatigue, depression, respiratory problems, heart and liver disease, and high levels of cancer. In 1988, Harawira and a number of other former sawmill workers established the group Sawmill Workers Against Poisons (SWAP) in 1988 to explore the health effects of PCP exposure. The resulting survey was then used to bring together the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Te Puni Kokiri leading to the creation of special health services and a clinic. SWAP then campaigned with Greenpeace to have all remaining contaminated sites cleaned up, including 25 dumps in the Whakatane area. His ground-breaking campaign resulted in significant transformative outcomes for the people and land of Ngati Awa, said Flavell. The research was pivotal in creating a remedial project to clean the whenua and waterways. Council of Trade Unions vice-president Maori Syd Keepa also expressed his condolences to Harawiras family and said the union movement was in mourning. Joe and the team at SWAP helped rip the lid off one of theworst workplace disasters in New Zealand history," said Keepa. A Texas man wants to clear his name after he was charged with possessing methamphetamine when the substance was really kitty litter. Ross Lebeau, 24, was pulled over in early December for making a right-hand turn without stopping, according to KTRK. Sheriff's deputies smelled marijuana in the car, and Lebeau said he had a small amount of it with him. Advertisement During a subsequent search of the car, deputies found a sock with a substance inside, according to the Houston Chronicle, but Lebeau said he had no idea what it was. The substance turned out to be kitty litter that his dad used to stop the cars windshield from fogging up and to absorb moisture. However, two field tests showed it was meth. He was charged with possessing about a pound of the illegal drug, according to KTRK. "They thought they had the biggest bust in Harris County. This was the bust of the year for them," he told the station last week. Advertisement He was booked into jail, but later released on US$50,000 bond. The arrest was the subject of a press release that read it "may have kept our children and loved ones free from being introduced to drugs," according to KTRK. But the case was dismissed last week when it was determined that he didnt have meth in his car after all, according to the Chronicle, and now hes working to restore his reputation. Thank you everyone who supported me through this crazy rollercoaster, he wrote on Facebook last week. Advertisement He told the Houston Chronicle he wants to see authorities use fewer inexpensive, mass-produced drug tests. A person may not learn that the test was faulty until after accepting a criminal record and probation. "A lot of people plead guilty to these crimes because they can't afford to be bailed out," he said. Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also on HuffPost The National Assembly, which acts as the plaintiff in the impeachment trial, also criticized the account saying it appears to have been "patched together." Instead it unveiled a 97-page document containing its views on the missing hours. Her absence that day has become a hugely contentious question, even though it is a side issue in the crony scandal that has brought her down. "We asked the president to reveal what she did on the day, but the document appears to be insufficient. It only includes what orders she gave and what reports she received," the court said. Park's lawyers submitted the document 19 days after the court asked her to detail her whereabouts during the notorious "missing seven hours" on April 16, 2014, when she was nowhere to be found as rescue efforts went badly awry and more than 300 young passengers and crew died. The Constitutional Court on Tuesday dismissed as "insufficient" a 16-page statement from President Park Geun-hye purporting to explain where she was during the 2014 ferry disaster. Before 10 a.m. Park's account starts at 9:53 a.m., but lawmakers have focused their inquiry on what she was doing before 10 a.m. In the submission, she says she was first briefed by presidential aides at around 10 a.m., an hour after the ferry started to capsize off the southwest coast. She claims the briefing took place in her residence in the Cheong Wa Dae compound, where she had decided to remain because she had no official functions to attend and "was not feeling well." But the National Assembly has learned that the National Security Office at Cheong Wa Dae was told at 9:19 a.m. that the ferry had run aground with 474 people aboard and started sinking, and sent a text message to presidential officials five minutes later. Breaking news reports on TV also started at 9:19 a.m. The National Assembly said, "It is clear that Park was unable to answer phone calls from the NSO chief or chief secretary from 9:30 a.m. until at least 10 a.m." Constitutional Court judge Lee Jin-sung said, "Taking a look at the written answer, it is unclear when the president first learned of the sinking of the Sewol ferry. TV news began reporting the accident just after 9 a.m. so we need to know if she did not know about this before 10 a.m." Contradictory Information The submission purports to list the exact times Park was either briefed by Cheong Wa Dae officials or spoke with them over the phone. But Lee said, "What the Constitutional Court asked for was an explanation of the president's whereabouts based on her own memory. The report mainly lists what the president claims were reports she received and orders given on the day of the tragedy." Lee also pointed out that Park failed to submit records of what she claimed were numerous telephone calls with national security chief Kim Jang-soo. Some of the information looks contradictory. For example, Park's aides have claimed she was briefed in her residence by presidential secretaries An Bong-geun and Jeong Ho-seong. But in the written submission, the only people listed as entering the residence that day were a staff nurse who brought her mouthwash and her hairdresser. Also, the times of the briefings delivered by An and Jeong are listed as "that morning" or "after lunch," even though the timeframe of other events is listed in detail. Excuses The statement says since Park is single and has no family, her official residence serves as a "second office." She adds that former President Kim Dae-jung often worked from the residence due to his old age. But People's Party lawmaker Park Jie-won, who was chief secretary under Kim, said the former president "often came to his office to tend to matters even on holidays." The lawmaker accused Park of "insulting a former president by distorting the truth." Park's lawyers also claimed that former President Roh Moo-hyun was briefed at the residence when Kim Sun-il was beheaded by terrorists in Iraq in June 2004. But critics point out that Kim's body was found at 10:20 p.m. Korean time, so it would make sense that Roh had gone home by then and staff followed him. Park also claims that she took "all possible measures" to assist the rescue efforts and appears to blame others for any failings. "As she frequently received reports and gave orders for the rescue, the entire country was in chaos due to the inaccurate reports of relevant agencies and incorrect reports by the press," the lawyers said in the submission. It turns out that wiping your feet on the national flag of a country with one billion people could upset a few folks. Amazon learned that the hard way Wednesday, when Indias foreign minister threatened to ban company employees after the sites Canadian portal offered for sale a doormat with the Indian flag on it. Advertisement Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter to express her displeasure with the product, which was offered for sale by a seller called XLYL. Swaraj even alerted Indias high commission in Canada to take up the matter. Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level. https://t.co/L4yI3gLk3h Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 Advertisement If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 Swaraj has developed a reputation for using Twitter diplomacy, The Guardian reports, and in this instance, it appears to have worked. An Amazon spokesperson told the Hindustan Times Wednesday the item is no longer available for sale on the site. Apparently the vendor, identified by the newspaper as Hana Houdek, had removed the item from sale after the controversy erupted. However, as of Wednesday, the vendors doormats featuring the U.S. flag and British Union Jack were still available for sale on Amazon Canada. Advertisement The doormat controversy was not the only thing dogging Amazons Canadian division on Wednesday. The company agreed to pay $1.1 million in penalties and costs to Canadas federal Competition Bureau to settle concerns raised over its pricing practices. The bureau said the concerns related to the list price Amazon shows customers as a comparison against the price being offered on Amazon. The comparisons usually signalled "attractive savings'' for consumers but were unsubstantiated by the company, the bureau said. It said Amazon relied on its suppliers to provide the list prices without verifying that they were accurate. Advertisement The Competition Bureaus decision ends a two-year-long investigation into Amazon pricing practices. The regulator noted that Amazon has since changed the way it advertises list prices on its site. With a file from The Canadian Press CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article erroneously referred to Sushma Swaraj using the pronoun "his." Also on HuffPost The mother of a five-year-old girl has been charged with murder after the child was found dead in her father's restaurant. Ashley Zhaos body was found inside Angs Asian Cuisine in North Canton, Ohio on Tuesday afternoon, according to WKYC. Her body had been concealed. Advertisement Her mother, Mingming Chen, faces murder and felonious assault charges. Her father, Liang Zhao, has also been charged with complicity to commit felonious assault. The child was reported missing Monday evening by her parents, Jackson Township police said in a statement on Facebook. But during their investigation inside the family restaurant, they discovered her body. Advertisement According to Stark County jail records obtained by the Canton Repository, Chen allegedly struck her daughter several times in the head with her fist. Zhao discovered the child lying on the floor around 9:15 a.m. Monday, and noticed green fluid coming from her mouth. The records state he cleaned her up in the bathroom and laid her back on the floor, but realized she wasn't breathing and unsuccessfully tried to do CPR. Also on HuffPost A Conservative leadership candidate is claiming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replaced two veteran Liberals in his cabinet because they werent photogenic enough. Saskatchewan MP Brad Trost took to Facebook Tuesday to fundraise off of Trudeaus cabinet shuffle, which saw Stephane Dion replaced as foreign affairs minister by Chrystia Freeland and John McCallum swapped out at immigration for Ahmed Hussen. Advertisement The shuffle was about replacing the more experienced and less photogenic duo of Dion and McCallum with ministers who are less experienced, but who look better in a selfie, Trost charged. Referring to the prime minister as Justin, Trost said the changes to the prime ministers inner circle arent strong enough to respond to a new U.S. administration. In fact, todays action was nothing more than Justin doing 'The Selfie Shuffle,' he wrote. Trost was also critical of Trudeau for keeping on Maryam Monsef, who was shuffled to the Status of Women portfolio from Democratic Institutions. Newcomer Karina Gould has taken up Monsefs former portfolio. Advertisement Though Monsef was criticized for her handling of the electoral reform file last year, Trosts criticism focused instead her citizenship controversy. Monsef revealed in September, after questioning from reporters, that she was born in Iran, not Afghanistan as she said she was led to believe her whole life. Trost said the prime minister appointed Monsef to a more senior role after failing to divulge problems with her immigration status. Others have described Monsefs move to Status of Women as a demotion. Trost ended the post by asking supporters for a $25 donation and linking to the wrong website. Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet for the first time today. Did he move Finance Minister Bill Morneau to another... Posted by Brad Trost on Tuesday, 10 January 2017 The departure of Dion, a former Liberal leader and cabinet minister under previous Grit governments, was the most significant change Trudeau made Tuesday. While Dion has said he is retiring from active politics, he has reportedly been offered a diplomatic post abroad. Advertisement Freeland, who won acclaim last year negotiating the Canada-European Union trade deal as international trade minister, will now serve as Canadas top diplomat. The Oxford-educated, former business journalist speaks five languages, has been a vocal critic of Russias Vladimir Putin, and has connections in the United States from her years working in New York City. Freeland, 48, also happens to be Canadas third female foreign affairs minister and first Liberal woman to hold the position. While her promotion evidently did not impress Trost, it seems his colleagues disagree. Tory foreign affairs critic Peter Kent told The Canadian Press that Freeland was a smart pick. "Chrystia has the smarts, she has the skills, she has the personality, she has the background to be a strong representative of principled Canadian foreign policy and I just hope that she doesn't fall into line with what we consider to be the prime minister's misguided foreign policy positions,'' Kent said. McCallum, meanwhile, will become Canadas new ambassador to China. The longtime Liberal has been replaced by Ahmed Hussen, 40, who came to Canada as a teen refugee from Somalia. Hussen became a successful lawyer and president of the Canadian Somali Congress. Advertisement Trosts dig about McCallum not being photogenic enough likely isnt going to hurt his feelings. In June, McCallum made MPs erupt in laughter while responding to a charge from his critic that the government was just interested in photo-ops. "Mr. Speaker, if the government wanted to send somebody somewhere for a photo-op, I suspect there are people in this aisle they'd probably send before they sent me," he said. The shift to a younger cabinet this week was noticeable. Dion is 61 and McCallum is 66. Maryann Mihychuk, who was dropped as labour minister and removed from the cabinet entirely, is 61. Gould, the new democratic institutions minister, is 29, making her the youngest woman appointed to cabinet. Advertisement The average age of Trudeaus cabinet is now around 50, CBC News reports. With files from The Canadian Press Also on HuffPost It was a soft tribute, but else would people expect from Drake? The Toronto rapper posted a tribute to outgoing U.S. President on Instagram Tuesday, praising Barack Obama for his leadership over the past eight years. As a Canadian that calls America home for part of the year I will always carry your words and the memory of your time in office with me as inspiration. Big up yaself O. Advertisement To commemorate his feelings, he shared a Photoshop image of Obama mashed with the rappers recognizable head and facial hair. A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:20pm PST Maybe its a look Obama will consider after he leaves the White House on Jan. 20. Maybe. The tender yet strange homage seems to Drake's way of making a self-reference to parody lyrics he performed last year on Saturday Night Live. During that May appearance as host and musical guest, he mocked how everything he does gets embalmed as an Internet meme: Advertisement Trying to say you really care about me but then you put my picture on E.T./How can I explain to my mama when youve got my beard on Obama. Obama delivered his final address as president in Chicago, breaking away from a tradition of broadcasting the presidents last speech from the Oval Office. Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also on HuffPost A likely Conservative leadership contender wants to bow down to his new monarch, King Donald Trump. In a video posted online Tuesday that has since been made private celebrity businessman Kevin OLeary is shown saying: I think the next five years are going to be amazing and hail King Trump is what I say. OLeary made the comments during an interview with business news website Benzinga in Detroit. The sites article that featured the video was live for one day but has now been deleted. Advertisement Benzinga declined to comment when asked why the story was taken down. Other clips from OLearys talk are still online, including one where he talks about his morning routine. During the Q&A, OLeary also said that the United States is the only place on Earth to start a company. When I started my company, there was only one place on Earth to do it. It was here the capital, the market, the lowest taxes and the least regulations. Everybody comes to America to start a company, said OLeary. We lost our way a little bit, and were coming back. Advertisement I think the next five years are going to be amazing and hail King Trump is what I say. OLeary is not American, but the millionaire investor has in the past called Boston home. He owns property in Toronto, but spends a lot of his time working in the United States. This month, OLeary launched an exploratory committee about a run to replace Stephen Harper as leader of the federal Conservatives, but has yet to make it official. He said in the past that Canada needs a Trump guy, and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the wrong guy to deal with the incoming American president. The brash businessman also told 1310 News last month that he wouldve voted for Trump if he had American citizenship. Tory leadership candidates have criticized the Shark Tank reality star for his Trump-like political style and lack of French language skills. Contender Kellie Leitch has also been compared to Trump because of her call to screen immigrants and visitors for so-called anti-Canadian values. Advertisement Kevin OLeary and Kellie Leitch are both taking lessons from what we saw in the U.S. election and embracing a style of negative, irresponsible populism, longtime Ontario MP Lisa Raitt said at a press conference last week. What happened in the United States happened in the United States and ... It doesnt mean its going to happen in Canada, she said. Raitt has also launched a website StopKevinOLeary.com to attack her potential rival. Quebec MP Maxime Bernier, considered a top candidate for the Conservative leadership, said that OLeary cant win an election without speaking French. And Berniers fellow candidate Andrew Scheer invited OLeary to announce his run in time for the French debate on Jan. 17, telling him to fish or cut bait. It doesnt look like OLeary will be participating in the Quebec City debate, though he may enter the race two days after it, according to comments he made last week at a gathering of wealthy Canadians in Florida. Advertisement Also on HuffPost Pope Francis is a proud supporter of public breastfeeding. On Sunday, the 80-year-old gave a service at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, which included 28 baptisms. During the ceremony, a few of the infants started crying, which the Pope chalked up to being hungry. Since the ceremony is a little long, someones crying because hes hungry, he said. Thats the way it is. You mothers, go ahead and breastfeed, without fear. Just like the Virgin Mary nursed Jesus. Advertisement Watch the video above to hear more. This isnt the first time he has advocated for public breastfeeding. In 2015, during another baptism ceremony of 33 infants, Pope Francis encouraged mothers to nurse their children. You mothers give your children milk and even now, if they cry because they are hungry, breast-feed them, dont worry, he said. Also on HuffPost The Air Force scrambled 10 F-15 and KF-16 fighter jets on Monday morning after 10 Chinese military jets intruded without notice into Korea's air defense identification zone near the submerged rocks of Ieo. But in a now familiar pattern, the military waited 11 hours to inform the public of the incursion. It was only after Japan's Defense Ministry announced the incident at around 8:30 p.m. that the Korean military, prodded by reporters, finally acknowledged it. The military frequently tries to keep alarming incidents under wrap, either because of an ingrained culture of secrecy or because it is rudderless. A military source said, "Sorties in response to unidentified aircraft approaching our air defense identification zone involve military maneuvers and could expose our strategy. Other countries also refrain from commenting in detail on such matters." The source pointed out that the air identification zones of Korea, China and Japan overlap over Ieo, around 150 km southwest of Jeju Island, "so Chinese military aircraft approach the region many times every year, but our military has never revealed this fact first." But critics accuse the military of endemic cowardice in dealing with such matters. The Chinese incursion comes amid tensions over Korea's decision to let the U.S. deploy an anti-missile battery here that Beijing views as an attempt to keep it in check. One former general said, "We make a huge fuss if even one North Korean patrol boat crosses the Northern Limit Line, but the latest incident is equivalent to a whole North Korean squadron violating the NLL." The NLL is the de facto maritime border separating North and South Korea on the West Sea. "The military's assessment of the situation is too easy-going," he added. One researcher at a state-run think tank warned, "Keeping Chinese incursions into the zone quiet could send the wrong message to China that we acknowledge China's zone, which overlaps with ours," said former vice defense minister Kim Sung-han. Kim added that the new Korean zone, which was declared in December 2013, "is too wide for our military to defend on its own. The military probably kept it quiet because it was afraid of admitting this lack of ability." Sometimes, bigger isn't always better. While many men and women love the idea of a big penis during sex, it can often be difficult to engage in intercourse or anal play. "Just as we erroneously assume that bigger is always better, so do we often mistaken deeper penetration as a universal ideal. The reality, however, is that shallow penetration can be more desirable," says Dr. Jessica OReilly, creator of the Sexual Pro Series Webinars and author of The New Sex Bible. Advertisement One report found that the "ideal" penis size according to women was actually bigger than the average penis size. The study found the preferred size was 6.3 inches or 6.4 inches for one-time encounters, while the average size for a man's package was 5.6 inches. So while some women and men like the idea of a well-endowed man, it can sometimes leave one partner feeling embarrassed or intimidated, or both. Below, we round up some tips on how to navigate an extra large package, as well as the best sex positions for ultimate pleasure. Advertisement Talk about your insecurities: Whether you are the owner of the large penis or the partner, nobody wants to feel uncomfortable about their body. According to experts for Women's Health magazine, acknowledge the elephant in the room right away. "You dont want to embarrass the guy since he may already be sensitive about his size but its a good idea to be upfront and honest," certified sex therapist Kat Van Kirk told the magazine. Compliment his size and suggest taking intercourse slower. Go in with lube (and plenty of it): Lube should be your number one go-to when it comes to painful sex. Sex toy company Lelo suggests applying it both to the head and shaft of the penis, as well as the vagina or anal opening. Advertisement "Help him glide in and make the entire passionate process a much simpler, and much, much more comfortable process," the site notes. And foreplay is just as important. Make sure the two of you pleasure each other before bringing in the lube. Speaking of foreplay... Like we said before, foreplay is essential for getting used to large packages, so don't be shy about suggesting an extended foreplay session. Cosmo notes that women should explain to their partners that they need foreplay to lubricate and expand. "If he still doesn't spend time stroking, arousing and exciting you before penetration, find a new partner!" Advertisement Don't expect perfect sex: Pop culture and some porn make us believe bigger penises mean better sex, but as Women's Health magazine notes, this is not always true. Sometimes men with big penises think that's all they need to be a gratifying lover, but a big penis doesn't guarantee more orgasms," New York City sex therapist Ian Kerner told the magazine. If things don't work, talk to an expert: If practice doesn't result in orgasms for the both of you, it may be time to get help, especially if you are continuously having painful sex. Advertisement The Date Report says your doctor can rule out any other medical issues you should be concerned about. And below, OReilly shares some of the best sex positions for big penises from The New Sex Bible. T-Bone "As your bodies form the shape of a tee, this unique angle creates a sensation like no other with minimal exertion on your part," O'Reilly writes. How to: She lies on her back with her knees bent and her feet spread apart flat on the mattress. He lies on his side at a right angle to her body (to form the top of the tee) and slides his body under the bridge of her bent legs. She presses her hips up slightly as he slides in from beneath her. As they rock and thrust in rhythm, their fingers can dance over her clit or they can hold hands and gaze into one anothers eyes. "Ladies: cross your legs and squeeze! Not only will you awaken the core muscles involved in orgasm, but as you squeeze his cock between your warm, wet thighs, the snug fit will create extra friction against his shaft and your tender inner lips." Titillation Advertisement "This position is designed for uninhibited lovers and women who love to flaunt their best assets in his face. Though the depth of penetration may be shallower than other positions, he surely wont complain as she shoves her nipples between his eager lips," she writes. How to: He lies on his back on the ground and pops his hips up as he slides his legs onto a bed or couch. Since much of his weight will be supported by his shoulder, he may want to place a few pillows beneath his neck and back for support. She climbs atop on all fours allowing her breasts to hang or press into his face. She can control the angle, depth, motion and speed of penetration as well as the degree of contact between his face and her chest. For heterosexual men, O'Reilly suggests spreading her butt cheeks with your palms and running a finger along her perineum between her fourchette and pucker. Butt Buddies "This challenging position has it all: the excitement of rear-entry, the mystery of 'blind sex,' the sensual bumping of butts and the option for dual stimulation of her G-Spot," she writes. Advertisement How to: She lies flat on her stomach with her head in the upper right corner of the bed. He lies on his stomach on top of her with his head kitty-corner to hers in the lower left corner of the bed. His legs stretch out on either side of her and their positioning deprives them of eye contact and exchange of facial expressions to facilitate blind sex." They both pop their hips upward far enough for his penis to angle backward comfortably and slide inside. Gradually, they slide away from one another simultaneously and then back toward one another allowing their butts to bump gently as they find their perfect rhythm. If you are trying this position, be careful. "To facilitate entry, be sure to angle your hips upward so that his penis doesnt bend at an uncomfortable angle," she says. Penises can and do break (the tunic that encapsulates the spongy erectile tissue can tear, O'Reilly says), so take extra precaution when doing this move. Also on HuffPost A small city near Ottawa that has struggled for years with a weak economy is the site of a heated debate about Ontarios basic income experiment. Smiths Falls city council voted against participation in the provinces basic income pilot project by a vote of 3-2 last month, despite Mayor Shawn Pankows support for the idea. Council shot down a proposal to send a delegation to a conference of rural municipalities to lobby for a basic income in Smiths Falls. Advertisement But that hasn't stopped some residents from protesting city council's decision. This is an occupy moment and were here to protest, Carol Anne Knapp, who started a petition after councils vote last month, said at a council meeting on Monday. Darlene Kantor, a local building superintendent who identifies herself as a person with a disability, told councillors she has tenants who have to make a decision every month about whether to pay the rent or feed their children. I had a tenant who was an elderly woman who died of starvation, said Kantor, as quoted in the Smiths Falls News Record. She had no food in her fridge no food in her cupboards. Theres people starving! Advertisement "I have to believe they didnt understand what they were voting down." Smiths Falls resident Carol Anne Knapp Ontario's Liberal government made launching a basic income pilot project part of its budget last year, and a report last fall from the province's consultant on the issue, ex-senator Hugh Segal, suggested a program that would see individuals paid $1,320 per month with $500 more for those with disabilities. It would replace the province's current welfare and disability programs. The province is looking for several sites, including urban, suburban and rural communities, to test out a basic income. A number of experts argue that a basic income could soften the blow from the rapid automation of manufacturing. The provincial government told the Smiths Falls Record News that it, and not the municipal government, will make the final decision on where basic income pilot projects will be implemented. Advertisement All the same, some residents are upset about city council's lack of support for the project. "I have to believe they didnt understand what they were voting down," Knapp told the CBC last month. "This can be considered not just a handout to those who are less fortunate, including hungry kids and destitute seniors. This could be considered the best stimulus package this community could hope for." She added: "It's been a devastation since Hershey's left." Can marijuana and a basic income rescue Smiths Falls? Smiths Falls was once the site of a Hersheys chocolate factory and a Stanley Tools plant that were the economic lifeblood of the community. In the years since both shut down, incomes and home ownership have declined, and a third of the communitys children now live below the poverty line, according to the CBC. Since then, the Hershey plant has reopened as a production facility for Tweed, Canadas first publicly-traded medical marijuana producer. And the town has gotten some other boosts, including the arrival of a manufacturer of self-piloting boats. Advertisement Mayor Shawn Pankow says a basic income would help people find the confidence to look for work in the new economy, without fear of having their social benefits clawed back. "If you're living in despair or addiction or crisis all the time because you can't make ends meet and you don't know where the next meal is going to come from, and you're feeding non-nutritious food to your kids because that's all you can afford, the future of those kids is going to be the same as the parents," he said. But city councillor Dawn Quinn says she doesnt think the idea will work. People in poverty need to be able to learn how to take that money and stretch it. I was raised by a mother who said, 'Give me a pound of hamburger and a bag of macaroni and I can feed my family for a week.' We need more of that kind of thinking," Quinn told the CBC. The income all has to come from somewhere and I don't think the taxpayers can afford to be paying any more taxes. The basic income idea got a boost from the local countys health unit, which is backing the idea. On a personal level Im really keen to see whether we can do things differently that would really support the people in our community," said Paula Stewart, chief health officer for Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District. Advertisement "On a professional level, I think its worth a try." The basic income debate will return to Smiths Falls' city hall on Thursday, when council will hold an information session for the public about the province's plans. Also on HuffPost Victoria Beckham just got candid about her imperfections. For British Vogue, the mother-of-four penned a letter to her 18-year-old self with "advice on how to survive a life in the spotlight," touching upon body image, the Spice Girls, husband David Beckham, and more. As @victoriabeckham is named OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List, look back at the letter she wrote to her 18-year-old self with advice on how to survive a life in the spotlight via the link in bio, exclusively for #OctoberVogue A photo posted by British Vogue (@britishvogue) on Dec 31, 2016 at 2:21am PST Advertisement The 42-year-old began her letter by addressing her struggles as a teen, trying to fit in at school while being bullied for her weight, looks and skin. But even though these moments were hard for her growing up, VB wrote that she wishes she had learned to embrace her imperfections as a young girl. "Let your skin breathe; wear less make-up. (And dont ever let that make-up artist shave your eyebrows! The effects last forever.) You will always be addicted to Elnett hairspray but you will tone it down. Less of the 'Hello! I just got stuck in a wind tunnel', please," she wrote. "And I should probably say, dont mess with your boobs. All those years I denied it stupid. A sign of insecurity. Just celebrate what youve got." Advertisement Beckham, who was just named OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List, also credited the Spice Girls ("four other girls, all misfits in their own ways") for allowing her to find her confidence, saying if she hadn't joined the band that she "might always be that insecure person in that little shell." But the British fashion designer admitted that even as a mother and a successful business woman, she is still "hugely self-critical" and constantly "uptight." She also noted that her present-self has to learn to enjoy herself a little more and "be less image-conscious." Perhaps the most interesting section of the letter is her stance on marriage and how she presents herself to David, the man who made her believe "love at first sight does exist." David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the Global Gift Gala in partnership with Quintessentially on November 19, 2016 at the Corithinia Hotel in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) Advertisement "Preserve a bit of mystique," Victoria wrote. "Never let yourself go completely (at least brush your hair, clean your teeth, have a bit of a brow going on because you will always want him to look at you and feel attracted)." We could all learn a thing or two from VB. Follow Huffington Post Canada Style on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter! Also on HuffPost Juanmonino via Getty Images Pensive child looking through a window As a parent of a child diagnosed with autism over a decade ago, I have watched the provincial and federal policy debates about autism with great interest -- and even greater disappointment. Although I used to believe that one of the things that made Canada a great country was its publicly-funded health-care system, my son's diagnosis opened my eyes to discrimination under medicare. There is no cure for autism, but we've had solid peer-reviewed evidence for decades that Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI) based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) can have a dramatic impact on the development of kids with autism. Advertisement Unfortunately, the treatment is not covered by medicare across the country. In most provinces, IBI/ABA is not offered by ministries of health to those who need it, when they need and for as long as they need it. Programs, when they are available, are typically offered by ministries of social services instead and are extremely limited in their scope. They are also plagued by unconscionable wait lists -- often years long. My family spent over $40,000 on such therapy in the private sector in the first year while waiting for government provided treatment for our son. This was not sustainable for us nor is it for most Canadian families. More recently, when I inquired about placing our son in a group home facility in Ontario, I was told that he could not be placed on a list until he's 18 -- and the average waiting period is a decade-long. Such dramatic waits for care facilities for adults with autism is replicated across the country. The last thing autism families need is more bureaucracy. So what kind of national leadership has the federal government demonstrated on this file? Not much so far. Recently they've been invited to embrace a new proposal. Advertisement In November, an expert working group on autism created by the previous federal government presented their final report to Health Minister Philpott. A proposed business plan for a Canadian Autism Partnership (CAP) and a request for support, to the tune of $19 million over five years, was put forth. Minister Philpott now has to determine whether to proceed with this "autism partnership model." Unfortunately, CAP falls far short of offering autism families across the country any relief. CAP gives an overview of their proposed structure (board of directors, national director, 11 employees, advisory council), a mission (address issues related to autism using a shared leadership approach), and a process (consultations, issue identification, agenda setting, problem-solving, mobilization, evaluation, measurement, monitoring) -- but that's about it. In other words, the CAP proposal involves the creation of another bureaucracy. Those involved with the working group and their supporters may be excited about the prospects of a new bureaucracy, but many in the autism community -- myself included -- are shaking their heads in disbelief. The last thing autism families need is more bureaucracy. What we need instead from the federal government is real leadership on autism -- and we need it now. Advertisement The CAP proposal raises numerous concerns and risks. First, the plan does not mention specific gaps in policy or issues that need to be addressed on a priority basis, and it does not give concrete examples of how such issues could be resolved with the new model or when. Second, we already have a public health agency and a federal department of health. Are these institutions and their provincial counterparts not adequate enough to conduct consultations, collaboration, problem-identification and political decision-making? The creation of a new bureaucracy will likely render the possibility of any concrete action to resolve policy and program gaps across the country even more remote. Third, the CAP model does not actually provide the partnership with any authority to make changes to public policy, and it certainly won't have the resources or legislative power to make meaningful decisions which will entail consequences on the ground. Instead of a new bureaucratic structure, Minister Philpott should consider instead how the federal government can demonstrate leadership, exercise influence, and put some money on the table to negotiate an accord with the provinces that would address three recurring issues as priorities for autism families: the lack of health-care (medicare) coverage for autism treatment (ABA/IBI); the lack of ABI/IBI in the school systems and the lack of appropriate housing accommodation for autistic adults. Where there is a political will to do something, there is a way. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Advertisement Imgorthand via Getty Images Mother and two kids hiking in mountains. The sky is cloudy. Everybody is wearing a backpacks and warm jackets. This holiday season, my kids and I spent some time with my parents in Arizona, along with one of my brothers, his wife and their baby. We had a great time, and it was amazing to see my youngest brother all grown up with a family of his own. Yet as the days went on, I began to notice a pattern. My brother and his wife helped equally with their son. They bathed him together, changed him together, put him to bed and read him stories together. They even sat outside his door in the middle of the night when the baby cried, willing him back to sleep. Advertisement My nephew calls out to them equally. He spends equal amount of time cuddling with each of his parents. He can look back and forth at them and see two familiar loving faces at any point during the day. I am proud of their partnership, but it also made me a little wistful. I've been divorced since my kids were two and three. I doubt my boys can remember a time when both their parents read them stories together. When both their parents lived under the same roof. Now, if they're seeing one of us, it means they have to call the other. It's been a very ordinary part of their childhood for a long time, but suddenly, seeing my nephew, it struck me that life has been perhaps a tiny bit unfair to my kids. "We must have looked like a family as we clambered to the end of the trail and back, talking and even laughing with the kids along the way." I don't want to dwell on the past or on my divorce. I only want to look ahead. I'm grateful that things worked out as they did, even though it's been hard. I hope my kids will be resilient because of this. I hope they will realize how strong they are. How lucky they still are to have two parents who love them very much, even if their parents no longer love one another. My ex and I try very hard to co-parent successfully. It's what actually brought us together for a hike while I was in Arizona. He had come down to spend a few days with the boys at a hotel, and since my kids were set on hiking a mountain called Pinnacle Peak, we agreed to go together -- the four of us -- so we could properly supervise them on the rocky climb. We must have looked like a family as we clambered to the end of the trail and back, talking and even laughing with the kids along the way. Other hikers stopped us and asked if we wanted our photo taken. It would have been too awkward. "No thanks," we both replied. We continued on our way. My boys periodically express hope their father and I will get back together. What kid wouldn't want both parents to tuck them into bed at night? I always kindly explain it's not going to happen. Perhaps it was the hike, or the sight of their aunt and uncle tending to their cousin, but it all became too much. Their emotions came to the forefront at the Barnes and Noble Valentine's Day display. Advertisement "Will you buy daddy this card?" one of my boys asked hopefully, holding up a glittery card with hearts. "I'm sorry sweetheart, but you don't do that when you're divorced," I explained. I crouched down, knowing they would need a hug by the end of wherever this conversation was headed. "Do you still love daddy?" the other asked. "No, once you get divorced you don't love each other in the same way," I said. I tried to be clear and matter of fact about it. "I will always be grateful to daddy for giving me you, but mommy and daddy aren't going to get married again." The tears came, hot and pure. Then came my hug. "But boys, a parent's love for their kids never changes. We will always love you no matter what." I told them how lucky they were and how strong. They dried their tears and put the Valentine's card back in its place. I held their hands in the back seat of the car on the way home. Sometimes, it's all you can do. Sometimes, it's just what they need. Advertisement Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Our world is in dire need of a new wave of charismatic leadership that can curb bureaucratic deadlock, the spectre of populism and the rise of nationalism. In the final countdown for the 2017 Davos meeting, we ought to remind ourselves that free, democratic institutions rely on the glue of trust. There has to be a rock-solid belief that the transaction between voters and elected officials, or consumers and businesses, rests on something deep and sacred. Without it, leadership can be neither responsive nor responsible. Advertisement Generations do not trust each other. Older generations do not trust the youth with leadership, and younger generations do not trust leadership structures monopolized by the elders. The current generation of senior leadership is unresponsive for its failure to listen to us youth, and irresponsible for its failure to include us. Inter-generational trust: the barriers and the potential The broken inter-generational trust of unresponsive and irresponsible leadership is evident in most institutions in all three sectors. In the political and public sectors, youth still face archaic restrictions that prevent us from assuming responsibility for our own future. Young adults can bring a more inclusive, collaborative and consensus-building approach to politics. Today's generation of young people is the largest the world has ever known. Although 51 per cent of the world's population is under 30 years old, only two per cent of the world's Members of Parliaments are under 30, and although young people have the right to vote, 73 per cent of countries restrict young adults from running for houses of parliament. Advertisement In fact, research suggests that the most difficult step for new candidates willing to stand for election is their party's nomination process for a place on the ballot. The reason, however, for including young adults in debates and decision-making extends well beyond the demographic segment's clear stake in the solutions. Young adults have values, skills and an impact-driven sense of mission that differs from older generations. They are socially conscious, they believe in government, they are highly educated digital natives and they are focused on shared prosperity. As a result, young adults can bring a more inclusive, collaborative and consensus-building approach to politics and representation. In the private sector, the average age on the board directors of S&P500 companies is 63 years old (with an upward trend), and less than one per cent of them under the age of 40. Though there has been plenty of conversation and action on diversifying board memberships by professional backgrounds and expertise, nobody is considering including a youth member that would represent and convey better the traits and needs of their young consumers, the largest target demographic of many of these companies. While the current generation of senior age dominated leadership shows pity for how we will combat the rise of youth unemployment believing that technology replaces and threatens people, we the youth believe that technology is powered by people and empowers people. Young entrepreneurs are already using technology to disrupt rigid employment and income generation, creating the sharing economy of flexible jobs in ride-sharing (e.g. Uber) or even asset-sharing (e.g. Airbnb). Advertisement The need for change is increasingly imminent. In the non-profit sector, youth membership on boards is rare and merely symbolic when existent. The reason lies on the fact that board members of major non-profits are usually the highest donors rather than representatives of the organization's target demographic. The need for change, however, is increasingly imminent. The most widely recognized symbols of social impact activism are being passed from the older and seasoned within the industry to younger and digitally empowered generations, such as from Mother Teresa to Malala Yousafzai. Inevitably, non-profit organizations that gravitate significant philanthropic dollars will soon have to revolve their leadership's branding around younger social change-makers. This representational disparity, in all three sectors, defines current leadership structures as inherently unresponsive and irresponsible to their largest demographic of stakeholders: youth. The need to champion young responsive and responsible leaders Our youth generation is already priming itself for a new wave of leadership. It has low-cost access to higher education knowledge from the world's best universities through MOOCs; it develops tacit technical skills that build and grow multibillion-dollar technology companies; it has a better understanding of complex (and otherwise divisive) policy issues; and diffuses its energy to peacefully mobilize its communities. But most impressively, many young people now blend (or juggle) their work in all three sectors together, and develop into tri-sector leaders. This allows them to create a capacity to balance competing motives, develop contextual intelligence, and build integrated networks. Advertisement Over the last four years, I have seen young people crowding international policy-making spaces, whose occupancy was previously monopolized by older generations of leaders. Despite it being a Herculean task at times, youth delegations managed to get accreditation and permission to participate in summits such the G20/G7, OECD and IMF annual meetings, or the COP21 during the historical climate deal signing. Attending these summits, young people crafted unimaginably creative ways of reaching to senior politicians, civil service policy directors and multi-national business stakeholders to relay their concerns. Recognizing this special catalytic role of youth, the former United Nations' Secretary General Ban Ki Moon stated that "We have to put young people in influential positions," and previously introduced the position of UN Special Envoy for Youth, led by the young Ahmad Alhendawi. The World Economic Forum, the most consequential convener of global leaders from all three sectors invites youth to their meetings. Acting on their commitments, the WEF initiated the Global Shapers and Young Global Leaders communities that have established impact-oriented networks of young developing political, business and non-profit leaders that achieve together what they previously could not in silos. I have witnessed youth being responsive and responsible to their communities, and I can attest that they are ready to assume the responsibility for their future. Advertisement Trust now. Lead together now. From climate change to public debt, it is the first time a young generation has established powerful consensus around inter-generational issues. Never before has a generation been so connected and self-organized, yet mired in such anguishing asymmetry with older generations of leadership and global decision-making. The question remains: If so many young leaders are already responsive, responsible and also effective, why do senior leaders worldwide prevent them from joining them at the decision-making table? We need the glue of trust on which Responsiveness and Responsibility rests on. Fast-forward 15 years. Imagine our institutions governed by leaders who developed themselves by access to knowledge at digital speed, who rose to power by more transparent mechanisms, and who are in these capacities solely because of their aptitude of responsiveness and responsibility. Our world's leadership structures are changing again. This time, however, it can be different. This time, we can choose to press the fast-forward button and plan for a smoother transition of power between generations of decision-makers. To restore our young generation's faith in our world's leadership, we need the glue of trust on which Responsiveness and Responsibility rests on. Advertisement We have a unique opportunity to turn this conflict of ages into the opportunity of our age. Your trust is all we need. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: The five things you need to know on Wednesday, January 11 1) 360 DEGREES OF SEPARATION Its the first PMQs of 2017 today and it ought not to be a dull affair. Theresa May will be tempted to further ridicule Jeremy Corbyns reboot yesterday, though even some Tory MPs fear that will look like kicking a wounded puppy. She could even point to the latest Momentum coup against the hard-left (see below), and to new stats that show inequality has narrowed sharply. Advertisement Corbyn may well try to shift the agenda back to health, and defend the honour of NHS chief Simon Stevens from government briefing. The Labour leader could go typically off-piste and ask directly why the PM is not telling us more about the new blind trust for her business interests. He could even chuck a curve ball by querying Jeremy Wrights new plans to use drones to target overseas terrorists using social media. But curveballs are what Corbyn appeared to chuck at himself yesterday with his long-awaited New Year relaunch. He U-turned on his U-turn on EU immigration, completing a 360 degree manoeuvre that was frankly dizzying to Labour MPs, let alone the public. And having floated in the morning the idea of a maximum wage cap only to shoot it down in the afternoon, its no wonder the papers are full of chaos and worst day yet stories. Team Corbyn dismiss criticism from media outlets they see as the enemy and seem content that at least their man got some more messages across to a mass audience, including the idea that fat cat pay would be tackled by Labour. But there appeared to be no real road-testing of the messages, or signs that anyone in his media team had prepped him for the inevitable questions. To be fair to those around him, Corbyns lack of message discipline - saying the unsayable however clumsily - is his political USP. The real problem is potential governments need workable policies not just slogans. Im told Tory HQs dossier for the Copeland by-election had a swift insert of Corbyns vow to join the picket line for train strikes. Many Labour MPs suspect Corbyn is now going full-steam ahead with a strategy to abandon key voters, as Conor Pope reminded us this week, the culmination of leftwinger Neal Lawson's complaint that the wrong people were voting Labour during the Blair/Brown years. Advertisement On freedom of movement, Im told that Diane Abbott had a key role in getting Corbyn to refine his position during the day. As a result, he said that while he was not wedded to unlimited EU migration, nor do we rule it out. He went forwards, then into reverse and ended up in neutral gear on this key issue for many Labour, and UKIP and Tory, voters. Of course, May herself has yet to resolve this key conflict between EU migration and trade, but Corbyn managed to megaphone his own muddle better than any Tory critic. On excess pay, the problem seemed to be Corbyn struggle with practical policy. His own phrase on Today yesterday (and full marks to John Humphrys for getting three stories out of him in a matter of minutes) was that we need some kind of earnings cap, quite honestly. He later reverted to the idea of a lowest-to-highest pay ratio, a plan that even the FT thinks has merit, and would at a stroke slash the pay of outsourcing firms like Capita. Labour MPs have their heads in their hands precisely because they think Theresa May is there for the taking. Shes conducted her own U-turn on getting workers on boards to curb excess pay, shes brittle under questioning, her shared society felt like a relaunch thin on policy, her social care funding plan was a drop in the ocean. And the NHS is a massive, urgent crisis that May has failed to grasp. Thats the most salient aspect of yesterdays media round: what could have been one of the worst weeks yet for the new Prime Minister ended up being the worst day yet for Corbyn. PMQs is his chance to salvage something. 2) OFF THEIR TROLLIES Labours Opposition Day debate after PMQs is on NHS and social care funding. Expect Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth to jibe Jeremy Hunt about losing his ministerial car yesterday as he fled questions from SkyNews Beth Rigby about A&E targets (watch the clip HERE, it really should be set to Benny Hill music). But the situation in many hospitals is deadly serious. The BBC had an excellent leak last night of NHS Improvement (what a wonderfully Orwellian name) stats showing the true state of A&E. A quarter of patients waited longer than the four-hour limit and there were 18,000 "trolley waits" last week alone. 485 of them were for more than 12 hours - treble the number seen during the whole of January last year. The NAO warns 7-day GP opening plans are in disarray. Advertisement Hunt may want to cite Caroline Flints warning at the weekend that Labours claims of a crisis in the NHS is failing to deliver electoral benefits (though she was pretty critical in the Commons). Today the Government faces fresh calls for a cross-party consensus on the health and social care policy and funding challenge. Some MPs remember that when Labour last tried consensus on social care, its ideas were turned into an Andrew Lansley poster of a tombstone and a death tax. Yet the real political event may well be at 2.30pm, when NHS chief exec Simon Stevens addresses the Public Accounts Committee. The Times has an arresting front page splash suggesting Theresa Mays aides are blaming Stevens for the political heat over the NHS, claiming he is insufficiently enthusiastic and responsive. They dont think he is on board with the direction of travel. Stevens relations with May and Hammond are not as warm as they were with Cameron and Osborne, but Hunt treats him with respect. Talk of Downing Street muttering about Stevens has been around for a bit but this looks like a new chapter. Do they want to turn him into another Sir Ivan Rogers? If Corbyn needs further quotes in PMQs today, he could cite the Tory peer and Local Government Association chief Lord Porter, who told HuffPostUK that it was time for the Treasury to grow up over social care and give councils the funding they badly need. 3) TRUMPING RUSSIA Ten days before his inauguration, Donald Trump today gives his first press conference in weeks. Trump is expected to address the Russia issue in his opening remarks, accepting the US should be alarmed by some of the things Moscow is up to, but blaming them on an absence of leadership by Barack Obama. Last nights CNN scoop (which included the legendary Carl Bernstein as fourth byline) claimed that senior intelligence officials have briefed Obama and the President-elect on claims that Russian spies have compromising personal and financial information about Trump. Trump reacted in inimitable style, Tweeting: FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCHUNT! Twitter was awash with bizarre claims about Trump, urine and Moscow hotels. Advertisement CNN was admirably precise, admitting many of the claims are not independently verified. But its worth noting that some of the allegations come from a former British MI6 officer who says the Russian government has for years tried to co-opt and assist Trump. I wonder if Labour will go for an Urgent Question on this? Boris Johnson confirmed to MPs yesterday for the first time that the UK intelligence had evidence that Moscow tried to hack the US election up to all sorts of very dirty tricks. The Russian embassy in London (now a major global mouthpiece for Putin) hit back with a long essay denouncing Western elites. Spookily, it used Trumps own phrase from last night, claiming MI6 was engaged in a witchunt against Russia. With many fearing another Moscow-friendly upset in France, Ed Llewellyn, ex-Cameron chief of staff and now our UK ambassador in Paris, told MPs yesterday that there had been no attempt whatsoever to build links with Marine Le Pen. Even though she could win, Llewellyn said it was a longstanding policy of not engaging with the Front National. BECAUSE YOUVE READ THIS FAR Watch Barack Obama fight tears as he pays tribute to wife Michelle in his farewell speech in Chicago. 4) BRACE YOURSELF There were two separate Brexit warnings in Parliament yesterday. In the morning, City chiefs told the Treasury Select Committee they were preparing plans to shift jobs from London to Paris if there was a hard Brexit. HSBC said it alone would move 1,000 jobs. And as the FT splashes, stock exhange chief Xavier Rolet said from April there should be a five-year process to protect Londons derivatives market ie an extra three year transition period even after weve formally quit the EU in 2019. Advertisement In the afternoon, Polish and other EU migrants in the UK were warned to brace themselves for a fresh wave of hate crime once Article 50 is triggered in late March. Joanna Mludzinska, Chair of the Polish Social and Cultural Association, told the Home Affairs Committee that there might be a flashpoint for those Leave voters who asked Why arent we getting what we wanted, and why are they still here? Barbara Drozdowicz, chief executive of the East European Resource Centre, added: We expect that when Article 50 is triggered that might bring another level of discontent. Brexiteer Boris Johnson had an interesting phrase in Foreign Office Questions yesterday, as he pointed out that German investment in Britain was responsible for about 344,000 jobs, while British investment in Germany was responsible for 222,000. "It would be the height of insanity to imperil either of those sets of investments, Bojo said. Is that him calling Berlins bluff? Or a hint of softer Brexit? Or just a statement that Brexit risks an economic version of the old mutually assured destruction (MAD) of the nuclear cold war? Annother expert is up before MPs today and may talk more on Brexit: Bank of England Governor is before the Treasury Select Committee at 2.15pm. 5) BUILDING MOMENTUM The hot news overnight among Corbynistas is that Momentum has moved to purge hard-left non-Labour members. Founder and long-time JohnMcDonnell ally Jon Lansman emailed its thousands of activists to set out its new constitution which includes a plan to affiliate to the Labour Party. Existing members of the group have until 1 July 2017 to join the Labour Party or be kicked out. Jackie Walker, Momentums former vice-chair, who was removed from her position and suspended from Labour following comments made about anti-Semitism, attacked Lansman for mounting a coup. So now we have it - a leftie version of Progress that will drift to the right, she wrote on Facebook. Im not making this up. Advertisement Moderate Labour MPs wont know whether to laugh or cry at the news. The comical sight of Corbyn supporters purging the hard left is one thing. But the idea that Momentum could embed itself in the party with voting rights at conference and other formal links could chill the PLPs bones to the marrow. If youre reading this on the web, sign-up HERE to get the WaughZone delivered to your inbox. Twice, recently, I have heard UKIP politicians dodge a particular question. A UKIP Councillor rang in to Majid Nawaz on LBC Radio and was challenged when she said that we needed to stop EU workers doing low paid agricultural jobs in the UK and get back to the happy days when English people used to do these jobs. She was challenged several times about how she would go about getting English people to go back to do that sort of low paid, hard work - because they don't see very keen to do it these days. She didn't have an answer and simply waffled on for several minutes. Similarly, UKIP's new leader - Paul Nuttall - was interviewed by Adrian Chiles on Radio 5 this week. Advertisement He again referred to getting non-immigrants workers back doing the low paid agricultural jobs often done by people from eastern Europe. Adrian Chiles did ask him how he would go about getting that to happen, Mr Nuttal did not answer but swiftly moved on and wasn't challenged again on that point. UKIPs immigration policy apparently includes stopping unskilled EU immigration for five years. This issue is central to many of the arguments around leaving the EU and immigration. If the right wing Conservatives and UKIP get their way and we stop unskilled workers coming from Europe to pick fruit and so on - who do we get to do it instead? The UKIP Councillor who phoned LBC started talking about returning to the good old days - a common theme with UKIP - looking to turn back the clock to the 1950s and before. An unlikely turning back the clock delusion! Farmers who produce the fruit and other products relying on low paid workers have also expressed concerns about how they will cope should these East Europeans be stopped from coming to their farms for the picking seasons. Again - it is common to hear farmers saying that local people will not do these jobs. Advertisement UKIP have a good reason to avoid answering this question about getting local non-immigrants to do this hard - low paid work. It is because they don't have a good answer to it - not something their voters would want to hear anyway. What they want to avoid saying is that to get non-immigrants to do this work, farmers would have to pay a lot more in wages which in turn would drive up the price of the food produced and make it more expensive in the shops. This would hit the low paid people in this country most of all since a greater proportion of their income goes on food than for wealthier people. Either you pay more or you create a situation where local are so desperate for money and some sort of income that they feel compelled to do the work. This might be achieved by denying them benefits or opportunities to do any other work - in other words force them, through poverty, into doing it. Obviously UKIP could have a much better answer than this - but I would be surprised because they would surely have used it when asked. We are going to leave the EU - and attempts are going to be made to reduce immigration and maybe that is the will of the many people - it is certainly is an important issue and rightly subject to public debate. All that might be fine - but certain politicians are hiding some hard facts from some of their supporters. Advertisement If people on low incomes are voting for people promising to stop low paid workers coming to do hard, low paid, jobs in this Country then they should be more open and honest about the implications for this policy for these poorer people. Fashion as a tool for identity and freedom of expression - Art School presented a mesmerising performance-based presentation in collaboration with director Theo Adams and choreographer Masumi Saito that evolved across several scenes with intertwined couples colliding, canoodling and clashing. Art imitating life. It felt like a series of tender and queer moments where not just the clothing, by the personal design philosophy of Eden Loweth, a BA Fashion graduate of Ravensbourne and Tom Barratt, an Art Criticism, Communication and Curation graduate of Central Saint Martins who together form Art School, was on show. Every vantage point showed different unfolding storylines and it was constantly engaging with only a subtle beginning and faint hint of an ending to this rolling presentation. This was their first presentation under their label Art School, setting the scene for sexual fluidity in their clothing and an art-driven point of view. The show notes cited the modernist Bauhaus collective and Diaghalev's Ballet Russes alongside Derek Jarman's Chroma as sources of inspiration for form, colour and pattern. The notes were accompanied by the Art School Manifesto: Advertisement Teaming up with Converse and Swarovski and championed by Vogue the duo look like they are tender heavyweights already. I can't wait for the next chapter, but for now, I have edited down to the shots below from hundreds I took as the gorgeous presentation unfolded. I have edited down to the shots below from hundreds I took as the gorgeous presentation unfolded. Advertisement Thoughts about how this fashion presentation may look in the future woke me up this morning - way too early - after writing this article last night. It occurs to me that there will be other relationships to consider if art imitates life. The relationships between humans, bionic humans and humanoid robots. Casting my mind to advances in artificial intelligence, the film Ex Machina, and the InMoov robot created by french sculptor Gael Langevin, it is not difficult to imagine that we will develop emotional bonds with robots in the not too distant future. What will the dynamic of those relationships be? How will our behaviours change once robots share our work and interact with us socially? Forward to a brave new world. Advertisement Gael Langevin and InMoov, photo: Gael Langevin Credits: Designers: Eden Loweth and Tom Barratt Art Director: Siobhan Cait Farrar Stylist: Ai Kamoshita Makeup: Rebecca Wordingham and the M.A.C PRO team Hair: Jonathan De Francesco for Babyliss Set Design: Alice Kirkpatrick Nails: Kimberley Nkosi using Elegant Touch and Nails Inc. Muse and Collaborator: Hannah Hetherington Couture Underwear and Personal Mentor: Lyall Hakaraia Theo Adams company: Director: Theo Adams Musical Director: Jordan Hunt Choreographer: Masumi Saito and Mariya Mizuno, Anna Lewenhaupht, Sophia Brown All photos by Techstyler except where noted First published on techstyler.fashion Follow Techstyler on Instagram EFE Today - January 11th - sees the fifteenth anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre, at the eastern tip of Cuba. President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to cease, immediately, the apparently dreadful Obama policy of releasing detainees. To be sure, President Obama only repatriates people when six designated American intelligence agencies deem the individual no threat "to the US or our coalition allies." Yet Trump knows better. The prisoners who remain when he takes office are, he informs us in the shorthand of Twitter, all "extremely dangerous people," and should be held forever, without even a semblance of a trial. Advertisement Of course we have been told this before - as when Bush-era Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld dubbed them the "worst of the worst" terrorists in the world back in 2002. It was false then, and it will be false on January 20th, even though the military will have distilled the prisoners from 779 to around 40. President Bush repatriated 537 of the detainees; President Obama will have resettled a further 200. Reprieve has helped to secure the release of roughly 80 of these men. When Trump takes office, he will likely inherit three of our clients; if he has his way, they will be "forever prisoners". Even many of the detainees remaining at Gitmo have not yet been cleared, it is hard to make the case that they are all "extremely dangerous". In any case, they should at least be given fair trials. But among the others is my client Ahmed Rabbani, a diminutive Pakistani man whose primary crime was driving a taxi in Karachi. He has now been on hunger strike - force-fed - for two years, as a peaceful protest against his imprisonment without trial. Ahmed was never in Afghanistan fighting Americans; on September 10th, 2002, he was at work in his home town when Pakistani intelligence forces grabbed him and sold him to the Americans for a bounty. They said he was Hassan Ghul, a big name among extremists. Ahmed was spirited off to a dark, secret prison where he was tortured for 540 days and nights. Advertisement All this is detailed in the Senate Torture report. Within days of his seizure, a CIA cable reflected: "Interestingly, he denies being Hassan Ghul... While [Pakistan Intelligence] are fairly certain we do in fact have Hassan Ghul in custody, we would like to make every effort to verify." Years later, they have verified their mistake - and yet Ahmed remains in Guantanamo. Bizarrely, on page 102, the Senate identifies him as one of the prisoners whose torture was carried out "without the approval of CIA Headquarters." I have never been clear whether it is better that approval was given, or that the torture was carried out by rogue agents. One of the problems we have encountered in the years since 9/11 is a failure to consider the lessons of history. For example, over centuries we developed a legal rule against torture, and yet this was jettisoned by the Bush Administration in a few short weeks. Likewise, while Guantanamo Bay is sometimes deemed a 21st Century nightmare, it is also a horror from the 17th and 18th centuries. Donald Trump is proposing a return to the use of the ancient English Bill of Attainder: a procedure where someone could be condemned by politicians, without bothering with a legal trial. Its last formal use in Britain was in 1798 against Lord Edward Fitzgerald, for leading the Irish Rebellion. When the grievances of the American colonies found their way into the US Constitution in 1789, Article I, Section 9 provided that "no Bill of Attainder ... shall be passed." Now, Trump wants to bring it back. He wants to make sure that our clients are held in Guantanamo without a trial, under a whole life sentence - based on his ill-informed and populist decision that they are dangerous and should never be released. He would not even bother with legislation; he would just give our clients a life sentence by Executive Order. The impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye continues to face disruptions from key witnesses and Park's lawyers. Choi Soon-sil, Park's longtime crony at the center of the massive influence-peddling and corruption scandal, as well as former Park aides An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seong again failed to obey their summons to the third hearing on Tuesday. The three are key figures in the scandal, and Tuesday's court session was expected to serve as a pivotal point in the impeachment trial. Instead it got nowhere. On Monday, former presidential secretaries Ahn Bong-geun and Lee Jae-man were also no-shows. They seem to have gone into hiding. All the witnesses gave eerily similar excuses for being unable to present themselves at the impeachment trial. They all claimed they need to prepare for their criminal trials and an ongoing investigation into the scandal by an independent counsel. Choi took the prize by telling each that she was needed by the other. Park is also refusing to cooperate with the Constitutional Court. Asked for a lengthy written account of what she remembered doing during the "missing seven hours" on the morning of the 2014 ferry disaster, she instead furnished a few pages of orders she supposedly gave and briefings she supposedly received. The court dismissed the account as "insufficient" while her lawyers blustered about trivial matters that former presidents are also supposed to have been doing. But this farce is nothing but a blatant attempt to sabotage the impeachment trial and buy more time. The terms of two of the nine Constitutional Court judges end before March 13, and Park seems to hope that a smaller bench has less of a chance of achieving the majority needed to impeach her, while public anger will somehow miraculously abate. One of the many foolish things Park's lawyers have said by way of filibustering is that the massive candlelight protests against Park were instigated by North Korea. But the responsibility for the current chaos is Park's alone. If she feels even an iota of guilt, she needs to stop this farce now. The Constitutional Court must be firm and compel her to explain herself. At the forefront of the European Union's efforts to meet its international and other self-imposed carbon emission reduction targets is quite possibly the most flawed system in the world. It is a system that has gifted billions upon billions of Euros to the continent's largest emitters in subsidies, lined the pockets of international criminals with vast sums, and not only increased carbon emissions on Europe's borders to the tune of hundreds of million tonnes of CO2 it also created the an environmental disaster dubbed the worst in history. And when it all went catastrophically wrong, the EU has given itself privileges of market manipulation that would have sent a banker to jail many times over if they had tried the same thing in any ordinary market. And here is the punchline: and you paid for it all. Someone once said that a camel is a horse designed by a Committee. Well, in this case the horse is an effort to reduce carbon emissions by using market mechanisms. And the committee is the European Union. Advertisement Allow me to introduce you to the camel. In question is the self-styled 'flagship' programme of the European Union, the EU Emission Trading System (ETS). The ETS is a bewildering mishmash of carbon credits, verification agencies, multiple Government departments, and international agreements, all covering 12,000 installations in the EU, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. The reach of this system is enormous and covers the power, iron, steel, aluminium, oil, gas, cement, ceramic, glass, chemical, pulp, and aviation sectors. If you have ever switched on a light, driven a car, used anything made of steel or aluminium, got on a plane, bought a replacement window, or picked up anything from the shops made with chemicals you will have been in contact with a product that has been included in this 100 billion a year system. Each of these products will have had a charge attached to it that is used to buy a carbon credit. It is unavoidable. And yet, you probably did not know that it existed. Its history is a Wall of Shame. It began in 2005 when billions of Euros worth of free credits were handed to the EU's largest emitters; the EU called this a 'trail period,' and the giant corporations pocketed billions in riskless profit. Advertisement The 2008 recession caused a massive contraction in industrial output, leaving the emitters with billions worth in freely allocated carbon credits, sold into the market for vast sums. In doing so, the European Union contradicted its own Polluter Pays Principle. One could reasonably argue that the Polluter Was Paid. I wonder if the lobbying firms had anything to do with this. But the biggest crimes were still to be committed. Through loopholes in the ETS 600 million tonnes of excess CO2 in the Ukraine and Russia (worth around 4 billion) were generated to create bogus carbon credits for sale to the EU power and industrial conglomerates. The Stockholm Environment Institute noted that the chief beneficiaries of these credits were organised crime gangs. Astonishingly, in apparent contravention of an existing international treaty, around 2 billion tonnes of ozone depleting gases (HCFCs) were generated (mostly in China and India) according to the Environmental Investigation Agency in order to catch a by-product and create carbon credits worth around 20 billion, in what was dubbed "the greatest environmental scandal in history." These credits were again sold to the power companies and industrial giants in the EU. All of this was perfectly above board. As if that was not enough, failure by the EU to account for differing tax regimes created the largest VAT fraud the world has ever seen. Estimates of up to 15 billion were defrauded by this poorly constructed and poorly managed system. When the price of carbon credits got too low the EU sprang into action and began withdrawing credits from circulation to manipulate and boost prices and your power bill, and make European industry less competitive. Advertisement At every international climate conference the global community looks at the EU and laughs. Recently the NSPCC revealed that it had counselled 11,706 young people for anxiety in 2015-2016 via its Childline telephone counselling services--a 35% rise from the previous year. Most shockingly, a child in distress telephones Childline every thirty minutes to talk about feelings of suicide. The first academic studies investigating the growing problem of childhood and adolescent mental health problems date back to the beginning of the millennium and laid bare a worrying trend. At the time a number of potential causes that might be driving this phenomenon were put forward, but none managed to fully explain the observations. Fast forward 10 to 15 years and the state of adolescent mental health problems has reached epidemic proportions. Almost 300,000 young people in Britain now have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. Ask "the man on the street" what he thinks is behind this development and chances are he's quick to vilify the emergence of social media. "An easy scapegoat!" you might retort. "An oversimplification of the problem!" a social scientist might object. And clearly the origins of this crisis do not lie in social media; adolescence has been an angst-provoking period long before it was possible to post one's #frappewiththebestie on social media. However the rapid deterioration of youth mental health statistics and the contemporaneous explosion of social media over the past decade are certainly not a coincidence. Thus, a growing number of academics and healthcare professionals have started to actively investigate how the culture within social media and the way young people use it, is affecting their mental health. Advertisement Childline hypothesise that young people are struggling with the "demands of the modern world" and attribute some of this to social media. "The way that they are using social media is placing increasing pressure on them to attain a perfect life, which is completely unrealistic and ultimately making them anxious about their place in the world"-says one Childline representative. Indeed, plenty of research supports the hypothesis that social media and our online lives can exacerbate and even cause low mood and increased symptoms of depression; an effect that is not just limited to young people. Facebook's famous -albeit controversial (due to lack of consumer consent) -experiment in 2014, where the company changed the "newsfeeds" of some of its users' accounts to spread happiness or unhappiness, demonstrated the power of influence it can exert on our emotions. It showed that social media websites can make us feel as though everyone else is eating better foods, hanging out with cooler people, and going on better holidays than we are. The curated lives displayed online can make anyone who's already feeling slightly vulnerable feel worse simply through the power of comparison. Advertisement And so, while the process of growing up has always been a trialling time, it seems that the level of insecurity and associated anxiety amongst our UK teens has spun out of control. 1 in 4 of our youngsters in the UK have reported experiencing overwhelming emotions and suicidal thoughts. The weltschmerz of an adolescent has traditionally been the inner turmoil of Adrian Mole, as laid bare in his diaries. It is the uncertain, narcissistic angst of a youngster taking stock of the world around him as he undergoes a daunting physical transition, fuelled by an explosion of androgens, spots, overbearing adults, school bullies, and unrequited love. Previously such suffering found an outlet through some quiet tears sobbed into a pillow, the ability to confide in a supportive parent, or an entry into a (pen and paper) diary; but on the whole their lives carried on, relatively privately and without the scrutiny imposed by the daily requirement of a "status update." In part the ability to cope with the pressures of puberty came from the assumption and knowledge that teenagers around the world were going through the exact same trials and tribulations in all their self-deprecating, self-doubting, and Clearasil-filled dimensions. Today those same bedrooms are filled with technology connected to the world wide web, and chances are that one's moment of quiet catharsis is interrupted by a notification alerting you to the latest "selfie from paradise" posted by a classmate or colleague and adorned with requisite amount of hashtags. And thus the visceral juxtaposition of your moment of ennui to their moment of seeming perfectness gives real and personal meaning to Teddy Roosevelt's apocryphal realisation of "comparison as the thief of joy." Advertisement Most of us only post the curated versions of our lives; then ensues the difficulties of establishing a line between reality and fiction. The version we yearn for and the quotidian monotony that is. This blurring of reality fuels the millennials drive for perfection and the set of online ideals that they think they need to live up to. Their expectations become distorted as they are programmed to believe that everything ought to be perfect all of the time. This, arguably, fuels an intolerance of both their own flaws and the flaws of those around them, leading to emotions such as self-hatred, intolerance, and angry. With this backdrop of subtle rhetoric, it is easy to see why our teens become overwhelmed by negative emotions such as sadness and disappointment. Social media are tacitly informing them that if they do experience such emotions, they are #failingatlife. Something must be wrong with them or their lives because in 2016 everyone's lives are perfect now...aren't they? Collette Isabel Stadler is an academic GP ST2 in Cambridge. Her research interests focus on health inequalities, particularly for vulnerable groups of the population. She has a particular interest in the health of looked after children and care leavers. Competing interests: None declared. Tim E White via Getty Images 2016 seems to have been pretty universally proclaimed a very dark year for us all. Every day we turned on the news and were increasingly overwhelmed by the stories being reported: Aleppo, the refugee crisis, austerity, the rise in hate crime, the rise in the rhetoric of division and fear, the spectacular ineptitude of our politicians to get past self serving agendas and rise to the challenges. So many felt ignored, left behind, invisible - that they didn't matter. Online commentary on Facebook, Twitter, across social media intensified in anger, frustration, derision, hopelessness. It became increasingly obvious that social media was largely helping to spread division not helping to ease it or to find answers. Advertisement The election of Donald Trump was the tipping point. The Women's March is an attempt to create the conditions for different sorts of conversations than the ones that exploit fear and uncertainty and lead to division and social turbulence. It is an attempt towards opening up a space where we can come together, think together, act together for the benefit of us all. We will effectively resist forces of greed and oppression only by coming together and standing for dignity, equality and human rights. We're expecting there to be many single-issue, laser-focused political actions in the year ahead. Women's rights are being seriously threatened along with the rights of so many. We will need to galvanise and mobilise to effectively fight back. We will need to broaden the scope of our concerns and stand by members of our society who are threatened because of poverty, race, gender - and for all the other reasons people's lives are made precarious. The Women's March on London will be an opportunity to get offline, get out on the streets together and to be strengthened by each other to fight back. From the start of planning the march we have made every effort to reach out to individuals, groups and organisations from all areas of social struggle. We have received wholehearted support and commitment and there is a growing sense of excitement at what could be possible. This is an exercise in alliance building, network building and we are hopeful that we can learn new strategies together to generate a brighter future for us all. We hope that to come together at the start of 2017 will help us to generate the strength, hope and commitment we need to be politically engaged in defence of all our rights, in defence of justice. Advertisement Now is definitely the time to act. As part of this blog, running up to the march on Saturday 21 January, we will be inviting representatives from the groups we are working with to say something about their participation as well as updates from the organisers. I'll start with sharing these words: "Pride in London is the UK's largest celebration of diversity and inclusivity. We exist to promote equality, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, faith, ability or sexuality. We stand alongside the organisers of the Women's March on London, in solidarity with women everywhere, and in defence of the rights that some would deny us. We will be proudly marching on January 21st, under the Pride in London colours, grateful that we live in a city where being a woman is far less of a struggle than it is in other parts of the world, but also mindful that there is still work to be done here to achieve proper gender equality." - Alison Camps, Co-Chair, Pride in London We would love to invite you be in contact if you would like to get involved. We want to use this opportunity to open up a many-voiced space where we can think together constructively how to build a more equal future. Any strong ideas will help us towards generating a real legacy. As part of this attempt towards building a legacy we are also inviting young people to be in contact to share their thoughts about what a more equal future might look like, how that could it be achieved. We are inviting responses to the following questions: What do you want as a citizen? What angers you about the world you live in? What would you say to world leaders if you were given time with them? Do you think world leaders are fighting hard enough for equal rights and human rights? What gives you hope for the future? Advertisement Playwright Rebecca Lenkiewicz was the first living female playwright to have a play on at the main stage of The National Theatre. The play was about the Suffragettes. Rebecca is currently working with Steve McQueen on a groundbreaking series about racism in 70s Britain. We are very excited that she is going to work with the answers generated by these questions to shape two texts. The first will be a short statement. It will be read out in front of the American Embassy at the start of The Women's March on London 12 noon Saturday 21 January. The second will be longer and we will share online and it will act as a potent manifesto of the youth to help us go forward. Please get in touch if you would like to share your thoughts and help share this text. We are aiming to have responses in by 9th January so there is only a few days! Although I'm Cambridge born and raised and the library was where I spent most of my days (well not really, but I hope one can recognise my poor and laughable effort of referring to the Fresh Prince), my fascination of the richly-diverse region of Tower Hamlets in East London has grown exponentially in recent years. I've been here so many times that I've lost count, but fortunately I don't even need to use the GPS on my smartphone anymore. Seriously, you cannot begin to underestimate the value of battery life. Or maybe you do, so that's surely a good thing. I think it's fair to say that I know where most of the fried chicken shops are too; those succulent, tender, fried chicken wings... and let's not forget the spicy lamb doner kebabs. An abundance of delicacies to get you salivating; just can't seem to get enough (excuse the Depeche Mode reference, but let's face it, I'm on a roll today!). Commuting by train from Cambridge to London Liverpool Street before sauntering past the curry houses of Brick Lane, it was in this area of the East End that I was offered the opportunity to present a web series chat show for an online British Bangladeshi TV network. I learned from my presenting experiences that this was just one example of how Internet technologies can be utilised to make a positive difference and inspire young people, particularly those from deprived backgrounds. But inspiration is an entity that functions in multiple ways, and it is my encounter with Mohima Ahmed that encouraged me to highlight how technology is being utilised for a great cause - right at the heart of East London. Advertisement Mohima Ahmed is an Apps for Good trustee and a volunteer for Inventors Club Whitechapel (Photo Credit: Apps For Good) In August 2016, I had the privilege of meeting Mohima, a bright and talented biomedical engineering student from Imperial College London, who lives in Tower Hamlets. She is a trustee/fellow for Apps For Good, an open-source technology education movement that partners with educators in schools and learning centres to deliver their course content to young people. Mohima developed an English-to-Bengali translation app in 2011 for parent-teacher conferences. She revealed that she is a volunteer for Inventors Club Whitechapel - a small and ambitious group of young parents, local residents and enthusiasts aiming to bring the world of technology to children in Whitechapel. Advertisement Akik Miah is the founder of the club (Photo Credit: Inventors Club Whitechapel) The club was founded in February 2016 by Akik Miah, a systems designer, with the intention of introducing young people to coding, data networking, hardware and applications design. "Our aim is to provide kids with the best of opportunities that technology has to offer and help bring out the inventors in them," he said. "Local youngsters are not aware of the opportunities on their doorstep so we are hoping to deliver something exciting to Tower Hamlets, and create opportunities for the next generation who want to pursue a career in the field of technology." Akik and his team of volunteers aim to work with local youngsters and bring out the inventors in them (Photo Credit: Inventors Club Whitechapel) Akik formed a multi-skilled team of local volunteers from various sectors, including law, finance, and academia to help with the running of the club. Mohima is very much a key figure of the group, a regular helper who interacts with the club's younger members and explains to them what they can do with code. "My experiences of working with kids is more to do with building their confidence than anything else," Mohima said. "Speaking to them, understanding their thoughts and ideas, and then supporting them is important, which is what I try to do in my role." Mohima is of Bangladeshi descent and feels that the Bangladeshi community has never been short of talent or ambition, but she believes a lot of bright young people are hindered by a lack of guidance and role models in the technology field. "The club aims to break down these barriers and show local kids that they really can do anything, or even invent the kit to do so! There's no reason the next Mark Zuckerberg can't come from Tower Hamlets and when they do, the natural altruism and charitable teachings embedded in our culture will see that this is a force for positive, world-changing good." Advertisement The children are focused on their assignment (Photo Credit: Inventors Club Whitechapel) Although the majority of the club's members come from a Bangladeshi background, Mohima stated that it was set up to support all children living in Tower Hamlets and that there is a greater focus to encourage more female students to become involved. "We're definitely trying to recruit more students from all backgrounds. We are also thinking about how to involve more girls in the club and provide a platform for their work," she said. "I hope that the girls who have attended our sessions so far have learned that there's definitely a place for them in the tech world too. There's no specific "type" of girl either, nor is there a dress code. We've got women wearing Converses and women wearing Louboutins - all that matters is that we love what we do!" Faizah (centre) is studying Education at university and is one of the volunteers at the club (Photo Credit: Inventors Club Whitechapel) My recent adventures in Tower Hamlets have filled me with inspiration. Inventors Club Whitechapel looks forward to 2017 with ambitious projects to continue their mission of highlighting and nurturing young and local talent. Although it is often described as one of London's most deprived boroughs, I believe Tower Hamlets is a place where the next generation can look to create their own opportunities and make their dreams become a reality. Advertisement Content Warning: mention of rape, sexual assault and harassment. In the summer term of my first year at Cambridge I wrote the script to a short comedy video, which was filmed over the course of a couple of days. The concept was simple: I collected a few examples of sexist, creepy and downright bizarre lyrics from popular songs and put the words into every day contexts like going on a date or studying with a friend. I then took the script to Luke Naylor-Perrott, a close friend, history student, rowing aficionado and inexplicable lover of Coldplay. We agreed to co-direct the video, with Luke also doing the camerawork and -- to his infinite delight -- many hours of editing. Next we had to assemble a cast who were willing to give up the very few hours of freedom they had amongst May balls and punting trips to Grantchester: a process which literally involved dragging people out of the common room. But, with a push from Hannah Short, we got together a wonderful group of people: Ben Mortishire-Smith, Harry Sarson, Katie Gibson, Josh McClure and Evie Aspinall, as well as Hannah herself and me who, against my better judgement, ended up in a couple of scenes. We then filmed in various beautiful locations in Cambridge -- King's Parade, Pembroke College, Market Square -- and had a lot of fun, and a lot of giggly retakes. Advertisement It was difficult to keep a straight face, for instance, in the dog-puppet scene, at which point a passer-by remarked "this place is so weird" (true) or in the scene in which Ben comes over in his braces. We also encountered a couple of other difficulties -- I learnt an awful lot about continuity errors -- and when we filmed at the Market some charming individuals kept ringing their bike bells (listen closely at 2:55) to try and distract us. Editing was then a laborious process, but one for which I will be eternally grateful to Luke. From my few pages of A4 we had made a proper short video, and the reaction we had from friends and family when sending it around was wonderful. On the off chance I also sent the film to Cambridge Shorts, a one-night only screening of student-made films at the ADC theatre, and was very excited to be accepted. Since then I have been interviewed by student papers including Varsity and Blewswire, had lovely reviews written in The Cambridge Student, Varsity and The Tab, and met some other incredible film-makers along the way. And now, for the first time, we have decided to publish the film on Youtube to share with everybody -- and we hope you enjoy it. The reason I decided to write the film in the first place was that I felt strongly the need to express my confusion with the music industry, particularly mainstream pop, rap and hip-hop. Whilst in other media representation of women seems to be slowly improving, in music lyrics like "put molly all in her champagne, she ain't even know it" seem to go virtually uncriticised. Advertisement In clubs, driving with the radio on, or listening to music at home, women are repeatedly exposed to music which labels us 'sluts' and 'hoes', and seems hellbent on dehumanising us to stroke the egos of people like Robin Thicke, whose controversial 'Blurred Lines' music video featured males in suits accompanied by fully naked women. As I did some research into the music industry in the writing of the video, I was horrified by some of the things I saw. Watch the music video for 'Literally I Can't' by Plays N Skillz, or read about how Eminem, arguably the world's most popular rapper and writer of the line "I even make bitches I rape cum", treated his ex-wife Kim Mathers, and you'll see what I mean. And sexism in the industry doesn't stop with women's representation in songs and music videos. Making and producing music and DJ-ing are also still incredibly male-dominated spheres, whilst music gigs, festivals and clubs are amongst the most dangerous places for sexual harassment and assault. It saddened me that music, something which ought to bring people together and be enjoyed should be so steeped in sexism. My video was, then, my response to all of this: I wanted to create something funny and light-hearted which would also make people think about women's representation in music. My philosophy on feminism is that every little helps: if we don't respond to micro-aggressions, then what hope do we have for disassembling systemic oppression? Women do have a place in the music industry and do use it as a means of empowerment. From Cyndi Laupner and Whitney Housten, to Adele and Beyonce, women have shared experiences, empowered themselves and others and owned their sexuality through music, and show no signs of stopping. Let's not allow an industry riddled with sexism to detract from their successes or strangle new talent. Advertisement JP Yim via Getty Images In today's society, 'beauty' constitutes a specific set of characteristics that all women are somehow obliged to strive for. This image is more idealised and unobtainable than ever before. The models that monopolise magazines and billboards are no longer remotely representative of the women that we see in everyday life, resulting in an influx of body -dissatisfaction, eating disorders and appearance preoccupation among young women. The TED talks outlined below dissect modern beauty standards, offering a rare sense of perspective on what it really means to be beautiful. After reading in VOGUE that Ashley Graham's TED talk, 'Plus-size? More like my size,' freed a young girl from her eating disorder, I yearned to hear her inspiring words for myself. Likely the most familiar name on this list, Graham is the figurehead of body activism and 'plus-size' modelling. Her humorous take on body positivity ('back fat, I see you popping over my bra tonight, but that's all right, I'm going to choose to love you') bravely reveals her lifelong struggles with body-image. Graham's warm smile and palpable sense of confidence make it easy to believe that she truly did find freedom, 'once (she) realised (she) was never going to fit the narrow mould that society wanted (her) to fit in'. She challenges all of us, both men and women, to 'create a body positive environment', concluding with the assurance that, 'this is the generation of body positivity.' Advertisement 'An epidemic of beauty sickness', by Psychology professor Renee Englen, analyses the impact of the media on women's self-perception. Englen hilariously relays her experiences with beauty obsessed college students while using personally conducted research to address the detrimental effects of unattainable beauty standards. She highlights the way in which our preoccupation with appearances is distracting us from focussing on the major injustices of the world, 'you cannot chronically monitor your body's appearance and be engaged with the world.' Englen coins this process 'beauty sickness', explaining that our overexposure to idealised images has lead us to develop a 'warped' and 'unobtainable' vision of beauty. Englen concludes with a series of antidotes to circumvent this damaging culture and encourages us to raise 'daughters who see beauty as a minor side-note to their character and their hard work'. Chika Okoro's speech, 'Confessions of a D Girl: Colourism and Global Standards of Beauty', challenges the disconcerting idea that 'lighter skinned' girls are portrayed as more beautiful than those with a darker skin tone. She draws us in through her revelation that for her favourite Hollywood movie; potential actresses were listed from A to D. 'A' referring to light girls with 'natural hair' and 'D' pertaining to 'dark skinned' 'poor' girls (Okoro comically remarks that even Beyonce wouldn't qualify as an 'A' girl). The speaker eloquently relays how familiar the phenomenon of 'colourism' is, its roots in slavery, and subsequent prevalence throughout the world. She discredits the conditioned ideals of beauty that permeate society, explaining they are not 'natural' but 'learned'. She bravely calls out CEO's and marketing directors as the arbiters of what 'society considers beautiful', challenging them to make the 'unconventional choice' in order to perpetuate a diversified vision of beauty. Upon closing she reminds us, 'we don't have to passively accept what society tells us to think is beautiful. We can question it.' Advertisement Chantelle Brown-Young is a young activist who, despite being diagnosed with skin condition 'vitiligo' at age four, has cultivated a large following as a fashion model. Throughout her inspiring TED talk, entitled, 'My story is painted on my face,' Young humorously utilises personal antidotes in an attempt to deconstruct the isolating binaries cultivated by society that her to be alienated in childhood. She, like many women, struggled to find an identity attempting to 'put (herself) into a mould that (she) did not fit'. She asks a question that we all should take to heart, 'who is to say that I have to fit into a mould anyway?'. Young's affirming conclusion reinstates the concept that we should not look to define beauty through the pages of magazines, social media or through any other outside influence, but should make our own mould for 'what beauty is.' As is aptly affirmed by Young, beauty 'can be found in everything'. Despite never having expected to use the words 'Victoria's Secret model' and 'Humanitarian' to describe one person, I am pleased to recommend Cameron Russel's, 'Looks aren't everything, believe me I'm a model.' Russel offers a unique perspective on the reality of the modelling industry, decoding the constructed beauty ideals of 'tall slender figures', 'femininity' and 'white skin'. She acknowledges her privilege in order to unpack 'a legacy of gender and racial oppression,' despite having been 'one of the biggest beneficiaries'. She reiterates the detrimental relationship between perception and appearance drawing on the all-too prevalent racism in New York, 'of the 140,000 teenagers that were stopped and frisked 86% of them were black and Latino.' Russel concludes with the hope that the audience feel more 'comfortable acknowledging the power of image in our perceived successes and our perceived failures.' On the anniversary of David Bowie's death I am reminded, that you and I are part of a shared humanity. There is so much we can give to each other, from near or afar to help strengthen our humanity. We share our need to belong and our longing for meaning. Our lives consist of ebb and flow, coming and going, life and death. We may struggle to make our mark, to make ends meet, to be creative and fulfilled. We have dreams, hopes, disappointments, drama and trauma. Advertisement We have a shared humanity. We look to others Often we look from afar to others for support and guidance through their creative expression, wisdom and aura. They teach us about living and coping with pain. David Bowie provided a creative home of meaning for many on different levels and stages in their lives. Those of us struggling with teenage angst, social norms, limitations or sexual identity. Strangers can touch our lives and like a home give us a sense of belonging, meaning, direction and hope. People will have a shared connection with you. And you too touch and enrich others' lives in ways you may never know. Advertisement We have a shared humanity. We share grief Many people shared the shock and grief when David Bowie died, his memory since and now the anniversary of his death. For me, his ability to re-invent himself made him constant, like a river, moving, unstoppably, without an end. Yet, he, too, had an end. And when that happens, it can feel like a part of us has died. The moment I heard of David Bowie's death I felt old and my teenage years an even longer distant past. Whatever your age, you may have already experienced the same, or this is something yet to come. What we may share on the anniversary of David Bowie's death is the experience of loss and grief for him and many others, gone before him or since. You may experience the first anniversary of the death of someone close to you. You, like the rest of us, may know how bereavement feels, with its ebb and flow and its unpredictabilities. We have a shared humanity. We share health concerns You may be concerned for your health or that of others. Whether you are affected by illness, or not, you may have been struck by David Bowie's creative productivity right to the end. His last album "Black Star", released two days before his death, integrated his personal experience of illness and mortality into his art and vice versa. Advertisement Not everyone will have the energy, opportunity or inclination to be creative when faced with illness. There is no right or wrong in any of this. A chronic, life-shortening or terminal diagnosis can shatter our spirit (whether you are the person with the illness, a relative or friend). Nothing is or will ever be again what it was. Everything is called into question. We may struggle with meaning and purpose. Because very little is left predictable and certain - apart from death. But the human spirit can be strong. I for one draw hope from those who manage not to be deterred. Those who carry on with whatever they need to do, to keep identity and meaning. Having been treated for cancer myself, I share in the same struggle of others across our world, to stay motivated, focused and not allow fear to compromise who I am. For me, self motivation can be a daily struggle, a daily task and a daily affirmation of commitment to myself and the life I still have. Advertisement Illness can make us invisible, if we let it. We have a shared humanity. We share mortality As the heroes of yester-years pass, so the inescapable truth of our own death manifests itself firmly in our conscious. We are vulnerable mortals. There are people, you and I will have only memories of. And at some time, others will only have memories of us. You may be considering your own mortality. Or you may not yet have thought about it. You may be frightened of death. Or you may be at peace with its inevitability and at peace with yourself. I believe that fear of death renders us vulnerable to an inner emptiness. Fear of death can eat away at our soul. It could be a soul-less death. We have a shared humanity. We share death. We have a chance Talking about death is becoming more and more common, and I think we should draw strength from that. We have a shared opportunity, you and I, to help each other in the process of making peace with our death - now. Not just at the end of our lives, but right now, in the midst of our lives. I know this can be hard and frightening. But in my experience, those who manage to talk about, prepare for and share the pain of a life coming to an end, will also share so more fully the joy for the life that has been. And what a legacy is that! Advertisement We have power You and I, like David Bowie before us, have the power to make a difference to our own lives and that of others, whatever our circumstances. Hold on to your power and your wisdom. Share both in your own, very personal way with us all, with humanity. Photograph by Andy Houghton 2017 has finally arrived and in Hull, it's a year much anticipated since we were awarded City of Culture status back in 2013. The news that the year was going to be launched with a fireworks display was met with mixed reviews, "Nothing cultured about a bunch of fireworks." Moaned one woman. "How can Hull waste money on fireworks when my external gas pipes have needed lagging for months?" Groaned another resident, completely missing the point. But the fireworks came and they went with a bang and a blast and they brought with them a surge of appreciation and sentimentality for this big old mother of a city. Made in Hull, the first major installation of the year began on New Year's Day. We Are Hull opened the big red This is Your Life book on the city with a series of perfectly orchestrated sounds and images projected onto buildings in the city centre that not only highlighted the magnificent architecture but revealed just how much Hull had been through and how savagely rejected it had been in favour of other cities. The visceral 15 minute light-show made you stop and think about all that the often neglected city has quietly done for the world. The crowd were united in the immersive display, shuddering with every dropped bomb, sailing on every wave and bouncing with pride to the Hull-centric sounds of Fine Young Cannibals, The Housemartins and the familiar riff of Mick Ronson's guitar. It was a collective emotional experience, one that brought with it goosebumps, tears and an enormous sense of pride. Advertisement But that wasn't all, there were further installations all over the city including Arrivals and Departures, a projection onto The Deep that showed Hull's cultural diversity and demonstrated how the city was built on a blend of nationalities, slipping in and out of the city's ports. Empty shop fronts were revitalised with stories from the past, celebrations of sport and industry and tongue in cheek humour. A projection of Hullywood Icons showed local people reinvented as their favourite film stars, making it big in their own photogenic back yard. Artist Jesse Kanda, famous for his work with Bjork and FKA Twigs, took over the underpass with distorted footage of nineties clubbers and a disturbing soundtrack creating a hypnotic experience that recalled the city's nightclub scene and simultaneously dragged you reluctantly into a quasi K-hole. All this and we're not even half-way through the first month. Then this week, The Blade, a 75 meter wind turbine blade, (made by Siemens which is one of the first big companies to invest in Hull with its 300m plant), was brought into the city centre at 2am, much to everyone's surprise and still to come we have the opening of the newly refurbished Ferens Art Gallery, the host of this year's Turner Prize. It launches with an open exhibition which gives local artists the opportunity to display their work. However, another exhibition at the independent, Kingston Art Gallery called 'Salon des Refuses' proudly features work rejected by the Ferens. This is a prime example of the optimism that is almost palpable in the Hull at the moment and the unwavering determination of its residents. It's true that in less than a fortnight Hull's people are feeling truly inspired. Perhaps the most poignant piece to rear its head, beyond the official City of Culture offerings, is this heartfelt poem that I'll leave you with, from local actor Josh Meredith, it captures the spirit of Hull so vividly and wholly deserves to be utilised in an official capacity. TIMOTHY A. CLARY via Getty Images To be honest, dragging myself awake from a day spent in flu-induced slumber sometime after midnight, the only thing I expected to be trending was Obama's tearful farewell speech, accompanied - to the great joy of millenial teenagers like myself, who seem rabidly interested in the lives of the First Daughters - by Michelle Obama, who has probably thought about giving Trump a swift kick up the backside, and their daughter Malia, who has survived teenage years in the White House to become, as Obama described, "a smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful" young woman. (These adjectives also apply to his younger daughter Sasha who, thanks to a sadistic twist of fate by the American education system, was unable to attend her father's final speech due to an unfortunately-timed exam). Advertisement Instead, what I found was that my timeline seemed to be filled with an array of jokes surrounding urine, Trump or preferably, urine and Trump. It didn't take long to discover the reason. Yes, it has been claimed by some sources that the information that the President-Elect of the United States hired prostitutes to urinate on one another - and a bed used by the outgoing President - is "complete nonsense", and has been denied in characteristically humble, mature fashion by the President-Elect himself (I fully expect World War III to be declared in an all-capitals tweet one of these days), but none of us would let that stop us. I entered into the fun with a tweet referring to Bill Clinton's vociferous denials of liaisons with Monica Lewinsky, which, to my surprise, appears to have entered the infancy stages of "going viral." "I did not have urinal relations with that woman..." #watersportsgate#goldenshowers Lydia Suffield (@lydiaenigma) 11 January 2017 Many in the Twitter population quickly pointed out that it was mainly funny because it was Trump - by entering into the fun, I'm sure very few were attempting to engage in kink-shaming. Partly, there were more serious issues to consider - if the allegations were true, then, among other things, Trump is straying worryingly close to that career-ending word "treason". But also, quite simply, the humour came not just from the nature of the allegations themselves, but that they centred around Donald Trump. Advertisement Now, I'm usually not too fond of this justification. Indeed, when the #piggate scandal was proved to be more than likely untrue last year, my friends and I rolled our eyes at the amount of whining that some of the more childish lefties descended into on our Twitter feeds- "I'm still going to make jokes about it! I deserve this schaedenfreude! I don't care about creditable sources, and you can get out of my life if you do!" Translation: "I haaaaaate that the Tories won, I should be allowed to make jokes all I like, it's sooooo unfair, how dare everyone not vote for my favourite party", complete presumably with childish stamping of feet and self-righteous sniffing. But, here's the thing. Old Dave - our former PM and possible future Secretary-General of NATO-for all the whining from the Left regarding him, has never had a bunch of women coming out claiming he sexually assaulted them. He has never happily declared to a friend that women would allow him to grab them by the vagina due to his celebrity. He did not launch into the General Election campaign by waving his arms like a demigod to the Tories, leading chants of "Lock him up" at Ed Miliband, an opponent a great deal more hapless than Hillary Clinton ever was. He has never launched into an imitation of a disabled reporter to uproarious laughter from an audience. I could go on, because Trump is the sort who provides endless accounts of horrific actions to cite, but the point is pretty clear. Cameron, no matter what you thought of him, was not in anywhere near the same league as Trump - and indeed, I'm hard-pressed to think of a head of state who is. Therefore, while other world leaders can attract sympathy when subjected to various allegations, Trump supremely fails to. John Gress / Reuters Barack Obama serves his last hours as the US President. Some people have expressed their will Obama to have been able to remain for more years in the position, but this isn't possible according to the law, which says that a president can't be elected more than twice. However, Obama must continue to be 'President.' What I mean is that Obama should keep on influencing society with his ideas. He is a rational individual who fights for the fair of the world. He is a humanitarian who acts with values that all the nations endorse. Obama respects everyone regardless from beliefs or origin. He promotes fairness and equality. His morals guide him through his target to make earth a better place and bring prosperity for every single citizen in this planet. His deeds are purposed for the defense of peace. It is not accidental that he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2009. Humanity needs what he represents. For this reason, he has to provide his views as often as he can, even though he won't be President anymore. Advertisement The fact that many people have revealed their wish his wife Michelle to be a candidate for the US Presidency in the upcoming years is an indication that Barack Obama, through his attitude to life, has left an indelible mark. Citizens around the globe recognise that Obama deserves praise for his work and wanting Michelle Obama as President is a demonstration of gratitude for him. He has created a family that will inevitably follow his paths, in any field of life they choose to be engaged in, as far as their behaviour towards others is concerned. Obama has built such strong bonds with world's moralities that influences and inspires greatly everyone that surrounds him and anyone that observes his occupations. His merit is not only reflected in his actions. His presence speaks for itself too. He smiles, and at the same time he spreads positive vibes with his pleasant aura. He talks with confidence and determination. He thinks reasonably before he acts. He is able to accurately predict what might be wrong and what might be right. This shows a well-educated man with unique insight for the future. All these render him as the perfect role-model and idol for the children that are growing up. These children should listen to his speeches and adopt his words. They should have the will to be like him. Actually, they must have the need to become humans with Obama's characteristics. This have to be their main dream, so as to be able to make their other dreams and all people's dreams come true. Andy Sotiriou via Getty Images Why would the government launch a public consultation on legislation that Parliament has already passed by an overwhelming majority? Might they be worried that voters are suddenly enraged or alarmed by some terrible injustice? Are they beset by fears of some kind of popular uprising? In the case of press regulation and Culture Secretary Karen Bradley's consultation on post-Leveson reforms, there was no such impetus. For those still wondering why we have just been subjected to several weeks of thundering newspaper editorials featuring "two weeks to save 300 years of press freedom", the government was nobbled by the same editors and proprietors who have been running rings around our politicians for decades. Advertisement So rather than implementing legislation which was passed over three years ago, Bradley's predecessor John Whittingdale - and then Bradley herself - meekly surrendered to furious press lobbying and agreed to delay the final piece of the Leveson framework which would protect ordinary people with a reasonable case against newspapers from unaffordable court costs. Then, under pressure to resolve the issue, Bradley finally agreed to a consultation which was couched almost entirely in terms of what would benefit the press. Hence, the vast number of column centimetres, one-click online links and cut-out coupons which readers were urged to send in as if their very lives (and their democracy) depended on it. Needless to say, those readers were not exactly given a balanced view of the arguments: they were not informed that this cost protection excluded trivial and vexatious claims, and would only apply if deemed fair by the court. Nor were they informed that the provision extended to protection for publishers from libel bullies threatening to bankrupt them with court costs even if the story they were planning was true. An old media version of post-truth, perhaps. We wait to see the outcome of this politically motivated and press-dominated consultation, but meanwhile what does the public actually want? Have they been moved by desperate protestations of impending doom? Answer: no. A YouGov poll commissioned by Hacked Off and published yesterday demonstrates that public support for meaningful press regulation is as deep-seated as ever. In a nutshell, the vast majority of the public believe that press behaviour has not changed since Leveson reported, want tougher regulation, and actually have less faith in the industry's own regulator IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) than they did 18 months ago. Full results are available here, but here are some headlines: Advertisement Press conduct: four out of ten believe that press behaviour has got worse over the last four to five years and a further third say it has not changed. Just 14% thought it had improved, a figure which has actually declined from the 23% who gave the same response when the question was asked in April 2015. One in six believe that press behaviour has got much worse. Press regulation: Almost three in five want tougher regulation of the press (57%) while just 17% are happy with the status quo. These figures have barely changed since YouGov asked an identical question 18 months ago. IPSO: Since the industry set up its own regulator, newspapers have worked tirelessly to convince the public that Britain now has "the toughest regulator in the Western world". Despite their efforts, six out of ten still have little or no confidence in IPSO - the same figure as April 2015. In fact, the proportion saying they do have confidence in IPSO has declined from 21% to 15%. Independent scrutiny: At the heart of the Leveson framework is an argument about accountability. How can the press demonstrate that, like architects, lawyers, social workers and every other industry, editors and owners of powerful newspaper groups are being held independently accountable for their ethical codes? Here there is a clear majority for Leveson's solution as a minimum: fewer than one in ten support self-regulation of the press without an external audit. Four out of ten support the Leveson system of an independent external check, and a further 15% believe that Leveson did not go far enough. Advertisement Incentives: Finally, asked what should be done if newspapers refused to participate in the Leveson system, six out of ten of those who expressed a preference (61%) supported a law requiring newspapers to join an independent regulator. Just over a quarter (27%) preferred some kind of penalties/benefits incentives system, while just one out of ten supported newspapers' right to choose whether or not to join. May's dilemma It would be a huge mistake to dismiss Britain's press industry as a dying ember of a bygone age, with declining circulations and declining power. There is a very good reason why Theresa May "popped in" to see Rupert Murdoch during her 36 hours in New York last September, why editors and owners are still wined and dined. They are still political power brokers, and they still wield enormous political influence in setting policy and broadcasting agendas. For 70 years, while some newspaper journalists have produced brilliant and ground-breaking investigations, others have worked in newsrooms which fostered bullying, blagging, intimidation and intrusion into grief - what Tom Stoppard once called "junk journalism" in contrast to the rather more heroic "St George journalism". Leveson found a way of protecting the latter while restraining the former - and protecting those ordinary people who suffered most from the ravages of press mistreatment. In her rousing conference speech in October, Theresa May pledged "to stand up for the weak and stand up to the strong." She knows where the public stands on the need to rein in unaccountable and overly powerful press proprietors. Will she stand up to them? Looking for somewhere to eat in Manhattan is always a tricky task, the city contains a multitude of options, catering to almost every whim. Urbanspace is a concept that sees individual food vendors come together and showcase their offerings to new audiences - and all under one roof. Their Vanderbilt location was buzzing the night I visited. The interior gives off an effortlessly cool industrial vibe, with each brand allowed to celebrate its individuality. The various styles and treatments acted as a vibrant dining backdrop. On arrival, I could tell that this was not your average food hall. Advertisement First up, I visited Good Stock, which is the new kid on the block having been open for only one month. This is the brands first location and really highlights Urbanspace's positive message of helping new businesses grow. I loved the look of this place with a very simple aesthetic of blue tiles and several commanding soup pots displayed along the counter. Their branding was nicely executed in neon lights and stamped on the side of every soup cup. With a tempting menu including Roasted Mushroom, Fried Chicken & Andouille Gumbo and Eggplant Parm, it was tricky to make a selection. I was impressed that many of the soups had vegan, veggie and gluten-free credentials - and after meeting the founder, Ben LeBlanc, he assured me it was purely putting in the correct ingredients for the best taste. After his recommendation, I went for the Gumbo, which was absolutely packed with flavour and came with some lovely crusty bread from Grandaisy Bakery on the side. You could taste the mix of great ingredients and careful preparation, which resulted in one very delicious meal. Advertisement Hai Street Kitchen & Co. was my next stop, which makes Japanese inspired sushi burritos. Coming from London, this is not something I had experienced before, but had been informed by New York friends that these were the new cronut. In this mash-up of sushi and burrito, there are options to create your own or choose from their signature styles, such as Ho-Lee Shrimp or Slammin' Salmon. I really loved the concept and the result of truly fresh ingredients wrapped in a brown rice and nori wrap was a very enjoyable prospect. It looks good and feels good when eating it. Mile End Delicatessen was the destination to get a fix of classic American cuisine, and it certainly didn't disappoint. The servers were very welcoming and the layout of the space showcased food theatre, seeing all the tempting food sizzling on the grill. The menu has a good range of Black Seed Bagel Sandwiches, Hot Reubens and Poutine. Now believe it or not, I had never tasted poutine before, which Mile End creates from crisp fries, cheese curds, gravy and an option of smoked meat on top. It was the thing that dreams are made of. It's very filling, but I adored the combination of flavours along with the quality of the curds and all-natural cured meats. My friend also tried the hot corned beef sandwich, which is certainly another recommendation. Prepared before our eyes was a mouth-watering mix of corned beef with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on freshly toasted rye bread. The overall experience at Urbanspace was really revolutionary for me, and I only touched the surface with three of the twenty vendors they have at Vanderbilt alone. There was a really great atmosphere in the space and all the brands seemed to have a unique offering - with many concepts I hadn't come across before. This is the perfect location to bring friends, as there is something for everyone. Advertisement Images: Richard Brownlie-Marshall Whether they like it or not, it seems likely that manufacturers across the UK are heading for a future without zero-tariff trading. Although for many cost increases are inevitable, action can be taken to mitigate this while also bolstering supply chain relationships. For automotive manufacturers the removal of free access to the single market would be more severe than for many other sectors of the economy. Key components used in the manufacture of transmissions and drive trains for example frequently pass to and fro between the UK and other parts of the EU and manufacturers are concerned that this could rack up significant cost once tariffs are introduced. In a zero-tariff world, there would still be an opportunity for manufacturers to claim duty drawback and this would go some way to softening the impact of the changes. Under the current rules, manufacturers would be able to claim back any duty paid on goods imported from Europe at the point that the end product is shipped there for sale. While there would be some administrative burden involved in keeping track of the movements of individual components and some impact on cash-flow, the fact that the scheme already exists would make it relatively easy to deal with. Advertisement Despite the availability of duty drawback, manufacturers are expecting the cost of imported goods to increase significantly post-Brexit and this could be particularly painful as many are operating at relatively low margins. Recent downward shifts in the value of the pound mean the net cost of imported goods has already risen by around 10% and once fixed, long-term contracts and hedges come to an end, the full effect of these increases will be felt. To mitigate the impact of these pending cost increases, automotive manufacturers should consider securing prior agreements to share their impact with key suppliers. Based on similar agreements struck by retailers, many of which have been forced to respond to the cost increases already, some manufacturers are proposing that the cost increases are split three ways - one third to be absorbed by the manufacturer, one third by the supplier and the final third added to the price of the end product. Preparing for a zero-tariff trading environment, will require careful management and strategic aforethought. Instead of forcing suppliers to absorb cost increases, which could damage established relationships and introduce vulnerability, manufacturers should consider whether supplier protection might be required. The prospect of customs delays could also present serious issues for automotive manufacturers. While the UK government might be hoping to negotiate a reciprocal zero-tariff agreement, the EU may well take a different view. If customs clearances take longer post-Brexit, this could cause production line downtime. To avoid this, manufacturers may decide to place more inventory into the system but this would bring more cost and potentially slow down the identification of issues such as product faults. Many manufacturers have invested heavily in the introduction of lean management processes and the thought of stepping back from these is bound to be unpopular. There could also be issues for line-side sequencing, which typically focuses on parts specific to a particular vehicle and manufacturers may even need to create more warehouse space to store the various parts. Advertisement Instead of waiting to hear which route the Brexit negotiations are taking, UK-based automotive manufacturers need to plan ahead; putting in place contingency plans based on a variety of Brexit scenarios. To all the book publishers out there, I hope your January kick-off meetings went well. No doubt they were filled with colourful PowerPoints, messy white walls and a bunch of inspiring mission statements. Mine were also great, thank you - thanks, in part, to the R&R afforded by the lull between Christmas and New Year. And with ample opportunity for beer and crisps on the couch, I started watching old black and white movies whilst my son upped his kill ratio on the PlayStation. Netflix recommended Casablanca... It's a great film isn't it? The ending always gets me. Ingrid Bergman is waiting on the steps of the plane for Bogart, her one true love. Humph doesn't join her, and then she doesn't want to get on. It all gets painful and then Humph gives her those magical lines: "If you don't get on that plane you'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life." Advertisement But Humph is Humph and he has other things to pursue. A golden opportunity is missed. We all know that Humph and Ingrid were made for one another and that it would have worked out just fine. This got me thinking about book publishing and the work we do here at Squiz with clients like Hachette in the US, Elsevier in Europe and Oxford University Press in Australia. Book publishers, especially at this time of year, are faced with an abundance of opportunity. Exciting things. New partnerships ("Amazon, I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.") New formats. ("2017 will be a breakout year for augmented reality adult colouring books.") New delivery models. ("This year, let's do a Soundcloud and stream chapter updates each day.") New consumer engagement strategies. ("No, Soundcloud won't work for us. Let's be more like Uber and focus on real-time, geo-located reader experiences.") Some of these plans may work out. Many will lead to heartbreak. Most of them will be in pursuit of 'the new', just like Humph. At the same time, we learned earlier this week that Allromance.com, one of the biggest genre eBook distributors in the US, has closed its doors - despite (allegedly) delivering annual profits since its inception in 2006. Meanwhile, last year Amazon launched its new luxury version of the Kindle retailing at 270 (as an upgrade for folks who already own the old plastic version). That device market is saturated and declining. All the recent industry numbers tell us that eBook sales are down between 12-14%, and all the analysts are telling us that sales of regular books are now back in the black and rising. Advertisement As we start the new year it strikes me that most publishers are stuck on a treadmill, running as fast as they can towards an ill-defined digital nirvana that is consistently beyond their reach, whilst at the same time scrambling to make good on their six or seven figure author advances for new titles. This results in a couple of things: they can't step off, they have to try to maximise the value of the new and, consequently, they're unable to look behind and reap the rewards of their main assets - the evergreen back list of old titles that readers continue to devour. Putting our futurology specs aside for a moment, this treadmill effect doesn't make great sense. Recent Squiz research into what today's readers want - via a survey of thousands - told us three things: firstly, they wish to feel closer to their authors; secondly they want access to more content that's related to their books; and thirdly they need more books. This shouldn't be surprising - selling more books to people who already buy books is a boundless marketing strategy. Whizzy new digital formats and 'newness' of titles are not prime concerns. So, why can't book publishers find the right kind of love for the books that they're already with? (There was I, yelling at the TV: STICK WITH HER HUMPH! GET ON THE PLANE!! PLEASE JUST GET ON THE GODDAM PLANE!!!) Chances are that some publishers will have sat through a meeting this week where this job of back list promotion is pegged for someone else - a digital native like a BookBub or a Bookperk, who act as a clearing house for old stock. But then again I'm 100% sure that all publishers will also be planning to do more in the way of reader acquisition, to enable them to build stronger consumer relationships so that they can acquire more purchasing data and influence the book buying process in ways that aren't dependent on a third party. This is definitely a smart thing to do. No publisher wants to be cut out of the loop. Amazon is too powerful to rely on. Other digital upstarts are too unpredictable. The ultimate nightmare is a disruptive, uncontrollable digital future where a publisher simply doesn't know its own customer. Perhaps a good example to follow in 2017 is Netflix. Netflix's technology investment isn't in dazzling new formats, it's in the underlying technology that delivers its content. (Yes, it was Netflix that recommended Casablanca to me - thanks to Mrs Warner's obsession with Mr. Bogart and Clark Gable.) Netflix excels at two key things that ought to be a publisher's bread and butter: personalisation and recommendation. These two technology staples aren't all that glamorous any more, but done well they fuel the discovery (and consumption) process for millions of content-hungry people. And the beauty of a well-designed discovery platform (once a little bit of automation wizardry is thrown in to the mix) is that it gets stronger and smarter over time, providing users with more and more of the good stuff, which is often the old stuff, which we all return to day after day to buy, watch and read. As consumers, we're often guilty of holding retailers to ransom. We expect the same brand experience across every real world and digital touchpoint. We want information immediately, great experiences and the best possible service in the fastest, simplest and most convenient way for what we're doing at that time. We want five-star service for pennies, and we want it now. A big reason is that we've changed how we shop. The days of simply popping out to the high street and traipsing all over the place for hours in search of that one perfect item are long gone. Nowadays, our search for a new coat will likely begin online, perhaps with an advert on social media. It will then move to browsing different brand sites on our mobile phone and at this point, whilst we're out and about, we may then decide to visit a store. Equally, ensuring the journey from offline to online is one consistent experience is just as vital in our decision to make a purchase with a given brand. After all, over half of us still research in-store as part of the consumer journey according to xAd's 2016 UK Mobile Path to Purchase report. Advertisement Several brands are already jumping onto the technology to blur the physical and digital worlds. But which technologies will really help brands understand shopper behaviour and enhance our experience of buying from brands? 1. Self-driving shopping carts Despite various short-lived efforts over the years, most retail shopping carts are impressively low-tech. In September however, Walmart made headlines when it announced that it had filed a patent for automated shopping carts that could house navigational systems that literally steer you toward the exact items on your list. Sensors within the cart would be able to tell the supermarkets where shoppers stop, for how long, and how slowly or quickly the customer is moving to their next destination. Eventually the cart picks up a sense of the consumer's shopping habits - or at least what the most trafficked aisles are - and provides clues for supermarkets as to why they're frequented. This technology could also let retailers understand the shopper's intent based on their location at certain points in their visit and enable them to serve real-time relevant promotions and deals based on the products in front of them. Advertisement 2. Facial Recognition Shopping carts won't be the only change in-store. London's high-end department chain Selfridges will begin experimenting with an Internet of Things (IoT) zone at its flagship Oxford Street store. Electronic products distributor Bullboat intends to make the zone an "experience" for shoppers, teaching them the advantages of IoT products in the home. This means investment in tools like in-store facial recognition software that can anticipate a consumer's needs and educate them about their product. This technology, coupled with location-smart mobile technologies, would show which displays were ineffective, and what product a consumer checked out immediately afterwards. Initially, this might start as a tablet display that a customer interacts with to ask questions and receive instant feedback. 3. Augmented Reality When it comes to actually shopping and placing items within a shopping basket, boxed goods are both reassuring and frustrating. What if you wanted to buy a camping tent, but couldn't gauge the size by the dimensions on the box or wanted to paint your house but couldn't understand what the colour would look like on your own walls at home? Augmented reality can help here - smartphones are now able to project the size and shape of all household items, so that consumers can get a first peek at what they're buying. One of the first retailers to really make a splash with this technology is IKEA. Its catalogue gives you the ability to place virtual furniture in your own home. Advertisement 4. Location Intelligence What happens when we enter or leave a store? Where do we travel to next and why? These are the biggest questions for brands looking to deliver the right messages at opportune moments to aid us in a purchase and improve our shopping experience. At the same time though, they need to avoid bombarding us with irrelevant communications that irritate the consumer and damage their reputation. This challenge is what location intelligence has been built to solve. These tools give brands an understanding of current and historical aggregated visitation trends, by displaying foot traffic within specific locations, therefore more intelligence around overall patterns. And of course, giving brands the ability to deliver great experiences based on the context of the consumer. For example; ASDA worked with xAd to target audiences within a certain proximity of their stores to raise awareness of their various Back to School offers. As a result of using a location-based strategy, ASDA saw a 67% lift in store visits and respondents exposed to the campaign were nearly 13% more likely to visit an ASDA store over other top UK grocers including Tesco and Sainsbury's. Location intelligence can also gauge just how often we visit retailers, and reasons why we may stop. For instance, a coffee brand may see a downward trend in visitation to their own stores, whilst previously they may have only speculated why people stopped visiting them. Now brands can see whether there is an overall trend to a direct competitor as a result of a new promotion, or in fact an indirect competitor, say for example a pub chain. Location intelligence gives brands an insight into a deeper issue, one that could be too important for the brand to miss. WildCare's Wildlife Hospital treats over 4,000 ill, injured and orphaned wild animal patients from over 200 species every year. This is one patient's story. Weighing less than seven pounds, the pathetic pile of fur by the roadside looked like a domestic tabby hit by a vehicle. When her rescuer saw her, he assumed she was dead. But then he saw her breathe, so he pulled over his car. Small and spotted as she was, he did at first think she was someone's injured pet. He pulled off the dress shirt he was wearing over a T-shirt and picked her up to wrap her in it. Advertisement That's when he noticed the bobbed tail and tufted ears and realized this was a Bobcat, albeit one small enough to be just out of kittenhood. He knew she needed help. The cat's rescuer knew the only place that could save an injured Bobcat was WildCare, so he called the local humane society to transport the injured cat to our Wildlife Hospital. He kept the completely unconscious feline warm on the seat heater of his car while he waited. Fortunately she didn't wake up! When she arrived at the Wildlife Hospital, the Bobcat was still mostly unconscious. Medical Staff was able to perform her intake exam without sedation. They started with a weight check, and then gave the cat subcutaneous fluids and pain medications. Then they palpated her entire body to check for injuries. Watch in the video below as the cat wakes up a little before being weighed and placed in an oxygen box. Advertisement Although Medical Staff had concerns about the cat's radiographs (x-rays) potentially showing spinal compression, the next day the cat proved she could stand up and walk without assistance, which was great news. A break in one of the bones of the foot was the only fracture diagnosed, and splinting it was deemed unnecessary. The biggest concern was the injury to the cat's eye, and the head trauma that had caused it. In the video below, volunteer veterinarian Julianna Sorem, DVM examines the cat's eye and gently palpates her orbital socket. When she was admitted to the Wildlife Hospital, the cat's right eye had been so swollen shut it was impossible to tell if the eyeball had survived the accident. Fortunately, several days of rest and appropriate medications brought down the swelling. Even more fortunately, the eye was undamaged. Fast forward a week, and the Bobcat is feeling much better! In the video below, she shows that both her eyes and her ferocious attitude have made a full recovery! Medical Staff is removing towels from the carrying kennel in preparation to transport the animal to our sister center, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, which generously allows us access to their extensive caging for large mammals needing large enclosures for recovery. Be sure to turn up your volume to hear the cat's growling and snarling! Advertisement When WildCare moves to our new location (our new Wildlife Hospital is estimated to be completed in late 2017), we will have the appropriate caging onsite for animals like this Bobcat. We can't wait! Learn more about WildCare's impending move here.) Finally, after a month in care, this Bobcat has gained a couple of pounds, recovered from her injuries, and demonstrated how incredibly fierce a Bobcat can be! WildCare staff, reporters from the San Francisco Chronicle (read the article) and the Marin Independent Journal (read the article), and the cat's rescuer, Cory, and his parents were all on hand to witness her return to the wild. Enjoy her break for freedom below, including her brief (but heart-stopping!) dodge into the crowd of photographers, as she heads into her rightful place in the wild. Advertisement Across the globe, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) communities experience alienation, exclusion and discrimination on a daily basis and the workplace is no exception. Many LGBT individuals, along with others who often find themselves in the minority or as outsiders in a group -- including women and racial/ethnic minorities -- can feel like the 'other' in the workplace. This feeling of separation means that people may take on the status of an outsider: they are not truly embraced as part of the team, feel excluded from opportunities and subsequently may also take a step back -- separating themselves further from developing relationships with colleagues and being their most innovative selves. In business settings, these feelings typically translate into them being set apart from the power structures at the top. Advertisement A recent UK poll said that 77% of LGBT people said they felt uncomfortable about being their true self in public, and 74% said they felt the need to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity. A separate study on gay men in the United States also confirmed that they 'managed' their sexuality at work to avoid 'potential negative consequences' from co-workers and changed their behavior in order to fit in. Organizations wanting to create a culture of innovation must recognize that every employee has a fundamental right to bring their full, true and whole selves to work. Otherwise, a loss to overall productivity can be the result. To combat years of systematic and institutional exclusion requires leaders who can demonstrate 'inclusive' leadership behaviors. Inclusive leaders are able to create innovative, dynamic workplaces where employees feel connected to and supported by one another, and where diverse groups are able to advance and thrive. In other words, when inclusive leadership and an inclusive workplace environment are both present, differences become valued assets rather than risks. "As a gay man I appreciate that the challenge for managers/colleagues is often not offending someone," said Chuck Stephens, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, EMEA, at Google. "Even with the best of intentions these misstep moments can and do happen; and when they do, apologize, learn and move on. Do not let fear drive inaction. Wouldn't you rather apologize for something you did vs. something you didn't do?". Advertisement Leading intentionally and altruistically through empowerment, accountability, courage, and humility -- or the EACH behaviors -- help employees feel included. Inclusive leaders empower their employees by encouraging them to develop and excel. The more leaders practice these behaviors with their teams, the more employees feel included and have the opportunity to be innovative: allowing them to come up with new product ideas; propose new, more efficient ways of doing work; or identify previously untapped market opportunities. "I always make sure that I'm consistently embracing all elements of diversity," Stephens continued. "That means that I don't just talk about LGBTQ issues with LGBTQ professionals or Women's Rights with just women. I want all my team to feel that their contributions are valued and they're in a safe, inclusive culture." Employees who feel 'psychologically safe' are more willing to take risks regardless of rank or status. And Catalyst research has found that those risks can pay dividends from employees reporting being more innovative at work, leading business to do different things and do things differently to enhance their results. This psychological safety, for LGBT individuals and everyone else, translates into employees feeling they can be their authentic selves, not singled out as an 'other' and without fear of risks to their career, social status, or workplace relationships. Specifically, for an LGBT individual, feeling psychologically safe may mean the difference between being comfortable to be 'out' or remaining 'in the closet'. The bottom line from the business perspective: INCLUSION = PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY. It's a winning equation for individuals, communities, economies and societies, across the board. Advertisement Audrey Gallien, director of marketing for Catalyst, said: "It's about being an employer of choice. If companies can show they are truly inclusive and welcome LGBT employees they will be able to attract the best talent in the market place." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on January 1, 2017. / AFP / AFP AND POOL / GALI TIBBON (Photo credit should read GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images) President-elect Trump's appointment of David Friedman (known for his support of the settlements) to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel, his appointment of Walid Phares (a Maronite Christian known for his pro-Israel track record and distaste for the Palestinians) as his Middle East advisor, and charging his son-in-law Jared Kushner (who is a staunch supporter of Israel and was recently appointed as Senior Advisor to the President) to take the lead in the search for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, all suggest there could be a major change in U.S. policy toward the conflict. These appointments, coupled with Trump's campaign promise to relocate the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, may well translate to unfettered support for settlements and the annexation of more Palestinian territory. Should this come to pass, it will jeopardize the prospect of a two-state solution and the future of Israel as a viable Jewish state, not to mention the endless violence that would ensue. Advertisement We are already hearing the alarm bells from various Arab capitals. The victory of the Palestinians on the passage of UN Resolution 2334 that condemns the Israeli settlements has now been overshadowed by a sense of deep trepidation, while stirring major concerns among moderate Israelis and Europeans who don't know what to expect and how troublesome the situation may become. Many members of the Israeli government feel emboldened by these developments. Education Minister Naftali Bennett has called for the annexation of the third largest settlement Ma'ale Adumim, a few minutes' drive from East Jerusalem, which would virtually cut the West Bank in half and prevent the rise of a viable and contiguous Palestinian state. He further implored Netanyahu to rule out the establishment of a Palestinian state during his first meeting with President Trump, stating "The next few weeks present a unique window of opportunity for Israel." For Netanyahu, Trump as president is simply heaven-sent. He believes that even though he won't succeed in convincing Trump to shred the Iran deal because of the international repercussions which Trump cannot dismiss, the Trump administration will leave him to his own devices to expand the settlements and gradually render the prospect of a Palestinian state unfeasible by creating irreversible facts on the ground. The irony here is that many of those who claim to care about Israel's future security and wellbeing do not want to acknowledge that the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are not a fading phenomenon. Yes, Israel can build another 100 settlements and annex much of the West Bank, but what then? Will the Palestinians, the Arab world, and the international community simply sit on their hands and do nothing? Advertisement Those unflinching supporters of Israel should be true to themselves and answer--where will Israel be in 10 or 15 years? Will it be a Jewish state? A democratic state? An apartheid state? A bi-national state? What legal system will be in place to govern the West Bank? Will it be civilian or military? Will there be two different laws, one for the Palestinians and one for the settlers? What is the vision of the detractors who oppose the creation of a Palestinian state about the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians? What does Netanyahu mean when he repeatedly invokes the Jews' claim to the entire "land of Israel?" Does Bennett have any clue what will happen following the annexation of Ma'ale Adumim, or the annexation of Area C which represents 61 percent of the West Bank? What will be the reaction of the Arab states? Can Netanyahu count on their cooperation during the next Palestinian uprising, which is bound to erupt once their hope for a state is dashed completely? What will be the outcome of the next Gaza war, and what will be the extent of the collateral damage? Yes, Israel can reoccupy Gaza and decapitate Hamas' leaders (as Israel's Defense Minister Lieberman recently retorted), but is Israel willing to govern over 1.8 million Palestinians? At what cost, in both blood and treasure? If not, what happens when the next round of rockets rains down daily, terrifying every Israeli? Can Israeli technology and anti-terror capabilities that Netanyahu boasts about bring peace? How, one might ask? Will the Arab states simply forget about the Palestinians' plight only because they are currently collaborating with Israel on matters of security and intelligence-sharing to lessen Iranian threats? Advertisement Finally, have Netanyahu, Bennett, and their like considered the international outcry, condemnation, and sanctions that would ensue, and how isolated Israel will be? Have they thought about what Jews around the world would be subjected to? Anti-Semitism will intensify and Jewish businesses and organizations will be seen as 'fair targets' for terrorism. The young generation of Jews will be further alienated, whose immigration to Israel is already in decline. They will no longer view Israel as a safe haven for Jews but as a major liability, and do not want to enlist in the IDF and be assigned to oppress the Palestinians and deny them the right to be free. What many Israeli madmen and women in and out of the government (like Netanyahu, Bennett, Lieberman, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Culture Minister Miri Regev, and their cohorts) refuse to realize is that they can manipulate, maneuver, manage, or mar the Palestinians only up to a point--but they cannot control them indefinitely. Netanyahu in particular skillfully uses fear tactics and takes advantage of Palestinian incitement to justify his claim that they are not interested in peace. Their most blatant lie is the contention that once Israel evacuates the West Bank, the territories will become just another Gaza (a 'Hamastan'), a launching pad for rockets and terrorism, when in fact the withdrawal from Gaza was unilateral without any coordination with the Palestinian Authority in charge of Gaza at the time. The economic dependency of the Palestinians in the West Bank on Israel, and security cooperation will not end once there is a peace agreement. Israel is and will remain the economic lifeline for the Palestinians for decades. The Palestinians seek political independence but they cannot (nor do they want to) simply divorce themselves from Israel completely because of these ties. They know about Egypt and Jordan's extensive collaboration with Israel in these areas and how much they benefit from having peace with Israel. Advertisement I do not, however, exempt the Palestinians for one moment from responsibility. It is time they stop living in the past; violence and incitement against Israel will do nothing but deprive them of the very thing they want to achieve--a state of their own. They must be prepared to pay the price for wanting to be free. They must learn how to shoulder their responsibility, clean up their corrupt political system, and focus on building the infrastructure and institutions of a state. Above all, they must stop poisoning the next generation of Palestinians against Israel, as doing so only victimizes these young boys and girls and deprives them of a better and more promising future. Before Friedman, Phares, and Kushner advise the president on how to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they must answer all of these questions which have major bearing on Israel's very future. I absolutely believe they all genuinely care about Israel and want to do everything they can to ensure its security and prosperity, at peace with its neighbors. But here is where tough love is needed. As Nietzsche succinctly put it, "This is the hardest of all: to close the open hand out of love, and keep modest as a giver." This is precisely the point. Because of their commitment to Israel's wellbeing, they must carefully think about the ramifications if they recommend to the president to fulfill his campaign promise to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem without simultaneously acknowledging the right of the Palestinians to establish their own capital in East Jerusalem once a peace agreement is achieved. They must warily consider the implications if Israel were to annex Ma'ale Adumim without agreed-upon land swaps while ensuring a future Palestinian state maintains land contiguity. They must be extraordinarily cautious not to give Netanyahu a blank check to expand the settlements and scuttle the two-state solution and put Israel's future in peril. Advertisement As a deal maker, Trump knows that no unilateral action by one party can seal a deal. An agreement between Israel and the Palestinians must be equitable--a non-zero sum approach that answers to the aspirations of both people, especially because they have no choice but to coexist. Their destiny, like it or not, is intertwined--either they live in peace and harmony, or in perpetual violence, death, and destruction. Neither can have it their way only. Here is where you, Mr. Trump, can play a historic role. As a deal maker, I implore you, do not give Netanyahu what he wants. If you do, you will rob the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians of everything they aspire for and set in motion an unrelenting cycle of violence that will spare neither side decades of more pain, agony, death, and destruction. A good and sustainable deal requires give and take; each side must make the necessary concessions and create a mutuality of vested interests to ensure its durability. Kushner is the least zealous; he knows the Israeli scene well and understands that anything short of evenhanded peace will be to Israel's detriment. We can only hope that he will use his influence as a senior advisor and pave the way for President Trump to make the deal that all of his predecessors failed to achieve. Fredy Peccerelli considers himself lucky. His family was able to leave Guatemala during its long internal conflict. He grew up mostly in New York City, planning to become a doctor, at his father's urging. But the problems of his homeland were not far from his thoughts. At Brooklyn College, he switched from pre-med courses to physical anthropology so he could become a professor who explored the ancient ruins in Guatemala's jungles. Then he attended a conference on human rights and exhumation, saw the slides of graves and changed his life completely. "It was as if I was struck by lightning," he said during an interview at his office in Guatemala City, the capital. "I knew what I wanted to do." Peccerelli says that when he arrived in Guatemala, in 1992, land mines and gun battles were constant dangers. Laughing at himself, he says he wasn't too pleased about the snakes, tarantulas and dengue fever either. Advertisement But the work that had called to him was very serious. The UN-backed Commission on Historical Clarification determined that 669 massacres had been committed during Guatemala's 1960-1996 armed conflict. The commission's 1999 report blamed the military and its allies for at least 626 massacres and for 91 percent of the human rights violations, which included 160,000 deaths and 40,000 forcible disappearances. Investigating those crimes, which many powerful people did not want unearthed, required a level of forensic science not yet available in Guatemala. That's what Peccerelli set out to build. "I credit the way we expanded -- under the radar -- for why no one would have interfered until it was too late and we were too big," he said. In 1997, Peccerelli founded the nonprofit group Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, FAFG. Fredy Peccerelli of FAFG discusses the National Genetic Bank to identify victims of Guatemala's conflict. Photos by Barbara Borst Advertisement Human rights defenders began to gather names and details of massacres before there was any chance of prosecuting Guatemala's leaders and security forces for atrocities. They faced grave risks. Both the Guatemalan anthropologist Myrna Mack Chang and the Roman Catholic Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi were assassinated for their investigations into human rights abuses -- Mack in 1990 and Gerardi in 1998. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that government forces killed Mack; Guatemalan courts convicted three military officers of Gerardi's murder. Marcie Mersky, director of programs at the International Center for Transitional Justice, in New York, said that human rights defenders in Guatemala had proved the need to "document when you don't think trials are possible." Their "ant-like work" contributes directly to trials and other achievements today, she added. "I think it's wonderful, amazing that these human rights cases are going forward. To the victims, it is outrageously important," Mersky said. "It's a good thing in itself that these cases are coming," she added, though it may not be a sign of larger changes in society. In the early 1980s, the most intense period of the conflict, filmmakers Pamela Yates, Tom Sigel and Peter Kinoy interviewed the military dictator, General Efrain Rios Montt, and persuaded both the rebel forces and the military to let them film their activities. Their 1982 documentary, "When the Mountains Tremble," also featured indigenous activist Rigoberta Menchu, who was later awarded a Nobel peace prize. Advertisement Yates, Kinoy and Paco de Onis have produced two recent projects on Guatemala. Their 2011 film "Grantio: How to Nail a Dictator" tells of Spanish lawyers who sought to bring Guatemalan leaders to trial, of current prosecutions and of the value of their interview with the dictator as evidence against him. In 2013, they released "Dictator in the Dock," a series of 23 segments, with teaching materials, on the 2013 trial of Rios Montt. He was convicted of genocide and other crimes, but Guatemala's Constitutional Court annulled the verdict on technical issues; retrial is expected in 2015. The 2005 discovery of a trove of police records from the conflict era has already aided in legal cases. Scholars and activists have digitalized more than 10 million of these documents, which the University of Texas hosts in the Guatemalan National Police Historical Archive. The Open Society Justice Initiative launched "Judging a Dictator: The Trial of Guatemala's Rios Montt," a series of articles on the legal case. The International Crisis Group reports regularly on justice issues in Guatemala. And the Human Rights Data Analysis Group has supplied the Guatemalan prosecutor's office with statistical evidence. Peccerelli's forensic team, which works closely with the prosecutor's office, has provided evidence for numerous cases. FAFG works extensively in two types of circumstances: "closed contexts" in which the site and victims of a massacre are known and "open contexts" where, as Peccerelli says, they have remains but not identities. The latter involves painstaking work to determine who the victims were and to match them with relatives and records. There is no list of the 200,000 dead or missing. Advertisement Since 1992, FAFG has completed 1,461 investigations in "closed contexts," mainly rural massacre sites, and has found the remains of at least 6,987 individuals, as of January, according to Marte Myhre Tunheim, Peccerelli's technical assistant. In recent work at a former military site, it has recovered 533 bodies, and has identified 24, with 10 others identifications in process. Alma Vasquez explains FAFG's work at La Verbena cemetery. Remains of conflict victims are likely intermingled with those of the poor in common graves at La Verbena, a major cemetery in Guatemala City. So far, FAFG teams have unearthed and catalogued the remains of 15,559 individuals there, Tunheim said. FAFG believes that 889 of them, about 5 percent, may have been among the "disappeared" because of evidence such as death by gunshot or other wounds during the worst years of the conflict. FAFG has launched a National Genetic Bank to gather information from survivors and match it with DNA from victims' remains. The database is national, Peccerelli noted, only in the sense of nationwide; the government is not involved. He gave an example of how it has helped: Siblings who had lost a brother came forward because of the work at Verbena cemetery. The database linked them, instead, to remains found at the military site, and a military diary from that site linked to other identifications. Peccerelli says that FAFG does not pursue perpetrators -- evidence does. "We are sitting in a position where we can jeopardize a lot of people for wrongdoing," he said. "That's not what drives us. What drives us is the families living this for 30 years." He said he used to think of the work as bringing "closure" to families that had lost loved ones. "But the family doesn't actually get closure. They become empowered," he said. They decide for themselves how to respond to knowing the truth, whether to prosecute, to rebury, to speak out or to remain private. Advertisement "For me, this is a real sign of progress," he said. "You have people who were completely invisible because their family disappeared. Now they are citizens. Now they request rights, though that might have risks for them." "This," he added, "is change." Ramush Haradinaj, the former Prime Minister of Kosovo, was arrested in Paris on January 4 under a 11-year old Interpol warrant requested by Serbia. The Government of Serbia demands France extradite Haradinaj to face war crimes charges. France should deny the request for extradition and release Ramush Haradinaj, who has already been twice acquitted by international tribunals. Haradinaj's arrest in Paris has ratcheted up tensions and fanned the flames of future conflict in the Balkans. "The extradition request is an act of war," A Kosovar intellectual told me. "There will be an explosion if France sends him to Serbia." Serbian nationalism led to ethnic cleansing in the 1990s, which destroyed Yugoslavia. Serbia today is not much different than Milosevic's Serbia, despite the veneer of civility. Advertisement Serbia's President, Tomislav Nikolic still champions Milosevic's project to occupy neighbors and establish greater Serbia. The Interior Ministry of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic insists on the arrest of Haradinaj, playing to Serbia's nationalist base. In 1999, Serbia occupied 20 percent of Kosovo north of the Ibar River. A wall was erected in Mitrovica to formally divide the city. Belgrade's recent actions show continuing ill will towards Kosovo. Chapter 35 of Belgrade's EU accession process requires good faith by Serbia in its negotiations on normalization of relations with Kosovo. Serbia's manipulation of Interpol's red card process is an abuse of this commitment. Simply put, normalization between Serbia and Kosovo is a charade, as along as Serbia violates Kosovo's sovereignty. Advertisement Kosovo should establish Serbia's withdrawal from North Mitrovica as a condition for resuming the EU-moderated political dialogue on normalization. And the EU should suspend its talks with Belgrade on Serbia's accession until Kosovo's territorial integrity is restored. The onus is on Serbia. Normalization starts by withdrawing its appeal for Haradinaj's arrest. Furthermore, Serbia should cease its occupation of Mitrovica and stop its campaign against EU recognition of Kosovo. Milosevic disinterred Prince Lazarus, the Serbian royal who died in the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. The remains of Lazarus were paraded around the country to stoke Serbian nationalism. The virus of Serbian nationalism is alive and well. It is time to bury Prince Lazarus once and for all. There are several possible explanations for Donald Trump's frequently professed deep admiration for Russian president Vladimir Putin: His esteem for authoritarian dictators as men who get things done; his desire to embarrass President Obama by claiming Putin is a better leader; his pandering to alt-right voters who admire Putin as they pine for global white nationalist domination; the possible desire to protect or expand business interests tied to Russia; the ties of Trump advisors like Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn to Russian interests; the strong evidence that Putin used cyber-hacking and fake news disinformation to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton; and, as newly reported, the unconfirmed possibility that Putin holds compromising personal and financial information about Trump. Whatever the true reasons, Trump's love of Putin, who engages in blatant human rights abuses at home and dangerous aggression outside his borders, threatens American interests and values. The United States should continue to seek cooperation with Russia where doing so makes us stronger, just as we did during the Cold War, but we cannot sacrifice our security to the kind of improper considerations that seem to motivate Trump. Given Trump's troubling embrace of Putin, the U.S. Senate must demand a Secretary of State who will approach Russia in a clear-eyed, principled way, who will push back on Trump's bizarre Putin love. This morning's opening of his confirmation hearing underscored that Trump's nominee, Rex Tillerson, is not that person. Advertisement Tillerson has spent more time with Putin than almost any other American, and he has developed close ties with the Russian president. Those ties are based on commerce -- on his multinational company and Russia making each other wealthier -- rather than on protecting U.S. interests. In 2011, Tillerson reached a major deal with Russia -- not a breakthrough for peace or justice but instead an agreement between ExxonMobil and Rosneft, Russia's state oil company, to explore and drill for oil in the Siberian arctic, a deal worth tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars. In pursuing the deal, Tillerson has developed strong personal ties to Rosneft head Igor Sechin, an ex-KGB agent close to Putin. In 2012, Russia awarded Tillerson one of its highest honors, the Order of Friendship decoration. The Exxon deal with Rosneft was halted after the Obama Administration imposed sanctions on Russia, and on Sechin personally, in the wake of Russia's aggression in Ukraine and Crimea; Tillerson responded by expressing opposition to U.S. economic sanctions. Pressed on this point by Senate Foreign Relations Committee members this morning, Tillerson asserted that, to his knowledge, ExxonMobil had not "directly" lobbied against sanctions against Russia. In fact the company has lobbied against Russia sanctions, and indeed lobbied just last month helped defeat legislation that would have made it harder for the Trump administration to lift the Russia sanctions, and thus harder for ExxonMobil to resume drilling. After a break in the hearing, Tillerson and committee chairman Bob Corker (R-TN) engineered a dialogue in which Tillerson tried to clarify his denial: Tillerson didn't personally lobby against sanctions but was "engaged in how the sanctions would be constructed." That didn't make much sense, or address the efforts of company lobbyists other than Tillerson. Advertisement In his prepared testimony, Tillerson repeatedly asserted that Russia poses dangers to the United States. And he has agreed to divest financially from ExxonMobil if confirmed. But he has not erased the serious risk he will see U.S. foreign policy, including regarding Russia, through the prism he has been behind for 41 years at Exxon -- where corporate earnings take precedence over U.S. security. Where making money takes precedence over human rights abuses, which has been Exxon's course in multiple countries. Where making money takes precedence over the urgent need to fight terrorism, as Exxon did in doing business with Sudan, Syria, and Iran, all under U.S. sanctions for sponsoring terrorists. And where making money takes precedence over the global environment, including the enormous threat of climate change from the burning of fossil fuels. Although Tillerson and his company have stopped pretending in public, in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, that global warming isn't real, he has continued to minimize the threat, claiming that it is "an engineering problem" that is "manageable." Meanwhile, ExxonMobil has continued funding think tanks that have questioned and denied climate change. In the wake of recent investigative reporting that demonstrated that Exxon scientists have known and told Exxon management for decades that burning fossil fuels was heating up the planet, but that Exxon instead pursued a strategy of public denial, the New York and Massachusetts attorney generals have launched fraud investigations against the company. Tillerson's ExxonMobil has responded by aggressively trying to derail these probes, through an unprecedented lawsuit against the two AGs in its home region of Dallas. Exxon may have strong motivations for stalling the AG investigations. The Exxon-Rosneft drilling deal was made possible by global warming that has melted Arctic ice. It seems possible, then, that Tillerson's ExxonMobil was sharing with Putin's Russia its knowledge about the acceleration of climate change, as it continued to fund efforts to conceal the risks of climate change from the American people. When asked at today's hearing by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) if Exxon knew about climate change yet funded climate denial, Tillerson said that the question needed to be put to ExxonMobil. Asked by Kaine if he was refusing to answer or if instead he lacked the knowledge to answer, Tillerson replied, "A little of both." Then asked by Kaine if he had signed a confidentiality agreement with his company, Tillerson said, not to his knowledge. It was a slippery, evasive performance for someone seeking consent from the Senate to assume one of the most critical posts in our government. Trump tweeted in 2012, "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive" and during the campaign he pledged to withdraw the U.S. from the landmark Paris climate accord. When questioned by the New York Times after the election, Trump shifted, saying he had "an open mind" about the Paris agreement. But Senators have to be concerned about Tillerson becoming Trump's point man on the Paris accord -- and the Russian sanctions. At Exxon, Tillerson has prioritized corporate profits over climate protection, human rights, and concerns about Russian aggression, and he knows that his subordinates at Exxon want to move ahead with drilling in the Arctic, dangerous gas fracking in America, and much more. (As Tillerson once said, "My philosophy is to make money. So if I can drill, and make money, that's what I want to do.) Asked by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) today whether the Trump administration would honor the Paris agreement, Tillerson said only that his State Department would conduct a "fulsome review" of the issue and that there would be "no space" between him and Trump on the issue. Which was hardly reassuring. Advertisement Asked by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) whether he supported the new sanctions imposed by the Obama Administration for Russia's interference in the U.S. election, Tillerson tried to change the subject, saying the U.S. needed a comprehensive cybersecurity policy. When Rubio persisted, Tillerson said he would have to study the issue. When Rubio asked if Putin had committed war crimes in Syria and Chechnya, Tillerson said he would need to study that. When Rubio then asked if Putin has murdered political opponents, Tillerson said he hadn't studied that and needed to review the available classified information linking Putin to the many deaths of Russians who have crossed him. While Tillerson's backers stress that he was recommended to Trump by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, they don't mention that Rice and Gates run a consulting firm whose clients include ExxonMobil. That reality only adds to the concern that Tillerson's appointment is part of an overall corporate takeover of the government, where, under Trump, the interests of big companies take precedence over workers, consumers, safety, and the environment. But as to the State Department, the dangers are even deeper. If you combine Tillerson's profit-driven affection for Russia, with Trump's own crazy love for Putin, it creates serious risk that American security interests could be compromised. UPDATE 01-11-17 3:30 pm: Asked by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, "Do you support a national registry for American Muslims?", Tillerson replied, "I would need to have a lot more information around how such an approach would even be constructed, and if it were a tool for vetting, then it probably extends to other people as well, other groups that are threats to the U.S." A national registry of any group of Americans based on their religion would be repugnant to U.S. values and our Constitution. It's possible that Tillerson or the transition will claim that he misunderstood the question and perhaps thought Shaheen was referencing the entrance of Muslims from overseas. But perhaps not. Trump has denied supporting the idea of a Muslim registry, but with typical Trump confusion. Advertisement Kiton's Ciro Paone and Florence Mayor Dario Nardella take a selfie during the opening ceremony of Pitti Uomo 91 It was touching to hear a group of grown men emotionally talk about the late Franca Sozzani, the "Grand Dame of fashion" as Carlo Calenda, the Italian Minister of Economic Development called her during the opening ceremony of Pitti Uomo's 91st edition. From Calenda, to Gaetano Marzotto, President of Pitti Immagine, the power men of the Made in Italy fashion world gushed about a woman -- a strong, powerful, intelligent and unafraid to be so woman. Sozzani's spirit of support for younger generations, her untiring resolve to make sure "that fashion would enter into the very DNA of our country [Italy]," as Calenda explained further, certainly are palpable at this edition of the menswear fair in Florence. And the gap left by her absence is undeniable. "I've never stopped dreaming!" Sozzani admitted in Venice, during a press conference for her son Francesco Carrozzini's film Franca: Chaos & Creation last September. At the height of her struggle with the illness that took her away from us, from this world now a bit more unfashionable because she's not around, she was still dreaming of helping fashionistas gain the respect they deserve. Advertisement During the opening ceremony to kick off the presentations of Fall 2017/Winter 2018 collections for men, Florence Mayor Dario Nardella also talked about Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei. Ai's art installation of orange rafts frames the Palazzo Strozzi, just a few hundred meters away from where the Mayor gave his speech. The artist's work with migrants in the last couple of years makes up the bulk of the exhibit inside the Palazzo and from the look of some of the collections at Pitti Uomo, where gold foil and waterproof jackets are in abundance, it seems the refugee crisis, the constant mention of it in the news has influenced fashion design as well. Mayor Nardella shared, "I remember when a journalist asked the artist [Ai Wei Wei] what is the word that you find decisive for the world at the moment, and he replied 'Action'. The world belongs to those who act. Determination, this is Pitti Imagine Uomo." He's right. If US politics has taught us anything in the last couple of months is that making mistakes, but making them loudly and with conviction, can even secure a Presidential election. In the shuttle back to the Fortezza da Basso, where the main fair is held, I sat nestled among a group of older, aristocratic-acting women. They each made a point nominating themselves to succeed Sozzani as the next Editor in Chief of Vogue Italia. "I'd be great at that job, I've been writing for Vogue Italia," one declared. "Twenty years ago, I worked for French Vogue, I'd do a wonderful job!" Another chimed in. All I could think about was how we need some young spirits, fresh blood in Italian journalism, and how unique Sozzani was in her thinking, always helping the new generations of designers, writers, stylists. While these women never even thanked me for giving them directions to the minivans... Eton and the irreverence of true style. Back at the Fortezza, I caught up with the powers that be at one of my favorite brands, Swedish shirt house Eton. Apart from their classy behavior, time and time again, and social involvement in important causes, I've developed a soft spot for their classic, good looking shirts and the innovative ways they portray men, modern men in their campaigns. But Eton also has a truly irreverent vein, one that appeals to the closet-rockstar in me. This season, their 'Hacienda Collection" features soft, graphic printed shirts that could be worn by men and women alike, inspired by the underground culture of The Hacienda in Manchester, an iconic British nightclub of the 80s and 90s. My personal favorite from the capsule collection is this 'Party People' shirt pictured above, featuring faces that hauntingly remind me of Edie Sedgwick, seen through the eyes of Andy Warhol. Advertisement Sebastian Dollinger, head of design at Eton, explained "my wife is a very classy, classic dresser but she immediately took parts of that collection, first because of the material -- a viscose-y, light sort of thing -- and also because the patterns are out there!" Of course, the brand's bread-and-butter remain their more traditional shirt designs, pocket squares and scarves, but as they say, unless you move forward constantly, you'll find yourself stuck in the past, and Eton is ever reinventing style, with their tried and true customer in mind. Ciro Paone, Kiton and the essence of being Neapolitan. If you ask a person born in Naples if they are Italian, you will see them stare back at you in disbelief and, a bit harassed, they'll eventually answer, "No! I'm Neapolitan!" Having grown up with a Parthenopean mother, as a child I found it baffling that she thought it an insult to be mistaken for Florentine or even simply Italian. Until I grew up, and realized the true power of hailing from one of the most magical, infuriatingly creative and wonderfully chaotic cities on earth. To those who doubt my passion when I write, I say, visit Naples and as the saying goes, "vedi Napoli e poi muori" once you do, you can die in peace. You'll have then really, truly, absolutely seen it all. Kiton, the brand born out of the perfectionist eye of Ciro Paone, is a perfect example of Neapolitan style. "Plus one" is Paone's infamous saying, meaning everything can be reworked again, to add one more stitch, take away one more centimeter so that the garment reaches perfection. And perfection Paone has achieved, in his 80-some years, so much so that he's managed both a Career Award and a personal tribute exhibit at this year's Pitti Uomo. "Due o tre cose che so di Ciro" (Two or three things I know about Ciro) is a voyage into Ciro Paone's life, curated by Italian fashion journalist Angelo Flaccavento and featuring Paone's sayings, philosophies and most beloved possessions. My favorite was room 3, the Naples room, dedicated to the contradictions that make up the grandiose city of my mom. Featuring a "Madonna Scotchata" -- a game of words which ends up translation as both a "bored Madonna" and a Madonna obviously taped with scotch tape -- the room made me giggle at all the contradictions that make up my own personality, thanks to my Southern heritage. Speaking of Madonnas... There's a scent for that! I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of religions, of any kind. But the scent of incense, a particular kind of church incense, always reminds me of my childhood, even if my family only stumbled into church for christenings, weddings and funerals. And walking around a new section of Pitti Uomo, a welcomed respite from the business of fashion called Hi Beauty, I found a brand based in Rome that takes inspiration from "The Scents of the Bible" in their latest collection. Essenzialmente Laura features three perfumes in this capsule collection, one called "Incense of the Churches of Rome", the smell that drew me in at hello, "Nard of Mary Magdalen" and "Mystic Rose" -- the latter probably the perfume I'd choose for personal use. After all, a woman can never have enough rose perfume, I say. I loved hearing the history behind the brand, and discovering the various scents and I'll look for the shop, in Via dei Coronari in Rome, the next time I'm in the Eternal City. Golden Goose Deluxe Brand and their fabulous golden jackets. Even since I started attending the Venice Film Festival, I've realized that Venetians are just classy people. Period. And last night, at the Venetian brand Golden Goose Deluxe Brand fashion presentation, inside the iconic Stazione Leopolda, the concept was confirmed further. Once we arrived inside the venue, we were greeted by a trio of cylinders which made the place look like a scene out of Denis Villeneuve's Arrival. I felt aliens or astronauts couldn't be far behind... And in fact, as soon as the music began, a spotlight started shining on a white, skateboarding moon walker, covered from head to toe in astronaut gear. But then, the music got louder, a bang exploded and skaters in gold foil jackets that looked phenomenal started using the cylinders for an exhibition in talent and balance. All the while, a Japanese DJ, channeling a Jamaican rasta in a club of the Lower East Side in NYC in the 90s, played tune after tune of delightfully cool music. So far so good. This is Pitti Uomo after all and great things, wonderful presentations happen every day here. We're used to that. But what came after even the most jaded fashion journalist couldn't imagine. We got the jackets! Yes, those jackets, the gold foil phenomenal looking things that are featured on the homepage of the brand's website. All we had to do was put in a gadget key we received upon entering the venue, digit "53" in the machines that looked like candy dispensers, and the jackets, by the famous sneaker brand, were ours. Just. Like. That. Advertisement As I walked into my hotel room, tired and with my feet swollen beyond recognition, all I could do was try on the jacket. I felt like I'd just celebrated Christmas a second time. And you know what, that thing is even cooler in real life! As imposing as it is, never before has the entrance hall of the Getty Museum looked as dramatic and impressive as it does now, with the newly installed life-size marble sculpture of the Sleeping Fawn by 18th century French artist Edme Bouchardon (1698-1762). The presentation of this sculpture plays a role not unlike that of a musical overture at the beginning of an Italian opera before the curtain goes up. Here at the Getty, this sculpture captures one's attention as the introduction to the grand presentation of works by Bouchardon, one of the most important French artists of the 18th century. In a rare partnership with the Musee du Louvre, the Getty Museum brought this exhibition to L.A. after it was initially shown last autumn in Paris. With 30 sculptures and 100 drawings and prints on display, this exhibition "Bouchardon: Royal Artist of the Enlightment" demonstrates his astonishing craftsmanship. One wonders why his art isn't better known outside of France. Like many ambitious artists of his time, Bouchardon travelled to Rome, where he spent 9 years studying and copying classical art. His medium-sized marble panels --allegories of the four seasons -- with their adorable images of children are simply irresistible, at least to my eye. Here, Bouchardon's artistic showmanship is at its best. But as delightful as it is, it comes at the price of originality. At this point, I want to mention the name of Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828), a strikingly original French sculptor of the Enlightenment whose 2003 exhibition at the Getty was a showstopper. Advertisement The Bouchardon exhibition ends with the puzzling presentation of a single bronze hand -- the only surviving relic of his monumental bronze equestrian sculpture of Louis XV that once stood in the Place de la Concorde. This equestrian sculpture was destroyed during the French Revolution. Which brings to mind the explosive subject of politics and art: just think about all the ancient art intentionally destroyed during recent turmoil in the Middle East. Another exhibition demonstrating high artistic virtuosity, along with an interest in politics, opened over the weekend at Susanne Vielmetter Gallery. A solo exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist Karl Haendel occupies the entire gallery. Upon entrance, visitors are greeted by mural-sized drawings of teenage girls riding rodeo. These heroic images successfully challenge prevailing stereotypes of masculinity. The draftsmanship of these figurative drawings is at the highest level, and it's impossible not to be impressed. But further back in the gallery, there are installations with portraits of two politicians and, in both cases, the impressive draftsmanship of the execution becomes secondary to the emotional complexity of these two portraits: one of Hillary Clinton, and the other of Barack Obama. With its heroic scale and pensive mood, Hillary's portrait is simply startling. Nearby is Obama's portrait, smaller in scale and purposely left unfinished. It's not just pensive, it's deeply melancholic. One hopes this won't be the prevailing mood of the upcoming farewell address by President Obama. ___________ Edward Goldman is an art critic and the host of Art Talk, a program on art and culture for NPR affiliate KCRW 89.9 FM. To listen to the complete show and hear Edward's charming Russian accent, click here. Advertisement Salvator Mundi International Hospital is located at Via Delle Mura Gianicolensi 67 on the Gianicolo which is one of the seven hills of Rome in the Monteverdi neighborhood. Too bad for you if that is where you're headed since undoubtedly it was not part of your original itinerary which may have included The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla. Still everyone has to meet their maker (as well as make so to speak) and if you're in Purgatory on your way to Hell, Salvator Mundi is a cheery enough way station with its automatic door and sleek modern facade. It actually has the look of one of those Courtyard Marriotts that cater to the budget minded crowd or perhaps even the feel of a suburban fitness center. It's certainly not daunting like a major metropolitan hospital in New York, Chicago or L.A. You may very well end up being one of those Americans visiting Salvator Mundi to drop off their stool samples for an "esame colturale delle feci con antibiogramma and parassitologico." In plain English you will be coming to have your feces rather than your head examined and in order to do this you will have to beeline down to your local Farmacia and acquire a "contenitore feci," which again in plain English means a container for feces, with its convenient little scooper attached to its cheery red top. "Friends, Romans and countrymen lend me your ears...if you've fallen this low, then you're probably thinking there's no place like Rome." Originally published on Gays With Kids. By Brian Rosenberg A birthday tribute to my dad, who taught me the most important life lessons about what it means to be a father. ******************* My father grew up in a working class community outside of Boston, the son of a butcher and a homemaker. Like his dad before him, my father was tough, very tough, from an early age. He didn't take school all that seriously, but what he lacked in book smarts he more than made up for with street smarts. While still just a kid, he learned to depend on the potent combination of his wits and fists. After high school he enlisted in the Navy, where he really grew up. Upon his return to civilian life he tried college, but didn't stay long enough to graduate. However, he found resounding success in the real world by relying on his great instincts, incredible work ethic and relentless drive to succeed. By the time I was in grade school, my dad was well on his way to building a very successful business, a conglomerate of automobile dealerships that would become one of the largest in New England. Along the way he proved to be a true humanitarian: Over the years his companies have supported countless worthy causes, and he personally has helped many hundreds (or maybe even thousands?) of people in need, with unfailing generosity. Advertisement While I'm immensely proud of all that he has accomplished, unfortunately I don't always get along so well with my dad. He has a very old-school way of looking at things, and we really do lead different lives. Until I became a parent almost eight years ago, I'm not sure he understood my life or was able to relate to it. Politically, we couldn't be further apart. He views current events through the lens of Fox News; I put my trust in The New York Times. I supported Obama and Hillary; he voted for Trump. Our political discussions follow a predictable path: We just repeat our opinions, already set in stone. In the heat of these discussions, we sometimes inadvertently say hurtful things to each other. There are so many important areas of our lives in which we don't agree that, outside our family ties, I sometimes worry he and I don't have much in common. Yet my dad is one of the most important role models of my life. Time and again he's shown me through example what it really means to be a father. No matter how many disagreements we may have, I have always known that his love for me is unconditional and his pride in me is boundless. How? Because since I was a small child he has never been afraid to tell me and to show me through hugs, kisses and words of love and praise (often to my great embarrassment!). Well, today is my dad's 80th birthday, and I want to celebrate the occasion by holding him up as an exemplar dad. I hope the anecdotes you're about to read below will provide some small level of comfort to those who have been shunned from their own families, and give us all a reminder about how to parent. Advertisement ****************************** The day I came out as HIV-positive, I was 25 and had already been living with HIV for a couple of years. I kept it hidden because I was fearful that the disclosure would force me to face the truth about who I really was and make me contend with the stigma associated with an HIV diagnosis in the 1990s. I also worried about the considerable heartache and pain I would cause my family, especially my parents. How could they possibly bear to watch me succumb to one of the many AIDS-defining illnesses that ripped through previously healthy men in such horrific and terrifying ways. The first people I did finally tell were my older brother and his wife, as I knew I could trust them. Together we agreed not to tell my parents or grandparents, at least not until the disease progressed to the point where I was no longer able to hide it. But once I spoke about HIV out loud to one member of my family, I found it became more real to me. And the more real it became, the more I longed to tell others, especially my parents. So eventually my brother accompanied me to my parents' house where I sat them down to tell them I had HIV. Tears streamed down my face, and my mother followed suit. I didn't know what to make of my dad's reaction, who stood up and asked me to join him privately in another room. But I barely had time to process any possible meaning for his behavior as he quickly grabbed me with both arms, pulled me tightly towards his body, and held me liked that for several minutes. While locked in his unyielding grip, my father told me that he loved me, that he had always loved me, and that he would always love me. ****************************** Although I had come out about living with HIV, I kept my true sexuality in the closet. The few times I was questioned about how I contracted HIV even though I was straight, I simply referred to Magic Johnson. Part of my reluctance had to do with my own internalized homophobia, but I was also struggling because I was in love with my girlfriend, whom I considered my soulmate, and I didn't want to hurt her. She knew about my HIV status, and was willing to stay with me anyway. And while I didn't want to break up with her, I also felt tremendous guilt about what she would have to give up to stay with me. My parents took notice of my stress and encouraged me to see a therapist. Advertisement Eventually, I found myself sitting on the couch of a gay therapist, and during my very first session I told him I was gay. It was the first time I had uttered these words out loud, and the first time I had acknowledged my truth. It took many months of counseling, but I eventually worked up the nerve to come out to my girlfriend. Soon after, I called my parents to tell them I had something important to discuss with them, and that I wanted to do so privately. With my girlfriend by my side, for the second time in my life I summoned the courage to share news with my parents that I knew would be difficult for them to hear, to process. I had practiced coming out to my parents many times in therapy, and I was determined not to cry. I thought a stoic face would better demonstrate the normalcy of being gay. But as soon as I started talking, the tears started to flow. And so I came out to my parents, again with tears. I had barely muttered the words "I'm gay" before my dad reached out to me, looking me directly in the eye. He told me again that he loved me and then gave me another strong hug. When he finally let go, he insisted that I let him know if I had anything else to disclose. He asked me to let him share this latest news with the rest of the family, so I wouldn't have to go through the emotional stress again. And then he made me promise that I would never keep any other secrets between us because families are meant to help each other through the most difficult times. ****************************** Like many gay couples who got together before the time of commitment ceremonies and marriage equality, Ferd and I had to pick a day we used to commemorate as our anniversary. We chose June 20, 1993, the night of our first date, as we were inseparable from that night on. Ferd is Dutch and, thanks to the Defense of Marriage Act (which ruled that marriage was only between one man and one woman), I was unable to sponsor him for permanent residency. When he first arrived in the U.S. about two years before we met, he did so as a doctoral student. Over the next couple of of years, he was granted a succession of temporary visas based on various temporary jobs he had. But during our time together, he was unable to find a job that would lead to the all-important green card. Soon after our son was born in May 2009, Ferd's visas had run out. He had to leave the country that had been his home for 18 years. We made the decision to move to Toronto, Canada, after getting working papers through my employer at the time. A couple of years later, my whole family was granted permanent residency in Canada! Advertisement On the evening of March 20, 2013, Ferd took me out for my birthday. When my birthday cake arrived at the end of the meal, I surprised Ferd with a marriage proposal. My one stipulation was that we continue to honor June 20 as our anniversary date. In other words, we had exactly three months to plan our wedding! Besides, that year was our 20th anniversary and I could think of no better way to celebrate than by getting married. Until it made us leave the United States, many of my friends had not fully understood the negative consequences of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. For me, the trauma of having to leave my homeland because it didn't allow me to marry the person I loved, made my desire to get legally married in Canada even stronger. I wanted my family and friends to appreciate all they took for granted and what it was like for us to have our lives uprooted because of that horrible legislation. Yet when I mentioned the date of our wedding to family and friends, some were skeptical about organizing a wedding in just three months, and others cautioned that a Thursday wedding could be difficult for those who had to travel far. At one point I found myself engaged in a heated discussion about why I would not yield on our wedding date. It coincided with a spectacular vacation that my parents had been planning for months. But my dad (whose personal views on marriage equality I did not know) settled the discussion about the scheduling conflicts once and for all when he said he didn't care about that vacation. He was not going to miss our wedding for anything. ****************************** As the dad to three young children, I know it's easy to show them my unconditional love. After all, what can they really do now to test that? But I imagine each father feels tested when his children as adults make different choices than he had hoped for. Advertisement My dad, with his wisdom, generosity, and infinite love during life's most challenging moments, is my hero. I hope my kids feel the same way about me some day. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump listens to questions from reporters in the lobby at Trump Tower in New York, U.S., January 9, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar Our President-elect has been "twisting the arms" of company executives to make products in the U.S. or risk paying stiff tariffs and fines. While this is consistent with his campaign promises, it is inconsistent with the behavior of his own companies. According the Washington Post, Trump-branded products are made in at least 12 countries outside the US. In an on-air interview of Trump, David Letterman demonstrated that Trump-branded clothing items were made in China and Bangladesh. If you look at the labels of other clothes his company sells under its name, you will also find Honduras and Viet Nam. Manufacturing in America While it may be counter-intuitive to many, where a product is made and by whom is far less relevant to job growth than the demand for that product. There is no better example of this than Apple, Inc. Apple's success has led to the creation of nearly 2 million jobs, and the vast majority of its products are made offshore. Advertisement Target tax avoidance Rather than focus on where products are made, the Trump Administration should direct its attention on the $2.5 trillion Fortune 500 companies are keeping offshore to avoid paying taxes. It should require companies to pay tax on all profits less foreign taxes they have to pay. Credibility In any case, Trump should not be tough on American corporations when it comes to where their products are made unless he is willing to practice what he preaches. The double standard does not work, and undermines credibility. Stronger together In September 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed in a Federal Governmental conservatorship. The crisis-induced rise in mortgage defaults had eroded their capital, and made it impossible for them to continue operations without support from the US Treasury. The conservatorship also eroded the agencies' political support. Their continuing existence is an embarrassment to the liberals in Congress responsible for the agencies heavy involvement in sub-prime mortgages, which was a major cause of their downfall. Conservatives opposed to government intrusions in the market as a matter of principle, who were never more than ambivalent toward the agencies, now relish the opportunity to get rid of them altogether. Yet despite the loss of virtually all of their political support, we are now into the ninth year of conservatorship and the agencies are still with us. The reason is an entirely plausible concern that terminating them would depress the mortgage market and new housing construction. While the prevailing political sentiment is hostile to the agencies continued existence, it is also fearful of the consequences of their demise. The result has been a policy paralysis. Advertisement But the paralysis won't last forever, at some point it will give way to a plan to phase out the agencies by progressively narrowing the segment of the market that they can serve. William M. Isaac and Richard M. Kovacevich in a recent Wall Street Journal article proposed a 7-year phase out. The phase-out approach assumes that within the specified time frame, the private system will evolve to fill the gap. In my view, that will not happen without a well-developed Federal plan to make it happen. Without such a plan, our existing system of private financial institutions will not create a viable private secondary mortgage market that would replace Fannie and Freddie. The private market that was the vehicle used to fund sub-prime mortgages employed a house-of-cards structure that completely collapsed during the financial crisis. Unlike the mortgage securities issued in Denmark, which are full faith liabilities of the institutions issuing them, the US securities were no one's liability. Each security carried its own "credit enhancement" as a back-up to cover potential losses, and if losses exceeded the back-up, the security would default. Redundant credit enhancement on other securities, even if they had the same issuer, was not available to support the security with a deficiency. That market collapsed, and good riddance. As a point of comparison, not a single mortgage security issued by Danish mortgage banks defaulted during the crisis - or any other time! Advertisement Existing private institutions in the US are not going to develop full-liability mortgage-backed securities, even if all legal roadblocks were removed. Commercial banks have never been interested, and even less so now following the heavy losses they have sustained from being held legally liable for misdeeds committed prior to the crisis. Home mortgages are now viewed as carrying high political risk. The existing mortgage banks in the US are loan originators and don't have the capital to become security issuers. The one industry for which mortgage security issuance might have made sense because of its focus on home mortgages was the savings and loans, but that industry is long gone. What is needed is a new industry of mortgage banks that fund themselves with mortgage-backed securities, similar to those in Denmark. They could be regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which currently regulates Fannie and Freddie. Depository institutions would be encouraged to charter mortgage bank affiliates, and existing mortgage banking companies would be encouraged to convert. But it will take time for a new industry to evolve, and in the meantime, Fannie and Freddie should be moved out of conservatorship purgatory. Over the years the agencies have accumulated enormous intellectual capital that is embedded in well-honed secondary market systems and processes, some of which could be used by an emerging mortgage banking industry. The agencies also could be involved in helping new mortgage banks raise capital. Phasing out the agencies would destroy much or all of their intellectual capital - for no good purpose other than achieving a political catharsis. The wiser plan is to establish the legal foundations for a new mortgage banking industry, and retain the agencies until the new structure makes them redundant. The Senate is in the process of confirming an Attorney General, and as you likely know, President-elect Trump nominated Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for the post. The Attorney General leads the Dept. of Justice, and serves as the chief law enforcement officer for the nation. It is an appointment that could mean the difference between justice and systemic partiality. That is why I find Sen. Sessions's history of dangerous biases against minorities, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations deeply troubling. His biases appear in his attempts to repeal basic, humane immigration programs and aid for low-income families. In addition, he continually attempts to impede on states' rights, especially with regard to marijuana. Advertisement These biases arguably cost him a federal judgeship, and if he's unfit to serve on the federal bench, he's certainly unfit to serve as Attorney General. The nomination of Sen. Sessions would be a direct threat to American liberties and it is the responsibility of every American to hold him and others accountable. Although, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, I do not get to ask Senator Jeff Sessions questions during his confirmation hearing (the Senate has that duty), I have been thinking a lot about what I would ask, and what I encourage Senators to ask with what is at stake. Here are my top five questions I want Sen. Jeff Sessions to answer: 1. Under your direction, what changes, if any, would occur in immigration courts? The Attorney General has authority over the hiring and training of our immigration judges, deciding who will be targeted for deportation, setting guidelines for how removal cases are to be decided, as well as whether or not to honor precedent in our immigration court system. This authority, if used improperly, could gravely impact the lives of many vulnerable populations such as victims of domestic violence, human trafficking or torture. Advertisement 2. How do you intend to balance our civil liberties and privacy rights with national security? There is a natural tension between civil liberties and national security - but that does not mean the rights of citizens' should be given away in the name of national security. Sen. Sessions has taken the position that the privacy rights of citizens are second to government surveillance and law enforcement investigation. Sen. Sessions continues to support the bulk collection of phone records by the NSA. He also sponsored an amendment to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act that would require a company to turn over records without obtaining a warrant - an amendment that would have undermined the protections guaranteed in the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. 3. Given your legislative record, how can you assure Americans that you will enforce hate crime protections? According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in 2015, there were nearly 6,000 single-bias hate crime incidents involving over 7,000 victims. Advertisement During his time in the Senate, Sen. Sessions' repeatedly voted against hate crime bills - most notably the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act - and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Now, he's nominated to head an agency tasked with enforcing hate crimes protections. 4. Will you continue current longstanding programs intended to help our most vulnerable populations navigate our complicated immigration system? A person's ability to meaningfully defend themselves in court is a cornerstone of our justice system, and this includes access to competent legal representation. Immigration is one of the most complicated areas of the law in the US, which is why individuals represented by competent legal counsel are far more likely to avoid deportation than those who represent themselves. The Department of Justice currently has programs dedicated to providing vulnerable populations within our detention and removal system with pro bono attorneys. Other programs educate immigrants of their rights and potential defenses to removal. These programs align with the framework of our Constitution and values we hold dear. We should expect our Attorney General to uphold these safeguards. 5. Will you protect the rights of states to legalize, decriminalize, and regulate medicinal and recreational marijuana? Advertisement It's past time for the federal government to get out of the way of states that have voted to legalize cannabis. Law-abiding businesses and customers in states that allow the regulated sale of marijuana should not be forced to worry constantly about federal interference or enforcement actions. States like Colorado serve as an example of how allowing responsible adults to use marijuana generates revenue for classrooms, not cartels; creates jobs, not addicts; and boosts the economy, not the prison population. Starting with Investors. Once in awhile, an organization's future development is dependent on investment financing, and the greatest challenge is to locate the investor who is as energetic about your business as you are. In the event that your immediate locale isn't now populated with well-off investors, you might need to consider connecting and making some associations with those who can help. You can get started with this list of some of the largest investing names in Bay Area -- these heavy hitters are people to get to know if you want some serious clout behind your business idea. 1. Marc Andreessen Andreessen is co-founder of Andreessen and Horowitz, who are active tech investors. Separately and together, they invested $80 million in 45 start-ups, including notables like Twitter. During that time, the two became well known as super angel investors. Andreessen's encounters as a business visionary, financial specialist, and board member at a few large innovation firms have situated him to make clever determinations about innovation patterns and help Andreessen Horowitz emerge from the pack. Andreessen often advises the leaders of companies in which Andreessen Horowitz invests, including Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Mark Pincus of Zynga. Advertisement 2. Ben Horowitz The other co-founder of Andreessen and Horowitz. On July 6, 2009, Andreessen and Horowitz launched their venture capital fund with an initial capitalization of $300 million. In November 2010, the company raised another $650 million for a second venture fund at a time when the field of venture capitalism was contracting. In less than two years, the firm had a total of $1.2 billion under management in two funds. 3. Jeff Clavier Jean-Francois "Jeff" Clavier is the author and overseeing accomplice of SoftTech VC, a funding firm in Silicon Valley that has shut more than 150 ventures since its establishing in 2004. Among the effective new businesses that SoftTech VC has sponsored are Mint (sold to Intuit for $170m), Kongregate (GameStop) and Class Dojo. Time Magazine named Clavier as one the main 25 most persuasive individuals on the web in 2008. In July 2012, he was named as one of the Main 50 Early-Stage Investors in Silicon Valley. 4. Marissa Mayer Marissa Mayer is well-known as CEO and President of Yahoo (not sure how long, but I feel she's done a pretty amazing job)! Previously, she was working at Google as VP, where she shared her experience with Search Products and User Experience. Many people had recognized Mayer's achievements. Advertisement Mayer has been listed three years in a row as one of the Most Powerful Women in Fortune Magazine. Her name was also on the list for 50 Top 50 Early-Stage Investors in Silicon Valley in July 2012. 5. Paul Graham Paul Graham is an accomplice at Y Combinator. In 1995, Graham and Robert Morris made Viaweb, the main ASP, which in 1998 got to be Yahoo! Store. In 2002, he formulated a spam-separating calculation that has motivated the present era of channels. Time Magazine named Graham as one the 25 Most Powerful Individuals on the Web in 2008. In July 2012, he was named as one of the 50 Early-Stage Financial specialists in Silicon Valley. 6. David Lee David Lee is Founder and Managing Member at SV Angel, an angel fund with interests in organizations like Twitter, Foursquare, Dropbox and Airbnb. In July 2012, Businessinsider.com included him in its rundown of Top 50 Early-Stage Financial specialists in Silicon Valley. 7. Jason Calacanis Jason is the Founder and CEO of Inside.com, but his main claim to fame is founding Weblogs, which he sold to AOL in 2005. A major player in the New York dot-com era, Calacanis founded the Open Angel Forum in 2009, an event that connects early stage startups with angel investors. Advertisement 8. Max Levchin Max Levchin, computer scientist and entrepreneur, is CEO of digital lending platform Affirm. Levchin trusts that information is turning into our most abundant and most under-abused item. Levchin helped to establish PayPal and was its CTO from origin to when it was obtained by eBay. His commitments to PayPal's antifraud endeavors are notable, and he additionally was the co-maker of the Gausebeck-Levchin test, one of the principal business uses of a CAPTCHA. 9. Paul Buchheit Paul Buchheit is a partner at Y Combinator, a Silicon Valley-based seed quickening agent that has financed more than 550 organizations in more than 30 unique markets, including Reddit, Dropbox, and Airbnb. In 2012, Forbes named Y Combinator as a top startup hatchery and quickening agent. He was the 23rd employee at Google, where he created Gmail and a number of its imaginative components. He built up the first model of Google AdSense, and is credited with creating Google's celebrated "Don't be Evil" motto. 10. Benjamin Ling Benjamin Ling is an entrepreneurial financial specialist at Khosla Ventures, an investment firm centered around green innovations and the web, mobile, and silicon innovation fields. He has also held senior positions at Facebook and Google. In July 2012, he was named one of the Top 50 Early-Stage Investors in Silicon Valley by Businessinsider magazine. Advertisement 11. Kevin Rose Previously a general partner at Google Ventures investment firm -- now an advisor -- Rose also co-founded Milk, Digg, Revision3 and Pownce (now Six Apart). He was named a top investor in Business Insider's Top 50 Early-Stage Investors in Silicon Valley in July 2012. 12. Dave McClure Dave McClure is a Founding Partner at 500 Startups, a Silicon Valley seed store and quickening agent established by previous workers of PayPal, Google, YouTube, and Yahoo! 500 Startups invests in internet startups, social, as well as mobile applications. Its underlying venture size is ordinarily $25k to $250k. 13. Dave Morin Dave Morin is founder and partner at Slow Ventures, which serves a community of over 200 of the most innovative entrepreneurs and companies in the world, including Slack, Pinterest, Evernote, NextDoor, Postmates, Blue Bottle and more. Morin is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Path, a mobile network. Business Insider named him to its list of Top 50 Early-Stage Investors in Silicon Valley in July 2012. 14. Matt Mullenweg If you've heard about or are using WordPress then you should know Matt Mullenweg, owner and developer of the ubiquitous platform that powers over 22% of the top ten million websites. He is regularly on the list for top names in investing, and as CEO of Automattic (the company under which WordPress was developed) he raised $160M in additional funding for the company, valuing the company at over a billion dollars. 15. Keith Rabois Keith Rabois is a member of the Khosla Ventures investing team. He was on the list of Top 50 Early-Stage Investors in Silicon Valley in July 2012. Advertisement 16. Chris Sacca Chris Sacca is Founder and CEO of Lowercase Capital, an investment firm that advises and invests in new businesses and late-stage organizations. In 2013, Forbes.com positioned him no. 21 on its "Midas Rundown" of Tech's Top Financial specialists, so he's a good one to get to know if you're looking for a sound investor. 17. Aydin Senkut Aydin Senkut is creator and CEO of Felicis Ventures, a boutique fund concentrating on mobile, web-based business, training and well-being. He was additionally Google's first Item Supervisor and later ran Google's Strategic Partner Development in Asia. 18. Aileen Lee Lee invests in many different industries, including e-commerce, SaaS enterprises, payments, mobile, and analytics. Investing anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million through her fund Broadway Angels, Lee's portfolio includes Rent the Runway, DocSend, and Librato. 19. Ron Conway Ron Conway is a founder and partner of the Angel Investors LP funds, and was an early stage investor in Google, Ask Jeeves, and PayPal. He started investing in 2005, and by 2006 Forbes Magazine positioned him 6th in its rundown of top "dealmakers." 20. Joshua Schachter Joshua Schachter is CEO at Tasty Labs, whose goal is to try and put "the useful back into social software," according to Schachter. Schachter is also creator of GeoURL and De.licio.us. In July 2012, Business Insider included Schachter in its list of Top 50 Early-Stage Investors in Silicon Valley and in May 2012 Businessweek.com ranked him 15th of Top Angels in Tech in February 2010. Advertisement 20 Bay Area Fintech Startups To Keep Your Eye On 20 Bay Area Fintech Startups To Keep Your Eye On If you're searching for a city with huge amounts of inventive organizations, new startups, and great food, everyone knows you need look no further than San Francisco. In the midst of rumors about the looming fate and misery of the startup environment, there's a lot of awesome new companies out there still ready to change the world. To assemble a list of the 20 sultriest new businesses in San Francisco, we talked with financial specialists, representatives, columnists, and active individuals from the city's entrepreneurship scene to this rundown of new businesses to watch in 2016. 1. Sighted This startup provides simple, helpful and free adjustable invoicing and quote answers for business people, specialists, and independent venture proprietors. Free features also include expense recording and multi-currency functionality. The free plan permits a client to bill and quote two customers up to 10 times each month and accommodates 10 cost reports. 2. Plaid Plaid has built up a versatile financial data interface, changing the way that buyers, banks, and designers associate with cash. Plaid allows apps to connect with users bank accounts, using standardized aggregate transaction data and better ACH authentication. Advertisement 3. Gusto Previously known as ZenPayroll, Gusto helps with the big HR headache that independent companies confront by taking care of their protection, finance, and other HR errands. Gusto also reduces the complexity associated with health insurance and guides you through everything you need. 4. SizeUp Helps banks engage independent clients and make informed, lucrative choices through enormous data information. The company helps determine what percent of businesses you are outperforming in your industry, and see if your score places you in the top or bottom for revenue, size, salaries, and more. It also gives brilliant information about where your company's clients are located, and where you should advertise. 5. Cashflower Cashflower is a suite of money administration and credit access that helps small businesses control their income intuitively and grow their cash flow. Cashflower also gives better capital instruments that help banks draw in and hold SME clients. 6. Trizic, Inc Trizic Accelerator permits wealthy managers to mechanize the administration of their customer records and venture portfolios, leaving more opportunity to concentrate on building customer connections and developing their business. 7. Even Even is a cell phone application that helps low-pay workers with uneven wage streams manage from paycheck to paycheck. Even works with a client's bank account, charging $5 a week to give clients a consistent paycheck for a similar measure of cash each week -- regardless of the possibility that they get a ton of hours one week and less the following. Advertisement Clients can use features including crisis costs and programmed planning. There's additionally an interruption catch, which stops installments, for clients who are confronting money-related trouble. 8. Comparably A great many people need to know whether they're being paid decently, however don't know how to discover that. A worker can anonymously report their compensation, organization size, local area, and position. Consequently, the site shows where they rank in contrast to peers with a similar position and experience level. 9. Truebill In the wake of acknowledging he was paying $40 a month for an undesirable web membership, Yahya Mokhtarzada chose to ensure nobody else would get ripped off by such a scam. As individuals have increasingly given their money to memberships (Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, the gym) it's even more important that everyone question where their money is going, and Mokhartarzada's answer is Truebill. 10. Funding Circle Funding Circle is building a superior budgetary world, financing the fantasies of a large number of private company proprietors and helping investors loan almost $1 billion through its progressive commercial center. Advertisement Funding Circle combines Silicon Valley innovation with Money Road budgetary sharpness to fabricate something better for independent ventures, financial specialists, and the economy. 11. SoFi SoFi gives people a chance to renegotiate various debts, including undergrad loans, individual loans, home loans, and MBA advances. SoFi likewise gives opportunities to financial specialists to help refinance and take on some of this debt for their benefit. 12. Trulioo Trulioo's claim to fame is building their anti-fraud service called GlobalGateway. It's utilized with consistent frameworks all over the globe to help installment suppliers and financial services comply with international Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, all done effortlessly through a single API integration. 13. Zenefits The San Francisco startup offers a cloud-construct all-in-one HR platform that concentrates on medtech professionals. This unicorn has stayed on our radar, regardless of missing the mark for its income targets and a late push to trim expenses. 14. Due Due's payment processing app makes invoicing and payments seamless and easy, and also features a digital wallet for even more ease. Transaction fees start at 2.8% for businesses who need credit card processing, and Due will even match any lower rates you might find. Advertisement Designed for any kind of business (freelancer to photographer to payroll for larger businesses) Due allows clients to completely manage all invoices in one place. 15. Acorns Father-son duo Walter and Jeffrey Cruttenden established Acorns with one goal: making investing less annoying and not so scary through automation. The cell phone application they developed uses client's remaining change from routine credit card and debit card buys and invests it, creating a niche investment market that they call "micro-investing" -- investment that's accessible to anyone. 16. Zuora Zuora let clients safely make memberships and deal with their records, giving customers the ability to pay in their preferred method. Zuora also gives clients the option to automate recurring billing & collections. 17. Wealthfront Wealthfront is more than just online cash administration. It's a robotized speculation app that builds and manages your personal, globally diversified investment portfolio that allows you to build wealth with personalized asset allocation based on your risk score. Advertisement 18. Navdy Navdy's slogan is "Feels like driving in the future," and it absolutely is. The SOMA startup made a heads-up display that sits on your dashboard and projects tasks onto your windshield. When you're driving, the headings float before you, giving you directions, showing you your speed, and showing incoming calls. For drivers, not looking down at your telephone could be life-changing -- and saving. 19. Final Final's app allows customers to take back control of their credit card number. Instead of putting your credit card number in the hands of every merchant, Final allows you to generate credit card numbers for specific merchants as well as one-off numbers for one-time purchases. You can cancel subscriptions from the Final app -- just delete the card number and merchants connected to it will no longer receive payment. You can also limit merchants to a monthly dollar amount, alerting you if they try to go over. 20. Tipalti Tipalti automates global supplier payments, reducing 80% of client's payment workload. The platform integrates well with partner websites, reduces transaction fees, and continuously updates payment systems for changes in tax and regulatory laws. Advertisement As one of the most tenacious leaders in her generation of disability rights advocates, Silvia Quan has faced down the forces of discrimination and fought for expanding the rights of all persons with disabilities, in her native Guatemala, in the broader Latin American region, and on the global stage. For her many achievements, especially in her capacity as Vice-Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Silvia was recently honored with the International Advocate Award by the U.S. International Council of Disabilities (USICD). Silvia epitomizes the strength that people need when facing discrimination based on disability and gender. When she lost her eyesight in her 20s, while on a career path in math and science, she could have quietly given up, or resigned herself to the limits that others would place on her, but she refused to accept the status quo or excuses for inaction. Rather, she transformed herself into one of the most effective leaders for disability rights and an example for all of us in the disability rights movement. From the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to the committee's review of compliance reports, Silvia has ensured that UN work on disability rights includes the voices of women. Her latest achievement on the Committee came in September, with the adoption of General Comment on Article 6 of the CRPD, which clarifies the interpretation of the prohibition of discrimination against women with disabilities and applies the principle throughout the CRPD. Advertisement Now that she has just completed the maximum two terms on the committee, I will be eagerly waiting to see her continue to break down barriers as she takes on new challenges. I will also be closely watching the UN Committee, out of my deep concerns about the limited representation of women with disabilities in international fora. There are many dynamic disabled women who are leaders in the disability rights movement around the world. We need their leadership on all levels -- local, national, and international -- and in all sectors of society -- government, civil society, business, and community life. My hope is that recognition of her contributions, by USICD and others, will inspire another generation of activists to follow in her path, and that they push themselves and raise their voices for change. During her December visit to Washington, Silvia and I had the chance to record a short conversation, which makes clear why her work is so important for disabled people around the world.It touches the very heart of what it means to uphold human dignity and respect the rights of all. I hope you will take the time to listen to the podcast, and that it gives you something to think about in considering how we can promote human rights worldwide. Thanks for listening. Listen to Special Advisor Judith Heumann's podcast discussion with Silvia Quan on the U.S. Department of State's iTunes Channel. Advertisement Thanks to the animated movie Madagascar, this once obscure island nation off of Mozambique is climbing its way to the top of every globetrotter's bucket list. While the film's cast -- a lion, zebra, hippo and giraffe -- won the hearts of cinema-goers, these animals actually won't be seen on this island. With otherworldly creatures found nowhere else on the planet, the real stars of the show are the 70 different lemur species, color-changing chameleons and devilish looking geckos which make their homes in towering baobab trees, unearthly lunar deserts, tropical rainforests and on white sand beaches. Close-up image of software engineer typing on laptop In the end, we had a celebration that lasted only a few minutes. Many anti-trafficking advocates were delighted to learn Tuesday morning that Backpage.com had shuttered its adult ads section, long a large and profitable online marketplace for youth exploited in the sex trade. No longer would the trafficked teenagers who come to our Covenant House shelters, shattered by repeated rapes and violence, be bought and sold through online ads that Backpage claimed were protected by the First Amendment. We cheered the hard work of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which issued a report Monday showing that Backpage had heavily edited millions of its ads to scrub out any terms that would indicate that children were being sold for sex -- terms like "lolita," "teenage," "rape," "young," "amber alert," "little girl," "teen," "fresh," "innocent," and "school girl." The children were still sold, of course, but the ads looked legal, and helped keep about $150 million in annual revenue flowing in to the website. Advertisement The revelations will make it harder for Backpage to defend any First Amendment rights in court. Noting that several of his peers had also been to law school, Senator Rob Portman, R-OH, chair of the subcommittee, told Backpage's General Counsel, Elizabeth McDougall, "We don't remember instructions to cover up a crime being protected speech." He also asked her if she had been aware of the extensive editing - effectively covering up crimes -- when Backpage filed court briefs claiming the website was immune from prosecution under the Communications Decency Act. The act, in part, protects internet service providers from liability for the legality of content that individual posters put online. She and four executives from Backpage refused to answer any questions at a subcommittee hearing Tuesday, citing their First and Fifth Amendment rights against self-recrimination. And despite the urging of the committee chairs, they walked out of the hearing en masse before three parents of victims testified. Free speech is crucial to our nation, but does not cover yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater. And it does not protect someone urging "Rape her!" on a crowded website, or middle school playground. (Yes, it's rape if the teenager is too young to consent.) Alas, before the hearings were even completed, we realized Backpage had already simply moved prostitution ads over to its dating site, using terms like "Young" and "Fresh." As if no one would notice. For all we know, Backpage simply shuttered their adult sites to defuse the hearing, and will reopen for business in a matter of hours. Advertisement And Senate investigators found that Backpage owns three other websites that "contain graphic male and female nudity, which Backpage purports not to allow on Backpage.com." Those continued to offer people for sale on Tuesday as well. Company representatives have vowed to continue to fight for their First Amendment rights to publish content others produce, content they allege is protected by the Communications Decency Act. That will be more difficult now that the committee report has shown the extent of editing the company did on its ads. As the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a similar case over an internet service provider's responsibility for the content it publishes: a website operator who edits in a manner that contributes to the alleged illgality ... is directly involved in the alleged illegality and thus not immune. We do know that the appetite for exploiting young bodies will not disappear when one website goes dark, and that advocates for trafficking survivors will face a game of online Whack-a-Mole, as sex sites proliferate. Backpage has warned that such sites would be far less willing to report violations, as Backpage did, to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. That non-profit reported that three quarters of the child sex trafficking victims they work with have been sold through Backpage.com. Advertisement But Backpage's vaunted cooperation with the Center turns out to be a bit of a sham. Backpage appeared to have a quota of reports of suspicious ads it would send to the Center. According to one email in the subpoenaed documents, from Andrew Padilla, the head of Backpage's moderation department, to a moderator, "if we don't want to blow past 500 this month, we shouldn't be doing more than 16 a day." Keep in mind that Backpage had habitually deleted the original ads, with the offensive terminology, that appeared to sell children for sex. The originals would clearly have been more useful to law enforcement officers trying to rescue sex trafficking victims. The Senate subcommittee fought Backpage all the way to the Supreme Court to obtain 1.1 million pages of documents for its report, which reached three shocking conclusions: Backpage has knowingly concealed evidence of criminality by systematically editing its "adult" ads. Backpage knows that it facilitates prostitution and child sex trafficking. Despite the reported sale of Backpage to an undisclosed foreign company in 2014, the true beneficial owners of the company are James Larkin, Michael Lacey, and Carl Ferrer. That sale appears to be an elaborate $600 million shell game, by its chief executive officer, Mr. Ferrrer, and original owners, Mr. Lacey and Mr. Larkin. Senators said these financial machinations were likely intended to launder funds and maneuver around the decision by major credit card companies to refuse to support financial transactions on Backpage. Congress's next steps may include pursuing changes in the Communications Decency Act, which was, after all, written to protect young people from online obscenities. While many internet platforms and public bulletin boards have bona fide reasons to preserve the protections they enjoy from the bill, those need not disappear with carefully drawn amendments. Advertisement In heartbreaking testimony about the ordeal her 15-year-old daughter, an honor student, experienced when advertised on Backpage.com, one woman pleaded with the committee: Please don't let another innocent child be sold in an online advertisement and let their spirit be crushed. I've heard many times that the CDA doesn't need a rewrite to prevent another tragedy like the one that befell my family. It would take just a few words, carefully crafted, to end online child sex trafficking in our country, so we can honestly and with pride say we live in the land of the free. And more battles remain, in the courts, where Backpage has usually prevailed. On December 23, California's attorney general, Kamala Harris, now the state's junior U.S. Senator, brought new charges against Mr. Ferrer, Mr. Lacey, and Mr. Larkin. They were charged with 13 counts of pimping and 26 counts of money laundering, for allegedly creating a variety of corporate entities to get around major credit card companies, which refused to do business with Backpage.com. The three were scheduled to be arraigned in Sacramento on Wednesday. "By creating an online brothel - a hotbed of illicit and exploitative activity - Carl Ferrer, Michael Lacey and James Larkin preyed on vulnerable victims, including children, and profited from their exploitation," Ms. Harris said in a written statement last month. "My office will not turn a blind eye to this criminal behavior simply because the defendants are exploiting and pimping victims on the internet rather than on a street corner." We hope that without CDA immunity, great strides can be made in protecting young people from online marketplaces. A law that was knocked down Washington State four years ago, which would have made advertising young people for sex a felony, might be viable once again. Advertisement Israel functions as the shadow terrain of United States, in that American citizens don't have to face the effects of global terrorism that Israelis have to confront on a daily basis. Mira Maylor interacts with the shadow of her "GOLEM", a centerpiece of GOLEM, the breakthrough exhibition at the Jewish Museum Berlin until 29 January 2017. This is what makes the sudden rise of Israeli artist Mira Maylor so crucial for 2017, a year of profound shift in global realignment as we move into the evolved consciousness characterizing the Age of Aquarius. Advertisement Maylor starky elicits the emotional effects of separation between the world's people who share a common fate: the imminent man-made destruction of the planet. The core value of Maylor is the awakening feminine essential for the birth of an authentic gender equilibrium in the Age of Aquarius. Her iconic artworks evoke a new/ancient dialectic of artist as myth-maker. Have tools will travel: "A Traveling Bag for the Mythological Traveler" (2008) implicates through its materials... ...the mythical artist filtering the 360 personal/universal narrative via the marriage of the right/left hemispheres of the brain. Advertisement Maylor's original vision of the hieros gamos (sacred marriage) of Heaven and Earth. Born into a family of Holocaust survivors, Maylor's iconic artworks upset the status quo, as all great art does, in revealing the gatekeepers supression of the true value of art -- the illumination of the unconscious stream of life. Maylor (with Father Patrick Desbois, President of Yahad, at the Museo del Holocausto Guatemala opening of her solo exhibition "Memorias del Holocausto a traves del Arte") has activated, by way of geography, unspoken parallels between the genocide of the Jews and that of indigenous people around the globe. In Israel, the feminist adage "the personal is political" is all the more apt of the long-repressed dark feminine that went into exile with Lilith to resurrect at the close of the second millennium through the popular culture (Lilith Fair). Maylor casts herself as the androgynous goddess of ancient Jewish mythology -- known as the first feminist because, as Adam's first wife, she refused to lay under him. Maylor's art penetrates so deep that her images transcend the walls that serve as her chief motif. A Holy Grail of symbol infused by mastery of technique and material, her art rises above the turmoil and confusion of the present epoch of Uncertainty. Working in series that allows for both the (r)evolution of narrative and singularity of the icon, the sharpened multi-dimensionality of a Maylor sculpture commands the observer to step back, pause, and reintegrate their status to become participant in the global awakening of the 3rd Millennium. Advertisement In the multi-religious ancient port of Jaffa, Maylor works on "Momento Mouri" in her studio where a wall presents her motifs as metaphors of humanity's choice: Eros, Thantos or the Third? Imbedded into her archetypal materials -- wood, glass, iron, metal -- the lone symbol on the blue and white striped Israel flag, the Seal of Solomon... ...divided here by binarchy hierarchical thinking? Are the six donkeys heralding, or preventing, the emergence of the ancient and future mythology of the ever-present icon, the hieros gamos? These unanswered questions about the future of humanity lie at the core of Maylor's art. A new year has arrived, and in the hearts and minds of innocent prisoners, as we await court dates, there is hope that this will be our last year trapped inside a nightmare. Some pray that we will come across the evidence needed to show our innocence, while a lot us already have the evidence needed to prove our innocence, but we lack the support of attorneys needed to overturn our wrongful convictions. While witnessing the nearly 2000 exonerations that have taken place since 1989, many of us hold on to the hope that we might be next--so we keep fighting. But many of us quit, overwhelmed by the unlimited resources used against us and by the corruption we've faced. Innocent prisoners are tremendously overlooked by our criminal justice system as well as by defense attorneys. Our judges and attorneys were oblivious to the corruption that led to our arrest, conviction, and sentencing. Fortunately, thanks to the recent explosion of exonerations and the outlets that help educate the public, our stories are being told more and more. Advertisement Politicians often run on the platform that they will be the toughest on crime--especially on violent crimes. On behalf of the many innocent people in prison, I ask: why are the crimes that have been committed against us continually being swept under the rug of injustice? Keep in mind that the average exoneree spends between thirteen-and-a-half and fifteen years in prison before being released. Our false sentences are mostly life imprisonment or the death penalty. Is this not a crime? Change and reform are needed in our criminal justice system. But after countless years of exonerations, are the well known tactics responsible for wrongful convictions going to be acknowledged and dealt with? How can society ever have faith in a system that will not come clean about the epidemic of wrongdoing that has shattered so many innocent lives? It's evident that lives mean absolutely nothing to those prosecutors who neglect their duty to seek justice. Even with evidence to show our innocence, they still fight to maintain our false convictions by utilizing their endless resources to make sure our convictions are maintained. They know that by doing this, they ensure that most of us will die in prison. For many of us who are not exonerated, that's our fate. Just as the first casualty of war is said to be the truth, the first casualty of the New Cold War is irony. Our most prominent journalists seem to have missed the Orwellian irony of Senator John McCain asking Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper at Friday's Senate hearings if Julian Assange has any credibility. Assange has maintained that the hacked or leaked emails of Democratic Party officials did not come from the Russian government, or any other government. As is well known, Clapper lied to Congress about a serious violation of the constitutional rights of tens of millions of Americans. This lie is a crime for which he actually could have been prosecuted. In March 2013, Clapper falsely answered, "No, sir" to the question, "Does the NSA collect any type of data at all on millions, or hundreds of millions of Americans?" He later admitted that his answer was untrue. Advertisement Clapper lied again in Friday's testimony, saying that Assange was "under indictment" for "a sexual crime." In fact, Assange has not been indicted for anything, and the government of Sweden has never even charged him with a crime. In reality, he is a political prisoner, and the United Nations Working Group on arbitrary detention has found that he has been arbitrarily detained since 2010 by the UK and Sweden, and ordered his release and compensation. He has offered from the beginning of his political persecution to co-operate with the Swedish authorities in any investigation, and to be interviewed at any time in London. He could not safely return to Sweden without guarantees that he would not be sent to the US, where he currently faces a high likelihood of imprisonment (even before any trial) for having published leaked documents that exposed US war crimes and other embarrassments. For years, neither Sweden nor the UK would agree to that because, it appears, their foreign ministries are collaborating with the US government to keep him imprisoned. For anyone on a jury who had to weigh the testimony of Clapper against that of Assange, it would be a no-brainer. Not only is Clapper a proven and serial liar, but in 10 years of WikiLeaks revelations, Assange has never been shown to have lied about anything. 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. And no, this isn't photoshopped. Saving BUB, Beautiful Unique Biodiversity, as in this tiny mighty ant in Borneo, Indonesia, is another reason to preserve carbon storing forests. Credit Frenki Jung OO Consumer Pressure To Ditch Deforestation Reaching Indonesia Oil Palm Plantation Giants says a new report, with some of the giants issuing stronger sustainability policies - but that's far from enough. Advertisement OO After Asia, Palm Oil Faces Backlash In Africa - after being blamed for deforestation in Asia, palm oil plantations are now getting a similar rap in Africa. OO An Indonesian Village's First Female Chief Ended Illegal Logging with spies and checkpoints. Forests: the cheapest way to store carbon This Was Once Amazonian Forest. OO Brazil Risks Falling Behind on Climate Change As Deforestation Rises and the threat of anti-environmental legislation. When we harm forests, we harm ourselves. * * VANISHING LIFE A Clever Parrot Remembered, But His Species Is Nearly Extinct - Alex had a vocabulary of 100 English words by the end of his life, and showed just how intelligent parrots can be. Source www.africangreyparrot.org OO Elephants, Giraffes, Cheetahs: We'll Never See These Animals Again - in the multitudes that they were. Populations of many species are plummeting, and some may never recover, mostly because of habitat loss and human activities; climate change is also a factor. Most scientists agree that we are experiencing a 6th mass extinction, but unlike the previous 5 caused by cataclysmic natural disasters, humans are responsible for this one - and it's happening incredibly fast. ** 2016: CLIMATE CHANGE GOT REAL Source NSF Central Arizona Phoenix LTER site OO The Most Important Climate Stories Of 2016 says Climate Central. Takeaways: It was the hottest year on record - again. July and August tied for the hottest month recorded yet. The Paris Climate Pact began enforcement. Carbon Dioxide levels hit 400 ppm permanently, ensuring worse climate change. The world breached the 1.5 C increase threshold - briefly. The Great Barrier Reef was decimated by hot waters. Fossil fuel divestment, and clean energy investment hit record highs. The Arctic had a record heat wave during its winter twilight, and hit record highs; Its ice dwindled to a record level for winter. Without US Help Coral Reefs Will Likely Disappear - how willing is the US willing to tackle climate change? Source qz.com OO 2016: When Climate Change Became Undeniable to anyone paying attention to the news: 1. a record amount of coral perished on the Great Barrier Reef: almost all of the nearly 3,000 corals were affected by coral bleaching to varying degrees: 2/3rds of shallow water corals in the northern part died as waters became persistently hot. Advertisement Related Headline: OO The Great Barrier Reef Is Dying, And Global Warming Set The Scene - Greenhouse-gas emissions must come down, and rules restricting runoff and fishing must be tightened. ***** 2. Polar sea ice the size of India disappeared - ice at both poles is at record lows. 3. Biggest polar glacier is melting - adding to sea level rise. US East Coast Communities Felt The Brunt Of Sea Level Rise- which now floods some areas regularly. Source qz.com 4. It's the hottest year yet - for the third year in a row... 5. Meanwhile, Brazil continues to eat up the Amazon forest, one of the planet's major air conditioners and carbon storage areas, and coffee production is now threatened. * * WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Advertisement @@ Climate Change 101: Why Care? What You Need to Know - Bill Nye tells it all in five minutes amid graphic, dynamic, engaging, compelling imagery. Check it Out! * * THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY OO 5 Under-Reported Climate Change Stories Of 2016 The Good All Electricity Could Be Generated Cleanly From Renewables research shows, if governments focus on: Integration of electricity grids Paying individual energy generators to feed excess energy into the grids; Setting up price structures according to demand at time of use. Keep It In the Ground Movement - is surging as millions recognize that we can't burn fossil fuels anymore and create a decent future with a safe climate. <> Credit Michael Lukovich The Bad US GOP Climate Denial Threatens Humanity by weakening US human will to confront an increasingly deadly reality and future. Loss of Polar Ice which reflects light, a source of heat, back to space. Polar ice is at record lows as the poles heated to record highs. Advertisement Screencapture from the film Cowspiracy The Ugly Producing Meat Produces Lots of Climate-Changing Methane Worldwide. * * CLIMATE LEADERSHIP OO Oil Companies Face Deadline To Stop Polluting California Groundwater with their oily wastewater into Central Valley aquifers. What in heaven's name were they thinking? Do any of them drink water? OO China Fines 600+ Power Plants Nearly $50 Million For Environmental Breaches and falsifying data to claim green subsidies. * * CLUELESS LEADERSHIP Credo of Wisconsin Leadership: Ignorance is Bliss! Source Political Humor - About.com OO Wisconsin Dept Natural Resources Purges Climate Change From Web Page - removing the facts that humans and greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change. Good going, gov! That will be SURE to make it go away! OO Tillerson Led Exxon's Shift On Climate Change; Some Say 'It Was All P.R.' History suggests that however earnest Exxon Mobil might sound in its shift on policy, it has done little or nothing to help put carbon taxes into effect. * * TRUMP TRUMPED BY CLIMATE CHANGE Donald Trump's Children Likely Face Climate Apocalypse in their lifetimes; the likely crash of civilization that follows will crash their fortune and survival chances for their kids - and all of ours. Unless, of course, Trump acts to cut emissions, hugely. Source heavy.com Advertisement OO Climate Change May Be Escalating So Fast It Could Be 'Game Over' scientists warn; hnew research suggests the Earth's climate could be more sensitive to greenhouse gases than thought, raising the spectre of an 'apocalyptic side of bad' temperature rise of more than 7C within a lifetime. OO Scientists Show Just On How Much Trump Could Damage The Planet - creating far more damage by slowing US policies, and discouraging other countries from acting. And some of that damage will likely be irreversible. OO Tillerson Climate-Change Testimony Set Before Trump Sworn In Lawyers for teenagers claiming the U.S. government failed to protect the environment from global warming plan to question under oath Tillerson on his knowledge of climate change. Credit Mike Luckovish at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, modified OO 2017: Trump Peddles Climate Doubt In A World Sold On Action in a world where climate change affects almost all international dealings. OO Trump Spokesperson: No Climate Change, Earth Is 5500 Years Old says Anthony Scaramucci a member of the Trump transition team; as recently as June 2016, he had said was irrefutable, and decried climate deniers. Yes - this flipflopper is a scarin' me, too! * * FIXING CLIMATE CHANGE Advertisement @@ 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! * * CLIMATE LEADERSHIP A Man of Courage - And Vision: John Kasich OO Ohio Gov John Kasich Breaks With GOP, Keeps Renewable Energy Standards vetoing GOP legislators' attempt to halt the state's requirements that utility companies get more and more energy from renewable sources. Net Zero Never Looked So Beautiful - as the town of Burlington, VT, which has created a plan to use no more energy than it generates. Source www.icampix.net OO Five US Cities At The Forefront Of The Fight Against Climate Change Portland, OR has voted to ban construction of bulk fossil fuel facilities; Burlington, VT has created a plan for the city to go 'net zero' - consuming only as much energy as it generates; in 2014, it became the first US city to run on 100% renewable power. San Diego, CA is the largest US city to commit to run on 100% renewables Cleveland, OH is working on the first US freshwater offshore wind farm, on Lake Erie. Baltimore, MD is the first US city to develop neighborhood disaster centers to help the neediest when disasters strike. HOT NEWS OO 2016's Super Warm Arctic Winter 'Extremely Unlikely' Without Climate Change scientists and a new analysis say. * * GOOD CLEAN NEWS OO Positive Environmental Stories From 2016 1) Global carbon emissions appear to have stopped increasing. As more clean energy and other lower-emitting sources of energy like natural gas replace coal. A good start, but emissions have to dramatically drop to really slow climate change. 2) Worldwide, wind and solar are booming. The U.S. solar and wind power industries experienced a blockbuster year in growth, which shows few signs of slowing. Credit Jean-Paul Pelissier at Reuters Renewables account for only about 23 % of the electricity produced worldwide, but that will rise to 28% by 2021, says a new International Energy Agency report, as the costs of building wind and solar farms continue to decline. Advertisement 3) Most world leaders seem determined to combat global warming, with nearly 200 countries joining a landmark climate accord in late October. OO Green Energy Can Increasingly Match - Or Beat - Fossil Fuel Prices a new report says. OO Big Utility Sees More Efficiency, Cheap Renewables Lead To $10 Oil By 2025 if not sooner, says the innovation chief at French untility giant, Engie SA. "Solar, battery storage, electrical and hydrogen vehicles, and connected devices are in a 'J' curve," Thierre Lerpercq said. OO China To Cut Solar, Wind Power Prices As Project Costs Fall due to solar panel price plunges of about 30% in 2016 alone. Wind turbine prices have also fallen. Bright Blows The Breeze and the homes it lights with the first US offshore wind farm. Credit Michael Dwyer at AP Advertisement OO Block Island Wind Farm: First US Offshore Wind Farm should power 17,000 Rhode Island homes from 600-foot turbines, anchored in 90 feet of water fifteen miles off the coast. OO Alberta's New Carbon Tax Is All About The 'Long Game, says deputy premier. Nearly $10 billion of expected carbon tax revenues will either be siphoned back into the economy by way of diversifying the energy industry, or rebate it back to low- and middle-income Albertans. OO Ontario Set To Tackle Climate Change With Cap-And-Trade Launch on Jan. 1, 2017. OO 'This Is Possible. We Did It': The Week Portugal Ran On Renewables proving they can replace fossil fuels. OO Christmas Day 2016 Sets New UK Green Record for renewable energy use. OO Top China Coal Province Vows 20 % Cut In Pollution By 2020 overseen by a government known to push people to fulfill public vows. * * SOCIAL REPERCUSSIONS Now Imagine the First Floors Flooding before 2100 in Miami. OO Which US Cities Will Climate Change Flood First? Takeaways: Climate change is real, Sea levels are rising, and pretty soon, ocean-front property will become ocean-floor property. Watch out Miami, New Orleans, New York - and coastal military bases. OO Sea Level Rise May Permanently Flood Parts Of Tampa By 2040 says a new study released by the city and country planning commission. Faces Fleeing Climate Change seeking refuge at a center that will provide them food, after their own crops failed. Credit Josh Haner at the New York Times OO Photographing Climate Change Refugees by drone and on foot. OO Smog In Northern China Shuts Highways, Causes Canceled Flights disrupting the first day of the New Year holiday. OO Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest Faces Fracking Threat OO Major Flooding In UK Now Likely Every Year warns lead climate adviser, but ministers still have no coherent long-term plan to deal with it. OO Rising Seas Drowning Maryland Refuge destroying habitat at Blackwater refuge, rising sea levels drown habitat and native plants, and converting nearly eight square miles of marsh into open water. Advertisement OO Climate Change Threatens Famed Tourist Destination: The Amalfi Coast As changing land use and increasingly intense rains threaten mudslides on its steep slopes. OO Fish Seek Cooler Waters, Leaving Some US Fishermen's Nets Empty - Catch limits for fishermen are often based on where fish have been most abundant in the past. But they have failed to keep up with geographical changes, wreaking havoc among state fisheries. OO Bangladesh Heads Towards A Water Crisis as mismanagement, pollution, declining groundwater tables and rising seas increase salt intrusion into dwindling supplies. * * GOOD IDEAS Source Reuters OO The Next Wave Of Migrants Needs Better Policies To Ensure Their Survival Takeaways: Given worsening climate change effects, from prolonged drought to rising seas, the next wave of climate migrants will be bigger, mostly Asian, and find a world less prepared to receive them. Governments must: educate citizens on the threats of climate change; make it easier and safer for people to move - or stay. Destination countries will need structures and services to receive migrants, Or face the chaos these migrants will cause. It's time to start the discussion. Source blog.solargardens.org OO How To Expand Solar Access To New York's Affordable Housing Community by partnering with entities whose expertise combined can do far more in tackling technical and financial obstacles. OO Ohio Considers Landfills For Solar Farm Sites * * NATURAL REPERCUSSIONS OO Dangerous Climate Change Truths Are Growing as scientists understand better the links between extreme weather and climate change. OO Climate Change Driving Birds To Migrate Early, Research Reveals, arriving at their breeding grounds earlier - where their food sources may not be ready. * * SPEAKING OUT OO Trump Trump: Fund Climate Action Abroad say 100+ organizations to Obama, before he leaves office. How? Pay the remaining $2.5 billion pledged to the UN Green Climate Fund, which helps poor countries reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. This is something Trump could not undo. Advertisement OO A Climate Doubting Scientist Doubts No Longer: Global Warming Is Melting Greenland Ice Sheet - it took five years of increasing evidence to finally convince him. He'll see a lot more in the years ahead. OO Two Pipeline Protesters Arrested After Hanging Banner At Vikings Game protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline. * * FOSSIL FUEL FOLLIES Painting the River Black: Coal Ash gives you an idea of how coal ash can destroy an environment and your water, a valuable resource. Source wfae.org OO More Coal Ash Concerns Uncovered At North Carolina Belmont Duke Plant Environmentalists say Duke Energy failed to inspect a potentially dangerous 50-year-old pipe. OO Frack Drilling Site Noise Can Be Hazardous to human health, in addition to other hazards, like breathing silica dust or drinking methane-infused water, says a new study. Advertisement OO China Energy Consumption Edged Up 1.4 % In 2016 Devastation Machine Faces Dark Future while Canada facese a greener one, as it stops turning carbon storing forests into dead martian landscapes. Credit Peter Essick at National Geographic OO 2016: Canada's Oil Sands Downturn Hints At Ominous Future OO 'Outrageous': Aussie Coal Mine Gets Expansion Nod Despite Secret, Incomplete Studies * * If we do not live sustainably, Our children will die inhumanely. @@ The Cost of Unintended Pregnancy: Too Young 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 SAILING OO Solarcity Raises Another $241 Million To Deploy Ever More Solar - Keep it up! OO Panasonic To Invest Over $256 Million In Tesla's U.S. Plant For Solar Cells Check it out here, right now! * * * WHY WE SHOULD ACT NOW: RISING RISKS Daily Climate Change: Global Map of Unusual Temperatures, Jan 10, 2017 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. Advertisement 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 the heavy rains hitting the SF bay area. Much of the areas surrounding the North Pole are experiencing much warmer than normal temperatures - not good news for our Arctic thermal shield of ice. Hotter than usual temperatures continue to dominate human habitats. * * * There is, of course, much more news on the consequences and solutions to climate change. To get it, check out this annotated resource list I've compiled, "Climate Change News Resources," at Wordpress.com here. For more information on the science of climate change, its consequences and solutions you can view my annotated list of online information resources here. To help you understand just what science does and does NOT do, check this out! If launching a freelance business is on your list of goals in 2017, there are a few things that you'll need to get in place to be successful. This post is a checklist of tasks to build a freelance business. Launching a freelance side-hustle is a good way to test the waters. Use this list your freelance business in no time. Step 1: Nail Down Your Business Idea Freelance businesses tend to be service businesses, like writing, make-up artistry, social media marketing, accounting, graphics or web design. Also think about what you know that you can sell. Knowing your skillset can guide you in the right direction to deciding what you want to specialize in. Step 2: Do Your Research It important for you to understand the trends in your industry, you need to do market research to understand the market, your target customers, as well as your competitors. Find gaps in what others provide so that you can fill an unmet need. Advertisement Step 3: Buy a Domain Your website is your #1 sales tool. The best way to be taken seriously as a freelancer is to have your own website with samples of your work. Fortunately, domain names are pretty reasonably priced. Consider the name you want for your site: maybe your name or keywords that identify your specialty, like AtlantaAccountingExpert.com. Step 4: Hire a Professional Web Designer Your website is an indicator of how professional you are, so don't do it yourself. Hire a professional web designer to help you with your site. Have some examples of websites you like ready to use as a reference. Be sure to use a contract that includes a timeline for delivery and how many initial designs and revisions you will get. Never pay for a website before the work is finished. Step 5: Get an Employer Identification Number If you want to establish a real business entity having an Employer Identification Number, or EIN, is a good idea. It's simple and easy to get it from www.IRS.gov. You need to use either your EIN for important business documents and to open a business bank account. Having an EIN number also keeps you from making your social security number vulnerable. Step 6: Open a Business Bank Account You need a bank account for your business. Mixing business and personal expenses just makes taxes and accounting messy and disorganized, so set up a separate business account. Set aside one credit card that you use just for business purchases as well. Remember, your business bank and your personal bank should be different banks. Advertisement Step 7: Write a Plan Every good business starts with a plan. Your business plan should outline your overall business strategy, including the services you'll offer and who your trying to target as customers. Your marketing plan should layout how you'll reach those customers. The financials will outline your initial sales projections and clarify all of your business costs. Step 8: Join Freelance Websites Business development will be key to business success. One of the best ways to find freelance gigs is through job boards like UpWork. You should create profiles on sites that cater to people looking for project based freelancers. If you do this work up front finding new business once you're ready to launch. Step 9: Get The Word Out Your personal and professional network is a great place to start in getting the word out about your new freelance business. Start reaching out to your network at least 12 months before your start your business. Let them know that you'll be launching your freelance business, and that you would appreciate any referrals or introductions. Step 10: Plan Your Launch It's important to create a buzz around the launch of your freelance business. You could hold a party locally, shoot a Facebook Live video, send out an email blast or offer killer freebies on Opening Day. Just plan ahead for whatever the launch will entail. Once you run through the steps, you should celebrate your new status as a freelancer. You've put in the hard work, and now you're ready to tell the world about your freelance business. Keep in mind, that you'll need to consistently put yourself out there to build your brand. But once you've proven your skills, your customers will come back and refer you more work. Polish and international press has been reporting about the air pollution in a few Polish cities. However, Gdansk is a noteworthy exception and the air quality in our city is much better than in southern and central Poland. For over 20 years we have been relentlessly working to modernise existing heating infrastructure, the main factor contributing to the air pollution. This Winter Poland has been struggling with the unusually polluted air. It's the news of the week not only in Poland. The "Financial Times" this week called Poland the "European capital of smog." The British newspaper said that in the last month in the south of our country, higher concentrations of harmful substances were reported than in Beijing. High air contamination occurs not only in large cities in the south, but also in smaller towns. These very unfavourable statistics are the result of many years of poor practices of heating with old-style stoves and individual homes heated by coal and wood. We are concerned with the situation in our country and the outcry of European public opinion. However, the air quality in Gdansk is much better than the quality of the air in southern and central Poland, and this is not only thanks to our geographical location in the north of the country, right on the coast of Baltic Sea. For over 20 years the local authorities have been relentlessly working to modernise existing heating infrastructure, and close yet another old city boiler. Last year, Gdansk central heating company (GPEC) added two big city districts to its network, and closed another big polluter boiler on Zawislanska Street. GPEC also connected to the network new settlements emerging in the south of Gdansk and Sopot. This year, more houses in southern districts will be able to connect to the city network. Advertisement What's more - those residents and institutions, who decide to switch from old, inefficient coal heating to modern ones are eligible for special bonuses. The city will co-finance the cost of replacement to the new type of efficient heaters. In 2016 alone, 174 households had benefited from such opportunity. Those who give up the old smoky coal stoves for new retort ones are also rewarded. This program may be taken advantage of by residents of neighborhoods where there is no possibility of connecting to the municipal heating or gas. The city will also copay for disposal of asbestos, installing solar panels, and connecting the building to the municipal sewer network. In 2016 the city of Gdansk had spent 1 300 000 PLN on environmental measures. In 2015, we also adopted the plan for a low emission economy. Bikes, trams and low-emission buses are common means of transportation in our city. By Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Dr. Ira Helfand America is home to one of the world's two most powerful nuclear arsenals. With President-elect Trump's reckless tweet calling for the U.S. to "expand its nuclear capability," he has put the world on edge. This came just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin called for Russia to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. Donald Trump is not even in the White House and he is already threatening to upend decades of U.S. nuclear policy and plunge us back into the dangerous arms race that led to the Cold War. Both Republican and Democratic security experts have described Donald Trump as lacking the temperament to command our nuclear arsenal. And we are already seeing why. Advertisement Once Donald Trump is President, he will have absolute authority to initiate nuclear war with no legal check on this power. We can only hope his impulsive tendencies displayed on the campaign trail, and since the election, are not an indication of how Mr. Trump will govern. It is clear, however, that our long-term response must be a transformational change in U.S. nuclear policy. For decades, the U.S. has argued that even a few nuclear weapons in the hands of rogue nations would pose an unacceptable risk, but "responsible" states like the U.S. having these weapons is acceptable. By transferring thousands of nuclear weapons to the control of a leader who appears temperamentally unsuited to command them, the U.S. has proven how fundamentally flawed that policy is. Advertisement Many in the medical and scientific community have long argued there are no "right hands" with nuclear weapons. A large-scale use of nuclear weapons will kill most of the human race. Recent studies have shown that even a very limited nuclear war, involving less than 0.5 percent of the world's nuclear arsenal, would cause worldwide climate disruption and precipitate a global famine that could put some two billion people at risk. No individual should ever possess such destructive power. Opponents claim some leaders can be trusted with this terrible power, but they assumed we would always elect leaders who understand the grave responsibility that comes with it. The election of Donald Trump, in tandem with Vladimir Putin holding power in Russia, has shown how shortsighted that assumption is. With vast nuclear arsenals in the control of such leaders, we must finally acknowledge that no risk is acceptable when it comes to nuclear weapons. Our nuclear policy must be an urgent quest to eliminate these weapons. Working together with the current nuclear states to move toward a nuclear-free world will not be easy, but it is both possible and essential to a safe and prosperous future. Each nuclear state has their reasons for thinking these arsenals are necessary to protecting their national security and place on the world stage. Trump claims an aggressive nuclear policy is justified until the world "comes to its senses," but it already has. There is a growing consensus in support of nuclear arms reduction and as our next president, he must answer that call. Advertisement First, the United States must make a fundamental decision to seek the national security that can only come from a nuclear-free world. This would lay the foundation for the real progress needed. The U.S. must begin by abandoning its intention to spend $1 trillion over the next 30 years to enhance its nuclear arsenal. Second, the U.S. must clearly commit to never using nuclear weapons against non-nuclear nations and never use nuclear weapons first. Third, the U.S. must work with Russia to explore mutual steps to allow our two countries to take our weapons off hair-trigger alert to lessen the danger that they are inadvertently fired in response to a false warning of attack by either side. Finally, the U.S. must embrace the international movement for a treaty to prohibit the possession of nuclear weapons. The United Nations voted overwhelmingly in October to commence negotiations for such a treaty in 2017. The U.S. should join this process and use the resulting treaty as leverage to bring the other nuclear nations into negotiations to reduce and eliminate their arsenals, with all the necessary verification mechanisms in place. With every day, President-elect Trump demonstrates the danger of an unthinking approach to foreign policy is. We join Republicans and Democrats in hoping this rhetoric from Trump does not signify a return to an outdated approach to nuclear weapons. Advertisement Now more than ever, the U.S. must work with world leaders to reduce the current nuclear stockpiles and pave the way to a nuclear-free world. We have the opportunity to leave our children a more secure future. We cannot afford to plunge the U.S. back into a dangerous arms race and new Cold War. There are many reasons to oppose the nomination of Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General, starting with why he was rejected for a federal judgeship thirty years ago. His record of statements and actions that suggest racial bias, central to that Senate rejection, has continued in his long public career. If confirmed to such a prominent cabinet position, Sessions could, as a result of these indications of racial bias, end up not just defending lawsuits against the federal government, but being a significant subject of suits challenging Trump-initiated policies as violating the Constitution's prohibition of racial discrimination. Coincidentally, this week marks the fortieth anniversary of one of the Supreme Court's most significant decisions interpreting the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which has been the main vehicle for challenging racial discrimination in this country. The Court's decision in Village of Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation ("Arlington Heights") has played such a formative role that it is no stretch to assume that every law student has studied the case as part of a core education in constitutional law since the decision came out on January 11, 1977. This anniversary comes one day after Senate confirmation hearings on Sessions begin. While the two events may seem wholly unrelated, their coincidence should cause Donald Trump and, perhaps more important, business conservatives who favor some of the incoming president's announced policy reforms, to rethink the controversial nomination of Alabama's junior senator. Arlington Heights demonstrates why Sessions' appointment to a position influencing the formation of key federal policies could contribute to federal court-ordered delays of some of the most anticipated changes proposed by Trump. Advertisement At issue in the Arlington Heights case four decades ago was a Chicago suburb's denial of a request to re-zone land to permit construction of a federally-subsidized townhome project for low- and moderate-income tenants. The project would have housed a disproportionately African American population in comparison to the surrounding village, and the developer filed a federal lawsuit challenging the denied re-zoning as racially discriminatory, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. In rejecting the challenge, the Supreme Court majority reiterated what the Court had suggested in previous decisions: that the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits only intentional racial discrimination. The decision was part of a conservative Court majority's backlash against the view that discriminatory effects -- with or without racial intent -- alone violate the Equal Protection Clause. In the passages for which the case is studied in law school, the Court majority indicated that determining "whether invidious discriminatory purpose was a motivating factor" in a challenged government decision, such as Arlington Heights' denial of re-zoning, requires "a sensitive inquiry into such circumstantial and direct evidence of intent as may be available." The Court in Arlington Heights provided a non-exhaustive list of factors to consider in an Equal Protection challenge, including, for example, historical background and the specific sequence of events leading to the decision, as well as the administrative and legislative history of the decision. The Court also noted that disparate impact -- a disproportionate negative effect -- on a minority group - is an "important starting point" of the intent inquiry, but that such an impact alone would not generally suffice to prove a constitutional violation. Advertisement Basically, the Court adopted a flexible test for intent while insisting on demonstration of such racial purpose. Arlington Heights remains valid law, and the Court's flexible test would certainly encompass evidence of demonstrated racial bias by a key legal advisor and shaper of policy like the Attorney General. That is why the nomination - and confirmation should it occur - of someone like Sessions, with his known record, is so curiously self-damaging to the incoming presidential administration. Of course, there are other troubling appointments - most notably, that of Stephen Bannon as chief strategist despite his significant time leading a media platform for the alt-right - that could strengthen the inevitable court challenges, under Arlington Heights, to major Trump policy initiatives. Still, it makes little sense to compound these extant potential problems by appointing someone with Sessions' record as the federal government's chief lawyer and legal advisor. Many of the policies that Trump espouses -- and that business conservatives also likely support, perhaps justifying in their view holding their nose about some of Trump's own exclusionary rhetoric -- would have a predictably disproportionate negative impact on minorities. This satisfies the Arlington Heights starting point, rendering those policy changes ready targets for challenge under the Equal Protection Clause. The repeal of the Affordable Care Act and withdrawal of Obama Administration changes in overtime rules are just two examples of such policy proposals. This should give business conservatives great pause about having Sessions as Attorney General. His presence in the position could contribute to the success of the likely federal-court Equal Protection lawsuits that will seek to block policy changes with a disproportionate impact on minorities, including policies that business conservatives favor. By and large, business leaders have not come forward to address the nomination of Sessions to be Attorney General. There are many strong reasons to oppose Sessions' confirmation, but one for business conservatives to seriously consider arises from a case whose anniversary arrives just as the senator's confirmation hearings begin. Pepper and Eggs Peppers and eggs (Pipindun e ova) is a classic 2-ingredient dish which can be served as a starter, lunch or even for breakfast! The flavours of fried peppers mixed with egg and the very best extra virgin olive oil enjoyed with crisp, homemade Italian bread, will transport you to a hearty meal in the Italian mountainside. This dish has been enjoyed for generations, which is why I chose to make it with my Dad on a recent trip to Lake Scanno. The perfect company and setting made it taste even better! Watch video recipe: Ingredients: 2 x peppers (capsicums) 4 x eggs Extra virgin olive oil (evoo) Salt Pepper Utensils: 1 x medium size non-stick flat saucepan Wooden spoon Small bowl Method: 1.To make the peppers and eggs, start by cutting the peppers in half. Remove the seeds and then cut them into strips. 2.Put your pan on medium heat and add a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. 3.Once this has started to warm, add in the strips of peppers and stir using a wooden spoon. 4.Leave this to simmer, stirring occasionally to make sure the peppers are moist with oil. Vincenzo's Plate Tip: If the peppers start to stick to the pan, add some more oil to make sure they don't burn. Advertisement 5.While this is simmering, in a small bowl, crack the four eggs. Sprinkle a touch of salt into the bowl, and beat well using a fork. 6.Once the peppers have softened, pour the egg mix into the pan and leave for 5-7 seconds. Then, mix rigorously using a wooden spoon. The eggs will start to become fluffy and mix in well with the peppers. 7.Leave for another 5-7 seconds and repeat until the egg is cooked through. How to Serve: 1.Transfer individual portions onto your plates and serve with a slice of fresh bread. 2.If you have fresh truffle (or even truffle oil), add some on top and then devour! 3.An alternate way to serve: Toast slices of fresh bread and cut them into small pieces, then, add a spoonful of peppers and eggs on top and serve on a long wooden paddle. This is a delicious antipasto option. E ora si mangia, Vincenzo's Plate...Enjoy! Advertisement LET US PRAY! After the Trump regime released a roster of the religious figures who were invited to speak at the 2017 Inauguration, people of faith felt their fears grow that the next four years will draw Americans further and further away from the promises and purposes of God. Admittedly, there were few if any obvious options from whom the organizers of the regime change could choose. Billy Graham, who has personally known one-fourth of the men ever to occupy the presidency and who has participated in inauguration-related ceremonies eight times, is now confined to his home. There is no heir to his mantle of respected religious leader on the horizon--certainly not his biological heir and offspring, Franklin Graham, who has in fact been invited to speak. The younger Graham has said hateful and hurtful things about people who differ with him theologically and politically. So his selection does not bode well for those of us who believe an inaugural prayer is an occasion to invoke all the promises of God for all the people of God. It was nice of the organizers to invite Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who will read one passage from scripture. This might offer an occasion for reconciliation between Cardinal Dolan and Mr. Trump, since the last public occasion on which they were together was at the Al Smith dinner on the eve of the election, when the Republican candidate was booed by the dinner attendees who found his efforts at humor to be crude, coarse, and corrosive. Advertisement The organizers have covered several demographic bases with the list of invited participants. They have included Hispanic, African-American, and Jewish men (besides Franklin Graham), and a woman. Beyond the demographic diversity, however, they are all from the same thin slice of America's spiritual spectrum. Their connections with the incoming President are personal and political. But among the missing religious voices at the ceremonies will be mainstream Protestants, liberal Jews, or Muslims of any sort. For God to hear prayers from a full range of America's religious voices, the hosts of heaven will have to listen to voices from places other than the steps of the Capitol. Whom could the organizers of the regime change have invited? If they wanted to demonstrate that all religions are covered by the First Amendment to the Constitution and will be respected by this White House, whom could they have asked to offer prayers on the Capitol steps? They could have invited Imam Omar Suleiman of Texas. Imam Omar spoke at the Dallas gathering in Thanksgiving Square on the day after the shootings that took the lives of five police officers. The Imam, on that occasion, asked God to "hold back the hands that kill" as he prayed "for an end to fear" and asked God to "let justice prevail." Imam Omar embraced all Americans as he prayed to the Holy One on that day in July. Every American would see the significance of having a Muslim cleric pray for the country and its President. And the Holy One, blessed be He, could take delight in a people whose prayers petition for a love that triumphs over hate. They could have invited Dr. Tink Tinker of Colorado. Dr. Tinker is a professor at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He is from the Osage Nation--a Native American, a constituent of the First Peoples whose ancestors were at home in North America long before white European immigrants found their ways to this continent. Dr. Tinker might have offered prayers to the Great Spirit for all of the peoples who dwell in this land, for all of the racial and national groups that have emigrated to this land, for the well being of earth at a time of threats to its climate, and for all the created things and creatures that dwell in the land. He might even have offered thanks for those who love this country so much that they camped for many months at Standing Rock in gratitude for the gift of good water that the Creator's peoples have an obligation to protect rather than pollute. Perhaps the Creator, who leads us "beside still waters," would delight in a nation that prays in thanksgiving for the beauty of the earth. Advertisement They could also have invited United Methodist Bishop Minerva Garza Carcano of California. Bishop Carcano, who was born and raised near the border with Mexico, is the first Latina ever to be elected as a Bishop by the second largest Protestant denomination in the country. As a member of the Council of Bishops of her church, she is authorized to speak for all of its Bishops on matters regarding immigration. Bishop Carcano has prayed at the border between Mexico and the United States. She has ministered to undocumented persons who have crossed it. She has also been arrested for taking part in such efforts. And she has prophetically challenged Americans to be good Samaritans in showing love to our neighbors. The Lord, who delights in those who love their neighbors as they love themselves, would welcome prayers for the people and the President of a nation to be neighborly. The American people would have before them a sign that citizens whose ancestors were here before any immigrants came, and that citizens whose ancestors came from Latin America and Asia and the Middle East and Africa, are the equals of those whose ancestors came from Europe. Those who are organizing this ceremonial arrival of the regime could have asked an irenic Imam, an Osage spiritualist, and a Hispanic prophet to pray on the steps of the Capitol on Inauguration Day. At least then we would have a reason to believe that the Constitution will endure and that all religious life in America will be free to thrive for the next four years. What should Donald Trump's new Cabinet be focused on when they take office in January? How about food? This does not mean we want the Trump Cabinet to be thinking about dinner plans, but rather food for the world's hungry. There is no more important foreign policy goal than for the United States to fight world hunger. Food is peace. The Trump administration needs to pay attention to hunger. A tale from 1947 shows us why. It was the day after Christmas in the White House and not a creature was stirring, except President Harry Truman's Cabinet Committee on World Food Programs. The Committee, set up to fight hunger after World War II, presented an urgent report to Truman on that day. Advertisement A top priority for the Truman White House was fighting world hunger. In fact, the first televised address from the White House in 1947 was about fighting hunger in Europe. (National Archives photo) This Cabinet Committee was led by the Secretary of Agriculture Clinton P. Anderson and included George C. Marshall, the former Army Chief and Secretary of State, and W. Averell Harriman, the Secretary of Commerce. Their post-Christmas report was on how much food the United States could give to Austria, Italy and France. These were nations at terrible risk that winter from food shortages. Without food nations could not rebuild from the war. As Marshall said, "Food is the very basis of all reconstruction." Advertisement The December, 1947 Interim Aid program of the United States sent much food to Europe. This noble act of generosity preceded the famous Marshall Plan, which ultimately rebuilt Europe and its economy. Without the food, the Marshall Plan could never have succeeded. Truman's Cabinet Committee on Food was instrumental in getting supplies to the starving nations, and also mobilizing public support. After the Committee released a much-publicized report in September on drought and food shortages, citizens took their own action. The Friendship Train, the Silent Guest program of CARE packages, and the Catholic Relief Services food drive all took place after news of the hunger emergency came out. As the new Trump administration takes over in 2017 they will find hunger emergencies around the globe. The wars in Syria, Iraq and Yemen are three of the largest hotspots. Each of these conflicts has led to large-scale displacement of civilians, loss of livelihoods and the destruction of farmland. Famine lurks over these war-torn countries. When the Trump Cabinet meets to discuss how to bring peace and eliminate the terrorist threat in the Middle East, they must consider the bigger picture. When they do, they will find that hunger and malnutrition are a huge crisis. Without food no nation can find stability, peace or develop a robust economy. Terrorist groups, like ISIS or Boko Haram, thrive in countries where there is chaos and hunger. The African nations affected by Boko Haram's reign of terror are extremely impoverished. Advertisement The World Food Programme has the difficult task of feeding civilians displaced by war and drought. (photo UNMIS/Issac Gideon) The UN World Food Programme (WFP), the largest hunger relief organization, struggles to have enough funds to feed war victims from the Boko Haram war zone, Syria and other crisis points. The UN food agency depends on voluntary donations from the United States and other countries. One thing the Trump administration can do is strengthen our tools that fight world hunger. Especially now with so much conflict around the globe, we have to step up our performance. Not only is conflict causing hunger, but so too are drought and other disasters. Hurricane Matthew leveled Haiti's agriculture. Drought is affecting Africa and causing major food shortages. Food aid and agricultural recovery are vital for these disaster areas. Much like the Truman administration responded to the post World War II famine threat, so too must we be vigilant today in preventing nations from literally starving to death. Advertisement The U.S. Food for Peace and Feed the Future are vital to helping alleviate world hunger. Catholic Relief Services, which receives funding from these and other U.S. programs, says, "We look forward to such work with the Trump Administration, hopeful that the United States will continue its long bipartisan tradition of helping the poor, hungry and marginalized people around the world." Rick Leach of the World Food Program USA says, "A program that fights hunger and promotes education, the George McGovern-Robert Dole international school feeding program, bears the names of two Senators from opposing parties and serves an enduring symbol of the bipartisan support around ending global hunger. I am confident that this American tradition will continue in the next Administration." Bread for the World has made six recommendations for the Trump administration to reduce hunger at home and abroad. The Trump administration, Republicans and Democrats, can work together to fight hunger. Let's encourage them to maintain this noble fight and not be distracted by the other issues of the day. For you cannot have peace if people are starving. Truman's Cabinet recognized this, and we must hope the new Trump administration learns from their outstanding example. Peace depends upon it. Advertisement U.S. President Barack Obama wipes his tears while speaking about U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, not pictured, during his farewell address in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Obama blasted 'zero-sum' politics as he drew a sharp contrast with his successor in his farewell address Tuesday night, acknowledging that despite his historic election eight years ago his vision for the country will exit the White House with him. Photographer: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images Barack Obama delivered his final presidential address Tuesday night in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. His speech was a powerful rallying cry to a country reeling from the events of November's election. It served as a reminder to eight years of progress and change that has empowered and given health care to millions of people. Now, we're dealing with the uncertainty of a man who is alleged (in totally unverified documents) to love watching Russian prostitutes engage in urine play and an administration that wants to repeal Obamacare with no backup plan. Things are not looking great but Obama's message was clear: the way forward lies within all of us. Voters elected Donald Trump in a fair election and now we have to deal with the consequences. Advertisement Bill Self, Kurtis Townsend won't be on sidelines for KU's first four games In America and around the world, business interruption ranked as the greatest risk for companies in 2017, according to Allianz s annual Risk Barometer report.Though the outcome of the study, based on over 1,200 risk experts from over 50 countries, may seem obvious, the causes of business interruption appear matured when compared with the previous five incarnations of the barometer.The need for real data or information on risk exposures, both seen and hidden, in an environment that is continuously changing with new suppliers and geographical locations is critical, Tom Varney, Allianzs regional manager of the Americas said.Allianz says cyber risks, terrorism, power and communication outages are making up a greater share of whats driving business interruption, though fires, catastrophes and supplier failure are still causing the biggest market disturbance.That evolution is reflected in American risk experts second biggest fear for 2017: cyber.Noting that hacks and IT related failures ranked in 15place in Allianzs report four years ago, cyber risk now ranks as the third most feared event globally.Cyber exposure goes well beyond standard privacy/data breaches, Georgi Pachov, global practice group leader cyber at Allianz said.A single cyber incident, be it a technical glitch, human error or cyber-attack can lead to a severe business interruption, loss of customers and market share, as well as mid to long-term reputational and brand damage.These days the ever increasing sophistication of cyber-attacks, data fraud and the breakdown of infrastructure even outweigh the threat of disruptive start-ups according to the Risk Barometer.Increasing interconnectivity and sophistication of cyber-attacks poses not only a huge direct risk for corporate and commercial clients, Michael Bruch, Allianzs Head of Emerging Trends said, but also indirectly via exposed critical infrastructures such as IT, water or power supply. Cyber-attacks might impact companies and societies more severely via long-lasting and widespread business interruptions of those critical infrastructures.In the United States, the New York Department of Financial Services is proposing landmark cyber regulations for insurance companies that will likely shape how companies are made to report and mitigate hacks.The regulatory landscape itself came in as Americas third greatest risk in the report.Each of these issues at times may be an unknown or hidden risk exposure, but an exposure that could create potentially both short and long-term consequences to a companys bottom line, Tom Varney, Allianzs Americas Regional Manager added. Small Business Revolution Coming to North Adams NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Local officials are encouraging residents to put a smile on this Thursday and Friday to welcome representatives from the Small Business Revolution. The program is doing a scouting trip in and around the downtown this week to weigh the possibility of North Adams making the final cut for a $500,000 downtown marketing and makeover boost. "They're basically going to be going to all the small businesses they can in a matter of two days ... so they're tyring to get a feel for what the city's all about," said City Councilor Benjamin Lamb, in addressing viewers at Tuesday's council meeting. "They will be here so if you see any faces you don't recognize say hi to them and welcome them here." The challenge is sponsored by Minnesota-based Deluxe Corp., which has been providing small businesses with printing, design and now web publishing resources for a century. It services some 4.5 million small-business customers and more than 5,000 financial institutions. North Adams and seven other communities from across the nation made the semifinals in November from some 14,000 online votes cast. Led by Amanda Brinkman, Deluxe's chief brand and communications officer, the team is visiting each of the semifinalists to speak with small-business owners about their challenges, dreams and possibilities. The contest grew out of Deluxe's centennial when it looked to highlight 100 small businesses. After speaking with owners, and seeing the decline of small-town centers, the company developed the Small Business Revolution. Last year's winner, Wabash, Ind., was featured in an eight-part documentary as the team, along with "Shark Tank's" Robert Herjavec, worked to help revitalize its downtown. Wabash's situation is similar to North Adams', close enough to "be scary," said Lamb. The town of 10,000 lost a major employer a few years back and saw its population drop by several thousand. It's got empty buildings, struggling small businesses and a major cultural attraction two blocks from downtown. The Honeywell Center concert theater draws around 200,000 people a year, only a small percentage who make it to downtown Wabash. Imperial Valley News Center United States and Cuba Sign Bilateral Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Agreement Washington, DC - The United States and Cuba signed a bilateral agreement to prepare for and respond to oil spills and hazardous substance pollution in the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida yesterday. Under this agreement, the United States and Cuba will cooperate and coordinate in an effort to prevent, contain, and clean up marine oil and other hazardous pollution in order to minimize adverse effects to public health and safety and the environment. Charge dAffaires of the U.S. Embassy in Havana Jeffrey DeLaurentis signed the agreement on behalf of the United States. Vice Minister Eduardo Rodriguez Davila of the Ministry of Transportation signed for the Republic of Cuba. Annual Report on the Implementation of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act Washington, DC - Today the State Department submitted to Congress, as required by the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, the fourth annual report on the U.S. Governments actions to implement the Act. As part of this report, the State Department, in concert with the Treasury Department, submitted to Congress the list of persons who have been determined, based on credible information, to meet the criteria described in that Act. The Act provides for the designation of persons determined to have been involved in the criminal conspiracy uncovered by Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who suffered abuse and died in a Moscow prison on November 16, 2009, after a year in pre-trial detention following his revelation of a large tax fraud scheme perpetrated by Russian officials. The Act further provides for the designation of individuals determined to be responsible for Magnitskys detention, abuse, and death, those who profited from Magnitskys detention, abuse and death, and those who helped cover up the legal liability for it. Finally, the Act also provides for the designation of persons responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights against individuals seeking to expose illegal activity by Russian officials or individuals attempting to exercise, defend, or promote their internationally recognized human rights and freedoms in the Russian Federation. The list now comprises 44 names. Persons on this list are ineligible for visas and to be admitted to the United States. These individuals have also been added to the Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Controls List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). As a result, all assets of these individuals that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction or in the control of U.S. persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The names may be found at the following link: https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20170109.aspx 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 }} Though Brian De Palmas Scarface (1983) is considered a mob film and starts out as such, by the time Tony Montana reaches his gargantuan gilded bathtub its really more about drugs specifically cocaine and its ability to sabotage relationships and induce paranoia. If, amid all the trademark De Palma violence, Tonys alienation from wife Elvira and best friend Manny felt quite personal, thats because. for screenwriter Oliver Stone, it was. He was originally brought on board to write a fairly faithful remake of Howard Hawks 1932 film of the same name, but found that he was able to mine his own problems with cocaine addiction to create a script with more depth. Recommended What actors are actually smoking and snorting in movies I was a cocaine addict for about two-and-a-half years prior to writing Scarface, Stone told Sabotage Times in 2015. I knew that world, the drug world of the early 80s very well. This wasnt a Hunter S. Thompson-esque situation though, where the drugs not only formed but helped sculpt the text the Platoon director had to go cold turkey to write the script, being of the opinion that cocaine in no way helps writing. He ultimately ended up moving to Paris to sober up and write the script, telling Empire in 2011 that he knew [he] couldn't break the habit in Florida [where the film is set], LA or New York. Art so often stems from pain, and flushing that pain from brain to paper proved cathartic for Stone. Cocaine had screwed me so much, he recalled. It had taken so much of my money that now I needed to take my revenge and so I wrote Scarface. In the past, Ive talked about Scarface as being a farewell love letter to cocaine, but its really me taking my revenge on the drug. 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 }} Live By Night (15) Dir: Ben Affleck, 129 mins, starring: Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Sienna Miller There is always room for a well-crafted new gangster movie, but Live By Night is as clunky in its exposition as it is gorgeous in its craftsmanship. Ben Affleck, who scripted, produced and directed as well as starred, gives a strangely stilted performance as the mobster hero wholl behave like a hardened killer one moment and like a secular saint the next. Based on the 2012 novel by Dennis Lehane, the film retreads some very familiar territory. Were in the roaring 1920s, at the beginning of the prohibition era. Its a world of spats and speakeasies; of machine guns and showgirls. The twist here, a very slight one, is that the setting is Boston, not Chicago, Atlantic City or New York. Joe Coughlin (Affleck) has returned from the First World War. As he tells us in the opening voice-over, he signed up a soldier and came back an outlaw. A lengthy montage sequence of black-and-white archive photos of the dead and wounded from the trenches is included. If Joe has lost his moral bearings (these images are clearly intended to tell us), he can hardly be blamed. He has seen so much slaughter already that not even the most hideous crimes committed by Irish mobster Albert White (Robert Glenister) or his Italian rival Maso Pescatore (Remo Girone) faze him in the slightest. Back in Boston, Joe is a small-time hustler, robbing poker games. In one daring heist, he and his friends steal cash from the mob bosses themselves. Its here that he first encounters the beautiful but dangerous Irish femme fatale Emma Gould (Sienna Miller). When he stuffs a sock in her mouth during the robbery, he promptly falls in love with her. She reciprocates, or seems to. They begin a torrid, secret affair. Shes a gangsters moll. If her official boyfriend Albert White finds out about it, theyll almost certainly be killed. Early on, the film is at its strongest. Theres an explosive car chase in 1920s vehicles, lots of carefully choreographed but very bloody violence, and Affleck and Sienna Miller work well together on screen. At times, Live By Night plays like a 1920s version of Afflecks 2010 crime drama The Town, with characters facing many of the same dilemmas. It helps that the cast features plenty of redoubtable character actors. Live By Night - Trailer Prominent among them is Brendan Gleason as Joes police commissioner father, Thomas Coughlin, a hardened, street-wise Boston cop who dotes on his son even as he sees him fall into the gangster world. Gleason plays the character in the same bluff and humorous way as he did the Irish policeman in The Guard. This is a very glossy looking film, beautifully shot by Robert Richardson in golden-hued colours and with lovingly detailed production design. Even when mobsters are thrown to their death from skyscrapers or shot or have their throats cut, they conspire to die with a certain elegance. Affleck himself makes multiple changes in costume and never loses his poise, even when he is being beaten up and kicked so hard between the legs that he vomits. Every character and situation seems vaguely familiar from earlier gangster yarns, whether Warner Bros films of the 1930s, The Godfather, Billy Bathgate or (more recently) Boardwalk Empire. Thats not the problem: youd expect a crime film like this to pay homage to its predecessors. What undermines the film is the very baggy storytelling structure. Affleck seems caught in a no mans land between feature film and HBO-style TV box-set drama. He wants the film to have an epic quality and fills it with dozens of supporting characters and sub-plots but then doesnt have the time in a two-hour movie to do them justice. As a director, Affleck has an eye for the poetic image. There are a lot of big, moody close-ups of the gangsters in their moments of doubt and terror as well as shots of burning cars and beautiful sunsets. Some of these, though, are held too long. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Alliances shift in sometimes baffling fashion. One moment Joe is allied to Albert White and madly in love with Emma. The next Albert is his arch-enemy and he is in league with the Italians as he heads down to Florida to seek revenge against Albert. Besotted by Emma in the first half of the movie, he is equally enamoured of the beautiful Cuban businesswoman Graciela (Zoe Saldana) in the second. Like Nucky Thompson in Boardwalk Empire, Joe is a civic-minded gangster with an abhorrence of racism. A considerable part of the story is given over to his battle with the Tampa branch of the Ku Klux Klan. The film also deals at some length with Joes relationship with Figgis (the excellent Chris Cooper), the Florida police chief who initially welcomes him but grows to hate him. Figgiss daughter, Loretta (Elle Fanning), is a reformed drug addict who becomes a populist preacher. As she holds forth on the evil of casinos in front of a vast congregation, she rekindles memories of the mountebank played by Jean Simmons in Elmer Gantry. In the latter stages, Live By Night grows ever more absurd. Plot twists and reversal of fortunes are thrown into the mix. Everybody betrays everybody else. Alongside the bloodletting, a strong vein of mawkishness creeps into the storytelling. Joes attempts at being both Bugsy Siegel-like gangster kingpin and bland, folksy all-American family man become increasingly improbable. The tension dissipates and the film loses the edge that no self-respecting gangster yarn can really do without. Underworld: Blood Wars (15) Dir: Anna Foerster, 91 mins, starring: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Lara Pulver, Charles Dance, Tobias Menzies, Bradley James Blood Wars is the fifth installment in the Underworld series. It is likely to prove largely incomprehensible to anyone who hasn't seen the previous four. Vampire heroine Selene (Kate Beckinsale) provides a voiceover that is supposed to bring us up to speed but only serves to obfuscate matters further. She is on the run, chased both by her fellow vampires for treachery and by their arch-enemies, the so-called Lycans. Her daughter Eve is missing. The Lycans hope Selene will lead them to her and that they will be able to tap her blood, which will give them yet more powers. Dressed in black, a dab hand at martial arts, Selene is more of an Emma Peel-like figure than a Dracula one. One problem with the living dead is that they seldom die. Selene here is certainly in no mood for dying. Stabbed, shot, poisoned, buried beneath the ice, she always comes bouncing back up again to life. Disconcertingly, Beckinsale plays her in the same slightly sardonic fashion that she did the scheming, social climbing villainess in Whit Stillmans Jane Austen adaptation, Love And Friendship. Underworld: Blood Wars - Trailer 2 The plotting is sheer hokum and owes a large debt to Game Of Thrones. The presence of Charles Dance as a patriarchal vampire leader adds to the sense that we may have strayed into a George RR Martin adaptation in which all the characters have funny teeth. The villain Marius (Tobias Menzies) is also a Game Of Thrones alumnus, although he is probably better known as the sneering Englishman, Black Jack, tormenting the Jacobites in TVs Outlander. For obvious reasons, the film is on the murky side the vampires tend to turn to ash whenever exposed to daylight. The dashing hero David (Theo James) is the only one who can survive a blast of sun. By any objective measure, the film is utterly preposterous but it is also quite fun in its own B-movie like way. Lara Pulver registers strongly as the voluptuous and treacherous Semira - she dresses and behaves like Margaret Lockwood in old British melodramas like The Wicked Lady and The Man In Grey. The Young Offenders (15) Dir: Peter Foott, 83 mins, starring: Alex Murphy, Chris Walley, Hilary Rose, Dominic MacHale, PJ Gallagher The Young Offenders is a hoot another in the long list of Irish shaggy dog story-style movies made in recent years. Its lead characters are two delinquent 15-year-old kids from Cork who become embroiled in a mad Whisky Galore-like scheme to retrieve cocaine which has been washed up on shore. The kids, Conor MacSweeney and Jock Murphy, are played in very winning fashion by Alex Murphy and Chris Walley. Theyre from troubled backgrounds. Jock is a bicycle thief who combines cunning with extreme gawky ineptitude. Conor is naive and easily led but with an infinite capacity for mischief. However idiotic or criminal their behaviour, we know that they are good lads at heart. Writer-director Peter Foott fills the film with slapstick and with plenty of scabrous, witty dialogue. The humour (the jokes about masturbation and wilderpooing) can be prurient. Some of the plotting (especially in the scenes involving the club-footed drug dealer with the nail gun) seems on the random side. The film, though, has the feel of a ruder, coarser, Irish version of Huckleberry Finn. 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 }} Now Hear This is back for 2017 with Flagship, a North Carolina duo (Drake Margolnick and drummer Michael Finster) looking to make some waves in the UK. They released their debut EP in late 2013 and have supported everyone from The Black Keys to Kings of Leon, and Iron & Wine. We have the international exclusive premiere of the first single off their upcoming debut LP, "Mexican Jackpot" - written with frequent collaborator Leo Solis Have a listen: This track, along with the album itself, was produced by drummer Joey Waronker, [Beck, REM], member of Atoms for Peace, who also produced albums for Other Lives, Yeasayer and The Moth and the Flame. I love this sound, those twanging guitars makes me think of summer at a time when it's still getting dark at 4pm - big, bold and emotive - Margolnick says it's about two people, his dream girl (the verses) and someone he's pissed off with (chorus). Soundwise it draws again on some of the 80s synth influences that have been so prevalent for the past couple of years but also has a great, athemic rock sound - actually pretty similar to Sundara Karma and their recently-released debut. Of their upcoming album The Electric Man Finster says: Making people really feel something when they listen to our songs has always been important to us, explains Finster. I dont think of music in terms of a lyric or a note or a beat. "Its more about the feeling it conveys, whether it's absolute joy or that kind of feeling you cant quite put your finger on. I love it when a song can take me somewhere, and I think we achieved that on this album more than ever before. 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 }} Im not sure if its just me or whether its a general reflection of today, but there seems to be an increased interest (and ultimately somewhat of a resurgence) in old-school hip hop. Perhaps this was born from 2015s biopic Straight Outta Compton which documented the rise and subsequent fall of hip hop collective N.W.A or Netflixs new-found intrigue in the origins of hip hop with The Get Down a fictional take on the birth of hip hop and Hip-Hop Evolution, a documentary series uncovering and delving into the much-celebrated, oft-maligned subculture. Either way, to have the origins of hip hop on the cultural news agenda is a good thing, nowhere more so evident than at Camdens Jazz Cafe. The north London venue played host for the 13th time to Troy Donald Jamerson, better known as Pharoahe Monch, a stalwart of the hip hop scene. The New York native took to stage a man very much comfortable in his environment, he was happy to be there and in turn, the crowd was more than reciprocal, How yall feel man he says, smiling, already knowing the response as DJ Boogie Blind provides a soundtrack that sets the scene for the night. Jumping straight into Assassins, a track from W.A.R, before following up with adrenaline-fuelled favourite and Training Day soundtrack title Fuck You, the precedence was certainly set for the rest of the night; rarely does angst and anger translate into such a positive, contagious feeling, but thats hip hop for you. Damage, Agent Orange (which drew one of the biggest cheers of the night), Free and Apache all followed as Monch got into the rhythm, articulately and powerfully rapping his points to an audience fuelled with a mixture of agreement, adulation and hype. However, it was when Monch took to the mic to address 2016 and the legends lost that the gig was lifted to the next level; a hip hop-infused medley of David Bowies Lets Dance, Princes Kiss and Whams Everything She Wants set the scene for one of the better hip hop singalongs. The night continued in the same vein and the audience got louder and more energetic as tracks including Show No Mercy, My Life, Right Here and the infamous Simon Says followed. Originally part of rap duo Organized Konfusion in the Nineties, Monch saw critical acclaim releasing three hugely successful albums including Stress: The Extinction Agenda, with one of the better tracks Bring It On used to close the night. His latest album PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder tackles the ever prevalent issue of gun violence in America, where he articulately and passionate expresses his deep-rooted frustration with the subject. This is Monch all over; his powerful lyrical content, paired with rhythmic flows and near perfect delivery, truly places Monch in the upper echelons of the hip hop scene. 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 }} The world can no longer avoid dangerous global warming because countries have done little to tackle the problem apart from spout rhetoric, a leading economist has warned. Professor William Nordhaus, of Yale University in the US, said it was no longer practicably feasible to keep the level of warming to within two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the point at which climatologists believe the world will start to experience particularly dangerous climate change. This would see devastating storms, droughts, deadly heat waves and floods all become significantly more common, making some areas of the planet increasingly difficult for humans to inhabit. The US military, among others, has expressed concern about the security implications of the mass movements of people that such scenarios would likely bring about. Professor Nordhaus, a noted expert on the economics of climate change, wrote in a paper called Projections and Uncertainties About Climate Change in an Era of Minimal Climate Policies: The international target for climate change with a limit of 2C appears to be infeasible with reasonably accessible technologies. And this is the case even with very stringent and unrealistically ambitious abatement strategies. This is so because of the inertia of the climate system, of rapid projected economic growth in the near term, and of revisions in several elements of the model. A target of 2.5C is technically feasible but would require extreme virtually universal global policy measures. He said in all the world only the European Union had introduced major policies designed to reduce global warming but was scathing about what those would actually achieve. Notwithstanding what may be called The Rhetoric of Nations, there has been little progress in taking strong policy measures, Professor Nordhaus wrote. For example, of the six largest countries or regions, only the EU has implemented national climate policies, and the policies of the EU today are very modest. Moreover, from the perspective of political economy in different countries as of December 2016, the prospects of strong policy measures appear to be dimming rather than brightening. However Professor Richard Betts, head of climate impacts research at the Met Offices Hadley Centre, said Professor Nordhauss analysis did not mean the world should give up. A key factor in predictions of temperature rise is the sensitivity of the atmosphere to further emissions of greenhouse gases. And Professor Betts wrote in an email: The economics side is outside of my expertise, but on the climate side, I see that Nordhaus's model assumes a climate sensitivity (the warming due to doubling CO2) near the middle of the range of estimates. The IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] range of estimates climate sensitivity is actually quite wide, so if it turns out that the sensitivity is in the lower half of the IPCC range then that would make 2C more feasible than Nordhaus suggests on the basis of his economic analysis. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan In any case, even if 2C does turn out to be unavoidable, this does not mean that we should give up hope it would still make sense to try to avoid even higher levels of warming. The Paris Agreement on climate change suggested that allowing 2C of warming might not be good enough to avoid serious problems for humanity and adopted the ambition of restricting it to as close to 1.5C as possible. However temperatures have already risen by nearly 1C, making a 1.5C target extremely optimistic. Professor Nordhaus's warning is the latest in a series from scientists that time is running out to address climate change. In January last year, some of the world's leading scientists warned in a joint letter to The Independent that the much-lauded Paris Agreement was far too weak and offered only "false hope". Trump comments on Paris Climate deal One study published in September predicted that the world could hit 2C of warming as early as 2050 as the atmosphere was heating up "much faster" than expected. And another in November suggested the earth could actually become more sensitive to greenhouse gases as it gets warmer, so much so that average temperatures could potentially rise by more than 7C by 2100. At the time, the leading climatologist Professor Michael Mann told The Independent that if the atmosphere was truly as sensitive as that then it would be "game over" for efforts to prevent dangerous global warming. Commenting on Professor Nordhauss paper, Professor Mann, who also cautioned that he was not an economist, said that restricting warming to 2C was already a real challenge something he has written about previously. However he added: I think it is an overstatement to say (as Nordhaus does in the abstract) that it will be extremely difficult to achieve the 2C target of international agreements even if ambitious policies are introduced in the near term. The Paris Agreement has put us on a pathway that can get us there given a ratcheting up of the commitments already made by the nations of the word. Physics isn't an obstacle, only willpower is, at this point. I'm wary of economists assumptions about our willpower to take dramatic actions when necessary. A similar argument to Nordhaus might have been used to argue we couldn't possibly mount the mobilisation necessary to win World War II. But we did. We've risen to the challenge before, and we can do so here. 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 }} Theresa May must invest in the NHS immediately to stem a health service crisis that is putting lives at risk, Britains leading doctors have said. Vital NHS services are struggling or failing to cope, said senior medics at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), which represents more than 30,000 doctors across 30 specialties. RCP Registrar Andrew Goddard told The Independent the organisations members had expressed fears "that the whole system was collapsing, that there is a crisis. Our hospitals are over-full, with too few qualified staff, wrote RCP President Professor Jane Dacre in a letter to the Prime Minister signed by the prestigious bodys nearly 50 council members. We are treating more patients than ever before. This increase in patient need as our fellow citizens live longer, with more complex conditions is outpacing the resources we have to care for them safely. The RCP joins a growing multitude of voices warning of intense pressures facing the health service after the British Red Cross called the situation in NHS hospitals a humanitarian crisis. Ms May and Jeremy Hunt have rejected the Red Crosss claims, with the Health Secretary accusing patients attending A&E with non-emergency conditions of placing an additional burden on the overstretched service during the busy winter period. Jeremy Hunt dodges questions from Sky News reporter as she chases him Mr Hunt suggested the Government's target to treat all A&E patients within four hours should only be for those who actually need it, despite having taken his own children to A&E in 2014 because he did not want to wait to see a GP. Dr Goddard said he had worked over the weekend and not one patient we admitted didnt need to be in hospital. The reason they have gone to A&E is because there is nowhere else for them to go, he said. Its a sign that primary care and health services in the community are under pressure. Its easy to say lets just do a little more work, but the understaffing issue is throughout the health system. More than two million people waited over four hours to be seen at A&E departments last year, according to the latest data from NHS digital. And waits of more than 12 hours in A&E among elderly people have more than doubled in two years. Screaming blue murder: We join a London Ambulance crew for the busiest nightshift of the year Show all 4 1 /4 Screaming blue murder: We join a London Ambulance crew for the busiest nightshift of the year Screaming blue murder: We join a London Ambulance crew for the busiest nightshift of the year 284491.bin IMMO KLINK Screaming blue murder: We join a London Ambulance crew for the busiest nightshift of the year 284492.bin IMMO KLINK Screaming blue murder: We join a London Ambulance crew for the busiest nightshift of the year 284493.bin IMMO KLINK Screaming blue murder: We join a London Ambulance crew for the busiest nightshift of the year 284494.bin IMMO KLINK In the letter, The RCP council members said they felt compelled to speak up as they work on the front line in the NHS and see patients waiting longer on lists, on trolleys, in emergency departments and in their homes for the care they need. Money must be put into the NHS and social care to relieve the pressures and stop lives being put at risk, they argued, saying the money allocated by the Government was not enough. It is essential that we match the demand on health services with the resources to meet it, they said. We understand that the current financial pressures mean difficult choices. We welcome the decision to increase the number of medical students, and the commitment to extra resources for the health service. But, frontline staff and managers across health and social care are clear: investment levels are not sufficient to meet current or future patient needs." "Promises of future investment will not address the very real challenges we face going into 2017: the time to invest is now," they said. Dr Goddard said the letter aimed to highlight the problems in social care and the NHS, which he noted were absent from the Governments Autumn Statement. People can always do better, thats what were always being told. Its difficult to pinpoint anything or any particular policy that Mr Hunt has had that has caused any particular problems, he said. We all accept there isnt a large amount of money available, and we will continue to work with what little resource we have, said Dr Goddard, adding he hoped the letter would show people the current NHS is not affordable in the long term. An ambulance outside an entrance to a hospital Accident and Emergency department (Press Association) The British Red Cross, which stepped in to help at hospitals in the East Midlands, said the government should take immediate action to stabilise the health service after it emerged two patients died on trolleys in the A&E department of Worcestershire Royal hospital last week. At a conference today, Mr Hunt said some A&Es had very, very serious problems over Christmas and no one would want to minimise what happened. He said while he did not accept the Red Crosss description of a humanitarian crisis in NHS hospitals, the Government needed to take action to prevent that happening again. Does that mean that we say that we're not going to do anything about some of the problems that we've had over the last couple of weeks? Absolutely not. I think those problems are unacceptable. I think some of them... extremely distressing and worrying. And, of course, we need to take action to try and prevent that happening again. Shadow Health Minister Jon Ashworth called the RCPs letter a stark warningof the strain the NHS is under. The NHS is underfunded and over stretched, he said. Patients deserve better and Theresa May must now come forward with a plan to properly fund our NHS and social care system A Department of Health spokesperson said: We know the NHS is facing increasing demand from an ageing population but this makes building a safer healthcare system more urgent, not less. Since just last year, we have 3,100 more nurses and 1,600 more doctors. Were also joining up health and social care for the first time and investing 10bn to fund the NHS's own plan to transform services and relieve pressure on hospitals. 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 chief executive of the London Stock Exchange has warned the UK's vote to leave the EU poses a risk to the global financial system and could cost the City of London up to 230,000 jobs if the Government fails to provide a clear plan for post-Brexit operations. Speaking to MPs on the Treasury Select Committee, Xavier Rolet said LSE customers simply would not wait for clarity over Britains divorce from the EU before moving. He said: Im not just talking about the clearing jobs themselves which number into the few thousands.But the very large array of ancillary functions, whether its syndication, trading, treasury management, middle office, back office, risk management, software, which range into far more than just a few thousand or tens of thousands. They would then start migrating. If the City did lose its ability to clear transactions denominated in euros which was a contentious issue even before the Brexit vote Rolet said 232,000 roles could be lost, citing research by consultants Ernst & Young for the LSE. His comments came as Douglas Flint, the chairman of HSBC who is also giving evidence to the Treasury Select Committee, said more clarity is needed on Brexit negotiations to prevent companies including his own firm from moving thousands of jobs out of London. He said banks did not want to move operations outside London but they had to plan for the worst. Ahead of the EU referendum in June, HSBC said it could move 1,000 roles to its operations in Paris. Mr Flint confirmed on Tuesday that the same number of roles was still at risk and that HSBC was ready to take pre-emptive action, pointing out that the bank also had operations in Ireland and the Netherlands. He compared the Londons financial system to a Jenga tower. He said: You dont know what will happen if you pull one small piece out it might have a big impact." Together with Elizabeth Corley, of Allianz Global Investors, who was also speaking in front of the committee, the three City bosses all called for clarity on transition arrangement" in the next eight to 12 weeks. "I think there is a way to turn this process into a positive for both [the UK and the European] economies," Mr Rolet said, adding however that a period of stability is essential. City companies fear that a hard Brexit will result in the UK leaving Europes single market which could signal the loss of crucial passporting rights, that currently allow them to sell their services freely across the rest of the EU and give firms based in Europe unfettered access to Britain. 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 Companies are pressing Britain and the EU to agree on a transition deal that would keep many of the current arrangements for up to five years, helping to cushion them from the effects of Brexit. A cross-party group of peers, in December, said Britain's financial sector must be offered a "Brexit bridge" to prevent companies moving to rival locations such as New York, Dublin, Frankfurt or Paris. However, on Sunday, Prime Minister Theresa May said Britain cannot expect to hold on to bits of its membership with the EU after Brexit, suggesting The UK is heading towards a hard Brexit. The pound fell to a 10-week low following Ms Mays interview. 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 }} Lobsters have helped budget supermarket group Lidl score record sales over the crucial Christmas period. The strong result might come as a surprise to some, as December tends to be the month when discounters lose out to their higher end rivals as shoppers treat themselves and their families. The German discounter revealed that sales grew by 10 per cent in December, its best festive sales performance ever, boosted by strong sales of vegetables typically eaten at Christmas, turkey and cheap lobster. Helped by a Twitter campaign promoting a cut-price lobster at 2.99, the supermarket was able to record 40,000 sales in one day. Turkey sales rose by 40 per cent following an advertising campaign However, the retailer which now has 650 shops in the UK, did not disclose like-for-like sales for the period, a more widely used industry measure of performance. Christian Hartnagel, the chief executive of Lidl UK,said: "It's incredibly encouraging that, during this highly competitive time, we have achieved our most successful festive trading period ever. "We are unwaveringly committed to helping customers save as much money as possible "We also remain fully committed to our ongoing expansion plans, which will see the opening of up to 50 new stores next year, along with two new regional distribution centres, creating thousands of new jobs up and down the country." Food and drink news Show all 35 1 /35 Food and drink news Food and drink news Healthy living makes us more inclined to binge, research suggests Gluten-free breads, dairy-free milks and other plant-based products have been some of the most favoured foods in British supermarkets this year. However, while were busy filling our shopping trolleys with gluten-free goodness, were also jamming it with junk food and alcohol, new research suggests Getty/iStock Food and drink news Growing list of Vegan celebs Making the switch to veganism is a major lifestyle choice, one that many claim can improve energy levels, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and clear up any skin issues. Beyonce, Natalie Portman and Jessica Chastain are among the growing list of Hollywood stars who have eschewed animal products from their diets in recent years. Theres also been an increasing number of professional athletes who have gone vegan, such as boxing champions Mike Tyson and David Haye, thus debunking the myth that following a plant-based diet will leave you feeling weak and malnourished. AFP/Getty/NARAS/iHeartMedia Food and drink news McDonald's has announced the launch of a new vegan burger on its menu in Germany This will mark the first time the German franchise of the fast food chain has offered a vegan burger to its customers. The Big Vegan TS burger consists of a patty made from soy and wheat. It is served in a classic sesame seed bun, and contains salad, tomato, pickles and red onion. McDonald's Germany Food and drink news Drinking too many protein shakes could lead to an increased risk of obesity and a reduced lifespan, a new study has claimed Researchers from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre carried out an investigation to determine the impact excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) has on the body. BCAA supplements are often consumed in the form of powder, which is then added to water to make a shake. Published in journal Nature Metabolism, the study found that while BCAAs help to build muscle, they can also negatively impact an individual's temperament, cause weight gain and lead to a shortened lifespan Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Britain consumes more chocolate than any other country Most people love chocolate but it turns out no one does more than the Brits with the average Brit found to have consumed 8.4 kg of chocolate in 2017, according to new data. Chocolate consumption around the world is on the rise, according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), which found that in the past year alone, Easter chocolate production has risen by 23 per cent Food and drink news 'Easter eggs should be banned for children under four' Dr Becky Spelman, chief psychologist at Harley Streets Private Therapy Clinic, is calling for Easter eggs to be banned for consumption for children under the age of four, claiming that giving them the opportunity to binge on chocolate so young will give them an unhealthy relationship with food later on. "This is a nightmare situation for parents of this generation as they have no idea how to teach their children to delay their response to cravings, she said, explaining that too many young kids binge on these chocolates because their parents dont know how to stop them. "Once a child starts overeating behaviour at a young age its very hard to turn things around for them in terms of food and their eating habits moving forward, leading to obesity from at very young age," she added PA Food and drink news Pineapple overtakes avocado as the UK's fastest-selling fruit According to Tesco, pineapple has overtaken avocado as the UKs fastest-selling fruit, with sales increasing by 15 per cent in 2017. In comparison, avocado sales rose by just under 10 per cent last year. The popular supermarket says the surge in popularity comes as shoppers buying the versatile fruit are beginning to use it as a main ingredient in everything from curries and barbecues, to juices and cocktails Getty Food and drink news Marks & Spencers launches stoneless avocados Rather than the result of genetic modification, the avocados are formed by an unpollinated avocado blossom. The fruit develops without a seed which in turns stops the growth, creating a small, seedless fruit. Whats more, the skin is actually edible, unlike a regular avocado. The flesh is much like that of a normal avocado - smooth and creamy, pale in colour and rich in flavour M&S Food and drink news Office teabags contain 17 times more germs than a toilet seat, reveals study The average bacterial reading of an office teabag was 3,785, in comparison to only 220 for a toilet seat. Other pieces of kitchen equipment also stacked up highly in their findings, with the bacterial readings averaging at 2,483 on kettle handles, 1,746 on the rim of a used mug and 1,592 on a fridge door handle Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New study shows drinking more coffee leads to a longer life There is good news and a final hope for coffee addicts and lovers. You will now be able to drink coffee for longer as new study shows its can lead to a prolonged life. Scientists showed that those who drank between two and four cups of coffee a day had 18% lower risk of death compared to non-coffee drinkers. PA Food and drink news Coke Zero is replaced with Coke Zero Sugar Coca-Cola is pulling the plug on its Coke Zero. The much loved drink will be replaced with a new improved taste. The move, backed with a 10 million campaign, is said to come from Coca-Cola supporting people to reduce their sugar intake. Coca-Cola want people make this move while not sacrificing sugary taste of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola Food and drink news Starbucks introduce new avocado spread The avocado craze has grown from hipster brunch restaurants to Starbucks. Starbucks have introduced their new avocado spread earlier this year and it has the internet in debate. Some argue that it not a spread but guacamole while others question if there is any avocado in there at all. When buying the new spread you can also buy an optional toasted bagel. It is a must try for all avocado connoisseurs. Starbucks Food and drink news New Mars chocolate bar The iconic British chocolate bar is about to get its partner in crime. The new bar, named Goodness Knows, will replace the gooey caramel goodness of the mars bar with oats. It is said to be more like a Florentine biscuit with a thin dark chocolate bottom. While being moderately healthy Mars says that is has good intentions. One pack has 154 calories and will sell for about 90p. Mars Food and drink news Wine prices could increase because of Brexit Wine lovers across the UK might soon have to shell out close to a quarter more for their favourite tipple after Brexit, as a weaker pound and sluggish economy takes its toll, a new study shows Rex Food and drink news Chocolate may be good for the heart A new study, published in the British Medical Journal: Heart, found that moderate chocolate intake can be positively associated with lessening the risk of the heart arrhythmia condition Atrial Fibrillation Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Brits throw away 1.4 million bananas each year British families are throwing away 1.4 million bananas that are perfectly good to eat every day at cost of 80m a year, new figures have shown PA/Armin Weigel Food and drink news Rosemary sales spike over exam time There has been a surge a surge in sales of the herb rosemary after a recent study found it helps improve memory. According to high street health food chain Holland & Barrett, sales of the herb have increased by 187 per cent compared to the same time last year Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Gluten-free diets 'not recommended' for people without coeliac disease Avoiding wheat, barley and rye in the belief that a gluten-free diet brings health benefits may do more harm than good, according to a team of US nutrition and medicine experts Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Starbucks launches two new coffee-based drinks Starbucks is launching two new coffee-based drinks in the UK, as it strives to tap into consumers growing appetite for healthy beverages. The Cold Brew Vanilla sweet cream and the Cappuccino Freddo, will both be available in stores throughout the UK from the start of May Twitter/@SbuxCountyHall Food and drink news Cadburys Dairy Milk Tiffin is making a permanent comeback after 80 years The Cadbury Dairy Milk Tiffin, first produced in 1937, is making a permanent comeback to the UK. The raisin and biscuit-filled chocolate bar is being launched after a successful trial last summer saw 3 million chocolate treats at the cost of 1.49 for each 95g bar- purchased by nostalgic customers Cadburys Food and drink news Pizza restaurant makes worlds cheesiest 'Scottie's Pizza Parlor' in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Facebook/Scottie's Pizza Parlor Food and drink news A pizza joint in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Why not eating before a workout could be better for your health A study published in the American Journal of Physiology by researchers at the University of Bath found you might be likely to burn more fat if you have not eaten first Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New York restaurant named best in the world A New York restaurant where an average meal for two will cost $700 has been named the best in the world. Eleven Madison Park won the accolade for the first time after debuting on the list at number 50 in 2010. The restaurant was praised for a fun sense of fine-dining, blurring the line between the kitchen and the dining room Getty Images Food and drink news Why you crave bad food when youre tired Researchers at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago recently presented their results of a study looking into the effects of sleep deprivation upon high-calorific food consumption. Researchers found that those who were sleep-deprived had specifically enhanced brain activity to the food smells compared to when they had a good nights sleep Shutterstock Food and drink news Drinking wine engages more of your brain than solving maths problems Drinking wine is the ideal workout for your brain, engaging more parts of our grey matter than any other human behaviour, according to a leading neuroscientist. Dr Gordon Shepherd, from the Yale School of Medicine, said sniffing and analysing a wine before drinking it requires exquisite control of one of the biggest muscles in the body Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news British dessert eating surges after people ditch healthy eating in February : In heartening news for anyone feeling guilty about quitting their New Year diet, it seems lots of us have given in to our sweet tooths once again. New data from nationwide food-delivery service Deliveroo reveals there was a surge in Brits ordering desserts in February compared to the first month of 2017 Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news US congress debates definition of milk alternatives A new bill has been created that seeks to ban dairy alternatives from using the term milk. Titled the DAIRY PRIDE Act, the name is a tenuous acronym for defending against imitations and replacements of yogurt, milk, and cheese to promote regular intake of dairy every day. It argues that the dairy industry is struggling as a result of all the dairy-free alternatives on the market and the public are being duped too Getty Images Food and drink news Cadburys launches two new chocolate bars UK confectionary giant Cadbury has launched two new chocolate bars, hoping to lure those with a sweet tooth and perhaps help combat some of the challenges it faces from rising commodity prices and a post-Brexit slump in the value of the pound.The companys new products will be peanut butter and mint flavoured. They will be available in most major super markets as 120g bars, priced at 1.49, according to the company Cadburys Food and drink news You can now get a job as a professional chocolate eater The company responsible for some of your favourite chocolate brands think Cadbury, Milks, Prince and Oreo have officially announced an opening to join their team as a professional chocolate taster. The successful candidate will help them to test, perfect and launch new products all over the world. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news MSG additive used in Chinese food is actually good for you, scientist claims For years, weve been told MSG (the sodium salt of glutamic acid) - often associated with cheap Chinese takeaways - is awful for our health and to be avoided at all costs. But one scientist argues it should be used as a supersalt and encourages adding it to food. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Lettuce prices are rising Not only are lettuces becoming an increasingly rare commodity in supermarkets, but prices for the leafy vegetables seem to be rising too. According to the weekly report from the Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a pair of Little Gem lettuces had an average market price of 0.86 in the week that ended on Friday, up from an average of 0.56 in the previous week thats an almost 54 per cent increase. Getty Images Food and drink news Do-It-Yourself restaurant To encourage more people to cook and eat together, IKEA has launched The Dining Club in Shoreditch a fully immersive Do-It-Yourself restaurant . Members of the public can book to host a brunch, lunch or dinner party for up to 20 friends and family. Supported by their very own sous chef and maitre de, the host and their guests will orchestrate an intimate dining experience where cooking together is celebrated and eating together is inspirational Mikael Buck / IKEA Food and drink news Ping Pong menu with a twist Gatwick Airport has teamed up with London dim sum restaurant Ping Pong to create a limited edition menu with a distinctly British twist; including a Full English Bao and Beef Wellington Puff, to celebrate the launch of the airports new route to Hong Kong Food and drink news Zizzi unveil the Maamgharita Unique pizza art has been created by Zizzi in celebration of the Queens 90th birthday. The pizza features the queen in an iconic pose illustrated with fresh and tasty Italian ingredients on a backdrop of the Union Jack Food and drink news Blue potatoes make a comeback Blue potatoes, once a staple part of British potato crops, are back on the menu thanks to a Cambridge scientist turned-organic farmer and Farmdrop, an online marketplace that lets people buy direct from local farms. Cambridge PhD graduate-turned farmer, Adrian Izzard has used traditional growing techniques at Wild Country Organics to produce the colourful spuds, packed with healthy cell-protecting anthocyanin, which had previously disappeared from UK plates when post-war farmers were pushed towards higher-yielding varieties Britain's supermarkets enjoyed a record festive period, as shoppers splashed out to fuel the fastest growth since June 2014, according to market research group Kantar Worldpanel. Sales were overall up by 1.8 per cent, but Aldi and Lidl saw far higher growth of 11.8 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively. 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 World Bank has trimmed its growth forecast for the UK, in its first major review of the state of the economy since the countrys June vote to quit the EU. In a sweeping global report, the Washington-based group says that it anticipates the UK economy to grow 1.2 per cent this year and 1.3 per cent nexta revision from previous estimates of 2.1 per cent annually for both years. It predicts growth of 1.3 per cent in 2019. The Brexit vote had limited short-term cross-border financial market spillovers, partly reflecting the commitment for further policy accommodation by major central banks, the bank writes. However, it will take time to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the EU, given the protracted nature of the negotiations for international trade agreements, and the unusual complexity of the issues in this case. In the longer term, the World Bank says that the magnitude of any adverse long-run effects will depend on the type of relationship that the UK ends up negotiating with the remainder of the bloc. The World Banks move mirrors similar revisions from the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In July, soon after the 23 June vote, the IMF cut its 2016 UK GDP growth forecast from 1.9 per cent to 1.7 per cent and the 2017 forecast from 2.2 per cent to 1.3 per cent. It doubled down in October when it trimmed its 2017 forecast further to 1.1 per cent. At the same time though, it revised up its 2016 growth forecast to 1.8 per cent on the back of stronger than expected growth in the second quarter of the year. 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 The World Bank's figures are also broadly in line with those of the UK's official domestic forecasters. The Bank of England, currently expects growth in 2017 of 1.4 per cent, followed by 1.5 per cent in 2018. The Office for Budget Responsibility, the Treasury's official forecaster, meanwhile, has projected growth in 2017 of 1.4 per cent and 1.7 per cent in 2018. 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, confronted by claims that Russian agents gathered embarrassing and compromising information about him, has chosen to side with Russia and dismiss the allegations as "utter nonsense". He has accused the US intelligence agencies of leaking information against him and likened their actions to those of Nazi Germany. In a series tweets on Wednesday morning, the President-elect posted a link to the Polizette website, run by conservative broadcaster Laura Ingraham, which carried a story dismissing the claims as unverified and posting a video of Russian President Vladimir Putin saying claims of Russian hacking were false. Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. Very unfair!, wrote Mr Trump, on this occasion mixing up his use of capital letters He added: Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! On Tuesday night, Mr Trump had dismissed as fake news, claims that Russian intelligence operatives had developed information against him that was both salacious and compromising. CNN said US intelligence officials had shared the information with Mr Trump and President Barack Obama last week. A flurry of reports in the US media said the documents on which the claims were based, generated by a former British spy who now works in opposition political research, had been around for several months but that the claims could not be verified. Trump chief adviser Kellyanne Conway denies compromising claims against President-elect As of Wednesday morning, only BuzzFeed was the only major media organisation to have published all 35 pages of the report that intelligence officials shared with Mr Trump and Mr Obama. Its decision to do so, sparked a separate debate the ethics of media outlets publishing information they themselves had admitted they could not verify. In this case, the document was in wide circulation at the highest levels of American government and media, said Ben Smith, editor in chief of the site. Publishing this dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017. Mr Trump has repeatedly denied claims that Russia was behind the hacking of Democratic Party emails in an effort to support his candidacy, despite a briefing he received from the intelligence community. I win an election easily, a great movement is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!, wrote Mr Trump. Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to leak into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? Russia has also denied claims that its intelligence agencies have compromising material about Mr Trump. Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said the allegations were pulp fiction and a clear attempt to damage relations, the BBC said. The unsubstantiated claims say his presidential campaign secretly communicated with Moscow. They also say Russia has salacious information about the US president-elect. 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 dismissed as fake news, claims that Russia officials had developed compromising and embarrassing information about him in an attempt to exert influence over him. In a tweet written entirely in capital letters, the President-elect said: Fake news a total political witch hunt. For now, he provided no other details, or evidence. The blunt comment came amid a flurry of reports that said senior US intelligence officials last week presented to both President Barack Obama and Mr Trump, a summary of unconfirmed reports that said Russia had collected compromising and salacious personal information about the 70-year-old Republican. Reports said the information suggested that the Russian authorities had for several years looked to influence Mr Trump. They also claim that Russia was able to put together compromising information, or kompromat, against him. CNN was the first to report the developments, and said the information that was collated by intelligence officials was based on memos created by political operatives opposed to Mr Trumps candidacy. Details of the reports began circulating in government and media circles last autumn and Mother Jones magazine reported at the time that US officials were trying to assess the validity of the information. The two-page summary, details of which were first reported by CNN, was presented as an appendix to the intelligence agencies report on Russian hacking efforts during the election. Reuters said the allegations partly came from memos put together by a former British intelligence operative. Trump chief adviser Kellyanne Conway denies compromising claims against President-elect The former agents company was paid, firstly by Mr Trumps Republican rivals and later by supporters of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. It said the FBI was investigating is still assessing the credibility and accuracy of the allegations, which are based primarily on information from Russian sources, but has not confirmed many essential details in the memos about Mr Trump. One reason the US intelligence chiefs took the step of including the synopsis in the briefing documents was to make Mr Trump aware that allegations about him are circulating among intelligence agencies, senior members of Congress and government officials, CNN said. An unclassified intelligence report released last Friday concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an effort to help Mr Trumps electoral chances by discrediting Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign. The report said US intelligence agencies have concluded that as part of the effort Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, used intermediaries such as WikiLeaks and others to release emails it hacked from the Democratic National Committee and top Democrats. FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday refused to say whether his bureau was investigating any possible ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign, citing policy not to comment on what the FBI might or might not be doing. The Associated Press said that Mr Comey testified at the Senates second hearing in a week addressing allegations of Russian election hacking. In late October he angered Democrats when he announced 11 days before the election that the FBI was looking at more emails as part of its investigation of Hillary Clinton. I would never comment on investigations - whether we have one or not - in an open forum like this so I cant answer one way or another, he told the Senate's intelligence committee. 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 }} Welcome to The Independents live blog of the first Prime Ministers Questions of 2017. Here are the latest updates: Theresa May is set to face Jeremy Corbyn for the first Prime Ministers Questions of 2017. It comes before Labours opposition day debate on the on-going crisis in the NHS. At the weekend the Red Cross described the situation in hospitals across the country as a humanitarian crisis. Speaking in the Commons on Monday, Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, disclosed that visits to A&E departments are up 30 per cent on last year. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said nurses on the front line had reported patients are waiting up to 23 hours in hospital corridors across the UK. It said nurses were reporting, "serious concerns over the quality of the care they can provide, in what for many are the worst conditions they have ever experienced". But Ms May could use Mr Corbyns relaunch on Tuesday against him as ammo during the session, which some claimed descended into a day of chaos when he was forced into climbdowns on both immigration and high pay. His relaunch speech stating he is not wedded to freedom of movement was altered, confusingly, by adding: But I dont want that to be misinterpreted, nor do we rule it out. 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 British rapper has been sentenced to 23 years in prison after he kidnapped, raped and tortured a woman with a burning hot iron and held her in captivity for three days. Courtney Hutchinson, known as DVS, was charged with false imprisonment and rape and will remain on the sex offenders register for life. The 32-year from Brixton, south London, dragged his victim by her hair, whipped her repeatedly with the cable from a phone charger and made her hold her hands behind her back while he punched her in the face and throat, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard. The victim managed to escape the flat naked after Hutchinson raped her and threatened to kill her. According to the Metropolitan Police, the victim suffered severe burns from a hot iron, a fractured eye socket, broken nose, dislocated shoulder and a stab wound to the hand. Detective Sergeant Jimi Tele, from Newham police, said: "I would like to praise the bravery and determination of the victim of this truly harrowing ordeal. "Her resoluteness in coming forward and working with the police in securing the imprisonment of a truly dangerous offender is worthy of the highest recognition. "The level of violence he inflicted was so severe it demonstrated his total disregard for the victim as a human being, subjecting her to levels of callousness and danger that are rarely seen." Hutchinson, known for songs such as Hometown and his part as Brownie in 2016 film The Intent, denied his involvement in July 2016, writing on Twitter: Whoever's dumb enough to think I could rape a girl then so be it. But I could never be that guy. So carry on trying slander my name. To report a crime, contact police on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 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 }} Doctors in London have said they could be on the way to wiping out HIV in the capital. The number of new HIV infections diagnosed at Londons biggest sexual health clinic nearly halved last year, with similar reductions seen at other HIV clinics. This dramatic drop occurred following the adoption of a new early-intervention treatment programme pioneered in San Francisco, reported the Evening Standard. HIV cases in the Californian city have fallen significantly in the last decade, dropping more steeply since 2012, in what has been called a healthcare miracle. Dr Alan McOwan, lead clinician at 56 Dean Street, told the newspaper new cases of HIV had either increased or remained the same for the two decades he had been working in sexual health. This [drop] is what I have been waiting 20 years to see, he said. Everyone is so excited. It makes people feel its achievable and we can finally beat this thing. Its Londons time to grab its chance. (Statista (Statista) The new programme requires patients to receive antiretroviral medicine a week after they are diagnosed as HIV-positive, which doctors aim to do within months of infection. This limits the spread of the virus by making it less likely that those who have contracted it will pass it on to their sexual partners. Last year, there were 42 per cent fewer new cases of HIV recorded at 56 Dean Street, the largest sexual health clinic in Europe that diagnoses one in nine of all HIV cases in the UK, with the number of new infections falling to 393 from 679 in 2015. Recommended Philippines facing HIV crisis after limiting access to condoms The drop in infections could also be attributable to a rise in the number of people at risk of contracting HIV buying medicine online which reduces the risk of catching the virus. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs have been approved for use in the UK but arent yet available on the NHS, so people are buying them from online pharmacies in India and Swaziland, reported the New Scientist. Nearly 600 people with HIV died last year, according to Public Health England, which has re-classified HIV from a fatal infection into a chronic manageable condition after advances in treatment. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images 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 Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the New York Times the San Francisco Model could end the worlds HIV epidemic. I love the San Francisco model, he said. If it keeps doing what it is doing, I have a strong feeling that they will be successful at ending the epidemic as we know it. Not every last case well never get there but the overall epidemic. HIV infections can be spotted earlier than previously with blood tests and laboratory techniques known as 'Recent Infection Testing Algorithm', or RITA. 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 proposal to charge firms a 1,000-a-year fee to bring in an EU skilled worker after Brexit was quickly dropped by the Government following an angry backlash. Employers groups and pro-EU politicians spoke out against the idea after it was floated by the immigration minister, one branding it idiotic. The immigration skills levy already being introduced for staff from the rest of the world could be extended to the EU, Robert Goodwill said. But, within hours, faced with the fierce criticism, Downing Street insisted the levy would not be brought in. Theresa Mays spokeswoman said: He seems to have been misinterpreted and his comments taken out of context. What he said was there are a number of things that some people may suggest could be the way forward. At no point did he say its on the agenda. And it is not on the Governments agenda, she told a regular Westminster briefing. Earlier, Seamus Nevin, of the Institute of Directors, said: Charging 1,000 for each EU worker would hit businesses who are dependent on skills from abroad. The UK needs these companies to do well if we are to make a success of Brexit. We urge the Government to reconsider this proposal. And Ufi Ibrahim, of the British Hospitality Association, described the proposal as very worrying for the hospitality and tourism industry. The ministers suggestion would increase the costs for hospitality and tourism businesses and would lead to higher prices for consumers, he added. Prominent Conservative backbencher Anna Soubry said: This would be a tax on successful businesses. And Don Foster, for the Liberal Democrats, said: This is the most idiotic thing to come out of a Ministers mouth since red white and blue Brexit. The criticism came after Mr Goodwill said the Brexit result showed voters believed that companies are relying too much on migrants from outside Britain. They had made clear that not enough was being done to ensure that the skills are available from our own people, he told a House of Lords inquiry. Mr Goodwill said an apprenticeship levy, later this year, would help the Government meet its commitment to train more than three million more apprentices by 2020. And he added: In April this year, we are also bringing in the immigration skills charge for non-EEA skilled workers. If you want to recruit an Indian computer programmer on a four-year contract, on top of the existing visa charges and the resident labour market test, there will be a fee of 1,000 per year. So, for a four-year contract that employer will need to pay a 4,000 immigration skills charge. That is something that currently applies to non-EU and it has been suggested to us that could be applied to EU. The rethink comes after an earlier Home Office plan to force businesses to reveal how many foreign staff they employ was also abandoned quickly, following widespread condemnation. 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 }} Belfasts political crisis will not delay the triggering of Article 50 and Britains exit from the European Union, Theresa May has said. It comes after the Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned on Monday, effectively ending power sharing at Stormont. The Sinn Fein politician cited concerns over the DUPs arrogance in how it has handled allegations of a major financial scandal, known as the cash for ash affair. Unless a replacement for Mr McGuinness is found within seven days a snap election will be triggered for the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly. The next election had been scheduled to be held in 2021. But the SNPs Westminster leader Angus Robertson called on the Prime Minister to postpone triggering Article 50 the untested protocol for leaving the EU if voters go to the polls because it would leave Northern Ireland voiceless in the Brexit process. In these circumstances will she postpone Article 50 or will she just plough on regardless? he asked. But Ms May said she wanted a swift resolution to the political crisis in Northern Ireland, adding: It is still the case that ministers are in place and that obviously there are executives in place, that we are still able to take the views of the Northern Ireland people. Shortly after Prime Ministers Questions, Ms Mays spokeswoman said she understood Stormont ministers would continue to hold their positions in a caretaker role during any election. The spokeswoman added: Obviously the situation is in flux and we are doing all we can to try to find a way through, including by the PM speaking to the Irish Taoiseach last night about the situation. There is now a window before elections could be called, and we are not going to get ahead of ourselves. We have been clear on the timetable for triggering Article 50 and we will be sticking to that. She added: We are going to focus on how we can support political stability in Northern Ireland, recognising the progress thats been made and not wanting to put that at risk and engaging with all the parties. A Labour spokesman said the party wanted a Commons debate on the Governments Brexit negotiating position as urgently as possible and before the invocation of Article 50. The crisis in Northern Ireland cant be allowed to derail Mrs Mays plan to table Article 50 by the end of March, added the Labour source. We are not in any way seeking any such delay... we wont do anything to frustrate the passing of Article 50 weve made that clear time and again and we dont want delay in it. During a phone call on Tuesday Ms May and the Irish Taoiseach, Edna Kenny, according to Downing Street, recognised the difficulties and seriousness of the situation. A spokesperson added: In addition, they spoke about how the Northern Ireland Secretary and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, will be working very closely together over the next few days and months to support the parties of Northern Ireland in finding a resolution. The Prime Minister also said how important it was to make sure that Northern Irelands voice and interests are heard as we prepare to leave European Union and how the Northern Ireland Secretary is fully committed to making this happen. She added that it was still our intention to hold a Joint Ministerial Committee at the end of the month to bring the devolved nations together in getting the best deal for the whole of the United Kingdom. They also agreed to maintain regular contact over the comings months. 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 }} Downing Street has launched a forthright attack on the Russian government after it accused the UK of starting a witch hunt against the Kremlin and driving a wedge between Moscow and Washington. Theresa Mays official spokesperson responded to the accusations with a lengthy criticism of Vladimir Putins record in power, suggesting it has been characterised with low economic growth, blocking in the UN and suppressing free speech. It marks a low in relations between the two countries as they both prepare for the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump only this morning the Russian Embassy in London suggested Boris Johnson is trying to start a new Cold War between Russia and the US. Recommended Trump attacks unverified report over relationship with Russia Speaking after Prime Ministers Questions, Ms Mays spokesperson said claims from the embassy that Britain is briefing Mr Trumps team against Moscow do not merit a response. But she then added: If you want to look at the record of the UK Government in recent years and make comparisons with the Russians, you might think about negative economic growth in Russia and the UK being one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world; how many times the UK has consistently advanced and supported UN Security Council resolutions on Syria. I think Russia was meanwhile vetoing them; the fact that we have freedom of expression and a free press in the UK who will choose what they report. Those are just the realities of the UK Government versus the Russians. You ought to look at what the UK Governments record of actions are and what the Russian record of actions are. Trump's advisor suggests Obama's sanctions against Russia are to 'box in' the incoming President The outburst came as US media published a dossier, compiled by an ex-British spy, which includes disputed allegations that Russian secret services have gathered a file of compromising information about President-elect Trump. Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson also claimed in the House of Commons this week that Russia was up to all sorts of very dirty tricks such as cyber warfare. It led to the Russian Embassy in London claiming that the Cabinet minister is attempting to divide Washington and Moscow and begin the Cold War again, something dismissed as complete rubbish by sources close to Mr Johnson. A spokesperson for Jeremy Corbyn called for a ratcheting down of tensions between Russia and the West, particularly on the border between Nato countries and Russia and in the Middle East. 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 }} Leaving the single market as well as the European Union would be a disaster for British universities, leading academics have warned. A panel of university Vice-Chancellors told the Education Select Committee that universities were already feeling the consequences of the vote to leave the European Union, particularly through the falling pound discouraging foreign academics to come to the UK to work. At Cambridge University, applications from other EU countries have already dropped by 14 per cent. Alistair Fitt, vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, said: "It would probably be the biggest disaster for the universities sector in many years." John Latham, vice-chancellor of Coventry University, said it would make British universities "extremely uncompetitive". Catharine Barnard, EU law professor at the University of Cambridge, said: "It promptly cuts off the flow of excellent people who are coming at the moment." Prof Barnard said there had already been a drop in EU student applications. "This year we have seen at Cambridge a 14% reduction in the number of applications from the European Union at undergraduate level, although I should say the number of applications from EU students at postgraduate level are up," she said. "In respect of those who have declined an offer from Cambridge at postgraduate level, we have put a question in the so-called decliners survey to say 'what was it that dissuaded you from coming?' "Those who answered the question offered a range of factors from a concern about anti-immigrant sentiment to devaluation of the pound and the fact that their scholarships would be worth less, although obviously not in the UK, and uncertainty over future research collaboration." Prof Fitt told MPs the UK does not "get as much out" of some research and innovation funding pots as it puts in. He said: "European structural funding is very important for the UK but the UK, I believe, doesn't get as much out of it as they put in. "Structural funding can also come with quite a few strings attached, can come with quite a few risks and can be quite hard to manage. "So, if we were able to replace the amount of structural funding with our own funds, that's a real opportunity that we could not only retain all that's best in that system, but actually make it an even better system." Alastair Buchan, head of Brexit strategy at the University of Oxford, said the sector had been hit when Britain joined the EU. He said: "One of the things that we did lose was that nice and easy flow of clinicians and clinician science from Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. "We had really good collaborations, which hopefully in this Brexit climate might be reinvented, because that movement of English-speaking medicine was actually a casualty of joining Europe." Postgraduates from EU countries working in the UK are already considering moving abroad as the status of their right to remain in the UK after Brexit is not yet certain. Anne Corbett, an associate at the London School of Economics said action was needed to prevent a "brain drain". Dr Corbett told MPs: "I think that the issue we're talking about here is actually one which requires Government intervention and it requires it before the negotiations start. "I would say that were the Government to come out of its kind of purdah, or whatever it's called, and say that from the start it would be creating a much more positive climate, to assure that EU citizens here were safe, which in the end is helpful all round." 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 }} Momentum has introduced a new constitution, announcing it will now aim to affiliate to Labour and require all its members to join the party to retain their membership. The organisation, set up in the wake of Jeremy Corbyns first victory in the Labour Party leadership contest in 2015, announced the sweeping changes to its structure following months of sharp internal divisions. It means new members of Momentum must be members of the Labour Party in order to join the organisation. Existing members will be required to join Labour by the beginning of July. The move will likely affect activists such as a Jackie Walker, who is on the organisations steering committee, but currently suspended from the Labour Party following her remarks on Holocaust Memorial Day earlier this year. Writing on Facebook, Ms Walker added: "So now we have it - a leftie version of Progress that will drift to the right". It could call into question the role of Jill Mountford, who is on Momentums steering committee but was expelled from Labour earlier this year for due to her association with the Alliance for Workers Liberty a Trotskyist grouping. But Momentum sources insisted those suspended from Labour will remain members. Expelled members, however, may be deemed to have resigned from the organisation but have the right to hearing. The aim to affiliate to the Labour could also create further tensions between activists and MPs in the party. Tom Blenkinsop, the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: I will be opposing this with every fibre of my body. During the Labour leadership race in the summer of 2016, Owen Smith, who was challenging Mr Corbyn, claimed Momentum was using Labour as a host body and was often a source of a heated debate over deselections. Labour does not rule out backing freedom of movement after Brexit, says Corbyn In an email to members of the steering committee Jon Lansman, the organisations founder, architect, and loyal ally of Mr Corbyn, said: The constitution may not be perfect in everyones eyes, but, whatever the process we follow, it is common ground that we need one, and it is surely better to have it now and amend it later by a process that is indisputable. One Momentum source told The Independent: I am disappointed and alarmed by this manoeuvre. As a momentum activist heavily involved in my local Labour Party, it is mind-boggling to see Momentum's leadership which spends so much time lecturing us about turning outwards and away from internal politics - spend so much energy on a petty faction fight. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images 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 Following a survey by Momentum - to which over 40 per cent of members responded - the organisations steering committee voted by majority to introduce the new constitution. A Momentum spokesperson added: Momentum is moving forwards as the outwards-looking, campaigning movement that our members want it to be. Over the coming months, Momentum will continue to grow, building our movement to encourage more people to participate in politics and help Labour harness its new mass membership to win power and rebuild and transform Britain. Recommended Momentum has revealed itself as nothing more than a Corbyn fan club Michael Chessum, a Momentum activist, told The Independent: Momentum has the potential to transform British politics. The strength of this movement is at its grassroots - in the thousands of activists who toil inside Labour, for Labour and in communities. Those ordinary members and activists deserve to be part of a democratic movement, not just be foot soldiers. Like a majority of Momentum's members, I remain committed to an organisation where we use compromise to bring about unity and a sense of common purpose. We cannot allow that to be derailed. In the coming months the organisation is expected to mobilise its members for the crucial Copeland by-election, which was triggered following the resignation of the Labour MP Jamie Reed a persistent critic of the Corbyn project. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May has defended the Governments handling of NHS pressures in response to doctors' warnings of a dangerous crisis in the health service. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) joined the British Medical Association and other medical authorities to demand an urgent boost to health and social care funding after the British Red Cross warned of a humanitarian crisis in NHS hospitals. But the Prime Minister and Jeremy Hunt have said health funding is already at record levels and have instead suggested steps be taken to reform the NHS blaming a number of different factors for the problems faced by the service. May calls Red Cross 'irresponsible' The elderly We acknowledge that there are pressures on the health service, there are always extra pressures on the NHS in the winter, but we have the added pressures of the ageing population and the growing complex needs of the population, Ms May told Parliament. Waits of over 12 hours in A&E among elderly people have more than doubled in two years, according to the latest figures from NHS Digital. The RCP said Government investment was needed to match the demand placed on the health service by the ageing population with the resources to meet it. Pressures in social care are pushing more people into our hospitals and trapping them there for longer, said the letter. Without urgent investment, the NHS will fail to live up to this responsibility this winter. The Department of Health told The Independent increasing demand from an ageing population made building a safer healthcare system more urgent, not less, but said plenty was being done to address the increased pressures on the system. Since just last year, we have 3,100 more nurses and 1,600 more doctors. Were also joining up health and social care for the first time and investing 10bn to fund the NHS's own plan to transform services and relieve pressure on hospitals. Patients going to A&E instead of seeing their GPs The Health Secretary has called for a honest discussion with the public about the purpose of A&E departments, saying that around a third of A&E patients were in hospital unnecessarily. Mr Hunt told Radio 4s Today programme the NHS now had more doctors, nurses and funding than ever, but explained what he called very serious problems at some hospitals by suggesting pressures were increasing in part because people are going to A&Es when they should not. He urged patients to visit their GP for non-emergency illnesses, outlined plans to release time for family doctors to support urgent care work, and said the NHS will soon be able to deliver seven-day access to a GP from 8am to 8pm. But doctors struggling amid a GP recruitment crisis said Mr Hunts plans were unrealistic and demanded the Government commit to investing in all areas of the overstretched health service. Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMAs GP committee, told The Independent family doctors were already working flat out but often struggling to keep up with the rocketing number of patients coming through the surgery doors. GP services are already overstretched and at full capacity with one in three practices reporting doctor vacancies left unfilled as this, coupled with contracting budgets and rising patient demand, has left many GP practices struggling to provide the necessary care to their patients, he said. In 2014, Mr Hunt said he had taken his children to A&E because he didnt want to wait for a GP appointment. Simon Stevens, head of NHS England Reports that key members of Ms Mays team used internal meetings to accuse Simon Stevens, head of NHS England, of being unenthusiastic and unresponsive have been rejected by Downing Street. Mr Stevens has allegedly rejected claims made by Ms May that the NHS had been given more funding than required, according to The Times. The newspaper reported the Prime Ministers staff have been irritated at Mr Stevens' political interventions, including urging ministers to pay for social care by cutting pensioner benefits. In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Doctor in acute medicine, Melissa Haskins, holds up a 'I ain't afraid of no Hunt' sign whilst striking with other junior doctors outside her hospital, St Thomas' Hospital in London Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Accident and emergency junior doctor, Jennifer Hulse, holds a homemade placard outside St Thomas' Hospital as she strikes with colleagues in London Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Demonstrators and Junior doctors hold placards as they protest outside the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, in Basingstoke during a strike by junior doctors Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Demonstrators and Junior doctors hold placards as they protest outside the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, in Basingstoke during a strike by junior doctors Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike A supporter displays a slogan on her bag during a junior doctors' strike outside St Thomas' Hospital in London Reuters In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike The picket line outside King's College Hospital in London PA In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike The picket line outside King's College Hospital in London, as thousands of junior doctors begun the first all-out strike in the history of the NHS after the Health Secretary said the Government would not be "blackmailed" into dropping its manifesto pledge for a seven-day health service PA In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Junior doctors and supporters take part in a strike outside the Royal United Hospital in Bath Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Doctor in acute medicine, Melissa Haskins, holds up a 'I ain't afraid of no Hunt' sign whilst striking with other junior doctors outside her hospital, St Thomas' Hospital in London Getty Images In pictures: Junior doctors first all-out strike Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary visits a British Medical Association picket line at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, to show support for striking junior doctors on the second day of the union's annual health conference PA Addressing the claims about Downing Street staff, a Number 10 source said: We don't recognise any of this, while a separate source described the claims as nonsense. Mr Stevens will appear before the House of Commons public accounts committee this afternoon to respond to questions of whether the NHS is sufficiently funded amid calls of a crisis from doctors and leading medical bodies. Previous health policy, not funding In an interview with Sky Newss Sophy Ridge, Ms May acknowledged the NHS faced pressures but said it was a problem that had been ducked by government over the years. She refuted the claim that hospitals were tackling a humanitarian crisis and said health funding was at record levels. We asked the NHS a while back to set out what it needed over the next five years in terms of its plan for the future and the funding that it would need, said the Prime Minister. They did that, we gave them that funding, in fact we gave them more funding than they required Funding is now at record levels for the NHS, more money has been going in. But doctors accused Ms May of being in denial about how the lack of additional funding provided for health and social care were behind a spiralling crisis in NHS hospitals. Target to treat all A&E patients within four hours Mr Hunt was accused on Monday of watering down the flagship target to treat all A&E patients within four hours. The Health Secretary told MPs the promise introduced by Tony Blairs government in 2000 should only be for those who actually need it. Amid jeers in the Commons, Mr Hunt said only four other countries pledged to treat all patients within a similar timeframe and all had less stringent rules. But Ms May has now said the Government will stand by the four-hour target for A&E, which says 95 per cent of patients must be dealt with within that time frame. No one Mr Hunt was accused of hiding from the public eye following news of the Red Crosss comments and didnt make an official statement for two days. He was also filmed refusing to answer questions from journalists who pursued him down the street yesterday to ask whether he planned to scrap the four-hour A&E waiting time target. Recommended Jeremy Hunt got chased down the road by a reporter and it was awkward Sky News reporter Beth Rigby pressed the Health Secretary on his position on the matter, saying the public will want to know, Mr Hunt. Sorry Beth, Ive answered questions about this already, replied Mr Hunt. But you didnt answer questions on this. You said it was over-interpreted in the House of Commons and you didnt want to water it down. Is that what youre saying? said Ms Rigby. Its very difficult, because how are we going to explain to the public what your intention is, when you change your position and then wont answer the question, Mr Hunt. But the Health Secretary maintained his silence until he reached his car and got in. 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 }} NHS chief Simon Stevens warned Theresa May that problems in the health service are set to grow, as he clashed with her on both spending and social care. Giving evidence to MPs, Mr Stevens rejected the Prime Ministers claim to have given the NHS more money than he asked for arguing it would receive less. And he warned that delayed discharges a key measure of the social care crisis, which keeps the elderly in hospital unnecessarily had doubled over the last three years. Just hours earlier, in the Commons, Ms May had insisted discharge problems were confined to a small number of areas and that funding was going up. Health professionals have warned of a crisis now, but Mr Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England, said: 2018 is poised to be the toughest year. That was because funding has been back-ended to end of the decade and will actually fall in real terms in the 2018-19 financial year, he explained. Mr Stevens also said: Like probably every part of the public service we got less than we asked for in that process. So I think it would be stretching it to say the NHS has got more than it asked for. There are clearly very substantial pressures, and I dont think it helps anybody to try and pretend that there arent. Yet, last year, the Prime Minister insisted: We have given the NHS more than the extra money they said they wanted for their five-year plan. Mr Stevens spoke out after reports of tension with No.10 because of irritation about his unenthusiastic attitude towards making savings. Throughout the two-hour session, he appeared irritated with Downing Street himself saying he was campaigning against social care cuts, enthusiastically I might add. At one point, Mr Stevens dismissed the Department of Healths top civil servants defence of NHS spending, saying: We are spending 30 per cent less per person than Germans are. Ominously for Ms May, he told the Commons Public Accounts Committee it was right to refresh the five-year NHS plan by the end of March, setting out what was now affordable. Jonathan Ashworth, Labours Shadow Health Secretary, seized on Mr Stevens evidence to accuse the Prime Minister of having buried her head in the sand. He said: Theresa May needs to come out of her bunker, admit she's got it wrong and guarantee the funding the NHS needs. Number 10 should listen to the experts like Simon Stevens and not be briefing against him. Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, said it was blame the expert time again from the Conservatives, adding: Simon Stevens has heroically kept the NHS afloat, despite its scandalous lack of funding. Mr Stevens has warned previously that much of a promised extra 10bn each year for the NHS will not arrive until the end of the decade. The health service had only received what it asked for in this financial year, he said with less cash than requested between 2017 and 2020. MPs have said cash has been diverted from other areas of the health budget, so the real overall rise is only 4.5bn over six years. 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 }} Russia has accused Britain of preparing an official witch-hunt against president Vladimir Putin's administration amid panic and hysterics over a loss of control in Europe. The Russian embassy to Britain posted online an extraordinary attack on the Government, accusing it of planning to brief Donald Trump's incoming United States administration against Moscow. It comes as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares for her first meeting with the US president-elect, expected in the spring, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Russia was up to all sorts of very dirty tricks such as cyber warfare. The embassy also speculated that the Government was seeking to rerun the Brexit referendum by claiming it was tainted by Russian influence and attacked the British intelligence services. It directly criticised former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove for standing down from a Cambridge University intelligence forum over fears of Kremlin influence. The embassy also suggested the UK was being hypocritical when criticising alleged Russian war crimes in Syria, highlighting the use of British-made banned cluster bombs in the civil war in Yemen by a Saudi-led coalition. And it claimed Britain had once again outsourced the fight against extremism to Russia. Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Show all 14 1 /14 Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 23: A woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A child walks past a graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a bar in the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, May 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural People walk past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A young woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the slogan "make everything great again," in reference to Trump's campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again," on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A morning commuter stops to look at a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas pose next to a mural on the wall of his establishment depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. / AFP / Petras Malukas (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images) Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A passerby photographs a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Getty Ultimately, defeating Nazi Germany was 'outsourced' to the Soviet Union, the post said. In Syria, overlooking Isis and then 'Nusra' (al-Nusra Front), both proscribed by the UN, means pretty much the same. It added: We don't expect HMG (Her Majesty's Government) to win this argument in an open and reasoned debate. We also think that it is plainly wrong for one UNSC (UN Security Council) permanent member to brief against another. And we challenge the mainstream British media to publish this comment. PA 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 }} Russia has launched a fresh attack on Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, accusing him of trying to start a new Cold War by driving a wedge between Russia and America. The countrys embassy in London said Mr Johnson was pursuing the "opposite objective" to that sought by Margaret Thatcher as she tried to end the decades long stand-off. It comes after the Foreign Secretary said Vladimir Putins regime is "up to all sorts of very dirty tricks" in the world, such as cyber warfare, and amid claims that the country holds compromising material on US President-elect Donald Trump. Trump chief adviser Kellyanne Conway denies compromising claims against President-elect Using its official Twitter account, the embassy said: "Thatcher went to US to mend relations [between] Washington & Moscow & end Cold War, @Boris_Johnson pursued the opposite objective". Sources close to the Foreign Secretary dismissed the accusation as "complete rubbish" after it was made online on Wednesday. Mr Johnson has just returned from a trip to the States where he told Mr Trumps team that Russia is up to "dirty tricks" and was behind hacking during the presidential election. However, he also told the Commons on Tuesday that it would be wrong for Britain "to demonise Russia or push Russia into a corner". Mr Trump himself has expressed skepticism about links between Russia and the hacking of Democrats emails, while Mr Johnsons intervention saw Moscow accuse the UK of pursuing a "witch hunt". The embassy has also speculated that the Government was seeking to rerun the Brexit referendum by claiming it was tainted by Russian influence and attacked the British intelligence services. It directly criticised former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove for standing down from a Cambridge University intelligence forum over fears of Kremlin influence. In Washington, a classified briefing on Russian hacking given to both President Barack Obama and the President-elect, included allegations that Mr Trump or his surrogates had direct contact with the Kremlin before and during the 2016 election campaign. It also details "perverted sexual acts" involving prostitutes alleged to have taken place in a hotel room in Moscow. The suggestion is that the claims could have been used by Russia to compromise the incoming US President. 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 }} Northern Ireland should not return to British direct rule because the region would be at the mercy of a hard Brexit government, according to the leader of the main nationalist opposition party. Colum Eastwood, the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), however, called for joint British-Irish rule if no positive election result is reached at the Stormont assembly. But in a significant move, he rejected direct British rule claiming that Northern Ireland where over 55 per cent voted to Remain at the EU referendum would be at the mercy of a hard Brexit British government and without a voice. Belfasts current political crisis comes after Martin McGuiness, the deputy first minister resigned on Monday, effectively ending power sharing at Stormont. The Sinn Fein politician cited concerns over the DUPs arrogance in how it has handled allegations of a major financial scandal, known as the cash for ash affair. Unless a replacement for Mr McGuiness is found within seven days a snap election will be triggered for the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly. The next election had not been due to be held until 2021. However, if the parties in Northern Ireland fail to reach a consensus on a devolved administration following an election the region could then return temporarily to the control of Westminster, under Theresa Mays authority. But Mr Eastwood has rejected this, adding there must be joint British-Irish rule. If post election an executive cannot be formed, the only acceptable position for the nationalist community is joint authority between the Irish and British governments. We cannot allow a DUP-run government to be solely replaced by British direct rule ministers, he said in a statement on his partys website. Theresa May, the British secretary of state and the DUP need to understand that there can be no return to what has gone before. He continued: Joint authority allows a balance of voices between the two traditions on this island. That balance is the basis of all our agreements and it is the accommodation we all signed up to. In the absence of a functioning assembly and executive, that balance can only be served through joint authority. 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 This is particularly important in the context of BrexitIn the absence of an executive, British direct rule would mean we are at the mercy of a hard Brexit British government. Joint authority will mean we have a voice at the Brexit table, a voice that could stand against attempts to ignore the will of our people, a voice that could represent the interests of the entire island and represent the majority of the people in the north, who voted to remain in the European Union. But Mr Brokenshire has insisted he will continue to push for a resolution to the crisis engulfing Stormont. "My focus is on the here and now, on what can be achieved now, on what opportunities there are, what the potential may be to bring people together, rather than see people be driven further apart," he added. Theresa May also used her weekly session Prime Ministers Questions sessions to dismiss that the Government would delay the triggering of Article 50 the untested protocol for leaving the EU as a result of the situation in Northern Ireland. Her spokeswoman added: "Obviously the situation is in flux and we are doing all we can to try to find a way through, including by the PM speaking to the Irish Taoiseach last night about the situation. "There is now a window before elections could be called, and we are not going to get ahead of ourselves. We have been clear on the timetable for triggering Article 50 and we will be sticking to that." She added: "We are going to focus on how we can support political stability in Northern Ireland, recognising the progress that's been made and not wanting to put that at risk and engaging with all the parties." 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 national hero chief doctor leading the fight against the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in Sierra Leone has himself been infected with the disease, the presidents office has announced. Sheik Umar Khan, a 39-year-old virologist who is personally credited with treating more than 100 Ebola victims, has now been admitted to a treatment ward at the heart of the outbreak in Kailahun. According to the latest data from the World Health Organisation, the virus has killed more than 600 people across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone including 19 new deaths in just the four days prior to Saturdays report. There is no vaccination, specific treatment or cure for Ebola, which has in the past killed up to 90 per cent of those infected. The mortality rate of the present outbreak currently stands at around 60 per cent. In the statement from the presidents office, the Health Minister Miatta Kargbo said she was in tears when she heard the news about Dr Khan. She described him as a national hero and pledged to do anything and everything in my power to ensure he survives. Sheik Umar Khan, head doctor fighting the deadly tropical virus Ebola in Sierra Leone in Freetown, June 25, 2014 (Reuters) Dr Khan was taken to an Ebola ward run by the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, which has in recent weeks described the diseases West African outbreak as out of control. He is not the first health worker to contract the disease in recent weeks, and on Monday dozens of nurses at the government hospital in Kenema one of the worlds leading Ebola diagnosis facilities went on strike following the death of three colleagues, the BBC reported. It was nonetheless not immediately clear how Dr Khan came to be infected. The disease is passed on through bodily fluids such as sweat and saliva but on a visit to the Kenema facility in late June, Reuters reporters heard how the doctor was always meticulous with protection, wearing overalls, mask, gloves and special footwear. Nevertheless, Khan told reporters he was worried about the prospect of contracting Ebola. I am afraid for my life, I must say, because I cherish my life, he said in an interview, showing no signs of ill health at the time. Health workers are prone to the disease because we are the first port of call for somebody who is sickened by disease. Even with the full protective clothing you put on, you are at risk. 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 }} Barack Obama clutched his handkerchief as he delivered his final address as President in his Chicago hometown: the very place he launched his campaign a decade ago. But while the world witnessed the outgoing President warn of the dangers of anti-immigrant sentiment, economic inequality and taking democracy for granted, there was a notable absence from the stage. Michelle Obama and their daughter Malia were there to hear his emotional farewell speech but his youngest daughter Sasha was nowhere to be seen. This was quickly picked up on and a Where Is Sasha hashtag trended on Twitter. People speculated about all sorts of hypothetical things the 15-year-old could be doing, from setting Home Alone traps for Trump to physically obstructing the incoming President from entering the White House. In reality, the reason was as mundane as her school not letting her attend her fathers final speech as US president because she had an exam the following morning. Michelle Obama as the First Lady Show all 11 1 /11 Michelle Obama as the First Lady Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Mark Knoller, CBS News White House Correspondent, said a White House official informed him she stayed in Washington. Where was Sasha? WH Official says she stayed back in DC tonight because she has an exam at school tomorrow morning, Knoller said. The outgoing First Lady put her arm around her 18-year-old daughter Malia as her husband delivered his speech. Malia, Mr Obama said, gesturing to his eldest daughter, "And Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful - and you are full of passion. And bore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily, he continued. Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad. Sasha is a student at Sidwell Friends, a private school in Washington which was attended by Chelsea Clinton, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Archibald Roosevelt. Sasha was the youngest child to live in the White House since John F Kennedy entered it as a young boy in 1961. Barack Obama pays tearful tribute to wife Michelle in farewell address Mr Obama recently had a hopeful message for his daughters after they witnessed Mr Trumps shock win and the defeat of the first female presidential candidate. He reminded them to remain positive and fight for people, encouraging them not to worry about an apocalypse but focus on moving forward. 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 Barack Obama all but closed the book on his eight-year presidency during an impassioned farewell speech, touting the successes of his two terms in the White House, but warned against impending threats against democracy rooted in fear. Mr Obama gave his forceful speech amid an a corrosive political climate as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Mr Trump campaigned on overturning many of the progressive policies the President enacted the first of which being the Affordable Care Act; the fate immigration, environmental, and womens issues hang in the balance. The speech had somewhat of a cautionary tone throughout, as Mr Obama leaves office with a rather high approval rating at 56 per cent, he urged Americans that much work still lies ahead despite the progresses he made while in office. Amid the uncertainty, hostility, and aggressive push from the GOP to erase Mr Obamas legacy, he took the opportunity to the sold out arena in his hometown of Chicago to defend his administrations work, and espoused American ideals that many believe Mr Trumps incoming administration as well as the partisan rift in US government threaten. Democracy can buckle when it gives into fear. So just as we as citizens must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are, he said. Thats why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans who are just as patriotic as we are. Thats why we cannot withdraw from big global fights to expand democracy and humans rights and LGBT rights. He called out the tensions dividing Americans living in their ideological bubbles, making them susceptible to politicised inaccuracies like false claims on social media, disinformation and propaganda, and other media based on beliefs rather than evidence. The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 Show all 10 1 /10 The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama thank supporters during the Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Obama was sworn in for his second term earlier in the day. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive for the Inaugural Ball at the Walter Washington Convention Center January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Obama started his second term by taking the Oath of Office earlier in the day during a ceremony on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive for the Inaugural Ball at the Walter Washington Convention Center January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Obama started his second term by taking the Oath of Office earlier in the day during a ceremony on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 U.S. President Barack Obama dances with first lady Michelle Obama during the Inaugural Ball January 21, 2013 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama ride in a golf cart an Inaugural ball 1/20/09 Official White House Photo by Pete Souza Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance during the Youth Inaugural Ball at the Hilton Washington in Washington, DC, January 20, 2009. Obama was sworn in as the 44th US president earlier in the day. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 (L-R) US President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and president-elect Barack Obama stand outside the Diplomatic entrance of the White House on November 10, 2008 in Washington. Obama is visiting the White House at the invitation of Bush ahead of his January 20, 2009 inauguration as the next president. AFP PHOTO/Tim SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images) Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 (L-R) US President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and president-elect Barack Obama stand outside the Diplomatic entrance of the White House on November 10, 2008 in Washington. Obama is visiting the White House at the invitation of Bush ahead of his January 20, 2009 inauguration as the next president. AFP PHOTO/Tim SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 US President George W. Bush and president-elect Barack Obama make their way through the Colonnade on November 10, 208 to a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Obama is visiting the White House at the invitation of Bush ahead of his January 20, 2009 inauguration as the next president. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The Obamas celebrate the Inauguration in 2009 and 2013 performs during MTV & ServiceNation: Live From The Youth Inaugural Ball at the Hilton Washington on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States today, becoming the first African-American to be elected President of the US. Getty Images In the rise of naked partisanship and increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste, all this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable, he said. And increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether its true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on evidence that is out there. Mr Obama called on discussion between opposing voices, to reach compromise, and to step away from the computer screens and to speak to each other face-to-face: If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. But the President, 10 days away from no longer holding that title, used the platform to confront the persistence of racism in the US an experience that critics of racial discourse often wrote off because a black man took his seat in the Oval Office. After my election there was talk of a post-racial America. And such a vision, however well intended, was never realistic, he said. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and an undeserving minority, then workers of all shades are going to be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves, Mr Obama added. A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account Show all 10 1 /10 A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas President Barack Obama's Personal Secretary Ferial Govashiri shows him how to make the sign of the anteater, mascot of the University of California, Irvine, prior to the UCI commencement at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Saturday, 14 June, 2014. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas First Lady Michelle Obama visits with families working on crafts at Maryland Fisher House IV at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, 14 April, 2014. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas First Lady Michelle Obama and Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker pose for a selfie in the Blue Room prior to the White House Talent Show on 20 May, 2014. Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas President Barack Obama jokes with a youngster while walking down Grand Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, 26 June, 2014. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas President Barack Obama, with First Lady Michelle Obama, greets a young boy during the Cannon Ball Flag Day Celebration at the Cannon Ball powwow grounds during a visit to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation in Cannon Ball, N.D., June 13, 2014. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas President Barack Obama eats ice cream as the press covers his visit to the Grand Ole Creamery on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, 26 June, 2014. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas First Lady Michelle Obama reacts to seeing her initials welded onto a steel plate by welder Michael Macomber during a keel-laying ceremony for the USS Illinois at the General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in North Kingston, R.I., June 2, 2014. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas President Barack Obama walks with U.S. Secret Service agents to Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, 8 May, 2014. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas President Barack Obama holds a bobblehead doll of himself in the Outer Oval Office, 14 May, 2014. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza A glimpse into the lives of the Obamas... via the White House Flickr account The Obamas President Barack Obama talks with 8 year-old members of Girl Scout Troop 2612 from Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the 2014 White House Science Fair, in the Blue Room of the White House, 27 May, 2014. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza He continued: If were unwilling to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they dont look like us, we will diminish the prospects of our own children because those brown kids will represent a larger and larger share of Americas workforce. The President made references to his historic 2008 campaign, reciting Yes we can amid his call to action to Americans to help rebuild and restore democracy in the country. It falls to each of us to be those anxious jealous guardians of our democracy, he said. Embrace the joyous task we have been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours because, for all our outward differences, we in fact all share the same proud type, the most important office in a democracy: citizen. Citizen. We must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. @POTUS #ObamaFarewell https://t.co/pRwmeNAWmg The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2017 So, you see, thats what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when theres an election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. In his final curtain call, Mr Obama grew more emotional when he gave thanks to his wife, Michelle; daughters, Malia and Sasha, to his staffers; and to his vice president, Joe Biden, to whom he referred as a brother. When the first black president of the United States left the stage, he assured Americans, his supporters, and the many marginalised people to whom he has devoted his entire political career that began in Chicago that his work was not done and neither was theirs. My fellow Americans, it has been the honour of my life to serve you, he said. I wont stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my remaining days. But for now, whether you are young or whether youre young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your president the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours. 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 }} Barack Obama has delivered an affectionate tribute to his wife and best friend Michelle Obama in his final address to the American people. In an emotional farewell speech before Donald Trump assumes office next week, the President thanked Ms Obama for making the White House a place that belongs to everybody. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side. For the past 25 years you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend, he said. The lawyer and First Lady attended the address in Chicago with 18-year-old daughter Malia as Mr Obama thanked his family for the sacrifices they had made to allow him to follow his political dreams. The President said being father to his daughters Malia and Sasha, who had worn the burden of years in the spotlight so easily, was the thing he was most proud of in his life. He spoke of the pride Ms Obama had inspired in him and people across the US during her eight years as First Lady. You took on a role you didnt ask for, and you made it your own, with grace and with grit and with style and good humour, he said. Michelle Obama as the First Lady Show all 11 1 /11 Michelle Obama as the First Lady Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. So, you have made me proud and you have made the country proud. Mr Obama gave a forceful speech amid an a corrosive political climate as President-elect Trump prepares to take office. Mr Trump campaigned on overturning many of the progressive policies the President enacted the first of which being the Affordable Care Act; the fate of immigration, environmental, and womens issues hang in the balance. Ms Obama delivered her final remarks as First Lady last week, making an emotional defence of the nation's diversity and telling her young audience "the country belongs to you". Speaking at the White House during an event to honour school counsellors, she said she hoped she had made people proud. 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 emotional Barack Obama was in tears as he paid tribute to his wife Michelle during his farewell speech. Speaking in his home state of Chicago, he described his wife as his best friend and also addressed his two daughters Malia and Sasha. In his last major speech before Donald Trump assumes office next week, the President only had to say the word Michelle for the crowd to give the first lady a standing ovation. You took on a role you didnt ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour, Mr Obama said. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. So, you have made me proud and you have made the country proud, he added. Michelle Obama as the First Lady Show all 11 1 /11 Michelle Obama as the First Lady Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Ms Obama delivered her final speech as First Lady last week and told the audience the country belongs to you as she defended diversity. During the speech she said she hoped she had made people proud. 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 the hills of Hollywood, Donald Trump is almost universally hated and out and proud Trump supporters are a rare breed. As such, a slew of actors have come forward to applaud Meryl Streeps six minute rebuke of the President-elect at the Golden Globes. Ben Affleck is the latest actor to do so and has poked fun at the billionaire developers assertion that Streep is one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood. Streep used the last high-profile Hollywood event before Mr Trumps inauguration to condemn the incoming President for imitating a disabled reporter. Mr Trump responded by launching into a Twitter rant against her which labelled her a Hillary flunky who lost big and questioned her acting skills. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday night, Affleck said: If theres one thing truly in the world that we know its not true, its that Meryl Streep is overrated. Its like Gandhi: terrible leader! he added. Kimmel suggested that overrated might be the nicest insult that Mr Trump is capable of giving. 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 I guess, Affleck responded. But pick a better shot than the person whose photograph actually accompanies Great Actress in the encyclopedia. But Mr Trump has not always been critical of Streep - in a 2015 interview he said she was excellent and a fine person too. In her speech, Streep said Mr Trumps imitation of a disabled reporter was the one performance this year which shocked her. She argued it legitimised bullying and filtered down into the attitudes of wider society. There was one performance this year that stunned me. It sank its hooks in my heart, she said as she accepted the Cecil B DeMille award. It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter. Someone he outranked in privilege, power and the capacity to fight back. Streep is referring to the incident when Mr Trump mocked the New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski during a rally in November 2015. At the time the Republican billionaire was widely condemned for mocking Mr Kovaleski who had disputed Mr Trumps claim he witnessed thousands of Muslims in New Jersey celebrating on the day of the 9/11 attacks. Mr Trump jerked his arms in a manner which poked fun at the reporters condition. Mr Kovaleski has arthrogryposis, a congenital condition affecting how his joints move. The Republican denied the fact he mocked him at the time and has continued to do so. For the 100th time, I never mocked a disabled reporter (would never do that) but simply showed him groveling when he totally changed a 16 year old story that he had written in order to make me look bad, Mr Trump tweeted on Monday. Just more very dishonest media! Streeps speech, which also urged Hollywood to support the Committee to Project Journalists, has triggered a boost in donations to the organisation which defends the rights of journalists and promotes press freedom. 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 former-British spy has been named as the man who compiled the dossier containing explosive, if unverified, allegations against Donald Trump. Ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele, 52, who is now a director of the London based Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd, is believed to have prepared the documents for Mr Trumps Democratic and Republican opponents during the US presidential primary election, according to the Wall Street Journal. US intelligence officials later added a highly classified two-page synopsis of the allegations to the report on apparent Russian hacking during the election. The synopsis was delivered to President Barack Obama and Mr Trump. Recommended Trump in angry exchange with CNN reporter as tycoon refuses question The synopsis alleges that the Trump campaign had engaged in a continuous exchange of information between surrogates and Russian intermediaries throughout the election. It also alleges that Russian leaders had been in contact with Mr Trump and his associates for as many as five years. The 35-page document also claims Russian agents had information about allegations of salacious sexual behaviour in a hotel room but the details have not been verified. Mr Trump has branded the claims fake news. Mr Steele was unavailable for comment when the Wall Street Journal tried to reach him, although he later contacted the newspaper through an intermediary who told them that Mr Steele would not speak on the subject because it was too hot. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Steele co-founded Orbis in 2009. The agency specialises in Russian and Asian cases. The co-director of Orbis, Christopher Burrows, 58, said he would not confirm or deny that their company produced the report. Mr Orbis previously served in Britains Foreign and Commonwealth Office between 1990 and 1999 as Counselor and First Secretary. The Kremlin dismissed the report as fake and a total bluff and further denied they had compromising information on Mr Trump of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton whom US intelligence officials was a primary target of President Vladimir Putins multi-faceted hacking campaign. Mr Trump launched rebutted the report in a lengthy rant on Twitter, equating the leak of highly classified information to the political press to Nazi Germany. Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news leak into the public, he tweeted. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" 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 claimed the new Russian dossier of alleged salacious information about him might have been released by US intelligence agencies. "I want to thank a lot of the news organisations here today because they looked at that nonsense that was released by, maybe, the intelligence agencies, who knows, which would be a tremendous blot on their record if they did that," he said. "Because a thing like that should never have been written, never been had and certainly never been released." He dismissed the report as "fake news". Mr Trump was referring to the BuzzFeed report of an alleged compilation of negative information about him, which many news organisations did not report as the claims were unverified. He has spent weeks casting doubt on US intelligence agencies, including the FBI and the CIA, who both concluded that Russia had exerted an "influence campaign" on the election. His first response to the allegations about his ties to Russia was that they were "ridiculous" - but he has since admitted that Russia had tried to break into US cyberspace, alongside "other countries", but that it had had not effect on the outcome of the election and that they had not managed to break into the Republican National Commitee systems. FBI director James Comey confirmed at a senate hearing this week that Russian operatives had not broken into the RNC, but had got information on Republicans via other means. "I want to thank those today who have not treated me well over the last few years. But I thank them today," he said. "I just want to compliment many people in the room, I have great respect for the news and freedom of the press and all that but there were some news organisations that were so professional, incredibly professional, youve just gone up a notch as to what I think of you." His press secretary, Sean Spicer, introduced him by saying the report was "frankly outrageous and highly irresponsible". Mr Spicer added the report was "openly hostile" and provided "flat-out false information". He said he had no loans, no debts and no deals in Russia, and that he wanted his relationship with Vladimir Putin to be "good" but that "it might not be". His last press conference was on 27 July in Florida, and focused largely on questions about his alleged relationships to Russian business people. So, it's been 235 days since crooked Hillary Clinton has had a press conference, he said at the time. And you, as reporters who give her all of these glowing reports, should ask yourselves why. And I'll tell you why. Because despite the nice platitudes, she's been a mess. The conference at Trump Tower on Wednesday makes it more than 160 days since he last spoke himself. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump will not divest from his business empire, he will not place his business assets in a blind trust and that trust will not be run by an independent third party. The broken promises, made during the campaign trail by the billionaire businessman, have severely disappointed his critics. They might have thought that his announcement, which had been delayed by almost a month, would be a flicker of hope that he was ready to separate his political office from his commercial empire. Rick Perry, Mr Trumps energy secretary, and his pick for Treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, are divesting from their holdings. Yet the man who appointed them is refusing to do the same. His actions go against past presidents, including Ronald Reagan, who Mr Trump often compares himself to, and who all put their assets in a blind trust. The Republicans lawyer, Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis & Bockius, suggested that his two sons would run the trusts to the "highest ethical standards", refuse to carry out foreign deals - although still accept foreign leaders to Trump hotels and donate profits to the government - and seek written approval from an ethics adviser before carrying out any new deals. The law firm received an award for its work in Russia last year. The ethics adviser would surely not be Norm Eisen, former counsel to president Barack Obama, or Richard Painter, former counsel to president George W Bush, who both indirectly urged Mr Trump to liquidate his businesses. What the experts feared - that the President-elect would maintain a stake in his business, even if he has physically removed himself from the daily wheeling and dealing - has come to pass. His trust will still receive royalties from pre-existing licenses, and he will return to his empire after he leaves the White House. Democrat representative Elijah Cummings, the top ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, was one of the first to issue a scathing response to Mr Trumps business plans. "President-elect Trump has chosen not to divest his ownership interests, not to liquidate all of his business assets, and not to place the process in a truly blind trust run by an independent entity, which is the opposite of what was recommended by Republican and Democratic ethics experts," Mr Cummings said in a statement. "As a result, it is now up to Congess to fulfil our constitutional duty to act as an independent check on the Executive Branch to ensure that the President is not violating the Constitution. Congress must do this by obtaining all corporate and legal documents relating to the President-elects global entanglements and business dealings, including the tax returns he promised to produce to the American people." Mr Trump insisted his actions were voluntary as there was no conflict of interest clause that was applicable to the President. He insisted that he could do deals with Russia, but he would not, and said he turned down a $2 billion deal with Saudi Arabia. I dont want to take advantage, he said on Wednesday at his first press conference in six months. Trump's lawyer says he is 'completely isolating' himself from his business Numerous campaign groups agreed with the sentiment that the President-elect had not gone far enough, however. Danielle Brian, executive director for the Project On Government Oversight, criticised Mr Trumps promise to not even discuss business with his children. "Trump claims hell only learn about his businesses from the newspapers, but its hard to believe that family dinner conversations will be restricted to the weather," she said. David Donnelly, president and CEO of political campaign group Every Voice, added that Mr Trumps announcement "falls way short" of preventing a conflict of interest. "As long as he has an ownership stake in these businesses and his children are involved, therell be a cloud of corruption over his entire administration and every decision that could impact his personal profits will be called into question," he said, adding that the only people who will be "blind" are members of the public. John Wonderlich, executive director of transparency campaign group Sunlight Foundation, agreed that Mr Trumps conflicts of interest would be unprecedented. "Trumps plan leaves the Presidency vulnerable to self-dealing, constitutional crisis, the appearance of corruption, and other abuses of power," he said. "Trumps approach to governance and ethics repudiates decades of accepted norms for modern democratic accountability." All three groups called for the business mogul to release his tax returns, which Mr Trump has claimed are still under audit. "I don't think they [American people] care," he told reporters. "I won." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has done little to hide his Twitter habit. The President-elect, who has 19.5 million followers and counting, has described the social media site as his own personal newspaper where when someone attacks me, I can attack them right back. But this does not mean the American public are fans of his penchant for tweeting. On the contrary, a recent poll found 64 per cent of Americans think the billionaire property developer should close his Twitter account. According to the latest national survey from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut released on Tuesday, 74 per cent of young people, aged between 18-34, want the incoming President to close his personal @RealDonaldTrump account. Voters in every other party, gender, age and racial group were united in their belief he should close it. Republicans are almost equally divided on the issue, with 49 per cent saying Mr Trump should keep the account and 45 per cent suggesting it should be shut. While the president-elect argues his missives inform, many say stow the phone, Tim Malloy, assistant director of the poll, 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 After Mr Trump is inaugurated in nine days time, he will inherit the official presidential Twitter account, @POTUS, which has been the property of Barack Obama for the last eight years. More than 300 tweets by the outgoing president will be wiped. Sean Spicer, who will serve as White House press secretary in the Mr Trumps administration, said he expected Mr Trump would tweet from both accounts last week. While Mr trump promised to be very restrained in his Twitter usage upon winning the presidential election, there has been little sign of his promise being put into action. He has recently been using the social media site to vent his frustrations about China, slam Arnold Schwarzeneggers Celebrity Apprentice Ratings, and label Meryl Streep an overrated actress after her Golden Globes rebuke of him. The incoming President, who has sent over 34 thousand tweets, has been a keen Twitter user for years, using the site to promote both his business interests and political opinions. I have a newspaper I literally have my own newspaper and it's called @iamdonaldtrump, he boasted of his Twitter account back in 2012. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The FBI reportedly applied for a warrant to monitor Donald Trumps presidential election campaign over links to Russian officials. The request by US investigators, to track four members of his team, was allegedly rejected but then eventually granted in October last year. The claims come amid potentially highly embarrassingly and damaging allegations that Russian intelligence has compromising material, some of a graphic sexual nature, on the President-elect just nine days before his inauguration. The Guardian reports that the FBI applied for the warrant from the foreign intelligence surveillance (Fisa) court over the summer to keep an eye on Mr Trump team members suspected of irregular contacts with Russian officials. Fisa reportedly turned it down in June 2016 and asked investigators to narrow their focus. The warrant was reportedly granted in October, but it is not clear whether any full investigation took place. The allegation comes amid the publication of an unverified 35-page report, compiled by a British intelligence agent for opponents of Mr Trump, alleging that the Kremlin has been cultivating, supporting and assisting Mr Trump for at least five years. The two-page synopsis, which the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) says has compromised the 70-year-old enough to blackmail him, was presented to Mr Trump and President Barack Obama last week according to CNN. They include allegations that Mr Trump or his surrogates had direct contact with the Kremlin for at least five years before and during the 2016 election campaign. The report also details "perverted sexual acts" involving prostitutes alleged to have taken place in a hotel room in Moscow. The suggestion is that the claims could have been used by Russia to compromise the incoming US President. Mr Trump has strenuously denied the unverified allegations, which came in a two-page synopsis attached to a classified intelligence report into Russian interference in the US election. A declassified version was distributed publicly last week. The documents have reportedly been circulated for months and acquired a legendary status among journalists, lawmakers and intelligence officials. Barack Obama pays tribute to his 'brother' - Joe Biden The document, dated 13 December, makes various errors which includes misspelling Alfa Group and an inaccurate description about Moscow suburb Barvikha. Mr Trump dismissed the claims on Twitter as "fake news". The President-elects attorney Michael Cohen told Mic: Its so ridiculous on so many levels. Clearly, the person who created this did so from their imagination or did so hoping that the liberal media would run with this fake story for whatever rationale they might have. Mr Trumps senior advisor Kellyanne Conway, speaking on Late Night With Seth Meyers, stressed nothings been confirmed and nobody has sourced it. Russia has also responded to the allegations, saying the "fake" claims have been produced with the aim of damaging Moscow's ties with Washington. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment. 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 }} Jewish groups have condemned Donald Trump for likening of the actions of today's US intelligence agencies to those of Nazi Germany. A number of organisations and Holocaust education groups have called the President elect's reference to the Third Reich "cavalier" and "inappropriate", and demanded an apology from the incoming US leader. Speaking during his first news conference as President-elect, the Republican dismissed the leak of a dossier allegedly containing salacious and compromising allegations against him, saying: Thats something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do, I think its a disgrace that information that was false, and fake, and never happened, got released to the public. But Steven Goldstein, executive director of the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect called his comments "a despicable insult to Holocaust survivors around the world". He said: The President-elect has denigrated our nation and its commitment to freedom on the eve of his inauguration. He must retract his tweet and apologize to survivors and to our entire nation. The incoming leader, Anti-Defamation League head Jonathan Greenblatt also demanded an apology. No one should cavalierly draw analogies to Nazi Germany, especially the next leader of the free world," he said. It is not only a ridiculous comparison on the merits, but it also coarsens our discourse and diminishes the horror of the Holocaust. The American Jewish Centre said in a tweet: "We regret Donald Trump's use of Nazi Germany regarding the media an inappropriate comparison that diminished the horrors of that time." Throughout his campaign, Mr Trump received continued support from neo-Nazi groups, including the American Nazi Party, although he disavowed the group after he won the election. The incoming leader also once re-tweeted a neo-Nazi meme, which depicted his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton with a Star of David and a pile of money. Several academics have drawn comparisons between the Republican leader's proposed policies and that of facist governments. 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 lawyer has denied claims he secretly met with Russian officials during the US election campaign, amid the ongoing fallout from the publication of an unverified intelligence report that alleged links between Mr Trump's campaign and the Kremlin. Michael Cohen denounced the dossier, which was reportedly given to Mr Trump and President Barack Obama as part of an intelligence briefing, and which contains claims initially compiled by a supposed ex-MI6 spy as opposition campaign research. He called it "fake news meant to malign Mr Trump". He also tweeted a photo of his passport and added: "I have never been to Prague in my life. #fakenews". The dossier, the details of which remain unverified, alleges he travelled to the Czech capital in August or early September 2016 to meet a Russian official. Mr Cohen told The Atlantic the claims were "totally inaccurate" and that his only visit to an EU country last summer was on holiday in Italy in July. Mr Trump has also strenuously denied the dossier's allegations his campaign team had worked with the Russians, tweeting that Russia itself had said they were "A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE". Following suggestions the Kremlin was holding compromising material about himrelating to claims in the dossier of "perverted sexual acts" in Moscowhe added: "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" Mr Trump's close adviser Kellyanne Conway told talk show host Seth Meyers: "Nothing's been confirmed and I have to say, as an American citizen, regardless of your party or if you don't like politics at all, which are many Americans, we should be concerned that intelligence officials leak to the press." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The Kremlin does not engage in collecting compromising information." Close Donald Trump says unverified claims are blot on intelligence agencies Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has rejected reports Moscow has compiled a dossier of compromising information about his activities in and links to the Russian state. Here are the latest updates: With just nine days to go until his inauguration, Donald Trump has again found himself at the centre of a scandal involving alleged links to the Russian state. A classified briefing on Russian hacking, given to both President Barack Obama and the President-elect, included allegations that Mr Trump or his surrogates had direct contact with the Kremlin before and during the 2016 election campaign. And the report also details "perverted sexual acts" involving prostitutes alleged to have taken place in a hotel room in Moscow. The suggestion is that the claims could have been used by Russia to compromise the incoming US President. Mr Trump has strenuously denied the unverified allegations, which came in a two-page synopsis attached to a classified intelligence report into Russian interference in the US election. A declassified version was distributed publicly last week. Intelligence officials said they could not independently verify the embarrassing claims, compiled by a former British spy who was hired by Mr Trumps political opponents. The Kremlin dismissed the report as "fake" and "total bluff" in a statement on Wednesday morning, saying it had no "compromising information" on either Mr Trump or his 2016 rival Hillary Clinton. On Tuesday night, Mr Trump's political advisor Kellyanne Conway also dismissed the claims as coming from "unnamed, unspoken sources." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has outlined how he will aim to avoid any conflicts of interest when he steps into the White House. His lawyer, Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis, told reporters that he will resign from the Trump Organisation and hand over management to his sons, Don Jr and Eric. His daughter, Ivanka Trump, will also resign from the family company and move with her husband, Jared Kushner, and her children to Washington DC. The Trump Organisation will not carry out any foreign deals, the lawyer said, and for any new transactions, his sons will ask for written approval from an ethics adviser. "He is voluntarily taking this on and conflicts of interest does not apply to the President and Vice President and they are not required to separate themselves [from their businesses]," she said. The assets will not be put into a blind trust, because his lawyer said Mr Trump "cannot un-know" that he owns the Trump Organisation. "He should not be expected to destroy the business he built,'" said Ms Dillon. Instead, there will be two trusts - one for liquid assets like cash and government bonds, and the other holding illiquid assets like real estate. It will continue to receive the royalties from pre-existing licenses. Selling those assets, as former presidents' ethics lawyers suggested, would create more conflicts of interest, she said. She said that an "emolument" clause in the constitution, which prevents presidents from accepting gifts and bribes, does not include a foreign diplomat paying for a hotel room at his new venue in Washington DC. He will donate all profits from foreign governments using his hotel rooms to the US Treasury, she added. "We believe this structure and these steps complete the President-elect's desire to isolate himself from his business interests and that his sole interest is in the people of this country," Ms Dillon said. Mr Trump himself said the actions were voluntary as there was no conflict of interest provision that applied to the role of President. He added that he was offered a $2 billion deal to make several deals in Dubai, but he said he turned them down, even though he does not have to. "I didn't have to turn it down, as I have no conflict situation as I'm president," he said. He said he was "the only one" who could continue to run his company and the country, but he decided to relinquish his empire. Mr Trump said he would announced his plans on how he would separate his presidency from his commercial ventures on 16 December, then he postponed his announcement for almost another month. He first announced at the end of November that he would divest in total. He also said he would not release his tax returns as they were still "under audit", accusing reporters of being the only people to care about seeing them. "I don't think so [voters wanting to see them]. I won. I don't think they care at all. I think you [reporters] care. First of all you learn very little from tax returns." Summing up his press conference, Mr Trump waved to a pile of yellow folders by his side and explained his sons would take these documents about his businesses and look after them for eight years. "I hope I can come back after eight years and say, 'Oh, you did a good job'. If not, I'll say, 'You're fired'," he said. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has responded to potentially compromising allegations about Donald Trump attached to a classified US intelligence report, saying the "fake" claims have been produced with the aim of damaging Moscow's ties with Washington. In a statement, the Kremlin said it had no "compromising information" about either Mr Trump or his 2016 election rival Hillary Clinton, and dismissed memos compiled by a former British intelligence official as "total bluff". Speaking in his daily briefing to reporters on Wednesday, Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: The Kremlin has no compromising information on Trump. This report does not correspond to reality and is nothing but an absolute fiction. This is a total bluff, an absolute fabrication, complete nonsense, he said. The allegations, included as an addendum to a classified briefing on Russian hacking to President Barack Obama and Mr Trump on, were compiled by a former British spy as part of paid-for political opposition research. Trump chief adviser Kellyanne Conway denies compromising claims against President-elect The report details "perverted sexual acts" involving prostitutes alleged to have taken place in a hotel room in Moscow. The suggestion is that the claims could have been used by Russia to compromise the incoming US President. A two-page summary of the former British spy's findings alleges that Mr Trump was groomed by Russia for five years leading up to the election, that Moscow maintained contact with Trump surrogates throughout the 2016 campaign, and that the Kremlin also maintained a dossier of damaging information about Mr Trump's rival Hillary Clinton. Asked if the Clinton element of the allegations was true, Mr Peskov said: Of course not. The Kremlin does not collect compromising information. The Kremlin [and] the Russian president are engaged in building relationships with our foreign partners, firstly in the interests of the Russian Federation, in the interests of the Russian people, secondly in the interests of global peace, stability and security." 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 }} Russian operatives reportedly compiled salacious information about Donald Trump, and are said to have communicated with his campaign throughout the election, according to a highly classified addendum to the intelligence report about alleged Kremlin-ordered hacking, delivered to President Barack Obama and the President-elect. Intelligence officials attached a two-page synopsis of the apparent findings to the highly classified report to illustrate the harm Russian operatives intended to inflict upon both American parties; and to bring the allegations that are circulating among the intelligence community to Mr Trumps attention. The documents also allege communication between Mr Trump campaign officials and members of the Russian government throughout the election, anonymous national security sources told CNN. Trump chief adviser Kellyanne Conway denies compromising claims against President-elect The allegations were included in a series of memos compiled by a person claiming to be a British intelligence official who has worked with the United States in the past. The memos compiled from which the synopsis drew first originated as oppositional research against Mr Trump by Republicans and Democrats who opposed his candidacy. They hired the former MI6 agent who had served in Russia during the 1990s. His investigation into the New York businessman started during the GOP primaries, and funded by groups supporting Republican opposition. Then liberal groups and donors took up funding the investigation once Mr Trump became the presidential nominee. Much like the declassified report released on Friday, the synopsis did not include details about sources or methods. BuzzFeed published scans of the apparent documents, although stressed that they remain unverified. The documents have apparently circulated for months among senators and intelligence officials. Journalists who obtained the documents had been unable to corroborate the contents for weeks. The unverified scanned memo alleges that Russia had "cultivated" Mr Trump to be a presidential candidate over the past five years; that he was allegedly bribed with various lucrative real estate deals in Russia, although he had turned them down; and claims that compromise him personally. Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Show all 14 1 /14 Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 23: A woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A child walks past a graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a bar in the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, May 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural People walk past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A young woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the slogan "make everything great again," in reference to Trump's campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again," on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A morning commuter stops to look at a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas pose next to a mural on the wall of his establishment depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. / AFP / Petras Malukas (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images) Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A passerby photographs a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Getty Former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid alluded to the memos in a fiery letter to FBI director James Comey, following his unusual announcement about a further Clinton email probe 11 days before the election. "In my communications with you and other top officials in the national security community, it has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government," Mr Reid wrote. "The public has a right to know this information." Last month, President Obama ordered the intelligence community to deliver a full report into Russia's role in the hacking of Democratic institutions. The declassified report released last week concluded that: "Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election, the consistent goals of which were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary [Hillary] Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency." Trump's advisor suggests Obama's sanctions against Russia are to 'box in' the incoming President Mr Trump denied the allegations via Twitter on Tuesday evening. "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" he wrote. Prior to his briefing with intelligence chiefs, Mr Trump had tried to fervently discredit the assessment that Russian operatives directed by President Vladimir Putin had hacked the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign chair John Podesta in a widespread campaign to help him win the election. "While Russia, China, other countries, outside groups and people are consistently trying to break through the cyber infrastructure of our governmental institutions, businesses, and organisations including the Democratic National Committee," Mr Trump said in a statement, "there was absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election, including the fact that there was no tampering whatsoever with voting machines." However, intelligence officials maintained that, while Russian hackers did not tamper with vote tallies or machines, they could not gauge the influence the email leak and disinformation campaign had on voters' ultimate decisions. The report stated: "We did not make an assessment of the impact that Russian activities had on the outcome of the 2016 election." 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 senior adviser has denied allegations that the President-elect's campaign team communicated with Russian authorities throughout the election and that he was involved in sexual acts in Moscow that were arranged and monitored by Kremlin spies. Kellyanne Conway was interviewed on the Late Night With Seth Meyers about the unverified claims, reportedly made by a former British spy and recently briefed to Mr Trump by the FBI. The allegations were included in a series of memos compiled by the supposed ex-operative initially as opposition research on Mr Trump. They allege secret contact between the Trump campaign and Moscow for at least five years and details of "perverted sexual acts" involving prostitutes alleged to have taken place in a hotel room in Moscow. The potentially highly embarrassing and damaging claims have been made public just nine days before Mr Trump's inauguration. They were made public hours after news reports circulated that Trump had been briefed by intelligence officials about the existence of the dossier on him by the US news outlet BuzzFeed News, which published the document in full. It published despite its editor noting that there is reason to doubt the truth of them. She criticised news outlets for using "unnamed, unspoken sources" and US intelligence agencies for leaking the documents. She said: "Nobody has sourced it. They're all unnamed, unspoken sources in the story, and it says it was based on a Russian investigator to begin with." When Mr Meyers said that "it was based on an MI6 British investigator," Ms Conway replied, "It also may havemay haveoriginated with a Russian investigator." She added: "It also says that Hillary Clinton and groups that wanted Hillary Clinton to win may have been behind the investigations themselves. And, most importantly, it says that the FBI is trying to confirm it. "So nothing's been confirmed and I have to say, as an American citizen, regardless of your party or if you don't like politics at all, which are many Americans, we should be concerned that intelligence officials leak to the press and won't go and tell the President-elect or the President of the United States himself now, Mr Obama, what the information is." Mr Meyers said: "The press report was about them going to the President." Ms Conway replied: "And it says they never briefed him on it, they appended two pages to the bottom of his intelligence report. Mr Meyers said: "I believe it said they did brief him on it." Ms Conway said: "He has said that he is not aware of that." Mr Trump denied the claims in a tweet almost immediately, saying: "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" The New York Times reported that the operative had previously worked for British intelligence. It has not been possible to substantiate the information in the dossier, which contains numerous factual errors including the misspelling of the name of Russia's largest bank. It is unclear why the intelligence officials decided to brief the president and Mr Trump on the uncorroborated information at this time, but politicians and others have repeatedly noted that Russia collects intelligence on both Democrats and Republicans. "The Russians also hacked systems associated with the Republicans. They just chose not to release that material yet," Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the most senior Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, said. "There's nothing that prevents them from doing so at a time of their choosing in the future." The report has been circulating in Washington for months. In October, former Senate minority leader Harry Reid wrote to the FBI asking the bureau to publicly disclose what it knew about the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. Mr Reid was aware of the dossier before he wrote the letter, according to a person knowledgeable about the subject. FBI director James Comey has refused to say whether the FBI was investigating any possible ties between Russia and Mr Trump's presidential campaign, citing policy not to comment on what the FBI might or might not be doing. Mr Comey was pressed by Democrats on the committee about whether the FBI was conducting an investigation. There was no mention during the hearing about the summary of the dossier, which was attached to the classified hacking assessment. "I would never comment on investigations - whether we have one or not - in an open forum like this so I can't answer one way or another," Mr Comey told the panel during his first public appearance before Congress since the election. Mr Trump is expected to hold a previously scheduled news conference on Wednesday to discuss his future plans regarding his role with the Trump Organisation. 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 }} With just nine days to go until his inauguration as President of the United States, Donald Trump has again found himself at the centre of a scandal involving alleged links to the Russian state. A classified briefing on Russian hacking, given to both President Barack Obama and the President-elect, included allegations that Mr Trump or his surrogates had direct contact with the Kremlin before and during the 2016 election campaign. And the report also details "perverted sexual acts" involving prostitutes alleged to have taken place in a hotel room in Moscow. The suggestion is that the claims could have been used by Russia to compromise the incoming US President. Mr Trump has strenuously denied the unverified allegations, which came in a two-page synopsis attached to a classified intelligence report into Russian interference in the US election. A declassified version was distributed publicly last week. Trump chief adviser Kellyanne Conway denies compromising claims against President-elect Intelligence officials said they could not independently verify the embarrassing claims, compiled by a former British spy who was hired by Mr Trumps political opponents. The Kremlin dismissed the report as "fake" and "total bluff" in a statement on Wednesday morning, saying it had no "compromising information" on either Mr Trump or his 2016 rival Hillary Clinton. On Tuesday night, Mr Trump's political advisor Kellyanne Conway also dismissed the claims as coming from "unnamed, unspoken sources". The allegations have been circulating among intelligence agencies for some months and were in part reported upon before the election, but they have now been presented to the President and President-elect in greater detail because officials have performed checks on the former British spy and his sources and found them largely credible, CNN reported. While stressing that the sexual claims remain unverified, BuzzFeed News published the classified two-page synopsis in full online. The site says it published the unsubstantiated allegations so Americans could make up their own minds. The potentially compromising allegations emerged on the same night as Mr Obama gave his final presidential address, and ahead of a scheduled news conference on Wednesday afternoon in which Mr Trump was supposed to discuss his business empire and potential conflicts of interest. That conference was, as of Wednesday morning, still going ahead. Dozens of memos have been compiled by the former British operative, beginning as opposition research by Mr Trumps rivals for the Republican candidacy, unnamed security sources told CNN. Recommended Russia denies claims it is holding compromising material about Trump The former MI6 agent reportedly served in Russia during the 1990s. His investigation into the New York businessman started during the GOP primaries, and was then taken up by liberal groups and donors once Mr Trump became the presidential nominee. Much like the declassified report released on Friday, the two-page synopsis of the memos did not include details about sources or methods. The documents have apparently circulated for months among top senators and intelligence officials. Journalists who obtained the documents had for weeks been unable to corroborate the contents. The unverified, scanned memo alleges that Russia had "cultivated" Mr Trump to be a presidential candidate over the past five years; that he was allegedly bribed with various lucrative real estate deals in Russia, although he had turned them down; plus the sexual claims that could compromise him personally. Obama's only mention of Trump in his farewell speech Former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid alluded to the memos in a fiery letter to FBI director James Comey at the end of October last year, following his unusual announcement about a further Clinton email probe 11 days before the election. "In my communications with you and other top officials in the national security community, it has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government," Mr Reid wrote at the time. "The public has a right to know this information." Last month, President Obama ordered the intelligence community to deliver a full report into Russia's role in the hacking of Democratic institutions. The declassified report released last week concluded that: "[Vladimir] Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election, the consistent goals of which were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary [Hillary] Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. Prior to his briefing with intelligence chiefs, Mr Trump had tried to fervently discredit the assessment that Russian operatives directed by Mr Putin had hacked the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign chair John Podesta in a widespread campaign to help him win the election. "While Russia, China, other countries, outside groups and people are consistently trying to break through the cyber infrastructure of our governmental institutions, businesses, and organisations including the Democratic National Committee," Mr Trump said in a statement, "there was absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election, including the fact that there was no tampering whatsoever with voting machines." Intelligence officials maintained that, while Russian hackers did not tamper with vote tallies or machines, they could not gauge the influence the email leak and disinformation campaign had on voters' ultimate decisions. The report stated: "We did not make an assessment of the impact that Russian activities had on the outcome of the 2016 election." 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 was on his home turf when he finally met the media - in circumstances that could only be described as bizarre for everyone. Yet despite that, he did not appear very comfortable. Inside New Yorks Trump Tower, he scowled and frowned, and hissed his defiance. He was furious with the intelligence services, which he claimed had been behind the leak of unverified claims about compromising sexual and business behaviour in Russia. It was a disgrace that the information was let out. I read the information, it was fake news, its phony news, he said. Sick people put that c**p together. It had been 168 days since Mr Trump last held a news conference and there was lots to talk about on Wednesday morning. The event had long been scheduled for the President-elect to explain how he was going to erect a legal barrier between his work heading the country, and his work heading the Trump business empire. Yet his plans were hijacked overnight by the publication of revelations that US intelligence officials had briefed him and President Barack Obama that Russia had obtained compromising personal and financial information about him. The officials had reportedly told Mr Trump that agents had been seeking to use the information - collected originally as political oppo by a former British spy in the pay of Mr Trumps presidential rivals - as leverage against him. I saw the information, I read the information outside of that meeting, Mr Trump said. Its all fake news, its phony stuff, it didnt happen. It was gotten by opponents of ours. Several hours before the news conference, Mr Trump had been defending himself on Twitter, blasting the actions of the intelligence agencies, and likening their alleged leaking of the information to what went on in Nazi Germany. Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. Very unfair!, wrote Mr Trump, on this occasion mixing up his use of capital letters. Russia had earlier also denied claims that its intelligence agencies have compromising material about Mr Trump. Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putins spokesman, said the allegations were pulp fiction and a clear attempt to damage relations, the BBC said. Mr Trump has repeatedly refused to accept that Russian agents had hacked the Democratic National Committee during the election in order to help his candidacy. The revelation led Mr Obama to expel 35 Russian diplomats. Mr Trump, by turn, has been accused of being too friendly to Mr Putin. On Wednesday, the New York tycoon told reporters that if he improved Americas horrible relationship with Russia, it would be a good thing. Donald Trump: Putin liking Trump is an asset not a liability If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks, thats called an asset not a liability. I dont know if Im going to get along with Vladimir Putin - I hope I do - but theres a good chance I wont, he said. In regard to his promise to ensure there would be no conflict of interest once he becomes president, Mr Trump introduced lawyer Sheri Dillon, of Morgan Lewis, who worked with the Trump Organisation on a new arrangement. Ms Dillon said the Trump Organisation would continue to pursue deals in the US, though Mr Trump will relinquish control of the company to his sons and an executive, put his business assets in a trust and take other steps to isolate himself from his business. According to the Associated Press, she said Mr Trump should not be expected to destroy the company he built. The AP said that appeared to contradict a previous pledge by the President-elect. In a tweet last month, Mr Trump vowed to do no new deals while in office. 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 }} Dylann Roof, the self-identified and unrepentant white supremacist who killed nine black churchgoers in South Carolina, was sentenced to death by a federal jury. Roof, 22, had been previously convicted of 33 counts for the attack on the historically black Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston 24 of which were classified as hate crimes. The mostly-white jury deliberated for three hours before handing the judge their unanimous verdict as Roof stood expressionless. The 17 June 2015 killings sparked a national debate about the legacy of racism and white supremacy in the US, resulting in the removal of the Confederate flag from outside the South Carolina statehouse amid significant protests. Recommended Dylann Roof gets death sentence for Charleston massacre Groups of Ku Klux Klan members counter-protested in defence of the flag, a symbol of the pro-slavery Southern states that seceded from the Union in the 19th century prior to the Civil War. And Roof drew from that racist history in his motivation for committing the terror attack at the historical church. I did what I thought would make the biggest wave, the white supremacist wrote in a journal while he was held in custody, and now the fate of our race is in the hands of my brothers who continue to live freely. Three days after the shooting took place, federal investigators uncovered a website with 60 images and a 2,000-word manifesto that delved deep into Roofs troubling racist beliefs, outlining why he chose the Charleston church with the intent of inciting a race war. The event that truly awakened me was the Trayvon Martin case, he wrote. I kept hearing and seeing his name, and eventually I decided to look him up. Upon viewing the Wikipedia page, he concluded that shooter George Zimmerman was in the right. But more importantly this prompted me to type in the words 'black on White (sic) crime' into Google, and I have never been the same since that day, he wrote. The first website I came to was the Council of Conservative Citizens. There were pages upon pages of these brutal black on White murders. ... At this moment I realised that something was very wrong. The Council of Conservative Citizens is a hate group, according to the Anti-Defamation League, that publishes racist propaganda and misinformation. The ADL said the CofCC used black-on-white crime as a propaganda tool to mobilise white supremacists. The ADL wrote: On May 11, 2012, the white supremacist Council of Conservative Citizens (CofCC) posted an article on its Web site that claimed that a New Jersey newspaper had censored the race of the alleged assailants in what it called savage mob attacks on five white concertgoers in New Jersey. The CofCC dismissed both the newspaper and police accounts portraying the incident as an isolated event. According to the CofCC, almost as alarming as the epidemic violent crime being perpetrated against white people is the blatant media censorship and black-out of the racial element of the incidents. Roofs manifesto continuously refers to black, Latino, and Jewish people in racist terms, and called his fellow white supremacists to action. I have no choice. I am not in the position to, alone, go into the ghetto and fight, he wrote. I chose Charleston because it is the most historic city in my state, and at one time had the highest ratio of blacks to Whites (sic) in the country. He added: We have no skinheads, no real KKK, no one doing anything but talking on the Internet. Well, someone has to have bravery to take it to the real world, and I guess that has to be me. During the trial, Roofs attorney David Bruck argued that, while his clients motivations were fuelled by racism and hatred, the Internet played a major role in his radical extremism. Every bit of motivation came from things he saw on the Internet. Thats it, he told the court. He is simply regurgitating in whole paragraphs, slogans and facts bits and pieces of facts that he downloaded from the Internet directly into his brain. In his closing statement to the jury, Roof, who represented himself during sentencing proceedings, maintained that he felt like he had to do it. In my confession to the FBI, I told them that I had to do it, and obviously thats not really true. I didnt have to do anything, he said. But what I meant when I said that was, I felt like I had to do it, and I still do feel like I had to do it. 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 }} Since Donald Trump announced his presidential bid a year and a half ago, Michael Moore has enjoyed something of a renaissance. The documentary-maker was one of the few people to predict the billionaire developers victory and has become one of the most vocal critics of the President-elect. The political commentator has now weighed in on Barack Obamas emotional final speech as President, deciding to live-tweet the Chicago event. Moores tweets had an ominous tone as he reflected on the change which would occur after Mr Trump is inaugurated in just under ten days time. The documentary maker suggested the outgoing Presidents address was better summarised as a lesson in how democracy works for Mr Trump than Mr Obama bidding America farewell. 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 This isn't so much a farewell speech (he ain't goin' anywhere) as it is a lecture in how democracy works to one Donald J Trump, Moore wrote. Barack Obama simply says My fellow Americans... and the crowd cheers, because those words will mean something very different in 9 days... Ok admit it, some of you are thinking, I hope he ends with: The conspiracy theorists were right about 1 thing: I ain't leavin' office next week." Moore applauded Mr Obamas plea for people to engage with politics in real life rather than simply online. If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing, the outgoing President said. If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. Show up. Dive in. Persevere. Moore, who voted for Mr Obama in both Presidential elections but has been openly critical of him at times, drew attention to Mr Obamas reference to fascism. In his speech, Mr Obama argued an enlightenment faith in reason and right over might allowed the US to counter the attraction of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression. Walks off to Springsteen's 'Land of Hope and Dreams'. And now for something completely different... #ObamaFarewell, he tweeted, referencing one of the most popular recent Springsteen songs. Mr Obamas final speech in his hometown saw him warn of the dangers of anti-immigrant rhetoric, economic inequality and taking democracy for granted. Bringing himself, his wife Michelle Obama, his daughter Malia, and many in the audience to tears, he said he believed even the most profound ideological rifts could be bridged. 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 }} Barack Obama has paid tribute to his his wife Michelle in his farewell address to the American people with the First Lady mouthing "I love you" in response. The outgoing President delivered his final speech before handing over power to President-elect Donald Trump where he called his wife his "best friend" and thanked her for making the White House "a place that belongs to everybody". He said: "Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side. For the past 25 years you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. "You took on a role you didnt ask for, and you made it your own, with grace and with grit and with style and good humour. "You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. "So, you have made me proud and you have made the country proud." Ms Obama, who was given a standing ovation when mentioned by her husband, was accompanied by her elder daughter Malia, Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife Jill. The President also praised his daughters, his youngest Sasha was unable to attend due to school commitments, saying they had worn the "burden of years in the spotlight so easily" and he was prouder of them than anything else. His speech follows Ms Obama's final address as First Lady last week when she made a tearful defence of the nation's diversity and told America's youth that "the country belongs to you". Michelle Obama as the First Lady Show all 11 1 /11 Michelle Obama as the First Lady Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty Michelle Obama as the First Lady Getty She said "our glorious diversity...is not a threat to who we are. It makes us who we are" and added that she hoped she had "made you proud". In December, Ms Obama ruled out her own run for the White House saying her husband's eight years had been "long enough" and she did not want her children to be forced to make more sacrifices. She said: I think some people think it's serious, but some people are just hopeful. I don't make stuff up, I'm not coy. I'm pretty direct. If I was interested in it, I would say. I don't believe in playing games. 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 10-year-old girl was infected with a sexually transmitted disease before she was allegedly raped, murdered and dismembered by her mothers boyfriend. A newly released autopsy report revealed Victoria Martens died from strangulation and was suffering from human papillomavirus (HPV). Pathologists say this is evidence she suffered sexual abuse, before a death which has shaken the US city of Albuquerque. New Mexico state had the third highest violent crime rate for 2015 in the US, after Alaska and Nevada, at 656.1 incidents per 100,000 of population. Victorias dismembered body was found in a burning blanket in a bath by police, after reports of a noise complaint, on her 10th birthday on 24 August 2016. Tributes left to Victoria Martens who was raped and murdered at her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico AP (AP) Her mother Michelle Martens, 35, boyfriend Fabian Gonzales, 32, and cousin Jessica Kelley, 32, have since been charged with murder and rape. Ms Martens has allegedly admitted watching the two men killing Victoria before having sex with Mr Gonzales 20 minutes later. Police also say she has admitted advertising her daughter online to paedophiles who wanted to rape her. US police previously said they witnessed an adult attempting to jump from a balcony at the apartment where Ms Martens died. Hundreds of people, wearing her favourite colour, purple, attended a memorial service and watched the release of doves for Victoria at Copper Pointe Church. Mondays autopsy report, detailed by the Albuquerque Journal, also claims Victoria died with alcohol in system, rather than methamphetamine as claimed by her mother. In an alcohol naive person, this level of alcohol could cause cognitive and physical impairment, the report says. The trio are in jail awaiting trial, which is scheduled for October. 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 woman staged her own rape to frame her husbands former lover in a diabolical scheme, according to a US attorney. Angela Diaz allegedly sent herself threatening emails, pretended she was pregnant, made false police reports, faked a crime scene and posed as a victim of a rape fantasy ad. Her husbands ex-fiancee Michelle Hadley, who she allegedly framed, was initially arrested and was only released in October after nearly three months in prison. All charges against the 30-year-old were dropped by US prosecutors on Monday and 31-year-old Ms Diaz was arrested last week. Michelle Hadley leaving court with her attorney Michael Guisti, left, and her father, Michael Hadley, behind her Jeff Gritchen/AP (Jeff Gritchen/AP) When someone whos innocent gets arrested and charged with a crime, its not just a bad day, its a nightmare, said Orange County district attorney Tony Rackauckas. As important as the filing of charges against Ms Diaz, is the dismissal of the previous complaint and full exoneration of Michelle Hadley. This is a very detailed case. I wanted to make sure, however, that Ms Hadley is cleared in every possible way in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion. It should be clear in the media and in cyberspace. Ms Hadley is an innocent victim of a diabolical scheme. Harassment charges dropped against Michelle Hadley Ms Hadley, from California, broke up with the 39-year-old deputy US marshal, named only as John Doe in court papers, after a two-year relationship ending in August 2015 - according to the Orange County district attorney's office. Mr Rackauckas said Hadley wrote Mr Doe emails, including religious language, in the aftermath of the break up, but that contact ceased in autumn that year. After Mr Doe and Ms Dias met in January 2016 via a dating website, they were married within two months, and in May 2016 she allegedly lied by saying she was pregnant. She claimed at a police station, on 1 June with her husband, that Ms Hadley sent her emails threatening to kill and rape her which Mr Rackauckas said were actually sent from Ms Diaz herself via virtual private networks and third-party proxy servers. Ms Diaz also claimed Ms Hadley had created an advert on website Cragslist pointing men to her address to carry out rape fantasies. Recommended Girl uses 50 Shades of Grey as basis for false rape claims against dad On June 24, 2016, Ms Diaz called 911, saying a man tried to rape her in the garage of her home, and police found her with her shirt torn and redness on her neck and breasts. Ms Hadley was arrested that day, and was held in custody between 14 July and 7 October on a $1m bail. Deputy District Attorney Richard Zimmer told DailyMail.com that Ms Diaz was rumbled after police spent a few months unwinding third party proxy servers which led them to IP addresses in Ms Diazs condo, her fathers apartment and her mobile phone. Ms Diaz, who allegedly has a history of fraud and is in the process of a divorce from Mr Doe, is in custody in Arizona and is expected to be extradited to California within the next week. 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 }} Four left-wing activists have gone missing over the past seven days in Pakistan, according to relatives and human rights organisations. Ahmed Raza Naseer became the latest to disappear on Saturday, while authorities have launched an investigation into the potential kidnapping of renowned rights activist Salman Haider in Islamabad on Friday. Two other men, Waqas Goraya and Asim Saeed, disappeared on 4 January, reports the Daily Pakistan. Zeeshan Haider told NBC News his brother never came home after going out with friends on Friday evening. Mr Haiders wife then received a text message from her husbands phone telling her to collect his car from a motorway, according to the brother. It remains unclear who is responsible for the alleged kidnappings, but a spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Pakistan told NBC the government was going to do everything it can to locate Mr Haider. All four activists are united by their vocal criticism of Pakistans security establishment and conservative groups. Pakistan adopts new law to tackle 'honour killings' Mr Raza is thought to be been behind an anti-conservative Twitter account, which was removed from the social media platform by 8 January. Mr Haider, Mr Goraya and Mr Saeed all used Facebook to post liberal views to their followers. On 10 January, students and supporters held a demonstration for the missing bloggers. 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 Jamila Gillani, former leader of Awami National Party, a secular left-leaning party in Pakistan, said law enforcement agencies did not have the right to take away political, social, human rights activists and writers. In the light of the constitution of the country the citizens have the right to assembly, freedom of speech, thoughts and opinion, she added. Since the disappearance of Mr Haider, the hashtag #RecoverSalmanHaider has been trending on Pakistani social media. Pakistan is routinely rated one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists to work in. Reporters Without Borders ranked the country 147th out of 180 countries in 2016 for levels of freedom available to journalists. Extremist groups, Islamist organisations and Pakistans intelligence agencies have all been linked to assaults on press freedom. 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 }} Humanitarian organisations have condemned European governments for leaving refugees to freeze to death as the continent is gripped by a deadly cold snap. At least four asylum seekers are believed to have been killed by the conditions so far and thousands more remain at risk while sleeping on the streets or in tents and inadequate shelters, charities are warning. Two Iraqi men and a Somali woman have died of hypothermia in Bulgaria after journeying through the snow, while an Afghan man died in Greece as temperatures plummeted to minus 14C. Syrian refugees carry their children through a snow storm at a refugee camp north of Athens, Greece, on 10 January (Reuters) Kirsty McNeill, Save the Childrens executive policy director, said babies, pregnant women and unaccompanied children were among thousands of people literally left out in the cold by the EUs continued failure on the refugee crisis. The lack of political will to offer asylum or reunify separated children and families means these human beings, who have survived years of war, violence and deadly journeys to safety, are now freezing to death on Europes doorstep, she added. These men, women and children need immediate access to warm, dry shelter, no matter what country theyve fled. This basic and short term measure would prevent more unnecessary loss of life, particularly when children are so susceptible to hypothermia in freezing temperatures. Plummeting temperatures have left authorities and aid agencies scrambling to provide emergency heating, shelter and blankets for thousands of refugees stranded across Europe by border closures and security crackdowns. Ms McNeill blamed a total inability to plan ahead for winter and prepare government-run camps, where some asylum seekers have been stranded for up to a year. In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe Show all 13 1 /13 In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe A fountain on Saint Peter's square is covered with ice at the San Pietro square, Vatican City, 07 January 2017. EPA In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe Snow covers rooftops of Santeramo on 8 January 2017, near Bari in the Puglia region in the south of Italy. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe Syrian refugees carry their children through a snow storm at a refugee camp north of Athens, Greece, on 10 January Reuters In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe A local villager walks at the frozen Mirusha waterfalls near the village of Lapceve, Kosovo, on Monday, Jan 9, 2017. AP In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe Migrants warm themselves by the fire in an abandoned warehouse in Belgrade, Serbia, 8 January 2017 AP In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe People walk along a seaside promenade during heavy snowfall in Thessaloniki on January 10, 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe A woman visits the archaeological site of Olympion Zeus in Athens, after rare snowfall on the city, on 10 January AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe A migrant stands next to a snow-covered tent at the Moria detention camp on the Greek island of Lesbos on 7 January AFP/Getty In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe Turkish police officers patrol around the Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet) during snowfall in Istanbul on January 8, 2017. Getty In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe A man with a dog walks through a snow covered park on a cold winter day in Belgrade, Serbia AP In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe Drift ice floats in the water of River Danube at the Szabadsag (Freedom) Bridge in Budapest, Hungary AP In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe A street is cleared from snow in Kleinmachnow, eastern Germany AP In pictures: Deep freeze hits Europe In Italy, sub-freezing temperatures were blamed on the deaths of a half-dozen homeless people, while heavy snows and high winds resulted in re-routed flights, delayed ferries, canceled trains and closed roads AP Greeces navy sent a ship to the island of Lesbos to house around 500 migrants from an inhuman tent camp left covered in snow, while other asylum seekers are being given emergency shelter in empty hotels. Elsewhere, refugees are sleeping rough in abandoned buildings, or on snow-filled streets. The bodies of two Iraqi men were found in Bulgarias Strandzha mountains, near the Turkish border, on Friday The Kurdish news site Rudaw said Talaat Abdulhamid, 36, and Hardi Ghafour, 29, had walked through the snow for 48 hours without food or drink. Mr Abulhamids brother, Samad, said his brother stayed by his friends body for hours after he died, adding: After a few hours Talaat also froze to death, as he had sat down by Hardis corpse. A post-mortem established the pair had died of exhaustion and exposure to low temperatures. Italy waterfall begins to freeze They had initially travelled to Turkey, hoping to cross through Bulgaria to Western Europe, but increased border patrols and the extension of a barbed wire fence that separates the two countries led them to take the treacherous route through the mountains. Their deaths came days after the body of a Somali woman was discovered in the Strandzha region, while a 20-year-old Afghan man died of hypothermia on 3 January after crossing a river that marks the border between Turkey and Greece. There are fears many more could succumb to temperatures as low as minus 20C over the coming days, with at least 69 deaths attributed to the conditions across Europe so far. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) hit out at negligence as well as systematic police violence in France, where police allegedly stole migrants blankets in attempts to move on rough sleepers in Paris. The charity is particularly concerned for 2,000 asylum seekers living in the Serbian capital Belgrade, where temperatures have reached minus 20C as authorities have severely restricted the provision of humanitarian assistance. For months, the strategy has been to block humanitarian aid to push these people into official camps, said Stephane Moissaing, MSFs Head of Mission in Serbia. Migrants warm themselves by the fire in front of an abandoned warehouse in Belgrade (AP) But the camps are full and already stretched beyond their capacities, so today migrants are left with no option other than to sleep in abandoned, open buildings in freezing temperatures. For months we have called on EU, UNHCR and Serbian authorities to put in place long-term solutions to avoid this catastrophic situation. The collective failure of these institutions has left even the most basic needs uncovered, exposing already vulnerable people to even more suffering. The new crisis comes after refugees died of hypothermia while crossing the Mediterranean Sea, where overcrowded dinghies are continuing to depart Libya for Europe despite the treacherous conditions. More than 5,000 migrants died attempting sea crossings to Europe last year, the deadliest on record, and at least 11 more have drowned in as many days of 2017. Calls to increase search and rescue missions and provide safe passage have gained no response. Josie Naughton, co-founder of the British charity Help Refugees, said she was devastated to see those who survived the crossings facing death in the supposed safety of the EU. She added: We call on governments, large organisations and international agencies to reassess their bureaucratic procedures and spend money where its needed to prevent further loss of life. 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 }} Muslim imams in Italy are being enrolled on courses aiming to create a climate of tolerance and fight radicalisation by learning about the countrys constitution. The interior ministry is funding the training, aiming at non-Catholic religious leaders and those from other countries planning to work in Italy. It will start in February in Ravenna, a northern Italian city from where an aspiring jihadi foreign fighter was deported to Tunisia last week. The programme is being run with the University of Bologna, whose course director said all religions that have not been officially recognised by the Italian state including Islam were welcome to join. Professor Giovanni Cimbalo told La Repubblica: The aim is to foster a dialogue between religions and cultures, contributing to the construction of a peaceful and non-violent society." He said the course would respect the diverse denominations within Islam, as well as across Christianity and other religions. An estimated 1.6 million Muslims live in Italy, yet there are only eight official mosques (Reuters) Attendees will be taught about the Italian constitution, including freedom of religion and speech, as well as the rights and duties inherent in our democratic societies. More practical instruction will focus on the process of setting up new places of worship, following protests over the closure of makeshift mosques last year. Despite having an estimated 1.6 million followers in Italy, Islam is not an officially recognised religion and the country has only a handful of registered mosques. With few official places of worship, many Muslims pray in houses and some 800 cultural centres and prayer rooms in the country, but right wing parties have claimed this makes religious sites hard to monitor and increases the risk of radicalisation. The new courses, to be taught at six universities including Pisa and Florence, are part of a 92,000 (80,000) interior ministry programme to improve integration and prevent extremism. It comes amid heightened security in Italy, which has come under the spotlight following revelations the Berlin Christmas market attacker was radicalised in its prisons. Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Italy on MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie DeardenI Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing health checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing security checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily A man being taken to hospital from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Authorities attempted to deport Anis Amri after he served a jail sentence for arson in Italy but a diplomatic dispute with Tunisia left him free to continue his journey to Germany. Police in Rome issued a new arrest warrant for an inmate who allegedly tried to radicalise fellow Muslims in Italian prisons on Tuesday, while enhanced monitoring of jails continues. The role of Islam in Italian society has been a hot topic following terror attacks across Europe and the refugee crisis, which saw more than 330,000 migrants from Africa, the Middle East and Asia arrive by sea in Italy over the past two years. In January 2016, the government announced a new council of Italian Islam claiming to bring the religion into compliance with the countrys Christian and humanist tradition. Former interior minister Angelino Alfano said the Council of Relations with Italian Islam would be an advisory body aiming at furthering integration. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man has been convicted of rape after taking off a condom during sex without his sexual partner knowing. The landmark decision by the Criminal Court in Lausanne, Switzerland, determined that having sex without a condom constituted rape if the use of one was expected. The 47-year-old was given a 12-month suspended sentence on Monday, according to news agency RTS. The unnamed man, from France, met a Swiss woman on dating app Tinder. On their second date in June 2015 they started having sex with a condom, but the woman only realised it had been removed after it was over. The court judged that the woman would have refused to have sex if she had known the condom would be removed. MP speaks out in Parliament about being raped as a teenager The victims lawyer has described the conviction as a first for Switzerland. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An anti-aircraft missile system has been set up to guard the skies above Moscow. S-400 Growler missile systems - used widely in Syria - have been stationed outside the Russian capital. Russias defence ministry also confirmed that an air force regiment had been deployed to the region around the city. Another air defence regiment equipped with the S-400 system will be put on combat duty near Moscow soon, officials said. Russia: S-400 anti-missile system features in Northern Fleet drills The S-400, known in Russia as the Triumf missile system and by Nato as the 'Growler', is the countrys most advanced surface-to-air missile system and can hit a target 250 miles away. The weapon has been sent to the city of Podolsk, 15 miles south of Moscow, local media reported. The combat crews of the Aerospace Forces' Moscow Region air defence formation's surface-to-air missile regiment, which received the new regimental set of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, have begun air defence combat duty on Wednesday, January 11, in Moscow and Russia's central industrial region, the defence ministry said. The deployment will offer protection to the Russian capital at a time of heightened tensions with the West. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis The defence ministry said the S-400 was designed to protect critical state infrastructure such as bridges, power stations and rail lines from "enemy air attacks. But officials offered no indication of what enemy that might be. The deployment follows November's announcement that Russia was deploying the same missile defence system to Kaliningrad. The Russian enclave borders Poland and Lithuania and missiles based there would be capable of targeting Nato aircraft and missiles over most of the Baltic region. 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 Russian town has launched a campaign to name one of its streets after US Donald Trump. Residents of Ryazan are calling for Godless Street to be renamed after the the President-elect as a way of advocating closer US-Russian relations. Sergey Bizyukin, who is spearheading the campaign, said it had garnered support from nearly 300 people. "Some saw it as a joke and signed because it was fun, some stood for normalisation of US-Russia ties, and some signed because they don't like the name of Godless Street," the 34-year-old told CNN. "Like any other city, Ryazan has its share of problems in economy, with infrastructure. Some of them are being sorted out, some are sorted out very slowly, and it may take a while to talk about some of the problems." The town is situated 125 miles southeast of Moscow on the Oka River, with a population of 500,000. The petition on Change.org called the Republican leader a big friend of Russia and a defender of traditional values". However Mr Bizyukin accepted that the petition was more about using Mr Trumps popularity in Russia to improve existing relations between the countries. "There are enough options for cooperation, for friendship, for economic cooperation, as well as culture and other fields, he said. Comments on the petition were mixed. One said: With a street named after Donald Trump we can make Ryazan great again. Another wrote: This will strengthen the friendship between our two brotherly nations. However, one critic of the proposal said: You should've at least waited for Trump to take action, because the first thing he could do is to tighten sanctions, making you look like fools, but that would be nothing new. It came as Mr Trump dismissed claims that Russian officials had gathered compromising and embarrassing information on him in an attempt to exert influence over the future president. BEIJING Premier Li Keqiang on Jan 10 sent a message of condolences to his Portuguese counterpart, Antonio Costa, over the death of former Portuguese President Mario Soares. On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, Premier Li expressed deep grief to the Portuguese side and extended sincere condolences to Soares family. Soares was a highly respected statesman in Portugal and made great contributions to China-Portugal friendship and cooperation, he said. China attaches great importance to its relations with Portugal and is willing to work jointly with the Portuguese side so as to boost further development of bilateral ties, he added. Soares served as Portuguese president from 1986 to 1996, and prime minister from 1976 to 1978 and again from 1983 to 1985. He died on Jan 7 aged 92. 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 UK-based Syrian war watchdog has published data tallying the number of violent incidents targeting civilians carried out by all parties in the bloody conflict for last year. The report from the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) found that Syrian regime helicopters dropped 12,958 barrel bombs in 2016 in total. The strikes resulted in the deaths of 653 civilians, SNHR found, including 166 children and 86 women. Most were dropped on rebel-held suburbs of Damascus, followed by Aleppo, Hama, Idlib, Daraa, and Homs. November - when the battle to retake Aleppo intensified - saw the highest number of barrel bombs dropped Barrel bombs are among several particularly damage-inflicting types of bombs that have been dropped on rebel held areas by the Syrian government, with the help of the Russian air force. They are illegal under international law because they have too indiscriminate a target area, putting civilians at risk. Since they cost considerably less than missiles and the Syrian government is able to manufacture them locally, they have been widely used by President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war. Shocking images show Aleppo before and after the conflict SNHR also found that barrel bombs had caused damage to 97 structures throughout the country classified as civilian, such as refugee camps, places of worship and schools, as well as 28 medical facilities. Both Damascus and Moscow were warned by the UN last year that such bombing, if deliberate, constituted war crimes. Vitaly Churkin, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, told the Security Council in December that the Syrian government had ceased to use barrel bombs, although SNHR found that not to be the case. 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 There were at least 1,373 attacks in total on civilian infrastructure in 2016, the watchdog said. The majority - 761 incidents - were carried out by the Syrian air force and army, another 437 by Russian forces, 55 by the main Syrian opposition, and 33 by Isis. Another 43 incidents were carried out by the US-backed international coalition. The report's authors called on the UN to insure the serious implementation of the current ceasefire in Syria, which has been marred by several violations, and to pressure all parties to refrain from attacks which endanger the human rights of civilians. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An Israeli newspaper owner allegedly offered to let Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hand-pick journalists he would later hire as part of a deal to promote more favourable coverage of the leader. The alleged negotiations included a request by Arnon Mozes, owner of Yedioth Ahronoth, that in return Mr Netanyahu promote legislation that would require the competitor paper Israel Hayom to be sold to readers, rather than given away free. Israel Hayom is a pro-Netanyahu outlet owned by US billionaire and Republican Party donor Sheldon Adelson. It is claimed that Mr Netanyahu promised to progress the deal after the Knesset elections of March 2015, but it never materialised, Haaretz reported. Mr Netanyahu is already under investigation for alleged corruption relating to receiving illegal gifts and donations. He has disputed the allegations and his lawyer said receiving gifts from friends is not illegal. The Prime Minister is accused of accepting thousands of pounds worth of gifts, including cigars and champagne, from Israeli billionaire Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. Reports suggest Mr Netanyahu lobbied US Secretary of State John Kerry on Mr Milchans behalf while the producer was attempting to acquire a new US visa. Mr Netanyahu has denied the allegations. Sources said he told his ministers: This is wrong, incessant pressure from the media on law enforcement. They release balloons and the hot air comes out of them time after time. That will be the case here too. A source, speaking for Mr Netanyahu on the newspaper claims, told Haaretz that "the whole supposed affair will turn out to be nothing". Mr Mozes' lawyers said: ""We suggest waiting until the investigation is over, when the full picture is made clear." 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 }} US officials and Israeli Foreign Ministry sources have said that the incoming US ambassador to Israel could be based in Jerusalem, while the official embassy building remains in Tel Aviv. Incoming President-elect Donald Trump and his administration have repeatedly said that the new president intends to make good on the campaign trail promise to relocate the US Embassy to the country to Jerusalem. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognised by the international community in the 1967 Six Day War, and both the Israelis and Palestinians claim the city as their capital. Almost all countries diplomatic missions to Israel are located in Tel Aviv. The proposed move has been strongly criticised by Palestinian Authority officials including President Mahmoud Abbas, liberal Israeli groups, and the US allies throughout the Arab and wider world. Most have warned the move would be damaging to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and could spark further violence. On Tuesday, Israeli and American media reported that new US ambassador to the country David Friedman could be based in Jerusalem, living and working in the existing smaller US consulate there, while the official embassy complex continues to be located in Tel Aviv. Israel: From independence to intifada Show all 7 1 /7 Israel: From independence to intifada Israel: From independence to intifada 26973.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26974.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26975.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26976.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26977.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26985.bin Robert Capa/Magnum Israel: From independence to intifada 26986.bin Robert Capa/Magnum US officials speaking on condition of anonymity told CNN one option would simply be to switch the signs on the existing buildings, although the number of additional staff needed would mean the Jerusalem operation would have to be expanded. The US government already owns part of a property in the west of the city that could serve as a home to a future embassy there. Israeli TV station Channel 2 reported the same thing, citing Israeli Foreign Ministry officials, who again spoke anonymously so they could talk freely. It is speculated that any potential move could be announced before May 24, a national holiday celebrated as Jerusalem Day in Israel. 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 }} For the past few decades, globalisation has been the status quo. Advancements in communication and transport technology have made the world far smaller than it once was, and governments and businesses everywhere have long since sought to make this notion profitable. This has manifested in free-trade agreements, economic and political unions and, in Europe, the unprecedented common citizenship of 500m people across 28 countries. But after the Brexit vote, after Donald Trumps victory, and with Marine Le Pens French presidential campaign on the horizon, globalised nations are finding themselves divided down the middle on ideological lines. So entrenched are the beliefs on each side of the divide that they invoke a counterculture of their own, threatening to spurn the society they once shared. In 1996, political scientist Samuel Huntington hypothesised that identity politics would become the fulcrum of global conflict. He described the fundamental bonds of nation as history, language, culture, tradition and, most importantly, religion. For him, these characteristics bind nations together above all, and do so in opposition to those on the outside. Recommended Brexit Britain blames globalisation for low wages and inequality in UK Huntington foresaw a heightened awareness of cultural differences as a result of globalisation. Regional cultures, he predicted, would see their own identity through differences with their neighbours. Detractors of Huntington, such as economist Amartya Sen, warned that such a homogenised view of cultural groups was a mistake as most valued diversity as a defining characteristic. In reality, they were both correct. But not entirely. Residents of London have rallied together in support of globalisation, welcoming refugees to the city (Rex) New priorities Language, culture, tradition and religion are no longer enough to bind the regions of the Western world. There has been a markedly political transformation. Identity within Western culture has unravelled into a question of how outsiders are, or should be, viewed. Working-class voters, traditionally the base of social democratic parties, are turning towards the anti-immigration populism of the right. This in itself is nothing new, but for the first time traditional notions of left and right are being replaced. In the US, its for or against the Mexican wall. In the UK, its Remain or Leave. On the other side of the aisle, globalists are equally determined to preserve a common citizenship. Luxembourg MEP Charles Goerens, for example, proposed that associate EU citizenship could allow citizens of former member states to opt-in voluntarily. Here, a new kind of transnational citizenship would be on offer one that would be invulnerable to the whims of nation-state isolationism. Donald Trump has claimed Mexico will repay the costs of a border wall between the two countries (AFP) Division and union The existing geography of nationhood then, at least in terms of nation-state unions, is under pressure from both globalists and anti-globalists simultaneously. Right-wing populist movements in Europe are pushing for more countries to leave the EU, while the UK wrestles with internal disputes. Its not just the familiar spectres of regional nationalism that threaten to dismantle the UK now either. In London, city mayor Sadiq Khan wants a London work permit to sidestep the EU immigration restrictions that look to become an inevitable part of Brexit. There are even murmurings of a full London independence movement. In the US the notion of Californian independence (Calexit) has been gaining traction since the election of Donald Trump. 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 While right-wing populists seek to destroy the globalised world in pursuit of a traditional nationalism, these new independence movements seek to do the opposite: to liberate themselves from their historical identity in order to forge worldwide relationships. Herein lies a striking similarity between the music subcultures I study and current geopolitical trends. Scholars in my own field have found that music lovers goths, for example can feel they have more in common with other members of their musical subculture, even if they live thousands of miles away, than with people in their geographical community. In the same sense, internationalism has become a subcultural identity. A social democrat in the UK is likely to have more in common with a social democrat in France or Germany than with a nationalist in their home town. The prospect of individual EU citizenship (which seems increasingly possible), alongside desperate attempts for British citizens to seek citizenship in other EU states, is proof of this. Irish passport applications doubled overnight after the Brexit vote, while Trumps election saw the Canadian immigration homepage crash. Counter protesters hold placards near a planned Klu Klux Klan rally in Anaheim, California (Reuters) Globalisation may have paved the way for the populist right to flourish in response but, in opening up the world through technology, the barriers of geography have been diminished permanently. After the end As Trumps election was assured, Florian Philippot, the vice-president of Le Pens Front National, tweeted: Their world is collapsing. Ours is being built. This is momentarily true for the physical world, in the form of existing governmental power structures. But the ideological sphere of internationalism is still intact. Imagine a world, within our lifetime, in which the people of California, Scotland, Catalonia, London, and Berlin shared free movement and common citizenship, but where visas were required to visit Florida or Plymouth. Once, not too long ago, such an idea would have been absurd, but no more we have already witnessed the unimaginable. Is the possibility of a world map shaped by ideological nationhood so extraordinary? Rio Goldhammer, doctoral researcher in leisure studies, Leeds Beckett University. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com) 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 group of university students have covered their student union building with tabloid newspapers in protest over its controversial decision to ban them on campus. Student council members from Queen Mary, University of London, voted in favour of banning sales of The Sun, The Express and the Daily Mail on campus, adding the university to a list of 30 institutions now in boycott of the publications. Queen Mary Student Union (QMSU) said its decision was made on the basis that the newspapers did not stand by the unions values of diversity and inclusivity, but students from the universitys Free Speech Society argue the move is a form of censorship and threatens university life. Members of the society have resorted to handing out copies of The Sun to students at the Mile End campus as part of a stunt to demonstrate their anger at what they say is dangerous censorship by the university. Free Speech Society member Emily Dinsmore, who led the stunt, told The Independent: I was angry; 13 student council members voted in favour of the ban Students weren't consulted on the issue and despite there being a vocal opposition to it, I felt the students' union ignored this and pushed forward with their own agenda. The undergraduate physics student said newspapers were also stuck up on the walls of the students union building and left in newspaper racks where they can no longer be stocked. The biggest student-led online petitions Show all 6 1 /6 The biggest student-led online petitions The biggest student-led online petitions 1. Stop Taxing Periods. Period. Signatures: 312,900+ / Goal: 500,000 Rex The biggest student-led online petitions 2. Free travel for university students in full-time education Signatures: 71,300+ / Goal: 75,000 The biggest student-led online petitions 3. #KeepTheGrants - Save student support maintenance grants Signatures: 49,500+ / Goal: 50,000 The biggest student-led online petitions 4. Student nurses (and all NHS students) deserve a salary Signatures: 8,100+ / Goal: 10,000 The biggest student-led online petitions 5. Reinstate free speech at the University of Edinburgh Signatures: 950+ / Goal: 1,000 The biggest student-led online petitions 6. Universities should not be exempt from FoI requests Signatures: 700+ / Goal: 1,000 We did this to protest the ban and also to defend press freedom, she said. It was a fun stunt with a serious message that campus censorship should be rejected and we should defend press freedom - even if you don't agree with what a particular newspaper publishes. Members of Queen Mary's Free Speech Society posted pages of The Sun around the student union building in protest The QMSU boycott follows similar decisions made by Londons City University and Plymouth student unions, and comes amid pressure from campaign groups for private companies including advertisers to end their support of so-called hate newspapers criticised for their negative coverage of matters such as immigration. A Daily Mail front page story that attacked a High Court ruling on Brexit last year received more than 1,000 formal complaints to media regulator IPSO. In a motion to ban the paper along with The Sun and The Daily Express in December, Queen Mary students stated: The Union should continue to stand in solidarity with refugees, migrants, ethnic minorities and other marginalised groups. A Daily Mail front page story that attacked a High Court ruling on Brexit last year received more than 1,000 formal complaints to media regulator IPSO. In a motion to ban the paper along with The Sun and The Daily Express in December, Queen Mary students stated: The Union should continue to stand in solidarity with refugees, migrants, ethnic minorities and other marginalised groups. The Union should continue to stand by its mission, vision and values such as diversity and inclusivity. The Union should not sell nor stock The Daily Mail, The Sun or The Daily Express in its venues and outlets due to the hateful treatment of these groups by newspapers. Passing the motion, QMSU said in a statement: It is important to note that this motion is not a ban of these newspapers from Queen Mary campuses and students are more than welcome to bring them onto campus. "It is a commercial boycott that will ensure the Union does not profit from the sale of these newspapers." A spokesperson for Queen Mary University said the university would respect the rights of the Students Union to make decisions on what is sold within its shops. 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 }} My fingers feel like theyve been sandpapered, and my thighs feel like iron bars. These are the joys of climbing the Egg, a legendary karst crag in Chinas rock climbing capital of Yangshuo. Following a spate of luxury hotel openings, this gem in southern China is creeping on to the radar: as Asias most adrenaline-filled adventure town and the countrys most beautiful rural hangout. (Banyan Trees riverside villas opened a couple of years ago and turbo-luxe brand Alila is due to open in an old sugar mill this year.) Im here to get my heart-rate going in as many different ways as possible on an extreme, one-day, dusk-till-dawn adventure itinerary. The sprawling karsts of Yangshuo, on the Li River (Bernt Rostad/Flickr) (Bernt Rostad/Flickr/CC-BY-2.0) Morning: Cracking the Egg Im clinging to a slim shelf in the rock, having fought my way, very slowly, just 10 metres up the Eggs 60-metre high face. Im doing a 5.8-level climb, a tough start for a beginner. Allegedly, Im doing really well or at least my guide Aniu from local firm Blackrock Climbing says so. Hes standing below, feeding ropes through the carabiners, attached to hooks in the rock face, slowly. Im hoping he hasnt noticed that Ive already broken the first rule of rock-climbing: never grab onto the hooks to steady yourself. Thirty years ago, the small settlement of Yangshuo in the Chinese province of Guangxi was a snoozy rice farming village until backpackers turned up, demanding banana pancakes, jugs of Tsingtao beer and some adventure to kill time between trips to Beijing and Hong Kong. Attempting to climb the dastardly face of the Egg (Cathy Adams) They wouldve hung out up the Egg, which after a punishing 45 minutes Im still not even halfway up. Ive been overtaken by a Russian couple, a young Australian and a Brit, all gliding up the grey limestone rock face effortlessly. They come here because its cheap, the rock-climbing is excellent and theres a huge variety of climbing for most abilities. (Including mine, which is somewhere between slow beginner and for the purposes of this assignment adrenaline freak.) Still, theres good reason to take it slow. Even from an embarrassingly low height, the views across the valley are epic. Because the limestone karsts erupt from a shallow basin along the Li River, get even a few metres off the ground and you really appreciate Guangxis rolling rice terraces, plus the other bumpy rocks Im supposed to be climbing, abseiling or slumped against later. They include Moon Hill (like a mossy green arch, great for abseiling down), Wine Bottle Crag and the Swiss Cheese, so named because its full of holes. Then I remember my body feels like a lump of lead. Aniu is probably too polite to say anything. Unsurprisingly, I never get round to climbing them. Moon Hill is a favourite spot for abseiling, though our writer was too destroyed to do it (Guan Tjun Tan/Facebook) Aniu is a bit of a local legend a North Face-sponsored climber, originally from Duyang, a town close to the Vietnamese border. Hes been climbing in Yangshuo for almost a decade, having moved here to join other likeminded adventurers. Its the climbing capital of Asia, he tells me, pointing at a group of rough-hewn Americans. Rising fees in climbing havens like Yosemite and Utah are so prohibitive that adventurers are moving to China instead. Theyre not just scaling Yangshuos karsts, though. This new breed of adventurers is abseiling off them, zip-lining through them or kayaking beneath them. The landscape in southern China is as beautiful as it is challenging (Nomadasaurus/Facebook) Afternoon: Kayaking and fat-biking Its almost lunchtime, and the Li River cuts through Yangshuo town as neatly as my oar is slicing through the serene water. The river is narrow, shallow and glass-flat, but theres plenty going on: fishermen casting their nets, bamboo trees swinging, backpackers swishing their feet off makeshift rafts. As kayaking spots go, Yangshuo is a supremely Instagrammable one, with looming karsts and lush reeds along the riverbank. (If youre here during a sweaty summer, find a slow-moving section, avoid the air-conditioned cruises and dive in or if that sounds like too much effort, hire a bamboo raft and just float down it.) A bowl of noodles later, and its my thighs that are getting the workout: on a mountain bike with doughnut-fat wheels. Thanks to the shallow basin that Yangshuo sits in, its ideal for exploring from the saddle. Rent a bike from any of the shops in town (or, if youre staying, the Banyan Tree rents them to guests for free) and take it off-road into the rice paddies that surround the town. Its as simple as that. Writer Cathy gives her arms a rest with an afternoon of fat biking (Cathy Adams) Or, leave Yangshuo proper to find some off-the-beaten track routes. For an easy peddle with blockbuster river views, stick close to the Li or to amp up the pace, cycle to nearby Xianggong Hill and hike up the makeshift stairs built by an enterprising local. Just dont do it right after coming down the Egg although the spectacular sight at the top might just make you forget about the agonising lactic acid build-up in your legs. Evening: Trance tunes and beer fish By early evening, sunset and the gaudy-but-worth-it light show that starts up when it gets dark has lit up the karsts. On West Street in downtown Yangshuo, theres a different kind of adventure happening: huge speakers bang out trance music as locals flip over their trestle tables to sell you your dinner. The place is rammed with young international and local climbers, fit-looking adventurers, lots of backpackers dressed in elephant-print trousers (groan), and groups of high-pitched girls with selfie sticks and Hello Kitty mobile phone cases. A lot of people say you should avoid Yangshuo town but I thought was quite fun for one night. Get a taste for local dish beer fish, cooked in a brew (Filipe Fortes/Flickr) (Filipe Fortes/Flickr/CC-BY-SA 2.0) Veer off West Street into the cutesy lanes and youll find street food stalls selling hot, slippery dumplings and local specialty beer fish Li River fish fried with tomatoes, chilli and beer. Its good spicy and soupy. Come 8.30pm, Im unable to open bar doors or hold chopsticks the legacy of the Egg so have escaped to Rusty Bolt, a bike shop by day and live music boozer by night, where Yangshuos vertigo glitterati hangout. The only problem is: after clinging on to The Egg all morning, my arms are too wobbly to hold onto my can of Tsingtao. This towns adventures come at a high price. Travel essentials Getting there From the UK, its easiest to fly to either Hong Kong or Beijing and take a connecting domestic flight to Guilin. Yangshuo is about a 90-minute drive from Guilin. Climbing there Blackrock Climbing (blackrockclimbing.net) takes climbers out for half-day sessions, which cost 320 yuan per person (34). The taxi ride from your hotel to the mountain is extra. Click here to view Asian tours and holidays, with Independent Holidays. 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 }} On BA 932, the early flight out to the Belgian capital, only three economy passengers had bought food and drink. Flying in from Belgium this morning on the return trip, a total of four of us chose from the M&S On Board menu. The airline will be hoping for a bigger take-up as travellers get used to the idea of paying for on-board catering supplied by Marks & Spencer. I had planned to order a salad with a difference, as the harissa chicken and couscous salad with a lemon yoghurt dressing is described. But because of the short journey time, with only 50 minutes airborne, only a limited selection was available. So I chose the heart-healthy oat and barley porridge (1.40) as well as a fruit salad for 3.50. All hot drinks, including hand-crafted tea, are priced at 2.30 (except hot chocolate, 2.70). I ordered a fresh hand roasted decaffeinated coffee that, the menu promised, will surprise you. It certainly did, because the cup featured a filter in the lid. Its filter coffee, so make sure you drink through the lid, I was advised. Simon Calder explains the travel consequences of a Trump victory Bottled water is priced at an ambitious 1.80 for half a litre, though cabin crew will serve a plastic cup of drinking water on request for free. Tray envy could spread aboard BA planes. Sitting in Club Europe, business travellers were enjoying a cold platter of meat, egg, cheese, salad, a bread roll and a coffee, served on china with metal cutlery. Recommended The 6 travel scams that can outsmart the savviest tourist Tasty, light and quick, but Im not sure if its worth the extra money, said Julian Eccles, a communications executive enjoying his complimentary breakfast in row 4. He declined the offer of free champagne. British Airways hopes that ending free food and drink for short-haul economy passengers will benefit the environment, by cutting down on waste. Many snacks were thrown away under the former regime of complimentary food. Some passengers will choose to take their own food and drink on board, but security rules mean that liquids and gels in containers of 100ml or more cannot be taken through the checkpoint. While sandwiches are regarded as safe, dairy products from yoghurt to cheese may be confiscated. The real winners are likely to be the food providers at the airports. Either passengers will decide to dine before their flight, or they may take on board some supplies. But passengers who aim to mix their own on-board G&Ts with some shrewd shopping at the airport are warned that consuming pre-bought alcohol on board aircraft is usually forbidden by airline rules. Click here for the latest travel offers from Independent Holidays 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 }} Yes I would, because I think Southern Rail have behaved in a terrible manner, he said on Radio 4s Today programme. The Labour leader called for Southern, which runs services in south London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hampshire, to be stripped of its franchise: I would want that franchise brought back into the public ownership and public sector. Many people who are trying to commute in from Brighton are utterly fed up with Southern Rail and the way that its behaved. Mr Corbyn declined to condemn Mondays strike which closed most of the London Underground. He said: I hope there will be a new offer made by TfL. The Labour leader was speaking as one-third of a million commuters find themselves, once again, unwitting victims on the chosen battleground between the rail unions, the railway industry and the Government over modernisation. The drivers union, Aslef, has called three days of strikes this week and more industrial action later in January. Along with the RMT union, which represents guards and some drivers, leaders say they are seeking to block plans for Driver Only Operation of train doors because of fears for the safety of the travelling public if drivers are solely responsible: They may not see someone falling between the train and the platform, nor someone caught in the doors, Aslef said in a statement. In an emergency, passengers may be at risk if the driver is working alone on the train. The Rail Delivery Group rejected the unions assertions. In a statement it said: Britain has Europes safest railway. We will never compromise on safety. Britain needs a modern railway to carry huge increase in passengers. Modern trains have automatic door closure, allowing drivers to open and close doors safely meaning smoother, more punctual arrivals and departures. Meanwhile British Airways cancelled 22 flights to and from Heathrow as a two-day strike by some members of BA cabin crew began. Most were short-haul flights, serving Aberdeen, Prague and Vienna and other destinations, but one of the four daily services to Boston and the only link to San Jose were also cancelled. Cabin crew members of the Unite union who are working for BA's Mixed Fleet operation say they having to manage on "poverty pay". The airline says salaries are competitive with the wider industry. 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 }} Id be the first to admit that the allegations about Donald Trump swirling around the web are both intriguing and repellent at the same time, as good a working definition of prurience as any. Not just the details, I mean, but the journalism involved. Were all guilty, whether we wish to admit it or not, of a greater or lesser degree of unhealthy fascination with the private lives of the rich and powerful, and especially if there is some genuine public interest tied up in it all somewhere. This would appear to be the case here, at least as an allegation, because the suggestion is that Trump is somehow beholden to the Russians, and that, so the speculation runs, explains why he has been so soft on them. If only it were that simple. If only the allegations could be proven or disproven, one way or another. If only, further, it could be proven that the allegations actually altered Trumps policies on anything. None of that has emerged. I doubt that will happen soon, if ever. The thought also crosses ones mind that western intelligence agencies may have some dirt on Putin. In which case there is a sort of personal state of mutually assured destruction between the two men, something not witnessed in global geopolitics before. Who knows? There is no corroboration for any of it. That is why the story is so intriguing, but the publication rather repellent. Meantime the world should try and calm down a bit, and concentrate on the realities. And those are that Trump really is going to become president next Friday, he will be running the worlds most mighty military power and, still, its largest economy. He will be the leader of the free world, whatever he may or may not have gotten up to in a hotel room in his day (indeed, relatively few inhabitants of the White House can be said to have been saintly). He will be forging a new kind of friendship with Russia. All that we know for certain; it does not require triple-sourcing. Trump chief adviser Kellyanne Conway denies compromising claims against President-elect So, back to work, everyone. The most important single relationship in the world is the one between the presidents of the United States and of the Russian Federation. True or not, it would be tragic if these rumours were to do anything to make that more difficult than it needs to be. I rather suspect that the reason why Trump is soft I use the term his critics use on Russia is actually that he doesnt see that Putin is a threat to the United States, or its values for that matter, and never has. It is the crudest of crude power politics, and requires no further explanation, and certainly no elaborate conspiracy theories involving the FSB, prostitutes, real estate deals and former British secret service agents. Trump and Putin simply agree that Isis is the most virulent of the many diseases afflicting the Middle Easts body politic, and they agree, I am sorry to say, that the best and indeed only way to extirpate this particular evil, with its beheadings and mass rape and torture and cultural vandalism, is to defeat it militarily and take things from there. Collateral damage, in Aleppo but in principle anywhere, is acceptable. Thats about it really. Rather a short dossier, but it doesnt need to be long to capture the essence of superpower politics in 2017. If the Russians really have been making cyber mischief on the United States, as Boris Johnson is the latest to claim, then so what? Men of the world know that the Americans and Russians have been spying on each other, and on their respective friends and foes alike, and some mutual ones, for as long as anyone cares to remember. The British invented spycraft in the sixteenth century, and it is nothing new. Who, after all, was listening in to Angela Merkels mobile phone all these years? Not the Kremlin (well, not as far as we know). Indeed I might go further. If Russia and America can work together on North Korea, that would be good for the entire world, and especially the South Koreans and Japanese who have been terrorised by the Kims for so long (and who, I think it is fair to add, have a far more credible claim to possession of weapons of mass destruction than Saddam Hussein ever did). Russia and the US could work together to ensure Chinas vaulting ambitions in the South China Sea are tempered and dont prove an additional threat to peace in that region. It is possible it is akin to multi-dimensional chess that the US and Russia could exercise joint influence to resolve long-standing problems in the Middle East, maybe in some grand carve-up of influence and resources. Look, for example, at how Russia defused its antagonism to Turkey. I am not in favour of the US rolling over and allowing the Russians to do whatever they like in Ukraine or the Baltic states, if that is the price of US-Russian harmony. However, if it is true that America will not fight the Russians over these interests, in effect abandoning Nato and resetting US policy to its pre-1941 stance, then Europe itself needs to take care of its own defence, and put up a credible show of resistance and deterrence against the Russians if Trumps America cannot be relied upon. Whatever happens to the EU, it is in no ones interests in Europe for Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania, let alone the likes of Poland, Romania or Bulgaria, to feel as though they are being pushed into some reborn Russian sphere of influence. It has happened before, the legacy left by the strangely pally relationship between Franklin Roosevelt and Josef Stalin, so there are some unfortunate precedents there that many in Washington dont like to reflect on. 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 As history shows, intelligence, spying and blackmail, affairs of the heart and the private financial affairs of statesmen and stateswomen, in the end, only have a limited impact on international affairs. It is not to trivialise the important work of intelligence agencies to state the obvious; that America and Russia have interests in common, and with leaders who respect one another (and even if they dont) they will therefore be pushed closer by the pursuit of those common interests. Thinking parochially for a moment, sometimes that will be good for Britain. The fact that there will be no thermonuclear conflict between the US and Russia is good news, surely. If America edges away from Nato, then the UK can use its military (relative) strength in Europe to secure a better UK-EU trading and economic relationship, in return for polling of sovereignty on defence. Post-Brexit trade agreements covering goods, natural resources and financial services could be reached between Britain, Russia and America respectively. Make no mistake, the world is moving in a more protectionist direction, and one where the crude realties of power politics will subsume any remaining ethical dimensions left over from the Obama or the Bush-Blair era. There will be no more wars for civilisation of democracy. There will be more wars, or the threat of them, to protect vital American and Russian interests. That is the world as it soon will be. We should drop our fantasies of Trump having to resign before he takes office (I freely admit it could arrive later) and get on facing a future where the world is being run by Vladimir and Donald. Britain, like every other second- or third-tier power, will have to make the best of it, long after these rumours have been flushed away. 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 }} With a mass of news headlines about Russia, intelligence agencies and a dossier full of compromising information about the President-elect, it may be tempting to zero in on the part about his alleged "perverted sexual acts", let Donald Trump deny it all and forget about it. But dont fall for that trap. Trump will win if we ignore the larger issues. It would be easy to get distracted; after all we have done it so many times before. When Trump paid $25 million to settle a class action lawsuit for fraud over his now defunct Trump University, he simply sent a tweet condemning the cast of a Broadway musical for publicly embarrassing his vice president-elect Mike Pence. The incredible fact that the President-elect was sued for fraud has quietly sunk into the murky depths. Pam Bondi, the Republican Florida attorney general, who he allegedly bribed in return to not prosecute him over Trump University, is now speculated to become part of his government team. No one is really talking about that either. Recommended Trump in angry exchange with CNN reporter as tycoon refuses question While new details emerge about Russia and his ties with the Kremlin, Trump is tweeting about the Apprentice, Meryl Streep and Arnold Schwarzenegger. "[During and after the campaign] Trump had about 200 scandals, Hillary Clinton had two - the emails and the Clinton Foundation," said Mark Smith, professor of political science at the University of Washington. "The point is they were the only two that media focused on, but they came back to them again and again, and because Trump had so many [scandals], none of them got much traction." Trump is distracting us right now with a week of absolute frenzy: confirmation hearings of civil rights abusers, oil and banking tycoons one after the other, and his first press conference in six months. Few people are questioning why we are so keen to hear him speak, as opposed to questioning his silence of half a year. Donald Trump says unverified claims are blot on intelligence agencies "He has discovered as an active candidate that [twitter] can be a powerful vehicle for substituting his own thought for what might be a more serious and damaging line of media inquiry," said Thomas Mann, senior fellow at Brookings and resident scholar at the University of Berkeley. "Its perfectly compatible with his psyche: the man does not take criticism well and the best way to deal with it is to attack whoever criticised him." Trump is not communicating openly and regularly with the public, and he is instituting a cabinet line-up of which the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany would certainly be proud. With every fresh wave of indignation against the President-elect, Trump can send one tweet, let us vultures scrabble around in the dust to decipher his 140 characters, and he can sail up the elevator to the gilded apartment in Trump Tower. Well, Comrades - let us not be distracted by more knee-jerk reaction tweets. What would prove to be very concerning, if verified, however, is his alleged and longstanding ties to the Kremlin. The dossier certainly proved troubling enough for senator John McCain to hand it over to the FBI. And, dont forget: even amid controversy about Russia, there is a silver lining here for Trump. He has still not released his tax returns. But who is talking about that now? The central governments official website started a new column, Ministers Voice, aimed at interpreting policies and addressing peoples concerns. The column is on the homepage of the government website and as of now, eight leading officials have responded to major concerns. The topics are all close to peoples lives, including prevention and treatment of air pollution, business system reform and the results of replacing the business tax with a value-added tax(VAT). During this years first State Council executive meeting on Jan 4, Premier Li Keqiang urged the heads of all State Council departments to actively respond to public concerns. The day after the meeting, he urged related departments and local authorities to actively respond to issues such as air pollution and to explain the situation based on reality. This is not the first time that Premier Li called on ministers to respond to public concerns. As early as 2013, just as he took office, during a national conference on clean government, he vigorously promoted government transparency and sharing information on government affairs. During the two sessions last year, the Premier urged ministers to actively respond to public concerns. Thirty-four ministers stopped in the ministers aisle in the Great Hall of the People and answered questions from the media, which became a spotlight of the two sessions. Premier Li has repeatedly stressed that one important symbol of a modern government is to respond to peoples expectations and concerns in a timely manner. The Premier urged governments at all levels to responded to issues affecting public interests, market expectations and public emergencies in a timely and truthful manner. Expectation management plays an important role in a market economy. Leading officials from all State Council departments should attend press releases at appropriate time to provide a stable expectation to society, the Premier said. 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 }} In 2010, Senator Jeff Sessions, then a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, accused one of President Barack Obamas judicial nominees of submitting incomplete information about his background in order to hide controversial work from the Senate Judiciary Committee. Seven years later, Democratic senators are casting the very same charge against the Alabama senator as he stands before the very same committee, seeking its approval to become the nations chief law enforcement officer as US Attorney General. Critics contend that Sessions omissions which range from failing to disclose financial investments to his work during his first term as senator reinforce their view of Sessions as a southern good ol' boy: a man who rhetorically claims to hold no animus for people of colour and other minority groups, but who throughout his career has championed policies that have had a devastating impact on the lives of immigrants and African Americans. If Tuesdays hearing is any indication, the critics are right. Jeff Sessions holds baby on lap as Senate hearing begins In an exchange with Senator Al Franken, for instance, Sessions was forced to admit that while he claimed to have championed 20 or 30 civil rights cases to desegregate schools and political organisations and county commissions as a United States attorney and listed civil rights cases as among the ten most significant cases he personally handled, he was never actually involved in working on those cases himself. And how could he be? Nearly every school in Alabama was already desegregated years before Sessions became the US attorney. Sessions also told senators that he understood the history of civil rights and the horrendous impact that relentless and systemic discrimination and the denial of voting rights has had on our African-American brothers and sisters. But just minutes later, when pressed on his voting rights record, Sessions referred to the Voting Rights Act which, until recently, places areas of the country with a record of racially motivated voter suppression under federal oversight as intrusive. At the hearing he said that controversial voter ID laws, which critics claim adversely effect minority communities, are "okay" if properly drafted. The Alabama senator also sought to paint over his life-long opposition to immigration reform. I would try to be supportive to end the illegality and put us in a position where we can wrestle with how to handle these difficult, compassionate decisions, he told the Committee. But that compassion didnt even last the length of the hearing. Asked how he would treat the nearly 800,000 children of undocumented immigrants who have spent their entire lives in the United States and came out of the shadows to sign up for President Obamas Deferred for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order program, Sessions quipped that he could have no objection to abandon that order. He then proceeded to dodge a series of questions from various senators about what he would recommend the new president do about the children who have already come forward. That does not answer the question about 800,000 that would be left in the lurch, whose lives would be ruined while youre waiting on Congress for a bill that you opposed, Senator Dick Durbin pointedly remarked at one of Sessions answers. The Alabama senator smiled. I understand your concerns, he replied. But no matter how hard Sessions works to dress his answers in flowery rhetoric or, as he accused others of doing, hide his most controversial beliefs, its clear to the millions of Americans who will be negatively impacted by Sessions that he neither understands their concerns nor does he hear them. 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 }} Cant you at least get my mum a bloody pillow? Is even that too much to ask? I shuffled awkwardly in my hospital scrubs, cheeks burning with shame. Because in this supposed centre of hospital excellence, in the worlds sixth richest country, I knew that pillows were like gold dust and just like the non-existent beds in the A&E where I worked there were absolutely none to be found. My patient, 86-year-old Mavis, lay curled into a ball, hands hiding her face, under a thin cotton sheet on a trolley. Beneath the strip lights in the open corridor, she looked frail and insubstantial. Amid all the drunks, the clamour, the abuse, the shrieking of A&E on a Friday night, we couldnt even offer a screen to protect her basic dignity. This is the human cost of a trolley wait. A cowering, fearful octogenarian whose distress and bewilderment would shame anyone who saw it. And right now, all over England, more grandmothers and grandfathers are languishing on trolleys in corridors because, statistically, it is our elders who most often need hospital care. Was it any wonder that her daughter was livid? Would you want your loved one fully exposed to A&E carnage at their most vulnerable moments in hospital? I apologised profusely, attempted to coax my patient out from her cheap cotton sheets, and wondered for the thousandth time how a country that can afford a 42bn new train track could simultaneously subject its most vulnerable citizens to such abject inhumanity. Jeremy Hunt on NHS mortality rates Mavis was comparatively lucky. She didnt die on her trolley and made it eventually to a ward. But last week, we discovered that in the first few days of 2017, NHS patients were stranded for so long on trolleys in corridors they did indeed end up dying there, one from a heart attack and another from bleeding. And those are only the confirmed cases. The responses from on high could not have been more different. Mike Adamson, the chief executive of the British Red Cross, condemned current conditions in NHS hospitals as a humanitarian crisis. Yet the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, roundly dismissed that description, claiming that only one or two hospitals were in trouble, with the vast majority actually coping better this winter. The trouble for Hunt is that the statistics say wholly otherwise. Vast numbers of NHS patients more than 18,000 of them last week alone endured trolley waits of over four hours; 485 patients waited more than 12 hours, treble the number seen during the whole of January last year. First-hand testimony from frontline doctors backs up the scale of the crisis, depicting almost unimaginable conditions of squalor and indignity up and down the country. Its an absolute war zone said one junior doctor, completely out of control said another. Hunts denial of frontline reality has left doctors like me feeling utterly terrified for our patients. Two deaths on trolleys are two too many. Just how many more are required before the Government acts? We have been here once before. But after the horrors of Mid-Staffs, where thousands of patients were subjected to untold cruelty, the Government promised that never again in the NHS would finances be put before safety. Hunt condemned the times when it might feel easier to conceal mistakes, to deny that things have gone wrong and to slide into postures of institutional defensiveness, vowing instead to foster a climate of openness, where staff are supported to do the right thing and where we put people first at all times. So why, at this time of crisis for NHS patients, has the Government spin machine cranked into overdrive, denying the seriousness of doctors concerns and promising the public that all is well? That is the precise opposite of what the nation was promised. Everyone who works in the NHS has a duty of candour, and no Health Secretary should be exempt from that. If Hunt really cares about patients, then when frontline staff are clamouring to warn of crisis conditions that we know are costing lives, he owes it to patients to listen. The more he downplays, dismisses and denies, the greater our fears of another Mid-Staffs only this one is being played out nationwide. Rachel Clarke is a junior doctor in Oxford. All patient names have been changed Theresa May and Enda Kenny discussed the situation in Northern Ireland James Brokenshire said an election in Northern Ireland is a 'high probability', but said he would keep engaging with the region's feuding parties in a bid to avert it The UK's Northern Ireland Secretary has said he will continue to push for a resolution to the crisis engulfing Stormont despite a Sinn Fein insistence that a snap election is a must. James Brokenshire acknowledged a poll is a "high probability" but said he would keep engaging with the region's feuding parties in a bid to avert it. If consensus on a range of disputes between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists is not achieved by Monday, Mr Brokenshire is obliged by law to call an election, potentially for late February or early March. "My focus is on the here and now, on what can be achieved now, on what opportunities there are, what the potential may be to bring people together, rather than see people be driven further apart," he said. Mr Brokenshire warned that finding agreement would be harder on the other side of a divisive election. His remarks came after apparently contradictory comments from senior Sinn Fein figures on the possibility of talks with the DUP ahead of a poll. After meeting Mr Brokenshire in Belfast, Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein health minister Michelle O'Neill said the UK Government needs to press ahead and call a poll. "We are not interested in trying to get into negotiations now - what we need is fundamental change," she said. "We believe the public need to have their say." Around the same time, addressing the media in Dublin, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said: "We are always open for talks and we are always open to meet. Of course we are." Sinn Fein denied sending mixed messages and insisted its position is clear - that an election needs to happen come what may, but the party will not rule out meetings with others in the interim. DUP leader and Stormont's former first minister Arlene Foster has indicated she would be open to talks with Sinn Fein. Mr Brokenshire and foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan are holding separate bilateral meetings with Stormont parties in an effort to chart a way through the crisis. The latest twists in a week of high drama at Stormont came as British Prime Minister Theresa May made clear in the Commons that events in Belfast would not derail her government's timetable for leaving the European Union. On Tuesday evening, Mrs May and premier Enda Kenny discussed the crisis on the phone. They pledged to work together to find a way through the political storm that has threatened devolution. The collapse of the institutions was triggered by the resignation of deputy first minister Martin McGuinness on Monday. The Sinn Fein veteran's move, in protest at the DUP's handling of a botched renewable energy scheme, forced Mrs Foster from her post as first minister. The region faces the prospect of direct rule from Westminster being reintroduced if the fallout between the DUP and Sinn Fein cannot be resolved on the other side of an election. While the looming collapse of power-sharing was triggered by the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) affair - a scandal that has left Stormont with a 490 million bill - other disputes between the two main parties have been reignited by the furore. Sinn Fein said it is planning to hold an election selection convention on Sunday. Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan is to hold talks with parties in Belfast on Thursday. "I believe a divisive election campaign that will polarise public opinion in Northern Ireland will not be helpful at this time," he said. Mr Flanagan said he believed some of the difficulties at Stormont can only be addressed by dialogue. British Prime Minister Theresa May could risk the peace process in Northern Ireland over concerns she is pandering to the Democratic Unionist Party so they will back her Brexit plans, a leading politician in the North has warned. Naomi Long, who is leader of the anti-sectarian Alliance Party, said there were growing concerns in Northern Ireland that Mrs May's impartiality on the peace process is being compromised by a need to keep the DUP onside. The DUP has eight MPs at Westminster, which could prove essential support for the Conservatives, who currently have a slim majority in the House of Commons. Amid growing concerns that some pro-EU MPs could rebel against Mrs May, securing support from the DUP is being seen as increasingly important in order to deliver her plans for the UK's withdrawal from the EU. On Monday, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned, effectively ending power-sharing at Stormont. He cited concerns over the DUP's "arrogance" in how it has handled allegations of a major financial scandal, known as the 'cash-for-ash' affair. His DUP counterpart Arlene Foster is accused of mishandling a government project on renewable energy, which has cost the taxpayer more than 490m (460m). "There is a growing perception in Northern Ireland that the potential usefulness of DUP votes in Westminster to advance Brexit may be compromising the UK government's willingness to challenge the DUP and ability to act as honest broker and impartial guardians of the Good Friday Agreement," Ms Long said. She warned failure to do so could result in "the permanent collapse of the political institutions". Ms Long, who represents the East Belfast constituency, revealed she had written to Mrs May's government on two occasions last month, warning of Stormont's imminent collapse and urging action. She says the UK government failed to act, which fuelled turmoil in Northern Ireland. "It has been clear that the current government, led by Theresa May, is completely tone deaf to the issues in Northern Ireland with neither the experience nor frankly the interest to recognise the political sensitivities," Ms Long said. Under power-sharing rules, Mr McGuinness' resignation means Mrs Foster also loses her position as both must participate equally in government. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire now has a week to announce Northern Ireland will face new elections. A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office said: "This is complete nonsense. Since the issue emerged, the secretary of state has been closely engaged with leaders of all NI political parties in a bid to ease tensions and to find a way forward. "Both the secretary of state and the prime minister have made clear this government is firmly and fully committed to the Belfast Agreement." Pendulum Summit founder Frankie Sheahan has told Independent.ie of his delight at the strength of the offering at this year's conference. The summit has grown exponentially since it was founded in 2013, and Sheahan says he is thrilled to see the impact it is having on the conference delegates. "In other years we had a keynote speaker that everyone was here to see. This year we have so many that everyone is being struck by a different speakers." Sheahan said that over the summit had attracted around 6,500 delegates who have travelled from all over the world to attend. He estimates that the summit could raise as much as 20m for the local economy. He said that with regards to Brexit, people tend to be "delving into the negative far higher than the positives. Yes deal with the challenges, but also put the energy into the opportunities. Many of the corporations appear to be frozen when it comes to Brexit." A 1bn Canadian silver mining company has taken a stake in fledgling Dublin-based zinc explorer Group Eleven Resources. The investment by Vancouver-headquartered MAG Silver in the Irish firm is part of a wider fundraising that has seen Group Eleven recently raise almost 1.1m from backers to develop zinc projects in Ireland after the price of the base metal soared 80pc last year. Stockmarket-listed MAG Silver, which has Jonathan Rubenstein as its chairman, develops silver mines in Mexico. It has a market capitalisation of just under C$1.4bn (1bn) and has stumped up over 500,000 for its stake in Group Eleven. A MAG Silver director is also believed to have also invested personally in the Irish company. Most of the investors who pumped money into Group Eleven in its latest funding are based in Canada. But other investors from countries including Ireland, the UK, Russia and the United States have also taken stakes. The company, founded in 2015, has previously raised over 300,000 from its founders and other investors, including former Davy corporate finance chief Hugh McCutcheon. Group Eleven Resources owns licences that cover acreage in Limerick, south of the Pallas Green zinc resource that's owned by global mining giant Glencore. Pallas Green is undeveloped, but it would be the country's second-largest zinc mine if it ever becomes operational. It was previously owned by Xstrata, which reckoned it would cost over 200m to develop. Group Eleven Resources was established by John Barry, David Furlong and Bart Jaworski. Mr Barry is chairman of the company. He has worked on gold mining projects in Africa. Mr Jaworski is ceo. He was previously a mining equity analyst at Davy Stockbrokers and prior to that worked with the Canadian arm of US brokerage Raymond James. Mr Furlong is general manager at the firm. He has previous worked on resources projects in Poland. Ireland has just one operational zinc mine, Tara Mines in Co Meath, which is owned by Swedish firm Boliden. It is Europe's biggest zinc mine and the ninth-largest in the world. Tullow have appointed Paul McDade to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the oil exploration firm. Mr McDade is currently chief operating officer (COO) at the company and his appointment will come into effect on April 26 this year. The decision follows an internal and external process led by Tullows Nominations Committee. Mr Paul McDade said he was "deeply honoured that the Board has appointed me to succeed Aidan as Chief Executive Officer of Tullow". "We have a world class business with high quality assets and strong relationships across Africa that underpin our business," he said. "We have begun the vital process of deleveraging our balance sheet and our focus will now move to returning the business to growth as the recovery in the sector develops. Meanwhile, Chairman Simon Thompson has announced that he will step down from the role he has filled for five years. He was a member of Tullows Board for a total of six years. Tullow founder and CEO Aidan Heavey will succeed Mr Thompson as Chairman of the Group for a transition period of up to two years. The Board and I have long been aware of the need to plan carefully for Aidan's retirement from Tullow as our founder and after 31 years as CEO," Mr Thompson commented today. "After careful consideration of the options, we are confident that this succession plan provides Tullow with the right combination of stability, continuity and fresh-thinking," he said. "Paul has been an outstanding member of the Board and has served Tullow with great distinction for 12 years as COO. With Aidan as Chairman, Paul and Tullow will continue to benefit from the founders years of experience and deep understanding of the relationships that underpin our business in Africa. Tullow also reported revenue and gross profit $1.3bn and $500m respectively on Wednesday morning, figures that fell behind expectations. A number of incurred accounting charges were highlighted by management that negatively impacted the 2016 income statement. These include a goodwill impairment of $0.2bn, a post-tax exploration write-off of $0.3bn, a post-tax impairment charge of $0.1bn and an onerous service contract charge of $0.1bn. Read More The firm reported production levels in line with their most recent update in November as their West African assets averaged 65,500 bopd in 2016 and their small European assets averaged 6,200 boepd. The trading update stated that the Jubliee turret remediation work is on track and Tullow expect 2017 production from Jubliee to average 24,300 bopd net to Tullow, taking into account a 12 week shutdown to allow for scheduled repairment work. Production at TEN is progressing well, according to management, with gross annualised working interest production in 2016 estimated to be 6,900 bopd net to Tullow, slightly behind guidance set in November. Tullow expects production from TEN to average 23,600 bopd net to Tullow in 2017. The other West African assets are expected to produce 27,800 bopd in 2016 which is slightly behind expectations of 28,000. Tullow expect production to average 22,200 bopd in 2017 which is also behind expectations. "Management also gave guidance on capex for the forthcoming year of $500m, a significant reduction versus the $900m spent this year," Equity Analyst Dylan Simmonds said. "Subsequently, due to the first oil from TEN we would expect Tullow to generate over $500m in free cash flow next year and begin to pay down their large debt burden. Net debt is estimated to be $4.8bn for 2016 which is slightly ahead of the $4.9bn figure expected, due to reduced capex and improved cost management." "Additionally, there has been several key management changes in Tullow which we are concerned about," he said. "All of these changes in quick succession may suggest some instability amongst the executive ranks in Tullow which we feel adds additional risk to the investment case now." Senior Independent Director, Ann Grant, will retire at the AGM after nine years service on the board. Chairman of the Remuneration Committee Jeremy Wilson will succeed Ms Grant as Senior Independent Director Stobart had expected to complete the Propius acquisition by the end of 2016. Photo: PA Stobart Group is pressing ahead with the 14m acquisition of a 33pc stake in an aircraft-leasing firm that supplies its planes - despite a wider plan to merge with CityJet being scrapped at the last minute before Christmas. UK-based Stobart, whose Dublin unit Stobart Air operates the Aer Lingus Regional service under a franchise, announced in November that it intended to buy the stake in the Propius leasing firm from Aer Lingus. That was in advance of the then expected acquisition of Stobart Air by Irish carrier CityJet. Stobart had expected to complete the Propius acquisition by the end of 2016. The Propius deal hasn't happened, but the Irish Independent understands that it remains an active transaction, despite CityJet pulling the plug on its planned acquisition of Stobart Air in December. That move cast a major doubt over whether Aer Lingus would complete the sale of its Propius stake. Propius Holdings is based in the Cayman Islands. It was established in 2012 to support the expansion of Stobart Air, formerly known as Aer Arann. Propius initially acquired eight new turboprop aircraft, which were in turn leased to Stobart Air. The other investor in Propius was Invesco, which was also a shareholder in Stobart Air's holding company, Everdeal. As part of a complex set of interlocking deals, Invesco last year sold its interests in both firms as Stobart was packaging itself for sale to CityJet. Read More Invesco owned a 33pc stake in Propius, and 40pc of Everdeal. It's thought that Stobart did not end up buying all of Invesco's stake as former Aer Arann chairman Padraig O'Ceidigh increased his stake in Everdeal from 5pc to 10pc under a pre-emption right. In October Stobart said that it had agreed to pay Aer Lingus $14.7m (14m) for its stake in Propius. "The parties are currently negotiating contracts and the transaction is expected to complete during 2016. "Following the acquisition of this stake, Stobart will own 100pc of the share capital of Propius," it said in a statement at the time. However, in December, CityJet terminated negotiations to buy Stobart Air that had been under way for almost a year. CityJet, headed by executive chairman Pat Byrne, had grown frustrated at the length of time that it was taking Stobart to finalise the deal. CityJet had intended to base aircraft at the Stobart-owned London Southend Airport to launch routes to Europe. After the takeover was canned, that CityJet plan for the airport was ditched. Stobart said that instead, it had inked an expanded franchise agreement with UK regional carrier Flybe for Stobart Air to fly up to 18 routes from Southend. Twelve of those routes were unveiled last month. Stobart Air already operates a small number of routes for Flybe, whose new chief executive is former CityJet boss Christine Ourmieres-Widener. Both Stobart and Aer Lingus declined to comment on the status of the Propius transaction. Stobart Group recently hired former EasyJet chief operating officer Warwick Brady as its deputy chief executive. He will help develop its aviation interests. THE proposed acquisition of the Celtic Media Group of local newspapers by Independent News and Media (INM) plc has been referred for a full media merger review to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland by Communications Minister Denis Naughten. Last November the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission approved the acquisition of the Celtic Media Group by INM. The CCPC (formerly the Competition Authority) ruled that "the transaction would not lead to a substantial lessening of competition" in the areas of business concerned. However the proposed acquisition by INM, which publishes the Irish Independent, and 'Sunday Independent', as well as a number of local newspapers including the 'Fingal Independent', 'The Kerryman' and the 'Sligo Champion', is now the subject of a review under Section 28e of the Competition Act 2002. Minister Naughten must assess - under legislation governing media takeovers - whether the deal has implications for media plurality. If the Minister is concerned that a media merger may be contrary to the public interest in protecting plurality of the media in the State, he can request the BAI to carry out a full media merger examination. INM said it will co-operate fully with the Authority in the review process. Consolidation within the print media sector, which is undergoing significant challenges, is essential for its survival, said the company in a brief statement. Combining these two groups of regional papers would strengthen the overall newspaper channel in Ireland. Celtic Media Groups publishing division comprises six weekly regional newspapers, a bi-weekly newspaper, and a pre-press service. Celtic Medias printing business is not part of the transaction. The Company will provide a further update as and when appropriate. The Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment confirmed Minister Naughten had referred the acquisition to the BAI, which will provide a report and recommendation within the next 80 working days. In line with the Media Mergers Guidelines and the relevant legislation, Minister Naughten proposes to appoint an Advisory Panel to provide an opinion to the BAI, a statement said. Under the Guidelines, the BAI must invite public submissions on the proposed merger and allow the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment an opportunity to make a submission. "Following the determination by the CCPC, the parties must submit a separate notification to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Section 28 of the Competition Act 2002 sets out the process by which the Minister for Communications (and, where applicable, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) will assess the merger separately in relation to media plurality". Full details of the Phase two assessment process are available in the 'Guidelines on Media Mergers' document which can be accessed on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment website, it added. The proposed deal will see Independent News & Media Holdings Ireland Limited (INM Holdings), a wholly owned subsidiary of INM, acquire the entire issued share capital of CMNL Limited (CMNL). CMNL owns seven regional newspapers, including the 'Anglo-Celt' in Cavan, the 'Meath Chronicle', and the 'Connaught Telegraph'. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) had opposed the move and claimed INM should not be allowed to further expand its newspaper stable. The CCPC said its investigation identified four distinct product markets in which the businesses operated. These markets are newspaper publishing (which includes advertising and readership); pre-press services to local/regional publishers; printing services to local/regional publishers; and the distribution of local/regional titles. The CCPC said its analysis involved in-depth economic assessment of the affected markets, consideration of detailed submissions from the parties involved, as well as consultations with competitors of the merging parties and other third parties. "The CCPC concluded that, although both INM Holdings and CMNL are involved in publishing local/regional newspapers, there is very limited overlap between their activities and the transaction would not lead to a substantial lessening of competition in any of the product markets mentioned above," said the commission. The red-brick Strand Apartment blocks in Limerick, where some tenants have been given eviction notices. Photo: Press 22 Residents at a city apartment block have vowed to fight back against a vulture fund's demands that their homes be sold. A number of residents at The Strand apartments in Co Limerick have gotten letters telling them to leave their homes within months. The letters, one of which has been seen by the Irish Independent, were sent on behalf of Sova Properties Ltd. It warns the resident that their tenancy will expire in April and that "the reason for termination of the terms of the tenancy agreement is due to the landlord intending to sell the dwelling within the next three months". Sova Properties Ltd is a subsidiary of Lalco Holdings Ltd, which was previously in charge of the apartments. Sova had, according to its latest filed accounts, net liabilities of 64m and bank loans of 118,407,352. This debt was transferred to Nama in August 2010, prior to Nama selling the loans to Oaktree Capital Management in July 2016. According to Sova Property Ltd, it was then directed by Oaktree to sell the apartments by vacant possession. Resident Tara Robinson is among those who have vowed to fight back. Ms Robinson (43) got her letter just before Christmas. "It explained the apartments were going to be sold by June 2017, and that they were not going to be sold with any tenants in them," said Ms Robinson. "Basically they would all be sold through auction to the highest bidder, so they could make as much money from them as possible." It is understood at least 25 of the 120 apartments in question have been sold. "[Last November] the reserve price was 165,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, which later sold at auction for 215,000," she said. However, Ms Robinson noted that the apartments were originally sold "for 315,000 off the plans, back in the boom times". Ms Robinson, who said she never missed the 700 monthly rent, added: "I can't believe it. I paid my rent on time throughout a horrible recession. "The fact that some faceless vulture fund now owns my home, and wants me out, and doesn't care about me, is making me really angry." Ms Robinson described the situation as "disgusting". "I'm not going to leave. They'll have to take me to court if they want to get me out. I just think it's wrong and people need to take a stand," she said. Residents, organised by AAA councillor Cian Prendiville, are joining forces to try to fight the evictions, with Cllr Prendiville having queried the validity of the eviction orders. He claimed that Department of Finance officials and Finance Minister Michael Noonan had "rolled out the red carpet for these vulture funds". He said Mr Noonan had met "with representatives of the vultures personally eight times in 2013 and 2014, encouraging them to come to Ireland. On top of that his officials met with them on 65 occasions as well". "Now the vultures have arrived on his very own doorstep, and the result is mass evictions in order to 'maximise value', the end result of which would be further massive increases in rent prices across Limerick," said Mr Prendiville. Next week, new legislation will come into effect offering tenants new protections in relation to the proposed sales of more than 10 units. But it will come too late for residents in Limerick who have already gotten their letters. In its latest filed accounts, Sova Properties Ltd stated it intends to complete the sale of all its assets "as quickly as possible" and pay off its debt to Oaktree Capital by 2020. A statement released by Sova said: "Debt secured against these properties was sold by Nama to Oaktree which has directed that Sova sell the properties to repay the debts. Sova remains in ongoing communication with tenants." Drones have become a booming 120bn business, according to a major new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers. The consultancy estimates that the small flying aircraft have already become a 43bn market within the infrastructure planning industry and are set to penetrate delivery services in the next three years. Amazon has begun trial drone deliveries, while emergency services in Donegal are using drones in rescue situations. The commercial drone boom comes as EU policymakers prepare to federalise drone law across the 28 member states this year. A draft regulation to centralise drone laws has been approved by the European Council, with common new rules set to apply to drone operators across the continent. Chief among the new rules is a requirement for beefed-up privacy and security conditions. These will include an onus on drones to be easily identifiable and to have features that ensure compliance with identified no-fly zones and altitude limits. In Ireland, commercial drone owners must have a specialist licence while consumer drones over 1.5kg are required to be registered with the Irish Aviation Authority. The Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) has also warned that businesses thinking of using drones face a substantial to-do list before lift-off. Irish drone operators must complete a "privacy impact assessment" process, according to the DPC. Among other things, this is to "identify the risks to personal data protection, the necessary safeguards to address those risks, and the measurement and adjustment of those safeguards when in use". Drone users must also "ensure appropriate contracts are in place" and also have "a written drone-usage policy in place which includes reference to the uses that may be made of the data processed retention and security of personal data being processed". Nevertheless, drones are set to increase their penetration among Irish businesses in the near future, according to PwC. "Drone technology is rapidly moving from the concept to the commercial stage of its development," said David Lee, a technology partner in PwC. "7-Eleven, the world's largest convenience store chain has recently announced that it has successfully completed 77 drone flights to customers living within a mile of one of its stores in Reno Nevada. However, the application of drone technology goes far beyond the delivery of product to end customers. Companies in the road and railway sector operate extensive networks of complex assets distributed over vast areas, generating high costs for investment monitoring, asset inventory and maintenance. Drone technologies are affording these companies a way to complete these activities in a faster, more cost-effective and safer way than traditional methods. By acquiring various sets of data, drones are becoming an essential tool on construction sites and during regular maintenance and asset inventory. LGBT campaigners have launched a new campaign to urge Twitter to do more to tackle online homophobic abuse. The Labour MP Wes Streeting, human rights activist Peter Tatchell and the co-owner of lesbian magazine DIVA are among those urging people to share the hashtag #no2LGBTHate on 1st February at 4pm. The thunderclap campaign will include the sentence: We need Twitter to silence LGBT hate. Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia have no place online. The campaign claims they have seen a surge in hateful LGBT comments on Twitter recently and have challenged the social networking giant to do more to tackle it. Mr Streeting said: I know from my own work tackling homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools before entering parliament that social media increasingly blights the lives of LGBT people because of its use as a weapon to inflict harm on others. It is simply unacceptable that abuse is taking place on a daily basis online, often with damaging consequences for victims. Linda Riley, the co-owner of Diva, accused Twitter of being ineffectual and inadequate in tackling homophobic abuse and hate speech and has said there are several Twitter accounts which solely target LGBT people with abuse. If I were verbally abused in the street I can, and would, act to call the perpetrators of such abuse to account. In many ways, online abuse is worse as posts remain online in perpetuity, she said. The former Eastenders actor and Life Peer Lord Cashman is also backing the initiative, claiming it is clear homophobia is not being challenged on Twitter. A spokesperson for Twitter told The Independent: "We prohibit conduct that targets people on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender and gender identity. In November, we announced a more direct way to report this type of conduct. This will improve our ability to process these reports, which reduces the burden on the person experiencing the abuse, and helps to strengthen a culture of collective support on Twitter." Twitter's policy was amended in November to expand their 'mute' feature to allow users to mute keywords and phrases they do not want to see in their notifications. This was in addition to the block and reporting abuse functions the company already had in place. Under the company's hateful conduct policy they also updated a more direct way to report abuse. The American Apparel brand and some other assets have been acquired in bankruptcy proceedings by Canadian T-shirt and underwear maker Gildan Activewear for about $88m in cash, a quiet fate for the once notorious retailer. Gildan will separately purchase inventory from American Apparel to ensure customers receive a steady supply, the Montreal-based company said on Tuesday. Gildan won't acquire any of American Apparel's stores. American Apparel filed for a second bankruptcy in October after struggling to recover from a tumultuous period that included slumping sales, financial losses and the forced exit of founder Dov Charney following allegations of misconduct. American Apparel was founded in 1989 and developed a global following with his focus on domestic US manufacturing and racy advertising. Gildan had made an initial, or "stalking horse", offer of $66m. Next Level Apparel submitted a bid to challenge Gildan, according to Reuters. Next Level, based in California, couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Amazon.com, Forever 21 and Authentic Brands, all also considered making bids for American Apparel, a person familiar with the situation had said leading up to the auction. Gildan will fold American Apparel into its North American distribution networks to gain market share in the fashion basics segment of the market, the company said. The acquisition may help the 30-year-old company grow in the more fashionable and lucrative end of screen-printing, which makes up about 60pc of its revenue. (Bloomberg) Sweden's minority centre-left coalition will introduce legislation next month to force listed companies to increase the number of women they have in their boardrooms. The coalition of Social Democrats and Greens led by Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has long threatened to introduce legislation unless the gender balance in company board rooms improved in a country which likes to consider itself as a champion of gender equality. The bill will stipulate that by 2019 at least 40pc of board members of listed firms should be women. It will need support from the centre-right opposition, which has so far been sceptical about legislation, to become law. The proportion of women on boards in Sweden has risen in the last decade and stood at 32pc last year. In 2003, Norway became the first country in the world to impose a gender quota. It required nearly 500 firms, including 175 companies listed on the Oslo stock exchange, to raise the proportion of women on their boards to 40pc. Similar laws have been, or are in the process of being, introduced in France, Germany and the Netherlands. In Ireland, the 30% Club, which was officially launched in January 2015, campaigns to increase the representation of women in senior management and board roles in Irish business through voluntary actions. (Reuters) Hitting the write note: Cecelia Ahern at home in Malahide. Models Rosanna Davison and Roz Purcell have both produced cookbooks. Photo: Brian McEvoy. Simple Tips to Live Beautifully by Pippa O'Connor, 16.99 at Eason Pippa OConnor has reached the top of the book charts. Pic. Robbie Reynolds She made her name as one of Ireland's best-known models, but Pippa O'Connor has proven she's more than just a pretty face - as her style bible has been a runaway success. Her fashion, beauty and lifestyle guide outsold books by fellow models Rosanna Davison and Roz Purcell by more than 10,000 copies. Released in October, the blogger's book has sold more than 24,000 copies already. Rival Roz Purcell's Natural Born Feeder has sold 13,620 since its release in January last year. Expand Close Simple Tips to Live Beautifully by Pippa O'Connor, 16.99 at Eason / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simple Tips to Live Beautifully by Pippa O'Connor, 16.99 at Eason Rosanna Davison's debut book, Eat Yourself Beautiful, came out in August and has sold 10,483 copies. In September, the former Miss World released a follow-up book, Eat Yourself Fit, which has sold 3,424 copies. Other well-known names who released health and fitness books did not fare so well in the rankings. Former Tallafornia star Kelly Donegan's book, Build Your Own Body, has sold just 635 copies since it was released last May. Expand Close Models Rosanna Davison and Roz Purcell have both produced cookbooks. Photo: Brian McEvoy. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Models Rosanna Davison and Roz Purcell have both produced cookbooks. Photo: Brian McEvoy. While Roz and Rosanna's books focus on healthy eating, Pippa's offering is a more general lifestyle book that covers topics including skin care, fashion and travel tips. All three models have strong followings on social media. Penguin Ireland managing director Michael McLoughlin told the Herald that Pippa's online fan base was one of the reasons why they agreed to publish her book. "We are thrilled. Pippa's book was the 13th best-selling title in Ireland last year and was the third best selling non-fiction book of the year. "With Pippa, we knew she had a huge social media following and is very popular in her own right. Expand Close Hitting the write note: Cecelia Ahern at home in Malahide. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hitting the write note: Cecelia Ahern at home in Malahide. Video of the Day "We were pleasantly surprised how well the book has done, which just goes to show that people are interested in hearing about the lives of people such as Pippa O'Connor." Other celebs who released books in the past year include Cecelia Ahern, whose novel Lyrebird has sold 13,825 copies since its release in October. Gay Byrne's wife, Kathleen Watkins, has enjoyed stronger sales of her children's book Pigin Of Howth. It has sold more than 10,800 copies since its release in September. The High Court has dismissed an application by the occupiers of Apollo House in Dublin City Centre for an extra week before they have to leave the building. Dismissing the application, which was brought over the suitability of alternative accommodation on offer to homeless people in Apollo House, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan said the court "could not get involved in a dispute over the standard of alternative accommodation." Expand Close apppollo house 3 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp apppollo house 3 The judge said while he sympathised with the plight of the homeless the court had already found that the occupants had no right or entitlement to be on the premises. Any issue about the quality of accommodation fro homeless people was "a matter for government" and "not one for the courts," the Judge said. The building, located on Tara Street and Townsend Street in Dublin, was taken over by activists under the Home Sweet Home Coalition and offered as accommodation to the homeless. Last month at the High Court Mr Justice Gilligan gave the occupants, many of whom are homeless, until 12noon Wednesday to vacate the property. Expand Close Housing Minister Simon Coveney agreed to find new accommodation for those living in Nama-controlled Apollo House / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Housing Minister Simon Coveney agreed to find new accommodation for those living in Nama-controlled Apollo House Shortly before the deadline was due to expire Ross Maguire SC for the occupants asked the court for a seven day extension. Counsel said while his clients had tried to comply with the order to vacate issues over the suitability of alternative accommodation for the residents had arisen. While efforts were being made to find suitable accommodation with Dublin City Council more time was needed so that suitable accommodation can be found for the 25 people remain in the building. Counsel said one of the problems was assurances about the immediate provision of suitable alternative accommodation given to the Home Sweet Home coalition, who organised the occupation, by the Minister for Housing Simon Coveney had not been delivered. Mr Maguire SC, appearing with Michael Lynn SC, represents four of occupiers including musician Glen Hansard, trade unionist Brendan Ogle and activists Aisling Hedderman and Carrie Hennessy who are all members of the Irish Housing Network group which is part of the coalition. The application for an extension was opposed by the Nama appointed receivers who own the building. Rossa Fanning SC for the receivers said the court should not entertain the application for a further stay because of a dispute over the quality of alternative accommodation. The case was about the property rights of the lawful owners, and the court had already found that the occupiers were trespassers. The receivers, who counsel said are sensitive to the plight of the homeless had been in contact with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, and the Fr McVerry Trust and was satisfied that there are places available for all those in Apollo House "tonight". The court, counsel said, which had already granted an to vacate Apollo House said could not get involved in what was "a political issue outside the proceedings." Mr Justice Gilligan, who said he "admired" HSH's campaign to help the homeless, said that court had been clear in its judgment last month and that the receivers were entitled to possession of the building. "Ample time" and "a more than generous stay" had been given to those in occupation to vacate a building they have no right to be in. The court said it did not want to give the impression that it would take "a benevolent attitude" in cases where buildings or public owned buildings that are occupied illegally. That would be an intolerable situation in a democratic society, he added. The case he said relates to private property rights. The judge agreed the court could not get involved in a debate about the dispute about the suitability of the quality of accommodation that was on offer. The Judge also said that it was wrong to criticise Minister Coveney as he was not a party to the proceedings. Following the judge's decision to dismiss the application for an extension Mr Fanning asked if an assurance could be given that the building would be vacated before the case returns before the High Court on Thursday. In reply Mr Maguire said he could not give such an assurance. The case will return before Mr Justice Gilligan on Thursday morning. In his ruling on December 21st Mr Justice Gilligan granted an injunction sought by Tom O'Brien and Simon Coyle of Mazars, who were appointed joint receivers over the building by a Nama related company Nalm Ltd in 2014, to vacate the property and restraining the trespass at Apollo House. The Judge, noting arguments made on behalf of the group the Coalition including a sworn statement from Fr Peter McVerry about the current homeless crisis and the suitability of accommodation currently being offered to rough sleepers in the city, said he was placing a stay on the order to vacate Apollo House till 12 noon January 11th. The stay was on terms including that no more than 40 homeless people stay at Apollo House per night. Other requirements of the stay included that access to the building is provided to the receivers, that thee occupiers co-operate with the receiver's requests and in particular that there be co-operation between the parties in regards to the building's electricity supply. The injunctions are to remain in place until the full hearing of the action. The occupants he said were trespassers and had occupied the building to highlight the plight of the homeless. However the "law was clear" in regards to an ongoing trespass and the rights of the receivers who had charge of the property. The courts "must apply the law". When seeking the injunctions Mr Fanning said the application was not about putting people on the street at Christmas or at any other time. They said they had "no choice" other than to take proceedings over the occupation. Counsel said due to the occupation the building, which has been vacant since mid-2015, no longer has fire insurance and that its public liability insurance will lapse in mid January unless the receivers are able to regain possessing. The joint receivers were appointed over the property by Nalm Ltd. It acquired loans advanced by Anglo Irish Bank to the building's owners Cuprum Properties Ltd who had defaulted on borrowing of approximately 357,000,000. The building forms part of a block due for re-development. The receivers want to sell the property in order to deliver the best possible return for the taxpayer. A primary school caretaker who abused his position of trust by superimposing pictures of children from his school onto those depicting youngsters being sexually abused has been jailed for a year. However, given the time he served while awaiting trial, he is set to be released from jail. Judge Sandra Crawford who described 35-year-old Gary Carruthers' taking and use of pupils' faces from the school as "grostesque", sentenced him to three years and ordered he serve the bulk of the term, two years, on licence. This is to ensure he completes a recommended probation organised programme which should help prevent his re-offending and protect both children and the public in the future. However, as a result, because of time already served awaiting trial, Carruthers, with an address in Victoria Street, Belfast, is now due for release from prison. Carruthers, described as a "social loner" and possibly suffering from some form of autism, not only admitted having nearly 30,000 indecent images of children, some as young as two to four, being sexually abused, he also pleaded guilty to having two paedophile manuals. He is also the first person in Northern Ireland to be caught in possession of such manuals. Entitled 'Childlovin' and 'Producing kiddie porn for dummies', they were discovered along with the indecent images and extreme pornography on over 20 computer storage devices and discs hidden in a safe in his bedroom. Judge Crawford told Carruthers that the methods set out in the manuals to groom children ultimately, for sex, and the images depicted in them were "utterly shocking." Read More The Downpatrick Crown Court judge, sitting in Newry, said that normally guilty pleas would attract substantial credit. However, she told Carruthers "the evidence against you was overwhelming and effectively you were caught red handed", and when questioned initially brazened the matter out, denying all responsibility until he produced a prepared statement. In it Carruthers accepted "responsibility" for all of the images, telling detectives "I am deeply sorry for my actions. I do not wish to comment further". Judge Crawford also told Carruthers that the "great harm" caused to children being sexually abused was "all too obvious", and that by seeking and downloading such images from the internet he'd helped maintain "the illegal and depraved industry which exploits and abuses children for the sexual gratification of adults". The judge said that Carruthers had abused the trust put in him as a school caretaker to photograph pupils which he had then used "in a vile and despicable fashion" to impose on images of children being abused. The judge said that the variety of images including still and videos ranged from the lower level category one, but also included over 400 in the more serious levels four and five, depicting children being sexually abused by adults. While Carruthers pleaded guilty to having the vast bulk of material from 2012, the judge said that analysis of them showed that some had been recovered from the internet in the weeks and days before his arrest in September 2015. In addition to Carruthers 12 months imprisonment and two years on licence, he was placed on the Sexual Offender's Register indefinitely and was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for the next 10 years. Under the SOPO he has been banned from using of any Internet electronic devices without supervision. He is also banned from contacting anyone under 16 or living in a household with youngsters unless approved by the authorities. A teenager who had an incredible temptation presented to him two days after his 19th birthday when his former employer mistakenly lodged almost 20,000 into account has been jailed for theft. Karl Smith (19) was due to get wages of 196.36 for two days work with Industrial Insulation Specialists but 19,639 was lodged to his account when the decimal point was put in the wrong place during the bank transfer, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Smith was anxiously awaiting his wages and was flabbergasted when he rang his bank to check his balance. He withdrew most of the cash over three transactions before spending the balance through use of his laser card. Shaun Smyth BL, defending said it was a bizarre and unusual situation and when the money fell into his client's lap, an incredible temptation was presented to him. He said Smith was in a very low place at the time. He had a drug debt of 1,000 and he felt like all his prayers had been answered. It was a gift from God as far as he was concerned, Mr Smyth continued. Smith spent the cash within three weeks on drugs, socialising with friends, gambling, a new bed and a Playstation. Mr Smyth said his client assumed it had been a banking error and only became aware three weeks later that the money had come from his former boss. Smith of Rutland Avenue, Crumlin, Dublin pleaded guilty to theft of the cash from John Naughton on January 21, 2016. He has 17 previous convictions including one theft, assault, making threats and criminal damage. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Smith to four years in prison with the final two years suspended. She accepted that Smith was particularly vulnerable when the funds landed in his bank account and acknowledged that a psychiatric report concluded that he suffered from chronic social anxiety and very low self esteem. The judge said, however, that it was a substantial theft which undoubtedly had some effect on Mr Naughton's business. Garda Alan Young told Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting that Mr Naughton's wife, Suzanne, realised that she had mistakenly transferred the cash to Smith's account a week later. The couple made efforts to get Smith to return the cash by phoning him and sending solicitor letters to his bank but there was no response. They then contacted the gardai to investigate the theft. Gda Young said Smith was arrested in Cloverhill Prison last June where he was serving a sentence for assault. He made no comment during interview. None of the cash has been recovered and Smith has not made any repayments. Gda Young agreed with Mr Smyth that his client was addicted to cocaine at the time and would not have been used to having large amounts of money. Mr Smyth said his client accepted that although he didn't know how the money had been lodged into his account, he knew he was not entitled to it. The copyright cases are being taken by Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd, publishers of the Irish Independent and independent.ie, and CCC Nuacht, a court reporting agency. Stock picture A controversial website at the centre of plagiarism claims is facing three court actions in the coming year. Two news outlets have issued District Court proceedings against Leo Sherlock, who operates TheLiberal.ie website as a sole trader, for infringement of copyright. High Court proceedings have also been issued by a man wrongly identified as a former IRA member in a photo accompanying an article published by the website. The National Union of Journalists said it had also written to Mr Sherlock, accusing him of "stealing" the work of journalists and passing it off as his website's own material. The copyright cases are being taken by Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd, publishers of the Irish Independent and independent.ie, and CCC Nuacht, a court reporting agency. Both organisations have sued Mr Sherlock (34), of Ardee Road, Collon, Co Louth, under the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000, which allows damages of up to 15,000. Mr Sherlock did not respond when contacted by the Irish Independent yesterday. Ireland's answer to Mary Berry, Twink at home in Knocklyon putting the icing on one of her cakes. Photo: Tony Gavin Twink has succeeded in saving her debt-ridden home from the auctioneers hammer after paying off outstanding mortgage repayments of 18,000, the Circuit Civil Court heard today. Barrister Shaula Connaughton-Deeny told Judge Jacqueline Linnane that repossession proceedings against Adele Condron-King and her estranged husband, David Agnew, could be struck out. Ms Connaughton-Deeny said Condron-King had paid off all mortgage repayment arrears and her client, Start Mortgages, no longer required her to sell her home or for the bank to obtain a possession order against it. Counsel said it was Twink who had paid off the 18,000 outstanding debt as joint defendant David Agnew had not been engaging with the bank and had not been living in the property, Idrone House, Idrone Avenue, Knocklyon, D16. Expand Close Idrone House in Knocklyon, Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Idrone House in Knocklyon, Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney Judge Linnane had earlier heard that Agnew was aware of the proceedings but had to be served with the legal writ at his place of work , the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, at 163 Rathmines Road, Dublin. When the bank issued proceedings against the couple Ms Connaughton-Deeny told the court that it was owed about 250,000 overall, including the 18,000 arrears. Expand Close Ireland's answer to Mary Berry, Twink at home in Knocklyon putting the icing on one of her cakes. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ireland's answer to Mary Berry, Twink at home in Knocklyon putting the icing on one of her cakes. Photo: Tony Gavin Twinks clearance of the arrears debt means she continues to own her plush home and return to paying monthly repayments of 209.80 on the remaining mortgage. The current value of Idrone House is worth several times more than the outstanding mortgage. Twink had given a newspaper interview relating to the proposed sale of her dream home but when the proceedings were last mentioned before Judge Linnane on December 2nd last Ms Connaughton-Deeny said there had been confusion as to whether or not Twinks home had actually been publicly advertised for sale. Expand Close Twink at her home, Idrone House / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Twink at her home, Idrone House Ms Connaughton-Deeny had told the court that an online search by her instructing solicitors, Ivor Fitzpatrick & Co., on the day before the December hearing, had not shown the property advertised for sale other than what had appeared in a newspaper article about a proposed sale. Solicitor Mark Doyle, for Twink, had told the December hearing that according to a property agent there was a strong interest by potential purchasers in the sale. Expand Close The dogs at Idrone House / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The dogs at Idrone House Judge Linnane today struck out possession proceedings against both Condron-King and musician David Agnew. No mention was made in court with regard to legal costs attached to the drawn-out proceedings and numerous court hearings. A number of searches conducted by gardai investigating issues at Anglo Irish Bank were unlawful. The disclosure was made on the first day of evidence at the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick on charges of misleading auditors about loans he had from the bank. But despite the unlawful nature of the searches, a jury was told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court had ruled they could still be shown documents seized. The court heard about two warrants for searches at the headquarters of Irish Nationwide Building Society and five warrants for searches at Anglos headquarters and another Anglo building in Dublin. These led to large quantities of documents and electronic material being seized in 2009 and 2010. The court heard evidence from three garda officers who were involved in the searches. One of them, Detective Sergeant Brian Mahon testified that warrants were secured from the District Court under Section 20 of the Companies Act in order to gain access to Irish Nationwide and Anglo premises. But under cross examination from defence counsel Bernard Condon SC, he agreed that those searches had been deemed by the court to be unlawful and that he had been informed of this. All of the entries were ruled by the court to be unlawful and unconstitutional, but it will have no consequence in terms of the jury receiving the documents, said Mr Condon. Details of further searches, also deemed unlawful, were given by retired Detective Superintendent Eamonn Keogh and Detective Sergeant Michael Prendergast. Det Supt Keogh, who was on secondment to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement during the investigation, gave evidence of conducting searches at Anglos headquarters on St Stephens Green and an adjoining building between February 24 and March 6, 2009. He said he was given a folder of documents by an Anglo staff member, while hard drives were also seized. Another garda, Sergeant Karl Moriarty, testified about serving production orders on Irish Nationwide and Anglo in 2011 while on secondment at the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. These required the two institutions to produce certain documents and material in relation to bank accounts. The information sought included the beneficiaries of certain accounts, bank statements, and details of cheques and payments drawn from those accounts. The witness said the production orders led to many thousands of documents being produced. Following his evidence, prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn said there was a legal issue which needed to be dealt with. Judge John Aylmer excused the jury and asked it to return tomorrow morning. Although a jury was sworn in the case last September, today was the first day it heard direct evidence. Jurors were previously informed that evidence had been delayed due to a number of legal matters needed to be decided upon in their absence. The prosecution claims Mr FitzPatrick (68) failed to disclose multi-million euro directors loans used for property investments between 2002 and 2007. During that period he borrowed sums ranging from between 10m and in the region of 100m from Anglo. The prosecution alleged Mr FitzPatrick failed to disclose these loans as he was obliged to do under the Companies Act. Mr FitzPatrick, of Whitshed Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow, has pleaded not guilty to 27 charges he is facing. The 27 charges include 21 counts of making misleading, false or deceptive statements to the auditors of Anglo Irish Bank, contrary to section 197 of the Companies Act 1990. The offences allegedly occurred on dates between 2002 and 2007 and carry a maximum five year jail term. Five counts allege Mr FitzPatrick did not disclose to auditors Ernst & Young arrangements temporarily reducing the balance of loans to him or persons connected to him at the end of the financial year. The reductions cited ranged in size from 4.3m to 88.9m. Six counts allege Mr FitzPatrick failed to advise auditors of the need to revise financial statements after each temporary arrangement concluded. The sums involved in the arrangements cited ranged from 700,000 and 119.8m. Four counts allege Mr FitzPatrick failed to disclose the full extent of loans received by him or persons connected to him from Anglo, ranging in value between 5.5m and 23.8m. Six counts allege Mr FitzPatrick failed to inform auditors of an arrangement between Anglo and Irish Nationwide regarding loans he received from Irish Nationwide. He also faces six charges of giving false information contrary to section 242 of the Companies Act 1990 on dates between 2002 and 2008. The offences carry a maximum jail term of three years. All of these counts relate to Mr FitzPatrick allegedly producing financial statements giving a false figure for the aggregate value of loans to directors of Anglo. It is alleged the amounts given included the total amount borrowed by all Anglo directors apart from Mr FitzPatrick. As a result they would have given a figure for directors loans that was false and misleading. A Leitrim man who sexually abused a boy in his community has been jailed for eight years. Damien Reilly (39) was 17 years old when he began abusing the nine year old boy. Reilly, of Bredagh, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexual assault, oral rape and anal rape of the boy. The victim was aged between nine and approximately 14 years old at the time of the abuse which occurred between 1994 and 2000. The victim told Pieter le Vert BL, prosecuting, that he wished to waive his anonymity. He told Reilly in his victim impact statement that he would never forgive him for what he had done. The court heard Reilly suffered a stroke as a seven year old which had left him with a moderate physical disability and caused him to fall behind his peers educationally. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the the offences were grave and the victim had suffered particularly serious adverse effects. He said that in mitigation he was taking into account the early guilty pleas and acceptance of moral culpability. He noted Reilly was otherwise of good character and not at high risk of re-offending. Mr Justice McCarthy referred to a medical report handed into court outlining the effects of the stroke and said as a minimal factor he was taking into account that Reilly had had difficulties of personality which may have rendered him more prone to socially unacceptable behaviour. He imposed an eight year sentence and ordered three years post release supervision. The victim, who no longer lives in the area, went to the gardai in 2014 after a chance meeting with Reilly in a local pub where the accused caressed the bottom of his back and walked away. He said he was shocked by the effect that the incident on him and it had been the primary spur to speak to his family and friends about what had happened to him. The man told the court in his victim impact statement that he had been a small skinny innocent child. He said he did not think there were words in the dictionary sufficient to describe the effect the crimes had on him. From the first time he placed his hand on my crotch I knew it was not a caring embrace but something to fear, he said. He said he believed factors including difficulties in his home life made Reilly view him as the perfect target. He said Reilly told him that no one would believe him and he believed the lies he was told. I was a child who saw him as a grown up, he told the court. Alienated He said Reilly had alienated him from children his age and instilled a fear of disclosing the abuse. The fear of people finding out was as terrifying, if not more so than the abuse itself, he said. He said that he had worn a mask to try and hide what he was feeling inside and constantly felt afraid for no reason. He said he felt broken and hopeless. He described how he felt that he was the only one who could see that there was a monster in the room when he met Reilly as an adult. The man said he felt relieved that he longer had to carry the burden of the abuse after finding the strength to break the silence and free himself from the hold Reilly had over him. He said he had felt immense love and support from those closest to him. He told Reilly he had taken what was supposed to be the most precious part of his life and said I will never forgive you for what you did to me. The court heard the first incident took place in 1994 when the child was nine years old. The victim said he was very frightened of Reilly. He said Reilly told him he was a dirty little queer and that he would be sent away for it. The final offence occurred between 1998 and 2000 when the victim was between 12 and 14 years old and Reilly was aged between 20 and 22 years old. Reilly was arrested after the victim went to gardai in 2014 and initially denied any contact with him. He later said he had touched the boy but said he had not forced him and denied full sex. Conor Devally SC, defending. said Reilly had suffered a stroke as a seven year old and this had left him moderately paralysed down one side and less well equipped than others in social situations. He said Reilly had to learn to walk again and had sustained ongoing and permanent damage. He said his education had been impacted and he had been unable to keep up with his peers. He submitted Reilly had been quite lonely and afflicted in his teen years. Mr Devally said Reilly came from a small rural community and participated in activities locally. He had unskilled employment and little independence. He said Reilly's risk of re-offending was assessed to be low to moderate and highlighted that his client had not come to any further garda attention since these offences. A cross-party delegation of Irish politicians is to personally ask Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to free jailed Irishman Ibrahim Halawa. The delegation spent an hour and a half with the 21-year-old in Wadi al Natrum prison in Cairo where he remains on hunger strike. The politicians were told Mr Halawa was given a glucose injection yesterday to give him energy ahead of the visit. From Firhouse in Dublin and the son of prominent Muslim cleric Sheikh Hussein Halawa, Ibrahim Halawa was detained in a mosque near Ramses Square in Cairo as the Muslim Brotherhood held a "day of rage" over the removal of elected president Mohamed Morsi in August 2013. Eoin O'Broin, Sinn Fein member of the delegation, said: "The hunger strike is deeply worrying. Read More "A large number of the deputies tried to make a case that his focus should be on his health and we should be lobbying for his release. Expand Close Ibrahim Halawa is on hunger strike in Cairo / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ibrahim Halawa is on hunger strike in Cairo "But he really is at the end of his tether. He said he would think about it. "He's physically and emotionally very drained, quite pale but at the same time he's a very strong and animated young man. "He's very strong physically, emotionally and personally but he's under immense strain." Mr Halawa has not eaten for more than a week. He wore white prison overalls and shoes to the visit and had been given a haircut and shave before being brought from the cell he shares with about 10 others. He told the delegation that he is still waiting for an echo scan on his heart which was recommended several months ago. He also reported feeling numbness in an arm and leg along with pain in his chest. The prison governor indicated that the scan would be looked into but gave no firm commitment on treatment, Mr O'Broin said. The delegation is led by Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail and followed an invite from the speaker of the Egyptian parliament. Mr O'Broin said the delegation is being urged to ask for Mr Halawa to be included in a second round of amnesties due to be announced by President el-Sisi. They meet him on Wednesday. The delegation impressed on the Egyptian prison authorities and police that they are holding an Irish citizen. It is understood they have also been told that the video footage from the "Day of Rage" does not contain any evidence of wrongdoing by Mr Halawa. The Halawas claimed he has told them in recent days that he would continue refusing food until he is released. He refused food for prolonged periods at least twice before during his incarceration. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for January 17. The opening of more than 20 of the additional hospital beds promised to ease the trolley crisis has been delayed for several weeks. The delay comes as many patients continue to endure dangerously full emergency departments across the country, with 508 people on trolleys waiting for beds yesterday. University Hospital Limerick struggled to care for 44 patients who needed beds and Cork University Hospital was also suffering severe congestion for the second week in a row. However, it emerged that several of the extra beds, which were announced by Health Minister Simon Harris as part of a package of measures in response to the crisis, cannot be rolled out for now. These include beds promised as far back as September in the 'winter initiative' plan, which was supposed to avert a crisis. Some 12 of the those 55 beds are still idle. Read more: 'I want to break the vicious trolley crisis cycle' - Health Minister goes into crisis talks with HSE Another 11 of the extra beds announced last week, as hospitals reached meltdown, will also not be opened until next month. All the beds are dependent on having enough nursing staff to cater for the patients who will be placed in them. Hospitals that are still waiting for these extra beds include Tullamore Hospital, the Mater Hospital Dublin, and St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. University Hospital Galway has been allocated more funding than originally planned to open 28 beds because it could not be used elsewhere due to a lack of staff. Patients and hospital staff are braced for weeks of overcrowding ahead with the risk of another major spike in attendances as the temperatures plummet. There were 174 patients waiting more than nine hours for a bed yesterday morning compared with 159 on the same day two years ago, according to the HSE's own figures. Virus A report on the toll taken by last winter's flu shows it officially claimed the lives of 84 patients and hospitalised 1,856. The flu circulated for around 10 weeks. A particularly troublesome virus which can cause a hacking cough is circulating this winter. The severe symptoms can be suffered by people who catch the adenovirus. It can infect the airways and the intestinal tract with common complications such as pneumonia and meningitis. It can be potentially severe for people with lowered immunity. Meanwhile, efforts are to begin tomorrow to avert industrial action by nurses from next month. They are demanding added incentives to encourage more nurses to apply for jobs in the health service and relieve shortages. Exploratory talks are to take place between the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the HSE. Read more: Half-a-million stuck on waiting lists as health crisis grows The nurses have balloted by a margin of 90pc for action which could be triggered at the beginning of next month. It would initially involve a work-to-rule and see nurses refuse to be redeployed. This would mean if there is a shortage in the emergency department, they could not be moved from another ward to make up for the shortage. Meanwhile, the nurses' union last night warned that its members in Cavan will engage in industrial action if the HSE goes ahead with a plan to move patients from Cavan Hospital to Virginia community nursing unit. The union said the unit had 26 beds with a potential capacity for a further 30 - but the extra staff necessary made safe patient care an issue. Children and adolescents who are in severe mental health distress have no access to an out-of-hours psychiatric team in at least 15 counties. Stock Image Children and adolescents who are in severe mental health distress have no access to an out-of-hours psychiatric team in at least 15 counties. No on-call service is available in counties Wexford, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Kerry, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Meath, Longford, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly and Louth, according to information obtained in a parliamentary reply by Fianna Fail spokesman on mental health James Browne. He said questions had also been raised over the availability of on-call services in Donegal, Waterford and Clare. "This represents vast swathes of the country which are left without an effective out-of-hours service," he warned. "It's clear our mental health services have been struggling in recent years due to a lack of investment and increasing demand. Despite this, the Government has continued to under-fund our mental health services. This attitude needs to change. "It is vital that the availability of out-of-hours mental health services for children is spread evenly across the country. The Mental Health Commission has highlighted that under-investment is one of the factors contributing to the high number of admissions of children to adult psychiatric units." A winter break in Cape Town turned into a holiday from hell for an Irish family stranded in Turkey for five days by snow. Advertising manager Paul Muldoon (41), his wife Ursula (42) and their sons Mark (8) and Adam (12), from Ashbourne, Co Meath, were hoping to get home today after being caught up in Turkey's worst snows in years. They were among 16,000 Turkish Airlines passengers affected by snow storms which hit Turkey on Saturday. Airline officials could not say if any other Irish passengers were affected. The family found themselves in the city of Gaziantep - just 20km from war-torn Aleppo - after their flight was diverted. The family was initially due to stay there until today but managed to get out and to Istanbul on Monday before the snow started falling again. "To say it was a dodgy neighbourhood was an understatement," he said about Gaziantep. "News on the TV this afternoon was of police killing a suspected suicide bomber and another on the loose there." Mr Muldoon added: "It's surreal. We went from 30C in Cape Town to extreme snow. We've moved from what looks like a war zone. But it has started to snow again and visibility is down to zero." This evening Mr Muldoon and his family praised Turkish Airlines staff in Dublin whom they said went out of their way to make sure they got home as soon as possible. The family arrived back home safely today and Mr Muldoon said he couldnt be happier to be on home turf even though it may soon be covered in snow here as well. So happy to be home on Irish soil this morning. However I believe that too is going to become white with snow just like Istanbul very shortly, he said. Gardai at the scene of the fatal stabbing in Kilclare Crescent, Jobstown, last night. Photo: Collins Gardai investigate the scene in Kilclare Crescent, Jobstown after Reece Cullen was stabbed to death on Thursday. Photo: Collins Reece Cullen (16) was fatally stabbed in an attack in Tallaght Gardai have uncovered a large knife in a stream near to where tragic teenager Reece Cullen was stabbed to death. Officers found the knife close to the house in Kilclare Crescent, Tallaght, where Reece (16) was murdered last Thursday. Detectives are investigating whether it was the murder weapon. Gardai arrested a 14-year-old boy but released him without charge on Saturday. A file has been sent to the DPP. A 29-year-old woman was also arrested for withholding information. Sources have said that gardai are still looking to speak to at least one other male teenager as part of the investigation. The new development in the case came ahead of Reece's funeral mass, which is due to take place at the Church of St Martin de Porres, Old Bawn, Tallaght, at 10am today. Expand Close Gardai investigate the scene in Kilclare Crescent, Jobstown after Reece Cullen was stabbed to death on Thursday. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gardai investigate the scene in Kilclare Crescent, Jobstown after Reece Cullen was stabbed to death on Thursday. Photo: Collins The teenager will be buried at Kilmashogue Cemetery in Rathfarnham. Reece was fatally attacked at about 3pm last Thursday. A post-mortem examination determined that he suffered one stab wound to the heart. He was discovered by a female neighbour bleeding at the foot of a staircase. The teen was rushed to Tallaght Hospital but he was pronounced dead a short time later. Expand Close Gardai at the scene of the fatal stabbing in Kilclare Crescent, Jobstown, last night. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gardai at the scene of the fatal stabbing in Kilclare Crescent, Jobstown, last night. Photo: Collins Read More Dispute Gardai believe that the murder happened as part of a dispute between two groups of local teenagers. It is understood that one of the groups had threatened the other with a pellet gun on at least two occasions over the past month. The murder of Reece and a spate of recent knife attacks in the capital have caused widespread concern. Yesterday, Assistant Garda Commissioner Jack Nolan, who oversees policing in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), warned people about the sanctions for carrying a knife. Mr Nolan expressed his own concern at the prevalence of knife crime, and said gardai would be targeting people carrying such weapons in an enforcement-driven campaign. "I share concern about the use of knives in assaults. Some start in pretty innocuous fashion and wind up in pretty serious fashion," he told the Dublin City Council (DCC) Joint Policing Committee. Read More Campaign "We are committed to, first of all, preventing this problem. We are currently in the process of analysing the extent of knife crime in the city. "We did it last year and we are doing it again to see areas, times and trend types. "We will then have a media campaign advising young people on the dangers of using knives, then we will have a very focused enforcement campaign, utilising the provisions of the firearms and offensive weapons act to allow An Garda Siochana to stop, search, arrest and detain individuals carrying knives or such implements." So far this year, three serious knife crimes have been carried out in the capital - including the fatal attack on young Reece. The other two incidents occurred in Ballyfermot on New Year's Day and Drumcondra on January 3. There was also a savage knife attack in Dalkey shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve. "These investigations are making positive progress. We need to address that knife crime affects not just the victim but also the person committing the crime," Mr Nolan added. "I would ask people who have a knife to leave it at home and to not have it in your possession." A Muslim businessman, who has been living and working in Ballaghaderreen for over 10 years, has described people who handed out hate leaflets in the Co. Roscommon town as 'sick' Approximately 200 refugees are to be housed in what was the Abbeyfield Hotel on the outskirts of the town over the next two years. On Saturday last, a small group of people handed out leaflets in the centre of the town. According to the local reports, this literature contained references to Islamic State and Al Qaeda and urged locals to preserve freedom in the West by refusing Muslims entry into Ireland. It also incited violence by suggesting that we crush them once and for all. Sajjad Hussain is a Muslim man who runs a barbers n the town. He believes this sort of attitude is not held widely within the local community. Speaking to Independent.ie, he said: "They made up their own story. They made up their own history based on a lot of hate. I have been running a business for 10 years in the town and I have never experienced this. "I run the barbers in the town and I am dealing with people everyday. The people of this town are good people." He dismissed the leaflets as "silly" works of fiction, adding: "It is only one or two people - sick people - doing this, saying about Muslims that these are the bad people and stuff like that. They made up their own story that has nothing to do with islam. "It is trying to give the image that these are the bad guys and we should finish them before they do something to us. The leaflets were silly." Around 80 Syrian refugees will arrive in the town later this month. Former secretary of the Department of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank and 'architect of the Irish economy', TK Whitaker will be buried this Friday. Dr Whitaker died on Monday, a month after turning 100. In a funeral notice, posted online tonight, his family confirmed that his body will be removed to the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook at 5pm on Thursday. Requiem mass will be held at 11.30am on Friday followed by burial afterwards in Shanganagh Cemetery. The notice explains that Dr Whitaker was predeceased by his "beloved wives" Nora and Mary daughter Catherine, son Gerald, sister Peggie, and daughter-in-law Priscila. He is survived by his sons, Kenneth, Raymond, David and Brian, daughters-in-law Maeve, Deirdre, Anne, Teresa and Erika and son-in-law Oran, grand and great-grandchildren, niece and nephews, the Fogarty and Moore families, and a wide circle of friends. 'Architect of the Irish economy' - 10 things you need to know about 'national treasure' TK Whitaker 1. Work life Dr Whitaker, who was born in 1916, worked as both an economist and a public servant. In the wake of his death, President Michael D. Higgins described his work as "the embodiment of the finest qualities and aspirations of the Irish people." 2. Economy He was 39-years-old when he was appointed Secretary of the Department of Finance in 1956. Mr Whitaker was one of the driving forces behind the First Programme for Economic Expansion 1958 - 1963. 3. Central Bank Whitaker's role as Governor of the Central Bank, during a period of economic instability in the 1970s, has a relevance today in light of the recent banking collapse. Maintaining the autonomy of the Central Bank vis-a-vis both the Government and the Commercial Banking system, in 1970 he successfully resisted Government attempts to obtain statutory control over the implementation of credit policy - a move, as he told the Minister for Finance, he "did not consider to be in the national interest". 4. Seanad Eireann He was nominated by then Fianna Fail Taoiseach Jack Lynch as a member of the 14th Seanad Eireann. He served as a non-party senator from 1977-1981. 5. Expertise T.K. Whitaker was President of the Economic and Social Research Institute from 1974 until 1987 and Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System 1983-1985 6. Northern Ireland He was dedicated in search of peace in Northern Ireland. President Higgins even said that "The Good Friday Agreement would be unimaginable without T.K. Whitaker." 7. Achievements Dr Whitaker also served as Chancellor of the National University of Ireland from 1976 to 1996. He also served as President of the Royal Irish Academy. 8. Love for 'Gaeilge' His love for the Irish language was renowned, with the collection of Irish poetry, An Duanaire: Poems of the Dispossessed 1600-1900, edited by Sean O Tuama and Thomas Kinsella was dedicated to Whitaker. 9. Honour Described by several Taoisigh as the State's finest public servant, he was named Irish Man of the 20th century in a public vote in 2001. 10. Death He died around a month after his 100th birthday, which was in December 2016. Whitaker married Nora Fogarty in 1941; with whom he had six children; Brian, David, Ken, Gerry, Catherine, and Raymond. After the death of his first wife in 1994, he was wed to Mary Moore in 2005. THE Egyptian President has insisted that he can take no action to release Irish man Ibrahim Halawa from prison until after the judicial process has finished. However, a delegation of TDs who raised Mr Halawas case with the president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are hopeful he will move to return Mr Halawa to Ireland once court proceedings are over. Mr Halawa (21) has been in prison for more than three years without trial after being arrested at a Cairo demonstration against the ousting of the Muslim Brotherhood government in 2013. The TDs met him on Tuesday and pleaded with him to end a hunger strike that he has been engaged in for the last week. Read More His trial has been postponed 17 times. Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin raised the issue of the repeated delays with Mr el-Sisi. The delegation urged him to use powers under a law known as the Presidential Decree 140 to intervene now and release Mr Halawa. They also suggested that Mr Halawa could be added to a youth clemency list, as had previously been done in the case of 82 other young prisoners. The Egyptian president told TDs that there is a clear separation of powers under Egyptian law and that he couldnt act until after the court proceedings. However, Mr Howlin told Independent.ie that TDs were left with the strong impression" that the Egyptian President would act with immediate effect to release Ibrahim and return him to Ireland as soon as sentence had been passed and the court proceedings concluded. Mr Howlin said that the fact that the TDs had secured meetings with the President and other high level politicians and officials in Egypt gives great confidence that this matter will be resolved. He said Mr Halawas next court appearance is due on January 17. There is a new judge and prosecutor who apparently wants to bring these matters to a conclusion and I certainly would personally be of the view that as soon as the judicial process is over, executive action will be taken to return him to Ireland, Mr Howlin added. He said that there should be no further delay in the court proceedings and that the Egyptian authorities must ensure Mr Halawas health and wellbeing are taken care of until he is returned to Ireland. A political crisis engulfing Stormont has left Northern Ireland facing a brutal election and a return to Westminster direct rule, Arlene Foster has warned. The Democratic Unionist leader, who was forcibly removed as first minister by her counterpart Martin McGuinness's resignation on Monday, also announced plans for a public inquiry into the renewable heating scandal at the heart of the Executive's collapse. Mrs Foster said she would be willing to enter talks with Sinn Fein to avert an election, but the republican party made clear the region was heading to the polls. Her pledge came as party colleague Gavin Robinson told MPs the downing of the Stormont Executive would halt the implementation of planned mitigation measures to support welfare claimants in Northern Ireland losing out under the UK government's so-called 'bedroom tax'. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the situation was of the DUP's making. He insisted the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) furore was only one of many issues his party needed to be resolved before re-entering government with the DUP. Read more: Arlene Foster says she's been 'disgracefully maligned in the most vicious manner' over RHI scandal Expand Close Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire Sinn Fein wants the DUP to give ground in relation to issues such as the Irish language and the ongoing ban on same-sex marriage. Mrs Foster, in turn, said her party wanted to review the fundamental structures of Stormont's mandatory coalition arrangements, with a view to moving to voluntary coalition government. With that number of seemingly intractable disputes to overcome, even if the DUP and Sinn Fein were returned as the two largest parties following a snap poll, the prospect of them agreeing to form an executive are slim. That raises the spectre of the UK government suspending the institutions and reintroducing direct rule after 10 years of unbroken devolution. "I have no doubt that if the election proceeds it will be a brutal election, it will be a very difficult election," Mrs Foster said. "Undoubtedly we are in for a period of direct rule. "I really do regret that. I think what the people of Northern Ireland want is stability but that has all been thrown into very sharp relief yesterday by the actions of Sinn Fein for hugely party political reasons and not for any other reason." However, the Government here dismissed the prospect of Northern Ireland returning to direct rule from Westminster if a power-sharing executive cannot be agreed after the election. Senior sources described direct rule as a "bogeyman" being used by unionists. But one source in Dublin said: "A return to direct rule is nearly not even an option at this stage and London would be very resistant to it." The Government believes the frameworks laid out under the Good Friday and St Andrews Agreements make direct rule from Westminster all but "unworkable". "It's being used as a potential stick by people who know not many people read the fine print of treaties and agreements," the source said. However, there are real concerns in Government over the outcome of the Assembly elections due to take place in the coming weeks. It is feared a reduction in the number of seats would result in a tense election which would see the smaller parties lose a significant number of seats and make the Assembly less inclusive. Read more: Arlene Foster is 'open to talks with Sinn Fein' to avoid power-sharing collapse The Government believes Sinn Fein and the DUP could potentially become more dominant in the North due to the changes in constituency boundaries and the number of seats in the Assembly. Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan briefed his Cabinet colleagues extensively on these concerns yesterday. Mr Flanagan is believed to have spoken with Mr McGuinness about his decision to resign as deputy first minister. The Foreign Affairs Minister is also in contact with his counterpart Northern Secretary James Brokenshire who yesterday told the UK parliament the parties in the North would have three weeks after the election to form a government or face going to the polls again. Meanwhile, Mr Adams said his party was now preparing for an election and would only resume a partnership with its unionist rivals on the basis of "equality and fairness". "People need to come out in the election if they are for accountability, for transparency, if they are against corruption, for equality and fairness," he said. "We have come a long distance and have a good way to go yet." Commuters face the threat of more strike chaos after a union vowed to fight to the "bitter end" for a pay rise at Irish Rail. The National Bus and Railworkers' Union (NBRU) accused the company over its attitude to staff, after unions lodged a 21pc pay rise claim - the same as sought at Dublin Bus. Sources indicated that it may be likely to settle closer to 11.25pc over thee years - which still amounts to 3.75pc a year - the pay hike that was won by staff at the bus company and Luas last year. It is understood unions and management will meet at the Workplace Relations Commission next month. In a message recently sent to members, the NBRU said it was faced with a management that seemed "hellbent on forcing almost every industrial relations matter to the wire, sometimes beyond". "It now appears to be a 'crime' to want to improve one's terms and conditions, an affront to have the temerity to actually say: 'Do you know what? I've had enough of being asked to put my shoulder to the wheel, I've paid my dues, I've co-operated with quite a lot, I am entitled to have a debate around pay improvement'," it said. "The NBRU will of course vigorously pursue this pay rise for all Irish Rail staff." It said it would also seek to improve the conditions of Dart drivers to match their colleagues in the UK and Northern Ireland. It said a farcical situation had emerged where the company was stymying its staff's request to address the issue of pay. It accused the company of ignoring the fact that it was nine years since the last pay rise. It said the company had become a parody of 'Oliver Twist' by going to the department and asking for more and celebrating when it got extra funding. "How in the name of God can you call it extra funding when a report commissioned by the very body you are seeking funding from actually says the bloody place is already severely underfunded?" The message also warned that there were forces "whose sole interest appears to be the demise of Bus Eireann". "We in the NBRU will not risk choking on verbal diarrhoea by extending any such good wishes to those whose sole interest appears to be the demise of Bus Eireann," it said. A spokesperson for Irish Rail said; "Iarnrod Eireann restored gross pay as per our agreement in October last. "We are now engaged with the Workplace Relations Commission on the current pay claim." Baby Summer Quinlan is aptly named. She has a bright smile, and a gentle, unhurried nature. Yet, the fact that she is here at all is something of a miracle, as, at birth, she didnt weigh even as much as a bag of sugar. Having her mother to watch over her is another wonder; for she, too, nearly lost her life due to illness. Its fair to say that this past year has been fraught with the most unbelievable drama for the Quinlan family from Kilcullen, Co Kildare. It began shortly after Christmas 2015, when Annmarie (30) realised she hadnt felt the baby she was expecting move for some time. So, she went to the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital in Dublin to get checked, while her supportive mother, Irene Fogarty, looked after her other children, Harvey (7) and Millie (4). At the hospital, an alarming scenario began to unfold. Nurses discovered Annmaries blood pressure had rocketed since a medical examination just a few days previously. The protein levels in her urine had increased profoundly, while her hands and face were swollen. She was clearly in the grip of pre-eclampsia. This can occur when there is a problem with the placenta (the organ that links the babys blood supply to the mothers). It can cause the mother to have excessive protein in the urine, water retention (oedema), and high blood pressure. It can also slow the foetuss development. Read More Mild pre-eclampsia can be monitored, and it usually disappears soon after the birth, states the HSE website. However, in some cases, further complications can develop, such as eclampsia. This is a type of seizure that the mother can have. Its rare, but can be life-threatening, for her and the baby. So, Annmarie was told that, even though she was only 27 weeks pregnant, her baby had to be delivered by C-section that night. I phoned Darren, my husband, full of dread; all I could say was, Oh my God, whats going to happen here? she says. Then, when they told me the baby hadnt been thriving, I thought she was definitely a goner. Annmarie was admitted to the high-dependency unit, where every effort was made to get her blood pressure under control. Around midnight, Summer (so named by her dad) was born, weighing just 1lb 10ozs. When her mum came around from the anaesthetic, she couldnt believe her little angel had survived being born so very prematurely. But there was more drama to come. As Annmarie continued to be plagued by medical problems, she was forced to remain bedridden, while her baby was being meticulously monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) downstairs. Meanwhile, Darren showed her a picture of their precious little girl on his phone, and she was comforted to see that, though she was tiny, the infant had fingernails and hair, and looked quite normal. However, later that day, she was stunned when she saw the baby up close for the first time. I was absolutely shocked, Annmarie recalls, with a tremor in her voice. She was like a little mouse. She was on a ventilator in an incubator, and was hooked up to all sorts of machines, for fluids and antibiotics, and to monitor her heart and breathing. I was told that even though she was stable, she was also critical, and could go at any time. Naturally, Annmarie and Darren feared the very worst. They waited and they watched helplessly while their tiny infant lay silent, always sleeping, curled up in the foetal position, as if she were still in the womb. Then, when she was just two weeks old, she got an infection, and now they were certain this was the end. I had her dead and buried, Annmarie admits. I just didnt believe a frail little thing like that could fight a dangerous infection. But fight it she did. Around this time, another near tragedy occurred: Annmarie had a serious stroke pre-eclampsia doubles womens risk of a stroke and ended up in St Jamess Hospital in Dublin. Fortunately, she knew she was having a stroke, and managed to call for the help she needed, thus averting further tragedy. But she did end up partly paralysed, and required a good deal of help in getting her blood pressure, and the seizures, which she still experiences, under control. She also needed a good deal of physiotherapy to get the affected side of her body moving again. Unfortunately, the stroke meant she had to stop expressing milk, which had been fed to Summer through a tube. Thereafter, the baby received nutrient-rich breast milk from a donor. Once Annmarie was more stable, she was able to return to the Coombe to spend time with Summer. Finally, when the baby was four weeks old, she got to hold her precious little girl for the first time. I bawled when I took her in my arms, she remembers. Poor Darren only got to hold her at seven weeks. Annmarie says Summer was painfully slow when it came to putting on weight. But once she began taking her nourishment from a bottle instead of the feeding tube, things improved dramatically. Around this time, Summer was deemed well enough to move into the high-dependency unit, and remained there for the next three weeks. Then she graduated to the special-care baby unit. And just 10 weeks after her nightmare entry into this world, this spirited baby went home to her adoring big brother and sister. Annmarie says she has nothing but praise for the medical staff at the Coombe who nursed her little girl. The care there was second to none, she says. The nurses love those babies so much; theyre like hospital mammies. In the early days, they even took a picture of Summer without her oxygen mask because wed never actually seen her without one. Annmarie says once Summer got home, their lives were finally complete. She was a happy, contented baby who ate really well and slept soundly. Today, she is everything that youd hope for in a one-year-old. Shes alert, active, trying out different sounds, attempting to walk and laughing a lot. Annmarie is now fully behind an initiative called Better Together, which will help support families who experience premature births. I still have a few problems, she says. But I have so very much to be truly grateful for. The Irish Neonatal Health Alliance (INHA) recently launched a leaflet titled Better Together, which offers excellent and comprehensive advice to families who have an infant in NICU. For more information on family-centred care, and to download the Better Together guide, see inha.ie Premium Your personal finance questions Should I give up my tracker mortgage now that interest rates are rising fast? Q I am on a tracker mortgage so my mortgage bills have gone up twice since last July as a result of the two European Central Bank interest rate hikes. The interest rate on my tracker mortgage was 1.5pc before the ECB started to increase its rate in July. Now it is almost twice that at 2.75pc. Tracker mortgages have always been considered gold dust but I am now considering fixing my mortgage as I am worried the ECB may increase its rates again in the coming months, which would push my mortgage bills even higher. Would it be a good idea to give up my tracker and fix my mortgage? Beyonce, left, and her daughter Blue Ivy arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Kim Kardashian returned to social media with this picture with husband Kanye West and children North and Saint (L-R) TV personality Kim Kardashian, recording artists Jay-Z, Kanye West and Steve Stoute attend Roc Nation and Three Six Zero Pre-GRAMMY Brunch 2015 at Private Residence TROUBLE AND STRIFE: American reality TV personality Kim Kardashian and husband Kanye West are paying the price for their pumped-up celebrity profile Picture: WireImage Kim and Kanye pose on Christmas Day with their two children North (3) and Saint (1) Jay-Z and Kanye might be besties but there are rumours that Jay-Zs wife Beyonce is not so taken with Kim. However, the foursome looked cosy at an awards ceremony during the summer. Kim Kardashian attempts to calm her daughter, North, while sitting next to Sean Combs (L), Jay-Z (2nd L), Beyonce (3rd L) and Anna Wintour (2nd R) as they watch a presentation of Kanye West's Fall/Winter 2015 partnership with Adidas at New York Fashion Week (L-R) Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Anna Wintour attend the adidas Originals x Kanye West YEEZY SEASON 1 fashion show during New York Fashion Week Fall 2015 at Skylight Clarkson Sq on February 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for adidas) In friendlier times... (L-R) Singer Beyonce, rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West and television personality Kim Kardashian attend the 2012 BET Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on July 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images For BET) Jay Z has reportedly forgiven Kanye West for badmouthing him and lashing out at his wife Beyonce during an onstage rant last year. The Stronger star famously took aim at the hip-hop supercouple during one of his troubled concerts just days before he cancelled his Saint Pablo Tour and was hospitalised for a mental evaluation in late November. However, the trio apparently cleared the air and on Friday, Kanye and his wife Kim Kardashian were photographed arriving at the Drunk in Love pair's Los Angeles home, where Beyonce and Jay Z had thrown a party for their little girl Blue Ivy's fifth birthday. Now a source tells People.com Kanye and Jay Z are on good terms again. Expand Close (L-R) Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Anna Wintour attend the adidas Originals x Kanye West YEEZY SEASON 1 fashion show during New York Fashion Week Fall 2015 at Skylight Clarkson Sq on February 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for adidas) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (L-R) Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Anna Wintour attend the adidas Originals x Kanye West YEEZY SEASON 1 fashion show during New York Fashion Week Fall 2015 at Skylight Clarkson Sq on February 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for adidas) "Kanye's in a great place and Jay is a very mature and forgiving person," the insider shared. "The relationship he and Kanye have is very strong." During Kanye's onstage rant in Sacramento, California, he alleged Beyonce had refused to perform with him at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards unless she was named the winner of the Video of the Year honour over fellow nominees Drake and Kanye. He also implored Jay Z to call him as they hadn't spoken in a while, before bizarrely pleading with the rap mogul not to send "killers" after him. The upset star ended up scrapping the remainder of his show after just four songs. His odd behaviour prompted Kanye to pull out of his tour stop in Los Angeles the following day, and then scrap the trek altogether hours later. Expand Close Kim Kardashian returned to social media with this picture with husband Kanye West and children North and Saint / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kim Kardashian returned to social media with this picture with husband Kanye West and children North and Saint The 39-year-old was subsequently admitted to hospital to reportedly be treated for exhaustion and sleep deprivation, weeks after Kim was held at gunpoint, bound, and robbed in her Paris, France apartment in early October. French police have since arrested 17 people in connection to the horrifying ordeal. Video of the Day Airstrikes in the northern Syrian province of Idlib killed at least 10 suspected al-Qaida-linked militants Airstrikes in the northern Syrian province of Idlib killed at least 10 suspected al-Qaida-linked militants - the latest in a spate of targeted attacks against the group, activists said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 10 were killed when missiles struck two vehicles and three motorcycles in the airstrike in Saraqib, in the rebel-stronghold province of Idlib. The Observatory said it was not clear if all killed were members of Fatah al-Sham Front, the powerful al-Qaida-affiliate in Syria. The group said militants from other groups may be among those killed, including non-Syrians. Idlib Media Centre, a local opposition group, said the airstrikes killed 15, all but one were member of Fatah al-Sham. One of those killed was a member of the local police, according to the centre. Footage posted by the centre and by the opposition Qasioun news agency shows two badly mangled vehicles as fire fighters clear the area and wash the streets from the airstrike aftermath. The vehicles were travelling on a major road south of Saraqib. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. The US has killed some of al-Qaida's most senior commanders in Syria over the past two years in airstrikes, and has recently also increased its targeting of Islamic State militants in the country. The Syrian government and its ally Russia have also targeted militants in Syria. On Friday, a senior member of Fatah al-Sham was killed in an airstrike in Idlib. A ceasefire across Syria since December 30 does not include Fatah al-Sham, the government says. The ceasefire was brokered by Russia and Turkey. Also on Wednesday, airstrikes resumed on a Damascus suburb despite the ceasefire, killing at least one woman and injuring several others, opposition activists said. At least six airstrikes hit villages in al-Marj in the eastern Ghouta suburb, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian Civil Defence in Damascus suburbs. Since the ceasefire came into effect on December 30, fighting has raged in the area as government troops attempted to gain ground. The Observatory said it was the first time airstrikes were launched there since the ceasefire. The government is often suspected of carrying airstrikes in the fertile area where it has in recent months been encroaching on opposition fighters, amid a tightening siege on the eastern Ghouta suburbs. Fighting has raged in and around Damascus despite the ceasefire, including in the water-rich Barada Valley. The government and opposition groups exchanged blame for violating the truce. AP The scene of the plane crash in Queensland in which an Irishwoman was seriously injured. Emergency services at the scene of the plane crash in Queensland in which an Irishwoman was seriously injured. Photos: LifeFlight Authorities in Queensland are investigating engine failure as the likely cause of a light plane crash which has left an Irish woman (21) fighting for her life. The private plane, which was carrying four passengers, crashed near Agnes Waters in Queensland yesterday killing one. Expand Close Pilot Les Woodall suffered extensive injuries. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pilot Les Woodall suffered extensive injuries. The crash, which occurred just before 11am local time, took place during an excursion to the remote Middle Island. The Irish woman sustained a head injury. A spokesperson for Queensland Police Service told Independent.ie the woman has been transferred to a specialist unit in Brisbane to treat her injuries. The woman's condition is still listed as 'critical'. An English woman in her 20s was killed in the crash. "Police are now preparing a report on the deceased for the coroner and the aviation authority's investigation is underway," the spokesperson said. Expand Close The scene of the plane crash in Queensland in which an Irishwoman was seriously injured. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scene of the plane crash in Queensland in which an Irishwoman was seriously injured. "Preliminary information is suggesting something along the lines of engine failure but there has not been any confirmation." According to local reports, the Queensland Ambulance Service said two planes were flying together when the one in front went down. The incident was witnessed by the passengers on the plane behind. Detective Inspector Jane Healy told local media the early investigations show a mechanical fault was to blame. The aircraft as it came in to land has what we believe is engine failure and crashed into the beach, she told ABC radio. Meanwhile, RACQ Capricorn Rescue Helicopter crewman Dave Patterson said he is amazed anyone survived the incident. The aircraft, once it hit the beach, rolled up and destroyed a lot of the cabin area so the fact there were survivors was incredible, he told the Gladstone Observer. It is understood bystanders tried to help the victims, with some performing CPR until emergency services arrived. The crashed plane's pilot, named as Les Woodall (62), suffered head, abdominal and chest injuries and a broken leg and was also fighting for his life. A 13-year-old boy, also a passenger, was transported to Rockhampton Hospital with minor injuries. The passengers were part of an excursion run by a company called 1770 Castaway, which runs trips to the island. A message of condolence was posted on its Facebook page. "On behalf of everyone at 1770 Castaway, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and all the loved ones of those involved in the Middle Island tragedy. "In respecting the due process of several investigations and in not wanting to pre-empt the outcome of those inquiries, we cannot offer any comment regarding the circumstances of the accident and we would ask that the privacy of all concerned be respected at this very difficult time. "1770 Castaway is offering all the investigators its full co-operation. Thank you," it said. Police in Australia said officers from the Rockhampton Forensic Crash Unit and Criminal Investigation Branch would investigate with the relevant authorities. It is understood it took police some time to reach the scene because of the remoteness of the location. LifeFlight, a rapid response rescue crew, attended the scene of the crash. It said the victims were tourists planning to stay on the island. The Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog posted an image of the plane on its official Facebook page with details of the crash. They said their "thoughts and prayers are with those affected". One woman who commented on the post was the daughter of the pilot, Les Woodall. After initially frantically requesting updates on his condition, she then confirmed she was in hospital with him and he was "stable". Dylann Roof has been sentenced to death for shooting dead nine black people in a church (AP/Chuck Burton) The families of the nine people killed in the Charleston church shooting have confronted gunman Dylann Roof, with one of them shouting at the condemned killer during his formal sentencing hearing. An aunt of 26-year-old Tywanza Sanders, the youngest victim killed during the 2015 massacre at a black church, demanded that the avowed white supremacist looked at her as she talked about her nephew's "great big heart" that could not be donated because of the investigation. "Dylann," Janet Scott said quietly as she started speaking. She then repeated his name more loudly, and then again in a shout. Towards the end of her remarks, she said: "I wish you would look at me, boy." Roof, 22, did not look up as more than a dozen relatives spoke. Instead, he gazed ahead, his head tilted downwards. A jury sentenced an unrepentant Roof to death on Tuesday. He had had one final opportunity to ask for mercy with a life sentence, but he instead told jurors he still "felt like I had to do it". Family members of the victims gave evidence at Roof's trial, but the sentencing hearing gave them a chance to speak directly to the killer. US District Judge Richard Gergel will formally sentence Roof later on Wednesday. Felicia Sanders, who survived the shooting, said she forgives Roof, echoing comments she made at the time. But she noted Roof has done nothing to save himself. Ms Sanders had with her the bullet-torn, blood-stained Bible she used on the night of the massacre on June 17, 2015. She told Roof he still lives in her head, and that when she hears a balloon pop or fireworks it returns her to that night. "Most importantly, I can't shut my eyes to pray," she said. Roof sat through a 45-minute Bible study at Mother Emanuel with 12 others before he opened fire as they stood and closed their eyes for a final prayer. He fired 77 shots, and each victim was hit at least five times. Three people survived, and Roof told one of them he was sparing her life so she could tell the world he was killing the worshippers at Emanuel AME because he hated black people. The willingness of some of the relatives to forgive dominated the news in the days after the killings. But that did not mean they felt his life should be spared - and there are others who said forgiveness is still a work in progress. "You are Satan. Instead of a heart, you have a cold dark space," said Gracyn Doctor, the daughter of DePayne Middleton-Doctor. "Hopefully you will go straight to hell because he can't stand to look at you." Roof told FBI agents when they arrested him that he wanted the shootings to bring back segregation or perhaps start a race war. Instead, they had a unifying effect as South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its Statehouse for the first time in more than 50 years. Other states followed suit, taking down Confederate banners and monuments. Roof had posed with the flag in photos. The jury convicted Roof last month of all 33 federal charges he faced, including hate crimes. He never explained his actions to jurors, saying only that "anyone who hates anything in their mind has a good reason for it". AP As he was formally sentenced to death, Roof showed no emotion. He chose not to speak during Wednesday's proceedings, and kept a blank face as Judge Gergel sentenced him. Children's author Helen Bailey could have been put in a martial arts neck lock while drugged and then suffocated, a court has heard. The body of the successful 51-year-old writer was found alongside her beloved dachshund Boris submerged in "human excrement" deep below her lavish property in Royston, Hertfordshire, in July 2016, a jury at St Albans Crown Court was told. Her fiance, Ian Stewart, 56, of Baldock Road, Royston, is accused of drugging and killing her, before dumping her body in a cesspit at the home they shared. Home Office pathologist Dr Nat Cary told the court that Ms Bailey could have been killed by a "subtle" method of suffocation - or even still been alive when she was put in the septic tank. Read More The defendant denies charges of murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the cause of justice. Dr Cary said although there were no "obvious" signs of physical injury, the sedative Zopiclone was found in Ms Bailey's system. The sleep drug was prescribed to Stewart and toxicologist Dr Mark Piper said hair analysis of the victim suggested it was "ingested on more than one occasion". Although the cause of death was "undetermined", Dr Cary said if Ms Bailey was in a sedated state she could have been killed without necessarily displaying signs of harm. He said: "Even the most meek and mild person would not put up with being smothered when they are awake." He said: "Subtle modes of death include smothering and compression of the neck by means including an arm lock, using the crook of the elbow ... also called a sleeper hold, it is used in certain martial arts to reduce consciousness. "That is another possibility to consider." But on cross-examination by defence counsel Simon Russell Flint QC, he said this was only speculation. He also agreed it was possible that the author could have still been alive, albeit sedated, when she was put in the septic tank. He said: "I am not (sure) but, on the basis of the case as a whole, it is my opinion that not only was she concealed by a third party but it seems likely she died at the hands of the third party by some means." He added: "In my view it's unlikely that natural diseases played any part here. Natural disease won't cause you to end up in a cesspit." Jurors were told it was possible that Ms Bailey had consumed the sleep drug unknowingly, perhaps with food or drink, but Dr Cary later said he could not know for sure. It is alleged that the killing had "money as its driving motive", with Stewart in line to be a "substantial" benefactor of the author's 4 million fortune in the event of her death. Ms Bailey had been missing for three months when police officers opened the hatch to the cesspit beneath her garage and saw an arm protruding from the waste. The court heard that she was fully clothed, except for her bare feet. Stewart's GP, Dr Afshan Khan, said she had prescribed the sedative to him on January 25 - describing the drug as "very mild". On Tuesday, the court heard that Ms Bailey had become concerned about feeling unnaturally sleepy in the weeks leading up to her death. She used a search engine to look up terms including "can't stop falling asleep" and told her family she felt forgetful. But when asked if she had heard about the drug making patients fall asleep suddenly, Dr Khan said she had not. She added that Zopiclone could only be considered a safe drug when used by a patient to whom it was prescribed. Jurors were told by Dr Piper that traces of it were found in Ms Bailey's hair, chest cavity fluid, liver and thigh muscle. Due to the amount of time that had passed between her alleged time of death in April and the discovery of her body in July, he said it was difficult to say how much was in her system when she was killed. Samples of her hair were split into four sections for analysis, with each said to represent a four-week period, with the most recent closest to the scalp - representing a "historical profile". Zopiclone was found in all four, but in such small doses in the farthest away from the scalp that it was said it could have been contaminated. Dr Piper told the court that in the hair sample closest to the scalp it was of a "significant" concentration. He said: "It is above the level that scientists recognise as a single, one-off event." Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Rolf Harris appearing by video link at Southwark Crown Court in London. Photo: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire A blind, disabled woman and a 12-year-old girl were among those allegedly groped by Rolf Harris, who is on trial for another wave of sex charges spanning 30 years, a court heard. The TV entertainer allegedly assaulted seven girls and women in a series of "brazen" assaults between 1971 and 2004, the jury at Southwark Crown Court was told. The alleged incidents took place in public, and prosecutor Jonathan Rees asked jury members to consider whether it was the 86-year-old's celebrity status that had made him so audacious. Comments often accompanied the unwanted caresses, the court heard, with Harris allegedly telling a 12-year-old girl "let's give you a little cuddle" before putting his hand up her skirt. Some of the alleged victims were young fans eager to get a signed autograph from their Aussie hero, while another was a blind and disabled woman, the court heard. The 27-year-old woman, described as "vulnerable" by the prosecutor, was allegedly groped by Harris at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in 1970s. She was not at that time an in-patient. Expand Close Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of (left to right) defence lawyer Stephen Vullo, prosecutor Jonathan Rees and his supporting barrister (no name given) sitting in front of three empty chairs where Rolf Harris would have sat with dock officers - instead he can be seen appearing via video link (top left) - at Southwark Crown Court, London. Harris is accused of seven counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault.Photo: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of (left to right) defence lawyer Stephen Vullo, prosecutor Jonathan Rees and his supporting barrister (no name given) sitting in front of three empty chairs where Rolf Harris would have sat with dock officers - instead he can be seen appearing via video link (top left) - at Southwark Crown Court, London. Harris is accused of seven counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault.Photo: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire She recalled hearing a door to the room she was in opening and recognising the voice of the TV star whom she was expecting to meet. Mr Rees told the jury: "She says he approached her and said 'Has anyone told you what a good-looking woman you are?'" Harris declined a handshake, Mr Rees said, and instead "crouched down, kissed the back of her neck and ... began slobbering over her". "She told him to get off, she says, but he put one hand down the back of her skirt while he placed the other under her bottom over the top of her skirt." Despite telling him to stop, Harris continued to sexually assault the girl She warned him she would prise his fingers off her and hurt him if he did not stop, and while bending his fingers back became aware of a wedding ring on his left hand, Mr Rees said. He is also said to have pulled a 14-year-old girl on to his lap and put his hand up her skirt at a youth music event in London in 1971. Mr Rees said the prosecution argues, despite Harris's assertion that he would not act in such a way, his previous convictions establish he has "a propensity for indecently assaulting young females". Jurors were told Harris, who appeared by video-link, was serving a sentence at Stafford Prison for a series of offences of indecent assault carried out on four female victims. He "continues to maintain his innocence" regarding these offences, the prosecutor said, and has pleaded not guilty to the seven fresh counts of indecent assault and one alternative charge of sexual assault. Each of the new alleged victims contacted the police or the NSPCC in the wake of the "widespread publicity" surrounding the first trial, Mr Rees said. In December last year, Judge Alistair McCreath ruled the entertainer would not have to attend proceedings in person because of his age and health. It also alleged that Harris grabbed a teenager who was helping on the TV programme Star Games in the summer of 1978, who thought he told her she was "a bit irresistible". He is then said to have put his hand on her knee and slid it up her thigh over her jeans. The teenager later told a family member Harris was a "dirty old man", when asked how her day had been, the jury heard. Harris's niece and her husband were in court listening as the details of his alleged offences were read out. Harris is alleged to have groped a 13-year-old girl after she attended a broadcast of children's television show Saturday Superstore at BBC Television Centre in White City, west London, in 1983. Mr Rees said the girl recalled Harris quietly asking her: "Do you often get molested on a Saturday morning?" The prosecutor said the words clearly indicated the sexual motive behind the touching. He added: "We understand that, whilst the defendant accepts that he might have used a phrase similar to the one recalled by (the complainant) and repeated by her to various others, he contends that any such phrase used by him was wholly innocent and that (the complainant) has placed the phrase entirely out of its true context." Another incident, in 2002, is alleged to have taken place at a music studio near London Bridge. Harris is said to have stroked the lower back of an 18-year-old woman there, telling her: "If you were to join up the two dimples on a woman's back to your bum crack it would make the shape of a diamond; I think it's really sexy." Two men who saw the alleged incident recalled Harris's behaviour, Mr Rees told the jury, "variously describing it as creepy, cringing and lecherous". Mr Rees said the prosecution expects Harris will say he has "never used the word or phrase 'bum crack' and that no intentional sexual touching took place" A then BBC employee has accused Harris of grabbing her breasts and thrusting his crotch against her at an event after the filming of a television show in 2004. Mr Rees said the woman, aged 42 at the time, recalled "there were lots of people about but no-one reacted". She said the pair did not say anything to each other but she "just gave him a look". It is not clear if the alleged incident took place at a studio at the Shepherd's Bush television centre or at Fountain Studios in Wembley, the jury heard. Harris was interviewed by the police on February 3 and 4 2015 at Stafford police station. In a prepared statement at the end of the two days, he said: "A number of women accused me of indecent assault or sexual assault on dates a number of years ago. "I do not know any of these people and have little recollection of the events and circumstances they say they attended and met me." He went on: "I deny sexually or indecently assaulting any of the people set out in the disclosure provided to me." In his closing remarks, Mr Rees said the truth was that "Mr Harris's appetite for sexually assaulting young girls and women" had led him to commit the alleged offences, telling the jurors they must make their own minds up if this was so. The alleged incident at the youth music event left the young girl "shocked and frightened", the jury heard. Giving evidence via video link the complainant told the court: "He grabbed me from the back, put his hands on my waist and sat me on his lap." She added: "I felt that he had placed his hand where he shouldn't have, a private area." Asked where Harris placed his hand she said "near the vagina", adding: "As close as it could get." She said it all happened very quickly but left her "extremely shocked and frightened". She then said she approached her parents who had travelled to the event with her and told her father Harris had touched her. Asked if she told him where, she said: "Not to my dad. I don't think I needed to say more to my father." She added: "My father went straight up to him and spoke to him. I don't know what he said." A man has cut his throat in the dock in a courtroom in Haverfordwest in south Wales. The man was awaiting sentencing for a sex assault to which he had pleaded guilty. Lukasz Robert Pawlowski (33), of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to grabbing and kissing a shop assistant, BBC reports. Emergency services including two ambulances and an air ambulance rushed to the scene of the incident which occurred shortly after 10am. It is still unclear as to how Pawlowski obtained the weapon. Witnesses described how the man lost a lot of blood in the incident and lost consciousness, but is now awake. If the above content was distressing or affected you, please ring Samaritans on 116123 A woman in a burkini carries her child on the beach in Marseille, France, last summer Girls in Switzerland cannot be excused from mixed swimming lessons on religious grounds because it prevents them from integrating with society, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled yesterday. The court in Strasbourg threw out an appeal which had been brought by a "fervently religious" Muslim Swiss-Turkish couple who had been fined by the Swiss authorities for removing their children from the lessons. It was not a violation of the pupils' human rights to make them take part in mixed lessons, the court ruled, adding that schools have a "special role" in integrating young children, especially those from foreign backgrounds. "The children's interest in a full education, thus facilitating their successful social integration according to local customs and mores, prevailed over the parents' wish to have their children exempted from mixed swimming lessons," the ECHR said in its ruling. The couple had appealed to the ECHR after being fined 1,400 francs (1,300) by the Swiss authorities in 2010 for keeping their two daughters out of mixed-gender, mandatory public-school swimming lessons for reasons linked to their Muslim faith. The couple were "fervent practitioners of the Muslim religion", the ECHR said, adding the girls had been offered "very flexible" options to accommodate their beliefs, including allowing the girls to get changed in private, as well as permission to wear the so-called 'burkini', an Islamic swimsuit that covers the whole body, except the hands, face and feet. The judges acknowledged that "interference" with religious freedom had taken place when the couple was disciplined, but denied that it amounted to a violation of religious freedoms. They also upheld the fine issued in 2010, which they said was "proportional" and would help ensure that "parents do send their children to compulsory lessons, which is above all in their own interest, for socialisation and successful integration." It comes after Germany's highest court ruled in December that Muslim girls must take part in swimming lessons with boys. The country's constitutional court said that girls who objected to the mixed lessons on religious grounds should wear the 'burkini' instead. In the German case, an 11-year-old Muslim girl of Moroccan descent living in Frankfurt had claimed she was given an "unsatisfactory" grade due to refusing to take part in mixed lessons. The girl argued she was entitled to be exempt on religious grounds, and said she was offended by the sight of young men and boys in swimming costumes. She also said the 'burkini' offered insufficient coverage. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Pacifism is no longer an option for Germany after the Berlin Christmas market attack, Frances conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon insisted yesterday as he prepares to meet Angela Merkel to outline his plans for Europe. Mr Fillon, described as a Gallic Thatcherite, is the favourite to become Frances next president in elections in April and May after the surprise victory in primaries for his right-wing party, the Republicans. In his first major media appearance since becoming the centre-right nominee, the Gaullist pledged to focus on defence, security and a more integrated eurozone. The election of Donald Trump and the tragedy in Berlin [the Christmas market truck attack that killed 12] have been a game-changer, he said to journalists at his campaign headquarters at the Porte de Versailles, Paris. For the United States, our continent will likely not be a priority any more and for Germany, a certain idea of pacifism is gone. France must seize this opportunity to remobilise the European Union around strategic priorities: our collective security, defence, innovation and the retightening of the eurozone, he said. Mr Fillon, who offered no details about what constituted a tighter eurozone, said he would spell out my orientations for Europe to Mrs Merkel, who aides said he would meet in Berlin on January 23. Mr Fillon and the German chancellor see eye to eye on economic issues, with the former French prime minister intent on cutting half a million state sector jobs within five years and burying the 35-hour working week. Rhetoric However, the pair differ on issues such as Turkey, migration and Europe. Unlike Mrs Merkel, he has called for a strategic partnership with Russia to fight Isil in Syria, and to keep communication open with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. This has drawn praise from Russias president Vladimir Putin and Mr Assad, who said this week: His rhetoric on terrorism, making combating terrorists a priority and not interfering in other countries business, was welcome. Mr Fillons aides were quick to respond by saying that he has nothing to do with Bashar al-Assad, who is a dictator, and has blood on his hands. But Bruno Retailleau, his campaign co-ordinator, said: When you want peace, sometimes you have to bring to the table people with dirty hands. After his speech, Mr Fillon insisted that Mrs Merkel is much more pragmatic on Putin than one might think but she is very prudent. Mr Fillon made the comments as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party called for France and other weak economies to be thrown out of the euro. Jorg Meuthen, a senior figure within the party, called for the eurozone to be split in two and southern EU members to be prevented from using the single currency. Meanwhile, Britain will not forge links with far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen because the government has a policy of not engaging with her party, the UKs ambassador to France has said. Edward Llewellyn, who was formerly David Camerons chief of staff in Downing Street, told MPs that while his staff were making contact with other French presidential candidates they have no relations with the Front National leader. With respect to the Front National, we have a policy of not engaging, he said at a foreign affairs select committee meeting. That is the policy, which has been the policy for many years. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] A public schoolboy at one of the UK's most prestigious schools has been found guilty of blackmailing two teenage girls with revenge porn so they would have sex with him. Alistair Wilson (20) blackmailed a classmate at the Christ's Hospital School in West Sussex in 2015 after he told her he would post compromising images of her on Facebook if she didn't give him 100 (115). The court heard how he rang her at 4.30am when he was drunk and said; "F*** me or Ill post pictures on Facebook", Daily Mail reports. He said it was "her problem" to try and get to him and that he wanted the money within a couple of days. Wilson, who attended a school which costs 30,000, was also involved in a similar revenge porn case with another girl, aged 18. He messaged her online writing; "What if [the photos] were to fall into the wrong hands? "Sometimes having leverage is very useful. "Sleep with me and I'll delete the images." The girl had sex with Wilson after the exchange of messages. The court heard how, when Wilson was warned by one of the girls that what he was doing was illegal, he wrote; "I am literally the worst s**t on the planet. Please accept my apologies." He was handed down a suspended jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to the offences and was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation and to pay the older girl 3,500 (4,034) in compensation and the young girl 2,500 (2,881) in compensation. He was also given a lifetime restraining order banning him from contacting either girl. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, right, and Frank-Juergen Weise, head of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. (AP/Michael Sohn) About 280,000 new asylum-seekers arrived in Germany last year - far below the influx of 890,000 in 2015, the Interior Ministry has said. Arrivals declined sharply with the closure of the Balkan migrant route in March and the subsequent agreement between the European Union and Turkey to stem the flow across the Aegean Sea to Turkey. Asylum applications have lagged well behind arrivals and many people who came to Germany in 2015 applied only last year. The figures released on Wednesday showed that 745,545 formal asylum applications were made last year - 268,869 more than in 2015. Those included 268,866 applications from Syrians, 127,892 from Afghans and 97,162 from Iraqis - the biggest single groups by far. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, which has been strengthened in the course of Europe's migrant crisis, decided last year on more than 695,000 asylum applications, more than twice as many as in 2015. Nearly 60% of applicants were granted either full refugee status or a lesser form of protection. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said that about 55,000 migrants returned home voluntarily last year, compared with the previous year's 35,000. Another 25,000 were forcibly deported. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who faces a national election later this year and still draws criticism for her welcoming approach to migrants in 2015, has promised a "national effort" to ensure that people who are not entitled to stay go home. The number of returns is still too low, Mr de Maiziere said, adding that talks are under way with state authorities - who are responsible for returns - to push it up. AP Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni with French President Francois Hollande prior to his illness. (AP/Christophe Ena) Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni is reportedly in good condition after undergoing angioplasty surgery upon his return from a bilateral meeting in Paris. Mr Gentiloni's office confirmed the 62-year-old leader was taken to Rome's Gemelli hospital, but would not comment on the nature of the illness. The Italian news agency ANSA said Mr Gentiloni had undergone angioplasty surgery on a peripheral blood vessel on Tuesday evening and was in good condition. Mr Gentiloni, formerly Italy's foreign minister, took over as premier last month after the previous government resigned. Mr Gentiloni met with French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Tuesday on the first round of official visits by an Italian head of government after taking office. He decided to get checked by the Gemelli after feeling unwell following his landing in Rome, ANSA said. His meeting on Thursday with British Prime Minister Theresa May in London was postponed, Chigi Palace said. Angioplasty uses a balloon to stretch out blocked vessels or arteries, which in the case of heart problems restores blood supply to the heart when medicines do not work. The procedure also is used to treat angina, chest pain that can be triggered by stress or physical exertion, or as emergency treatment after a heart attack. AP President-elect Donald Trump has condemned US intelligence agencies, blaming them for leaking unsubstantiated reports on his relationship with Russia. A US official said that intelligence officials had informed Mr Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. President-elect Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence community's findings last week, the official said. Mr Trump angrily denounced the reports, citing Russia's denials and suggesting anew that he is being persecuted for defeating other GOP presidential hopefuls and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the election. "I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with fake news. A sorry state," he tweeted. "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" The topic appears certain to come up at a previously scheduled new conference later on Wednesday. The conference had been designed for Mr Trump to discuss whether and how he plans to avoid conflicts of interest with his global business empire. The last time President-elect Trump held a news conference, he was fighting a heated general election campaign with Ms Clinton and suggested Russia could help dig up some of his rival's emails. Mr Trump is certain to face questions about what role he believes Russia played in the election year hacking of Democratic groups - interference the intelligence community says was intended to help the Republican defeat Clinton. ANM: De vineri temperaturile incep sa scada / Care vor fi maximele la sfarsitul lunii noiembrie si cat de mari sunt sansele sa avem zapada la iarna U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in Trump Tower, Manhattan, New York, U.S., January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton His first press conference was wide-ranging and as predicted ventured into bizarre territory. Here are the key take-aways from the president elect's first encounter with the press since his election. His business: Both Trump and his daughter Ivanka will resign from their positions in the Trump organisations. His sons will run the enterprises and Trump has said he will not be privy to any of their business dealings. Through his lead counsel he assured reporters he would only know about new deals through reading about them in newspapers. The Trump Organization will not enter any new deals while Trump is president, according to his lawyer. Trump appears to be still involved with his business while preparing to take office, saying he had turned down a $2 billion development deal in Dubai he had been offered over the weekend. Ethics experts have criticised the arrangement as not going far enough but Trump has said it was unrealistic to expect him to completely divest himself from his assets. The alleged Russian dossier: Trump was exercised when addressing questions of a reported Russian dossier which contains allegations about him that was published this week. He suggested that US intelligence agencies could have leaked the 'phony' report. "I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there," Trump told a news conference. He called the dossier that makes salacious claims about him "fake news" and "phony stuff." "I think it's a disgrace ... That's something that Nazi Germany would have done," the Republican said days ahead of his inauguration. Russian President Vladimir Putin: Trump moved to reassure people that his goals of a better relationship with Vladamir Putin was not a foregone conclusion and added that he would be tougher on Putin than Hillary Clinton would have been, had she been elected. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," he said. He also denied having business interests in Russia. "I have no dealings with Russia. I have no dealings in Russia ... I have no loans with Russia at all." Hacking: He pledged an overhaul of cyber security in the US. "Within 90 days we will be covering up with a new report on hacking...the US is hacked by everybody that includes Russia and China," he said. Jobs: He began his press conference discussing corporations that had pledged to open in the US and promised to pursue job creation - a promise which became a pillar of his election campaign. "I said I will be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created, and I mean that." The media: During the press conference he engaged in an angry exchange with CNN's senior White House correspondent, Jim Acosta. When Mr Acosta attempted to ask Trump a question, saying the politician was attacking the organisation but not allowing them to ask a question of him, Trump replied: "You're organisation is terrible... quiet, quiet...she's asking a question. Don't be rude, No I'm not going to give you a question you are fake news." He also hit out at website Buzzfeed, which published the unverified dossier that contained "explosive and unverified" allegations against Trump. "Buzzfeed, it's a failing pile of garbage.....writing it, I think they are going to suffer the consequences and already are. And as far as CNN, going out of their way to build it up... It's a disgrace," Trump told the press today. Mexico and the wall: Trump has reiterated plans to build a wall between the US and has insisted Mexico will have to pay for it. He also said he will not wait for negotiations between the two countries to end before starting to build it. "I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico which will start immediately after we get into office, but I don't want to wait," he said. He said his vice president-elect Mike Pence is "leading an effort to get final approvals through various agencies and through Congress for the wall to begin." "Mexico in some form ... will reimburse us," Trump added. He also said he does not blame Mexico for taking advantage of the US. His taxes: His taxes, a pressing question during his campaign, were also raised at the press conference with one reporter asking if he would release his tax return. "I'm not going to release tax returns because, as you know, they're under audit" by the Internal Revenue Service." Additional reporting by Reuters U.S. President-elect Donald Trump waits with his children before speaking during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan. (Photo: Reuters) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in Trump Tower, Manhattan, New York, US (Photo: Reuters) US President-elect Donald Trump has suggested at a New York press conference that intelligence agencies may be responsible for the release of a dossier containing allegations that Russia holds compromising information about him. At his first press conference since winning November's presidential election, Mr Trump thanked media organisations which held back from publishing details from the dossier, which has reportedly been circulating in Washington for some time. In the hours before the long-awaited event in New York, Mr Trump sent out a series of tweets alleging the publication of the unverified allegations amounted to a "political witch-hunt" and comparing the controversy to events in Nazi Germany. Mr Trump said that if the intelligence agencies were shown to be responsible for releasing the document, it would be a "tremendous blot" on their reputation. Reports of the dossier - said to have been drawn up by a former British intelligence officer with extensive experience of Russia - dominated the run-up to Mr Trump's press conference, which came nine days before his inauguration as the 45th US President. US intelligence officers briefed the Republican president-elect and President Barack Obama about the contents of the document last week and reports emerged last night on CNN. Web-based news site Buzzfeed published the dossier in full. But Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the reports were "complete fabrication and utter nonsense" and said the Russian government "does not engage in collecting compromising material". Opening his press conference in front of a row of US flags, Mr Trump said: "I want to thank a lot of the news organisations here today, because they looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies - who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies, which would be a tremendous blot on their record if they in fact did that, a tremendous blot. "A thing like that should never have been written, it should never have been had and it should certainly never have been released. "I want to thank a lot of the news organisations, some of whom have not treated me very well over the years - a couple in particular - and they came out so strongly against that fake news and the fact that it was written about by primarily one group and one television station." Mr Trump said that news organisations which decided not to publish the claims were "so incredibly professional that I've just gone up a notch as to what I think of you". After Moscow dismissed the claims, the President-elect sent out a series of angry tweets. "Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is 'A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE.' Very unfair!" he wrote. "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! "I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state! "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" Vice-president-elect Mike Pence attacked "irresponsible" media organisations who had carried details of the "false and unsubstantiated report". At the start of the press conference, Mr Pence said: "The irresponsible decision of a few news organisations to run with a false and unsubstantiated report when most news organisations resisted the temptation to propagate this fake news can only be attributed to media bias and attempt to demean the president-elect and our incoming administration and the American people are sick and tired of it." Mr Trump said it was a "disgrace" the way the information had been leaked. "It is all fake news. It is phoney stuff. It didn't happen and it was gotten by opponents of ours," he said. "It was a group of opponents who got together - sick people - and they put that crap together. Somebody released it. It shouldn't have even entered paper but it should never have even been released. I read what was released and I think it was a disgrace." Mr Trump said he believed Russia's claim that it did not gather compromising information about him, claiming Moscow would have published whatever it held. "President Putin and Russia put out a statement today that this fake news was indeed fake news, they said it totally never happened," the controversial tycoon said. "Somebody would say 'oh of course he's going to say that' - I respected the fact that he said that. "And I'll be honest - I think if he did have something they would have released it, they would have been glad to release it." Discussing the fake news, Trump later said that it is "something Nazi Germany would have done." He added that "as far as Buzzfeed which is a failing pile of garbage writing it, I think theyre going to suffer the consequences, and they already are." Be quiet. Im not going to give you a question. You are fake news, Trump told CNN reporter Jim Acosta, Mr Trump said that the United States is "being hacked by everybody including China and Russia." The President-elect also indicated that he thought the hacking of his defeated Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton's emails had uncovered information that was in the public interest. "Hacking is bad and it shouldn't be done but look at the things that were hacked, look at what was learned from that hacking - that Hillary Clinton got the questions to the debate and didn't report it, that's a horrible thing, that's a horrible thing," Mr Trump said. "Can you imagine if Donald Trump got the questions to the debate? "It would have been the biggest story in the history of stories and they would have said immediately 'you have to get out of the race' - nobody even talked about it, that's a very terrible thing." Mr Trump said that while he believed Russia had been involved in cyber hacking against the US "other countries and other people" had also been involved. He said the Democratic National Committee's computer - which was hacked during the election campaign - had been "totally open to be hacked". "They did a very poor job. They could have had hacking defence which we had," he said. "They tried to hack the Republican National Committee and they were unable to break through. We have to do that for our country. It is very important." Referring to the allegations contained in the dossier, the President-elect told reporters he was a "germophobe". "Does anyone really believe that story?" he said. "I'm also very much of a germophobe by the way, believe me." He also discussed his relationship with President Putin, by stating: "If Putin likes Donald Trump, that's an asset!'", before saying there is no "reset button" for its relations, adding they will "either get on or they won't." The Republican said he when he travels outside the US, he is "extremely careful". "I'm surrounded by bodyguards, I'm surround by people and I always tell them ... if I am leaving this country, be very careful because in your hotel rooms and no matter where you go, you are probably going to have cameras. "I'm not referring just to Russia, but I would certainly put them in that category. "And, number one, I hope you are going to be good anyway but in those rooms you have cameras in the strangest places, cameras that are so small with modern technology you can't see them and you won't know. "You'd better be careful or you will be watching yourself on nightly television." During the conference, president-elect Trump warned of the possibilities of hacking, stating: "I am extremely careful. I always tell [my people] be very careful, because in those rooms you have cameras in the strangest places -you cant see them and you wont know," he said. "You better be careful or you will be watching yourself on nightly television. Trump also mentioned a $2b "deal" he turned downed in Dubai due to not wanting to create "a conflict." During this press conference, he also promised to be "greatest job creator God ever created," calling out pharma companies and praising the work he has done with the motor industry. Trump described the Pharma lobby as too powerful and stated that he is supporting allowing government to negotiate over drug prices. President Trump added that he is handing over control of his business empire to his two sons. Mr Trump said there was no requirement for him to give up the management of the Trump Organisation during his time in the White House, as presidents were exempted from conflict of interest rules. He brushed aside calls for him to release his tax returns, insisting voters did not care about the payments he had made. Facing questions on the returns - which he consistently refused to release during his election battle with Hillary Clinton - the Republican president-elect told reporters: "I won. I don't think they care at all." Mr Trump also sought to alleviate concerns that he could violate the US constitution's "emoluments clause" - designed to keep the president free from outside influence - if foreign governments spend money at or on one of his business. His tax lawyer Sheri Dillon told the press conference Mr Trump would therefore "donate" all profits from foreign government payments to his hotels to the US Treasury. He maintained his promise to build a wall between US and Mexico on the border, saying "I don't feel like waiting a year and a half. Mexico in some form... will reimburse us for the wall," adding "I don't want to wait a year of a half." He added that vice president Pence be "leading an effort to get final approvals through various agencies and through Congress for the wall to begin". Woman was shot between the chest and shoulder by her daughter An 83-year-old Florida man fatally shot a woman after her daughter and brother-in-law knocked on his front door while searching for a missing dog, police have said. Manatee County Sheriff's officials said Eugene Matthews opened the door at about 7pm local time on Tuesday and started firing a handgun. The bullets struck 64-year-old Rebecca Rawson who had stayed in the car parked outside. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Matthews was taken to the Manatee County Jail, where he remained without bond on Wednesday. Jail records do not list a lawyer. Authorities say 62-year-old Rodney Rawson and 26-year-old Kathryn Rawson were looking for their dog when they went to Matthews's house. Spokesman Dave Bristow said that no other injuries were reported. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news cenference at Trump Tower on January 11, 2017 in New York City. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images A former British MI6 agent produced the controversial dossier making lurid claims about US president elect Donald Trump is "terrified for his safety" after his details were published. The Telegraph is reporting that Christopher Steele (52) has fled his home in Surrey this morning anticipating that his details would be released. A source close to the officer told the newspaper that he now fears a prompt and potentially dangerous backlash against him from Moscow. Mr Steele, who has been named by a number of major news sites, allegedly prepared the a 35 page document that alleges the Kremlin colluded with Donald Trump's presidential campaign. The document claims that the Kremlin has material that could be used to blackmail him including compromising allegations about his sex life. Mr Trump has completely denied all of the contents and branded it "fake news" at an earlier press conference in New York. He said he feels like he is in Nazi Germany. Read More Mr Steele is the co-founder of London-based Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd. His research was originally funded by anti-Trump Republicans and later by Democrats. According to the Wall Street Journal Mr Steele was based in Russia for several years. John Sipher, who retired from the CIA in 2014, told the newspaper that Steele has a good reputation in the intelligence world. Eight things we learned from Trump's first press conference since the US election His first press conference was wide-ranging and as predicted ventured into bizarre territory. Here are the key take-aways from the president elect's first encounter with the press since his election. His business: Both Trump and his daughter Ivanka will resign from their positions in the Trump organisations. His sons will run the enterprises and Trump has said he will not be privy to any of their business dealings. Through his lead counsel he assured reporters he would only know about new deals through reading about them in newspapers. The Trump Organization will not enter any new deals while Trump is president, according to his lawyer. Trump appears to be still involved with his business while preparing to take office, saying he had turned down a $2 billion development deal in Dubai he had been offered over the weekend. Ethics experts have criticised the arrangement as not going far enough but Trump has said it was unrealistic to expect him to completely divest himself from his assets. The alleged Russian dossier: Trump was exercised when addressing questions of a reported Russian dossier which contains allegations about him that was published this week. He suggested that US intelligence agencies could have leaked the 'phony' report. "I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there," Trump told a news conference. He called the dossier that makes salacious claims about him "fake news" and "phony stuff." "I think it's a disgrace ... That's something that Nazi Germany would have done," the Republican said days ahead of his inauguration. Russian President Vladimir Putin: Trump moved to reassure people that his goals of a better relationship with Vladamir Putin was not a foregone conclusion and added that he would be tougher on Putin than Hillary Clinton would have been, had she been elected. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability," he said. He also denied having business interests in Russia. "I have no dealings with Russia. I have no dealings in Russia ... I have no loans with Russia at all." Hacking: He pledged an overhaul of cyber security in the US. "Within 90 days we will be covering up with a new report on hacking...the US is hacked by everybody that includes Russia and China," he said. Jobs: He began his press conference discussing corporations that had pledged to open in the US and promised to pursue job creation - a promise which became a pillar of his election campaign. "I said I will be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created, and I mean that." The media: During the press conference he engaged in an angry exchange with CNN's senior White House correspondent, Jim Acosta. When Mr Acosta attempted to ask Trump a question, saying the politician was attacking the organisation but not allowing them to ask a question of him, Trump replied: "Your organisation is terrible... quiet, quiet...she's asking a question. Don't be rude, No I'm not going to give you a question you are fake news." He also hit out at website Buzzfeed, which published the unverified dossier that contained "explosive and unverified" allegations against Trump. "Buzzfeed, it's a failing pile of garbage.....writing it, I think they are going to suffer the consequences and already are. And as far as CNN, going out of their way to build it up... It's a disgrace," Trump told the press today. Mexico and the wall: Trump has reiterated plans to build a wall between the US and has insisted Mexico will have to pay for it. He also said he will not wait for negotiations between the two countries to end before starting to build it. "I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico which will start immediately after we get into office, but I don't want to wait," he said. He said his vice president-elect Mike Pence is "leading an effort to get final approvals through various agencies and through Congress for the wall to begin." "Mexico in some form ... will reimburse us," Trump added. He also said he does not blame Mexico for taking advantage of the US. His taxes: His taxes, a pressing question during his campaign, were also raised at the press conference with one reporter asking if he would release his tax return. "I'm not going to release tax returns because, as you know, they're under audit" by the Internal Revenue Service." Additional reporting by Reuters US President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Russia had never tried to sway his actions and furiously blamed U.S. intelligence agencies for news reports that Moscow had compiled compromising information on him. In a series of Twitter posts, Trump accused intelligence agencies of taking "one last shot" at him by leaking the information. "Are we living in Nazi Germany?" he asked. Expand Close Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters Trump slammed as "fake news" the reports that classified documents presented to him last week by the heads of four U.S. intelligence agencies included claims that Russian intelligence operatives have compromising information about him. "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" Trump wrote in one of the Twitter posts. Trump, due to hold his first news conference in nearly six months on Wednesday, pointed to the Kremlin's denials of the reports on the dossier that emerged late on Tuesday. "Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is 'A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE.' Very unfair!" he wrote on Twitter. Expand Close Vladimir Putin said that Donald Trump is a smart man / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Vladimir Putin said that Donald Trump is a smart man The Kremlin said on Wednesday it was "total nonsense" that Russian officials had assembled a file of compromising information on Trump. Reince Priebus, who will be Trump's White House chief of staff, called the Russian dossier report "phony baloney garbage." He told NBC's "Today" show he had raised the matter with Trump. "He said it was 'total garbage and I'm keeping it clean,'" Priebus said. Even before the reports, Russia had been likely to take center stage during Trump's first formal session with reporters since he won the Nov. 8 presidential election. The news conference was scheduled for 11 a.m. ET (1600 GMT) at his New York offices. The Republican president-elect has long said he hopes to improve ties with Moscow, but this effort will come under intense scrutiny after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia used cyber attacks and other tactics to try to tilt the presidential election in his favor over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. At the same time in Washington, Trump's nominee for secretary of state, former Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, will likely be grilled at his Senate confirmation hearing over his long business relationship with Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin. There was an unpredictable element to Trump's news conference, given his repeated criticism of the U.S. news media and his belief that many news organizations favored Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign. Read More Trump, a New York real estate developer, has been under pressure to separate himself from his global business operations to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest once he succeeds President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. After initially declaring there was no law that prohibited him from maintaining control of his business while serving as president, Trump switched gears in December and said legal documents were being crafted "which take me completely out of business operations." Trump has said his two adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, will manage his businesses and no new deals will be done during his time in office, but has offered few details. He has not said he would divest from his companies, a step some ethics experts say he should take. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, announced plans on Monday to divest much of his own business holdings in preparation for taking a senior advisory role in the White House. RUSSIA QUESTIONS While North Korea, Syria, Iran, China, tax reform and border security could well come up at the news conference, questions about Russia are likely to dominate the session. Trump has faced persistent questions about Russia throughout the past year given his reluctance to criticize Putin and his desire to improve U.S. relations with Moscow, including working together to defeat Islamic State militants. His stance has rattled traditional U.S. allies such as NATO countries and many U.S. foreign policy experts who consider Russia a geopolitical adversary. Trump has left open how he would respond to the Russian hacking that U.S. intelligence agencies said was aimed at disrupting the presidential campaign. U.S. intelligence chiefs briefed him on Russian involvement in the election last Friday and he has accepted the fact that it happened. Two U.S. officials said Tuesday evening that the allegations on the Russian dossier, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that U.S. intelligence officials presented to Trump and Obama last week. US President Barack Obama wipes away tears while speaking during his farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) US president Barack Obama has made an emotional farewell speech that sought to comfort and encourage a country on edge over economic changes, persistent security threats and the election of Donald Trump. Mr Obama's valedictory speech in his home city of Chicago was a public meditation on the trials and triumphs, promises kept and promises broken that made up his eight years in the White House. Arguing his faith in America had been confirmed, he said he ended his tenure inspired by its "boundless capacity" for reinvention, declaring: "The future should be ours." His delivery was forceful for the most part, but by the end he was wiping away tears as the crowd embraced him one last time. He and his wife Michelle hugged former aides and other audience members long after the speech ended. Read More Reflecting on the corrosive recent political campaign, Mr Obama (55) said America's great potential "will be realised only if our democracy works. Only if our politics reflects the decency of our people. Only if all of us, regardless of our party affiliation or particular interest, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now". He made only passing reference to Republican Donald Trump, who will replace him in just 10 days. Expand Close President Barack Obama waves on stage with first lady Michelle Obama, daughter Malia, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden after his farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Barack Obama waves on stage with first lady Michelle Obama, daughter Malia, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden after his farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) He said he pledged to Mr Trump that his administration would "ensure the smoothest possible transition" just as his predecessor George Bush did for him, and the nation's politics needed to reflect "the decency" of the American people. But when Mr Obama noted the imminence of that change and the crowd began booing, he responded, "No, no, no, no, no", saying one of the nation's great strengths "is the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next". The president acknowledged "stark inequality" was corrosive to America's democratic principles, in a nod to the economic uncertainty that helped Mr Trump win the White House. He said too many inner city and rural families had been left behind, convinced the "game is fixed against them" and the government serves only powerful interests. Protecting America's way of life, he said, was the job of citizens as well as the military, adding: "Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear." And to cheers from the crowd, Mr Obama, referring to Donald Trump's calls for a temporary ban on Muslim immigration, said he rejected discrimination against Muslim Americans "just as patriotic as we are". Expand Close First lady Michelle Obama hugs President Barack Obama after his farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp First lady Michelle Obama hugs President Barack Obama after his farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Earlier, as the crowd chanted "Four more years", he simply smiled and said: "I can't do that." Nevertheless, during his speech Mr Obama carried out what seemed like a point-by-point rebuttal of Mr Trump's vision for America. He lamented politicians who question climate change and warned about the threat to US democracy posed by purposely deceptive fake "news" and a growing tendency of Americans to listen only to information that confirmed what they already believed. Get out of your "bubbles", said Mr Obama who rose to a prominence with a message of unity, challenging divisions of red states and blue states. He also revived a call to activism that marked his first presidential campaign, telling Americans to stay engaged in politics, saying: "If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life." Mr Obama also paid tribute to the sacrifices made by his wife and his daughters, who were young girls when they entered the big white home in Pennsylvania Avenue and now leave as young women. Unexpectedly absent was the Obamas' younger daughter, Sasha, who had been expected to join her sister Malia at the speech. The White House did not explain the absence. Mr Obama praised his wife for taking on her role "with grace and grit and style and good humour" and for making the White House "a place that belongs to everybody". Soon Mr Obama and his family will exit the national stage, to be replaced by Mr Trump, a man who Mr Obama had stridently argued posed a dire threat to the nation's future. His near-apocalyptic warnings throughout the campaign cast a continuing shadow over his post-election efforts to reassure Americans anxious about the future. Indeed, much of what Mr Obama accomplished over the past eight years - from health care overhaul and environmental regulations to his nuclear deal with Iran - could potentially be upended by Mr Trump, so even as the president seeks to define what his tenure meant for America, his legacy remains in question. Even as Mr Obama said farewell in a televised speech of just under an hour, the anxiety felt by many Americans about the future was palpable and not only in the Chicago convention centre where he stood in front of a giant presidential seal. The political world was reeling from new revelations about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about Mr Trump. Steeped in nostalgia, Mr Obama's return to Chicago was less a triumphant homecoming and more a bitter-sweet reunion bringing together Obama loyalists and loyal staffers, many of whom have long since left his service, moved on to new careers and started families. They came from across the country, some on Air Force One, others on their own, to be present for the last major moment of Mr Obama's presidency. Seeking inspiration, Mr Obama's speechwriters spent weeks poring over his other momentous speeches, including his 2004 keynote at the Democratic National Convention and his 2008 speech after losing the New Hampshire primary to Hillary Clinton. They also revisited his 2015 address in Selma, Alabama, that both honoured America's exceptionalism and acknowledged its painful history on civil rights. After returning to Washington, Mr Obama will have less than two weeks before he accompanies Mr Trump in the presidential limousine to the Capitol for the new president's swearing-in. He then plans to take some time off, write a book, and immerse himself in a Democratic re-districting campaign. Protesters wearing white sheets shout at Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) as he arrives for his confirmation hearing to be the U.S. attorney general Senate Judiciary Committee in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill January 10, 2017 in Washington, DC Classified documents given to US President Barack Obama and president-elect Donald Trump last week included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr Trump, according to US news channel CNN. The channel said several US officials with direct knowledge of the briefings have told it that the allegations were presented in a two-page synopsis included in a report on Russian interference in the 2016 US election. The allegations came, in part, from memos compiled by a former British intelligence operative, whose past work US intelligence officials consider credible. The FBI is investigating the credibility and accuracy of the allegations, which are based primarily on information from Russian sources, but has not confirmed many essential details in the memos about Mr Trump, according to CNN. Trump's team last night said the reports have not been confirmed and the FBI have yet to confirm any of the claims. Trump himself tweeted last night, writing online; "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" The classified briefings last week were presented by four of the most senior US intelligence chiefs - Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan, and NSA Director Admiral Mike Rogers. Expand Close Protesters wearing white sheets shout at Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) as he arrives for his confirmation hearing to be the U.S. attorney general Senate Judiciary Committee in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill January 10, 2017 in Washington, DC / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters wearing white sheets shout at Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) as he arrives for his confirmation hearing to be the U.S. attorney general Senate Judiciary Committee in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill January 10, 2017 in Washington, DC One reason the nation's intelligence chiefs took the extraordinary step of including the synopsis in the briefing documents was to make Mr Trump aware that such allegations involving him are circulating among intelligence agencies, senior members of Congress and other government officials in Washington, a number of sources told CNN. These senior intelligence officials also included the synopsis to demonstrate that Russia had compiled information potentially harmful to both political parties, but only released information damaging to Hillary Clinton and Democrats. This synopsis was not an official part of the report from the intelligence community case about Russian hacks, but some officials said it augmented the evidence that Moscow intended to harm Clinton's candidacy and help Trump's, several officials with knowledge of the briefings told CNN. The two-page synopsis also included allegations that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, according to two national security officials. Expand Close Senator Jeff Sessions / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Senator Jeff Sessions Shortly after CNN's report, US website Buzzfeed posted what it claimed to be the full 35-page memo. Buzzfeed said it had not verified the report and that it contained some clear errors. The documents claims secret contacts between Trump and Russia, as well as claiming Russia to have compromising information about Trump's personal life. Sources told CNN that these same allegations about communications between the Trump campaign and the Russians, mentioned in classified briefings for congressional leaders last year, prompted then-Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to send a letter to FBI Director Comey in October, in which he wrote: "It has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and co-ordination between Donald Trump, his top advisers, and the Russian government - a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States." CNN said it had confirmed that the synopsis was included in the documents that were presented to Mr Trump but couldn't confirm if it was discussed in his meeting with the intelligence chiefs. Meanwhile, Mr Trump's choice for the next attorney general said yesterday America should not ban all Muslims from entering the US, as he faced a grilling in the Senate over his positions on issues of law and order. Jeff Sessions, a staunchly conservative senator from Alabama, was rewarded for his support of Mr Trump's campaign with the high-profile role. But his nomination caused consternation among those who accuse him of racism and of not supporting the rights of women and minorities. Mr Sessions was rejected for a position as a federal judge in 1986 after accusations of racism from fellow prosecutors and employees in his office. As attorney general he will be responsible for enforcing laws relating to hate crimes and abortion - and telling Mr Trump he cannot do what he chooses, if it runs against the constitution. Dianne Feinstein, the most senior Democrat on the judiciary committee, said it had received letters of concern from 400 civil rights groups, 1,400 law professors, a "broad spectrum of organisations against domestic violence", and 70 reproductive health groups. Protesters dressed as the Ku Klux Klan heckled Mr Sessions during the hearing, raising their (70) voices to shout insults when he expressed support for keeping Guantanamo Bay detention camp open, and when he was defended by a senator against racism charges. Dylann Roof has been sentenced to death for killing nine black church members, becoming the first American to get the death penalty for federal hate crimes. In his six-minute closing argument, the 22-year-old white supremacist showed no remorse for the massacre. While attempting to persuade the jury to spare his life, he claimed that he did not kill the victims out of a hatred for black people. "I think it's safe to say nobody in their mind wants to go into a church and kill people," he told the jury. "In my [FBI confession] tape I told them I had to. But it's not true: I didn't have to. No one made me. What I meant was: I felt like I had to do it. I still feel like I have to do it." Jurors deliberated for less than three hours. Roof showed no emotion as the verdict was read, Charleston's Post and Courier newspaper reported. "Justice is served in Charleston," Malcolm Graham, shooting victim Cynthia Hurd's younger brother, said in a post on Twitter following the verdict. "There's no place in a civilized society for hatred, racism or discrimination." Roof, who represented himself for the penalty phase, was unrepentant during his closing argument earlier in the day. He told jurors he still felt the massacre was something he had to do and did not ask that his life be spared. A U.S. prosecutor argued that Roof deserved to die because the shooting was calculated and intended to incite racial violence. On June 17, 2015, Roof sat for 40 minutes with parishioners gathered for a Bible study meeting before opening fire as they closed their eyes to pray, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson said. Roof pulled the trigger 75 times as he methodically killed Hurd (54), Clementa Pinckney (41) the church's pastor and a state senator; DePayne Middleton Doctor (49), Sharonda Coleman Singleton (45) Susie Jackson (87), Ethel Lance (70), Myra Thompson (59) Daniel Simmons Sr. (74), and Tywanza Sanders (26). Whether Roof was competent to serve as his own attorney will be a fundamental issue in the appeals process, said Robert Dunham, executive director of the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center said in a telephone interview. Roof did not want jurors to hear mental health evidence and put up no defense against the death penalty. Defense lawyers likely will use the trial to show appellate judges that mental illness prevented him from adequately representing himself, Dunham said. "Today's sentencing decision means that this case will not be over for a very long time," Roof's lawyers, who represented him for the guilt phase, said in a statement. "We are sorry that, despite our best efforts, the legal proceedings have shed so little light on the reasons for this tragedy," said the lawyers, who objected to Roof's self-representation. Roof also still faces a trial on murder charges in state court, where prosecutors also are seeking the death penalty. The shooting was reported to have been an act of revenge A prisoner on leave has gunned down five people in a rampage in the central Iranian city of Arak, state television has reported. The report said four other people were injured in the shooting on Wednesday. The prisoner was not identified but was believed to be in jail on drug charges. The TV report said he and his brother attacked two families in two different parts of the city, apparently in an act of revenge. Police were said to have detained one of the men but the second is still at large. Gun violence is rare in Iran, where citizens are only allowed to own hunting rifles. However, in December, a man killed 10 relatives in a remote rural area in the country's south. AP A serial killer known as "The Werewolf" has admitted to murdering 59 women after he claims his wife cheated on him. Former Russian police officer, Mikhail Popkov is already serving a life sentence for 22 murders, according to The Siberian Times. Recently it's believed that Popkov told investigators he murdered "twice as many women" as previously thought between 1994 to 2000. According to The Siberian Times, after his admissions, police discovered the bodies of a huge number of victims and have now charged him with the 25 extra murders. Popkov also provided information on 12 more killings, bringing the total number to 59. It's believed the serial killer lured drunk victims into his car by wearing his police officer uniform and offering them a lift home. He would then drive them into deserted areas and brutally attack them with axes, knives or screwdrivers, before dumping their bodies in the woods. According to the New York Post the crimes went unsolved for many years because police failed to conduct DNA tests on their officers. When they tested them, Popkov was identified as the killer. Popkov was arrested in 2012 and allegedly told police officers he had "lost his will to kill" after contracting syphilis from one of his victims. According to The Daily Mail he began murdering woman after "he wrongly accused" his wife of cheating on him. President Obama wipes away tears as he gives his presidential farewell address (AP) US president Barack Obama has made an emotional farewell speech that sought to comfort and encourage a country on edge over economic changes, persistent security threats and the election of Donald Trump. Mr Obama's valedictory speech in his home city of Chicago was a public meditation on the trials and triumphs, promises kept and promises broken that made up his eight years in the White House. Arguing his faith in America had been confirmed, he said he ended his tenure inspired by its "boundless capacity" for reinvention, declaring: "The future should be ours." His delivery was forceful for the most part, but by the end he was wiping away tears as the crowd embraced him one last time. He and his wife Michelle hugged former aides and other audience members long after the speech ended. Reflecting on the corrosive recent political campaign, Mr Obama, 55, said America's great potential "will be realised only if our democracy works. Only if our politics reflects the decency of our people. Only if all of us, regardless of our party affiliation or particular interest, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now". He made only passing reference to Republican Donald Trump, who will replace him in just 10 days. He said he pledged to Mr Trump that his administration would "ensure the smoothest possible transition" just as his predecessor George Bush did for him, and the nation's politics needed to reflect "the decency" of the American people. But when Mr Obama noted the imminence of that change and the crowd began booing, he responded, "No, no, no, no, no", saying o ne of the nation's great strengths "is the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next". The president acknowledged "stark inequality" was corrosive to America's democratic principles, in a nod to the economic uncertainty that helped Mr Trump win the White House. He said too many inner city and rural families had been left behind, convinced the "game is fixed against them" and the government serves only powerful interests. Protecting America's way of life, he said, was the job of citizens as well as the military, adding: "Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear." And to cheers from the crowd, Mr Obama, referring to Donald Trump's calls for a temporary ban on Muslim immigration, said he rejected discrimination against Muslim Americans "just as patriotic as we are". Earlier, as the crowd chanted "Four more years", he simply smiled and said: "I can't do that." Nevertheless, during his speech Mr Obama carried out what seemed like a point-by-point rebuttal of Mr Trump's vision for America. He lamented politicians who question climate change and warned about the threat to US democracy posed by purposely deceptive fake "news" and a growing tendency of Americans to listen only to information that confirmed what they already believed. Get out of your "bubbles", said Mr Obama who rose to a prominence with a message of unity, challenging divisions of red states and blue states. He also revived a call to activism that marked his first presidential campaign, telling Americans to stay engaged in politics, saying: "If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life." Mr Obama also paid tribute to the sacrifices made by his wife and his daughters, who were young girls when they entered the big white home in Pennsylvania Avenue and now leave as young women. Unexpectedly absent was the Obamas' younger daughter, Sasha, who had been expected to join her sister Malia at the speech. The White House did not explain the absence. Mr Obama praised his wife for taking on her role "with grace and grit and style and good humour" and for making the White House "a place that belongs to everybody". Soon Mr Obama and his family will exit the national stage, to be replaced by Mr Trump, a man who Mr Obama had stridently argued posed a dire threat to the nation's future. His near-apocalyptic warnings throughout the campaign cast a continuing shadow over his post-election efforts to reassure Americans anxious about the future. Indeed, much of what Mr Obama accomplished over the past eight years - from health care overhaul and environmental regulations to his nuclear deal with Iran - could potentially be upended by Mr Trump, so even as the president seeks to define what his tenure meant for America, his legacy remains in question. Even as Mr Obama said farewell in a televised speech of just under an hour, the anxiety felt by many Americans about the future was palpable and not only in the Chicago convention centre where he stood in front of a giant presidential seal. The political world was reeling from new revelations about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about Mr Trump. Steeped in nostalgia, Mr Obama's return to Chicago was less a triumphant homecoming and more a bitter-sweet reunion bringing together Obama loyalists and loyal staffers, many of whom have long since left his service, moved on to new careers and started families. They came from across the country, some on Air Force One, others on their own, to be present for the last major moment of Mr Obama's presidency. Seeking inspiration, Mr Obama's speechwriters spent weeks poring over his other momentous speeches, including his 2004 keynote at the Democratic National Convention and his 2008 speech after losing the New Hampshire primary to Hillary Clinton. They also revisited his 2015 address in Selma, Alabama, that both honoured America's exceptionalism and acknowledged its painful history on civil rights. After returning to Washington, Mr Obama will have less than two weeks before he accompanies Mr Trump in the presidential limousine to the Capitol for the new president's swearing-in. He then plans to take some time off, write a book, and immerse himself in a Democratic re-districting campaign. AP The penalty facing VW is the largest against a car maker in American history(AP/Gene J Puskar) Car giant Volkswagen has pleaded guilty to three criminal charges in the US in connection with the emissions scandal and will pay a 4.3 billion US dollar (3.5 billion) penalty. Six executives at the German car maker have also been charged, the US Justice Department announced as it detailed an elaborate and wide-ranging scheme to commit fraud and then cover it up. At least 40 VW employees were involved in destroying evidence, the government said. The penalty against the company is the largest ever levied by the US government on a car maker, eclipsing the 1.2 billion US dollar (984 million) fine handed to Toyota in 2014 over safety issues related to unintended acceleration. VW installed software into diesel engines on nearly 600,000 vehicles in the US that allowed the engines to turn on pollution controls during government tests and switch them off in real-world driving. The software, called a "defeat device" because it defeated the emissions controls, improved engine performance but spewed out harmful nitrogen oxide at up to 40 times above the legal limit. US regulators confronted VW employees about the use of the software in 2015 following tests conducted by university researchers that showed differences in testing and real-world emissions. Volkswagen at first denied the use of the defeat device, but finally admitted to it in September of that year. Even after that admission, the government said, company employees were busy deleting computer files and other evidence. At a press conference on Wednesday, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said: "Volkswagen obfuscated, they denied and they ultimately lied." The German company pleaded guilty to conspiracy, obstruction of justice and importing vehicles by using false statements in a plea deal. It also requires VW to co-operate in a continuing probe that could lead to the arrest of more employees. Government documents accuse six VW supervisors of lying to environmental regulators or destroying computer files containing evidence. In one case, one of the six engine development supervisors is said to have asked an assistant to search another supervisor's office for a computer hard drive that contained emails between them. Once the hard drive was found, another assistant was asked to throw it away. According to the plea agreement, the supervisors and other employees agreed to deceive the Environmental Protection Agency and other regulators about diesel emissions starting in May 2006, when they realised the engines would not meet emissions standards that would come into effect the following year. In 2014, VW employees learned about a West Virginia University study that identified emissions discrepancies in VWs. Three of the supervisors and other employees decided not to disclose the defeat device to US regulators, despite increasing questions from the EPA and the California Air Resources Board. On August 19 2015, a VW employee ignored instructions from supervisors and told US regulators about the defeat devices. A supervisor confirmed the devices the following month. Volkswagen has previously reached a 15 billion US dollar (12.3 billion) civil settlement with environmental authorities and car owners in the US, under which it agreed to buy back up to 500,000 vehicles. About 11 million vehicles worldwide were equipped with the software. AP Cabarrus County will once again join together to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through a series of events this coming weekend. From breakfasts to galas to the symbolic march, community members have a whole variety of ways to commemorate the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement and reflect on the work left to do today. "It's like any other holiday," Wilma Means, who's involved with a Cabarrus County committee to organize the MLK Day event, said. "We celebrate Independence Day. It's a national holiday. And as part of that my 4-H club is encouraging people to have a day on, not a day off. We have suggestions for community service activities, and the Optimus Club is promoting ad ay on, not a day off, and we're asking people to donate." The celebration kicks off Saturday with a prayer breakfast at Bethel Baptist Church Enrichment Center, 1209 Opal St. in Kannapolis, at 9 a.m. Kannapolis native Roderick G. Alssion will be the guest speaker. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and younger. A free MLK Day event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Logan Multi-Purpose Center, 184 Booker Drive SW in Concord. "We're just having a community day where kids are making signs for the parade, and we're asking people to donate medicine bottles, gloves," Means said. "We're doing it for three different groups." Then Saturday night from 7 to 10 p.m., the Cabarrus County Optimus Clubs will hold an inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Gala at the Logan Multi-Purpose Center. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at the door, and the dress is semi-formal. A portion of the proceeds will go toward scholarships for students who demonstrate a financial need. "Each year, I help high school students go to college for scholarships and take them to visit colleges," Means said. "It's expensive, so the Logan community has a number of scholarships, and then there are scholarships all over Cabarrus County. Our motto is bringing out the best in kids, and our focus is helping children, so this would be a way that we could help children, and we decided to combine it with the Martin Luther King celebration because they have a scholarship that they give, and it's a way to have a social gathering." The MLK committee has a scholarship named after Margie Smith, a community leader. "We're recognizing about eight groups or individuals that give scholarships in the Logan community," Means said. "And next year we hope to expand it, just to say thank you." On Sunday, Kittie Sanson Chapel on the Barber-Scotia College campus will hold an Expression of Gratitude event at 3 p.m. On Monday, the holiday itself, The Christian Education Department of Rock Hill AME Zion Church, 3620 Rock Hill Church Road in Concord, will host its fifth annual MLK Jr. Prayer Breakfast at 9 a.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial March lineup will begin at 11 a.m. in the Crowell Drive parking lot at Barber-Scotia College. People will process down Cabarrus Avenue toward the roundabout, where the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial is set up. There, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at noon. At 1:30 p.m., an art contest and talent celebration will take place at the Logan Multi-Purpose Center. Means, who has been involved in the festivities for years, said she hopes people come out. "It's a celebration," she said. "It's the only African-American holiday. Dr. King is part of history, but you can go where he's buried. You can go to the house he grew up in. I think it's just an opportunity to celebrate another holiday, a national holiday." JMC Projects India secures new orders of Rs2,277 crore; Stock gains 2.6% JMC Projects (India) Limited (JMC), a leading Civil Engineering and EPC Company has secured new orders of Rs2,277 crores. The details are as follows: Water Projects in India of... November 04, 2022 | 2:08 pm Lupin receives USFDA tentative approval for Drospirenone Tablets Global pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) has announced that it has received tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug ... November 04, 2022 | 1:26 pm Bloomberg Report: Pegatron Corp starts production of iPhone 14 in India Pegatron Corp., a Taiwanese contract manufacturer for Apple Inc., has begun producing the most recent iPhone 14 model in India. Pegatron is now the second Apple supplier to manufacture th... November 04, 2022 | 12:48 pm JMC Projects India allots NCDs for Rs100 crore; Stock rallies over 3.5% The Management Committee of the Board of Directors of JMC Projects (India) Limited at its meeting held on November 04, 2022 has allotted 1000 Repo Rate, Unsecured, Rated, Listed, Rede... November 04, 2022 | 12:34 pm Nykaa receives shareholders' approval for bonus issue and ESOP; Stock down 1% The Board of the lifestyle retailer FSN E-Commerce Ventures Limited (Nykaa), on October 3, 2022, approved Bonus Issue of Equity Shares in the proportion of 5 (Five) fully paid-up Equity Sh... November 04, 2022 | 12:03 pm For animal lovers, pets can be cute cuddly companions that make your home a bit warmer and your life a bit more fulfilled. But did you know that pets can be good for your health? According to the National Center for Health Research, people who have a pet have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, make fewer visits to the doctor, get more exercise and are less depressed. Studies show that pet ownership may also significantly help with social support as well as social interactions with other people. Paws and Think, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit agency, has been helping to improve the lives of others through human-dog interaction since 2001. P&Ts unique focus is on helping both canines and humans who are dealing with difficult times through various programs. Recently, the Recorder spoke with Paws and Thinks executive director Kelsey Burton and volunteer coordinator Kathy Janes about the significance of the organization and how others can get involved. Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: What is the impact of pet therapy on individuals suffering with mental illness? Burton: Those who are sick, have suffered physical or emotional trauma, or spend their days alone need physical and emotional connections. By bringing therapy dogs in to venues, we provide an opportunity to improve stress levels, decrease blood pressure and increase neurotransmitters that influence mood. Our therapy teams consisting of a therapy dog and his/her handler visit various venues in central Indiana to aid in the emotional well-being of those who need it most. Our teams visit youth and adults at several venues including local hospitals. Dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression by easing loneliness and providing valuable companionship. They are a source of joy and unconditional love. The human-animal bond directly relates to improving several medical conditions. How does pet therapy compare to other forms of alternative therapy? Janes: New alternative therapies that are being seen are art therapy, music therapy, hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy. All of these are now recognized modalities and are at least partially covered by most insurance companies. The latter two fall under the same umbrella as pet therapy, insofar as they are among the many forms of human-animal interventions, or HAI. As a science, this field is exploding. Many colleges and universities are adding programs from certificates and minors through doctoral and post-doc. Currently, most forms of HAI are provided by volunteers. However, we are seeing an increase in social workers, psychologists and other medical practices incorporating this type of therapy. Hippotherapy is extremely effective for children on the autism spectrum and many physical disabilities, and has even been credited with providing kids with the skills and strength to learn to walk. Animals provide a safe and non-judgmental partner to all ages, and the chemical reactions to touch are seen in both the human and the animal. Art and music therapies cannot chase away loneliness in an elderly person. They cannot provide the warmth of the body or the beating heart that an animal can. Often we see people suffering with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia re-engage with their memories when visited by an animal. There is a growing awareness of many people beginning to suffer nature-deprivation, and bringing animals into those lives is very healing. Can you tell us more about the programs you offer? Burton: One venue is Brookes Place, whose mission is to support children and their families through bereavement programs, advocacy, community education and outreach. Our teams visit each week during their evening support groups to provide a much-needed non-judgmental listening ear. We have seen huge breakthroughs from youth who only would speak to the dog about their feelings. Therapy teams also visit The Julian Center on the second and third Monday of every month, seeing 1012 kids per visit. The Julian Center works with those affected by domestic and sexual violence. Additionally, children who have trouble reading can be taunted by fellow students and made to feel embarrassed about their reading skills. Students who have been determined to be at-risk/vulnerable in their reading performance for a variety of reasons including learning disabilities, such as attention deficit disorder and dyslexia, or other economic and language-based difficulties are more likely to be truant and drop out of school if not given the opportunity to improve their reading skills. Paws and Think is currently running an established reading Paws to Read programs for children aged 612 in seven Marion County Title 1, NSLP grade schools as well as at several urban and suburban libraries surrounding Indianapolis. What suggestions or advice would you give to someone who is considering pet therapy as an option for themselves or a loved one? Burton: We offer Animal-Assisted Interaction (AAI) and Therapies (aka pet therapy) at various locations throughout central Indiana. If someone is interested in receiving visits, they would need to speak with someone at their facility (hospital, nursing home, school, support group, etc.) and speak with them about setting this program up. All of our volunteers visit only Paws & Think-approved venues to ensure liability insurance is in place and logistical arrangements are already set up. How can people get involved as volunteers, and what qualifications should they have? Burton: We have several volunteer opportunities for people with and without their dogs. To become a volunteer, interested individuals will need to fill out a volunteer application and background check on our website. Upcoming dates for volunteer orientation are listed there as well. Volunteers need to be able to donate at least two hours per month. For more information on Paws and Think, visit pawsandthink.org. Were all very proud of the Indian Army. One of the largest volunteer armies in the world, the stories of the valour and sacrifice are unmatched. But did you know, that there are other military forces in the country that are equally if not more responsible for maintaining the peace and freedom that we all so cherish. AFP These are the Paramilitary Forces and the Central Armed Police Forces. While the Army is tasked with fighting the enemy in case of a war, the Paramilitary and Central Police Forces are tasked with various duties like border guarding, airport and industrial security, maintaining peace during internal conflicts. The Assam Rifles and Special Frontier Force are the paramilitary forces, while the Border Secutiry Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetian Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal are the Central Armed Police Forces. Unfortunately, the general public associates all the soldiers wearing camouflage combat fatigues with the Army. This is not the case, however. AFP The Border Security Force, posted at India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh border, for example, is responsible for preventing trans-border crimes like smuggling, preventing infiltration and take the first blow in case of war. Till the time Army comes in to fight, the BSF is supposed to hold ground and not retreat. The Central Reserve Police Force performs duties like crowd control, riot control, Insurgency operations, participating in UN Peace Keeping Missions and relief operations during natural calamities. The CRPF is also currently tasked with maintaining law and order in Kashmir valley. The ITBP on the other hand guards the Indo-China border in the mountainous regions of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Apart from guarding the border, the ITBP is also detailed to provide security to the VIPs and even deployed as security cover to BRO personnel building roads in Afghanistan. The CISF, on the other hand, was raised to protect the industrial undertakings of the country, but the role has since been expanded to include security for airports, heritage monuments, metro rail, nuclear power plants and ISRO. The Sashastra Seema Bal, on the other hand, guards the relative peaceful Nepal and Bhutan borders and preventing trans-border crimes. AFP Beyond the role described in the Charter of these Central Armed Police Forces, they have also been extensively deployed in anti-insurgency operations in Naxal hit areas and for providing security during elections. The roads cordoned off for VIP movements are manned by the soldiers of these forces. Most government office buildings are under their protection too. Unlike the Army, theres no peace posting for them either. The BSF battalions for example, move from one border to another. A single border deployment can last more than six years. A single days duty hours are another challenge. After having patrolled the fence in the morning, they get only a couple of hours to rest and hardly any time to themselves. Mobile coverage is terrible, so talking to families is a once in a blue moon affair at most borders. AFP And they quietly go about their job, without complain. All of them soldiers of India, that India doesnt know. 1. Shiv Sena Wants To Ban SRK's 'Raees' In Chhattisgarh, Issues Threat Letter And Warns Them Red Chillies According to an Indianexpress report, Shiv Sena has sent threats to the distributors and have warned them of severe consequences if they are to go ahead with the release. Akshaye Rathi, a leading distributor, was sent a letter from the political party's Chhattisgarh wing. 2. After Brightening Up Golden Globes, Deepika Slays 'xXx' London Premiere In A Sizzling Red Gown! Three words - Drop Dead Gorgeous! #DeepikaPadukone is spellbinding in red at the #xXxReturnOfXanderCage London premiere. A photo posted by Filmfare (@filmfare) on Jan 11, 2017 at 12:53am PST Donning a gorgeous Stella McCartney red gown, Deepika Padukone looked sizzling hot (Like always). The pictures that are doing the rounds online will give you a glimpse of Deepika Padukone enjoying the spotlight along with Vin Diesel and the cast of the film. 3. The Trailer Of India's First Underwater War Film, 'The Ghazi Attack' Will Leave You Spellbound Shedding light on one such war is the film The Ghazi Attack. It is the story of India-Pakistan war, that was fought with high secrecy and sadly, the bravery and the courage of these heroes weren't celebrated and validated the way it should have been. Starring Rana Daggubati, Taapsee, late Om Puri, Kay Kay Menon and Atul Kulkarni, the films strong ensemble cast promises to deliver a story that looks powerful and intriguing. 4. Directed By R.Balki, Akshay Kumar's 'Padman' Will Also Star Sonam Kapoor And Radhika Apte Thrilled to be a part of this prestigious project. #rbalki @akshaykumar @mrsfunnybones @radhikaofficial #padman A photo posted by sonamkapoor (@sonamkapoor) on Jan 10, 2017 at 3:49am PST While the film will be directed by R. Balki, the film will be a biopic on social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham who invented the first low-cost sanitary napkins in India. According to a PTI report, the film will also star Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte. 5. Twinkle Khanna Has A New Neighbor And Her Welcome Tweet For Him Is Ridiculously Funny! Thrilled to be a part of this prestigious project. #rbalki @akshaykumar @mrsfunnybones @radhikaofficial #padman A photo posted by sonamkapoor (@sonamkapoor) on Jan 10, 2017 at 3:49am PST Her new neighbor is none other than Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, spiritual leader, and actor of the film MSG: the Messenger along with the tweet. MSG has moved into the same palatial sea-facing building in Juhu that has actors like Hrithik Roshan, filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala in close proximity.We wonder how MSG will react to this. After the troubles that Karan Johar had to face for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, SRK's meeting with Raj Thackrey sort of assured him that there won't be any roadblocks for Raees. However, the picture isn't as rosy as it seems. According to a report, the Shiv Sena party workers are at it again. According to an Indianexpress report, Shiv Sena has sent threats to the distributors and have warned them of severe consequences if they are to go ahead with the release. Akshaye Rathi, a leading distributor, was sent a letter from the political party's Chhattisgarh wing. Talking to indianexpress.com, leading exhibitor Akshaye Rathi, who tweeted the threat letter, was quoted saying, Dear @AUThackeray, We have received this threat letter from your Chhattisgarh unit against playing @iamsrk's #Raees. Do you endorse it? pic.twitter.com/RHai71yGZV Akshaye Rathi (@akshayerathi) January 10, 2017 Red Chillies All of us exhibitors in Chhattisgarh have got these letter which the subject reads a request for ban on Raees. The body of the letter asks all exhibitors to not screen any deshdrohis film and if the cinema owners do so, they will be solely responsible for all the consequences. Its signed by Rakesh Shinde, Chhattisgarh Shiv Sena head. Its letter dated 5th January and was delivered to us day before yesterday. Hindi Cinema has always highlighted several wars and enlightened us of heroes who are meant to be celebrated and honored. While there are some wars that have been highlighted and written about in the chapters of history books and have been given beautiful cinematic adaptations, there are some wars that have been unintentionally neglected. Shedding light on one such war is the film The Ghazi Attack. It is the story of India-Pakistan war, that was fought with high secrecy and sadly, the bravery and the courage of these heroes weren't celebrated and validated the way it should have been. Starring Rana Daggubati, Taapsee, late Om Puri, Kay Kay Menon and Atul Kulkarni, the films strong ensemble cast promises to deliver a story that looks powerful and intriguing. Dharma Productions Watch the trailer of the underwater tale of unsung heroes who were aboard the Indian submarine S-21. Produced by Karan Johar, this film is Indias first underwater war film. Directed by Sankalp Reddy, the film is all set to hit the screens on February 17, 2017. The United Nations has said that nearly 65,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh since the army launched a crackdown in north of Rakhine state. Out of these 65,000, a third of them have fled over the past week. The figure marks a sharp escalation in the numbers fleeing a military campaign which rights groups say has been marred by abuses so severe they could amount to crimes against humanity. AFP They also come the same day the UN's human rights envoy for Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, began a 12-day visit to probe violence in the country's borderlands that will take her to the army-controlled area. "Over the past week, 22,000 new arrivals were reported to have crossed the border from Rakhine state," the UN's relief agency said in its weekly report. Also read: Rohingya Muslims Of Myanmar - World's Most Persecuted Minority Is Being Uprooted From Their Homes, Once Again "As of 5 January, an estimated 65,000 people are residing in registered camps, makeshift settlements and host communities in Cox's Bazaar" in southern Bangladesh, said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Reuters The major exodus of Rohingyas from northern Rakhine began three months back when Myanmar's army laucnched clearance operations while searching for insurgents behind deadly raids on police posts. Those who managed to escape from Myanmar and entered Bangladesh have narrated horrors of army's attrocitiesd on Rohingyas. The escapees gave harrowing accounts of security forces committing mass rape, murder and arson. The stories have cast a pall over the young government of Aung San Suu Kyi, with mainly Muslim Malaysia being especially critical. Myanmar's government has said the claims of abuse are fabricated and launched a special commission to investigate the allegations. AFP The week the government presented its interim report denying accusations of genocides and religious persecution and said that there are insufficinet eveidence against the troops who have been alleged of raping women. That report came days after a video emerged showing police beating Rohingya civilians, something the government said was an isolated incident after the officers were arrested. UN's Lee began her own probe after visiting Kachin State where thousands have been displaced amid fighting between the army and the rebels. AFP Lee is also scheduled to visit Rakhine before she leaves Myanmar on January 20. Lee has faced threats and demonstrations on her previous visits over her criticism on country's treatment of Rohingyas. Hardline Buddhist monk Wirathu caused outrage when he called her a "whore in our country" for criticising controversial legislation considered discriminatory to women and minorities. A 17-year-old girl was stripped, humiliated and had her hair cut by passengers of the AC 3-tier compartment of the Howrah-Jodhpur Express after she was accused of stealing a bag. The girl's father, a daily-wage labourer said she was mentally unstable after she developed a brain tumour. i1os.com The girl, who according to her school-leaving certificate, is a minor at 17 years 10 months, was sent to jail on Tuesday after being produced in front of a local magistrate. Her family said police disregarded her age mentioned in the certificate and have on their own in the FIR put her age as 19 years. The incident took place at a stretch between Firozabad and Tundla as the train was heading to Agra. The girl's father, who said she was being treated at a Saifai hospital (in UP) for the past year for the tumour, added that she left home on Sunday evening in a huff after her parents expressed their inability to give her Rs 100 which she wanted for visiting a local fair. Station officer of Agra Fort Lalit Tyagi, where the passengers filed a complaint against the girl for theft, said, "The girl was caught with a bag, but passengers took the law into their own hands and cut off her hair. She was also strip-searched. They misbehaved with the TTE, too, who came to her rescue." blogspot.com/Representational Image Government railway police (GRP) filed two FIRs -- one based on the written complaint of passengers against the girl, and the other by the TTE who complained against six unnamed passengers. While the girl has been booked under section 380 (theft) of the IPC, the six passengers were booked under sections 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 352 (assault), 353 (assault to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 507 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Speaking to TOI, SK Sharma, the TTE, said, "Passengers verbally abused me. They accused me of being her associate when I asked them to hand over the girl to GRP. It was sheer barbarism, the way they treated the poor child. Women stripped her, while a few men assaulted her. They cut her hair." The girl's parents said they told the police and the judge that she was mentally disturbed. "I told the judge that she has a brain tumour and is being treated at the Saifai government hospital. She became mentally unstable because of that, but the judge did not pardon her," the girl's father said. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has told a parliamentary panel that it recommended the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8 after a prod from the Centre a day before. The response is part of a 7-page note the central bank has sent to Parliament's standing committee on finance. BCCL Stating that the government conveyed its advice on November 7, the RBI told the panel: "The central board of the RBI met on November 8, 2016. The board noted that a summary measure in the form of withdrawal of legal tender character of these... notes to contain the menace of counterfeit notes is proposed by the government." It was observed that such a proposal could not have come at a more opportune time than coinciding with the introduction of MG (New) series of notes, the RBI said in its reply to the panel headed by Congress's Veerappa Moily. The response led some to say that it was at odds with the Centre's version that the recommendation to outlaw the notes had come from the RBI. BCCL The fact is that the exercise got under way months ago and had covered some ground by May-June when consultations were held with ex-RBI governor Raghuram Rajan. "There were several rounds of discussions on the different aspects of the massive task. What happened on November 7, with the government writing to the RBI and the latter acting on the advice on November 8 before PM Modi announced the dramatic decision in his televised address to the nation, was the formal finale of the six month-long preparation which had RBI fully involved," said a government functionary. Providing the background of the demonetisation exercise and the preparations which went into it, the RBI has told the panel: "It occurred to government of India and the RBI that the introduction of new series of notes could provide a very rare and profound opportunity to tackle all the three problems of counterfeiting, terrorist financing and black money by demonetising the bank notes in high denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 or by withdrawing the legal tender status of bank notes. BCCL Though no firm decision was taken initially, whether to demonetise or not, preparations still went on for introduction of new series of notes, as that was needed in any case." The RBI has told the parliamentary panel that it had "on May 27, 2016 recommended to the government that new series of bank notes with new design, including notes in the Rs 2000 denomination, be introduced. Government gave its final approval on June 7, 2016 and accordingly presses were advised in June 2016 to initiate production of new notes". India has nixed the UAE's proposal to send a military paratrooper team for live display during Republic Day Parade, citing security concerns. The Ministry of Defence has, instead, insisted on sending a marching contingent for the parade, which will be attended by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the chief guest. sarkaritel "After France sent a contingent of French Army soldiers last year, we have decided to make it a practice. So, we invited a contingent from the UAE, but they wanted to send military paratroopers. The National/representational image "The Ministry of Defence was not ready for this due to security concerns as the Rajpath literally turns into a high-security zone with the President, the Prime Minister and many VVIPs attending the event. The weather may also not be conducive during that period," said a government official. It would be the second time when any foreign contingent will be participating in the parade on January 26. AFP Last year, French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest of the Republic Day Parade. Following Modi's visit to the UAE last year, which saw several steps taken to enhance bilateral ties, inviting the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi is also seen a important move to strengthen ties with the Gulf country. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces. A marching band from the UAE's defence forces will join the parade on Republic Day, the first time Arab soldiers will be marching in New Delhi. On January 20, India and the UAE will hold the first strategic dialogue, with minister of state M J Akbar and Anwar Mohammed Gargash, minister of state for foreign affairs of the UAE. The two countries have been moving closer on questions of security, counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing all of which will form part of the dialogue. However, the effort will be to take it further, including global and regional issues. The UAE wants to invest in India's infrastructure, and the visit will see the Indian government rolling out measures to facilitate these investments, particularly in the roads and highways sector. Energy, including populating the Indian strategic reserve and investing in downstream projects, will be another aspect of the engagement. Most of these had kicked off during Modi's visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in August 2015. US commandos have taken down two ISIS group operatives in Syria in a weekend raid, a US defense official has confirmed. After the strike on the Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that 25 jihadists had been killed. The official said the special operations raid was led by US forces, but commandos from other nations in the anti-IS coalition were present too. The defense official told media that only two Islamic State operatives died, including Abu Anas al-Iraqi, a "senior operative." US television network ABC News quoted a counterterrorism official as saying he was a "top" IS leader. The defense official said the men were killed in a vehicle on an isolated highway about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the city of Deir Ezzor. Deir Ezzor is Syria's second-biggest province after Homs. Since early 2015, jihadists have besieged the provincial capital, also called Deir Ezzor, home to some 200,000 people. A commander of the SDF said the attack targeted vehicles driven by senior IS fighters coming from Raqa, killing several and capturing other. Davis denied that prisoners were taken, saying there was "no detention from this operation." A Syrian army official said military radars had detected the operation but could not identify the nationality of the aircraft. The United States has been leading a campaign against IS in Syria since September 2014. Deir Ezzor is Syria's second biggest province after Homs. Since early 2015, jihadists have besieged the provincial capital, also called Deir Ezzor, home to some 200,000 people. Among the most highly debated topics in the world, women's rights have been vulnerable on innumerable accounts - society, peer pressure, authorities, judgement, bigoted notions, ethnicity, religion, cultural values etc. It's almost like women around the world can hardly decide for themselves, since most of the time they're shackled with these preconceived notions. On Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights brought mixed swimming lessons on the table. The ruling court set an important precedent in other cases in which religious and secular values or norms come into conflict. (Also read: French PM Chooses Naked Breasts Over The Burkini, Says They Represent France Better) Reuters Back in 2008, a Swiss couple was asked to send their daughters to a mandatory swimming class, despite their objections to having their girls learn alongside boys. The girls, 9 and 7 at the time, could wear body-covering swimsuits, known as burkinis, during the swimming lessons, and they could undress for the class without any boys present. However, the parents weren't happy with the offer and decided otherwise. As a result, in the year 2010, they were levied with a fine of $1,380 and decided to sue. The court rejected the parents argument that the Swiss authorities had violated the freedom of thought, conscience and religion and said that the public interest in following the full school curriculum should prevail over the applicants private interest in obtaining an exemption from mixed swimming lessons for their daughters. (Also read: France Finally Overturns The Ban On Burkini After Facing A Worldwide Backlash) Reuters The decision has come at a point where Europe has been struggling to integrate migrants, many from majority-Muslim countries where religious and social mores, particularly around gender and sexuality, can be at odds with liberal and secular norms of the societies where they have sought refuge. The parents argued that even though the Quran does not require girls bodies to be covered until puberty, their belief commanded them to prepare their daughters for the precepts that would be applied to them from puberty onward, according to the courts summary of the case. The decision only emphasised that social cohesion and integration must trump the family's wishes. (Also read: Slamming Burkini Ban, Renuka Shahane Writes A Hard-Hitting FB Post & It's A Must Read For Everyone) west Hoping the family has come to peace with the decision. With just ten days to go for before he leaves office of the US President, Barack Obama took to the stage for one last time for his farewell address to the people of America. AFP Speaking from his home state of Chicago, Obama was accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, his daughter Sasha and Vice President Joe Biden. Obama opened his speech by thanking the people of US for the support he received during the eight years in office. AFP Amid chants of "four more years" from the jam packed crowed Obama replied " I can't do it". As widely expected Obama began his speech recalling his younger days in Chicago and the struggles he had to overcome. Stressing upon the importance of equal rights for all in democracy, Obama said, "Its the conviction that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Its the insistence that these rights, while self-evident, have never been self-executing; that We, the People, through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union." AFP While accepting that the American democracy is not flawless, Obama said "America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some." Listing some of his most noted achievements including overcoming the great recession, reboot auto industry, opening up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Irans nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, and take out the mastermind of 9/11, Obama said if he had promised it eight years ago people might have said our sights were set a little too high. AFP In his speech Obama also reiterated that he will ensure a smooth transition of power to the Trump administration in next ten days, calling the elections a, "Hallmark of American democracy which the world will witness". Without naming his successor Obama pointed out at threats US democracy is facing including people falling for fake news spreading on social media. "Increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence thats out there." On the issue of climate change, something that Obama has championed all through his time in office and his successor Trump has outrightly denied, calling it a hoax, the US President said "to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations; it betrays the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our Founders." Obama who assumed office at a time when the country was facing multiple terror threats said under his rule the country has not faced a major terror attack, while one of US's most wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden was eliminated. He however acknowledged the challenges of radicalisation, and the threats posed by ISIS, something that emerged under his watch. He also thanked, Michell, his two daughters and vice president Joe Biden for their support during his time in office. AFP Obama ended his speech with Yes We Can, Yes We Did, Yes We Can, something that was synonymous with the campaign of the first Black man to win the most powerful office in the world. In a first, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday visited the ancient Katas Raj Temples Complex in Punjab province. The Pakistan Prime Minister was at the historic temple to inaugurate a water filtration plant at the complex. Ancient History The filtration plant set up at the temple's holy Amrat Jal pond will provide clean drinking water to the Hindu pilgrims visiting the place. Sharif also planted a sapling on temple premises. The Katas Raj Temples are attributed to the eras of the Hindu kings dating from about 615-950 CE and are dedicated to Lord Shiva. They constitute one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Pakistan. Ancient History PM Sharif said the day is not far when Pakistan will be recognised as a "minorities-friendly country" due to steps being undertaken to better the lives of minority groups. "We have promoted the vision with our actions that 'to each his own faith, as humanity is our common asset'," he said. At a time when Pakistan has made international headlines for the rise in attacks on religious minorities and minority institutions the Pakistan premier said he has advised government officials to spare no efforts in hosting pilgrims and the protection and expansion of minorities' places of worship. AFP/ File In 951 Pakistan had a non-Muslim population of almost 23 percent, mostly Hindus (12.9%). But according to 2010 data the population has reduced to around 3 million, which is about 1.6 per cent of Pakistan's total population and the total minority population around 3 percent. The years of persecution has forced thousands of Pakistani Hindus to migrate to India. International rights watchdog, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an immediate government probe into the suspicious disappearance of four prominent rights campaigners in Pakistan within a span of days. The four men, Salman Haider, a well-known poet and academic, and bloggers Waqas Goraya, Aasim Saeed, and Ahmad Raza Naseer, went missing or were taken away from different cities between January 4 and January 7. There has no information on either of them since. All four men were vocal critics of militant religious groups and Pakistans military establishment, and used the internet to disseminate their views. Their near simultaneous disappearance and the governments shutting down of their websites and blogs raises grave concerns of government involvement. On Monday activists took to the streets of Pakistani capital Islamabad, seeking the recovery the missing campaigners. only fault of those abducted is tht they express their views openly & want a progressive Pakistan says @pervezhoodbhoy #RecoverAllActivists pic.twitter.com/hiMrwzWNha meena gabeena (@gabeeno) January 10, 2017 Incidentally, Dawn news, one of Pakistan's most prominent english news organizations, for which Haider was a contribute has called for an "immediate release" of him and not investigation. "The sanitised language - 'missing persons', 'the disappeared', etc - cannot hide an ugly truth: the state of Pakistan continues to be suspected of involvement in the disappearance and illegal detentions of a range of private citizens," a Dawn editorial read. The disappearances, many say are the latest victims in what has been dubbed as "enforced disapperences" which has been happening across the country unchallenged for years. It has been a prevailing practice in insurgency hit regions including Balochistan and Sindh where thousands of young men have arbitrarily abducted by ISI and other intelligence agencies. While many of them still remain untraceable, whom campaigners say are held in illegal detention centers others have been recovered, dead with their bodies dumped in isolated areas bearing heavy torture marks. Once limited to Balochistan, it has now spread to other regions including Sindh. According to Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz, an organization fighting for an Independent country for the Sindhi people, nearly hundred of their activists have been extra judicially murdered by Pakistani agencies in the past one decade. They however complained that the frequency of these abductions have increased in the recent times. Exiled Sindhi activists told Indiatimes that anyone speaking up against the oppression are being targeted now. In Balochistan, the situation continues to remain grim. According to activists, Pakistan Army is engaged in an undeclared war against the ethnic Baloch population. International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (IVBMP), an organization campaigning for the release of missing activists have documented over ten thousand disappearances in the past fifteen years. IVBMP According to the Pakistan's Ministry of Human Rights, at least 936 dead bodies have been found in Balochistan since 2011. Most of them were dumped in the regions of Quetta, Qalat, Khuzdar and Makran - areas where the separatist insurgency has its roots. Even while the large scale human rights violations and extrajudicial killings are happening, Pakistani media has largely ignored the atrocities, giving little to no coverage to the killings. This is largely due to the fear of their own security, as anyone who speak up against the Pakistani army and the ISI is immediately silenced, something noted Pakistani TV journalist Hamid Mir learned the hard way. When Fear Comes By Chris Hedges January 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Truth Dig " - Alexander Solzhenitsyn in The Gulag Archipelago, his profound meditation on the nature of oppression and resistance in the Soviet gulags, tells the story of a man who was among prisoners being moved in the spring of 1947. The former front-line soldier, whose name is lost to history, suddenly disarmed and killed the two guards. He announced to his fellow prisoners that they were free. But the prisoners were overwhelmed with horror; no one followed his lead, and they all sat down right there and waited for a new convoy, Solzhenitsyn writes. The prisoner attempted in vain to shame them. And then he took up the rifles (thirty-two cartridges, thirty one for them!) and left alone. He killed and wounded several pursuers and with his thirty-second cartridge he shot himself. The entire Archipelago might well have collapsed if all the former front-liners had behaved as he did. The more despotic a regime becomes, the more it creates a climate of fear that transforms into terror. At the same time, it invests tremendous energy and resources in censorship and propaganda to maintain the fiction of the just and free state. Poor people of color know intimately how these twin mechanisms of fear and false hope function as effective forms of social control in the internal colonies of the United States. They have also grasped, as the rest of us soon will, the fiction of American democracy. Those who steadfastly defy the state will, if history is any guide, be decapitated one by one. A forlorn hope that the state will ignore us if we comply will cripple many who have already been condemned. Universal innocence, Solzhenitsyn writes, also gave rise to the universal failure to act. Maybe they wont take you? Maybe it will all blow over. The majority sit quietly and dare to hope, he writes. Since you arent guilty, then how can they arrest you? Its a mistake! Does hope lend strength or does it weaken a man? Solzhenitsyn asks. If the condemned man in every cell had ganged up on the executioners as they came in and choked them, wouldnt this have ended the executions sooner than appeals to the All-Russian Central Executive Committee? When one is already on the edge of the grave, why not resist? But wasnt everything foredoomed anyway, from the moment of arrest? he asks. Yet all the arrested crawled along the path of hope on their knees, as if their legs had been amputated. Resisting despotism is often a lonely act. It is carried out by those endowed with what the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr calls sublime madness. Rebels will be persecuted, imprisoned or forced to become hunted outcasts, much as Chelsea Manning, Julian Assange and Edward Snowden are now. A public example will be made of anyone who defies the state. The punishment of those singled out for attack will be used to send a warning to all who are inclined to dissent. Before societies fall, just such a stratum of wise, thinking people emerges, people who are that and nothing more, Solzhenitsyn writes of those who see what is coming. And how they were laughed at! How they were mocked! As though they stuck in the craw of people whose deeds and actions were single-minded and narrow-minded. And the only nickname they were christened with was rot. Because these people were a flower that bloomed too soon and breathed too delicate a fragrance. And so they were mowed down. These people, he goes on, were particularly helpless in their personal lives; they could neither bend with the wind, nor pretend, nor get by; every word declared an opinion, a passion, a protest. And it was just such people the mowing machine cut down, just such people the chaff-cutter shredded. When I returned to the newsroom at The New York Times after being booed off a commencement stage in 2003 for denouncing the invasion of Iraq, reporters and editors lowered their heads or turned away when I was nearby. They did not want to be touched by the same career-killing contagion. They wanted to protect their status at the institution. Retreat into rabbit holes is the most common attempt at self-protection. The right-wing cable shows were lynching me almost hourly. Soon I was given a written reprimand and public rebuke by the newspaper. I was a leper. The machinery of the security and surveillance state, the use of special terrorism laws and the stripping of civil liberties become ubiquitous. The lofty rhetoric of liberty and the reality of the chains readied for the public creates magic realism. Reality and the language describing reality are soon antipodal. The pseudo-democracy is populated with pseudo-legislators, pseudo-courts, pseudo-journalists, pseudo-intellectuals and pseudo-citizens. Nothing is as it is presented. Demagogues, Solzhenitsyn reminds us, are stunted and shallow people. Unlimited power in the hands of limited people always leads to cruelty, he writes. The overall life of society comes down to the fact that traitors were advanced and mediocrities triumphed, while everything that was best and most honest was trampled underfoot, he observes. Ersatz intellectuals, surrogates for those who had been destroyed, or dispersed, took the place of real intellectuals. After all, Solzhenitsyn writes, we have gotten used to regarding as valor only valor in war (or the kind thats needed for flying in outer space), the kind which jingle-jangles with medals. We have forgotten another concept of valorcivil valor. And thats all our society needs, just that, just that, just that! This kind of valor, he knew as a combat veteran, requires a moral courage that is more difficult than the physical courage encountered on the battlefield. This unanimous quiet defiance of a power which never forgave, this obstinate, painfully protracted insubordination, was somehow more frightening than running and yelling as the bullets fly, he says. The coming arrests mean that a wide range of Americans will experience the violations that poor people of color have long endured. Self-interest alone should have generated sweeping protest, should have made the nation as a whole more conscious. We should have understood: Once rights become privileges that the state can revoke, they will eventually be taken away from everyone. Now those who had been spared will get a taste of what complicity in oppression means. The traditional image of arrest is also what happens afterward, when the poor victim has been taken away, Solzhenitsyn writes. It is an alien, brutal, and crushing force totally dominating the apartment for hours on end, a breaking, ripping one, pulling from the walls, emptying things from wardrobes and desks onto the floor, shaking, dumping out, and ripping apartpiling up mountains of litter on the floorand the crunch of things being trampled beneath jackboots. And nothing is sacred in a search! During the arrest of locomotive engineer Inoshin, a tiny coffin stood in his room containing his newly dead child. The jurists dumped the childs body out of the coffin and searched it. They shake sick people out of their sickbeds, and they unwind bandages to search beneath them. Resistance, he writes, should have begun right there, at the moment of the arrest itself. But it did not begin. And so the mass arrests were easy. And what at that point constitutes victory? From the moment you go to prison you must put your cozy past firmly behind you, he writes. At the very threshold, you must say to yourself: My life is over, a little early to be sure, but theres nothing to be done about it. I shall never return to freedom. I am condemned to dienow or a little later. But later on, in truth, it will be even harder, and so the sooner the better. I no longer have any property whatsoever. For me those I love have died, and for them I have died. From today on, my body is useless and alien to me. Only my spirit and my conscience remain precious and important to me. Confronted by such a prisoner, the interrogation will tremble, Solzhenitsyn writes. Only the man who has renounced everything can win that victory. The last volume of Solzhenitsyns trilogy chronicles camp uprisings and revolts. These revolts were impossible to foresee. So many deep historians have written so many clever books and still they have not learned how to predict those mysterious conflagrations of the human spirit, to detect the mysterious springs of a social explosion, not even to explain them in retrospect, Solzhenitsyn writes. Sometimes you can stuff bundle after bundle of burning tow under the logs, and they will not take. Yet up above, a solitary little spark flies out of the chimney and the whole village is reduced to ashes. How do we prepare? Solzhenitsyn, after eight years in the gulag, answers this too. Do not pursue what is illusoryproperty and position; all is gained at the expense of your nerves decade after decade, and is confiscated in one fell night. Live with a steady superiority over lifedont be afraid of misfortune, and do not yearn after happiness; it is, after all, all the same: the bitter doesnt last forever, and the sweet never fills the cup to overflowing. It is enough if you dont freeze in the cold and if thirst and hunger dont claw at your insides. If your back isnt broken, if your feet can walk, if both arms can bend, if both eyes can see, and if both ears can hear, then whom should you envy? And why? Our envy of others devours us most of all. Rub your eyes and purify your heartand prize above all else in the world those who love you and who wish you well. Do not hurt them or scold them, and never part from any of them in anger; after all, you simply do not know: it might be your last act before your arrest, and that will be how you are imprinted in their memory! Chris Hedges, spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He has reported from more than 50 countries and has worked for The Christian Science Monitor, National Public Radio, The Dallas Morning News and The New York Times, for which he was a foreign correspondent for 15 years. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy. The Real Purpose of the U.S. Governments Report on Alleged Hacking by Russia By Chris Hedges January 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Truth Dig " - Some thoughts on Russias Influence Campaign Targeting the 2016 US Presidential Election, the newly released declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. 1. The primary purpose of the declassified report, which offers no evidence to support its assertions that Russia hacked the U.S. presidential election campaign, is to discredit Donald Trump. I am not saying there was no Russian hack of John Podestas emails. I am saying we have yet to see any tangible proof to back up the accusation. This chargeSen. John McCain has likened the alleged effort by Russia to an act of waris the first salvo in what will be a relentless campaign by the Republican and Democratic establishment, along with its corporatist allies and the mass media, to destroy the credibility of the president-elect and prepare the way for impeachment. The allegations in the report, amplified in breathtaking pronouncements by a compliant corporate media that operates in a non-fact-based universe every bit as pernicious as that inhabited by Trump, are designed to make Trump look like Vladimir Putins useful idiot. An orchestrated and sustained campaign of innuendo and character assassination will be directed against Trump. When impeachment is finally proposed, Trump will have little public support and few allies and will have become a figure of open ridicule in the corporate media. 2. The second task of the report is to bolster the McCarthyist smear campaign against independent media, including Truthdig, as witting or unwitting agents of the Russian government. The demise of the English programming of Al-Jazeera and TeleSur, along with the collapse of the nations public broadcasting, designed to give a voice to those not beholden to corporate or party interests, leaves RT America and Amy Goodmans Democracy Now! as the only two electronic outlets with a national reach that are willing to give a platform to critics of corporate power and imperialism such as Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, Ralph Nader, Medea Benjamin, Cornel West, Kshama Sawant, myself and others. Seven pages of the report were dedicated to RT America, on which I have a show called On Contact. The report vastly inflated the cable networks reach and influence. It also included a few glaring errors, including the statement that RT introduced two new showsBreaking the Set on 4 September and Truthseeker on 2 Novemberboth overwhelmingly focused on criticism of the US and Western governments as well as the promotion of radical discontent. Breaking the Set, with Abby Martin, was taken off the air two years ago. It could hardly be tarred with costing Hillary Clinton the election. The barely contained rage of Director of National Intelligence James Clapper at the recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on foreign cyber threats was visible when he spat out that RT was promoting a particular point of view, disparaging our system, our alleged hypocrisy about human rights, et cetera. His anger was a glimpse into how the establishment seethes with hatred for dissidents. Clapper has lied in the past. He perjured himself in March 2013 when, three months before the revelations of wholesale state surveillance leaked by Snowden, he assured Congress that the National Security Agency was not collecting any type of data on the American public. After the corporate state shuts down RT, it will go after Democracy Now! and the handful of progressive sites, including this one, that give these dissidents space. The goal is censorship. 3. The third task of the report is to justify the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization beyond Germany, a violation of the promise Ronald Reagan made to the Soviet Unions Mikhail Gorbachev after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Expanding NATO in Eastern Europe opened up an arms market for the war industry. It made those businesses billions of dollars. New NATO members must buy Western arms that can be integrated into the NATO arsenal. These sales, which are bleeding the strained budgets of countries such as Poland, are predicated on potential hostilities with Russia. If Russia is not a threat, the arms sales plummet. War is a racket. 4. The final task of the report is to give the Democratic Party plausible cover for the catastrophic election defeat it suffered. Clinton initially blamed FBI Director James Comey for her loss before switching to the more easily demonized Putin. The charge of Russian interference essentially boils down to the absurd premise that perhaps hundreds of thousands of Clinton supporters suddenly decided to switch their votes to Trump when they read the leaked emails of Podesta. Either that or they tuned in to RT America and decided to vote for the Green Party. The Democratic Party leadership cannot face, and certainly cannot publicly admit, that its callous betrayal of the working and middle class triggered a nationwide revolt that resulted in the election of Trump. It has been pounded since President Barack Obama took office, losing 68 seats in the House, 12 seats in the Senate and 10 governorships. It lost more than 1,000 elected positions between 2008 and 2012 nationwide. Since 2010, Republicans have replaced 900 Democratic state legislators. If this was a real party, the entire leadership would be sacked. But it is not a real party. It is the shell of a party propped up by corporate money and hyperventilating media. The Democratic Party must maintain the fiction of liberalism just as the Republican Party must maintain the fiction of conservatism. These two parties, however, belong to one partythe corporate party. They will work in concert, as seen by the alliance between Republican leaders such as McCain and Democratic leaders such as Sen. Chuck Schumer, to get rid of Trump, silence all dissent, enrich the war industry and promote the farce they call democracy. Welcome to our annus horribilis. Chris Hedges, spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He has reported from more than 50 countries and has worked for The Christian Science Monitor, National Public Radio, The Dallas Morning News and The New York Times, for which he was a foreign correspondent for 15 years. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy. Everything in the World is Changing Regarding Syria By President Bashar al-Assad January 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " SANA " - Damascus, SANA_ President Bashar al-Assad has said that everything in the world is changing regarding Syria on every level, the local, the regional, and the international. In a statement given to the French media, President al-Assad added that our mission, according to the constitution and according to the laws, that we have to liberate every inch of the Syrian land. Following is the full context of the statement: Question1:Mr. President, you have just met a French delegation of MPs. Do you think this visit will have an influence on the French position about Syria? President Assad:This is a French question. We hope that any delegation that would come here is to see the truth about what is happening in Syria during the last years, since the beginning of the war six years ago, and the problem now, regarding France in particular, is that they dont have an embassy, they dont have any relation with Syria at all, so its like we can say its a blind state. How can you forge a policy towards a certain region if you cant see, if youre blind? You need to see. The importance of those delegations is that they represent the eyes of the states, but that depends on the state; do they want to see, or they want to keep adopting the ostrich policy and they dont want to tell the truth, because now everything in the world is changing regarding Syria on every level, the local, the regional, and the international. Until this moment, the French administration hasnt changed its position, they still speak the old language which is disconnected from our reality. Thats why we have a hope that theres someone in the state who wants to listen to these delegations, to the facts. Im not talking about my opinion, Im talking about the reality in Syria. So, we have hope. Question 2:Mr. President, you said that Aleppo is a major victory for Syria, and a major turn in the crisis. What do you feel when you see the pictures of the hundreds of civilians that were killed in the bombings, and the devastation of the city? President Assad:Of course, its very painful for us as Syrians to see any part of our country destroyed, or to see any blood shedding anywhere,this is self-evident, this is emotional part, but for me as President or as an official, the question for the Syrian people: what Im going to do. Its not only about the feeling; the feeling is self-evident as I said. How were going to rebuild our cities. Question 3:But was the bombing of east Aleppo the only solution to retake the city, with the death of civilians, your fellow citizens? President Assad:It depends on what kind of war youre looking for. Are you looking for a quiet war, war without destruction? I havent heard, in the history, of a good war, every war is bad. Why bad? Because every war is about destruction, every war is about the killing, thats why every war is bad. You cannot say this is a good war even if its for a good reason, to defend your country, for a noble reason, but its bad. Thats why its not the solution, if you have any other solution. But the question is: how can you liberate the civilians in those areas from the terrorists? Is it better to leave them, to leave them under their supervision, under their oppression, under their fate defined by those terrorists by beheading, by killing, by everything but not having state? Is that the role of the state, just to keep and watch? You have to liberate, and this is the price sometimes, but at the end, the people are liberated from the terrorists. Thats the question now; are they liberated or not? If yes, thats what we have to do. Question 4:Mr. President, a ceasefire has been signed on the 30th of December, why do Syrian Army still fight near Damascus in the region of Wadi Barada? President Assad:First of all, ceasefire is about different parties, so when you say theres viable ceasefire is when every party stops fighting and shooting, and its not the case in many areas in Syria, and that was reported by the Russian center of observation regarding the ceasefire. Theres breaching of that ceasefire on daily basis in Syria, including Damascus, but in Damascus mainly because the terrorists occupy the main source of water of Damascus where more than five million civilians are deprived from water for the last three weeks now, and the role of the Syrian Army is to liberate that area in order to prevent those terrorists from using that water in order to suffocate the capital. So, thats why. Question 5:Mr. President, Daesh is not a part of the ceasefire President Assad: No. Journalist: Do you plan to take again Raqqa, and when? President Assad: Let me just continue the second part of the first question. Second part of that ceasefire is not about al-Nusra and ISIS, and the area that weve been fighting to liberate recently, regarding the water sources of the capital Damascus, is occupied by al-Nusra, and al-Nusra announced formally that they are occupying that area. So, its not part of the ceasefire. Regarding al-Raqqa, of course its our mission, according to the constitution and according to the laws, that we have to liberate every inch of the Syrian land. Theres no question about that, its not to be discussed. But its about when, what are our priorities, and this is military, regarding to the military planning, about the military priorities. But nationally, theres no priority; every inch is a Syrian inch, it should be within the purview of the government. Question 6:Important talks will take place in Astana at the end of the month, including a lot of Syrian parties, including some opposition groups, lets say. What are you ready to negotiate directly with them, and what are you ready to negotiate to help the peace to come back in Syria. President Assad:Of course, we are ready, and we announced that our delegation to that conference is ready to go when they define when they set the time of that conference. We are ready to negotiate everything. When you talk about negotiation regarding whether to end the conflict in Syria or talking about the future of Syria, anything, its fully open, theres no limit for that negotiations. But whos going to be there from the other side? We dont know yet. Is it going to be real Syrian opposition and when I say real it means has grassroots in Syria, not Saudi one or French one or British one it should be Syrian opposition to discuss the Syrian issues. So, the viability or, lets say, the success of that conference will depend on that point. Question 7:Are you even ready to discuss your position as President? That has been contested. President Assad:Yeah, but my position is related to the constitution, and the constitution is very clear about the mechanism in which you can bring a president or get rid of a president. So, if they want to discuss this point, they have to discuss the constitution, and the constitution is not owned by the government or the president or by the opposition; it should be owned by the Syrian people, so you need a referendum for every constitution. This is one of the points that could be discussed in that meeting, of course, but they cannot say we need that president or we dont need that president because the president is related to the ballot box. If they dont need him, lets go to the ballot box. The Syrian people should bring a president, not part of the Syrian people. Question 8:And with this negotiation, what will be the fate of rebel fighters? President Assad:From what weve been implementing during the last three years, because you want genuinely to have peace in Syria, the government offered amnesty for every militant who gives up his armaments, and it worked, and they still have the same option if they want to go back to their normality and to go back to their normal life. This is the maximum that you can offer, amnesty. Question 9:Mr. President, as you know, French presidential election will take place, do you have a favorite, do you have a preference for one of the candidates? President Assad:No, because we dont have any contacts with any one of them, and we cannot count very much on the statements and rhetoric during the campaign, so we always say lets wait and see what policy theyre going to adopt after they are in their position. But we always have hopes that the next administration or government or president, they want to deal with the reality, to disconnect themselves from the disconnected policy from our reality. Thats our hope, and they can work for the interest of the French people, because the question now after six years: as a French citizen, do you feel safer? I dont think the answer is yes. The immigration problem, has it made the situation in your country better? I think the answer is no, whether in France or in Europe. The question now: what is the reason? This is the discussion that the next administration or government or president should deal with in order to deal with our reality, not with their imaginations as has been happening during the last six years. Question 10:But one of the candidates, Francois Fillon, doesnt have the same position as the official one; he would like to reestablish the dialogue with Syria. Do you expect his election if hes elected could change the position of France about Syria? President Assad:His rhetoric regarding the terrorists, or lets say the priority to fight the terrorists and not meddling in the affairs of other countries, are welcome, but we have to be cautious, because what weve learned in this region during the last few years is that many officials would say something and do the opposite. I wouldnt say that Mr. Fillon would do this. I hope not. But we have to wait and see, because theres no contact. But so far, what he said, if its implemented, that will be very good. Question 11:Do you appreciate him as a politician, Francois Fillon? President Assad:I didnt have any contact with him or cooperation, so whatever I say now wont be very credible, to be frank with you. Question 12:Is there a message you want to address to France? President Assad:I think if I want to send it to the politicians, I will say the self-evident thing; that you have to work for the interest of the Syrian citizens, and for the last six years the situation is going in the other direction, because the French politics harmed the French interests. So, for the French people, I would say the mainstream media has failed in most of the West. The narrative has been debunked because of the reality, and you have the alternative media, you have to look for the truth. The truth was the main victim of the events in the Middle East, including Syria. I would ask any citizen in France to search for the reality, for the real information, through the alternative media. When they search for this information, they can be more effective in dealing with their government, or at least not allowing some politicians to base their politics on lies. Thats what we think is the most important thing during the last six years. Question 13:Mr. President, your father has been a lifelong President of Syria. Do you consider the option of not being the President anymore, one day? President Assad:Yeah, that depends on two things: the first one is the will of the Syrian people; do they want that person to be president or not. If I want to be president while the Syrian people doesnt want me, even if I win in the elections, I dont have strong support, I cannot achieve anything, especially in a complicated region like Syria. You cannot be just elected president, that doesnt work, you need popular support. Without it I cannot be successful. So, at that time, theres no meaning to be president. The second one; if I have that feeling that I want to be president, I will nominate myself, but that depends on the first factor. If I feel that the Syrian people doesnt want me, of course I wouldnt be. So, its not about me mainly, its about the Syrian people; do they want me or not. Thats how I look at it. Question 14:Last question; Donald Trump is to be appointed as President of the United States in less than two weeks. He has been clear that he wants to improve relationships with Russia, which is one of your main allies President Assad: Yeah, exactly. Journalist: Do you consider do you expect that it will change the position of the United States towards Syria? President Assad: Yeah, if you want to talk realistically, because the Syrian problem is not isolated, its not only Syrian-Syrian; actually, the biggest part or lets say the major part of the Syrian conflict is regional and international. The simplest part that you can deal with is the Syrian-Syrian part. The regional and the international part depends mainly on the relation between the United States and Russia. What he announced yesterday was very promising, if theres a genuine approach or initiative toward improving the relation between the United States and Russia, that will effect every problem in the world, including Syria. So, I would say yes, we think thats positive, regarding the Syrian conflict. Journalist: What is positive? President Assad: I mean the relation, the improvement of the relation between the United States and Russia will reflect positively on the Syrian conflict. Journalists: Thank you very much. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy. Is Trump Bending? By Paul Craig Roberts January 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Trump acknowledges Russia role in U.S. election hacking If this is not a fake news headline and the Reuters report is correct, Trump is bending to the pressure. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-cyber-idUSKBN14S0O6 And to no avail. Intelligence officials and Senate leaders say that Trumps admission is not enough and that he must punish Russia, not establish normal relations. Trump is being pushed hard to validate the orchestrated Russian Threat on which the fortune and power of the military/security complex resides. If this report is not more fake news and Trump continues bending, he will be in the ruling establishments hands by the time he is inaugurated. Is Goldman Sachs Taking Control of the Trump Presidency? By Paul Craig Roberts Pam and Russ Martens have compiled an amazing roster of present and former Goldman Sachs executives ensconced in the Trump transition team and announced as Trump appointees. This is discouraging. On the other hand, the Senate is unlikely to refuse confirmation to Goldman Sachs personnel. Many people have worked for Goldman Sachs, including Nomi Prins, and Pam Martens worked on Wall Street. Both are effective critics of the big banks. Some of Trumps most important appointmentsState, Defense, and National Security Advisorare supportive of his intentions to restore normal relations with Russia, reorganize the CIA, and get the US out of pointless wars. If he can achieve these things or even one of them, it is a victory regardless if he fails to take on the banks. According to Douglas Valentines just published book, The CIA As Organized Crime, it is the CIA, not the banks, that control the government. Judging by the extraordinary pressure that the CIA is putting on Trump with the allegation that Trumps election is tainted by Russian interference, it is not clear at this time whether the CIA will accept Trump as President of the United States. If Goldman Sachs were also Trumps determined opponent, what would Trumps chances be? It is very easy to be unrealistic about expectations from a president. Trumps announcement that he intends to supplement his Secret Service protection with private protection suggests that he understands that there are many constraints on his action. There is no guarantee that Trump can do anything. But clearly his election is seen as a threat by the ruling establishment. So lets give Trump a chance and see what he can do. I doubt he will be able to do anything but surrender. Nevertheless, I hope. Certainly there is no reason to help the ruling establishment pull him down. Whether they realize or not, those liberal, left, progressive commentators and organizations are aligned with the ruling establishment in the attack on Trump. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order . The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy. How Many British MPs are Working for Israel? By Jonathan Cook Al Jazeera are to be congratulated on an undercover investigation exposing something most of us could probably have guessed: that some Israeli embassy staff in the UK lets not pussy around, Mossad agents are working with senior political activists and politicians in the Conservative and Labour parties to subvert their own parties from within, and skew British foreign policy so that it benefits Israeli, rather than British, interests. One cannot really blame Israel for doing this. Most states promote their interests as best they can. But one can and should expose and shame the British politicians who are collaborating with Israel in further harming Britains representative democracy. It is not as though these people cannot be easily identified. They even advertise what they are up to. They are members of the Conservative and Labour Friends of Israel. They dominate both parliamentary parties, but especially the Conservatives. According to the CFIs figures, fully 80 per cent of Tory MPs belong to the partys Friends of Israel group. Once, no one would have hesitated to call British politicians acting in the interests of a foreign power, and very possibly taking financial benefits for doing so, traitors. And yet, as Al Jazeeras secretly filmed footage shows, Israeli spies like Shai Masot can readily meet and conspire with a Tory ministers much-trusted aide to discuss how best to take down the deputy foreign minister, Alan Duncan, over his criticisms of Israels illegal settlements in the occupied territories. Maria Strizzolo, education minister Robert Halfons assistant, suggests engineering a little scandal to damage Duncan. Masot and Israels intelligence services cannot infuence British foreign policy through the opposition Labour party, but that doesnt prevent them from also taking a keen interest in Labour MPs. Masot is filmed talking to Labour Friends of Israels chair, Joan Ryan, about lots of money more than 1 million he has received from the Israeli government to send yet another batch of Labour MPs on an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel, where they will be wined and dined, and primed by top officials to adopt even more extreme pro-Israel positions. LFI is known for sending the largest proportion of MPs to Israel on these kinds of trips. Does that have an effect on British domestic politics. You bet it does! Israel isnt a charity. A large number of those who have been making Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns life a misery belong to Labour Friends of Israel. They are the same MPs who have been talking up an anti-semitism crisis in the Labour party based on zero tangible evidence since Corbyn became party leader. Were they following the dictates of their conscience? Did they really fear an anti-semitism plague had suddenly beset their party? Or were they playing deeply cynical politics to oust a leader who supports justice for the Palestinian people and is considered by Israels rightwing government, which has no interest in making peace with the Palestinians, to be bad news for Israel? Al Jazeeras investigation has not been shown yet, so we can rely only on the snippets released so far, either by Al Jazeera itself or additional leaks of the investigation provided by the Mail on Sunday. It is worth listening to a Tory minister in the government of recently departed David Cameron, who writes anonymously in the Mail on Sunday. S/he warns of a double whammy to British politics caused by Israel and its British partisans one that is starting to approach the damage done to the US political system by Israel. The British government skews its foreign policy to avoid upsetting Jewish donors, s/he says. MPs, meanwhile, act like agents of a foreign power s/he generously assumes unwittingly rather than representatives of the British people. Forget international law, these politicians are not even promoting British interests. Here is what the minister writes: British foreign policy is in hock to Israeli influence at the heart of our politics, and those in authority have ignored what is going on. For years the CFI and Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), have worked with even for the Israeli government and their London embassy to promote Israeli policy and thwart UK Government policy and the actions of Ministers who try to defend Palestinian rights. Lots of countries try to force their views on others, but what is scandalous in the UK is that instead of resisting it, successive Governments have submitted to it, taken donors money, and allowed Israeli influence-peddling to shape policy and even determine the fate of Ministers. Even now, if I were to reveal who I am, I would be subjected to a relentless barrage of abuse and character assassination. It now seems clear people in the Conservative and Labour Parties have been working with the Israeli embassy, which has used them to demonise and trash MPs who criticise Israel; an army of Israels useful idiots in Parliament. This is politically corrupt, and diplomatically indefensible. The conduct of certain MPs needs to be exposed as the poisonous and deceitful infiltration of our politics by the unwitting agents of another country We need a full inquiry into the Israeli Embassy, the links, access and funding of the CFI and LFI. It is rare that I agree with a Tory government minister, but such an inquiry cannot come too soon. Note too that it is an indictment of the UK media that Al-Jazeera, rather than the British fourth estate, has exposed Israels moves to subvert the British political system. It is not as though reporters from the BBC, Guardian, Times and the Mail havent had ministers like the one above complaining to them for years about interference from Israel. So why did they not long ago send in undercover teams to expose this collusion between Israel and British MPs? We have had weeks of stories about the supposed efforts of Russia and Putin to subvert the US election, without a hint yet of any evidence, and based on a central allegation against the Russians that they compromised the election result by releasing truthful information about wrongdoing in the Democratic party. Russian diplomats have been expelled based on these evidence-free claims, and President Obama has vowed to take other, covert action against Russia. Here we have documented evidence of the Israeli government secretly plotting with friendly British MPs to oust a British government minister. If that isnt interference in the British political system I dont know what is. Will we similarly have weeks of coverage of this story in the UK media, or will it be quickly filed away and forgotten? US Intel Agencies Try to Strong-Arm Trump into War With Russia By Mike Whitney January 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Counterpunch " - Powerful elites are using the credibility of the US Intelligence agencies to demonize Russia and prepare the country for war. This is the real meaning of the Russia hacking story which, as yet, has not produced any hard evidence of Russian complicity. Last weeks 25-page report, that was released by the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, illustrates to what extent intelligence is being fixed around the policy. Just as the CIA generated false information related to Weapons of Mass Destruction to soften public resistance to war with Iraq, so too, the spurious allegations in the DNIs politically-motivated report are designed to depict Russia as a growing threat to US national security. The timing of the report has less to do with the election of Donald Trump as President than it does with critical developments in Syria where the Russian military has defeated US-proxies in Syrias industrial hub, Aleppo, rolling back Washingtons 15-year War of Terror and derailing the imperialist plan to control vital resources and pipeline corridors across the Middle East and Central Asia. Russia has become the main obstacle to Washington achieving its strategic vision of pivoting to Asia and maintaining its dominant role into the next century. The Intelligence Community has been coerced into compromising its credibility to incite fear of Russia and to advance the geopolitical ambitions of deep state powerbrokers. The Russia hacking flap shows how far the Intel agencies have veered from their original mandate, which is to impartially gather and analyze information that may be vital to US national security. As we have seen in the last two weeks, the leaders of these organizations feel free to offer opinions on issues that clearly conflict with those of the new President-elect. Trump has stated repeatedly that he wants to reduce tensions and reset relations with Russia, but that policy is being sabotaged by members of the intelligence community, particularly CIA Director John Brennan who appeared just last week on PBS Newshour with Judy Woodruff. Heres an excerpt from the interview: We see that there are still a lot of actions that Russia is undertaking that undermine the principles of democracy in so many countries. What has happened in our recent election is not new. The Russians have engaged in trying to manipulate elections in Europe for a number of years the Russians tried to interfere in our electoral process recently, and were actively involved in that. And that is something that we cant countenance. (Interview with CIA Director John Brennan, PBS Newshour) Brennan, of course, provided no evidence for his claims nor did he mention the hundreds of CIA interventions around the world. But Brennans accusations are less important than the fact that his appearance on a nationwide broadcast identifies him as a political advocate for policies that conflict with those of the new president. Do we really want unelected intelligence officials whose job it is to provide the president with sensitive information related to national security to assume a partisan role in shaping policy? And why would Brennan whose is supposed to serve at the pleasure of the president accept an invitation to offer his views on Russia when he knew they would be damaging to the new administration? Powerful people behind the scenes are obviously pushing the heads of these intelligence agencies to stick to their anti-Moscow narrative to force Trump to abandon his plan for peaceful relations with Moscow. Brennan isnt calling the shots and neither are Clapper or Comey. Theyre all merely agents serving the interests of establishment plutocrats whose geopolitical agenda doesnt jibe with that of the incoming administration. If that wasnt the case, then why would the Intelligence Community stake its reputation on such thin gruel as this Russian hacking gibberish? It doesnt make any sense. The people who launched this campaign are either supremely arrogant or extremely desperate. Which is it? Heres an excerpt from an article by veteran journalist Robert Parry sums it up like this in an article at Consortium News: The DNI report amounted to a compendium of reasons to suspect that Russia was the source of the information built largely on the argument that Russia had a motive for doing so because of its disdain for Democratic nominee Clinton and the potential for friendlier relations with Republican nominee Trump. But the case, as presented, is one-sided and lacks any actual proof. Further, the continued use of the word assesses as in the U.S. intelligence community assesses that Russia is guilty suggests that the underlying classified information also may be less than conclusive because, in intelligence-world-speak, assesses often means guesses. (US Report Still Lacks Proof on Russia Hack, Robert Parry, Consortium News) Bottom line: Brennan and his fellow spooks have nothing. The report is little more than a catalogue of unfounded assumptions, baseless speculation and uncorroborated conjecture. In colloquial parlance, its bullshit, 100 percent, unalloyed Russophobic horse-manure. In fact, the authors admit as much in the transcript itself when they say: Judgments are not intended to imply that we have proof that shows something to be a fact. Assessments are based on collected information, which is often incomplete or fragmentary, as well as logic, argumentation, and precedents. What kind of kooky admission is that? So the entire report could be BS but were supposed to believe that Putin flipped the election? Is that it??? Whats really going on here? Why have the Intelligence agencies savaged their credibility just to convince people that Russia is up to no good? The Russia hacking story has more to do with recent developments in Syria than it does with delegitimizing Donald Trump. Aleppo was a real wake up call for the US foreign policy establishment which is beginning to realize that their plans for the next century have been gravely undermined by Russias military involvement in Syria. Aleppo represents the first time that an armed coalition of allied states (Russia, Iran, Syria, Hezbollah) have actively engaged US jihadist-proxies and soundly beat them to a pulp. The stunning triumph in Aleppo has spurred hope among the vassal states that Washingtons bloody military juggernaut can be repelled, rolled back and defeated. And if Washingtons CIA-armed, trained and funded jihadists can be repelled, then the elitist plan to project US power into Central Asia to dominate the worlds most populous and prosperous region, will probably fail. In other words, the outcome in Aleppo has cast doubts on Uncle Sams ability to successfully execute its pivot to Asia. Thats why the Intel agencies have been employed to shape public perceptions on Russia. Their job is to prepare the American people for an escalation of hostilities between the two nuclear-armed superpowers. US powerbrokers are determined to intensify the conflict and reverse facts on the ground. (Recent articles by elites at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Brookings Institute reveal that they are as committed to partitioning Syria as ever.) Washington wants to reassert its exceptional role as the uncontested steward of global security and the lone unipolar world power. Thats what this whole hacking fiasco is about. The big shots who run the country are trying to strong-arm the Donald into carrying their water so the depredations can continue and Central Asia can be transformed into a gigantic Washington-dominated corporate free trade zone where the Big Money calls the shots and Capital reigns supreme. Thats their dreamstate, Capitalist Valhalla. Russia Has Damaging Details About Trump; Unverified Reports By Jonathan Landay and John Walcott January 11, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Reuters " - Classified documents that the heads of four U.S. intelligence agencies presented last week to President-elect Donald Trump included claims that Russian intelligence operatives have compromising information about him, two U.S. officials said Tuesday evening. They told Reuters the claims, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that U.S. intelligence officials presented to Trump and President Barack Obama last week. Trump responded on Tuesday evening in a tweet calling the reports: "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. One of the officials, both of whom requested anonymity to discuss classified matters, said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other U.S. agencies are continuing to investigate the credibility and accuracy of the claims. They are included in opposition research reports made available last year to Democrats and U.S. officials by a former British intelligence official, most of whose past work U.S. officials consider credible. The official said investigators so far have been unable to confirm the material about Trump financial and personal entanglements with Russian businessmen and others whom U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded are Russian intelligence officers or working on behalf of Russian intelligence. Some material in the reports produced by the former British intelligence officer has proved to be erroneous, the official said. The FBI declined comment. Intel chiefs presented Trump with claims of Russian efforts to compromise him By Evan Perez, Jim Sciutto, Jake Tapper and Carl Bernstein January 11, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " CNN " - Classified documents presented last week to President Obama and President-elect Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump, multiple US officials with direct knowledge of the briefings tell CNN. The allegations were presented in a two-page synopsis that was appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The allegations came, in part, from memos compiled by a former British intelligence operative, whose past work US intelligence officials consider credible. The FBI is investigating the credibility and accuracy of these allegations, which are based primarily on information from Russian sources, but has not confirmed many essential details in the memos about Mr. Trump. The classified briefings last week were presented by four of the senior-most US intelligence chiefs -- Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan, and NSA Director Admiral Mike Rogers. One reason the nation's intelligence chiefs took the extraordinary step of including the synopsis in the briefing documents was to make the President-elect aware that such allegations involving him are circulating among intelligence agencies, senior members of Congress and other government officials in Washington, multiple sources tell CNN. These senior intelligence officials also included the synopsis to demonstrate that Russia had compiled information potentially harmful to both political parties, but only released information damaging to Hillary Clinton and Democrats. This synopsis was not an official part of the report from the intelligence community case about Russian hacks, but some officials said it augmented the evidence that Moscow intended to harm Clinton's candidacy and help Trump's, several officials with knowledge of the briefings tell CNN. The two-page synopsis also included allegations that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, according to two national security officials. Sources tell CNN that these same allegations about communications between the Trump campaign and the Russians, mentioned in classified briefings for congressional leaders last year, prompted then-Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to send a letter to FBI Director Comey in October, in which he wrote, "It has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government -- a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States." CNN has confirmed that the synopsis was included in the documents that were presented to Mr. Trump but cannot confirm if it was discussed in his meeting with the intelligence chiefs. The Trump transition team declined repeated requests for comment. Appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Kellyanne Conway, a senior Trump adviser, dismissed the memos, as unverified and untrue. CNN has reviewed a 35-page compilation of the memos, from which the two-page synopsis was drawn. The memos have since been published by Buzzfeed, but CNN has not reported their contents. The memos originated as opposition research, first commissioned by anti-Trump Republicans, and later by Democrats. At this point, CNN is not reporting on details of the memos, as it has not independently corroborated the specific allegations. But, in preparing this story, CNN has spoken to multiple high ranking intelligence, administration, congressional and law enforcement officials, as well as foreign officials and others in the private sector with direct knowledge of the memos. Some of the memos were circulating as far back as last summer. What has changed since then is that US intelligence agencies have now checked out the former British intelligence operative and his vast network throughout Europe and find him and his sources to be credible enough to include some of the information in the presentations to the President and President-elect a few days ago. On the same day that the President-elect was briefed by the intelligence community, the top four Congressional leaders, and chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees -- the so-called "Gang of Eight" -- were also provided a summary of the memos regarding Mr. Trump, according to law enforcement, intelligence and administration sources. The two-page summary was written without the detailed specifics and information about sources and methods included in the memos by the former British intelligence official. That said, the synopsis was considered so sensitive it was not included in the classified report about Russian hacking that was more widely distributed, but rather in an annex only shared at the most senior levels of the government: President Obama, the President-elect, and the eight Congressional leaders. CNN has also learned that on December 9, Senator John McCain gave a full copy of the memos -- dated from June through December, 2016 -- to FBI Director James Comey. McCain became aware of the memos from a former British diplomat who had been posted in Moscow. But the FBI had already been given a set of the memos compiled up to August 2016, when the former MI6 agent presented them to an FBI official in Rome, according to national security officials. The raw memos on which the synopsis is based were prepared by the former MI6 agent, who was posted in Russia in the 1990s and now runs a private intelligence gathering firm. His investigations related to Mr. Trump were initially funded by groups and donors supporting Republican opponents of Mr. Trump during the GOP primaries, multiple sources confirmed to CNN. Those sources also said that once Mr. Trump became the nominee, further investigation was funded by groups and donors supporting Hillary Clinton. Spokespeople for the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment. Officials who spoke to CNN declined to do so on the record given the classified nature of the material. Some of the allegations were first reported publicly in Mother Jones one week before the election. The Deep State Versus Donald Trump - New Smears And A Ukrainian Connection By Moon Of Alabama January 11, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Moon Of Alabama " - As remarked on January 6: When Hillary Clinton was defeated in the U.S. presidential election the relevant powers launched a campaign to delegitimize the President elect Donald Trump. The ultimate aim of the cabal is to kick him out of office and have a reliable replacement, like the Vice-President elect Pence, take over. Should that not be possible it is hoped that the delegitimization will make it impossible for Trump to change major policy trajectories especially in foreign policy. A main issue here is the reorientation of the U.S. military complex and its NATO proxies from the war of terror towards a direct confrontation with main powers like Russia and China. The "deep state" campaign against Trump opened new grounds today with the publication of completely fake and thereby unverifiable anonymous assertions that Trump had some fun in a Moscow hotel and that Russian secret services is using that to manipulate him. The assertions come in 35 pages of "reports" by an anonymous (claimed) former British intelligence operator with dates ranging from June 20 2016 to December 13 2016. They say that Russia has some tapes of Trump watching sex games in 2013, they claim that Trump campaign officials coordinated the Clinton campaign leaks with Russia and that the Russian President Putin was highly involved in all of this. Here is how the claimed former intelligence operator typically describes his sources in the "reports": Speaking to a trusted compatriot in June 2016 sources A and B, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry figure and a former top level Russian intelligence officer still active inside the Kremlin respectively, the Russian authorities had been cultivating and supporting U.S. Republican presidential candidate, Donald TRUMP for at least five years. Source B asserted that the TRUMP operation was both supported and directed by Russian President Vladimir PUTIN. The anonymous former British operator hears from an anonymous asserted compatriot what two anonymous sources, asserted to have access to inner Russian circles, claim to have heard somewhere that something happened in the Kremlin. They assert that Trump was supported and directed by Putin himself five years ago while even a year ago no one would have bet a penny on Trump gaining any political significant position or even the presidency. There is a lot more of such nonsense in these new Hitler diaries. It is bonkers from a to z. Even as they are obvious fake the FBI tried to use these "reports" to get a wide warrant from the foreign intelligence surveillance (Fisa) court to listen in on Trump campaign officials. The court thankfully denied or at least narrowed the request. The first "reports" were created as part of the opposition research by a Republican candidate running in the primaries against Trump. They were later produced for and paid by the Democratic campaign. They have been shopped around in Washington for several month. The NYT, the WSJ, CNN and the FBI investigated the assertions in them. Despite the considerable combined investigative capacities they could verify none of them. All publications refrained from publishing the claims during the campaign because there was no evidence at all that supported them. Buzzfeed now pushed these out despite also saying that there is nothing verifiable in them. Even worse, the Director of National Intelligence Clapper (who once claimed Saddam's non-existing WMDs were shipped to Syria) presented these to Congress and the president elect Trump as "annex" to his baseless U.S. Intelligence report of "Russian hacking". A murky preview of the assertions had been given by David Corn in a Mother Jones piece in October. He talked with the said to be author of the "reports": "It started off as a fairly general inquiry," says the former spook, who asks not to be identified. But when he dug into Trump, he notes, he came across troubling information indicating connections between Trump and the Russian government. According to his sources, he says, "there was an established exchange of information between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin of mutual benefit." The current publication of the full barrel of bullshit comes a day after members of the Trump cabinet have been successfully confirmed by Congress and hours before his long expected press conference. It is thereby destined to overshadow a successful start of the Trump presidency. There are signs that the "reports" were written with some Ukrainian nationalist and anti-semitic background. Just consider this passage from the July 26 "report": In terms of the FSB's recruitment of capable cyber operatives to carry out its, ideally deniable, offensive cyber operations, a Russian IT specialist with direct knowledge reported in June 2016 that this was often done using coercion and blackmail. In terms of 'foreign' agents, the FSB was approaching U.S. citizens of Russian (Jewish) origin on business trips in Russia. Such tropes are typical of the anti-semitic Ukrainian "nationalist" (aka Nazi) narrative. Russian services would, unlike Mossad, not recruit IT hackers conditioned on "Jewish" ethnic relations or believe. We have seen more Ukrainian "nationalists" involved in the "Russian hacks" propaganda claims. A July 2016 Yahoo piece by (Clinton campaign mouthpiece) Michael Isikoff wrote: Just weeks after she started preparing opposition research files on Donald Trumps campaign chairman Paul Manafort last spring, Democratic National Committee consultant Alexandra Chalupa got an alarming message when she logged into her personal Yahoo email account. ... Chalupa who had been drafting memos and writing emails about Manaforts connection to pro-Russian political leaders in Ukraine quickly alerted top DNC officials. ... I was freaked out, Chalupa, who serves as director of ethnic engagement for the DNC, told Yahoo News in an interview, noting that she had been in close touch with sources in Kiev, Ukraine, including a number of investigative journalists, who had been providing her with information about Manaforts political and business dealings in that country and Russia. Chalupa is somewhat involved with the ProPornOT list, promoted by the Washington Post, of alleged pro-Russian propaganda websites. This website, Moon of Alabama, is also on that list :-) (see at end of piece). (Unfortunately though we have never received a penny, or anything else, from Russian sources, are critical of Putin's neoliberal economic policies and have been plagiarized by the Russian government financed Russia Today without any compensation.) The ProPornOT Twitter account says it is Ukrainian-American and it used the Ukrainian fascist salute of the OUN-Bandera gangs "Heroiam Slava!" to hail Ukrainian hackers attacking Russia. The ProPornOT list is designed after a Ukrainian model used to smear Ukrainian anti-fascist media and journalists. Chalupa is a main promoter of the "Russia hacked the Democratic campaign" allegations based on thin if any evidence. She was named by the same Isikoff of Yahoo as one of 16 people who shaped the 2016 election. Chalupa is also: founder and president of the Ukrainian lobby group US United With Ukraine Coalition, which lobbied hard to pass a 2014 bill increasing loans and military aid to Ukraine, imposing sanctions on Russians, and tightly aligning US and Ukraine geostrategic interests. Moreover Chalupa coordinated her anti-Trump/anti-Russian campaign with the Ukrainian embassy in Washington DC: Ukrainian government officials tried to help Hillary Clinton and undermine Trump by publicly questioning his fitness for office. They also disseminated documents implicating a top Trump aide in corruption and suggested they were investigating the matter, only to back away after the election. And they helped Clintons allies research damaging information on Trump and his advisers, a Politico investigation found. A Ukrainian-American operative[, Alexandra Chalupa,] who was consulting for the Democratic National Committee met with top officials in the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington in an effort to expose ties between Trump, top campaign aide Paul Manafort and Russia, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation. The foreign influence on the presidential race through the Ukrainian (fascist) connection to the Clinton campaign is much more grounded in reality than the alleged but unproven Russian connections to the Trump campaign. We have a Ukrainian-American nationalist Democratic campaign operator promoting anti-Russian and anti-Trump claims in cooperation with the Ukrainian government, a Ukrainian-American ProPornOT blacklist for smearing website of being "Russian propaganda" and Ukrainian fascist tropes used in fact-less "reports" intended to smear Trump as a Russian puppet. Above of this we have a U.S intelligence community that is feverishly fighting against a Trump presidency which is likely to cut back its many excrescences. The CIA, the MI-6 and the German BND (a CIA controlled outlet) have pampered and promoted the again very active anti-Russian Ukrainian fascist circles since (at least) the late 1940s. A U.S. National Archive book about Hitler's Shadows - Nazi War Criminals, U.S. Intelligence and the Cold War (PDF) notes: British operations through Bandera expanded. An early 1954 MI6 summary noted that, the operational aspect of this [British] collaboration [with Bandera] was developing satisfactorily. Gradually a more complete control was obtained over infiltration operations and although the intelligence dividend was low it was considered worthwhile to proceed.... ... In June 1985 the General Accounting Office mentioned Lebeds name in a public report on Nazis and collaborators who settled in the United States with help from U.S. intelligence agencies. The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in the Department of Justice began investigating Lebed that year. The CIA worried that public scrutiny of Lebed would compromise QRPLUMB and that failure to protect Lebed would trigger outrage in the Ukrainian emigre community. It thus shielded Lebed by denying any connection between Lebed and the Nazis and by arguing that he was a Ukrainian freedom fighter. The truth, of course, was more complicated. As late as 1991 the CIA tried to dissuade OSI from approaching the German, Polish, and Soviet governments for war-related records related to the OUN. OSI eventually gave up the case, unable to procure definitive documents on Lebed. Mykola Lebed, Banderas wartime chief in Ukraine, died in 1998. He is buried in New Jersey, and his papers are located at the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. There is no evidence yet for a direct connection between the three anti-Russian/anti-Trump items above, the Ukrainian-fascist movement and John Brennan's "deep state" CIA. There are consistencies in tone and message, some common history including the 2014 putsch in Ukraine and a connecting Ukrainian-American person in the Clinton campaign. But even that is more than the baseless assertions in the "Russian hacking" DNI intelligence reports and the now published MI-6 smears. Seen from a distance the "Intelligence Community" is more compromised by these "leaks" than the President elect Trump. It is not predictable who will win this fight, the "deep state" cabal that wants to keep the U.S. on an anti-Russian course or the somewhat outsider isolationist Trump. My bet is on the bullshit artist Trump. In the bigger international picture the fight itself, and the publicity it gets, lets the U.S. look like the Banana republic it is destined to become. http://www.moonofalabama.org The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy. The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had arrested about 963 persons suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists during an operation between January 4 and January 9. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this at the weekly review of the Operation Rescue Final at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri. Mr. Irabor said, On January 3 at about 1240hrs, 4 women and 13 children were apprehended by vigilantes at Buni Yadi and were later handed over to our troops. Preliminary investigation revealed that the women were wives of Boko Haram terrorists who fled from Sambisa forest as a result of our operations. All suspects are in our custody undergoing investigation. On January 9, a surrendered Boko Haram member was identified as a male sympathiser and spy in Monguno area: We also identified two wives of Amir (Boko Haram Commander) from the arrested members, he said. He said that also on January 5, at about 10:30 a.m., following a tip-off, troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force arrested four Boko Haram suspects at Shuwari village. The suspects are: Modu Auwami, Mamye Modu, Usman Kachanawa and Mallum Maji. During preliminary investigation, some local witnesses identified Auwami as one who provided medical treatment to injured terrorists. The other three suspects claimed they were abducted by the terrorists and that they only spent few days in their camps. He said that the suspects were now in the Armys custody undergoing further interrogation. Irabor said that the suspects who all confessed to be members of the Boko Haram terror group, claimed to have come to town to buy Tramadol tablets. He added that they were arrested with 27 sachets of Tramadol tablets, three sachets of Cowbell chocolate and the sum of N5,000. Mr. Irabor also said that on January 5 at about 11:30 a.m., 119 Nigerian IDPs were handed over to Nigerian troops at Banki by the Cameroonian forces. The IDPs comprised 20 male adults, 25 female adults and 74 children who were screened and moved to the IDPs camp, the commander said. President-elect of the United States of America (USA), Mr. Donald Trump, is billed to attend a roadshow being put together by the Federal Government as part of efforts to attract investment into the sector, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, has said. The Minister made the disclosure while unveiling his goals and those of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for 2017 in Abuja. We are going to be seeking to attract investments and complete all the MoUs we have in China and India. We are looking to do a roadshow to the UK, we are looking to do a roadshow to the US with President Donald Trump coming in, he said. The Minister said Nigeria would exploit the relationship built by President Muhammadu Buhari in taking a roadshow to the UK and US. Kachikwu equally pledged the readiness of the Federal Government to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and allocate oil blocks in 2017. We are going to accelerate Federal Governments revenues, look into areas where we could have made more money, so as to support the 2017 budget financing. We are looking to draw on the relationship that the president has built over time. We are going to be conducting oil blocks allocations and marginal flow awards to try and raise money for the government, Kachikwu said. He assured that Nigerias refineries would be revamped to produce at 60 per cent capacity. We need to start the revamping of the refineries. The president has given us marching orders on that. We still remain committed on our goal of 2018 to reduce importation by 60 per cent and 2019, stop the importation of petroleum products substantially. Now we are going to continue to focus on downstream issues. Although we have liberalized, there are still some challenges. We are going to see how we work within the liberalization infrastructure such that we are able to take away the low-hanging difficulties. We are also going to focus on the Niger Delta. Its been too long a lingering issue. We are going to be working with every aspect of the Presidency to try and find solution to this. On the other hand, we are going to run at a rocket pace. We have so much to do. First, we are going to firm up our policies, be able to gazette all our oil and gas policies and then pass the PIB, he stated. Kachikwu praised Nigerias influential role in stabilizing oil prices, saying he expects oil to trade in the $60s for the better part of 2017. Source: The Sun Goat yoga yoga with goats is becoming increasingly popular in US state of Oregon. The goats walk through the class and blend with performers. In August, Lainey Morse, owner of No Regrets Farm in Albany where the class takes place, told Oregon Live, My goats are very social and friendly animals and love to interact with people. Animals are known to have so many health benefits for humans as well, she added, so the mix of goats and yoga seemed to fit. The popularity of exercising with the hoofed creatures has only grown, especially after a video about the class was created by 60 Second Docs. In the video Morse said the class has a waiting list of 600 people. Over email on Tuesday, she said that list is now up to over 900. In the colder months, goat yoga has moved into the barn. I did Holiday Goat Yoga in the month of December in my barn and I had people coming from Seattle and Portland and California and even one from Chicago! Morse told Oregon Live. Morse said that since starting goat yoga, it has taken over her life. I ended up quitting my job that I had for the past 10 years and Im doing this full time now! she said. She can longer do yoga on her farm due to zoning rules but she said she is working with Oregon State University to provide goat yoga on campus and is also working with Emerson Vineyards to do Sunset Goat Yoga & Wine Tasting on Saturdays and Sundays starting in the spring. Its been such an uphill battle trying to create this new thing, Morse said. I had six liability insurance companies turn me down. Still, shes committed to providing goat yoga. And its so popular now, there is even a line of goat yoga apparel. People are desperate for something that is pure and peaceful, says Morse in the video. Its really hard to be in pain and sad when theres baby goats jumping around you, she adds. Its just youre letting go. It would seem Nigeria isnt the only place where someone would be rescued from inside a wall. Just recently, the story of a boy rescued from a wall in Ondo state took the internet by storm, and now such a similar feat has happened in New York, USA. The New York Fire Department (FDNY) said more than 40 firefighters responded to an apartment to free a nearly nude man trapped inside a womans wall. The FDNY said a resident of a seven-story apartment building in the Kips Bay area of Manhattan called 911 just after 12 a.m. local time on Tuesday to a report a man shouting for help from inside the wall of her first-floor apartment, near her kitchen vent. The woman said she heard a loud crash coming from the vent before the man started shouting for help. I freaked out for a couple of minutes, and then I went over to the kitchen and I heard someone panting and breathing like they were in obvious pain. They were freaking out, the resident, Gjyste Margilaj, 33, told the New York Daily News. I opened the kitchen vent so he could breathe. She said she initially thought she might have been targeted by a prankster. I thought he was playing a joke, Margilaj said. I couldnt comprehend what was happening. It was so bizarre. More than 40 firefighters responded to the home to extract the man from the wall. The shaft was so small the patients body took up the entire void so power tools were out of the question. We pretty much exposed it by hand and between the sheet metal and the shaft was wire mesh with sharp edges. We used tin snips and dulled all the edges before we took him out, FDNY Battalion Chief Patrick Tansey said in a statement posted to Facebook. The 30-year-old man, who was dressed only in his underwear, was released after about 45 minutes of effort by firefighters. The man was found to have recently moved into a fourth-floor apartment in the building. Firefighters said he had been with friends on the roof of the building when he apparently decided to try to reach his apartment through the ventilation system. Firefighters said he may have ended up on the first floor because he had another destination in mind. He had told the occupant who called us something about a pool in the basement, but I dont know, Tansey told WPIX-TV. The man did not appear intoxicated and was released after being checked out at a local hospital. Nigerian newspaper headlines January 11, 2017. Punch A Dubai-based airline, Emirates, on Monday said one of its flights from Muscat, Oman, to the UAE was cancelled the previous day after a snake was spotted slithering in the cargo hold. Vanguard The Federal Government is set to commence an audit of the utilization of Federal Governments bail-out funds to state governments amounting to about N510 billion last year. Guardian Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied media reports that he received gratification before approving the controversial Malabu Oil deal. Thisday The federal government tuesday said it was seeking about $400 million World Bank loan to rebuild the North-east of the country, where Boko Haram terrorists had destroyed many of its infrastructure and social system. Leadership Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has expressed optimism that the 2017 budget would lead the country out of its current economic recession. Premium Times A day after the countrys Supreme Court advised an out-of-court settlement, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has appointed a mediator to liaise between him and the President-elect Adama Barrow. The Sun President-elect of the United States of America (USA), Mr. Donald Trump, is billed to attend a roadshow being put together by the Federal Government as part of efforts to attract investment into the sector, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, has said. The Nation U.S. President Barack Obama returned to his adopted hometown of Chicago on Tuesday to defend his legacy. Courtney Hutchinson, a London rapper who performs under the stage name DVS has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for raping and torturing a 20-year-old woman for three days. The rapper began attacking the woman on February 8 soon after she arrived at his residence near London City Airport. Amid a reported disagreement, he began punching and kicking her and even force-feeding her a meal. He kept her naked throughout the torture. The next morning, Courtney beat the woman with chair legs, lashed her with a phone cable, and pulled her around the flat by her hair. He also burned her skin with a hot iron and demanded that she touch the iron to her face. Saying she needed to be punished, Courtney forced the victim to hold her hands behind her back while he punched her in her face and in her throat. After promising shed die the next day, he had the woman call her mother and say goodbye then he repeatedly raped her. On the third day, Courtney forced his victim to take scalding hot showers and then stamped on her burn wounds. He made her say on camera that she was a bad person. Finally, the woman saw a chance to escape and ran naked into the street. Courtney ran after her, saying, I have got you now, as Evening Standard reports. A bystander came to her aid and called the cops, despite Courtney trying to claim the victim was his wife. The woman was rushed to the Royal London Hospital and was treated for 40 injuries severe burns, a fractured eye socket, a broken nose, a dislocated shoulder, and a stab wound to the hand. The victim, who met Courtney when she was 17, is still receiving treatment to this day. Courtney was arrested a few days later and then pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent, rape, and false imprisonment in July. Yesterday, January 9, the Snaresbrook Crown Court sentenced him to 23 years in prison and a lifetime as a registered sex offender. Courtney Hutchinson subjected his victim to the most shocking and repeated levels of violence, Detective Sergeant Jimi Tele of the Newham police said. The level of violence he inflicted was so severe it demonstrated his total disregard for the victim as a human being, subjecting her to levels of callousness and danger that are rarely seen. I would like to praise the bravery and determination of the victim of this truly harrowing ordeal. Finally, I would like to add that the Metropolitan Police Service is committed to pursuing those who commit violence and particularly those most dangerous offenders. I am conscious that there may be others who have suffered similar violence, whether at the hands of this offender or another, and I would urge them to approach the police. The Senate has confirmed Anthony Ayine as the new Auditor-General of the Federation. This followed presentation of the report of his screening by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Sen. Andy Uba at plenary. Ayine was confirmed in a voice vote, after deliberation on petitions written against his suitability for the position. Presenting the report, Uba admitted that petitions were brought before the committee prior to Ayines screening. He said that the petitions bothered on his suitability for the position in view of the fact that he was an auditor general for local government in Cross River among other reasons. Contributing, Sen. Binta Masi (APC-Adamawa), said it was necessary for the Senate to take a critical look at the petitions before taking any decision on his confirmation. According to her, some of the reasons adduced in the petitions include the fact that Ayine is related to the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita. The petitioners said that Ayine was an Auditor-General of a Local Government in Cross River and that if he was to be converted to Federal Civil Service, he would be on grade level 14 and that he ought to be on level 17. Also, that the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Oyo-Ita, is a cousin and that Ayine and acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mr Walter Onnoghen, who hails from Cross River, negating the spirit of Federal Character. So I think we should critic it, she said. However, the minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio made some clarifications on the qualification of Mr Ayine. In my little brief comment, I want to give clarification. The appointment is not a promotion sent by Mr President and we are not considering elevation or change of service. The position was advertised nationally and internationally and he was the best in terms of qualification, capability and others. The issues raised here was raised and president in his wisdom still chose him. Besides Ayine was on salary level equivalent to a Permanent Secretary. The appointment of auditor general of local government does not mean he is for one local government but all local governments combined. Equally, where he comes from does not matter. He came top in written and oral interview. The country advertised the position, he went through due process, so it will be wrong to set another examination for him. I want to say that when we have a committee that takes a lot of things into cognizance and comes up with recommendation we should not question it. Akpabio said a similar scenario played out in the past when unwarranted petitions against a nominee caused the nominee a job she was qualified for. He stressed that, I will not like to see another Nigerian destroyed here. The Leader of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, said similar petitions came up when he was Senate Chairman on Public Accounts but were dismissed for lack of credit. He called on the senate to confirm Ayine in view of his competence to handle the position, particularly in view of the continued fight against corruption. I have looked at the three reasons why the petitioners dont want him to be confirmed. It is the prerogative of the president. That he is even the auditor general for local government makes him very qualified for the position because it is the most complex work to do, he said. The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, while presiding over plenary, congratulated My Ayine for emerging the Auditor-General of the Federation. He urged him to put in his best to help reposition the economy in that capacity. We believe that his entrant will strengthen the position, especially now that the country is fighting corruption. I hope, he will work with our committee on Public Accounts for proper collaboration. We wish him good luck going forward and I commend the committee for doing a thorough job, he said. Ekweremadu urged Nigerians to always verify their facts before writing petitions against public office holders, adding that Ayine was not from the same Senatorial District with the Head of Service. He stressed that sometimes people give information to destroy others. Source: NAN President Yahya Jammeh announced on Wednesday that he would stay in power until May despite calls from international agencies for him to step down. Jammeh, who had earlier accepted election results which saw him lose to Adama Barrow in December 1 has now rejected the election results. He appealed the election at the countrys Supreme Court which eventually ruled that they were not enough Supreme Court Justices to give a judgment. The BBC has reported that students and lecturers at the University of The Gambia have launched an exam boycott until President Jammeh steps down. One of the students was quoted as saying, Our families are very concerned about our safety but we have a moral obligation for our country. The founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Prophet TB Joshua, has bemoaned the rise in fake pastors and prophets in Malawi. The prophet made this known in a message through Malawis Apostle Linette Matope, during discussions at the SCOAN in Nigeria. According to Malawi24 News, Joshua told Matope that despite the fact that Malawi was a God fearing country, it had a lot of fake prophets. He said it was contributing to the poverty in that country. The message reads: Joshua says Malawi is really a God fearing country but there are more prophets and pastors who are after money and not to serve which is disappointing. The man of God has urged people in the country to refrain from false prophets and pastors, Matope was quoted as saying. Source: Dailypost Ugandas President, Yoweri Museveni has named his son, Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as Special Presidential Adviser following a reshuffle of army commanders. 72-year-old Museveni, who is one of Africas longest serving leaders has sparked fears that he is grooming his son, who has gained rapid promotion within the army, for the Presidency whenever he steps down. 42-year-old Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba graduated from the UKs Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2000 and has in 17 years become Major General. Nevertheless, a Ugandan military spokesperson has played down the fears of critics, claiming that the reshuffle was normal. One of Microsofts more interesting recent acquisitions was Revolution Analytics, a company that built tools for working with big data problems using the open source statistical programming language R. Mixing an open source model with commercial tools, Revolution Analytics offered a range of tools supporting academic and personal use, alongside software that took advantage of massive amounts of dataincluding Hadoop. Under Microsofts stewardship, the now-renamed R Server has become a bridge between on-premises and cloud data. Two years on, Microsoft has announced a set of major updates to its R tools. The R programming language has become an important part of its data strategy, with support in Azure and SQL Serverand, more important, in its Azure Machine Learning service, where it can be used to preprocess data before delivering it to a machine learning pipeline. Its also one of Microsofts key cross-platform server products, with versions for both Red Hat Linux and Suse Linux. R is everywhere in Microsofts ecosystem Outside of Microsoft, the open source R has become a key tool for data science, with a lot of support in academic environments. (It currently ranks fifth in terms of all languages, according to the IEEE.) You dont need to be a statistical expert to get started with R, because the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN, a public library of R applications) now has more than 9,000 statistical modules and algorithms you can use with your data. Microsofts vision for R is one that crosses the boundaries between desktop, on-premises servers, and the cloud. Locally, theres a free R development client, as well as R support in Microsofts (paid) flagship Visual Studio development environment. On-premises, R Server runs on Windows and Linux, as well as inside SQL Server, giving you access to statistical analysis tools alongside your data. Local big data services based on Hadoop and Spark are also supported, while on Azure you can run R Server alongside Microsofts HDInsight services. R is a tool for data scientists. Although the R language is relatively simple, you need a deep knowledge of statistical analytics to get the most from it. Its been a long while since I took college-level statistics classes, so I found getting started with R complex because many of the underlying concepts require graduate-level understanding of complex statistical functions. The question isnt so much whether you can write R codeits whether you can understand the results youre getting. Thats probably the biggest issue facing any organization that wants to work with big data: getting the skills needed to produce the analysis you want and, more important, to interpret the results you get. R certainly helps here, with built-in graphing tools that help you visualize key statistical measures. Working with Microsoft R Server The free Microsoft R Open can help your analytics team get up to speed with R before investing in any of the server products. Its also a useful tool for quickly trying out new analytical algorithms and exploring the questions you want answered using your data. That approach works well as part of an overall analytics lifecycle, starting with data preparation, moving on to model development, and finally turning the model into tools that can be built into your business applications. One interesting role for R is alongside GPU-based machine-learning tools. Here, R is employed to help train models before theyre used at scale. Microsoft is bundling its own machine learning algorithms with the latest R Server release, so you can test a model before uploading it to either a local big data instance or to the cloud. During a recent press event, Microsoft demonstrated this approach with astronomy images, training a machine-learning-based classifier on a local server with a library of galaxies before running the resulting model on cloud-hosted GPUs. R is an extremely portable language, designed to work over discrete samples of data. That makes it very scalable and ideal for data-parallel problems. The same R model can be run on multiple servers, so it's simple to quickly process large amounts of data. All you need to do is parcel out your data appropriately, then deliver it to your various R Server instances. Similarly, the same code can run on different implementations, so a model built and tested against local data sources can be deployed inside a SQL Server database and run against a Hadoop data lake. R makes operational data models easy Thus, R is very easy to operationalize. Your data science team can work on building the model you need, while your developers write applications and build infrastructures that can take advantage of their code. Once its ready, the model can be quickly deployed, and it can even be swapped out for improved models in the future without affecting the rest of the application. In the same manner, the same model can be used in different applications, working with the same data. With a common model, your internal dashboards can show you the same answers as customer- and consumer-facing code. You can then use data to respond proactivelyfor example, providing delay and rebooking information to airline passengers when a model predicts weather delays. That model can be refined as you get more data, reducing the risks of false positives and false negatives. Building R support into SQL Server makes a lot of sense. As Microsofts database platform becomes a bridge between on-premises data and the cloud, as well as between your systems of record and big data tools, having fine-grained analytics tools in your database is a no-brainer. A simple utility takes your R models and turns them into procs, ready for use inside your SQL applications. Database developers can work with data analytics teams to implement those models, and they dont need to learn any new skills to build them into their applications. Microsoft is aware that not every enterprise needs or has the budget to employ data scientists. If youre dealing with common analytics problems, like trying to predict customer churn or detecting fraud in an online store, you have the option of working with a range of predefined templates for SQL Servers R Services that contain ready-to-use models. Available from Microsofts MSDN, theyre fully customizable in any R-compatible IDE, and you can deploy them with a PowerShell script. The revenue department had come under much criticism from youth organisations for issuing an order raising the retirement age to 60. Ten years ago, South Africa had very few self-storage companies. Today, there are three chains with more than 15 sites, each concentrated in Capetown, Durban and Johannesburg. Now developers are setting their sights on attractive markets in East Africa, including Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Dar el Salaam in Tanzania, Harare in Zimbabwe, Kampala in Uganda, and Mombasa and Nairobi in Kenya. East Africa is the one of the highest-growth economic regions in the world, and probably the last market without a self-storage chain. Local consulting, development and finance firm Aptus Capital hopes to change this. Company co-founder Gerardo Segura, who founded South American self-storage operation Mas Espacio, explains why Aptus is putting down roots in Kenya. Tell us about yourself and your company. Aptus Capital was founded in 2014 with the objective of introducing proven business concepts and helping high-growth companies enter the East African markets. Prior to moving to Nairobi, my brother, Diego Segura, and I co-founded Mas Espacio, a self-storage company in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2008. We have two sites and are expanding into other urban centers in the country as well as the South American region. My career background is in international investment banking, where I held senior corporate finance positions at Lehman Brothers, HSBC Bank and Dresdner Bank in Buenos Aires and London. Whats behind your expansion into Kenya? Kenya, and the East African economies, exhibit the highest gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates. Its relative attractiveness for business has been growing steadily in the last few years, according to Ernst & Young's latest study of the region. Essentially, Kenya's growing middle class and small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector provide the essential components for the introduction of new services and products that have been proven successful in more advanced economies. In every sector you can find opportunities, including financial services, mobile communications, renewable and conventional energy, agriculture, technology, logistics, and self-storage. Whats the state of the self-storage industry in the region? At present, there are no self-storage operators in Kenya. Youll find various types of removals and security companies offering storage. Youll even find companies that sell containers for storage. That's it. The main factors that lead me to conclude that Nairobi [the capital] is an attractive market for self-storage are the following: Expanding target market: 45 percent of the population is considered to be middle-class at $1,136 GDP/capita (low), but the top 10 percent of the population (4 million), is responsible for 40 percent of the GDP and exhibits Western-style consumption patterns. 45 percent of the population is considered to be middle-class at $1,136 GDP/capita (low), but the top 10 percent of the population (4 million), is responsible for 40 percent of the GDP and exhibits Western-style consumption patterns. Increasing urbanization and densification : The city's population is expected to double to 6 million by 2025. : The city's population is expected to double to 6 million by 2025. Construction boom: People are on the move. In 2014 alone, 2.7 million square meters of space was added in Nairobi, of which 1.5 million square meters was residential. More is forecasted for the next four years, with the introduction of mortgage financing. People are on the move. In 2014 alone, 2.7 million square meters of space was added in Nairobi, of which 1.5 million square meters was residential. More is forecasted for the next four years, with the introduction of mortgage financing. Diaspora: There are an estimated 3 million Kenyans studying and living abroad. This is a group thats highly mobile and remains connected to their home country, as evidenced by the more than $100 million remitted on a monthly basis. There are an estimated 3 million Kenyans studying and living abroad. This is a group thats highly mobile and remains connected to their home country, as evidenced by the more than $100 million remitted on a monthly basis. Expat community: Nairobi is the regional gateway into East Africa. The United Nations has more than 40,000 people working at its various entities, mostly on two-year contracts. In addition, there are 350,000 registered non-governmental organizations in Kenya, most with a base in Nairobi. Nairobi is the regional gateway into East Africa. The United Nations has more than 40,000 people working at its various entities, mostly on two-year contracts. In addition, there are 350,000 registered non-governmental organizations in Kenya, most with a base in Nairobi. SME sector: There are approximately 7.5 million registered SMEs operating in Nairobi. The economic significance of this sector has jumped to 40 percent of GDP since 2008. More people in Kenya are becoming richer, purchasing more and moving homes. More expats and companies are setting up in Kenya. And the SME sector is booming. They all need storage solutions for personal and business needs. We want to be the first-movers in Kenya and East Africa. What challenges do developers and operators face in the country? Developers and operators face multiple challenges in this market. Let's begin with the real estate. A developer who acquires real estate will often be faced with: Imperfect or false titles Lack of issue of new titles Change-of-use limitations Lack of financing Unrealistic price expectations Generalized corruption If leasing, the property owner will demand personal guarantees from the directors of the lessee. Operators will need to educate and inform customers. For example, the wealthy Kenyan will consider it beneath him to box, transport, carry and remove his own goods. Customers wont like the "self" in self-storage. Thus, well provide free pickup and paid delivery to their homes. Operators will also need to find and train employees to service customers in an appropriate way. Only employees whove worked at multi-national companies or in the tourism sector understand the benefits of end-to-end customer service. Finally, operators will need to deal with the price-negotiation culture of Kenya, particularly as you fill the leasable space. How will self-storage design in Kenya compare to that of other countries? The design will be similar to whats seen in developed markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa: free-standing, modern warehouses of approximately 5,000 square meters of leasable space. What are your long-term goals? To be the leading self-storage operator in key African markets. Im engaging with a pan-regional Africa investment company for the structuring and financing of the business. We plan to lease the first unit in Nairobi on a long-term basis to get up and running, and then quickly follow with the acquisition of land for the development of the second Nairobi unit. Thereafter, the expansion plan would be to set up sites in Mombasa, Dar el Salaam, Addis Ababa, Kampala and Harare. We believe demand in each of these cities could be addressed by one or two sites with 5,000 square meters of leasable space each. For more information, visit http://aptuscap.net or http://masespacio.com.ar. 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. Ames & Gough, an insurance broker and risk management consultant specializing in serving design professionals, law firms, associations and nonprofits and other professional service organizations, has appointed Brian C. Lynch as a senior broker. He is based in the firms McLean, Va., office. Lynch, who has more than seven years of insurance industry experience, will be part of the Ames & Gough client service team in his new role. He will be responsible for providing insurance placement, renewal planning, carrier negotiations and related client support services. Brian joins us at a time when Ames & Gough is continuing to see steady growth in all areas of our business, said Dan Knise, president and CEO at Ames & Gough, in a company press release. His experience in insurance placement and client service is a good fit with our brokerage operation as we continue to build on our client-focused capabilities and resources. Before joining Ames & Gough, Lynch was a vice president with Boston Insurance Brokerage Inc. While there, he worked with a variety of property and casualty insurance companies on behalf of the firms clients. He began his insurance career in 2009 as a managing producer in the property and casualty division at Paul Peters Insurance Agency Inc. in Falmouth, Mass. Established in 1992, Ames & Gough has offices in Boston, Mass., Philadelphia, Penn. and Washington D.C. Clients throughout the U.S. are served by a team of more than 40 professionals and staff located in the three offices. Source: Ames & Gough Topics Agencies Virginia Authorities say theyve got enhanced security measures in place at Bostons Logan International Airport in the wake of the deadly airport shooting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Massachusetts State Police and Massport, the state agency that oversees Logan, issued a joint statement Friday saying law enforcement was on alert. The two agencies say Bostons busy global air hub is being patrolled by state troopers, tactical units, commercial vehicle inspection units and undercover officers. They say roadway blockades also are in place. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation, which manages T.F. Green Airport, says measures are in place for heightened security and its police are working with federal and state authorities on enhanced security procedures. Meanwhile, Connecticut Airport Authority officials say the shooting had no impact on operations at Bradley International Airport. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida Aviation Massachusetts Federal crash investigators are heading to Philadelphia a day after a collision between two trolley cars injured nearly 50 people. A National Transportation Safety Board spokesman says the agency is sending a team to look into the crash in west Philadelphia. Authorities say a Route 10 trolley rear-ended another near 38th Street. Forty-four passengers and two trolley operators suffered minor injuries. Officials with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority say they arent sure why the trolleys were so close. Trains typically run about 10 minutes apart. The NTSB team will look at collision avoidance technology and federal oversight of transit operators, among other issues. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Pennsylvania Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced it is introducing inland and ocean marine insurance in Canada and has named Gord Rider as senior marine underwriter. We are pleased to welcome Gord to our team of marine specialists, said John Evans, vice president of Marine, BHSI. With Gord at the helm, BHSI in Canada has launched ocean marine products including ocean cargo, stock throughput and project cargo insurance as well as a full line of inland marine products. All of these products come with BHSIs hallmark clarity of coverage and formidable financial strength. Rider joins BHSI from Chubb Insurance Co. of Canada, where he was most recently senior marine underwriter. Before that, he was a marine underwriter at Chubb and at Coast Underwriters Ltd. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax. Rider is based in the Toronto office of BHSI and can be reached at gord.rider@bhspecialty.com and by telephone at +1.647.846.7811. Source: Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) Topics Canada New Markets Chubb XL Catlin announced the launch of a new environmental insurance solution in Ireland, which is tailored to address the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Guidance on Financial Provision for Environmental Liabilities. A key stipulation of the guidance, published in October 2015, is that general third party liability policies will not be acceptable as financial provision and instead introduces nine requirements for specialist environmental impairment liability policies, XL Catlin explained in a statement. The EPA requires licensed companies, which have financial provision built into their licenses, to put protections in place to safeguard against the financial impacts of pollution incidents, added the statement, noting that the financial provision is designed to better protect both the licensee and the public from the fallout of environmental accidents. We are very pleased to be able to launch this solution in Ireland, tailoring our coverage to comply with the guidance provided by the EPA last year, said Simon Harwood-Matthews, senior underwriter, Environmental Insurance. The coverage has been designed to address the specific requirements of the guidance, subject to underwriting of the licensee and the licensed activities, he added. Pollution incidents are very much a concern in Ireland today. Recently a slurry spill killed over 1,200 fish on the Owentaraglin River, disrupting local angling businesses, commented David Gallagher, XL Catlins country manager, Insurance, for Ireland. Given incidents such as this are still occurring, its encouraging to see the EPAs guidance takes measures to protect the public from the cost of a major incident and ensures the environment can be remediated in accordance with environmental law, Gallagher continued. Our coverage responds directly to the guidance and provides licensees with a viable and cost effective method to address the EPAs requirement for financial provisions. Source: XL Catlin Topics Pollution AXA XL Hamilton Re, the Bermuda-based platform of Hamilton Insurance Group, announced that Matthew Isaly has been appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president, head of Information Systems. Reporting to Chief Financial Officer Vanessa Hardy Pickering, Isaly works with Hamilton Res management team to set the direction of Hamilton Res core information systems and to execute the Bermuda operations IT vision, the company said in a statement. He is also leading the development, integration and implementation of core technologies in support of Hamilton Res strategic and operational goals. Hamilton Re aims to lead the way in leveraging data science and analytics to assess and price risk, said Hardy Pickering. As we continue our build-out of the technology capabilities that will support this goal, were delighted to have someone with the caliber of Matts breadth and depth of technology experience on our team. Isaly brings more than 20 years experience in the property and casualty insurance industry, working across multiple markets in the US, Canada, Bermuda and London. During the last 13 years, he held progressively senior positions at Xuber, an Xchanging Company recently acquired by CSC. Before leaving Xuber, Isaly was head of Product Strategy, North America, for Xuber software. In this role, he was responsible for providing functional and strategic input for what is considered to be one of the next generation commercial insurance and reinsurance software products. Prior to Xuber, Isaly was an IT manager at Houston Casualty Co., having been recruited from their accounting department. Isaly is a summa cum laude graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, Okla,, and holds a bachelors degree with an accounting major and a minor in information systems. He is also a certified public accountant. Source: Hamilton Re Insurance industry lobbying groups are speaking out against a proposed amendment to an Illinois statute that would give insurance regulators in that state more control over workers compensation rates. Illinois House Amendment 4 to SB 2901 would, among other things, require insurers to pre-file workers comp rates and allow insurance regulators to approve or disprove those rates; allow the director of the Illinois insurance department to require refunds to consumers in cases in which an insurer is found to be charging excessive rates; and allow the director to specify interim rates when an insurers rates are found to be excessive. Representing various insurance industry trade groups, Steve Schneider, Midwest region vice president for the American Insurance Association (AIA), testified against the proposed amendment before the before the Illinois House Labor and Commerce Committee. In addition to the AIA, the Illinois Insurance Association (IIA), the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) and the Property and Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) oppose the amendment. A statement released by the AIA said the amendment would throw out 35 years of successful workers compensation insurance regulation and impose government price controls on workers compensation insurers, and remove considerable flexibility for both insurers and their customers, Illinois businesses. Schneider said as proposed, SB 2901 not only establishes price controls, it contains provisions which essentially hide or cover-up an employers experience modification rating for repetitive or cumulative trauma claims filed by workers during their first 90 days of employment. This bill represents the wrong approach to workers compensation reform in Illinois. In considering reforms for the workers comp system, Schneider urged the legislature instead to look at subjects such as the costs of the dispensation of prescription drugs in non-pharmacy settings. He added that that the insurance industry stands ready to work with policymakers and regulators on improving the state workers compensation system to ensure that injured workers receive the proper care. SB 2901 is the antithesis to that approach. The 2016 Oregon Workers Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Summary, released in October, showed that Illinois had the eighth highest workers comp rates in the nation, with an index rate of 2.23 on Jan. 1, 2015, which is 121 percent of national median. Topics Carriers Workers' Compensation Market Illinois On a sunny November afternoon in St. Joseph, Missouri, birthplace of the Pony Express and death spot of Jesse James, Lauranda Mignery watched her son Kadin, 2, dig in their front yard. As he played, she scolded him for putting his fingers in his mouth. In explanation, she pointed to the peeling paint on her old house. Kadin, she said, has been diagnosed with lead poisoning. He has lots of company: Within 15 blocks of his house, at least 120 small children have been poisoned since 2010, making the neighborhood among the most toxic in Missouri, Reuters found as part of an analysis of childhood lead testing results across the country. In St. Joseph, even a local pediatricians children were poisoned. Last year, the city of Flint, Michigan, burst into the world spotlight after its children were exposed to lead in drinking water and some were poisoned. In the year after Flint switched to corrosive river water that leached lead from old pipes, 5 percent of the children screened there had high blood lead levels. Flint is no aberration. In fact, it doesnt even rank among the most dangerous lead hotspots in America. In all, Reuters found nearly 3,000 areas with recently recorded lead poisoning rates at least double those in Flint during the peak of that citys contamination crisis. And more than 1,100 of these communities had a rate of elevated blood tests at least four times higher. The poisoned places on this map stretch from Warren, Pennsylvania, a town on the Allegheny River where 36 percent of children tested had high lead levels, to a zip code on Goat Island, Texas, where a quarter of tests showed poisoning. In some pockets of Baltimore, Cleveland and Philadelphia, where lead poisoning has spanned generations, the rate of elevated tests over the last decade was 40-50 percent. Like Flint, many of these localities are plagued by legacy lead: crumbling paint, plumbing, or industrial waste left behind. Unlike Flint, many have received little attention or funding to combat poisoning. To identify these locations, Reuters examined neighborhood-level blood testing results, most of which have not been previously disclosed. The data, obtained from state health departments and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tracks poisoning rates among children tested in each location. The resulting portrait provides a granular look at places where decades-long U.S. efforts to stamp out lead poisoning have fallen short. The disparities youve found between different areas have stark implications, said Dr. Helen Egger, chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Centers Child Study Center. Where lead poisoning remains common, many children will have developmental delays and start out behind all the rest. In children up to age 6, the CDC threshold for an elevated blood lead level is 5 micrograms per deciliter. Any child who tests high warrants a public health response, the agency says; even a slight elevation can reduce IQ and stunt development. Nationwide, the CDC estimates that 2.5 percent of small children have elevated levels. In the communities identified by this analysis, a far higher rate of children who got tested had lead poisoning. In most cases, the local data covers a 5- or 10-year period through 2015. Reporters visited several of the trouble spots: a neighborhood with many rundown homes in South Bend, Indiana; a rural mining town in Missouris Lead Belt; the economically depressed North Side of Milwaukee. In each location, it was easy to find people whose lives have been impacted by lead exposure. While poverty remains a potent predictor of lead poisoning, the victims span the American spectrum poor and rich, rural and urban, black and white. Mapping Lead Hazards Most U.S. states disclose data on the percentage of child blood tests that show elevated levels of lead. Yet this data, often for statewide or county-wide populations, is too broad to identify neighborhoods where children face the greatest risk. Instead, Reuters sought testing data at the neighborhood level, in census tracts or zip code areas, submitting records requests to all 50 states. U.S. census tracts are small county subdivisions that average about 4,000 residents apiece. Zip codes have average populations of 7,500. In each area, a relatively small number of children are screened for lead poisoning each year. Reuters found 2,606 census tracts, and another 278 zip code areas, with a prevalence of lead poisoning at least twice Flints rate. The test results allow for local analysis, pinpointing neighborhoods whose lead poisoning problems may be obscured in broader surveys. For example: Across Maryland, 2 percent of childhood lead tests were high in recent years, just a small fraction of the rate in the worst-affected Baltimore tracts. In Flint, while 5 percent of children citywide tested with high blood lead levels, the highest rate was in the downtown zip code, where about 11 percent tested high. I hope this data spurs questions from the public to community leaders who can make changes, said epidemiologist Robert Walker, co-chair of the CDCs Lead Content Work Group, which analyzes lead poisoning nationwide. I would think that it would turn some heads. The findings, Walker said, will help inform the public about risks in their own neighborhoods and allow health officials to seek lead abatement grants in the most dangerous spots. There isnt much federal help available. Congress recently directed $170 million in aid to Flint. Thats 10 times the CDCs budget for assisting states with lead poisoning this year. The nationwide map constructed through this analysis has empty spaces: The available data includes 21 states, home to around 61 percent of the U.S. population. Health departments in some states didnt possess the data or respond to records requests. Others wouldnt share it, saying they werent required to, or citing patient privacy laws. Even with these gaps, the data shows that despite broad national progress in curbing poisoning, lead hazards continue to imperil many communities. Since the heavy metal was phased out from paint and gasoline in the late 1970s, childrens average blood lead levels have dropped by more than 90 percent. That success story masks a sober reality in neighborhoods where risk abatement has failed. The national mean doesnt mean anything for a kid who lives in a place where the risks are much higher, said Dr. Egger. Tiny Plumes Of Dust St. Joseph, Missouri, is filled with old homes that for a century featured lead paint and plumbing. From 2010 to 2015, more than 15 percent of children tested in seven census tracts here had elevated lead levels well beyond the Missouri average of 5 percent. Dr. Cynthia Brownfields family lives in a Victorian home on Museum Hill, overlooking City Hall. Built in the 1880s, it has restored tiger-stripe oak floors and an antique clawfoot bathtub. As a pediatrician, Brownfield treats lead-poisoned children. A decade ago, her children were among them. Soon after moving into the home in 2006, her two youngest daughters tested high. It was dramatically shocking to get a call from the health department, said Brownfield, who had sought to make her home safe. Inspectors found the homes old windows released tiny plumes of lead dust. There was lead in the tiles near the fireplace, the original stenciled wallpaper and the bathtub. The family did extensive work to fix the hazards. Residents take pride in preserving old homes, said St. Josephs community development manager, Gerald McCush. But many arent aware children can be poisoned during renovations. Others ignore explicit warnings. McCush, a certified lead inspector, says his office told one family that sanding paint off their walls was poisoning their son. The dad said we were full of baloney, he said. He wasnt going to stop working. The Mignery familys situation helps explain why problems persist. When Mignery moved into an old, affordable home, the mother of four was aware of dangers like street crime. She didnt know the neighborhood also had alarming rates of lead poisoning. Over the past five years, 20 percent of tested children in the census tract showed poisoning. At son Kadins one-year doctor visit, Mignery was told his lead levels were so high that, without quick intervention, he would need to be hospitalized. An inspector visited the home and found the culprit: old peeling lead paint. The family could only afford a partial fix. It wasnt easy having to repaint all the rooms downstairs, she said. We want to do the outside here, too. Children in at least 4 million U.S. households are exposed to high levels of lead, the CDC says. Messed Up In The Head Lead continues to plague many industrial cities in the Midwest. In Milwaukee last year, 11.5 percent of children tested had elevated lead. In a half dozen depressed North Side census tracts, about a third of tests showed poisoning from 2010 to 2014. One in 10 was highly elevated, at 10 micrograms per deciliter or more. Childhood poisoning victim Brandon, now 20, lives with his mother DeeDee in an old two-story home. The family agreed to meet a reporter but asked that their last names not be published, citing the stigma attached to lead poisoning. Across the street is the old rental house where, as a baby, Brandon was exposed to peeling lead paint. Health records show that before age 2, his levels reached nearly 10 times the current CDC threshold. He was hospitalized and received chelation treatment. The drugs remove heavy metals from the body and help prevent further damage, but once a child is exposed, the impact can be irreversible. Brandon, who is easily excited, was at turns cheerful and mournful during an interview. He never finished high school and hasnt held a job. He has cognitive impairment, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and outbursts of anger. He was recently arrested after a dispute with a convenience store clerk over soda pop, and is now on probation. Ever since I caught the lead, Ive been messed up in the head. I cant control my anger or feelings, Brandon said. I could have been better than I am. A mile away, in Milwaukees census tract 88, Isaiah Martin, 18 months old, recently ingested old paint in a family home and on the porch outside, where he loved to watch a neighbors dog. Isaiahs initial lead test, in June, showed a level four times higher than the CDC threshold. As a first-time mom, I freaked out, said Isaiahs mother, Shantrice, who moved her family to an apartment in another neighborhood. Milwaukees health department inspected Isaiahs old home and has monitored his lead testing. The citys poisoning rates remain high, but are improving as public health officials and outreach groups combat the problem. Federal law requires owners of homes built before 1978, when lead paint was banned, to disclose hazards to tenants or buyers. Pamphlets and warning statements, however, cant make the dwellings safe. Laws that can require owners to remediate lead from properties vary across the country. Milwaukee frequently takes legal action against slumlords who rent dangerous properties, said Health Commissioner Bevan Baker. He also said childhood blood screening has more than doubled in the city since the late 1990s. The city still has 135,000 prewar dwellings with lead paint, and 70,000 with lead water service lines. Most of its poisoning occurs in a few zip codes, where Baker says $50 million has been spent to protect children. We need to do more, said Baker. On a recent evening, hundreds of people lined up in a cold drizzle at Kosciuszko Park on Milwaukees south side, where poisoning rates are also high. The Sixteenth Street Clinic, a non-profit, was giving away tap-water filters. Among them was Rebeca Velazquez, a mother of five. Her 5-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with lead poisoning. I dont want to take a risk with her, Velazquez said, motioning to her youngest child, age 4 months. Toxic In Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia Like Brandon, many children with lead poisoning fall into a vicious cycle: Cognitive deficits breed poor school performance, high dropout rates, few job opportunities, and brushes with the law. Last year, one man mired in that cycle met a notorious end. At 25, Baltimore resident Freddie Gray sustained a fatal spinal cord injury in a police van, setting off months of tension in the city and fueling the national debate over policing in black communities. In the 1990s, starting at age 2, Gray lived in a row house in Baltimores Sandtown-Winchester area tainted with old lead paint, according to a 2008 lawsuit filed by Gray and his siblings against the propertys landlord. He was exposed and suffered developmental problems, the legal filings say. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount. Grays former home sits in an area where childrens lead exposure has persisted at shocking levels, testing data shows. In several nearby census tracts, elevated lead levels were found in between 25 percent and 40 percent of children tested from 2005 to 2015. Cleveland has similar problems. In the citys east side St. Clair-Superior area, nearly half of kids tested in the last decade had elevated lead. The state health department refused to provide census tract testing data; the news agency obtained the information from the CDC. Cleveland is my home, so its deeply personal every time we see new numbers on lead exposure in our neighborhoods, said U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Brown has pressed federal and state agencies to increase childhood blood testing rates and fund more lead abatement efforts. Pennsylvania has a dubious distinction. The state contains the most individual census tracts 1,100 in all where at least 10 percent of childhood lead tests were elevated over the last decade. In 49 different tracts, from inner city Philadelphia to capital Harrisburg, at least 40 percent of children tested had high lead. Those figures are disturbing but not surprising to health officials in the state. I believe that, said Dr. Loren Robinson, Pennsylvanias deputy secretary for health promotion and disease prevention. Beyond the history of industry, our state has some of the oldest homes in the country. The states health department has partnered with schools, daycare centers and nonprofits to remove lead from properties, and is working on drafting new municipal codes to ensure rental properties are free of lead hazards, Robinson said. Funding Dried Up Even in some of the highest risk areas around the country, many small children go untested for lead, Reuters reported in June. The gaps make tracking poisoned children more daunting. In South Bend, Indiana, where health officials face a cash crunch, lead testing is in sharp decline even as existing data points to a serious problem. In one tract there, 31 percent of small children tested from 2005 to 2015 had high levels more than six times Flints rate last year. The area, 1.5 miles southwest of the University of Notre Dames idyllic college campus, is home to about 250 children. Filled with old dwellings, it has one of the highest poverty rates in town. Dr. Luis Galup, a pathologist and the county health officer, said funds to tackle the problem in South Bend have dwindled. We are the lowest of the low in terms of public health funding, he said. Mayor Pete Buttigieg said the evidence that poisoning is widespread in parts of South Bend could cause public health administrators to seek more state funds or reallocate resources. Its an eye-opener, he said of the Reuters study. As a community with lots of low income residents and lots of old housing, were vulnerable The county health department does everything they can just to keep up with child immunizations and restaurant inspections. The county, with around 265,000 residents, has two nurses and one environmental inspector tasked with lead poisoning prevention. Thinly spread, they conduct home inspections only when a childs lead levels reach double the CDCs elevated threshold. Finding those children is getting harder. Housing and Urban Development grants that paid for South Bend lead testing ended in May. For years, the local Women, Infants and Children program, or WIC, conducted hundreds of childhood blood lead tests annually. That testing, which has stopped, relied on outside funds from HUD and others. South Bend pediatricians and the local Head Start program still order screenings, but many children go untested. I bet there are hardly any tests being done now, said WIC program director Sue Taylor. The funding dried up. Edward Brown Jr., 2, was first tested last year. Hed been living with his mother, Victoria Marshall, in a central South Bend home. An inspector found lead paint inside and contaminated soil outside. Marshall says Edwards blood lead reached 90 micrograms per deciliter. Levels that high can be life threatening, provoking seizures or coma. Edwards blood levels have receded since he was hospitalized for a week. Now in a new home, Edward danced around and shared applesauce with his baby sister. He has met many of the typical developmental milestones for his age. Still, Marshall worries. Hes got a lot of energy. Some people say he might have ADHD, she said. One-in-five cases of ADHD may be linked to lead poisoning, a recent American Academy of Pediatrics report concluded. Getting Leaded In Missouri, its a six hour drive southeast from St. Joseph to rural Viburnum in Iron County, situated in a mining district known as the Lead Belt. Viburnums tract had the sharpest rate of elevated childhood tests in the state, or 30 percent since 2010. Really? I didnt know about it, said Viburnum Mayor Johnny Setzer. Mark Yingling, an executive in charge of health and safety at The Doe Run Company, which operates nearby mining and smelting works, said the high rates were news to me. Doe Run deploys safety measures, Yingling said, such as washing all of its trucks that may come into contact with lead, and containing tailings and emissions. Lead workers shower and change outfits at the end of their shifts, to avoid tracking toxins into their homes. Health officials havent recently informed Doe Run of any local children with lead poisoning, he said. Iron Countys health department said it isnt required to provide such information, and never has. In fact, lead contamination in the community is pervasive. The Environmental Protection Agency has mandated so-called Superfund cleanups of two contaminated lead sites in and around Viburnum. And Doe Run and other mining firms are currently under federal orders to clean up lead contamination from 150 properties in the region and test the soil at 250 more. The order, issued by the EPA in June, says these activities should prioritize properties where children have had high lead tests. Among the spots the EPA ordered to be cleaned or tested: playgrounds, daycare yards or other places where small kids gather. For some locals, poisoning is a cost of living in this mining town. They use a colloquial term for the syndrome getting leaded. You can get very leaded, said Antonin Bohac, a mechanic at the nearby Brushy Creek Mine. But I make good money. Bohac said he was nearly taken off the job a few years ago after he was poisoned himself, with a lead level four times higher than what federal officials consider healthy for adults. (Editing by Ronnie Greene) Topics USA Pollution Missouri Pennsylvania A Michigan doctor accused of sexually abusing gymnasts has been hit with a new lawsuit by 18 women and girls who say they were molested by him, mostly at his clinic at Michigan State University. The lawsuit against Dr. Larry Nassar was filed on Jan. 10 in federal court in western Michigan. It also names Michigan State and USA Gymnastics. Nassar was affiliated with the group. Rachael Denhollander of Kentucky says she was sexually assaulted by Nassar in 2000 when she was 15. The Associated Press usually doesnt name people who allege sexual abuse, but Denhollander is talking publicly about the lawsuit. Nassar now faces at least five lawsuits. Through lawyers, hes denied the allegations. Hes also charged with possessing child pornography and sexually assaulting a girl at his Lansing-area home. Nassar is in jail without bond. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Michigan Jon Corzine, former New Jersey governor and Goldman Sachs co-chairman, will pay a $5 million civil fine to settle a U.S. regulators lawsuit over the 2011 collapse of his commodity brokerage, MF Global Holdings Ltd. Thursdays accord with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission resolves the last piece of litigation against Corzine over MF Globals rapid descent into bankruptcy on Oct. 31, 2011, as an estimated $1.6 billion of customer money went missing. The agreement, which has been approved by a federal judge, bars Corzine from ever working for a futures commission merchant or registering with the CFTC. He also cannot ask insurers to cover the fine. I am pleased to have reached this settlement, Corzine, who turned 70 on Jan. 1, said in a statement. As the CEO of MF Global in 2011, I have accepted responsibility for its failure, and I deeply regret the impact it had on customers, employees, shareholders and others. Andrew Levander, Corzines lawyer, noted that none of the criminal and civil probes into MF Globals demise led to charges that Corzine engaged in intentional misconduct or fraud. In a related settlement, Edith OBrien, MF Globals former assistant treasurer, agreed to pay a $500,000 civil fine and accept an 18-month industry ban to resolve claims that she aided and abetted the misuse of customer funds. OBriens lawyer, Christopher Barber, declined to comment. The CFTC said MF Global improperly used nearly $1 billion of customer funds to shore up liquidity during the last week of October 2011, rather than keep the funds separate. This commingling occurred as margin calls, credit rating downgrades and Corzines big wager on European sovereign debt left customers and investors increasingly worried about the New York-based companys survival. The CFTC said Corzine failed to properly supervise employees handling customer funds, while OBrien authorized the illegal transfer of customer funds to MF Global accounts as the specter of bankruptcy loomed. Customers were fully repaid in 2014. Corzine and other former MF Global executives last year reached a $132 million settlement with a trustee liquidating the company on behalf of creditors. A year earlier, executives reached a $64.5 million settlement of separate investor litigation. Portions of the earlier payouts were covered by insurance. Corzine, a Democrat, is also a former U.S. senator, and now manages his own money. He said he plans to focus on issues that have always been important in my life: my family, community and philanthropic causes, and markets. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Related: Topics USA President Barack Obamas departing chief trade negotiator warned the Trump administration on Tuesday that it risked abdicating U.S. leadership in Asia by scrapping Obamas 12-country Pacific Rim free trade deal. Michael Froman, in excerpts of his final speech as U.S. Trade Representative, said he agreed with Trumps plan to take a tough stance on trade with China, adding that the Obama administration has filed 15 challenges to that countrys practices at the World Trade Organization over eight years. But he said withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement would create a vacuum that China would fill as it draws countries into its own free trade deal. There simply is no way to reconcile a get-tough-on-China policy with withdrawing from TPP, Froman in remarks to the Washington International Trade Association. That would be the biggest gift any U.S. president could give China, one with broad and deep consequences, economic and strategic. The U.S. Congress has not approved the TPP, which the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico and eight other countries agreed upon in October 2015. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to issue a formal notice of withdrawal from TPP on Jan. 20, his first day in office. He frequently criticized the trade deal during his campaign, calling it a rape of our country. Froman said withdrawing would abdicate U.S. leadership in the Asia-Pacific region and effectively push traditional U.S. allies in the region into Chinas arms. China is negotiating a 16-country trade bloc that he said would set lower standards for labor, the environment, intellectual property rights, internet freedom and other key areas. It would be a strategic miscalculation of enormous proportions, said Froman, who spent all eight years of the Obama administration, both as a White House deputy national security adviser and as USTR, working to promote and negotiate the TPP deal. Why would we cede our role as a Pacific power? he said. Does anyone really think U.S. interests are better served if China, rather than the U.S., writes the rules of the road? Without the TPP, he said, new export opportunities would be lost and current export market share would be eroded. Fromans successor will be Robert Lighthizer, a veteran Washington trade lawyer who has taken a more protectionist route, working through the Commerce Department to erect tariffs to benefit the U.S. steel industry and other manufacturers. Lighthizer was deputy USTR in the Reagan administration at a time when the United States took a tougher stance against a flood of imports from Japan. (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn) Topics USA China An 85-year-old Surry County man who died from prolonged exposure to cold is North Carolinas second fatality from the winter storm, state officials said Monday as the bitter cold dug into the state for another day. The man died Monday after falling outside his home and being exposed to the cold, Gov. Roy Cooper said in a news release. On Sunday, a woman died in Montgomery County when the car in which she was riding hit a tree. Meanwhile, officials say the State Highway Patrol responded to 1,650 accidents and more than 3,600 calls for service from Friday evening through Monday morning. Cooper said 63 of 115 school districts closed Monday while several others opened late. The closings and delays continued into Tuesday and included Wake County, the states largest school district. Power outages hit a peak of about 30,200 and had dropped to about 1,600 customers Monday, the governor said. The state of emergency that Cooper declared for the entire state expired at noon Tuesday when temperatures were expected to get above freezing. Lows fell into the single digits in the early-morning hours of Monday in western North Carolina locations such as Boone and Jefferson. The National Weather Service also reported single-digit temperatures in Ahoskie in northeastern North Carolina and in the central part of the state, including Salisbury and Burlington. The executive order for the state of emergency was issued Friday for all 100 counties to allow authorities to move heavy equipment around the state to prepare for and respond to the storm. Two hikers and a dog were among those rescued during the storm. In Haywood County, two day-hikers who had lost their way in the Shining Rock Wilderness area were rescued on Sunday by search teams. Dozens of search and rescue technicians covered thousands of acres on foot Friday and Saturday looking for the lost pair. A State Highway Patrol helicopter with thermal infrared equipment located the hikers, and an N.C. Heloaquatic Rescue Team pulled them off the mountain in an N.C. National Guard helicopter. In Orange County, rescuers saved a dog named Petey who fell into water near Mebane. Pete was struggling to keep his head above water about 30 feet to 40 feet from shore, local media outlets reported. Rescuers broke a path in the ice and pulled Petey into a boat. Its unknown exactly how long Petey was in the water. Topics Windstorm North Carolina A California community college has paid a $28,000 ransom after a hacker took student data hostage. The Los Angeles Daily News reported that 1,800 Los Angeles Valley College teachers and staff were locked out of their computers last week, leaving the data of 20,000 students compromised. College administrators elected to pay the $28,000 ransom in bitcoins rather than leave students without their data. Officials say it was ultimately cheaper to pay the ransom than to remove the unidentified ransomware virus. Computer systems throughout the Valley Glen campus suffered a data breach on Dec. 30 and administrators decided to pay the hackers last week. The Los Angeles Sheriffs Department is investigating the cyber-attack. Related: Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Cyber Education Universities Court rulings have forced the German legislator to amend CFC rules relating to passive income The respective "Act for the implementation of the amendments of the EU Administrative Cooperation Directive and of further measures to counter base erosion and profit shifting" passed the lower house of Parliament (Bundestag) on July 13 2016. Subsequently, the upper house of Parliament (Bundesrat) representing Germany's Federal States basically agreed with the draft act, but proposed some changes to some rules already contained in it and suggested some additions to the draft act. The draft act is a first step of the German tax legislator to implement the outcome of the OECD's BEPS Action Plan into German domestic tax law. This article discusses the main changes and their impact on multinational companies. Trade tax treatment of passive income derived by a CFC In view of the relatively high effective tax rate in Germany and the territorial system with an exemption for corporate recipients of dividend income, German rules on controlled foreign companies (CFCs) play a significant role in the German tax system. These rules aim at subjecting income generated in a foreign country to German tax, provided certain criteria are met. In brief, under 7-14 FTA the criteria for the CFC rules to apply are significant shareholding by German taxpayers (in general >50%), passive income of the CFC and low taxation of the income in the foreign country. This tax reduction has formed an interesting planning tool for multinational companies. If these criteria are met, the income generated by the CFC is included in the tax base of the German shareholder(s). Technically, the income inclusion is made by way of allocating the income generated by the CFC to its German shareholder(s) in proportion of their shareholding. The German tax authorities used to hold the view that this income inclusion was to apply both for corporate income as well as trade tax purposes. However, in its decision dated March 11 2015 the Federal Tax Court came to the conclusion that CFC income should be excluded from the trade tax base in Germany. The rationale for this conclusion was that despite the allocation of the income generated by the CFC to its German shareholder the income is still generated outside of Germany. The German trade tax, however, generally only applies to income generated within Germany. Consequently, CFC income is to be subjected to German corporate income tax and solidarity surcharge (total 15.825%), but not to trade tax (amounting between 7% and 17%). Obviously, the German legislator did not like the outcome of the respective court proceeding. Therefore, the draft act includes an amendment of the CFC rules: In the future, any CFC income will be deemed to be derived within Germany despite its actual source, thus subjecting it to trade tax as well. In order to avoid this, structures would have to be adjusted to avoid German CFC rules. Trade tax treatment of passive income derived by a foreign PE or partnership In general, any income generated by a German company through a foreign permanent establishment (PE) is under most of the double tax treaties (DTTs) exempt from German taxation (exemption method). German tax laws contain some unilaterally applicable clauses (switch-over clauses) according to which this exemption is replaced by an inclusion of income combined with a crediting of foreign taxes (credit method). One switch-over clause can be found in 20 (2) FTA. Under this rule the exemption method is not to be used if any income of a foreign PE was subject to CFC income inclusion (see above) had the PE been a CFC. In other words, it is assumed that the PE/partnership is a CFC to which 7-14 FTA apply. Under the today's laws, however, the switch-over clause does not have any effect on the determination of the trade tax base. The respective income, albeit passive in nature, is still to be seen as being derived in a non-German PE with the consequence that for trade tax purposes it is to be exempted. Technically, this exemption is done by way of abatement from the tax base either under 9 No. 2 TTA (profits of a partnership) or under 9 No. 3 TTA (profits of a non-German PE). The ATAD will play a significant roles on the further development of German tax law Again, the German legislator did not like this outcome and included a change in the draft act. In the future, CFC income derived in a non-German PE or partnership is deemed to be generated in a German PE with the effect that it is subject to trade tax. This applies regardless of the existence of any DTT, i.e. irrespective of whether or not a treaty provides for the exemption method. However, it is not supposed to apply in cases where the foreign PE or partnership meet the Cadbury Schweppes test by own genuine economic activities relating to the passive income (8 (2) FTA). The draft rules do not appear to be very well considered, and their application is likely to encounter some difficulty. This is because of the German taxation concept for partnerships: The tax base is not only formed out of the profits derived by the partnership as such, but also includes, for instance, any payments by the partnership to its partners for the use of assets owned by the partners or services provided by the partners to the partnership. In line with this, any compensation incurred by a partner relating to the respective assets and services as well as the investment in the partnership in general (i.e. interest from the refinancing of capital contribution) is deductible at partnership level. These so-called special business items are typically added back or deducted at a second-level profit determination. In view of this, it is unclear how far the fiction under 20 (2) FTA and the application of 7-14 FTA are supposed to go under the draft rules. Either the taxation concept for partnerships remains relevant with the consequence that all expenses of a partner relating to the partnership are to be deducted from the profit subject to the draft rules; or for purposes of the draft rules the partnership is to be treated as company with the effect that any compensation by the partnership to its partners is to be deducted from the profits subject to the new rules. Therefore, the Upper House has requested that it be analysed in the course of the further legislative process to tighten the draft rules such that the profit determination becomes clearer. The background for this request is that a number of German-headquartered companies have used non-German partnerships for IP optimisation. These structures may without according adjustment no longer lead to the desired result in the future. The same applies to some structures used for the avoidance of trade tax on the renting out of real property or finance income. Trade tax treatment of dividends received in fiscal unity Dividend income of a German corporation is typically tax exempt in Germany. However, 5% of dividend income is treated as a non-deductible item which is added back to the income, leading to an effective tax exemption of 95% for both corporate income tax and trade tax purposes. The tax exemption for trade tax purposes follows a relatively complex approach. Generally, dividends are deducted from the tax base by way of specific abatement if certain prerequisites are fulfilled. However, the initial amount for the trade tax base is the income determined for corporate income tax purposes. In case of a stand-alone company, the 95% dividend income exemption for the determination of this income is already factored in. Therefore, for trade tax purposes, no (further) abatement occurs. Within a fiscal unity the income determination for corporate income tax purposes takes place individually at the level of each entity of the group, but the dividend income tax exemption is (cumulatively) applied at the level of the parent. Hence, at subsidiary level the dividend income is fully included in the initial trade tax base. Therefore, on 17 December 2014 the Federal Tax Court decided that dividend income is to be fully deducted from the trade tax base; hence, no 5% add-back for non-deductible items is to be made for trade tax purposes. As a result, dividends can be derived in a fiscal unity with an effective tax rate of approximately 0.8% (as opposed to 1.6% depending on the trade tax multiplier applied by the municipality where the recipient's residence is situated). Bearing the high amounts at stake, this (albeit small) tax reduction has formed an interesting planning tool for multinational companies. Again, the German legislator did not like the outcome of the court proceeding. The draft act therefore includes a change of the German Trade Tax Act in order to also subject the dividend income derived by a fiscal unity subsidiary to the 5% add-back. The rules are difficult to read and lack clarity as to their concrete scope and mechanics. Therefore, the Upper House requested that the respective rules be redrafted. Nonetheless, the German legislator's goal remains unchanged: that in the future it should no longer be possible to benefit from the trade tax loophole for dividends received by a fiscal unity subsidiary. In order to achieve a similar trade tax benefit, other structuring alternatives will need to be chosen. Adjustment of unilateral switch-over clause The German tax laws, inter alia, contain a unilateral switch-over clause relevant for DTT cases where, under the provisions of the treaty, German income is to be exempted from tax but due to a different interpretation of the respective DTT in the source country likewise is tax exempt or taxable at a reduced tax rate only. In these cases of qualification conflict, the laws prescribe, by way of treaty overriding, that the exemption method be replaced by the credit method in order to avoid double taxation. The German tax authorities used to hold the view that this switch-over ought to apply if the entire income was subject to the qualification conflict, but also if only items of the income remained untaxed or taxed at a low rate. However, in two recent decisions (both dated 20 May 2015) the Federal Tax Court refused to apply the switch-over to items of income only. In order to counter these decisions, the draft act includes a clarification that the switch-over clause applies even if only parts/items of the income are not subject to tax or subject to a low tax in the source country. The same is supposed to apply to switch-over clauses provided in DTTs. Treatment of special business expenses As mentioned above, Germany follows a specific taxation concept for partnerships; business expenses of a partner may, under certain circumstances, be deductible at partnership level. This fact has often been used for German inbound planning in order to create deductions without inclusions in a foreign country or double deductions. In its reply to the draft act presented by the Lower House, the Upper House included a draft rule aiming at a prevention of double deduction situations. In view of the recently proposed adjustment of the European Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) it is not clear whether this rule will actually be included in the final tax act. Furthermore, given the limited scope of the draft rule, there appears to be sufficient leeway to identify structuring approaches not affected by it. Taxation of capital gains on share investments in real property companies Finally, the Upper House included in its recommendations that a further tax event be incorporated into German tax laws covering any capital gain in case of a disposal by a non-German taxpayer of shares in a German company that predominately (more than 50%) owns domestic real property. This proposal is in line with an according allocation of taxation rights under the DTTs recently concluded by Germany, and is in line with the OECD model tax treaty. Historically, Germany's domestic tax laws lacked the taxation of such gains with the result that the allocation of taxation rights under an according DTT was without effect. In the future, therefore, foreign taxpayers investing directly or indirectly in German companies which own real property should bear in mind that German taxes might be triggered in case of a disposal. While corporate investors should benefit from a tax exemption of (effectively) 95%, the remaining 5% may be subject to German tax. It should be considered to structure the investment in a way to avoid that the 50% threshold is passed. Outlook: More to come! As mentioned, the draft act constitutes a first step of the German tax legislator towards implementation of the BEPS Actions into German domestic tax law. It is quite clear that the draft act covers only a part of the measures proposed by the OECD. In particular, the European ATAD and its implementation into local laws will play a significant role on the further development of the German tax law. While many measures included in the ATAD are already generally covered by the German tax laws, an incorporation of anti-hybrid mismatch rules will be a particularly important additional measure. German tax laws continue to be on the move. Claus Jochimsen DLA Piper Tel. +49 89 2323 72 190 Email: claus.jochimsen@dlapiper.com Claus Jochimsen is a tax principal and leader of the German tax group at DLA Piper in Germany. He has a broad experience in international tax projects, in particular in planning and implementation of cross-border reorganisations. He advises international clients (both German and foreign headquartered) with respect to their inbound and outbound investments. Claus studied economics at the Freie Universitat in Berlin and was on a tour of duty in the US from 2004 to 2006, based in New York. He is a frequent author and speaker on various matters related to German and international taxation. McClellan was also a senior policy and technical adviser to two chairmen of the Committee during his time there. He has a wealth of experience in government, having served as lead counsel on the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002, the FSC Repeal and Extraterritorial Income Exclusion Act of 2000, and the Tax Relief Act of 2001. At Covington, he will be a part of the tax and public policy and government affairs practice groups. His tax knowledge covers international and domestic corporate taxation, accounting methods, redomiciliations, financial services, capital gains, dividend taxation, financial products, REITs and corporate integration. In private practice, McLellan most recently worked for PwC, joining in 2007. His first job after leaving government in 2005 came when he joined Alston & Bird. Earlier in his career he worked for Baker & Mckenzie, KPMG and in-house. Billionaires play an outsized role in shaping the global economy, politics, and philanthropy. Forbes puts the number of billionaires in the world at 2,668 in 2022. The wealthiest among them belong to an even more exclusive club and wield still more power. Many of these billionaires are founders of technology giants, with much of their wealth still invested in the companies they started. They can, however, still borrow against that wealth to avoid selling stock, deferring (or eliminating for heirs) taxes on unrealized capital gains in the process. Multi-billionaires can also take advantage of a panoply of tax deductions to offset reported income, leaving some on this list paying no income tax in recent years. With so much of their wealth in publicly traded stocks, the net worth of the richest can fluctuate with market valuations. For example, Elon Musk, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Tesla (TSLA) and the richest person in the world, saw his net worth surge in 2021 thanks to the increase in the share price of Tesla Tesla shares rose nearly 50% in 2021. He currently owns 16% of the company. His net worth as of September 2022 was $241 billion. In contrast, Meta Platforms (META) founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg fell out of the top 10 in February 2022, when the company's share price plunged after a disappointing earnings report. Zuckerberg's net worth was reported to be $36.1 billion in November 2022. Below are the 10 wealthiest people on the planet as of the same date, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. All figures are current as of Nov. 1, 2022, unless otherwise stated. Key Takeaways Elon Musk, the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, is the richest person in the world with a net worth of $203 billion. Behind Musk is the LVMH chair and CEO Bernard Arnault. Other billionaires with some of the largest net worths include India's Gautam Adani, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Microsoft's Bill Gates. Billionaires with the largest increases in their wealth in 2022 included Musk and LVMH Chair and CEO Bernard Arnault. Six of the top 10 billionaires made their fortunes in technology, with Arnault, Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett, Adani Group founder Gautam Adani, and Reliance Industry's Mukesh Ambani being the exceptions. Meta's Mark Zuckerberg dropped off the top 10 list in February 2022. 1. Elon Musk Age: 51 51 Residence: Texas Texas Co-founder and CEO: Tesla Tesla Net Worth: $203 billion $203 billion Tesla Ownership Stake: 15% ($90.6 billion) 15% ($90.6 billion) Other Assets: Space Exploration Technologies ($46.9 billion private asset), The Boring Company ($3.33 billion private asset), Twitter ($16.2 billion public asset) Elon Musk was born in South Africa and attended a university in Canada before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned bachelor's degrees in physics and economics. Two days after enrolling in a graduate physics program at Stanford University, Musk deferred attendance to launch Zip2, one of the earliest online navigation services. He reinvested a portion of the proceeds from this startup to create X.com, the online payment system that was sold to eBay (EBAY) and ultimately became PayPal Holdings (PYPL). In 2004, Musk became a major funder of Tesla Motors (now Tesla), which led to his current position as CEO of the electric vehicle company. In addition to its line of electric automobiles, Tesla produces energy storage devices, automobile accessories, and, through its acquisition of SolarCity in 2016, solar power systems. Musk is also CEO and chief engineer of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), a developer of space launch rockets. In 2020, Tesla shares soared 740% to propel Musk up the wealth rankings. In December 2020, Tesla joined the S&P 500, becoming the largest company added. In January 2021, Musk became the richest person in the worlda title he's held since then. Image courtesy Getty Images/Saul Martinez. Musk asked his Twitter (TWTR) audience on Nov. 6, 2021, whether he should sell 10% of his Tesla stock, framing the issue as a response to criticism of unrealized capital gains as a means of avoiding taxes. He proceeded to sell shares worth $16.4 billion over the remainder of 2021. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, cited a media report that Musk paid no income tax for 2018 to argue for the adoption of a wealth tax. "And if you opened your eyes for 2 seconds, you would realize I will pay more taxes than any American in history this year," Musk responded on Twitter. Thanks to the surge in Tesla shares in 2021 and private transactions boosting the reported valuation of SpaceX, Musk's lead in the global wealth rankings has continued to grow. His net worth hit a high of $340 billion in November 2021. In April 2022, Musk began a campaign to take Twitter private, which culminated in a $44 billion buyout. Musk planned to fund the deal with $21 billion of his own capital. In the run-up to the buyout announcement, Musk sold 9.6 million shares of Tesla, valued at roughly $8.5 billion. In July 2022, Musk decided to back out of the Twitter buyout. Twitter filed a lawsuit against Musk to force the buyout to go through. Musk countersued the company but then reversed course and declared he was willing to buy Twitter after all. The deal officially closed in October 2022, giving him an almost 80% stake in the company. 2. Bernard Arnault Age: 73 73 Residence: Paris Paris CEO and Chair: LVMH (LVMUY) LVMH (LVMUY) Net Worth: $138 billion $138 billion Christian Dior Ownership Stake: 97.5% ($109 billion total) 97.5% ($109 billion total) Other Assets: Moelis & Company equity ($20.9 billion public asset), Hermes equity (undisclosed stake), and $8.85 billion in cash French national Bernard Arnault is the chair and CEO of LVMH, the worlds largest luxury goods company. LVMH brands include Louis Vuitton, Hennessey, Marc Jacobs, and Sephora. Most of Arnault's wealth comes from his massive stake in Christian Dior SE, the holding company that controls 41.2% of LVMH. His shares in Christian Dior SE, plus an additional 6.2% in LVMH, are held through his family-owned holding company, Groupe Familial Arnault. An engineer by training, Arnault first showed his business acumen while working for his fathers construction firm, Ferret-Savinel, taking charge of the company in 1971. He converted Ferret-Savinel to a real estate company named Ferinel Inc. in 1979. Image courtesy Getty/Christophe Morin. Arnault remained Ferinel's chair for another six years, until he acquired and reorganized luxury goods maker Financiere Agache in 1984, eventually selling all its holdings other than Christian Dior and Le Bon Marche. He was invited to invest in LVMH in 1987 and became the majority shareholder, chair of the board, and CEO of the company two years later. 3. Gautam Adani Age: 60 60 Residence: Gurgaon, India Gurgaon, India Founder and Chair: Adani Group Adani Group Net Worth: $125 billion $125 billion Adani Enterprises, Power. and Transmissions Ownership Stakes: 75% each ($72.24 billion) 75% each ($72.24 billion) Other Assets: 65% of Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone ($12.1 billion public asset), 61% of Adani Green Energy ($23.8 billion public asset), 37% of Adani Total Gas ($17.9 billion public asset) Gautam Adani, the founder of Adani Group, surpassed Mukesh Ambani in March 2022 as the richest person in Asia. Through his ownership of the Adani Group, Adani owns major stakes in six key Indian companies, including a 75% stake in Adani Enterprises, Adani Power, and Adani Transmissions, as well as a 65% stake in Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, 61% stake in Adani Green Energy, and 37% stake in Adani Total Gas. The combined market capitalization of companies owned by the Adani Group is $246.8 billion (as of Nov. 1, 2022). Adani entered the power generation market in 2009 with Adani Power. Adani created Adani Enterprises in 1988 to import and export commodities. In 1994, his company was granted approval to develop a harbor facility at Mundra Port, which is now the largest private port in India. Adani dropped out of college and previously worked in the diamond trade. Adani now has the largest port operator, closely-held thermal coal producer, and coal trader in India. In 2020, he purchased a 74% stake in Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, India's second-busiest airport. The billionaire was kidnapped and held for ransom in 1997. Adani was also in Mumbais Taj hotel during the 2008 terrorist attack. 4. Jeff Bezos Age: 58 58 Residence: Washington Washington Founder and Executive Chair: Amazon (AMZN) Amazon (AMZN) Net Worth: $126 billion $126 billion Amazon Ownership Stake: 10% ($102 billion) 10% ($102 billion) Other Assets: Blue Origin ($9.15 billion private asset), The Washington Post ($250 million private asset), and $14.1 billion in cash In 1994, Jeff Bezos founded Amazon.com in a garage in Seattle, shortly after he resigned from the hedge fund giant D.E. Shaw. He had originally pitched the idea of an online bookstore to his former boss David E. Shaw, who wasnt interested. Though Amazon originally started out selling books, it has since morphed into a one-stop shop for everything under the sun and is expected to overtake Walmart as the worlds largest retailer by 2024. Amazon's pattern of constant diversification is evident in some of its unexpected expansions, which include acquiring Whole Foods in 2017 and entering the pharmacy business the same year. Bezos owned as much as 16% of Amazon in 2019 before transferring 4% to his former wife MacKenzie Scott as part of their divorce proceedings. In 2020, Amazons share price jumped 76% on the heightened demand for online shopping amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 5, 2021, Bezos stepped down as CEO of the e-commerce giant, becoming its executive chair. Image courtesy Getty Images/Alex Wong. Bezos originally took Amazon public in 1997 and went on to become the first man since Bill Gates in 1999 to achieve a net worth of more than $100 billion. Bezos other projects include aerospace company Blue Origin, The Washington Post (which he purchased in 2013), and the 10,000-year clockalso known as the Long Now. On July 20, 2021, Bezos, his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and Dutch student Oliver Daemen completed Blue Origin's first successful crewed flight, reaching an altitude of more than 66 miles before landing safely. Bezos' wealth peaked at $211 billion in the same month. 5. Bill Gates Age: 67 67 Residence: Washington Washington Co-founder: Microsoft (MSFT) Microsoft (MSFT) Net Worth: $111 billion $111 billion Microsoft Ownership Stake: 1.3% ($23.9 billion) 1.3% ($23.9 billion) Other Assets: Cascade Investment LLC ($51.66 billion public assets), $54 billion in cash While attending Harvard University in 1975, Bill Gates went to work alongside his childhood friend Paul Allen to develop new software for the original microcomputers. Following this projects success, Gates dropped out of Harvard during his junior year and founded Microsoft with Allen. The largest software company in the world, Microsoft also produces a line of personal computers, provides email services through its Exchange server, and sells video game systems and associated game devices. It has recently invested heavily in cloud services. Gates shifted from the company's CEO to the role of board chair in 2008. He joined Berkshire Hathaways board in 2004. He stepped down from both boards on March 13, 2020. Bill Gates has much of his net worth in Cascade Investment LLC. Cascade is a privately-held investment vehicle that owns a variety of stocks including Canadian National Railway (CNR), Deere (DE), and Republic Services (RSG), as well as private investments in real estate and energy. Image courtesy Getty Images/Jack Taylor. In 2000, Gates' two philanthropic organizationsthe William H. Gates Foundation and the Gates Learning Foundationmerged to create the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, still co-chaired by Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates. Through the foundation, they have spent billions to fight polio and malaria. The foundation pledged $50 million in 2014 to help fight Ebola. As of 2021, the foundation had spent more than $1.9 billion to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2010, alongside Warren Buffett, Bill Gates launched the Giving Pledge, a campaign encouraging the wealthy to commit to donating most of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Bill and Melinda French Gates divorced on Aug. 2, 2021. With the divorce, roughly $5 billion in equities was transferred to French Gates. Bill Gates is the largest private owner of farmland in the U.S. with over 268,000 acres. 6. Warren Buffett Age: 92 92 Residence: Nebraska Nebraska CEO: Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) Net Worth: $103 billion $103 billion Berkshire Hathaway Ownership Stake: 16% ($102 billion) 16% ($102 billion) Other Assets: $1.05 billion in cash The most famous living value investor, Warren Buffett filed his first tax return in 1944 at age 14, declaring earnings from his boyhood paper route. He first bought shares in a textile company called Berkshire Hathaway in 1962, becoming the majority shareholder by 1965. Buffett expanded the company's holdings to insurance and other investments in 1967. Berkshire Hathaway is now a $657 billion-dollar market cap company, with a single share of stock (Class A shares) trading at more than $443,841 as of Nov. 1, 2022. Widely known as the Oracle of Omaha, Buffett is a buy-and-hold investor who built his fortune by acquiring undervalued companies. More recently, Berkshire Hathaway has invested in large, well-known companies. Its portfolio of wholly owned subsidiaries includes interests in insurance, energy distribution, and railroads as well as consumer products. Buffett is a notable Bitcoin skeptic. Image courtesy Getty Images/Alex Wong. Buffett has dedicated much of his wealth to philanthropy. Between 2006 and 2020, he gave away $41 billionmostly to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and his childrens charities. Buffett launched the Giving Pledge alongside Bill Gates in 2010. Now 92 years old, Buffett still serves as CEO, but in 2021 he hinted that his successor might be Gregory Abel, head of Berkshires non-insurance operations. 7. Larry Ellison Age: 78 78 Residence: Hawaii Hawaii Co-founder, Chair, and CTO: Oracle (ORCL) Oracle (ORCL) Net Worth: $93.7 billion $93.7 billion Oracle Ownership Stake: 40%+ ($65.6 billion) 40%+ ($65.6 billion) Other Assets: Tesla equity ($10.2 billion public asset), $17.2 billion in cash and real estate Larry Ellison was born in New York City to a 19-year-old single mother. After dropping out of the University of Chicago in 1966, Ellison moved to California and worked as a computer programmer. In 1973, he joined the electronics company Ampex, where he met future partners Ed Oates and Bob Miner. Three years later, Ellison moved to Precision Instruments, serving as the companys vice president of research and development. In 1977, Ellison founded Software Development Laboratories alongside Oates and Miner. Two years later, the company released Oracle, the first commercial relational database program to use Structured Query Language. The database program proved so popular that SDL would change its name to Oracle Systems Corporation in 1982. Ellison gave up the CEO role at Oracle in 2014 after 37 years. He joined Tesla's board in December 2018 and stepped down in June 2022. Oracle is the world's second-largest software company, providing a wide variety of cloud computing programs as well as Java and Linux code and the Oracle Exadata computing platform. Oracle has acquired numerous large companies, including human resources management systems provider PeopleSoft in 2005, customer relationship management applications provider Siebel in 2006, enterprise infrastructure software provider BEA Systems in 2008, and hardware-and-software developer Sun Microsystems in 2009. In December 2021, Oracle agreed to buy medical records software provider Cerner (CERN) for $28.3 billion in cash. Long known for extravagant spending, Ellison has invested heavily in luxury real estate over the last decade. Perhaps his single most impressive acquisition was the $300 million purchase of nearly the entire Hawaiian island of Lanai in 2012, where the billionaire has lived since 2020. Ellison has built a hydroponics farm and a luxury spa on the island. Ellison has focused his philanthropy on medical research. In 2016, he gave $200 million to the University of Southern California for a new cancer research center. Ellison backed the Oracle Team USA sailing team, which won the America's Cup racing series in 2010 and 2013. 8. Larry Page Age: 49 49 Residence: California California Co-founder and Board Member: Alphabet (GOOG) Alphabet (GOOG) Net Worth: $87.8 billion $87.8 billion Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($73.7 billion total) 6% ($73.7 billion total) Other Assets: $14.1 billion in cash Like several of the tech billionaires on this list, Larry Page embarked on his path to fame and fortune in a college dorm room. While attending Stanford University in 1995, Page and his friend Sergey Brin came up with the idea of improving internet data extraction. The duo devised a new search engine technology they dubbed Backrub after its ability to assess links to a page. From there, Page and Brin went on to found Google in 1998, with Page serving as CEO of the company until 2001, and again between 2011 and 2019. Google is the world's dominant internet search engine, accounting for more than 92% of global search requests. In 2006, the company purchased YouTube, the top platform for user-submitted videos. After acquiring Android in 2005, Google released the Android mobile phone operating system in 2008. Google reorganized in 2015, becoming a subsidiary of Alphabet, a holding company. Image courtesy Getty Images/Justin Sullivan. Page was among early investors in Planetary Resources, a space exploration and asteroid-mining company. Established in 2009, the company was acquired by blockchain firm ConsenSys in 2018 amid funding problems. He has also shown an interest in flying car companies, investing in both Kitty Hawk and Opener. Shares of Google soared almost 50% in 2021, moving Page and Brin up the billionaire list. Page's net worth went from just below $52 billion in March 2020 to the current $87.8 billion. 9. Mukesh Ambani Age: 65 65 Residence: Mumbai, India Mumbai, India Owner: Reliance Industries Reliance Industries Net Worth: $87.6 billion $87.6 billion Reliance Ownership Stake: 42% ($84.2 billion total) 42% ($84.2 billion total) Other Assets: $410 million in real estate Mukesh Ambani is the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, the world's largest oil refiner and one of the world's most valuable companies. The conglomerate was founded by Ambani's father, Dhirubhai Ambani in 1966 as a textiles company and is now one of the leading segments of India's economy. Reliance's operations include oil and gas, petrochemicals, refining, retail, and media. Prodip Guha/Getty Images. About half of Ambani's wealth is derived from his stake in Reliance, which amounts to 42% of the public company. He owns Antilia, a real estate complex in Mumbai that's worth $410 million. Ambani also owns the Mumbai Indians, a professional cricket team. In 2016, Ambani launched a 4G phone network across India, netting more than 420 million subscribers, and is planning to launch 5G services. 10. Sergey Brin Age: 49 49 Residence: California California Co-founder and Board Member: Alphabet (GOOG) Alphabet (GOOG) Net Worth: $84 billion $84 billion Alphabet Ownership Stake: 6% ($69.9 billion total) 6% ($69.9 billion total) Other Assets: $14.1 billion in cash Sergey Brin was born in Moscow, Russia, moving to the U.S. with his family when he was six in 1979. After co-founding Google with Larry Page in 1998, Brin became Google's president of technology when Eric Schmidt took over as CEO in 2001. He held the same post at the Alphabet holding company after it was established in 2015, stepping down in 2019 when Sundar Pichai took over as CEO. In addition to its dominant internet search engine, Google offers a suite of online tools and services known as Google Workspace, which includes Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Meet, Google Chat, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and more. Google also offers a variety of electronic devices, including Pixel smartphones, computers, and tablets, Nest smart home devices, and Stadia gaming platform. Image courtesy Getty Images/Tim Mosenfelder. Brin spent much of 2019 focusing on X, Alphabets research laboratory responsible for innovative technologies like Waymo self-driving cars and Google Glass smart glasses. He has donated millions of dollars to Parkinsons disease research, partnering with The Michael J. Fox Foundation. The Bottom Line If you want to get a little closer to making the richest billionaires rankings, you might need to become a technological innovator or luxury retail mastermind. Or you could keep it simple and focus on value investing. It also wouldnt hurt to have been born to wealth. However, the greatest fortunes on this list started as good ideas that people with creativity, drive, and connections used to build some of the world's largest companies. Investors in the U.S. looking to broaden their portfolios beyond North America should look at mid-to-large cap equities in developed markets like Europe, Australia, Asia and other parts of the Far East. In the article below, well take a look at the charts and try to identify where there is the greatest opportunity. (See also: Evaluating Country Risk For International Investing.) iShares MSCI EAFE ETF When it comes to investing in the developed markets above, the most common choice for most investors is the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). This fund is comprised of 932 holdings from Japan, United Kingdom, France Germany, Switzerland and many others across regions mentioned above. Taking a look at the chart below, you can see that the downtrend is in the process of reversing. The recent crossover between the 50-day and 200-day moving averages is a clear long-term technical buy sign that is suggesting this could only be the beginning of a prolonged move higher. From a risk management perspective, traders will likely set their stop-loss orders directly below the support of the 50-or 200-day moving averages, which are trading at $57.21 and $56.23 respectively. (See also: Go International With Foreign Index Funds.) Australia When it comes to investing in developed markets outside of the United States, it appears that Australia is well positioned for a move higher. Taking a look at the chart of the iShares MSCI Australia ETF (EWA), which was developed by its managers to provide investors with comprehensive coverage of the Australian stock market, you can see that the price has recently broken out of a clearly defined ascending triangle pattern. This bullish chart pattern is one of the most commonly used by active traders because of its clearly identified support and resistance levels. In this case, most traders would expect the uptrend to continue until the price closes below the combined support of the lower trendline, the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. In case you are new to trading, target prices are generally set by adding the height of the pattern to the breakout price, which in this case puts the bulls sights on the $25 mark. (See also: These ETFs are Breaking Out of Chart Patterns Now.) Japan Another nation that looks poised for future growth is Japan. Taking a look at the chart of the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ), you can see that the pattern looks very similar to those shown above, which isnt surprising given Japanese equities make up 23.51% of the EFA fund. At this stage, bullish traders will look to place their buy-orders as close to the trendline as possible to make the most of the risk/reward setup. Stop-loss orders will likely be set below the 200-day moving average, which is currently trading near $11.63. (See also: 2 ETFs for a Potential Japanese Rally.) The Bottom Line Many North American investors are starting to look overseas to diversify their portfolios. While many will instinctively flock to the emerging markets, the bullish chart patterns on many of the developed markets are suggesting that they deserve a closer look. The recent pullbacks shown on the charts above are now providing very reasonable risk/reward setups and a bounce higher across the various regions mentioned could very well be in the cards over the coming weeks. 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: GBT's (OTCPK: GTCH) AI Driven Financial Technology Patent Application Received a Notice of Publication San Diego, CA - November 3, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) GBT Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK: GTCH) received a notice of publication for its financial software patent application. 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. Check out our Podcasts for great investor ideas: Get new posts by email: Subscribe Powered by Investorideas.com Newswire: Subscribe to Investor Ideas Newswire An Irish woman is reported to be in a critical condition after a plane crash in Australia. It is understood a British woman died when the light aircraft they were in came down in Queensland yesterday. Donald Trump this afternoon held his first press conference since winning the election in November. Here are the main points. When asked how the recent claims about Moscow would colour his relationship with Vladimir Putin he said the "fake news" about the claims in a hotel room in Moscow were "crap". He said it should never have been released, and it was a disgrace that it had been. Earlier, vice-Presidential elect Mike Pence criticised what he called a "concerted effort in the mainstream media to de-legitimize our administration". He further criticised the actions of those media who published the unverified claims. Before this afternoon's press conference, Donald Trump angrily denied claims that Russia has material that could be used to blackmail him. He was shown an unverified report which claims Moscow had filmed him in a hotel room in the city. The US president-elect tweeted that the claims are "nonsense" and said he had "nothing to do with Russia". Moscow has also denied the claims. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of State says he believes Vladimir Putin and Russia interfered in the US election. Rex Tillerson is before the US Senate for his confirmation hearing where he described Russia's action during the election as "troubling". He was asked by Republican Marco Rubio if he believed Russia had hacked emails to denigrate Hillary Clinton and answered: "The report is troubling. It indicates the actions you describe were undertaken." Rex Tillerson says it is a "fair assumption" that Russian President Vladimir Putin knew about Moscow's meddling in America's 2016 presidential election. Mr Tillerson said in response to a question from Sen Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, he would not describe Mr Putin as a "war criminal". Mr Rubio says Russia's support for Syrian President Bashar Assad and bombing in Aleppo should not make it hard to say that Mr Putin is responsible for war crimes. Mr Rubio has said he has "serious concerns" about Mr Tillerson as America's top diplomat. Three doctors at a hospital in the Naples area of Italy have been suspended for treating A&E patients while they were lying on the floor. Antonietta Costantini, manager of the public health district that includes Nola hospital, justified the suspensions, saying the doctors should have told administrators the A&E had a stretcher shortage. Donald Trump has questioned whether he is living in "Nazi Germany" - after claiming a smear campaign to undermine his presidency. The incoming US president has taken to Twitter to complain about an intelligence report which claims Russia has compromising material on him. The report was attached to the end of the official memo given to both Mr Trump and Barack Obama, about allegations of Russian hacking. Trumps campaign manager and advisor Kellyanne Conway says that report did little to prove any Russian involvement in the election. French cosmetics group LOreal is buying CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi from Valeant for about $1.3bn in cash. Valeant is also selling its Dendreon unit to Chinas Sanpower Group for $819.9m. Valeant bought bankrupt Dendreon in 2015 for about $300m. The deals could be the first of a series of divestitures for Valeant, whose growth was fuelled by an acquisition spree that left it saddled with a huge debt. Valeant owns Waterfords Bausch & Lomb eye care manufacturing plant which employs more than 1,250 people. Last month, union staff voted to accept a pay deal at the plant. Valeant is trying to regain investor confidence after its stock fell nearly 90% in the past year over disclosures it secretly worked with a speciality pharmacy to boost sales of its medicines. The Quebec-based Valeant is the subject of a number of recent investigations related to speciality pharmacy, including by congressional panels and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. With this sale, we are better aligning our product portfolio with Valeants new operating strategy by exiting the urological oncology business, which is one of our non-core assets, said Valeant chief executive Joseph Papa. Mizuho Securities analyst Irina Koffler said she also expects Valeant to divest its dental business. CeraVe develops cleansers, moisturisers and baby products and is one of the fastest-growing active skincare brands in the US, LOreal said. AcneFree provides acne treatments and skin cleansers, while Ambi makes products to treat dark spots. LOreal said the three brands would stand alongside Vichy and La Roche-Posay in its active cosmetics division, which is among its strongest in terms of growth and resilience to slowdowns in consumer spending. LOreal paid nearly eight times the brands combined annual revenue of $168m as it expands into one of the fastest growing areas of the beauty industry. It is the only case detected in Ireland so far. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that the risk to humans is considered to be very low. Chinese authorities have reported the deaths of four people affected by bird flu in the province of Shandong, but these were due to the H7N9 bird flu. Technically categorised as a medical devices firm, Theya designs and makes post-operative lingerie and underwear specifically for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery, radiotherapy treatment, or cosmetic surgery. The company sells in Ireland via retail and online and distributes through private hospitals. It also distributes in Canada, Portugal, and France. Last summer, Theya broke into the UK market with a deal to sell through House of Fraser. According to chief executive Ciara Donlon, the NHS deal widens Theyas expansion into the medical market. This is a huge step for us. We have had a very positive reaction to our post-surgery range from both patients and surgeons in Ireland and now to get this stamp of approval from the NHS in the UK gives us great confidence for the future, she said. It underpins our expansion plans into the medical market, while on the consumer side our continued presence on the UK high street, with House of Fraser, enables us to be directly accessible to our customers, she added. Ms Conlon said it was a big test for Theya to meet the criteria required to become an approved NHS supplier. The company which recently received two ISO quality certifications also has ambitions to start selling through pharmacies, something which it is now beginning to develop. The agency yesterday applied for the extension of an interim care order in respect of the siblings, who have been in care for a number of years. A Tusla social worker told the court she had only just been assigned the case after the previous social worker left his position. She said while she had reviewed the case, she has not met the mother and only met the father yesterday in court. Judge Rosemary Horgan, the president of the district court, said she was extremely surprised there was not a measured transfer to the new social worker. Due respect is owed to the parents, due respect is owed to the children, and due respect is owed to the foster carers, she said. It is essential that there is good interaction between the social work team and both parents. The court heard that one of the siblings had only recently been referred to a speech and language therapist, even though the issue had been identified for some time. Judge Horgan called the situation unacceptable. The court-appointed guardian for the siblings, who represents their interests during court proceedings, also expressed concern over Tuslas handling of the handover between the old and new social workers. The guardian said she does not think the siblings understand the change in social worker, adding that this is the sixth social worker the children have been allocated since they went into care. The guardian also criticised Tusla for not having any access worker available for meetings between the parents and the children. She said the availability of an access worker is still problematic, adding that it was her understanding that there has not been an access worker allocated because none are available. The guardian said one of the siblings presents as quite a nervous, worried child, and would have negative feelings about access with the father. This child was exposed to a number of childcare protection issues at an early age, she said. The court heard that the father, who was in court, consented to an extension of the care order. The mother was not present in court but had indicated that she consented to the extension of the care order. Judge Horgan extended the care order for two months. At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan issued his ultimatum after sisters, Emily Mounsey, aged 37, and Michelle OLoughlin, aged 40, gave sworn undertakings they would not interfere with each other and would respect one another in the future. The two were before court yesterday charged with the minor assault of each other arising from an incident last June at Ms Mounseys home in Corofin. The two are not on speaking terms and Judge Durcan struck out the charges but only after the two gave undertakings under oath to respect each other in the future. In striking out the charges, Judge Durcan also gave gardai the liberty to re-enter the matter before him if there is any breach by either sister. He said: If there is any difficulty, you will come back before me here. I dont have much time for this carry-on and if you do come back, I will put ye into a windowless white wagon and send you on a little trip and ye can scream at each other to your little hearts content. The judge said that it is very clear that there is one law to govern the two and that is Garda Andrew Monaghans law and whatever he says is what you do. Addressing the two, Judge Durcan said: My advice is make up the row. Good luck to you. In the case, mother of two, Ms Mounsey, of The Glebe, Corofin, and her old sister and mother of four, Michelle OLoughlin, of Newtown, Corofin, were charged with a minor assault on each other arising from an incident at Ms Mounseys home on June 2. Ms Mounsey told the court that she had made recent efforts to phone her sister to make up, but her sister didnt answer. She said: I tried to resolve it. Asked whether her children aged 15 and six talk with their cousins aged 24, 23, 17, and 13, Ms Mounsey said: They were up until recently and after the bit of trouble happened, they dont talk now. Ms OLoughlin said her youngest does talk to her cousins and that they are friends. Judge Durcan said: Isnt it all very sad? Garda Monaghan said the two women entering the sworn undertakings is the best course of action. He said there have been no further incidents between the two since last June. Giving her sworn undertaking, Ms Mounsey agreed with her solicitor, Daragh Hassett, that she would not call or text her sister unless they agree to meet up and put this to bed. In the witness box, Ms OLoughlin said that she would respect her sister and her family and would encourage her children to talk to her sisters children. The two left the courtroom separately with supporters after the case was completed. The target is considered the leading lieutenant in the country and is living at his home in Crumlin, south Dublin. Two other lieutenants, also living in Crumlin, and another senior figure, living in neighbouring Drimnagh, frequently meet the boss at his home and other houses in the area. Garda intelligence has informed units that there is a death threat against the local Kinahan boss. Senior officers are conscious that the anniversary of the Regency Hotel attack is approaching. That military-style assault, on February 5 2016, resulted in the murder of Kinahan lieutenant and Crumlin man, David Byrne. There is an anniversary coming up, said a security source. Will there be a lash back by the Hutch outfit? That's the fear. We are told there is a threat against [named person]. An estimated 11 people have died in the so-called Kinahan-Hutch feud, all but one of them at the hands of the cartel. The figurehead of the Hutch grouping, Gerry The Monk Hutch, has been living in Belfast, according to security sources. The sources said he has been receiving the protection of members of the Provisional IRA. It is unclear whether or not these provisionals intend to assist any plan to attack the Kinahan cartel. Two friends of The Monk, Noel Duggan, murdered last March, and Noel Kirwan, murdered before Christmas, had long-time associations with the Provisional IRA. The Kinahan cartel is blamed for their deaths. Sources said retaliation could also happen abroad, at locations where cartel boss Christy Kinahan and son Daniel are residing. Sources said that the Hutch group has the capability and the contacts to organise an attack abroad. Gardai in the Crumlin district have had security measures in place to try and thwart a gun attack on Kinahan targets. The same is the case in the Kevin St district, on the other side of the Grand Canal, also part of the Kinahan base. Local gardai are supported by specialist units, most recently the Armed Support Unit, which provides a high-visibility presence, and the Garda Air Support Unit. The Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and its Special Crime Task Force is also combating the feud. Gardai have said that at least 12 assassination attempts, mainly by Kinahan gunmen, were prevented by them last year. We have checkpoints and preventative measures and we are targeting key people, said one source. But gardai point out that it is impossible to protect these targets around the clock and that the targets are regularly visible travelling from their homes to those of associates. The murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan on December 22 ended a break in the killing, with the last feud murder in Ireland in July and in Spain in August. A mediation process, which had been initiated by gardai and involved the appointment of an intermediary that was agreeable to both sides, ran aground during the summer. It was a genuine mediation effort, but it fell flat, said one source. The reasons are not clear, but some sources pointed out that the Kinahan cartels position is obvious from their actions. Jeffrey Donaldson said the bitter political row between his party and its long-term partner in government, Sinn Fein, is unlikely to be resolved without a lengthy talks process, following the looming snap election. The DUP MP also questioned whether the existing mandatory coalition power-sharing arrangements could ever be revived, and said his party could now press for major reform and the introduction of a system of voluntary coalition: My own sense of where we are is that we are looking at a prolonged period of direct rule because I dont see these issues being resolved in a talks process in a short space of time. I think that Sinn Fein have dealt a serious blow to power-sharing and I think the prospect of a mandatory coalition being restored has been greatly diminished, so if we are going to have another talks process, then I think unionists will want to be looking at how Stormont operates and whether we should be moving towards our objective of a voluntary coalition form of government. If the main unionist and republican parties are returned as the two largest parties after an election, but their row over a renewable heating scandal is still unresolved, along with a range of other political disputes, it is unlikely that a new ruling executive could be formed. That raises the real prospect of the devolved power-sharing institutions being suspended and a return to direct rule from Westminster. Emergency legislation would be required in London to enable Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire to put Stormont into cold storage. Mr McGuinnesss decision to walk away after 10 years of sharing power with the DUP came as First Minister Arlene Foster refused to stand aside to facilitate a probe into the ill-fated RHI the so-called cash for ash furore. Mr Donaldson claimed observers would be bewildered at Sinn Feins move and said the party had abandoned its republican voters: At a time when we face enormous decisions about our future, with Brexit and the way this will shape the lives of every single citizen in Northern Ireland for years to come, it is surprising that Sinn Fein have decided to abandon power-sharing and therefore to greatly diminish any influence that they might have over these decisions. Sinn Fein dont take their seats at Westminster so they will have no influence there on the decisions that are going to be taken about Brexit and the future of our relationship with the EU and with the Republic of Ireland, whereas the DUP will have enormous influence with our eight seats in a parliament where the government has a small majority. Mr McGuinnesss resignation spelt the end of Mrs Fosters current tenure in the job. He denied his health problems, for which he is undergoing intensive treatment, influenced his move. While the DUP and Sinn Fein were in agreement on the terms of a potential investigation into RHI, the sticking point was the position of Mrs Foster when the probe got under way. The public servants life work stands as the embodiment of the finest qualities and aspirations of the Irish people, said Mr Higgins. I had the privilege and also the great pleasure to know Dr Whitaker. His great energy and intellectual rigour was matched by an irresistible personal charm. He was as inspiring as he was impressive, and as fine an Irishman as there has been. Mr Whitaker is credited with drawing up the blueprint that ended economic protectionism in Ireland and led to greater participation in world trade with the aid of foreign investment. He was one of the youngest secretaries of the Department of Finance when appointed to the post at the age of 39, and played a prominent role in the countrys economic affairs in the 1940s and 1950s. Mr Whitaker later became governor general of the Central Bank and a member of the Seanad and Council of State. Mr Higgins said he was equally dedicated to the search for peace. Just as his writing on economic development cast the mould for economic policies in Ireland, so did his paper on possible solutions define government policy on Irish reunification, by asserting the principle of popular consent, he said. The Good Friday agreement would be unimaginable without TK Whitaker. Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Mr Whitaker was in every sense a national treasure. TK Whitaker changed life, lives, and generations in Ireland, he said. In the last decades, he, more than any other person, was responsible for transforming our economy and public life. He had a rare vision for our country and its future. Central Bank governor Philip Lane said Mr Whitaker was a dedicated public servant committed to the wellbeing of the Irish people. During his tenure at the Central Bank, Governor Whitaker led the modernisation of the Central Bank and the expansion of its mandate, which enabled it to address challenges such as the first oil shock, the modernisation of the domestic financial sector, increased volatility in the international financial system and significant inflationary pressures, he said. Martin Shanahan, chief executive of IDA Ireland, said that if it were not for his policies, Ireland would not have the modern economy that we have today. Dr Whitakers policies propelled Ireland into modernity and they allowed us to catch up with the rest of the world his policies increased living standards for people in the subsequent decades. Dr Whitaker encouraged us to look beyond our shores for the economic prosperity we desired as a nation. His courage and determination to persuade others of the need to create a more open economy in Ireland laid the foundations for the employment we see today in multinational companies across Ireland. An official report into the incident, which resulted in the drowning of a local man, claimed boisterous behaviour by the animals compromised the canoes stability and played a role in it overturning. An inquiry by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board also found the victim and another man in the vessel were not wearing lifejackets and had undertaken the journey in adverse weather conditions with near gale force winds. Bill Topham, a father of three from Templenoe, Kenmare, Co Kerry, drowned after the vessel overturned around 200 metres from shore on January 31 last year. Mr Topham, a 55-year-old electrician and warden in the local Church of Ireland, and a friend had embarked on a duck shoot on Kellys Islands in Kenmare Bay together with two springer spaniels. It was the last day of the shooting season and they headed out at around 2pm from a pier at Templenoe, a few miles outside Kenmare. The victims friend managed to swim safely to the shore of one of the islands from where he was subsequently rescued by emergency crews. The two dogs managed to swim back to the mainland. The MCIB said the voyage had been undertaken in bad weather, which was not suitable for the use of a laden canoe. If due consideration had been given to the weather conditions and flotation devices, the chances of a casualty would have been dramatically minimised, the report noted. Inspectors pointed out the canoe contained a warning notice: Always wear your personal flotation device. It said the code of practice for the safe operation of recreational craft relating to canoes had not been complied with by the two men. Mr Tophams body was recovered the following day by local divers. The MCIB said gale warnings and small craft warning were in operation at the time of the accident. The MCIB said canoeing has an inevitable element of natural risk which was managed by a combination of experience, techniques and safety. When canoeing, one should always wear a flotation device; never paddle alone and always be aware of weather conditions, the MCIB said. It recommended that the code of practice, which is currently being updated by Transport Minister Shane Ross, should be more widely publicised. Malak Thawley, 34, was rushed to the National Maternity Hospital after a seven-week scan revealed an ectopic pregnancy. Outlining a list of witnesses to appear at the inquest, Liam Reidy, counsel for Ms Thawleys husband Alan Thawley, said the vascular surgeons evidence would be crucial from the familys perspective. The list of witnesses includes a number of doctors, a scrub nurse and a registrar, Dublin Coroners Court heard. The sequence of events leading up to events in the operating theatre will be outlined in detail at the inquest. The familys legal team requested that Dr Rhona Mahony, master of the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street attend the inquest. There is a concern that systems contributed to the demise, Mr Reidy said. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said she would consider the request. The inquest is expected to take place over two days later this year. Ms Thawley, a US citizen residing in Blackrock in Dublin, was expecting her first child. She died due to a tear in the abdominal aorta during the course of surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. An internal investigation by the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin found there was a delay in spotting a tear in the main artery and subsequent mismanagement of the problem. The seven-week scan that revealed the ectopic pregnancy had been a gift from Alan Thawley to his wife. The inquest was adjourned to a date in April that has yet to be confirmed. Shortly before Christmas, Robinson, 43, received a letter stating she was to vacate her home of seven years by April 19. Sova Properties Ltd, a subsidiary of Lalco Holdings Ltd, which was previously in charge of the apartments, had, according to its latest filed accounts, net liabilities of 64m, and bank loans of 118,407,352. This debt was transferred to Nama on August 13, 2010, prior to Nama selling the loans to Oaktree Capital Management, on July 21, 2016. According to Sova Property Ltd it was then directed by Oaktree to sell the apartments by vacant possession. I found the eviction notice in my letterbox when I got home from work. It explained that the apartments were going to be sold by June 2017, and that they were not going to be sold with any tenants in them, said Ms Robinson. At least 25 of the 120 apartments in question have been sold. The Strand apartments in Limerick. Pic: Press 22. Ms Robinson, who said she never missed the 700 monthly rent on her home, added: Im angry. I just cant believe it. I paid my rent on time throughout a horrible recession. The fact that some faceless vulture fund now owns my home, and want me out, and dont care about me, is making me really angry. Residents, organised by AAA councillor Cian Prendiville, are joining forces to try to fight the evictions, with Mr Prendiville querying the validity of the eviction orders. Ms Robinson declared: Im not going. Im not going to leave. Theyll have to take me to court if they want to get me out. I just think its wrong and people need to take a stand. According to its latest accounts, Sova Properties says it intends to complete the sale of all assets as quickly as possible and pay off debt to Oaktree Capital by 2020. Sova stated: Debt secured against these properties was sold by Nama to Oaktree which has directed that Sova sell the properties to repay the debts. Sova remains in ongoing communication with tenants. Unless there are specific circumstances to the contrary, Oaktrees view is that value is maximised by sale with vacant possession. Northern Ireland secretary James Brokenshire told the Commons the situation at Stormont, following deputy first minister Martin McGuinnesss resignation was grave and a snap election was now highly likely. The departure of Sinn Fein veteran Mr McGuinness amid a row over a green energy scandal forced Democratic Unionist first minister Arlene Foster from office as well. Theoretically the parties have seven days to resolve their differences before Mr Brokenshire has to call a poll. Mr McGuinness has made clear there will be no going back to the status quo and his party is preparing to face the electorate. Mr Brokenshire expressed concern about the consequences of an election, raising the spectre of a return to direct rule. He urged the leaders to work together to find a resolution and safeguard the progress made under the peace process. We must not put all of this at risk without every effort to resolve differences, he said. We must continue to do all we can to continue to build a brighter, more secure Northern Ireland that works for everyone and I therefore urge Northern Irelands political leaders to work together to come together to find a way forward from the current position in the best interests of Northern Ireland. He said: We do have to be realistic the clock is ticking. If there is no resolution an election is inevitable despite the widely held view that this election may deepen divisions and threaten the continuity of the devolved institutions. Mr McGuinnesss decision to walk away after 10 years of sharing power with the DUP came as Mrs Foster refused to stand aside to facilitate a probe into the ill-fated Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) the so-called cash for ash furore. The doomed energy scheme has left the administration in Belfast facing a 490m (563m) bill. Mrs Foster oversaw the RHI during her time as economy minister. She had repeatedly rejected Sinn Feins demands to step down temporarily pending the outcome of a preliminary investigation. Under the structures of the peace process-forged institutions, neither Stormonts first minister nor deputy first minister can remain in post without the other, so Mr McGuinnesss resignation spelt the end of Mrs Fosters tenure. Mr McGuinness denied that his health problems, for which he is undergoing intensive treatment, had influenced his move. Stormont finance minister Mairtin O Muilleoir accused the DUP of having spat in the face of the principles of the Good Friday agreement. He made clear that Sinn Fein would need to gain DUP concessions on a range of issues before contemplating a return to the executive. DUP ministers would not be swanning (back) into office, we are not going back to the status quo, he warned. The Good Friday agreement has been trampled upon by the DUP, we need to get back to the principles in the Good Friday agreement, he told RTE. The state-funded RHI was supposed to offer a proportion of the cost businesses had to pay to run eco-friendly boilers, but the subsidy tariffs were set too high and, without a cap, it ended up paying out significantly more than the price of fuel. This enabled applicants to burn to earn getting free heat and making a profit as they did so. Claims of widespread abuse include a farmer set to pocket 1m in the next two decades for heating an empty shed. Christopher Hurley, aged 23, of 3 Brocklesby St, Cork, denied a charge of assault causing harm to Selina Lonergan, aged 20, in the early hours of July 14 2015. Judge Marie Keane convicted him after a trial at Cork District Court yesterday. The judge said Hurleys evidence was entirely self-serving and incredible in the extreme. The injured party is quite a young person but highly immature about her attitude to violence. It is quite disturbing she returned to the house of the accused and was sleeping in the same bed as the accused for a period of time (after the assault). She said she did not want to say it to her parents. That shows her lack of maturity, said Judge Keane. She said it was also deeply concerning that the accused had such a lack of insight into his vicious assault on his girlfriend. Judge Keane said he could do 200 hours of community service instead of four months in jail. Insp Finbarr OSullivan said the accused had previous convictions but none for assault. Selina Lonergan said she and her ex-boyfriend, Hurley, were at a house party for his sister. She said Hurley got into an argument with his sister after a few hours and he stormed out the door and she followed him. Later on the street she said he hit me twice in the eye and grabbed me by the throat. She said he smashed her phone on the ground. I smashed his phone too. He smashed my phone so obviously in a temper I got his and smashed it. Hurley said to Garda Paula Sidley: The relationship was straining. She is an obsessive type. Selina started getting drunk and messy. Walking up the road making stupid comments. We were arguing. She was clawing at me. She smashed my phone. Just as I get in the door she said a young one attacked her. She stayed here the night. She is very volatile. I have defused a lot of arguments she has got into. In a second interview he said: It was 13th of July 2015. It was my sisters birthday. Selina was with me. We were there a few hours. Everything was fine. [After drink] she is narky and she could take it out on anyone. I said we would leave the party. I said come up to the house and we would talk about it tomorrow. She was roaring. We walked on to my place. I said wed sleep on it and talk about it with clear heads in the morning. While she was scratching me she fell on the ground. She went off in a huff. The following morning she was in the bed next to me. If she was in fear of me then why did she stay in the bed that night with me? I think she is bringing up these allegations because I wanted to break up with her and she did not want this. Denying the assault, Hurley said: I have the height of respect for women. I have four sisters. I wasnt brought up like that. Miscarriage is among the few surviving taboos in Irish society. An estimated 50 Irish women a day experience a miscarriage, yet the majority feel they have to brush the experience under the carpet. The pressure is to get back to normal and of course you can always try again. Siobhan O Neill White had a seven-month old boy, Mitchell, when she unexpectedly became pregnant in 2004. A bit shell shocked at the idea of having two children under the age of two, she quickly came to terms with the news. She began to envisage how the next few years would unfold. The children would be pals. The house would be a hive of activity. Then, tragedy struck. At the three month mark Siobhan experienced a spot of bleeding. She sat in the reception area of a Dublin hospital for hours waiting for a scan. Eventually a doctor coldly told her that her pregnancy was no longer viable. He made no eye contact. He said that it was probably a miscarriage, which hadnt happened yet. He never said that I was going to bleed heavily. He never told me the physicality of what to expect. We were horrified at the way he dealt with us. Siobhan said she was ill-prepared for the sheer brutality of what a miscarriage entails. It was like my waters were breaking. There was so much blood. I didnt know that I would have cramps similar to labour pains. I was crying I was in so much pain. Siobhan stresses that the devastating experience was further exacerbated by the clinical attitude of staff in the hospital. I went to the emergency room and my husband wasnt allowed in. He was told to stay in reception. They got me a bed. One nurse was very prickly with me. It was nothing to her. It was everything to me. I was in a ward with other expectant mothers near term and they were all hooked up to monitors and I thought it wasnt fair to have me there. I was trying to cry quietly. At one stage, a doctor told me my baby was long gone by now. Dave my husband was outside and he was really upset, as nobody was telling him what was going on. I remember at one stage I grabbed a nurses uniform and begged her to allow my husband in. Siobhan, who now gives talks on her miscarriage experience to medical students at UCD, says she was shocked when she eventually was reunited with her husband. He had his head in his hands. They hadnt told him that I had miscarried. I had to tell him. Again, all of this was avoidable. A little bit of kindness and a word or two would have helped. On the morning she was discharged, Siobhan, fortunately, was dealt with by a kind nurse. She told me to go home and rest and have lots of cups of tea. Physically, I was shattered. There was a complete sense of loss. And I was lucky I had a baby to go home to. Siobhan says the weeks after the miscarriage went by in a blur of depression. She became distant from her beloved husband, as she felt it was very much her own experience. I was angry, because the hospital separated Dave and I. If we had been in together we would have been more united in dealing with it. We were drifting away from each other. I rang the hospital and they gave me a contact for a counselling service, but it was just for women, not for the husbands or partners. I began to write about it, which was therapeutic. I wrote a book about miscarriage with my husband. That book helped our relationship. The grief was massive. That book was our baby. Our baby didnt die for nothing. In 2010, six years after her initial miscarriage, Siobhan lost another baby. The pregnancy was unexpected. She had just started up her website mumstown.ie and life was hectic, but she was joyously anticipating having another baby. In the early stages of her pregnancy, Siobhan went for a scan at a hospital in Drogheda. She was informed that there was no heartbeat and that the baby hadnt really grown or developed properly. Her experience at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital was the polar opposite of her previous miscarriage. Staff were fabulous and she was put in a room on her own. They gave me a D&C and that was a kindness to me. The anaesthesist was so lovely. He asked: Whats your tipple? and I said wine and he said well it will be like that. I was given tea and toast afterwards. Because of the way it was handled, we were able to grieve the baby as a couple. Siobhan says one of the major problems is that doctors often see miscarriages as clinical events. Whereas, in reality, the loss of a baby is the death of a dream. Siobhan says miscarriage loss can stay with someone for decades. Her own parents lost a baby to miscarriage and when her father read her book he cried about the loss of his own child. He cried his eyes out for the loss of his own baby 40 years ago. Siobhan is now a mother to four children. Mitchell, 13, Robyn, 11, April, 9, and five-year-old Summer. She says her life is proof that there is life after miscarriage loss. Meanwhile, responses to miscarriage at maternity hospitals have improved two fold since 2004, when Siobhan suffered her first miscarriage. Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) train all of their staff to be sensitive to the needs of women and their partners. Bereavement-and-loss midwife Anna Maria Verling says they are hugely mindful and protective of women who have experienced a pregnancy loss. CUMH has a specifically designed emergency unit, early pregnancy unit, and ward, which means women who are experiencing miscarriages are spared the heartache of being in a room with heavily expectant mothers. Women who experience pregnancy loss are also informed of the support and counselling services available to them. Ms Verling says that, while miscarriage is always difficult, it can make a big difference if it is dealt with sensitively by midwifery and medical staff. There is less distress if you have been cared for well. For most women, this is a wanted pregnancy that they have invested in. The loss these women are feeling is normal. You want to validate their loss and reassure them that it is normal to feel upset and to grieve. Sometimes, women think they are over reacting when in fact they are not. It is a loss and the hurt can be there for a very long time. Ms Verling said miscarriage can often feel like a silent grief. Public awareness of miscarriage is quite poor. Information on miscarriages is often about genetics and investigations, but there is a human side. These women are vulnerable and need supportive care. SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS The Miscarriage Association of Ireland was set up with the support of women and men who themselves have been through miscarriages. It holds monthly support meetings in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin on the first Thursday of every month. Feileacain is another charity which aims to offer support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after. Impacted mothers can contact Feileacain on 085-2496464. Probably the most phenomenal tribute paid to Thomas Kenneth Whitaker during his lifetime was his selection by RTE viewers in 2001 as Irishman of the century. He was selected ahead of such iconic figures as Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins, and Sean Lemass. It was a magnificent tribute for having played a pivotal role in the redevelopment of our economy during the latter half of the 20th century. Whitaker was the epitome of the dedicated civil servant. Born on December 8, 1916, in Rostrevor, Co Down, where his father worked in factory management, he was reared in Drogheda from the age of six. He joined the civil service in Dublin in 1934, but continued his education by correspondence with the University of London, from which he earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1938, at the age of 21. JJ McElligott, the longtime secretary of the Department of Finance, was impressed by the initiative and drive shown by Whitaker, whom he appointed as a special adviser on monetary matters to the new finance minister, Frank Aiken, in 1945. Aiken who had strong unconventional ideas on finance was not considered the sharpest minister in cabinet by either his colleagues or opponents. It was unprecedented for a 28-year-old assistant principal officer to have such access to the minister. I was assigned to act as his personal adviser, no doubt in the hope of diverting him from the extremes of heterodoxy, said Whitaker. He and Aiken got on very well together. Keeping a few steps ahead of a ceaselessly inquisitive minister by attentive reading of economic and banking journals was, for me, excellent training, recalled Whitaker. Aiken was not easily persuaded, but was prepared to listen, and Whitaker trained himself in the art of persuasion with Aiken. It was best to acknowledge first the good points of any idea he put forward and introduce the caveats only tentatively and gradually, noted Whitaker. Aiken would then ponder those arguments in silence for extended periods. He actually encouraged Whitaker to continue his studies as an external student at the University of London, from which he earned a masters degree in economics in 1952. Despite his relationship with Aiken, Whitaker was recognised as a thoroughly professional civil servant, uncontaminated by party politics. Gerard Sweetman of Fine Gael, the finance minister in the first national coalition, appointed Whitaker permanent secretary of the Department of Finance in May 1956, over the heads of more senior people. He was only 39. Insisting the departments primary role should be economic development rather than just balancing the books, Whitaker became the inspiration for a dramatic and much-needed change in the economy, which was in deep trouble. He had the economic vision to revise the insular thinking behind the concept of protected economic development. Without a sound and progressive economy, political independence would be a crumbling facade, he bluntly told Jim Ryan, the new Fianna Fail finance minister, on his first day in office, March 21, 1957. Unless there were new policies, warned Whitaker, it would be better to make an immediate move towards reincorporation in the United Kingdom rather than wait until our economic decadence became even more apparent. Ever since Fianna Fail first came to power in 1932, protectionism had been a fundamental aspect of its economic approach, but Whitaker recognised that it was condemning the Irish people to a lower standard of living than the rest of Europe. Consequently, he suggested a free trade approach and the abandonment of the protectionist policy advocated by Sean Lemass for over 20 years. Lemass would become the minister that the public would most associate with the economic turnaround. He deserved the credit for recognising the need for change and freeing the government of the day from the shackles of outmoded self-sufficiency policies and orient them fully towards free trade, according to Whitaker. By demonstrating that dynamic progress could be made in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, the government was able to regenerate confidence in our ability to manage our affairs successfully. Traditionally, civil servants stayed in the background and kept a low profile, but taoiseach Eamon de Valera, tanaiste Sean Lemass, and finance minister Jim Ryan all agreed Whitaker should be openly credited as the inspiration of the Programme for Economic Development in 1958, by publicly calling it the Whitaker Plan. It was a deliberate decision, part of our effort to get economic development away from party political tags, Lemass later explained. In the process, Whitaker was really being used. He was being credited with the change, but he had the courage and confidence to embrace this departure from the bureaucratic norm. Whitaker thereby played the pivotal role not only in steering the economic recovery associated with the Lemass years, but also in the normalisation of relations between Dublin and Belfast by helping to set up the first North-South summit meeting since the 1920s. Over the years Whitaker developed a good working relationship with five different finance ministers, but there was no warmth in his relationship with the sixth, Charles J Haughey. There was little rapport between them because Haugheys autocratic ministerial sensitivities were affronted by the strong-willed secretary speaking his mind. In 1969 while Haughey was finance minister, Whitaker retired as secretary of the department even though he was still only 52. He was not pushed, he said; he just quit having accomplished all he could at Finance. In time that will, no doubt, be recognised as one of the countrys greatest losses. A SMALL step is expected to be made today in accessing the truth of how An Garda Siochana deals with whistleblowers. The High Court is scheduled to hear an application by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) for access to transcripts from the OHiggins commission, which investigated malpractice in the gardai. The transcripts are believed to hold the key as to whether there was an attempt to discredit whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. Last May, following publication of the OHiggins report, the Irish Examiner revealed there had been an attempt to suggest McCabe had been acting out of a grudge when he blew the whistle on Garda malpractice. If accepted by the commission chair, Judge Kevin OHiggins, this would have dealt a major blow to McCabes credibility, and his claims of malpractice. The suggestion came from counsel acting for the Garda commissioner. It was comprehensively refuted when McCabe produced a recording of a meeting. Thereafter the suggestion that his motives were impure was never revisited, and the matter did not feature in Judge OHiggins report. Following the story published in the Irish Examiner, commissioner Noirin OSullivan came under scrutiny, and denied she had ever called McCabes motives into question. In order to clear up the matter, she requested Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to ask Gsoc to investigate the whole issue. The gardai and the department refused to hand over transcripts from OHiggins to Gsoc as both said they were precluded by law from doing so. Having asked Gsoc to investigate, they were effectively tying the hands of the ombudsman body. Gsoc applied to the High Court to gain access, and it now appears opposition from both the department and the gardai has been dropped. The High Court is expected to today grant the application for access to the transcripts. This will allow Gsoc to conduct a proper investigation, but form suggests it will be anything up to two years before a final result emerges. Meanwhile, there is still no sign of white smoke from the department on a separate scoping inquiry into whether there was a widespread and concerted campaign in Garda headquarters to blacken McCabes name. Judge Iarlaith ONeill delivered his report on December 7. It was initiated on foot of two protected disclosures, from McCabe, and the former head of the Garda press office, David Taylor. Taylor is understood to have disclosed that in his former role he was instructed to disseminate scurrilous information to reporters in order to discredit McCabe. He also alleged that this campaign was conducted and sanctioned by senior management, including Noirin OSullivan, who has vehemently denied it. Another prong to the allegations is that politicians were also furnished with untruths about McCabes record in the force. Taylors disclosure is a new departure as he is effectively incriminating himself in a campaign of black propaganda. The Irish Examiner understands that Judge ONeill has recommended to the justice minister that a more comprehensive inquiry is required. That would most likely involve a statutory commission of investigation. A question remains as to why ONeills report has not either been published or a decision taken that it cannot be published. Over a month on from receipt of the report, there is no reason why one of these courses has not materialised, opening the way for the more comprehensive inquiry to begin. A spokesman for the Department of Justice said there is no update on the status of the ONeill report. While the plethora of reports and controversies around the gardai and whistleblowers can get confusing, the issue that is currently under consideration is vital to the future development of the police force. If senior management attempted to bury McCabe, as alleged, then its difficult to see how anybody involved could continue in their role. Senior management, both during the tenure of OSullivan and that of her predecessor, Martin Callinan, repeatedly stated that whistleblowers were integral to making improvements and eliminating wrongdoing in the force. If the allegations were proven that management was actually involved in a campaign of black propaganda against McCabe then major reform would be required. Equally, if it were to emerge that the forces political masters were being fed untruths about a turbulent cop, it would completely change the dynamics of that vital relationship. As such it is difficult to understand why there is not more urgency from the department in dealing with this matter. Noirin OSullivan was heralded as somebody who would sweep away the negative aspects of Garda culture that came to the fore in recent years. Instead, a cloud now hangs over the force. It is certainly not a time to be kicking cans down the road. A seismic shift is under way in the application development landscape, created by the IT organizations inability to keep up with unrelenting demand from the business for new applications. That shift has driven the emergence of citizen developers, line-of-business employees with little or no expertise in traditional software development, who are helping to relieve IT of the burden. If that sounds like a recipe for a shadow IT disaster, its actually anything but, argues John Carione, product and corporate marketing leader at QuickBase, a low-code application development platform provider in Cambridge, Mass. In a recent interview, Carione explained how low-code, and even no-code, app development tools are enabling line-of-business employees to work in collaboration with IT to dramatically speed up the app development process. According to Carione, there is an application crisis in businesses of all sizes, which has brought IT to an inflection point: Businesses need to be more agile, they need to have more speed, and they just need to create more applications on a day-to-day basis for lots of different use cases, whether its extending their CRM system, project management, financial portfolio management and budgeting, contracts management, vendor management, supply chain engagement, I could go on and on. So theres an application crisis that has created an IT crisis, where IT is saying, We cant keep up with the demand. We need the business to move at the speed of light, not only with new applications, but also with maintaining and updating and changing applications. The business needs that application agility on a day-to-day basis, or even an hour-to-hour basis, and they really cant rely on IT. IT does not have the budget or the resources to make all those changes and build all those apps. Whats great for IT is when you implement these types of [citizen developer] platforms, the business gets a lot more involved, and youre able to offload that technical debt, that backlog of applications to folks that are closest to the problem. It really helps IT become more strategic, so the coders can work on those Tier 1 apps. Carione went on to discuss some of the findings in the 2016 State of Citizen Development Report that was recently released by QuickBase: A citizen developer could be someone all the way down to what we call a no-coder, which is just your pure spreadsheet skill set, up to a more semi-technical, low-code developer who might know some JavaScript, HTML, or have some UX front-end scripting skills. We play in that sweet spot along that spectrum, where youre still not a Java or .NET coder youre a business analyst or a non-technical line-of-business participant. And why are they doing this? Its all about speed. Our survey found that 80 percent of organizations are embracing citizen development today. We work a lot with Gartner, and Gartner actually predicts that by 2020, 60 percent of all these fast-mode application projects are going to be handled outside of IT. That is a gigantic, titanic shift in the market, fueled by the rise of these citizen developers. When we went out to our own builder base at our QuickBase conference, 40 percent of businesses said citizen development enables them to develop apps at least twice as fast as traditional methods. And on top of that, 53 percent of our QuickBase app builders are building apps in two weeks or less. So that is another seismic shift. App development is becoming more of an organization-wide job, so more of our citizen developers are now considering app development as part of their day job. In fact, 76 percent of the QuickBase app builders said its part of their day job, which is up from 68 percent just a year earlier. Carione wrapped up the conversation by elaborating on the distinction between shadow IT and citizen development: Sometimes I go to these Gartner conferences and they talk about how shadow IT is coming at the business and coming at IT like a tsunami, so you have to accept it, you have to embrace it. The difference between shadow IT and citizen development is that with shadow IT, typically the business goes around IT to develop. Citizen development is where IT is absolutely involved and empowers the business to co-create and build those applications together. We think were one of the few platforms thats driving this unification. QuickBase has been around for many years, and there was a time when it was actually an enabler of shadow IT. But I think the inflection point has come as ITs budgets keep shrinking, and their role is being redefined. IT is reevaluating its place in the enterprise and saying, We cant survive tomorrow the same way that we survived yesterday. We absolutely have to partner, or were going to fail, so we have to adapt. As IT has adapted and started to embrace citizen development over the last couple of years, thats where weve seen the real shift in moving away from shadow IT. A contributing writer on IT management and career topics with IT Business Edge since 2009, Don Tennant began his technology journalism career in 1990 in Hong Kong, where he served as editor of the Hong Kong edition of Computerworld. After returning to the U.S. in 2000, he became Editor in Chief of the U.S. edition of Computerworld, and later assumed the editorial directorship of Computerworld and InfoWorld. Don was presented with the 2007 Timothy White Award for Editorial Integrity by American Business Media, and he is a recipient of the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for editorial excellence in news coverage. Follow him on Twitter @dontennant. A new study claims that there is no such thing as 'hiatus' when it comes t global warming as it continues to develop over time. Contrary to the previous accounts claiming that the period which has begun in 1998, when the increase in the planet's temperature has allegedly slowed down, is in fact incorrect and does not exist at all. In the new study conducted by the team of scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), it was found that the planet's ocean temperatures are warming faster as previously thought it was doing. Here's Why Global Warming Is Not Slowing Down In one of their statements reported by Yahoo News, study lead author Zeke Hausfather, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group said that the based on study's outcome, it implies that climate change hiatus was actually more of a suspected "slowdown and not a disappearance of global warming," since the world's oceans are still being noted for dangerously warming, only that at a lesser rate, as previously predicted. Meanwhile, a significant number of scientists have allegedly acknowledged the fact that there was indeed a slowdown that has happened from 1998 to 2012, which has been used by climate change skeptics as evidence for them to say that global warming is not for real. Furthermore, as per University Herald, the study's publication has reportedly explained that scientists were not able to immediately account for the fact that buoys actually report cooler temperatures than ships. Moreover, NOAA researchers has also clarified that previous scientists were unable to account for the "cold bias" of the buoy-derived temperature data. Ultimately, study co-author Mark Richardson, a climate scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena has further added that certain satellites and automated floats are completely independent witnesses of recent ocean warming, and their testimony matches the NOAA results which makes the team even more convinced that they were right. Great news, PlayStation 4 fans! If you were not convinced last time in buying or dreaded the black color of your PlayStation 4 console, a new light has emerged and it shines brightly over the horizon - well, technically an icy cold Glacier White colored PlayStation 4 Slim. What's The New Model? According to the source, Sony has officially announced via their European PlayStation blog that a PlayStation 4 Slim Glacier White will be released on January 24th. The source further states that the new PlayStation 4 Slim version will be available across the PAL region, Japan, and the rest of Asia. The new version will also come with a 500 GB HDD and a brand new Glacier White Dualshock 4. According to another source, the PlayStation 4 Glacier White will cost 299 in the European countries and 259 in the UK. As for Japan, there was no information about its price tag, but the model that will be available there is said to have 1 TB storage option. What Other Things Fans Wanted To Know? Though there was no mention as to when the PlayStation 4 Slim Glacier White will reach the shores of the American Market, there were also a number of things fans and tech enthusiasts wanted to know more. One was how much will it cost in the other countries that were not mentioned, how many stocks will be available (let's face it, not always do fans get the chance to buy an alternative version of the console very often), and if there will be a PlayStation 4 Pro Glacier White. Sadly, Sony has not yet answered and sources are encouraging people to post more comments on Sony's blog post. Upcoming PlayStation 4 Games in 2017 For many video game fans, knowing what are the list of the upcoming 2017 PS4 games is a must-know for every dedicated gamer. Here is a list of some of the most-awaited upcoming PS4 games of 2017 which you can also pre-order if you want to: Nioh. In this action-based game, players will traverse war-torn Japan as William, a blonde-haired swordsman whose background as a fierce warrior and seasoned knowledge of the blade allows him to survive in the demon-plagued land of the samurai. The pre-order price of this game in Amazon is $59.99. Persona 5. In this turn-based RPG game, you will assume the role of a second-year high school student who becomes a Persona-user through an unexpected incident. The pre-order price in Amazon is $59.96. Kingdom Hearts HD II.8 - Final Chapter Prologue. This action and RPG game serves as an introduction to Kingdom Hearts III. It also includes a remastered version of Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance as well as two new Kingdom Hearts story chapters. The pre-order price is $59.00 at Amazon. The company created from Alphabet's Google Self-Driving Car research project, Waymo, is looking for a partnership to help cut the production costs of the autonomous driving tech. Waymo Seeks Cost Reduction At the moment, Waymo is designing and building all the computers, radars and sensors used in its automated test vehicles, as well as creating the artificial intelligence programs that control the self-driving hardware. But in order to reduce the production costs and make its technology affordable for commercial use, Waymo seeks a manufacturing alliance that will allow a mass-scale production of components. According to Forbes, the company revealed this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the latest generation of its software and hardware is being used on Chrysler Pacifica minivans that will start road tests by the end of the month. Cameras, sensors, radar and laser Lidar units for 360-degree, high-definition images of a vehicle's surrounding are installed on 100 minivans. According to Bloomberg, Waymo has already cut costs by 90 percent on LiDAR sensors. According to John Krafcik, Waymo's chief executive officer, the breakthrough will let Waymo bring the technology to millions of consumers. He said that back in 2009, a single top-of-the-range LiDAR was costing upwards of $75,000. Google was a pioneer in self-driving tech, but some potential competitor companies, including ride-sharing giant Uber and successful car maker Tesla have more aggressive plans than Waymo to deploy their autonomous systems. However, Krafcik emphasized that Waymo has a clear advantage in artificial intelligence, and this field can give the company a competitive edge. Krafcik also said that by May Waymo's autonomous test vehicles will count more than 3 million test miles on public roads. Most of these test miles were achieved on "complex city streets." Next month the company will also begin testing the modified Chrysler minivans in Arizona and California. Partnerships Krafick has mentioned previously the importance of forming partnerships, without identifying any new alliances with automakers. However, Alphabet and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are strengthening their self-driving partnership with around 100 more Pacifica Hybrid minivans to the test fleet. In December, Honda announced plans to explore an alliance with Waymo in self-driving technology. Krafcik declined to give more details about the potential collaboration with Honda. However, he said that both companies share a desire to improve access to mobility to underserved parts of society, including people with disabilities and the elderly. According to him, the two companies are sharing a lot of cultural alignment that could help strengthen their partnership. Previous talks between Google and automakers did not come to an agreement over who will control the flow of data from autonomous cars. Marketers could use this information in order to learn the habits of consumers. Self-driving tech faces challenges in becoming mainstream, due to the high cost of specialized equipment. Driverless cars would be easier to sell on the market in case of reductions in sensor prices. This cost reduction can be achieved with high-volume production. The company's Detroit announcement doesn't give details about when Waymo plans to create its own fully automated ride0hailing and mobility service and when it will begin generating revenue for its integrated self-driving software and hardware platform. However, tech analysts believe that the company's announcement signify a steady move toward commercialization for the Google project. Vaccine Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told reporters after his meeting with United States elected President Donald Trump that the President asked him lead of research on vaccination safety and scientific integrity. Kennedy said that he agreed to lead research on the matter.However, Trump transition said there were no decisions made yet, on setting up a commission on autism. Hope Hicks, Trump's spokeswoman said the elected president enjoyed his discussion with Vaccine Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and appreciates his thought and ideas. The president-elect was just taking in consideration the possibility of forming a commission on Autism. She added, however, there are no decisions made at this time. And that the president-elect would like to continue his discussion about all aspects of Autism with many groups and individuals. Kennedy also said that the President-elect has some doubts about the current vaccine policies and he has questions about it. He added that the opinion of president-elect doesn't matter, we ought to be reading the science and we ought to be debating the science. He also said that he and Trump is very pro-vaccine but they want to make sure that vaccines are safe to use. But, according to CNN, neither Trump nor Kenedy is articulate pro-vaccine, though. In the 2016 campaign Trump raised fears about vaccines telling an audience at a CNN primary debate in 2015 that he is in favor of smaller doses over a longer period of time. He said it is for the reason that the usual dosage causes autism as a side effect. He added that autism has been an epidemic. And it's already got out of control. Tramp is in favor of vaccines he said. However, he believes it should be in smaller doses over a longer period of time. Trump then told a story of a two year old girl he met who went to have a vaccine and a week later got a severe fever and now is autistic. He also tweeted exaggerated anti-vaccine information. In 2014, Kennedy wrote a book about mercury in vaccines. This cause the Congress to give parents exemptions from state requirements that mandate they vaccinate their children. California Gov. Jerry Brown ended up signing the law, getting rid of personal and religious exemptions for vaccines. According to the BBC, Kennedy later apologized and said he struggled to find an expression to convey his thoughts. Vaccine Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being asked to lead a research on safety study seems to be a misunderstanding and a contradicting matter as to their assumptions. What is arguably the real trouble with Tesla's earlier releases - the Model S and Model X - is that it was beyond what most people could afford. For this reason, the Model 3 has become so popular in the battery-powered vehicle world. Fortunately, the company has already begun construction in its Gigafactory, which should help deliver on reservations and production targets. According to Elektrek, Tesla recently held an event for its investors last week at its Gigafactory in Nevada. Coming from that event are some vital pieces of information regarding the company, its Model 3 and its plans for the immediate future. One of these is the start of production on the 2170 battery cell, which will be fitted into the Model 3. The mass production of the new battery cell, which is both thicker and taller than previously used cells, allows for more energy at a lower cost. This helps the Model 3 in terms of price, but actual production for the upcoming model is not scheduled until the second quarter of the year. There is, as Tesla admits, one more thing that helps minimize the cost of the upcoming electric car -- putting everything under one roof. Put the Gigafactory has one other feature that will take it one step further. Elon Musk revealed that Tesla plans to power the plant through solar energy - which would conversely answer why SolarCity was acquired by the company. Apparently, the company will begin installment of installations both on the rooftop and on the ground. At 70 MW, the rooftop array will be the largest that the world has seen. Currently, the largest in the United States is only 10 MW. But running on solar energy is not the only way that Tesla plans to decrease its carbon footprint. The company has plans in place to use heat recovered from the production process to cover the building's heat. Moreover, a closed water loop system will allow the recirculation of about 1.5 million liters of water. In terms of the Model 3, however, the publication deduces that the investors may have seen the 2170 battery cell for the first time. Tesla also reconfirmed that the batteries will start making their way into the Model 3 by the second quarter. The vehicle will be a four-door sedan that is smaller than the Model S and will be fully electric. By the second quarter, Auto Express UK claims that the public will also be able to learn about the different battery pack options, as well as learn more about the interior design of the Model 3. Those who have preordered the model have been receiving continuous updates on the production. The latest update confirmed that Tesla will be able to deliver on reservations by the end of 2017. Those who paid a down payment of US$1,000 and have thereby put down their name for a Model 3. The total purchasing cost of the same is around US$35,000, but the publication notes there is a payoff. Musk revealed at Tesla's annual shareholder meeting that the unit will not have access to the company's free Supercharger network. Musk promised that overall costs of the Model 3 will still be minimal when compared to the Model S and the Model X. However, the charging costs would be necessary as it would be considered uneconomical to offer the service for free. The unit should be able to go from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds and can travel at 215 miles on a single full charge. Last year was a bumpy one for Samsung, which is why members of the press believe the Galaxy Tab S3 was not released. And because of the delay, the release of the new tablet is expected at the Mobile World Congress 2017, which will be held in Barcelona on February 27 - March 2. The tablet itself is expected to make waves with updated specs and features. As Yahoo notes, several publications claimed last year that the Galaxy Tab S3 would be announced at the IFA in September. But because the tech giant had to address concerns over the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 instead, things were likely postponed. But now that things have been settled and the world has its eyes set forward, the phablet might finally arrive in the market. Tech Times adds that the Tab S3 has already received Bluetooth certification, which could only help the device step forward to the public. The LTE-capable model of the unit has also received its certification. And while Samsung itself has remained silent about the circling rumors, it is only a matter of time before the phablet is released. Furthermore, the device has already been approved by the Federal Communications Commission. This means that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is ready for sale in the United States. All the company has to decide on is when the release will actually take place. The Galaxy Tab S3 is expected to be powered either by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor or the Exynos 8890 chipset. In addition to this, the device might run on 3GB of RAM as well as have at least 32GB of internal storage. However, it will be fitted with a microSD card slot, which can extend memory to as much as 128GB. There are two variants that are expected to be announced, one that is 8 inches and another that has a 9.7-inch screen. And while most specifications will be shared between the two, including an 8-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front camera, there will be some differences. The most notable of these is the battery, which will be 5870 mAh on the larger model and 4000 mAh on the smaller variant. As technology continues to progress, it's inevitable for some of the older technologies to become obsolete. One of these is the FM radio streaming. While FM radio is still a big hit in many countries, there are places that realized that they no longer need the FM radio technology in their countries, and the first one to do something to phase this out is Norway. FM Radios Set To Be Removed In Norway As per CNN, FM radios in Norway will start going silent very soon, at least in some parts of the country. As per the country's government, this shutdown process will be completed by the end of the year. Nevertheless, there is also some exception within the regulation and it will allow some of the smaller stations to continue streaming on FM frequencies. It's worth noting that the country doesn't have AM stations, so these new regulations are just going to affect FM broadcasting. Norway To Shift To Digital Radio Despite this big change in the radio industry within the country, jobs won't necessarily be directly affected. Norway is simply shifting from FM radios to digital radios (DAB) which means that radio stations aren't shutting down, they're just changing how they stream their radio content. The country has decided on digital radios for the reasons that it has more channels, bigger savings, and better audio quality. As a whole, shifting to digital radio offers a ton of benefits for radio companies in Norway. Since the country is made up of high mountains and scattered populations, the traditional method of FM broadcasting costs fortunes. So while other countries don't necessarily see the need to shift to digital radios, Norway does. With that said, Norway has decided to move to digital radio after a decade of planning. As for the other countries. Fox News says that Switzerland is planning to do the same in 2020. More countries like the UK are also considering the same idea, so Norway's success in its transition will undeniably be monitored by its neighbors. Effect Of Norway's Switch To DAB The switch could actually leave millions of cars without access to radio, but of course, it is an inevitable part of the process. As per Gizmodo, 66 percent of Norway's residents aren't in favor of the shutdown and only 17 percent are happy about the decision. It's worth noting that there are also issues regarding the costs of new radios. So while the shift will generally reduce the costs for broadcasters and increase the quality of their service, it would be the listeners who can be affected by the transition costs. Two strange UFO sighting was reported from USA. An eyewitness reported a dark triangle UFO which was picked up from Google satellite in from Louisville in Kentucky. Meanwhile, there was also a report of bright UFO seen on Las Vegas, Nevada. Numerous reports of black triangle UFOs emerged in the 20th and 21st century especially from US and UK. Reports about these types of UFOs were commonly described it as large, black, triangular objects which hover silently and very slowly on low altitudes. Other reports suggest it has pulsing lights on the corners. Some people connect it to the USAF Aurora aircraft. "My son was looking for his phone and realize it was on his bed. When he picked it up, he realized google satellite was somehow pulled up on his phone... He realizes it [satellite map] was on our hours, he was shocked to see an object hovering on our house," the witness said according to UFO Sightings Daily. The witness described the alleged UFO with triangle shape and black to dark brown color. He added that he took a snapshot of it from different angles. Looking at the Google coordinates, the news report suggest it must be blurred by Google. The descriptions sound different from previous triangle UFO sightings which was seen in multiple locations.The alien ships reported to MUFON in December 2016 were described to have three large spherical lights each connected by linear lights. On the other hand, another UFO sighting was reported from USA from a video filmed on Sunday, Jan. 8. According to LUFOS, a bright UFO was seen in Las Vegas in Nevada. The witness said the video was shot from his backyard in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas. That witness admitted he could not identify what the object is and some local news reports connected it to extraterrestrial beings. IBM's Watson Health artificial intelligence unit has signed a two-year joint-development agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to explore using blockchain technology to securely share patient data for medical research and other purposes. IBM Watson Health and the FDA will explore the exchange of patient-level data from several sources, including electronic medical records (EMRs), clinical trials, genomic data, and health data from mobile devices, wearables and the "Internet of Things." The initial focus will be on oncology-related information. "The healthcare industry is undergoing significant changes due to the vast amounts of disparate data being generated. Blockchain technology provides a highly secure, decentralized framework for data sharing that will accelerate innovation throughout the industry," IBM Watson Health Chief Science Officer Shahram Ebadollahi said in a statement. IBM Watson Health Blockchain technology, which has been most closely associated with the Bitcoin cryptocurrency and payment system, is a distributed, tamper-proof public ledger of transactions that has been used to securely record loans, transfer stocks and business contracts. Blockchain works through a peer-to-peer computer network exchange where each node in the chain keeps a copy of the ledger and can trust others' copies because of the way they are signed using encrypted hash keys. Transactions are recorded as blocks of data to be added to the chain; each block contains a unique cryptographic hash that is used to track that block as well as others in the associated chain. Data within the blocks cannot be modified and the chains are secure by design. Electronic medical records (EMRs) carry a mass of data, including demographics, treatment and genomic information, and act as repositories for biomedical research. But because data in EMRs is the most highly sensitive, there has been little progress in sharing information for research and clinical use, such as aiding in physician decision making. Thinkstock IBM's researchers believe that by keeping an audit trail of all transactions on an unalterable distributed ledger, blockchain technology establishes accountability and transparency for data exchange. "Transformative healthcare solutions are possible when healthcare researchers and providers have access to a 360-degree view of patient data. Today, patients have little access to their health data and cannot easily share with researchers or providers," IBM said. IBM recently surveyed 200 healthcare executives, both with insurance payers and medical providers, and found 16% expect to have a commercial blockchain service at scale in 2017 for sharing data securely. Most have deployed EMRs but not all effectively In 2004, President George W. Bush called for establishing EMRs for most Americans by 2014 and created the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology to lead the way. The Obama Administration then pledged $50 billion toward the implementation of EMRs, which were phased in under the "Meaningful Use" program. That program penalized healthcare facilities that didn't implement the technology. While most healthcare facilities have introduced EMRs, many are still not able to securely share data -- even with other hospitals and clinics in their own healthcare group. IBM IBM's Watson supercomputer is now functioning as a cloud offering compute resources as a service. At the end of 2015, only 41% of non-federal acute care hospitals had clinical information from their patients' outside encounters at the point-of-care, according to the ONC. "Additionally, when seeking care for a medical problem within the last year, about one in three individuals reported experiencing one or more gaps in information exchange," the ONC stated in a report. The use of certified EMR technology has been proven useful for the electronic exchange of healthcare information between providers and insurers. It has also been shown to improve quality of care and workflow. In addition to more obvious uses, EMR data is also seen as a invaluable for performing large-scale but relatively low-cost pharmaceutical, medical and healthcare analyses. To date, however, little progress has been made toward that because of privacy and security issues. The use of secure patient medical data can be essential for the development of new drugs, and is key in enabling personalized medicine, where medical treatments are tailored to a specific patient based on genomics and other factors. Research has found that using patient data with machine-learning algorithms can drastically improve both the cost and quality of healthcare through simulation modeling. "Giving patients the opportunity to share their data securely, for research purposes or across their healthcare providers, would create opportunities for major advancements in healthcare," IBM and the FDA said in a joint statement. The two plan to look at how a blockchain framework can aid public health by supporting important use cases for information exchange across a wide variety of data types, including clinical trials and "real world" data. Patient data from mobile devices, wearables and other connected devices, for example, can help doctors and caregivers better manage population health, according to IBM. IBM brings extensive expertise in blockchain technology. For example, IBM is a founding member and key contributor to the Linux Foundation's Hyperledger project. For its part, IBM will work to define and build a scalable and decentralized data sharing ecosystem. IBM Watson Health and the FDA plan to publicize initial findings in the use of blockchain for healthcare data sharing later this year. This story, "IBM Watson, FDA to explore blockchain for secure patient data exchange" was originally published by Computerworld . U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and senior members of his campaign team allegedly knew and supported the leak of emails of the Democratic National Committee, according to unsubstantiated documents leaked by a news outlet on Tuesday. The dossier of memos, published by BuzzFeed, quotes an unnamed "Source E," described as an ethnic Russian and close associate of Trump, as acknowledging that the Russian regime had been behind the leak of e-mail messages originating from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to the WikiLeaks whistleblowing site. The Trump team in return agreed to "sideline Russian intervention in Ukraine as a campaign issue, and raise certain issues that would deflect attention from Ukraine. WikiLeaks leaked in the run-up to the elections last year embarrassing emails from the DNC that showed that the organization had favored Hillary Clinton over her rival Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democratic Party nomination. The website has also published mails from the account of John Podesta, chairman of Clinton's campaign for the presidential election. Trump hoped to swing Sanders' supporters over to him, according to an ethnic Russian associate of the President-elect quoted in one of the memos. The reason for using WikiLeaks was 'plausible deniability' and the operation had been conducted with the full knowledge and support of TRUMP and senior members of his campaign team, according to a memo. WikiLeaks has said it does not collaborate with states in the publication of documents, but there has been speculation that the Russians might have used a go-between. The memo cannot be considered as the smoking gun that would prove Trump's alleged involvement in the leak of the emails of the DNC. It is part of a dossier, that BuzzFeed warned was unverified and "potentially unverifiable. The dossier is considered explosive as it claims that Trump was cultivated by the Russians for years in a number of ways. The claims in the documents have been circulating for some time. A two-page synopsis of the report, based on memos written by a former British intelligence operative, was given last week to President Barack Obama and to Trump by four U.S. intelligence chiefs, CNN reported. The memos are said to have originated as research commissioned by opponents to Trump both within his Republican party and later from the Democratic Party. Late Tuesday a top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway said on the "Late Night with Seth Meyers" show that Trump was "not aware" of an intelligence briefing on the subject. Trump tweeted late Tuesday in an apparent reference to the document leak that it was FAKE NEWS- A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! The Obama administration has pointed a finger to Russia and imposed sanctions on the country for meddling in the presidential elections. In a joint statement in October, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said they are confident that the Russian government directed the compromises of e-mails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from political organizations. There are many companies vying to build the industrial internet of things, but the systems involved are so complex that those vendors also need to cooperate. A new lab at National Instruments, in Austin, Texas, is bringing some competitors together. The NI Industrial IoT Lab opened on Wednesday and will house testbeds for applications like predictive maintenance, time-synchronized industrial networking and microgrids for renewable energy. It will also be a place where companies can show off joint solutions to customers. One of the aims of the lab is to show enterprises that IoT works, said Jamie Smith, director of embedded systems at National Instruments. One of the barriers we face today is [gaining] wide industry confidence that these distributed industrial internet of things solutions are ready, Smith said. The opening brought together Cisco Systems and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, known more as archrivals than as partners, as well as Intel, PTC, Real-Time Innovations, Analog Devices and the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC). Theyre all sponsoring the lab along with several other players. Vendors will use the lab to showcase their products to customers but also will collaborate with others to make sure all technologies developed for industrial IoT can work together. Those include communications protocols, processing elements, software and more. On Thursday and Friday this week, the lab will host a plugfest where vendors will connect their products using TSN (time-sensitive networking). TSN, based on IEEE standards, is designed for synchronizing the clocks in industrial equipment connected over Ethernet. It should allow enterprises to gradually replace specialized industrial networks with Ethernet, integrating IT with so-called OT (operational technology). National Instruments makes compact, hardened systems that sit at the edge of an IoT network and collect, digitize, process and transmit information from a wide variety of sensors. The systems can also control equipment at the edge in real time using data collected there, Smith said. The initial testbeds in the National Instruments lab came out of IIC, which was formed in 2014 to help bring together IT and OT systems. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Close Kate Middleton is one of the most admired women in the whole world. Apart from her beauty and grace, many people are fascinated at how well she has adjusted to the royal life, and how her every action influences young women all over the world. Indeed, many people can take a few cues from the Duchess of Cambridge as there are several life and career lessons that we can all learn from her. As she grows further into her role as the wife of the future King of England, it is expected that the public will see more from her as she continues to inspire men and women all over the world. Here are some of the life and career lessons that we can learn from Kate Middleton. Stay cool in the face of controversy Back in 2012, a British tabloid published a few photos of the Duchess sunbathing topless while frolicking in France with Prince William. This happened while the couple was on a royal tour of South East Asia, and according to E! Online, the Prince reportedly had a difficult time staying cheerful during their tour. However, he and the Duchess managed to stay classy throughout the ordeal, and she managed to keep her composure while the scandal was ongoing. In ones personal life or at work, its inevitable that there will be someone who will gleefully remind you of the time when you made a huge mistake. The best thing to do is to stay calm and collected, and remind yourself that this will blow over in just a few days. Ignore the haters Kate Middleton has been endlessly criticized for her fashion sense, her hair, her behavior, and her decision to take on less royal duties to raise her family. However, she remains adamant about her choices, which makes her a very refreshing addition to the royal family. People will always find reasons to criticize you, but as Eleanor Roosevelt said, No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Ignore the haters and be an original, while remaining kind, sincere, and gracious to everyone around you. Look your best at all times Whenever Kate Middleton is seen in public, she makes it a point to be well-dressed and flawlessly groomed. While being presentable is mandatory for every member of the royal family, one doesnt need to be a prince or princess to know that looking polished and put-together is a must to be taken seriously. Moreover, simply taking the time to be appropriately dressed and groomed will make you feel better about yourself. For more, check out Jobs & Hires report on how to succeed in life like Kendall Jenner. Bitcoin fell even lower while China is likely to tighten regulation on the digital currency. According to Bloomberg, Bitcoin declined even further by 1.4 percent arriving at $888 in Hong Kong. This comes after it had already fallen by 10 percent last Friday, January 6. Its recent movement was reportedly labeled as unusual by the Peoples Bank of China seeing as it is a virtual commodity and does not have the legal status of a currency. It caused the bank to reiterate their ban that states financial institutions are prohibited to handle bitcoin transactions. If bitcoin trading will disturb the financial order in China, the director of Finance and Securities Research Institution at Wuhan University of Science and Technology said that there is a possibility that it will be made illegal. In addition, the Managing Director of Kapronasia said that bitcoin is very likely going to be regulated. Policy makers are going to require reports and monitoring, but exactly what the regulations will be is unknown. The digital currency has been rallying since 2015, reports Bloomberg, wherein to combat the weakening yuan, Chinese buyers had been purchasing bitcoin onshore and selling it offshore in exchange for another currency. This allows them to avoid the tight restrictions on fund outflows. Bitcoin trading platform, BTCChina, has already been told by the People's Bank of China to conduct self-checks in response to the "unusual" activity. The bitcoin firm has been working closely with the central bank to ensure that no Chinese laws are being broken. Another bitcoin trading firm called Huobi also plans to work with other bitcoin companies to establish industry standards, says its Chief Operating Officer. Even the Beijing and Shanghai branches of the Peoples Bank of China had met with representatives of bitcoin firms in order to discuss the operations. One firm that was present, OkCoin, stated that these regulations that are balanced and risk-based would benefit the industry. For more news, follow Jobs & Hire. Google and Apple have been caught in the issue between Russia and LinkedIn. The country has blocked access to the Microsoft-owned social network over allegations that it did not follow a law. In connection with the alleged violation, Russia demanded that the U.S. technology giants Google and Apple remove LinkedIn from their app stores in the country, International Business Times reported. The ban could present a problem to business professionals who have been trying to expand their network using the social network. Apple said it received the request to delete LinkedIn from Russia in December 2016. Google declined to confirm if it obeyed the request. Android Headlines reported that the app can no longer be downloaded from the Google Play Store following the takedown issue, which means that Google did comply with the takedown notice. Under Russian law, LinkedIn was supposed to store all data related to Russian citizens within the country. However, it appears that some personal data of Russian citizens got out of the country through leakage. It may not be the fault of LinkedIn because the leaks were reportedly caused by cyber security breaches. The takedown notice hurt LinkedIn's user base because the ban means that it will lose approximately six million users from Russia. Business professionals who are using LinkedIn to look for job opportunities used to be able to access the LinkedIn website using a virtual private network, but it seems that the government managed to take that down, too. The compliance of Apple and Google to Russia's request could be a good thing for them because it signals their willingness to work with the Russian government. While LinkedIn was disappointed with the development, there is nothing much they can do except appeal the decision. LinkedIn recently added three new features that would help employees look for jobs, Jobs & Hire previously reported. Now it appears that those features will no longer be enjoyed by Russian citizens. Big names in the banking industry are currently looking for thousands of new employees to work for them. If you were looking for a new career that would give you over $100,000 paycheck a year, it would be worth it to check these openings. Business Insider looked at the listing from job search engine Indeed and shared that 14 of the big banks are "hiring like crazy" this year. Topping the list is JPMorgan Chase, which has over 2,000 job openings. The global financial services firm is trying to fill in positions in the U.S., including an assistant general counsel, corporate M&A and private investments, per PE Hub; and a CCB, Senior Administrative Assistant, per Palatine Patch. Coming in second place is Wells Fargo. The financial services company is also hiring over 2,000 employees. The bank recently was involved with fake accounts scandal, but now, Wells Fargo is changing how it is paying its employees. In a report from LA Times, Wells Fargo is introducing a new incentive system to reward its employees. Inside of giving them incentives for new account openings, which were said to be the root of the fake accounts, the bank will give tellers and bank workers a bonus based on how often their customers use their accounts, as well as their service satisfaction. Meanwhile, other banks that have job openings right now are Citi (over 750), Morgan Stanley (over 550), and Bank of America (over 500). PNC Bank and the Bank of New York Mellon have 400-450 available positions. US Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, KeyBank and Deutsche Bank have 200-250 slots while HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and UBS have 50-150 openings. The news of these bank job openings came amid reports that in the next decade, 1.8 million jobs in the financial sector will be gone. This forecast from Citigroup was attributed to the efforts of banks to cut costs and automate most of their processes, as reported by Investopedia. Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. Refund checks are on the way to nearly 350,000 individuals who lost money running Herbalife Ltd. businesses, the Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday. In July, Herbalife reached a $200 million settlement in what the FTC termed the companys unfair and deceptive practices. The compensation criteria include Herbalife participants between 2009 and 2015 who paid at least $1,000 to Herbalife and generally got little or nothing back from the company. Although the FTC said most partial refund checks would range from $100 to $500, the most could be worth more than $9,000. We are pleased to announce that hundreds of thousands of hard-working consumers victimized by Herbalifes deceptive earnings claims will receive money back, said Jessica Rich, director of the agencys Bureau of Consumer Protection. The agency separately posted a blog in which it listed lessons learned both by the FTC and the multi-level marketing industry from settlements with Herbalife and Vemma Nutrition Co., an Arizona multi-level marketing company. Among several settlement elements, Herbalife agreed to a new compensation structure in which success depends on whether participants sell Herbalife products, not on whether they buy products. In December, Vemma, agreed to a FTC settlement to end business practices that included allegations of creating a pyramid scheme that targeted college students and young adults. Vemma was prohibited under a federal court order from paying an affiliate unless a majority of that affiliates revenue comes from sales to real customers rather than other distributors. The lessons learned include: False or unsubstantiated earnings claims violate the FTC Act on truth-in-advertising standards. The FTC said that every multi-level marketing case it has addressed features misleading money-making representations. Some MLMs use limos, luxury and lavish lifestyles as the bait to lure consumers, but their pie-in-the-sky promises turn out to be half-baked, the FTC said. Others try a subtler approach, appealing to consumers desire to be their own boss, spend more time with their children or secure their families financial future. Regardless of whether its hard sell or soft soap, deception is deception. Monitor the claims distributors are making. Even a truthful income testimonial can be misleading if typical distributors are unlikely to achieve those results, the FTC said. For companies acting within the law, the business is driven by selling products to real customers ... people unaffiliated with the company who actually buy and use the product the MLM sells. Make sure compensation and other incentives are tied to real sales to real customers. Herbalife and Vemma must implement systems that incentivize participants to sell products to people outside the network, the FTC said. Herbalifes $130 million manufacturing plant in Winston-Salem serves as a pivotal global production facility. The company has expressed confidence it will fulfill its July 2015 pledge to double its local workforce to more than 800 full-time employees by the end of 2018. The workforce was at 615 at last count in November. Accusations of Herbalife operating as a pyramid scheme were made public by billionaire hedge-fund activist Bill Ackman the same day Dec. 19, 2012 that Herbalife said it would take over the closed Dell Inc. computer-assembly plant in Winston-Salem. There has not been any confirmation that Ackman timed his campaign against the company to counter the plant announcement. Michael Johnson, Herbalifes chairman and chief executive, said in a statement on the FTC settlement that it is an acknowledgment that our business model is sound and underscore our confidence in our ability to move forward successfully. Otherwise, we would not have agreed to the terms. Johnson will step down as chief executive June 1 to concentrate on his role as executive chairman. Gildan Activewear Inc. had to increase its offer for bankrupt American Apparel LLC by a whopping 33 percent, but it appears to have been enough to acquire the retailers brand rights. The Montreal basic-apparel manufacturer, with a significant yarn production presence in Mocksville and North Carolina, said Tuesday its $88 million bid won an auction in bankruptcy court. Other reported potential bidders for American Apparel LLC included Amazon, Forever 21 and Next Level. There was no listing of auction results in American Apparels bankruptcy filings. The offer is $22 million higher than Gildans initial proposal of $66 million, which was made Nov. 14 as part of a stalking horse portion of the retailers Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing. A stalking horse offer typically represents a floor for a potential auction bid for assets. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge will review Gildans winning bid Thursday. If approved, Gildan said it could close on the acquisition by early February. The American Apparel brand will be a strong complementary addition to our growing brand portfolio, Glenn Chamandy, Gildans president and chief executive, said in a statement. We see strong potential to grow American Apparel sales by leveraging our extensive printwear distribution networks in North America and internationally to drive further market-share penetration in the fashion basics segment of these markets. Gildan repeated what it is buying is the worldwide intellectual property rights related to the American Apparel brand and certain manufacturing equipment. Gildan reconfirmed it would not acquire any of American Apparels 110 stores. Much of American Apparels brand cachet comes from the bulk of its products being geared toward millennials and made domestically. While Gildan is known for mainstream basic apparel, American Apparel is known primarily for its sexually oriented advertising and chief executive Dov Charney, who faced allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace. Gildan reiterated it will purchase separately inventory from American Apparel to ensure a seamless supply of goods to the printwear channel while the company integrates the brand within its Printwear business. Gildan may consider keeping the companys 1.5 million square feet of production and distribution operations, according to a court filing. But there is no guarantee it will keep manufacturing in Los Angeles, where a state minimum wage of $15 an hour went into effect Jan. 1. According to a December report in California Apparel News, American Apparels factory employees in Los Angeles received layoff notices that theyll be out of a job on Jan. 7 unless the new owner decides to keep their facility open. Gildan said it would provide projections of American Apparel contribution to its fiscal 2017 guidance with its fourth-quarter 2016 report. Stifel analyst Jim Duffy said Tuesday that buying the American Apparel brand rights brings potential to accelerate growth leveraging another recognizable brand. In addition, acquisition of U.S. manufacturing competency could also prove strategic with potential for border adjustability as an element of tax reform under the Trump administration. We see opportunity in the fashion basics portion of the printwear business, as well as potential for use of the trade name in branded apparel. Despite the challenged retail backdrop and soft demand picture for the basics category, we remain appreciative of Gildan as a multi-year share gainer that is under performing margin potential. American Apparel voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Nov. 13 its second time requiring protection from creditors since October 2015. It listed assets and liabilities between $100 million and $500 million and creditors between 25,001 and 50,000. American Apparel exited bankruptcy protection in early 2016 as a smaller, leaner company, shrinking from 230 stores and 8,500 employees in six factories to 110 stores, three factories and 4,400 employees. However, major losses returned quickly, including a 33 percent decline in sales in the third quarter compared with a year ago. The company faced unfavorable market conditions that were more persistent and widespread than the debtors anticipated, said Mark Weinstein, who has been appointed as American Apparels chief restructuring officer. These market conditions were particularly detrimental to retailers. The initial plan was to conduct an auction of the American Apparel assets on Dec. 21. However, a committee of unsecured creditors requested that Judge Brendan Shannon delay until mid-January approval of the Gildan plan. The creditors wanted the additional four weeks to try to attract a higher bid. American Apparel responded by saying the company simply does not have the funds necessary to run a protracted sale process, given a cash burn rate of up to $2 million a week. The value of property in Davie County has dipped nearly half a percentage point since the last appraisal in 2013, tax administrator Brian Myers told the Davie County commissioners last week. Though Mocksville and Bermuda Run saw slight bumps in its property value, the countys overall value was dragged down by a 2.80 percent drop in property value in Cooleemee. Bermuda Runs property value increased .71 percent, and Mocksvilles by .36 percent. The reappraisals will be sent out to property owners by the end of this month, Myers told commissioners. Of the 24,000 notices sent out, about 5 percent will likely be appealed, Myers said. People who want to appeal their property valuation need to show supporting documents, such as the value of similar homes in their neighborhood or home improvements that have been made. In other news, commissioners heard from consultant William Lamb about the need for more space at the recently renamed Bobby Knight Senior Center in Mocksville. Commissioners had approved $800,000 in 2014 for the centers expansion but later called back that decision because of budget constraints and the need for more study. Lamb told commissioners last week that the countys demographics are rapidly changing, with people aged 60 and above expected to make up 32 percent of its population by 2035. Davie County is going to look like Florida, Lamb said. Davie County, according to the report, is a county with more people aged 60 and above than school-age children. And this trend is only expected to continue in the foreseeable future, the report said. The senior center, at 10,600-square feet, is already at capacity, with popular fitness and nutrition programs using every bit of space possible. It can be difficult to offer other programming because of lack of space, Lamb said. It would be good to have pool tables, ping pong tables. Those are commonly seen in senior centers across the state, but there is no room to put those in this building, he said. Space for such things as tax assistance and Social Security are also often seen in other senior centers. Mike Ruffin, the interim county manager, said commissioners will consider capital improvement needs at the senior center at a special meeting on Jan. 19. The meeting was Ruffins last as manager. His replacement, John Eller, was scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Ruffin said he will help with Ellers transition for as long as needed. Commissioners also delayed a vote on buying more than 15 acres from the Humane Society of Davie County at 291 Eaton Road for $450,000. The adoption center would be used as the new Davie County Animal Shelter. Commissioner Dan Barrett didnt elaborate but said questions have been raised about the sale. I need answers to those before we enter into the contract. And its easier to get out of a contract from the front side than the back side, he said. Commissioners said they plan to address the sale at the meeting on Feb. 6. Q: Is it the responsibility of a homeowner to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of your house? I am a northern transplant and where I come from, a homeowner could be fined if they do not clear the sidewalks of snow and ice. Also, is it against the law to operate a motor vehicle without clearing all the snow off? I saw so many people out there driving last weekend with large amounts of snow and ice on their vehicle. J.D. Answer: As to your first question, yes, sidewalk clearing is the responsibility of the homeowner. Section 74-12 of the citys Code of Ordinances deals with the removal of snow on sidewalks in Winston-Salem. The code says that the tenant or occupant, or, if there is no tenant, the owner, agent or custodian, of any building or lot or parcel of land bordering on any street in the city on which there is a sidewalk abutting shall keep such sidewalk in front of and adjoining such property clean. The code states that in most cases, the sidewalk should be cleaned of snow or sleet within two hours after it stops falling. If the weather happened overnight, the sidewalk should be cleared by noon the next day. The cleared snow must not be placed in such a way as to obstruct the roadway or inhibit snow clearing by the city or adjacent property owners. As to your second question, North Carolina does not have a specific law regarding removing snow from your car, according to the American Trucking Associations, but if snow and ice comes off a vehicle and causes an accident, the driver may be responsible. Also, snow or ice on the car could obstruct the drivers vision and lead to a collision. Q: Are there any free shred events coming up in January or February? K.J. Answer: The next one that we are aware of is the Shred Away Lung Cancer Free Community Shredding Event being held from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 21 at Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, 201 S. Stratford Road. Though it is a free event, donations are appreciated, and all proceeds will benefit Cancer Services to provide financial, physical and social support to people who have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Q: Oh, SAM, please tell us where we can register a harsh negative comment about the new series The Mick? As grandparents, we were horrified by the episode we viewed last Tuesday. L.D. and D.D. Answer: You can file a complaint with Fox directly at ask.fox.com, under Broadcast Experience Issues by selecting Content or General Feedback from the dropdown menu. Or you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commissions Consumer Complaint Center at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. Under TV Issues, you can select the issue that best describes your complaint, which includes Indecency as one of the options, if that was your complaint. People without internet access can write to the FCC at 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20554. NEW YORK Hours before his first news conference as president-elect, Donald Trump on Wednesday blasted U.S. intelligence agencies, blaming them for leaking unsubstantiated reports on his relationship with Russia and demanding, "Are we living in Nazi Germany?" A U.S. official told The Associated Press on Tuesday that intelligence officials had informed Trump last week about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not allowed to publicly discuss the matter. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence community's findings last week, the official said. Media outlets reported on the document late Tuesday, and Trump quickly took to Twitter to denounce it as "fake news." He suggested that he's being persecuted for defeating other GOP presidential hopefuls and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the election. "I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!" he tweeted early Wednesday. "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" The topic appears certain to come up at the previously scheduled new conference Wednesday morning. The news conference had been designed for Trump to discuss whether and how he plans to avoid conflicts of interest with his global business empire. Trump is certain to face questions about what role he believes Russia played in the election year hacking of Democratic groups interference the intelligence community says was intended to help the Republican defeat Clinton. A spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, denied allegations that Russia has compromising material on Trump. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed news reports as a "complete fabrication and utter nonsense." He insisted that the Kremlin "does not engage in collecting compromising material." Trump's news conference is also expected to include questions about how he plans to disentangle himself from his family-owned international real estate development, property management and licensing business. Trump had originally planned to outline those steps at a mid-December news conference, but the event was delayed, in part because of the complexity of the matter. Last week, Trump told The Associated Press that there was a "very simple solution" to his potential business conflicts. He's said he will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Trump Organization, but has not made clear whether he will retain a financial interest in the company. Trump has sporadically taken questions during the transition, popping out of the gold-plated elevators at his eponymous Manhattan skyscraper to address reporters for a few minutes or greeting the media on the driveway of his South Florida club. But those encounters have all been brief, leaving many details of the president-elect's policy positions unclear. Trump has supplemented the short press sessions with a steady stream of 140-character tweets, weighing in on everything from the intelligence community's track record to actress Meryl Streep's critical remarks about him at the Golden Globes. The president-elect also used Twitter to stunningly suggest the U.S. should boost its nuclear capabilities, another one of the vague policy pronouncements that could come up Wednesday. Less than two weeks from taking office, Trump is also confronting the reality of implementing his sweeping campaign promises, including building a wall along the nation's southern border and having Mexico foot the bill. Trump's team is considering relying on an existing law that authorizes fencing and the U.S. taxpayer money to bankroll it at the border. Trump still insists, however, that Mexico will eventually pay for any projects. Trump and Republican lawmakers are also grappling with how to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's signature health care law, a long-sought GOP goal. Some Republicans have suggested delaying a replacement measure, though Trump told the New York Times Tuesday that he wants to take that step "very quickly or simultaneously" with the repeal. The president-elect has not specified what he believes should be included in a new health care law. WASHINGTON Lets try to get this straight. Donald Trump campaigned as the champion of lower-paid working people who deserve better than they have. Republicans have spent the Obama presidency complaining about high deficits and promising to cut them. And whenever liberals put forward major reforms, conservatives say: No, no, you cant make radical changes on the basis of narrow partisan majorities. Lets take it slow and be very careful. They love to cite Thomas Jeffersons dictum, Great innovations should not be forced on slender majorities. In moving with reckless speed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Republicans are violating every one of these supposed principles. Thats because the principle that really matters to them is the one they try to shroud behind happy talk about efficiency and compassion: They want to spend a whole lot less money helping Americans get health coverage. This needs to be made very clear as their throw-people-over-the-side juggernaut rolls forward. Any vote to repeal Obamacare before there is a comprehensive alternative on the table that all can study, understand and debate is a vote to deprive many of their health insurance. It is a vote to make the lives of millions of Americans demonstrably worse. And a bunch of politicians who regularly accuse their progressive opponents of being out of touch with the real America need to be exposed for what they are: a comfortable, affluent and privileged coterie that does not need to spend a single second worrying about whether their kids can see a doctor or whether they will get the care they need if a health disaster strikes. So lets see what Republican senators from states whose constituents particularly benefited from Obamacare decide to do. That means you, Sen. Pat Toomey. The Urban Institute studied the impact of the partial repeal of the ACA through the budget reconciliation process precisely what Republicans are proposing to do. By 2019, the study found, this would increase the number of uninsured in Pennsylvania by 956,000 over what it would be if we simply kept the law. That also means you, Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker. In Tennessee, 526,000 more people would be uninsured. (Corker, it should be said, acknowledged recently that repeal and replacement should take place simultaneously.) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is threatening to hike the uninsured figure in Kentucky by 200 percent, or 486,000 people. In Arizona, Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, the number without coverage would rise by 709,000. In West Virginia, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, the ranks of the uninsured would go up by 208 percent, more than twice the national average, from 88,000 if the ACA were left in place to 272,000. These are real Americans, and they all live in states carried by Trump. Now Republicans will dispute data of this sort and claim that their replacement of Obamacare will take care of these folks. It will be, Trump has said, something terrific. OK, if its so terrific, lets see it and discuss it before we threaten the insurance coverage of so many of our fellow citizens. But they dont want to do this because they have no plan to replace it with, only fragments of partial solutions and a lot of empty words. Their un-Jeffersonian haste is part of a cover-up, a con game in which voters are told to give up something concrete in exchange for well, well tell you later, maybe. Oh, yes, and as for the deficit, the very bill McConnell is putting forward would swell it to $1 trillion thats with a tr by the end of the decade. This is quite an achievement. In one vote, the Republican Congress would deprive millions of lower-income Americans of their health care while saddling the next generation with a whole new debt load. At least Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has been willing to do some elementary math on the matter of deficits. Hes one of four Republican senators, including Corker, who have questioned the partys current path. If Democrats dont see the fight against this truly monstrous way of legislating as both a moral battle and a political gift, they should just pack up and find themselves another country. But what the nation needs most right now are Republicans willing to face up to how devious and manipulative this process is and how damaging their votes could be to some of their most faithful supporters. These GOP loyalists believed them when they promised to replace Obamacare. Show them the terrific replacement first. Meryl Streeps evisceration of President-elect Donald Trump at the Golden Globes Sunday night left a lasting impression because she refrained from delivering an ideological rant; rather, she presented a demonstration of moral shaming. She did not mention him by name or label him. She described what he did/does and explained why it matters: There was one performance this year that stunned me. It sank its hooks in my heart. Not because it was good. There was nothing good about it. But it was effective and it did its job. It made its intended audience laugh and show their teeth. It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter, someone he outranked in privilege, power and the capacity to fight back. It kind of broke my heart when I saw it. I still cant get it out of my head because it wasnt in a movie. It was real life. Aside from rank Trump apologists, who can really look at the video of Trump, arms flailing, and not see an act of immense cruelty directed toward a specific person? Republicans (including Trump) dismiss every utterance from Hollywood as liberal or out of touch, but criticizing his mocking of a disabled person should be something on which all Americans can agree. Had Streep pushed a particular agenda (e.g. climate change) or mocked Trump voters, Republicans would have grounds for complaint. She did neither, so they are reduced to eye-rolling and insults (one of the most over-rated actresses is among the least effective barbs from Trump). On immigration she did not call him a xenophobe or push for relief for DACA beneficiaries. She did something much more effective. She reminded Americans that immigration is central to the definition of America, and yes, to its greatness. The people she pointed out and millions of others enrich America. Too much time is spent defensively arguing that immigrants do not hurt us; Streep reminded us to focus on what we lose when immigration gets cut off and/or when people get deported. Streep went on to explain why Trumps egregious behavior matters: And this instinct to humiliate, when its modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybodys life, because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing. Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose. Again, outraged Republicans surely dont want to defend bullies, right? If not, and if Republicans do not embrace Trumps venom, taunting and bullying they should applaud, not whine about, her speech. And finally, any conservative outrage over a call to a free and independent press suggests the Fox Non-News nighttime propaganda has truly warped the right. What great sin did she commit by calling for the principled press to hold power to account, to call them on the carpet for every outrage? Once upon a time (the past eight years), conservatives supported the Bill of Rights and wanted a more aggressive media. Trumps reaction and that of right-wing pundits more generally ignores the substance of what Streep said for good reason. Streep humanized Hollywood elites (and what is Hollywood anyway? Its just a bunch of people from other places) and made a universal appeal to decency. Her sentiments are virtually unassailable (e.g. dont mock the disabled, dont bully, do support a free press). Trump and his apologists could only sputter in response and tweet. WASHINGTON First, a history refresher: For the past nine years, a smattering of Americans, most recently led by our now president-elect, have insisted that Barack Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya. For years, Donald Trump was unrelenting in his insistence that Obama prove beyond existing proof that he was born in Hawaii and not in the African country of his biological father. That Obama said he is a Christian wasnt enough to persuade Trumps followers, who apparently know a Christian when they see one. Further, there is no logical basis for assuming that a young boy briefly raised in a given country say, Indonesia necessarily would adopt the dominant religion of that country. He might, however, observe that though people worship in different ways, were all essentially the same. Never mind the cruel and absurd assumption that being a Muslim means that one is, ipso facto, a bad person. Respecting others despite differences is, generally speaking, the hallmark of an enlightened soul, as well as a desirable disposition in a leader. Yet, those who sided with Trump interpreted Obamas gentle touch toward the worlds 1.6 billion Muslims as evidence of a hidden agenda to advance Islam in America notwithstanding Obamas rather robust drone operations, which eliminated quite a few bad actors who happened to be, or said they were, Muslims. Noteworthy is that these same Obama doubters werent bestirred to suspicion when then-President George W. Bush visited a mosque immediately after 9/11. Nor, thus far, have they expressed any concern about Trumps cavalier denial of Russias cyberattack on the U.S. Given this history and recent evidence, isnt it about time Trump be declared a Russian spy? No, I dont really think hes a spy because, unlike the man himself, Im not given to crazy ideas. But whats with this double standard? Under similar circumstances, how long do you think it would have taken for Obama to be called a traitor for defending a country that tried to thwart our democratic electoral process? Seconds. How surreal to realize that the man who soon will become president was long committed to a rumor soaked in paranoia and propagated by conspiracy theorists whose pursuit of truth stops at the point where facts and willful ignorance collide. How perfectly terrifying. And now? What is so obviously a conspiracy of Russian leadership, hackers and spies, Trump dismisses as lousy intelligence. And he knows this how? Why would he do such a thing? Is it that hes so thin-skinned he cant tolerate anyone thinking that he might have benefited from the cyberattack? Or is it that he knew about it in advance and doesnt want to be found out? This is how conspiracy theories get started. Then again, sometimes a conspiracy is just a conspiracy and a fool is just a fool. Consider what we know: Our best intelligence indicates that Russia was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee. Trump, who has long expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin (once a KGB agent, always a KGB agent), has his doubts. Obviously, he wants to preserve the narrative that he won fair and square. And, clearly, claims of Russian interference would muss his ego. But is that it? Ego and narrative? Consider further: Trump would rather make common cause with our fiercest geopolitical adversary (hat tip Mitt Romney) than take the word of our best people. Moreover, he has said he wont receive daily security briefings and plans to drastically reduce our security agencies. Pray tell, whose side is this man on? When was the last time you had to ask that question about a president-elect? On Friday, Trump met with real American spies and others who attempted to explain things to him, leaving open the question: Can Trump learn? From his statement following the meeting, it doesnt seem so. On Thursday, James R. Clapper Jr., the director of national intelligence, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the agency is now even more resolute, and that Trump is damaging American intelligence (not to be confused with the absence thereof, to wit, Trump). To top things off, former CIA Director James Woolsey quit Trumps transition team Thursday in protest against being bypassed. In sum, when the president-elect persists in a state of denial, siding with the enemy against his own countrys best interests, one is forced to consider that Trump himself poses a threat to national security. In Russia, theyd just call it treason. SAN DIEGO Having a college diploma and advanced degrees doesnt mean youre intelligent. It just means you have a substantial amount of formal education. And if you never get out of your bubble and expose yourself to different points of view, you could be as dumb as a box of rocks no matter how many degrees you have. Many of us probably look back on our immigrant grandparents, with their sixth-grade educations and hardscrabble lives, and consider them to be among the wisest people we ever knew. And I bet all of us have run across individuals who spent many years piling up degrees but somewhere along the way lost their common sense. And then there are those politicians who look good on paper but failed Leadership 101 because they never bothered to study something really important: fellow human beings. Besides, anyone who has worked a 12-hour day has to have a lot of respect for those who didnt spend a lot of time in class because they were busy hustling on the job. Finally, if you spend any time around Ph.D.s, you know that in a world run by folks who can take the complicated and make it simple many in academia often take the simple and make it complicated. We accept all this, right? We know it like we know our own names, because life has taught us as much. So why have some critics of President-elect Donald Trump decided to attack him and assorted members of his so-called Billionaires Cabinet on the flimsiest of grounds their relative lack of formal education? In Washington, Democratic senators are preparing to raise legitimate concerns about whether Sen. Jeff Sessions, who is Trumps pick for attorney general, is fully committed to protecting civil rights for all and not just for white men. They also want to know whether Rex Tillerson, Trumps choice for secretary of state, is too friendly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Democrats can also be expected to ask Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who has been tapped to head the Environmental Protection Agency, how he can be trusted to shepherd a government bureaucracy that he has sued, and to try to elicit from fast-food CEO Andrew Puzder, Trumps pick for labor secretary, his rationale for opposing increases in the minimum wage. All fair areas of inquiry. But in the media and at the grass roots of the progressive movement, where anything goes and where what some people call the politics of personal destruction is alive and well, pummeling Trump and his Cabinet choices for supposedly not having a sufficient amount of formal education is considered fair game. And so it is that Shaun King, a columnist for the New York Daily News, recently chided Trump for being the first president of the United States in 25 years to not have a graduate degree of any kind. He also took note that Tillerson doesnt have the same level of education as John Kerry. The current secretary of state has a law degree, and the CEO of Exxon Mobil never went to graduate school. King also singled out Betsy DeVos, Trumps pick for education secretary, and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, his choice for energy secretary, as academic underachievers. So too Steven Mnuchin, Trumps pick for treasury secretary. Education matters, wrote King. It is often on college campuses where people are challenged with new ideas, new cultures, and opposing viewpoints that dont quite match their own. ... To see the education levels drop off so much, is not just disappointing, it could be dangerous. Whats dangerous is the combination of stupidity and elitism. Lets just look at one example. Tillerson doesnt need defending, but you would imagine that someone who has successfully run one of the worlds largest oil companies has picked up a thing or two along the way. Kerry, you could argue, has repeatedly failed the test of moral leadership as when he pushed through the Iranian nuclear deal, did little to stop the spread of the Islamic State, and scolded our ally Israel over its settlements. Absent inheritance and lottery tickets, people tend not to fall backward into piles of money. Usually, they earn it. Intelligence and competence take many forms. Politics can get rough. But this whole line of attack is, well, not smart. Its a positive sign that AIDS Care Service of Winston-Salem has closed its family care home and moved its five residents to nursing-care centers. The care services home outgrew its mission, Brent Campbell, the chairman of the agencys board of directors, told the Journals John Hinton. The way you fight the disease is that you find places for HIV patients to live rather than finding a place for them to die. The home opened in 1999 as a short-term care facility to serve local residents living with HIV and a place where AIDS patients could die with dignity, Campbell told the Journal. But thanks to advances in treatment, HIV patients are much more likely to live longer, healthier lives today than they were even 10 years ago. Nine employees and several volunteers worked at the family care home, Ashley Love, the interim executive director of AIDS Care Service told the Journal. We had dedicated employees and several volunteers who worked at that house over the years, she said. But after 17 years, the ground is shifting. This doesnt mean, however, that the mission is over. AIDS Care Service still works with hundreds of individuals and families in the area. And HIV/AIDS still affects far too many people. There are about 35,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in North Carolina, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And North Carolina is among the 10 states with the highest rates of new HIV and AIDS diagnoses and HIV-related deaths. Theres still a need for research and treatment against this deadly scourge. And theres still a need for AIDS Care Service. But a diagnosis of HIV is no longer necessarily a death sentence. Significant progress has been made in treating the illness, allowing many to live normal lifespans and near-normal lives. AIDS Care Service has done a lot of good and we know it will continue to do so. This crucial agency will continue to need support from our compassionate community. For more information, go to aidscareservice.org. With decades of teaching experience in several capacities in Texas and over the past three years with The Flowertown Blossoms in Summerville, Anicia D. Brown is dead set on handing youngsters the tools to master stage acting and production, while also imparting impactful life lessons along t Read moreFlowertown Blossoms preaching the value of teamwork Reddit Email 2 Shares By Farhang Jahanpour | (Informed Comment) | Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjanis death on Sunday January 8 in Tehran at the age of 82 marks the end of an era in Irans post-revolutionary history. After the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, in 1989, Hashemi-Rafsanjanis death will have the most significant impact on Iranian politics. Hashemi-Rafsanjani, usually referred to just as Hashemi, was one of the active opponents of the monarchic regime and one of the founding fathers of the new republic. No one else in Iran had occupied so many influential revolutionary posts as Hashemi. He was born in Bahraman, a small village near Rafsanjan in Kerman province, one of nine children of a relatively well-off pistachio farmer. He was only 14 when he left his village for Qom to study in a religious seminary, and he studied with a number of leading clerics, including a fiery cleric who later led the Islamic revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini. In his youth, Hashemi took part in anti-Shah activities and was allegedly arrested seven times by the Shahs secret police SAVAK and altogether spent four years and 5 months in jail. He played an active role during the revolutionary upheaval, and shortly after the victory of the revolution Khomeini appointed him a member of the Revolutionary Council. He survived an assassination attempt by the terrorist group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), in a massive blast in 1981. After Saddams invasion of Iran in September 1979, Hashemi was appointed commander in chief of the military, and he was the person who was actually running the war. When Iraqi forces were kicked out of Iran in 1982, most moderate politicians were in favor of ending the war, but Khomeini insisted that the war had to continue until Saddam was removed from power. In the end, it was Rafsanjani who convinced Khomeini to stop the fighting, saying that Iranian forces were not capable of continuing the war any longer. Finally, Khomeini accepted UN Resolution 598 in August 1988 that ended the war. Hashemi was a key Iranian interlocutor in what came to be known as the Iran-Contra scandal of the mid-1980s, with its backdoor arms-for-hostages deals with the US that were encouraged by Israel and that tarnished the Reagan White House. Hashemi was elected to the Iranian Parliament, the Majles, in 1980 and re-elected for six terms, two of them as Majles speaker. He was also a member of the influential Assembly of Experts that was in charge of selecting the supreme leader, from 1983 till his death, serving as its chairman from 2007 to 2011 when he was forced to relinquish the chairmanship due to his support for Mir-Hoseyn Musavi and the Green Movement in the 2009 presidential election. His support for the Green Movement increased his popularity among the people, and in the last election for the Assembly last year he received the highest number of votes in the country. In 1988, when differences between the Majles and the Guardian Council, that was in charge of ratifying Majles legislation intensified, Khomeini formed the Expediency Council to arbitrate between the two and to have the last word in the dispute. Hashemi was appointed a member at its inception and he continued to be its chairman until his death. This gave him an influential position in the Islamic Republic, although during the last few years Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed many of his cronies to that body, including former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Said Jalili, chief nuclear negotiator under Ahmadinejad and one of the countrys most high-profile hardliners. Shortly before his death, Khomeini set up a body to revise the constitution, which abolished the post of prime minister and replaced it with an executive president. After Khomeinis death when Khamenei was elected as Supreme Leader, Hashemi was elected president, and he started to rebuild the country after the devastation of the eight-year war with Iraq, giving him the title of Commander of Reconstruction. During his two terms as president and subsequently, Hashemi was a pragmatist and was genuinely in favor of interaction with the West, believing that the Islamic Republic could only survive if it gave up some of its revolutionary fervor. Unfortunately for him, his overtures to the West did not produce a positive response. For instance, he helped free Western hostages in Lebanon, in return for Western support. According to Professor Gary Sick who served on the US National Security Council under President Carter, The Americans promised that if the Iranians got the hostages out, the Americans would cooperate with Rafsanjani more closely than they had in the past and that they would begin to end the hostility between the two countries. He goes on to say: Rafsanjani kept his promise. He actually got the hostages out. But it came just as George H.W. Bush was engaged in another election campaign. He couldnt keep his promise, and he was defeated in that election. And the Clinton administration wasnt the least bit interested in pursuing it. That was probably one of the greatest disappointments of Rafsanjanis political life. [https://iranwire.com/en/features/4294] Hashemi offered the US firm Conoco the first oil contract to a foreign company since 1979, a major $1 billion deal to develop offshore Iranian oil and gas fields, only to be punished with new sanctions by the Clinton administration. After Saddams invasion of Kuwait, Hashemi persuaded the Iranian establishment to support the Wests campaign to oust Saddam from Kuwait. Instead of being rewarded for his tilt towards the West, the Clinton Administration introduced its dual containment policy imposing more sanctions on Iran, and in 1995 declaring a near-total embargo on US trade with, and investment in, Iran. In 2005 presidential election, Hashemi declared his candidacy, vowing to play a historical role, to stop the domination of extremism. He spoke of his destiny to serve the revolution until the last day of my life. However, he suffered a humiliating defeat against the populist hardliner Mahmud Ahmadinezhad who was supported by Ayatollah Khamenei. In the 2009 election, Hashemi supported the Reformist candidate Mir-Hoseyn Musavi and the Green Movement, but in a rigged election Ahmadinezhad was declared the winner and Hashemi and his family became the targets of attacks by hardliners. He was forced to give up his chairmanship of the Assembly of Experts. He was prevented from preaching sermons at Tehran Friday prayers, a position that he had held for many years. His son Mehdi and his daughter Faezeh were jailed partly due to their support for the Green Movement. In 2013 once again he declared his candidacy for the presidential election, but the Guardian Council disqualified him from running. So he and the former Reformist President Mohammad Khatami put their support behind Hassan Ruhani who won the election in the first round. Hashemis death will be a blow to moderate and reformist politicians in Iran, because he was someone on whom they could count. However, although his absence might embolden the hardliners during the lead up to the next presidential election in May 2017, ultimately it may encourage the Reformists to take the matter into their own hands and push for real reforms. His death might expedite the battle that has to come sooner or later between the Reformists backed by the vast majority of the people and the hardliners. It would be good if President Rouhani could lead that battle, although he lacks Hashemis charisma. Indeed, Hashemis funeral has already provided an opportunity for massive demonstrations, with anti-regime and Reformist slogans being chanted by those who took part in his funeral, which some officials have estimated at over two million. [http://www.payvand.com/news/17/jan/1053.html] Among the slogans that were chanted by the mourners were Our message is clear: House arrests must end (referring to the house arrest of Mir-Hossein Musavi and Mehdi Karrubi, the two Reformist candidates in the 2009 election). When the loudspeakers were trying to drown out the slogans of the people with calls of Allah-o Akbar (God is great) the shouts of the people rose higher with the refrain O Hossein, Mir-Hossein, and Loudspeakers are yours; the voice of justice is ours! [https://twitter.com/Vahid/status/818740720014159872] This shows that the desire for change and reform in Iran is as strong as ever and that people seize any opportunity that they get to express their opposition to the hardline policies of the clerical regime. Under these circumstances, the least helpful step by foreign powers, including the incoming U.S. Administration, would be to try to interfere in Irans domestic policies. Any sign of foreign interference will provide an excuse to the hardliners to describe the movement of the Iranian people as being inspired from outside, and would also unite Iranians behind the mullahs. The Iranian people should be trusted to take charge of their own destiny, with some moral support for outside. Related video added by Juan Cole: Euronews: Iranians rebel at former President Rafsanjanis funeral Reddit Email 0 Shares San Francisco ( Tomdispatch.com ) Many of the folks I know are getting ready to play serious defense in 2017, and theyre not wrong. Before we take up our three-point stance on the national line of scrimmage, however, maybe we should ask ourselves not only what were fighting against, but what were fighting for. What kind of United States of America do we actually want? Maybe, in fact, we could start by asking: What is a country for? What should a country do? Why do people establish countries in the first place? Playing Defense There is, without question, much that will need defending over the next four years, so much that people fought and died for in the twentieth century, so much that is threatened by the ascendancy of Donald Trump, the white nationalist right, and the Republican Party. The twentieth century saw the introduction of many significant laws, regulations, and yes entitlements: benefits to which we have a right by virtue of living in, and in many cases being citizens of, this country. We could start earlier, but lets begin with the 1935 National Labor Relations Act. It established the right of workers to collectively negotiate wages and working conditions with their employers and made collective bargaining the official policy of the United States. This policy faces an immediate threat. Identical Republican-sponsored bills in the House and Senate would end the right of unions to require the workers they represent to pay union dues. These bills would, in other words, reproduce at the federal level the so-called right-to-work (more accurately, right-to-starve) laws already in place in more than half the states. If or as seems likely, when they pass, millions of workers will face the potential loss of the power of collective bargaining and find themselves negotiating with employers as lonely individuals. Then there was the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, which guaranteed a minimum wage and overtime pay to many workers (although not, notably, those laboring in agricultural fields or inside other peoples homes workplaces then occupied primarily by African Americans, and later by other people of color as well). Andrew F. Puzder, Donald Trumps pick for secretary of labor, opposes the very idea of a minimum wage. This shouldnt be too surprising, since his current day job is as CEO of the parent company of two fast-food franchise operations, Hardees and Carls Jr. We could mention other New Deal era victories under threat: Social Security, unemployment insurance, food stamps (now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP), and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (now known as TANF for Temporary Aid to Needy Families, or more commonly simply as welfare), which was created to promote the wellbeing of children in families facing poverty. In the coming Trump years, we can expect predation on all these programs from renewed efforts to privatize Social Security to further restrictions on welfare. Indeed, former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Trumps transition team point man on Social Security, is a firm believer in privatization, the idea that the federal government should encourage people to gamble on the stock market rather than rely on a guaranteed government pension. The one entitlement program that will probably survive unscathed is SNAP, because its primary beneficiaries are not the people who use it to buy groceries but the giant agricultural corporations it indirectly subsidizes. Its no accident that, unlike other entitlement programs, SNAP is administered by the Department of Agriculture. Then there was the 1937 Housing Act, designed to provide financial support to cities so they could improve the housing stock of poor people, which eventually led to the creation of the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In Ben Carson we are about to have a HUD secretary who, in addition to having announced that hes not qualified to head a federal agency, doesnt believe in the very programs HUD exists to support. And so it goes with the victories of the second half of the twentieth century. In Jeff Sessions, for instance, we have a potential attorney general staunchly opposed to the civil and voting rights won by African Americans (and women of all races, in the case of the 1964 Civil Rights Act). In Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, well have a climate-change denier and fossil-fuel advocate running the Environmental Protection Agency. Medicare entitles theres that word again older people and some with chronic illnesses to federally subsidized healthcare. Its introduction in 1965 ended the once-common newspaper and TV stories about senior citizens eating pet food because they couldnt afford both medicine and groceries. That program, too, will reportedly be under threat. Theres more to defend. Take widespread access to birth control, now covered by health insurance under Obamacare. Im old enough to remember having to pretend I was married to get a doctor to prescribe The Pill, and being grateful for the Supreme Courts 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that guaranteed me a legal abortion, when a gynecologist told me I couldnt conceive. (He was wrong.) Then there are the guarantees of civil rights for LGB (if not yet T) people won in the 1990s, culminating in the astonishing 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges granting marriage rights to same-sex couples. All of this could be wiped out with a couple of Trumpian Supreme Court picks. Nor should we forget that in addition to peoples rights, there are actual people to defend in the brave new world of Trumplandia, or at least to help defend themselves: immigrants, Muslims, African Americans especially young black men as well as people facing poverty and homelessness. One potentially unexpected benefit of the coming period: so many of us are likely to be under attack in one way or another that we will recognize the need for broad-based coalitions, working at every level of society and throughout its institutions. Such groups already exist, some more developed than others. Im thinking, for example, of United for Peace and Justice, which came together to oppose Bush-era wars and domestic policies, the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, a national coalition of community organizations led by people of color, and National Peoples Action, another effective coalition of community organizations, to name just three. On the state level, there is the powerful work of the Moral Mondays project, led by the North Carolina NAACP and its president, the Reverend William J. Barber II. In my own backyard, there are the many community groups that make up San Francisco Rising and Oakland Rising. Such multi-issue organizations can be sources of solidarity for people and groups focused on important single issues, from the Fight for Fifteen (dollars an hour minimum wage) to opposing the bizarrely-named First Amendment Defense Act, which would protect the right of proprietors of public accommodations to refuse service to people whose presence in their establishments violates a religious belief or moral conviction that: (1) marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or (2) sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage. Defense Matters, But We Need More As important as such defensive actions will be, were going to need something beyond a good defense: a coherent reason why all these disparate things are worth defending. We need to be able to say why black lives, womens lives, workers lives, brown and immigrant lives matter in the first place. We need a vision of a society in which not only do all peoples lives matter, but where they all have the possibility of being good lives. We need a picture of what a country is for, so that as we fight, we understand not only the horrors we oppose, but what it is we desire. Fortunately, we dont have to start any description of what a good human life consists of from scratch. People have been discussing the subject for at least as long as theyve left written records, and probably far longer. In the third century BCE, for example, Aristotle proposed that the good life happiness consists of developing and using both our intellectual and moral capacities to the fullest possible extent across an entire lifetime. The good life meant learning and then practicing wisdom, courage, justice, and generosity along with some lesser virtues, like being entertaining at a dinner party. Aristotle wasnt an idiot, however. He also knew that people need the basics of survival food, clothing, shelter, health, and friendship if they are to be happy. Not surprisingly, he had a distinctly limited idea about which human beings could actually achieve such happiness. It boiled down to men of wealth who had the leisure to develop their abilities. His understanding of the good life left a lot of people, including women, slaves, and children, out of the circle of the fully human. Although it may sound strange to twenty-first-century American ears, Aristotle also thought that the purpose of government was to help people (at least those he thought were capable of it) to live happy lives, in part by making laws that would guide them into developing the capacities crucial to that state. Who nowadays thinks that happiness is the governments business? Perhaps more of us should. After all, the Founding Fathers did. We Hold These Truths Where should we who seek to defend our country against the advance of what some are now going so far as to call fascism enter this conversation about the purpose of government? It might make sense to take a look at a single sentence written by a group of white men, among them slaveholders, who also thought happiness was the governments business. Im referring, of course, to the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Its much-quoted second sentence reads in full: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Political philosopher Danielle Allen has pointed out that modern versions of the Declarations text update the original punctuation with a period after happiness. But that full stop obscures the whole point of the sentence. Not only do people self-evidently possess unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but the very reason we form governments in the first place is to secure those rights. Furthermore, when a government rather than protecting life, liberty, and happiness becomes destructive of them, we have the right to abolish it and put a better one in its place, always keeping in mind that the purpose of any new government should be to effect the peoples safety and happiness. Of course, beginning any conversation with those words from the Declaration raises the obvious question: Whos we? Can those of us who are women, people of color, descendants of slaves and/or slaveholders, all claim participation in that we? Should we want to? Allen, who describes herself as biracial and a feminist, addresses the contradictions inherent in claiming this document for our own in her valuable book Our Declaration. She concludes that we not only can, we must. There is too much at stake for us to cede equality to a white, male minority. Life, Liberty What would it mean to take seriously the idea that people create governments so they can enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? What would the United States look like if that were its purpose? Lets start with life. Its reasonable to think that the Declarations authors were following the ideas of another dead white man, John Locke, who believed that people create governments so that they dont have to spend all their time and energy preventing other people from hurting them, or taking revenge when theyve been hurt. Instead, people delegate this authority to governments. But what has the U.S. government done with those delegated powers? Over the last 15 years of what we still call the war on terror, Americans have been told repeatedly that we have to choose between life and liberty, between security and freedom. We cant have both. Do we want to be safe from terrorists? Then we must allow mass collection of our telephone and Internet-use data. And we must create a registry of Muslims living in this country. Do we want to be safe on our streets? Then we must allow federal and state governments to keep 2.2 million people locked up and another 4.5 million on probation or parole. Ours is the largest prison population in the world, in raw numbers and in proportion to our population. Safety on the street, were told, also demands an increase in the amount of daily video surveillance Americans experience. And thats just to start down a long list of the ways our liberties have been curtailed in these years. At the same time, successive Congresses and administrations have cut the programs that once helped sustain life in this country. Now, with the threatened repeal of Obamacare (and so the potential loss of medical insurance for at least 20 million Americans), the Republicans may literally cut off the lives of people who depend on that program for treatments that help them survive. The preamble of the Constitution also establishes the importance of life, liberty, and happiness, with slightly different language. In it, We the people establish that Constitution for the following purposes: to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity Is it possible that our common defence is not, in fact, aided by maintaining the worlds most powerful military, garrisoning the planet, and endlessly projecting power across the globe? After all, the United States is protected by an ocean off each coast and friendly countries on our northern and southern borders (although we may not always deal with them as friends should be treated). Certainly, I want my government to defend me from invading armies; on the other hand, Im not convinced my safety is increased when the United States does the invading. Its useful, too, as we think about the purpose of government, to consider the idea of the general Welfare. This phrase implies something important: my welfare, my good life, is bound up with yours. The people established the Constitution to promote the welfare of all of us, and not of a tiny, mega-rich minority, which is now running our government. We could do worse than reclaim the importance of the general welfare, with its suggestion that it is the primary business of any decent government to promote our wellbeing. And the Pursuit of Happiness Surely the definition of the good life, of happiness itself, is such a personal thing that it cant be the subject of legislation or the object of government. Perhaps thats true, but Id like to introduce one more thinker here, also white, and, sadly, deceased: the political philosopher Iris Marion Young. In her Justice and the Politics of Difference, she offered a definition of a good human life. We can say, she argued, that a society is more or less a just one depending on the degree to which it satisfies basic physical needs, and equally importantly (as Aristotle also believed), supports the institutional conditions necessary for people to participate in self-development. To her, that means learning and using satisfying and expansive skills, as well as the expression of our experience, feelings, and perspective on social life in contexts where others can listen. But self-development and expression, she says, are not sufficient for a good life. We also need self-determination that is, participation in the decisions that affect our lives and how we live them. We have much to defend, but we also should have a vision to advance. As we fight against a secretary of education who abhors public schools, we should also be fighting for the right of all of us to develop and use those expansive and satisfying skills from reading and writing to creating and doing that make life worth living. In a society with less and less demand for non-robotic workers, education will be more important than ever, not just so people can earn their livings, but also so that their lives are valuable and valued. As we fight against an administration of generals and billionaires, we should also be fighting for a country where we are free to express ourselves in language, dress, song, and ritual, without fear of finding ourselves on a registry or all our communications in the files of a spy agency. As we fight against a president elected by a minority of voters, we fight for a country in which we can take part in the decisions that affect all aspects of our lives. For many years Ive opposed most of what my country stands for in the world. As a result, I often tended to see its founding documents as so many beautiful but meaningless promises spoken in our time to convince us and the world that the coups, invasions, and occupations we engaged in do represent life and liberty. But what if we were actually to take those words at face value? Not naively, but with the bitter nuance of the black poet Langston Hughes who, recognizing both the promise and the sham, wrote: O, let America be America again The land that never has been yet And yet must be the land where every man is free. The land thats mine the poor mans, Indians, Negros, ME Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, Must bring back our mighty dream again. Maybe its not so strange that, in these dismal times, I find my hope in a dream, now hundreds of years old, of a country dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I guess its time to develop those satisfying and expansive skills of thinking, organizing, and acting to bring back that mighty dream again, that dream of a land that never has been yet but will be. Rebecca Gordon, a TomDispatch regular, teaches in the philosophy department at the University of San Francisco. She is the author of American Nuremberg: The U.S. Officials Who Should Stand Trial for Post-9/11 War Crimes. Her previous books include Mainstreaming Torture: Ethical Approaches in the Post-9/11 United States and Letters from Nicaragua. Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, John Feffers dystopian novel Splinterlands, as well as Nick Turses Next Time Theyll Come to Count the Dead, and Tom Engelhardts latest book, Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World. Copyright 2017 Rebecca Gordon Via Tomdispatch.com Reddit Email 98 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | Buzzfeed has published the unverified allegations by a former MI6 analyst with good Russian contacts, contained in a two-page hitherto secret annex to the US intelligence communitys report on Russian hacking and interference in the 2016 election. These two pages have circulated in Washington for months. David Corn talked about them, though not with salacious detail, in October, and then Senate minority leader Harry Reid wrote a sharp letter to FBI director James Comey about them. The notion that Donald J. Trump might have been recorded doing kinky things on business trips to Moscow or St. Petersburg is plausible, but people should be careful here. It isnt proven, and intelligence professionals gather a lot of raw intelligence that is nonsense. The specific allegations in the annex dont make much sense (urolagnia is a fetish for sexual satisfaction, not an instrument of revenge on a political opponent). Note, too, that it is just as plausible that the National Security Agency and/or the Central Intelligence Agency have data on Trump in Russia. If Trump were in contact with Russians whom the NSA was monitoring then they would have ended up monitoring him, as well. That is,if the worry is that foreign intelligence agencies could blackmail someone like Trump, why isnt it equally worrying that the US government could? J. Edgar Hoover used to blackmail congressional representatives all the time. The unusual thing here is that even if Russia had such video, it is difficult to see how they could damage Trump. The people who elected him knew that he had appeared in pornographic videos, liked to tour the dressing rooms of the Miss Teen contests when the contestants were naked, and gropes random women in public places. That he paid for a golden shower or two isnt even the most disgusting thing in his closet (at least if it was paid for it was consensual). So I think if Russia threatened him with being outed, he could just brush them off. The evangelical ministers who encourage their flocks to vote Republican have decided that they are all about forgiveness when it comes to Trump. I wouldnt have said this last year this time, but the guy is teflon on the right. If Trump has a vulnerability with regard to Russia, it is far more likely to be financial. He kept going bankrupt (six times!) as a strategy to avoid paying creditors, and understandably real banks stopped wanting to lend to him. The Financial Times alleges that Trump then got in bed with very wealthy figures from, e.g., Kazakhstan, who loaned him money or licensed his name for, e.g., the Trump Soho, in which he was a partner with a shadowy Kazakh figure. But FT suggests that the quid pro quo was that he got them into the New York real estate market, which they then used for money laundering. Money earned from embezzling (say, from the Kazakh ministry of petroleum) or criminal activity needs to be laundered before it can be openly invested. The criminal claims that the ill-gotten funds are profits from an investment, e.g. The FT thinks Trump may have, knowingly or naively, facilitated this kind of activity. If it was knowingly, of course, that was a heavy duty crime. Or there is the Washington Posts expose of Trumps relationship with a Russian businessman whom the Post characterizes as possibly having links to organized crime and whom, the Post alleges, former business partners accuse of routinely threatening to kill them. In fact, big business people often seal deals at strip clubs, and sex parties in St. Petersburg were likely to be sweeteners for a business deal. Only puritan Americans would think it was the sex party that was the important thing. James S. Henry in The American Interest surveyed several cases of Trumps sketchy financial relationships with Russian or Former Soviet Union Oligarchs. Henry doesnt allege criminality in these relationships, though the accounts he gives heavily hint at it. And if there was ever a place where Honore de Balzacs maxim in Le pere Goriot was true, it is post-Soviet lands. Balzac said, the secret of great fortunes with no apparent explanation is a crime forgotten because it was well executed. Mario Puzo paraphrased it to behind every great fortune there is a crime. Mark Sumner at Daily Kos also rounds up these oligarch/ organized crime links. So if Russia has a hold on Trump, Id look at the business angle, myself. The idea that they could shame him by attacking his reputation for sexual propriety seems a little far-fetched. - Related video: USA Today: Intel chiefs told Trump that Russia targeted him JURIST Guest Columnist Reid T. Murdoch, Esq., Board member of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, analyzes a major Eighth Circuit ruling prohibiting blanket drug testing of college students Blanket drug testing of college students is officially unconstitutional, a US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in December, reversing a previous panel opinion. The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuits 9-2 en banc decision in Kittle-Aikeley v. Strong reinstates a lower court ruling that suspicionless mandatory drug testing of college students urine violates the Fourth Amendment. In 2011 a public technical college in Linn, Missouri rolled out a new drug testing plan for all incoming students. Linn State Technical College (recently renamed the State Technical College of Missouri) required students to submit to urine testing by default, imposing on them a $50 fee for a test costing $28. The programs stated purpose was to provide a safe, healthy and productive environment for everyone who learns and works at Linn State Technical College by detecting, preventing and deterring drug use and abuse among students. In its first semester Linn States testing program faced a legal challenge by student activists in coordination with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Branden Kittle-Aikeley and other members of the Linn State chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy brought the class action after being required to provide urine samples. Their lawsuit alleged that blanket urine testing of all students, without any individualized suspicion, violated the Fourth Amendments prohibition on unreasonable searches. Legal representation was provided by the ACLU of Missouri and the ACLU Criminal Law Reform Project. Students for Sensible Drug Policy Foundation also submitted an amicus curiae brief in the case. Suspicionless Drug Testing is Unconstitutional, But Not for Students in Safety-Sensitive Programs The District Court for the Western District of Missouri held a preliminary injunction hearing in October 2011. In November the district court granted the students request for a preliminary injunction. This injunction was vacated by a panel of the Eighth Circuit in 2013. The panel construing the students constitutional claim as a facial challenge, found that Linn States program [PDF] may have some unconstitutional applications but could not be deemed unconstitutional on its face. Plaintiffs amended their complaint to clarify that they were seeking as-applied relief. The Eighth Circuit panels suggestion that the testing program may be constitutional in certain circumstances led the district court to conduct a program-by-program analysis of safety needs. At a bench trial in July 2013, Linn State failed to present evidence of safety concerns associated with its programs, some of which involved heavy industrial projects. Linn State failed to demonstrate any relationship between drugs and the very few accidents occurring on its campus. Instead, Linn State argued for a presumption that all its students were involved in safety-sensitive coursework. The district court did not follow Linn States proposed presumption. In September 2013 it upheld the drug testing requirement [PDF] only as applied to the students enrolled in five of Linn States programs found to be safety-sensitive. Linn State was permanently enjoined from drug testing most of its students, those not enrolled in one of the five programs posing a significant safety risk to others. For example, students enrolled in Linn States non-safety sensitive Design Drafting program were no longer subject to suspicionless mandatory testing. On appeal a divided panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit concluded that the district court erred in conducting a program-by-program analysis. The panel found that Linn States blanket testing program was a reasonable means of fostering a safe and drug-free environment at a school with many safety risks. In December, the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit en banc rejected the panels conclusion and reinstated the district courts injunction, approving its program-specific analysis of safety risk to others. Is Maintaining a Drug-Free School Environment a Special Need Justifying Suspicionless Testing? Under Fourth Amendment doctrine, searches such as urine tests may only be conducted absent individualized suspicion of criminal activity when an important government interest is at stake. Only a substantial special need outweighing the individuals privacy interest can justify the reduction in Fourth Amendment protection required for suspicionless drug testing. Last months ruling follows precedent in recognizing that public safety may be such a significant special need. The holding accordingly limits the constitutional application of Linn States suspicionless drug testing to those students enrolled in programs posing a significant safety risk. Linn State argued that alongside public safety, ensuring a drug-free college environment was an additional special need justifying deviation from traditional Fourth Amendment requirements. Linn State argued that drug testing helps to ready students for the workplace and helps instructors focus their time on instructing. Linn State also argued that students choosing to attend their college accepted a package deal that included drug testing. The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit rejected this line of argument. It relied on Chandler v. Miller , a Supreme Court case striking down a Georgia statute requiring candidates for state office to pass drug tests. In Chandler, the court did not accept Georgias claim that it had a special need for that law. The court conducted a close review of the scheme, finding that Georgia had failed to demonstrate the need. In Linn States case, it made no showing that student drug use presented a concrete danger. Linn State did not believe that it had a student drug use problem greater than that experienced by other colleges. Nor did the college present any evidence that student drug use distracted its instructors. The latest ruling in Kittle-Aikeley v. Strong holds that fostering a drug-free environment is simply not a special need justifying Linn States suspicionless drug testing program. Implications for Future Drug Testing of College Students What lessons for college administrators and student activists can be taken from the latest decision? The ruling against Linn State on the question of the drug-free school environment as a special need focuses on the colleges failure to substantiate any hazards posed by student drug use. It does say unequivocally that protecting adults from disadvantaging themselves in future employment contexts does not constitute a special need sufficient to justify suspicionless testing. Therefore, any future college drug testing program cannot be premised on the notion that drug testing instills workplace readiness in students. Notably, Kittle-Aikeley leaves open the possibility that a college in the midst of a demonstrated drug crisis might be able to implement a suspicionless drug testing program without running afoul of the Fourth Amendment. Quoting Chandler , the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit notes that a demonstrated problem of drug use, while not in all cases necessary to the validity of a testing regime, would shore up an assertion of a special need. Thus, a college that demonstrated the concrete dangers presented by its students drug use might be well on its way to justifying a suspicionless testing regime. Just how substantial a campus drug crisis must be to rise to the level of a special need is unclear. As noted in Judge Beams dissent (joined by Judge Loken), the death rate from drug abuse in the US has doubled from 2000 to 2014. If the status quo is problematic, then perhaps Linn States admission that its student drug problem is no greater than at other colleges is not persuasive. The en banc majority likely would want to see campus-specific evidence of a drug crisis. Their dismissal of Linn States drug-free environment special need claim on the basis of a lack of evidence stops short of denying that such a special need may be shown in the future. In two cases involving middle and high school students, Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton and Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls , the Supreme Court upheld suspicionless drug testing programs. In these cases the district courts findings that the schools were faced with imminent drug problems were not disturbed. On the other hand, drug testing programs like Linn States are distinct from Vernonia/Earls in two significant ways. First, as the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit notes, the governments interests in Vernonia and Earls were heightened because public middle and high schools act as temporary state custodians of their pupils. Meanwhile colleges like Linn State do not play this in loco parentis role with respect to their adult students. Second the drug testing schemes at issue in Vernonia and Earls were not applied to all students, but only to those desiring to participate in extracurricular activities. Future drug testing schemes at the college level will face difficulty equating themselves to permissible testing schemes at the high school and middle school level. Schemes applying to all incoming students are particularly suspect from a Fourth Amendment perspective. Ultimately however, a college with strong evidence of a campus drug crisis may be able to convince a court that a short-term suspicionless test, for example, would be justified in that circumstance. The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuits holding that suspicionless mandatory drug testing of college students is unconstitutional is an important ruling for the rights of students everywhere to be free of invasive, generalized searches. Drug use is a significant public health crisis in the US, with students particularly at risk of harm from drug use. Suspicionless drug testing programs that violate the Fourth Amendment are not the answer. Studies show that costly student drug testing programs are of limited effectiveness at reducing drug use. Suspicionless student drug testing programs are opposed by prominent organizations such as the National Education Association, the Association for Addiction Professionals, the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of Social Workers and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Reid T. Murdoch, Esq., serves on the board of directors for Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Mr. Murdoch is currently doing research in comparative juvenile justice on a Fulbright grant to Slovenia. He previously served on the editorial board for the Michigan Journal of Race and Law and is a current member of the NLG Drug Policy Committee. Suggested citation: Reid T. Murdoch, What the Eighth Circuit Court Decision Against Blanket Drug Testing Means for Students , JURIST Professional Commentary, Jan. 11, 2016, http://jurist.org/hotline/2017/01/Reid-Murdoch-drug-testing-of-college-students.php The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaii [advocacy website] has filed a complaint [text, PDF] with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website], stating that overcrowding in the state correctional facilities is resulting in violations of the prisoners Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The complaint, filed Friday, shows that there is overcrowding in seven out of the nine correctional centers owned and operated by Hawaii. These seven facilities are at between 121 and 203 percent of capacity in terms of head count. The overcrowding is allegedly resulting in inmates not being given adequate safe shelter, protection from harm, sanitation, food, and medical and mental health care. The ACLU argues this violates the inmates Eighth Amendment rights by depriving them of minimal civilized measure of lifes necessities in a manner that is objectively, sufficiently serious and prison officials act with deliberate indifference to inmates safety. The ACLU also contends the Fourteenth Amendment rights of the many pre-trial detainees who are also housed in these facilities are being violated as well. Instead of increasing the capacity of the facilities, ACLU of Hawaii has suggested [press release] that Hawaii instead take efforts to decrease the number of prisoners by decreasing the pre-trial detainees who are held at the facilities for not being able to pay bail, and by passing reforms that decrease the number of people in prison, as was done in Alaska, New Jersey, California, Utah and Oklahoma. The treatment of prisoners and prison reform [JURIST podcast] has been a growing concern in the US for years. In February the California Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] that the state governors plan for prison overcrowding could be placed on the state ballot. In January 2015 the US Supreme Court ruled that a landmark decision banning mandatory sentences of life without parole for juveniles should apply retroactively [JURIST report]. A federal court in February 2015 approved [JURIST report] a settlement agreement between the Arizona Department of Corrections and the ACLU in a class action lawsuit over the health care system within Arizona prisons. Also in February 2015 rights group Equal Justice Under Law filed suit [JURIST report] against the cities of Ferguson and Jennings, Missouri, for their practice of jailing citizens who fail to pay debts owed to the city for minor offenses and traffic tickets. The ACLU and the ACLU of Texas released a report in 2014 exposing [JURIST report] the results of a multi-year investigation into conditions at five Criminal Alien Requirement prisons in Texas. Perpetrators of war crimes in the Central African Republic (CAR) have not been prosecuted [press release] or investigated for their crimes, according to an Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] report [text, PDF] on Wednesday. According to AI, the countrys justice system needs to be reconstructed and a Special Criminal Court, tasked with trying suspected war criminals, and a witness protection program must be established to accomplish this. After the conflict in CAR [AI backgrounder] many of their courts and prisons were left inoperable causing those detained to be kept in crumbling buildings and insanitary conditions. The lack of security also allows for repeated prison breaks. Ilaria Allegrozzi, AI Central Africa Researcher, says the number of individuals who are free after committing these horrific crimes are undermining efforts to rebuild CAR and create sustainable peace. Victims are forced to live side by side with their alleged attacker. Since September 2016 the impunity of many war criminals has contributed to the rise in violence. Violence has persisted in the CAR since the predominately Muslim-based Seleka rebels ousted former president Francois Bozize [BBC profile] in March 2013. In November UNICEF [official website] called for [press release] aid to approximately 1.2 million children distressed by conflict [JURIST report] in the CAR. In January 2015 members of a UN investigatory commission reported that crimes against humanity have been widely committed by all parties to the conflict in the CAR, prompting the commission to call for the establishment of an international court [JURIST report] to objectively investigate and prosecute crimes. Earlier that month the UN published a report stating that violent acts committed in the CAR constituted war crimes and crimes against humanity [JURIST report] but not genocide. Despite this finding, members of the international community maintain that there is much work to be done [JURIST op-ed] in the nation. A California appeals court ruled [opinion, PDF] Tuesday that the pioneer law that requires prosecutors rather than secret grand juries to decide whether to indict police officers who use lethal force is unconstitutional. The Third District Court of Appeal [official website] said the law impedes upon the California Constitution of 1979 by limiting a county grand jurys authority [SFGate report]. The law, which followed decisions of closed-door grand juries in other states not to indict officers responsible for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, took effect in 2016. While the law was supported by civil rights groups and defense attorneys, it was opposed by prosecutors. Justice Kathleen Butz, who delivered the opinion of the court, agrees that criminal grand jury system lacks transparency and says that the legislature is not powerless to remedy the problem it identified when it attempted to amend the Penal Code. She suggests that it could take the less cumbersome route of simply reforming the procedural rules of secrecy in such cases, which are not themselves constitutionally derived or necessary to the grand jurys functioning. Use of force by police officers has been questioned on a national scale. A Minnesota police officer was charged [JURIST report] last week in the shooting death of Philando Castile, the same day the city of Cleveland submitted [JURIST reports] a revised use-of-force policy to the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, which is overseeing an agreement by the city to reform their police department. Cincinnati trial judge Megan Shanahan declared [JURIST report] a mistrial on November 12 after the jury declared it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on murder and manslaughter charges in a case involving the shooting of an unarmed black man, Samuel DuBose, by Officer Raymond Tensing in July. In September the DOJ announced [JURIST report] it would investigate the shooting of Terence Crutcher, a unarmed black man killed by a police officer in Tulsa. A judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Tuesday declined [order, PDF] to delay the execution of convicted killer Ricky Gray, which is scheduled to take place January 18. Grays attorneys argued in December that the drugs to be used during the execution were untested and potentially torturous. Judge Henry Hudson concluded that any discomfort experienced by Gray in the execution process is unlikely to cause serious pain or suffering. He also concluded that the possibility of pain was outweighed by the harm done if the execution was delayed. Grays attorney, Lisa Fried, stated [WP report] that it is unconstitutional to carry out an execution that risk chemically torturing a prisoner to death. No other state has used the mixture of drugs to be used at Grays execution. His attorneys plan to appeal. Capital punishment [JURIST op-ed] remains a controversial issue in the US and worldwide. Last Wednesday the Florida Supreme Court [official website] issued a one-paragraph order [JURIST report] informing judges and prosecutors that the states death penalty procedure is unconstitutional, marking the second such order in three months. In October the US Supreme Court vacated [JURIST report] the death sentence of an Oklahoma man convicted of killing his girlfriend and her two children in a case where the trial judge permitted family members to recommend the sentence to the jury. In May a Miami judge ruled [JURIST report] that Floridas revamped death penalty law is unconstitutional because it does not require a unanimous agreement among jurors to approve executions. In April Virginias General Assembly voted [JURIST report] to keep secret the identities of suppliers of lethal injection drugs. In 2002 the Supreme Court held in Atkins v. Virginia [opinion] that the Eighth Amendments proscription on cruel and unusual punishment makes the execution of individuals with intellectual disability unconstitutional, which was considered in the Moore v. Texas case [JURIST report]. In November, Oklahoma became the first state [JURIST report] to have the death penalty explicitly added to their state constitution as legal. According to a report by the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), only 5 out of 31 states that have the death penalty held [JURIST report] executions in 2016. [JURIST] Australian citizen and former Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks [JURIST news archive] made a court appearance on Tuesday in Adelaide on assault charges against his partner. Hicks was accused [Australian report] of assaulting his partner in September of last year and did not take a plea at the proceedings. It seems he denies the incident occurred as he told reporters gathered at the courthouse that he came to visit his father whom he claimed worked there. His stepmother also claimed his innocence saying that he was not guilty of anything. Hicks case has been adjourned until February 28. Hicks filed a motion [JURIST report] to dismiss his conviction in the US Court of Military Commission Review in 2014 after pleading guilty in 2007 to providing material support to terrorism. Hicks was captured in Afghanistan by northern alliance forces shortly after September 11, 2011, and then sold to the US military and brought to the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay the day that it opened. Following his guilty plea, Hicks was transferred to Australia in May 2007 to serve the remainder of his prison sentence at a maximum security prison near his hometown of Adelaide, South Australia, and was released [JURIST reports] in December 2007, though he remains under a suspended sentence. A control order against him was relaxed in February 2008 and was ultimately removed [JURIST reports] in December 2008. Hicks has sold approximately 30,000 copies of his book, Guantanamo, My Journey, which chronicles his time at Guantanamo and in the Australian prison. In 2011 the New South Wales Supreme Court froze all assets arising out of the sale of the book, but those proceedings were later dropped. Also in 2011 Hicks filed an appeal [JURIST report] with the UN Human Rights Committee complaining of multiple violations of international law stemming from his five-year incarceration at Guantanamo. [JURIST] German Federal Minister of the Interior, Thomas de Maiziere [official profile], released a plan Tuesday to overhaul the countrys antiterror enforcement following the December lorry attack on a Berlin Christmas market [JURIST report]. Police have been seeking to improve antiterror enforcement since Anis Amri killed 12 people and exposed holes in the countrys security architecture. The overhaul was announced in an op-ed [FAZ] and aims to make it easier for police to monitor, detain and deport asylum seekers believed to pose a terror threat. Under the proposal, police could detain rejected asylum seekers for up to 18 months and suggests centralizing the countrys counterterrorism apparatus. Maiziere, who is a member of Angela Merkels Christian Democratic Union party, said [Guardian report] recent terror attacks meant we have to face the fact that our state has to be better prepared for difficult times than it is now. On December 19 a truck loaded with steel beams ran into a crowded Christmas Market in Berlin. Twelve people were killed in the attack, and dozens more were injured. Amri is suspected to have been the driver of the truck. Amri was recently shot to death in Milan. A routine document check with two police officers escalated into a deadly confrontation when Amri pulled a gun on the officers, one of whom was injured. The attack is reminiscent of an attack in Nice, France, that occurred earlier last year in July. At least 84 citizens were killed during Bastille Day celebrations as Lahouaiej-Bouhlel drove a truck through a crowd [JURIST report]. Saudi Arabia has arrested two human rights advocates since the beginning of the year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] reported [press release] Wednesday. The reason Essam Koshak, 45, and Ahmed al-Musheikhis, 46, were arrested has not been released, and HRW called on Saudi Arabia to disclose the reasons for their detention. If they have not committed any recognizable crime HRW claims they should be released immediately. HRW reports that Saudi Arabia courts have convicted at least 25 human rights activists since 2011 and that many faced sentences as long as 10 or 15 years. According to HRW, most faced broad, catch-all charges designed to criminalize peaceful dissent, such as breaking allegiance with the ruler, sowing discord, inciting public opinion, setting up an unlicensed organization and vague provisions from the 2007 cybercrime law. Throughout the years, Saudi Arabia [BBC profile] has denied all allegations of arbitrary arrest, unfair detention, egregious prison conditions and other human rights violations. Saudi courts have cited article 26 of the Kingdoms Basic Law of Governance as the sole legal recourse of the human rights prisoners. Saudi Arabias justice system has drawn international criticism for perceived human rights abuses in recent years. Last November the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention released a report [JURIST report] renewing its call for Saudi Arabia to release nine human rights activists jailed for participating in activities promoting and protecting human rights. In January 2015 a Saudi Arabian judge sentenced prominent human rights lawyer Walid Abu al-Khair to an additional five years in jail [JURIST report] after he refused to show remorse for showing disrespect to authorities and creating an unauthorized association. In December 2014 a Saudi Arabian court ordered [JURIST report] the criminal cases against two womens rights activists be transferred to a special tribunal for terrorism. The women were arrested for attempting to drive into the country from the UAE. In October 2014 a Saudi Arabia Court sentenced three lawyers to between five and eight years in prison for criticizing the justice system [JURIST report] on Twitter by accusing authorities of carrying out unauthorized detentions. Earlier that month Amnesty International issued a report claiming that Saudi Arabia persecutes rights activists and silences government critics [JURIST report], especially in the years since the Arab Spring in 2011. [JURIST] The Illinois House of Representatives [official website] on Monday approved a new criminal justice reform bill [SB2872] by a vote of 83-26 during the latest meeting of the General Assembly. The bill would amend the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act [text] to establish federally funded trauma recovery services for violent crime victims. The bill would also amend the Unified Code of Corrections [materials] to allow probation in certain drug cases and set improvement programs to help prisoners reduce their sentences. Lawmakers have pushed [AP report] the bill in an effort to reduce the states prison population and restore communities affected by crime. The government must still address how the new initiatives will be funded in light of the states budget issues. The bill will move to the Senate for a final vote on Tuesday. The treatment of prisoners and prison reform [JURIST podcast] has been a matter of ongoing concern in the US. In June a Louisiana judge was sued [JURIST report] for essentially running a debtors prison, sending poor defendants to jail when they cannot pay fines and charging them an extension fee to avoid jail time. In March the Department of Justice urged [JURIST report] state court systems to stop using procedural routines and hefty fines to profit off poor defendants. In February the Supreme Court of California ruled [JURIST report] that Governor Jerry Brown can put his plan to ease prison overcrowding on the ballot this November. Last January the US Supreme Court ruled that a landmark decision banning mandatory sentences of life without parole for juveniles should apply retroactively [JURIST report]. In August 2015 the Department of Justice reached a settlement [JURIST report] with Los Angeles prisons on mentally ill inmate care. In May 2015 Human Rights Watch released [JURIST report] a report stating that mentally disabled prisoners experience unnecessary, excessive, and even malicious force at the hands of prison staff across the US. A federal court in February 2015 approved [JURIST report] a settlement agreement between the Arizona Department of Corrections and the American Civil Liberties Union in a class action lawsuit over the health care system within Arizona prisons. Also that month rights group Equal Justice Under Law filed suit [JURIST report] against the cities of Ferguson and Jennings, Missouri, for their practice of jailing citizens who fail to pay debts owed to the city for minor offenses and traffic tickets. Tthe North Dakota Senate on Tuesday rejected [Journal of the Senate, PDF] a bill [SB 2043, PDF] to update the definition of marriage and recognize same-sex marital relationships. The bill woud have updated the language in several state laws to change husband and wife to two individuals married to each other and other similar changes. The bill failed to pass with a vote of 15-31. Proponents of the bill stated [Bismarck Tribune report] that the bill was necessary to avoid potential costly lawsuits later due to the current language not conforming to the recent U.S Supreme Court ruling that gave same-sex couples the constitutional right to marry. Opponents of the bill stated that the bill was not necessary. Senator Janne Myrdal stated A yes vote on Senate Bill 2043 will actually accomplish functionally nothing, though it will serve to diminish with official intent the honor and sacredness of what the human institution of marriage is described as in (the) North Dakota Constitution as it stands today. Same-sex marriage [JURIST feature] in the US has been an ongoing debate for many years. In December the Arkansas Supreme Court overturned [JURIST report] a lower court ruling that would have allowed married same-sex couples to get the names of both spouses on their childs birth certificate. In October Alabamas Chief Supreme Court Justice was suspended [JURIST report] for ordering state probate judges to ignore a federal court order requiring them to grant marriage licenses to homosexual couples. In September the North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed [JURIST report] a lower courts dismissal of a claim by two former magistrates that their rights were violated by 2014 guidance memos from the Administrative Office of the Courts that said they could be fired if they refused to perform same-sex marriages. A court in Pakistan issued a death warrant for a schizophrenic prisoner, Khizar Hayat, sentenced to death in 2003 for shooting a police officer. The execution date was set just months after Pakistans Supreme Court blocked the execution [JURIST report] of another prisoner who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2012. Hayat, who is 55 years old, was also a police officer at the time of the shooting. The rights group Justice Project Pakistan (JPP) [advocacy website] is handling Hayats case, and argues that he suffers from delusions [JPP backgrounder] and does not know or understand why he is on death row. Hayats execution is scheduled [Al Jazeera report] for January 17. Pakistans use of the death penalty has received criticism throughout the world. In August the Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld [JURIST report] the death sentences of 16 civilians convicted of terror-related offenses by military courts. The previous year a group of independent UN human rights experts called on [JURIST report] Pakistan to reinstate a moratorium on the death penalty after reports of minors being sentenced to death. A Pakistani court suspended the execution [JURIST report] of a paraplegic prisoner after numerous human rights groups claimed that a hanging would be cruel and inhumane. In 2015 Pakistan executed [JURIST report] a man alleged to have murdered a child when he was a minor despite international criticism and allegations that his confession was coerced. The US Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked [order, PDF] a trial courts ruling ordering special elections in North Carolina. The court granted a stay of the order of the US District court for the Middle District of North Carolina, which ruled [order, PDF; JURIST report] that North Carolina must redraw congressional districts by March 15, 2017, and hold special primary and general elections by next fall. Officials requested the Supreme Court act before the states General Assembly convened on Wednesday in order to prevent the newly elected legislators from spending the critical first few weeks of their new session drawing remedial maps. Republican lawmakers have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding this matter, and the order will remain in effect [NYT report] pending the Supreme Courts action on the appeal. The lawsuit was originally filed in May of last year by the Southern Coalition for Social Justice [advocacy website] on behalf the citizens allegedly affected by the election tampering. In February the lower court ordered [JURIST report] North Carolina to redraw the 1st and 12th congressional voting districts ruling the district drawing were unconstitutional for similar racial gerrymandering. The Supreme Court originally upheld [order, PDF] the decision in a one-sentence order stating they would not intervene. In June the Supreme Court agreed to hear [AP report] Republican lawmakers appeal [appeal, PDF] regarding the congressional districts redrawing, with arguments scheduled to occur next week. UN Special Rapporteur Michel Frost will visit Mexico [UN report] for the first time to assess the safety of human rights defenders, according to a statement Wednesday. Frosts visit will take place from January 16 to 24, during which he will visit Mexico City, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Oaxaca and the state of Mexico. My goal is to take the pulse of Mexican rights defenders, understand their situation, hear about their challenges, and come up with concrete ideas to bolster Governments efforts, Frost said of his planned visit. He will present his preliminary findings and recommendations during a press conference that is scheduled for the end of his mission. Frost was the Director General of Amnesty International (France) [advocacy website] as well as the former UN Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Haiti. He was also the Secretary General of the first World Summit on Human Rights Defenders in 1998. Mexico has received criticism from multiple human rights organizations for its handling of human rights abuses, as forced disappearances and military violence have come to international attention. Earlier this year in August 22 civilians were arbitrarily executed [JURIST report] in Michoacan. In May the UN called upon [JURIST report] Mexico to investigate human rights violations following the death of 22 people, including at least 12 summary executions. In April three UN human rights experts pleaded [JURIST report] with Mexican authorities to support human rights groups facing extreme criticism in the national media. In 2015 Human Rights Watch [advocacy website] reported [press release] that there is evidence of recent unlawful police killings in Mexico. The report suggested that police action which left eight civilians dead in the city of Apatzingan on January 6, and 42 civilians and one police officer dead in Tanhuato on May 22 was an excessive use of force against unarmed civilians. That same year, the Miguel Agustin Pro human rights center [official website] in Mexico announced that there is evidence that high-ranking Mexican officers gave soldiers orders to kill criminals prior to an army mass slaying of suspected cartel members in June 2014. In 2013 the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns [official website], urged Mexicos government [JURIST report] to better protect against human rights abuses, specifically with respect to the militarys use of force against civilians. German automaker Volkswagen (VW) [corporate website] confirmed] Tuesday that it had reached a $4.3 billion dollar settlement in the US in which it will plead guilty to criminal charges that it violated the Clean Air Act [official website] and obstructed justice. The $4.3 billion figure [Reuters report is just part of the $20 billion the scandal has cost VWso far. While Volkswagen is likely attempting to finalize a deal before the change of presidential administrations next week in an attempt to avoid delays [NYT report]. The settlement will still need to be approved by a federal judge. VW has been steeply penalized internationally for a scandal [JURIST op-ed] that saw the automaker cheat emissions standards with software designed to fool testing equipment. Earlier this week corporate executive Oliver Schmidt was arrested [JURIST report] by the FBI on charges that he had conspired to defraud the US. VW faces sanctions in South Korea, Spain, Germany and Australia in addition to other sanctions [JURIST reports] in the US. The EU announced [JURIST report] in December a plan to hold member nations accountable for VWs fraud, increasing the likelihood that other states may be added to the list of those suing the automaker. NEWSLETTER Sign up Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Just Drinks Daily News The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday. Just Drinks Weekly News A weekly roundup of the latest news and analysis, sent every Monday. Just Drinks Magazine The industry's most comprehensive news and information delivered every quarter December saw an end to the wrangle over German supermarket chain Kaisers, South African retailers Steinhoff and Shoprite in talks over a possible combination and the recently-merged Ahold Delhaize outline its Better Together strategy. After two years, a deal on Kaisers After a two-year dispute, December saw German retail behemoths Edeka and Rewe strike a deal over the future of domestic supermarket chain Kaisers. In late 2014, Edeka moved to buy the Kaisers chain from German retailer Tengelmann. The transaction was thwarted in the spring of 2015 by Germans competition watchdog, which claimed the deal would lead to a significant deterioration of competition in many already highly-concentrated markets and neighbourhoods. The regulator had concerns about competition in Greater Berlin, Munich and Upper Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. However, in March last year, German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel intervened, giving special permission for the acquisition provided no jobs were lost. Rewe had been an opponent of Edekas move for Kaisers, arguing the takeover would hit jobs, and appealed Gabriels decision. During the autumn, Rewe had withdrawn its complaint and, on 2 December, Rewe and Edeka announced a deal. Rewe agreed to buy 62 Kaisers stores in and around Berlin and drop its appeal against Edekas takeover of the business. We are very pleased that our efforts and patience have paid off, and that we are finally able to close the takeover of Kaisers against all opposition, Edeka CEO Markus Mosa said. The deal meant Edeka acquired more than 80% of the Kaisers stores and it sought to emphasise the acquisition would mean a wider range for consumers to buy. Edeka, meanwhile, withdrew its complaint against Rewes plan to buy a majority stake in northern German retailer Coop after arguing anti-trust officials had not applied the same standards to that deal as they had on the Kaisers transaction, a claim the watchdog dismissed. And so 2017 starts without Germanys two largest grocers at loggerheads. December also saw Rewe make another significant announcement. The retailer announced company executive Lionel Souque would become its new CEO when the term of incumbent Alain Caparros ends on 31 December 2018. With Souque having started at Rewe in 1996, the appointment in some ways reflects a desire on Rewes part for continuity. Souque has worked in senior positions at Rewes Penny and Billa chains, with his time at the business taking in experience within the companys international operations. Could South Africas Shoprite join forces with Steinhoff? South Africa-based multi-format retailer Steinhoff has been in expansionist mode in recent quarters, with deals including the acquisition of UK discount retailer Poundland and US-based Mattress Firm. On 14 December, Steinhoffs latest bid to expand its business emerged. It involved Shoprite Holdings, the South-Africa based food retailer that is Africas largest grocer. Shoprite announced the two companies were in talks over a potential combination of their respective African retail businesses, with the objective of establishing a diversified African retail business of significant scale and international geographical reach that could be regarded as the retail champion of Africa. The potential new business already has a name Retail Africa and would have operations in 15 African countries, generating revenue and EBITDA of around ZAR200bn (US$14.3bn) and ZAR15bn respectively. The proposed deal would see Steinhoff take a strategic interest in the combined entity, which would remain listed. However, it was stated Steinhoff had agreed a deal in principle to buy out the respective largest shareholders in both businesses, which could ultimately mean it takes control of Retail Africa. Shares in both companies promptly fell, with some investors reportedly arguing the deal appeared complex and bemoaning what they saw as a lack of details on the possible transaction. Retail Africa, locally bred, will have the required size and scale to compete with any other international retailer, making it a compelling value proposition for Retail Africas value conscious African customer base, a joint statement from Steinhoff and Shoprite read. And that is the last we have heard at the time of writing. M&A in Europe There were three notable pieces of M&A news among Europes food retailers in December. On 5 December, Portugal-based retail group Sonae snapped up a majority stake in Go Well, which runs more than 20 restaurants in the country under the Go Natural banner. Ten days later, Swedens Axfood announced it had tabled an offer for local online grocer mat.se. And, two days before Christmas, Swedish peer ICA said it had struck a deal to buy the company behind Lithuanian grocery chain IKI. Retailer forays into foodservice do not always go well look at Tesco in the UK but, in a number of markets, there is a trend among retailers to want to tap into the, in broad terms, faster growth of that channel. Sonae may be looking to use Go Well to develop its own in-house prepared food, grocerant business. Axfoods move for mat.se is another sign of the development of online grocery. While Sweden does not get mentioned in the same breath as the UK and France when pundits talk up the prospects for the online channel in Europe, retailers in the country have been developing an online business and Axfoods bid for mat.se is a sign the retailer believes the channel will become more important to bricks-and-mortar grocers. ICA is looking to beef up its presence in the Baltic regions largest market. The Swedish retailer already has a presence in Lithuania through its Rimi Baltic arm but Lithuania is that retailers smallest market. The deal, as one would expect, will be looked at by the countrys competition officials. Ahold Delhaize better together Over the last two years, the biggest M&A deal in European grocery retail has seen Benelux peers (and in some markets, rivals) Ahold and Delhaize Group join forces. The transaction, first announced in the summer of 2015, was completed in July 2016, creating a business with 22 chains in 11 countries. In December, the new Ahold Delhaize held a capital markets day to outline its plans to an audience of investors and analysts. The retailer, espousing a mantra of Better Together, set a target of accruing EUR500m (US$524.6m) of synergies over the next three years. However, on top of that, Ahold Delhaize is looking to save through is targeting better buying, smarter operating and less waste. The savings would then be invested in the business, with Ahold Delhaize setting out a four-point customer proposition of being affordable for all, having a focus on fresh and healthier food, marketing the best own brands and the most local and personal service. Looking at Ahold Delhaizes channel strategy, the retailer is targeting a doubling of its e-commerce sales to EUR4.6bn by 2020 and sees a great opportunity to grow its small formats across its markets. The US will remain a battleground for Ahold Delhaize, with the growing competition from more value-focused retailers. However, CEO Dick Boer pointed to the then Aholds success in growing its market share in the Netherlands during a period of similar growth from the discounters in that market. With Chairman Sin still unconscious and his daughter, Hyeon-jeong still being manipulated by Yoon-wan Doldam's future is put in grave danger. Reporter Oh is still looking into Teacher Kim's life as Boo Yong-joo and some secrets of the past are revealed, which cause great tension. They also temporarily sacrifice a character to the altar of plot progression, making the transition to the next episode crucial. "Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim" is very much a "last minute" show. Rather than gradually delivering important pieces of information or having smooth character development, certain things simply happen when needed. In Teacher Kim's (Han Seok-Kyu) case, this has somewhat harmed the impact of his story. His plan for Doldam is what I expected long ago, the flashback scenes show little new information and I wonder why it took this long for the drama to present this already known material. I have already spoken a lot about In-beom's (Yang Se-jong) characterization going down the drain during the previous episodes and I briefly mentioned how Dong-joo's (Yoo Yeon-seok) buddy behavior is part of the confusion. The latest twist about his father's surgery brings even more muddled character writing for him, as all the progress he has made and the relationships he has built come crashing down in what feels like moments. This creates a tense scene with his mentor and our hero, but at the cost of cohesiveness. Dong-joo has seen what Yoon-wan (Choi Jin-ho-I) can do first hand. He has seen the manipulation and backdoor dealings. He receives this shocking information directly addressed to him, from Geodae hospital, right after Yoon-wan failed to close it down. Yet he immediately starts to suspect Teacher Kim. The man who has proved himself to Dong-joo time and time again, the one he himself chose not to betray in the past. No other explanation comes to mind about the nature of these papers. I think the twist itself is rather good, because it will force the truth out and push Teacher Kim to fight for what is right this time. I am sure Dong-joo will just calm down after the initial shock as well. This is a painful part of his past, after all. I just wish the writing were better with its development of plot points and characters so that things do not feel so jarring at times. The episode is otherwise nice, there is some good drama and it feels like a solid warm up to the upcoming sprint. PD Yoo In-sik's trademark fight scene to the sounds of the aptly chosen "Non, je ne regrette rien" is highly enjoyable and although it happens in the show's usual "better late than never" fashion, I am glad to see Gi-tae (Im Won-hee) finally choose his allegiance. I look forward to Doldam's final triumph. "Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim" is directed by Yoo In-sik, written by Kang Eun-kyeong and features Han Seok-Kyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, Seo Hyeon-jin and Kim Hong-pa. Source:HanCinema ELWOOD George L. Marquardt, 88, of Elwood died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, at his home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood with the Rev. Michael Wolff officiating. Burial will be at Elwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Thursday at Elwood Funeral Home and before services Friday at the church. He was born Feb. 20, 1928, to John Henry and Anna (Foss) Marquardt, southwest of Elwood, with George Clark as the attending doctor. George grew up on the family farm seven miles southwest of Elwood. He attended school at District 56 until the sixth grade and then went to parochial school at Salem Lutheran where he finished the eighth grade. After graduation from eighth grade, he continued to work on the family farm and help neighbors pick corn and thrash wheat. George was drafted into the U.S. Army on July 19, 1951, and went to basic training at Fort Belvoir, Va., where he trained to be a combat engineer. He sailed from Seattle on Jan. 17, 1952, on the USNS Sgt. Sylvester Antolak and docked at Yokohama, Japan. He arrived in Korea on Feb. 29, 1952. He rose through the ranks from private to sergeant first class. The primary duties he performed were cutting roads and taking up minefields. He served with Company B, 278th Combat Engineers the entire time he was overseas and in 1953 was honorably discharged. After his time in the service, he farmed and raised cattle on his own. He also worked for Elmer VonLoh for five years and then went to work for the state with the Department of Roads in 1966. In 1979, he went to work for Sperry New Holland in Lexington for four years, until the plant closed, making TR75 and TR85 combines. In 1984, he went to work for Rodney Schroeder for about five years. Then, in 1990, he went to work for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at Johnson Lake where his primary job was mowing. George officially retired in 1992, but he still managed to cut cedar trees for area farmers and maintain the family farm. George met the love of his life, Teressa Jane Hampton, in 1963 by mutual acquaintances. On May 23, 1965, they were married at Hershey Methodist Church. To this marriage two sons were born, George Jr. and Johan. They remodeled houses, farmed and bought and sold yearling cattle together. In 1975 and 1976, they built their dream home in Elwood. George is survived by his sons, George Marquardt Jr. of Oxford, Johan and wife Christina Marquardt of Tribune, Kan.; and grandchildren, James, Anna and Emily Marquardt. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Teressa; sisters, Mabel and Wilma; and brother, Orvin. Visit elwoodfuneralhome.com to leave condolences and personal reflections. Nebraskans expect children to be in safe hands when the state removes them from home for abuse, neglect or criminal justice and places them into state care. But Nebraskas inspector general of child welfare found 36 cases over three years of alleged sexual assault of children in state care. Most involved state wards in foster homes, adoptive homes, state-licensed residential care facilities and the juvenile probation system. A strong response is needed in the wake of these failures. The state must take reasonable steps to decrease the risks of sexual assault to these children. Its welcome news that the inspector general plans to study what changes to state policy and law might help. Her report cites haunting examples. Among them: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services placed a 13-year-old state ward with an ex-convict in Omaha who raped and impregnated her. A mental health practitioner is charged with sexually assaulting a boy in her care being held at the states youth center in Kearney. State systems have to improve for these children, removed from home because of the actions of the adults in their lives or criminal behavior. Omaha World-Herald Kelowna-based Capri Insurance has merged with CMW Insurance of Burnaby. Above, at the Kelowna head office, are four of the six members of Capris management team: chairman Robin Durrant, left, commercial broker Mark Goldstone, CEO Tim Miller and operations manager Jason Baughen. Missing from the photo are co-founder Gordon Baughen (Jasons dad), who works from the Vernon office, and Chris Rigg. The cover of of "The Complete Sous Vide Cookbook" by acclaimed chef, former Toronto restaurant owner and author Chris McDonald is seen in this undated handout photo. Sous vide machines, originally used in commercial kitchens by chefs, are now available at affordable price points, with the result that some home cooks are adopting the water-bath method of cooking for everything from meats to vegetables to even oatmeal, says chef Chris McDonald, author of "The Complete Sous Vide Cookbook." THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Robert Rose Inc. *MANDATORY CREDIT* A skeleton of pregnant woman unearthed in Byzantine Troy, from which scientists extracted DNA of bacteria that likely caused her death 800 years ago is shown in this undated handout image. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Gebhard Bieg MANDATORY CREDIT 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... #PM-trapped miners PM urges utmost efforts to rescue 2 trapped miners Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Friday called for utmost efforts to rescue two miners trapped underground for 10 days. They have been isolated in a vertical shaft about 190 mete... 404 Shares Share As a presidency draws to a close, it is natural to consider the legacy it etches upon the pages of history. For the most part, a first ladys legacy is a sidenote. There are a few exceptions, of course. Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, and Nancy Reagan come to mind. I believe that Michelle Obamas legacy will be one of the more notable of the modern era. For better or worse, race plays a sizeable role in her legacy. She will forever be the first black FLOTUS, just like her husband will forever be the first (half) black president. Try as we may to fight it, our society is obsessed with racial identification. I remember the first time I saw Michelle on TV and remarking that she was beautiful and looked like a younger and darker Sigourney Weaver. Before I could form an opinion of her, I had to find a white reference point. Also evident here is the male tendency to judge women first by their looks, then by their credentials and accomplishments. I consider myself an open-minded guy, but my biases were at work from the start. Im not alone by any stretch. It surely helped Michelle to be classy and smart, but understand that a black American woman always has her work cut out for her. This essay will surely awaken Twitter trolls and snarky commenters, as the hours that follow any article which praises Mrs. Obama are invariably filled with bigoted vitriol. Her politics aside, every American should be able to admit that Michelle is smart, strong, classy, engaging, and beautiful. Not only do millions refuse to admit it, they also become infuriated and outspoken when someone else points it out. Mrs. Obama never asked for the lightning rod strapped upon her back, but I cant envision anyone accepting it with more grace than she has. Somehow, she manages to convert the negative energy the lightning rod attracts into something useful. I believe Michelle is able to do this because in addition to the metaphorical lightning rod, she also carries an enormous mirror. The mirror forces us to acknowledge the ugly aspects of American history, as well as our own biases. There is an official in West Virginia (the state in which I was born) who still holds her position after publicly calling the first lady an ape in heels. She was placed on leave for a month or so until the dust settled after her racist comment, but then was quietly reinstated. While her organization is technically a private one, it receives about 2 million dollars per year in state and federal funding. West Virginia should be ashamed, and if it truly wants to shed the perception that it is backwards, firing this bigot would be a good start. Despite the unfair assault, Michelle Obama continues to take the high road. If she is angered by any of the racist comments and viewpoints, she surely doesnt show it. She and her husband have demonstrated a deep commitment to a smooth transition of presidential power. Her philanthropic project battling the epidemic of childhood obesity transcends race and gender. She has courageously taken on a major American health problem using elegant simplicity. She aims to spread knowledge regarding healthy nutrition, and promote the most effective but underutilized medicine in modern history exercise. I have two young daughters, and not a day goes by that I dont thank God for the smart, successful doctor I married and the example she sets. Im also thankful that in their formative years, my daughters got to watch and hear such a classy American first lady. Todays young American girls are relentlessly bombarded with images and innuendo telling them that success is achieved by becoming a sex object. What our daughters really need are fewer underwear models and more Michelle Obamas. Cheers and thanks to you, Michelle. May you continue to be the role model youve been for the last eight years. Keith Pochick is an emergency physician and can be reached on Twitter @keith_pochick. Image credit: Shutterstock.com A local man charged with the murder of a widow in Kilkenny city almost 30 years ago has been granted bail. Mr John Joe Malone (52) of Newpark, Kilkenny made the successful application just before Christmas but the details of the hearing have only now come to light. His bail is subject to his residing in Newpark and he must sign on at Kilkenny Garda station. As part of the bail, he can only cross the River Nore to attend the Garda station and court and he must notify the Gardai if leaving County Kilkenny. He had been in custody at Clover Hill Prison, Dublin since October of 2015 after he was charged with murdering Mrs Nancy Smyth at her home on Wolfe Tone Street, Kilkenny, on September 11th, 1987. The impending prosecution followed a cold case review by gardai at national and local level. And in a further development, two witnesses in the case made depositions in Kilkenny District Court before Christmas. The two, who are elderly, were cross-examined under oath during a week long hearing which the Kilkenny People cannot report on for strict legal reasons. The action to hear the evidence before the trial begins was taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) because both witnesses are in failing health. Mr Malone who is pleading not guilty to the charge will have his case heard in Dublin around the middle of March this year. Mrs Smyth, whose husband died in 1986, was found dead in her home on Wolfe Tone Street in Kilkenny by fire service personnel after an emergency call was made about a blaze that destroyed the residence. Shares in Australia's Bellamy's fall as much as 42 percent SYDNEY, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Shares in infant formula maker Bellamy's Australia Ltd fell as much as 42 percent on Wednesday after company said revenue will fall and its chief executive will leave effective immediately. The company said on Wednesday revenue for 2017 is expected to be between A$220 million ($162.07 million) to A$240 million. In December it said it expected 2017 revenue of about A$240 million. Bellamy's said Chief Executive Laura McBain will leave the business, temporarily replaced by Chief Operating Officer Andrew Cohen. ($1 = 1.3574 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Colin Packham) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. kitco news HANOI, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official market and indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi at 0113 GMT. Jan 11 Jan 10 USD/VND mid-point 22,166 22,167 USD/VND interbank 22,570/22,572 22,567/22,570 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.31/36.63 36.33/36.65 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, Jan 11 (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 0413 GMT. Jan 11 Jan 10 USD/VND mid-point 22,166 22,167 USD/VND interbank 22,530/22,610 22,567/22,570 USD/VND unofficial 22,750/22,800 22,850/22,880 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.30/36.62 36.33/36.65 Interbank offered rates Overnight 4.7-5.2 4.0-5.2 1 week 4.7-5.2 4.5-5.2 1 month 5.0-5.4 5.0-5.4 3 months 5.1-5.4 5.2-5.4 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) ATHENS, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Greece sold 813 million euros ($855.2 million) of three-month T-bills to refinance a maturing issue, the country's debt agency PDMA said on Wednesday. The three-month paper was sold at a yield of 2.70 percent, unchanged from a previous sale last month. The amount raised included 187.5 million euros in non-competitive bids. The sale's bid-to-cover ratio was 1.30, unchanged from the previous auction in December. In a rollover T-bill holders renew their positions instead of getting paid on the maturing paper they hold. The settlement date of the new bills is January 13. ($1 = 0.9507 euros) (Reporting by George Georgiopoulos and Lefteris Papadimas) COLOMBO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The Sri Lankan rupee closed marginally lower on Wednesday as importer dollar demand surpassed greenback sales by foreign banks, dealers said. The rupee has been under pressure due to rising imports and net selling of government securities by foreign investors, they added. Rupee forwards were active, with two-week forwards closing at 150.55/65 per dollar, slightly weaker from Tuesday's close of 150.45/55. "We saw thin trading and there were some deals in one-week forwards, which ended at 150.35/45," a currency dealer said, asking not to be named. One-week forwards were not actively traded since Dec. 30. Last week, the central bank's moral suasion prevented further decline even as the monetary authority signalled a change in its intervention policy. Officials from the central bank were not available for comments. Central Bank Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy said last week that defending the rupee with foreign exchange reserves "doesn't seem sensible" as it has always been followed by a sharp depreciation in the currency. The spot rupee was also hardly traded, dealers said. (Reporting by Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal; Editing by Vyas Mohan) ZURICH, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The Swiss blue-chip SMI was seen opening 0.2 percent higher at 8,467 points on Wednesday, according to premarket indications by bank Julius Baer . The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks: COMPANY STATEMENTS * Clariant will be supplying process catalysts for ammonia synthesis to two Indonesian plants together with processing and licensing partner KBR , the Swiss group said. * Sika said it is acquiring Bitbau Doerr, a waterproofing system manufacturer, which is headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria and In the past business year recorded sales of 50 million Swiss francs ($49.19 million). * Galenica has acquired physicians wholesaler Pharmapool Ltd. The transaction was completed in early January for a total value of 27.9 million Swiss francs. * Helvetia said it is launching its own venture fund for investments in start-ups at the beginning of 2017. Around 55 million francs will be invested in approximately 25 companies over the next few years, the company said. * Newron partner Zambon has granted Seqirus exclusive rights to commercialise Parkinson's disease product Xadago, an add-on therapy licensed from Newron, in Australia and New Zealand. * Investis Holding said it successfully completed the acquisition of Hauswartprofis. * Gategroup said the SIX Exchange Regulation has granted it several temporary exemptions from the obligations for maintaining its listing. * Kudelski said its cybersecurity division appointed Philippe Borloz as its vice president of sales in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. * Tecan appointed Klaus Lun head of its life sciences business. ECONOMY * Swiss Treasury announces yield from top up of 0.5 pct bond maturing 2058 ($1 = 1.0165 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Zurich newsroom) Daily Swiss stock market report in German................ All SMI constituent stocks............................ News on major Swiss stock price moves.................. FTSE Eurotop 300 index................................ DJ STOXX index........................................ Top 10 STOXX sectors............................. Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors........................ Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors....................... Top 25 European pct gainers... , losers... Swiss mid-cap index SMI futures Swiss all-share index Market statistics Swiss market digest Sector overview All Swiss news Swiss research news All equity news INTERNET ADDRESSES: Swiss Exchange / Eurex STOXX Ltd SPEED GUIDES: )) Keywords: MARKETS SWISS STOCKS/ (Adds quotes, detail) By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Stanley White TOKYO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda voiced optimism over the health of the U.S. economy in a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. In his first such meeting since September, Kuroda said he received no particular requests from the premier on monetary policy and that there was no specific discussion about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. "Today's meeting is one of the meetings that I regularly hold with the prime minister," Kuroda told reporters after the meeting. "I explained recent developments in the global economy. We did not specifically talk about Trump," he said. Kuroda also said he told Abe the U.S. economy was growing steadily. The BOJ has kept monetary policy steady since revamping its policy framework in September last year to one better suited for a long-term battle against deflation. (Writing by Leika Kihara; Editing by Chris Gallagher & Shri Navaratnam) Henry Cooke reports more info on the Saudi bomb maker who was a student in NZ: One year before he left he changed became more isolated, more religious, more enthusiastic about the Syrian revolution. He would watch the news all the time about it. He became enthusiastic, sympathetic with the jihadists. Alsalem said the death of another student Al-Sayaari knew in the Syrian conflict was a factor in his radicalisation. Another student studying in New Zealand went to Syria and got killed as part of the Islamic State. I think that shocked him, and made him sympathise with the jihadists more. By Ko Dong-hwan Hanjin Shipping was temporarily suspended from stock trading on Wednesday morning. The brake on Korea's major container company occurred after the company's stock price soared four days in a row. The Korea Exchange warned Tuesday that if the rises continued it would push the company, now on a warning list, off the trading platform. "Because the company is now considered dangerous for investors, the hike in its stock price could trigger a temporary suspension in trading," a Korea Exchange monitoring official said. "If the ascension continues, the company will see more suspensions." By Lee Hyo-sik AmorePacific's latest venture into the Middle East is seen as an attempt to reduce its heavy dependency on China, according to analysts Wednesday. The company said it will set up its first shop in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in the second half of this year. Beyond the UAE, the company also plans to open Etude brand shops in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries this year. Korea's largest cosmetics firm has been battered by increasingly unfavorable business conditions in the world's second-largest economy, which accounts for more than 20 percent of its sales, in line with deteriorating Korea-China ties. China has taken various steps to curb the influx of made-in-Korea products and undermine the interests of Korean businesses on the mainland, in its retaliation against Korea's decision to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. "China and Southeast Asia are the two most important foreign markets, each accounting for 45 percent of our overseas sales," a company official said. "We generate about 20 percent of our total sales in the world's second-largest economy. Given China's importance, some have expressed concerns over the adverse effects of the icy Korea-China relations on our business." But it's been business as usual, according to the official, who said the firm's sales in China have not been affected by the ongoing THAAD controversy. "Even though sales remain strong in China, company shares have remained weak in recent weeks as investors dump the shares over growing concerns that Korean firms will face a harder time on the mainland," she said. "But we believe bilateral ties will soon improve, enabling us to further expand our presence in China." As for establishing its first cosmetics store in Dubai, the officials said AmorePacific has been preparing for entry into the Middle East for many years. "It is part of our efforts to diversify our markets. We will continue to knock on South America and other largely untapped regions," she said. Daishin Securities analyst Park Eun-jung said AmorePacific shares have been hammered by growing "China risks." "The stock has been falling sharply over the past few months, due to a China slowdown and the intensifying competition there. The worsening Korea-China ties have further weighed down on company shares," Park said. "Nonetheless, AmorePacific has to do its best to increase its presence on the mainland because it is the single largest market, which has more room for growth. At the same time, the company needs to diversify its markets. Entering the Middle East is a step in the right direction." AmorePacific Chairman Suh Kyung-bae said the firm has been preparing for years to enter the Middle East because it wants to share its innovative beauty products and services with consumers there. "We believe the region has huge growth potential and will become one of our strategic markets, along with China and Southeast Asia," Suh said. "To more effectively market our skincare, makeup and other beauty products, we signed a partnership with Alshaya Group, one of the region's largest retailers." AmorePacific has dispatched employees to major Middle Eastern cities in recent years to conduct market research and explore market potential. Last May, it set up its regional headquarters in Dubai. The cosmetics market in the Middle East is projected to expand by an average of 15 percent every year, from $18 billion in 2015 to $36 billion in 2020, according to the company. The UAE will be a trendsetter in the region and demand there for makeup products will increase at the fastest pace, it said. By Jhoo Dong-chan Seven former and incumbent Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK) officials, including AVK Managing Director Johannes Thammer, have been indicted for allegedly rigging emissions data of the German carmaker's models, Seoul prosecutors said Wednesday. Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office also said it has indicted Thammer without detention on charges of violating the Clean Air Conservation Act to receive sales approval from the local authorities. His predecessor Trevor Hill, currently working at the headquarters in Germany, and former Volkswagen Korea chief Park Dong-hoon were indicted on similar charges. Park is currently CEO of Renault Samsung. Five other officials who were allegedly involved in the case have been also indicted on the same charges. It has been a year since the Ministry of Environment pressed charges against AVK demanding an investigation into the German carmaker's emissions-cheating scandal. According to the prosecution, AVK had imported 15 models, or a total of 120,000 cars, that are suspected of being affected by the so-called defeat device to fabricate emissions test results, between 2008 and 2015. "Affected cars with the defeat device produced less emissions, including nitrogen oxide, during the approval test, but produced much more emissions during actual driving on the street," the prosecution said. The prosecution suspects Hill and Park of knowing about but willfully ignoring the defeat device during their terms with AVK. They were also grilled over the carmaker's failure to submit requested data to the Ministry of Environment. In 2011, the ministry failed to clarify why Volkswagen Euro 5 vehicles emitted excessive amounts of harmful nitrogen gas, because the carmaker's Korean unit rejected the ministry's request to submit related materials. The case came to the surface four years later when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its investigation of the German carmaker's fraudulent acts. When Volkswagen was found to have cheated on the emissions tests to obtain sales approval for its cars, the officials of the German carmaker claimed "it's a common practice." The government banned the sales of 80 Volkswagen and Audi vehicle models and fined the company 17.8 billion won ($16 million) last July. Volkswagen's sales nosedived by about 70 percent in July year-on-year. Seen above is a captured image of Hyundai Card's Joker app. / Courtesy of Hyundai Card By Nam Hyun-woo Financial firms here are gearing up their sales pitches with apps embracing augmented reality (AR) technology, providing fresh financial experiences to customers. AR refers to a combination of the real environment and computerized information, converging reality with simulated digital information. With the worldwide popularity of the mobile game Pokemon Go, the technology has become popular, luring some tech-savvy financial firms to tap into the domain. Hyundai Card said Tuesday that it has released its promotion app Joker. Based on AR, characters named Joker appear on the screen when a user approaches Hyundai Card-affiliated stores, cafes or cinema complexes. Should the user "catch" jokers by touching them, the app provides discount coupons or vouchers that can be used at those stores. The card issuer said the app is "a parody" of Pokemon Go, allowing users to employ certain attack skills to catch Jokers. "The app is to let customers enjoy card benefits with more fun," a Hyundai Card official said. Earlier, the card issuer of Hana Financial Group last week added a similar function to its membership app, Hana Members. With the function, dubbed Hana Money Go, various icons appear on the screen and users can receive Hana membership points or vouchers by touching them. Observers say financial firms are putting more emphasis on releasing AR apps in order to establish mobile platforms in which their clients "stay inside" the platform and use various financial services. "Occupying the leading position in the competition of mobile platforms came as a keyword to many financial firms," said a Seoul-based analyst. "Firms will pay more effort to embrace not only AR but also other cutting-edge technologies in order to keep their apps interesting to their customers." Vienna Boys Choir / Courtesy of Credia By Yun Suh-young January will be the month of Vienna music in Seoul as several Viennese music groups will be visiting the city to perform. The Strauss Festival Orchestra of Vienna (SFOV) will hold a New Year's Concert on Jan. 19 at the Seoul Arts Center which is its eighth concert in Korea since its first in 2004. The SFOV annually holds New Year's Concerts in various parts of the world. Conducted by Willy Buchler, the orchestra will showcase various pieces by Johann Strauss II including "Die Fledermaus Overture," "Fruehlingsstimmen (Voices of spring)," "An Der Schoenen Blauen Donau," and "Champagner Polka (Galopp)." In addition to Strauss, the orchestra will also perform music by Austria's favorite composers, Eduard Strauss, Franz Lehar, Josef Strauss, and Richard Heuberger. A ballet duo will perform Viennese waltzes of the 19th century dancing to the tunes of Johann Strauss. For more information, call 02) 580-1300. The Vienna Boys Choir will also be visiting Seoul for a nationwide tour starting in Seoul on Jan. 22 at the Seoul Arts Center. Since its first Korean performance in 1969, the choir has visited the country 27 times and has had 170 performances here. The annual New Year's Concert in January is only being held in Korea and is the first opportunity to experience the choir's repertoire on the Asia tour program for the year. The theme for the New Year's Concert this year is "Smile" and the repertoire includes medieval music, folk music of various countries, movie soundtracks, waltzes and polkas to name a few. The Vienna Boys Choir was established in 1498 as a royal church choir of the Austrian palace and has since maintained its reputation as a court choir. For more information, call 1577-5266. Score desk at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center / Courtesy of SAC Classical music connoisseurs can follow the score while listening to music at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center (SAC) in southern Seoul. The SAC, one of Korea's largest performing arts venues, announced Wednesday it will install four score-desk seats in the boxes on the third floor of the concert hall on Jan. 19. The score-desk seats are equipped with reading lights, enabling music lovers and students to study the score during the performance. Such score-desk seats are installed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. "We are excited to sell score-desk seats for the first time in Korea. We hope it will breathe fresh life into the concert-going culture of Korea," SAC President Ko Hak-chan said in a press release. The first event available with the score-desk seats is SAC's monthly concert series "11 O'Clock Concert" on Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. This month's morning concert features conductor Suh Jin, pianist Cho Jae-hyuck, violinist Kim Dong-hyun and the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra. However, the score-desk seats will not be available for all concerts as the seats will be sold under agreements with the agency for each event. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call 02-580-1300. Two relatives of former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have been charged with bribery in the United States, in yet another public embarrassment for Ban, 72, who is seeking the South Korean presidency. The two are Ban's younger brother, Ban Ki-sang, and his nephew, Bahn Joo-hyun, according to reports. They have been accused in New York of offering money to a Middle Eastern official. Prosecutors claim bribes were given to entice the official to use government funding to buy their building project. Prosecutors said that in early 2013 the South Korean construction firm Keangnam, of which Ban's younger brother was an executive, was faced with growing debt and sought to sell a building complex in Vietnam known as Landmark 72. In a 39-page indictment unsealed on Tuesday (local time) at a Manhattan courthouse, according to the BBC, prosecutors alleged that he and his son Joo Hyan "Dennis" Bahn, a Manhattan real estate agent, stood to make millions of dollars in commission on the sale, valued at up to $800 million. According to reports, the two men paid millions of dollars in bribes and tried to trade on the prominence of Ban to persuade a Middle Eastern official from an unnamed country to arrange a purchase of the complex by that country's sovereign wealth fund. Rep. Yoo Seong-min, a presidential hopeful from a conservative splinter party to be launched this month, urged his colleagues on Wednesday to set a clear position on proposed election law revisions to allow 18 year olds and overseas Koreans to vote in the upcoming presidential election. Conservatives have been reluctant to lower the minimum voting age by a year, as polls show the younger generation tends to be more supportive of liberal parties. Accordingly, support from the new group that split from the ruling Saenuri Party is crucial to meet the requirement for the revision to be passed at the parliament. "Regarding the voting age issue, we caused confusion by initially setting our position and then reversing it. Though some lawmakers are still opposed, I hope the party will come to a clear conclusion on the issue through free votes or other means," Yoo said. Yoo also urged the party to set its stance on granting more than 2 million overseas Koreans the right to vote in the election this year. Current law allows them to only participate in presidential elections triggered by a presidential vacancy that occurs in 2018 and after. The planned party, which was earlier tentatively named the New Conservative Party for Reform, adopted Barun (righteous) Party as its official name. It has not yet decided on its official English name. South Korea may hold an early presidential election, which is originally scheduled for December 2017. If the Constitutional Court upholds the parliamentary impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, the country has 60 days to pick a new leader. (Yonhap) The 19-month-old grandson of Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the center of South Korea's political scandal, has been taken to a safe house while his mother remains locked up in Denmark on suspicion of illegal stay, a source close to the matter said Tuesday. Chung Yoo-ra, the child's mother, was arrested in the northern Danish city of Aalborg on Jan. 1 amid a political scandal surrounding her mother who allegedly abused her ties to President Park Geun-hye for her own gain. Choi, a longtime confidante of the president, is accused of meddling in state affairs, extorting money from conglomerates and securing unlawful college admission for her daughter. On Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency visited a house on the outskirts of Aalborg where the 21-year-old Chung is known to have stayed with her son, nanny and two men claiming to be her assistants. The house appeared empty, while dogs, cats and a Volkswagen van seen outside the property until the previous day were nowhere to be found. "It appears that the people who stayed with Chung complained to the local police about the invasion of their privacy caused by South Korean reporters visiting the area," said the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "I understand that the social services department took them to an undisclosed location." The group was probably taken to a shelter belonging to the social services department, the source added. One nearby resident told Yonhap he saw a large car arrive at the house around 7:30 a.m. and take away the cats and dogs. The Volkswagen van left at the same time, but the child and nanny left later in the afternoon. Sources have said that Chung has no plans to return to South Korea to face questioning over her mother's suspected illegal activities. Danish prosecutors have been reviewing whether to repatriate Chung at the request of South Korean authorities. She could disobey any order to return home by taking the issue to court.(Yonhap) By Kim Bo-eun The more it is explained, the greater suspicions grow. This is what is happening surrounding the so-called "seven missing hours" of President Park Geun-hye on April 16, 2014, the day of the Sewol ferry disaster. The President's alleged dereliction of duty on the day was one of the charges in her impeachment motion, as this means she failed to carry out her role in protecting the lives of the people as head of state. Earlier in November, Cheong Wa Dae posted on its website an official explanation of the reports and phone calls President Park received and made on the day of the accident, following suspicions that she was undergoing a cosmetic procedure at the time. Upon request by the Constitutional Court, Park's defense attorneys on Tuesday submitted documents to the court explaining her alleged absence. However, this only triggered greater suspicions. In the documents, only five items were added to the earlier Cheong Wa Dae explanation. The court asked for Park's personal memories of the day of the disaster when she became aware of the ferry sinking and what she was doing at the time. However, the documents virtually contained only a list of reports and calls that were made on that day, failing to dispel suspicions. "We requested a detailed account of the President's whereabouts but the response we received was insufficient," Justice Lee Jin-sung said. While the first TV report of the sinking was broadcasted at 9:19 a.m. and the National Security Office (NSO) sent a message to Cheong Wa Dae at 9:24 a.m., the documents said Park became aware of the sinking at 10 a.m. after she received a direct report from the NSO. It remains unknown what caused the 36 minutes of delay in reporting to the President. In addition, while TV stations provided live coverage of the sinking and news reports flooded in online, the President remained oblivious until she received her first report from the NSO. Cheong Wa Dae said Park does not have a TV at the office in her residence. The documents say the President ordered full rescue efforts from the NSO and the Korea Coast Guard after she was notified of the sinking, but for the next three hours and 40 minutes she only received written and phone reports, without convening any emergency meetings or even giving orders. The documents said former presidential secretary An Bong-geun delivered a face-to-face report on the sinking at Park's residence in the morning and another former presidential secretary, Jeong Ho-seong, did so in the afternoon. But they did not say exactly when they visited the President. Meanwhile, suspicions have been raised over whether An and Jeong really did deliver reports to the President on the day because there were no entry records for them. Records showed only Shin Bo-ra, an Army nurse, and Park's hairdressers entered the President's residence on that day. In the afternoon, Park received a phone report from the presidential secretary on labor and welfare affairs about the Pension Law, which was unrelated to the Sewol disaster. While the documents included call records with the labor and welfare affairs secretary, it didn't contain records of calls with the NSO head, which raises suspicions over whether the calls were actually made. Suspicions also linger about the time Park spent getting her hair done before she visited the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at 5:15 p.m. According to the documents, Park decided to visit the headquarters at 3 p.m. and spent 20 minutes having her hair done from 3:35 p.m. But it took more than an additional hour for her to arrive at the headquarters, which is only a 10-minute drive from Cheong Wa Dae. Based on the documents, it was confirmed the President did not leave her residence until she visited the disaster headquarters after 5 p.m. that day. It is questionable why the President remained at her residence and did not go to her office in the main building of Cheong Wa Dae, which is only minutes away, on a weekday. By Jun Ji-hye North Korea has increased its stockpile of weapons-grade plutonium to about 50 kilograms from 40 over the past two years despite pressure and sanctions from the international community, according to the 2016 Defense White Paper released Wednesday. Fifty-kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium are sufficient to manufacture about 10 nuclear warheads, considering that about 4 to 6 kilograms are necessary for each. The latest biennial document, released by the Ministry of National Defense, said the North has increased its plutonium stockpile through reprocessing spent fuel rods. At the same time, Pyongyang has achieved significant advances in its ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads and enrich uranium, the paper said without providing details. "We came up with the estimates after South Korea and the United States analyzed various aspects such as the operation situation of the North's nuclear reactor," said a ministry official on condition of anonymity. Notably, the paper first mentioned the North's deployment of the Scud-ER (extended range) missile, a variation of the Scud-C with an elongated fuselage to house additional fuel tanks. The missile is believed to have a range of 1,000 kilometers. Seoul and Washington earlier assessed that the ballistic missiles fired by the isolated state on Sept. 5 were medium-range Rodong missiles, but later concluded they were the longer-range version of the Scud. At the time, the North fired three missiles off its east coast. They traveled about 1,000 kilometers to land in waters inside Japan's air defense identification zone, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "The allies' conclusion of the existence of the Scud-ER was confirmed after September," the official said. The paper said the North has made efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). This is the first time the paper has mentioned an ICBM and SLBM. Since 2012, the North has shown off the ICBMs such as the KN-08 and the KN-14 several times without testing them, the paper noted. The North's ICBM is believed to have a range of more than 10,000 kilometers, which is capable of hitting targets on the U.S. mainland. "The North has yet to complete its ICBM program. It has yet to reach a reliable level," the official said. "The North is also trying to complete technologies related to the stable flight of the missile." The paper noted that the total number of the North Korean troops has increased to 1.28 million from 1.2 million. The number of those involved in cyber warfare has increased to 6,800 from 6,000. The paper was released amid growing speculation that the reclusive state may push ahead with major provocations this month on or around the inauguration of Donald Trump as the new U.S. president, Jan. 20. In his New Year message, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made it clear his country has no plans to abandon its nuclear and missile ambitions, claiming that Pyongyang was in the final stages of preparations for a test launch of an ICBM capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Meanwhile, the paper appeared to have taken a somewhat negative attitude toward military cooperation with China as it excluded the phrase, "extension of bilateral exchange and cooperation," which was included in the 2014 paper. Observers say this reflects the deepening conflict between the two countries over Seoul's decision to allow the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system here. China, which believes the battery violates its security interests, has taken various retaliatory actions against its deployment since the decision was made in July last year. Popular South Korean entertainers have been banned from performing in China since late last year. Beijing also abruptly banned South Korean airlines from operating chartered flights between the two countries beginning this month. By Jun Ji-hye Incoming U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Flynn and South Korea's National Security Office chief, Kim Kwan-jin, have reaffirmed that the two nations' plan to deploy an advanced U.S. anti-missile system here will go as planned despite China's growing protest. The two reached the agreement during a meeting in Washington, Monday, according to Kim. The meeting focused on ways to move bilateral relations forward and how to deal with North Korea with Donald Trump scheduled to take office as the U.S. president, Jan. 20. "The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is purely a defense system," Kim told South Korean reporters there, Tuesday. "The deployment is part of our self-defense measures. As this is an issue pertaining to our sovereignty, we won't care even if China opposes it. The two countries reached consensus on making sure to deploy it as agreed and we will go ahead as planned." Seoul and Washington decided in July last year to deploy a THAAD battery with the United States Forces Korea this year to defend against evolving nuclear and missile threats from Pyongyang. But China has been strongly opposed to the deployment based on the belief that the X-band radar of the system could be used to spy on the country's military activities and missile capabilities. Angered by the deployment decision, Beijing has taken various retaliatory actions popular South Korean entertainers have been banned from performing in China since late last year. Beijing also abruptly stopped South Korean airlines from operating chartered flights between the two countries beginning this month. On Monday, about ten Chinese military planes including six strategic bombers entered the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) near Jeju Island, which was also seen as part of China's armed protest against the deployment. "Washington will also keep speaking to China about the necessity and justification of the deployment," Kim said. The two officials also agreed that the North's nuclear program can never be tolerated, pledging to work together to change the North's calculus through effective sanctions and pressure so as to get the Kim Jong-un regime to move toward denuclearization. They agreed to work closely together to get China to vigorously enforce sanctions against the North. "National Security Advisor-designate Flynn expressed a strong willingness to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance, comparing the alliance to a sticky rice cake," Kim said. The sticky rice cake metaphor is commonly used to describe an inseparable bond in Korean culture. It is the latest in a series of remarks that Flynn has made to dispel concerns that the incoming Donald Trump administration would neglect the alliance as he expressed negative views of U.S. security commitments overseas, as well as a willingness to withdraw American troops from the South unless Seoul pays more for them. Kim said, however, that he did not talk about defense cost-sharing with Flynn during the meeting. The meeting took place amid growing speculation that the reclusive state may push ahead with major provocations this month on or around the inauguration of Trump. In his New Year message, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claimed Pyongyang was in the final stages of preparations for a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The North's KN-08 road-mobile ICBM with a range of more than 10,000 kilometers is capable, in theory, of hitting targets on the U.S. mainland. When asked about countermeasures that the Trump administration can take in response to the North's possible provocations, Kim refused to mention details, only saying, "I think the U.S. would deliver a strong message." By Yi Whan-woo Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will speak on bribery allegations raised against him upon his arrival at Incheon International Airport, today, his supporters said Wednesday. While meeting reporters at the airport, he is expected to deny allegations he took $230,000 in bribes from Park Yeon-cha, an entrepreneur in Busan, and to also address a series of allegations raised against his family members, according to his supporters' leader Lee Do-woon, Wednesday. "Mr. Ban will arrive at Incheon International Airport tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. after departing from New York City on Jan. 11," Lee said during a press conference at the supporters' office in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. "Regarding the allegation concerning Park, Ban will fully explain it even though it's absolutely not true, which has been verified." Lee also said Ban will take legal action against those responsible for malicious reports against him, citing that a complaint has already been filed on his behalf with the Press Arbitration Commission over a weekly magazine's report on the bribery claims. Lee said Ban was surprised by media reports, Wednesday, that an indictment was filed against his younger brother and nephew in a Manhattan federal court for plotting to bribe a Middle Eastern official as they sought to sell an $800 million building complex in Vietnam. "Ban only learned about it from the news and he knows nothing more than that," Lee said. Ban, who is also a former Korean foreign minister, will return home amid the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye, who was believed to have backed him as a presidential candidate for the ruling Saenuri Party. Lee said Ban will distance himself from any moves that can be seen as politically motivated until after the Lunar New Year holiday, and that his schedule for the time being will be centered on "bringing the people together and uniting the country." By Kim Hyo-jin An Hee-jung South Chungcheong Province Governor An Hee-jung, one of the potential presidential candidates from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), said Wednesday that he will seek the transfer of U.S. wartime operational control of South Korean forces to Seoul if elected as President. "We can't just rely on the U.S. Its policies toward the Korean Peninsula could be influenced by the change of the government there," he said during a press conference in Seoul. "We need to increase self-defense capabilities even in the worst-possible security environment." An is expected to compete in a primary with former opposition leader Moon Jae-in, who is leading opinion polls among potential presidential candidates, as well as Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. An said, if elected president, he will set up a consultative body with ministers and leaders of rival parties to discuss security and diplomatic issues. He claimed that the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and a sex slavery deal with Japan should be reviewed by the next administration. "I will fully discuss the matters with parliamentary leaders and the Cabinet and will seek support from the public," he said. "I put importance on bringing out a national consensus when discussing security issues." An did not go further to argue that the scheduled deployment of a THAAD battery should be withdrawn. However, he questioned the efficacy of the anti-missile system, saying, "I understand that its efficacy against the North's nuclear weapons is even controversial among U.S. defense experts. We need to verify its capability thoroughly in the process of its deployment here." An underlined the need to resume dialogue with North Korea, criticizing the Park administration for stalled relations with the country. "I strongly oppose the development of weapons of mass destruction on the Korean Peninsula. But we need to recognize the North as a negotiation partner," he said. "I will continue seeking to have talks with the North with no conditions attached, while respecting the ongoing international sanctions against the regime." Touching upon the disputable sex slavery deal with Tokyo, An stressed that, if he takes power, he will clearly divide human rights issues and economic and security issues with Japan. "It's hard to deal with human rights issues in times of war through agreements between governments. It should be left to the hands of civic society in Asia," he said. "But we should seek cooperative and strategic partnerships with Japan on a separate track." South Korea and Japan reached a rare deal in late 2015 to settle the wartime sex slavery issue, for which Japan apologized and contributed 1 billion yen ($8.29 million) to provide for the establishment of a foundation supporting the victims. The government faced a strong backlash from the liberal bloc following the deal, under which it agreed to end the dispute once and for all. When the soldiers approached, the two men tried to explain the situation. But the effort fizzled due to an apparent language barrier, leading the Americans to misunderstand situation. / Yonhap By Lee Han-soo Two soldiers from the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) were booked Wednesday for assaulting two Korean men after mistakenly thinking they were attacking two girls. The incident happened early Wednesday in Gwangju. The men were actually trying to break up a fight between the girls. When the soldiers approached, the two men tried to explain the situation. But the effort fizzled due to an apparent language barrier, leading the Americans to misunderstand situation. The men who intervened in the girls' fight did not know them. The misunderstanding was cleared after police arrived at the scene. They said the incident occurred because "the men and the Americans failed to communicate with each other." But the victims did not drop the charges because they felt the soldiers took the situation too lightly during the initial investigation. Police turned over the Americans to the USFK military police under the Status of Forces Agreement. By Kang Seung-woo Whether former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will create a new party or join an existing party for his presidential campaign is drawing keen attention as Ban will return home today. Speculation is rampant over Ban's future course of action. "Ban is likely to strategically seek a tie-up with like-minded politicians (in the third political zone)," said Yoon Tae-gon, a senior political analyst at Moa Agenda Strategy. The term refers to a group of politicians who are not anchored in the political mainstream, but can appeal to a growing number of voters disgruntled with establishment politics. Among candidates who might join a possible coalition are Sohn Hak-kyu, a former opposition leader; Ahn Cheon-soo, a former co-chairman of the minor opposition People's Party; and Kim Chong-in, a former interim leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, also raised the possibility of Ban creating a "big tent" by recruiting high-profile presidential hopefuls excluding those loyal to former DPK Chairman Moon Jae-in and President Park Geun-hye at the Saenuri Party. "Ban may create a big tent with Sohn and those from the People's Party and the Righteous Party to pick a presidential candidate via an open primary," Shin said. Earlier this month, Ban also hinted that he was interested in the idea. By Kim Se-jeong Korean residents in Denmark and Sweden will hold candlelit protests in Denmark, Friday and Saturday, calling for the extradition of Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the central figure in the major influence-peddling scandal. About 20 Koreans are planning the two-day protest in front of the detention center in Aalberg where Chung is currently being held. The number of participants may rise, the organizer said. "We want to press the Danish authorities so that she will be sent back to Korea soon. She should stand before the law," Lim Ji-ae, an immigrant to Sweden who spearheaded the protest, told Sisa Press, a weekly magazine. Chung was detained in Denmark on Jan. 1 on charges of staying in the country illegally. The Korean authorities have requested the Danish authorities to extradite her because she is allegedly involved in the scandal. Lim said Koreans there donated money for placards with messages saying "Immediate extradition of Chung Yoo-ra," and "Chung Yoo-ra should be punished under local laws." Meanwhile, it was found Wednesday that Chung's 19-month-old son and three other adults who were staying with Chung have left Aalberg. Those people had been staying at a house there where Chung was found and detained. Quoting a neighbor, Yonhap News said her van parked in front of the house and two animals were taken by a big vehicle early Tuesday. The baby and a nanny also left the house in the afternoon. Yonhap quoted an unidentified man with knowledge about their whereabouts, who said that the Danish authorities moved them to an undisclosed location to protect their privacy from mounting media attention. Korean journalists have flocked to the town since Jan. 2. Chung is suspected of receiving special favors from Ewha Womans University in admissions and grading thanks to her mother's influence. It is also suspected that her mother pushed Samsung Group to sponsor Chung's training in dressage. The Danish authorities are detaining Chung and reviewing the case to decide about her extradition. Chung expressed her intention to stay in Europe and is expected to appeal the extradition order if it comes. South Korea's Safety Minister Park In-yong on Wednesday urged China to implement measures to crack down on its fishing boats illegally operating in Korean waters. During a press conference held in line with a New Year policy briefing to Acting President and Prime Minister Hwan Kyo-ahn, the minister said he expects China to resolve the issue "in accordance with the country's status and dignity." "During the talks for the two countries' fisheries agreement, China presented opinions close to what we expected regarding the illegal fishing issue," Minister Park said. "We are looking forward to seeing China's (implementation of the) changed stance." During their annual talks on the fishing quota in December, South Korea and China agreed that any boat carrying unnecessary equipment such as pikes or spears that can be used as weapons in order to resist inspection will be immediately penalized. The agreement came after a South Korean Coast Guard patrol boat sank while pursuing a Chinese boat that was fishing illegally in South Korean waters in October. South Korea handed over the relevant information to China but its investigation has made no major progress so far. "Whether China promptly confirms the identity of the problematic boat and takes legal steps is a matter of the country's dignity," Minister Park said. "I am sure that it will arrest the boat and take legal steps, and if not, the Chinese government should be held responsible." (Yonhap) The Harvard Glee Club performs a concert for students and visitors on the campus of Korea International School (KIS) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 4. / Courtesy of KIS By Song Ye-chan The curtain rises. A quiet hum whispers across the theater hall. The sound is ever so faint in the beginning, but with each passing moment, the hum begins to pick up volume as the once faint crooning now resonates and pounds as a gust of musical melody. The choir of men, now fully visible, burst into a descant, as the tenors gleefully play with the tune while the bass keep the overall tempo in pace. The Harvard Glee Club has arrived. On Jan. 4, America's oldest college chorus, the Harvard Glee Club, performed a magical concert at Korea International School (KIS). Consisting of 60 men, the ensemble dazzled the crowd at KIS with their wide range of pitch and powerful compositions for two full hours. However, this wasn't the only thing the Harvard Glee Club members were busy with. Prior to the concert, the club held 20 sessions of various workshops. Open to all students in Korea, whether they were from KIS or not, the workshops ranged from music-focused sessions such as "Solo Voice Performance" and "Music Sight Reading" to more informational sessions such as "Applying to College" and "Life at Harvard." At each of these sessions, students from elementary to high schools were able to interact with the Harvard students. Sessions such as the "Applying to College" workshop were packed with budding middle and high school students interested in learning more about the college admissions process. The Harvard students provided the listeners with tales from their own high school days concerning anxieties they held about standardized testing and other aspects about the admissions process. After imparting their wisdom and personal reflections to the students, the Harvard student panel then dispersed among the students and answered their questions in smaller groups on a more personal level. At the "Life at Harvard" session, students were able to learn from the members of the glee club what it is like to live and study at Harvard, let alone any college in the U.S. Three Harvard students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math, went into detail not only about what it is like to conduct research with world-renowned professors, but also to have conversations with friends on campus, watch local concerts, and join clubs. When I asked several members of the Harvard Glee Club if they had ever had the opportunity to meet college students and hear their stories through workshops such as the one hosted at KIS, the majority answered "no." In fact, most Harvard students said that they only had the chance to see the polished digital promotions of colleges when they were in high school, without a chance to actually meet the students and listen to them about what college was actually like. The Harvard students were amazed at the effort KIS had taken to bring them here, with one member saying, "I think the opportunity such as the one KIS is providing for students in Korea is profound. You really won't get to know a college until you meet its students." As for the Glee Club itself, many of the members emphasized their delight at being able to perform as members of the oldest chorus in the U.S. However, I learned that not all the members had been singing enthusiasts before their college days. Although many members of the club had started singing from a young age and continued to pursue music throughout high school and into college, many others started singing in college. They tried out with a "why not?" attitude, but after joining the club, they said that much of their school life soon began to revolve around it. Not only did they spend many hours after school practicing, but throughout the year as well they would travel to regions such as Europe or Latin America to perform. Not only were they able to enjoy their passion of singing to the fullest, but also they were able to learn about the different people and cultures they encountered. They were also able to bond more closely with their fellow choir members. Although the Harvard Glee Club's visit to Korea is over, it is for certain that both the Korean students and the members of the glee club learned more about each other and themselves through the workshops and the concert that everyone will be sure to remember. The writer is an 11th grade student at Korea International School (KIS) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Tuesday that the U.S. could seek "more forceful ways" to affect North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's thinking if he persists in forging ahead with intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities. Kim threatened last week that the communist nation reached the final stage of preparations to test-fire an ICBM apparently capable of reaching the continental U.S. "If he persists, as he said he would the other day, in moving forward on the intercontinental ballistic missile front, it more immediately drags the United States into an immediate threat situation, to which we then may have to find other ways or more forceful ways of having an impact on the choices that he is making," Kerry said during a visit to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He did not elaborate on what those "forceful ways" could be. Kerry also said North Korea is the No. 1 challenge for the incoming administration. "My advice to the next administration is that this is at the top. I don't get into first or second or third, but this is at the top of a short group of major priorities. This is one of the most serious, if not the most serious," he said. "There's a reckless dictator who holds his country effectively in a gulag, in a kind of prison. He's unpredictable, and recklessness and unpredictability for somebody who has their hands on nuclear weapons is a very genuine threat, and particularly as they pursue intercontinental ballistic capacity, which would threaten the United States of America," Kerry said. Kerry said the U.S. will never accept the North as a nuclear state. The outgoing top diplomat also said the next administration should increase pressure on the North. "We will make it clear to the incoming administration that there are diplomatic ways of increasing the pressure, which we've been ratcheting up," he said. Cooperation with China is critical in resolving the North Korea problem, he said. "China provides 100 percent of the fuel that goes to North Korea -- every airplane, every truck, every car that moves in North Korea gets its fuel from China," he said. "China also is the facilitator, through Beijing, for the banking system and for whatever movement of commerce there is, of money, etc., for the North Koreans." "My counsel to the next administration will be to work with China very, very closely and try to get the Chinese to, in fact, have a greater impact on the North in order to affect their behavior," he said. (Yonhap) North Korea on Wednesday claimed boastfully again its capabilities to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), while warning that even America is not in a safe position. "Marvelous developments to strengthen (the North's) defense power will be unfolded in a multi-phased and successive manner, the Rodong Sinmun, a daily of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said in an editorial titled "We'll (the North) Keep Building up Self-defense Power and Pre-emptive Strike Capabilities." The paper also insisted that North holds abilities to realize the miniaturization, weight lightening and multi-variety production of nuclear weapons and vehicles to fire them at any time to a place to be determined by its leader Kim Jong-un. "The United States is never in a position of ease, even if it is more than 10,000 kilometers away from the North," the paper said, adding that it's not the distant future when the North's ICBMs will chill the U.S' heart. The threat follows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's New Year's Day address in which he claimed his country has reached the final stage of preparations to test-fire an ICBM and a Foreign Ministry spokesman's claim on Sunday that the North has already developed standardized nuclear warheads. "Our Republic is a nuclear power and a military power in East Asia irrespective of anybody's recognition of it," the daily said. The North will handle all the problems while placing top priority on its people's interest and security down that road now that its strategic position is in its peak, the paper said. (Yonhap) The business end of ballpoint pens. China until recently could not produce steel of sufficiently high quality or the high-precision machinery required to manufacture the components. Premier Li Keqiang had long lamented that China produced more than half the world's steel but still had to import high grade metal to make decent pens By Sidney Leng Despite producing some of the world's most spectacular infrastructure and sending astronauts into space, China has finally overcome a technological obstacle that has vexed Premier Li Keqiang: the ability to produce a decent ballpoint pen using domestically-made materials and components. Li has long said that the fact China could not make the high-grade steel and precision machinery required to make the key component of the pens the metal ball and its casing reflected badly on Chinese manufacturing in general, state media reported. Now, after five years of trial and error, Taiyuan Iron and Steel, one of the country's biggest stainless steelmakers, has worked out the appropriate mix of alloys for high-performance stainless steel and to extrude it into a wire feedstock just 2.3mm thick. In January last year, Li lamented that China still relied heavily on imported high-grade steel even though it produced more than half of world's crude iron and steel. This shortfall in capability showed that China's manufacturing was weak and in dire need of upgrading, he added. In a programme that aired last week on Shanxi Satellite Television, Beifa Group, one of China's largest makers of ballpoint pens based in Ningbo, Zhejiang province said it had started buying stainless steel from Taiyuan Iron and Steel and expected it to completely replace imported steel in the next two years. The shoddy ballpoint pen had become a symbol of China's "big but not strong" manufacturing, a situation that Beijing has tried hard to change. China makes about 38 billion ballpoint pens a year for consumers, and exports many of them. However, it is forced to import large quantities of stainless steel as well as advanced equipment from Japan and Switzerland in order to manufacture the pen heads, said Xu Jundao, an executive from Beifa. "The tips of ballpoint pens require very high-grade stainless steel and precision machining," Xu told the TV station. In 2011, science and technology minister Wan Gang said China's ballpoint pen makers made a tiny profit of 10 cents on a pen sold for $2, and 90 per cent of ballpoint heads and 80 per cent of ink was imported or made on imported machines, Xinhua reported. Beijing invested about 60 million yuan (HK$67 million) between 2011 and 2014 to develop better materials and equipment for pens. By Frank Ching Taiwan's leader, President Tsai Ing-wen, arrived in Honduras Sunday for a closely watched four-nation Central American visit but, in China at least, there was much more interest in her stopovers in the United States Houston on the way out and San Francisco on the way home. However, President-elect Donald J. Trump's transition team had issued assurances that there would be no contact between them and the Taiwan leader during her transit layovers. China's sensitivity stems from an unprecedented phone call the Taiwan leader made to congratulate Trump on his electoral triumph even though the two sides have no diplomatic relations. China has made clear that Taiwan will have to pay for such transgressions. A Global Times commentary Jan. 10 trumpeted, "Tsai had a phone call with Trump, but soon Sao Tome and Principe broke ties with Taiwan. It is certain that more countries will do the same." After Honduras, the Taiwan leader will go to Nicaragua to attend the inauguration of Daniel Ortega, who will begin a new presidential term. At the ceremony, she will have a rare opportunity to meet other foreign leaders. After that, Tsai is scheduled to visit Guatemala and, finally, El Salvador, before returning to Taiwan via San Francisco. The four Central American countries represent a significant portion of the 21 countries that still accord diplomatic recognition to Taiwan rather than China. In 2007, just before Ma Ying-jeou became president, Costa Rica broke relations with Taiwan to establish ties with China. Then, for the eight years of Ma's presidency, there was an unspoken "diplomatic truce" in which China refrained from grabbing Taiwan's diplomatic allies. Thus, in 2008 when Paraguay indicated interest in relations, Beijing was unresponsive. Similarly, in 2009, when Mauricio Funes won the presidential election in El Salvador, he was quoted as saying that he would consider establishing relations with China and severing ties with Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman rather pointedly responded that "despite the absence of diplomatic ties, the Chinese people have friendly feelings towards the Salvador people, and we are willing to carry out friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas with Salvador." The emphasis was on developing friendly exchanges in the absence of diplomatic relations. But now that Tsai Ing-wen is president, the diplomatic truce is over. Tsai will have to be sensitive to signs that other countries will follow Sao Tome's example. This is especially the case since Taiwan is in no position to compete with China in terms of checkbook diplomacy. El Salvador and other countries must be re-assessing whether they should stick with Taiwan or switch to China. A commentary in the official China Daily newspaper on Jan. 5 referred to the decision by the Sao Tome and added darkly, "The same could happen with Taiwan's remaining 21 allies'." But China needs to gauge the wisdom of attempting to strip Taiwan of all its diplomatic allies. What are the implications of such a move to isolate Taiwan diplomatically? At present, Taiwan's formal name is the "Republic of China" and the 21 countries that recognize it have relations with the ROC, not with a "Republic of Taiwan." If no country in the world recognizes the Republic of China, Taiwan will have no choice but to be Taiwan. It will no longer be Chinese. Moreover, Taiwan can survive without formal diplomatic relations. It will then focus on its substantive relations, such as those with the US, Japan and other countries, who do not recognize the "Republic of China." The ostensibly unofficial US embassy in Taipei, for example, doesn't have the word "China" in its name. It is simply the American Institute in Taiwan. Japan, when it established relations with China in 1972, created something called the Interchange Association to be its "unofficial" embassy. However, last week, on Jan. 1, the name was changed to Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, recognizing the island as Taiwan, not China. This may well become a trend. Because of its economic importance, other countries need to have dealings with Taiwan and they need to call it something. If the name doesn't have "China" in it, it is likely to have "Taiwan," thus eroding the island's connection with the mainland and in practice strengthening Taiwan independence, certainly something China doesn't want. Would such a development be to the benefit of Beijing, which says it wants "peaceful reunification" between the mainland and Taiwan in the long run? Perhaps more importantly, will such a humiliation by China help or hinder the China-friendly political party, the Kuomintang, in its attempt to return to power in Taiwan in 2020 or 2024? Frank Ching is a Hong Kong-based free-lancer columnist. Contact cintrFrank.ching@gmail.com. For the first time in seven years, the number of Korea's manufacturing jobs dropped last month. Labor market data released Tuesday showed that the number of factory workers covered by the state unemployment insurance scheme came to 3,581,000 in December, down 400 from a year ago. The decline marks the first time since October 2009 when the number fell by 8,000 in the wake of the global financial crisis. Job cuts in manufacturing are attributed to prolonged export slowdown, corporate restructuring and factory automation, and this trend is also supported by an industrial activity report prepared by Statistics Korea. The average capacity utilization in the manufacturing sector remained at 70.3 percent in October, a drop of 3.7 percentage points from a year earlier. The figure improved to 73.5 percent in November but still remains low. Shipbuilding has been hit hardest by the employment unrest amid a swift restructuring drive. The number of employees in the shipbuilding, railroad and aviation equipment segment dipped to 179,000 in November, down from 210,000 at the end of 2015. The decline in factory jobs could be a temporary phenomenon, but must not be taken lightly. That's because most manufacturing jobs are stable and well-paying, helping the middle class to build wealth. So the government should not look on with folded arms. President-elect Donald J. Trump is a case in point. He has been intimidating both American and foreign companies into keeping operations in the U.S. Toyota, the world's largest automaker, has announced a plan to invest $10 billion in the U.S. over the next five years under this pressure, and Korean companies look set to follow in Toyota's footstep. The problem is that Korean companies' rush to build plants in America will cause our manufacturing sector to hollow out at a faster pace. It's inevitable then that domestic factory jobs will disappear in droves. True, services industries make up a greater share of employment as the economy matures. Factory automation is also sure to undermine manufacturers' job-creation capabilities. Nevertheless, it's imperative to keep factory jobs to the full until other sectors than manufacturing can offer a sufficient number of decent jobs. This means that Korea still cannot afford to opt out of manufacturing. US flip-flops on handling NK missile test U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter threatened to shoot down a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).Virtually overnight, Carter flip-flopped, saying that the U.S. might not. Carter's stance and reversal of it followed the North's dictator Kim Jong-un's vow during his New Year speech to test a long-range missile. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump followed it by tweeting "It won't happen." Then Carter argued for downing the North's ICBM in a joint opinion piece with his mentor and predecessor Bill Perry but relented in his farewell speech. The likelihood is that the incoming administration was displeased with the outgoing defense chief setting the tone for it and asked him to put it back to where it was. Nonetheless, Carter raised an important issue that could have immediate relevance to the Trump administration in dealing with the North. First, shooting down NK missiles should be included as a valid option for stunting further progress in the North's missile and nuclear development. As Perry pointed out, Pyongyang may make ICBMs operational "in a few years." So far, there are no clear rules. For that, there should be enforceable "red lines" by which the North's missiles should be countervailed. The first in the series is establishing that the North's missile poses a clear and present danger to other countries. The identification of a target can be one and the detection of a dangerous malfunction can be another. The North should inform the pertinent world organization of its plan to send a projectile in advance, obtain the understanding of countries on the flight path and follow the rules regarding such tests. Another redline should clearly set out what countermeasures the affected countries can take if the North violates these redlines. Say, if the North's missile overflies Japan without due process, it would give Japan and its allies the right to shoot them down the next time the North makes the same provocation. The clear rules of engagement are long overdue. Their absence together with the determination to confront the North's challenge explains why the North has progressed in the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It can't be overemphasized that the purpose of these rules is part of a bigger plan to stop the North's WMD programs and separate the two from each other without leading to a major conflict on the Korean Peninsula. So it is a matter of course that the South Korean government should be involved and consulted on every step when the red lines are passed and counteractions are required. This approach would save a great deal of panic from the Trump administration in dealing with the contingency of the North's ICBM test on his inauguration day. By John Burton What is fascinating in analyzing the forthcoming Trump presidency is how many of his policy goals contradict each other, which makes it harder to achieve any or most of them. North Korea provides a perfect case in point. Kim Jong-un's warning in his New Year's address that Pyongyang might soon test an ICBM missile brought forth the Twitter response by Trump that "It won't happen," before the president-elect castigated China for failing to apply tougher sanctions against North Korea. The only effective way to implement sanctions is to win the cooperation of Beijing in enforcing them.But Trump appears intent in going out of his way to alienate China by threatening, for example, to impose tariffs on its exports to the U.S. Sino-American ties also look set to deteriorate over such issues as Taiwan and the South China Sea. Trump's policy of confrontation makes it less likely that China will be willing to press North Korea to denuclearize. Although it has received less attention in the U.S., Trump's policy also threatens to damage relations with Seoul at a time when their ties should be strengthened to deal with the North Korean nuclear threat. Trump's criticism of U.S. trade policy during the campaign has raised concerns about the future of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, although talk that he may try to withdraw or renegotiate the agreement seem to be premature. But his team of senior trade officials has a strong protectionist hue to them. Seoul may take some hope in the fact, however, that Wilbur Ross, who has been nominated as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, is familiar with Korea, having conducted several takeover deals in the aftermath of the 1997 financial crisis. There is also growing concern that Korea may also be labeled a currency manipulator since it meets at least two out of three criteria under U.S. Treasury rules, including having a bilateral trade surplus in excess of $20 billion and a current account surplus in excess of 3 percent of gross domestic product. This issue could receive increased focus in coming month after the annual U.S. trade statistics for 2016 are released, which is likely to show an increased bilateral trade surplus in Korea's favor, well above the $20 billion threshold. In addition, Trump's trade actions could affect the supply network of Korean companies in North America, since Samsung and LG among others have established factories in Mexico, which could be subject to tougher trade restrictions. Trump' s demand that Seoul should contributed more to the deployment of U.S. troops is likely to prove another irritant in bilateral relations. This issue will receive increased attention since the Washington and Seoul must renegotiate the terms of their defense burden sharing agreement by 2018. The key question is if Korea refuses to pay what Trump believes it must, will the U.S. president follow through on his threat to reduce or withdraw U.S. troops, which in turn would weaken the defense alliance against Pyongyang? A tough approach by the Trump administration on trade and defense spending issue would likely feed a growing anti-American sentiment in Korea and contribute to the election of a center-left president to succeed Park Geun-hye, placing a further strain on bilateral relations. Moon Jae-in and Lee Jae-myung, the leading opposition presidential candidates, have both suggested a return to an engagement policy with Pyongyang that might weaken international sanctions policy. Seoul might resume a pivot toward China, Korea's largest trading partner, in the face of U.S. protectionism. For example, Korea would likely push ahead with joining the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which is meant to reduce trade barriers in Asia. A new and more nationalist left-wing government might abandon plans to deploy the THAAD anti-missile system in face of Chinese opposition, while it might also question recent moves to promote closer defense cooperation with Japan, such as the recent intelligence-sharing agreement, due to "comfort women" issue. Trump's rhetoric is now creating a mirror image in Korea with the growing popularity of Lee Jae-myung, the populist mayor Seongnam, who wants to reduce spending on U.S. troops and possibly remove them, while calling for a renegotiation of the trade pact with the U.S. because he thinks it is unfair to Korea's interests. At a time when a concerted, coordinated policy toward North Korea is necessary, Trump appears to have painted himself into a corner when it comes to the Korean peninsula. His utterances on Twitter and elsewhere underscore the fact that he is likely to be a reactive president when it comes to events overseas and that is likely to lead to bad policies. John Burton, a former Korea correspondent for the Financial Times, is now a Seoul-based independent journalist and media consultant. He can be reached at johnburtonft@yahoo.com. Kim Young-sook, head of the union for National Assembly sanitation workers, holds an employee pass during a New Year's ceremony at the Assembly, Jan. 2. / Yonhap By Kim Hyo-jin "I have no worries at all now. I'm even unaware of the passage of time while working," Kim Young-sook, head of the union for sanitation workers at the National Assembly said Wednesday, gazing at an employee pass hung around her neck proudly. A total of 203 former contract sanitation workers at the Assembly have recently been directly hired by it. Lawmakers passed a bill to secure a budget for the direct employment of irregular sanitation workers last month in line with a pledge from Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun. Kim participated in the Assembly's New Year ceremony, Jan. 2, along with fellow workers as regular employees. She recalled the moment when Assembly Secretary-General Woo Yoon-keun bowed to them, saying, "Sorry, having you as our family was so late." "It made me feel like he has already done everything we'd ever wanted," Kim said. The move came six years since Kim, then vice union head, started fighting for direct employment in 2011. Park Hee-tae, then Assembly speaker, pledged to hire the workers but the issue was neglected while the ruling party remained skeptical of it, concerned about a possible ripple effect on non-regular workers at other public bodies. In the past, the sanitation workers have been abused by contractors -service companies that played the role of management - in various aspects. They forced them to do extra work or arbitrarily switched their tasks, disregarding labor regulations. As the companies contract with the Assembly for two to three years' time, they easily shirked accountability while extorting the workers, Kim said. "I was more of a slave back then," she said. "I had to follow whatever they ordered. I sometime spent sleepless nights, feeling anger and frustration." After raising questions about poor working conditions, Kim was dispatched to one of the hardest sections of the Assembly building. Her arthritis got to the stage where she could barely move her legs but the contractor ignored the situation and made her stay there for three years. "I was naive. I believed the National Assembly would be a place where all people would be treated fairly under the Assemblymen's watch. But it was not the case," she said. Kim stepped up seeking ways to protect workers' rights. She established the union for sanitation workers in 2011. While serving as the union head since 2014, she has appealed to lawmakers to hire the workers directly. Chung, who has long witnessed their efforts, pledged to help them as soon as he assumed the speaker post in June. An employment taskforce of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea made a push to pass a bill for the relevant budget. Amid rising public attention on unfair employment, the bill was passed with even support from the ruling party in December. "I learned we can be heard only when we make our voice loud," Kim said. "I didn't know it was such a precious feeling to be respected before. It made me proud and more responsible in my work." By Yoon Sung-won SKT CEO Park Jung-ho SK Telecom will invest 5 trillion won in fostering new businesses based on artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving vehicles and the internet of things (IoT) over the next three years, according to the company, Wednesday. The new 5 trillion won investment will add to the 6 trillion won investment plan, which the company pledged to pour into preparing for the fifth-generation (5G) network. The nation's largest telecom company said the investment will be jointly conducted with its subsidiaries SK Broadband and SK Planet. During his visit to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas last week, SK Telecom's new CEO Park Jung-ho visited exhibitions of the world's leading IT enterprises including Samsung Electronics, Intel and Nvidia, seeking partnerships in new technology businesses, the telecom company said. "I could observe rapid penetration of the waves of the fourth industrial revolution throughout the globe," Park said. "Despite uncertainties both within and outside the company, the investment on building a new information and communication technology industry ecosystem is a task that we cannot postpone any longer." SK Telecom also expects this will lead to a massive expansion of industrial production and job creation. "Once the 5 trillion won is poured into the industries, it will provide opportunities for growth to front and rear industries, inducing production worth 9 trillion won and more than 60,000 new jobs," the company said. SK Telecom said it will concentrate its investment on vitalizing the new industries based on AI, autonomous driving, connected cars, smart homes, energy efficiency systems and IoT while pushing to expand partnerships with global IT giants and startups. The company will run what it calls the "IoT Open House" to train developers and provide startups with support in service design, hardware development and network testing. Besides outside partners, the company will also solidify cooperation with its group affiliates _ SK C&C and SK hynix. In particular, SK Telecom and SK C&C will seek collaborations regarding their respective AI and cloud technologies, tapping into the technologies for navigation systems and autonomous driving vehicles. For the network infrastructure sector, SK Telecom will extend the Telco Infra Project it has jointly pushed for with Facebook, Nokia and Intel to nurture startups through a venture incubation center that is scheduled to open in Seoul in the first half of this year. SK Telecom previously said it would invest 6 trillion won through 2019 in establishing 5G network systems. A brush and grass fire near Interstate 44 caused the staff of the state Veterans Home to evacuate the residents as a precaution on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency responders also asked people in a nearby subdivisions to leave their homes as a precaution. The home burned a mobile home to the ground and damaged some outbuildings. It also burned some hay bales. The fire got up to the fence outside the Veterans Home. An employee of the Veterans Home said residents were taken to the MARC, a former Assemblies of God Church sanctuary, along Business 44, about 2. They were able to start returning to the Veterans Home about 3:30. Firefighters from Monett and Miller, and possibly other departments, helped Mount Vernon firefighters. (Video at right is courtesy of viewer James Mondragon; the photos are from reporter Rachel Dubrovin) Throughout the month of January, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is featuring the work of Andrew Najera and Mieko Anekawa at 5627 La Jolla Blvd. A Southern California native, Andrew Najeras natural talent and passion for drawing was nurtured under accomplished, local artist Judy Nachazel. After high school, he attended the Laguna College of Art & Design on a partial scholarship where he said he developed a deep love for the accomplishments of the Old Masters, the draughtsmanship of Russian artists and the leaders of the French Academies. Upon completion of the Drawing Intensive Workshop at the Grand Central Academy in New York City, he continued his studies in Southern California under portraitist Adrian Gottlieb, and later under Leon Okun. Najera said he obsessively strives to make each drawing better than the last through portraits, figurative composition and the inspiration of life. His goal is to return to Florence, Italy and study at the Florence Academy of Art to continue the traditions of the Old Masters and do his part to raise the bar of excellence. Mieko Anekawa studied Graphic Design in Kyoto, Japan and then moved to New York City and now resides in San Diego. Her art has been in galleries throughout NYC, as well as numerous international exhibitions. With rich colors and captured movement, her paintings explore the excitement of combining naturalism and feminism into an organic collaboration. She expresses the vibration of living elements with the unspoken messages of human expression into her art. Anekawa said her ambition is to stimulate connections between the unstable feelings of being a minority in America with the serenity and content feelings of her Japanese ethnicity. She achieves this via the women in her paintings, which express their emotion solely in their attitude, not needing words. Anekawa said she paints as a self-healing process, to explore and capture her emotional states. Moving to San Diego has surrounded her with Californias vivid wildlife and expanded her mind to engage with the botanical universe encompassing her. Barbara Bry spoke to the La Jolla Community Planning Association for the first time as a San Diego City Council member during its Jan. 5 meeting at La Jolla Rec Center, taking the opportunity to outline her priorities at City Hall and introduce her eight-member staff, aka Team BB. As many of you know, the themes of my campaign were the importance of keeping our community safe, clean and prosperous, and so these will be my guiding principles in how I make decisions related to our district and the entire City, she said. The District 1 representative added that her first priorities related to La Jolla would include focusing on the regulation of what she calls mini-hotels in residential neighborhoods (houses purchased so they can be rented short-term); finding a resolution to the stench at La Jolla Cove and other sea lion issues therein; ensuring the continuation of the Torrey Pines Road Corridor Projects; and monitoring public works projects like the infrastructure replacement on Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla Shores, which has been underway off-and-on for more than three years. Citywide, Bry said she would focus on public safety and coordinate with the San Diego Police Department to recruit and retain officers. Ive heard crime is up in neighborhoods throughout the district and I want to make sure we work with the police, and I want to make sure the police department treats all of our residents with respect, she said. Citizen Advisory Boards To further this effort, Bry said she is launching volunteer advisory boards comprised of residents from across the district. One of the first will focus on public safety. She said, in the coming weeks, her staff would distribute information about how those interested can sign on and what their responsibilities will be. Other advisory boards will address small business, and senior and youth issues. Community Coffees Its important to me to stay engaged in the community and not live in a bubble in City Hall, so I will continue to hold office hours once a month, starting in February, and community coffees, probably quarterly, she said. I really want to hear from you when there is something on your mind (that we should be looking at). As a high-tech entrepreneur, Ive learn the key to developing a successful company is the quality of the team. How were going to be successful is if we are all part of Team BB. As for the official Team BB, Bry introduced each member of her staff and explained their background and the role they will serve. Meet the Team Chief of Staff Jamie Fox: Jaime is a City Hall veteran and former chief of staff for council member now assembly member Todd Gloria. She could have followed him to Sacramento, but Im very blessed she has stayed here to work with us. She knows her way in and out of every nook and cranny in City Hall. Her specialties are related to the police department, city attorney, boards and commissions, and overseeing the internal budget. Policy Director Victoria Joes: Vicky is a policy specialist who has worked for the San Diego Port and the Mayors office. She has extensive experience in housing, homelessness, grants, public safety and workforce development, and she will be my lead policy advisor and serve as the committee consultant on the Budget and Government Efficiency Committee. Communications Director Hilary Nemchik: Hilary was my campaign manager and before managing my campaign, she was a field representative for Marty Block. Before that, she worked in New York City as a director of external affairs. She will be responsible for external communications and be our liaison to the Del Mar Mesa community. Executive Assistant Venessa Jackson: (Not present) Venessa is our executive assistant and office manager, if you call our office to schedule a meeting with me, you will most likely get to know Venessa, who is super friendly. Council Representative Steve Hadley: Steve is another City Hall veteran, and has worked with 18 different communities in Council Districts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 since 2000. So he also knows where everything is at City Hall. He is going to coordinate our offices constituent and community services work, and will serve as our liaison for Torrey Hills and Carmel Valley. Council Representative Mauricio Medina: Mauricio grew up here. He went to La Jolla High School and UC Santa Barbara. He came back and interned on my campaign and eventually, we promoted him to Deputy Field Director, where he spearheaded our voter outreach and organized our high school and college fellowship program. Mauricio is going represent south La Jolla, Del Mar Heights and Torrey Pines. Council Representative Bridger Langfur: (Not present) Bridger is going to represent University City and UC San Diego. Council Representative Daniel Orloff: Many of you may know Daniel because he grew up here, went to La Jolla High and UC Berkeley he went to law school and passed the California Bar Exam. Hes worked as a lifeguard every summer since he was 18, to put himself through college and law school, so you may have seen him at WindanSea, the Childrens Pool and La Jolla Cove. He knows the coastline and the community. He lives in La Jolla. He will advise on policy matters and represent northern La Jolla from the Village to La Jolla Shores. How to Contact the Bry Team Barbara Bry: City Administration Building, 202 C Street, MS #10A, San Diego, CA 92101. (619) 236-6611. barbarabry@sandiego.gov or sandiego.gov/cd1 After making the rounds at La Jolla and Pacific Beach planning groups, a proposed street vacation project made one last stop and caused a stir at the Jan. 5 La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) meeting, before it will be presented to the San Diego City Council at a date to be determined. The LJCPA board debated the merits of preserving the property that straddles the La Jolla and Pacific Beach border as open space, versus granting a street vacation, before voting to deny the request for the street vacation. The steep, hilly 0.129-acre (5,600 square feet) undeveloped property sits at the northeast corner of the intersection of Cass Street and Van Nuys Street. Other surrounding properties are privately owned, but also undeveloped. The City purchased the property in the 1950s to extend Rutgers Road, but having never done so, decided to vacate the street and sell the property on the public market. The Pacific Beach Planning Group approved the street vacation in September by a vote of 8-3-1. La Jollas Development Permit Review Committee (DPR) approved the vacation, 5-0-1, and La Jolla Parks & Beaches advisory group also approved the street vacation, 16-2-1. City of San Diego property agent Dena Boylan and City asset manager Mary Carlson spoke before the LJCPA and explained the property has been routed to different City departments, including the Department of Park & Rec, and none expressed interest in retaining it. The City was contacted several years ago by one of the neighbors who was interested in buying the property, Carlson said, and then I contacted another neighbor and they were also interested, so we had two potential buyers, and that was what prompted the street vacation. At previous presentations, the possibility of a house being built on that property was posed, but could not be addressed. We havent gotten that far. Right now the first step is to vacate the street, then put the property up on the market and see who is interested, Carlson said. Boylan added that should the property be developed, it will be considered one legal lot, so only one, single-family residence could be put there, at a maximum floor area of 3,317 square feet. LJCPA trustee Phil Merten, who pulled the item from last months consent agenda, said he opposed the street vacation in favor of preserving the parcel as undeveloped open space. I dont remember a time when this committee agreed to let these pieces of public property, particularly of open space, just go. I think these hillsides have value as they are, as undeveloped open space. When I went up the hill, I was blown away by the view and (the plant life, including) barrel cactus, he said. Our community plan calls for the preservation of open space and in following the intent of our community plan, we shouldnt be on the side of letting these spaces go. Its a pretty special place. This undeveloped piece of open space should remain just that and not be sold away for another house. We just dont need another house in the neighborhood. Agreeing, trustee Mike Costello said, I was astonished that no (department) had any interest to preserve this as open space. Once you put a house on there, you lose it forever. This is the last chance to keep this little space open. Id like to see the City keep this open. Disagreeing, trustee Tom Brady said, The lot could be worth $500,000 and the City needs the money. As much as I value open space, there was no interest expressed in converting that into a park, and at the Parks & Beaches meeting, the vote was 16-2 to support the street vacation. Proceeds from the sale would go to the Citys General Fund, Carlson said. Patrick Ahern, a self-admitted tree hugger, said he spoke to residents nearby and they said they dont want a park for people or dogs. I also feel the deal is probably going to happen (no matter what we decide). If the street gets vacated, we could lobby later to keep it as open space, but we cant do anything until the street is vacated. Merten made a motion to reject the DPR findings and deny the request for a street vacation, for the purpose of preserving the parcel as undeveloped scenic hillside. The vote was 7-7-1, with the chair abstaining. To break the tie, acting chair Helen Boyden voted to support the motion, bringing the total to 8-7-0. In other LJCPA news: Utility Pipeline projects to resume: Spokesperson Vic Salazar said two pipeline replacement projects were on the way: the La Jolla Scenic Drive pipeline project in the Country Club/Muirlands area and Group Job 820 in the Park Row area. The La Jolla Scenic Pipeline project would largely affect Fairway Road, La Jolla Rancho Road, La Jolla Scenic Drive South and others, and is 90 percent designed and going to replace four miles of aging water pipeline in La Jolla and a quarter mile of sewer line, Salazar said. The project is slated to begin in spring 2017 and take about a year. The budget for this project is $9.84 million. Upon completion, the impacted streets would be resurfaced. In the Park Row area, Group Job 820 will replace, rehabilitate and install approximately 12,045 linear feet of eight-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch to 15-inch sewer main; and relocate or replace approximately 1,364 linear feet of 12-inch to 16-inch water main. The project also includes replacement of sewer laterals, water valves, water services, curb ramps and street resurfacing on impacted streets. The project paused for the holiday moratorium, and should be complete by March. Find more information about these projects at sandiego.gov/cip Jain Residence approved: A brief presentation took place about the Jain Residence on at 1421 Soledad Ave., to clarify a height issue, after it was pulled from last months consent agenda. The project calls for the demolition of an existing 1,878 square-foot residence and attached garage on a 7,647 square-foot lot, and construction of a new 3,225 square-foot two-story residence over 778 square-foot walk out basement and 563 square-foot two-car garage. La Jolla DPRs committee determined findings can be made for the requested permits. The item was pulled by trustee David Little, who said he had questions about the height. Applicant Tim Golba explained the height fluctuates to accommodate unusual parcel layout and steep surrounding streets and hillside. Weve brought in a new access that comes in flat and enters a subterranean garage and basement. Then we built a two-story house above that. We set the house back so the homeowners have a usable front yard. You have a fully enclosed basement and then a two story house above that ... and a small roof deck on top of that. Including the roof deck rail, the total height of the house is 28 feet, but the bulk of the house is 22 feet tall. A motion to ratify the findings of DPR passed 14-0-1. La Jolla Community Planning Association next meets 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 at La Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect St. lajollacpa.org San Diego City Council members Barbara Bry (District 1) and Lorie Zapf (District 2) along with reps from a half-dozen environmental organizations, gathered at La Jolla Shores on Friday, Jan. 6 to send a message to President Barack Obama to protect the San Diego coast from the consequences of oil and gas drilling. A letter to the sitting president was sent Monday, Jan. 9 with the signatures of more than 1,000 citizens petitioning Obama to include San Diego in the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and permanently withdraw federal waters off the regions coast from offshore oil and gas leasing. The effort is a continuance of Gov. Jerry Browns request to the President to protect the coasts of California in a similar manner. Stressing the importance of achieving the protection goals before Inauguration Day (Friday, Jan. 20) when Obama will be replaced by President-elect Donald Trump, Council member Zapf said, Mr. President, there is still time. Please, do not get on that helicopter Jan. 20 without invoking your authority to protect San Diegos precious and beautiful coastline from any future drilling, for our children and the future generations. Council member Bry took the podium to highlight the importance of La Jolla Shores and the San Diego coastline environmentally and economically. Just out there is Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve (La Jolla Shores Underwater Marine Reserve), a protected underwater ecosystem that includes a variety of marine mammal species and kelp forests, she said, pointing to the ocean behind her. This is just one of 11 Marine Protected Areas on the coast along San Diego County. These underwater state parks are a safe haven for the many unique species of wildlife that inhabit our coastal waters, and are enjoyed by our swimmers, divers, kayakers and surfers. Here, not only is our precious marine environment at stake, but San Diegos economy is also greatly impacted by the health of our coastline. Bry referred to the economic stimulus generated by tourists who chiefly come to San Diego to visit coastline landmarks and beaches, as well as the maritime industry, which yields tax revenues originated offshore. San Diegos coastline is one of our most important natural assets and we need to preserve its health and beauty for future generations to enjoy, she added. During the event, which took place at the La Jolla Shores boardwalk adjacent to the playground, representatives from I Love a Clean San Diego, San Diego Coastkeeper, Wildcoast, Surfrider Foundation and San Diego Audubon Society pledged support to the cause. San Diego Coastkeeper director Matt OMalley spoke of the dangerous consequences that often stem from oil and gas drilling offshore. From Santa Barbara to the Gulf Coast, we have all seen the dangers of blind adherence to fossil fuels. Here in our backyard, we are working toward 100 percent renewable energy goals. We urge our leaders to protect the crown jewels we have behind us here in La Jolla, and the 70 miles of coastline we are using here in San Diego ... and permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling in our offshore waters. On the same note, Wildcoast director Zach Plopper stated, California is the worlds largest integrated network of Marine Protected Areas with over 545,000 acres of the states most iconic coastal sites not only for wildlife and ecosystems, but for communities around the world that fly to the California Coast to enjoy the amazing resources we have here. It would be absolutely devastating for the wildlife and our collective efforts to protect it if these efforts were undermined by a disaster like an oil spill or something related to that. During his remarks, Jim Peugh of the San Diego Audubon Society supported the letter urging people to sign the petition. With the temperature changes that have happened in the ocean already, and the changes in the oceans currents, we really dont need to add to the pollution to make our ocean life even worse, he said. To close the press conference, UC San Diego Ph.D. candidate and professional surfer Cliff Kapono, who hails from Hawaii, explained that oil and gas drilling offshore also affects the natural ecosystems of the Islands. A group of La Jolla Shores residents and business owners gave a coordinated presentation at the San Diego City Council meeting Monday, Jan. 9, protesting the ongoing construction project in their neighborhood to underground utilities and replace the stormwater infrastructure. During the non-agenda public comment period, the group begged City Council members for an end to their long-suffering situation. Barbarella restaurant owner Barbara Beltaire called the project that has left Shores streets torn up and parking eliminated, endless and devastating. Were begging you now, she said. Were asking you for your help for our community and also for our ocean. We really need your help. During their appearance, the group said the project, which started in 2013, was supposed to end in 2015. It has been redone three times now, and the truth of the matter is that this project was a failure from Day One, and this is awfully scary for us now, because there is no end (in sight), no completion date. Its been having horrible negative impacts on both the residents and the businesses some have closed, some have had to lay people off because of all the construction, Beltaire continued. The initial goal of the Avenida de la Playa stormwater replacement project was to improve the quality of the water that is dumped into the La Jolla Shores Marine Protected Area. However, after the constructions first completion date in 2015, a storm in January 2016 blew apart a culvert box next to the outfall structure. Current construction in the area deals with installing a new pipe to substitute for the one that broke, and leaving out a filter box used to separate trash and bacteria before stormwater runs into the ocean. Residents claimed that since the rain episode that destroyed their street, low flow discharges and storm runoff drains freely into the ocean down Avenida de la Playa. La Jolla Shores Business Association president Angie Preisendorfer said visitors, locals and marine life alike are affected by the release that fouls the ocean. The continuing failure of this project is allowing pollution to flow free into our local ocean waters the ocean that lures tourists from near and far bringing much needed revenue to San Diego, she explained. La Jolla Shores is one of the busiest beaches in San Diego. Preisendorfer pointed out that the stormwater construction project on Avenida de la Playa requires the highest level of overview to make sure that this time it is done right. This (project) has not being approved nor funded, and theres no guarantee that this is going to solve the original project. Who is in charge? San Diego residents and visitors need to be confident that they can swim in a clean ocean, find parking, not fall and trip from poorly-maintained streets and sidewalks. Resident Ted Levis focused his intervention on the state of disrepair of the pedestrian and road infrastructure in La Jolla Shores. Our neighborhood streets are failing because of a complete lack of maintenance in a very touristy area, and secondly, they have been decimated further by the construction that has showed up in our neighborhood over the last 3-4 years to try to fix the Avenida de La Playa stormwater project, he stated. Lastly, Jim Morris, who has resided and worked in La Jolla Shores for 29 years, offered the San Diego City Council a half-dozen suggestions for better construction project management. He recommended that to plan effectively: the City hire only contractors with a proven record and success in comparable projects, hold contractors to the highest standards, communicate effectively with the community, repair the damages thus far, and regain the publics confidence. We thank Council member Barbara Bry, who has assigned a staff member to monitor these La Jolla Shores projects, Morris said. The designated person, Brys team confirmed, is Daniel Orloff. The Shores neighbors presentation, as part of the non-agenda public comment of the meeting, could not result in any deliberation or action by the City Council, according to the Brown Act. Nonetheless, Council member Bry thanked the residents of her district for their remarks and volunteered to work with them, promising a meeting with Mayor Faulconer or the Citys infrastructure committee. After the fact, Bry told the La Jolla Light, It is important for the small businesses and residents of La Jolla Shores, as well as all communities throughout the City, that public works projects be done quickly and efficiently. I look forward to working with the Mayors office to ensure the work on Avenida de Playa is done on time and on budget. Photos: New City Council member Barbara Bry holds victory party for constituents in La Jolla View Slideshow NATURAL LA JOLLA: Spending an afternoon in La Jolla at the seaside just watching for wildlife can give you some calm after a hectic holiday season. Many of the animals in our area are gearing up for migrations, breeding seasons and spring. January is when we start to see southbound gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in big numbers. Some of them are even traveling with calves, born early before their mothers could reach the safety of the calving lagoons in Baja, Mexico. We can watch one of the great migrations on the planet, right from our shoreline! Thousands of whales will make the migration, traveling more than 10,000 miles a year, from cold Arctic waters south to Mexico and back again. Scanning the horizon during the late afternoon, both nearshore and offshore, is the best way to spot a blow. Youll be able to spot several whales passing by, swimming alone or in small groups. You may even get to see them breach out of the water. The bluffs in La Jolla give a great vantage point. Gray whales have an elongated and pointed head, covered in mottled gray and white skin with barnacles. They lack a dorsal fin, so youll only see a long back as the whale dives down. They also have short pectoral fins, unlike humpback whales (which may also be seen here at this time of year). In the early evening, pelicans roost along Coast Boulevard across from Goldfish Point. They are developing breeding plumage with their pouches becoming bright red and their eyes turning a light blue. Theyll nest offshore in March. The sea lions have been a raucous bunch lately with large groups mingling on the outer edges of Ellen Browning Scripps Park near the Bridge Club. And once again, seal pupping season has begun with some very fat seals lying on the beach at the Childrens Pool. The pups will begin arriving soon. Its always a sight to see the little ones emerge right there on the sand and then take a swim with their mothers very shortly after being born. We have a lot to look forward now as our days become longer into the spring, and a lot of wildlife to see. Kelly Stewart is a marine biologist with The Ocean Foundation who writes about the flora and fauna of La Jolla. She may be reached by e-mail: NaturalLaJolla@gmail.com Leaving the Creuse shivering in the minus degree winter temperatures it is quite a delightful surprise to arrive on the island of Majorca where the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the sea is calm and people are sitting outside eating their Sunday lunch at around 3pm, this is Spain after all, where eating times are very different. The vegetation is equally as surprising as the warm temperatures, flowering rosemary, hibiscus, bougainvillea and enormous palm trees beside the Mediterranean. In fact Majorca enjoys an average temperature of around 21 C and more than 300 days of sunshine throughout the year. The British and the Germans seem to particularly enjoy the delights of Majorca. In the winter time the island is calm but I am told and I can certainly imagine by looking at all the bars and restaurants which are closed at the moment, that in the summer the island takes on a very different image. The island receives over 10 million visitors during the year, Spain and its islands is enjoying a surge in tourism as travelers choose Spain instead of North Africa and Turkey because of fears of terrorism. There are some Majorcans who question the effects of tourism on the island, for example such a large number of tourists demand a lot of water. The government has therefore begun to charge a tourism tax of up to 2 euros for overnight stays. The money raised is to be used for environmental projects and to restore historical sites. Indeed tourism creates jobs and is enormously important in the island's economy but there is also the negative side of damage to the environment. For example, the Majorcan beaches are so popular that on one of them the 500.000 tourists who visited the beach took away with them, in their shoes, on their bodies etc., 25 tons of sand - a disappearing beach! Anyway, I am lucky enough to be here for three weeks, during the winter, when too many tourists are not a problem, and I am looking forward to discovering the island's treasure including the impressive cathedral in Palma, dating from 1230 and on which Gaudi worked and also the stunning Serra de Tramuntana mountain range which was awarded World Heritage Status by Unesco, along with sampling a few of the many tapas bars. Hiring a bike is also a possibility after all Team Sky do use Majorca as their training base but I don't think I will be attempting the 10 km route that they use which goes up the side of a mountain, with 26 hair pin turns, climbing 668 metres at an average 7.1 % gradient ! I'll keep to the cycle lanes on the flat route by the sea ! Julia Dunbar PRESS RELEASE Belgian MP Submits Resolution To Lift EU Sanctions Against Russia Jan. 10, 2017 (EIRNS)The Belgian parliaments External Affairs Committee on Tuesday considered a draft resolution demanding an end to the European Union's sanctions against Russia, resolution author Member of Parliament Aldo Carcassi told TASS beforehand. "The objective of the resolution is to empower the Belgian government to call on the EU Council to lift the European sanctions against Russia, as they inflict damage on Belgian farmers," Carcassi said. "On Jan. 10, the External Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Representatives will hold hearings on the resolution." The sanctions have reduced Belgian-Russian trade from 15.1 billion in 2013 to 11.4 billion now, resulting in the Belgian farm sector losing 5% of its market. The resolution says that the sanctions contravene international law, since the UN Security Council is the only body that has powers to impose sanctions. Second, the resolution says the sanctions contravene the European Unions own logic, since the EU linked their sanctions to Russias compliance with all the provisions of the Minsk accords on settling the armed civil conflict in eastern Ukraine, whereas Russia is not a party to that conflict. Third, the document underlines inefficiency of the sanctions, and finally, the resolution calls Russia a friend and ally in the struggle against terrorism and extremist organizations like the Islamic State. Obviously, popular resistance to the EU sanctions is growing: Carcassi had introduced a resolution for debate in the parliament in July 2016. At the time, Sputnik reported that similar resolutions against the sanctions had been introduced in the French and Cypriot parliaments, and also in Italian regional bodies in Tuscany, Lombardy, Veneto, and Liguria. PRESS RELEASE New York Nuclear Plants To Close, Thanks to Wall Streets Deregulation Economic Warfare Jan. 10, 2017 (EIRNS)More of this nations nuclear plants are slated to close, while it is the environmentalists who fight for nuclear! Entergy, the owner of the two operating nuclear power plants at Indian Point, north of New York City, has decided that it will close units 2 and 3 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The company says that economic considerations were key in its decision to shut the plants. Entergy joins other nuclear operators in getting out of the "merchant" power business, which is the "competitive market" system, which determines the price of electricity, that was set up in the half of U.S. states that deregulated electricity in the Enron-led frenzy of the 1990s. The 2,000-Megawatt generating capacity of the two nuclear plants provides a quarter of the power used in New York City and neighboring Westchester County. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said today, announcing the decision, that the state will be able to replace the lost power by 2021, without raising costs to consumers. Entergy Wholesale Commodities president Bill Mohl said, "Clearly, right now they dont have the ability to replace the 2,000 Megawatts." No kidding. The only new nuclear plants that are being built, and that companies like Entergy say they will invest in, are in regulated states, mainly in the southeast of the U.S. According to Entergy CEO Leo Danault, "Key considerations in our decision to shut down Indian Point ahead of schedule include sustained low current and projected wholesale energy prices that have reduced revenues, as well as increased operating costs." Entergy has put more than $1.3 billion into safety and reliability improvements over the past 15 years. Danault reported that over the past 10 years, low gas prices had driven power prices down by about 45%, and that a $10-per- megawatt-hour drop reduces annual revenues by about $160 million for Indian Point. All of the nuclear plants that have been shut down, or are now scheduled for such, have been unable to "compete." Over the past 15 years, anti-nukes, environmentalists, and Gov. Cuomo have led a ceaseless campaign and legal challenges, to shut the plants, due to supposed safety concerns. But an irony of the Indian Point closure, is that major environmental groupsthe Environmental Defense Fund, and Natural Resources Defense Councilhave filed briefs in on-going litigation, in which they defend the legality of the New York Public Service Commissions approval of a plan to keep New Yorks up-state FitzPatrick, Ginna, and Nine Mile nuclear plants open, due to their environmental benefits! PRESS RELEASE Glass-Steagall Resolution Introduced into Virginia State House Jan. 10, 2017 (EIRNS)Today, House Joint Resolution No. 642 was introduced into the Virginia House Of Delegates. It calls for the "Memorializing of the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to reinstate the separation of commercial and investment banking functions that was in effect under the Glass-Steagall Act." The bills seven "Whereas" clauses include references to the successful history of Glass-Steagall, the damage from its repeal, and the fact that millions of citizens lives are being destroyed for lack of a sound banking system. On the same day the bill was introduced, the Washington Post has a front-page article on the resolutions sponsor, Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) completely avoiding any coverage of his backing for the Glass-Steagall policy, and instead covering his activism, which, in fact, is coherent with his initiative today. The headline of the article is, "An Iconoclast Prods Va. Democrats." It reports, "The states only Muslim delegate urges his party to woo Trump voters.... He made headlines after the election by scolding his own Democratic Party for losing touch with white, rural and working-class voters. Saying it was wrong for Democrats to demonize Trump supporters, Rasoul quit his leadership role within the Assemblys House Democrats to draw attention to the issue." Rasoul says, "This is the problem with liberals.... We have all the facts. We have all the figures. We know all the right answers. It doesnt matter. You have to know how to build trust with people." At least one Democrat has gotten the message. The people of the country are in bad shape, and Rasoul has moved to defend them. Good news, Game of Thrones fans: George R.R. Martin said that his long-awaited novel The Winds of Winter might be coming out this year. The book is the next installment of his A Song of Ice and Fire series that is the basis of the hit HBO show. Martin made the tentative prediction in the comments section of his blog, responding to a fan who requested an update on The Winds of Winter, the long-awaited sixth novel in the series. Not done yet, but Ive made progress. But not as much as I hoped a year ago, when I thought to be done by now, Martin wrote. I think it will be out this year. Advertisement He added a caveat: "(But hey, I thought the same thing last year). The rare update from Martin was somewhat hidden in the comments section of a post titled Doom, Despair, Defeat not about his books, or about President-elect Donald Trump, whom Martin famously loathes but about the loss by his beloved New York Giants at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. (I am now rooting for Whoever Plays the Cowboys and Whoever Plays the Patriots, Martin fumed. And if we wind up with a Cowboy/ Patriot SuperBowl, I will be rooting for A Giant Asteroid Strikes Houston.) Martins fans have been waiting for The Winds of Winter since 2011, when the fifth book in the series, A Dance with Dragons, was published. Hes offered periodic updates on the books progress, but theyve been few and far between. Last May, he posted a chapter from the upcoming book on his blog, but cautioned fans not to get too excited. And last month, he told the audience at the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico that they shouldnt get their hopes up for a happy ending when The Winds of Winter is finally released. Winter is the time when things die, and cold and ice and darkness fill the world, so this is not going to be the happy feel-good [book] that people may be hoping for, Martin said. Some of the characters [are] in very dark places. Game of Thrones fans who cant wait until later this year (at the earliest) for more tales from Westeros can look forward to the seventh season of the HBO show, however its scheduled to premiere this summer. ALSO Zadie Smith, in Los Angeles, says I am a voyeur Book sales suspended for Trump aide accused of plagiarism Look out, hobbits: Marlon James is working on an epic fantasy trilogy For more than a decade, the prospect that another Frank Gehry development might rise across from the architects signature Walt Disney Concert Hall has tantalized downtown Los Angeles. Now, the elaborate commercial and residential development designed by Gehry could finally get off the ground after a Chinese builder has put $290 million into the venture. Construction on the $1-billion Grand Avenue Project will begin next year, according to New York developer Related Cos., in part because of its partnership with one of Chinas largest state-owned companies, China Communications Construction Group. Advertisement The company, based in Beijing, builds transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges and tunnels and reports annual revenue of more than $67 billion. The Grand Avenue Project is the initial venture in the U.S. for a subsidiary set up to carry out foreign development. For our first project in the U.S. we want to be in a city with a large population and a stable economy, said Mark Guo, director of business development for the Singapore subsidiary, called CCCG Overseas Real Estate Ltd., or CORE. Gateway cities such as Los Angeles are the most attractive targets. The Grand Avenue complex of condominiums, apartments, shops, restaurants and a hotel has been delayed several times since 2004. Thats when Related was selected by city and county officials to transform land left mostly vacant since the former residential neighborhood was razed about 50 years ago in an urban renewal program. But this time, with COREs help, Related will finally be able to proceed, President Ken Himmel said. This is a milestone unlike any other in the history of this project, he said. Its a total game changer. The $290-million cash injection means Related and CORE have now raised more than $400 million for the project, Himmel said. Typically, real estate developers borrow 70% or more of the funds they need to start building. This should say to everyone that this project is not over-leveraged, Himmel said. Its a tremendous vote of confidence to see that amount of equity go into the project. Guo said CORE was interested in the project because it is high-profile and high-end and will reflect well on the companys reputation. Also, the city and county of Los Angeles are parties to the development, providing subsides including tax breaks valued at nearly $200 million. We know government projects never fail, Guo said. CORE also will learn from Related how to develop in the U.S., said Guo, who is based in Vancouver, Canada. At the same time, we would like to contribute our experience. As co-developer, CORE could acquire some construction materials from China and could also bring Chinese buyers to the condos. We do have the connections, he said. CORE and Related are coming somewhat late to downtown in the current development cycle, which some have speculated may be peaking. Other moneyed Chinese developers such as Greenland Group, Oceanwide Holdings and Shenzhen Hazens Real Estate Group have already launched mega mixed-use projects that are changing the skyline. Theyre adding thousands of new residential units and hotel rooms in soaring skyscrapers mostly south of the financial district near Staples Center and L.A. Live. But the Grand Avenue Project would be the first Chinese-related mega development for Bunker Hill. And Guo said the company is confident there will be demand for the projects retail, hotel and residential offerings when it is completed in 2022. The economy of Los Angeles grew pretty quickly after the financial crisis of 2008, Guo said. We think the population will keep growing. Hospitality consultant Sara Lo said she was not surprised that Chinese money continues to flow into Los Angeles and the United States. She noted the Chinese government has devalued its currency about 12% since 2015. That has boosted outbound investment as prosperous Chinese companies and individuals look for a hedge against further devaluation. Part of what makes Los Angeles particularly attractive to Chinese investors is that downtown is booming yet still has large surface parking lots that can be turned into mega mixed-use projects, she said. You dont find many five-acre parcels that can support $1-billion developments in many downtowns, said Lo, a senior manager specializing in the hospitality business at consulting firm EY. She also expects that Chinese money will continue to flow into U.S. developments for years since China recently eased restrictions on sending money out of the country. Insurance companies can now invest as much as 15% of their total financial assets overseas, and have only about 2% of assets abroad now. There is a long runway to go, she said. Relateds project is set to rise on a block now occupied by an ugly low-rise parking structure. The development would have six levels of parking below Grand Avenue with room for 1,500 cars. Above would be about 215,000 square feet of space for stores and eight destination restaurants spread among a series of landscaped open terraces laid out by Gehry, Himmel said. There would be a movie theater complex and a 305-room Equinox-brand hotel. Gehrys design calls for a 20-story hotel tower and 39-story residential tower containing 128 condos and 301 apartments. Prices and rents are to be set later, but rent on 86 of the apartments will be reduced to make them affordable for qualified low-income residents. The development would require about 8,310 construction workers and employ about 3,300 people when completed. Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter Since Related was chosen in 2004 to develop the Grand Avenue Project, it has invested about $240 million, Himmel said, including the completed 12-acre Grand Park and Emerson, an apartment building next to the Broad Museum on Grand Avenue. However, Relateds mixed-use Gehry development stalled in the recession of 2007. The developer has repeatedly reworked the project, changing hotel operators and offering new designs in response to demands from elected city officials. In recent weeks, Related secured a new round of approvals for its project from the City Council, the county and the successor agency to the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles. Guo said that he realizes the arrival of large-scale investments from foreign countries sometimes viewed as an adversary in the U.S. may be disconcerting to some, but he said CORE expects to stick around for the long term. We dont just want to invest, take the money and go, he said. We want to stay and work with U.S. people to build good things. roger.vincent@latimes.com Twitter: @rogervincent ALSO American Apparel is sold at auction to Canadas Gildan Activewear Why tariffs on Chinese imports could backfire in California Downtown Los Angeles hasnt seen this much construction since the 1920s Federal trade regulators are sending checks to 350,000 Herbalife distributors who lost money by trying to sell the companys weight-loss shakes, bars and other supplements. The checks come from $200 million that Herbalife agreed to pay in July to settle a complaint by the Federal Trade Commission that it had misled people into becoming its distributors by telling them falsely that they would quickly get rich. The overwhelming majority of Herbalife distributors earned little or no money, the regulators concluded after a two-year investigation. Most of the checks are between $100 and $500, the FTC said. The largest checks amount to more than $9,000. Advertisement The agency mailed the first refunds Tuesday. Regulators said they used Herbalife records to estimate which distributors in the United States lost the most money. Those receiving refunds paid at least $1,000 to Herbalife between 2009 and 2015, and got little or nothing back. Herbalife said at the time of the settlement in July that it disagreed with many of the FTCs allegations but had decided to settle to avoid the financial cost and distraction of protracted litigation. Former distributors dont need to file a claim with the agency. The FTC said people should receive their checks by Jan. 20. Those who believe they should have received a refund can get more information at ftc.gov/herbalife or by calling (844) 322-8146. The agencys investigation began in March 2014 after billionaire investor William Ackman claimed that Herbalife was operating a pyramid scheme. Ackmans hedge fund bet more than $1 billion that Herbalifes share price would fall, by selling the companys stock short. The FTC investigators sharply criticized the companys practices but fell short of determining it was an illegal pyramid scheme. Under the settlement, Herbalife must stop its rags-to-riches promotional pitches. It also must verify through receipts that at least 80% of its sales are made to legitimate retail customers. The FTC said that Herbalifes previous system of compensating distributors was driven not by selling products to people who actually consumed them but by recruiting additional people into the network. On Tuesday, the agency warned all consumers to be wary of so-called multilevel marketing programs in which recruiters claim they dont have to worry about successfully selling the companys products because they can make money by recruiting others into the business. Melody.petersen@latimes.com Follow @melodypetersen on Twitter The federal government set its first minimum wage, at 25 cents an hour, in 1938. Since then, liberals have cheered attempts to raise the minimum as blows against worker exploitation, while businesses lament that the hikes will kill jobs. But nearly 80 years later, economists still arent sure how a higher minimum wage actually affects companies and their customers. Two recent studies out of California and Washington, which are both well on their way to a $15 floor, show just how hard it is to pin down exactly how businesses respond to higher labor costs. Advertisement One report, published Wednesday by UC Berkeley researchers, suggests that California will actually gain jobs because of the minimum wage hike. Another, released by University of Washington economists in November, offers a more negative view. Ripple effects from the minimum wage are sure to draw even more scrutiny now. Nineteen states, including California, raised the wage floor on Jan. 1. And Andrew Puzder, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for Labor secretary who has criticized a $15 wage, is scheduled to have a confirmation hearing Jan. 17, though that may be pushed back to February. Of course, even the most careful accounting of the pros and cons of a wage hike hinges on methodology and assumptions about the extent to which labor costs can sway companies to raise prices, slash hours and lay off employees. The new Berkeley report is based on an economic model that predicts how much businesses will raise prices or replace humans with machines, and the likelihood that poor workers will spend all of their new paychecks. Using that model, researchers found that giving low-wage workers a pay bump will prompt them to spend more. And while retailers and restaurants may raise prices to cover their higher labor costs, that will be offset by the increased spending. The researchers, led by economist Michael Reich, say that extra spending will support enough jobs to compensate for cuts by employers who decide to replace humans with robots. Employers will also save some of the money they spend on replenishing the bottom rung, the researchers theorize, because higher wages tend to keep workers in their jobs longer. Bigger salaries also make people more productive, which can boost sales and revenue. Puzder has said that it doesnt make sense to raise the minimum wage in areas that are less economically vibrant than, say, San Francisco. But the Berkeley economists looked specifically at Fresno, one of the poorest counties in California, and they still predict that a wage hike would add jobs on net. Much of the economic activity in Fresno happens on farms, where machines have been making their presence known for years, so the local labor force might seem like an easy target for automation. Not so, the report finds. Raising wages by itself is unlikely to raise the rate of mechanization, Reich said. The researchers base some of their optimism about Fresno handling a $15 wage on its ability to keep growing even as the minimum wage went from $8 in 2013 to $10 in 2015. Of course, Berkeleys conclusion is essentially a best guess of what will happen, not an account of what has happened. Other independent economists have expressed skepticism about the model, which is similar to the one Berkeley researchers used to study the effects of the minimum wage in Los Angeles and Santa Clara. They make assumptions very favorable to the view that minimum wages arent going to have much of an adverse impact, says David Neumark, an economist at UC Irvine. They point to a set of studies that are at one extreme of what people find. Plus, Neumark says, the sharp rise to $15 is relatively unprecedented in American history, so it might not make sense to use the past as a guide. The fact that Fresnos companies could withstand a rise from $8 to $10, for example, may not be a sign that theyll be as resilient when $15 kicks in. Reich said that he could not analyze what would happen to workers hours, because the state didnt provide hourly data. I was very careful to make the inputs into the model objectively, based on the best research out there, Reich said. Forecasts are, for now, the only way to understand how businesses will respond to a $15 wage. If we were adding a zero and looking at a $150 minimum wage, there would be a negative effect. But between $10 to $150, we dont know when that negative effect will kick in, he said. The report released in November by researchers at the University of Washington looks at how businesses actually responded when Seattle upped its wage from $9.47 per hour in 2014 to $11 per hour in April 2015, compared with what happened in a group of areas that are economically similar to Seattle but which didnt raise the minimum wage. Workers who already had minimum wage jobs did not become unemployed because of the wage hike, the researchers found. Those employees also didnt lose hours, and ended up earning about $10 more per week during the summer, when the citys economy is at its busiest. That finding differs from an earlier version of the study, which was widely publicized when released in July and found that the minimum wage increase did lead businesses to fire existing low-wage workers and reduce hours. Jacob Vigdor, who led the study, says the November report suggests that the July results were not statistically significant. For experienced workers, for people already in the labor market, things dont look so bad, Vigdor said. They look a little bit better than the picture painted in the July report. For job seekers in Seattle, the news was less positive. By December 2015, Seattle had a couple of thousand fewer new low-wage jobs than it should have based on its past and what occurred in surrounding areas. Its becoming a harder place to get a start in the labor market, Vigdor said. All of the new jobs created in Seattle on net since 2014 are positions that pay more than $25 per hour, the study showed. Vigdor said its also possible that low-wage jobs are disappearing faster in Seattle because the city has become too expensive for poor workers to live, even with their new raises. Natalie.Kitroeff@latimes.com Follow me @NatalieKitro on Twitter ALSO American Apparel is sold at auction to Canadas Gildan Activewear Frank Gehrys $1-billion downtown project could finally be a go after a Chinese builders $290-million investment Wells Fargo overhauls pay plan for branch employees following fake-accounts scandal The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program cant seem to escape the crosshairs of President-elect Donald Trump. In his first news conference since the election, Trump on Wednesday slammed the aircraft program, saying it is way, way behind schedule and many, many billions of dollars over budget. He added, Were going to do some big things on the F-35 program, and perhaps the F-18 program. In December, Trump tweeted that he had asked Boeing Co. to price out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet. That came shortly after another tweet criticizing the F-35 programs cost as out of control. Advertisement Built by defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp., the plane has been controversial from the start. It is a so-called fifth-generation fighter thats a bit like a flying Swiss Army knife designed to be stealthy, fly at supersonic speeds and use advanced sensors that can link data with ships, drones and other planes. The F-35 has three variants to serve the unique needs of the Air Force, Marines and Navy. The F-35A for the Air Force will be the most common type of the plane, with conventional takeoff and landing abilities. The F-35B for the Marines can take off from short landing strips and land vertically, while the F-35C for the Navy is built to handle the stress of takeoffs and landings on aircraft carriers. Over the years, the program has been criticized for cost overruns and production delays. With a total estimated price tag of $379 billion to build 2,457 planes for the U.S. military, it is considered the most expensive weapons program ever, though costs have decreased since 2014. The total cost to maintain the planes over the life of the program has been estimated at more than $1 trillion. In December, the F-35 programs executive officer, Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, told reporters that the program would need $532 million more to finish system development and demonstration. More than 3,000 planes eventually will be built for the U.S. and 11 other countries unless Trump decides to cut back orders. The Times spoke recently with Richard Aboulafia, vice president of analysis at the Teal Group, an aerospace and defense market research firm, about the future of the F-35 program under the Trump administration. Heres an edited version of the interview. How much trouble is the F-35 in, given the recent attention from Trump? Its not much. They just have to look contrite and make Trump look big. He likes big government pronouncements that influence private sector companies. How up to date is that $400-million overrun figure Trump cites for the program? I think the latest is now a little higher than that. But of course in the broader context of this program, thats all chump change. The real story here is the unit [per plane] prices, which are stubbornly high. Why havent the unit prices decreased as much as expected? Its just fundamentally expensive and, because youve got three very different models, the learning curve doesnt look like past programs. These are basically three different aircraft. Theyre going at a slower pace. Trump asked Boeing to price out an F-18 thats comparable to an F-35. How much of the stealth and sensor features of a fifth-generation fighter can be added to the 38-year-old F-18 design? Not really very many. The Super Hornet is a Navy plane, and the Navy decided it preferred the Super Hornet years ago. Thats ancient history. And Boeing did spec out an advanced Super Hornet, and it is a pretty interesting product. Stealth isnt its forte but it does have interesting features. Is this a realistic possibility to replace the F-35? The advanced Super Hornet is a pretty good plane, and Id be surprised if the Navy did not get it. It is also a Navy plane. Well know [Trumps] serious if he says, Were going to have Boeing and Lockheed scope out F-15s and F-16s [for the Air Force]. The real driver behind the F-35 is the Marines. They need a vertical [landing] plane, and theres only one of those in production its called the F-35B. For them, fifth generation is less about stealth and more about creating the first supersonic short takeoff and vertical landing production aircraft. How about ordering fewer planes? Where would that leave the Navy or Marines? It would run the risk of a death spiral where costs increase because numbers decrease. The Navy would throw a party and continue to buy Super Hornets. The Marines would have a heart attack and say, What do we do with nine very big ships [amphibious assault ships designed to accommodate F-35Bs] and our entire forward-looking strategy? And there would be no answer. There are 11 other countries involved in the F-35 program, either as production partners or customers. What are the implications for them? Very big. Many of them have based their defense plans around this plane. So theyre taking delivery of this plane. The Royal Navy is building two large aircraft carriers on the basis of this aircraft. Whats the lesson for other defense contractors under the new administration? And what should they do if they are singled out? The No. 1 lesson is to be as humble and contrite as possible. This is an effort by big government to maximize its role in the economy and in decision-making. And when youre dealing with that kind of big-government approach, the only thing you can do is join with it and make it look as big as it wants to look. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com @smasunaga ALSO VW pleads guilty in emissions cheating scandal; six supervisors indicted Trump says hell turn over company to sons but falls short of eliminating ethics issues Los Angeles County brings in a record-high number of tourists in 2016 For the sixth year in a row, Los Angeles County has set a fresh record for visitors, with 2016s surge coming from both domestic and international visitors with a taste for warm weather and new magical tourist attractions. During a news conference Wednesday at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that L.A. County hosted 47.3 million visitors in 2016, a 4% increase over the previous year. For the record: The caption of a photo accompanying an earlier version of this article misspelled Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcettis last name as Garretti. Los Angeles International Airport, already one of the nations busiest airports, was the point of arrival for many of those tourists: It saw a record 80.9 million passengers last year, an 8% increase over 2015. Of those, 22.6 million, or 28%, were international travelers, who tend to stay longer and spend more than domestic visitors. Advertisement Garcetti attributed the growth partly to investments made in the past few years on several new attractions in Los Angeles County, including the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion that opened last year at Universal Studios Hollywood. The park was so popular over the New Years holiday weekend that it reached capacity for the first time in its history, forcing park officials to temporarily close entrance gates. Travel and tourism officials have attributed the increase in spending on travel, which is happening nationwide, to lower fuel costs and airfares, along with increased economic optimism among most Americans. Las Vegas reported a record 42.9 million visitors last year, surpassing the previous record of 42.3 million in 2015. A surge in travelers from China has pushed that country past Canada as the second biggest source of international visitors, behind only Mexico, said Ernest Wooden Jr., chief executive of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. Los Angeles County drew 1.8 million visitors from Mexico, followed by a record 1 million visitors from China and 708,000 visitors from Canada. In 2016, Wooden said, L.A. County surpassed New York as the top U.S. destination for Chinese visitors. We had an unbelievable year in tourism, he said during the news conference. In an interview later, Wooden said his agency has heard feedback from Middle Eastern countries and Mexico that residents worry they might not be welcome to visit the U.S. once President-elect Donald Trump takes office. But Wooden said Los Angeles plans to spend money to spread the word that Los Angeles is open to all visitors. Im confident that Mr. Trump values tourism, he added. Garcetti said he hopes the momentum will continue this year so the county can reach his goal of 50 million visitors a year. The mayor noted that Los Angeles beat San Francisco to be home to the $1-billion George Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts. Groundbreaking is expected before the end of the year, with the project set to open by 2021. Theres even more opportunity on the horizon and an even bigger role for L.A. to play on the world stage, he said. L.A. County hotels reported an average 81.3% occupancy rate for 2016, the first full year the county average surpassed 80%, tourism officials said. The region also benefited last year from a record 8.8 million cargo containers shipped through the Port of Los Angeles, up from the previous record of 8.5 million in 2015, Garcetti said. The mayor said the combination of higher tourism numbers and increased port traffic has helped create more than 140,000 jobs and about 150,000 new businesses in the county since 2013. hugo.martin@latimes.com To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter. ALSO American Apparel is sold at auction to Canadas Gildan Activewear Snapchat maker Snap dodges uproar and maybe taxes with London office Frank Gehrys $1-billion downtown project could finally be a go after infusion of Chinese capital UPDATES: 12 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments from a news conference and an interview with Ernest Wooden Jr., chief executive of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. Port of Los Angeles cargo numbers also were added. This article was originally published at 9:45 a.m. The arched entry and curved-wall portico of this renovated 1920s house in Venice have an old-world Spanish flavor. But inside, clean lines, black-trimmed windows and recessed lighting update the interiors for modern living. Dual pergolas in the backyard extend the living space outdoors. Address: 829 Brooks Ave., Venice 90291 Price: $2.275 million Built: 1924 Lot size: 5,662 square feet House size: 1,980 square feet, three bedrooms, four bathrooms Features: Living and dining room area, decorative fireplace, kitchen island, granite counters, kitchen skylight, den, French doors Advertisement About the area: The median sale price for single-family homes in the 90291 ZIP Code in November was $1.763 million, based on 20 sales, according to CoreLogic. That was a 9% increase compared with the same month last year. Agents: Kerry Ann Sullivan, (310) 907-6517, and Tami Pardee, (310) 907-6517, both with Halton Pardee & Partners To submit a candidate for Home of the Day, send high-resolution color photos via Dropbox.com, permission from the photographer to publish the images and a description of the house to lauren.beale2@latimes.com. Follow Lauren Beale on Twitter @LATHotProperty. See more Homes of the Day: A Malibu mobile home made for outdoor entertaining Log home at Big Bear Lake is set near the ski slopes Newly built contemporary in Encino blends luxury with comfort Its been many decades since film audiences first witnessed Bambis mom being killed by a hunter, Pinocchio being separated from Geppetto, and Dorothy Gale fending for herself in Oz. Movies made for family audiences have had a rich history of dealing with tough topics such as change, loneliness and even death. In 2016, however, moviegoers were treated to family fare that went beyond the gentle presentation of sometimes scary issues and offered deeper, sophisticated examinations of such themes. J.A. Bayonas A Monster Calls, Jon Favreaus The Jungle Book, Steven Spielbergs The BFG and Ron Howards take on Petes Dragon were four live-action/CGI hybrid favorites that took a chance with darker story elements. The fully animated movies were even bolder. Disneys Zootopia, which was released in early March, set a high bar for all the family-friendly movies that followed. Directed by animated feature veterans Rich Moore and Byron Howard, the film centers on the adventures of go-getter bunny Judy Hopps, who sets out to realize her dreams of becoming a cop. There are plenty of laughs, a noirish mystery to solve and thoughtful asides about the challenges of being a female in a mans world, how to get along with animals (and people) who are different, the dynamics between predators and their prey, and even brilliant jokes about the slow, bureaucratic nightmare of the DMV. This is definitely not the world of Peter Rabbit or even Bugs Bunny. Advertisement Howard says he and his team had great help from a bias expert who helped educate us about the many prejudices that exist in our society. We wanted to create something that was hopeful but didnt have blinders on. The goal was to have filmgoers realize that the characters in the movie are struggling with the same issues that we are. That there are no easy solutions and that the answers can be found through partnerships with one another. Moore also believes that it is important to add a deeper layer of substance to movies that are also highly entertaining and fun to watch. When I was a kid, I really loved the movies that gave me some food for thought and made me think about life and my place in the world after they were over, he says. I didnt like movies that preached or talked down to me. These animated films take about five years to make, so we really want to make sure that they have something to say and that they resonate with us, without being a diatribe on a serious issue. Spanish director Bayonas recent A Monster Calls also delves into heavy subjects such as illness and loss. In it, a young boy is visited by a treelike monster as he deals with his mothers terminal illness. Bayona remembers how certain movies affected him when he was young. E.T. is a great story about isolation and the need to communicate with others, he says. The Never-Ending Story was another wonderful movie about grief and the healing power of storytelling, while Richard Donners Radio Flyer was a brave film about the mistreatment of children. He is a firm believer in honest communication with children about the tough challenges of life. Sometimes we underestimate them, and the lack of communication can become a problem, he says. They know and take in much more of what we think they do. If we leave them to fill in the gaps of what they dont understand, we take the risk of getting them confused and forming wrong ideas that wouldnt help them in the future. Director Mark Osbornes take on Antoine de Saint-Exuperys beloved novel, The Little Prince, also dealt with deeply felt human emotions. The movie, which used a clever mix of stop-motion and CGI animation, centers on a clever young girl who discovers that the quirky old man living next door is the aviator in St. Exuperys heart-breaking book. Osborne believes that its the legacy of animated films to help people of all ages, especially children, encounter and deal safely with big ideas that might be tough to understand or process. I think the greatest thing that an animated movie can do is to inspire a conversation between children and their parents, especially when it comes to larger, more difficult themes like loss, he offers. The Lion King, Up, Finding Nemo and most important, Bambi have all done this, dealing with death in an honest and emotionally powerful way. Animated movies can help children begin to put words to feelings that they are starting to understand or worry about, but havent necessarily been able to give voice to. And what grown-up doesnt benefit from a good cry now and then? Kubo and the Two Strings used an uncanny mix of stop-motion and CGI-animation to tell the story of a young boys quest to discover the truth about his family. Directed by Laika CEO and President Travis Knight, the film was lauded for its bold aesthetic style, inspired by Japanese art, as well as its unusual story line and characters. The best films are effectively real life wrapped in metaphor, Knight says. Within this stylized prism of fantasy animation, we can explore a lot of issues and ideas that are removed enough from real life that they can take the sting out of it, but still offer some insight. Kubo, he says, explores what losing a loved one can do to us and also looks at the healing process and how we can emerge and grow from that experience. None of us go through our lives and childhood unscathed. See the most read stories this hour calendar@latimes.com Starting at 7 a.m. (of course, thats 10 a.m. for you East Coasters), Italian luxury fashion brand Valentino will live-stream its pre-fall 17 fashion collection from the Beekman hotel in New York. The famed fashion brand appears to be having a high-profile week thanks to Emma Stone, who wore Valentino for the Golden Globes telecast. The new pre-fall collection comes from designer Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Valentino. Last year, Piccioli was praised for his first solo show at Paris Fashion Week as Valentinos creative director. Attending that show were guests including the labels 84-year-old namesake, Valentino Garavani, as well as Alber Elbaz and Picciolis longtime collaborator, Maria Grazia Chiuri, whos Diors creative director. Advertisement On the runway, Piccioli showed 64 looks in yellow, pink and the brands signature red, according to Vogue.com, covering daytime looks and eveningwear. And what to expect in this pre-fall collection? Perhaps Stones recent Valentino looks hint at the answer in terms of color or silhouette. (A likely guess would be a selection of frocks and other pieces in vibrant shades of red or pink.) On Sunday, Stone wore a light pink Valentino gown with a plunging neckline that was covered in metallic silver stars (designed by Piccioli) on the red carpet at the Golden Globes. The La La Land star, who picked up the award for best actress in a comedy or musical, also wore a red-and-pink Valentino gown from spring/summer 17 on the cover of the Italian edition of Vanity Fair magazine. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, holding their Golden Globe awards for La La Land, offer star-power style at the 74th Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 8. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times ) Congratulations Emma Stone on winning the best actress Golden Globe for a musical or comedy motion picture in @LaLaLand wearing #Valentino pic.twitter.com/VyPDetwCsB Valentino (@MaisonValentino) January 9, 2017 marques.harper@latimes.com @marquesharper Rex Tillerson faced harsh questions from fellow Republicans on Wednesday for his close personal ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but his Senate confirmation as Donald Trumps secretary of State did not appear to be in danger. In a sometimes testy hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil Corp., the largest U.S. oil company, calmly defended his views on global warming, human rights and relations with Russia. In a surprise, Tillerson said he and the president-elect had not yet discussed U.S. policy toward Russia, an issue that dominated Trumps first postelection news conference after a U.S. intelligence report that said Putin sought to help Trump win the White House. Advertisement Tillerson, 64, also broke with Trump on foreign policy several times. It was unclear if that signaled a potential clash with the incoming White House or was intended to defuse his critics in Congress and the national security establishment. Unlike Trump, he described an increasingly belligerent Russia as cause for alarm, and he condemned Moscows seizure of the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine in 2014 as illegal. He also offered support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement that President Obama has championed and Trump has condemned. He called for a full review of the international accord that seeks to block Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, but did not vow to rip it up as Trump has said. He said he does not agree with Trumps comments in March that Japan and South Korea should build their own nuclear weapons to help counter North Korea. Trump has since suggested that he was misunderstood. Tillerson said he would oppose broadening ties further with Cuba because of its continued arrests of political opponents and other human rights abuses. But he did not pledge to shut Obamas diplomatic opening, as Trump has suggested. Unlike Trumps other picks for Cabinet positions, Tillerson repeatedly found himself under fire from fellow Republicans as he struggled, not always successfully, to allay concerns about his long-running ties to Russia. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) proved his toughest interrogator, demanding to know whether Tillerson would label Putin a war criminal for what the U.S. government has said are Russian-backed attacks on civilian targets in Syria. Tillerson said he would not use that term. Rubio cited civilian casualties and other atrocities in the Syrian city of Aleppo that he said were committed by Syrian government forces backed by Russia. Those are very, very serious charges to make and I would want to have more information, Tillerson said. Rubio seemed irked at the response, saying he found it disturbing. Tillerson also said he did not have sufficient information to condemn Putin over accusations that the leader had ordered the killings of political dissidents, journalists and others in Russia. None of this is classified, Rubio retorted. These people are dead. Tillerson was repeatedly pressed on his opposition, while running Exxon Mobil, to the economic sanctions that Washington and its allies imposed on Putins government for its actions in Ukraine. Tillerson denied that he or Exxon had lobbied the government over sanctions, but senators presented several official documents that appeared to show extensive lobbying by the company. In his testimony, Tillerson said sanctions too often hurt U.S. companies that do business abroad. Exxon Mobil has said it lost $1 billion after sanctions on Russia effectively killed a planned oil and gas project. In protecting American interests, sanctions are a powerful tool, Tillerson said. Lets design them well, target them well, enforce them fully. He said he believed Trump agreed with him on this matter. He found support in the committee when he condemned Russias annexation of Ukraines Crimean peninsula, and its support for antigovernment insurgents in eastern Ukraine, actions he stated were illegal. The taking of Crimea caught a lot of people by surprise, Tillerson said. The absence of a firm, forceful response by the Obama administration was interpreted by Putin as permission to push farther into Ukraine and to launch other military operations abroad, he added. What Russian leadership would have understood was a more forceful response. Again departing from Trump, he said he would have provided the Ukraine government with defensive weapons and made a show of increased border surveillance and intelligence-sharing. If he is confirmed, Tillerson said he will sever ties to Exxon Mobil. But he would not commit to recusing himself on matters involving the energy industry beyond the first legally required year in office. He was interrupted several times by hecklers, who were quickly ushered out of the chamber by guards. Dont put Exxon in charge of the State Department! one woman shouted. The hearing continues Thursday. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter ALSO Trumps news conference could help divert attention from his embattled Cabinet picks Obama delivers emotional final speech to the nation: Yes, we did. Yes, we can. Trumps pick for national security advisor praises some Democrats, but is mum on policy details UPDATES: 3:15 p.m. This article was updated with additional details from the hearing. This article was originally published at 9:55 a.m. Los Angeles Unified students will start school in mid-August and get three weeks off during the winter for now. The Board of Education signaled doubts in its thinking on the school calendar yet again Tuesday night, approving only one more year of the current schedule instead of three. In a 5-2 vote, the board also asked the superintendent to survey parents on their preferences and collect data on how early school starts affect student outcomes. In the past, schools across the country routinely started fall classes after Labor Day. In recent years, though, L.A. Unified has joined other districts in starting the school year earlier. Advertisement Some families prefer a traditional post-Labor Day school start because it lets them schedule vacations and keeps their kids out of classrooms during the most intense heat of late summer. Some in the Los Angeles school system have pointed out that a later start also reduces air conditioning costs. Such views prevailed in September, when the Board of Education voted to shift away gradually from the earlier start. In December, board members rejected Supt. Michelle Kings compromise to eventually push the start date to late August and reduce the winter break to two weeks. Instead, they voted to start the school year in mid-August, preserving the entire week of Thanksgiving off as well as the three-week winter break. Student board member Karen Calderon said the early school start and long winter break give high school students more time to meet college entrance requirements, complete applications with the help of school staff and prepare for Advanced Placement exams. King has been an advocate of an earlier start date, in part because it allows schools to finish the semester before the winter break and gives them more time during the break for credit recovery programs which let students make up failed classes online or in person. But board members George McKenna and Richard Vladovic pushed back Tuesday evening. McKenna said that many parents dont have the resources to take care of younger children for the long winter break. We have summer programs, he said. We dont have winter programs where we feed the kids for three weeks. King said the repeated discussions about the calendar indicate that the board needs data both on outcomes and family preferences, but warned that those two might not align. We need to have an opportunity to really do a deep dive and look at the data over the course of the time that weve been on the early start, which were happy to do, King said during the meeting. In the end, its not going to be clear cut for us. Staff writer Howard Blume contributed to this report. Reach Sonali Kohli at Sonali.Kohli@latimes.com or on Twitter @Sonali_Kohli. MORE EDUCATION NEWS Grading L.A. Unified Supt. Michelle King Most computer science majors in the U.S. are men. Not so at Harvey Mudd Supreme Court likely to boost public schools responsibilities to children with disabilities For months after she was named superintendent of the nations second-largest school system, Michelle King borrowed a strategy new politicians use to get the lay of the land: She traversed the territory on a listen and learn tour. Although she had been working in the district for 31 years, she held town halls in Pacoima, Huntington Park and Cypress Park. At schools across the district, she assured parents that she would take their concerns back to district headquarters, where they would help shape an ambitious but practical plan to increase academic achievement and reverse years of declining enrollment. Advertisement Its not a Michelle vision. Its going to be an LAUSD plan, King said at one of her stops. Its about all of us. A year has passed since board members unanimously chose King to lead the Los Angeles Unified School District, citing her lifetime of experience in the district and deep familiarity with its problems. In King, they saw a competent soldier, a respected former classroom teacher and high school principal who had served as deputy superintendent under two previous superintendents, John Deasy and Ramon C. Cortines. That competent soldier is, in many respects, what they got. In her first year, King, the first African American woman to lead the district, has continued the policies of her predecessor, while building on her reputation as a seasoned, likable manager. But what she will do to rescue L.A. Unified from its looming crises remains as unclear today as it was on the day of her promotion. King inherited a school district that is losing students by the thousands. Squeezed by a growing number of charter schools, a declining birthrate and rising housing costs that have forced some families to move outside the district, L.A. Unified-operated schools currently enroll about 514,000 students, down more than 100,000 since 2009. During the same period, the number of children in L.A. charter schools which are publicly funded but privately operated has roughly doubled. Money follows students. As its enrollment has fallen, the district has had to cover mounting personnel costs, including obligations to pay retiree medical benefits and higher contributions to the state teachers retirement system. The districts latest projections show that if nothing is done soon, by 2018 the school system will be $252 million in the red. King took the job after the 14-month tenure of Cortines, who came out of retirement in 2014 to stabilize the school system after Deasy resigned under pressure from the school board. Deasy was determined to weaken the power of the teachers union and advocated the use of student test scores in teacher and school performance evaluations. Cortines returned with a mandate to calm the waters. He gave teachers a double-digit pay raise, placating the union. He canceled Deasys $1.3-billion plan to give every student an iPad, saying it was too costly. Many district employees, parents and civic leaders saw Cortines as a calming but temporary leader who might one day be succeeded by someone with a bolder agenda. When the board chose King a self-described LAUSD lifer there was a sense of relief inside the schools. Her biggest strength, which I think has been really big, is teacher morale under her leadership has been higher, said Ama Nyamekye, a former public school teacher and director of the Los Angeles chapter of Educators 4 Excellence, a teacher advocacy group. She has really approached leadership in a way that feels like, I am with you, I am from you. Despite differences, it doesnt feel like theres a war. Under King, leaders of the disparate groups that play a role in the school district unions, charter schools, nonprofit organizations said they have noticed a change in tone filtering down through the ranks and easing old tensions. But few could point to substantive changes made in the last year. Many of those interviewed for this story, including school board members, said they were still waiting for King to flesh out her plans and address the most serious budgetary issues. She presents herself as the flip side of John Deasy, said John Rogers, a professor of education at UCLA. At the same time, she has not really been out front to reform and transform the district in the same way that he had been. Its difficult to discern the imprint that shes had over the course of this first year. In September, King laid out a three-year strategic plan in which she proposed increasing popular school options such as magnets and dual-language programs, and set goals for modest gains. Standardized test scores, student attendance rates, the percentage of students who pass their college-prep courses with a grade of C or better each of these would rise by 2 percentage points a year, she said, though exactly how was unclear. Underwhelmed board members told her to aim higher. So back she came in December with a plan that had as its centerpiece a goal that no large, urban school district has ever achieved: a 100% graduation rate. Months of discussion had led to this point, but the board decided not to vote to endorse the plan, leaving its superintendent to find other ways to meet her goals. In a brief phone interview earlier this week, King listed the highlights of her first year in office. She mentioned the listening tour, the opening of two all-girls schools an initiative she has championed, which was in progress before she took over and an all-boys school slated to open next fall. She said she intends to give the board quarterly updates, starting in April, on how she will accomplish her goals. She has more ambitious plans, including a proposal to give poorly performing schools priority when hiring teachers and the creation of a districtwide online enrollment system. She also launched an innovation unit to collect and disseminate effective practices across the sprawling school system, and increased the number of classrooms for preschoolers. Perhaps the clearest example of Kings influence at this point is the districts high school graduation rate, which shot up to an all-time high of 75% for the class of 2016. This growth came despite the districts new, tougher graduation requirements. When it was estimated in the middle of the school year that those new requirements might result in half of high school seniors not earning diplomas, the district stepped in. King promoted a districtwide push to use new credit recovery options online and teacher-led classes that would let students make up credits quickly. While critics see credit recovery as a lowering of academic standards and describe L.A. Unifieds future in the darkest of terms, King continues to be a font of optimism. I dont think the district is failing, she said. I think we actually are showing progress on a number of different fronts because our indicators are up graduation rates are up, dropout rates are down. Board members, for their part, publicly have defended her approach and said they are content to give King time to work out her ideas. Several said they are pleased she has talked about finding savings by decentralizing the district rather than laying off employees. The next school board election this spring could be crucial to the future of Kings administration. While the current board remains divided by ideology and allegiances to unions, to the urban school reform movement they have united, however briefly, around her. A new set of players, perhaps with a greater sense of urgency, could upset that balance. Outside the walls of the districts Beaudry Avenue headquarters downtown, there is a growing sense of impatience. Antonia Hernandez, president and chief executive of the California Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization that is active in education issues, said the wording of Kings plan was full of hope but left her wondering, Whats the execution? After a year, you still dont see a united vision, she said. The Times education team will be tracking Kings progress on her goals at latimes.com/gradingking. Editors note: The Times receives some grant money for its education coverage. The California Community Foundation, mentioned in this article, and United Way of Greater Los Angeles administer grants from the Baxter Family Foundation, the Broad Foundation, the California Endowment and the Wasserman Foundation. The Times retains complete control over editorial content. anna.phillips@latimes.com | Twitter: @annamphillips joy.resmovits@latimes.com | Twitter: @JoyResmovits howard.blume@latimes.com | Twitter: @howardblume Times staff writer Sonali Kohli contributed to this report. ALSO UCLA professor sanctioned over sexual misconduct allegations returns to teaching, sparking protests USC taps diversity expert to run new research center on race and equity For some workers, pay raise comes with loss of cheap child care UPDATES: Noon: This article has been updated with a link to the Times education teams webpage keeping track of Supt. Michelle Kings progress on her goals. This article was originally published at 3 a.m. A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to accepting bribes of cash and sexual favors in exchange for waving through carloads of immigrants crossing illegally at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Jose Luis Cota, 50, a 15-year veteran of the border agency, also submitted a resignation letter. His plea in San Diego federal court comes a week after his two co-defendants, Mexican nationals Miriam Juarez Herrera and her husband, Gilberto Aguilar Martinez, admitted their roles in the smuggling scheme. Advertisement The conspiracy started in November 2015, with Juarez agreeing to recruit immigrant clients to be smuggled in her vehicle and Cota waving them through his lanes at the port of entry while he was on duty, according to the plea agreement. He admitted to allowing Juarez to smuggle at least 10 immigrants. Aguilar admitted in his guilty plea last week to handling the transportation of the clients once they had crossed the border, reuniting them with family in the U.S. and collecting the smuggling fees. The clients were charged as much as $15,000 each for illegal entry, Cotas plea stated. That fee sometimes included providing the client with fake identification for the crossing, provided by Juarez. In one instance, Cota admitted, he received $13,000 after allowing two immigrants to cross illegally in a vehicle. He also agreed in the plea that the government could prove he had deposited more than $44,000 in bribes into his bank accounts while he was under investigation. Federal agents from the FBIs Border Corruption Task Force seized more than $17,000 in bribes when they searched Cotas home in September, the U.S. attorneys office said. Cota has agreed to forfeit all of the bribery money. The trio were arrested in September Cota at his workplace and the couple during a traffic stop after a smuggling incident. The task force began investigating Cota in 2013 after an immigrant reported that she and Cota flirted as he was returning her back to Mexico in 2011. They ended up meeting later in Tijuana and their conversation turned to how he could smuggle people across the border, according to a search warrant. Investigators said Cota married a Mexican woman whom he had processed as she was being sent back to Mexico in 2010. He tried to obtain a visa for her to live in the U.S. legally but it was denied, and she continued to live illegally in the country, the search warrant said. Cota is set to be sentenced April 7. He could be sentenced to at least five years in prison. Public corruption, which includes border corruption, is the No. 1 criminal priority for the FBI because of the potential harm that actions, like Officer Cotas actions, can have on our nations security, Eric Birnbaum, special agent in charge of the FBIs San Diego division, said in a statement. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Davis writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune After a public hearing marked by angry clashes between supporters of President-elect Donald Trump and pro-immigrant activists, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved the creation of a new office that would help immigrants receive county assistance. The Office of Immigrant Affairs would provide a one-stop shop for those seeking help, according to a statement released by Supervisor Hilda Solis, who along with Supervisor Sheila Kuehl co-sponsored the motion creating the office. It hasnt been determined yet exactly what services the office would offer, but Solis office said it would help immigrants find legal representation to fight deportation cases and assist them in identifying other social services. A detailed plan with a budget and staffing levels is expected to be proposed later this year. Advertisement I want to remind our communities that the county will continue to stand against hate and provide exceptional aid for our immigrant individuals, Solis said in a statement. This is one of the many steps we are taking towards protecting the immigrant communities that are so essential to Los Angeles County. Tuesdays action came weeks after the county set aside $3 million to a legal assistance fund for immigrants facing deportation. That funding is part of a joint effort between the county and L.A. City Hall, where leaders have also vowed to resist any federal plan to deport millions of people. The city is committing $2 million to the fund. The hearing reflected how divisive the issue is, even in a county with many immigrants and which overwhelming voted against Trump. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 1 million of the 11 million residing in the country illegally live in L.A. County. During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to deport millions of immigrants in the country illegally and to erect a border wall thousands of miles long. His populist candidacy energized many from the Republican Partys base, while inspiring fear and protests from those opposed to his run for the presidency. His election stunned many, and soon cities, counties and states with largely Democratic voters, including L.A. County, promised to declare their jurisdictions as sanctuaries for immigrants. At Tuesdays board meeting, supporters of Trump and those who back immigrant rights shouted complaints from the audience about the failings of county government, though for different reasons. Trump supporters accused supervisors of harboring and abetting people violating federal immigration law, while immigrant rights activists called repeatedly for the county to end all cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some Trump supporters said immigrants had brought drugs and violence into their neighborhoods and should be deported. Legal assistance for illegals is one of the most insane statements I can think of, said Betty Retama, a member of the pro-Trump groups known as We The People Rising and America First Latinos. Immigration activists praised the countys move to create an immigration affairs office, calling it an important effort at stopping Trumps deportation machine. Despite their being loud, theyre on the wrong side of history, said Andres Kwon in response to outbursts from Trump supporters. We need you to be on the right side of history. Board chair Mark Ridley-Thomas grew so frustrated by discord in the audience that he ordered every member of the public out of the board chambers, and convened a closed session. I think weve had more than enough, he said as he had the room cleared. When supervisors reopened the public session, nearly everyone had left. The motion passed 4-1. As part of the motion, the board moved to have the countys civilian oversight commission oversee the Sheriffs Departments interactions with immigrants and make sure the department is adhering to its own immigrant-friendly policies. It also directed the Office of Education to plan for providing bilingual information on resources and rights of immigrant students to a free public education, regardless of their immigration status. Supervisor Kathryn Barger voted against the creation of the Office of Immigrant Affairs and the proposal for the Office of Education. Adam.Elmahrek@latimes.com @adamelmahrek ALSO Los Angeles will be home to George Lucas $1-billion museum Californias budget deficit is back, Gov. Jerry Brown says Unrelenting rain and snow hammer Northern California; death toll rises Leaning against a wooden rail, environmental activist Geoffrey McQuilkin took stock of a parched geological wonderland that had been altered by a weekend deluge. The air was still thick with moisture, and this lakes tributaries were cascading down from surrounding mountains, swollen by cargoes of fresh snowmelt and rain. Frothy whitecaps and wavelets lapped over grass meadows that had been dry ground only a week ago. The lakes famous tufa formations for so long a symbol of Californias lack of water were capped with snow. Similar scenes were playing out at lakes and reservoirs across Northern California as weeks of heavy rain and snow brought them back to life. Throughout the course of Californias nearly six-year drought, the declining water levels at these places became a stark symbol of the states water shortage. Now, they serve as barometers of the states rapidly evolving drought picture. Advertisement Yet another storm pours rain on L.A. as snow and flooding continue in Northern California Lake Tahoe has risen 12 inches in just the last two weeks as the storms have dumped 33.6 billion gallons of water into the massive landmark, which measures 72 miles around and has a capacity for 37 trillion gallons of water. As of Tuesday morning, 154 of the largest reservoirs tracked by the California Department of Water Resources had filled to about 97% of their collective average for the day, said Maury Roos, a longtime state hydrologist. Just a year ago, many were at or below 50% of average. The storms dumped a combined 1.3 million acre-feet of water in those reservoirs from Jan. 1 to Tuesday, Roos said. Thats about 423 billion gallons of water enough to serve more than 2.5 million families for a year. Folsom Lake continues to rise as the Folsom Dam releases water into the American River. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times ) The turnaround at the 1-million-year-old Mono Lake and its ecosystem has been particularly dramatic. Less than two years ago, it was within 2 feet of the level that state officials say threatens the alpine ecosystem at the base of the eastern Sierra Nevada. Officials worried there would be so little water that coyotes would roam on the dry lake bed and go after the large gull colony there. Less than two weeks ago, hydrologists had worried that it would take a wetter than average winter to keep this drought-stricken body of saltwater at a level high enough to avoid having to halt diversions of its Sierra Nevada snowmelt to Los Angeles. If the level drops below 6,377 feet above sea level, the city cannot export water from here. The California State Water Resources Control Board established the limit in 1994 to resolve a dispute between environmentalists seeking to protect the lakes wildlife and the city 350 miles away defending its long-held water rights. Prospects for averting the crisis brightened significantly over the weekend after another storm drenched the slopes surrounding this high desert lake east of Yosemite National Park with enough rain and snow to raise its level by at least 6 inches. Jeffery McQuilkin, executive director of the Mono Lake Committee, looks out over Mono Lake, a beneficiary of recent storms moving into California. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times ) Now McQuilkin, executive director of the Mono Lake Committee, a nonprofit group organized to save and protect the bowl-shaped ecosystem, said, The worst-case scenario is probably not going to happen. These weather events have put us all on a different track. Who knows what the rest of the winter will bring? Many lakes and reservoirs have been slowly rising since October as Northern California saw increases in rain and snow. But January has been particularly wet thanks to atmospheric river storms. Jana Frazier, a tour guide for the Department of Water Resources at Lake Oroville has a view of the dam and the reservoir from her office. The numbers tell part of the story: The lake has risen more than 90 feet since December, she said 21 feet during the 24-hour-span between Saturday and Sunday alone. But seeing the change in person is even more striking. Prior to this weekends storm, officials were launching boats from the bottom of one ramp. Water had climbed to the top of the ramp by Tuesday morning, Frazier said. When Frazier returns to the ramp tomorrow, she expects that the parking area with the boat launch will be underwater and officials will have to move to a different ramp on higher ground. Its really weird, Frazier said. Weve been so low in water for so long, it seems strange to drive across the dam and see it almost full. Lake Oroville, Lake Shasta and other reservoirs in Northern California are key pieces of the states water system, which moves the resource from the Sierra Nevada to cities and farmlands. While the recent rains are making a dent, officials said its still too early to say the drought is over. Rain and snow are expected to continue through Thursday, with some higher elevations expected to see up to 20 inches of snow over the course of the week. Several key rivers have overflowed, and more flooding is expected. In Sonoma County, about 3,000 residents were asked to evacuate as the Russian River swelled, damaging some homes. Along the Cosumnes River in the town of Wilton, about 2,000 people were told to move to higher ground. The death toll from the storm also rose. A 20-year-old man was found dead Monday inside an overturned car submerged in a creek in Novato, authorities said. Three other deaths including a woman who was killed by a fallen tree are also believed to be tied to the storms. For all the water that has flowed into Lake Tahoe, the National Weather Service said the lake was still below its long-term average for winter. Which is why Chuck Self isnt batting an eye at the conditions. The 51-year Lake Tahoe resident, who runs Chucks Charter Fishing, said the lake has come up, no doubt. But historically, this is absolutely nothing. Sahagun reported from Mono Lake, Serna and Stevens in Los Angeles. Times staff writer Paige St. John contributed to this report from Truckee, Calif. louis.sahagun@latimes.com matt.stevens@latimes.com joseph.serna@latimes.com ALSO Powerful storm causes widespread flooding in Northern California, evacuations in Sonoma County and neighboring Nevada 253 drought maps show just how thirsty California has become With snow piling up in the Sierra, what will it take to end Californias drought? Weeks of pounding rain and snow have increased the Sierra Nevada snowpack a key source of water for California to 158% of normal, officials said Wednesday. The weather situation was more dire to the north, however, as heavy rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada and rain in the San Francisco Bay Area continued to raise river levels and a weak tornado touched down early Wednesday near Sacramento. According to the weather service, the tornado struck the community of South Natomas just after midnight and left a clear track of damage about a half-mile long in its wake. The twister shredded tree branches and dislodged a few awnings and shingles, forecasters said. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes due to flooding near rivers, and some homes were damaged. At least four deaths have been attributed to the storms. The second of three successive storms expected to hit Southern California this week drenched Los Angeles early Wednesday. Southern California forecasters predicted that Wednesdays storm would dump just a quarter-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain in Los Angeles, posing little risk of mudslides in recent burn areas. The rain caused a concrete patio at a home in the Hollywood Hills to teeter, prompting officials to close Laurel Canyon Boulevard at Kirkwood Drive. A much colder storm expected to hit the area Thursday and Friday could cause larger problems, however. Weather service forecasters said that snow levels could drop to as low as 3,500 feet and that winter driving conditions could slow or stop traffic on Interstate 5 along the Grapevine and other mountain passes. Thats not unusual for this time of year, said Tom Fisher, weather specialist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard. This is more seasonal. Whats happening in the Bay Area is unusual. On Wednesday, Northern California was still reeling from a major storm that inundated rivers, flooded parts of Napa Valley wine country, and blanketed the frigid Sierra Nevada with heavy snow. Although the precipitation was expected to decrease on Wednesday, the risk of flooding was expected to last through Thursday as runoff continued to swell rivers. Some 3,000 Sonoma County residents were placed under an evacuation advisory as the Russian River continued to rise. Officials red-tagged seven homes, ordering residents out, when a rain-soaked embankment came crashing down. Late Tuesday, people were briefly evacuated from homes and businesses in the North Bay town of San Anselmo after a nearby creek overflowed its banks. The Corte Madera Creek rose about one foot over its flood stage in Ross Valley, according to the Marin County Sheriffs Office. Police in San Anselmo said the creek reached about 8 inches above flood stage. Flood sirens blared in San Anselmo, Fairfax and Ross Valley, about 20 miles north of San Francisco, and officials asked residents to seek higher ground. Roads in downtown San Anselmo were shut down, but just before 9 p.m., officials lifted the evacuation order. Since the storms began on Friday, roughly 350 billion gallons of water have poured into the states largest reservoirs, according to the East Bay Times. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. sarah.parvini@latimes.com For more California news follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini ALSO California winter storm live updates Unrelenting rain and snow hammer Northern California; death toll rises With snow piling up in the Sierra, what will it take to end Californias drought? UPDATES: 2:20 p.m.: This post was updated with officials reporting on the increase in the Sierra snowpack, updates on weather conditions in Sacramento and Bay Area, and evacuations near Northern California rivers. It was also updated with news of an unstable Hollywood Hills patio that forced a road closure. The Los Angeles Community College District paid a $28,000 ransom in bitcoin last week to hackers who took control of a campus email and computer network until a payment was made. The malicious cyberattack was detected at Los Angeles Valley College on Dec. 30 after a virus locked the campus computer network as well as its email and voicemail systems, Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez said in a statement. After consulting with the colleges information technology staff, cybersecurity experts and law enforcement, the district paid the ransom on Jan. 4, a day after classes started, according to district officials. The district has a cybersecurity insurance policy that has been activated and covers such attacks. Advertisement It was the assessment of our outside cybersecurity experts that making a payment would offer an extremely high probability of restoring access to the affected systems, while failure to pay would virtually guarantee that data would be lost, he said. After payment was made, a key was delivered to open access to our computer systems. The process to unlock hundreds of thousands of files will be a lengthy one, but so far, the key has worked in every attempt that has been made. The campus website, email and voicemail were restored the following day, according to district spokesman Yusef Robb. Classes started as scheduled on Jan. 3 for winter session and have continued to be held. The district is still unlocking individual files, he said. Investigators believe the unidentified hackers used ransomware, a type of computer virus, to hijack the campus computer system and take control of it until a payment was made, said Capt. Rod Armalin of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Community College Bureau. The Sheriffs Department began investigating the attack the next day. Armalin said the Sheriffs Department did not discuss with the district whether the ransom should be paid. We would not recommend either way, he said. The Valley Glen campus, according to officials, was randomly targeted. Although the investigation is ongoing, it appears no data were breached during the attack, according to the district. The Sheriffs Departments Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau is working on training the districts nine campuses in online security, Armalin said. Phil Lieberman, a cybersecurity expert, said attacks such as the one at Los Angeles Valley College are common among companies and government agencies that use the Internet. The attacks generally come out of Eastern Europe and cannot be stopped because the United States does not have pacts with the countries where the attacks are launched, he said. Ransomware is usually delivered via email or through an infected website and immediately locks a computer system, Lieberman said. After a payment is received, hackers provide an unlock code. Finding the hackers isnt the hard part, he said. The problem, according to Lieberman, is that the U.S. government has no way to stop them, since the governments of the countries that launch this are uncooperative and in fact benefit from the criminal activity going on within their borders. The low-cost attacks are successful for hackers, he said. Hackers usually come up with their own scheme to get victims to click and download a virus. Companies do generally pay out if they do not have backups of their data and the data has value, Lieberman said. A similar attack disabled computer systems at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in February. Hackers gained control of the hospitals system and demanded 40 bitcoin, at the time the equivalent of about $17,000. The hospital paid the ransom to free and regain control of its infected computer system. veronica.rocha@latimes.com For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter. ALSO A year in, L.A. Unifieds insider superintendent has made no big waves UCLA professor sanctioned over sexual misconduct allegations returns to teaching, sparking protests USC taps diversity expert to run new research center on race and equity UPDATES: 3:25 p.m.: This article was updated with details about the ransom being paid on Jan. 4 and information on the systems that have been restored. This article was originally published at 11:45 a.m. A Los Angeles man was indicted on suspicion of trying to smuggle heroin wrapped in Christmas-themed paper onto a flight departing Los Angeles International Airport, federal authorities said. A federal grand jury Tuesday indicted James Mitchell, 25, on one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin on a Frontier Airlines flight to Cincinnati, according to the U.S. attorneys office. If convicted, Mitchell faces up to life in federal prison, federal prosecutors said. Advertisement Mitchell was arrested Dec. 21, more than a week after authorities discovered 13 pounds of heroin estimated to have a street value of $2.1 million inside his luggage, prosecutors said. After Mitchell checked in for his flight Dec. 10, he also checked a piece of luggage, according to federal prosecutors. As the luggage went through an image scan, security workers were alerted to an unknown dense material inside the bag, prosecutors said. After inspecting the luggage, security workers found six packages of a suspicious gray brittle concrete-like substance, according to the attorneys office. One of the packages had a vinegar odor and triggered a closure in the airports Terminal 3 while it was examined by crews to determine if it posed a chemical threat. Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines staff called Mitchell, who told them he was in the restroom because he wasnt feeling well, prosecutors said. Instead, surveillance cameras showed Mitchell on his cellphone leaving the terminal, according to the U.S. attorneys office. He was also seen removing a beanie from his head, changing his sweater and walking away from the airport, prosecutors said. Mitchell worked for Inglewood-based Aero Port Services and had access to secure areas in the airport, prosecutors said. He is scheduled to appear Jan. 18 in U.S. District Court. veronica.rocha@latimes.com For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter. A Sacramento man has been accused of killing two British tourists on a boating excursion from Belize 38 years ago. The Sacramento Bee reports that 75-year-old Silas Duane Boston is awaiting trial for two counts of first-degree maritime murder in the 1978 killings of Christopher Farmer and Peta Frampton, both in their mid-20s. He was arrested Dec. 2 and has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors say Boston, the operator of a tour boat, beat Farmer with a billy club before tying the couple up and throwing them overboard. Their bodies were found off the coast of Guatemala. Advertisement Farmers 92-year-old mother, in a letter introduced in federal court Tuesday, called for a speedy trial after waiting all these years to see justice for her son. A physics teacher at a San Pedro Catholic high school was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography, police said. Daniel OConnell, 32, was taken into custody during a search of his Rancho Palos Verdes home, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. OConnell has been a part-time teacher at Mary Star of the Sea High School in San Pedro. Detectives from the LAPDs Internet Crimes Against Children unit began investigating OConnell after they were tipped off that he was allegedly engaged in inappropriate contact with minors, police said. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a nonprofit organization, told investigators that OConnell met the minors on a mathematics tutoring website, according to police. Advertisement According to the Mary Star of the Sea website, OConnell taught physics and advanced placement physics. He also tutored students after school. He worked at the school for 3 years, according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which oversees operations for the high school. In a letter sent to students and parents, the schools principal, Rita Dever, said the archdiocese learned about the police investigation last week and is cooperating with investigators. At this time, the police have indicated that Mr. OConnells alleged activities do not involve any students at Mary Star of the Sea High School nor did they take place on the Mary Star campus, she said. OConnell had passed a background check and had the required certifications, she said. veronica.rocha@latimes.com For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter. ALSO Father, son arrested in Craigslist threat against Laguna Beach City Council Los Angeles Valley College pays $28,000 in bitcoin ransom to hackers Yet another storm pours rain on L.A. as snow and flooding continue in Northern California The ex-wife of Chinas third-most-wanted government official will forfeit an estimated $28 million in San Gabriel Valley property after pleading guilty this week to defrauding immigration officials as part of a scheme to escape to the U.S. with stolen Chinese public funds, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. Shilan Zhao, 53, of Newcastle, Wash., falsely claimed that she was still married to her ex-husband Jianjun Qiao, 53, during the application process for an EB-5 visa, a program that allows immigrant investors to obtain visas for themselves and family members in exchange for $500,000 or $1 million investments in U.S. enterprises. Zhao and Qiao were once married, but they registered a divorce in China in 2001, according to court records Zhao also lied about the source of the money she was investing as part of the visa program, according to the release. She claimed the money came from her ownership stakes in two flour companies, Shoukou Luwang Flour Co., and Huaiyang County Huihua Flour Co., but she had no involvement in either, according to court records. Advertisement Qiao, who is still at large, is the former director of the Zhoukou Municipal Grain Reserve, a Chinese government agency responsible for purchasing and selling grain in Henan province, according to a federal grand jury indictment unsealed in 2015. Qiao made illicit deals with the Chinese governments grain and used the embezzled proceeds to buy property in the U.S., the indictment said. When Qiao and Zhao came to the U.S. in 2009, federal investigators say, they transferred about $4 million in embezzled funds from China to banks in the U.S. A federal grand jury indicted Zhao and Qiao in 2014 on charges of transporting stolen money and lying on their visa applications. Zhao was arrested in 2015 in Washington. Qiao is now third on a list of 100 most-wanted corrupt officials that was created in 2015 as part of a crackdown on government corruption called Operation Sky Net. Two Chinese law enforcement agencies, The Supreme Peoples Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security of the Peoples Republic of China, assisted the investigation, but U.S. Attorneys Office spokesman Thom Mrozek declined to say how the agencies were involved. As part of the plea deal, Zhao will forfeit ownership of a home in Newcastle, a condo in Flushing, N.Y., and four properties in Monterey Park that include Hong Kong Supermarket, a Best Western Inn, an apartment complex on Chandler Avenue and the empty lot next to it. The properties will be used to pay restitution and whatever monetary penalties a judge rules appropriate, according to the release. The Washington home was purchased with stolen money, according to the indictment. And Mrozek said some of the money from the illicit grain deals was also used to purchase the Monterey Park properties. County records show the properties have a combined assessed value of more than $28 million. Zhao, who has agreed to assist the ongoing investigation, faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Her attorney, Kirk Davis, declined to comment on Tuesday. Zhaos sentencing is scheduled for November. frank.shyong@latimes.com Twitter: @frankshyong ALSO Ex-U.S. customs officer admits taking cash, sexual bribes to allow human smuggling Man fatally shot by police in downtown L.A.; detectives find slain woman in nearby apartment Man indicted after heroin wrapped in Christmas-themed paper is found in luggage at LAX The fatal shooting of Alfred Olango an unarmed black man by El Cajon police last year was justified, officials said Tuesday, and the officer involved will not face criminal charges. In making the announcement, San Diego County Dist. Atty. Bonnie Dumanis said: The law recognizes police officers are often forced to make split-second decisions in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving. As prosecutors, we have an ethical duty to follow the law and only charge individuals when we have proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The only reasonable conclusion was the officers actions were justified. Advertisement The decision came more than three months after Olango, 38, was shot during an altercation in the parking lot behind a taco shop in a strip mall. In many ways, the response in San Diego County to this shooting is reflective of a bigger picture, Dumanis said of the protests that followed. We are living in a time where the actions of police officers are under scrutiny more than ever. According to police, the officers who confronted Olango on Sept. 27 believed he was armed with a weapon which was later determined to be an e-cigarette device. The day of the shooting, Olangos sister had called police saying she wanted help for him because he wasnt acting like himself. Others who called 911 said a man was acting erratically and walking into traffic. Two officers approached Olango in the parking lot, one with a gun drawn, the other with a Taser. Cellphone and security camera video released by authorities showed Olango backing up against a white pickup, then pulling a shiny object from his front pants pocket and aiming it at one of the officers. Officer Josh McDaniel fired the Taser and Officer Richard Gonsalves fired his gun, fatally wounding the Ugandan refugee. Olango had had prior encounters with law enforcement. Because of drug and firearms convictions, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had twice tried to deport him. The Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network, a civil rights group, and the Rev. Shane Harris, president of the organizations San Diego chapter, have called on the Justice Department to investigate the shooting. Olangos relatives also have filed wrongful-death claims, which can be precursors to lawsuits, with the city. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Littlefield writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. ALSO Probably not terribly realistic: Woman sues Chipotle for $2.2 billion over photograph L.A. politicians propose banning campaign contributions from developers Two men arrested after allegedly shooting at off-duty L.A. County deputy in San Bernardino Eddie Kamae, one of the most influential Hawaiian musicians of the last half-century and a filmmaker who painstakingly documented the culture and history of the islands, has died at his home in Honolulu. He was 89. Kamae, who died Saturday, had long been the face of The Sons of Hawaii, a popular recording group and a pioneering force in traditional island music. Dressed in blue overalls and in red-and-white palaka shirts meant to evoke the working-class roots of the music they performed, The Sons of Hawaii offered listeners traditional Hawaiian songs at a time when many island musicians were serenading crowds with predictable tropical ballads and material from Hollywood soundtracks. Advertisement For as distinguished a musician as he became, Kamae came into the profession nearly by accident. An older brother one of 10 siblings in the family brought Kamae a ukulele after finding the instrument left behind on the back of the bus he drove in Honolulu. Alone, hed strum the ukulele and pluck the strings, trying to imitate the sounds of jazz, pop and Latin-infused music, perfecting a style that the Ukulele Hall of Fame said revolutionized the method of playing the instrument. I just loved what I heard and that sort of set my course, Kamae explained to the Honolulu Advertiser in 2010. Kamae said he found many of the traditional island songs to be overly simple tunes, built largely on hula chants. Jazz and Latin music seemed more challenging. And with a group called The Ukulele Rascals, he found an audience for his musical fusion tastes. But when his father died in the mid-1950s, Kamae followed his wish that he dig deeper into the music of Hawaiis past. One day, after he passed away, I decided, Well, thats all he asked me to do. So I found my way into Hawaiian music. He looked up older musicians and sought their advice . He prowled the Bishop Museum in Honolulu and dug through the archives of nearly-forgotten songs. Reborn a traditionalist, he teamed up with three others to form The Sons of Hawaii. The group which came together in the early 1960s and recorded albums and entertained crowds for 50 years is credited with igniting the so-called Hawaiian Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in island music and cultural awareness. Kamae and his wife, Myrna, also filmed a set of 10 documentaries known as the Hawaiian Legacy Series, films that examined the history of the islands. Together they formed the Hawaiian Legacy Foundation, which seeks to promote and preserve Hawaiian heritage. In 2001, he was enshrined in the Ukulele Hall of Fame. There is perhaps no person who deserves more credit for the popularity of the ukulele in modern Hawaiian music than Eddie Kamae, his induction reads. steve.marble@latimes.com @StephenMarble MORE OBITUARIES Michael Chamberlain, wrongly convicted after baby daughter killed by dingoes, dies at 72 Tyrus Wong, artist whose paintings inspired Disneys Bambi and other films, dies at 106 Debbie Reynolds, who sang and danced to fame in Singin in the Rain, dies at 84 Police officers in the U.S. think their job has gotten harder of late, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center. The public outcry over high-profile police shootings of black Americans, coupled with a recent uptick in fatal shootings of police, has left the majority of officers feeling more concerned for their personal safety and more reluctant to carry out some of their duties, according to the report, titled Behind the Badge. The fact that these incidents have brought so much attention to their job has actually made it harder to execute in certain circumstances, said Kim Parker, director of social trends research at Pew and a lead author on the report, which drew its conclusions from a survey of a nationally representative sample of 8,000 policemen and women. Advertisement Over the last few years, police killings of black men have given rise to protests across the country the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Freddie Gray in Baltimore and Eric Garner in New York, to name a few. There was also a surge in fatal shootings of police in 2016 compared with the previous year. In July, five police officers were shot and killed in an ambush in Dallas and three officers were killed in Baton Rouge, La. About a year and a half earlier, two New York Police Department officers were shot and killed while parked in a patrol car in Brooklyn. On Monday, an officer in Orlando, Fla., was shot dead after she attempted to chase down a murder suspect at a Wal-Mart; a second officer died in a motorcycle crash in the manhunt that ensued. Though research has been conducted on the publics attitude toward police in the wake of these events, showing decreased confidence and racial divides, less attention has been devoted to the attitudes of police officers themselves, said Parker a deficiency she and her team set out to correct. What they found was that three-quarters of officers said that relations with the black community had become more tense and they were now less willing to stop and question suspects and to use force when necessary. More than 90% of officers said their colleagues worried more about their personal safety, with that trend having begun even before the July incidents in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Those are really high percentages that you dont always see in opinion surveys, Parker said. But experts who study policing and race say they arent surprised. Police officers are under greater scrutiny the public is paying more attention, said Jack Glaser, a social psychologist and professor of public policy at UC Berkeley. He said ubiquitous recording devices and social media had increased the publics awareness of such shootings in recent years. Similarly, while officer fatalities were slightly up in 2016, they remained far below record highs set in the 1970s. For the average officer their job has not gotten categorically more dangerous in the last year or two, but it has gotten incrementally more dangerous, Glaser said, and its very likely that it is a real result of this tension that has occurred. In addition to real and perceived threats and public perception, theres also rising awareness among officers themselves of their own biases and a desire to combat those. Thats an extra load on them that makes the job all the more difficult, Glaser said. Its appropriate, but it is an additional challenge. If the outcome is fewer police stops, Glaser said that could be a good thing. These suspicion-based stops and searches are very high discretion events. In most of the data on policing they are overwhelmingly not fruitful, he said. Delores Jones-Brown, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said suspicious had too often become code language for black or minority. There is a subtext that says [police officers are] less willing to stop a suspicious black person, Jones-Brown said of the reports findings. If Im a person who lives in a high-crime community, then Im going to be annoyed and elated, she said. Im going to be annoyed that the failure of the police to stop a suspicious person who might in fact be a serious violent offender leaves me at risk for harm from that person. Black officers recognize that while they are police officers some hours of the day, they are black people 24 hours a day. Delores Jones-Brown, professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice Jones-Brown said police needed to be more discerning in communities of color, rather than blanketing them with stops and searches or categorically avoiding stops and searches out of fear of public criticism. Pew also found that there are significant disparities between white and black officers in their attitudes and experience on the job. About half as many black officers as white and Latino officers characterize police relations with the black community as excellent or good, and black officers are much less likely to say the country has made sufficient progress on racial equality. They also tend to worry that officers wont deliberate long enough before taking action in a tense moment and are less likely to have discharged a firearm during their service. Black officers recognize that while they are police officers some hours of the day, they are black people 24 hours a day, and they and their families are at greater risk, Jones-Brown said. Glaser agreed, noting that he knows many black officers who give their teenage sons the same talk black civilians give theirs. Its be careful with the police, Glaser said. He added that social psychology predicts that members of a particular group are more likely to relate to that group, see other members as individuals and be less threatened by them. Pew researchers also found a significant divergence between police officers attitudes and those of the public with regard to fatal police-citizen encounters. For example, most U.S. adults (60%) believe that the deaths of black Americans at the hands of police in recent years are symptomatic of a broader societal problem, while two-thirds of police officers view those deaths as isolated incidents. Similarly, about two-thirds of the public believes that the protests that have followed these incidents arose out of a genuine desire to hold the police accountable, but 9 in 10 officers believed they arose out of anti-police bias. Theyre both right and theyre both wrong, Glaser said. There is discrimination in American policing and there are going to be biases in how people perceive things. He added, Whats a more critical concern is whether theres an absence of trust. NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj If a 2016 Pew survey of public attitudes toward police is any guide, the outlook isnt very good. Only about half of all black adults say local police do an excellent or good job combating crime, compared with 80% of all white adults. And even fewer black adults 1 in 3 say police in their communities do an excellent or good job of using appropriate force on suspects, treating all racial and ethnic minorities equally and holding officers accountable when misconduct occurs. Where we are today is a place where we cant reach consensus on what is and is not acceptable police behavior, Jones-Brown said. nina.agrawal@latimes.com Twitter: @AgrawalNina ALSO Police killings prompt activists to seek new civil rights movement Wal-Mart removes Bulletproof: Black Lives Matter shirts after police complaint Attacks on police officers would be classified as hate crimes under California bill It might have been unprecedented for a president-elect to hold his first news conference in a luxury shopping mall, but Donald Trump was very much in his element in the swirl of pink marble and gold plating that is the lobby of Trump Tower. More composed than during the presidential debates, Trump swatted away like summer mosquitoes a fusillade of questions about a dossier that claims he was being blackmailed by Moscow. He even got in a few chuckles denying allegations that he consorted with Russian prostitutes. Im also very much of a germaphobe, by the way, said Trump, pausing expertly for the laughter to settle down. Advertisement After a long explanation of how he was turning over his business to a trust run by his sons, Donald and Eric, Trump said, I hope at the end of eight years, Ill come back and say you did a good job. Otherwise, if they do a bad job, Ill say, Youre fired. President-elect Donald Trump at his news conference. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times ) For the moment, he was back on The Apprentice. It was a performance that was vintage Trump: short on details, long on showmanship. Trump used more hand gestures than an Italian boulevardier. His hands were wide open to solicit trust when he said Believe me, referring to his plans to replace Obamacare. He expressed his disdain for government bureaucracy with a gesture of a slow wheel turning. For props, Trumps aides carried in large stacks of manila file folders, which they heaped on a table next to the podium. Trump explained that the folders contained some of the many documents that Ive signed turning over complete and total control to my sons. Precisely what was in the folders wasnt clear. Nobody opened them during the news conference and they sat there until the end, when a burly aide scooped them in his arms and carried them back into the elevator. A press assistant shooed away members of the media who tried to photograph the stacks, which contained several hundred folders with white sheets of paper inside bound by binder clips. With the release on Tuesday night of the salacious and unverified reports of Russian blackmail, Trump doubled down on his attacks on the news media. He called BuzzFeed, the news site that published the dossier, a failing pile of garbage, and warned ominously, Theyre going to suffer the consequences. Trump got into an argument with CNN reporter Jim Acosta, refusing to take his question and calling him rude. Im not going to give you a question. You are fake news, Trump told the reporter. Mr. President-elect, thats not appropriate, Acosta shot back. Trump then took a question about the need for reforms in the media from a reporter for Breitbart News, the ultra-right-wing website whose former chairman, Stephen K. Bannon, now a Trump aide, watched from the side of the podium with a gaggle of other Trump advisors. Along with Trumps oldest children, Donald, Eric and daughter Ivanka, the aides provided a constant soundtrack of applause and cheers at the appropriate moments. Despite the confrontational exchanges, Trump appeared calmer and more confident than he had in other adversarial forums. He didnt appear to sweat. He didnt pace. Long overdue and anticipated, the news conference was Trumps first since the Nov. 8 election and it was a standing-room-only affair. Trump said he had stopped giving news conferences because we were getting quite a bit of inaccurate news. The news conference lasted a little longer than one hour, roughly a quarter of it devoted to a detailed presentation by lawyer Sherri Dillon about the trust that would manage Trumps real estate empire during his presidency. A small group of Donald Trump critics rallies across the street from Trump Tower. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images ) Outside Trump Tower, protesters lined Fifth Avenue, promising in the waning days of the transition to stop the incoming administration. No! read the signs above the crowd. Stop Trump/Pence Fascist regime before it starts. Whether by design or oversight, there were no microphones for the media so the questions were impossible to hear at the back of the room, and even transcripts of the event listed many questions as inaudible. In contrast, Trump was well-miked and his voice boomed through the atrium. It was perhaps fitting for a real-estate-mogul-turned-statesman that the atrium of Trump Tower had to be similarly transformed from a shopping mall to a presidential media center. A bright blue curtain was draped behind Trump, blocking the view of his daughter Ivankas jewelry boutique, while curtains toward the back covered the windows of a Gucci store. Secret Service agents watched from a Starbucks on the mezzanine above where Trump was speaking. ALSO Trump alleges leaks by U.S. spy agencies, something Nazi Germany would have done What Trump made clear at his news conference and what he left murky Trump says hell turn over company to sons but falls short of eliminating ethics issues Neil Gorsuch could fall somewhere between his hero, Justice Scalia, and former boss, centrist Justice Kennedy By David Savage Judge Neil M. Gorsuch was resting midway down a Colorado ski slope last year when his cellphone rang with the news that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had died. I immediately lost what breath I had left, Gorsuch recalled in an April speech, and I am not embarrassed to admit that I couldnt see the rest of the way down the mountain for the tears. Now, as President Trumps pick to replace Scalia on the high court, Gorsuch is seen by many on the right as a fitting replacement for the iconic jurist that Gorsuch considered a lion of the law. Like Scalia, Gorsuch, 49, who serves on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, is a well-respected conservative who believes judges should decide cases based on the law as it was understood when passed, not on how they think it should be. Hes a clear, impassioned writer, albeit without Scalias flare for biting sarcasm. But Gorsuch also evokes the qualities of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, for whom Gorsuch worked as a law clerk. (If confirmed, Gorsuch would join three justices who previously clerked on the high court, but he would be the first ever to serve alongside the justice he or she worked for.) Like Kennedy, 80, Gorsuch is a Westerner with a polite, congenial manner who at times has won praise from liberals. He may be more conservative than Kennedy when it comes to expanding individual rights, but he seems to lack Scalias fervor for overturning liberal precedents from decades past. Which way Gorsuch skews could be pivotal for the future of the court. Conservatives clearly hope hell be more like Scalia than Kennedy, a centrist swing vote who has often joined liberals on issues such as gay marriage and abortion. Some conservatives have even expressed hope that Gorsuchs personal history with Kennedy might enable him to draw the Reagan-appointee back toward the right. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump chooses Neil Gorsuch, a conservative seen as likely to be confirmed, for Supreme Court By Michael A. Memoli President Trump nominated federal Judge Neil M. Gorsuch on Tuesday to the Supreme Court to fill the seat of the late Antonin Scalia, choosing from his short list an appeals court judge from Denver seen as most likely to win Senate confirmation. Because Scalia was a stalwart conservative, Trumps choice is not likely to change the balance of the court. But it does set the stage for a bruising partisan fight over a man who could help determine law on gun rights, immigration, police use of force and transgender rights. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump administration is radicalizing Democratic voters, creating a challenge for the party, Rep. Adam Schiff says By Sarah D. Wire (Mark Wilson / Getty Images) As protests spread over policy announcements from the Trump administration, Democrats must work to encourage participation in politics, but face a danger of the party becoming too radicalized, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said Tuesday. The radical nature of this government is radicalizing Democrats, and thats going to pose a real challenge to the Democratic Party, which is to draw on the energy and the activism and the passion that is out there, but not let it turn us into what we despised about the tea party, Schiff said. During a meeting with reporters and editors in the Los Angeles Times Washington bureau, Schiff also discussed his role as the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Select Intelligence Committee under a Trump administration and how Democrats will manage in the minority. Ever since the election, party leaders have been debating: Did we lose because we were too far to the left and we had too small a tent, or did we lose because we are too mainstream and didnt energize the base? Schiff asked. We are obviously having that debate, but theres a whole new element, which is the reaction to the Trump administration that makes this different in kind, certainly different in intensity, than I think weve ever seen after an election, he said. The more radical the administration is, the more radicalized our base becomes, which just feeds the Breitbart crowd, and who knows where that ends. Democratic leaders have to channel public reaction to Trumps actions into progress, rather than deadlock, Schiff said. Reaction to Democrats seen as working with the Trump administration has been strong. Monday night, for example, protesters marched on Sen. Dianne Feinsteins home and office voicing fears she would back Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general. The senator from California announced Tuesday that she would oppose Sessions. Several groups calling themselves indivisible have popped up in cities across the country as focal points for efforts to organize. We have two of the most capable strategists as the head of our House and Senate Democrats, Schiff added, referring to House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and Senate Democratic leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York. If anybody can grapple with this, they can, but its going to be a challenging and moving target day to day. I just hope that we can channel that energy in a way where we can provide a check on this administration because Ive never been more worried about the countrys future than I am right now, he said. Schiff said part of his role as the ranking Democrat on the House Select Intelligence Committee will be pushing back when the Trump administration puts out inaccurate information about the intelligence community and its findings. Trump has repeatedly dismissed or sought to minimize the intelligence communitys findings that Russia sought to intervene in the 2016 election to benefit him. Schiff said hes concerned about what else the administration might be willing to dismiss. I think that will be kind of a new frontier, he said. How do we contradict a president making representations about what the intelligence community has to say when the information is classified? Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump administration signals that some temporary bans on entry into the U.S. could become permanent By Brian Bennett Trumps orders put a greater emphasis on deporting those convicted of crimes and those in the country illegally who were charged with crimes not yet adjudicated The Trump administration doubled down Tuesday on its commitment to transforming the nations border law enforcement, signaling that some of the temporary bans on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries are likely to be made permanent and elevating a deportations official to run the top immigration enforcement agency. Administration officials, led by newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, moved to allay the havoc that marked the roll-out of the ban and another on refugees. They briefed reporters and planned to head to Capitol Hill later today in an apparent effort to smooth relations after reports that lawmakers and other stakeholders were left out of the crafting of the executive order on toughened vetting at border entry points. In a news conference, Kelly and other top Homeland Security officials conceded some problems, including poor communication. But they insisted that all court orders were followed over the weekend, rebutted reports that some legal residents were denied access to attorneys at airports and said they everyone detained by border agents was treated with dignity and respect. The vast majority of the 1.7 billion Muslims that live on this planet, the vast majority of them have, all other things being equal, have access to the United States, Kelly told reporters. And a relatively small number right now are being held up for a period of time until we can take a look at what their procedures are, he said, seeming to acknowledge that mostly Muslims have been affected by the ban. The moves signaled that the White House remained committed to remaking border law enforcement even in the face of widespread confusion and condemnation of President Trumps order. Kelly said for the first time that the some of the restrictions that caused confusion and sparked protests over the weekend could be extended well into the future. Some of those countries that are currently on the list may not be taken off the list anytime soon, he said. Trump also named a longtime deportation officer, Thomas D. Homan, as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homan, who will oversee the execution of Trumps immigration enforcement order, was most recently in charge of the agencys 5,000 deportation officers, a force Trump said he would triple to 15,000. Trumps orders put a greater emphasis on deporting not only those convicted of crimes, but also people in the country illegally who were charged with crimes not yet adjudicated, those who receive an improper welfare benefit and even those who have not been charged but are believed to have committed acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offense. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House tries to ban the word ban, hours after president uses it himself By Noah Bierman This is not a ban, spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters in a fiery news briefing. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) President Trump used the word ban in a tweet as recently as Monday to describe his new executive order suspending travel from seven Muslim-majority countries and halting the refugee program for several months. But facing backlash from many directions, the White House adamantly insisted Tuesday that the word is verboten. This is not a ban, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters in a fiery news briefing. When we use words like travel ban, he said later, that misrepresents what it is. Its seven countries previously identified by the Obama administration, where, frankly, we dont get the information that we need for people coming into this country. In fact, people from the seven banned countries Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Libya cannot enter the United States under the order. Spicer appeared to be making a renewed effort to distinguish the order from the all-out ban on Muslims entering the country that Trump proposed during the campaign. Many around the world see the newest policy as an outgrowth of that proposal. Trump himself conceded a religious connection when he said in an interview on Friday that he wanted to make it easier for Syrian Christians to enter the country. And former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani told Fox News that the order sprang from a group he formed at Trumps request to create a legal framework that would accomplish the campaign goal of a Muslim ban. But amid confusion and worldwide criticism in recent days, the Trump administration has tried to temper some of the more incendiary rhetoric around the proposal. Even the words extreme vetting, a favorite Trump slogan, were called into question by Spicer on Tuesday. Calling for tougher vetting [of] individual travelers from seven nations is not extreme, he said. It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country. But changing the ban branding around the program at this point will be difficult. Heres Trumps tweet from Monday: If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the "bad" would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad "dudes" out there! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017 And Spicer himself used the term ban as recently as Sunday: Sean Spiceer today: This is not a Muslim ban. It is not a travel ban. Sean Spicer in White House press release, Jan. 29: pic.twitter.com/axTM1m66nM Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) January 31, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Senate confirms Elaine Chao as secretary of Transportation By Associated Press Elaine Chao testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Jan. 11, 2017. (Zach Gibson / AP) The Senate has confirmed Elaine Chao to serve as Transportation secretary in the Trump administration. The vote was 93 to 6 on Tuesday. Chao is an experienced Washington hand. She was Labor secretary under President George W. Bush and is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Chao would be a lead actor in pursuing Trumps promise to invest $1 trillion to improve highways, rail service and other infrastructure projects. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Speaker Paul Ryan defends Trumps immigrant and refugee ban, as Congress grumbles about being left out By Lisa Mascaro "What is happening is something we support... we need to make sure that the vetting standards are up to snuff," Paul Ryan says of travel ban pic.twitter.com/iX6YkOLkLl CBS News (@CBSNews) January 31, 2017 House Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Tuesday stood by President Trumps temporary ban on refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations and indicated that he was confident the administration could fix the confusing rollout without action from Congress. What is happening is something we support, said Ryan, whose office was the target of a sit-in by protesters opposed to Trumps order. We need to pause and we need to make sure that the vetting standards are up to snuff so we can guarantee the safety and security of our country. Congress was blindsided by Trumps executive action -- Ryan learned about it as the public did when the White House announced it Friday afternoon. Many GOP lawmakers have raised concerns. During a private meeting in the Capitol basement Tuesday, Republican lawmakers were counseled on how to handle protesters and office sit-ins happening across the country. Its regrettable that there was some confusion on the rollout of this, Ryan said. No one wanted to see people with green cards or special immigrant visas, like translators, get caught up in all of this. Ryan also said he was concerned the ban could be used as propaganda by terrorist groups. The rhetoric surrounding this could be used as a recruiting tool, and I think thats dangerous, he said. Still, Republicans leaders as well as rank-and-file GOP lawmakers largely agreed with the presidents move to halt refugee admissions for 120 days, and to temporarily ban citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, unless they are Christians or other religious minorities. The president was well within his right to issue an executive order, said Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), chairman of the House Rules Committee. Do I feel let out? I feel like everybody was left out, he said. I wish they communicated it. I wish they had gotten more information to people. I wish they had measured three times and sawed once. Lawmakers have shown little appetite for Congress to get involved, and suggested the chaos that erupted at airports over the weekend was just part of a learning curve at the White House. I support the thrust of the executive order, said Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.), who nevertheless said the administration should have been better prepared and will need to get your act together. Last year, Ryan had strongly condemned Trumps campaign-trail call for a Muslim ban. In recent days, Ryan, like other congressional leaders, was forced to dial up the administration with his questions and concerns about the order, conferring Monday with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. I am very pleased and confident that he is, on a going-forward basis, going to make sure that things are done correctly, Ryan said. Pressed on whether Congress would have a role, Ryan did not indicate any immediate legislative action. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrats boycott Senate committee votes on Price, Mnuchin By Jim Puzzanghera Senate Democrats speak with reporters after boycotting Finance Committee confirmation votes. (JIM WATSON / AFP/Getty Images) Senate Democrats on Tuesday boycotted a committee vote on two of President Trumps top Cabinet nominees -- Tom Price to lead Health and Human Services and Steve Mnuchin to be Treasury secretary. Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) blasted the Democratic move as he sat in a hearing room with only Republicans on the dais. They ought to be embarrassed. Its the most pathetic treatment Ive seen in my 40 years in the United States Senate, Hatch said. I think they should stop posturing and acting like idiots, he said. At least one Democrat needs to be present for the committee to vote on the nominations, Hatch said. He recessed the hearing until further notice, saying he hoped a vote could take place later Tuesday. But asked mid-afternoon if he thought the committee would be able to meet Tuesday, Hatch said it doesnt look like it. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the committees top Democrat, said Price and Mnuchin have misled the public and held back important information about their backgrounds. Until questions are answered, Democrats believe the committee should not move forward with either nomination, Wyden said. This is about getting answers to questions, plain and simple, he said. Ethics laws are not optional, and nominees do not have a right to treat disclosure like a shell game. Today @SenateFinance Democrats refused to move forward with nominations of Mnuchin & Price. Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 The litany of ethics revelations regarding @RepTomPrice are strong evidence that he cannot be allowed to have control of #Medicare. Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 Mr. Mnuchin continued to fail to come clean on shady foreclosure practices that hurt Americans. Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 Liberal groups cheered the boycott while Senate Republican leaders decried it as Democratic obstructionism. They are manufacturing issues on a daily basis to drag this process out, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.) said of the confirmations of Trumps nominees. I dont see how they can explain to the American people how it is appropriate to prevent the administration from getting up and getting started, he said. Democrats have said Mnuchin, a wealthy Wall Street executive, misled the committee in his response to a written question about foreclosures at Pasadenas OneWest Bank while he ran it from 2009-15. Democrats pointed to a report Sunday by the Columbus Dispatch that Mnuchin denied that OneWest engaged in so-called robo-signing of mortgage documents. The paper said its analysis of nearly four dozen foreclosure cases in Ohios Franklin County in 2010 showed that the bank frequently used robo-signers. The Columbus Dispatch cited a foreclosure involving a mortgage signed by Erica Johnson-Seck, a OneWest vice president who said in a deposition in a 2009 Florida case that she signed an average of 750 documents a week. Barney Keller, a spokesman for Mnuchin, said Monday that several courts had dismissed cases involving allegations of robo-signing by Johnson-Seck. The media is picking on a hardworking bank employee whose reputation has been maligned but whose work has been upheld by numerous courts all around the country in the face of scurrilous and false allegations, Keller said. Democrats also have problems with Price, a six-term congressman and former orthopedic surgeon who has distinguished himself in conservative circles for his staunch opposition to the Affordable Care Act and his plans to slash federal healthcare spending. His nomination has become among Trumps most controversial, in part because of his hostility to government safety net programs, including Medicaid and Medicare. Democrats have also been increasingly critical of Prices extensive trading in healthcare stocks while he has been in Congress, and in some cases while he has pushed legislation that would benefit his portfolio. Price has denied any wrongdoing. Also drawing criticism is Prices purchase of discounted shares in an Australian biotech firm, Innate Immunotherapeutics, which he was offered through a private deal not available to general shareholders. Price also denied that this was improper, and Senate Republicans have rallied to his side, saying he did not violate any ethics rules. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said he and the other Democrats on the committee want Mnuchin and Price to explain their lies either in person before the committee or in new written answers. I want them to disclose this information that they seem not to want to disclose, Brown said. 12:10 p.m.: This post was updated with additional comments from Hatch as well as from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Sherrod Brown. 8:00 a.m.: This post has been updated with additional information and background. 8:07 a.m.: This post has been updated with additional information. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House aides who wrote Trumps travel ban see it as just the start By Brian Bennett (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Even as confusion, internal dissent and widespread condemnation greeted President Trumps travel ban and crackdown on refugees this weekend, senior White House aides say they are only getting started. Trump and his aides justified Fridays executive order, which blocked travel from seven majority-Muslim countries for 90 days and halted refugees from around the world for 120, on security grounds an issue that they say they take seriously. But their ultimate goal is far broader. Trumps top advisors on immigration, including chief strategist Steve Bannon and senior advisor Stephen Miller, see themselves as launching a radical experiment to fundamentally transform how the U.S. decides who is allowed into the country and to block a generation of people who, in their view, wont assimilate into American society. That project may live or die in the next three months, as the Trump administration reviews whether and how to expand the visa ban and alter vetting procedures. White House aides are considering new, onerous security checks that could effectively limit travel into the U.S. by people from majority-Muslim countries to a trickle. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Why corporations cant risk keeping silent about Trumps immigration ban By David Pierson Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz said the Seattle coffee company is developing plans to hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years. (Richard Drew / Associated Press) Corporate America generally prefers to stay quiet about partisan politics. Pick one side of a hot-button issue, the thinking goes, and youll risk losing customers on the other side. But like so many norms before it, President Trump has turned this one on its head. A growing number of companies are deciding its a bigger risk to their investors and bottom line to stay quiet than it is to protest Trumps ban on refugees and travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, betting vocal opposition to the executive order scores them a moral and fiscal victory. While it was possible for companies to take a wait-and-see approach leading up to Trumps inauguration, many firms can no longer ignore the White Houses policy given the effect the order is already having on employees either stranded or fearful of traveling. Only a week ago it seemed foolish to speak out against a president who has admonished individual companies on social media such as Carrier, Boeing and General Motors. Now the pendulum has swung the other way. Companies, mostly in technology but increasingly in other sectors, have decided that its not enough just to speak out against the immigration order. They believe that they must also take headline-grabbing action. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Op-Ed: Trump is taking the Bannon Way, and it will end in disaster By Jonah Goldberg Bannon has said hes a Leninist' but hes really more of a Trotskyist because he fancies himself the leader of an international populist-nationalist right wing movement, exporting anti-'globalist' revolution. In that role, his status as an enabler of Trumps instinct to shoot or tweet from the hip seems especially ominous. The Bannon way might work on the campaign trail, but it doesnt translate into good governance. Its possible and one must hope that Trump can learn this fact on the job. But what if he doesnt? He could put the country in serious peril. Jonah Goldberg Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump will leave LGBTQ protections in place By Associated Press (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) The White House says President Trump will leave intact a 2014 executive order that protects federal workers from anti-LGBTQ discrimination. In a statement released early Tuesday, the White House said Trump is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community and that he continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election. The Trump administration has vowed to roll back much of President Obamas work from the last eight years and had been scrutinizing the 2014 order. The directive protects people from LGBTQ discrimination while working for federal contractors. The recent statement says the protections will remain intact at the direction of Trump. Here is the text of Obamas executive order, signed on July 21, 2014: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including 40 U.S.C. 121, and in order to provide for a uniform policy for the Federal Government to prohibit discrimination and take further steps to promote economy and efficiency in Federal Government procurement by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Amending Executive Order 11478 . The first sentence of section 1 of Executive Order 11478 of August 8, 1969, as amended, is revised by substituting sexual orientation, gender identity for sexual orientation. Sec. 2. Amending Executive Order 11246 . Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended, is hereby further amended as follows: (a) The first sentence of numbered paragraph (1) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex, or national origin. (b) The second sentence of numbered paragraph (1) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. (c) Numbered paragraph (2) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. (d) Paragraph (d) of section 203 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. Sec. 3. Regulations . Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor shall prepare regulations to implement the requirements of section 2 of this order. Sec. 4. General Provisions . (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an agency or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. Sec. 5. Effective Date . This order shall become effective immediately, and section 2 of this order shall apply to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of the rules promulgated by the Department of Labor under section 3 of this order. Update 6:45 a.m.: This article was updated with the text of the 2014 executive order. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump fires Justice Departments top official after she refuses to defend his refugee ban By David Lauter Sally Yates. (J. David Ake / Associated Press) President Trump fired acting Atty. Gen. Sally Yates on Monday, just hours after she announced that the department would not defend his controversial executive order banning refugees and travelers from certain countries. Yates has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States, the White House said in a statement. It is time to get serious about protecting our country. The move came after Yates sent a letter to Justice Department lawyers saying that she questioned the lawfulness of Trumps executive order. My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is after consideration of all the facts, Yates wrote. At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities, nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful, she wrote. Consequently, for as long as I am the acting attorney general, the Department of Justice will not present arguments in defense of the executive order unless and until I become convinced that it is appropriate to do so. Yates was a holdover from the Obama administration. But because Trumps nominee for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, has not been confirmed and no other senior Justice Department officials have been appointed, firing her was expected to cause significant problems within the department. Among other issues, Yates is the only person in the department currently authorized to sign warrants for wiretapping in foreign espionage cases involving the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Trump replaced Yates with Dana J. Boente, a three-decade veteran of the Justice Department who was appointed in 2015 by former President Obama as U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. 6:37 p.m.: The story was updated with Trumps decision to fire Yates. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print U.S. service member killed in Yemen identified as Navy SEAL from Illinois By Jeanette Steele The Pentagon on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. servicemember in a raid in Yemen targeting al-Qaeda, marking the first American combat death under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. A Navy SEAL from the Virginia-based elite unit known as SEAL Team 6 was killed Sunday during an unusual nighttime raid that put U.S. troops on the ground against Al Qaeda leaders in the middle of war-torn Yemen. The fallen sailor was identified Monday as Chief Special Warfare Operator William Ryan Owens, 36, of Peoria, Ill.. Three other Americans were wounded in the raid and an MV-22 Osprey had to be destroyed after the aircraft suffered a hard landing and couldnt fly. Another U.S. service member was injured in that crash. The raid marked the first known counter-terrorism operation and first confirmed combat fatality under President Trump. Steele writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Protests against Trumps ban on certain immigrants continue across the country By Ann M. Simmons Protesters rally at Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 29, demonstrating against the immigration ban imposed by President Trump. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) After a weekend of turmoil at many of the nations airports following President Trumps executive order to suspend the U.S. refugee program and temporarily prohibit entry to citizens of seven predominantly Muslim nations, federal officials said all people being detained on arrival to the U.S. had been released. But that hasnt put a stop to demands to lift the travel ban. Protests continued to be held and organized throughout the country incluidng in New York, New Orleans, Colorado and Connecticut. According to Ground Game, an online platform for organizing, at least a dozen demonstrations were planned for this week in what the group described as a fight against Islamophobia and Fascism. Calls to rally, demonstrate and protest swept social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook. In Louisville, Ky., a rally was planned for Monday evening at the Muhammad Ali Center, in what organizers said would be a gathering for American values and to voice support for our nation and our city, which was founded and is strengthened by immigrants. In Hattiesburg, Miss., there was call to join a peaceful vigil in solidarity with refugees, immigrants, and Muslims on the University of Southern Mississippi campus on Monday evening. Declaring that Jersey City stands with our Muslim and immigrant community, organizers in that New Jersey city called on people to come to a pedestrian mall on Monday to stand in solidarity and peace as we show our strength in diversity as one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Other demonstrations were planned for later in the week in cities nationwide, including Tuesday in Tuscon, where organizers encouraged people to stand in solidarity with Senator (John) McCains strong public statement opposing the executive order banning refugees and Legal Permanent Residents from Muslim countries! Similar actions were planned on Tuesday at the South Carolina State House in Columbia and at the Worchester City Hall and Common in Massachusetts, while organizers in San Francisco, under the banner #NoBanNoWallSF, urged residents to join the resistance against Donald Trumps racist and exclusionary Executive Orders on Saturday. We will not allow our country to be divided by hate and religious persecution, read a statement from #NoBanNoWallSF posted on Facebook. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Obama carefully weighs in on refugee ban, says he is heartened by public response By Michael A. Memoli (Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images) Former President Obama has offered his first public comment on the conduct of his successor, saying through a spokesman that he is heartened by public demonstrations against the Trump administrations controversial move to temporarily ban refugees and block all admissions from seven countries. President Obama is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country, Kevin Lewis, a spokesperson for the former president, said in a statement emailed to reporters Monday. In his final official speech as President, he spoke about the important role of citizen and how all Americans have a responsibility to be the guardians of our democracy--not just during an election but every day. Citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble, organize and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake. Lewis also said in the statement that Obama fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion. Trump aides deny that his executive order, released Friday, involves religious discrimination. The order temporarily blocked travel to the U.S. by residents of seven predominantly Muslim nations, but left many of the Islamic worlds largest population centers unaffected, they note. The order also included an exception for believers of minority religions in those countries, a provision that Trump explicitly said would help Christians. Obamas statement is notable less for its content than for the fact that it was issued at all. It reflected the delicate balance he feels he must strike between showing a degree of deference to the new president and speaking out on issues he sees as critically important. The statement tiptoed around the content of the order, focusing more on the former presidents interest in citizen engagement. Obama said before leaving office that he expected to choose carefully when to comment on the actions of his successor and would focus less on normal functioning of politics and more on certain issues or certain moments where I think our core values may be at stake, as he put it in his final news conference. Mondays statement did point, though, to comments Obama made at a news conference in November 2015, when he called the idea of a religious test for immigration policy shameful and not American. We dont have religious tests to our compassion, he said at the time. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement GOP-led Congress worries about its role in the Trump era By Lisa Mascaro Its what congressional Republicans had long dreamed about: a majority in both chambers to advance conservative policies and a president from the same party to sign them into law. But the Trump White House isnt turning out exactly the way they envisioned. The GOP establishment is experiencing whiplash after a week of President Trump bulldozing through the norms of policy and protocol dashing off executive orders without warning, escalating a diplomatic crisis with the countrys closest southern neighbor, triggering global confusion with a new refugee policy and generally hijacking party leaders agenda and replacing it with his own. Rather than the hoped-for collaborative new relationship between the White House and Congress, GOP officials complain that Trump is brushing aside their advice, failing to fully engage on drafting tough legislative packages like tax reform and Obamacare, and bypassing Congress by relying on executive actions, something they frequently complained about under President Obama. At the same time, Trumps unilateral moves continue to blindside Republicans and direct the national focus toward topics many in the party would rather avoid, whether thats how to pay for building the border wall with Mexico, warming ties with Russia, investigating false claims about voter fraud or, most recently, implementing sweeping new policies on refugees and visas. In the name of party unity, many Republicans so far have refrained from publicly attacking the new president. But for some, the new refugee policy crossed the line, signaling the first major rift in their already fraught partnership. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Washington state sues Trump over immigration order By Mark Z. Barabak President Trump signed an executive order Friday that suspends all immigration for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Opening a new legal front, lawyers for the state of Washington filed suit Monday seeking to block President Trumps executive order temporarily banning foreign refugees from entering the United States. No one is above the law, not even the president, Atty. Gen. Bob Ferguson said in announcing the federal lawsuit. And in the courtroom, it is not the loudest voice that prevails. Its the Constitution. Over the weekend, a federal judge in Brooklyn issued an order curtailing portions of Trumps executive order, issued Friday, which temporary halts migration from seven predominantly Muslim countries for at least 90 days and also closed the nation to refugees for at least the next four months. Other challenges are pending. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle was the first taken by a state attorney general, and its provenance was no surprise. Washington state and others along the West Coast voted overwhelmingly for Democrat Hillary Clinton in November and have emerged as a hotbed of anti-Trump sentiment. We will not yield, said Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who joined Ferguson at a Seattle news conference. We will not be leveraged. We will not be threatened. We will not be intimidated. We will not be bullied by this. Trumps order, which has sparked demonstrations across the country, brought an outpouring of objection from Insleys Democratic colleagues around the country. President Trumps recent executive orders that divide and discriminate do not reflect the values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution or the principles we stand for as Oregonians, said Gov. Kate Brown. A single executive order does not define who we are as a country, said Connecticut Gov. Daniel P. Malloy. We are a nation of immigrants and must continue to fight for the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breath free. In Massachusetts, another state that voted overwhelmingly for Clinton, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker joined the chorus of Democratic criticism, saying the travel ban would undermine the international relations forged by the states business, academic and healthcare communities. The confusion for families is real. The unexpected disruption for law-abiding people is real, Baker said. Thankfully, the federal courts will have an opportunity to straighten this out and it is my hope they do so, and do so quickly. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print How a top conservative radio host took on Trump, lost his audience and faith, but gained a new perspective By Mark Z. Barabak Charlie Sykes, right, interviews Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) before Wisconsins 2016 primary (Morry Gash/Associated Press) For nearly 25 years, Charlie Sykes was one of the most powerful and influential voices in Wisconsin. He cheer-led policies that turned this historically progressive state into a model of conservative governance. He made and destroyed political careers, using his perch on Milwaukee talk radio to help vault figures such as House Speaker Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker to national prominence. But for the moment Sykes was speechless. He sank into the brown leather banquette of a suburban steakhouse. He stammered. He sighed. When youve devoted your whole life to certain beliefs and you think now they have been undermined and that you might have been deluded about things, he began. So. So. Um... In 2016 Sykes emerged as one of Donald Trumps most prominent critics, a stance that outraged listeners, strained longstanding friendships and left him questioning much of what he once held true. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pentagon compiling a list of Iraqis who aided the U.S. military and wants them shielded from Trumps travel ban By W.J. Hennigan The Pentagon is compiling a list of Iraqi citizens who have worked with the U.S. military and is recommending that they be exempt from President Trumps temporary ban on entry to the U.S. by people from Iraq and six other predominantly Muslim countries, according to the U.S. military. The move could potentially shield tens of thousands of Iraqi interpreters, advisors, and others who have assisted the American military from the presidents controversial executive action that blocked visitors from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters Monday that the list will include names of individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to helping the United States. Even people that are doing seemingly benign things in support of us whether as a linguist, a driver, anything else they often do that at great personal risk, he said. So people who take these risks are really making a tangible signal of support to the United States, and thats something that will, and should be, recognized. The list would not require any changes to the presidents order, but rather serve as guidance to the Department of Homeland Security and the White House in implementing the new policy. White House spokesman Sean Spicer later pushed back against blanket exemptions. We recognize that people have served this country, we should make sure that in those cases theyre helped out, he said. But that doesnt mean that we just give them a pass. Trump, who signed the order at the Pentagon on Friday, did not consult Defense Secretary James N. Mattis or Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the temporary suspensions of entry to visitors from the seven nations, according to U.S. officials. The executive action put the U.S. military in a difficult position because it works closely with the Iraqi government on a range of issues, including the fight against Islamic State, which necessitates travel between the two countries. For instance, Iraqi military pilots train to fly F-16 fighter jets at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Its not clear those pilots, who are active in the fight against Islamic State, could arrive in the U.S. for the training. 1:10 p.m.: This post was updated with White House response. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump signs order on rulemaking: For every regulation added, agencies have to cut 2 others By Noah Bierman (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump signed an executive order Monday designed to fulfill his campaign pledge reduce red tape for businesses. The two-page order requires that when a federal agency proposes new regulations, it shall identify at least two existing regulations to be repealed. We want to make the life easier for small businesses and big business, Trump said Monday from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, where he met with nine representatives of the small-business sector. Trump said he hoped to see up to 75% of federal regulations eliminated during his presidency. Regulation has been horrible for big business, but its been worse for small business, Trump said. He also reiterated his promise to gut the Dodd-Frank Act, the financial regulatory overhaul that was passed after the financial crisis. Dodd-Frank is a disaster, he said. Were going to be doing a big number on Dodd-Frank. Consumer advocates who backed the law say that eliminating it would help Wall Street and other players in the financial sector at the expense of consumers. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print U.S. diplomats to protest Trumps travel ban order By Tracy Wilkinson Protesters of President Trumps immigration order block traffic at LAX. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) A number of U.S. diplomats are condemning President Trumps ban on some Muslim immigrants and visitors, saying the abrupt order does not make the U.S. safer and will only stoke anti-American fervor overseas. The complaint, being made through the State Departments so-called dissent channel, echoes criticism coming from human rights attorneys, legal experts and lawmakers from both political parties, as well as world leaders. It is significant because it represents the viewpoint of the men and women who must carry out Trumps unconventional and often provocative foreign policy. A policy which closes our doors to over 200-million legitimate travelers in the hopes of preventing a small number of travelers who intend to harm Americans ... will not achieve its aim of making our country safer, said a draft version of the memo that was circulating Monday and was reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. It was first reported by ABC News. Moreover, such a policy runs counter to core American values of non-discrimination, fair play and extending a warm welcome to foreign visitors and immigrants. The White House was quickly dismissive of the dissent and seemed to suggest the diplomats should quit if they disagree with a policy. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said the diplomats raising of opposition does call into question whether or not they should continue to work in the State Department. It was not clear how many officials would sign the memo. Dissent channel memos are in theory not made public. The mechanism is designed to allow diplomats to offer an alternative policy without fear of retaliation. Acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner confirmed the existence of the memo but declined to comment on its contents. The dissent channel is a longstanding official vehicle for State Department employees to convey alternative views and perspectives on policy issues, he said. "... It allows State employees to express divergent policy views candidly and privately to senior leadership. The agency is still waiting for a boss. Trumps pick for secretary of State, former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate this week. The last time a dissent-channel memo was reported publicly was last year, when about 50 diplomats protested Obama administration policy in Syria, which they described as inaction. 12:20 p.m.: This story was updated with White House comment. 8:40 a.m.: This story was updated with comment from a State Department spokesman. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump to announce his Supreme Court choice Tuesday -- in prime time By Michael A. Memoli (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump will announce his first Supreme Court nomination in prime time on Tuesday, he tweeted this morning. I have made my decision on who I will nominate for The United States Supreme Court. It will be announced live on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. (W.H.) Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017 The announcement was moved up two days amid the continued fallout from the executive action Trump signed temporarily banning refugee admissions from some countries. Trump had tweeted last week that he would announce his high-court decision Thursday. In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network on Friday, Trump said his administration was doing some final vetting of his choice to replace the late Antonin Scalia, and that the pick would be from among the list of 20 names he issued during the election campaign. I think the person I pick will be big, big, he said. I think people are going to love it. I think evangelicals, Christians will love my pick. And will be represented very fairly. Times Supreme Court reporter David Savage profiled each of the leading contenders: Judge Thomas Hardiman of the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Judge William H. Pryor Jr. from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The move could prompt a major clash with Senate Democrats, who have warned the president against a choice outside what they consider the mainstream. Some are threatening to block any choice in retaliation for Senate Republicans refusal to even hold hearings on President Obamas choice to replace Scalia, Merrick Garland. Democrats 2013 change to Senate rules that allowed most nominations to advance with a simple majority vote exempted Supreme Court nominations, meaning that Democrats could potentially filibuster the choice. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to rule out any further rule change in an interview last week, though Trump urged him to consider doing so. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As Hollywood gathered at the SAG Awards, some entertainers joined LAX protest Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Advertisement This New York doctor went to visit family in Sudan, and now hes stuck By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Dr. Kamal Fadlalla (Dr. Kamal Fadlalla / For The Times) Dr. Kamal Fadlalla, a hospital resident who has been working in New York for the last 20 months, was stuck in Sudan on Sunday, having gone there to see his family earlier this month. He had left Jan. 13, was due to return Feb. 4 but tried to return on Friday after hearing about President Trumps executive order on immigration, which suspended entry for people from seven countries, including Sudan. He made it past passport control, all the way to the gate at the airport in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. One hour before departure they called my name, he said, and summoned him to the ticket counter, along with other New York-bound Sudanese passengers. When I got to the counter, they said there was a notice from Customs and Border Protection that ... they had to offload us from the flight. I was shocked. Fadlalla, 33, hoped for a reprieve as other passengers gathered, all stuck. One family, they came back from Dubai, she was a mother of three or four kids. She was waiting overnight at the Dubai airport. There were also two passengers turned back from New York, he said. It was a very tough night on me, He stayed for several hours, then returned to his mothers home in Madani, two hours south. Fadlalla is a second-year resident in internal medicine at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn. He is hoping to specialize in hematology and oncology. The Committee for Interns and Residents found an attorney to represent him, he said, but he had not received any news about how a New York federal judges ruling late Saturday, which halted the deportations of people who had arrived in the U.S. with valid visas, could affect him. I dont know what Im going to do. My vacation is going to end and I have to join the hospital next week. Its going to be tough on me, Fadlalla said. I dont know for how long Im going to stay here. I dont know what Im going to do. My visa is valid for three months. Im really stuck. I have my house there, my utilities, my work, my patients, my colleagues. It was my life for the past 20 months. And Im stuck here. Fadlalla is from northern Sudan, and describes himself as a moderate Muslim. He said the executive order wont make the U.S. safer by barring valid visa holders like him because, Ive been through the whole process of visa interviews. He had planned to take board exams next year, and if he misses them, his schooling will be delayed. He had wanted to stay and work in New York, too. All my life is there. Now Im stuck here. I dont know what to do, he said. Its going to really affect my life, my patients, my colleagues and their work schedule. He said the executive order has shocked others in Sudan, too. Theyre talking about human rights. Everybody knows the United States is about freedom, he said. Everybody knows America is a free country, a country of chances for everybody. Still, people have hope in those protesting at airports all over the United States and attorneys who have volunteered to help immigrants and refugees, he said. He said the order is especially worrying for aspiring Sudanese medical residents who have been preparing to match with a hospital in March to study in the United States. A lot of my colleagues who are preparing for exams are really, really worried about this, Fadlalla said. Im really worried about the future of these young people. They study a lot and spend a lot of money, a lot of effort to enter the United States. Im concerned about my future and my colleagues future. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias congressional Republicans hold their fire on Trumps refugee order By Sarah D. Wire Only a few of the states 14 Republican representatives have publicly commented on an executive order signed by President Trump on Friday that barred refugees and green card holders from seven countries from entering the country. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) released a statement Sunday night saying that some tweaks are needed, but that his background as chairman of the House Select Intelligence Committee leads him to support the executive order. In light of attempts by jihadist groups to infiltrate fighters into refugee flows to the West, along with Europes tragic experience coping with this problem, the Trump administrations executive order on refugees is a common-sense security measure to prevent terror attacks on the homeland, Nunes said. While accommodations should be made for green card holders and those whove assisted the U.S. armed forces, this is a useful temporary measure on seven nations of concern until we can verify who is entering the United States. Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) told the Washington Post that the executive order is the right call to keep America safe, but he hopes the cases of people traveling on visas who were prevented from reentering the country are resolved quickly. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) said Sunday on Twitter that the rollout has created confusion, and that executive orders arent the way to fix the countrys long-term problems. View Twitter post View Twitter post Several of Californias 38 Democratic congressional representatives and the states two senators were out in force over the weekend demanding the release of refugees and green card holders as well as an end to the executive order. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced she would file two pieces of legislation in response. One would immediately rescind the presidents order. The second would limit executive authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent a president from unilaterally banning groups of immigrants. Its clear that the president gave little consideration to the chaos and heartbreak that would result from this order, she said in a statement. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) joined protesters outside the White House on Sunday afternoon. We will fight against racism. We will fight against anti-Muslim rhetoric. We will fight against those who will marginalize who we are. pic.twitter.com/R54f3MDhvo Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2017 In Los Angeles, Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) joined protesters at Los Angeles International Airport. On Saturday, Reps. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro) and Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) joined the initial protests at the airport, and worked to get some of those being held released. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) accompanied protesters at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday. Congresswoman @MaxineWaters is here at LAX protest leading the crowd in the chant "no ban, no wall, you build it up we'll tear it down" pic.twitter.com/iNEmkVVkmW Javier Panzar (@jpanzar) January 29, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Legal moves come too late for Iranian man who arrived at LAX after Trumps order By Matt Hamilton Ali Vayeghan arrived at 7:15 p.m. Friday from Tehran. He was going to stay with relatives, then go to Indiana, to join his wife, who arrived in the U.S. four months ahead of him, and his son. But he never emerged from customs. His niece said he was put on a plane to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. The ACLU was trying to prevent his deportation but arrived with paperwork 45 minutes too late. The family spoke to him by phone after he landed in Dubai, where he was waiting to be put on a flight to Tehran. Hes literally crying in the airport in Dubai, Ali Vayeghans niece, Marjan Vayghan, said. On Sunday afternoon, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered authorities to transport Vayeghan back to the U.S. and admit him under the terms of his visa, which is set to expire Feb. 14. U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee said in her order that Vayeghan had demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in establishing that removal violates the Establishment Clause, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and his rights to Equal Protection guaranteed by the United States Constitution. But by the time the order came down, Vayeghan was on a plane bound for Tehran. Federal judge in LA has issued order allowing Iranian man deported from LAX yesterday to be admitted to US pic.twitter.com/yPth0xEQpv Matt Hamilton (@MattHjourno) January 29, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print The political climate is a hot topic at the Screen Actors Guild awards The Actor statue watches over the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium. (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press) Stars on the red carpet and at the winners podium tonight in Los Angeles are not keeping their mouths shut on current affairs. The 23rd Screen Actors Guild awards are being held at the Shrine Auditorium. Heres what they have had to say so far: I want you all to know that I am the daughter of an immigrant. My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France, and Im an American patriot, and I love this country, and because I love this country, I am horrified by its blemishes and this immigrant ban is a blemish and it is un-American. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, accepting her award for her role in Veep We need to vote. Had we all voted, we wouldnt be here. You dont like it, you dont have nothing to say if you didnt vote. Get a clipboard, get organized and get in it. Dont sit back on the sidelines. Get in it. This is a fight for the country right now. Its worth fighting for. Courtney B. Vance, nominated for his performance in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story For the first time ever in my lifetime, Ive been concerned about where its going to go. It doesnt seem to be that its going to go in a very positive direction. Claire Foy, nominated for her role as Queen Elizabeth in the Netflix series The Crown Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Green card holders will not be blocked by Trumps order, Homeland Security says By David Lauter (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) The Trump administration backed away from one of the most controversial parts of its new executive order on immigration Sunday evening, saying that permanent U.S. residents in most cases will not be affected by the new rules. Since the president issued the order Friday, confusion has been rampant over the effects on permanent residents, noncitizens who hold so-called green cards that allow them to live and work legally in the U.S. Many were stopped and detained at airports for many hours on Friday and Saturday and, in some cases, reported that they had been threatened with being returned to their home countries. An undetermined number of other green card holders were stopped from boarding U.S.-bound planes. Late Sunday, however, the secretary of Homeland Security, retired Gen. John Kelly, issued a statement changing the policy. Statement By Secretary John Kelly On The Entry Of Lawful Permanent Residents Into The United States https://t.co/Es1qivoR3J pic.twitter.com/hffMK2MOQC Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 29, 2017 I hereby deem the entry of lawful permanent residents to be in the national interest, Kelly wrote. Green card holders from one of the seven countries covered by the 90-day ban will still need to request a waiver to gain reentry to the U.S. if they have traveled abroad. But unless officials have significant derogatory information about a green card holder that indicates a serious threat to public safety and welfare, lawful permanent resident status will be a dispositive factor in deciding the case, Kellys statement said. A White House official, briefing reporters about the change in policy, said that about 170 people have applied for a waiver to the ban so far, and all 170 have received a waiver and have been allowed to enter the U.S. The seven countries affected by the ban are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Uber fights immigration order -- and #DeleteUber hashtag -- with $3-million legal fund for drivers By Tracey Lien Hours after Lyfts co-founders announced a $1-million donation to the American Civil Liberties Union to defend the Constitution, Uber Chief Executive Travis Kalanick pulled out his pocket book as well. Kalanick promised in a Facebook post that the company would create a $3-million legal defense fund to help drivers affected by the Trump administrations move to restrict immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries. The fund will help drivers with immigration and translation services. Kalanick also said the San Francisco ride-hailing company will provide 24/7 legal support to drivers stuck outside the country and compensate them for lost earnings. Drivers eligible for assistance were directed to contact the company via an online form. Although the announcement was greeted with some support on Facebook and Twitter, many saw it as too little too late. The company had come under fire a day earlier for advertising on Twitter that it was operating at New Yorks Kennedy International Airport during a taxi strike protesting the executive order. That gaffe, coupled with Kalanicks involvement in a panel advising President Trump on economic issues, helped spawn the Twitter hashtag #DeleteUber, which encouraged customers to delete the app from their phones in protest. You are 20 hours too late, one person wrote in response to Kalanicks Facebook post. Still deleted my account today, wrote another. Though Kalanick issued a statement on Saturday opposing the executive order, it didnt stop thousands of Twitter users from adopting the trending the #DeleteUber hashtag to decry Ubers actions. They accused the company of attempting to profit from the strike and prioritizing business interests over a moral imperative. Celebrities also jumped on the bandwagon, with actor and activist George Takei on Sunday tweeting to his 2.9 million followers: Lyft donates $1mil to ACLU while Uber doubles down on its support for Trump. #DeleteUber. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 75-year-old grandmother from Iran tells the story of her detention at LAX By Alene Tchekmedyian Siavosh Naji-Talakar of Phoenix hugs his grandmother Marzieh Moosavizadeh after she was released from detention at LAX early Sunday morning. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Marzieh Moosavizadeh and her grandson follow a routine when she visits almost every year from Iran. The 75-year-old, who travels in a wheelchair and speaks little English, struggles to find direct flights to Phoenix, where he and his family live. So they meet in Los Angeles and he escorts her on the last leg of her trip. This time was different. Moosavizadeh landed at Los Angeles International Airport a day after President Trump signed an executive order banning citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, from entering the United States. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement GOP senators call executive order a self-inflicted wound. Trump calls them wrong and weak By Matt Ballinger McCain and Graham in 2013. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John McCain of Arizona released a statement Sunday saying that confusion at U.S. airports shows that President Trumps executive order on immigration was not properly vetted. Such a hasty process risks harmful results, the Republicans statement read. We should not stop green-card holders from returning to the country they call home. We should not stop those who have served as interpreters for our military and diplomats from seeking refuge in the country they risked their lives to help. And we should not turn our backs on those refugees who have been shown through extensive vetting to pose no demonstrable threat to our nation. It went on: Ultimately, we fear this executive order will become a self-inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism. The president responded on Twitter: The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong - they are sadly weak on immigration. The two... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017 ...Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At least 600 people wait to greet Syrians arriving in Phoenix By Nigel Duara Elijah Chavez and Brandi Hernandez protest in Phoenix (Nigel Duara/Los Angeles Times) A Phoenix-bound British Airways flight was scheduled to arrive from London at Sunday evening carrying several Syrians. A protest of about 600 people was waiting at a Phoenix international airport terminal for the flight to arrive. The outcome when these people arrive is uncertain at best, said Tanveer Shah, an Arizona attorney in private practice who volunteers with the ACLU. Shah said Syrians on board the flight would, in the best case, walk off the plane without a problem. But given the outcomes in other cities on Saturday and Sunday, Shah said it was incumbent on civil liberties attorneys to be there when the plane arrives. We have staff attorneys here ... who are prepared to file emergency pleadings, Shah said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print When Muslims got blocked at American airports, U.S. veterans rushed to help By Matt Pearce (G. Morty Ortega / Getty Images) Jeffrey Buchalter was reflooring his foyer in Chesapeake Beach, Md., and listening to MSNBC over the weekend when he heard the news: An Iraqi who had worked with American forces as an interpreter had been stopped from entering the U.S. under a new executive order on immigration from President Trump. The story stopped him cold. Buchalter, an Army veteran who works as a law-enforcement instructor at the Department of Homeland Security, had served multiple tours of duty as a military policeman in Iraq, service that cost him dearly. He was decorated for injuries sustained from gunfire and improvised explosive devices. Exams revealed hed suffered herniated discs, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, and he spent 2 years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center trying to get right. But he was still alive, and now the married father of two children. And he believes thats thanks in part to the work of Iraqi interpreters who acted as guides during his work in their country. So he told his younger daughter and son they were going to take a trip: a two-hour drive to Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., where, for the first time in his life, Buchalter would join a protest. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Demonstrators against Trumps immigration limits and a few who like them surge through LAX By Javier Panzar The crowd at LAX is getting bigger and bigger. pic.twitter.com/dJ281TETXj Javier Panzar (@jpanzar) January 29, 2017 Thousands of people filled the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday afternoon to call for the release of an unknown number of people being detained by immigration authorities. Filling the arrivals section of the terminal and spilling into the street outside, the throng chanted, Let them in, and Love, not hate, makes America great. Jacob Kemper, a 35-year-old Army veteran who fought two tours in Iraq, said he was infuriated to think soldiers he fought alongside might be denied entry to the country. I really dont care about religion, but I really hate oppression, he said, holding a sign that read, I Fought Next To Muslims. Shay Soltani, a network engineer, fled the Iranian revolution 40 years ago and still has family members in Iran. She doesnt know if she will be able to see them again. As she and hundreds of others marched through the airport, she said she was horrified by Trumps order. I am so hurt by this, she said. He is against freedom of speech and the constitution and everything I believe in as an American. Meanwhile, about a dozen counter-protesters popped up on the other side of the street, holding signs that said X-treme vetting and Keep Refugees Out. They said they were tired of immigrants entering the U.S. illegally, which they said jeopardizes the safety of American citizens. Chanell Temple, 63, of Los Angeles said she was sick of watching immigrants here illegally steal benefits and services from American citizens, specifically veterans and homeless people who need aid. I worked out here for 40 years and they are coming here and taking everything away, said Temple, a former bookkeeper who said she lost her job and healthcare after she was fired for an inability to speak Spanish. Raul Rodriguez Jr., coordinator of a group called America First Latinos, said he was concerned about what he considers a surge in crimes committed against Americans by those who are in the country illegally. They are lawbreakers. They have violated federal law and they need to be deported, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Silicon Valley execs speak out against immigration ban By Tracey Lien Technology executives are speaking out against President Trumps executive order on immigration, highlighting how the ban hurts their businesses. Leaders of companies that include Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Dropbox and Twitter denounced it over the weekend. Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do, said Apple chief executive Tim Cook in a memo to employees. In my conversations with officials here in Washington this week, Ive made it clear that Apple believes deeply in the importance of immigration both to our company and to our nations future. General Electric Co. chief executive Jeff Immelt said Sunday that businesses with global operations must balance working with the new administration while also supporting their workers and partners. We have many employees from the named countries and we do business all over the region, Immelt said in a statement. These employees and customers are critical to our success and they are our friends and partners. We stand with them and will work with the U.S. administration to strive to find the balance between the need for security and the movement of law abiding people. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print LAX protest grows as families wait Meg Heatherly, 27, of Los Angeles holds a Shame sign during a protest at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. city attorney barred from seeing detainees at LAX By James Queally Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer said he was repeatedly denied access to federal detainees or an attorney who could discuss the situation with him at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Federal officials have declined to discuss the LAX detentions or respond to Feuers criticisms. While he was at the airport, Feuer said he was approached by a woman who claimed her father, suffering from Parkinsons disease, was among the detainees. It is those kind of real stories that are at stake because of this outrageous action by the feds. It is time not only for officials in my position, but all Americans, should find this a breathtaking violation of rights. Mike Feuer Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democratic attorneys general from 15 states condemn Trump immigration order By Ann M. Simmons California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) More than a dozen Democratic attorneys general from states across the country have condemned the Trump administrations executive order suspending acceptance of refugees and have vowed to oppose it to ensure that as few people as possible suffer from the chaotic situation that it has created. In a communique Sunday, the group said: As the chief legal officers for over 130 million Americans and foreign residents of our states, we condemn President Trumps unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful Executive Order and will work together to ensure the federal government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith. The executive order places an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria and prohibits citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering as refugees for four months. It also places a suspension on admissions of other citizens of those countries. The legal officials represent 15 states. They include California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and his contemporaries in Washington, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. Religious liberty has been, and always will be, a bedrock principle of our country, and no president can change that truth, the attorneys general said in the statement. They praised the decision of multiple federal courts to order a stay on some aspects of the order. We are confident that the Executive Order will ultimately be struck down by the courts, the statement said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 13 people who had been detained at LAX have been released, source says By James Queally Protesters at LAX on Sunday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Thirteen people who were detained Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airports Terminal 2 were eventually released, a law enforcement source told The Times. Each of them held green cards, which grant permanent residency in the U.S. The source, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation at the airport, could not provide detention figures for the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which has been the center of protest activity. Thats where protesters were gathering Sunday. Nurse Jamie Shoemaker, 51, of Los Angeles held an American flag in one hand and carried a sign that read, Muslims are welcome here, racists and fascists are not. She called Trumps order un-American. This is not the country I want, she said. This is not the country I grew up in. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrats in Congress drafting legislation to repeal Trumps refugee ban, pressuring GOP for support By Lisa Mascaro Sen. Chuck Schumer becomes emotional speaking against Pres. Trump's immigration order, calling it "mean-spirited and un-American." pic.twitter.com/NkhUdpaNyV ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 29, 2017 Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Democrats will introduce legislation as soon as Monday to stop President Trumps actions temporarily banning refugees and arrivals from certain Muslim countries. House Democrats are taking similar legislative action, and lawmakers from both chambers will rally Monday evening at the Supreme Court to protest Trumps orders. This executive order was mean-spirited and un-American, said Schumer, the New York Democrat, choking up as he stood with immigrants and refugees at a press conference Sunday. It must be reversed immediately. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said House Democrats are exploring legal options, including an amicus brief in support of the ACLU lawsuit against the actions. The chances of passing a bill through the Republican-controlled Congress are slim, as most GOP leaders and lawmakers have not objected to Trumps ban. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Sunday that while he was personally opposed to a religious test on admissions, it was best left to the courts to resolve the issue. Its hopefully going to be decided in the courts as to whether or not this has gone too far, McConnell said on ABCs This Week. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) expressed his support Friday for Trumps action. A handful of Republicans, though, are uneasy with Trumps orders, and have spoken against them. Schumer noted that just few more Republicans would be needed to reach the 60-vote threshold for advancing Senate legislation. Maybe we can pass something in Congress, Schumer said. Its up to Republicans. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Emotional reunion at JFK airport after release of elderly Sudanese man from immigration detention By Barbara Demick Tears and hugs at JFK's international arrivals as a detainee is released, reuniting father with son. More families wait, cheering. pic.twitter.com/WrVpoocWjY Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) January 29, 2017 For those immigrants temporarily detained under a new Trump administration executive order at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport, attorneys have put a priority on getting some of the older detainees released to their families. One small victory for the lawyers was the case of Yassin Abdelrhman, a 76-year-old green card holder from Sudan who had been detained after a trip home to visit family. He was released about noon on Sunday after being detained for 30 hours. Soon, he was reunited with his sons. He is a strong individual, but he has some health challenges, said U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who had been working on their case. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Iranian director Asghar Farhadi will not attend Oscars Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi after winning an Oscar in 2012. ((Allen J. Schaben/ Los Angeles Times) ) In a statement to the New York Times today, Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi said he no longer planned to attend this years ceremony. Farhadis film The Salesman is nominated in the foreign language film category. Farhadi had initially hoped to attend despite the prohibition on visitors from Iran. But he said he had decided the possibility of this presence is being accompanied by ifs and buts which are in no way acceptable to me even if exceptions were to be made for my trip. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print How an Iranian Fulbright scholar got into the U.S.: We found a lawyer who found a lawyer who found a lawyer By Barbara Demick Iranian students in front of a makeshift law office in JFKs Terminal 4. (Barbara Demick / Los Angeles Times) Perhaps nothing encapsulates the chaos emanating from President Trumps executive order better than what happened with Ukrainian Airlines Flight 232. The regularly scheduled flight to Kiev had to turn around on the tarmac at John F. Kennedy Airport early Sunday after a federal judge issued a stay of a deportation order of dozens of foreigners, including a 32-year-old Iranian linguist who is a doctoral candidate and former Fulbright scholar. With just minutes to spare, Vahideh Rasekhi -- helped by volunteer lawyers and her smart phone managed to prevent the flight from taking off. She had arrived Saturday afternoon, but was blocked from entering the United States by the executive order barring arrivals of citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia and Libya. Around midnight, she was put on the Ukrainian Air flight to return to Tehran, via Kiev. We found a lawyer who found a lawyer who found a lawyer, said Mehdi Namazi, 29, a friend who has been waiting for her at the airport. The lawyers were showing officials a copy of the order issued a few hours earlier by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly in Brooklyn. It was all very confusing. They were arguing as the plane was taxiing, Namazi said. According to one lawyer, Melissa Trent, Rasekhi herself was walking up and down the aisles arguing for the plane not to take off. She knew that if the plane left she would never get back to the United States again, Trent said. Rasekhi spent most of Sunday in detention with other Iranians, but was released into the United States at around 3 p.m.. A dozen Iranian friends had been waiting inside the airports Terminal 4 amid a clutter of discarded coffee cups and half-eaten donuts in front of a diner that had been turned into a makeshift law office. Another Iranian student was waiting for her parents, who were taken into detention after arriving on another flight I havent seen them in 3-1/2 years. They dont speak English. But Im hopeful, said the student, who gave her name as Sahar. The students were both furious at the way their country had been targeted by Trumps order and touched by the outpouring of support from the volunteer lawyers. We see two different Americas here. There is this order banning us, and than there are all these people here who came to the airport. If it werent for these volunteers, she would have been deported, said Namazi. Im very depressed. We feel betrayed by this country that we invested so much energy and hope into. We are all graduate students, professors, PhDs, engineers. To say this is for national security, it doesnt add up, said Tahmineh Tabrizian, 33, another friend of Rasekhis. She said her own parents had planned to come to the United States and had spent $14,000 on tickets and visas and would now have to cancel their trip. Rasekhi, who has lived in the United States for a decade, was a Fulbright scholar at UC Santa Barbara and received a masters degree at Fresno State University, according to a resume supplied by one of her friends. She had been studying for a PhD at Stony Brook University on Long Island. She had gone to Tehran over the Christmas break to visit her parents and was on her way back to resume her studies when she was detained. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Protests begin again at LAX on Sunday morning By Genaro Molina Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Protesters in Tel Aviv compare Trump immigration order to Israeli refugee policies By Joshua Mitnick Demonstrators in Tel Aviv protest U.S. President Trumps new immigration order. (Joshua Mitnick / Los Angeles Times) Holding signs reading Refugees Welcome and chanting No Ban, No Wall, Sanctuary for All, several dozen demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Sunday to join protests in the U.S. against President Trumps new immigration policy. Mia Zur Szpiro, a 36-year-old filmmaker, said she felt compelled to demonstrate because her parents survived the Holocaust. We are a country of immigrants, and to me it was astounding that this [order] was passed on Holocaust Memorial Day, she said. Its wrong to stereotype, and its wrong to send people who are in need back into the face of danger and the risk of death. Elliot Vaisbrub Glassenberg, a protest organizer and migrant rights activist, compared the new U.S. policy to Israeli policies toward tens of thousands of Eritrean and Sudanese migrants who crossed into the country illegally from Egypts Sinai desert. The policies that Trump has enacted are no worse than the policies that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has enacted for years here such as not allowing any non-Jews to be given refugee status in Israel, except for a select few. Togod Omar, a native of Sudan who was at the protest, said he applied for political asylum in Israel three years ago, and is still waiting. He said Sudanese friends hoping to be resettled in the U.S. were upset by the new executive order. Trump doesnt understand whats going on in Sudan, Omar said. You cant punish the Sudanese people for what the Islamic government is doing. You cant banish someone because of their religion. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print President Trump hits majority disapproval in record time, Gallup finds By David Lauter Days until achieving MAJORITY disapproval from @Gallup Reagan: 727 Bush I: 1336 Clinton: 573 Bush II: 1205 Obama: 936 Trump: 8. days. pic.twitter.com/kv2fy0Qsbp Will Jordan (@williamjordann) January 29, 2017 President Trumps actions during his first week in office have appeared to be aimed at the voters who already supported him, not at reaching out to the rest, and thats taken a rapid toll on his support, which was already historically low. Gallup, which has measured job approval for presidents for decades, shows Trumps approval so far at 45%, with 48% disapproving. Thats an average of several days polling. The daily trend lines are not kind to the new administration. As of Saturday, 51% of Americans disapproved of Trumps performance. Thats a record for the speed of getting to majority disapproval. By comparison, President George W. Bush hit majority disapproval six months into his second term, in June 2005, and remained in negative territory for the rest of his tenure. President Obama did not hit 51% disapproval until August of 2011, during the crisis over the federal debt ceiling that summer. His approval rebounded later that year, but he had a second period of majority disapproval during late 2013 and much of 2014. He ended his term with widespread approval and 37% of Americans disapproving. Trump Job Approval: Approve 45% (-1); Disapprove 48% (+3). Get the full trend https://t.co/BjTUhf0NAM. GallupNews (@GallupNews) January 27, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hundreds of travelers were caught in limbo over rushed visa ban By Brian Bennett (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Hundreds of travelers were blocked from entering the U.S. or prevented from boarding flights in the hours after President Trump signed his order banning arrivals from seven predominantly Muslim countries, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In the order, Trump temporarily suspended refugee admissions and banned travelers from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Scores of people from those countries were aboard airplanes flying toward the U.S. when Trump signed his executive order on Friday afternoon, setting off waves of confusion among border officials and the traveling public. Upon landing at U.S. airports, 109 people from the listed countries were detained by immigration officials and prevented from entering the U.S., officials said. The department had approved 81 waivers to the new travel ban by Saturday afternoon, the official said, but at least some of the people detained on arrival were sent back to their countries of origin. Court orders issued Saturday evening required U.S. border officials to stop returning people who had already arrived with valid visas. It is unclear how many people were deported before the orders were issued. It is also unclear if the Trump administration has fully complied with those orders. In addition to the people who arrived in the U.S. and were detained, as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, an additional 173 travelers from the listed countries had been stopped from boarding flights to the U.S., a Homeland Security official said in a statement. The department did not make an official available to describe the actions and the agencys response. As many as 3,250 travelers may have been inconvenienced by the new visa restrictions, officials for the department said in a statement Sunday. Yesterday, less than 1% of the more than 325,000 international air travelers who arrive every day were inconvenienced while enhanced security measures were implemented, the statement read. The department will comply with court orders, the statement said. But no evidence was given to confirm this. Lawyers seeking to meet with detainees at Dulles International Airport outside of Washington and at San Francisco have said that they were blocked by officials on Sunday. The Department of Homeland Security will comply with judicial orders, faithfully enforce our immigration laws, and implement President Trumps executive orders to ensure that those entering the United States do not pose a threat to our country or the American people, according to the departments statement. All of the visa holders and travelers from the listed countries blocked from entering the U.S. since Friday already had gone through multiple steps of security screening that checked their biographical information and travel history against U.S. terrorism databases. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House seems to back down on part of new vetting policy By Christi Parsons The White House on Sunday appeared to back down on a key part of President Trumps tough new immigration order, signaling that travelers trying to enter the country from seven banned countries will be allowed in if they hold green cards. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said that these legal permanent residents are exempt from the travel ban moving forward, even though over the weekend other administration officials said the rule did apply to them. The apparent reversal came amid a national controversy over the new Trump order that temporarily halts the entry of all refugees to the U.S. and any traveler from seven majority Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Federal judges across the country have blocked parts of the presidents executive actions since they came down on Friday, mostly preventing the deportation of some travelers who ran into the first wave of implementation over the weekend. The back-and-forth over the green-card holders reflected a generalized confusion about the new order, which also bars Syrian refugees from entering the United States indefinitely. Lawyers for some of the affected immigrants said border agents seemed uncertain about the new rules and were disagreeing with one another about which travelers were affected and which were not. Further complicating the picture was a statement from the Department of Homeland Security asserting that its agents would enforce all of Trumps orders while also complying with judicial orders. As some of the orders block deportation, that left individual officers to try to figure out which priorities to honor. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Op-Ed: Trumps cruel, illegal refugee executive order By Erwin Chemerinsky Protesters demonstrate at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Saturday. (Stephanie Keith / Getty Images) Barring individuals fleeing persecution from entering the United States is simply inhumane. Adding irony to injury, Trumps executive order was issued on Holocaust Remembrance Day, which should have been an occasion to atone for turning away refugees during the 1930ssome of whom then died in concentration camps. For example, in 1939, the United States turned away the St. Louis, a boat filled with refugees, many of them German Jews. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 254 passengers from the St. Louis died in the Holocaust. Erwin Chemerinsky Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Lyft pledges to donate $1 million to ACLU following Trumps immigration order By Tracey Lien (Richard Vogel / Associated Press) Tech executives had been mostly quiet for the first week of Donald Trumps presidency but that changed after his controversial executive order restricting refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. Executive after executive spent Saturday tweeting and posting messages to Facebook decrying the administrations actions. Lyft co-founders John Zimmer and Logan Green went a step further: On Sunday, they announced they would donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union over the next four years. Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft and our nations core values, the co-founders wrote in an email to Lyft customers. We stand firmly against the actions, and will no Gov. Jerry Brown sounded a bit like a broken record Tuesday when he released his proposed spending plan for next fiscal year, preaching prudence even as the economy seems to be booming. Thats what he said last year. And the year before that. Even the charts look the same. But Brown has solid reason for his financial caution. The downturn hes been predicting for years seems to be, if not already here, then on its way. Although tax revenue is still up over last year, its consistently been coming up shorter than expected in recent months particularly personal income tax receipts, which make up 70% of the states general fund revenues. Then theres the Donald Trump factor. Although state officials are planning to actively oppose many of Trumps initiatives, the state is banking on $105 billion in federal funding next fiscal year. That includes about $17 billion to pay for the Medi-Cal expansion in the Affordable Care Act, which Trump has pledged to repeal. If and when that rug will be pulled out from under California is unknown. Advertisement This is going to be a rough ride, Brown said Tuesday during a briefing on the highlights of his budget proposal. We cant tell where we will be in a few months. Democratic lawmakers [can use] their rare supermajority to push through a restructuring of the states tax system to make it a more dependable revenue source. So a little caution seems to be entirely appropriate at the moment. As such, the governor is recommending a modestly larger budget $179.5 billion in total that keeps a lid on new spending and makes a few reductions too, including phasing out middle-class scholarships for the state university system and funding public schools at the bare minimum required by Proposition 98. Without this evasive budgetary action, Brown said, the state would have a $1.6-billion deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Legislators werent thrilled with the spending plan outlined by the governor. Republicans griped about the cost of building the high-speed rail line and the two Delta tunnels while the states roads crumble, and Democrats grumbled that Brown is not spending as much as the state needs to fulfill its obligations to the public. The governors opening budget proposal is typically cautious, with some expected issues and also some areas of concern, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said in statement. Specifically, Rendon is concerned about Browns proposal to cut the Coordinated Care Initiative program, which serves poor and disabled Californians. Rendon suggests it could be fixed rather than scrapped altogether. OK, thats something that can be worked out when budget hearings begin later this year. But if Democratic lawmakers dont like the governors extremely cautious budget proposal, as California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) called it, there is something they can do beyond fight over the scraps. They can find more meat to go around in future years by using their rare supermajority to push through a restructuring of the states tax system to make it a more dependable revenue source. Because the states budget relies heavily on personal income tax and capital gains tax revenues that rise and fall with alarming unpredictability, it must be cautious even when the economy seems good. Thats why we and other concerned Californians have been urging a reform in the states taxing structure for years. (Another broken record.) Fundamental tax reform is hard to achieve because such a major change inevitably creates winners and losers. Beyond that, its been little more than a pipe dream because new tax laws require a two-thirds vote, which in past years has meant compromising with Republican legislators whose only interest in taxes was in cutting them. But Democrats gains in the last election have given them a two-thirds majority in each house, enabling them to overhaul the tax code without a single Republican vote. No longer able to stymie the Democrats, Republicans may finally be motivated to work with the other side on a bipartisan reform proposal. Democrats may be tempted to use their supermajority to jam more spending into the next budget and deal with the uncertainty and deficits later. But that would be achingly shortsighted, potentially extending new services to vulnerable Californians only to slash them when times got tough. If there was ever a moment to update the states unstable revenue picture, this is it. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Both the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and the Los Angeles Police Department may soon make changes to their disciplinary processes but the proposals for the two agencies are moving in decidedly opposite directions. The sheriff is seeking something more like what the LAPD has while the police union and some self-styled police reformers want something more like the seriously flawed system used to discipline sheriffs deputies. That phenomenon ought give the City Council at least a modicum of pause before moving ahead with a police discipline measure for the May ballot. At the heart of the issue is the degree to which civilians should be empowered to uphold or overturn disciplinary decisions made by each departments top commander (the elected county sheriff and the appointed LAPD chief). For many years, police unions saw civilian participation as an unwanted intrusion into the clubby domain of law enforcement. The Los Angeles Police Protective League the union that represents rank-and-file LAPD officers adamantly opposed a recommendation by the Christopher Commission in 1991 to include a civilian among the high-ranking officers on the Board of Rights. Thats the panel that rules on the chiefs request for discipline. Voters adopted the measure over the PPLs objection. Advertisement Adjustments to the [law enforcement disciplinary processes] may be mundane but are of enormous importance. Much to the surprise of union members, however, civilians ended up being more lenient than their sworn law-enforcement counterparts an outcome echoed in a recent city study. It turned out that Board of Rights members drawn from within the department had little tolerance of misbehaving colleagues, who arguably tainted the entire agency. And, on reflection, that stands to reason: As with most law enforcement agencies, the LAPD models its discipline proceedings on military tribunals, which are not known for being gentle with uniformed personnel who defy orders or commit other improper acts. The civilian added to each Board of Rights to be the publics eyes, ears and voice was more likely than officers to oppose the chiefs discipline recommendations. The PPL grew to appreciate the civilian presence to appreciate it so much, in fact, that last year it lobbied the council and Mayor Eric Garcetti to eliminate LAPD personnel from Boards of Rights altogether, in favor of all-civilian boards. Garcetti supports the proposal and the council is expected to vote Wednesday to order city lawyers to start drafting ballot language. Up the street, Sheriff Jim McDonnell (a former LAPD second-in-command) is struggling to weed out a subculture of dishonesty that grew under his predecessor and eroded morale in the entire Sheriffs Department. To his credit, McDonnell has imposed tough penalties on deputies and others for making false statements in police reports and other misconduct. Under the countys structure, though, fired sheriffs personnel can appeal to the all-civilian Civil Service Commission, which also hears appeals from other county employees such as clerks, graphic artists, data analysts and nurses. As McDonnell has fired deputies, the commission has returned many of them to work in part by relying on the previous, lower discipline standard that was set under then-Sheriff Lee Baca. That puts McDonnell in the position of trying to raise standards as the public rightly demands yet being thwarted by a panel of civilians that compels him to keep paying taxpayer money to deputies he deems unfit to wear a badge, carry a weapon or patrol the streets or jails. Neither the sheriffs nor the LAPDs system is perfect or irredeemable. The LAPD chief must essentially ask permission to fire an officer who he deems unfit to serve but at least his process acknowledges the different impact on the public of an erring but armed law enforcement officer and an erring clerk or graphic artist. Meanwhile, the county Board of Supervisors has belatedly but appropriately ordered proposals for better training of their appointees to the Civil Service Commission. It is possible that reforms in both departments could bring improvements. It is possible but not inevitable. The individual adjustments to the county Civil Service Commission, and the details of selection and training of civilian Board of Rights members, may be mundane but are of enormous importance. Thats something that should be kept in mind by a City Council and a Board of Supervisors that thrive on campaign contributions from law enforcement unions, and by the voters who count on them to act in the publics best interest. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Donald Trump is right. (Ive been waiting weeks for a chance to write that.) Having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing, the president-elect tweeted last weekend. Only stupid people, or fools, would think that it is bad! Thats true; no sensible person wants a state of hostility with a nuclear superpower. Advertisement But and you knew a but was coming Trump tweeted his foreign policy doctrine with an essential piece missing. The goal of American foreign policy is to protect U.S. interests, not to achieve a good relationship with any particular country much less a country as troubling in its conduct as Vladimir Putins Russia. Trump hasnt given a full-scale foreign policy speech since April, when he unveiled his America First slogan. He did, however, suggest during the campaign that he would focus on a few core goals: Defeating Islamic State and other terrorist groups. Negotiating better trade deals to bring jobs back to the United States. Curbing Irans power in the Middle East, and canceling or renegotiating President Obamas nuclear deal. Putins goals conflict with U.S. interests more often than they coincide. Renegotiating the NATO alliance to force other countries to spend more on their own defense with a warning that the U.S. might not defend them against Russia if they dont. Heres the problem with Trumps bromance with Putin: Of the four items on that list, the Russian leader might be helpful with one, the fight against Islamic terrorists. Hes not so interested in the others. Bringing U.S. jobs back? Not his problem. Curbing Iran and scrapping the nuclear deal? Actually, Putins proud of the role he played in negotiating the agreement, and hes been busy selling advanced weapons to the ayatollahs. Renegotiating NATO? Putin may want to encourage Trump on that one but mostly to see if he can undermine the Western alliance. Putins priorities are different from ours. He wants to stay in power and stave off what he sees as Western pressure to democratize. He wants to restore Russias sphere of influence over the countries of the former Soviet Union, beginning with Ukraine, which he invaded in 2014. He wants to weaken the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which he views as a hostile military alliance. In other words, Putins goals conflict with U.S. interests more often than they coincide. In addition, Russia experts believe Putin actually prefers to cast the United States as an adversary, because it helps him maintain his hold on power. The legitimacy of Putins system of repressive domestic controls depends on the existence of external threats, William J. Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, wrote last week. If he cant easily build Russia up, he can take the United States down a few pegs with his characteristic tactical agility and his willingness to play rough and take risks. Republicans including the ones inside the new Trump administration are divided over how much U.S.-Russian cooperation is feasible. Trumps nominees as secretary of Defense (James Mattis), CIA chief (Mike Pompeo) and national intelligence director (Dan Coats) have all described Putin as an adversary, not a friend. Meanwhile, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trumps choice as national security advisor, has long argued that an alliance with Russia is key to defeating Islamic terrorism. We cant do what we want to do unless we work with Russia, period, he said last year. And Trumps top political strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, has said he thinks Putin can be enlisted in a joint effort to contain the growing power of both Iran and China. Trump has already proposed a way to settle the question: Just give Putin a chance. Some say the Russians wont be reasonable; I intend to find out, he said in April. If we cant make a good deal for America, then we will quickly walk from the table. But he still needs to define what a good deal would be. Here are three specific steps Trump should take: First, he should reassure U.S. allies that he doesnt plan to walk away from NATO treaty commitments. (The three small Baltic states, which feel directly threatened by Russia, are already racing to meet their commitments on defense spending.) Second, Trump should announce that he wont support any relaxation of Western sanctions against Russia unless Putin withdraws from eastern Ukraine. Former U.S. envoy Stephen Sestanovich says the Russians are waiting to see if Trump will act without asking for anything in return. The other side never pays for something it expects to get for free, he wrote. Third, the president-elect should wait for the 90-day review of cybersecurity hes requested before tweaking any of the Obama administrations added cybersanctions. Until now, hes treated questions about Russian hacking as political attacks on his legitimacy; once hes safely in office, he might be able to consider them more calmly as a question of U.S. security interests. Trump should take his own advice: Deal with Putin from a position of strength, not weakness and seek good relations only in pursuit of a good deal, not as an end in themselves. doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com Twitter: @DoyleMcManus Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook ALSO Did Latino voters actually turn out for Trump in the election? Not really Why Ferris Bueller is our everyman At the Sessions hearing, the business of government is ... hysteria When Donald Trump won the presidency on Nov. 8, pundits, reporters and political wonks turned to the national exit poll to find out exactly what had happened. How had various groups in various states voted? One of the exit poll findings was particularly surprising: Although Hillary Clinton triumphed among Latinos overall with 66% of their votes she got fewer of their votes than Barack Obama got in 2012. And although Trump lost among Latinos, his share of their votes 28% was 1 percentage point higher than Mitt Romneys in 2012. If those figures were accurate, they would represent a major reversal in Latino voting trends. Since the 1990s, scholars tracking Latino votes have seen the groups increasing muscle at the polls and that, in general, theyve been putting it to work for Democrats. Was the largest ethnic group in the nation suddenly starting to shift its party allegiances? And could that have happened even with a Republican candidate who called immigrants rapists, promised to build a border wall and claimed that a Mexican American judge couldnt be impartial because of his heritage? Advertisement Democracy needs good data. When it comes to the Latino vote, the national exit poll isnt good enough. As it turns out, a closer analysis in states with large Latino populations indicates that the national exit poll which is still being cited as an authoritative source is wrong. In Arizona, Texas and Florida and in California, where we just finished analyzing the data the exit poll has substantially overestimated Trumps success among Latinos. The national exit poll is a state-by-state survey conducted by Edison Research and paid for by news media. It samples selected precincts in an attempt to gather an accurate overall count quickly on election night. But, like all polls, it isnt fail-safe. In California, the Edison exit poll data suggested that 71% of Latinos cast their votes for Clinton, and that 24% voted for Trump. According to our research, the numbers are significantly different: 83% for Clinton, and just 11% for Trump. Instead of polling a sample of voters, our analysis is based on actual votes: The official 2012 and 2016 results in 10,121 precincts in 16 California counties (the most populous counties and the ones that certify their election results quickly). That data is combined with census information that tells us the demographics of each precinct. The accompanying graph shows you what we discovered. The dots represent the vote percentage for each candidate in each precinct. The more votes he or she won, the higher the colored dots rise on the vertical axis. Along the horizontal axis, the vote totals are sorted by the size of the Latino population in each precinct. And the colored lines track the overall estimates of precinct vote shares for all four candidates in both elections, arrived at by a separate statistical analysis. We know that Obama won California by 3 million votes in 2012, and Clinton expanded this margin to 4.3 million in 2016, so we would expect to see Clinton doing better and Trump doing worse than their counterparts in 2012. In fact, that is exactly what the dot pattern shows. Trump underperformed Romney across almost every precinct we analyzed, and the deficit widens as voting precincts get more heavily Latino. Clintons vote share largely mirrors Obamas except in precincts where more than 75% of the population are adult Latino citizens. In these precincts, she captures a greater proportion of the vote share. (That increase is most likely the reason Clinton won the state by such a large margin over Obama in 2012.) One key finding from all of our analysis is this: It is virtually impossible that 24% of California Latinos cast their vote for Trump as purported by the exit poll. Instead of winning 71% of Latino votes, Clinton won more than 80%. The discrepancy between the exit poll and our findings is similar to discrepancies found in precinct and census research in Texas, Arizona and Florida. Taken together, these results suggest that the findings of an entrance poll that was conducted in the days before the Nov. 8 election are much closer to reality than the exit poll. The research firm Latino Decisions did the survey. It put the Latino vote for Clinton at 80% in California, and for Trump, 16%. Nationally, 79% voted Democratic, and only 18% Republican. More state level analysis needs to be done on the voting patterns in the 2016 election. At the very least, we expect scholars and policymakers will ultimately recognize that the trend in Latino voting more turnout and more votes for Democrats was buoyed and extended by Clintons candidacy, not interrupted or reversed. Voting patterns drive policy and party choices in Washington and in state capitals. And exactly how the vote stacks up in California is particularly significant. The demographics of the Golden State where Latino voters are an increasingly influential bloc at the polls are likely to be replicated in much of the rest of the nation in coming years. We know that democracy needs good data. When it comes to the Latino vote, the national exit poll isnt good enough. Francisco I. Pedraza is assistant professor of political science and public policy at UC Riverside. Bryan Wilcox-Archuleta is a doctoral student in poltical science at UCLA. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook ALSO A good relationship with Russia shouldnt be Trumps priority Why Ferris Bueller is our everyman At the Sessions hearing, the business of government is ... hysteria The National Film Registry of the Library of Congress is a kind of hall of fame, a Cooperstown for important American films of every genre. The Breakfast Club just joined Ferris Buellers Day Off, another of John Hughes teen anthem pictures, in the pantheon of Americas best. Some people grow out of their teen-movie phase the way kids grow out of memorizing dinosaur names. But for Jason Diamond, like Hughes a child of the Chicago suburbs, the films resonate well beyond the hormonal roller-coaster of teendom. He set out to write a Hughes biography, but the book Searching for John Hughes turned into something else altogether as did Diamond. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW ON THE PATT MORRISON ASKS PODCAST What is so enduring about the films that John Hughes made? Advertisement I think especially with a movie like The Breakfast Club, which to me stands out among the quote-unquote teen trilogy of Hughes films, the ones he produced, wrote and directed, where it really digs into the social lives of teens and looks at the different cliques, the different ranges of emotion which anybody who was a teen knows that when youre a teenager, you have nothing but emotions. But with movies like Ferris Bueller or Pretty in Pink, I think theres just everything from the fashion to the ideas behind a character like Ferris Bueller just wanting to have a perfect day before hes too old to do something like that. I dont know about you but I was so happy not to be a teenager any more, and I was very happy not thinking very much about it in the years after. I actually hated being a teenager. Its kind of funny because as I grew up, I idolized teens. I wanted to be a teen when I was 6 and 7 and 8. I saw my babysitters and all the older kids and thought, Theyre so cool I want to be like that then. When I became one, I was horrible this is the worst time of my life. When I grew up, I realized I didnt have all the cinematic teen experiences I grew up wanting to have. All the Hughes movies painted a picture of high school as being difficult but not terrible, and I feel like when youre a teen everything is terrible. [The 2016 film] The Edge of Seventeen does a really good job of portraying how everything looks so crazy and so insane to you, and everything seems like the end of the world. A movie like The Breakfast Club, for instance its been so culturally important for so long, high school health class teachers show the film as a teaching tool. What was your John Hughes movie epiphany? I think the first real big one is when I realized Molly Ringwalds character in Pretty in Pink was one of my first heroes. In her, I saw somebody who didnt care what anybody thought and was just effortlessly cool, and just sort of coasted through the mud and mire of high school, and I remember being maybe 8 [years old] and thinking, I want to be just like that. As you grew up, did these movies stay with you? Oh absolutely. Its not one of the teen movies, but I watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles every year around Thanksgiving. Then I watch Home Alone almost every Christmas. Any time Ferris Bueller is on, I will sit down and watch it. Because Ive been watching those movies since Ive been a little kid, the characters are almost like families to me. Its quite like a weird, strange, suburban family. Even after I wrote this book, Im still not sick of them. I really thought that would be the end of it I could never watch The Breakfast Club ever again. But if its on right now, I would definitely sit down and watch it. You decided to write a biography of John Hughes without ever having written a biography, having no sense of where you were going with it, and not having really any way to talk to John Hughes. I thought it was a good idea. When youre in your early 20s and you move to a place like New York or Los Angeles, or any city where people are making things happen, you automatically want to jump in and start making things happen yourself. I kept hearing people say, write what you know, and Im like, well, I know about John Hughes movies. I know a lot about Chicago. Theres never been a great John Hughes biography. Why dont I be the 24-year-old barista to leave the shackles of making espresso drinks for people and write that biography? You cant just do that, but I thought I could. I learned the hard way through five years of trying to track him down, trying to track down people who played certain characters in the movies, that it just wasnt going to happen. You wrote in the book that you were looking for him, but youd subconsciously started to understand why writing that book was your destiny: You wanted to live in a John Hughes film. Yeah, absolutely. It gave me some sort of hope. My childhood, there was a lot of turmoil and I thought maybe if I stayed the course that one day maybe Id end up in a nice house with a front yard a couple of kids and that would be it thatd be my nice life. Itd look like a Norman Rockwell painting, or a John Hughes film. In your book, what you describe as a biographer has a lot of things in common with a stalker. I didnt go to his house or anything like that. There was a documentary that came out a few years ago where these filmmakers who drive from Toronto and put the script in his mailbox at least I didnt do that. I did chase down Matthew Broderick on the street and tell him I was writing a biography on John Hughes, and I do feel sorry, and if I ever meet Mathew Broderick, I would apologize for that. The Ally Sheedy part of the book, I didnt feel like this was stalker-y but I do feel like an idiot for trying to act like I was talking to an agent on my telephone, and I didnt even have an agent. A bartender in Chicago heard you talk about this book you were working on and he said it sounded like the book is more about you than about John Hughes. Its definitely something that stuck with me. A couple of years later I dwelled on it, and I was like, Oh yeah, that bartender was probably right: I was not writing a book because I felt like the subject Im obsessed with the subject, but I think at some point it became, this is my great quest. And I think the whole point of writing a book kind of escaped me. It became more of something I felt necessary, like I had to do it to prove myself, to quote unquote become a writer. Where do you think John Hughes is in the great canon of film? When I was trying to write the biography I think I was feeling he belongs alongside Hitchcock and every French New Wave filmmaker I had all these lofty ideas that hes one of the great filmmakers. And that wasnt the answer. I think in time hes carved out his own place as the person who I think changed the teen film, and also, in a broader sense beyond film, he changed the way we talk and write about teens, in a lot of ways. I dont know many Ferris Buellers in my life. I wish I did, because Id love to drive around in a Ferrari for a day. But I do think he did a good job of showing that teens are people and teens have emotions. He died young, at 59, in August 2009, and you were expecting to meet with him. I feel like my life was a series of almosts, and also like false leads when it comes to John Hughes. When he died, I had totally been under the impression that I was going to meet him pretty soon. If I was really going to meet him, I wasnt sure what to talk to him about because it was such a big buildup, it was such a huge thing to me. And finally, when he passed away, I just sat there thinking of all these things I have no right to want to ask. But I am a huge fan of his work and it means so much to me, I just wish I could have told him that. To this day, thats the one thing I wish I could have done,. Theres still a big standard biography of John Hughes to be written. Are you the guy to do it? No, I dont think so. There was a great profile written about him in Vanity Fair a year after he passed, and it talked about his sons and how they have all these notebooks of his. If theres ever a collected works of John Hughes that is going to be put out into the world, I would love to somehow help work on that, if I were given the opportunity. But besides that, Im not sure that biography is my calling. I have also read a lot of biographies since then, and I realize what an enormous undertaking it is to write a truly great biography . It occurs to me that movies, certainly since the 1980s, have become our virtual families and our social neighborhoods, and maybe John Hughes was partially responsible for that. Ive thought about that. Something I talked about in the book that Ive always found fascinating is Hughes background. He didnt go to film school; he came out of the advertising world. He definitely knew how to get you attached, which I think comes from that advertising background. He knew what pulled at peoples heartstrings. In books we read, films we watch, if we really connect with a character, we really connect with that story, that book or that movie becomes part of us. Every reading I do, I see a good amount of people there and I ask for questions and people raise their hands and they start talking about what those movies meant to them, in the 80s, in the 90s, in the 2000s, in the early aughts. They just start about their own memories with the film, and their own connections, and Im just blown away by that. I hope the answer to this is yes: Did you ever pull a Ferris Bueller? Yes, I did! Ive pulled too many Ferris Buellers. I dont know if I pulled them off the whole way through, but I definitely pulled off some pretty good ditch days, and I also went to some Cubs games on those ditch days. I feel like I did good on those days. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook In the midst of Sen. Jeff Sessions confirmation hearing for attorney general and hours before President Obamas final address yesterday, Buzzfeed News published an unverified dossier, which overshadowed both. The document, compiled by a person who has claimed to be a former British intelligence official, suggests that the Russian government has unreleased dirt on President-elect Donald Trump, meaning hes firmly under their thumb. Finally, after months of wondering why Trump would be consistent only in his dyed-in-the-wool dedication to a foreign despot, weve got an answer. Except we dont. As an answer to the publics speculation, BuzzFeeds piece is so thin and disclaimer-laden as to be worthless; it offers the shape of scandal without actionable content. Advertisement As an investigative reporter, I have no interest in protecting the powerful from scrutiny. But taking cheap shortcuts is not the way to nail [Trump]. Ive been lucky enough to learn from seasoned reporters who have broken deeply reported, rigorous stories. Some of these stories have changed the course of history; all have led to the improved administration of justice, be it social, political or legal. Investigations are both technical and theoretical; we spend as much time learning about source protection and how to file FOIA requests as we do on journalism history and ethical debates. But if pressed to condense the rich range of what Ive learned from my teachers and colleagues in a single sentence, it would be thus: Dont publish unverifiable information, you numbskulls. Does the admonition sound stodgy, as if spoken by a wigged barrister, shaking his stick at the internet, tripping over skateboarding teens? Am I so out of step with the new-new journalism, which arguably isnt journalism at all, much less service journalism, but a feeling about a thing that somebody told you? I can live with that. Investigative journalism by promise does more than raise provocative, flimsily considered questions. Work that by its very nature affects peoples reputations and lives should be executed with more sobriety than passing a note across the classroom. As a person, I have no love for Donald Trump; as an investigative reporter, I have no interest in protecting the powerful from scrutiny. But taking cheap shortcuts is not the way to nail him. It was wrong when FBI Director James B. Comey made eleventh-hour content-free rumblings about Hillary Clintons emails. Its wrong each time Trump demurs theres something going on about an insane premise or rumor he should disavow. Sometimes taking the high road, as Michele Obama urged progressives to do, absolutely, 100% sucks. And yet: An unverified piece of gossip thirstily repackaged as adversarial journalism is still an unverified piece of gossip, no matter how much we might long for proof of or intuitively agree with the points it advances. If Investigative Reporting 101 introduces us to the concept verify your documents, Philosophy 101 introduces us to Kants categorical imperative the first formulation of which is Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law. If we dont believe the right should be able to sling mud without sourcing it or just put things out there for the public to decide, the left cant do it either. Dossier is a word imbued with authority, authority thats undeserved in this case. Demystified, heres what BuzzFeed published: an unverifiable word document that at least a handful perhaps many more of investigative shops passed over. BuzzFeed has a well-reputed investigative operation filled with professional journalists, but its decision to publish, and the rationale provided for that decision, is all the more disappointing for its past and promise. Ostensibly, they hoped to stick it to Trump. Instead they stuck it back to journalism, willfully blurring the line between fake and real news, giving ammunition to the accusations of bias and thin-sourcing that the alt-right lobs at any source of information that isnt its own. Some investigative reporters Ive spoken with were shocked by BuzzFeeds choice, others were more blase, seeing it as the inevitable result of an increasingly loose landscape; one had been working to source the same information for weeks. The fact that CNN first reported that its journalists had read the memos makes no difference; TV news has its own problems. The goal of reporters in other media shouldnt be to double down on TV news failings. If that sounds self-serious so be it. Information released through investigation invariably alters the accuseds lives; having weighed the seriousness of that, the reporter should be able to stand on it. Theres a reason that investigations, unlike many other kinds of journalistic work, are done by teams. They take a village of lawyers, and editors, and data reporters, and investigators. They can be brain-shakingly hard and often take months to source, or even years. Spotlight brought a Hollywood sheen to the work, but it got mostly right. What investigative reporting looks like in practice is sifting through documents until you go cross-eyed, then waking up the next day and doing it all over again. This is not a new conversation Gawker provided perhaps the most notorious example of the publish-first-decide-later model; WikiLeaks made us ask big meta questions about information-dissemination; journalists have been debating ethics and standards since the beginning of time. But its as relevant now as its ever been. All those who are so gravely concerned about the erosion of democratic norms and journalistic standards in the Trump age get to look at ourselves and ask the same questions BuzzFeed staffers will inevitably ask themselves this morning after an evening of gloating; if the report turns out to be real, will it take root with all the scrutiny and doubt that surrounded its release? If the report is false, will we be believed when we do have something real? Does it matter, if the price of the bargain is our integrity? Melissa Batchelor Warnke is a contributing writer to Opinion. Follow her @velvetmelvis on Twitter. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook MORE FROM OPINION A good relationship with Russia shouldnt be Trumps priority Trump just compared the U.S. intelligence community to Nazi Germany. Let that sink in Did Latino voters actually turn out for Trump in the election? Not really For a few days, it almost looked as if Donald Trump had made a tenuous peace with U.S. intelligence agencies over their unwelcome finding that Russias Vladimir Putin had tried to help his presidential campaign. But it didnt take much to set him off again and prompt him to escalate his war against the bureaucrats he believes are out to get him. When reports surfaced of salacious allegations about Trump compiled by a former British spy last year for a political campaign, the president-elect instantly blamed the U.S. intelligence community. Advertisement I think it was disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information [out] that turned out to be so false and fake, Trump told reporters at his news conference on Wednesday. Thats something that Nazi Germany would have done and did. Let that sink in: The next president says the intelligence agencies he will oversee are deliberately trying to ruin his reputation by leaking false information. If he believes that, one of his first orders to his new director of national intelligence, former Sen. Dan Coats, will be a wide-ranging leak investigation, followed by a purge. Trump is justifiably angry about that dossier of unsubstantiated charges. Its nasty stuff, and none of it has been verified. But the dossier didnt originate in a U.S. intelligence agency, and its not clear that they leaked it, either. The dossier has been in the hands of at least a half-dozen media organizations for months. None of them published it, because they couldnt substantiate it, until Buzzfeed posted it on Tuesday. Sen. John McCain had the material too; he turned it over to FBI Director James Comey, who said he already had a copy. At least one foreign government had it too. More people learned of the dossier when the intelligence agencies briefed Trump and eight senior members of Congress last week. That apparently precipitated Buzzfeeds decision to publish. So the leak could have come from lots of places, including Capitol Hill. Trump faulted the intelligence agencies for failing to keep it under wraps, but it was already out there.Two consequences flow from this unseemly flap. One is that Trump begins his presidency at war with his own intelligence agencies and inclined to ignore what they tell him. Coats and Mike Pompeo, the incoming CIA director, wont have an easy time repairing that relationship. The other is that Trump will use this episode to dismiss questions about Russias involvement in his campaign as part of what hes called a witch hunt. Hell continue to say, as he did on Wednesday, that he had no dealings of any kind with Russia financial, political or otherwise. Members of Congress, Republicans as well as Democrats, have pressed for further investigation, and theyre right. The furor over the Buzzfeed leak is mostly a diversion, but it will make their case harder to make, not easier. doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com @doylemcmanus Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook MORE FROM OPINION Did Latino voters actually turn out for Trump in the election? Not really A good relationship with Russia shouldnt be Trumps priority Stop publishing unverified information, you numbskulls. Donald Trump feeds on your rumors In the 2018 governors race, Gavin Newsom leads the pack in fundraising Gavin Newsom, the first major candidate to jump into CA's 2018 governor's race, narrowly lead the pack in 2016 fundraising w/ $4.27 million Phil Willon (@philwillon) February 1, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Schwarzenegger: Were going through some difficult moments ... but I guarantee we will work our way out of this By Seema Mehta (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday that the United States had faced trying times and political crises before, and has always persevered. Yes, were going through some difficult moments right now, as we have in the past, but I guarantee we will work our way out of this, Schwarzenegger said, speaking at an electoral reform event at the University of Southern California. He recalled immigrating to the United States and seeing the violent protests at the Democratic National Convention in 1968, Watergate and the economic troubles during President Jimmy Carters tenure. One thing you can count on in America is even though it falls every so often as we all do it dusts itself off, gets up and gets going again, Schwarzenegger said. That is why its the number one country in the world. Although Schwarzenegger did not mention President Donald Trump by name during his remarks, the comments appeared to be a reference to the turbulence since Trump took office less than two weeks ago. Tensions between Schwarzenegger, who replaced Trump as the host of Celebrity Apprentice, and the new president and fellow Republican have been escalating. On Monday, Schwarzenegger called the implementation of Trumps temporary ban on immigration from several Muslim-majority countries crazy. The previous week, Schwarzenegger slammed Trumps pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Atty. Gen. Scott Pruitt, as a hypocrite. Earlier in January, Trump mocked Schwarzenegger for the first ratings of Celebrity Apprentice after the former governor took over as the host. During the presidential campaign, Schwarzenegger repeatedly made clear his disdain for Trump, pointedly casting his ballot in the California primary for Ohio Gov. John Kasich after he had dropped out. On Tuesday, Schwarzenegger was headlining an event about redistricting reform at his namesake institute at USC. He did not respond to reporters questions after the event. While governor, Schwarzenegger championed electoral reform, including an ultimately successful effort to take the redrawing of congressional and legislative districts away from politicians and give them instead to an independent commission. Both political parties have long tried to use gerrymandering to create districts that favor their politicians. But David Daley, author of The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal Americas Democracy, argued that Republicans were able to make unprecedented changes in the 2010 redistricting that will have long-lasting effects on this nations politics because of a confluence of factors, including unprecedented technology such as mapping software, and a flood of anonymous money due to the Citizens United ruling. In 2010, gerrymandering enters its steroid era, Daley said. The end result, he said, was that while the nation remained relatively closely divided between the two parties, the GOP was able to exponentially expand its hold of statehouses, governors mansions and congressional seats. Speakers urged Californians to take the lessons they had learned through the states redistricting reform and try to help voters apply them in other states, through the initiative, or legislative or legal systems. We are the model for the rest of the nation and that is why we in California have to do everything we can to pull together all the things that happen successfully in California and nationwide, Schwarzenegger said. Because the rest of the states are waiting for us. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Top Democratic donor Tom Steyer is planning a larger role opposing President Trump By Chris Megerian On Sunday, Tom Steyer was holding a cardboard sign saying not on my watch at San Franciscos airport, one of thousands protesting President Trumps order preventing visitors from several predominantly Muslim countries. I went out there to participate, but also to listen, he said. Like other liberal leaders, hes been hunting for the right approach to counter Trump. Now the deep-pocketed Democratic donor is launching a new effort that could expand the scope of NextGen Climate, the San Francisco-based organization he created and funded. Although Steyer expects to stay active on environmental issues the onetime hedge fund manager is best known for advocating stronger steps to fight climate change and support clean energy hes looking to play a more expansive role in opposing Trump. The number of issues that have to be addressed are broader, he said in an interview, pointing to Trumps statements on issues such as voting that he considers to be a broader attack on fundamental American rights. In a video posted on Tuesday night, Steyer says, I promise to do everything in my power to stand up to Trump and asks for the publics thoughts on what next steps should be taken. Steyer spent $74 million in the 2014 midterm election, and then millions more last year to support Hillary Clinton and other Democrats. Although results have been mixed Republicans gained ground in both years Steyer said the experiences have positioned NextGen to educate and mobilize voters across the country. There are very few people who are set up organizationally to do what were trying to do, he said. Steyer has already played a role in opposing Trumps nominees, running advertisements criticizing his choice for secretary of State, former Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Rex Tillerson. Besides simply fighting Trump, Steyer also hopes to project an alternative view of the country one that comes with a dose of California sunshine. America can pursue a much more optimistic, a much more prosperous, a much more equitable and a much healthier future, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Former aide is preparing to run for Rep. Grace Napolitanos seat if she retires By Javier Panzar Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk), who turned 80 last year, has not made plans to retire. But one San Gabriel Valley politician is raising funds to run in case Napolitano does decide to bow out after 10 terms in Congress. Mary Ann Lutz, the former mayor of Monrovia and a former aide to Napolitano, reported having $101,000 in the bank to run for Napolitanos 32nd Congressional District seat, according to a new filing with the Federal Election Commission. But Lutz says she will run only if Napolitano retires. I have enormous respect for my former boss, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, and would never run against her for any office, Lutz said in a statement. In the event that the 32nd Congressional District seat eventually opens up, I plan to run, and run aggressively. Napolitano suffered a minor stroke last February that affected her ability to write and slightly slowed her walk. She continued her reelection campaign and beat state Assemblyman Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina), who effectively ended his campaign in August after a judge granted his ex-wifes request for a domestic violence restraining order against him. During an interview with The Times a day before the November election, Napolitano said the health of her 90-year-old husband would be a key factor in her decision on whether to run for an 11th term in 2018. I would love to stay but it depends, she said. I will be ready to hang it up when I am ready. Lutz was elected in 2003 to the City Council in Monrovia, a city of 36,000 in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, and was elected mayor in 2009. She lost her reelection bid in 2015 and went on to work for Napolitano as an advisor on water issues. Lutz raised $26,000 and loaned her campaign committee an additional $75,000. Napolitano has $144,692 in the bank if she wants to run again. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State Senate committee votes in favor of funding legal aid for immigrants in California facing deportation By Jazmine Ulloa (John Moore / Getty Images) A state legislative bill seeking to expand legal services for immigrants in the U.S. illegally moved out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday on a 5-2 vote. The bill, introduced by state Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), would create a legal defense program funded with state money that would provide lawyers for immigrants caught in deportation or removal proceedings. It comes roughly three years after the Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors program began providing state-funded legal services for young refugees fleeing gang violence in Central America. Hueso said the measure faced new urgency given President Trumps executive orders last week on immigration. This is a bill protecting Californians, protecting their families, but also protecting Californias economic prominence, Hueso said. I hope we can all stand united on this and say, Yes, we stand by our immigrant community in California. Members of the committee raised concerns about whether it whittled away at defense services available for detainees convicted of certain crimes and over how the state would be able to afford it amid a looming deficit and budget cuts from the federal government. It is well-meaning, but it is a whole different agency that we are setting up in an expedited way, Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California assemblyman wants state to make cleaner purchases By Chris Megerian (Alexis Cuarezma / For The Times) A California lawmaker wants state officials to consider greenhouse gas emissions when making new purchases, a proposal that would add a new wrinkle to the bidding process for government contracts. Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) said the legislation (AB 262) would harness the states enormous buying power to support clean manufacturing. The measure, which includes state agencies and university systems, would affect the purchase of materials such as asphalt, cement, steel and glass for projects such as hospitals, dormitories and roads. Companies bidding on state contracts would be required to report greenhouse gas emissions generated by the manufacturing and transportation of supplies. Officials would then factor that information into their decision. Given Californias goal of slashing emissions, Bonta said he hopes that the legislation puts the states money where its values are. He doesnt expect the requirement to report more information would be a significant burden on companies seeking contracts. This will just be one more piece of information that will need to be added, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print First of several immigrant protection bills clears state Senate Public Safety Committee By Jazmine Ulloa (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) As national debate and protests have taken place over President Donald Trumps executive actions on immigration and refugees, the state Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday passed the first of several bills aimed at protecting immigrants in California. Senate Bill 54, introduced by Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from using resources to investigate, detain, report or arrest persons for the purposes of immigration enforcement. The proposal, dubbed the California Values Act, also aims to protect immigrants personal data, requiring state agencies to review their confidentiality policies and to ensure that they are only collecting information necessary to their departments. It moved out of committee with a 5-2 vote. Long line of advocates, lawyers in support SB 54, prohibiting law enforcement agencies from using resources for immigrants enforcement. pic.twitter.com/G0IV9ihRjE Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) January 31, 2017 The bill seeks to strengthen immigrant protections threatened under Trumps executive actions. In orders signed last week, the president pledged to cut federal dollars from so-called sanctuary cities, which have policies limiting the cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. At a committee hearing Tuesday, De Leon said the proposal builds on the California Trust Act, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed in October 2013. The state law prevents law enforcement agencies from detaining immigrants longer than necessary for minor crimes so that federal immigration authorities can take them into custody. A long line of immigrant advocates, lawyers and lobbyists rose in support of the bill, saying it would continue to help law enforcement officials build trust within immigrant communities and allow more victims and witnesses to report crime. Democratic members in the committee urged their Republican colleagues to vote for the legislation and move away from Trumps rhetoric, which they said stereotyped immigrants as criminals. They pointed to low crime rates in immigrant communities and stressed that many police chiefs do not want to enforce immigration laws. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), chair of the committee, said people across California were under economic stress that could be manipulated into fear. All of us want hardened criminals prosecuted under the law, she said. All of us. But what we are watching now is a pitting of people against each other, a targeting of immigrants. Opponents were not swayed. They said the bills language was too broad and could prevent communication among police agencies at different levels of government, allowing dangerous criminals to escape prosecution. Im concerned that you are basically making the state of California a de facto sanctuary state, Sen. Jeff Stone (R-Murrieta) told De Leon. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California lawmakers seek stricter enforcement, more transparency at state toxics control agency By Melanie Mason Jose Gomez, at his home on South Hicks Avenue in East Los Angeles, is among thousands whose yards have been tested for contamination from the former Exide plant. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Assembly Democrats unveiled a package of five bills Tuesday aimed at reforming the state agency tasked with regulating toxic substances. The Department of Toxic Substances Control has been roundly criticized for its flat-footed response in regulating and cleaning up pollution from the now-closed Exide battery recycling plant in Vernon. A Los Angeles Times review in 2015 found the department knew for years that the plant was violating environmental regulations but was slow to act on it. Too many communities, including communities I represent, have been harmed by toxic emissions that were released into their neighborhoods emissions that could and should have been stopped, Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said in a statement. The goal of this legislative package is a more transparent, accountable, and responsive Department of Toxic Substances Control and safer and healthier communities throughout California. The proposed legislation includes: AB 245 by Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), which would require hazardous waste facilities to comply with higher financial assurance requirements to make sure there are adequate funds for contamination cleanup. AB 249 (Gomez), which would increase maximum penalties the department can assess to match what the federal government can assess in similar situations. AB 248 by Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino), which would require hazardous waste facilities to submit permit renewals two years prior to the current permits expiration to avoid lapses. AB 246 by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), which would promote the use of fence line monitoring by facilities to better detect leaks. AB 247 by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), which would create a statewide task force focused on reducing lead poisoning in the state. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sen. Dianne Feinstein says she will vote no on Jeff Sessions nomination for U.S. attorney general By Sarah D. Wire California Sen. Dianne Feinstein announced this morning that she will vote no on the nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for U.S. attorney general. The statement comes after protestors visited Feinsteins home and office out of concern that she may vote in favor of the nomination. Protesters marched on her home and California offices last night. #CASen https://t.co/U0HhsJxwTB Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) January 31, 2017 JUST NOW: On Sessions attorney general nomination: I must vote no. pic.twitter.com/lfQnX5Khug Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) January 31, 2017 It is very difficult to reconcile for me the independence and objectivity necessary for the position of attorney general with the partisanship this nominee has demonstrated, Feinstein said Tuesday. We are being asked to determine whether this nominees record demonstrates that he will have the objectivity to enforce the law for all Americans and be an independent attorney general and not an arm of the White House. Feinstein is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which votes today on the confirmation of Sessions to be President Trumps attorney general. Feinstein pointed to former acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Sally Yates as an example of what she is looking for. Yates was fired Monday, just hours after she announced that the Justice Department would not defend Trumps controversial executive order banning refugees and travelers from certain countries. Yesterday, early in the evening, we clearly saw what a truly independent attorney general doesI have no confidence that Senator Sessions will do that, Feinstein said. Instead, he has been the fiercest, most dedicated, and most loyal promoter in Congress of the Trump agenda, and has played a critical role as the clearinghouse for policy and philosophy to undergird the implementation of that agenda. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Where do Californias members of Congress stand on President Trumps refugee order? By Sarah D. Wire Noor Hindi, left, and Shah Najjar, middle, join the protest at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) President Trumps executive order Friday, which blocked U.S. entry to refugees and nationals of seven Muslim-majority nations, brought thousands of Americans to the nations airports in protest over the weekend. Several Democrats from Californias 54-member congressional delegation joined constituents at airports, and lobbied customs and Border Patrol officials to release the detained visa holders. Many of the states 14 Republican representatives were initially silent on the executive order. Several have since voiced their support, while others were critical of the orders rollout. Heres a look at what each member of the California congressional delegation has said about the executive order: Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California state Senate passes resolution condemning President Trumps refugee ban By Jazmine Ulloa Protesters are held back by airport police on Sunday at LAX. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) After nearly two hours of debate, the state Senate on Monday passed a resolution that condemned President Trumps executive order banning immigrants and refugees from seven predominantly Muslim countries, calling it discriminatory overreach. Democrats introduced the resolution after the presidents order Friday spurred a weekend of protests and chaos at airports across the country. The resolution denounces Trumps actions and urges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to comply with federal court orders permitting detainees to have timely access to counsel. It cleared the Senate floor with a 26-11 vote largely along party lines, reflecting the national rift over Trumps immigration order. Two Republican members abstained. On the Senate floor, Democrats called the executive order an affront on religious freedom that panders to fear and foments discrimination, and said it would not further public safety. Reaching to members across the aisle, they said the resolution was not about partisanship or opposing Trump, but about protecting American institutions. In a fiery speech, state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) said the order is unconstitutional and violates fundamental rights. You see this is how we end up with fascism and totalitarianism, she said. Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) said she did not want four more years of executive orders crafted in the cover of darkness. But Republican members said that President Obama had taken similar actions and that they had a duty to their constituents, who were worried about national security and a vetting process they said did not stop terrorists from entering the nations borders. Obama has rejected comparisons of his policy to Trumps. We do not welcome those who have come here to harm us, Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) said, urging a no vote. We cannot ignore contemporary reality. Our enemies do not reside beyond our shores. They are within. The resolution states that 134 million people are temporarily barred from entering or reentering the United States, including nationals with dual citizenship. Hundreds of thousands with visas are also blocked, it says. The resolution also denounces the manner in which the executive order was executed, saying it was not fully vetted by the departments tasked with protecting the nations national security interests. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State attorneys general met in Florida to strategize on how to counter Trump, Becerra says By Patrick McGreevy California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra. ((Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) ) A joint statement by 15 attorneys general over the weekend condemning President Trumps refugee order grew out of a meeting in Florida between California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and some of his concerned counterparts, Becerra said Monday. Becerra gathered Thursday in Fort Lauderdale with other attorneys general, including Washington Atty. Gen. Bob Ferguson, to strategize about responding to the Trump administration on various issues. The meeting took place at the annual winter conference of the Democratic Attorneys General Assn. Several of the AGs have been in communication, Becerra said in an interview with The Times. We made it very clear in our joint statement that we are going to do everything we can to make sure that the unlawful, unconstitutional executive orders by the Trump administration dont see the light of day. Officials who signed the joint statement included legal representatives from Washington, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Virginia. On Monday, Ferguson announced he was suing Trump over the executive order that suspended refugee entries for 120 days and barred entry to the U.S. for 90 days for those traveling from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Becerra said that he had been in contact with Ferguson and that the option to pursue legal action is under consideration for California. Thats one of many avenues of how we are looking to approach this, Becerra said. As a result of the Florida meeting, Becerra said, the top lawyers from the 15 states are collaborating on how to address various Trump directives. Everyone is doing a little bit of something, he said. Everyones trying to figure out how best to address this. Florida Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, a Republican, did not attend the meeting, Becerra said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California warily watches President Trump while pushing forward on climate change By Chris Megerian (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Its been a decade since California set its first target for slashing greenhouse gas emissions, one of several policies that has made the state an international leader in the fight against global warming. So while President Trump suggests hes going to roll back the countrys environmental regulations, state leaders insist they wont be knocked off track here. This is when you do your best work, said John Laird, secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency. We cant worry about pulling back just to sink with everyone else who isnt moving at all. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rep. Duncan Hunter urges Trump to make an executive order exemption for Iraqis who aided U.S. military By Sarah D. Wire Reps. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) are asking President Trump to approve waivers to his executive order for Iraqis who helped the American military. Hunter and Kinzinger, who both served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said in the letter to Trump that they supported a request from Defense Secretary James N. Mattis that visa reviews for some Iraqis be fast-tracked. For the safety of these courageous individuals and their families, and in the interest of our national security, its critical that we make this exception and do so swiftly, the congressmen said in a statement. The executive order Trump signed Friday bars all refugee entries for 120 days, blocks Syrian refugees indefinitely and bars for 90 days the entry of citizens from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia. Some of the earliest stories of people caught up in the ban included military interpreters from Iraq who had visas. We respectfully ask that you take this action to ensure these individuals are not put in any further danger. Doing so would send a strong signal to those who show such immense courage to advance U.S. security interests at a risk to their own safety, as well as the many veterans and warfighters whove relied on the service of these individuals for their own protection and to accomplish their objectives, their letter states. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Democrats in the California Legislature move to condemn President Trumps immigration orders Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Assembly Republican leader Chad Mayes voices his misgivings about refugee order By Patrick McGreevy Assembly Minority Leader Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) speaks in the Capitol on Jan. 11. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP) Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley on Monday joined a number of GOP politicians who are voicing misgivings about President Trumps order temporarily barring refugees from some majority-Muslim countries from entering the country. Religious liberty is a core value of our nation. My ancestors immigrated to America to flee religious persecution, Mayes said in a statement. While bolstering our national security is important, when forced to decide between security and liberty, I will always side with liberty. He is concerned about them [the orders], said Matt Mahon, a spokesman for the assemblyman. Trumps directives suspended refugee entries for 120 days and barred entry to the U.S. for 90 days for those traveling from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rep. Zoe Lofgren and other ranking Democrats demand emergency meeting on refugee ban By Sarah D. Wire After two days of protests across the country over President Trumps order Friday banning refugees from seven countries, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) and the ranking Democrats of three committees that oversee immigration issues are demanding a meeting with President Trumps new Homeland Security secretary, John F. Kelly. The move by Trump prevented green card and visa holders from reentering the country, and led to the detention of more than a hundred people landing at U.S. airports with valid entry documents. Late Saturday, a federal judge in New York issued a temporary stay against the deportation of anyone who had arrived with a valid visa. The letter demanding the meeting, signed by Lofgren, Judiciary Committee ranking member John Conyers (D-Mich.), Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Elliot Engel (D-N.Y.), calls for it be scheduled by the close of business Wednesday. The Democrats also ask for more information about how the order is being implemented, whether the stays placed by federal judges over the weekend are being followed and whether green card holders are affected. Only two days after the order was signed it is clear that it has already led to panic and disorder, not to mention protests, the letter states. This is apparently due in part to the lack of internal administration review prior to its issuance as well as a lack of clarity and guidance provided thereafter. Lofgren, a former immigration attorney and the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committees Immigration Subcommittee, also plans to file legislation today to rescind the executive order. Getting such legislation through the House could be difficult with Speaker Paul Ryan supporting the executive order. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is proposing similar legislation in the Senate. House and Senate Democrats plan to hold a rally against the order outside the Supreme Court Monday evening. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement As California Democrats blast Trumps refugee order, Republicans in the congressional delegation hold their fire By Sarah D. Wire Only a few of the states 14 Republican representatives have publicly commented on an executive order signed by President Trump on Friday that barred refugees and green card holders from seven countries from entering the U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) released a statement Sunday night saying some tweaks are needed, but his background as chairman of the House Select Intelligence Committee leads him to support the executive order. In light of attempts by jihadist groups to infiltrate fighters into refugee flows to the West, along with Europes tragic experience coping with this problem, the Trump administrations executive order on refugees is a common-sense security measure to prevent terror attacks on the homeland. While accommodations should be made for green card holders and those whove assisted the U.S. armed forces, this is a useful temporary measure on seven nations of concern until we can verify who is entering the United States, he said. Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) told the Washington Post that pausing the intake of refugees from terror hotspots is the right call to keep America safe, but he hopes the cases of people traveling on visas who were prevented from reentering the country are resolved quickly. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) said on Twitter on Sunday that the rollout has created confusion, and that executive orders arent the way to fix the countrys long-term problems. View Twitter post View Twitter post Several of Californias 38 Democratic congressional representatives and the states two senators were out in force over the weekend demanding the release of refugees and green card holders, and an end to the executive order. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced two pieces of legislation shell file in response. One would immediately rescind the presidents order. The second would limit executive authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent a president from unilaterally banning groups of immigrants. Its clear that the president gave little consideration to the chaos and heartbreak that would result from this order, she said in a statement. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) joined protesters outside the White House Sunday afternoon. We will fight against racism. We will fight against anti-Muslim rhetoric. We will fight against those who will marginalize who we are. pic.twitter.com/R54f3MDhvo Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2017 In Los Angeles, Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) joined protesters at Los Angeles International Airport. On Saturday, Reps. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro) and Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) joined the initial protests at the airport, and worked to get some of those being held released. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) accompanied protesters at San Francisco International Airport Sunday. Congresswoman @MaxineWaters is here at LAX protest leading the crowd in the chant "no ban, no wall, you build it up we'll tear it down" pic.twitter.com/iNEmkVVkmW Javier Panzar (@jpanzar) January 29, 2017 2:31 p.m. Jan. 30: This post was updated to clarify Rep. Ed Royces statement about the executive order. It was originally published Jan. 29. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra condemns Trumps refugee order and explores challenge By Patrick McGreevy Assyrian Christians, who fled unrest in Syria and Iraq, attend Mass at St. Georges Assyrian Church in Jdeideh, Lebanon. Trumps directive provides an exception for religious minorities. ( (AFP/Getty Images)) California state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Saturday condemned an executive order by President Donald Trump barring people from some Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. and said he is consulting with legal advisors over a way to challenge the directive. Trump has suspended all refugee entries for 120 days and barred entry to the U.S. for 90 days for those traveling from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Justice in America doesnt live or die on the stroke of one mans pen regardless of how high his office, Becerra said in a statement late Saturday, less than a week after taking office. The Trump Administrations anti-religion, anti-refugee executive order is in so many ways unjust and anti-American He said the order discriminates against people based on their faith and denies entry to those with fears of death and persecution. I have conferred with my team, and we are reaching out to others as well, to find every avenue possible to defend our family members and those who live permanently in our communities who may be barred from re-entry into America, Becerra said. The Trump executive order should not stand and must be confronted as a constitutional overreach, he added. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California Politics Podcast: Reactions to President Trumps first week By John Myers Even before the weekend controversy and protests, Californias top elected officials spent much of the last week reacting to the first moves by President Donald Trump. On this weeks California Politics Podcast, we take a closer look at the sharp words offered by Gov. Jerry Brown in his State of the State speech when it comes to the new politics of Washington. We also focus much of this weeks discussion around three big topics that caught the attention of a number of California lawmakers: immigration moves by Trump; the rough week that was for the nations environmental protection enforcers; and rekindled but unproven allegations of widespread voter fraud. Im joined by Marisa Lagos of KQED News and Anthony York of the Grizzly Bear Project. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Jerry Brown will undergo new round of treatment for prostate cancer, but wont miss any work By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown, who first was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, will begin a new round of treatment for the disease, his office reported on Saturday. Brown, 78, will maintain his duties as governor during the treatment, according to his staff. No additional details were provided about how long the treatment will take, or what prompted its timing. Fortunately this is not extensive disease, can be readily treated with a short course of radiotherapy, and there are not expected to be any significant side effects, said Dr. Eric Small, a UC San Francisco oncologist, in an emailed statement provided to reporters. The prognosis for Gov. Brown is excellent. Brown initially learned he had prostate cancer in late 2012 and underwent similar treatment for several weeks. The governor has also been treated for basal cell carcinoma a type of skin cancer twice in the past nine years, with reconstructive surgery on the right side of his nose in 2011. With almost two years remaining on his final term in office, Brown is already the oldest governor in California history. He often made a point of pointing out his physical fitness in his return to the job in 2011, including a 2012 challenge to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie of a 3-mile race, a push-up contest and a chin-up contest. Though hes been treated in San Francisco, the governor and First Lady Anne Gust Brown now live full-time in the historic governors mansion in Sacramento after moving out of Oakland last year. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra takes a jab at the Trump administration when asked about the battles to come Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Proposed law would make penalties for using fake immigration papers the same as those for using fake drivers license By Jazmine Ulloa A proposed California law seeks to ensure that a person who uses false documents to conceal their citizenship status faces the same punishment as a person who uses a fake drivers license. The legislation by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) would amend the penal code to make both crimes wobblers, meaning prosecutors would have the discretion to charge suspects in such cases with either felony offenses or lower-level misdemeanors. Under the proposal, the repercussions for defendants would be the same: If convicted of a misdemeanor, offenders would have to serve up to one year in county jail, while a felony conviction would mean up to 16 months in county jail, or two or three years in prison. A spokesman for Bocangera said the measure was introduced as a proactive response to President Trumps hard-line stance on immigration and would reverse part of Proposition 187, a controversial ballot measure to deny public services, such as education and healthcare, to immigrants in the country illegally. The proposition, approved by voters in 1994, requires any person who uses false immigration records to face felony charges. Bocangeras bill amending those provisions would need a two-thirds vote in the Assembly and the state Senate to pass. Today, if an underage college student uses a fake ID to purchase a six-pack of beer, he or she can be charged with a misdemeanor, Bocanegra said in a statement. However, if an immigrant is caught using that same fake ID, he or she is automatically charged with a felony and is subject to five years in prison. This is fundamentally unfair. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fearing catastrophe, Californias Gov. Jerry Brown wants the worlds leaders to stop goofing off By Chris Megerian Gov. Jerry Brown pointedly criticized world leaders for goofing off instead of addressing looming problems with climate change and nuclear weapons during a radio interview on Friday. Theyre really averting their gaze, he said. And that is dangerous, very dangerous. Brown has become increasingly outspoken about issues he describes as existential threats to humanity, and the election of Donald Trump has only made him more concerned. During the interview, he spoke in sweeping terms about the need to support scientific research in the face of political denial. Darkness cannot totally extinguish the light, Brown said while criticizing Republicans for refusing to accept the scientific consensus around climate change and the need for dramatic changes to confront global warming. @JerryBrownGov in our studio (in fact, in my chair!) as he chats w/ Ira Flatow on @scifri pic.twitter.com/kIyGBFQW9X Beth Ruyak (@CapRadioRuyak) January 27, 2017 At another point, Brown mused that humans have accumulated vast power without a corresponding increase in wisdom. That creates a gap between the power to destroy and the wisdom to control those destructive forces. Brown reiterated his plan to push forward Californias policies on climate change even if Trump follows through on the federal governments plans. Were going to do everything we can to stay on track, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Some California lawmakers say its time to expand how the state defines violent crime By Jazmine Ulloa As California undergoes the largest overhaul of prison parole in a generation, some lawmakers and law enforcement officials say its time to revisit how the state legally defines a violent crime. Gov. Jerry Browns Proposition 57, which voters overwhelmingly approved in November, continues a statewide effort to increase rehabilitation services and decrease the prison population. Among its provisions, the initiative gives the state parole board greater latitude to consider the early release of prisoners who have served their primary sentences, and whose crimes are not designated as violent under the California penal code. But since the early days of the ballot measure campaign, debate has brewed over just who the law will benefit, with prosecutors saying that short and porous list excludes certain rape crimes and other dangerous offenses. This legislative session, the discussion moves to the Capitol. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Fearing deletion, Tom Steyer copies Environmental Protection Agency website on climate change By Chris Megerian (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) With President Trump in the White House, information about climate change has been disappearing from government websites. Some fear the same thing could happen with the Environmental Protection Agency. Now the advocacy organization run by environmentalist and political donor Tom Steyer is taking steps to preserve the information. We will not allow Trump and the oil corporations to push us towards an Orwellian world full of official lies and misinformation. Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) January 27, 2017 NextGen Climate copied the website and made it available at SaveOurEPA.com. As Americans, we will not allow Donald Trump to erase the truth or rewrite history, Steyer said in a statement. This information belongs to the people, and the public has a right to know the truth. Trump has taken other steps that have alarmed environmentalists. For example, he greenlighted two oil pipelines that had been stopped by former President Obama. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For California, a return to center stage in the 2020 presidential contest By Mark Z. Barabak (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press) Kamala Harris hadnt even arrived in Washington to take up her job as Californias spanking-new U.S. senator when the chatter began: Kamala for president! Never mind her disavowals Seriously? or the fact that the first balloting of the 2020 race is, at a minimum, 1,000-plus days away. The soul-sapping election of Donald Trump has Democrats desperately looking far, far down the road. Usually the candidates start sending signals, said Jim Demers, a longtime party strategist in New Hampshire, the state that traditionally holds the first presidential primary. This time Im hearing activists begging for the race to begin. With a wide-open contest (read: not a Clinton or Obama in sight), the list of would-be contenders, real and imagined, is lengthy, even by the prodigious standards of this early stage. Whats different in 2020 is that California huge in population, mighty in economic power, desperate to matter in presidential politics figures to be at the center of speculation in a way it hasnt for a generation. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Theres a major fight on the way over Trumps plans for sanctuary cities By Liam Dillon Immigrant workers marching in Los Angeles in 2014. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) Cities in California are gearing up for a legal fight against President Trumps plans to take away federal dollars from so-called sanctuary cities. These cities typically are defined as those that dont cooperate with federal immigration officials for deportation purposes, and the new president wants to strip them of funding unless they start doing so. But the language in Trumps executive order on the issue is vague, and San Francisco officials believe their city is already exempt from the mandate. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fighting Trumps border wall on environmental grounds probably wont win in court By Liam Dillon A pair of fences separates Mexico, left, and the U.S. south of San Diego. (Bill Wechter / AFP) California political leaders are seeking all sorts of strategies to fight President Trumps plans to build a wall along the border with Mexico. One strategy thats likely to fail is a lawsuit based on state and federal environmental laws, legal experts said. Congress already has given the federal government broad authority to waive environmental laws to build a border fence and the courts have upheld that power. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Calexit organizers can now start collecting signatures to get California secession on the ballot By Christine Mai-Duc Supporters of the campaign for California to secede from the United States can now begin collecting the hundreds of thousands of signatures they need to get a proposed Calexit initiative on the ballot. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla cleared the proposed initiative to begin collecting signatures on Thursday. If the measure gets on the ballot and gains approval by a majority of voters, it would repeal clauses in the California Constitution stating that the state is an inseparable part of the United States and that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, according to the title and summary prepared by the state attorney generals office. The measure would place another question on the ballot in 2019, asking whether California should become a separate country. If at least half of registered voters participate in that vote, with at least 55% of those voting to approve, the results would be treated as Californias declaration of independence. The current measures fiscal effect is dependent on various factors, writes the states nonpartisan legislative analyst, and if it succeeds would result in major, but unknown budgetary impacts. The proposals backers, known as Yes California, have argued that the state is culturally out of step with the rest of the U.S. and that California pays more money to the federal government than it receives in spending. The election of President Trump has only strengthened their argument, they say. California loses [by] being a part of America culturally and financially, said Marcus Ruiz Evans, one of the groups founders. It could be a nation all its own, everybody knows that. The only question is if they want to break off. Its unclear how the group will collect the required 585,407 valid signatures from registered voters over the next 180 days to qualify for the ballot. A campaign committee, Yes California Independence Committee, has raised no funds so far, according to records from the secretary of state. But Evans says that his group has more than 7,000 volunteers (significantly down from a 13,000 estimate in December) ready to gather signatures and that voters can expect to see signature gatherers on the streets in the next couple of days. Yes California says that even if the proposed initiative does land on the ballot and voters approve it, such an unprecedented move to secede would need to receive approval of at least a majority of the states in the union, among other legal hurdles. Evans says hes not fazed. America already hates California, and America votes on emotions, he said. I think wed have the votes today if we held it. UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: This post has been updated to clarify that the proposed initiative would place a future vote on Californias secession on the ballot in 2019. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rep. Ted Lieu is trolling Donald Trump, and he hopes youre watching By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Ted Lieu is now placing an asterisk next to President Trumps name in news releases. Its the Torrance Democrats way of drawing attention to his concerns about the new administration, he said. Sometimes the best way to respond to crazy is with satire, Lieu said. Never before have I had this feeling where our leader is potentially unhinged and has a problem with the truth, and that is highly disturbing for the leader of the free world. So Ive decided Im just going to point that out as much as I can. The asterisk leads readers to the bottom of the email, where a postscript says: ***In addition to losing the popular vote, Trump as of January 20, 2017 is in violation of the Emoluments Clause set forth in Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution due to massive conflicts of interests and his refusal to put his global business holdings in blind trusts. Trump also benefitted from Vladimir Putin ordering a multifaceted and brazen Russian influence and cyber hacking campaign with the goals of undermining faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrating Secretary Clintons electability, and helping Trumps election chances. Trump and his press secretary also routinely make stuff up. The sophomore congressman said he initially planned to give Trump the benefit of the doubt, hoping his rhetoric was a campaign tactic and that he would pivot to uniting the country following the election. Then Lieu listened to the presidents inaugural speech. I was hoping he would govern different than how he campaigned, he said. I came to the conclusion that it would be worse for America to normalize him. Lieu followed the addition to his news releases with a Cloud of Illegitimacy Clock that counts the time since Trumps swearing-in, which is how long Lieu says Trump has been in violation of the Constitution by not divesting from his businesses or putting them in a blind trust. The Constitution bans government officials from receiving gifts or payments from foreign governments. Next he posted a series of tweets mocking White House spokesman Sean Spicer for giving incorrect figures on how many people attended the inauguration, and top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway for using the term alternative facts. Was charged $2.99 for coffee listed at $2.59. That's why I have trust issues. Oh, and the fact that @seanspicer at #WhiteHouse makes shit up Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 23, 2017 Ive decided that the administration using alternative facts is more profane than anything that I could say, he said. When the administration lies, they just need to be called out on that. If they are going to lie about stupid little things, like crowd size, imagine what theyre going to say when they roll out their healthcare plan, whenever that might be. Lieu has needled Trump in responses to several executive orders this week, including by saying he would bet a nice bottle of California wine that the Administration will be unable to find a credible witness to testify under oath to the allegation that 3-5 million people illegally cast votes in 2016, and by mentioning the inauguration crowd while talking about Trumps proposed border wall. Lieu said hes absolutely hoping Trump will respond. I think satire is an effective way to highlight issues, and I want the American people to see who this president really is, because in 22 months they get to vote again on every member of Congress, and that will be a referendum on Donald Trump, Lieu said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Democrats propose adding third, nonbinary gender option for drivers licenses and other official documents By Melanie Mason View Twitter post California drivers licenses and birth certificates could have a third option for gender in addition to male or female under legislation unveiled Thursday by Democratic lawmakers. The bill by state Sens. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) would establish a new nonbinary gender marker for official state documents. Lawmakers framed the measure as an expansion of rights for transgender, intersex and other people who do not identify as male or female. It will keep California at the forefront of LGBTQ civil rights, Atkins said at a Capitol news conference. The bill, SB 179, also would streamline the process for people to change their gender on such documents. It would remove the requirement that an individual obtain a sworn statement from a physician certifying medical treatment for gender transition. It also would create a process for people younger than 18 to apply for a change of gender on their birth certificate. Jo Michael, of Equality California, a gay rights advocacy group, said the bill had personal resonance. Michael identifies as transgender and nonbinary. For the first time, Californians like me could have accurate gender markers that truly reflect who we are, Michael said. Wiener said the proposal places California in stark relief to other states in the country, including North Carolina, where a high-profile law regulating transgender peoples use of public bathrooms roiled the state. As the LGBT community but especially the trans community is under assault in this country, California needs to go in the opposite direction and embrace the trans community and support the trans community and modernize these laws, he said. The legislation does not specify what the alternate gender marker would be, but other countries that have implemented such a policy, such as Australia and New Zealand, have used the letter X alongside M for male and F for female, according to Sasha Buchert of the Transgender Law Center. Atkins, who is a lesbian and a member of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, said this proposal marks an evolution for her in better understanding the concerns of the transgender and intersex community. She authored a law in 2014 that ensures death certificates reflect a persons gender identity, an experience she said made her more aware of the bureaucratic hurdles that transgender people often face. This years bill, she said, is moving us forward into a new world, where acceptance is ... letting people be who they tell you they are. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder will visit Sacramento to meet with Democratic legislators next month By Melanie Mason (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press) California lawmakers will have a chance to meet the Legislatures new outside counsel on Feb. 7, when former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. travels to the state to address Senate and Assembly Democrats. Holder, leading a team of attorneys from the firm Covington & Burling, has been hired by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) to serve as outside counsel as the state prepares a legal strategy to deal with the administration of President Trump. But Senate and Assembly staff officials said his invitation to meet with lawmakers was extended prior to the contract, which begins in February, and that Holder is making the trip on his own personal time. His travel and accommodations expenses will not be paid with state funds, and his appearances will not be part of his billable hours, they said. Holder will address Senate Democrats at their annual policy retreat, and will speak to the Assembly Democratic caucus. His visit comes soon after state Democratic leaders this week denounced Trumps executive orders on immigration and pledged to take his administration to court should other legislative means of resistance fail. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A guide to the guessing game that is the 2018 California governors race By Phil Willon While the race to succeed Gov. Jerry Brown already has attracted a small cadre of well-known Democrats, the behind-the-scenes strategizing, cajoling and guessing games surrounding a handful of other potential contenders could create havoc in whats expected to be Californias biggest political showdown since 2010. Among those watching closely are the candidates already definitely in the running, including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang. Delaine Eastin, who spent eight years as Californias top education official, announced she was running in November and officially launched her campaign and fundraising operation on Thursday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This is not a monarchy: California Senate leader Kevin de Leon bashes Trumps immigration orders By Jazmine Ulloa (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) California Senate leader Kevin de Leon took another shot at President Trump and his executive orders on immigration Wednesday night, calling his threat to withhold federal dollars from so-called sanctuary cities political blackmail and political vengeance. In an interview on the MSNBC show The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell, De Leon said California was working with former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. to study all of its legal options to oppose the directives. Under the 10th Amendment, the state Senate leader said, the federal government cannot commandeer and force local municipalities and police agencies from carrying out their work. The appearance came hours after Trump signed orders to temporarily halt the U.S. refugee program, cut funding for cities that offer immigrants protections and order federal officials to construct a U.S.-Mexico border wall. California will not become a cog in the Trump deportation machine, De Leon said. This is not a monarchy, and I know he fancies himself as a king, but this is a republic. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print President Trumps voter fraud allegation is a lie, says Californias top elections officer By John Myers Secretary of State Alex Padilla. (Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press) With President Donald Trump rehashing last years accusation of widespread voter fraud in California and elsewhere, the states top elections official is also restating his take: Its not true. When the president says millions of illegal ballots are cast, thats simply not the case, said Secretary of State Alex Padilla in an interview on CNN Wednesday. Its a lie. As was the case when Trump made the accusation in November, theres no evidence of such a broad attempt to sway the outcome in California. The president lost the Golden State to Democrat Hillary Clinton by almost 4.3 million votes. Trumps announcement on Wednesday of a major investigation into voter fraud reignited the issue, even though there was also Republican skepticism in the wake of the new round of accusations. Is it a question of millions of people? Thats a pretty steep hill to climb, said Assemblyman Matthew Harper (R-Huntington Beach), the vice chairman of the Assemblys elections committee. Youd have to have a very strong coordinated effort across California to pull that off. Harper said he believes the better discussion is whether new, independent audit capabilities need to be in place to examine election results. Others, though, were sharply critical of the presidents motives. Allegations of widespread voter fraud are not just alternative facts, they are a calculated and sinister attempt at voter suppression that takes a page from this nations bleak history of segregation, said Laphonza Butler, president of the state council of the Service Employees International Union. In the CNN interview, Padilla said he worried the president was sowing doubt in an effort to legitimize efforts such as a purging of voter rolls. I hope that its not a sign of things to come, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Intelligence committee led by Californians investigating Russian influence in 2016 election By Sarah D. Wire The House Select Intelligence Committee is examining allegations that the Russian government tried to influence the 2016 election, Republican Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes and ranking Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff said in a statement Wednesday. The two Californians said the committee is looking at Russian cyber activity and other active measures directed against the U.S. It also will examine links between Russia and people working for political campaigns as well as the federal response to Russia, including leaks of classified assessments from the intelligence community. The statement does not specifically mention President Trump, the assessment of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia attempted to intervene in the presidential election to ensure he would win or news that Trumps national security advisor was in frequent contact with the Russian ambassador as President Obama was considering sanctions against Russia. This issue is not about party, but about country. The Committee will continue to follow the facts wherever they may lead, the statement said. The Senate Intelligence Committee, on which Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) serves, also is investigating Russian interference in the election, and the U.S. response. Two Republican senators have joined a number of House and Senate Democrats, including House Select Intelligence Committee member Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) in pushing for a nonpartisan independent commission to examine the issue. Nunes, who served on Trumps transition committee, has previously said he doesnt think an independent commission is necessary. The statement also asked the new, Trump-appointed heads of intelligence agencies to bring documents requested by the committee directly to committee members. It will not be adequate to review these documents, expected to be in the thousands of pages, at the agencies. They should be delivered to the House Intelligence Committee to provide members adequate time to examine their content, it states. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print No stamp, no problem: Lawmaker says postage-paid ballots should be available to all Californians By John Myers (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) California voters would no longer have to scrounge around in search of a stamp to mail in their ballot under new legislation introduced this week at the state Capitol. We want to make sure voters dont have any barriers, said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego), the bills author. Ballot envelopes sent by elections officials would be marked as prepaid postage and the postage costs would be paid for by individual counties. A key question will be the cost for mailing in as many as 10 million ballots statewide. Not all ballots will weigh the same, given the numerous city and county measures that also are considered in regularly scheduled elections. The initial language of Assembly Bill 216 doesnt offer specifics on reimbursing counties, though Gonzalez Fletcher said she expects the proposals ultimate cost could be under $2 million, if the law also makes clear that voters can still place a stamp on their ballot. Regardless, postage fees are likely to be deemed a mandated cost that state government must cover. Gonzalez Fletcher said the advent of email and online bill-paying services have meant that fewer voters have stamps readily available, with busy working Californians scrambling just to find the time to exercise their right to vote. It starts to feel like a very small poll tax, she said. The proposal is another example of the steady evolution of elections conducted less by the ballot box than the mailbox in California, as more than half of all registered voters now permanently receive absentee ballots. A number of the states most populous counties are expected to soon embrace a sweeping new law shifting elections away from neighborhood polling places and toward a substantial number of votes being cast by mail. This is welcome legislation, said Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation. Requiring voters to pay for ballot postage sends a message that the government is putting up obstacles to make it more difficult to vote. In many cases, ballots placed in the mail without proper postage are already being delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Some counties in California have offered prepaid postage in the past, but the vast majority have not. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California improves grades from anti-smoking group with barrage of anti-tobacco laws By Patrick McGreevy California led other states in adopting a flurry of new laws restricting tobacco products last year, resulting in a big improvement in the states grades from the American Lung Assn. In a report released Wednesday, the health group boosted the states grade for the level of tobacco taxes from an F last year to a B, in recognition that California voters in November approved a $2-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax. The Legislature last year also adopted a half-dozen new laws, including an increase in the minimum age for smoking from 18 to 21 and an expansion of a smoking ban in public places, including restaurants and theaters, to also include use of electronic cigarettes. The states grade for smoke-free air policies rose from a B to an A, while California received a B for restricting tobacco to young people. The group gave the state an incomplete for funding of tobacco prevention programs because officials have not yet started collecting money from the tobacco tax increase in Proposition 56. In 2016, Californians fought back against Big Tobaccos grip on our state, said David Pogue, chairman of the American Lung Assn. in Californias governing board. Tobacco-related illnesses remain the single most preventable cause of disease and death in California, and were proud to reaffirm ourselves as a national leader in the effort to reduce smoking rates and exposure to secondhand smoke and to protect our children from a lifetime of addiction. The group cited the lack of significant new tobacco laws passed in Los Angeles for its decision to leave the citys C grade unchanged. El Monte and West Hollywood passed some new tobacco policies and raised their grades. Santa Ana earned a C, but was at top of the list in Orange County, where almost all the other cities received Fs, officials said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sen. Kamala Harris pushes Trumps budget director pick on timely disaster relief By Sarah D. Wire Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) pushed President Trumps budget chief pick Tuesday on whether hed advise the new Republican leader to offer timely disaster relief, especially to states like California that face earthquakes, fires, floods and other natural disasters. Can you assure me that when natural disasters hit various parts of the country like California, that you will be willing to put the immediate interests of people in need as the first priority for you, or will you insist that the budget cuts be made before agreeing to provide critical assistance to those victims? Harris asked Rep. Mick Mulvaney during a confirmation hearing Tuesday. The South Carolina Republican asked for spending cuts to offset billions in relief funding after Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. There is a proper federal role in dealing with natural disaster relief, Mulvaney said in response to Harris questioning. Sandy is a tremendous example of something so large, its simply too large for one state or local government to deal with, it is an appropriate function of the federal government. Harris pushed a second time, So can you assure me that if a natural disaster hits other states, like California for example, that you will not hold up relief for the state, waiting to determine whether there are going to be budget cuts or cuts in order to provide that relief? Or are you going to sit back and crunch the numbers while people are waiting for help? Mulvaney replied, No, I see my role in that particular circumstance as advising the president. Mr. President, heres what weve done it in the past, heres how it worked out, heres how I think we should proceed in this circumstance and heres why. And then whatever the president says to do, I will enforce. Harris is still weighing how to vote on Mulvaneys confirmation, her staff said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump is a hot topic in Californias race for governor, but not in a good way By Phil Willon Donald Trump at the California Republican Party convention in Burlingame in April. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) One of the most talked about politicians in Californias 2018 governors campaign isnt even running. Rarely does a day go by when Republican President Donald Trump isnt used as a political pinata by one of the top Democrats in the race. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom took some jabs Tuesday when he addressed the California Legislature before Gov. Jerry Browns annual State of the State speech. Newsom mocked the Trump administration for its reliance on alternative facts a phrase used by a Trump senior advisor when defending inflated inauguration crowd figures and took a subtle shot at the presidents comment about American carnage in the nations cities. The insecurity of this man is near incomprehensible. These lies damage our democracy & country's reputation-Shameful https://t.co/ib7i6DqfH8 Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 24, 2017 On Monday, state Treasurer John Chiang criticized Trump for doubting the scientific evidence of climate change. President Trump may believe global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing noncompetitive, Chiang said. We Californians stand with the scientific community and the 195 nations that have declared climate change is an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to human societies and the planet. When Antonio Villaraigosa announced his bid for governor right after the general election, the former Los Angeles mayor was sure to include a dig at Trump. Im running because I think the answer to the divisiveness we see in the country right now is unity, and the answer to fear is hope, he said. Last May, Villaraigosa compared Trump to segregationist George Wallace. Californias former superintendent of public instruction, Delaine Eastin, last week ripped Trump for nominating Betsy DeVos for Education secretary. Eastin said DeVos, a charter school advocate and Republican fundraiser from Michigan, was a threat to public education in the country. In speeches, in fundraising emails, in tweets and Facebook posts, the Democrats have liberally excoriated Trump while largely avoiding lobbing any criticism at one another. Its a safe and easy tactic that appeals to a sizeable majority of voters in left-leaning California. In the November election, Trump was trounced by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in California losing to her by more than 4.2 million votes. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, a Republican being urged to run by fellow party members, has also rebuked Trump in the past. In May, Faulconer said he rejected Trumps divisive rhetoric about women and immigrants. Faulconer was absent at Trumps inauguration and skipped a Trump campaign rally in San Diego last spring. For any Republican to have a legitimate shot in the governors race, or any statewide election, the more distance they put between themselves and Trump the better, said GOP political consultant Rob Stutzman. Its important that youre not on the record gushing about Trump, Stutzman said. 3:30 p.m.: This story was updated to correct the title of Delaine Eastin. She is a former state superintendent of public instruction. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias House members vote along party lines on permanently banning federal funds for abortion By Sarah D. Wire Californias House delegation split along party lines Tuesday on a bill to permanently prohibit the use of certain federal funds for abortions. President Trump promised the anti-abortion community during the campaign that he would make the funding ban commonly called the Hyde Amendment permanent. It passed the House 238-183 and goes next to the Senate. The 52 members who represent California in the House split along party lines, with 36 Democrats against for it, and 14 Republicans voting for it. Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and Jim Costa (D-Lieu) did not vote. Their staffs each said the member would have joined Democrats in voting against the measure. If passed by the Senate, it would permanently prohibit federal funding from being used to cover abortion costs except in cases of rape, incest or if the mothers life is in danger. It effects government employees health plans, Medicaid and health insurance plans offered under the Affordable Care Act. The amendment has been added to the annual appropriations bill for the past 40 years and the bill approved by the House Tuesday would make it permanent. During debate on the House floor Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) called the bill a womens health catastrophe that will keep poor women on Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act from having access to insurance. In effect it makes abortion only an option for the wealthy, she said. Previous versions of the bill twice passed the House but were not considered by the Senate while President Obama was in office. 11:09 a.m. Jan. 25: An earlier version of this article reported that Democrats voted for the bill and Republicans voted against the bill. It was the opposite. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California lawmakers to weigh whether younger children should be allowed to testify in custody cases By Jazmine Ulloa California lawmakers will weigh whether family courts should allow children as young as 10 to testify before judges regarding parent custody or visitation rights. A bill filed by state Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino) would lower the current threshold from age 14 to enable more children to express their wishes in court, some of whom she said could find themselves in life-threatening situations. The legislation was co-sponsored by the California Protective Parents Assn. and the Center for Judicial Excellence. Neither current law nor the bill would require children to testify in family cases unless they choose to. In a statement, Levya called the proposal an important child safety measure. As a family court makes critical life decisions for children, it makes sense for them to be granted a greater voice in court proceedings since they can contribute essential information before final decisions are made, she said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Support for California secession is up, one poll says By Phil Willon Students from several high schools rally at City Hall in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 14 after walking out of class to protest the election of Donald Trump. (Reed Saxon / Associated Press) Californians support for a breakaway California republic has increased, one poll has found. One-third of state residents support peacefully seceding from the United States, up from 20% since Californians were last asked the same question in 2014, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. The polls margin of error for the California answers was plus or minus 5 percentage points. Still, half of Californians opposed the idea of succession, though Democrats were more inclined to support it than Republicans. The survey found that 60% of Republicans gave the idea of peacefully seceding a thumbs down compared with 48% of Democrats and 50% of independents. Nationally, 22% of those polled supported having their state break away from the U.S., according to the survey. A Calexit campaign already is underway to make California an independent nation. The effort faces extremely long odds. The poll surveyed 14,000 adults nationwide, and 500 in California, from Dec. 6 to Jan. 19. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Jerry Brown defiantly tells lawmakers California is not turning back in face of Trump and GOP proposals By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown used his State of the State speech on Tuesday to promise a forceful defense of Californias efforts on climate change, healthcare and assistance to those in the country illegally against new proposals by President Donald Trump and national Republican leadership. California is not turning back, Brown said to applause. Not now, not ever. The governors remarks, delivered in front of lawmakers and state elected officials in the Assembly chambers, came just four days after President Trumps forceful inaugural address that signaled a dramatic new course for the federal government. While he never mentioned the president by name during the 16-minute speech, Brown said there are disturbing signs as to whats on the horizon. We have seen the bald assertion of alternative facts, whatever those are, he said, a reference to top Trump advisor Kellyanne Conways weekend comments on NBCs Meet the Press. We have heard the blatant attacks on science. Familiar signposts of our democracy truth, civility, working together have been obscured or swept aside. The annual event in the chamber of the state Assembly was unusual from the outset. Just minutes before beginning his speech, Brown gave the oath of office to Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, the former Los Angeles congressman confirmed to the post on Monday afternoon by the state Senate. Legislators have had a decidedly unusual start to their new two-year session. After a raucous opening day in December that laid bare wounds from the presidential race, lawmakers were presented two weeks ago with Browns projection of a $1.6-billion budget deficit looming on the states fiscal horizon. But the sea change in national politics has been a persistent buzz in the state Capitol, and Brown promised a strong defense of Californias unique view on major policy issues. The governor made a special mention of the issue of illegal immigration, offering perhaps his strongest words to date. Let me be clear, the governor said, his voice rising. We will defend everybody every man, woman and child who has come here for a better life and has contributed to the well-being of our state. Even with those critiques, the governor veered from his prepared remarks to praise Trumps call for a new focus on infrastructure projects. I say, Amen to that, man! he said. And Brown urged members of the Legislature to reject the bitter partisan divisions of this moment in the nations history. Democrats are in the majority, but Republicans represent real Californians, too, he said to bipartisan applause. We have generally been civil to one another and avoided the rancor of Washington. I urge you to go even further and look for new ways to work beyond party and act as Californians first. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Xavier Becerra takes oath of office, is first Latino to become California attorney general By Patrick McGreevy Xavier Becerra ((Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) ) Minutes after resigning his seat in Congress on Tuesday, Xavier Becerra took the oath of office as Californias new attorney general, and he immediately made plans for a sit-down with sheriffs from throughout the state to talk about law enforcement issues. Becerra, 58, was given the oath of office at the Capitol by Gov. Jerry Brown, who predicted earlier that Xavier will be a champion for all Californians. The ceremony was held before Brown was scheduled to deliver his annual State of the State address, and a day after Becerra received final confirmation by the state Senate. I will do my utmost to uphold your faith in me to serve as our great states next chief law enforcement officer and legal advocate, Becerra said in a letter to Brown on Tuesday, letting him know he had resigned from Congress. And while I leave Congress with mixed emotions, I am ready to begin my work as Attorney General. Californias hard-working families are counting on us, and we wont let them down, Becerra said. Becerra was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife, physician Carolina Reyes, two of his three daughters, and his parents, both immigrants from Mexico. Brown appointed Becerra to fill a vacancy after former Atty. Gen.l Kamala Harris won election to a seat in the U.S. Senate. Becerra has pledged to challenge any attempts by the new administration of President Trump to roll back state policies on immigration, civil rights and the environment. Brown noted his appointees background during his speech. Like so many others, he is the son of immigrants who saw California as a place where, through grit and determination, they could realize their dreams, Brown said. And they are not alone, millions of Californians have come here from Mexico and a hundred other countries, making our state what it is today: vibrant, even turbulent, and a beacon of hope to the rest of the world. The first Latino to become state attorney general in California spent the last two weeks meeting with dozens of legislators as he went through confirmation hearings in both houses. Governor Brown and state legislators have already shared valuable ideas on our path forward, Becerra said in a statement after his confirmation. And next week I hope to sit down with sheriffs from across our state to begin our work together keeping our families safe and enforcing our laws fairly. The first focus on local law enforcement was welcomed by Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood, president of the California State Sheriffs Assn. He wants to start with law enforcement in the San Joaquin Valley, and I think thats a really positive step, Youngblood said. Im impressed with his credentials. Im impressed with his background, and I think hes going to be a good attorney general. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Watch: Gov. Jerry Brown delivers his State of the State address Gov. Jerry Brown will deliver his State of the State address at 10 a.m. PST. Watch live here: Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Xavier Becerras resignation from Congress took effect at 9:15 a.m.; he calls serving a distinct honor Xavier Becerra has submitted letter of resignation from Congress ahead of swearing in for California attorney general today Patrick McGreevy (@mcgreevy99) January 24, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias senators split on CIA director confirmation By Sarah D. Wire Californias senators split Monday night on the confirmation of Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), President Trumps pick to lead the CIA. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who serves on the Senate Select Intelligence Committee and backed Pompeo, said in a statement that Pompeo gave straightforward answers to her questions, and that House colleagues called him smart, hardworking and devoted to protecting our country. Congressman Pompeo has committed to following the law regarding torture, promised to provide objective analysis of Irans compliance with the nuclear agreement and insisted that he would continue to keep the Senate Intelligence Committee fully informed of CIA activities, Feinstein said. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said in a statement that she appreciated that Pompeo was responsive, engaging, and has made a number of positive commitments during the confirmation process, but said she couldnt vote for him after looking at his entire record on issues such as torture, surveillance, and the collection and use of metadata. Pompeo was confirmed 66 to 32 Monday evening. Thirteen Democrats joined Feinstein in voting for him. While House members dont get to vote for confirmation, the leaders of the House Select Intelligence Committee, Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) and ranking Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) joined Feinstein in congratulating Pompeo for his confirmation. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sen. Kamala Harris moves into some familiar digs on Capitol Hill By Sarah D. Wire (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times) Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and her staff can begin moving today into her official Senate office, the same space she interned in as a college student. Few offices can hold a staff as large as the ones allocated to the California members and as expected, Harris was assigned an office in the Hart Senate Office Building, the same space occupied by former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). Harris can start moving in this morning, her staff said. Back home, Harris plans to have state offices in Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco, her staff said. It is a bit of a change from Boxer, who had additional offices in Oakland and Riverside, but did not have an office in San Francisco. The space in Washington should feel familiar. It was occupied by Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.) when Harris interned for him as a mailroom clerk for a summer when she was a Howard University student in the 1980s. Two floors up in the same building is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Except for states where staff size is a consideration, Senate offices are assigned based on seniority and sitting senators have months to decide if they want to move offices. That means some new senators could spend months working out of temporary space. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Assembly speaker taps former Obama spokesman for communications strategy By Melanie Mason Bill Burton (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) With Californias face-off against Washington, D.C., getting widespread attention, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon has turned to a veteran of national politics to help shape his public image: White House veteran Bill Burton. Burton, who once worked as deputy press secretary in the Obama administration, was hired this month by Rendon, a Democrat from Paramount, for communications strategy. Now a managing partner in the Los Angeles office for SKDKnickerbocker, a prominent liberal public affairs firm, Burton said he relished being involved in California politics, which he said sets a model for liberals nationwide. With President Trump and congressional Republicans controlling the national agenda, Speaker Rendon and his incredible staff are at the center of some of the most important progressive fights in the country and we couldnt be more excited to be helping any way we can, he said. Burton said his services, paid for out of Rendons campaign account, are meant to offer a more intentional approach to how hes been dealing with media a recognition, he said, of Rendons and Californias elevated role in national politics. Rendon is not the only legislative Democrat to be represented by SKDKnickerbocker. Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia of Bell Gardens also is a client. The firm also worked with Democratic Reps. Grace Napolitano and Linda Sanchez in their reelection bids, as well as freshman Rep. Nanette Barragan in her heated congressional race against fellow Democrat, former state Sen. Isadore Hall. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement State Senate votes for final confirmation of Xavier Becerra as state attorney general By Patrick McGreevy Gov. Jerry Brown, left, appointed Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) as state attorney general. ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) The state Senate on Monday voted 26-9 in favor of final confirmation of Rep. Xavier Becerra as Californias attorney general, putting on watch a veteran politician who has promised to block efforts by President Trump to roll back state policies on immigration, civil rights and the environment. Becerra, a Los Angeles Democrat and 12-term congressman, is set to take the oath of office on Tuesday before Gov. Jerry Browns State of the State address. As Attorney General, Xavier will be a champion for all Californians, Brown said in a statement after the party-line vote. Brown appointed Becerra as the states first Latino attorney general to fill the vacancy left when former state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon said Becerra will be an effective counter force to Trump, who has threatened mass deportations and the repeal of some environmental laws. Many of us know him personally and can attest to his character, to his integrity and to his qualifications, De Leon said of Becerra. He will be a strong partner for our state to help us work with the federal government when we can and to resist when we must. State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) said Becerra understands the challenges ahead. He will indeed vigorously defend the values of our state by taking the fight to the federal government when necessary, said Jackson, who chairs the state Senate Judiciary Committee. Becerra, 58, said during two weeks of confirmation hearings that he would also fight any attempt to weaken environmental protections or adopt stop-and-frisk police policies that allow officers to search anyone on the street. All Republican senators voted against Becerra or withheld their vote. I think when you are the top cop you have to enforce the law to the fullest extent, said state Sen. Joel Anderson (R-San Diego) before he voted against Becerra. Opponents cited Becerras support for sanctuary cities that refuse to have their officers help enforce immigration laws. San Francisco prohibits local authorities from holding immigrants for immigration officials if they have no violent felonies on their records and do not currently face charges. Trump has threatened to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities. Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) also opposed Becerra, saying he is worried that the antagonistic tone being set by Democratic lawmakers with Becerra could put at risk the $86 billion the state and its cities gets annually from the federal government. I dont want to jeopardize those funds, Moorlach said. Becerra said he was humbled by the vote and ready to get working.He plans to meet soon with county sheriffs to discuss local law enforcement issues. As I embark on this new journey, my compass will be the experiences of hard-working families like the one I grew up in, Becerra said. As the son of immigrants, I know how important it is to protect the rights and dreams of every aspiring American. I will make sure no headwinds from outside our state can knock us down. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Attorney general nominee Becerra questioned on guns, death penalty and pot during confirmation hearings By Patrick McGreevy Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), shown at a gun violence event in June, was selected by Gov. Jerry Brown to be Californias next attorney general. ((Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) ) In two weeks of confirmation hearings, state attorney general nominee Xavier Becerra has been asked for his position on many issues, including new gun control laws, the states death penalty policy and the recent voter approval of an initiative that legalized recreational marijuana use. The 12-term congressman is up for a possible final confirmation vote Monday in the state Senate. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California attorney general nominee Xavier Becerra is warned against suing Trump early and often By Patrick McGreevy Rep. Xavier Becerra (Rich Pedroncelli / AP) With Xavier Becerra facing a final confirmation vote Monday for state attorney general, two former high-level officials in the office are warning against drowning President Trump in lawsuits. The pressure to sue Trump early and often is a trap, according to Michael Troncos, former chief counsel in the California attorney generals office, and Debbie Mesloh, a former senior advisor to the California attorney general, writing in an op-ed piece published by the Los Angeles Times. In this right-wing political moment, a major legal case on our climate change laws or our policies benefiting (young immigrant) Dreamers may well lead to a Trump White House victory, establishing precedents that far outlast this presidency, the two write. In fact, the cases Becerra chooses not to bring may be among his most important achievements. Courts cant rule on whats not before them. Troncos and Mesloh said California will be up against a U.S. Supreme Court remade in Trumps image, and that [a]sking a federal court to overturn federal immigration policies could be a fools errand. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California cities would have to make it easier to build houses under new legislation By Liam Dillon California cities that are falling behind on housing production goals set by the state would be forced to remove some of their development restrictions under legislation from a Bay Area state senator. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released new details in his bill, SB 35, Monday morning that would require cities to approve new housing in areas already zoned for high-density development provided developers set aside some units for low-income residents. The bills provisions would only apply in cities where growth isnt keeping pace with housing production targets developed by the state every eight years that are designed to ensure California has enough homes for its growing population to live affordably. Right now, thats not happening. The states median home price of $485,800 is more than 2 1/2 times the national average, with the states poorest residents the hardest hit. And in the most recent eight-year housing cycle ending in 2014, production was less than half of the state target. Wiener, a former San Francisco supervisor, said Californias affordability crisis requires the state to involve its President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday he wont be selling his company, virtually ensuring that his administration will continue to face questions about potential conflicts between his public duties and private interests. Instead of divesting his hotels, golf courses, office buildings and other assets, Trump will create a trust for his Trump Organization holdings and turn over management to his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric. For the record: Rep. Mark Sanford is a Republican from South Carolina, not North Carolina. Trump will have nothing to do with any decisions involving the company, and it will avoid any foreign deals while he is president, said Sheri A. Dillon, a lawyer for Trump who outlined the plan during a news conference the president-elect held at Trump Tower in New York. Advertisement Ethics experts questioned whether the steps Trump outlined would significantly reduce the potential for conflicts of interest. But Dillon said any further moves, such as selling assets or creating a blind trust, would be unfair and unworkable. President-elect Trump should not be expected to destroy the company he built, she said. Trump, in a raucous exchange with reporters, said he does not believe the public cares much about his business dealings. He made it clear he would keep ownership of all properties throughout his presidency and planned to resume management of the company when he leaves office. He also said he had no plans to release his tax returns to provide transparency about his finances, a practice started by Richard Nixon and followed by every subsequent president except Gerald Ford. The only ones that care about my tax returns are the reporters, OK? Trump said. As for voters, he said: I won. No, I dont think they care at all. He also noted that, as president, he is exempt from the federal conflict of interest law. I could actually run my business and run government at the same time, he said. I dont like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that if I wanted to. The governments chief ethics officer criticized that assertion and called Trumps plan perplexing. It is quite obviously not true that the president cant have a conflict of interest, Walter Shaub Jr., director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, said in remarks at the Brookings Institution. Although the main federal law on conflicts doesnt apply to the president, that doesnt mean no conflicts will occur, he said. For that reason, its been the consistent policy of the executive branch that the president should act as though the financial conflict of interest law applied, Shaub said. Stepping back from running his business is meaningless from a conflict-of-interest perspective, Shaub added. Trumps plan, he said, doesnt meet the standards that the best of his nominees are meeting and that every president in the past four decades has met. The only thing this has in common with a blind trust is the label trust, Shaub said. His sons are still running the businesses, and, of course, he knows what he owns. A leading outside legal expert agreed. I think theres going to be lawsuits. I think theres the possibility, if its serious enough, of impeachment proceedings down the road. So I dont think this begins to solve the problem, said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the law school at UC Irvine and an expert on constitutional law. Trump appeared to concede that he could face actual conflicts, if not legal ones, when he asserted he had no business dealings in Russia. We could make deals in Russia very easily if we wanted to, Trump said. I just dont want to, because I think that would be a conflict. With more than 500 corporations, hundreds of millions in outstanding debts and real estate deals from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to a hotel down the street from the White House, Trumps business represents unprecedented potential conflicts with his duties as president. To deal with those issues, Dillon said Trump would resign from any positions with his companies and turn over control to his sons and a company vice president, Allen Weisselberg. Trump will not participate in any decisions, nor get any information about how individual properties are doing just a general profit and loss statement, Dillon said. The trust agreement requires that all pending deals, more than 30 of them, be terminated, she said. While the company will do no new foreign deals while Trump is president, domestic deals will still be permitted but only after written approval from a new ethics officer who will work for the Trump company, she added. Dillon said it would be infeasible for the Trump Organization to sell properties like Trump Tower and the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida or to unwind the dozens of deals in which Trump gets paid a licensing fee for his name. That would greatly diminish the value of assets and create a fire sale, she said. Selling the assets would exacerbate conflicts, not cure them, Dillon said. The sons would have to take on huge debts to buy out their fathers interests, and that would raise questions about the terms of the loans and whether the lenders were trying to curry favor with Trump, she noted. Dillon also maintained that Trump was not in danger of violating a provision in the Constitution, known as the emoluments clause, which prohibits U.S. officials from getting certain payments from foreign powers. Trump is already drawing heat because his Washington hotel is getting business from foreign governments. Dillon said that payments for services, as opposed to gifts, are not emoluments and that, in any case, Trump would donate any hotel profits from foreign governments to the U.S. Treasury. Nobody seems to think, other than his lawyer, that this solves his emoluments problem, said Norman Eisen, chief White House ethics lawyer in President Obamas first term. Dillon compared Trumps business empire to the fortune held by Nelson Rockefeller when he became vice president in 1974, but at that time, no one was so concerned. In fact, the nomination of Rockefeller to become vice president after Ford ascended to the presidency was held up for months because of concerns about conflicts of interest. Rockefeller, heir to an oil fortune, was one of Americas richest people at the time and promised to put all his securities into a blind trust. The Senate did not impose such a condition before confirming him. Democrats jumped on Trumps refusal to sell his holdings or to release tax records. Theyve not been transparent, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest, noting that Trump, facing questions about dealings with Russia, could release documents proving that he has no dealings there. But theyve refused to do so. That kind of secrecy only serves to sow public doubt. Some Republicans also criticized Trump. Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) called the decision not to release tax returns a grave mistake. This is about upholding precedent and encouraging transparency, he said. joseph.tanfani@latimes.com Twitter: @jtanfani ALSO: Obama delivers emotional final speech to the nation: Yes, we did. Yes, we can. Trumps pick for Homeland Security chief says border wall will not do the job Tillerson, Trumps pick for secretary of State, seeks to allay fears about his ties to Russia UPDATES: 3:30 p.m.: This article has been revised with additional quotes and details. It was originally posted at 10:25 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump amplified his already heated war with the intelligence community Wednesday, accusing agents of disseminating an ugly and unsubstantiated report about him, and comparing the leak to Nazi tactics. The showdown threatens to further undermine trust between the next commander in chief and Americas spies amid heightened threats to national security from terrorist groups and adversaries around the world with powerful new cyberweapons. Trump, for the first time, acknowledged intelligence findings that Russia hacked Democratic files in an effort to interfere with the election, but he denied that Moscow tried to help him win, and he praised President Vladimir Putin, even suggesting that the hack ultimately helped American voters. Advertisement Hackings bad and it shouldnt be done, he told reporters. But look at the things that were hacked, look at what was learned from that hacking. The claim was one of several bizarre moments at a wide-ranging news conference, Trumps first since July, that also touched on his business conflicts, his biggest campaign promises and another of his main foils, the media. The event went off with a typical level of theatrics: Trump stood in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York next to stacks of file folders, ostensibly containing documents detailing the handover of his businesses to his older sons, though they were acknowledged only as an afterthought. Several other speakers took turns at the lectern, including a tax lawyer, a spokesman and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Trump briefly argued with a CNN correspondent, refusing to take his question. Trump was asked to rule out the possibility of contacts between his associates and Russian intelligence agents during the campaign and would not do so. But he lashed out against media organizations that published unverified allegations Tuesday from a report that claimed that Russians had gathered blackmail material against him and that people in his orbit had met with Russian agents during the campaign. The unsubstantiated information was contained in a 35-page file released Tuesday by BuzzFeed, which said it was publishing the material in the interest of transparency. No news organization has been able to verify any of the material in the report, which CNN reported was prepared by an outside source. Media reports conflict about whether it was disclosed to Trump and President Obama in intelligence briefings last week. Trump said it was sick people who put that crap together, including unproven assertions that he encountered prostitutes at a Russian hotel. Im also very much of a germaphobe, by the way, he said. Believe me. It was disgraceful disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out, Trump said. Thats something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do. Intelligence officials and their allies have stewed over Trumps broadsides and were angered by his latest declarations of distrust. Kill the messenger and divert attention: That is the only trick Donald Trump has, and he does it viciously, said Glenn Carle, a former senior CIA officer who spent more than two decades as a spy. The relationship is essentially damaged beyond the possibility of repair before it has even begun. Trump continued to dismiss criticism of Russia, much of it waged by members of his own party, over the hacking of Democrats. He noted that China also has breached U.S. government systems and insisted it is not getting the attention it deserves, one of several instances when he was asked about Russia and invoked China instead in his answer. He praised Russia for denouncing the report that it was gathering blackmail material against him as pulp fiction. And he insisted that Russians would have released damaging information about him during the campaign if they had it, ignoring the possibility that Putin could hold onto it as leverage and contradicting intelligence officials conclusions that the Kremlin was specifically trying to aid Trump. If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks? Thats called an asset, not a liability, Trump said. He added that he did not know yet whether he would ultimately get along with Putin. I hope I do. But theres a good chance I wont. And if I dont, do you honestly believe that Hillary [Clinton] would be tougher on Putin than me? he said. Does anybody in this room really believe that? Give me a break. Trump spoke positively of improving relations with Russia during his presidency, praising Putin and saying Moscow can help us fight [Islamic State], which, by the way, is, No. 1, tricky. Some of those views not only put him at odds with some U.S. intelligence officials but also many Republican members of Congress who call Putin an autocrat who violates human rights and unlawfully invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. That tension played out Wednesday on Capitol Hill, where Rex Tillerson, Trumps choice for secretary of State, faced sharp questions during his initial Senate hearing from members of both parties. The former Exxon Mobil chief has had deep business ties in the country. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican who ran against Trump for president, showed particular frustration that Tillerson would not use the term war criminal to describe Putin, in light of atrocities reported in Syria, where Russian troops are aiding government forces. And although Tillerson criticized Russias invasion of Ukraine and said policy toward Russia had to be clear-eyed, he stuck with his skepticism toward economic sanctions, which he said too often end up hurting U.S. businesses. They have been a key tool for the Obama administration to punish Russia for its incursions into Ukraine. Another top Trump Cabinet pick will face senators Thursday. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), an aerospace entrepreneur and former Army officer whom Trump has selected to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, may be asked how he intends to run an agency that has been openly mocked by his future boss. CIA leaders in the seventh-floor suites of the agencys headquarters in Langley, Va., are bracing for a confrontation when Trumps team enters the White House. Trump said he has ordered his national security team to launch a 90-day review of the nations cyberdefenses as soon as he takes office. And he roiled intelligence officials when his transition team issued a statement in December knocking down the CIAs assessment that Putin had ordered the hacks in a deliberate effort to damage Clinton and bolster Trumps election prospects. The rift has grown wide enough that Trump doesnt seem to trust the intelligence briefers to keep their encounters private. During the news conference, Trump said he recently wanted to test whether U.S. intelligence officials were telling reporters about their briefings with him, so he met with intelligence officials without anyone in his tightly knit organization knowing, he said. Nobody knew, not even Rhona, my executive assistant for years, she didnt know I didnt tell her, he said. The meeting was had, the meeting was over, they left, and immediately the word got out that I had a meeting, he said. Its pretty sad when intelligence reports get leaked out to the press, Trump said at another point. He also issued a veiled threat, pointing out that releasing classified information would be a crime. Democrats warned that Trump was being shortsighted. Trump may think that denigrating the intelligence community is good politics, or a useful way to deflect attention from the gravity of Russias intervention on his behalf during the election, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. At some point, Trump may need to rely on intelligence reports to justify military action overseas, he said. By casting doubt on their integrity, by mentioning the intelligence community in the same sentence as Nazi Germany, President-elect Trump is undermining the authority and credibility that he will need as president, Schiff said. Times staff writers Tracy Wilkinson and Michael A. Memoli contributed to this report. noah.bierman@latimes.com, brian.bennett@latimes.com @noahbierman, @bybrianbennett ALSO: Obama delivers emotional final speech to the nation: Yes, we did. Yes, we can. Trumps pick for Homeland Security chief says border wall will not do the job Tillerson, Trumps pick for secretary of State, seeks to allay fears about his ties to Russia UPDATES: 3:10 p.m.: This story was updated with comment from a former spy. This story was originally published at 2:15 p.m. Supreme Court justices appeared ready Wednesday to clarify and strengthen the rights of the nations 6.7 million children with disabilities, perhaps by requiring public schools to offer a special education program that will ensure they can make significant progress. The case of a Colorado boy with autism, Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District, could have a far-reaching impact on millions of children and their parents as well as the budgets of school districts nationwide. At issue is a long-standing federal law that says children with disabilities have a right to a free appropriate public education. Schools, courts and parents have been divided over what this promise means in practice. Advertisement Does it mean, for example, that a school must merely offer a minimal special program that may offer some educational benefit to the child, as a federal appeals court in Denver ruled? Or instead, do these children have a right to make significant educational progress, as lawyers for the outgoing Obama administration contend? During Wednesdays argument, the justices struggled with the lawyers and among themselves to find the right legal standard. At one point, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. drew knowing smiles from his colleagues when he complained of the blizzard of words being tossed around, most of which had no clear meaning. However, most of the justices appeared to favor setting a slightly higher standard, one that should lead the child to make measured progress on academics or behavior. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said it would not be sufficient for schools to provide an expert for five minutes a day and claim they were providing the child some benefit. But the chief justice and others said they were wary of setting an unrealistically strict standard that would require students to meet certain goals. They also voiced worries about costs and an explosion of lawsuits. Parents who are dissatisfied with special educational programs may remove their children from public schools, enroll them in private schools and then sue to have the costs paid by the school districts. But to win a reimbursement, the parents must show that the public schools failed to provide the appropriate education promised by the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. A coalition of big-city school districts, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, warned the high court of the growing cost of private programs, which on average are more than four times as expensive as a public program. Los Angeles school officials said they spend $93 million a year on these private placements. In the case before the court, the parents of Endrew F., an autistic child from Douglas County, Colo., enrolled him in public school through fourth grade. They worked with teachers to devise a special education program for him, but by fourth grade, his behavior was getting worse. He had repeated outbursts in class, banged his head on the floor and twice ran away from the school. His parents moved him to a private school where he was thriving, according to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Nonetheless, the judges ruled the public school system need not reimburse the parents because it had provided their child with a minimally adequate educational program. It is not the [school] districts burden to pay for his placement [in the private school] when Drew was making some progress under its tutelage. That is all that is required, wrote Judge Timothy Tymkovich, one of the 21 judges named as possible Supreme Court nominees by President-elect Donald Trump. Stanford law professor Jeffrey Fisher, representing the parents, said the Supreme Court should reject the minimally adequate standard set by the 10th Circuit and instead say that children with disabilities have a right to make significant progress at school. Lawyers from the U.S. solicitor generals office joined in support of the parents. Irv Gornstein, a counselor in the office, said the law requires schools to provide a learning program aimed at significant progress in light of the childs circumstances. While this is not a guarantee of progress, they said, it is an approach that will require schools to aim high. david.savage@latimes.com Twitter: DavidGSavage ALSO Majority of police in the U.S. say their jobs have gotten harder Tillerson, Trumps pick for secretary of State, seeks to allay fears about his ties to Russia Obama delivers emotional final speech to the nation: Yes, we did. Yes, we can. UPDATES: 1:35 p.m.: This article was updated after the courts argument. This article was originally published at 3 a.m. There was a time in California when a warning of a projected state budget deficit would have been the political equivalent of white noise. But then, the deficits disappeared. Until this week, at least. Good morning from the state capital. Im Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers, and three years of reliably strong tax revenues are giving way to a sobering reality delivered by Gov. Jerry Brown. The trajectory of revenue growth is declining, Brown told reporters on Tuesday. Advertisement Still growing, mind you. But not growing at the rate both the governor and legislative leaders predicted last summer. BROWNS BUDGET: ERASING A DEFICIT Our coverage of Browns budget rollout pointed out that the newly projected $1.6-billion deficit isnt the only thing that presents risk. The bigger worry is that congressional Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump will cut federal subsidies funneled into California. But like all rollouts of state budget plans, this one offered a lot of stories beyond the big headline: Housing advocates might have been surprised that the governor clawed back last years $400 million in unspent housing subsidies. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) took aim at Browns proposal to stop awarding new college scholarships to students from middle-class families. Government leaders in Californias 58 counties werent happy that the budget is balanced, in part, by sending them a new $622-million annual invoice. And you can put transportation groups under the heading of cautiously optimistic, as Browns budget includes a revised (but still hard-to-pass) $4.3-billion package for repairing roads and expanding transit. Well be diving deeper into the state budget and taking the pulse of budget debates this winter on our Essential Politics news feed. OBAMAS GOODBYE, TRUMPS HELLO On the national front, this is simply an amazing 24 hours of political history. A president offers his farewell, and his replacement girds for whats likely to be a contentious tussle with the press. First, that goodbye. President Obama delivered the final speech of his eight-year presidency Tuesday night, an impassioned defense of democracy in front of a Chicago audience that seemed to beg him to stay on stage just a little while longer. You were the change, Obama said. You answered peoples hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started. (Weve got the entire transcript of the presidents speech here.) Meantime, the man who will take his place next week holds his first news conference in five months today. And theres no doubt hell be asked about Tuesdays late breaking news: Allegations of Russian espionage that focused on the president-elects personal life and political associates. Those reports came after more testimony earlier Tuesday from FBI Director James Comey about other Russian efforts namely, hacking of Republican computers for information that was never released. Is there an upside for the president-elect with the swirl of attention focused on this mornings first Q&A with the press? Perhaps, write Noah Bierman and Lisa Mascaro: It might divert some attention from controversies surrounding his Cabinet picks. SESSIONS SHOWDOWN, KELLYS COMMENTS And speaking of those picks, Tuesdays confirmation hearing made clear that Trumps team will not get a cakewalk when appearing before various Senate committees. The marathon hearing for Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions included heated exchanges on the civil rights record of Trumps choice for attorney general. Meantime, there was a different kind of headline from the confirmation hearing of the man chosen to be Homeland Security secretary, John Kelly. Kelly offered a new take on the president-elects promise of a border wall with Mexico. A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job, Kelly told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. TODAYS CAPITOL HILL HEARINGS Up today for their Senate vetting: Rex Tillerson as secretary of State; Elaine Chao as secretary of Transportation; and Mike Pompeo as CIA director. Our Trail Guide team will be keeping a close eye. BECERRA PASSES HIS FIRST TEST A much less contentious confirmation hearing on Tuesday in Sacramento (OK, not contentious at all) ended in an endorsement for Los Angeles Rep. Xavier Becerra to become Californias next attorney general. As Patrick McGreevy writes, the Democrat won the approval of a special Assembly committee that considered his nomination while offering some tough talk about President-elect Trump. A full vote by the Assembly will be held on Friday, and the state Senate will take action on Becerras nomination next week. TODAYS ESSENTIALS Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom offered an idea on blocking Trumps wall: an avalanche of environmental lawsuits. Trumps attack on Hollywood seemed an odd fit, writes Cathleen Decker. Californias congressional Republicans are leading the charge, it seems, on trying to remove a hotly debated Capitol painting. Sen. Kamala Harris praised Tuesdays shutdown of the adult section of Backpage.com. Democrats quarreled with Republicans in Sacramento over the legality of hiring the nations former attorney general, Eric Holder, as outside counsel to the Legislature. The governors new budget laid down a political marker over the future of the states cap-and-trade climate program. Californias rainy-day fund will near the $8-billion mark next year. Is $52 million enough for government regulation of marijuana in California? Some in the pot business dont think so. Angelenos could soon be driving down the Vin Scully Highway, if Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) gets his way. LOGISTICS 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? Miss Mondays newsletter? Here you go.. Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox. Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com. Dozens of people donning wetsuits and carrying surfboards made their way to Oak Street Beach in Laguna Beach on Monday to pay tribute to a friend, son and brother. They paddled out into the water to form, in time-honored tradition, a floating memorial. Tim Vorenkamp died a year ago after a five-year battle with a rare form of cancer, and his friends and family wanted to mark the first anniversary of his death and raise money for his Live for Others Foundation. Vorenkamp, a surfer, had been battling ill health since 2010, when he was 13 and diagnosed with Stage 3 synovial sarcoma. At the time it was scary, Tim said in a November 2015 video posted on the foundation website. I had a huge lump growing on my leg. He said people who cared about him cried upon learning the news of his illness, but he had a different reaction. I was smiling, I was happy, he said. I knew it was not Stage 4 at the time. During the paddle-out Monday, Pieter Vorenkamp recalled the approaching end of his sons brief 18 years. It was December [2015] when he knew he only had a few weeks to live, Pieter Vorenkamp said. He could have sat at home being in misery for himself, but he didnt. Instead, Tim founded the Live for Others Foundation to raise awareness of and promote a cure for synovial sarcoma. He really wanted to do something for the community before he passed away, his younger brother Patrick Vorenkamp, 16, said during the ceremony. He wanted to stop synovial sarcoma because he knew it was so terrible. The paddle-out, which also benefited the foundation through ticket and merchandise sales, drew more than 100 guests to Oak Street, where Tim and Patrick often surfed. The Vorenkamp family knew rain was possible, but as surfers started to zip up their wetsuits, the sun peeked through the clouds, blanketing them with warmth and light. Patrick was the first to paddle into the ocean. More than 30 other surfers followed his lead. A standout volleyball player too Tim grew up in Laguna Niguel and graduated from JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano. The family had a second home in Laguna Beach, where Tim could walk to Oak Street beach to surf, said his mother, Petra. His big passion was volleyball, Petra said, adding that multiple universities, including UC Irvine, recruited him to play. But the disease took its toll. Tims fight with the aggressive cancer involved chemotherapy and radiation treatments, nearly 10 operations including two major lung surgeries and hundreds of doctor visits. The cancer kept coming back and he could not play anymore, Petra said. Tim attended UC Berkeley for a portion of the fall 2015 semester. Synovial sarcoma is a rare tumor of the soft tissues, usually around joints, according to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Synovial tissue is found around tendons and can form fluid-filled sacs. Symptoms can depend on the size and location of the tumor and include swelling or massing, with or without pain, and limping or difficulty using legs, arms, hands or feet. The condition, which tends to occur in adolescents and young adults and affects more males than females, accounts for less than 1% of new cancer cases each year, according to the institutes website. Even with the disease, Tim inspired others with his perseverance, his mother said. He was always positive and motivated other people, Petra said. He felt God was involved in this. In the last week of his life, Tim awoke one day with a big smile and his face and said, Heaven is for real, Petra said. It still gives me chills. His video reveals much about his spirit. Over the last five years, I have not thought about it that much, Tim said in the video. Worrying about your disease, or worrying about what is going to happen, would cause it to happen. By not having to think about it and cherishing every moment I had, it brought the most happy five years Ive ever had. He was the ultimate student Students at JSerra, including members of the new Live for Others student club, which raises funds and awareness for rare cancers, helped organize Mondays event. He was the ultimate student, said Carol Chaffee, director of JSerras business magnet program. He never used excuses when he was dealing with his illness. Tims foundation announced last week that it had raised funds for its first grant, $50,000 for Dr. Bang Hoang at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Hoang performed Tims first major surgery in 2010, according to a foundation release. The grant, raised by donations, will enable Hoang and his team to experiment and examine the susceptibility of synovial sarcoma. Battling cancer, you never lose and you never will lose, Tim said on the video. If one day the fight ends and something like that happens, you never lose to it. You just start a new journey. bryce.alderton@latimes.com Twitter: @AldertonBryce alexandra.chan@latimes.com Twitter: @AlexandraChan10 Corona del Mar High Schools Orchesis dance team will perform at the Halo Dance Performance on Jan. 23 to help support educational services for families living with autism. The Halo Foundation, which holds the annual show, was founded by Orchesis director Cami Marseilles in 2011 shortly after her 4-year-old son, Kai, and youngest son, Koa, began to show autism-like symptoms. The nonprofit foundation helps families affected by autism by educating them about early-intervention therapies and offering financial support for therapies, as needed. For the first time, this years show will be held at Corona del Mar Middle Schools theater. Performances are scheduled for 1 and 5 p.m. Orchesis will perform at the later show. For tickets, visit halodance4autism.org. * Harbor Christian Church names interim senior pastor Harbor Christian Church in Newport Beach has named Stanley Smith as its interim senior pastor, succeeding Wesley Knight, who along with his wife left to care for their sick parents in South Dakota. Smith retired in 2011 after 19 years as senior pastor of First Christian Church of Orange. He is a graduate of Chapman University in Orange and Claremont School of Theology. A Harbor Christian committee is seeking a new permanent senior pastor. The search could take six months to a year, according to Lee Hendrie, the churchs membership and evangelism chairman. * Foundation to offer training in understanding Type 1 diabetes The Pediatric-Adolescent Diabetes Research and Education Foundation will present training from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 27 at the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center in Newport Beach to help school health personnel get up to date about Type 1 diabetes and its effects on children. The training will provide school nurses and healthcare workers with current information on Type 1 diabetes. The nonprofit foundation provides more than 100 classes each year, offering education and support programs for children, teenagers and families affected by Type 1 diabetes. The Allen Diabetes Center is at 520 Superior Ave. The cost of the training is $30. To register, visit padrefoundation.org. To raise awareness about human trafficking and advocate for those forced into sex slavery around the world, a group of Glendale women will host a film screening next week at the Brand Library and Art Center. Earlier this summer, Carol Ann Burton, president of Soroptimist International of Glendale, came up with the idea to screen Sold, a movie based on true stories of girls forced into sex slavery. We take for granted what some people will do, and I think we need to open up our eyes, Burton said. While the screening will be free to the public, donations collected at the event will go directly to CAST, the Los Angeles-based Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking. The organization provides support to survivors of human trafficking. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Around the world, the organization estimates there are tens of millions victims caught up in the $150-billion industry. Through broad community outreach on local, state, national and international levels, Soroptimist International hopes to bring awareness to the issue of trafficking so that more victims will be free and empowered, Burton said. Unfortunately, we need to keep being reminded that the issue exists, even in our own community. Glendales Commission on the Status of Women is partnering with Soroptimist International of Glendale for the screening, something the commission was eager to do, said Diane Lambillotte, the commissions chair. The Glendale Commission on the Status of Women is gratified to be partnering with Soroptimist International of Glendale to bring attention to the horrible plight of those subject to human trafficking, which many people do not know is a huge problem, not only in other countries, but also right here in the U.S., she said. The event will begin with a 6 p.m. reception, followed by a 7 p.m. screening on Jan. 20 in the recital hall at Brand Library and Art Center, 1601 W. Mountain St. -- Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com Twitter: @kellymcorrigan Twenty-six people are one step closer to becoming firefighters after they graduated from the Verdugo Fire Academy this past Saturday. Over the past year, cadets have spent 900 hours preparing themselves physically and academically. Sponsored by the Glendale Fire Department and Glendale Community College, the academy covered every skill a firefighter would need from climbing ladders to extracting people trapped in vehicles in addition to extinguishing fires. Sam DiGiovanna, fire chief of the academy, said anyone whos enrolled with the college can participate in the program, but there are some caveats. Prospective cadets need to be certified as an emergency medical technician and be in good physical shape. Join the conversation on Facebook >> He also said there is a personal quality they need to succeed. Really what it takes is determination and a real hunger to be a firefighter, DiGiovanna said. The fire chief said this years group included four women and several students from different ethnic backgrounds including Armenian, Asian, Latino and black. After graduation, a graduate can apply to any department of their choosing. DiGiovanna said one will soon start work with the Chicago Fire Department, while another has an offer in Long Beach. He attributes the success of the academy to the cooperation of all the different departments, including those of Burbank and Pasadena, which act as training resources. Everybody works very well together, DiGiovanna said. -- Andy Nguyen, andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc Verdugo Village, a 126-unit apartment property located northeast of downtown Glendale, was purchased in December for $54.2 million and will be rebranded after some major renovations. If prospective tenants call Verdugo Village today, it will be referred to as Towne at Glendale in a prerecorded greeting. Towne at Glendale is the name Interstate Equities Corp., the real estate firm behind the purchase, will give the community as part of the acquisition and planned facelift. Built in 1965, Verdugo Villages 126 units are a combination of two- and three-bedroom apartments. The complex was renovated in 2007 with the goal of converting the property into condominiums. Join the conversation on Facebook >> The transformation never happened, but the updated amenities, such as central air conditioning, made the property more attractive when it was later listed for sale this past September. Its rare, we thought, to find something of that size and, frankly, in the quality of that market, said Brendan Gibney, senior acquisitions associate at Interstate Equities. Theres maybe three or four other [property] deals of that size in Glendale, but its actually undergone significant renovation. Planned improvements to existing amenities include an overhaul of the main lobby and entrance, upgrades to the on-site movie theater and playground, as well as the installation of a fitness center and storage for residents. The kitchens and lighting in the units will also be updated. Verdugo Village is currently around 96% occupied, but Interstate Equities will not expand the number of units to accommodate additional tenants. According to Gibney, the firm is still in the early stages with designers for final renovation plans, but said they should be underway in the next three to six months. Interstate Equities beat out 11 other bids for the property last year and was awarded the deal in November, with an official purchase the following month. Interstate Equities has invested in apartment communities along the California coast for many decades and recently purchased two other locations in and around Glendale Pacifica Glendale Apartments in Glendale as well as Citra Apartments in Burbank. Were really excited about it, as a firm, Gibney said. We are glad to maintain a presence in Glendale, one of the strongest submarkets in the Los Angeles area, and one that well be in for a while. -- Jeff Landa, jeff.landa@latimes.com Twitter: @JeffLanda The main highway into Mammoth Lakes was closed Tuesday, virtually isolating the Sierra winter recreation hub amid a crushing blizzard and brutal winds that gusted to 150 mph on ridge tops. In short, the Mammoth mega-storm of 2017 was continuing as anticipated. Whiteout conditions were seen around town, and authorities were cautioning residents to venture out only as necessary. Mammoth Lakes schools closed for the day, as did clinics and many businesses. Even the Mono County Board of Supervisors canceled its Tuesday meeting. Low visibility at times less than 100 feet made driving treacherous. A winter storm warning was in effect through Wednesday. Up to three feet of snow was predicted for U.S. 395, the main artery through the area, which was closed from California 203 (near Mammoth) to Bridgeport (50 miles north). Advertisement For updates on road conditions, call (800) 427-7623. Meanwhile, Mammoth Mountain is keeping an eye on snow depths and looking with anticipation to the long Martin Luther King holiday weekend, when skies and roads are expected to clear. The resort announced that it now had the deepest base in North America, 9 to 14 feet and counting. Up to 20 feet of snow was expected from a storm that began last week. As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, six Mammoth Mountain lifts were operating, serving 87 trails. June Mountain, the sister resort 20 minutes north, closed for the day. chris.erskine@latimes.com ALSO Whats new at ski resorts across the West You wont recognize Northstar at Lake Tahoe At least 68 people were killed in an early morning explosion at a factory near Shanghai that makes automobile parts for General Motors, once again raising concerns about workplace safety in China. Within hours of the explosion Saturday in the Kunshan, Jiangsu province, two executives of the Taiwanese company that owns the plant, Zhongrong Metal Products, were detained for questioning. The factory produces aluminum alloy tire rims. State media said the accident was most likely caused when sparks ignited a highly flammable powder used in polishing the hubs. Advertisement The explosion took place at 7:37 a.m. local time Saturday, when the factory was running with about 200 workers on site, according to reports. More than 180 were injured, many with serious burns. Those were being rushed to Shanghai, 45 miles away, to be treated. Footage from the scene showed charred workers, some sitting and some probably dead, on wooden pallets, as fires raged at the remains of a gutted factory in the background. The official Xinhua news service quoted a radio reporter saying that victims clothes and hair were burnt off, describing one as dark as charcoal. The explosion is one of the worst industrial accidents in China in recent years. The unusually high death toll and the foreign ownership of the plant is likely to prompt the government to look carefully at whether negligence was involved. A senior Chinese official, state councilor Wang Yong, was being dispatched from Beijing to visit the scene, state media reported. Zhongrong Metal Products is a supplier to Citic Dicastal Wheel Manufacturing, which, according to its website, is the worlds largest manufacturer of aluminum wheels. It has 450 employees. As China has grown rapidly so has the scale of industrial accidents, despite the governments efforts to strengthen safety standards. In June 2013, a fire at a poultry plant in northeastern China killed at least 119 people. That fire eclipsed the death toll from a 1993 blaze at a toy factory in Shenzhen that left 87 dead, mostly young women. Survivors of last years fire said workers were unable to escape because most exits were locked or blocked. Follow @BarbaraDemick on Twitter for news from China Russia scoffed Wednesday at unverified allegations that it had assembled compromising personal material on Donald Trump, deriding an uncorroborated dossier about the U.S. president-elects conduct as pulp fiction meant to degrade relations between Washington and Moscow. Trump himself forcefully denounced the emergence of the explosive but unsubstantiated material, which was reportedly presented to both him and President Obama last week as an unvetted addendum to intelligence reports on Russias alleged role in seeking to alter the course of the 2016 U.S. election. Its all fake news, its phony stuff, it didnt happen, Trump told reporters in New York. Advertisement Hours before the president-elect spoke at Trump Tower, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, denied any compilation of kompromat, or compromising materials, regarding Trump or for that matter, anyone. The Kremlin does not collect compromising materials, he told journalists in a conference call. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Jan. 11, 2017, in Moscow. (Alexei Druzhinin / Associated Press) Russia has a long and rich tradition, dating back to the Cold War era and earlier, of using surreptitiously collected or fabricated materials to blackmail or discredit political or diplomatic targets, according to historians and analysts. Peskov said nothing of the kind had happened in connection with Trump. This information isnt consistent with reality, and is nothing but a total fantasy, Peskov said. The Kremlin does not have kompromat on Trump . Its called pulp fiction in English you have to react to it with a bit of humor, although there is a sad side. The 35-page dossier on Trump, first published by the news website BuzzFeed and referred to but not published in full by many other news organizations, was reportedly compiled by a former British intelligence officer at the behest of political operatives. Unverified by U.S. intelligence, the dossier includes a description of lurid videos allegedly secretly shot by Russian intelligence agents at a Moscow hotel where Trump stayed during a visit to Russia in 2013 while presiding over a beauty pageant. Peskovs denial of the practice of assembling kompromat drew immediate pushback from Russian government critics. Gennady Gudkov, a former KGB officer turned opposition party leader, cited the tactic as being in common use. Gudkov, who was evicted from Russias lower house of parliament, or Duma, for his criticism of the Kremlin, said there was a flood of kompromat on opposition figures. Of course they are collecting all the [compromising] materials they can, he said in an interview. They collect everything on everyone, including friends, because tomorrow they could turn into foes. Over a period of months, Russia has steadfastly denied any role in attempting to influence the U.S. election. The current controversy drew a particularly scathing response from Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who took to Facebook to characterize the dossier claims as inhuman, unbearable and mind-boggling heresy. Trumps friendly characterizations of Putin together with criticism of the NATO alliance and questioning whether Russias annexation of Crimea should be allowed to stand began raising eyebrows over the summer, after he had won the Republican nomination. Allegations of Russian involvement in the U.S. campaign sharpened in October, when the Obama administration accused the Kremlin of being responsible for hacking that targeted the Democratic National Committee. After the election, U.S. intelligence agencies declared their consensus that cyberattacks had been deliberately intended by the Russian government to harm Trumps opponent, Hillary Clinton, and aid him. Trump initially derided those conclusions and appeared to support Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in his claim that the source of leaked documents had not been the Russian government. Earlier this week, Peskov had again deemed the American intelligence conclusions a witch hunt. Times staff writer Laura King in Washington contributed to this report. ALSO Russia begins to draw down its forces in Syria Meet the Palestinian hip-hop artist at the center of Israels culture wars Eat, pray, love the Communist Party: a road trip through Tibetan lands, guided by China With global investor interest in Argentina expected to moderate this year, a plan to encourage Argentines to bring home their undeclared overseas assets could boost the local capital markets All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced. 19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc. Study Links Heartburn Drugs For Pregnant Women With High Risk Of Asthma In Babies staff@latinoshealth.com By Aboki Basira Jan 10, 2017 12:03 PM EST A recent study suggests that women who take heart burn medication during pregnancy may give birth to children with higher risk of developing asthma at an early age. Pregnant women are advised to follow existing guidelines when taking medicines and to always consult with a health care practitioner if symptoms persist. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid moving from the stomach back into the esophagus. The condition is also known as acid reflux and very common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and pressure applied to the stomach by the growing uterus. Drugs that are considered safe for use to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux in pregnancy include H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, as they do not affect development of the baby, according to Daily Telegraph. Although, scientists have suggested that use of these medications in pregnancy may increase the risk of allergies in the fetus by impacting on the immune system, studies to investigate this possibility have been inconclusive. The researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh and Tampere in Finland reviewed eight previous studies involving more than 1.3 million children, which examined healthcare registries and prescription databases linking information on both mothers and children. They discovered that babies born to women who took antacids during pregnancy were more likely to have visited a doctor for symptoms of asthma. "Our study reports an association between the onset of asthma in children and their mothers' use of acid-suppressing medication during pregnancy," says professor Aziz Sheikh, Co-director of the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research at the University of Edinburgh. He added that the findings do not prove that the acid-blocking medications caused asthma in these children and further research is necessary to better understand the association. Dr Samantha Walker, director of Policy and research at Asthma UK emphasized that the study is at a very early stage and so pregnant women should continue to take any medication they need under the guidance and supervision of their doctors. The researchers stressed that it is unclear whether the heartburn medication itself accounts for the development of asthma in children, or there are other unknown factors that cause heartburn in pregnant women and asthma in their children, according to Eurekalert. The study points towards something that needs further investigation which is the reason why further studies should be conducted into the causes of asthma - a condition that affects 5.4 million people in the United Kingdom alone, the study authors added. However, experts say the potential link which came to light by checking previous studies which had examined health records is inconclusive. The correlation could be caused by a separate, linked factor which requires further research for better understanding whether the pills affect the health of children. The researchers published their findings in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Subscribe to the latinos health newsletter! Experts Want Coca Cola Christmas Truck Trip For Kids To Be Banned As Support Against Obesity and Bad Teeth staff@latinoshealth.com By Staff Reporter Jan 11, 2017 04:47 AM EST Several public health experts want the Coca Cola organized Christmas truck trip to be banned for kids. According to a health expert, the company is only bringing fake gifts of obesity and bad teeth to the kids, which is by no means acceptable. According to The Independent, Director of Food Active along with a group that was set up by the public health department had complained of the tour press coverage in the north western England. As per the complaint, the kids were served a free can of soft drinks. The researchers also noted that about 33.8 percent of 10 to 11 year olds in north western England were also obese or overweight. Along with this,33.5 percent of five year old kids suffered from tooth decay. Coca Cola criticized the allegations and stated that customers could choose between two soft drink options, the zero sugar version or the traditional Coke. Now, Coca Cola had also mentioned that the dental health of the north western kids had improved a lot and child obesity was also lower than what it had been in 2010. Furthermore, the company said that it was really difficult for them to believe what made the researchers put such allegations against Coca Cola. Moreover, what the researchers would get out of banning a truck ride for kids. As per The Mirror, the health experts said, "The path of associating unhealthy products with health, well-being, and healthy lifestyles is one that has been well trodden down the years by the tobacco industry. "The lessons have not been lost on Coca-Cola. In fact, you could argue that Coca-Cola started even earlier than tobacco." They further added that during Christmas the marketing reaches its peak across the country promoting the truck ride and that the truck is just one of the latest modes of promotion from the company's end. According to the company no soft drink is served to kids below 12 years and without their parent's consent. They company also mentioned that they operate the tour by following their own marketing policy. Coca Cola Great Britain spokesperson banished all the allegations and stated that the consumption of sugary drinks has reduced to 44 percent since 2004. Even though the company would take precautions to prevent high consumption of the sugary drinks, still blaming sugar and soft drinks alone wouldn't solve the issue. Subscribe to the latinos health newsletter! A joint fund of $20 billion is agreed between China and Brazil to finance building infrastructures in the South American country and to bid for auctions of road, port, airport and logistics operating licenses that are sponsored by the government. According to WN News, both countries are expected to benefit the project as it would ease the exports and imports of products. China has been the large buyer of Brazilian grains. Jorge Arbache, Brazil Planning Ministy's foreign affairs secretary said that the countries would use the fund for the construction of railroads linking Brazilian soy-and corn-producing belts to ports. Arbache added that railways will be one of the focuses as both countries are eyeing that sector with much interest. But financing decisions are different from other Chinese funds because those will be made depending on both governments' strategic priorities. Brazil has been in a massive budget deficit, companies are now struggling to find fresh capital and the government is now on ongoing corruption investigation that has targeted Brazil's largest construction companies. The project is Brazil's strategy to recover from worst recession on record so that it would not stretch farther. It would also help Brazilian President Michel Temer bolster infrastructure investment, Gold-Eagle Cooperative reported. Once the project has been operational next focus is on analyzing financing request for mining, oil, and agriculture. Arbache said the fund is expected to be fully operational by March. If the business model will be proven effective the total amount of the fund could increase in next years. Both countries will give its shares, China for $15 billion and Brazilian state-run banks BNDES and Caixa Economical Federal for the rest. Companies interested in bidding for projects are considered by authorities in both countries to create a guarantee fund that could help them. Negotiations are still in progress. Apple is about to jump into the world of augmented reality that's the word of tech journalist Robert Scoble, who claims that the Cupertino tech giant is working with German lens specialist Carl Zeiss to produce a pair of AR/mixed reality smart glasses which will be arriving in 2017. According to Forbes Scoble shared on his Facebook page that a Zeiss employee has confirmed the rumors that Apple and Carl Zeiss AG are working on a light pair of augmented reality/mixed reality glasses that may be announced later this year. This isn't the first time that Scoble has made any statement on Apple's AR plans. Back in November at WebSummit he said that Tim Cook and Steve Jobs sat down and talked about the future TV and in the next 11 months they are going to show the world about the future of TV, because they are building the PrimeSense senors right into the television into the ipad and iPad into the iPhone. As per Tech Investor News PrimeSence is a 3D sensing company who created the tech for the original Xbox Kinect which was acquired by Apple in 2013. However, Augmented reality is very much different from virtual reality. The latter, which the likes of HTC, Oculus and Sony are making big waves in with their VR headsets, is a fully immersive digital world whereas augmented (or mixed reality) overlays digital aspects over the real world. Google's Glass project used AR and now it's a huge buzz area in tech thanks to the likes of Microsoft's Hololens and the mysterious Magic Leap startup. Apple might announce an AR device in 2017 it would be a huge shock for other companies too. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook has praised AR in the past by calling it a core technology. He also added that AR will be a bigger business in the long term then VR. In Pictures: The 10 Best-Selling Cars of 2016 Jan 11, 2017, 10:29am ET These are the best-selling cars from last year. After a record-setting 2015, some were calling for a cooling off in 2016. That didn't happen, with automakers posting a second-consecutive year of record sales. Although hundreds of different car models contributed to 2016's overall sales, these 10 nameplates contributed the most to what was another banner year for the United States auto market. 10. Nissan Rogue The Nissan Rogue continued its meteoric rise in 2016 with sales increasing 14.9 percent to 329,904 units. In fact, Rogue sales were so strong last year that it's now Nissan's best-selling model, surpassing the Altima sedan for the first time ever. In order to capitalize on that moment, Nissan used the 2017 Detroit auto show to introduce a smaller Rogue Sport. With two distinct models now on offer, look for the Rogue to only increase its sales in 2017. 9. Honda AccordThe mid-size sedan segment has been withering for months now, but the Honda Accord managed to hold relatively steady with just a 2.9 percent market decline in 2016. Despite that drop off, Honda still managed to shift an impressive 345,225 units of the Accord 2016. 2017 could be another down year for Accord, but better days are likely ahead; an all-new model is slated 2018, with stronger sales sure to follow. 8. Toyota RAV4Like the Nissan Rogue, the Toyota RAV4 continues to ride the sales wave caused by a surge in demand for utility vehicles. Sales of the RAV4 climbed 11.6 percent in 2016 to 352,154 units. The RAV4 is now nipping at the heels of the Honda CR-V for the utility vehicle sales crown. 7. Honda CR-VAlthough the Toyota RAV4 may be closing in, the Honda CR-V ended 2016 as the United States' most popular utility vehicle. CR-V sales were up just 3.4 percent to 357,335 units, but part of that modest gain can be attributed to a model year changeover; Honda began phasing out its old CR-V model toward the end of 2016, with the newest model landing just days before the end of the year. We expect better numbers from the CR-V in 2017. 6. Honda CivicThe Honda Civic was one of the few cars that managed to circumvent the SUV onslaught in 2016, with sales of the compact growing 9.4 percent to 366,927 units. It remains to be seen if the Civic will be able to carry that momentum through 2017, but the addition of two performance models (the Si and the Type-R) should certainly help the cause. 5. Toyota CorollaThe Toyota Corolla might not be the most exciting vehicle on the market, but you sure can't knock it when it comes to sales. Last year 378,210 people parked a Corolla in their driveway, marking a 2.7 percent increase over 2015. Toyota recently added a comprehensive safety suite to every Corolla model, which should only increase the compact's popularity in 2017. 4. Toyota CamryThe Toyota Camry maintained its position as America's most popular passenger car in 2016, but its grasp on that top spot is eroding. Sales of the mid-size sedan slid by 9.5 percent, but Camry still managed to post an impressive 388,618 deliveries. It remains to be seen if Toyota can stop the bleeding in 2017, but an all-new model unveiled at the Detroit auto show should help. 3. Ram 1500Fiat Chrysler's Ram truck division continued to keep its foot on the gas in 2016, with the 1500 pickup accumulating 489,418 sales. That's a 9 percent improvement over 2015. An all-new Ram truck model is still about a year out, but that shouldn't hurt the truck division's outlook for the new year. 2. Chevrolet SilveradoIn a year where just about every truck and SUV saw higher sales, the Chevy Silverado managed to post a 4.3 percent decrease to 574,876 units. Interestingly, the smaller Chevy Colorado saw its sales jump by nearly the same number of units that the Silverado fell by in 2016 (+24,295 for the Colorado and -25,668 for the Silverado), indicating the Colorado could be cannibalizing some of the Silverado's sales. 1. Ford F-150The Ford F-150 topping 2016's best-selling list is just about as shocking as the sun setting in the west. 2016 marked the 40th straight year that the F-150 emerged as the best-selling vehicle in America, and it wasn't even close. And sales show no sings of slowing down F-150 sales increased 5.2 percent to 820,799 units in 2016. An updated F-150 with new powertrains is on the way for the 2018 model year, so expect the F-150 to return to the top for a 41st consecutive year in 2017. Jan 11, 2017, 9:05am ET South Korean officials indict several Volkswagen executives Local executives were indicted for their roles in cheating scandal. Prosecutors in South Korea have formally indicted seven current and former executives from Volkswagen's local operation for violations of the country's emissions laws. Current Managing Director of Audi Volkswagen Korea Johannes Thammer was among those indicted, as were former executives Trevor Hill and Park Dong-hoon, Reuters reports. Volkswagen's diesel cheating scandal prompted the South Korean government to audit emissions certifications for essentially all vehicles sold inside its borders. When the investigation began, Volkswagen voluntarily halted diesel sales in South Korea; that was later reinforced with a state-sanctioned ban on the sale of most of its models. The ongoing investigation also uncovered problems in other manufacturers' certifications. Vehicles from BMW, Nissan and Porsche were recently banned due to various issues with their certification paperwork. Volkswagen was also later fined for what South Korean officials saw as deceptive advertising of its diesel models. Jan 11, 2017, 3:18am ET Volkswagen Atlas could spawn Ridgeline-rivaling pickup A decision to move forward with the project hasn\'t been made yet. The brand-new Atlas SUV (pictured) could help Volkswagen return to the pickup truck segment in the United States, according to a new report. Matthias Erb, Volkswagen of North America's chief engineering officer, revealed to website CarBuzz that his team is evaluating the possibility of turning the Atlas into a pickup. The model would fight head-to-head against the Honda Ridgeline, which is an evolution of the Pilot. A decision to move forward with the project hasn't been made yet. Erb revealed that executives are still considering expanding Volkswagen's U.S. lineup with a rugged, body-on-frame model, though it wouldn't be a full-size truck like the Chevrolet Silverado. "Body-on-frame trucks are a protected market," Erb explained. The engineer shot down the recent rumors that claim the next-generation of the Amarok will be sold in the United States. The model currently sold overseas won't make the trip across the Atlantic because it's nearing the end of its life, but Volkswagen isn't planning on selling its replacement here, either. Volkswagen will decide whether to develop a pickup for the United States market in the coming years. The Chicken Tax slaps a 25-percent tariff on all imported light trucks, so an Atlas-based pickup would most likely be assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe today to get the latest headlines straight to your inbox with our free email updates Hundreds of Argos employees face an uncertain future after the retailer said it is closing a county distribution centre. Argos, which is owned by Sainsbury's, told staff yesterday it planned to close its warehouse in Magna Park, near Lutterworth. At least 400 full-time staff will be affected, plus around 300 agency workers. Argos said it is transferring its entire Magna Park operation to its distribution hub in Kettering, Northants. It is offering workers the opportunity to transfer across to the new site, which is operated by Wincanton Logistics. An Argos spokesperson said: "As our business continues to grow, so does the need to increase capacity within our distribution network. "Our Magna Park Distribution Centre is almost 25 years old and has reached capacity so we are proposing to transfer operations to nearby Kettering at the end of 2017. "This will ensure we can continue to service our stores and offer our customers the best possible service. "We will look to redeploy as many colleagues as possible with the majority of roles moving to the new site. "We appreciate this will be a difficult time for affected colleagues and will fully support them." Unite, the UK's biggest union, described Argos' Leicestershire job transfer plans as a "slap in the face" for the workforce. It said "questions need to be asked as to whether employees will be forced to transfer from Magna Park or be offered a redundancy package, if they are unable or unwilling to travel to the new site which is 25 miles away". Unite regional coordinating officer Paresh Patel said: "In essence, this announcement has created a period of uncertainty for our members, despite repeated reassurances from Argos last year that there were no plans to change any of the operations at the Magna Park site. "The news is a slap in the face for a long-established and loyal workforce and it is also a blow for the local economy. "Unite wants to scrutinise these proposals to determine whether Argos' rationale behind this decision stacks up and how it envisages the relationship with Wincanton playing out. "Unite is committed to securing the jobs, and terms and conditions of those employees who currently work at Magna Park and who may wish to remain with Argos. "While it is 25 miles from Lutterworth to Kettering along the A14, many of our members live to the north, south and west of Lutterworth, so what is seen as a journey of about an hour one-way could be considerably longer along one of the country's busiest and most dangerous roads." The consultation between Argos and Unite is due to start on Monday January 16 over proposals for the union's more than 400 members being TUPE'd - Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations - to Wincanton Logistics in Kettering from March. Argos said the consultation around the proposed move to Kettering in December will take place "a little further down the line" adding "it's possible some colleagues may choose to take redundancy". An Argos spokesperson said, "We will carry out a full consultation and support all affected colleagues, taking into account their individual circumstances, ahead of the move to the new site. Hundreds of jobs will be created at Kettering." Gwyn Stubbings, planning director at Magna Park developer IDI Gazeley, said: "The relocation of any Magna Park business highlights the importance of the extension of Magna Park, which continues to attract high levels of demand." Planning permission was granted last year for Magna Park to have a 100,844 sq ft storage and distribution centre off Mere Lane, Bittesby. The decision is the subject of a possible judicial review after another developer, which wants to build nearby, mounted a High Court challenge against it. Mr Stubbings said: "With extremely low periodic vacancy rates - the five-year average vacancy rate at Magna Park is only 2.6 per cent compared to a current national average of 6.2 per cent - our ability to offer businesses the option of growing their presence at the park is critical to its continued success. "An expanded Magna Park would provide more capacity to accommodate the needs of businesses and enable our customers to retain and expand their operations there." A second planning application relating to the expansion of Magna Park will be decided later this year. A Kildare housing group is holding a protest at 12 noon today outside Newbridge Town Hall to show solidarity with those in Apollo House in Dublin. Housing Action Kildare is inviting members of the public to join them in a bid to highlight the homeless crisis and pressurise the government to take action. Home Sweet Home, the group behind the Apollo House facility, is due to ask the High Court to allow the homeless people at Apollo House more time to vacate the premises. They say the accommodation offered by the government is not suitable. We in Housing Action Kildare support Apollo House. We believe the actions of the homeless, activists and volunteers in occupying and running Apollo House are valuable and necessary to provide homes for homeless people while also forcing the government to address the issue of homelessness and the broader housing emergency, said Housing Action Kildare. Apollo House has become a symbol of people power, a space of dignity and justice and we stand with them in solidarity.Support the letter to Michael Noonan at https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/sign-the-open-letter-use-nama-to-end-homelessness The group pointed out Apollo House had been left vacant for six years prior to being opened up to people who were sleeping rough on the streets. Today, January 11 is the date by which the residents of Apollo House have to vacate the building according to a court order. However, things may change throughout the day if the group are successful in their appeal to the High Court. OVER 35,000 has been raised for the funds set up to help assaulted Maynooth University student, Kym Owens recover. Last Tuesday around 800 people attended a fundraising concert was held for Kym who was found unconscious in Moyglare Abbey estate, Maynooth, before Christmas. She is still in a coma. The arts student at MU Maynooth was found unconscious within five hundred metres of her digs in Moyglare Abbey estate, around fifty metres inside the entrance of the estate. Gardai have been following a number of lines of inquiry, in particular, information in relation to the bus journey she made from Monaghan on Sunday evening and movements between the town and the estate. A number of fundraisers have been held in Maynooth - one raised 8,000 at the Roost - and on Tuesday a big one was held at the Glencarn hotel in Castleblayney, Monaghan. Big Tom and Declan Nerney took to the stage. Nathan Carter also donated a jacket to be raffled off on the night. The Irish Independent reported the Owens family as saying they have received a huge outpouring of generosity, both locally and nationally. Thomas McNee, Kyms uncle, thanked people for their support and prayers. Kym remains in an induced coma in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, and the family thanked medical staff. On RTEs Sean ORourke show Mr McNee said Kym, the youngest in the family - she has one sister and two older brothers- was a fun and bubbly student who loved sports. Christmas was cancelled this year. Even the neighbours said they werent celebrating Christmas. Especially because she was the youngest in the house, it wasnt going to be Christmas without her," he said. Mr McNee said of the assault:You never expect it to come to your own door. Its been a very tough and trying on the family. Gardai continue to appeal for information. Le Monde newspaper is launching a call to reward innovative solutions improving urban life. Private or public entities as well as associations, businesses or individuals from every country outside the European Union may apply. The Global Le Monde - Smart Cities Innovation Awards will be offered in Singapore, on June 2sd , 2017. An international jury with the following composition will select the winners : Benjamin Blandin, consultant, is monitoring Altrans internal R&D process, after having done the same at Accenture and Deloitte. He conducted various initiatives related to R&D, including organizing Tech Tours in 2014/15/16 (Dubai, Singapore, Australia, USA & EU) and co-organising the French FabLab Festival & DroneFest in Toulouse (France). Pilar Conesa, is the executive manager of the Smart City Expo World Congress held each year in Barcelona (Spain). She also founded Anteverti, an advisory firm based in Barcelona. Karine Dognin-Sauze. As Vice President, Karine leads the Smart City strategy at Lyon-Metropole (France). She is also Deputy mayor of Lyon, in charge of international relations, European Affairs, decentralized cooperation and international solidarity. Veronique Fournier Executive Director of the Urban Ecology Centre of Montreal (Canada), Veronique is an ambassador for ecological, democratic and sustainable cities by promoting citizen involvement in urban issues and decisions. She has been a Montreal City Councillor from 2009 to 2013. Vincent Giret, Editor-in-chief in Le Monde, in charge of the editorial development Martine Jacot Head assistant in Le Monde, in charge of the editorial development and the Universities special section. Francis Jutand Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Institute Mines Telecom (grouping 12 French engineering schools), founder of the Initiative Futuring Cities. Ex-member of the National Council of the digital technology, he coordinated the book La metamorphose numerique (The digital metamorphosis), (Alternative editions, 2013). Claire Legros Journalist specialised in technological and social innovation, in charge of digital sections on Le Monde website. Lydia Lim, Journalist specialised in covering Singapore politics and policies. She started out as a television producer before moving to print journalism. She has worked at Singapores largest newspaper, The Straits Times, since 1999. In her current job, she edits the papers Opinion pages and writes a column in the Sunday edition of the paper. Bruno Marzloff, Sociologist, director of Chronos, a think tank created to study mobilities, the cities and the digital technology. His last book is entitled Sans bureau fixe (No desk) (FYP editions, 2013). Marion Moreau, head of Sigfox Foundation that aims to solve major causes on environment, health and social link. Sigfox is the global cellular network for the Internet of Things. She is involved in the french tech scene since 1999 when she began at Club Internet, one of the first web BtoC web provider in France. Francis Pisani, Journalist and consultant specialized in information technologies and their influences them on urban development in the world. Columnist on Citynnovation on Le Monde website. His last book: Journey in the intelligent cities: between datapolis and participolis (Netexplo Observatory, on 2015) John Rossant is the founder and chairman of the New Cities Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2010 to shape a better urban future for all by fostering urban innovation and entrepreneurship. He is also the Managing Partner of Rossant & Partners LLC., an advisory firm based in New York and Paris. He also was BusinessWeeks Rome Bureau Chief and Middle Eastern Correspondent. Gwendolyn Regina : Director of Strategy and Buisiness Development, Asia Pacific at Mashable, a global media specialized in tech, digital culture and entertainment content with websites online in Asia, Australia, India, France and UK. Previously, she built and sold tech startup-focused media, SGEntrepreneurs to Tech in Asia. Gwen was also a founding team member of an early stage technology investment firm in Singapore with a portfolio that includes iHipo, Eteract and Padlet. Saskia Sassen, an American sociologist noted for her analyses of globalization and global cities, Professor of Sociology at Columbia University and Visiting Professor at the London School of Economic.She wrote ten books. The last one is titled Expulsions: Brutality and Complexity in the Global Economy (Belknap Press, 2014). Michel Sudarkis, Secretary General of INTA, the International Urban Development Association, since 1987. Inta is an International association of decision-makers and public and private practitioners who share knowledge, experiences and know-how for an integrated urban development. Louis Treussard, managing director of lAtelier BNP Paribas since 2003. Implanted in Paris, San Francisco and Shanghai, LAtelier BNP Paribas is a company of prospective and innovation which advises the bank and its customers in their digital transformation. Le Monde Just as I was reading Nick Tyrones blog about Corbyn betraying the EU freedom of movement but wanting to have the EU cake nonetheless, another recently-elected Labour leader came on Dutch public radio. Note the date: Tuesday, January 10th, 2017. Im talking about former Amsterdam alderman and present Dutch minister of Social Affairs, the ambitious lawyer Lodewijk Asscher of the Partij van de Arbeid/PvdA, literally: Labour Party. In the 1980s, when Labour under Michael Foot was going through its Militant Tendency phase, the then PvdA leaders, ex-prime minister (1973-77) Den Uyl and coming prime minister (1994-2002) Wim Kok deplored that leftist populism and leftist political correctness gone wild. So both criticised it: British Labour, come to your senses. Not today. In the Dutch campaign that just got started for the General Election on 15th March, Mr. Asscher, who just two weeks ago won a party leadership contest, just said that he counted on European Leftist support (PvdA jargon: from fellow Labour and social democratic parties) to pursue his top-profile policy: curbing free movement of labour through the EU. When the radio presenter quoted a phrase Gordon Brown grew to regret: Jobs for our labourers first, Mr. Asscher readily agreed. And who does he expect to get support from? The French Socialists have shriveled under non-reforming Hollande, and wont grow if Valls start reforming to make up for time lost; Mr. Asscher explicitly cited Corbyn as a valued teacher showing the way; but graphs in The Economist show Labour 20% under the Tories, and Corbyn even further under May in popularity or voter confidence. The Spanish PSOE has been hit from the left (Podemos) and centre-right (Ciudadanos; social liberal pragmatists), and still has a nepotist internal structure and party culture; The Italian socialists (the former clean Berlinguer communists; Craxis Socialists succumbed to structural sleeze in 1992) just gambled and lost on a Referendum on constitutional reforms the country badly needs; And documentaries from the German Ruhr industrial cities on Dutch TV showed how the SPD has lost its working-class base to the AfD populist promising miraculous recovery through protectionism and xenophobia. SPD councillors now stand for AfD. And Asschers own PvdA, on around 30 to 40 seats (of the 150 in our Commons) in 2006-12, has been hovering around 10 for the last two years. In the years 1900-1930, Social-Democrats in Germany, Holland, the UK and Belgium pushed the (social)Liberals down from their position as one of the three big parties. It seems that is reversing, and that EU social democrats cant get their act together for a revival. If Grillo (Italian populist) hadnt blundered yesterday on his reversal of EU course, trying to join the ALDE liberals, one could get the idea that whatever populists do, they grow. And because many of Labours present MPs are Remainers, UKIP can hang on to its newly conquered working class electorate.. Asscher is pragmatic enough to compromise on access for Eastern European labour; but Corbyn is more of the stubborn, hard-left variety, and a former decades-long Eurosceptic * Dr. Bernard Aris is a historian, a D66 parliamentary researcher and a LibDem supporting member. As usually happens when hard line Socialist utopias are created, Jeremy Corbyns maximum pay plan would help the rich not the poor. That is because when employees reach the maximum, other ways would be found to reward them which would increase inequality and reduce the tax take from the rich. In Soviet Russia access to the splendour of the Bolshoi Ballet was a perk for the wealthy. The poor werent helped, and no tax was collected on the perk. So it would be if Corbyn got his way. Employers would pay bonuses, perhaps in shares or profit share, when they cant pay extra cash. The thing is, shares or profit shares, when sold, are liable to Capital Gains Tax, not Income Tax as wages are, and the capital gains tax rate is lower than the income tax rate above 140,000. The other option is to give a higher amount of renumeration as pension contribution. Its not in your salary for Corbyn to tax, but you will have a happier retirement than a poor person, and the government get less tax than if you take it as salary. So if I were rich, I know what I would choose. I would vote Corbyn, not Tory, because I would be better off. Other benefits in kind would be even harder to collect the tax on, whereas just having the income through PAYE would mean the government have a greater chance of collecting the tax. Closing some of the loopholes I described above (and there are hundreds of others), would do much more to achieve the aims of reining in excessive pay, but they are more iterative and less headline-grabbing, so no use to politicians of the Corbyn kind. * David Thorpe was the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for East Ham in the 2015 General Election LIMERICKS incipient gang problem could explode at any moment and the citys depleted policing resources could be left challenged, Fianna Fail deputy Willie ODea has claimed. While members of many of Limericks feuding clans remain behind bars, Deputy ODea has expressed his concern at the fall in the number of garda detectives operating within the Limerick division, and the potential for violence to erupt again. Aside from the number of detectives in the Limerick division, since 2011, garda numbers in Limerick have dropped by 15%, from 656 gardai six years ago down to 557 currently. Deputy ODea was commenting on new information obtained by Fianna Fail through a parliamentary question which indicates that the number of detectives assigned to An Garda Siochana in Limerick continues to decrease despite a high level of undetected and unreported crime. He said the number of detectives in Limerick has fallen by four, down to 57 as of October last, in contrast to other divisions in the Mid-West, which have seen their force increased. In neighbouring Kerry, they have two extra detectives in the force this year compared to last year, and in Clare they have the same number of detectives this year compared to last year, said deputy ODea. There is an incipient gang problem in Limerick that could explode at any moment. An Garda Siochana has done tremendous work in undermining the very determined efforts of these gangs in the past, and it is simply inexcusable to allow the number of detectives working across the Limerick division to protect our communities to be reduced now, said ODea. He said that in light of the decrease in crime detection rates recorded between 2010-2014 and recently published by the CSO, the Minister should be looking at increasing the number of detectives on Limerick streets. While all Gardai play a crucial role in the detection and prevention of crime, communities affected by serious and often organised crime require the support of specialist detectives, he said. In the city, there are 317 covering the Henry Street district, 127 gardai in the Roxboro Road district; 74 gardai in the Newcastle West district and 39 gardai in the Bruff district. A MAN who has admitted sending indecent images to a teenage boy is due to be sentenced before Easter. The 30-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to several charges when he was arraigned at Limerick Circuit Court this Tuesday afternoon. The man has pleaded guilty to sending indecent messages by telephone to the teenager on dates during 2016. He has also admitted possession of child pornography at a location in the city centre early last year. The man, who was arrested at a location outside of Limerick last May, was previously granted bail despite strong garda objections. During a bail application in the district court, Detective Garda Fiona OConnell said it will be alleged by the State that within a week of befriending the boy on social media, the defendant sent him provocative images and videos. She alleged that more than 50 images of the boy were subsequently found on a phone belonging to the accused. Judge Marian OLeary was told the defendant, who is not from Limerick, was intercepted by gardai while travelling to meet the boy in a named hotel in another county. Despite the garda concerns, the judge granted bail subject to his compliance with strict conditions. The man was ordered not to have unsupervised access to any juvenile including relatives of his. He agreed to inform gardai of the details of his social media accounts and not to use them as a condition of his bail. While he was given permission to buy a mobile phone, a condition of his bail was that he only use a device which is unable to access the internet. Following the mans arrest a file was prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions who directed trial on indictment at the circuit court. A book of evidence was then completed and served on the defendant before Christmas. Last month his lawyers sought to have the matter listed on Tuesday for arraignment. After noting the guilty pleas, Judge Tom ODonnell adjourned the matter to March for a sentencing hearing when he will hear details of the offences. A NUMBER of new beds have been announced for acute hospitals in the Mid-West as part of measures to combat levels of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. It has been confirmed that 22 additional beds are to be made available in other hospitals to help alleviate the trolley crisis at UHL, while details of a new 200,000 15-bed transition lounge at the hospital have also been announced. The numbers on trolleys at UHL according to figures collated by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have dropped this Wednesday to 29, a fall from a peak of 66 this day last week. Senator Kieran ODonnell announced the opening of 10 additional beds at St Johns Hospital and 12 new beds between Ennis and Nenagh hospitals, while Minister for Small Business and Enterprise Pat Breen confirmed the opening of 15 new beds at a new 200,000 transition lounge at UHL from next week. Senator ODonnell, who was notified of the additional 22 beds by management, said: This will help to alleviate the immediate A&E crisis along with the opening of the new state of the art A&E this year. UHL is now the busiest A&E in the country with 64,000 patients in 2016. A key element to solving the crisis here is the provision of much needed acute beds on the UHL campus. He has also called on the HSE to activate 1m seed money for 96 new beds at UHL, costing 25m. "Until the lack of acute beds at UHL is properly addressed, the A&E crisis will continue with us and this is unfair to the patients and medical staff who look after them. Minister Breen has said that he has received assurances from the Ministers Harris and Michael Noonan that the new A&E will be open by the end of May, after recently securing 1.8m for the new facility. A UL Hospitals Group spokesperson said, subject to the success of the recruitment campaign and funding, it will open the new A&E by the end of this May. As part of its recruitment campaign, it looking to take on 94 additional medical staff. 30 nurses are being interviewed this week for the new A&E, but it is understood just eight positions have been filled. Minister of State Breen announced details of the new transition lounge, which he said would provide an area for patients to wait after being discharged, freeing up more beds in the University Hospital Limerick earlier in the day. The unit will be staffed by two nurses and will accommodate patients who have been discharged and are ready to go home, as well as patients who have been discharged to step down hospitals such as Ennis, Nenagh and St Johns Hospital, he said. It is my understanding that once a patient has been discharged by a consultant in the morning they can be accommodated in this Transition Lounge while awaiting paper work and while waiting to be collected. In turn patients who have arrived in the Emergency Department over night and require a bed can be accommodated in the morning and will not have to wait as long, added Minister Breen. I am assured that the new transition unit will be comfortable and safe for patients, while allowing waiting patients access to beds quicker, he said. Measures like this are a temporary solution to the overcrowding issue at the hospitals Emergency Department while we await the opening of the new Emergency Department at the end of May. Meanwhile, the first peoples protest against the overcrowding at UHL is expected to attract hundreds to Dooradoyle at noon this Saturday. - For more on the situation at University Hospital Limerick, see the weekend editions of the Limerick Leader LIMERICK based trio Rusagano Family have been nominated for Irish album of the year for 2016. The hip-hop trio have been shortlisted for the RTE Choice Music Prize for the self-released Let The Dead Bury The Dead. Also nominated are All Tvvins, Bantum, Wallis Bird, The Divine Comedy, Lisa Hannigan, Katie Kim, James Vincent McMorrow, Overhead, The Albatross and We Cut Corners. The winner will be announced at a live event in Dublins Vicar Street on March 9. Rusanganos nomination, while expected, is thoroughly deserved for an electric and powerful album, one that was bursting with samples from the inner reaches of producer MynameisjOhns mind and driven by the insightful, socially engaged lyrics of vocalists God Knows Jonas and MuRLI. It is perhaps the most vital album of the last twelve months, drawing heavily on themes of immigration and the places and sounds that have influenced each of them in turn, MynameisjOhn alter ego of Clare man John Lillis, who plies his trade in Limerick Zimbabwean born, Shannon raised, Limerick identifying rapper God Knows Jonas and vocalist MuRLI based in Limerick, but of Togolese descent formed Rusangano Family in 2015, but have been collaborating for a number of years. John Lillis aka MynameisjOhn told the Leader that the trio was surprised, for sure, but I would be lying if I said we didnt have it in our sights, we did. It was something we would love. I think there was a very important message in the album that we made, it was very sincere from where we were coming from, and I think 2016 was a mad year and it wasnt like we were trying to...it wasnt necessarily like we had our finger on the pulse, it was just that we we were trying to talk about issues that were honest to us at that time. For us, it is great, it gives a nod that the music being made here I dont know if you want to put a hip-hop tag on it or whatever but, it is like, hey, this is actually standing on its own. The 12th annual Choice - backed for the first time by RTE this year - "celebrate and acknowledge the best in Irish recorded music". It has become one of the highlights of the calendar since its inception in 2005 and is awarded to the Irish Album of the Year, as chosen from a shortlist of ten releases by a panel of twelve Irish music media professionals and industry experts. The winning act will receive 10,000, a prize fund which has been provided by IMRO and IRMA. John said the cheque coming with the prize would allow for trio to "get a new microphone, make a new album, we might get a new pair of shoes". "It would allow us to keep doing what we are doing for a little while longer, it allows us to make another album, to - and this is something that people dont realise, all the money we make, we put it back into what we are doing, because we want it to sound better, we want better equipment, but it is a labour of love," he added. All three boast strong connections to Music Generation Limerick and have been powerful advocates for Limerick. Rusangano Family might yet break Limerick's duck and win the Choice, seen as the Irish answer to the Mercury Music Prize. John says: "For us, there is no way that we can say thank you to Limerick - and is being as honest as you possibly can about it. "Limerick really just grabbed onto it and said, you know what, we believe that it is true and honest and we are happy to have you on a platform within Limerick. And we are very lucky with that, because there is just a great community of musicians around Limerick - everyone is very supportive." For more, see www.choicemusicprize.ie. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street in London, Britain January 11, 2017. [Photo\Agencies] LONDON - British Prime Minister Theresa May and her Irish counterpart Enda Kenny recognised the difficulties and seriousness of the situation in Northern Ireland during a phone call on the political crisis there, May's office said on Wednesday. After years of bitter compromises, Northern Ireland's power-sharing government collapsed this week with the resignation of Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, exposing lingering distrust between Catholic Irish nationalists and pro-British Protestant unionists. "The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach spoke yesterday evening," Downing Street said, referring to May and Kenny. "They recognised the difficulties and seriousness of the situation in Northern Ireland and how important it was to work together - with the Irish government and the parties of Northern Ireland - to find a solution." 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. The fourth season of BBC's crime drama Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, premiered on Jan 1. [Photo provided to China Daily] Life has been busy for the stars of Sherlock since the series premiered in 2010, with UK TV producers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss applying new London style and contemporary quirks to Arthur Conan Doyle's famous consulting detective. Its fourth seasonthere have been breakspremiered on New Year's Day. Benedict Cumberbatch plays a 21st-century Holmes in Sherlock. Martin Freeman, the series' Dr John Watson, has gone from a guy you may have seen on the British version of The Office (2011-2013) to playing Bilbo Baggins in three Hobbit movies. Cumberbatch has, among other things, played Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), the title role in Doctor Strange (2016) and codebreaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game (2015). Doyle wrote 60 Holmes stories, but the world has deemed that insufficient, and many other hands have filled out the tale. Sherlock selects plot elements and incidental details from the original stories, and mixes and mashes them together, adding new ingredients to taste, as when a chef plays with modern variations on traditional cuisine without letting what's new obscure what's old. The Six Thatchers, the first episode of the new season, is partly based on Conan Doyle's The Adventure of the Six Napoleons, with busts of Britain's Iron Lady replacing those of France's Little Corporal. There are references to the original story's missing black pearl of the Borgias, but it is only one of many threads and complications to follow and trip over. The new episode picks up on the heels of last January's The Abominable Bride, a Victorian-era dream interlude that in turn picked up on the heels of the third season finale, His Last Vow, which premiered two years earlier. To further confound time, Bride takes place in the last minutes of Vow, as Sherlock, flying off into exile, is recalled to England when the face of the supposedly late Professor Moriarty appears on television screens all over England over the title Did you miss me? Sherlock's aborted exile followed his killing of a blackmailing newspaper publisher"I'm not a hero," he announced, then; "I'm a high-functioning sociopath"and it gives away nothing to say that this problem is quickly dispensed with in Sunday's episode in order for our heroes to get on with new business, solving a string of cases in montage, while waiting for Moriarty to strike. John, meanwhile, who last season wed Mary (Amanda Abbington)"a retired super-agent with a terrifying skill set", but also a lovely personis being worn down by new fatherhood. There is more of a bromanceif an inarticulate, kind of embarrassed onebetween the partners than in other versions. Sherlock calls Watson "John", and Watson calls Holmes "Sherlock". That Sherlock may be harboring the semblance of a caring person somewhere in the cold, cool chambers of his mind is something Moffat and Gatiss like to play with, for character and comedy. How not to write a food book Social media star Kalyan Karmakar's first book is a classic case of overreach /how-to-lounge/books/how-not-to-write-a-food-book-111646912447712.html 111646912447712 story The best is carefully saved for the last in Kalyan Karmakars book, The Travelling Belly: Eating Through Indias Bylanes. Each city-specific chapter concludes with a user-friendly Food Walk section, describing routes one may take to sample the best dishes a place has to offer, from the Baga Classics Walk in Goa to the South Kolkata Brunch Walk, and from the Biryani Trail at Velachery, Chennai, to the Green Amritsar Trail. The book as a whole, too, ends on a high: The last chapter is called, unequivocally, Mumbai, I Love You and it is the ode in this Indian street food Odyssey. If, like me, you are one of the 65,000 people who follow him on Twitter (@finelychopped)I confess to not being familiar with his blog, dating back to the early days of the phenomenonsome of this part of the book may even come back from random tweets over the years: Candies, Lings Pavilion, Khane Khaas are places Karmakar has mentioned umpteen times, along with snatches of his experiences at the market and his humorous exasperation with his unreliable cook, hashtagged #bunkinBanu. This, the last and longest chapter, contains the stuff of life: stories about familiars, an all-pervasive sense of place and an unquestionable intimacy with the food. It is fluent, layered, even insightful. It is, in fact, all that the rest of the book isnt. The Travelling Belly: Eating Through Indias Bylanes: By Kalyan Karmakar; published by Hachette; pages: 307; price: Rs399 The Travelling Belly is an ambitious project, setting out to record Karmakars trysts with street food in 10 cities across IndiaKolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai, Amritsar, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Goa and Mumbai. The usual suspects, in fact, though there are multiple other cities (Indore, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, to name a few that Im personally acquainted with) far better-regarded for their street fare, and far less publicized. But the book was born largely out of Karmakars work-related travel so the choice of cities was perhaps merely a matter of convenience. As convenient is the crowd-sourcing methodology: Karmakar, a Twitter star, puts out a tweet stating his impending travel plans and scores of followers respond with recommendations. He then diligently crosschecks these suggestions with locals and ventures forth into the alleys and gullies, mostly eating where others have eaten and extolling the virtues of food already extolled. In Kolkata, he ventures forth into Dacres Lane; in Lucknow, he eats at Tunday Kababi; in Delhi, he goes to Karims. Im being facetious here because, of course, he goes to other places as well, some actually less obvious, but the template remains the same: painstaking descriptions of the approach to such-and-such place (I headed to Tunday down a long, deserted alley"), the physical circumstances of the eatery (Behind the kebab maker was a stark, cavernous hall"), the process of ordering (My table mates seemed to be regulars and confidently called for the waiter. I took advantage of this opportunity and placed my order for kebabs and parathas when the waiter arrived"), the food (The paratha was thin and muslin-like... I broke a bit of the kebab with a bit of the paratha and popped the combination into my mouth. The first bite brought a smile to my face"). There is, honestly, nothing more boring than reading about people eating. Oh, wait. After 300-odd pages, I can qualify thattheres nothing more boring than reading about people eating when it is written by a strictly mediocre writer. There is not one section in the non-Mumbai chapters that felt inspired or transportive, and possibly one or two that sought to give any insight at all into the food being eaten. Everything (and yes, Im being sweeping here again), from kebabs to dosa, is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside". Every second dish (yes, yes, Im generalizing) puts a happy smile on his face. And nothing (usual disclaimers apply) gets the benefit of a breakdowntheres little attempt to explain why one chaat works, and one biryani doesnt, what spices enrich the goat brain fry or how one gulab jamun beats another. Taste is a completely subjective matter but a little bit of critical insight wouldnt have gone amiss. Langar at Golden Temple, Amritsar. Photo: Hindustan Times This paragraph, from the chapter on Amritsar, is typical: We sat down to eat and were floored by the quality of the food. The magic of slow cooking showed in the delectably flavoured dal; it was served with ghee-soaked rotis which were delicious. The gulab jamuns that we ate that night were some of the best gulab jamuns Ive ever had." This is banal, Zomato-level writing. It is perhaps passable as a diary entry or a blogpost or, most advisable of all, a 140-character tweet, but it is a disgrace to the time and effort and resources spent in making a book. Theres the zero-rigour writing and then theres the patently laughable. One tip: If you are not very hungry I would recommend choosing a sada dosa over a masala one." And from the chapter on Chennai, when Karmakar is sharing a meal with the ITC Grand Cholas Ajit Bangera: Chef Bangera advised me to scoop a bit of the potato masala with a piece of the dosa and pop it into my mouth. I did so and it suddenly struck me that with one action of mine I had united North and South India. The way I tore the dosa and had it with the potato masala was exactly how someone in the north of India would have rotis and aloo sabzi." Lolwut? In the 20-odd years Ive been reviewing fiction and non-fiction, few books have left me as disappointed or angered as The Travelling Belly. The disappointment comes from the super-low bars authors and publishers seem to be settling for. And the anger is self-directed, because, while I was forcing myself to finish this book yes, I read every page I had a growing to-read pile that includes Ian McEwan, Zadie Smith and a book of stories, recipes and thoughts" by a bona fide chef. Lifes too short for The Travelling Belly, frankly. In celebration of comics From Appupen to Malik Sajad, Amruta Patil to Orijit Sen, some of the finest graphic novelists in the country will be at the 3-day festival of comics in Kolkata /news/talking-point/in-celebration-of-comics-111646912361760.html 111646912361760 story Doing Graphics Stories will see some of the pioneering radical spirits of comics in India and from abroad arrive at the campus of Jadavpur University. When the three-day comics festival, Doing Graphics Stories (DOGS), gets underway this Thursday at Jadavpur University (JU) in Kolkata, ideology" and not commercial fare" will underpin the event. We want to see comics as a medium of small resistances, if not counter culture," says Pinaki De, one of the four people behind Longform Collective, the Kolkata-based comics platform which is co-organizing the DOGS festival along with the department of English, Jadavpur University. The three-day comics festival, Doing Graphics Stories, gets underway this Thursday at Jadavpur University in Kolkata. Fittingly, the festival will see some of the pioneering radical spirits of comics in India and from abroad arrive at the campus of Jadavpur University, an institution that is often countedand counteredfor its anti-establishment politics. Barring a couple of workshops, all the other events are open to the public, who can get to revel in the works and words of Malik Sajad, the Kashmiri graphic novelist whose 2015-published Munnu: A Boy from Kashmir came as an affecting tale of the conundrum facing one of the most militarized regions of the world. Malik Sajad, known for his graphic novel Munnu: A Boy from Kashmir, will be at the 3-day festival of comics in Kolkata. Orijit Sen, who earned his spurs as an artist-activist while participating in the Narmada Bachao Andolan in the 80s, which later in 1994 inspired him to publish one of Indias first graphic novels, River of Stories, will be present, along with the reclusive Sarbajit Sen, whose work based on environmental issues enjoys cult status in the comics circuit. Ram Devineni and Dan Goldman, the writer and artist behind the comic book Priyas Shakti, where a young gangrape survivor combats sexual sadism in India, will be back discussing their new book on survivors of acid attacks, while Prakash Moorthy, backed by the heft of his experience as an animator, will give a presentation on marginal comics. Amruta Patil, known for her issue-based and revisionist graphic novels Kari, Adi Parva: Churning the Ocean and the recent Sauptik: Blood and Flowers will be in discussion with Prof. Supriya Chaudhuri on day one, followed by Japanese manga artist Shohei Emura. V.K. Karthika, who as the former publisher at Harper Collins India brought out a large number of comic books and graphic novels, will be in discussion with Prof. Abhijit Gupta, head of the English department at JU and director of Jadavpur University Press, which is in the process of bringing out an anthology of comics based on the short stories of Rabindranath Tagore. Graphic novelists and artists Appupen, Harsho Mohan Chattaraj and Ram Devineni and Dan Goldman will be conducting workshops. Amruta Patil, known for her issue-based and revisionist graphic novels Kari and Adi Parva: Churning the Ocean will be in discussion with Prof. Supriya Chaudhuri on day one. Our understanding of comics is heavily influenced by the American Marvel Comics. Yet, there are a lot of European comics, especially the Franco-Belgian ones, with great literary values," says Gupta, expanding on the connection between literature and comics. Since 2003, the study of comic books has been part of the undergraduate curriculum at JUs department of English. On day 1, Gupta will be holding forth on the Comic Book in Bengal, a state with a robust history" of comics along with Kerala. Comics have become a sophisticated literary mode. But the grammar of comics is very different and we have to be trained to look and be visually literate," Gupta says. Doing Graphics Stories: a Comics Festival will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Attention on the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos will this year be focused squarely on China's President Xi Jinping. A man walks at the main entrance of the congress center where the World Economic Forum takes place in Davos, Switzerland, in this file photo taken on Jan 18, 2016. It will be the first time a Chinese head of state has attended the annual gathering, which has evolved over more than four decades into the ultimate international networking session. Xi, who will open this year's meeting, will be accompanied by the largest delegation of Chinese officials to attend Davos since it first participated in 1979. Every year in mid-January, CEOs, heads of state, top government officials, artists, academics and media moguls rub shoulders at the small Swiss winter resort and discuss the major topic of the day. This year, amid a perceived US retreat from global affairs and with Europe facing political uncertainty, attendees will watch out for China to emerge as the champion of globalization and multilateralism. Last year, the theme was Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This year, from Jan 17-20, delegates at the 47th gathering will talk about Responsive and Responsible Leadership. For this year's record 3,000 invitation-only participants, networking is probably more important than the formal agenda of speeches and discussion panels. Around 500 journalists will attempt to track events, knowing the most interesting discussions take place out of sight. It is an atmosphere that can provide the background for deals, that could range from business initiatives to international peace agreements. In 1992, South Africa's last apartheid-era president, F.W. de Klerk, shook hands at Davos with Nelson Mandela. Two years later, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat held a joint news conference with Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres. The annual meeting began in 1971 as an obscure management gathering, the brainchild of German-born Klaus Schwab, a business academic. Schwab, who is still executive chairman of the WEF, believed business was not only about shareholders, but also about stakeholders beyond the business world. The forum evolved into a gathering for those who, in their respective fields, run the world. Davos Manbarely a fifth of participants are womenhas become shorthand for the kind of transnational mover and shaker who commutes by helicopter or private jet. The image presents a challenge after a year in which Brexit in Britain and the election of Donald Trump in the US have been interpreted as part of a backlash against globalized elites. It is recognized in this year's theme of responsible leadership, a concept the WEF says "requires recognizing that frustration and discontent are increasing in the segments of society that are not experiencing economic development and social progress". This year, representatives of more than 70 countries will take part alongside heads of international organizations, including Antonio Guterres, the new Secretary-General of the UN. The author is a senior editorial consultant for China Daily UK. More than 6.2 million copies of President Xi Jinping's book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China have been distributed worldwide since its debut two years ago, said Jiang Jianguo, minister of the State Council Information Office, on Monday. Visitors browse through books at the opening ceremony of the China-Themed Book Global Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. Many books on China's politics, economy, culture and history are exhibited at the event. [Photo/CHINA NEWS SERVICE] "The book has steadily attracted worldwide attention," Jiang said at a launch ceremony for an international book exhibition with a China theme in Geneva. Jiang said the book's distribution has set a record, surpassing all other Chinese leaders' works since the reform and opening-up in the late 1970s. The book exhibition, which will last one month, was launched one day before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Xi's visit to Switzerland from Sunday to Jan 18. "President Xi will be discussing with his Swiss counterpart how to upgrade the relations to a new level, and the visit will be of landmark importance to the region and the world," said Jiang. In addition to enhancing trade relations, China and Switzerland will announce measures to boost cultural exchanges, tourism and financial cooperation. Xi will speak at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on Jan 17 in Davos. He is scheduled to visit the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne and the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, and will speak at a high-level conference at the United Nations Office in Geneva before wrapping up his first overseas tour this year. The book exhibition was organized as a warmup to the visit and to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries. Xi's book was praised by Swiss scholars and journalists. "It is very interesting that this book has been translated into French, Italian and German, which our Swiss people speak," said Catherine Fiankan-Bokonga, vice-president of the Swiss Journalist Club. "I think this book could help us understand why China could sustain stable growth for years and how it obtained its global influence." Xi Jinping: The Governance of China contains speeches, talks, interviews, notes and letters produced between November 2012 and June 2014. The book was published in Chinese, English, French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Japanese in September 2014, and now it has been distributed in more than 100 countries and regions in additional languages. For white rhinos, poop emojis would be the status update of choice. In the world of Harry Potter, wizards and witches communicate via the magical Floo Network. White rhinos, however, use a less magical and smellier communication system: a poo network. Scientists recently discovered that white rhinos' dung contains status updates, with the feces odor broadcasting chemical signals about a rhino's age and sex, and about whether females are in heat or if males have staked out territory. And forget about private messaging rhinos use shared defecation areas to leave dispatches that can be "read" by all the other rhinos in their social group, according to a new study. [The Poop on Pooping: 5 Misconceptions Explained] Communication through urine is well known in many animal species, with males frequently spraying urine to mark their territories and establish dominance. But less is understood about the role dung might play in animals' social communication, the study authors reported. The researchers suspected that dung likewise included chemicals that can relay specific messages related to mating and territory. And they were particularly interested in animals that group together and poop together, defecating in communal sites and later making scents of all those mixed and fragrant olfactory signals. Scents and sensibility Rhinos have poor eyesight, which means they depend heavily on their sense of smell to interpret the world around them, according to study lead author Courtney Marneweck, a doctoral candidate in the School of Life Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. For a socially minded rhino, community toilets known as middens where male and female rhinos of all ages deposit their dung could thereby be vital reservoirs of information about their group, Marneweck told Live Science in an email. But to understand how that worked, the scientists had to dive into dung more deeply, to investigate rhino poop's unique chemistry and to identify the chemical compounds used by rhinos for scent-coded bulletins. A prior study had suggested that white rhinos could sniff out the sex of a fellow rhino from the dung it left behind, but for the new study, Marneweck and her colleagues wanted to identify the specific chemicals and link them to messages about territorial claims and sexual availability. Follow your nose Dung odors are composed of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which the researchers collected and analyzed from white rhinos in South Africa's Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Once the VOCs were identified, the scientists linked them to observable behaviors in white rhinos identifying possible threats or mates. To further test whether they were interpreting the chemicals correctly, the researchers reproduced the VOCs and presented male rhinos with samples of fake dung soaked in one of three artificial odors: the scent of a territorial male, the smell of a sexually receptive female and a neutral scent. The scientists found that male rhinos responded to the artificial dung much as they did to real dung. The rhinos showed elevated interest in the "female" odors and assumed postures acknowledging a potential threat from the "male" odors, the authors wrote in the study. The results revealed promising new opportunities for future research, such as further exploring scent-related animal behavior, or using known chemical signatures for conservation strategies, such as encouraging breeding between isolated groups to promote genetic diversity. Even captive breeding programs could benefit from stimulating rhinos' sense of smell, Marneweck said. "There are a lot of different avenues that are opened now, which is really exciting," she added. The findings were published online Tuesday (Jan. 10) in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Original article on Live Science. A thin black line against a sea of white is all that connects Antarctica's Concordia research station to life. This line, captured in a sobering satellite image, is a convoy of heavy-duty tractors pulling tons of fuel, food and equipment to one of the most isolated places on Earth. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), France's Pleiades satellite captured this view of the convoy from orbit at 435 miles (700 kilometers) above the icy surface. Concordia research station is known as the "remotest base on Earth." It's so far from other humans 372 miles (600 km) from the nearest base, Vostok in Russia that it's more remote than the International Space Station, according to the ESA. (The ISS orbits at an altitude of between 205 and 270 miles, or 330 to 435 km.) The station is located on the Antarctic Plateau at an elevation of 10,499 feet (3,200 meters). Despite the snow and ice, Antarctica is the largest desert on the planet, and the air at Concordia is extremely dry. It's also extremely cold: The yearly average temperature is minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 50 degrees Celsisu), according to the ESA, and lows can dip to minus 112 degrees F (minus 80 degrees C). [Images: Life at Concordia Research Station] A closer look at part of the convoy in Antarctica, as seen by France's Pleiades satellite. (Image credit: PleiadesCNES 2016, Distribution Airbus DS) It takes 10 days for a convoy like this to travel from Dumont d'Urville on the coast to Concordia, according to the space agency. After three days of unpacking as much as 330 U.S. tons (300 metric tons) of supplies, the convoys return to the coast, a trip that takes about eight days, traveling faster as they descend the plateau. Research at Concordia station depends on the isolation found there. The ESA sends crews to study the effects of isolation, sensory deprivation and close quarters on human psychology, mimicking the effects of long-distance space travel. Getting supplies to the base is no picnic, either. It's an 807-mile-long (1,300 km) journey from the coast to Concordia. ESA writer Didier Schmitt described taking part in this convoy run on the ESA website. With only a few hours' practice driving a 24-ton (22 metric tons) tractor, Schmitt joined the most recent convoy to the base. "During the first snowstorm, I felt what it is to work in such extreme conditions," Schmitt wrote. He called the experience a "slow-motion Mad Max adventure." Original article on Live Science. This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. Roughly 90 percent of humans are right-handed and this is one of the traits that separates us from most other primates who don't really show any overall preference for left or right handedness. It's believed that handedness played an important role in human evolution, with a recent study on the earliest evidence of right-handedness in the fossil record shedding light on when and why this trait arose. Interestingly, the clues were found not in our ancient hands, but in our ancient teeth. We have long known that the human brain is composed of two roughly similar halves. The left hemisphere controls language and motor abilities, whereas the right hemisphere is responsible for visual-spatial attention. It is less well known that brain lateralization, or the dominance of some cognitive processes in one side of the brain, is a distinctive feature of humans, and one associated with improved cognitive ability. Could handedness have played a role in brain lateralization? Ancient stone tools made and used by our earliest ancestors reveal some clues. The earliest stone tools date to 3.3 million years ago (opens in new tab) and were found in modern day Kenya, Africa. Early stone tool making would have required a high level of dexterity. We know from experiments that have replicated tool-making processes that the brain's left hemisphere, which is responsible for planning and execution, is active during this process. At the same time, humans are overwhelmingly right-handed when it comes to tool making compared to other species. This is most likely because the left and right hemispheres control motor action on the opposite sides of the body. While this relationship is not straightforward, it would appear that, in most cases, handedness and brain lateralization go hand in hand (pun intended). So why use teeth to investigate handedness? The answer lies in the scarcity of matching left and right arm bones in the fossil record, particularly those belonging to our earliest ancestors. Without matching left and right sets, it is impossible to examine differences in size and shape to determine which hand an individual favored when completing manual tasks. Teeth, on the other hand, tend to survive relatively well in the fossil record and can preserve scratches, or striations, that establish handedness. In an earlier study, researchers noted striations on the front side of teeth belonging to European Neanderthals. They hypothesized that these marks were made when material was held in one hand and gripped between the front teeth and worked by the other hand with a stone tool, with the stone tool occasionally striking these teeth. These actions were replicated during experiments in which participants wore mouthguards. The results indicated that right-slanting striations are made on teeth when material is pulled with the left hand and struck with the right hand. Right-slanting striations are therefore a good indicator of right handedness. The subject of the new study an ancient upper jawbone provides the oldest evidence for right-handedness known in our genus Homo. The jawbone belonged to one of our earliest human ancestors, Homo habilis (literally, the handy man), who roamed Tanzania in Africa around 1.8 million years ago. The jaw was identified at Olduvai Gorge in the Serengeti Plain, which has yielded some of the earliest archaeological traces in the world. Marks on teeth The authors of the study noted a number of striations on the front side of the teeth. They used high-powered microscopes and digital cameras to investigate these striations, particularly patterning in their direction. Interestingly, nearly half of all striations were right-slanting. Right-slanting striations were particularly dominant on four of the front teeth (left and right central incisors, right second incisor and right canine). This led the authors to argue that most marks were made with the individual's right hand. They also suggested that the four front teeth with many right-slanting striations were the focus of most processing activities. The Homo habilis jaw is important as it provides the oldest evidence for right-handedness in the fossil record. But it is also significant as it suggests that a major level of brain organisation had occurred in humans by at least 1.8 million years ago. This brain development enabled us to master crucial early skills such as stone tool making (opens in new tab) and potentially also paved the way for language development. Right-handedness therefore means a lot more to us than simply a preference for using the right hand. Just some food for thought next time you are brushing your teeth, sending a text message or high-fiving someone. Caroline Spry, Honorary Associate, PhD, La Trobe University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The rusty patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) is now the first bumblebee species to receive protections under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The listing of the bee species was finalized today (Jan. 11) after a five-year campaign by environmental groups. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation first petitioned for the listing in 2013 and, in 2014, joined with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to sue the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) for failing to act on the petition. The FWS subsequently issued a decision to list the bee as endangered in September 2016. Full protections for the bee go into effect Feb. 10. "We know there are many species of native bumblebee that are threatened with extinction in North America," said Sarina Jepsen, director of the endangered-species program at the Xerces Society. "The rusty patched bumblebee's decline has been well documented, and that enabled us to develop a petition for this species." [See Images of Amazing Bumblebees] Threatened bee Rusty patched bumblebees are social insects that live in colonies led by a queen. Workers and males have a reddish splotch on their backs, lending the species its common name. The rusty patched bumblebee is a North American native that was once found in grasslands across the eastern and midwestern United States, with a habitat covering 28 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, according to the FWS. Since 2000, however, habitat loss due to agriculture has restricted the bee to 13 states and one Canadian province. Overall, abundance of the bees has dropped by 87 percent since the late 1990s, according to a FWS statement accompanying the listing. A 2016 report by the agency found that the bees populate only 8 percent of their former habitat, and that many of the populations that are left are under threat by at least one stressor, such as continuing habitat loss or declining genetic diversity because the populations are so small. Farming threatens bees both by limiting the amount of vegetation available and exposing bees to pesticides that may affect their health or mortality, according to the FWS. Climate change and pathogens also threaten rusty patched bumblebees. [Gallery: 'Insects Unlocked' Collection Shares Free Bug Photos] Information is lacking on parasites and pathogens in North American bees, according to the FWS, but the relevant studies have raised alarms. A 2014 research report in the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology found that in northern Arizona, up to 63 percent of the bumblebee species Bombus huntii, and 66.5 percent of the species Bombus centralis, showed signs of infection with the pathogen Nosema bombi. Conservation strategy Under the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies need to consider the bee's well-being when approving development or activities that might affect its habitat. For example, Jepsen told Live Science, the Environmental Protection Agency would need to consider the impact on the rusty patched bumblebee when approving a new pesticide. "The two most concerning threats to this species are disease and pesticides," she said. Diseases are often spread from managed bee populations into the wild, Jepsen said. Under the Endangered Species Act, any activity that could harm or kill rusty patched bumblebees becomes illegal, including releasing disease-carrying domestic bees into their range. Under the act, the Fish & Wildlife Service must make a recovery plan for the species that might include actions such as mitigating pesticide use in the bees' habitats or altering land use, Jepsen said. Even actions as simple as mowing roadsides can affect the ground-nesting rusty patched bumblebee, so agencies might need to consider when and how they conduct mowing activities. "The Endangered Species Act is actually incredibly effective at recovering of endangered species, and our agency tasked with the recovery of endangered species now has the authority to act on this species," Jepsen said. Inclusion on the endangered-species list also bumps the bees up in priority for federal conservation grants. In a statement, FWS Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius said the public can contribute to saving North America's native bees by planting native flowers and avoiding pesticide use as much as possible. Leaving plants uncut during winter can provide habitat for rusty patched bumblebees, as these insects nest in the ground, according to the FWS. Members of the public can also sign on to Bumble Bee Watch, a citizen science project that allows anyone to submit photos and sightings of bees in order to track their ranges. "A lot of data from Bumble Bee Watch was already used in the decision to list the species," Jepsen said. With animals like bees that are so small and widely distributed, she said, "having an army of citizen scientists out there on the ground reporting where they occur is really essential." Original article on Live Science. For a predator, the best carcass is the one in your mouth. If you thought that biologists on Twitter couldn't top the genitalia-celebrating hashtag #JunkOff, you'd be wrong. Dead wrong, in fact. Scientists recently flooded Twitter with photos of dead and decaying animals large and small under the hashtag #BestCarcass. Nature is not kind, and sometimes, life in the wild ends brutally. Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects often succumb in gruesome scenes many of which have been documented by scientists, who jumped at the opportunity to share their images on Twitter. The photos of these frequently bloody, disemboweled, decapitated and mummified remains aren't for everyone, but they offer a sobering reminder that any study of life on Earth must include confronting death. And often, that death is very, very messy. [Photos: A Mass Die-Off of the Endangered Saiga Antelope] The carnage kicked off Jan. 10 with a tweet from Julien Fattebert, a postdoctoral researcher at the Swiss Ornithological Institute. "Seems we have a #BestCarcass competition going," he said in the tweet, which included photos of a female leopard cub that had been killed by lions. Fattebert captured the images in 2012 in South Africa, during research for his Ph.D., he told Live Science in an email. "While driving around at night radio-tracking leopards, I came across a pride of lions resting on the side of the track," Fattebert said. "Suddenly, one of the lionesses stood up and crossed the track into the woodlands. I could hear some commotion and guessed she made a kill. When I drove in to check, I found this dead leopard cub she had just killed, snapping her spine. I took pictures of the carcass to document the event." See more The #BestCarcass hashtag began "as a bit of a fun game between some of us biology tweeps, posting pictures of animals, and what they eat," Fattebert said. Earlier on Jan. 10, Fattebert had posted a photo of a maggot-covered antelope carcass in response to another scientist's tweet of a carcass photo. More biologists chimed in with their own grisly images, prompting Fattebert to post the leopard photos with the #BestCarcass hashtag, he told Live Science. Once the hashtag launched, the internet responded most generously. Within a few hours, unrelenting images of death and decay abounded: massive beached and bloating whales, partially eaten zebras and seals, an electrocuted sloth, a bird's bloody legs and pelvis straddling a railing, the lonely head of a bald-faced hornet, a mostly decomposed deer with its remaining hide coated by green algae, and hundreds of frogs frozen under a layer of ice. See more Numerous researchers contributed with resounding glee like David Shiffman, a shark conservation biologist and marine science writer. Shiffman declared in a tweet that he had been waiting for this challenge his entire life. He included a photo of a dolphin that had washed up in South Carolina and appeared to have been bitten in half. Scientists suspected that the culprit was a great white shark, Shiffman had reported earlier for Southern Fried Science. See more Images of deceased water-dwelling animals showed some of them floating bottoms-up, such as a hippo photographed by environmental biologist David J. Syzdek in Botswana. Syzdek described the bobbing carcass as "leathery even in water" and quite malodorous. See more Heads were optional for quite a few #BestCarcass submissions. Danielle Rivet, a doctoral candidate studying Columbian ground squirrel hibernation at the University of Saskatchewan, tweeted a photo of a fuzzy baby squirrel missing most of its skull, which Rivet described as the work of "a larger, hungry male." See more Scientists weren't the only ones sharing gloriously gory images. A striking but unattributed photo tweeted by @tudorcook showed a reindeer literally frozen midstep by the side of a highway, dusted with snow and partly scavenged, with its ribs and spine visible. And Twitter user @anna_caro13 shared an unattributed image of a stag in a snowy landscape, with the antlers, exposed skull and partial neck of a rival stag dangling from his own headgear. The photo was found "floating around the web," @anna_caro13 tweeted later. See more See more Fattebert was surprised and pleased to see the hashtag take off the way it did, because it opened a window into an integral part of nature, he told Live Science. "Animals die, get killed, eaten, rot, decompose, liquefy. Predation is inherent to ecosystem functioning, and the dead remains need to be broken down by a chain of scavengers and decomposers from iconic hyenas and vultures, down to insects, worms and micro stuff in the soil," Fattebert said. "Death is part of the life cycle, and this is also part of our work as biologists, who more often than not have to deal with manky, smelly stuff," he added. There are many #BestCarcass examples on Twitter to browse through, if you're so inclined. But maybe don't plan on eating your dinner while you do. Original article on Live Science. More than 300 cases recorded in recent months, mainly on rail cargo services originating in Italy and operating via Switzerland and Austria Migrants seeking passage to Germany are increasingly targeting freight trains originating in Italy and operating via Switzerland and Austria, according to reports this week in the German and Swiss media. The German federal police in Munich have recorded 270 cases of migrant intrusions since October last year, the majority on freight trains operating through the Brenner Pass from Austria. A further 60 cases have been logged by the authorities on the Swiss-German border on freight trains heading for Stuttgart. At the start of the year, two migrants thought to be of African origin were crushed when the truck they had been hiding under, transported by train, arrived in Germany. A spokesman for trans-Alpine rail freight operator BLS Cargo told Swiss newspaper Le Temps that it had been last month that the company had first noted incursions by migrants aboard its trains. We are actively supporting the border police, who have stepped up checks, he said. Meanwhile, German newspaper Die Welt revealed that there were two main departure points from Italy for migrants looking to reach Germany by rail: Verona in the north-east of the country, from where trains operate to Austria; and the second in Domodossola in the north-west, which is near the Swiss border. Image: Shutterstock.com Since the election, leaders of the environmental movement and scientists have been hard at work attempting to convince the president-elect of man-made climate change. In December, Al Gore met with Donald Trump, a meeting Gore described as a "very productive session." The 85th Texas Legislature commences at noon Tuesday in Austin, where lawmakers will spend the next 140 days debating hundreds of bills. Tuesday marks the first time they've convened since June 2015. The first baby born in Longford in 2017 was John Tomas Clancy from Ballymahon. John Tomas who will be known as Tomas arrived into this world at 3:30am on January 1 last to proud parents Lisa and Sean. He is the couples first child and was also the first baby born this year at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. Lisa, a native of Derry is a midwife at the hospital so when her healthy 9lb baby boy arrived safely last Sunday there were expressions of great joy not just among the Clancy family, but among Lisas colleagues too. We are absolutely thrilled, a delighted, but tired Lisa told the Leader on Friday. He is named after his father and grandfather who are both John, but he will be called Tomas. Lisa said that John Tomas Clancy is healthy and well and absolutely loves his food! He is doing very well, she smiled. Im on maternity leave now and looking forward to spending time with my baby. Meanwhile, John Tomas dad Sean is a native of Ballymahon and the Clancys are now settling happily into a new life surrounded by their family and friends in the south Longford town. We are absolutely thrilled, added Lisa. Tomas loves his food and seems very contented at the moment; its just great that he has arrived safely and is here with all of us now. With sleet and snow being forecast by Met Eireann for later this week, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, reminds people to be winter ready and take all necessary precautions. Minister Ross said: I would urge all people to heed the advice of the agencies and take all necessary precautions if out during the severe weather. If travelling I would advise that you plan your route and check local information , allow extra time, drive slowly and carefully and stay safe. Useful information on how to prepare for severe weather can be found on the Be Winter Ready website, www.winterready.ie. The Department also publish a Transport Information for Severe Weather page on our website: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/ english/emergency-planning This page outlines where to find information on weather, roads, public transport and road safety during severe weather. It includes contact details for local authorities, and links to each local authority winter service plan. These plans outline plans for dealing with winter weather, including the priority salting routes for each local authority. As of January 2, 2017, salt usage to-date this winter amounted to 38,400 tonnes, with stocks of 203,500 tonnes of salt remaining. By comparison, 96,000 tonnes of salt was used over the winter of 2015/16 and some 130,000 tonnes was used during the very severe winter of 2010/2011. Storage capacity has increased substantially since 2010 and this allows for greater stocks of salt to be stored in advance of winter. Transport Infrastructure Ireland provides details of motorway and national road conditions on www.tii.ie and www.tiitraffic.ie. Local authorities will publicise local roads closures, and a number of local authorities provide mobile alert services which include updates on any such closures. Information on traffic and road closures can also be found on the AA Roadwatch website, www.theaa.ie/roadwatchand on local radio stations. Each of the transport operators update their websites and social media during severe weather and their details can be found on our information page. The Road Safety Authority has information and safety advice fordrivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians on their website,www.rsa.ie. ALSO READ: Longford motorists advised to be prepared for difficult winter driving conditions Local News, Press Releases By Legislator Anker's Office Published: January 11 2017 Suffolk County Leg. Sarah Anker joined local senior residents at the Leisure Village clubhouse to protest the rate increases recently announced by LIPA. Ridge, NY - January 10, 2017 - On Tuesday, January 10th, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker joined local senior residents at the Leisure Village clubhouse to protest the rate increases recently announced by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). Previously, LIPA had stated that the average users bill would only increase by $3.25, but are now claiming that updates and revision have led to higher numbers. Last week, LIPA announced that the average customer who used 775 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy in December will see an increase of $7.57 in their total energy bill, or 5.4% increase. In addition to the rate increases and the power supply and delivery charges, the LIPA bill also includes a decoupling charge and delivery service adjustment fees. These new fees were implemented in 2016 and allow LIPA to recoup revenue that fluctuates due to weather, green energy, and labor agreements. The skyrocketing energy costs disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations in Suffolk County, especially senior citizens who have all-electric utilities and live on fixed incomes. The LIPA rate increases come as a shock to many residents across Suffolk County as they are more than double what LIPA had previously stated. Electricity is an indispensable necessity of life and many residents cannot afford the high electric rates. Lower-income families and seniors on fixed incomes are more vulnerable to energy costs than higher-income families because energy costs represent a larger portion of their household budgets, said Legislator Anker. As a result, those on fixed incomes must make difficult and even dangerous decisions, and are forced to choose between heating their homes, paying for food, or purchasing prescription medications. People in all-electric communities get hit particularly hard in the winter months. Their use of energy in the winter is double and triple the average 775 kWh projected by LIPA, said Gail Blair, AARP representative and Leisure Village resident. Does this mean that in the future, these customers will have their rates double and triple the projected $7.57 increase? Legislator Anker is urging the LIPA board to revisit the rate increases and to specifically consider the burdensome impact these increases have on our senior population. In addition, along with AARP, she is encouraging New York State to adopt legislation that would create an Independent Utility Consumer Advocate to provide greater accountability and oversight for our utility needs. AARP has stressed the need for residential ratepayers to have independent representation to support them on major matters affecting the reliability and affordability of essential utility services. Some senior residents who have all-electric utilities pay over $1,000 per month in electric costs, said Legislator Anker. Having an Independent Utility Consumer Advocate would level the playing field between the consumer and the utility companies. New York State has the ability to pass legislation to amend the Public Service Law to create the State Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate. The office would be independent and represent the interest of the residential utility customer. It would create transparency, oversight, and accountability over rate increases throughout the state. New York State is only one of ten states that does not have an Independent Utility Consumer Advocate. In 2015, both the New York State Assembly and Senate introduced legislation (A.180/S.3356) to create the State Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate. The legislation passed through the Assembly, but did not pass through the Senate. For more information about the LIPA rate increases and the need for an Independent Utility Consumer Advocate, please call Legislator Ankers office at 631-854-1600. Governor Cuomo Presents 26th Proposal of 2017 State of the State: Sweeping, Comprehensive Actions to Combat the Heroin and Opioid Epidemic in New York Local News, Health & Wellness, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 11 2017 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today proposed a bold, multi-faceted proposal to combat every angle of the heroin and opioid crisis in New York State. Farmingdale, NY - January 10, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today proposed a bold, multi-faceted proposal to combat every angle of the heroin and opioid crisis in New York State. The Governor's proposal builds on the success of the legislative package he signed in June to increase access to treatment, expand community prevention strategies and limit the over-prescription of opioids in New York. The proposals aim to eliminate insurance barriers and further expand access to effective treatment, curb overprescribing, and get fentanyl and other synthetic opioids off the streets. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone at 2017 State of the State Address on Long Island. Photo Credit: Governor Cuomo's Press Office, via Flickr. "New York has made great strides in combatting the devastating epidemic of heroin and opioid addiction, but this crisis continues and we must continue to do everything in our power to combat each facet of this complex health emergency," Governor Cuomo said. "This multipronged plan addresses each component of heroin and opioid addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery in order to help break this cycle of misery and save lives." The six-point plan put forward in Governor Cuomo's State of the State address is outlined below: Eliminate prior authorization requirements to make substance use disorder treatment available to all Add fentanyl analogs to the New York controlled substances schedule to subject emerging synthetic drugs to criminal drug penalties\ Increase access to life-saving buprenorphine treatment by recruiting health care providers to become prescribers. Establish 24/7 crisis treatment centers to ensure access to critical support services Require emergency department prescribers to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program registry to combat doctor shopping" Create New York's first recovery high schools to help young people in recovery finish school Eliminate Prior Authorization Requirements to Make Substance Use Disorder Treatment Available to All The historic legislation signed by Governor Cuomo last year dramatically improved access to inpatient treatment for New Yorkers facing addiction. However, not all patients are appropriate for inpatient treatment, and still need immediate access to services. Many can recover in outpatient treatment programs, including individual, group, and family counseling, relapse prevention, and cognitive and behavioral interventions. To make immediate access to all types of treatment possible, the Governor proposes expanding on the legislation signed in June 2016 to eliminate insurance prior authorization for inpatient treatment to include outpatient treatment. Add Fentanyl Analogs to the New York Controlled Substances Schedule to Subject Emerging Synthetic Drugs to Criminal Drug Penalties Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid more potent than heroin that is responsible for an alarming number of overdose deaths in New York and across the country. Overdose deaths from synthetic opioids like fentanyl have increased by 135 percent in New York State from 2014 to 2015. Many drug dealers sell heroin mixed with fentanyl, or pure fentanyl sold as another type of less potent opioid much of the time unknown to the users. Often, however, these drugs are not on New Yorks schedule of controlled substances because there are minor tweaks to their chemical structures that make them slightly different but equally, if not more, dangerous than their illegal counterparts. To get fentanyl off the streets, Governor Cuomo calls for the subjecting of fentanyl analogs to drug penalties and adding eight variations of the substance into the New York controlled substances schedule, which would subject them to criminal drug penalties. Governor Cuomo also proposes legislation to create an emergency Executive Authority to add new substances to our controlled substance schedule based on risk to public health and the recommendations of experts and the Commissioner of Health. The Executive Authority will help law enforcement fight threats like fentanyl as they emerge. Increase Access to Life-Saving Buprenorphine Treatment by Recruiting Health Care Providers to Become Prescribers Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid addiction that, when taken as prescribed and combined with counseling, is safe and effective. However, access to buprenorphine is limited by the number of health providers who are registered, as required by federal law, to prescribe it. To increase access to this highly effective treatment, the Governor proposes a concerted effort by the Department of Health to recruit more doctors, physicians assistants, and nurse practitioners to become buprenorphine prescribers. The Department will do this by offering regional trainings for providers to become registered, offering mentoring for new buprenorphine prescribers, and expanding the number of locations where buprenorphine is available. Establish 24/7 Crisis Treatment Centers to Ensure Access to Critical Support Services This year, based on recommendations from his Heroin and Opioid Task Force, Governor Cuomo advanced legislation that removed insurance barriers to treatment such as prior authorizations for inpatient services and multiple, confusing rubrics for determining the level of care a patient needs. Too often, however, access to treatment is delayed by the need to make an appointment during weekday business hours. This means a person in crisis, such as someone at a hospital emergency department, cannot access addiction treatment services when they are ready to make the commitment to care. To ensure access to treatment for all New Yorkers in need, Governor Cuomo will direct the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to develop ten 24/7 urgent access centers with crisis intervention on-call services, one in each region of the state. The centers will provide individuals in crisis with access to clinical staff who will perform assessments and level of care determinations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connect individuals to care immediately. Require Emergency Department Prescribers to Consult the Prescription Monitoring Program Registry to Combat Doctor Shopping" The link between the overprescribing of painkillers and the opioid addiction epidemic is well established. In 2012, Governor Cuomo signed legislation enhancing the States Prescription Monitoring Program and requiring health care providers to consult the Registry before writing opioid prescriptions. Since 2013 the State has reduced doctor shopping by more than 90 percent and implemented the first electronic prescribing mandate in the nation. Patient prescription histories contain critical information for healthcare providers to prevent or identify addiction to opioid painkillers. However, certain health care providers are exempt from the requirement to check the PMP before writing a prescription. To address this critical gap, Governor Cuomo will advance legislation amending the 2012 law, to require the use of the Registry before controlled substances are prescribed in the emergency department of a general hospital. Create New York's First Recovery High Schools to Help Young People in Recovery Finish School One of the greatest challenges during a young persons time in recovery is returning to school. Virtually all youth in recovery reported being offered drugs their first day back at school. Recovery schools are schools within school where students in recovery can learn in a substance-free and supportive environment and have proven to be an effective model to help youth in recovery stay healthy and graduate. The Governor will propose legislation to create New Yorks first recovery high schools in regions of the State hit especially by the disease of addiction. Boards of Cooperative Educational Services will submit proposals to the Office for Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to establish the first schools, one upstate and one downstate, in partnership with local social service agencies. The new schools will be operated by the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, which are funded by sponsoring school districts. Enrollment will be open to all high school students with a diagnosis of a substance abuse disorder and a commitment to recovery. Governor Cuomo's Previous Initiatives Since 2014, Governor Cuomo has implemented a series of aggressive reforms to combat heroin and opioid addiction, including: Local News, Business & Finance, Travel & Local Attractions, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 11 2017 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled a proposal to invest $160 million in transformative projects on Long Island. Farmingdale, NY - January 10, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled a proposal to invest $160 million in transformative projects on Long Island. The proposal includes $120 million for the LIRR - to provide state-of-the-art enhancements to 16 stations and improve system connectivity with a new terminal at MacArthur Airport and a new stop at Brookhaven National Laboratory - and $40 million to build sewers that will support economic growth and environmental sustainability in Smithtown and Kings Park. These transformative infrastructure projects contribute to the resiliency and strength of Long Island, and provide vital support to bolster the continued growth of the region. "These major, transformative investments in Long Island's core infrastructure invest in the future resiliency and strength of the region," Governor Cuomo said. "Enhanced LIRR stations will connect further than they ever have before, and these vital water infrastructure projects will support environmental sustainability and bolster economic growth. With these projects, we equip Long Island will the tools and resources to drive commercial activity, create jobs, and build a stronger Long Island for generations to come." Last year, under Governor Cuomos leadership, New York State invested in a wide array of transformative infrastructure projects on Long Island. From the $50 million Hofstra University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences hub, to the $50 million Brookhaven National Laboratory, to the $25 million Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Center for Therapeutics Research, these projects are smart investments to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. To build on the success of those projects, Governor Cuomo proposes investing an additional $160 million in transformative projects on Long Island. Enhancing Stations and Connecting the LIRR with MacArthur Airport and Brookhaven National Laboratory Governor Cuomo proposes investing $120 million to enhance LIRR stations and improve system connectivity. The MTA will cover $35 million of this investment. $80 million will be invested in $5 million major enhancements at 16 critical LIRR stations to improve the customer experience. The station upgrades will include new facilities, Wi-Fi, charging stations, public art, new platform waiting areas, general station renovations and improved signage. All of these enhancements will be customized to the needs of each station and constructed with minimal disruptions. The 16 stations are broken up by county below. Nassau County Stations: Great Neck Bellmore Stewart Manor Valley Stream Baldwin Merrick Syosset Farmingdale Suffolk County Stations: Northport Stony Brook Port Jefferson Wyandanch Deer Park Brentwood Ronkonkoma East Hampton A $20 million project will add a stop on the LIRR Ronkonkoma Branch at the center of Long Islands innovation corridor at Brookhaven National Laboratory. An additional $20 million will support the development of a new terminal at MacArthur Airport to provide direct service to the LIRR. Investing in Business District Infrastructure for Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability Governor Cuomo proposes investing $40 million to support economic growth, environmental sustainability and water quality in business districts in Smithtown and Kings Park. The $20 million Smithtown Business District Sewer Improvement Area project will install sanitary infrastructure in the business district. Additionally, a $20 million Kings Park Wastewater Treatment Facility be installed in the 100-acre, 140 lot central business district area adjacent to a railroad station. Local News, Business & Finance, Community, Charity & Cause, Home & Garden, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 11 2017 Governor Cuomo announced an initiative to reduce property taxes by empowering voters to approve locally-designed plans that eliminate duplicative services to lower the cost of local government. Albany, NY - January 10, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an initiative to reduce property taxes by empowering voters to approve locally-designed plans that eliminate duplicative services to lower the cost of local government. Governor Cuomo has made reducing the large burden of property taxes in New York a signature priority of his administration, with the Property Tax Cap and Property Tax Freeze saving taxpayers more than $17 billion through 2016. The groundbreaking proposal requires county officials to develop localized plans that find real, recurring property tax savings by coordinating and eliminating duplicative services and proposing coordinated services to enhance purchasing power, such as jointly purchasing and coordinating use of expensive transportation or emergency equipment. Taxpayers will then vote on these cost-saving plans in a referendum in the November 2017 general election. "The property tax is the most burdensome tax to homeowners and business owners in every part of the state, inhibiting their ability to grow and contribute to our economy. By challenging local governments to create a plan to streamline government bureaucracy for voter approval, this innovative and powerful initiative will empower communities and lead to real, recurring property tax savings," Governor Cuomo said. "While we have significantly reduced the growth of property taxes over the past six years, this tax is still a significant expense for property owners, and this proposal will reduce the burden of the tax and establish New York as a national model for government efficiency." The Property Tax Burden in New York The property tax is the largest tax burden to the New York taxpayer, with the typical taxpayer paying 2.5 times more in property taxes than in income taxes. Westchester, Nassau and Rockland rank among the five highest counties in the nation for the cost of property taxes, and in terms of property taxes paid as a share of home value, five out of the 10 highest-taxed counties in the country are in Upstate New York: Monroe, Allegany, Orleans, Cortland, and Wayne. Though property taxes are controlled by local governments, Governor Cuomo has made it a priority of his administration to help reduce the burden. The Property Tax Cap is the central pillar of these efforts, and aided by more than $100 million in State efficiency programs, it has driven local governments to control costs and saved the typical homeowner $2,100 through 2016. When combined with the Property Tax Freeze, the Property Tax Cap has saved taxpayers more than $17 billion through 2016. This initiative builds on local government efficiency programs established earlier in his Administration by Governor Cuomo, including the Citizens Re-Organization and Empowerment Grant and the Citizens Empowerment Tax Credit. Together they aim to not only empower citizens, but also to give local governments the tools they need to remain compliant with the Property Tax Cap. Proposal: Empower Voters to Approve Plans to Lower the Cost of Local Government Building on the success of the Property Tax Cap, Governor Cuomo proposes a bold initiative to require each county outside of New York City to prepare a plan for shared, coordinated and efficient services among the units of local governments contained within the county, excluding school districts. The plan will be prepared by the county's Chief Executive Official, such as the County Executive or County Manager. County officials will get public input through public hearings and engaging with the community, business, labor and civic leaders and reach consensus on the plans. The resulting plan must demonstrate real, recurring savings in costs and not simply shift burdens to other taxpayers. The focus of the plan should be on eliminating or consolidating duplicative services, and all shared services and efficiencies proposed in the plan must be new actions. Draft plans must be submitted to the county legislative body by August 1, 2017. The county legislative body then has 45 days to review the plan, and if they do nothing, the plan is automatically put on the ballot. The voters of the county will then vote on the plan in the general election of November 2017. If the plan is not approved by a majority of voters, the county government must prepare a new plan for approval in November 2018. This new proposal builds on Governor Cuomo's record of reducing the cost burden of local government onto families. His initiative to relieve counties of the cost of growth in Medicaid will save local taxpayers $3.7 billion over five years, and his reforms to the States pension system will save the State, local governments, and school districts more than $80 billion over the next 30 years. Nature & Weather, Local News, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 11 2017 Governor Cuomo announced to a Long Island audience that New York is committed to building 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2030 enough to power 1.25 million homes. Long Island, NY - January 10, 2017 - In the most recent of the six State of the State addresses scheduled throughout the week, Governor Cuomo announced to a Long Island audience today that New York is committed to building 2,400 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind power by 2030 enough to power 1.25 million homes. The Governor also pledged his support for New Yorks first, and the nations largest, offshore wind project off the east end of Long Island. In December, over 250 local, state and national organizations called on the Governor to make a commitment to a large-scale, long-term offshore wind program, hailing it as an essential first step in making Long Island a regional industry hub that could spur thousands of jobs, manufacturing and economic development opportunities. A significant commitment to offshore wind power is also critical for meeting Governor Cuomos goal of ensuring 50 percent of New Yorks energy comes from renewable sources by 2030. Following the Governors announcement today, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is expected to formally approve the contract for New Yorks first offshore wind project later this month. The 90 MW, 15-turbine South Fork Wind Farm will produce enough energy to power about 50,000 Long Island homes by 2022. LIPA also has the opportunity to secure at least 200 more MW of offshore wind through their Island-Wide renewable energy procurement expected later this year. In response to todays announcement, a coalition of organizations provided the following comments: Offshore wind has tremendous potential in the Empire State. We applaud Governor Cuomo for making a long-term, large scale commitment to this pollution-free resource, Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York said. This commitment to offshore wind helps ensure that New York can reap the benefits of this clean, renewable resource right off our coast. A strong commitment to offshore wind sets New York on a path to achieve 50 percent clean energy by 2030 on the way to 100 percent renewable energy. We applaud Governor Cuomo for listening to New Yorkers and committing to large-scale, long-term offshore wind in New York and moving New Yorks first offshore project forward, Lisa Dix, Senior New York Representative for the Sierra Club said. These actions are not only the biggest commitments to offshore wind in the nation, but also a historic step forward in securing Governor Cuomos legacy as a national climate leader, creating thousands of new jobs, and securing his goal of powering New York with 50 percent renewable energy by 2030. With this weeks announcement that the Indian Point nuclear facility will be closing by early 2021, it makes more sense than ever to take advantage of the vast offshore wind resources off Long Island, Kit Kennedy, director of NRDCs Energy & Transportation program said. By committing to scale up clean offshore wind power, Governor Cuomo is taking concrete action to ensure that Indian Points power is replaced with safe, zero-carbon energy. Governor Cuomos bold commitment to harvest New Yorks abundant offshore wind power could make us a regional hub for offshore wind development, creating jobs and attracting significant industry investments, while allowing the state to reach its 50 percent renewable energy mandate, Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island said. Governor Cuomo made history today with the largest state commitment to offshore wind power, continuing the undeniable, bipartisan momentum building along the coast to tap into this booming global industry, said Catherine Bowes, Senior Manager at National Wildlife Federation. This bold leadership is precisely whats needed to launch offshore wind power for New York that can deliver thousands of jobs, ensure a local supply of clean power right where it is needed and reduce pollution threatening both people and wildlife. We applaud Governor Cuomo for moving the states first offshore wind project forward and taking this critical step to ensure that responsibly developed offshore wind power plays a major role in New Yorks energy future. CCE applauds Governor Cuomo for his commitment to advance offshore wind and to fighting climate change, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment said. Todays commitment to offshore wind cements Governor Cuomos position as a renewable energy champion and ensures New York will continue to move forward with projects that mitigate climate change, stabilize the rate base and protect our coastal communities while providing good, local jobs for Long Islanders. Wind energy is a long time coming. I am delighted that the Nassau and Suffolk Building and Construction Trades will get to help build this industry and put our 59,000 strong members to work, Richard OKane, President, Nassau and Suffolk Building and Construction Trades said. Ironworkers local 361 applaud the Governors commitment to offshore wind renewable energy and the Long Island workforce, Matthew Chartrand Business Manager, Ironworkers Local 361 said. The Governors offshore wind announcement was an important step in the right direction. We must act now to combat global climate change and an aggressive timeline is necessary to implement and build offshore wind and other renewables, Lisa Tyson, Director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition said. Governor Cuomos commitment to 2,400 MW of offshore wind power by 2030 makes New York a national leader of this new clean energy industry, Liz Gordon, Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance said. The Governors powerful endorsement will spur billions in investment, create thousands of skilled jobs, and generate clean, affordable and reliable electricity for New York. Offshore wind can be Governor Cuomos legacy. Few initiatives will have a more positive, or multigenerational impact, than capturing the clean, renewable energy blowing across New Yorks shores, Conor Bambrick, Air & Energy Director at Environmental Advocates of New York said. The practical benefits are also immediate a robust program can keep his climate and clean energy goals on track while mitigating the impact on the energy grid from Indian Points closure. We encourage the Governor to use this commitment as a springboard for making New York the worlds offshore wind leader. "Smart for the climate, smart on the economics, this is a significant commitment to harnessing Long Island's abundant offshore wind energy and a big step towards powering the region sustainably," NYPIRG's Russ Haven said. The communities of Far Rockaway and Rockaway Parkway are looking forward to the new jobs, in a new sector like offshore wind, Alexis Smallwood, Community Outreach Coordinator, Rockaway Wildfire said. We have fought hard for these new jobs which will help benefit those who live in Far Rockaway. We hope to save the environment and the ecosystem. Thank you, Governor Cuomo, for your leadership in offshore wind. "We commend Governor Cuomo for committing to the development of a large-scale offshore wind farm in New York, Ling Tsou, Co-founder of United for Action said. We urge Long Island Power Authority to approve the plan to develop New Yorks first ever wind farm without any further delay. An offshore wind farm will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of fossil fuel and nuclear power for New York, it will also generate jobs and stimulate local economy in the growing renewable energy sector. Given the urgency of climate change, building an offshore wind farm to deliver large-scale renewable energy cannot come soon enough." "We are encouraged that Governor Cuomo is committing New York State to an energy future that includes offshore wind, Elizabeth Broad, Outreach Director of New Yorkers for Clean Power said. By prioritizing and expediting the development of this important clean energy resource, we can set an example for the rest of the nation by investing in a new industry, creating jobs and generating electricity without climate impacting greenhouse gas emissions." "We are pleased to see the state taking this important step toward a renewable energy economy, Kim Fraczek and Patrick Robbins, Co-Directors of Sane Energy Project said. By agreeing to this commitment, the Governor is standing with the countless union workers, environmental advocates, and communities all over the state who are calling for offshore wind power, and we look forward to working with the Governor's office toward an eventual commitment from our utility sector to purchase 5,000 megawatts of electricity from offshore wind." Environment New York is a state-wide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization working for clean air, clean water and open space. A.G. Schneiderman: Felony Conviction for Engineering Firm Manager for Making Unauthorized Alterations to Damage Report in Wake of Superstorm Sandy Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 11 2017 Matthew Pappalardo, former Project Manager Of HiRise Engineering, P.C., pleads guilty to unauthorized practice of engineering. Schneiderman: My Office is committed to protecting homeowners and ensuring that their claims are handled accurately and fairly. Uniondale, NY - January 10, 2017 - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today the felony conviction of Matthew Pappalardo, 39, of Nassau, for Unauthorized Practice of Engineering. Papparaldo, former Project Manager for Uniondale engineering firm HiRise Engineering, P.C. (HiRise), admitted today in Nassau County Supreme Court to altering an engineering report prepared in connection with the assessment of structural damage of residential properties resulting from Superstorm Sandy. HiRise pleaded to the violation of Criminal Solicitation in the Fifth Degree, and agreed to be permanently banned from receiving contracts and providing services under the Federal Emergency Management Associations (FEMAs) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Fraudulently altering engineering reports undermines the integrity of the entire NFIP claims process, which homeowners and families rely upon in a time of crisis, said Attorney General Schneiderman. My office is committed to protecting homeowners and ensuring that their insurance claims are handled accurately and fairly. Todays also conviction re-emphasizes the need for FEMA to implement the reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program identified by my office, so that when the next major storm hits, families can be confident that their claims are being handled professionally and reliably. In August 2016, the Attorney Generals Office announced the unsealing of an indictment from a Nassau County Grand Jury charging Pappalardo and HiRise with multiple counts of Forgery in the Second Degree, a class D Felony, and charging Pappalardo with multiple counts of Unauthorized Practice of Engineering, a class E Felony. According to statements made by prosecutors at arraignment on the indictment, after Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, HiRise, a Uniondale-based engineering firm, was contracted to perform structural engineering assessments for properties covered under the National Flood Insurance Program. HiRise, in turn, retained numerous licensed professional engineers to perform house inspections and prepare engineering reports. According to prosecutors, the original reports authored by the on-the-ground, subcontracted professional engineers were altered by employees of HiRise, under the direction of project manager Pappalardo. Pappalardo and the other HiRise employees who made the alterations to the original reports did not personally inspect the damaged buildings and were not licensed to practice engineering in New York State. The altered reports were then submitted by HiRise, and ultimately provided to the adjusting firms, without the consent or approval of the underlying professional engineers. Federal flood claim administrators and adjusting firms then relied on these reports as part of their evaluation of coverage under the NFIP. Today, before the Honorable Jerald S. Carter in Nassau County Supreme Court, Pappalardo pleaded guilty to Unauthorized Practice of Engineering, a Class E felony. Pappalardo is expected to be sentenced on March 1, 2017, to three years probation and a fine in the amount of $10,000. Also today, HiRise pleaded to Criminal Solicitation in the Fifth Degree, a violation, agreed to be permanently banned from receiving contracts and providing services under the NFIP, and paid $225,000 in costs of prosecution. Contemporaneous with filing the criminal charges resulting in todays conviction, Attorney General Schneiderman released a report identifying several fundamental flaws in the NFIP and recommending specific reforms designed to provide homeowners with a better understanding of their coverage and to insure the integrity of the structural damage assessment process. The Attorney Generals Report, entitled Murky Waters: Increasing Transparency and Accountability in the National Flood Insurance Program, Findings and Recommendations in the Wake of Superstorm Sandy, identifies several fundamental flaws related to both the scope of coverage and the structural damage assessment process under the NFIP, and calls for the immediate implementation of specific reforms. Flaws in the NFIP identified by the OAG include: A lack of clarity in the scope of coverage under the Standard Flood Insurance Policy; Inadequate training and lack of certification requirements for structural engineers retained in connection with flood claims; and Poor administration and supervision of the flood claims process, including the failure to provide important documentation to policyholders. Reforms to the NFIP recommended by OAG include: Increase the transparency and clarify the scope of flood insurance coverage and any applicable exclusions, to provide consumers with a better understanding of what is and is not covered under their flood policy, through the creation of a plain language disclosure sheet; Provide policyholders with all documents created during the course of the flood claim administration process and ultimately relied upon in determining payment or denial of a flood claim, including all final adjuster and engineering reports, as a matter of course; Implement a national certification process for all engineers retained to provide structural damage assessments in the wake of a flood event; and Ensure the transparency of fees paid to engineering experts by implementing a standardized fee schedule for all engineering services. Attorney General Schneiderman thanks the United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General for their valuable assistance on this investigation, including Special Agent in Charge Gregory K. Null, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Julio Santana, Special Agent in Charge of Headquarters Michael Dawson, Special Agent George Heitz and Special Agent Steven Tseng. Attorney General Schneiderman also thanks the New York State Education Department, Office of Professions for their valuable assistance on this investigation. The OAG investigation was conducted by Senior Investigator Michael Leahy and Investigator Anna Ospanova. The Supervising Investigator is Sylvia Rivera and the Deputy Bureau Chief is John McManus. The Investigations Division is led by Chief Investigator Dominick Zarrella. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Joseph DArrigo and Robert Miller of the Attorney Generals Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau. The Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Gary T. Fishman and Deputy Bureau Chief Stephanie Swenton. The original Consumer Frauds investigation was handled Assistant Attorney General Melvin L. Goldberg of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau. The Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Jane Azia. The Division of Economic Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Manisha M. Sheth. Rep. Suozzi Wraps Up First Week in Office; Delivers Remarks on House Floor Supporting Israel Local News, National & World News, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 11 2017 Representative Tom Suozzi (D Long Island, Queens), wrapped up a busy first week in office on Thursday night, by delivering his first remarks on the floor as a Member of the U.S. House of ... Washington, DC - January 10, 2017 - Representative Tom Suozzi (D Long Island, Queens), wrapped up a busy first week in office on Thursday night, by delivering his first remarks on the floor as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Suozzi, who was officially sworn into office on Tuesday January 3rd, was an original co-sponsor of House Resolution 11, expressing opposition to the U.S.'s abstention from a U.N. Security Council vote on a resolution regarding Israel. Below are Suozzis remarks and a link to a video of his speech. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a co-sponsor of bipartisan House Resolution 11. In 2002, during the 2nd Intifada, after the massacre in Hebron, I had the great good fortune of meeting in Jerusalem with Shimon Peres of blessed memory. He explained why a two state solution is the only path to peace, and I will never abandon his dream of a two state solution. UN Resolution 2334, however, pushes the hope of a two state solution farther away for three reasons: 1. It discourages direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. 2. It fails to distinguish between long accepted and more controversial settlements. Long accepted settlements such as the long established Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, in the Jewish Quarter, places like the Western Wall, and the consensus settlements versus more controversial hilltop settlements in the West Bank, such as Amona. Settlements that even the Israeli Supreme Court has declared illegal. And, 3. It fails to explicitly condemn the number one impediment to a two state solution, anti-Israel terrorism. Link to Video of Floor Speech: Congressman Suozzi's Speech in Support of H. Res. 11 House Resolution 11 passed with 342 votes in favor and with bi-partisan support. Congressman Suozzi is a representative from the 3rd Congressional District of New York, which includes pasts of Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Queens. Local News, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 11 2017 After delivering his final regional State of the State in Albany, Governor Cuomo was on a state police helicopter traveling back to New York City for meetings in the office. Albany, NY - January 11, 2017 - Statement from James Allen, Director of Communications to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo: "After delivering his final regional State of the State in Albany, Governor Cuomo was on a state police helicopter traveling back to New York City for meetings in the office. Just before 4 p.m., the helicopter filled with fumes that smelled like smoke and the pilot made an emergency landing at Stewart Airport. The cause of the issue is being investigated and the helicopter is currently undergoing maintenance. The Governor and two aides were on board, along with security and the pilot. No one was injured and everyone has been safely transported back to the city." Five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates were among 11 people killed in a bombing at a guest house in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, yesterday. The UAEs ambassador to Afghanistan, as well as the governor of Kandahar, were also wounded in the attack. No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the Taliban distanced itself from it. In a brief statement released on Voice of Jihad, the Talibans official propaganda website, the group denied that it was responsible for the blast: We reject involvement in Kandahar province guest house attack which left dozens of enemy officials, MP and foreign gusts [sic] killed or wounded, the Taliban said. This was enemy internal dispute as Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate have no operation last night in the said province [sic]. If Taliban did not physically executed the attack, it is more than likely the group was still involved on some level. Kandahar is Taliban territory, and it is highly unlikely that any group seeking to hit such a high value target could do so without the tacit approval and support (intelligence, logistics, bomb-making resources, etc.) of the Taliban to execute such a sophisticated attack. The Taliban has good reason to deny involvement in this attack. The group seeks to maintain friendly relations with countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as it relies on these nations to allow leaders and financiers to fundraise and conduct other activities inside their borders. This is borne out in the US State Departments designations of several Taliban and Haqqani Network leaders as global terrorists, who are known to have traveled to the UAE to garner support for jihadists based in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sample of Taliban and Haqqani Network leaders who have fundraised in the UAE: US Treasury targets money exchanges, owners, for funding Taliban US adds Haqqani Network, Taliban leaders to list of designated terrorists US designates al Qaeda, Haqqani Network leaders as terrorists Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Celebrate 20 Years with Trump International Hotel & Tower New York Since opening its doors on January 15, 1997, the hotel maintains its impeccable service in large part due to its strong team of loyal associates. The hotel honors and celebrates General Manager Suzie Mills, who has been with the property since pre-opening while 44 other associates have worked with the hotel since opening year. Over the past two decades, the hotel has held its place among the top five-star hotels in the city, and is the only one to also have a Five-Star/Five-Diamond restaurant, Jean-Georges, which opened with the hotel.To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Trump Central Park will offer the following packages. For more information on the anniversary or the hotel, please click here In honor of Trump Central Park and signature restaurant Jean-Georges celebrating 20 years, this indulgent $20,000 package offers a platinum hospitality and culinary experience. While the true highlight is a one-hour private cooking demonstration with celebrated culinary icon Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the experience also includes overnight accommodations in an Executive Park One-Bedroom Suite; dinner for two in Jean-Georges featuring the Classic Tasting Menu and wine pairings; breakfast for two in Nougatine by Jean-Georges; two Trump Platinum Massages; The Facial Duet experience (two facials); and an in-room bottle of General Manager Suzie Mills' favorite Champagne, Billecart Salmon. Package is priced at $20,000 per night, inclusive of taxes and fees. Available Mondays-Thursdays throughout 2017, based upon Jean-Georges schedule, and can be booked by call-in only.Priced at $1,997 to celebrate the opening year of the hotel, this anniversary package includes luxury accommodations in an Executive Park View Suite and a host of amenities such as a bottle of Billecart Salmon Champagne; welcome chocolates; in-room breakfast for two; and two Trump Platinum massages. Package is priced at $1,997 exclusive of taxes and fees, and is valid for travel throughout 2017, based on availability. A five-day advanced booking window is required.For the culinary connoisseurs, the 20 Years of Dining package features a gastronomic experience with cuisine by Jean-Georges. Along with overnight accommodations in an Executive Park One-Bedroom Suite, the offer includes a three-course dinner for two by Jean-Georges in-room (two appetizers, two entrees, dessert trio and two glasses of Champagne), and breakfast for two in the hotel's celebrated restaurant Nougatine by Jean-Georges. Package is priced at $1,997 exclusive of taxes and fees and is available through March 31, 2017.We are so thrilled to ring in 20 years at Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, along with the New Year. Having been here since opening day, it has been truly amazing to watch the hotel become the icon it is today, said General Manager Suzie Mills. This is an exciting milestone for the property and we look forward to celebrating with our loyal clientele, as well as welcoming new guests in the year to come. US Intelligence Agencies Try to Strong-Arm Trump into War With Russia Powerful elites are using the credibility of the US Intelligence agencies to demonize Russia and prepare the country for war. This is the real meaning of the Russia hacking story which, as yet, has not produced any hard evidence of Russian complicity. Last weeks 25-page report, that was released by the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, illustrates to what extent intelligence is being fixed around the policy. Just as the CIA generated false information related to Weapons of Mass Destruction to soften public resistance to war with Iraq, so too, the spurious allegations in the DNIs politically-motivated report are designed to depict Russia as a growing threat to US national security. The timing of the report has less to do with the election of Donald Trump as President than it does with critical developments in Syria where the Russian military has defeated US-proxies in Syrias industrial hub, Aleppo, rolling back Washingtons 15-year War of Terror and derailing the imperialist plan to control vital resources and pipeline corridors across the Middle East and Central Asia. Russia has become the main obstacle to Washington achieving its strategic vision of pivoting to Asia and maintaining its dominant role into the next century. The Intelligence Community has been coerced into compromising its credibility to incite fear of Russia and to advance the geopolitical ambitions of deep state powerbrokers. The Russia hacking flap shows how far the Intel agencies have veered from their original mandate, which is to impartially gather and analyze information that may be vital to US national security. As we have seen in the last two weeks, the leaders of these organizations feel free to offer opinions on issues that clearly conflict with those of the new President-elect. Trump has stated repeatedly that he wants to reduce tensions and reset relations with Russia, but that policy is being sabotaged by members of the intelligence community, particularly CIA Director John Brennan who appeared just last week on PBS Newshour with Judy Woodruff. Heres an excerpt from the interview: We see that there are still a lot of actions that Russia is undertaking that undermine the principles of democracy in so many countries. What has happened in our recent election is not new. The Russians have engaged in trying to manipulate elections in Europe for a number of years the Russians tried to interfere in our electoral process recently, and were actively involved in that. And that is something that we cant countenance. (Interview with CIA Director John Brennan, PBS Newshour) Brennan, of course, provided no evidence for his claims nor did he mention the hundreds of CIA interventions around the world. But Brennans accusations are less important than the fact that his appearance on a nationwide broadcast identifies him as a political advocate for policies that conflict with those of the new president. Do we really want unelected intelligence officials whose job it is to provide the president with sensitive information related to national security to assume a partisan role in shaping policy? And why would Brennan whose is supposed to serve at the pleasure of the president accept an invitation to offer his views on Russia when he knew they would be damaging to the new administration? Powerful people behind the scenes are obviously pushing the heads of these intelligence agencies to stick to their anti-Moscow narrative to force Trump to abandon his plan for peaceful relations with Moscow. Brennan isnt calling the shots and neither are Clapper or Comey. Theyre all merely agents serving the interests of establishment plutocrats whose geopolitical agenda doesnt jibe with that of the incoming administration. If that wasnt the case, then why would the Intelligence Community stake its reputation on such thin gruel as this Russian hacking gibberish? It doesnt make any sense. The people who launched this campaign are either supremely arrogant or extremely desperate. Which is it? Heres an excerpt from an article by veteran journalist Robert Parry sums it up like this in an article at Consortium News: The DNI report amounted to a compendium of reasons to suspect that Russia was the source of the information built largely on the argument that Russia had a motive for doing so because of its disdain for Democratic nominee Clinton and the potential for friendlier relations with Republican nominee Trump. But the case, as presented, is one-sided and lacks any actual proof. Further, the continued use of the word assesses as in the U.S. intelligence community assesses that Russia is guilty suggests that the underlying classified information also may be less than conclusive because, in intelligence-world-speak, assesses often means guesses. (US Report Still Lacks Proof on Russia Hack, Robert Parry, Consortium News) Bottom line: Brennan and his fellow spooks have nothing. The report is little more than a catalogue of unfounded assumptions, baseless speculation and uncorroborated conjecture. In colloquial parlance, its bullshit, 100 percent, unalloyed Russophobic horse-manure. In fact, the authors admit as much in the transcript itself when they say: Judgments are not intended to imply that we have proof that shows something to be a fact. Assessments are based on collected information, which is often incomplete or fragmentary, as well as logic, argumentation, and precedents. What kind of kooky admission is that? So the entire report could be BS but were supposed to believe that Putin flipped the election? Is that it??? Whats really going on here? Why have the Intelligence agencies savaged their credibility just to convince people that Russia is up to no good? The Russia hacking story has more to do with recent developments in Syria than it does with delegitimizing Donald Trump. Aleppo was a real wake up call for the US foreign policy establishment which is beginning to realize that their plans for the next century have been gravely undermined by Russias military involvement in Syria. Aleppo represents the first time that an armed coalition of allied states (Russia, Iran, Syria, Hezbollah) have actively engaged US jihadist-proxies and soundly beat them to a pulp. The stunning triumph in Aleppo has spurred hope among the vassal states that Washingtons bloody military juggernaut can be repelled, rolled back and defeated. And if Washingtons CIA-armed, trained and funded jihadists can be repelled, then the elitist plan to project US power into Central Asia to dominate the worlds most populous and prosperous region, will probably fail. In other words, the outcome in Aleppo has cast doubts on Uncle Sams ability to successfully execute its pivot to Asia. Thats why the Intel agencies have been employed to shape public perceptions on Russia. Their job is to prepare the American people for an escalation of hostilities between the two nuclear-armed superpowers. US powerbrokers are determined to intensify the conflict and reverse facts on the ground. (Recent articles by elites at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Brookings Institute reveal that they are as committed to partitioning Syria as ever.) Washington wants to reassert its exceptional role as the uncontested steward of global security and the lone unipolar world power. Thats what this whole hacking fiasco is about. The big shots who run the country are trying to strong-arm the Donald into carrying their water so the depredations can continue and Central Asia can be transformed into a gigantic Washington-dominated corporate free trade zone where the Big Money calls the shots and Capital reigns supreme. Thats their dreamstate, Capitalist Valhalla. They just need Trump to get-with-the-program so the bloodletting can continue apace. By Mike Whitney Email: fergiewhitney@msn.com Mike Whitney lives in Washington state. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion (AK Press). Hopeless is also available in a Kindle edition. He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com. 2016 Copyright Mike Whitney - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. Mike Whitney Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. What Obamas Farewell Address Wont Say On Tuesday evening, Obama will deliver his farewell address from Chicago, his adopted home city. Hell lie, deceive and misinform like he always does. Hell say nothing about arguably the most disgraceful eight years in US history. He betrayed the public trust from day one. No US president every promised more and delivered less. None ever took more credit for what demands denunciation, including high crimes without accountability. None ever more served monied interests exclusively at the expense of beneficial social change. None was ever more deceitful, dishonest, untrustworthy, mendacious and wicked. His record of shame and ignominy speaks for itself - a rogue head of the most ruthless pariah state in world history, bent on global dominance no matter the cost in human lives and misery. His ruthless geopolitical agenda exceeded the worst of the Clinton co-presidency and Bush/Cheney. He terror-bombed seven countries, destabilized others, and replaced democracy in Ukraine with Nazi-infested putschists. He orchestrated coups in Honduras, Paraguay and Brazil, supported Israeli wars on Palestine, and tried replacing Venezuelan democracy with fascist rule. He enforced puppet rule in Haiti, continued Plan Colombia aid, responsible for massacres, disappearances and torture of regime opponents, along with instituting increasingly anti-Sino/Russia policies, risking confrontation with both countries. Promising hope and change, he waged war on humanity at home and abroad. He institutionalized tyranny, thirdworldized America, banana republicanized it, wrecked the economy, handed its wealth to Wall Street, war-profiteers and other corporate predators. He mocked democratic values and rule of law principles, governing under a police state apparatus, hardened throughout his tenure, waging war on fundamental freedoms. Law Professor Francis Boyle accused him of threatening global war. He spied on Americans and others worldwide more aggressively than Bush/Cheney. He targeted whistleblowers, truth-tellers, Muslims, Latino immigrants, along with environmental and animal rights activists called terrorists. He turned poverty into a growth industry, force-fed austerity under protracted Main Street Depression conditions, affecting most Americans while super-rich ones never had things better. He waged class warfare throughout his tenure, creating mass unemployment, underemployment and human deprivation. Over 100 million working age Americans have no jobs. Most with them have rotten ones. He turned US streets into battlegrounds, killer cops allowed to operate unaccountably. He destroyed decades of hard won labor rights, and increasingly commodified public education into another business profit center. He heads Americas Murder, Inc. agenda, appointing himself judge, jury and executioner, deciding who lives or dies, US citizens as vulnerable as foreign nationals. His drone wars largely kill defenseless civilians threatening no one. He spent trillion of dollars on mass slaughter and destruction while vital homeland needs go begging. Complicit with Americas intelligence community, mainly the CIA, he lied claiming Russian US election hacking - knowing DNC/John Podesta emails were internally leaked, no Russian involvement whatever. He devoted his final days in office to committing as much more mischief as possible before departing. His legacy of shame will remain part of the historical record long after hes gone - his high crimes against humanity never forgotten or forgiven. By Stephen Lendman http://sjlendman.blogspot.com His new book as editor and contributor is titled Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III. http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html He lives in Chicago and can be reached in Chicago at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Global Research News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Monday through Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on world and national topics. All programs are archived for easy listening. 2016 Copyright Stephen Lendman - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. STUART-A Stuart man was recently sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison on multiple drug and shoplifting charges. Out of that, however, hell spend five and a half years actually behind bars. Court records show Joshua Wayne Justice pleaded guilty in Patrick County Circuit Court to two counts of selling an imitation controlled substance and two counts of selling a schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance. A total of 25 years and six months of the 30 years total sentences on the drug charges were suspended on conditions including supervised probation, participation in a drug program and payment of a $1,000 fine and $714.80 restitution. The drug offenses allegedly happened on June 19, June 20, June 23 and July 1, 2014. On the felonious shoplifting charges, to which Justice also pleaded guilty, he received sentences totaling 10 years in prison, with a total of 12 months active and the balance suspended on conditions including supervised probation. The offenses allegedly happened on May 28 and May 29, 2016. Some other recent cases in Patrick County Circuit Court follow: A judge acquitted Marvin Dustin Repass of Madison, Oklahoma, on charges of abuse/neglect and endangering life of child, both felonies. Clifford Kenner Harris Nieto of Roxboro, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to charges including grand larceny, forge a public record and utter a forged record. A judge ordered a presentence report and set sentencing for Feb. 22. The offenses allegedly happened on June 19, 2016. Darius Ray Reed of Ararat pleaded no contest to felonious bad checks. A judge ordered a presentence report and set sentencing for March 6. The offense allegedly happened on May 21, 2016. Lucas Karl Bergmann of Lexington pleaded guilty to sale of schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance. A judge ordered a presentence report and set sentencing for June 12. The offense allegedly happened on July 26, 2014. Brandy Renee Gwinn of Stuart pleaded guilty to sale of schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance. A judge ordered a presentence report and set sentencing for March 3. The offense allegedly happened on Oct. 15, 2014. Haley Elizabeth Harris of Hillsville pleaded no contest to malicious wounding. A judge took the case under advisement and set a hearing for Dec. 11, 2017. The offense allegedly happened on July 10, 2016. Chrystal Gayle Hough of Meadows of Dan, who was charged with felonious assault on police officer, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruct justice and received a sentence of 12 months in jail. The offense allegedly happened on July 9, 2016. Jimmy Lee Goad of Patrick Springs pleaded guilty to felonious shoplifting. A judge ordered a presentence report and set sentencing for Feb. 9. The offense allegedly happened April 14, 2016. Jimmy Anthony Smith Jr. of Patrick Springs, who had pleaded guilty to obtaining money or property by false pretense, received a sentence of five years in prison, with six months active and four years and six months suspended on certain conditions. MARTINSVILLE Everyone using the main entrance at Martinsvilles city hall must undergo a security check, a judge has ruled. No exceptions. Not even for city employees. The front doors at the municipal building on West Church Street are the only public entry. Everyone entering those doors must pass through security, a Jan. 5 order by Martinsville Circuit Court Judge G. Carter Greer states. That means people must pass through metal detectors and, if an alarm sounds, allow city sheriffs deputies stationed nearby to scan them with hand-held electronic devices. People with pacemakers or who are in wheelchairs will be able to avoid the metal detectors but will have to be scanned by hand, according to Sheriff Steve Draper. Security procedures have been in place since metal detectors were installed at the entrance in 2007. But deputies generally have used discretion, such as not checking people who they know are regular visitors with no intention of causing harm, even if they set off the alarm. Examples include lawyers appearing in court and the media. Now, everyone must be screened. That includes city employees even law-enforcement officers, the order states. Employees, police officers and judges have key cards they usually swipe through electronic readers to let them enter other doors at the side and back of the building. The public does not have access through those entrances. Draper said Greers order for the municipal building apparently stems from security measures being stepped up at government buildings in response to recent shootings and terror attacks nationwide or incidents in which people somehow were able to smuggle weapons into court facilities elsewhere. We hope to prevent something (from occurring) before it happens, Draper said. There have been no security problems at the municipal building necessitating stricter entry procedures, Draper said to his understanding. Visitors to judicial facilities locally and elsewhere traditionally have had to go through security checkpoints. The potential exists for tension between plaintiffs and defendants, family members or others accompanying them. Officials want to ensure no weapons are brought in to endanger court visitors and employees. Yet few localities require people visiting city and county government offices to go through checkpoints to do regular types of public business, such as paying utility bills, registering to vote or applying for a building permit. Those attending Martinsville City Council meetings also must go through security, even after regular business hours when courts are not in session. People visiting the Henry County courts go through a checkpoint, yet those entering the county administration building next door on Kings Mountain Road do not. Draper said the municipal building is unique because it houses both city offices and courts. In many cities and counties today, those functions are in separate buildings. It appearing to the court that the Municipal Building is, in fact, a courthouse which houses the administrative offices of the City of Martinsville, and that, in the interest of maintaining security in the courthouse, it is necessary that all persons without exception pass through security screening, Greers order states. According to Draper, many high-security government buildings now prohibit visitors from having cell phones inside. Terrorists have used phones to set off bombs or other explosive devices. Although phones are made of metal and will be detected at the checkpoint, there are no plans to prohibit them at the municipal building, Draper said. Its not fair (for deputies) to take your cell phone if youre going to the city managers or city engineers office, for example, on general government business, he added. WESTFIELD -- Demanding that mandatory minimum staffing requirements for their departments be written into their next contract, about 25 Baystate Noble Hospital nurses conducted an informational picket Wednesday in front of the Hospital on Court Street. Baystate management says that staffing at 97-bed Noble meets or exceeds industry standards. The nurses say there are charts that show how many nurses need to be on staff for certain numbers of patients department by department. "But chart is up to whichever manager is on at that given time," said Dennise Colson, RN, a nurse in the emergency department and a Southwick resident. "We want enforceable language in our contract." The peaceful informational picket drew some encouraging horn honks and thumbs up from people passing by. Later, a rally will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Park Square Green in downtown Westfield. The Massachusetts Nurses Association has 130 members working at Baystate Noble, the union said. Those nurses have been working under an expired contract since March 2016. Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year as well with 17 negotiating sessions thus far. Both sides are working with a federal mediator. Baystate Health took over the much smaller Noble Hospital in Westfield two years ago in the summer of 2015. The current contract was signed by the former Noble Hospital and continued under a successor agreement under Baystate. Paul Dubin of Granby, Massachusetts is an RN in the rehabilitation unit at Baystate and the bargaining unit co-chairman. Dubin said nurses agreed to wage freezes in their last two contracts in order to keep struggling Noble afloat when it was an independent hospital. "We want to talk about wages and benefits," he said. "But that's not our primary concern. Our primary concern is safe staffing." The average Noble Hospital nurse rate is $39 an hour, Markman said Tuesday. New hires begin at $30 an hour and the top of the union nursing pay scale is $52.05 an hour. The hourly rate scale for Noble nurses is an average of 3 percent below the market for new hires and 8 percent below the market for the top of scale, based on a comparison of Noble with other Massachusetts Nurses Association Contracts from around the state including Eastern Massachusetts where wages are generally higher. The Massachusettts Nurses Association said Baystate Health ended 2014 and 2015 with a combined $121 million in profits, according to the state. Between 2010 and 2015, Baystate Medical Center alone made $480 million in profits. In response, Baystate said the union was not taking into account recent financial struggles that Baystate, including Baystate Noble has endured Baystate also said that in 2015, there was a one time savings of roughly $70 million that resulted from the freezing of the employee pension program. Had this savings not been realized, Baystate Health would have ended the year with a net loss of $10 million. Also, Baystate managment said Noble has to stand on its own and can't look to the Baystate system for bailouts. Dubin said the union supported Baystate's takeover. "We have been a good partner," he said. "We were part of the reason Baystate came in. They saw Noble as a good investment." Registered Nurse Pam Fournier, a bargaining unit co-chairwoman who works in the hospital, said patients are sicker today, and they need more attention form u]nurses who are spread too thin. Colson said better pay would address staffing issues because it would allow Noble to retain the best talent. "Nurses come here to get trained and then they go elsewhere to make more money," she said. "They spend a lot of money attracting and training nurses and no money retaining them." In February of 2014, Baystate settled a contract with Massachusetts Nurses Association members at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield that garunteed those nurses a 2.5-percent pay raise each year over three years. That contract came after two years of negotiations and a number of pickets and public demonstrations. it expired last month in December 2016. The MNA and Baystate are in the early stages of negotiating a new deal in Greenfield. The union represents only three groups of employees in the Baystate system: Noble; Franklin Medical Center, and VNA Hospice nurses in Springfield. 011117-chestnut-towers.JPG Related Companies, a New York City real estate company plans to take over management "very soon" of the beleaguered Chestnut Towers housing and retail complex overlooking downtown Springfield. (Don Treeger / The Republican) SPRINGFIELD -- Related Companies, a New York City real estate company, plans to take over management "very soon" of the beleaguered Chestnut Towers housing and retail complex overlooking the city's downtown with an eye toward improving it while keeping it as affordable housing. "We will make initial structural improvements to the building and parking garage, then aim at broader improvements," said Jessica L. Scaperotti, vice president of corporate communications for Related Companies. "And then we will work with both the city and the state to make Chestnut Towers more attractive while keeping it affordable and to enhance the entire community." Related Companies has had an ownership stake in the complex since 1996, but was not managing it. Scaperotti described Related as a "passive minority" partner in Chestnut Towers up until this point. Now it's taking on an active management role. But she said it is too early to talk about how its ownership status will change. Scaperotti had few details to share Wednesday. But Related Companies executives were in Springfield Wednesday afternoon meeting with Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Chief Economic Development Officer Kevin Kennedy and others. The complex totals 489 apartment units across three buildings. It includes Springfield's tallest residential tower, a 34-story structure between Dwight and Chestnut streets at State Street. Related Companies is taking on the Chestnut Towers project through its Boston-based Related Beal subsidiary and its national Related Affordable subsidiary. Related Affordable has 55,000 units of affordable and workforce housing around the country. In the past, Related has improved housing complexes by building fields for the neighborhood grammar school or adding community rooms and computer labs for families. This is on top of making mechanical improvements to building systems and renovating the apartments themselves. "It depends on who lives there and what the needs are," Scaperotti said. Opened in 1976 as a modern, mixed-income housing for downtown Springfield, the Chestnut Towers complex has deteriorated over the years, with residents complaining of elevators that don't work and criminal activity in the area. Kennedy said Related has a very good reputation when it comes to property management. But it is too early to know how much money Related plans on investing in the property. "They spoke with us about the immediate needs of property," Kennedy said. "We see it as another significant investment in downtown Springfield. It's good news." In an emailed statement, Sarno compared the prospects of an improved Chestnut Tower with housing complexes in Springfield that have already been improved in recent years. "This has been on my radar screen for a while. Kevin Kennedy and I are in discussions with Related to make a significant investment to not only improve the physical plant and adjacent areas, but more importantly to improve the management of the complex," Sarno said. "As we have done before in creating a better housing mix for our city -- you can look at the successful transformation projects such as Outing Park, Longhill Gardens and SilverBrick Lofts to name a few." In April, Related Companies announced that is was buying 17 properties totaling 3,000 units in Illinois and had plans to invest $262 million in renovations. The deal includes 1,500 units in Chicago, including the 628-unit Marshall Field Garden Apartments, where Related announced improvements for the individual units and common area improvements including the construction of a new fitness center, laundry room and enhanced community room. Related also added enhanced of after-school programming and other services for residents. Related photo gallery: Geogr Lucas.jpg George Lucas (AP file photo) George Lucas' personal collection of fine and popular art, including materials related to his "Star Wars" franchise, will fill a futuristic-looking new museum planned for Los Angeles Exposition Park. The museum, backed by a $1 billion endowment from the filmmaker, beat out a competing design near San Francisco Bay, The Los Angeles Times reported. The rivalry had pitted the two California cities in the competition not only for Lucas' collection and the tourism it will bring, but also for the thousands of jobs that backers said the project will create. Lucas, who sold his Lucasfilm studios to Walt Disney for more than $4 billion in 2012, has already established a website for The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. In June 2016, Lucas abandoned plans to build on Chicago's lakefront. The project had been on hold since November 2014, when the group, Friends of the Parks, filed a federal lawsuit blocking construction. The 72-year-old Lucas donated $1.5 million to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge five month ago. He has a collection of Rockwell artwork, 19th and early 20th century children's book illustrations and Disney animation cells. Eric Lesser.jpg Massachusetts state Sen. Eric Lesser (File Photo) LONGMEADOW State Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, this week invited constituents to take part in a two-day seminar aimed at teaching voters about state government. The 78th Citizens Legislative Seminar will be held at the State House in Boston on March 21 and 22. The seminar includes presentations by state senators and staffers about Senate procedures. "This is a fantastic opportunity for constituents to learn about how our state government works," Lesser said in a press release. "They will get to have my job for a day as Senators in a simulated session of the State Senate. In the process, constituents will learn how the laws that affect our lives get passed." Residents of the First Hampden and Hampshire District, which Lesser represents, are invited to call Lesser's district director Joel McAuliffe at 413-526-6501 or email him at joel.mcauliffe@masenate.gov by Jan. 27 in order to be nominated by Lesser to attend the event. holyoke mill, canal Holyoke "needs to capitalize" on the nascent recreational marijuana industry, says Mayor Alex B. Morse, envisioning the city as a regional hub thanks in part to its industrial history. In a Boston Globe interview, Morse pointed to Holyoke's 1.5 million square feet of vacant mill space downtown -- relics of its days as the world's leading paper producer -- cheap power and water and location along the Massachusetts Turnpike and Interstate 91 as glaring advantages. Combine copious amounts of space with some of Massachusetts' cheapest power and water and ready access to major transportation routes, and what emerges, in Morse's mind, is a "major economic development opportunity," the Globe reports. The industry, Morse says, promises jobs, an expanded tax base and numerous opportunities to increase revenue and tourism. What's more, Morse told the Globe, marijuana companies already find the city attractive as it offers an affordable base for business in Western Massachusetts. "For us, it's manufacturing in our vacant spaces -- occupying buildings, creating jobs for residents," Morse told the Globe. "It makes sense." The mayor challenged people to "remove their fears and preconceived notions about this industry." In August, Morse became the first mayor in Massachusetts to come out in favor of the ballot question to legalize marijuana. In so doing, he pointed to a Journal of the American Medical Association showing that opioid deaths were in fact lower in states with legalized marijuana. "I believe that increased access to marijuana through a carefully regulated system would help Holyoke and other cities and towns who are struggling with the opioid scourge," Morse said at the time. "These communities could also benefit from the tax revenues of a regulated system, not to mention the benefits of redirecting law enforcement resources to more serious crimes." On Election Day, a 57 percent majority of Holyoke residents also voted in support of legalizing recreational marijuana. The idea is not without its detractors in Holyoke government. City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain has fought Morse every step of the way on the pot issue. "Holyoke in particular has a significant drug problem and drug culture," Jourdain said. "Lives are destroyed by drugs. Many people are the victims of violent crime and property crime because of drugs. Making recreational use of marijuana legal in Massachusetts will only strengthen the criminal element in our community and lead to more people using drugs." Morse countered that Holyoke's drug problem -- much as elsewhere -- stems from the overprescribing of prescription opioids by doctors, not marijuana. Two entrepreneurial ventures that are participating in the 406 Labs business accelerator program at Montana State Universitys Blackstone LaunchPad have won prizes recently in national and state-wide competitions. MSU alumnus Michael Fox and his mobile app company, DugalHealth, won the grand prize in the Mobileys competition, which was held this fall in Washington, D.C. Fox won for DugalDiabetes, a mobile app that helps individuals with Type 1 diabetes manage insulin dosing. In addition, MSU students Sam Kern and Aidan Weltner won second place in a statewide competition in Utah, The Bright Skies Innovation Contest, for their mobile app, ShareLift, which facilitates ridesharing to ski resorts. Fox, Kern, Weltner and their products are deserving of the recognition, according to Les Craig, director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at MSU. By Anne Cantrell, MSU News Service Full Story: http://www.montana.edu/news/16650/two-msu-blackstone-launchpad-ventures-place-in-competitions-win-prize-money Two public hearings were held Monday by the McDowell County Commissioners about economic development projects, one for a new company seeking to start here and the other for the expansion of an existing one in McDowell. During the regular meeting, the commissioners heard from Chuck Abernathy, former county manager and now the executive director of the McDowell Economic Development Association (MEDA), about these two projects. For the first one, Abernathy said it is a new manufacturing company that is seeking to take over an empty existing building in McDowell and start operations at that site. This manufacturer will create 22 new jobs. Abernathy declined to name the company but said after the meeting it would fabricate products for home construction. He declined to name the building that this company is interested in using. He said he did this at the companys request, which asked not to be identified yet. After hearing no comments from the public, the commissioners approved an incentive of $66,000, which would be paid over a three-year period. As for the second project, Abernathy said this one is more interesting and exciting. It involves a manufacturing company already operating here that is seeking to expand its operations and cement their position here in McDowell County as an employer, he said. Prior to Mondays meeting, county officials understood this company plans to create 90 new jobs during the expansion. They were considering an incentive of $354,334 over a three-year period to help make this happen. But Monday morning, Abernathy heard from the company and was told that it could be 150 new jobs. In addition, the company is seeking to get a building reuse grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce and a One North Carolina grant. Like the other one, Abernathy declined to name this existing company. He said the state would have to make the announcement. This is really a big deal, said Abernathy to the commissioners. It might be the biggest deal you will see this year. He added that both of these projects could be announced in February, resulting in a total of 172 new jobs in McDowell. I think 2017 is going to be quite a year, said Abernathy. Abernathy said he is still working with other economic development projects from last year, including two that are seeking to move into parts of the Universal building. After closing the hearing, the commissioners approved the incentive for the existing company that wants to expand. The commissioners held a third public hearing on Monday but this one was about closing out a Community Development Block Grant which provided additional training for Randall Conley, management assistant. Last year, Conley participated in the Commerce Fellows training program at East Carolina University and learned more about local government and community improvement. During the hearing, he gave a report to the commissioners about his participation. We are excited about the work you are doing, said Chairman David Walker to Conley. You always do a fine job for the county. In other business, the McDowell County Commission: Recognized Miss McDowell High School, Miss Titan and Mr. MHS for their accomplishments. Miss McDowell High School is senior Kaitlyn Helton. Miss Titan is freshman Piper Styles and Mr. MHS is senior Dakota Merrilll. Heard the annual audit presentation from Kathy Atkinson with the accounting firm of Johnson, Price & Sprinkle. She said the countys fund balance, the undesignated part of the budget that is set aside for unforeseen needs, is now at 24 percent of the general fund and the countys debt has decreased. All in all, this is a very good audit report, said Atkinson. After the presentation, the commissioners accepted the audit report. HeHHeard a report from County Manager Ashley Wooten about the public hearing held by the state last week concerning the reclassification of Lake James. The hearing drew about 15 people to McDowell Technical Community College. Wooten said he told the crowd that this is a long-range project by the county to use Lake James as a source for a water system. He said the people at hearing were overall supportive of the project but asked for some clarification. Watched a PowerPoint presentation about the countys accomplishments during 2016. It covered such areas as education, economic development, improving and upgrading county facilities, emergency services, the public infrastructure, recreation and the environment. Approved the list of goals for the upcoming Legislative Conference by the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. Agreed to donate an unused milk cooler at the Senior Center to the school system. Morgan County Veterans Day Parade slated Nov. 11 Audio Article The Morgan County Veterans Day Parade will be held on Friday, Nov. 11. The parade will form at the Commons, in McConnelsville, at 9:30 a.m. and set out at 10 a.m. The American Legion Post 24 will render honors at the monuments at the Commons, Riecker Building, the Square, at... A concert with two purposes Audio Article Wednesday, Nov. 30, a concert with dual purposes is being held at the Twin City Opera House in McConnelsville, Ohio. Its a thank-you to healthcare workers, who can attend for free, and its a benefit for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. In September 2021, Rick Shriver contracted COVID-19. He collapsed... BOE reminder of early voting hours and polling location change Audio Article Remaining early voting hours at the Morgan County Board of Elections are as follows: from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov, 2 through Friday, Nov. 4; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6; and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.... Lions Club announces annual Wreaths Across America Audio Article On Saturday, Dec. 17, the Chesterhill Lions Club will be joining with National Wreaths Across America in the laying of wreaths at each of the seven cemeteries located in Marion Township. The mission is to honor the local veterans who have served our nation so their families can rest assured... Governor DeWine awards $6.7 million for domestic violence survivor programs Audio Article Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that he is awarding $6.7 million to support the work of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) to offer mobile and health advocacy services and temporary residential services for domestic violence survivors across the state. The announcement comes during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.... CDC committee vote wont change Ohio school vaccine requirement Audio Article Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA has released the following statement: The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine to be added to the formulary or schedule of vaccines for children does not mandate this vaccine for school children. Ohio law determines... Motley Fool This year has been especially tough for the mortgage market and housing in general. The press talks about a housing recession, builders have slowed home construction, mortgage origination volume has been cut in half, and the mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs) have been hammered by rising rates and underperforming portfolios. As the year has worn on, the dividend yields on many mortgage REITs have reached levels where dividend cuts have occurred in the past. 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 Sean Hargrave , Staff Writer, January 11, 2017 The mood is ripe for consternation every time the EU makes a declaration on Brexit or carries on the work it has been doing for years with an update on a new directive. Hence the updated wording of a new, proposed ePrivacy Directive has got a lot of people hot under the collar this morning. As with anything that requires so many member countries to agree to anything, the wording has been a long time in the making, and it will take yet more time until it becomes legally binding. There's something in there for everyone who wants to herald the EU making digital marketing impossible -- and indeed, the IAB US got in touch overnight to point out sentiments along those lines. Essentially, greater opt-in powers for consumers will hinder advertisers and the sites and apps they use to reach people. Of course, this is particularly true for the American messaging and email giants who are being told they must treat their services as if they were taking place over the telephone. That means no scouring text or recipient details for keywords that can influence surrounding advertising and build up a profile for that user. The piece that has sprung out at me, however, is what will pretty much amount to a continuation of what we are beginning to see with some brave publishers. Namely, blocking ads is to be legalised, but so too is the right for a publisher to detect whether a user is blocking ads. Let's be honest -- that's where we're at right now, unofficially. There has been a legal challenge, suggesting that ad block detection is illegal, but few thought the action from a committed campaigner would get too far because it fails the common -sense filter. If you are going to strip ads out, surely it's only fair that the publisher can detect this so they know ads have not been served, meaning that a brand isn't charged, but also that they can make a decision on whether or not to release content that is not ad-supported. Attempts so far to combat ad blocking vary from polite "please deactivate" notices, withholding content and even promising an ad-light version for those disabling blockers. Now that all these approaches are to be enshrined in law, the wording may change by the time this happens, but the overriding principle of being able to legally detect ad blocker use will remain. It's all publishers could hope for because they were never going to get ad-blocking technology banned -- all they could expect was the right to know when ads are being blocked so they can make a decision. There are two responsibilities for publishers now. First of all, they need to ensure that their own house is in order with ads that are not intrusive enough to prompt the public to resort to blockers in the first place. Then they need to treat ad blockers for the digital shoplifters that they truly are and tell them to get lost. If they want content, they have to accept that is ad-supported. If that's a deal-breaker, then they can go forth and find a publisher who is willing to bankrupt themselves by giving away free content that doesn't even have the support of advertising. A pretty short-term business plan that can only lead to site closure, I'm sure you'll agree. if you do, the only answer is blocking the blockers. Now publishers growing a spine and taking the fight to the ad-dodgers can ramp up their efforts with the full backing that EU lawmakers are lining up behind them. by Thom Forbes @tforbes, January 11, 2017 As the clamor of competitors nears a 10, Sonos co-founder and CEO John MacFarlane announced in a blog post yesterday that he was turning over leadership to the audio firms president, Patrick Spence, after 15 years at the helm. There isn't a person who better embodies Sonos values and culture, MacFarlane writes, while acknowledging that there is a time in a companys lifecycle when the culture must move beyond the founder. All this is happening, he observes, as the smart home is on the cusp of becoming an experience beyond early tech adoption. And therein not only lies the opportunity but also the problem for the Santa Barbara, Calif.-based company. Since its founding nearly 15 years ago, Sonos has amassed a devoted following among audio enthusiasts for its high-end, Wi-Fi-connected speakers, writes Aaron Tilley for Forbes. But now its business is endangered by a new breed of speakers powered by artificial intelligence assistants from the likes of Google and Amazon. Theyre starting to eat into the companys bottom line. advertisement advertisement Sonos has made a shift to become more competitive in recent months, with UX updates and increased compatibility with music services like Spotify and Apple Music. Even so, MacFarlane announced in a letter last March that the company would be laying off employees, mentioning Amazon/Alexa by name, reports Brian Heater for TechCrunch. The Canadian-born Spence was named president in July after serving as chief commercial officer for four years. Before that, he was managing director of Research In Motion, as the company that made BlackBerry devices was known in its heyday. Honored to take the @Sonos reins from my mentor & friend @JohnLMacFarlane. So proud of our team, Spence tweeted. Spence is expected to continue Sonos' push into music streaming and voice control. MacFarlane said the company will also continue working on home Wi-Fi and partnering with other companies, writes Dara Kerr for CNET. Indeed, in an effort to avoid the disruption faced by his former employer, Mr. Spence said Sonos customers would soon be able to play music simply by calling out a request for a particular artist or track, through tie-ups with Amazons Alexa and Googles rival Assistant, Tim Bradshaw writes for the Financial Times. Its really about building that sound platform for the connected home, Spence said, pointing to collaborations with Nests smoke alarm and internet-connected doorbells. MacFarlane, 50, has also left the companys board of directors, though he will remain an employee to help mentor colleagues and work on other projects. He said he left the board so Mr. Spence would not feel like he was always looking over his shoulder, writes Nick Wingfield in a much-cited piece for the New York Times. I dont want to be that founder whos always second-guessing, MacFarlane tells him. He also told Wingfield he had planned to resign as CEO earlier, citing his wifes bout with breast cancer and his aging parents as factors. But last year he delayed his plans when Amazons Echo speaker unexpectedly began to eat into sales of Sonos speakers. Sonos specializes in high-quality, multi-room Wi-Fi systems, while the Echo is a single-room Bluetooth speaker built around Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant, explainsAppleInsiders Mikey Campbell. Voice control appears to be a key differentiator, however. While Sonos speakers offer native app-based control for more music services, people can simply ask an Echo to stream a station or song from services like Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music. I fell into that trap where Ive been watching voice recognition for years, MacFarlane told the NYTs Wingfield. I tried Echo in the beginning and wrote it off. I had too many distractions at that time. I wasnt playing at the level I should have been playing at in all frankness. How often do you hear that from a leader? by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, January 11, 2017 Social media is a revolutionary form of communication. Like any other media, it has both good and bad qualities which were only now beginning to understand. In his farewell address, President Obama, who famously benefited from social media in his 2008 campaign and subsequently made it a central element of his communications strategy, chose to highlight some of its potential pitfalls and their broader implications for democracy. Speaking in Chicago, Obama emphasized the risk posed by information bubbles, in which social media has played a role, along with other factors, such as regional differences and the rise openly partisan news. He observed: For too many of us, its become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or college campuses or places of worship or our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions. As a result, Obama believes: We become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence thats out there. advertisement advertisement Here the outgoing president touched on a related trend, the spread of so-called fake news, which some pundits claim influenced the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. In this worldview, increasingly polarized ideological positions are being reinforced by the spread of made-up news stories with a distinct partisan slant, enabled in turn, by the ease of publishing and distribution via social-media platforms. Per Obama: This trend represents a third threat to our democracy. Politics is a battle of ideas; in the course of a healthy debate, well prioritize different goals, and the different means of reaching them. But without some common baseline of facts; without a willingness to admit new information, and concede that your opponent is making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, well keep talking past each other, making common ground and compromise impossible. On that note, he encouraged people concerned about growing partisanship to revive older forms of communication, which may restore some civility and perhaps even some actual exchanges of ideas to political discourse: If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try to talk with one in real life. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 11, 2017 Twitter, Yelp, Path and five other app developers have agreed to resolve a class-action complaint alleging that they wrongly uploaded iPhone users' address books, according to recent court papers. Counsel for the iPhone users and tech companies said in a written "notice of settlement," publicly filed late last week with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, that they will reveal the details of the agreement by late April. If accepted by U.S. District Court Judge Jon Tigar, the settlement will resolve a privacy dispute stemming from 2012 revelations about surreptitious address-book uploads. Initially, tech experts accused mobile social networks Path and Hipster (later acquired and shut down by AOL) of accessing and storing users' address books without their knowledge. advertisement advertisement Soon after the initial reports, security researchers accused other developers -- including Foodspotting, Foursquare Labs, Gowalla, Instagram, Kik Interactive, Twitter and Yelp -- of uploading users' address books. Unlike Path, those other developers reportedly asked people for permission to access their address books, in order to help them connect with friends who also used the service. But Foodspotting, Yelp, Twitter and the other developers allegedly didn't specify that they would keep the data in their servers. iPhone user Marc Opperman, and other consumers, sued Apple and more than a dozen developers over the allegations. The consumers argued that address-book uploads amount to "intrusion upon seclusion," which is actionable in California. (Some of the developers that were originally sued -- including Electronic Arts -- previously agreed to settle the litigations.) The allegations against also Path resulted in charges by the Federal Trade Commission, which the company settled by agreeing to create a comprehensive privacy policy. Tigar ruled against Yelp on a key issue last year, when he rejected the company's argument that the consumers shouldn't be able to proceed because they agreed to allow the company to access their contacts. The consumers contended that they only allowed Yelp to "access" or "look at" their contacts, and not to "upload" the data. Tigar ruled that the consumers raised enough questions about the scope of their consent to warrant a trial. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, January 11, 2017 President-elect Donald Trump didn't defame Republican consultant Cheryl Jacobus by tweeting that she was "a real dummy" who once "begged" his people for a job, a judge in New York ruled this week. That's because Trump's frequent insults of detractors on Twitter makes his tweets less likely to be taken seriously, according to Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Barbara Jaffe. "His tweets about his critics, necessarily restricted to 140 characters or less, are rife with vague and simplistic insults such as 'loser' or 'total loser' or 'totally biased loser,' 'dummy' or 'dope' or dumb,' 'zero/no credibility,' 'crazy' or 'wacko,' and 'disaster,' all deflecting serious consideration," Jaffe wrote. Jaffe's ruling stemmed from a defamation lawsuit filed by Jacobus last year. The battle began in February, shortly after Jacobus appeared on CNN, where she made less-than-flattering statements about Trump. That same day, Trump responded by tweeting that she "begged" the campaign for a job. "We said no and she went hostile. A real dummy!" he continued advertisement advertisement Three days later, Trump posted a second tweet about her: "Really dumb @CheriJacobus," he wrote. "Begged my people for a job. Turned her down twice and she went hostile. Major loser, zero credibility." Jacobus alleged in her complaint that she had been "actively recruited" by the Trump campaign, but that "boorish behavior" by former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski led her "to conclude that she would not be comfortable" working for the campaign. "Never did she sacrifice her integrity or objectivity in retaliation for not being hired by the Trump Campaign, a job she did not actively pursue, after a brief, courteous, and professional exploration," her lawsuit alleged. Trump's legal team argued the case should be dismissed on the grounds that the tweets were opinion, as opposed to verifiable statements of fact. "The alleged defamatory statements here are permeated with vague, hyperbolic, and figurative language about plaintiffs state of mind," his lawyers argued. "Calling a person 'a real dummy' or a 'major loser,' or saying that a person has 'zero credibility, may be subjectively offensive to that person, but it does not change the legal reality that the statements -- as offensive as they may be to the plaintiff -- are protected opinion speech, and thus not defamatory as a matter of law." Jaffe accepted Trump's argument. "Considering the statements as a whole (imprecise and hyperbolic political dispute cum schoolyard squabble), I find that it is fairly concluded that a reasonable reader would recognize defendants' statements as opinions, even if some of the statements, viewed in isolation, could be found to convey facts," she wrote. As the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump and members of the 115th U.S. Congress consider the possibility of revamping or replacing the Affordable Care Act, a new Brown University study finds an association between the law's expansion of Medicaid and improved care quality at federally funded community health centers that serve more than 20 million predominantly poor residents a year. "The first year of Medicaid expansion was associated with increases in insurance coverage and improvements in asthma treatment, BMI screening, pap testing and blood pressure control," wrote the authors of the study in the January 2017 issue of the journal Health Affairs. In January 2014, the District of Columbia and 25 states extended Medicaid to non-elderly residents with incomes at or below 138 percent of poverty, while 25 states did not (though six more have expanded Medicaid since then). Because many poor people turn to federally funded community health centers for care, the researchers sought to determine what difference Medicaid expansion might be making for them. Their analysis tracked changes in insurance coverage, the number of patients receiving care at health centers, and eight measures of care quality among roughly 20 million people a year who sought care at 1,057 community health centers between 2011 and 2014. Led by Megan Cole, a doctoral student at Brown, and Dr. Amal Trivedi, associate professor of health services, policy and practice, the study not only spanned the time period around expansion, but also compared statistically similar centers in states that expanded Medicaid and states that did not. That method gave the researchers two layers of comparison - before 2014 vs. after, and expansion state vs. non-expansion state - for determining whether the differences they observed might be attributable to Medicaid expansion. The researchers found a relatively greater drop in uninsurance rates of 11.1 percentage points for health center patients in expansion states vs. non-expansion states in 2014 compared to 2011-2013. Over the same period, they also found that the relative increase in Medicaid coverage was 11.8 percentage points higher for centers in expansion states. In 2014 about 23 percent of health center patients in expansion states and 39 percent in non-expansion states still remained uninsured. Although more patients in expansion states gained insurance coverage (primarily from Medicaid but also a modest amount from private sources), the rate of increase in unique patients visiting centers in 2014 compared to before was similar in expansion vs. non-expansion states. Cole and Trivedi said a likely reason was that the Affordable Care Act provided billions of dollars in funding to centers in all states to hire more staff, expand operations and to upgrade facilities, potentially allowing them to serve more patients across the board. Impact on quality The apparent result of the law in 2014 was therefore that many more patients came to health centers for care, but they were substantially more likely to come with insurance in expansion states. That meant that patients in expansion states were significantly more likely to contribute to their local center's revenue rather than just using their services, Cole said, and they were also more likely to be able to buy medications they were prescribed and access specialty care. Both factors - that patients in expansion states could better reimburse their centers and were better positioned to benefit from higher quality care - may have contributed to the quality trends the study data show, Trivedi added. Between the 2011-2013 period and 2014, care quality - defined as the rate at which recommended care was provided - improved at least slightly in expansion states on seven of the study's eight tracked measures: providing drug treatment for asthma, lipid-lowering therapy for coronary artery disease, aspirin for patients with cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer screening, pap testing, body mass index (BMI) assessment, and hypertension control. Care improved in non-expansion states on five of those measures but declined for pap testing and hypertension. In both sets of states, diabetes control got slightly worse. When the researchers compared the magnitude and the direction of the changes on each of the eight metrics, they found that four showed statistically significant differences - all in favor of Medicaid expansion states: care for asthma, pap testing, BMI assessment and hypertension (particularly among Hispanics). "We do see relative improvements in some of these measures," Cole said. "Prior to expansion we see similar trends in both expansion and non-expansion states but then we see a deviation in 2014. Some of it is due to slight declines in quality in the non-expansion states, and some of it is due to greater improvements in quality in the expansion states." Trivedi and Cole said they hope that as policymakers consider the future of health care in the U.S., they will account for the impact on care for millions of poor patients who receive care in health centers. Their analysis suggests that Medicaid expansion benefited these patients. "Repealing Medicaid expansion entirely would have large consequences given that millions of low-income people would lose coverage - particularly those patients who receive care in health centers," Cole said. Funding for this research was provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) R36 Dissertation Grant and by the Nora Kahn Piore Award. Article: Medicaid Expansion And Grant Funding Increases Helped Improve Community Health Center Capacity, Xinxin Han, Qian Luo and Leighton Ku, Health Affairs, doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0929, January 2017 vol. 36 no. 1. U.S. hospitals are reducing bloodstream infections related to catheters by implementing rigorous safeguards that also save millions of healthcare dollars each year, according to research led by Cedars-Sinai. "Safety interventions are a win-win for both patients and hospitals," said Teryl Nuckols, MD, MSHS, director of the Division of General Internal Medicine in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Medicine. Nuckols led a multicenter team that studied data published in the last decade on catheter-related bloodstream infections at 113 hospitals. The team found that safety interventions, on average, reduced the infection rate by 57 percent at these hospitals while producing net savings of $1.85 million for each site over three years. The savings came from reduced costs in treating infected patients. The study, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal of the American Medical Association, focused on central venous catheters, also known as central lines, which are commonly used in intensive care units. These lines are placed in large veins in the arm, chest, neck or groin to deliver medications, fluids or blood to patients. More than 60,000 primary bloodstream infections related to these catheters are estimated to occur each year in the U.S., with a fatality rate of 12 percent or more, according to recent studies. To prevent these infections, hospitals in recent years have introduced new safety procedures. Checklists for attending staff include donning sterile gloves, covering catheters with antimicrobial dressings and checking catheters daily for signs of movement or infection. Many hospitals also have invested in extra training, equipment and supplies to improve safety. The phasing-in of these safeguards correlated with a 49 percent reduction nationally in the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections from 2010 to 2013, according to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The new Cedars-Sinai-led study shows that these safeguards, while adding to equipment and labor costs, ultimately reduced infections and saved money. In the hospitals studied, the median cost of implementing catheter safety programs was about $270,000 per site. But for every $100,000 that a hospital spent, it realized an average $315,000 savings because it treated fewer infected patients, the investigators found. Although savings were lower in certain hospitals that already had low infection rates, adding new precautions still paid off for them. Nuckols said the study supports the value of medical centers upgrading their safety procedures to prevent catheter infections. "Due to the high cost of caring for patients when central-line infections develop, even sizable up-front investments in infection prevention can be associated with large net savings," Nuckols said. "On the basis of our findings, hospitals that have not yet achieved very low rates of infection can consider implementing a variety of safety practices." Besides Nuckols, the study's authors included Jonathan D. Grein, MD, medical director of the Cedars-Sinai Department of Hospital Epidemiology, infection control officer and instructor in Medicine; and investigators affiliated with the RAND Corp. in Santa Monica, California; the College of Science at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia; the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles; and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The team's work was supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. PORTLAND, Oregon PUNE, India January 11, 2017 $40,854 million $27,273 North America Garima Chandra $9,350 million North America Europe In the year 2015, Endoscopes was the leading product type, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0%. Capsule endoscopy is expected to grow at a remarkable CAGR of 8.7%, owing to the minimal invasive nature, more detailed images, and simple equipment designed of vitamin pill size used widely for imaging entire small intestine specifically. Gastrointestinal endoscopy application is projected to grow at a high CAGR of 6.8%. U.S. alone contributed over 94% market share in North America of endoscopy devices market in 2015. of endoscopy devices market in 2015. Japan is the major shareholder in Asia-Pacific , accounting for around 54.5% of the Asia-Pacific endoscopy devices market. is the major shareholder in , accounting for around 54.5% of the endoscopy devices market. North America is expected to dominate the endoscopy devices market, followed by Europe . North America Asia-Pacific Portland, Oregon Portland, OR United States Canada and/PRNewswire/ --published by Allied Market Research, projects that the global market is anticipated to reachby 2022 fromin 2015, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2016 to 2022. The flexible endoscopes are expected to dominate the global endoscopy devices market.is projected to continue its lead, accounting for more than one-third share of the global endoscopy devices market in 2015.(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140911/647229 ): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/endoscopy-devices-marketRise in prevalence of diseases that require endoscopy procedures such as cancers and gastrointestinal diseases is one of the prime reasons that drives the growth of endoscopy devices market. In addition, growth in baby boomer generation with high risk of targeted diseases, rise in awareness about novel endoscopy devices, and patient preference for the minimally invasive nature of endoscopy devices propel the market growth. Modern endoscopy techniques have revolutionized the examination and treatment of upper gastrointestinal tract (including esophagus, stomach, and duodenum) and the colon. Increase in adoption of innovative endoscopy devices such as capsule endoscopes and robot-assisted endoscopy along with ultra-high-definition visualization systems further augments the market growth. However, the dearth of skilled physicians & endoscopists, high cost of the sophisticated endoscopy devices, and infections caused by a few endoscopes impede the market growth.Flexible endoscopes dominated the endoscopy devices market, accounting for over three-fourth of total share in 2015, owing to their ability to reach viscera and cavities not visible to the naked eye and where the rigid endoscopy fails to examine. Diversified use of flexible endoscopy devices in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases such as gallbladder disease with lower risk, followed by rapid recovery along with minimal post-surgical complications favored its growth in the laparoscopy market. Among other products, the endoscopy cameras hold more than one-fifth of the total stake in the endoscopy visualization and documentation systems. This is attributed to the fact that cameras, being an integral component of the endoscopy system, are continuously evolving, and currently cameras offering ultra-high-definition resolution and clarity are being employed to capture the meticulous detail of the visceral organs during surgery."Capsule endoscopy emerged to be a highly preferred technology due to its minimal invasive nature, and is designated as a breakthrough in endoscopy device technology to diagnose various diseases. Despite numerous advancement in the endoscopy devices field, flexible endoscopy is expected to maintain its lead due to its high precision, sensitivity, specificity, and safety as compared to others at economical cost", says, healthcare analyst at AMR.The laparoscopic interventions is anticipated to generate the highest revenue of, whereas the gastrointestinal endoscopy interventions is expected to grow at the fastest rate of 6.8% during the analysis period, owing to its increase in need, as the surge in geriatric population is directly proportionate to the rise in number of diseases related to the GI tract.Hospitals segment is expected to maintain its lead in the overall end user of the endoscopy devices market, due to the availability of diverse endoscopy services and favorable reimbursement policies. Most hospitals are well equipped with technologically advanced endoscopic facilities in the developed economies. Although the endoscopic needs are also largely felt in developing economies, low awareness, lack of skilled professionals, and unmet medical needs at economical cost hamper the market growth in these areas. On the other hand, the growth in demand for endoscopy devices in developed economies such asandhave further boosted the market growth due to the high prevalence rate of complex diseases such as cancer and rapid increase in geriatric population. However, clinics are anticipated to exhibit the highest growth rate with a CAGR of 6.0% due to the highest usage of endoscopic devices with respect to endoscopy procedures performed related to internal examination of visceral organs.accounted for the major share in the endoscopy devices market in 2015, and is expected to maintain this trend throughout the forecast period. This is due to the rise in prevalence of chronic diseases coupled with increase in geriatric population, high adoption rate of technologically advanced endoscopy devices, and high awareness regarding the benefits of endoscopy interventions. In addition, presence of highly sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, rise in measures for preventive healthcare, and favorable reimbursement scenario propelled the market growth. However,is anticipated to grow rapidly attributed to the presence of ample growth opportunities in terms of unmet medical needs for the diagnosis of life-threatening illnesses such as cancer in this region and quest for improved quality of life in emerging countries.Product development and expansion were the key strategies followed by the leading companies to strengthen their market positions. Some of the key companies profiled in the report are Olympus Corporation, HOYA Corporation, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, CONMED Corporation, Stryker Corporation, Smith & Nephew Plc, Medtronic Plc, KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, and Johnson & Johnson.https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/life-sciences/diagnostic-and-biotech-market-reportAllied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions". AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.Dhananjay Potle 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205,97220Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 (U.S. &sales@alliedmarketresearch.comhttps://www.alliedmarketresearch.comSOURCE Allied Market Research Advertisement 60% of the children were normal weight 30% were overweight 10 percent were obese more than three-fourths of the parents were overweight or obese Shari L. Barkin, et al. Parent's Physical Activity Associated With Preschooler Activity in Underserved Populations. American Journal of Preventive Medicine ; (2017) DOI:http:dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.11.017 "This study highlights how important parents' physical activity is to shaping their young children's physical activity," said principal investigator Shari Barkin, M.D., MSHS, William K. Warren Foundation Professor in Medicine, director of Pediatric Obesity Research, and chief of the Division of General Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.Physical activity is a critical factor for preventing childhood obesity and promoting good cardiovascular health.Moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) reduced the odds of obesity in young children.But only less than half of preschoolers actually achieve that recommendation.The researchers recruited more than 1,000 parent-child pairs living in metro areas of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, and Nashville, Tennessee. About 75% of the children were Latino and almost 10%, African-American.The study examined the impact of modeling of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors by parents on preschoolers in low-income American ethnic minorities.In this study:For the study, each parent and child wore an accelerometer for monitoring movements for an average of 12 hours a day, for a week.This is the first study to link the physical activity of parents and young children by objectively measuring that physical activity with such a long wear time for an accelerometer."The good news is that increasing physical activity is not only good for parents' health, it also helps set these behaviors in their young children as well. It's doubly good for family health. Setting this habit early could impact good health not only in childhood but in adulthood as well." Shari Barkin added. The total physical activity of preschoolers was calculated to be at 6.03 hours per day with 1.5 hours spent in moderate to vigorous activity.The researchers found that 40 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by a parent correlated with the MVPA level of their preschool-age child.A strong association between parent and child sedentary behavior and mild physical activity was detected.For every minute of sedentary behavior among parents, the sedentary behavior of children increased by 0.10 minutes.For every minute that a parent engaged in light physical activity, the child's light physical activity increased by 0.06 minutes., the researchers concluded."We are completing a three-year-long intervention for childhood obesity prevention, called the Growing Right Onto Wellness (GROW) Trial, that includes parents' healthy lifestyle behaviors as well as their children's healthy behaviors for more than 600 parent-child pairs. We will be able to examine how parents and children can utilize their existing built and social environments to maximize good health and to set and maintain healthy habits," Shari said.This study is part of Barkin's ongoing research into childhood obesity and is published in theSource: Medindia Advertisement Itkin and his co-author Yoav Dori, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at CHOP and Penn Medicine, co-lead a specialized team at the Center for Lymphatic Imaging and Interventions jointly operated by CHOP and Penn. They collaborated on the current study with pulmonologist Francis X. McCormack, MD, of the University of Cincinnati, in a paper in the October 2016 issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.The study reports on seven adults with a mean age of 50 years old who presented with branching bronchial casts, associated with chronic cough and/or asthma. Using a customized type of magnetic resonance imaging called dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography (DCMRL), the team found that six of the seven patients had abnormal lymphatic flow, which they now propose designating as pulmonary perfusion syndrome, as distinct from idiopathic plastic bronchitis, in which the cause is unknown.The team treated the six patients with lymphatic embolization, which involves inserting a combination of glue and coils through catheters to halt the flow of lymphatic fluid. Five patients reported immediate and complete resolution of symptoms, and the sixth patient reported significant partial improvement. Four patients had minor abdominal pain, which resolved after treatment with painkillers. The average follow-up was 11 months after initial treatment.Earlier this year, Itkin and Dori reported a retrospective case study of 18 children who had plastic bronchitis as a complication of palliative surgery for single-ventricle heart disease. While rare, plastic bronchitis can cause life-threatening respiratory distress in children. In adults, the condition may go undiagnosed for years in patients who may initially be diagnosed with asthma or chronic cough. Plastic bronchitis has a long medical pedigree--the Greek physician Galen described a form of it in the second century."This was a small study, and a first report of this treatment in adults with lymphatic plastic bronchitis," said Dori. "Longer follow-up will be needed to confirm the long-term risks and benefits of this procedure."The Center for Lymphatic Imaging and Intervention is one of CHOP's inaugural Frontier Programs. Frontier Programs embody the connection between research breakthroughs and extraordinary clinical care, and are a novel way to bring research more quickly to the bedside.Source: Eurekalert Advertisement "It's not entirely surprising: Primary care doctors who perform the majority of screening were the target audience of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommending against screening. But the specialists who treat prostate cancer once it's diagnosed had a more tempered response," says study author Tudor Borza, M.D., M.S., a urologic oncology and health services research fellow at Michigan Medicine.In a study published in Health Affairs, Michigan Medicine researchers used Medicare claims data to identify 67,023 men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2007 and 2012. Nearly three-quarters of those men had initial curative treatment, such as surgery or radiation.In comparing overall treatment rates from 2007 till 2012, researchers found a sharp decrease of 42 percent, reflecting a change in screening recommendations and adoption of surveillance strategies in select groups of men. In 2008, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advised against routine screening in men older than 75. By 2011, a recommendation came out against all PSA screening. However, specialty societies, such as the American Urological Association, continued to advocate for screening in men who were most likely to benefit."These findings suggest that primary care doctors significantly decreased the number of patients to whom they recommended PSA screening after the guidelines changed," Borza says. "Primary care doctors make recommendations for screening to men who do not have cancer. They see men who have been treated for prostate cancer and have long-term effects such as incontinence or impotence. That favors a less-aggressive approach to the disease."While screening recommendations became less-aggressive, so did attitudes toward treatment. But researchers found a more tempered response when they looked at treatment rates over time among those diagnosed with prostate cancer.Some prostate cancers are so slow-growing that data suggests the risks of treatment may outweigh the benefits. Watchful waiting or active surveillance - which involve monitoring patients without delivering treatment - are options, especially for those patients with low-risk disease or limited life expectancy. By monitoring these patients, urologists can identify when treatment may become necessary.But even as this paradigm shifted, treatment rates move slowly - only 8 percent fewer diagnosed patients received treatment over the timeframe studied."Specialists understand how insidious prostate cancer can be. They recognize the problems arising from overdiagnosis and overtreatment, but they also see people suffering from painful metastases or dying from the disease. When you're exposed to that, you're likely going to have a more reserved approach towards surveillance strategies," Borza says.The study drilled down in particular on patients who had a high risk of dying from a cause other than prostate cancer within 10 years. This could be due to advanced age or multiple medical problems such as heart disease."If we had expected a big change in treatment for observation, it would have been in this group," Borza says. "These are the men for whom most physicians agree the risks of treatment outweigh the benefits. But there was no change in their treatment rate, meaning that adoption of less aggressive treatment strategies is occurring more slowly than the decrease in PSA screening."The researchers recommend new payment models or other policies that emphasize value of care over volume, which might provide more incentive for specialists to choose observation over treatment. They also urge participation in quality improvement initiatives, such as the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative, which strive to provide high quality, evidence-based care.In addition, research continues to uncover new clues to identify which men are at highest risk of aggressive prostate cancer and could most benefit from screening and treatment."That's really the concern here. We know prostate cancer is a deadly disease in some men. We need better tools to identify which men should be screened and among those diagnosed, which men should be treated aggressively. This is still a black box. It's that uncertainty that leads to different approaches to treatment based on how different physicians view the risk. If we get better predicting who's at highest risk, we can more accurately tailor screening and treatment," Borza says.Source: Eurekalert Advertisement Keming Yang, a Ph.D. student in epidemiology, published the survey's findings in an article in the. Yang is the first author of the paper; Jiali Han, professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology, is the senior author.One statistical analysis of several separate but similar studies showed those who had ever used tanning beds had a 25% higher risk of melanoma, and those who first used tanning beds before the age of 35 had an 87% higher risk of melanoma, compared to those who had never used tanning beds.The survey asked students to agree, disagree or say they had no opinion to a number of statements. According to the survey, of those who tan indoors currently or did so in the past:- 99.4% agreed that tanning can cause skin problems such as premature aging and skin cancer.- 78.7% disagreed that indoor tanning is safe or at least safer than outdoor tanning.- 69.1% agreed they still like to get a tan even though they know tanning may be bad for their skin.- 83.6% agreed that a tan makes them feel more attractive.- 83% agreed that compared to how they feel before tanning, they feel more relaxed and pleasant during tanning. The researchers said they found those more likely to use indoor tanning were women who had families or friends who used tanning devices, tanned easily, viewed a tan as attractive, believe tanning can stimulate healthy vitamin D production and still seek to get a tan despite knowing its ill effects.Results showing a higher proportion of those who currently tan indoors or tanned indoors in the past feeling more relaxed and pleasant during tanning may be due to addictive behaviors, the paper's authors said.Source: Eurekalert Alaska Air Group, Inc. ALK witnessed a 5.18% increase in its share price at close of business on Jan 10. The stock price appreciation was driven by the companys impressive traffic results, which were released earlier that day. The company included the performance of Virgin America, which it acquired on Dec 14, 2016, in its results. The company also provided the prior-year period details of Virgin America for comparison. We note that the stock has been performing well over the past few months. Shares of the company comfortably outperformed the Zacks categorized Transportation-Airline industry over the last three months. The stock has gained over 30.63% compared with the industry, which has advanced just 19.42% over the same period. Alaska Air posted a significant rise in air traffic for the month of December. Traffic measured in revenue passenger miles (RPMs) came in at 4.13 billion, up 5.6% from 3.9billion a year ago. On a year-over-year basis, consolidated capacity (or available seat miles/ASMs) rose 5% to 4.96 billion. Load factor the percentage of seats filled by passengers improved to 83.1% from 82.6% in Dec 2015 as traffic growth far exceeded capacity expansion. For the year 2016, Alaska Air Group recorded a 10.8% increase in RPMs to 48.75 billion and 10.2% rise in ASMs to 57.95 billion, both on a year-over-year basis. Load factor was 84.1% compared with 83.7% for the full year. The companys traffic growth can be attributed to new routes and focus on enhancing customer service. Also, passenger count in December and at the end of 2016 grew 4.4% and 7.8%, respectively. The company has been consistently posting impressive traffic results despite intense competition from peers like JetBlue Airways Co. JBLU, United Continental Holdings Inc. UAL and Delta Air Lines Inc. DAL. 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. Story continues Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017? Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it>> 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 JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU): Free Stock Analysis Report Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL): Free Stock Analysis Report Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK): Free Stock Analysis Report United Continental Holdings, Inc. (UAL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Jan 11 (Reuters) - Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba is planning to set up a European logistics centre in Bulgaria, Xinhua reported on Wednesday. Representatives of Alibaba Group, GS-Solar Company and GoldPoly Group met Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Wednesday to explore investment opportunities in the country, the Chinese news agency reported, citing a government statement. Solar module producer GS-Solar is also considering establishing a plant for the production of solar panels, the report added. Alibaba was not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by Bhanu Pratap in Bengaluru; Editing by Alexander Smith) The army has been accused of rape, arson and extrajudicial killing of civilians as it hunts down suspected jihadists About 22,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed the border into Bangladesh after fleeing unrest in Burma in the past seven days, bringing the total number of new arrivals to more than 65,000 since the Burmese army launched operations against the heavily persecuted minority in early October. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Monday that the displaced are being sheltered in registered refugee camps, makeshift settlements and a few host communities in the Bangladeshi city of Coxs Bazaar, near the border with Burmas Arakan state. People began pouring over the border after the Burmese army launched what it calls clearance operations in response to an Oct. 9 attack on border police positions believed to have been carried out by Rohingya militants. The attack killed nine officers, prompting a sweeping search for suspects in Muslim villages. Several waves of Rohingya civilians have since fled, many arriving in Bangladesh with harrowing stories alleging that the Burmese army has committed grave human-rights abuses, such as gang rape, arson and extrajudicial killing, in the operation zone. The area has been closed off to journalists and almost all humanitarian workers, leaving some 130,000 aid-reliant people without assistance. Read more: Reprisals, Rape, and Children Burned Alive: Burmas Rohingya Speak of Genocidal Terror Last week, the Burmese government vowed to take action against four officers after a video was shared online appearing to show Burmese soldiers kicking and beating young men who were rounded up for questioning. However, the government has denied most allegations of abuse and says that security forces are acting within the law. The Rohingya, a mostly stateless Muslim group numbering about 1.1 million, are the majority in northern Arakan state, also known as Rakhine, though they are the minority in Burma, which is officially known as Myanmar. The predominantly Buddhist country has seen an alarming rise in anti-Muslim attitudes since communal riots in 2012 swept through Arakan, causing more than 100 deaths and displacing over 100,000 people. Story continues The U.N. human-rights envoy for Burma, Yanghee Lee, is currently visiting the country to assess the situation. She has previously said she had received credible reports that abuses were being committed in northern Arakan since the military operation began, and that conditions could be nearing what we would all agree are crimes against humanity. Lee said in mid-December: I am getting reports from inside the country and from neighboring places too that things are not as they are being portrayed by the government. We are seeing a lot of very graphic and very disturbing photos and video clips. Lee is expected to visit northern Arakan state as well as parts of Kachin state, where conflict between ethnic rebels and the Burmese army has recently forced some 2,700 internally displaced civilians to flee refugee camps. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. China sent its sole aircraft carrier into the Pacific for naval exercise in December 2016 (AFP Photo/) Taipei (AFP) - China's only aircraft carrier has entered the Taiwan Strait in a highly symbolic show of strength, but Taiwan insisted Wednesday there was no need for panic even as tensions boil over the island's diplomatic status. Beijing has upped its military drills near the island in recent weeks after being incensed by a congratulatory phone call from Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen to US president-elect Donald Trump, and by a subsequent transit stop by Tsai in the US. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be brought back into its fold. The US is the island's most powerful ally and main arms supplier, despite having no official diplomatic relations since recognising Beijing in 1979. The Liaoning aircraft carrier has not entered Taiwanese waters but has gone into an area covered by the island's air defence zone, Taiwan's defence ministry said. Beijing responded that it was "very normal" for the Liaoning to pass through an international waterway as part of drills. "Every year, in this season, China's navy has a few exercises in the near seas and other maritime regions. These exercises are all for training," said Liu Zhenmin, vice minister of foreign affairs. Taiwanese media said that F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft were dispatched Tuesday night to monitor the Chinese carrier group. The defence ministry would not confirm those reports. Tsai, who is currently on a visit to Central America, has been regularly instructing the national security team and the defence ministry by phone, presidential office spokesman Alex Huang said. "The military is monitoring the whole situation and will act as necessary. We urge Taiwan's people to be at ease," the defence ministry said in a statement. "There is no need for us to overly panic," said the chairwoman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which handles the island's relationship with Beijing. Story continues "The national security council has a good grasp of the situation. We are doing what is necessary," Chang Hsiao-yueh told reporters at an end-of-year briefing. "The government has sufficient capabilities to defend our country's safety," she added. - 'Reactive measures' - Experts have said the manoeuvres of the second-hand, Soviet-built Liaoning are "symbolic" rather than any real military threat. The Liaoning has been carrying out its first exercise in the Pacific and already passed south of Taiwan last month. It entered the southwest of Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) at 07:00 Wednesday local time (23:00 GMT), the defence ministry said, along with escort vessels. By midday it was moving north along the mainland's coast, the ministry said. Local media said the carrier was expected to move out of the strait later Wednesday. "There is currently no navy or air force activity out of the ordinary," it added. Tsai visited the US at the weekend on a transit to Central America, despite protests from Beijing. She stopped in Houston on Saturday and met with Republican Senator Ted Cruz during her stay, which was slammed by Beijing as an attempt to "undermine China-US relations." Tsai is this week visiting Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador -- among the dwindling number of states that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of with Beijing. While the focus of her visit is to bolster ties with allies, her US stopovers are being closely watched with speculation she may make contact with Trump and his team. Tsai has faced a mounting backlash from Beijing since she took office in May because she has refused to recognise that Taiwan is part of "one China". All official communications with Taipei have been severed by Beijing and tourist numbers have plummeted as Chinese visitors are discouraged from travelling to the island. MAC's Chang said Wednesday that Taiwan was taking "relevant reactive measures" against military, diplomatic and economic actions by China since Tsai came to power. "We urge China (to understand) the hopes of people on both sides to maintain peaceful and stable development in relations," she added. FILE - In this Wednesday, March 23, 2016 file image, Czech Republic's Finance Minister Andrej Babis gestures prior an extraordinary session of Parliament's lower house in Prague, Czech Republic. Czech lawmakers have overridden a veto by President Milos Zeman, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 to approve legislation that limits the business activities of future government ministers. Babis, who owns two major newspapers and Agrofert conglomerate which receives state subsidies, fiercely opposed the bill but said he would abide by it and doesnt plan to withdraw from the government. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, file) PRAGUE (AP) -- Czech lawmakers have overridden a veto by President Milos Zeman to approve legislation that limits the business activities of future government ministers. The law bans ministers from owning media organizations, and bars companies in which ministers have more than a 25-percent stake from receiving state subsidies and participating in public tenders. Finance Minister Andrej Babis, who owns two major newspapers and the Agrofert conglomerate which receives state subsidies, fiercely opposed the bill but said he doesn't plan to withdraw from the government. Zeman said the move is not in line with the constitution but Parliament's lower house overrode his veto in Wednesday's 129-49 vote. Babis' ANO movement is a favorite to win parliamentary elections in 2017, paving the way for him to become prime minister. (Updates with details, background) AMSTERDAM, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A Dutch court on Thursday upheld a government decision to cap production at the offshore Groningen gas field, a step aimed at easing the risk of earthquakes triggered by drawing gas from Europe's biggest field. The court was responding to requests for a preliminary injunction against the June decision to cap annual output at 24 billion cubic metres (bcm) until Oct. 1, 2021. Critics had sought a deeper cut or halt to production. Output has been cut several times from 53.9 bcm in 2013 as criticism mounted that Dutch authorities had failed to adequately assess the risk to citizens from earthquakes caused by production. The government was formally censured by the country's Safety Board after a magnitude 3.6 quake hit the town of Huizinge in 2012 - larger than had been deemed possible by NAM, the Shell-Exxon joint venture that oversees production. Small quakes remain frequent in Groningen, and while no physical injuries have been reported, buildings across the region have suffered billions of euros in damage because they were never designed to withstand tremors. The Council of State, the court which allows challenges to government decisions, said it saw no reason to alter the decision ahead of a broader case against Groningen gas field production it will consider this spring. Last year's decision capped production at 24 bcm, down from a previous maximum of 27 bcm. It includes the possibility to expand output back up to 30 bcm if unusually cold weather were to jeopardise supplies for households in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium that depend on Groningen gas for warmth. At the request of the Dutch parliament, the cap is subject to annual review by the government in case technical or other developments make it possible to reduce production more quickly. Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp has said that production at Groningen is expected to continue winding down as the Netherlands seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and its dependency on fossil fuels. Germany has said it intends to speed up weaning households off natural gas, and Kamp last month announced plans to ban gas heating from all new housing projects in the Netherlands. (Reporting by Toby Sterling; editing by Mark Heinrich) Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. It also offers ProxyEdge, an electronic proxy delivery and voting solution; data-driven solutions and an end-to-end platform for content management, composition, and omni-channel distribution of regulatory, marketing, and transactional information, as well as mutual fund trade processing services; data and analytics solutions; solutions for public corporations and mutual funds; SEC filing and capital markets transaction services; registrar, stock transfer, and record-keeping services; and omni-channel customer communications solutions, as well as operates Broadridge Communications Cloud platform that creates, delivers, and manages communications and customer engagement activities. The company's Global Technology and Operations segment provides solutions that automate the front-to-back transaction lifecycle of equity, mutual fund, fixed income, foreign exchange and exchange-traded derivatives, order capture and execution, trade confirmation, margin, cash management, clearance and settlement, reference data management, reconciliations, securities financing and collateral management, asset servicing, compliance and regulatory reporting, portfolio accounting, and custody-related services. This segment also offers business process outsourcing services; technology solutions, such portfolio management, compliance, fee billing, and operational support solutions; and capital market and wealth management solutions. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York. Delek US Holdings, Inc. engages in the integrated downstream energy business in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Logistics, and Retail. The Refining segment processes crude oil and other feedstock for the manufacture of various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, asphalt, and other petroleum-based products that are distributed through owned and third-party product terminal. It owns and operates four independent refineries located in Tyler, Texas; El Dorado, Arkansas; Big Spring, Texas; and Krotz Springs, Louisiana, as well as three biodiesel facilities in Crossett, Arkansas, Cleburne, Texas, and New Albany. The Logistics segment gathers, transports, and stores crude oil, intermediate, and refined products; and markets, distributes, transports, and stores refined products for third parties. It owns or leases capacity on approximately 400 miles of crude oil transportation pipelines, approximately 450 miles of refined product pipelines, an approximately 900-mile crude oil gathering system, and associated crude oil storage tanks with an aggregate of approximately 10.2 million barrels of active shell capacity; and owns and operates ten light product distribution terminals, as well as markets light products using third-party terminals. The Retail segment owns and leases 248 convenience store sites located primarily in West Texas and New Mexico. Its convenience stores offer various grades of gasoline and diesel under the DK or Alon brand; and food products and service, tobacco products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and general merchandise, as well as money orders to the public primarily under the 7-Eleven and DK or Alon brand names. It serves oil companies, independent refiners and marketers, jobbers, distributors, utility and transportation companies, the U.S. government, and independent retail fuel operators. Delek US Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. Houlihan Lokey, Inc., an investment banking company, provides merger and acquisition (M&A), capital market, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Corporate Finance, Financial Restructuring, and Financial and Valuation Advisory. The Corporate Finance segment offers general financial advisory services; and advises public and private institutions on buy-side and sell-side transactions, leveraged loans, private mezzanine debt, high-yield debt, initial public offerings, follow-ons, convertibles, equity private placements, private equity, and liability management transactions, as well as advise financial sponsors on various transactions. The Financial Restructuring segment advises debtors, creditors, and other parties-in-interest related to recapitalization/deleveraging transactions. It also provides a range of advisory services, including structuring, negotiation, and confirmation of plans of reorganization; structuring and analysis of exchange offers; corporate viability assessment; dispute resolution and expert testimony; and procuring debtor-in-possession financing. The Financial and Valuation Advisory segment offers valuations of various assets, such as companies, illiquid debt and equity securities, and intellectual property. It also provides fairness opinions in connection with M&A and other transactions, and solvency opinions in connection with corporate spin-offs and dividend recapitalizations; and other types of financial opinions. In addition, this segment offers dispute resolution services. It serves corporations, institutions, and governments. The company was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. CoreLogic, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides property information, insight, analytics, and data-enabled solutions in North America, Western Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Property Intelligence & Risk Management Solutions (PIRM) and Underwriting & Workflow Solutions (UWS). The PIRM segment combines property information, mortgage information, and consumer information to deliver housing market and property-level insights, predictive analytics, and risk management capabilities. It also offers proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with decision-making and compliance tools in the real estate and insurance industries. This segment primarily serves commercial banks, mortgage lenders and brokers, investment banks, fixed-income investors, real estate agents, MLS companies, property and casualty insurance companies, title insurance companies, government agencies, and government-sponsored enterprises. The UWS segment combines property, mortgage, and consumer information to provide comprehensive mortgage origination and monitoring solutions, including underwriting-related solutions, and data-enabled valuations and appraisals. This segment also provides proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with vetting and onboarding prospects, and meeting compliance regulations, as well as understanding, evaluating, monitoring property values. It primarily serves mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, credit unions, commercial banks, fixed-income investors, government agencies, and property and casualty insurance companies. The company was formerly known as The First American Corporation and changed its name to CoreLogic, Inc. in June 2010. CoreLogic, Inc. was incorporated in 1894 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. The Marine Corps' first operational F-35B Joint Strike Fighter squadron is en route to Japan, where it will prepare for a wide-ranging deployment in the Pacific. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 departed its former headquarters at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, on Monday en route to its new base at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, officials with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing announced Tuesday. VMFA-121 received its first F-35B in November 2012, well ahead of the Marine Corps' announcement of initial operational capability for the program in July 2015. For the squadron, the F-35 replaces the F/A-18 Hornet. Ultimately, the service plans to replace all its Hornets, AV-8B Harriers and EA-6B Prowlers with Joint Strike Fighters. "The Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft is a true force multiplier," Capt. Kurt Stahl, a spokesman for 3rd MAW, said in Tuesday's announcement. "The unique combination of stealth, cutting-edge radar and sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems bring all of the access and lethality capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter, a modern bomber, and an adverse-weather, all-threat environment air support platform." Ahead of the move forward to Japan, VMFA-121 has participated in a number of exercises and proof-of-concept evolutions to assure its readiness for the new mission. The squadron participated in Exercise Steel Knight over the Western U.S. and California coast in December 2015, conducting the F-35's first expeditionary test as it landed at an austere airfield at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, and another landing pad at Red Beach. More recently, the aircraft participated in the third and final shipboard developmental test evolution for the F-35 in October 2016, executing a proof of concept demonstration that tested the "envelope" of the conditions the F-35B could handle and flying with a range of weapons loadouts and the latest version of aircraft software, Block 3F. "The final test period ensured the plane could operate in the most extreme at-sea conditions, with a range of weapons loadouts and with the newest software variant," Stahl said. "Data and lessons learned laid the groundwork for developing the concepts of operations for F-35B deployments aboard U.S. Navy amphibious carriers, the first two of which will take place in 2018." The permanent move forward to Japan for VMFA-121 lays the groundwork for a series of upcoming deployments, beginning with the squadron's own deployment in the Pacific theater aboard the USS Wasp. A second deployment the same year will see the Corps' second operational F-35 squadron, VMFA-211 aboard the USS Essex -- a pump that will likely see the aircraft's first operations in the Middle East. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck. Related Video: Sen. Jeff Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, said Tuesday that under U.S. laws, he would be charged with enforcing the bar on the use of torture and waterboarding against terrorism suspects. Under laws passed by Congress, it is "improper and illegal" for the military or "any other of our departments and agencies" to use torture, waterboarding and various other so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques," Sessions said at his nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sessions also said there was a misunderstanding by many in the public that the military used waterboarding under the administration of former President George W. Bush. "So many people truly believe and think that the military conducted waterboarding. They never conducted waterboarding -- that was by intelligence agencies," Sessions, an Alabama Republican, said under questioning by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat. Whitehouse and other committee Democrats noted that Sessions had voted against bans on torture when the government policy backed up by a Justice Department memorandum at the time permitted "enhanced interrogation techniques." Sessions said, "There was a dispute about that when we had had the torture definition in our law. "The Department of Justice memorandum concluded it did not necessarily prohibit that," Sessions said. "But Congress has taken an action now that makes it absolutely improper and illegal to use waterboarding or any other form of torture in the United States by our military and by all our other departments and agencies." Sessions was the first of two Trump nominees for cabinet positions to come out Tuesday against waterboarding and other extreme interrogation techniques. At a separate Senate hearing, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, Trump's nominee to become secretary of the Homeland Security Department, said he was opposed to the use of waterboarding and other forms of torture. "I don't think we should ever come close to crossing a line that is beyond what we as Americans would expect to follow in terms of interrogation techniques," Kelly said during his confirmation hearing. He was responding to questions from Sen. John McCain, a Republican from Arizona. Trump said last year during his campaign that "torture works" and suggested that he would bring back waterboarding if elected. However, that was before he met privately with retired Marine. Gen. James Mattis, who would become his nominee for defense secretary. Trump later told The New York Times, "Gen. Mattis is a strong, highly dignified man. I met with him at length and I asked him that question. I said, 'What do you think of waterboarding?' "He said -- I was surprised -- he said, 'I've never found it to be useful.' He said, 'I've always found, give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers and I do better with that than I do with torture.'" "And I was very impressed by that answer. I was surprised, because he's known as being like the toughest guy," Trump said. -- Brendan McGarry contributed to this report. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go. Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune... The outgoing secretary of the Navy took the head of the Pentagon's testing and evaluation authority to task Wednesday, claiming his assessments of the littoral combat ship were unnecessarily negative and suggesting reports that have panned the vessel were designed to garner press attention. Speaking to reporters at a press breakfast Wednesday morning, Ray Mabus took aim at recent reports from the office of J. Michael Gilmore, director of Operational Test and Evaluation for the Defense Department, that stated it was unclear when or if the LCS would live up to the promise of providing the Navy with effective warfighting capability. "My reaction is that I've been there almost eight years," Mabus said. "And I'm pretty sure that Michael Gilmore has never found a weapon system that's effective, ever." Army Maj. Roger Cabiness, a spokesman for DOT&E, disputed the comment. "DOT&E evaluated the effectiveness of the LCS and its mission packages against the Navy's requirements using the results of testing conducted by the Navy. Those results demonstrated clearly that performance did not meet the Navy's requirements," he said in a statement provided to Military.com. "Regarding DOT&E's evaluations more generally, during the past seven years, DOT&E has evaluated 90 percent of the systems on which it has reported as at least partially effective," he added. "This includes Navy systems, such as the Virginia-class attack submarine, which DOT&E evaluated as effective even though the submarine did not meet all of the Navy's requirements." In making his case, Mabus cited a 2014 report Gilmore's office released on the P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft that found the aircraft was not effective at its job of hunting submarines. The Navy publicly disputed the report's findings and defended the aircraft. "The fleet was raving about [the P-8]," Mabus said. He suggested that it was safer for Gilmore and DOT&E to produce reports panning acquisition and development programs than to voice approval for them. "If you're a tester and you say something works and in the future it doesn't, it's like a lawyer," Mabus said. "The answer, 'No, you can't do it,' is a safe thing to do." And, he added, programs that work don't make interesting stories. "You don't get in the press saying things like that," he said. The littoral combat ship was recently the subject of two heated hearings held by the Senate Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in which lawmakers asked Navy officials why the littoral combat ships in service for the Navy had suffered a series of high-profile breakdowns over the last 12 months and were still, eight years after entering service, facing questions about their mission capabilities and combat effectiveness. Mabus said he continued to have faith in the LCS and had found they were popular and in high demand within the fleet. "I think the LCS is a great ship," he said. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Related Video: U.S. and Iraqi forces have had increasing success in bringing down the small quadcopter drones ISIS uses for reconnaissance and attacks in the fight to retake Mosul, a U.S. commander said Wednesday. The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have also seen a significant reduction in recent weeks in the use of ISIS' primary weapon -- the car bomb or Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device -- as the Iraqis continue to make gains on the eastern side of the Tigris River that splits Mosul, said Army Col. Brett Sylvia, commander of Task Force Strike in Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. Task Force Strike has been providing precision fire to the ISF with "triple seven" towed M777 155mm howitzers, tracked Paladin M109A6 155mm cannon and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) while also providing ground advisers to the ISF to coordinate airstrikes, Sylvia said. He stressed that the task force advisers working with the Iraqis are moving with Iraqi brigadier generals. "None of us are on the front lines kicking down doors or shooting people," he said. The ISF is also increasingly taking over artillery missions from the U.S., Sylvia said. Previously, the Iraqis relied almost exclusively on the U.S. for indirect fire because "they didn't have any trust or confidence in their artillery forces," he said. "Now, as we are in Mosul, there is a whole range of kinetic strikes which can be brought -- some of which are Iraqi, some of which is coalition." ISIS Drones In a televideo briefing from Baghdad to the Pentagon, Sylvia said that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria had earlier used winged drones -- the military prefers the term unmanned aerial systems -- but is now relying mostly on small quadcopters, which they have been able to rig to drop small munitions with the approximate explosive power of a small hand grenade. The U.S. is using technical means Sylvia declined to describe to bring down the drones, while the Iraqis are relying on direct fire with small arms. Sylvia said about a dozen of the ISIS drones have been brought down or shot down recently, but the munitions they've managed to drop have caused casualties in the ISF. He said the drones had caused no casualties among U.S. troops. He had no figures on the number of casualties caused by drones to the ISF or on the overall attrition rate for the ISF in nearly 90 days of the offensive to retake Mosul. Reports from the field also suggest that ISIS is using the drones as a diversion against Iraqi forces. In street fighting in Mosul's eastern sector on Wednesday, Iraqi troops repeatedly turned away from the enemy on the ground to fire machine guns at a cluster of drones circling overhead, Reuters reported. The use of drones by ISIS is "a capability they've had for pretty much for the duration of the time we've been here," Sylvia said. The difference in Mosul is that "they are actually putting munitions on them and dropping munitions on the ISF." "We don't talk about ISF casualties," he said, but "I can tell you that [the drones] have resulted in damage to some equipment, damage to some structures and some civilian casualties. They've made them much more effective than they were in the beginning." VBIED Attacks ISIS is still relying on VBIEDs as its main strike weapon, Sylvia said, but the frequency and effectiveness of the attacks have declined dramatically in recent weeks. He said about half of the VBIED attacks had been effective in terms of causing casualties or destroying ISF defenses, but the effectiveness rate has been reduced to about one in six attacks. The VBIEDS used by ISIS also had previously been up-armored in what Sylvia called a "Mad Max" style with only a small eye slit for the driver. "We don't see those anymore," he said. ISIS is now using stripped-down cars that are harder to distinguish from civilian vehicles, he said. The ISF has also become more skilled in using shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons to take out the VBIEDs and in using simple defensive measures, such as spreading spikes across a road or cratering roads to prevent attacks, Sylvia said. In his overall assessment of the siege of Mosul, Sylvia said recent gains are attributable to the new tactics employed by the ISF in what has been called "Phase Two" of the operation that began Dec. 29. The ISF has shown the capability to attack on different fronts, relieving the pressure on the elite Counter Terror Services units that had been the main strike force, Sylvia said. Regular ISF units and the Iraqi federal police are now moving on separate fronts in the eastern sector. "It's not like it was back nine months ago, when they struggled to get true combined arms maneuver," Sylvia said. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Following the conclusion of a department-wide review of valor medals awarded to troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, outgoing Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will present four Marines and a sailor with higher awards for their service Friday, Marine Corps officials announced Wednesday. One Marine, Sgt. Michael Mendoza, will receive the Navy Cross, the second-highest award for combat valor in the armed forces. The other four troops -- Sgt. Nicholas Brandau, Master Sgt. Steven Davis, Lance Cpl. Edward Huth, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Atkinson -- will receive Silver Stars, according to the announcement. Mendoza, Atkinson and Davis earned their valor awards in Iraq, while Brandau and Huth were honored for actions in Afghanistan. Mendoza, who previously received the Silver Star for bravery in Anbar province, Iraq, in April 2004 as a member of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, is credited with leading five Marines in a heroic charge across an open field after his vehicle was disabled by a rocket-propelled grenade. According to his citation, obtained by Military.com, the "vigor" of the assault resulted in the deaths of 10 enemy fighters and forced the retreat of many others. When his commander was wounded, Mendoza took out the assailant and laid down cover fire until an armored vehicle could arrive to evacuate the officer. According to the Military Times Hall of Valor database, which compiles award citations and valor descriptions for all combat medals, the day was one of historic bravery for many Marines. "Mendoza's platoon was one of the most-decorated platoons for heroism in a single action in the War on Terrorism. On this date, his Platoon Leader Captain Brent Morel earned the Navy Cross (posthumously) and Team Leader Sergeant Willie Copeland also received the Navy Cross," a description of the events reads. "Michael Mendoza and four of his comrades were awarded Silver Stars for this combat operation. It is a record unmatched by any Marine Corps Company, much less by any platoon, in the Global War on Terrorism." The other awardees also distinguished themselves. Atkinson, a Navy corpsman serving with the Marines' 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion in Iraq in April 2003, exposed himself to enemy fire on four different occasions to offer lifesaving care for two wounded Marines, according to his citation. At one point, he dismounted from his vehicle and braved hostile fire to pull his wounded first sergeant from his vehicle and render aid. Huth, who was recognized for bravery in 2010 while serving as a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, in Afghanistan, continued to lay down suppressive fire on the enemy with his M240B medium machine gun even after receiving a gunshot wound. After being shot in the right arm, he moved the gun to his left arm and kept shooting, according to his citation. Brandau, who served in Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, also braved enemy fire, engaging enemy fighters by throwing grenades between bursts of machine-gun fire, and later directed suppressive fire to allow for a fallen Marine to be evacuated. In Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004, Davis distinguished himself while providing security for armored ambulances evacuating casualties from the heart of the war-torn city, according to his citation. When another Marine was wounded by gunfire, Davis departed the safety of the vehicle and braved "a hail of enemy fire" to reach him. When Davis himself was wounded by gunfire, he used his own body to shield the other wounded Marine. "It is appropriate that today we recognize these individuals for their outstanding actions in the face of incredible danger," Mabus said in a statement. "It is also appropriate, that by honoring these five men, we honor the rest of you who fought beside them, and those who are still in the fight." Mabus will present the upgraded awards in a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on Friday. The higher awards are the result of a review of some 1,100 Silver Stars and Navy Crosses initiated last year by the Pentagon to ensure that no acts of valor from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were minimized or overlooked. It's likely more award announcements are coming: Mabus revealed in December that he had recommended two troops for upgrades to the Medal of Honor in the course of the review. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck. This article by Dan Sukman and Aaron Bazin originally appeared on Task & Purpose, a digital news and culture publication dedicated to military and veterans issues. The 90s sitcom about nothing has a lot to teach us about military life. There is a theory that every situation in life can be related to Seinfeld, the famous NBC sitcom about nothing. Late in the second decade of the 21st century, Seinfeld maintains its relevance in spite of some elements, such as the absence of cell phones, being a little dated. Culturally, Seinfeldisms remain pertinent. These are the phrases and descriptions that made their way into everyday American language. In the modern U.S. military, Seinfeldisms serve to describe many things, ranging from personalities of commanders to strategic planning and combat system acquisitions. Yada, Yada, Yada Yada, yada, yada is an effective means of cutting a boring story short. Elaine successfully used thisp to gloss over her one-night stands. Unfortunately the yada, yada, yada, part is what most people are interested in. In the military, detailed planning is essential for all phases of an operation. Over the last 15 years we hope to have learned that we cannot yada, yada, yada phase IV operations. Indeed, yada, yada, yada may have been the concept of operations for much of the planning for the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq. The concept may have been: Invade Iraq, yada, yada, yada the locals will throw flowers at your feet and greet Americans as liberators. Further, Drive to Baghdad, overthrow the regime, fire the Iraqi Army, yada, yada, yada Iraq is a peace-loving, fully functional democracy. Though of course theres no concrete evidence, the results suggest this might have actually happened. The Soup Nazi via GIPHY The Soup Nazi was a restaurateur who would scold people for not following proper procedures. Every military organization at the operational and strategic level has a Soup Nazi. In the U.S. military, the formal name for the Soup Nazi is Chief of Staff. A chief of staff exercises coordinating staff responsibility over specialized staff officers. Moreover, chiefs of staff ensure the staffs battle rhythm meets the commanders needs. For an effective chief of staff, humiliating the disobedient is paramount. Fall out of line with the chief of staff, present a poor product to the general, and be prepared to be met with a No soup for you! Come back in one year! response. Double Dipper George Costanza learned the hard way to never double dip a chip. Dipping a potato chip after taking a bite fills the dip with nasty germs unfit for human consumption. George, completely unaware of this social faux pas, double dips a chip, causing a ruckus at a funeral. The United States has not learned the lessons of double dipping from George. If Iraq is the dip, and the U.S. military is the chip, putting in forces and leaving once should be enough. Yet since 1990 we have continued to dip the chip over and over again. The Low Talker A low talkeris an individual who quietly mumbles or speaks very softly, leading you in your confusion into agreeing to doing crazy things, such as wearing a puffy shirt on national television. Over the course of a career, everyone has briefed a boss, a commander, or a flag officer in a large venue only to leave with unclear guidance thanks to the commander being a low talker. After you Hooah! or Yes, sir! the commanders unintelligible remarks, you discover you have just committed your section as the lead for the commands annual holiday party, never mind the fact you are trying to plan a war. The Urban Sombrero The Urban Sombrero was the idea for a hat to go on the front of the Peterman Catalogue. In spite of Elaine explaining that It combines the spirit of old Mexico with a little big city panache, it was a huge flop, and caused massive corporate financial losses. In 2000, the Army purchased tens of thousands of Urban Sombreros from China, but referred to them as the black beret. Other Urban Sombrero analogs include the Army Combat Uniform, the Navys digital blue working uniforms, and reflective belts. The Costanza Wallet Georges wallet overflowed with so much junk that when George sat, the wallet in his back pocket made him tilt. The military version of the Costanza Wallet is the riflemans kit. It weighs well over 100 pounds, in spite of attempts to shrink it, because every new lighter piece of technology is met by an add on item. The excessive weight carried by the modern day infantry can include rifles, water, ammunition, mortar rounds, antitank weapons, radios, MREs, night vision, and body armor. Often, much more. As with the Costanza wallet, the cumulative effect of carrying these loads are men and women with plastic hips and lifelong back problems starting at the ripe old age of 30. The Costanza Desk via GIPHY The Costanza desk doubles as both a workplace, and an effective hiding place for George to catch an hours nap during the day. While enlisted grunts bear the burdens of road marches with excessive weight on their backs, officers yearn for the Costanza Desk. Secret compartments underneath can store whiskey and other spirits to indulge in on a Thursday morning when enlisted soldiers are busy with Sergeants Time Training. The Summer of George The Summer of George happened after he was fired by the New York Yankees and received three months severance pay. George vowed to read an entire book, and to take time to play Frolf, neither of which came into fruition. The concept represents high expectations that ultimately are left unfulfilled. Over the past 15 years, the United States has experienced numerous Summers of George. These high expectations that remain unfulfilled include future combat systems, effects-based operations, shock and awe, and net-centric warfare. The Summer of George applies to all services. The Summer of George is a useful concept for understanding the cost of weapons systems, or untested concepts rushed into practice. The Re-Gifter Seinfeld used the term re-gifter to label someone who receives a crappy gift and passes it on to someone else. In todays geopolitical environment, the Military-Industrial Complex is a re-gifter. Countless armies and militias throughout the world operate and fight on outdated U.S. equipment. Re-gifting does have advantages, as the Iranian Air force still operates F-4 Phantoms. The ability to turn off our re-gifting is strategic leverage applied to friends turned adversaries. A second example of re-gifting is the defense departments 1033 program, where surplus military equipment transferred to local police departments across the nation, a controversial law that President Obama limited with an executive order in 2015. The Bubble Boy via GIPHY George and Susan made a visit to a very sick young man who lived his life in a bubble because of an immunodeficiency. The bubble boy was bitter, rude, and somewhat lacking in common courtesy, because of his protective bubble. Needless to say, most in the military have worked for a boss like this at one point in their career. A high level commander so protected by his or her staff, that reality and relationships to common soldiers is a foreign idea. Quality staff officers and NCOs must consistently ensure that senior leaders take the time to get out of their bubble on occasion. Seinfeldisms explain most, if not all of the situations we face while serving in the military. Relating a 90s television show about nothing to the intricacies of military life can be an effective way to explain it to our civilian counterparts Not that theres anything wrong with that! Daniel Sukman is a strategist in the U.S. Army and a member of the Military Writers Guild. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Army, the DoD, or the U.S. government. Follow Dan Sukman on Twitter @dansukman. Aaron Bazin is a career Army officer; lieutenant colonel FA 59 (Strategist) with experience at the combatant command level, NATO, and within the institutional Army. His operational experience includes deployments to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Army, the DoD, or the U.S. government. Follow Aaron Bazin on Twitter @AaronBazin. This article originally appeared on Task & Purpose. Follow Task & Purpose on Twitter. More articles from Task & Purpose: The American Way of War as Told By The Big Lebowski Someone Added Blood Splatter To The End Of Home Alone Why In The Army Now Is The Most Realistic Military Movie Ever Made If you call Antonio Sustiel and he doesn't answer, his voicemail guarantees that he'll get back to you "within a few minutes." It's this type of round-the-clock work ethic that has helped the grade-school dropout become a self-made millionaire. As the founder and CEO of Flooring King, Sustiel turns piles of wholesale laminate flooring into cash. The Israeli immigrant has a true rags-to-riches story. He dropped out of school at age 10 to work for his father's construction company, and then served in the Israeli army starting at age 18. When he landed on U.S. soil at age 23 in 1987, he had $400 in his pocket, Sustiel says on CNBC's " Blue Collar Millionaires ." He moved to Florida determined to make his own American dream a reality. Sustiel began selling cheap perfume in Miami, and over the next several years, he developed a reputation as a successful businessman. He then invested in a 5,000-square-foot warehouse, spending $690,000 for the space. It would turn out to be the decision that would launch his career. Not long after, an acquaintance called him saying that he had 20 industrial-sized containers of laminate flooring he wanted to get rid of. Sustiel recalls saying, "I have no idea what laminate flooring is, but I have a warehouse to store the material. And I can sell it." Thus, in 1999 Flooring King was born. "In the beginning, there must be a positive mental attitude," Sustiel tells CNBC, reflecting on his early success. "Wake up early in the morning. Have the right energy." Over the past 15 years, his company has sold $40 million of flooring. In any given day, Flooring King does 10 to 15 houses per day. His business model is to buy wholesale laminate flooring that other manufacturers don't want anymore and sell it at a higher price than he paid. The entrepreneur has never been afraid to get his hands dirty. He still loads trucks himself and visits work sites with his employees. It took a few decades, but Sustiel's hard work paid off. Now he's reaping the rewards. He lives in a mansion in Ft. Lauderdale and owns a Ferrari, Bentley, Tesla and Rolls-Royce. Story continues The self-made millionaire says that one trick in particular has helped him land more opportunities: Always being available by phone. He might be at a party or at home getting ready for bed, he explains, but if the phone rings, his policy is to make every effort to answer. "Work hard," Sustiel says. "If you don't put in 15 to 20 hours of work each day, you're never going to make it big. Put the business first." "Blue Collar Millionaires" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET. Video by Richard Washington. More From CNBC The Padres have agreed to a $987.5K salary to avoid arbitration with righty Carter Capps, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). Thats a repeat of Cappss first-year arb salary, owing to the fact that he missed the entirety of the 2016 season due to Tommy John surgery. Capps, 26, landed in San Diego as part of the deadline deal that sent Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea to the Marlins. (Rea ended up being shipped back to Miami owing to health disclosure issues, though that didnt impact Capps.) He continued to rehab his surgically replaced ulnar collateral ligament the procedure occurred in early March of 2016 and will be expected make his way back to the majors at some point in the 2017 season. While the injury obviously put a big dent in his value, Capps brings plenty of intriguing upside with him to the Padres. He was absurdly dominant in 2015, pitching to a 1.16 ERA over 31 frames while racking up 58 strikeouts against just seven walks. While he had never before been nearly as successful at keeping runs off the board, Capps had run up impressive impressive peripherals in several prior seasons. It remains to be seen, perhaps, whether hell be able to maintain his elbow health in the long run while still employing the unorthodox, hopping delivery that drove his success (and also generated some controversy). Illegal miner Paci dredges for tin in Indonesia -- a dangerous task looking for a vital component in smartphones and tablets (AFP Photo/GOH Chai Hin) Deep beneath the murky ocean, Paci breathes through a thin plastic tube as he dredges the seabed for tin, a vital component inside smartphones and tablets that's brought riches and ruin to his island home. One-third of the world's tin comes from the Indonesian islands of Bangka and Belitung, where thousands risk serious injury and death in the mines. Demand for the metal ore has soared in recent years, driven by a voracious consumer appetite for the latest electronics gadgets. In Bangka, the result has been a free-for-all -- both inland and now offshore. Many miners are unlicensed, sailing out in repurposed fishing boats in the hope of finding new deposits with little experience, and no protection. Paci, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, earns USD$15 for a day's work beneath the seas. Clad in goggles and a swimming cap he rakes a powerful hose across the sea floor, sending violent torrents of mineral-rich sand shooting to the surface. "It is very dangerous work, and the risks are huge," he told AFP after surfacing, as the mining crew panned the dark sediment to separate fragments of tin. "But what are you going to do? Its my life, and this is my job," he added. He's not alone. Dozens of dredging crews trawl off north-east Bangka, the same stretch of coastline where a 23-year-old miner drowned in October. At least one miner dies every week in Bangka and Belitung according to estimates from the Indonesian Tin Working Group, an organisation comprised of electronics companies, tin firms, industry bodies, and activists. - Death metal - A four-man operation can fetch 30 kilograms of tin ore on a good day, another sea miner told AFP. It passes through many hands before arriving at smelters, which export the refined product used in the solder binding the components of tech gadgets. Half of all mined tin is transformed into solder for the electronics industry, data from industry group ITRI shows, making the brands behind best-selling laptops and flat-screen televisions a powerful force in the global market. Story continues While there is obvious damage to the environment, and miners have lost their lives, tin from Indonesia is considered "conflict free" and so there are no trade restrictions on its use. But as the negative impacts on the land, and to local communities are revealed, electronics firms have come under pressure to properly account for the provenance of the minerals they use. Evert Hassink from Friends of the Earth Netherlands says companies have done little to ensure the tin they used in their gadgets was not harming Bangka. "Companies dont even know what they are sourcing," he said. "They refuse to really stick out their necks and dive into the supply chain." Ten major tech manufacturers -- including Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and Sony -- are members of the tin working group, which has pledged to support less harmful mining practises on Bangka. Apple said in a statement it had spent "thousands of hours" in Indonesia in a bid to improve the situation for workers and the environment. It added: "Suppliers who are unwilling or unable to comply with our standards will be removed from our supply chain." A spokesman for Samsung said the firm was "committed to continuously evolving our efforts on responsible mineral sourcing". - 'It's all about tin' - A representative for the tin working group said it had two pilot projects aimed at improving worker safety and restoring land degraded by mining in development. Jabin Sufianto, president of the Association of Indonesian Tin Exporters, acknowledged some tin firms were apprehensive about committing further but believes things will change over time. "Whats important now is doing the pilots, so we can show there is progress and its not just all talk," he told AFP. But Retno Budi from Walhi, a conservation group that has mobilised huge rallies against tin mining, is sceptical. Inland from Sungai Liat, a giant pit mine stretches as far as the eye can see, one of the treeless, pockmarked scars visible from a flight over the island. "They say they're restoring the land -- I'm yet to see it," he told AFP, surveying the ruined landscape. "To this day theres been almost no effort to fix anything whatsoever. Just weeks earlier two miners died in a landslide at the mine, he said. Nazaruddin earns less panning for tin, a backbreaking job under the blistering sun, but avoids the dangers of pit mining. Over there, they dont think about safety," he told AFP, gesturing to a crew blasting sand and rock below a steep cliff. "Its all about the tin, tin, tin." RTR2VQX9 The news came out Monday that Iranian fast-attack craft had once again harassed US Navy ships in the Persian Gulf with unsafe and unprofessional behavior, forcing the USS Mahan to fire warning shots. The incident, the first of its type reported this year, follows a significant increase in Iran's navy harassing US ships in 2016, the US Navy has told Business Insider. Iran's ability to undermine the West, to harass their ships in international waters, and to look militarily strong while having weak conventional forces owes to Tehran' ;expert handling of the US diplomatically and militarily, according to Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior Iran analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Although the US lists Iran as the No. 1 state sponsor of terror and has accordingly moved to sanction Iran over the past few decades, the actions have not been enough to deter Iran. According to Taleblu, "sanctions are an important step, but theyre not the only step." In addition to sanctions, the US would benefit from a signaling its resolve against Iran, where the Obama administration has been seen as "phobic" in confronting them. The US "need[s] to make sure our commanders and CENTCOM (the US command responsible for the Middle East region) have a free hand not to go rogue but so they do not feel politically encumbered to defend themselves, US vessels, and partners in the region," said Taleblu. USS Mahan Retired Navy Captain Lawrence Brennan, also an expert on international maritime law and the rules of engagement, told Business Insider the US Navy's response so far has been "measured and appropriate under the circumstances," but also noted that it was likely muted somewhat by concerns over Iran's nuclear program in an incident that "seems to be near the edge," of militarily actionable behavior. Story continues Others say that the Navy has exercised too much restraint under a president striving to improve ties with Iran, and that may be actually encouraging Iran to act aggressively. Former US Navy Commander Jeremy Vaughan stressed in an essay for the Washington Institute that the strategic goals of the Obama administration may have confined Navy commanders to more docile responses to Iranian aggression. iran irgc navy fast attack craft According to Vaughan, even when Navy commanders have established the "threat triangle" (determining that a threat has the capability, opportunity, and intent to harm the US Navy), sailors have not responded with force in keeping with naval guidance. A specific example comes from the January 2016 capture of US Navy sailors on a broken down boat by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' navy during which the boat captain said he had thought the following: "the Commander in Chief would not want me to start a war over a mistake, over a misunderstanding." So while no direct decree from the president has hamstrung the Navy, the overall political climate deterred a more forceful action. How Iran bosses around the much stronger US kerry zarif Taleblu explained that the reason Iran is "an enduring threat, even though its a weak state, is because it fights asymmetrically." According to Taleblu, understanding Iran's strategy requires looking into the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. Iran's navy, soundly defeated by US ships in the Persian Gulf, never fully recovered after the conflict. The US "went after their frigates and destroyers. Now Iran goes after us with these little speedboats," said Taleblu. Iran "cannot fight a set piece war against America. Thats why its military is framed the way it is," said Taleblu. Instead, Iran focuses on sending weapons to terrorist organizations that oppose the US and their allies. For example, Iran sent missiles to Iraq to use against US soldiers during Operation Iraqi Freedom. More recently, Iran has been tied, though not conclusively, to providing anti-ship missiles that Houthi militants fired against US ships off the coast of Yemen. Despite being a smaller country with a conventionally weaker military, Iran has proven a "competent adversary capable of learning," says Taleblu. Iran missile Meanwhile, pursuing nuclear weapons has worried the US enough to engage with them diplomatically. The Iranian deal only addresses nuclear weapons and doesn't include effective measures to combat its ballistic missile program. The lack of restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program, which could easily be modified to create nuclear ballistic missiles, "is a direct result of the failure of the Obama administration to include ballistic missiles in talks with Tehran," said Taleblu. So Iran openly sponsors terror, and tests ballistic missiles with slogans that read "Israel should be wiped off the Earth" printed on the side. "The launches actually make the US look weak," said Taleblu. Iran "does it to poke a finger in the eye of the West," and have been allowed to because the US failed to stop Iran's ballistic missile ambitions when they curbed Iran's nuclear program, said Taleblu. Iran has masterfully employed cheap, asymmetrical means of keeping their enemies, the US and its allies, off balance. Iran lacks a modern air force, which would be terribly expensive, so instead Tehran is pursuing the development of ballistic missiles to continue engaging in terror while simultaneously deterring attacks on their homeland said Taleblu. Since Iran has not engaged in overt military actions, the US military cannot fight Tehran head on. Iran instead spreads its influence through a diverse group of regional proxies in a move that the US cannot address simply by force. "The cost of the US fighting Iran is so prohibitive [that the US is] just forced to absorb the provocations," said Taleblu. NOW WATCH: The US struck radar sites in Yemen after rebels tried to attack a Navy ship with missiles More From Business Insider By Isla Binnie and Francesca Piscioneri ROME (Reuters) - Italy's Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected a bid by the country's biggest trade union to force a referendum on former prime minister Matteo Renzi's law making it easier to fire workers. The ruling is likely to prove a relief for new Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who has pledged to build on his predecessor's reforms, and it also spares Renzi the humiliation of having his two flagship projects thrown out in referendums. Italy's bond yields fell, while the euro and Italian stocks rose after the ruling. Renzi stepped down last month after losing a referendum on constitutional changes. He flagged the 2015 "Jobs Act" and the planned constitutional reform as vital measures to revive Italy's economy, the most chronically stagnant in the euro zone. Big businesses welcomed the scrapping of a rule that gave people fired from large private sector companies the right to be re-hired if a court deemed their dismissal unjustified. Under the reform they only receive financial compensation. The CGIL union, which opposed most aspects of the Jobs Act from the start, asked the court to approve a referendum on restoring the right to re-instatement and extending it to smaller companies. CGIL leader Susanna Camusso said the union would consider appealing to the European Court of Justice. "We are convinced that this battle must continue," she told a news conference. Renzi hoped making dismissals easier would prompt firms to hire, but the unemployment rate rose in November to its highest since June 2015, shortly after the measures began to be applied. The judges did however approve two other referendums proposed by CGIL: on the use of vouchers to pay workers who have no contract and on extending the rights of people working on projects assigned by tender processes. Italy has one of the highest jobless rates in the euro zone and almost 40 percent of people aged between 15 and 24 are unemployed. Work vouchers, which are worth 10 euros (dollars) each and give workers no rights to sick pay, holidays or leave, were introduced as an experiment in 2008, but their use shot up 70 percent in 2015. Governments across Europe have allowed greater labour flexibility to boost employment as their economies slowed, but Italy has acknowledged the voucher scheme is out of control and is planning to take action to curb its use. The two referendums permitted by the court could now take place on a Sunday between April 15 and June 15, unless new laws on the topics in question are passed before then. (Editing by Gavin Jones and Louise Ireland) you are here: * Fibria drops controversial covenant language on bond * Brazil surprises with aggressive rate cut to rescue economy * Petrobras to invest US$19bn in 2017 * Argentina mandates Santander, BBVA, Citi, DB, HSBC, JPM for bond By Mike Gambale NEW YORK, Jan 11 (IFR) - Below is a recap of primary issuance activity in the LatAm primary market on Wednesday: Number of deals priced: 1 Total issuance volume: US$700m FIBRIA OVERSEAS FINANCE Fibria Overseas Finance Ltd, exp rating BBB-/BBB-, announced a US$ benchmark SEC registered 10-year senior unsecured notes. Bookrunners: BNP Paribas, BofA Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, HSBC, JP Morgan. The notes are guaranteed by Fibria Celulose S.A. UOP: eligible Green projects. Settle: 1/17/2017. IPT: very low 6% area GUIDANCE: 5.75% area (+/- 5bp) LAUNCH: US$700m at 5.70% PRICED: US$700m 5.5% cpn 10yr (1/17/2027). At 98.491, yld 5.70%. BOOK: US$3bn NIC: 5bp (vs. 5.25% '24s at 5.40%, add 2bp for maturity extension, FV=5.65%) COMPS: FIBRIA 5.250% May 12, 2024 at a yield of 5.40% PIPELINE Metro de Santiago is marketing a 30-year bond issue through Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan. The borrower was in London on January 11, and will head to New York on January 12 and 13 and Boston on January 17. Investor calls will also be held on January 16. Expected ratings are A+/A by S&P and Fitch. The new 30 year may carry an optional redemption before maturity. Argentine energy company Pampa Energia kicked off roadshows this week as it looks to market a new US dollar bond. The borrower will be in New York on January 11 and 12, in Los Angeles on January 13 and in London on January 16. The company is looking to raise up to US$500m size and considering tenors of five, seven or 10 years. Expected ratings are B3/B-/B+. Citigroup and Deutsche Bank are acting as joint bookrunners, with Credit Agricole and Santander acting as co-managers. Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), an airport operator in the Dominican Republic, is marketing a new US dollar bond that will fund a tender and consent solicitation for outstanding debt. Story continues The borrower ended roadshows in New York on Wednesday. JP Morgan and Scotiabank have been mandated as joint bookrunners to arrange meetings. Expected ratings are BB-/Ba3 by S&P and Moody's. Proceeds will go to fund a tender and consent solicitation for Aerodom's 9.25% senior secured notes due 2019 and for general corporate purposes. Brazilian power company Neoenergia is considering a possible US dollar bond debut this year after sending out requests for proposals in late 2016, two market sources told IFR. Neoenergia Group's principal shareholders are Banco do Brasil's pension fund Previ, with a 49.01% stake, and Spain's Iberdrola with a 39% stake, according to the company's website. Brazilian bioenergy company Raizen started fixed-income investor meetings this week to market a possible US dollar bond. The borrower will visit accounts in London, New York and Boston between January 9 and 11. Expected ratings are BBB-/BBB by S&P and Fitch. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bradesco, Citigroup, JP Morgan and Santander have been mandate to coordinate roadshows. The Republic of Honduras, rated B2/B+, has hired Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Citigroup for a US dollar bond roadshow, a bank on the deal told IFR. This week, the borrower will visit investors in Los Angeles, Boston and New York, where it will end marketing for the deal on January 11. Argentina power company Genneia is marketing a US dollar bond with an intermediate tenor through Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Itau and JP Morgan. This week, the company will be in New York, Boston and Los Angeles, where it will end investor meetings on January 11. Ratings are expected to be B3/B+ by Moody's and Fitch. Argentina's Finance Minister Luis Caputo said last month that the administration was considering tapping the debt markets in January, according to Reuters. Local press have been reporting that the sovereign is looking at an up to US$10bn deal. The country needs US$22bn of debt financing this year, plus an additional US$21bn for refinancing needs, Caputo said. Paraguay is considering raising up to US$550m in the bond market in March, Reuters quoted Finance Minister Santiago Pena saying. Inversiones Atlantida, the largest financial group in Honduras, has finished roadshows to market a potential debut US dollar bond through Oppenheimer. Expected ratings are B/B by S&P and Fitch. Argentina's Province of Entre Rios has finished roadshows ahead of a possible US dollar bond. Citigroup, HSBC and Santander organized investor meetings. Expected ratings are B-/B by S&P and Fitch. Colombian glass company Tecnoglass has wrapped up investor meetings ahead of an up to US$225m debut dollar bond with a tenor of between five and seven years. Expected ratings are Ba3/BB- by Moody's and Fitch. Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley have been mandated as joint bookrunners. (Reporting by Mike Gambale; editing by Shankar Ramakrishnan) Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, Though not to the historic degree of the Game 4 no-hitter, the bats remain somnolent in Game 5, getting pushed to the bring of elimination with a 3-2 loss to Houston. Ex-choir director in Bucks County pleads no contest to molesting two students, secretly filming another Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2017, file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. administers the House oath of office to Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., during a mock swearing in ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington. Rutherford was wheeled out of the Capitol on a stretcher on Jan. 11. His office did not immediately return requests inquiring about his condition. (AP Photo/Zach Gibson, File) WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Latest on activities in Congress (all times EST): 10 p.m. An aide to a Florida congressman who was wheeled out of the Capitol on a stretcher Wednesday says he "did not suffer a heart attack, but he continues to be evaluated by doctors." Kelly Simpson, Rep. John Rutherford's chief of staff, says he is "is conscious, alert, and in good spirits." The 64-year-old Republican worked in law enforcement for 41 years and served as sheriff in Jacksonville, Florida, before being elected to Congress last November. He represents Florida's 4th Congressional District. Simpson says further updates on Rutherford's condition "will be provided once doctors have finished their evaluation." ___ 7:10 p.m. A freshman congressman from Florida, John Rutherford, has been wheeled out of the Capitol on a stretcher. No other information is available about Rutherford's condition. His office did not immediately return requests inquiring about his condition. The 64-year-old Republican worked in law enforcement for 41 years and served as sheriff in Jacksonville, Florida, before being elected to Congress last November. He represents Florida's 4th Congressional District. ___ 6:50 p.m. The GOP-led House has approved a bill that would overhaul how government regulations are enacted by prohibiting the most costly rules from taking effect until courts can resolve litigation challenging their enactment, among numerous other changes. The bill has passed, 238-183. It is the third regulatory overhaul passed in the House during the first two weeks of the 115th Congress, but all three measures face difficult prospects in the Senate. The legislation incorporates several measures passed by the House in previous sessions. Republicans say the changes sought would reduce costs on businesses and make it easier for businesses to hire workers and grow the economy. Opponents say the bill would make it difficult, if not impossible, to put in place any new safeguards for the public, no matter the issue. Story continues ___ 6:20 p.m. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for energy secretary, says he has stepped down from the boards of two energy companies that are developing the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline project. Perry said in a letter to ethics officials that he stepped down Dec. 31 from the boards of directors of Energy Transfer Partners LP and Sunoco Logistics Partners LP. The companies are developing the proposed 1,200-mile crude oil pipeline that has stoked mass protests in North Dakota. Perry said he still owns stock in the companies but will divest the stock within three months of his confirmation. He says he will not take part in any decisions involving the two companies for at least two years. ___ 6 p.m. Sen. Marco Rubio is frustrated with how Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state handled his confirmation hearing. Rubio says Rex Tillerson didn't seize the opportunity to forcefully rebuke countries failing to respect human rights. Rubio is lecturing the former Exxon Mobil CEO on the importance of being the nation's top diplomat and the need to stand up for people around the world. Rubio says, "They look to the United States." The Florida Republican says he is discouraged Tillerson didn't declare Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal or call Saudi Arabia and the Philippines human rights violators. Rubio's opinion could prove pivotal when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes on Tillerson's nomination. The panel is comprised of 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats. ___ 5:55 p.m. A Missouri congressman tells House Speaker Paul Ryan he's concerned the speaker will follow up on "vigilante censorship" in the House by removing a painting that's at the center of a dispute about its appropriateness to be displayed on Capitol Hill. Democratic Rep. William Lacy Clay says in a letter to Ryan that removal of the painting, after hanging six months without controversy, "would be a naked and unprecedented act of censorship and thought control" that would lead to litigation. The painting won a student arts competition in Clay's district and depicts a scene involving police officers pointing their guns at an African-American man. One of the officers resembles a pig, with an elongated face and tusks. Some GOP lawmakers and police groups say it's offensive. ___ 4:30 p.m. Rex Tillerson says he doesn't agree with President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that the world would be "better off" if countries like Japan and South Korea had nuclear capabilities. Trump's choice for secretary of state is telling the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he doesn't believe "anyone advocates for more nuclear weapons on the planet." Sen. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, pressed Tillerson to respond to Trump's musings during the presidential campaign about America's allies in the Pacific having the means to defend themselves from the growing nuclear threat in North Korea. "Do you agree with that or disagree with that?" Markey asked. "I do not agree," Tillerson responded. ___ 3:55 p.m. Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state likens China's island building in the disputed South China Sea to Russia's annexation of Crimea. He says it has to stop. Rex Tillerson says in his confirmation hearing that China's actions are "extremely worrisome" and the U.S. failure to respond "has allowed them to keep pushing the envelope." He says the U.S. must make clear to China that access to the islands won't be allowed. His remarks are sure to anger China, which claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea. Over objections by the U.S. and rival claimants, China has reclaimed thousands of acres of land and constructed military-grade infrastructure, and reportedly installed weaponry. ___ 3:30 p.m. Rex Tillerson says Islam is a "great faith" and he doesn't support the "blanket rejection" of people from the United States because of their religion. President-elect Donald Trump said during the presidential campaign that if elected, he would implement a total ban on Muslims entering the United States. Trump has since proposed "extreme vetting." Tillerson, Trump's choice for secretary of state, is telling the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the U.S. has to be "very clear-eyed" about the threat posed by the Islamic State and other extremist groups. ___ 2:18 p.m. Rex Tillerson is telling senators he would work closely with Congress on any new Russia sanctions. Trump's choice for secretary of state says he would cooperate "on the construct of new sanctions" after Moscow's alleged interference in the presidential election and aggression in other parts of the world. Tillerson also says the Trump administration will be committed to seeking support from Congress for major military actions. He says Trump believes "it is important that we not just lightly go into these conflicts" and would "seek the engagement and support" of Congress, either through a resolution or legislation to authorize the use of force. Tillerson says: "It's much more powerful when the U.S. shows up with everyone aligned." ___ 2:00 p.m. The Republican-led Senate is poised to take a step toward dismantling President Barack Obama's health care law despite anxiety among some GOP senators that their party still hasn't come up with an alternative. A procedural budget vote slated for late Wednesday or early Thursday would trigger committee action to write repeal legislation that could come to a vote next month. A full replacement would follow sometime after that if Republicans can come up with one. The nearly seven-year-old law extended health insurance to some 20 million Americans, prevented insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions and steered millions to the states for the Medicaid health program for the poor. ___ 1:39 p.m. Democrat Cory Booker says his Senate colleague Jeff Sessions has at times exhibited hostility toward civil rights. Booker is taking the highly unusual step of testifying against President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general on the second day of Sessions' confirmation hearings. The New Jersey senator said an attorney general "must bring hope and healing to the country and this demands a more courageous effort that Sen. Sessions demonstrates." Booker added the Alabama Republican's opposition to reform of the criminal justice system, among other issues. Sessions was rejected by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1986 for a judgeship amid accusations that he called a black attorney "boy" which he denied and the NAACP and ACLU "un-American." Sessions called those accusations "damnably false." ___ 1:14 p.m. A Republican congressman has asked the architect of the Capitol to review whether a high school student's painting of the events in Ferguson, Missouri, should be displayed on Capitol Hill. The painting has the image of a pig in a police uniform aiming a gun at a protester. It hangs among hundreds of other works of art chosen in last year's Congressional Arts Competition. In a letter on Wednesday, Republican Rep. Dave Reichert of Washington state says it's not his desire to censor an individual's right to freedom of speech and expression. But Reichert says the painting is "in clear violation" of the competition's official rules, which state that exhibits "depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalist, or gruesome nature are not allowed." The painting has set off a battle in Congress, with several Republicans taking it down and Missouri Democrat William Lacy Clay of Missouri putting it back up. Clay maintains that the paint represents free speech. Republicans call it offensive to law enforcement. ___ 12:58 p.m. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says she doesn't know what has been reported or corroborated regarding reports that Russia obtained compromising information about President-elect Donald Trump, but she's long been curious about what information Russia had. Pelosi says "I've always wondered what did Russia have on Donald Trump that Donald Trump would question whether we should support our sanctions that we had in Europe." A U.S. official says top intelligence officials told Trump about an unsubstantiated report on him last week. A dossier contains unproven information about close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians about hacking into Democratic accounts. It also contains unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump, among other suggestions attributed to anonymous sources. The Associated Press has not authenticated any of the claims. Pelosi was speaking on a jobs bill when asked about Trump. January 11, 2017 The Deep State Versus Donald Trump - New Smears And The Ukrainian Connection UPDATED (3x) (at end of original) As remarked on January 6: When Hillary Clinton was defeated in the U.S. presidential election the relevant powers launched a campaign to delegitimize the President elect Donald Trump. The ultimate aim of the cabal is to kick him out of office and have a reliable replacement, like the Vice-President elect Pence, take over. Should that not be possible it is hoped that the delegitimization will make it impossible for Trump to change major policy trajectories especially in foreign policy. A main issue here is the reorientation of the U.S. military complex and its NATO proxies from the war of terror towards a direct confrontation with main powers like Russia and China. The deep state campaign against Trump opened new grounds today with the publication of completely fake and thereby unverifiable anonymous assertions which include the smear that Trump had some fun in a Moscow hotel and that Russian secret services is using that to manipulate him. Like many smears against Trump via proxies of the Clinton presidential campaign these new ones seem to origin from Ukraine related sources and Ukrainian "nationalist" (aka fascist) putsch supporters. The new assertions about Trump come in 35 pages of "reports" by an anonymous (claimed) former British intelligence operator working for a private U.S. company with dates ranging from June 20 2016 to December 13 2016. They say that Russia has some tapes of Trump watching sex games in 2013, they claim that Trump campaign officials coordinated the Clinton campaign leaks with Russia and that the Russian President Putin was highly involved in all of this. Here is how the claimed former intelligence operator typically describes his sources in these "reports": Speaking to a trusted compatriot in June 2016 sources A and B, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry figure and a former top level Russian intelligence officer still active inside the Kremlin respectively, the Russian authorities had been cultivating and supporting U.S. Republican presidential candidate, Donald TRUMP for at least five years. Source B asserted that the TRUMP operation was both supported and directed by Russian President Vladimir PUTIN. The anonymous former British operator hears from an anonymous asserted compatriot what two anonymous sources, asserted to have access to inner Russian circles, claim to have heard somewhere that something happened in the Kremlin. They assert that Trump was supported and directed by Putin himself five years ago while even a year ago no one would have bet a penny on Trump gaining any political significant position or even the presidency. There is a lot more of such nonsense in these new Hitler diaries. It is bonkers from a to z. Neocon senator John McCain, friend of Ukrainian fascists and Trump enemy, passed (<-details) the "report" to the FBI and thereby made it into an official document. Even as they are obvious fake the FBI tried to use these "reports" to get a wide warrant from the foreign intelligence surveillance (FISA) court to listen in on Trump campaign officials. The court thankfully denied or at least narrowed down the request. The first "reports" were created as part of the opposition research paid by a Republican candidate running in the primaries against Trump. They were later produced for and paid by the Democratic campaign. They have been shopped around in Washington for several month. The NYT, the WSJ, CNN and the FBI all investigated the assertions in them. Despite those considerable combined capacities they could verify none of them. All publications refrained from publishing the claims during the campaign because there was no evidence at all that supported them. Buzzfeed now pushed these out despite also saying that they have found nothing verifiable in them. Even worse, the Director of National Intelligence Clapper (who once claimed Saddam's non-existing WMDs were shipped to Syria) presented these to Congress and the president elect Trump as "annex" to his baseless U.S. Intelligence report of "Russian hacking". A murky preview of the assertions had been given by David Corn in a Mother Jones piece in October. He talked with the said-to-be author of the "reports": "It started off as a fairly general inquiry," says the former spook, who asks not to be identified. But when he dug into Trump, he notes, he came across troubling information indicating connections between Trump and the Russian government. According to his sources, he says, "there was an established exchange of information between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin of mutual benefit." The current publication of this full barrel of bullshit comes a day after members of the Trump cabinet have been successfully confirmed by Congress and hours before his long expected press conference. It is thereby destined to overshadow a successful start of the Trump presidency. There are signs that the "reports" were written with some Ukrainian nationalist and anti-semitic background. Just consider this passage from the July 26 "report": In terms of the FSB's recruitment of capable cyber operatives to carry out its, ideally deniable, offensive cyber operations, a Russian IT specialist with direct knowledge reported in June 2016 that this was often done using coercion and blackmail. In terms of 'foreign' agents, the FSB was approaching U.S. citizens of Russian (Jewish) origin on business trips in Russia. Such tropes are typical of the anti-semitic Ukrainian "nationalist" (aka Nazi) narrative. ("All Soviet/Communist ideologues/functionaries are Jews.") Russian services would, unlike Mossad, not recruit IT hackers conditioned on "Jewish" ethnic relations or believe. They would hire anyone competent who they think they could trust. We have seen more Ukrainian "nationalists" involved in the "Russian hacks" propaganda claims. A July 2016 Yahoo piece by (Clinton campaign mouthpiece) Michael Isikoff wrote: Just weeks after she started preparing opposition research files on Donald Trumps campaign chairman Paul Manafort last spring, Democratic National Committee consultant Alexandra Chalupa got an alarming message when she logged into her personal Yahoo email account. ... Chalupa who had been drafting memos and writing emails about Manaforts connection to pro-Russian political leaders in Ukraine quickly alerted top DNC officials. ... I was freaked out, Chalupa, who serves as director of ethnic engagement for the DNC, told Yahoo News in an interview, noting that she had been in close touch with sources in Kiev, Ukraine, including a number of investigative journalists, who had been providing her with information about Manaforts political and business dealings in that country and Russia. Chalupa is also somewhat involved with the ProPornOT list, promoted by the Washington Post, of alleged pro-Russian propaganda websites. This website, Moon of Alabama, is also on that list :-) (see at end of piece). (Unfortunately though we have never received a penny, or anything else, from Russian sources, are critical of Putin's neoliberal economic policies and have been plagiarized by the Russian government financed Russia Today without any compensation.) The ProPornOT Twitter account says it is Ukrainian-American and it used the Ukrainian fascist salute of the OUN-Bandera killer gangs "Heroiam Slava!" to hail Ukrainian hackers attacking Russia. The ProPornOT list is designed after a Ukrainian model used to smear Ukrainian anti-fascist media and journalists. Chalupa is a main promoter of the "Russia hacked the Democratic campaign" allegations based on thin if any evidence. She was named by the same Isikoff of Yahoo as one of 16 people who shaped the 2016 election. Chalupa is also: founder and president of the Ukrainian lobby group US United With Ukraine Coalition, which lobbied hard to pass a 2014 bill increasing loans and military aid to Ukraine, imposing sanctions on Russians, and tightly aligning US and Ukraine geostrategic interests. Moreover Chalupa coordinated her anti-Trump/anti-Russian campaign with the Ukrainian embassy in Washington DC: Ukrainian government officials tried to help Hillary Clinton and undermine Trump by publicly questioning his fitness for office. They also disseminated documents implicating a top Trump aide in corruption and suggested they were investigating the matter, only to back away after the election. And they helped Clintons allies research damaging information on Trump and his advisers, a Politico investigation found. A Ukrainian-American operative[, Alexandra Chalupa,] who was consulting for the Democratic National Committee met with top officials in the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington in an effort to expose ties between Trump, top campaign aide Paul Manafort and Russia, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation. One must thereby categorize Chalupa as a Ukrainian agent or at least as naive manipulated by the Ukrainian government and read her accordingly. The foreign influence on the presidential race through the Ukrainian (fascist) connection to the Clinton campaign is thereby much more grounded in reality than the alleged but completely unproven Russian connections to the Trump campaign. We have a Ukrainian-American nationalist Democratic campaign operator promoting anti-Russian and anti-Trump claims in cooperation with the Ukrainian government, a Ukrainian-American ProPornOT blacklist for smearing random website of being "Russian propaganda" and Ukrainian fascist tropes used in fact-less "reports" intended to smear Trump as a Russian puppet. Above all of this we have a U.S intelligence community that is feverishly fighting against a Trump presidency which is likely to cut back its many excrescences and excesses. The CIA, the MI-6 and the German BND (a CIA controlled service) have pampered and promoted the again very active anti-Russian Ukrainian fascist circles since (at least) the late 1940s. A U.S. National Archive book about Hitler's Shadows - Nazi War Criminals, U.S. Intelligence and the Cold War (PDF) notes: British operations through Bandera expanded. An early 1954 MI6 summary noted that, the operational aspect of this [British] collaboration [with Bandera] was developing satisfactorily. Gradually a more complete control was obtained over infiltration operations and although the intelligence dividend was low it was considered worthwhile to proceed.... ... In June 1985 the General Accounting Office mentioned Lebeds name in a public report on Nazis and collaborators who settled in the United States with help from U.S. intelligence agencies. The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in the Department of Justice began investigating Lebed that year. The CIA worried that public scrutiny of Lebed would compromise QRPLUMB and that failure to protect Lebed would trigger outrage in the Ukrainian emigre community. It thus shielded Lebed by denying any connection between Lebed and the Nazis and by arguing that he was a Ukrainian freedom fighter. The truth, of course, was more complicated. As late as 1991 the CIA tried to dissuade OSI from approaching the German, Polish, and Soviet governments for war-related records related to the OUN. OSI eventually gave up the case, unable to procure definitive documents on Lebed. Mykola Lebed, Banderas wartime chief in Ukraine, died in 1998. He is buried in New Jersey, and his papers are located at the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. There is no open evidence yet of a direct connection between the three anti-Russian/anti-Trump items above, the Ukrainian-fascist movement and John Brennan's deep-state CIA. There are consistencies in tone and message, some common history including the 2014 putsch in Ukraine and a connecting Ukrainian-American person in bowels of the Clinton campaign. But even that is more than the baseless assertions of "Russian hacking" in the DNI intelligence reports and the now published MI-6 smears. Seen from a distance the "Intelligence Community" is more compromised by these "leaks" than the President elect Trump. It is not predictable who will win this fight, the "deep state" cabal that wants to keep the U.S. on an anti-Russian course or the somewhat outsider isolationist Trump. My bet is on the bullshit artist Trump. In the bigger international picture the fight itself, and the publicity it gets, lets the U.S. look like the Banana republic it is destined to become. UPDATE: The BBC Washington reporter Paul Wood on BBC radio today: has seen the "report" in October was told in August by U.S. intelligence that East-European(!) intelligence head claimed Russia had kompromat on Trump there are allegedly audio and video tapes made in Moscow and Petersberg which nobody has seen We are left to guess what "east-European intelligence" service he was talking about ... 2nd UPDATE: There are claims that the Trump sex story involved in the 35 pages originates from alt-right or 4chan circles. That does not fit the timeline. The "reports" have circulated since August. The sex claim is an July part of the report. The 4chan story originated in November (as far as I can tell) and was pushed from 4chan to one political actor aligned with the Democratic party. But that was old news by then and everyone relevant was already aware of the story. It is very likely that the 4chan story was just a rehash of the already known "report" story and has no additional validity. 3rd UPDATE: BBC's Paul Wood has more on the issue: Trump 'compromising' claims: How and why did we get here? Nothing in the 35 pages has been shown to be true There are additional claims of Russian (bank) payments to someone (not Trump directly but probably related) in the U.S. of Russian (bank) payments to someone (not Trump directly but probably related) in the U.S. The payment claims were used to get FISA warrants which were twice rejected(!) but in October signed by a new judge The payment claims come from the secret service of "a Baltic State" Other news services seem to mix up these payment claims with those in the 35 pages. But they are different issues. Yesterday evening DNI Clapper had a talk with Trump - it is unclear from Clapper's statement what issues exactly were talked about. He seems to allude to the payment claims, not the 35 pages. Posted by b on January 11, 2017 at 12:39 UTC | Permalink Comments next page Carjacking Two suspects wearing masks brandished handguns at two occupants of a 2010 gray Jeep Compass, assaulted them and stole the vehicle. The incident occurred outside the Hampton Inn, 16115 Condit Road. The victim who reported the incident said his friend was punched in the stomach and needed medical attention. Both occupants were threatened by the thieves. The suspects pulled up to the victims in a black Silverado pickup. The crime was reported 10:16 p.m. Jan. 8. Stolen vehicle A thief or thieves stole a silver 1997 Honda Accord that was parked on the 16700 block of Audrey Drive. The crime was reported 9:43 a.m. Jan. 9. Disturbance A witness reported that people were partying and doing burnouts in the downtown parking garage, located on West Fourth Street. The incident was reported 8:51 Jan. 4. A customer at Jack In The Box, 15855 Monterey Road, was asking for pizza and refusing to leave while becoming aggressive and yelling at employees and other customers. The disturbance was reported 9:43 p.m. Jan. 4. DUI An impaired driver crashed into a parked car on Bender Circle. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The incident was reported 4:42 p.m. Jan. 5. Vandalism Someone kicked in the front door of a business on the 16900 block of Monterey Road. The vandalism resulted in damage to the padlock on the door. The vandal did not enter the business. The vandalism was reported 10:57 a.m. Jan. 10. Fraud A customer at Dickeys BBQ, 1049 Cochrane Road, tried to pass a counterfeit $50 bill. The crime was reported 1:20 p.m. Jan. 6. Hit and run A white pickup truck hit a light pole on East Third Street and fled the scene. The incident was reported 3:23 p.m. Jan. 6. High speed pursuit Police from Morgan Hill and Gilroy, as well as county sheriff deputies, chased a white Honda Civic south down U.S. 101 after the driver failed to make a traffic stop. The pursuit began just south of Morgan Hill and continued until the fleeing vehicle crashed near the Betabel Road exit. The driver tried to run away on foot but was detained and transported to an area hospital. The chase exceeded 100 mph at times. Police confirmed the Honda was stolen. The chase started about 10 p.m. Jan. 6. Auto burglary Someone broke into a Toyota Camry parked at Maple Leaf RV Park on Monterey Road and stole a Bose speaker, camera bag and personal items. The crime was reported 1:15 p.m. Jan. 7. A thief or thieves broke into a Ford Fusion while the vehicles owner was inside In N Out restaurant, 895 Cochrane Road. Stolen from the vehicle was a computer bag. The crime was reported 6:46 p.m. Jan 8. Battery A group of about 10 people were involved in a fight outside the M&H Tavern, 17365 Monterey Road. A bouncer employed by the bar and a female patron got caught in the melee and were assaulted. The female victim told police she was hit in the head. The incident was reported 1 a.m. Jan. 8. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records Due to the recent snow days, Burke County Public Schools is rescheduling a teacher workday and part of the high school exam schedule. The school system announced Tuesday that the teacher workday scheduled for Jan. 23 will now be a make-up day and schools will operate on a normal schedule, according to Dr. Larry Putnam, BCPS superintendent. While we have a number of extra-curriculum time built into our calendar, it is still so early in the winter season, and we would rather make up the day early in January, he said in a press release from BCPS. This way, if there are many more snow days, we hopefully can protect our spring break. For high school students, Monday, Jan. 23 is now scheduled as an exam day, the press release said. Friday, Jan. 13 will be a regular class day for high school students. Exams will now start on Tuesday, Jan. 17 and end on Monday, Jan. 23 and the new semester will start as planned on Jan. 24, the release said. With the New Years holiday, the Jan. 9 snow day and Jan. 16 as an observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the Jan. 23 workday would have put students out of school for four Mondays in a row, Putnam said. (Which is making) it difficult to get into a normal routine and rhythm, especially after the long holiday break, he said. It also is a burden for our parents as they try to find child care or have to get off of work. Putnam is thankful for the patience and understanding people have given as the school system puts students first and makes the best decisions for their education. I also would like to thank our staff, especially those who have been riding the roads with me, checking on road conditions and working to clear our schools and other facility parking lots and sidewalks, he said. "They have done a tremendous job in extremely cold conditions. A house in the Salem community was a total loss in a fire on Monday evening. Salem Fire and Rescue firefighters were dispatched to 1278 Gates Ave. in Morganton at 8:18 p.m. to a multi-level home that was engulfed in flames, according to Fire Chief John Stroup with Salem Fire and Rescue. It was 100 percent involved, Stroup said. Flames could be seen glowing in the sky two to three miles away. Firefighters worked for around 45 minutes to extinguish the flames, but could not go inside the house due to the amount out flames inside the structure already. With it being totally involved, we could not get inside, it was multi-level a two or three story house, Stroup said. The homeowner was the only one inside and was able to escape safely, he said. There were no injuries to the homeowner or to firefighters. According to the owner, when he woke up, he saw flame and the house was hot, Stroup said. The fire was said to have possibly started near a woodstove, according to information the homeowner gave to fire personnel. The official cause of the fire is still under investigation, Stroup said. The snow and ice presented a different element that firefighters had to work around when working the fire. It is always a hazard of falling and the water that you are spraying freezing (which can) cause a slip hazard, he said. On Tuesday morning, a few firefighters returned to the scene to douse more water onto parts of the house that started to cause smoke, Stroup said. The house was still under construction and it was just piled up plywood and it wasnt really much burning, but just smoking, he said. Red Cross was called to help assist the homeowner, Stroup said. Responding agencies were Salem, Brendletown and Enola fire departments and Burke County EMS. Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907. The Republican majority in Congress has voted to kill the Affordable Care Act dozens of times. It's done this knowing that President Obama would veto the bill, thus sparing members from the consequences. So obviously, it was always a game. It was posturing before a public that largely didn't know what Obamacare did for them. Still, Republicans could have thrown the American people a crumb of respect by saying, "When the day comes, this is what we're going to replace it with." Or, "There's no replacement. We're just going back to the world before Obamacare." Either response would have been honest. Republicans would have put their cards on the table, exposing their ideas to scrutiny. And importantly, they would have let patients, doctors, hospitals and insurers know what was up and plan for the future. But that would have ended their game which has been politics, not governing. Politics is telling people they can get what they want without paying for it. Governing is specifying where the money will come from. Governing, in short, requires work, much of it unpleasant. In a matter of days, Donald Trump takes over the presidency. He's demanded a repeal of Obamacare on "day one" of his administration. Congressional Republicans still don't have a replacement, so they've designed a new game called "Repeal and Delay." This game operates under the dubious assumption that you can vote to repeal Obamacare but leave the benefits in place while you come up with a new plan. Or not. Many Republicans back passing a budget bill that strips Obamacare of funding, at which point it all would be over. Some are having second thoughts. Who knows what they'll do. The uncertainly, meanwhile, is traumatizing the health care system. Insurers are being jolted by a possible meltdown of their markets. Doctors happily adjusted to Obamacare are rattled, while hospitals are already laying off people as a precaution. A "slow-moving tsunami" is how Heidi Gartland, spokeswoman for University Hospitals in Cleveland, has described an Obamacare repeal. "In the aftermath of the tsunami," she told Politico, "there's devastating loss that we never could have planned for." And what about the American people? Some 20 million are at risk of losing their health coverage. The group includes large numbers for whom the stakes are extraordinarily high. They're wondering whether they'll be able to contain their chemo treatments or get heart surgery. If Republicans came out and said that "Obamacare is over, period," the medically needy would at least be able to make their own arrangements sell the house, file for bankruptcy, rewrite their will. But Republicans haven't done them that minimal courtesy. Republicans have floated a few vague ideas for replacing Obamacare that's true but they've agreed on nothing. The most coherent plan, released earlier this year by House Speaker Paul Ryan, didn't have a price tag on it, so why even bother? It happens that Obamacare is overall a big success. It has slashed the number of uninsured and moderated health care spending. There are problems, but they are fixable problems. So this "downward spiral" talk is pure propaganda. But take the money away and the downward spiral becomes real. One of the saddest scenes was thousands of Americans signing up for Obamacare right after Trump won the election. They were like refugees trying to get the last plane out of a war zone. Every other modern nation guarantees health care as a right of citizenship. Even their conservative leaders don't touch benefits that beat ours by a mile. This Obamacare repeal game is, at bottom, an insult to the dignity of the American people. Actually, it's a disgrace. Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. To find out more about Harrop, visit www.creators.com. Bank of America and two of its employees are facing raps from the Department of Housing and Urban Development after allegedly discriminating against potential Hispanic mortgage borrowers in South Carolina. The case, filed by HUD and its Office of Administrative Law Judges, is expected to go to federal court, where the bank could be ordered by a judge to pay damages and attorneys fees. A complaint filed by the National Fair Housing Alliance provoked the case, according to Reuters. Concerns of discrimination were raised after the alliance made tests in Charleston between February 2013 and January 2014 to determine how female Hispanics were treated by bank employees compared with female non-Hispanic potential borrowers. Russian warplanes have been bombing IS jihadists north and east of the Syrian town of Palmyra (AFP Photo/) (Russian Defence Ministry/AFP/File) Moscow (AFP) - Russian military officials on Tuesday slammed US-led coalition action against Islamic State jihadists in Syria as having had "less than zero" impact, and claimed that a US air strike killed 20 Syrian civilians this month. Russia's involvement in the war-torn country since September 2015 had "changed the course of fighting terrorism in Syria," said chief of general staff Valery Gerasimov. He listed the successes of Russia's operation to shore up the forces of long-time ally Bashar al-Assad, saying Moscow had carried out 71,000 strikes. But "our colleagues from the US-led anti-terrorist coalition have conducted considerably fewer strikes, only about 6,500, over the past two and a half years of the operation against IS in Syria," he said. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking during a televised meeting, said the US-led coalition had made no impact. "As much as we needed the support of the international coalition -- the effect of which has been less than zero -- I regret to say that we did not see this support, and this required us to exert all of our energy" on Syria, he said. Gerasimov said the coalition strikes never had "any significant results" and said they had caused a "considerable number of deaths among civilians and government troops." Besides a misguided strike on Syrian troops near Deir Ezzor last September, which the Pentagon admitted was a "regrettable error," Gerasimov said a US plane had bombed Syrian civilians on January 3. "An American B-52 bomber struck Sarmada in the Idlib province without warning the Russian side. This is in an area where the ceasefire applies," he said, referring to the truce brokered by Russia and Turkey that went into effect on December 30. "As a result of the strike, over 20 civilians were killed," Gerasimov said. Washington said last week it had killed about 20 Al-Qaeda militants in air strikes in northwestern Syria. New members inducted into Institute of ... Wanted Nazi war criminal Alois Brunner, spent his last years in miserable conditions underneath an apartment block in the Syrian capital, French magazine XXI reported (AFP Photo/) Paris (AFP) - Nazi war criminal Alois Brunner, responsible for the deaths of an estimated 130,000 Jews, died in 2001 at the age of 89, locked up in a squalid Damascus basement, a French magazine reported Wednesday. Its investigation -- described as "highly credible" by veteran Nazi-hunter Serge Klarsfeld -- aimed at discovering the fate of one of the most notorious figures of the Holocaust. Three ex-members of the Syrian secret service interviewed by the magazine XXI said Adolf Eichmann's former assistant spent his last years in miserable conditions underneath an apartment block in the Syrian capital. The Austrian-born SS commander was in charge of the Drancy camp north of Paris from which Jews in occupied France were sent to the gas chambers. He remained to the end an unrepentant Nazi and anti-Semite, the sources told XXI. One of his guards said Brunner, who went by the name of Abu Hussein, "suffered and cried a lot in his final years, everyone heard him". The man, identified only as Omar, said he "couldn't even wash". All he had to eat were "army rations -- awful stuff -- and an egg or a potato. He had to choose one or the other." The circumstances of Brunner's final years have remained an enigma for decades. The Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Vienna, which tracks down former Nazis, had declared that he had died in Damascus in 2010. Klarsfeld, a prominent lawyer and historian, flew to Syria with his wife and fellow investigator Beate in 1982 to urge the Assad regime to expel him. Klarsfeld's father was arrested in Nice in September 1943 in an SS roundup led by Brunner. He later died in Auschwitz. - Eichmann's 'right-hand man' - "We are satisfied to learn that he lived badly rather than well," Klarsfeld told AFP. "XXI's investigation is highly credible. They have questioned someone who knew him at close quarters," he added. Eichmann, one of the architects of the so-called Final Solution who was hanged in Israel in 1962, called Brunner his "right-hand man". Story continues Brunner slipped through the Allies' hands at the end of the war. He left Germany for Egypt in 1953 with a passport in the name of Georg Fischer. He worked for a time running guns to the Algerian independence movement, the FLN, before moving to Syria the following year. Sheltered in Damascus, he became an advisor to the Syria secret police, allegedly passing on torture and interrogation methods developed by the Nazis. But the Israeli intelligence services were quickly on his trail. - Survived parcel bombs - He was said to have been killed by a parcel bomb on September 13, 1961. In fact, he lost an eye in that attack and four fingers in another parcel bomb in 1981, although the Syrian authorities continued to deny his existence. He was convicted of war crimes by French courts in his absence in 1954, when he was sentenced to death. In 2001, another French trial, which for the first time included the specific charge of arresting and deporting hundreds of orphans, sentenced him to life imprisonment. The death sentence had been abolished in France in 1981. According to XXI, Brunner was practically under house arrest in his apartment in the diplomatic quarter of Damascus from 1989. It said at the end of the 1990s he was moved for "security reasons" to the basement, and he was confined there until his death. One of the most puzzling aspects of the story -- for which investigators as yet have no answer -- is why having sheltered him for nearly half a century, the Syrian regime decided to get rid of him in such a torturously slow manner. "Once he was in the room, the door was closed and never opened again," his former guard Omar told the magazine. He claimed Brunner was buried secretly in accordance with Muslim rites in the city's Al-Affif cemetery in December 2001. "In a dictatorship like Syria, he was untouchable as long as the dictator didn't want rid of him," said Klarsfeld. "Until the end he kept his hatred of Jews intact, as well as his faith in National Socialism," he added. "He was someone who hated France as much as he hated Jews." Efraim Zuroff, who heads the the Wiesenthal Centre's Jerusalem office, told AFP that they got their information about Brunner's death in 2010 from a German intelligence source. "I would like to believe it (that he died in terrible conditions)... frankly I can't think of a person who deserved it more. But I just don't know." In a short telephone interview in 1987, Brunner is alleged to have told the Chicago Sun-Times that he didn't regret his part in the Holocaust. "All of them deserved to die because they were the devil's agents and human garbage. I have no regrets and I would do it again." Op-Ed: Bernie Sanders can win in 2020, but he has to make a critical choice right now In my Cub Scout journalist days, I thought Barack Obama would be a historic figure beyond his obvious perch as the first African American president. His words soared as if he could part the seas; his talk about a post-partisan America gave hope to a real draining of the swampthe type Donald Trump conned millions into thinking he would deliver on. But as the years went on, it became painfully clear the president was not the progressive he convinced millions of Americans into believing he was. And, along with the Democrats running the most bought-off, tone-deaf, inauthentic candidate in history, Obama's fundamental choice to not fight for progressive legislation, and instead, preach incrementalismaka, more corporate welfare with crumbs for working peopleis one of the major reasons a circus act, con-artist like Donald Trump will be our next president. Did Obama have an extremist Republican party and other obstacles few presidents ever faced in his way? He sure did. But, as with anything in life, politics is about fundamental choices. Obama chose to play nice with extremists and tweak around the edges instead of recognizing the best opportunity since Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency to enact real progressive change. So, as he bids "farewell" Tuesday, Bernie Sanders must realize it's time to make a fundamental choice: Work within a bought-off, completely in-denial Democratic Party, which, after losing to the most unpopular candidate in the history of America, still refuses to sever its ties with Wall Street, big oil, and big pharma, OR, backed by millions of politically reinvigorated working class people, and millennials politically energized for the first time, fight both the corrupt, corporate Democrats and extremist Republicans. Choosing the former will result in the Democratic establishment still calling the shotswhen they no longer have a right to even have a seat at the tableand another corporate, milk-toast Democratic presidential candidate to face the con-man-in-chief in 2020. Story continues For Sanders, choosing the latter means defying the odds once again. Despite what the "experts" and pundits sayyou know, all the people that were dead wrong about every aspect of the 2016 electionSanders will not be too old to run or win in 2020. Sanders would be 79 on Election Day while Trump would be 74. Barring any unforeseen health issues, and considering how active Sanders will remain at rallies and events across the country over the next few years, most Americans won't view the five year difference between two elderly candidates as a deal breaker. But more important than age, Sanders must realize something he chose to rise above during the Democratic Primary: you can't go to a knife fight holding a spoon. Sanders cannotand will notchange the fact that Chuck Schumer is a bought-off, faux liberal; or that Nancy Pelosi is far detached from what working people are dealing with; or that the Democratic Party, as a whole, is catering to special interests too entrenched in their DNA to actually change. If he wants to build on the momentum, and movement, he created in 2016, he needs to publicly come out against faux progressives. Instead of standing with the likes of Schumer against Trump, he must publicly fight against these folkswho will still be holding fundraisers with Wall Street and pushing "bipartisan compromises" with Republicans that sell out working peoplein the same breath that he fights Trump and extremist Republicans trying to reincarnate Ayn Rand in the halls of Congress. Doing this will unite his 13+ million voters while creating millions more. It'll also cross over a large swath of soon-to-be disillusioned Trump supporters who realize Trump only pretended to care about their struggles. But Sanders must choose one road and start driving now; after all, you can't overthrow the corporate establishment on either side of the aisle while simultaneously playing nice with them. To be clear: life, and politics, isn't black and white. Sanders will have to compromise and make political calculations to some degree. But there's compromising and calculating around the edges to help foster real change for working peopleand then there's just working within a corrupt system and accepting small victories. Ask Hillary Clinton how that worked out. The future of the Democratic Party will be carved in progressive stone because millennials and emboldened working class people who've been trampled on for 30 yearswon't have it any other way. So, for Sanders, the choice is simple. Fight, clearly, against the corporate, establishment status quo on both sides and create strong odds of becoming the next president of the United States. Or, fool yourself into thinking you must work within the system to seriously change it. It's a no-brainer. Commentary by Jordan Chariton, a political reporter for The Young Turks, reporting on the presidential campaign trail. He can be seen on TYT Politics. Before TYT, Jordan was a reporter for TheWrap and TVNewser. Follow him on Twitter @JordanChariton. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. More From CNBC The Pennsylvania woman who has been charged with her boyfriend in the death and dismemberment of her 14-year-old adoptive daughter spent seven years working for a childrens welfare agency overseeing adoptions, PEOPLE confirms. A statement obtained by PEOPLE from Catherine Allen, the director of administration for Pennsylvanias Northampton County, confirms Sara Packer, 41, was an employee of Northampton County from 2003 through 2010, working as a supervisor for the countys Children, Youth and Families Division. Allens statement does not address the criminal allegations against Packer, which according to prosecutors stem from an alleged rape-murder fantasy she allegedly acted out with her boyfriend, Jacob Sullivan, 44. The county cannot comment regarding ongoing law enforcement investigations, reads the statement. Packer was suspended from her position in 2010 following allegations of misconduct, according to personnel records obtained by PEOPLE. Those records do not detail the specific allegations against Packer. Allegations Against Mother, Boyfriend Packer and her 44-year-old boyfriend, Jacob Sullivan, face multiple charges connected to the death of Grace Packer, who Packer took in as a foster child at the age of 3 and later adopted. 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 allege that Packer and Sullivan preserved Graces remains in cat litter for three months before chopping up her body and dumping it in a remote area of Pennsylvania. Grace was reported missing by her mother in July. Hunters found her corpse on Halloween in a mountainous region of the state, just south of Scranton. Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that Sullivan and Packer began plotting the teens murder in late 2015, soon after Grace returned from a stay with extended family members in North Carolina. Story continues Unfortunately, Grace Packer was a disposable child to these people, reads Weintraubs statement. Who will now speak for Grace Packer? We will. Weintraub said he may seek the death penalty against Sullivan and Packer. Weintraub alleges that Sullivan and Packer forged a suicide pact and, on Dec. 30, unsuccessfully attempted suicide by prescription pills. Sullivan has been in the hospital ever since. Sullivan was arrested on Saturday after allegedly telling several staffers at Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health in Abington that he was responsible for the teens strangulation murder. Under subsequent questioning by Bucks County detectives, he revealed in detail how the girl was assaulted and killed over the course of about 18 hours, Weintraubs statement reads. Weintraub says the alleged attack on Grace began on July 8, 2016. Sullivan allegedly told investigators he and Packer drove the girl to a new home in Richland Township, where he allegedly punched her several times in the face, splitting her lip open. The two adults then took the teen to the third floor of the residence, where Sara Packer watched as Sullivan raped her daughter, Weintraubs statement alleges. Sara Packer then left to buy Tylenol PM and other drugs for sedating Grace. Telling her the drugs would help minimize her pain from the assaults, the adults gave her an overdose of pills, then bound and gagged her and left her to die in the hot attic. Weintraub alleges that Packer and Sullivan said they left the house for the rest of the day, returning the next morning. Much to their shock, Grace was still alive, Sullivan allegedly told investigators. He strangled and suffocated her until she died, claims Weintraubs statement. Packer and Sullivan then packed Graces body in cat litter to mask the odor and left it in the attic for three months. 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. Weintraub called the crime a rape-murder fantasy that was shared by Jacob Sullivan and Sara Packer, and they acted it out. Sullivan has been charged with homicide, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful restraint, kidnapping, possessing instruments of crime, endangering the welfare of a child, abuse of corpse, simple assault, tampering with physical evidence, and corresponding conspiracy charges. Packer was arrested on homicide, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, possessing instruments of crime, endangering the welfare of a child, abuse of corpse, simple assault, tampering with physical evidence, and conspiracy to commit rape charges. Both Sullivan and Packer are being held without bail and have yet to enter pleas to the charges against them. Neither has retained legal counsel. Weintraubs statement alleges Sullivan shouted Im sorry for what I did to reporters as he was being led into a courthouse Saturday for his arraignment. Winter Haven police arrested a man Tuesday and said he attacked his employers with a meat cleaver. Winter Haven restaurant owners attacked by employee with meat cleaver Employee upset over being asked for identification to complete paperwork Zhong Huang arrested and charged with attempted murder Police said the owners of China Park, Zheng Shan and Jia Dong, were in the kitchen of the restaurant with a temporary employee, Zhong Huang. The owners were attempting to offer Huang a permanent position after two days on the job, but needed his identification so they could complete the paperwork. Huang was hired as a temporary employee through an agency out of New York. The owners said Huang got angry, began yelling, and refused to give them his identification. Dong then stepped in and told Huang to leave the restaurant. According to the report, Huang got even more outraged after being told to leave. Dong also said they would call the police if he didn't leave. When Dong turned to walk to the front of the restaurant, officials said Huang picked up a meat cleaver and began to swing at Dong, striking him in the neck. Huang also yelled that he was going to kill Dong and Shan, according to the report. Shan attempted to step in and Huang struck her in the hand with the meat cleaver, police said. Shan continued to reach for the cleaver, but Huang pinned her head to a counter, the report said. Huang eventually let go of the cleaver and told the couple that if they called police, he would come back and kill them when he got out of jail. He then left the restaurant. Dong and Shan only received minor injuries. When police arrived, Huang was located at the back door of the restaurant. He is charged with attempted second-degree murder and tampering in felony second-degree proceeding. This story was last posted: 6:10 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 The man suspected of killing Orlando Police Department Officer Debra Clayton was active on Facebook, posting about his pregnant ex-girlfriend just days before police say he killed her in December. Markeith Loyd had a very active presence on social media, with frequent updates of his everyday life, allowing others to have a glimpse of what he was up to. His Facebook page is currently flooded with posts ranging from people asking to turn himself to others sharing words of compassion. He posted a Facebook Live video in November with Sade Dixon, his girlfriend at the time, who law enforcement officers say Loyd shot and killed in December. The video shows the couple rubbing Dixon's pregnant belly and talking about the baby kicking. The couple posted numerous videos, sharing their lives online during outings to the mall or OB-GYN or just at home cooking. Loyd posted a status two weeks before Dixon's death in December that reads: "Goals! To be on Americas most wanted." Another status posted a couple of days before Dixon was killed says: Orlando Fla, when you talk about street legends mention ME!!! Theres also a Facebook Live video that shows Dixon recording as the two were pulled over in traffic by an officer. He was apparently let go with a warning, but the couple can later be heard making jokes about killing the officer. This story was last posted at: 10:21 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 A niece, an ex-girlfriend and a former manager of Markeith Loyd have been arrested and charged with helping the man who has prompted a massive law enforcement manhunt after the slaying of an Orlando Police officer. Lakensha Smith-Loyd, 27, Markeith Loyd's niece, was arrested Wednesday on charges she helped the accused cop killer by picking up money for him Saturday, Jan. 7, at the restaurant at which he worked, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. Zarghee Mayan, 33, meanwhile, is accused of giving "inconsistent statements" to authorities about the 41-year-old Loyd, according to his Orange County arrest affidavit released Wednesday. Markeith Loyd is accused in the slaying of Clayton, who was shot at an Orlando Wal-Mart as she confronted him about the Dec. 13, 2016 shooting death of Loyd's pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon. In an arrest affidavit, deputies said that between the time Dixon was killed and Wednesday, Smith-Loyd had reached out to them to say she knew where her uncle was. Several attempts were made to talk to her, deputies said, but ultimately she became uncooperative. Detectives said Mayan told them in an interview that Smith-Loyd came to Texas Fried Chicken at 400 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, where Mayan and Loyd worked, to pick up money for Loyd. According to Mayan's arrest affidavit, deputies reached out to him Dec. 14, less than a day after 24-year-old Dixon was shot to death at her Orlando home. Her brother, Ronald Allen Stewart, was also shot and critically hurt. Dixon was Loyd's ex-girlfriend, with whom he had previously lived. Mayan at first denied having contact with Loyd. Later, he told deputies that Loyd went to Texas Fried Chicken, threatened him with a gun and told him to drive to various locations. While Mayan drove Loyd around, Loyd said he shot his girlfriend "and he would (shoot) any cops if they tried to stop him," the affidavit said. However, when authorities reached out to Mayan on Monday, he told them a different story. This time, Mayan said Loyd climbed into his vehicle and asked Mayan to drive him to a location. Mayan told authorities that Loyd did not threaten him but that he took him to the place. The affidavit said Mayan gave $200 to a Loyd family member, who was supposed to give the money to Loyd later. It also said Mayan gave Loyd food at his workplace and noticed that Loyd was wearing a bulletproof vest. On Dec. 17, Orange County deputies responded to Loyd's home on 18th Street in Orlando in reference to a verbal altercation, a charging affidavit states. The complainant reported that "Tiny" identified as Slaughter came to the home to collect rent money from her because Loyd was currently wanted. An arrest affidavit states Slaughter's vehicle was spotted at the Wal-Mart where Clayton was gunned down about 1.5 hours after the shooting and circled the area where Loyd escaped. Mayan was charged Tuesday night with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact. Smith-Loyd was charged with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact. Slaughter is charged with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact and giving a false name adversely affecting another. Currently, the reward for information leading to the capture of Markeith Loyd has been raised to $100,000, authorities announced Tuesday more than 24 hours after an Orlando Police officer was shot and killed outside of a Wal-Mart. Anyone with information on Loyd's location is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). The reward for information is $100,000, the largest reward ever offered by Crimeline. Markeith Loyd is the suspect in the murder of Orlando, Florida Police M. SGT. Debra Clayton. Anyone w/info please call 1-800-423-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/PINV0Mgjqt FBI Most Wanted (@FBIMostWanted) January 10, 2017 Deaths recall past pain Steve Pill has been following the developments in the Orlando Police officer shooting. Five years ago this March, his wife, Brevard Deputy Barbara Pill, was gunned down during a traffic stop following a police chase in 2012. He said Wednesday that he understands exactly what the family of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton is going through, and there is so much support out there. "I just want them to know that their family member is a hero. They will never be forgotten," Pill said. "I will never forget my wife. I will never forget any of them who lost their lives in the performance of their duties." Steve Pill continues to tour the state speaking to law enforcement officers. The suspects in the deputy shooting had their day in court back in 2014. Brandon Bradley was sentenced to death for shooting Pill. His girlfriend, Andria Kerchner, took a plea deal and was sentenced to a dozen years in prison for testifying against him. Greg Pallone, staff Funeral information The funeral for Orange County Sheriff's Office Deputy First Class Norman Lewis will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Parkway. There will also be a funeral service in Port Charlotte, which is Lewis' hometown. A day later, the funeral for Orlando Police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton will be 2 p.m. Saturday, also at First Baptist Church of Orlando. Donation websites: (This Gofundme.com site is not managed by News 13/Bay News 9. For more information on how the site works and the rules visit http://www.gofundme.com/safety) A police chase that started out in Osceola County and ended Orange County on Wednesday was not related to the manhunt for accused shooter Markeith Loyd, according to deputies. Jeffrey McCoy, 42, was wanted for felony property crimes in Osceola County, deputies said. He was found in Orange County near Land Street and Orange Blossom Trail. The chase ended near State Road 408 and John Young Parkway on Wednesday afternoon, after McCoy crashed his vehicle into a truck and a fence, an Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy said. McCoy is facing charges or attempted murder of an Osceola County deputy, aggravated assault on three deputies and charges for fleeing and eluding Orange County deputies. McCoy was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Nobody in the truck that McCoy crashed into was hurt. The Plainview Local Stock Show, which serves as a tune-up for the 82nd Annual Hale County Stock Show, is set for Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 11-12, at the Ollie Liner Center. The community show is for 4-H and FFA exhibitors attending school in Plainview. Similar shows are planned in Abernathy, Cotton Center, Hale Center and Petersburg. All lead up to the county show which runs Jan. 12-16. According to community show officials, entry and weight cards are due 5-8 p.m. Wednesday. Judging begins at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, with two rings operating simultaneous. Hogs will compete in Ring 1, while show order in Ring 2 begins with heifers followed by steers, lambs and finally goats. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion belt buckles will be awarded to exhibitors of the champion goats, lambs, hogs, steers and heifers. Senior Showmanship Buckles will go to the showmanship winners in the goats, lambs, cattle (steers and heifers) divisions as well has Swine Junior and Senior Divisions. Junior Division is for sixth graders and below while Senior Division is for seventh graders and above. Pee Wee Showmanship is limited to those in third grade and younger, and they receive awards. The local show is under the oversight of the Plainview High School Vocational Agriculture teachers. The 82nd Annual Hale County Stock Show, featuring meat-type cattle, swine, sheep and goats, runs Jan. 12-16 in the Ollie Liner Center. It is open to 4-H Club boys and girls and FFA members under the supervision of county AgriLife Extension agents and agricultural science teachers in Hale County. Exhibitors must be at least 9 years old or 8 and in the third grade. This years show is dedicated to Thomas Pettit. This years county show has 409 animal entries 56 steers, 15 heifers, 220 swine, 75 lambs and 43 goats. Animal check-in is Friday. All lambs and goats must be in the barn by 10 a.m. and weighed by noon. All swine must be in the barn by noon with weigh-in starting at 1 p.m. All steers must be in the barn by 4 p.m., when weigh-in begins. On Saturday, the heifer show begins at 8:30 a.m., followed immediately by the steer judging. An hour after the steer show ends, sheep judging begins. It will be followed immediately by the goat show. Activities Sunday begin with a church service at 9 a.m. Swine judging begins at noon. On Monday, a meal will be provided at 5 p.m. for prospective buyers, courtesy Fred Garrison Oil Co., Southwestern Cotton, Inc., and Happy State Bank. The premium auction begins at 6 p.m. Kyle Schwedtfeger of Stratford, Oklahoma, is swine judge. Hes account manager for Sunglo Feeds and operates a 20-sow show pig operation. Swine superintendent is Tommy Louthan. Assistants are Barbara Huffhines, Cliff Daniels, Greg Cronholm, Danny Willis, Shane Berry, Andy Hart, Mark Mahagan, Chad Byrd and Gary Younger. There are seven swine classes: Durocs, Hampshires, Yorkshires, Berkshire, Black Other Purebred Breeds, White Other Purebred Breeds and Crosses. Dr. Steve Kennedy of Muleshoe, veterinarian and club calf producer, will judge steers and heifers. Pat Shepard is steer superintendent. Assistants are Jay Ray Sageser, Richard Howard, David Roberts, Dr. Larry Karrh, Richard Kimbrough and Lynn Barton. Classes include American, English and Exotic breeds. In the heifer show, Kevin Igo is superintendent, assisted by Troy Burnett. Barrett Carlisle of Leavenworth, Kansas, will judge swine and goats. Now commercial marketing specialist with the Red Angus Association of America, he was associated with Hutchinson Community College and the Kansas State Sheep and Goat Unit. He owns Diamond C Club Lambs. Chris Cummings is lamb superintendent. Assistants are Ronald Groves, Mark True, Michelle Post, Joe David Stokes, Brad Cummings and Mike Williams. Classes include Southdown, Fine Wool, Fine Wool Crosses, Medium Wool and Medium Wool Crosses. Jackie Seago is goat superintendent. Stock show officials include Andy Hart, president; Logan Pritchett, vice president; Kenneth Hooper, secretary/treasurer; and Jason Miller, general superintendent. Plainview City Council members on Tuesday took the first step in updating the citys building codes by unanimously approving, on first reading, the adoption of the 2015 International Building Code and related 2015 International Residential Code. (District 7 Councilmember Oliver Aldope had a job-related absence.) The updated codes, once approved on second reading, will replace the current city building codes based on the 2009 edition of international codes. Before the council voted to update the building codes, Community Development Manager Cris Valverde explained that the new codes with local amendments were presented to local tradesmen including building contractors, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and roofers, along with the Building Trades and Fire Code Board of Appeals and the general public in a series of 20 meetings. Eleven meetings were specifically with skilled tradesmen who could offer input and voice concerns. While the International Building Codes are revised on three-year cycles, Valverde said Plainview is two cycles behind since it didnt adopt the 2012 update and only now is considering the 2015 changes. Valverde touched on key local amendments to the 2015 edition along with changes from 2009 codes: --Building plans and related documents must be stamped by a state-licensed engineer or architect, except for simple projects such as small storage buildings. --One- and two-family dwellings are specifically exempt from requirements for fire suppression (sprinkler) systems. --Solid decking is required on roofs to protect against penetration from wind-driven moisture. --The use of untreated Grade 2 wooden shakes in roofing is not permitted. --Two or more layers of asphalt shingles not permitted so that decking and flashings can be inspecting before new roofing is installed. --Foundations for new buildings in flood hazard areas must be designed by a state-licensed engineer. --The minimum compaction of fill material for construction pads will increase from the current 90 percent to 95 percent. --For residential construction, carbon monoxide alarms or detectors are required following installation of roofing, work on gas lines and other mechanical activity. --Builders can reference the 2015 Panhandle Residential Foundation Manual for regional design standards. The publication was developed by the City of Amarillo and has been adopted by several communities, including Amarillo, Friona, Hereford and Tulia. --Prohibit the use of cellular core pipe in building sewer lines and vent pipes. --Adoption of Appendix J with eases some of code requirements as related to the rehabilitation of existing structures, while not minimizing life safety issues. --Require roofing constructors be registered, bonded and insured. --Require the inspection of vents and vent pipes following reroofing projects, furnace and water heater installations. In other action the council: --Approved on second and final reading the electric rate settlement between Xcel Energy and the Alliance of Xcel Municipalities. Xcel originally sought a 14.4 percent increase in its base rate, but the settlement sets that increase at about 7 percent overall. The actual increase for an average residential Xcel customer is about 4 percent. --Agreed to a request from the Plainview/Hale County Economic Development Corp. for $25,000 to extend the EDCs consulting contract with Gary Lawrence of Lubbock. Lawrence has been working with the EDC for the past 18 months under a series of six-month contracts. EDC President Danny Glenn explained that continuing its relationship with Lawrence for the next year critical in the planning, development and construction of the new Plainview Business Park. Lawrence told the council he will help the EDC development critical policies related to the business park and once it is completed pledged to help market it to industry site selectors, particularly those associated with the food processing industry. --Approved a new lease agreement with Albert and Anna Perez, doing business as Perez Properties, for the facilities occupied by the City-County Health Department. Perez Properties recently purchased the building from the estate of Jimmie Raymer. The one-year lease increases from $600 to $1,000 per month, with an option for an additional year. Costs will be split evenly between the city and Hale County. --Approved the purchase of a 7.897-acre tract near the intersection of I-27 and State Highway 194 for $27,640. The property is immediately south of the main 68-acre Plainview Business Park tract. The council took no action following an executive session to discuss pending or contemplated litigation or settlement related to a code enforcement issue. Super Hornet The Pentagon has drones. Lots of them. And as of Monday, hundreds of miniature versions of them can work together and attack an enemy like a swarm of killer bees. The DoD made the news public on Monday, though its Strategic Capabilities Office successfully demonstrated its micro-drone technology at China Lake, California back in October. During the test, three F/A-18 Super Hornets spit out more than 100 tiny Perdix drones, which then linked up with each other to collectively make decisions and fly in formation. Due to the complex nature of combat, Perdix are not pre-programmed synchronized individuals, they are a collective organism, sharing one distributed brain for decision-making and adapting to each other like swarms in nature, SCO Director William Roper said in a statement. Because every Perdix communicates and collaborates with every other Perdix, the swarm has no leader and can gracefully adapt to drones entering or exiting the team. The mini-drones are meant to be expendable flying low and offering surveillance capabilities beyond those offered by larger unmanned aircraft like the Predator or Global Hawk. They also can be used to overwhelm enemy defenses, since their numbers and speed make them much harder to track. "Saturating has an advantage over the thing it has to defend against. Its defender has to take more time and money to defend against it," Roper said in October. First developed at MIT in 2013, the drones have been continuously upgraded and tested by the Pentagon. Currently, the drones have about a one-foot wingspan and can fly for roughly 20 minutes at an air speed of 40 to 60 knots. The Pentagon is working on its next generation design with more advanced autonomy, according to its fact sheet. Check out the video of the test below: NOW WATCH: Animated map shows every nuclear-bomb explosion in history More From Business Insider For the first time since he was elected House speaker in 2009, Joe Straus walked into the lower chamber on Tuesday without a clear leadership challenger. And two years after facing a rare contested vote for speaker, Straus was re-elected unanimously by House members on the opening day of the 85th Legislature for a record-tying fifth term. He joins former House Speakers Pete Laney and Gib Lewis for the longest tenures presiding over the House. Following the 150-0 vote, Straus took the oath of office and made clear in a speech to a packed House chamber what his legislative philosophy would be for the upcoming session. Compromise has become a dirty word in politics, Straus said. Its a good word in this House. Straus has long been criticized by some in his party as being too moderate, drawing primary challenges from Tea Party candidates. But hes easily held onto his San Antonio-based seat. Straus easy re-election as House speaker Tuesday was a departure from 2015 when he faced a Republican challenger from Frisco Republican Scott Turner who forced the first contested vote for speaker since 1975. All but 19 House members voted for Straus that year. Among those members who backed Turner two years ago was Republican state Rep. Mark Keough of The Woodlands who this year reversed course and seconded Straus nomination as speaker. In his speech to the chamber, Keough recalled that earlier fight in lending his support to Straus. I watched as he was aggressively argued against by, in many cases, great men much younger than him and his age, and the scriptures rang out to me again Do not rebuke an older man, Keough told the chamber. Speaker Straus stood there and he took it and he acted with a statesmanship and a concern for the whole House that I was blown away. Along with Keough, Democratic state Rep. Poncho Nevarez of Eagle Pass was among those who seconded Straus' nomination Tuesday. In his address to the House, Straus laid out his legislative priorities, including investing in the states mental health system, fixing the states broken school finance system and reforming the states embattled child welfare system. In the months ahead, we will come to this chamber to deliberate thousands of your ideas, Straus said after taking the oath of office. We will have moments of levity and tension and unity. We will disagree on some legislation and agree on much more. And in what could have been veiled jab at a so-called bathroom bill proposed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Republicans, Straus encouraged the House to consider policies that invite economic activity to the state and not turn it away. Senate Bill 6, one of Patricks legislative priorities for this legislation session, would prevent transgender Texans from using bathrooms that match their biological sex in some buildings. Business groups and LGBT advocates have warned that anti-LGBT legislation, including Senate Bill 6, could lead to a costly economic fallout in Texas. Patrick, for his part, issued a statement noting he has already laid out 25 priorities for the session. "In all our deliberations, maintaining our conservative principles and protecting Texas values will be our top priority," Patrick said. The upper chamber, which also gaveled in on Tuesday, elected state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, to serve as president pro tem, a ceremonial position that makes him third in line for the governorship. State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, nominated Seliger for the post, and the nomination was seconded by four other senators: Kirk Watson, D-Austin; Charles Perry, R-Lubbock; Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls; and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. In similar, brief remarks to both chambers, Gov. Greg Abbott said he was looking forward to another "historic session" in which lawmakers tackle the state's big issues. Hell lay out his own legislative priorities in the coming weeks in a State of the State speech to a joint session of both chambers. Environmentalists are mobilizing against President-elect Donald Trumps nomination for secretary of state, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, in the hours leading up to his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday. A collection of green and liberal organizations including Greenpeace USA and Oil Change International projected Reject Rex and similar messages on the side of the Harry S. Truman Building, the headquarters of the State Department, in Washington, D.C., on Monday night. Naomi Ages, the climate liability campaigner for Greenpeace USA, said its ridiculous that the chief executive of an oil company would be selected to succeed John Kerry as secretary of state, the chief diplomat representing the interests of the American people around the world. He has no diplomatic experience. He has no government experience. Hes only ever worked for ExxonMobil for 41 years. So his loyalty is to ExxonMobil and his experience is extracting oil for profit and for burning carbon. Neither of those things qualify you to be the secretary of state, Ages said in an interview with Yahoo News. Kerry has been a climate champion and led the United States during the Paris climate negotiations in late 2015. But Tillerson ran a business that opposed the kinds of restrictions on emissions or fossil fossils that scientists say are necessary to fulfill the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). On Monday, pro-environment demonstrators gathered in all 50 states for The Day Against Denial. They called upon their U.S. senators reject Trumps most dangerous cabinet picks: Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for EPA administrator, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry for secretary of energy, Rep. Ryan Zinke for the Department of Interior, and Tillerson. Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson arrives for a meeting with Senate Committee on Foreign Relations member Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., and the committee that will conduct Tillersons confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 4, 2017. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP) According to Ages, the fossil fuel industry already has too much influence over government. She said ExxonMobil is already among the biggest donors to Republicans in Congress. Organizations like the American Petroleum Institute and the American Legislative Exchange Council, she continued, are already funding and buying up politicians to advance the oil industrys agenda and spread misinformation about climate science. Story continues If Rex Tillerson is secretary of state, its going to be that but worse because youll have the policies of the oil and gas industry be the actual foreign policies of the United States, and it will be what we call a marriage of oil and state, which we absolutely should resist. A quick glance at the states comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries such as Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar shows what oil interests tied to the government looks like. For Ages, this is not a viable model for the United States future. When your desire for oil and to burn oil directs your foreign policy, it causes problems across the board, not just in those areas, she said. I think youd see that immediately in the U.S. Tillerson, 64, has worked for ExxonMobil his entire career and became its chairman and chief executive in 2006. He established a close relationship with the Kremlin, and Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded him the Order of Friendship, one of the highest Russian honors given to foreign citizens, in 2013. Tillerson opposed economic sanctions against Russia after the annexation of Crimea in March 2014. If the U.S. lifted those sanctions, ExxonMobil could proceed with a series of deals potentially worth billions that had been put on hold including drilling in the Arctic, a red flag to environmentalists. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, and Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobils chief executive, smile during a signing ceremony in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Aug. 30, 2011. (Photo: Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti via AP) Many critics, including Ages, are concerned that Tillersons life as an oil tycoon currying favor with Putin would be in conflict with his anticipated role as the top U.S. diplomat. The fact that lifting Russian sanctions would directly benefit Exxon at the expense of the United States is another reason why its impossible that Rex Tillerson should be secretary of state, Ages continued. Having him confirmed would benefit Russia, Putin, Rosneft [a Russian government-owned oil company] and Exxon, but it would not benefit the American people or really the world, because of the warming consequences. Shortly after Trump announced Tillerson as his pick in December, Natural Resources Defense Council President Rhea Suh criticized the choice as an epic mistake. This industry has been near the center of more conflict than any other in modern time; tapping its chief oilman as the nations top diplomat sends the wrong message at home and abroad, Suh said in a statement. First occupied by Thomas Jefferson, this office must stand for our highest ideals, democratic aspirations and universal values and rights. Cutting oil deals with Vladimir Putin is a far cry from that, and Rex Tillerson should not be Secretary of State. Suh argues that advancing U.S. interests aboard means working to leave the next generation with a livable world not basing foreign policy on a business model that imperils our future. Michael Brune, the executive director of Sierra Club, released a similar statement lambasting Trumps growing cabinet as a whos who of climate-deniers and fossil fuel hacks. He said his environmental organization is shocked but not surprised that Trump would tap the leader of one of the worlds most environmentally disastrous oil companies to represent his administration to the world. As the Senate prepares for confirmation hearings for Rex Tillerson as Donald Trumps Secretary of State, a collection of organizations projected Reject Rex messages on the side of the State Department Building in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Tim Aubry/Greenpeace) Tillersons nomination cements the fact that clean air, clean water, and our climate are public enemy number one in Trumps America, Brune said. ExxonMobil not only deliberately concealed its knowledge of climate change for decades but is responsible for one of the costliest environmental disasters in history. The Sierra Club called upon U.S. senators, in their duty to represent the American people, to oppose his nomination. At a time when the climate crisis is deepening, both the United States and the world deserve much better than having one of the planets top fossil fuel tycoons run U.S. foreign policy, Brune said. But its not just liberals and environmentalists who are troubled by his ties to Moscow. U.S. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have all said this relationship is cause for concern. Last week, when asked if he could support Tillerson, McCain, a fierce critic of Russia, replied, Sure. Theres also a realistic scenario that pigs fly, the Houston Chronicle reported. Being a "friend of Vladimir" is not an attribute I am hoping for from a #SecretaryOfState MR Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 11, 2016 Youre going to see resistance at the state level. Youre going to see resistance at the business level, Ages said. Youre going to see people, state leaders, and local leaders doing everything they can to resist these policies and to resist the rolling back of these environmental protections that we enjoy. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, which holds the confirmation hearings, recently told reporters at an event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor that he will be overwhelmingly supported. According to The Hill, Corker said, I predict that people are going to see what a distinguished this person is. I think theyre going to see how substantial this person is. Read more from Yahoo News: The Russian River surged Wednesday afternoon to its highest level in a decade, forcing hundreds of people in and around the Sonoma County town of Guerneville to flee to higher ground, often by boat. But in the wake of several days of rain, there was not only sorrow over the extensive damage but some relief that the river wasnt quite as swollen as originally expected. Scores of homes and businesses in the small communities of Guerneville and Monte Rio, west of Santa Rosa, have been taking in water since the weekend storms, and the toll was expected to grow to roughly 650 houses. The California Nevada River Forecast Center projected that the waterway would crest at nearly 38 feet, a level not seen since New Years Day floods battered the area in 2006. Many of those living and working along the river, well accustomed to flooding, were going through the ritual early Wednesday of moving furniture and other valuables to higher parts of their property or second floors. Sheriffs deputies and local firefighters were making the rounds to make sure everyone was safe, reporting no major injuries. Mostly, residents said, it was just an all-too familiar inconvenience. Our whole lower level is flooded, said Lorin Doeleman, whose mother lives in the family house on River Road just east of downtown Guerneville. All the carpet and drywall and everything is toast. RUSSIAN RIVER: Flood forecast at Guerneville gauge The image below is a real-time updated chart using automated forecast data. This image reflects the best information available at the time this article was loaded in your browser. FLOOD IMPACTS: Complete NOAA River Conditions and flood impacts Doeleman, who lives in Sacramento, as well as other family members from Monte Rio, on Monday began moving furniture in the riverfront room of the Guerneville home to the higher street side of the house. On Wednesday, though, they realized that wouldnt be enough and started carrying things upstairs. A small boat came in handy for moving some items from the flooded back rooms to the stairwell. I kayaked into my kitchen and got my brandy, Doeleman said. Im just trying to have some fun with it. After four days holed up in their Guerneville home because of floodwaters, Lane Friedman and her husband Matthew Lonardo decided Wednesday it was time to venture out. They loaded their two children, ages 2 and 3, into their kayak, life jackets secured, and paddled down Mill Street in an area of town sometimes called Submarine Flats. Its often the first to take on water when it storms in town. We needed to get out of the house, Friedman said, for lunch and groceries. The familys garage was under several feet of water, and a second-story storage area was threatened, but their home on the third floor was OK. Neighbor Anita Hernandez wasnt as lucky. Before she left her apartment Sunday night, water was pouring into her living room. She managed to get her belongings out but doesnt expect her place to be livable for weeks or longer. I have a friend who lives above me and he is giving me reports, she said. I anticipate that theres a couple feet of water in my house. Hernandez was one of many gathering on downtown street corners, in coffee shops and restaurants and in the homes of friends and relatives, trying to make the best of a bad but familiar situation. At the r3 Hotel, a resort a block off the main strip, the bar was packed midday with displaced neighbors charging their mobile phones, grabbing a drink and figuring out their next move. General manager Jeff Bridges said the place was the go-to spot during inclement weather. We stay fully functional, rain or shine, he said. Neighbor Larry Boegen, also known as Too Tall because he stands at 7 feet, was like many stopping by the bar: rather unconcerned about the rising river. Weve seen this before, he said. This is not that bad. Recalling the towns historic flood in 1986, Boegen said everything had been underwater right up to the Cocktails sign he pointed to above the hotel entrance. This time, he packed a rented trailer with his belongings in case the river continued to rise, but by Wednesday afternoon the sandbags he packed around his first-story apartment had held off the floods. The rains, which have let up since Tuesday, have left hillsides water-logged and authorities warning of slides. Seven Guerneville homes were evacuated at the junction of Old Monte Rio Road and Santa Rosa Avenue because of a mudslide. A respite in the weather will allow river levels to begin falling, dropping below flood stage Thursday evening, according to the River Forecast Center. Next week we could be looking at more rain, said Alan Haynes, acting hydrologist in charge at the center. If we start to see more storms, there could be more flooding. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Despite strong lobbying by San Francisco, billionaire filmmaker George Lucas has decided to build a museum to house his huge art collection in Los Angeles. The board of directors of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art on Tuesday afternoon announced it chose a site in Los Angeles Exposition Park, where it is to join several other cultural facilities and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The San Francisco proposal was for a site on Treasure Island facing the citys waterfront. The museum is conceived as a celebration of storytelling, with examples ranging from vintage works by Norman Rockwell to film props and sketches from such movies as Raiders of the Lost Ark. Museum officials estimate the price tag at $1.1 billion, including a $400 million endowment all of which would be paid by Lucas. I am disappointed, of course, but must respect the decision by Lucas and his museums board of directors, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. I am pleased that the museum will be built in California for our states residents to some day enjoy. Lucas first sought to build his personal museum at Crissy Field, but was rebuffed by the Presidio Trust in 2014. He then was courted by Chicago, but abandoned that quest in June 2016 because of legal challenges. Since then, Lee and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti have cultivated Lucas at meetings and via the press each saying his city was the ideal spot for a museum that could start construction quickly and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. Choosing Los Angles over San Francisco was an extremely difficult decision precisely because of the desirability of both sites and cities, the museum board of directors said in its statement. But putting down roots in South Los Angeles near the University of Southern California, it said, best positions the museum to have the greatest impact on the broader community. Garcetti responded to the news with a jubilant tweet: Welcome to LA, @lucasmuseum! Were thrilled to have this amazing museum The board also praised Mayor Ed Lee and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for their tremendous efforts and engagement, saying, We have been humbled by the overwhelmingly positive support we received from both San Francisco and Los Angeles during our selection process. Indeed, there was no sign of opposition to the idea that Lucas might build a futuristic metal structure near the entrance to Treasure Island across from the Ferry Building. Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Jane Kim, often foes of Lee, were high-profile supporters. The islands developers, who hope to begin construction next year on what eventually could total 8,000 housing units, tweaked their plans to make room for the museum alongside a waterfront park. Lee alluded to the unified effort in his statement, emphasizing, I am proud that our city came together like never before to deliver a bold vision and thoroughly viable plan for the museum. San Franciscos courtship of Lucas included a 30-page brochure delivered last month to each member of the museum board. The city played the local card, telling Lucas, It all started here and it is only fitting that this is where your legacy lives on. A letter signed by six Bay Area mayors stressed the audience would extend beyond tourists and Star Wars geeks. The Museum will be particularly transformative for our young people, especially those who have never experienced or had access to a museum but would be drawn by the collection and its connection to their lives, it stated. Instead, Lucas selected the location in Southern California a region where he went to college at USC but pointedly chose not to pursue his filmmaking career. In its statement, the museum board emphasized the positive. The Exposition Park location best positions the museum to have the greatest impact on the broader community, fulfilling our goal of inspiring, engaging and educating a broad and diverse visitorship, the statement said. We look forward to becoming part of a dynamic museum community, surrounded by more than 100 elementary and high schools ... A similar tone was struck by Don Bacigalupi, the museums president. Over the past several months, Ive enjoyed so many lively and collegial conversations with cultural leaders in each city, Bacigalupi told The Chronicle. This bodes well for the opportunities we will have as a new museum to collaborate and partner with institutions throughout the state and beyond. One ripple effect of the Lucas boards decision: Direct ferry service to Treasure Island from the Ferry Building might begin later than hoped. The idea was to build a terminal in tandem with the museum. Now, though water transportation remains integral to Treasure Islands future, the ferry can only come at a point in time where it makes economic sense, said Kofi Bonner, the Northern California president for FivePoint, part of a development team that includes Lennar, Stockbridge and Wilson Meany. Still, Bonner said the competition had been a plus. Weve gone from having a good working relationship with the city to having an excellent one, Bonner said. This allowed us to take another look at the plan and think through some infrastructure issues to make the redeveloped areas of the island as enticing as possible when construction begins. The goal of Lucas and his board is to open the museum by 2021. Chronicle Art Critic Charles Desmarais contributed to this report. John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate San Francisco Police Commission President Suzy Loftus resigned Tuesday, leaving the oversight board without a powerful voice amid a sustained push for reforms in the police force. Loftus is joining the San Francisco Sheriffs Department as assistant chief legal counsel for the law and policy team, and Sheriff Vicki Hennessy determined the role could create conflicts of interest with the duties of a police commissioner. Wednesday will be Loftus final meeting after almost five years on the seven-member commission, which sets police policy and oversees the discipline of officers. The mayor nominates four members and the Board of Supervisors Rules Committee nominates three, with all of the picks subject to board confirmation. Loftus leaves as the Police Department is under pressure to enact a slate of changes recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice, and shortly before former Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief William Scott takes over as San Francisco chief. In the past year, the commission helped lead the charge for reform, reopening the departments use-of-force policy following the December 2015 shooting of Mario Woods, rolling out body cameras to officers, and helping to select Scott after the May 19 shooting of an unarmed black woman prompted the resignation of Greg Suhr. I think through the last two years of an incredibly divisive national conversation, we in San Francisco have leaned into the difficult conversations and made decisions to bring us closer together, Loftus said. I feel like Im leaving the commission in a great position to continue the progress we made. Appointed by Mayor Ed Lee in 2012, Loftus was formerly a city prosecutor who went on to work for Sen. Kamala Harris in the state attorney generals office. As president of the commission since 2014, she earned a reputation for hard work and a belief in collaboration. In drafting policies for the body cameras and the department general order on use of force, she formed task forces of stakeholders that included the police union, officer interest groups, the public defenders office, the American Civil Liberties Union and community advocates. Its to her credit, to her leadership, that she has been able to corral all of these diverse voices, said Julie Traun, an attorney with the San Francisco Bar Association who helped develop the use-of-force policy. She has an ability to read people and see where everyone is coming from. She knows the path the city needs to be on, and we really got a better policy as a result of sitting at the table. Lee released a statement thanking Loftus for her dedication and leadership. Loftus frequently took heat from all sides, with law enforcement watchdogs criticizing her ties to the establishment and officers seeing her push for reform as an attack on their safety. An activist speaking during public comment once told her he wanted to burn off her eyebrows, while the police union singled her out over her stance on the use-of-force policy. The policy passed in June with the union objecting to two points, a section prohibiting officers from firing at moving vehicles and another prohibiting the carotid restraint neck hold. After reaching an impasse in negotiations with the union, the commission unanimously passed a version of the policy in December that allowed for officer discretion in extraordinary circumstances. Before the vote, the union plastered a photo of Loftus face at the end of a video ad telling the public to call her about allowing officers to shoot at moving vehicles. After a city officer shot and wounded a man in the Ocean View neighborhood last week, the union said in a news release that Loftus must share responsibility for the shooting because police have been denied Taser stun guns. Loftus responded with a version of a quote from first lady Michelle Obama: When they go low, I go high. Union officials did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment. Contrary to what people may say or believe, she was not on any one side, said Sheryl Davis, executive director of the citys Human Rights Commission. A lot of people do a lot of talking, but she actually did the work. She was fair, and she was truly dedicated to doing what she felt was best and right for the community, and not just for a few. Loftus was skilled at building relationships, including with rank-and-file officers, said Tenderloin Station Capt. Teresa Ewins. I really appreciate anyone who comes to the stations and speak to the cops, Ewins said. They work really, really hard, and the fact that they can ask questions of someone on the commission was really big. Despite a landmark year of policy changes, Loftus said her proudest moment on the commission was when it passed a department general order in 2014 that sought to minimize the trauma inflicted on children whose parents are arrested. I remember looking over at Chief Suhr after it was done, she said. Afterwards, he said, This is why were here. Were using our time to make things better. She said San Francisco has an opportunity to really invest in the idea that this is about long-term relationships of trust between police and the community. I think San Francisco and the San Francisco Police Department is really poised to be the example across the country in investing in this approach in the long term, she said, so we can change the way this story goes. Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo bill oreilly donald trump A former Fox News host who accused Bill O'Reilly and a network executive of sexual harassment quietly received a six-figure settlement from the company after the ouster of former Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, according to The New York Times and Lawnewz.com. Juliet Huddy, who hosted "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet" before it was canceled in 2009, was a frequent guest on "The O'Reilly Factor." She described a pattern of harassment beginning in 2011 that ended in O'Reilly sabotaging her career after she rejected his advances, according to a letter written by her lawyers that was obtained by The Times and Lawnewz.com. This isn't the first time O'Reilly has been accused of sexual harassment. Andrea Mackris, who was a producer on his show, sued him in 2004, describing instances of harassment similar to those Huddy alleged. Both women said they received phone calls from O'Reilly that sounded like he was masturbating, according to The Times. Huddy also accused Jack Abernethy, who was recently appointed copresident of Fox News, of sexual harassment. Both Abernethy and O'Reilly strongly denied the allegations, according to the reports. According to the reports, the letter says O'Reilly took Huddy out to dinner and the theater, invited her to his house, tried to kiss her, and made inappropriate phone calls. He also invited her to his hotel room on one occasion, then appeared in his boxers when she went to return the room key he gave her after saying she wasn't interested in a sexual relationship with him, according to the reported letter. Last year, Huddy's lawyers sent the letter containing the allegations to Fox, which settled with Huddy in September before she could sue, according to the reports. The letter said that when Huddy visited O'Reilly's home he kissed her on the lips, according to the reports. "Ms. Huddy was so taken aback and repulsed that she instinctively recoiled and actually fell to the ground," the letter said, according to The Times. "Mr. O'Reilly, looking amused, did not even help Ms. Huddy up." Story continues She went to dinner and the theater with O'Reilly the next week, which is when the alleged incident at the hotel happened, according to the reported letter. Huddy said she "felt compelled to comply with Mr. O'Reilly's request, given that he had total control over her work assignment," the letter said, according to The Times. When Huddy made clear she did not want a sexual relationship with O'Reilly, he "began to retaliate against her both on and off air," according to the reported letter. The letter said O'Reilly "nitpicked her work," berated her for "minor mistakes," and stopped preparing her for segments on his show, according to The Times. Huddy told Fox News employees at the time that she didn't complain because she feared retaliation, according to The Times. Huddy moved from Fox News to a local New York affiliate, then left that job in September after she received the settlement, according to Lawnewz.com. A Fox News spokeswoman told Business Insider in a statement that "the letter contains substantial falsehoods, which both men have vehemently denied." A person briefed on the situation additionally said the company was aware of Huddys allegations when they signed Abernethy to a new multi-year deal in September 2016. NOW WATCH: This is what it's really like at Trump Tower which is disrupting life in New York More From Business Insider One of the companies of late trucking tycoon Bill Hall Jr. Trucking is trying to reinstate its bankruptcy after a federal judge dismissed it last week. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta dismissed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case filed by Bill Hall Jr. Trucking GP LLC last week after the companys lawyers missed a November deadline to file its reorganization plan and proof of property insurance. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Last year was a tough year for venture capital investment in San Antonio. Just six San Antonio companies received $29.4 million in funding last year. By comparison, 10 local companies received $71.3 million in funding in 2015 and 14 companies received $95.7 million in funding in 2014. The six local companies accounted for just 2.2 percent of the 1.3 billion in funding that Texas companies garnered last year, according to the PwC/CB Insights MoneyTree Report released this week. Click here on ExpressNews.com or turn to Fridays Business section to read more about the companies that received funding last year. pdanner@express-news.net Twitter: @AlamoPD This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Reports are flying that actress Kirsten Dunst is engaged to 'Fargo' co-star Jesse Plemons. The actress, 32, stepped out at the Palm Springs Film Festival on Jan. 2 with a new diamond ring on her left ring finger and gossip columns are in a craze to figure out if it's true or not. Guess a girl just can't buy her own independent self a diamond right, eh? ANYWAY, the glamorous actress and the Texas native have reportedly taken their love relationship from "Fargo" off-screen and into real life. CURRENT WORK: Dunst to star in dark comedy with George Clooney producing Page Six say that the pair "were seen kissing at an Emmys after-party for their FX show in September" and since then they've developed a close relationship. Prior to his role on "Fargo" Plemons, 28, was in "Breaking Bad" as Todd, who was notorious for his coldhearted protection for his drug-production business. In case you've forgotten who he was (like we did) here is a clip from one of his first "Breaking Bad" scenes: Heartless, right? Well, here's hoping that the pair's love isn't shot cold in the future. BYE BYE LOVER: January is the best month to break-up with someone, data shows Furthermore, neither of the star's reps have confirmed to whether the rumor is true or not, according to Page Six. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate San Antonios public TV station has hired an anchorwoman to replace Bruce Kates, who leaves behind more than 30 years in television for a new career opportunity. Kates, a six-year KLRN vet who has delivered the stations evening news updates since their debut in 2015 on top of his job as director of news and production, said hes leaving television for a marketing and public relations job. His new employer, a group of industrial companies, operate everything from energy to drone flights, he said. I am very excited about this new challenge. Succeeding him on Monday will be San Antonio native Shari St. Clair, a former radio disc jockey, anchor and talk show host who moved on to television in the roles of a news producer, writer, investigative producer and special projects manager. RELATED: 'Great Day' host Bridget Smith resigns after 20 years at KENS On air, shell be seen between 6 and 10 p.m., anchoring news breaks before and after KLRNs prime time programs. As KLRNs new director of news and production, St. Clair also will produce the daily updates as well as Texas Week with Rick Casey. With the move, Kates ends more than 30 years in television and news. Its been a great six years at KLRN and I will miss working each week with Rick Casey on Texas Week, he said. RELATED: Popular San Antonio TV host exits KSAT Previously, Kates on-air background was as a newscaster at KENS and WOAI (then KMOL) in the 1980s and 90s. He returned to do reporting for the NBC affiliate in 2003. St. Clair most recently worked at KSAT-TV as a special projects/investigative producer. In her early days, she worked as a disc jockey at several stations, including KISS-FM in San Antonio and KBCO in Boulder, Colo. KLRN has a solid legacy of community oriented, educational and relevant TV in San Antonio and South Texas, she said in a statement. Im looking forward to continuing and growing KLRNs commitment to local news as well as programs that go further in-depth with issues that are important to San Antonians. Its exciting to be part of a TV station that is growing as our city grows. As a native, this is such an honor. I watched KLRN as a kid, and now I can be part of a station that impacts a new generation. jjakle@express-news.net Report cards are in - and as many superintendents feared - most local districts aren't making the honor roll. The Texas Education Agency's controversial new accountability system issued preliminary A-F grades to school districts this week. The scores, which were released to the districts on Jan. 4 and the public on Jan. 6, offer the first glimpse of how districts will fare when the new system is fully implemented in August 2018. Districts were graded in four categories: student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness. The first three grades are determined by scores on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test. A fifth category, community and student engagement based on self-selected measures, will be included in the final ratings next year, when districts will receive an overall grade. Of the 128 grades handed out to Region 5's 32 public school districts, six were As. Half of the districts received at least one F, and two-thirds at least one D. Hardin County results Hardin-Jefferson ISD received all Bs for student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness. Hardin-Jefferson's was the best in Hardin County, and was the top grades in the new rating system for all of Southeast Texas. Lumberton ISD and West Hardin CISD each had an A and a B. Lumberton ISD received a B in student achievement and A in student growth. It received a C in postsecondary readiness and a D in closing performance gaps. West Hardin received an A in postsecondary readiness and a B in student growth. It received two Ds in student achievement and closing performance gaps Kountze ISD received a C in postsecondary readiness, two Ds in student achievement and student growth and an F in closing performance gaps Silsbee ISD received a B in closing performance gaps, a C in student achievement, a D in student growth and an F postsecondary readiness. Kirbyville ISD had three Bs and one C as the second best result in the region behind Hardin-Jefferson. No other school had more than two As, and only Sabine Pass had two As and one B. Among the regions charter schools the Ehrhart charter school had an A and a B while Teko Academy and Bob Hope each had two Bs. Beaumont ISD, the region's largest district, received a C for student growth and Ds in all other categories. Fourteen of BISD's schools received at least one F, while Curtis and Fletcher elementary schools were the only two campuses to get As in any category, both in student growth. "It's important that people understand these are preliminary grades, these don't count for anything, and the rules are not set yet," said Danny Lovett, Executive Director of the Region 5 Education Service Center. "I will be surprised if the rules do not change between now and next year." Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in a statement that the grades were shared for "informational purposes to meet a legislative requirement and represent work-in-progress models." "No inferences about official district or campus performance in the 201516 school year should be drawn from these ratings, and these ratings should not be considered predictors of future district or campus performance ratings," he said. Three area districts received Fs in all four categories; Burkeville and High Island, which are currently rated "improvement required" by the state, and Deweyville, which met state standards for the current school year. No Region 5 districts earned an A in student achievement, which was calculated with STAAR scores, and schools with more economically disadvantaged students, such as Port Arthur ISD, generally scored lower in that category. In a letter posted on Facebook Thursday, Port Arthur superintendent Mark Porterie criticized the system's reliance on STAAR scores. "Like many of my fellow superintendents, I do not believe the new accountability system will be a fair or accurate depiction of student success, as many factors outside of standardized testing contribute to the overall educational prowess of a child," he said. "Our students come from various backgrounds and cannot and should not be painted with a broad brush. Our schools are so much more than one test and our students are so much more than one score," Porterie said. Beaumont, Hamshire-Fannett, Nederland, Port Arthur and Port Neches-Groves ISDs released a joint statement on the ratings Friday afternoon, announcing plans to challenge the system. "We believe in being accountable to our students, their parents, and our community, but we do not agree that the new system accurately communicates the achievements, programs and effective teaching on campuses. As a result, our districts along with many others has or is in the process of submitting resolutions to the state in an attempt to ask legislators to repeal the A-F accountability system," the statement said. Statewide, more than 150 school boards have passed resolutions opposing the rating system, according to the Texas Association of School Administrators, including Bridge City, Hull-Daisetta, Orangefield, Vidor, West Orange-Cove and Woodville. A statement on Bridge City ISD's website says the district "does not embrace a rating or ranking of our schools based on a state test administered on one specific date," and says the system is "NOT an accurate reflection" of quality. Five superintendents of Orange County schools signed a letter in December written by a group of Dallas-area administrators opposing the new rating system, claiming it misrepresents schools to their communities and hurts teachers. The low grades that many districts received were no surprise, Lovett said. They were expected "to not look that good," he said, "and the whole idea behind this is to give schools an idea of what needs to be improved." LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/LizTeitz Albany State leaders are trying to get more school districts to sign up for an overdose prevention program that allows school personnel to administer the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone. Commonly sold under the brand name Narcan, the so-called miracle drug blocks the effects of heroin and other opioids and reverses an overdose, which causes breathing to slow down or stop and has contributed to the deaths of some 30,000 Americans in 2015. In the nearly two years since school districts have been allowed to administer the drug through the state Department of Health's overdose prevention program, just 55 school districts out of more than 700 statewide have signed up. At a meeting of the state Board of Regents held Monday, members of the education policymaking body expressed concerns that that figure is far too low. "That's troubling," said Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown. "What I don't want to see is schools waiting for a tragedy to become responsive. I think we have to get way out front on this." Just four districts in the Capital Region have registered to join the program: Averill Park, Northville, South Colonie and South Glens Falls. For Averill Park school officials, the decision was easy. "It really was not a hard decision," said Superintendent James Hoffman. "We've never had a student suffer an overdose on school grounds, but we don't want to not be prepared should that ever happen. God forbid that should ever happen." The district's community is among a number nationwide hit hard by the heroin and opioid epidemic. In the past three to four years, more than a dozen young people from the suburban Rensselaer County community have died from fatal overdoses. None were students at the time, but several were recent graduates, Hoffman said. "I think anyone who says they don't have an opioid problem in their community has their head in the sand," he said. "It's an epidemic, and it crosses every border. But I think that's tough for some educators to admit." State education law permits school districts, BOCES, county vocational education and extension boards, charter schools and non-public schools to participate in the overdose prevention program. District boards of education and other school governing bodies are encouraged to develop district-wide overdose prevention policies (consistent with state law and regulations) before joining. School leaders from at least two other Capital Region communities clobbered by the epidemic say they plan to join the program. Shenendehowa's board of education was scheduled to join and adopt a district-wide prevention policy Tuesday night. The suburban Clifton Park district is the largest in the region, serving nearly 10,000 students, and has not been immune. The district made headlines in late 2013 after a high school student was charged with injecting a 15-year-old classmate with heroin in the boys' locker room. Teachers in the district have also reported knowing several former students who have died from an overdose. In Bethlehem, a hard-hit suburb of Albany, the district's school resource officers are trained in the administration of Narcan and keep it in their possession at all times, said spokeswoman Jo Ellen Gardner. The district is still reviewing its options when it comes to the state-run program, which would allow other school personnel to administer the drug. The state allows districts to pick one of three options for administration of the drug, which vary based on who can administer the drug and who can order its use. "District administrators are reviewing these options to determine whether developing a district-wide policy on administering Narcan is appropriate, and if so, what the best option for implementing it in Bethlehem would be," she said. State education officials said Monday they are going to work with superintendents to increase awareness of the program, since just having naloxone on school grounds gets people talking about the dangers of opioid use. bbump@timesunion.com 518-454-5387 @bethanybump This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HARTFORD -- People suffering from Muscular Dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, the pain of fibromyalgia and shingles should be allowed to join the state's medical marijuana program. That was the recommendation Wednesday from a panel of doctors. However, the group of physicians rejected three of the seven petitions including for eczema, osteoarthritis and emphysema. While not final action, the Board of Physicians' recommendation to Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan Harris will be reviewed and is likely to be ruled on over the next few weeks. Regina Walsh of New Canaan told the panel that medical cannabis could be the answer to the discomfort that her 95-year-old father, George J. Walsh, a Navy veteran of World War II, feels after a painful bout of the shingles virus. While he remains active and alert, Walsh, who lives in an assisted-living community in Darien, is still affected by the painful skin condition that broke out on his back. Shingles is the one thing thats taking him down, Regina Walsh said. There is really no cure for shingles. Enough research has been done both nationally and internationally, to point a direction that this can be effective for shingles, Regina Walsh told the doctors. In their first meeting since expanding to eight members, the group of physicians, who range from pain specialists to psychiatrists and pediatricians, focused on marijuanas ability to treat pain and discomfort. In fact, the board had caveats for the approval of fibromyalgia and shingles, and sufferers must display symptoms of pain in order to join the nearly two-and-a-half-year-old medical cannabis program. The program will soon expand to nine dispensaries and four growers. If approved by Harris, who has not rejected any disease or ailments that have been endorsed by the doctors, it could be up to a year before the afflictions join the 22 debilitating conditions for which the current 15,136 patients are eligible. "I find that the system has failed these patients," said Dr. Mitchell Prywes, a Danbury-based pain specialist. He said that fibromyalgia is a complex condition. The six doctors who attended the meeting stressed the need for patients to be in pain to become eligible, and that marijuana has been shown to be an effective alternative to opiates. Dr. Vincent R. Carlesi, another pain specialist with offices in Ridgefield and Stamford, called medical cannabis the least of the negatives as far as the treatment we have for fibromyalgia, which has symptoms of bodily pain, fatigue and loss of sleep. Its a better option for them, Carlesi said, noting that overweight people can have their respiration suppressed by narcotics. Opiates are really not the right medication for these patients. Prywes stressed the need to include marijuana in the wider-ranging protocol for fibromyalgia patients. Cannabis has a role, but without a broader program, we might be selling them short, he said. This is about alternative health care choices that people with serious medical conditions can make with their doctors, said Harris, who serves as the boards non-voting chairman. He stressed that since September 2014, when the program started providing marijuana to patients, the percentage who smoke the dried flowers of the plant has decreased sharply. Now, many patients use skin gels, sub-lingual strips in their mouths, as well as vaporizing devices that reduce the effect of smoking on patients lungs. kdixon@ctpost.com; This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DANBURYAfter 35 years spent ensuring the safety and wellness of special-needs students, Danbury resident MaryJo Marra-Hauser is the one seeking help: She needs a kidney donation. Diagnosed at 21 with systemic lupus, Marra-Hauser, 60, is struggling with kidney disease but hopes for a preemptive transplant before she her kidneys fail entirely. Im stable right now, but I was put on the deceased donor list in July, Marra-Hauser said. On the deceased donor list you have to wait 4 to 7 years [for a transplant]. I dont have that long. Because of her condition, Marra-Hauser decided a live kidney donation is her best option. Besides avoiding the typical 5-year waiting period, live kidney donations have less risk of rejection, last longer and allow the recipient a better quality of life. Live donor transplants require a donor to volunteer, unlike deceased donor transplants, which follow a waiting list of recipients. Marra-Hauser hopes sharing her story will reveal that the process of becoming a live donor isnt as invasive and onerous as many people think. I know theres a lot of fear involved, but people need to check it out, Marra-Hauser said. She explained that after tests to confirm theyre a match, the donor would spend only two to three days in the hospital for the minimally invasive procedure, after which he or she can return to living normally. Two years ago, Marra-Hauser was living normally herself. In January 2015 she retired from her job as assistant superintendent for pupil personnel in the North Salem school system to join her husband, who had recently gotten a job in Denver, Colo. The couple believed this would be a new adventure, but shortly after moving and beginning work in Denver, Marra-Hauser hospitalized for unexplained pain. Doctors discovered that her heart was not pumping out enough blood. A later visit to her cardiologist back in Danbury would determine that the altitude in Colorado negatively affected her health, and she would not be able to return. After several months during which she was in and out of the hospital, Marra-Hausers doctors told her she needed a transplant. Before she became seriously ill, Marra-Hauser devoted her life to the special education system of New York. Beginning as a school psychologist in Dover, she went on to receive her 6-year Certificate in Administration from Southern University so that she could become a director of pupil personnel. In this role, the Queens native worked with families and teachers to identify the best placements, programs and services for children with special needs. For 35 years,MaryJo] sat across the desk from parents with anxious questions and requests for help with their special needs students, her husband Steve Hauser said in an email to the News-Times. Over the years, [she] was able to meet their needs with professional and compassionate solutions. With a kidney transplant, Marra-Hauser hopes to continue her work with children. She has been working with Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston to find a match. Any donors who are interested are asked to email bwhkidneydonorinfo@partners.org stating their interest in donating a kidney to MaryJo Marra-Hauser. They can also call the hospital at 617-278-0030. STAMFORD Rather than settling in to a front-row seat, Randy Thomas found a perch in the mezzanine to catch the show going on at the Palace Theatre earlier this week. As he looked out across the expanse to a wooden platform more than 50 feet above the stage, he watched as workers in hard hats and safety vests moved carefully to restore and replace plaster where ceiling meets walls. Drills whirred, buckets were lowered and the work continued apace. There is some really intricate work up there, said Thomas, the theaters director of production and facilities since 2006. Hes not as old as the plaster - which went up when the theater was built 90 years ago - but hes been working here since 1991. They dont build them like this anymore. It would be way too expensive. The Palace opened its doors on Atlantic Street on June 2, 1927. Designed by Thomas Lamb, a leader in his fieldwhose works include the Palace Theater in Waterbury, the performance venue rose from the wreckage of the Grand Opera House following a devastating fire in 1904. The site was purchased in the mid-1920s by Stamford residents Mary C. Vuono and her husband Charles and in its early days featured vaudeville acts. It then became a movie house, and, later, a stage for repertory work by the Hartman Theater company. Most recently, it has been host to musicians, comedians, dancers and other live acts on tour. By weeks end, the Harman Stage will be cleared of equipment and materials, as well as the steel scaffolding that stretched from one end of the proscenium to another. The crew began the work in mid-December. We do have a show on Saturday, and the show must go on, Thomas said, referring to the Stamford Symphony Orchestra, which is presenting the Emerson String Quartet at 8 p.m. There is plenty of upkeep needed for a theater of a certain age, Thomas said, but this latest project has been on his radar for some time. A leaky roof since replaced damaged some of the plaster. The preservation work will make the span safer, reveal sections destined for a scrubbing and touch-up and replace areas where needed. Decorative ceiling accents also are getting a fresh coat of paint that keeps with the theaters original colors. The nonprofit Stamford Center for the Arts, which operates the Palace, received about $140,000 from the city for the project as part of its capital budget. EverGreene Architectural Arts, an ornamental plaster restoration and decorative work company, was hired for the project. Its a company that knows the Palace well, having worked on other parts of the venue in the past. We take a very careful look at what is damaged and what is truly missing, said project manager Toland Grinnell, from the firms New York City office. Sometimes it is not that obvious. The plaster may not look loose or cracked at a great distance. But when you do this all day long, you start to notice. The specialists have made rubber molds and created new sections on site, in addition to some early forms made at the firms New York plaster shop. EverGreene will save as much of the historic plaster as possible. This is part of our American heritage and we want to preserve, Grinnell said. Its one of the aspects that makes our work rewarding ... the crews are really carrying on a tradition in America that goes back more than 100 years. There are many items on Thomas wish list, but it is a matter of having the time and funds. Thomas, who grew up in Stamford, recalled seeing The Exorcist at the theater in 1974 and, later, he worked behind the scenes for the Hartman Theater company. There is many a star that has crossed this stage, he said, recalling performances by Henry Fonda, Jan Miner, Margot Tenney and Edward Herrmann that he saw when he was younger. Trying to keep this place alive and the arts alive is huge. chennessy@hearstmedia.com; Twitter: @xtinahennessy Samsung Electronics vice chairman Jay Y. Lee arrives to attend a hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, December 6, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji By Se Young Lee and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean special prosecutor's office will question Samsung Group [SAGR.UL] leader Jay Y. Lee as a suspect in a widening influence-peddling scandal that may force President Park Geun-hye from office. Prosecutors have been looking into whether Samsung payments of about 30 billion won ($25 million) for a business and foundations backed by Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, were connected to a 2015 decision by the national pension fund to back a controversial merger of two group affiliates. Park could become South Korea's first democratically elected leader to leave office early after parliament voted in December to impeach her over the corruption scandal, which has triggered big weekly rallies calling for her to step down. The impeachment must be upheld or overturned by the Constitutional Court. A spokesman for prosecutors, Lee Kyu-chul, told a briefing the Samsung leader had been summoned for questioning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday (7 p.m. ET on Wednesday) over suspicions including bribery. He declined to comment on whether Jay Y. Lee or other Samsung executives will be indicted but would not rule out the possibility of the prosecution seeking an arrest warrant against Lee. A Samsung Group spokeswoman declined to comment. Proving quid-pro-quo dealings between the Choi-linked organizations and Samsung are critical to prosecution efforts to bolster its case against President Park and show that she, or a surrogate such as Choi, collected bribes in exchange for favors, analysts said. For Samsung and its founding Lee family, an indictment or conviction of Jay Y. Lee would deal a blow to efforts to secure a stable transfer of control to heirs from ailing patriarch Lee Kun-hee. The conglomerate has undergone major restructuring since 2014 to streamline its ownership structure and consolidate power under Jay Y. Lee and his two sisters. Park Ju-gun, head of corporate analysis firm CEO Score, said while professional managers at affiliates such as Samsung Electronics would be able to keep the companies operating smoothly in the absence of Jay Y. Lee, key initiatives such as acquisitions and investments into new businesses would inevitably be slowed should the 48-year-old be imprisoned. Story continues "I think Samsung Group is facing a bigger crisis than even the death of Chairman Lee Kun-hee," he said, referring to billions of dollars in inheritance taxes the Lee family heirs will be forced to pay when their father dies. SEEKING A LINK Samsung has acknowledged making contributions to two foundations as well as a consulting firm controlled by Choi but has repeatedly denied accusations of lobbying to push through a controversial 2015 merger of its Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries Inc units. The prosecution this week summoned two senior Samsung Group officials for questioning, though they were listed as witnesses. National Pension Service chief Moon Hyung-pyo was arrested in December after acknowledging he pressured the fund to approve the merger while he was health minister. Park, 64, has described support of the merger as a policy decision made by the world's third-largest pension fund in the national interest. Lee denied bribery accusations during a December parliamentary hearing, rejecting assertions from lawmakers that Samsung lobbied to get the fund to back the merger. The special prosecutors' office said on Wednesday it was looking into whether Lee gave false testimony during the parliamentary hearing. "The special prosecutor needs Samsung to establish a potential bribery charge against President Park Geun-hye," said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University. "Samsung is the one that has made the biggest contributions among conglomerates and it had an exclusive relationship with Choi Soon-sil, buying a horse," Shin said, referring to the firm's sponsorship of Choi's daughter's equestrian career. The daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, was arrested in Denmark this month after being sought by South Korean authorities. DE FACTO LEADER Lee, the vice chairman of flagship affiliate Samsung Electronics Co Ltd , has been leading South Korea's top conglomerate since his father was incapacitated by a May 2014 heart attack. Shares in Samsung units did not move sharply following the news that Jay Y. Lee was named a suspect, as some investors had anticipated the possibility that he could be formally indicted. Shares of Samsung Electronics ended up 2.8 percent, though off its high for the day, after trading at a record 1.928 million won. The shares could see a correction because of heightened uncertainties, but the stock will see support from strong earnings prospects, said HDC Asset Management fund manager Park Jung-hoon. Shares of firms such as Samsung C&T Corp that are more closely linked with potential succession-related restructuring may weaken further, Park said, as formal prosecution of Lee could delay the process. "I think some investors are still uncertain on whether the special prosecutors will go as far as arresting and detaining Jay Y. Lee, given the uncertainties such an action might trigger on Samsung companies," he said. In 2008, Lee Kun-hee stepped down as Samsung Group chairman after group executives were indicted on suspicion of brokering a sweetheart deal for his children to have a greater ownership stake in Samsung's de facto holding company. He was handed a suspended 3-year sentence for tax evasion, but was eventually pardoned. (Reporting by Se Young Lee and Ju-min Park; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Tony Munroe) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON Donald Trumps nominee for secretary of state, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, did his best to assuage concerns of senators over close ties to Russia and climate change denial, but it was not nearly enough to win support from Sen. Chris Murphy. This is a very dangerous choice because of the message it sends to Russia and the world, said Murphy, D-Conn., who participated in Tillersons confirmation hearing Wednesday as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We needed him several times as a CEO to support sanctions and he was never there. Over and over, he did things contrary to our national security interests; he wasnt a patriot. Murphy added: I only want a patriot at State. At the daylong hearing, Tillerson struck a tough but conciliatory tone telling senators that Russia today poses a danger and climate change is real. At age 64, with a full head of graying hair and a distinctive Texas twang, Tillerson he even appeared a bit folksy at times. At the poker game that is international diplomacy, America is holding all aces, he said at one point. But he seemed to undercut himself with contradictory answers, saying greenhouse gases are having an effect but our ability to predict that effect is very limited. In fact, scientists have linked global warming to rising temperatures, flooding, severe weather events and disappearing Arctic ice. President-elect Trump has cast himself as a climate-change skeptic, if not outright denier. Tillerson said he and ExxonMobil never lobbied against sanctions of Russia for its military takeover of Crimea and putting troops in eastern Ukraine. But lobbying records show the company did employ lobbyists and Tillerson himself stated the company was being heard at the highest levels. Much like Trump himself, Tillerson has a record of warm relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as extensive business dealings in Russia. Tillerson characterized the takeover of Crimea as a taking of territory that was not theirs. But he pivoted in order to blame the Obama administration for not sending mixed signals, describing relations with the Kremlin as a kind of chess game in which Russia moves, and watches for U.S. reaction before plotting its next move. Murphy said he was shocked to hear Tillerson say hed never discussed Russia in depth with Trump. The hearing unfolded the day after reports that Russia had derogatory information on Trumps personal life and finances that it withheld in order to help him beat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump reacted angrily at his news conference in New York and called the allegations fake news. Whether Murphys opposition translates into enough votes to block Tillerson is an open question. Murphy noted tough interrogation by a Republican, Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida, who hammered Tillerson on whether Putin is a war criminal because of bombing of civilians in Aleppo. Under Murphys questioning, Tillerson acknowledged reports of Russian hacking aimked at influencing the election. We are being attacked; I dont dispute that statement in any way, Tillerson said, Nevertheless, he added, the U.S. has a number of ways to punish Russia and sanctions are just one tool. Murphy ticked off the countries where ExxonMobil does business, many of them with troubling human rights records, such as Iran, Syria and Sudan. Was there any country in the world whose human rights record was so bad that ExxonMobil would not do business with them? Murphy asked. illerson answered that the company looked to whether such business would be in accordance with U.S. law, whether the country honored contracts and whether the rule of law exists there. Essentially, he said he wouldnt put his country before his business, Murphy said. I dont think he stops representing ExxonMobil interests once hes at the Department of State. dan@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @danfreedma Washington, D.C. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., went through the familiar ritual Tuesday of softening previous hard-edge statements on race, defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and other hot-button topics in order to win Senate confirmation. Appearing on Day One of two days of hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sessions pooh-poohed a past pledge to appoint a special prosecutor to look into Clinton's private email server, saying he was simply being a "politician.'' And he said he never hollered "lock her up!'' at any Trump rally, though he acknowledged hearing choruses of it numerous times. Charges of racially insensitive remarks that derailed his confirmation for a federal judgeship in 1986 were based on falsehoods, he insisted. Also he pledged to abide by civil rights and voting rights laws, and said that Supreme Court precedents governing abortion and gay marriage were settled law. "The Department of Justice must never falter in its obligation to protect the civil rights of every American, particularly those who are most vulnerable,'' he told the Judiciary panel. Protesters, including several in Ku Klux Klan garb, disrupted the day-long hearing at several points. All were quickly escorted out by police. Sessions, 70, was an early Senate backer of Trump and the president-elect rewarded him handsomely for his loyalty. With roots in the deep conservatism of rural Alabama, Sessions has been a right-of-center voice in the Senate, and as a member of the very committee now examining him. For the most part he stood his ground, in a courtly way. His Democratic colleagues were quick to pick apart his record on immigration, hate crimes, closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and a host of other subjects. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., brought up the 2005 tape in which Trump brags about being able to get away with grabbing women's genitals because he is a celebrity. Asked by Leahy whether such conduct constitutes sexual assault, Sessions replied: "Clearly it is.'' Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., himself a former state attorney general and U.S. attorney, questioned Sessions on whether as a senator he'd decline to vote on his own confirmation as well as those of other Trump nominees. Blumenthal zeroed in on a series of conflicts of interest that Trump faces as a New York real estate developer with worldwide business interests. He asked whether Sessions, if confirmed, would appoint a special prosecutor to purse Deutsche Bank for, among other things, its involvement in the mortgage-back securities scandal that undergirded the 2007-2008 financial crisis. The bank reportedly is trying to restructure a $300 million debt owed by Trump. "You don't want to be in the position of every time an issue comes up, the attorney general has to recuse,'' Sessions said. Nevertheless, he added, appointing a special prosecutor is "a useful tool in the right circumstances.'' Blumenthal also asked whether once he is sworn in Jan. 20, Trump would run afoul of the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which blocks federal officials from receiving income from foreign governments. Several of Trump's development deals overseas involve investments of foreign governments. Sessions side-stepped the question, telling Blumenthal: "I'm not aware of the precise factual situation that would be in play.'' In response to another Blumenthal question, he also said he supported background checks. But he appeared to oppose expansion of them to include private sales at gun shows or elsewhere, saying "in some instances it's not practical. When you inherit a gun from your grandfather, I'm not sure it requires a background check.'' Among those supporting Sessions is former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman. "Do I agree with everything he has ever said or done? Of course not,'' Lieberman wrote to the committee, as reported by the Capitol Hill publication Roll Call. "But I don't agree with everything anyone I know has ever said or done, including myself. Most people change during their lives, learning from experience, and therefore deserve to be judged on the totality of their life's work, with greater weight given to more recent behavior.'' dan@hearstdc.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Capital Region commuters headed to work on icy roads but as they head out for lunch they'll be greeted by warmth. The mercury climbed to 49 degrees by 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, just hours after temperatures in the 30s left the region's roads a slick mess blamed for a number of fender-bender crashes. A speeding car slid on icy Schenectady roads and slammed into a gas station pump at 7:30 a.m., city police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Dearing said. No one was injured in the one-car crash and the driver was ticketed for vehicle and traffic violations, he said. Forecasters predict the temperature should rise into the low 50s Wednesday afternoon but then drop into the 40s overnight. The forecast for Thursday calls for daytime temperatures in the high 40s and rain. In the morning, numerous Capital Region schools delayed the start of the school day on Wednesday. See the list here. In Colonie, power went out at Latham Ridge Elementary and will be not be restored until at least 3 p.m., the school said it was told by National Grid. Students was to be dismissed at 10 a.m. Schenectady police responded to several accidents after some roads, particularly in the area of Eastern Parkway and McClellan Street, iced over. A vehicle hit a gas pump at Lukoil on the corner of Eastern and McClellan, knocking it over. The winds knocked down power lines and trees fell on the lines overnight, National Grid spokesman Patrick Stella said. He said 200 crew members worked to restore power, including replacing power poles in some areas. As they finish work in the Capital Region, those crews will head to the Utica and Watertown areas, where wind and ice disrupted power. Statewide, as many as 35,000 customers were without power at one point, Stella said. Locally, the peak of the eastern region outages was 2,500 customers. As of 12:45 p.m., most National Grid customers in the Capital Region had had their power restored. Over 200 customers in both Albany and Rensselaer counties were still without power. Another storm system will bring periods of rain or showers to the region Wednesday night through Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. Colder air will settle back into the area Friday, along with generally dry weather. Here's the forecast through the holiday weekend: Wednesday: /Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 9 to 13 mph. Wednesday night: /Rain likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday/: A chance of rain before 11 a.m., then showers likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 54. South wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Thursday night: /Showers likely, mainly before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Friday/: A slight chance of snow showers after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Northwest wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Friday night/: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. Saturday/: Partly sunny, with a high near 27. Saturday night/: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Sunday/: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Sunday night/: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Martin Luther King Day/: Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Monday night/: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. A Tennessee man now officially holds a world record for a 47-point buck he shot in November. Stephen Tucker's buck was given a score of 312 3/8 inches from Boone and Crockett, according to The Tennessean. That beats the previous record of 307 5/8 inches killed in 2003 by Tony Lovstuen in Albia, Iowa. That deer had 38 points. TRAGIC: Bodies of 3 Texas duck hunters found after Coast Guard search The newspaper reports Tucker killed the trophy buck with a muzzleloader. He had to wait during a 60-day drying out period as the antlers could have shrunk. Although Tucker seems to have secured the world record for the whitetail deer, he'll have to wait until the Boone and Crockett awards banquet in 2019 for the official certification. Two judges will re-score the antlers at the awards banquet, according to The Tennessean. Should Tucker's buck still beat Lovstuen's record, he'll hold the world record. Tucker's deer was estimated to be 3.5 years old and weighed 150 pounds. He hasn't made a decision about the antlers yet, which could be worth more than $100,000. Educators have decried the state's proposed accountability systems for months, and when preliminary report cards were released by the Texas Education Agency last month for the 2015-2016 school year, it was clear why. Humble Independent School District overall fared somewhat well compared to other districts in the area with two 'B's and two 'D's. "Humble ISD, along with school districts across Texas, are concerned that the new rating system utilizes a flawed methodology - placing too much emphasis on STAAR testing and comparing schools based on an inequitable approach," reads a post on the district's website. At a board meeting Tuesday night, trustees pointed to North Belt Elementary School, which was recently named a model school by the International Center for Leadership in Education, as an example of how the rating system doesn't work. North Belt received two 'D's and two 'F's. According to the TEA, the system allows for all campuses to receive an 'A' rating if they meet the state's criteria. On its website, the TEA emphasized the system is still a work in progress and schools still are officially rated by the old system. Education Commissioner Mike Morath stated the preliminary report is strictly for information purposes as required by the Legislature. The new system goes into effect August 2018. "No inferences about official district or campus performance in the 201516 school year should be drawn from these ratings, and these ratings should not be considered predictors of future district or campus performance ratings," Morath said. The new accountability is set to be used for the first time in August 2018, and the system breaks down into five domains: student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps, postsecondary readiness and community and student engagement. Community and student engagement was not measured in the preliminary rankings. Domain I: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT The goal is for 60 percent of Texans between the ages of 25-34 to have some kind of post-secondary education by the year 2030. To meet that goal,, school districts must have at least 60 percent of their students pass the STAAR test. Domain II: STUDENT PROGRESS Under student progress, students are scored 0, 1 or 2 points. If they do not improve over their previous test results, they are scored a zero; if they maintain the same level of proficiency, they are give a point; if they gain a proficiency level, they are awarded two points. Those points are tallied for an overall score in various sub-populations. Domain III: CLOSING THE GAPS This domain measures student achievement of economically disadvantaged students versus how many disadvantaged students are in the school/district. According to the TEA, a benchmark would be set the 2016-2017 year, and the resulting figures would remain fixed over time. Domain IV: POSTSECONDARY READINESS The TEA emphasized this domain does not rely on STAAR. Instead, it measures absenteeism in elementary and middle schools. At the high school level, the graduation rate and number of students who graduate with a higher degree plan would be measured. It also considers SAT, ACT, AP and dual credits as well as industry credentials earned and military enlistment. Humble ISD earned 'D's in the areas of closing the gaps and post-secondary readiness. The district listed several reasons on its website why it does not believe the accountability system accurately depicts the district, leaning heavily on the idea that the system puts too much emphasis on STAAR testing. Humble ISD also stated the calculations are complicated, "making it hard to really know what a letter grade means." Humble trustees encouraged residents to attend a kick-off meeting for the district's legislative committee scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, in the Humble ISD Board Room, 20200 Eastway Village Dr. State Rep. Dan Huberty and former Humble superintendent and executive director of the Fast Growth School Coalition Guy Sconzo are scheduled to present. "The measurements that came out were simply not fair because, first of all, they said they weren't going to do it with old data," said Board President Keith Lapeze. "The data was also compromised because the testing was bad. If we want to now rely on the Legislature without letting them hear our voice, we'd be making a huge mistake. We encourage everyone to participate. Meanwhile, Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen said the district embraces accountability and has sets high standards itself. "All Humble ISD Principals will be reviewing the provisional ratings and have the opportunity to dig into the underlying data in an effort to answer questions specific to their schools," Fagen stated. "We are also asking Principals to keep in mind that our goal is continuous improvement, not getting a particular label based largely on one test." Hicks Thomas LLP Trial lawyer Jay Old has joined commercial litigation firm Hicks Thomas LLP, where he will continue to represent construction, insurance, petrochemical and health care companies, according to a Wednesday news release from the Houston-based firm's marketing agency. Old brings with him to the firm his offices in Austin and Beaumont, the release said. Old is board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been recognized on the Texas Super Lawyers list every year since 2005. A native of Beaumont, Old is a graduate of Texas A&M University and the Texas Tech University School of Law. More: www.hicks-thomas.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Phillip Cash is shifting salaries, shoring up staff positions and saving tax dollars while finalizing his plans to make the Precinct 1 Constable's as successful as possible. Montgomery County commissioners approved a handful of those changes Tuesday. Cash, sworn in to his first term Jan. 1, asked commissioners to eliminate the chief deputy position and transfer a portion of its salary to the constable captain position. Another portion of the chief deputy's salary went to creating an administrative manager position, which commissioners also approved. The captain's position will be filled by Precinct 1 Constable's veteran Don Fullen. The administrative manager position will be held by former Montgomery County Sheriff's Office employee Kayce Bucks. After the position changes and salary adjustments, there is $48,000 left from the old chief deputy position, which Cash said will be taxpayer savings. The position shuffle comes as Cash is making his mark on the office, which previously was headed by former Constable Don Chumley, who had served in the position since 1989. "Right now, we're evaluating what the present system is," Cash said. "We're going to improve it." Staff-wise, Cash said he is evaluating the needs of the North Montgomery County residents to see whether there are any additional staff members needed. If any come up, Cash said he would wait until the October budget hearings to introduce them as potential openings. Eliminating the chief deputy position meant restructuring the way the office is organized. Now, deputies respond to lieutenants; lieutenants report to Fullen, who then reports to Cash. The office has four lieutenants, who individually oversee lake patrol, mental health operations and patrol. The fourth lieutenant oversees six school resource officer in Willis ISD, which holds a contract with the Precinct 1 Constable's Office. "I've got a great command staff with the lieutenants," Cash said. "They know their jobs and they know what they're doing. I'm relying on them and empowering them to do their jobs." Working with the staff he inherited when he took office Jan. 1, Cash said he's working on getting each deputy cross-trained on the different aspects off the office. A big part of the office's duties come from warrant service, which is mandated by state law. Cash said he's having officers begin more criminal patrols in the area once they're done with their day's work of serving warrants, which means there are more law enforcement officers on the streets. The Constable's Office also handles all of the mental health issues throughout the county, and Cash wants each law enforcement officer (including himself) to be trained in how to handle those who suffer from mental health issues. That's something I have a strong stance on," Cash said. "The changes are good." On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, about 2:30 p.m., Meatra Gilmore stopped at a convenience store near College Street to buy some gas and inside the store, she collapsed. A clerk dialed 911 and Beaumont EMS rushed to the scene, inserted a breathing tube and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Four emergency medical technicians lined up to take turns compressing her chest and coax her heart back to beating. "We got there just in time," said city EMT David Narvaiz, one of the responders. Gilmore turned 48 on Dec. 20. She came very close to not making that birthday. She since has received a heart defibrillator to help prevent future cardiac arrest. "I was blessed to have another birthday," she said. On Tuesday, Gilmore and her mother, Claudette Kelly, personally thanked the responders who saved Gilmore's life at City Council, where council members honored the city's first responders - police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians. This Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Knights of Columbus will be selling gumbo for $10 to the general public at its hall, 9505 College St., and the proceeds will benefit the 100 Club of Southeast Texas, which provides support for first responders. Kelly told council members that she wanted to say thanks to the responders. "But it's not enough," she said. Gilmore said she was in a coma for four days after her heart attack, but she is recovering because of the EMTs' efforts. Kelly said the efforts to save her daughter was a "second Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." In other council business, members debated whether to reject bids for servicing city vehicles because the apparent low bid lacked the proper signature from the bidder, as required by state bidding law. Some council members were willing to overlook it because the apparent low bid was significantly less - by 25 percent - than the second low bid. Council eventually voted 4-3 to send the specifications back to city staff to tighten up some variables in other services in the bid. In a work session, council members discussed changes to the city's animal ordinance with an eye toward stepping up efforts to spay and neuter animals that are up for adoption at the city's shelter. The cost of the procedure could deter possible adoptive pet parents and the city could send an animal to the city veterinarian to perform the sterilization to prevent overpopulation. A new ordinance would require a $90 fee for cats and $120 for dogs. "We would transport to the city vet, provide the service and that way, we know it's done," said City Manager Kyle Hayes. Other changes contemplated include increasing the number of cats and dogs combined to eight per household from four. The change would take into account animal fostering. DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/dwallach This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK The Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors is looking to tackle a parking shortage and modernization at the historic Main Library on Belden Avenue. Board President Alex Knopp said the librarys role in the community has changed and expanded over time. Now is the time to start addressing the improvements we need to make to ensure that the library will be able to play an even more vital and relevant role in servicing the publics needs in the future, Knopp said. In my view, the two biggest challenges facing the Norwalk Librarys main branch are to address the atrocious on-site parking limitations and to put in place a planning and renovation process to modernize and expand the library facility for the first time in almost 40 years. Knopp, who served two terms as Norwalk mayor from 2001 until 2005, was appointed to the nine-member library board last April and elected president several months later. The former Norwalk mayor described the library system as one of the keystones in the arch of Norwalks quality of life. The indisputable fact is that there has been very significant growth in the utilization of the librarys services over the past several years, Knopp said. Between 2014 and 2016, the number of patrons passing through the doors of the Main Library on Belden Avenue and South Norwalk Branch Library on Washington Street, has grown from 391,671 to 666,530 with the majority 552,540 persons visiting the Belden Avenue facility. Downloads of library materials have grown from 14,475 to 29,375 in 2016, according to Knopp. Yet in the face of this astounding growth, the on-site parking capacity has barely expanded at all, and there is no doubt that program usage at the main branch would be far greater if there were more convenient and available on-site parking, Knopp said. I want to assure all librarys patrons that we will leave no stone unturned in order to seek improvements for on-site parking in the future both for the short term and the long term. In September 2015, First Taxing District and library representatives announced the availability of a number of parking spaces at the district-owned property at 3 Belden Ave. The 11 spaces nearest People's Bank were made available to library patrons at all hours and the remaining 22 spaces after 5 p.m. and on weekends. But parking pressures again increased after the Norwalk Zoning Commission approved plans for a five-story, 60-unit apartment a the southernmost portion of the parcel at 11 Belden Ave. Library patrons have used the parcel a surface parking lot. Chris Bradley, Norwalk Public Library system director, said the Yankee Doodle Garage, which lies within walking distance of the Main Library, might offer some help. We would pay for it but would people would bring their tickets for validation, Bradley said. I know other libraries that do it and have parking garages nearby. Thats something were looking at with the Parking Authority. The Belden Avenue and South Norwalk Branch libraries both built in the early 20th century are among more than 2,000 libraries constructed nationwide with money donated by businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. While the branch library underwent major renovation during the Knopp administration, the Main Library is in need of work. Bradley said the library board hopes to have a consultant on board by July to prepare a $35,000 master plan for that work. The plan will lay out how to better utilize the historic building. The building were in now is 47,000 square feet, which is not bad for a city of our size. Its just the way its used, Bradley said. We need to take this space and redesign it. Bradley said the redesign could create, among other things, a new study area and space for art galleries and concerts. Knopp said the library boards goal for the redesign will be to ensure that Main Library better serves the expanded range of programs offered at it rather than continuing to force the programs to fit into the constraints of the facility. That will entail reconfiguring single-purpose spaces within the library for multiple uses by putting bookshelves and other structures on coasters or wheels for easy movement. An individual space might serve as meeting room, a Makers Space, a lecture room or hands-on technology teen space on any given day, according to Knopp. This modular and multi-purpose usage design strategy is the major common theme Ive observed in visiting other libraries in Fairfield County that have undergone modernization and expansion construction projects over the last decade and it seems the right model for Norwalk to follow, Knopp said. Knopp said the library board looks forward to holding a series of community conversations to engage the Norwalk public on how the libraries can better serve the community in future decades. rkoch@hearstmediact.com - By James Li Seth Klarman (Trades, Portfolio), portfolio manager of The Baupost Group, trimmed 21.97% of his stake in Cheniere Energy Inc. (LNG) Jan. 9, as reported in a Schedule 13G filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission. As of the transaction, Klarman owns 21,726,340 shares of Cheniere Energy, about 9.25% of total shares outstanding. The transaction and SEC filing The portfolio manager at Baupost Group sold 6,116,617 shares of Cheniere Energy at $41.43 per share, representing about 21.97% of his stake. The stock trades at $43.50, and Klarman's estimated loss since he initially bought Cheniere shares is about 25%. Klarman reported the Schedule 13G as an investment adviser and a parent holding company as stated in Item 3 of the SEC filing. The guru also disclosed that the reported securities are beneficially owned "on behalf of various private investment limited partnerships." Guru trims position as company outlook weakens Houston-based Cheniere Energy currently has a weak financial strength rank of 3, implying high potential for financial distress. The company's cash-to-debt ratio of 0.05 suggests that Cheniere could not pay off its debt with the cash on hand. Additionally, the company's interest coverage is a severely low 0.1 and Cheniere's Altman Z-score of -0.12 indicates severe distress. Since 2013, the Houston midstream energy company issued over 13 billion in long-term debt. On Dec. 5, 2016, the company issued and sold $1.5 billion in senior secured notes to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) maturing in 2025. Cheniere Energy also closed a $350 million "working capital facility agreement" as the borrower during December 2016. 1364147338.png Cheniere Energy reported a net loss of $100.4 million during third-quarter 2016, or a diluted loss per share of 44 cents. For the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2016, the company reported net losses of $719.7 million, about $30 million higher than the net loss for the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2015. These net losses likely contributed to poor operating margins, which currently underperform 94% of global midstream energy companies. One of Cheniere's warning signs indicate that the company had three years of operating loss since 2014. Story continues As of Jan. 10, Cheniere Energy has a profitability rank of 2, suggesting little or no profitability. Based on its "Predictability Chart," the company gets a predictability rank of one star as its revenue per share and EBITDA per share have consistently declined during the past five years. 2025213474.png As the company offers low value potential, several gurus, including Klarman, have trimmed positions in Cheniere Energy. Steve Mandel (Trades, Portfolio), John Griffin (Trades, Portfolio) and Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) axed 16.63%, 57.06% and 100.00% of their stake in Cheniere Energy during third-quarter 2016. See also Premium members have access to our "Real Time Picks" feature, which lists all guru stock trades within the past two weeks. If a guru that owns at least 5% of the company's shares outstanding makes a trade within the company, the guru must report the trade to the SEC within 10 business days of the transaction. Premium Plus members have access to portfolio information on over 4,000 institutions that file quarterly 13Fs and Schedule 13D/13G filings. Please review the membership levels page for all membership benefits. If you are not a member, we invite you to sign up for a free seven-day trial. Disclosure: The author has no position in the stocks mentioned in this article. Start a free seven-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. NORWALK A Norwalk man was arrested on a warrant Tuesday for gun possession charges related to a July 2016 police chase. Michael Hudson, 27, of Ferris Avenue, was charged Tuesday with criminal possession of a pistol or revolver. Hudsons arrest stemmed from a lengthy investigation by the Norwalk and Darien police departments, in which Hudson was charged with heroin sales in both municipalities in July 2016. Police said then that they received information several months earlier that Hudson was selling heroin in Norwalk, in the area of Colonial Village, and in Darien. During the investigation, police said undercover officers purchased heroin and on one occasion, purchased a bag of heroin laced with fentanyl, a powerful opioid painkiller that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Surveillance officers saw Hudson exiting an apartment in Colonial Village. Hudson drove away on a scooter when he saw officers, and entered a West Cedar Street apartment with officers in pursuit, police said. Officers entered the apartment when Hudson ran out the back door where officers caught him. Hudson was charged July 6 with possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell and interfering with an officer. During that arrest, police said they recovered a bundle (10 bags) of heroin from Hudson, along with a loaded 9 mm handgun. The origin and possession of the handgun were under further investigation by the Norwalk Police Departments Special Services Division. Police said that as a convicted felon, Hudson was not allowed to be in possession of a handgun. Police obtained an arrest warrant and on Tuesday Hudson was taken into custody at a Bridgeport residence by the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force. His bond was set at $50,000 and he was given a court date of Jan. 19. llake@hearstmediact.com While many colleges and universities across the country are feeling pressure from faculty and students to declare themselves sanctuary campuses for undocumented students, most Illinois state schools have rejected the move. The Southern Illinois University system is the latest school to dismiss the idea. SIUE System President Randy Dunn recently announced that none of SIUs three locations Edwardsville, Carbondale and the School of Medicine in Springfield will be designated a sanctuary campus. The sanctuary campus issue became an issue following President-Elect Donald Trump's promise to deport as many as 3 million immigrants who are living in the country illegally. His election prompted concerns about undocumented students attending college under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. The program, created in 2012 through an executive order by President Barack Obama, gives young undocumented immigrants protection from deportation and a work permit. Universities across the country have adopted policies naming themselves sanctuary campuses and have vowed to neither allow immigration officials on campuses without a warrant, nor share information on the immigration status of students with officials unless required by subpoena or court order. In December, SIU Carbondales Undergraduate and Graduate and Professional Student Council sent a letter to Dunn and Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell requesting the sanctuary campus declaration to protect undocumented students. At the time, Dunn indicated that together with the campus chancellors and other officials, staff would review potential policy and legal considerations, noting also that any decision would apply system wide. Upon completion of the review, Dunn said that the concept of a sanctuary campus is not clearly defined in any legal sense and the designation suggests that the university would be willing to violate the law. Dunn noted that designating the university as a sanctuary campus would put SIU and all of its students at risk, including the potential loss of federal financial aid. At the same time, there are key principles that we believe are important during this uncertain period, Dunn said. We will continue to do everything we can within the scope of established law to support our students. And we take our responsibility to protect student privacy under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) very seriously. SIU is committed to an inclusive, welcoming environment in which all of our students can continue progress toward their degrees and graduate on time. SIU enrolls fewer than 60 DACA students among its system-wide enrollment of more than 30,000. Dunn, Colwell and SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook are among the nearly 600 university leaders nationally who have signed a letter calling for the continuation of DACA. "The SIU campuses have been trusted destinations for all of our students and we maintain an enduring commitment to providing access to students traditionally underrepresented in higher education," Dunn said. While it is hard to determine the exact amount of undocumented students enrolled in colleges in the United States, Illinois campuses have been accepting them since 2011 when then Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Illinois DREAM Act. The law established a pool of scholarship dollars for undocumented college students who graduated from Illinois high schools. Funds for the scholarships are raised through private donations. The DREAM Act also makes the States 529 college savings and prepaid tuition programs available to Illinoisans with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, regardless of whether they have social security numbers. Update: According to the state's attorney, the case against Clyde Wauchhope was dismissed. NORWALK A Westport man was charged on a warrant Tuesday with three counts of filling forged prescriptions for the stimulant medication Adderall. Clyde Wauchope, 31, of Hales Court, Westport, was charged with three counts each of second-degree forgery, third-degree identity theft, and illegal attempt to obtain controlled drugs. According to court records, on April 11, 2016 a pharmacist from Walgreens in Norwalk contacted a Westport doctor named as a prescriber and advised that Wauchope had been filling Adderall prescriptions from the doctors office. Court records stated that Wauchope had twice filled prescriptions successfully at the Walgreens in February and March, but on the third attempt the pharmacist became suspicious and contacted the doctors office. The office confirmed that a legitimate prescription had been written in February, but had no refills, according to court records. Westport police detectives ran the mans name through the Connecticut Prescription Monitor Database, and it was revealed that he had passed a prescription at Westport CVS for Adderall in March. Surveillance video and a copy of that prescription was obtained and court records stated that the doctor told police that the prescription was fraudulent and possibly recreated. A warrant for Wauchopes arrest was returned and on Tuesday afternoon he was taken into custody. His bond was set at $50,000 and he was given a court date of Jan. 18. llake@hearstmediact.com Jan. 12, 1937: Mrs. Ellis Carter was leader of a program on Mexican painters Saturday in the home of Mrs. M.R. Snyder. The Browning Club presented the life and works of Diego Rivera. --Donald Ellis, a soon-to-be graduate of the Theological Seminary at Sewanee, Tenn., is set to become rector of St. Marks Episcopal Church. --A new bidder in the heavyweight fight market set up a $400,000 cash-on-the-line offer to tempt champion Jim Braddock into meeting Joe Lewis in the Brown Bombers hometown. Jan. 12, 1967: Hale County voters have again rejected a bid to join the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District 1. The proposal lost by more than a three-to-one margin. --A block-long cave-in in downtown Dallas dropped a portion of Elm Street one of that citys busiest streets about 30 feet below surface level. --Keith McCulloch and Dinah Hodell were crowned Mr. and Mrs. Lockney High School during a special assembly in the LHS auditorium. Jan. 12, 1977: New Chamber of Commerce board members include Bruce Campbell, Romie Fennell, Lewis Thomas, Wilbur Cleveland, Bill Rice, Laney Voss, Jack Horne, Thomas Campbell and Mark Rice. --A photo shows Joe Canales and Sulema Garcia mopping water at the Frisco Child Development Center after water pipes in the ceiling burst. Caused by freezing temperatures, the broken lines flooded the nursery and forced the center to close for one day. --Castro County employees, returning to work at the courthouse in Dimmitt at 8 a.m. Monday, discovered the body of a 43-year-old man. He was found in a snowdrift only few feet away from the courthouse steps. Jan. 12, 1997: Nine local building contractors, during an informational get-together, asked city officials to consider establishing a city mechanical code. --Five former Boy Scout leaders will be inducted into the Haynes District Scouter Hall of Fame at the districts annual recognition banquet. Honorees include Frankie D. Mills, John H. Ray Jr. and Bobby White of Plainview, Lester Carr of Hale Center and Flute Hutsell of Silverton. --Plainviews Danza Sansom, a 280-pound sophomore, successfully squatted 545 pounds as he won the super-heavyweight division at the Plainview Invitational on Saturday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A jury found David Alexander Zuniga, 18, guilty of murder Wednesday in the shooting of a 28-year-old man who was sitting at a bus stop on the East Side in 2015. On Tuesday, jurors had watched as Zuniga told police in a video interview that he shot the gun that killed Jesse Lee Richards. Testifying Wednesday in his own defense, Zuniga said his half-brother Daniel Jeremy Torres Jr. was the trigger man. Prosecutors said both brothers intended to rob Richards while he was waiting for a bus shortly after 10 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2015, in the 400 block of Porter Street. Torres, now 20, was arrested in March after a witness came forward. He also is charged with murder and is awaiting trial. An arrest warrant affidavit released at the time said Torres admitted to being at the scene of the shooting, but denied involvement. Zuniga told the court he lied to police about planning to rob someone at gunpoint because one of his brothers needed money to pay rent. He said he was going to take the rap for the killing because he feared Torres would kill him or their mother if he didn't. The Huntsville Item reported April 7 that Zuniga, then 17, was arrested April 5 by sheriff's deputies in Walker County on a Bexar County murder warrant. Richards was found lying on Porter Street, covered in blood. He later was pronounced dead at San Antonio Military Medical Center. In the video, Zuniga said at least twice that he pulled the trigger. When San Antonio Police Department Det. Ruben Perez asked him if he indeed shot Richards, Zuniga said, Yes, I shot the gun, while he demonstrated how he stood before the victim as he was shot. Daniel Torres was brought to the stand but his lawyer said he declined to testify under his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Another brother, Juan Torres, testified Wednesday that both of his brothers were at his nearby home and took his .32 caliber automatic handgun with them to the bus stop. Juan Torres said he was still at home but saw his brother Daniel Torres fire the gun while Zuniga sat with Richards at the bus stop. Juan Torres said Daniel Torres also threatened him if he said anything to authorities about the shooting. The gun was never found, but prosecutors showed pictures of a .32 caliber automatic handgun on Zuniga's Facebook page that was posted 11 days after the shooting. In his closing argument, defense attorney Kenneth E. Baker told the jury his client was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that he lied to police about being the shooter because Daniel Torres, a crazy, violent, unpredictable man, threatened both of his brothers. He went through 18 years in foster care without getting into trouble, Baker said of Zuniga. His father failed him, his mother failed him, the system failed him. Don't fail him. In his closing statement, prosecutor Josh Somers reminded the jury that Zuniga said numerous times that he planned the robbery and shooting. David and Daniel killed a veteran, Somers said. They shot and killed someone who would have died for them. Richards was a U.S. Army veteran and served three tours in Iraq. The oldest in his family, he had two younger brothers and a sister. I was so proud of him said Richards' mother, Kelly Hartman of York, Nebraska. My youngest son idolized him. We all miss him so much. She said Richards had just moved to San Antonio from Georgetown about three months before he was killed. ezavala@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Services for Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Flores, who died this week at 87, will be held Monday and Tuesday at San Fernando Cathedral and will include visitation periods and a series of rosaries prayed every half hour. A statement from the Archdiocese of San Antonio said Flores funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the cathedral. Flores, the first Mexican-American bishop in the United States, died here Monday. He will lie in state this Monday beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a Mass for the Dead scheduled at noon. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will officiate and cathedral rector Father Victor Valdez will deliver the homily. Rosaries will be prayed by various groups from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, the statement said. Monsignor Lawrence Stuebben will preside over the 7 p.m. vigil service Monday. The homily will be delivered by Father David Garcia, director of the Old Spanish Missions and a former cathedral rector. Rosaries will resume Monday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Tuesday, visitation will continue from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the cathedral will then close to prepare for Flores funeral Mass at 1 p.m.. Extra seating and video screens will be set up under a tent in Main Plaza for up to 1,000 people to view Flores funeral Mass, the statement said. Father Lawrence Christian, vicar general, will make remarks at the conclusion of the liturgy. Burial will follow at San Fernando Cemetery No. 2. The route to the cemetery will be at a pace to allow people to pay their respects to Archbishop Flores as the procession passes, the archdiocese statement said. The route has not been finalized, officials said. Garcia-Siller will preside at the rite of committal at the burial site, which has not been announced. eayala@express-news.net SAN ANTONIO Police arrested two suspects Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of a 36-year-old man last week inside a Northwest Side apartment during an argument over money. Raul Garza III, 40, and August Lenice Fisher, 47, are facing one charge of murder each. They remain in the Bexar County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. Police say Garza got into an argument with the victim, Isidro Lopez, on Jan. 3 inside Lopez's girlfriend's apartment at the Hilltop Oaks apartment complex in the 6100 block of Ingram Road. RELATED: Suspects shoot pedestrian on West Side during alleged armed robbery The men, who had known each other for two years, were arguing about money that Lopez's friend, Francisco Barrera, owed Garza. At one point in the argument, Garza allegedly told Lopez he was going to kill him. According to the arrest affidavit, the two went outside the apartment to fight. Garza was armed, but Lopez told him to "fight like a man," so he handed the gun over to Fisher, who had accompanied him to the apartment. But when it appeared as though the two would actually fight, Fisher handed the gun back to Garza, who then shot Lopez in the chest, according to the affidavit. RELATED: Suspect on the loose after road rage shooting on I-35 Lopez turned to run back into the apartment, but Garza shot him again, the document states. He collapsed inside the apartment, where authorities later found him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. During interviews with police, Lopez's girlfriend, who also knew Garza, gave police Garza's phone number and social media information. Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com cdowns@mysa.com Twitter: @calebjdowns This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO A 32-year-old man who was shot in the neck by a man at a gas station on the Northeast Side Sunday has died, according to the medical examiners office. George Martinez died Wednesday at San Antonio Military Medical Center following the Sunday altercation. No cause and manner of death has been released in connection to his death, but a previous report states he was shot in the neck. RELATED: Police: Man arrested for shooting man in neck at Northeast Side gas station David Lilburn Johnson is being held on a $75,000 bond as of Wednesday afternoon on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The San Antonio Police Department said it will be up to the Bexar County District Attorneys Office as to whether or not the charge will be upgraded to murder. Police arrived at a Corner Store location about 9:30 p.m. Sunday in the 10400 block of Interstate 35 North, where officers found a 32-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the neck. The suspect was still at the scene when officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident, a preliminary police report said. RELATED: SAPD: Grandfather punched toddler in face during family altercation The victim and his family had parked at a gas pump and started walking to the store. The suspect did not know they were behind his vehicle as he was backing up, but quickly stopped as soon as his rear sensors detected them, the report said. The victim aggressively approached the suspects passenger door and started yelling at him through the rolled-down passenger window. The suspect warned the victim he had a gun and told him to leave him alone and let him leave. The suspect claims the victim then lunged at him, at which point the suspect pulled out his gun and shot him in the neck, according to the report. RELATED: 61-year-old charged in death of woman whose body was found burned in 2015 If convicted of aggravated assault, Johnson faces up to 20 years in prison. Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com twhite@mysa.com Twitter: @tylerlwhite SAN ANTONIO A 48-year-old man suffered serious injuries Tuesday in a road-rage-turned-shooting incident on Interstate 35 on the far Northeast Side, according to police. Emergency personnel responded at 10:30 p.m. to the northbound lanes of I-35 near Judson Road, but police in Live Oak initially were notified that the incident occurred at Toepperwein Road. Police later learned it was in the citys jurisdiction just before Judson on the Interstate access road, a sergeant said at the scene. SAN ANTONIO A 32-year-old man was shot in the leg late Tuesday night in the West Side by armed robbers demanding cash from him. Police say three suspects riding in a red car approached the victim around 11:55 p.m. as he was walking home in the 7100 block of Remuda Drive. A Lincoln Township man who admitted to having sex with a 13-year-old girl, as well as sexually assaulting two younger girls, has been sentenced to prison. Matthew Lynn Scroggins, 32, was sentenced on one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with victims under the age of 13, and one count of child sexually abusive activity. He previously pleaded guilty to the charges. Midland County Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Beale levied 200 months (16 years and eight months) to 45 years in prison for the count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, between 85 months and 15 years for each count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and to between 85 months and 20 years for the charge of child sexually abusive activity. Scroggins also is subject to lifetime GPS monitoring and must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. Two additional counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of using a computer to commit a crime were dismissed as part of the plea deal, and prosecutors also agreed to file no new charges. The Midland County Sheriffs Office investigation began when a person from Scroggins place of employment reported she was shown Facebook communications between Scroggins and another employee referencing him being involved in inappropriate and illegal sexual activity with three girls, ages 10, 12 and 15 at the time. Court documents state one of the girls said she met the suspect over the internet in June of 2014, and the two were involved in a sexual relationship. Photos of one of the girls were found on a cell phone, and one of the girls said the suspect recorded their activities using a cell phone, documents state. The affidavit also states the suspect took one of the girls to Bay County to participate in sexual activities with a man who responded to a Craigslist advertisement. In an interview with detectives, the suspect admitted to having a sexual relationship with one of the girls from the summer of 2014 to the summer of 2015, as well as to setting up the Craigslist meeting in the fall of 2014. In a post on the Midland County Prosecuting Attorneys Office Facebook page, Midland County Prosecutor J. Dee Brooks said this was one of the worst and most unusual cases of child sexual abuse he has handled in 25 years of prosecuting criminals. This defendant was a true and substantial threat to the people of this community, especially the children, and we are glad that he will likely never return to Midland County again, Brooks wrote. Scroggins is originally from Arkansas and requested to be allowed to return there to serve his sentence, but Beale explained that it was not up to him and he likely would have to remain in Michigan to serve his sentence. The Midland County Prosecutors Office thanked the Midland County Sheriffs Office and Detective Scott Holzinger, the Midland County Department of Health and Human Services and the Safe and Sound Child Advocacy Center, for their assistance in the investigation and successful prosecution of this case. First, a history refresher: For the past nine years, a smattering of Americans, most recently led by our now president-elect, have insisted that Barack Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya. For years, Donald Trump was unrelenting in his insistence that Obama prove beyond existing proof that he was born in Hawaii and not in the African country of his biological father. That Obama said he is a Christian wasnt enough to persuade Trumps followers, who apparently know a Christian when they see one. Further, there is no logical basis for assuming that a young boy briefly raised in a given country say, Indonesia necessarily would adopt the dominant religion of that country. Yet, those who sided with Trump interpreted Obamas gentle touch toward the worlds 1.6 billion Muslims as evidence of a hidden agenda to advance Islam in America notwithstanding Obamas rather robust drone operations, which eliminated quite a few bad actors who happened to be, or said they were, Muslims. Noteworthy is that these same Obama doubters werent bestirred to suspicion when then-President George W. Bush visited a mosque immediately after 9/11. Nor, thus far, have they expressed any concern about Trumps cavalier denial of Russias cyberattack on the U.S. Given this history and recent evidence, isnt it about time Trump be declared a Russian spy? No, I dont really think hes a spy because, unlike the man himself, Im not given to crazy ideas. But whats with this double standard? How surreal to realize that the man who soon will become president was long committed to a rumor soaked in paranoia and propagated by conspiracy theorists whose pursuit of truth stops at the point where facts and willful ignorance collide. And now? What is so obviously a conspiracy of Russian leadership, hackers and spies, Trump dismisses as lousy intelligence. Is it that hes so thin-skinned he cant tolerate anyone thinking that he might have benefited from the cyberattack? Or is it that he knew about it in advance and doesnt want to be found out? This is how conspiracy theories get started. Then again, sometimes a conspiracy is just a conspiracy and a fool is just a fool. Consider what we know: Our best intelligence indicates that Russia was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee. Trump, who has long expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin (once a KGB agent, always a KGB agent), has his doubts. Obviously, he wants to preserve the narrative that he won fair and square. And, clearly, claims of Russian interference would muss his ego. Trump would rather make common cause with our fiercest geopolitical adversary (hat tip Mitt Romney) than take the word of our best people. Moreover, he has said he wont receive daily security briefings and plans to drastically reduce our security agencies. Pray tell, whose side is this man on? When was the last time you had to ask that question about a president-elect? On Friday, Trump met with real American spies and others who attempted to explain things to him, leaving open the question: Can Trump learn? From his statement following the meeting, it doesnt seem so. In sum, when the president-elect persists in a state of denial, siding with the enemy against his own countrys best interests, one is forced to consider that Trump himself poses a threat to national security. In Russia, theyd just call it treason. kathleenparker@washpost.com Believe it or not, Americans like Obamacare. They just dont know they like Obamacare. That is, the law known as Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act is relatively unpopular. But most of the things that this disreputable law does are incredibly popular. Consider the prohibition on denying insurance coverage due to preexisting conditions. Seven in 10 Americans, including 6 in 10 Republicans, support this provision, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll. What about allowing young adults to stay on parents plans until age 26; eliminating out-of-pocket costs for preventive care; providing subsidies to low- and moderate-income Americans to help them purchase coverage; and helping states expand Medicaid to cover more uninsured low-income adults? At least 80 percent of Americans are fans of every one of these provisions. Among Republicans only, at least two-thirds are, too. The only major component that a majority of Americans dont like is the individual mandate that is, the requirement that nearly all Americans sign up for insurance or pay a fine. But as is often pointed out, you need this unpopular provision to preserve the popular one about preexisting conditions. Without a mandate, only increasingly sick people will buy coverage, sending insurance markets into a death spiral. Other polls document similar support for most of the ACAs core components, despite antipathy toward the law itself. Theres an entire subgenre of journalism about people who benefit from Obamacare but still oppose the law and/or support Donald Trump, who promised to repeal it. Of course, the public confusion is understandable. Some elected officials dont seem to know what the law does, either. What we really need is to get insurance de-linked from employment and allow me, if Im an individual employer, a business of one, you need to let me pool together easily with large groups so Im a pool of thousands if not millions of people so I dont get this problem of jacking up my rates when I get sick, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said on Morning Joe. This pooling of risk and barring of rate hikes once people get sick are exactly what the Obamacare exchanges do. Thanks to years of Republican fearmongering and (frankly) journalistic malpractice, voters have little idea what Obamacare is. Americans dont even recognize Obamacares one inarguable accomplishment: the precipitous decline in the uninsured rate. The share of Americans who lack health insurance has nearly halved since the Affordable Care Act passed and now stands at an all-time low of 8.9 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet a recent Economist/YouGov poll found that only a little more than a third of Americans believe the rate has declined. If you care about preserving the law, there are two silver linings to all this. First, many Republican politicians realize even if they wont publicly acknowledge that theyll be in big trouble with voters if they mess with the laws core components. Even top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway promised that no one who currently has insurance will lose it, something impossible under any of the repeal plans on the table. Second, if indeed Obamacares most pressing problem is branding, the law couldnt hope for a more gifted brand rehabber than the next president. Trump may have little interest in policy, experts, numbers, details. But he is undoubtedly a marketing genius. One possible outcome of the current repeal-and-replace free-for-all is that congressional Republicans decide to keep essentially the existing system in place, with some reforms, improvements and hole-plugging, and Trump slaps a shiny new name on the whole thing. Welcome to the revolutionary, gold-plated Trumpcare. Has a nice ring to it, dont you think? crampell@washpost.com It has been 26 years and counting since Mary Beth Rogers managed the last successful Democratic gubernatorial campaign in Texas for Ann Richards. It was a landmark victory, but the seeds of the coming Republican wave were clearly visible in statewide wins in 1991 for Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison. Today, surveying the subsequent decline of Democrats in Texas, Rogers has written about a possible path back to political relevance aptly titled Turning Texas Blue. She makes the case that while Democrats need to expand their base Latino vote, their success ultimately lies in appealing to white suburban voters who still dominate the states voter turnout. Its ironic that the national Democratic Party, which is soul searching after an unexpected defeat, is now dealing with the same challenge that Texas Democrats have increasingly faced during the past 20 years how to appeal to white voters. The reality is that no party can claim relevance if it cant better the 25 percent of the white vote that Wendy Davis received in 2014. Its also true that no party can win without trying. Look at the state House races in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this past election. In three districts 105, 113 and 115, all districts where Hillary Clinton won indications were that stronger Democratic challengers to Republican incumbents could have won, if they had better early financial support. But Democrats lost all three. Whats worse is that in some districts, Democrats did not field candidates. For example, U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions ran unopposed in a district that Clinton also won. A party serious about governing needs to run and fund serious candidates, even if the road to relevance means losing elections. Much as the Republican Party ran losing campaigns in the 1970s and 1980s that eventually turned to wins as conservative Democrats moved into the GOP, contested losses by Democrats might lead to wins if the Trump presidency implodes. But is the Democratic brand irreparable? Take a look at the 2008 election cycle when Democrats came within a handful of votes in a single Dallas state House race of creating a 75-to-75 tie in the state House. They had the benefit of an increasingly unpopular Republican president in the White House, but they also had candidates running on an issue that suburban whites cared a lot about: public education. With the upcoming state legislative session likely to significantly cut government spending, isnt there an opening for a united party that shines a light on the consequences of education cuts when thousands of additional students enter the system every year? On a series of issues including public health, traffic congestion and infrastructure, child protective services, even immigration, isnt there room for a second party in legislative debates? Several years ago at the LBJ Library, former senior adviser David Axelrod was asked whether anyone in the Obama administration felt any responsibility for the collapse of Democratic numbers in state legislatures and Congress. Visibly annoyed, he said the Democrats would come back, that demography was dynasty. That may be eventually true in Texas. Houston and Dallas have turned reliably blue, and growing diversity in places such as Fort Bend County near Houston portends a Democratic future as well. A Latino electorate in numbers that reflect their status as the single largest ethnic bloc in the state will also materialize someday, but who knows when. In the meantime, Rogers writes that while Democrats have a dozen different caucuses for every imaginable group, theres nothing that focuses on the concerns or needs of suburban Texas communities where millions of white voters live. It is as if they dont exist. Until Texas Democrats figure out how to make their policy priorities clear especially to a significant number of white voters who might be their natural allies on key issues and without whom statewide victories and significant legislative gains are impossible Texans are destined to live with a one-party system for the foreseeable future. Paul Stekler is the producer of numerous documentaries on American politics and the chair of the Radio-Television-Film Department in the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin. One year does not make a trend, but 2016 was an especially deadly year in San Antonio. There were 151 homicides, a 21-year high. Yes, San Antonios population has grown over that time, but the homicide rate of 10.1 per 100,000 people was also a 20-year high. For whatever reason, and the experts say they dont know what that is, murders surged in 2016. We havent seen this kind of violence since the early to mid-1990s when San Antonio became The Drive-By Shooting Capital. Criminologists and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus couldnt explain the year-over-year 26 percent surge in killings in 2016, but the overarching concern is that 2017 could be just as deadly. If it is, then we just might be in the midst of a trend. It doesnt help that other violent crimes also showed an uptick in 2016. What were seeing is a lot of spontaneous murders, McManus told Express-News reporter Emilie Eaton. Its really difficult to put a reason on it. But thanks to Eatons reporting, we do know where to deploy resources to curb the violence. Nearly one-third of the homicides were in District 2 on the citys East Side. District 1 in Central San Antonio and District 5 on the West Side were next in line. Taken together, the three districts accounted for 92 of the 151 murders, or a little more than 60 percent. So, thats the where to focus much of our attention geographically. But what about people? As Eaton reported, the majority of murder victims in 2016 were Hispanic and African-American men between the ages of 18 and 29. Rather than asking why 2016 was so deadly, perhaps a better question might be how do we reduce murders of minority young men in these three districts since those two dynamics highlight the 2016 stats. Improving police-community relations has become a city priority, and its hard to see that happening without curbing violence. Although the initial police-community meetings have been somewhat bungled, the 2016 surge in homicides has to become a priority. In many ways the city of Chicago, which is plagued by gun violence and homicides, is not where to look for answers on this issue. But a recent study of gun violence in Chicago, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, might just be a valuable guide for community leaders here. Researchers studied 4,000 shootings, fatal and non-fatal, over an eight-year period and came to the conclusion that gun violence is a public-health epidemic. Its a contagion that spreads through social networks. As Yale University sociologist Andrew Papachristos told National Public Radio, So if I get shot, for instance, theres a high likelihood that the people around me in my networks will also be victims and that, then, their friends will be victims. And their friends friends will be victims. That would suggest the response to such shootings likely requires police, public health workers and social workers. Its more than just a law enforcement issue. This newspapers 4-part series on income inequality Worlds Apart also offers some clues to root causes for the kind of family and community dysfunction that contributes to higher crime and violence, though being poor is not a guarantor of a criminal future. Under McManus leadership, the San Antonio Police Department has done some incredibly innovative policing. The mental health squad, officers dedicated to working with the mentally ill, stands out as an emblem for success. Perhaps, in light of our deadly 2016, its time for a community-based shooting response squad. Last week, we wrote in this space that we would be willing to look past the recently released Texas Education Agencys preliminary rankings. We said we could do so, but we wanted to see the Midland ISD school board opt not to pass a resolution protesting the letter grade system adopted by the state to indicate academic performance of a school. But trustees chose to pass its resolution, as board veteran Karen Nicholson made the motion, dean of school board members James Fuller seconded it, and the rest of the board unanimously voted to show its displeasure for the newest accountability system. We are disappointed trustees took this course of action. We wanted to hear just one time that MISDs governing body accepted responsibility for the decline of our communitys school district. We found it disappointing that while our board has called for a no-excuses attitude for its teachers, the board has been full of excuses during the last 10 years. We heard the excuses while a previous superintendent ran off qualified teachers and ran the school districts reputation into the ground. We heard excuses while academic performance continued its downward trajectory under that superintendents successor. We were told that many languages are spoken in our schools, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students is growing, the districts school finance recapture payment is just too great, and it is really hard to get teachers to come to Midland. We can go on. Instead of turning its back on the school district -- as some on the board claimed -- our community rallied around MISD in unprecedented ways. Business and foundation leaders donated tens of millions of dollars when they saw the district was in need. Many men and women came together to form Educate Midland, which promises to be a long-term ally for the district. With this unanimous vote on the resolution, we wonder if those who recently joined the board really want to change the culture of the board and district. We also wonder if those who have been on the board for most or all of the most recent decline are truly interested in accepting any of the blame for their hires and the decline they watched and let happen. We want to make it clear that people in our community who want to blame teachers or other MISD staff members for the predicament in which our district finds itself should look elsewhere. Clarence Scharbauer was right when he called on our community to hold its leaders accountable. We will add that surely the time has come to say that our community deserves better than what we have seen. This weekend, Midland ISD has its annual retreat to discuss matters of the future. We hope the meeting starts off with one comment -- that the buck stops here -- and that this board, all seven people, will start by holding themselves accountable for the learning that takes place in our schools. Because until they do so, our children will suffer. Some might say, whats the big deal? They passed a resolution that calls for a school or a districts academic performance not to be given a letter grade. You are right; its not a big deal, except when you think about that student in a local high school classroom. At the end of his or her four years in high school, the district will define his or her academic performance during four years of school by a grade point average or a letter grade. We will hold that student accountable, which might be considered unfortunate because our community can openly question whether that student should actually be defined by that letter grade because 10 years ago the school board and its actions put in motion a downward spiral that had an impact on that student, who at the time was in kindergarten or first grade. And while he or she -- by no choice of his or her own -- will be held accountable for his performance, those board members dont want the same treatment. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DANBURY - The fight lasted less than five minutes, but it took one teenagers life and cost another his freedom. The brawl between two groups of youths began one night three years ago when one teenager threw a bottle at another, and ended when 17-year-old Luan Pitol was stabbed in the back with such force that the knife broke his rib and severed a major artery. Emanuel Harris, 20, who aspired to be a professional boxer, was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the slaying after a lengthy trial last fall. He was sentenced Wednesday to serve 14 years in prison. Judge Kevin Russo, handing down the sentence in Superior Court, spoke at length about the pain and loss experienced by Pitols family and the lost hopes of Harris, forever dashed by one reckless act. It was an argument that started over who threw the bottle, Russo said Wednesday. Thats the shame and sadness about why we are here today. Pitol died for no reason, but there was no indication in the trial that hate or anger had anything to do with what happened. The brawl began Dec. 7, 2013, after a birthday party for a teenaged girl at the Harambee Center on West Street came to a close. Two groups of teenagers had a heated exchange after someone from Harriss group threw a bottle at Pitols group. The teenagers met again at the corner of Wooster and Foster streets, where a fight broke out. More than 20 witnesses testified during the trial about the melee and confusion that resulted. Some of the testimony was conflicting, but Harris admitted carrying a knife that night for protection, saying he had been jumped in the past. He denied being anywhere near Pitol during the fight, saying he was only trying to defend himself when he took the knife out of his pocket and slashed wildly at another teenager during the brawl. Two of Pitols friends, however, claimed to witness the stabbing. Its not lost on this court that the defendant said he brought the knife for his own protection, Russo said. Sadly, thats becoming more common among young people today and I understand it. I dont agree with it but I understand it, and that mindset has to change. If you make that decision you have to realize it can go bad, very bad. Pitols mother, Carmen Lucio, said during the hearing that her family has been forever changed by his death and that her 5-year-old grandson still grieves for the uncle he lost. The loss of a child is the worst pain that someone can feel, and it hurts every day, she said. The one question that hasnt been answered is why. Why my son? What did he do to you to make him die? Harris also spoke briefly before the sentence was handed down. During the past few years that Ive been in jail, I think about it every day, he said. Im sorry to the family for their loss. Russo sentenced Harris to 20 years in prison, suspended after 14 years served, followed by five years of probation. Harris will also have to make a $500 donation each year during his probation to an organization that does work in Brazil, Pitols native country, on the anniversary of Pitols death. dperrefort@newstimes.com A mystery buyer has purchased a five-story building on Houston Street downtown after plans to turn it into a boutique hotel fell through last year. Blauners-Houston LP, a New York-based partnership that had owned the building at 401 E. Houston St. since 2008, sold it on Thursday to TX Sculptor 1031, county property records show. TX Sculptor 1031 is affiliated with Investment Property Exchange Services, a Dallas company that organizes like-kind property exchanges a form of property exchange allowed by the IRS that brings tax benefits. Bottlenose dolphins are moving north from their warm-water haunts in the ocean waters off Southern California, and seaside observers are spotting more and more of them as far north as Mendocino. Some seem to be taking up temporary residence inside San Francisco Bay, while others appear to be commuters from distant waters, marine biologists say. Whether their movements mark another signal of a changing climate is still unknown, but the phenomenon is more than a curiosity, and the scientists are tracking the marine mammals closely. And while the aggressive animals dont normally attack their smaller harbor porpoise cousins, cases of aquatic murder that naturalists call porpicides are on the rise. Scientists studying the lives and movements of the dolphin species, called Tursiops truncatus, recalled the startling change in their range over the past decade or so during a recent research meeting at San Francisco State Universitys Romberg Center in Tiburon. Once seen only rarely north of Santa Barbara, more than 400 bottlenose dolphins have recently been spotted north of Pescadero Point in San Mateo County, and nearly 100 of them have been identified as regular residents in local waters, said marine biologist William Keener of Golden Gate Cetacean Research. Tracking individual dolphins as they move up and down the coast, the naturalists have identified many by the unique patterns bite-marked notches on their dorsal fins that come from playful fighting or attacks by hungry sharks. Keeners colleagues spotted the first dolphin in the bay more than 15 years ago, and now they come and go in small groups of six or 10 on an irregular schedule, he said. The researchers have now counted a total of 91 animals swimming in and around the bay from Ocean Beach to the Marin coast and are keeping detailed records on more than 70 of them to chart their still-mysterious migration patterns, he said. Those dolphins have been seen by professional and amateur observers as far away as Monterey Bay, Santa Monica and even Ensenada on the coast of Baja California, more than 600 miles away, Keener said. Dolphin researchers give each animal they spot a number for their records, and sometimes a name. A dolphin named Smootch, for example, is a regular in the bay but has been spotted by researchers at least 21 times traveling up and down the coast between San Francisco and Ensenada. Seven dolphins were spotted as far north as Point Arena in Mendocino County in April, and Keener said he saw one of them, a male named Vibe, swimming beneath the Golden Gate Bridge in February. Vibe swam back from Mendocino in June and was spotted again off Ocean Beach, where he participated in an attack on a couple of harbor porpoises, Keener said. One local dolphin who stays in town is Kaimi, a bottlenose who hangs out around a green harbor buoy off the former Alameda Naval Air Station, where members of the O Kalani Outrigger Canoe Center paddle out from nearby Encinal Boat Ramp to visit the dolphin frequently from a distance. You can hear Kaimi breathing regularly, and it makes a pretty sound over the water, said Jaz Zaitlin, a canoe club racer. Its often there, along with a big brown sea lion, and many of us can watch it when were on the water. The name means Seeker. But Keener, the biologist, is concerned: Dolphins are very social animals, and they move up and down the coast in groups, but Kaimis all alone, so now we want to keep an eye on her to make sure shes really healthy. Cases of porpicide, first detected in 2011, when six dolphins were identified, have been increasing steadily, according to Keener and Padraig Duigman, chief pathologist at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. There have been 35 cases since then, Keener said. Its basically teenage males doing what they do best like bully others, or (they have) too much energy to burn off, and too much time on their hands, Duignan said. Its still too soon to tell whether the changing climate is influencing the northward movement of the dolphins, Keener said. Its likely that sea surface temperatures have been higher during the recent El Nino. If it becomes permanent, he said, then we might predict the dolphins could become more established farther north, as temperature and food allow. David Perlman is The San Francisco Chronicles science editor. Email: dperlman@sfchronicle.com According to WTHI, a worker was fatally injured in a work accident after being shocked with electricity in Sullivan County, Indiana, on Wednesday afternoon. Details of Workplace Accident Officials say a utility worker for WIN Energy was working on a power line in the area of West County Road 1100 North and North County Road 25 West when the fatal accident occurred. At around 3:30 p.m. local time, the worker was handling a line that was not supposed to be active, but when he picked up the line, he was electrocuted. Ray Lockhart, 46, died at the scene of the accident. Lockhart was an employee of WIN Energy, reports WTHI. Lockhart was responding to a power outage in northern Sullivan County. The fatal workplace injury accident is still under investigation. On-the-Job Accident Statistics The following information is provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): 4,821 workers died on the job in 2014. Electrocutions accounted for 74 construction-worker fatalities in 2014. The Fatal Four leading causes of private-sector worker deaths are: oFalls 359 out of 899 total deaths in construction in 2014 (39.9%) oElectrocutions 74 (8.2%) oStruck by Object 73 (8.1%) oCaught in/between 39 (4.3%) Fatal work injuries involving contractors accounted for 17 percent of all fatal work injuries in 2014. Contact an Experienced Workplace Accident Attorney Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys fight to protect the rights of workplace injury victims. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed on the job, contact Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys. The goal of our offices is to not only protect your rights, but to send a message so the same tragedy does not happen again. We represent clients/victims all over the country. Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com. WILTON Wilton police will be on the search for a new department head, after Chief Robert Crosby announced Wednesday that he will retire from the Wilton Police Department in the spring. Crosby announced that he will step away from the department on April 3 for personal reasons, after more than 33 years on the job. It has been an honor and privilege to serve the town of Wilton and its police department for over 33 years, said Crosby, whose 32 years on the police force qualified him for retirement long before he took on the role as police chief. It has been a pleasure working with the departments officers, town government and Wilton residents. With Crosbys impending departure, First Selectman Lynne Vanderslice said that the towns Police Commission is in the preliminary stages of preparing a hiring plan for their search for a new head. Police Commission Chairman Donald Sauvigne said that the board had been made aware of Crosbys retirement prior to the public announcement, and they have since been working toward getting the interview process in place by the time Crosby retires in April. While the announcement may have seemed sudden, Sauvigne believes that finding a replacement will be a little bit easier than in previous hiring periods. Sauvigne cites an extensive review composed by the commission during the search for new police chief two years ago, when they developed a long-term strategy at what would be best for the Wilton Police Department. We looked at the current and the future needs of the department, and we did that in earnest three years ago. We learned an awful lot from going through that process and engaging with the towns people, Sauvigne said. Were not going to need to go through that [planning] in that kind of depth, because we learned a lot the last time around. Once the committee decides the direction they want to move in, Vanderslice said the town will form a hiring committee to interview potential candidates for the job. The search committee will then make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, which in turn will make the final decision. While the process itself might be streamlined by the commissions work done during the previous hiring, Vanderslice said that finding a replacement that stacks up to Crosby, who grew up in Wilton and worked exclusively for his hometown, wont be easy. Chief Crosby will be missed. He has been a valuable member of the department for 33 years. He is respected and valued by the community. Personally, I have a great deal of respect for Bob. I have appreciated his counsel and enjoyed working with him over the last 13 plus months. I wish him and his family the best, Vanderslice said. Crosby took over as acting police chief in January 2015 when then-chief, Michael Lombardo, left to take the same position in his hometown of Trumbull. Crosby was officially promoted to chief from deputy chief in September of that year, becoming the towns sixth police chief. Crosby has served the Wilton Police Department since July 1983 when he joined the department as a patrol officer. After eight years working the patrol beat, Crosby was promoted to youth officer, which included supervising the School Resource Officer, serving as lead instructor for D.A.R.E., and acting as mentor for the Police Explorer Post. From there, Crosby rose steadily through the ranks, becoming a detective in January 1999 and rising to commander of the Detective Division less than three years later. By 2004, Crosby was promoted to captain, before later ascending to deputy chief. In his announcement, Crosby thanked the Wilton Police Commission for granting him the opportunity to serve two years as chief of an exemplary police department. It has been an unforgettable experience, he added. ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com; 203-354-1046; @Tomlinson_PE (Adds companies that own the reactors, background, quote from Union of Concerned Scientists) WASHINGTON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on Tuesday unveiled a letter showing that 17 of the country's nuclear reactors have parts from Areva SA's Le Creusot forge in France, which is under investigation for allegedly falsifying documents on the quality of its parts. The number of reactors was more than the nine the NRC had previously disclosed. Last month authorities in France opened an investigation into decades of alleged forgery of documents relating to the quality of parts produced at Le Creusot and used in power plants around the world. Areva, a nuclear and renewable energy firm, furnished the information to the U.S. regulator last month but had urged the agency to keep it private, saying it was material to the business of nuclear power generators. The NRC told Areva it did not consider the information to be so and released it 10 days after receiving it. The parts at reactors include a reactor head at Xcel Energy Inc's Prairie Island reactor in Minnesota, reactor vessel heads at two of Dominion Resources Inc's reactors at the North Anna plant in Virginia, and another vessel head at Dominion's reactor in Surry, Virginia. Some of the components were made by other companies but include parts from the Le Creusot. "We have four components with forgings from Le Creusot and have verified that all are fine. They all check out and meet our design criteria and there are no problems," said Richard Zuercher, nuclear spokesman at Dominion Resources Inc. Xcel Energy Inc said previously that some components of the two reactor vessels were made at Le Creusot in the early 1970s. "Our testing and inspections are rigorous and have not identified any issues," Colleen Mahoney, an Xcel spokeswoman said last week. Anti-nuclear power groups such as Greenpeace had urged the NRC to release the information. The NRC has maintained that the parts and the reactors were completely safe. Areva told the NRC that a review of paperwork anomalies "has not found any safety concerns." Story continues French nuclear regulator ASN said Areva told it of evidence of irregularities in about 400 components produced at Le Creusot since 1965. David Lochbaum, an expert on nuclear energy at the Union of Concerned scientists, said the Le Creusot issue was "troubling from both trust and public safety perspectives" because to a large degree both the NRC and U.S. nuclear power plants depended on vendors to certify their work. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Scott Disavino in New York; Editing by Andrew Hay) Jan 11 (Reuters) - The biggest divergence between U.S. and Asian gas prices in a year has created an opportunity for tankers delivering liquefied natural gas, with most departures from a key Louisiana terminal in the last month-and-a-half heading toward East Asia, shipping data released on Wednesday show. The facility, Sabine Pass, owned by Cheniere Energy Inc , opened last year as the first LNG export terminal in the U.S. Lower 48 states. The United States has been exporting gas out of Alaska since 1969. U.S. gas prices at the Henry Hub (GT-HH-IDX) benchmark in Louisiana this week dropped about 20 percent since hitting a two-year high on Dec. 28, trading around $3.25 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) on Wednesday. Spot gas in Asia (LNG-AS) has soared by more than 30 percent since early December to a near two-year high of $9.75 per mmBtu. The premium of Asia over U.S. gas has reached its highest level since January 2015, presenting an arbitrage opportunity that LNG traders have rushed to fill. "China is experiencing colder-than-normal conditions, demand has kicked higher and prices have followed," said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at energy data provider ClipperData in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition, China is looking to avoid previous gas shortages that the country has experienced in the past, Smith said. Of the 17 LNG vessels that left Sabine Pass in Louisiana since the start of December, at least 10 have either delivered their cargoes in East Asia or were moving in that direction across the Pacific Ocean, data from Reuters and ClipperData show. Those 10 ships have the capacity to carry about 33.2 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas, worth about $120.6 million, based on the Henry Hub average. The United States consumes about 75 bcf per day (bcfd) of gas on average. Those 10 included the first shipments from Sabine to both Japan and South Korea. Royal Dutch Shell Plc's BG Group has the contract for the part of the capacity for parts of the first and second 0.65-bcfd liquefaction trains at Sabine Pass. Gas Natural Fenosa also has a contract for part of the capacity of the second train. Since February, 61 vessels have taken cargos from Sabine, but just three vessels delivered LNG to East Asia between February and the end of November. Another 27 went to either South America or Mexico and five to India; the rest were scattered around the Middle East and Europe. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by Richard Chang) Despite considerable opposition, South Carolina Treasurer Curt Loftis, the only elected official on the states six-member pension board, has made great progress in exposing corruption and incompetence in the management of the pension system. For instance, South Carolina has been cited by public pension industry standard-setter CEM Benchmarking as one of the two pension systems in the US that has gone the furthest in getting disclosure of fees and costs from private equity funds. And to give you an idea of how far South Carolina has gone relative to its peers, consider this section of our write-up: Moreover, CEM also points out that most public pension funds are not complying with government accounting standards in how they report private equity fees and costs, and that based on their benchmaring efforts with the South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission and foreign investors, most public pension funds are missing at least half of the total costs. Loftis was singlehandedly responsible for pressuring fund staff to go the distance on getting more fee and cost disclosure. And his efforts have considerably raised the bar for the entire industry. Yet the state is about to strip Loftis of his role on the pension board. Key sections from a press release on the Treasurers website: The Joint Committee proposed to remove me, the only elected official from the Retirement Systems Investment Commission. It also proposed to transfer the role of custodian of the states retirement funds from the State Treasurers Office to the Public Employee Benefit Authority and RSIC, the very agencies that have mismanaged the pension system. Here are the money shots from a slideshow prepared by Loftis giving a high level overview of the depth of the problems with the pension system; weve embedded his beginner and intermediate presentations at the end of this post. And not only are taxpayers on the hook, but state employees are also overburdened: And Loftis figured out early on that the pension system was far too cozy with high-fee alternative investment managers who were under-delivering. From a 2012 New York Times story (hat tip David Sirota): Today, the pension fund has a higher share riding on private-equity and hedge-fund plays called alternative investments in some circles than almost any other states: $13 billion, or more than half its total. But here in South Carolina, the state treasurer, Curtis M. Loftis Jr., is worried that pension officials have had their heads turned by Wall Street players who stand to benefit from the states money. This is a world where people have private jets, massive apartments overlooking Central Park, people who live exotic lives, said Mr. Loftis, reclining in a chair in his baby-blue office at the State House, as his black Labradoodle, Camey, snoozes nearby Funds like South Carolinas are now left with many high-cost investments that in many cases have fared worse than old-fashioned stocks and bonds. The South Carolina fund earned 3.1 percent, annualized and before fees, in the three years through last June, the end of its fiscal year, versus 4.6 percent for all public pension funds tracked by Wilshire TUCS. He recalls attending a dinner with hedge fund executives one evening last fall in New York, when he was asked to sit next to a centerfold model. And on another visit to New York, Mr. Loftis says, he found himself with a hedge fund group in a banquette at the Provocateur, at the stylish Hotel Gansevoort, where bottles of liquor were passed around the table. (He says he personally paid his share of the bill.) Mr. Loftis decided to take a closer look at the fees charged by just one of the states dozens of outside fund managers. The examination reduced the states fees by $18.1 million, Mr. Loftis said. He added that the fund manager called the difference a reporting error. When I go to Cracker Barrel for lunch, you give them $8, and they give you lunch and a receipt, Mr. Loftis said. But in this world, were prepared to pay millions of dollars in fees at somebody elses word, and we ought to do better than that. Needless to say, private equity and hedge fund managers are big political donors, and having Loftis as an effective watchdog is bad for their business in South Carolina, and in their mind, sets a dangerous precedent. So it should be no surprise that the knives are out. Regular readers will know from our work in California that letters, calls, and e-mails to state officials are very productive. In that much larger state, NC readers played a big role in pressuring state Treasurer John Chiang into sponsoring path-breaking private equity legislation. Elected officials like Chiang rarely get missives on anything other than the hot topic of the day. Well-written ones get their attention because the sender is not only informed but clearly motivated and articulate enough to sway colleagues, friends, and family. So please, if you are in South Carolina or have people you know in that state, please write or encourage your contacts to write the officials below. Tell them that what the Joint Committee on Pension Systems Review is proposing to do by stripping Loftis of his authority is a naked power grab clearly designed to end effective pension oversight. It would represent a giant step backwards and would harm state taxpayers and employees. Tell them you intend to watch their vote and will urge everyone you know in the state if they vote for corruption and against Loftis. Contact info for the Senate: President Pro Tempore Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr. [R] District 31 Darlington & Florence Counties SFinComm@scsenate.gov (C) 111 Gressette Bldg., Columbia 29201 Bus. (803) 212-6640 Senator Kevin L Bryant Columbia Address 303 Gressette Bldg. Columbia 29201 Kevin@kevinbryant.com Business Phone (803) 212-6320 Cell Phone (864) 202-8394 Contact info for the House: Speaker James H. Jay Lucas [R] District 65 Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw & Lancaster Counties (H) 1744 Garland Dr., Hartsville 29550 Bus. (843) 332-5050 Home (843) 383-9421 (C) 506 Blatt Bldg., Columbia 29201 Bus. (803) 734-3125 JayLucas@schouse.gov Representative William G. Bill Herbkersman [R] District 118 Beaufort & Jasper Counties Columbia Address 308B Blatt Bldg. Columbia 29201 billherbkersman@schouse.gov Business Phone (803) 734-3063 Home Address 896 May River Rd. Bluffton 29910-5833 Business Phone (843) 255-2264 E-mails are best due to ability to present a lot of detail plus speed of delivery. But if you or your contacts dont have time to pen a good missive, or cant readily get an e-mail in those cases where you need to call to get an e-mail address, please call and give a pointed message. Be polite but firm. Letters to the editor and alerting local newspaper reporters and television stations will also apply pressure. If you have ideas and contact information, please provide it in comments. Please circulate this post widely. Thanks again for your efforts. Yves here. This post makes a point at the end in passing about the value of multilateralism, even though the TPP was otherwise a very bad scheme on multiple levels. This serves as a reminder to mention something Ive neglected to say. Trumps plan to enter into bi-lateral trade deals (after supposedly tearing up extant pacts) is another sign of him not knowing what he does not know. As weve stressed in the context of Brexit, trade agreements take a long time to negotiate, typically because they also include services, and those take way longer to sort out than the physical goods side. Moreover, every country has limited staff who can work on these pacts, usually multiple agreements being negotiated at the same time, and a political approval process of some sort. The result is it takes many years for even a single deal to get done. Trump like the Tories seems to labor under the misapprehension that the process is much faster. By Jomo Kwame Sundaram, former UN Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development. Originally published at Inter Press Service and cross posted from Triple Crisis President-elect Donald Trump has promised that he will take the US out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on the first day of his presidency. The TPP may now be dead, thanks to Trump and opposition by all major US presidential candidates. With its imminent demise almost certain, it is important to draw on some lessons before it is buried. Fraudulent Free Trade Agreement The TPP is fraudulent as a free trade agreement, offering very little in terms of additional growth due to trade liberalization, contrary to media hype. To be sure, the TPP had little to do with trade. The US already has free trade agreements, of the bilateral or regional variety, with six of the 11 other countries in the pact. All twelve members also belong to the World Trade Organization (WTO) which concluded the single largest trade agreement ever, more than two decades ago in Marrakech contrary to the TPPAs claim to that status. Trade barriers with the remaining five countries were already very low in most cases, so there is little room left for further trade liberalization in the TPPA, except in the case of Vietnam, owing to the war until 1975 and its legacy of punitive legislation. The most convenient computable general equilibrium (CGE) trade model used for trade projections makes unrealistic assumptions, including those about the consequences of trade liberalization. For instance, such trade modelling exercises typically presume full employment as well as unchanging trade and fiscal balances. Our colleagues more realistic macroeconomic modelling suggested that almost 800,000 jobs would be lost over a decade after implementation, with almost half a million from the US alone. There would also be downward pressure on wages, in turn exacerbating inequalities at the national level. Already, many US manufacturing jobs have been lost to US corporations automation and relocation abroad. Thus, while most politically influential US corporations would do well from the TPP due to strengthened intellectual property rights (IPRs) and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms, US workers would generally not. It is now generally believed these outcomes contributed to the backlash against such globalization in the votes for Brexit and Trump. Non-Trade Measures According to the Peterson Institute of International Economics (PIIE), the US think-tank known for cheerleading economic liberalization and globalization, the purported TPPA gains would mainly come from additional investments, especially foreign direct investments, due to enhanced investor rights. However, these claims have been disputed by most other analysts, including two US government agencies, i.e., the US Department of Agricultures Economic Research Service (ERS) and the US International Trade Commission (ITC). Much of the additional value of trade would come from non-trade issues. Strengthening intellectual property (IP) monopolies, typically held by powerful transnational corporations, would raise the value of trade through higher trading prices, not more goods and services. Thus, strengthened IPRs leading to higher prices for medicines are of particular concern. The TPP would reinforce and extend patents, copyrights and related intellectual property protections. Such protectionism raises the price of protected items, such as pharmaceutical drugs. In a 2015 case, Martin Shkreli raised the price of a drug he had bought the rights to by 6000% from USD12.50 to USD750! As there is no US law against such price-gouging, the US Attorney General could only prosecute him for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme. Medecins Sans Frontieres warned that the agreement would go down in history as the worst cause of needless suffering and death in developing countries. In fact, contrary to the claim that stronger IPRs would enhance research and development, there has been no evidence of increased research or new medicines in recent decades for this reason. Corporate-Friendly Foreign direct investment (FDI) is also supposed to go up thanks to the TPPAs ISDS provisions. For instance, foreign companies would be able to sue TPP governments for ostensible loss of profits, including potential future profits, due to changes in national regulation or policies even if in the national or public interest. ISDS would be enforced through ostensibly independent tribunals. This extrajudicial system would supercede national laws and judiciaries, with secret rulings not bound by precedent or subject to appeal. Thus, rather than trade promotion, the main purpose of the TPPA has been to internationally promote more corporate-friendly rules under US leadership. The 6350 page deal was negotiated by various working groups where representatives of major, mainly US corporations were able to drive the agenda and advance their interests. The final push to seek congressional support for the TPPA despite strong opposition from the major presidential candidates made clear that the main US rationale and motive were geo-political, to minimize Chinas growing influence. The decision by the Obama administration to push ahead with the TPP may well have cost Hillary Clinton the presidency as she came across as insincere in belatedly opposing the agreement which she had previously praised and advocated. Trade was a major issue in swing states like Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania, where concerned voters overwhelmingly opted for Trump. The problem now is that while the Obama administration undermined trade multilateralism by its unwillingness to honour the compromise which initiated the Doha Development Round, Trumps preference for bilateral agreements benefiting the US is unlikely to provide the boost to multilateralism so badly needed now. Unless the US and the EU embrace the spirit of compromise which started this round of trade negotiations, the WTO and multilateralism more generally may never recover from the setbacks of the last decade and a half. Charming Portraits of Hong Kongs Shop Cats Atlas Obscura Eagle with Sony Action Cam flies off top of Burj Khalifa in Dubai YouTube. Robert H: Pilots will really like this. The dive at the end is especially exciting. The 22 Most Outrageous Looks From London Mens Fashion Week Huffington Post (TK) Armed robber is killed on camera as he tries to hold up gun store in Georgia Daily Mail. Chuck L: Is there any surer way to win a Darwin Award than attempting to rob a gun store? No Pause in Global Warming: Oceans Heating Up and Sea Levels Rising at Alarming Pace Real News Network Wastewater treatment upgrades result in major reduction of intersex fish PhysOrg (Chuck L) An Ancient Toy Could Improve Health Care in the Developing World Atlantic (Dan K) Glia, not neurons, are most affected by brain aging MedicalXpress (Chuck L) Brexit Britain will not deal with Marine Le Pen, UKs ambassador to France says Telegraph No 10 blames NHS chief as hospital chaos grows The Times Sigmar Gabriel, the reluctant candidate Politico Draghi, Renzi and Monti victims of cyberattacks Politico Migrant crisis: Greece refugee camps hit by winter BBC :-( Ukrainians fall out of love with Europe Politico Canada names Chrystia Freeland, leading Russia critic, as foreign minister Guardian Syraqistan New Cold War US intelligence found no sign that Russia hacked Trump campaign Financial Times. Remember how in the last ten days the CIA said the FBI agreed with its hacking claims re the RNC and the FBI was silent? The other shoe has dropped. Moscow is pushing populist movements to bring real security threats to Europe, new report says McClatchy. George P: Yes, Trump, LePen, and Brexit are all parts of the evil commie, er, putinoid plot.. Moi: So now Putin is responsible for austerity and the refugee crisis? REPORT: Intel chiefs tell Trump that Russian operatives claim to have compromising information on him Business Insider (David L). From earlier in the day. My reaction then: As if that has ever ruffled Trump? The sex tape didnt bother him, the foundation scandal didnt bother him, the kerfluffle about $915 million loss in the 1990s and the effort to claim hed cheated (which he apparently hadnt, see here, the underlying article is back behind a paywall). Or more accurately, he gets all bent out of shape on Twitter for a few days and then carries on. Trump even casually creates compromising information like defending Roger Ailes, not distancing himself from David Duke, attacking the parents of the slain soliderthe list is really long. BuzzFeed Posts Unverified Claims on Trump, Stirring Debate New York Times (furzy) These Reports Allege Trump Has Deep Ties To Russia BuzzFeed (UserFriendly). So this leak of an unverified report is kosher when Wikileaks publishing documents whose authenticity has not been denied isnt? So Trump used hookers and the FSB knows about it? As if this would bother Trump? And prostitution apparently isnt even criminal in Russia, its a mere administrative offensive. And this unverified report doesnt pass a sanity test, which means someone should have sought more in the way of supporting evidence. Its one thing to allege that Trump got a golden shower. But a golden shower party to destroy a bed? By a hotelier who (unlike a rock star) knows hed pay for the damage and never be allowed to stay in that hotel chain again? When Trump has never demonstrated anything more than a belief that Obama was not a very good president? And notice this was leaked the day of the FBI denying the CIAs earlier claim that the RNC was hacked. Big Brother is Watching You Watch A New Era of Mass Surveillance is Emerging Across Europe Just Security (guurst) Data capitalism is cashing in on our privacy . . . for now Financial Times. Guess no one sent them the memo that the Internet of Things is on hold until someone figures out how to make it securewhich given the size of the installed base and its deep-seated problem, is pretty close to a non-starter. Trump Transition 2016 Post Mortem Obamas Legacy on Corporate Criminals: Too Little, Too Late Fiscal Times (UserFriendly) Obama Blasts Zero-Sum Politics in Farewell Speech, Drawing Contrast to Trump Bloomberg Pity the sad legacy of Barack Obama Cornel West, Guardian (John C) What Went Wrong With Obamas Farewell Address Bloomberg Fish on a treadmill and other government waste, according to Sen. Jeff Flake Albuquerque Journal. Resilc: How about invading Iraq, did that make the list? Supreme Court Seems Wary of Hurdles for Refunds of Fines After Exonerations New York Times. Jess M: This is insane. SCOTUS is hearing a case about whether people who have their convictions overturned are entitled to have any fines they paid refunded. Colorado is arguing that there is no such right. Kafka would be proud. Powerful storms head for U.S. West after thousands flee floods Reuters. EM: The drought is not officially over depleted aquifers statewide take a lot longer to recharge than surface reservoirs but this latest batch of Pineapple express rain plumes is the kind of thing CA hasnt seen in nearly a decade. California Democratic delegates get more progressive Sacramento Bee (UserFriendly) New McCarthyism American Media Must Do Better in 2017 FAIR (Judy B) The Number of Librarians in Philly Continues to Dwindle Pacific Standard (Chuck L) Trump Euphoria Sets In; Small Businesses Optimism Surges Most Since 1980: Whats It Mean? Michael Shedlock (EM) Americas Fastest-Growing Loan Category Has Echoes of Subprime Wall Street Journal Heath IT Mismanagement: MD Anderson to cut about 1,000 jobs due to financial downfall officials largely attributed to its EPIC EHR implementation project Health Care Renewal Does NYT Require Reporters to Needless Add Free to References to Trade Policy? Dean Baker Suddenly, Home Sale Agreements Are Falling Apart Across the U.S. Bloomberg Class Warfare Antidote du jour (Tracie H): And a bonus (Robert H): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. IFA National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey has strongly encouraged all sheep farmers to apply for the new 10 per ewe sheep scheme, recently announced by the Minister of Agriculture Michael Creed. John Lynskey said sheep farmers should attend the meetings arranged for later this month by the Department of Agriculture, familiarise themselves with the details of the scheme and make an application by the closing date of January 31. John Lynskey said the new 10 per ewe scheme is a very positive development for the Irish sheep sector. He said IFA undertook an intensive campaign throughout 2015/2016 and succeeded in securing a commitment in the Programme for Government and funding in Budget 2017 of 25m per year for the new scheme. The IFA sheep farmers leader said the new scheme is based under the animal welfare section of the Rural Development Programme and farmers will be required to undertake various tasks which will improve and enhance the standards of animal welfare and health of their sheep flock. He said the welfare initiatives include task on lameness, mineral supplementation, parasite controls, flystrike and scanning. Mr Lynskey pointed out that farmers will choose from a list of options and be required to select two options, one from Category A and one from Category B. He said the options are tailored to suit both lowland and hill sheep flocks. He said farmers will have to undertake the tasks at various times throughout the year and keep a record of the work. Participants will be subject to the normal inspection process. John Lynskey said with 2.5m ewes in the national flock, there is adequate funding in the scheme to cover every sheep farmer with a breeding flock. In addition, he said IFA has also outlined the need to accommodate young farmers and new entrants under the application arrangements. The IFA National Sheep Chairman said the Irish sheep sector involves 35,000 farmers, 2.5m ewes, and annual output of 61,000t, valued at 290m. He said analysis conducted by Professor Alan Renwick from UCD shows that each 1 of direct support for the sheep sector underpins 2.7 of economic output and 1.72 of household income in the Irish economy. Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), listens during a Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) meeting at the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. The FSOC today unanimously approved its 2014 annual report, which was developed collaboratively by the members of the Council and their agencies and staffs. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Richard Cordray Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg House Democrats sent a letter Tuesday to President-elect Donald J. Trump, urging him to reject calls by Republicans to fire Richard Cordray, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The letter, signed by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. and 20 other Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee, cautioned Trump against "entering into a protracted and likely unsuccessful legal battle to oust" the CFPB's Cordray before his term expires in July 2018. "Any attempts to remove Director Cordray from his position are without historical precedent, and intended solely to distract the director and the bureau from its important work protecting servicemembers, students and other borrowers from financial predation," the lawmakers wrote. "We caution you not to engage in partisan litigation, particularly since it is likely to be unsuccessful and will needlessly divert government resources away from other important priorities." House Democrats are hoping to avert a collision course with Trump because firing Cordray could devolve into a nasty legal and political showdown over the limits to executive power. A key question is whether Trump will attempt to fire Cordray soon after assuming the presidency. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, Trump can only fire a director "for cause," but a court decision in November struck down that language, saying a president could fire a director for any reason. That decision, however, has been stayed pending appeal. House Democrats wrote that removing Cordray "for cause" would be an "extraordinary remedy whose use must be subjected to enhanced congressional, judicial and public scrutiny." "While we understand that many powerful special interests would like to see Director Cordray leave, we urge you not to bow to their demands to initiate costly, meritless litigation, and we stand ready to oppose any efforts you may make to do so," the letter stated. Their letter came as two Republican senators sought Tuesday to stake out a legal justification for firing Cordray. Much of the Democrats' letter addressed past allegations of discrimination at the bureau that could be used to justify removing Cordray. In 2014, the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee held a series of hearings into allegations that the CFPB had discriminated against minorities. The hearings came in response to stories in National Mortgage News that showed whites were more likely to receive higher pay than minority employees. The CFPB ultimately scrapped its pay system as a result and paid back $5 million to affected employees. "In response to these allegations, Director Cordray was upfront in acknowledging the challenges he faced in starting up a new federal agency, including dealing with staffing issues and developing a management structure from scratch," the letter stated. "Director Cordray did not hide from the intense congressional scrutiny during this time." The letter described at length the efforts Cordray has taken to reduce discrimination at the agency he had led. Last year, a Government Accountability Office report found that roughly 25% of African-American, Asian and female employees of the CFPB who responded to a survey experienced discrimination at the agency. Democrats also referred in the letter to the Wells Fargo scandal by stating that the bank's $190 million settlement in September over charges that employees opened 2 million phony accounts would not have happened without Cordray's leadership. The lawmakers also noted that the CFPB "is well on its way to completing rulemakings to both stop the payday lending debt trap and to rein in forced arbitration clauses that deny consumers their day in court." (Natural News) Service professionals working various positions in Illinois will now be required to complete domestic abuse prevention training as part of their licensing requirements. The new law, which just went into effect on Sunday, impacts hair stylists, barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, hair braiders and nail technicians. Although workers wont be required to report violence, they are protected from any liability under the law. Some believe this is a deliberate effort to take advantage of the intimate relations between the service professionals and their clients. The required training aims to teach beauty professionals how to spot signs of abuse. The new law could prove to be a great aid for rescuing sex trafficking victims from their captors, but that appears to be the only potential upside. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is a federally run department which will be enforcing the new state law, but the Department of Homeland Security runs the Illinois Department of Human Services, which handles domestic abuse in the state. The trusted relationships between beauty workers and their clients are now questionable in Illinois. State Rep. Fran Hurley believes that the openness and freeness of those relations puts the employees in position to see something that just isnt quite right. Its easy to give away information that should be kept private when you are enjoying a conversation with someone you trust. Illinois is ready to take advantage of that information with the some 88,000 beauty professionals intended to complete the training program within the next two years. Some clients do have a tendency to open up about the on goings of their personal lives. Sometimes they reveal so much information that they are too embarrassed to go back again. While the hour-long training sessions wont make any barbers an instant expert in domestic abuse, it does help raise awareness in two separate areas. Anything you say can and will be used against you No, you are not being read your Miranda rights, but that statement applies just about everywhere. Everything you say and do is subject to scrutiny. The more information you give away, the more opportunities exist for unforeseen circumstances to arise, which may impact you negatively. We live in a world where people will try to bring you down. You can read the news on any given day and you will find stories pertaining to job loss and fallout because somebody decided to open their mouth. Sources: BlacklistedNews.com NPR.org (Natural News) In a welcome announcement during a press conference today, President-elect Donald Trump announced a plan to shatter the monopolistic pricing of Big Pharma that has been draining literally trillions of dollars from the government for the past two decades. Pharma has a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power, said Trump. Theres very little bidding on drugs. Were the largest drug buyer in the world, and were going to start bidding. Were going to start saving billions of dollars on drugs. (RELATED: See more coverage of President Trump at Trump.news) Trump is referencing the fact that all the former Presidents in recent memory Clinton, Bush and Obama have maintained what can only be called a monopoly pricing drug cartel in the United States, where the U.S. government pays outrageously high prices for prescription medications purchased via Medicare, federal health coverage plans and VA Hospital operations. The utter lack of competitive pricing has been kept in place by an army of pharma lobbyists bribing complicit lawmakers and bureaucrats to keep high prices in place and eliminate competitive bidding for prescription medication purchase contracts. (RELATED: See daily coverage of medicine news at Medicine.news) $324.6 billion a year in overpriced prescription medications to appease Big Pharma lobbyists As a result, the federal government is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on overpriced prescription drugs each year, dolling out a whopping $324.6 billion on prescription drugs in 2015 alone. Spending on prescription drugs outpaced all other services in 2015, says a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid report entitled National Health Expenditures: 2015 Highlights. That same report reveals that U.S. health care spending has now reached $3.2 trillion annually, or nearly $10,000 per person. If this spending isnt curtailed, its going to bankrupt America and will soon hit an astonishing 25% of GDP, meaning 1 out of every 4 dollars generated in the entire U.S. economy will be going to drug companies, cancer treatment centers, hospitals, doctors and medical device manufacturers. High drug prices weaken U.S. worker competitiveness in global marketplace Obviously, that rate of expenditure is unsustainable. It also makes U.S. workers far more expensive than workers in overseas regions, harming the economic competitiveness of U.S. companies. In order for U.S. workers to remain competitive, U.S. health care costs need to be drastically reduced and that means finally forcing drug companies to compete on pricing rather than receiving full retail monopoly-priced reimbursements from the federal government. Making America Great Again, in other words, means stopping the federal government from being ripped off by Big Pharma. Notably, Hillary Clintons campaign accepted millions of dollars from Big Pharma sources, and theres little question that Clinton, if she had won the election, would have maintained the status quo of monopoly prices. See Hillary Clinton will not challenge FDA Monopoly and If you support Hillary Clinton, you support big pharma and mandatory vaccinations. (RELATED: Find more news on Hillary Clinton at Clinton.news) In contrast, Donald Trump is genuinely draining the swamp by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse across many sectors of the federal government. Big Pharma just got served: The era of easy profits and a compliant federal government writing unlimited fat checks is now coming to an end. Every American fed up with unaffordable drug prices, outrageous health insurance premiums and the corruption and influence of lobbyists in Washington D.C. should applaud this announcement by Trump. Toxic Exposures: Mustard Gas and the Health Consequences of World War II in the United States Susan L. Smith Rutgers University Press: 2017. 9780813586090 | ISBN: 978-0-8135-8609-0 One hundred years ago, soldiers of the First World War were trapped eye deep in hell, in poet Ezra Pound's words. Mustard gas drifting into the trenches exposed them to the risk of burns, blindness and respiratory damage. Over the course of the war, one million men endured attacks deploying this and other gases; almost 100,000 died. German chemist Fritz Haber devised several weaponized toxic agents used in battle, which some thought more humane than conventional armaments because they could disable soldiers without killing them. Despite winning a Nobel prize for his earlier work in synthesizing ammonia, Haber was shunned by colleagues in later years for his involvement in what was known as the chemists' war. Soldiers' injuries caused by nitrogen mustard and lewisite gas during Second World War experiments at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC. Credit: US Naval Research Laboratory Gas attacks are strongly associated with that 'war to end all wars'. Yet during and after the Second World War, too, the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom exposed tens of thousands of soldiers to poison gases for military research. This unfought chemical war and its casualties are the subject of historian Susan Smith's Toxic Exposures. Her account, supported by more than ten years of stunningly thorough scholarship, explains how Americans poisoned themselves in the name of saving lives. She documents how the promise of advancing medical knowledge and promoting national security were enlisted as justification for ignoring human rights. First, Smith focuses on the intentional exposure of military personnel. Researchers did not seek consent from servicemen for these experiments; instead, officers volunteered their troops. One woman, a service trainee for the US Air Force, reported being ordered to run through a cloud of the organoarsenic compound lewisite in a gas acquaintance procedure during flight training in Houston, Texas. In total, researchers recruited at least 60,000 US sailors to study the effects of mustard gas, a toxic agent that incorporates sulfur and chlorine. Other scientists sprayed Canadian soldiers from the air and forced them to march for 3 kilometres, then sit for hours in contaminated clothing. The seriously burned were hospitalized. Military guinea pigs were sworn to secrecy; some withheld information from their doctors for decades, sacrificing their own health. Investigators speculated that soldiers of different races would respond differently to chemical exposure in terms of pain and injury. At least nine studies attempted to demonstrate varying susceptibility to mustard gas, looking at the race, pigment and complexion of soldiers of African American, Puerto Rican and Japanese American origin, as compared to 'whites'. Studies also targeted Native American personnel, such as a soldier in Texas who had mustard gas dripped onto his skin, and was forced to endure exposure to both mustard gas and phosgene in closed chambers without a mask. Physiologist Homer W. Smith of the National Defense Research Committee joined US General Henry Arnold in endorsing the use of chemical warfare against Japanese soldiers in the South Pacific. Said Arnold: gas, fire, anything to exterminate the entire race. As Toxic Exposures notes, the racialized nature of this research has escaped much scholarly attention. Yet in 1944, a notice in the Journal of the American Medical Association commended 500 men, including 40 soldiers of Japanese ancestry, who had voluntarily been subjected to mustard-gas research. The US research subjects left a segregated society at home to serve in segregated military units. Even the gas masks they tested were sorted for use by race. After the war, reports comparing the penetration of lethal gases into the skin of negro and white research subjects appeared in several professional publications. Smith also reveals the toxic legacies of war in oceans, where the military dumped poisonous munitions in waters off the coasts of Alaska, Hawaii and South Carolina, and in the Gulf of Mexico. There were at least 70 such incidents between 1918 and 1970. Smith's litany of toxic waste is staggering: some 30,000 tonnes of mustard gas, lewisite and nerve gases such as tabun and sarin; 400,000 chemical-filled bombs, rockets and landmines; 500 tonnes of radioactive waste. Smith suggests that as many as 50 nuclear bombs were lost at sea. As she writes, some saw the sea as a convenient sewer. The book culminates with the story of how wartime toxic exposures led to chemotherapy against cancer. Smith describes a 1943 aerial attack on US ship John Harvey in the harbour of Bari, Italy. The Harvey was storing some 2,000 mustard-gas bombs below decks, intended for retaliation against a possible chemical-warfare offensive; the crew was unaware of the deadly cargo. When German bombs struck, water and air became saturated with mustard gas, exposing hundreds of British and US sailors and around 1,000 Italian civilians. Medical scientists treating the casualties learned that the systemic effects of the gas destroyed victims' white blood cells fuelling speculation that toxic exposures might help to fight cancer. In the 1940s, compounds related to mustard gas were transformed into therapeutic agents. As early as 1946, US oncologist Cornelius Rhoads applauded these developments as the peacetime dividends of chemical warfare. Revolutionary Science: Transformation and Turmoil in the Age of the Guillotine Steve Jones Pegasus (2017) 9781681773094 | ISBN: 978-1-6817-7309-4 In 1789, as the French Revolution blew the Ancien Regime to smithereens, Paris seethed with scientific geniuses. Many were later guillotined including the 'father of modern chemistry', Antoine Lavoisier. But, as geneticist Steve Jones reminds us in this sparkling scientific history, they and those who survived (such as astronomer Joseph-Louis Lagrange) laid down a legacy spanning discoveries from the metric system to nitrogenous fertilizer. A fine homage to the evolution of game-changing science, born in the City of Light. Testosterone Rex: Myths of Sex, Science, and Society Cordelia Fine W. W. Norton (2017) 9780393082081 9781785781612 | ISBN: 978-0-3930-8208-1 Fed up with men from Mars and women from Venus? In this witty corrective, psychologist Cordelia Fine examines the fraying biological big picture of sexual selection, and corrals findings in evolutionary science, neuroscience and endocrinology to add nuance to it. As she demonstrates, the genetic and hormonal components of sex 'collaborate' in complex ways with societal aspects of the developmental system, such as education. Gendered marketing, men-only expert panels and other sexist norms may seem trivial, but their cumulative impact is ultimately damaging. Deep Life Tullis C. Onstott Princeton University Press (2016) 9780691096445 | ISBN: 978-0-6910-9644-5 Few collecting trips can be as claustrophobia-inducing as Tullis Onstott's. The geomicrobiologist's subterranean safaris can see him plunging more than 3,000 metres below ground to hunt extremophiles microbes adapted to extreme conditions, which could offer insight into life on Mars. Onstott's dense account of feats in South African mineshafts and Canadian ice caves is leavened by a vast enthusiasm for the biotic fringe. You're swept along, whether he's describing the Death-o-Meter (a gauge of microbial activity) or probing SLiMES (subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems). Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness Peter Godfrey-Smith Farrar, Straus & Giroux (2016) 9780374227760 9780008226275 | ISBN: 978-0-3742-2776-0 As a philosopher of science and dedicated scuba diver, Peter Godfrey-Smith is gripped by cephalopods, an island of mental complexity in an invertebrate sea. In this insightful study, he weaves their evolutionary history through recent research, his own tales of encounters in the wild and accounts of the idiosyncratic behaviour of lab octopuses, such as drenching visitors in jets of water. From protean bodies to distributed brains, their wondrous otherness leads Godfrey-Smith into fascinating speculations on the alien mind. The Unsettlers: In Search of the Good Life in Today's America Mark Sundeen Riverhead (2017) 9781594631580 | ISBN: 978-1-5946-3158-0 Cancer research appears to be a field of medical science that should get considerable attention. After all, nearly 14.5 million Americans have a history of cancer, with more than 13 million estimated new cases every year. This is why even experts are starting to play with the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Researchers from the University of Michigan refuse to be left behind either, with a new method that has potential to eliminate tumors. According to Futurism, the new technology will be using nano-sized discs of about 10 nm. They are to program the body to kill cancer cells. James Moon from the University of Michigan said they are "educating" the immune system using the nanodiscs so that immune cells can personally attack cancer cells. Each of these "nanodiscs" is filled with neoantigens, or tumor-specific mutations. They eventually each the immune system's T-cells to recognize each neoantigen and eventually kill them. These work hand-in-hand with immune checkpoint inhibitors that boost the responses of T-cells. According to a study from the University of Michigan, as published in Nature, these form an anti-cancer system in the body that wipes out tumors and can even prevent them to reemerge. So far, the nanodiscs were successful in mice and showed rather promising results in just 10 days. They were able to shut down identical tumors in the mice after being reinserted 70 days later. Rui Kuai, lead author of the study, said this suggests the immune system can "remember" the cancer cells for long-term immunity. Their study is published in Nature Materials. Of course it may take a while before this "designer vaccine" gets a public release. The researchers still need to use it on larger animals, and even need more time before it's used in humans. Still, these discs increase our chances of developing an actual cure for cancer. A new "Pig King" has been hailed at a competition in Henan's capital of Zhengzhou, China. According to CCTV News, the pig which is 2.1 meters long and weighs 750 kilograms beat dozens of others who also joined the competition at the Yellow River Pig Breeding Base. The contest was organized by a pig farming association in Huanghetan district of Zhengzhou city. Several local farmers sent their biggest and heaviest pigs in the venue, all of them weighed over 80 stone and have been raised for over two years. An average adult pig weighs around 22 stone. The Shanghaiist reported that it is now three years old and while it should have been butchered and turned to a dish years ago, the owner wanted to find out how big will it grow. According to Daily Mail, the owner of the female pig, who is only known as "Zhang," said her pig eats a lot and has grown to the size of a cow. To put it in perspective, the pig is so big that it can carry an adult on the back, according to Huanqiu.com. The pig was one of the first farmyard animals to be domesticated. The Conversation reported that some evidence showed evidence that indicate pig domestication probably began in Eastern Turkey some 9-10,000 years ago and then, independently, several thousand years later in central China. Despite their appearance, pigs are actually intelligent, emotional and cognitively complex. A review essay published last year by researchers Lori Marino and Christina M. Colvi found that pigs share many traits with animals that we consider intelligent, says Psychology Today. Further, pigs can easily adopt the traits of other pigs when put in a similar pen. Their review showed that when "naive" pigs were placed in the same pen with trained pigs, they adopted the same emotional anticipatory behaviors such as anticipating rewards. It seems Earth and climate science is not the only one to take a fatal blow during Trump's administration as the health and medicine sector showed their concern over the president-elect's decision to offer the leadership of a new Vaccine Safety Panel to a prominent skeptic of childhood vaccines that goes by the name Robert F. Kennedy Jr. According to the report from the New York Times, Kennedy was asked by Trump to be the chair of the new commission in vaccines during their meeting in the Trump Tower in New York. "That's very frightening; it's difficult to imagine anyone less qualified to serve on a commission for vaccine science," said Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, in a report from Washington Post. Kennedy, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, has been known to be an anti-vaccine crusader and conspiracy theorists. Additionally, Kennedy argued that link between vaccines and autism can be explained by the mercury-based additives. He also alleged that different pharmaceutical companies are in cahoots with government scientists and journalists to hide the truth from the public. However, health professionals and medical experts have already debunked and discredited conspiracy theories connecting vaccination with autism. Health care providers showed their concern regarding the appointment of Kennedy as the chair of Vaccine Safety Panel, warning that the appointment would "endanger children by confusing parents about the need of childhood vaccinations. According to a statistics by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the extensive vaccination efforts of the government have reduced the occurrence of polio and smallpox by 100 percent. On the other hand, diphtheria, H. influenza, measles, mumps and rubella have been reduced by >99 percent. Vaccinations have also reduced other preventable diseases by more than 70 percent. These diseases include Hepatitis A and B, Varicella, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease and rotavirus. It's terrifying to think that an asteroid can come crashing down on Earth without warning, but a recent incident was a reminder that this is a very real possibility. According to a report from Space.com, a small asteroid known as 2017 AG13 did in fact speed past the planet on the morning of Monday, January 9. More significantly, the object was closer than comfort too and barely missed Earth when it flew past. For comparison, the moon sits about 239,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) away from the Earth on average. The 2017 AG13 was just half of this distance away when it zoomed past the planet. Astronomers at the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts observed that this asteroid is likely about 36 to 111 feet (11 to 34 meters) wide. It was discovered just last Saturday, January 7 by a team at the University of Arizona's Catalina Sky Survey. A report from Astronomy.com revealed that 2017 AG13 was flying at a speed of roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers) per second. This speed combined with the size of the asteroid and its low brightness made it hard for scientists to spot it through the telescope. The damage of this asteroid's impact would have been similar to the effect of Chelyabinsk meteor back in 2013, according to Popular Mechanics. Estimated at about 20 meters (66 meters) in diameter, the incident had most of the meteor fizzling out as it entered the Earth's atmosphere. However, hot debris did crashed to the ground, destroying property and injuring people in Russia. NASA tends to focus on larger near-Earth objects (NEO) that could be incredibly catastrophic. In October 2015, a 470-meter (1,500 feet) asteroid flew just beyond the orbit of the moon. Such a large-sized object would cause so much destruction if it ever crashes into the planet. NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson may be the oldest female to reach the International Space Station (ISS) but another woman is about to make history. The agency already announced the Expedition 55 crew and one of them is a black African-American woman. Jeannete Epps will join Andrew Feustel in a mission to the ISS in 2018. Epps will be the first woman of color to perform a duty aboard the space station, and will also be the 13th woman to board the ISS, according to a report. She will be the flight engineer for Expedition 55 and will also remain for Expedition 56. "Each space station crew brings something different to the table, and Drew and Jeanette both have a lot to offer," Chris Cassidy, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston said in a press release. "The space station will benefit from having them on board." Epps has a bachelor's degree in physics from the LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, and completed a master's degree in science in 1994 and a doctorate degree in 2000. Before her ISS stint, she is a NASA Graduate Student Researchers Project fellow who helped author various articles for her paper. She maybe a woman and African-American but Epps has a ton of achievements under her belt. Before being recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency, she worked in a research laboratory for two years authoring patents. She then moved to CIA as a technical intelligence officer before she was selected as a member of astronaut class in 2009. "Her training included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalk training, robotics, T-38 flight training and wilderness survival training," a NASA said in the Official Astronaut Biography. As of now, there were 200 astronauts who already visited the ISS and performed various experiments aboard the space station. NASA considers the work aboard the ISS vital in space explorations including the Journey to Mars. Police say a 12-year-old stabbed his mother and sister Tuesday morning, inside their home on Morton Street. The boy is in custody, but police say the investigation is far from over. This is a real tragedy, Chief Tighe OMeara of the Ashland Police Department says, and its going to affect a lot of people in a really profoundly negative way. What is usually a quiet neighborhood nestled in the Ashland hills, became a gruesome crime scene Tuesday morning when police received two 911 calls from inside the home. When police arrived they found 52-year-old Pamela Wolosz dead, and her 16 year-old daughter alive, but seriously hurt. Police say the 12-year-old son and brother of the victims stabbed them multiple times with a chefs knife. To watch this unfold and see a 12-year-old taken into custody for murdering his mother, Chief OMeara says, its been a rough day and its gonna be a rough patch for the community to work through. This is especially tragic, OMeara adds. Right now police dont have a motive for the crimes, and they say the full investigation could take days or even weeks, but they say at this point in their investigation no one could have seen this coming. This is completely out of the blue, OMeara says. One other family member was home at the time, and was not injured. The boys sister is expected to survive. The suspect is being held at a juvenile detention facility in Medford. An attorney with the Jackson County District Attorneys Office says 12 year olds can be charged as adults. However, the district attorney hasnt said what will happen in this case. In some of the most remote and poverty stricken areas of the world, where earthquakes and civil wars have cast a shadow of darkness, families receive a little light comfort from a few South Bay women. More than 20 retired women come together every Monday morning at Bethel Lutheran church in Cupertino to make quilts for refugees and people in need. Local veterans, homeless and needy families receive quilts as well. The fireside room from where they work isn't warmed simply by the log burning in the corner, but by the love and compassion sewn into each colorful creation. "Quilts are really necessary in the world for warmth and everything that a person needs to stay healthy," said Joann Weberg, one of the quilt-making volunteers. "It's just a great thing to do every Monday morning." The women's group is celebrating 20 years of making 60-inch by 80-inch quilts, having started two decades ago with the idea for churchgoers to make quilts for the local and larger community. Today, the group makes six quilts each week and more than 300 each year. All of the quilts sent overseas are first sent to Lutheran World Relief in Saint Paul, Minnesota for distribution. "It is so nice to be able to give back to the communities within our world, and this is a big fellowship for all these women," Weberg said. Quilts have been sent to the Middle East during the Syrian refugee crisis and Haiti during destructive earthquakes. Countries in South America and Africa, along with India and the Philippines have received quilts from the Cupertino women as well. The blankets are not only used to keep people warm, but sometimes act as walls for makeshift shelters. The women also make school bags for kids. Fabric for each creation is donated. The women may also begin working with local second hand stories for free material. Donations can be given to the church office. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. lawyers told the judge slated to sentence the utility for six federal criminal counts later this month that the company will not appeal five pipeline safety-related convictions and will agree to submit to independent oversight by a monitor, according to court filings. PG&E also told U.S. Judge Thelton Henderson who is set to decide the company's punishment at a hearing on Jan. 23 that it will not agree to a five-year term of probation, the $3 million maximum allowable fine and a federal safety monitor. Previously, PG&Es lawyers had signaled the utility would fight the verdicts a jury handed down in August of last year. PG&E was found guilty of five pipeline safety counts as well as a lone count of obstructing the federal probe into the September 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion, which triggered a fire that left eight dead and destroyed a neighborhood. It remains unclear whether PG&E will press an appeal on the obstruction count, a charge the company insists was unwarranted. In its sentencing memorandum filed on Monday, the utilitys defense asked Henderson to take into account the companys unilateral public vow that it would not contest the five pipeline safety-related convictions. In addition, the firms lawyers told the judge that should the court impose it, PG&E will pay the maximum statutory fine in this case ($3 million) promptly. These actions, we submit, demonstrate PG&Es desire to focus its efforts on the safety of its customers and its community, without distraction or diversion, the company told the judge. Henderson will consider that testimony as well as a federal probation department report outlining sentencing recommendations, including a term of five years probation, the maximum $3 million fine, 10,000 hours community service by managers and a yearlong advertising campaign emphasizing PG&Es guilt. The federal probation report calls on the company to revise its bonus system to better emphasize safety and for the court to impose an independent safety monitor a measure that PG&E has repeatedly resisted in the past. Federal prosecutors urged Henderson to at minimum accept or exceed the probation department recommendations. PG&Es pattern of deliberate and methodical violations of safety regulations, motivated by profit and resulting in mass death and destruction, warrants the most serious sentence this court can impose, prosecutors told Henderson in a court filing Monday. Such a sentence is not only appropriate, it is the minimum necessary to reflect the seriousness of PG&Es conduct, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, protect the public from further crimes by this recidivist defendant, and adequately deter other natural gas operators across the country. A key component of the sentence, prosecutors told Henderson, is the independent monitor. PG&Es history of noncompliance with its regulatory obligations demonstrates that it cannot be trusted to prevent criminal conduct on its own, the prosecutors stressed. Instead, this Court should impose a corporate monitor on PG&E to achieve some measure of confidence that PG&E will comply with Pipeline Safety Act regulations to prevent future tragedies, such as the deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno. For its part, PG&E assured Henderson that it is hashing out the details of such a monitoring agreement. PG&E and the government are currently working towards agreement on the scope and terms of a monitorship designed to support and ensure a strong safety culture without compromising the role of PG&Es state and federal regulators, the company said in its filing with the court. PG&E hopes that agreement on the monitorship can be reached and a proposal submitted to the Court ahead of sentencing. While the company said it would accept the monitor, the five-year probation term as well as the fine, the utility signaled it will fight other proposed measures as inappropriate and contrary to federal law. Altering the bonus system could unintentionally encourage employees to underreport safety incidents, the company told the judge. And while not opposed to community service, the current 10,000 hours proposal is unworkable in light of the extensive level of such service already performed by the company executives. PG&E also bristled at the suggestion that it devote a quarter of its advertising budget for a year on a campaign to discuss its criminal conviction as well as its record of compliance. Its cost, the company argues, would be so massive that it runs the risk of exceeding the maximum $3 million fine. No further publicity is required to alert the public to the circumstances of this case, the company concluded, given the extent of international reporting on the case. But federal prosecutors want Henderson to go further, creating a hotline for whistleblowers and requirements that the company target the same audience who had been saturated by company ads before the trial. The government supports the condition requiring PG&E to notify the public of its criminal and neglectful behavior, what it was convicted of, and the changes made within the organization to reduce the likelihood of future criminal conduct and negligence, prosecutors told Henderson. PG&Es crimes compel a serious sentence that will alter its culture for good, prosecutors concluded, noting that victims' families and officials from San Bruno are expected to attend the hearing later this month. Berkeley police say a suspect who fled to Southern California is in custody in the case of two stabbings, one of which was deadly and whose victim, a young woman, became the first homicide of the year. Sgt. Andrew Frankel said Wednesday that 24-year-old North Hollywood resident Pablo Gomez Jr. was arrested by Burbank police on Saturday and is being held at a Los Angeles County jail. Frankel said Gomez will be interviewed and brought back to Northern California to face homicide and aggravated assault charges in Alameda County. Police say they have no motive yet in the case and would not say if the suspect knew the victims. Gomez is suspected of stabbing two young women on Friday. One woman was found at a home in on the north side of the Berkeley campus. She was taken to the hospital with serious stab wounds but is expected to recover. The investigation led officers to another address on Ashby Avenue where they found a violent scene and eventually discovered the body of a second victim. The victim, Emilie Inman, a 27-year-old teacher at Sienna Ranch in Lafayette, had been missing since Friday. Berkeley police identified her on Wednesday. Chris Lauf, the nature centers director, wrote in a statement on the center's website that he had received many messages from families of current and former students who remembered her as a passionate and creative teacher who challenged her students and coworkers to be their best selves, to live life bravely and beautifully. Gomez was a UC Berkeley student and a Chicano/a Studies major. Gomez was involved with the Alliance for Climate Education from 2012 to 2015, said ACE Executive Director Matt Lappe. He added that Gomez's suspected connection to the stabbings is a total shock. An atmospheric river is a long, narrow band of moist air streaming up from the tropics across the ocean drenching the coast. California is no stranger to atmospheric rivers. In fact, one nearly wiped out Sacramento in Gold Rush times. Scientists say climate change will mean bigger and more frequent atmospheric river events that dump more water on the state. In a Scientific American article from 2013, Berkeley paleo-climatologist Lynn Ingram explained that "mega storms" are common, occuring about every 200 years. In 1861 in Sacramento, it started raining on Christmas and didn't stop until 43 days later. The booming city -- its railways, telegraph poles and buildings -- were suberged under 10 feet of water. The brand new state legislature had to up stakes and move to San Francisco for 6 months. Many people and cattle died. The San Francisco Bay, usually full of salt water from the ocean, filled with fresh water and aquatic life suffered. The Central Valley was flooded from what is now Modesto to Chico. It was an extreme version of the "pineapple express" storms that California gets every year at least half a dozen times, Ingram said. That particlar storm was so bad because it lingered. Climatologists only recently identified the phenomena of atmospheric rivers using satellite technology that can visualize the water vapor in the atmosphere, Ingram said. Her research explores the history of these storms going back thousands of years before recorded history. By digging cores of sediment from under the San Francisco Bay, lakes and marshes, Ingram can analyze chemistry, fossils and composition to make guesses about the weather hundreds of years ago. Atmospheric rivers hit California every winter and are responsible for at least a third of the state's water supply. Ingram saw evidence of mega-floods every 200 years or so. With climate change, Ingram expects these warm storms to come more frequently, linger longer and deliver more tropical moisture to the West Coast in the future. More heat in the atmosphere means more energy in the tropics, which occasionally needs an escape valve and spurts across the Pacific to California. In the Central Valley, what was once open range and wilderness in 1861 is now subdivisions and productive farmland, home to 6 million people. With more groundwater pumping because of the drought, the land has sunk further. Ingram said officials need to be aware of the risk, and think carefully before they build infrastructure and permit subdivisions. Excerpts from President Obama's farewell address Tuesday in Chicago, as prepared for delivery. "I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties, still trying to figure out who I was; still searching for a purpose to my life. It was in neighborhoods not far from here where I began working with church groups in the shadows of closed steel mills. It was on these streets where I witnessed the power of faith, and the quiet dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss. This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it." --- "For 240 years, our nations call to citizenship has given work and purpose to each new generation. Its what led patriots to choose republic over tyranny, pioneers to trek west, slaves to brave that makeshift railroad to freedom. Its what pulled immigrants and refugees across oceans and the Rio Grande, pushed women to reach for the ballot, powered workers to organize. Its why GIs gave their lives at Omaha Beach and Iwo Jima; Iraq and Afghanistan and why men and women from Selma to Stonewall were prepared to give theirs as well." [NATL] White House Photographer Shares Favorite Obama Photos From 2016 --- "The uninsured rate has never, ever been lower. Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in fifty years. And if anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements weve made to our health care system that covers as many people at less cost I will publicly support it. That, after all, is why we serve to make peoples lives better, not worse." --- "All of us have more work to do. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves." --- "Take the challenge of climate change. In just eight years, weve halved our dependence on foreign oil, doubled our renewable energy, and led the world to an agreement that has the promise to save this planet. But without bolder action, our children wont have time to debate the existence of climate change; theyll be busy dealing with its effects: environmental disasters, economic disruptions, and waves of climate refugees seeking sanctuary." [NATL] Through the Years: The Obama Presidency --- "To all who serve, it has been the honor of my lifetime to be your Commander-in-Chief. But protecting our way of life requires more than our military. Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. Thats why, for the past eight years, Ive worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firm legal footing. Thats why weve ended torture, worked to close Gitmo, and reform our laws governing surveillance to protect privacy and civil liberties. Thats why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans." --- "Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote. When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. [NATL] White House Christmas Trees Through the Years --- "If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life. If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If youre disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. Show up. Dive in." --- [NATL] Take a Peek Inside Living Quarters at the White House --- "My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I wont stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my days that remain. For now, whether youre young or young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your President the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours. I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes We Can. Yes We Did. Yes We Can. Thank you. God bless you. And may God continue to bless the United States of America." Don't fret, skiers and snowboarders. After a weekend of heavy rain and flooding in the Sierra Nevada, the latest round of winter weather on Tuesday is dumping several feet of fluffy, dry powder on the mountain range. A system moving across Northern California on Tuesday and Wednesday is expected to dump two to five feet of fresh snow along the Lake Tahoe shore level. Elevations above 7,000 feet could accumulate four to seven feet. To winter lovers' delight, even more snow could fall during the second half of the week as well. The latest heavy snowfall has prompted a slew of warnings in the area, according to the National Weather Service. Blizzard and avalanche warnings are in effect until Wednesday morning. A winter storm warning and a flood warning are also in effect until Thursday. Aside from the substantial snow, gale force winds throughout Tuesday and Wednesday along ridge lines could reach 135 mph to 145 mph at times. Those dangerous conditions prompted some Lake Tahoe ski resorts, such as Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, to close completely on Tuesday. A number of other resorts, including Northstar, are warning skiers and snowboarders to be prepared for delays. Folks not already hunkering down near Lake Tahoe won't have the easiest time traveling to the area. Interstate-80 as of Tuesday morning is closed from Colfax to the California-Nevada stateline. Highway 50 travelers excluding those with four-wheel drive vehicles are required to carry chains. The drive from the Central Valley to South Lake Tahoe could take several hours. President Barack Obama gave his farewell address Tuesday night at McCormick Place on Chicagos South Side to cheers of four more years from a crowd of approximately 18,000. The outgoing commander in chief touted many accomplishments from tracking down Osama bin Laden to rebooting the auto industryalong with a few emotional and personal messages of thanks to the city of Chicago and those he loves. Heres a look at some of the poignant moments of his final speech as president. My turn to say thanks: Obama figures out who he is, searches for a purpose in life on the streets of Chicago Jobs, Cuba, marriage equality and the mastermind behind 9/11: Obama touts accomplishments no description The imperative peaceful transfer of power from one freely elected president to the next On the changing of hearts, diversity and lessons from Atticus Finch Maybe you still cant believe we pulled this whole thing off: The first ladys standing ovation With pride, Obama thanks his daughters Sasha and Malia At his farewell address in Chicago, the president explained why he was proud of his daughters. The best decision he made as a nominee, Obama thanks Vice President Joe Biden President Barack Obama says choosing Joe Biden to be his vice president was the first and best choice he made during a farewell address in Chicago, Illinois, on Jan. 10, 2016. NOTE: NBC Chicago will offer a live stream of the speech beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday right here. President Barack Obama knows Chicago's food scene well, and with his arrival in the city scheduled for dinner time, it stands to reason that he might choose to dine at a restaurant ahead of his highly-anticipated farewell speech. While there has been no confirmation of the president's plans after landing at O'Hare International Airport, speculation has centered around an eatery he has frequented in the past -- Valois Restaurant. By 4 p.m., crowds had already gathered outside the Hyde Park dining spot known for its "comfort food." Barricades were seen surrounding the eatery and streets in the area were closed. The president is expected to arrive at O'Hare International Airport during the early evening hours but it remains unclear where he will be traveling from there. Doors to attend his farewell speech at the McCormick Place open at 5 p.m. and the speech is slated to begin at 8 p.m. CT. The address is expected to be followed by a "family reunion" for Obama's former campaign staffers, according to a notice sent to Obama alumni and obtained by The Associated Press. Obama will not stay in Chicago following the event, and is expected to instead return to Washington D.C. that evening. For more on how to get to the event, click here. A U.S. flag flutters in the wind above a Volkswagen dealership in Carlsbad, California, U.S. May 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo BERLIN (Reuters) - Despite the Dieselgate emissions scandal which has rocked Volkswagen, the German carmaker achieved record group sales in 2016 of 10.3 million vehicles, including a 12 percent jump in December. That figure should put VW ahead of Japanese rival Toyota as the world's largest car producer by volume. VW sales are proving resilient despite the diesel emissions scandal which has plunged the company into crisis since it came to light in September 2015. VW faces a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency seen potentially costing as much as $4 billion to resolve civil and criminal investigations into the scandal, which sources have told Reuters could be announced as soon as Wednesday. On Monday, the company suffered a fresh setback when an executive was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States over the diesel emissions cheating and the company was accused of concealing the matter from regulators. Despite those challenges, however, VW on Tuesday reported a strong finish to 2016. December deliveries including its Audi and Porsche luxury brands rose to 933,300 vehicles from 834,700 a year earlier, with double-digit gains in China and the United States offsetting declines in Germany and Brazil. Its full-year deliveries rose 3.8 percent from 9.93 million in 2015, the company said. Toyota said last month it expected to end 2016 with sales of 10.09 million vehicles, slightly below an initial forecast of 10.11 million. The Japanese rival, which has topped delivery rankings for the past four years but trailed VW at mid-year, is expected to report its 2016 deliveries in early February. NordLB analyst Frank Schwope expects VW to be able to keep the world top carmaker crown this year but said the gap with rivals may shrink as demand in China, which accounts for nearly 40 percent of VW group sales, may weaken because of plans to reduce or phase out tax breaks for small engine cars. "VW is heavily exposed to possible setbacks in China," said Schwope who has a "Hold" recommendation on VW shares. (Reporting by Andreas Cremer; editing by Jason Neely and Keith Weir) Some Chicago teens will see President Barack Obama speak Monday night after a local activist called for the donation of extra tickets to the event. Jahmal Cole, founder of My Hood, My Block, My City, said he got in line early Saturday morning at McCormick place with hundreds of others to try and get tickets for local teenagersbut he wasnt there early enough. I failed at getting teenagers tickets to see President Obama speak on Tuesday, Cole wrote on Facebook Saturday. If any Politicians wanna give their tickets to a teenager, please message me. Seeing our President speak will add value to our students lives. That place should be packed with the next generation of leaders. Thank you in advance. For real too. Thank you. Several Chicagoans stepped up and donated their tickets so the kids could witness the historic momentincluding members of the Chatham Business Association. Its important to have them front and center to see the process, to see the history, said Melinda Kelly, executive director of the organization. Cole said its one thing to see the speech on televisionbut another to see it live. In a Facebook post Monday, he announced the teens would be seeing Obamas speech and that he was proud to live in a city thats an amazing place with amazing people. I think seeing Barack Obama speak live can change the trajectory of some of these kids lives, Cole said. President Barack Obama will welcome the World Series champion Chicago Cubs at the White House on Monday, just five days before he leaves office. White House press secretary Josh Earnest confirmed the visit Wednesday and said Obama is really looking forward to it. The move is slightly unusual. The reigning World Series champions normally make the traditional White House visit during the following MLB season. The Cubs, who ended a 108-year title drought in Game 7 against the Cleveland Indians, were hoping to get to Washington, D.C., before Obama left office. Though the president is a White Sox fan, he calls Chicago home and rooted for the North Siders since his team didn't make the playoffs. NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern first reported the visit on Tuesday. The president invited the Cubs to the White House in a phone call to Joe Maddon following the team's victory, and with the club all assembled in Chicago for this weekend's Cubs Convention, arranging travel to Washington D.C. was a solution that worked out well for the team to see the president. While the Cubs visit to the White House comes five days before president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, the team will still have a connection to the new administration. Trump has nominated Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts as deputy commerce secretary. Ricketts will join his sister, co-owner Laura Ricketts, brother, co-owner Tom Ricketts, and the team at the presidential reception. The Cubs will be the second Chicago team to visit the Obama's White House. The president also hosted the Chicago Blackhawks after their three Stanley Cup championships since 2010. A Cook County judge on Tuesday said he will turn over to lawyers Laquan McDonads juvenile records except those pertaining to the teens mother and sister, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting. Judge Vincent Gaughan said he will review the material and rule later on whether the records are relevant in the murder trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke. Van Dykes attorneys have been twice denied the Illinois Department of Children of Family Service records by a Juvenile Court judge. They have since asked Gaughan to reconsider Judge Patricia Martins past decisions. Meanwhile on Tuesday, defense attorneys on Tuesday filed a motion to dismiss the murder indictment. After spending an hour and a half in Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughans chambers for an informal case management session, prosecutors and defense attorneys emerged. Gaughan did not rule on the motion. Van Dyke, 38, is accused of shooting 17-year-old McDonald 16 times in October 2014, but wasnt charged until last year, after a harrowing video of the incident, filmed by a dashboard-mounted camera, was released, prompting protests across the country. Van Dyke is expected back in court on Feb. 3. A Chicago high school employee was found fatally shot in his car Saturday morning in Chicagos University Village neighborhood. Jay Goodfriend, 31, was found shot in the head in the 1300 block of West Hastings Streetabout a block from Chicago Tech High School where he worked as the business and finance manager. The headline read 1 Killed, 8 Wounded in Weekend Shootings, such a simple headline, his mother, Karen Goodfriend, wrote on Facebook. Another editorial tally on the ongoing gun frenzy in Chicago. People will be relieved to think, oh, a light weekend. Only one person died. But that one person was my son. Goodfriend graduated from University of Illinois Chicago and recently started graduate school. Friends say he was a craft beer enthusiast and a phenomenal drummer. A GoFundMe page for Goodfriends family, organized by friend Kaloyan Slavchev, raised nearly $5,000 in just a day. People that have known him forever and people who have never met him area all coming together to help the Goodfriend family out and it feels good to be a part of that, Slavchev told NBC 5. Chicago police are still investigating and say they dont have a motive but are canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance video. Its safe to assume most modern office workers would face a number of challenges working in a building without any electricity. But the staff of a nonprofit organization in Chicago found themselves powering through daily tasks without computers, light and heat for months while the buildings owner disputed a bill with the areas largest electric utility. We lost our electrical service in August and so weve been doing our best to carry on here at our farm office, said Michael Howard, CEO of Eden Place Nature Center, a subsidiary of Fuller Park Community Development, during an interview with NBC 5 Responds in December. The nature center is located at 4417. S. Stewart and includes office space, a classroom and a field. Students who attend classes learn urban farming techniques from Howard and his staff. However, a class scheduled for the end of September was put on hold due to facilitys lack of electricity. And a field of mustard greens grown by students earlier in the year had yet to be tilled for the next farming season. Howard said the buildings power woes meant that staff could not repair tractors or sharpen plows. Its been very hard for us to carry on with the farming and education part of our programming here, Howard said. According to Howard, temporary electric service lines were installed after he purchased the property in 2014. He said the first few monthly electric bills were normal. But after permanent lines were attached to the building, the nature centers power bill skyrocketed to $7,371. Howard said there is no way his building could use that much electricity because there are only a handful of computers and office lights turned on at any given time. So he contacted ComEd and said he was told an error had been made. We were told they used the previous owners billing cycle as an estimate, Howard said. Howard said in subsequent months he only paid for the electricity he used while ComEd investigated the issue. But two years later the original disputed bill had ballooned to more than $13,000 and the utility pulled the plug on the buildings power. Weve never really had anyone really try to resolve this matter, Howard said. NBC 5 Responds reached out to ComEd regarding Howards concerns. The utility reviewed the issue and subsequently turned the power back on to the Eden Place Nature Center in early December. While we strive to present each and every customer with a good experience sometimes we miss the mark, which is what unfortunately happened in this situation, said ComEd spokesperson John Schoen. According to Schoen, the utility found a communication gap in its process and the utility is working to ensure it avoids these types of situations in the future. The utility also cleared a $15,000 judgment against the nonprofit and apologized to its customer. We have continued to work with them to fully resolve the matter to their satisfaction, Schoen said. As for staff of Eden Place Nature Center, work has since resumed and Howard said its just good to be back into civilization. As Air Force One touches down in Chicago for one final time ferrying Barack Obama as a sitting president, thousands will be waiting patiently along Lake Michigan to say farewell. Fittingly his final speech will be in a city in which his ascent to the White House began to take shape. A political organizer, Obama was first elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996 and to the United States Senate in 2004. On a frozen February morning in 2007, he announced his run for the White House. I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness a certain audacity to this announcement, Obama told those gathered outside the Old State Capitol in Springfield. I know I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change. Now two elections later, only days remain. As president, Obama guided the country through a near economic collapse, the ending of two wars and a signature health care law. He has been forced to deal with an unyielding threat of terrorism, mass domestic tragedies and a country that remains deeply politically divided. In a White House interview last week Obama summed up his 8 years. We didnt get everything we wanted to get done, the president said, standing in the Diplomatic Reception Room. And then added this about the state of the nation, I think we are well positioned for the future. As he prepared for tonights address, Senior Advisor and long-time friend Valerie Jarrett said the president is prepared to make his exit. Hes pretty good, said Jarrett when asked if the president is emotional. Hes in better shape than I seem to be Ill tell you. I think he is obviously pragmatic, he believes in the democracy, he thinks there is a good reason why 8 years is the full length of your term. But I think he will miss this. Attorneys for Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke on Tuesday filed a motion seeking to dismiss murder charges filed against him in the 2014 shooting death of Laquan McDonald. Van Dykes attorney Daniel Herbert argues in the three-page motion that statements Van Dyke made to investigators following the shooting were improperly used against him, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting. The statements made by Van Dyke, Herbert argues, are shielded under what are known as Garrity Rights which offer protections to public employees from being compelled to incriminate themselves during investigatory interviews conducted by their employers. The protection falls under the Fifth Amendment, which declares that the government cannot compel a person to be a witness against ones self. Herbert said that statements Van Dyke made to the Independent Police Review Authority and the citys Inspector General fall in this category. Van Dyke, 38, is accused of shooting the 17-year-old McDonald 16 times in October 2014. But he wasnt charged until last year, after a shocking video of the incident, filmed by a dashboard-mounted camera, was released, prompting protests across the country. According to the motion filed Tuesday, Van Dyke and the other officers were expressly promised the statements would not be used against them in any criminal proceedings and that they would be fired if they refused to provide the statements. The statements were given under duress and are protected by the immunity that Garrity Rights provide, the motion states. The prosecution and an FBI agent disclosed Garrity protected statements to grand jurors in an attempt to influence the issuance of an indictment, the motion states. Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan did not rule on the motion to dismiss and scheduled the next hearing in the case for Feb. 3. In addition, former Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez improperly shared statements with the press, according to the motion. A representative for Alvarez said she couldnt comment since the case is being handled by special prosecutor, Kane County States attorney Joseph McMahon. McMahons office also declined comment, citing the gag order imposed by Gaughan. Also on Tuesday, Gaughan said he will turn over to lawyers Laquan McDonads juvenile records except those pertaining to the teens mother and sister. Gaughan said he will review the material and rule later on whether the records are relevant in to the case. Van Dykes attorneys have been twice denied the Illinois Department of Children of Family Service records by a Juvenile Court judge. They have since asked Gaughan to reconsider Judge Patricia Martins past decisions. Wal-Mart stores plans to slash the jobs of hundreds of workers, the latest in a series of cuts, sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. The Wall Street Journal first reported that nearly 1,000 people would lose their jobs before the end of the month, citing an executive familiar with the matter. The layoffs could affect regional workers and employees at headquarters, with many to impact the retail giant's human resources department. "As we've previously shared, we are always looking for ways to operate more efficiently and effectively," Wal-Mart said in a statement to CNBC. "While we continually look at our corporate structure, we have not made any announcements." Sixty-eight years after the U.S. Air Force dismissed now 91-year-old Ed Spires because of his sexual orientation, he can finally say he was discharged honorably from the military. If I didnt accomplish this before I died, Spires said, no one else was going to. Spires enlisted in 1946 and he served as a chaplains assistant at an Air Force base in San Antonio. His supervisors didnt learn about his sexual orientation, Spires said, until another military member mistook a sparkly Halloween costume for dressing in drag. That new Oxydol Sparkle, he said of his costume, thats how Im going to go to the party. Spires said his supervisors wanted to make an example out of him before the Air Force kicked him out in 1948. And most of that time I was being prosecuted in one way or the other on the base, he said. Spires said he is thankful President Obama signed the repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell at the end of 2010. If it hadnt been for that, he said, Id still be under that cloud. In November, the Yale Veterans Legal Services Clinic announced a federal lawsuit against the Air Force for not having already changed Spires discharge status, despite numerous efforts. The news media brought this to worldwide attention, Spires said, its all over the country, Ive gotten calls from everywhere. Spires longtime spouse David Rosenberg spoke on his behalf at the news conference because he had recently been hospitalized with pneumonia. I was at deaths door, he said, knocking on the door, but nobody answered thank goodness. Now, Spires hopes his story can inspire other gay veterans seeking the same justice. I know it can be done and all you got to do is have the fortitude, the hang-on ability to be knocked down 15 times and get up again, he said. The Connecticut Council on Small Towns (COST) discussed the state pension shortfall and how to pay for it at Wednesday's meeting. Bethany First Selectman Derrylyn Gorski said she expects her town to have to dig deeper to help the state cover its pension costs. "I would be surprised if we didn't get less," she said. And, there is a concern more taxes could be on the table. "We're a small town. 5,500 people. I don't have fat in my budget," Gorski explained. That was the common theme throughout the Sheraton in Rocky Hill for the annual meeting of COST - who will bear the cost for the state's financial troubles, especially among towns with small budgets where a tiny change can have a major impact? "There's a lot of hard choices that we have to make but we have to live within our means, we have to give predictability to folks and we have to have a sustainable program," explained Governor Dan Malloy. Malloy said the budget is still being worked on and he won't have answers until Feb. 8, when he announces the numbers. But mayors of the small towns said they expect to share in the sacrifice, not have it all fall on their shoulders simply because they, unlike the state, have been more fiscally responsible. "It's time that the state take responsibility. We as municipalities have done that year in and year out with our budgets and the state does need to take that responsibility. So I am hoping he is true to his word," said Enzo Faienza, Cromwell Mayor. One non-pension issue raised was crumbling foundations, an issue first brought to light by NBC Connecticut. The governor said it is important that the Feds take a bigger role just as they would if we got hit by a hurricane. Wednesday morning will be warmer than earlier in the week but also brings potential for gusty winds. Rain moved through early in the morning leaving roads wet. That paired with increasing temperatures will melt some of the snow covering the state. The NBC Connecticut meteorologists said strong winds - around 25 miles per hour with the potential for stronger gusts - could cause issues in the morning. Several downs did report trees down, causing road closures and delays just in time for the morning commute. Crews in Franklin responded for a tree down on Route 87 by Rindy Road. The Tolland Fire Department was called for a tree that came down on wires near 96 Metcalf Road, and Andover fire was busy with a tree down on wires in the area of 91 Hickory Drive. TRAVEL ALERT: #TollandFire is on scene area of 96 Metcalf Rd (between Grant Hill & Old Kent Rd S) for trees on wires. @EversourceCT enroute Tolland Alert (@TollandAlert) January 11, 2017 The winds are expected to die down as the day continues. By 9 a.m. sunshine will warm the state with temperatures approaching the 50s. Get the full forecast anytime by clicking here. Hartford Public Schools might have no choice but to lay off teachers and staff to help address a gaping budget hole. For the 2018 fiscal year, the system is facing a nearly $20 million shortfall and system officials said they're looking at what they describe as a menu of options and layoffs are merely a possibility for now. Overall, as many as 200 positions could be eliminated across support staff and classroom positions, based on current estimates. "The positions identified during the presentation were meant to represent the scope of the potential cuts in 'what if' scenarios as illustrations of the impact of the fiscal crisis at the state and city level, as well as other factors such as increased costs and decreased funding," superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez said in a statement. The funding issues are related to sagging revenues at both the state and city level. The state heavily funds Hartford Public Schools, but it faces a $1.5 billion shortfall, and the city faces a $20 million shortfall this year and a projected $50 million shortfall next year. The governor did say last week he wants to rework the state's education funding formula to help cities like Hartford that need more assistance than more affluent towns. Andrea Johnson, the president of the Hartford Federation of Teachers, the union that represents teachers across the system, said she was, "blindsided" by the news that hundreds of teachers could lose their jobs. "It sent a chill down our spine," Johnson said during a phone interview Tuesday. "To see this and not have any prior notice is troubling." Johnson said she spoke with Torres-Rodriguez Tuesday morning and the result of that conversation was that there would be better communication between the union and the school system. Johnson said the union has also provided concessions in recent years like freezing wages and keeping benefit packages stable, which she says she hopes would be helpful in fending off layoffs. Torres-Rodriguez is urging caution and restraint when it comes to conclusions about layoffs. She said some positions might be eliminated if someone leaves a job or retires, which in those cases would not lead to job losses. "The budget process has not identified actual position eliminations yet, as the process is just launching. Instead, the budget process at the school level, involving the School Governance Councils, will identify priorities and any position eliminations, which may result in layoffs. It is premature to identify the number of layoffs for any position in the district, Torres-Rodriguez said. State police are investigating a bank robbery in Lebanon and schools were placed in precautionary mode. State police and the Eastern District Major Crime Squad have responded to reports of a bank robbery at Savings Institute Bank, at 554 Exeter Road, at 12:45 p.m. The robber demanded money from the teller, then ran toward Route 87. State police said no injuries were reported, but they notified schools in the area of the situation. Supt Robert Angeli said schools were placed in a precautionary mode after state police contacted them. School business is being conducted and schools will be dismissed on schedule, but no one is being allowed in or out of the schools until then. A man who has been arrested by police in Connecticut multiple times is accused of attacking a woman and her eight-year-old child in her Chaplin home on Monday night, according to Connecticut state police. Police said that Gregory Bill, 34, forced his way in to the victims home and attacked the female resident and her child around 10 p.m. According to police, the victim had a protective order against Bill. The accused has a criminal history and has been arrested 14 times in Connecticut, including an arrest about four weeks ago for a domestic violence incident, police said. Bill was not on scene when police arrived but was later found in Plainfield and detained by Plainfield police. Troopers took Bill back to Troop D and charged him with home invasion, burglary, third-degree assault, criminal mischief, risk of injury to a minor, disorderly conduct, interfering with a 911 call and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held on a $150,000 bond and is next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 3. A Stafford Springs man who was accused of promising to help more than a dozen veterans, then scamming them out of more than half a million dollars, has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison. John J. Simon Jr., 69, of Stafford Springs, was accused of defrauding 16 victims of $525,000 under the guise that he was paying a lawyer to help them obtain Social Security benefits and money from Veterans Affairs claims. The victims told investigators that Simon never got them their money and investigators said they were not able to find the attorney Simon claimed to be working with. Police said the scam started in June 2011 and several victims gave Simon less than $2,000, so the statute of limitations for those misdemeanor charges expired, but others gave him more than $2,000, according to court paperwork. Leslie Clark told NBC Connecticut that Simon defrauded her and her husband, Army Vietnam veteran Kenan Clark, for years. Clark said she and her husband trusted Simon would assist them in getting Veterans Administration and social security benefits based on Kenans disability, Lymphoma, which claimed his life in April 2015. So John said that he could help us and he said that he could not only obtain benefits for now but that my husband was owed money through the Veterans Administration from Agent Orange and his disabilities, Clark said. They paid Simon $6,000 for his assistance, but they had never received any correspondence from the social security administration or the VA. Thats when we realized that it was a scam, Clark said. She then went to police with her concerns. I just want to see him get what he deserves because he didnt just hurt us he hurt other people, too. And as I said they were deserving people -- veterans with disabilities, she said. Another victim, who served in the military from 1964 to 1967 and has back and hearing issues, told investigators he went to Simon for help in March 2012 at the suggestion of a friend and Simon brought him to the VA Medical Center in Newington to register for services, according to court paperwork. Later, Simon contacted the veteran and said a lawyer determined that the veteran should have been medically discharged before he even served, court paperwork says. Simon went on to tell the victim that attorney could get him $1 million in back pay, according to court paperwork. Between March and October 2012, the veteran gave Simon $19,700 in cash that was supposed to go to the attorney. At some point, the veteran spoke with a friend who presented the veteran with a letter from the U.S. Attorneys Office that said Simon was under federal investigation, police said. Armed with the letter, the veteran confronted Simon. Simon claimed the charges had been dropped and that people were telling lies about him, according to police paperwork. When the veteran asked for his money back, Simon said the benefits were coming soon. The date he provided came and went with no check to the veteran and it was not until the veteran filed his own application that he received benefits, according to police. Investigators spoke with another victim on April 4, 2012 who met Simon in 2010 and gave him $10,600 in cash between September and December 2011, according to police. The rest of his story was similar to what the first victim told investigators and he said Simon came to him several times, asking for money for the attorney. When that victim asked about paying the attorney by check, Simon claimed hed paid the man and the money was for reimbursement for Simon, according to police. Then, during an event at the American Legion Hall in Stafford Springs, the victim and his wife heard people talking about someone who promised to get benefits for someone and cheated the person out of money. When the second victims wife asked about it, she realized the man who committed the alleged scam was Simon, according to police. When police spoke with Simon, he told them he was helping veterans who were entitled to benefits because the VA made it difficult for the average person to obtain them. He also admitted to taking some money for helping veterans, but said it was just a small amount to cover his time end effort. Court paperwork says Simon worked for veterans, charged them for help, makes phone calls for them and charges $200 to $300 per hour. Police also claim Simon was structuring bank deposits in a way to hide the fact that he received several hundred thousand dollars. Simon was arrested on three warrants on May 15, 2013 and charged with two counts of second-degree larceny, and one count of third-degree larceny. He pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of restructuring currency transactions and agreed that $210,085.58 that the IRS seized from his bank account in October 2010 would be used to pay restitution to the victims of his criminal conduct. He was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The developer who had been aggressively pitching Connecticut's two federally recognized Native American tribes a location for their location, lashed out at them Tuesday, for passing on his site as a location for the state's third casino. Tony Ravosa, with Silver Lane Partners LLC, rattled off a list of reasons as to why his proposal in East Hartford is superior to the remaining sites in East Windsor and Windsor Locks. At 283,000 vehicles a day, this is the most heavily trafficked interchange in the entire state of Connecticut," Ravosa told reporters a press conference in Hartford. We are located twelve to fifteen miles closer to the states population hubs north of Hartford, logically yielding to greater trip frequency. He even said the East Hartford location, that he envisioned with a hotel and other commercial development was, "unmatched." Ravosa said he's not done with his efforts to develop his site. He says he has a vision that is greater than just one location. In short, development of the third casino must be a building block and a catalyst for other ancillary economic development initiatives and not merely cast as an island unto itself. Connecticut's two tribes that operate tribes, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan, announced last week that East Hartford was eliminated from consideration. Hartford and South Windsor were also eliminated. The Connecticut General Assembly will have the final say on whether to approve a third casino, one that would be operated jointly by the two tribes, but it would be located on a commercial, not reservation property. In a statement, Andrew Doba, speaking on behalf of both tribes, said Ravosa's claims amount to sour grapes, and a bitterness that he won't receive a financial windfall from a lucrative development project. "With all due respect to Mr. Ravosa, he believes East Hartford is the best site because he has the option on the land, and it would have been good for him personally if East Hartford was selected," Doba said. He added that the goal with a third casino remains to "protect Connecticut jobs and revenue." MGM has also attacked the process by which a location will be picked, arguing that the tribes have been allowed to operate in secret, as they've decided the steps for where another casino should be located. Ravosa says he tends to agree with MGM's argument, and urged lawmakers to step in where they should. The General Assembly should not simply abdicate to MMCTs wishes based purely on their say-so. Connecticut state police are searching for a suspect accused of robbing the Cumberland Farms store on Westminster Road in Canterbury. Police said they responded at 11:55 p.m. Tuesday to the store, located at 188 Westminster Road. The clerk reported to police that that the suspect came up from behind and pushed something into his back, demanding money. The clerk gave the suspect money from the register which the suspect placed in a black duffel bag, police said. The suspect also stole cigarettes then fled the scene. Police described the suspect as male, between 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-4, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black jacket, dark colored pants and shoes, with a white ski hat and black scarf covering his face. Anyone with information should contact state police at 860-779-4900 or text TIP711 with the information to 274637. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday held his first news conference since his election, during which he announced he would not be divesting himself of his businesses interests, evaded a question on whether he trusted the U.S. intelligence agencies, vowed that Mexico would eventually pay for the wall on its border and discussed other topics. Here's a look at top moments from Trump's news conference, his first in six months. No Blind Trust for Trumps Businesses: [[410423355, C]] President-elect Trump will turn the management of the Trump Organization over to his adult sons and create a trust for his assets to address questions about conflicts of interest. Trump also will donate any profits from foreign governments to the Treasury Department. The trust will not be a blind trust, which many ethics experts have said would be necessary. President-elect Trump should not be expected to destroy the company he built, said Sheri A. Dillon, one of Trump's lawyers who worked on the plan. But some experts still have concerns. "This is using the language of ethics without addressing the actual ethics concerns," said Kathleen Clark, an ethics specialist at University of Washington law school. Trump also said he does not plan to release his tax returns despite having promised to do so in the past. Who Will Pay for Border Wall With Mexico: [[410422325, C]] Trump vowed negotiations with Mexico on funding of the border wall will begin immediately after he takes office. Trump's aides are considering a plan to ask Congress to ensure it has enough money to construct the wall. Trump has repeatedly promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, though in October, he said Mexico would reimburse the U.S. for the construction. "Mexico will, in some form, will reimburse usthat will happen, whether its a tax or its a payment though the latters less likely," Trump said Wednesday, adding that he respects Mexico's government and doesn't blame it for "taking advantage" of the nation. Mexico's new foreign relations secretary, Luis Videgaray, said Tuesday Mexico is willing to negotiate over Trump's plan to build a border wall. But Videgaray said his country won't pay for the wall, calling that "unacceptable." Trump Excoriates 'Fake News' Outlets [[410414325, C]] Trump's contentious relationship with the press came to a head when he refused to take a question from CNN reporter Jim Acosta by saying, "You are fake news." The confrontation stemmed from a CNN report Tuesday that intelligence officials presented Trump with classified documents including allegations that Russian operatives claimed to have leverage over the president-elect. Buzzfeed later published a salacious, unverified dossier purported to be the basis for the report. CNN did not include details from the dossier. A Trump spokesman excoriated both outlets at the start of Trump's news conference as "a sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks." The idea of fake news became a major issue during the election when demonstrably false news stories and conspiracies from irreputable news sources, much of it pro-Trump or anti-Hillary Clinton, spread on social media. At the news conference, Trump referred to Buzzfeed as "a failing pile of garbage" and suggested they would "suffer the consequences," but did not elaborate. CNN said in a statement that the Trump team was using Buzzfeeds decision to deflect from CNNs "carefully sourced reporting." [[410412995, C]] Relationship With Intelligence Agencies [[410422335, C]] Trump suggested that the controversial dossier that caused uproar Tuesday was "released by maybe the intelligence agencies," adding, "who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies." He also said it was disgraceful that such information was allowed out, comparing it to Nazi Germany. It raises the question of whether Trump trusts the U.S. intelligence agencies, which have told Trump that Vladimir Putin was behind the hack of the Democratic National Committee during the election. Trump has praised Putin and suggested he'd bring the nations closer together. He said Wednesday that he thinks Russia was behind the hacking but also said that those attacks on the U.S. will end under his presidency, and that "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability." Later in the news conference, he was asked directly if he trusts the national intelligence officials who have been briefing him but answered a slightly different question, saying, "Intelligence agencies are vital and very, very important." He also criticized the nation's "hacking defense" and said he wanted a report on the issue within 90 days of taking office. [[410407365, C]] Obamacare Repeal and Replacement: [[410410825, C]] Asked to share his plans for repealing and replacing Obamacare, Trump promised, "Were going to have a health care thats far less expensive and far better" but did not offer details about his replacement plan. Republican lawmakers agree on repealing the law but nearly seven years after its passage have failed to present a substitute for President Obama's signature health care overhaul. As to how fast the law will be replaced after it's repealed, Trump said, "It will be essentially simultaneously." But this would be virtually impossible due to complexity of the policy changes, according to The Associated Press. Trump added Wednesday that, "We are doing the Democrats a great service" by not waiting, referring to the rising costs for many consumers. House Speaker Paul Ryan has said that the House would seek to take both steps "concurrently," according to the AP. Supreme Court Nominee: [[410422315, C]] Trump said he would probably name his choice to fill the vacancy left by the death of Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia within two weeks of his inauguration. "I have a list of 20, Ive gone through em. Weve met with numerous judges, they were outstanding in every case," Trump said. Senate Republicans blocked President Barack Obama's nomination of U.S. Appeals Judge Merrick Garland for more than nine months. Garland's nomination expired earlier this month. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said last week "it's hard for me to imagine" Democratic senators supporting a Supreme Court nomination submitted by Trump, and vowed, "If they don't appoint somebody good, we're going to oppose them tooth and nail." Trump Announces Pick for Veterans Affairs: [[410422595, C]] Trump said that he'd tapped Veterans Affairs undersecretary David Shulkin to lead the department. Shulkin is "fantastic" and will do a "truly great job," he said. Shulkin, a board-certified internist who received his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, was nominated as undersecretary for health by President Barack Obama. He would be the first VA secretary ever confirmed who has not served in the military. The VA health care system serves 8.76 million veterans each year and is the nation's largest of its kind. Trump's website lists a 10-point plan that he says will reform the VA and counts as his vision a goal to cut down on backlogs and long drives for veterans to receive care. The choice leaves agriculture secretary as Trump's final Cabinet pick to select. FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday refused to say whether his bureau was investigating any possible ties between Russia and the Donald Trump's presidential campaign, citing policy not to comment on what the FBI might or might not be doing. Comey testified at the Senate's second hearing in a week addressing allegations of Russian election hacking. In late October he angered Democrats when he announced 11 days before the election that the FBI was looking at more emails as part of its investigation of Hillary Clinton. "I would never comment on investigations whether we have one or not in an open forum like this so I can't answer one way or another," Comey told the Senate's intelligence committee during his first public appearance before Congress since the unusual disclosure about Clinton. "The irony of your making that statement, I cannot avoid," said Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent. Insisted Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., "The American people have the right to know this." It wasn't clear if Wyden was alluding to an investigation that may be classified, or if his questioning was an effort to cast Trump in a negative light shortly before the inauguration. Former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., wrote two letters to the FBI last year before the election, asking the bureau to publicly disclose what it knew about Trump's aides' ties to Russia. An active FBI investigation of the next president for ties between his campaign and a nation accused of meddling in the presidential election could further stoke mistrust in the legitimacy of the democratic process. It would also put Trump's own FBI in the awkward position of examining the conduct of those closest to the commander-in-chief. The FBI was among three U.S. intelligence agencies that collaborated on last week's report on Russia's election activity. It tied Russian President Vladimir Putin to the hacking of email accounts of the Democratic National Committee and individual Democrats like Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta. It said there was no evidence the Russians tampered with vote tallies; the agencies said they couldn't assess if Russia succeeded in influencing Americans to vote for Trump. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who opposed Trump in the GOP primary, said Russia's activity wasn't guided by its support for Trump, but rather "to influence and to potentially manipulate American public opinion for the purpose of discrediting individual political figures, sowing chaos and division in our politics, sowing doubts about the legitimacy of our elections." Democrats at the committee hearing focused their toughest questions on Comey, who was widely criticized for breaking FBI policy in his decision to notify Congress about additional information that came up related to Clinton. He is in the fourth year of a 10-year term, meaning he is expected to stay on in the Trump administration. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said Comey set a new standard by discussing the bureau's activity related to Clinton's private email server. That standard, she said, is the FBI discusses ongoing investigations when there is a "unique public interest in the transparency of that issue." The intelligence agencies' findings on Russian hacking fit that standard, she argued. "I'm not sure I can think of an issue of more serious public interest than this one," Harris said. "This committee needs to understand what the FBI does and does not know about campaign communications with Russia." Sitting beside Comey, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said, "Fair point." The report lacked details about how the U.S. learned what it says it knows, such as any intercepted conversations or electronic messages from Russian leaders, including Putin. It also said nothing about specific hacker techniques or digital tools the U.S. may have traced back to Russia in its investigations. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday the Kremlin believes the U.S. accusations of election hacking have no substance. He called them "amateurish." The New York Times reports that at the Senate Intelligence committee hearing, Comey admitted that Russian hackers had access to the Republican National Committee's computer records. He told lawmakers that the hack was a "limited penetration of old RNC" computers that were "no longer in use." According to U.S. intelligence agencies, Russia provided the emails to WikiLeaks. The website's founder, Julian Assange, has denied that is the case, but Democratic and Republican members of Congress have largely backed the accusation and many have demanded a sterner response than Obama has ordered. Obama struck back at Moscow in late December with penalties aimed at Russia's leading spy agencies, the GRU and FSB, that the U.S. said were involved in the hacking. The GRU is Russia's military intelligence agency. The FSB is the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB. On Monday, the U.S. levied economic sanctions against five Russians in connection to a 2012 U.S. law punishing Russian human rights violators. Americans are now banned from doing business with the men and any assets they may have in the United States are now frozen. The most prominent individual targeted by the new sanctions is Alexander Bastrykin, who heads Russia's main investigative agency and is close to Putin. The two attended the same university together. Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks to Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba (not pictured) during a meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Fred Dufour/Pool (Reuters) BEIJING/GENEVA (Reuters) - President Xi Jinping this month will become the first Chinese head of state to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, which this year will dwell on the rising public anger with globalization and the coming U.S. presidency of Donald Trump. Xi will take centre stage at the Jan. 17-20 forum with China presenting itself as a champion of globalization. The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday confirmed Xi's widely expected attendance at the annual gathering of global political leaders, CEOs and celebrities in the Swiss Alps. Davos will end just as Trump takes office, having won the White House in part with promises to pull the United States out of international trade deals and hike tariffs against China and Mexico in a protectionist campaign he says will help bring back industries and jobs to America. WEF executive chairman Klaus Schwab said he expected Xi to show how China would take a "responsive and responsible leadership role" in global affairs at a turning point in history, with the world needing new concepts to face the future. "Every simplified approach to deal with the complex global agenda is condemned to fail. We cannot have just populist solutions," Schwab told a news conference in Geneva, referring to the rising anti-globalization tide epitomized by Trump's victory and Britain's vote last year to exit the European Union. The Chinese president will be in Switzerland from Jan. 15-18 for a state visit and to attend the Davos meeting, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular press briefing. He will also visit the United Nations offices in Geneva, and the offices of the World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee, Lu said. Other global leaders, including WEF regular German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will not be in Davos this year. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was also absent from the line-up published on Tuesday, but there were many presidents, prime ministers and central bankers among the 3,000 participants, along with 1,800 executives from 1,000 companies. Story continues The United States will be represented by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, days before they leave office, and "someone from the transition team representing the new (Trump) administration", Schwab said. Xi led a forum of Asia-Pacific leaders in Peru in November in vowing to fight protectionism, just days after Trump won the U.S. election having pledged to pull out of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. Foreign businesses in China, however, have long complained about a lack of market access and protectionist Chinese policies. These include a Made in China 2025 plan that calls for a progressive increase in domestic components in sectors such as advanced information technology and robotics. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd and Tom Miles; writing by Michael Martina and Tom Miles; Editing by Mark Heinrich) In his parting message to the nation, President Barack Obama reaffirmed his faith in the ability of all Americans to bring about national change, despite the trials that so often stood between him and his goals during his time in office. "Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard, contentious and sometimes bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back," Obama said in front of a crowd of about 18,000 people. "But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some." With just ten days left in his second term as president, Obama returned to Chicago to reflect on his unlikely path to the Oval Office and share his gratitude with the nation. "My fellow Americans, Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well-wishes weve received over the past few weeks," he began. "But tonight, its my turn to say thanks." Obama touched on his origins as a community organizer on the citys South Side who witnessed "the quiet dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss." He argued change is only possible "when ordinary people get involved" and join forces to demand progress. Eight years later, "I still believe that," Obama said, continuing on to detail some of his accomplishments that he said seemed nearly unattainable prior to his term. "If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history," he said, "If I had told you that we would win marriage equality, and secure the right to health insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens you might have said our sights were set a little too high." "But thats what we did. Thats what you did. You were the change. You answered peoples hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started." He went on to discuss the upcoming shift to President-elect Donald Trump's administration, saying he is committed to ensuring the smoothest possible transition, just as his predecessor, President George W. Bush, did for him. "In 10 days, the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy," Obama said to the first jeers of the evening. "No, no, no," he admonished the crowd, "the peaceful transfer of power from one freely-elected president to the next." Obamas legacy hangs in the balance, as Republicans move forward with plans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, his chief legislative accomplishment, leaving uncertainty as to what other policies may remain. But in his final address, he reiterated a call he has made countless times before to support his signature health care plan this time, adding a new twist. The uninsured rate has never, ever been lower. Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years, he said, as cheers from the crowd erupted into a standing ovation. If anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements weve made to our health care system that covers as many people at less cost I will publicly support it. Obama also addressed race in America, a topic that has continually plagued the first black president throughout his term. After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America. Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic, for race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society, he said. Ive lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10, or 20, or 30 years ago you can see it not just in statistics, but in the attitudes of young Americans across the political spectrum, he said, adding though that the country is not where we need to be and more work remains. If we decline to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they dont look like us, we diminish the prospects of our own children because those brown kids will represent a larger share of Americas workforce, he said, invoking Atticus Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird to plead for empathy. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." That call for empathy was woven throughout the rest of his speech, as Obama cautioned against partisanship and called for Americans to engage outside their bubbles. If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life, he implored to laughter, before reiterating his hope in Americas promise that he said has propelled him throughout his time in office. That faith I placed all those years ago, not far from here, in the power of ordinary Americans to bring about change that faith has been rewarded in ways I couldnt possibly have imagined, he said. His address served as a fitting bookend to what he started in Chicago the city where he taught constitutional law, registered voters, ran for office and started a family. More than 20 years after a young Obama first arrived in Chicago, it was here in Grant Park that he stepped onstage to deliver his victory speech in 2008, with first lady Michelle Obama at his side. It was that first lady, the Chicago native, who received perhaps the most resounding standing ovation of the night. Michelle Lavaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side, he said. For the past 25 years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend." You took on a role you didnt ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor, he added, wiping tears from his eyes. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. He thanked Vice President Joe Biden, who was in attendance along with wife Dr. Jill Biden, saying he was the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best. Obama also praised his daughters Malia and Sasha for their dignity and growth under the strangest of circumstances taking time to reflect on the women they have become since they were first introduced to the world as young children begging their father for a puppy. As the Obama family has evolved over his time in office, so too, of course, has the world and in particular, the city he calls home. Obama addressed a very different Chicago on Tuesday than he left in 2008, one that is far bloodier than the city that lifted its son to the White House. Chicago saw at least 762 homicides and more than 4,331 shooting victims in 2016 the highest number in not only his eight years in office, but the most in two decades, according to police. What is it about Chicago that has caused an increase in homicides that were just not seeing in most other big cities across the country? he mused to NBC5s Carol Marin in a one-on-one interview last week. It appears to be a combination of factors, the nature of gang structures or lack of structure in Chicago, the way police are allocated, in some cases the need for more police, the ease of accessibility of guns, pockets of poverty that are highly segregated, he added. And as he spoke Tuesday, the Justice Department is preparing to release a report on the Chicago Police Department following a year-long probe launched after dashcam video of the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was released, sparking public outcry and calls for Obamas former White House chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel to resign his post as Chicagos mayor. Reflecting once again on the citys spike in violence, Obama said, I dont think that theres one reason and I dont think theres a silver bullet answer to it, but I do think it will be incumbent on all of us to really work on this. Chicagoans, and the nation, saw more of that rhetoric, another call-to-action as his successor prepares to take office. As he did in the 2004 keynote address that propelled him into the national spotlight, as he has done throughout his term, and again in the days following the 2016 presidential election, Obama delivered a final plea for unity, faith and hope on Tuesday. I do have one final ask of you as your president the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago, he said. I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change but in yours. Yes we can, he reiterated one last time to the roars of an emotional crowd. Yes we did. Yes we can. The 10th anniversary of Obamas Springfield speech announcing his candidacy will arrive exactly one month from his farewell a moment of reflection that leaves many wondering what the next four, eight and 10 years may bring. For nearly 60 years, Charlie Brotman has been the voice of the presidential inauguration. But Brotman was devastated when the inauguration committee for President-elect Donald Trump emailed him to say he won't be announcing the upcoming inaugural parade. "I was disappointed because I thought I would be the announcer," Brotman said in an interview with CNN. "And then when I read the email, I thought I was going to commit suicide. It was really terrible." The living legend has announced at every inauguration parade since President Dwight Eisenhower's second term in the 1950s. He was looking forward to announcing for Trump. "I've got friends and family expecting me to do this and I want to do this," Brotman, 89, told NBC Washington. The Presidential Inauguration Committee sent him an email Wednesday saying it had selected a new announcer. "There is no question that you are a Washington institution and a national treasure," the Trump inauguration committee email said. "We would like you to come and be a part of the parade as announcer chairman emeritus. We will give you a prime time seat and pay the respect to you that is due to you." After receiving the message, Brotman was stunned. "I picked up a telephone and said, 'Is this email correct?' and they said, 'Yes, sir,'" he said. Steve Ray, a well-known announcer in the D.C. area who was a Trump campaign volunteer, will announce at the inauguration parade. Ray said he respects Brotman. "I hope he comes to this parade and accepts the presidential announcer chairman emeritus position graciously," Ray said. "I know the inauguration committee is going to do the right thing." Brotman said he's not sure if he will attend the parade. "I'm considering it," he said. American Airlines has canceled all flights to and from Brussels for Wednesday and Thursday. Fort Worth-based American says all of its airport employees and crew members in Belgium are safe and accounted for, with no injuries, after two explosive devices were detonated in the check-in zone at Brussels Airport and a metro station early Tuesday morning killing 31 and injuring scores of others. American operates at Row 8 of the departure hall and the explosions did not occur in that area. "American Airlines extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to those affected by the tragic events in Brussels earlier today. American is taking care of employees and customers at Brussels Airport," the airline said in a statement. Tuesday's AA Flight 751 from Brussels to Philadelphia was canceled; Flight 750, from Philadelphia to Brussels, was not scheduled for Tuesday. "When operations at the Brussels airport resume, we will re-accommodate our customers on available flights," the airline said in a statement. American Airlines says all of its airport employees and crew members in Belgium are safe and accounted for, with no injuries, after two explosive devices were detonated in the check-in zone at Brussels Airport and a metro station early Tuesday morning killing 31 and injuring scores of others. Brussels Airport has said they do not know when they will reopen and that damage is extensive throughout the departure terminal. American has issued a travel policy for customers with reservations to Brussels who wish to change their itineraries. Customers booked for travel March 22 and March 23 may request a refund, select an alternate airport or reschedule travel through April 5. Customers with flights to or from Brussels may use aa.com or call our reservations desk at +1-800-679-8215 to get the latest information. In Belgium, customers may call (+32) 070 300 300. Balch Springs police say Dallas police arrested a man suspected of murder after a chase early Wednesday morning. Balch Springs police were called to the 3600 block of Woodbury Road, where they found one person dead, Edgar Avila, and two people injured. After talking to witnesses, police identified Joe Gutierrez as the man possibly involved in the assault and tracked him to a home in Dallas. After officers with both the Dallas and Balch Springs police departments arrived at the home, Gutierrez drove away. Officers pursued him until he crashed near a creek between Clifford Drive and Interstate 35E at about 12:45 a.m. Gutierrez and another person ran from the vehicle after the crash, according to police. Officers captured both in a wooded area near the 9700 block of Harry Hines Boulevard shortly after. Police said Gutierrez was taken to the Dallas County Jail where he faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and murder. The second person, who has not yet been identified, has also been detained. Many of the businesses have been in Northeast Dallas for decades, their livelihood they've built from the ground up. They're now wondering if the eminent domain plan happens where do they go? For antique dealer Lynda Reed, the last 48 hours have been very stressful. "They kick you out, but by the way, "we have assistance for you," well how nice," Reed said. Her sarcasm could not be mistaken as she along with more than 60 other dealers at City View Antique Mall say they'll will most likely lose their livelihoods to an elementary school. "I just feel like this is not the right location. It's a very busy intersection. There's six lanes of traffic that children would have to cross to come to school," said Barbara Falk, also a dealer at City View Antique Mall. According to a Dallas Independent School District letter to the businesses, the district intends to acquire these properties, including Jake's Hamburgers. "It's sad it's very, very sad they're going to take this out of here," said Jake's customer Mark Barnett. The attorney's office right next door could also go. "This is where I have been my entire life," said attorney James Lynn. The rooms of his practice are filled with 40 years of memories, vacations and childhoods. "When Lauren was first born, we kept her right here in a crib until she was about three or four-years-old," he said of his daughter. Lynn built his family and practice around the law office and says the acquisition would have great financial consequences, not to mention the sentiment left behind. Dallas ISD released a statement that read in part: "As part of the protocol in acquiring properties, a letter is sent to each owner of record that includes a reference to the district's relocation assistance eminent domain plan. Any exercise of eminent domain must be considered and approved by the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees." Representatives with Dallas ISD will hold a community input meeting at Jill Stone Elementary School at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. New Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson is pursuing satellite offices where felony prosecutors could work more closely with residents and city of Dallas community prosecutors. In one of her first sit down interviews since being sworn in last week, Johnson told NBC 5 Tuesday she has been talking with the Dallas City Attorney about sharing office space with assistant city attorneys. I want to be able to make sure that those victims know they can come to us and were right there in the community, Johnson said. I want to make this office accessible to people. City of Dallas community prosecutors focus on misdemeanor cases and code enforcement. Jason Mathis, Deputy Chief of Community Prosecution, said the satellite offices give them an advantage. Three objectives are, decrease crime, decrease blight and strengthen the community and so being in the community gives us a big head start of doing those three things, Mathis said. It allows development to occur and people to be proud and happy about their community, their neighborhood. Mathis said City Attorney Larry Casto is working with Johnson to support the new partnership with Dallas County felony prosecutors at city locations. Myra Jones, who runs a youth outreach program called Love Ministries, welcomed the district attorneys additional community outreach. If we can get people on the right track, then of course they dont go the wrong way, Jones said. Working with them, alongside them, helps them become the productive citizens that we are aiming for. Johnson said felony prosecutors in neighborhoods could be role models and provide positive contact with the criminal justice system. But primarily, she hopes the program will help crime victims. We are going to come where you are. Thats how special you are. Thats how much you mean to us. So, thats what Im trying to do with these satellites, Johnson said. Dallas reported a 2016 surge in violent crime. "Everyone wants us to get a handle on this," Johnson said. "We are here representing everybody. We want to make sure that everybody gets justice, everybody gets fairness in this office." Former Republican Judge Faith Johnson was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to complete the unexpired term of former DA Susan Hawk who resigned last year after extended absences for mental health care. Johnson said she intends to run for election to the Dallas County District Attorneys Office in two years. A New Jersey man has been indicted on child pornography and sexual conduct charges involving children in eight other states. Atlantic County prosecutors say 49-year-old Sherman Miller faces 12 counts, including causing a child to engage in pornography, possessing or viewing child pornography and engaging in sexual conduct with children. The Atlantic City man is accused of sending images to a child in Texas and failing to register as a sex offender. Authorities later learned that Miller allegedly had victimized children in California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri and South Carolina. Authorities say Miller sent photos of his genitals and video of himself to the victims and allegedly convinced one to send him photos. The victims range in age from 9 to 14. Miller remains jailed on $50,000 cash bail. Theres a new sheriff in Tarrant County, and hes sending deputies to patrol downtown after a juror was attacked across from the courthouse and someone else was stabbed on its steps. Downtown Fort Worth typically has been patrolled by city police, but several recent incidents around the county courthouse and county jail have prompted incoming Sheriff Bill Waybourn to take action. The focus is on the growing homeless population who often sleep on the sidewalks around the two buildings, he said. "We haven't arrested anybody. We haven't had any confrontations, he said. It's just a very compassionate thing -- this is not where you can be because people are trying to conduct business." Deputies are patrolling the area on foot and even using segues and motorized vehicles. The crackdown comes after a judge last month declared a mistrial when a man hit a juror on the head on her way into the courthouse and she was too shaken up to continue her work. "I felt this bam. And I was looking around like, 'What?'" said the juror, Stephanie Scoggins of Arlington. "It was definitely scary." She followed the man into the lobby of the jail, of all places, and he was arrested. In a separate recent incident, one homeless person stabbed another on the courthouse steps. Waybourn said deputies are helping the homeless people by offering them rides to shelters on the other side of downtown, where they are offered a hand up not a handout, he said. The sheriff also said he is coordinating the crackdown with Fort Worth police and security officers from nearby Tarrant County Community College. Not everyone appreciates it. Angela Bailey lives on the streets. "The sheriff and three of them, here he comes now, (are) harassing us, she said. We can't even catch the city bus. And that's wrong. We're citizens, too. And I'm registered to vote." But many workers are grateful. Clare Cheney works in a nearby building and walks past the courthouse every day. "Yes, I really am. It makes me really relieved," she said. Parts of a defamation lawsuit filed on behalf of a teenage Muslim student who brought a suspicious-looking clock to a North Texas classroom have been dismissed, NBC 5 has learned. The family of Ahmed Mohamed, the 14-year-old boy who was arrested and charged with possessing a hoax bomb after bringing a homemade clock to Irving MacArthur High School, filed a federal lawsuit last summer against Texas school officials and others alleging they violated the teen's civil rights. The incident turned Mohamed into an international celebrity of sorts and he was even invited to the White House for Astronomy Night. The criminal charge was eventually dropped but the family filed several lawsuits, one claiming defamation. NBC 5 learned Tuesday that the suits against several media outlets, including The Blaze, FOX television stations, Jim Hanson, The Center for Security Policy and Glenn Beck have been dismissed. Defamation cases are still pending against Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne, Ben Ferguson, Ben Shapiro and NW Communications of Texas and are scheduled a final dismissal hearing on Jan. 30. Civil rights suits filed against the Irving Independent School District, the school's principal and the city of Irving are also pending. Barraged by questions about Russia, Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state promised a far more muscular approach toward the Kremlin on Wednesday, abandoning much of the president-elect's emphasis on improving ties between the Cold War foes. Instead, Rex Tillerson suggested the outgoing Obama administration responded too softly to Moscow's takeover of Ukrainian territory. The surprising shift in tone by Tillerson, a former Exxon Mobil CEO and Russian "Order of Friendship" recipient, reflected the difficulty Trump will have in persuading Democrats and Republicans to broach a broad rapprochement with President Vladimir Putin's government. Calling Russia a "danger" to the United States, Tillerson said he would keep U.S. sanctions in place and consider new penalties related to Russian meddling in the presidential election. Although he said he hadn't read last week's classified assessment by the U.S. intelligence community, Tillerson said it was a "fair assumption" that Putin would have ordered the operation that purportedly included hacking, propaganda and internet trolls to harm Hillary Clinton's candidacy and advance Trump's. But in a puzzling revelation, Tillerson conceded he hadn't yet talked with Trump about a Russia policy. "Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests," Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He added that Trump's administration would be committed to the defense of America's NATO partners, an obligation the president-elect called into question during the campaign if allies failed to meet defense spending pledges. While his prepared statement reflected some of Trump's desire for improved ties, Tillerson quickly pivoted under pressure from both sides of the aisle. On Russia's 2014 annexation of the Crimea region, he said, "That was a taking of territory that was not theirs." Still, he criticized President Barack Obama's sanctions on Russia, which ended up costing Exxon hundreds of millions of dollars. And he declared that he would have responded by urging Ukraine to send all available military units to its eastern border with Russia and recommending U.S. and allied support through defensive weapons and air surveillance, to send a message to Moscow. "That is the type of response that Russia expects," he said in a response to questions from Sen. Marco Rubio, Tillerson's toughest GOP inquisitor, who later lectured the oil man on human rights and hinted he might withhold his support. "If Russia acts with force," Tillerson said, "they require a proportional show of force." Trump offered a sharply different account of Ukraine during the presidential campaign and never proposed a show of U.S. military force in Ukraine. In an August interview, he claimed Russia would not enter Ukraine, not seeming to know Russian troops were already there. He suggested Crimea didn't count because the peninsula's people preferred being part of Russia, restating Putin's reason for taking the territory in 2014. Like Trump, Tillerson vowed complete support for Israel, which he called America's "most important ally" in the Middle East. He said the new administration would undertake a full review of the Iran nuclear deal to deny the Islamic republic the ability to acquire an atomic weapon. He said that might only be possible if Iran can no longer enrich uranium, which the accord permits under strict constraints and without which Tehran wouldn't have made the deal. Some of the questioning reflected the traditional friction between a Congress that wants to prescribe foreign policy and an executive branch that traditionally seeks to maintain broad flexibility in its international affairs, tinted by Tillerson's vocal opposition to economic sanctions as a business leader. Addressing some of Congress' most experienced architects of U.S. economic pressure, Tillerson called sanctions "a powerful tool" in deterrence that could, however, also project weakness if applied poorly. He said neither he nor Exxon had lobbied against sanctions. But the company did try to influence sanctions legislation on Russia two years ago, congressional records and data from the Center for Responsive Politics show, and Tillerson made numerous White House visits, to no avail. Given a second chance on the subject, Tillerson sought to clarify his answer by saying he had expressed concerns related to security in shutting down an Exxon operation newly prohibited under the sanctions. Tillerson represents a break in a longstanding tradition of secretaries of state with extensive military, legislative, political or diplomatic experience. Yet his supporters point to Tillerson's lengthy career as a senior executive in a mammoth multinational company as proof he has the management and negotiating skills to succeed in the State Department's top post, particularly when facing tough foreign governments. "It's brilliant what he's doing and what he's saying," Trump said of Tillerson during a news conference in New York that occurred as Tillerson was testifying. "He ran incredibly Exxon Mobil. When there was a find, he would get it." His Exxon experience, however, has been criticized by Democrats for possible conflicts of interest because of the company's far-flung business dealings. Tillerson, who stepped down as CEO at the end of 2016, said he understood being secretary of state meant different responsibilities. He pledged to be a steward for U.S. national interests rather than corporate ones. If all 10 Democrats on the committee vote against Tillerson, and Rubio or any other Republican joins them, the nomination would then be referred to the full Senate with "no recommendation." That would be an embarrassment for such a high-profile Cabinet nominee and could signal a larger confirmation battle. The family of Alfred Olango, a man killed by El Cajon police last year, said they expected the District Attorney to announce the officer who shot and killed their loved one was justified in using lethal force -- but nevertheless they hope to find justice for their family member. "The battle line has been drawn," Richard Olango said. "We are going to fight, we are move forward and advance forward. We are not going to move any steps back." Olango's family spoke at the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in San Diego Tuesday hours after San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis wrapped up her press conference, announcing the results of the office's review of five recent fatal police and deputy-involved shootings. Dumanis said in all five fatal shootings -- involving victims David Moya, Sergio Weick, Alfred Olango, Juan Carlos Fernandez and Trenton Lohman -- the law enforcement officers were justified in their decisions. In the controversial case of Olango, Dumanis added that the only reasonable conclusion after looking at the facts of the case was that the "officer's actions were legally justified and understandable." Dumanis said at the press conference Olango's family was notified through an attorney of the press conference, but was not told of the decision in advance. Richard Olango said though they were not told in advance, the decision did not come as a surprise to them. "We expected that," he told the church, his family behind him. As he spoke, Richard said the family planned to move forward in their search for justice for their son, brother and father, who was hot and killed by El Cajon police officers on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016. "That statement has given us strength courage and challenge to make sure we fight this war and win it," Richard said. He said the real surprise was seeing the district attorney defending a case where someone died. "In America, I am surprised to see that a person who killed a human being the person who killed that person is not even arrested," Richard said. "I am surprised." [[395467971,C]] Olango, 38, was first reported to be walking in and out of traffic in the middle of the street and not acting like himself, when his sister called officers for help. El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis said Olango refused multiple instructions to remove his hand from in his pocket before he pulled out an object and held it in front of him like he would be firing a gun. The object was later determined to be a vaping device. Video of the shooting captured Officer Gonsalves approaching Olango in the parking lot of a strip mall in El Cajon, firing several rounds just moments later. Dumanis said a special operations division, prosecutors and Dumanis herself examined the case and visited the scene before making their decision on whether the officers would face charges. "After carefully reviewing the facts, the evidence and the law weve determined the officers use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances and he bears no criminal liability for his actions," Dumanis said. Dumanis touched on the widespread media attention Olangos case has garnered and mentioned the protests sparked by the case. "In many ways, the response in San Diego County to this officer-involved shooting is reflective of a bigger picture, in conversations that are happening across the nation," Dumanis said. "Were living in a time where the actions of police officers are under scrutiny more than ever." Dumanis said the circumstances surrounding Olango's death are tragic and said law enforcement would continue to work with the community as they have in the past. "I understand the desire among some to voice their anger and disagreement over this decision but its also my genuine hope that people can direct anger into a constructive conversation that focuses on a positive change," Dumanis said. Roll up to a Southern California eatery and chances are solid you'll encounter a menu that features one of the following: hamburgers, pastas, doughnuts, omelets, French fries, onion rings, salads, pies. This isn't to say that each of those staple-style dishes isn't presented in a fairly unique and gotta-go-back-for-it way at their respective restaurants, just that seeking them out isn't a task of the most demanding order. But locating a spot that'll do up an old-style, traditionally cooked haggis? You probably can't just park your wheels anywhere and find it at the next grill-boasting joint you pass. It's a complex dish, one with historic Scottish roots, one that involves a sheep's stomach, and other organs, and oatmeal, and spices. Plan, though, at calling upon the Tam O'Shanter on a few specific January nights and you're apt to encounter Scotland's well-known national dish. It is on those chilly January evenings that the landmark Atwater Village tavern marks the anniversary of the birth of poet Robert Burns. Mr. Burns, who was born 258 years ago as of this typing, is much associated with the tam o'shanter, as in the hat, an article of clothing he celebrated, via poetry, centuries ago. He also wrote "Address to a Haggis," making the dishe an obvious centerpiece of an event devoted to his immortal words. But the fragrant, fabled dish isn't the only part of the Tuesday, Jan. 24 and Wednesday, Jan. 25 parties; the wearing of kilts, the playing of bagpipes, and more pomp than is normally folded into a neighborhood restaurant are all on the dress-up docket. How many dining to-dos have you attended that folded in poetry, step-dancing, and oratorical touchstones stretching back over the decades (and an ocean)? If this is a regular thing for you, you are to be commended for your stellar social life. But the Robbie Burns Dinner at the Tam O'Shanter is pretty singular, as singular as a carefully crafted tam o'shanter hat, or well-cooked haggis, and it only comes around once a year, over two nights. Surely that's worth breaking out the kilt for? There are two seatings, on Jan. 24 and 25, for this popular affair, one that recommends guests attend in "traditional Scottish dress." Gather ye heather and high hopes for a poetic and stylish night now. Girls Build LA brought thousands of young women together from LA County middle and high schools for a special screening of the 20th Century Fox film "Hidden Figures" on Tuesday. The film stars Taraji P. Henson (Katherine G. Johnson), Octavia Spencer (Dorothy Vaughan) and Janelle Monae (Mary Jackson) and tells the true story of African American female mathematicians who helped NASA launch the first astronaut into orbit. Ten thousand middle and high school girls from across LA County gathered for a screening of "Hidden Figures" at USC's Galen Center in Exposition Park. "You are the master of your fate, remember that," Spencer said. Monae joined her costars and Pharrell Williams, producer and songwriter, in motivating the girls to emulate the real life stars of the film. "These are your new superheroes," Monae told the crowd. The producer of the film Peter Chernin said he hopes the film's message resonates with at least one girl. "If we reach one girl, much less hundreds, much less thousands, it will be one of the most satisfying things as a producer I can imagine." The students are part of Girls Build LA, a program of the LA Promise Fund which helps girls use science, technology, engineering and math to better their communities and improve their own chances for advancement. "It's all about female empowerment, it's all about making sure that we support each other with what we want to do," student Rosibel Villalobos said. The girls received support from the film's stars who shared their favorite words to live by. Actor Aldis Hodge said "you are never a product of your environment. Your environment is a product of you." Williams told the girls to embrace what makes them different. "That which makes you different is what makes you special." Monae offered relationship advice. "If you are in a relationship with someone who does not support your dreams, ditch them," she said. "You are meant to do great things and you should always have the support of your significant other." Women make up only about 25 percent of the STEM field, while Latinos and blacks make up less than 3 percent. The organizers of the "Hidden Figures" event hope the film and the Girls Build LA program will help increase those numbers. Welcome home. Plenty of people in Los Angeles got excited upon hearing the news last month that the Los Angeles Dodgers had re-signed All-Star closer Kenley Jansen and third baseman Justin Turner to new contracts within hours of each other. On Wednesday, the world will find out why. Jansen and Turner are scheduled to meet with the media on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium to answer questions pertaining to their decisions to stay with the team after both became free agents at the end of the 2016 season. Likely, the reasons lie in the adage, "finish what we started," as the Dodgers finished just two games shy of the World Series last season. However, the fact that both players were together in Curacao for Jansen's wedding just days before the December 12th announcement was made has conspiracy theorists believing that the Dodger family trumped money, at least in this instance. Jansen wedding with the fam!!! @court_with_a_k @yasielpuig #SVS @akvanslyke @andreaberenice_dltt #Curacao A photo posted by Justin Turner (@redturn2) on Dec 10, 2016 at 5:59pm PST Both Jansen and Turner re-signed with the Dodgers for subsequently less money than other teams were reportedly offering them. Jansen's deal is for five-years, $80 million with an opt-out clause after the 2019 season. According to multiple reports, Jansen will receive a $4 million signing bonus and an exponential contract that starts out at a team friendly $10 million in 2017 and 2018, then jumps to $18 million in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Should Jansen stay with the team for all five-years of the deal, he would receive $21 million in 2021. Turner's deal was inked at four-years, $64 million, the fourth highest of all free agent position players this offseason. He also will receiver a $4 million signing bonus as was originally reported by The Associated Press, and like Jansen, his contract is exponential as it starts at $12 million for the first two years and then leaps to $18 and $19 million in the final two years. Police Wednesday were waiting for a search warrant to process the crime scene in a downtown Los Angeles apartment complex, where a woman was found dead who was possibly the victim of a man who was fatally shot by police earlier about a block away. The officer-involved shooting happened at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday in the area of 11th and Hope streets, according to Capt. Andy Neiman of the Los Angeles Police Department. Neiman said the suspect was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police had earlier reported that an unresponsive man was down at the scene and an ambulance had been requested. Officers with the LAPD's Central Traffic Division were flagged down and "directed to an individual," at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred, Neiman said. "There were reports he was possibly armed with a knife," but that could not be immediately confirmed, the captain said. Soon after the shooting, someone approached police to inform them there was possibly a dead body in a residential complex in the 1100 block of Flower Street, within a block of the shooting scene, Neiman said. Officers investigated and found a deceased woman in her 40s. "She was obviously the victim of a homicide based on the crime scene," Neiman said. "We don't know if there's a connection (to the fatally wounded suspect) but we are certainly looking at that as a possibility." Neiman said Tuesday that investigators were going to process the crime scene overnight but were waiting for the search warrant because the apartment complex is private property. U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra on Tuesday cleared the first hurdle to becoming California's next attorney general, a process that is expected to be smooth for the well-known congressman in a heavily Democratic state. An Assembly committee controlled by Democrats voted 6-3 along party lines to support Becerra, who has represented parts of Los Angeles for more than two decades and is the highest-ranking Latino in Congress. He will now be considered by the full chamber. The Democrat told the Assembly Special Committee on the Office of the Attorney General that he would support law enforcement to cut down on crime, though some Republicans were not placated. Becerra also said he would defend the state's liberal policies on immigration and climate change against President-elect Donald Trump. "Our state has the law, the grit and the guts to fight for hardworking families," Becerra said, later adding, "I think the best defense is a good offense." Gov. Jerry Brown nominated Becerra to replace Kamala Harris as the state's top law enforcement official after she was elected to the U.S. Senate in November. The Democratic governor backed his nominee at the hearing, calling Becerra "battle-tested." "The experience of being in a polarized Congress in a polarized time in our nation's history will serve him well," Brown said. Becerra frequently referenced his upbringing as a child of immigrants, calling it a fundamental experience that shaped his policy views. He told the committee he would challenge any attempt by the Trump administration to cut federal funding to the state over its policies on LGBT rights and sanctuary cities. Some cities in California, including San Francisco, are known as sanctuary cities because they do not cooperate with federal immigration officials. Becerra also pointed to stop-and-frisk, a tactic in which police stop and search people they deem suspicious, as an area to challenge the president-elect. During his campaign, Trump said he supports the policy. "The stakes for California couldn't be higher," said Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, a fellow Los Angeles Democrat. "Now, more than ever, we need an attorney general who will defend our values and stand up to the next administration's backwards vision for America." Republicans said after the hearing that they opposed Becerra's nomination because he did not adequately address their concerns on issues such as public safety and religious freedom. "What I heard is that he's got a lot of priorities that involve litigation against the federal government, which is fine," said GOP Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham of Templeton. "That's part of his job, too, but I didn't quite get the answers I was hoping on the public safety piece." Republican Assemblyman Tom Lackey of Palmdale said he wished Becerra was more specific about how he would defend religious liberty. "Some of the very pointed questions that we asked, we got general responses that were really non-responses," Lackey said. Both chambers of the Legislature must confirm Becerra, who is scheduled to appear before the Senate Rules Committee next week. Brown nominated him on Jan. 3, giving lawmakers 90 days to confirm him. Before he was elected to the California Assembly in 1990, Becerra worked as a deputy attorney general for three years. Slopes in burn zones have already begun shedding mud, and they may not be the only ones at risk if this rainy season continues at its above average pace. With two more stormfronts moving in Tuesday over Southern California, rainfall to date for downtown Los Angeles stood at 7.24 inches, which is 2.18 inches -- 30 percent -- above the historical average, according to the National Weather Service. Previous storms this season have dislodged tons of mud, rocks and debris from recently burned and destabilized slopes in the San Gabriel Mountains. Much of the mud and debris in those flows has been captured by debris basins maintained for that purpose by Los Angeles County Public Works. Concrete k-rail barriers have been installed to channel the mud that bypasses basins. Workers at the Las Lomas Debris Basin above Duarte have faced the Sisyphean task of repeatedly removing debris to unclog the basin to make room for the next round of muck unleashed by the next storm. Outside the burn zone Tuesday, a mudflow in the Santa Monica Mountains partially blocked traffic lanes on Kanan Dume Road before it could be cleared. In the Hollywood Hills on Laurel Canyon Blvd, motorists encountered rocks and mud that have sloughed off the steep hillsides, over the curb, and onto the edge of the roadway. Flows of mud and debris become more likely as soil approaches saturation with water, and at saturation point the soil cannot absorb any more, increasing chances of flooding. Knowing where slopes have failed previously is a significant indicator they will fail again. But given variation between soils and slopes and triggers, determining when remains a challenge, said Caltech professor Jose Andrade, the executive officer for mechanical and civil engineering, with a focus on soil mechanics. "Mudslides are like earthquakes," said Andrade. "They're impossible to predict." Water accumulation is an indicator, and in the Bay Area, the United States Geological Survey is developing a system that would warn of increased landslide risk in cases where water can be detected building up between soil and bedrock. More easily predicted is flooding on roadways where storm drains are clogged. During intense rainstorms, Laurel Canyon Boulevard has periodically served as an unintended flood channel, the runoff at times strong enough to wash cars off the road, as in 1978. At other times, water washed right through the Canyon Country Store, recalled owner David Shamsa. He said the canyon has fared better in heavy rain since the city upgraded the capacity of the storm sewer system. After five years of drought, Shamsa and canyon residents are welcoming this season's rain, recurring but so far rarely intense. "We haven't had torrential downpours like in the past," said Riley Bray, a musician who grew up in the area. "So far, so good." Claire London says her mother, Regina, taught her to be responsible. My mother was wonderful, London said. She never owed a penny to anyone. So you can imagine Londons surprise when she discovered months after her mothers death that there was a lien on her moms condo. I had no idea, she said. [I] called the attorney. He said that Aventura Hospital put a lien on the property for 200 and something dollars for a bill that was not paid. Convinced it was a mistake, London says she called Aventura Hospital. They said they never got paid. I verified [my mothers] Medicare numbers, her supplement numbers and I asked them to please submit the claim, London said. When months passed and the lien was still in place, London offered to pay the bill. At first, she says she was told she couldnt do that. They said itll make it too confusing for us to file with Medicare and have you pay the bill also, London said. More than a year later after dozens of phone calls London says she was finally told she could pay the bill after all. So we ran down to Aventura to their department there and we paid it immediately and within a couple of weeks they released the claim, London said. But not before holding up the sale of Reginas condo and causing the family to rack up hundreds of dollars in attorney fees. Its very annoying, she said. Youve lost a parent, you would like to finalize whatever has to be done so you could go on with your own life and, instead, it was like a daily reminder. After the NBC 6 Responds team got involved, London says Aventura Hospital issued a refund for the $234.83 she initially paid. They also gave her a check for $927.48 to cover the extra legal fees. I just want to thank you so much, London said. I dont think to this day, anything would have been paid if NBC didnt get involved. She has a message to others who find themselves in a similar situation. If you think youre right, never give up, she said. Either get an explanation for why the other person thinks theyre right and get it resolved. Aventura Hospital told NBC they looked into the matter further and had reached out to London. In a letter they sent London with the check, they apologized for not meeting her expectations but said they were confident theyve been able to address her concerns. London, meanwhile, is happy to close this chapter and move on. Ivanka Trump has announced a plan to take a formal leave of absence from The Trump Organization and her fashion brand to join her family in the Capitol. "I will no longer be involved with the management or operations of either company," Trump announced in a post to her Facebook followers. President-elect Donald Trump tapped her husband, Jared Kushner, to serve in his administration as Senior Advisor to the President earlier this week. When her father takes control of the Oval Office, Ivanka plans to take the time to settle her three young children into their new home and schools. Ivanka named Abigail Klem as president to lead her apparel and accessories brand, while her brother will oversee operations at The Trump Organization. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, criticized the United States' normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba saying the communist island has not made enough concessions. Appearing at a Senate confirmation hearing, Tillerson, CEO of Exxon Mobil, said Cuba's leaders haven't done enough on human rights for their citizens. "We did not hold them accountable for their behavior, and their leaders received much, while their people received little," he said. "That did not help Cubans or Americans." Tillerson did not specify whether he wants to reverse executive actions taken by President Obama to ease the trade embargo Washington imposed on Cuba in 1961. Obama has taken several administrative steps since the two governments resumed diplomatic relations in 2015, but only Congress can overturn the embargo. During his election campaign Trump raised the possibility of reopening negotiations with Cuba to seek concessions from Havana. The sister of an Orlando Police officer gunned down by a murder suspect holds on to hope that the alleged killer will soon be caught. A massive manhunt entered its second day Tuesday for a man authorities say shot and killed Master Sgt. Debra Clayton outside a Wal-Mart. The 17-year veterans sister has a few words for the suspect who took Claytons life. Theres no message for him other than justice will be served. That was her job. She died doing her job, protecting and serving the community, said Nikkei Huey Young, Claytons sister. Young talked about her sisters legacy while standing next to the officers patrol car that was parked in the front of the Orlando Police Department. The patrol car has become a makeshift memorial for the slain officer. I feel like what happened here is a tragedy and its unreal. Her family is devastated, explained Young. Dozens of people gathered Tuesday night at a vigil held to honor the believe officer. NBC 6s Jamie Guirola reports from Orlando where hundreds gathered for a vigil that honored slain sergeant Debra Clayton. Sgt. Clayton died on duty Monday as she was acting on a tip, trying to take down Markeith Loyd, who is accused of murdering a pregnant woman. She touched lives doing her job. Her job was to serve and protect. But in her heart, her job was to make a difference. Clayton was immersed in her community. She held an active role at the Central Florida Urban League, helping at-risk youth. The officer is remembered as an activist. Claytons sister says she remembers their last phone call which she says ended like any other. We spoke Sunday and Saturday and Friday and we spoke constantly. We were on the phone like teenagers. We stayed on the phone like two teenagers. The slain officer has a son in college. She and her son just celebrated the holidays together. Sgt. Clayton also recently celebrated the one-year wedding anniversary with her husband. As President Barack Obama bid farewell to the nation Tuesday night in an emotional speech, tearful celebrities mourned his departure on social media. Brushing away his own tears, Obama paid tribute to the sacrifices made by his wife and by his daughters, who were young girls when they entered the big white home on Pennsylvania Avenue and leave as young women. He praised first lady Michelle Obama for taking on her role "with grace and grit and style and good humor" and for making the White House "a place that belongs to everybody." In the nearly hour-long address, Obama thanked the nation he has led for the last eight years and urged his supporters to be vigilant in protecting basic American values he warned could come under siege. Among the presidents more ardent supporters is long list of celebrities, who converged on Twitter to lament the end of a historic presidency and vowed to answer his call to activism. The IRS is delaying tax refunds for more than 40 million low-income families this year as the agency steps up efforts to fight identity theft and fraud. The delays will affect families claiming the earned income tax credit and the additional child tax credit. These tax breaks are geared to benefit the working poor, and many families claim both. "For most of these people it's the biggest check they are going to get all year," IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We are sensitive to that." The tax filing season starts Jan. 23. But a new law requires the IRS to delay tax refunds for people claiming these credits until Feb. 15. Processing times will delay most of the refunds until the end of February, Koskinen said. The delay is designed to give the agency more time to screen the returns for fraud. The IRS estimates that it issued $3.1 billion in fraudulent tax refunds to identity thieves in 2014. The year before, the agency says, it paid out $5.8 billion in fraudulent refunds. Over those two years, the IRS says it blocked nearly $47 billion in fraudulent refunds. The earned income tax credit is one of the federal government's largest anti-poverty programs. It has also been plagued by billions in improper payments each year, including overpayments, underpayments and fraud. In 2014, about 29 million families received more than $72 billion in earned income credits. "The EITC is a pro-work success," said Chuck Marr, director of federal tax policy at the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "It encourages work, it rewards work, and it has long enjoyed bipartisan support for those reasons." Eager to get refunds, about half of H&R Block's customers who claim the EITC file their returns by early February, said Bill Cobb, president and CEO of the tax giant. The tax preparer is offering interest-free loans to taxpayers affected by the delay, Cobb said. The additional child tax credit also targets low-income families. Most families with children are eligible for the standard $1,000-a-child tax credit. The additional child tax credit is for low-income families who don't owe enough in federal income tax to claim the full credit. For example, if you only owe $500 in federal income tax, you can use the $1,000 child tax credit to reduce your tax liability to zero. But you don't get the other $500. The additional child tax credit enables eligible families to claim the rest of the credit in the form of a tax refund. In 2014, more than 20 million families claimed $27 billion in these credits. This year, the IRS expects to process more than 153 million tax returns. More than 70 percent of taxpayers are expected to get refunds. In most cases, the IRS says it can issue refunds within three weeks of receiving a return. The delayed refunds are part of a broader effort by the IRS to fight identity theft and fraud on refunds, which has mushroomed into a multibillion industry. Two years ago, the IRS started partnering with the major tax-preparation services and with state tax agencies to combat identity theft. "All of the players in the industry are sharing information against the common enemy, which is organized crime," Cobb said. Koskinen said the agency is making progress. Last year, the number of people reporting to the IRS that their identities were stolen dropped by 50 percent, to 275,000 taxpayers, Kosinen said. However, a new report by an agency watchdog says stepped up screening by the IRS is also delaying legitimate refunds, forcing taxpayers to spend weeks or months proving their identity to the tax agency. Last year, about 1.2 million legitimate refunds worth $9 billion were delayed an average of more than 30 days, according to a report released Tuesday by Nina E. Olson, the National Taxpayer Advocate. Olson runs an independent office within the IRS. Koskinen said the IRS has had to get more aggressive in screening tax returns because the crooks have become increasingly sophisticated. "We're talking about international organized crime syndicates," Koskinen said. What to Know A temporary boiler outside High School of Graphic Communication Arts has been partially blocking traffic on West 50th Street for a year It was supposed to be out by the end of January but it could stay there for another 8 months because of unanticipated asbestos removal Neighbors are concerned about the continued traffic annoyance and the fuel tank that supplies the boiler A temporary boiler blocking part of West 50th Street in Manhattan could remain a nuisance for another eight months, even though a contractor was supposed to remove the heating equipment by the end of January. The mobile boiler has been parked outside the High School of Graphic Communication Arts since December of 2015, raising concerns among neighbors about traffic that has to maneuver around the machine and about the fuel tank that supplies it. "Its dangerous. I mean, look at the building. Look at the school. It shouldnt be there," said Juan Abreu, who has worked in the neighborhood for 7 years. The purpose of the equipment is to heat the school while the NYC School Construction Authority replaces the building's old boiler with new, cleaner machines that emit less pollution. The work was originally slated to be done by Jan. 20, but now the SCA says the deadline has been pushed back to September, partly because of unanticipated asbestos removal. "Were anticipating September 17th," said Melanie La Rocca, the SCA Chief of Staff. Despite making that projection, the SCA has not indicated whether the new boilers have actually made their way to the building. Although the I-Team has been inquiring about the boiler project since October, La Rocca said she didnt know the status of the heating equipment. "Because I sit here in sunny, industrial Long Island City, I cant tell you for a fact that the boilers have gone in and are in place," La Rocca said. "But whether they are there or not, I am confident that our team is able to meet the date." The I-Team requested an interview with School Construction Authority President Lorraine Grillo to talk about the delayed boiler project. So far, she has not responded. The boiler project contractor, Queens-based Independent Temperature Control Services also did not respond to the I-Teams request for comment. According to bid documents, the city can fine the contractor $2,000 per day for not completing the boiler project by the contractual deadline, but Toya Holness, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education suggested the de Blasio administration would not pursue the fines. "The delay was not caused by the contractor," Holness wrote in an email to the I-Team. The project to replace heating equipment inside the High School for Graphic Communication Arts is part of a larger effort to phase out dirty boilers city-wide. In partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, the Bloomberg administration launched the campaign in 2008 as part of the PlaNYC campaign to reduce air pollution. Since then, more than 6,000 public and private buildings have undergone boiler conversions. The School Construction Authority alone has asked City Council for $750 million dollars to upgrade more than 100 school boilers from no. 4 heating oil to cleaner fuels by 2030. Thats more than triple the cost of phasing out no. 6 oil boilers, which was mandated by 2015. Holness said its more expensive to upgrade from no. 4 oil because that requires full equipment replacement, whereas upgrading from no. 6 can often be accomplished by retro-fitting old equipment. The de Blasio administration says its worth the cost. According to city estimates, phasing out the dirty boilers has helped prevent 210 premature deaths and 540 hospitalizations each year. Abbey Brown, Clean Energy Project Manager with the Environmental Defense Fund, said the health benefits to kids are exactly why its important for school boiler replacements like the one in Hells Kitchen - to finish on time. "These are schoolchildren who are potentially breathing in air that's not as clean as it should be and there are health impacts from that," Brown said. "For buildings to comply with the deadlines, or do the work even before they are required to by deadline is incredibly important." Dozens of people were forced from their homes in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on Tuesday night after a contractor struck a gas main, causing a gas leak. The contractor struck the two-inch plastic shortly before 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Mattison Avenue and Langford Street, Asbury Park police said. More than 100 residents were evacuated from a building and moved to emergency service busses and to police headquarters to stay warm. They were allowed back into the building around 11 p.m. as New Jersey Natural Gas continued repairs. Police said no injuries were reported and that the leak is under investigation. What to Know Gov. Cuomo finishes wraps up his statewide tour in Syracuse and Albany on Wednesday On Monday, the governor launched his road trip at the World Trace Center, where he said New York State must counterbalance President Trump Cuomo was in Westchester and on Long Island on Tuesday; top lawmakers are skipping his speeches amid tense relations in Albany Gov. Andrew Cuomo is traveling to Syracuse and Albany to wrap up his six-stop state of the state tour. The Democratic governor skipped the usual tradition of delivering a single state of the state address to lawmakers this year, instead scheduling speeches in New York City, Buffalo, Westchester and Long Island. He's used the events to talk about proposals to make state college tuition free to middle class students, expand a child-care tax credit, shut down Indian Point nuclear plant and reform state voting laws to make it easier to cast a ballot. On Tuesday, Cuomo said he wants to complete and connect two greenway trails crisscrossing the state from Manhattan to Canada and from Albany to Buffalo to create a 750-mile paved biking and hiking route that will be marketed as a national tourist destination. Speaking at the World Trade Center Monday, the governor said that New York state must stand as an alternative to the policies and pronouncements of President-elect Donald Trump and show the nation progressive achievements, racial and religious tolerance and that big investments in education and infrastructure can create a dynamic economy that works for all. Lawmakers are still waiting for the details behind many of the proposals, which will come with Cuomo's proposed state budget later this winter. Governors traditionally deliver the address to lawmakers in the state Capitol, but Cuomo's administration said this year's approach is an effort to communicate directly with New Yorkers. Top lawmakers are skipping the speeches in a sign of the tense relationship between lawmakers and Cuomo. Many lawmakers blame the governor for killing their first pay raise in 18 years last month. Two U.S. officials with direct knowledge told NBC News on Tuesday that briefing materials prepared for President-elect Trump included information that initially circulated among Trump opponents and was passed to U.S. intelligence agencies making damaging allegations about his dealings with Russians. The sources would not comment on the nature of the allegations. The president-elect's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Trump himself tweeted Tuesday evening, in all caps, "FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 Appearing Tuesday evening on NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers," Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway criticized the reports by stressing that," most importantly, it says that the FBI is trying to confirm it." "They're all unnamed, unspoken sources in the story," she said. Just in: @SethMeyers asks Kellyanne Conway about the bombshell allegations surrounding Trump and Russia. See her interview on #LNSM tonight. pic.twitter.com/5Fr4FdQQp5 Late Night with Seth Meyers (@LateNightSeth) January 11, 2017 Neither of the officials said the FBI was actively investigating the information, which has not been verified by U.S. agencies. A former Pennsylvania politician is denying charges that he molested a 103-year-old nursing home resident and says he was just showing affection to a woman he's related to through marriage. William Spingler spoke to The Philadelphia Inquirer regarding the case despite his defense attorney's objections. Spingler, who served as commissioner of both Radnor Township and Delaware County, has been charged with three counts of indecent assault on a person with a mental disability. The 75-year-old disputed the charges in his first public remarks since his arrest last month, saying that he respects and loves the woman-- who is his mother-in-law. Spingler says that he frequently hugged and kissed the woman, who has dementia, during his near-daily visits at Wayne Nursing Home. Police say nursing home employees reported witnessing Spingler grope the woman on three separate occasions. The 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl who was raped, tortured and killed at her adoptive mother's house had been abused or neglected in at least three homes during her short life, according to an attorney. A lawyer for Grace Packer's birth parents told The Associated Press they lost custody of the girl over allegations that other adults were sexually abusing their children. Grace was adopted by adoption worker Sara Packer when she was a toddler. In 2011, Sara Packer's husband at the time, David Packer, pleaded to statutory sexual assault after he was charged with indecent deviate sexual intercourse with a girl who was 9 at the time of his arrest. Packer told NBC10 during an interview last year that Grace was not the girl he was sentenced for sexually assaulting. The Northampton County District Attorney's Office told NBC10 Wednesday however that Grace was the girl who he molested. "I can't discuss any information about that," David Packer told NBC10 during a second interview Wednesday. "As the law stands, regardless of the circumstance, the victim has those rights not to be identified. I'm not going to comment either way but my lawyer will be looking into the fact that numerous people are breaking the law with speculation and rumors about Grace." Authorities near Philadelphia this week charged Sara Packer and her boyfriend Jacob Sullivan with killing Grace in a "rape-murder fantasy" carried out over many hours. The girl was beaten, raped as her mother watched, poisoned and then strangled when they found her still alive hours later in a stifling attic last July, authorities said. "It sounds like this poor girl went through hell," said lawyer David Tornetta, who had fought for the birth parents to keep their three young children. He called them good people who perhaps lacked the money and skills to care for them. When he learned this week that their middle child, then called "Susan," was the girl found killed and dismembered, he wondered if he had done enough for the family. By the time Sara Packer reported her daughter missing in July -- telling police the teen may have run away -- she no longer wanted her, prosecutors said. She and Sullivan started planning her death as soon as Grace returned from a long stay with an out-of-state relative, they said. "She was unwanted. They wanted to ship her out. ... And when that failed, they plotted to kill her," said Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, who oversees major crimes prosecutions in Bucks County. Packer, 41, and Sullivan, 44, were arrested on murder and other charges last weekend after they were found unconscious from an over-the-counter overdose in what authorities called a joint suicide pact. Sara Packer's public defender did not return phone messages this week. Sullivan apologized as he was led into court from the hospital, telling reporters he was "sorry for what (he) did." Investigators in several northeast Pennsylvania counties are now trying to determine how many foster children Sara Packer and her ex-husband, David Packer, took in before he went to prison in 2011 and whether any other children were abused. Sara Packer, by then an adoptions supervisor in Northampton County, lost her $44,000-a-year job amid her husband's arrest on sex crimes. She was never charged, but there was some concern she was aware of the abuse and didn't stop it, Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin said. Grace was last seen alive at a family picnic July 4. Her mother raised suspicions when she failed to drop off a promised photograph of her daughter to police and moved without telling them, taking Grace's 12-year-old biological brother, whom she had also adopted, in tow. Hunters found Grace's body in a wooded area in Luzerne County on Oct. 31. Sara Packer and Sullivan are due in court for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 20. UPDATE: Lourdes Hospital is looking at security policies following the shooting. A patient attempted to shoot and kill himself inside a South Jersey emergency room Wednesday morning. The 72-year-old man pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head while in the treatment area of the Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center along Haddon Avenue in Camden around 8:10 a.m., said a prepared statement from the hospital. Doctors listed the man in critical condition, said the hospital. "No staff, patients or visitors were in danger," said the hospital. The Emergency Department remained open as the hospital says it alerted patients and visitors of the incident. "Pastoral Care is being offered to any patient or visitor who may need counseling," said the hospital. "Staff are being offered counseling through our employee assistance program." Camden County police would investigate the incident. SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When he arrives to work each day, Fred Beard says you never know whats going to happen. The unpredictability might explain how Beard endures such long days and weeks at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. The veteran corrections officer averaged 80-hour work weeks during the first nine months of 2016. Through Sept. 23, he collected $49,000 in overtime on top of a salary of $44,842. In a prison, there is always something going on, Beard said during an interview last fall. His daily routine at the hilltop prison in Eagleville is a whirlwind of activity: Working a hub in one of the prison blocks, Beard monitors numerous video screens, 360 degrees of hallways and dozens of locked doors. In this bustling environment, there is always work to do, and always overtime for those willing to do it, according to Beard and his supervisors. Beard was the top OT earner among the 3,100 workers employed by Montgomery County during those first nine months -- but he was not the only one riding the gravy train in recent years. An NBC10.com analysis of payroll records found that county workers earned more than $26 million in overtime since 2011. Consider that money this way: If the county spent that much on new corrections officers at the county average of $41,000, they could hire another 600. Thats more than double the 260 corrections officers currently on the books. Spent another way, it would pay down nearly all of the $28 million in new county expenses budgeted in 2016 and 2017, which has increased taxes $110 for the average homeowner. And OT costs are on the rise, from $3.8 million in 2011 to $5 million in 2015. (Through September, the county was on pace to pay out another $5 million in 2016.) Data: Montgomery County, Illustration via Infogr.am A spokeswoman for the county commissioners, who oversee spending, said overtime is reviewed quarterly. She attributed the rise to a policy implemented in 2014 that reduced the payout for accumulated sick time at the time of retirement. As a result, there has been an increase in absenteeism, which reduces attendance percentage and creates a need for coverage/overtime, county spokeswoman Lorie Slass said. Most of the top earners come from four departments: Corrections, Emergency Communications, District Attorney, and Sheriff. Officials who head those departments say the jobs garnering the most overtime -- corrections officer, county detective, 9-1-1 dispatcher -- all share traits that make them inherently hard to staff without the use of overtime. Public Safety Director Tom Sullivan said extensive training and high turnover inside the county dispatch center are main causes for the overtime, which is necessary to keep in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Theres a limit to increasing the staff size, Public Safety Director Tom Sullivan said. Once we hire someone, they have to go out for four months of training. Were constantly recruiting, constantly testing, and it is a big effort to fill the jobs. Its a constant struggle in this entire industry. He added that many dont want to work overtime and there are some who will work it. 'It Does Fall on the Shoulders of Some' Like Beard in Corrections, a 9-1-1 dispatcher apparently willing to work any and all hours is Brian Spatz, who has earned $249,000 in overtime since 2011. Spatz is tops in a department that averaged $5,374 in overtime per employee in the first nine months of 2016. Since 2011, Emergency Communications workers collectively earned $7 million in overtime. Some of it is built in, with dispatchers and supervisors required to work four hours of overtime each week. But Sullivan said large amounts of OT for some employees does concern him. Our management staff is constantly looking at that, he said. Many dont want to work OT and there are some who do. Sullivan said the staff has increased by more than 30 positions in the last decade and yet the overtime demand persists. In 2016, there were 180 employees in Emergency Communications. Not everyone is willing to come in. It does fall on the shoulders of some employees, he said. In addition to the county prison and the dispatch center, some of the highest paid county employees receive sumptuous amounts of extra hours. County detectives in the District Attorneys office averaged $106,000 in salary in 2016. They took home another $10,700, on average, in overtime. In early December, District Attorney Kevin Steele pleaded with county commissioners to provide $238,000 in additional funding to his office, so he could give his assistant district attorneys pay increases in 2017. The county commissioners ultimately decided against giving Steele the money. Assistant DAs average $55,000 in salary. Since 2011, the District Attorneys office has spent $3.8 million in overtime, with the vast majority of that going to county detectives. Steele defended the overtime for detectives, saying his highly-specialized investigators need to work long hours after crimes happen to help close cases. We have excellent closure rates, and my detectives are the reason for that, he said. Still, he said, the pay for his prosecutors is the reason why he loses good, young attorneys every year. Dont get me started on that. Their salaries are a whole other story Id be happy to talk about, he said in an interview with NBC10.com, prior to the budget hearings. AP An Effect on Employees' Pensions In addition to short-term effects on county budgets, the difficulty in finding and retaining dispatchers and corrections officers strains long-term county spending. Pension payouts to county employees include overtime in calculating retirement compensation. Despite calls to cap or eliminate overtime from those calculations, governments like Montgomery County and Philadelphia continue to allow it as a factor. When figuring out an employees retirement pay, Montgomery County uses the three highest years compensation -- salary plus overtime -- to determine the annual pension. In the case of Fred Beard, the prison officer, his annual pay in retirement will be thousands of dollars more thanks to all his hours of overtime. Hes got a plan, the jails warden, Julio Algarin, said in an interview in the fall. As long as hes not wearing himself down, Im fine with it. Brian X. McCrone/NBC10 Beards plan is simple: Pack in as many hours of OT as possible to boost his pension, so when he retires -- likely in three years, he says -- hell have a much larger annual compensation. Neither Algarin nor Sullivan said they are aware of large numbers of staffers using overtime purposefully to boost their eventual pensions. I have not noticed that as a pattern, Sullivan said. A school bus fish-tailed on black ice and crashed into a tree in Delaware Wednesday morning leaving the bus driver and three students with minor injuries. The Christian School District bus crashed after slipping on ice while the driver turned from Country Club Drive onto Windsor Drive in Newark around 6:45 a.m., said Newark Police. Eight children from Shue-Medill Middle School -- between the ages of 11 to 14 -- and the 54-year-old female driver were on board, said police. The driver and three students were taken to Christiana Hospital for treatment for aches and pains, said police. the remaining children boarded another bus and headed to school, said police. Police continued to investigate the wreck Wednesday morning. Another school bus crashed along Rockland Road in Wilmington, Delaware Wednesday morning leaving 13 children with minor injuries. It was a Tuesday to remember for the mayor of a Gloucester County town as he attended a funeral, saved a womans life from a fire and then went to Governor Christies final State of the State address all within the span of a few hours. Paulsboro Mayor Gary Stevenson, who also works as a funeral director and volunteer firefighter in the town, was leaving a funeral around 9:30 a.m. when he noticed smoke coming from a home a block away on West Broad Street. I saw smoke coming back from this house and I originally thought it was a chimney, said Stevenson, who was also a fire chief for 12 years. Stevenson parked his car and walked closer to the smoke, noticing that it was growing in intensity. As I got closer to the house I could see the white smoke turning black which tells you its a fire, Stevenson said. Stevenson called 911 and then checked to see if anyone was inside the burning home. Two other men who were in the area arrived to help. The three men banged on the doors and yelled until a woman finally came down and asked them what was wrong. Im like honey, your house is on fire, Stevenson said. Stevenson told NBC10 the woman was a shift worker and was sleeping when the fire began. As he tried to get her out the woman told him she had to go back in and find her pocketbook. I said honey, weve got to get out of this house because this roof is going to collapse right on both of us and were both going to be trapped here, Stevenson said. Firefighters arrived and were able to put out the flames though the home was badly damaged. Investigators say the accidental fire was electrical and began in the attic of the home. The woman was the only person inside at the time and she was not injured, thanks to Stevenson. Im not sure if I was in the right place at the right time or the wrong place at the wrong time, he said. God had me there at the right time I guess and fortunately the girl heard me banging and the other guys yelling. She woke up and that was key. Even after saving the woman however, Stevensons day was far from over. He still had to meet with New Jersey assemblyman John Burzichelli who was taking Stevenson as his guest to Governor Christies final State of the State address. Im thinking Im not going to make this, Stevenson said. I smell like smoke. We got there just a couple of minutes before he started speaking. Then the mayors hat went on and I was able to meet the governor and the lieutenant governor. I had a good time listening to the speech, the state of the union speech, but the fire was on my mind the whole time. Stevenson admitted it was a wild day, even by his standards. Today was hectic but gratifying that a life was saved, he said. Despite saving the womans life, Stevenson said he was merely performing his duty. I dont consider myself a hero, he said. Im just a citizen with the title of mayor. A long-sought mayoral task force charged with recommending an attack plan for Philadelphia's ever-growing heroin and opioid epidemic held its first meeting Wednesday morning. The group of 16 dozen public health experts, local and federal law enforcement, state administrators and advocates have a goal of providing actionable recommendations for Mayor Jim Kenney in just three months. Dr. Arthur Evans, the citys mental and behavioral health commissioner, said the task force is necessary to bring everyone onto the same page. "Multiple people were dealing with this issue, but really people werent talking, Evans said. Advocates have long prodded the city to declare the drug epidemic a public health crisis and form such a task force to coordinate attack efforts. Expediency is vital, Evans says, to saving lives. This is a crisis and we need to get to the issues, he told the group and audience of a few dozen. City health officials expect overdose deaths, fueled overwhelmingly by opioids, to approach 900 for 2016 when final toxicology reports are confirmed in the coming months. That number is three times the citys homicide rate. Worse, the grim statistic, like in many towns, continues to rise every year as NBC10 found in its recent special report, Generation Addicted, about the deadly heroin and opioid epidemic. The more than year-long project followed those in the throes of addiction, family and community members affected by it and health officials and law enforcement trying to fight it. NBC10 reporters Vince Lattanzio, Morgan Zalot and Denise Nakano explore the tragic world of heroin and opioid addiction in the Philadelphia area and beyond. This special long-form presentation is just one of a series of stories as part of our investigation. Dive into our in-depth coverage and many more stories here. A spike in deaths during the holiday season claimed 12 people in one day. Thirty-five people died in a five day span. Another day, some 50 people were thought to have overdosed, but they were all revived with naloxone. The infiltration of fentanyl, an exponentially stronger synthetic opioid that can be added to heroin or taken alone, into the citys drug market could be a major instigator in the deaths. The health department expects 50 percent of opioid deaths in 2016 to involve fentanyl. In my public health career, I have never seen this, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said. Some 55,000 Philadelphians are thought to be misusing or abusing opioids like prescription painkillers OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin and their street cousin heroin, which, in Philadelphia, is some of the strongest in the nation. Officials also want to focus on preventing young people from starting down the path to drug addiction. Addiction is a young persons disease, said Roland Lamb, deputy commissioner for behavioral health. We have to get young people involved as early as possible. The task forces first meeting, lasting for about two hours in a Market East office building, mostly outlined goals and procedure, but some members were already making first-brush recommendations. They ranged from concerns about funding, access to the overdose reversal drug naloxone, race and treatment parity and taking legal action against pharmaceutical companies. The group will meet bi-monthly and make recommendations on a rolling basis. Evans said that will allow the city to put promising programs or efforts into practice immediately. Evans said his office already compiled reports from similar task forces in other cities and states and identified recommendations that could work for Philadelphia. He said the group can then look at what works in other places and decide if it will be good for the city. He asked the group to put forth other ideas as well. Five subcommittees focusing on community education, prevention, harm reduction and other issues will also offer suggestions to the task force. The task force will also hold four neighborhood listening sessions for residents to share their ideas and comments on the epidemic. (A list of dates and locations is posted below.) After three months, the group will pen a final report for Kenney with a clear plan. Giving the mayor a road map to really see those recommendations become a reality, Evans said. A website will also be launched next week to provide updates to the community about the task force findings. COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS The health department is asking residents to RSVP at MTFCOE.eventbrite.com. Northwest Philadelphia Monday, January 23 - 6:30 p.m. Resources for Human Development (RHD) 4700 Wissahickon Avenue, Suite 126 Philadelphia, PA 19144 Kensington Wednesday, January 25 - 6:30 p.m. Prevention Point Philadelphia 2913 Kensington Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19134 South Philadelphia/Grays Ferry Tuesday, January 31 - 6:30 p.m. Greater Philadelphia Health Action 1401 S. 31st Street Philadelphia, PA 19146 Northeast Philadelphia Thursday, February 2 - 6:30 p.m. Counseling Or Referral Assistance 8540 Verree Road Philadelphia, PA 19111 A Philadelphia school bus driver is facing charges after allegedly leaving a 7-year-old student alone on a bus. Police say Jamar Henry, 28, was driving the student home from Cornerstone Christian Academy when he stopped at the Shop Rite on 6700 Haverford Avenue Monday at 4:44 p.m. Henry stopped in front of the store, told the student to stay on the bus as he left and entered the grocery store, according to investigators. Police observed the idling bus and noticed the student by himself. An officer spoke to the student, who said Henry left him unattended for around ten minutes. The officer continued talking to the student when Henry was then seen running towards the school bus, police said. Henry allegedly told the officer he had a bathroom emergency and needed to stop. The officer looked at surveillance video and determined it didn't match up with Henry's explanation however. Police also say Henry was in possession of marijuana. Henry is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, marijuana possession and other related offenses. A spokesperson for the bus contractor, Durham School Services, told NBC10 Henry was fired after the incident. The spokesperson also said Henry had passed his pre-employment screening and drug tests before he was initially hired. A spokesperson for Cornerstone Christian Academy released the following statement on the incident: Cornerstone Christian Academy would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the passerby who reported the incident concerning a student being left behind on the school bus yesterday evening, January 9, 2017. We would also like to thank the Philadelphia Police officer who stayed with the student and notified the school of the situation. Our first priority is always the safety and security of our students and we look forward to working together with the School District of Philadelphias bus services to ensure that our students are escorted safely to and from school. Police searched the Horsham, Pennsylvania apartment of a third person of interest in the rape, murder and dismemberment of a 14-year-old girl. Detectives from both Montgomery and Bucks counties arrived at the apartment shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday and left with what appeared to be a box of evidence after about an hour. They did not reveal what they were looking for at the apartment specifically. The woman who lives at the apartment was involved in a polyamorous relationship with Jacob Sullivan and Sara Packer, according to investigators. Both Sara Packer and Sullivan are charged in the rape, murder and dismemberment of Packers 14-year-old adopted daughter Grace Packer. They are both being held without bail in Bucks County. The third person of interest lived with Sullivan and Packer inside the Horsham apartment for about a year and a half, according to officials. The woman, who we are not identifying since she has not been charged with a crime, called 911 back on December 30, 2016 after she found Sullivan barely conscious and unresponsive inside their bedroom. I dont know if you have watched the news lately, the woman told the dispatcher, according to the affidavit. Someone we were involved with was recently...Its a big mess. Its a big mess and I dont really know how to explain it. But oh my God. She also later found Packer unconscious in the bathroom and took her to the hospital. Police say Packer and Sullivan both tried to overdose on drugs as part of a suicide pact. During his time recovering at Abington Hospital, Sullivan allegedly confessed to staff members that he and Packer had conspired to kill Grace. Police say Sullivan confessed to raping the teen while Packer watched, storing her body in the attic of their Quakertown home, dismembering her body months later and dumping her remains in a wooded area in Luzerne County. Police say Packer helped Sullivan dispose of her daughters body and then lied to investigators for months as they searched for the girl, whose remains were later found by a group of hunters. Bucks County District Attorney's Office Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub called Sullivans second girlfriend a person of interest in the case but not a suspect. The womans attorney, Sharon Meisler, spoke to NBC10 about her clients involvement with the ongoing investigation. She is cooperating, Meisler said. She has been cooperating. I didnt know they were going to do that but I understand why theyre doing it. Meisler said her client is devastated by Grace Packers death. Despite the arrests of Sara Packer and Jacob Sullivan, officials say the investigation into the teens death is ongoing. Warning: The details of this story are extremely graphic and could be disturbing to some readers. A mother and her boyfriend accused of killing and raping her teenage daughter then dismembering the body sit isolated in suburban Philadelphia prison cells without bail as they await a preliminary hearing in the case. Sara Packer and Jacob Sullivan both were being housed in restricted housing consistent with any suspect facing a capital offense at the Bucks County Correctional Facility, said county spokesman Christopher Edwards Tuesday. Packer and Sullivan dont have access to the general population at the Doylestown, Pennsylvania jail that housed 677 men and 119 woman at the end of 2016, said the county. Sullivan is accused of raping and killing 14-year-old Grace Packer in a Quakertown home at the direction of Packer, Graces adoptive mother, as part of a rape-murder fantasy. The duo stored Graces body for months after Packer told Abington Township Police that Grace was missing before dismembering Grace and dropping her body parts in rural Luzerne County in October, said investigators. Both Sullivan and Packer entered a suicide pact in the days leading up to their arrests, said investigators. Bucks County officials didnt immediately reveal if both are on suicide watch while behind bars awaiting Jan. 20 preliminary hearings. A former Fox News personality who accused Bill O'Reilly of sexual harassment was paid a sum in the high six figures by the network's parent company in exchange for her silence and agreement not to sue, The New York Times reported Tuesday. The employee, Juliet Huddy, said O'Reilly, the network's biggest star, pursued a sexual relationship with her in 2011. When she rebuffed O'Reilly's advances, he tried to derail her career, the Times reported, citing a letter from her lawyers to Fox News it obtained. The secret agreement was reportedly struck between Huddy and network parent 21st Century Fox in September, weeks after Roger Ailes was ousted as network chairman amid a sexual harassment scandal. A Huddy representative had no comment. A Fox News spokeswoman said the letter contains "substantial falsehoods." NBC News reached out Huddy's attorney, who said on behalf of his client she had "no comment." A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer plead guilty on Tuesday to bribery and smuggling illegal immigrants in exchange for monetary and sexual favors. Jose Luis Cota, 50, a 15-year veteran with the Customs and Border Protection worked at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. He was arrested on Sept. 7, 2016, along with Miriam Elizabeth Juarez-Herrera and Gilberto Aguilar-Martinez, both 31. Cota admitted to accepting money and sexual favors from Juarez-Herrera in exchange for allowing illegal immigrants across the border. He also accepted bribes from Aguilar-Martinez. He pleaded guilty to three counts of smuggling illegal immigrants and one count of bribery of a public official. According to his plea agreement, Cota was involved in the smuggling from November 2015 to September 2016, when he was arrested. During that time, Cota admitted to smuggling at least 10 illegal immigrants into the country. Juarez-Herrera, an undocumented immigrant, would find and recruit illegal immigrants in Mexico and smuggle them into the U.S. Cota charged up to $15,000 per person. Aguilar-Martinez is a two-time convicted felon and was previously deported as an undocumented immigrant. Public corruption, which includes border corruption, is the number one criminal priority for the FBI because of the potential harm that actions, like Officer Cotas actions, can have on our nations security, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum. If convicted, Cota could face more than 10 years in prison. A new documentary that explores officer involved shootings also takes a look at what happens to the officers who go through such incidents. The documentary is called Officer Involved by filmmaker, Patrick Shaver. Shaver told NBC 7, the goal of the documentary is not to look at police shootings in the wake of protests, nor is it meant to take away from what happened to those who died as a result of lethal force. Rather, the documentary tells the stories of men and women who made split second decisions to use deadly force that changed their lives forever, Shaver said. We really would like people to watch our film and say 'look at how human these people are,'" he said. They do have emotions and there is a really procedural process that happens. The officer doesn't just go home. Shaver is on leave from his job as a police officer in Georgia, which he has had for five years. According to his documentary, there have been over 24 thousand miles traveled, over 90 interviews conducted to tell the story of what it means to be an officer involved." Police officers are prepared to take action, they're taught legal concepts, they are taught what to do in the moment; but they're not prepared for what happens after the shooting," Shaver said. He added that he hopes to get the documentary distributed within six to eight months. In the meantime, he is holding private screenings, mostly for first responders and their families. If you would like to request a private screening, click here. A girl sexually assaulted by a man at a North County laundry helped officers arrest the man by taking a picture of his license plate, according to San Diego County Sheriffs Department (SDSO). The man taken into custody now stands accused of similar incidents reported at the same business over the summer, officials said. Salvador Guillen Alcaraz, 41, was booked Thursday on felony charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 years of age, according to court documents. Alcaraz is accused of grabbing the buttocks of an 11-year-old girl at the coin laundry on Rancho Santa Fe Road and Descanso Avenue in San Marcos. As he left the laundry, the girl took a photo of his license plate, deputies said. "She did it great in this instance. She kept her distance she was able to take a picture from quite a ways away and it helped us find the person who did this," said SDSO Sgt. Daniel Deese. Alcaraz was later arrested at his home on Curry Comb Drive in San Marcos. Officials said he was then identified as the suspect in two similar incidents reported at the same business in June and August. On June 21, 2016, an eight-year-old girl was inappropriately touched by Alcaraz, SDSO said. A six-year-old girl was also a victim. "There are a lot of kids in this neighborhood so I'm just glad they got him off the street," said John Brookes, a San Marcos resident. Anyone with information can call the Sheriff's Department Child Abuse Unit at (858) 974-2310. The leader of a violent drug trafficking and gambling enterprise plead guilty on Tuesday to racketeering, the U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed. Owen Hanson, 34, leader of ODOG Enterprise admitted to trafficking hundreds of kilograms of drugs including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and Ecstasy. He also admitted to operating a gambling and money laundering enterprise in the U.S., South America and Australia between 2012 to 2016. ODOG Enterprise distributed performance enhancing drugs to professional athletes and ran a gambling operation on sporting events, according to the plea agreement. Hanson's enterprise used violence and threatened individuals in owed them money. Along with Hanson, two associates also pleaded guiltyGiovanni Brandolino, 42, and 50-year-old Jeff Belandi. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 16 out of 22 defendants charged in the case have pleaded guilty so far. If convicted, Hanson could face life in prison and a fine of $250,000. The family of Alfred Olango, a man killed by El Cajon police last year, said they expected the District Attorney to announce the officer who shot and killed their loved one was justified in using lethal force -- but nevertheless they hope to find justice for their family member. "The battle line has been drawn," Richard Olango said. "We are going to fight, we are move forward and advance forward. We are not going to move any steps back." Olango's family spoke at the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in San Diego Tuesday hours after San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis wrapped up her press conference, announcing the results of the office's review of five recent fatal police and deputy-involved shootings. Dumanis said in all five fatal shootings -- involving victims David Moya, Sergio Weick, Alfred Olango, Juan Carlos Fernandez and Trenton Lohman -- the law enforcement officers were justified in their decisions. In the controversial case of Olango, Dumanis added that the only reasonable conclusion after looking at the facts of the case was that the "officer's actions were legally justified and understandable." Dumanis said at the press conference Olango's family was notified through an attorney of the press conference, but was not told of the decision in advance. Richard Olango said though they were not told in advance, the decision did not come as a surprise to them. "We expected that," he told the church, his family behind him. As he spoke, Richard said the family planned to move forward in their search for justice for their son, brother and father, who was hot and killed by El Cajon police officers on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016. "That statement has given us strength courage and challenge to make sure we fight this war and win it," Richard said. He said the real surprise was seeing the district attorney defending a case where someone died. "In America, I am surprised to see that a person who killed a human being the person who killed that person is not even arrested," Richard said. "I am surprised." El Cajon police on Friday released surveillance and cellphone video of the officer-involved shooting of Alfred Olango. (WARNING: The video is graphic and may be disturbing.) Olango, 38, was first reported to be walking in and out of traffic in the middle of the street and not acting like himself, when his sister called officers for help. El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis said Olango refused multiple instructions to remove his hand from in his pocket before he pulled out an object and held it in front of him like he would be firing a gun. The object was later determined to be a vaping device. Video of the shooting captured Officer Gonsalves approaching Olango in the parking lot of a strip mall in El Cajon, firing several rounds just moments later. Dumanis said a special operations division, prosecutors and Dumanis herself examined the case and visited the scene before making their decision on whether the officers would face charges. "After carefully reviewing the facts, the evidence and the law weve determined the officers use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances and he bears no criminal liability for his actions," Dumanis said. Dumanis touched on the widespread media attention Olangos case has garnered and mentioned the protests sparked by the case. "In many ways, the response in San Diego County to this officer-involved shooting is reflective of a bigger picture, in conversations that are happening across the nation," Dumanis said. "Were living in a time where the actions of police officers are under scrutiny more than ever." Dumanis said the circumstances surrounding Olango's death are tragic and said law enforcement would continue to work with the community as they have in the past. "I understand the desire among some to voice their anger and disagreement over this decision but its also my genuine hope that people can direct anger into a constructive conversation that focuses on a positive change," Dumanis said. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior announced Wednesday that San Diegos iconic Chicano Park has earned designation as a National Historic Landmark. The park located in Barrio Logan, beneath the Coronado Bay Bridge, about 4.5 miles southeast of downtown San Diego is one of 24 new National Historic Landmarks designated by the Interior Departments Sally Jewell. According to the department, the places chosen for the honor depict a broad range of Americas rich, complex history. San Diegans know the park for its vast collection of colorful murals dedicated to the cultural heritage of the predominantly Mexican-American community that makes up Barrio Logan. Much of the artwork represents the struggle of the Chicano movement. Representative of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, Chicano Park has become a cultural and recreational gathering place for the Chicano community and is the location of the Chicano Park Monumental Murals, an exceptional assemblage of master mural artwork painted on the freeway bridge supports, the U.S. Department of the Interior said in a press release Wednesday. On April 20, 1970, San Diego residents occupied Chicano Park in a successful effort to prevent the construction of a California Highway Patrol substation on the land where the City of San Diego had promised to build a park for the community. In 1970, late San Diego Chicano activist and musician Ramon Chunky Sanchez, wrote a song about the park Chicano Park Samba in which he sang about the culture, spirit and struggle of Chicanos in their fight for the creation of Chicano Park. The song became an anthem for the park and Barrio Logan. Sanchez died in San Diego in late October 2016 but his song and ties to Chicano Park will forever be remembered by the community. Each year, the park hosts Chicano Park Day, a free community celebration. This year, that 47th annual party will be held on April 22. The theme for the 2017 celebration will be dedicated to Sanchez, known as the heart of the barrio. Though a colorful space often used for community festivals, darkness and chaos swept over Chicano Park on Oct. 15, 2016. On that day, DUI suspect Richard Anthony Sepolio lost control of his truck and drove off the Coronado Bay-Bridge, flying 60 feet and landing on a crowd below that had gathered at Chicano Park to enjoy a motorcycle festival with live music, food and art. Four people were killed and many others were injured in the tragedy at the park. In addition to Chicano Park landing the Department of the Interiors National Historic Landmark designation on Wednesday, these 23 other places across the nation also earned the honor: Medgar and Myrlie Evers House in Jackson, Mississippi Wyandotte National Burying Ground (Eliza Burton Conley Burial Site) in Kansas City, Kansas Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City Greenhills Historic District in Greenhills, Ohio Casa Jose Antonio Navarro in San Antonio, Texas Neutra Studio and Residences (VDL Research House) in Los Angeles, California Keim Homestead in Oley, Pennsylvania Schifferstadt in Frederick, Maryland New York State Barge Canal Kimball Village Site (13PM4) in Plymouth county, Iowa Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission Chapel (McDonnell Hall) in San Jose, California Painted Desert Community Complex in Apache County, Arizona W. A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop in Rices Landing, Pennsylvania Davis-Ferris Organ, built for a New York City Episcopal church in 1846-1847 Pauli Murray Family Home in Durham, North Carolina Eldean Bridge in Miami County, Ohio West Union Bridge in Parke County, Indiana Omaha Union Station in Omaha, Nebraska George Read II House, in New Castle, Delaware Biesterfeldt Site in Ransom County, North Dakota Walrus Islands Archeological District near Togiak, Alaska 48GO305, commonly referenced in archeological literature as Hell Gap Paleoindian Site, located in Goshen County, Wyoming Kent State Shootings Site in Kent, Ohio These 24 new designations depict different threads of the American story that have been told through activism, architecture, music, and religious observance, said Secretary Jewell in a press release. Their designation ensures future generations have the ability to learn from the past as we preserve and protect the historic value of these properties and the more than 2,500 other landmarks nationwide. Ed. Note: Charges in this case were dismissed as of April 2017. The Rodeway Inn in Oceanside was partially evacuated Tuesday afternoon as police searched for a wanted, possibly armed suspect, Oceanside Police Lt. Taurino Valdovinos confirmed to NBC 7 San Diego. Oceanside Police (OPD) first responded to a call of a shooting at the Inn, located at 1103 N. Coast Highway, at approximately 2:25 p.m. The reporting party told officers that Jason Rodriguez, 21, fired a weapon in his direction as the two men stood in the parking lot of the motel. OPD says that the incident stemmed from an earlier altercation between the two as they drove in separate vehicles on State Route 76 near Interstate 5. Officers arrived at the motel and evacuated occupants of nearby rooms and buildings before establishing communication with Rodriquez, who police discovered was inside a room he had rented at the motel. Rodriguez exited his room and surrendered to police without incident at approximately 3:52 p.m. He was taken into custody and booked at the Vista Detention Facility, charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Police say that the reporting party and Rodriguez did not know each other before the incident. The reporting party was not injured in the shooting, officers said. According to OPD, a gun of unknown variety was located in the room following the arrest. Many San Diegans were awakened by light but steady rain as a storm front swept across the county early Wednesday. Once the front passes, it opens the screen door and allows rain to take place and thats really what has happened, NBC 7 Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh said. Rain droplets fell overnight, making roads slick across San Diego County. Click here to view NBC 7's Interactive Radar. Conditions should be breezy at the coast and in the valleys while windy in the mountains. Expect showers to become a little more widespread, mid-morning, and then taper this afternoon. Tomorrows storm is more potent, and may bring thunderstorms, Kodesh said. In Northern California, authorities urged thousands of people to leave their homes as rivers swollen by four days of heavy rain threatened to crest above flood level. About 2,000 people in Wilton, southeast of downtown Sacramento, left their homes Tuesday evening, as emergency crews and officials worked to try to bolster a Cosumnes River levee in Sacramento County. The river was projected to overflow its banks Wednesday morning. A winter storm brought rain to San Diego on Wednesday. NBC 7s Elena Gomez reports on the conditions from Encinitas in the North County. In Sonoma County, some 3,000 residents were under an evacuation advisory as the Russian River rose again under pounding rain. Officials red-tagged seven homes, ordering residents out, when a rain-soaked embankment came crashing down. Johna Peterson was one of few residents who ventured out in the remote Sonoma County town of Monte Rio. Walking on the bridge across the Russian River, Peterson worried about what the coming hours and days would bring. "I think it's going to go higher," Peterson said. "There's nowhere for this water to go." [NATL-LA 2017 GALLERY] Winter 2017: Strongest Storms in Years Soak California North of San Francisco, people were evacuated Tuesday evening from businesses and homes in downtown San Anselmo after a rain-swollen creek broke its banks. The Corte Madera Creek was flowing 1 foot over flood stage, the Marin County Sheriff's Office said. Tuesday's storm was the latest of back-to-back systems -- buffered by a brief respite Monday -- that have brought the heaviest rain in a decade to parts of Northern California and Nevada. More showers were forecast for Wednesday morning. A blizzard warning was in effect for parts of the Sierra Nevada, the first issued in the past nine years, said Scott McGuire, a forecaster for the National Weather Service based in Reno, Nevada. "This is definitely a dangerous, life-threatening situation going on up there," he said. "People should not attempt to travel at all." Forecasters warned of up to 10 feet of snow in the highest mountains, with up to 7 feet of snow around the resorts of Lake Tahoe, high risk of avalanches, and wind gusts to 60 mph. The Sierra ridge had gusts of more than 100 mph. Many ski resorts shut down Tuesday because of the storm. A number of main roads in the Sierra were closed, including Interstate 80, or required chains. Nearly 3 feet of new snow already was reported Tuesday morning at the top of the Mount Rose ski resort between Reno and Lake Tahoe. A series of storms already has added 33 billion gallons of water to Lake Tahoe since Jan. 1. NBC 7s Liberty Zabala reports on the shelters opening in time to allow San Diegos homeless to get shelter from the storm expected to arrive later this week. A Vista mother said her familys dirty laundry was coming out of the washer marked with rust stains, ruining clothes and bedding. When she called the company that made the washer, they told her there was nothing they could do since they considered the problem cosmetic. As a busy mom can tell you, there isnt time to do laundry once, let alone twice, Lindsay Hester said. Raising her two young boys, Lindsay knows clean laundry often doesnt stay clean for long. So when she and her husband moved to their home in Vista, buying a new washer and dryer was on the top of her to-do list. The couple went with a Samsung model but six months after they bought it, Lindsay said she started noticing something odd. We started noticing rust stains on our clothes but we werent sure of the source, Lindsay said. The familys dirty laundry went into the washer but when the laundry came out, it was spotted with rust stains. We got a mirror inside of the machine so we could look up at the bottom side..you can see that the true source of the rust is coming from the underside and this is what was ending up on my clothing, Lindsay said. The stained clothes were beginning to wear out Lindsays patience. The final straw was putting in a new set of expensive bedding before guests arrived and having it come out rust-stained, Lindsay said. Lindsay said she called Samsung and explained the problem but the company told her they considered the problem cosmetic and would not issue a refund or replacement. It was frustrating and it became almost a matter of principle, Lindsay said. After several frustrating calls to Samsung with no resolution, Lindsay said she was about to give up until one afternoon when she saw an NBC 7 Responds report. You were able to successfully get her problem taken care of so I thought as a last ditch effort I would get in touch, Lindsay said. That last ditch effort turned out to be just what Lindsay needed. After she contacted NBC 7 Responds, we reached out to Samsung and explained the situation. The next day, Samsung called Lindsay with good news. They finally had a solution to our problem, Lindsay said. Samsung called Lindsay and after some negotiating, the company committed to paying her 80% of the washer's price -- a refund of $500. Lindsay used that cash to purchase a new washer. In an email, Lauren Restuccia with Samsung provided this statement, We have reached out to Ms. Hester and resolved the matter to her satisfaction. We strive to deliver the best possible experience to all Samsung customers, and we encourage anyone with any product question to contact us directly at 1-800-SAMSUNG. San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis's review of five fatal officer and deputy-involved shootings in recent months concluded law enforcement was justified in each incident, including the high profile police shooting of Alfred Olango. Dumanis said in all five fatal shootings -- involving victims David Moya, Sergio Weick, Alfred Olango, Juan Carlos Fernandez and Trenton Lohman -- the law enforcement officers were justified in their decisions. In the controversial case of Olango, Dumanis added that the only reasonable conclusion after looking at the facts of the case was that the "officer's actions were legally justified and understandable." The DA's office also released statistics from a report compiled about officer-involved shootings. Racial breakdown of fatal officer involved shootings in San Diego county over last four years. #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/XfppFKQlYN Artie Ojeda (@ArtieNBCSD) January 10, 2017 Over a four year period, 34 people were fatally shot and 27 were shot and wounded, Dumanis said. Twenty seven of those fatally shot were white, 26 were Hispanic, five were black and three were Asian. The District Attorneys Office released video footage from five fatal officer and deputy-involved shootings in San Diego last year, including an incident involving the shooting death of Juan Carlos Fernandez by police in City Heights. NBC 7s Artie Ojeda has more on the DAs decision to clear the officers involved. Alfred Olango Shooting happened Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016 San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis says that after careful review, the officer-involved shooting of Alfred Olango in El Cajon on Sept. 27 was justified. Alfred Olango, 38, was shot and killed by El Cajon police officers on Tuesday, Sept. 27. He was first reported to be walking in and out of traffic in the middle of the street and not acting like himself, when his sister called officers for help. El Cajon Police Department Lt. Rob Ransweiler said two officers first arrived at the scene at approximately 2:10 p.m. Tuesday. The officer-involved shooting happened at 2:11 to 2:12 p.m., between one to two minutes after they arrived. Video of the shooting captured Officer Gonsalves approaching Olango in the parking lot of a strip mall in El Cajon, then firing several rounds just moments later. El Cajon police on Friday released surveillance and cellphone video of the officer-involved shooting of Alfred Olango. (WARNING: The video is graphic and may be disturbing.) El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis said Olango refused multiple instructions to remove his hand from in his pocket before he pulled out an object and held it in front of him like he would be firing a gun. The object was later determined to be a vaping device. The ECPD said officers called PERT, a psychiatric emergency response team that deals with calls involving subjects in mental distress, to help with Olango before their encounter with him, but that team was not immediately available because it was responding to another call in the area. San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis says that after careful review, the officer-involved shooting of Alfred Olango in El Cajon on Sept. 27 was justified. Dumanis said their review does not review policy or procedure. However, she wanted to clarify a common police practice come under question in this particular case. "Its worth noting that it is common police practice for one officer to arm themselves with lethal backup in case the less lethal option is not effective," she said. Dumanis did not show any new footage in the case, as the El Cajon Police Department had released the two videos that captured the incident earlier. Dumanis said a special operations division, prosecutors and Dumanis herself examined the case and visited the scene before making their decision on whether the officers would face charges. "After carefully reviewing the facts, the evidence and the law weve determined the officers use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances and he bears no criminal liability for his actions," Dumanis said. She added that the only reasonable conclusion after looking at the facts of the case was that the "officer's actions were legally justified and understandable." Dumanis touched on the widespread media attention Olangos case has garnered and mentioned the protests sparked by the case. "In many ways, the response in San Diego County to this officer-involved shooting is reflective of a bigger picture, in conversations that are happening across the nation," Dumanis said. "Were living in a time where the actions of police officers are under scrutiny more than ever." Dumanis said the circumstances surrounding Olango's death are tragic and said law enforcement would continue to work with the community as they have in the past. "I understand the desire among some to voice their anger and disagreement over this decision but its also my genuine hope that people can direct anger into a constructive conversation that focuses on a positive change," Dumanis said. David Moya Shooting happened on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016 Raw video of San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis shares details and video of the deadly shooting of David Moya, a man armed with a bow and arrows who spurred a SWAT standoff in Santee. David Moya, 31, was shot and killed after a SWAT standoff in Santee. Deputies said Moya allegedly threatened to kill his mother when he holed up in a home on Woodglen Vista Drive. During the standoff, he was armed withed a crossbow to fire arrows at deputies; deputies later determined armored unique hunting arrows meant to penetrate an animal's skin and could penetrate Kevlar suits. Deputies, fearing for their lives, returned fire. He was found dead inside the home when deputies went inside. A 31-year old man was found dead inside a home after a SWAT standoff ended in Santee Friday evening. NBC 7s Omari Fleming has the story. The DA's review found the deputies fired in their own defense, Dumanis said. "Based on these circumstances, the facts, and the law, they bear no criminal liability for their actions," Dumanis said. Trenton Lohman Shooting happened on Aug. 18, 2016 [[391352811,C]] Trenton Lohman, 38, was shot and killed in Poway on Aug. 18.The incident started on Aug. 18 when deputies responded to reports of suspicious activity in the parking lot of an auto repair shop on Poway Road. When a deputy arrived on scene, he was confronted by Lohman - who produced a handgun and pointed it at the deputy, according to SDSO Lt. Kenn Nelson. The deputy, fearing for his life, fired multiple rounds, Nelson said. Lohman had then attempted to leave in his own vehicle but was blocked by several deputies arriving on scene. He then got into a deputys patrol car and drove off, leading police on a pursuit through Poway. During the pursuit, Lohman got out of the patrol car and carjacked a person at gunpoint at the intersection of Espola and Poway roads. He had driven approximately 100 yards in the SUV when four deputies fired at him. Lohman was shot in the upper body and the SUV veered off the road and down into a ravine. He was found dead inside the vehicle. An autopsy revealed Lohman had methamphetamine in his system. According to SDSO, deputies found another gun, a hatchet, ammunition and knives inside the hijacked SUV. The behavior during the entire incident "reasonably caused the deputies to believe someone would be killed or seriously injured by Mr. Lohman if they did not act immediately to end his reckless and threatening behavior," Dumanis said. "Based off these facts, the evidence and the law, the deputies use of deadly force in this instance was reasonable and they bear no criminal liability for their actions," Dumanis said. The Sheriff's Department is not equipped with body-worn cameras and there is no video from either locations, Dumanis said. A witness did try to take video of part of the incident, but it did not capture the shooting. Sergio Weick Shooting happened on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 [[397157761,C]] Sergio Weick, 33, was shot and killed after a confrontation with deputies last year. San Diego County Sheriff's deputies say Weick was a known gang member and had a warrant out for his arrest when they spotted him leaving the home of another known gang member in Vista. The sighting soon led to a short high-speed, wrong-way pursuit through Vista until Weick's car crashed - and deputies pursued him on foot through a condo complex, deputies said. The foot chase ended when deputies Peter Myers and Christopher Villanueva caught up to Weick standing near some bushes. Deputies shot Weick on the left side of his body when they say he reached for his waist and appeared to reach for a weapon." The deputy yelled several times for Weick to put his hands up, Dumanis said. Fearing the suspect was holding a gun, one deputy shot Weick. A second deputy then saw Weick reach for a what appeared to be a gun on his left hip. "Fearing he was about to be shot, that deputy also shot Mr. Weick," Dumanis said. Weick collapsed and deputies handcuffed him. He later died. An autopsy report shows Weick was shot 18 times and suffered 27 separate wounds as a result. Investigators say Weick had shotgun shells and knives on him. They later found a sawed-off shotgun, knives and drug paraphernalia in his car. No video of the incident exists because Sheriff's deputies are not equipped with body worn cameras, Dumanis said. Juan Carlos Fernandez Shooting happened on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis discusses the Nov. 13, 2016, officer-involved shooting of Juan Carlos Fernandez. Dumanis said his shooting was justified. Juan Fernandez, 45, was shot and killed in City Heights by police after he shot his ex-wife and three members of the family at their apartment on Marlborough Avenue. Police say Fernandez got into a fistfight with his 21-year-old ex-wife's boyfriend over their relationship. After the fight, Fernandez went to his car, took out a gun from the glove compartment, and returned to the apartment. The father tried to wrestle the gun away from Fernanez when he was shot; he later died. The 21-year old's mother had hugged her in an attempt to protect her from the bullets and was fatally shot. A man opened fire on his ex-wife and her family Sunday night in City Heights, killing the womans mother and severely injuring her father as they protected their daughter from bullets. NBC 7s Astrid Solorzano spoke with the parents son who saw the whole thing unfold. Fernandez grabbed his ex-wife by the hair and dragged her to the vehicle, attempting to put her into the car. Fernandez put the victim in a headlock and put a gun to her head, Dumanis said. He pulled the trigger and the victim heard the gun click, but it did not fire, Dumanis said. When a San Diego Police officer arrived on scene and saw Fernandez with his gun to his ex-wife's head, he ordered him to put his gun on the ground and let go of his ex-wife. When negotiations with the suspect by police were unsuccessful, an officer, a 12-year veteran, fatally shot him. Body worn camera footage shows officers arriving and running on foot to the area where Fernandez was holding his ex-wife. Video from the SDPD helicopter shows the moments before and after the shooting. "As you can imagine the impact of Mr. Fernandez's actions on his ex wifes family have been devastating," Dumanis said. "The officers use of deadly force was expected and reasonable under the circumstances and he bears no criminal liability for his actions because they were legally justified under the facts, the evidence and the law." The 1952 musical that propelled actress Debbie Reynolds into Hollywood stardom will celebrate its 65th anniversary by returning to select theaters nationwide, including some in San Diego County. A screening of the flick organized by Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and Fathom Events is planned for Wednesday. It is part of TCMs Big Screen Classics series, which will bring one classic movie back to theaters each month this year for a two-day engagement. The first screening of "Singin' in the Rain" was on Sunday. According to movie ticket-purchasing website Fandango, theaters in San Diego County set to screen Singin in the Rain on Wednesday include: UA Horton Plaza 8 (475 Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego) AMC Plaza Bonita 14 (3050 Plaza Bonita Rd. in National City) AMC Mission Valley 20 (1640 Camino Del Rio North) AMC La Jolla 12 (8657 Villa La Jolla Dr.) Regal Parkway Plaza Stadium 18 & IMAX (405 Parkway Plaza in El Cajon) Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX (10733 Westview Parkway) Edwards Rancho San Diego Stadium 15 (2951 Jamacha Rd.) Regal Rancho Del Rey Stadium 16 (1025 Tierra Del Rey in Chula Vista) There are two showtimes for the screening at those theaters: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. After Singin in the Rain, the next classic movies to hit theaters via TCM's program will be An Affair to Remember (Feb. 12 and Feb. 15) and All About Eve (March 5 and March 8). Reynolds who died on Dec. 28, 2016, just one day after the death of her daughter, Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher played her breakout role of Kathy Selden in Singin in the Rain. The classic film takes a comedic look at Hollywood in the late 1920s as actors had to transition from silent films to talkies. The actress was only 18 when she landed the role. In her biography, Reynolds said the movie next to childbirth was one of the most difficult challenges of her life. [NATL]Debbie Reynolds: Her Life in Photos While the film is more than six decades old, it appears to still be a favorite among Hollywoods young A-Listers, including the cast of the sunny, modern-day musical, La La Land, which danced its way into a Golden Globe Awards record Sunday night. According to The Wrap, last week at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala, lead actor and Golden Globes winner Ryan Gosling said the cast of La La Land watched Singin in the Rain every day on the set for inspiration. I wish I could have said this [to Reynolds] in person, Gosling said, according to The Wrap. Id like to thank Debbie Reynolds for her wonderful career of work. She was an inspiration to us every day. We watched Singin in the Rain every day [on the set of La La Land] for inspiration and shes truly an unparalleled talent. Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres, is transforming from a field of dreams to a diamond of dirt. In preparation for Saturdays Monster Energy Supercross, organizers dumped 26 million pounds of dirt on the Petco Park field Tuesday morning. Were unloading eleven semi-trailers of dirt and my crew is building this course all day and into the night, then well turn on the lights and hopefully have it all done by 9pm tonight, said Tim Phend, Director of Operations for Monster Energy Supercross. Supercross tracks are one of a kind layouts filled with air-inducing jumps and various obstacles. Brandon Short, Events Manager for Monster Energy Supercross said, Each Supercross track is truly unique to itself, it will never be duplicated. Every time a rider comes to a stadium to one of our events, hes never seen this track before, hes going to learn the track that day, race on it that night, then hell never see that track again. With the help of roughly twenty earth moving vehicles and an expert crew, the Petco Park layout was coming together. Jumps, bumps and turns were popping up where there previously pitching mounds, bases and green outfield grass. Once the track is complete and the racing starts, riders will take the jumps and fly 35 feet through the air along the first and third baselines at Petco Park. The Monster Energy Supercross takes place Saturday, January 14th at Petco Park. Additionally, Monster Jam will return to Petco Park for two weekends of action on Saturday, January 21st and Saturday, February 18th. For more information or tickets log onto www.supercrosslive.com or www.monsterjam.com. A defiant President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday adamantly denied reports that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him, calling it a "tremendous blot" on the record of the intelligence community if material with any such allegations had been released. The incoming president, in his first news conference since late July, firmly chided news organizations for publishing the material late Tuesday night. After weeks of scoffing at reports that Russians had interfered in the election, he conceded publicly for the first time that Russia was likely responsible for the hacking of the Democratic National Committee. "As far as hacking, I think it was Russia," he said and quickly added that the United States is hacked by other countries as well, including China. Trump's extraordinary defense against the unsubstantiated intelligence report, just nine days before his inauguration, dominated a highly anticipated press conference in which he also announced a new Cabinet member, detailed his plans to disentangle himself from his sprawling global business empire, gave his outlook on the future of the "Obamacare" health care law and said he would soon nominate someone to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. "I think it's a disgrace that information would be let out. I saw the information, I read the information outside of that meeting," he said, a reference to a classified briefing he received from intelligence leaders. "It's all fake news, it's phony stuff, it didn't happen," Trump said in a news conference that saw him repeatedly joust with reporters. "It was gotten by opponents of ours." Asked about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump boasted that it is an improvement over what he called America's current "horrible relationship with Russia" and did not criticize the Russian leader for any interference in the election. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks, that's called an asset not a liability. I don't know if I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin - I hope I do - but there's a good chance I won't." Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer also denounced the report about Russia's influence on Trump, and the incoming president said it never should have been released. He thanked some news organizations for showing restraint. The responses came after NBC News reported, citing two U.S. officials, that briefing materials prepared for Trump included damaging allegations, which have not been verified by American intelligence agencies, about his dealings with the Russians. A senior U.S. intelligence official with knowledge of the preparation for the Trump briefing told NBC News that Trump was not briefed on the so-called two-page addendum outlining the allegations derived from a 35-page dossier originally generated as part of anti-Trump Republican opposition research. Multiple officials said the summary was included in the material prepared for the briefers, but the senior official told NBC News the briefing was oral and no documents were handed to the Trump team. Trump said Wednesday he was made aware of the information "outside that meeting." The alleged dossier published by BuzzFeed includes claims that the Russian government has been cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for five years. It said the Russians even obtained compromising information in an effort to blackmail Trump. The document has not been authenticated by BuzzFeed or NBC News and contains obvious errors. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence community's findings last week, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. Media outlets reported on the document late Tuesday and Trump denounced it on Twitter before his news conference as "fake news," suggesting he was being persecuted for defeating other GOP presidential hopefuls and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the election. Incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, asked Wednesday on NBC's "Today" show if he looked Trump in the eye to see if the allegations published in Buzzfeed Tuesday night were true, responded, "He said it was total garbage, and I'm keeping it clean." Questioned further, Priebus said, "The other salacious garbage that was in this report didnt happen." According to The Guardian, Sen. John McCain shared documents with the FBI director, James Comey, "alleging secret contacts between the Trump campaign and Moscow and that Russian intelligence had personally compromising material on the president-elect himself." McCain, R-Ariz., released a statement Wednesday saying that late last year he received "sensitive information that has since been made public. Upon examination of the contents, and unable to make a judgment about their accuracy, I delivered the information to the director of the FBI. That has been the extent of my contact with the FBI or any other government agency regarding this issue. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called for an investigation into reports that "U.S. intelligence community briefed President Obama and President-elect Trump on Russian efforts to collect 'personally and financially compromising' information on the president-elect." The American people need to know the credibility of these allegations of attempts to compromise the president-electhis public statements about Russia and President Putin are even more worrisome in this context," Durbin said in a statement. The last time Trump held a news conference he was plunging into a heated general election campaign with Clinton and suggested Russia could help dig up some of his rival's emails. Now only days from his inauguration as the nation's 45th president, Trump announced that he would nominate David Shulkin to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, elevating him from his current role as VA undersecretary. He promised that a replacement for the health care overhaul would be offered "essentially simultaneously" with the repeal of Obama's signature health law - something that would be virtually impossible to quickly pass given the complexity of the policy changes. Republicans agree on repealing the law but nearly seven years after its passage have failed to reach agreement on its replacement. Trump has repeatedly said that repealing and replacing "Obamacare" was a top priority, but has never fully explained how he plans to do it. House Speaker Paul Ryan has said that the House would seek to take both steps "concurrently." Turning to his plans to build a border wall along the southern border, Trump said he would immediately begin negotiations with Mexico on funding his promised wall after he takes office. He again vowed that "Mexico will pay for the wall but it will be reimbursed." Trump recommitted to his plans to impose a border tax on manufacturers who shut plants and move production abroad. While the tax policy could retain jobs, it would also carry the risk of increasing prices for consumers. Trump also said he would probably name his choice to fill the vacancy left by the death of Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia in about two weeks after the inauguration. And he announced his plans for the future of the Trump Organization, bringing to the podium attorney Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis, who worked with the Trump Organization on the arrangement. Dillon said the Trump Organization would continue to pursue deals in the U.S., though Trump will relinquish control of the company to his sons and an executive, put his business assets in a trust and take other steps to isolate himself from his business. She said Trump "should not be expected to destroy the company he built." The move appears to contradict a previous pledge by the president-elect. In a tweet last month, Trump vowed to do "no new deals" while in office. The lawyer said Trump would donate all profits from foreign government payments to his hotels to the U.S. treasury. And pushing back against some ethics experts, Dillon said the so-called emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution does not apply to foreign payments to Trump's company. While some ethics officials have said that foreign leaders who pay for rooms and services at his various hotels would run afoul of the constitutional ban on foreign gifts or payments to the president, Dillon referred to it as a "fair-value exchange." Tuition increases next fall at Maryland's public colleges and universities would be capped at 2 percent, and student loan interest would become fully deductible on many people's state tax returns under proposals Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday. Hogan said the proposals, if approved by the General Assembly in the session starting Wednesday, will provide relief from crippling debt and help make a college degree affordable. He noted that nearly 60 percent of Maryland college students graduate with debt averaging more than $27,000. "This financial burden is preventing many young Marylanders from achieving early financial security," including home ownership and retirement savings, the Republican governor told a news conference at the University of Maryland in College Park. He said he's budgeting $17.5 million to enable the state's 14 colleges and universities to cap tuition increases at 2 percent for the second straight year. The schools would otherwise have to raise tuition by up to 5 percent, Hogan said. Tuition at the flagship College Park campus this school year is $10,181. Hogan also proposed allowing Marylanders earning less than $200,000 a year and couples making less than $250,000 to deduct all their student loan interest on their state income tax returns starting in 2018. Currently, Marylanders earning less than $80,000 can deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest. Hogan said his proposal would save Marylanders $20 million a year. College Park senior Brandon Enriquez, a student member of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, applauded the proposals. He said the prospect of high debt compels some students to choose majors based on earning potential rather than their passions. Katherine Swanson, the student government president at College Park, said the proposals sound good but lack details. "We're going to have to wait and see what is actually introduced in the session," she said. Virginia legislators formally proposed a series of new legislative efforts to ensure teachers are promptly stripped of their licenses for sexually assaulting students, following a recent News4 I-Team investigation, which showed Fairfax County Public Schools waited years before revoking the teaching licenses of four educators who engaged in sexual misconduct. Sen. Janet Howell (D-Reston) is proposing a budget increase for the Virginia Department of Education Division of Teacher Education and Licensure, which helps investigate teachers accused of sexual misconduct. The agency would benefit from additional money and staffing to help ensure local schools are not allowing teachers to slip through the cracks, Howell said. We take very seriously keeping the children of Virginia safe. We have to act, Howell said. Del. David Bulova (D-Chantilly) is proposing a separate law, which would require school districts notify the Virginia Department of Education 10 days after initiating an investigation of a teacher suspected of misconduct. Current law only requires school districts notify the state after a teacher is convicted of a crime, Bulova said. We shouldn't leave it to the school system to decide When has it gotten bad enough to report it?'" Bulova said. Bulova and Howell both said they learned of the oversights and potential risks of languishing teacher license cases after watching the recent series of News4 I-team reports on Fairfax County Public Schools. The I-Team review found at least four teachers accused of sexual improprieties in Fairfax County Public Schools between 2004 and 2006 who lost their jobs but escaped with their teaching licenses intact. The school district failed to initiate the formal license revocation process in three of those cases until 2012, including the lurid misconduct case of former Hayfield Secondary teacher Brad Norton. In a fourth case, one teachers license revocation paperwork was never completed by Fairfax County Public Schools. Instead the cancellation process was initiated by an inspector with the Virginia Department of Education in September 2016, after the inspector spotted the languishing case while researching records for the I-Team surrounding the Norton case. Norton, who pleaded guilty to assaulting a male student at Hayfield in 2004, avoided prison time. The I-Team found Fairfax County Public Schools failed to properly submit paperwork to state regulators to revoke Nortons teaching license. Norton declined to comment when reached by the I-Team. Norton landed a new teaching job in Baltimore County in 2007 and was arrested in October 2012, accused of sexually assaulting a student at Randallstown High School. Police reports and internal school district memos and letters obtained by the I-Team showed similarities between the two cases. In both, Norton was accused of touching the boys on their stomachs and pants, after asking each boy if they worked out. Not until weeks after Nortons 2012 arrest in Baltimore County did Fairfax County Public Schools finally send the requisite paperwork to the Virginia Department of Education to revoke Nortons teaching license. If there is a basis for action against a (teachers) license and no action is taken, its troubling, because in that case, the person could work elsewhere (with children), Virginia Department of Education administrator Nancy Walsh said. In October, shortly after the I-Team revealed Nortons case, Fairfax County Public Schools issued public statements that it was unaware of other similar cases. Former superintendent Karen Garza said she was very confident no other teachers had slipped through the cracks. The school districts statement conflicts with public records obtained the I-Team. Those records show school district officials were notified about the languishing case of the fourth teacher, just weeks before Garza said she was confident no other cases exist. Fairfax County Public Schools human resources administrator Chace Ramey contends Garzas statement was accurate because the district was aware of the cases found by the I-Team at the time. He declined to specify why, if it was aware, the district didnt raise those cases when asked previously. The school district has internal investigators who review cases of teacher discipline, Ramey said. Student safety is our chief concern as a school division," he said. "We do our best to provide a safe, secure environment for all of our students." We do not believe there are any more of those cases in Fairfax County Public Schools, Ramey added. The father of one of the victims of the four newly revealed teacher misconduct cases said the delays are an indication Fairfax County Public Schools tried to hide the cases and avoid bad publicity. The victims father, whom we are not identifying by name to protect the anonymity of his daughter, was named in court files reviewed by the I-Team. Theres an institutional pattern to sweep it under the rug, he told the I-Team. The school district wants to protect its image and stay out of the news. A Michigan man is getting a lot of attention online after he says he was given a $128 ticket for leaving his car unattended and running in his driveway. But leaving a vehicle idling is illegal in many states. Taylor Trupiano told WDIV he started his car to warm it up one cold Tuesday morning. But when he returned five minutes later, he found the ticket on his car. "Every person warms up their car," Trupiano told the NBC-affiliate. "We live in Michigan!" In Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, leaving you running vehicle unattended could also result in a ticket. Maryland law prohibits "car warming." Vehicles are allowed to idle for up to five minutes. But there are some exceptions. If your car is forced to a stop because of traffic or mechanical issues, the idling law does not apply. In the District, vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel are not allowed to idle for more than three minutes, according to the city's website. Vehicles are allowed to idle for up to five minutes if the temperature is below 32 degrees. First-time violators could be fined $1,000. In Virginia, vehicles used commercially or for public service cannot idle for longer than three minutes while parked in commercial or residential urban area. Tour buses and diesel-powered vehicles in the state can idle for up to 10 minutes, according to the EPA. Leaving your unattended car running also makes you a prime target for thieves. Prince Georges County Police Cpl. Nicole Hubbard said the thieves operate efficiently and specifically target the coldest weather weeks to maximize their targets. "This is their job, Hubbard said. They get up in the morning, just like you go to work." According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, one out of every eight vehicles stolen last year had the keys inside. Thats one every six-and-a-half minutes," said NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle. Firefighters have extinguished a blaze on the 13th floor of the Watergate complex Wednesday afternoon after flames came shooting out of a vacant apartment. D.C. Fire and EMS was called to a residential building in the 700 block of New Hampshire Avenue NW, fire officials said. The blaze was out shortly before 2 p.m., but several floors have smoky conditions, officials said. It's not clear whether the building has been evacuated. A Twitter user named Jocelyn (@jocemiller) saw the flames from The Atlantic's offices in another building at the Watergate complex. "All of a sudden we look out the window and see a condo has caught fire in Watergate 700," she posted about 1:30 p.m. "DC FD is on the scene now." No injuries were reported, fire officials said. Fire at the Watergate residential building, view from @TheAtlantic HQ. pic.twitter.com/kNfokFPcJT Patrick Garrigan (@PatrickGarrigan) January 11, 2017 Stay with NBC Washington for more on this developing story. A woman and a man were found dead Tuesday inside a home in Prince George's County, Maryland, police say. The woman and man were found in a home on the 6000 block of Springhill Drive in Greenbelt, the Greenbelt Police Department said. Police responded about 6 p.m. Police said there were no signs of forced entry into the home and that they believe the woman and man knew each other. The investigation into the deaths that police called suspicious is ongoing. Police did not immediately release additional information. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie a few days ago introduced a bill to get rid of the federal law establishing gun-free zones around public schools. He calls his bill the Safe Students Act. The conservative Republicans news release was blunt. Gun-free school zones are ineffective. They make people less safe by inviting criminals into target-rich, no-risk environments, Massie said in early January. Gun-free zones prevent law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves, and create vulnerable populations that are targeted by criminals. In December, Rep. Massie announced he had re-launched a Congressional Second Amendment Caucus. Again, he was blunt. The recent election results present us with a new opportunity to advance pro-gun legislation and reverse the erosion of the Second Amendment thats occurred over the last few decades. I look forward to working with the new President and this determined group of conservatives to promote a pro-gun agenda, Massie stated. The views of Massie, who represents a largely rural area of Kentucky, are important to us locally because he has sustained an effort to overturn the District of Columbias urban gun laws. Massie supports open carry on city streets and neighborhoods. In the past, Massies efforts have been stymied by the Senate and/or the Obama White House. But times have changed. Donald Trump will replace Obama in a matter of days, and the House and Senate are firmly in the hands of Republicans. Another assault on D.C. gun laws could come at any time. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton already has fired a defensive shot. She is pointing out the new security signs outside entrances to Hill office buildings. These bright red signs warn visitors Do not attempt to enter the building with any of the prohibited items listed below. The first line on the list cites any firearm regardless of any permit to carry status in any state. Also banned are replica guns, ammunition, Tasers, explosives, fireworks and any pointed object, including daggers or razor knives. Norton highlights what she and others see as hypocrisy. It is ironic that the Republican-led Congress, which has relentlessly tried, but failed, to overturn D.C.s gun safety laws, including its prohibition of guns in D.C. government buildings, has not tried to overturn the federal guns laws that protect Members in the Capitol Complex, but instead is doubling down to ensure Members are protected, Norton said in a news release. Many of my Republican colleagues appear to be concerned about their own safety, but not the safety of D.C. residents and visitors, who are protected by D.C.s local gun safety laws as they travel about the city. In the past, Rep. Massie has dismissed allegations of hypocrisy, saying the Capitol Hill buildings are fully protected at entrances, so theres no need to carry guns inside. Norton noted that federal law (40 U.S.C. 5104) prohibits guns in the entire Capitol Complex, both in the buildings and outside them. A separate federal law (18 U.S.C. 930) also prohibits guns in federally owned or leased buildings, as long as notice of the prohibition is conspicuously posted. Of course, that leaves open a few questions. Why is Capitol Hill so protected? Why not let open carry be the law of the land? If we can carry guns on the streets, churches and other public places, why not carry them 24/7 inside the halls of Congress? And think how much we taxpayers could save if we took more responsibility for ourselves instead of depending on government and the U.S. Capitol Police to protect us. If everyone is armed who wants to be, what could go wrong? Local D.C. gun laws. As we noted, the District bans open-carry firearms (at least until the courts or Congress changes the policy). To carry a concealed weapon within the District, you have to have a permit issued by the city. Importantly, there is no reciprocity with other jurisdictions. You may have a license to carry a weapon in Maryland or Virginia or any other state, but that doesnt give you the same right in D.C. Several thousand law enforcement officers expected to come to D.C. to aid with crowd control and other security will be temporarily sworn in by D.C. police to allow them to carry weapons. ACLU advice. The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union plans to put online and distribute a leaflet with advice to protesters and other citizens about their civil rights at a time of heightened security. Were just in the final stages of preparing a leaflet that will be printed up in large numbers, said Art Spitzer, legal director of the District ACLU office on Connecticut Avenue NW. He said it would include things that people from out of town might not know about local Washington and the federal complex here. For example, the leaflet will note that there are any number of police forces city police, Secret Service, FBI, U.S. Capitol, Federal Protective Service and so on that may interact with visitors and protesters. Spitzer said the D.C. police do a far better job of crowd control than in years past, but noted some individuals and protest groups want to be arrested. The official 411 on 1/20/2017. Last week the District government and Secret Service held a press conference on plans for the Trump Inaugural and its effect on citizens, businesses and transportation. The city has created a website with most of the information: inauguration.dc.gov. Tom Sherwood, a Southwest resident, is a political reporter for News 4. Two students from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School have organized a mental health week for their school, aiming to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental illness. The mental health week is running Jan. 9-13. Katherine Vangaever, a senior, and Asia Perez, a junior, organized the campaign as part of a leadership class they're taking. But for these students, the reason to run the campaign is much deeper than a school assignment. "For us, we both had different experiences," Perez said. "But for me personally, it was personal experiences, it was family and friends." Responses from the students at the school have been relatively positive, Perez said. "We have had multiple students who have reached out to ask if they could participate," she said. "There have also been kids who have had emotional responses. They've cried; they've said its really opened their eyes." Perez believes there is a stigma that surrounds mental illness and that it is not given the attention it deserves. "Mental health is important, especially around teens and youth," she said. "It affects millions of people and we don't give students the tools for how they can deal with it." She would rather have students talk about these issues to create positive experiences rather than avoiding the subject, creating negative ideas. Creating these positive experiences will allow youth and teens to grow up thinking positively about mental health, she said. The two students have been documenting their project through their school's instagram account, @dailybarons. Vangaever and Perez have been highlighting students from their school holding positive and encouraging messages, such as "Just because you don't understand it, doesn't mean it isn't so" and "Stand up to stigma, it's time to talk about mental health." The students also have displayed photos around the school with messages such as "It's okay to ask for help" and "I am more than a mental illness." Other events for the mental health week include a workshop in which students can gather to discuss mental wellness, ways to deal with stress and how mental health has personally affected students and those around them. There will also be relaxation games and art activities, a mental health panel featuring a representative from the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) of Montgomery County and a local therapist talking about their experiences with mental health. The awareness week will conclude on Friday with a Happy Day, when students can participate in a full day of activities that promote releasing stress in healthy ways. What to Know NJ Sen. Cory Booker testified Wednesday against the nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General It is considered unprecedented for a sitting senator to testify against another during a Cabinet hearing Booker testified with members of the House of Representatives New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, in a sharp break with tradition, testified against his colleague Sen. Jeff Sessions on Wednesday during Sessions' confirmation hearing to be attorney general. It is considered unprecedented for a sitting senator to testify against another senator during a cabinet confirmation, with Booker's office saying the Senate historan couldn't find another instance of a sitting senator testifying against a colleague in a Cabinet hearing. On the same panel as civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, the New Jersey senator from Newark acknowledged the mutual respect between himself and the Alabama senator despite their political differences. However, he said that Sen. Sessions' record does not reflect his ability to handle the necessary call of duty he will be expected to undertake as U.S. Attorney General. "Senator Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requirement of the job to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of justice for all," he said. "At numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility toward these convictions, and has worked to frustrate attempts to advance these ideals." Booker added that Sessions would obstruct the national bipartisan movement towards justice reform, particularly for maginalized groups like the poor and people of color. "The arc of the universe does not naturally curve toward justice. America needs an attorney general who is resolute and determined to bend the arc," he addressed the room of legislators. "Senator Sessions' record does not speak to that desire, intention or will." He ended his testimony by urging his colleagues to oppose Sessions' nomination. In an MSNBC interview on Tuesday, Booker acknowledged the gravity of the moment. "Please understand, I think these are extraordinary times, and they call for extraordinary measures," the Democrat said. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton was displeased with Booker's testimonial remarks, calling them an "attack" on Sen. Sessions in a Wednesday afternoon tweet. He also made an odd reference to an "imaginary friend" of the New Jersey senator he called "T-Bone," referring to a story Booker used to tell about a drug dealer who once threatened Booker's life, then came to him for help when he ran into legal trouble. ".@CoryBooker attacks on Jeff Sessions are so far-fetched, I half-expected his make-believe friend T-Bone to be next witness," Cotton tweeted. .@CoryBooker attacks on Jeff Sessions are so far-fetched I half-expected his make-believe friend T-Bone to be next witness. Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 11, 2017 In the first day of testimony on Tuesday, Alabama's Sessions vehemently rejected charges that he had made racist comments in past, and vowed to remain an independent voice in the Trump Administration. Congressman John Lewis, who was beaten on the Edmund Pettis Bridge during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, said that America needs someone who won't be afraid to stand up and speak out against injustice. "We need someone who's going to stand up, speak up and speak out for the people that need help," he said. "We need someone as attorney general who's going to look out for all of us, not just for some of us." Personnel from U.S. Coast Guard Station Burlington practiced cold-water rescue techniques Wednesday on Malletts Bay in Lake Champlain. This concept is completely new to me, Petty Officer Jeremiah Ward of the U.S. Coast Guard said at the training. Its Wards first winter in Vermont, following the Nevada natives arrival from a previous assignment in the South. Ward and his colleagues were practicing a host of rescue techniques on the frozen surface of the bay. They were going through different approaches for rescues, discussing which methods to use depending on a victims varying physical abilities, distance from shore, or the strength and stability of the ice. We hope we dont get called, but when we do, we want to be as ready as we can to go out and assist, Ward said of the need to prepare for emergencies no one wants to see happen. Agencies across the Northeast have had to respond to real-life ice emergencies in recent days. Tuesday, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, an elderly fisherman fell through the ice. Then, two police officers trying to save him broke through, too. All three were able to stay afloat until they were rescued, first responders said. The Coast Guards Laura Bostwick pointed to this weeks temperature swings and high winds as factors that could really affect ice thickness. She asked people to double- or triple-check conditions before walking on frozen lakes or ponds. No ice is safe ice, Petty Officer Bostwick said. You cant just make the assumption that because it was good earlier that its going to be the same conditions when you go out again. Bostwick urged ice fishermen or anyone else venturing onto the ice to wear a life vest, to let a friend know where theyre going, and to bring a cell phone with them that can be stored in a plastic bag to keep it dry. Neighbors were evacuated after a building collapsed Wednesday morning in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Authorities confirm the building at 189 Newbury St. on the mayor's list of condemned structures and was being demolished at the time. Gas had already been cut off. No one was injured in the collapse. At least 35 people who live in the building next door were notified beforehand of the demolition. They were evacuated when the building came crashing down, and they will not be able to stay at home Wednesday night. "It is a scheduled demolition, we knew there were structural flaws to this, we made that case to the court, that is why the court mandated for us to take down this property," said Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera. Those residents are hoping crews can escort them back inside at some point to retrieve their belongings. The American Red Cross of Massachusetts is on scene to assist people. A boarding school cafeteria worker in Vermont has pleaded not guilty to providing alcohol and cigarettes to two underage male students and having sex with one of them. The Caledonian Record reports investigators say 27-year-old Valerie Gilmore, of Lyndonville, denied charges of felony sexual assault on a child under the age of 16; two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor; and two misdemeanor counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor. She appeared in court Monday. Police said the incidents happened outside of school hours and off school grounds. Gilmore worked for a catering company that provides meals to the Lyndon Institute. She was placed on leave. A victims advocacy group is calling for a review of all upcoming Sexually Dangerous Person cases in Massachusetts after the release of two Level 3 sex offenders due to errors. According to the Lowell Sun, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office missed a deadline to keep convicted rapist John E. Traywick behind bars. Traywick served more than seven years for a 2006 rape and the deadline for a petition to keep him behind bars for life as a sexually dangerous person was missed by nine days. According to the state Sex Offender Registry Board, Traywick is homeless and registered as a sex offender in Boston. In October, Richard E. Gardner was released from prison after serving 28 years for the kidnapping and raping of several boys. Plymouth County District Attorney' Timothy Cruz's office could have filed a petition to have Gardner committed to a treatment center, but said human error prevented that. Community Voices President Jennifer Lane tells the Sun that there needs to be transparency and reviews following the errors. An East Hartford couple is facing charges after their child was found living in terrible conditions with weapons in the home, according to police. Shakeena Hill, 28, and Camron Hill, 30 both face risk of injury charges after police were called to their home on Plain Drive Sunday and found conditions in the home unsuitable/unlivable for the couple and their child. Police said officers responded to 260 Plain Drive for a reported dispute Sunday afternoon. Officers noted that there were flies, trash and clutter throughout the home, as well as three unsecured guns being stored in the home with a child. The weapons were stored in drawers without any sort of lock at the childs level, making them easily accessible. The Department of Children and Families was called and the child is currently staying with relatives, police said. Camron Hill is charged with risk of injury, altered firearm, and neglectful gun storage. He was issued a $25,000 bond. Shakeena Hill was charged with risk of injury and neglectful gun storage. She was issued a $15,000 bond. Both are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 25. A series of ice emergencies and warmer weather on the way have renewed warnings about safety on New England's frozen or semi-frozen lakes and ponds. Vermont State Police said a man in his 70s had to be plucked from Lake Champlain in Ferrisburgh Sunday after the section of ice he was on broke away. EMTs treated him for minor cold-related injuries. That man, Dan Doyle, told necn by phone by that is counting his blessings and so grateful for a second lease on life. Doyle said he's glad he thought ahead and had an ice pick with him, to stabilize himself after falling into the water. A woman who was outside feeding the birds heard Doyles cries for help, he said, and summoned neighbors to rescue him with a small aluminum boat. It was the latest in a series of problems on the water in the last few days. According to the Maine Warden Service, Richard Dumont, 52, of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, died this weekend in Oakland, Maine when the snowmobile he was on broke through a weak spot on Messalonskee Lake. Late last week, a man and his dog fell through ice on Bakers Meadow Pond in Andover, Massachusetts. Both of them were expected to be just fine, the communitys fire chief said. "One place, you could have nine or 10 inches of ice," observed Boatswain's Mate Third Class Lucas Weston of the U.S. Coast Guard. "And another place, you could have just an inch." Weston praised Doyle's decision to carry an ice pick with him the day he ventured onto the ice in Ferrisburgh. "We always recommend people carry ice awls with them. If you don't have actual ice awls, screwdrivers on a string around your neck work just as well," Weston said. "Always wear your life jacket if you're out there, and tell people where you're going." Greg Hanson, a hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Burlington, said high winds and not enough of a really cold stretch of temperatures have left ice conditions highly variable. "We've got another warm spell coming up; daytime temperatures in the 40s, overnight lows may even stay above freezing," Hanson said. "So that's one of those things where any gains we might have in ice thicknessthat may work against us." Don Johnson, who was ice fishing off Vermont's Sand Bar State Park in Milton Tuesday, said he checks and re-checks ice conditions for safety. There were nine or ten inches of ice in the shallow water where he was fishing, but Johnson said different areas of the lake, especially areas more exposed to wind, likely have far less ice. "I love it," Johnson said of ice fishing. "I'd go every day if I can. I wish there was ice all year!" Residents at a Portsmouth, New Hampshire, apartment complex are looking to the sky after drones were recently seen 'peeping' over their homes. Two women in two different downtown apartments, in the same building, told their landlord that they saw drones hovering over their skylights. That concern prompted the landlord to seek out advice from police. A lot of people have skylights in their bathrooms, if you take a bath, thats kind of sketchy," said nearby resident, Lydea Irwin. I definitely would not want someone spying on me in the bathroom." So far, police arent investigating because the landlord didnt file an actual report. Siobhan Hyman lives downtown, and is concerned about drones invading personal space. Yeah peeping toms are now taking it to a whole another level, she said. Its very unsettling. Technology isnt always necessarily for the best, we need to keep you to date into peoples privacy. People disobeying laws governing drones can face federal penalties and there are specific regulations in New Hampshire as well. Its a little, like its invading privacy of people, it should stay in the public not like peoples windows and houses, said Hannah Rogers, who is concerned about the incident. There was a heavy police presence on Marshall Street in West Haven Wednesday morning as police executed search and arrest warrants, police said. Police said the departments Special Response Team and Detectives were on scene around 6 a.m. They stressed that no residents were in danger and that police would clear up shortly. No other details were immediately available but West Haven police said they would provide an update later Wednesday. Police in Portland, Maine, are seeking information to help solve a 7-year-old killing. Police say Darien Richardson and Cory Girard were shot while sleeping in Richardson's apartment on Jan. 8, 2010. The pair were awoken by a masked intruder who entered their room and began shooting. Richardson was shot in the hand and thigh while Girard was shot in the arm. Richardson died the following month from a pulmonary embolism caused by a blood clot that resulted from the thigh injury. Police say they consider Richardson's killing a murder that remains unsolved. Her family is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Girard was later sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm while being an unlawful user of controlled substances. Twenty-two children from Curtis Middle School in Sudbury were taken to local hospitals when the school bus they were passengers on rolled over a guardrail after a crash involving a pickup truck on I-95 southbound in Weston, Massachusetts, according to state and local police. The students, along with an adult bus driver and bus monitor, were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries or for evaluation and precautionary reasons, with some complaining of back and neck pain. "All the students were off the bus, they were out here on the guard rail, and when we got here we just started triaging them and put them in different areas," said Weston Fire Chief David Soar. The crash happened just south of Route 20 in Weston on Wednesday afternoon. All lanes have since been reopened, but there was a traffic backup to Route 2 in Lexington for quite some time. State police said everyone on board the bus was able to get off of it by exiting the back of the bus. The students were returning home to Boston when the bus got into an accident with a pickup truck. Some of the students, who were in grades sixth through eighth, were taken to Children's Hospital, while others were taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital and St. Elizabeth's Hospital. State police personnel are being sent to the three hospitals to speak with students' parents and school officials. Officials at Newton-Wellesley Hospital say 10 students were taken to the hospital's ER for evaluation; however, none were admitted. Mostly muscle sprains, a little bit of neck pain and back pain, one had a laceration, said Doctor Ilan Schwartz, Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Newton-Wellesley. Eight students were evaluated and treated for non-life threatening injuries at Children's Hospital in Boston. The remaining four students were taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital and are in stable condition. In a statement, Sudbury Public Schools Superintendent Anne Wilson said the district is applauding the efforts of first responders and are working to provide resources for students and families. "We are so grateful it appears none of our students were seriously injured," Wilson said, who also confirmed the students were part of the district's Metco Program and were on their way home to Boston. The school bus "had contact with" the pickup truck before rolling over, and the pickup truck's driver stayed at the scene, according to state police. The school bus driver, whom sources have identified as Mitchell Valburn, 54, of Everett, has had several driving infractions, including speeding, improper turns and using improper equipment. A spokesperson for First Student, the company Valburn works for, released conflicting information about his driving saying, "Based on our records, he has a clean driving record with no previous incidents on file." The spokesperson also said that drivers go on random re-checks throughout the tenure of their career. The pickup driver has only been identified as a 29-year-old Belmont man. An investigation is underway, and it's unclear whether the drivers of the school bus or pickup truck will be cited. State police originally reported the crash happened in Waltham. A Domino's Pizza franchise in Massachusetts is under fire after an employee wrote a racist message on a pizza box. Sixteen-year-old Syon Khosla, of Shrewsbury, said he orders from the Boston Turnpike location several times a month. "I usually ask for a joke and its usually good humored something good," Syon Khosla said. But on Friday, an employee delivered a hateful message along with the buffalo pizza, writing, "What's difference between a black person and piece (expletive)?" The family was furious and called on the restaurant's manager to take action. "Imagine if one of my friends whos African American got this what would they think," Syon Khosla asked. "How would he feel?" The family's initial calls to the manager made them more frustrated after being accused of writing the message themselves. They finally contacted the franchise owner, Jeff Dufficy, who released a statement on Tuesday saying that the employee had been identified and terminated. "Im very disturbed to learn about the prejudicial language written by one of my employees towards a customer last week. Its unacceptable and there is no place for it in my business," wrote Dufficy. The Khosla's say the racist comment may not have been directed towards them, but they just wanted to make sure that no other families see mean-spirited words delivered to their door step. "The intension was this should not happen again to other people this is not something appropriate we need to respect everybody in community," said Syon's father, Lokesh Khosla. As President Barack Obama prepares to deliver his farewell address to the nation, NBC Boston sat down exclusively to talk with one of his closest friends, former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who weighed in on what he thinks the president's legacy will be. Both African American democrats, the two old friends share compelling life stories, Harvard law degrees and rhetorical style. Obama was even accused of stealing some of Patricks best lines. But as he looks back at Obama's years in office, Patrick's admiration for Obama goes beyond friendship. The President has done exactly what hes supposed to do which is leave the nation better than he found it, Patrick said. We forget now what a fiscal and financial crisis we were in at the time that President Obama took office. Patrick says Obama brought the country back from near full blown depression to what Patrick now describes as the strongest economy of any industrialized democracy in the world. That didnt happen by accident. There was an activist role and a constructive one that government played under the leadership of the president. So thats a big dea, said Patrick. When NBC Boston asked about Obamas signature achievement, Patrick pointed to the Affordable Care Act, legislation he says presidents have been trying to enact for nearly 100 years. And this President was able to do so using ironically a model that had come from the Republicans So thats a great thing, Patrick said. From his consulting job at Bain Capital, with a clear view of his former office under the Golden Dome, Patrick seemed wistful citing what he considers Obamas greatest legacy. One of this Presidents extraordinary contributions in service is the tone of grace and dignity he has set, Patrick said. And its been an example to all of us from whatever party and whatever station in this country and an example to people around the world. Patrick said he thinks the nation is just now beginning to appreciate how unusual, gifted and timely a leader Barack Obama has been. Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace is out with its latest report card judging internet companies on use of renewable energy and while Apple, Google and Facebook continue to score the highest marks, the markets leading IaaS public cloud vendor Amazon Web Services is called out with failing grades. +MORE AT NETWORK WORLD: No honor among thieves: Crooks seeking ransom for MongoDB data someone else stole | Oops, this Redditor accidentally deleted his Microsoft Azure DNS + Overall, Greenpeace applauds the technology sectors pursuit of a clean energy future. Of the 3.2 Gigawatts of renewable energy purchased in 2015, more than two-thirds of that was from internet companies, Greenpeace notes. Some vendors are better than others at going green though. Apple, Google and Facebook have led the field in years past and do so once again in Greenpeaces 2016 wrap-up report. Switch, the Las Vegas-based data center and collocation provider, is named a leader for the first time. Greenpeace calls out AWS for needing to do more. The Canadian-based environmental advocacy group says AWS has taken important steps in recent years, but they havent gone far enough. Given AWSs continued lack of transparency and its rapid growth in Virginia and other markets largely served by dirty energy, it remains unclear whether the AWS cloud is actually on a path to becoming renewably powered, the Greenpeace report notes. Greenpeace says AWS, along with Asian data center provider Tencent, LG CNS and Baidu are each leaders in their respective markets, which (makes) their lack of movement toward more transparency even more egregious. Emerging Trends in Electricity Consumption for Consumer ICT China/Russia/Canada figures are from 2014. AWS, for its part, has committed to being 100% powered by renewable energy, and it most recently said it hopes to be half way to its goal by the end of this year. AWS has to date enabled 10 renewable energy projects in the United States that will deliver a grand total of 2.6 million MWh of energy annually onto the electric grid powering AWS data centers and four of these projects are already online, an AWS spokesperson said. That said, we are nowhere near done. We will continue to make progress toward our 100 percent goal and have many exciting initiatives planned. Greenpeace gave AWS an overall grade of C, but gave it an F for energy transparency and C grades for energy efficiency and mitigation and renewable procurement. Meanwhile, AWSs biggest competitors in the IaaS public cloud market are leaders in Greenpeaces report. Google received and overall A grade, with a B in transparency and A's for mitigation and renewable procurement; Microsoft meanwhile got an overall B grade, with B's for mitigation and procurement. By comparison, some of Asias largest web services vendors like Baidu and Tencent got overall failing grades. See the full list of Greenpeaces scores for Internet companies here. Greenpeace says one of the most disturbing trends is the growth of data centers in areas like Asia and Virginia, where there are limited options to power those operations from green energy. While some IaaS cloud vendors argue that a shift to using public cloud resources is good for the environment because it consolidates workloads into providers who have a better opportunity to use green energy Greenpeace questions this claim. The transition to the cloud could in fact increase the demand for coal and other fossil fuels despite significant gains in energy efficiency and adoption of a commitment to 100% renewable energy because of the dramatic growth in new data center construction by cloud and collocation companies such as AWS and Digital Realty in Virginia and other hot spots that have some of the lowest percentages of renewable electricity in the U.S. Tech vendors have an opportunity to drive toward a green energy future: Greenpeace estimates that the IT sector consumes more energy than Russia, Japan and India; only the U.S. and China consume more energy than the aggregate IT international sector. Jay Y. Lee, the current head of the Samsung Group, will be questioned by a special prosecutor Thursday as part of an investigation into a wide-ranging corruption scandal in South Korea that has reached all the way to the countrys president. The case centers on allegations that Samsung, among other businesses, paid millions of dollars to a mysterious associate of President Park Geun-hye in exchange for favorable government decisions. That associate, Choi Soon-sil, is accused of accepting payments for her daughters competitive equestrian career as bribes. +ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD: US Intel report: Russia allegedly obtained 'compromising' info on Trump + Amazon Alexa wins CES, but how well does the virtual assistant really perform? In exchange, according to the Korea Times, Choi is said to have used her influence with President Park to win government support for a merger between two of Samsungs business units, a move which helped Lee consolidate his power base and become the effective leader of the company after his father, Lee Kun-hee, was unable to continue in his day-to-day role as chairman due to health concerns. Lee is also accused of perjury, the Times reports, after denying to a parliamentary hearing last month that he had had discussions with the president in which he was asked to pay the alleged bribes to Chois foundations. Notes from the meeting subsequently made public suggest otherwise. Under South Korean law, President Park cannot be indicted while in office, but the National Assembly is pushing to impeach her. Other large South Korean companies, including Hyundai and LG, have also been implicated in the investigation. Despite the news, Samsung stocks are still trading at nearly $1,598 a share, having also weathered the Galaxy Note 7 battery issue without a substantial dip. Experts say the district may struggle to attract business in the future WEST Berkshire Council will struggle to attract business to the area if office space continues to be converted into residential units, according to a recent report. The warning comes in a document commissioned by the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and West Berkshire Council itself, which looks at the future business needs of West Berkshire over the next 20 years. The report was released just as the local authority gave the go-ahead for 60,000sq ft of office space at Overbridge Square in Newbury to be converted to flats under permitted development rights (PDR). In 2012, West Berkshire contained around 13,390,304sq ft of B class floor space, around a third of which was used as offices. Speaking about the introduction of PDR in 2013, the authors of the report, Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners, state: Whilst initially the quality of the office space lost was relatively poor (ie generally obsolete space), more recently the stock that has been lost is reported to have been better quality, and there is a risk that the continued loss of good quality space from the towns office portfolio will reduce the towns ability to retain and attract office occupiers in future. In this respect, West Berkshire Council will need to carefully monitor any future losses to consider whether measures should be put in place to protect this space or plan for additional provision. PDR allow a developer to change the use of a building from business to residential without having to submit a planning application. However, prior approval must be obtained from the planning authority first. According to the report, there were 29 prior approval applications for a change of use from office to residential granted between April 2013 and March 2015. If these developments are carried out, it would result in the loss of approximately 165,979sq ft of existing office space. Before March 2015 the largest office space that had been granted PDR was 15,284sq ft in Newbury now dwarfed by the 60,000sq ft of office space set to be lost at Overbridge Square. Between March 2015 and March 2016, however, there has been a further 21 prior approval applications granted by West Berkshire Council although data on the amount of office space set to be lost in these developments is not available. The report is also critical of the quality of office space in West Berkshire, saying it is generally older and of poorer quality than that available elsewhere in the Thames Valley/M4 corridor which it says makes it harder to attract higher-value occupiers. It is also pointed out that the upcoming relocation of pharmaceutical giant Bayer from its UK headquarters in Strawberry Hill, Newbury, to modern premises at Green Park, Reading, is an example of a firm moving out of West Berkshire owing to a lack of suitable modern premises of the scale and with the environmental credentials required by a multinational occupier. The relocation of Bayer is, however, expected to bring around 140,000sq ft of office floor space on to the market, although this is likely to require redevelopment to make it attractive to the towns office market. Despite the large amount of office space set to be vacated, the report concludes: It will be necessary for West Berkshire Council to carefully monitor future losses of office floor space to determine whether further provision will be necessary over and above the requirements set out. The study aims to help the local authority plan for future economic growth and ultimately recommends a gross area of 4,086,787sq ft of industry land should be made available over the next 20 years in West Berkshire. West Berkshire Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: The report will be considered as part of the evidence base for the new Local Plan that the council will be starting work on next year. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Demonetisation of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes was an advice given by the Central Government that the Reserve Bank of India followed, despite the short notice of less than 24 hours. This was communicated to Parliaments Committee of Finance, headed by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, by the central bank through a seven-page note. In its submission, the RBI also clarifies it had been working on the introduction of a new series of banknotes, with improved security features to prevent counterfeiting, over the last few years. Though no firm decision was taken initially, whether to demonetise or not, preparations still went on for introduction of new series notes, as that was needed in any case, the report said. The report puts to rest the confusion created by statements from both within and outside the government that demonetisation was suggested by the central bank and implemented by the government. The RBI highlights that it was prepared with the introduction of Rs 2,000 notes to tackle the problem of fake currency in the market and demonetisation coincided with it. However, despite all the caution exercised to maintain the shock-value of the move, a big chunk of black money has found its way back into the system, feel analysts. Perhaps there was a leakage in the banking system or banks were ill-equipped to track the black money that has sneaked back into the system. The RBI needs to seriously work with the IT department and other agencies to pull out this black money, says senior economist Vijay Sardana. Backing this opinion, statistics released by the government on Tuesday estimate nearly Rs 3-4 trillion tax-evaded money to have flown back into the banking system in the 50-day window post-demonetisation. The Income Tax department is scrutinising the accounts in more than 60 banks that had received deposits of more than Rs 2 lakh since November 8, which is estimated to be about Rs 7.34 trillion. More than Rs 10,700 crore cash deposited in different accounts in the North-eastern states since November 9 and over Rs 16,000 crore deposited in different accounts of cooperative banks are under the IT departments lens. The department is also examining the Rs 25,000 crore cash deposited in dormant bank accounts and more than Rs 13,000 crore in regional rural banks, besides the nearly Rs 80,000 crore-worth loan repayments made in demonetised notes since November 8, 2016. NEW DELHI: Demonetisation of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes was an advice given by the Central Government that the Reserve Bank of India followed, despite the short notice of less than 24 hours. This was communicated to Parliaments Committee of Finance, headed by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, by the central bank through a seven-page note. In its submission, the RBI also clarifies it had been working on the introduction of a new series of banknotes, with improved security features to prevent counterfeiting, over the last few years. Though no firm decision was taken initially, whether to demonetise or not, preparations still went on for introduction of new series notes, as that was needed in any case, the report said. The report puts to rest the confusion created by statements from both within and outside the government that demonetisation was suggested by the central bank and implemented by the government. The RBI highlights that it was prepared with the introduction of Rs 2,000 notes to tackle the problem of fake currency in the market and demonetisation coincided with it. However, despite all the caution exercised to maintain the shock-value of the move, a big chunk of black money has found its way back into the system, feel analysts. Perhaps there was a leakage in the banking system or banks were ill-equipped to track the black money that has sneaked back into the system. The RBI needs to seriously work with the IT department and other agencies to pull out this black money, says senior economist Vijay Sardana. Backing this opinion, statistics released by the government on Tuesday estimate nearly Rs 3-4 trillion tax-evaded money to have flown back into the banking system in the 50-day window post-demonetisation. The Income Tax department is scrutinising the accounts in more than 60 banks that had received deposits of more than Rs 2 lakh since November 8, which is estimated to be about Rs 7.34 trillion. More than Rs 10,700 crore cash deposited in different accounts in the North-eastern states since November 9 and over Rs 16,000 crore deposited in different accounts of cooperative banks are under the IT departments lens. The department is also examining the Rs 25,000 crore cash deposited in dormant bank accounts and more than Rs 13,000 crore in regional rural banks, besides the nearly Rs 80,000 crore-worth loan repayments made in demonetised notes since November 8, 2016. By Express News Service CCOIMBATORE : The number of cooking gas connections in India has gone up from 13 crore in 2014 to 20 crore, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. This number will swell to 27 crore over the next two-and-a-half years, he added. He was speaking at the national convention of All India LPG Distributors Federation here on Tuesday. Pradhan pointed out that every year, around 5,00,000 women die as a result of domestic pollution due to usage of unhealthy fuel for cooking. The government plans to give 50 million connections for women in rural India, he added. Pradhan also insisted that safety is also a priority for the government, which is why it was pushing consumers to buy LPG insurance. The target of 15 million new LPG connections under the Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was achieved in December, three months prior to the deadline, he pointed out. The governments target for 2017-18 is 1.5 crore connections and two crore for 2018-19. According to the minister, 90 per cent of the fuel outlets run by oil marketing companies in Tamil Nadu are digitally enabled. Tamil Nadu is one of the progressive states as far as digital transaction is concerned, he said, adding that following demonetisation, digital transaction in the state has gone up to 28 per cent from five per cent. He added that the government plans to give an incentive of `5 per LPG cylinder booking if the customer pays digitally. He noted that Tamil Nadu has an LPG penetration of 85 per cent, placing the state higher than its peers. The national average for LPG penetration is only 71 per cent. CCOIMBATORE : The number of cooking gas connections in India has gone up from 13 crore in 2014 to 20 crore, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. This number will swell to 27 crore over the next two-and-a-half years, he added. He was speaking at the national convention of All India LPG Distributors Federation here on Tuesday. Pradhan pointed out that every year, around 5,00,000 women die as a result of domestic pollution due to usage of unhealthy fuel for cooking. The government plans to give 50 million connections for women in rural India, he added. Pradhan also insisted that safety is also a priority for the government, which is why it was pushing consumers to buy LPG insurance. The target of 15 million new LPG connections under the Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was achieved in December, three months prior to the deadline, he pointed out. The governments target for 2017-18 is 1.5 crore connections and two crore for 2018-19. According to the minister, 90 per cent of the fuel outlets run by oil marketing companies in Tamil Nadu are digitally enabled. Tamil Nadu is one of the progressive states as far as digital transaction is concerned, he said, adding that following demonetisation, digital transaction in the state has gone up to 28 per cent from five per cent. He added that the government plans to give an incentive of `5 per LPG cylinder booking if the customer pays digitally. He noted that Tamil Nadu has an LPG penetration of 85 per cent, placing the state higher than its peers. The national average for LPG penetration is only 71 per cent. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Real estate developers bore the brunt of demonetisation with residential property sales falling by as much as 44 per cent during the October-December period compared to the same period last year, says a report by Knight Frank, a real estate consultancy. This, says the report released on Tuesday, is the lowest in six years resulting in `22,600 crore revenue loss to builders. Knight Frank tracks primary housing markets of eight cities Delhi-National Capital Region, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad. According to the report, new launches were down 61 per cent during the period under review. Political stability, regulatory environment, enhanced infrastructure, strong investments, approval to the GST Bill amendments to Real Estate Investment Trusts led us to the feeling that the year would end on a high note. However, demonetisation pulled down October-December sales across all cities, said Shishir Baishali, CMD, Knight Frank India. Further, the government lost `1,200 crore in stamp duty revenue in the residential segment, the report noted. Delhi was the most affected city, witnessing a 29 per cent decline in demand and 73 per cent fall in supply, while the Mumbai Metropolitan Region saw launches plummet by 53 per cent and sales by 26 per cent, the report said. Bengaluru, which is seen as a resilient market, saw a fall for the first time since 2013 with new launches and sales declining 17 per cent and seven per cent, respectively. The report also states that the uncertainty is likely to continue over the next few months. It will be important to see how developers recalibrate their business to the changing environment, and whether buyers capitalise the opportunity of various reforms and change, it added. CHENNAI: Real estate developers bore the brunt of demonetisation with residential property sales falling by as much as 44 per cent during the October-December period compared to the same period last year, says a report by Knight Frank, a real estate consultancy. This, says the report released on Tuesday, is the lowest in six years resulting in `22,600 crore revenue loss to builders. Knight Frank tracks primary housing markets of eight cities Delhi-National Capital Region, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad. According to the report, new launches were down 61 per cent during the period under review. Political stability, regulatory environment, enhanced infrastructure, strong investments, approval to the GST Bill amendments to Real Estate Investment Trusts led us to the feeling that the year would end on a high note. However, demonetisation pulled down October-December sales across all cities, said Shishir Baishali, CMD, Knight Frank India. Further, the government lost `1,200 crore in stamp duty revenue in the residential segment, the report noted. Delhi was the most affected city, witnessing a 29 per cent decline in demand and 73 per cent fall in supply, while the Mumbai Metropolitan Region saw launches plummet by 53 per cent and sales by 26 per cent, the report said. Bengaluru, which is seen as a resilient market, saw a fall for the first time since 2013 with new launches and sales declining 17 per cent and seven per cent, respectively. The report also states that the uncertainty is likely to continue over the next few months. It will be important to see how developers recalibrate their business to the changing environment, and whether buyers capitalise the opportunity of various reforms and change, it added. By Associated Press DETROIT: The imminent criminal plea deal between Volkswagen and U.S. prosecutors in an emissions-cheating scandal could be bad news for one group of people: VW employees who had a role in the deceit or subsequent cover-up. VW on Tuesday disclosed that it is in advanced talks to settle the criminal case by pleading guilty to unspecified charges and paying $4.3 billion in criminal and civil fines, a sum far larger than any recent case involving the auto industry. The government scheduled a news conference Monday afternoon to announce settlement details. It's likely that VW will agree to cooperate in the probe of individual employee wrongdoing, which will continue. The company probably has agreed to turn over documents and other information, said David M. Uhlmann, a former chief of the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section who is now a University of Michigan law professor. "Companies often face the dilemma of whether to protect their employees or cooperate with government investigations, but almost always end up deciding in the company's best interest to share what information they have," Uhlmann said. That appeared to be the perception among investors, who sent company shares up nearly 3 percent in afternoon trading Wednesday in Frankfurt. Although VW's communications with lawyers may be exempt, emails between employees and company executives should help prosecutors reach as far up VW's organisational chart as the scandal went, he said. Prosecutors now have three witnesses giving them information and have arrested Oliver Schmidt, VW's former head of U.S. environmental compliance who dealt with the EPA and California Air Resources Board after the scandal was uncovered. The cooperation of witnesses and the company should help investigators determine if the scandal went beyond VW's engineers, Uhlmann said. But extraditing any executives from Germany would be a problem. Volkswagen has admitted equipping diesel cars with sophisticated software that turned on emissions controls when engines were being tested by the Environmental Protection Agency, then turned them off during normal driving. The software, called a "defeat device" because it defeated the emissions controls, improved engine performance but spewed out harmful nitrogen oxide at up to 40 times above the legal limit. Volkswagen has reached a $15 billion civil settlement with environmental authorities and car owners in the U.S. under which it agreed to buy back up to 500,000 vehicles. The company also faces an investor lawsuit and criminal probe in Germany. In all, some 11 million vehicles worldwide were equipped with the software. The criminal investigation likely will continue into the administration of President-elect Donald Trump and attorney general nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions. Uhlmann, who served under Republican and Democratic attorneys general, doesn't think the new administration will back off from the VW prosecution. "All administrations want to be tough on crime, including corporate crime," he said. "I doubt the Trump administration will be any different." A draft of the VW settlement with the government calls for the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee compliance and control measures for three years. The draft still must be approved by Volkswagen's boards and U.S. courts. The scandal was revealed in September 2015, when West Virginia University tested on-road diesel emissions. The EPA issued a notice of violation, and VW apologized and brought in U.S. law firm Jones Day to investigate. If finalized, a $4.3 billion settlement would eclipse Toyota's $1.2 billion penalty over unintended acceleration problems as well as General Motors' $900 million payment to resolve a deadly ignition-switch scandal. DETROIT: The imminent criminal plea deal between Volkswagen and U.S. prosecutors in an emissions-cheating scandal could be bad news for one group of people: VW employees who had a role in the deceit or subsequent cover-up. VW on Tuesday disclosed that it is in advanced talks to settle the criminal case by pleading guilty to unspecified charges and paying $4.3 billion in criminal and civil fines, a sum far larger than any recent case involving the auto industry. The government scheduled a news conference Monday afternoon to announce settlement details. It's likely that VW will agree to cooperate in the probe of individual employee wrongdoing, which will continue. The company probably has agreed to turn over documents and other information, said David M. Uhlmann, a former chief of the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section who is now a University of Michigan law professor. "Companies often face the dilemma of whether to protect their employees or cooperate with government investigations, but almost always end up deciding in the company's best interest to share what information they have," Uhlmann said. That appeared to be the perception among investors, who sent company shares up nearly 3 percent in afternoon trading Wednesday in Frankfurt. Although VW's communications with lawyers may be exempt, emails between employees and company executives should help prosecutors reach as far up VW's organisational chart as the scandal went, he said. Prosecutors now have three witnesses giving them information and have arrested Oliver Schmidt, VW's former head of U.S. environmental compliance who dealt with the EPA and California Air Resources Board after the scandal was uncovered. The cooperation of witnesses and the company should help investigators determine if the scandal went beyond VW's engineers, Uhlmann said. But extraditing any executives from Germany would be a problem. Volkswagen has admitted equipping diesel cars with sophisticated software that turned on emissions controls when engines were being tested by the Environmental Protection Agency, then turned them off during normal driving. The software, called a "defeat device" because it defeated the emissions controls, improved engine performance but spewed out harmful nitrogen oxide at up to 40 times above the legal limit. Volkswagen has reached a $15 billion civil settlement with environmental authorities and car owners in the U.S. under which it agreed to buy back up to 500,000 vehicles. The company also faces an investor lawsuit and criminal probe in Germany. In all, some 11 million vehicles worldwide were equipped with the software. The criminal investigation likely will continue into the administration of President-elect Donald Trump and attorney general nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions. Uhlmann, who served under Republican and Democratic attorneys general, doesn't think the new administration will back off from the VW prosecution. "All administrations want to be tough on crime, including corporate crime," he said. "I doubt the Trump administration will be any different." A draft of the VW settlement with the government calls for the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee compliance and control measures for three years. The draft still must be approved by Volkswagen's boards and U.S. courts. The scandal was revealed in September 2015, when West Virginia University tested on-road diesel emissions. The EPA issued a notice of violation, and VW apologized and brought in U.S. law firm Jones Day to investigate. If finalized, a $4.3 billion settlement would eclipse Toyota's $1.2 billion penalty over unintended acceleration problems as well as General Motors' $900 million payment to resolve a deadly ignition-switch scandal. Shevlin Sebastian By Express News Service KOCHI: The question is asked so many times to Santosh Eapen that he is ready with the answer before the query is over. So here is the question: Are mobile towers a radiation hazard? For every 15 km of this city [Kochi], a technician is working on a tower, says Santhosh, the managing director of Unitac Energy Solutions India Pvt Ltd. He goes to the tower many times each day. There is an equipment room, about 300 sq. ft. where the batteries and other equipment are located. They do preventive maintenance. And in 16 years, nobody has suffered from the effects of radiation. My first employee, Binter, is still working for the company and has no health problems whatsoever. He gives another example: in remote areas in Karnataka, many eagles and monkeys, bees in honeycombs live on these towers. But they are all alive and kicking, says Santhosh. Nothing has happened to them. (At the same time, there is also no doubt that if you use any device, like a mobile or the radio, there is a bit of radiation.) His company maintains 8500 towers in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Next April, we will have another 2000 more, says Santhosh. A tower has different heights. If it is on a rooftop building, it will have a height of 9-27 feet. If it is from at ground-level, it will reach a height of 120-150 feet. Of course, as is well known, when we speak into a mobile phone, it is picked up by the receiver and the voice is distributed through several towers before it reaches the person called. But it just takes seconds, says Santhosh. At a time, a tower can handle 52 calls. The biggest problem is during the rainy season when there is a shortage of power because of lightning strikes. When the tower ceases to work you will get the message that the caller is out of range, says Santhosh. But another reason for the interrupted coverage is the low number of towers. Kerala, with an area of 40,000 sq kms, has 12,000 towers. For a population of 3.25 crore, of which 70 per cent have mobile phones, we need a lot more towers, he says. But then the fears of radiation among the public is preventing us from setting up more. Santhosh, who grew up in Kochi, went to the United Arab Emirates and worked there for a few years. But owing to his ageing parents, living alone, he returned in 1998. His first business was running a car agency. Then, in 2000, mobile service provider Airtel came to Kerala. As a supplier of vehicles, I began interacting with Airtel managers, says Santhosh. Slowly, they began to entrust technical works to me. In short, I was the right person at the right time. He has an office strength of 1100 and also runs a successful real estate business called Unitach Villas and Apartments. They have six ongoing projects: five in Kochi and one at Tripunithara. Asked the secret of his success, Santhosh says, God has to smile at you. Of course, you also need hard work and dedication and a very good team. But for his team there are no fixed working hours. You work as and when is it required. That is because we are in the essential-services category, he says. Plus, I offer merit-based promotion. Staffers, who joined at the start, have become directors of the company. KOCHI: The question is asked so many times to Santosh Eapen that he is ready with the answer before the query is over. So here is the question: Are mobile towers a radiation hazard? For every 15 km of this city [Kochi], a technician is working on a tower, says Santhosh, the managing director of Unitac Energy Solutions India Pvt Ltd. He goes to the tower many times each day. There is an equipment room, about 300 sq. ft. where the batteries and other equipment are located. They do preventive maintenance. And in 16 years, nobody has suffered from the effects of radiation. My first employee, Binter, is still working for the company and has no health problems whatsoever. He gives another example: in remote areas in Karnataka, many eagles and monkeys, bees in honeycombs live on these towers. But they are all alive and kicking, says Santhosh. Nothing has happened to them. (At the same time, there is also no doubt that if you use any device, like a mobile or the radio, there is a bit of radiation.) His company maintains 8500 towers in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Next April, we will have another 2000 more, says Santhosh. A tower has different heights. If it is on a rooftop building, it will have a height of 9-27 feet. If it is from at ground-level, it will reach a height of 120-150 feet. Of course, as is well known, when we speak into a mobile phone, it is picked up by the receiver and the voice is distributed through several towers before it reaches the person called. But it just takes seconds, says Santhosh. At a time, a tower can handle 52 calls. The biggest problem is during the rainy season when there is a shortage of power because of lightning strikes. When the tower ceases to work you will get the message that the caller is out of range, says Santhosh. But another reason for the interrupted coverage is the low number of towers. Kerala, with an area of 40,000 sq kms, has 12,000 towers. For a population of 3.25 crore, of which 70 per cent have mobile phones, we need a lot more towers, he says. But then the fears of radiation among the public is preventing us from setting up more. Santhosh, who grew up in Kochi, went to the United Arab Emirates and worked there for a few years. But owing to his ageing parents, living alone, he returned in 1998. His first business was running a car agency. Then, in 2000, mobile service provider Airtel came to Kerala. As a supplier of vehicles, I began interacting with Airtel managers, says Santhosh. Slowly, they began to entrust technical works to me. In short, I was the right person at the right time. He has an office strength of 1100 and also runs a successful real estate business called Unitach Villas and Apartments. They have six ongoing projects: five in Kochi and one at Tripunithara. Asked the secret of his success, Santhosh says, God has to smile at you. Of course, you also need hard work and dedication and a very good team. But for his team there are no fixed working hours. You work as and when is it required. That is because we are in the essential-services category, he says. Plus, I offer merit-based promotion. Staffers, who joined at the start, have become directors of the company. By Express News Service KOLKATA: In an event that may make political strife in West Bengal bloodier, Kharagpur strongman and Trinamool Congress leader A Srinivas Naidu (better known as Srinu Naidu) and one of his associates were killed and three others grievously injured when four bike-borne assailants opened fire on them and hurled bombs during an attack on a TMC party office in Kharagpur in West Bengal on Wednesday afternoon. The industrial town, which is one of the three seats the BJP won in 2016 Assembly elections, returned state BJP President Dileep Ghosh, ousting oldest MLA in West Bengal Assembly Gyan Singh Sohanpal. According to sources, the 27-year-old Kharagpur strongman, whose wife Puja Naidu is a local Trinamool Congress councillor, and associate V Dharma (25) were hit in the head and chest and were brought dead to Apollo Hospital in Kolkata. They were initially admitted to Kharagpur sub-divisional hospital and later shifted to Medinipur Medical College Hospital. Sources revealed that the assailants entered the office and started firing at the TMC party workers. "The attack was properly planned. The assailants knew when Srinu Naidu would be present at the party office," a police official told Express. However, speculations of old rivalry with another Kharagpur strongman Rambabu is also not being ruled out. "Investigation has been launched whether the attack was a fallout of political rivalry or other reasons," the official added. Srinu Naidu, who was a railway employee, was first a close associate of Rambabu, but later became the Kharagpur railway mafioso when Rambabu was jailed for murder of top politicians. The industrial town has witnessed long drawn gang war between rival factions and also witnessed it's first communal violence in many decades in Moharram in October last year. A powerful rail scrapyard-linked Telugu mafia is active in the city since many decades. Srinu Naidu hailed from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, like Rambabu and most of the more than 2 lakh Telugu immigrants in Kharagpur who were first brought by the British as cheap labourers when a railway factory was established in early 1900s. KOLKATA: In an event that may make political strife in West Bengal bloodier, Kharagpur strongman and Trinamool Congress leader A Srinivas Naidu (better known as Srinu Naidu) and one of his associates were killed and three others grievously injured when four bike-borne assailants opened fire on them and hurled bombs during an attack on a TMC party office in Kharagpur in West Bengal on Wednesday afternoon. The industrial town, which is one of the three seats the BJP won in 2016 Assembly elections, returned state BJP President Dileep Ghosh, ousting oldest MLA in West Bengal Assembly Gyan Singh Sohanpal. According to sources, the 27-year-old Kharagpur strongman, whose wife Puja Naidu is a local Trinamool Congress councillor, and associate V Dharma (25) were hit in the head and chest and were brought dead to Apollo Hospital in Kolkata. They were initially admitted to Kharagpur sub-divisional hospital and later shifted to Medinipur Medical College Hospital. Sources revealed that the assailants entered the office and started firing at the TMC party workers. "The attack was properly planned. The assailants knew when Srinu Naidu would be present at the party office," a police official told Express. However, speculations of old rivalry with another Kharagpur strongman Rambabu is also not being ruled out. "Investigation has been launched whether the attack was a fallout of political rivalry or other reasons," the official added. Srinu Naidu, who was a railway employee, was first a close associate of Rambabu, but later became the Kharagpur railway mafioso when Rambabu was jailed for murder of top politicians. The industrial town has witnessed long drawn gang war between rival factions and also witnessed it's first communal violence in many decades in Moharram in October last year. A powerful rail scrapyard-linked Telugu mafia is active in the city since many decades. Srinu Naidu hailed from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, like Rambabu and most of the more than 2 lakh Telugu immigrants in Kharagpur who were first brought by the British as cheap labourers when a railway factory was established in early 1900s. By Express News Service PATNA: An Opposition MLA in Bihar on Tuesday made teenage girl students of a residential school for Scheduled Caste communities cringe as a result of his probing questions about the alleged gang-rape and murder of one of their schoolmates. Most girl students at Ambedkar Government Girls High School at Dighi Mazirabad in Vaishali district were lost for words to answer questions asked by Lallan Paswan, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) legislator from Chenari. The girls, already shocked after the mysterious death of a class X student on the residential school premises three days ago, were visibly upset by the way Paswan, himself from an SC community, worded his questions and persisted to elicit their answers. Which part of her (dead girl) body was full of blood? Was it the lower half of the body? asked Paswan to about three dozen girls, aged between 10 and 15, during his visit to the school. When one girl answered yes, he said: This means she was gang-raped before being murdered. Why are you afraid of speaking up the truth? If criminals enter the hostel and into your room and this happens to you, what will you do if you do not speak now? Paswan then went on to ask several other questions to the girls regarding the death of Dika Kumari, whose body was found lying in a pool of blood close to a drain near the main gate of the school-cum-hostel campus on Sunday. Local residents staged violent demonstrations outside the school on Monday demanding suspension of senior officials of the district welfare department. Although it was alleged that Kumari was gang-raped before being killed, Vaishali SP Rakesh Kumar said on Tuesday, citing the report of a post-mortem conducted by a panel of four doctors, that she was not raped and the cause of her death would be known after examination of the viscera. Even while the MLAs controversial role as an investigator and his insensitivity in speaking to young girls were widely criticised, he boasted of his ability to detect criminals. No criminal can stay unknown for long if I am allowed to interrogate. Even Osama bin Laden was found out and killed, he said. Sources said RLSP chief and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha berated Paswan for his action. Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav demanded Paswans arrest for asking questions to girls that one cannot ask ones daughters. PATNA: An Opposition MLA in Bihar on Tuesday made teenage girl students of a residential school for Scheduled Caste communities cringe as a result of his probing questions about the alleged gang-rape and murder of one of their schoolmates. Most girl students at Ambedkar Government Girls High School at Dighi Mazirabad in Vaishali district were lost for words to answer questions asked by Lallan Paswan, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) legislator from Chenari. The girls, already shocked after the mysterious death of a class X student on the residential school premises three days ago, were visibly upset by the way Paswan, himself from an SC community, worded his questions and persisted to elicit their answers. Which part of her (dead girl) body was full of blood? Was it the lower half of the body? asked Paswan to about three dozen girls, aged between 10 and 15, during his visit to the school. When one girl answered yes, he said: This means she was gang-raped before being murdered. Why are you afraid of speaking up the truth? If criminals enter the hostel and into your room and this happens to you, what will you do if you do not speak now? Paswan then went on to ask several other questions to the girls regarding the death of Dika Kumari, whose body was found lying in a pool of blood close to a drain near the main gate of the school-cum-hostel campus on Sunday. Local residents staged violent demonstrations outside the school on Monday demanding suspension of senior officials of the district welfare department. Although it was alleged that Kumari was gang-raped before being killed, Vaishali SP Rakesh Kumar said on Tuesday, citing the report of a post-mortem conducted by a panel of four doctors, that she was not raped and the cause of her death would be known after examination of the viscera. Even while the MLAs controversial role as an investigator and his insensitivity in speaking to young girls were widely criticised, he boasted of his ability to detect criminals. No criminal can stay unknown for long if I am allowed to interrogate. Even Osama bin Laden was found out and killed, he said. Sources said RLSP chief and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha berated Paswan for his action. Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav demanded Paswans arrest for asking questions to girls that one cannot ask ones daughters. By AFP NEW DELHI: Police said Wednesday they had recovered more than 6,000 freshwater turtles weighing over four tonnes from poachers who planned to smuggle them to Southeast Asia, in the country's largest-ever wildlife haul. The 6,430 flapshell turtles were discovered stuffed into 140 jute bags in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. "Wildlife authorities confirmed that this is the largest haul in the country's wildlife history, both in terms of number and weight -- 4.4 tonnes," Arvind Chaturvedi, head of the state's Special Task Force that rescued the turtles, told AFP. Indian flapshell turtles are not particularly rare but are a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act. Chaturvedi said police had arrested the "kingpin" and were likely to make further arrests. He said the poachers had filled half a truck with the turtles to take them to the eastern city of Kolkata, from where they were to be transported illegally to China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Their meat is considered an aphrodisiac while the bones are powdered for use in traditional medicine and soups. Rachna Tiwari of the US-based Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) said smugglers can earn up to 1,000 rupees ($15) per flapshell turtle, while a bigger softshell -- whose meat is considered a delicacy -- is sold for up to 8,000 rupees. "Enforcement against poaching has improved, but the scale at which these protected turtles are being poached, who knows, they may also soon become endangered," Tiwari told AFP. The turtles are currently at a makeshift sanctuary in the TSA's local centre. Uttar Pradesh is home to 14 of India's 28 endangered turtle species and at least 20,000 are reportedly smuggled out of the state every year. NEW DELHI: Police said Wednesday they had recovered more than 6,000 freshwater turtles weighing over four tonnes from poachers who planned to smuggle them to Southeast Asia, in the country's largest-ever wildlife haul. The 6,430 flapshell turtles were discovered stuffed into 140 jute bags in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. "Wildlife authorities confirmed that this is the largest haul in the country's wildlife history, both in terms of number and weight -- 4.4 tonnes," Arvind Chaturvedi, head of the state's Special Task Force that rescued the turtles, told AFP. Indian flapshell turtles are not particularly rare but are a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act. Chaturvedi said police had arrested the "kingpin" and were likely to make further arrests. He said the poachers had filled half a truck with the turtles to take them to the eastern city of Kolkata, from where they were to be transported illegally to China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Their meat is considered an aphrodisiac while the bones are powdered for use in traditional medicine and soups. Rachna Tiwari of the US-based Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) said smugglers can earn up to 1,000 rupees ($15) per flapshell turtle, while a bigger softshell -- whose meat is considered a delicacy -- is sold for up to 8,000 rupees. "Enforcement against poaching has improved, but the scale at which these protected turtles are being poached, who knows, they may also soon become endangered," Tiwari told AFP. The turtles are currently at a makeshift sanctuary in the TSA's local centre. Uttar Pradesh is home to 14 of India's 28 endangered turtle species and at least 20,000 are reportedly smuggled out of the state every year. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Strengthening its foothold in Africa, India on Wednesday announced a $ 100 million Line of Credit to Kenya for agriculture mechanisation as it sought to operationalise its defence cooperation with the country at the earliest. The announcement was made following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in Gandhinagar, Guajrat. The two discussed ways to deepen economic cooperation and prioritise expansion of bilateral trade. The Line of Credit Agreement of $100 million signed for agricultural mechanisation today would open a new dimension of engagement. Long-term arrangement with Kenya for production and import of pulses is being explored and discussed. We would also be happy to share best practices in organic farming with Kenyan farmers, Prime Minister Modi said in a statement following the talks. A Joint Working Group (JWG) of the two countries would soon be meeting to discuss issues like cyber security, counter terrorism and maritime security. We are focused on quick operationalisation of our defence cooperation. Some of the specific areas of priority would be hydrography, communication networks, anti-piracy, capacity building, exchanges and defence medical cooperation. We are also partnering to strengthen our security cooperation and capacities. In this context, we have directed the Joint Working Group to meet early. It would focus on cyber security, counter terrorism, combating drugs, narcotics, human trafficking and money laundering, Modi said in the joint press event. A Joint Business Council will be meeting on Thursday and will discuss the expansion of commercial engagement between the two countries. During his visit to the country last year, Prime Minister Modi had discussed expansion of bilateral trade, greater flow of capital between two economies and stronger developmental partnership. NEW DELHI: Strengthening its foothold in Africa, India on Wednesday announced a $ 100 million Line of Credit to Kenya for agriculture mechanisation as it sought to operationalise its defence cooperation with the country at the earliest. The announcement was made following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in Gandhinagar, Guajrat. The two discussed ways to deepen economic cooperation and prioritise expansion of bilateral trade. The Line of Credit Agreement of $100 million signed for agricultural mechanisation today would open a new dimension of engagement. Long-term arrangement with Kenya for production and import of pulses is being explored and discussed. We would also be happy to share best practices in organic farming with Kenyan farmers, Prime Minister Modi said in a statement following the talks. A Joint Working Group (JWG) of the two countries would soon be meeting to discuss issues like cyber security, counter terrorism and maritime security. We are focused on quick operationalisation of our defence cooperation. Some of the specific areas of priority would be hydrography, communication networks, anti-piracy, capacity building, exchanges and defence medical cooperation. We are also partnering to strengthen our security cooperation and capacities. In this context, we have directed the Joint Working Group to meet early. It would focus on cyber security, counter terrorism, combating drugs, narcotics, human trafficking and money laundering, Modi said in the joint press event. A Joint Business Council will be meeting on Thursday and will discuss the expansion of commercial engagement between the two countries. During his visit to the country last year, Prime Minister Modi had discussed expansion of bilateral trade, greater flow of capital between two economies and stronger developmental partnership. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: An emboldened liquor mafia in Bihars central Muzaffarpur district assaulted a police team and chopped off the hand of a sub-inspector and the ear of another, causing a sense of fear in the states police force. Mahendra Kumar, the station house officer of Kuchaikot police station in Gopalganj district, and Munna Kumar Yadav, the SHO of Mohammadpur police station in the same district, were attacked by nearly 20 people with sharp-edged weapons in Paru on Tuesday. A home guard jawan, Krishna Yadav, also suffered severe injuries in the attack. Doctors at a private hospital in Patna conducted surgeries on Wednesday to join Kumars chopped off left hand and the other police officials ear. The condition of the three cops is said to be stable. The police team from two police stations in Gopalganj district had gone to arrest notorious liquor mafiosi Ajay Rai, an accused in a recent case in which a huhe consignment of liquor was seized from a truck filled with potato. As soon as the cops reached Rais village, Thenkpur under Paru police station in Muzaffarpur district, nearly 20 men working for Rai attacked them with sharp weapons and sticks, said officials. Police conducted raids in the area to arrest the men who attacked the police team. Muzaffarpur SP Vivek Kumar said two men suspected of being a part of Rais gang were arrested and that raids were still on. Officials are reportedly examining the proactive role of a local politician, who is a zila parishad member, in making the attack on the cops successful. The attack prompted the main Opposition BJP to question the governments sincerity in making Bihar free from consumption and sale of liquor. What steps is the government taking at a time when attacks on police are rising? Will the government stop the production of liquor in the state before it organises the statewide human chain in support of prohibition on January 21? asked senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi. PATNA: An emboldened liquor mafia in Bihars central Muzaffarpur district assaulted a police team and chopped off the hand of a sub-inspector and the ear of another, causing a sense of fear in the states police force. Mahendra Kumar, the station house officer of Kuchaikot police station in Gopalganj district, and Munna Kumar Yadav, the SHO of Mohammadpur police station in the same district, were attacked by nearly 20 people with sharp-edged weapons in Paru on Tuesday. A home guard jawan, Krishna Yadav, also suffered severe injuries in the attack. Doctors at a private hospital in Patna conducted surgeries on Wednesday to join Kumars chopped off left hand and the other police officials ear. The condition of the three cops is said to be stable. The police team from two police stations in Gopalganj district had gone to arrest notorious liquor mafiosi Ajay Rai, an accused in a recent case in which a huhe consignment of liquor was seized from a truck filled with potato. As soon as the cops reached Rais village, Thenkpur under Paru police station in Muzaffarpur district, nearly 20 men working for Rai attacked them with sharp weapons and sticks, said officials. Police conducted raids in the area to arrest the men who attacked the police team. Muzaffarpur SP Vivek Kumar said two men suspected of being a part of Rais gang were arrested and that raids were still on. Officials are reportedly examining the proactive role of a local politician, who is a zila parishad member, in making the attack on the cops successful. The attack prompted the main Opposition BJP to question the governments sincerity in making Bihar free from consumption and sale of liquor. What steps is the government taking at a time when attacks on police are rising? Will the government stop the production of liquor in the state before it organises the statewide human chain in support of prohibition on January 21? asked senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi. By ANI NEW DELHI: Pakistan is getting pressurised by Indias successful missile programmes and is trying to match its neighbour's nuclear infrastructure by resorting to propaganda on missile systems, said former army chief General (Retd.) Deepak Kapoor on Tuesday. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Kapoor stated that Pakistan is desperately trying to match Indias nuclear triad, comprising of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). Pakistan on Monday claimed to have successfully test-fired its first Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead up to 450km from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean, giving the country a "credible" second-strike capability Pakistan is seeing our Missile programmes getting successful. It is building pressure on elements like ISI and they are resorting to propaganda on missile is highly possible. After all India has got close to triad and they are trying to match us in it, even if by doing propaganda, he said. Backing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who accused Pakistan of conspiring to create unrest after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani, the 23rd chief of army said, First time she has made such well thought statement. There was never a doubt that Pakistan through the separatists in Kashmir has been giving directions on terrorist operations. He said the problem of terrorism has been following a cycle since 1989 where at times collateral damages happen if a civilian is killed by mistake, and the issue is used to further incite disturbance in the valley. However, General Kapoor said, Burhan Wani incident has been used to create further disturbance. Army will not let this go long and will soon control it. Shifting his focus on the modernisation of weapons of armed forces, General Kapoor opined that the equipments are reaching obsolescence, faster than those which are replacing them. In order to modernise its weapon systems, he said, India needs to spend its defence budget more than that of China and other developed countries. The most of the developed countries are committing around 3 percent of their GDP whereas in India we have spent less than 2 percent as an average in the last 10 years. It comes to meeting only about 2/3 of the requirements projected and this is at the time when we have our two adversaries, China and Pakistan, colluding. China alone has its defence budget pegged at about 130 Billion Dollars, General Kapoor said. Responding to a poser on contribution of Make in India initiative in manufacturing defence equipments, General Kapoor, said, Make in India is yet to pick up, imports are getting costly and finally this is affecting modernisation which leading to hollowness. We have a capable Army but with old equipment." General Deepak Kapoor was the 23rd Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, appointed on September 30, 2007 and Chairman, Chiefs of Staffs Committee (COSC) appointed on August 31, 2009. NEW DELHI: Pakistan is getting pressurised by Indias successful missile programmes and is trying to match its neighbour's nuclear infrastructure by resorting to propaganda on missile systems, said former army chief General (Retd.) Deepak Kapoor on Tuesday. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Kapoor stated that Pakistan is desperately trying to match Indias nuclear triad, comprising of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). Pakistan on Monday claimed to have successfully test-fired its first Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead up to 450km from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean, giving the country a "credible" second-strike capability Pakistan is seeing our Missile programmes getting successful. It is building pressure on elements like ISI and they are resorting to propaganda on missile is highly possible. After all India has got close to triad and they are trying to match us in it, even if by doing propaganda, he said. Backing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who accused Pakistan of conspiring to create unrest after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani, the 23rd chief of army said, First time she has made such well thought statement. There was never a doubt that Pakistan through the separatists in Kashmir has been giving directions on terrorist operations. He said the problem of terrorism has been following a cycle since 1989 where at times collateral damages happen if a civilian is killed by mistake, and the issue is used to further incite disturbance in the valley. However, General Kapoor said, Burhan Wani incident has been used to create further disturbance. Army will not let this go long and will soon control it. Shifting his focus on the modernisation of weapons of armed forces, General Kapoor opined that the equipments are reaching obsolescence, faster than those which are replacing them. In order to modernise its weapon systems, he said, India needs to spend its defence budget more than that of China and other developed countries. The most of the developed countries are committing around 3 percent of their GDP whereas in India we have spent less than 2 percent as an average in the last 10 years. It comes to meeting only about 2/3 of the requirements projected and this is at the time when we have our two adversaries, China and Pakistan, colluding. China alone has its defence budget pegged at about 130 Billion Dollars, General Kapoor said. Responding to a poser on contribution of Make in India initiative in manufacturing defence equipments, General Kapoor, said, Make in India is yet to pick up, imports are getting costly and finally this is affecting modernisation which leading to hollowness. We have a capable Army but with old equipment." General Deepak Kapoor was the 23rd Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, appointed on September 30, 2007 and Chairman, Chiefs of Staffs Committee (COSC) appointed on August 31, 2009. By PTI KOLKATA: TMC General Secretary Subrata Bakshi tonight urged the police to look into the role of local MLA and BJP state President Dilip Ghosh in the deaths of two party activists in Kharagpur even as the safforn party termed the charge as baseless. "There should be a proper probe to arrest the culprits and unearth the truth. The police should also look into the role of the person, who has won from this segment in last assembly polls," Bakshi said. Ghosh is the local MLA from Kharagpur Sadar assembly seat. In a swift retort, BJP state General Secretary Shamik Bhattacharya said, "The allegations made by TMC are baseless. The fact is the state has turned into safe haven for criminals and fundamentalists under TMC regime." Two Trinamool Congress activists, one of them the husband of a party councillor, were today killed while three others were seriously injured when miscreants opened fire at them inside the party office at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district, police said. Srinu Naidu, the husband of Ward 18 TMC councillor of Kharagpur Municipality A Puja, and party activist V Dharma were rushed to a private hospital in Kolkata in a critical condition where they were declared "brought dead" by the doctors. The two, along with three other TMC workers, were sitting inside the TMC office at Nayakhuli locality of Kharagpur when the miscreants hurled a bomb and fired at random, police said. KOLKATA: TMC General Secretary Subrata Bakshi tonight urged the police to look into the role of local MLA and BJP state President Dilip Ghosh in the deaths of two party activists in Kharagpur even as the safforn party termed the charge as baseless. "There should be a proper probe to arrest the culprits and unearth the truth. The police should also look into the role of the person, who has won from this segment in last assembly polls," Bakshi said. Ghosh is the local MLA from Kharagpur Sadar assembly seat. In a swift retort, BJP state General Secretary Shamik Bhattacharya said, "The allegations made by TMC are baseless. The fact is the state has turned into safe haven for criminals and fundamentalists under TMC regime." Two Trinamool Congress activists, one of them the husband of a party councillor, were today killed while three others were seriously injured when miscreants opened fire at them inside the party office at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district, police said. Srinu Naidu, the husband of Ward 18 TMC councillor of Kharagpur Municipality A Puja, and party activist V Dharma were rushed to a private hospital in Kolkata in a critical condition where they were declared "brought dead" by the doctors. The two, along with three other TMC workers, were sitting inside the TMC office at Nayakhuli locality of Kharagpur when the miscreants hurled a bomb and fired at random, police said. By Express News Service ELURU: An MBA student aspiring to become a sub-inspector of police died while attempting to complete the 1,600 metre run that was part of physical fitness tests for the SI posts in Eluru Range on Tuesday. The youngster who collapsed during the run on Monday was shifted to Vijayawada for better treatment, but was declared brought dead by doctors. LVC Sekhar Viswanatham (26), an MBA student from Haripuram area of Rajamahendravaram, appeared for the written tests of SI posts that were conducted during November last year. He had earlier tried his luck twice, but failed to clear the physical test. After passing the written test, he attended the physical fitness test that was held at Eluru police parade grounds on Monday morning. After verification of certificates, he was asked to participate in the 1,600 meter run. While participating in the run, he suddenly fell unconscious and police officials on duty immediately rushed him to Eluru Government hospital. Later, the doctors there asked the officials to shift him to a private cardiac hospital in Eluru as his condition had deteriorated. When his condition turned critical, the doctors advised his family members to shift him to Vijayawada, but he was declared brought dead at a private hospital in the city on arrival. ELURU: An MBA student aspiring to become a sub-inspector of police died while attempting to complete the 1,600 metre run that was part of physical fitness tests for the SI posts in Eluru Range on Tuesday. The youngster who collapsed during the run on Monday was shifted to Vijayawada for better treatment, but was declared brought dead by doctors. LVC Sekhar Viswanatham (26), an MBA student from Haripuram area of Rajamahendravaram, appeared for the written tests of SI posts that were conducted during November last year. He had earlier tried his luck twice, but failed to clear the physical test. After passing the written test, he attended the physical fitness test that was held at Eluru police parade grounds on Monday morning. After verification of certificates, he was asked to participate in the 1,600 meter run. While participating in the run, he suddenly fell unconscious and police officials on duty immediately rushed him to Eluru Government hospital. Later, the doctors there asked the officials to shift him to a private cardiac hospital in Eluru as his condition had deteriorated. When his condition turned critical, the doctors advised his family members to shift him to Vijayawada, but he was declared brought dead at a private hospital in the city on arrival. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Factors such as urbanisation, migrant population, growth of slums and economic opportunities have been responsible for a steady rise in crime statistics of the Twin City during 2016. The year 2016 witnessed a surge in heinous crimes with 144 rape cases reported in different police stations in the Twin City. The figures were 127 in 2015 and 138 in 2014. The detection rate in rape cases has improved marginally by one per cent. In 2016, the Commissionerate Police clocked 99.3 per cent in nabbing offenders of sexual assault. The number of cases registered under Section 498 (A) of the IPC (domestic violence) was 456. The figure was 574 in 2015, which means there has been a drop by 21 per cent. The fiefdom of tender mafia which flourished in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack under the command of the likes of Dhal Samanta brothers and Ramesh Majhi was curbed significantly with the arrest of the dreaded gangsters and members of their company. The previous year saw 30 cases registered against tender mafia. The number was 10 during 2015 and zero in 2014. The arrest of gangsters and their associates also led to huge recovery of illegal arms during the period. The recoveries have almost doubled in the last two years. Total 157 illegal firearms including 54 pistols and 22 revolvers were seized in 2016. The figures were 113 in 2015 and 86 in 2014. Dacoities and robberies also hogged headlines in 2016. The UCO Bank loot at Rajmahal, attack and loot of elderly couple at Jagamara painted an unsafe picture of the State Capital. As many as 251 cases of robbery and 17 cases of dacoity were registered during the period. Tightening the noose on drug peddlers and bootleggers, the Twin City police booked 994 persons under Excise Act and 63 persons under the NDPS Act in 2016. Crimes like thefts and and vehicle lifting reported a downward trend with registration of 1,902 cases compared to 2,328 in 2015. As many as 64 murder cases were registered in 2016 while 161 rioting cases were reported during the period. The total number of cognizable offences recorded by the Commissionerate of Police in 2016 was 9,783 as compared to 10,086 cases in 2015. However, unconfirmed sources said reports of theft cases have been less as compared to the number of actual incidents which took place. BHUBANESWAR: Factors such as urbanisation, migrant population, growth of slums and economic opportunities have been responsible for a steady rise in crime statistics of the Twin City during 2016. The year 2016 witnessed a surge in heinous crimes with 144 rape cases reported in different police stations in the Twin City. The figures were 127 in 2015 and 138 in 2014. The detection rate in rape cases has improved marginally by one per cent. In 2016, the Commissionerate Police clocked 99.3 per cent in nabbing offenders of sexual assault. The number of cases registered under Section 498 (A) of the IPC (domestic violence) was 456. The figure was 574 in 2015, which means there has been a drop by 21 per cent. The fiefdom of tender mafia which flourished in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack under the command of the likes of Dhal Samanta brothers and Ramesh Majhi was curbed significantly with the arrest of the dreaded gangsters and members of their company. The previous year saw 30 cases registered against tender mafia. The number was 10 during 2015 and zero in 2014. The arrest of gangsters and their associates also led to huge recovery of illegal arms during the period. The recoveries have almost doubled in the last two years. Total 157 illegal firearms including 54 pistols and 22 revolvers were seized in 2016. The figures were 113 in 2015 and 86 in 2014. Dacoities and robberies also hogged headlines in 2016. The UCO Bank loot at Rajmahal, attack and loot of elderly couple at Jagamara painted an unsafe picture of the State Capital. As many as 251 cases of robbery and 17 cases of dacoity were registered during the period. Tightening the noose on drug peddlers and bootleggers, the Twin City police booked 994 persons under Excise Act and 63 persons under the NDPS Act in 2016. Crimes like thefts and and vehicle lifting reported a downward trend with registration of 1,902 cases compared to 2,328 in 2015. As many as 64 murder cases were registered in 2016 while 161 rioting cases were reported during the period. The total number of cognizable offences recorded by the Commissionerate of Police in 2016 was 9,783 as compared to 10,086 cases in 2015. However, unconfirmed sources said reports of theft cases have been less as compared to the number of actual incidents which took place. By PTI CHENNAI: AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala today wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking promulgation of an ordinance for conduct of the bull taming sport Jallikattu, noting that the ban on it had caused "resentment" in the state. Sasikala's letter to the Prime Minister on the issue comes days after Chief Minister O Panneerselvam urged the Centre to promulgate an ordinance for the conduct of the sport. "No cruelty is practiced on the animals per se. Also bulls are worshipped as a deity by the religious in Tamil Nadu and care is always taken by the youth taming them (to) not to inflict any pain on them," Sasikala told Modi in a letter. "The ban on jallikkattu has incensed the public of Tamil Nadu and the youth in particular, and all efforts have to be taken to revoke it," she said. Chinnamma urges PM Modi to promulgate ordinance for Jallikattu. pic.twitter.com/lkXNtFoIMZ AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) January 11, 2017 This sporting event was "inextricably" linked to the rural, agrarian customs, practices and psyche of Tamils and also helped in conservation of native germplasm, since bulls with excellent physical attributes alone are reared for jallikattu, she noted. "The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India should clearly de-notify bulls as 'performing animals' and I request you to take appropriate steps to enable the traditional sport of Tamil Nadu to be played in our soil. This is my earnest request as there is widespread resentment against the ban," she added. Jallikkattu is a traditional sporting event of the state, held coinciding with the harvest festival of Pongal, and forms an essential part of the festivities, she said. Recalling that her predecessor late J Jayalalithaa was keen that Jallikkattu was "restored to its original glory as the primal sport of Tamil Nadu, she said, "The bulls specially reared for the purpose are tamed by ardent youths and this sport is not in the least cruel to animals, unlike other sporting events involving horses, camels and other animals." The youth of the state in particular wanted the sport to be played, "as they feel that it is their divine traditional right, wherein they exhibit their courage in taming the bulls," she said. "In view of the above, I request you to kindly intervene in the matter to promulgate an Ordinance to amend the PCA (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Act, to de-notify the bulls from the notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, so as to lift the ban on Jallikkattu and preserve Tamil Nadu's culture and tradition. This would ensure that sport is conducted during this week-end, during the Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu," she said. The lifting of the ban on Jallikkattu would be the "ultimate joy" for Tamils not only in Tamil Nadu, but across the globe, which would ensure that the people of the state really celebrate the Pongal festival with traditional fervour and gaiety, she added. CHENNAI: AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala today wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking promulgation of an ordinance for conduct of the bull taming sport Jallikattu, noting that the ban on it had caused "resentment" in the state. Sasikala's letter to the Prime Minister on the issue comes days after Chief Minister O Panneerselvam urged the Centre to promulgate an ordinance for the conduct of the sport. "No cruelty is practiced on the animals per se. Also bulls are worshipped as a deity by the religious in Tamil Nadu and care is always taken by the youth taming them (to) not to inflict any pain on them," Sasikala told Modi in a letter. "The ban on jallikkattu has incensed the public of Tamil Nadu and the youth in particular, and all efforts have to be taken to revoke it," she said. Chinnamma urges PM Modi to promulgate ordinance for Jallikattu. pic.twitter.com/lkXNtFoIMZ AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) January 11, 2017 This sporting event was "inextricably" linked to the rural, agrarian customs, practices and psyche of Tamils and also helped in conservation of native germplasm, since bulls with excellent physical attributes alone are reared for jallikattu, she noted. "The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India should clearly de-notify bulls as 'performing animals' and I request you to take appropriate steps to enable the traditional sport of Tamil Nadu to be played in our soil. This is my earnest request as there is widespread resentment against the ban," she added. Jallikkattu is a traditional sporting event of the state, held coinciding with the harvest festival of Pongal, and forms an essential part of the festivities, she said. Recalling that her predecessor late J Jayalalithaa was keen that Jallikkattu was "restored to its original glory as the primal sport of Tamil Nadu, she said, "The bulls specially reared for the purpose are tamed by ardent youths and this sport is not in the least cruel to animals, unlike other sporting events involving horses, camels and other animals." The youth of the state in particular wanted the sport to be played, "as they feel that it is their divine traditional right, wherein they exhibit their courage in taming the bulls," she said. "In view of the above, I request you to kindly intervene in the matter to promulgate an Ordinance to amend the PCA (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Act, to de-notify the bulls from the notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, so as to lift the ban on Jallikkattu and preserve Tamil Nadu's culture and tradition. This would ensure that sport is conducted during this week-end, during the Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu," she said. The lifting of the ban on Jallikkattu would be the "ultimate joy" for Tamils not only in Tamil Nadu, but across the globe, which would ensure that the people of the state really celebrate the Pongal festival with traditional fervour and gaiety, she added. By AFP WASHINGTON: Barack Obama closes the book on his presidency Tuesday, with a farewell speech in Chicago that will try to lift supporters felled by Donald Trump's shock victory. Obama's last trip on Air Force One will be a pilgrimage to his adoptive hometown, where he will address a sell-out crowd not far from where he accepted the presidency eight years ago. Diehard fans -- many African Americans -- have braved Chicago's frigid winter to collect free tickets, which now sell for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist. The First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will come along on for the ride. Obama's cross-country trek would be a sentimental trip down memory lane, were it not slap-bang in the middle of a tumultuous presidential handover. Trump has smashed conventions, vowed to efface Obama's legacy and hurled personal insults left and right. The 2016 election campaign has raised serious questions about the resilience of US democracy. In a virtually unprecedented move, US intelligence has accused the Kremlin of tipping the electoral scales in Trump's favor. Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup. With an approval rating hovering around 55 percent, Obama will hope to steel them for new battles ahead. Lead speechwriter Cody Keenan said the address will be about Obama's vision for where the country should still go. "It's not going to be like an anti-Trump speech, it's not going to be a red meat, rabble rousing thing, it will be statesman-like but it will also be true to him," Keenan told AFP. "It will tell a story." Life after White House Trump's unorthodox politics has thrown 55-year-old Obama's transition and post-presidency plans into flux. Obama, having vowed a smooth handover of power, finds himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on January 20. After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself being dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents. Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obama's second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter -- whose post-presidency has remade his image as an elder statesman. Many Obama aides who had planned to take exotic holidays or launch coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches. Obama's foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role -- funneling idealistic youngsters into public life. Presidential precedent Presidents since George Washington have delivered a farewell address of sorts. Washington's final 7,641-word message -- which is still read once a year in the Senate by tradition -- contained warnings about factionalism and interference by foreign powers that seem oddly prescient. But speechwriter Keenan sees few obvious templates: "Bush and Clinton did theirs from here (the White House), George H.W. Bush went to West Point, gave a foreign policy speech," he told AFP. "They are all totally different." The trip to Chicago is not just for nostalgia, Keenan indicated. "The thread that has run though his career from his days as community organizer to the Oval Office is the idea that if you get ordinary people together and get them educated, get them empowered, get them to act on something, that's when good things happen," he said. "For him, as someone who started as a community organizer, whose campaign was powered by young people, ordinary people, we decided we wanted to go back to Chicago." "Chicago is not just his hometown, it's where his career started." And now it is also where Obama's presidential career will effectively end. WASHINGTON: Barack Obama closes the book on his presidency Tuesday, with a farewell speech in Chicago that will try to lift supporters felled by Donald Trump's shock victory. Obama's last trip on Air Force One will be a pilgrimage to his adoptive hometown, where he will address a sell-out crowd not far from where he accepted the presidency eight years ago. Diehard fans -- many African Americans -- have braved Chicago's frigid winter to collect free tickets, which now sell for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist. The First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will come along on for the ride. Obama's cross-country trek would be a sentimental trip down memory lane, were it not slap-bang in the middle of a tumultuous presidential handover. Trump has smashed conventions, vowed to efface Obama's legacy and hurled personal insults left and right. The 2016 election campaign has raised serious questions about the resilience of US democracy. In a virtually unprecedented move, US intelligence has accused the Kremlin of tipping the electoral scales in Trump's favor. Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup. With an approval rating hovering around 55 percent, Obama will hope to steel them for new battles ahead. Lead speechwriter Cody Keenan said the address will be about Obama's vision for where the country should still go. "It's not going to be like an anti-Trump speech, it's not going to be a red meat, rabble rousing thing, it will be statesman-like but it will also be true to him," Keenan told AFP. "It will tell a story." Life after White House Trump's unorthodox politics has thrown 55-year-old Obama's transition and post-presidency plans into flux. Obama, having vowed a smooth handover of power, finds himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on January 20. After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself being dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents. Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obama's second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter -- whose post-presidency has remade his image as an elder statesman. Many Obama aides who had planned to take exotic holidays or launch coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches. Obama's foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role -- funneling idealistic youngsters into public life. Presidential precedent Presidents since George Washington have delivered a farewell address of sorts. Washington's final 7,641-word message -- which is still read once a year in the Senate by tradition -- contained warnings about factionalism and interference by foreign powers that seem oddly prescient. But speechwriter Keenan sees few obvious templates: "Bush and Clinton did theirs from here (the White House), George H.W. Bush went to West Point, gave a foreign policy speech," he told AFP. "They are all totally different." The trip to Chicago is not just for nostalgia, Keenan indicated. "The thread that has run though his career from his days as community organizer to the Oval Office is the idea that if you get ordinary people together and get them educated, get them empowered, get them to act on something, that's when good things happen," he said. "For him, as someone who started as a community organizer, whose campaign was powered by young people, ordinary people, we decided we wanted to go back to Chicago." "Chicago is not just his hometown, it's where his career started." And now it is also where Obama's presidential career will effectively end. By Associated Press PARIS: French authorities are expecting 72 countries to attend Sunday's Middle East peace conference in Paris but not Israel or the Palestinians. Government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said Wednesday both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been invited to come to France after the conference to be informed of its conclusions. Netanyahu has declined the invitation saying only direct negotiations will produce a solution. Abbas is expected to visit the French capital at the end of the week on the sidelines of the conference. It was unclear whether he would meet French President Francois Hollande. Participants will include U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry. France wants "to restart the (negotiation) process at a moment when it has been largely abandoned," Le Foll said. PARIS: French authorities are expecting 72 countries to attend Sunday's Middle East peace conference in Paris but not Israel or the Palestinians. Government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said Wednesday both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been invited to come to France after the conference to be informed of its conclusions. Netanyahu has declined the invitation saying only direct negotiations will produce a solution. Abbas is expected to visit the French capital at the end of the week on the sidelines of the conference. It was unclear whether he would meet French President Francois Hollande. Participants will include U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry. France wants "to restart the (negotiation) process at a moment when it has been largely abandoned," Le Foll said. By AFP KANDAHAR: Five UAE officials were among 57 people killed in a string of bombings across Afghan cities, authorities said Wednesday, as Taliban militants step up a deadly winter campaign of violence. The Emiratis were among 12 people killed when explosives hidden in a sofa detonated inside the governor's compound in southern Kandahar on Tuesday, while the UAE's ambassador to Afghanistan escaped the attack with injuries. Just hours before, twin Taliban blasts in Kabul tore through a parliament annexe, which houses the offices of lawmakers, killing at least 38 people and wounding 86 others. And earlier Tuesday, a Taliban suicide bomber killed seven people in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province, as the militants ramp up nationwide attacks in frigid winter months, when fighting usually wanes. The carnage underscores growing insecurity in Afghanistan, where US-backed forces are struggling to combat a resilient Taliban insurgency as well as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants. Kandahar's governor Humayun Azizi and UAE envoy Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi were wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, said provincial police chief Abdul Raziq, who was present when the blast occurred. "I was in the room, but had to leave to offer my evening prayer," Raziq said. "I heard the boom from outside and when I came back I saw people were burning." Kandahar's deputy governor Abdul Shamsi was among the 12 people killed. Raziq blamed Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Taliban-allied Haqqani network for the attack, adding they had long been plotting to eliminate Kandahar's leadership. "The terrorist attack happened at a time when the ambassador and a number of UAE diplomats in Afghanistan were on a trip to Kandahar to lay the foundation stone of an orphanage," the Afghan foreign ministry said. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered three days of mourning "in honour of the martyrs who gave their lives in defence of humanitarian causes". President Ashraf Ghani condemned the bombing and ordered an investigation led by Afghanistan's National Security Council chief Hanif Atmar. The Taliban denied responsibility for the Kandahar attack, but said they were behind the Kabul blasts. In the first explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up next to a minibus transporting government employees. As rescuers reached the scene, a car bomb went off. Among the 38 dead were five policemen who were killed in the second explosion when they rushed to help the victims of the first blast. Relatives of the victims held tearful funerals in Kabul amid seething anger over rising insecurity. "It is a pity that our youth die in vain every day," said Feraidoon, the relative of a young victim who got married three months ago. "We spend a lifetime to raise our children and terrorists take them away in an instant." Condemning the Kabul bombings as a "barbaric attack", Ghani lashed out at the Taliban for killing civilians as officials beefed up security in the capital. "Such unprincipled, unlawful and deplorable attacks cause immense human suffering and make the peace that Afghans need and deserve even more difficult to achieve," the UN mission in Afghanistan said. Tuesday's carnage came just ten days before Donald Trump is sworn in as US president. The situation in Afghanistan will be an urgent matter for the new leader, but Trump has given few details on how he will tackle the war. Repeated bids to launch peace negotiations with the Taliban have failed and a fierce new fighting season is expected to kick off in the spring. Afghanistan last week welcomed the Pentagon's decision to deploy some 300 US Marines in the spring to Helmand, where American forces engaged in heated combat until they pulled out in 2014. The deployment to train Afghan forces is the latest sign that foreign forces are increasingly being drawn back into the worsening conflict. NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces were granted greater powers in June to strike at the insurgents as President Barack Obama vowed a more aggressive campaign. KANDAHAR: Five UAE officials were among 57 people killed in a string of bombings across Afghan cities, authorities said Wednesday, as Taliban militants step up a deadly winter campaign of violence. The Emiratis were among 12 people killed when explosives hidden in a sofa detonated inside the governor's compound in southern Kandahar on Tuesday, while the UAE's ambassador to Afghanistan escaped the attack with injuries. Just hours before, twin Taliban blasts in Kabul tore through a parliament annexe, which houses the offices of lawmakers, killing at least 38 people and wounding 86 others. And earlier Tuesday, a Taliban suicide bomber killed seven people in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province, as the militants ramp up nationwide attacks in frigid winter months, when fighting usually wanes. The carnage underscores growing insecurity in Afghanistan, where US-backed forces are struggling to combat a resilient Taliban insurgency as well as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants. Kandahar's governor Humayun Azizi and UAE envoy Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi were wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, said provincial police chief Abdul Raziq, who was present when the blast occurred. "I was in the room, but had to leave to offer my evening prayer," Raziq said. "I heard the boom from outside and when I came back I saw people were burning." Kandahar's deputy governor Abdul Shamsi was among the 12 people killed. Raziq blamed Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Taliban-allied Haqqani network for the attack, adding they had long been plotting to eliminate Kandahar's leadership. "The terrorist attack happened at a time when the ambassador and a number of UAE diplomats in Afghanistan were on a trip to Kandahar to lay the foundation stone of an orphanage," the Afghan foreign ministry said. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered three days of mourning "in honour of the martyrs who gave their lives in defence of humanitarian causes". President Ashraf Ghani condemned the bombing and ordered an investigation led by Afghanistan's National Security Council chief Hanif Atmar. The Taliban denied responsibility for the Kandahar attack, but said they were behind the Kabul blasts. In the first explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up next to a minibus transporting government employees. As rescuers reached the scene, a car bomb went off. Among the 38 dead were five policemen who were killed in the second explosion when they rushed to help the victims of the first blast. Relatives of the victims held tearful funerals in Kabul amid seething anger over rising insecurity. "It is a pity that our youth die in vain every day," said Feraidoon, the relative of a young victim who got married three months ago. "We spend a lifetime to raise our children and terrorists take them away in an instant." Condemning the Kabul bombings as a "barbaric attack", Ghani lashed out at the Taliban for killing civilians as officials beefed up security in the capital. "Such unprincipled, unlawful and deplorable attacks cause immense human suffering and make the peace that Afghans need and deserve even more difficult to achieve," the UN mission in Afghanistan said. Tuesday's carnage came just ten days before Donald Trump is sworn in as US president. The situation in Afghanistan will be an urgent matter for the new leader, but Trump has given few details on how he will tackle the war. Repeated bids to launch peace negotiations with the Taliban have failed and a fierce new fighting season is expected to kick off in the spring. Afghanistan last week welcomed the Pentagon's decision to deploy some 300 US Marines in the spring to Helmand, where American forces engaged in heated combat until they pulled out in 2014. The deployment to train Afghan forces is the latest sign that foreign forces are increasingly being drawn back into the worsening conflict. NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces were granted greater powers in June to strike at the insurgents as President Barack Obama vowed a more aggressive campaign. By PTI NEW YORK: An Indian-American, who was extradited from Mexico to the US for allegedly opening fire on an American diplomat, has been charged with attempted murder of "an internationally protected person", officials have said. Zia Zafar, 31, of Chino Hills, California, was identified as a naturalised American citizen from India by a spokesperson at the Jalisco state prosecutor's office in Mexico. He was charged by a criminal complaint with one count of attempted murder of an internationally protected person, US Justice Department said in a statement. Zafar made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday and is scheduled for a detention hearing on January 13 before US Magistrate Judge John F Anderson of the Eastern District of Virginia, it said. He was deported from Mexico and arrested on Monday on a criminal complaint charging him with the attempted murder of a diplomat stationed at the US Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico. On January 6, Zafar disguised himself and followed the Vice Consul of the US Consulate in Guadalajara through a parking garage to his vehicle, the criminal complaint said. After the diplomat got into his car and drove, Zafar allegedly shot him once in the chest and fled. He was taken to hospital, where he is recuperating, it said, adding that Zafar was subsequently detained by Mexican authorities. Security footage recorded just prior to the shooting showed the victim validating his parking lot ticket while carrying a gym bag. Moments later, he is followed by a man wearing a nurse's uniform. The charges in the criminal complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Diplomatic Security Service are probing the case with Mexican authorities and the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations. The Justice Department in the statement gratefully acknowledged Mexico for their extraordinary efforts, support and professionalism in responding to this incident. The FBI had offered USD 20,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the shooter. Hours after Zafar's arrest, the attorney general's office and the foreign ministry in a joint statement said he would face justice in the US for the "sordid and cowardly" shooting. NEW YORK: An Indian-American, who was extradited from Mexico to the US for allegedly opening fire on an American diplomat, has been charged with attempted murder of "an internationally protected person", officials have said. Zia Zafar, 31, of Chino Hills, California, was identified as a naturalised American citizen from India by a spokesperson at the Jalisco state prosecutor's office in Mexico. He was charged by a criminal complaint with one count of attempted murder of an internationally protected person, US Justice Department said in a statement. Zafar made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday and is scheduled for a detention hearing on January 13 before US Magistrate Judge John F Anderson of the Eastern District of Virginia, it said. He was deported from Mexico and arrested on Monday on a criminal complaint charging him with the attempted murder of a diplomat stationed at the US Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico. On January 6, Zafar disguised himself and followed the Vice Consul of the US Consulate in Guadalajara through a parking garage to his vehicle, the criminal complaint said. After the diplomat got into his car and drove, Zafar allegedly shot him once in the chest and fled. He was taken to hospital, where he is recuperating, it said, adding that Zafar was subsequently detained by Mexican authorities. Security footage recorded just prior to the shooting showed the victim validating his parking lot ticket while carrying a gym bag. Moments later, he is followed by a man wearing a nurse's uniform. The charges in the criminal complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Diplomatic Security Service are probing the case with Mexican authorities and the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations. The Justice Department in the statement gratefully acknowledged Mexico for their extraordinary efforts, support and professionalism in responding to this incident. The FBI had offered USD 20,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the shooter. Hours after Zafar's arrest, the attorney general's office and the foreign ministry in a joint statement said he would face justice in the US for the "sordid and cowardly" shooting. By Associated Press NEW YORK: A defiant President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday adamantly denied reports that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him, calling it a "tremendous blot" on the record of the intelligence community if material with any such allegations had been released. The incoming president, in his first news conference since late July, firmly chided news organizations for publishing the material late Tuesday night. After weeks of scoffing at reports that Russians had interfered in the election, he conceded publicly for the first time that Russia was likely responsible for the hacking of the Democratic National Committee. "As far as hacking, I think it was Russia," he said and quickly added that the United States is hacked by other countries as well, including China. Trump's extraordinary defense against the unsubstantiated intelligence report, just nine days before his inauguration, dominated a highly anticipated press conference in which he also announced a new Cabinet member, detailed his plans to disentangle himself from his sprawling global business empire, gave his outlook on the future of the "Obamacare" health care law and said he would soon nominate someone to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. "I think it's a disgrace that information would be let out. I saw the information, I read the information outside of that meeting," he said, a reference to a classified briefing he received from intelligence leaders. "It's all fake news, it's phony stuff, it didn't happen," Trump said in a news conference that saw him repeatedly joust with reporters. "It was gotten by opponents of ours." Asked about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump boasted that it is an improvement over what he called America's current "horrible relationship with Russia" and did not criticize the Russian leader for any interference in the election. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks, that's called an asset not a liability. I don't know if I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin I hope I do but there's a good chance I won't." Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer also denounced the report about Russia's influence on Trump, and the incoming president said it never should have been released. He thanked some news organizations for showing restraint. A U.S. official told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that intelligence officials had informed Trump last week about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not allowed to publicly discuss the matter. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence community's findings last week, the official said. Media outlets reported on the document late Tuesday and Trump denounced it on Twitter before his news conference as "fake news," suggesting he was being persecuted for defeating other GOP presidential hopefuls and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the election. The dossier contains unproven information about close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians about hacking into Democratic accounts as well as unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump among other suggestions attributed to anonymous sources. The Associated Press has not authenticated any of the claims. Only days from his inauguration as the nation's 45th president, Trump announced that he would nominate David Shulkin to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, elevating him from his current role as VA undersecretary. He promised that a replacement for the health care overhaul would be offered "essentially simultaneously" with the repeal of Obama's signature health law something that would be virtually impossible to quickly pass given the complexity of the policy changes. Republicans agree on repealing the law but nearly seven years after its passage have failed to reach agreement on its replacement. Trump has repeatedly said that repealing and replacing "Obamacare" was a top priority, but has never fully explained how he plans to do it. House Speaker Paul Ryan has said that the House would seek to take both steps "concurrently." Turning to his plans to build a border wall along the southern border, Trump said he would immediately begin negotiations with Mexico on funding his promised wall after he takes office. He again vowed that "Mexico will pay for the wall but it will be reimbursed." Trump recommitted to his plans to impose a border tax on manufacturers who shut plants and move production abroad. While the tax policy could retain jobs, it would also carry the risk of increasing prices for consumers. Trump also said he would probably name his choice to fill the vacancy left by the death of Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia in about two weeks after the inauguration. And he announced his plans for the future of the Trump Organization, bringing to the podium attorney Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis, who worked with the Trump Organization on the arrangement. Dillon said the Trump Organization would continue to pursue deals in the U.S., though Trump will relinquish control of the company to his sons and an executive, put his business assets in a trust and take other steps to isolate himself from his business. She said Trump "should not be expected to destroy the company he built." The move appears to contradict a previous pledge by the president-elect. In a tweet last month, Trump vowed to do "no new deals" while in office. The lawyer said Trump would donate all profits from foreign government payments to his hotels to the U.S. treasury. And pushing back against some ethics experts, Dillon said the so-called emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution does not apply to foreign payments to Trump's company. While some ethics officials have said that foreign leaders who pay for rooms and services at his various hotels would run afoul of the constitutional ban on foreign gifts or payments to the president, Dillon referred to it as a "fair-value exchange." NEW YORK: A defiant President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday adamantly denied reports that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him, calling it a "tremendous blot" on the record of the intelligence community if material with any such allegations had been released. The incoming president, in his first news conference since late July, firmly chided news organizations for publishing the material late Tuesday night. After weeks of scoffing at reports that Russians had interfered in the election, he conceded publicly for the first time that Russia was likely responsible for the hacking of the Democratic National Committee. "As far as hacking, I think it was Russia," he said and quickly added that the United States is hacked by other countries as well, including China. Trump's extraordinary defense against the unsubstantiated intelligence report, just nine days before his inauguration, dominated a highly anticipated press conference in which he also announced a new Cabinet member, detailed his plans to disentangle himself from his sprawling global business empire, gave his outlook on the future of the "Obamacare" health care law and said he would soon nominate someone to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. "I think it's a disgrace that information would be let out. I saw the information, I read the information outside of that meeting," he said, a reference to a classified briefing he received from intelligence leaders. "It's all fake news, it's phony stuff, it didn't happen," Trump said in a news conference that saw him repeatedly joust with reporters. "It was gotten by opponents of ours." Asked about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump boasted that it is an improvement over what he called America's current "horrible relationship with Russia" and did not criticize the Russian leader for any interference in the election. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks, that's called an asset not a liability. I don't know if I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin I hope I do but there's a good chance I won't." Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer also denounced the report about Russia's influence on Trump, and the incoming president said it never should have been released. He thanked some news organizations for showing restraint. A U.S. official told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that intelligence officials had informed Trump last week about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not allowed to publicly discuss the matter. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence community's findings last week, the official said. Media outlets reported on the document late Tuesday and Trump denounced it on Twitter before his news conference as "fake news," suggesting he was being persecuted for defeating other GOP presidential hopefuls and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the election. The dossier contains unproven information about close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians about hacking into Democratic accounts as well as unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump among other suggestions attributed to anonymous sources. The Associated Press has not authenticated any of the claims. Only days from his inauguration as the nation's 45th president, Trump announced that he would nominate David Shulkin to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, elevating him from his current role as VA undersecretary. He promised that a replacement for the health care overhaul would be offered "essentially simultaneously" with the repeal of Obama's signature health law something that would be virtually impossible to quickly pass given the complexity of the policy changes. Republicans agree on repealing the law but nearly seven years after its passage have failed to reach agreement on its replacement. Trump has repeatedly said that repealing and replacing "Obamacare" was a top priority, but has never fully explained how he plans to do it. House Speaker Paul Ryan has said that the House would seek to take both steps "concurrently." Turning to his plans to build a border wall along the southern border, Trump said he would immediately begin negotiations with Mexico on funding his promised wall after he takes office. He again vowed that "Mexico will pay for the wall but it will be reimbursed." Trump recommitted to his plans to impose a border tax on manufacturers who shut plants and move production abroad. While the tax policy could retain jobs, it would also carry the risk of increasing prices for consumers. Trump also said he would probably name his choice to fill the vacancy left by the death of Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia in about two weeks after the inauguration. And he announced his plans for the future of the Trump Organization, bringing to the podium attorney Sheri Dillon of Morgan Lewis, who worked with the Trump Organization on the arrangement. Dillon said the Trump Organization would continue to pursue deals in the U.S., though Trump will relinquish control of the company to his sons and an executive, put his business assets in a trust and take other steps to isolate himself from his business. She said Trump "should not be expected to destroy the company he built." The move appears to contradict a previous pledge by the president-elect. In a tweet last month, Trump vowed to do "no new deals" while in office. The lawyer said Trump would donate all profits from foreign government payments to his hotels to the U.S. treasury. And pushing back against some ethics experts, Dillon said the so-called emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution does not apply to foreign payments to Trump's company. While some ethics officials have said that foreign leaders who pay for rooms and services at his various hotels would run afoul of the constitutional ban on foreign gifts or payments to the president, Dillon referred to it as a "fair-value exchange." By Associated Press WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama didn't just say farewell to the nation. He said goodbye to Air Force One, too. Obama's roundtrip to his Chicago hometown, where he delivered the speech, marked the 445th time that he's flown aboard the familiar, eye-catching blue and white U.S. government airplane with the presidential insignia emblazoned on the side, according to White House press secretary Josh Earnest. The plane goes by the call sign "Air Force One" whenever the sitting president is on board. But no more for Obama. Tuesday's flight was almost certainly the last one for him before he leaves office in nine days, on Jan. 20. Obama's first Air Force One flight came a few weeks into his presidency, when he flew to Williamsburg, Virginia, on Feb. 5, 2009, to address a meeting of House Democrats. "It's pretty nice," Obama said of the aircraft after he stepped aboard for the first time. Since then and up until Tuesday, Air Force One flew 2,799 hours and six minutes with Obama as a passenger, or the equivalent of 116 days, Earnest said. The destinations include 56 different countries and 49 states, with Maryland as the sole exception. It fits a category of its own, as the presidential jet is housed at Joint Base Andrews in suburban Prince George's County, Maryland. Obama spoke as recently as last week about his affection for Air Force One. For one thing, he doesn't have to take off his shoes as most commercial air travelers are required to do. "Of all the privileges of this office, and there are many, I will miss Air Force One," Obama said at an Armed Forces farewell ceremony in his honor. By tradition, Obama is still entitled to one more flight aboard a government aircraft, and that will take place moments after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office. It just won't be referred to as Air Force One in that instance because Obama will have ceded the title of "president." The White House has yet to say where the Obamas plan to fly for vacation, but the president recently told Oprah Winfrey that the destination will be "someplace warm." Before the flight to Chicago, Obama spent time with the members of the Presidential Airlift Group, the Air Force personnel who take care of Air Force One. WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama didn't just say farewell to the nation. He said goodbye to Air Force One, too. Obama's roundtrip to his Chicago hometown, where he delivered the speech, marked the 445th time that he's flown aboard the familiar, eye-catching blue and white U.S. government airplane with the presidential insignia emblazoned on the side, according to White House press secretary Josh Earnest. The plane goes by the call sign "Air Force One" whenever the sitting president is on board. But no more for Obama. Tuesday's flight was almost certainly the last one for him before he leaves office in nine days, on Jan. 20. Obama's first Air Force One flight came a few weeks into his presidency, when he flew to Williamsburg, Virginia, on Feb. 5, 2009, to address a meeting of House Democrats. "It's pretty nice," Obama said of the aircraft after he stepped aboard for the first time. Since then and up until Tuesday, Air Force One flew 2,799 hours and six minutes with Obama as a passenger, or the equivalent of 116 days, Earnest said. The destinations include 56 different countries and 49 states, with Maryland as the sole exception. It fits a category of its own, as the presidential jet is housed at Joint Base Andrews in suburban Prince George's County, Maryland. Obama spoke as recently as last week about his affection for Air Force One. For one thing, he doesn't have to take off his shoes as most commercial air travelers are required to do. "Of all the privileges of this office, and there are many, I will miss Air Force One," Obama said at an Armed Forces farewell ceremony in his honor. By tradition, Obama is still entitled to one more flight aboard a government aircraft, and that will take place moments after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office. It just won't be referred to as Air Force One in that instance because Obama will have ceded the title of "president." The White House has yet to say where the Obamas plan to fly for vacation, but the president recently told Oprah Winfrey that the destination will be "someplace warm." Before the flight to Chicago, Obama spent time with the members of the Presidential Airlift Group, the Air Force personnel who take care of Air Force One. By Online Desk The 44th President of the United States of America on Tuesday delivered his farewell speech in his hometown of Chicago, moving the citizens to tears. The POTUS who ended an era of his administration with the words, Yes, we can, yes we did, yes we can, in his valedictory speech argued that his faith in America has been confirmed and that he ended his tenure has been inspired by "boundless capacity" for reinvention. Obama also quoted the famous and unforgettable lines by the character Atticus Finch in Harper Lees novel, To Kill A Mocking Bird, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." To the American citizens: Tonight, its my turn to say thanks. Every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man. I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. Its the insistence that...We, the People, through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union. Change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. On racism: Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. Ive lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10, or 20, or 30 years ago, no matter what folks say. On immigrants: If were unwilling to invest in the children of immigrants...we diminish the prospects of our own children. Last year, incomes rose for all races, all age groups, for men and for women. On opportunities ahead: Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination in hiring, in housing, in education and the criminal justice system. For too many of us, its become safer to retreat into our own bubblessurrounded by people who look like us. Eight years of POTUS: In the past eight years we've: Cut dependence on foreign oil, Doubled renewable energy, Signed the Paris Agreement On the future generation: Without bolder action, our children wont have time to debate...climate change; theyll be busy dealing with its effects. On terrorism: No foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years. We've taken out tens of thousands of terrorists, including Osama bin Laden. ISIL will be destroyed, no one who threatens America will ever be safe. On democracy: Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes. Our democracy...needs you. Not just when theres an election...but over the full span of a lifetime To his staff at the White House: Ive watched you grow up, get married, have kids, and start incredible new journeys of your own. To wife and First Lady, Michelle Obama: Michelle...for the past twenty-five years, you have been not only my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model To daughters Malia and Sasha: Malia and Sasha...you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful. "Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad. To Vice-President, Joe Biden: To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delawares favorite son: you were the first decision I made as a nominee & the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother. To Americans: To...every American who lived & breathed the hard work of changeyou are the best supporters and organizers anyone could hope for. You know that constant change has been Americas hallmark, something not to fear but to embrace. My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. We must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. Thank you for everything. My last ask is the same as my first. I'm asking you to believenot in my ability to create change, but in yours. President Obama (@POTUS) January 11, 2017 The 44th President of the United States of America on Tuesday delivered his farewell speech in his hometown of Chicago, moving the citizens to tears. The POTUS who ended an era of his administration with the words, Yes, we can, yes we did, yes we can, in his valedictory speech argued that his faith in America has been confirmed and that he ended his tenure has been inspired by "boundless capacity" for reinvention. Obama also quoted the famous and unforgettable lines by the character Atticus Finch in Harper Lees novel, To Kill A Mocking Bird, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." To the American citizens: Tonight, its my turn to say thanks. Every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man. I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. Its the insistence that...We, the People, through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union. Change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it. On racism: Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. Ive lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10, or 20, or 30 years ago, no matter what folks say. On immigrants: If were unwilling to invest in the children of immigrants...we diminish the prospects of our own children. Last year, incomes rose for all races, all age groups, for men and for women. On opportunities ahead: Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination in hiring, in housing, in education and the criminal justice system. For too many of us, its become safer to retreat into our own bubblessurrounded by people who look like us. Eight years of POTUS: In the past eight years we've: Cut dependence on foreign oil, Doubled renewable energy, Signed the Paris Agreement On the future generation: Without bolder action, our children wont have time to debate...climate change; theyll be busy dealing with its effects. On terrorism: No foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years. We've taken out tens of thousands of terrorists, including Osama bin Laden. ISIL will be destroyed, no one who threatens America will ever be safe. On democracy: Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes. Our democracy...needs you. Not just when theres an election...but over the full span of a lifetime To his staff at the White House: Ive watched you grow up, get married, have kids, and start incredible new journeys of your own. To wife and First Lady, Michelle Obama: Michelle...for the past twenty-five years, you have been not only my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model To daughters Malia and Sasha: Malia and Sasha...you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful. "Of all that Ive done in my life, Im most proud to be your dad. To Vice-President, Joe Biden: To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delawares favorite son: you were the first decision I made as a nominee & the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother. To Americans: To...every American who lived & breathed the hard work of changeyou are the best supporters and organizers anyone could hope for. You know that constant change has been Americas hallmark, something not to fear but to embrace. My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. We must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. Thank you for everything. My last ask is the same as my first. I'm asking you to believenot in my ability to create change, but in yours. President Obama (@POTUS) January 11, 2017 By PTI ISLAMABAD: In a U-turn, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif today said that former army chief Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not seek government's permission before joining the Saudi-led 39-nation military alliance. "Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not submit any application for a no objection certificate (NOC). There's nothing in our notice," the defence minister said in response to Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani's query. Asif said the former army chief had returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia and if he applies for the NOC, then it will be decided according to law, the Express Tribune reported. Senate Chairman Rabbani on Monday asked Asif to brief the House whether Gen Raheel had sought permission from the government or taken it into confidence over his decision to head the Saudi-led military alliance to combat terrorism. Rabbani had also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify what would be the implications of the decision in terms of foreign policy and its effect on a decision, taken at the joint sitting of parliament, not to become part of any such alliance. Earlier, Defence Minister Asif said last Friday that the former army chief had been appointed the commander of the Saudi-led military coalition. He went on to say that the government was taken into confidence about the former army chiefs new role. Questioning whether the government's permission was sought before Raheel "accepted" the role, Rabbani had asked Asif as to who confirmed his appointment and what the rules were for a retired army officer to take up such a position. From a few politicians to retired army officers, journalists, intellectuals all questioned the decision of a former Pakistani army chief to join a foreign military alliance less than two months after his retirement. Pakistani leaders were initially taken aback when Saudi Arabia, without proper consultation with them, had announced in 2015 that Islamabad was also part of the new alliance. Iran was not included in the grouping which appeared as a vague attempt to forge a Sunni Muslim alliance against Shiite Iran to curtail its influence in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and rest of the Middle East. Pakistan was in an unenviable position as it has good ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. It was also not ready to be dragged into the politics of Middle East. Later, Pakistan confirmed its participation in the alliance, but had said that the scope of its participation would be defined after Riyadh shared the details of the coalition it was assembling. According to Saudi Arabia, the alliance is formed to fight ISIS and other militant outfits. ISLAMABAD: In a U-turn, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif today said that former army chief Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not seek government's permission before joining the Saudi-led 39-nation military alliance. "Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not submit any application for a no objection certificate (NOC). There's nothing in our notice," the defence minister said in response to Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani's query. Asif said the former army chief had returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia and if he applies for the NOC, then it will be decided according to law, the Express Tribune reported. Senate Chairman Rabbani on Monday asked Asif to brief the House whether Gen Raheel had sought permission from the government or taken it into confidence over his decision to head the Saudi-led military alliance to combat terrorism. Rabbani had also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify what would be the implications of the decision in terms of foreign policy and its effect on a decision, taken at the joint sitting of parliament, not to become part of any such alliance. Earlier, Defence Minister Asif said last Friday that the former army chief had been appointed the commander of the Saudi-led military coalition. He went on to say that the government was taken into confidence about the former army chiefs new role. Questioning whether the government's permission was sought before Raheel "accepted" the role, Rabbani had asked Asif as to who confirmed his appointment and what the rules were for a retired army officer to take up such a position. From a few politicians to retired army officers, journalists, intellectuals all questioned the decision of a former Pakistani army chief to join a foreign military alliance less than two months after his retirement. Pakistani leaders were initially taken aback when Saudi Arabia, without proper consultation with them, had announced in 2015 that Islamabad was also part of the new alliance. Iran was not included in the grouping which appeared as a vague attempt to forge a Sunni Muslim alliance against Shiite Iran to curtail its influence in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and rest of the Middle East. Pakistan was in an unenviable position as it has good ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. It was also not ready to be dragged into the politics of Middle East. Later, Pakistan confirmed its participation in the alliance, but had said that the scope of its participation would be defined after Riyadh shared the details of the coalition it was assembling. According to Saudi Arabia, the alliance is formed to fight ISIS and other militant outfits. China won't allow bullying from U.S. on Taiwan: Chinese media Beijing [China], Jan. 10 : Calling the recent U.S- Taiwan engagement an orchestrated show, the Chinese Media has said that Beijing won't allow any bullying from Washington on the Taiwan question. (Posted on 10 January 2017, 1667576445 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/us-news.php (Posted on 10 January 2017, 1667576445 173O212O198O32) Beijing surely hopes to keep a stable relationship with Washington, but it won't allow any bullying from the US over the Taiwan question, which is germane for the Chinese leadership in assessing the intentions of the US policy, said an article in the Global Times."He (Donald Trump) will likely continue to stir up troubles concerning Taiwan. To be specific, he may enhance the level of U.S.-Taiwan exchanges and facilitate more bilateral interactions between military officials. He may also increase the arms sales to Taiwan. Trump is also expected to financially back Taiwan by signing bilateral investment and trade agreement," said the article.The article added that Trump's trade advisor Peter Navarro wrote in November on Foreign Policy that the Obama administration's treatment of Taiwan is "egregious" and the "beacon of democracy in Asia is perhaps the most militarily vulnerable US partner" in the world,it said.Posing Russia as an example, the article said that the Barack Obama administration in handling the Ukraine crisis underestimated how firm Russia could be to defend its own interests and hence the bilateral relations plunged to the lowest ebb, adding that now Trump and his transition team are severely underestimating the possibility of strong reactions from China, though Beijing has so far exercised restraint.Many of Trump's advisors were pro-Taiwan or have economic links with the island, and he has picked multiple hawks with military background as his aids. This adds to his chances of making missteps and taking risks when it comes to China, it added.The article comes after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen stopped over in the U.S. on her way to Nicaragua, Salvador and Guatemala.While Tsai did not meet with US President-elect Trump or any members of his transition team during her US stay, she met with senior U.S .Republican lawmakers Ted Cruz and Greg Abbott, adding to tensions with China after Trump broke diplomatic protocol by speaking on the phone with her. Sorry, that page not found! Please visit our Home Page for latest updates AAP hinting at Kejriwal as CM proves it doesn't trust Punjabis: Sukhbir Badal Amritsar (Punjab) , Jan. 10 : Reacting to the shocking announcement made by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia hinting at Arvind Kejriwal for the post of Punjab's chief minister, the ruling Shiromi Akhali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday called on the Punjabi community in the state not to trust the actions of an 'anti-Punjab' party. (Posted on 10 January 2017, 1667576448 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/punjab-news.php (Posted on 10 January 2017, 1667576448 173O212O198O32) "By asking people to vote for @ArvindKejriwal as CM of Pb, Manish Sisodia has exposed their plan. AAP has proven it does not trust Punjabis (sic)," Tweeted Badal.The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister further alleged that the state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) deliberately sidelined Sucha Singh Chhotepur Bhagwant Mann and Himmat Singh to pave the way for Kejriwal."Sisodia's announcement proves that @SChotepur was thrown out to pave the way for @ArvindKejriwal," he said."They also forced @BhagwantMann & Himmat Singh Shergill to fight from Jalalabad & Majitha to remove contenders who could challenge Kejriwal," he added.Dropping a major bombshell ahead of Punjab polls, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia asked the people to vote assuming they are voting for Arvind Kejriwal."Punjab voter has the opportunity vent out their outburst on February 4.I appeal to people to vote as if they are voting for Kejriwal. Their vote belongs to Kejriwal. Whatever has been promised by us, Kejriwal will fulfil his promises," he told reporters here.Incidentally, in one of his recent rallies, Kejriwal had announced that a Dalit will be the deputy chief minister of Punjab if his party comes to power in the state.State Assembly polls in Punjab are scheduled for February 4 and results will be announced on March 11. Two-day 20th National Conference on e-Governance concludes in Visakhapatnam New Delhi, Jan 10 : The two-day National Conference on e-Governance concluded in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. (Posted on 10 January 2017, 1667576449 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/andhra-pradesh-news.php (Posted on 10 January 2017, 1667576449 173O212O198O32) The Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Law Justice P.P. Chaudhary chaired the valedictory session of the 20th National Conference on e-Governance.Addressing on the occasion, P.P. Chaudhary said that there is a need for bridging the digital divide between the urban and rural areas.He said the Union government promotes research and development and innovative eco-system of Information Technology and also encourages acquisition of the Intellectual Property Rights by Indians.The Minister further said that Cyber Security is the need of the hour and artificial intelligence will provide solutions to the problem of cyber security.There is also need for development of Nano technology and Nano electronics which helps for imparting value based education based on Mission mode Nano Electronics.India will be in a position to manufacture electronics devices and products in the country very soon, he added.Image: Subhodeep Sardar/IBNS Modi addresses Gujarat Summit, urges participants to derive benefit from it Gandhinagar, Jan 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017 where he urged participants to reach out to each other and to derive the greatest benefit from this summit. (Posted on 10 January 2017, 1667576450 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/gujarat-news.php (Posted on 10 January 2017, 1667576450 173O212O198O32) The four-day Gujarat summit is being held at the Mahatma Mandir convention hall in Gujarat capital Gandhinagar.The summit, held once every two years, was launched in 2003 by PM Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.Speaking at the event, Modi highlighted on the strength of democracy.As I have often said Indias strength lies in the three Ds: Democracy, Demography and Demand. Our biggest strength is the depth of our Democracy. Some people say that democracy cannot deliver effective and fast track governance. But we have seen in the last two and a half years that it is possible to deliver quick results in a democratic set up as well, Modi said.Coming to Demography, ours is a nation of vibrant youth. The disciplined, dedicated, and talented youth of India offers a globally unmatched work-force. We are the second largest English speaking country. Our youth are not merely looking for jobs. They have begun taking risks and often prefer to become Entrepreneurs, the PM said.On the Demand front, he said th rising middle class offers a huge domestic market.He said India has become the fastest growing major economy in the world.Despite the global slowdown, we have registered excellent growth.Today, India is a bright spot in the global economy. We are seen as the engine of global growth, PM Modi said.The PM said World Bank, IMF and other institutions have projected even better growth in the coming days.In 2014-15, India contributed 12.5 per cent of global growth. Its contribution to global growth is sixty eight per cent higher, than its share of the world economy, said he.Modi said creating an enabling environment for business, and attracting investments, is his top priority.We have to do this in order to create opportunities for our youth. With that spirit, we are moving towards implementation of some historic initiatives. This includes the Goods and Services Tax, said he. Fashion Alert! Victoria Beckham says 'don't mess with your b**bs' Washington D.C. [USA], Jan. 11 : Victoria Beckham, a name synonymous to high style and fashion, too had her infamous fashion phases. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576451 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576451 173O212O198O32) Hence, the fashionista, recently, penned a letter to her 18-year-old self for British Vogue, where she regretted 'messing with' breast implants, reports People magazine.Victoria, who had visible changes in her cup sizes over the years, regretted it and wrote, "I should probably say, don't mess with your boobs," adding, "all those years I denied it - stupid. A sign of insecurity. Just celebrate what you've got."The businesswoman even spoke about her marriage in the letter.She and her very hot husband David Beckham are together for 17 years and as she said, 'effort' was the reason for that longevity."In marriage: have patience. Bite your tongue. Be supportive. And preserve a bit of mystique," she wrote, "Never let yourself go completely (at least brush your hair, clean your teeth, have a bit of a brow going on because you will always want him to look at you and feel attracted)."On a related note, Victoria Beckham has been recently honoured by Queen Elizabeth in New Year's Honor List, 13 years after her husband received his OBE. War's still on! Johnny Depp-Amber heard indulge in mutual attacks Washington D.C. [USA], Jan. 11 : Looks like Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's fight is yet not over, even after breaking all the ties. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576451 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576451 173O212O198O32) The 30-year-old actress recently filed legal documents, claiming the 'Black Mass' actor has defied their settlement by refusing to pay her installments for the seven million dollars settlement they struck, reports TMZ.Firing back, Depp said Heard has dragged her feet in the settlement and not signed the documents needed to seal the deal.Adding to this, the actor, who asked the judge to slap his former wife with 1,00,000 dollars in sanctions, stated that Heard doesn't really want the divorce.His lawyers, in legal documents, said, "It is clear that she is intent on prolonging resolution and continuing litigation as long as the public's attention will allow."On other hand, in her declaration, the 30-year-old actress stated that it is Depp who has dragged his feet in the divorce. She said in her documents, "I want my life back. I want to be divorced from Johnny now." People looking for opportunity to vent out anger against Modi, says Kharge Gulbarga (Karnataka) , Jan. 11 : Expressing confidence ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Congress on Wednesday said things would not be the same for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as they were during 2014 Lok Sabha elections and that people are looking for an opportunity to vent out their anger against him. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576452 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576452 173O212O198O32) Hinting towards the problems the poor, farmer and small scale traders had to face post demonetisation, leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said "BJP won't get the same percentage of votes as it got in 2014 Lok Sabha elections because the farmer is angry, poor is angry, small traders are troubled.""People have been heavily affected by demonetisation and they are now looking for an opportunity to vent out their ire against him (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) in some or the other form," Kharge added.With the intention of breaking Prime Minister Modi's expectations of marking victory in the upcoming elections, Kharge said people would no more support him now."Modi ji's expectation of winning in all the five states due to demonetisation and that he is going to get backing from people is wrong. People are realising that what Modi ji did was wrong," he said.The opposition had put a united front against Prime Minister Modi's demonetisation drive, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) even asking for its rollback.Terming it a 'scam', the Congress even demanded a judicial probe into the "demonetisation scam." Iran finally receives Haj invite from Saudi Arabia London [UK], Jan. 11 : Iran has said that it has finally received an official invitation from Saudi Arabia for its pilgrims to attend this year's Haj. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576452 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/middle-east-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576452 173O212O198O32) There was no official Iranian delegation at last year's Haj after Saudi Arabia severed relations with Iran following the torching of its missions in Tehran and Mashhad by protesters last January, reports the Guardian.The tone is "not that much different from past letters", Haj affairs representative Ali Ghazi Askar said, adding that Iran would respond in the coming days.Negotiations for Iranian pilgrims to join last year's Haj broke down over the questions of where their visas should be issued and how their security could be assured following the deaths of 464 in a stampede at the Haj site in 2015.The Saudi-owned Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Dec 30 that Saudi Pilgrimage Minister Mohammed Bentin had opened discussions with more than 80 countries, including Iran, on the arrangements for the 2017 Haj. Former Indian Minister Manish Tewari joins Atlantic Council as senior fellow New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Atlantic Council has announced that former Union Minister Manish Tewari will join it as a senior fellow at the South Asia Center. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576454 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576454 173O212O198O32) Tewari was the minister of information and broadcasting from October 2012 to May 2014.Tewari previously served as a member of parliament of India from Ludhiana and is currently the national spokesperson of the Indian National Congress.At the Council, Tewari will focus on programming aimed at strengthening US-India relations.Atlantic Council South Asia Center Director Bharath Gopalaswamy said in a statement, We are delighted to welcome Manish Tewari to our team. We are eager to draw on his expertise from his years of service to the government of India, and he will be an invaluable addition to the South Asia Center team as we look to deepen our programming on India and the subcontinent.In assuming his new position Tewari said, I am honored to be associated with such a distinguished institution as the Atlantic Council. South Asia is a region with complex traditional and human security challenges that is home to almost two billion people. As the new administration takes shape, I look forward to working with the Councils South Asia Center to develop programming on how the new administration can best engage with the region to strengthen key relationships.Among the ten regional and thematic centers, the South Asia Center places on-the-ground execution and cultivation at the core of its mission in addition to fostering programs that are sustainable and innovative from year to year. It is a solution-oriented program focused on fostering development and cooperation in South Asia and its periphery. Nawaz Sharif visits Katas Raj Temples complex, says Pakistan will soon be considered a 'minorities-friendly' nation Islamabad [Pakistan], Jan.11 : Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said the day is not far when Pakistan will be recognised as a minorities-friendly country during a visit to the Katas Raj Temples complex in Chakwal. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576459 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576459 173O212O198O32) "We have promoted the vision with our actions that 'to each his own faith, as humanity is our common asset'," the Dawn quoted Sharif, as saying.He said that he has advised government officials to spare no efforts in hosting pilgrims and the protection and expansion of minorities' places of worship.He said he would ensure his full support for the construction of Baba Guru Nanak and Gandhara universities.Sharif referred to historic examples to elaborate that it was a part of the Islamic faith to treat the majority and minorities equally.He said according to the Holy Quran, the God is the God of everyone and "not just Muslims", adding that there should be no distinction on the basis of caste, colour or creed because "we are all one as human beings".Sharif said he is the prime minister of everyone and "not just Muslims" and instructed Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq to restore the holy sites in the area to their original state by renovating them.He also said that terrorism in Pakistan has been controlled and the country is enjoying an economic revival.The Pakistan premier earlier inaugurated a water filtration plant in the complex. The filtration plant set up at the temple's holy Amrat Jal pond will provide clean drinking water to the Hindu pilgrims visiting the place.Sharif also planted a sapling on temple premises.He also visited different sections of the temple where he was briefed about its historic significance.Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yusuf and ETPB Chairman Siddiqul Farooq accompanied the prime minister. Kim Kardashian shares adorable pic of her 'boys' Washington D.C. [USA], Jan.11 : Now that she is back on social media, Kim Kardashian West is making up for her absence by flooding her accounts with photos from her home life with husband Kanye West and children. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576460 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576460 173O212O198O32) The 36-year-old took to Instagram to share a heartwarming, retro-filtered picture of her hubby, and their 1-year-old son, Saint, which she captioned "My boys," along with a heart emoji.The 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' star also shared a pic showing her lounging around on a green couch while Saint and her 3-year-old daughter, North, play together in the background.The reality star's return to Instagram kicked off in full at the start of the new year, when she shared her "first selfie of 2017" on Snapchat, posing with her mom, Kris Jenner.Kardashian took a three-month hiatus from social media following her Paris robbery in October, where she was held at gunpoint in her hotel. Here's when Matt Demon's 'The Great Wall' releases in India Mumbai (Maharashtra) , Jan. 11 : Good news for all Indian fans of Matt Demon! The Academy Award-winner's upcoming 3D action-thriller, 'The Great Wall' is all set to release in the country on February 3, 2017. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576460 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576460 173O212O198O32) The film, directed by Zhang Yimou, tells the story of an elite force making a valiant stand for humanity on one of the world's most iconic structures.Damon stars as William Garin, a battle-scarred mercenary and master archer taken captive by a secret army of elite warriors known as The Nameless Order.The action-fantasy marks director Zhang Yimou's first English-language production and the largest film ever shot entirely in China.The flick also stars Jing Tian ('Police Story 2013', 'Pacific Rim 2'), Pedro Pascal ('Narcos', 'Game of Thrones') and Willem Dafoe ('Platoon', 'Shadow of the Vampire', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'). Note ban: TMC leaders meet President Pranab Mukherjee New Delhi, Jan 11 : A team of Trinamool Congress MPs on Wednesday met president Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here to appraise him on the situation the country is currently facing since the Centre announced its note ban move on Nov 8. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576461 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/west-bengal-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576461 173O212O198O32) The TMC said the situaion in the country following the move was like super-emergency.The TMC leaders staged a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan at the end of their three-day nationwide anti-demonetisation stir.In its Memorandum to the President, the party said: Sir, as the custodian of the Constitution of our country, we appeal to you to intervene to take care of our people and save them from harm. We look to you, Sir, to bring an end to this unprecedented super-emergency.Speaking to reporters, after meeting the President, TMC MP Saugata Roy said the party will continue to fight for the people of the nation.Our MPs are being hounded. Our fight will continue for the rights of the people, he said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Nov 8 announced the move of banning old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 currency notes.Image: AITC Twitter page Consul General of India celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Toronto Toronto, Jan 11 : The Consul General of India (CGI) office in Toronto on Monday celebrated the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) to engage with the Indian diaspora and enable them to share their experiences in various fields. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576462 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576462 173O212O198O32) In spite of the inclement weather, there were about 60 people present to celebrate this event under the aegis of Consul General of India Dinesh Bhatia.CGI Bhatia said, On this day 102 years back, the great leader Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on Jan. 9, 1915 and thereafter his struggle for freedom changed the lives of Indians forever.He said, the gathering was to reaffirm our roots as we take pride and gain sustenance from our ancestors.He said, The synergy of the west and east that we represent provide us with a unique position and opportunities to share knowledge between our homeland and Canada.Bhatia said, Each Indian living abroad was an ambassador representing India in one form or another.He also said ever since he became the CGI in Toronto in 2016, he has been successful in getting nearly 54 community organizations to be registered with CGI. He said that due to further advancement in communication technology just with one click he was able to share information with thousands of people across Ontario.Bhatia said there were many NRIs and PIOs (People of Indian Origin) who made significant contributions to Canada in their own fields.Some of them present at the meet were Ruby Sahota, MP of Brampton North; Ajay Tandon, Director-Tourism and Hospitality Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce; Gurbax Singh Malhi, P.C. Member of Parliament Canada; Joe Li, Regional Councillor, Markham; and Sam Chopra of South Asians in Ontario.The occasion was marked by announcements of awards in recognition of the contributions of individuals of exceptional merit.Bhatia announced that Mukund Purohit from Toronto was one of the 30 Indo-Canadian awardees to receive the award from the President of India on Monday.The dignitaries and guests thanked Bhatia for hosting this event.Usha Venkatesan, Consul (Culture, Information Community Welfare), gave the welcome speech.A few said that instead of being represented as South Asians by some of the Indo-Canadian media, they should be represented as Indo-Canadians.(Reporting and Image of Dinesh Bhatia by Asha Bajaj) Orange Mantra accorded in mobility consulting, SME at CIO CHOICE 2017 New Delhi , Jan 11 : Orange Mantra has been recognized with the CIO CHOICE 2017 honor and recognition for 'Mobility Consulting' sub-category under Enterprise Mobility at an exclusive Red Carpet Night, The Lalit, Mumbai on 6th January 2017. (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576462 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php (Posted on 11 January 2017, 1667576462 173O212O198O32) Orange Mantra bagged the award amidst a gathering of hundreds of CIOs and ICT business leaders. The winners of CIO CHOICE 2017 was determined by an independent CIO voting survey across the country on product performance, customer satisfaction and continued customer service.The CIO CHOICE honor and recognition, organized by the Centre of Recognition and Excellence (CORE), is an independent CIOs and ICT Vendors integration platform helping the CIO community to connect with the vendors who offer the most preferred products, services and solutions.Vinit Choudhary, CEO of Orange Mantra said, "The recognition emphasizes Orange Mantra's commitment in delivering excellence to its customers. We are privileged to get our work acknowledged and making a winning debut demonstrated our leadership position and dedication in generating disruption in the domain of Enterprise Mobility. At this winning moment, I am happy to share that we have augmented our services to Middleware Software Development Services to help the clients in bridging the gap of disparate applications and thus integrating the IT architecture of their firm."Anoop Mathur, President, CORE congratulated Orange Mantra for winning the CIO CHOICE 2017 recognition for Mobility Consulting, SME. (ANI-NewsVoir) 3 Newport County teams are one win from playing for a title The playoffs are underway, and there are teams still alive, while others have been eliminated. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy and windy. High around 75F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Windy. Thunderstorms becoming likely late. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible. Columnist Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich). For families who have been affected by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), it is essential that there is access to a strong support network to help them cope with the experience. Most parents have a period of grieving and may also experience feelings of guilt. Additionally, the sudden and unexpected nature of the infant death warrants a mandatory police investigation into the cause of death, which can be very distressing for affected families. Support within the family Parents who have been affected by SIDS should be encouraged to be as open as possible with each other. A traumatic experience such as the loss of a child can increase stress levels and put a strain on a marriage, particularly if there are feelings of guilt or blame involved. It is best to talk through these feelings and doubts. It can take a long time to come completely to terms with the incident and make peace with the situation. The parents and immediate family will feel the loss of the infant most acutely, so banding together to support each other is essential. Some couples may find that counseling helps to mediate the process and express feelings to each other. Support from others Many parents and families affected by SIDS find it comforting to talk about the experience with other individuals who have been through the same thing. It can be difficult for other people who have not been through SIDS to understand the gravity of the situation and discussing the challenges with someone who truly understands can be useful. There are usually support groups organized in most large cities and people who live in remote locations may be able to find support in an online SIDS chat room. Additionally, some individuals may feel the need to talk through the issue with a counselor or clergy member, depending on the beliefs and needs of the individual. In the United Kingdom, the Lullaby Trust is a service that provides advice and support for bereaved families who have been affected by SIDS, and there are similar services in other regions of the world. Additionally, the Babyloss and Sands websites have useful information available, which may help parent and families to cope with the situation. Counseling and psychotherapy Some individuals affected by SIDS may benefit from counseling or psychotherapy to cope with the loss of the infant. This may include support from a social worker, psychologist, nurse, psychiatrist or other health professional, either in a group or one-on-one setting. Relaxation techniques to deal with feelings of anxiety can also be useful. Examples of these include yoga, meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation. The healing process It is important that parents give themselves time to grieve the loss of their child and to heal. Its normal to feel more emotional than usual, particularly during holidays and celebratory events that are usually spent with family. As such, the best thing for affected individuals to do is to accept their feelings and allow themselves to express their emotions, both positive and negative. Healing can be a long process, but it is important for affected individuals to have hope and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. References Further Reading The provision of long-term care in the U.S. has shifted from what was once a predominantly institutionally based system of care to one in which recipients can increasingly receive a range of both medical and supportive services at home and in the community, according to the latest edition of The Gerontological Society of America's Public Policy & Aging Report (PP&AR). Further, individuals have gained the increased ability to choose how, where, and from whom they receive these services. Today, almost 850,000 Americans direct their own care through 270 long-term services and support (LTSS) programs that are generally heralded by those on both sides of the political spectrum. Self-direction is the umbrella term applied to an approach to the delivery of LTSS in which those eligible receive cash payments in place of traditionally delivered services. With these payments, they can decide how best to meet their support needs. Studies show that self-directed care programs can improve participant well-being, care quality, and cost containment. And as the PP&AR notes, this unique policy innovation become a reality through the promotion, design, implementation, and assessment of a cadre of experts and thought-leaders. "Self- or participant-directed care has been a model of successful public policy development and implementation -- a movement coming from the grass roots and developed through the combined efforts of federal and state governments, philanthropic organizations, professional and advocacy organizations, and committed social and health care researchers," states PP&AR Editor-in-Chief Robert B. Hudson, PhD, in the issue's introduction. The new publication explores the evolution of the self-directed care movement in LTSS, as told by many of the principals who helped to shape and grow it. It examines many of the implementation challenges as self-direction moved from a controlled experiment to a national option, as well as the major changes in the environment that have shaped its development. Among the expert authors is Kevin Mahoney, PhD, who is currently the director of the National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services. "It has been nearly ten years since a major journal devoted a full issue to participant self-direction in long-term supports and services. A lot has happened in that time. It is appropriate that this attention comes as a new administration and Congress debate future directions and priorities." A total of seven articles are included, starting with a look at the evolution of participant-directed care in home and community-based services in the U.S. and a review of recent trends in demand and availability. The issue also documents changes in federal legislation, regulation, and practice that have encouraged the growth of self-directed LTSS. Another piece makes international comparisons between programs in Australia, England, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.S. -- and highlights significant differences in terms of eligibility, policy, and process between the approaches taken in each of the countries. The final article focuses on where the field of participant- directed care is likely to go next from its current status in the American health care system. Everyone gets an itch once in a while. Usually it only lasts for a short time and is often caused by annoyances like a mosquito bite or scratchy fabric. However, if an itch lasts for more than six weeks, say dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology, it is considered a chronic itch and is more likely to disrupt your life. "There are many reasons for itchy skin," said board-certified dermatologist Hassan Galadari, MD, FAAD, who maintains a private practice in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. "It could be the result of a skin condition, such as eczema, shingles, hives or psoriasis, or it could be a sign of a contagious disease, like scabies or ringworm." To help soothe itchy skin, Dr. Galadari recommends the following tips: 1.Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin that itches. Do this for about five to 10 minutes or until the itch subsides. 2.Take an oatmeal bath. This can be very soothing, especially for blisters or oozing skin due to chickenpox, hives, poison ivy or sunburn. 3.Moisturize your skin. Always choose a moisturizer free of additives, fragrances and perfumes. 4.Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine. 5.Apply cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine. You could also place your moisturizer in the refrigerator to help achieve this cooling effect. "While treating your skin, try to avoid scratching, as this will further irritate your skin and could increase your risk for a skin infection," said Dr. Galadari. "It's also a good idea to take steps to help prevent your skin from itching." To help prevent itching, Dr. Galadari recommends the following tips: 1.Bathe with lukewarm - not hot - water. Try to limit your bath or shower to just 10 minutes. 2.Always use "fragrance-free" lotions, soaps and detergents to minimize irritation. Be wary of products labeled "unscented," as they might still have chemicals that can irritate your skin. 3.As directed by your dermatologist, apply medications before moisturizing. Then, apply your moisturizer to all areas of your skin, including areas treated with medication. 4.Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes. Wool and other rough-feeling fabrics can irritate your skin, causing intense itching. 5.Avoid extreme temperature changes. Maintain a relatively cool, neutral humidity environment in your house. Use a humidifier during winter if you are prone to dry skin and eczema. 6.Reduce stress, as stress can make your itch worse. "If your itch does not go away with home treatment, see a board-certified dermatologist," said Dr. Galadari. "Some people have more than one reason to scratch, and a dermatologist can work with you to find the cause and relieve your itching." Researchers who developed a safe and effective procedure to remove thick clogs in children's airways are now reporting similar success in adult patients. In this rare condition, called plastic bronchitis, patients develop thick, caulk-like casts that form in the branching paths of their airways. The researchers developed new imaging tools and a minimally invasive catheterization technique to treat a form of plastic bronchitis caused when abnormally circulating lymphatic fluid dries into solid casts. "In some cases, the cause of this condition is unknown, but this new study suggests that most adult patients with plastic bronchitis have abnormal pulmonary flow of lymphatic fluid that we can safely treat," said study leader Maxim G. Itkin, MD, a radiologist at Itkin and his co-author Yoav Dori, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at CHOP and The study reports on seven adults with a mean age of 50 years old who presented with branching bronchial casts, associated with chronic cough and/or asthma. Using a customized type of magnetic resonance imaging called dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography (DCMRL), the team found that six of the seven patients had abnormal lymphatic flow, which they now propose designating as pulmonary perfusion syndrome, as distinct from idiopathic plastic bronchitis, in which the cause is unknown. The team treated the six patients with lymphatic embolization, which involves inserting a combination of glue and coils through catheters to halt the flow of lymphatic fluid. Five patients reported immediate and complete resolution of symptoms, and the sixth patient reported significant partial improvement. Four patients had minor abdominal pain, which resolved after treatment with painkillers. The average follow-up was 11 months after initial treatment. Earlier this year, Itkin and Dori reported a retrospective case study of 18 children who had plastic bronchitis as a complication of palliative surgery for single-ventricle heart disease. While rare, plastic bronchitis can cause life-threatening respiratory distress in children. In adults, the condition may go undiagnosed for years in patients who may initially be diagnosed with asthma or chronic cough. Plastic bronchitis has a long medical pedigree--the Greek physician Galen described a form of it in the second century. "This was a small study, and a first report of this treatment in adults with lymphatic plastic bronchitis," said Dori. "Longer follow-up will be needed to confirm the long-term risks and benefits of this procedure." The Center for Lymphatic Imaging and Intervention is one of CHOP's inaugural Frontier Programs. Frontier Programs embody the connection between research breakthroughs and extraordinary clinical care, and are a novel way to bring research more quickly to the bedside. A researcher from the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas has been awarded a $2.7 million grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) under the Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program. The grant, awarded to Dr. Daniel Krawczyk, deputy director of the Center for BrainHealth, will fund research, via a virtual technology platform, to improve cognitive and functional deficits for veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The project is a follow-up effort from a Cognitive Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trial Award previously given by the DoD's Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program. It was conducted under the strategic oversight of the DoD's Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine and Military Operational Medicine Research programs. "Those who experience a traumatic brain injury often struggle with working memory, planning and cognitive control, which impacts real-life functionality," said Krawczyk, associate professor of cognitive neuroscience and cognitive psychology and Debbie and Jim Francis Chair in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. "Utilizing an innovative virtual-reality platform, we hope to improve cognitive difficulties in individuals with chronic TBI by training strategies to accomplish complex real-life tasks." Lab Diagnostics & Automation eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today The study will include more than 100 veterans, regardless of service status, who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. The research team will collect structural and functional brain imaging, and neuropsychological evaluations from participants before and after training. The team also will use Expedition, a virtual-reality platform developed by Virtual Heroes, a division of Applied Research Associates Inc., to establish training remotely over a four-week period. The real-life training scenarios include packing for a trip, planning and executing various modes of transportation, selecting and remembering locations as well as money and time management. "The project represents a great opportunity to leverage the innovative work Virtual Heroes has done in serious gaming to address a critical need for this important and highly vulnerable population of veterans," said Greg Rule, professional engineer, project manager with Applied Research Associates. "The program must be tailored to the audience, entertaining enough to encourage them to use it, but capable of collecting the necessary data on cognitive performance of the users." "The unique design and approach of Expedition may also provide for quantifiable performance data throughout the intervention itself, not just the traditional 'before' and 'after,'" Krawczyk said. "The possibility of getting a peek inside the historic 'black box' of traumatic brain injury research may assist in the development of more effective or customizable interventions and more sensitive evaluation methods." Source: Center for BrainHealth Stress is part of our everyday lives - while some thrive on it, it makes others sick. But what does stress do to our senses? When we train them, we can sharpen our senses thereby improve our perceptual performance. The stress hormone cortisol completely blocks this important ability. In the current issue of "Psychoneuroendocrinology" neuroscientists of the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) report on this finding. "Previous research has already shown that stress can prevent the retrieval of memories. But now we have discovered that it also has a major effect on our perception and perceptual learning," explains Dr Hubert Dinse, one of the authors of the study. Tactile sense in training In their study, researchers investigated how the sense of touch of 30 study participants could be changed after a training phase. Half of them received a medium dose of the stress hormone cortisol, while the other half received a placebo drug. To make training comparable across all participants, the researchers employed the well-established approach of passive finger stimulation. Previous studies and several therapy approaches have shown that this method leads to an improved tactile acuity. Tactile performance was assessed using the so-called "two-point discrimination threshold". This marker indicates how far apart two stimuli need to be, to be discriminated as two separate sensations - the closer they are, the better the sense of touch. No learning effect after cortisol The placebo group improved their tactile acuity, as expected, by about 15 percent. In contrast, the cortisol given to the other group blocked almost all the stimulation-induced improvement. Cognitive psychologist Prof Dr Oliver T. Wolf explains:" Our data show that a single dose of cortisol not only disrupts memory in the hippocampus, but it also has a substantial effect on the plasticity of sensory areas of the brain." Cortisol blocks synaptic connections In previous studies on a cellular level, neuroscientists have demonstrated that cortisol suppresses the strengthening of synaptic connections, and therefore the plasticity of the brain - its ability to learn. The team led by Hubert Dinse therefore suggests, their results could also explain by cortisol-induced suppression of synaptic plasticity. Effects on clinical treatments The results of the study could also affect clinical treatments. Corticosteroids, of which cortisol is one, are often used in the treatment of immunological and neurological diseases. However, the effects on perceptual learning observed in this study may counteract rehabilitation efforts, which rely on just these mechanisms. It is therefore necessary to find out which effects the clinical treatment with these substances has on learning mechanisms in the brain. Steven Poelzing, an associate professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, has received a $2.1 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health for research to combat the nation's No. 1 killer heart disease. The award is for $533,000 per year for Poelzing's research program. Sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure is a major concern in the United States, Poelzing said. He will lead a research team to investigate how the microscopic spaces surrounding heart cells affect connections called gap junctions, which allow electrical impulses and small molecules to pass between cells. The research team hypothesizes that the size and nature of the space between cells can determine the risk of sudden cardiac death and, if those spaces can be modulated, such modulation could be a therapeutic agent to protect the health of heart patients. "This work is producing entirely new insights and providing the basis for new therapeutic platforms for the treatment of ischemic heart disease and the prevention of abnormal electrical rhythms in the heart, including those that can lead to sudden cardiac death," said Michael J. Friedlander, executive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute who also serves as the vice president for health sciences and technology at Virginia Tech. More than 450,000 cases of sudden cardiac death occur in the United States each year and about 80 percent of them stem from abnormal electrical heart rhythms. The mechanisms that disrupt these vital electrical communications are unknown, although properties of gap junctions, including their locations between neighboring heart muscle cells, known as cardiomyocytes, are critical for maintaining normal patterns of electrical signaling in the heart. "The work is part of a larger program at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute that is becoming recognized as among the world's go-to places for fundamental, translational, and applied research on the nature of electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes and how this process is disrupted in heart disease," Friedlander said. Poelzing's co-investigators on the new grant are Rob Gourdie, a professor and director of the research institute's Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine Research; Rafael Davalos, the L. Preston Wade Professor of biomedical engineering and mechanics in the College of Engineering; and James Smyth, an assistant professor at the institute. Along with John Chappell, also an assistant professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Friedlander said the group is doing paradigm-shifting work on ischemic heart disease and the coronary- and cerebro-vasculature. "Their individual projects and the resultant synergies of technology and conceptual approaches that emerge in an interdisciplinary institute environment such as that provided by the VTCRI, have substantial momentum in addressing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the world and the United States," Friedlander said. "Cardiovascular science at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute is on a great trajectory," Friedlander said. "Coupled with the strengths and clinical innovations in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery at Carilion Clinic; the strengths in cardiovascular research across Virginia Tech, including in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine; the College of Science; and the College of Engineering, we are becoming well-positioned to be a national destination for cardiovascular science." In addition, Friedlander said cardiac science will be a focus of the Virginia Tech Carilion Health Sciences and Technology Campus in the Roanoke Innovation Corridor. Poelzing's new $2.1 million award represents the third active major grant to the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. The cardiac group also has active awards from major private foundations in the heart research arena, including the American Heart Association and the Heart Rhythm Society. "Cardiovascular science is an area of growing ties between Virginia Tech and industry," Friedlander said. "VTCRI graduate students and postdoctoral associates working in cardiovascular research served as our first interns at the major pharmaceutical company MedImmune this past summer, and we are working to enhance that relationship to provide opportunities for other VT trainees." Friedlander said the group has submitted multiple intellectual property filings and was issued five provisional patents in the past year. New Delhi: Indias exports have been falling for the last 24 months. Exporters are hoping Finance Minister Arun Jaitley provides financial succour in Budget 2017 to boost the sector, which has been further hit by demonetisation. RC Ralhan, President of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the lobby group of Indian exporters, told News18 that the body has presented Jaitley some suggestions that they hope will be incorporated in the budget. * Formation of an export development fund to be used to market small exporters. The FIEO wanted the corpus to be 0.5% of the value of Indias exports of $260 billion last year. This works out to around Rs 8,000 crore. * An interest subvention scheme of 3% on bank loans currently available for small manufacturers/exporters to be extended to pure exporters. * A scheme for providing subsidised credit to exporters is expiring on March 31, 2017. FIEO wants this extended by another year. Indias exports have been sluggish as a result of a weak global economy. Demonetisation has added to the downturn, though exporters say this is temporary. Exporters have pinned their hopes on Budget 2017 for an uptick in their fortunes. Oh Mr. President... it has been my honor to work in this administration. Thank you ... #ObamaFarewell #MyPresident pic.twitter.com/nPxx68BwMY Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) January 11, 2017 .@POTUS @BarackObama I love you more than I have space on Twitter to describe. #ObamaFarewell Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 11, 2017 This isn't so much a "farewell speech" (he ain't goin' anywhere) as it is a lecture in how democracy works to one Donald J. Trump. Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 11, 2017 This #ObamaFarewell is beautiful. The love. Could Trump soak up all this warmth? Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 11, 2017 Watching Obama's final address, and realizing how very, very far we are about to descend. Farewell, O Captain my Captain! Heavens save us. George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 11, 2017 I'll always remember the president who valued equality over division, patience over propaganda & most of all, love over hate. #ObamaFarewell Jon Risinger (@JonRisinger) January 11, 2017 okay just got home from work FINALLY watching the #ObamaFarewell speech i'm ready to cry, he's just the best OKAY he's just THE BEST Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) January 11, 2017 In his final address, outgoing President Barack Obama on Tuesday said goodbye to the US citizens in an emotional speech. Obama also thanked his supporters, staff, his wife and Vice-President Joe Biden, who he said was like a brother to him.Instead of the Oval Office or East Room for his last formal set of remarks, Obama chose Chicago -- the city where he declared victory in 2008 and 2012 -- to address a sold-out crowd of supporters."I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties, still trying to figure out who I was; still searching for a purpose to my life," CNN quoted Obama as saying."This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it," added Obama.He said that he received a lot of messages and it was his turn to say thanks. While noting that America was a better place now, Obama told his supporters that they made him a better President."After eight years as your President, I still believe that, and it's not just my belief. It's the beating heart of our American idea -- our bold experiment in self-government," he said.While the outgoing President wiped away tears of emotion during his farewell speech, his supporters and celebrities took to Twitter to bid adieu to one of the most loved American Presidents ever.Here's what they had to say:His address was at McCormick Place, the largest convention centre in North America and the venue for Obama's speech after he defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.With inputs from IANS. Whatever said and done,our Soldiers and Farmers need to be taken better care of. Proper food needs to reach them all.#Food4Soldiers pic.twitter.com/5WG9btYabs Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 10, 2017 @virendersehwag they should get proper food and shelter as they are protecting us.. everything should get investigate Dr Jitumoni (@Jitumoni28) January 10, 2017 @virendersehwag fully agreed...Nd PM need to look in to this matter personally kunal verma (@kunalkoool) January 10, 2017 @virendersehwag this is the absolute min one can do for our soldiers, they deserve better#respectsoldiers Ashwani K Dhawan (@AshwaniKDhawan) January 10, 2017 @virendersehwag a big salute for our jawans even by facing this kind of problems they r protecting us Bharath Bhupathiraju (@_VARMA666_) January 10, 2017 Really disturbed by the video of our soldiers being deprived of food. Pray that their needs are taken care of .#SaveOurSoldiers Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) January 9, 2017 Proper food for our Jawans is a must. Bas Baat Khatam.#SaveOurSoldiers Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 10, 2017 Hi plz share this as much as u can if you love ur jawans who r protecting us pic.twitter.com/8FKThzuWia Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 9, 2017 1 duty peace posting #saveBSF BSF Jawan Posted in J https://t.co/gLf6P1PCjz Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) January 10, 2017 A host of prominent sportspersons on Tuesday came out in support of Border Security Force (BSF) soldier Tej Bahadur Yadav over his allegations of poor quality of food served to personnel on the border and corruption among high-ranking officers.Yadav, a constable in the 29th battalion, had posted several videos on social networking platform Facebook showing visuals of poor quality of food provided to BSF soldiers on the Indo-Pakistan border. He had alleged that BSF officers siphon off food supplies provided by the government.He had also expressed apprehension that his superiors may take action against him for exposing the deplorable conditions of soldiers serving on the border.Yadav's outburst has caused a storm on social media with many coming forward to express their support.Former India opener Virender Sehwag expressed strong support and demanded action from the government and his tweet has been winning hearts on the internet.Other sportspersons too came out in support of Yadav. Here's what they had to say:"Really disturbed by the video of our soldiers being deprived of food. Pray that their needs are taken care of .#SaveOurSoldiers," star boxer Vijender tweeted on Tuesday."Proper food for our Jawans is a must. Bas Baat Khatam.#SaveOurSoldiers," former India batsman Mohammad Kaif added."Hi plz share this as much as u can if you love ur jawans who r protecting us," Harbhajan posted.Star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, a bronze medallist at the 2012 Olympics, has also come out in Yadav's support.The controversy forced Home Minister Rajnath Singh to call for a report from the BSF and order appropriate action.With input from IANS. Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday strongly batted for complete "emotional and psychological" integration of the state with rest of the country, asserting that Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is not a hurdle but a bridge in this direction. When the people of BJP talk of Article 370, they talk of technical integration. We have to make them understand that we also want that Jammu and Kashmir should fully integrate with India emotionally, technically. We are already a part of this country. Who can deny that,? she said while replying to a debate in the Legislative Assembly on Motion of Thanks to the Governor?s address. ?But have we emotionally joined that integration completely which we should have done emotionally and psychologically? No. But that is what is needed, in which (Article) 370 is not an impediment but 370 is a bridge which connects us,? said Mehbooba, who heads PDP. Hailing the Indian democracy, she said her late father Mufti Sayeed had always believed in it and that was the reason that he had held the flag of mainstream political party (Congress) at an early age long back in 1960s. ?Today we have an opportunity to think about where to move ahead. I am hopeful, as we all say one thing, that an issue, a pain is there, a difficulty is there, solution to which has to be found, for which dialogue should be held. "But before we speak about dialogue outside, we should ourselves disperse the fear we have. They (BJP) have fear of self-rule and autonomy and we have fear that they (BJP) might abrogate Article 370 (which grants special status to the state)," said Mehbooba, who heads a coalition government of PDP and BJP. She said both the parties were fearful of each other but the aim was the same, to see Jammu and Kashmir united, to see it prosper. ?We have faith in democracy of this country. We take oath of the Constitution of India and our own Constitution (of J&K), still there are so many doubts as they (BJP) feel that ... J&K might slip out of their hands,? she said. "The Constitution of India and the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir have the capacity to accommodate the desires and wishes of the people on both sides of the divided Kashmir," she said, adding, "We can fulfill their (Centres) aspirations as well, we can fulfill their dreams, but we have to first take out this fear from our hearts." Referring to the trouble witnessed in the valley over the last 5-6 months, she said there was a need for introspection. "We all need to look within and see what we can do so that such a situation does not emerge in future, what role we can play to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, as (her father) Mufti Sahib had said that if somebody has a major role to play in resolving the issue, it is this Assembly,? she said. Bengaluru: Its more than 10 days since the New Year dawned and these 10 days have been about how Bengaluru saw instances of mass molestation in the MG Road-Brigade Road area, the citys central business district. Yet, only three FIRs have been lodged till Wednesday suo motu FIRs taken up based on people who have spoken out to the media about being groped in MG Road area. Another has been taken up in the adjacent Ashok Nagar area. Why? We can always prove something happened, based on images, circumstantial evidence, interviews. But how does one prove something didnt happen? Thats the dilemma the Bengaluru Police have been faced with this past week. When does a casual hug end and molestation begin? If everyone in a pub is swaying to the same music, was that stranger's touched an accident or deliberate? Can a constable stop a couple from stealing a hug or a quick kiss on the streets if he or she thought the girl was being coerced into it? Would the policeman then be asked to mind his own business? Be labelled the moral police? Its all very well to say: here are the CCTV images, take action. Who do we act against? I can see girls crying and being comforted by police women. I can see police escorting one girl and her friends away from crowds. But nobody has said she was crying because she was molested or groped. Many came to police on duty because they had lost their friends or family in the crowd. We helped them reconnect. Should I have lodged a complaint based on your assumption, a senior police official asks. That line between the right to privacy and violation of privacy is pretty thin, in a crowd of over 10,000. Not only is the fact that it is virtually impossible to recognise faces in that kind of crowd, its a bigger challenge if no victim is willing to come out and file a complaint. Do we know molestation happened? No. Do we know it did not happen? No, again. No one is justifying molestation. If it happened, thats terrible. But can it be proven in a court of law, if you file FIRs based on CCTV footage from the area? DCP (Central) Chandragupta says of the four FIRs taken up in the central zone, not a single victim has come forward to give statements till date. New Years Eve 2017, nevertheless, painted Bengaluru as a bad, bad city a tag that has left many of its citizens discomfited. For over 72-hours in fact, the city police had been scouring through videos of over 45 CCTV or surveillance cameras understand, this is Brigade Road, our busiest, hippest business area. Every shop has four cameras of its own, besides the police cameras spying from the skies. I monitored camera images till 2.30 am that night. I did not see anything objectionable, says Suhail Yusuf, president of the Brigade Road Shops Association. There were not just our cameras, there were over 10,000 cameras, since almost all the people who came that night to celebrate were doing their own videos, photos, selfies. There were 12 outdoor broadcast vans till 2 am. If there was mass sexual abuse, would they have kept quiet? I think all this is blown out of proportion and it has done huge damage internationally to Bengalurus image, says Yusuf. Photos and videos tell contradictory stories, and these can never be validated unless the actual participants in the story the victims speak out. A pat on a cheek could look like a friendly pat on a cheek. Or it could look like some kind of petting in a single still photograph. How do you know the difference? Yusuf asks. Another senior officer has this to say: No one says molestation didnt happen. We know from experience that in such a crowded area, it is possible molestation happened. But how do I zero in on any culprit unless a victim comes out and speaks, and then identify culprit and take him to court? The fact that CCTV footage and the hype it leads to could boomerang on all of us, is best exemplified by the case of the 25-year-old woman who was allegedly molested by a stalker on January 6 at 6.30 am or thats the story that unfolded if you went by footage from a shop near KG Halli in east Bengaluru. Nearly 24 hours later, police say that was a molestation that was stage-managed by the victims brother-in-law to ensure that the hype led to public outcry, the girls reputation damaged so that no man would be willing to marry her again, so that he could marry her. He is already married to her elder sister. Take that, you breaking news freaks, the camera seemed to tell us. Katni: People have taken to the streets in Madhya Pradeshs Katni district to protest the improper transfer of Superintendent of Police Gaurav Tiwari. Tiwari is popular in the district because he allegedly exposed a multi-crore Axis Bank scam and took on the local mining mafia. The demonstrators alleged that Tiwari was removed as he was trying to expose corruption. Yougsters took out a bike rally while traders kept their establishments closed on the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Similar scenes were seen on Tuesday when a large number of people held a protest rally, opposing the transfer. Some protestors have even threatened to immolate themselves if the transfer is not stopped. Locals have vowed to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter. Sources told Pradesh18 that the PMO has sought details of this episode. Protesters directed their anger at state minister Sanjay Pathak who is from the district, and have demanded his removal from Shivraj Chouhans government. Pathak is being seen as the man behind the SPs ouster. Responding to allegations, Pathak told mediapersons on Tuesday, Mere charges dont prove anything, I am open to any probe. The minister dubbed the entire episode as a conspiracy against him. Tiwari was shifted to Chhindwara and was replaced by Dewas SP Shashikant Shukla who was earlier posted at the Chief Ministers house. State home minister Bhupendra Singh on Tuesday had termed Tiwaris removal as routine process. The 2010-batch IPS officer was appointed SP barely six months ago. He struck a chord with the public in no time as he cracked down on liquor and mining mafia in the district. Tiwari rose to limelight further as he stumbled upon an Axis Bank hawala scam in the district. Prior to this, Tiwari had hit headlines for anti-naxal operations and crackdown on timber mafia when he was posted in Balghat. A billionaire, Pathak won assembly poll on Congress ticket in 2013 but later joined BJP and was re-elected in by-poll from Vijayraghavgarh in Katni. His entry into the BJP and subsequently in the cabinet had as minister of state with independent charge had courted sizable controversy due to his alleged role in illegal mining operations in Katni. These protests could mean trouble for Chouhan's popularity as he prepares for state elections in 2018. New Delhi: India and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of cyber security, an official statement said here on Wednesday. "India and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT- In) under the Ministry of Electronics nd Information technology of the government of India and the Department of Homeland Security, government of the United States of America on cooperation in the field of cyber security," the statement said. The agreement was signed by Aruna Sundararajan, secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Richard Verma, US Ambassador to India, on Wednesday here. "The MoU intends to promote closer co-operation and the exchange of information pertaining to the cyber security in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations of each economy and this MoU and on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit," the statement said. Earlier the US and India had signed an MoU on July 19, 2011 to promote closer cooperation and timely exchange of information between the organisations of their respective governments responsible for cyber security. Since, July 19, 2011, regular interactions between CERT-In and US CERT are taking place to share the information and discuss cyber security-related issues. In continuation to the cooperation in cyber security areas both have renewed the MoU, the statement added. United Nations: Peacekeeping personnel sent to Haiti without cholera vaccinations because of a serious lapse by India are getting inoculated there and New Delhi will have to bear the costs. Vaccinations will be administered to peacekeeping personnel who had not received them before they were deployed and the costs of inoculating them in the field will be deducted from the reimbursements to the countries sending them, Stephane Dujrraic, the spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters on Tuesday. Dujarric was responding to reports that an Indian contingent sent to work as police in peacekeeping operations in Haiti had not been vaccinated against cholera, which had killed 10,000 Haitians in an epidemic that began in 2010. "Cholera vaccination is mandatory for all peacekeepers deployed in peacekeeping operations," he said. "It is the responsibility for member states to ensure that their personnel receive all mandatory vaccination prior to deployment." According to the UN there were 440 Indians serving as police in its Haiti peacekeeping operations as of August. Sending police or troops without cholera to Haiti is a serious matter because of the magnitude of the toll from the epidemic that was linked to peacekeepers from Nepal and blamed on improper disposal of waste that contaminated local water supplies. The UN's public image was hurt by it and it is still reeling from its consequences. In December, the UN finally accepted blame and then Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon publicly apologised for the organisation's response to the tragedy. "We simply did not do enough with regard to the cholera outbreak and its spread in Haiti. We are profoundly sorry about our role," he said. In October the UN announced it would provide $200 million in assistance to the victims through donations it hoped to raise. Dujarric said on Monday that so far only between $1.5 million to $1.8 million had come in, of which $1 million was from South Korea and the rest from France. "We, obviously, very much hope the money will be coming in," he added. A case demanding compensation was filed on behalf of the victims in a New York federal, but the judges dismissed it because the UN has diplomatic immunity. 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. New Delhi: Mounting criticism against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation drive, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that PM Modi was dreaming when he thought he could make India a cashless economy. Rahul, while taking a dig at PM Modi, uttered 'Mitron' -- a term PM uses often in his addresses -- to a cheering audience at Talkatora stadium. "Congress workers must go to villages and tell people how BJP and RSS are destroying the country by spreading fear and hatred, he said, adding, "BJP thinks that they can rule this country with fear and hatred... but we will defeat and remove them. "We will defeat their ideas and philosophy," he said. In his scathing criticism of Modi government, Rahul took potshots at BJP leaders Janardhan Reddy and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, alleging they spent crores on their daughters' weddings even as the common man suffered severely under cash crunch. Implying some people were in the know of the demonetisation move, Rahul said: "Bengal BJP was depositing money in banks before PM's demonetisation speech... BJP was investing in properties across the country before demonetisation." Rahul also highlighted corruption that came to light during the 50-day period sought by PM to end the cash crunch. "How many corrupt were spotted in the ATM lines? They were all using back doors to access banks," he said. Earlier in the day, Rahul had alleged that after demonetisation PM Modi is hiding behind "home-made economists" like Baba Ramdev and Mohan Bhagwat. Tearing into PM's various schemes and initiatives, Rahul had said: "The PM can do yoga very well, but have you noticed he cannot do the padmasana (lotus position)? I notice these things. Similarly, when he went with a broom to talk about cleaning up India, did you see how he was holding the broom? Nothing gets cleaned if you hold the broom like that." New Delhi: Dismissing the PIL that sought investigation against politicians whose names surfaced in the diaries and documents recovered by the CBI during its raids on the premises of Birla and Sahara offices, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said no case is made out. This order will have a bearing on cases seeking criminal investigation against public functionaries solely on the basis of diary entries. Adjudicating on the issue, the Supreme Court said: "The top court has considered the question of entries in the Jain hawala case and it held that such entries are not admissible as evidence. Entries in books which are not regular account books are not evidence and for investigations independent evidence is required". Defending the government, the Attorney General said: "If investigation was ordered by the court, a dangerous trend would be set and all and sundry would approach courts triggering filings of crores of cases." The high-voltage hearing was conducted by a new bench of justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy which said "courts have to be on guard" while dealing with matters demanding probe against high functionaries as the case in hand was devoid of any "cogent" material or "independent evidence corroborating materials" to order investigation. The new bench was constituted as Prashant Bhushan, lawyer for the Common Cause, had sought recusal of the then Chief Justice of India-designate, Justice JS Khehar, on the ground that his file for elevation for CJI was pending with the executive headed by the Prime Minister. Dissatisfied with the loose sheets, which were claimed to be part of the diary entries of the Sahara Group and Aditya Birla Group, containing entries like "Gujarat CM" and other politicians, the bench said materials placed on record by the NGO, Common Cause were not maintained by the two business housed in the regular course of business. Another bench of the court had earlier termed the loose sheets and other material "zero material" to order investigation. The apex court on Wednesday said, "There has to be, in our opinion, some cogent and admissible evidence and some other circumstances to show that person against whom allegations are levelled is involved in the matter or has done some act in that period which may have correlation with random entries. "In case, we don't insist on all this, the process of law can be abused to achieve ulterior goals and no one can survive in case investigation are readily ordered against constitutional functionaries without cogent materials on record," it said. (With agency inputs) Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level. https://t.co/L4yI3gLk3h Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday asked e-commerce giant Amazon to take down doormats depicting the Indian flag, warning that the government will revoke visas granted to company officials.This could be one of the rare instances when a multi-national company has been warned by a Union minister on Twitter.The warning came after a Twitter user posted a snapshot from Amazon Canada, which showed such doormats on sale, and tagged the Union minister.Taking note, Sushma directed the Indian High Commission in Canada to take up the issue with Amazon Canada. Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level (sic), she tweeted.A snapshot of one such product on Amazon Canada. (News18)Within 30 minutes, in another tweet, the foreign minister demanded an unconditional apology from Amazon and asked the company to withdraw all such products.If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier (sic), she said in another tweet. Men and women are sashaying down catwalks together at London Fashion Week, in a shake-up of tradition backed by celebrated designers including Vivienne Westwood. The 75-year-old style icon is no stranger to challenging fashion formats - turning a 2015 London show into an anti-austerity and climate change march - and deemed her latest move a response to the unisex reality of fashion. "My very first fashion shows were always men and women. It's particularly unisex now because this time you've got lots of men in dresses. "You've seen women for a hundred years in trousers but it's all switched around equally now," Westwood told AFP, as her new autumn-winter 2017 collection hit the catwalk at the Seymour Leisure Centre in London's Marylebone neighbourhood. Westwood is not unique in choosing to unite her menswear and womenswear collections on the catwalk -- at least 10 houses have used Fashion Week in London to present collections for both genders. While London may not have the glamour of Paris, Milan or New York, it is certainly making the most of its experimental reputation. Within the fashion world this mixing of men's and women's shows has been dubbed "co-ed" -- a play on the "coeducational" term used for mixed schools. Fashion for a 'worldwide audience' This shift in strategy is changing the way fashion houses run their business, including Burberry. The British fashion heavyweight announced in 2016 it would cut its runway schedule from four to just two shows a year. Burberry said it aimed to create a "seasonless, immediate, and personal" format with the change, with the collection available in-store and online immediately after the show. "The changes we are making will allow us to build a closer connection between the experience that we create with our runway shows and the moment when people can physically explore the collections for themselves," said Christopher Bailey, Burberry CEO. In essence, fashionistas of the 21st century are demanding much quicker access to collections. In the same spirit, Burberry has merged its three lines (Brit, London and Prorsum) to create one label, which the fashion house said was "designed for a worldwide audience". Paul Smith has also followed the trend and, while absent from London, it will present both its men's and women's collections in Paris on January 22. The fashion house has been creating menswear since 1970, with womenswear launching in 1994, and it said combining them was "a natural step to reinforce the correlation between the two lines. Paris will also see Kenzo, part of the LVMH group, unite its men's and women's collections after first testing the formula last June. 'Virtually impossible' to create separate shows For Hywel Davies, fashion programme director at London's prestigious Central Saint Martins design school, the "co-ed" trend is both a financially-sound move but also fits in with the industry's openness to change. "It is about the industry looking how to best present their vision and putting mens and women show together makes commerce sense. Why pay for two shows when you can communicate your message in one?" he told AFP. "I think it is a positive thing that the fashion industry is constantly chaining and looking at new ways of communicating its ideas. Change is good. It would be great if more fashion brands considered other ways of presentation instead of just catwalk shows," Davies added. Financially necessity is even more relevant for smaller brands, such as Sibling, a funky brand created by three British designers which moved to mixed shows with its spring-summer 2015 collection. Creating a show for both men's and women's collections is "a much more realistic process, as well as from a production and design point of view", said Sid Bryan, one of the label's stylists. "The timeframe work into a January show and a February show, with men followed straight by women, is virtually impossible. We're a small team," he told AFP. Mumbai: Rajkummar Rao is happy doing hard hitting off-beat movies and the actor says he is no rush to sign commercial films to break away from the image. Having made his debut in 2010 with Love Sex aur Dhoka, the actor went on to star in films like Shahid, Citylights and Aligarh. While he also had Dolly Ki Doli and Hamari Adhuri Kahani, films which are more 'commercial' than his others, the actor feels the tag of only sticking to off beat movies will go away with his upcoming projects. "I've been hearing this a lot that I need an image change. Even my agents tell me you need to break this image. Hopefully it will, with the kind of films I am doing now. 'Behen Hogi Teri' and 'Barailey Ki Barfi', they are content driven film but are not stupid," Rajkummar said. "But I am very happy in the space that I am right now. I am not dying for people to come and cast me in a love story or in so-called 'commercial films' just for the sake of it," he said.0 The actor says chasing big ticket films in the hope of gaining stardom "never crossed my mind" and, in fact, he is more concerned about the craft. "I am only chasing a good shot. I was a regular boy in Gurgaon who only dreamt of becoming an actor. Somewhere in that chase, I kept falling more in love with the craft. Acting is my only true love," he said. The actor, who had a solo release last year in Aligarh, has as many as six films lined up in 2017, of which some of them are in the romantic-comedy space. "I am a very romantic person by heart. I love watching good love stories and doing them too. But for some reason in the last couple of months I've been getting scripts which fit into the genre of commercial romantic films. But I am being careful, I don't want to say yes to anything," he added. Sanjeev Balyan, Union minister of state for water resources, was a little-known BJP leader till September 2013, when he was booked for violating prohibitory orders during the Muzaffarnagar riots. Of all the BJP leaders accused of inciting violence in riot-torn western UP in 2013, Balyans rise has perhaps been the most meteoric. The debutant MP was given a place in the Modi cabinet after he won the Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha seat in 2014, and sources say his proximity to BJP national president Amit Shah has helped him emerge as the partys star campaigner in the communally restive region. As a Jat leader, he has been instrumental in bringing the community closer to the BJP. For many, however, he continues to be a divisive figure. Balyan spoke to News 18s Uday Singh Rana on the upcoming UP assembly elections, Muzaffarnagar riots, Kairana exodus and more. Excerpts: Q: Your party has not yet announced a Chief Ministerial candidate for the UP assembly polls. Is it because BJP wants to avoid a messy power struggle within? A: No, there is no power struggle. We are a united party. The only states where we announced CM candidates in the recent past were Assam and Delhi. In most other states, like Haryana and Maharashtra, we went in without a CM face and we swept those polls. With Modiji at the helm, there wont be infighting. He is the undisputed leader. Q: But even at the lower levels of the party, there seems to be infighting. There are some constituencies where there are over 20 people vying for one ticket. How do you plan to manage the infighting at the district and booth level so close to the polls? A: First of all, I want to tell you that every single party worker in the BJP has the right to demand a ticket and then it is up to the leadership. We are not like the BSP, where tickets are sold to the highest bidder. We only look at merit and nothing else. As far as managing expectations is concerned, they can be managed easily. Every time there are elections, especially recently, BJP tickets are always in demand. There are multiple contenders for every seat in every election. In that case, damage control is not tough. Eventually, everyone rallies behind the official party candidate. Q: The Supreme Court recently ruled that no party or candidate can ask for votes on the basis of religion, caste, ethnicity or race. However, many BJP leaders have been known to give polarizing statements. The recent example of Sakshi Maharajs comments against Muslims is an example. Will this affect the election campaign? A: I am still waiting for the day the media pulls up Mayawati for the comments she made the day after the Supreme Court verdict came out. She openly said that she has given a large number of seats to Muslims. By making this statement and asking Muslims to rally behind her party the very next day after the verdict, she has insulted the apex court. It seems the media has exempted Mayawati from everything. If any BJP leader had made such comments then the media would have crucified him or her. As far as Sakshi Maharajs comments are concerned, I spoke with him personally after the incident. I think he has said nothing wrong. He did not speak about any particular community. He only raised concerns over Indias growing population. Q: But 4 wives, 40 children was a clear reference to Muslims. A: I do not want to make any such inference. He did not mention any community by name. And even I agree that population growth is a problem in the country. Q: This was not the only incident of divisive issues being raised by the BJP. When Kairana MP Hukum Singh alleged that 250 Hindu families had fled the town due to pressure from another community, the party threw its weight behind him. Even you claimed later that other areas had witnessed similar incidents. A: If we had not raised this issue then we would have been asked, Why are you not questioning the government? We are the Opposition party in UP and it is our responsibility to question the government when it is failing. The families that fled Kairana left due to rising crime. It is a law and order issue, not a communal one. Q: But why talk only of Hindu families? Surely, other communities are just as affected by crime. A: Of course, law and order concerns everyone. But the fact is that 250 families in Kairana did flee the town and all of those families happen to be Hindus. We are only stating the facts. Hukum Singh has spoken nothing but the truth. Q: In 2014, you were elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time and were given a position in the Modi cabinet. Many would say that you owe your meteoric rise to the Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013 where you are one of the accused. Several other riot-accused BJP leaders, such as MLAs Suresh Rana and Sangeet Som, rose within the partys ranks. Is the BJP rewarding controversial leaders? A: All of us were booked only for violating Section 144 (prohibitory orders). We do not have criminal cases against us. There was not a single BJP leader in the region who was not booked. It is not a question of rewarding someone. Who else do we give tickets to when all of our leaders are being booked? Besides, the role of the state government has not been looked into. Q: You have been a bitter critic of SP leader Azam Khan for his alleged role in the riots. Do you think he was involved in some way? Yes. I think his role should be looked into. It was under his influence that the district magistrate and SSP of Muzaffarnagar were transferred. For an entire day, Muzaffarnagar kept burning and the district was without either a DM or an SSP. In the meantime, seven of the people involved in murdering Sachin and Gaurav (the two boys whose murder sparked the riots) were let off. On September 7, 2013, people returning from a mahapanchayat were fired upon near Jauli Canal. It is odd that the assailants were carrying automatic weapons. Clearly, this was all planned. We are ready for a CBI probe into this but it cannot be constituted without the recommendation of the state government. If we come to power in UP, we will ask the Centre to constitute an enquiry. Q: In the Lok Sabha polls, the Jat community voted heavily in favor of the BJP. Now, however, that enthusiasm has waned after the Haryana Jat agitation. Many Jat outfits have spoken out against the BJP and said it was an anti-Jat party. They feel let down after assurances of quotas were not fulfilled. As a Jat yourself, how do you respond to these allegations and do you think it will be tough for BJP to win UP without their support? A: Those who say we have let Jats down are wrong. There were some problems in the way the UPA government pursued the case for Jat quotas. They never got the nod from the National Commission for Backward Castes. That is why the matter is still in the courts. It is not the BJPs fault. In fact, we have been in favor of Jat quotas from the beginning. Q: Last year, the BJP had launched a massive Dalit outreach program but that seems to have fizzled out. Is it because the BJP has lost hope of winning Dalit votes after incidents such as the Una floggings and the suicide of Rohith Vemula? A: That is not true. We are constantly reaching out to all sections of society. BJP is an inclusive party which has more Dalit MPs than any other party. As far as those incidents are concerned, you cant use singular incidents to decide the mood of entire communities. You cant paint everyone with the same brush. If some wrongdoing has happened then it should be punished. However, it does not mean all our Dalit brothers and sisters have left us because of these incidents. Q: The Samajwadi Party is in the middle of a bitter internal feud right now and some feel the party is headed for a split. Will this help the BJP? A: I dont think the party will split. This is a well-scripted family drama. The director, producer, script-writer and main actor of this play is one man Mulayam Singh Yadav. He wanted everyone to stop asking Akhilesh Yadav what he has achieved in the last five years. He wanted to improve his sons image. This is a great diversionary tactic. Q: Speaking about Western UP, a lot of industries, including the brass industry in Moradabad and the Khurja pottery industry, were hit hard by demonetization. Opposition parties will try to make this a major electoral plank. How do you plan to counter the anti-demonetization sentiment? A: We have never denied that there were problems. However, people have overwhelmingly supported this move. There have been no major incidents of violence or unrest. Everyone thinks that the decision will bring long-term gain to the economy. The Opposition can try to make this an issue but the people wont support them. Q: Who will be your main opponent in the upcoming assembly polls: SP or BSP? A: My prediction is that SP and Congress will form an alliance and they will be our main opponents. Both parties are weak and will try to rely on each other. BSP will finish last since Behenji is busy counting money. She has lost touch with the people. BJP will form the government with full majority. Trinamool tells President that country is now under Super Emergency | Here is the full memorandum to the President: https://t.co/7pB3mGMZEi pic.twitter.com/imuiX9xZEd AITC (@AITCofficial) January 11, 2017 Aam janata kare pukaar... Modi Sarkar hoshiyaar | | Watch Live on our FB page: https://t.co/Iv9wAdJRVt pic.twitter.com/DmxK2CFx61 AITC (@AITCofficial) January 11, 2017 Announcing its plan to continue with agitations against central government's witch hunt politics and demonetisation, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien on Wednesday slammed the government for the prevailing political situation in the country.Earlier on Tuesday, a team of senior party leaders including Derek, Saugata Roy, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar met President Pranab Mukherjee and expressed concern over the "super emergency" situation in India after demonetisation.They also submitted a memorandum to the President. In the morning, Trinamool MPs organised a peaceful dharna in Delhi against demonetisation.Trinamool Congress Spokesperson, Derek O'Brien said, "Our leaders are going to protests against the Modi government in other states. We are thankful to our President for giving his valuable time. We requested him to intervene because it's the common people who are suffering the most because of demonetisation," Derek said.TMC MP Roy said, "We are not going to bow down. We will continue our fight against Modi governments anti-people decision. The situation in the country is like undeclared financial emergency.""We also condemn the arrest the our party MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay," he said. New Delhi: Nipping speculation of his becoming the Punjab chief minister, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal ruled himself out of the race for the top post in the state. "Whoever may be CM, I will ensure implementation of promises. What is wrong if Sisodia said that? I am Delhi CM, I cannot be Punjab CM," said Arvind Kejriwal at a rally in Patiala. On Tuesday, Manish Sisodia appealed to Punjab voters to vote in the name of Kejriwal, kicking up a row with the Opposition alleging that AAP is planning to install Kejriwal as Punjab chief minister should it come to power. "Ye samajh ke vote do ki aap Arvind Kejriwal ko vote de rahe ho. Aapka vote Kejriwal ke naam pe hai, (Vote for us thinking that you are voting for Kejriwal)" Sisodia said at a public meeting in Mohali. Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Badal was quick to latch on the Sisodia statement. "By asking people to vote for Arvind Kejrwal as CM of Punjab, Sisodia has exposed their plan. AAP has proven it doesnt trust Punjabis," he tweeted. I ask Punjabis to evaluate the actions of this anti-Punjab party & reject attempts to foist outsiders on the State @ArvindKejriwal (sic), Badal tweeted. Next in line was Captain Amarinder Singh, the Congress CM hopeful. "After months of beating around the bush, truth of Arvind Kejriwal and his nefarious ambitions come out," he tweeted. In one of his recent rallies, Kejriwal had announced that a Dalit will be the deputy chief minister of Punjab if his party comes to power in the state. State Assembly election in Punjab is scheduled for February four and results will be announced on March 11. New Delhi: The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch held a day long Round Table Conference on two years of Niti Aayog, presented dialogue papers on GM technology, health sector and made scathing remarks on how removed Aayog is from the ground realities in considering these issues. While speaking to News 18, the national co-convener of the outfit, Ashwani Mahajan said, Two years is a good enough time for evaluating, debating about the role and performance of any particular institution, and this is an important juncture for doing this, especially in the light of some reports on Niti Aayog that have come up. Commenting on the disconnect between the ground realities and Aayogs stand, Mahajan said, The members of the Aayog have been saying that they are going according to the preamble and objectives meant for it, but on the ground things are not happening that way. At least, we dont see it. For instance, on the GM technology, they were supposed to consult the state governments, farmers and the other groups. You can see they have so much opposition on this issue. No single state has given a yes to the technology. Even then they are coming out with a report supporting it. That raises a question mark on the functioning of the Niti Aayog. There are issues with regards to health as well, he said. As far as the vision of the Prime Minister is concerned, it is about the easy affordability of medicine in health but the kind of information we have received is not in sync with the vision and government policies. The Niti Dialogue Paper on Health Sector says the Niti Aayog is not in favour of free healthcare and it is strongly recommending higher role of private sector and insurance-based model to be offered by private players for health services to the people. These views, the paper suggests, are in contrast to the redrafted National Health Policy, which proposed free medicare and the new input has stalled the formation of New National Health Policy. Showing the way forward in this regard, SJM suggested to focus on finding ways to reduce the countrys dependence on China for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and to come out with a detailed plan encouraging the use of AYUSH and other traditional methods, making medical treatment more reliable and affordable to all sections of the society. Speaking to News 18, Mahajan said, I am afraid whether this really is even in the mandate of the Niti Aayog. Whatever they are doing that is also a question mark. We will do something, and through this discussion, show some path towards a better management. This conference is not for criticism. It is a critical review, debate and this should go on in the democratic country. The Round Table Conference had people from all ideologies there was environmental activist Vandana Shiva, retired JNU Professor Arun Kumar, policy analyst Sanjaya Baru, BJP MP Virendra Singh Mast et al. The RSS-affiliated group plans to send the recommendations to Niti Aayog, Mahajan said. The Vice Chairman of the Niti Aayog, Arvind Panagariya, has mailed saying he will be looking forward to our suggestions. We will definitely be making a report and discuss with the members. Another important reason to hold this conference is, he said, Nobody is talking about what is happening in Niti Ayog. This is the duty of the political class ruling party and opposition. But they are talking about other things like demonetisation. Dont know what kind of political thinking they have. We have been raising these issues for long, and there is nothing political with what we are doing. In the Niti Dialogue paper: Understanding the governance of Niti Aayog with reference to its recommendation for GM technology, presented at the Round Table, the RSS-affiliated outfit concluded, It is unfortunate to see what Aayog has done by supporting the GM technology without doing the ground-level work. In India, the only commercialised GM crop is BT Cotton and both industry and the central government have deliberately painted a picture of its success saying it has led to an increase in production and the cost of cultivation has gone down. However, the ground reality is bluntly different. The paper further said that lakhs of BT Cotton farmers have committed suicide, and brought out other pressing issues which led to a debate about the suitability of BT Cotton and GM technology in India. SJM sees the complete failure of the 7 Pillars Approach to Effective Governance of Niti Aayog because the expected role is not being performed. The expected role should be a ban on GM technology, but, surprisingly, it has suggested that India should adopt it, said the paper. The note further said, After analysing the performance of Niti Aayog with regards to GM technology, it is very much obvious that the members perhaps are unaware of what to perform and how to perform. They are supposed to win the confidence of all the stakeholders before making any advice to the Centre, but with regards to GM technology, the Aayog has done even reverse of its prime and prescribed job. The purpose maybe to give the benefit to one company or another. They are basically promoting or forcefully implementing the agenda of some big corporates. So, there is a need to see the direction and control of all the activities in the line of its prescribed basic roles and functions, concluded the Niti Dialogue paper on GM technology. New Delhi: SP Supremo Mulayam Singh addressed party workers in Lucknow on Wednesday and accused general secretary Ramgopal Yadav of conspiring with Opposition parties and said that he is the one who is attempting to break the party. Mulayam appealed to party workers to stay united and said that it shouldnt split. I founded SP during Emergency days when Akhilesh Yadav was two years old, Mulayam said flanked by brother Shivpal Yadav. The feud within the Samajwadi Party continues unabated with the Election Commission fixing January 13 to hear both factions and settle the dispute of its symbol, the cycle. Stay tuned for live updates: Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here. The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile will be modified in order to allow it to search more effectively for potentially habitable planets in Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to Earth.The ESO said it has signed a deal with Breakthrough Starshot, a venture that aims to deploy thousands of tiny spacecraft to travel to the system and send back pictures.Starshot, which is backed by internet billionaire Yuri Milner and physicist Stephen Hawking, will provide funding to allow equipment on the Very Large Telescope that studies in the mid-infrared to be adapted to better detect faint planets, the ESO said in a statement on Monday.The adoption will have the effect of reducing bright stellar light that drowns out relatively dim planets, improving the chances of finding them, it said.Interest in exploring the sun's nearest neighbour has increased since scientists announced last year that they had discovered evidence of an Earth-sized planet circling Proxima Centauri, a star in the Alpha Centauri system.Larger telescopes planned for the 2020s - such as the ESO's own Extremely Large Telescope, current under construction in Chile - should provide researchers with more information on the number and nature of exoplanets.The ESO is an intergovernmental astronomy organisation backed by 16 countries in Europe and South America and hosted in Chile. In the technology driven world, Indian Army is looking to solve its everyday problems with the help of technology and the latest gadgets available in the market.Problem? These gadgets are not up to the mark when it comes to a Military grade requirement.As of now, the Army personnel are unable to charge their phones or communication sets in remote locations with the existing power banks in the market. report indicates that Indian Army has urged the tech giants to develop military-grade power banks which will be able to withstand the extreme conditions faced by the personnel.As per the requirements stated by the Army, the power bank should work under all weather conditions and be shock, dust and waterproof.Mobiles and MCCS (mobile cellular communication systems) are the mainstay of communications especially during peace time. Charging of mobiles and MCCS is a big issue in field areas especially for troops operating over difficult terrain for longer durations, the report mentions the issues stated by the Army.Currently, Indian Army is making use of the existing power banks even though they are not up to the mark.Indian Army has also stated a requirement for all in one mobile sets which can work across different satellite feeds and networks. This problem can be solved in a phased manner though. The Indian Space Research Organisation is on track towards another world record of sorts, with the launch of a rocket carrying 103 satellites at one go slated for end-January or early February at the latest.Isro chairman A S Kiran Kumar says while the intention was not to look for any record, the countrys ace space agency is trying to maximise capacity in each launch and this is another effort in that direction.Only three of the 103 satellites are Indian the others are being launched for countries like Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland and the US, as part of an outsourcing tie-up between these countries and Isros commercial arm Antrix Corporation.This is what Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh, who has charge of the Department of Space, had informed Parliament in November.I think so far, in a single launch, the maximum number of satellites has been about 37 or 38, Dr Kiran Kumar told News18, adding that the prime driver for all this effort is to optimise capability of its launch vehicles.A date for the launch is yet to be fixed but the space agency is working towards this by end of the month, Dr Kumar said.Of course, most of the 103 satellites will be very small ones as good as cube-sats, according to Isro sources. All the satellites will be earth-observation ones, including the Indian ones that are meant for cartography and allied services. The client-countries havent specified what use they will put their satellites to. Beijing: Amid rising terror threats, China has tightened security at its borders with PoK and Afghanistan to prevent terrorists from entering or leaving its volatile Xinjiang province which has recently witnessed violent attacks allegedly by the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement. The province has already stepped up efforts in entry-exit management last year and continues to tighten the security this year, Shohrat Zakir, the Xinjiang chairman, told Xinjiang's local provincial council. Many terrorists who carried out attacks in the region in recent years received training abroad and then returned illegally. Some also crossed the border illegally to flee, Aniwar Turson, a top ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) official of Xinjiang's Kashgar prefecture, was quoted as saying by the state-run media. Kashgar prefecture borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Afghanistan. "We need to make sure not a single terrorist can get in or out of Xinjiang illegally, especially when our neighboring countries are facing rising terrorist threats," Aniwar was quoted as saying by state-run China Daily. "Xinjiang, which borders eight countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, has been China's main battleground in the fight against terrorism," the daily reported. China's official media refers to PoK borders with Xinjiang as Pakistan border without mentioning its disputed status. It is the same region through which the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being built. Mention of Pakistan in relation to the problem of terrorism in Xinjiang is rare in the Chinese media as ETIM has in the past had training bases in Pakistan's tribal areas. Pakistan army has conducted special operations in recent years to clear them under pressure from China. However, a large number of the militants from the Muslim Uyghur majority province reported to have crossed over to Syria through Turkey and joined Islamic State. Last year, Chinese official media reported that Chinese and Pakistan border troops have launched border patrolling to curb infiltration. China has also launched Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism along with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan to counter terrorism in the Xinjiang border region. China apprehends that many of them return to stir trouble in Muslim Uyghur majority Xinjiang which largely remained peaceful last year after years of turmoil as China stepped up security. But two major incidents in the last few days raised concerns about return of violence to Xinjiang where Uyghurs were restive over the settlements of Hans from other provinces. On Sunday, three terrorists were killed in a police raid in southern Xinjiang's Hotan prefecture. The suspects wanted in connection with a 2015 attack resisted arrest and were shot dead, official media had reported. Conceding disappointments during his presidency yet offering vigorous encouragement for the nations future, Barack Obama issued an emotional defense Tuesday night of his vision to Americans facing a moment of anxiety and a dramatic change in leadership. Capping his eight years in office, Obama returned to his adoptive hometown of Chicago to recast his yes we can campaign credo as yes we did. He also called on supporters to pick up the torch and forge a new social compact. Democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity, he said. For all our outward differences, we are all in this together, he said. We rise or fall as one. Heres a recap of the farewell speech: Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here. As we humans build roads, convert forest and prairie to farmland and construct dams, we are fragmenting wildlife habitat into smaller and smaller pieces. When an ecosystem has been dramatically changed by human activities, it cannot provide the food, water or space animals need to thrive. Every day there are fewer places left that wildlife can call home. Roads are often the gateway to fragmentation. A recent study published in the journal Science by a team of 10 conservation scientists from Germany, Greece, Poland, the United Kingdom, Brazil and the United States used an open-source, citizen science database of global roads to look at the impact. While they found that 80 percent of the Earths land (excluding Antarctica and Greenland) is roadless, they determined that roads had carved up that land into about 600,000 pieces. More than half of these were less than .39 square miles in area. Only 7 percent of the fragments were very large more than about 39 square miles. Not surprisingly, some of the largest untrammeled areas were in the Amazon rain forest, northern forests and Africa, but most of these areas are not currently being protected against future development. In the Amazon, for instance, deforestation is accelerating. Once sunlight can penetrate to the rain forest floor, the forest heats up, trees collapse more easily and there isnt enough range for many key species. Intrusion into wild areas also allows invasive species to take over and destroy native habitat. So its a bit of good news locally that an Evington man recently donated an adjoining chunk of land to Lynchburg Colleges Claytor Nature Study Center. Bob Kibler gave 21 acres to the college to expand the preserve to 491 acres. The new tract contains numerous blueberry and blackberry bushes as well as an orchid colony, and the plot is almost entirely free of nonnative plants. Kibler, who earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from Lynchburg College, has long been devoted to conservation. This tract is one of two pieces of land he has placed under conservation easement. The more land we preserve in contiguous tracts, the better. We need to put more emphasis on protecting space for other species. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the main culprit in habitat destruction is agriculture. While much of the damage was done long ago, there is increasing pressure to redevelop conservation lands for high-priced food and biofuel crops. Development and water diversion also create major habitat loss, and pollutants such as untreated sewage, mining waste, acid rain, fertilizers and pesticides concentrate in rivers, lakes and wetlands and eventually end up disrupting food sources and wildlife reproduction. Unchecked growth threatens to upend healthy ecosystems all over the planet. Every time we have more than two children per couple, build new houses and stores and consume precious resources, we are degrading the land and water for all species. We can make a difference by reducing our individual impacts and acting collectively to preserve large tracts of land, not only for wildlife, but future generations of humans. The soon-to-be-former operations and maintenance facilities used by Greater Lynchburg Transit Company is being eyed for a new use. The two-parcel property, located at 1301 and 1305 Kemper St., is being considered as a potential site for the Lynchburg Police Department, which currently is plagued by space constraints and aging facilities during its operations from multiple buildings. GLTC is planning to move its operations and maintenance center from Kemper Street to a new facility being constructed on Bradley Drive. The two Kemper Street parcels are listed for sale for $1.1 million. A space needs assessment commissioned by the city to determine the needs of the police department and the Lynchburg general district and circuit courts was presented to Lynchburg City Council during a Tuesday work session. The police department currently works out of multiple buildings. Police officials have said working out of several buildings impedes department efficiency and results in a duplication of services. The assessment began in the summer of 2016 for the cost of about $88,100 and was conducted by Architects Design Group of Winter Park, Florida, and Lynchburg-based Atelier 11 Ltd. Architecture. The assessment involved on-site interviews with police and courts staff and tours of city properties. Challenges faced by the police department include a lack of parking, operation space, functional training areas and community meeting spaces. The assessment notes the West Building at 805 Court St., which began its life as a church and was constructed around 1900, is plagued with structural deficiencies. Theyre on top of each other in a lot of spaces, said Ian Reeves, president of Architects Design Group. According to the assessment, the Lynchburg Police Department would need almost double the amount of space it currently has, or about 89,000 square feet, in 2038. The department currently has 46,400 square feet. The assessment notes an additional 12,285 square feet of space could be used for a community gymnasium/multipurpose space. Four development options were presented to City Council for the reuse of the GLTC maintenance and operations properties. The concepts were based on the amount of space needed in 2028 or 2038, and the estimated costs ranged from $35 million to nearly $40 million. Three options that would serve the needs of the department in 2028 call for the construction of an 85,837-square-foot building on the property for use by the police department; two of those options also call for the construction of a secured parking deck. A fourth option to serve the needs of the department in 2038 proposes the construction of an 89,201-square-foot building at the GLTC property that includes unfinished space that could be used later to serve the growing department. That option also includes the construction of a parking deck. The assessment provides separate options to meet the needs of Lynchburgs courts. Both city courts currently suffer from handicapped-accessibility issues and a lack of parking, space and storage. In the general district court, the assessment lists challenges such as the clerks windows having limited visibility to the lobby and sound issues in the courtroom. Lynchburg General District Court currently has 10,600 square feet and will need an additional 10,900 square feet to meet the departments needs in 2038. The assessment proposes a 2,500-square-foot expansion for the cost of $3.2 million; another option calls for the construction of a new, roughly 22,000-square-feet court building for the estimated cost of $10.5 million. Lynchburg Circuit Court is projected to need an additional 11,100 square feet in 2038 over its current 28,300 square feet; the assessment calls for the renovation and expansion of its current space for an estimated $6.2 million. After the meeting, City Manager Bonnie Svrcek said she had spoken to GLTC General Manager Josh Baker and said to her understanding, the city would not need to purchase the two GLTC parcels on Kemper Street as GLTC is an entity owned by the city. City staff is looking at funding scenarios that would go toward financing the results of the assessment and the citys capital improvement program, she said. City Council also received comments from a limited number of people seeking a vacant seat on the Lynchburg City School Board. Lynchburg City Council appoints members to the school board and aims to fill a seat representing school District 2, left vacant after the resignation of former school board member Jenny Poore in November. Poores resignation followed a post she made to Facebook that was critical of President-elect Donald Trump. The Rev. Keith Anderson is an applicant who previously served on the school board from 2006 to 2012. An administrator at Liberty University, Anderson said he wants to offer honesty in evaluations, integrity and courage to ask tough questions and stand alone if necessary. The public education that I received has prepared me for life and the journey I have been on, so I would like to reinvest myself to this community by offering my service, he said. City resident Alan Hudson is a parent of a child who attends Sheffield Elementary School, and he spoke on behalf of applicant Eyvonne Harvey-McCoy Green, who was unable to attend the meeting. Hudson said Harvey-McCoy Green wants the honor of being a true representative of the students, parents and teachers of Lynchburg City Schools. Speaking of her volunteerism, She is to me, and many of her peers, the backbone to our Sheffield community, Hudson said. In a letter read aloud by Mayor Joan Foster, applicant Lewis Lee Jr. said Lynchburg City Schools is broken, and there has to be changes to the entire system. In his letter, Lee said if he is selected to serve on the board, there will be more teachers, and some school administrators will have school buyout plans. As a member of the school board, I will not bring shame or disgrace to the office, Lee said in his letter. Kimberly Sinha is a senior statistician at the Iowa-based Ruffalo Noel Levitz and said she has had a long career with post-secondary education in institutional research. While working at Central Virginia Community College as an administrator, a primary responsibility was overseeing the annual strategic plan, a process by which key spending decisions were made, she said. Sinha said her research experience especially is suited for the school board as she has studied issues of concern to the school board such as student engagement, learning outcomes and program quality. Other applicants to the school board include Gregory Crivello, an engineer at BWX Technologies Inc., and James Tolbert, an educator employed by Pittsylvania County Schools who resides in the city. In November, city resident Collin Byrne sent a letter addressed to Clerk of Council Valeria Chambers requesting councils consideration of allowing the presidents of Lynchburg parent-teacher organizations or parent-teacher associations be involved in the vetting process of school board appointees. During Tuesdays meeting, City Attorney Walter Erwin said City Council could change its appointment process to allow input from the parent-teacher association. The council appeared to welcome input from individuals and groups but opted not to change its school board appointment process. City Council voted to make the names of applicants selected to be interviewed be made public, an action that would allow parent-teacher associations to conduct their own interviews of selected candidates. After a closed meeting Tuesday, City Council announced it will interview Anderson, Crivello, Eyvonne Harvey-McCoy Green and Sinha on Jan. 18 for the vacant District 2 school board position. In other news, Lynchburg City Council approved a conditional use permit requested by Centra Health Inc. that will allow the conversion of a vacant building at 1331 Oak Lane to a closed door pharmacy. The pharmacy will provide services to outside Centra facilities but not the public-at-large. Lynchburg voters looking to cast their ballots in the special election for the 22nd Senate District on Tuesday encountered an unusual snag in the democratic process voting precincts out of ballots. According to Lynchburg Registrar Karen Patterson, the registrar and electoral board ordered 1,350 ballots for the special election, enough for 5 percent of the citys registered voters. The Senate district includes about half of the city. Patterson said historical election data was used to determine the number of ballots to print. Pat Bower, chair of the Lynchburg Electoral Board, described the lack of available ballots as a miscalculation by both the board and the registrar and said they take responsibility for the issue. I do really apologize for that and the inconvenience that many voters had, Bower said. She added the turnout was grossly underestimated. By comparison, Amherst County ordered enough ballots for an anticipated turnout of 25 percent, according to Registrar Fran Brown. In Appomattox County, enough ballots were ordered for a turnout of 50 percent of registered voters, according to Registrar Sabrina Smith. The Senate district, which stretches from northeastern Lynchburg to Goochland County near Richmond, includes all of Appomattox and Amherst counties. State Election Commissioner Edgardo Cortes said no specific percentage was recommended by the state; local electoral boards are responsible for determining how many ballots are needed. Results for Lynchburg came in shortly after 10 p.m. with Democrat Ryant Washington earning 2,450 votes to Republican Mark Peake's 2,244. Though Washington won Lynchburg, Peake earned 13,706 votes overall to 10,222 for his opponent. Independent Joe Hines earned 1,882 votes. For precincts that ran out of ballots, voters either used electronic voting machines designated and typically used as handicap accessible or photocopied ballots were delivered for voters to fill out. Because vote-counting machines use a specific type of paper, photocopied ballots were hand-counted. Bower said she and other election officials would take part in the manual vote counting. Cortes told The News & Advance the State Board of Elections had been made aware of the issue at about 9 a.m. Tuesday, and Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Howard was dispatched from Richmond to work directly with the city electoral board to ensure emergency ballots were distributed quickly and efficiently to sites that had ran out. Howard also oversaw hand counting of ballots. Some voters expressed frustration Tuesday afternoon as they waited to vote in the special election. Voter Leighton Dodd, who said he planned to vote for Democrat Ryant Washington, told The News & Advance he tried to vote at 11:30 a.m. at Bedford Hills School precinct, but there were no ballots. When he came back after lunch at about 1 p.m., the precinct was out of ballots again. To not have enough ballots is ridiculous, Dodd said as he sat in a line of 30 voters who were waiting for more ballots to be delivered so they could cast their votes. Dodd expressed concern the ballot snafu could affect the election. Voter Bruce Blankinship expressed similar sentiments. Thats quite absurd, he said when he heard the Bedford Hills precinct was out of ballots, as he headed out on his lunch break to vote for Republican Mark Peake. He said he also was worried over how the issues with the special election could affect the end result. Blankinship left the precinct without voting but said he would return to cast his ballot after work. At nearly 2 p.m. more than 400 voters had been through the Bedford Hills precinct, according to election official Mariana Boska. The precinct had at least three rounds of ballots delivered. But Aaron Evans, who was standing outside Bedford Hills to promote the Republican ballot, said about 50 people had left without voting since the precinct did not have ballots available. Candidates Mark Peake, Joe Hines and Ryant Washington were informed of the ballot shortage. Washington said Lynchburgs ballot issues wont influence the elections legitimacy and said there are lessons we learned there. I feel they responded to the matter the best they could under the circumstances, and the state responded as well taking a look at what the issue was, Washington said. Peake said he was both frustrated and disappointed with the ballot blunder. Weve had people leave Bedford Hills, weve had people leave here, Peake said as he campaigned outside of First Presbyterian Church at about 1 p.m. Its frustrating to see people leave. Tripp Duerson, who voted for Peake, said the voting process had been smooth when he voted at First Presbyterian Church shortly after 1 p.m., and he was not concerned with a hand count of ballots. Though voters experienced delays in the morning and afternoon, the issue seemed to have been solved by the evening. Dr. Bob Brennan noted he cast his ballot at about 6:30 p.m. without delay. Brennan, who said he voted for Washington for his commitment to public safety and public education, noted there was no line at First Presbyterian Church when he went to cast his ballot. BEDFORD A judge dismissed an obstruction of justice charge Tuesday against the granddaughter of a person of interest in the 1975 Lyon sisters murder case after prosecutors cited the womans cooperation. Amy Ann Johnson was convicted in Bedford County District Court of the misdemeanor charge in November 2015 but appealed the outcome. That moved the case to Circuit Court where Judge James Updike Jr. dismissed the charge. Also known as Amy Ann Welch, the defendant is a relative of Richard Welch, whom authorities called a person of interest in the disappearance of Sheila and Katherine Lyon in suburban Maryland in 1975. Richard Welch has maintained his innocence. His nephew, Lloyd Lee Michael Welch Jr., has been charged in the girls murders and faces trial this spring. Authorities say the Lyon girls were abducted and taken to Bedford County and killed. Their bodies have not been found. Several people in the extended Welch family have faced charges stemming from the longtime investigation. Johnson was charged with one count of obstruction of justice without force in September 2015. Matthew Pack, her attorney, emphasized Tuesday prosecutors actually moved to dismiss the charge, rather than just declining to prosecute the case. The commonwealth moved to dismiss Ms. Welchs charges, and they moved to dismiss with prejudice [which] just means that the charge is dismissed and cant be brought back, he said. Of course we had no objection. Pack noted Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance in court had said due to Johnsons cooperation, he was moving to dismiss the charge. Nance said late Tuesday he could not comment further on the case. Pack said his client will now seek to clear her name. We intend to file a motion to expunge in the next few months, he said. After almost a year on the campaign trail, Lynchburg Republican Mark Peake defeated two opponents to win Virginias 22nd Senate District seat Tuesday, according to state Department of Elections preliminary results. As of 10:21 p.m., Peake had won 53 percent of the vote with 100 percent of precincts reporting to the Department of Elections website, making him the first Hill City resident to represent the district since it was redrawn in 2011 to stretch from Goochland County to northeastern Lynchburg. Democrat Ryant Washington, who called Peake to concede after 9 p.m. Tuesday, took 40 percent of the vote, and Independent Joe Hines received 7 percent, according to the department. Peakes win, along with that of Democrat Jennifer McClellan in the 9th Senate District, leaves the state Senate split 21-19 for Republicans how Rep. Tom Garrett, R-5th District, and Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th District, left it when they moved on to Congress, leaving their seats open requiring Tuesdays special elections. Peake said his bags are not packed yet for Richmond, where the General Assembly convenes today. He plans to meet with the Republican caucus there today but isnt sure when hell be sworn in. Certifying the election, he said, could take up to a week. Details on how long certification would take were not available from the Department of Elections on Tuesday night. We worked awfully hard to make sure it turned out this way, Peake said, thanking campaign staff and volunteers who worked with him early. He announced his candidacy in February long before Garrett had won the partys nomination for the congressional race. Peake defeated Goochland County Supervisor Ken Peterson for the Republican nomination in a convention. Washington said he called Peake to concede the race Tuesday night. At the end of the day, we ran a good race. All three candidates voiced their concerns, but we recognize that the numbers are going the opposite direction, so therefore we spoke to Mr. Peake, Washington said in a phone interview. We wished him well and let him know we will still communicate with him as a senator and hope that he will take what was said and heard through the campaign and truly be a representative for all the people of the district. Peake performed well throughout the district, including taking 68 percent in Amherst County and 75 percent in Appomattox. Peake only received 47 percent in his home locality, though. Lynchburg went to Washington with 51 percent. Hines took away less than 3 percent of city votes. In a statement released just before 11 p.m. Tuesday night, Hines congratulated Peake on his victory and Washington on a hard fought campaign. While I thank my many supporters tonight as we conclude this campaign, I promise that I will not go away. I will be a resource to Mark or any other public servant who could use my assistance, Hines said in the statement. Peake, a former Lynchburg Republican Committee chairman, first ran for the seat in 2011 but placed third in the Republican primary won by Garrett. Garrett defeated Lynchburg Democrat Bert Dodson with 58 percent of the vote in 2011 and faced no challenger in 2015. I just look forward to representing the people of the 22nd District, everybody in the 22nd District, Peake said. I will listen to everybody, and I look forward to talking to them. Gov. Terry McAuliffe dumped the chairwoman of the Virginia Parole Board amid concerns that the five-member panel was not moving quickly enough on reforms proposed in 2015. McAuliffes administration announced Friday that board member Adrianne Bennett, a lawyer from Hampton Roads, is replacing Karen Brown as board chairwoman. Then-Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed Brown to the board in 2011. McAuliffe named her chairwoman in 2014. The move by McAuliffe removes Brown from the five-member board and adds a new member, former state delegate Jean W. Cunningham, a lawyer who represented Richmond in the House of Delegates from 1986 to 1998. The decision also means McAuliffe has now appointed four of the five parole board appointees. McAuliffe on Tuesday praised Browns service but said he wanted a new set of eyes in his final year as governor. I want to make sure that we are moving expeditiously on these parole hearings, McAuliffe said. I want to make sure that were doing everything that we possibly can. As of October, 2,765 inmates in Virginia prisons were eligible for parole, according to Department of Corrections data. The board reviews those cases, among other duties such as reviewing requests for pardons. Virginia abolished parole for felonies committed in 1995 or after. A McAuliffe-created commission studied parole and made recommendations in December 2015. Before parole was abolished, it was granted in about 41 percent of cases that came before the parole board, according to the report. That dropped to 3 percent before rising more recently to 6 percent, according to the McAuliffe administration. The state pays an average of $28,000 to incarcerate one inmate annually, putting the estimated cost of housing parole-eligible inmates at more than $77 million. And older inmates can have medical issues that boost the cost of incarcerating them. But the Parole Board often rejects requests from inmates convicted of violent crimes. Brown is a former prosecutor in Newport News and Chesapeake. Her base salary as parole board chairwoman in 2015 was $127,485, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch salary database. She could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville filed a lawsuit in 2010 against the parole board on behalf of 11 inmates, arguing they were being unfairly denied parole. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit that year. Richmond lawyer Stephen Northup, the lead attorney in the federal lawsuit, has continued to advocate for reform of the parole board. He said he thinks Bennett will be a fair-minded board chairwoman. Shes open minded about granting parole to people old law prisoners who have been in prison for decades with perfect or near perfect records whose release poses no threat to public safety, he said. Gov. Terry McAuliffe may have hoped for some surprise good news in Tuesdays special General Assembly elections, but tonight hell deliver his final State of the Commonwealth speech facing the same daunting political landscape. Republicans will still control both legislative chambers, and the partys four gubernatorial contenders are ramping up their attacks on McAuliffes legacy in the hope of retaking the governors mansion in November. Limited to one four-year term, McAuliffe wanted to hand off the executive branch to Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, a succession plan jeopardized by former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriellos surprise entry into what is now a two-person Democratic primary. With six would-be governors needing to stand out, theyll search for opportunities over 46 days of debate covering thousands of bills. Leaders from both parties say they want to keep the gubernatorial race out of the halls of the statehouse. On the eve of the session, it already had seeped in. With Northam by his side, McAuliffe held a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday to call for a full repeal of the states voter photo ID law, setting off howls from Republicans who accused Northam of rushing to the left. Ed Gillespie, the GOP gubernatorial front-runner and former Republican National Committee chairman who has sought to make his presence felt on legislative issues by sending lawmakers a detailed policy letter, quickly released a statement saying hed work to preserve the voter ID law. Northams role presiding over the Senate, which gives him a deciding vote on most bills in the event of a 20-20 tie, may give him greater visibility in the weeks ahead. But because elected officials are banned from campaigning or raising money during the session, Perriello can travel the state for support, raise money and weigh in on policy issues from afar. Northam, who has the backing of Virginias Democratic establishment, will likely have to fend off attacks on his record as lawmakers take up reforms to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the state authority on the legislatures radar this year after a state report pointed to lax oversight of public incentives used to lure businesses to Virginia. Gillespie has sought to tie the VEDPs problems to Northam because Northam serves on the authoritys board, though the report made clear that many of the identified problems existed before McAuliffe took office. In addition to VEDP, balancing the state budget in the face of a $1.26 billion revenue shortfall will top the legislative agenda, with compensation for state employees a key sticking point. McAuliffe proposed a $130.6 million compensation package that includes a one-time 1.5 percent bonus for state employees, but legislative leaders already have dismissed the idea as doing too little for state employees to stem a surge in turnover that is taking a heavy toll on state police, mental hospitals and prisons. The governor may fare better with proposals to spend an additional $31.7 million on behavioral health and treatment of substance use disorders. McAuliffes proposed voter ID repeal, accompanied by other measures to expand absentee voting and tighten ethics laws by banning the personal use of campaign money, is the latest big-ticket item on the governors 2017 legislative wish list with seemingly steep odds. Hes also called for a dramatic reduction in the states use of drivers license suspensions as a way of collecting court fees from offenders who dont pay. He is still holding out hope for some form of Medicaid expansion, even with the Affordable Care Act in peril due to the coming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said McAuliffes hands have been tied by an opposing legislature, leaving the governor to focus his considerable energies on economic development and unilateral executive orders. Now, McAuliffe has to focus on getting bits and pieces from his last General Assembly session, and the Republicans have even more reason not to help him, Sabato said. They want a Republican to succeed McAuliffe. And McAuliffe has to do everything he can to elect Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, lest the GOP take full control of Virginia government and wipe out what legacy McAuliffe has created. McAuliffe has made it clear that he strongly backs Northam over Perriello, but he said that, during the session, hell spend no time worrying about politics. I dont even want to hear about the governors race, McAuliffe said. I dont care. Though divided government may have stymied McAuliffes ability to get bills passed, its allowed his supporters to argue for keeping the veto pen in Democratic hands as a check on the Republican legislature. McAuliffe has promised to veto bills he sees as discriminatory against LGBT people or restricting womens access to abortion, issues that could roil the Republican primary field and prove tricky in a purple state where the GOP is riding a losing streak in statewide elections that dates to 2009. McAuliffes latest target is a transgender bathroom bill introduced by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William. McAuliffe said he told Marshall hell veto the bill, which would force transgender people to use the bathroom in public buildings and schools corresponding to the sex on their original birth certificate. McAuliffe called the bill a jobs killer, and hinted it could be featured in his speech tonight. Marshalls bill is unlikely to win wide support, but not all Republicans are running from it. Corey Stewart, a fiery Prince William County supervisor seeking the Republican nomination for governor, said he supports the bill and thinks its common sense to keep people born as men out of womens bathrooms as a matter of public safety. Gillespie and his establishment, weak-kneed Republican politicians down in Richmond probably will kill the legislation before it sees the light of day, said Stewart, who served as the chairman of Trumps Virginia campaign but was fired for his role in an unauthorized protest at the RNC headquarters. Hes adopted a similarly anti-establishment tone in his run for governor, saying Gillespie and his many Republican endorsers in the General Assembly are part of a good ol boys club that stifles strong conservative legislation. Gillespie has endorsements from 62 of the legislatures 87 Republican members. Hes also set up nine policy work groups headed by Republican lawmakers. In addition to his own relationships with lawmakers, Gillespie hired Matt Moran, a legislative insider and former aide to House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, as his campaign spokesman. In his letter laying out his views on General Assembly issues, Gillespie called for reducing funding for the VEDP, higher funding for the corporate-led GO Virginia initiative to promote regional economic cooperation, and urged support for a pay raise for state employees that was canceled last summer due to the revenue shortfall. Longtime Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth said he expects Howell, who has endorsed Gillespie, to advance a Gillespie-friendly legislative agenda while burying items that might get in the way, such as Marshalls bathroom bill. One lawmaker who wont be looking to help Gillespie is state Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, who stresses his status as the only GOP gubernatorial candidate with in-depth policy chops built from decades of experience in state government. If endorsements meant anything, we wouldnt have a Congressman (Scott W.) Taylor, we wouldnt have a Congressman (Dave) Brat, we wouldnt have a President Trump, Wagner said. Newly announced Republican candidate Denver Riggleman, a Nelson County distillery owner, could also launch bombs from afar at what he has described as a rigged system that gives Richmond lobbyists outsize power. Seriously? Is President-elect Donald Trump so thin-skinned that even criticism from Meryl Streep triggers a nasty, over-the-top response? What kind of crybaby have Americans elected as their leader? One of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, Trump absurdly called the most acclaimed actress of our time, demonstrating he is no more prepared to become critic in chief than commander in chief. Are there more important things to think and write about than Trumps latest Twitter tantrum? Yes and no. Trump threatens to snatch health insurance coverage from millions, enact huge tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, reverse progress against climate change, destabilize the Western alliance, pick fights with China while cuddling up to Russia the big-issues list is long and frightening. But I believe it would be foolish not to examine the personality and the psychological makeup of the man who will soon be in the White House. My view, then, is that we cannot ignore his vitriolic tweet storms. No, we should not let them distract us from other news about the incoming administration. But the Twitter rants offer a glimpse into Trumps psyche, and its not pretty. For anyone who missed the whole thing, Streep received a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes on Sunday night. She began her acceptance speech by apologizing for having lost her voice. But while she could only speak softly, her words took a two-by-four to Trumps fragile ego. There was one performance this year that stunned me, she said. It sank its hooks in my heart. Not because it was good. There was nothing good about it. But it was effective, and it did its job. It made its intended audience laugh and show their teeth. It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter. Someone he outranked in privilege, power and the capacity to fight back. It kind of broke my heart when I saw it. I still cant get it out of my head because it wasnt in a movie. It was real life. Streep was incorrect in only one fact: The incident to which she referred actually took place at a rally in November 2015, when candidate Trump mocked New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has a medical condition that limits the motion of his arms. While denouncing Kovaleski, whom I have known for years, Trump gestured similarly to the way the reporter does. This instinct to humiliate, when its modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, Streep said, it filters down into everybodys life, because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing. Streep was hardly the first critic to attack Trump for that performance, and she wont be the last. But Trump must have stewed about it all night, because he rose to tweet his response at 6:27 a.m., calling her overrated and a Hillary flunky who lost big. I dont have to defend Streep or Kovaleski both can take care of themselves. But Trumps knee-jerk reaction is worthy of comment because it is so typical. The man who is about to become president is enveloped by a shell of self-regard that at first seems armor-like but turns out to be delicate and brittle. He couldnt endure Alec Baldwins impression of him on Saturday Night Live, calling it not funny and saying it just cant get any worse. He reacted to an unflattering piece in Vanity Fair by claiming that the magazine is way down, big trouble, dead! and that its editor has no talent. He taunted his replacement on Celebrity Apprentice, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, for having low Nielsen numbers by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT and noted that Schwarzenegger was not a supporter of his campaign. Conversely, he shows nothing but high regard for anyone who says anything nice about him. Thus he calls Russian President Vladimir Putin very smart and quotes him approvingly, despite the fact that intelligence officials say Russia actively meddled in our electoral process. I dont believe Trumps tweets are part of some sophisticated strategy to draw attention away from other events and topics. To me, this looks like simple action and reaction. When someone criticizes him publicly in a way that threatens his stature, he seems compelled to hit back. He cant seem to ignore any slight. Thats a sign of weakness, not strength as Putin and other world leaders surely have figured out. Robinson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post. Email him at eugenerobinson@washpost.com. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us. Termination letters for senior cops Well-placed sources said that at 3 pm, the top cop summoned head of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Snr Supt Simboonath Rajkumar and Head of Eastern Division John Trimm to his office where he served both of them letters outlining the reasons why he (Williams) would invoke sections of the Police Service Act and have Rajkumar and Trimm proceed on leave. Both officers were asked to respond to the notice within seven days. The top cops move came hours after he met with Inspector Michael Seales, President of the Police Social Welfare Association to indicate his intention of making good on his promise to invoke the Police Act and terminate the service of any senior officer found to be not performing to expected standards. The letter, issued to the two officers, was titled, Retirement at the instance of the Commissioner of Police. One letter identified a 28 percent increase in murders; 32 percent increase in woundings and shootings; 80 percent increase in burglaries and breakings; 69 percent increase in robberies; 41 percent increase in general larceny; 55 percent increase in larceny dwelling house and a 30 percent overall increase in serious crimes, as the reasons that recipient was being served with a letter of forced retirement leave. Details of reasons for the letter being served on the other letter, were not forthcoming. It is understood that Snr Supt Rajkumar asked Williams what yardstick he used to single him (Rajkumar) out for such action. Rakjumar, Newsday was told, has never been served any notice in the past about dereliction of duty or non-performance and had received an excellent rating in an appraisal done last year. Sources revealed that both senior officers have sent the notice from the Police Commissioner to their respective legal counsel for a response and whatever follow up action may be deemed necessary. Both officers have about four years service left before they reach the compulsory retirement age of 60. Snr Supt Rajkumar has one year leave inside while Snr Supt Trimm has about two years vacation leave accumulated. Newsday understands that over ten First Division Officers, between the age of 50 and 55 are earmarked to be sent on early pre-retirement leave by the Acting CoP for non-performance and inefficiency. Last year, Williams indicated his intention to invoke the Police Service Act of 2006 which states in Part IV, Paragraph 31 (1): The Commissioner may terminate the appointment of an officer on the grounds of reported inefficiency and having regard to the officers job performances and, where applicable, his performance appraisal reports. Sources revealed that next in line for the chopping block is a senior officer who retired but returned to active duty on contract. Efforts to reach both Snr Supt Trimm and Rajkumar as well as Ag Commissioner Williams for comment yesterday proved futile. What will PM say? The state of the local economy and crime are among issues he is expected to address. A brief statement issued yesterday by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) confirmed the address but gave no details as to the content of his address. The PMs address comes exactly one week after Government held a two-day retreat at the Diplomatic Centre in St Anns and two days after strike action was averted at State oil company Petrotrin. At a news conference at the Diplomatic Centre on January 4, Rowley said Government would act to protect the public interest if the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) initiated strike action. The union called off the strike after Petrotrin offered a five percent interim wage increase, for the period 2011 2014. Both sides will meet on February 28 to continue negotiations for the 2011 2014 period. Rowley has said Petrotrin at this time is a ward of the Ministry of Finance and the former Peoples Partnership (PP) government had made a zero-zero-zero wage proposal to the OWTU for the 2011 to 2015 period, in a time of plenty. The Prime Minister may refer to this matter in speaking about the economy and efforts to stimulate economic growth in TT. In several of his previous statements, Rowley spoke of the challenging economic circumstances the country is facing and the need to do more with less. On January 4, Rowley indicated that several decisions were taken and he outlined some of them. These included a new management model for the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) north and south campuses; evaluation of proposals for the Couva Adult and Childrens Hospital; evaluation of proposals for a new hotel in St Clair; the resumption of construction of the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension project and consultations with respect to a proposed Sandals resort in Tobago. Petrotrin workers back at work Leading the workers was OWTU labour relations officer Foster Carrington who under cool overcast conditions, briefly addressed the workers saying the tactics adopted by the unions central executive was an almost perfect strategy which had confounded the companys management. It was the first time, in the history of the union, that the hourly, weekly and monthly paid bargaining unit were forced to go to the (Industrial) Court to have a negotiation resolved, so therefore the tactics of the executive of the union to include this current period to ensure we executed what we were supposed to execute, to deal with the period before, was almost perfect, Carrington said. After the workers sang several of the unions battle songs including Solidarity forever, Carrington led them into the refinerys compound. OWTU President General Ancel Roget, who addressed workers on Monday night after accepting a five percent interim increase for the 2011-2014 period, revealed that Petrotrins strategy was to win public support by saying it could not afford to pay workers an increase. The view was that if Petrotrin has to pay a rate increase to workers, the government has to borrow and the country will get a bad rating. But we have proven that all of that is not so, Roget said. However, he advised workers to remain vigilant saying they had to be prepared should the company renege on its promise to continue negotiations for the 2011- 2014 period on February 28. If it becomes necessary for us to call you out at a moments notice, be prepared to respond. Because it is that type of response which will move mountains, Roget said. Make sure you keep your eyes on the 28th of February, he added. Roget said the unions focus is on the companys future survival and this included the filling of vacancies at key areas of the companys operations including operators and at the various craft departments. Imams receive training We are not making people experts or professionals, but teaching them to identify red flags and how to make the appropriate intervention and referral, said Pooran Sankar, Regional Manager of the Psychiatric Department of the SWRHA. Because religious leaders are often the first to be sought out by persons afflicted by mental health issues, said Sankar, it was necessary to train them in how to respond in a helpful and appropriate manner. Sessions involving teachers, students, and Christian religious leaders from the region were hosted over the last three months. The next session will involve Hindu leaders from the South-West region. Asked how the response of religious leaders were to the scientific approach to dealing with issues of mental health, Sankar said, I am proud to say that the religious leaders are well aware that they need to be concerned about the development of the whole man, not just spiritual issues, because people are people. Featuring prominently in the workshop was the issue of depression. According to Psychiatrist in training Dr Andrea Homer, depression is not merely sadness, but sadness alongside many other symptoms that requires the diagnosis of a professional. Some cases of depression were triggered by traumatic experiences, but some were triggerless and caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Although therapy is always helpful, she said, sometimes medication is necessary. Other presenters included Mental Health Officer, Merene Singh and Clinical Psychologist, Giselle Dumas. Imam Sheraz Ali of the Nur-e-islam Masjid in El Socorro said he found the session inspiring and couldnt wait to implement what he learned in his community. Faith and science work hand in hand, said the Imam. It is important for us to understand it and use it. Science is from Allah, all knowledge comes from the Creator. Panmen in emergency meeting PanTrinbago member and ace pannist from Trinidad All Starts pan theatre Dane Gulson reiterated a call by several panmen for the Pan Trinbago executive to step down. The meeting really is basically to talk about 2017 Panorama and other matters that we have pending right now. Matters in terms of some of the players remittance of pay, because the Tobago and North (zone members) got their money, but the East and Southern region players have not. They got cheques last week which bounced when members went to the bank to try and cash them. We, as everyone will know, are trying to get the present executive to step down because of certain inconsistencies. Panmen last night claimed that $1.5 millioon was deposited in Pan Trinbagos First Citizens Bank account to pay oustading monies owed to panmen for the 2016 compeition, but there was no way to confirm this as members of the Pan Trinbago executive were in the meeting and their cellular phones were switched off. The meeting, held at City Hall in Port-of-Spain saw a very large turn out of the pan playing fraternity. Pan Trinbagos acting president Richard Forteau chaired the meeting in the absence of substantive president Keith Diaz who is on sick leave after suffering a heart attack last week Friday. JSC talks Petrotrin, NGC, Udecott These reports are reports into the administration and operation of Petrotrin, Udecott and NGC. The briefing takes place during the tea break in the Senate which holds its first sitting for the year at Tower D from 1.30 pm today. The main item on the Senate Order Paper is debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Marriage) Bill 2016. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi will start the debate on this legislation which is designed to amend the Marriage Act, Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, Hindu Marriage Act; Orisa Marriage Act and the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act. The bill requires a three-fifths majority for passage in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House sits on Friday at Tower D from 1.30 pm. Second missing 14-year-old girl found safe Malikah, who lives at Vistabella, San Fernando, was reported missing by her father Marlon when she did not show up at her aunts home in Princes Town on Sunday. According to police, Malikah left her home to visit an aunt at Indian Walk, Princes Town. She never showed up at her aunts residence. Her father said that calls to his daughters cellphone went unanswered. He said his daughter left home shortly after 7 am on January 7. In a media release yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed that the teenager was found. Police officers thanked the public for their assistance in ensuring her safe return. No further information was divulged to the media in the release. Only on Sunday another 14-yearold girl, Mariah Modeste, who was reported missing for seven days, was reunited with her family. Investigations into both cases are continuing Dookeran receives award from Indian government The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is one of the highest honours given to people of Indian origin residing overseas. Dookeran was the only Caribbean national on the list of 30 individuals from around the globe and previous recipients included two former Prime Ministers, Basdeo Panday and Kamla Persad-Bissessar respectively and former PNM Minister, Dr Lenny Saith. Dookeran is currently in India where he accepted the award. UWI staffer on UN team to draft global report Looking forward to his contribution, Smith said, Attaining sustainable development is vital for the people of the world. I hope that the report will provide solutions to help the countries of the world achieve the sustainable development goals. Before demitting office in 2016, former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Smith and 14 others to draft the report which is due for publication in 2019. The group was appointed after UN Member States requested the formation of an independent team to draft the report, and will continue through to the high-level political forum on sustainable development in the fall of 2019, where its report will be considered as part of the global review of progress on the 2030 Agenda. ATR funding wet-leased aircraft for CAL The Swiss Air aircraft that is on lease for the next two months is being fully funded by ATR as a consequence of their aircraft not being able to fly, CAL chairman Shameer Mohammed told the Joint Select Committee inquiring into State Enterprises on Monday. The Swift Air aircraft will operate on the domestic air bridge between Trinidad and Tobago from January 7 to March. Responding to the performance of CALs five ATRs, Mohammed said that 9YTTA and 9YTT Delta had been out of service with 9YTT D due to be back in service shortly. Due to the shortfall in service of the aircraft which were bought in 2011 at a cost of $200 million, Mohammed said that ATR North America despatched a team to Trinidad to look at the aircraft. The engineers identified an air inflow issue in the 9YTTD. We are hopeful that the aircraft having undergone a successful test flight on Saturday will be back in service shortly, he said. Meanwhile, a decision was taken to ground 9YTTA, he said, after a series of fire warnings during flights. He said there were four warning indicators, but no fire or no evidence of fire in any of the engines. We felt that the frequency of that occurring poses a risk and therefore we have grounded that aircraft, he said. It was in that context, he said, that ATR was summoned to Trinidad to provide CAL with a plan to identify what was wrong with the aircraft. As an airline, he said that CALs safety record was first and foremost and there was no room for error. Asked what recourse CAL had to recover its investments, Mohammed said, persons at CAL found it fit to waive their rights to sue the manufacturer. The issues with the aircraft began in 2015. Noting that the situation was totally unacceptable and needed to be looked at with some level of urgency, he said, We have obtained a legal opinion from our attorneys in London and we are looking at all possible options that are available to the airline for whatever course of action deemed necessary. CAL vice chairman Michael Quamina said that the contract that existed between CAL and ATR provided for a three-year warranty period, which in his view was too short. In exchange for getting the three-year warranty, he said, the contract waived certain rights thereafter. We are at present exploring the legality of that waiver in an effort to see what avenues are available to us in so far as recourse is concerned in relation to the concerns of the airline. Some of ATRs top engineers were in the country recently for a substantial period of time looking at the aircraft, he said, adding that a senior technical staff will be permanently based in Trinidad at CALs request. Trump: 'I'll Very, Very, Very Probably Do It Again' Authorities have captured a man who allegedly robbed a New York bank of almost $110,000though he also allegedly left about $53,000 scattered around the city before he was caught. Police say Joseph Peeples III asked for a manager at a Chase Bank in Rochester Thursday morning and handed over a note that said "nobody dies today" if money from the vault was handed over, Spectrum News reports. He allegedly filled a bag with cash and was caught by surveillance cameras getting into a taxiin which he left his jacket, which was holding nearly $10,000 of the money in its pockets, before exiting the cab at a bus station. At the bus station, police say he changed his clothes and left more than $43,000 in a restroom trash can. Police say Peeples took another taxi to a motel, used his own driver's license to check in, and then after an hour, took the same cab back to the bus station and booked a ticket to New York City. But he exited the bus in Binghamton, where he was ultimately arrested on the same day of the robbery at the Grand Royale Hotel160 miles away from the scene of the crime, the Press & Sun Bulletin reports. He allegedly confessed and told police $50,000 was stashed away in the hotel room's microwave, a shoe box, and a plastic bag atop the hotel room safe. "It's almost astounding to me in this day and age that someone would try to rob a bank in view of the technology that exists," said an official in announcing the arrest. "You go anywhere, you're on a camera." (Read more weird crimes stories.) An "outspoken vaccine conspiracy theorist" says he's been tapped by Donald Trump to "chair a commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity," the Atlantic reports. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with Trump on Tuesday, saying Trump, like himself, "has some doubts about the current vaccine policies." Both Trump and Kennedy have expressed belief in a nonexistent connection between vaccines and autism. According to the Los Angeles Times, Trump spokesperson Hope Hicks isn't confirming the existence of a vaccine commission. "The president-elect looks forward to continuing the discussion about all aspects of autism with many groups and individuals," she says. But if a Kennedy-led vaccine commission is created, the Atlantic says it would be "deeply troubling for proponents of evidence-based medicine." (Read more Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stories.) Kellyanne Conway managed to keep her cool Tuesday night on Late Night With Seth Meyers after the host confronted her with explosive new allegations against her boss. The former campaign manager, now Donald Trump's special counselor, told Meyers that claims that Russian intelligence services are holding compromising personal information on Trump are unverified, the Daily Beast reports. "Well, guess what hasn't happened, Seth, nobody has sourced it," Conway said. "They're all unnamed, unspoken sources in the story." She said Trump "has said that he is not aware" of the allegations, though Meyers told her that Trump had apparently been briefed on them, the Hollywood Reporter notes. A CNN report on the allegations "says that groups that wanted Hillary Clinton to win may have been involved in the investigations themselves. And, most importantly, it says the FBI is trying to confirm it. So, nothing has been confirmed," Conway said, adding: "As an American citizen regardless of political party .... we should be concerned that intelligence officials leak to the press and won't go and tell the president-elect or the president of the United States himself now, Mr. Obama, what the information is." She said the claims, which surfaced soon before her appearance on the show, came from a "Russian investigator." Meyers told her that the source is believed to be a former British intelligence operative considered to be a credible source by US intelligence agencies. (Read more Kellyanne Conway stories.) Yards from where workers finished the cleanup from the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting, a girl was reunited Tuesday with the teddy bear she left behind while fleeing. Courtney Gelinas, 10, smiled as Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport spokesman Greg Meyer opened the trunk of his SUV to reveal Rufus, the teddy bear the Canadian fifth-grader had received from her dying grandfather a decade ago, the AP reports. When Meyer handed her Rufus, she held the bear tight. Courtney was with her parents and siblings and about to board a plane home when officials say Esteban Santiago fatally shot five people one floor below them Friday. Rufus, a brown bear dressed in a red devil costume, was left behind as the family fled onto the tarmac with hundreds of others. "It is exciting and I am happy to have him back," the bashful girl said as she pressed against her mother's legs. Her mother said Courtney has not slept well since the shooting. She said they had been waiting to board their flight home when "a rush of people screaming for their lives came like a tsunami at us. We threw our children under our seats and we lay on top of them." The mother wept as she offered her "deepest respect and condolences to all of you who are without their grandmothers and their moms and their brothers, uncles, and aunts." The airport has returned a "substantial" portion of the 25,000 lost items left behind by fleeing passengers, including luggage, cellphones, baby strollers, and "lots of Hello Kitty backpacks," Meyer says. (Read more uplifting news stories.) Donald Trump's tweets are "intemperate" and "rife with vague and simplistic insults" but he has every right to keep firing them off, a New York judge has decided. Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Barbara Jaffe dismissed a libel suit from GOP strategist Cheryl Jacobus this week, ruling that Trump's tweets are protected free speech, Mashable reports. Jacobus filed the $4 million lawsuit last year after Trump called her a "major loser" and a "real dummy" in response to her criticism of his campaign's lack of transparency on financing. Trump's "intemperate tweets" are rife with insults including "'total loser' or 'totally biased loser,' 'dummy' or 'dope' or 'dumb,' 'zero/no credibility,' 'crazy' or 'wacko' and 'disaster,' all deflecting serious consideration," Jaffe wrote in her decision. Trump clearly intended to "belittle and demean" Jacobus, the judge wrote, but his tweets should be treated as opinion, not fact. "Truth itself has been lost in the cacophony of online and Twitter verbiage to such a degree that it seems to roll off the national consciousness like water off a duck's back," she wrote. Jacobus plans to appeal. "Today a court gave Trump a free pass to trample on the rights of free speech of any critic," her attorney told USA Today after the ruling. "What the court is doing is allowing defamation in the context of political speechTrump can now eliminate his critics by dominating the media," he said, calling the ruling "a sad day for free speech, a sad day for freedom of the press, and a sad day for democracy." (Read more Donald Trump stories.) A woman is charged with murder after the body of her 5-year-old daughter was found hidden inside a restaurant in Ohio. Police were initially searching for Ashley Zhao after she was reported to have wandered away from her father's restaurant, Ang's Asian Cuisine in North Canton, late Monday. According to a call to police around 9pm Monday, Ashley had last been seen sleeping in a back room of the restaurant around 5pm but was missing when her mom checked on her hours later. But after searching a nearby wooded area, authorities found the girl "deceased and concealed inside the building" around 5pm Tuesday, police tell Fox 8. Police say the girl died Monday morning after her mother, Ming Ming Chen, hit the 5-year-old in the head "several times with her right fist" and slammed her head on the floor, per Fox 8 and WKYC. The girl's father, Liang Zhao, saw Ashley had green fluid coming from her mouth and took her into a bathroom to clean her face, then gave her CPR when he noticed she wasn't breathing, police tell the Canton Repository. It was another 12 hours before the family called police. Chen is now charged with murder and felonious assault, while Zhao faces charges of complicity to murder and complicity to commit felonious assault. Their bond is set at $5 million each. (A new child abuse case out of Utah accuses a mom of keeping her son locked up for years.) It's a phrase synonymous with "the dog ate my homework." But for years, Michael Chamberlain tried to convince the world that it was true, that in the reported words of his former wife, "the dingo took my baby." He died Monday at age 72 of complications from leukemia decades after finally establishing the truth. He and his then-wife Lindy had been camping with their 9-week-old daughter Azaria during a trip to Uluru in the Australian Outback in 1980 when the infant disappeared, per the AP. The couple claimed wild dogs took her, but authorities accused Lindy Chamberlain of slitting Azaria's throat and burying her body, which was never found, based on forensic evidence suggesting Azaria's blood was in the family's car, per the BBC. Lindy Chamberlain was sentenced to life in prison for murder in 1982, while Michael Chamberlain was found to be an accessory after the fact and given an 18-month suspended sentence. However, both convictions were overturned when Azaria's jacket was found near dingo dens in 1984; the forensic evidence was eventually discredited. "You can get justice even when you think that all is lost," Michael Chamberlain, who split from his wife in 1991 and went on to write several books on the case, said in 2012 after a coroner ruled Azaria had been snatched by a dingo, reports the AAP. On Twitter, actor Sam Neill, who portrayed Chamberlain in the 1988 film A Cry in the Dark opposite Meryl Streep's Lindy, described him as "an impressive man" with a "quiet unassuming dignity," who was "terribly, cruelly wronged." (Read more Australia stories.) Steven McDonald spent the last 30 years of his life in a wheelchair, but the NYPD officer shot by a teen in Central Park chose forgiveness, becoming "an international emblem," per CNN. McDonald died Tuesday at a Long Island hospital at age 59, just days after suffering a heart attack, the NYPD announcedand his inspirational story is once more making the rounds, per the New York Times. "No one could have predicted that Steven would touch so many people, in New York and around the world," said NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill. "Like so many cops, Steven joined the NYPD to make a difference in people's lives. And he accomplished that every day." McDonald was just 29, with a pregnant wife and only two years on the force, when he was shot by 15-year-old Shavod Jones, whom he had stopped for loitering with two other boys on July 12, 1986. Doctors didn't think he'd make it more than a few months, but McDonald persevered and forgave. "I'm sometimes angry," he said at son Conor's baptism, a few months after the shooting. "But more often I feel sorry for [Jones]. I forgive him and hope that he can find peace and purpose in his life." The two even wrote each otherafter McDonald sent stamps, stationery, and a note that said, "Let's start a dialogue"though that ended when McDonald declined to help Jones seek parole (Jones died in a motorcycle accident days after his 1995 release). McDonald traveled to schools, churches, and conflict-ridden areas around the globe to spread his message of faith and forgiveness, and to speak on gun control. Son Conor, now 29, became an NYPD officer in 2010 and is now a sergeant. "[McDonald is] this city's greatest example of heroism and grace," says Mayor Bill de Blasio. (Read more uplifting news stories.) Almost as soon as the profanity-hurling fisherman sporting an electronic bracelet sauntered into the fish auction, Brendan Borrell knew he was seeing the Codfather. In his piece for Hakai Magazine, Borrell dives into the murky waters around Carlos Rafael, the 65-year-old he describes as "the most powerful man" in New Bedford, Mass, the most lucrative fishing port in the US. Rafael's fishing empire, said to be worth around $100 million, controls about 20% of New England's cod quota, all the more compelling considering that Borrell is out on $2 million bail as he prepares to face charges of lying to the government about catching hundreds of tons of fish, then allegedly trying to smuggle them into Portugal. Borrell places Rafael's story in context by first detailing his emigration from Portugal to America at the age of 15, starting out as a novice fish-cutter along Massachusetts' shores. Rafael eventually started the successful Carlos Seafood, where "tell him he can go f--- himself, the fish is fine" can be a standard reply to unhappy customers. Rafael's self-described "wheelin' and dealin'" at auctions, accumulating fishing violations, and exploiting a catch-shares management system for fishermen became his MO, with one exec saying his unsavory tactics have given the industry a "big, fat black eye." But Borrell wonders if "any law-abiding fishermen can profit under current regulations," which have made the fishing industry challenging. A local paper, though, notes the industry "will be stronger, more stable, and more sustainable without Mr. Rafael's corrupting influence" if he goes to prison. Rafael might just shrug that off. "I am a pirate," Rafael once said to regulators. "It's your job to catch me." More on Rafael's whale of a tale. (Read more Longform stories.) Sen. Marco Rubio and Rex Tillerson clashed over Russia during Wednesday's confirmation hearing for the would-be secretary of State. Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil CEO, has known Vladimir Putin personally for years, Politico reports. And Yahoo News notes he was even given the Order of Friendship by Putin. Rubio addressed that relationship immediately, asking Tillerson if he'd label Putin a "war criminal." When Tillerson replied that he "would not use that term," Rubio described the deaths of 300,000 Chechen Republic civilians in Putin-ordered bombings and the killing of civilians in Aleppo by Russia-backed Syria. Tillerson hedged, saying he'd need to see classified information first. "None of this is classified," the New York Times quotes Rubio as replying. "People are dead." Rubio said Tillerson's unwillingness to call Putin a war criminal was "discouraging." John McCain and Linsdsey Graham are also wary of Tillerson's ties with Russia, though other Republicans say Tillerson having a personal relationship with Putin is an "asset." Tillerson was evasive in other lines of questioning related to Russia. He said didn't know about any possible ties between Trump and Russia, but admitted it's a "fair assessment" to say that Russia was behind propaganda during the US election. He also said ExxonMobil never lobbied against Russian sanctions even though multiple discussions about sanctions between the company and the White House and lawmakers are part of the public record. (Read more Rex Tillerson stories.) A father disappeared from New Zealand with his 6-year-old daughter shortly before a custody hearing, then survived a weeks-long sea journey with a broken rudder. Alan Langdon showed up Wednesday in Australia after 27 days at sea aboard a homemade, 19-foot boat, the Times of London reports. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Langdon didn't tell anyone where he was going when he set sail with his daughter Que. That left Que's mother, Ariane Wyler, to hire a child recovery specialist to look for them. It wasn't the first time Wyler had hired Col Chapman; the specialist had previously found Langdon and Que living in rural Australia, the New Zealand Herald reports. He figured correctly they were probably heading that way again, though one of the catamaran's rudders broke four days into the trip, leaving Langdon to steer with just one. Langdon and Que crossed 1,200 miles of "treacherous" sea while the New Zealand air force searched for them. "We were always safe, we just couldn't let anyone know," Langdon later said. "I tell you I learnt a lot about sailing." When he and Que turned up in a seaside Australian town, they were quickly recognized by local sailors from photos disseminated by Chapman. Officials took father and daughter in for questioning, and Chapman says Langdon should face charges in both New Zealand and Australia. Wyler hasn't seen Que in nearly two years and is fighting for the right to do so. Langdon says his daughter was "happy" on the trip; they "saw lots of whales." (Inside an American's mysterious disappearance at sea.) New Delhi: Diversified conglomerate Welspun Group on Wednesday said it would invest Rs 4,000 crore on three large textile projects in Gujarat. Welspun India said in a BSE filing that three MoUs are being signed with the state government at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017. The group, which has presence in home textiles, line pipes and infrastructure, will invest Rs 2,000 crore in setting up an integrated textile manufacturing zone. It will invest Rs 1,000 crore on capacity enhancement of its technical textile business, while a similar amount has been earmarked for its advanced textile arm that makes specialised materials for aerospace, defence and automobiles. Welspun Group Chairman B K Goenka said: "Our continuous investment in the state is a testament to our long term commitment to Gujarat. It is our aim to make Gujarat the textile hub of the world. "Welspun continues to invest into development of well- researched products and technology of the future and the current investment is in line with this philosophy." Welspun Group has already invested Rs 10,000 crore in Gujarat so far and fresh investments take the total to Rs 14,000 crore. "These investments will further consolidate Welspun's global leadership position and explore new avenues for its upcoming businesses in Technical as well as Advanced Textiles," the company said. Welspun is developing an integrated textile manufacturing zone, which will be a part of the government's Sagarmala project wherein Kutch is among the first identified key locations. "The company aims to develop a large, modern and futuristic textile industrial complex that will manufacture and supply world class textile products for the global markets," the company said. The Kutch facility, it added, will provide an ecosystem for entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing facilities and would generate direct employment of nearly 5,000 as well as indirect employment to nearly 15,000 people. The group is also enhancing capacity of its technical textile business with the addition of new products and training and skill development. "Under this vertical, the company has already made its mark with products for specialised use in healthcare, fire departments and other utilities," Welspun said, adding that it will give direct employment to nearly 1,500 people. It also plans to generate a direct employment of 2,000 persons and indirect employment of 5,000 through the expansion of its advanced textile arm, under which it focuses on manufacturing specialised materials for applications in aerospace, defence and automobile sectors. New Delhi: Rating agency Fitch and the World Bank have explained the impact of the demonetisation move and detailed that how it will drag Indias GDP growth estimate by 0.5%. World Bank on Wednesday said that its decelerated Indias growth for 2016-17 fiscal to a still robust 7 per cent from its previous estimate of 7.6 per cent due to demonetisation, but asserted that the country would regain momentum in the following years with 7.6 per cent and 7.8 per cent growth. Further, another rating agency Fitch Ratings also forecasted India's rating to 6.9 per cent for 2016-17 from the earlier 7.4 per cent due to "uncertainty" over the benefits of demonetisation. Read | World Bank says 'adverse effects' of demonetisation will disappear in medium term "The demonetisation of large denomination bank notes has caused short-term disruption in India's economy and led us to downgrade our growth forecasts for 2017," Fitch Ratings said in its latest bi-monthly newsletter released recently. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh too cautioned the people that the worst is yet to come in the wake of demonetisation exercise which he termed as a "disaster". In his address at the 'Jan Vedna' conclave, Singh termed demonetisation as a "disaster" and said things are going from bad to worse and that the worse is yet to come. He dismissed as "hollow claim" of Prime Minister Narendra "Modi's propaganda" that things have started looking up. At the convention called by Congress on demonetisation, former finance minister P Chidambaram too raised questions on the note ban decision saying there was no record of the cabinet meeting of November 8 when the government had said to have taken the decision to withdraw Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. For all the Latest Business News, Economy News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal may face 'criminal charges' over irregularities found by the Shunglu Committee in the decisions taken by the AAP government, former Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Wednsday said, alleging 'nepotism and gross favouritism'. He also alleged that Kejriwal had set up a "secret unit" like a "counter IB" for suspected spying. Jung told a TV News channel that the appointment of Nikunj Aggarwal, a relative of Kejriwal's wife, as OSD to Health Minister Satyendar Jain smacks of "nepotism and gross favouritism". The AAP government had also appointed Jain's daughter Saumya Jain as an "advisor" to its mohalla clinics project. On both these issues and appointments made by DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal, Jung said that it amounted to "cheating, nepotism and favouritism" and that FIRs have been registered in these cases. "Jain made an incorrect statement that she (Saumya) was not paid. Fact is she was paid but it was returned. FIR has also been registered in the case of Waqf board," he said. He also claimed that CBI has filed an FIR on the setting up of the "secret unit". "No state government can set up a counter IB like this, "he said. When asked whether Kejriwal could face criminal charges, Jung said, "That is possible. There are cases that are being investigated and should the cases come to fruition and should the court find substance in the charge sheets then there is a problem." Jung, who had a constant battle over powers of a LtGovernor vis a vis an elected government, said Kejriwal's exuberance, inexperience and the fact that he had majority perhaps contributed to his confronting attitude. He said the fact that the secretaries and the ministers of the government sent around 464 files to him to be examined was itself an admission of guilt of irregularities. The report, yet to be made public, can be accessed through RTI, he said. "I have given post-facto approval to around 180 files with the remark that this is not how a democratic system works and declined about 80 and processed another 100 before demitting office. "CBI is looking at seven to eight cases. Two or threemore must be in the pipeline. (New LG) Anil Baijal would havea look at them. Another 10-12 is with the vigilance department. CBI has registered FIR in two to three cases and Preliminary Enquiry in another three or four," he said. New Delhi: Sanitation workers of East Delhi municipal Corporation on Wednesday held a massive protest outside East Delhi BJP MP Maheish Girri's office over the issue of salary hike. Earlier people complained of garbage strewn on roads in Laxmi Nagar as sanitation workers continue with their strike. Lakmi Nagar is one of the busiest and congested areas of Delhi. Garbage is piling up since last week, not only is the smell a big problem but we also fear spread of diseases, said a resident of Laxmi Nagar region of Delhi.A New Delhi: BJP MP from Unnao, who is in the eye of storm after his comments appeared to blame the Muslim community for Indias population growth, clarified on Wednesday that he did not name any particular religion while making such comments. While interacting with News State, the leader also demanded a uniform civil code to tame country's growing population problem. Maharaj said that he did not make the statement at an election rally or public event but at a 'Sant Sammelan'. Maharaj said that he only expressed his concerns over the growing population which must be controlled and women are not machines to deliver babies. Read | Sakshi Maharaj stirs controversy, says Muslims responsible for rising population The BJP MPs remarks came days after the Supreme Court ruled that political parties and candidates cant seek votes in the name of religion or caste. Noteworthy, Sakshi Maharaj appeared before the Election Commission on Wednesday to clarify his stand over his statement after the election watchdog issued a notice to him in this regard. "Those with four wives and 40 children are responsible for the population increase in the country. Hindus are not responsible for the increase in population," he said. "Strict laws are required in this country if we really want to curb population. Parties need to rise above politics and take decision for the sake of the country," Sakshi Maharaj had said during a meeting with religious leaders in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. On January 7, an FIR was filed against Maharaj in Meerut in connection with the matter. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday addressed the audience at 8th edition of 'Vibrant Gujarat Summit' in Gandhinagar. Jaitley spoke on a number of issues ranging from demonetisation, GST and how paper currency would affect the Indian economy. Here are the Live updates: #GST, demonetisation to boost growth; impact will be seen this year #After transient impact, demonetisation will lead to cleaner and larger GDP #Once GST is implemented,a combination of a more digitized economy with a more efficient tax system will make India better #Excessive paper currency has its own vices and leads to its own temptations #Need bold reforms to transform economy #Most of the issues have been resolved,few critical issues are left which I hope that will be resolved in the next few weeks #With each summit the vibrancy of this conference has increased #Vibrant Gujarat has become the foremost economic conclave of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held bilateral talks with several heads of state and ministers who have converged here for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.A Around 20 heads of state and ministers from differentgovernments across the world are attending the summit. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kharagpur (West Bengal): Two people died while another three injured as gunmen opened fire at Trinamool Congress (TMC)as party office in Kharagpur (Paschim Medinipur district) in West Bengal on Wednesday. According to reports, two or three unidentified gunmen reached the TMC office at around 2:30 pm and drove away before an alarm was raised. The unknown gunmen also hurled a crude bomb outside the TMC office. Sinu Naidu, the husband of Pooja Naidu, a TMC councillor of ward 18 of Kharagpur Civic body was shot after which he suffered injuries and was admitted to hospital. West Bengal: Unknown persons opened fire at TMC's party office in Kharagpur (Paschim Medinipur district); 5 injured. pic.twitter.com/6KoC9x8Ibz a ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 < For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Keeping up the heat on demonetisation issue, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an oblique remark against the Narendra Modi govt, Rahul said that while the Congress party stands for fearlessness, "they believe in striking fear." He said that the philosophy of the Congress party says daro mat, BJP, on the other hand says daro aur darao. He also claimed that the symbol of Congress can be found on every religion and it means fearlessness. Here are the highlights: #Narendra Modi delivered a dialogue that can be heard in Amitabh Bachchan's movies #RSS and BJP can ruin the nation by spreading hatred. They are ruining the country by implementing denonetisation #'Ram naam japna, gareeb ka maal apna' - this is the philosophy of suit-boot ki sarkar, we have to fight with it #Jaise dialogue hote hain, waise hi PM ne kiya aur kaha "Mitron, ye jo jeb mein 500, 1000 ka note hai ab ye kaagaz ho gaya hai kaagaz" #Narendra Modi launched surgical strikes on farmers and poors with demonetisation #Crores of people were standing in lines, did you find any corrupt person there? The corrupt ones were at the bank's backdoor #This country is wise, we got rid of the Britishers, we have landed on moon #What Modi ji did? He said my name is Narendra Modi and I can snatch your (farmers') land #Congress philosophy says 'daro mat', and the other philosophy says 'daro aur darao' #I asked him how is that and what does it mean? He said 'daro mat, sachhayi ka saamna karo' #Found Cong's symbol in Shiv ji, Gurunanak, Buddha, Mahavir's pictures.Asked Karan Singh ji what does it mean?He said 'daro mat' Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul said that it is for the first time that Indias Prime Minister is being ridiculed world over for taking such an ill-conceived decision. Addressing Congress Jan Vedna meeting against note ban, the party Vice President said achhe din (good days) will come when Congress comes back to power at the Centre in 2019. For the fist time Indias Prime Minister is being ridiculed the world over..never before every single economist of any repute said that Prime Minister has taken an ill conceived decision, Rahul said, adding demonetisation was a personal decision of the Prime Minister. Alleging that economy has gone back 16 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader pointed to the sharp drop in automobile sales. Rebutting charges by BJP leaders that Congress did nothing for the country, he said what BJP has done in its two-and-a-half years by targeting institutions like RBI and Judiciary, Congress could not in 70 years. He alleged that BJP, RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have weakened institutions like RBI, Judiciary and Election Commission which the Congress had built over the past several years. He said the role of these institutions, which he described as soul of India, has been undermined by the present government. We respected RBIs independence. It is the financial bedrock of India and now it is is being ridiculed. People in RSS and BJP are under the impression that nobody elses opinion matters but theirs, he said here. Taking a dig at Modis 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign line that achhe din will come when BJP comes to power, he said only Congress return to power in 2019 will heard good days. He also said Modi must ask why has the demand for MNREGA suddenly surged and why people are migrating for villages instead of cities. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday addressed the audience at national convention on demonetisation, Jan Vedana Sammelan in Delhi. The convention has been called in the wake of demonetisation sending yet another signal that his elevation to the post of party chief is just a matter of time. Here are the Live updates: #When a judge sits he represents the spirit of the people of the country #All the service that Congress did to institutions, judiciary, RBI, respect of press in 70 years, Modi govt and RSS destroyed it all in just 2.5 years #PM Modi must ask why has the demand for MNREGA suddenly surged, why are people migrating for villages instead of cities #Through demonetisation, they have broken the financial backbone of the country #Achhe din will come when Congress returns to power in 2019 #Demonetisation is a personal decision of PM Modi #I notice things, PM Modi did a lot of yoga but did no padmaasan #2 1/2 yrs back, PM Modi asked everything to join Swacch Bharat, the drama continued for a few days; then Make in India, Skill India #Our friends in the media are under constraints. They come to me & say they want to say some thing but can't #People of country are wondering when are 'Acche din going to come'. I'll tell them it will come when Congress comes to power again #Acche din are only going to come when Congress party is going to come in power in 2019 #Today I read in newspaper that PM said he will transform India. But PM needs to ask himself why suddenly auto sales have fallen #Prime Minister needs to spend sometime with the poor, farmers of the country and ask them why suddenly ppl are running to villages? #Today they (BJP) have weakened every institution. 1st time in history Prime Minister of India is being ridiculed #We do not need to explain what we did or didn't do for last 70 years. BJP under PM Modi has done in 2 1/2 years what we couldn't do #I can name state after state where Congress workers & leaders have sacrificed their sweat and blood #People of the country understand the blood and tears that our leaders have given for this country #The BJP & our PM are in the habit of saying that what Cong did in the last 70 years, people of country know that Rahul had presided over the party's foundation day function on December 28 last and two months back, had chaired a meeting of the Working Committee in the absence of party chief Sonia Gandhi who was said to be unwell. #WATCH "'Acche Din' (good days) will only come when Congress party comes back to power, in 2019," says Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/4wMtOJpxaN ANI (@ANI_news) January 11, 2017 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday while hearing the Sahara diaries case dismissed the petition filed by Prashant Bhushan seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged bribe by former Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit names came up from corporate houses. The Supreme Court while dismissing the plea, said that there was no conclusive evidence in it to order for an inquiry. The apex court also said that it isn't doubting the integrity of settlement commission order but examining integrity of such diaries. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi representing the government said that there is no concrete evidences that prove that former Gujarat Chief Minister was paid by corporate houses. The AG further said that no one in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Petitioner's lawyer Prashant Bhushan told Supreme Court there was evidence to prove public officials were allegedly paid and probe must be ordered. Reacting to Supreme Court verdict, Bhushan who appeared for the NGO Common Cause in the case, said "the judgement will leave a cloud of suspicion over all the persons mentioned in some documents. The cloud could have dissipated had there been an independent investigation into the documents." The "Sahara diaries" -- a collection of papers and print-outs found in raids on the Sahara offices in 2014 -- reportedly carried names of politicians from different parties, along with amounts paid to them as bribes. The list includes the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he was Gujarat Chief Minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit. The Supreme Court was hearing the Sahara Diaries case that involved alleged bribes paid to top politicians. The bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy in Supreme Court heared the case on Wednesday. It is worth to mention here that lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan filed a fresh affidavit in the Apex Court. Prashant Bhushan pleaded in court for a court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team into the Sahara Diaries case. On November 14, 2016 Supreme Court said that there was 'zero material' to order a probe. After which Prashant Bhushan filed fresh papers to substantiate the allegations. Also Read | Sahara diaries: Why PM Modi is shying away from independent probe, asks Sheila Dikshit For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Varanasi: Three persons were arrested with over 20 litres of illicit liquor in Varanasi on Wednesday, police said. Police seized 5 litres of illicit liquor from Rajesh Bharti, 10 litres from Natthu Yadav and 5 litres from Monu Yadav, they said. They were arrested in separate raids in the city. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Well music learners its a good news for you. A recent study at Universite de Montreal's School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology has found that music professionals or people who are learning music react spontaneously or have a faster reaction time than the people who do not possess a musical background. Senior Researcher with the University, Simon Landry holds a belief that this finding will prove beneficial for older people as it will help to enhance the sensory process in the elderly. And a musical founf\dation will be good option to provide benefit to the older generation believes the researcher. Laundry majorly studies sound and touch. Simon did the research on 16 musicians who started learning music at an early age, from Udem's music faculty and 19 people who did not have musical background, from the School of Speech Language Pathology. He observed the response times of both the musicians and the non-musicians. The task was conducted in a silent luminous room. Computer mouse was on the one hand of the participant and index finger of other hand on vibrator. In order to avoide any distraction, earplugs were provided. Speakers were placed right before the participants and they had to press the mouse on hearing a sound either from the speakers or vibrator, or both. "We found significantly faster reaction times with musicians for auditory, tactile and audio-tactile stimulations," Landry said. "These results suggest for the first time that long-term musical training reduces simple non-musical auditory, tactile and multisensory reaction times." Well the study can help the oldies to improve the reaction time and become alert by playing music or learning musical instrument. Simon came out with this study as a part of his Doctoral Thesis at the University in Biomedical Science, which was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Fonds de recherche Quebec -- Sante, and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Jakarta: The US has designated an Indonesian radical network behind an attack in Jakarta as a terrorist group and announced sanctions on four militants in an effort to disrupt Islamic State group operations and recruitment in Australia and Southeast Asia. The announcements by the Department of State and Treasury Department come after police in Australia and Indonesia foiled IS-inspired attacks planned for the holiday season in those countries. The State Department said Tuesday it has designated the IS-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah as a terrorist group, which in practice prohibits U.S. citizens being involved with it and enables the freezing of any property in the US. JAD militants are believed responsible for a January 2016 attack in the Indonesian capital that killed eight people including the attackers. Treasury announced sanctions against two Australians, both previously believed killed in the Middle East, and two Indonesians, one of whom is in prison in Indonesia. The statements did not say whether the four had any assets within US jurisdiction. However, the steps show continued US commitment to anti-terror efforts in Australia and Indonesia. The US and Australia were instrumental in upgrading Indonesia's counter-terrorism capabilities following the 2002 bombings on the tourist island of Bali that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners. The sanctioned Australians are Neil Christopher Prakash, also known as Khaled Al-Cambodi, who was the senior Australian recruiter for IS, and Khaled Sharrouf, an IS fighter in Syria and Iraq since 2014 who carried out executions for IS. The Indonesians are Bahrum Syah, who sent funds to militants in Indonesia from Syria, and his mentor Aman Abdurrahman, who from prison has recruited militants to the IS cause, authorized attacks and was IS's main translator in Indonesia. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kabul: Bombings across three Afghan cities including Kabul killed around 50 people, in a day of carnage that shattered a relative lull in violence as Taliban insurgents escalate a deadly winter campaign. At least nine people died when explosives hidden in a sofa detonated inside the governors compound in southern Kandahar during a visit by the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan, who escaped the attack with injuries. Just hours earlier, twin Taliban blasts in Kabul tore through employees exiting a parliament annexe, which houses the offices of lawmakers, killing at least 30 people and wounding 80 others. A Taliban suicide bomber killed seven people in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province, as the militants ramp up nationwide attacks despite the onset of winter, when fighting usually wanes. The carnage underscores growing insecurity in Afghanistan, where US-backed forces are struggling to combat a resilient Taliban insurgency as well as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants. ALSO READ | Terror strikes Afghanistan: 47 killed in Kabul, 9 dead in Kandahar; UAE ambassador among injured Kandahars governor and UAE envoy Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi were wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, provincial police chief Abdul Raziq told AFP. He said around a dozen people were killed in the bombing, but local Tolo News gave a death toll of nine. No militant group has so far claimed responsibility. But the Taliban said they were behind the Kabul blasts. In the first explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up next to a minibus transporting government employees. As rescuers reached the scene, a car bomb exploded. Among the 30 dead were four policemen who were killed in the second explosion when they rushed to help the victims of the first blast. Health ministry spokesman Waheed Majroh warned that the toll was expected to rise as many of the wounded were battling for their lives in hospital. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said they were behind the twin blasts, adding the victims were mostly Afghan intelligence agents. The insurgents are known to exaggerate battlefield claims. The deaths of scores of civilians in todays Kabul bomb attacks indicates that the Taliban are pressing ahead with a gruesome campaign of violence that makes no effort to spare civilian lives, Amnesty International said in a statement. An immediate, impartial and independent investigation must be carried out to secure justice for the victims and their families. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US president-elect Donald Trump shot back at sensational claims that he was "cultivated" by Russia for years and Moscow has compromising information on him. During his first press conference after winning the presidential election, Trump said intelligence agencies may have leaked dossier on his ties to Russia saying it would be 'blot' on their record. Here are the highlights from Trump's press conference. # Donald Trump says Russia will respect US more when he will lead the nation # Attorney says Ivanka Trump will have no involvement with or management authority at family business # Trump says disgraceful intelligence agencies allowed false information to get out; compares to 'Nazi Germany.' # Democratic National Committee was 'totally open to be hacked', says Donald Trump # Trump says he expects to nominate new Supreme Court justice within two weeks of inauguration # Trump says negotiations with Mexico on funding of border wall to begin immediately after he takes office. # Replacement for 'Obamacare' to be offered 'essentially simultaneously' with health secretary confirmation: Trump # Trump says will be a major border tax on companies leaving U.S. and 'getting away with murder.' # My business empire would be run by my two sons who won't discuss issues with me: Trump # If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin likes me, it is an asset not a liability: Trump # I have no dealings with Russia, no deals in Russia, no deals that could have been in Russia, no loans with Russia at all: Donald Trump # Trump calls unverified dossier on ties to Russia `fake news' and `phony stuff' crafted by `sick people' # Donald Trump plans to put all his business assets in a trust, hand control of company to his adult sons. # I will be the greatest job producer that god has ever created: Donald Trump (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: President Barack Obama delivered a symbolic farewell speech in Chicagos McCormick Place on Tuesday night miles, before where he gave his presidential victory speech in Grant Park, Chicago eight years ago. US president thanked US citizens for support. You made me a better president, you made me a better man. First lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, his wife, Jill Biden, and many current and former White House staff members and campaign workers were present at the event. Watch | US President Barack Obama's farewell speech: I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans Here are 10 pointers from the historic speech delivered by US President # America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started. # You made me a better president, you made me a better man. # I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans. # Weve taken out tens of thousands of terrorists, including Osama bin Laden. # No foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years. # The bubbles and rise of naked partisanship is a threat to our democracy. # Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. # A great gift our Founders gave us. The freedom to chase our individual dreams through our sweat, toil, and imagination. # I cant do that, says US President Barack Obama as crowd shouts four more years. # Obama to Joe Biden: You were first choice I made as a nominee, and it was the best; in the bargain, I gained a brother. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US president-elect Donald Trump completely rejected on Wednesday claims that he was supported by Russia for years and Moscow has compromising information about him. Trump addressed the first press conference since winning the presidential elections and claimed that intelligence agencies may have leaked dossier on his ties with Russia and he has no dealings or loans with the country. He further claimed that unverified dossier on ties to Russia completely fake news. Trump said that replacement for Obamacare will be offered with confirmation of his health secretary. Moreover, Trump also said that his business empire will be run by his two sons and he won't be involved in issues related to it. Trump's attorney claimed that Ivanka Trump will have no involvement with his family business. US President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his administration will soon build a massive border wall with Mexico to keep out illegal migrants and claimed that the cost of constructing the controversial structure would be reimbursed by the southern neighbour. Also Read: Russia will respect US more when I will lead the nation, says president-elect Donald Trump "I don't feel like waiting a year or a year and a half to start building. Mexico in some form, in their many different forms, will reimburse us," Trump said during his first press conference in six months. "They will reimburse us for the cost of the wall. That will happen. Whether it's a tax or if it's a payment. Probably less likely that it's a payment. But it will happen," Trump said. He continued, "I want to get the wall started." Trump said he will not blame Mexican government for "taking advantage" of the US in the past. However, he said under his watch, things will change. Trump had promised to deport millions of undocumentedMexican migrants from the United States if he elected. Meanwhile, Mexico's new foreign minister today said that there is "no way" that his country will pay for the wall. Luis Videgaray, who was appointed by President EnriquePena Nieto last week to seek "constructive" relations with theTrump administration, told the Televisa network that Mexico "will not cede" on issues related to "national sovereignty." "The United States has the right to protect its borders. What is inadmissible, and which would deeply violate the dignity of all Mexicans, is to expect Mexico to pay for infrastructure of the United States," Videgaray told Radio Formula. "There is no way that this will happen," he said. Trump had called Mexican migrants "rapists" and drug dealers during the presidential campaign and vowed to maketheir country pay for a massive wall across the border. The Republican real estate billionaire, who assumes office on January 20, has threatened to fund the giant wall by tapping into the billions of dollars in remittances thatMexican migrants in the US send back home. With PTI inputs For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. / Carol Kaliff Two bills co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty to help women find jobs in science, technology, engineering and math sectors passed the House of Representatives this week. The three-term Democratic congresswoman, who represents greater Danbury, expects the Senate versions of the bills to come up for a vote as soon as next month, her office said. The following excerpt is from Richard Koch and Greg Lockwoods book Simplify. Buy it now from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes Theres plenty of anecdotal evidence that leaders of large, successful firms consistently tend to use to make their businesses more complex rather than simpler. But why do they do that? It turns out that there are five reasons managers in market leaders dont simplify, and theyre all traps. Lets take a look. Related: How Uber Used a Simplified Business Model to Disrupt the Taxi Industry 1. The Overhead Trap In this trap, companies have expectations about gross margins and are unwilling to develop products that deviate either up or down from their existing overhead and margin levels. One example of the Overhead Trap is DECs failure to make its mark in personal computers. From 1965, when the company introduced the first minicomputer, until the 1980s, DEC was the dominant force in minicomputers, leaving IBM trailing in its wake. But when the PC market began to sprout in the 1970s, DEC looked into entering the new sector eleven times and held back every time. It finally started to make PCs in 1983, two years after IBM and seven years after Apple. None of its PC products was ever successful. Why was that? DEC certainly had the design and technical skills. But the firm was used to a market with different economics. Minicomputers required a huge, ongoing research effort and rewarded it with gross margins north of 50 percent. By contrast, PC gross margins were under 30 percent. Also, the new breed of computers didnt require the massive, continuous research investment that minicomputers did, and customers werent willing to pay the sorts of prices that would support expensive research anyway. DECs belated move into PCs was at the top of that market, where gross margins were highest but volumes were lowest and customer requirements greatest. Many firms develop their own rules of thumb about acceptable margins and then become addicted to them. So, if simpler, lower-margin products come along, its hard for any successful company to embrace them and realize that, although the margins are lower, the overheads are, too. 2. The Cannibalization Trap In this trap, the leading firm doesnt want to eat its own lunch, which allows challengers to do it for them. Following is an example of what we mean. In 2000, Betfair, a new betting company, started in London. Other online bookmakers already existed, but Betfairs business model was different from those of all its rivals, online or offline. Instead of setting the odds itself, Betfair created an electronic market -- a betting exchange -- where gamblers could offer odds to other gamblers or take the odds posted by other individuals. Within a few years, Betfair was beginning to make significant inroads into the main betting market. This wasnt surprising, given that Betfair charged an average commission of 3 percent, compared with the mainstream bookmakers gross profit margin of about 12 percent. Moreover, Betfair charged commission only on winning bets. So it was charging just 1.5 percent on total bets -- a price reduction of 87.5 percent! You can understand the traditional bookies fear of cannibalization. They saw no sense in adopting the new system themselves and encouraging their customers to move from the current high-margin way of betting towards a much lower-margin method. But the bookmakers didnt realize that, whatever they did, any price-sensitive gambler who wasnt a total technophobe would soon be beating a path to Betfairs door. The sensible thing, therefore, would have been for one of the big bookmakers in the UK to start its own online betting exchange or, better still, buy Betfair and thus eliminate a potentially very serious rival. Yet none of them chose those options. For them, Betfair was the enemy -- a company to be crushed underfoot, preferably by persuading the government to declare betting exchanges illegal. Related: Is Your Business Vulnerable to an Attack From a Simplifier? Here's How to Find Out. When the government refused to play ball, Betfair went on to become the number-one online betting company in the UK. If one of the big three had acquired Betfair, and kept it as a separate business, they would likely be the market leader now, instead of an also-ran. With the important exceptions of luxury and niche markets -- where customers arent price-sensitive -- it follows that theres almost no circumstance in which it makes sense not to introduce a simpler and cheaper product! 3. The Customer Trap In this instance, a firm rejects the new product because its best customers do. See what we mean in the following example. The first full-service airline to introduce a budget service was Uniteds Shuttle service, launched in 1994, twenty-three years after Southwest Airlines started operating. Perhaps it was fear of cannibalizing the firms established customers, but we think it was more likely that the full-service airlines assumes their customers werent interested in the new business model. And this was probably true ... at first. Southwest appealed to people who wanted to travel point-to-point -- those who had previously driven or hadnt traveled long distances at all. It didnt appeal to sophisticated frequent fliers who traveled to major cities, often abroad, and comprised most of the scheduled airlines market. But when a mass market is created, the new product gradually becomes increasingly visible. The number of budget airlines grew, and their reach gradually extended, so everyone traveling on a full fare became aware of the much cheaper alternatives. And, ultimately, money always talks. Businesspeople started to use budget airlines when traveling at their own expense, and learned that they werent so bad: They still had a seat (albeit with less legroom), and they arrived safely and usually on time, just as on a scheduled flight. Then, when the economy suffered a downturn, ever more firms made their staff use the cheaper carriers for business flights, too, and these habits persisted even when the economy improved. What happened in the airline market reflects a general pattern. The trap here is that the market leader believes its customers will never switch, and so it ignores the threat from the new product. Whats more, the typical response of the market leader is segment retreat -- a move to even more complex and expensive products. This is usually explained as a natural response to short-term earnings pressure from the simpler product. Such an explanation is often valid, but something else may also be involved. 4. The Complexity Trap In this trap, managers naturally love complexity, or become accustomed to it, believing it is the only route to progress. Heres what we mean. How do many ventures start? An entrepreneur innovates, turning an idea into a product that may be sold to other businesses. A viable solution is found and an initial customer is signed up. Whatever the customer wants -- whatever adaptations and customization they demand -- the new firm eagerly supplies. Keeping this precious customer happy therefore leads to increasing complexity. Soon, a second customer comes along, but they want different adaptations from the first one. More complexity. Then, in the quest to fill all possible niches -- in the rational wish to exclude rivals and increase revenue -- new features and new technology are added in a hurry in order to provide a product for each segment. Adding features and technology seems entirely logical, and it helps to identify the venture with every aspect of the new market. The fact is, people dont design complex products just for the hell of it -- theyre driven by a vision of how the products could be more useful and attractive. The danger is, they get locked into the assumption that its okay for the product or business system to become increasingly complex -- heavier, more expensive, more convoluted and harder for the uninitiated to use -- as long as performance continues to improve. Related: How This Successful Company Simplified the Business Consulting Industry At the start of its life cycle, the only way to improve a product is to add more resources and energy. After a while, though, this ceases to be true. It becomes possible to simplify -- to make lighter, smaller products that have fewer features, are easier to use, cheaper to buy and operate and less costly to produce and deliver. Yet managers who are used to progressing only by adding complexity often see simpler products not as a step forwards but as a step backwards. 5. The Skills Trap In this trap, the business may not have the right skills for simpler products, but it also fails to appreciate that these can be acquired, often quite cheaply. The requirement for different skills isnt necessarily a barrier to effective simplifying, provided the new skills are developed and kept outside the original operation, even after acquisition. As we saw earlier, one of the leading UK betting companies would have been well advised to buy Betfair and its new electronic exchange technology at the start of this century, when it was a fledgling but fast-expanding company. Perhaps companies such as Google -- which rarely hesitates to buy businesses that are adjacent to its own -- are right to do so, both to facilitate growth and to protect themselves from potential rivals. The bottom line is, its not that leading firms cannot simplify. Rather, there are deep managerial tendencies that make firms both reluctant and slow to do so. Dont let that stop you. Related: These 4 Books Changed These Leaders' Lives and Businesses for the Better 6 Easy Ways to Make Your Workspace Happy, Productive and Organized 3 Fresh, Fun Ideas to Bring Your Team Together Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved President-elect Donald Trump didn't waste time in responding to a CNN report about an intelligence briefing alleging that Russia has "compromising material and information on Trump's personal life and finances." CNN reports the "classified documents" were presented to Trump, outgoing President Barack Obama, and eight select Congressional leaders. Included in the documents are claims of correspondence between the Russian government and Trump "surrogates" during the election, and potentially damaging and embarrassing personal information regarding an alleged 2013 hotel stay in Moscow. And what might we expect from Israel as our ally? I would think one, the manifestation of a certain amount of respect for our President. Two, to avoid attempting to influence our politics though a well-heeled pro-hard line Israel lobby known as AIPAC (America, Israel Political Action Committee). It is Prime Minister Netanyahu who has abandoned unilaterally the two-state policy which the US and pre-Netanyahu governments have sought to bring into reality. Continued expansion of Jewish settlements into areas intended for a Palestinian state have long been seen as an obstacle to peace by U.S. administrations. Years ago the older President Bush temporarily suspended aid payments to Israel in protest over expanded settlements. Chinese envoy moots India-China friendship treaty Maharashtra,National,Politics,Diplomacy, Tue, 10 Jan 2017 IANS Mumbai, Jan 10 (IANS) The new Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui on Tuesday suggested a bilateral Friendship and Cooperation treaty besides a Free Trade Agreement to improve ties between the two countries. Terming these as ambitious proposals, he nevertheless felt that the time was ripe for the Asian giants to reap some "early harvest" benefits in resolving their vexed border issues. Luo also urged the need for India and China to join hands in the latter's One Belt One Road (OBOR) strategy to build super-modern economic and infrastructural connectivities in South Asia. "India's Act East policy would benefit if India joined the One Belt One Road' initiative of China," he remarked. India has been non-committal to joining China's ambitious OBOR project. In fact, New Delhi is opposed to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor -- a crucial part of OBOR which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which India claims as its own. The Sino-India ties took a hit when Beijing blocked New Delhi's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group and rejected its plea at the UN to have Pakistani militant Masood Azhar declared as terrorist. The South China Sea issue was also an irritant between the two who fought a brief war in 1962. Luo was speaking at a function organised by the policy think-tank, Observer Research Foundation at the newly-established Ji Xianlin Centre for India-China Studies in University of Mumbai. He added that beyond connectivity projects, the two nations should also cooperate to promote cultural exchanges, cooperation in education and people-to-people contacts under the OBOR framework. Luo described the existing differences between India and China as "within a family", but expressed optimism over improving the relations in future. ORF Chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni, a media aide to former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, said relations between India and China should be guided by their profound civilisational wisdom. "India, China and Pakistan should forge a friendly relationship and resolve differences peacefully, which is critical for changing the destiny of South Asia, which could change the destiny of Asia and the world in the 21st century," Kulkarni urged. Professor Ji Xianlin (1911-2009) was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and Chinese Indologist who translated the epic Ramayana into Mandarin. University of Mumbai Vice-Chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh announced that the new centre would be upgraded as Ji Xianlin School for India-China Studies from the next academic year. Luo handed over to Solapur Mayor Sushila Abute a carefully restored version of a rare calligraphic homage hand-written by China's founder Mao Zedong to Dwarakanath Kotnis. Kotnis (1910-1942), an Indian medico from Solapur who studied at University of Mumbai, was sent by the Indian National Congress as part of a medical mission to help the Chinese and soldiers during the Japanese war. He died in China while serving there and Luo described him as "a hero of India and a friend of China" and both countries would never forget his humanitarian services and sacrifices. On his first official visit to Mumbai, Luo met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, among other engagements. --IANS qn/gsh/dg Obamas goodbye with Yes we can signature United States, Wed, 11 Jan 2017 NI Wire The most powerful person of the world and the outgoing President Barack Obama said goodbye to the United States citizens in a dramatic reinterpretation of a presidential farewell address. In the elections which held previous year, Donald Trump was elected by the US citizens as the President of United States and hence Barack Obamas tenure ends as the President of US. The 44th US President gave the farewell speech in Chicago, reflecting on his time in office and Obama asked them to reaffirm their faith in their own ability to bring about the change, ending with his signature: Yes we can. Obama was well known for his 'hope and change message and he was the first black president of US. Obama said, "By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place" than it was eight years ago," he said. He implored Americans of all backgrounds to consider things from each others point of view, saying: "We have to pay attention and listen". He said if the citizen were tired of how things were then, "lace up your shoes and do some organising". If they were unhappy with the way the officials functioned, then "get a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for the office". Barack Obama is considered as the innovative and kind-hearted president of United States, the whole world likes Obama because of his nature. Returning to Chicago, where he first declared victory in 2008, Obama was delivering the parting message to Americans after a divisive and vicious election campaign which led to Trump's victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. He said: "Presuming goodness in others could be a risk", but asked the 20,000 strong crowd gathered there to "dive in and stay at it" whenever change should be brought. Referring to his own experience, Obama said: "More often than not your faith in America and Americans will be confirmed." He cited examples of young graduates and officers whom he met in the past eight years. He also recalled the bereaved families he mourned with and "found grace" in the Charleston Church. He especially drew inspiration from the youngest. Obama recalled the young boy who offered his house and brotherhood to another child, a refuge from Syria. The country's first black president, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a message of hope and change. His successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of his signature policies. Trump would be sworn into office on January 20. Striking an upbeat tone, Obama said that the peaceful transfer of power between presidents was a "hallmark" of American democracy. However, according to media reports Barack Obama added, "Our democracy won't work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity". Back to where it all started he said: "I first came to Chicago when I was in my early twenties, still trying to figure out who I was; still searching for a purpose to my life." His address was at McCormick Place, the largest convention centre in North America and the venue for Obama's speech after he defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. The tickets were given out free, but were selling online for more than $1,000 each hours ahead of the speech. First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden are all in attendance. Obama rallied the spirits of beleaguered Democrats, still reeling from Hillary Clinton's election loss in November. --with agecny inputs WINNIPEG, Jan. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Artis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: AX.UN) ("Artis" or the "REIT") announced today that it intends to release its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2016, after the close of the Toronto Stock Exchange on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Interested parties are invited to participate in a conference call with management on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. CT (1:00 p.m. ET). In order to participate, please dial 1-416-764-8688 or 1-888-390-0546. You will be required to identify yourself and the organization on whose behalf you are participating. Alternatively, you may access the simultaneous webcast by following the link from our website at http://www.artisreit.com/investor-link/conference-callspresentations/. Prior to the webcast, you may follow the link to confirm you have the right software and system requirements. If you cannot participate on Thursday, March 2, 2017, a replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 1-416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 and entering passcode 810075#. The replay will be available until Thursday, March 23, 2017. The webcast will be archived 24 hours after the end of the conference call and will be accessible for 90 days. ********* Artis is a diversified Canadian real estate investment trust investing in office, industrial and retail properties. Since 2004, Artis has executed an aggressive but disciplined growth strategy, building a portfolio of commercial properties in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and select markets in the United States. As of September 30, 2016, Artis' commercial property comprises approximately 27.2 million square feet of leasable area. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, Property Net Operating Income ("Property NOI") by asset class, including Artis' proportionate share of properties held in joint venture arrangements, was approximately 51.5% office, 24.6% retail, and 23.9% industrial. Property NOI by geographical region, including Artis' proportionate share of properties held in joint venture arrangements, was approximately 9.0% in British Columbia, 30.2% in Alberta, 5.7% in Saskatchewan, 12.1% in Manitoba, 10.0% in Ontario and 33.0% in the U.S. Property NOI is a non-GAAP measure. Artis calculates Property NOI as revenues less property operating expenses such as utilities, repairs and maintenance and realty taxes. Property NOI does not include charges for interest or other expenses not specific to the day-to-day operation of the REIT's properties. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Artis Real Estate Investment Trust For further information: please contact Mr. Armin Martens, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jim Green, Chief Financial Officer or Ms. Heather Nikkel, Vice-President - Investor Relations of the REIT at 1.204.947.1250 TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - A new study could explain how migrating to another country increases a person's risk of developing schizophrenia, by altering brain chemistry. Immigrants had higher levels of the brain chemical dopamine than non-immigrants in the study, conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London. Abnormal dopamine levels are linked to symptoms of schizophrenia. Dopamine is also connected to the body's stress response. The study was published in the January issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin. "Schizophrenia is still a rare diagnosis," says Dr. Romina Mizrahi, a senior author and Clinician Scientist in the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at CAMH. "But if we can understand the factors that increase the risk of this serious illness among immigrants, we can develop strategies such as social supports to mitigate this risk." As Canada's population and workforce will decline without migration, a set number of immigrants are accepted into the country each year. While it's not feasible to offer stress supports to all newcomers, the approach of identifying those at highest risk and offering evidence-based interventions to prevent schizophrenia is one that Dr. Mizrahi applies to her work with youth, as Head of the Youth Psychosis Prevention Clinic and Research Program. The current study involved a type of brain imaging called positron emission tomography (PET), and applied two different approaches to examining dopamine levels. In Toronto, 56 study participants were given a mild stress test to see its effect on dopamine release. People with schizophrenia, and those at high risk, release more dopamine with this test when compared to a matched healthy group of participants. Among the 25 immigrants in the study, dopamine release was higher than 31 non-immigrant participants. This increase was related to participants' experiences of social stress, such as work overload, social pressures or social isolation. The London researchers showed that the synthesis of dopamine was higher in immigrants. This increase was related to the severity of symptoms among those considered at high risk of developing schizophrenia, and did not occur among non-immigrants at high risk. In total, 32 immigrants and 44 non-immigrants were involved in this part of the study. Dr. Mizrahi emphasizes that not everyone with high dopamine levels will develop schizophrenia, nor will the vast majority of migrants. Yet it is well-established through population studies in Canada, the U.K. and Western Europe that the risk of developing schizophrenia is higher in immigrants and their children than non-immigrants. Stress particularly related to perceived discrimination, social isolation and urban living is believed to increase this risk. The role of stress also appears to be supported by the current findings on brain dopamine levels. "This is a first step in integrating social science and biological research," says Dr. Mizrahi. "A next step would be to help regulate stress among higher risk immigrants through social support programs, and see if this reduces dopamine in the brain and prevents psychosis." Links: http://www.camh.ca/en/research/about_research_at_CAMH/scientific_staff_profile/Pages/Romina-Mizrahi.aspx http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/about_camh/newsroom/news_releases_media_advisories_and_backgrounders/current_year/Pages/Some-immigrants-and-refugees-are-at-higher-risk-of-psychotic-disorders-compared-to-the-general-Ontario-population.aspx The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world-leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For more information, please visit camh.ca or follow @CAMHnews on Twitter. SOURCE Centre for Addiction and Mental Health For further information: Sean O'Malley, Media Relations, CAMH, (416) 595-6015 / [email protected] Related Links http://www.camh.ca Come and enjoy Read more [...] ESO has signed an agreement with the Breakthrough Initiatives to adapt the Very Large Telescope instrumentation in Chile to conduct a search for planets in the nearby star system Alpha Centauri. Such planets could be the targets for an eventual launch of miniature space probes by the Breakthrough Starshot initiative. ESO, represented by the Director General, Tim de Zeeuw, has signed an agreement with the Breakthrough Initiatives, represented by Pete Worden, Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of the Breakthrough Initiatives. The agreement provides funds for the VISIR (VLT Imager and Spectrometer for mid-Infrared) instrument, mounted at ESOs Very Large Telescope (VLT) to be modified in order to greatly enhance its ability to search for potentially habitable planets around Alpha Centauri, the closest stellar system to the Earth. The agreement also provides for telescope time to allow a careful search programme to be conducted in 2019. The discovery in 2016 of a planet, Proxima b, around Proxima Centauri, the third and faintest star of the Alpha Centauri system, adds even further impetus to this search. Knowing where the nearest exoplanets are is of paramount interest for Breakthrough Starshot, the research and engineering programme launched in April 2016, which aims to demonstrate proof of concept for ultra-fast light-driven nanocraft, laying the foundation for the first launch to Alpha Centauri within a generation. Detecting a habitable planet is an enormous challenge due to the brightness of the planetary systems host star, which tends to overwhelm the relatively dim planets. One way to make this easier is to observe in the mid-infrared wavelength range, where the thermal glow from an orbiting planet greatly reduces the brightness gap between it and its host star. But even in the mid-infrared, the star remains millions of times brighter than the planets to be detected, which calls for a dedicated technique to reduce the blinding stellar light. The existing mid-infrared instrument VISIR on the VLT will provide such performance if it were enhanced to greatly improve the image quality using adaptive optics, and adapted to employ a technique called coronagraphy to reduce the stellar light and thereby reveal the possible signal of potential terrestrial planets. Breakthrough Initiatives will pay for a large fraction of the necessary technologies and development costs for such an experiment, and ESO will provide the required observing capabilities and time. The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope facility operated by the European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT consists of four individual telescopes, each with a primary mirror 8.2 m across, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language. The telescopes form an array which is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The VLT operates at visible and infrared wavelengths. Each individual telescope can detect objects roughly four billion times fainter than can be detected with the naked eye, and when all the telescopes are combined, the facility can achieve an angular resolution of about 0.001 arc-second. This is equivalent to roughly 2 meters resolution at the distance of the Moon. In single telescope mode of operation angular resolution is about 0.05 arc-second The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has announced an agreement with the billionaire-backed Breakthrough Initiatives program to fund an upgrade to the Very Large Telescope (VLT) facility in Chile. In return, the telescope will train its sharper eyes on the recently discovered Proxima b, a rocky exoplanet of our nearest star system that may serve as a potential target for future probes. Detecting dim planets next to bright stars has been likened to finding a firefly next to a lighthouse, so astronomers have to resort to all sorts of convoluted tricks. The VLTs specialty is seeing in the dark. The VISIR (VLT Imager and Spectrometer for mid-Infrared) instrument collects a kind of radiation given off by heat, invisible to the naked eye. Just as infrared goggles allow soldiers to see warm objects at night, VISIR lets the VLT see hot stars and warm planets against the coldness of space. Looking at star systems in the infrared spectrum greatly reduces the brightness gap between planets and stars, but planets are still quite a bit cooler than their hosts, which remain millions of times brighter. As it stands now, despite being able to theoretically detect car headlights as far away as the moon, the VLT is not quite up to the challenge. Breakthrough thinks the answer is a new pair of sunglasses. This technology, more properly called coronagraphy, is the practice of physically blocking out the lighthouse so the fireflies will stand out. Traditionally applied to the sun to aid observation of the corona, the suns outer atmosphere, astronomers have only recently started to apply the technique to attempt direct photography of exoplanets. Under the terms of the agreement, Breakthrough Initiatives will pay for most of the upgrades, including adaptive optics to counter distortions of light passing through Earths atmosphere, and the ESO will provide telescope time to observe Alpha Centauri. The University of Liege (Belgium) and Uppsala University (Sweden) will work together to develop a new coronagraph. The new hardware includes an instrument module contracted to Kampf Telescope Optics (KTO), Munich, which will host the wavefront sensor, and a novel detector calibration device. In addition, there are plans for a new coronagraph to be developed jointly by University of Liege (Belgium) and Uppsala University (Sweden). Detecting and studying potentially habitable planets orbiting other stars will be one of the main scientific goals of the upcoming European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). Although the increased size of the E-ELT will be essential to obtaining an image of a planet at larger distances in the Milky Way, the light collecting power of the VLT is just sufficient to image a planet around the nearest star, Alpha Centauri. The developments for VISIR will also be beneficial for the future METIS instrument, to be mounted on the E-ELT, as the knowledge gained and proof of concept will be directly transferable. The huge size of the E-ELT should allow METIS to detect and study exoplanets the size of Mars orbiting Alpha Centauri, if they exist, as well as other potentially habitable planets around other nearby stars. The Breakthrough Initiatives are a program of scientific and technological exploration founded in 2015 by Internet investor and science philanthropist Yuri Milner to explore the Universe, seek scientific evidence of life beyond Earth, and encourage public debate from a planetary perspective. Breakthrough Starshot is a $100 million research and engineering program aiming to demonstrate proof of concept for a new technology, enabling ultra-light unmanned space flight at 20% of the speed of light, and to lay the foundations for a flyby mission to Alpha Centauri within a generation. SOURCES Breakthrough Initiative, European space Organization, Wikipedia The Nigerian Senate has named a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Lawan as the new leader of the upper legisl... The Nigerian Senate has named a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Lawan as the new leader of the upper legislative chamber.He replaces Senate leader, Ali Ndume.At the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter written to the Senate by the All Progressives Congress caucus, informing the lawmakers of its decision to name Senator Lawan as the new Senate Leader.But in a swift reaction, Senator Ndume told journalists that his removal as Senate leader came as a surprise as he was not aware that he had been removed and replaced.The reason for the removal of Senator Ndume was not made known, but recently the senator had told reporters that the non-confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as EFCC Chairman did not amount to a rejection.The Senate Spokesman, Sabi Abdullahi, later restated the Senates position, insisting the lawmakers rejected Mr Magu, as opposed to Senator Ndumes statement.It is the first day of legislative proceedings for the year.Lawmakers welcomed each other back to work after the Christmas and New Year holiday.They settled down for the business of the day and the Senate President reeled out the areas that the upper chamber would give priority-one of which is the consideration of the 2017 budget.As legislative proceedings for the day wound down, Senator Saraki announced a change in the leadership of the Senate. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume was removed yesterday as the Senate Leader. Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, was repla... Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume was removed yesterday as the Senate Leader.Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, was replaced by Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North).The change in leadership was said to have been concluded and sealed at a meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate Caucus held in Abuja on Monday.Ndume however claimed not to be aware of his sack. He was removed when he left the chamber to pray.Ndumes replacement was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate caucus.The letter, which was read on the floor of the Senate by Saraki, took many senators by surprise.There was pin-drop silence in the chamber as Saraki read the two-paragraph letter.Entitled Notice of change of leadership the letter reads: This is to inform Your Excellency and the Senate that after several meetings held on Monday, 9th of January, 2017, and upon due deliberation and consultation, the APC Caucus of the Senate hereby wish to notify you of the change in the leadership of the Senate that the new Senate Leader is now Senator Ahmad Lawan, representing Yobe North Senatorial District. Kindly accept our esteem regards and best assurances.Many APC senators were said to have endorsed the letter before it was forwarded to Saraki for announcement.It was not immediately clear what led to Ndumes sudden removal. He is seen by many as being close to Saraki.Some insiders traced Ndumes travail to his press conference at the Presidential Villa where he distanced himself from the resolution of the Senate to reject the nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).Ndume said the Senate did not actually reject Magus nomination was counted as one of the sins of the Borno South lawmaker.The Senate, through its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disowned Ndume and restated its resolve to reject Magus nomination.Some other observers traced Ndumes removal to the cold war between the two main camps in the Senate the Senate Unity Forum led by Senator Barnabas Gemade and the Like Minds Senators led by Saraki.Although Gemade was visible in the affairs of the Senate Unity Forum, Lawan was considered the unseen hand driving the activities of the Forum.Ndumes removal, it was gathered, was part of a deal reached by the Senate Unity Forum and Like Minds senators to close ranks.After Sarakis announcement, Ndume apparently shocked, rushed to address reporters over the incident.He said he was not consulted before he was fired.Ndume said: Let me say I dont have much to say because actually I was leading the business of the Senate and when it was like quarter to one, as usual, I asked my deputy to sit in for me while I go to pray. On coming back, I discovered that the session was over and one of your colleagues approached me and said, leader, what happened? and I said, what happened? and he said there has been an announcement of change of leadership. I said I didnt know.At this point that is the position. I didnt know that there was change of leadership because I was not there.I went to pray and I didnt know what actually happened and I cannot say more than that.Prodded to throw more light on what could have led to his removal, Ndume insisted that he was not consulted before the decision was taken.I dont know what happened and I cannot say what I do not know, he said.Told that technically he had been fired, Ndume said: Nobody has told me anything.Abdullahi told reporters that with the announcement of Lawan, Ndume ceased to be the Senate Leader.Abdullahi said: I speak for the Senate. You heard the content of the letter from the APC caucus. I am not the spokesman of the APC caucus, but I am a member and I am here to speak for the Senate. It will be very difficult for me and I do not want to find myself in this controversy.The announcement is self-explanatory. Another leader was announced and as far as I am concerned, the new name announced is the leader of the majority and automatically the Senate Leader.Senator Kabiru Marafa, a close ally of Senator Lawan who spoke on Ndumes removal, noted that APC factions in the Senate agreed to remove him.The Zamfara Central lawmaker noted that Ndumes removal was also in line with Order 36 (g) of the Senate Standing Rules.Marafa said majority of APC senators endorsed the letter to remove Ndume as Senate Leader.He said: Anybody who wished APC well wanted these changes in the Senate. What you have, seen today is a culmination of all the consultations and pressure that have been held by APC senators.Our Standing Rules has specified how to remove the leadership of a party in the Senate. At the meeting where Ndume was removed, majority of APC lawmakers agreed.On Ndumes claim that he was not consulted before his removal, Marafa said: Ndume does not need to know or be there. The Standing Rules says that the party has the rights to remove anybody. The majority accepted and that is final.Marafa hinted that the next target of the APC caucus might be the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator should quickly defect to the APC to save his seat.Marafa said: I am using this forum to ask the DSP Ike Ekweremadu to defect to the APC. It is not normal that you will count the Senate President as APC, Senate Leader as APC and then you count the Deputy Senate President as PDP. Senator Ekweremadu should simply come over to APC and everything will be over. The founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike yesterday described Nnamdi Kan... The founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike yesterday described Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a man he rehabilitated in London.Uwazuruike described the IPOB leader who is on trial for treason as a nobody, who he the Director of the Radio Biafra London, which, according to him, he established.The MASSOB leader denied that he is one of the witnesses lined up by the Federal Government to testify against Kanu and added: Kanu was homeless when I met him in London, I gave him the first money to rent an apartment after he was thrown out by the Ghanaian woman he was living with.The struggle continues to be alive as long as I agree. Even if Nnamdi Kanu dies today, the struggle continues. I cannot travel to Abuja to give evidence against Kanu masked, if I want to do that, I will testify against him in an open Court but I cant do that, what do I stand to gain?Uwazuruike told reporters at his headquarters in Owerri, the Imo state capital, that the allegation by IPOB members that he would testify against Kanu is idiotic, stupid and laughable, adding that, the modern Biafra is my product, I started it in 1999 and since that time, I have been on with the struggle. Our late leader, Odimegwu Ojukwu gave me the franchise and I am the leader of the Biafran struggle today any other person involved in the struggle is working on my behalf.He added: When I founded MASSOB in 1999 and started the struggle for Biafra, no Igbo man could summon the courage to mention Biafra, it was then considered as a taboo. Our people were cowards and could not mention Biafra until I started. When I started, nobody gave me a chance. I were through the hurdles alone. So, Nnamdi Kanu is not the first Igbo to be tried for treason, I also stood before the same Judge handling his case for the same charge of treason, so he should face his trial like a freedom fighter and if need be die for the cause.A statement by IPOB signed by its Media and Publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, alleged that Uwazuruike and some unscrupulous elements in Biafra land are working with the Nigerian government and the DSS to hide under the screen to testify against Nnamdi Kanu.The statement explained that the IPOB intelligence unit across the country uncovered plans and names of those to be used by the Federal Government to testify against our leader Nnamdi Kanu.The Buhari government promised to allocate oil wells to Ralph Uwazuruike and his associates in crime against the leader of IPOB and Biafrans worldwide.To buttress our points, Raphael Uwazuruike and co were in contact with the DSS headquarters in Owerri and Abuja to perfect this heinous crime against humanity but right now they are in Abuja to complement the whole arrangements to testify against the People of Biafra and our leader.The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday began the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu and three others.The trial will be partially in secret.Those being tried with Kanu are: Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. They face treasonable felony and terrorism charges.Yesterday, they were shielded from the public in the courtroom.Justice Binta Nyako had on December 13, 2016, ruled that the identity of witnesses in the matter would be protected but at yesterdays sitting, the judge and parties were all shielded from public view.There was also a heavy presence of security personnel within and around the court premises.This made it difficult for people, including reporters and relatives of the defendants to enter the court.The defence team, however, insisted that each of the defendants was entitled to have four relatives in court during proceedings.This led to a short adjournment to enable security operatives allow the defendants relatives into the courtroom.On resumption of proceedings, the defence counsel informed the court of its pending applications seeking to quash the charges against the four defendants.Counsel to Kanu, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, also informed the court of another application challenging the competence of the charge against the defendants.Ejiofor told the court that the proof of evidence did not support the charges against his client to warrant his continual detention.The charge does not warrant his detention because there is no case against him, he said.Ejiofor also told the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) were frustrating the efforts of counsel in gaining access to the defendants.He also alleged that relatives of the defendants were being continuously harassed and arrested each time they visited them in prison.They (DSS) are clamping down on the innocent citizens. If anything should happen to me or my family, the DSS should be held responsible, Ejiofor said.Nyako cautioned operatives of the DSS against sensationalising the case, saying that there was nothing special about the four defendants.According to her, this is a simple criminal case so I do not understand all the gra-gra around it which I see from my CCT camera.She also said the defendants should be unhand-cuffed as soon as they arrived the court premises as the defence team had complained that they were brought into court in handcuffs.State operatives should threat the case like any other case. You cannot break the constitution and still expect to be guided by the constitution, Nyako said.She asked the defence team to file a formal complaint of all the allegations they made and serve the court.The judge also asked them to quickly serve the court copies of their applications to allow expeditious hearing.She said that ruling on the applications would determine whether the case would be terminated or continued.Nyako adjourned the matter till Jan. 12 to hear the application challenging the competence of the charge as well as that seeking to quash the case. Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has attacked President Muhammadu Buhari over the sack of the Executive Secretary of the Financial Reg... Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has attacked President Muhammadu Buhari over the sack of the Executive Secretary of the Financial Regulatory Council (FRC) of Nigeria, Jim Obazee.In a statement by Lere Olayinka, Fayose described the sack of Obazee as a ploy by President Buhari led administration to draw more attention come 2019.Fayose said, When they realised the implication of their action on President Muhammadu Buharis 2019 ambition, especially the personality like Pastor Adeboye thats involved, they quickly sacked an innocent man who must have acted on instruction.Obviously, their attention is more on 2019, not on justice and any love for the sustenance of Christianity in Nigeria.Mind you, they have only suspended the implementation of the regulation, they did not abrogate it. It is obvious that they have an agenda. And if you look at the presidents pattern of life, he is a sectional leader, whose appointments reflect sectionalism and nepotism.Fayose further said the sack was a cover-up to stem the tide of negative public reactions towards the implementation of the controversial law that stripped the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye and others of their positions.Speaking further, Fayose said: If men of God like Pastor Adeboye, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, Bishop David Oyedepo, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and others cannot be GO of their church beyond 70 years of age, how do we now justify a man like President Buhari who is over 74 and still willing to be president beyond 2019 that he will be 77?Fayose reiterated that though the law was purportedly made by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, it was implemented by President Buhari. The incoming President of the United States of America (USA), Mr. Donald Trump, is billed to attend a roadshow put together by the Federal... The incoming President of the United States of America (USA), Mr. Donald Trump, is billed to attend a roadshow put together by the Federal Government as part of efforts to attract investment into the oil sector.Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, made the disclosure while unveiling his goals and those of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for 2017 in Abuja.According to him, We are going to be seeking to attract investments and complete all the MoUs we have in China and India. We are looking to do a roadshow to the UK, we are looking to do a roadshow to the US with President Donald Trump coming in, he said.The Minister said Nigeria would exploit the relationship built by President Muhammadu Buhari in taking a roadshow to the UK and the US.We are going to accelerate Federal Governments revenues, look into areas where we could have made more money, so as to support the 2017 budget financing.We are looking to draw on the relationship that the President has built over time. We are going to be conducting oil blocks allocations and marginal flow awards to try and raise money for the government, Kachikwu said.He assured that Nigerias refineries would be revamped to produce at 60 per cent capacity.We need to start the revamping of the refineries. The president has given us marching orders on that. We still remain committed on our goal of 2018 to reduce importation by 60 per cent and 2019, stop the importation of petroleum products substantially.Now, we are going to continue to focus on downstream issues. Although we have liberalised, there are still some challenges.We are going to see how we work within the liberalisation infrastructure such that we are able to take away the low-hanging difficulties.We are also going to focus on the Niger Delta. Its been too long a lingering issue. We are going to be working with every aspect of the Presidency to try and find solution to this.On the other hand, we are going to run at a rocket pace. We have so much to do. First, we are going to firm up our policies, be able to gazette all our oil and gas policies and then pass the PIB, he stated.Kachikwu praised Nigerias influential role in stabilising oil prices, saying he expects oil to trade in the $60s for the better part of 2017. Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has decried the support corrupt individuals get from their kinsmen. Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has decried the support corrupt individuals get from their kinsmen.Osinbajo made the comment when Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC led by its Chairman, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, visited him at the Presidential Villa.Osinbajo said: How we communicate what is going on regarding corruption is important. There are still those who think a politician who steals is some kind of Robin Hood, instead of being vilified.Some people believe that if my kinsman steals it is ok, stressing that it is important to completely delegitimize corruption especially through the way it is communicated. Nigeria has granted her citizenship to more than 300 foreign national, the Federal Government said on Wednesday. Nigeria has granted her citizenship to more than 300 foreign national, the Federal Government said on Wednesday.This was even as Ministry of Water of Resources stated that it inherited 117 abandoned projects from the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan which it said stood at N89 billion.Briefing State House correspondents at the end of Wednesday meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Danbazzua joined by his Water Resources counter-part, Suleiman Adamu and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina stated that a total of 500 persons applied for Nigerian citizens but about 100 were disqualified. The All Progressives Congress, APC, has welcomed the development in the Nigerian Senate, which led to the replacement of the former Senate... The All Progressives Congress, APC, has welcomed the development in the Nigerian Senate, which led to the replacement of the former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, with Ahmed Lawan.The party in a statement by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday said it views the change in leadership as concrete expression of faith by the APC Senate Caucus in our efforts to resolve the lingering issues that have trailed the election of Senate leadership.Mr. Lawan from Yobe State was the preferred candidate of the APC leadership to emerge as Senate President on June 9 last year, which could not happen because Bukola Saraki was elected against the wish of the party leadership.The APC leadership had at first ostracized Mr. Saraki and openly vowed that he must be removed. However, recent developments within the party had seen Mr. Saraki warm his way back to the leadership of the APC.Mr. Saraki had at the end of last year led the Senate Caucus of the party to a meeting with the leadership of the APC; the first one since he emerged Senate President.Mr. Ndume told newsmen on Tuesday that his removal as Senate Leader was because of his public statement that Ibrahim Magu had not been rejected as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC, by the Senate.The Senate spokesperson had repeatedly said Mr. Magus nomination had been rejected by the Senate.The APC said on Tuesday that Mr. Ndumes removal as Senate majority leader is good for the party.We believe this is a major step forward in our efforts to reunite the various interest groups in that Senate election, thereby presenting a common legislative front for our great party.We are particularly delighted that the consultations that were initiated towards the end of 2015 between the party caucuses in the National Assembly and the party executives as well as other leading stakeholders of our party has yielded these results and the Senate has demonstrated its willingness to finally submit to the will of the party in this regard, the statement said.The statement recalled that as soon as the issue of election in the Senate occurred, the party leadership had resolved that Mr. Lawan be compensated with the position of Senate Leader.Sadly, that directive was not fully complied with at the time. But we are happy to see this change effected, which represents a significant progress in our efforts to build a strong and united party.With this development therefore, we are confident that the issues arising from the elections in the Senate in 2015 have been put to rest, the party said.APC thanked Mr. Ndume from Borno State for his service and sacrifice to the party, which, it said would not be forgotten.We also congratulate Senator Lawan, the new Senate Leader on his election by the APC caucus in the Senate. We hope he will use his vast experience and knowledge to enhance legislative works to further our partys agenda of change, it said.The party assured Nigerians that it will continue to work with President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve any other pending issues that may have affected it at different levels.However, with this latest development, APC has demonstrated its resilience and capacity to resolve its internal differences in order to realise the true change and transformation that we promised Nigerians, it said. NEWARK -- A Brooklyn man who graced the FBI's "Most Wanted" list 28 years ago was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in federal prison for the 2013 robbery of a Bergen County bank. John Edward Stevens. (FBI, Bergen County Sheriff's Office) John Edward Stevens, 63, previously admitted in U.S. District Court to robbing the TD Bank in Oakland at gunpoint on April 15, 2013, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman. U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi on Wednesday sentenced Stevens, who pleaded guilty to a charge of armed bank robbery, to a total of 240 months in prison. Authorities say Stevens, who made off with several thousand dollars in cash in that robbery, also has been convicted of at least eight prior armed bank robberies in California and Ohio. Stevens was placed on the FBI's fugitive list in May 1988 after being charged in connection with the 1987 robbery of a bank in suburban Columbus, Ohio. He was captured six months later after being found holed up in a Cincinnati motel with a girlfriend. Cecchi sentenced Stevens to three years of supervised release in addition to the prison term. S.P. Sullivan contributed prior reporting. Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEW YORK -- A New Jersey woman who helped orchestrate a "found money" scam which bilked a senior citizen out of more than $10,000 was sentenced to prison Tuesday. Juanita Lamb, 58 of Englewood, was sentenced to 2 1/2 to 5 years in prison, the Queens County District Attorney said in a news release. Lamb pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property in November. In 2008, Lamb was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison in Delaware for a similar con in which she stole more than $6,300 from an 86-year-old woman. Deanna Rhett, 60, of Manhattan and an unnamed third person also ran the scheme on the 88-year-old victim over two days in 2015. The third con artist begin chatting with the woman on a street corner in Jackson Heights, Queens on Aug. 1, 2015. Rhett arrived and showed their target a bag full of what was actually fake money, claiming she had just found it and would share it with the senior citizen in exchange for helping paying the taxes on it. Lamb, meanwhile, offered to give the woman a ride home. Two days later, the trio picked up the woman and drove her to a bank, where she withdrew $10,300 in cash, which she handed to Rhett. They then returned to the woman's home after the defendants told her they needed proof of her address to pay the taxes. While the woman was inside retrieving the paper work, the three fled. Police pulled over the Buick not far from the victim's home and and recovered $3,100 from the floor of the driver's seat. Cops found $4,100 on the floor of the front passenger seat and another $3,100 from the third defendant's waistband. The car also contained several wigs and paper that appeared to be $100 bills but contained the phrase, "for theatrical use." Rhett was previously sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison in Dec. 1, 2016. The third defendant is awaiting trial. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK -- Teenagers sent to state prison in New Jersey are routinely stripped of their federal rights to special education services and sometimes left in solitary confinement with little regard for their disabilities, a new class action lawsuit contends. Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ), represented by the law firm Proskauer Rose LLP, announced Wednesday they are suing the state Department of Corrections and state Department of Education in federal court for allegedly failing to provide education throughout the prison system. Some inmates with special education needs receive no education, while others are asked to complete worksheets while sitting in a cage, the suit alleges. "Whether in a cage or a classroom, NJDOC has failed and continues to fail youth with disabilities, utterly ignoring a key component of rehabilitation: a meaningful education," said Mary-Lee Smith, director of litigation at Disability Rights Advocates. "Youth with disabilities do not check their civil rights at the door of adult prison facilities." Teens with disabilities who are incarcerated in adult prisons are entitled to special education through the age of 21, according to federal and state law, the lawsuit says. New Jersey's Department of Corrections, however, ignores that obligation, the suit claims. The state Department of Education has failed to monitor the Department of Corrections, according to the lawsuit. Both departments declined to comment on the lawsuit. The suit is filed on behalf of three men who entered the prison system at age 18 or 19 and are identified only by their first name and first initial of their last name. One man, who has ADHD and entered the prison system when he was 18, has spent more than 150 days in solitary confinement and received no special education services, the suit says. The Department of Corrections has not investigated whether his ADHD could become worse by being in solitary confinement, according to the lawsuit. Another man, also 18 when he arrived, been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, impulse control disorder and ADHD. He at first received no special education services while in solitary confinement but now receives worksheets to complete in a cage in the middle of the unit at the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility in Chesterfield, the suit says. The third plaintiff, who was 19 when he was incarcerated, needed special education assistance in school but has received no such services since entering Department of Corrections custody, the suit claims. The lawsuit estimates that hundreds of incarcerated students are being denied their rights to special education. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook. TRENTON -- Even as schools have offered significantly more support for LGBTQ students, New Jersey's middle and high schools remain hostile environments for many gay, lesbian and transgender teens, according to a survey by a national education advocacy organization. The 2015 National School Climate Survey conducted by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that 85 percent of the 302 LGBTQ students surveyed in New Jersey said they heard negative remarks about gender expression in school and nearly 80 percent heard homophobic remarks. Fourteen percent of students said they heard homophobic comments from school staff, the results released Wednesday found. The New Jersey students who participated in the survey were among 10,528 students nationwide, including students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The national results found that most schools are still hostile environments for LGBTQ students, though anti-bullying policies and gay-straight alliances have helped change school culture. The survey's findings mirror stories shared by LGBTQ middle and high school students across the state, said Carol Watchler, co-chair of GLSEN Central New Jersey. "Schools are still hostile environments for so many of these students," Watcher said. "And now more than ever they need our support." Philip McCormick, co-chair of GLSEN Northern New Jersey, said LGBTQ students need supportive student clubs and school curriculum that positively depicts LGBTQ topics. "We have so much more work to do, but we have seen what works in Northern New Jersey to improve school climates for LGBTQ students," McCormick said. Among key findings in New Jersey: 87 percent of LGBTQ students said they heard the word "gay" used in a negative way. 64 percent of LGBTQ students said they had been verbally harassed about their sexual orientation, but more than half of those students never reported the incidents. 55 percent of LGBTQ students said they heard negative remarks about transgender people. 41 percent of transgender students said they were not able to use the bathroom that aligned with their gender. 21 percent of LBTQ students did said they not think their schools had a comprehensive anti-bullying policy that protected them based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. 13 percent of LGBTQ students said they were prevented from using their preferred name and gender pronouns in school. 9 percent of LGBTQ students responded that they were physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation. Still, many LGBTQ students said they found support from teachers or classmates. In New Jersey, 99 percent of students knew at least one supportive teacher and 82 percent knew six or more supportive teachers, according to the survey. New Jersey has one of the strictest anti-bullying laws in the country, a measure that specifically protects students from bullying because of their perceived or actual gender identity and expression. The state Department of Education and local schools continually strive to foster safe and secure school environments for all students, department spokesman David Saenz said. Saenz questioned whether the results of the survey, which was administered online and promoted on social media, was truly representative of the experiences of LGBTQ students. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The cheesesteak at Donkey's Place in Camden is the nation's best cheesesteak and one of the country's 15 best sandwiches, according to the New York Post. "Hang your head in shame, Philadelphia: the best cheesesteak in the country is whipped up across the Delaware in Camden,'' according to the story. Other sandwiches on the list include the pastrami sandwich at Katz's Deli in New York; the fried shrimp po' boy at Parkway Bakery & Tavern in New Orleans, and the Swinery Spectacular at The Swinery in Seattle. Donkey's, which opened in Camden in 1947, received national attention when celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain proclaimed its cheesesteak better than any in Philadelphia. The cheesesteak at Donkey's is served on a Kaiser roll -- Philly cheesesteak heresy -- but it's worked at Donkey's for 70 years. Leon Lucas opened Donkey's Place in 1947. Leon took over a neighborhood bar and turned it into a cheesesteak legend. He was a former Olympic boxer who acquired the nickname "Donkey'' because his punch was likened to a donkey's kick. The Munchmobile paid a visit to Donkey's satellite store in Medford five years ago. Are cheesesteaks even sandwiches? Some would argue they stand alone as their own category; Carolyn Wyman, author of The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book, calls cheesesteaks sandwiches. N.J.'s best cheesesteak as far as I'm concerned? The ones served up at Chick's Deli, Cherry Hill. In any event, cheesesteaks were not considered in our recent epic search for N.J.'s best sub/hoagie shop. Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PeteGenovese or via The Munchmobile @NJ_Munchmobile. Find the Munchmobile on Facebook and Instagram. Albania is one of the many countries lining up to join the EU. Today marks the 71st anniversary of the foundation of the Peoples Socialist Republic of Albania and the beginning of what would be horrible purges of non-Communists, write Alex Fiuza and Steffen Kudella. Alex Fiuza and Steffen Kudella work at ACREuropes Press Office. Towards the end of the Second World War, bands of Albanian partisans, as well as nationalist and communist movements fought for their national future. Their short-lived alliance against the Italians had given way to a nationalist-led government collaborating with Germany. Flush with western arms intended to aid their insurgency against Nazi Germany, the Communists overwhelmed the Albanian nationalists and formed the short-lived Democratic Government of Albania on 29 November 1944. Less than two years later, on the 11 January 1946, the Communists founded the Peoples Socialist Republic of Albania (PRSA). Defeating the nationalists wasnt the only step along the road, of course. After the Communist Partys first secretary, Enver Hoxha, was made prime minister, the Communists were quick to bar King Zog I, the prewar ruler of Albania, from ever returning to his country. Moreover, while many countries in the Soviet bloc started with the pretence that the Communists were in some variety of coalition government prior to becoming dictatorships, in Albania the Communists established complete control from the start. The party also moved to collectivise farming and begin nationalising industry. Show trials purged non-Communist politicians, sentencing many to death as enemies of the people and consigning the rest to labour camps. Elections for a Peoples Assembly were held in December 1945, although only the Communist party could put forward candidates; they were apparently elected with a 92% turnout. The Peoples Assembly swiftly enacted a formal abolition of the monarchy, and declared a peoples republic. After months of debate and purges of moderates, a Soviet-style constitution was adopted and Hoxha became prime minister, foreign minister, defence minister and commander in chief. Hoxha would reign until his death in 1985. His regime saw the brutal suppression of religion leading to a wipe-out of formal religion, along with an array of travesties against dissidents and his people at large. Although lucky in receiving vast hand-outs from the Soviets and Chinese as they competed for dominance of the Soviet Sphere, Albania in common with the Soviet Bloc saw stagnant living standards and grinding poverty. It is estimated that 100,000 people died as a result of PRSA policies, up to 25,000 of them executed. Albania never joined the Soviet Union, nor did it become one of the Soviets satellite states. Instead, Hoxha broke with the USSR and the Peoples Republic of China despite their support, and withdrew from the Warsaw Pact. Upon Hoxhas death, a man named Ramiz Alia took his place, ruling until he lost the 1992 Albanian elections. The PRSA was formally abolished with a new Albanian constitution in 1998, marking the end of a dark era, and a major step in Albanias transition to being a functioning liberal democracy. In 2010, the EUs visa liberalisation programme with Albania entered into force, and Albania received EU candidate status in June 2014. This year, ACRE will be focusing on post-communism across Eastern Europe, and in Albania, in particular. Every year, U.S. senators are called upon to nominate a select group of eligible individuals from their states for enrollment at one of the five U.S. Military Service Academies: the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy. Fischers and Fortenberrys Cass County nominees for the class of 2021 are Hailey Kozma to the U.S. Military Academy, and Zachary Ostrander to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 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. The New Year brought a major change in the Cass County Board of Commissioners with its members appointing Dan Henry as the board chairman and Duane Murdoch as the vice chairman. The board welcomed newly-elected Dale Sharp as the District 1 Commissioner, replacing John Warsing. Sharp is not new to the commissioners seat, however, having served on the board from 1984-1996. Following the new appointments, the commissioners discussed disposing of the Cass County Department of Roads facility in Murray. Henry introduced the topic explaining he would like to see it auctioned for the high bid, just as a similar facility in Murdock was disposed of in 2016. Cass County Department of Roads Superintendent Lenny Thorne worked with Cass County Attorney Nathan Cox to set up the auction. They didnt hire an auctioneer, Henry said. We could do the same as with the Murray facility. Sharp asked if the property was large enough for a home to be built on it. A good purpose for it would be commercial if the village of Murray would be willing to work with someone on it, said Cass County Zoning Administrator Michael Jensen. My thoughts are to let Lenny take care of it, Henry said. Murdoch and Sharp both suggested asking the Murray Village Board of Trustees if they were interested in the property. We should send a letter to the Murray Village Board to see if they are interested in it, Sharp said. Jensen said the commissioners should consider changing the zoning of the building to a commercial use. Isnt that a buyer beware issue? Sharp said. Its better if they know up front, Murdoch said. In addition to discussing the Murdock road shop facility, Commissioners heard an update from Jensen regarding construction in the county in 2016. More residences went up and there were more additions such as garages and renovations, Jensen said. Those meant more building permits issued. Jensen said there have been inquiries about getting a Caseys built in Greenwood. A Caseys there in Greenwood would be a good addition. As for the 420 Exit there was a sputtering of activities there, Jensen said. Jensen also noted fuel costs for his department were significantly lower than before due to the price of fuel falling and efforts among staff to be more efficient. Before the board adjourned, commissioners discussed having Cass County Clerk Geri Draper take over the duties of the former board assistant who resigned from the position a month ago. Draper said she and her staff were willing to assume those duties, which include some Human Resources tasks and answering insurance questions. The clerks office will assume the duties for a 90-day period, after which time the commissioners may decide to eliminate the board assistant position or keep the position and hire a replacement. Welcome to non league daily news now - your number one spot for all things relating to the National League System. Our dedicated reporters have come straight from the sidelines to bring you news fresh from the dugout - but not before theyve stopped off at the burger van first! We know that non league football fans are full of heart, passion, and belief. You trust the manager, you believe in the team, and, for some strange reason, you trust those rickety stands, too! Here at Non League Daily, we hope we can become your trusted non league news resource - a platform thats just as passionate about non league daily news now as you. Come rain or shine, well be out reporting on the latest non league fixtures. Well also be scouring the news, refreshing social media, and sourcing information from team websites in the hopes of finding the latest breaking non league daily news for our readers. As youll soon see, weve got exclusive match reports on the Vanarama National League, weve got transfer speculation thatll affect the National League South, weve found great stories thatll spice up the National League North, and weve even got news on the latest giant killers of the FA Cup. We may not be able to agree on who is going up this year, but we can all agree that any news on the NLS worth knowing will be published here, at Non League Daily. Weeping Water Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for three 2017 awards it will present Jan. 28 at Slattery Vintage Estates Banquet Hall in rural Nehawka. The chamber is seeking nominations for its Community Service Award, Business of the Year Award and Business Person of the Year Award. The Community Service Award is presented to an individual, organization or business whose outstanding accomplishments or efforts improved or promoted Weeping Water. Commendable community service or volunteerism will be honored with this award. Nominations do not have to be members of the chamber. The Business of the Year Award will be presented to a Weeping Water area business, large or small, which made a positive impact on the community by setting a standard of excellence though its business practices, social responsibility and commitment to the community. Nominees need to have demonstrated good citizenship throughout the community including actively supporting local charities and other businesses. The business needs to exhibit professionalism and integrity in its everyday operations. The business must be a member of the chamber. Business Person of the Year is presented to an individual for his or her commitment to their business and employees, as well as supportive of the Weeping Water community. The person must be an owner, manager or employee of a Weeping Water area business or organization. He or she should demonstrate the ability to positively respond to adversity with integrity and professionalism. He or she must be committed to the quality of a product or service and demonstrate concern for community betterment and improving the local business climate. Nominees do not need to be chamber members. Nominations are due Wednesday, Jan. 18. Each nomination requires a separate form that can be found on www.facebook.com/wwchamber. Everyone who turns in a nomination form will be entered into a drawing for $50 in chamber bucks. Nominations should be mailed or faxed to the chamber at P.O. Box 286 Weeping Water, Neb. 68463 or fax 866.524.7833. They may also be left at the city drop box. The award recipients will be announced during the Annual Chamber of business Awards at the Slattery Vintage Estates Banquet Hall. The event is open to the public and attendees need not be chamber members of business owners. While many of the same arguments were heard in regard to the proposed Costco poultry plant redevelopment and expansion during Tuesday evenings Fremont City Council meeting, new and exciting discussion occurred involving the possible allocation of LB840 funds to Costco. The Council unanimously voted 7-0 approving a Local Option Economic Development fund of $1 million to Costco Wholesale. Nebraska Legislative Bill 840, a Local Option Economic Development Fund, provides incentives for local businesses and businesses potentially entering the community. Following an agreement passed two years ago, one-third of one third of the one-half of one-percent sales tax implemented in 2014 ends up as LB840 funds, which equates to $675,000 yearly, information released during the council meeting stated. That same year, the language of local LB840 was changed so that it included incentives for the film industry to come to Fremont. Production firms could make an LB840 application and receive incentives for a percentage of the money they spend in Fremont while filming. As of December 2016, there is approximately $2,143,000 that is available to be loaned to businesses. Some of the loans are repayable, others are forgivable and performance based over the period of the loan. We do have a higher cash balance than that, but the $2,143,000 is what we have available for other agencies and businesses they are uncommitted funds that can be used for any other economic development projects, a City of Fremont representative said. Eligible activities under the Economic Development Plan may include the flowing to attract new and existing business and industry development in Fremont: land purchase/options, infrastructure to new or existing business and industry, site improvements and construction for new or existing business or industry or on a speculative basis. Eligible businesses to apply for LB840 funds include: research and development, manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, sale of services in interstate commerce, headquarter facilities, telecommunication and tourism-related activities. Spirited discussion surrounded the allocation of LB840 to Costco. While the language of LB840 clearly makes the proposed poultry plant eligible for Economic Development funds, many in attendance felt like the valuable funds should be allocated to small business and the film industry, which is making its first wave in the Fremont community with the filming of 12 Days of Giving Feb 1-17. Why give away $1 million to a company who did multiple billions in sales in previous years?, many inquired. Kevin McMahon, Fremont native and location manager for the film, said that even in Hollywood, Fremont is seen as a beacon of light for the film industry because so many other places dont offer film incentive. The language of LB840 was adapted to include film because of diligent work of local film advocate Stacy Heatherly. Ken Heatherly, husband of Stacy Heatherly, was one of the many in attendance who took a firm stand against giving Costco $1 million through LB840 which wouldnt be paid back. According to public records which he cited in 2016 Costcos annual revenue was $118.72 billion, and its gross income for that same time period was $15.82 billion. $1 million is barely 1/100th of a percent of Costcos annual expense spending, Heatherly said. $1 million is a rounding error for Costco. It represents a lot more than that to Fremont, so why are we giving more, and in this case LB840 dollars? Yes, we have a healthy balance in our LB840 fund, but is that really reason enough to give that money away to a company that really doesnt need it? Following comment from Stacy Heatherly, Cecilia Harry, executive director of the Greater Fremont Development Council, explained that her organization supports all forms of businesses and economic development, including the film industry. GFDC coordinated efforts with city and community leaders to include film projects in the updated plan in 2014, and we championed the renewal of the plan, and sales tax by voters, Harry said. LB840 would not be a tool for film, manufacturing or any other eligible industry if it werent for our efforts. Harry added that the Costco Project addresses five of the six outlined goals in the Local Option Economic Development Plan, including: creating more jobs, expanding the labor market, attracting new capital investment, broadening the tax base and providing economic diversification. If you approve the fund in front of you this evening, Harry added, the (total LB840) balance will still be over $1 million, which is still an incredibly healthy balance. The three projects approved since the new plan total $850,000. This is not an either/or situation as others have presented to you, this is a both/and situation. You can approve the application in front of you tonight and still have plenty of funds for additional projects that may make an application, no other projects or industry are in danger of losing access to the LB840 tool. Glen Ellis, president and CEO of Sycamore Education, has been a direct recipient of LB840. He knows, he said, the direct impact it can have a small local business. Ellis said that he, and everyone else, has heard how good of a corporate citizen Costco is, however, Ellis said it doesnt always feel that way. It doesnt feel that way when they are coming into our town, and we are bending over backwards for them and it feels like they are just reaching into our pockets and grabbing the last dimes we have, Ellis said. The balance of LB840 is healthy, Ellis acknowledged, but for him it is disconcerting because he believes those funds should be funneling into local business to help it grow and thrive. He agreed Costco is 100-percent entitled to the LB840 money, but that doesnt mean they should accept it. They are entitled to this money, just like anybody else, he said. But I am asking them tonight to be a good corporate citizen in Fremont, and turn that money down. They do not need this money for this project. It was another full house Tuesday evening in the Fremont City Council chambers as the battle involving the proposed Costco Wholesale chicken processing plant raged on. There were proponents, opponents and undoubtedly, quite a few people still wading through the plethora of information surrounding the situation. On Tuesday, more Is were dotted and more Ts were crossed by Fremont City Council in regard to moving forward with the now expanded proposed project. Pressing items of action included: *The Council unanimously approved an Amended and Restated Redevelopment Agreement for Project No. 1 Costco Poultry Complex and authorizing the issuance of Tax Increment Financing Indebtedness. *The Council unanimously authorized Mayor Scott Getzschmann to sign an agreement with Costco Wholesale, Inc. for a building plan review reimbursement. *The Council unanimously authorized Mayor Getzschmann to sign a Clawback Provision and Indemnification Agreement with Costco Wholesale. *The Council unanimously approved a Local Option Economic Development Fund loan for Costco Wholesale. *The Council unanimously approved an Economic Enhancement loan for Costco Wholesale. There was spirited conversation from both opponents and proponents of the proposed facility, which will be analyzed in a complete article which will be available Wednesday on the Tribunes webpage and in Thursdays print edition. For the third year, detectives and deputies affiliated with the Dodge County Sheriffs Office participated in No Shave November as a way to raise awareness and funding for cancer research. This year, however, many looked a little shaggier than years past. In an effort to raise as much money as possible for the American Cancer Society, No Shave November adapted into an event encompassing the months of November, December and the first week of January. Because of the additional push, the Sheriffs Office was able to raise $2,255 a sum of $500 more than was raised during the 2015 campaign, which allocated funds for pediatric Cancer. All funds from this years drive are going to the American Cancer Society, which is a nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service, information off of cancer.org says. The American Cancer Society researches and provides funding for studies involving all forms of cancer. On Tuesday morning, Det. Craig Harbaugh, event coordinator, presented an enlarged check for the allotted amount to two American Cancer Society representatives who are based out of the High Plains Division in Omaha. The money is being divided equally two sums of $1,127.50 and is going toward funding for the 2017 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Dodge County, as well as providing funding for Hope Lodge Nebraska, a three story, 38,000 square-foot facility being erected at 8030 Farnam St. in Omaha. The concept of Hope Lodges started at least 15 years ago, said Doug Bottger, director of major gifts and capital initiatives for the American Cancer Society High Plains Division. The first Lodge was built in South Carolina, and served as an outlet for cancer patients and their caregivers to room free of charge while they received treatment. Anybody traveling 40 miles of distance or greater will be eligible to use the 32-room complex which has been in the fundraising phase for five years. Currently, there are 30 or more Hope Lodges located throughout the United States. The $11.5 million complex will be centrally located between at least two Omaha cancer treatment facilities and also will have a free shuttle service provided through the American Cancer Society. Bottger tentatively said Hope Lodge Nebraska will open in March 2018. The need for such a facility is great, he said. During a 2015 survey, we found that 9,000 people traveled to Omaha for cancer treatment from outside of that 40 mile range, he told deputies gathered Tuesday morning inside of a Sheriffs Office meeting room. Bottger estimates that one-third of patients and caregivers who travel to receive cancer treatment have lodging needs. The stress of dealing with a debilitating illness compounded with the financial burden of worrying about paying for a hotel can be extreme. Many patients stay at Hope Lodges for three weeks or more some stay for upward of 6 months. It eliminates some of the barriers that we are looking at, Bottger said. One of the reasons why they chose Omaha and Nebraska for a Hope Lodge is because of the sheer number of people, but we also found that a large percentage of people were forgoing certain cancer treatments because they couldnt afford lodging. They didnt have a relative in Omaha or Lincoln or Fremont who could get them back and forth to Omaha for treatment. This meant they were either stopping their treatment, or not using the best possible treatments they could to attack their cancer. With the Hope Lodge being free of charge, we hope to break down that barrier and allow people to make that choice to come to the metro area for their cancer treatment. While the development of Hope Lodge Nebraska is exciting, Dodge County residents will see the immediate impact of the No Shave November funds as they boost and support the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Dodge County. The 2017 Relay For Life, held June 10 at Midland University, will benefit greatly from the lump of money as hundreds of people gather from across Dodge County. This years theme is There Is No Place Like Hope, a spin-off of the classic Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum. We are gonna follow the Yellow Brick Road to the cure, said Relay For Life committee member Marilyn Wise. Stephanie Stephenson, Senior Community Manager of Relay For Life for the American Cancer Society High Plains Division, said that all funds received are valuable and of the utmost importance. We are a global entity, and that means we help people all across the globe, Stephenson said. Funds like this give us the opportunity to change peoples lives. Anytime Fitness, a fast-growing 24-hour gym chain, is planning a major expansion in the Calumet Region, where it's looking to open nine new locations. The Minnesota-based health and fitness club company says on its web site that it plans to open new gyms at 4831 E. Lincoln Highway, in Hobart; W. 61st Avenue and Broadway, in Merrillville; Indianapolis Boulevard and E. 165th Street, in Hammond; E 129th Street and Calumet Avenue, in Hammond; 757-761 Indian Boundary Road, in Chesterton; 821 Main St., in Munster; Calumet Avenue and Ridge Road, in Munster; 133rd Avenue and Parrish Avenue, in Cedar Lake; and Main Street and W. Exchange Street, in Crete. When all is said and done, Anytime Fitness may end up with more locations than any other gym chain in Northwest Indiana. Franchisees, including the relatives Feras, Moe and Yusef Musleh, will open most of the new fitness clubs over the next year, Anytime Fitness spokesman Mark Daly said. "The cousins each own a few Anytime Fitness clubs and they're expanding," he said. "That's the primary reason for the sudden growth spurt." On average, Anytime Fitness gyms employ two managers and half a dozen personal trainers. Anytime Fitness already operates gyms in Hobart, Merrillville, Highland, Portage, Winfield, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Schererville, St. John, Dyer, Hebron, Lowell, Michigan City, LaPorte, DeMotte and South Holland. Its health clubs are often located in strip malls and are typically around 3,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet. "We're like the Walgreens of fitness centers," said Moe Musleh, who's looking to open new clubs in Cedar Lake and Merrillville. "We're going to get everybody more fit in 2017. With more locations, we're hoping for more members. We've got great operations. We've got clubs that are five years old, and still look brand new inside." The company claims to be the fastest-growing fitness club franchise in the world, and has been opening 300 new locations every year. It has more than 3 million members and 3,300 gyms, which members can unlock and use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The gyms carry an array of cardio and weightlifting equipment, as well as kettle balls. During staffed hours, Anytime Fitness also often offers fitness classes, such as for yoga and zumba. "We do not strive to be the lowest priced gym in any particular market, and believe you get what you pay for," Daly said. "We ask for a 12-month minimum because we see it as a two-way commitment. We're going to commit to you getting good results. If you haven't been in a couple of weeks, you'll get a friendly email or call or text message asking what we can do to help get you back in the gym." WASHINGTON Six high-level Volkswagen employees from Germany were indicted in the U.S. on Wednesday in the VW emissions-cheating scandal, while the company itself agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay $4.3 billion by far the biggest fine ever levied by the government against an automaker. In announcing the federal charges and the plea bargain, Justice Department prosecutors detailed a large and elaborate scheme inside the German automaker to commit fraud and then cover it up, with at least 40 employees allegedly involved in destroying evidence. "Volkswagen obfuscated, they denied and they ultimately lied," Attorney General Loretta Lynch said. Prosecutors may have trouble bringing the executives to trial in the U.S. German law generally bars extradition of the country's citizens except within the European Union. Privately, Justice Department officials expressed little optimism that the five VW executives still at large will be arrested, unless they surrender or travel outside Germany. Still, the criminal charges are a major breakthrough for a Justice Department that been under pressure to hold individuals accountable for corporate misdeeds ever since the 2008 financial crisis. U.S. authorities are still investigating just how high the scheme went, and held out the possibility of charges against more VW executives. "We will continue to pursue the individuals responsible for orchestrating this damaging conspiracy," Lynch said. VW admitted installing software in diesel engines on nearly 600,000 VW, Porsche and Audi vehicles in the U.S. that activated pollution controls during government tests and switched them off in real-world driving. The software allowed the cars to spew harmful nitrogen oxide at up to 40 times above the legal limit. U.S. regulators confronted VW about the software after university researchers discovered differences in testing and real-world emissions. Volkswagen at first denied the use of the so-called defeat device but finally admitted it in September 2015. Even after that admission, prosecutors said, company employees were busy deleting computer files and other evidence. The fines easily eclipse the $1.2 billion penalty levied against Toyota in 2014 over unintended acceleration in its cars. VW also agreed to pay an additional $154 million to California for violating its clean air laws. The penalties bring the cost of the scandal to VW in the United States to nearly $20 billion, not counting lost sales and damage to the automaker's reputation. Volkswagen previously reached a $15 billion civil settlement with U.S. environmental authorities and car owners under which it agreed to repair or buy back as many as a half-million of the affected vehicles. Although the cost is staggering and would bankrupt many companies, VW has the money, with $33 billion in cash on hand. As for why the fine was so big, "the premeditation here was very significant and that was at a very high level in the company," said Leslie Caldwell, an assistant U.S. attorney general. "Lower-level people actually expressed concern along the way about the fact these defeat devices were being used and questioned whether they should be used. And higher-up people decided to use them," Caldwell said. "Volkswagen also lied to the regulators and the Department of Justice once our investigation had started. That's what distinguishes this." Volkswagen pleaded guilty to conspiracy, obstruction of justice and importing vehicles by using false statements. Under the agreement, VW must cooperate in the investigation and let an independent monitor oversee its compliance for three years. The six supervisors indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit were accused of lying to environmental regulators or destroying computer files containing evidence. All six are German citizens, and five remained in Germany. The only one under arrest was Oliver Schmidt, who was seized over the weekend in Miami during a visit to the U.S. Schmidt was in charge of VW's compliance with U.S. environmental regulations. Those indicted also included two former chiefs of Volkswagen engine development and the former head of quality management and product safety. Prosecutors said one supervised 10,000 employees. All six were charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. by making false statements to regulators and the public. Three were also charged with fraud and clean-air violations. Government documents say one engine development supervisor asked an assistant to search another supervisor's office for a hard drive that contained emails between them. Then another assistant was asked to throw it away, prosecutors said. Authorities said the scheme began when VW officials realized new diesel engines wouldn't meet U.S. 2007 emissions standards. Acting on instructions from their supervisors, VW employees borrowed the defeat device idea from VW's Audi luxury-car division, which was developing different engines with similar software. In November 2006, some employees raised objections about the defeat device to the head of VW-brand engine development, prosecutors said. That official allegedly directed the employees to continue and warned them "not to get caught." In 2014, VW employees learned about a West Virginia University study that found emissions discrepancies in VWs. Three of the supervisors and other employees decided not to disclose the defeat device to U.S. regulators, prosecutors said. In August 2015, a VW employee ignored instructions from supervisors and told U.S. regulators about the device. VW also faces an investor lawsuit and a criminal investigation in Germany. In all, some 11 million vehicles worldwide were equipped with the software. Region native and popular comedian Jim Gaffigan once appeared on Global News' "The Morning Show" and talked about a dish that hurt his heart. Gaffigan said, I love it, but the last time I ate poutine, I actually hurt my heart. My heart said, Are you mad at me?' Gaffigan was talking about a Canadian dish, which is debated to have originated in the province of Quebec, that's found its way into U.S. restaurants, including several NWI establishments. The concoction typically contains French fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. However, different restaurants take their own spins on the dish, including Byway Brewing Company in Hammond. "It's just one of those dishes where it's just perfect with beer," said Brian Rance, executive chef at the brewery. "If you want the best of everything to drink your beer with, this is it." Rance helped craft the food menu at the brewery, but the inspiration for poutine comes from within his family. He recalls visiting his grandparents, who spent time living in Canada and then migrated over the border to live in Maine. "I had family members that had farms with potatoes and they would make gravy and throw a poutine together," Rance said. "The salty fries, cheese, gravy ... all of it goes together great." The poutine dish at Byway has the basic ingredients of French fries, cheese curds and gravy. However, Rance adds on to the dish by including braised pork, fried serrano peppers and two poached eggs on top. Byway's poutine has proven popular enough that the kitchen will serve 30 or more of them on a busy night, according to Rance. "I had a guy that was from Minnesota that was on a beer tour," Rance said. "He wanted to personally speak to me. He said he lived 20 minutes from the Canadian border and said, 'That's the best poutine I've ever had.'" The ingredients have even made their way onto a different platform: a pizza. Tomato Bar, which has locations in Schererville and Valparaiso, typically features a pizza of the month. January's selection was given the name "It's All Gravy, Baby!" "Poutine's pretty delicious," said Nick Overton, manager at Tomato Bar. "It's something different than we normally have. It's nice to mix things up and try something from a different country or culture." The poutine-inspired pizza starts out with a gravy base, then adds on mozzarella and provolone cheeses, waffle fries, cheese curds and braised beef. It's finished off with small green onions and Cholula hot sauce. Like Byway, the item has proven popular at Tomato Bar, too, with 20 or more of the pizzas sold on busy nights, according to Overton. "Gravy is one of those ingredients that can be changed and varied and be unique to whoever made it," Overton said. "I like to experience what their take on gravy is and how thats going to clash with the other flavors of the poutine itself." Overton believes the combination of the items is what makes the poutine taste special. He said, "Things can meld together and can taste different from what they would taste separated." Eclectic food offerings are in the spotlight at the new Tavern on Main in Crown Point. The restaurant/pub, which opened in November, is located in the building that was once The Front Gate retail shop. "It was in the works for six to eight months before we opened," said Tommy Forbes, co-owner and executive chef of Tavern on Main. Other partners in the business include John OBlock, Barb Sexton and former Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Sr. "We're focusing on better ingredients, high quality items and comfort food," said Forbes, who called the eatery a gastro pub. At Tavern on Main, creative entrees are in the spotlight along with craft drinks and craft brews. "The style of food is upscale bar food, Forbes added. "I like to give people a lot of food for what they pay," the chef said. Forbes said they wanted the interior of the restaurant to be comfortable and have a modern, industrial look with a menu that's also modern with creative touches. "It's bar food with a twist and can also be called high-end American eclectic," he explained. Among dishes diners will find on the menu are Lobster Rolls; Black Bean Burgers; Filet Medallions; Build Your Own Mac and Cheese; Ahi Wonton Nachos; Roasted Beet Salad; Cauliflower Flatbreads; Short Rib Poutine; and more. Forbes pointed out that some of the more unique specialties at the restaurant include a Short Rib Grilled Cheese; Pork Belly Burger; Street Tacos; and Chicken & Waffles, which has quickly become the eatery's signature item. The Tavern on Main menu also has a category featuring Build Your Own Mac 'N' Cheese. There are also four vegetable-heavy plates that will appeal to vegetarians, the chef said. Forbes, who was influenced in the kitchen by watching his mother cook, has worked at a variety of restaurants in the Region. Among eateries he's worked for are The Circle, White Hawk Country Club and Popolano's. "I started cooking in my early 20s with my buddies and really got into it," Forbes said. He always enjoyed smoking foods and making items such as stuffed burgers and other creative entrees. Forbes attended the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago. The chef said the menu is a collaboration between him and co-owner O'Block. Recipes at Tavern on Main are the brainchild of Forbes. Everything we do here is made from scratch, from the syrup to salad dressings and salsas," he said. Forbes' kitchen is manned by six people, including him. "I cook on the line every day," he added. Forbes said he enjoys experimenting. "We try to do different specials and I encourage the staff to create new things." FYI: Tavern on Main seats 70 people. Diners can enjoy their meals at tables or at the bar. The restaurant sits across from the Old Lake County Courthouse at 136 S. Main St., Crown Point. HOBART Charges have been filed against a 53-year-old Merrillville man accused of stealing a donation jar Dec. 28 from a Speedway gas station. Allen L. Edwards turned himself in Monday, the same day the Hobart Police Department circulated surveillance photos of Edwards stealing the Children's Miracle Network jar to the media and via social media, according to Hobart police Lt. James Gonzales. Edwards allegedly entered a Speedway gas station near 61st Avenue and Interstate 65 at 9:53 p.m. Dec. 28 and engaged the clerk in conversation. Police said once the clerk walked away, the man reached over the counter and grabbed the donation jar before exiting the gas station. Following the release of the surveillance photos, several people called the police department positively identifying Edwards as the suspect, Gonzales said. Police also compared surveillance footage with a previous booking photo to identify Edwards as the suspect. In speaking with police, Edwards alluded to the fact the clerk told him he could take the jar, a claim the employee subsequently denied to police, according to a probable cause affidavit. Edwards also told police there was only about $5 worth of change in the jar. Edwards has been charged with theft, a class A misdemeanor. CROWN POINT A local judge ruled Friday that Darren Vann can take his constitutional challenge of the state's death penalty to a higher court. Vann, who is charged with murder in the slaying of seven women, filed a motion Aug. 5 requesting that Judge Samuel L. Cappas rule that the state's death penalty statutes violated his constitutional rights. Vann, 44, of Gary, argued jurors in Indiana should be instructed that the aggravating factors in favor of execution must outweigh the mitigating factors beyond a reasonable doubt, but currently the state does not require jurors to use the reasonable doubt standard in considering punishment. Vann further argued the state's statutes currently allow the judge to impose death if the jury fails to reach a conclusion, which is beyond the judge's powers. Cappas denied Vann's motion on Nov. 14. Cappas determined that federal law only requires the jury to decide beyond a reasonable doubt whether a defendant is eligible for the death penalty, not whether to impose that penalty. Cappas also stated the state's death penalty statutes would be unconstitutional only if the jury's decision on punishment is advisory, and may be disregarded by the judge in favor of a contrary sentence. Vann requested Cappas allow him to appeal the judge's decision in a Dec. 13 motion, which was not opposed by the state. Vann is currently the only defendant in Lake County facing the death penalty after he was charged in October 2014 in the murder of two women at local motels. Vann was charged in March in the deaths of five more women after their bodies were found decomposing in vacant buildings throughout Gary. CROWN POINT A 35-year-old man shot by police in October was charged Monday in the incident. Antoine D. Williams was shot in the chest Oct. 14 by Gary police officer Arthur Lemme after he allegedly attempted to flee a traffic stop in Gary, according to a probable cause affidavit. The Gary Police Department did not respond Tuesday to questions about Lemme's involvement in the incident, but the affidavit states the officer was interviewed by detectives with the Lake County Sheriff's Department on Nov. 15. Lemme told detectives he found Williams asleep in his vehicle about midnight in the area of 15th Avenue and Colfax Street, the affidavit states. Lemme said Williams had a handgun in his lap and rolled down his vehicle window when the officer announced his presence, according to the affidavit. The officer said he reached into the vehicle and removed Williams' weapon, but Williams allegedly put the vehicle in drive before he could remove its car keys, the affidavit states. Lemme claimed he was pulled along as the vehicle began to move forward, so he shot Williams in the chest, according to the affidavit. Williams managed to drive about three-quarters of a mile north on Colfax Street before he crashed into a light pole, the affidavit states. Williams was treated at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary for a gunshot wound to the chest. A blood draw conducted at the hospital revealed he had a 0.22 blood alcohol content, according to the affidavit. Williams was charged Monday in Lake Criminal Court with two counts of felony battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement, three counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and carrying a handgun without a license. Williams is not afforded bail. GARY A 43-year-old man faces charges after allegedly violating a restraining order and battering a person Thursday with a deadly weapon. Stewart Foley IV, of Gary, has been charged with two counts of stalking, five counts of invasion of privacy, and one count each of battery by means of a deadly weapon, domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, and theft, according to Gary Police Lt. Dawn Westerfield. The charges stem from multiple incidents since June, Westerfield said in an email. During this time, Foley allegedly violated an active restraining order held by the victim in the Thursday incident. Foley is in custody, she said. Anyone with additional information on Stewart Foley IV is urged to contact Detective Robin Bolde at (219) 881-1209 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-CRIME-GP. HOBART A 16-year-old is being held at Lake County Jail, accused of threatening to shoot a woman during an attempted armed robbery Jan. 2 outside the Southlake Mall, according to police. Per'Sean Keonnti James Menifield, 16, of Gary, is also accused of a recent attempted robbery at a Meijer store in Merrillville, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Lake County Superior Court. Due to the severity of the crime, the teen is being charged as an adult, Hobart Police Lt. James Gonzales said. The victim from Jan. 2 told police she walked out of Cooper's Hawk at Southlake Mall in Hobart when she was approached by Menifield. Menifield appeared to be asking for help but as he walked closer to the woman, said "I need everything you got," according to court records. When she asked him to repeat himself, Menifield allegedly showed her what appeared to be a butt of a handgun in his left pocket. When she said she had nothing to give him, he stated "I'll shoot you," according to the affidavit. She repeated she had nothing to give him, and he allegedly ran off, according to records. Merrillville police said they were investigating a similar incident in town and had Menifield in custody, according to the affidavit. Menifield allegedly confessed his involvement in the Jan. 2 incident and an attempted armed robbery at a Meijer store in Merrillville. According to Lake County City Court records, Menifield faces two counts of attempted armed robbery. A Michigan City woman faces two felony battery charges after allegedly causing serious injury to her boyfriend's groin Thursday at an apartment on the city's north end, police said. Tara Pegues, 36, was charged with felony domestic battery and felony aggravated battery. The charges were filed Monday. According to the probable cause affidavit in LaPorte Superior Court 1, police were dispatched to an apartment in the 600 block of Spring Street. Officers approaching could hear a woman screaming from inside the residence, then heard a male and female state clearly that everything was fine and they could leave, police said. Eventually, Pegues opened the door and her 38-year-old boyfriend was trying to convince officers that nothing physically had occurred, police said. Officers went elsewhere in the residence to further the investigation and saw Pegues in the kitchen getting ice from the refrigerator freezer. She had scratches on her left shoulder, she said. When officers went back to the living room, they saw her boyfriend sitting on the back of a sofa with an apparent injury to his groin, police said. He was taken away by ambulance to a nearby hospital. At the hospital, police said, the man told them he and Pegues had been drinking and the argument started when she accused him of cheating on her. The man also said he tried leaving, but when he got to the front door, she grabbed him by his groin and injured him severely enough to draw blood, according to police. He gave no further explanation for that injury and could not explain a laceration running from his neck to right cheek. INDIANAPOLIS For two minutes, Indiana's 50 senators and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch were silent Tuesday as they listened to a Merrillville pastor beseech God to bless their work. It's tradition at the Statehouse to open each day's Senate and House sessions with a prayer, and Randy Scott, a minister at Pentecostals of South Lake and chaplain for the Merrillville Police and Fire departments, was exuberant at the opportunity to lead it. "Let your will be done here this afternoon. Grant each member wisdom and an understanding heart to know what's best for our great state of Indiana," Scott said in his prayer. "Flood this chamber with unity; that all may work together for the betterment and improvement of our state. Let this 2017 session be a blessing to every resident." Scott also asked for God's grace upon the new state administration, the nation's military personnel, first responders, schoolchildren and senior citizens. Afterward he said he considers it a great honor to be invited to travel to the Statehouse to pray with the individuals leading Indiana. "I encourage people just to come down here," Scott said. "You can rub shoulders with these men and women. They can get to know you; you can get to know them." The daily Senate and House prayers are organized by Indianapolis Pastor Matt Barnes. He regularly invites church leaders from across the state to pray with and for Hoosier lawmakers. State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, said he appreciates the moment of spirituality amid the omnipresent hubbub of the Statehouse. "It gives you a little reflection before you start the session every day. Makes you think a little more about what you're doing and why you're there," Niemeyer said. State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Merrillville, who serves as chaplain for the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, agreed that a reminder of one's faith can help lawmakers make the right decisions for the people they represent. "Many of the individuals that I've encountered here, regardless of their faith, or religion or background, realize we all answer to a higher power, and this is an opportunity for us to give reverence at that time and ask for that guidance," Melton said. PORTAGE Family and friends, fellow firefighters and police officers welcomed the city's three newest employees Tuesday morning during a brief ceremony at Woodland Park. Mayor James Snyder swore in two new police officers and one new firefighter/EMT. Mark Speckhard, 26, of Valparaiso, said he looked into police work as a career because it appealed to his military background and to what he really wants to do, including helping people and the community. He is a 2008 graduate of Valparaiso High School who spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps before earning a degree in public health from the University of Evansville. He previously worked at the Porter County Juvenile Detention Center. Mary Drzich, 25, of Hammond, is the seventh female officer on the department. A 2010 Munster High graduate, she also graduated from Ball State University with a degree in criminal justice. "I love people. I love working with people and helping people," she said. Both will attend the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy from Tuesday through April 28 and return to Portage for 10 additional weeks of field training. Mike Coslet, 24, is a 2011 graduate of Chesterton High. He has been a career member of the Chesterton Fire Department for two years, but volunteered on the department for four additional years. He has an associates degree in fire science. "I wanted the opportunity to work for a larger department," said Coslet, who will work at Station 1 and attend paramedic school in the future. The new hires fill both the Police and Fire Department rosters. VALPARAISO Porter County employees are using their computers for more than just work, and the County Board of Commissioners called on them this week to stop. "I think it's crystal clear we have a problem," Porter County Commissioner Jeff Good, R-Center, said after hearing a report Tuesday from the county's information technologies department. Department Director Don Wellsand said shopping, social media and music streaming sites are among those being visited during the work day by employees. He also said of the 5 million emails sent out last year, 60 percent were personal or spam. County government has 550 email accounts, yet only 350 are being used, Wellsand said. This amounts to a significant loss, considering that they cost $65 each. Good said there is not only a concern about lost work time, but also security breaches. "We don't need, as county government, to be hacked," he said. He called on county department heads to take the lead. "This is nothing but a management issue, folks," Good said. Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs, R-North, warned that a new policy on the issue will carry consequences. "We will rein this in," Good said. CROWN POINT Lake County Councilman Jamal Washington won election Tuesday as the council's 2017 vice president. Washington, D-Merrillville, won the largely ceremonial post on a 4-3 vote that broke partisan lines among the council's five Democratic and two Republican members. It comes one month after Washington pleaded guilty in Lake Superior Court to misdemeanor battery and invasion of privacy counts arising from a domestic dispute with his wife in December 2015. He admitted hurting his wife when he pushed her during an argument. A special prosecutor dismissed two felony counts of strangulation that could have barred him from holding public office in the future. He was placed on probation. Washington said of his election as vice president, "If this is a way to help me serve my constituents further, I'm happy to do it." The council re-elected Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, as its president. The president directs the council's agenda at its public meetings. The vice president carries the agenda duties if the president is absent. Washington won with the support of Republican Eldon Strong in addition to Democrats Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, and David Hamm, D-Hammond. Washington also voted for himself. Bilski and Elsie Franklin, D-Gary, voted for Republican Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, as did Dernulc himself. Republican Eldon Strong, R-Crown Point, said after the meeting he voted for Washington in return for Washington's support for future road improvements in Strong's largely rural district. Strong said, "I support my party. I told Dan what I would do. It's political horse-trading. I'm tired of getting beaten up all the time 5-2," a reference to the five Democrats and two Republicans on the council, which oversees county spending. "(Vice president of the council) is a symbolic position," he said, noting former council Vice President David Hamm acted as president only a handful of times in 2016. Washington said, "I'm excited to be working with Councilman Strong. Our objective on the council should not be about Democrats or Republicans, it's about what is best for the county as a whole." The council also approved a new ordinance removing Sheriff John Buncich's authority to hire towing firms county police use to remove cars from public streets. The ordinance transfers that power to the Lake County Board of Commissioners. Buncich wasn't present for the vote. Buncich is pleading not guilty to federal fraud and bribery counts alleging he solicited bribes and campaign contributions from towing firms seeking county work. A U.S. District Court judge on Monday delayed Buncich's trial to April 10, at the request of Buncich's attorneys who requested more time to prepare their defense. EAST CHICAGO EPA officials are defending steps they've taken to notify Superfund residents about elevated lead levels found in drinking water at some homes following criticism from federal elected officials. EPA Acting Region 5 Administrator Robert Kaplan said in a letter to U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, dated Jan. 3, that there are two reasons drinking water at 18 of 43 homes tested had lead levels above the EPA's action level of 15 parts per million: "the presence of lead in plumbing materials, and insufficient orthophosphate levels in the drinking water system." "Public drinking water systems commonly add orthophosphate to drinking water as a corrosion inhibitor to prevent lead and copper from leaching from pipes and fixtures," Kaplan wrote. "EPA's initial drinking water sampling detected low or no orthophosphate levels." The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has primary oversight authority over drinking water, Kaplan wrote. "After EPA notified the city and IDEM about the elevated lead levels, the city boosted the amount of orthophosphate added at the water treatment plant," Kaplan wrote. "This step should coat the interior surfaces of plumbing materials and decrease the amount of lead released into the drinking water." The change will benefit all water system users, not just those living in homes where water samples were taken, said Chris Korleski, EPA Region 5 water division director. Visclosky told residents at a congressional forum Monday in East Chicago that he and Sens. Joe Donnelly and Todd Young sent EPA a letter in late December expressing disappointment in how the agency notified residents of lead in water. Visclosky's office on Tuesday released the Dec. 20 letter and Kaplan's Jan. 3 response. The congressmen said in their letter the way EPA released information created a sense of confusion and could have been prevented. "We believe it is EPA's responsibility to conduct basic water quality tests for everyone living in zones 2 and 3," the Dec. 20 letter said. EPA's Korleski said the agency viewed tests at the 43 homes as representative of the entire system and took steps to address the issue through orthophosphate adjustments. "EPA does not see a benefit to testing each individual homeowner's tap water because the pilot study identified a system-wide issue that the city is addressing with IDEM," Kaplan wrote. "Additional sampling would confirm a problem that has already been identified and is being appropriately remedied." A spokesman for Visclosky declined to comment Tuesday on whether he still thinks EPA should test all residents' water, saying Visclosky had not yet reviewed EPA's response with Sens. Donnelly and Young.* The city currently operates two water purification plants, one of which was built in November 2011 and is not yet fully online because of initial problems, according to an engineering report submitted to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor. East Chicago recently won approval to increase water rates by 55 percent. The city previously used sodium polyphosphate powder and sodium hexametaphosphate acid at its two water purification plants, but it switched to feeding an orthphosphate-polyphosphate blend at both plants in September 2016 "under recent guidance from IDEM," the report says. City Utilities Director Greg Crowley could not immediately be reached for comment. Residents at the 43 homes tested were notified by phone Dec. 9 and given water filters, Korleski said. EPA and city officials have said any residents with concerns should install an NSF/ANSI-53 filter specifically certified for lead removal and flush lines for a few minutes before consuming water. * Editor's note: This story has been updated from a previous version. GARY Vanessa Allen views the Urban League of Northwest Indiana as her ministry, a place for the less fortunate to turn for help. As president and CEO of the organization for nearly seven years, she's witnessed how it has transformed lives. The Urban League of Northwest Indiana provides numerous offerings to help those in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties improve their quality of life. It focuses on serving in many areas, such as education, economic empowerment, health, civic leadership, civil rights and social justice for African-Americans and other groups. Allen said the organization has become a community facility where people know they can get help or at least some direction. With a staff that includes Allen, a part-time employee and a few volunteers, Allen said she's all over the place to make sure people are receiving the services they need. I serve with all the energy that I can, she said. It's clear many have taken notice of Allen's accomplishments, and that has resulted in her becoming one of eight people nominated for the Drum Major award presented by the Gary Frontiers Service Club. The Marcher and Drum Major awards are named for the "Drum Major Instinct" sermon Martin Luther King Jr. gave on Feb. 4, 1968, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, two months before his assassination. King talked about his funeral and the eulogy that might be given, and asked that he be remembered as a "drum major" for justice, peace and righteousness. The winner of the Drum Major award will be announced at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial breakfast Saturday in the Genesis Convention Center. Being nominated for the honor brought about many emotions that included Allen being shocked, excited and humbled. She said it's through God that she is in a position to serve the less fortunate. When the leadership position at the Urban League opened up in 2009, many encouraged Allen to apply, but she wasn't certain if she wanted to pursue it. At the last minute, she decided to throw her name in the hat. God led me to apply, Allen said. When she met with national Urban League officials about the position, she learned the Northwest Indiana affiliate was in a crisis situation because it hadn't been providing all the services it needed to. It was facing closure if no one would step up to improve production there. Allen said she thought to herself, not in my city, not in my community. The Urban League of Northwest Indiana has made many strides under Allen's guidance, and she wants to see it become more active. I have a passion to serve, Allen said. She said she strives to make the agency's programs and outreach stronger. I want the Urban League to continue its legacy of being a positive icon in the community that serves the people, she said. CROWN POINT Police are seeking a 57-year-old Gary man alleged to have shot a couple in October at their residence. Edward M. Pointer was invited Oct. 19 into the couple's residence in the 1900 block of Delaware Street after he was released from jail, according to a probable cause affidavit. Pointer and the 45-year-old man spoke for a while before Pointer allegedly said, Now I'm going to kill you (expletive), and shot him twice in chest, the affidavit states. The man dropped to the floor, and begged Pointer to spare his girlfriend, also 45, the affidavit states. Pointer entered the couple's bedroom and fired three shots at the woman, who was hit in the leg, according to the affidavit. Police have not identified a motive for the attack, according to a Gary police news release. Pointer remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, the release states. Pointer is charged in Lake Criminal Court with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon. His bond is set at $10,000. Anyone with information on Pointer's whereabouts can contact Detective Sgt. William Fazekas at 219-881-1210 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-CRIME-GP. ST. JOHN Lake Central School Corp. has became the first district in Northwest Indiana to have buses equipped with seat belts. Christian Flores, of the district's transportation department, told the School Board that Monday was the first day the five buses equipped with lap and shoulder harnesses were in service. The school bought five replacement buses and used them to transport students to Watson Elementary and Grimmer and Clark middle schools in addition to Lake Central High. Flores said the rules for using seat belts were emailed to parents twice over the past month to prepare them for the change. It cost an extra $10,000 per bus to have the seat belts installed on the 48-passenger vehicles, and the district plans eventually to replace all 90 with the safety feature as the old buses wear out. Flores said the next ones will be used for Peifer Elementary and Protsman, Homan, Bibich and Kolling Elementary will follow in time. The schools with the larger student populations could take a couple of years to get enough buses, but Flores said seat belts on buses could soon become required at either the state or the federal level, "so we are ahead of the curve." "The trend is growing, and we plan to promote it with the other schools in our area," he said. Superintendent Lawrence Veracco said legislation already is being introduced in the state legislature to require the belts. Veracco cautioned the $10,000 per bus cost could make it prohibitive for districts with low tax collection rates. Business Services Director Rob James said Lake Central's tax collection rate was about 98 percent of the full amount in 2016. Veracco said the district eliminated 10 or 11 bus routes several years ago to extend the life of the buses, but it still has more than 50 routes. The November school bus crash that killed six students in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has increased interest in seat belts for students on the buses. Only six states currently require them. "Most accidents occur when someone hits a bus, and they are built like a tank," Veracco said. "We are always concerned about unfunded mandates, and if the state decides to make belts mandatory, it could be a problem for some without additional help from the state." The board held its annual organizational meeting prior to the regular session and elected Janice Malchow the new board president replacing John DeVries, who did not seek re-election. Don Bacso was elected vice president and Sandy Lessentine is the secretary. The board also recognized the Spell Bowl teams from Bibich and Kolling. Bibich's team finished first in the district and third in the state out of 77 schools competing. Kolling students were third in the district and tied for ninth in the state. MICHIGAN CITY The Barker Mansion is hosting a Michigan City Memorabilia Show and Tell event at 11 a.m. Jan. 28 and welcomes contributions. During the free event, the public will share their treasured items with the crowd. Items can range from vintage postcards to high school mementos to factory and industry relics and everything in-between. The only rules are that the items must relate to Michigan City history and must be appropriate for an audience of all ages. Many of us own small relics of history, said Heritage interpreter TJ Kalin. Sharing them helps us piece together our past as a town and as a Region. Register items in advance by calling 219-873-1520. During the event, you will be expected to talk about your memorabilia in front of the crowd for three minutes and answer two minutes worth of questions. Those wishing to simply observe the event do not need to register. A 1 p.m. mansion tour will follow the free event; standard tour prices of $8 per adult and $5 per youth apply. The Barker Mansion is at 631 Washington St. Visit www.barkermansion.com. Sierra Kitchen, daughter of Rod Kitchen, Westville Correctional Facility community services director, is a recipient of a $1,000 scholarship through her fathers work place. Charles Bowen, a Correctional Professionals Assistance Fund of Indiana board member, presented her with the check to assist with educational supplies. Kitchen is currently enrolled in the pre-dentistry program at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Your generosity and commitment to public service will continue to inspire me as I move forward in my education goals, Kitchen said, and I assure you that I will pay it forward. The CPAFI supports those working in corrections and their families throughout Indiana, providing educational support to those advancing their careers. Our first day back to the work of serving our districts and our Great State of Nebraska in the Legislature has arrived. This begins the first session of a two-year biennium. If you did not attend, watch online or on NET2, each day of session is recorded into a daily Legislative Journal, which read: Pursuant to the provisions of Article III, Section 10 of the Constitution of Nebraska, the One Hundred Fifth Legislature, First Session of the Legislature of Nebraska, assembled in the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber of the State Capitol at the hour of 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, and was called to order by President Foley. Due to term limits, this is my final two years as your state senator. We opened the session with prayer offered by Senator Kolterman, followed by the Presentation of Colors and a Call to Order; there was a Quorum (majority of the body) present. The task was to call for an appointment of Temporary Officers (Clerk, Sgt. at Arms). The motion prevailed. It was my honor to move the motion that we proceed to the election of five persons to serve as the Committee on Credentials. They report to the Legislature on the credentials of those claiming to be elected to the Legislature in the General Election in November 2016. John Gale, Secretary of State, ceremoniously carries in a box of certified election results and verifies that the attached is a true and correct copy of the Official Roster of members of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature elected or appointed to serve in the One Hundred Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2017. The election of a new speaker took place; Senator Jim Scheer of Norfolk prevailed. When elections for committee chairs commenced, I was chosen to be the chairperson of the Agriculture Committee. It was a truly joyful, yet humble day to see the balcony and seats filled with many new faces. The press covered a few contentious moments on the floor as some, myself included, spoke freely about the need for transparency in voting with regard to electing our chairpersons. Many senators invoked arguments regarding the true nature of the Unicameral being, or no longer being, a nonpartisan institution. I found it surprising when those opposed to this transparency spoke of George Norris rolling over in his grave about this controversy, when in fact secret voting for chairmanships by the body of the Legislature began as recently as the 1970s, several decades after Norriss death. Certainly the life and principles of George Norris will be closely examined by many in the days that follow. On Thursday and Friday we witnessed the swearing in ceremonies for the Chief Justice and new members of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, State Board of Education Members and the Board of Regents; all of them take the same oath of office as every senator. We also began submitting new legislation to be entered into the record. Next weeks column will include bills I introduced. NEW YORK In a combative and freewheeling news conference, President-elect Donald Trump said for the first time Wednesday that he accepts Russia was behind the election year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race. Looking ahead, he urged Congress to move quickly to replace President Barack Obama's signature health care law and insisted anew that Mexico will pay the cost of a border wall. The hour-long spectacle in the marbled lobby of Trump's Manhattan skyscraper was his first news conference since winning the election in early November, and the famously unconventional politician demonstrated he had not been changed by the weight of his victory. He defiantly denied reports that Russia had collected compromising personal and financial information about him, lambasting the media for peddling "fake news" and shouting down a journalist from CNN, which reported on the matter. His family and advisers clapped and cheered him on throughout. Trump's transition has been shadowed by U.S. intelligence assessments that Russia not only meddled in the election, but did so to help him defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. After spending weeks challenging that idea, Trump finally accepted at least part of the intelligence conclusions. "As far as hacking, I think it was Russia," Trump said, quickly adding that "other countries and other people" also hack U.S. interests. Still, he kept needling the intelligence agencies, saying it would be a "tremendous blot" on their record if officials were leaking information from his classified briefings. One U.S. official told The Associated Press Tuesday night that intelligence people had informed Trump last week about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. Some media outlets reported on the document, which contains unproven information alleging close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians, as well as unverified claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump. The AP has not authenticated any of the claims. Wednesday's news conference was initially billed as a chance for Trump to answer questions about his plans for distancing himself from his sprawling, family-owned real estate and licensing business. Lawyer Sheri Dillon stepped to the lectern midway through the event to announce that the president-elect was relinquishing control of the Trump Organization to his adult sons and an executive, as well as putting his business assets in a trust. While new international business deals will be banned, the company will be allowed to start new projects in the U.S. The move appears to contradict a previous pledge by the president-elect. In a tweet last month, Trump said that "no new deals" would be done while he was in office. With dramatic flair, Trump aides piled stacks of manila folders on a table next to the lectern - in front of 10 American flags - before the news conference began. Trump said the folders contained documents he had signed formalizing the new business arrangements, though journalists were not able to view and independently verify the materials. Some 250 journalists crammed into the Trump Tower lobby for the news conference, which was not only Trump's first since the election, but his first since July. Journalists shouted for his attention. At times, he skipped past questions he appeared to not want to answer, including an inquiry about whether he would keep in place sanctions Obama slapped on Russia in retaliation for the election-related hacking. Until Wednesday, Trump had spent most of his two months as president-elect doling out policy pronouncements, attacks on critics and boasts about his victory in 140-character increments on Twitter. His preferred mode of communication has left some of his positions vague - an approach that is often by Trump's design. The president-elect set some concrete policy markers Wednesday, though specifics continued to be in short supply on some of his major campaign promises. He promised that a replacement for Obama's sweeping health care overhaul would be offered "essentially simultaneously" with a congressional vote to repeal the measure. The complexity of the policy changes makes quick passage of a new health care law virtually impossible, and Trump is yet to detail what he wants included. He said his team would send a plan to Congress after Rep. Tom Price, his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is confirmed. Turning to his plans to build a wall along the nation's southern border, Trump vowed that Mexico would "reimburse" the cost of the project through an unspecified tax or payment. He said that while his administration would begin negotiating with Mexico after his Jan. 20 inauguration, he did not want to delay the work until an agreement was reached, raising the prospect that U.S. taxpayers could ultimately bear the costs. "I want to get the wall started," he said. "Mexico will pay for the wall, but it will be reimbursed." Following Trump's remarks, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said his country "of course will not pay" for a border wall. Trump also moved to complete his Cabinet picks, announcing his intention to nominate David Shulkin to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, elevating him from his current role as VA undersecretary. He suggested that Shulkin may work with major private hospitals to help address issues that have plagued veterans' health care. Trump said he would move quickly to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. He said he had been interviewing candidates and seeking input from conservative groups and planned to name someone about two weeks after the inauguration. The good news for Lake County residents is County Council President Ted Bilski showed true leadership Tuesday. So did Lake County Councilwoman Elsie Franklin. Both broke with their party line to essentially vote against an admitted wife batterer becoming vice president of the council. The disgustingly bad news which should have every decent and thinking person in the county screaming protest is that four other elected Lake County Council members saw fit to elect fellow Councilman Jamal Washington to the vice presidency Tuesday. Washington is the same council member who pleaded guilty last month to battering his wife. A plea deal he struck with prosecutors allowed felony domestic violence charges to be dismissed after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery. The misdemeanor conviction meant Washington, under Indiana law, could hold on to his elected county council seat, though common decency dictates he should resign. Instead of Washington stepping down as he should, fellow council members Christine Cid and David Hamm, both Democrats, and Republican Eldon Strong voted to give Washington more title and authority as council vice president. They had another choice. Republican Dan Dernulc, who is a decent man and has no criminal record, also ran for the vice president's seat. Dernulc garnered the votes of Bilski and Franklin as well as his own. Do the math, and the votes went an appalling 4-3 in Washington's favor. Strong, of all people, could have prevented this. Instead of voting for his usual ally, Dernulc, he opted to vote for an admitted wife batterer. Why? "I'm tired of being beaten 5-2" on other county council votes, Strong told Times reporter Bill Dolan after the vote. So Strong just sold morality and decency for supposed Democratic support for future council action. The constituents of Strong, Cid and Hamm should be calling the council members' offices immediately to demand higher principles from those they put in office. The number for county council offices is 219-755-3280. Any county residents who believe an admitted domestic batterer should resign from elected office also should be calling, demanding Washington resign. And any Indiana lawmakers following this matter should use it as fuel to draft new legislation, allowing for a voter recall of such embarrassments before their terms expire. The decision to put political allegiance over common decency should conjure storms within all of our hearts. Council members who voted for Washington's vice presidency sent a clear message to all of us. They've essentially said, "Domestic violence isn't that big of a deal. We tacitly approve." Shame on them all. But we also thank Bilski, Franklin and Dernulc for being votes of decency and reason on this matter. At least a minority of council members seem to understand an admitted wife batterer has no business holding a position of authority in government. Community Civility Counts, with the slogan Together we win, has put a spotlight on anti-bullying efforts in schools over the past year and a half. Now, Community Civility Counts wants to recognize the best anti-bullying work in schools at its World Civility Day events April 13. We invite teachers, school officials and students to go to www.nwitimes.com/forms/community-civility for an online form to share details of a program or initiative that is working in their school, whether in Northwest Indiana or around the country. Well recognize all submissions at World Civility Day. A panel will judge finalists in early March and well initiate an online vote. We will present an award at World Civility Day to the school voted as having the most impressive, effective program. Please consider submitting an entry because your idea could help others. The deadline for submissions is the end of February. Community Civility Counts started in 2015 as an initiative of the Gary Chamber of Commerce and as a partnership with The Times Media Co. It has expanded in many ways and has received honors including the 2016 Associated Press Media Editors Innovator of the Year award. Last April, its first World Civility Day sold out with 300 people from Indiana and nine other states and three countries. UN Ambassador Dr. Clyde Rivers gave the keynote address at the packed Majestic Star Casino ballroom in Gary. Dr. Rivers is expected to return for the second World Civility Day. World Civility Day on April 13 will include a kickoff lunch and workshops at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. Workshop themes will include civility in the classroom and workplace civility. The dinner, held at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville, will include featured speakers and the first awards presented by Community Civility Counts. The Civility Center is a partner and sponsor of the day. Sponsorships and tickets for World Civility Day events are available through the Gary Chamber of Commerce at 219-885-7407. Tickets are $25 for the afternoon lunch and workshops and $60 for the dinner and can be obtained by calling the chamber. To follow the activities of Community Civility Counts, visit nwi.com/civilitycounts and visit and like the Civility Counts page on Facebook. To submit an anti-bullying initiative, fill out the form found at nwitimes.com/forms/community-civility. CHICAGO A man who maintains police coerced him into making a false confession to a rape and double murder when he was 14 filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the central Illinois city of Peoria and its police department. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, says police used sleep deprivation and other techniques to force a false confession from Johnnie Lee Savory after 31 hours of "abusive and illegal interrogation." The suit also alleges the city destroyed evidence and recent DNA testing rules out Savory as a suspect. Former Gov. Pat Quinn pardoned Savory, who spent nearly 30 years in prison, before leaving office in 2015. Savory was released on parole in 2006 at age 44. Savory, now 54, wants a jury to hear his case and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the prison time he served for the 1977 stabbing deaths of 19-year-old Connie Cooper and 14-year-old James Robinson and the rape of Cooper. Savory "was robbed of his childhood, his young adulthood, and his formative years," the complaint says. Peoria's corporation counsel, Donald Leist, said by email that he could not comment because he was unaware of the lawsuit. Savory was tried twice in the killings. His first conviction was overturned when the Third District Appellate Court determined his alleged confession was involuntary and his Miranda rights were violated. In 1981, he was convicted again in a trial that relied on testimony his attorneys allege was later recanted. "By focusing on the wrong man, the Defendants have permitted the real killer to remain at large for four decades," according to the lawsuit, which says police initially considered other suspects "who had a connection to Connie and some conceivable motive to kill her." The lawsuit states police knew Savory's youth made him vulnerable to coercive interrogation techniques. They fed him candy and soda pop, subjected him to multiple polygraph tests and lied to him about the polygraph results, according to the complaint, which also claims police stripped him naked and "plucked hairs from all over his body." He is represented by attorneys with the People's Law Office, the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center and Loevy & Loevy. ATLANTA (AP) The marching band of a historically black college in Alabama will perform in President-elect Donald Trump's Jan. 20 inaugural parade, despite a barrage of criticism, the school's president announced Thursday, Jan. 5. Talladega College President Billy Hawkins confirmed what the Presidential Inaugural Committee had announced Dec. 30. It was the first official word from the school. The Inaugural Committee's announcement last month ignited passionate debate on the campus and around the nation. In announcing that the Talladega College Marching Tornadoes will participate, Hawkins said students can learn lessons from the experience that cannot be taught in a classroom. "We respect and appreciate how our students and alumni feel about our participation in this parade," Hawkins said in a statement Thursday. "As many of those who chose to participate in the parade have said, we feel the inauguration of a new president is not a political event but a civil ceremony celebrating the transfer of power," Hawkins added. The announcement followed several days of intense debate on social media. Shirley Ferrill of Fairfield, Alabama, a member of Talladega's Class of 1974, said she doesn't want her alma mater to appear to be supporting Trump. "After how black people were treated at Trump's rallies, you're going to go and shuck and jive down Pennsylvania Avenue? For what?" another opponent of the plans, Seinya SamForay of Chicago, said in an interview. Others say the inauguration will be a unique and worthwhile trip for the students. "It will be a wonderful learning experience for the students in the band," Talladega College alumnus and Hampton University President William Harvey said in a statement. "It will be a teachable moment for them to understand the importance of supporting the leader of the free world, despite one's political viewpoint." "After all, the reason for being of any college or university should be to promote learning and not to enhance a political agenda," Harvey added. Talladega bills itself as Alabama's oldest private, historically black liberal arts college. The college traces its beginnings to 1865, when two former slaves pledged to provide a school for the children of former slaves of the community. The school was founded two years later, in 1867, according to historical accounts on its website. The parade lineup highlights some overlaps between Trump's new political role and his business empire. Talladega College Board Chairman Harry L. Coaxum and his wife Donna purchased a $900,000 condominium in the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago in May 2014, public records show. The condo purchase hasn't been mentioned amid the controversy over Talladega's band, and there's no indication it played any role in the parade plans. Messages left at a number listed for Coaxum were not immediately returned. Presidential Inaugural Committee spokesman Boris Epshteyn didn't respond to questions about the purchase Wednesday or Thursday. A similar situation involves another small school in the inaugural parade. The president of Olivet Nazarene University and his wife purchased a $2 million condo in the same Trump Tower in Chicago in March 2015, according to records from the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. President John Bowling told the Chicago Tribune that he's never met Trump or any of his relatives and that he "made no contact regarding the invitation" given to his university's band (http://trib.in/2iMv2Ne ). Talladega and Olivet Nazarene are among about a half-dozen college bands, at least eight high school bands and several military groups that have been announced for the parade lineup so far. Women's rights activists took a stand Tuesday against an NYPD police captain's comments which downplayed date rape. They gathered in front of the 94th Precinct stationhouse in Greenpoint, headed by Captain Peter Rose. At a community meeting last week, Rose told people that stranger rapes are more heinous than others. He apologized on Twitter for the comments, but the demonstrators say "sorry" isn't enough. "Captain Rose's comments were just outrageous, but it's a symptom of a larger problem," said NOW New York President Sonia Ossorio. "I think the culture needs a major overhaul," said one protester. "People need to realize that no matter who rapes or under what circumstance it should be taken seriously and people should be prosecuted for the crimes that they commit," said another. Activists say the precinct should reopen its 10 unsolved rape and sexual assault cases. They're also calling for arrest numbers and incident reports on sexual violence to be made public. The Islamist militants who forced Western aid organizations out of Somalia last year, right as the drought was looming, are now urging the groups to return. But aid officials are wary, citing the dozens of workers who have been killed in Somalia in recent years. Also hampering the emergency efforts, aid officials contend, are American government rules that prohibit material support to the militants, who often demand taxes for allowing aid deliveries to pass through. Somalia has lurched from crisis to crisis since 1991, when the central government imploded. In 1992, the same elements of drought and war set off a famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people and started a cycle of international intervention that, despite billions of dollars and more than a dozen transitional governments, has yet to stabilize the country. Today, pastures have dried up, and the animals that Somali nomads survive off of are dying in droves. Food prices are escalating, and after 20 years of anarchy, coping mechanisms are collapsing, with many families driven from their land and many breadwinners cut down in Somalias endless iterations of civil war. Many of those who can are fleeing the country, using what little money they have to pay for buses or simply walking, often hundreds of miles through the desert with children slung across their backs. Thousands of Somalis have been streaming across the borders of Kenya and Ethiopia every day, and many children arrive too far gone to be saved. In the Dadaab refugee camp along the Kenya-Somalia border, the hospitals are full of emaciated babies taking their last breaths. United Nations officials are cautious about using the word famine, and in the past 20 years, only a handful of humanitarian emergencies have qualified, including in Sudan in 1998, Ethiopia in 2001 and Niger in 2005. MOSCOW Voters in Latvia on Saturday overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to adopt Russian as a second official language, defeating a constitutional referendum measure that underscored the ethnic and political tensions that remain more than 20 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The vote on a second state language endangered one of the most sacred foundations of the Constitution the state language, the Latvian president, Andris Berzins, said in a statement after the vote. I would also like to thank everyone who, despite the emotions and impassioned atmosphere which were conjured up by the referendum, maintained a cool head and tolerance without yielding before provocations and attempts to foment hatred. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, who actively opposed the referendum, said he was grateful to Latvian voters for resoundingly rejecting it, but he said some conciliatory steps would be needed. What we need to think now is what additional measures could be done on integration and naturalization policies, including more opportunities to study Latvian, Mr. Dombrovskis said in a telephone interview. He added, It is clear that we need to look at what more we can do. MOSCOW Two former business associates of Viktor Bout, the convicted Russian arms dealer now in federal prison in the United States, have been blocked by the government of Mauritius from setting up an aviation company that could have been used for smuggling guns, according to the government and a private American arms investigation group. In a report scheduled for release on Wednesday, the group, Conflict Awareness Project, says that Mr. Bouts former lieutenants Sergei Denisenko and Andrei Kosolapov had applied for an air operation certificate in Mauritius for their company, Island Air Systems. The certificate would have enabled the firm to bypass United Nations weapons embargoes and move weapons through Iran, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mr. Denisenko, who acknowledged that he had worked with Mr. Bout in the past, said he had divested his share in Island Air Systems after accusations of fraud led to a falling-out with his former business partners. When I saw what was happening, I gave up my shares in the company and left, he said. I dont like to play games when people lie to one another. Mr. Kosolapov said by telephone that he was a director for Island Air Systems, but that the company had legally applied for the certificate to charter regional flights out of Mauritius, an island nation, and was not engaged in weapons trafficking. Everything that I have done has been correct and perfectly legal, he said. I cannot abandon these kids, Khathazile said. Such families struggle to make ends meet. Most people are farming in a way that depends on rain, said Tshepiso Mthimkhulu, an official at Swazilands Red Cross, based in Piggs Peak. There are many orphans and widows who have difficulty surviving. There is certainly a market for their alternative source of income. According to the United Nations, South Africa has reported rising marijuana use, and Swaziland appears to be an eager supplier. The country, a tiny nation of about 1.4 million people, was reported to have more acreage under marijuana cultivation in 2010 than India, a nation more than 180 times its geographic size. Sibongile Nkosi, 70, said she started growing marijuana even before her daughter died and left her with two orphans to feed. She had heard from other women in her village, which sits on a hilltop on the outskirts of Piggs Peak, that the plant could earn a decent return. I put the seeds in the ground, watered them, and it grew, she said of her first crop. I was able to feed my children. Marijuana cultivation may provide a safety net, but the grandmothers of Piggs Peak are hardly drug kingpins. They must find a secret field to plant, often one deep in the forest, which they reach by walking for hours. Clearing a patch is tough work, even for women long accustomed to hard labor. They have to buy seeds, if they are new at planting, as well as manure. Not enough manure and the crop fetches a lower price. It must be carefully pruned to produce the right kind of flowers. And they have to watch out for weeds. Image Credit... The New York Times Weeds are very bad for weed, Ms. Nkosi said. Then there are the police. They often search for marijuana fields in March and April, just before the harvest, and burn them to the ground, leaving the women with nothing to show for their hard work. The Republican National Committee was not hacked because it had better defenses than the Democrats. The R.N.C. did not suffer the fate of the D.N.C. Based on the fact that Russian hackers broke into the Democratic National Committee and roamed its computer network for months, collecting documents and emails, the D.N.C.'s defenses do appear to have been inadequate. That is not unusual many government departments and many companies have been successfully hacked. And the Republican National Committee's own network does not appear to have been successfully hacked, suggesting that its defenses were stronger. What Mr. Trump left out is that a contractor for the R.N.C. that stored older material was successfully hacked, suggesting that its defenses were incomplete. LOS ANGELES The force, it seems, was with Los Angeles. Star Wars creator George Lucas and his team were on the side of the City of Angels over the City by the Bay on Tuesday, choosing Los Angeles over San Francisco as the home of a museum that will showcase his lifes work and huge film history collection. After what organizers called extensive due diligence and deliberation, they announced that the museum will be built in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, where it will sit alongside other more traditional museums, including the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Lucas has been trying to build the museum, called The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, for nearly a decade, and is financing the project by himself with plans to spend over $1 billion. It will house an extensive personal collection that includes 40,000 paintings, illustrations and film-related items including storyboards and costumes from The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca and of course Star Wars. The collection is valued at more than $400 million. L.A. seemed an obvious choice for Lucas, not just because of its film industry legacy. He is an alumnus of the film school at USC, which is right across the street from the museum site. But Lucas has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for most of his life, and it was home to Lucasfilm until Disney Co. bought it in 2012. A California man accused of shooting and wounding a U.S. diplomat in Mexico has been charged in federal court in Virginia. Zia Zafar, 31, of Chino Hills was arraigned Tuesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Alexandria on a charge of attempted murder of an internationally protected person. Christopher Ashcraft, vice consul at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, was leaving a gym there Friday evening when he was shot by Zafar, according to prosecutors. Authorities did not offer any possible motive in the shooting, and it was unclear whether Zafar and Ashcraft were known to each other. The suspect said little at a brief hearing, telling a judge only that he understood the charge against him and could not afford a lawyer. He will be jailed until Friday, when prosecutors will argue for prolonged detention. Security video from the night of the attack shows the gunman, wearing blue scrubs, dark sunglasses and what looks like a wig, appearing to follow Ashcraft as he exits the gym and pays for his parking. The man is later seen pacing, with his right hand in his pocket. As Ashcrafts car pulls up the exit ramp, the man fires into the vehicle and then runs. Ashcraft was hit in the chest. Mexican officials said Zafar arrived in Guadalajara from Phoenix in late November. A spokesman at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara has said Zafar was enrolled there. After two successful Oozefest events, Santa Ana-based Foodbeast is tackling a carb comforting ingredient for its next festival: noodles. Dubbed Noods Noods Noods, the Saturday celebration promises innovative Asian and noodle-focused dishes from dozens of Southern California restaurants. Elie Ayrouth, co-founder of Foodbeast, said hosting food events is a huge next step for the online marketing powerhouse. Initially, Foodbeast wanted to do a giant foodie con festival, but eventually Ayrouthss team settled on a street party focusing on one drool-worthy food. We feel it is one of our differentiators, he said. He also likes hosting the events in Orange County, allowing local fans to stick close to home rather than trekking to venues in Los Angeles or New York locations hes considered for events. We love Santa Ana as our backyard, Ayrouth said. Sticking close to home also gives Foodbeast, whose digital platforms generate 50 million to 100 million views a month, a chance to showcase Southern Californias innovative food culture. Andrew Gruel, founder of fast-casual seafood restaurant Slapfish, is introducing food from his soon-to-be-open concept, Two Birds in Irvine. On the VIP menu: a Jidori fried chicken ramen burrito. The VIP section, which cost $60 per person, includes all-you-can eat foods. Other standout items in this section: a Korean barbecue glazed fried chicken with a kimchee-noodle slaw by Bruxie, a chicken katsu ramen bun by the Hatch and lasagna nachos by Sgt. Pepperonis Pizza. Like Oozefest, Noods will have a marketplace section for buying a la carte foods. The entry fee of $10 is waived for VIP ticketholders. One of the marketplace food vendors earning early buzz is Chelo Creamery. The Industry dessert shop is serving its dragonfruit ice cream roll. The ice cream is served in thin rolls and placed in a cup, making it look like a pretty flower in a vase. (Check out their video on Instagram: @chelocreamery) This will be Chelos first Orange County appearance. Other marketplace items include soba noodles in a garlic chili sauce with butter-poached lobster by Sunset Catering, ramen grilled cheese by Mess Hall Canteen, and prawn and chicken pad thai paratha taco by Gao Taco. The latter is a hot concept from New York with a Los Angeles outlet. The event, sponsored by Cup Noodles, will be held at 120 W. Fifth St. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to foodbeast.ticketspice .com/noods-2017 Top Chef Recap Were keeping our Top Chef recap short and sweet this week as local chef Shirley Chung didnt get much airtime in the most recent episode. In fact, during the Quickfire Challenge, the editors cut the judges critique of her dish, which is supposed to be a vegetarian version of a pepperoni pizza. Too bad. Chung, co-founder of Twenty Eight in Irvine, protests making comfort food healthy, so were curious what she was going to whip up for her fake meat pizza. Wait a minute. Comfort food is comfort food. The fattier the better. This just sucks, she says. In the Elimination Challenge, Chung and the other chefs must make a dish inspired by Southern cooking legend Edna Lewis. Most of the chefs must be schooled on Lewis contribution to Southern cooking. Host Padma Lakshmi chimes in, saying Lewis raised the profile of Southern food the same way Julia Child did with French cuisine in the U.S. (We get the feeling Lakshmi was fed that line and didnt know who Lewis was, either.) No matter. Everyone falls in love with Lewis once they comb through her cookbook. Everything I read is like poetry, Chung says. Im very inspired by all her recipes. Chung gives the judges confit chicken wings with collard greens. The pepper was pronounced, but perfect, judge Gail Simmons says. Despite the good marks, Chung doesnt land on top. Shes in the middle once again, making us wonder when she is going to kick herself into high gear to land a solo win. Chef turned bartender turned chef again Amanda Baumgarten is eliminated. Next: The chefs go on a treasure hunt. Chef shuffle Chef Cody Storts is on the move again after a brief stint at Tempo Urban Kitchen. Storts, who started at Tempo in late fall after leaving Grits Fullerton, emerged last week at Salt & Ash in Placentia. Owner Armando Velazquez said Storts, as executive chef and manager, will immediately begin revamping the restaurants seasonally focused dishes. We have made some changes to the menu, added a few items and will be running new specials right away. Chef Cody will be doing what he does best and we are excited to take Salt & Ash to the next level, Velazquez wrote in an email to The Register. Before Grits, Storts worked at Hopscotch in Fullerton and Nieuport 17 in Tustin. Staff writer Brad A. Johnson contributed to this report. Contact the writer: nluna@scng.com Spitzer renewed his questioning of the DNA program Tuesday when the Board of Supervisors approved a one-year, $1 million contract to continue its operation. Should a prosecutor collect its own evidence that its going to submit into the record in its case in chief? Spitzer asked, before joining a call for an OIR investigation. Supervisor Andrew Do, who has called the DNA program a conflict of interest, said he hoped the OIR could advise whether the program provided redundant work. But he said the board first needs an OIR director to examine whether supervisors have the authority to question how Rackauckas runs his office. Im going to ask those foundational questions: What power do we have to look into this issue? Do said. Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said she also would support an OIR review. Rackauckas chief of staff, Susan Kang Schroeder, defended the DNA program in an interview, saying there was no legal precedent to suggest it presented a conflict of interest for the office. She said the office sends DNA samples to an internationally accredited lab to get faster results to exonerate the innocent and take violent criminals off the street. Schroeder also said supervisors have the freedom to review public or other available records and call it whatever they want and make any recommendation to the board. But she warned that the board doesnt have the power to take away Rackauckas DNA program. The District Attorneys Office has conducted substantial legal research and believes that the board does not have the authority to transfer the power or function of the D.A. to another agency, she said. The call to reassess how the office obtains its evidence comes during a time when three government agencies are investigating local prosecutors and sheriffs deputies over allegations they repeatedly misused jailhouse informants and withheld evidence from defense lawyers to win convictions or enhanced sentences. The OIR has sat vacant for nine months, and board members did not say Tuesday whether they had hired anyone to fill that role. But the supervisors call for a probe, made minutes after they emerged from a closed-session meeting in which they interviewed a candidate to lead the OIR, signals the job soon may be filled. The OIR was created in 2008 to monitor the Sheriffs Department and ensure that it didnt violate prisoners constitutional rights. But its former executive director, Stephen Connolly, quit in March amid criticism that he failed to unearth or report on the jailhouse informant scandal. Before his resignation, the board voted to expand the OIRs oversight to include the district attorney, public defenders, and probation and social services departments, but it has never launched an investigation into those agencies. Syed Raheel Farook, the older brother of one of the San Bernardino terrorist attackers, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony count of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud in a sham marriage case. Farook appeared in U.S. District Court in Riverside on Tuesday morning, and he left without commenting. He has been out on bail since shortly after his April 28 arrest. The indictment said Farook knowingly made a false statement in support of an application for permanent residency for Mariya Chernykh, a Russian citizen and sister of Farooks wife, Tatiana Farook. Chernykh married Enrique Marquez Jr., who is accused of illegally purchasing the weapons that Syed Rizwan Farook and wife Tashfeen Malik used in the Dec. 2, 2015, shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that killed 14 people and wounded 22 others. Judge Jesus Bernal scheduled Raheel Farooks sentencing for Nov. 13 and a pre-trial conference for March 13. Farook faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Farooks attorney, Ron M. Cordova, said outside court that his client deserves less punishment than that. This is not a crime of greed, this is not a crime of violence, and it has no relation to the horrific events of Dec. 2, Cordova said. What my client did was an act of love. He did it out of love for his wife and she in turn out of love for her sister. Cordova declined to say why Farook changed his plea. No one else has been charged with planning or taking part in that attack, but the investigation has resulted in other allegations of wrongdoing. Marquez, the Farook brothers former neighbor in Riverside, was charged with conspiring to support terrorists and lying about a firearm purchase. He also was charged with immigration fraud which is where Raheel Farook comes in. Raheel Farook married Tatiana, a Russian immigrant, in 2013. She had a sister, Chernykh, who came to the U.S. in 2009 on a three-month visa that she far overstayed. In 2014, authorities say, Raheel Farook and the Russian sisters arranged a sham marriage between Chernykh and Marquez to gain immigration benefits for her. Court documents say the couple did not live together at the Farooks Corona home as they said and that Marquez was paid $200 a month to go along with the ruse. Chernykh actually lived with her boyfriend in Ontario, prosecutors say. Farook and the sisters were indicted in April. Court documents said Raheel and Tatiana Farook claimed to have witnessed the Marquez-Chernykh wedding, then helped maintain the illusion that the two were living as a married couple through other acts of fraud. Tatiana Farook is charged with the same conspiracy count to which her husband pleaded guilty. Chernykh is also charged with that count, as well as two others: perjury and making material false statements by stating on an immigration document that she and Marquez lived together. We generally like to think of the United States as a paragon of freedom, with a free-market, capitalist economy. But while we remain relatively free, compared to the rest of the world, even here heavy-handed government strictly limits what we can do with our own bodies and property, who we associate with and even who we can do business with or must do business with, as several high-profile examples have illustrated. The latest example to test the limits of business owners freedom of contract is Robert Warner, the owner of a Hawaiian restaurant who posted a sign reading If you voted for Trump, you cannot eat here! No Nazis in the window of his Cafe 8 establishment in Honolulu. The sign sparked outrage among Trump supporters, who took to Yelp and Facebook to flood the restaurant with poor reviews and call for a boycott. The sign was taken down within a week, but a lingering acrimony remains. In a similar vein, shortly after the November elections, several prominent fashion designers offered that they would refuse to design or make clothes for incoming first lady Melania Trump due to the political beliefs she, and especially her husband, represent. Designer Sophie Theallet, who has worked with current first lady Michelle Obama, rationalized such a decision this way: The Sophie Theallet brand stands against all discrimination and prejudice. Apparently, the irony of discriminating against someone to protest discrimination was lost upon her. But her form of discrimination is legally protected, since political (or other) ideology is not covered under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On the other side of the ideological spectrum, there have been a number of cases in which bakers, photographers and florists have been prosecuted and fined for failing to provide services for gay weddings because the businesses owners disapprove of them for religious reasons. It is a shame that the debate over such situations has generally been confined to religious freedom, rather than property and contract rights in general. After all, if you truly own your property in this case, your business you should be able to set your own rules about how your property is used and who is allowed to use it, just as a homeowner has the right to invite or exclude people from his own home. Moreover, just as the freedom of association protects the ability to fraternize or deal with whomever we please, it also necessarily protects the right to not associate with certain people. The fact that money is being exchanged does not forfeit ones liberties. If, on the other hand, the government dictates these terms, then it is the government who truly owns the property, relegating the business owner to a mere indentured servant, forced to work against his will. Unfortunately, by redefining private property as a public accommodation under Title II of the Civil Rights Act, this is just what the government has done. The ultimate solution to intolerance is less government and more freedom. As the Mises Institutes Ryan McMaken maintains, If elected officials are so concerned about increasing access to goods and services for ethnic minorities, they should seek to remove restrictions on private-sector activities and lower barriers to entry in the marketplace. The beauty of the free market is that if there is a demand for something, someone will recognize a profit opportunity to provide it. The much greater danger, as exemplified by numerous historical examples from the Jim Crow laws to the discriminatory origins of the Davis-Bacon Acts prevailing wage law and various occupational licensing laws is the use of government force to impose laws or establish business cartels that prevent people from owning or operating certain businesses, or patronizing certain establishments. People should be free to be ignorant or irrational, but that does not mean that others have to like it. If business owners do display offensive characteristics or policies, consumers and other interested parties are free to peacefully boycott them to punish them or try to convince them to change their ways. Besides, if a business owners values are important to ones decision to patronize his establishment, isnt it better to allow them to reveal if they are a bigot, a racist, a homophobe or otherwise objectionable, rather than unknowingly supporting and enriching them with your business? Adam B. Summers is a columnist with the Southern California News Group. NEWPORT BEACH Orange County Museum of Art officials who want to sell their land to finance a move to Costa Mesa are asking a judge to void a petition challenging the proposed 25-story Museum House condominium tower slated to replace the art museum. Opponents of the Museum House project turned in the nearly 14,000-signature petition to the Newport Beach city clerk last month. Political action committee Line in the Sand is challenging the City Councils November 6-1 vote approving the project, saying the public should decide its fate. But Art Museum officials on Friday asked an Orange County Superior Court judge to invalidate the petition, saying it does not meet the most basic and mandatory state election law requirements and is misleading, the art museum said in a statement Tuesday. They also claimed the full text of the projects general plan amendments were not provided, and documents were either left out or printed with text smaller than the size mandated by law, according to the release. The democratic process only works if voters are presented with the facts and all parties follow Californias mandatory election laws, said Todd Smith, Orange County Museum of Arts CEO and director. Line in the Sand officials declined to comment on the museums court request. The Orange County Registrar of Voters is in the process of verifying the petition signatures. If enough signatures are verified, the matter will go back to the City Council, where it can reverse its decision or bring it to a public vote. Museum House supporters argue the 100-unit building will boost nearby property values and enhance Fashion Island. Opponents say the tower will lead to more traffic and more large-scale developments. OCMA is trying to sell the land to finance its move to a 1.64-acre parcel on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Smith has said the move will boost the art museums attendance, which he said had lagged in recent years due to its location. The museums request to the judge included an analysis by Lawrence Stark, an associate professor at Marshall B. Ketchum Universitys optometry school. He said the text in the petition was equivalent to a 6.6 font and far smaller than those normally encountered in print media such as newspapers and books. The circulated petition contains hundreds of instances of text so small, it is virtually unreadable, he concluded. Fridays court filing is the latest in a back and forth between the projects supporters and opponents. Museum House developer Related California previously asked City Clerk Leilani Brown to reject the petition for some of the same reasons cited by the art museum. Last month, a lawyer representing Related California filed a complaint with the Orange County Board of Supervisors regarding attorney Mark Rosen, who represents Citizens Against High Rise Urban Towers and works as a part-time executive assistant to county Auditor-Controller Eric Woolery. The complaint alleged Rosen underminded the project by talking to the media and with employees of the countys Airport Land Use Commission, which signed off on Museum House in November. The Irvine Co. asked a court for unspecified damages and a restraining order against Related California. Irvine Co. officials said Museum House supporters had disrupted petitioners at several of its shopping centers and bothered shoppers. The company, which also opposes the Museum House, gave the land to OCMA with the intention that it be used for cultural purposes, officials said. Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or scng.com When the Myanmar military closed in on the village of Pwint Phyu Chaung, everyone had a few seconds to make a choice. Noor Ankis, 25, chose to remain in her house, where she was told to kneel to be beaten, she said, until soldiers led her to the place where women were raped. Rashida Begum, 22, chose to plunge with her three children into a deep, swift-running creek, only to watch as her baby daughter slipped from her grasp. Sufayat Ullah, 20, also chose the creek. He stayed in the water for two days and finally emerged to find that soldiers had set his family home on fire, leaving his mother, father and two brothers to asphyxiate inside. These accounts and others, given over the past few days by refugees who fled Myanmar and are now living in Bangladesh, shed light on the violence that has unfolded in Myanmar in recent months as security forces there carry out a brutal counterinsurgency campaign. Their stories, though impossible to confirm independently, generally align with reports by human rights organizations that the military entered villages in northern Rakhine state shooting at random, set houses on fire with rocket launchers, and systematically raped girls and women. At least 1,500 homes were razed, according to an analysis of satellite images by Human Rights Watch. The campaign, which has moved south in recent weeks, seems likely to continue until Myanmars government is satisfied that it has fully disarmed the militancy that has arisen among the Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic group that has been persecuted for decades in majority-Buddhist Myanmar. There is a risk that we havent seen the worst of this yet, said Matthew Smith of Fortify Rights, a nongovernmental organization focusing on human rights in Southeast Asia. Were not sure what the state security forces will do next, but we do know attacks on civilians are continuing. A commission appointed by Myanmars government last week denied allegations that its military was committing genocide in the villages, which have been closed to Western journalists and human rights investigators. Officials have said Rohingya forces are setting fire to their own houses and have denied most charges of human rights abuses, with the exception of a beating that was captured on video. Myanmars leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, the recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize, has been criticized for failing to respond more forcefully to the violence. The crackdown began after an attack on three border posts in Rakhine state in October, in which nine police officers were killed. The attack is believed to have been carried out by an until-then-unknown armed Rohingya insurgent group. The military campaign, which the government describes as a clearing operation, has largely targeted civilians, human rights groups say. It has sent an estimated 65,000 Rohingya fleeing across the border to Bangladesh, according to the International Organization for Migration. The number of Rohingya that crossed the border is higher than initially estimated because the new arrivals were dispersed amongst the host community, mostly hiding in the forests and little villages, said Peppi Siddiq, a project manager for the International Organization for Migration. Many of them, he said, were too scared to make themselves known in case there would be repercussions. They started coming in like the tide, said Dudu Miah, a Rohingya refugee who is chairman of the management committee at the Leda refugee camp, near the border with Myanmar. They were acting crazy. They were a mess. They were saying, Theyve killed my father, theyve killed my mother, theyve beaten me up. They were in disarray. Soldiers were attacking villages just across the Naf River, which separates Myanmar from Bangladesh, so close that Bangladeshis could see columns of smoke rise from burning villages on the other side, said Nazir Ahmed, the imam of a mosque that caters to Rohingyas. He said it was true that some Rohingya, enraged by years of mistreatment by Myanmar forces, had organized themselves into a crude militant force, but that Myanmar had dramatically exaggerated its proportions and seriousness. Rohingyas are frustrated, and they are picking up sticks and making a call to defend themselves, he said. Now, if they find a farmer who has a machete at home, they say, You are engaged in terrorism. An analysis released last month by the International Crisis Group took a serious view of the new militant group, which it says is financed and organized by Rohingya emigres in Saudi Arabia. Further violence, it warned, could accelerate radicalization among the Rohingya, who could become willing instruments of transnational jihadi groups. In interviews in and around the Kutupalong and Leda refugee camps here, Rohingya who fled Myanmar in recent weeks said military personnel initially went house to house seeking adult men, and then proceeded to rape women and burn homes. Many new arrivals are from Kyet Yoepin, a village where 245 buildings were destroyed during a two-day sweep in mid-October, according to Human Rights Watch. Muhammad Shafiq, who is in his mid-20s, said he was at home with his family when he heard gunfire. Soldiers in camouflage banged on the door, then shot at it, he said. When he let them in, he said, they took the women away, and lined up the men. Shafiq said that when a soldier grabbed his sisters hand, he lunged at him, fearful the soldier intended to rape her, and was beaten so severely that the soldiers left him for dead. Later, he bolted with one of his children and was grazed by a soldiers bullet on his elbow. He crawled for an hour on his hands and knees through a rice field, then watched, from a safe vantage point, as troops set fire to what remained of Kyet Yoepin. There are no homes left, he said. Everything is burned. (STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.) Jannatul Mawa, 25, who is from the same village, said she crawled toward the next village overnight, passing the shadowy forms of dead and wounded neighbors. Some were shot, some were killed with a blade, she said. Wherever they could find people, they were killing them. Dozens more families are from Pwint Phyu Chaung, which was near the site of a clash between militants and soldiers on Nov. 12. According to Amnesty International, the militants scattered into neighboring villages. When army troops followed them, several hundred men from Pwint Phyu Chaung resisted, using crude weapons like farm implements and knives, the report said. A Myanmar army lieutenant colonel was shot dead, and the troops called in air support from two attack helicopters. Mumtaz Begum, 40, said she was awakened at dawn when security forces approached the village from both sides and began searching for adult men in each house. She said she and her daughter were told to kneel down outside their home with their hands over their heads and were beaten with bamboo clubs. She said her 10-year-old son was shot through the leg, her daughters husband was arrested, and her own husband was one of dozens of men and boys in the village who were killed by soldiers armed with guns or machetes that night. Villagers, she said, laid the bodies down in a line in the mosque and counted them. Begums daughter, Noor Ankis, 25, said soldiers went from house to house the next morning looking for young women. They grouped the women together and brought them to one place, she said. The ones they liked they raped. It was just the girls and the military, no one else was there. She said the idea of trying to escape flickered through her head, but she was overcome by fatalism. I felt there was no point in being alive, she said. Ankis pulled her head scarf low, for a moment, removing a tear. She said she had been thinking about her husband. I think about how he took care of me after we got married, she said. How will I see him again? Sufayat Ullah, 20, a madrassa student, said he was home with his family on the morning of the attack and the first thing he registered was the sound of gunfire. He realized quickly, he said, that he could survive only by escaping. When they found people close by, they attacked them with machetes, he said. If they were far away, they shot them. Ullah ran from the house and bolted for the creek at the edge of town, and he dived in, swimming as far as he could. He said he spent much of the next two days underwater, finally scrambling onto the bank near a neighboring village. Only then did he learn that his mother, father and two brothers had burned to death inside the family house. I feel no peace, he said, covering his face with his hands and weeping. They killed my father and mother. What is left for me in this world? Lets work together As my mother always said, There is a time and a place for everything. As Meryl Streep exercised her right to free speech, we exercised our right to change the channel. I voted for Trump but that was mostly because I abhorred the alternative. Now, I actually see a bit of genius in this kooky individual. He did outsmart the Democratic machine give him some credit. It is a time to come together and work together. When he took office, Obama immediately told the Republicans that he didnt want their help. Trump seems more intent on doing what will help America. Streep is not helping our country by digging into the past and even suggesting Trump would consider kicking all of the artists out of the U.S. Why do these actors not see the problem with taking what should be a joyous award event and turning it into their personal political ugly-fest? Clinton ran on the back of the Hollywood crowd. Hmmm. Mike Noggle, Irvine Hollywood bully pulpit After watching the Golden Globes Sunday night with my family, it is easy to see what a bubble Hollywood elitists live in. Yes, Meryl, we know that you all came from different parts of the country and world. But, as we all know, its not where you come from but where you end up that matters. The very wealthy Hollywood establishment is a microcosm of the very myopic Democrats that could not (or would not) see whats really being felt in middle America. Where was Ms. Streeps outrage when that person of power lied to the American people about the deaths in Benghazi? Where was the outrage when the liberal press refused to expose the corruption and dishonesty of Mrs. Clinton and her foundation? Where was the outrage when our president stabbed one of our closest allies in the back? I guess if an issue isnt important to you, it is easily overlooked, dismissed and forgiven. The only difference between how you feel and how I feel is that you have the bully pulpit. Elaine Lester, Lake Forest Make movies, not politics Leave it to Hollywood to take the political path. Until last night, I had no idea what problems we really had. Wow, of greater concern ought to be that I didnt recognize many of the people. By the way, what was Meryl Streeps last movie? Now thats what ought to concern her. Chris Blasco Yorba Linda The power of companionship between two lonely pet owners is explored in the two-person play Chapatti. Written by Irish playwright Christian OReilly, Chapatti has been billed as a love story, though actor Mark Bramhall says it entails a lot more than just sparks flying between two people. The Laguna Playhouse will present the production with previews Wednesday and regular performances beginning Jan. 15 for a two-week run. These are people that come to each other full of cuts and bruises and lifelong relationship failures that are profound. They come together obliquely out of the things they have suffered, said Bramhall, who plays the lead male role of Dan, a longtime bachelor who lives alone with his dog, Chapatti. Taking place in Dublin, the story follows Dan, who is mourning the death of a married woman with whom he had an affair for 20 years. Dan is withdrawn and heavy-hearted, and when he runs into Betty played by Annabella Price at a veterinarians office, both of their stories unfold. Betty is a good-natured cat lady divorcee who fills her days taking care of an elderly neighbor and nearly 20 cats. A series of events unite Dan and Betty on several occasions, and an unlikely companionship forms between the dog lover and cat lover. Director David Ellenstein said Bramhall and Price were excellent in the plays 2015 West Coast premiere at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. Ellenstein, the artistic director at North Coast Rep, said he originally chose the play because of its beautiful depiction of people at a certain age. Mark is a consummate pro. He brings his skills and heart to the stage and emotionally connects with the darker parts of his character, so when he comes to the light, its very moving, Ellenstein said. Annabella is a charming, effervescent, over-the-top character; brilliant, funny, disarmingly engaging. Shes the crazy cat lady and she grabs it and has a good time with it. The set is a capsulation of both of their worlds, he said. He lives in a dark, secluded world and she lives in a brighter and sunnier world. One side of the stage is his house, the other side is hers, and they meet in the middle. Its a symbolic set more than a realistic set. Bramhall said the audience needs to keep in mind that this is an Irish play that does not have a cutesy, cliche love story feel, but viewers will still leave with good feelings. This play exemplifies some of the best writing of the stage that is current. OReilly is a contemporary of (Martin) McPherson and (Conor) McDonagh in Irish writing; he doesnt write in the dark vein that they do, but he is an Irish voice and I think the audience is going to enjoy how real it is, Bramhall said. Ellenstein added that the play has a message about the importance of human connections. I hope the audience will leave the theater discussing the quirky nature of life, and how if you leave yourself open, you can experience things in life you never thought youd experience, he said. I hope they hug their loved ones and look at people they have looked at before in a different way. Contact the writer: jmoe@ocregister.com TUSTIN A handcuffed man who escaped a bail bondsman prompted the lock-down Tuesday afternoon of Peters Canyon Elementary, police said. Around 12:15 p.m., officers received a report from the parents of a man who they had bailed out of jail for felony driving under the influence, Tustin Lt. Robert Wright said. The parents had revoked the bail because their son was apparently intoxicated and suicidal, Wright said. A bail bondsman arrived in the area of Cedar Grove Park in the 11000 block of Pioneer Road and placed the man in handcuffs, and then the man ran. Nearby Peters Canyon Elementary was placed on lock-down for about 30 minutes as a precaution; police searched Cedar Grove Park and the surrounding area Tuesday afternoon for the man. At about 2:40 p.m., he was taken into custody at his parents home near the park and turned back over to the bail bondsman, Wright said. Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline LAKE FOREST Oxford Preparatory Academy officials on Tuesday attempted to reassure parents of the stability of their schools after a November audit accused the organizations founder of laundering money to divert public school funds to her and her associates. Interim Executive Director Denise Pascoe and interim Managing Director Andrew Crowe fielded questions at the Lake Forest campus during the afternoon after a morning session in Mission Viejo. The two reassured parents that the charter schools are in good standing with the Orange County Department of Education and Capistrano Unified School District. The new leadership team also highlighted changes made to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency, including hiring Charter Impact a nonprofit organization based in Sherman Oaks that provides business management and consulting services to charter schools to oversee financial services. In addition, Oxford Preparatory Academy has broadened its conflict of interest policy and is reviewing all of its contracts with vendors to make sure appropriate relationships are in place, Pascoe said. Parents who attended the meeting said they felt confident that Pascoe and Crowe were doing what they could to clean up the organization. Theyre really making sure to cross all the lines off, said Brandy ONeal, a Mission Viejo resident with two children who attend the Lake Forest campus. Theyre organized and very accurate on the details. The audit was conducted by the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team, created by legislators in 1992 to help California school districts comply with fiscal accountability standards. FCMAT released the 45-page audit late last year, accusing Oxford Preparatory Academy founder Sue Roche of setting up a system that diverted public school funds. According to the audit report, Oxford Preparatory Academy paid $4.2 million in management fees from January 2013 to June 2015 to Roches private company, Edlighten Learning Solutions of Yorba Linda. In May, the schools separated from Roche and Edlighten. Roches attorney, Marc Greenberg, has denied wrongdoing by his client and accused those who created the report of misinterpreting facts. Following Tuesdays meeting in Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo resident Naz Nodjoumi said she felt confident that money raised through fundraisers for school equipment called the Academy Fund will now serve its intended purpose. I needed to know how the Academy Fund would be handled moving forward, said Nodjoumi, who has two children attending the Mission Viejo campus. Theyre cleaning up the mess. Since Dec. 6, Oxford Preparatory Academy has replaced its entire board of directors, updated its business expense reimbursement policy and now requires two signatures for approval of any expense over $10,000. The organization also has initiated a search for an independent auditor to conduct a forensic audit of all OPA accounts and transactions, according to handouts at the meeting. Oxford Preparatory Academy has schools in Chino, Lake Forest and Mission Viejo. Though the K-8 school in Mission Viejo, which has more than 800 students, falls under Capistrano Unifieds jurisdiction, the school in Lake Forest is under the umbrella of the Orange County Department of Education. Chino Valley Unified is the chartering agency for the Chino campus. Contact the writer: npercy@scng.com FULLERTON Michael Dukakis, the former Massachusetts governor and Democratic presidential candidate, will discuss the Trump presidency at Cal State Fullerton on Jan. 21, university officials said Tuesday. President Trump Whats Ahead? is free and open to the public. It will be hosted in the Rotary Club of Fullerton Room (Room 130) in Pollak Library one day after Donald Trump takes office. The 2 p.m. event is part of an ongoing speaker series hosted by the Patrons of the Library. Dukakis served three terms as governor of Massachusetts, from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991. He was nominated by the Democratic Party for president in the 1988 election but lost to Republican George H. W. Bush. Hes a professor of political science at Northeastern University and is a visiting professor at UCLAs Luskin School of Public Affairs. For information: email Howard Seller at hseller@fullerton.edu. Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com WASHINGTON The chiefs of U.S. intelligence agencies last week presented President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump with a summary of unsubstantiated reports that Russia had collected compromising and salacious personal information about Trump, two officials with knowledge of the briefing said. The summary is based on memos generated by political operatives seeking to derail Trumps candidacy. Details of the reports began circulating in the fall and were widely known among journalists and politicians in Washington. One of the opposition research memos quotes an unidentified Russian source as claiming that the hacking and leaking of Democratic emails was carried out with the full knowledge and support of TRUMP and senior members of his campaign team. In return, the memo said, the TRUMP team had agreed to sideline Russian intervention in Ukraine as a campaign issue because Vladimir Putin needed to cauterize the subject. The summary was presented as an appendix to the intelligence agencies report on Russian hacking efforts during the election, the officials said. The material was not corroborated, and The New York Times has not been able to confirm the claims. But intelligence agencies considered it so potentially explosive that they decided Obama, Trump and congressional leaders needed to be told about it and informed that the agencies were actively investigating it. On Tuesday night, Trump responded on Twitter: FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! On NBCs Late Night With Seth Meyers, Trumps spokeswoman, Kellyanne Conway, said of the claims in the opposition research memos, He has said he is not aware of that. Since the intelligence agencies report Friday that President Vladimir Putin of Russia had ordered the hacking and leaks of Democratic emails in order to hurt Trumps Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, and help Trump, the president-elect and his aides have said that Democrats are trying to mar his election victory. The decision of top intelligence officials to give the president, the president-elect and the so-called Gang of Eight Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress and the intelligence committees what they know to be unverified, defamatory material was extremely unusual. The appendix summarized opposition research memos prepared mainly by a retired British intelligence operative for a Washington political and corporate research firm. The firm was paid for its work first by Trumps Republican rivals and later by supporters of Clinton. The memos suggest that for many years, the Russian government of Putin has looked for ways to influence Trump, who has traveled repeatedly to Moscow to investigate real estate deals or to oversee the Miss Universe competition, which he owned for several years. Trump never completed any major deals in Russia, though he discussed them for years. The former British intelligence officer who gathered the material about Trump is considered a competent and reliable operative with extensive experience in Russia, U.S. officials said. But he passed on what he heard from Russian informants and others, and what they told him has not yet been vetted by U.S. intelligence. The memos describe alleged sex videos involving prostitutes with Trump in a 2013 visit to a Moscow hotel. The videos were supposedly prepared as kompromat, or compromising material, with the possible goal of blackmailing Trump in the future. The memos also suggest that Russian officials proposed various lucrative deals, essentially as disguised bribes, to win influence over Trump. The memos describe several purported meetings during the 2016 presidential campaign between Trump representatives and Russian officials to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta. Michael Cohen, a lawyer and adviser to Trump, denied a claim in the opposition research. One of the memos says that Cohen went to Prague in August or September to meet with Kremlin representatives and to talk about Russian hacking of Democrats. Cohen tweeted Tuesday night: I have never been to Prague in my life. #fakenews. Democrats on Tuesday night pressed for a thorough investigation of the claims in the memos. MKenzie and Derek Tillotson, of Utah, USA, are planning to embark on an epic trip around the world with their three young children, and are looking for a travel nanny to assist them on their journey. They posted a Facebook video hoping to get a few dozen applications, but ended up with messages from nearly 20,000 people hoping to get the job. The couple runs a family travel blog called Five Take Flight and recently decided to sell their home in Utah and go on an unforgettable adventure around the world. They plan to leave in July, flying from their home in Utah to New York City, then to Iceland, and the rest of Europe. Theyll return to their home city for a two weeks over Christmas, before flying to Hawaii, New Zealand, and finally Asia. It sounds like an incredible experience, but its also going to be pretty tough to manage with three kids, which is why theyve decided to take someone to travel with them and lend a hand when necessary. Were looking for somebody whos going to love our children as much as we do, even when theyre acting like this, MKenzie says in the video, while two of their children goof around in front of the camera. Youll be an honorary member of the family and will be treated with respect and be able to voice your opinion. The travel nanny will be required to handle most of the homeschooling for the couples two boys, while also looking after their baby sister and also handle some of the cooking and cleaning. Photo: Five Take Flight/Facebook Its hard to define your exact hours because you will be living with us, but you will have time to yourself every day for sure, and one to two times a week youll be able to go off on your own and have your own adventures, the Tillotsons say, adding that the chosen person will receive a monthly salary of $1200 $1500 for thier work. Although that includes travel expenses and other living costs, a number of people have pointed out that the sum is still very low for the requirements. $1200-1500 a month? For cooking, cleaning, and homeschooling their children? Psh. Thats not a good deal. I realise you get to travel the world but that is not good pay for all they are asking you to do, one Facebook user wrote. If youre a child-care worker interested in travel, protect yourself from this kind of unethical and illegal work, and go through an agency who protects both the employer and employee, another person commented. Photo: Five Take Flight/Facebook But MKenzie Tillotson clarified the situation, saying: Theyre not expected to do all the cooking and cleaning, but were looking for someone to pitch in in general as were living in the same space. Our nanny will get two days off a week and obviously time to themselves daily. Not looking for a Cinderella! Despite the occasional critical comments, most of the feedback to the Tillotsons video has been very positive, and the family received way more applications than they originally expected. In fact, the deadline for applications was originally set for January 17, but after getting over 19,000 applications in just a few days, they decided to close applications early, on January 9. Weve had so many awesome people respond, and it has seriously touched us, Derek said. When we initially started this search, we honestly expected maybe someone from a different town, or maybe one of our friends friends would be the perfect match for us. Weve just been blown away by the interest. Photo: Five Take Flight/Facebook The couple have revealed that theyve so far received applications from people from all walks of life, including teachers, nurses, social workers, and even medical doctors. They even joked that some of these people are more qualified to take care of their children than they are. I hope I get picked but if not this is just such an exciting and amazing thing to do. Good luck everyone! one user wrote on Facebook. What a cool experience for the chosen person. Thank you to this family for creating such an amazing opportunity, someone else commented. 19,000 applications seems like a lot, but just in case none of those turn out to be the travel nanny the Tillotsons are looking for, people interested in the job can still sign up for a waiting list, on their travel website. Good luck! Sources: NBC2, News.com.au A Venezuelan woman was caught trying to get her detained boyfriend out of Puente Ayala prison by packing him in a large suitcase. They almost got away with it too, but guards became suspicious after seeing the woman struggling with the suitcase. 25-year-old Antonieta Robles Souda arrived at the Puente Ayala prison in Barcelona, Venezuela, last week, to visit her boyfriend, Jose Antonio Anzoategui, who serving a sentence of 9 years and 8 months for car theft. She had brought their six year-old daughter and a large pink suitcase, which is not at all uncommon for overnight stays by family members in South American prison. Little did the guards know that Souda and Anzoategui were planning to leave the prison together the next day, as a big happy family. Their plan seemed to go smoothly as the woman carrying the bright pink luggage didnt make the guards suspicious at all, but it all cam crashing down when they eventually noticed the petite woman struggling to pull the seemingly light suitcase out the door. They stopped Antonieta and asked her to open the suitcase so they could check its contents. Left with no option but to comply with the guards demand, the woman unzipped the baggage to reveal young Jose Antonio curled up like a professional contortionist and covered with various clothing items. They provided a poor cover, though. Puente Ayala staff sent the car thief back to his cell, and detained his girlfriend, but not before taking a few photos of them, including one of the would-be escapee in the suitcase. Souda has been arrested and is awaiting official charges, and the couples six-year-old daughter has been placed in the care of social services. If only Antonieta had gone to the gym to improve her strength before going through with the daring prison break attempt, things might have gone differently. And whats with the neon pink suitcase, couldnt find anything less conspicuous? via El Universal Zebediah left his cozy bedding behind on Wednesday and opted for a brisk and chilly stroll through Midtown Crossing. His casual cruise drew plenty of stares, then smiles from curious passersby. Zebediah, an 11-month-old camel, peered in the windows of restaurants and businesses, and met those on lunch-break walks. Zebediahs stroll, with handler Joy Bartling, was designed to raise awareness of Scatter Joy Acres. The local farm provides animal-assisted therapy to seniors, veterans, disabled individuals and disadvantaged youth. Zebediah, who took his first public walkabout downtown last month, drew a crowd in front of Delice European Bakery. I suppose I better get a picture, one spectator said. How often do you get to meet a camel? While many people got photos with the dromedary camel, a lucky few got slobbery kisses. Spectators let out smiles and happy squeals upon seeing Zebediah stroll up the sidewalk. But he isnt the only animal from the farm to garner those reactions. Scatter Joy Acres, a 26-acre plot near 49th Street and Newport Avenue in Omaha, is home to nearly 100 animals, including goats, sheep, horses, alpacas, donkeys and peacocks. Bartling, a former vet tech, is the executive director and founder of the farm. She hosts birthday parties, recreational outings and corporate events. She also brings the farm animals to assisted living facilities, hospitals and other locations for therapy. Bartling is trained to handle animals in therapeutic settings by the Internet-based Animal Behavior Institute and has been offering therapy services for 11 years. Animals provide many benefits, such as reducing anxiety and stress, she said. Animals are non-judgmental, Bartling said. As people work through trials and traumas in their lives, the animals show them unconditional love, and it helps them. Bartling makes monthly visits to Douglas County Health Center where she and her animals meet non-responsive patients. She typically brings smaller animals that can be held in a lap. Eric Zagone, recreational therapist at the health center, said hes seen patients who havent made eye contact with a person in a week do so with the animal. You can see a lot of them light up, Zagone said. It makes a big difference. On Monday, Bartling made her monthly visit to Richmont Terrace, an assisted living and memory care facility in Bellevue. Zebediah the camel remained on the farm during that visit. Bartling was joined by her Chihuahua, Chloe; a 2-month-old goat, Gideon; and 1-week-old lamb, Mary Jo. Susan Lutz, 67, was first in line to hold the gangly-legged black lamb. This ones got a permanent spot on my lap, Lutz said as she stroked the lambs face. Visits from the farm animals are a highlight for Lutz, whose own dog is living with her daughter. It also brings back childhood memories of playing in the barn on her uncles farm. Seeing farm animals roam the facilitys lobby elicited a chuckle from Mildred Cracker, 96. Growing up in New Jersey, Cracker said her father wouldnt allow pets in the house. Residents look forward to the monthly visits and are curious about what new animals Bartling will bring. The animals have been visiting Richmont Terrace since it opened in May, said Nicole Gundersen, life enrichment coordinator at the facility. The service offers no shortage of benefits, Gundersen said. It can boost residents moods, promote socialization and provide increased mental stimulation. Animals are just so loving and they can be so nurturing for anyone in need, Gundersen said. They dont talk back, so theyre really great listeners. The trio of animals made a visit to the memory support floor, too. Animal visits help residents in that unit with recall; the hope is they will remember those animals from previous visits or think back to their childhood pets. Chloe the dog, a frequent visitor to the facility, led the way through the facility. The lamb got some beauty sleep while resting in the arms of residents. Gideon the goat showed his youth and curiosity as he tried to nibble on the corner of a newspaper and later toppled over a faux flower arrangement. When Gideon clamored onto the couch and hopped over residents, it drew surprised laughter. Its going outside of the box, Bartling said. Thats kind of the fun thing about what we do. The primary mosquito responsible for transmitting the Zika virus is not established in Nebraska, officials in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday. The department has conducted surveillance for another type of mosquito, the Asian tiger, which also can transmit the virus. The Asian tiger had been found in very limited numbers in Nebraska previously. Surveillance found the mosquito only in Richardson County. Dr. Tom Safranek, Nebraskas state epidemiologist, said the discovery was not unexpected and doesnt change the fact that Nebraska is considered a low-risk state for possible local Zika transmission. Iowa State University insect experts say an extensive surveillance project last year found that the two mosquito species most associated with Zika are not established in that state. The ISU Medical Entomology Laboratory oversaw mosquito trapping in 15 Iowa counties. The traps collected 176,000 mosquitoes between May 3 and Oct. 4. Not a single specimen of the two species known to transmit Zika was found. In most people, the virus causes only mild illness, but infection during pregnancy can lead to severe brain-related birth defects for the fetus. The virus, which the World Health Organization had declared an international public health emergency in February, has been reported primarily among people in South America and the Caribbean. This report includes material from the Associated Press. A new low-power radio station in Omaha has attracted listeners from 42 countries. That station Mind & Soul Radio 101.3 FM has had its license only since Dec. 30, though program director Paul B. Allen IV and some dedicated volunteers have been broadcasting several hours a day since testing started in October. By definition and law, low-power stations reach only a small geographic area: Mind & Soul is heard most clearly in Benson and north Omaha. Its transmitter is on the roof of the Benson Towers apartment complex at 59th Street and the Northwest Radial. That doesnt mean such stations cant stream on the Internet, however. Thats where those far-flung listeners come in. Theyre tuning in to Roots of Electronic Jazz, a two-hour program that focuses on deep cuts from the 1960s, 70s and 80s hosted by longtime Omaha musician Dereck Higgins, whose reputation extends beyond Nebraska. In addition to playing the music, he offers educational tidbits about the genre. Its really cerebral stuff, Allen said. I feel like Im in college when I listen. The show is the quintessential example of Mind & Souls programming philosophy and mission: It plans to offer a diverse mix of community news, public affairs and educational programs, and jazz, R&B and hip-hop music for a targeted audience. North Omaha has not had a voice over the airwaves, said Carlos Carr Sr., a Kansas City native who is one of the stations founders. There was a low-power station on the air when I came here, but it went off the air later. It left a void. Mind & Soul is a partnership between two 501(c)3 nonprofits: Loves Jazz & Arts Center near 24th and Lake Streets and the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, which provides space for the stations studios in its building at 34th and Evans Streets. Each organization is financially responsible for half of the stations programming and operations. Mind & Soul has two sets of call letters KXNB is licensed to the Malcolm X Foundation and KJSO is licensed to Loves. Local grants from groups such as the Sherwood Foundation and the Weitz Family Foundation provided much of the stations startup costs, Carr said. Mind & Soul fulfills a longtime wish for Carr. He had his own community talk show on the web through BlogTalk Radio for a time, but his listener base was mostly from outside the Omaha area. When he heard that the Federal Communications Commission was opening up access to low-power licenses in 2013, he formed a committee with several interested Omahans including University of Nebraska at Omaha theater professor Doug Paterson and recording engineer Clete Baker to submit an application. They cleared the first hurdle a couple of years ago when they obtained a construction permit. Now that they have their operating license, theyre completely official. Theyre planning an open house at 1 p.m. on Saturday to mark that milestone. Allen, 43, is the stations only paid employee. He has a degree in audiovisual studies from Metropolitan Community College, worked at radio stations in California and Hawaii and has an Omaha pedigree in jazz and R&B. His grandfather, Paul B. Allen Jr., owned Allens Showcase near 24th and Lake Streets, still a music venue though no longer in the family. And his dad, Paul B. Allen III, sang with The Platters. He has been putting together an eclectic and informative programming schedule. In addition to the Higgins show, theres a morning show with former KETV anchorman Michael Scott and local educator and poet Michelle Troxclair, who are proving to be an interesting pairing. She has a great voice, Allen said of Troxclair, who researches the historical context of current events in the city to provide perspective on the show. And, he said, shes very political. The morning show is two hours but soon will expand to three, from 7 to 10 a.m. Allen plans an evening drive-time show from 5 to 7 p.m. The station also has filled time with automated segments and music. In addition, the station has created three programs with RESPECT, an Omaha nonprofit led by psychologist Patricia Newman that provides help for young people through theater. Actors from the group presented scenes from some of the groups programs that tackle such issues as bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, dating violence, suicide and depression, then invited listeners to ask questions of a panel composed of experts who work with the north Omaha population. The first two segments aired in November and December and the last one airs today at 6 p.m., with panelists including Kristen Lilla of Girls Inc., Frances Holeton of Catholic Charities and Jermaine Jones from the Boys and Girls Club. Ilana Weiss, RESPECTs associate executive director, said the shows have been a success so far, with questions and a give-and-take at the end of each broadcast. Theater translates well over the radio, and it was a good medium to get our message out to a broad audience, Weiss said. The initial programs were a pilot project, but she said RESPECT would be open to continuing the partnership. Allen said other projects on the horizon include: Film Talk, a show in partnership with Film Streams. A show with Stuart Chittenden, known for his Squash Talks that foster conversation among diverse people. A health and beauty show aimed at young women with model Katie Raine. A storytelling program for kids with local actor D. Kevin Williams, who toured with the Broadway show The Color Purple. Williams worked with the Charles B. Washington Branch of the Omaha Public Library to provide copies of the books he will use so kids can read along, and Carr said the station hopes to offer some of the books for free to low-income families. Mind & Soul wont just hand the mic to new show hosts and let them fend for themselves, Allen said. He plans to help people develop show ideas and teach them how to record and edit podcast-quality shows. We want to be really professional and legitimate, but we dont want to sound commercial, he said. Carr is working to get more young people interested in broadcasting as a profession. In his role as project manager with Mind & Soul, hes working with the Omaha Star and its Mildred Brown School of Journalism on a 12-week program to teach kids on-air skills, radio production and engineering. He aims to launch the program later this year. He also plans to engage kids through the Omaha Public Schools and the North Star after-school program, among other entities. He hopes to offer programming that addresses such issues as the recent kidnapping and torture of a disabled man by four youths in Chicago to show young people that there are ways to deal with different situations that dont include violence. His ultimate goal is to offer better communication to a population he thinks is underserved. I strongly believe that everyone should have a voice and the opportunity to get that voice out, he said. NORTH PLATTE, Neb. Teachers holding welcome back signs greeted students Monday morning at several North Platte, Nebraska, schools. A Facebook post prompted a movement that brought teachers out on a frosty morning at North Platte High School. Vocal music teacher Leah Purdy had shared a Facebook post about another school district that did a similar event and proposed trying it in North Platte. Theres just a lot of negativity in the world right now and I know that the kids were not super-excited about starting school earlier and going a little longer, Purdy said. I thought, what would it hurt to start the year off on a positive note and get everybody excited about coming back and sort of starting fresh? The teachers were very receptive and were all very excited. From the students weve seen a lot of smiles, so thats great. Social studies teacher Danny Whitney said teachers made signs during their last professional development day. I think its just as much for us and for the kids just to build some excitement and get back into it for the semester, Whitney said. Some students said they were surprised but appreciated the effort. I was expecting something, but not this, said NPHS freshman Kainin Wilson. Kind of made me feel a little worried that these guys are going to get hypothermia out here its cold. It definitely makes me pretty happy, just because I get to laugh at all my teachers for being kind of weird. Freshman Jack Carlson said it was unexpected. I really wasnt expecting teachers to come out here with big posters like this, Carlson said. It was kind of a shock. I was planning on going through the band door, but Im like, I see them all over here so I better walk by them. Its pretty neat. Ive never seen this before. Teachers at other schools also participated in the event, including at Cody and Buffalo Elementary schools. Omaha City Council members said Tuesday that they were appalled to hear about allegations in a federal lawsuit of sexual harassment and cheating on promotion exams in the citys Public Works Department. The council voted 7 to 0 to approve a $175,000 settlement agreement with the plaintiff, former public works employee Traci Shelby. Its disturbing that any business or individual operates that way in this day and age, especially our city who should be leading by example, Shelby said in an email. Its also unfortunate that the city has not followed its own zero tolerance policy when it comes to discrimination & sexual-harassment because the individuals responsible are still employed by the City. Councilman Chris Jerram, the chairman of the councils Public Works Committee, said the departments leaders should consider whether employees stationed at the traffic maintenance headquarters at 50th and G Streets need more oversight from the division head, Murthy Koti. And Council President Ben Gray said hes considering whether the city should hire an outside firm to administer testing for civilians, as it does for police officers and firefighters. But city public works and human resources staffers said the issues raised in the lawsuit had been addressed. In a statement, Mayor Jean Stothert said three employees involved were disciplined and demoted. She said the city attempted to fire one employee, but the Personnel Board gave him his job back after a grievance hearing. Shelby alleged in the lawsuit that she had to endure working in a sexually pervasive atmosphere in which a co-worker repeatedly made sexually explicit comments toward her and a supervisor showed her a pornographic video. When she applied for a full-time job, Shelby alleged, other employees were given a copy of the civil service exam and answers ahead of the test. Many of the details also were described by other employees in depositions taken as part of the suit. In denying the citys motion to dismiss the case in November, U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon wrote that a reasonable jury could find that Shelby was subjected to daily taunting, humiliation, isolation, offensive language, inappropriate propositioning, relegation to undesirable assignments, efforts to prevent her from being hired full-time, and safety hazards. I believe everybody up here was appalled when we first got our notification about it, said Councilman Franklin Thompson. Public works and human resources officials told the council that testing processes had changed since the incident to make it harder to cheat. And they said they reminded other employees about the citys sexual harassment policies, which Human Resources Director Mikki Frost called very clear. Jerram said his constituents wanted to hear assurances that a similar incident wouldnt happen again. Whatever was or was not going on at 50th and G, Jerram said, I think its also understandable that the taxpayers would be very concerned about the type of environment where payouts like this could be increased significantly. Jerram said council members werent notified of the lawsuit or the allegations until the settlement appeared on the public City Council agenda Thursday. Was there an effort to sweep this under the rug? Jerram said. Were we kept from being informed about this case? Assistant Public Works Director Todd Pfitzer said the supervisor in question had been removed from a leadership position. He called the situation 100 percent unacceptable. Other folks within my department have been reminded that that is completely unacceptable and wont be tolerated, Pfitzer said. Gray said he was especially concerned with the allegations of cheating on a test, which is used to determined job candidates qualifications. He noted that the council previously voted to hire an outside firm to handle police and fire tests, and he said he might look into similar changes for civilian employees. When asked whether Gray is confident that the Public Works Department has resolved the issue of sexual harassment, he paused. I dont know that I would confine it to public works, he said. Frost said the city had previously investigated the test cheating allegations. Unfortunately there was information that was not provided in the investigation and a different story came out during the deposition, she said. She and Pfitzer said the department now writes a new test for every round of hiring. We discovered as a part of this lawsuit that somebody took a copy of the test, a supervisor took a copy of the test, and shared it with somebody, she said. State Sen. Heath Mello, who is challenging Mayor Jean Stothert in the May city elections, criticized the administration for what he called a lack of leadership. Sadly, this discrimination settlement forces us to again ask where the buck stops in City Hall, Mello said in a press release. It is clear that lack of leadership from the Mayors Office has contributed to an unacceptable situation, where city employees remain on staff after allegedly discriminating against and harassing other employees. Stothert noted that the actions described in the lawsuit happened during the tenure of her predecessor, former Mayor Jim Suttle. Shelby worked part time in traffic maintenance from April 2012 to May 2013. And Stothert said she has a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment. Mr. Mello is leaving the impression that there are problems with the citys workforce in the area of sexual harassment, she said in a statement. That is insulting to the 3,000 men and women who do their jobs professionally each and every day for the people of Omaha. We operate under a policy of mutual respect in Omaha city government, and that is one reason it has been many years since a sexual harassment case was sustained. Shelbys lawsuit names two employees as defendants. One employee, Bernard Post, was suspended and recommended for termination last summer in relation to the civil service exam, according to a July letter from the city included in the lawsuit. He was Shelbys immediate supervisor and oversaw 20 to 30 employees, according to court documents. Another employee named as a defendant, Edward McNulty, received a disciplinary notice for showing the video, according to the lawsuit. He supervised Post. A higher-level traffic division supervisor, Mike Paukert, who supervised McNulty, was reassigned to a records position last spring pending an investigation, according to an April letter from the city. Among the management issues raised was that he failed to follow appropriate procedures when Shelby made a sexual harassment claim, according to documents. The lawsuit says Shelby made numerous complaints about her treatment before contacting Public Works Director Bob Stubbe, which led to the investigation by the acting human resources director. The City of Omaha will officially oppose a bill that would mandate major changes to firefighters and police officers retirement benefits. The City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to oppose a bill from State Sen. Mark Kolterman of Seward that would require new hires in Omaha and Lincolns departments to move to a cash balance plan rather than a traditional pension. Kolterman says the bill is necessary to fix the fire and police pension systems unfunded liability, which totals roughly $600 million. But critics say a cash balance retirement plan would hurt the departments ability to attract and retain good candidates. Resolution sponsor Chris Jerram said the bill implies that the city somehow is unable to manage its own affairs. Voting for the resolution were Jerram as well as council members Ben Gray, Pete Festersen, Garry Gernandt, Rich Pahls and Franklin Thompson. Also supporting the resolution were Omahas fire and police union presidents and a few other labor-friendly groups. Police Chief Todd Schmaderer was out of town for the hearing but opposes Koltermans bill. He said hes concerned that a cash balance plan could hurt the departments ability to attract and retain good officers. Im fearful as chief of police of the unintended consequences, Schmaderer said. Gray, who is the council president, criticized the Legislature for getting involved in local issues and he cited some changes a few years ago to the Omaha Public Schools board, which at the time included his wife, Freddie Gray. The Legislature reduced the number of board members and made other changes designed to overhaul what legislators saw as a dysfunctional board. Gray noted that the school board Monday night stayed in session until the early hours of the morning but was ultimately unable to elect a new board president. If that (previous) board was dysfunctional, whats this one? Gray said. Councilwoman Aimee Melton voted against the resolution. Doug Kagan of Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom also spoke against the measure. Melton said she believes fire and police will eventually have to move to a cash balance system. But she said she thinks that could be accomplished through the negotiation process. She along with other council members praised the police unions president, John Wells, for the tentative labor agreement that he and Mayor Jean Stothert announced Monday. Stothert said this week that shes neutral on Koltermans proposal but thinks the pension liability can be solved locally. Her opponent in this years mayoral election, former State Sen. Heath Mello, said he supports Jerrams resolution and opposes Koltermans bill. Under a cash balance plan, employees contribute part of their salary, as they do in other pension systems. But their payout is based on the amount of money theyve put in, plus a portion of the citys contribution plus the interest the money has accrued. When an employee retires, the pension payout is calculated based on the amount of an annuity that could be purchased with the money the employee has put into the system. The payout still comes from the pension fund. In 1980, Sallie Folsom jumped up and down, shouting Reagan! Reagan! during the Republican National Convention as the soon-to-be president and future political icon accepted his partys presidential nomination. One of her sisters, Kay Orr, was right by her side that night in Detroit. Orr and Folsom were relatively unknown Nebraska Republicans that summer, but both would go on to make their marks in state GOP politics. Orr would eventually become Nebraskas first woman governor, while Folsom would serve for eight years as the national committeewoman of the Nebraska Republican Party. Folsom, 86, died Tuesday in Omaha. She was a lifelong Republican who loved politics, said John Folsom II, her son, who lives in Omaha. She used to hobnob with (former Nebraska governors) Charley Thone and Nobby Tiemann. She was also a proud Swede who knew how to make a crusty loaf of Swedish rye bread. She took a lot of pride in her Swedish stock, her son said. Sallie Stark Folsom grew up in Muscatine, Iowa, the daughter of a small-business owner. After attending two years of college, she married a Navy man, John Folsom, who served in the Korean War. After four years of military life, the couple moved to El Paso, Texas, and then Albuquerque, New Mexico, for various business opportunities. In New Mexico, Sallie Folsom worked as a volunteer on Barry Goldwaters unsuccessful presidential bid in 1964. In 1965, the couple moved to Nebraska. They first lived in Fremont before moving to Grand Island in 1968, where they owned and ran a beer distributorship called Tri City Beer Co. Folsom quickly became active in the Republican Party, winning the prestigious position of national committeewoman in 1981 the same year her sister Kay was appointed state treasurer. As national committeewoman, Folsom served as a liaison between the state party and the national Republican Party. She met many of the partys top elected officials. She also attended the Republican National Convention in Dallas in 1984 as a national delegate. Ronald Reagan was one of her favorite politicians. As an alternate delegate in 1980, Folsom watched him accept his nomination and later, in 1983, met him in the White House. At the time, her son, a Marine, had just been sent to war-torn Beirut. Being a feisty Swede, she gave her favorite president a piece of her mind. She told him, I support what youre doing in Beirut, but I want my son home alive, her son recalled. She was going to make sure the president understood that her only son was getting shot at in Beirut and she wanted him home alive. Because of health problems, Folsom moved to Omaha last fall to be closer to her children. Other survivors include her husband of 66 years, John; daughters Sarah Hirz of Bellevue, Martha Hector of Corinth, Texas, and Carolyn Folsom of Omaha; sister Pat Hensley of Elgin, Illinois; and six grandchildren. The family is planning a private memorial service this spring. Correction: Charley Thone's name was misspelled in a previous version of this story. Dispatchers recorded at least 30 crashes involving 48 vehicles by 10 a.m. Omaha police stopped taking accident reports that didnt involve injuries at 8:40 a.m. They resumed responding to such crashes about 11 a.m. Some schools in rural areas across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa closed for the day because of poor driving conditions. The City of Omaha had sent out 24 trucks starting Monday afternoon, said Austin Rowser, Omahas street maintenance engineer. About 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, about 50 additional trucks started spreading salt on major and secondary streets, Rowser said. The heavier-than-expected rain Tuesday morning washed some of the brine away, he said. It was about as effective as you can be with freezing rain, Rowser said of the brine. Its really difficult to treat, because you go from great pavement conditions to horrible pavement conditions in an instant citywide. The citys trucks were still were out Tuesday afternoon. Rowser said he will monitor the weather forecast to decide when to deploy trucks this weekend, when more precipitation is expected. Tuesdays trash collections were halted in the morning in Omaha and Council Bluffs. Tuesday spots that had not yet been picked up will be picked up today, officials said. Today, forecasters said, a cold front is expected to move through, dropping temperatures. Wind chills of about zero to 15 degrees are expected through Friday. Once the weekend arrives, winds are expected to shift again, ushering in warmer air. A more significant weather system was forecast to move into the Plains states this weekend, bringing a chance of accumulating snow. Turman, the teachers aide, said a co-worker who was driving behind her as she left school attempted to stop and help after her car accident, but that womans vehicle slid backward down the street. Everyone was sliding down, she said. It was very dangerous, and Im actually surprised no one else got hurt. Nebraska City police are asking for the publics help in finding a missing 16-year-old girl. Police said Shiloh Johnson disappeared Dec. 22 from Nebraska City. She was believed to be with Brock Wichman, 21. They were traveling in a vehicle that was found abandoned in Fremont. Police said Johnson is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds, and she has brown hair and green eyes. Wichman is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 145 pounds, and he has brown hair and blue eyes, police said. Anyone with information on the pair is urged to call Nebraska City police at 402-873-6666 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said hes confident that Sen. Jeff Sessions will be confirmed as the nations top law enforcement official after the Alabama Republicans 10-hour grilling before the Senate Judiciary Committee. He knows the department well and he believes in the rule of law, Grassley told reporters. It isnt going to be an easy one in the Senate, but he will be the next attorney general. As committee chairman, Grassley was running the show at Tuesdays hearing, which highlighted Democratic concerns over President-elect Donald Trumps selection to run the Justice Department. Those ranged from past accusations that Sessions showed racial bias as a federal prosecutor to his conservative stances on illegal immigration and other policy areas. Sessions repeatedly asserted that he will exercise independence and be willing to go against the president. And he rejected what he characterized as a caricature of him as a racist based on what he said are damnably false accusations. The testimony was interrupted time and time again by vociferous protesters who shouted slogans such as No Trump, No KKK, no fascist U.S.A.! as they were dragged out of the room by Capitol Police officers. But the tone from Republicans and even Democrats on the committee was largely congenial throughout the hearing. There were a few exceptions. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., aggressively pressed Sessions, suggesting that the nominee had overstated his involvement in various civil rights cases. And Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., asked Sessions about awards hed received from controversial groups. Blumenthal even went so far as to ask whether Sessions had ever received an award from the Ku Klux Klan. Sessions retorted that he certainly hadnt received an award from a particular Klan leader who was sentenced to death for the abduction and murder of a black teenager, a case Sessions was involved in prosecuting. For the most part, senators opted for respectful poking on policy issues rather than fiery rhetorical exchanges. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, initially rebuked Franken for his line of questions, then later commended Democrats on the panel for showing restraint. Sessions was asked about his positions on abortion, immigration, gun control, climate change and a host of other hot-button topics. Sessions often avoided a drawn-out confrontation on such issues by simply pledging that he would follow the law even if he disagrees with it. For example, he described himself as pro-life and stood by his past criticisms of the Roe v. Wade decision but said he recognizes it as the law of the land. He reiterated conservative views in a number of areas, suggesting that he will move to crack down on gun violence and criminals in the country illegally. But he often balanced one point with another. He said police forces should not be smeared in whole but also said that when individual officers act inappropriately they must be held accountable. He appeared to split with Trump on a number of issues, rejecting calls for a registry of Muslims in the United States or a ban on Muslims entering the country. And he said waterboarding is illegal. In response to questions from Grassley, Sessions said he would recuse himself from investigations into Hillary Clintons emails or her foundation. Among the questioners was Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., making his debut as a new member of the committee. Many of Sasses questions dealt with general topics about the role of independent agencies or the transparency of the governments court settlements. But he also specifically raised the case of Sarah Root, a young Iowa woman who was killed in an Omaha wreck that prosecutors say was caused by Eswin Mejia, who was in the country illegally and street racing while intoxicated. Sasse has tangled with the Obama administration as he sought more information about that specific case and the administrations general practices regarding the detention of illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes. Sasse asked Sessions whether he would quickly respond to a letter seeking more details on how immigration enforcement priorities are being set in the federal government. I certainly will and it does represent important failures that were seeing too often in our system today, Sessions said. Sessions also identified breakdowns in the interaction of local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies. He said there are local jurisdictions that are failing to tell the feds when they are holding serious criminals so they can be deported. The Homeland Security Department also is not following up on serious offenses where it can and should deport those people, he said. This country has every right to deport persons who are here unlawfully, who violate our criminal laws in some other aspect, and they should indeed be promptly deported, Sessions said. The panel will hear from a long list of opponents and proponents in a second day of testimony today. WASHINGTON Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., has landed a seat on the House Agriculture Committee. Bacon represents the Omaha-area 2nd District, which is largely urban and suburban, but said hes looking forward to representing the agriculture interests of the entire state. Its important for Nebraska and Im going to work my hardest at it, Bacon told The World-Herald. He also pointed out that the Omaha area he represents includes agribusiness interests, such as food processors. Bacon also will serve on the Armed Services Committee, where he will focus on the militarys readiness and modernization. A retired brigadier general, Bacon spent most of his adult life in the military. But he said he grew up and worked on his familys Illinois farm until he was 21. The Agriculture Committee oversees the Agriculture Department, which is responsible for federal programs that include crop subsidies, conservation programs and rural development efforts. The Ag Department also runs nutrition assistance programs, including what is commonly referred to as food stamps. Some of those nutrition programs have attracted a great deal of criticism from conservatives. Asked whether those programs need to be rolled back, Bacon said he looked forward to digging into the issue but said hell be emphasizing the need to be fiscally responsible. He said its clear what will be at the top of the committees agenda. We have a farm bill coming up, which Im going to have to get smart on, he said. Thats going to be the big thing were tackling. The current farm bill expires toward the end of next year. Lawmakers and farm groups have indicated that theyd like to see the replacement approved well before that expiration. The bill could be more contentious than ever, with some conservative groups taking aim at not just food stamps but more traditional farm supports as well. Bacon said one area hell emphasize is trying to maintain affordable crop insurance. Former Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb., who lost to Bacon in last years election, held a seat on the committee. Neither of the states two U.S. senators are serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee in this session, marking the first time since 1968 that Nebraska hasnt had at least one senator on the committee. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., gave up his seat on the panel this year and is instead serving on the Judiciary, Armed Services and Banking Committees. While he wont be on the committee, Sasse has said he will be listening to farm bill input from Nebraskas farmers and ranchers and will still have avenues to influence that legislation. Sixteen national agricultural organizations have written to President-elect Donald Trump and sent an important message. The producer organizations cautioned the new administration not to jeopardize existing trade relationships as it seeks to expand our export opportunities abroad. The federal government needs to be careful in particular about imposing tariffs. Such trade barriers, especially if applied broadly to a significant trading partner, can trigger a ripple effect, shifting purchasing decisions in major ways and potentially eroding U.S. export opportunities. Given that our country exports more than $1 trillion worth of agricultural products each year, the potential disruptions can be considerable. In their Jan. 6 letter to Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the ag associations noted the importance of the markets specifically in China, Canada and Mexico. Disrupting U.S. agricultural exports to these nations, the letter said, would have devastating consequences for our farmers and the many American processing and transportation industries and workers supported by these industries. The groups include the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Farmers Union and national producer associations for crops including corn, soybeans, wheat, barley and sorghum. China has been a particular focus for Nebraska ag promotion. The states exports of processed food products to China have increased from $209 million in 2009 to $483 million in 2015. Our sales of agricultural products to the Asian country rose from $140,000 in 2009 to $24 million in 2015. Chinas government last year announced that it was ending a 13-year ban on imports of U.S. beef from animals under 30 months of age. The ban had been imposed over concerns about mad cow disease. Gov. Pete Ricketts led a trade mission to China last November and signed nine letters of intent to Chinese importers who pledged to buy Nebraska beef. International trade is key to beef, Jessie Herr-mann, director of legal and regulatory affairs for the Nebraska Cattlemen, told The World-Herald at the time. Nebraska ranks fifth among the 50 states in the value of its agricultural exports, leaders with 11 Nebraska associations for row crops, cattle and ethanol sectors wrote in a Midlands Voices column last year. The export market accounts for $350 in value per beef animal and an additional $54 in value for every hog sold in Nebraska. Plus, every other row of soybeans and one out of every five rows of corn in Nebraska is exported internationally in raw or value-added form. Our ag sector has wide-ranging links to the global marketplace. As the federal government works to boost our overseas sales, it should take care not to disrupt those connections. Ahead of 2017 Punjab elections, IB warns of ISI-engineered communal violence India oi-Vicky By Vicky The warning of another incident of sacrilege just ahead of the Punjab assembly elections is what has worried security agencies. On October 12, 2015 several pages of the Guru Granth were found torn at Bargaari in Faridkot, Punjab. Intelligence agencies fear a repeat of such an incident to incite communal tension just before the state goes to polls on February 4. While the threat looms large in the border state, the police and intelligence are keeping a close watch on the situation. A report prepared by the Intelligence Bureau submitted to the Punjab police states that there is a possibility of communal tension being fueled by some elements at the behest of the ISI. The ISI has been planning on launching the Khalistani terrorists into Punjab in a big way, but have failed to do so. The ISI would look to create trouble ahead of the elections and take advantage of the fact that the security mechanism is busy with election duty. The specific input relied upon while preparing the report suggests that the ISI got in touch with some elements in Punjab and directed them to engineer communal tension ahead of the elections. While there is no specific mention about the modus operandi, the agencies suspect that these elements are planning a repeat of October 2015. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 16:42 [IST] Akhilesh-Mulayam meet: When father proposed and son opposed India oi-Vicky Lucknow, Jan 11: The father proposed, but the son opposed. Mulayam Singh Yadav's last ditch attempt to bring son Akhilesh on board appears to have failed with the latter rejecting every offer made by his father. [Also Read:UP Assembly Elections 2017: Mulayam heads split SP ahead of elections] On Tuesday, a meeting between the father and the son in Lucknow to strike peace within the Samajwadi Party failed and Akhilesh refused to step down as party president as well as withdraw his application before the Election Commission of India in which he claimed the SP's symbol. During the Tuesday afternoon meet, Mulayam told his son that he would be the chief minister if the SP is voted to power. He, however, told Akhilesh to step down as the party president as well withdraw the application before the ECI. Akhilesh, however, refused to do both. He told his father that he would not step down as president of the party at least till the elections were over. He also said that he would not be withdrawing the application. It was clear that Akhilesh had the numbers and hence was able to refuse both offers made by his father. During the meeting that lasted an hour, Mulayam made several offers including keeping brother Shivpal Yadav out of the election process. He even said that Amar Singh will kept out of the process. To this Akhilesh said that he wanted Mulayam to accept the decision of his faction which decided to throw Singh out of the party. Mulayam however refused to accept this decision. "Do you want me to trust Shivpal and Singh? I do not trust them and they will create trouble ahead of the polls," Akhilesh told his father. Mulayam, however, said that it was his responsibility to keep both out of the poll process. "You step down as the president first and I will ensure that Shivpal and Singh do not create any problems," Mulayam told his son. Uttar Pradesh goes to polls on February 11. The seven phase polling would end on March 8 and the results declared on March 11. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 7:03 [IST] Ashley Tellis teachers remember him as brilliant student India oi-PTI Mumbai, Jan 10: Amid reports that Mumbai-born strategic expert Ashley Tellis could be the next US Ambassador to India, teachers at his college here remember him as a brilliant student who also possessed oratory skills. Tellis, a former White House official and renowned India expert, completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from the St Xavier's College in South Mumbai before going to the US for further studies. "He was always brilliant in studies. He was a brilliant speaker and had a very good vocabulary," Principal Agnelo Menezes said. Menezes is the first non-Jesuit Principal of the college in its 147-year old history and was a year senior to Tellis at the institute. "Ashley had a keen interest in arms and ammunition (strategic affairs)," Menezes told PTI. Though settled in the US, he has kept in touch with his alma mater and also visited it after he passed out, he recalled. Father Frazer Mascarenhas, a former Principal of the college, said Tellis was a clear-headed student who spoke passionately about India-US relations even during his college days. "With a clear, sharp mind, Tellis always knew what he was doing right from the beginning. His thoughts about international relations and recommendations for strengthening India-US relations were firm from his college days," he said. After leaving Mumbai, the 55-year-old Indian-American policy wonk completed his PhD from the University of Chicago and went to hold important positions. Tellis is currently a Senior Fellow, South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington -based influential think-tank. He specialises in international security, defence and Asian strategic issues. The Mumbai-born analyst was previously associated with the RAND Corporation as a senior policy analyst. If appointed the next US Ambassador to New Delhi under the upcoming Donald Trump administration, Tellis would replace Richard Verma, who was named to the post by outgoing President Barack Obama in 2015. Verma will depart as US Ambassador to India on January 20. PTI Bengaluru: Man who harassed women, asked them for hugs, arrested India oi-Anusha The Bengaluru police arrested a man accused of sexual harassment foiling his attempts to abscond. The 22-year-old man allegedly accosted two minor girls asking them for a hug on Tuesday evening when they were returning home after school. Manikanta, a resident of Mahalakshmi layout, was arrested after the parents of one of the girls filed a complaint. Manikanta allegedly waylaid two minor girls and asked them to hug him. The girls raised an alarm following which people nearby caught hold of the accused and thrashed him. Manikanta managed to run away from the spot. The parents of the girls filed a complaint with the Vyalikaval police station following which the accused was arrested. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 14:38 [IST] Bengaluru: Three arrested for assaulting a northeastern student India oi-Anusha By Anusha Ravi The Bengaluru police registered a suo moto case after a video showing a northeastern student being assaulted surfaced. The Banaswadi police have booked three people for assaulting a student and intimidating his friend. The incident, which is said to have taken place on December 26, 2016, came to light only after an association for welfare of northeastern students in Bengaluru highlighted it. The video accessed by OneIndia shows three people including a woman beating a young boy and intimidating his friend. Police claim that a quarrel broke out between the victims and the perpetrators over vehicle parking. The issue came to the police's notice after a coordinator from NE association informed them about the incident over a phone conversation. The video of the assault was handed over to the police as well. A case was registered under sections 326, 341 504 506 IPC against Clifford Wilson, Carlton Wilson and Lynn Wilson. All three accused have been arrested. Further investigations are underway. OneIndia News Congress is depressed with Modi's growing popularity: Naidu India oi-PTI Gandhinagar, Jan 11: Hitting back at the Congress over its criticism of demonetisation, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said the entire process was undertaken in a transparent manner and the Congress is "depressed" over the growing popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stating that Congress did not have the guts to implement demonetisation during its tenure, he said the Opposition just wants to make "false allegation" and is not ready for a discussion on the issue in Parliament. "Demonetisation has been well received by the people, poor people, middle class, honest tax payers. All are happy about the same, now the money has reached the banks. How much money is black, how much is white will be known after scrutiny," he told reporters at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here. "Congress Party and the other parties are depressed over the growing popularity of the Prime Minister because everywhere all surveys indicate 70-80 per cent of the people are hailing the decision of the Prime Minister. Why they are becoming jittery and making such absurd allegations," he said. Congress, he said, is now going to people to voice their protest over demonetisation, but people have voted them out in Gujarat Panchayat election, Gujarat municipal elections, in Chandigarh municipal elections, in Faridabad municipal elections and in Maharashtra. "In Madhya Pradesh by-election and Assam by-election and also various by-elections across the country, everywhere it is BJP. BJP's winning spree is continuing. Even in the Panchayat elections in Gujarat it was almost a sweep. Keeping that in mind, they are becoming jittery...what can we do. All these people, why they are objecting to demonetisation, they had no guts to do it during their regime and now they are unnecessarily making false allegations and no one is going to take them seriously," Naidu said. There is no parallel of the demonetisation decision in the world, he said, adding that while there may be "some temporary difficulty and slowdown", catch up will happen soon. Keeping up the heat on the note ban issue, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on Modi for the demonetisation move, saying for the first time India's Prime Minister is being "ridiculed" for the decision. With regard to advancing Budget date to February 1, he said "the solution has to be given by the court". He said: "The solution has been sent (by Government), what will happen in the court. The matter is before the election commission so it would not be fair for me to comment. We have not done this secretly, nor all of a sudden. We have made announcement on this, PM has said that Budget should happen earlier. We will see what election commission decides." Government yesterday replied to a notice of the Election Commission over advancement of budget date. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 16:08 [IST] Demonetisation: Kerala announces ex gratia for victims' kin India oi-Anusha The Kerala cabinet on Wednesday decided to dole out compensation to families of people who 'died due to demonetisation'. The Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala decided to give Rs 2 lakh as compensation to families of those who died in bank and ATM queues after demonetisation. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been leading protests against demonetisation and the Union government for not allowing cooperative banks to exchange demonetised notes for new legal tender. The cabinet on Wednesday decided that demonetisation was a disaster and those who were victimised should be compensated. The Opposition in Kerala looks at the move as an attempt to demonise demonetisation in Kerala. The cabinet also decided to give compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of Jishnu, a student who committed suicide after allegedly being taunted for copying in an exam. His death had sparked off student protests across state. OneIndia News Goa assembly election 2017: Kejriwal wants to create sensation with allegations, says Goa CM India oi-IANS By Ians English Panaji, Jan 11: Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday accused AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of trying to create a sensation by alleging that major parties are distributing money to voters in the poll-bound state. "Kejriwal wants to create a sensation. I don't want to give him importance," Parsekar said, responding to allegations levelled by the Delhi Chief Minister in each of his four public meetings in the coastal state that will seeing voting on February 4. Kejriwal had said that both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) offer money to voters during elections and had even exhorted voters to accept the money and then vote for the Aam Aadmi party (AAP). While the BJP has filed a complaint against Kejriwal's comments with the Election Commission of India, the Congress has demanded an apology from the leader for his statement. Elections in five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur -- are being held in February-March. Apart from Punjab, where it is seen as a serious contender, the AAP is hoping to make an impact in Goa as well. It has named former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes, 53, as it Chief Ministerial candidate. Gomes, who belonged to the Goa Civil Service, took voluntary retirement in July this year. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 15:09 [IST] Las Vegas continued historic visitation growth in 2016 and set a new all-time record in visitor arrivals. Las Vegas drew a record number of visitors last year, 42.9 million people, surpassing 2015s record-setting 42.3 million. In addition to hosting millions of leisure travelers, Las Vegas celebrated record-breaking convention visitation in 2016. The destination welcomed more than 6.3 million business travelers during the year, contributing to the overall increase in visitor traffic. The destination continues to enjoy industry-leading occupancy rates with an extremely large base of nearly 150,000 available rooms. Tourism generates nearly $52 billion annually in Southern Nevada and the Las Vegas valley. The industry supports nearly 370,000 local jobs, representing more than 40 percent of employment within Clark County. In 2017, the LVCVA is projecting another record, surpassing 43 million visitors for the first time. Gunmen open fire inside TMCs Kharagpur office , 5 injured India oi-Vicky By Vicky Four gunmen opened fire at the Trinamool Congress party office at the Kharagpur district in West Bengal late on Wednesday evening, injuring five party leaders. The injured have been rushed to hospital and some are in a critical condition. The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained. The five persons had suffered bullet injuries in the head and stomach. According to eye witnesses, the gunmen first hurled country made bombs before opening fire. While the police are investigating into the matter, preliminary reports suggest that the violence could be due to infighting within the party. Police officials informed OneIndia that the probe is on and they did not wish to speculate at this juncture. The police are yet to make any arrests. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 18:01 [IST] If BSF jawan was alcoholic and offender, why post him at a sensitive border India oi-Vicky Srinagar, Jan 11: "He is a habitual offender," the BSF said after a video of a jawan complaining about the quality of food went viral. Even before completing the inquiry, as ordered by the ministry for Home Affairs, the BSF decided to put out a note in which it spared no effort to speak about the reputation of jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav. [Also Read: BSF jawan who complained about food shifted, inquiry under way] A habitual offender and chronic alcoholic is what the note from the BSF read. Now, what is ironic is that despite such serious charges being levelled against Yadav, the BSF still gave him a sensitive posting. The video shot by Yadav and made public on Monday clearly showed that he was posted along the India-Pakistan border which is a 'very' sensitive location. Only an inquiry would tell if Yadav is telling the truth or not. While that inquiry report may give a clear picture, the 'big' question is why was he in such a sensitive posting despite have a 'troubled past' as indicated by the BSF. A reading of the BSF note would also give the indication that Yadav had psychological problems. Why would a man with so many problems guard the most sensitive border in the world? A man with so many problems cannot be trusted with his own, leave alone the enemy. The BSF said that he had been court-martialled in 2010 for putting a gun on his senior's head. He was even sentenced to two months rigorous imprisonment for the same. The note also says that he needed regular counselling and different corrective mechanics had been applied for his welfare. A bare reading of all this clearly indicates that Yadav is not a man in his senses. While this being the case, it is ironic that the BSF still decided to give him such a sensitive posting. If what the BSF is saying is correct, then the big question is why it decided to post him on the Indo-Pak border instead of sending him in for counseling or sending him out of the force. The BSF could have at least waited for the conclusion of the inquiry instead of tarnishing his image. OneIndia News Jallikattu row: Now Sasikala writes to PM for ordinance India oi-Anusha A day after BJP MP from Tamil Nadu, Pon Radhakrishnan said that ordinance to allow Jallikattu may not be passed by the Union government, AIADMK's general secretary Sasikala Natarajan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In her letter, she reiterated Tamil Nadu government's demand for promulgation of an ordinance that will allow Jallikattu to be part of Pongal festivities in the state. She appealed to the PM to make it possible for Jallikattu to be conducted this weekend. "The ban on Jallikattu has incensed the public of Tamil Nadu, especially the youth and all efforts have to be taken to revoke the ban," her letter stated. She also mentioned that there was widespread resentment on the ban on Jallikattu and asked the PM to pass an ordinance that would enable the 'traditional sport of Tamil Nadu to be played in the state's soil'. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had previously written to the PM asking for the ban to be lifted through an ordinance route. The Supreme Court had rapped the Union government for negating its order on Jallikattu previously. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 12:39 [IST] Mamata accuses Centre of running 'terror campaign' to silence opposition India oi-IANS By Ians English Kolkata, Jan 11: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused the Narendra Modi government of running a terror campaign to silence the opposition. She also alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to eliminate her in a plane crash as she was in the forefront of the anti-Modi protests. "Even a conspiracy was hatched to kill me in a plane crash. Later they suspended two pilots. Air Traffic Control is putting the blame somewhere. Others are putting the blame elsewhere. Police not getting any document to conduct a proper probe. They (the government) are dangerous. They can do anything and everything," Banerjee said at a dharna programme organsied by the Trinamool Congress before the Reserve Bank of India regional office in Kolkata against demonetisation. The Trinamool's three day dharna before the RBI office began on Monday. "An unprecedented, pointless terror campaign is going on in the country," said Banerjee. IANS Mulayam: SP won't be allowed to split, no change in party symbol India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Lucknow, Jan 11: Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav addressed workers at the party office in Lucknow. Mulayam was accompanied by his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav, who the party patriarch lauded for his work during the Emergency. In an effort to keep the party united Mulayam told workers that he had been to Delhi to ensure that the party remains united. He ensured members that no stone was left unturned to ensure that party remained united. He spoke about the anxiety of party members and said that it was natural for all to be worried as "this party was born out of struggle". He went on to mention that neither we are trying to make a new party nor are we changing the party symbol, it is the opposing group that is trying to split the party. He reiterated, "His group was not forming new party and will not change party symbol." In an emotional appeal to party men he said whatever he has belongs to the country and all he has is the support of the workers. He said that he has been requesting opposing groups to stay away from controversies and work with him to keep the party united. He went on to say that, "Today I am trying to ensure unity in Samajwadi Party. I will not take names, but people are trying to administer a split." Since both the groups have put claim for the party name and symbol talks are doing round that Mulayam camp may opt for the symbol of a farmer ploughing a field in case the symbol cycle is frozen by Election Commission of India. For the same it is also being said that Mulayam group has been in talk with the old party Lok Dal to get the symbol. Other talk doing round is that Azam Khan may be declared as CM candidate by the Mulayam's group in case of split in the party. Mulayam had tried to pacify the inter-party opposition by saying that Akhilesh would be the CM on January 9; they had a meeting the day after but peace could not be brokered. Mulayam, while addressing the party workers, had blamed Ram Gopal Yadav whom he had sacked from the party for six years to be behind the family feud. UP is to go to polls in seven phases between February 11 and March 8. One India News REVEALED: How China facilitates illegal arms trade in N-E states India oi-Vicky By Vicky Indian Intelligence agencies have said in a detailed report that China has upped the ante in the north-eastern states and is helping insurgent groups carry out illegal arms trade. The base is at Ruili, a Chinese town near the Myanmar border and the point person is Paresh Barua the ULFA chief. The intelligence report submitted to the Assam police states that several members of the north-eastern insurgent groups have been shifted to Ruili and have been asked to trade in arms. The point-person for this illegal arms trade is Barua who is in touch with leaders of other such groups. Chinese intelligence agencies are aiding this trade, as a result of which the insurgent groups are able to procure arms easily, the intelligence report also states. Assam's Additional Director General of Police L R Bishnoi says that groups such as the ULFA and NSCN-K which operate jointly have set up base in Myanmar. In the Myanmar hideouts there is an increasing influence of the Chinese intelligence agencies, the top cop also pointed out. "Barua is in the one liaising with the Chinese agencies. He oversees the supply of arms to various insurgent groups in the North Eastern states," he says. This is not the first time that the Indian agencies have reported about the influence of Chinese on the insurgent groups in NE. The Chinese help in ensuring that the arms reach these groups. They have also helped groups such as the NSCN-K and ULFA set up bases in Myanmar. An IB official says that Chinese activity has seen a two-fold increase in the past year. "Ever since India has decided to talk peace with various NE groups in a bid to bring them to the mainstream, the Chinese have been on overdrive mode to help insurgent groups in this part of the country," the officer notes. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 11:12 [IST] RSLP MLA questions minor girl students on gang-rape and murder of schoolmate India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Patna, Jan 11: Rashtriya Lok Samata Party MLA from Chenari, Bihar, Lalan Paswan set a very low standard for politicians by questioning minor girl students of a residential school for Scheduled Caste communities cower on Tuesday. Paswan left the girl students at Ambedkar Government Girls High School at Dighi Mazirabad in Vaishali district lost for words as he asked them questions about the mysterious death of a class X student of the school three days ago, The girls were visibly upset when Paswan, who himself belongs to the SC community asked for detailed answers from girls about the death. Paswan had asked many girls aged between 10 to 15 years as to which part of the girl's body was bloodied. The MLA asked the girl who replied in yes to his question that it meant that the girl was gang-raped before being murdered. Paswan then went to ask many questions to the girls regarding the death of their school mate who body was found lying in a pool of blood close to the drain near main gate of the school and hostel campus on Sunday. The MLA it is said instead of being ashamed about his insensitivity, boasted of his ability to find out criminals. He was quoted, "No criminals can stay unknown for long if I am allowed to interrogate. Even Osama bin Laden was found out and killed". Locals had staged violent protests outside the school on Monday and demanded suspension of senior officials of the district welfare department. The allegation was that the girl was gang-raped before being murdered, but the SP of Vaishali said that report of post-mortem conducted by a panel of four doctor suggested otherwise. The SP said that the cause of death would be know after examination of the viscera. Meanwhile RLSP chief and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha has berated Paswan for his action. Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav has demanded Paswan's arrest for 'asking questions to girls that one cannot ask one's daughters'. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 10:48 [IST] Sahara-Birla diaries: Prashant Bhushan dubs SC verdict as 'unfortunate' India oi-PTI New Delhi, Jan 11: Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Wednesday termed the judgement in a PIL filed by an NGO seeking probe into bribery allegations against the Prime Minister and some other politicians as unfortunate. He said it was setback for the campaign against corruption and probity in public life. In a statement, Bhushan, who appeared for the NGO Common Cause in the case, said the judgement will leave a cloud of suspicion over all the persons mentioned in some documents. The cloud could have dissipated had there been an independent investigation into the documents, he said. The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a petition that sought a probe into the Sahara-Birla diaries. While rejecting the petition filed by an NGO that sought a probe into the IT raids conducted on Sahara and Birla in which the names of certain politicians came up, the SC said that there is no cogent evidence. [Read more: SC rejects probe into Sahara-Birla diaries] The bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy, observed that it was not safe to order probe on the basis of loose and random computer sheets presented as evidence. PTI Saudi Arabia calls on India to play key role in their economic transformation India oi-IANS By Ians English Gandhinagar, Jan 11: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday invited India to play a key role in the kingdom's economic transformation as it seeks to reduce dependence on oil exports following a long period of decline in crude prices. "We are now looking to a post-oil age that will usher in an era of world-class technological research, start-up development, entrepreneurial vigor and vast investment opportunities," Saudi Ambassador to India Saud Al Sati said at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. "We welcome India as a central participant in this exciting new phase of our country's profound growth," he said. The Gulf nation has sent a 20-member high-profile business delegation to investors' meet. In his address at the Saudi Arabia country seminar at the summit, the ambassador elaborated on the Kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to "transform the entire foundation of the Saudi economy. "Through this program, we are aiming to free the Saudi economy from dependence on oil by diversifying the Kingdom's sources of income, attracting foreign investment and making Saudi Arabia a manufacturing hub," he said. "While Saudi 'Vision 2030' emphasizes future focus on the non-hydrocarbon sector, the oil sector of our economy will, of course, remain vital for years to come, and we will continue to meet India's energy needs," Al Sati added. He recalled the visit of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in 2010 and the signing of the Riyadh Declaration elevating bilateral ties to "a new era of strategic partnership, leading to enhanced cooperation in political, economic, security and defence spheres." Noting that bilateral trade in 2015 was worth nearly $40 billion with India importing a fifth of its oil needs from Saudi Arabia, the ambassador mentioned some latest milestones in Indo-Saudi economic relations. "Indian IT services company Tech Mahindra has just announced a joint venture with the Saudi company Midad Holdings that will work towards localizing information and communication technologies in the Kingdom," the envoy said. "Indian pharmaceuticals manufacturer Aurobindo is among the latest to launch its factory in Saudi Arabia," he added. In April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Saudi Arabia when five new bilateral agreements were signed covering intelligence-sharing on terrorism financing, increasing private investment in pharmaceuticals, transport, infrastructure and energy, as well as one on enhancing defense cooperation. "The Saudi General Investment Authority reports that 426 licenses have been issued to Indian companies to invest in the Kingdom, and long-established Indian companies have made very significant investments in our country," Al Sati said. IANS SC rejects probe into Sahara-Birla diaries India oi-Vicky By Vicky The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a petition that sought a probe into the Sahara-Birla diaries. While rejecting the petition filed by an NGO that sought a probe into the IT raids conducted on Sahara and Birla in which the names of certain politicians came up, the SC said that there is no cogent evidence. The bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy, observed that it was not safe to order probe on the basis of loose and random computer sheets presented as evidence. The Sahara diaries are a collection of computer printouts that were found during the raid on the Sahara offices in 2014. The printouts had the names of several politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Delhi chief minister, Sheila Dixit. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had sought a probe into this matter while alleging that bribes were paid to politicians. Lawyer-activist Prashanth Bhushan, while arguing the case sought for a court monitored probe by a special investigating team. While rejecting the plea, the bench observed that the documents produced do not disclose cogent evidence to order a probe against the politicians. While observing that the petition is devoid of merit, the court dismissed it. OneIndia News SHOCKING: 'Where was she bleeding from,' Bihar MLA asks girl on friend's rape, murder India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer A Rashtriya Lok Samta Party MLA, Lalan Paswan, was caught on camera asking insensitive and outright objectionable questions to a minor girl whose friend is suspected to have been raped and murdered. The MLA's 'care' seemed more like an assault on sensitivity as the minor girl struggled to answer his uncomfortable questions. "Where was she bleeding from? Was she bleeding from the lower part of her body? Did it look like she was gang raped given the amount of blood?" These were just some of the questions that Lalan Paswan asked a minor already disturbed by the trauma of losing a friend. The MLA from Hajipur was unapologetic about his questions as well as the discomfort he caused to the minor girl. "How can you say something happened to her? You are an educated girl, you should tell me clearly what you know What if this happens to you tomorrow," he asked the girl. Even in the face of severe criticism, the MLA refused to apologise for his conduct. He instead defended his questions as relevant. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 19:04 [IST] Sringeri tense over ABVP member's suicide, BJP blames NSUI India oi-Anusha By Anusha Ravi Tension gripped the town of Sringeri, Karnataka, on Wednesday following the suicide of a student associated with the ABVP. Abhilash, a 21-year-old student of a private college and member of the ABVP was found hanging on late Tuesday night. A suicide note that he left behind claims that he was depressed over a FIR that was filed against him on the basis of a complaint given by another student, who is a member of the NSUI. The Sringeri police had booked Abhilash along with four other members of the ABVP following a complaint of assault by a NSUI member on January 9. The complainant alleged that he was assaulted by the ABVP members in a clash inside college premises. The ABVP and NSUI members of the college were at loggerheads over inviting Chakravarti Sulibele for a talk on January 7. While the ABVP wanted him as the guest, the NSUI opposed his talk deeming him communal. Heated debate over the same ensued following which clashes were reported. After a NSUI member approached the police on January 9, a case of rioting inside the campus and criminal intimidation was filed against Abhilash and 4 others. MSM & @OfficeOfRG won't visit Abhilash's house coz: He is @ABVPVoice Karyakarta. He died due to NSUI goons. He is neither Muslim nor Dalit. pic.twitter.com/F82kfkiyu5 C.T.Ravi (@CTRavi_BJP) January 11, 2017 Police were deployed near the college as well as the residence of the deceased student anticipating violence. BJP leaders like C T Ravi, who attended the funeral, held NSUI directly responsible for Abhilash's death. OneIndia News Tamil Nadu: Students hold pro-Jallikattu demonstrations across state India oi-PTI Chennai, Jan 11: Coming out in support of bull taming sport Jallikattu, students on Wednesday staged demonstrations at many places across Tamil Nadu including in Madurai, where police used lathicharge to disperse protesters who tried to break barricades to enter the collectorate. Students of state-run Anna University and Dr Ambedkar Law University voiced support for Jallikattu. While Anna varsity students staged a sit-in protest, law students took out a rally in Chennai. They held aloft placards and banners seeking permission for conduct of Jallikattu. Similar demonstrations were held by students in various places, including Vellore, Pudukottai and Tirupur. In Madurai, after holding a demonstration, hundreds of students tried to break through the barricade in front of the Collectorate to submit a memorandum to the collector. Police advised them to go in a small group to give the memorandum. However, they got restless and began to push the barricades, following which police resorted to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control, police said. Some of them entered into a scuffle with police, fell down in the melee and received minor injuries, they said. The Supreme Court in November last had dismissed the plea of the state government, seeking review of its 2014 judgement banning use of bulls for traditional Jallikattu events in the state. PTI UP assembly election 2017: Shivpal Yadav, the grass-root leader India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Shivpal Singh Yadav is said to be the grass-root leader of UP. He is seen as one who knows the problems of the people and one who can be of great value for Samajwadi Party in the 2017. Such is his hold on SP that even party supremeo Mulayam Singh Yadav believes that his exit from the party would cost them the 2017 election. Mulayam had once in the presence of his son and state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that the SP will split of Shivpal leaves it. Shivpal is seen as a cool and calm leader who is master at finding political allies for SP. He had played significant role in merger of Quami Ekta Dal and SP. However, the merger was called off by the party due to pressure from Akhilesh. Date of birth: April 6, 1955. Family: Name of Shivpal's father is Sughar Singh and his mother is Murti Devi. He is married to Sarla Yadav and has two children - Anubha who is a medical practitioner and Aditya who following issues with Akhilesh recently resigned as chairman of Pradeshik Cooperative Federation. Education: He finished his intermediate course from Jain Inter College, Karhal Mainpuri. He completed his graduation in 1976 from Karm Kshetra Post Graduate College. He completed Bachelor of Physical Education from University of Lucknow. Political career: He started his political career when he was elected as the president of the district cooperative bank in Etawah in 1988. In 1995 he took over as the president of district panchayat. He contested his first election for the 13th UP Assembly from Jawant Nagar. He won the election by a huge margin. He was then appointed as general secretary of the SP in UP. He was the Leader of Opposition when Mayawati was CM. In 2009 he was appointed the president of UP Samajwadi Party. In 2012 he was appointed as cabinet minister for irrigation and PWD when SP came to power in UP. Controversies: Shivpal had arrived with party member Amar Singh for 70th birthday celebration of Ram Gopal Yadav and had sat among invitees rather than sit on the dais. He had further made his disinterest clear by sitting in the back row on the dais after much prodding by other leaders. He had done this to show his displeasure over the calling off of the merger of QED with SP. Mulayam is on his side as SP got involved in family drama following power struggle between uncle Shivpal and nephew Akhilesh. Akhilesh proved his strength and has taken over reigns of SP. It is also said that in recent times those who have sided Shivpal are not allowed to enter party office in Lucknow. Mulayam to broker truce in SP has declared Akhilesh CM candidate for the 2017 election. Shivpal during this entire time has managed to have close equation with Mulayam. OneIndia News UP assembly elections 2017: It's all in the family for Mayawati's BSP India oi-Anusha The Bahujan Samaj Party's candidate list for 401 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh announced so far reeks of nepotism with party chief Mayawati allowing family members of leaders to contest. Wives, brothers, fathers, sons of BSP leaders have been fielded in many constituencies in what makes mockery of Mayawati's statement on not allowing nepotism to spread within the party. Of the names announced, many are close relatives and family members of sitting as well as former MPs and MLAs of BSP. There are also instances of the party fielding candidates from the same family in neighbouring constituencies of same districts. Minister Haji Mohammad Yakub will contest from Meerut south and his son Mohammad Imran, who is a debutante, will contest from another seat of the same district. Former Minister Ramveer Upadhyay is the party's choice for Sadabad constituency and with him comes his brother Mukul Upadhyay for Shikarpur. Former BSP MP Kadir Rana's wife Syeda Begum and brother Noor Salim have been fielded for Budhana of Muzaffarnagar and Charthawal respectively. Another former MP Rajpal Singh Sahni's son Shivan Singh Sahni will debut from Khatauli on a BSP ticket. Vimavati, wife of a former BSP MLA Girish Chandra Jatav, is set to contest from Chandausi in Sambhal and current MLA Musarrat Ali and his brother will also contest on BSP tickets in neighbouring constituencies of Badaun district. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 18:36 [IST] Urjit Patel calls for unified financial regulator for Gujarat's GIFT City India oi-IANS By Ians English Gandhinagar, Jan 11: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit patel called for a unified regulator for the successful execution at India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) coming up at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT). "A unified financial regulatory framework providing for a single regulator for GIFT City could contribute to better regulation and supervision of the financial entities," Patel said here at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017. "While individual regulators can supervise the entities initially when the size of the business is small, a unified regulator would be necessary to pay undivided attention to the IFSC. Work on the design of such a framework should begin soon so as to be able to implement this in time," he added. He also said that the existing laws governing financial contracts in India should be reviewed and gaps addressed. "Based on the review, a world class legal framework for financial contracts in GIFT could be enabled, either by appropriately amending the existing laws governing financial contracts or enacting a fresh law," Patel said. "Either way, this should be expedited, may be by constituting a high level working group to address this gap in mission mode," he added. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 17:13 [IST] Counterterrorism: US asks India, Pak and Afghanistan to join hands International oi-PTI Washington, Jan 11: The US has called for partnership between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan on counter-terrorism operations, asserting that is for the "betterment" of the region as security of the three countries is linked with one another. "The realisation that Afghanistan's security, Pakistan's security, indeed India's security -- they're all interconnected. So as much as they can work in tandem or work in a partnership on counterterrorism operations, I think it's for the betterment of the region," State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters on Tuesday. Condemning the terrorist attacks on Afghanistan's Parliament in Kabul that killed at least 38 people, and also one in Kandhar, Toner agreed with the allegations of the Afghan government that continuation of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan gave terrorists an opportunity to carry out attacks inside Afghanistan at their will. "I think we've been very frank and very open about publicly saying to Pakistan that it needs to not provide any safe haven to groups that will or are intent on carrying out attacks on Afghanistan," Toner said. "We've seen some progress. We've seen them take some steps to address these safe havens. But clearly, the problem persists and it's something that's part of our ongoing conversation or ongoing dialogue or ongoing cooperation with Pakistan," he said in response to a question. Toner said an attack on the Afghanistan's Parliament is an attack on democracy and the US would not let the war-torn country slip away the gains. "An attack on parliamentarians is frankly an attack on democracy," he said. "I think its in the work-in-progress column and I think the President and the Secretary of State has spoken frankly about the fact that we don't wanna see Afghanistan slide back into what it was. By we I mean not just the US, but the international community, NATO and its partners on the ground," he added. The US is encouraging the Afghan government and its people to build up the capacity of the security forces and consolidating their strengths. "The United States has worked hard to foster Afghan-led peace process, which again ultimately is US believe, the way forward," he said. "We encourage that. I don't think we can possibly look at it though and say, mission accomplished. We would certainly not say that. But at the same point, we're not gonna encourage any kind of walking away from the situation there," Toner said. PTI India-US defence relationship is on right path: Carter International oi-PTI Washington, Jan 11: India-US defence relationship is on the right path and the two nations are discussing ways to develop this partnership through technology sharing, co-production, America's outgoing Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said today. "We're on the right path. It's just a matter of taking those steps. And they involve deepening our cooperation in lots of ways. I mean, there's exercises and other kinds of operational activities," Carter told reporters at final Pentagon news conference. In various capacities, Carter has been closely involved in building India-US defence relationship over the years and in the last few years he gave a great impetus to the ties between the two largest democracies of the world. Last summer he was instrumental in US declaring India as a major defence partner. "There is something that I think Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and Defence Minister (Manohar) Parrikar have been equally intent upon as President Obama and myself, which is the development of defence relationships for new technology, which involve technology sharing, co-production, and so forth," Carter said in response to a question. "We have a great number of projects. I was in New Delhi not long ago and discussing all these, and there are many of them -- so too many to enumerate. All of them on course. They all have their own schedules and sort of technical timelines to them," he said. "But this is a relationship which is, I've said many times, is destined for the future because of the nature of our two societies, the values that we share; the human relationship between our peoples," Carter said PTI 32,000 girls converted to Islam and sold as ISIS slaves: This is The Kerala Story Islamic State could be routed in 2017: Italian PM International oi-IANS By Ians English Paris, Jan 11: The Islamic State jihadist group could see military defeat his year, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Tuesday. "The year 2017 could be the one in which Daesh gets defeated," Gentiloni said, using the Arabic acronym for IS, after a meeting here with French President Francois Hollande. "But we are all aware that military victory will not be enough unless it is accompanied by victory on a cultural and social level and the recognition of our values and way of life." Italy and France belong to a 68-member military coalition against IS which has significantly degraded IS's capabilities since its launch by US President Barack Obama in September 2014. With coalition support, local ground forces, with have now retaken 56 percent of the populated territory IS once held in Iraq and 27 percent in Syria, Obama's special envoy to the coalition, Brett McGurk, told its plenary meeting in Washington DC on 28 November. IS foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria are at their lowest levels in two and a half years and "negligible" numbers are entering the countries, while the group's revenue sources have seen a "dramatic" decrease, McGurk said. Almost all of IS leader Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi's deputies have been killed and precision airstrikes are also targeting IS's external plotters, military commanders, administrators, recruiters, communicators, and battlefield fighters, he stated. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 9:33 [IST] Pak pursuing policies to be a minority-friendly country: Nawaz Sharif International oi-PTI Islamabad, Jan 11: Pakistan will soon be recognised as a "minorities-friendly country", Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said as he ordered renovation of Katas Raj complex, one the most sacred places of Hindus in the Muslim-majority country. Pakistan is pursuing policies to establish the country's identity as a minority-friendly country and followers of all religions have equal rights in the country, Sharif said speaking at the Katas Raj Temples Complex in Chakwal. "The day is not far when Pakistan will be recognised as a minorities-friendly country due to steps being undertaken to better the lives of minority groups," he was quoted as saying by the state-run APP news agency. The Prime Minister said he has advised government officials to spare no efforts in hosting pilgrims and the protection and expansion of minorities' places of worship. He said that he is the Prime Minister of everyone and "not just Muslims" and instructed Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq to restore the holy sites in the area to their original state by renovating them. He said he would ensure his full support for the construction of Baba Guru Nanak and Gandhara universities. Sharif referred to historic examples to elaborate that it was a part of the Islamic faith to treat the majority and minorities equally. He said that Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Baha'is are working hand-in-hand to defend the country and contribute their share to its peace and prosperity. Sharif visited the Katas Raj in Chakwal district near Islamabad to inaugurate water filtration plant of Amrat Jal. The filtration plant set up at the temple's holy Amrat Jal pond will provide clean drinking water to the Hindu pilgrims visiting the place. "The renovation should be done to restore the building to its original shape. It should be done within the one and half year of remaining tenure of my government," he said. He also planted a sapling on the occasion. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 17:37 [IST] Geekologie has shut down. Thank you to everybody. Now go be happy. 6,400 turtles rescued in UP, main accused arrested Lucknow oi-PTI Lucknow, Jan 11: In one of the biggest seizures in the country, Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force rescued 6,400 turtles from Amethi and nabbed the kingpin of an inter-state gang involved in smuggling of reptiles, police said on Wednesday. The turtles, weighing 440 quintals, were found stuffed in sacks and lay scattered on the ground inside the compound of the accused's house in Gauriganj town, STF spokesman said here, describing it as one of the biggest such recoveries. He said the gang's kingpin Raj Bahadur Singh was arrested in this connection, while two Indian softshell turtles were also seized from his possession. "We have recovered such a huge amount of turtles from one single location. We are investigating this further and looking at the involvement of more people, especially smuggling rings," Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Chaturvedi, who led the STF raid on Tuesday, said. During interrogation Singh disclosed that small poachers were involved in catching turtles from Gauriganj, Jagdishpur and Salwan areas and supplying them to organised smugglers. Singh admitted that he used to collect these animals from smugglers and transport them to Kolkata. He also gave certain information about smugglers and poachers in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha reflecting the huge and highly organised smuggling network in the country. From Kolkata -- the main transit point -- turtles are smuggled to Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries from its shores. The turtle species is native to South Asia and is found only in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In India, it lives in the Gangetic belt all along Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, especially in the Ghagra-Gomti tributaries. They are spread across Fatehgarh, Kannauj, Allahabad and Varanasi in the state. Meanwhile, UP forest department on Wednesday issued a statewide alert and has warned that more raids will be conducted in the coming days to crack down on the smuggling of turtles. UP is home to 14 endangered turtle species of the total 28 found in India. These include the Indian flapshell, softshell, roofed and black turtles. There is a high demand for turtles in the international market for meat, its Feng Shui values and production of aphrodisiac medicines. Their shells are sent to Bangladesh and China for use in soups and powdered medicine. "There is a belief from Feng Shui traditions that a turtle with all 20 nails -- 5 on each leg -- brings good luck," a senior Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officer said. Turtles are also believed to be in high demand around the harvest festival of Makar Sakranti and its meat, which is said to be clean white and aromatic, is consumed in eastern and north eastern India. These reptiles are said to be useful for maintenance of purity of the river Ganges and its ecological balance as they feed on crabs, snails, dead fish and fragments of dead animals. "Without these turtles, cleaning of Ganga would be even more difficult," said a wildlife activist. Experts say India ranks among the top five Asian countries for turtle conservation, but nearly 40 per cent of the species are listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. PTI Ahead of civic polls, BJP positive on alliance with Shiv Sena Mumbai oi-PTI Mumbai, Jan 11: Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar on Wednesday said his party is 'positive' about an alliance with ally Shiv Sena, ahead of the upcoming local bodies polls, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The poll dates are likely to be announced later on Wednesday. "We are positive on the issue of an alliance with Shiv Sena," Shelar told reporters outside Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' official residence 'Varsha' in south Mumbai. The talks will begin on Wednesday, said Shelar, who along with Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve met Fadnavis. "We won't get into the numbers game (of seat-sharing) publicly. We will invite the Sena for talks," he said. "What is more important is to ensure a transparent administration in Mumbai," Shelar said. "Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had publicly spoken about an alliance for the upcoming civic polls. Accordingly, talks with Sena will begin from today," he said. Notably, Uddhav had recently said he would pay his next visit to the BMC headquarters in March, "after Shiv Sena elects its new mayor". Uddhav had made the remark in the presence of Fadnavis at an event where a portrait of renowned social reformer Prabodhankar Thackeray, Uddhav's grandfather, was inaugurated in the corporation hall of the BMC. "I have come at a time when the five-year term is coming to an end. I will come again in March after the Sena elects its new mayor," Uddhav had said, as Sena activists raised slogans welcoming his statements. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 11, 2017, 15:26 [IST] Sky News 04 Nov 2022 South Korea said it has scrambled 80 fighter jets after detecting around 180 North Korean warplanes near the military border.. DES MOINES A new series of Iowa Arts Council "ArtUps" kick off this month with five new online and in-person training sessions about branding, fundraising, business models, public art and grant-writing for artists, nonprofits and communities. The Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, created ArtUps in 2014 to provide free professional development and networking opportunities for Iowa artists and arts organizations. We want to ensure Iowa artists and arts professionals not only have the opportunity to perform at a high level creatively, but have access to the tools, resources and expertise to help sustain their careers and organizations in Iowa," Iowa Arts Council Administrator Matt Harris said. ArtUps are free but pre-registration is required. Participants are encouraged to organize viewing parties in their communities to watch the online webinars together as a group of arts professionals. The 2017 ArtUps schedule follows: Thursday, Jan. 19, in-person and online webinar, noon. Basic Branding Principles. Presenter: Saturday Manufacturing. The Des Moines-based marketing firm Saturday Manufacturing teaches artists and nonprofits the importance of branding in a marketing plan. Learn the principles of creating your brand and how to apply it to successfully market your artistic work. This ArtUp will also be offered in-person at the State Historical Building of Iowa, third floor, 600 E. Locust St. in Des Moines. Wednesday, Feb. 8, online webinar, 2 p.m., How to Be An Awesome Board Member, Presenter: Ignited Fundraising. Lori Jacobwith of Ignited Fundraising teaches board members and nonprofits how to make the most of their relationship. Learn how to support board members and make them feel better equipped to serve on your board. Thursday, March 9, online webinar, 2 p.m. Basics of the Arts Business Model. Presenter: American University Arts Management Planning and launching a new arts organization or arts project, or growing a current one, demands clear thinking on a complex network of connected questions. Andrew Taylor of American University Arts Management presents a practical, plain-talking overview of business planning in the arts. Thursday, March 16, online webinar. 2 p.m., Demystifying Public Art. Presenter: Creative Capital. Artist Lynn Basa of Creative Capital teaches visual artists how to research and apply for public art commissions. Find out whether public art is for you, how to find public art commissions and how the selection process works. Thursday, March 23, online webinar, 2 p.m., Grant Writing 101: It's More Than Writing. Presenter: Third Sector Consulting There's more to grant writing than just "writing." Laura Rhodes is a certified grant writer and former foundation program officer who will debunk the myths about grants and help demystify the grant-writing process. All ArtUp events are recorded and available online. Additional information about the 2017 ArtUps is available at www.iowaculture.gov or by emailing veronica.ohern@iowa.gov. DES MOINES Of the areas Gov. Terry Branstad wants to reduce in the current budget year to make up for lower-than-projected tax collections, higher education faces the biggest-dollar hit with a suggested $34.3 million cut. Branstad laid out his proposal Tuesday to trim $110 million from the budget by June 30, and his suggestions include taking back $25.6 million from regent institutions and $8.7 million from community colleges. Several lawmakers bashed the proposal, berating the governor for placing the brunt of the shortfall on the institutions responsible for meeting what Branstad asserts as a top priority growing our states talent pipeline. Its a disaster for public university students and community college students who are going to see their tuition go up as a result of this mismanagement, said state Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City. After seeing two consecutive years of less-than-requested state funding, the Board of Regents in December approved a third straight tuition hike for resident undergraduates. The 2 percent increase for the 2017-2018 school year pushes resident undergrad rates to $7,270 at the University of Iowa and $7,240 at Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. Collectively, the increases were projected to generate $28.8 million for the 2018 budget year. If approved, Branstads proposal to cut $25.6 million from the universities base funding would nearly wipe out that new tuition revenue. Although Branstad laid out a two-year spending plan Tuesday calling for a 2 percent increase in higher education funding both years amounting to $15.7 million more in 2018 and 2019 state appropriations would come in under the regents requests because of this years hit. Even after two years, said Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, state support for the universities general education budgets would be less than current levels. What the regents said was they needed a 2 percent increase, he said. Not take with one hand and give back with the other an honest 2 percent increase. Instead of $236.9 million for UI general education in the 2018 budget year, for example, the governor is proposing the state appropriate $227 million. ISUs request for $188.1 million in the next year would be met with $180.3 million. And for UNI, facing a particularly difficult budget situation with a majority of in-state students who pay below the cost of their education, the request for $101.5 million would be met with $94.9 million under Branstads suggestion. Branstad stressed his proposed budget reductions dont include across-the-board cuts as they would hold harmless some things including property tax credits. What needs to be on the table is the part of the budget thats been the fastest growing, and thats all these tax giveaways to large businesses, Bolkcom said, adding he wouldnt support Branstads plan. Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said the proposed cuts come to more than $300 per student. Thats the wrong direction if you want to grow our economy, he said. Sen. Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, said he believes students almost certainly would pay more if Branstads proposal goes through, which he said is likely. Its probably a pretty good chance because Republicans have control of the House and the Senate and the governor, Dvorsky said. Rep. Walt Rogers, R-Cedar Falls, said hes particularly concerned about the institution in his district UNI. Regents had requested an additional $2.5 million for UNI, above the 2 percent bump it asked for all its institutions. I say let the University of Iowa and ISU absorb those cuts more than UNI, because they cant, Rogers said. Its unclear how the Board of Regents would split the proposed cuts among its universities. In a statement, board President Bruce Rastetter said regents will work with our institutions to make the required reductions in a way that has the least effect on students. In November, when Rastetter and the university presidents presented their funding requests directly to Branstad, UI President Bruce Harreld called the additional state support vital to our success. He declined comment Tuesday. Also in November. ISU President Steven Leath said that without the additional support, his campus would struggle under a student population that swelled 40 percent since 2007. He also declined comment. Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, said he thinks the regents should fight the governors proposal. Its like a farmer eating his seed corn, Danielson said. You shouldnt do it. DES MOINES | Iowas courts could be hampered by a lack of resources, Chief Justice Mark Cady said Wednesday, but he didnt spell out how the Judicial Branch will absorb the loss of $7.7 million in the last half of the budget year. The court system has hiring freeze, is holding open judicial vacancies, reducing travel and other expenses, but Cady said he cannot assure Iowans they wont see courthouse hours and services reduced if the proposed reduction is approved by lawmakers. The way ahead may be hindered by limited resources, Cady said in his annual Condition of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Iowa Legislature a day after Gov. Terry Branstad itemized the cuts in the states $7.2 billion general fund budget. Although he promised to work with lawmakers to minimize the impact of a budget cut, Cady put the ball in the Legislatures court. Each year, the level of your investment determines the level of services we provide, he said. Cady, chief justice of the seven-member Iowa Supreme Court since 2010, acknowledged this is a time of scarce financial resources, but called for a 6.9 percent budget increase to $194.3 million for the budget year beginning July 1. That includes: $8.25 million to allow all 99 county courthouses to remain open on a full-time basis and continue operation of specialty courts such as family treatment courts, juvenile drug courts and mental health courts. $2.26 million for a 5 percent salary increase for approximately 390 judges and magistrates who have received one pay increase since July 2008. $2 million to restore a portion of day-to-day operating costs for the IT department that was moved from the state general fund to the enhanced court collections during a previous budget shortfall. Already the Judicial Branchs limited resources are starting to show some chink in the armor, he said after his speech. We are starting to see delays in our court processing. I fear this is going to continue if our needs arent met through resources. If we dont get the money to perform our services there will be less services to Iowa and there are a lot of negative consequences. Leaders of the Justice Systems Appropriations Subcommittee that makes budget recommendations for the court system are in agreement with Cady. I think the chief justice hit the nail on the head, said Rep. Gary Worthan, R-Storm Lake. What we struggle with as legislators is to try to quantify what the court system does for us and he laid it out in extremely plain terms this morning. Cady focused much of his speech on the success of the courts success, he said, that not only serves justice and improves the overall quality of life. However, he also gave lawmakers hard numbers to support his argument that through their investment the courts save taxpayers money. When 329 fewer young adults go to prison, taxpayers save more than $11 million, Cady said. When juvenile courts provide early treatment of youth offenders, taxpayers save $5.8 million and family treatment courts allow taxpayers to avoid an additional $4.9 million in costs. All told, he said the three programs generate close to a $22 million return on investment. The courts are doing a lot of good, said Rep. Todd Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids, the ranking member of the Justice System subcommittee. I dont want to change that, he said, so before approving the governors recommended cuts lawmakers have to ask whether the courts are doing whats asked of them and whether its working. I would say yes, Taylor said. Theyve actually saved us money. We dont want to undermine their ability to save us money. The success of any organization comes from having the right people, the right vision and the right investment, Cady said. The states investment has contributed to the success of the Judicial Branch and it is critical for continued success. However, in recent months, Iowans have begun to experience a disruption in court services and the level of investment is not allowing the courts to sustain its current level of service to Iowans. This signals that our successes cannot be maintained, Cady warned. It means delays will return. It means efficiencies lost. It means specialty courts may be eliminated. It means our troubled youth will see less of our juvenile officers. It means part-time hours may return for courthouses. Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, doesnt want to see that happen, but said it will be the Judicial Branchs decision. The Judicial Branch decides how that money is spent, Chelgren said. If they choose to close courthouses that will be their decision. We have to trust they will make the best use of the money. The Judicial Branch will continue to earn that trust, Cady said, but that will require continued funding. He warned against using budget difficulties as a reason to lower expectations for courts. The courts have the will to succeed, Cady said, but it will take more than will to continue that success. It is time to build the future with an investment that affirms the work of the Judicial Branch, and affirms the lives of families, children, business owners, employees and all Iowans, he said. It is time to build a future united by one will to achieve success for all. BuzzFeed, Inc. is an American Internet media, news and entertainment company with a focus on digital media. Based in New York City, BuzzFeed was founded in 2006 by Jonah Peretti and John S. Johnson III to focus on tracking viral content. Kenneth Lerer, co-founder and chairman of The Huffington Post, started as a co-founder and investor in BuzzFeed and is now the executive chairman. Wales Online 25 Oct 2022 "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare. It is because we do not dare that they are difficult" Newsy 29 Jul 2022 Watch VideoIt's the story of the cutting-edge special effects company almost as famous as the movies it helps.. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. PIX 11 03 Nov 2022 Heavy hitters for both political parties are on the road as the midterm election nears, with President Joe Biden, former President.. Daily Record 04 Nov 2022 MSPs are investigating a scandal that has seen the construction of two ferries marred by cost over-runs and delays. DHS BUDGET CUTS: The head of Iowas Department of Human Services (DHS) said Wednesday he believes his agency will be able to absorb the $20 million in spending cuts for this fiscal year without negatively impacting staff or programs. On Tuesday, Gov. Terry Branstad directed officials in the state general-funds second-largest budget area behind education to reduce spending by $20 million by June 30 as part of a plan to address an overall $110 million shortfall in state government brought on by slipping revenue growth. DHS Director Charles Palmer and his budget director, Jean Slabaugh, told members of the states Council on Human Services that most of the money will come from a surplus in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which has seen a drop in usage that freed up about $16 million. Slabaugh said the agency also had some unspent technology money that will forego the need for cuts in DHS operations. Of bigger concern, said Palmer, was the governors fiscal 2018 budget request that was about $25 million under his agencys $1.88 billion request to the Legislature. EDUCATION KICKOFF: The Senate Education Committee opened its 2017 run Wednesday with new chairwoman Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, pledging to move quickly to pass a new allotment of supplemental state aid to Iowas K-12 school districts. Sinclair said district administrators should not be left in the lurch concerning their fiscal 2018 funding level. Gov. Terry Branstad proposed a 2 percent boost for each of the next two fiscal years during his Condition of the State address Tuesday but Sinclair was noncommittal on an amount at Wednesdays kickoff committee meeting, saying only the amount probably wont be as much as they want. She also said she is interested in expanding school choice options for parents this session. Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, past chair and now ranking member, said he hoped K-12 funding, third-grade reading, preschool access, rural district transportation costs, anti-bullying efforts, reducing high-school dropout rates and addressing per-pupil funding disparities among districts all would get attention this year. Independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan was granted unanimous consent to address the committee as a non-voting member and asked other senators to consider joining him in tri-partisan cooperation in a policy area where he has 18 years of experience. AWARD FOR DHS ADMINISTRATOR: Wendy Rickman, the administrator of the Adult, Children and Family Services Division for the Iowa Department of Human Services, has been selected as a recipient of a distinguished national award that honors leaders for their dedication to improving the lives of children and families. Rickman, a licensed social worker who joined DHS in 1987, this week was presented the 2017 Casey Excellence for Children Award in Leadership, which recognizes achievements in improving outcomes, which include safely reducing the need for foster case, increasing pathways to permanency and improving child well-being. Under Rickman, Iowa has developed several initiatives aimed at strengthening families and improving outcomes for children. Over the past five years, Iowa has experienced an overall reduction of 6 percent in the number of children in foster care. QUOTE OF THE DAY: Mr. Chairman, would it be in order to adjourn for the year? Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, in addressing the Senate Labor Committee, which is expected to be the venue for proposed changes to Iowas collective bargaining law this session that could become contentious. U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on reports of an attack on U.S. facilities in Iraq and is monitoring the situation,.. Reuters India 08 Jan 2020 David Vavra Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva: Emerging market (EM) assets outperformed in 2016 mainly because of stronger fundamentals and an improving international environment, with GDP picking up speed, leading to positive earnings revisions for the first time in five years, according to BlackRock. But if there is to be a less friendly environment to international trade, those EM countries that are exposed to the US could suffer, especially those where the US has a deficit. Yet, some see emerging market debt (EMD) as still an attractive alternative to developed markets. Emerging market debt outperformed US Treasuries in 2016, reports Goldman Sachs Asset Management. EM sovereign debt did not too bad either, despite declines in the final months, which in part reflected protectionist trade rhetoric and other events. The firm currently sees opportunities in the central American and Caribbean region's external debt, as well as Poland and Mexico's local debt. It is underweight China's external debt and Turkey's local debt. David Vavra, managing partner at OGResearch, a boutique forecasting and consulting firm, thinks that fix...................... To view our full article Click here This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. From The Hill Director of National Intelligence James Clapper (Image by theyeshivaworld.com) Details DMCA Just as the first casualty of war is said to be the truth, the first casualty of the new Cold War is irony. Our most prominent journalists seem to have missed the Orwellian irony of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) asking Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper at Friday's Senate hearings if Julian Assange has any credibility. Assange has maintained that the hacked or leaked emails of Democratic Party officials did not come from the Russian government, or any other government. As is well-known, Clapper lied to Congress about a serious violation of the constitutional rights of tens of millions of Americans. This lie is a crime for which he actually could have been prosecuted. In March 2013, Clapper falsely answered, "No, sir" to the question, "Does the NSA [National Security Association] collect any type of data at all on millions, or hundreds of millions of Americans?" He later admitted that his answer was untrue. Clapper lied again in Friday's testimony, saying that Assange was "under indictment" for "a sexual crime." In fact, Assange has not been indicted for anything, and the government of Sweden has never even charged him with a crime. (He was initially questioned by Swedish police but allowed to leave the country.) In reality, he is a political prisoner, and the United Nations Working Group on arbitrary detention has found that he has been arbitrarily detained since 2010 by the United Kingdom and Sweden, and ordered his release and compensation. He has offered from the beginning of his political persecution to cooperate with the Swedish authorities in any investigation, and to be interviewed at any time in London. He could not safely return to Sweden without guarantees that he would not be sent to the U.S., where he currently faces a high likelihood of imprisonment (even before any trial) for having published leaked documents that exposed U.S. war crimes and other embarrassments. For years, neither Sweden nor the U.K. would agree to that because, it appears, their foreign ministries are collaborating with the U.S. government to keep him imprisoned. For anyone on a jury who had to weigh the testimony of Clapper against that of Assange, it would be a no-brainer. Not only is Clapper a proven and serial liar, but in 10 years of WikiLeaks revelations, Assange has never been shown to have lied about anything. That said, it is entirely possible the Russian government was involved in the hacking of emails here, and that Assange and WikiLeaks would not necessarily be able to identify the original source of the leaks, which is very difficult to do. However, we the people have yet to be presented with evidence that Russian hacking is what actually happened. But the media has become so distracted with the festivities at America's new 1950s theme party, hating on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia like there's no tomorrow, that the lack of evidence has become almost irrelevant to the big media conversation. The DNI report released on Friday, supposedly to provide the public with evidence that the Russian government had indeed hacked emails in order to influence the U.S. elections, contained no actual evidence that they did so. There was a lot of evidence that Trump was the preferred candidate of Putin and his government. But we didn't need evidence for this; pure logic would have sufficed. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). On December 27, 2016, a small group of Veterans for Peace, Hawaii Peace and Justice and Hawaii Okinawa Alliance were at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with our signs to remind Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Barack Obama that the best gesture of condolences for casualties caused by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor would be Japan preserving Article 9 "No War" of its constitution. Mr. Abe, as the first sitting Prime Minister of Japan, came to the Arizona Memorial to express condolences for the deaths of 2,403, including 1,117 on the USS Arizona during the December 7, 1941 Japanese Imperial Military forces attack on the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor and other US military installations on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Mr. Abe's visit followed the May 26, 2016 visit of President Obama to Hiroshima, Japan, the first sitting U.S. President to go to Hiroshima where President Harry Truman ordered the United States military to drop the first atomic weapon on humans causing the deaths of 150,000 and 75,000 in Nagasaki with the dropping of the second atomic weapon. When President Obama visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, he did not apologize for the United States dropping the atomic bombs but instead came to honor the dead and call for a "world without nuclear weapons." During his visit to Pearl Harbor, Prime Minister Abe did not apologize for the Japanese attack on the United States, nor for the carnage the Japanese wrecked in China, Korea, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. However, he did offer what he called "sincere and everlasting condolences to the souls" of those who were lost on December 7, 1941. He said the Japanese had taken a "solemn vow" to never again wage war. "We must never repeat the horrors of war again." Prime Minister Abe emphasized reconciliation with the United States: "It is my wish that our Japanese children, and President Obama, your American children, and indeed their children and grandchildren, and people all around the world, will continue to remember Pearl Harbor as the symbol of reconciliation, We will spare no efforts to continue our endeavors to make that wish a reality. Together with President Obama, I hereby make my steadfast pledge." While these statements of acknowledgement, of condolence or sometimes, but not too often, apology from the politicians and heads of government are important, the apologies of citizens for what their politicians and heads of government have done are in their name, in my opinion, the most important. I have been on several speaking tours in Japan, from the northern island of Hokkaido to the southern island of Okinawa. At each of the speaking events, I, as a U.S. citizen and as a U.S. military veteran, made an apology to the citizens of Japan for the two atomic bombs my country dropped on their country. And at each venue, Japanese citizens came up to me to thank me for my apology and to give me their apology for what their government had done in World War II. Apologies are the least we can do when we as citizens can not prevent politicians and the government bureaucracy from taking actions that we disagree with and that result in unbelievable carnage. How many apologies must we, as American citizens, make for the chaos and destruction our politicians and government have caused just in the past 16 years? For the tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of deaths of innocent civilians in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Syria. 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). (Image by Egberto Willies) Details DMCA Donald Trump illustrates how he will be dealing with the press. He went after CNN and Buzzfeed and threatened them. Donald Trump goes off on CNN news organization and journalist, Jim Acosta, at his press conference for reporting on a dossier on supposed Russian dirt on him. Trump went after the information released by Buzzfeed that included accusations of one of his lawyers meeting Russians in Prague. Trump disparaged both Buzzfeed and CNN who did not report on that particular information but did report about the intelligence agencies release of a two-page memo. He accused CNN of fake news. Later on, Acosta reported that Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer said he would throw him out of a press conference if he challenged Trump like he did again. CNN released the following statement. Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "In this book, Rob Kall is fueling a discussion that is long overdue, one that can perhaps shake us out of our current herd mentality, back to true community and intertwined purpose. His bottom-up discourse may serve to turn us all upside down just long enough to view our current politic from a different perspective." Dr. Mari K. Swingle, author of i-Minds: How Cell Phones, Computers, Gaming, and Social Media are Changing Our Brains, Our Behavior, and the Evolution of Our Species Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "In his groundbreaking new book Bottom Up: Tapping the Power of the Connection Revolution, Rob Kall invites and eases us into in a much-needed meta-level shift -- a truly basic paradigmatic shift from top-down to bottom-up. He capably and imaginatively explores the differences between these ways of approaching life, clearly demonstrating that bottom-up allows us to flourish. His vision and his book are enriched by telling references to interviews which he has engaged in over the years with bottom-up researchers, theorists, activists, and dreamers in a variety of areas. Think about Rob's interviews. Read this revolutionary book. And take one step further into the bottom-up universe yourself. You will not regret it." Bonnie Burstow, MD, author of Psychiatry and the Business of Madness and Radical Feminist Therapy, associate professor at the University of Toronto Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "Stressed? Oppressed? Isolated? Kall's Bottom-Up offers a lifeline for connecting with yourself, with others, and with your whole community or organization so that everyone thrives. He offers compelling science, stories, and insights from business, government, the arts, and more to make visible an unabashedly hopeful bottom-up revolution towards cooperation, compassion, and meaning. Join him." Peggy Holman, author of Engagement Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity and coauthor of The Change Handbook MASON CITY | A Mason City man police say sexually assaulted a woman two years ago has been arrested. Murtaza Ahmed, 22, was charged with felony third-degree sex abuse. He's accused of forcing the woman to perform oral sex on him about 1 a.m. Dec. 13, 2014, according to court documents. The incident happened in the common area of an apartment building on North Federal Avenue in Mason City, said Mason City Police Lt. Rich Jensen. Ahmed remained jailed Tuesday morning. Molly Montag Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. John Brennan - Director of the CYA (Image by DonkeyHotey) Details DMCA The rubbish released yesterday by CNN about the blackmail material that the Russians supposedly have on President-elect Trump is not to be taken seriously. The episode is, nonetheless, quite serious. CIA Director John Brennan seems to have concluded that with his patron/president gone, he (Brennan) will be "thrown under the bus," as smart people say -- and do -- in Washington. If the Trump administration folks are as vindictive as Brennan fears (and he has given them a lot to be vindictive about), there is much to blame Brennan for, including serious crimes. It is possible to regard this latest outrage as a kind of prophylactic: If Trump goes after Brennan, the former CIA chief can try to make it appear to be retaliation for "the goods Brennan has on Trump -- but (of course) cannot reveal in detail because of the sensitivity of 'sources and methods.'" One of our (Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) regulars, former CIA operations officer Phil Giraldi, put it succinctly: "At first read, this has all the hallmarks of a clever fabrication, the sort of thing we at CIA used to do in Europe in the 1970s and 1980s." What's at Stake: CIA vs. Trump Chuck Schumer said it all on Jan. 3, when he told Rachel Maddow, "He (Trump) is really dumb to do this. -- Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) January 4, 2017 New Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday that President-elect Donald Trump is "being really dumb" by taking on the intelligence community and its assessments on Russia's cyber activities. "Let me tell you, you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you," Schumer told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. "So even for a practical, supposedly hard-nosed businessman, he's being really dumb to do this." Big Stakes: And the Winner Will Be ... Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. From Counterpunch That Israel is a rogue state has long been beyond dispute in discerning company. In light of the recent revelation that an Israeli official, working for the country's embassy in London, was plotting ways to "take down" various British politicians over their opposition to Israeli settlements and support for a Palestinian state, it is now becoming increasingly apparent within the mainstream. Or at least it should be given that this latest scandal comes as only the latest exposure of such nefarious activity on the part of a state that has long operated with scant regard for international law at home and overseas. Indeed rather than a state operating in accordance with international law and diplomatic norms, Israel increasingly evinces the character of a rogue state, making up its own rules and norms as it goes along. Whether the on-going illegal military occupation of the West Bank, the expansion of illegal Jewish-only settlements on Palestinian land, or the siege of Gaza, which comes under rubric of collective punishment and is therefore illegal, we are talking here about a country that believes it can act with impunity. The Israeli official in question in this instance, Shai Masot, was secretly filmed during a meeting he attended a London restaurant with a British civil servant and former Conservative Party official, and a man he thought worked for the pro-Israel pressure group Labour Friends of Israel. This individual, known as Robin, was in truth an undercover reporter with Al Jazeera. The most high profile object of Masot's ire within the British political establishment was Alan Duncan MP, the country's Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. In a 2014 speech Duncan described Israel's on-going policy towards the Palestinians thus: "Settlements are illegal colonies built in someone else's country. They are an act of theft, and what is more something which is both initiated and supported by the state of Israel." He goes on: "Settlement activity is not carried out by some minority group outside the orbit of the Israeli state. Settlement activity is systematically initiated, implemented and supported by the Israeli Government, who authorize, implement and protect the relentless illegal expansion of the borders of Israel. This is reprehensible." Duncan then makes the key point that "It is no exaggeration to say that many settlers are state-supported militia, defying international law, driving out the rightful inhabitants from their land, and creating an illegal economy at the expense of those who have been cruelly displaced." According to the Israeli embassy in London, Masot was a junior official. Yet his business card described him as a "senior political officer." He is also believed to hold a position within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as "deputy head of the international organizations sector." The political backlash in response to the exposure of this shocking violation of diplomatic protocol has involved the leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, calling for a full investigation. In this he is being supported by MPs from both sides of the political divide. Corbyn has previously come under huge criticism in the mainstream media for his long record of support for justice for the Palestinians. Regardless, the British Government is intent on kicking the issue into the long grass, more concerned with shielding the Israeli government from criticism taking a harsh view of the actions of the agent of another country plotting to "take down" ministers within Her Majesty's Government. Consider the official statement issued by the foreign office in response to the uncovering of this plot. "The Israeli ambassador has apologized and is clear these comments do not reflect the views of the embassy or government of Israel. The UK has a strong relationship with Israel and we consider the matter closed." If this scandal involved Russian officials does anybody doubt for a second that mass expulsions of Russian embassy staff would follow? The Israeli embassy in London has of course distanced itself from Masot's actions. Whether we actually believe their denial of any involvement in this affair is another matter. In this regard we should never make the mistake of underestimating some people's capacity for naivety. The fact that Israel is able to engage in these types of shenanigans and go unpunished or without sanction is impossible to deny. And when it comes to its UK friend and ally, this is not the first time its officials and institutions have treated it with contempt. Back in 2010 Mossad agents used the stolen identities of British citizens to forge UK passports, which they used to travel to Dubai to carry out the assassination of Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. The British government's response was given by the country's then foreign secretary David Miliband in the UK parliament, who described the use of stolen British identities as an "outrage" while pledging to "get to the bottom" of the incident. What followed was...well nothing very much. Israel apologized and that as they say was that. What this latest incident exposes is the fact there are British politicians acting as de facto agents for the state of Israel. For far too long their ignoble role in this regard has gone unremarked except among pro Palestinian activist circles or by a few dissenting journalists. What else is the function of Conservative Friends of Israel or Labour Friends of Israel if not to cover and justify Israel's brutal system of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and illegal military occupation. Most recently members of both groups have been active in attacking BDS in the UK, resulting in the Government introducing new guidance on the procurement of goods and services by local authorities and public sector bodies, designed to make it illegal to stand on the side of justice by boycotting goods and services from Israel, even Israeli settlements, despite the fact they are utterly illegal. One of the most highly regarded politicians to ever hold the position of British foreign secretary was Henry John Temple, more commonly known as Lord Palmerston. He held the post in the mid 19th century and is best known for an analysis of a state's foreign policy that has stood the test of time. "We have no eternal allies," Palmerston said, "and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." When it comes to the determination of the successive recent British government to support Israel despite Tel Aviv repeatedly treating it with unalloyed contempt, who can doubt that Palmerston will be waiting for some time to come before he can finally stop spinning in his grave? 4th January 1960 -- the Death of Albert Camus | Dorian Cope ... (Image by onthisdeity.com) Details DMCA On January 4, 1960, Albert Camus died in a car crash at a point when he thought his true work had not even begun. He was 46 years old. He had already written The Stranger, The Fall, and The Plague, among other works. He had won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Yet he felt that in his writing he had to hide behind a mask that stifled him. After all these successes, as well as criticism from the left and right French intelligentsia, he was looking forward to a time when he would be able to speak his own truth without the mask of depersonalization -- to enter a period of creation en liberte. He was finding a new voice beyond the prison of a classical form he felt he needed to escape. In his briefcase was the uncompleted manuscript of that effort, the autobiographical and posthumously published novel, The First Man, written in a new lyrical and powerfully emotional style. It is a beautiful book. A true artist, Camus tried to serve both beauty and suffering. Quintessentially a man of his era, he was haunted by the image of the world as a prison, exemplified in his novel, The Plague, the tale of a town cut off from the world by a pestilence, whose residents lack the imagination to foresee. Even as it happens, they remain oblivious, for they "work hard, but solely with the object of getting rich." Bored by their habits, heavily drugging themselves with drink, and watching many movies to distract themselves, they fail to grasp the significance of "the squelchy roundness of a still-warm body" of the plague-bearing rats that emerge from their underworld to die in their streets. "It was as if the earth on which our houses stood were being purged of their secret humors; thrusting up to the surface the abscesses and pus-clots that had been forming in its entrails." To them the plague is "unthinkable," an abstraction, until all their denials are swept aside as the truth emerges from the sewers and their neighbors and families die from the disease. "Stupidity has a way of getting its way;" the narrator, Dr. Rieux, tells us, "as we should see if we were not always so wrapped up in ourselves... plagues and wars take people equally by surprise." The Plague is often read as a metaphorical depiction of the German occupation of France during World War II. While this is true to the extent that Camus had lived through that experience as a member of the French Resistance and writer and editor of the underground newspaper Combat, his artistry makes it a revelatory read for today, especially for citizens of the United States, the greatest purveyor of the plague of violence in the world. We are all infected with the soul-destroying evil that our leaders have loosed upon the world. For we live in plague time, and the plague lives in us. Like the inhabitants of the novel's French-Algerian city of Oran, the United States is "peopled with sleep walkers," pseudo-innocents, who are "chiefly aware of what ruffled the normal tenor of their lives or affected their interests." That their own government, no matter what political party is in power (both working for deep-state, elite interests led by the organized criminals of the CIA), is the disseminator of a world-wide plague of virulent violence, must be denied and divorced from consensus reality. These plague-stricken deaths visited on millions around the world -- by Clinton, by the Bushes, by Obama, and potentially by Trump -- must be denied by diverting attention to partisan politics that elicit outrage after outrage by the various factions and their minions. The true plague, the bedrock of a nation continually waging wars against the world, is avoided. Presently, it is the liberals that are "shocked" that Trump was elected President. These are the same people who went silent for the last eight years as Obama ravaged the world and lied about his cruel policies. Their shock over the Trump victory reeks of bad faith, with most of them supporting Hillary Clinton, Obama's presumed heir apparent and a neo-liberal war-monger par excellence. Further "shocks" will follow when Trump leaves office and the latest neo-liberal avatar succeeds him; conservatives will resume their harangues and protestations, just as they have done during Obama's reign. The two war parties will exchange insults as their followers are outraged and the American Empire, built on the disease of violence, will roll along. The plague will rage on and the main-stream corporate media will play along. For "decent folks must be allowed to sleep at night," says the character Tarrou sarcastically; he is a man who has lost his ability to "sleep well" since he witnessed a man's execution where the "bullets make a hole into which you could thrust your fist." He awakens to the realization that he "had an indirect hand in the deaths of thousands of people." He loses any peace he had and vows to resist the plague in every way he can. "For many years I've been ashamed," he says, "mortally ashamed, of having been, even with the best intentions, even at many removes, a murderer in my turn." The rats are dying in the streets. They are our rats, diseased by us. They have emerged from the underworld of a nation plagued by its denial. Unconscious evil bubbles up. We are an infected people. Worry and irritation -- "these are not feelings with which to confront plague." But we don't seem ashamed of our complicity in our government's crimes around the world. Camus knew better. He warned us, "It's a wearying business being plague-stricken. But it's still more wearying to refuse to be it. That's why everybody in the world looks so tired; everyone is more or less sick of plague. But that is why some of us, those who want to get the plague out of their systems, feel such desperate weariness." Yet the fight against the plague must go on. Tarrou puts it thus, "All I maintain is that on this earth there are pestilences and there are victims, and it's up to us, so far as possible, not to join forces with the pestilences. That may sound simple to the point of childishness; I can't judge if it's simple, but I know it's true. You see, I'd heard such quantities of arguments, which very nearly turned my head, and turned other people's heads enough to make them approve of murder; and I'd come to realize that all our troubles spring from our failure to use plain, clear-cut language. So I resolved always to speak -- and to act -- quite clearly, as this was the only way of setting myself on the right track." Camus, although his life and work were cut short by an absurd automobile accident with an unused train ticket in his pocket, stood with the victims. He was on the right track. He left us a living lesson in integrity in the face of violence. Refuse it always. If not, you will be destroyed by your own complicity in evil. You will be plagued by your own hand, was his message to us. On this date of his death, I wish to celebrate such a man, a great artist who tried to heal and "bear witness in favor of those plague-stricken people; so that some memorial of the injustice and outrage done them might endure; and to state quite simply what we learn in time of pestilence: that there are more things to admire in men than to despise." That is surely true of the victims. Let us hope the supporters of the executioners cure themselves. (Article changed on January 10, 2017 at 16:00) Trump Is Riding a Wave He May Not Understand Many Americans who voted for Mr. Trump did not vote for him because they liked his ideas; they cast their votes for him mainly as a revolt against a government establishment that did not respond to their needs. To them, Mrs. Clinton was a continuation of what they did not like. They were looking for better job opportunities, higher wages and fairer taxes, more responsive and less gridlocked government, better-financed public school systems, fair and affordable healthcare, a more encompassing safety net, less police brutality and less involvement in too many foreign conflicts and wars. Voting for Mr. Trump was an expression of despair and disgust with the ongoing governing establishment. Popular discontent is also seen in several other developed countries as well. Britain, France, Italy and even Germany are experiencing popular revolts. Although Western-style capitalism proved successful when it came to general prosperity and wealth, it always left many people behind with their needs unmet. The freedoms associated with capitalism, inevitably create a class of political elites that end up controlling the political system and molding it to serve their own personal ends rather than the needs of all the people. Those in control forget that their main job is to serve the public first. Many citizens end up worse off and start to revolt against the "establishment". That is what really contributed to the election of Mr. Trump. That also explains why, today, many authoritarian regimes, that are more responsive to the peoples needs and desires, are more stable than capitalist democracies. This can be seen in Russia, China, Turkey, Egypt and the Philippines for example. Recently, in several countries, the peoples' desires ran counter to their government's direction. In the United Kingdom, the people wanted out of the European Union while the government wanted in. In Italy the populace rejected the constitutional changes proposed by the government. Both countries have elected parliaments that do not, in fact, represent the peoples' wishes. The same appears to be the case here in the United States as well. The congress is now controlled mainly by moneyed interests who do not respond well to the needs and desires of real America. The two party system is collapsing and the media have been rendered less relevant with the advent of too many fake news stories. Although global trade and advanced technology are making few winners; they are also creating many more losers. Parts of the country have been falling behind economically. Despair afflicts so many Americans and poverty is rampant in rural and small-town America. No one is there to nourish and preserve the common good, civic life and liberal democracy. The prevailing disgust at a winner-takes-all society is broadly based. There are deep feelings of anger, bitterness and even betrayal toward members of Congress, government officers, corporate bosses, political commentators, ad agencies, drug companies, foreign policy establishment, and even religious leaders. We don't know for sure if Mr. Trump really understands the wave of discontent he is riding upon. What we have learned so far is that Mr. Trump is assembling a team of card-carrying members of the establishment. It is hard to see how Trump will address the problems and advance the interests of those who voted for him. He presented himself as an enemy of the establishment and promised to rescue us from arrogant and corrupt elites and salvage working class Americans. Can he do it? From what we see and hear so far, Mr. Trump may partly understand what the people want. But, does he understand the need to restrain greed, crony capitalism, reduce income inequality and the deep resentment of the rich? Does he realize that inequality is not the fault of the poor, for having less discipline, less drive, and especially, less education and that it is mainly because of greed and unfairness of the economic establishment? What we need now is a top-to-bottom re-evaluation of our ideals and objectives with greater concentration on what the Americans need to serve their interests in a continuously changing economic climate. That is why Trump's message of 'America First' reverberated too well with Real America. Our capitalist autocracy needs to be modified to serve the needs of all Americans. We need to be less involved in the affairs of other countries to secure what is in their interests; we have a decaying infrastructure here at home that needs our urgent attention. We need a health care system that meets the needs of all the people, not just the privileged few. In short, we need real change. Should we be expecting it? The videos filmed by Unicorn Riot at Standing Rock were unforgettable depicting pepper spraying Native people, using attack dogs, high frequency noise weapons, batons, percussion grenades, plus other weapons, plus disruptive brute force and almost 600 arrests since the protests began late in the summer of 2016. Now, the ND Legislature is contorting itself fiscally to determine who and how this $22 million police expense bill will be paid for. The police action in effect boiled down to using public law enforcement entities from all over the Midwest as basically a private mercenary force, acting at the request of the Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners corporate Chairman with those requests going through the Governor of ND, Jack Dalrymple. A first class lawsuit could easily unravel the chain of command and establish liability, if that challenge goes beyond the collective abilities of the North Dakota legislators . Maybe these Bismarck budget bean counters in the House and Senate should reserve a few more million dollars to compensate the victims of this brutality, especially the young woman who has lost most of the use of her arm from a percussion grenade, and the Native American woman who will never see out of one of her eyes again, thanks to those excessive cops at Standing Rock. A few more million to settle suits asking for punitive and exemplary damages might pile up in time to be equal to the amount incurred for the police, which I believe were entirely unnecessary, in retrospect.... Update: With Senator John Hoeven (Republican of North Dakota) recently elected by his fellow Republicans to chair the Indian Affairs Committee, this may become a moot discussion, that of the funding for the police action and in fact, the entire Dakota Access Pipeline project, and both will no doubt get a boost from Chairman Hoeven, who has repeatedly made clear that he not only supports DAPL but considers the protest effort as "violent." >>>> Summarizing an Associated Press story by Blake Nicholson: The cost of policing the Dakota Access pipeline protests in North Dakota is more than $22 million. Legislators now are saying that would fund the state Treasury Department for 20 years. These Protest-related funding decisions and allocations will be made by state lawmakers during the 2017 session. Leaders of House and Senate appropriation committees are concerned, and wishfully thinking that the Federal government will dip into its ostensibly deep pockets and cover this amount. "We're not happy at all that the federal government is not ponying up. This should be their responsibility," said Rep. Jeff Delzer, R-Underwood, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. "But the fact of the matter is, until they pony up, we have to cover those costs." Thousands of opponents filled the encampments to protest the four-state, $3.8 billion project over the summer, and then-Gov. Jack Dalrymple issued an emergency declaration in August to cover law enforcement expenses related to protests. There have been nearly 600 arrests in the region since August, but the encampment has shrunk since December 4, after the Army Corps of Engineers withdrew their eviction notice for the next day, December 5, asking for a change in locations for the pipeline, and questioning how the pipeline could cross, go under, or around a Missouri River reservoir, and how this would affect tribal rights. The Standing Rock Sioux and its supporters maintain that the pipeline clearly threatens drinking water and Native American cultural sites. The North Dakota Corrections Department and Transportation Department used money from their own budgets hoping that they would be reimbursed later. intent of repaying it late. Most of the repressive police action took place in Morton County, which ran up another $2.5 million in costs not covered by North Dakota, bringing the total cost to taxpayers to nearly $22.5 million. Most of the money was used to pay for policing and overtime. Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he thinks that any kind of funding ceiling is highly unlikely. "I don't think we will put an artificial cap on the protection of our citizens," he said. >>>>>>>>>> For the record: I have published 25 prior articles on Standing Rock here at OpEdNews, starting with the earliest first on the list below. In terms of its demonstrable political results and its strategic effect, the one asking 4 US Senators to Intercede was perhaps the most effective because I believe it directly led to Obama ordering the Army Corps of Engineers to back down and rescind their December 5 eviction notice. In terms of the number of page views, the earliest one listed below, about the NYC Council standing united with the North Dakota Protesters, with the Unicorn Riot video has had the most page views of any article ever at OpEdNews, almost 200,000 page views. Facebook groups spread it widely. This record number of page views resulted from the quality of the embedded video, not the few paragraphs of my writing. >>>> NYC Council "STANDS UNITED" WITH N.DAKOTA PROTESTERS, 2 new videos of police using pepper spray and rubber bullets click here >>>> US Demands a Resolution: Standing Rock Defenders Article and Police Videos Hit #1 in Page Views in OpEdNews, since 2004 click here >>>> Norwegian Bank Considering Pulling out of Dakota Pipeline Investment (10%) if "Native Concerns Not Addressed" click here >>>> Norwegian Bank sells 10% stake in North Dakota Pipeline plus Video of Beating of Protester at Wells Fargo in Bismarck click here >>>> Petition asks Department of Justice to Prosecute ND's Governor Dalrymple for Standing Rock Abuses / Tear Gas Video click here >>>> Update on Injuries to Sophia Wilansky, who may lose her arm due to injuries from North Dakota police concussion grenade click here >>>> New Mexico Cartoonist Ricardo Cate "Without Reservations" Reports from Standing Rock click here >>>> NM's Senator Heinrich asks Obama to Move Pipeline; "Don't Reward Inexcusable Brutality"; 2nd Norwegian Bank Pulls Out click here >>>> Sophie Wilansky's Father Wayne Speaks at Length in this Video about his Daughter's Injuries at Standing Rock click here >>>> North Dakota Gov. Suspends One Sheriff; Army Corps of Engineers is Evicting Water Defenders click here >>>> 4 US Senators: Ask the Army Corps of Engineers to Rescind Standing Rock Eviction: Heinrich, Booker, Sanders and Franken click here >>>> NM Senator Heinrich Asks President to Overturn Arbitrary Date of 12/5 to Evict Standing Rock Demonstrators click here >>>> National Lawyers Guild Files First Standing Rock Class Action Suit! click here >>>> "The Violence at Standing Rock Must End" Nevada Senator Harry Reid Speaks out in Support click here >>>> New Moveon Petition asks Key US Senators to Expand and Strengthen Standing Rock Support click here >>>> NM's Senator Tom Udall Calls for Urgent Action on Dakota Pipeline to Protect Tribal Rights, Safety of Demonstrators click here >>>> The People Speak out in Defense of the Standing Rock Defenders, from Moveon Petition Signers click here >>>> Statement by Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline Protests click here >>>> Standing Rock isn't Over; Discussion of Trump's Attorney General and Potential Homeland Security Secretary click here >>>> Michigan's Senator Stabenow on Large Oil Spill plus MoveOn Petition Comments, Recent ND Drone Videos click here >>>> Native American Lands Soon to be Under Assault by Developers Allied With Trump Administration click here >>>> Latest Update For Sophia Wilansky, one among the hundreds who got ambushed at Standing Rock click here >>>> Tribal Coalition in Montana Predicted Zinke as Trump's Interior Secretary last May click here >>>> Official Response from US Senator Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) on Dakota Access Pipeline click here (Article changed on January 12, 2017 at 10:11) (Article changed on January 13, 2017 at 00:00) Piezoelectric Smart Materials Market 2016 Global and Chinese Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast To 2021 Piezoelectric Smart Materials Industry https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/851432-global-and-chinese-piezoelectric-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/851432-global-and-chinese-piezoelectric-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=851432 Piezoelectric Smart Materials IndustryReport summaryThe 'Global and Chinese Piezoelectric Smart Materials Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Piezoelectric Smart Materials industry with a focus on the Chinese market. 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The report then estimates 2016-2021 market development trends of Piezoelectric Smart Materials industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Piezoelectric Smart Materials Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 global and Chinese Piezoelectric Smart Materials industry covering all important parameters.Leave a Query @Table of ContentsChapter One Introduction of Piezoelectric Smart Materials Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Piezoelectric Smart Materials1.2 Development of Piezoelectric Smart Materials Industry1.3 Status of Piezoelectric Smart Materials IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Piezoelectric Smart Materials2.1 Development of Piezoelectric Smart Materials Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Piezoelectric Smart Materials Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Piezoelectric Smart Materials Manufacturing Technology.Chapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.1 Company A3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.2 Company B3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.3 Company C3.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.4 Company D3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.5 Company E3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information3.6 Company F3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.6.4 Contact Information3.7 Company G3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Product Information3.7.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.7.4 Contact Information3.8 Company H3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Product Information3.8.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.8.4 Contact Information............Buy now @Contact US:sales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPh: +91 841 198 5042 Global and Chinese Pimelic Acid Market Analysis by Manufacturers, Regions, Type And Application, Forecast To 2021 Pimelic Acid Industry https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/851437-global-and-chinese-pimelic-acid-industry-2016-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/851437-global-and-chinese-pimelic-acid-industry-2016-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=851437 Pimelic Acid IndustryReport summaryThe 'Global and Chinese Pimelic Acid Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Pimelic Acid industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Pimelic Acid manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industryRequest for Sample Report @Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2011-2016 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Pimelic Acid industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export.The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2016-2021 market development trends of Pimelic Acid industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Pimelic Acid Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 global and Chinese Pimelic Acid industry covering all important parameters.....Leave a Query @Table of ContentsChapter One Introduction of Pimelic Acid Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Pimelic Acid1.2 Development of Pimelic Acid Industry1.3 Status of Pimelic Acid IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Pimelic Acid2.1 Development of Pimelic Acid Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Pimelic Acid Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Pimelic Acid Manufacturing Technology.Chapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.1 Company A3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.2 Company B3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.3 Company C3.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.4 Company D3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.5 Company E3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information3.6 Company F3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.6.4 Contact Information3.7 Company G3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Product Information3.7.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.7.4 Contact Information3.8 Company H3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Product Information3.8.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.8.4 Contact Information............Buy now @Contact US:sales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPh: +91 841 198 5042 Global Nifuratel Market 2016 Analysis and Forecast to 2021 Nifuratel Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/289353-global-and-chinese-nifuratel-industry-2016-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/289353-global-and-chinese-nifuratel-industry-2016-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=289353 www.wiseguyreports.com COMPLETE REPORT DETAILS @The 'Global and Chinese Nifuratel Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Nifuratel industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Nifuratel manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2011-2016 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Nifuratel industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2016-2021 market development trends of Nifuratel industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Nifuratel Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2011-2021 global and Chinese Nifuratel industry covering all important parameters.SAMPLE REQUEST@CONTINUEDTable of ContentsChapter One Introduction of Nifuratel Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Nifuratel1.2 Development of Nifuratel Industry1.3 Status of Nifuratel IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Nifuratel2.1 Development of Nifuratel Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Nifuratel Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Nifuratel Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.1 Company A3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.2 Company B3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.3 Company C3.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.4 Company D3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.5 Company E3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information......Chapter Five Market Status of Nifuratel Industry5.1 Market Competition of Nifuratel Industry by Company5.2 Market Competition of Nifuratel Industry by Country (USA, EU, Japan, Chinese etc.)5.3 Market Analysis of Nifuratel Consumption by Application/TypeBUY THIS REPORT @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Pune, India MASON CITY | One person was hurt in a kitchen fire Tuesday night at a Mason City apartment complex. Firefighters were called about 7:20 p.m. to a report of a stove explosion in an apartment at 2323 S. Taft Ave. Officials say it was actually a grease fire. Firefighters used a feature on the stove to put out some of the flames and a fire extinguisher to finish it off, said Jo Beck, records clerk of the Mason City Fire Department. One person was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Information about the name of the person and the extent of the person's injuries was not available Wednesday morning, Beck said. Approximately $1,000 damage was done to the unit. The incident remains under investigation. Molly Montag Global and Chinese Vacuum Insulation Panel Industry, 2016 Market Research Report Vacuum Insulation Panel https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/850095-global-and-chinese-nanogel-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/850095-global-and-chinese-nanogel-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=850095 www.wiseguyreports.com The 'Global and Chinese Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel Industry, 2011-2021 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Request For Sample Report @Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2011-2016 market shares for each company..Complete Report Details @Chapter One Introduction of Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel1.2 Development of Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel Industry1.3 Status of Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel2.1 Development of Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Nanogel Vacuum Insulation Panel Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.1 Company A3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.2 Company B3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.3 Company C3.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.4 Company D3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.5 Company E3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information3.6 Company F3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Product Information3.5.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.6.4 Contact Information3.7 Company G3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Product Information3.7.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.7.4 Contact Information3.8 Company H3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Product Information3.8.3 2011-2016 Production Information3.8.4 Contact Information......Buy This Report@CONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Fiber Reinforced Plastic Tank Market - Global Industry Analysis 2016 -2024 Global Fiber Reinforced Plastic Tank Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16019 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Fiber reinforced plastic is a generic term applied to wide forms of composite material consisting of reinforced fibers thermosetting resins and materials such as pigments and fillers. Fiber reinforced plastic provides unrivalled combination of properties such as retention of dimensional stability across a wide range of temperatures, good electrical insulating properties, chemical resistance, high level of stiffness, higher strength-to-weight ratio, and light weight.Fiber reinforced plastic are increasingly used in a number of applications such as building and construction, marine industry, transportation, and chemical plants and pipes. Growing demand for energy, increasing demand for oil and gas storage application of fiber reinforced plastic, and a notable growth in the chemical plants worldwide is expected to bolster the demand for global fiber reinforced plastic tank over the forecast period.GET PDF BROCHURE FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS:Global Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Tank Market: SegmentationThe market for fiber reinforced plastic tank has been segmented on the basis of the application and geography to provide a holistic view of the overall market. On the basis of the application, the market for fiber reinforced plastic tank can be segmented as aquaculture, agriculture, chemical, pulp and paper, petroleum, septic, and wastewater. The market on the basis of application in chemical industry can be segmented as brine, chlor-alkali manufacturers, electroplating, food processing, fertilizer, refining and vinegar. The regional segmentation will be done such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.Global Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Tank Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe market for the fiber reinforced plastic tank is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The high corrosion resistance property of fiber reinforced plastic tank and total life cycle cost benefit are expected to be the key drivers of growth in the global fiber reinforced plastic tank market in near future. Additionally, gaining momentum in replacing old storage tanks, significantly increasing demand from retail fuel stations, looming fresh water storage application of fiber reinforced plastic tank, increasing application of fiber reinforced plastic tank for rainwater storage, and growing number of desalination plants are expected to augment the growth in global fiber reinforced plastic tank market. However, the higher upfront cost of fiber reinforced plastic tank against the competitive material tanks and low replacement rate of existing tanks in various applications (chemical, septic, petroleum), can hamper the growth in the global fiber reinforced plastic market.Global Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Tank Market: Geographical DynamicsNorth America, especially the U.S, is expected to account for the maximum demand of fiber reinforced plastic tank in the near future. The market is expected to show higher growth on account of factors such as increased number of applications of fiber reinforced plastic tank in pulp and paper, wastewater, and petroleum. The market for the chemical application of fiber reinforced plastic tank is expected to be driven by an increase in the consumption of vinyl ester and epoxy resins.Government rules and regulation for preservation of water and encouragement on rainwater harvesting is expected to play a key role in the growth of the market in this region. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be a key area for the growth of global fiber reinforced plastic market in near future. The fiber reinforced plastic tank market in this region is likely to grow on account of the increasing number of desalination plants, and increasing rate of replacement of old tanks with new fiber reinforced plastic tank. Europe is likely to show moderate growth rates in terms of adoption of fiber reinforced plastic tank in near future.Some the key players in the FRP tank market include Belding Tank Technologies Inc., Denali Incorporated, Suyash Industries, FRP Manufacturing, Inc., and Fiber Glass Processors.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.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: High Speed Rail Coating Market - Global Industry Analysis 2016 -2024 High Speed Rail Coating Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16397 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ High speed rail is one of the safest and fastest modes of transport, which runs at a speed of over 200 km per hour. Coatings applied on the surface of high speed rails for interior and exterior protection from weather are called high speed rail coatings. These coatings also impart additional properties such as high yield strength for functional as well as aesthetic appeal. The global high speed rail coating market can be segmented on the basis of type into 1-K, 2-K, water-borne, and solvent-borne. They are used for various applications such as steel component coating, exterior protection, aesthetic finishes, interior aluminum coatings, and underframe coatings. High speed rail coatings are manufactured from a wide range of resins such as acrylics, epoxy, fluoropolymers, plastisols, polyester, and polyurethanes.Global rise in demand for mass transportation can be attributed to the surge in investments in the expansion of railway networks across both developing and developed economies. High speed rails have the ability to cover long distances in very short time. Government initiatives to develop strong high-speed rail networks in various countries and make mass transits faster, safer, and efficient have opened up opportunities for the global high speed coatings market.GET PDF BROCHURE FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS:However, a major restraining factor of the high speed rail coatings market are the growing environmental concerns pertaining to the volatile organic compounds content in coatings. Nevertheless, development of water borne type of coatings have aided the market significantly, as they emit very limited or no volatile organic compounds. Another challenge faced by the high speed rail coating market for the production of coatings is the volatile prices of raw material.In terms of geography, the global high speed coating market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The significant development of trade and rapidly growing economies have contributed to the expansion of mass transportation. High speed rails have the ability to cover long distances in shorter time; hence, they are majorly being used for mass transportation, thus enhancing the high speed rail coating market. High speed rail coating market is expected to rise with the increasing high speed rail needs in developing countries like China and India for mass transportation and public transportation. Asia Pacific is expected to lead the market growth followed by Europe because of the rapid growth in mass trading operations.This high consumption is driven by rapid growth in infrastructure development and need for faster transportation at relatively cheaper rates. Developed nations like the U.S are in the process of expanding their high-speed rail networks, due to the increasing demand for mass transportation. Hence the high speed rail coating market is expected to grow in North America. Many countries have developed high speed rail to connect between countries such as Austria, Germany, Spain, and France, thus augmenting the high speed rail coating market. China has 19,000 km of high speed rail as of December 2015, accounting for two-thirds of the world's total and hence being the worlds largest consumer of high speed rail coating.Some of the key players in the high speed rail coating market include Akzo Nobel N.V, BASF SE, PPG Industries, Inc., The Valspar Corporation, Axalta Coating Systems, LLC, PSG Limited, GLS Coatings Ltd, Zytexx, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Fosroc, Henkel, Hollysys, and Siemens.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.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: New Particulates Expanding Volume of Oil and Gas Logistics Market http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=63774 https://goo.gl/FT808E https://goo.gl/cIhCPq http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/oil-and-gas-logistics-market-global-industry-perspective.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Oil and gas logistics covers transportation of drilling equipment, extracted crude oil & natural gas. Oil & gas transportation covers entire phases from upstream to downstream. Oil and gas logistics synchronizes with every kind of equipment from multiple origins to the areas that are tough to access with the continual concern for force and atmosphere. In terms of revenue and consumption, the oil and gas logistics market for each application type and each of these regions has been forecast in the report for the period from 2015 to 2021.Get a copy of free Sample Report @Global oil & gas logistic market is primarily driven by rising demand from ever-increasing population across the globe. The advent of shale reserves in the Middle East and North America region is also expected to boost the growth of the oil and gas logistics market within the forecast period. However, fluctuating feedstock prices may impede the growth of the market. Moreover, ongoing development is likely to disclose the new opportunity for the major players of oil and gas logistics market in near future.The report provides a decisive view of the oil and gas logistics market by segmenting the market based on phases and end-use. Based on phases, market segmentation includes upstream, midstream and downstream. By end-use industry, the market segmentation includes pipeline, tanker/barge, truck, and rail.Get in-depth TOC (Table of Contents) with Tables and Figures @In order to give the users of this report a comprehensive view on the oil and gas logistics 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 oil and gas logistics market has also been included. The study encompasses a market attractiveness analysis, wherein product segments and application segments are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.The study provides the comprehensive perspective on the oil and gas logistics market growth, throughout the forecast period in terms of volume (in Barrels) and revenue (in USD Million), across different region including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the 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 oil and gas logistics market based on individual products in all the regions and countries.Inquire more before buying this report @The report also includes detailed profiles of end players such as Kuehne + Nagel Company, Gulf Agency Company Ltd, Bollore Africa Logistics Ltd, BDP International, DB Schenker, Neovia Logistics, SGS Logistics, Agility Project Logistics Inc, SDV International Logistics and among others. The detailed description of players includes parameters such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies and recent developments of the company.The global oil and gas logistics market has been segmented as follows:Oil and Gas Logistics Market: Phase Segment AnalysisUpstreamMidstreamDownstreamOil and Gas Logistics Market: End-Use Segment AnalysisPipelineTanker/bargeTruckRailOil and Gas Logistics Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaBrowse detail report @About Us:Syndicate Market Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Syndicate Market Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with the one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8138Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Internet Of Things (IoT) In Utility Market Size, Analysis, Trends, Innovation and Forecast Research Report 2016 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/906032 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/pressreleases http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ This report studies Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringSilver Spring Networks, IncTrilliant, IncOSI Soft IncC3 EnergyEnergyworxCryptosoftTibbo Technology IncAmplia Soluciones S.LWAVIoTMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoProfessional ServicesDeployment and IntegrationSupport and MaintenanceSplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility in each application, can be divided intoWater and Waste Water ManagementUtility Gas ManagementElectricity Grid ManagementDownload Sample Copy of this report:Table of ContentsGlobal Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Market Research Report 20161 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility1.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility by Type in 20151.2.2 Professional Services1.2.3 Deployment and Integration1.2.4 Support and Maintenance1.3 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Segment by Application1.3.1 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Water and Waste Water Management1.3.3 Utility Gas Management1.3.4 Electricity Grid Management1.4 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility 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 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility (2011-2021)2 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)3.1 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production by Region (2011-2016)3.2 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.3 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.4 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.5 North America Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.6 Europe Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.7 China Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.8 Japan Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.9 Southeast Asia Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.10 India Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)4 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.1 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.3 Europe Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.4 China Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.5 Japan Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.6 Southeast Asia Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.7 India Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)5 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)5.2 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)5.3 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Price by Type (2011-2016)5.4 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production Growth by Type (2011-2016)6 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Consumption and Market Share by Application (2011-2016)6.2 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2011-2016)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/Countries7 Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Silver Spring Networks, Inc7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.1.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Type I7.1.2.2 Type II7.1.3 Silver Spring Networks, Inc Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Trilliant, Inc7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.2.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Type I7.2.2.2 Type II7.2.3 Trilliant, Inc Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 OSI Soft Inc7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.3.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Type I7.3.2.2 Type II7.3.3 OSI Soft Inc Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 C3 Energy7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.4.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Type I7.4.2.2 Type II7.4.3 C3 Energy Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Energyworx7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.5.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Type I7.5.2.2 Type II7.5.3 Energyworx Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Cryptosoft7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.6.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Type I7.6.2.2 Type II7.6.3 Cryptosoft Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Tibbo Technology Inc7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.7.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Type I7.7.2.2 Type II7.7.3 Tibbo Technology Inc Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 Amplia Soluciones S.L7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.8.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Type I7.8.2.2 Type II7.8.3 Amplia Soluciones S.L Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 WAVIoT7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.9.2 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Product Type, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Type I7.9.2.2 Type II7.9.3 WAVIoT Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview8 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Manufacturing Cost Analysis8.1 Internet of Things (IoT) in Utility Key Raw Materials Analysis8.1.1 Key Raw Materials8.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials8.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials8.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials8.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure8.2.1 Raw Materials8.2.2 Labor Cost8.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses8.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Internet of Things (IoT) in UtilityAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.To View The Latest Industry Press Releases:ContactTel: +1-518-621-2074E-Mail: sales@marketresearchreports.bizWebsite:MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Next Generation Memory Technologies Market to Log Unprecedented CAGR of 46.1% to 2019 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1103 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Next generation memory technologies include emerging memory solutions that have been introduced in the market in the recent past or are expected to be launched during the period 2013 to 2019.Request A Sample Of This Report:These memories compete with older memories such as flash, DRAM and SRAM on the basis of speed, scalability and cost. The total Global Next Generation Memory Technologies Market stood at USD 207.8 million in 2012 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 46.1% during the period 2013 to 2019. Emerging memory solutions are experiencing growth in demand due to their potential for better speed and higher scalability.The market has witnessed significant uptake for non-volatile emerging memory solutions as compared to volatile memory solutions. This is due to an inherent benefit offered by non-volatile memories: retention of data without the need of power. Among all non-volatile emerging memory solutions, FeRAM (ferroelectric RAM), MRAM (magneto-resistive RAM) and PCM (phase change memory) had significant market shares in 2012. Other emerging memory technologies include ReRAM (resistive RAM) and CBRAM (conductive bridging RAM). With increase in adoption of MRAM and PCM memory, cache memory and enterprise storage is anticipated to be the largest market segment by application for next generation memory technologies. Use of emerging memories is expected to improve the input/output (I/O) performance of the enterprise storage systems.Major interface technologies being deployed across the memory market include double data rate (DDR) interface, SATA (Serial ATA), SAS (serial attached small computer system interface), PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express) and I2C (inter integrated circuit). DDR interface includes DDR 1/2/3/4 and LPDDR. DDR interfaces find application in storage, especially SSDs (solid-state drives). DDR was the dominant interface technology being deployed with next generation memory technologies and held 47.6% share in 2012.North America was the largest market in 2012, followed by Europe. Rise in demand for memory technologies offering lower cost per bit and demand for faster mobile memory chips are important trends in the North American region. Europe experienced growth in next generation memory technologies due to increasing volatility in the market and decline in average selling prices for existing memories. This has led to a rise in interest in more sustainable memory options. Growth in the Asia Pacific region is led by demand from Japan, China and South Korea.Fujitsu Ltd. was the market leader in 2012 due to higher sales of its FeRAM technology, which is a relatively mature product. Fujitsu was followed by Everspin Technologies, Inc. and Micron Technology, Inc. In 2012, Everspin was a major manufacturer of MRAM, while Micron Technology led the market for PCM. Other important players include SK Hynix Inc., Avalanche Technology Inc., Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, Adesto Technologies Corporation Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Crossbar Inc., Winbond Electronics Corporation.About USTMR a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Tahini Market : Paste and Spreads will account for over 55% share by 2025 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/tahini-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12883 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12883 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Driven by growing popularity across the globe and steady adoption by the F&B industry, global tahini market volumes are estimated to surpass 314 thousand tonnes in 2016, up from nearly 305 thousand tonnes in 2015. According to the latest report published by Persistence Market Research titled Global Market Study on Tahini: Paste and Spreads Product Type Segment Projected to Remain the Largest Segment During the Forecast Period, global volumes are projected to reach 423,854 tonnes in 2025.Besides the availability of myriad flavors, rising adoption by local eateries are most likely to impact the global tahini market. Market Research Expert, Persistence Market ResearchGrowing popularity of authentic Middle Eastern food flavors is expected to escalate the demand for tahini-based products, such as hummus and tahini spread. The surging significance of social media marketing will play a pivotal role in the promotion of tahini and derived products. Emerging tahini applications in hummus, butter and spreads, halva, salads, bakery products, toppings, and traditional Middle Eastern recipes such as Baba Ghanoush will also influence the market favorably.By product type, tahini paste and spreads will witness the highest demandPaste and spreads segment will account for over 55% share in terms of revenues by 2025Desserts and sweets segment, aggravated by growing popularity of halva, will maintain a market share of over 25% during the assessed periodSustained consumption of tahini dips and sauces will fuel the sauces and dips sub-segment, capturing over 18% market value shareBy distribution channel, major tahini sales will be directed through exportsConventional retail will lose its market share over 2015-2025; from over 37% market share in 2015, this sub-segment will settle at around 34% in 2025Modern trade is expected to witness decent growth, accounting for a revenue share of over 29% by 2025 endExports will, however, exhibit the fastest growth in terms of a distribution channel. With over 20% share of the revenues, this sub-segment is anticipated to reach US$ 465.9 Mn with a promising CAGR of 6.1%Considering product size, the tahini market is projected to gain the highest traction in the 50-150 gm size sub-segmentWith over 56% value share in 2025, the 50-150 gm size sub-segment will reportedly reach a consumption of around 243,189 tonnesAbove 150 gm size sub-segment is likely to witness an uptick over the forecast period, capturing a considerable 28% market value share in 2025Below 50 gm product size will be the fastest growing sub-segment at 5.9% CAGRDepending on the production process, industrial production process will remain dominant over conventional processWith a slight setback from 76% share in 2015 to around 73% share estimated by 2025 end, industrial production process will witness moderate growth with a CAGR to the tune of 5.3%Conventional process will experience significant growth over the forecast periodAccording to Persistence Market Researchs regional analysis, Western Asia will continue to be the largest market, whereas GCC will emerge lucrative by 2025 endRequest to view table of content @West Asia, identified as the most lucrative market for tahini, will predictably cross US$ 608 Mn by 2025 end, accounting for maximum revenues in the global marketGCC countries will exhibit the fastest growth at 5.9% CAGR, primarily driven by Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. GCC tahini market revenues will reach around US$ 202 Mn by 2025 endNorth Africa, followed by the U.K., are projected to grow moderately at respective CAGRs of 5.7% and 5.4%A sample of this report is available upon request @Dipasa International S.A., Sunshine International Foods, Inc., Kevala International LLC, Joyva Corp, Premier Organics, Haitoglou Bros S.A., Halwani Bros. Co., Prince Tahina Ltd., El Rashidi El Mizan, Al-Wadi Al-Akhdar S.A.L, Carleys of Cornwell Ltd., Balsam Tahini, Ismail Termurcugil, and Alseedawi Sweets Factories Co. constitute some of the key players in the global market for tahini. While major export opportunities lie in Asia and North America, a majority of leading players are based in the Middle East and North America. Halwani Bros. Co. and Haitoglou Bros. are top Middle East companies, whereas Joyva Corp, Dipasa, and Kevala Int. are the key North American players. Alwadi Al Akhdars new factory in Lebanon is due in 2017 and Sabra Dipping Co. will soon double its tahini hummus production capacity.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @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: Food Grade Phosphates Market Growth, Trends, Absolute Opportunity and Value Chain 2015-2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-894 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-894 www.futuremarketinsights.com Food grade phosphates are used for various application in the food processing industry as discoloration inhibitors, emulsifiers, and buffers. Food grade phosphates are also used in frozen meat, bakery products, milk, powdered food, cheese, petfood, cereal, dehydrated potatoes, fisheries and animal feed products. Food grade phosphates are broadly classified into blended and specialty phosphates. Food grade phosphates market is consolidated market. For instance, Prayon SA acquired Augusta, Ga., which produces various types of phosphates including sodium phosphates, calcium phosphates and potassium phosphates. Food grade phosphates are used for various applications including retention of water in the fish.Food Grade Phosphates SegmentationGlobal food grade phosphates are segmented on the basis of type, application and region. Based on the product type food grade phosphates segmentation includes sodium phosphates, potassium phosphates and calcium phosphates. Of which sodium phosphate is expected to be the dominating segment, followed by potassium and calcium phosphates. Among all the segments of food grade phosphates type, sodium phosphates segment is expected to contribute maximum revenue over the forecasted period. However, calcium phosphates segment is expected to witness fastest growth in the next four to five years due to the various benefits associated with the consumption of calcium phosphates. However, potassium phosphates is expected to experience flat growth in the forthcoming years due to the more preference of consumers to consume sodium and calcium phosphates. Based on the application, food grade phosphates are segmented into bakery, food and beverage, dairy products and meat products. Of which meat product segment is the leading segment and expected to contribute highest revenue during the next four to five years, followed by bakery segment. Bakery segment is also expected to contribute significant revenue to the overall revenue of the food grade phosphates market. Global food grade phosphates market is segmented on the basis of region into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa and Japan.Request Free Report Sample@Food Grade Phosphates: Region-wise OutlookThe global food grade phosphates market is expected to witness robust growth over the forecast period due to the rising needs of the increasing population coupled with the rising disposable income of the consumers. Globally, among all regions, North America is expected to contribute highest market share, followed by Europe over the forecast period. In North America, U.S. is expected to contribute maximum market share due the high disposable income of the consumers. However Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness highest growth owing to the rising disposable income of consumers in various countries.Food Grade Phosphates: DriversFood grade phosphates market is expected to exhibit healthy CAGR during forecast period. Major factors that fuel the growth of food grade phosphates includes growing needs of increasing population coupled with rising consumer awareness regarding the benefits associated with the consumption of food grade phosphates. Major factor that restraints the growth of food grade phosphates market are the high price associated with the food grade phosphates.Request For TOC@Food Grade Market: Key PlayersMajor companies operating in food grade phosphates market are Aditya Birla Chemicals, TKI Hrastnik, d.d., GUIZHOU QIANLIN PHOSPHATES INDUSTRY CO.,LTD, ICL Performance Products, Prayon SA, PhosAgro, ChemSol, LLC, CRU Group, Rotel Domestic and Foreign Trade Co. Companies operating in food grade phosphates market are mainly adopting strategy to enter new markets and also to increase its production capacity. For instance, ICL Performance Products, in 2015 set up new production unit in Israel in order to cater to the rising need of the consumers in the regionABOUT 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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: APAC Broadcasting Equipment Market to Raise at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2016 to 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11317 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/asia-pacific-broadcasting-equipment-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/11317 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ The broadcasting equipment market in APAC region was valued at US$ 2487.5 Mn in 2015 and is expected to register a CAGR of 8.1% from 2016 to 2024. The growth of broadcasting equipment market in APAC region is primarily driven by convergence of high definition technologies such as 4K with IP. As per the report, 4K services are expected to be available on IP networks over the next four to five years via satellite launching and cable platforms.The report has segmented the APAC broadcasting equipment market into traditional TV broadcast, traditional radio broadcast, IP converged broadcasting and asset management systems.A sample of this report is available upon request @Traditional TV broadcast segment was valued at US$ 1123 Mn in 2015 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period (20162024). The traditional radio broadcast segment was valued at US$ 544 Mn in 2015 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. The IP converged broadcasting is projected to be the fastest growing segment in APAC broadcasting equipment market, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period.Traditional TV broadcast segment accounted for 45.1% share in terms of value of the total APAC broadcasting equipment market in 2015. Consumption of high definition content in APAC region is increasing at a rapid pace, supported by rising sales of HD ready TVs.The traditional TV broadcast equipment market is further segmented into camera, monitors, routers, switchers, cable, transmitter, receiver and other accessories. Routers sub-segment is projected to expand at the highest CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. Content creators across the region are shifting towards 4K cameras in order to capture high definition video. This is being supported by sales of 4K UHD television that has gained momentum due to rising disposable income in the region.Request to view Table of Content @Key players of the APAC Broadcasting Equipment market include Media Excel Inc.(US), ChyronHego Corporation (US), TVU Networks Corporation (US), XOR Media Inc.(US), FOR-A Company (Japan), ORACLE Corporation (US), Unlimi-Tech Software Inc. (US), Grass Valley (Canada) and General Dynamics Mediaware (Australia).To Buy Full Report for a Single User @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 Ice-cream and Frozen Dessert Market Segments, Opportunity, Growth and Forecast By End-use Industry 2015-2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-912 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-912 www.futuremarketinsights.com Ice-cream and frozen dessert belongs to frozen food industry. Ice-cream and frozen dessert are primarily consumed after meal or served as a refreshment and can be enjoyed between the meal courses. Ice-cream and frozen dessert are mainly made up of milk and cream, and often combined with fruits, nuts and flavours. Rising consumer disposable income coupled with increasing inclination of people towards sweet dishes is expected drive the growth of Ice-cream and frozen dessert market across the globe.Ice-cream and Frozen Dessert Market SegmentationIce-cream and frozen dessert market is segmented on the basis of types includes regular Ice-cream and low fat ice-cream. Among both of these segment regular Ice-cream is expected occupy the major contribution on the pie. However low fat ice cream is predicted to account for healthy CAGR in next five to six years. Shifting consumer preferences towards consumption of healthy food is expected to support the demand of low fat Ice-cream in the near future. On the basis of type frozen desserts segmentation includes sherbet, frozen yoghurt, frozen ice, frozen tofu and others. Among all of these segments frozen yoghurt is expected to be the major contributor in terms of revenue followed by sherbet. Introduction of frozen yoghurt in various flavour and in innovative packaging is attracting children a lot which is expected to fuel the growth of frozen yoghurt in the near future.Request Free Report Sample@Ice-cream and frozen dessert market is segmented on the basis of end user which includes household and hotel/restaurant/cafe. Among both of these two segments hotel/restaurant/cafe is expected to account for major share in terms of revenue contribution. Rising consumer preferences for outside dining coupled with increasing inclination of teenager towards the consumption of frozen food is expected to support the demand of ice-cream and frozen desserts market during the forecast period. Moreover, household is expected to show a substantial growth in the near future. Increasing availability of ice-cream and frozen dessert in packaged form and in variants for household consumption is expected to support its growth during the forecast period.Geographically, North America is expected to be the major contributor in terms of value followed by Europe. However, these region is predicted to be a mature market and is expected to show a stable growth in the near future. Introduction of new variant in flavours coupled with offering low fat products may fuel the growth of Ice-cream and frozen dessert market in these region. In developing countries of Asia Pacific region, China is expected to dominate the market in terms of Ice-cream and frozen dessert consumption followed by India. Moreover Japan is expected to show a substantial growth during the forecast period. Increasing consumption of flavoured yoghurt especially in countries such as China and Japan is predicted to support the growth of ice-cream and frozen dessert market across Asia Pacific region during forecast period.Request For TOC@Ice-cream and Frozen Dessert Market DriversRising disposable income coupled with shifting consumer eating habits is expected to drive the demand of Ice-cream and frozen dessert in the near future. Moreover, increasing availability of flavoured yoghurt especially in developing region is predicted to be major factor supporting the growth of Ice-cream and frozen dessert market during the forecast period.Ice-cream and Frozen Dessert Key PlayersSome of the major players operating in ice cream and frozen dessert market includes Baskin-Robbins, Nestle SA, Unilever, Danone Groupe SA, Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings Inc., Cielo USA, Kraft Foods Group Inc. among others.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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: MASON CITY | The Iowa Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld a Mason City man's prison sentence for delivery of methamphetamine as an habitual offender. Reed N. Barclay, 35, said his sentence should be vacated, claiming the district court discriminated against him due to his mental illness. District Court Judge James Drew sentenced Barclay in April 2016 to up to 15 years in prison with a mandatory minimum term of five years. In his appeal, Barclay requested he be put on probation and be admitted to drug court instead of serving the rest of his prison sentence. Those who receive probation and are approved for Cerro Gordo County Drug Court meet with Drew once a week for 12 to 18 months. If they successfully complete the program, they return to regular probation. Barclay had been screened as a possible drug court participant before his guilty plea hearing but was rejected. Barclay claimed the decision to deny him entry to the drug court program violated his rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act. He contended Drew suggested his mental illness was a factor in the drug court team turning down his application, and then denied his request for probation, believing he would not succeed outside of prison without drug court supervision. The state agreed the drug court rejection influenced the decision to send Barclay to prison, but disagreed the reasons for rejecting the application are apparent from the record in the case. The appeals court ruling stated "it was permissible, in fact mandatory, for the district court to consider the impact of Barclay's mental health issues on his need for rehabilitation and the need for community protection." Smart Machines Market to Raise at a CAGR of 18.8% During the Forecast Period http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/8872 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/smart-machines-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/8872 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ Smart machines are deployed to enhance networked resources and implement distributed intelligence in manufacturing industries. Integration of devices provides more accessibility. Smart machines can be easily connected to a broader network of connected devices, enabling users to share data on numerous devices. This ensures users to connect/access their devices from anywhere and anytime. This is expected to fuel demand for smart machines in various industries. The market in Australia is expected to witness substantial growth in adoption rates of smart machines over the next five years. Autonomous robots are expected to find applications in agriculture and commercial sectors to overcome the lack of labor in the country. Australia-based companies have also been investing significantly in advanced technologies such as IoT.A sample of this report is available upon request @Persistence Market Research (PMR) delivers key insights on the global smart machines market in its upcoming report titled, Smart Machines Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2016-2024. In terms of value, the global smart machines market is projected to register a healthy CAGR of 18.8% during the forecast period. This is attributed to various factors, regarding which PMR offers vital insights in detail.On the basis of a component, the global smart machines market has been segmented into hardware, software, and service. Demand for smart machines is enhanced by increasing need to process and analyze big unstructured data among different sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, and defense. On the basis of machine type, the global smart machines market has been segmented into robots, autonomous cars, drones, wearable electronics and others.On the basis of technology, the global smart machines market has been segmented into cloud computing, big data, internet of everything (IoE), robotics, cognitive technology and effective technology. Affective technology segment is expected to expand with a substantial CAGR over the forecast period. Various enterprises working on cognitive computing are facing glitches and errors in technology. This, in turn, is encouraging adoption of affective computing. Cognitive computing technology enables emotions linking to a robot, assisting the robot in making rational decisions and performing more complex tasks.Smart machines are programmed to make intelligent decisions in a time efficient manner. They are built to learn from their interactions and their precision increases over time. Hence, new developments in operational intelligence are encouraging companies to adopt systems that are smarter and efficient. Narrative Science Inc., a company that offers analytical solutions uses its virtual assistant Quill, which is programed using natural language processing to provide relevant solutions.This report covers trends driving each segment and offers analysis and insights of the potential of the smart machines market in specific regions. The markets in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific are expected to register high growth rates between 2016 and 2024. MEA is a small but significant market for smart machines as governments in the Middle East countries are investing in this sector to digitize government services. The market in Europe is expected to gain substantial market share in terms of revenue. This is attributed to increasing demand for smart machines from the automobile and manufacturing industries in countries such as Germany and France. The APAC accounted for the highest market share in 2015 and is expected to gain 232 BPS by an end of 2024.Request to view Table of Content @Key players in the global smart machines market include Apple Inc., Google Inc., Microsoft Corporation, BAE Systems, Creative Virtual Ltd., Digital Reasoning Systems, Inc., IBM Corporation, Narrative Science Inc., Rethink Robotics, ABB Limited, Rockwell Automation, Inc., and General Electric Co. others.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @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 Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices Market Globally Expected to Drive Growth through 2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-956 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-956 www.futuremarketinsights.com Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery is performed to treat disease occurring in various parts of brain, spinal cord or skull base through a small opening. Diseased area may require repair, removal and in the worst cases replacement which is being done through neurosurgery. Neurosurgical device used for the visualization purpose inside the human brain or spinal cord is known as Endoscope which is kind of a small microscope inserted through minimal invasion. Endoscope helps in magnifying critical anatomical structure and assist the surgeon in the treatment. Endoscopic neurosurgery requires minimal incision thus it is also known as Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery. Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery avoids complication post-surgery, leads to faster recovery, minimal scarring/pain and high accuracy. Recent advancement in endoscope design produced endoscopes that are compact, more efficient with improved resolution and better illumination than the earlier devices.Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices Market: Drivers & RestraintsMinimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices market is probably the last speciality to move to minimally invasive because of the complexity involved in the surgery however due to continuous advancement in medical technology for the treatment of neurological disorders have raised the demand of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices. Rise in the ageing population leading to increase in the incidence of neurological disorders are some major factors driving the growth of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices market. More awareness amongst the surgeons is helping the market to dwell in developed countries however the market of developed countries are more or less saturated and have a limited growth opportunity as compared to developing countries especially Asia Pacific countries where due to large population the market growth can be significant in the upcoming years. Lack of skilled professionals in the developing countries and poor or unstable reimbursement regulations are hampering the growth of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices in developing countries.Request Free Report Sample@Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices Market: SegmentationMinimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices market is classified on the basis of product type, surgery type and geography.Based on product type, the global Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices market is segmented into the following:Fiber optic cablesMiniature video cameras (Endoscopes)Special surgical instrumentsExternal video monitorsBased on surgery type, the global Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices market is segmented into the following:Intracranial SurgeryEndonasal NeurosurgerySpinal SurgeryMinimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices Market: OverviewMinimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices is a growing market due to various benefits offered like less recovery time, shortened hospital stay, greater accuracy, less pain and muscle sparring which is making minimally invasive neurosurgery a preferred option for the medical practitioners and surgeons. Proliferation of joint ventures and cross utilization of technology in minimally invasive surgical devices market is a plus for different market players as they dont have to invest much on the research and development of different types of products. Introduction of robotic devices to perform the surgery is an alternative for better outcomes and increased accuracy.Request For TOC@Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices 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 region in Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices market due to the high volumes of surgical procedures being performed. Also, the availability of established healthcare infrastructure, high contribution of healthcare to economy, patient compliance are the reasons for the high demand in North America. Europe has the second largest Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices market due to vast technological advancement in terms of healthcare sector. Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at a good rate as compared to NA and Europe as there is ample market opportunity in countries like India and China.Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in global Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery Devices market are Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG, Olympus Corporation, Conmed Corporation, Richard Wolf GmbH, Boston Scientific Inc., Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, Aesculap Division, Smith & Nephew Plc, Medtronic and NICO Corp. to name a few.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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Magnesium Hydroxide Market: Quantitative Market analysis, Current and Future Trends by 2015-2021 www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4645 www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4645 www.persistencemarketresearch.com Magnesium is a naturally sourced mineral and is very important for the functioning of many systems in the body especially muscles and nerves. Magnesium hydroxide is an inorganic compound and is obtained by precipitation between magnesium salts and sodium, potassium or ammonium hydroxide. Brucite is a form of natural magnesium and is used for commercial purposes as a fire retardant. The commercial and industrial magnesium hydroxide is chemically manufactured from sea water or brine. As a suspension in water, magnesium hydroxide is called as milk of magnesia owing to its milk-like appearance. This compound has very less solubility in water.Request for Sample Report:The main application of magnesium hydroxide is as a common component of laxatives and of antacids. Magnesium hydroxide should not be taken on a daily basis but very occasionally. It is primarily used to reduce stomach acid. This compound is also used as an antiperspirant underarm deodorant. Milk of magnesia is sold as a liquid suspension, chewable tablets, and capsules as liquid syrups in a variety of flavors. It is mainly used to rid the system of indigestion and heartburn. Magnesium hydroxide powder also finds is application in industrial purposes as a non-dangerous alkali in order to neutralize acidic wastewater. The compound is also used in desulphurization.The main market driver for this product is its use in the health industry. the demand for this product is high in end use industries which is the pharmaceutical industry. as it is used as a antiperspirant deodorant, its demand is high among the younger generation. The pharmaceutical industry is growing at a very high rate and hence the demand for this product will also increase to a high extent. The largest end user for magnesium hydroxide beside the pharmaceutical industry is desulphurization and the water treatment industry. countries are shifting to fossil-fuel based power plants which will in turn increase the consumption of magnesium hydroxide for desulphurization. Owing to its flame retardant properties it is a fast growing application globally due to its performance, price, low corrosiveness and its extremely low toxicity.The key segments observed for this market include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). The global consumption of this compound is mainly concentrated in East Asia and North America. The market for this product is maximum n China and is expected to continue growing at a fast pace over the next few years as well. the market for this product in north America and Europe is mature and is not expected to grow by a huge margin over the forecast period. However, the demand for this product in Japan is high and is expected to accelerate over the next few years due to the increase in the number of fossil fuel power plants there. Its use as a fuel retardant also has increased its demand in the global market especially in the developing counties. The use of this product is increasing at a high pace in developing countries due to its good performance, low price, low corrosiveness and as it is a non toxic compound. North American and European governments do not have very stringent rules and regulations against its use.Request for Table of content:The key companies profiled for the manufacture of magnesium hydroxide are aAkzoNobel, Albemarle Corporation, Almatis GmbH, BASF SE, Chemtura Corporation, China Minmetals Nonferrous metals, Cyter Industries, Israel Chemicals among others.About Us:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Water Utility Services Market, 2016-2024: By drivers and restrain, Technology, Application, Size & Share https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/water-utility-services-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/water-utility-services-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/water-utility-services-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/548 https://zionmarketresearch.wordpress.com/ http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Zion Market Research published new report on "Water Utility Services Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024" in its databaseGlobal Water Utility Services Market: OverviewThe companies that offer safe and appropriate distribution of water and also provide services such as wastewater treatment comes under the water utility industry. The companies involved in the water utility industry are local government bodies. However, many private companies have shown up their interest in the water utility industry recently. It is always the local authority that has the maximum share in the water utility sector.Global Water Utility Services Market: SegmentationThe water utility services market is segmented into its functions and regions. There is a different arrangement in which the water utilities function all over the world such as there are utilities that are separated by function and some are integrated water system among others. In the integrated system, there is a single entity that handles different functionalities such as sanitation system, water supply, and wastewater treatment. While in the case of utilities that are separated by functions, separate organizations will be handling different utilities. Geographically, the water utility market can be divided into regions such as Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World.Request Free Sample Report @Global Water Utility Services Market: Growth FactorsIn many countries, the local governments are selling their water utilities to the private sector so that they can invest in other responsibilities. The private companies are following the policies of acquisitions and mergers or they are entering into the non-regulated market to increase their scope. The increase in the population and urbanization has created the demand for the water utility services market. Many manufacturing industries require water as their main component, hence driving the water utility services market. The water used in these industries need to be treated and recycled for the further availability of water thus affecting the market growth. The change in the regulations by Australian and the U.K. government, the problems faced in the water distribution in the regions such as the Middle East and Asia, the issues of infrastructure are factors making it necessary for the need to make huge investments and improve the technology in the water utilities services, thus boosting the market growth.Global Water Utility Services Market: Regional AnalysisEurope is the most efficient service provider for water utilities. In the European region, the private sector has the major share in the water utility services. The other region that is developing in the water utility services market is North America. The U.S. has many companies that are investing in the water utility sector. The Asia-Pacific region has the lack of technological development and infrastructure, hence witnessing a sluggish growth in the water utility services market. The Middle East and Africa faces the problem of shortage of water supply; thus the market growth in this region is significant. The wastewater management and the smart technology application for the supply of water are the segments of the water utility services that are estimated to have the huge share in the coming years.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Water Utility Services Market: Competitive PlayersSome of the key players in the water utility services market include American Water Works Company, Inc., SAUR, National Oilwell Varco Connecticut Water Co., Pentair plc, Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Thames Water Utilities Limited, Messe Berlin GmbH, Veolia Water Technologies, Artesian Water Company, United Utilities Group PLC, and LAYNE.Browse detail report @Global Water Utility Services Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilThe Middle East and AfricaAsk for a customized report @What Report ProvidesFull in-depth analysis of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsSegmentation details of the marketFormer, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and valueAssessment of niche industry developmentsMarket share analysisKey strategies of major playersEmerging segments and regional marketsTestimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.Visit Our Blog :About UsZion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristically, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, a 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: Imaging Technology Market for Precision Agriculture is Anticipated to Grow US$ 1,165.9 Mn by 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12016 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12016 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12016 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ In a new report titled Imaging Technology Market for Precision Agriculture: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2016 - 2024, Persistence Market Research analyzes the performance of the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture over an eight-year period and provides insights on the key factors and trends likely to influence the market during the forecast period (2016 2024). The global imaging technology market for precision agriculture is anticipated to grow from US$ 567.4 Mn in 2016 to US$ 1,165.9 Mn by 2024, registering a CAGR of 9.0% in terms of revenue during the forecast period (2016-2024). In this report, the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture is tracked in terms of value and is calibrated to obtain market revenue estimates.A sample of this report is available upon request @Increasing adoption of imaging technologies for precision agricultural applications supported with UAVs is a major factor driving the growth of the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture. Demand for imaging technology for precision agriculture is strongly associated with the growth of UAVs commercial applications market, as sensors are mounted on these UAVs in order to capture the data. Moreover, demand for hyperspectral technologies is expected to increase for precision agriculture applications because of the granularity of the information provided by this technology, which can be used to make better crop management decisions.However, lack of awareness about the technology, ambiguity about the returns, substitute technologies available to farmers such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and unclear regulations for UAVs commercial applications across various countries are major challenges expected to be faced by market players operating in the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture during the forecast period.The global imaging technology market for precision agriculture is segmented into two main segments namely by technology and by product. The technology segmented is further sub-segmented into multispectral technology and hyperspectral technology. The product segment is further sub-segmented into cameras, sensors, software, and others.In 2015, the multispectral technology segment dominated the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture, followed by the hyperspectral technology segment. The hyperspectral technology segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR of 9.6% over the forecast period in the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture in terms of revenue, followed by the multispectral technology segment.The sensors product segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 10.9% in terms of value during the forecast period in the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture. In terms of market share, the cameras product segment accounted for a major percentage of the revenue share of the overall global imaging technology market for precision agriculture in 2015. The cameras product segment is expected to dominate the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture throughout the forecast years, followed by the sensors and software product segments.Region wise, the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC, and Middle East & Africa. In 2015, the market in North America dominated the overall global imaging technology market for precision agriculture, followed by the market in the Asia Pacific region. The imaging technology market for precision agriculture in Asia Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period, followed by the Europe imaging technology market for precision agriculture.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @Key players reported in this study on the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture include Bayspec, Tetracam, Micasense, Ximea, Teledyne Dalsa, and Resonon. These companies have significantly increased their footprint in the global imaging technology market for precision agriculture over the years.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @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 Advanced Glazing System Market Register a Strong Growth By 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3781 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3781 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/3781 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com On the basis of end-user type, the global advanced glazing system market can be bifurcated into three types: commercial buildings, industrial buildings and residential buildings. Based on the technology, the global advanced glazing system market can be divided into three types: dynamic glazing technologies, multi-functional advanced glazing system and next generation thermally insulated windows. Based on the materials, the global advanced glazing system is segmented into three types: sealants, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and specialist glasses.Advanced glazing system market is expected to see a strong growth in the coming years due to the rising energy prices and uncertainties about future energy supply. Advanced glazing system has great importance due to its deep impact on total building energy performance. Thus, it will create good business opportunities for a wide variety of companies. Advanced glazing system provides several benefits such as passive solar heat gain, electric lighting power reduction and view. One of the major influencing factors for advanced glazing system market is the restructuring and refocus of the current and future construction market. In the past, code mandated building energy requirements was moderate and majority of insulated glass systems could meet these basic performance demands. However, with increase in the demand for green or high performance buildings that mandates energy efficiency beyond code minimums. In majority of cases, the total building consumption must be reduced by 15 to 40 percent. With the help of advanced glazing system it can be achieved. The other major influencing factors for advanced glazing system market are the shift from new construction to retrofit construction activity. New buildings represent only a small share of the U.S. building market, while retrofitting provides a huge market opportunity for owners, green builders and energy service provider companies. In the current scenario, energy focused and green building holds around 5% to 8% of the retrofit and renovation market activity by value in the U.S. By the end of 2014, it is projected to increase by 20% to 30%. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which will provide significant funding for renovations to federal buildings which will further, boost the market for advanced glazing system. Many other firms such as conventional window manufacturer and suppliers, metal companies, solar panel and solid-state lighting firms can be benefited from advanced glazing system market.In terms of geographic, North America and Europe dominates the global advanced glazing system market due to increase demand for green and zero-energy buildings. The U.S. represents the largest market for advanced glazing system followed by Canada in North America. In Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. holds major share of advanced glazing system market.A sample of this report is available upon request @However, Asia-Pacific is expected to show high growth rates in the next five years in global advanced glazing system market.Request to view table of content @Lowering construction cost, noise reduction, increased comfort and human productivity, day lighting and HVAC energy savings are some of the major driving force for advanced glazing system market.Some of the major companies operating in the global advanced glazing system market are Saint-Gobain, Alcoa, Bayer, Solar Innovations, Inc. and DuPontTo Buy Full Report for a Single User @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: Smart Thermostat Market Shares, Strategies and Forecast Worldwide, 2015 to 2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1011 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1011 www.futuremarketinsights.com Smart thermostat is the type of device used for controlling the heating and air conditioning in residential as well as commercial buildings. Smart thermostat allows user to control the temperature of the room throughout the day using a schedule, for example setting different temperature during the day time and night time. Smart thermostats are connected to with internet which enables its user to control the heating setting using different internet connected devices, like smartphones, tablets etc. It also allows user to easily switch on/off the heating or air conditioning of room even when they are not inside home or office.Smart Thermostat Market: Drivers and RestraintThe smart thermostat market is expected to grow rapidly over the period of forecast. Factors which are responsible for the growth of global smart thermostat market are increasing awareness among consumers about the various advantages of smart thermostats, technological developments, growing urbanization, rising demand of connected homes or smart homes, growing demand of energy efficient devices and availability of configurable and reconfigurable thermostats.On the other hand, factors which are restraining the growth of global smart thermostat market are incorrect triggering of switches by sensors and incongruity issues in wireless networks. However, demand for self-learning automated devices are expected to create great growth opportunity for the growth of smart thermostat market over the forecast period.Request Free Report Sample@Smart Thermostat Market: SegmentationThe global smart thermostat market can be segmented on the basis of component, network technology and application. On the basis of component, the global smart thermostat market can be segmented into display, motion sensor, humidity sensor, temperature sensor and others.On the basis of network technology, the global smart thermostat market can be segmented into wired technology and wireless technology. Wireless technology is expected to create great growth opportunity for the growth of global smart thermostat sensor market. Wireless network technology can be further sub segmented into Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee and Bluetooth.On the basis of application, the global smart thermostat market can be segmented into residential, commercial, Industrial and others. Commercial application segment includes office building, healthcare and retail etc. Other Segment includes educational buildings such as school and colleges. Among all these application, residential applications are expected to grow significantly over forecast period because of advancement in home automation technology, growing demand of connected homes or smart homes and increasing awareness about energy saving devices among consumers.Request For TOC@Smart Thermostat Market: Region wise outlookOn the basis of region, the global smart thermostat market can be segmented into seven regions which includes, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa region. Further the market is sub-segmented as per the major countries of each region in order to provide better regional analysis of the smart thermostat market. Developed regions such as North America and Western Europe are expected to dominate the market as demand of home and office automation is high in these regions. However, Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly over forecast period.Smart Thermostat Market: Key PlayersThe major players in the global smart thermostat market are Nest Labs, Inc., Emerson Electric Co., ecobee inc., tado GmbH, Schneider Electric, Honeywell International Inc. and Carrier Corporation. Key players are focusing on product innovations to provide advanced solutions to consumers. For example, In September 2015, Nest Labs, Inc., announced the third generation of Next Learning Thermostat which is slimmer in size, has a larger & high resolution screen and updated user interface which makes it easy to read temperatures, messages and alerts.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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: New Trends of Microcrystalline Cellulose Market with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1017 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1017 www.futuremarketinsights.com Cellulose is the prime component of plant cell. Microcrystalline cellulose is partially depolymerized cellulose, obtained from wood pulp. It is also formed through some of the fungi, bacteria, algae or marine animals. It is insoluble in water and is primarily used as bulking and anticaking agent in production of food products. It is also used as a texturizer, emulsifier and as an extender in application such as pharmaceutical or personal care products. Wide usage of microcrystalline cellulose in manufacturing food products coupled with growing of the pharmaceutical excipient industry is driving the demand of microcrystalline cellulose market across the globe.Microcrystalline Cellulose Market SegmentationGlobal microcrystalline cellulose market is segmented on the basis of application which includes pharmaceutical, food & beverage, cosmetics & personal care and others (paints and coating). Microcrystalline cellulose is widely used in various food products, which includes dairy products, desserts, baked goods and frozen food. Microcrystalline cellulose act as a bulking agent and fat substitute, and also helps in enhancing and maintaining consistency of the food product, which is expected to support the growth of food product in microcrystalline cellulose market. Pharmaceutical is expected to show a substantial growth over the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the wide usage of microcrystalline cellulose in pharmaceutical products. It can be used in every kind of oral dosage such as capsules, pellets, tablets, sachets, and others. In addition, microcrystalline cellulose is highly used as texturizer and thickening agent in cosmetics and personal care products, which is expected to support the demand of microcrystalline cellulose in cosmetics and personal care products in the near future.Global microcrystalline cellulose market is also segmented on the basis of raw material source. This includes wood and non-wood. Among both of these segment non-wood based microcrystalline cellulose is expected to show healthy growth over the forecast period.Request Free Report Sample@Geographically North America is well established market in microcrystalline cellulose market. The region is expected to contribute highest in terms of revenue. In North America, U.S. is expected to account for major market share followed by Canada. Europe is expected to show a substantial growth over the forecast period. Growing pharmaceutical industry in the European countries is expected to be the driving factor for microcrystalline cellulose market in the near future. Developing region such as Asia Pacific is predicted to show a healthy growth during the forecast period. Cheap and easy availability of raw material, regulatory support, and increasing huge demand for pharmaceutical products in the region is expected to be the driving factor for microcrystalline cellulose during the forecast period.Globally, microcrystalline cellulose market is highly fragmented due to the presence of large number of global and regional manufacturers. The production of microcrystalline cellulose is largely concentrated in Asia-Pacific and Europe. Moreover it has been found that China the major manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose in the world followed by and U.S., due to which these countries are expected to be the major contributor in terms of revenue in microcrystalline cellulose market. However, the production of microcrystalline cellulose is shifting to Asia-Pacific, especially to China, due to the low cost of raw materials and cheap labor cost in the country.Microcrystalline Cellulose Market DriversIncreased acceptance of microcrystalline cellulose as an excipient in food industry coupled with the growth of the global pharmaceutical industry is expected to drive the demand of global microcrystalline cellulose market during the forecast period. Moreover, increasing demand for low fat food and processed food is also expected to fuel the growth of microcrystalline cellulose market over the forecast period.Request For TOC@Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Key PlayersSome of the major players operating in microcrystalline cellulose market includes FMC Corporation, Juku Orchem Private Limited, DuPont, Blanver Farmoquimica Ltda., JRS Pharma, Libraw Pharma, Avantor Performance Materials, Accent Microcell Pvt. Ltd, DFE Pharma GmbH & Co. Asahi Kasei Corporation, Mingtai Chemical Co. Ltd., and Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd., among others.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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Power Electronics Market, 2015-2025 by Segmentation Based on Product, Application and Region http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1024 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1024 www.futuremarketinsights.com To control the flow of energy, the switching electronic circuits are used. These switching electronic circuits are called power electronics. Power electronics are also considered for the conversion of electric power. Such conversions are performed by semiconductor devices like diodes, transistors and thyristors etc. Power electronics devices have several advantages including optimum forward and reverse backing capabilities, simplified circuits, compact designs etc. Moreover, power electronics find its applications in connection of renewable energy resources to power grids, transportation in electric trains, motor drives and lighting. The major use of power electronics devices is heat sinking as well as soft starting of an equipment deploying power electronic devices.Global Power Electronics Market: SegmentationThe global power electronics market can be segmented into geography, types and applications. On the basis of geography, the global power electronics market can be segmented into America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Others. Considering types, the global power electronics market can be segmented into diode rectifiers, ac-dc converters, ac-ac converters, dc-dc converters, dc-ac converters and static switches. On account of applications, the global power electronics market can be segmented into industrial activities, solar power, wind power, electric cars, aerospace and consumer electronics.Global Power Electronics Market: Region-Wise OutlookIn terms of power electronics market value, Asia Pacific is the largest geography. America being the fastest growing region, Europe is considered as a very promising market comprising of Germany and UK while Middle East also grants an impetus to the growth of the global power electronics market.Request Free Report Sample@Global Power Electronics Market: DriversVarious factors are fuelling the growth of global power electronics market including rapid use of renewable sources of energy followed by the increase in the adoption of electric cars and defense. ICT, telecommunications, self monitoring and diagnostics systems, hospitals and healthcare are the major fields driving the global power electronics market to grow apparently.Global Power Electronics Market:: RestraintsThere are various challenges faced by the global power electronics market like high initial costs, deposition of GaN on silica materials which is in turn very difficult to reach in high voltage ranges. Moreover, manufacturing of power electronics is way to expensive and time consuming thus posing a restraint to the global power electronics market.Request For TOC@Global Power Electronics Market: Key PlayersThe major companies playing a key role in the manufacturing of power electronics are Enercon, Fairchild, Fuji Electric, GE Wind Energy, Mersen, Methode Electronics, Semikron Elektronic GmbH & Company etc. Microsemi Corp, Toshiba Corp, Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Vishay Intertechnology, Infineon Technology, Texas Instruments Inc are some major key players in the field of global power electronics market.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Europe Viscosupplementation Market Revenue to Reach US$ 327.2 Mn by 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-eu-1383 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-eu-1383 www.futuremarketinsights.com Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the Europe viscosupplementation market in its upcoming report titled, Viscosupplementation Market: Europe Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026. In terms of revenue, the Europe viscosupplementation market is projected to register a healthy CAGR of 5.1% during 2016-2026.FMIs report has segmented the market on the basis of product type, end user and region.Based on product type, the market has been segmented into one injection viscosupplementation, three injection viscosupplementation and five injection viscosupplementation.Request Free Report Sample@Single injection viscosupplementation product type segment is expected to emerge as the most popular segment over the forecast period, driven by better patient compliance as the treatment reduces the need for multiple hospital visits. The segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period.Five injection viscosupplementation product type segment is expected to witness a decline in market share in terms of revenue from 29.0% in 2015 to 23.3% in 2026. This decline is attributed to more incidence of side effects and repeated patient visit requirements associated with five injection viscosupplementation. Reimbursement cutbacks and high injection costs are other factors that can curtail demand for five injection viscosupplementation.By end-users, the market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centres and orthopaedic clinics. Hospitals end-use segment is expected to witness significant demand for viscosupplementation, registering a CAGR of 4.3% over the forecast period. Better reimbursement options and increasing patient preference for single injection cycle for osteoarthritis treatment is expected to drive demand for one injection viscosupplementation in the orthopaedic clinics segment over the forecast period.Europe Viscosupplementation Market TrendsKey trends in the viscosupplementation market are the use of single injection cycle for osteoarthritis treatment and introduction of new combination products in the market. For example, the product pipeline of major players in the viscosupplementation market involves combining corticosteroid injections, which help in relieving pain associated with osteoarthritis, with long-lasting effects of hyaluronic acid, which lasts for nearly six months. Further, regional competition within EU countries, especially in five injection cycle, is leading to entry of new market players. Europe is a mature market in terms of generic products and it is therefore relatively easier to obtain CE mark in Europe than it is to obtain the U.S. FDA approval.Western Europe has been estimated to dominate the Europe viscosupplementation market in 2015, attributed to factors such as the presence of key regional players, strong distribution network and better healthcare infrastructure in the region.Send An Enquiry@Key Players in Europe Viscosupplementation MarketSome key players in the Europe viscosupplementation market are Anika Therapeutics Inc., Sanofi S.A., Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Meda AB, Ferring B.V, Fidia Pharmaceutici S.p.A, and Bioventus LLC. We have discussed individual strategies followed by these companies in terms of enhancing product designs, creating new manufacturing facilities, market consolidation and advanced R&D initiatives. The report concludes with key takeaways that could help players already present in the market and new players planning to enter the market in the long run.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: MASON CITY | A Mason City man accused of spitting on police officers and a paramedic and threatening to get a gun and kill two of them was sentenced Monday to up to two years in prison. Henry Nabors, 48, entered Alford pleas last month to misdemeanor charges of first-degree harassment and assault on persons in certain occupations. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the state can likely prove the charges. Nabors was ordered to pay a $315 fine for assault. The $625 fine for harassment was suspended. Nabors was found lying near North Iowa Broadcasting at 201 N. Federal Ave. at 6:45 p.m. on Oct. 6, unable to get up under his own power, according to the Mason City Police Department. While being taken out of an ambulance, Nabors allegedly spat on a paramedic and threatened to get a gun and kill the paramedic once he got out of jail. Nabors reportedly also spat on two police officers. After Nabors was put in a patrol car, he allegedly threatened a third officer who was in the car with him that he would get a gun and shoot the officer when he got out of jail. -- Mary Pieper 4G Devices Market to Raise at a CAGR of 13.1% During the Forecast Period http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10466 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/4g-lte-devices-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/10466 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ Persistence Market Research delivers key insights on the global 4G (LTE) devices market in a new publication titled Global Market Study on 4G (LTE) Devices: Single Brand Store Distribution Channel Segment Expected to Witness Significant Growth Between 2016 and 2024 In terms of value, the global 4G (LTE) devices market is projected to register a healthy CAGR of 13.1% during the forecast period owing to various factors, regarding which Persistence Market Research offers vital insights in detail.A sample of this report is available upon request @Consumers are increasingly becoming inclined towards technological advancements in networking solutions and are adopting devices that operate smoothly and with intelligent features. The features in devices such as low network latency rate, better battery backup, and screen resolution are attracting consumers to switch to 4G (LTE) devices thus fueling the demand for 4G (LTE) devices worldwide. Convenience, affordability, and attractive data packages offered by network operators in collaboration with device manufacturers are factors encouraging consumers to try 4G (LTE) devices. This, in turn, is increasing the penetration of 4G (LTE) devices globally.Device manufacturers at international and domestic levels are playing an important role in the global 4G (LTE) devices market by innovating in different ways. For instance, manufacturers are collaborating with network providers to provide a better service and make it more affordable for their customers. Government initiatives in some regions to encourage deployment of advanced network data consumption is impacting the global 4G (LTE) devices market positively. Traffic for online high-quality video content is increasing, making consumers opt for advanced network operating devices featuring high-speed data. Besides other factors, increasing data consumption per person per day is anticipated to drive revenue growth of the global 4G (LTE) devices market.The global 4G (LTE) devices market is segmented on the basis of Device Type (Smartphones, Tablets); Pricing (Low, Low-Mid, Mid-High, Premium); Distribution Channel (Multi-brand Store [Organized, Independent], Single brand Store, Online); and Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa). Globally, the single brand store distribution channel segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period as compared to the multi-brand store and online distribution channel segments, which are expected to witness relatively flat growth rates over the forecast period. In terms of value, the low price range segment in the Asia Pacific 4G (LTE) devices market accounted for 37.6% share in 2015. The developing countries in this region showcase the huge potential for low-end 4G (LTE) smartphones and tablets due to the advancements in network infrastructure.This report covers trends driving each segment and offers analysis and insights into the potential of the global 4G (LTE) devices market in specific regions. The 4G (LTE) devices market in Asia Pacific and North America is expected to register high growth rates between 2016 and 2024. In terms of value, Asia Pacific is expected to create an incremental opportunity of US$ 315.0 Bn between 2016 and 2024. Europe has a relatively small but significant market share in the global 4G (LTE) devices market, as mobile device manufacturers in this region are relatively less prominent. The 4G (LTE) devices market in Asia Pacific is expected to gain substantial market share owing to a high demand from consumers based in countries such as China, Indonesia, and India. The 4G (LTE) devices market in Asia Pacific accounted for 35.9% market share in 2016 and is expected to gain 1,145 BPS to account for 47.4% market value share by 2024. The 4G (LTE) devices market in North America is expected to continue being the second largest market over the forecast period as there is maximum mobile device penetration in that region.Request to view Table of Content @The report profiles some of the leading players operating in the global 4G (LTE) devices market such as Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics, ZTE Corporation, Huawei Technology Company Limited, Lenovo Group Limited, ASUSTeK Computer Inc., Xiaomi Inc., and LG Electronics Inc. Top market companies are focusing on increasing their offline presence by partnering with local retailers and are also making a swift strategic transition from 3G to 4G cellular data consumption.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @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 Impact of Existing and Emerging Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts Market Trends And Forecast 2015-2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1070 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1070 www.futuremarketinsights.com Coronary artery bypass grafting can be defined as open-heart surgery in which a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the Blood supply to the heart. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a procedure which is mainly used to treat coronary artery diseases in certain circumstances.Coronary artery disease is the narrowing of the coronary arteries, caused by a build-up of fatty material within the walls of the arteries. This build-up causes inside of the arteries to become contracted, restraining the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. While the traditional "open heart" procedure is still done and often preferred in many situations and less hostile techniques have been advanced to bypass blocked coronary arteries.Traditional approaches involve making long surgical incisions down the inner thigh and/or calf. Research comparing traditional approaches with endoscopic methods shows that patients generally have less complication, reduced amount of leg pain, and shorter hospital stays with the endoscopic harvesting methods.Coronary artery bypass graft is an option for selected groups of patients with significant narrowing and blockages of the heart arteries. The bypass graft for a CABG can be a vein from the leg or an inner chest-wall artery.According to WHO, 17.5 million people die each year due to cardiovascular disease, which is equal to 31% of all estimated deaths worldwide.Request Free Report Sample@Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts Market: Driver and RestraintsPresently, bypass grafts global market is driven by rising prevalence of cardiovascular disorders, increasing geriatric population base coupled and growing need for repeat revascularization procedure.There is increase rate of cardiovascular diseases, and aging population which helps to increase the demand of bypass grafts in the global market. Growing use of endoscopic vessel harvesting devices and anastomosis assist devices is also expected to drive the growth of coronary artery bypass graft market. However, growing healthcare budget, poor healthcare reimbursement and payment models, and consolidation of market leaders act as a major barrier for the growth of this market.Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts Market: Market SegmentationCoronary artery bypass grafts global market can be segmented into following types:Saphenous vein graftsInternal thoracic artery graftsOther arterial graftsRadial arteryGastroepiploic arteryCoronary Artery Bypass Grafts Market: OverviewWith the rapid technological advancement in healthcare industry, rising prevalence of cardiovascular disorders, increasing geriatric population, and growing use of endoscopic vessel harvesting devices and anastomosis assist devices, the global coronary artery bypass market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the forecasted period (2015-2025).Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts Market: region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, coronary artery bypass grafts global market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.Request For TOC@North America held largest share in the global coronary artery bypass grafts devices market followed by Europe due to the availability of all the versions of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafts surgeries and is expected to hold the largest share during the forecast period. In Europe, this market is expected to gain volumes due to rising numbers of coronary diseases. In Asia- Pacific, due to the increase in medical tourism industry and growth in per capita income in Asian countries, the Asia-Pacific market is expected to flourish in the forecast period. China is expected to be the fastest growing market for these devices attributed to the growing access of public with healthcare professional and expanding economy.Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts Market: Key PlayersSome of the key participating players in coronary artery bypass grafts global market are Medtronic, Sorin Group, MAQUET Holding B.V. & Co. KG., Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation, Vitalitec, Novadaq Technologies Inc., KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, Cigna, Kips Bay Medical, Inc., Ethicon US, LLC., Genesee Biomedical Inc. and others.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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Emerging Opportunities in Autonomous Vehicles Market with Current Trends Analysis http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1526 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1526 www.futuremarketinsights.com Autonomous vehicles also known as robot cars are driverless vehicles, controlled by the computer, which is yet to be commercialized in the market. Autonomous vehicles have sensors installed in it, which detects the objects in its surroundings via radar, GPS, lasers and computer vision and chooses the appropriate path and direction. With the increasing road accidents due to human error while driving provides lucrative opportunities for autonomous vehicles over the forecast period, as the autonomous vehicles are comparatively safe when compared with manually controlled vehicles. The autonomous vehicles will also help in reducing the CO2 emissions to the environment. The commercialization of autonomous vehicles will also contribute to the revenue growth of different industries such as, IT, technology and electronics. The use of autonomous vehicles are not limited to passenger cars, it can be used in industrial fleet, construction, public transportation and for agricultural applications. The merits of an autonomous vehicle over manually operated vehicles are, increased fuel efficiency, safety and low emissions among others. Considering the aforementioned factors, the global autonomous vehicles market will project a healthy growth rate over the forecast period.The global autonomous vehicles market is primarily driven by the numerous advantages of an autonomous vehicle such as increased safety reduced driving stress, efficient parking reducing the costs, fuel efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions to the environment and increasing geriatric population will have a positive impact on the global autonomous vehicles market. Apart from the aforementioned factors, the autonomous vehicles will have a positive impact on the economy as a whole. However, the data security concerns might pose as a restrain to the global autonomous vehicles market as the controlling software can be hacked by unauthorized parties, and input spurious information to the system.Request for sample report:The global autonomous market is segmented based on level of automation, application and region. Based on automation level, the global autonomous vehicles market can be segmented into Driver Assistance, Partial Automation, Conditional Automation, High Automation and Full Automation. Based on applications, the global autonomous vehicles market can be segmented into Passenger Cars, Public Transportation, Industrial fleet, Construction and Agricultural applicationsBased on the geographic regions, global autonomous vehicles market is segmented into seven key market segments namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Among the aforementioned regions, the Western Europe market holds the largest share of global autonomous vehicles market, due to the higher adoption of autonomous vehicles in the region. North American market for autonomous vehicles is trailing behind the Western European market. Over the forecast period, China in the Asia-Pacific market will surpass the European as well as American market for autonomous vehicles. The adoption of autonomous vehicle in the developing economies such as Latin America and MEA will be low as compared to other region. Overall, the global autonomous vehicle market will project a healthy CAGR over the forecasted period considering its tremendous advantages over conventional vehicles and impact on environment.Request for TOC:Autonomous Vehicles Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the global autonomous vehicles market are Google, BMW AG, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla Motors, Audi AG among 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.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: Building Automation Systems Market to Raise at a CAGR of 11.1% By 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12823 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/building-automation-systems-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12823 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ In reference to a new report published by Persistence Market Research, the global building automation systems market will showcase significant growth between 2016 and 2026. Manufacturers of building automation systems are rapidly adopting new regulations set across the globe and they are also lining up new products to meet rising market demand. The Persistence Market Research report titled, Building Automation Systems Market: Global Industry Analysis & Forecast, 2016-2026, talks in detail about the market psyche and also scrutinizes the market drifts which are expected to impact the future of the global building automation systems market. The global building automation systems market was valued more than US$ 43 Bn in 2015 and is expected to mint better revenue by the end of 2016, reaching approximately US$ 48 Bn. The market will continue its journey towards expansion and the market worth will reach US$ 141.1 Bn towards the end of 2026. The global building automation systems market will record a CAGR of 11.1% during the projected period.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global Building Automation Systems Market: Factors and Trends Impacting GrowthGovernments around the globe are rolling out different precautionary measures to cut down the wastage of energy. Different new regulatory methods are adopted to reduce the consumption of energy. This is a massive booster for the global building automation systems market. Several big economies around the globe such as Europe, US and Japan have already curated some restrictive methods to revise the previous trends. This opens a new window of opportunity for the global building automation systems market. A slew of new technologies that are eroding this market are actively affecting the global canvas of the market. Better and more advanced technologies are enhancing the end-user experience and also increasing market outreach. The introduction of smart web-based, cloud-based control networks backed by the Internet of Things (IOT), mobile technologies, integrated building systems and facility management solutions are expanding the periphery of the global building automation systems market. Last but not the least, the urgent need for consolidated security solutions is also pushing ahead the market growth of the global building automation systems market. These key factors will complement the all-round development of the market within the forecast period but there are also certain key factors that might barricade the normal development of the market within the period of forecast. Building automation systems come with a high price tag and this is expected to impact their widespread adoption. The absence of skilled manpower is another market growth deterrent.Global Building Automation Systems Market: Revenue ForecastThe rising incidences of security violations across the globe are likely to impact the growth of the security and surveillance segment in the global building automation systems market. The security and surveillance segment will exhibit a robust growth in terms of revenue and will overshadow the market within the forecast period. The commercial segment will contribute notably to the global building automation systems market. Towards the end of the projected period, the commercial segment will touch a market worth of more than US$ 63 Bn and will record a CAGR of 10.9%. Apart from this the government and residential segments will also project promising growth trends by 2026 end. North America will lure maximum investors, as the building automation systems market in this region will exceed a whopping value of US$ 55 Bn by the close of 2026.Request to view Table of Content @Global Building Automation Systems Market: Top ContendersThe global market for building automation systems is crowded with several players. The Rheem Manufacturing Company, United Technologies, General Electric, Lennox International, Philips Lighting Holding B.V., Ingersoll-Rand Plc. Honeywell International Inc., Johnson Controls are some of the major players contributing to the growth of the market. They are establishing smart IT backed platforms to provide advanced building automation systems to their customers.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsAbout 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 Retail Global Industry Research Report Forecast 2021 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/239710-retail-industry-luxury-trends-survey-2015-2016 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=239710 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/239710-retail-industry-luxury-trends-survey-2015-2016 SummaryEven though the highest share of respondents purchased luxury brand items from retail stores operating in their home countries, customers confirmed that offering products at discounted and duty-free prices will definitely motivate them to shop when they are traveling abroad. Similarly, expanding the e-commerce portfolio of products will drive customers to also purchase luxury items online. Moreover, growth in luxury items is gradually shifting towards emerging markets across all product categories. As a result, luxury brand companies are taking advantage of evolving technological and consumer demands to identify factors driving the purchase of luxury items from international locations, and also to help boost profits and remain competitive.Request a Sample Report @Key Findings- The majority of respondents were more likely to buy clothing from Ralph Lauren/Polo and Victoria's Secret brands- The highest percentage of respondents bought luggage and leather goods products from Tumi and Louis Vuitton- Estee Lauder, Qeelin, and Volcom products were mostly bought from department stores in the home country (where the executives reside)- Regardless of gender, Adidas is the most popular brand for respondents, and is mainly bought from brand stores in their home country- Availability at discounted/sale price is the key motivating factor for respondents to purchase items from the luxury brandsSynopsisIndustry Luxury Trends Survey 2016-2017 report examines luxury retail spending habits over the past 12 months and highlights key factors influencing customers' purchasing preferences for luxury brands and the channels through which they purchase these brands. It also analyzes customer spending patterns towards luxury brand categories, the impetus behind purchasing these luxury brands, and the reasons for purchasing these brands abroad. Additionally, it provides information categorized by gender, age, and annual income.What else does this report offer?- Preferred channels for purchase: highlights respondents' list of luxury brands purchased over the last 12 months through various channels- Favorite luxury product range: examines respondents' luxury product range purchased under selected brands- Expenditure: analyzes average expenditure on luxury brand product categories purchased by respondents last year- Key motivational factors: identifies key motivational factors influencing respondents to purchase luxury brands- Popular regions for purchase: provides information about popular regions selected by respondents for purchasing their favorite luxury brands- Preferred countries for purchase: determines respondents' preferred countries for purchasing luxury products over the last 12 months- Reasons for purchase from international locations: evaluates key factors driving the purchase of luxury items from international locationsReasons to Buy- Highlights trends that will impact luxury retail future prospects and help retail operators to realign business strategy- Assist in the development or adjustment of business expansion plans by providing information about the popular brands, preferred sales channels, and favorite overseas locations selected by customers for purchasing luxury brands last year- Helps retail companies to overcome obstacles in sales by demonstrating key motivational factors influencing customers to purchase luxury brands- Highlights the growth prospects of luxury brands across various product categories, which will allow retail operators to boost revenues by focusing on select productsBuy now @Table of Contents1 Introduction1.1 Definitions1.2 Methodology2 Luxury Retail Trends and Purchasing Pattern2.1 Luxury product range purchased under selected brands (overall)2.1.1 The majority of respondents were more likely to buy clothing from Ralph Lauren/Polo and Victorias Secret brands2.1.2 Of those respondents that bought Sunglasses, 89% purchased them from the Sunglass Hut2.1.3 Of respondents, 65% bought footwear products from Adidas2.1.4 Of respondents, 90% bought jewelry, watches, and accessories from Swarovski while 89% of respondents bought from Swatch2.1.5 The highest percentage of respondents bought luggage and leather goods products from Tumi and Louis Vuitton2.1.6 Estee Lauder, Clarins, and LOreal Luxe are the most preferred brands for respondents who shopped for personal care products2.1.7 The highest percentage of respondents bought Montblanc products when they shopped for stationery and cards2.1.8 Analysis of responses on the basis of product category listed in alphabetical order2.2 Luxury brands purchased over the last 12 months through various channelsComplete Report@Contact Us:Norah TrentPartner Relations & Marketing ManagerSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTD75 Arlington Street, Suite 500,Boston, Massaachusetts - 02116United States of AmericaPh: +1-339-368-6938info@wiseguyreports.com Research States, The US Gasoline Market to reach 18,732.8 gpd by 2020: 2016 Edition http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=768179 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=768179 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Albany, NY, Jan 11, 2017: Gasoline (also known as petrol in Europe) is widely used as a fuel in automobiles. Gasoline, in essence, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbon fractions that are obtained from the refining of crude oil. The crude oil is passed through a number of stages to meet a large number of specifications. Additives are often added to upgrade the quality of the gasoline and ensure that the specifications are fulfilled.The gasoline market in the US market to reach 18,732.8 gpd by 2020. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the gasoline market in the US for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the sales of telecom gasoline in different regions.The market is divided into the following segments based on regions:- East Coast- Midwest- Gulf Coast- Rocky Mountain- West CoastGet a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Technavio's report, Gasoline Market in the US 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- BP- Chevron- ConocoPhilips- Exxon Mobil- ShellMarket driver- Uses of gasoline- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- High adoption of alternative vehicles- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Increase in LDVs- For a full, detailed list, view our reportEnquiry at:Key questions answered in this report- What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?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: Online Clothing Rental Market Value to Increase from US$ 705.8 Mn in 2015 to US$ 1,952.4 Mn by 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1452 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1452 www.futuremarketinsights.com Future Market Insights delivers key insights on the global online clothing rental market in a new report titled, Online Clothing Rental Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026. In terms of value, the global online clothing rental market is expected to register a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period owing to various factors, which are analysed in detail in this report.Growth of the global online clothing rental market is driven by increasing preference for fashion and brand consciousness among people across the globe along with rising internet penetration. Consumers are preferring online purchase of clothes due to availability of a large variety at a discounted price. This is fuelling the demand for online rented clothes globally. Changing consumer lifestyles and increasing demand for designer dresses, party wear, and dinner suits is expected to intensify the growth of the global online clothing rental market in the next 10 years. Increasing urbanisation along with rising personal disposable income in regions such as the Asia Pacific are driving the overall growth of the global online clothing rental market.High profitability margins, ease of resource availability, and rising economic opportunity in developing nations are some factors encouraging new players to venture into the global online clothing rental market. Established players in the global online clothing rental market are expanding their product portfolio and are focussing on product innovations and change in target segments, which is creating robust competition in the market.Request Free Report Sample@Segmentation highlightsThe global online clothing rental market is segmented on the basis of Demography (Women, Men, Kids); Price Range (Premium, Mid, Low); Type (Western Wear, Ethnic Wear, Others); End User (B2C, B2B); and Business Model (Peer-to-Peer Model, Standalone Model, Hybrid Model).The Women demography segment is expected to register a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast periodThe Peer-to-Peer business model segment was valued at US$ 656.4 Mn in 2015 and is expected to account for US$ 712.2 Mn by the end of 2016, witnessing a Y-o-Y growth rate of 8.5% over 20162020Regional projectionsThe global online clothing rental market is segmented into the seven key regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan, and MEA. Markets in North America, Western Europe, and APEJ are expected to record high growth rates in terms of value between 2016 and 2026. Amongst all the regions, North America is estimated to account for a comparatively higher value share in 2016. Western Europe is another major market for online clothing rentals. The entry of online luxury fashion due to rising internet penetration is expected to drive market growth in this region. In the APEJ region, increasing personal disposable income is a key driver for sustained growth of the online clothing rental market, and the APEJ market is expected to register a CAGR of 10.1% during the period 2016-2026. The online clothing rental market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period in countries such as India, the ASEAN countries, Australia, and New Zealand.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsThis report covers detailed profiles of key players operating in the global online clothing rental market. The report presents key strategies, key developments, product offerings, and market performance of leading companies. Some of the top companies profiled in the global online clothing rental market report are Rent the Runway, Poshmark, Elanic Services Pvt Ltd., Dress & Go, GlamCorner Pvt Ltd., Envoged, Etashee, Secoo Holdings Ltd, and Secret Worldwide.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: Europe Sulbactam Market 2017:MN Pharmaceuticals, Fresenius Kabi, Dawnrays Pharm, Vardhman Chem Sulbactam https://goo.gl/VOYSGt https://goo.gl/MCzPiY The survey report by Market Research Store is an overview of the Europe Sulbactam market. It covers all the recent trends including key developments in the Europe market in present and in future. Analyses of the Europe Sulbactam market trends along with the projections of CAGRs (compound annual growth rates) are provided in the research report.Further, an evaluation of the history of the Europe market and the basic information of the Europe market is included in the report. A developmental perspective of the industry is also documented in the report. Competitive profiles of the key players in the industry are also discussed.Browse Complete Report with TOC @The research report provides both an assessment of recent developments in the industry along with forecasts examining the industry from the perspective of major competitors, present players and prospective end users in the Sulbactam market.Forecasts are generated on the basis of region, type, product, supply, demand, and other vital factors of the Europe market. The research report analyzed the major factors driving the Europe Sulbactam market in various countries with a satisfactory and manufacturing and structure of the Europe market. Forecasts are also provided region-wise in the research report.The research report comprises several chapters, tables, figures, graphs, and various other presentations formats so as to provide a precise overview of the market. The sequence of the report is maintained in such a way that highlights the overall flow of the Europe market. Recent developments in the Europe market are further described in the research report. The report also summarizes latest trends along with abstracts of the Sulbactam market. Major competitors of the Europe market including commercial and non-commercial participants in the Europe market are also covered in the report.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Thus, the research report provides in-depth analysis covering all the major regions, competitors, and vital aspects of the Sulbactam industry.About Us:MarketResearchStore.com is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact US:Joel JohnSuite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803 Nanomaterials Market Shares, Strategies and Forecast Worldwide, 2015 to 2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-696 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-696 www.futuremarketinsights.com The science of nanomaterials has created a lot of expectation amongst various end user industries. With the increasing applications of nanomaterials, the demand for it is increasing at an increasing rate and is becoming a part of daily lives. Nanomaterials are important product under the nanotechnology. They embrace nanoparticles, smaller than 100 nanometres in at least one dimension. Nanomaterials are widely used in healthcare, electronics, cosmetics and other areas nowadays. Continuous improvement and innovation in the field is driving the growth of the global nanomaterials market.The extraordinary physical and chemicals properties of materials at the nanometre scale enable novel applications ranging from energy conservation and structural strength enhancement to antimicrobial properties and self-cleaning surfaces. The nanotechnology is being increasingly modernised by expending largely on R&D activities which is resulting in the advancement of existing technologies and innovations with reference to the new materials.Request Free Report Sample@Energy storage and construction market is providing a huge growth potential to these materials and driving the overall market for nanomaterials. The increasing electronics market is also providing opportunities to the global nanomaterials market due to the falling prices and improving materials property and efficiency.NanomaterialsMarket: Drivers & RestraintsThe market penetration of the already existing materials and ongoing development of new materials and applications is driving the global nanomaterials market. The unabated market for nanomaterials is being strongly supported by the governmental funding to support the potential growth. The increasing availability of several methods in the field of nanotechnology and new novel methods for fabricating the patterned nanostructures is offering opportunity for better modeling. Some of the other drivers for the growth of global nanomaterials market is partnerships & strategic alliances, increasing number of market players and newer material developments. One of the major factor restraining the growth of global nanomaterials market implies to the growing concerns over environmental impact and toxicity of nanomaterials.NanomaterialsMarket: SegmentationOn the basis of material type, the global nanomaterials market is segmented as follows:Metal Oxide (Silica, Aluminium Oxide/Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxide, Other Metal Oxides)MetalsChemicals and Polymers (Nanopharmaceuticals, Liposomes, Other Chemicals & Polymers)NanotubesOthers (Conventional Materials and New Materials)On the basis of applications the global nanomaterials market is segmented as follows:ConstructionPackagingConsumer GoodsElectrical and ElectronicsEnergyHealth CareTransportationOthers.Nanomaterials Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global nanomaterials market is expected to register a favourable growth for the forecast period, 2015?2025. North America and Europe are the two prominent regions that are projected to endure the control on the global nanomaterials market. Decreasing prices due to the increasing mass production is responsible for the robust growth of the above mentioned markets. The demand for nanomaterials is also surging across Asian regions. The Asia-Pacific region is projected to witness remarkable growth rate owning to the greater demand of nanomaterials in the developing regions like India and China and their continuous research and developmental activities.Visit For TOC@Nanomaterials: Key PlayersThere are a lot of players in the nanomaterials industry of which some of the key market participants in global nanomaterials market are BASF, EMFUTUR Technologies, Evonik Industries, Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC, Bayer AG, SkySpring Nanomaterials, Altair Nanotechnologies Inc., and Nanomaterials Company and others.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery 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: Vacation Rental Software Market - Global Industry, Analysis, Growth And Demand Upto 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=13535 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/vacation-rental-software-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Vacation rental is a house, apartment or a resort rented on temporary basis to tourists as an alternative to a hotel. The term vacation rental is used mainly in North America, whereas in Europe it is known as villa holiday or villa rental. They are also referred as holiday lettings, bed & breakfast, homestay and gites. The vacation rental software enables the house/property managers to manage leads, cash flows, distribution channels and partners or distribution channels. It also offers an efficient point of sale system, efficient documentation system to property managers and increases automation in vendor payables system.Get Sample Report Copy :Lead management functionality generates the price quote automatically according to the requirements of the customer. Further, it also assists sales managers to create personalized quotes in less time and thus eliminates the hassle of manual price calculation. The vacation rental software contains reporting suite which enables the renting entity to evaluate the financial performance of the rented property. Renting entity refers to the property owner organization, property manager or the property owner.As the Internet penetration is increasing tremendously, the renting entities are moving to online platform. The vacation rental software enables the renting entity in building adaptive/responsive websites which provides optimized viewing experience independent of the type of devices (smartphone, personal computers or tablets) being accessed with. This supports the growth of the vacation rental software market. With the support of rental software, the organizations could enhance automation in their regular processes such as vendor payment, partner management and bulk mail system, driving the growth of vacation rental software market. The rising awareness about vacation rental homes through travel websites such as tripadvisor.com and airbnb.com has also generated a demand of vacation rental software to manage the customers and their details such as check-in time, check-out time and their invoice. The vacation rental software could be easily integrated with the travel websites, thus reduces hassle of deploying different software for different websites. The rising complexities in vacation rental business such as payment processes, check-in & check-out processes and customer management is expected to create ample opportunities for vacation rental software market. However, absence of pricing regulations for vacation rentals and fierce competition by hotels is expected to provide hurdles in the adoption of vacation rentals by the tourists. This is further anticipated to curb the growth rate of vacation rental software market.Vacation rental software market is broadly segmented on the basis of deployment type, end-users and geography. On the basis of deployment type, global vacation rental software market is segmented into on premise and cloud deployment. On the basis of end-users, the global vacation rental software market is further segmented into vacation rental owners, property managers, innkeepers, bed & breakfast (B&B) and vacation rental property agency. Moreover, in terms of geographies, the global vacation rental software market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America region.Europe and North America lead in deployment of vacation rental software due to presence of world famous tourist destinations in the region such as California (the U.S.), Miami (the U.S.), Paris (Europe) and Switzerland (Europe). Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing region owing to a large number of vacation rentals present in the tourist destinations such as Maldives, Bangkok and Indonesia.Browse Market Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis :The major participants in the vacation rental software market include companies such as BookingSync, Ciirus Inc., Kigo Inc., VRM Solutions Inc., LiveRez Inc., OwnerRez Inc., 365Villas.com Ltd, Convoyant LLC, Rental Network Software Corp. and Trekadoo LLC.About Us :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.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: BELMOND Lloyd H. Christenson, 96, passed away Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, at Sartori Memorial Hospital, Cedar Falls, IA. Lloyd lived and farmed in the Belmond, Iowa, area for most of his life prior to Cedar Falls, to be near his daughter Nancy. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church west of Belmond. Pastor Jim Gochenouer will be officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Belmond Military Unit will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to the services at church Thursday. Lloyd was born to Oluf and Anna (Wenos) Christenson, March 29, 1920, on the family farm near Kanawha, Iowa. Lloyd attended Norway Township rural school through the eighth grade, then became a farm hand. He was baptized in Christian faith at St. Olaf Lutheran Church where he was an active member most of his life, serving on the council and involved in small group Bible Study. Lloyd was married on Jan. 29, 1942, in Maryville, MO, to Eunice Ellingston of Belmond, Iowa. With the emergence of World War II, Lloyd enlisted in Air Force. During that time, he attended Allison Engine School at Indiana Central College which enabled him to become an airplane inspector over maintenance. He was later deployed to California where Eunice was able to join him. Lloyd continued his job description for most of the three remaining years in the military. Time and again, Lloyd and Eunice would reflect upon those unique experiences serving their country. With the ending of the war, Lloyd and Eunice returned to Iowa in 1945 with their daughter, Nancy Lynn. Their son Charles Lloyd (Chuck) joined the little family a few years later. They made their home on the family farm where Lloyd pursued his life raising hogs and farming the land. In the late 1960s, Lloyd and Eunice moved to their home in Belmond. Lloyd continued farming for several more years, however, found he had time to work at the Belmond Lumber Yard during the winter months. During this time, Lloyd discovered his passion for creating with wood. Soon he had little cars and trucks lined up for his grandchildren to enjoy. Eventually, he would be found taking on larger projects in his shop. Lloyd seemed to make friends most everywhere life found him. His family, grandchildren, and later his great-grandchildren were his greatest enjoyment. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter Nancy Stadlman and husband Neil of Cedar Falls, IA, daughter-in-law Linda Hagen and husband Gary of Wells, MN; four grandchildren, Braden (Rebecca) Stadlman and great-grandsons, Levi , Wyatt, and Owen of Golden Valley, MN, Mike Christenson of Prior Lake, MN, Breon Stadlman of Minneapolis, MN, and Amy Christenson of London, UK. Other survivors include brother-in-law Ray (Becky) Ellingston, Belmond, IA, sister-in-law Opal Ellingston of Nashville, Tennessee, nieces and nephews and extended family members. Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife Eunice, his parents, four brothers and four sisters, one sister in infancy, and son Charles (Chuck). Memorials may be directed to Christian Crusaders or St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Belmond. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA, 641-444-4474. www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com. Asia Pacific Solar Water Heater Market Expecting Worldwide Growth by 2020 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3282 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3282 he solar water heater (SWH) uses solar energy to heat water. Solar water heater (SWH) is made of solar power collector panels and a water storage tank. It supplies hot water for various house hood activities such as washing, bathing and cleaning. Apart from the domestic use solar water heater is widely in use in commercial places such as hotels and public institutions. The innovation in the field of hybrid water heater is making it as one of the prefer choice among manufacturing industries. It is generally installed at the top of the roof in order to get sufficient exposure of the sun light.A sample of this report is available upon request @On the basis of the solar plate technology the Asia Pacific solar water heater market is segmented into plate collection type water heater, and evacuated tubes collection type water heaters. Based on the various product segments the market can be categorise in two broad categories namely active solar water heater and passive solar water heater. In active solar water heaters external water pump is needed for water circulation. Passive solar water heater doesnt need any pumps for water circulation.Increased market demand of solar water heater is mainly driven by increasing awareness about various cost and environment related beneficiaries of solar energy, as it is free of cost, green and renewal source of energy. More over the various supports from government and United Nations (UN) to developing economies is boosting global solar water heater market.The efficiency level of solar water heater varies from one climatic region to other climatic region based on intensity of sun light. Limitation of solar water heater in winters and cold climatic region is one of major restrain of the market.China is by far the largest market of solar water heater (SWH) constituting about 50% of the total market. It is followed by India, Japan and Australia. Asia Pacific is the fasted growing market owing to the large potential of solar power generation in this region. Over the past few years both India and China are investing heavily on the development of solar power generation and solar power based appliances.Request to view Table of content @Some of the leading companies operating in Asia Pacific solar water heater market include, EMMVEE Solar, Systems, Genersys, Nuetech Solar System, Phoneix Solar System, Siemens AG, GE Co., Heat Transfer Products Inc., Rheem Manufacturing Co., and Rinnai Corp.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.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Server Software Market - Global Industry, Analysis, Growth And Demand Upto 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=13820 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/server-software-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Servers are classified into various types such as application servers, web servers, database servers, cloud computing servers and file servers. Application servers are designed to install, operate and host applications for the end users. Web server is a system that uses network protocols such as hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) to deliver the HTML files requested by the end user through its Internet browser. Database server is the backend system of the database application which is used to perform functions such as data analysis, data manipulation, storage and archiving.Get Sample Report Copy :Cloud computing servers are remotely accessed servers, built, hosted and delivered through a cloud platform over the Internet. File server is a computer or device that handles the request for files and transfers the files as requested by the end user. Server software is specifically designed for operating, managing and increasing server computing power. Server software is built to interact with servers hardware, which includes processor, memory devices, input/output devices and other communication ports. Server software is installed on the server and could be accessed by multiple users on the network.The deployment of server in the organization enables the centralization of data and installed applications. This factor would significantly help in the growth of server software market. Extensive usage of computers, laptops and smartphones is the major factor driving the growth of server software market. Rising Internet penetration in emerging economies such as India and Brazil has created huge demand of web servers which supports the growth of web server software market. Growing demand from developers to create applications for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets supports the growth of server software market. Growth of cloud based applications and development in Internet of Things (IoT) applications are likely to create immense opportunities for server software market. However, integration and compatibility issues with processors/storage devices servers pose a challenge to server software market.Server software market is broadly segmented on the basis of server type, deployment and geography. On the basis of type, the server software market is segmented into application server software, web server software, database server software, cloud computing server software and file server software. On the basis of deployment, the server software market is segmented into on-premise and cloud deployment. Moreover, in terms of geographies, the global server software market is segmented into North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Middle East and Africa; and Latin America. North America is one of the leading regions in terms of adoption of server software due to huge adoption of cloud services in the region. Server software market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow significantly during the coming years due to high rate of growth in Internet penetration and digitalization in the region.Browse Market Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis :The major participants of the server software market include Microsoft Corporation, Dell Corporation, International Business Machine (IBM) Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Red Hat Inc., SAP SE, Apache Software Foundation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LLC, CodeLathe LLC, and Aprelium.About Us :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.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: North American Healthcare Cloud Computing Market Revenue Predicted To Go Up by 2020 - PMR Report http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3319 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3319 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com The North American healthcare cloud computing market is categorized based on various service modes, applications, deployment modes, pricing models and components. The service mode segment is further sub-segmented into Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). The application segment includes Non Clinical Information System (NCIS) and Clinical Information System (CIS). The NCIS sub-segment is further divided into patient billing, payroll management, revenue cycle management and claims reimbursement systems. The CIS sub-segment includes Pharmacy Information System (PIS), Laboratory Information System (LIS), EMR and Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE).A sample of this report is available upon request @Healthcare cloud computing facilitates faster accessibility of electronic medical records and large storage of medical information in hospitals and clinics. Cloud computing also plays a vital role in patient billing and reduces capital expenditure which is associated with conventional mode of billing practices.The deployment segment is categorized into private, public, community and hybrid modes of deployment. The pricing model segment is sub-segmented into pay-as-you-go model and the subscription-based cloud computing pricing model. The component segment includes services, software and hardware.The U.S. and Canada dominates the North American healthcare cloud computing market due to improved healthcare infrastructure. For instance, in 2012, American Hospital Association (AHA), a national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals and healthcare networks conducted an annual survey of total number of registered hospitals in the U.S. This number was 5,723 in 2012. Registered hospitals are those hospitals that fulfill all the AHA criteria. This improved healthcare system in the U.S. has resulted in significant rise in demand of cloud computing services for delivery of better healthcare services.In recent time, increased adoption of information technology is key driver for the North American healthcare cloud computing market. In addition, several government legislative reforms like Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act (PPACA) and advanced features of healthcare cloud computing services are also supporting in growth of the North American healthcare cloud computing market. However, the high cost involved in implementation of CIS is key restraint for the North American healthcare cloud computing market. Moreover, lack of security and privacy of patients information in CIS also obstructs the growth of the North American healthcare cloud computing market. Increasing usage of portable devices, such as cell-phones and laptops, to access healthcare services is key trend for the North American healthcare cloud computing market.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Some of the major companies operating in the North American healthcare cloud computing market are CareCloud Corporation, athenahealth, Inc., Carestream Health, Inc., ClearData Networks, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., EMC Corporation, Dell, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, Iron Mountain, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Merge Healthcare, Inc., VMware, Inc. and Oracle 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: mHealth App Market Sizing over 2015-2020: mHealth business models, App publishers Profile and Market Forecast till 2020 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=487918 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=487918 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Albany, NY, Jan 11, 2017: Despite the hype around mHealth apps, the global mHealth app market is a niche market today. This will change over the course of the next five years as mHealth app publishers will more and more concentrate on business models that uses mHealth apps to sell connected devices and services. Traditional apps store revenue sources like paid downloads, in-app purchase and in-app advertisement will not be big enough to support the growing number of mHealth app publishers.mHealth app users will remain the main driver for the next years allowing monetization strategies based on B2C business models. B2B models will become more important with health plans and HCPs integrating mHealth apps into the traditional healthcare market.Current market size: Provides current sizing of the mHealth market in terms of app numbers, app downloads and app store revenues for all mHealth apps or by app category. It identifies key application segments according to their current reach.Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Country mHealth markets: The report looks into the mHealth app market of 56 countries. It profiles 10 countries which currently offer the best market potential for mHealth app publishers. It provides information about the country mHealth app market characteristics, such as which platform leads in the country and required download numbers to enter a top 5 ranking position.17 mHealth business models: Describes performance of mHealth app publishers and their different monetization strategies. It identifies the most commonly used business models for mHealth apps and provides overview and best practice examples.Top mHealth app publishers: Publishers background and performance differ significantly for the Health&Fitness and Medical app section. The report list and describes current most successful Health&Fitness and Medical app publishers. It analyzes their product portfolio and its performance.mHealth market forecast: Estimates market size and market revenue until 2020. The market forecast provides a detailed outlook on demand and supply side of the mHealth app market in the next five years. It forecasts the number of mHealth app users, their platform preference and the number of downloads. The mHealth market revenue is provided for the main revenue sources.Enquiry at:Table of Content1 Summary2 Scope3 Current status of the mHealth app market3.1 mHealth app categories market share3.2 Country market share by downloads and revenues4 Top 10 mHealth countries profiles4.1 China4.2 USA4.3 Germany4.4 Japan4.5 United Kingdom4.6 France4.7 Russia4.8 Brazil4.9 Italy4.10 Turkey....................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: North American Long-Term Acute Care Market will generate new growth opportunities by 2020 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3336 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3336 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Respiratory therapy includes products such as ventilators, oxygen delivery devices and aerosol delivery devices. Wound care includes product such as standards and advanced wound dressings, negative pressure wound therapy, skin substitutes and other products. Dialysis includes therapy such as hemodialysis, hemofiltration and peritoneal dialysis. Some of the monitoring technologies used by long-term acute care hospitals are cardiac monitors, pulse oximeters and blood pressure monitors.A sample of this report is available upon request @A long-term acute care refers a specialty care provided by long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) to the patients in their serious medical conditions. In these medical conditions patient requires intense and special treatment for an intended period of time. In long-term acute care, a patient needs to stay for 25 to 30 days in hospitals for their Medicare. On the basis of types of patient, long-term acute care market can be segmented into respiratory patients, multiple IV medications or transfusions required patients, renal failure patients, prolonged ventilator use patients, wound care patients and others. Long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) provide services such as cardiopulmonary monitoring, respiratory therapy, dialysis, mechanical ventilation, wound care and others.Various factors such as increasing aging population, technological advancement in patient care, rise in need for long-term care services, increasing number of patients in long-term acute care facilities are expected to drive the North American long-term acute care market. In addition, increasing government spending in healthcare sector is expected to drive the North American long-term acute care market. However, high cost of new technologies, time consuming technical interfaces and complicated workflow are some of the factors restraining the growth for long-term acute care market in North America.Adoption of technological advancement and growing demand for long-term acute care due to continuous rise in aging population are expected to offer good opportunities for long-term acute care market. Increasing patient centric approach and new product launches are some of the latest trends have been observed in North American long-term acute care market.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Some of the major companies operating in the North American long-term acute care market are CareFusion, Fresenius Medical Care, Philips Healthcare, Prism Medical Ltd., Covidien, Kinetic Concepts, Inc., SelectMark and Promise Healthcare, Inc.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: Global Limit Switches Market- Schneider, OMRON, ABB, Siemens and Mitsumi Limit Switches http://bit.ly/2j0mOyT http://bit.ly/2juhv9T The market research report by QY Research provides detailed study on the overall Limit Switches market size, its financial positions, its unique selling points, key products, and key developments. This research report has segmented the Limit Switches market based on the segments covering all the domains in terms of type, country, region, forecasting revenues, and market share, along with analysis of latest trends in every sub-segment.Click Here to Request Sample Report @The qualitative segmentation of Limit Switches market covered in the report gives in-depth information of the overall market. Furthermore, the market size, share, forecast trends, analysis, sales, supply, production, demand, major manufacturers, end-users, and many other vital factors are comprised in the Market Research Limit Switches report by QY Research. By these comprehensive data, it is simple to take and make precise and accurate decisions taking into consideration the present market situation and the forecasts of the global market, which in turn may result into profitable step for our clients.A competitive landscape that identifies the major competitors of the global market and their market share are further highlighted in the research report. A deliberate profiling of major competitors of the Limit Switches market as well as a inclusive analysis of their current developments, core competencies, and investments in each segment are also elaborated in the research report.Browse Full Report at @The overall information of the Limit Switches market provided in the report helps our client to make precise and accurate decisions in order to gain maximum profit in this cutthroat competition in the global market. The report comprises various elements such as table, figure, charts, TOCs, chapters, and so on so as to provide a crystal clear data to the client giving a brief of the market and its trends. Thus, the report provides in-depth information of the Limit Switches market in terms of revenue, value, volume, region, and many more.Table of ContentsChapter One Limit Switches Industry Overview1.1 Limit Switches Definition1.2 Limit Switches Classification and Application1.3 Limit Switches Industry Chain Structure1.4 Limit Switches Industry OverviewAbout Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651 Global Portable Hyperbaric Chamber Market- OxyHealth, Hear MEC, Healing Dives and Weifang Zhongshitaida Rescue Products Portable Hyperbaric Chamber http://bit.ly/2iioCV5 The market research report by QY Research provides detailed study on the overall Portable Hyperbaric Chamber market size, its financial positions, its unique selling points, key products, and key developments. This research report has segmented the Portable Hyperbaric Chamber market based on the segments covering all the domains in terms of type, country, region, forecasting revenues, and market share, along with analysis of latest trends in every sub-segment.Click Here to Request Sample Report @The qualitative segmentation of Portable Hyperbaric Chamber market covered in the report gives in-depth information of the overall market. Furthermore, the market size, share, forecast trends, analysis, sales, supply, production, demand, major manufacturers, end-users, and many other vital factors are comprised in the Market Research Portable Hyperbaric Chamber report by QY Research. By these comprehensive data, it is simple to take and make precise and accurate decisions taking into consideration the present market situation and the forecasts of the global market, which in turn may result into profitable step for our clients.A competitive landscape that identifies the major competitors of the global market and their market share are further highlighted in the research report. A deliberate profiling of major competitors of the Portable Hyperbaric Chamber market as well as a inclusive analysis of their current developments, core competencies, and investments in each segment are also elaborated in the research report.Browse Full Report at @The overall information of the Portable Hyperbaric Chamber market provided in the report helps our client to make precise and accurate decisions in order to gain maximum profit in this cutthroat competition in the global market. The report comprises various elements such as table, figure, charts, TOCs, chapters, and so on so as to provide a crystal clear data to the client giving a brief of the market and its trends. Thus, the report provides in-depth information of the Portable Hyperbaric Chamber market in terms of revenue, value, volume, region, and many more.Table of ContentsChapter One Portable Hyperbaric Chamber Industry Overview1.1 Portable Hyperbaric Chamber Definition1.2 Portable Hyperbaric Chamber Classification and Application1.3 Portable Hyperbaric Chamber Industry Chain Structure1.4 Portable Hyperbaric Chamber Industry OverviewAbout Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651 Flat Glass Market to Register a Strong Growth by 2020 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3361 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3361 Flat glass (sheet glass, plate glass or glass pane) comprise all classes of glass produced in flat form, regardless of any manufacturing methodology used. Flat glasses are used widely in construction industries such as glass windows, glass doors, and transparent walls in modern infrastructures. It is also used as windshields in automotive applications. Some of the most important constituents of flat glass include magnesium oxide, sodium oxide, silica, calcium oxide, and aluminum oxide.A sample of this report is available upon request @On the basis of different product types, the global flat glass market can be segmented in seven broad categories namely annealed glass, toughened glass, laminated glass, coated glass, mirrored glass, patterned glass and extra clear glass. Based on the various manufacturing methods, the market can be segmented in three broad classes namely float glass, sheet glass, and rolled glass.Float glass technique is most widely adopted technology worldwide. It grasped the largest market share in the year 2013. Based on the various end user applications, the global flat glass market is broadly categorized as construction, automotive and others. Construction is the largest application segment of flat glass. It covers more than 50 per cent of the total market share of the flat glass market.The various properties of flat glass such as energy saving, noise control, cost benefits, luxury design, fire resistant, chemical inertness and self-cleaning properties are making it as one of the preferred choice for construction industry. Moreover the increasing use of flat glass in modern architectural designs is driving global flat glass market. Growing original equipments manufacturing (OEM) in automotive industry is further boosting the flat glass market.The rising demand of renewal energy sources such as photovoltaic cells, solar panels, and E-glass is providing new growth opportunity for the flat glass market. The rising cost of raw material and lack of proper logistic supply chain management in developing countries are posing challenge for global flat glass market.Asia Pacific is the largest market of flat glass followed by Europe and North America. China alone covers about 50 per cent of global market share of flat glass. Japan is the second largest market of flat glass in Asia Pacific. Germany accounts for the largest market of flat glass in Europe. Asia Pacific region is the fasted growing market of flat glass owing to the massive urbanization and demand of passenger car from developing countries in this region.Request to view Table of content @Some of the major companies operating in global flat glass market include Taiwan Glass Group, Trakya Cam Sanayii A.S., Pilkington Group Limited, Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. Gujarat Guardian Limited, Guardian Industries Corp., Carlex Glass Company, Central Glass Co., Ltd., Compagnie De Saint-Gobain, PT Asahimas Flat Glass Tbk, AGC Glass Company North America and Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Formic Acid Market Would Register a Healthy Growth by 2020 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3366 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3366 Formic acid, also known as methanoic acid is a vital intermediate in chemical synthesis, occurring naturally, mostly in ant venom. It belongs to the group of carboxylic acids having a colorless appearance and a highly pungent odor, and is soluble in various alcohols, acetones and ethers. The applications majorly require formic acid in concentrations of 99%, 94%, 90%, and 85%., with 85% being the industry standard acid. A large amount of formic acid is produced as a byproduct in the manufacturing of other chemicals such as acetic acid and hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. Formic acid is widely used as a silage and animal feed preservative, antibacterial agent in livestock feed, production of leather, pharmaceutical, rubber chemical, and as a substitute to mineral acids in various cleaning products. It is also used to regulate the pH of various chemical processes.A sample of this report is available upon request @The global market for formic acid has been witnessing a noticeable growth on account of growing demand for preservatives and feed additives. Improving living standards internationally has resulted in the growing consumption of meat thereby boosting the demand for formic acid in animal feeds and silage preservatives. Europe accounts for the largest market for formic acid since the banning of antibiotic growth promoters by the European Union in 2006. The market for formic acid in other regions such as Middle East, South America and Central America has also been well-established in tanning and leather applications. In addition, presence of significant textiles and natural rubber industries in Southeast Asia has made the formic acid industry lucrative in the region.Formic acid is one of the basic organic chemical raw materials widely used in rubbers, pharmaceuticals, dyes, leather and pesticides. The high quality nature of formic acid coupled with the global environmental acceptability is one of the major influencing factors creating an upsurge in the demand in the industry. Moreover, the upcoming safety regulations for the production of formic acid is also anticipated to be one of the key influencing factors for the growth of formic acid with an increased emphasis on different types of products and their respective applications.Increasing demand for formic acid in animal feed additives and silage preservatives is expected to be one of major growth factors driving the formic acid market. Moreover, growing textile, leather and rubber industries in emerging economies such as China and India is also anticipated to contribute towards the growing demand for formic acid. Moreover, the ban of antibiotics as a growth promoter in Europe in 2006 has led to an increased demand for formic acid as a substitute. However, fluctuating weather conditions are expected to negatively affect the production of certain application industries such as silage preservative and animal feed additives, which in turn is expected to result in declining demand for formic acid. Focus on research and development activities for the development of innovative products is expected to provide new opportunities for the growth of the market.Request to view Table of content @Chongqing Chuandong Chemical (Group) Co. Ltd., BASF SE, Alfa Aesar, Perstorp AB, Helm Italia S.R.L, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers Co. Ltd., Feicheng Acid Chemicals Co. Ltd., Shanxiyuanping Chemicals Co. Ltd., Samsung Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd., and Taminco Corporation are some of the key formic acid manufactures dominating the market.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.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Herbicides Market Is Expected To Generate Huge Profits by 2020 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3369 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3369 Herbicides are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Herbicides are generally used to clear waste ground, industrial sites and kill all plant material with which they come into contact. Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and landscape turf management. Herbicides are toxic in nature and cause several health diseases with the direct contact. Health effects ranging from skin rashes to death can arise from intentional or unintentional direct consumption of herbicides. In addition, improper application resulting in the herbicide coming into direct contact with people or wildlife. Herbicides are used to protect wide variety of grains, cereals, oilseeds, vegetable crops from infestation of weeds.A sample of this report is available upon request @On the basis of product type, Herbicides market can be segmented into Atrazine, Acetochlor, Glyphosate and others. On the basis of crop type, herbicides market is classified as Oilseeds, Cereals & grains, Fruits & Vegetables and others.North America is the largest market for herbicides, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market. China and India hold the key for future market trends in herbicides market due to changes in farming practices, rapid growth in agriculture sector and increasing acceptance of modern farming and protected agriculture in these regions.Some of the major drivers contributing the overall market growth of herbicides include limited availability of cultivable land, change in farming practices and technology and increasing acceptance of modern farming and protected agriculture. Growing concern towards environment and genetically modified crops are some of the major restraints for herbicides market. Strict approvals and regulations and ban and restriction imposed by regulatory authority are expected to pose severe challenge to the growth of herbicides market. Rapid growth in the organic herbicides market can act as an opportunity for herbicides market.Request to view Table of content @Some of the major companies operating in the herbicides market include Chemtura Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, Cheminova A/S, BASF, Monsanto Company, Nissan Chemical Industries Ltd, Syngenta AG, Drexel Chemical Company, E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Company, Nufarm Limited, FMC Corporation, Marrone Bio Innovations Inc., Valent Biosciences Corp and Wilbur-Ellis Company.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.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com MASON CITY | The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health will host free seminars on the Smoke Free Homes program this month. The seminars are directed toward landlords and will explain how to qualify for program benefits and resources. Landlords will also learn how to navigate the Smoke Free Homes website and list their properties for free. Seminars will be held at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health in Mohawk Square from 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 12; 3 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 19; and 4 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 24. Many renters are looking for smoke-free properties and the Smoke Free Homes program provides landlords with signage, guidance, and more free of charge, according to a press release from the public health department. While attendance is free, registration is required. To register, call Penny McCaslin at 641-421-9329. Fungicides Market Estimated to Grow Strongly by 2022 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3387 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3387 Fungicides is a type of pesticide used to kill the fungi or fungi spores. Fungicides finds major use in the agricultural sector for crop protection. It is used to prevent the damage to crops caused by the attack of fungicides. It gives higher yield with better quality of the crops. It is also used to kill the fungal infections in animals. The use of fungicides differ according to the type of crop. Different types of fungicides available are translaminar, systemic and contact fungicides. The active ingredients include chlorothalonil, mancozeb, prochloraz, propicanazole, prochloraz, propicanazole and many more. One of the most common active ingredient in the fungicides is sulfur. Some fungicides are dangerous to human health and so the major laws governing the use of fungicides in different countries is expected to hamper the growth of global fungicides market in the near future. However, the global fungicides market is expected to witness a moderate single digit growth in the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @The most significant demand driver for the global fungicides market is the increasing demand for fungicides in the crop protection sector for ensuring higher crop yields. The growing population is also expected to be the major driving factor for the global fungicides market. The increasing concerns pertaining to the disease control is anticipated to drive the global fungicides market. The shrinking arable land and the growing demand for food is projected to increase the demand for fungicides, thereby driving the global fungicides market.The growing technological advancements in the seeds is expected to restrain the global fungicides market in the upcoming years. The use of genetically modified crops is projected to restrain the growth of global fungicides market in the near future.The development of new organic fungicides is expected to create new opportunities in terms of revenue for the major players in the global fungicides market.Request to view Table of content @The global fungicides market is segmented into five key regions on the basis of geography as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Asia pacific holds the largest market share in the global fungicides market, owing to the large agricultural business in this region. India and China is expected to be the maximum market share holding countries in the global fungicides market. Use of fungicides in the European countries is also expected to increase in the near future due to the stringent regulatory authorities in this region. The consumption of fungicides is also anticipated to escalate in the European countries in the upcoming years. The consumption of fungicides in Middle East and Africa is projected to demonstrate a stagnant growth in the forecast period.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.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Power Rental Market Global Industry Analysis Forecast - 2019 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1763 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/power-rental-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The featured report from Transparency Market Research, titled Power Rental Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2012 - 2019, offers a 360-degree view of the market. According to this report, the global power rental market will soar at a 16.2% CAGR during the forecast period from 2013 to 2019. In 2012, the global power rental market was worth US$7.28 billion and by 2019, the market is expected to be worth US$20.64 billion.The global power rental market is driven by the rising grid instability due to the aging of conventional grids. Furthermore, the alternating power spikes will also augment the markets growth. The global power rental market will also benefit from the rising awareness about curtailing the energy demand during peak hours. Other factors that will fuel the global power rental market include the rising preference to renting power instead of buying it.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical industry insights :On the contrary, accelerating environmental concerns, along with limited product differentiation, will suppress the global power rental market. Moreover, the market will be challenged by the rising focus of nations on renewable energy and payment issues in developing and underdeveloped nations.Application-wise, the global power rental market is segmented into peak shaving, standby, and continuous power. The peak shaving market is expected to witness a CAGR of 16.8% during the forecasting horizon. According to end use, the global power rental market is divided into events, industrial, construction, oil, gas, and mining, and government and utilities.Geography-wise, the global power rental market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World (RoW). In 2012, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) market collectively held more than 31% of the overall power rental market. Saudi Arabia in the MEA power rental market is expected to demonstrate high growth in the coming years. The expanding infrastructure, rising construction activities, and the high demand for electricity in remote areas are together driving the Saudi Arabia power rental market. Generators are either used for prime or standby purposes in Saudi Arabia and are completely dependent on grid connectivity.In the same year, the Asia Pacific power rental market held a share of 19% in the global market. The Asia Pacific power rental market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.8% during the forecasting horizon. The rising industrialization and urbanization in Asia Pacific is expected to drive the demand for power rental in this region.Complete Report with TOC :Players in the global power rental market will benefit from the rising applications of power rental in off-grid areas. In addition to this, players will also benefit from the rising demand for power in the Middle East and Africa and the high growth potential of Asia Pacific countries. The key companies operating in the global power rental market are Caterpillar, APR Energy, Aggreko, Atlas Copco, Ashtead Group, Speedy Hire, Rental Power Solutions, Power Electronics, United Rentals, and Worldwide Power Products.Key segments of the Global Power Rental MarketPower Rental Market: Application AnalysisPeak ShavingContinuous PowerStandbyPower Rental Systems Market: End User AnalysisGovernment and UtilitiesOil, Gas and MiningConstructionIndustrialEventsPower Rental Market: Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of World (RoW)ContactTransparency 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 global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insights for decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, TMR employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207 Global Cardiac Pacemaker Market to Approach US$ 3923.8 Million by 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12382 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/cardiac-pacemaker-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12382 Persistence Market Research (PMR) delivers key insights on the global cardiac pacemaker market in its upcoming report titled, Cardiac Pacemaker Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024. The global cardiac pacemaker market was valued at US$ 4,100.0 Mn in 2015 and this is likely to decline to US$ 3923.8 Mn by 2024. In terms of revenue, the global cardiac pacemaker market is anticipated to exhibit a declining CAGR of -0.5% over the forecast period owing to various factors, on which PMR offers detailed insights and forecasts.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @A key unmet need in global cardiac pacemaker market is the lack of a 100% safe and efficient pacemaker device to treat arrhythmias. There is an imperative need for development of cost-effective and rapid diagnostic methods for arrhythmias with a growing geriatric population and increasing patient pool with escalating global demand for treatment. This is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities to new players in the global cardiac pacemaker market. Various key players in the cardiac pacemaker market are signing partnerships and licensing deals to share the research and development platform. In 2014, Medtronic has signed a deal with Lifetech Scientific to bring pacemaker into the Chinese market. According to the agreement, Lifetech Scientific shall manufacture pacemaker at their facility and Medtronics would provide with technology and required training.The market is segmented based on product type, end users, and regions. Based on product type, the market is segmented into implantable pacemaker and external pacemaker. Both the segments are expected to exhibit a negative CAGR for the forecast period, owing to increasing number of device recall related to device malfunctioning. The implantable pacemaker segment is expected to exhibit a declining CAGR of -0.5% and external pacemaker segment is expected to exhibit a declining CAGR of -1.0% during the forecast period.Based on end users, the market is segmented into hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. The hospitals segment is anticipated to account for the highest market share over the forecast period exhibiting a declining CAGR of -0.1% due to better reimbursement rates offered by government and non-government bodies.This report assesses trends, that drive growth of each segment on the global as well as regional levels, and offers potential takeaways, that could prove substantially useful to medical device manufacturing companies who wish to enter into the global cardiac pacemaker market. North America and Europe are expected to lose market share in terms of revenue generation. Latin America, APAC, and MEA are collectively expected to be more attractive in terms of revenue generation in the global cardiac pacemaker market in 2016 with growth in revenue for the forecast period. Latin America is expected to expand at a CAGR of 1.1% closely followed by Asia Pacific with a CAGR of 1.0% over the forecast period, due to increase in the diagnosis rate and improved healthcare infrastructure. The India cardiac pacemaker market is expected to increase over other markets and register a CAGR of 1.5% in the region due to increased government initiative, increase in health care expenditure, and increase in disease prevalence. The growth of cardiac pacemakers in this region is largely due to increased participation of local manufacturers and increasing healthcare expenditure.Request to View Tables of Content @Some key players in the global cardiac pacemaker market identified in this report are Medtronics, Lepu Medical Technology Co ltd., Osypka Medical GmbH. MEDICOWEB, Boston Scientific Corporation, Pacetronix ltd., BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, LivaNova Plc., and St.Jude Medical Inc. Persistence Market Research has discussed individual strategies of these companies in terms of increasing focus on rare diseases, initiatives to increase awareness, and enhancing distribution base. The report has been concluded with strategic recommendations for players already present in the market and new players planning to enter the market, which could help them in the long run.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs en-gagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Smart Healthcare Products Market Manufacturers, Processing, Type, Sales, Cost, Revenue and Growth Rate by 2017-2021 http://orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/173932 http://orbisresearch.com/reports/index/2017-market-research-report-on-global-smart-healthcare-products-industry http://orbisresearch.com/contacts/discount/173932 http://orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/173932 The Smart Healthcare Products Market Research Report is an in-depth study of the recent market trends, growth, insights and consumption analysis in the global industry. The report offers detail analysis for the historic period, 20112017 and the forecast period, 20172021. Market overview is provided on the basis of definition, product overview, applications and future scope of Smart Healthcare Products. The Study also covers the detailed information of Manufacturers, Type and Key Regions.Download PDF Sample of Smart Healthcare Products Market @Smart Healthcare Products Market Report offers strategic insights into Major Manufacturers Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors, Product Type, Application and Specification, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin:Following manufacturers are analysed: AirStrip Technologies Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Samsung Electronics Corporation Apple AT&T GE Healthcare Olympus Corporation Given Imaging Logi-Tag Solstice Medical LLC Cerner Corporation Siemens Medical Solutions Pepperl+Fuchs Hurst Green Plastics Bollhoff Group Wurth Group Brooks Automation LogTag Stanley Innerspace IBM CiscoBrowse Detailed Report on Smart Healthcare Products Market at:Regional analysis for the Smart Healthcare Products market is offered on the basis of production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Smart Healthcare Products in these regions, from 20112021 (forecast).Following regions are analysed: North America Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaCheck Discount on this Report:Smart Healthcare Products Market Research Report also covers the product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type and Applications focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Smart Healthcare Products in each application.Reason to Purchase this Report?The report of Smart Healthcare Products Market provides the detailed segmentation in terms of types, applications, manufacturers and regions. The current market scenario and future growth has also covered in this report. The research also offers manufacturing cost analysis, industry chain analysis in terms of upstream raw material sourcing and downstream buyers. Moreover, an extensive analysis of production, consumption, and revenue for each segment is offered for the forecast period.Enquiry about this report:Table of ContentChapter One: Smart Healthcare Products Market OverviewChapter Two: Global Smart Healthcare Products Market Competition By ManufacturersChapter Three: Global Smart Healthcare Products Production, Revenue (Value) By Region (2011-2016)Chapter Four: Global Smart Healthcare Products Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import By Regions (2011-2016)Chapter Five: Global Smart Healthcare Products Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend By TypeChapter Six: Global Smart Healthcare Products Market Analysis By ApplicationChapter Seven: Global Smart Healthcare Products Manufacturers Profiles/AnalysisChapter Eight: Smart Healthcare Products Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter Nine: Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter Ten: Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter Eleven: Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter Twelve: Global Smart Healthcare Products Market Forecast (2016-2021)Chapter Thirteen: Research Findings and ConclusionChapter Fourteen: AppendixOrbis Research is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customised reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialisation. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.com Global Webcams Market 2016 Industry with Current Trends Analysis & Forecast-2022 Webcams http://bit.ly/2juk2km Global Webcams Market Research ReportThe MRS Research Group Webcams report by QY Research represents an inclusive evaluation of the Webcams Market and comprises considerable insights, historical data, facts,and statistical and industry-validated data of the global market.Additionally,it consists of estimated data that is evaluated with the help of suitable set of methodologies and assumptions.The MRS Research Group report research highlights informative data and in-depth analysis of Webcams market and its corresponding segments that are based on technology,geography, and applications.Click Here For Sample Research Report @The report comprises precise information, comprehensive analysis in two ways qualitative and quantitative industry experts inputs, and information provided by industry analysts and industry participants involved in the entire value chain.The report highlights exhaustive study of major market and their present trends,along with corresponding market segments.The Webcams report also provides data regarding various market factors and their impact on the overall market and its segments.Every market segment of the Webcams industry is analyzed in a quantitative as well as qualitative way in order to provide the customers with a relative estimation of the global market.MRS Research Group is the worlds giant collection of the Market research Reports. Where we specialized in global publisher, tailor made reports and specialists consulting. Global Publisher provides in-depth analysis of global and Chinese market. Tailor-made reports represent methodologies deliverable to proper insight of the client. While, expertise research specialist helps to provide strategic solution in specialists consulting. It consists of head such as, latest report, category, niche market and news. Reports published on the million of category like chemical, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, manufacturing and construction etc. Latest national, international, business News published under news portal.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free : +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@mrsresearchgroup.com Personal Care Packaging Market Expected to Rise from US$21.7 bn in 2015 to US$25.8 bn by the End of 2019 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=614 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/personal-care-packaging-market.html Personal care packaging refers to casing of products used for personal hygiene and beautification. The applications of these products include hair care, skin care and toiletries among others. Personal care products are packaged in glass bottles, stand-up pouches, paper bags, metal cans and containers among others. The growing demand for personal care products have led to the growth of the personal care packaging market. Raw materials such as plastics, paper, glass, aluminum and cloth among others are used in the manufacture of personal care packaging. Factors such as increasing awareness regarding personal hygiene, technological innovation in the packaging industry, growing demand for male grooming products, rising disposable income of the individual, and changing consumer lifestyle are primarily driving the market.Download Research Brochure PDF@However, rising number of regulations regarding packaging and manufacturing personal care products is expected to subsequently hamper the growth of the market, as the overhead costs may result in increased price of the finished product. Increasing demand for personal care products in BRIC countries is expected to open opportunities for the growth of the market in the near future.Flexible packaging was the largest product segment present in personal care packaging in 2012. Flexible packaging denotes packaging containers that are made up of easily flexible or yielding materials, which readily alter shape when filled with goods. Rigid packaging was the second-largest product segment in the personal care packaging market in 2012. Demand for paper in personal care packaging is likely to grow exponentially in the next few years as more and more consumers are looking for environment friendly packaging solutions. Glass bottles are available in various shapes, sizes and colors for applications such as fragrances, nail polishes and facial products. Metal packaging is expected to exhibit the lowest growth of all packaging materials in the personal care packaging market owing to factors such as heavy weight, fluctuating costs and lower aesthetic value.Skin care was the largest application segment present in personal care packaging market in 2012 on account of the growing awareness regarding healthy skin among consumers. Skin care was followed by hair care on account of the growing awareness regarding hair grooming and styling among consumers, particularly in Asia Pacific. Hair care is expected to be the fastest growing application segment of the market on account of the rising demand of hair care products such as hair gels, shampoos, hair coloring products, serums and conditioners among others. In addition, shower gels and liquid soaps have been gaining popularity in emerging economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America. Growing demand for anti-ageing cosmetic products is expected to drive the demand for cosmetics over the next few years. Other products in the end-use segments include oral care products, wet wipes and baby care products among others.Demand for personal care packaging was the highest from Asia Pacific in 2012 and is expected to witness the highest growth over the next six years. Several factors such as rising demand for hair care, cosmetics and male grooming products, changing lifestyles, technological innovation in packaging are expected to drive the demand for personal care packaging in this region. Demand for personal care packaging is expected to be steady in developed markets of North America and Europe in the next few years with respect to application categories such as fragrances, bath & shower and skin care among others.Companies such as Amcor Ltd., Bemis Company Inc., Mondi, Ardagh and Saint Gobain are key players present in the personal care packaging market. In addition, the personal care packaging market is highly fragmented due to presence of several medium and small scale manufacturers on a global as well as regional level.Browse Full Report@About Us:-Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact Us:-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Global Paper Napkins & Serviettes Market 2017 : Kleenex, Store Brand, Vanity Fair, Georgia-Pacific, Mardi Gras, Green Forest Paper Napkins & Serviettes http://bit.ly/2iERyEl http://bit.ly/2iEGveu A market study based on the "Paper Napkins & Serviettes Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Paper Napkins & Serviettes Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Paper Napkins & Serviettes industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Paper Napkins & Serviettes market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This ReportKimberly-ClarkGeorgia-PacificMetsaSCAKaoOji HoldingsYFYHengan GroupVinda InternationalGHYC&S PaperOrient ChampionKleenexStore BrandVanity FairMardi GrasSeventh GenerationCascadesGreen ForestThe report studies the industry for Paper Napkins & Serviettes across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Paper Napkins & Serviettes market & dynamics of demand and supply of Paper Napkins & Serviettes into consideration. The 'Paper Napkins & Serviettes'research study covers each and every aspect of the Paper Napkins & Serviettes market globally, which starts from the definition of the Paper Napkins & Serviettes industry and develops towards Paper Napkins & Serviettes market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Paper Napkins & Serviettes market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Paper Napkins & Serviettes market. The geographical segmentation of the Paper Napkins & Serviettes industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Paper Napkins & Serviettes is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Paper Napkins & Serviettes market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Paper Napkins & Serviettes market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Paper Napkins & Serviettes market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Paper Napkins & Serviettes production volume, data regarding demand and Paper Napkins & Serviettes supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Paper Napkins & Serviettes across the globe.About Us :Business worldwide are a trusted brand in the research industry with capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business worldwide, we believe in building long term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries including Energy, Chemicals and Materials, Automotive and Aerospace.Contact Us :Business WorldwideUnited States Global PVC Floor Market 2017 : Forbo, Mannington, Takiron, Congoleum, GRABO, Prolong, Polyflor, Serfleks PVC Floor http://bit.ly/2juqDeK http://bit.ly/2ici6AT A market study based on the "PVC Floor Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global PVC Floor Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide PVC Floor industry, and makes predictions on the future status of PVC Floor market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This ReportPolyflorSerfleksForboNoxManningtonTakironCongoleumGRABOProlongIVCBIGYihuaChangzhou JinhaiDajulongWeilianshunThe report studies the industry for PVC Floor across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in PVC Floor market & dynamics of demand and supply of PVC Floor into consideration. The 'PVC Floor'research study covers each and every aspect of the PVC Floor market globally, which starts from the definition of the PVC Floor industry and develops towards PVC Floor market segmentations. Further, every segment of the PVC Floor market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the PVC Floor market. The geographical segmentation of the PVC Floor industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for PVC Floor is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, PVC Floor market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the PVC Floor market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global PVC Floor market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, PVC Floor production volume, data regarding demand and PVC Floor supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for PVC Floor across the globe.About Us :Business worldwide are a trusted brand in the research industry with capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business worldwide, we believe in building long term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries including Energy, Chemicals and Materials, Automotive and Aerospace.Contact Us :Business WorldwideUnited States United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Market 2017 Industry Trend and Forecast 2021 http://orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/173701 http://orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase/173701 https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbis-research https://twitter.com/orbisresearch https://www.facebook.com/OrbisResearch SummaryOrbis Researchs United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Market enhances the decision making capabilities and helps to create an effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage.DescriptionConsistent with our stated policy of making available the best research material from across the globe to our ever-growing list of erudite clients, here is another report that is sure to meet their high expectations. This 2017 market research report on United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Market is a meticulously undertaken study. Experts with proven credentials and a high standing within the research fraternity have presented an in-depth analysis of the subject matter, bringing to bear their unparalleled domain knowledge and vast research experience. They offer some penetrating insights into the complex world of United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Industry. Their sweeping overview, comprehensive analyses, precise definitions, clear classifications, and expert opinions on applications, make this report nothing short of brilliant in its presentation and style.Request a sample of United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Market report @Whether one delves into the report for a regional perspective or for a birds eye view of a larger geographical stretch, the document presents invaluable facts and figures, news and views, on all relevant global realities. It also showcases the latest market trends in the sector related to critical parameters such as technology, competition, supplies, capacity, production, price and profit. The report, United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Market, also contains detailed information on clientele, applications and contact information. Accurate forecasts by credible experts on critical matters such as production, price, and profit are also found in this brilliant study. It also provides, wherever applicable and relevant, technical data of products, and sheds useful light on expected commercial production dates and current R&D status.Download a copy of United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Market report Visit:The wide-ranging report pays due heed to the significance of industry chain analysis, and focuses on both upstream- and downstream-related variables, such as raw material and equipment on the one hand, and client surveys, marketing channels, industry trends and proposals, on the other. Crucial information on critical factors such as consumption, key regions and distributors, and raw material suppliers are also included in this priceless study.Finally, like every report we put up on Orbis Research, which is the handiwork of thoroughbred professionals, this report, United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Market, also ends with a SWOT analysis, and analyses on investment feasibility and returns, not to mention development trends and forecasts. It is our conviction that any serious seeker of knowledge and truth, irrespective of whether his or her pursuit is commercial or academic, will greatly benefit from the wealth of information that is contained in this report.Some Points From TOC:Chapter One: Neurological Disorder Drugs Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Neurological Disorder Drugs1.2 Classification of Neurological Disorder Drugs1.2.1 AntipsychoticChapter Two: United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)Chapter Three: United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2011-2016)3.1 United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Sales and Market Share by States (2011-2016)3.2 United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Revenue and Market Share by States (2011-2016)Chapter Four:United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2011-2016)4.1 United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)4.2 United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)Chapter Five: United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Sales (Volume) by Application (2011-2016)5.1 United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Sales and Market Share by Application (2011-2016)5.2 United States Neurological Disorder Drugs Sales Growth Rate by Application (2011-2016)For any enquires before buying, connect with us @ enquiry@orbisresearch.comOrbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Like us on Facebook: Organoaluminum Market Set for Expansive Growth by 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4648 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4648 Aluminum is found in the earths crust and is the third most abundant material. This element is found predominately in oxidic and silicatic minerals. Organoaluminum chemistry includes the detailed study of compounds which have bonds between carbon and aluminum. Very little about Organoaluminum compounds were known until the 1950s until it was discovered by Karl Zeigler who won the Nobel prize pertaining to his research. Organoaluminum is a structurally weak compound, it is resistant to corrosion, it readily reacts with water, it oxidizes more easily than iron and it is durable. These compounds are also known as polymerization catalysts owing to their use as an excellent catalystA sample of this report is available upon request @Organoaluminum have a few applications, which include its use in Drano to unclog drains, it is used to protect cigarettes and hard candy from moisture, it is also used in the making of various alloys including copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon and zinc among others. Industrially Organoaluminum is used in the production of polyolefins, polyethylenes among others. It also acts as a catalyst in various chemical reactions. A catalyst is one that is used to increase the rate of chemical reactions. Organoaluminum is used in the aldol catalysis where aluminum acts as a Lewis acid. It is also used in the amidoaluminum catalysis where Organoaluminum is used to synthesize guanidine.The main application of organoaluminum, which drives the market, is its use as a catalyst. It is used in a variety of chemical reactions and hence this accelerates the demand of the compound. Its use in the production of polyolefin and polyethylene and other polymers is also another feature that drives the market for organoaluminum. Polymerization catalysts are expected to experience the fastest growth due to accelerated expansion of the polymer resin market. Polymers hold a big market share as of today and this is expected to drive the market for organoaluminum for the next few years. Polymers are used in the production of plastic, PVC among others. The stringent regulation by the FDA and the EU is what may restrain the market against the use of organoaluminum in these regions.The key segments analyzed for this market include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). Market for organoaluminum is the highest in North America followed by western European countries, the Middle East and then Asia Pacific. the market in north America and western Europe is still mature but is not expected to grow by much owing to the improved performance of organoaluminum catalysts which are substitute for organoaluminum and the decrease in the production of polyolefin especially polyethylene in the regions. The market for organoaluminum is growing at a very fast rate in Middle Eastern and Asia Pacific countries as most of the manufacturing units of polymers are shifting to this region owing to the lack of stringent rules and regulations from the government. The role of organoaluminum as a catalyst, in North America and Western Europe is what drives the market but by a small margin in these regions. The numbers of chemical and polymer industries are increasing at a fast rate in especially India and China among the Asia Pacific countries, hence the market for organoaluminum is bound to increase in he near future in these countries.Request to view Table of content @T6he main companies profiles for the manufacture of organoaluminum include Akzo Nobel NV, Albemarle Corporation, Chemtura Corporation, BASF SE, Chevron Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, Honeywell International Incorporated, Mitsui Chemicals Incorporated 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.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com MASON CITY | A few dozen residents of a Mason City neighborhood lost power Wednesday morning when a vehicle crashed into a utility pole. The crash happened about 11:50 a.m. on South Kentucky Avenue at 14th Street Southeast. Police say the driver was going south when he lost control, swerved across South Kentucky and smashed squarely into a power pole on the east side of the road. The impact splintered the pole. The front of the sport-utility vehicle was seriously damaged. The driver of the SUV was not hospitalized. Approximately 30-40 houses lost power as a result of the crash. Alliant Spokesman Justin Foss said the pole was too badly damaged to be fixed so it had to be replaced. Power was restored as of 2:10 p.m., according to Alliant's website, but the effort to replace the pole was expected to last hours. "It did quite a bit of damage to that pole and there was a lot of equipment on that pole," Foss said. Police asked city crews to put up barricades while utility crews were at the scene. Potassium Hydroxide Market Sizing with Competitive Analysis by 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4649 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4649 Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a liquid inorganic compound also known as caustic potash. Reacting sodium hydroxide with impure potassium gives KOH in its pure form. With the chemical formula KOH, potassium hydroxide is one of the compounds is called lye. As measured on the pH scale it has very high alkalinity. Due to its hygroscopic nature it becomes very tacky in air, hence it is sold as solid translucent pellets. When dissolved in water it dissipates the excess amount of heat thus making the reaction exothermic. KOH is a strong base has its use in niche applications. Potassium hydroxide is included in cleaning products, and has uses in industry and in medical diagnostics. It also has its role as an alternative health product.A sample of this report is available upon request @Its main applications lie in the manufacture of soaps, petroleum refining, fertilizer industries among others. Many potassium salts like permanganates, carbonates, phosphates are prepared by neutralization reactions involving KOH. Potassium hydroxide is used as a direct intermediate for the manufacture of a huge range of chemicals which include potassium cyanide, aluminate, formate, fluosilicate, borohydride, bromated, bromide, gluconate, manganate, oleate, titanate, laurate etc. Other areas of its application include electroplating, herbicides, greases, catalysts, medicines and alkaline electrolyte batteries. Some dermatologists use KOH to diagnose fungal infections in skin, hair and nails. If misused potassium can have a number of ill effects including physical damage to the eyes, skin etc. Environmental damage to aquatic life is caused if KOH is disposed off in water bodies. NaOH is another chemical which has almost similar properties to KOH. They are caustic, corrosive and highly hazardous. Both chemicals are used interchangeably for a number of applications although NAOH is preferred in industries due to its low cost and is widely used. However, KOH finds its use in domestic and household applications. Its usage is also found in petroleum and natural gas refining for the removal of organic acids and sulphur compounds.The key factor that drives the market growth of KOH is its use in household products and in fertilizers. The world is facing ever-increasing population and hence there is continuous use of household products, which is one of the main drivers of the KOH market. Another driving factor is its use in fertilizers .With the growing demand for food, the fertilizer market is expanding causing the growth in the KOH market as well. The hazardous effects of KOH on health and also on the environment are major restraining factors for its market.The key segments for the KOH industry are Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and Rest of the World (RoW). Asia Pacific accounts for more than half of the potassium hydroxide demand and the trend is expected to continue over the next few years. India and China are one of the largest economies in terms of population and are expected to dominate the market in terms of demand. North America follows Asia Pacific as the second largest user of KOH, followed by Europe and then RoW. Emerging economies in the rest of the world segment are expected to offer huge growth opportunities especially in Latin American countries .Potassium hydroxide demand in Russia and Eastern European region will also foresee huge demand during the forecast period.Request to view Table of content @Key companies that manufacture potassium hydroxide include The Mosaic Company, Armand Products, ICL Fertilizers, Occidental Chemical Cooperation, Potash Corp., and Qinghai Salt Lake Potash Company Limited among others. These companies not only manufacture KOH but other chemicals using potassium and potassium hydride as an intermediate .Moist of them manufacture fertilizers which makes use as KOH as one of the main chemicals.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.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Global Residential Air Purifiers Market 2016 Industry Demand, Segment, Statistics Report 2021 http://www.9dimengroup.com/report/102736/request-sample http://www.9dimengroup.com/market-analysis/global-residential-air-purifiers-market-research-report-2016.html Depth Research on Global Residential Air Purifiers Industry 2016 report introduced size, share, trends, conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth, SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis etc.The study Global Residential Air Purifiers Market 2016 is a detailed report scrutinizing statistical data related to the Global Residential Air Purifiers industry. Historical data available in the report elaborates on the development of the Residential Air Purifiers market on Global and national level. The report compares this data with the current state of the market and thus elaborates upon the trends that have brought the market shifts.Request for FREE SAMPLE Report @The market forces determining the shaping of the Residential Air Purifiers market have been evaluated in detail. In addition to this, the regulatory scenario of the market has been covered in the report from both the Global and local perspective. Market predictions along with the statistical nuances presented in the report render an insightful view of the Residential Air Purifiers market.The demand and supply side of the market has been extensively covered in the report. The challenges the players in the Residential Air Purifiers market face in terms of demand and supply have been listed in the report. Recommendations to overcome these challenges and optimize supply and demand opportunities have also been covered in this report.Growth prospects of the over all Residential Air Purifiers industry have been presented in the report. However, to give an in-depth view to the readers, detailed geographical segmentation within the globe Residential Air Purifiers market has been covered in this study. The key geographical regions along with their revenue forecasts are included in the report.The competitive framework of the Residential Air Purifiers market in terms of the Global Residential Air Purifiers industry has been evaluated in the report. The top companies and their overall share and share with respect to the Global market have been included in the report. Furthermore, the factors on which the companies compete in the market have been evaluated in the report.Browse Complete Report with TOC @This report also presents product specification, manufacturing process, and product cost structure etc. Production is separated by regions, technology and applications. Analysis also covers upstream raw materials, equipment, downstream client survey, marketing channels, industry development trend and proposals. In the end, the report includes Residential Air Purifiers new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, investment return analysis, and development trend analysis. In conclusion, it is a deep research report on Global Residential Air Purifiers industry. Here, we express our thanks for the support and assistance from Residential Air Purifiers industry chain related technical experts and marketing engineers during Research Teams survey and interviews9Dimen Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact UsJoel JohnTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales@9dimengroup.comWeb: 9Dimen Group Global Propylene Oxide Market 2017 : Mitsui Chemicals, SHOWA DENKO, Lyondell, Sumitomo, Nihon Oxirane, RepsolYPE, INEOS Olefins Propylene Oxide http://bit.ly/2j0ADgw http://bit.ly/2j76VsR A market study based on the "Propylene Oxide Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Propylene Oxide Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Propylene Oxide industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Propylene Oxide market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This ReportDow ChemicalAsahi GlassMitsui ChemicalsSHOWA DENKOLyondellSumitomoEvonikBayerRabigh Refining & Petrochemical CompanySKCShellHuntsmanBASFNihon OxiraneRepsolYPEINEOS OlefinsCSPCThe report studies the industry for Propylene Oxide across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Propylene Oxide market & dynamics of demand and supply of Propylene Oxide into consideration. The 'Propylene Oxide'research study covers each and every aspect of the Propylene Oxide market globally, which starts from the definition of the Propylene Oxide industry and develops towards Propylene Oxide market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Propylene Oxide market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Propylene Oxide market. The geographical segmentation of the Propylene Oxide industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Propylene Oxide is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Propylene Oxide market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Propylene Oxide market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Propylene Oxide market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Propylene Oxide production volume, data regarding demand and Propylene Oxide supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Propylene Oxide across the globe.About Us :Business worldwide are a trusted brand in the research industry with capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business worldwide, we believe in building long term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries including Energy, Chemicals and Materials, Automotive and Aerospace.Contact Us :Business WorldwideUnited States Global Super Absorbent Resin Market 2017 : Nippon Shokubhai, Evonik Industries, Sumitomo Seika, Sanyo Chemical, LG Chemicals, Danson Technology Super Absorbent Resin http://bit.ly/2j73K4r http://bit.ly/2iEPQDa A market study based on the "Super Absorbent Resin Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Super Absorbent Resin Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Super Absorbent Resin industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Super Absorbent Resin market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This ReportNippon ShokubhaiEvonik IndustriesSumitomo SeikaBASFSanyo ChemicalLG ChemicalsDanson TechnologyShandong Nuoer Bio-TechZhejiang Satellite Petro-chemicalBoya ShuzhiWeilong Polymer MaterialSongwon IndustrialDemiThe report studies the industry for Super Absorbent Resin across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Super Absorbent Resin market & dynamics of demand and supply of Super Absorbent Resin into consideration. The 'Super Absorbent Resin'research study covers each and every aspect of the Super Absorbent Resin market globally, which starts from the definition of the Super Absorbent Resin industry and develops towards Super Absorbent Resin market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Super Absorbent Resin market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Super Absorbent Resin market. The geographical segmentation of the Super Absorbent Resin industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Super Absorbent Resin is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Super Absorbent Resin market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Super Absorbent Resin market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Super Absorbent Resin market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Super Absorbent Resin production volume, data regarding demand and Super Absorbent Resin supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Super Absorbent Resin across the globe.About Us :Business worldwide are a trusted brand in the research industry with capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business worldwide, we believe in building long term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries including Energy, Chemicals and Materials, Automotive and Aerospace.Contact Us :Business WorldwideUnited States Global Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Market Is Projected To Reach US$50.48 Billion In 2020 With 19.2% CAGR http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=217920 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=217920 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Advanced Driver Assistance Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2020" to its huge collection of research reports.This market research study analyzes the Advanced Driver Assistance System market on a global level, and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD billion) from 2014 to 2020. It also covers the drivers and restraints affecting the industry and analyzes their impact over the forecast period. Moreover, it identifies the significant opportunities for market growth in the coming years.Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) is an overall system that provides a driver with essential information, automate difficult or repetitive tasks, and lead to an overall increase in car safety and comfort. These safety features are designed to avoid collisions and accidents. Automotive manufacturers are focusing more on driver/passenger safety due to stringent government legislations making such devices mandatory. To ensure more safety and comfort the consumers are adopting different features of ADAS. Active safety system comprises a variety of independent electronic systems designed to aid a driver in the driving process and to maneuver demanding traffic situations. ADAS supports drivers at various levels by presenting information to the drivers which enables them to alter their driving decisions based on the situation. For example the pedestrian control system, warns driver when a person suddenly crosses the road. It also helps in decision making and reactions by advising or guiding the driver in the critical situations. ADAS is capable in taking the action independently or override a driver action.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The market is segmented on the basis of geography into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Rest of the World (RoW) and these have been estimated in terms of revenue (USD billion). The RoW region includes Africa, Middle East and Latin America. Stringent government regulations and driving comfort in Middle East region and Africa is boosting the growth. The advanced driver assistance system features like tyre pressure monitoring system, pedestrian protection will also become mandatory in Russia in coming years. The ADAS market in Europe and the U.S. has vast potential as governments in these regions are also implementing mandatory regulation for adopting certain ADAS features in the automotive industry. In addition, the report segments the market based on types which includes adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind spot detection (BSD), park assist, lane departure warning system (LDWS), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), drowsiness monitor and others (night vision, driver monitoring system, forward collision warning, heads up display). The report has also been segmented on the basis of technology into infrared sensors, laser sensors, radar sensors, image sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. All these segments have also been estimated on the basis of geography in terms of revenue (USD billion).This report provides strategic analysis of the global Advance Driver Assistance System market, and the market growth forecast for the period 2014 to 2020. The span of the report includes competitive analysis of various market segments based on the components, module and in-depth cross sectional analysis of the Advance Driver Assistance System market across different geographic segments. To support strategic decision making, the report also includes profiling of leading players in the industry, their market share and various strategies adopted by them. The Porters Five Forces analysis and market attractiveness analysis included in the report provide insight into market dynamics and industry competition..The report also provides company market share analysis of the various industry participants. Key players have also been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments in the field of Advanced Driver Assistance System. Major market participants profiled in this report include Autoliv Inc., Continental AG, Denso Corporation, Robert Bosch GmBH, BMW AG, Audi AG, among others.Advanced Driver Assistance System Market: By geography- North America- Europe- Asia Pacific- Rest of the WorldThe report provides a cross-sectional analysis of all the above segments with respect to the above mentioned regions.Advanced Driver Assistance System Market: By type- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)- Blind Spot Detection (BSD) System- Park Assist- Drowsiness Monitor System- Lane Departure Warning (LDWS) System- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)- Others (night vision, driver monitoring system, forward collision warning, heads up display)Advanced Driver Assistance System Market: By technology- Ultrasonic Sensors- Image Sensors- Radar Sensors- Laser Sensors- Infrared SensorsMake 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 @ New Release | National Broadband Plans in AME: Governments Leverage the Private Sector to Achieve Ambitious Targets http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=901255 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=901255 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "National Broadband Plans in AME: Governments Leverage the Private Sector to Achieve Ambitious Targets" to its huge collection of research reports.The insider report 'National Broadband Plans in AME: Governments Leverage the Private Sector to Achieve Ambitious Targets' offers an overview of efforts taken by the government in the AME region to develop the broadband infrastructure. It delivers comprehensive proprietary data and insights from our research into NBPs adopted by AME countries. This presentation-quality report provides an analysis of governments initiatives and operators' involvement in broadband infrastructure development.Key Findings- The region features significant differences in broadband penetration levels among countries in Africa and the Middle East owing to differences in the income levels and the maturity of telecom sector.- African countries are mainly targeting to improve broadband penetration nationally. Middle Eastern countries have included targets to reduce the digital divide in the country by improving broadband connectivity in rural areas.- Numerous countries with low broadband penetration are targeting to provide broadband coverage with relatively lower speed in the short term, however, long-term targets include provision of broadband services with faster speed.- Funding of the NBPs poses the challenge in many AME countries. In addition to providing direct funds from budgets and universal service funds, governments have been encouraging private investments by regulatory reforms that reduce barriers to entry and encourage infrastructure sharing.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @SynopsisNational Broadband Plans in AME: Governments Leverage the Private-Sector to Achieve Ambitious Targets, a new Telecom Insider Report by Pyramid Research, provides an overview of the national broadband plans (NBP) adopted by the governments in Africa and the Middle East (AME) region.It provides in-depth analysis of the following:- Regional market context analyzing the impact of economic development on broadband penetration in several AME countries .- Analysis of priorities set under NBPs such as targets, technology, funding and role of governments as well as private operators.- Case studies on three countries NBP with focus on analysis of targets, goals, government initiatives, operators involvement and progress over the period.- Key findings, detailing the analysis of NBPs on several parameters such as targets, funding strategies, preferred technologies and strategies adopted by government to achieve the targets.Reasons To Buy- This Insider Report provides a five-year forecast of fixed broadband and mobile data developed using Pyramid Researchs rigorous bottom-up modeling methodologies, to enable executives to effectively position their companies for growth opportunities and emerging trends in demand for their products.- Three case studies illustrate the findings of the report, providing insight into particular situations in the AME market; this will help the reader understand both the challenges confronted in the real world and the strategies employed to overcome those challenges.- Gain understanding of governments goals and initiatives to make informed decisions pertaining to investments in network and technologies and optimize return on investment.- Develop an understating of national broadband plans through the analysis of targets, technologies, governmental support, operators' roles and funding strategies.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 @ Global Hydrostatic Transmission Industry Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2016 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=741083 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=741083 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Hydrostatic Transmission Industry 2016 Market Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The Global Hydrostatic Transmission Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Hydrostatic Transmission industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Hydrostatic Transmission market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.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.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @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 Hydrostatic Transmission 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 Hydrostatic Transmission1.1 Definition and Specifications of Hydrostatic Transmission1.1.1 Definition of Hydrostatic Transmission1.1.2 Specifications of Hydrostatic Transmission1.2 Classification of Hydrostatic Transmission1.3 Applications of Hydrostatic Transmission1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Hydrostatic Transmission1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Hydrostatic Transmission1.5.1 Industry Overview of Hydrostatic Transmission1.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Hydrostatic Transmission1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission1.7 Industry News Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission2.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission2.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission2.4 Other Costs Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Hydrostatic Transmission Major Manufacturers in 20153.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Hydrostatic Transmission Major Manufacturers in 20153.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Hydrostatic Transmission Major Manufacturers in 20153.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Hydrostatic Transmission Major Manufacturers in 20154 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission by Regions, Types and Manufacturers4.1 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Hydrostatic Transmission by Regions 2011-20164.2 Global and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth Rate of Hydrostatic Transmission 2011-20164.3 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Hydrostatic Transmission by Types 2011-20164.4 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Hydrostatic Transmission by Manufacturers 2011-20165 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission by Regions, Types and Manufacturers5.1 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission by Regions 2011-20165.2 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission by Types 2011-20165.3 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Hydrostatic Transmission by Manufacturers 2011-2016Make 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 @ Thermal Oil Heaters Market Set to Grow Exponentially by 2016 - 2026 Thermal Oil Heaters Market, Thermal Oil Heaters, Oil Heaters, Oil Heaters market http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11275 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11275 www.persistencemarketresearch.com Oil heater coils are used to pass the oil through, which are ultimately deposited in the convection or zones or the radiant. Steam boilers and thermal oil heaters are functionally similar. Bio fuel, coal or oil is burned by combustion chamber. The heat exchanger is used to process the oil pumped though the coils. The expansion pump takes care of thermal expansion. The cooler oil is stored in the tank and send back to the pump. The oxidation and vaporization of the oil is taken cared by the tanks.Sample of this report is available upon request @Thermal oil heaters are used to supply heat up to 300 degree Celsius at very low pressure. In many applications such as natural gas heating and crude oil heating, thermal oil is able to replace steam. To transfer the heat from one hot source to another process, thermal oils are used. In the global market, the thermal oil heaters are available in oil fired and solid fuel fired versions. The global thermal oil heater industry players have designed thermal oil heaters that have capable of high capacity heating system, multi fuel option, requires minimum maintenance, over-bed and under-bed fuel firing systems and large in-bed and convective heat transfer area. The firing fuels that are used in the thermal oil heaters are heavy oils, light oils and gases.Thermal oil are used in industries such as chemical and oil & gas. Thermal oil heaters are used for storage and transportation purpose of items, which have low solidification. Thermal oils are also widely used in large scale frying and baking in industrial kitchens. Thermal oil heaters are replacing steam heaters in the industrial laundries. Thermal oils are used as heat storage medium by solar thermal systems as well. Currently, the manufactures produce thermal oil heaters under their own brand names.Thermal Oil Heaters Market: Drivers and ChallengesThe global thermal oil heaters market is primarily driven by the growing demand from such as chemical and oil & gas. Properties such as high and even temperature of thermal oil is expected to drive the global thermal oil heaters market during the forecast period.Thermal oil gets overheated due to sudden trips or unplanned shutdown. Thermal oil degrades due to overheating. Leakage of the oil in the combustion area leads to the mishaps. These factors are expected to inhibit the growth of the global thermal oil heater market during the forecast period.Thermal Oil Heaters Market: OverviewThe global thermal oil heaters market by value is expected to expand at a CAGR of around 79% during the forecast period (2015-2025), due to increasing demand for thermal oil heaters from oil & gas and chemical industry.Thermal Oil Heaters Market: SegmentationThe global thermal oil heaters market can be segmented by end-use industry, by end-use application and by regions.Based on end-use industry, the global thermal oil heaters market is segmented as: Oil Chemical Cement Polymer Food Processing Metal Wood Paper Mills Industrial Laundries Glass Industry OthersBased on End-use application, the global thermal oil heaters market is segmented as: Storage Transportation OthersThermal Oil Heaters Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global thermal oil heaters market is expected to register a single-digit CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, global thermal oil heaters market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). In terms of market revenue, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan thermal oil heaters market is projected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Growing industry activities is fuelling the growth of thermal oil heaters market in APEJ.Thermal Oil Heaters Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market participants in global thermal oil heaters market are Solutia Inc, Paratherm Corporation, Dow Chemicals Co., Radco Industries Inc. and ThermaxThe 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 by geographies and by end-use and by product type.The report covers exhaustive analysis on: Market Segments Market Dynamics Market Size Supply & Demand Current Trends/Issues/Challenges Competition & Companies involved Value ChainRegional analysis includes North America (U.S., Canada) Latin America (Mexico. Brazil) Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia) Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand) Japan Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, N. Africa)The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.TOC of this report is available upon request @Report Highlights: Detailed overview of parent market Changing market dynamics in the industry In-depth market segmentation Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value Recent industry trends and developments Competitive landscape Strategies of key players and products offered Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth A neutral perspective on market performance Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprint.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Europe Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Center Services Market Profits from Growing Accessibility and Affordability http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3676 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/europe-ambulatory-surgical-emergency-center-services-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A research report by Transparency Market Research states that the Europe ambulatory surgical and emergency center services market is expected to be worth US$42.8 bn by the end of 2020. This sharp ascent at a CAGR Of 13.0% between 2014 and 2020 from US$18.5 bn in 2013 is attributable to the booming demand for medical assistance amongst geriatrics across Europe. This demand is characterized by a significant rise in the geriatric population, who require regular medical help for a range of diseases and disorders. Ambulatory surgeries often provide diagnostic or surgical intervention for conditions such as cataract, hernia, and other age-pertinent health issues. The key advantage of these services is that they reduce hospital stay for the patients, thereby making it a cost-efficient solution for many.Download Exclusive Sample of this Report at:Q. What the types of services offered by the ambulatory surgical and emergency center services in Europe?A. The types of procedures performed under the ambulatory surgical and emergency centers across Europe are ENT surgeries, ophthalmological surgeries, gastrointestinal surgeries, urological surgeries, vascular surgeries, pulmonary surgeries, and general surgeries. These services also offer solutions for pain management. The orthopedic surgeries segment holds a dominant share in the overall market due to a high prevalence of orthopedic emergencies amongst the aged. Furthermore, the high cost of orthopedic surgeries and the increasing incidence of arthroscopic procedures is also encouraging end users to opt for ambulatory surgeries. The increasing preference for minimally invasive procedures is also expected to keep the sentiment in the market at a significant high during the forecast period.Q. What are future prospects for these services?A. Analysts predict that ophthalmological surgeries will pick up momentum during the forecast period. The growing number of diabetics who will raise the possibilities diabetic retinopathy will play a crucial role in augmenting the demand for ophthalmology services through ambulatory surgical and emergency center services. The high prevalence of cataract is also expected to drive the global market in the coming years. The segments growth will also be aided by the advancements in ophthalmology ambulatory surgical procedures.Q. Who are the important companies offering these ambulatory surgical procedures or services?A. The key players operating in the Europe ambulatory surgical and emergency center services market are Eifelhoehen-Klinik AG, IntegraMed America, Inc., Community Health Systems, Inc., Nueterra Healthcare, Terveystalo Healthcare Oyj, Symbion, Inc., AmSurg Corporation, Surgery Partners, Medical Facilities Corporation, and Healthway Medical Corporation Ltd. Presently, Medical Facilities Corporation, Community Health Systems, Inc., and Healthway Medical Corporation Ltd. hold a lions share in the market. The leading players are expected to focus on expansion to garner bigger clientele and presence in the global market. For instance, Community Health Systems, Inc. expanded to New Jersey, Alaska, and California in 2012, which has reaped significant benefits over the past few years.Read the Current Market Status of Europe Ambulatory Surgical & Emergency Center Services at:Accessible locations, easy scheduling of appoints, and quick turnaround time are some of the factors that will continue to drive the overall market. Companies must also focus on strategic merger and acquisitions to strengthen their presence in Europe and overseas. Additionally, growing usage of outpatient departments will also favor market growth in the coming years, predict researchers.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Seafood Market Driven by Demand for Fat-free and Exotic Varieties http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=10940 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com A new market study by Transparency Market Research, titled Seafood Market - Global Forecast, Market Share, Trends, Size, Growth and Industry Analysis 20162023, provides an in-depth study of the value chain of the market, profiling some of the key players and revealing their strategies to maintain a stronghold at the global as well as regional level. The study informs readers about the factors that are primed to elevate the lucrative global market for seafood. Surging demand for eco-friendly production methods and shift in consumer preference towards fat-free and exotic varieties of seafood. The research also explores some of the key restraints that are expected to curtail the growth rate at the global level.Seafood refers to all the varieties of fish, molluscs, crabs, crustaceans, and calamari either in the fresh or processed form. Seafood is considered among the best foods for the body and mind as it is rich in proteins. In recent times, farmed fishes or aquaculture have become mainstream in supplying seafood to the domestic retail market or for export. The report makes use of Porters five forces analysis model to create an authentic landscape of the future competitiveness of market participants, threats from new or domestic entrants, as well as the bargaining power of players and consumers.View exclusive Global strategic Business report:The report segments the global seafood market on the basis of product type into crustaceans, molluscs, fish, and other seafood whereas on the basis of retail market varieties, it divides it into canned seafood products, frozen (ready to eat meal) and chilled (smoked and salted). Report also explores the global market for seafood on the basis of geography namely North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World.According to the report, East and South East Asia are the combined leader in of seafood production. Innovative farm practices as well as improved slaughtering and packaging techniques are being employed and the market for seafood is expected to grow at a significant single-digit CAGR between the forecast periods of 2013 to 2019. The report also observes that there is a high demand for sustainable and eco-friendly production of seafood to meet the growing demand for seafood in an ethical manner (production that does not include child labor, human trafficking, or illegal migrant labor). Rising affluence is also helping expand the demand for luxury seafood. Moreover, variations in seafood dishes and demand for proteinaceous fat-free food is gradually gaining globally too. Furthermore, the demand in the seafood market is also being propelled due to an increasing number of exclusive restaurants that serve exotic seafood according to changing consumer tastes.Some of the prominent players in the global market for seafood include Grupo Pescanova, Marine Harvest ASA, Royal Greenland, Thai Union Frozen Products, Abba Seafoods, John Westfoods, Cuulong Fish, and Stone Seafood Company.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: Global Radiation Therapy Devices Market 2017 Growth, Rising Demands, Quality & Performance http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=910708&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-radiation-therapy-devices-market-research-report-2017.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Global Radiation Therapy Devices Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.This report on global Radiation Therapy Devices market is a research study that answers pertinent questions about the emerging trends and growth opportunities in this industry. It also identifies each of the prominent barriers to growth, apart from identifying the regional trends and trends within various application segments of the global market for Radiation Therapy Devices. Collecting historical and recent data from authentic resources, and based on all the factors and trends, the report presents a figurative estimation of the future of the market, along with compound annual growth rate (CAGR).To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The study segments the market by geography into: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. It provides forecasts of revenue of the market as a whole as well as each application segment. The competitive landscape is mapped based on product and technology. This study also offers an overview of pricing trends and ancillary factors that will influence pricing in the global Radiation Therapy Devices market. The market study, estimation, and market sizing have been done utilizing a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches.Of special value are the key recommendations and predictions by our analysts, intended to steer your strategic business decisions. The company profiles section of this research service is a compilation of the growth strategies, product portfolio, financial status, and recent developments of key market participants. The report provides detailed industry analysis of the global Radiation Therapy Devices market with the help of proven research methodologies such as Porteras five forces. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of the buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and the degree of competition.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Radiation Therapy Devices Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Radiation Therapy Devices1.2 Radiation Therapy Devices Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Radiation Therapy Devices by Type in 20151.2.2 External Beam Radiation Therapy1.2.3 Internal Beam Radiotherapy1.2.4 Stereotactic Technology1.3 Radiation Therapy Devices Segment by Application1.3.1 Radiation Therapy Devices Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Hospital1.3.3 Clinic1.4 Radiation Therapy Devices 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 Radiation Therapy Devices (2011-2021)2 Global Radiation Therapy Devices Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Radiation Therapy Devices Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Radiation Therapy Devices Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Radiation Therapy Devices Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Radiation Therapy Devices Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Radiation Therapy Devices Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Radiation Therapy Devices Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Radiation Therapy Devices 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.comFor Latest Press Release Visit @ National Broadband Plans in Asia-Pacific: Focus on Bridging the Digital Divide to Spur Economic Growth http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=902805 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=902805 Albany, NY, 11 JAN : National Broadband Plans in Asia-Pacific: Focus on Bridging the Digital Divide to Spur Economic Growth report provides an overview of the national broadband plans adopted by the governments in APAC region. This includes an analysis of priorities set under NBPs such as targets, technology, funding and role of governments as well as private operators. The report also provides case studies on countries NBPs with focus on targets, goals, government initiatives, operator involvement and progress over the period.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Key Findings- The digital divide remains a major concern for many countries in APAC region, making it a key agenda in NBPs. Examples of these countries include India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand etc.- Other key goals included in the NBPs in APAC countries involve improving speed and quality of broadband services, deployment of new technologies, digitization of government institutions and offices etc.- Fiber-optic is the preferred technology for most of the countries on account of high transmission speeds, which helps operators meet demands of high bandwidth services.- Governments and operators are actively investing in the broadband infrastructure to attain goals laid under the national broadband plans. Government are extending support in the form of funds as well as introducing regulatory measures and offering spectrum. While operators are supporting by making investments in their networks.SynopsisNational Broadband Plans in Asia-Pacific: Focus on Bridging the Digital Divide to Spur Economic Growth , a new Telecom Insider Report by Pyramid Research, provides insights into national broadband plans or strategies (NBPs) in the Asia-Pacific region. This report investigates NBPs in APAC countries that have included targets pertaining to broadband services and digitization of government offices, institutions and public places. Countries such as India, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam among others have goals to extend broadband access, while countries including Indonesia and China have also defined minimum speed of broadband services in their respective NBPs.Enquiry @The report analyses targets, technologies, funding strategies and role of government and private sector in achieving the goals of NBPs. It also includes brief information on NBPs of select countries in the region. Case studies on NBPs of five countries are provided, which include overview, goals, government initiatives, operator involvement and progress.ResearchMoz 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.ResearchMoz90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States Global Fault Circuit Indicators Market Price by Regions, Sales Volume, Revenue and Consumption 2016 Market Research Reports http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=808352&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-fault-circuit-indicators-industry-2016-market-research-report.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/reports.htm Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Fault Circuit Indicators Industry 2016 Market Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The report on the global Fault Circuit Indicators market is a comprehensive overview of the market, covering various aspects such as product definition, segmentation based on various parameters, distribution channel, supply chain analysis, and the prevailing vendor landscape. It compiles exhaustive information sourced via proven research methodologies. The information thus compiled is presented in a logical chapter-wise format. It is also interspersed with relevant graphs and tables to enable readers get a better perspective of the global Fault Circuit Indicators market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Various factors are responsible behind the markets growth trajectory, which are studied at length in the report. In addition, the report lists down the restraints that are posing threat to the global Fault Circuit Indicators market. Using Porters five forces it also gauges the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, threat from new entrants and product substitute, and the degree of competition prevailing in the market. The impact of the latest government policies is also analyzed in detail in the report. It studies the Fault Circuit Indicators markets trajectory between 2016 and 2021.For the purpose of the study, the global Fault Circuit Indicators market is segmented based on various parameters. An in-depth regional classification of the market is also included herein. The factors impacting the markets growth across the key segments are studied in detail. The report also presents a round-up of vulnerabilities which companies operating in the market must avoid in order to enjoy sustainable growth through the course of the forecast period. Besides this, profiles of some of the leading players operating in the global Fault Circuit Indicators market are included in the report. Using SWOT analysis, their weaknesses and strengths are analyzed. It also helps the report provide insights into the opportunities and threats that these companies may face during the forecast period.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Fault Circuit Indicators 11.1 Definition and Specifications of Fault Circuit Indicators 11.1.1 Definition of Fault Circuit Indicators 11.1.2 Specifications of Fault Circuit Indicators 21.2 Classification of Fault Circuit Indicators 31.3 Applications of Fault Circuit Indicators 51.4 Industry Chain Structure of Fault Circuit Indicators 61.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Fault Circuit Indicators 61.5.1 Industry Overview of Fault Circuit Indicators 61.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Fault Circuit Indicators 71.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 71.7 Industry News Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 92 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 112.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 112.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 122.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 132.4 Other Costs Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 162.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 162.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 173 Technical Data and Headquarters Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators 183.1 Capacity and Establishment Date of Global Fault Circuit Indicators Major Manufacturers in 2015 183.2 Headquarters Distribution of Global Fault Circuit Indicators Major Manufacturers in 2015 183.3 R&D Status of Global Fault Circuit Indicators Major Manufacturers in 2015 193.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Fault Circuit Indicators Major Manufacturers in 2015 204 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Fault Circuit Indicators by Regions, Types and Manufacturers 224.1 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Fault Circuit Indicators by Regions 2011-2016 224.2 Global and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth Rate of Fault Circuit Indicators 2011-2016 274.3 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Fault Circuit Indicators by Manufacturers 2011-2016 33For Market Research Latest Reports 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.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States Detection is Better than Cure: Understanding the Various Factors Causing Anxiety Disorders and Depression http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1199 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/anxiety-disorders-depression-treatments.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Anxiety and depression are disorders that are under constant scrutiny and research, not only to find treatment options but mainly to understand the causes. Identifying, understanding, and diagnosing the factors that can lead to anxiety disorders and depression are the first steps to treating patients with mental health problems.View Exclusive Global Strategic Business Report at:According to a report published by Transparency Market Research, the global market for anxiety disorders and depression treatment is projected to register a growth rate of 1.25% from 2014 to 2020, driven by the accelerating prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders.Here are the top five developments made by scientists and researchers in the month of August alone.Anxiety, Depression, and Gut BacteriaResearchers at the McMaster University in Canada have found recent evidence of the massive influence of gut bacteria on mental health. Research suggests that a healthy microbiome can result in a healthy brain and good mood. Gut bacteria imbalances, according to studies, have been linked to a host of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, Alzheimers disease, and autism. Gut dysfunction can be attributed to a stressful childhood, according to the McMaster University study published in the journal Nature Communications.Picky Eating May Hint at Mental Health IssuesA new study by a team of researchers at Duke University have discovered that picky or selective eating in kids may be tied to depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study published in the journal Pediatrics indicates that children with heightened sensory experiences are just as sensitive to the food they eat. The researchers also found that adults who are picky eaters are more likely to have higher rates of psychological disorders compared to the general public.Patients with Rheumatic Diseases More likely to Suffer from Anxiety and DepressionAn increased prevalence of depression and anxiety has been observed among patients with rheumatic diseases, according to researchers in Portugal. Of the 84 patients with rheumatoid arthritis studied, 46 patients showed symptoms of depression and anxiety. While 30 of those indicated moderate depression or anxiety, 14 patients were classified with severe forms of depression or anxiety.Confirmed Link between Hearing Loss and Depression or AnxietyAccording to a research presented at the American Psychological Association, people with untreated hearing loss are more susceptible to dementia, depression, and other cognitive disorders over time. Getting treated for hearing loss at an early stage can help patient regain control of their life and become emotionally and cognitively stable. However, people who prefer to live with hearing loss rather than seeking treatment are more inclined to suffer from feelings of despair, rage, and disappointment, resulting in greater chances of developing cognitive issues.Read the Current Trends of Anxiety Disorders and Depression Treatment Market at:Social Hierarchy Influences Mental HealthA persons social class impacts his or her likelihood of developing depression or anxiety, according to researchers at Columbia University. They indicate that individuals near the middle of the social ladder are more prone to mental health imbalances. Social disadvantage associated to educational and income attainment is linked with the most severe mental health outcomes.Leading players in the market have been working round the clock to develop innovative and more efficient drugs and other treatment alternatives to address depression and anxiety disorders.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Medical Tourism Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 15% during 2016 to 2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1975 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medical-tourism-market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1975 Market Research Future published a half-cooked research report on Global Medical Tourism Market. The global medical tourism market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15% during the period 2016 to 2022.Market HighlightsThe Medical Tourist Industry is dynamic and volatile in nature. The range of factors including the political instability, travel restrictions, advertising practices, economic climate, domestic policy changes, geo-political shifts, innovative and pioneering forms of treatment has contributed towards the shift in patterns of consumption and production of domestic and overseas health services. The reason for the shift is are the relatively low-cost of treatments in less developed nations, the availability of inexpensive flights and increased marketing and online consumer information about the availability of medical services.Global Medical Tourism Market:The Global Medical Tourism Market has been evaluated as a growing market and it is expected that the market will touch high growth figures in future. Factors such less expensive treatment options in developing countries and the advancement in the technologies for the treatment of chronic diseases will drive the growth of the market. The global medical tourism market is expected to grow with CAGR of 15% during the forecasted period.Request a Sample Report @Key Players: Parkway Pantai Limited (Singapore), Prince Court Medical Centre (Malaysia), Shouldice Hospital (Canada), Schoen-Kliniken (Germany), Bumrungrad International Hospital (Bangkok), Bangkok Hospital (Bangkok), Clemenceau, CHRISTUS MUGUERZA, Fortis Healthcare (India)Regional Analysis:Depending on geographic region, medical tourism market is segmented into four key regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Globally North America is the largest market for medical tourism. Europe is the second-largest market for medical tourism. Asia pacific region is expected to be fastest growing region in medical tourism market.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 60 market data tables and figures spread over 80 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content (TOC) & market synopsis on Global Medical Tourism Market Research Report - Forecast to 2022Access Report Details @Segmentation:Global Medical Tourism Market has been segmented on the basis of treatment which consists of cosmetic surgery, dentistry, cardiology/cardiac surgery, orthopedic surgery, bariatric surgery, fertility/reproductive system, organ and tissue transplantation, eye surgery and others. On the basis of region; market is segmented into Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.Make an Enquiry for Report @Brief TOC of Global Medical Tourism Market1 Introduction1.1 Definition1.2 Scope of Study1.3 Research Objective1.4 Assumptions & Limitations1.5 Market Structure:2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Process2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research3 Market Dynamics3.1 Drivers3.2 Restraints3.3 Opportunities3.4 Challenges3.5 Macroeconomic Indicators4 Market Factor AnalysisContinuedAbout 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.ContactAkash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Coal Washery Market : Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends & Forecast -2024 coal washery Market, Global coal washery Market, coal washery Industry http://goo.gl/V4UAsg http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/coal-washery-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Global Coal Washery Market: OverviewCoal is considered as one of the most important resources that is being used extensively as a form of fuel. The rising demand for coal is estimated to offer lucrative opportunities for the key players in the global coal washery market. To offer the final product to the end-use industries, the unprocessed coal is required to go through several procedures, including coal sizing and washing. Advancements in these techniques and the rising investments in the coal extraction projects are some of the vital factors anticipated to encourage the growth of the overall market throughout the forecast period.Download the Exclusive Report Sample Here :The market intelligence study offers a comprehensive analysis of the global coal washery market, focusing on the primary factors that are anticipated to affect the development throughout the forecast period. With the help of primary and secondary research, the study throws light on the growth factors, challenges, promising opportunities, latest trends, and the limitations in the global coal washery market. In addition, the key segmentation of the global market, along with their market share and growth rate have been discussed at length to offer a clear picture of the global market. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape of the global coal washery market has been provided in the scope of the research study.Global Coal Washery Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe tremendously rising demand for coal in diverse sectors, such as metal manufacturing and power industries is one of the key factors anticipated to encourage the growth of the global coal washery market throughout the forecast period. In addition, the high pace of urbanization and the technological advancements in this field are estimated to accelerate the growth of the market in the coming years. Furthermore, the rising emphasis of key players on research and development activities to introduce innovative products and techniques is likely to offer promising opportunities for growth throughout the forecast period.On the flip side, the absence of incentive schemes for the miners and the additional cost related to the coal washery are anticipated to restrict the growth of the global coal washery market in the next few years. Nevertheless, the significant rise in the extraction capacities and the rising oil prices are anticipated to supplement the growth of the market. Moreover, increasing investments to enhance the production processes is estimated to bolster global coal washery market in the near future.Global Coal Washery Market: SegmentationThe global market for coal washery can be classified into dry and wet processes. Before the actually washing procedure, the coal is required to be crushed and reduce into a specific size for enhanced output. Technological advancements and innovations in these processes are expected to encourage the growth of these segments throughout the forecast period. The research study offers a thorough overview of the leading segments and throws light on the key factors encouraging the growth of these segments. Furthermore, the global coal washery market can be categorized on the basis of technology and geography.Key Players Mentioned in the Research Report are:Some of the prominent players operating in the coal washery market across the globe are Adhunik Group, China Metallurgical Engineering & Project Corporation, Larsen and Tubro Limited, Phil Group Coal Washeries, and CLI Corporation. The growing demand for coal across diverse industries is expected to encourage the participation of new players. This is likely to strengthen the competitive scenario of the overall market in the next few years. The product portfolio, financial overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and the recent developments have been highlighted in the scope of the research study to guide the new players in making effective business decisions in the next few years.Browse the Full Brochure at :Key Segments of the Global Coal Washery MarketMajor regions analyzed under this research report are:-Europe-North America-Asia Pacific-Rest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:-Market growth drivers-Factors limiting market growth-Current market trends-Market structure-Market projections for the coming yearsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMRTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog : http://cmfeglobalreports.blogspot.com/ Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market is Showing a Positive Growth due to Lack of Skilled Nursing Staff http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1280 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hospital-infection-therapeutics.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Statistics presented by the WHO state that out of every 100 admitted patients, 10 patients in developing countries and 7 in developed will acquire some kind of healthcare-related infection. In the light of this glaring unfortunate fact, several hospitals across the world are looking for ways to avert these situations. For instance, Washington Post recently published a news item that stated about 648,000 people are infected while in hospital, out of which about 75,000 cases prove to be fatal. Corroborating the astonishing news story, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out that Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, an infectious bacteria, makes 290,000 hospital patients sick every year, out of which 27,000 die. As hospitals are breeding grounds for nosocomial infections, they are augmenting the growth of the global hospital inflectional therapeutics market.Obtain the Upcoming Market Analysis of Hospital Infection Therapeutics at:Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics Market to Grow at a CAGR of 3.1%The global hospital infection therapeutics market is also being fueled by poorly skilled nursing staff in undeveloped and developing countries. This market also has a huge potential for growth due to the increasing number of pipeline drug molecules for treating specific hospital-acquired infections. Some of the pipeline drugs studied in a market research report recently published by Transparency Market Research are Eravacycline, Surotomycin, Dalvance, MK-3415A, Plazomicin, Oritavancin, Tedizolid, Delafloxacin, CAZ AVI, Ceftolozane, and Amikacin Inhale. According to industry experts, the global hospital infection therapeutics market was valued at US$3.06 billion in 2013, and is expected to be worth US$3.62 billion by 2020, growing at a positive CAGR of 3.1% from 2013 to 2020.The global hospital infection therapeutics market is segmented on the basis of types of drugs, infections, and geography. The types of drugs in the global hospital infection therapeutics market are antibacterial drugs, antifungal drugs, and antiviral drugs. The infection segments include urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disorders, surgical site infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and other hospital infections. Geographically, the global hospital infection therapeutics market is spread over regions such as Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World.Asia Pacific to be the Fastest Growing Region in Global Hospital Infection Therapeutics MarketRegionally, North America has a strong foothold in the global hospital infection therapeutics market, closely followed by Europe. This is a result of increasing healthcare awareness and adoption of advanced drugs. However, analysts predict Asia Pacific will be the fastest growing region in the forecast period.Read the Present Market Status of Hospital Infection Therapeutics at:Hospital-acquired Pneumonia Segment to be the Fastest Growing Infection SegmentAccording to industry experts, the hospital-acquired pneumonia segment accounted for over 20% of the global hospital infection therapeutics market in 2013. However, they predict this segment will face tough competition from the urinary tract infection and surgical site infection segments, both of which have been growing at exceptionally rapid rates. On the other hand, the promise of several drug molecules for treating specific hospital-acquired infections is giving a new hope of growth to the segment.The key players in the hospital infection therapeutics market are GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co. Inc., Bayer AG, Johnson & Johnson Services, Sanofi, and Pfizer.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Life Insurance Malaysia: Demand and Opportunities Research Report to 2021 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/869847-life-insurance-in-malaysia-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=869847 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/869847-life-insurance-in-malaysia-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 Synopsis'Life Insurance in Malaysia Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Malaysian life insurance segment, including: An overview of the Malaysian life insurance segment The Malaysian life insurance segments growth prospects by category A comprehensive overview of the Malaysian economy and demographics A comparison of the Malaysian life insurance segment with its regional counterparts The various distribution channels in the Malaysian life insurance segment Details of the competitive landscape in the life insurance segment in Malaysia Details of regulatory policy applicable to the Malaysian insurance industryRequest a Sample Report @Summary'Life Insurance in Malaysia Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Malaysian life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Malaysian insurance industry with its regional counterparts.It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20112017) and forecast period (20172020).The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Malaysian economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.ScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the life insurance segment in Malaysia: It provides historical values for the Malaysian life insurance segment for the reports 20112017 review period, and projected figures for the 20172020 forecast period. It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Malaysian life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020. It provides a comparison of the Malaysian life insurance segment with its regional counterparts It analyzes the various distribution channels for life insurance products in Malaysia. It profiles the top life insurance companies in Malaysia and outlines the key regulations affecting them.Reasons to Buy Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Malaysian life insurance segment, and each category within it. Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Malaysian life insurance segment. Assess the competitive dynamics in the life insurance segment. Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories. Gain insights into key regulations governing the Malaysian insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key Highlights The Malaysian life insurance segment registered a review-period CAGR of 6.5%. The individual life insurance category dominated the segment during the review period and accounted for 91.1% of the life direct written premium. Agencies and bancassurance collectively accounted for 89.6% of the segments new business written premium in 2017, while brokers accounted for the remaining 10.4%. The life segment is highly concentrated, with the 10 leading companies collectively accounting for 77.5% of the segments gross written premium in 2017.Buy now @Table of Contents1 Key Facts and Highlights2 Executive Summary3 Economy and Demographics4 Segment Outlook4.1 Regional Comparison4.2 Segment Indicators4.2.1 Gross written premium and penetration4.2.2 Policies sold4.2.3 Claims4.2.4 Sum assured4.2.5 Assets and investments5 Outlook by Sub-Segment5.1 Individual Life Insurance5.1.1 Premium5.1.2 Policies sold5.1.3 Penetration5.2 Group Life Insurance5.2.1 Premium5.2.2 Policies sold5.2.3 Penetration6 Distribution Channel Outlook6.1 Analysis by Distribution Channel7 Competitive Landscape7.1 Company Profiles7.1.1 AIA Bhd company overviewComplete Report@Contact Us:Norah TrentPartner Relations & Marketing ManagerSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTD75 Arlington Street, Suite 500,Boston, Massaachusetts - 02116United States of AmericaPh: +1-339-368-6938info@wiseguyreports.com Introduction of Effective Drugs and Vaccines to Offer Growth Opportunities for Players in Global Hospital-acquired Pneumonia Drugs Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1881 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hospital-acquired-pneumonia-drugs.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is considered to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The increasing number of diseases and disorders and the longer stay in hospitals are the primary factors boosting the rise in hospital-acquired pneumonia cases across the globe. This condition is primarily caused due to multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The rising research and development activities are expected to fuel the global hospital-acquired pneumonia market in the next few years.Obtain the Upcoming Market Analysis of Pipeline Analysis of Hospital Acquired Pneumonia Drugs at:According to the research study presented by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global market for hospital-acquired pneumonia drugs is projected to reach a value of US$3.8 bn by the end of 2020. In this blog, TMR provides answers to several vital questions related to the growth prospects and trends in the market.What are the primary factors augmenting the growth of hospital-acquired pneumonia drugs market?The increasing drug resistance among infectious microorganisms is one of the key factors increasing the chances of hospital-acquired infections, thus boosting the demand for drugs in the near future. Technological advancements and the development of innovative therapeutics and drugs to treat hospital-acquired pneumonia are also encouraging the growth of the overall market. In addition, the inefficient sterilization and unsanitary conditions in healthcare facilities in middle and low-income nations are projected to increase the prevalence of hospital-acquired pneumonia in the near future.What are the types of drugs available in the global hospital-acquired pneumonia drugs market?The late-stage candidates in the hospital-acquired pneumonia drugs pipeline include avibactam/ceftazidime, plazomicin, tedizolid phosphate, amikacin inhale, tazobactam/ceftolozane, and synflorix vaccine. Hospital-acquired pneumonia drug candidates in phase III are expected to be launched by the end of 2020. The key drug manufacturers in the global market are emphasizing on research activities in order to introduce new drugs and acquire the status of novel drugs in the next few years. At present, several drugs are available commercially in the global market; nevertheless, the global market for hospital-acquired pneumonia drugs holds promising and lucrative opportunities for vaccines.How is the competitive landscape of the hospital-acquired pneumonia drugs market expected to evolve in the near future?The demand for hospital-acquired pneumonia drugs is expected to rise significantly owing to the fact that pneumonia accounts for over 22% of the overall hospital-acquired infections at present. The conventional antibiotics are proving to be ineffective in treating multidrug-resistant organisms, resulting in a sizeable unmet demand for innovative and effective drugs for hospital-acquired pneumonia as well as other infections. Thus, a large number of pharmaceutical companies are making notable efforts to enter the market and strengthen the competition in the coming years.Read the Present Market Status of Pipeline Analysis of Hospital Acquired Pneumonia Drugs at:The constant development of new drugs by leading companies, including Achaogen, Inc., AstraZeneca plc, Merck & Co. Inc., Sanofi, Valneva SE, and GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. is expected to encourage the growth of the market in the next few years. The advent of new formulations and vaccines by offered by GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. and Sanofi in the late stage of the pipeline is expected to contribute substantially towards the growth of the overall market.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Bentonite Market - Global Industry Analysis,Growth, Trends & Forecast 2016 - 2024 Bentonite Market,Bentonite Global,Bentonite Size, http://bit.ly/2h51llN http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/bentonite-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ http://cmfeglobalreports.blogspot.in/ The global bentonite market was adversely impacted by the economic downturn in 2008-2009. However, the market for bentonite recovered in 2010 and is expected to demonstrate positive growth rate in the future due to the increasing importance of bentonite in the oilfield industry. Bentonite finds its application in drilling fluids and oilwell cement applications. The increasing demand for bentonite from oilfield industry will continue to drive this market.Bentonite is also gaining popularity in several end-use industries as an external and internal cleanser. The strong demand for bentonite from food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and surfactants industry will fuel the global bentonite market. Furthermore, a large volume of bentonite is used for manufacturing rubber tire, cleansers, and sprays. The global bentonite market is broadly segmented by application and geography.The report on global bentonite market presents a detailed analysis of this industry. Furthermore, the report provides information about the new projects and investment feasibility in the global bentonite market. The valuable recommendations in this report will help both new entrants and established players to achieve a better business outcome. The market estimates and forecasts included in the report are verified via exhaustive primary research conducted with the key industry participants.Download the Sample Report Here :Overview of the Global Bentonite MarketBentonite also known as montmorillonite is a type of clay that exhibits an ability to produce electrical charge when hydrated. Bentonite is recognized for its ability to soak up and remove impurities, toxins, heavy metals, and chemicals. Bentonite is used in a wide range of food such as candies and yogurt. Furthermore, bentonite is also used to make medicines as it has good water holding capabilities. It can also be mixed with sand and clay and used to make ceramics or used in the buildings industry. A small volume of bentonite is also used for bleaching.Traditionally, bentonite was used for oilwell and water-well drilling. Primarily bentonite was used to close borehole walls, to remove drill cuttings, and grease the cutting head. However, this clay is increasingly finding use in several other industries due to its bonding ability. Geography-wise, the global bentonite market is segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World (World). At present, Asia Pacific is the largest consumer of bentonite, trailed by North America and Europe. Some of the top bentonite producing countries are China, India, Greece, and Turkey.Though the global bentonite market is expected to exhibit good growth during the forecast period of 2013 to 2019, the inability of bentonite to avoid swelling and hydration formation will suppress the market growth. Treated bentonite is not capable of exhibiting plasticity properly owing to the low amount of montmorillonite composition in bentonite.Browse the Full Report Sample at :The report segments the global bentonite market as:-North America-Asia Pacific-Europe-Rest of the WorldTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMRTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog : Global and China Kinesio Tape Industry 2020 Elite Market Solutions of SpiderTech, Healixon, RockTape, Mueller http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=763253&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-and-china-kinesio-tape-sales-market-report-to-2020.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com QYResearchReports introduces a new report recently added to its vast database. The report is titled, Global and China Kinesio Tape Industry 2016 Research Report. The report is a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of the Kinesio Tape market. The report segments the Global and China Kinesio Tape market on the basis of key criteria. The market size of the Kinesio Tape industry is predicted for both regional and Global and China level. The drivers and restraints impacting the market have been discussed in detail. The report also analyses the current trends that are having a significant impact on the Kinesio Tape market. In addition to this, future opportunities in the Kinesio Tape market for players operating in the market have been discussed.This report studies Kinesio Tape in Global and China market, focuses on top manufacturers in global and China market, involving Kinesio Tape price of each type, production, revenue and market share for each manufacturer. This report also displays the production, revenue and market share of Kinesio Tape in USA, EU, China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia, forecast to 2020, from 2011.Order a Sample Copy of this Report @The report studies the various regulations and rules laid out by the regulatory bodies and the impact of these on the Global and China Kinesio Tape industry. In addition to this, the study discusses the markets hierarchy in each regional segment and offers estimated market size for them. The study also sheds light on the competitive landscape and discusses the challenges faced by each of the companies along with their recent developments in Kinesio Tape market. The strategies adopted and also the marketing tactics used by players have been discussed in the report.While massive data can be acquired about the Global and China Kinesio Tape market, focusing only on the important aspects is a challenge. Thus, analysts have collated all key aspects of the Kinesio Tape market and filtered the important data and statistics on the basis of relevance and usefulness. The report also includes the study of Porters five forces analysis, comprising the degree of competition, threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, and threat of substitutes. This helps readers to get a clear picture of the market and the scope of Kinesio Tape market.Explore Full Report with Detailed Insights @QYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYresearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Anti-Counterfeit Clothing and Accessories Packaging Market Driven by Rising Trend of Multilayered Protection of Products http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=9533 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The misconduct of counterfeiting practices is mostly encountered with premium quality products owing to their low risk and large revenue benefits. The counterfeiting actions of accessories and clothing are hastily transforming from physical marketplace to e commerce portals. Moreover, potential counterfeiting acts would increase further with growing sales of fashion goods through e-commerce.View exclusive Global strategic Business report:Currently, the counterfeiting rates of clothing and accessories are hindering the financial growth of luxury goods and fashion industry. In order to overcome the increasing forgery practices, different authentication technologies are implemented for low cost products. There have been an increase in acceptance of track and trace technologies by premium fashion wear manufacturers worldwide. Anti-counterfeit labeling is expected to become an essential part of accessories packaging procedure, thereby mounting brand protection.The key driving factors for anti-counterfeit clothing and accessories packaging market are increasing acceptance of track and trace technologies and rising trend of multilayered protection of products among others. There are other geographical drivers which are also responsible for the growth of the market. In addition, demand from emerging markets across India and China are expected to create opportunities for anti-counterfeit clothing and accessories packaging market in the future. However, additional cost of anti-counterfeit technologies and huge cost of real time tracking are some of the major factors which are hindering the growth of global anti-counterfeit clothing and accessories packaging market.Global anti-counterfeit clothing and accessories packaging market can be broadly classified on the basis of technology and geography. By technology, the market for anti-counterfeit clothing and accessories packaging is segmented into authentication packaging technology and track and trace packaging technology. Authentication packaging technology is further subdivided into ink and dyes, hologram and watermark among others. Hologram technology is anticipated to witness potential growth in the future. Moreover, track and trace packaging technology is classified into barcode technology and RFID technology. Barcode technology is expected to grow at a significant rate in the future due to its low cost compared to other track and trace technologies.By geography, the global anti-counterfeit clothing and accessories packaging market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia pacific and Rest of the World. Currently North America and Europe are collectively dominating the market for anti-counterfeit clothing and accessories packaging in terms of revenue, followed by Asia-Pacific. There are huge number of customers of anti-counterfeit technologies in these regions, primarily due to high brand preference ambiance. Moreover, increase in adoption of track and trace technologies by manufacturers coupled with active anti-counterfeit measures from trade associations are boosting the market for anti-counterfeit clothing and accessories packaging in North America and Europe. Asia Pacific is expected to become the fastest growing region in the future owing to increase in small scale clothing industries along with establishment of their brand image in local markets. However, the growth of luxury and fashion industry across developed countries was largely obstructed by decline in economic conditions. Leading manufacturers across these regions are focusing on newer opportunities through business expansion in emerging countries.Some of the key players in this market are Alien Technology Corp., Zebra Technologies Corp., AlpVision, Avery Dennison Corp., Impinj Incorporation, Microtrace Solutions, Applied DNA Science Inc., RDS Labels and Brand Integrity International among others.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Rapid Microbiology Tests Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/rapid-microbiology-tests-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2062 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Rapid Microbiology Tests Market: OverviewMicrobiology is referred to as a branch of medical science which deals with deals with the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of infectious diseases. Additionally, this scientific research field examines several clinical applications of microbes for health improvement. The four different types of microorganisms that are known for causing infectious disease are viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria, and one is an infection protein known as prion. The branch of microbiology investigates the features of pathogens, transmission modes, and infection and growth mechanism. With the help of this type of information, new treatment and diagnosis methods can be devised. Medical microbiologists also act as consultants for physicians or doctors in order to identify the pathogens and suggest options for treatment. Other tasks comprise theidentification of possible health risks to the public and watching the evolution of possibly virulent or resilient strains of microbes, spreading awareness among the community and supporting in the design of health practices.Rapid microbiological tests role in assisting in managing low respiratory tract infection is debatable. Many physicians would deny that therapeutic decisions are aided with rapidly provided accurate information about a causative pathogen. Unfortunately, the skill of microbiology laboratories to accomplish a service is inhibited by the limits of traditional diagnostic tests. Culture-based methodologies might be a bit slower and may often be sensitive, might not be able to distinguish between colonization and infection, and might also be influenced by earlier antimicrobial usage. Serological tests are also slow at times and poorly sensitive and specific. Moreover, in many cases, an etiological diagnosis is not made in spite of the best efforts. As a result, several authoritative rules on the administrative of community acquired pneumonia among adults that do not support the daily complete microbiological tests except in some situations.The research report is a broad examination of the growth trajectory based on the historical, current, and future opportunities of the global rapid microbiology tests market. It provides an assessment of the dynamics that are expected to affect the growth of the market and the predominant trends have also been mentioned in the study. The report also presents a diverse outlook of the competitive picture of the market through the value chain and Porters five forces analysis. The report mentions the research and development projects, mergers and acquisitions, details on collaborations and licensing. The study provides insights into the marketing strategies, products, and shares of the key players operating in the global rapid microbiology market.View Full Report at :Global Rapid Microbiology Tests Market: Trends and OpportunitiesRapid microbiology tests accelerate the identification of a microorganism triggering a symptomatic infection and thus aid in the selection of approaches regarding its removal. Rapid diagnosis of a contagion with accuracy allows patient for primary instigation of a therapy and employment of suitable infection control measures. Such tests also decrease severance of un-required diagnostic testing and treatment. Existing rapid microbiology tests comprise several genomic testing methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technologies, nucleic acid hybridization, and nucleic acid sequencing. These tests are extremely subtle and precise in nature and deliver accurate outcomes.One of the chief factors boosting the growth of rapid microbiology test markets is the rising need for easy and fast diagnosis. Other dynamics boosting this market comprise technological advancement, abridged cost, better patient fulfillment due to the removal of usage of antibiotics and other drugs, awaiting threat of communication of AIDS and augmented prospective of bioterrorism tests. Progressions in molecular diagnostic technologies might pose a threat to the conventional rapid microbiology test market by producing the decrease in sales volume.Global Rapid Microbiology Tests Market: Regional AnalysisGeographically, North America leads the rapid microbiology tests market owing to numerous market-focused companies providing a wide range of products and is trailed by Europe. Developing countries of Latin America and Asia Pacific are anticipated to witness significant progress in the rapid microbiology tests market owing to an upsurge in the number of laboratories in these regions and enhancement of the existing ones for the purpose of automation of several instrumentation systems.Companies Operating in the MarketThe key companies in the marker are Quidel Corporation, Sysmex Corporation, Thermo-Fisher Scientific Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc., Gen-Probe Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Becton Dickinson, and Abbott Laboratories among others.This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming yearsKey highlights of this reportOverview of key market forces propelling and restraining market growthUp-to-date analyses of market trends and technological improvementsPin-point analyses of market competition dynamics to offer you a competitive edgeAn analysis of strategies of major competitorsAn array of graphics and SWOT analysis of major industry segmentsDetailed analyses of industry trendsA well-defined technological growth map with an impact-analysisOffers a clear understanding of the competitive landscape and key product segmentsDownload Sample Copy of Report at :About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactMr.Sudip S90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Western Blotting Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/western-blotting-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=6877 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Western blotting is a technique that is specifically used for protein analysis. The western blotting technique initiates with separation of molecules using gel electrophoresis. At the end of electrophoresis the separated molecules are transferred to a second matrix which commonly includes polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) or nitrocellulose membrane. Then, to prevent any nonspecific binding of antibodies to the surface of the membrane it is blocked with a specific mechanism. As a probe was combined with an enzyme-labeled antibody an appropriate substrate is then added to the enzyme which together produces detectable product such as chromogenic precipitate on the membrane for colorimetric detection. There are two types of western blotting procedures direct and in direct detection methods. The various advantages associate with direct method are rapid effect due to presence of one antibody, and primary antibodies. The disadvantages of direct detection method consist of reduced immunoreactivity of primary antibody labeled primary antibody, expensive, low flexibility in choice of primary antibody label and minimal signal amplification. Moreover, indirect detection method has advantages such as secondary antibody amplifying signal, variety of labeled secondary antibodies, and primary antibody immunoreactivity remain unaffected by labeling. The various disorders related with indirect detection are non-specific staining produced by secondary antibodies and a time consuming process due to presence of additional steps.The western blotting market can be segmented on the basis of type of instrument such as manual, semi-automated and automated instruments. The consumables that are used in western blotting are also part of this market; western blotting kits, western blotting reagents and others. The western blotting reagents can be further sub-segmented as fluorescent reagents, chemifluorescent reagents, radioisotopic, reagents, chemiluminescent reagents, and chromogenic reagents. The other western blotting consumables are western blotting membranes, blotting papers and molecular weight markers. The western blotting market can be also segmented on the basis of its applications such as biomedical research, agriculture, disease diagnosis, and biochemical research. The diseases that are mainly diagnosed with the help of western blotting technique are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), LYME disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV).View Full Report at :North America was observed to be the largest market for western blotting market. High awareness, escalating prevalence of diseases and introduction of advanced diagnostic technologies are the major factors driving the growth of this market. In 2010, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1,148,200 persons aged 13 years and above were diagnosed with HIV infection in the United States, including 207,600 (18.1%) persons whose infections had not been diagnosed. Europe was observed to be the second largest market and one of the leading research destinations for diagnostics and treatment for BSE and HIV diseases. According to UNAIDS estimates, around 2.3 million people were diagnosed with HIV in the European region at the end of 2010. Estimated adult HIV prevalence varies from 0.2% in parts of Central Europe to 1% in parts of Eastern Europe. Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World were observed to be the most potential markets for western blotting market. These regions are developing their infrastructure and medical emergency processes which increase the demand for disease diagnostics techniques. The future growth in these geographical regions is expected due to increase in the diagnosed patients especially from the emerging economies such as India, Brazil, China, and other countries.Some of the key players operating in this market are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Advansta Inc., Proteinsimple, Inc., Li-Cor Biosciences, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, GE Healthcare, Perkinelmer, Inc., Merck Millipore, Roche Applied Science, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. and others.This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. This report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsThis report is a complete study of current trends in the market, industry growth drivers, and restraints. It provides market projections for the coming years. It includes analysis of recent developments in technology, Porters five force model analysis and detailed profiles of top industry players. The report also includes a review of micro and macro factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis.Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsIt provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segmentsNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.Download Sample Copy of Report at :About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactMr.Sudip S90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Practice Management Systems Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/practice-management-systems-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12185 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Practice Management Systems Market: OverviewMedical practice is defined as the science and the art of healing in accordance with scientific diagnosis of the disease. Medical practice therefore, requires significant volume of patient data which is difficult to maintain in the long run especially if its recorded in the physical form of documents and files. The entry of computer software and software systems like SaaS (Software as a Service) has greatly assisted in the overall process of patient data and medical practice data management. Medical Practice Management System (PMS) is a software that helps medical organization (or clinic) to record patient data, fix appointments with practitioners, maintain record of insurance payment companies (and contacting them when required), perform billing related tasks and generate final reports. PMS nowadays are integrated with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) that deals strictly with patient medical data (medical and treatment history) as an all inclusive data management system.PMS is designed according to the volume of data that needs to be maintained, the size of the organization and their financial capacity. Generally PMS are classified as; desktop variants for limited computers, client-server (physical servers) for large institutions with strong finance and requirement for easy access to patients confidential data, and internet server (virtual/cloud servers) for institutions that require cost saving alternatives. Software companies offer services in different price ranges varying from few hundreds to thousands of dollars depending upon aforesaid parameters. Integrated systems (EMR and PMS) are more expensive in comparison to standalone services. Some companies that provide these services are Acrendo Softwares, Allegiance MD, WRS Health, Practo Ray and Athena Health to name a few.Practice Management Systems Market: Opportunities and TrendsPMS have a great future ahead, as medical institutions worldwide see it as a better alternative to physical document records which have a very high error rate bringing into light the nature of human incompetency, that are minimized to a great extent in PMS. Also, medical errors result in severe adverse events and death, this is efficiently tackled by the presence of automated programmed software. Cost saving is another financial reason for a shift into PMS, it reduces data management costs and as a result the overall medical treatment costs. Medical insurance claims and payouts also see a positive change with fast processing times. Countries like the U.S. also offer subsidies to hospitals opting for such systems.View Full Report at :Practice Management Systems Market: RestraintsPMS however, is useful only as long as the personals are trained in the dynamics of the software, this requires training and practice. Many countries also have strict patient confidentiality laws, any breach or leak patient records may pose a great threat to the integrity of the whole process and shall render an institution liable for prosecution by the law. In such a situation, PMS becomes more of a liability than assistance. However, with entry of Asian software companies like Practo Ray who have developed portable android based software systems can be easily accessed and require minimum training. Cost effective alternatives are on the rise along with better algorithms to integrate the complete process of medical practice.Practice Management Systems Market: Regional InsightPMS market is expected to increase owing to the presence of virtual/cloud based service systems, these enable companies far offshore to provide services at competitive prices. Service providers are at present largely based in the North America and European region, where the demand is the highest owing to large population patients with health insurance. The PMS market in Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR owing to more number of companies establishing business in this region coupled shift in service providers from the North American region to emerging economies. Also, with greater returns on investment a large number of Asian medical institutions are now opting for PMS.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.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.Download Sample Copy of Report at :About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactMr.Sudip S90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: U.S. Vaccines Market to Exhibit 4.30% CAGR 2014-2020 due to Government-led Awareness Initiatives http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/us-vaccine-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=553 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/us-vaccine-industry-htm http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Transparency Market Research has recently announced the publication of a new market research study, titled U.S. Vaccine Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020. According to the research report, the U.S. vaccine market is anticipated to exhibit a 4.30% CAGR between 2014 and 2020. The market research report on the U.S. vaccine market is an effort to provide a comprehensive analysis including market overview, product segmentation, market trends, and vendor analysis.Browse Full U.S. Vaccine Market (Human Vaccines: Hepatitis, Influenza, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, HPV, Combination Vaccines; Animal Vaccines: Canine, Feline, Porcine, Bovine, Ovine, Poultry and Equine) - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020 Report @Increased consumption of chicken in recent years has boosted the demand for poultry vaccines in the U.S.; moreover, rising prevalence of zoonotic diseases has propelled the U.S. animal vaccines market. The remarkably low risk of fatal and serious side effects of vaccines and awareness initiatives by government and non-profit organizations have fueled the U.S. vaccines market. On the other hand, the rigid regulatory pathway and high cost associated with vaccine handling, storage, and transportation are some of the restraining factors that are curbing the growth of this market.The U.S. vaccine market has been broadly classified into the human vaccine market and the animal vaccine market in the U.S. On the basis of type, the human vaccine market is further divided into pediatric and adult vaccines. Furthermore, according to different antigens, the U.S. human vaccine market has been segmented into meningococcal, influenza, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis, pneumococcal, combination vaccines and more. In 2013, in terms of revenue, the combination vaccines segment comprised the largest segment of the human vaccine market. Nevertheless, the pneumococcal vaccines market is expected to develop as the biggest segment till 2020, thanks to the projected increase in the sales of Prevnar 13 throughout the forecast period. In addition, the meningococcal vaccines segment is also expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.The U.S. animal vaccines market has been classified into companion vaccines and livestock vaccines. Further classification of companion animal vaccines has been done into canine and feline, whereas the livestock animal vaccines segment has been segmented into the poultry, bovine, porcine, ovine, and equine sub-segments. In 2013, the canine vaccines segment held a slightly larger share than the feline vaccines segment in terms of revenue, owing to the higher average cost of canine vaccination. In livestock animal vaccines, in 2013, the bovine segment held the biggest share in the market, followed by porcine vaccines. Nevertheless, the poultry vaccines segment has been expected to exhibit a progressive CAGR between 2014 and 2020.The U.S. vaccine market has gained traction in recent years and is expected to be one of the fastest growing markets in the healthcare segment. Some of the dominating players in the U.S. human vaccine market are Sanofi, Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer, Ltd., Novartis International AG., and GlaxoSmithKline plc. As there is stiff competition among all these players in the U.S. market, introducing innovative and new vaccines is one of the ways used by these companies to remain dominant in the market. Some of the other prominent players in the U.S. animal vaccine market are Merial (animal health department of Sanofi), Merck & Co., Inc., Zoetis, Inc., and Boehringer Ingelheim. In 2013, Zoetis, Inc. accounted for the biggest share in the U.S. animal vaccine market, followed by Merck & Co., Inc.Download Sample Copy of Report at :Key segments of the XYZ marketU.S. Human Vaccine Market, by Type:PediatricAdultU.S. Human Vaccine Market, by AntigenHepatitis (A & B)InfluenzaMeningococcalPneumococcalHuman Papillomavirus (HPV)Combination Vaccines (DTaP, DTaP-Hep B-IPV, DTaP-IPV and DTaP-IPV)OthersU.S. Animal Vaccine Market, by Animal Type:Companion Animal Vaccine MarketCanineFelineLivestock Vaccine MarketPorcineBovineOvinePoultryEquineBrowse : Our new press releasesAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactMr.Sudip S90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Array Instruments Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/global-array-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=495 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Microarray is a collection of microscopic spots of DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, proteins, peptides, cells, tissues and other compounds which are attached to a solid substrate. Other microarray platforms include use of microscopic beads. With the help of array instruments, these microarrays are used to measure gene expression levels simultaneously in a single reaction and also genotype multiple regions of genome. The global array instruments market is driven by the large number of patients awaiting diagnosis of the exact type of cancer, metabolic diseases, and post natal diseases along with the research on the causes and treatment for such diseases. Disease diagnosis and detection has been the most critical and beneficial microarray application for the diagnosis and prognosis of different types of diseases, majorly cancer.At present, a broad range of microarray technologies are available in the market for research purpose. DNA microarray is the most traditional and widely accepted technology in the microarray field. Thus, it accounts for the largest share, in the total market, owing to improved accuracy and precision and wide acceptance by the end users. The advent of DNA microarray has accelerated the process of gene expression, disease diagnosis, drug discovery and SNP analysis. Protein microarray which is the second largest and the fastest growing technology is very effective in identifying protein-protein interactions, substrates of protein kinases and activities of proteins. Due to high throughput, high resolution and sensitivity, protein microarray is extensively used in proteomics for protein expression profiling. Gene expression is the largest application market followed by the drug discovery and diagnosis market. High cost associated with the instruments and need for expertise leads to decreased adoption of microarray technology, particularly in developing countries. Moreover, increase in awareness for disease diagnosis and introduction of cheaper instruments and reagents will together aid in maintaining the growing of microarray technologies.View Full Report at :Cellular microarray and tissue microarray technologies are currently in nascent stage and have their own limitations. The major factors that limit the use of tissue microarray are tissue heterogeneity and high cost. Expensive nature of array instruments limits the use in general practice in several countries. Hence, researchers are working on constructing cost effective tissue microarrays. Certain drawbacks with the use of cellular microarray are related to sensitivity. Moreover, there is further need for development of automated image analysis and data acquisition.Geographically, North America dominates the global microarray instruments market. Large proportion of technological advancement first is introduced in the U.S. since majority of the prime market players are domiciled in North America. Europe accounts for second position in the total market. Rising incidences of cancers and autoimmune diseases drive the demand for diagnosis and treatment of such diseases in the region. Simplification of analysis process, increased market consolidation, and cost containment of instruments and reagents will result in rapid adoption of research in microarrays field in the emerging markets. Developing countries in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa would contribute to the growth of the global array instruments market. Advancement in technology leading to better specificity and sensitivity coupled with low cost and robustness would increase the demand for research using microarrays, which would boost the market growth.The leading players in the market for microarray instruments are Affymetrix, Inc., Illumina, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Molecular Devices, ArrayIt Corporation, ThermoFischer Scientific and others which include Bio-Rad Laboratories, ArrayJet, and Sigma Aldrich. Greater benefits are expected to be achieved by various companies with huge investments in automation of systems with improved analysis in the near future.Download Sample Copy of Report at :About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactMr.Sudip S90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Industrial Enzymes Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast, 2014 - 2020 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=218848 http://www.researchmoz.us/biotechnology-market-reports-30.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG http://deep-research-report.blogspot.com/ ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Industrial Enzymes Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast, 2014 - 2020 " to it's Large Report database.Industrial enzymes are molecules or complex proteins that help in catalysis of biochemical reactions. Industrial enzymes have the characteristics of reducing the energy consumption of a reaction without being consumed in the reaction. On the basis of product type, industrial enzymes market can be segmented as lipase, carbohydrase and protease. On the basis of its applications, industrial enzymes market is segmented into four segments including food & beverages, bio fuel, cleaning agents and other applications including animal feed. Food & beverages is the most dominant application segment for industrial enzymes and this trend is anticipated to continue for a foreseeable future.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Enzymes are produced by living cells and industrial enzymes market can be segregated into three segments on the basis of the source namely microorganisms, animals and plants. Fermentation is the most dominant process used for the production of industrial enzymes. Microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria among others are employed in the fermentation process. Solid state fermentation and submerged fermentation are dominant fermentation process used in enzymes production. Submerged fermentation involves a liquid medium for enzyme production and solid state fermentation employs a solid substrate for the production. Centrifugation or lysing process is used for extraction of enzymes produced extracellularly or intracellularly by the microorganism.Major portion of the global production of industrial enzymes is employed in the production of food & beverages including cheese, bread and alcohol among several others. Increasing demand for packaged food & beverages have led to high growth in food & beverages application segment that has been among foremost factors driving demand for industrial enzymes.Read All Biotechnology Market Research Reports @There has been a surge in government incentives and benefits to promote the use of bio fuel as a substitute for the conventional non renewable sources of energy. Increasing demand for bio fuel primarily driven by the surge in government incentives and the environmental benefits associated with bio fuel is anticipated to be among major factors driving demand for industrial enzymes in the near future. Research and development activities to increase the application scope of industrial enzymes are anticipated to offer huge growth opportunity for market growth.North America followed by Europe dominates the global demand for industrial enzymes. Moreover, market shares of North America and Europe are anticipated to decline in the near future primarily owing to relatively high growth in Asia Pacific and RoW region. Increasing demand for bio fuel is expected to be foremost factors driving demand for industrial enzymes in North America and Europe. Asia Pacific is the third largest market for industrial enzymes. Moreover, Asia Pacific comprises two of the largest countries in terms of population, India and China leading to huge demand for food & beverages in the region. Furthermore, high GDP growth and increasing disposable income in the emerging economies of Asia Pacific is expected to drive demand for industrial enzymes in the region. Owing to aforementioned factors, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing geographic segment for industrial enzymes during the forecast period. High growth in developing economies of South America and Africa are anticipated to offer huge growth opportunity for industrial enzymes in the near future.Some of the key players in industrial enzymes market include Amano Enzyme Inc., Novozymes, BASF SE, Dyadic International Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Codexis Inc. and The Soufflet Group among others.This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's 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. ResearchMoz's 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.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at: Carrier digital communications: Agility in innovative use cases will maximize service provider opportunities http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=556302 http://www.researchmoz.us/telecommunications-market-reports-95.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG http://deep-research-report.blogspot.com/ ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Carrier digital communications: Agility in innovative use cases will maximize service provider opportunities " to it's Large Report database.SummaryOver the top (OTT) messaging leaders are rapidly evolving their key mobile messaging application interfaces to new voice and video communications, with revenue dilution implications for carriers worldwide. The progress made in mobile IP voice and video this year alone from key OTT players such as Facebook and Google is a clear indication of heightened mobile communications competitive pressure from these new players in 2016 and beyond. Operator have picked up the pace with the deployment of new digital communications technologies such as VoLTE ,Wi-Fi Calling and WebRTC. Despite its slow growth to date, Rich Communications Services (RCS) may turn out to be mobile operators' best-bet in offsetting the OTT competition, supported by large industry partners. Few carriers are giving enough thought to the B2B2C opportunities implicit in WebRTC and far too many continue to view the technology as a threat to their existing calling business, as opposed to an opportunity for external monetization. We believe that provisioning easy-to-access developer tools and WebRTC APIs for in-browser communications has the potential to revolutionize the carrier wholesale business on a whole new digital level.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Key Findings- Telcos are focusing on Rich Communications Services (RCS) opportunity, which is charged as a premium VAS or as part of a standard mobile communications package, in order to combat the mounting mobile communications competitive pressure from OTT players. Carriers in the US, APAC and Europe are looking to align VoLTE capabilities with RCS for more advanced IP communication services.- Wi-Fi calling has been launched by a large number of different industry participants including mobile incumbents, cable and fixed-players, with a wide variation in use case. The operators are positioning Wi-Fi calling as a cheaper alternative for cellular calling to avoid high roaming costs and markets as coverage enhancement value-add, especially for indoor calling.- Companies such as Telenor, ATandT and Telefonica are experimenting with Web browser-based, real-time communications for voice and video communications. Provisioning easy-to-access developer tools and WebRTC APIs for in-browser communications has the potential to revolutionize the carrier wholesale business on a whole new digital level.Read All Telecommunications Market Research Reports @Table of ContentsExecutive SummarySection 1: The carrier digital communications imperativeMobile messagingMobile voiceMobile videoSection 2: Digital communications technology trendsVoLTEWi-Fi callingWebRTCSection 3: Digital communications carrier deployments and case studiesRCS deployments to date and next stepsCase study: SK Telecom joyn.TCase study: T-Mobile US Advanced MessagingWi-Fi calling deployments to date and next stepsCase study: EE Wi-Fi CallingCase study: Cablevision FreewheelWebRTC use casesCase study: AT&T Enhanced WebRTC APICase study: Telefonicas TokBox LeverageMesh networking deployments to dateSection 4: Whats next for digital communications?Competitive digital communications solutionsDigital communications opportunities for carriersSection 5: Key findings & recommendationsKey findingRecommendationsAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's 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. ResearchMoz's 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.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at: Fusion Art's 2nd Annual "Landscapes" International Online Juried Art Exhibition Opened January 1, 2017 http://www.fusionartps.com http://www.fusionartps.com/2nd-landscapes-january-2017-exhibition http://www.fusionartps.com Palm Springs, CA, USA -- Fusion Art () is pleased to announce the opening of the 2nd Annual "Landscapes" International Online Juried Art Exhibition for the month of January 2017. The exhibition is now available for viewing on the Fusion Art website.The "Landscapes" exhibition opened on January 1st and featured awards in two categories: Traditional Art and Digital Art & Photography.For this competition artists and photographers worldwide were encouraged to share their artistic vision and interpretation of natural scenery and the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, valleys, deserts, farmland, trees, rivers, lakes, ponds, forests, wilderness, polar regions, rainforests, islands and tropical landscapes. The work could range from realism to surrealism to abstraction and all artists and photographers, regardless of location or experience, were encouraged to submit.The Best in Show winners are Victor Schiro for his oil on canvas, "Song Dog Ranch Arroyo" and Kyle Stanley for his digital photograph, "Setting of the Supermoon."Both Victor and Kyle are Fusion Art's Featured Artists for the month of January 2017 and, as the Best in Show winners, both artists are also invited to participate in Fusion Art's 2nd Annual Group Show in Palm Springs, CA, in November 2017.Other award winners include Second Place winners, Tamkeen Siddique for her acrylic on wood panel, "Sun is Shining" and Kathy Brady for her digital photograph, "Mount Redoubt Volcano." Third Place awards were given to Elizabeth Burin for her watercolor, "Mount Rainier, Melting Snow II" and Hunter Johnson for his photographic print on acrylic, "Sunrise in the Rain."The remaining finalists in the exhibition, including four Honorable Mention winners - Carl Owen, Diane Bragdon, David Dumo and Margaret King, all exemplify uniquely creative talents and we're honored to showcase their artwork on the Fusion Art website.The international competition received a diverse collection of quality artwork from artists all around the world, including the US, Canada, England, Spain, India, Ireland, Oman, France and the United Arab Emirates. The exhibition will be featured on the Fusion Art website until January 31, 2017.Founded by Award winning artist, Chris Hoffman, Fusion Art, a fine art gallery located in Palm Springs, California, was envisioned and formed out of a passion for art and the artists who create it. The website promotes and connects new, emerging and established artists with collectors and art enthusiasts, while offering the opportunity to participate in art competitions and experiences.Each month Fusion Art hosts uniquely themed art competitions and exhibitions. Both winners and finalists are provided with worldwide exposure, by having their work promoted through Fusion Art's website, in 70+ press release announcements, email marketing, online event calendars, art news websites and through the gallery's social media outlets. The gallery's objective is to promote the artists, worldwide, to art professionals, gallerists, collectors and buyers.To view the exhibition and for further information on all the winners and finalists, please visit Fusion Art's website:About Fusion ArtFusion Art is an online gallery website where new, emerging and professional artists can enter online juried art exhibitions, obtain competition experience, as well as gain exposure to art collectors and art professionals.Media Contact:Valerie HoffmanFusion Art2658 S. Cherokee WayPalm Springs, CA 92264760-832-7568info@fusionartps.com When it comes to Gov. Terry Branstads Medicaid modernization the privatization of the medical program for Iowas poor and disabled catastrophic experience is a term usually associated with recipients, providers and political opponents. Add for-profit corporations to the list of the aggrieved, according to documents obtained by The Des Moines Register, and the assessment is drastically underfunded. Branstad continues to maintain the $4.2 billion annual program a state and federal partnership serving 560,000 Iowans will save more than $110 million this fiscal year, ending June 30. We anticipated that there would be some losses as they have had in some other states, he told the Register. We feel very confident that were going to be able to sustain the savings that we anticipated when we put the budget together. And well continue to work with them. He has lauded the program for care coordination for 25,000 Iowans with mental health issues, 230,000 health risk assessments and outreach efforts and a 2,200-person reduction in the waiting list for Iowans with disabilities to receive services in their communities instead of in institutions. Medicaid recipients claim to have had difficulties seeing their physicians and obtaining prescriptions, while care providers have complained about delayed, insufficient or rejected payments. It turns out the three corporations administering the program are unhappy as well, bathing in much more red ink than they anticipated. According to reports filed in late November with the Iowa Insurance Division, AmeriHealth Caritas had a net loss of $132 million in Iowa through nine months. Amerigroup lost $147 million. UnitedHealthCare lost money in Iowa but didnt file a separate report. The state has promised another $33.2 million to cover unexpected expenses and $94.5 million more generated in federal money, but apparently thats just two lumps of coal for Christmas. We are extremely disappointed in the amended rate offer, as it does not address the significant rate issue identified and documented. The departments rate offer is not actuarially sound and is not acceptable to us, AmeriHealth Caritas Regional Vice President Russell Gianforcaro wrote to Department of Human Services Director Charles Palmer. Now its the corporations turn to echo critics that the privatization model was ill-conceived and lacking transparency. We believe the rate development process is not actuarially sound and jeopardizes the sustainability of the Iowa Health Link (Medicaid privatization) program, Gianforcaro wrote. The lack of transparency and sharing of detailed data during this process is unacceptable. Amerigroups Cynthia McDonald said the state needs to draw down more federal money in light of the catastrophic experience the program is facing. In a letter to Iowa Medicaid Director Mikki Stier, Kimberly Foltz, chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcares Iowa branch, wrote, The program remains drastically underfunded. She stated experts from the Milliman actuarial firm used by the state underestimated by 40 percent the cost of covering tens of thousands of poor Iowans allowed to sign up for Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. The mistake, she contended, suggests there were material flaws in the rating projection. Foltz wants to negotiate down how much pharmacies are paid for prescriptions by as much as 90 percent. Branstads claims of huge savings are ripe for criticism. Jean Slaybaugh, a DHS fiscal manager, stated in court last year she used a midpoint from multiple experts from no saving to 15 percent to reach a $51.3 million savings estimate for the first six months. However, DHS hasnt provided documents showing the experts or companies consulted. The first year is acknowledged to be risky with startup costs. Iowas transition was particularly rocky after federal regulators delayed the switch from Jan. 1 to April 1. The companies signed three-year contracts with Iowa with a monthly capitation rate paid based on each patient managed, using Iowas numbers. After 18 months, the companies actuarial numbers enter into negotiations. Iowa spent 4 to 8 percent $336 million on administering the program. AmeriHealth reported administration expenses of 6 percent and Amerigroup, 8 percent. The first-year contract allows for a maximum of 12 percent or $504 million. Drake University law professor Denise Hill, who specializes in health care issues, told the Register it would be difficult for the corporations to opt out unless the costs were not properly estimated. Conceivably, that could be a breach of contract, she said. The precedent, though, in Florida and Kansas is rates will go up, state savings will disappear, services will deteriorate and hospitals will have headaches dealing with high rates of claim denials. Reining in state government is a good idea, conceptually. Implementation is another matter. Services to the public (and care providers) must not be degraded and real savings shown. Were not convinced that will happen. Only Branstad and those under him seem happy with Medicaid modernization at this juncture. -- By the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, like the Globe Gazette a Lee Enterprises newspaper. Global Electronic Medical Records Software Market Research Report 2016 Global QYResearch http://globalqyresearch.com/download-sample/141864 http://globalqyresearch.com/global-electronic-medical-records-software-market-research-report-2016 http://globalqyresearch.com/checkout-form/0/141864 https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-qy-research https://twitter.com/gqyresearch This report studies Electronic Medical Records Software in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringGE HealthcareNuemdPractice FusionHealthFusionAthenahealtheClinicalWorksEpicAdvancedMDAllscriptsCernerGreenwayNextGen?Request more information atMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Electronic Medical Records Software in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanKoreaTaiwanSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoOn-premise EMRCloud-based EMRSplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Electronic Medical Records Software in each application, can be divided intoHosptialLarge practiceMedium practiceSmall practiceOtherView full report at7 Global Electronic Medical Records Software Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 GE Healthcare7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.1.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Type I7.1.2.2 Type II7.1.3 GE Healthcare Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Nuemd7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.2.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Type I7.2.2.2 Type II7.2.3 Nuemd Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Practice Fusion7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.3.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Type I7.3.2.2 Type II7.3.3 Practice Fusion Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 HealthFusion7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.4.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Type I7.4.2.2 Type II7.4.3 HealthFusion Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Athenahealth7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.5.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Type I7.5.2.2 Type II7.5.3 Athenahealth Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 eClinicalWorks7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.6.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Type I7.6.2.2 Type II7.6.3 eClinicalWorks Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Epic7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.7.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Type I7.7.2.2 Type II7.7.3 Epic Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 AdvancedMD7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.8.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Type I7.8.2.2 Type II7.8.3 AdvancedMD Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 Allscripts7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.9.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Type I7.9.2.2 Type II7.9.3 Allscripts Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 Cerner7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.10.2 Electronic Medical Records Software Product Type, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Type I7.10.2.2 Type II7.10.3 Cerner Electronic Medical Records Software Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.11 Greenway7.12 NextGen?To Purchase this premium Report With Complete TOC atGlobal QYResearch is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Contact Us:Unit1, 26 Cleveland Road, South Woodford, London, E182AN, United KingdomContact: +44 20 3239 2407Email: sales@globalqyresearch.comFollow us:Twitter: Global Triple Superphosphate Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast- 2020 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2967 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global Triple Superphosphate market. The study, titled Triple Superphosphate Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, is available for sale on the firms website.Triple superphosphate is a rich source of phosphorous. It is an important compound for the process of photosynthesis. It is water soluble hence it becomes rapidly available for plant uptake. Triple superphosphate is a low cost source of phosphorous. Additionally, it is used in horticultural blends with high phosphorous content. Triple superphosphate has minor quantity of calcium present in it which is an additional source of nutrition to the plants. Triple superphosphate is formed from phosphate rock and phosphoric acid. It finds some usage as a leavening agent in the food industry.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical insights :Triple superphosphate can be used as a top dressing, base fertilizer and seeding fertilizer. It is weakly acidic and quick acting phosphate fertilizer. It finds widespread use as a high concentration water soluble, single source phosphate fertilizer. The efficiency of triple phosphate is high and it has strong soil adaptability. The use of triple phosphate accelerates the sprouting, rooting, fruit bearing and ripening capacity of the crop plants. For maximum effect, triple superphosphate is applied either during or after planting and seeding. Diammonium phosphate is a widely used phosphate fertilizer; however it is expensive. The low prices of triple superphosphate are anticipated to increase its market manifold within the coming years. Triple superphosphate is internationally traded as it is produced in very few countries in Lain America and Asia Pacific regions. Triple superphosphate is the fertilizer of choice for fast growing, short season crops with restricted root systems. Prior to the use of triple superphosphate extensive soil testing is carried out, in order to find the level of phosphate in the soil.The growing agro based industry is one of the primary driver for the market of triple superphosphate. The agrarian economies of South and Central America, China and India are the main markets for triple superphosphate. Triple superphosphate is used in these countries to meet the deficiency of phosphorous in the arable lands here. Furthermore, the growing food industry is an important driver for the market of triple superphosphate. Its derivatives such as calcium dihydrogen phosphate are used as leavening agents in the bakery industry; it causes the baked products to rise, on reaction with an alkali ingredient. Triple superphosphate is gradually losing its market share to ammonium phosphate fertilizers, which is expected to impede the market of triple superphosphate in the coming years. The growing population and GDP of BRICS nations is expected to augment the demand for triple superphosphate and open new areas of opportunity for this market within the forecast period.The developing nations such as South and Central America, China and India are the largest producers and exporters of triple superphosphate. The production of triple superphosphate has shown a slump in Western Europe, the U.S and South East Asia in the past few years. The agrarian economies of China, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Argentina and Bangladesh among others are major consumers of triple superphosphate. Countries such as U.S and Europe import triple superphosphate and other phosphate fertilizers from China, India and Brazil.The triple superphosphate market is highly consolidated with major fertilizer companies dominating the market. Some of the key players in this market are Coromandel International Ltd. (India), CF Industries Holdings Inc. (U.S.), OCP (Morocco), Mosaic(U.S.), Phosagro (Russia), Yara International ASA (Norway), Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (Canada), Agrium Inc., (Canada), Eurochem (Russia) and ICL (Israel) among others.This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends.Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the WorldThis report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsTransparency 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.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Artsyl Technologies Introduces docAlpha 5.0 SP2 http://www.artsyltech.com ONTARIO, CANADA (January 11, 2017) Artsyl Technologies, Inc., a leading global provider of smart process technology for data capture and document workflow processing, today announced the latest update to docAlpha 5.0, the companys flagship smart process platform. docAlpha 5.0 Service Pack 2 (SP2) further improves the speed and performance of docAlpha for intelligent capture, while refining the user experience.In todays economy its all about speed and ease of use. SP2 is another major step forward for the speed and user experience of docAlpha. said Jeff Moore, Chief Sales Officer of Artsyl Technologies.Artsyl puts its customers and partners first when it comes to our investment in technology. Thats why we have put so much focus on improving every aspect of docAlpha to provide increased speed and improved user experience, adds Moore.The Artsyl docAlpha platform ERP integrations include Microsoft Dynamics AX, GP and NAV, Microsoft SharePoint and ReQlogics e-procurement solution, in addition to Oracle, SAP Business One, and leading cloud ERPs like Acumatica and NetSuite among others.New platform capabilities provided in docAlpha 5.0 SP2 allow organizations to: Efficiently and effectively manage large batches of files for intelligent capture Intelligently separate batches of documents based on sophisticated business rules Customize and streamline user interfaces for thin clients to deliver more intuitive access to key functions and features based on a variety of use cases Leverage a library of standard workflow triggers or custom triggers to activate process workflows, including metadata-based triggers.Artsyl Technologies, Inc. is the innovative company behind the docAlpha Smart Process platform. For over 10 years Artsyl has been designing, building and innovating technology used by companies globally to reduce their document processing burdens. Whether you have Accounts Payable Invoices, Sales Orders or Remittances docAlpha is designed to make their processing easy. docAlpha can be used in any business process to automate the classification, data extraction, validation and routing of mission critical information to its proper line-of-business application. docAlpha is a state-of-the-art IDR platform designed using Microsoft .NET and a Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) which allows it to scale up for Enterprise level On-Premise deployment or be used as a CLOUD based SaaS solution. docAlpha is sold through distributors and VARs globally. Visitfor more information.10-8707 Dufferin Street, Suite # 111, Vaughan, ON L4J 0A6 Canada 2017 - 2021: Automotive Steering Systems Global Market Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=218870 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=218870 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "2017 - 2021: Automotive Steering Systems Global Market" to its huge collection of research reports.This research study analyzes the automotive steering systems market on a global level and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD) from 2015 to 2021. It gives a comprehensive overview of the automotive Steering Systems industry from all the important aspects of the market. It recognizes the drivers and restraints affecting the industry and analyzes their impact over the forecast period. Moreover, it identifies the significant opportunities for market growth in the coming years.Steering systems in automobile is the direct contact of the driver with its vehicle. The function of steering systems is to maneuver the vehicle to avoid obstacles or take a turn. Steering Systems are of basically three types such as Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS), Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS). Electronic Power Steering offers better mileage and is much easier to operate than hydraulic power steering. An Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering system combines the advantages of both EPS and HPS and offers the best maneuverability and fuel efficiency.Rising fuel prices has led the consumers to go for more fuel efficient vehicles, which in turn is fueling the demand for hydraulic power steering and electro-hydraulic power steering system over hydraulic power steering system. Safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) integrated with electronic steering systems is also fueling the demand for Electronic Power Steering and Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering system over Hydraulic Power Steering system.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report also provides company market share analysis of the various industry participants along with company overview, financial overview, business strategies and recent developments in the field of automotive lighting system market. Major market participants profiled in this report include TRW Automotive Holdings (U.S.), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd (South Korea), Sona Koyo Steering Systems Ltd (India), Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH (Germany), JTEKT Corporation (Japan), Nexteer Automotive (U.S.), Thyssenkrupp Presta AG Aktiengesellschaft (U.S.), China Automotive Systems Inc. (China) and ZF Friedrichshafen Manufacturing Company (Germany).The report segments the Automotive Steering Systems market as follows:Global Automotive Steering Systems Market: By Vehicle TypeHeavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV)Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV)Passenger VehicleGlobal Automotive Steering Systems Market: By Steering Systems typeElectronic Power Steering (EPS)Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS)Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS)The report provides cross-sectional analysis of all the above mentioned segments with respect to the below mentioned regions:Global Automotive Steering Systems Market: By Geography/ CountryNorth AmericaU.S.ACanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyU.KItalyFranceMake 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 @ Worldwide MNO | MVNO | 4G Operators Directory 2016 Value Pack Edition:- Commercial Business Information[network portfolio, subscriber growth, penetration, ownership/ share patterns] http://www.researchbeam.com/worldwide-mno-mvno-4g-operators-directory-2016-aka-valuepack-edition-market/request-sample http://www.researchbeam.com/worldwide-mno-mvno-4g-operators-directory-2016-aka-valuepack-edition-market/purchase-enquiry http://www.researchbeam.com/worldwide-mno-mvno-4g-operators-directory-2016-aka-valuepack-edition-market/enquire-about-report http://www.researchbeam.com/ Research Beam Added a Report Worldwide MNO | MVNO | 4G Operators Directory 2016 Value Pack EditionThe Value Pack Edition Provides Following InformationName of the Operator [Continent & Country Wise] Group Information Commercial Business Information[network portfolio, subscriber growth, penetration, ownership/ share patterns] Postal Address, Phone & Fax Nos. Online Presence (/URL) Key Decision Makers/ Management Contacts - Names Key Decision Makers/ Management Contacts - Roles Key Decision Makers/ Management Contacts - Email Addresses* Many with direct email addresses - if not, generics are availableOver the past 6 years, we have experienced several significant improvements that make 'Value Pack Edition' today a highly dependable resource, or as some put it - a 'musthave'for all those looking to cater to the variety of operator needs vis-a-vis opportunities emerging ahead all across the globe.Download Sample Report @Following Regions have been covered in this: Value Pack Edition1. Africa2. Asia and Far East (Australia & New Zealand)3. Europe4. Latin America5. Middle East6. North AmericaRequest for Discount @However the first-timers will have plenty of good reasons to subscribe to it, the existing customers too will find this edition more intriguing & powerful than ever.The 5th Value Pack Edition presents full overhaul to its previous siblings the architecture, flow of information, penetration rates (%age), network offerings, managementContacts, email addresses (direct/ individual info); share patterns, and much morebasically, a complete make-over of how data was presented or put to use by the enthusedVendor fraternity.Also for the first time, we bring to you the EXCEL format other than the traditional (only PDF) format which will surely serve a cutting edge to our customers over otherIncumbents serving to similar needs.The offers following information:-Value Pack Edition Name of the Operator [Continent & Country Wise] Group Information Commercial Business Information [network portfolio, Subscriber growth, penetration, ownership/ share Patterns, etc.]Enquire 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: Global Geomembranes Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast- 2020 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2998 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A new research report by Transparency Market Research offers a comprehensive evaluation of the global Geomembranes market. The study, titled Geomembranes Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, is available for sale on the firms website.Geomembranes are very low permeability synthetic membrane liners or barriers used with any geotechnical engineering. Geomembranes are made from the impregnation of geotextiles with asphalt, elastomers or multilayered bitumen geocomposites. Major materials used for manufacturing geomembranes are EPDM, PP, HDPE, LDPE and PVC. Geosynthetic membranes are typically used for reinforcement. They are permeable fabrics made of natural or synthetic sources which perform various functions such as separation, filtration and reinforcement among others. They are commonly used in construction of roads, drainage sub-systems, to control erosion, to reduce land sliding and promote vegetation growth.Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical insights :Geomembranes market is expected to grow substantially within the forecast period as geomembranes are being increasingly used for road construction activities as a result of the growing awareness of the benefits they offer. They are used as a part of the foundation in asphalt layovers, as they help in strengthening weak soil by holding it together, resulting in increased life span of roads. Repair and replacement of roadways and railways and other infrastructure activities are increasing across countries such as Europe on account of the initiation of the New Road Construction Concepts (NR2C) innovation projects of Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories (FEHRL) supported by the European Commission.This in turn is expected to boost the demand for geomembranes in this region over the next few years. They are also being used in building and maintenance of a wide network of bridges present in this region. Thus, highly developed infrastructure and its maintenance are expected to act as the driving forces for the market. Furthermore, environmental awareness by promoting vegetation growth in this region would fuel the demand over the next few years.Additionally, geomembranes used for drainage acts as a permeable separator that allows water to pass into the drainage system seamlessly. Owing to such advantageous parameters the demand for geomembranes for drainage applications is expected to grow exponentially in the near future. Geomembrane liners are being largely used in landfills due to their low hydraulic conductivity which results in lower rate of seepage out of the landfill. The increasing need for landfills along with reduced contamination of surroundings has resulted in an escalating demand for geomembranes. Moreover, mining applications are expected to open new avenues in the near future.There is a growing demand for geomembranes in Asia Pacific due to heavy infrastructural development in this region. In addition, innovation in geomembranes for drainage sub-system applications is further expected to aid in the growth of the market. The demand in Asia Pacific is followed by Europe on account of the increasing roadways and infrastructural activities in countries like Germany and France.Demand for geomembranes is expected to be steady in North America as it is a mature market and less construction activities are anticipated to be undertaken in this region within the forecast period owing to dipped economic conditions of the nations in the region. However, owing to the presence of numerous water bodies in this region, geomembranes are being increasingly used to curb erosion problems. Rising number of experiments undertaken by various regulatory bodies is expected to augment the demand for this fabric in the near future. Rest of the World (RoW) is undertaking heavy transport and roadways projects, which is expected to be a primary factor driving the demand for geomembranes in this region.Some of the key players in the geomembranes market are Agru America Inc, Carthage Mills, Colorado Lining International, Inc., Juta A.S, Nilex Inc, Officine Maccaferri among others.This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends.This report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsTransparency 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.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Digital Innovation in Insurance Market :- Market Trends, Opportunities and Challenges Faced By Insurers in the Successful Implementation of Digital Strategy http://www.researchbeam.com/insight-report-digital-innovation-in-insurance-market/request-sample http://www.researchbeam.com/insight-report-digital-innovation-in-insurance-market/purchase-enquiry http://www.researchbeam.com/insight-report-digital-innovation-in-insurance-market/enquire-about-report http://www.researchbeam.com/ Research Beam added a report Insight Report Digital Innovation in InsuranceSynopsisResearch Beams Insight Report: Digital Innovation in Insurance analyzes the potential impact of digital technology to the entire insurance supply chain, from product development to claims management, enabling insurers to reduce costs, and increase efficiency and profit margins.An increasing number of insurers are investing in building digital infrastructure and striving for growth by developing new business models using digital platforms. However, insurers are yet to fully capitalize upon the transformative power of digital technology, and many are still struggling to develop digital strategies that align with their business objectives. The insurance industry recognizes the need to overhaul traditional business models, to capitalize on the advantages of digital technology and respond to the challenges of digital disruption.Download Sample Report @The report discusses how insurers in different markets use digital technology in different business functions, including product development, sales and marketing, underwriting, claims management and customer services. It also discusses market trends, opportunities and challenges faced by insurers in the successful implementation of digital strategy.Scope The report provides detailed analysis of the insurance industry's use of big data analytics and cloud computing in the insurance supply chain. It offers insights into the rising trend of social media, its adoption and impact in different functions in the insurance industry. It analyzes opportunities for insurers when using digital channels to create new products and services. It discusses emerging digital technology in the insurance industry, including the internet of things, telematics, and wearable technology.Request for Discount @Summary:-Research Beams Insight Report: Digital Innovation in Insurance provides detailed analysis of the adoption and contribution of digital technology to the insurance industry globally. It provides: Comprehensive analysis of core digital technology such as social media, mobile technology, big data and cloud computing used in the insurance industry. A global snapshot of digital innovation and growth opportunities for the insurance industry. Insights into key market trends relating to digital technology in the insurance industry globally. Analysis of market opportunities and challenges faced by insurance companies globally when adopting digital technology.Reasons to Buy:- Understand present developments in terms of level of digital engagement in the insurance industry. Gain an understanding of digital experiences and changes in consumer behavior in the digital era. Gain insights into challenges for digital insurers, and an understanding of the insurance industry's future through use of digital technology. Develop an insight into the digital technology used by insurers to improve product development, marketing, operations, customer engagement and brand building to improve overall efficiency and profitability.Enquire about Report @Key highlights:- A significant number of insurers have opted for software-as-a-service (SaaS) cloud solutions to use in non-core functions such as financial management, human resource management systems, and customer relationship management. SaaS has the potential to support the full insurance business, but its use for core activities such as underwriting, fraud detection, claims and product development remains low. Mobile technology can play a key role in helping insurers to manage claims, from helping customers to report first notifications of loss, to settlements. Mobile apps can be used to submit claims and required details, and allow customers to check claim statuses. Mobile devices integrated cameras enable customers to take and upload pictures when submitting claims. The global market for insurance telematics is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 80.20% over 2013-2018, to reach 85.5 million subscribers in 2018. Rapid technological advancements, such as mobile applications to track driving behavior, reduce the cost of implementing and operating insurance telematics. Wearable technology is set to transform the health insurance category. Insurers not only use wearable technology to assess risk using collected data, but also to create a new range of value-added services. Wearable technology also has the potential to help customers improve their health and detect abnormalities at an early stage.Table of Contents:-1 Executive Summary2 Digital Trends in the Global Insurance Industry3 Consumer Behavior in the Digital Era4 Big Data and Cloud Computing4.1 Big Data4.2 Cloud Computing5 Social Media6 Exploring Untapped Digital Opportunities6.1 The Internet of Things6.1.1 Telematics6.1.2 Wearable technology6.2 Mobile Technology7 Challenges for Digital Insurers8 Conclusion9 AppendixAbout 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: Japan Energy Drinks Industry Including Definitions, Classifications, Applications & Iindustry Chain Structure 2017 Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=741009 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=741009 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG ResearchMoz presents this most up-to-date research on "Japan Energy Drinks Industry Including Definitions, Classifications, Applications & Iindustry Chain Structure 2017".The Japan Energy Drinks Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Energy Drinks industry.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Energy Drinks market analysis is provided for the Japan markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and Bill of Materials cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report focuses on Japan major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out. The Energy Drinks industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 157 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Make an Enquiry of this report @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview1.1 Definition and Specifications of Energy Drinks1.2 Classification of Energy Drinks1.3 Applications of Energy Drinks1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Energy Drinks1.5 Industry Overview of Energy Drinks1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Energy Drinks1.7 Industry News Analysis of Energy Drinks2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Energy Drinks2.1 Bill of Materials (BOM) of Energy Drinks2.2 BOM Price Analysis of Energy Drinks2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Energy Drinks2.4 Depreciation Cost Analysis of Energy Drinks2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Energy Drinks2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Energy Drinks2.7 Japan Price, Cost and Gross of Energy Drinks 2011-2016To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @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 @ United States Intelligent Cash Registers Industry :- Market Demand Drivers , Key Vendors ,Manufacturing Cost Analysis, Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy, Downstream Buyers & Forecast 2021 http://www.researchbeam.com/united-states-intelligent-cash-registers-market-report-2016-market/request-sample http://www.researchbeam.com/united-states-intelligent-cash-registers-market-report-2016-market/purchase-enquiry http://www.researchbeam.com/united-states-intelligent-cash-registers-market-report-2016-market/enquire-about-report http://www.researchbeam.com/ Research Beam added a report United States Intelligent Cash Registers Market Report 2016The Intelligent Cash Registers Industry Research Report is a comprehensive study of the recent market trends and consumption analysis in the United States industry. The report provides an in-depth analysis for the historic period, 20112016 and the forecast period, 20162021. Market overview is offered on the basis of product overview and scope of Intelligent Cash Registers. Furthermore, the study covers a detailed segmentation in terms of types, applications, and regions.Download Sample Report @Regional analysis for the Intelligent Cash Registers market is provided based on revenue, sales, and growth rate. In addition, sales and market share for each segment are included for each region.Major manufacturers are analyzed in the report in terms of basic information, manufacturing base, product specifications, and business overview. Furthermore, comprehensive analysis of sales, revenue, price, and gross margin of each manufacturer is covered.Following manufacturers are analyzed: Giesecke & Devrient Glory Global Solutions Royal Sovereign Billcon Cassida Cummins Allison Liaoning Julong Financial Equipment Konyee Group Laurel Bank Machines SemaconRequest for Discount @Manufacturing cost analysis is offered based on raw material analysis and cost structure along with manufacturing process analysis. The research offers industry chain analysis in terms of upstream raw material sourcing and downstream buyers. Moreover, an extensive analysis of production, consumption, and revenue for each segment is offered for the forecast period.Data & statistics are provided with the help of tables and figures to help manufacturers, investors, and shareholders gain comprehensive understanding. Research conclusions are offered at the end of the report.Enquire about Report @Table of Contents:1 United States Intelligent Cash Registers Overview2 United States Intelligent Cash Registers Competition by Manufacturers3 United States Intelligent Cash Registers (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2011-2016)4 United States Intelligent Cash Registers (Volume) by Application (2011-2016)5 United States Intelligent Cash Registers Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis6 United States Intelligent Cash Registers Manufacturing Cost Analysis7 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers8 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders9 Market Effect Factors Analysis10 United States Intelligent Cash Registers Market Forecast (2016-2021)11 Research Findings and ConclusionAbout 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: Global Magnesium Metal Market Industry Key Players, Share, Trend, Applications, Segmentation and Forecast to 2022 Magnesium Metal Market research https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1977 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/magnesium-metal-market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com Global Magnesium Metal market growth in last few years is XX million, due to surge in demand for alloy products in automobile industry. With wide application in electronic industry like tablets, laptops, mobile Magnesium Metal market is expected to grow at faster pace in forecasted period. Light weight and comparable properties with aluminum metal, magnesium is used more in body parts of aircraft. Government regulation, environment concern dur to highly explosive will hamper the market in forecasted period. However, increase in R&D of magnesium application products will provide opportunity for manufacturers and producers. Easy availability, rapid industrialization, growing application industry drives the magnesium market in China, Japan and South Korea. Moreover, growing electronics and aerospace industry in North America will contribute substantially in growth of magnesium market in upcoming period.Request for Sample Report@Regional AnalysisAsia-Pacific dominates the market during the forecast periodRegion wise, Asia-Pacific has shown a significant growth in Magnesium Metal market accounting more than XX% of the total market. This share is attributed towards growth of industries in countries like China, Japan and South Korea where automobile, electronic and construction industry is growing rapidly.North America contribute significantly due to increase in use of magnesium metal in aircraft industry. Europe show a relative steady growth as saturation in application industries.Scope of the studyBy Application Aluminum alloy Die Casting Desulphurization Metal Reduction OthersKey Player Wenxi YinGuang Magnesium Industry (Group) Co. Ltd Dead Sea Magnesium Ltd RIMA Group Magontec Ltd POSCO Solikamsk Magnesium Works OAO. Taiyuan Tongxiang Magnesium Co. Ltd Nippon Kinzoku US Magnesium LLC Latrobe Magnesium Ltd OthersTaste the market data and market information presented through more than 100 market data tables and figures spread in 136 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Magnesium Metal Market Information from 2014 to 2022"Browse Full Research Report @TOC of Probiotics Market1 Executive Summary2 Scope of the Report3 Market Research Methodologies4 Market Landscape5 Industry Overview of Global Magnesium Metal Market6 Market Trends7 Global Magnesium Metal Market by Region8 Global Magnesium Metal Market by Application (Aluminum alloy, Die Casting, Desulphurization, Metal Reduction and others)9 Company ProfilesContinued.About Market Research FutureAt 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.Contact:Akash AnandMarket Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.comWeb: - European e-Invoicing and e-Document Solution Provider Opens US Sales Office - CloudTrades Gramatica Software Also Awarded Australian Patent LONDON, Jan. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CloudTrade, the leading provider of cloud-based e-invoicing and e-document processing services, today announced that its proprietary document data extraction software has been awarded a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (U.S. Patent No. US 20130318110 A1). The patent covers CloudTrades Gramatica software, which uses unique artificial intelligence (AI) rules with backward tracking search, to interpret, validate, and extrapolate semantic meaning from documents of any type including invoices, sales and purchase orders and advanced shipping notices. CloudTrades Gramatica software is now protected by lasting patents in Europe, the U.S. and Australia. David Cocks, CEO of CloudTrade, says: CloudTrade is committed to developing innovative software solutions and this patent demonstrates the novelty of our approach to document data extraction. We have solved an old problem of how to get a computer to interpret a human-readable document by matching patterns using AI. That means we can automate document processing saving time, money and paper. 80% of all invoicing in the U.S. is still paper-based, so we are extremely excited to bring our unique approach to the U.S. At CloudTrade, we recognize that the biggest obstacle to e-invoicing and e-document processing is getting vendors to adopt, that is why CloudTrade, and our technology, is built firmly on the premise that it should be free for vendors, easy to use and non-disruptive - only then will vendors move away from paper. CloudTrade is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Boston, Massachusetts to satisfy the increasing demand for its solutions in the North American markets. Roger Hatfield, CloudTrades VP for North America, says: We offer businesses who rely on manual data entry for their invoices and orders a simple, cloud-based and cost-effective solution that is easy to integrate into their existing system and actually compliments their existing manual or automated workflow management processes. Our significant experience of working in the European market gives us insight into best practice and how to avoid some of the pitfalls associated with integrating an automated workflow management solution. The opening of the Boston office demonstrates CloudTrades commitment to extending our offering in the North American marketplace. We are already in several active sales cycles in North America and look forward to expanding both our partner, and direct client, networks over the next 24 months. One business which is already using CloudTrade's patented technology is San Francisco-based Taulia. Andy Stinnes, Chief Product Officer from Taulia, says: "Taulia's mission is to automate and optimize the financial supply chain. CloudTrade is an important part of our e-invoicing offering, and helps moves companies from a manual, paper-based approach to a simple, electronic way of doing business." More information CloudTrades patent, System for data extraction and processing (U.S. Patent No. US 20130318110 A1) is held exclusively by Keywordlogic Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CloudTrade. CloudTrades European Patent (EP2671190B1) has been live since 2014. The new Australian Patent reference is 2012213242. About CloudTrade CloudTrade is one of the fastest growing e-invoice and e-document networks, connecting over 120 organisations to thousands of their trading partners electronically across numerous sectors and regions across the globe. Founded in 2010 to offer a fresh approach to e-invoicing, CloudTrade enables companies to evolve past their reliance on paper and trade electronically with their suppliers, irrespective of size or technical maturity. CloudTrades unique, patented technology, delivers services not widely seen in the market, in a cost-effective way. Find out more about CloudTrade by signing up for one of our webinars at http://www.cloudtradenetwork.com/resources/webinars For further information go to: http://www.cloudtradenetwork.com/ or contact Nick Jones; 07832 115362, nick.jones@cloud-trade.com. Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Market to hit USD 19,364.7 Million in 2023 | TMR http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2724 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023, manufacturing execution system market was valued at USD 7,860.5 Million in 2014; and is expected to reach USD 19,364.7 Million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2015 to 2023.Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are integrated software application aimed to provide manufacturing industries with the means to schedule and plan, direct and operate, and track and analyze their operations. Presently, manufacturing industries are experiencing increasing overhead and material costs. In addition, intense economic conditions are compelling manufacturers to surge production in a cost effective way. This in turn is leading to rising need for implementation of industrial control systems aimed to optimize processes and provide better visibility of the shop floor.Brochure download atNeed for quicker turnarounds and efficient utilization of resources or inventories is further driving the need for automation in industries. MES solutions offers real-time information of the shop floor, allowing end user industries to quickly response to any challenge that could negatively impact efficiency, productivity and quality. In addition, MES solutions offer uninterrupted visibility into production operations, gaining an overall view of the shop floor. Demand for industrial automation, better visibility of the shop floor and need for real-time control and adjustments to operations is driving the demand for manufacturing execution system (MES).However, requirement of high initial investment upfront, end user industries are often reluctant to install MES, which in turn is posing as a major factor restraining the market growth. Moreover, rising complexities in manufacturing industries is leading to complexities in installation of MES, further limiting the growth of the MES market. Growth opportunities for key players in the MES market lies in increasing penetration of industrial internet of things (IoT), which in turn is leading to rising demand for next-generation advanced MES solutions across the globe.The global manufacturing execution system (MES) market is categorized based on process and discrete industry. Process industry includes oil and gas, chemical, food and beverages, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, energy and power, water and wastewater treatment and others. Other process industry segment includes textiles, and steel and aluminum. In 2014, oil and gas segment contributed the majority of the global MES market share by process industry in terms of revenue. Based on discrete industry, the global manufacturing execution system (MES) market is segmented into automotive, aerospace and defense, electronics and electrical, medical devices, FMCG, and others. Others segment includes semiconductors, furniture & wood products, and printing and publishing. Amongst discrete industry, automotive segment held the majority of the market share in terms of revenue in 2014. Surge in installation of MES in automotive industry to meet increasing demand for faster time to market is driving the growth of the segment.Geographically, North America led the manufacturing execution system (MES) market in 2015. Growth in this region is attributed to the rising need for advanced MES in industries aimed at integrating data from ERP and routing the information to plant floor for efficient operation. Europe followed North America and held the second largest market share in terms of revenue in 2014. Asia Pacific region closely followed Europe region and is anticipated to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period.Key players have also been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies and recent developments in the field of manufacturing execution system (MES) industry. Major market participants profiled in this report include ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Schneider Electric S.E. (France), Rockwell Automation, Inc. (U.S.), Emersion Electric Co. (U.S.), General Electric Co. (U.S.), and SAP SE (Germany) among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome Industrial and Market studies - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast 2016 - 2020 http://bit.ly/2j13phh Albany, New York, Jan 11,2017"Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast 2014 - 2020" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, also referred to as infant respiratory distress syndrome is characterized by a particular condition often observed in premature babies, usually born about six weeks before their due dates. During this condition, lungs of the premature infants lose the ability to produce enough surfactants in order to provide oxygen to the body. Surfactants are liquids made up of fat and proteins and it helps the lungs to remain inflated so that infants can breathe in and out immediately after their birth. Hence, the prime cause for the prevalence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is the lack of surfactant in the lungs.Get Sample Report With TOC @ Various signs and symptoms associated with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome are as follows:Grunting respirationFlaring nostrilsCyanosisBlue-colored lips, fingers and toesSharp pulling in the chestRapid breathing Based on the treatments and mediations, the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome market can be segmented as follows:Surfactant Replacement Therapy: The infants who suffer from respiratory distress syndrome are given surfactant through a breathing tube. Surfactants are administered until the lungs start to make the substance on their own.Oxygen Therapy: Infants with severe breathing problems are given oxygen therapy through a ventilator or NCPAP machine, i.e., nasal continuous positive airway pressure. This therapy ensures that there is a sufficient supply of oxygen to the infant in order to breathe effectively.Supportive Therapy: Supportive therapy helps the premature infants to meet their basic needs of nutrition and protection. For instance, use of incubator to keep the baby warm, and fluids and nutrients intake through needles inserted into the needles veins.Other treatments: Other treatments include drugs and therapeutics to cure neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Example, surfaxin (lucinactant), which was approved in March, 2012 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of infant respiratory distress syndrome.Based on geography, the neonatal respiratory distress market can be segmented into four major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. Out of these regions, North America dominates the neonatal respiratory distress market followed by Europe. The prime reasons which have driven the growth of this market in these regions are high prevalence of respiratory disorders in infants and increasing genetic problems with lung development. According to a survey, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is estimated to affect around 20,000-30,000 infants each year in the United States. Asia Pacific is the most promising market for the growth of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome market as there are many developing regions that are growing at a steady pace. The major factors which will propel the growth of this market in Asia Pacific are high birth rate, increasing awareness related to the complications of respiratory distress syndrome in infants and increasing pregnancy-induced hypertension due to malnutrition. Moreover, increasing incidences of premature labor and high-risk pregnancy in mothers would drive the Asian market towards future growth.Many pharmaceutical companies and clinical trial institutes are constantly trying to come up with novel therapeutic development for the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Some of the leading players operating in the neonatal respiratory distress market are Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA, Discovery Laboratories, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Auckland City Hospital, Menzies Research Institute and many others. This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeRest of the World This report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsThis report is a complete study of current trends in the market, industry growth drivers, and restraints. It provides market projections for the coming years. It includes analysis of recent developments in technology, Porters five force model analysis and detailed profiles of top industry players. The report also includes a review of micro and macro factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis. Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsIt provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segmentsResearchMoz 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 Saving Our Children From A Dire Future - Children's Book Author Dr Nicole Offers The One Solution To The Many Problems Our Children Will Face Dr. Nicole http://www.drnicolebooks.com Our children face issues that we have never faced - global warming, potential famine, water shortages and a host of other issues that are not just urgent - they threaten their very existence. Are our children being taught the skills that will allow them to thrive? To survive? How can we prepare our children and grandchildren for situations with which we have had very little or even no experience? How can we show them the way, when we don't even know the way?Simply put, we must teach them critical thinking skills. For without the ability to solve new unexpected problems, there may be little hope. Rote memorization of facts or test taking skills will accomplish very little in regards to preparing children for the future. It is instead necessary to instill in our children and grandchildren the desire and the ability to solve problems through critical thinking.Dr. Nicole writes children's books. In the traditions of Walt Disney and Dr. Seuss, Dr. Nicole breathes life into inanimate objects and wildly entertaining characters that engage children in powerful ways. Through parent/child interaction, her works develop a love for reading while helping children develop the most important skill of all - critical thinking. While her children's book are very successful, few people know that she has received international acclaim and awards for books that help adults develop critical thinking skills.Dr. Nicole holds a Master's Degree in Critical Thinking Evaluation and a Master's Degree in Medical Education - Universite Laval. Her thesis was entitled, "How to measure critical reading in medical students." She published the result in two international peer reviewed medical journals.In 1996 her medical textbook received international acclaim. 'Epidemiologie and Critical Reading for Medical and Health Science Professional Students' was awarded first place by Paris medical magazine Prescire. In 1992 she published 'Read or Not Read: How to Critically Appraise a Medical Study' for medical professionals. In 1993 she published 'How to Run a Medical Journal Club'. In 2007 she published 'How to Write a Scientific Medical Review' for authors to guide them on medical writing. She was also Editor in Chief of a Quebec Medical Magazine that published 120-200 pages on a monthly basis and was distributed 20,000 doctors."My true intentions regarding being an author are to inspire children to read, to set their imaginations free and to encourage good decision making regarding health, safety and moral responsibility," Dr. Nicole stated. "Stories and tales are good tools to teach this important skill. Caregivers can discuss about characters, conflicts and the conclusion with young readers who learn how read and think beyond the words. Writing childrens books is a way for me to give back and be a positive source to the community. I hope that my books inspire children to set their minds free and work to make the world a better place."Dr. Nicoles children's books have a large number of industry awards. She was recently chosen as one of '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' in the 2016 Book Awards'. She also received recognition as one of Quebec's Top 10 Women in a recent ceremony held by the Maman Dion Foundation. The Maman Dion foundation was founded by Therese Tanguay-Dion, known as Maman Dion, a television personality and the mother of Celine Dion.Dr. Nicole has sold over 150,000 books in her career. She is highly regarded for her work with childrens books and a health guide for families. Her goals are to create in children a love for reading and to create interaction and engagement.No-charge copies of her self-published books are available for University teachers, journalists and members of the media who provide email, website, mail address and phone number or by direct request to AuthorHouse.Dr. Nicole is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below. Journalists who wish to receive a copy of the books for review or might wish to schedule an interview can email info@drnicolebook.com. All of her works are available on Amazon, AuthorHouse, and other quality book retailers. A featured article entitled, 'Critical Thinking: How To Teach Critical Thinking To My Child', other articles, and more information about Dr. Nicole and her work is available at her website.Dr. Nicole Audet holds a Master degree in medical education. She is a professional writer and an engaging speaker. She has worked in Clinical Practice (emergency, family doctor office, University of Montreal affiliated teacher) and has been the Editor in Chief of the French medical magazine 'Le Medecin du Quebec'. She has presented at many international, national and provincial medical congresses and has managed medical teaching clinics, medical magazines and medical research in computer science. Her books received many international and national awards.PO Box 1613Shallotte, NC 28459 Global Department Stores Retailing 2016-2020 http://bit.ly/2jiLi6i Albany, New York, Jan 11,2017"Global Department Stores Retailing 2015-2020" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-Global department store retail market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during 20152020, driven by the rising purchasing power of the middle-class population, young working professionals, and the expansion of department stores in emerging markets. Off-price department store sales are growing positively in North America, and the format is expected to gain popularity in Europe in the future. In an effort to provide a seamless shopping experience to the customers, department store retailers are developing new innovative concepts such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and others.Get Sample Report With TOC @* Key Findings- Global department store sales are forecast to reach US$675.9 billion by 2020, with major impetus from developing economies- Clothing and footwear remained the most preferred category through the channel- Shoppers seeking discounts and savings are driving sales in off-price department stores- Indonesia will grow the fastest during the forecast period, followed by India and Philippines- Despite a slow growth in the US, the market will continue to be the largest market in 2020* Synopsis- Provides a comprehensive view of the global department stores retail landscape, including current market sizes and category forecasts to 2020; and highlights the worlds fastest growing markets and category groups- Details market size and category forecasts for each region and countries, and features major retailers, key innovative retailers, and department store retail trends- The report covers the 50 largest retail markets and includes 24 countries in Europe, 12 countries in Asia-Pacific, nine countries in the Americas, and five countries in the Middle East and Africa* Reasons To Buy- The report provides an essential overview of the global department stores retail market, highlighting the largest and fastest-growing markets across the globe- Provides analysis of the latest trends, market dynamics (covering nine category groups) and key innovations in the retail space in major countries across the four regions- Identify the largest and fastest-growing categories in major countries across the four regions- Benefit from detailed analysis of key trends influencing the department store retail market.- Monitor the competitive landscape, with analysis of key players across the four regions, including market share of the retailers for the regionResearchMoz 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 The Advantages Of Exit Blockers A look at why exit blockers should be used on your eCommerce site to help with customer retention, improve sales and gain customer www.medialounge.co.uk Here at Media Lounge, we're sure that at one time or another you have been searching the web and just as youre getting into an article you are rudely interrupted by a pop-up an irritating information box which suddenly arrives in the middle of the page blocking the view of whatever you were looking at! We are also sure that within seconds you were closing the annoying pop-up and cursing its existence under your breath! But We're certain that you didnt realise how useful and effective a pop-up can be for your own website if done correctly. With this article Im going to focus on one specific type of pop-up the Exit Blocker, a cracking piece of software that can help keep customers on your site when they show signs that they are about to leave!So, lets start with a quick explanation of how an Exit Blocker worksAn Exit Blocker is software that takes an action (like displaying a pop-up advert) when a customer shows signs that they are about to leave your site. When the user shows exit intent like heading towards the close window button, the Exit Blocker will trigger a pop-up advert in an attempt to stop the customer from leaving. Its a super simple customer retention technique which when done correctly, can work wonders for your conversion rate!A great Exit Blocker will be really simple in terms of both design and message. Regarding the design, using large bold font alongside striking imagery will give your Exit Blocker the simplicity it needs to quickly inform the customer of its purpose. The golden rule really is less is more as an over complicated design will confuse the customer, meaning they will not understand the Exit Blockers message, which simply results in them leaving your site.The most important part of an Exit Blocker is choosing the right message as you want to keep that customer on your site. Put yourself in the customers shoes; you have been on a site for a while, but now you think its time to leave and look somewhere else What message would you want to see to stop you from leaving that site? A one off promotion? A discount code that would only work on that specific visit? Whatever the message, make it worthwhile for the customer!Next up you need to decide what you want to get out of it. It might be as simple as generating more sales, but there is more opportunity with an Exit Blocker than you would first think. You could use it to capture emails or newsletter sign-ups, you could show the customer brand new products that you have on offer. You could even be clever, and ask the customer the big question Why were you leaving the site? Remember, put yourself in the customers shoes and think of what would work best for your site.When analysing the statistics of websites using Exit Blockers, we know that if done correctly, they really work. We applied one of our tailor made Exit Blockers to a website to see if it would work and we were amazed with the findings. On average, the Exit Blocker was being used 20 times per month and during Black Friday it doubled in activity. The additional sales made from the use of our Exit Blocker made up for a substantial amount of money that would have been lost if the Exit Blocker was not in place. Take it from us these work!Looking further into analytical data, Atlanticwebworks.com say that Having a pop-up on your site can increase your subscriptions by as much as 35%. Think about the effect these figures could have on your bottom line!So there you have it, a well designed Exit Blocker boasting a simple and effective campaign strategy can keep customers on your site as well as gain information for you to use in the future!If you are interested in introducing and using Exit Blockers on your site, please feel free to contact us at marketing@medialounge.co.uk and we can help you with our experience and recommended software.About Media Lounge:We are an experienced Magento Development Company based in the UK providing Magento eCommerce development at an affordable price. Weve been working with Magento development since its release in 2008 and weve now built over 200 bespoke Magento websites.Were different from most Magento Developers because our team doesnt just include a Magento expert our whole team are proficient in every aspect of Magento. Our designers understand the functionality of Magento and how the design might impact the usability, our programmers understand how to get the most out of Magento for search engine optimisation and our support team are experts in how to ensure your business gets the most from your Magento website. We believe that Magento is the benchmark ecommerce solution so its the only ecommerce solution we offer.First Floor, 8-10 Christchurch RoadBournemouthDorsetBH1 3NAEngland DGC to Provide SEO for International Schools www.dgcweb.com Glassboro, NJ (January 11, 2017) DGC Enterprises, a New Jersey-based digital marketing company, today announced it has added four prestigious International American Private Schools as clients. DGC will be running SEO campaigns for each school to increase website traffic and consumer awareness of the schools wide range of services.The schools are located throughout Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Qatar. They offer an American based curriculum, including a wide variety of advanced courses, and college preparatory programs ranging from pre-k through 12th grade. In addition to the everyday curriculum, the schools program offerings also include English Tutoring, Enrichment, ESL Tutoring, French Tutoring, Homework Help, Learning Difficulties, Math Tutoring, SAT/ACT Preparation, Science Tutoring, Study Skills, and Summer Learning. Students from the four schools have attended some of the best Universities in the United States and around the world.The schools are the first International clients for DGC, which bases its Marketing Agency in South Jersey.We are thrilled to sign our first International clients, said Leigh Marchitto, Director of Business Development at DGC Enterprises. In this digital age, businesses can hire the best marketing agencies no matter where they are located. It says something when a company looks to us for their marketing solutions from the other side of the globe.Lance Wyllie, Founder and Chief Marketing Strategist at DGC Enterprises added, The competition among International private schools is fierce. Many times it is the first school that a customer contacts that ends up being chosen for the students. This is why search results are so important to businesses, and in this case, schools. It does not matter what the business is or where it is located. Ranking high in search goes right to top line revenue.DGC Enterprises uses the latest technology and software available to boost its SEO strategy. In doing so, it is able to create efficiencies that provide results that would otherwise cost a business double or triple at other agencies.DGC Enterprises provides digital marketing solutions by combining decades of proven results with the latest software and technology to provide marketing solutions such as responsive website design, SEO (search engine optimization), SEM (paid search engine marketing), social media management, reputation management, and video and mobile advertising. Focused on the under-served and over-priced marketing environment for small and medium-sized businesses, non-profits, and institutions, DGC Enterprises approach to digital marketing enables various-sized organizations to afford powerful marketing solutions that get results. For more information on DGC Enterprises visitDGC Enterprises8 Stoneshire DriveGlassboro, NJ 08028For press inquiries contact Lance Wyllie at 856-772-7474 Given the spate of snow days they've called in December and January, Oregon schools are almost certain to have to tack more days onto the school year, which could mean eating into planned breaks, extending classes well into June, or both. In recent years, the state has gotten increasingly serious about ensuring students get all the teaching time they are guaranteed under state rules. Until this school year, a school board could decide on its own to shorten the school year by up to 14 hours due to weather-related cancellations. But that is no longer the case. There is, however, one legitimate way schools could get out of adding some or all of the missed days back: The Oregon Board of Education has the power to grant districts a waiver. Historically, the board has done so for districts, most of them rural and remote, that get hit with an insurmountable stretch of dangerous wintry conditions. But the state has a new state schools chief, appointed to the by Gov. Kate Brown in July 2015, and most state board members also are newly appointed since the state's last experienced record- or near-record winter weather. So no one knows for sure how they will rule on requests to shorten the school year, according to Tricia Yates, the education department's communication director. State schools chief Salam Noor said Wednesday that many districts already have asked his agency for guidance and flexibility, and said he plans to propose some exceptions to the rules for state board consideration later this month. "We understand the challenges many of you are facing and are aware of the many school closures that have occurred," he wrote to superintendents. "We are reviewing the instructional time rules, considering options and exploring potential solutions ... within the parameters of state rules and law." Under rules revised and strengthened in 2015, Oregon schools are required to provide students with at least 900 hours of instruction each year, with high schools required to provide students with 990 hours. In a high school that offers 5 3/4 hours of instruction per day -- lunch and passing time don't count, nor do assemblies, optional tutoring time or other non-class time -- that would require school to be held for 173 days. Schools that hold a lot of pep rallies, offer early release or late start days or frequently rely on special schedules, as many area schools do, would need to hold class more days than that. With the typical Oregon school district planning 175 days or so school days this year, most will fall short of meeting the 990 hour requirement unless they make up most of the days missed so far -- six in Portland Public Schools, Beaverton and most other Portland-area districts, far more in snowier blowier districts such as Oregon Trail, Hood River and North Wasco. Many school districts designate in advance which teaching days they will add to their calendars if they are forced to close schools for snow. But, as was the case with Portland and Beaverton, they typically designate two or so make-up days -- not six or 10 of them. Portland has already made it official that its school year will extend to June 13 instead of ending June 8, as originally planned. Whether the board would be willing to tack on four more days, through June 19, has yet to be seen. Adding back every day that is missed due to snow could be logistically and politically difficult in most Oregon districts. Parents and students are sure to question the value of tacking on schools days in late June, well after students have taken state reading, writing and math tests and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. All those exams have specific testing days or windows set according to national or international timetables that won't budge even if Oregon gets three more feet of snow this season. What if a district were to refuse to add enough days to hit the minimum hours, and the state declined to give it a waiver? Even with a waiver, high school students could be at risk of not meeting graduation requirements, Yates said. Students need to pass tests or complete assignments to demonstrate they have the reading, writing and math skills required to earn a diploma. Having less time to accomplish that could make it hard for some students to do so, she said. The state board also could order any district that falls short without a waiver to make an improvement plan, which would likely include ensuring the next school year is long enough. While the state also has the authority to cut funding to districts that don't meet the instructional hours requirement, "that would likely be a very last resort," Yates said. In Happy Valley Wednesday, 16-year-old Ethan Youngsma enjoyed his day away from school by snowboarding down streets. But he said he knows the day of fun will come at a cost, sometime this spring or summer, with extra days in the classroom. "Dude, it's so nice," he said. "But it's so stressful because it's getting added on at the end of the year." -- Betsy Hammond By Kathleen Parker CHARLESTON, S.C. -- If Death lingers in courtroom corridors awaiting sentences, this historic city's federal courthouse was surely a top destination. On Tuesday, the Reaper's patience was rewarded with the jury's return of the death penalty for Dylann Roof. Roof, who insisted on representing himself during the sentencing phase of his 33-count murder trial, was found guilty last month for the slaughter of nine black parishioners at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in June 2015. Roof's self-lawyering is still mystifying when he had at his disposal one of the nation's best death-penalty lawyers, David Bruck, who did represent Roof during the guilt phase that ended last month. Bruck was allowed only to advise Roof during the penalty phase, which began last week, but briefly addressed the judge Tuesday when Roof requested that Bruck address objections. While the government's case seemed airtight in covering all the requirements for the death penalty, Roof's remarks Tuesday took fewer than five minutes. Wearing slacks and a blue cable-knit sweater -- his bowl-cut hair obviously recently shaped -- Roof approached the lectern with a single, yellow, letter-sized sheet of paper for his closing argument. Barely audible -- and his pauses were longer than his sentences -- he made essentially two suggestions seemingly aimed at creating doubt about his alleged hatred of black people and his intent in carrying out his mission, which he himself previously identified as wanting to incite racial violence. "I think it's safe to say nobody in their mind wants to go to a church and kill people," he began. Then he contradicted other confession statements that he had to do what he did. "In my [FBI confession] tape I told them I had to do it. ... Obviously that's not true. Nobody made me do it. I felt like I had to do it, and I still feel like I had to do it." Clarity isn't his strong suit. Next, Roof challenged the prosecution's claim that he's filled with hatred, one of the statutory-required aggravating factors in capital cases. He referred to his confession when an FBI agent asked him if he hated blacks. Roof's reply was, "I don't like what black people do." To the jury, he posited: "If I was really filled with as much hate as I allegedly am, wouldn't I just say, 'Yes, I hate black people'?" Finally, Roof said it's fair to say that the prosecutors hate him since they're seeking the death penalty. Then he tutored the court that people hate because they've been misled. He also said that people think they know what hatred it is, but "they don't know what real hatred looks like." Does Roof? Is this because some hate-filled person misled him? Or did he merely look in the mirror? Not once during his very brief remarks did Roof say they he regretted his actions, which might have elicited some empathy from those burdened with determining his fate. Indeed, in a jailhouse journal, he wrote that he isn't sorry and that he hadn't shed a tear for the "innocent people I killed." Tuesday, as he attempted to take on a battery of lawyers hell-bent on ultimate justice, he seemed ever the evil child who, rather than acknowledging the horror and the agony of what he did, was somehow above the process. Expressionless and aloof, as he had been throughout the trial, he was anything but a sympathetic character and certainly no advocate for his continued access to life. Throughout the proceedings, my mind kept wandering to an earlier case I covered when Bruck was fighting another death penalty -- the1994 trial of Susan Smith, the young mother who rolled her car into a Union, South Carolina, lake, drowning her two small children. The crime was heinous and the trial heart-wrenching. At one point during the father's testimony, the judge had to call for a break because nearly everyone in the courtroom, including the media, was weeping. The father had been talking about his 3-year-old's favorite Disney movie, which the child called, "One-o-one Dalma-hay-tions." Susan Smith threw herself across the defense table, loudly sobbing with the agony of regret and the sorrow of inconsolable loss. Yes, she was responsible for her children's death, but there was no questioning her remorse or doubting that her life in prison would be an endless night of piercing pain. For death penalty opponents like me, this seemed a far more just end than death would have been. With Roof, there's plainly no sense of sorrow now -- or to come. In the end evidence of sincere remorse, which is to say, humanity, can be the difference between life and death. Kathleen Parker's email address is kathleenparkerwashpost.com. (c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group TRUMP3.JPG President-elect Donald Trump, accompanied by family members and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York on Wednesday. (AP Photo) By Margaret Sullivan Where does transparency meet irresponsibility? Right at the line that BuzzFeed's editor Ben Smith approached on Tuesday and decided to step over in the name of serving citizens' best interests. With caveats and explanations aplenty, Smith published a 35-page "dossier" - actually just a bunch of scurrilous allegations dressed up as an intelligence report meant to damage Donald Trump. Smith said he did so because his, and BuzzFeed's preference and philosophy is, essentially, "when in doubt, publish." But at many other news organizations, the rule is caution: "When in doubt, leave it out." In this case, the doubt should have prevailed. News organizations and government officials have known for months that this information, if it can be called that, existed. But despite many attempts, the claims about Trump's behavior and relationships in Russia could not be verified. Thus, major newspapers and magazines sat on them. In October, the Washington bureau chief of Mother Jones, David Corn, wrote a story based on the file, but stopped well short of publishing the specifics. Why? Because he couldn't verify them. So, what changed, and blew this out into the public eye? Not just BuzzFeed's data dump, but a series of events. Intelligence agencies summarized the "dossier" and included it in material given to Trump and President Obama. CNN published a story Tuesday saying that much. And with the door cracked open, BuzzFeed pushed through. In doing so, the digital behemoth - which for years has balanced a tension between its start as a lighthearted click factory and, under Smith and a serious news team, a purveyor of investigative journalism and breaking news. "Publishing this dossier reflects how we see the job of reporters in 2017," Smith wrote. In other words, readers are grown-ups and deserve to be treated as such, not paternalistically protected from information that might upset them. True enough, but it avoids the larger point: It's a bad idea, and always has been, to published unverified smears. The decision certainly resulted in clicks. It also brought approval and disapproval, in some cases from unexpected quarters. Richard Tofel, president of ProPublica, praised the decision: "Kudos to @buzzfeedben and his team for publishing the dossier. Once CNN story out, citizens should have evidence to consider for themselves." Vice columnist Michael Tracey noted that while WikiLeaks had been "relentlessly attacked" for publishing verified, authentic information, BuzzFeed was being "cheered for publishing what appears to be a total sham." And in the New York Post, columnist and longtime magazine editor John Podhoretz made a solid point: "In my experience, there is no source of whom you need to be more skeptical, and whose information you need to verify to the letter before you can even begin to think of publishing it, than an 'intelligence' source." Once BuzzFeed published, of course, the dam burst. Slate followed, publishing the documents itself, and anyone in the world had access with a few keystrokes. Trump - due to give his first news conference Wednesday - immediately took to Twitter to brand the information "fake news" and to blame a political witch hunt. The publication of the documents does, indeed, give fuel to the notion that the press is out to get him. Most mainstream outlets, including The Washington Post, even now are staying away from the specifics of the report, said to be prepared by a former British intelligence official. Those media organizations don't get much credit these days for skepticism and editorial judgment, but for the most part, they have shown it here. I don't fault BuzzFeed for lack of skepticism here. Smith was clear with readers that the information he was publishing couldn't be verified and, indeed, there was no reason to believe that much of it was true. What I fault him for was plunging down a slippery ethical slope from which there is no return. In an era when trust in the media is already in the gutter, this does absolutely nothing to help. But even that isn't the core point, which is far simpler: It's never been acceptable to publish rumor and innuendo. And none of the circumstances surrounding this episode - not CNN's story, not Trump's dubious history with Russia, not the fact that the intelligence community made a report on it - should change that ethical rule. (c) 2017, The Washington Post 1capitol.JPG The Capitol building in Salem. (The Oregonian/OregonLive staff) By Carolyn Tomei The Oregonian/OregonLive recently published a column by someone named Adam Andrzejewski - an out-of-state, right wing activist who is using false information in an effort to smear our state leaders for his own political purposes ("In Oregon, the battle against transparency is bipartisan," Oct. 30). I had never heard of Andrzejewski until seeing his column, and I wondered why a guy who runs a nonprofit in Illinois would be weighing in on Oregon's public affairs. A quick Internet search revealed that his motives are obviously political, despite his efforts to rebrand as an unbiased watchdog. In 2010, Andrzejewski ran for governor of Illinois, winning praise from Rush Limbaugh and Tea Party Republicans before ultimately losing in the Republican primary. The organization he currently runs, as cited in his column, actually uses the same slogan as his 2010 campaign. Andrzejewski also ran a PAC in Illinois that supported Republican candidates in 2010 and 2012. There's nothing inherently wrong with any of his political affiliations, as far as I can tell, but what astonishes me is that his guest column called for greater transparency, while he simultaneously tried to hide his own political agenda. Even worse, part of his column was based on a complete lie. As a former legislator, I firmly believe our government needs to be transparent, accountable, and effective. That's why it's so troubling to me that right-wing ideologues are citing these nonpartisan principles in a deceitful effort to promote their own political aims. Andrzejewski is apparently coordinating with Jeff Kropf, a former Republican legislator and right-wing radio host with whom I served in the House. Together, they have submitted broad public records requests to several state leaders in an apparent attempt to fuel false attacks like the one the Oregonian published. His column falsely claimed that their public records requests to the Governor and House Speaker had resulted in "zero" records being produced to them. How brazen, considering the Governor's Public Records log is posted online - anyone can see the 923-page document that her office released to Kropf in July. I also called the Speaker's Office and learned that they had already sent more than 6,000 pages of records to Kropf, fully fulfilling the request to her office. Andrzejewski's main argument, therefore, was built upon an easily debunked lie. Unfortunately, many of us have come to expect unfounded, untrue accusations to fly freely and then go unchecked - this year, perhaps, more than any other. With the rise of social media and the fall of traditional news institutions, false, inflammatory stories spread quickly and become part of the political conversation with zero fact checking required. As the old saying goes, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." That's never been more apparent than it is today. Oregonians deserve an effective, transparent government. Thinly veiled, false attacks like the ones from Kropf and Andrzejewski are fundamentally working against - not toward - that aim. Carolyn Tomei served in the Oregon House of Representatives for District 41, representing Milwaukie and parts of Southeast Portland from 2001 to 2015. Forest Hill, MD, Jan. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), the all-volunteer developers, stewards, and incubators of more than 350 Open Source projects and initiatives, announced today that Apache Zest, the Composite Oriented Programming platform, has been renamed Apache Polygene. Apache Polygene is a platform to develop applications with large domain models and complex business logic for Java enterprise developers. Apache Polygene introduces multi-inheritence, aspect orientation (both typesafe and generic weaving) and persistence to both SQL and NoSQL storage systems. Apache Polygene also easily integrates with other technologies such as Spring Framework, REST, OSGi and many more. "The name change was triggered to prevent confusion with other similarly named software such as the visualization toolkit from Eclipse," said Niclas Hedhman, Vice President of Apache Polygene. "Since becoming an official ASF project, our codebase and community continue to flourish. We are confident that our new identity will reflect ongoing innovation and increased productivity." The resolution relating to the projects name change was approved at the ASF Board meeting in December 2016. Project History In 2007, Hedhman convinced Rickard Oberg to create an Open Source project based on Obergs Composite Oriented Programming (COP) concept, which launched as Qi4j. Since then, 28 people have contributed source to the project, with many others participating on mailing lists regarding direction, concepts and design. In 2015 the project arrived at the ASF as Apache Zest, along the unique designation as the first project to enter the ASF as al Top-Level Project without entering the Apache Incubator (the official entry path for projects and codebases wishing to become part of the ASFs efforts). As part of its eligibility, the project had to meet the rigorous requirements of the Apache Maturity Model http://s.apache.org/O4p , that addresses the integrity of a project's code, copyright, licenses, releases, community, consensus building, and independence, among other qualities. In March 2015 Apache Zest became an official ASF Top-Level Project, and renamed as Apache Polygene in December 2016. Availability and Oversight Apache Polygene software is released under the Apache License v2.0 and is overseen by a self-selected team of active contributors to the project. A Project Management Committee (PMC) guides the Project's day-to-day operations, including community development and product releases. For project updates, downloads, documentation, and ways to become involved with Apache Polygene, visit http://polygene.apache.org/ About The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) Established in 1999, the all-volunteer Foundation oversees more than 350 leading Open Source projects, including Apache HTTP Server --the world's most popular Web server software. Through the ASF's meritocratic process known as "The Apache Way," more than 620 individual Members and 5,900 Committers successfully collaborate to develop freely available enterprise-grade software, benefiting millions of users worldwide: thousands of software solutions are distributed under the Apache License; and the community actively participates in ASF mailing lists, mentoring initiatives, and ApacheCon, the Foundation's official user conference, trainings, and expo. The ASF is a US 501(c)(3) charitable organization, funded by individual donations and corporate sponsors including Alibaba Cloud Computing, ARM, Bloomberg, Budget Direct, Capital One, Cash Store, Cerner, Cloudera, Comcast, Confluent, Facebook, Google, Hortonworks, HP, Huawei, IBM, InMotion Hosting, iSigma, LeaseWeb, Microsoft, OPDi, PhoenixNAP, Pivotal, Private Internet Access, Produban, Red Hat, Serenata Flowers, Target, WANdisco, and Yahoo. For more information, visit http://www.apache.org/ and https://twitter.com/TheASF The Apache Software Foundation. "Apache", "Polygene", "Apache Polygene", "Zest", "Apache Zest", and "ApacheCon" are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. # # # Lightbar+ A 12-year-old Ashland boy stabbed his mother to death and seriously injured his sister on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2016, Ashland police said. (The Oregonian/OregonLive file photo) Updated Wednesday, Jan. 11 A 12-year-old Ashland boy stabbed his mother to death and seriously injured his older sister Tuesday morning, Ashland police said. The boy was arrested on allegations of homicide and assault. Police declined to release the boy's name, but Jackson County Juvenile Court staff identified him as Ezekiel Holmes. The Oregonian/OregonLive typically names juvenile suspects in Measure 11 crimes. Two family members inside a house at the 900 block of Morton Street called police to report an assault, Ashland police chief Tighe O'Meara said. Police arrived to find 52-year-old Pamela Wolosz dead and Holmes' 16-year-old sister with multiple stab wounds, O'Meara said. The girl is being treated at an Ashland hospital and is expected to survive, O'Meara said. Police haven't released her name. Several agencies, including Ashland police, Oregon State Police and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, are investigating the stabbings. -- Samantha Matsumoto 503-294-4001; @SMatsumoto55 The parents of a 10-year-old girl who died in a head-on crash on U.S. 97 in central Oregon have filed a $15 million lawsuit -- claiming two drivers racing in the opposite direction caused her death and their catastrophic injuries. The lawsuit states that Amber Adams died instantly as one of the two drivers collided with her family's rented Ford Fusion. The crash happened about four miles south of La Pine last June 19 on Father's Day. The lawsuit claims that Alan James Eutsler and Richard Samuel Huber were both driving aggressively, passing cars and speeding for 20 miles on northbound Highway 97. The two men didn't know each other. When Huber caught up to Eutsler in the seconds before the crash, the two started racing, the suit says. They both simultaneously passed another car. A short time later, Eutsler's Lexus slammed into the Adams' car in the southbound lane, the lawsuit claims. Eutsler died. He lived in Bend and was 29. Huber's car was untouched and he kept driving, according to the lawsuit. Huber did, however, send an email to Oregon State Police about four hours later, saying he'd witnessed the crash, said Gregory Zeuthen, the Portland attorney for the Adams family. Neither Eutsler's estate or Huber could be reached for comment. Huber hasn't been charged with any crimes. Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said his office is waiting for police to finish their report and investigation. Amber Adams was wearing a seat belt in one of the rear seats of the rental car as the family headed from their Idaho home to a wedding in California, according to the suit. The girl's father -- Donald R. Adams, 46 -- was driving and suffered broken bones, including to his spine, nose, both of his legs and right foot, the suit states. He also suffered a brain injury and hasn't been able to return to his job as a welder in the more than six months since the crash, Zeuthen said. The insurance policy that Adams bought stopped paying his lost wages two months after the crash, the lawyer said. Adams then couldn't pay his health insurance premiums and lost the family's health coverage, Zeuthen said. The Adams family is suing the insurance company, Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. They filed the suit last week in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The girl's mother -- Barbara A. Adams, 36 -- also was seriously injured, with a broken nose, sternum, ankle, leg and wrist, the suit states. She was a stay-at-home mother, but has been seriously disabled by her injuries, Zeuthen said. Both Donald and Barbara Adams are now walking, with the assistance of a cane or walker, Zeuthen said. The couple's 8-year-old son was riding in a rear seat and suffered bruises. Zeuthen said the Bend community was very supportive of Donald and Barbara Adams, who live more than 400 miles away in Rathdrum, Idaho. After the parents spent a long rehabilitation at a nursing home in Bend, a good Samaritan drove the parents in a motorhome back to Idaho, he said. The couple's son went to live with his grandparents while his parents recuperated, Zeuthen said. At some point, though, the boy's grandfather died. "That's the other thing we're working on -- is getting this young man the counseling that he needs," Zeuthen said. -- Aimee Green As Portland grits its teeth and and checks its whiskey supply ahead of more possible snow fall Tuesday night and Wednesday, you might find yourself wondering, "Will I ever feel warm again?" Also, "Is this normal?" No, it's not normal, at least according to Andy Bryant, a hydrologist from the National Weather Service in Portland, who spoke with us over the phone Tuesday. "It's basically been cold since sometime in early to mid-December," Bryant said. "How bad is this?" he asked. "I think it's debatable if this is the coldest we've had since maybe 1996." If you're over 21, you might remember 1996 as the year that the Willamette River flooded, killing eight people and prompting then-President Bill Clinton to declare a state of emergency. Before you panic and purchase bulk sand bags, Bryant said that while we still have two month left in our historical flood season, currently "there's nothing brewing" that looks like it will cause flooding. We definitely don't have those 1996 conditions on the horizon. That year, a two week cold snap was followed by very warm weather, in the 50s and 60s. Later this week, when things "warm up," it probably will stay in the 40s. According to Bryant, 1996 was "really cold and snowy" for about two weeks before the big thaw that led to the flood. Update, Jan. 11 12:35 p.m.: On Wednesday, Bryant amended this prediction and told The Oregonian/Oregonlive that forecasters are now concerned about possible flooding in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington early next week. "In terms of our actual snowfall total," said Bryant, "we haven't had that much right here in Portland." We've definitely seen snowier winters. In 2008, Portland saw a snowy two week stretch that lasted from December 14 through Christmas. In 2004, there was a cold week in January that was marked by six to 10 inches of snow topped off with a half an inch of freezing rain. But this winter has been colder longer than any winter in recent memory. "It's been cold basically since about the 8th of December," said Bryant. Bryant defined "cold" as below freezing overnight. He said that it was cold from Dec. 8 to 17 and then warmed up slightly, but not much, and then dropped again around New Year's Eve. Today is Jan. 10 and it's still cold. Four people have died of exposure in Portland since New Year's Day. Depending on how you count, that's either two long cold streaks with a break in the middle or one long one, that has now lasted over a month. "This will be one of the winters that gets remembered as a bad winter," Bryant said. And if you aren't in Portland, you might remember it as even worse. "We've actually had quite a bit of snow in the central and southern Willamette Valley," he said, adding that the Hood River Valley and towns like Detroit continue to get hit with snow. "Back in early December when we started getting snow," Bryant said, "I think there was a lot of excitement because it's been a long time since we've had a really good snow year in the Cascades." Now, he said, people are suffering from snow and winter weather fatigue. Portland area schools were cancelled Monday for icy conditions. In December, there were four snow days. Portland Public Schools are already planning on extending the school year. In the Eugene/Springfield area, schools are on their sixth snow closure day of the season. And it isn't done yet. Snow is expected Tuesday night and Wednesday and Bryant said it should be cold at least through Friday. "It should warm up after that," he said. "Relatively speaking." -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Rex Tillerson Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite) U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley on Wednesday questioned U.S. secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson, a former chief executive at Exxon Mobil, about his views on climate change and the oil company's business dealings with countries under U.S. sanctions. Merkley asked Tillerson, a Donald Trump appointee who took questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as part of his confirmation hearing, if he believes the United States should mitigate the effects of climate change. Burning of fossil fuels releases carbon, a greenhouse gas linked to climate change. Tillerson said scientists cannot "predict with precision" which natural disasters are directly linked to climate change, but that it "doesn't mean that we should do nothing." Tillerson also said scientific literature connecting climate change to natural disasters "is not conclusive." Merkley, a Democrat, said climate change does contribute to environmental catastrophes -- including intense forest fires in Oregon and dwindling oyster populations along the state's coast. "Every one of us in our states are seeing effects on the ground. And as we see that, we know we're just at the beginning," Merkley said. "Do you see it as a national security issue?" Tillerson: "I don't see it as the imminent national security threat that others do." Merkley asked Tillerson if he believes climate change is contributing to regional instability in the Middle East or compromising European security. "The facts on the ground are indisputable, in terms of what's happening with the drought, disease, insect populations," Tillerson said. "The science behind the clear connection is not conclusive." "I'm sorry to hear that viewpoint," Merkley sad, "because it's overwhelmingly that the scales are on one side of this argument." Merkley turned to the Paris Agreement on climate change and limiting greenhouse gas emissions signed last spring. He asked if Tillerson supports the accord, which was signed by more than 100 nations, including the United States. "It's important for us to have a seat at the table," Tillerson said, "but I also think it's important that others need to step up and decide whether this is important to them or not." Tillerson said the United States has made strides in combating climate change over the past two decades. The nation "can be quite proud" of its environmental record, he said. For his last question, Merkley turned to news reports showing that Exxon Mobil, through a European subsidiary, did business with Iran, Syria and Sudan -- countries under U.S. sanctions -- while Tillerson led the company. Merkley submitted into the record 10 news articles outlining the business relationships and also posted on Twitter that by "evading" sanctions, Exxon Mobil had "put its interests and that of a terrorist regime before America's." By evading sanctions on Iran, Exxon with #Tillerson in top leadership put its interests and that of a terrorist regime before America's. Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) January 11, 2017 "Have you participated in any Exxon meetings in which you strategized, or individuals strategized, to find a legal path to do business with nations on which we had sanctions?" Merkley asked. Tillerson, often brief during Wednesday's hearing, responded matter-of-factly: "No." -- Gordon Friedman gfriedman@oregonian.com; 503-221-8209 A Salem-area Republican has introduced legislation that would ban Oregon courts from considering Sharia law, the set of religious customs followed by some Muslims, when issuing rulings. Senate Bill 479, by Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, amounts to a single sentence: "A court of this state may not consider Sharia law in making judicial decisions." Boquist didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday. Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, reacted with disdain. "Has the anti-unicorn legislation been introduced yet? Because it's of equal validity," Hooper said. "Anyone with half a brain knows that it's completely unconstitutional." Hooper also characterized Boquist's proposal as anti-Muslim. "In many cases (legislators) don't really care whether it passes or not," Hooper said. "They want to marginalize American Muslims and Islam. Just to introduce this kind of legislation can have that effect, because it gives Islamophobes a platform." Boquist sponsored identical legislation in 2015. He told The Oregonian/OregonLive at the time that he was honoring the request of a constituent: Ted Campbell, a former Republican precinct committeeperson in Polk County. Boquist has long been known for his openness to sponsoring legislation suggested by constituents -- also noting in 2015 that he's sometimes voted against those same bills. Campbell told The Oregonian/OregonLive he had read articles on the Internet about men using Sharia law as a legal defense that allowed them to beat their wives. The practice of citing Sharia law in American courts is all but nonexistent, said Jim Moore, professor and director of the Tom McCall Center for Policy Innovation at Pacific University. "Sharia isn't used in court cases," he said. "It would not have a direct bearing in any court case." Phil Lemman, spokesman for the Oregon Judicial Department, said he was unsure if Sharia law had ever been used in Oregon courts. "I can tell you that it's not gotten the point where it's come to my attention and been an issue before," Lemman said. "I'm aware that there have been instances in other states where courts have cited some other bodies of law, including Sharia law, and that has been of some concern." Lemman did not offer specifics on which courts in other states had cited Sharia law. Misinformation about Sharia proliferates online. Websites have incorrectly claimed that Muslims have tried to enact Sharia law in Dearborn, Mich. - which has a majority-Muslim city council. Hooper said American Muslims are not calling for introduction of Islamic principles as law. "In fact, the American Muslim community is dependent on the Constitution in terms of its rights and liberties granted to Muslims," he said. Moore said Boquist's bill harkens back to Oregon's troubled history around race. Moore mentioned the Klu Klux Klan-backed "Oregon School Law," passed in 1922, which targeted Catholic schools by banning religious garb in the classroom. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law in 1925. "We've seen these kinds of laws against nonexistent issues in the past," Moore said. "Now it happens to be Muslims." Boquist's bill is unlikely to gain traction in the Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats. Even if it did pass, it likely wouldn't remain on law books for long. Other states have passed laws banning Sharia, only to be rebuffed in court. Oklahoma voters passed such a ban, which a federal judge overturned as unconstitutional. -- Gordon Friedman gfriedman@oregonian.com; 503-221-8209 Barack Obama visited Oregon five times as a sitting U.S. president, tying with three of his predecessors in the number of stops he made to the Beaver State as commander-in-chief. His first four appearances were the typical political fare. In 2010, Obama stumped for John Kitzhaber in Portland. In 2011, he visited Intel in Hillsboro as he drummed up support for his economic policy. Portland was the site of a 2012 fundraiser as Obama prepared to take on Mitt Romney in his re-election bid. And he hit the campaign trail again in May of 2015 to raise money for the Democratic National Committee. He also visited the Nike campus in Beaverton. There's no telling for sure, but it's not unlikely that was the last stop Obama planned to make in Oregon before leaving office. Five months later, tragedy placed him alongside George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter as the only three men to tour Oregon at least five times as sitting presidents. It was a little more than a week after a gunman opened fire at a community college classroom in Roseburg. Obama visited Douglas County to console families and friends of the shooting victims on Oct. 9, 2015 as protestors waved signs declaring the president should not use the incident to introduce gun control legislation. Obama didn't speak publicly about the meeting, but one attendee said, "It wasn't a discussion -- it was a hug" as she walked past reporters and news crews that day. The president's final visit to Oregon was a stark contrast from his first. As a U.S. senator from Illinois, Obama made a case for his White House bid to a cheering crowd gathered at the Convention Center in Portland on Sept. 7, 2007. He returned in March of 2008 to tour the state, where he stopped by American Dream Pizza in Corvallis before moving on to Eugene for ice cream after a surprise visit to Hayward Field for the Oregon Twilight track meet. (To this day, Prince Puckler's Ice Cream displays a star-spangled sign that boasts, "Obama's favorite" above the mint chocolate chip.) During that same tour, tens of thousands rallied at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland in support of the future president. In May of that year, Obama was at it again for a final push before the Oregon primary. That was the last time Obama was in the Beaver State as a senator from Illinois. He'd be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2009. Click through the gallery below for 44 photos of the 44th president of the United States' visits to the Beaver State, from campaign stops in 2007 to his visit to Roseburg last year. --Eder Campuzano 503.221.4344 @edercampuzano ecampuzano@oregonian.com WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST): 2:30 p.m. The White House says President-elect Donald Trump is "deeply misguided" in his criticism of the intelligence community and its leaders. Trump has accused intelligence agencies of leaking a report claiming that top intelligence officials told him about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had about him. The president-elect likened it to the actions of Nazi Germany. In response, White House spokesman Josh Earnest says it's "deeply misguided for anybody, at any level, to question the integrity and motives of the patriots" who supply the nation's intelligence. A U.S. official says top intelligence officials told Trump about the unsubstantiated report last week. The dossier contains unproven information about close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians. It includes details about Russian hacking into Democratic accounts as well as unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump, among other allegations attributed to anonymous sources. The Associated Press has not authenticated any of the claims. ___ 1:15 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump says he expects to nominate new Supreme Court justice within two weeks of inauguration. Trump says at a news conference Wednesday: "We've met with numerous candidates. They're outstanding in every case." The president-elect said voters supported him in part because he would nominate a conservative justice for the Supreme Court to replace Antonin Scalia. Scalia's death in early 2016 created a vacancy that was kept open as Senate Republicans blocked a hearing for Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's nominee. Trump said he had received recommendations for nominees from the conservative and libertarian Federalist Society and Jim DeMint, a former Republican senator from South Carolina who now leads the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Trump said that he plans to start signing bills on the Monday after the January 20 inauguration. ___ 1:10 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump lashed out at a reporter from CNN, refusing to take a question from him and calling his news organization and Buzzfeed "fake news." CNN reporter Jim Acosta pushed back at Wednesday's news conference, demanding an opportunity to ask a question. A U.S. official says top intelligence officials last week told Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. The story was first reported by CNN Tuesday. Buzzfeed later published a summary of those allegations. The summary of the allegations was separate from a classified assessment of Russia's suspected attempts to meddle in the U.S. presidential election. Trump told Acosta, "Your organization is terrible, I'm not going to give you a question." Acosta responded, "Mr. President-elect, that's not appropriate." ___ 1 p.m. Dubai's DAMAC Properties tells The Associated Press it offered deals to President-elect Donald Trump's firm worth some $2 billion, but the Trump Organization turned them down. DAMAC spokesman Niall McLoughlin said Wednesday that it involved "a variety of different properties deals." McLoughlin declined to be more specific, other than to say that "the discussions took place as stated in the media briefing." Trump said Wednesday at his first news conference since his election that he had turned down the deal, offering the decision as evidence of his commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest. DAMAC has a deal with the Trump Organization to manage and run two golf courses. One of the courses is the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai. It is due to open in February, just after Trump is inaugurated as America's 45th president. ___ 12:50 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump says he'll begin negotiations with Mexico on funding his promised wall along the southern border immediately after he takes office. Trump's team and Republicans in Congress have been discussing a plan in which American taxpayers would initially cover the costs of the wall. Trump says that's because he wants to get it started fast. He asks, "What's the difference? I want to get the wall started." He adds that, "Mexico will pay for the wall, but it will be reimbursed." Trump is also pushing back on reports that his wall could wind up becoming more of a fence. He insists, "It's not a fence, it's a wall. We're going to build a wall." ___ 12:35 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump says a replacement for "Obamacare" will be offered with the confirmation of his health secretary. Trump says at a Wednesday news conference that his plan for President Barack Obama's health care law would be "repeal and replace," adding that it would be "essentially simultaneously." Trump called the law "a complete and total disaster" and said it was "imploding." He argued that Republicans would do doing a "tremendous service" for Democrats by replacing the law. Trump has repeatedly said that repealing and replacing "Obamacare" was a top priority, but he has never fully explained how he planned to do it. Speaker Paul Ryan has said that the House would seek to take both steps "concurrently." But Trump's promise to repeal and replace the health care law "essentially simultaneously," even in the same day, week or hour, is almost certainly impossible to achieve. ___ 12:25 p.m. Donald Trump is recommitting to plans to impose a border tax on manufacturers who shutter plants and move production abroad. Trump says at a Wednesday news conference: "There will be a major border tax on these companies that are leaving and getting away with murder." Border taxes may help retain jobs, but they carry the risk of increasing prices for consumers. The president-elect has been meeting with chief executives and touting commitments by United Technologies and others to keep jobs in the United States. Such moves have done little so far to move the dial on job growth for the broader U.S. economy, although Trump stressed that he was using these deals to set a new tone that offshoring would be penalized. Trump says: "What really is happening is the word is now out." ___ 12:20 p.m. Trump's lawyer says the so-called emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution does not apply to foreign payments to his company, as some ethics experts have said. The lawyer, Sheri Dillon, says some have claimed that foreign leaders who pay for rooms and services at his various hotels across the globe would put the president-elect in violation of the clause. Dillon says: "These people are wrong. That is not what the Constitution says." She argues that "fair-value exchange," such as paying for a hotel room, does not run afoul of the Constitutional ban of foreign gifts or payments to the president. Dillon says nonetheless the Trump Organization will voluntarily donate all profits from foreign government payments to his hotels to the U.S. Treasury. ___ 12:05 p.m. Ivanka Trump will not play a management role in the Trump Organization moving forward. Trump attorney Sheri Dillon says Wednesday at a news conference that the future first daughter will have no involvement with or management authority at the family business. Ivanka Trump has been an executive vice president at the company. Ivanka Trump is not taking an official role in her father's administration for now. But her husband, Jared Kushner, will be serving as a senior adviser, and the family is moving to Washington. Dillon says that Ivanka Trump will be focused on getting her children settled in their new home and at their schools. Ivanka Trump is also expected to step away from a leadership role at her own company selling clothes and jewelry ___ Noon President-elect Donald Trump says that the Democratic National Committee was "totally open to be hacked" and argues that if Russian hackers had gotten anything on him they "would have released it." At Wednesday's news conference, Trump took questions about the role he believes Russia played in the election year hacking of Democratic groups. The intelligence community says the interference was intended to help the Republican defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump said the Democratic National Committee could have "had hacking defense." He praised his future chief of staff Reince Preibus, saying he ordered such a defense at the Republican National Committee. Trump also said that "hacking is bad," but added "look at what we learned from that hacking." ___ 11:50 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump says that more factories open in the industrial Midwest, highlighting his direct outreach to companies and repeating his campaign pledge to be "the greatest jobs producer that God created." At his first news conference since his election, Trump beamed over plans by Fiat Chrysler to add 2,000 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio. He also noted that Ford would not be building a $1.6 billion plant in Mexico and would instead update an existing Michigan factory and add 700 jobs. Trump had called on Ford to not open a new factory in Mexico, although economic forces beyond the incoming administration's direct control such as gasoline prices also influenced the decision. Trump said additional factory job announcements would be coming, saying, "I hope General Motors will be following." The president-elect added that he wants to bring overseas pharmaceutical manufacturing jobs to the United States, although he plans to negotiate on the prices the government pays for medication. ___ 11:40 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump says he's finally settled on a candidate to lead the sprawling Veterans Affairs department. Trump says his choice is David Shulkin, who is currently the department's undersecretary for health. Trump made the announcement at a news conference in New York. He says Shulkin is "fantastic" and will do a "truly great job." The president-elect focused on veterans' issues during the presidential campaign. He says veterans have been mistreated under the Obama administration and promises to straighten things out. The VA secretary post was one of two Cabinet posts Trump still has to fill. Agriculture secretary is the other one. ___ 11:31 a.m. Donald Trump plans to put all his business assets in a trust and hand control of his company to his two adult sons and a longtime business executive to allay concerns about conflicts of interest. A lawyer who worked with the Trump Organization on the plan says Trump is planning to make the change by Inauguration Day, relinquish control over the Trump Organization and isolate himself from the business. The lawyer says the company will do no new foreign deals but can pursue domestic ones, and says that the Trump Organization will appoint an ethics adviser to its management team who must approve deals that could raise concerns about conflicts. The lawyer spoke to reporters before Trump's news conference, the first since his Nov. 8 election, and requested anonymity to discuss details of the plan. --AP Business Writer Bernard Condon ___ 11:30 a.m. Donald Trump says intelligence agencies will have a "tremendous blot on their record" if they leaked a report claiming top intelligence officials told him about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had about him. Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer also calls a report, first published Tuesday by CNN, "outrageous" and "irresponsible." A U.S. official says top intelligence officials told Trump about an unsubstantiated report last week. A summary of the allegations was separate from a classified assessment of Russia's suspected attempts to meddle in the U.S. presidential election. Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the intelligence community's findings last week. The dossier contains unproven information about close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians about hacking into Democratic accounts as well as unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump among other suggestions attributed to anonymous sources. The Associated Press has not authenticated any of the claims. ___ 9:55 a.m. The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee says allegations that Russia has collected damaging personal and financial information on Donald Trump "shakes our democracy to its very core" and should be investigated by Congress. In a brief interview, New York Rep. Eliot Engel says if the unsubstantiated charges that the Russians have compromising material on the president-elect are true, "It's a scary thing to have Putin in the driver's seat." Trump and a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin have denied the allegations. Engel says Trump needs to "come clean." He says simply denying the charges is insufficient and says Trump must "tell us everything he knows." A U.S. official told The Associated Press on Tuesday that intelligence officials told Trump last week about the unproven report. __ 9: 15 a.m. The Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee says he received sensitive information last year and turned it over to the FBI, an apparent reference to news that President-elect Donald Trump was told by intelligence officials about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. Sen. John McCain of Arizona said in a statement Wednesday that he examined the contents of the material, was unable to make a judgment about the accuracy and delivered the information to the director of the FBI, James Comey. McCain said: "That has been the extent of my contact with the FBI or any other government agency regarding this issue." __ 8:05 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump is criticizing U.S. intelligence agencies over the leak of an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information on him. Trump tweeted Wednesday that "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" The tweet was part of an early morning Trump firestorm denouncing the reports, in which he said he has "nothing" to do with Russia. Various news outlets reported late Tuesday that U.S. intelligence officials briefed Trump last week on the unverified information Russia was said to have on him. Trump insisted that the media reports were "very unfair" and payback for defeating other Republican presidential hopefuls and Democrat Hillary Clinton. "I win an election easily, a great "movement" is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!" __ 7:50 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump is denouncing unsubstantiated reports that Russia had compromising secret information on him. He tweeted Wednesday morning: "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me." In capital letters, he added: "I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" He called the unverified report paid for by political opponents "A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE." A few minutes earlier, he repeated Russia's denial of the reports, which he called, "Very unfair!" A U.S. official told The Associated Press Tuesday that intelligence officials had informed Trump about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. The briefing about the document was first reported by CNN. The Associated Press has not been able to substantiate the information in the dossier, which misspelled the name of Russia's largest bank. __ 7 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump will hold his first full news conference Wednesday since winning the 2016 presidential election. The last time Trump held a news conference, he was plunging into a heated general election campaign with Hillary Clinton and suggested Russia could help dig up some of his rival's emails. Nearly six months and a presidential campaign victory later, Trump will finally step before reporters again Wednesday to face questions about what role he believes Russia played in the election year hacking of Democratic groups -- interference the intelligence community says was intended to help the Republican defeat Clinton. Trump has challenged that assessment and has yet to say whether a full briefing with intelligence officials last week did anything to sway Lincoln High School Lincoln High School is shown in this undated photo. (WikiCommons) A Lincoln High School student was arrested at school Tuesday in an ongoing sex crime investigation, police said. The 17-year-old boy is facing sexual abuse and other allegations, said police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson. The alleged victim is a minor, Simpson said. He didn't know if the minor also is enrolled at the Southwest Portland school. Simpson released no information about the circumstances of the accusations, but said he didn't believe the alleged abuse happened at Lincoln. Police have been investigating the case since July, he said. It's not unusual for a sex crime investigation to take a few months, he said. The student is being held in a juvenile detention facility, Simpson said. He wasn't aware of any other suspects in the case. The Oregonian/OregonLive generally doesn't identify juveniles accused of crimes unless they're tried as an adult or face Measure 11 charges. -- Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Around 2 a.m. Wednesday, North Precinct Officer Corey Budworth spotted a woman flagging down his police car near the MAX line on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The woman had abandoned her car near the Interstate 405 tunnel off U.S. 26, and, together with other stuck motorists, walked across the city. She wasn't dressed for the cold and snow. "Hey, get in the car,'' Budworth told her. "Let's go.'' He drove the woman to the home of her father in Northeast Portland, a pastor at Community Church of God, who waved to Budworth and told him how grateful he was for the officer's service. "We're here to look out for people - just take care of the community,'' Budworth said. Dozens of dispatch calls of "courtesy transport to the MAX station,'' "courtesy transport to a hotel'' and "welfare check - female, cold and disoriented'' filled the overnight and morning shifts as about a foot of snow swamped Portland overnight -- with up to 14 inches in the West Hills. One call Budworth overheard was a homeowner who had a car stolen overnight but traced its whereabouts by following the tracks it left behind in the snow, he said. It doesn't hurt that Budworth passed his first driver's test when he was a teenager during a freezing rainstorm that hit Oregon in 1997. Born and raised in Portland, the 36-year-old previously worked as a contractor for an insurance company in sales and marketing and has been with the Police Bureau for a year and a half. Just before 5 a.m., Budworth spotted a man waiting for a bus at Northeast Ainsworth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Budworth slowed his Police Bureau SUV down and pulled over. Figuring the man might have to wait quite a while before his bus came, the officer asked if he needed a ride. The man, a bread maker for New Seasons, said he was running a little late and could use a lift. "Why not help someone out?'' Budworth said later Wednesday morning after completing his regular 6 p.m.-to-4 a.m. shift and filling another half of a shift on overtime. At one point while he was on his rounds, a passerby called police to do a welfare check on a man sleeping under a store awning on North Killingsworth Street. Budworth stopped to check him out. He asked the man if he was OK or if he needed any help. The man said he was fine and the officer continued on his way. Around 8:15 a.m., he spotted a woman and man standing by the intersection of North Lombard and Woolsey Street and offered them a ride. Both were Oregonian/OregonLive reporters waiting for a bus. He delivered them to the paper's offices in downtown Portland. "We made it! Thanks Officer Corey Budworth,'' reporter Everton Bailey wrote in a Twitter message shortly after 9 a.m. Budworth planned to sleep in one of the quiet rooms at North Precinct, off Northeast Killingsworth St., instead of trying to make it back to his home in Gladstone so he could be ready for his next shift at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Meanwhile at Central Precinct in downtown Portland, officers responded to dozens of hazard calls, especially in the West Hills or along I-5, I-405 and Highway 26. Officers worked to block trouble spots and close roads, said police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson. In some cases, police gave stranded people rides to the Central Precinct offices, gave them water and snacks, helped find them hotel rooms and then took them to the hotels for the night, Central Precinct's Acting Lt. Jeremy Price said. East Precinct officers went out on all-terrain vehicles to check for stranded motorists. If vehicles were unoccupied, officers were marking them with yellow tape to indicate that the car had been checked and was clear. Officers across the city on all-terrain vehicles and sport utility vehicles contacted, and or marked nearly three dozen vehicles on I-205 and along surface streets, police said. They also took about three dozen homeless people to warming shelters. More than two dozen people declined to go to shelters and officers passed out some jackets to those in need, Simpson said. As the cold weather continues, police advise drivers prepare for the weather with a full tank of gas, traction devices or snow tires, extra food and water -- and a healthy dose of patience. If you see someone outside, unsheltered whose life appears to be in danger or is in an apparent medical crisis, call 911. If you see someone you're concerned about -- such as not having the right clothes for the conditions -- call the police nonemergency number (503-823-3333) and request a welfare check. To help someone find shelter and transportation to a shelter, call 211. --Maxine Bernstein and Everton Bailey -- Maxine Bernstein mbernstein@oregonian.com 503-221-8212 @maxoregonian -- Everton Bailey ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8212 @evertonbailey oregonianfebruary51919.jpg An Oregonian article from February 5, 1919 describes a delegation of city officials to Portland's Chinatown. It says they "stalked, stumbled and at times fairly crept through the subetrranean labryrinth of Portland's Chinatown yesterday, viewing the great steel-barred doors, secret panels and carpeted stairways." The article says the tunnels were passages to gambling dens, but makes no mention of shanghaiing. (Oregonian archives) Before Daimler tech subsidiary Moovel moved into its new headquarters in Old Town Chinatown this month, the building's owners blocked up portals to old tunnels in the 125-year-old building's basement. The passages apparently had connections to Portland's notorious "Shanghai tunnels" - though, after a mention in a story by The Oregonian/OregonLive, historians were quick to point out that they probably were never used for the purpose their name implies To "Shanghai" a sailor, of course, means to force him into joining a ship's crew - perhaps by giving him too much liquor the night before, then smuggling him aboard a vessel. It's a storied tradition dating back hundreds of years. And it went on in Portland, according to Portland historian Barney Blalock, who described the practice in his 2014 book, "The Oregon Shanghaiers" (and a 2013 blog post on the subject). But Blalock and others maintain that the tunnels were never used to Shanghai sailors. "They were built by Chinese back in the days when Chinatown was the center of gang activity related to the different tongs," Blalock wrote in a blog post. "The gambling dens, brothels, and opium parlors of Chinatown were connected to separate labyrinths, with steel doors, trap doors leading to secret stairways, and tunnels for escape into far alleyways. These were security measures designed for dealing with both rival tongs and police raids." Blalock cites an eight-day series in The Oregonian from 1933 that examined the practice of shanghaiing sailors that never mentioned tunnels. And he says that the fluctuation of the Willamette River in the years before it was dammed would have flooded the tunnels for much of the year. In his book, Blalock dates the notion the tunnels were used to shanghai sailors to a series of apocryphal stories that appeared in The Oregonian in 1962, and the subsequent popularity of "Shanghai tunnel" tours that began in the 1970s. He says the tours were popular, but misled visitors. "The only truth to these stories is this: yes, there were some people who were shanghaied in Portland, Oregon," Blalock writes. "However, the likelihood of any of them being shanghaied via tunnel is nil." -- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699 French English Atos acquires InfoPartners in Bulgaria to create a Global Food & Beverage Competency Centre Paris, 11 January 2016 - Atos, a leader in digital transformation, today announced that it has signed a multi-million Euro five-year contract with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), one of the world's largest bottlers of brands of The Coca-Cola Company. Under the new contract, Atos will take over development and management of key IT applications supporting the CCHBC business. Partnership to improve business critical processes across 28 countries The new partnership between CCHBC and Atos will be mutually beneficial, strengthening Atos Food & Beverage (F&B) capability while providing CCHBC with access to the Atos global innovation and expertise. Atos will play a key role in helping Coca-Cola HBC drive change and innovation in business critical processes across 28 countries and 8 time zones to support growth, accelerate time to market and optimize IT spend. Atos also announced today that it has acquired 100% of InfoPartners, a leading provider of specialist SAP services in Bulgaria with annual revenue of 15 million and 423 employees. InfoPartners is the incumbent supplier to CCHBC and will serve as the base for the Bulgarian F&B competence center. Atos will draw on the expertise and skill of the InfoPartners team to continue the excellent delivery it has been providing to CCHBC over the last 15 years, while using its own global experience to further improve and strengthen the end-to end service. Creating a Global Food & Beverage Competency Centre In order to maximize its new strengthened SAP capability, Atos intends to create a Global Center of Expertise for the Food & Beverage Sector in Sofia that will allow to service clients worldwide. Ambition is that within the next 5 years, this new center will double Atos capacity in Sofia. Atos will use the center for driving global growth in the F&B sector across multiple technologies and service line offerings. The incoming capability will provide Atos a significant market differentiator in the form of people assets and provide a global platform for employees to further their career on a global basis with new clients. Alain Brouhard, Business Solutions & Systems Director at CCHBC said: "We are looking forward to our partnership with Atos and are confident it will contribute to further improve the IT services provided to our business partners internally in Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company. Furthermore, we count on Atos' experience and expertise to ensure better and faster access to new technology solutions as well as to facilitate us in leveraging market trends and Opportunities. Ursula Morgenstern, Global head of Business & Platform Solutions, at Atos said: "This is an important deal for Atos and we are proud to include CCHBC as one of our clients. We are absolutely committed to continuing the excellent service that InfoPartners has been providing and are delighted to welcome 423 employees, who join us today. We will work with CCHBC to ensure we are aligned to their business objectives and that we enable and support their business success." ##### About Atos Atos SE (Societas Europaea) is a leader in digital transformation with circa 100,000 employees in 72 countries and pro forma annual revenue of circa 12 billion. Serving a global client base, the Group is the European leader in Big Data, Cybersecurity, Digital Workplace and provides Cloud services, Infrastructure & Data Management, Business & Platform solutions, as well as transactional services through Worldline, the European leader in the payment industry. With its cutting edge technologies, digital expertise and industry knowledge, the Group supports the digital transformation of its clients across different business sectors: Defense, Financial Services, Health, Manufacturing, Media, Utilities, Public sector, Retail, Telecommunications, and Transportation. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and is listed on the Euronext Paris market. Atos operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldgrid, Bull, Canopy, Unify and Worldline. Press contact: Sylvie Raybaud - sylvie.raybaud@atos.net - +33 6 95 91 96 71 - @Sylvie_Raybaud centralprecinct.jpg New commanders have been assigned to lead the Portland Police Bureau's three precincts. Kelli Sheffer is now commander of Central Precinct; Robert King is commander of North Precinct and Bryan Parman is commander of East Precinct. The shuffling of positions resulted from two recent retirements of high-level supervisors. (Maxine Bernstein |Staff) Two recent retirements of high-level supervisors in the Portland Police Bureau has led to several top command changes in the department, and new commanders of the bureau's three precincts. Mike Leloff, who served as assistant chief of services, retired in December and began a new job as training director for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. George Burke, who most recently served as commander of North Precinct, retired as well, and is now a deputy chief for the Salem Police Department. Filling Leloff's assistant chief's job is Chris Davis, who had been commander of Central Precinct. Kellie Sheffer, a former Portland police spokeswoman and traffic division captain, moved from East Precinct to now command Central Precinct. Robert King, a former president of the the Portland Police Association, is now commander of North Precinct. Bryan Parman, once head of the training division, was promoted from captain to commander and leads East Precinct. David Golliday, who was demoted as a sergeant in 2003 for making physical advances toward a subordinate's girlfriend and lashing out at a prosecutor while off-duty and drinking at a Halloween party, has worked his way back up the ranks. He most recently was promoted from lieutenant to captain and assigned to East Precinct. Andrew Shearer is acting captain of the Tactical Operations Division. -- Maxine Bernstein mbernstein@oregonian.com 503-221-8212 @maxoregonian Daily traffic Snow-filled freeways are causing jams pre-5 a.m. as a crash blocks Interstate 5 northbound at the Highway 217 exit. And it's only the beginning. Update 1:19 p.m.: Interstate 84 has re-opened between Troutdale and Hood River. *** Update 11:04 a.m.; Some reports say the flyover ramp is cleared at Highway 217 northbound. Traffic congestion is easing in the area. *** UPDATE 10:46 a.m.; The Oregon Department of Transportation reported at 10:15 a.m. that most Portland-area highways are moving with one exception: Interstate 5 near Tigard. There, overnight spinouts and jackknifed tractor-trailers have blocked snowplows. "We're trying to get them out of the way so we can get the plows in there," ODOT spokesman Don Hamilton said. The agency is towing abandoned cars, and it's bringing in extra vehicles from other parts of the state to help with the clean-up. ODOT is still requiring chains on all state roads in the Portland area, and it says traction tires won't suffice. "We're doing this to try to make sure people on the roads aren't getting caught up and stopping and sliding and locking up traffic," Hamilton said. "We want to make sure the cars on the road are able to handle it." Abandoned cars from last night's snow event (which continues into this morning) are blocking all but two lanes of U.S. 26 westbound outside the tunnel. The freeway is still "open" but getting by is tricky business. U.S. 26 at Vista Ridge Tunnel With most government offices closed today, schools closed and flights canceled, it should help to keep roads mostly clear. But do NOT travel if not necessary. UPDATE ROADS CLOSED 5:15 a.m.; PBOT has updated it's list of closed roads. Get the list here: PBOT DOWNTOWN 11:15 a.m.; Traffic is basically stopped on I-5 northbound at this time at Macadam Avenue offramp. Not sure why. Update 11:24 a.m.; Found it. Semi stuck on the ramp I-5 northbound prior to the Marquam Bridge. *** SOUTHWEST PORTLAND 10:42 a.m.; Southwest Boones Ferry closed at Arnold Street for trucks stuck on the road. *** HILLSBORO 10:33 a.m.; Cornelius Pass Road closed from Kaiser Road to county line due to multiple power lines down. *** TIGARD 10:30 a.m.; Southwest Beef Bend Road closed at 131st Avenue for trees down. *** U.S. 26 westbound U.S. 26 WESTBOUND 9:05 a.m.; ALL LANES of U.S. 26 are closed now west of the Vista Ridge Tunnel for a TriMet bus spun out and blocking the freeway. Update 10 a.m.; One lane getting by now. *** GLENCOE ROAD 8:53 a.m.; U.S. 26 westbound lanes CLOSED west of Helvetia Road due to downed power lines. Update 9:08 a.m.; One lane now open U.S. 26 westbound at Helvetia Road. *** HILLSBORO 7:55 a.m.; Tree down across Jackson School Road has the area closed to Harewood intersection. Power out. Update 8:34 a.m.; Clearing now. *** NORTHWEST PORTLAND 7:14 a.m.; Northwest Cornelius Pass Road CLOSED from U.S. 30 to Skyline Boulevard due to downed power lines. *** SOUTHEAST PORTLAND 7:20 a.m.; Tree in the road on Southeast Ceasar Chavez Avenue just south of Division Street. *** I-205 AT STAFFORD 7 a.m.; Tree down on the freeway I-205 southbound at Stafford Road. Watch for slowing and crews. *** I-84 is CLOSED from Troutdale to Hood River because of blizzard conditions. With much more snow forecast to fall, do not expect that highway to open any time soon. Tree down on I-205 south In times like these, many people count on public transportation. TriMet has sent out alerts that many bus routes are canceled. Check the website before you step out into the snow. MAX lines also are falling. As of 4:45 a.m. the Red line will service Gateway to Portland International Airport only. No trips to downtown. Update 6:25 a.m. Blue line MAX has limited service and is being served by shuttles. WES is NOW BLOCKED by downed trees. Not in service. UPDATE 5:42 a.m.; Portland Streetcar is NOT RUNNING due to trees that have fallen onto overhead wires in multiple locations. Service will not begin until trees can be removed and wires are inspected. C-Tran of Vancouver is also limiting service. No express shuttles to Portland. Check the website before you head out. Folks needing to access OHSU should rely on the tram service (it ran all night and into this morning) rather than bus line #8 which has difficulty with the hill in even light snow. Click HERE for a list of canceled and delayed flights out of PDX. Elliot Njus contributed to this report. Check back throughout the morning for the latest commuting updates and follow us on Twitter: @trafficportland (https://twitter.com/@trafficportland) Nicholas Krochmal said his father was beloved by everyone, especially him. The retired tailor was selfless and spent much of his life working - first to support his parents and siblings and later to support his wife and children. He taught his children to be kind, generous and accepting of others, said the 39-year-old son who shares his father's name. "It's for all those reasons and countless others that I still struggle to understand how I could have taken my father's life," the son said Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court while reading from a letter he wrote. Krochmal wore an orange-and-pink jail uniform and sat between his two attorneys, one turning the pages of his letter because his hands were shackled. Before he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years, Krochmal said he was sorry for killing his 73-year-old father, Nicholas Krochmal Sr., in March 2015. He had been stealing from his father and owed him more than $200,000 when he killed him. He repeatedly told himself that he was just borrowing the money and would replace it before anyone noticed they were missing, he said. Krochmal didn't give a reason in court for why he attacked his dad. His brother and sister urged Multnomah County Circuit Judge Eric Bergstrom, who was brought into the case during plea negoitations, to give him a true life sentence. Natalie and Alex Krochmal described their brother as a manipulative operator who repeatedly stole from their father and lacked remorse over his death. Natalie Krochmal said Nicholas Krochmal sent a letter from jail to a wealthy grandmother a week and a half after their father's death saying her money would help him and claimed he could "easily raise funds" to repay her. She read a portion of the letter in court, quoting Nicholas Krochmal maintaining his innocence, claiming the case against him was "weak," and complaining about not being provided free soap, toothpaste and deodorant while in jail. The younger brother told the judge that Nicholas Krochmal once tried to pin their father's death on their sister and then claimed temporary insanity as the reason he killed their father. "He will continue to harm society," Alex Krochmal said. "He is not a safe individual." Nicholas Krochmal didn't look at his siblings while they were in the courtroom. Krochmal pleaded guilty to murder on Dec. 7. As part of the plea agreement, additional charges of first-degree aggravated theft were dropped and prosecutors agreed not to seek enhanced charges of aggravated murder against Krochmal, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey. Krochmal also will be required to pay more than $242,000 in restitution. The recipients of the funds include his sister and their father's estate. The district attorney's office also agreed to provide a letter to the Oregon Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision to acknowledge that Krochmal accepted responsibility for his role in his father's death, McKey said. Krochmal's family members refused to sign the letter, McKey said. The elder Krochmal discovered in March 2014 that his son was stealing from his investment accounts - at least $123,000, said Deputy District Attorney Dan Hesson. When confronted about the stolen money by his father, mother and other relatives, Krochmal denied he took the money, Hesson said. "He said it must have been due to Russian and Chinese hackers," the prosecutor said. Krochmal would later admit to taking the money, but never paid his father back. The father returned from a trip out of the country in March 2015 and again tried to get his money back. But by then, the son had secretly stolen another $84,000 from his father's checking account, Hesson said. The son spent the money on "high-dollar items," including leasing a $70,000 Acura, the prosecutor said. A bank employee noticed the theft and suggested to the father that he report his son to the police, Hesson said. The father refused. On March 26, the son was alone with his father in the family's Tigard home and hit him in the head with a piece of lumber at least six times, Hesson said. He left his father lying in the foyer, covered his body with a hammock tarp and bound his legs together. At some point, Krochmal used Clorox wipes to clean up the blood and came and went from the house while his father remained on the floor, Hesson said. Natalie Krochmal discovered Nicholas Krochmal Sr.'s body after walking into the living around 3:15 a.m. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey "Army Corps of Engineers To Install All-Seeing Eye on Top of Trump Tower." That sounds about right. For President-elect Donald Trump, nothing is too good -- or too much -- for his signature building, the gleaming Manhattan skyscraper where he has both worked and lived for three decades. Actually, the all-seeing eye was a joke headline from a website called The Political Garbage Chute. ("I won't need no friggin' daily intelligence briefings once this giant, flaming, all-seeing eye is installed on top of my big, beautiful building," the fictional news item quotes Trump as saying.) This much, however, is quite true: Trump Tower is the new White House North, and as such it is drawing hundreds of tourists -- and causing even more traffic headaches -- every day. It also houses a remarkable origin story, one Trump has massaged and promoted for years. The tower, erected at the dawn of the 1980s, replaced the old Bonwit Teller department store on Fifth Avenue. At the time he took over the property, Trump was in his early 30s. The project served as his best opportunity yet to step out of his father's outer-boroughs-based shadow and prove he had what it took to make it in Manhattan. It wasn't immediately clear that he did. For starters, writes Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Cay Johnston in "The Making of Donald Trump," the young real-estate developer hired a window-washing company to demolish the 12-story limestone department-store building. It was a surprising choice, seeing as demolition is dangerous and specialized work. In terms of sheer macho-ness on display, the Bonwit Teller building's demise was a more impressive accomplishment than the raising of the much-taller Trump Tower in its place. Unfortunately, the demolition may have been very costly indeed to the Polish immigrants who did the work. "Upward of 200 men began demolishing the building in midwinter 1980," Johnston writes. "The men worked without hard hats. They lacked facemasks, even though asbestos -- known to cause incurable cancers -- swirled all around them. They didn't have goggles to protect their eyes from the bits of concrete and steel that sometimes flew through the air like bullets. The men didn't have power tools either; they brought down the 12-story building with sledgehammers." To make the work even more difficult, much of it was done at night, possibly to keep the whole thing under the regulatory radar. Trump watched the demolition's progress from a rented office across the street. A federal court later found that the workers received paychecks "irregularly and incompletely." The men were sometimes paid "in vodka" and were "threatened with deportation if they complained," Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher write in "Trump Revealed." Johnston claims that Trump got away with using unqualified, non-union workers because "the House Wreckers Union was firmly under the control of the mobsters whose consigliere was Roy Cohn, Trump's mentor and lawyer." (Cohn was a notorious New York attorney who first came to prominence in the 1950s as Sen. Joseph McCarthy's counsel during McCarthy's demagogic attempts to root out communism in the U.S. government.) Daniel Sullivan, who Johnston describes as "a labor fixer," advised Trump against using the window-washing company for the demolition, but the cost savings were too great for the real-estate developer to pass up. Of Trump's decision-making process, Sullivan said: "Common sense just never took hold." The demolition soon ended up infuriating not just labor activists but art lovers. The Bonwit Teller building featured two 1929 Art Deco bas-relief friezes of semi-naked dancing goddesses that, though long forgotten now by most New Yorkers, were beloved at the time. The Metropolitan Museum of Art sought to have the 15-foot-tall sculptures donated to the museum, for which Trump could receive a hefty tax write-off. Trump appeared amenable to this, writing in a February letter that he would save them if possible. But on June 5, 1980, Met curator Penelope Hunter-Stiebel received a call from a gallery owner whose space was across the street from the work site. The gallery owner informed her that he was watching the workers destroy the pieces. Hunter-Stiebel raced out of the museum and desperately waved down a cab, Kranish and Fisher write. The taxi, not surprisingly, ended up in a traffic snarl, so the curator, though pregnant, jumped out and "ran the last 10 blocks to Bonwit Teller." It was too late. The gallery owner had gone across the street and begged the crew boss to halt the destruction, offering cash if they'd stop just for the time being. The response from the foreman: "Young Donald said there's a stupid woman uptown at a museum who wants them and we have to destroy them." The stupid woman showed up a few minutes later, out of breath, to witness in "incredulous horror," as she later put it, men jack-hammering the head of one of the goddesses. Why wouldn't Trump donate the sculptures? It appears to have been a bottom-line decision. Trump claimed appraisers had told him the works were "without artistic merit" and insisted he was chiefly concerned about public safety. "If one of those stones had slipped, people could have been killed," he said. In his 1929 review of the Bonwit Teller building, Arts Magazine's Henry-Russell Hitchcock called the sculptures a "most disturbing note," but 50 years later most art experts didn't agree with him or Trump's "appraisers." Said Ashton Hawkins, a member of the Met's board of trustees: "Architectural sculpture of this quality is rare and would have made definite sense in our collections." Even Der Scutt, Trump Tower's architect, was upset at the loss. "Scutt had wanted to incorporate the reliefs into the new lobby," Preservation News wrote in 1980, "but was overruled by Trump, who wanted something 'more contemporary.'" The magazine, published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, called the sculptures "irreplaceable." A spokesman for Mayor Ed Koch said Trump had received tax abatements for the development and thus had had a "moral responsibility" to the city and its legacy to save the art pieces. (Another original piece promised to the Met, a gilded 20-foot-by-30-foot geometric grillwork built into the entrance, apparently went missing during the demolition.) Trump later said that removing the sculptures intact would have cost around $500,000, including a 10-day construction delay. This was far more than the estimated $200,000 tax write-off for donating them to the museum. (Johnston points out that the tax saving would only have applied if Trump had taxes to pay, something the real-estate developer has proudly proven adept at avoiding.) At any rate, now construction could begin on what Trump would describe as "the most important project in the world." And so it did, with five floors of luxury retail topped by 11 floors of top-of-the-line office space, plus 38 floors of condos. Trump fast-tracked construction, which meant the site was alive with workers seven days a week. The developer's decision to build primarily with concrete brought him into contact with the Gambino and Castellano organized-crime families, which ran New York's "concrete club." It appears Trump -- and perhaps Cohn -- knew how to deal with them. "In 1982, when union strikes froze developments across the city," write Kranish and Fisher, "construction at Trump Tower didn't miss a beat." Donald Trump is known for a style-free, hulking architectural aesthetic, but the multi-edged, 58-story black-glass Trump Tower won plaudits from many experts. Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Ada Louise Huxtable described it as a "dramatically handsome structure." Another architectural critic, Paul Goldberger, called the building's showpiece public atrium -- where Trump would launch his presidential campaign 30 years later -- "warm, luxurious and even exhilarating." These kudos were a result not only of Scutt's skill and creativity, but also Trump's. "City zoning laws would have blocked a tower of such height on such a small site," Kranish and Fisher write. Trump got around this through a clever use of the air rights, which he had acquired from next-door-neighbor Tiffany & Co., and a zoning provision "that allowed greater height if the builder provided public spaces such as atriums." The tower, which opened in 1983, was an immediate success, probably the greatest of Trump's long career in real estate. Johnny Carson, Andrew Lloyd Webber and other A-list celebrities bought residences in the building. Shoppers flocked to its mall and tourists lingered in the atrium. Most important of all, the tower was more than a real-estate success: it essentially created the Donald Trump brand that he's traded on ever since. "Trump Tower permanently ingrained Trump, his name, and his celebrity into the firmament of Manhattan, just as he had dreamed about as a young boy looking over the bridge from Queens," Kranish and Fisher write. Seeing as Manhattan is the media capital of the world, they add, "Trump Tower made him famous everywhere." What was it about Trump Tower that fascinated people, that hypnotically drew in shoppers and gawkers and buyers? Trump -- who, when he owned the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants, often publicly paraded contestants at the building -- put it this way: "You sell them a fantasy." -- Douglas Perry Corvallis Willy.png This is Willy. His college-aged human, Sean Fenton, tried to smuggle him to Corvallis just in time for winter classes to begin. Fenton's parents were not happy. (Twitter screenshot via Sean Fenton, @5eean) This is a story about a boy and his dog. (Technically and legally, the boy is a man but work with us here.) Sean Fenton, 20, is an Oregon State University student and a Westview High School graduate. As would be expected of any college sophomore, Fenton spent a good chunk of winter break visiting his miniature Shetland collie, Willy. And as you'd expect from anyone this close to his dog, Fenton wanted to bring Willy to college. Just for a week. Just to show him what it's like. But even the best laid plans can go awry. And this one certainly did. As Fenton and Willy made their way to Corvallis, the 'rents began wondering what became of the collie. What ensued was a Twitter story for the ages -- at least for this age -- that's been retweeted nearly 100,000 times and liked hundreds of thousands more. Smuggling my dog back to college. pic.twitter.com/R2ZvjPZfYL sean (@5eean) January 6, 2017 his name is William Wallace III, but he goes by Willy. pic.twitter.com/ghqhbSzySs sean (@5eean) January 6, 2017 Fenton told Buzzfeed that his parents were mad about Willy visiting the greater Corvallis area without permission. Very mad. "You already don't remember to feed him when you're home," they reportedly told him, even though Fenton had brought plenty of food and toys to last Willy a week at OSU. In the end, Willy's Benton County odyssey lasted all of one night before he returned home. Turns out, Willy's a dog. So I drove him back.https://t.co/taRvRCtgnu sean (@5eean) January 7, 2017 Don't worry, Willy. Maybe one day you'll be free to pursue higher education. --Eder Campuzano 503.221.4344 @edercampuzano ecampuzano@oregonian.com The state trooper seriously injured in a Christmas Day shooting was hit with seven bullets at close range -- in both arms, his abdomen and spinal canal, according to an account by his brother. Nic Cederberg's bulletproof vest blocked five other bullets -- for a total of 12, his brother, Jeff Cederberg, wrote on the trooper's GoFundMe page. Homicide suspect James Tylka, fired from no more than 12 feet away, the brother wrote. Nic Cederberg lay bleeding on the ground until other police officers arrived, packed his bullet wounds and took him to the hospital, Jeff Cederberg said. "This ultimately saved Nic's life," he wrote. The 32-year-old trooper had three surgeries at OHSU Hospital, state police said, but they haven't said how many times he was shot or where. An Oregon State Police spokesman couldn't confirm Jeff Cederberg's account of the shooting on Tuesday night, saying he didn't handle the case. Nic Cederberg will leave the hospital in a few days, Jeff Cederberg said. He will have one bullet lodged in his lower spine for the rest of his life, he said. It's incredible that his brother survived, Jeff Cederberg wrote. "Any one of those 12 bullets should have killed him and they didn't," he said. The Washington County Major Crime Team is investigating the shooting. Tylka, 30, was killed by other officers after he shot Cederberg, the Washington County Sheriff's Office said. He led police on a car chase through Washington County after he shot his estranged wife Katelynn Armand in King City, the sheriff's office said. Tylka shot Armand outside his home after she dropped off their 11-month-old daughter, the sheriff's office said. Six officers from Tigard, Hillsboro, Sherwood and Tualatin were involved in the shooting, the sheriff's office said. They have been placed on standard paid administration leave. Cederberg was involved with another shooting in October 2015 when he and two other troopers fired at a fugitive along U.S. 26. Andrew DeHart was shooting at officers as he led them on a 17-mile chase through Washington County. The troopers' bullets did not hit DeHart. He later fatally shot himself. -- Samantha Matsumoto 503-294-4001; @SMatsumoto55 Portland Public Schools is among the school districts that have canceled Wednesday classes because of snow. The Portland metro area is under a winter storm warning until 1 p.m. Wednesday. Downtown Portland is in for three to four inches of accumulation, with most of the snow falling before daybreak, said National Weather Service meteorologist Clinton Rockey. We could see up to six inches from the West Hills westward, he said, and Forest Grove is among areas that could get as much as 10 inches of snow. View all school closures by clicking the link below. Click this link for all other closures. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive The snow was coming down at more than an inch an hour before midnight in Portland. When you wake up this morning, you could find up to a foot on your front porch. With still more to come. Here's what you need to know about the metro area's latest winter storm. Accumulation: The National Weather Service tweeted a list of snow reports shortly before 1 a.m. North Portland topped the list with a foot of snow, eight inches fell downtown and the airport got six inches, according to the list. Here are the latest snow reports throughout the area. Generally 6-12" PDX metro. 6-10" Vancouver metro. 1-3" central valley. 10" Hood River pic.twitter.com/s2A9OV2uqc NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) January 11, 2017 History: National Weather Service meteorologist Colby Neuman said the weather service had recorded five inches of snow at its Northeast Portland office, as of about 10:20 p.m. That's the most snow that's fallen there since February 2014, he said. Melting: Snow on the ground in Portland is expected to linger, as forecasters predict daytime highs around freezing through Friday. The weather service predicts Saturday and Sunday highs near 39 and 42 degrees, respectively. Power outages: More than 14,300 Portland General Electric customers were without power, as of midnight Tuesday. Keep tabs on outages using the utility's website. Closings: Colleges include Portland State University and Portland Community College campuses. School districts include Portland, Centennial, David Douglas, Gresham-Barlow, Parkrose, Reynolds, Riverdale, Beaverton, Banks, Gladstone, Lake Oswego, North Clackamas, Oregon City, Oregon Trails, West Linn-Wilsonville. Courts, city offices and many businesses are closed or opening late. Here are up-to-date lists of school closures and other closures. Traveling: Don't. TriMet is advising people to stay home Wednesday morning. Even though all buses will have chains, expect major delays. Check TriMet's website and bundle up before you venture out. Some bus lines are canceled and others are on snow routes. Some trains were experiencing frozen switches. TriMet planned to run trains through the night to stave off ice from accumulating from overhead wires. Again: expect delays. Portland has closed roads throughout the city because of snow, ice and trees down. It's also requiring chains or traction tires for West Burnside and Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road. Interstate 84 was closed late Tuesday between Troutdale and Hood River because of blizzard conditions. The state transportation department said all vehicles must have chains or traction tires while traveling on Portland-area highways. Tractor-trailers must use chains on Portland-area highways, the agency said. TripCheck has the latest travel alerts. Flights: Check to see if your flight is canceled or delayed. Portland International Airport runways were closed late Tuesday night because of plowing, said airport spokeswoman Kama Simonds. She said the airport hoped to have the runways open by midnight. Some incoming flights had been diverted to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, she said. Simonds anticipated some Wednesday cancellations and delays despite crews' overnight efforts. She said travelers should give themselves plenty of time to catch any flights that are still departing. Fun: It's a snow day. Stay safe, and enjoy Portland's winter blanket while it lasts. -- Jim Ryan and Margaret Haberman MOSCOW, Jan. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The worlds tallest cylindrical aquarium housing an elevator ride and walk-through tunnel debuted at the new Oceania Mall in Moscow, Russia. The 24 meter tall acrylic aquarium designed and built by International Concept Management (ICM), is now the focal point for the state-of-the-art shopping center in Russias capital city. Photo: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82154eae-d021-4cfa-afb6-8ec9942fa03c ICM designed the aquarium to offer an engaging experience and serve as the centerpiece for shoppers at the mall. To achieve this, ICM designed and built an aquarium that would be architecturally stunning, yet completely immerse guests in an underwater environment. The result is an aquarium 24 meters tall and 10 meters wide, holding 900,000 liters of saltwater. ICM has extensive experience with complex engineering and sophisticated designs, but the Oceania Mall Aquarium challenged the team and pushed the boundaries of creativity. ICMs design team added additional viewing port holes at the bottom of the aquarium and a walk-through tunnel as visitors exit the panoramic elevator on the top floor of the mall. ICM not only designed, built, and commissioned the record-setting aquarium, but managed the installation in its entirety. Fifty-six total pieces of acrylic were shipped to Moscow and bonded together in specially built technical rooms, a temperature-sensitive process that was successfully carried out despite it being the middle of winter in Moscow. The acrylic pieces were so heavy once they were bonded together, the largest crane in Russia was required to lift the pieces from the technical rooms into their final location inside the shopping mall. The entire process from design through completion took approximately fifteen months. Many aspects of this project were quite technical and challenging, but we had considerable experience to rely on, said Andrius Vengalis, ICMs on-site Project Manager. Our team executed this project perfectly and we couldnt be more pleased with the outcome of the Oceania Mall Aquarium. There are over 3,200 artificial corals installed in the tank to create a realistic environment for the thousands of aquatic animals living inside. The elevator, which is the tallest hydraulic elevator in the world, brings guests face-to-face with 50 different species of sharks, rays, and fish and is open to the public during normal mall hours. Hola nachol98Thanks for getting in touch. What a great GMAT score and it's great that you graduated in the top 10 in your class!I really like the portfolio of schools that you have put together. That will definitely help ensure that you are successful. Nice wide variety.My only red flag right now is saying that you want to go back to supply chain. You have that job already! Schools want to know that they can help you and changing countries is not enough. My suggestion is that you pitch consulting, where you can leverage your supply chain background but get to know a variety of industries and companies. Another option might be a Leadership Development Program at a top CPG program. Pepsi has a great one! (I'm only half kidding. Sorry! Don't pick Pepsi.)The key for you is going to be application execution. Make sure you build a cohesive story around your goals and how each program can help you.I hope that makes sense! Buena suerte!Krista_________________ aalriy wrote: When choosing a digital camera, it is important to consider each model's design, options, and limitations. For the serious photographer interested in superior image quality, it is best to choose a camera that has fixed-length or interchangeable lenses. On the other hand, those who have neither the need nor the means to tote the bulky equipment may be satisfied with the compactness and portability of cameras that have folded-optic systems. Which of the following can reasonably be concluded from the above statements? A. Cameras with fixed length lenses are too bulky for anyone but the professional photographer B. Serious photographers are concerned primarily with superior image quality. C. Despite claims to the contrary, traditional film cameras are still the best choice for professionals D. Cameras with folded optics system generally do not produce image quality as those with interchangeable lenses. E. Price should not be a primary factor in determining whether to buy a particular camera. Can anyone explain what is wrong with B? Also, no where in the stimulus the image quality of the two types of cameras is compared. SO, how can D stand any chance? The correct answer is D.B uses the word 'primarily' which suggests that the serious photographers main concern is only superior quality image and nothing else. It is too extreme.D instead uses the word 'generally' which is not extreme. Remember how voters were told all the money from the Michigan Lottery system would go to education? And, of course, that money was earmarked for education, but doing so made hundreds of millions of general fund dollars available for the governor and lawmakers to spend on other priorities and projects. Now it appears something similar is happening with Michigans new tax money earmarked for roads and bridges, which consists of a higher gas and diesel fuel tax and higher registration fees. Those new taxes are expected to generate about $460 million for transportation projects this year. Sounds great, right? But heres the catch: Last year, the state spent about $400 million from its general fund on roads and bridges as officials looked to Michigan residents for approval of a long-term funding solution to fix Michigans crumbling infrastructure. Since the general fund money is not dedicated funding for roads and bridges, it can now be spent on something else. And it will be, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential, a website operated by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland. The CapCon article stated, the state transportation budget will only have $160 million more this year for road repairs ... That is because the Legislature shifted funds out of the transportation budget just as new tax revenues were coming into it. That means motorists will not see as big a change as they might have expected in the amount of road work this year and possibly the next. In 2019, state lawmakers are planning to once again start spending general fund money on roads and bridges, with a goal of having $1.2 billion budgeted for transportation projects by 2021. That will be great for Michigans infrastructure if it happens, but remember, these are general fund dollars lawmakers say they will invest, not money earmarked for transportation like the gas tax and the vehicle registration fees. So just as the general fund money that was being used for roads and bridges last year is no longer available, so too could those planned allocations be reduced or disappear in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Lets hope that lawmakers stay true to their word and come up with the $1.2 billion. A report last year by the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council indicated only 16 percent of the states roads are in good condition, 45 percent are in fair condition and 39 percent are in poor condition. Without the $1.2 billion influx of new money, Michigan taxpayers can expect those numbers to only get worse. BLOOMINGTON Twin City residents now have an additional option for internet, TV and phone service. Our service is available in Bloomington-Normal, said Kathy Scheller, spokeswoman for Evansville, Ind.-based MetroNet. People can go to the MetroNet website and type in their address, and it will let them know if were there or were coming. Last year, MetroNet started installing fiber-optic infrastructure in Bloomington-Normal capable of delivering internet service at extremely high speeds. According to a map at metronetinc.com/construction, the company is building in southeast Bloomington, east Bloomington and north Normal where the first customers are, said Scheller. Service started in November. Our intention is to build as much in Bloomington-Normal as possible, she said. This (initial build-out) process takes two more years, but once were there, we continue to build. The company also has opened a retail store at 503 N. Prospect Road in Bloomington and released pricing details. Internet service ranges from $50 per month to $90; TV service ranges from $10 to $65; and phone service is $10. "We have a two-year special ... whereby potential customers can try all three products for $65," Scheller said. "Of note: MetroNet does not require a contract for residential customers." The company hoped to be the first to offer gigabit internet service to Bloomington-Normal residences, but Comcast launched a competing service in August. Central Illinois Regional Broadband Network, a public-private consortium, provides similar speeds to businesses, government buildings, schools and other institutions. Scheller suggested residents who don't have service available yet keep an eye on metronetinc.com. BLOOMINGTON A social worker who has counseled an alleged sex assault victim will be the final witness Wednesday in the rape trial of a Central Illinois man. Trevor Zivney, 20, of Toluca, is charged with sexually assaulting a woman in October 2016 during a party at her apartment in Normal. Assistant State's Attorney Kristin Alferink said on Tuesday that she will call Nancy Egger, an East Peoria counselor who has assisted the alleged victim, as her final witness. Egger is expected to testify about the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. Judge Scott Drazewski told jurors to expect to begin deliberations later in the day. The suspect's former girlfriend, Ina Kruger, testified Tuesday about two calls Zivney made to her from the McLean County jail in August. The calls played for the jury included denials from Zivney that he forced the woman to have sex with him and requests that Kruger help him with his case by bringing a potential witness to speak with his defense lawyer, Steve Skelton. In response to questions from Skelton, Kruger said she did not follow through with the requests. The jury also heard from several witnesses who confirmed that the alleged victim became heavily intoxicated during the party after drinking most of a fifth of whiskey. They witnesses also said they did not hear anything from the victim's bedroom where the incident occurred. The state contends that Zivney forced the woman to have sex with him after she was so intoxicated that she could not consent. Skelton has argued that the two engaged in consensual sex and the allegations were leveled after the woman learned that Zivney was still involved with another woman. BLOOMINGTON Lead testing in Illinois elementary schools could cause a hit to district budgets, but school officials in The Pantagraph area say it is a necessary expenditure. On Monday, Illinois lawmakers proposed a bill to require all elementary schools and day care facilities in the state, built before 2000, to check drinking water for lead contamination. Irregular lead levels can cause developmental delays in children, who are most at risk. The institutions would be responsible for the cost of the testing, which could run between $500 and $5,000 per facility, according to environmental experts. All seven elementary and early education schools in Bloomington District 87 were built before 2000. District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly said on Tuesday that he estimates the cost to test all drinking water sources to be more than $10,000. It gets to be a pretty expensive venture, said Reilly, adding the district would also test the junior high and high school buildings, even though they arent required by the law. District 87 already tests every building for lead in the water, but not as extensively as the proposal would require, said Reilly. If the bill goes into effect, he said the district would follow the letter of the law and test every source of drinking water. Joe Adelman director of operations for McLean County Unit 5 said the district has been in the process of updating pipes in the older buildings. He said he thinks the law to require water testing is an excellent idea. We want to make sure taxpayers and citizens know its safe for students to drink water at our schools and if it needs to be corrected, well correct it, said Adelman. Regardless of what happens to the bill, Adelman said the Normal-based district will test the water supply in all 30 buildings this summer. Officials are still calculating the cost. We have had this plan in place for a while and its something we want to make sure gets done. Its the right thing to do, especially when were talking about elementary kids at an important developmental age, said Adelman. In the Olympia school district, two of the three elementary schools were built before 2000. Olympia Superintendent Andrew Wise said the schools are notified by village water departments if there is a problem with water readings. With the new legislation, it appears that we may need to do our own testing, which is not a problem for Olympia, said Wise, adding that the maintenance director is certified to take water samples. Wise said the district already does routine tests on water from the water tower that serves the high school and middle school building. Under the bill, schools built before 1987 would have to test by the end of the year and those constructed between 1987 and 2000 would have until the end of 2018. SPRINGFIELD The 99th Illinois General Assembly adjourned Tuesday without passing a comprehensive state budget during its entire two-year term. However, on the final day of their two-day lame-duck session, lawmakers did approve bills requiring schools to test water for lead, enacting a series of criminal justice reforms, and extending a controversial business tax credit program, among other measures. The House also approved a bill that would freeze the total amount of property tax revenue units of local government can collect without getting voter approval for an increase. But the vote was purely symbolic because there wasnt enough time for the Senate to take it up before adjourning. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has made a property tax freeze one of the key pieces of policy agenda, praised the measure. A property tax freeze where you control whether your property taxes go up or not will help change the system in Illinois, create jobs and keep families from fleeing the state, Rauner said. Whether that concept becomes a reality once the new General Assembly is sworn in Wednesday remains to be seen. While theres widespread acknowledgement that Illinois high property taxes are a burden on residents and businesses, opponents argue that freezing property taxes will harm school districts, which rely on the money for much of their funding. Meanwhile, Rauner also expressed his support for a measure that will require schools that were built before 2000 and house preschool through fifth-grade classes to test their drinking water for lead. The bill, which also would apply to day care facilities, was approved in both chambers during the lame-duck session with bipartisan support. The measure, sponsored by state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, was a response to lead being found in the drinking water of about two dozen Chicago schools in the wake of the crisis over lead contaminated water in Flint, Mich. Also passed in both chambers with bipartisan support was a measure from state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, that would create local trauma recovery centers to provide services to crime victims. The measure also would give offenders time off of their sentences for participating in addiction and mental health treatment, job training and other programs while in prison and give judges more discretion in sentencing people to probation instead of prison. The trauma centers will be a pilot program funded with federal money and administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. The parties also came together to extend through April the controversial Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credit program. Better known as EDGE, the program has faced questions about its effectiveness in retaining and attracting businesses and jobs. Lawmakers plan to introduce a proposal to overhaul the program this spring. Before adjourning, the Senate didnt take up measures approved in the House on Tuesday that would have changed the states workers compensation laws and provided $658 million in short-term funding for social services and higher education. Those areas of the budget are without funding after the states stopgap spending plan expired at the start of the new year. In the coming weeks, the Senate hopes to advances a mammoth budget compromise worked out between Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, and Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont. The package includes an income tax increase, pension reforms, licenses for six new casinos and a host of other measures. Senators on both sides of the aisle remain optimistic that it can serve as an outline for ending the standoff that has stretched throughout the first two years of Rauners term. State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said there are many components of the package that he doesnt like, including some of the tax provisions, but he believes the effort to reach a negotiated solution has been monumental in trying to push and lead us out of this rut. If we can pass something similar in a timely fashion, hopefully it will give the House something to work on, Brady said. Glatfelter Promotes Dave Dickerhoof to Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Specialty Papers David Dickerhoof Jan. 11, 2017 - Glatfelter today announced the promotion of David Dickerhoof to Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Specialty Papers, effective immediately. Dickerhoof fills the position previously held by Timothy Hess, who was promoted to Senior Vice President and Business Unit President, Specialty Papers. An experienced sales and marketing leader with twenty-three years of industry experience, Dickerhoof joined Glatfelter in 2006 as part of the acquisition of the Chillicothe, Ohio mill. He has held sales assignments covering territories across the United States, and has earned progressive roles with greater leadership responsibilities in the sales & marketing function. Most recently Dickerhoof served as Director of Sales, Converting Papers. Dickerhoof earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Dayton and has earned certificates in Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, in Finance for Non-Financial Managers from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, and in Managing Change from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. Glatfelter is a global supplier of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials, offering innovation, world-class service and over a century and a half of technical expertise. To learn more, please visit: www.glatfelter.com. SOURCE: Glatfelter Nekoosa Acquires Graphic Media Producer ClingZ ClingZ produces graphic media such as Wide Format UV, which is an adhesive-free, statically charged graphic film manufactured to match the specific characteristics of UV-curable wide format print systems. Jan. 11, 2017 - Nekoosa has acquired the business and assets of ClingZ, Inc., a Rio Rancho, New Mexico based manufacturer of premium graphic media for temporary marketing and signage application. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The addition of ClingZ expands Nekoosa's specialty products portfolio. "The ClingZ acquisition is directly aligned with our mission of bringing something new to our customers and employees, said Paul Charapata, CEO of Nekoosa. The ClingZ products are a technological marvel, serving an array of print platforms including offset, digital, and wide format. Moritz Schlenzig, CEO of ClingZ, Inc., added, Nekoosa is a great partner to build on ClingZ's strong franchise and to support future growth by offering expanded manufacturing scale and innovative product development. The ClingZ operation will be integrated with the Nekoosa, Wisconsin facility in the second quarter of 2017. ClingZ is a leading manufacturer of adhesive-free, electrically charged graphic media and premium low-tac films, for temporary marketing and signage applications. To learn more, please visit: www.clingz.com. Headquartered in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, Nekoosa is comprised of 3 business units: Nekoosa Coated Products, RT Tape Corp., and CET Films Corp. To learn more, please visit: www.nekoosacoated.com. SOURCE: Nekoosa Pope Francis has encouraged breastfeeding moms to feed their baby while attending church if necessary. Addressing attendees at a Sunday ceremony held in the Sistine Chapel, the leader of the Catholic Church said that moms can "go ahead and breastfeed" without fear if the baby is getting hungry. Public breastfeeding remains a hotly debated topic and some mothers have been shamed for it, including celebrity moms. Many have been vocal about normalizing the act since it is the most natural way of nourishing a growing and developing child. The pope's recent statement strengthens the very idea. The pope likened breastfeeding moms to "the Virgin Mary who nursed Jesus," according to Yahoo. "The ceremony is a little long, someone's crying because he's hungry," he said. "That's the way it is." According to New York Magazine, after Pope Francis expressed his support for breastfeeding moms, someone from the crowd did nurse her baby. There were at least 28 children among the churchgoers at that time because the Sunday ceremony also included baptisms. The pope even joked about the babies' cries, which he described as a "concert." This is not the first time that Pope Francis has talked about public breastfeeding. According to the Washington Post, he also encouraged a mother to go ahead and feed her baby inside the church two years ago. The mom was said to have been hesitant because the pope was about to pass the crowd and it might be seen as disrespectful. "I wish to say the same to humanity: give people something to eat!" the pope said. "That woman had milk to give to her child; we have enough food in the world to feed everyone." The news comes as mothers share stories online of being told off or getting judgmental looks for public breastfeeding, especially inside sacred sites like a church. But on Mumsnet, mothers also shared that they have been feeding their babies right in front of the priest giving a sermon. They appreciate the fact that priests do not mind this at all. The U.S. Supreme Court will begin its hearing about a special needs case on Wednesday, Jan 11. The oral arguments involving Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District would be important because it could potentially affect the level of education benefits accorded to students with special needs. But who is Endrew and what exactly led him or his family to file a case against the Douglas County School District in Colorado? Why will the Supreme Court's decision on this matter? Endrew, a student with autism, attended public school in the Douglas County from preschool to fourth grade. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which was established in 1975, Endrew was entitled to "free appropriate public education," according to Parent Center Hub. The boy's parents and his school agreed to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) based on this law. By second grade, however, Endrew's academic performance suffered. His behavioral issues became a challenge for teachers but his parents said that the school made little changes to his IEP so it became ineffective. Endrew's parents then switched to a private school specializing in students with autism and he improved. They sought reimbursement from the school district for the tuition fees, citing that the IEP failed to provide their child with "free appropriate public education." According to Norwich Bulletin, Endrew's family needed to prove that the IEP was a failure. The school district's argument was that they did give the boy "meaningful" educational benefits. "It's is not the District's burden to pay for his placement there when Drew was making some progress under its tutelage," the lower court judge said. The family lost their case in 2012 as well as succeeding appeals, which is why this has been elevated to the Supreme Court. Endrew's lawyers argue that "meaningful" educational benefits haven't been clearly defined under the IDEA. It is the hope of advocates of students with special needs that the Supreme Court hearing will change the ambiguity to finally define "meaningful" educational benefits. If so, the highest court could compel all U.S. public schools to come up with substantial educational benefits for students with special needs But school districts are concerned about such a ruling's implication for public schools already grappling with funding problems. "Schools will have to demonstrate through paperwork and documentation that they're doing more than enough for students with disabilities," School Superintendents Association's Sasha Pidelski said, according to Disability Scoop. "That will be expensive and a new administrative burden." Refugees from war-torn countries flee to other countries in an attempt to have another shot at life. One of the hot spots in the United States where refugees tend to flock is in Arizona and in a new report, many refugees are thankful that the state's education programs are helping them adjust to their new surroundings. A former refugee named Boo Htoo said that he came to the United States with his two children in 2007 after spending more than two decades in Thailand as a Burmese refugee. He and his parents fled Burma when he was younger due to a conflict but he said the education he had in Thailand is far different from what is offered in the United States. Arizona Daily Independent shared that Htoo eventually became a teacher after being educated at a refugee camp and if someone was educated in Thailand, they had the opportunity to make money. However, the money he made was not enough for his family that is why they went to the United States. Htoo noted that there were a lot of challenges when they first moved to the United States, specifically the language barrier and the American customs they had to learn. Htoo went on to thank Montebello Elementary School because they provided her daughter with a backpack and helped the family make their transition. The International Rescue Committee, where Htoo is working, also help students like his children adapt to their new environment. The families were helped by the International Rescue Committee to find housing, jobs and book classes for the kids. The International Rescue Committee also has translators to help the refugees set up in school for both the parents and the students. Other school districts in Arizona also work with refugee families. One of which is the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix as they take in refugee children from different parts of the world. As of last year, they have more than 500 refugee students. In a report by Cronkite News in December of last year, some refugees who have been in school longer also help those who have arrived recently to learn English faster. Arizona schools are offering immigrant students English learning programs and use other methods to help them learn the language. As of 2015, there are more than 4,000 refugees in Arizona. The number increased in 2016 but no data is available yet. 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 Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. A new analytical report published today notes that Android sales declined in the US, UK, and France, as iOS continued to make gains across most regions in the three months ending November 2016. For Android, this marks the sixth consecutive period of decline in the US, at 55.3% of all smartphone sales, down from 60.4% in the same period a year earlier. In Urban China, iOS was down year-on-year at 19.9%, but continued strong period-on-period growth with sales from iPhone 7. iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone 6s were the three most popular smartphones in the US at the beginning of the holiday period, for a combined 31.3% share. Lauren Guenveur, Consumer Insight Director at Kantar noted in the report that "The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge were the fourth and fifth best-selling phones in the US, with Samsung capturing 28.9% of smartphone sales." In October Patently Apple posted a report titled "Samsung's Heir Apparent was hoping for the Galaxy Note 7 to outflank the iPhone 7." With today's data it's clear that if the Note 7 wasn't dropped due to their faulty design causing fires, the goal of Samsung's heir would have succeeded as the Note7 would have generated at least 5 percentage points to these statistics. Android continued its dominance in China with "Nearly 80% of all smartphones sold in Urban China during the three months ending November 2016 were Android, as local brands continued to dominate the market," said Tamsin Timpson, Strategic Insight Director at Kantar. "Huawei represented 25% of all sales, but its share declined 3.1 percentage points from the three-month period ending October 2016, marking only its second period of decline in more than two years." The report further noted that "Oppo posted strong growth in China with 12.9% of smartphone sales, signaling the first potential shift in the market since Huawei overtook both Apple and Xiaomi in the second quarter of 2015. Importantly for iOS and Apple, iPhone 7 became the best-selling device in Urban China at 6.6%, pushing Oppo R9 to second place at 4.7%." The good news should continue as we reported yesterday that Foxconn noted that their December was very strong due to robust sales of the iPhone Plus model. Apple Market Share Mostly Positive in EU5 iOS and Android made gains across EU5 (Europe's big five markets include Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), largely due to the decline of Windows. The best showing for iOS was in in Great Britain where it was up 9.1 percentage points for the year ending in November 2016. Dominic Sunnebo, Business Unit Director for Kantar Europe note for the report that "In the EU5 countries, Android accounted for 72.4% of smartphone sales during this period, with iOS at 24.6%, a strong year-on-year uptick for both ecosystems as Windows' share declined to 2.8%. For Android, this represented a 2.8 percentage point decline from the October period, while strong sales of iPhone 7 boosted iOS." The iPhone 7 having strong sales in the U.S, urban China and EU5 seems to be contradicting the doom and gloom over iPhone 7 sales by Apple critics. Apple could surprise the market with better than expected numbers or at least be inline with company expectations when they report at the end of the month. 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. Special prosecutors called Samsung Electronics Co. Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee for questioning as a suspect in a bribery investigation, deepening an influence-peddling scandal that has already led to the impeachment of South Korea's president, according to a new Bloomberg report posted earlier today. The de facto head of the Samsung Group was summoned to appear at 9:30 a.m. in Seoul on Thursday, special prosecution spokesman Lee Kyu-chul said in a briefing. While Lee, 48, was widely expected to be called in for questioning, the fact that he was identified as a suspect was a surprise. "Special prosecutors are mainly after President Park, but in this case, to charge Park with bribery, they have to prove her connection with Samsung," said Chung Sun-sup, who runs corporate researcher Chaebul.com. "Prosecutors used to overlook the chaebols' wrongdoings in the past, but this scandal is different because citizens can no longer tolerate the cozy relationship between politics and business." Prosecutors are investigating whether Samsung provided support to Choi in exchange for government help in Lee's efforts to take control of the conglomerate. In particular, they want to know whether the president exerted pressure on Korea's national pension service to support the controversial merger of two Samsung Group companies, Cheil Industries Inc. and Samsung C&T Corp. The deal, opposed by some investors, was approved in 2015 and makes it easier for Lee to gain influence over the sprawling conglomerate his grandfather founded. Prosecutors have recovered a tablet PC that they believe belongs to Choi and includes some of her e-mails. They presented the device to reporters at a briefing today and said one e-mail from it indicates Choi received funds from Samsung. "Samsung wanted to be seen as a victim, but that's now impossible because Lee is named as a suspect," Chung said. "When somebody is summoned as a suspect it means prosecutors have obtained definite evidence." Photo: Samsung Heir Lee at parliamentary hearing in Seoul on Dec. 6, 2016 Reuters reports that "A spokesman for prosecutors, Lee Kyu-chul, told a briefing the Samsung leader had been summoned for questioning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday (7 p.m. ET on Wednesday) over suspicions including bribery. He declined to comment on whether Jay Y. Lee or other Samsung executives will be indicted but would not rule out the possibility of the prosecution seeking an arrest warrant against Lee." For a little background, Patently Apple began covering this story back in November in a report titled "Samsung's Troubles Continue as they get Dragged into a Political Scandal accusing them of Influence Peddling." We posted a second report in December titled "Samsung's Vice Chairman Lee Says he'll Shut Down their 'Future Strategy Bureau' used for Bribery and Influence Peddling." 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. Patna: Police in Patna on Tuesday seized fake medicines of many brand name companies with an estimated street value of Rs. 25 lakh following a series of raids on Govind Mitra Road, Bihari Sao Lane, and Bahadurpur Housing Colony. Authorities also arrested three men for allegedly flooding many drug stores in the state capital with fake and spurious medicines, police said. Police identified the three men as Sunil Kumar, Bablu, and Mantu. Among the medicines seized are also some specialty drugs that are used in treating cancer, kidney diseases, and other serious ailments. These fake medicines are wrapped in fake wrappers and packages and are sold as the real thing in many drug stores in Patna, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said. During their grilling, the three men told the police that they worked for one Ajit Agrawal, a resident of Nehru Nagar in Delhi, who supplied them the fake drugs for Bihar market. Officials are also looking into the role of the drug inspector who may have chosen to look the other way for a share of the pie from the sale of fake drugs. A team of police is to leave for Delhi to apprehend Agrawal, the SSP said. VIDEO: Iranians Protest Transmitter Jamming In Shiraz 01/10/17 Source: RFE/RL A large crowd gathered in the Iranian city of Shiraz to protest against the government's use of broadcast jamming equipment. On January 9, demonstrators stood outside the provincial governor's headquarters complaining about the health effects of using electromagnetic pulses for disrupting broadcasts. Some chants called the jamming a "betrayal" of the nation. The video of the rare public protest in Iran was provided to RFE/RL's Radio Farda by citizens at the rally. Iranian Health Minister (in March 2015): "Nowhere else has the jamming that we have." "It's not clear where the jammings are coming from." cartoon by Mohammadreza Saghafi, Shargh daily Rafsanjani's Death Reshuffles the Political Deck in Iran 01/11/17 Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran The public funeral of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, on January 10, 2017, led to the outpouring in Tehran of public calls for the release of opposition leaders held under house arrest and political prisoners in a resurgence of support for reformist issues that have been harshly suppressed in Iran for the last decade. The heads of Iran's three branches of government and supreme leader pray beside the casket of Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani on Jan 10, 2017 The events since Rafsanjani's death on January 8 have revealed not only the sharp fractures within Iranian society between hardliners and reformists, but also unhealed wounds dating back to the violent repression of the citizenry after protests against the result of the disputed 2009 presidential election rocked the country. Large crowds chanted slogans calling for the release of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, and Zahra Rahnavard, who have been under house arrest since 2011. Some of the protests were dispersed by security forces being directed by powerful hardliners in government who openly support the stifling of political dissident. The polarization of Iranian society was reflected in the reaction to Rafsanjani's death among Iran's political elite. Conservative Member of Parliament Ali Motahari tweeted that peoples' chants demanding the release of the opposition leaders show that the government must soon resolve the issue. Hardliners meanwhile publicly rejoiced: "With Hashemi-Rafsanjani's death, the last barrier protecting reformists has been eliminated ... and has resulted in the complete harmony of political power," tweeted conservative journalist Bahman Hedayati. It is ironic that Rafsanjani has emerged-in his later years and now in death-as a galvanizing force for reformists in Iran. He never embraced progressive ideas or became an advocate for human rights, but many now fear his death will embolden political hardliners and reinforce totalitarian tendencies within the Islamic Republic. "You can easily see fear in some of the people's reactions," wrote prominent reformist journalist Jila Baniyaghoob on Twitter on January 8, after the 82-year-old former president was pronounced dead from a massive heart attack. Beyond the current reactions to Rafsanjani's death is the question of the political effect of the departure of one of the main architects of the 1979 revolution, who in recent years came to serve as a buffer against conflicts between hardline and moderate forces. Evolution of a Revolutionary Architect During the revolution's first two decades-when he was at the height of his power and influence as president (1989-97)-Rafsanjani allowed political crackdowns to occur under his watch, including the assassinations of political dissidents inside and outside Iran. Throughout the 1990s, during Rafsanjani's presidential terms, the Intelligence Ministry launched a campaign of intimidation and persecution against political dissidents. In 1996, intelligence agents almost succeeded in killing a group of Iranian writers and intellectuals after forcing a bus the group was travelling in to swerve into a valley. The abduction of journalist Faraj Sarkohi that year by the Intelligence Ministry and suspicious deaths of dissident literary figures including Ali Akbar Saeedi Sirjani, Ahmad Miralaie, and Ahmad Tafazoli in the 90s-which many held the ministry accountable for-also took place under Rafsanjani's watch. However, shortly after his presidency ended, Rafsanjani surprised Iranians in 1997 when a speech he gave-ostensibly to dispel fears of vote-tampering-ultimately led to the election of reformist presidential candidate Mohammad Khatami. The little-known cleric was running against conservative candidate Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri, who, as the establishment's favored candidate, had seemed like a shoo-in. Rafsanjani's public criticism of the government's violent repression of pro-democracy figures following the disputed 2009 presidential election hastened his fall from the favor of his former hardline allies, including the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and reflected his move toward the center. "If they don't end [the protests], they will be responsible for the consequences and chaos," warned Khamenei on June 29, 2009, after millions of Iranians took to the streets chanting "where is my vote?" in response to the presidential election a week earlier, which brought conservative hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a second presidential term. Khamenei's comment was seen as a green light for security forces to violently suppress the protests in a campaign that continued for months. Rafsanjani and Khamenei once stood together as key leaders of the revolution, but less than a month after Khamenei's comment, Rafsanjani publicly sided with the protesters. "A large section of the people have doubts about the result of the election," he said on July 17, 2009. "We must alleviate those doubts." Soon after, Rafsanjani was forced to step down from his chairmanship of the Assembly of Experts, a powerful body that selects the country's supreme leader, although he remained a member. More recently, Rafsanjani remained silent when an audio file was posted in August 2016 by the son of the once-successor to Iran's first supreme leader, Hosseinali Montazeri, in which Montazeri described the mass executions of dissidents in the summer of 1988 as "the greatest crime in the Islamic Republic of Iran" while holding revolutionary leader Ruhollah Khomeini and some of his closest allies responsible. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani 25 August 1934 - January 8 2017 Declining Influence As of 2010, the once powerful Rafsanjani seemed resigned to his declining influence. "If I relay your request to the authorities, I'm not sure I'll get a positive response," he told the family of political prisoners' who had asked him to put in a good word for their loved ones with Khamenei. "It might have the opposite effect." But rather than receding into the shadows, Rafsanjani began advocating the release of Mousavi, Rahnavard and Karroubi. "If anything happens to those under house arrest, it would leave a permanent stain on the state," he said during a 2013 meeting with Khamenei, according to the Karroubi-affiliated Saham News website. Most recently, Rafsanjani spoke out against the disqualification of Hassan Khomeini- the moderate grandson of revolutionary leader Ruhollah Khomeini-from running in the February 2016 election for the Assembly of Experts. "You have disqualified a distinguished man, a man who carried the spirit of the late Imam Khomeini. Who are you?" he said, addressing the hardline Council of Guardians, which vets political candidates. "Who gave you the right to take over and pass judgment on Parliament, the government and others? Who gave you permission to have all the guns and media? Who gave you permission to control Friday prayers and IRIB (state TV)? Who gave you these rights?" Yet even as a sidelined former president with most of his titles stripped of him, Rafsanjani remained as one among a handful of senior Iranian officials who could publicly question and criticize state policies and actions without being imprisoned-even though two of his children were imprisoned, one for her political dissent. People Rose 3 million participated in Rafsanjani's funeral Source: Etemad daily Political Vacuum Rafsanjani was instrumental in the selection process of Khamenei as supreme leader of the Islamic Republic in 1989, when the co-revolutionaries were close political allies. As their differing visions for the future of the Islamic Republic imposed a growing rift between them, Khamenei worked to consolidate his position, while Rafsanjani the pragmatist called for the implementation of a constitutional body to lessen the possibility of totalitarian rule. However, his advocacy for the multi-member Leadership Council, which could be appointed by the Assembly of Experts to fill the role of the one-man supreme leader, proved unsuccessful, and the body was removed from the Constitution via a 1989 amendment. Rafsanjani's death removes a potential moderating voice from the mostly ultra-conservative Assembly of Experts, which will select Iran's next supreme leader following Khamenei's death. It has also left a political vacuum in the country, with unclear implications for the moderate and reformist forces who relied on Rafsanjani's moderating powers, especially President Rouhani, whom he helped to elect. The Legacy Of Iran's Rafsanjani 01/11/17 By Farideh Farhi (source: LobeLog) "The End of an era" Source: Iranian daily Shahrvand Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the man known as the "order's pillar" (sotun-e nezam), died from a sudden heart attack on Sunday. He leaves behind a legacy as complicated and multifaceted as the order (and associated institutions) that he more than anyone else was responsible in erecting. Rafsanjani shaped most of the new institutions established by the Islamic Republic in 1979, from the office of the Leader to the Islamic Revolution's Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Expediency Council (which he chaired almost from its inception until he died). My Persian social media feeds coming out of Iran suggest that many Iranians are in shock and perhaps, too, are worried what will come next. The reaction is as much a reflection of Hashemi Rafsanjani's critical role in the founding and stability of the Islamic Republic-and his canny ability to reinvent himself by having his ear to the ground-as the turbulent times and the environment surrounding Iran. At different times Rafsanjani sustained harsh criticisms from all sides of the political spectrum. He was all things evil in the Islamic Republic, the scion of a corrupt family, and the "real" source of sedition against the Islamic Republic, to name just a few of the insults thrown at him. Yet he died peacefully as a relatively popular politician-a rather rare phenomenon in the region. His death, in a way, was in keeping with his own words. After "the awareness people have shown in the country's past two elections," he was reported to have said, "I can now rest in peace." He was laid to rest on Tuesday next to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the only other significant figure left of Khomeini's original companions, led the prayer at the University of Tehran surrounded by an impressive crowd. Former president Mohammad Khatami, although not allowed to participate like former presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mussavi and Mehdi Karrubi (who remain under house arrest), called upon his supporters to join the miles-long procession to Khomeini's mausoleum. And they did so in huge numbers. The Tehran governorate put the numbers above 2 million, close to the number of votes Rafsanjani received when he came in first in the Tehran province for his Assembly of Experts seat in early 2016. In reaction to official slogans coming from loudspeakers, many chanted not only about Khatami but also Mussavi, calling for his and Karrubi's hasr (house arrest) to be lifted. Ali Mottahari, the deputy speaker of the parliament, tweeted that the slogans uttered during the procession show that the issue of house arrests must be resolved soon. Khatami's reverence for a president for whom he was the minister of culture is no surprise. It was the joining of their reformist and centrist political forces in the 2013 presidential election and 2015 parliamentary elections that helped marginalize Rafsanjani's bte noire, the Extremist Right inside the country. But Khatami was not alone. Given his relative popularity, quite a few across the political spectrum now want to claim Hashemi Rafsanjani as their own. TV Dilemma To be sure, the state-controlled TV (IRIB) at first did not know what to do. Rafsanjani rarely appeared on television, not since the 2009 election when, in his most famous (and last) Friday prayer sermon, he called for addressing the concerns of demonstrators who thought the election was rigged and "showing sympathy" for the families of the injured or killed in the violence dished out against the demonstrators. IRIB must have been engaged in a frantic debate over the proper amount of attention and accolades to accord Rafsanjani. The answer came with Supreme Leader Khamenei's letter of condolence. "With the loss of Hashemi, I know no other personality with whom I had such a common and long-term experience in the peaks and valleys of this historic era." Although acknowledging differences of opinion, Khamenei also assured everyone that even the "temptations of devils which were seriously and arduously trying to take advantage of those differences of opinion in recent years, could never influence his deep individual affection for humble me." His website has since led with a "rest in peace, old friend and companion" message with photos of "59 years of friendship." IRIB got the message. Hashemi Rafsanjani is back on television. Even Ahmad Khatami, the cantankerous Tehran Friday Prayer leader, called for using Rafsanjani's burial as an occasion to show unity to the world. Surely the oft-mentioned Persian lament that Iranians suddenly show love and reverence for the departed applies in this case. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani 25 August 1934 - January 8 2017 A Mixed Record But Hashemi Rafsanjani is no ordinary departed. He leaves a complicated legacy that will undoubtedly remain unsettled for decades to come, if ever. He was not only an avid practitioner of a sometimes muddled, top-down economic development program in the post-war reconstruction period but also the most influential person in a particularly violent period in the life of the Islamic Republic. My gentle brother-in-law was imprisoned, severely tortured, and forced into a bogus televised confession for signing a critical letter to then-president Hashemi Rafsanjani about the state of the country. He was not the only one. Others were killed or assassinated both inside and outside of Iran during his presidency, although the extent of Rafsanjani's direct involvement continues to be debated. Yet in the new millennium, perhaps because he no longer had executive power, Rafsanjani reinvented himself as someone who heard the criticisms voiced by the urban middle classes regarding the harshness of the Islamic Republic in the treatment of its citizens in cultural and political arenas. He acknowledged the mistakes made, publicly criticized the country's trajectory, and was repeatedly willing to venture into electoral politics despite rejections by both the electorate and eventually even the vetting body. This is what he said when he entered the 2013 presidential election: "After years of responsibility based on elections and appointments, I will place myself one more time, and perhaps for the last time, in front of the honorable people's vote to assess the extent of the correctness or incorrectness of my positions in the general balance of ideas." The Guardian Council's disqualification blocked his attempt, but the election of a kindred political spirit in Hassan Rouhani was no less redemptive for a man who'd lost the 2005 presidential election to a political upstart named Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. How and why this transformation occurred will be debated for years to come and I do not have any particular insight into it for now. But I find a point made by Mohammad Javad Kashi, a political science professor at Allameh Tabataba'i University, in a short note entitled "Important, Effective, but Not Likeable," quite compelling. According to Kashi, although Hashemi's Rafsanjani displayed different faces to the Iranian public, his method remained the same. He repeatedly warned everyone against extremes from both sides of the political spectrum. He was a centrist through and through. His politics, unlike what some people have claimed, did not necessarily have a particular ideological or political bent-like the "China Model" some people suggested he was propagating- and was largely shaped by the political context. His favorite advice to anyone who would listen was avoidance of extremes (efrat va tafrit). According to current minister of health, Seyed Hasan Hashemi, who saw Rafsanjani just a few hours before he had a heart attack, the former president stated that his wish was to prevent political polarization and conflicts, which act as "lethal poison against the country's progress and independence." So throughout his career, instead of standing on one side of the line or the other, he called on all to stand in the middle and make co-existence and accommodation possible not only in domestic politics but also in Iran's foreign policy. In the case of the latter, he was not so much West-leaning as someone who thought the permanence of an adversarial relationship, particularly with the United States, was a form of extremism and hence dangerous and destructive. A Man of the Center Kashi suggests that this centrist focus on method and process is the reason for Hashemi Rafsanjani's two faces. "In the first period until early 2000, he pursued a path of compromise among the country's contentious factions, turning into a balancing center between the two competing factions within the country's political structure." In his second appearance, when conflicts engulfed the society as well as halls of power, his balancing act was between the political system and groups of people (Kashi is careful not to talk about the people of Iran as a unity). From Kashi's point of view, Rafsanjani's unique insight and conduct was based on the understanding that the deep contradictions of the Islamic Republic, like in many other political systems, cannot be really resolved and the best politicians can do is to try to reduce them through compromise and accommodation. Neither a populist nor an ideologue, Rafsanjani was not even likeable as a public figure (although he was very much liked by most of the people who worked with him or knew him up close). Nevertheless, Rafsanjani was the embodiment of what has made the survival, sustenance, and stability of the Islamic Republic possible. As Dan Brumberg and I have argued in our recent discussion, the Islamic Republic's complex political system has always relied on flexible and conciliatory dynamics that can manage and/or temper the deep contradictions that it cannot resolve. The most important of these is the conflict between clerical guardianship and popular sovereignty of a highly diverse population. In this sense, Rafsanjani's demise creates a void for the entire Islamic Republic, which depends on a balancing act among power centers and competing social and political forces. Some Iranian newspapers report 3 million turned out for Rafsajani's funeral It is a void but not necessarily a vacuum. The Islamic Republic has shown in the past that it can fill voids left by the departure of even larger-than-life individuals. Institutions and processes have been shaped and reshaped to handle the changes through negotiation and balancing among contentious political forces. Even from his grave, Rafsanjani will keep cautioning the Iranian elite and public that pushing the country towards one extreme or another will be fatal to the Islamic Republic and destabilizing for Iran. Given the peaceful crowd that showed up for his funeral, the caution seems to have developed deep resonance at this particular moment in Iran's history irrespective of Hashemi Rafsanjani's flaws and foibles. About the Author: Farideh Farhi is an Independent Scholar and Affiliate Graduate Faculty at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. She has taught comparative politics at the University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Hawai'i, University of Tehran, and Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran. Her publications include States and Urban-Based Revolutions in Iran and Nicaragua (University of Illinois Press) and numerous articles and book chapters on compartative analyses of revolutions and Iranian politics. She has been a recipient of grants from the United States Institute of Peace and the Rockefeller Foundation and was most recently a Public Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She has also worked as a consultant for the World Bank and the International Crisis Group. mSecure password manager review TechRadar Pro Updated In our mSecure password manager review, we take an in-depth look at this password manager to help you decide if its the most secure way to handle your sensitive data. Putnam Legislature Approves 2023 Budget by 8-1 The Putnam Legislature concluded its budget process Friday night by approving a 2023 county budget that was $54,000 more than... Brief Budget Hearing Before Legislators It took as long to read the public notice and lay the ground rules for the 2023 budget hearing as... Minor Changes in Putnam Budget for 2023; The Putnam Legislature has concluded its budget review of County Executive MaryEllen Odells fiscal spending plan for 2023 minor modifications.... Windows 10 Insider previews are sometimes just full of surprises. An unmentioned feature in Build 15002 was recently uncovered by Windows Central that appears to be a complementary feature to Windows Hello, the biometric login system that automatically unlocks your PC when you sit in front of it. Dubbed Dynamic Lock, this newly discovered feature is designed to automatically lock down your computer when Windows detects that youre away. Its not clear if the feature is working yet and Microsoft has yet to discuss it publicly. For that reason its unknown what Dynamic Lock actually does. Though Windows Central says Microsofts internal name for the feature is Windows Goodbye, which indeed suggests a close relationship with Windows Hello. Its unlikely that this is just a rebranding of Windows long-standing feature of automatically locking a PC after a pre-defined period of inactivity. Instead, this appears to be a feature that will actively scan for a users presence, perhaps using proximity sensors or Windows Hello features such as face detection. The story behind the story: Dynamic Lock is a long-standing idea for Windows. We first got a glimpse of the concept in 2010 when some documents leaked that were presumed to be part of Microsofts Windows 8 development plans. The documents discussed a facial recognition login feature, which we now know as Windows Hello, as well as a feature that used a proximity sensor to detect when the user is absent and log them out. If Dynamic Lock is a new feature using proximity detection to log off users or lock a PC, it will likely be a welcome feature for enterprise users. Instead of having to remember to tap the Windows key + L combination to lock the computer, the PC itself will take care of the security measure for corporate types. Inland vice detectives were not celebrating Backpage.coms announcement Tuesday, Jan. 10, that the online classified ad site had removed its lucrative escort listings, which investigators say are thinly disguised ads for prostitution. Unfortunately, what they really did was move them from the adult section to the dating section, Riverside police Sgt. Mike Crawford said. Clicking on the escort section reveals a page with the word CENSORED in red and the statement, The government has unconstitutionally censored this content. But over on the Women Seeking Men dating page for the Inland Empire are ads such as Sweet temptation muy dulce and Gorgeous Upscale Blonde, all accompanied by photos of scantily clad women in suggestive poses. My, my, said San Bernardino police Detective Kim Hernandez after looking at the dating site. It looks like it has jumped in size. Law enforcement officials locally and nationwide have long pressured Backpage to remove the ads, which officials say contribute to the physical and mental abuse and exploitation of women some of them minors. Riverside and San Bernardino are among the Inland cities that have arrested pimping suspects based on investigations into ads on Backpage and other websites. Backpages action came shortly after a U.S. Senate panel released a report alleging Backpage concealed criminal activity by removing words from ads that would have exposed child sex trafficking and prostitution. The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing on the subcommittees report Tuesday. Backpages four top executives and the companys attorney told the subcommittee they were invoking their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and would not testify. Backpage said in a statement that scrutiny of the site by government officials has made it too costly to keep operating the adult section. The company rejected the subcommittees findings. San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has spoken across the nation about what he calls modern slavery. He had hoped that the ads would have disappeared completely and was disappointed to learn that at least some had apparently shifted. If we find they are just moving things around, then thats another issue, and an issue we are going to continue to press. If we let up at all, its going to explode again, Ramos said. Hernandez said she was hopeful that the news about Backpage would prompt people to take a close look at its operations here in January, which President Barack Obama has declared National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The Washington Post contributed to this report. Contact the writer: brokos@scng.com or 951-368-9569 At the request of state officials, Lake Elsinores City Council postponed actions Tuesday, Jan. 10, that would pave the way for the city to take control of a segment of Highway 74. City Manager Grant Yates said the delay will allow the states attorney to make some minor modifications to the agreement that will accommodate the transfer, but should not snag ultimate approval by Californias transportation commission within the next couple of months. The California Department of Transportation has agreed to relinquish the section of the 74 known as Central Avenue in the city between Interstate 15 to the west and Lake Elsinores border to the east. The other sections of the highway in Lake Elsinore Collier Avenue from Central to Riverside Drive, Riverside Drive to Grand Avenue, and Grand Avenue to the part known as Ortega Highway will remain with the state for the time being. Yates said having local control of Central will enable the city to do its own street improvements and maintenance, including a median installation that Walmart representatives have agreed to finance when the company builds a super center along the road. Also, the city will be able to process development plans along the corridor without having to go through the typically lengthy Caltrans reviews. Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@scng.com When Mel Chadwick was in elementary school, his class was assigned to draw a scene of Native American life. He drew what he says was a very detailed buffalo hunt, winning great praise. I think that hooked me, says the long time Grand Terrace resident. It became my claim to fame. I became the kid who knew how to draw. Around that time I also saw my first Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec paintings. Ive been in love with their art ever since. Chadwick would go on to receive a bachelors in fine art and a masters in psychology from Cal State San Bernardino. Although he spent time as a medic for the Army in Germany, Chadwicks career path would be in the arts. As a teen, I wanted to be a cartoonist, he says. Mad magazine was a major influence. After Chadwick left the Army, he became a cartoonist for TRW, which developed military and civil space systems and was acquired by Northrup Grumman in 2002. For most of my life, Ive made my living as an artist, teaching it and actually doing it, he says. Being an artist wasnt always easy for Chadwick, though. As the youngest of four brothers, he explains that his siblings were not very understanding about his artistic sensibilities. Once I got my degree in art, my brothers stopped teasing me and calling me names, Chadwick says. I made more money than they did. For 20 years, Chadwick did the illustrations for Our Fascinating Earth, a syndicated feature that provides interesting tidbits of information, from the formation of Earthquake Lake in Yellowstone National Park to how the dung spider of Sri Lanka uses camouflage to feed. I was nationally syndicated, but never a big hit, he says. It just gave me enough money to help send my kids through college. At age 50, Chadwick began acting. He had never studied or trained in the field but always had felt a connection. Part of that may have been, he says, to get the attention of his older brothers. But he explains that he also always has loved stories. I think its how humans connect to one another meaningfully, he says. During the past several years, he has been seen in Japan, as well as on stages throughout the region. Recently, he toured Orange County and parts of the Inland Empire in The Wit and Wisdom of Ben Franklin, a one-man show. He also has appeared in such productions as Terra Nova about Englishman Robert Scotts ill-fated Antarctic expedition in the winter of 1911-12 and Glengarry Glen Ross which takes on the cutthroat world of real estate sales. Chadwick laughs when talking about his role as a woman in Ruthless, the Musical. It was the most fun Ive ever had in a musical, but every time I saw myself in the mirror all I could see was the love child of Marjorie Main and Wallace Beery, he says. Not a sight for weak stomachs. And the high heels were murder. Currently, Chadwick is portraying the role of Hollywood producer Saul Kimmer in True West, a collaborative production between The Gestalt Theatre Project and New Threads Theatre Co. He talks about how, although he knows the work of its playwright, Pulitzer Prize winner Sam Shepard, he was not familiar with that particular play. True West tells the story of two brothers: Austin is a screenwriter who is house-sitting while his mother is on an Alaskan cruise; Lee is a drifter who unexpectedly drops by, setting Austin on edge. Im finding it to be very human and true to life, he says. The relationship between the brothers is both comical and very serious. Having had three older brothers, Im very familiar with the brother dynamic and to a certain extent can identify with it. True West will be performed at 8 p.m. today and and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday in the Box, on the second floor of the Fox Entertainment Plaza. at 3635 Market St. in downtown Riverside. Tickets are available at Gestalt TheatreProject.com. Patrick Brien is executive director of the Riverside Arts Council. Contact the council at 951-680-1345 or riversideartscouncil.com. Contact the writer: community@pressenterprise.com Riverside County Sheriffs deputies and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department firefighters responded Tuesday night, Jan. 10, to reports of a car intentionally set on fire in Mead Valley. The incident was reported around 10:20 p.m. in the 21000 block of Oakwood Street, according to a California Highway Patrol incident log. Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Departments active incident log also indicated that firefighters were responding to the scene. A potential witness told CHP dispatchers that someone lit the car on fire and left the scene, the log said. The person then returned and started shooting at the car, according to the log. This story is developing. Check back for more information. The Corona Chamber of Commerce is hosting a half-day economic development seminar Friday, Jan. 13, on the innovation economy and entrepreneurship. Chamber President Bobby Spiegel is so confident in the $495 seminars value that the event is offered with a money-back guarantee. If they feel it wasnt worth their investment, we will do a refund, he said. The Introduction to Economic Development seminar, which is nearly full, will be led by Maureen Mo Collins-Williams, founder of Des Moines, Iowa-based Entrepreneurial Communities and a trainer for the International Economic Development Council in Washington, D.C. Shell discuss the countrys shift from a manufacturing-driven economy to an innovation-driven one and how Corona and Riverside County will be affected by the new economy, in which sharing economy businesses like Uber and Airbnb compete against traditional taxis and motels. The chamber is offering the seminar to foster entrepreneurship, encourage innovation and re-engage workers to build and sustain a strong local economy, Spiegel said. The seminar, which includes breakfast, will be held from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the chamber, 904 E. Sixth St., Corona. The cost is $495 per person, $695 for two people from one company and $895 for three. Register at mychamber.org. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 11. After that, call the chamber, 951-737-3350, about possible open seats. Contact the writer: 951-368-9444 or shurt@scng.com Rainfall will hit Southern California once again Wednesday, Jan. 11, as the second of three storms this week rolls in from the Pacific. Drizzle fell on and off Tuesday, but only a few hundredths of an inch, at most, had accumulated by afternoon. Wednesdays showers are expected to be more similar to Mondays, according to the National Weather Service, bringing one-tenth to one-half of an inch in the valleys and peaking in the afternoon. The mountain slopes below the snow line could receive up to 2 inches of rain, forecasters said. At elevations of 7,000 to 8,000 feet, forecasters expect 1-4 inches of snow; higher than that, 4-6 inches could fall. In the Inland valleys, temperatures will be in the high 50s to low 60s on Wednesday, and winds could gust up to 25 mph in the morning. In the mountains, deserts and passes, gusts up to 60 to 70 mph are possible, prompting a wind advisory that will be in effect through 7 p.m. The advisory specifically mentions the San Gorgonio Pass and the Interstate 8 corridor. Anyone planning to drive through those areas should use caution. There is likely to be small break between storms Wednesday night, before one final soaking Thursday. Showers will start in the morning, then peak in the afternoon and evening. By the time they clear out Friday afternoon, another one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch of rain could fall in the valleys, with twice that amount falling on mountain slopes. Thursdays storm will be colder: The snow line will fall to 4,500 feet by Thursday afternoon. Between 2 and 6 inches of snow could fall below 6,500 feet; 4-10 inches up to 7,500 feet; and 6-12 inches above that elevation. An atmospheric river is directing the storms at Northern California with much greater force; a high-pressure ridge is weakening just enough to bring some of the precipitation here, according to the Weather Service. Forecasters said Monday that the rainfall Southern California is receiving will be just enough to saturate the parched earth without causing floods. Once the rain clears out Friday, dry weather, albeit with some clouds, is expected through the long Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Temperatures should also rise gradually, back into the mid- to upper 60s. Contact the writer: amillerbernd@scng.com, 951-368-9567 A man suspected of exposing himself to multiple women over the past year at Gateway Park in Moreno Valley was charged this week with sexual battery and indecent exposure. Christian Gomez, 24, pleaded not guilty Monday, Jan. 9, to three counts of each crime, Riverside County Superior Court records show. He remained in custody Tuesday, with bail set at $30,000. Riverside County sheriffs investigators in Moreno Valley had been receiving reports over the past year that a man was exposing himself and sexually assaulting women at Gateway Park, at the intersection of Heacock Street and Manzanita Avenue. In the most recent incident, a woman jogging at the park about 11:20 a.m. Dec. 27 reported that a man flashed her, according to a Sheriffs Department news release. Investigators used surveillance footage from Moreno Valleys city-wide camera system to locate a suspect Gomez who matched the description provided by the victim, the news release said. Gomez was booked into jail and released with a court date. On Thursday, Jan. 5, investigators served a search warrant at Gomezs home and found unspecified evidence that linked Gomez to seven total indecent exposure incidents at Gateway Park dating back to Dec. 17, 2015, the news release said. The female victims ranged from age 22 to 40. Gomez was arrested again Thursday on additional counts, and the Riverside County District Attorneys Office filed charges Monday. At the time of Gomezs arrest, he was on probation for a 2015 felony conviction of receiving stolen property, court records show. He also was convicted of petty theft in November 2016. The Sheriffs Department issued a news release in October 2016 regarding two separate incidents in September where a man touched womens buttocks at Gateway Park. Sheriffs officials have not responded to requests for comment Tuesday afternoon, including to confirm whether Gomez is linked to these cases. The investigation into Gomez remains active, the news release said. Anyone with information was asked to contact investigators at 951-486-6700 or MVPD@moval.org. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 16. Here are some of the ways Inland Empire residents can honor and celebrate his legacy: RIVERSIDE What: 24th Annual 5K Walk-a-Thon When: Monday; registration is from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by the walk at 10 a.m. Where: Participants will walk from the Stratton Center, 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd., to White Park at Market and Ninth streets. Registration fee: $15; proceeds benefit charity Information: Rose Mayes, rosemayes@fairhousing.net or 951-682-6581 UC Riverside The university is hosting three events on Wednesday, Jan. 11: What: MLK Celebration When: Noon Where: Bell tower What: Candlelight vigil When: 5:15 p.m. Where: Bell tower What: An Evening with Lawrence Ross Ross is an author whose books include The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. When: 6 p.m. Where: HUB 302 South SAN JACINTO What: 11th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast When: 7:30-11 a.m. Monday Where: San Jacinto Campus Library, 1499 N. State St. Registration: The event is free but registration is required by Wednesday, Jan. 11. RSVP: Willie Hamilton, 951-487-3685 SAN BERNARDINO What: 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast When: 7:30 a.m. Monday Where: CSUSB Coussoulis Arena Admission: $25 Tickets: 909-474-7036, iecaac.com What: MLK Day of Service When: 9:30 a.m. Monday Where: Ruben Campos Community Center, 1717 W. Fifth St. Information: 909-384-5421 What: Laying of Wreath When: 10:30 a.m. Monday Where: Martin Luther King Jr. statue at San Bernardino City Hall, 300 N. D St. REDLANDS What: Martin Luther King Jr. service When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 Where: University of Redlands, Memorial Chapel, 1200 E. Colton Ave. Redlands RANCH CUCAMONGA What: MLK Day of Service (Teen Edition) Participants will create survival kits for a local womens shelter. When: 9 a.m. Monday Where: Rancho Verde Village Apartments, 8837 Grove Ave. RSVP: Participants must RSVP. Call 951-262-9922. Lunch provided Contact the writer: community@pressenterprise.com A decade ago, food poisoning landed Daniela Cervantes in the hospital. She suffered a seizure in the waiting room and went into a coma. Doctors inserted a breathing tube, but she couldnt talk for six years. Her experience with antibiotics, steroids, pain medication and other drugs led the 27-year-old Riverside resident to pursue a career as a pharmacist. Cervantes is now in a 21-week program to prepare for an entry-level job as a pharmacy technician. She works the night shift at a nearby Amazon Fulfillment Center and sleeps two hours in her car before the early-morning classes. I spent so many years not being able to do anything, Cervantes said. This is a field that really called to me. Cervantes is one of 15 students who plan to graduate in early March and move into a job at hospital, pharmacy or retail store. Lessons include terms, abbreviations, symbols and names of drugs. Students also learn to calculate amounts, use the metric system, dispense medication, as well as record keeping, clerical skills, customer service, insurance and billing. When you go to a pharmacy that is friendly and willing to go that extra step and provide extra care, thats what I stress, said instructor Jeanette Grant, who once worked as a pharmacy technician in mom-and-pop stores for 30 years. Its not a hot dog stand. The courses, taught at the School of Career Education on Alessandro Boulevard west of the 215 in Riverside, are run by the Riverside County Office of Education. The building, which opened in late 2014, offers career and technical education programs for adults who want to work as pharmacy technicians, medical and dental assistants and in other occupations. Classes also are offered in Indio, a satellite location in Riverside and at Moreno Valley High School. About 400 students are taking classes at all the sites. Enrollment has stabilized after dropping as a result of state budget cuts several years ago that affected adult education programs across California and the region, said Tess Lake, coordinator and principal of the agencys career school. The cuts forced students to pay 100 percent of tuition unless they get scholarships or qualify for state aid or other financial assistance. The agency hopes to receive approval to offer federal Pell grants for all programs to give more students access to classes, she said. At $5,195 per term, the pharmacy technician program is inexpensive compared to for-profit colleges that can charge four times as much, Lake said. A 13-week bootcamp version of the class is $3,000. Despite being cheaper than trade schools, cost can still be an obstacle for many students, Lake said. Right now, its like sticker shock, Lake said. If students dont have to come up with that kind of money, it will make a huge difference for them. The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is promising, federal data show. Employment is expected to grow 9 percent faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Students, who must have a high school diploma or equivalent and pass an assessment test to enroll, earn median wages of $18.17 an hour or $37,800 annually in the Inland area after graduation, state data show. Grant, who joined the school as a teacher last year, wants to boost the number of graduates hired after graduation. Last year, 55 percent got jobs within five months. She expects the percentage to climb as she makes more connections with local pharmacies that can hire her students after they finish 120 hours of training. Ricardo Villanueva, 24, doesnt mind getting up at 5:30 a.m. and driving more than an hour from his Desert Hot Springs home to attend classes. He enjoys mixing ingredients to make drugs that arent commercially available, a process known as compounding. Its very methodical, he said. You have to make sure you do everything correctly. If I mess up, somebody could get sick. Contact the writer: 951-368-9292 orstwall@scng.com,Twitter: @pe_swall A Chino Hills man, charged this week with attempted murder in last weeks shooting of a U.S. consulate official in Mexico, was in federal court on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Zia Zafar, 31, made his initial appearance in a Virginia federal court Tuesday afternoon, after being arrested Saturday by Mexican authorities in Guadalajara. Authorities there used a Starbucks receipt to help track his whereabouts, according to the US Department of Justice. A magistrate ordered he be held until a detention hearing scheduled Friday. PHOTOS: U.S. consulate shooter in Mexico has local ties to Chino Hills Zafar could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted for shooting Christopher Ashcraft, who survived the attack Friday. Ashcraft has served as a consular officer in Guadalajara since April 2016, according to the 6-page complaint filed by the U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Virginia. Zafar was deported Monday afternoon. He was immediately arrested and charged with attempted murder of an internationally protected person. An American official in the United States who had seen a written summary of the investigation said authorities were still trying to determine a motive. The official said a preliminary investigation found the suspect had mental health issues. The U.S. official wasnt authorized to speak publicly about the investigation and agreed to speak to the Associated Press only on condition of anonymity. The official said the victim was recovering at a medical facility in Guadalajara and was in stable condition Monday. Surveillance video of the attack shows a man in a wig and sunglasses shoot into the officials car as it exited an underground parking garage. The attacker then runs. According to the criminal complaint, the vice consular was struck in the chest. Ashcraft later told special agents with the FBI during an interview at his hospital room that he noticed someone suspicious as he left the gym Friday night. Based upon Zafars behavior, Ashcraft felt as though Zafar was waiting for him, the complaint states. Mexican law enforcement authorities were able to track down surveillance of Zafar entering a nearby Starbucks an hour before the attack in the same disguise. During the investigation, a receipt for 58 Mexican pesos with Zafars signature was obtained. Authorities ran his name through a Mexican immigration database which revealed Zafar had been in the country on a student visa and he held a U.S. passport. The same signature recovered from the coffee chain was later used by authorities to compare with a signature of Zafars California drivers license. The database also showed that Zafar was living in a residence in Guadalajara, where he was detained on Jan. 7, according to the complaint. A pistol, a pair of sunglasses and a wig which appeared to match the disguise seen in the surveillance video were also found at the residence. On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement thanking Mexico for the quick arrest. Staff writer Liset Marquez and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Finance Minister-designate, Ken Ofori-Atta says the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) would not shy away from telling Ghanaians the true state of the economy inherited from the previous government. "I feel we need to know the truth and it is because of the truth that they [Ghanaians] voted for us," he told Joy News' Flagstaff House Correspondent, Elton Brobbey Tuesday. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced a list of 13 ministers-designate for the various ministerial portfolios, awaiting approval by Parliament. They include, NPP's 2012 Campaign Manager, Boakye Agyarko as Energy Minister-designate, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bimbilla Constituency, Dominic Nitiwul as the Defence Minister-designate, and MP for Nandom, Ambrose Derry as the Interior Minister-designate. The rest are former Attorney-General (A-G), Gloria Akufo as A-G-designate, MP for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as Education Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah as National Security Minister-designate, and MP for Anyaa-Sowutuom, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway as Foreign Affairs Minister-designate. Kwadaso MP Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who has been the President's childhood friend, has been appointed as the Agriculture Minister-designate, Kwaku Agyemang Manu as Health Minister-designate and former Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo as Senior Minister-designate. The announcement comes two days after President Akufo-Addo was officially inaugurated at the Black Star Square on Saturday. The President has promised during his 2016 campaign to turn around the economy by appointing able people to compliment the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who will be heading the nation's Economic Managment Committee (EMC). Per his appointment, Mr Ofori-Atta who is a co-founder of the investment bank, Databank would be a member of the EMC to improve the state of the economy. He said there are financial engineering to be done to block the hitches in the Ghanaian economy, expressing confidence that the NPP would be able to turn the situation around. "I think we can get value for money," he said, adding he is not deterred by the herculean nature of the task ahead. Mr Ofori-Atta noted they are preparing the 2017 budget for onward presentation to Parliament which he said would be done before March 31. Source: myjoyonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to reducing taxes to revive Ghanas economy. Speaking at his investiture at the Independence Square in Accra on Saturday, the new President said his government will count on a vibrant private sector to drive growth and create jobs. We believe that the business of government is to govern. Ours is to set fair rules. We will provide vision and direction and shine the light down the path of our entrepreneurs and farmers, he said. The previous NDC administration in 2014 introduced a lot of taxes on products and services, including a 17.5 percent VAT on fee-based financial services. President Akufo-Addo, during the 2016 campaign, pledged to introduce new tax reforms to lessen the burden of consumers and businesses. He said the introduction of the taxes by the NDC worsened the plight of businesses operating in the country. We will provide tax incentives for increasing productivity. My intention is to reduce the corporate tax rate, abolish VAT on financial services, and remove duties on the importation of raw materials and manufacturing equipment, among other fiscal incentives to stimulate growth of the private sector, the then opposition leader said. We will reduce taxes to recover the momentum of our economy. The doors of Ghana are open again. There could not be a better opportunity to make it in Ghana. Ghana is open for business again. Ken Ofori Atta, Finance Minister-designate, also told journalists at the Flagstaff House yesterday in Accra that Ghanaian businesses had been burdened with a lot of taxes and would work to reduce them. Nuisance Taxes Yaw Osafo Maafo, Senior Minister-designate, has also given indication that the new government is bent on delivering its promise to reduce the taxes. Speaking in an interview with the media yesterday after his nomination by the president, he said, We are going to remove some taxes. Some taxes are what we call nuisance taxes. You put 17.5 percent VAT on financial serviceshow much do you realized from it, very little. But the efforts of putting up that much tax is not worth how much you get it. He said, If the tax itself will impede development, then there is no need keeping it there. You want to free the system to developyou dont free systems with taxes; and you dont make money always with taxes. Sometimes you take away taxes to make more money. Never make it look like you must always impose taxes. No I dont agree with that. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Peacefmonline.com can authoritatively confirm that former President John Mahama has written to President Nana Akufo-Addo withdrawing his earlier request to keep his current residence located at No.3 Prestige Link, Cantonments, Accra as part of his retirement package. The former president personally wrote to the current President, Nana Akufo-Addo rescinding his initially expressed interest. The letter, which has been sighted by Peacefmonline, is also copied the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Letter Portions of the letter headlined "Official Residence And Office" indicated that the request is being withdrawn because it threatens the relationships between the current administration and the former government. It would appear that these requests threaten to mar the spirit of cooperation with which we as co-chairs of the joint transition team have managed the smooth transfer of power from my administration to yours. I believe that this controversy is absolutely not needed in these early days as the government settles into office," Mr Mahama wrote. "I do recognise that these are facilities that are conventionally extended to presidents that leave office and I am also mindful of the approval by the Parliament of the republic of Ghana on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at its 22nd sitting of the third meeting of the 4th session. In the letter, the former president also accused some persons in government of creating the false impression that he requested to purchase the property. You would recall, Mr President that contrary to the erroneous impression created by some persons in government and the interpretation given to the former letter submitted on my behalf by Mr Julius Debrah, this was a follow-up to an agreement we had on my choice of accommodation and office. I had never requested to purchase the property; my request is, therefore, humbly withdrawn, Mr Mahama added. There has been a massive hue and cry over the decision by former President Mahama to appropriate the official residence as part of his end-of-service package. Mr Mahamas critics say his earlier quest to keep the property was unlawful. The residence, bungalow No.3, situated at Prestige Link, Cantonments in Accra, has been designated as official accommodation for the countrys Vice-Presidents but was still inhabited by the former President becoming President of Ghana. The residence has been the official house for sitting vice presidents. Mr Mahama was supposed to vacate the property a day before the investiture of President Nana Akufo-Addo, per Ghanas 1992 Constitution. A Presidential Emoluments committee Mahama formed before handing over, had recommended that the exiting president be paid 40% of his salary as rent allowance. But after Parliament accepted this recommendation, President John Mahama caused fresh changes in the recommendation which was later brought back to parliament. Though the Akufo-Addo government has agreed to provide the ex-president a residential facility, it says it has not acceded to the request sent by the Former Chief of Staff of the Former President, Julius Debrah for Former President Mahama to keep his residence as President. Leader of the new governments side of the transition team, Yaw Osafo Marfo told journalists: "We have not approved of his request, and I want to repeat we have received the request and the requests are two for him to be given his ex-gratia where he lives and also be given another property as his office". Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Kumasi Metropolis will be on a lock-down from 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2017 till 4 a.m. the next day. Within the period, residents are expected to stay indoors as the body of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, will be moved to the Bantama Mausoleum (Ban mu) and later to the Breman Mausoleum for burial. Prior to that, all offices and shops are to be closed on January 19, 2017. No commercial activity whatsoever, especially within the Central Business District of Adum is to take place on the day. These were contained in an elaborate programme released in Kumasi last Friday by the Asanteman Council for the four-day lying-in-state and burial rites of the queenmother. The programme will begin on Monday, January 16, and end on Thursday, January 19, 2017. All mourners and visitors to the Manhyia Palace during the four-day period would have to wear black, while females are barred from wearing headgear and jewellery. Monday At a media briefing in Kumasi, the Akyeamehene of the Asantehene, Nana Nsuase Poku Agyemang III, said on Monday, January 16, 2017 the body would lie in state after some rituals had been performed at dawn for the members of the Asanteman Council, elders and royals to file past the body and wait for the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to also do same. From then, the Otumfuo will sit in state and receive dignitaries. Members of the public will also be allowed to pay their last respects to the late Asantehemaa. Tuesday On Tuesday, January 17, 2017, chiefs from other parts of the country including members of the National House of chiefs, various regional houses of chiefs and heads of corporate institutions will take their turn to file past the Asantehemaas body and express their condolences to the Otumfuo. Wednesday Wednesday has been set aside for dignitaries, including the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; former Presidents, Members of Parliament (MPs) and heads of state from Nigeria, Cote dIvoire, South Africa, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Swaziland, Seychelles and members of the diplomatic corps. Others would be majesties from other kingdoms. Thursday Thursday is the final day for the Asantehemaa to lie in state. According to Nana Agyemang, the Otumfuo will sit in state for an hour to receive dignitaries who might not have been able to file past the Asantehemaas body. Church service The body will be conveyed to the St Cyprians Anglican Church at Fante New Town for a burial service at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Attendance is strictly by invitation. There would be large screens at the Kumasi Jubilee Park which is close to the church for those who cannot make it into the church to join in the service. After the church service, the body of the Asantehemaa will be conveyed under full military escort to the Bantama Mausoleum for the final traditional rites and wreath laying. The lock-down of the metropolis will then take place from 7 p.m. for the body to be moved from the Bantama Mausoleum to Breman for burial. Nana Agyemang cautioned that people should stay indoors for their own safety. Caution He warned that the security agencies would not tolerate rabble-rousers and people who would want to foment trouble during the period. They would not also entertain political party colours and hooting at political opponents because as he put it, the elections are over. He added that donations would be accepted from Monday to Wednesday. Highlights The Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, will be laid in state from Monday, January 16, 2017 to Thursday January 19, 2017. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will sit in state all the four days to receive those who will mourn with him. No offices or shops will be opened on Thursday, January 19, 2016. Residents should stay indoors from 7 p.m. on Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday. 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 Messenger of The Lord-Truth, Peter Ocloo, has cautioned Ghanas President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, not to attend the up-coming United Nations Middle East Peace Conference in Paris, France. In his words, Mr. Ocloo stated that the event which is scheduled to take off on Sunday, January 15, 2017 in Paris is an evil one, and so Mr. Akufo-Addo should be prevented from taking part. If our President attends, he will be ushered into an ungodly society (Revelation 17:13-14) which will have a negative effect on Ghana, he professed. Speaking in an interview with some journalists yesterday in Accra, Mr. Ocloo stated that the prophetic revelation was revealed to him on Sunday, December 29, 2016. He stressed that the advice must be taken seriously by the president-elect and the nation if he is invited. According to Mr. Ocloo, as far as the UN is concerned, about 70 countries are supposed to attend, and Ghana could be one of them. He said as to whether Ghana is attending or not, it is a word of caution to the president-elect to save the country from the wrath of God. He quoted Malachi 4 and Revelation 17:14 to support his claim. According to the man of God, it was not just coincidence that five days to the inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America, such a meeting is being held under the disguise of peace, to usher our newly elected president into an unGodly gathering Isaiah 29:15-16. He urged the president to be diligent in his dealings with the Hierarchies of the United States and the United Kingdom, Revelation 11:4, 7. He said they are already a failure to the world, and any president who dines with them, would be overwhelmed with controls that will affect the nation negatively Malachi 4; Matthew 24:29 (The days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah again). Source: myradio360.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Some members of the ruling party are disillusioned with President Nana Akufo- Addo for allegedly approving President John Mahamas accommodation request. The approval means President Mahama's official Cantonment residence will now be his private property. Mr Mahama occupied the house, Bungalow No. 3, Prestige Link as vice president and president respectively. In spite of earlier denials, it is becoming increasingly clear that Mr Akufo Addo has endorsed Parliaments decision to offer the said house to his predecessor and this angered many NPP sympathizers who believe the president may have compromised his stance on the fight against corruption. As usual they took to social media to express their utmost disappointment in the president . Below are some of the comments If you truly hate corruption as we have come to know you, then please we shouldn't be seeing you supporting such corrupt deeds and individuals. Prez Nana Addo shouldn't be seen supporting such corrupt decisions. This MahamaBungalowGate is an extremely bad one, Jentle K.Mike I was really angry when l heard Hon Osei Kyea Mensah Bonsu's relevation on Oman fm this morning. Blame no one but the president....Parliament did absolutely nothing wrong...I have struggled to control my emotions all day. "Are you wiser than Nana Akufo Addo...Do you know more than him.."...Most of the patriots who made the comments are on the Offensive now...What goes around comes around. REALITY has set in..It is practically impossible not to criticize your government occasionally...| another member, Nana Sarpong said. Eishhh, nana Addo, 2 days in office, 2 blunders, make I hope say its not true. Don't lose the goodwill. Mr, don't try to be more catholic than the pope. Last warning Dear Nana Addo, We did not campaign for you to become a Father Christmas. We know and trust you to protect the public purse. JM's request must be denied. Gracias,. Source: atinkaonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The First Vice Chairperson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Madam Anita Disoso has hinted they will mobilise women from the umbrella family to storm the residence of former President Mahama which hes been occupying since he was vice president to prevent the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government from ejecting him. She stressed that parliament has approved former President John Dramani Mahamas request to maintain the residence as his retirement package. A statement from the office of the former president said both parliament and the new administration have agreed that he [Mahama] maintains the residence. However, spokesperson for the NPPs transition team who doubles as the MP for Ofoasi Ayeribi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, denied claims that an approval has been given. But Anita Disoso maintains the request has been approved and the denial by the NPP is only meant to denigrate the former president and has challenged the new administration to dare eject Mr. Mahama. "Parliament has approved the request by the former president but if the NPP still insist they do not want to occupy the Australian House and still want the one being occupied by former President John Dramani Mahama, then they should go and eject him. They should dare eject himIf they have the effrontery, they should go to the residence and eject Mahama because they will be digging their own pit and not ours. "Anyways, by the time they will get there, I would have mobilised our women to protect the former president. When they finish killing us, then they go ahead and eject him. They want to embarrass him. They should go ahead and embarrass him. Is that not what they want to do? We do not have anything to say to them but we are waiting for them. They should come over to his residence, we are waiting for them. Source: rainbowradioonline 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 Audio Attachment: Listen to Prez Nana Akufo-Addo President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has created new ministries while decoupling others and re-alligning them, when on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, he announced 12 minister-designates expected to serve in his government. The release of the second batch of ministers brings the total number of appointees to 25. The next batch, according to the president, will be released by Friday. Two new ministries; the Ministry of Regional Re-organisation and Ministry of Railways Development, were the notable feature. President Akufo-Addo also announced a new portofolio - Monitoring and Evaluation. Whiles the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing has been decopled and re-aligning it into a new ministry called Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources Below is the list of 2nd batch ministerial nominees: Dan Kwaku Botwe - Minister-designate of Regional Reorganization and Development. Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei - Minister-designate for Monitoring and Evaluation. Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng - Minister-designate for Environment, Science,Technology and Innovation. Joe Ghartey - Minister-designate for Railways Development. John Peter Amewu - Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources. Samuel Atta Akyea - Minister-designate for Works and Housing. Joseph Kofi Adda - Minister-designate for Sanitation and Water Resources. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah - Minister-designate for Employment and Labour Relations. Kweku Ofori Asiamah - Minister-designate for Transport. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful - Minister-designate for Communications Kwasi Amoako-Atta - Minister-designate for Roads and Highways. Otiko Afisah Djaba - Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection. The second batch of Ministerial appointees are yet to be vetted and approved by Parliament. Audio Attachment: Listen to Prez Nana Akufo-Addo Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Virgin Australias social media manager no doubt had really good intentions when they shared a small photo album of some particularly lovely and unique looking clouds to their Facebook page. The clouds were gorgeous! They were rippled so much that they looked like straight lines, and Very Good People Who Google Things Before Giving Opinions learned that theyre called Morning Glory clouds. Theyre super rare, and the Gulf of Carpentaria in Australia is legitimately the only place in the world where they happen regularly enough that they can be predicted. Cool, right? (Virgins photos were actually taken on a flight from Perth > Adelaide, though. Morning Glory clouds can happen anywhere, theyre just super rare.) Look, theyre bloody beaut: Unfortunately though, theres bizarre, groan-inducing jackasses who think chemtrails are a real and legitimate thing. Some of these people hijacked the post and have gone absolutely motherlickin HAM on it. Were not kidding the comments on that thread are a shitshow and a half. A few of these Youtube-educated conspiracy theorists even accused Virgin of spraying the chemtrails themselves. From the plane that the photographer was actually on when the photo was taken. That was going across the clouds, in the opposite direction. The thread is here, if you have too much time on your hands and love to trawl truther threads: facebook.com/virginaustralia/posts/10154070732356990 May the grammatical train wrecks that are Facebook comment threads about chemtrails wash from our brains, and let us revel in the fabulousness of this tweet, instead: GUY WHO REFUELS AEROPLANES: yup some fuel there she is, all done oops, almost forgot [lifts up big jug] the chemtrails Bea_ker (@bea_ker) August 21, 2016 Well done Virgin Australia. Your photos of a natural and incredibly cool cloud phenomenon were insanely pretty. Source: Facebook / Virgin Australia. Live and breathe lifestyle content? Today could be your lucky day Foxtel are on the look out for an experienced digital & print Marketing Designer Lifestyle Channels (SYD) with a passion for TV to join the to join their fun and tight-knit team. This role will be responsible for managing off-air design for all brand and show campaigns for Foxtels key local productions and international programs including; Selling Houses, Grand Designs and The Great Australian Bake Off. Youll work closely with the Lifestyle Creative, Design and Digital teams to produce and deliver conceptual ideas through to full implementation across every off-air media touch point. Wowzers. To be considered for the role, youll need a solid range of design skills, including experience with the Adobe Creative suite, in particular Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. You will need to have strong communication skills, enjoy working in a team environment and have the ability to manage deadlines from design brief to completion. Into it? Apply here. Outliving (the folks behind the super-fun Sunnylife range & Mr and Mrs Jones stores) are in need of a Mid-Weight Designer (SYD) to join their design team. Reporting to the Head of Design and working alongside the other internal design team members, youll be a self-starter with high attention to detail who enjoys working in a truly collaborative environment. You will be responsible for developing original design concepts, executing designs based on established style guides, developing detailed design specs for production, and helping other mid-level, junior and intern designers on an ongoing basis. In a close knit creative team of 12 thats most definitely not top heavy, youll get to stretch your wings. A strong work ethic and great attitude is integral, as is the relevant design experience. The perks? Post-work workouts with the team at F45 Rosebery, a fully stocked fridge and a workplace culture that encourages ambition. If this sounds like your vibe, apply here. Fash lovers/crazily organised ppl, get ready. Melbourne label bul are searching for a confident, energetic and highly organised Warehouse And Stock Co-ordinator (MELB) to join their head office team. This role would see you coordinating the receipt of stock from suppliers, picking and packing weekly stock transfers and replenishments, managing the dispatch and logistics of shipments and tidying stock and warehouse to maintain a safe work environment. The position would be perfect for someone with previous hands-on experience in stock allocation & dispatch, and who enjoys being hands-on and is capable of heavy lifting, moving boxes and bulky items. Youll need excellent organisation and communications skills, strong attention to detail and time management skills and to be comfortable working independently. Eager beavers, apply here. Hungry for more? Cop a taste of these bite-sized jobs. Are you a profesh sales gun with a track record of hitting targets and a commitment to teamwork? Apply to be Salesperson (ADL) at Marketing Sweet over here. Got a passion for human rights and wanna intern for a great NFP? The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival are looking for a Digital Communications Coordinator (MELB) apply here. Skilled realism painter with a sick understanding of colour? Apparition Media are on the hunt for an Artist Realism Painter (BRIS) to work on advertising murals apply here. Organised team-playa with communication and multi-tasking skilz to boot? You could be the Junior Admin Fashion (SYD) that girls apparel experts Tutu du Monde need apply here. Dream jobs all round. All deets courtesy of Pedestrian Jobs. Dont let your dream job slip you by Love your work! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and get yourself signed up to our Daily Job Alerts. Much the same way that everyone who has only read about three books continually screams on the internet about how Orwells 1984 is deeply prophetic, as someone who has only seen the movie Jurassic Park: The Lost World, I am now screaming on the internet about how it was deeply prophetic. In an act eerily similar to a tyrannosaurus rex breaking out of its boat and running wild after being transported to the mainland from Isla Sorna, a quokka has escaped from its home on Rottnest Island after stowing away on a garbage barge. Residents of Canning Vale, a suburb of Perth, are being urged to keep an eye out for the mischievous bastard, who made his way to the Regional Resource Recovery Centre located in the area. The Rottnest Island Authority was contacted after one employee at the RRRC showed another a picture of what he believed to be a large rat, with the latter employee luckily recognising it for the adorable, endangered creature that it is. The Department of Parks and Wildlife is on the hunt for the animal (which will not be returning to the island, possibly for punishment, but more likely for quarantine reasons) and the RIA is offering a free trip to Rottnest Island as a reward for anyone that finds it. The RIA has said, at this stage, its unclear whether the quokka left of his own free will or whether it was put in a bin, the poor creature. If you live in Perth and happen to see a chubby rat with a big grin, you can give the DPaW Wildcare Helpline a call on 9474 9055. Source and photo: Community News. A source at the Justice Department has revealed that Chelsea Manning, the former Army intelligence analyst serving a 35-year sentence for leaking classified material, is high on Obamas shortlist for a possible commutation. Thats pretty huge Manning has already served six years, and despite Donald Trumps newfound love for certain leakers, it looked pretty unlikely that he would commute this particular sentence. It is expected that a decision could come as soon as today. Mannings appeal lawyer, Nancy Hollander, has said it is time for Obama to act on this: Chelsea has already been incarcerated longer than any other whistleblower. She is fragile. The army has an obligation to care for its soldiers yet has utterly failed her. It has failed to take care of her, and it is still failing to do so, and it needs to let her out. Edward Snowden joined the chorus of calls for clemency: Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency as you exit the White House, please: free Chelsea Manning. You alone can save her life. Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 11, 2017 Some in the intelligence community have come out to say that the harsh sentence impose don Manning does not reflect actual damage done by the leaks, which was the argument made by the prosecution. According to NBC, they have been approached by four intelligence officers supporting this revised claim: Four former and current Army intelligence officers told NBC News the documents leaked by Manning pale in significance to highly classified top secret material released by Snowden. The officers, who would not allow their names to be used, said the Manning sentence seems excessive. Until he leaves office, Obama has the power to commute sentences. This does not mean that the conviction is quashed entirely merely that the sentence is reduced. Source: The Guardian. Photo: Getty Images. It was bound to happen one way or another, and it finally bloody did: extremely embattled, former One Nation senator Rod Culleton has been given the boot from the senate. Culleton, who was elected to his seat in 2016, had a short but very colourful run in the senate, which was categorised largely by a series of gaffes, legal battles and interpersonal altercations with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Early in his tenure as a senator, the legitimacy of his candidacy was thrown into question due to a conviction he held at the time of his election, but he has now been ousted thanks to his newly declared bankruptcy before that issue even had time to be resolved. On Sunday, Senator Culleton told me he was confident he would stay in the Senate. 48hrs later, hes gone. #auspol #wapol pic.twitter.com/KDDIB48365 Dylan Caporn (@Dylan_Caporn) January 11, 2017 Senate President Stephen Parry informed West Australia Governor Kerry Sanderson earlier this evening that the Federal Courts ruling on Culletons eligibility (or apparently lack there of) officially means that theres a vacancy in the upper house: It is a necessary and automatic consequence of the declaration of bankruptcy of a serving senator, that his place as a senator becomes vacant. Parry also advised party leaders of the outcome, while stressing thats this is, naturally, not the end of the matter: The Senate has referred to the Court of Disputed Returns questions about the eligibility of Rod Culleton to have been chosen as a senator. It will be necessary for the Court of Disputed Returns to deliver its answers to the referred questions before it will become apparent how the vacancy may be filled. Now, whats going to happen from here isnt clear. While Culleton will presumably want to contest the vacancy, he probably isnt even eligible to do that, which means the spot might go to either his brother-in-law Peter Georgiou, who was second on the ticket in the 2016 election, or another One Nation candidate. Speaking of, looks like Hanson has someone ready to swoop in: If a casual vacancy is declared because of Rod Culletons disqualification I have already chosen a great person to replace him in the Senate Pauline Hanson (@PaulineHansonOz) January 11, 2017 Theres talk that a recount might also be in the works, but, for anyone who remembers that nonsense with the US presidential election recount, its hard to imagine how helpful that could be. Read the statement in full below: This worst part of all this? Culleton is going to have to get a new Twitter handle, because as it stands @SenatorCulleton is a goddamn lie. Source: ABC. Photo: Channel 9. Yay, its confirmed! Rumours were swirling last week about Woody Harrelson reportedly joining the cast of the upcoming Star Wars spin-off film, the Han Solo movie. And now its been confirmed Woodys definitely gonna be in the Star Wars film about the handsome smuggler. Directors of the currently-untitled Han Solo standalone film, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, said this of the 55-year-old actor joining the cast: We couldnt be more excited to work with an artist with as much depth and range as Woody. His ability to find both humour and pathos, often in the same role, is truly unique. He is also very good at ping pong. Rumours are that Harrelson will be playing a mentor of Solos, and Star Wars fans are speculating that it might be one of these characters that were mentioned in a very early draft of The Empire Strikes Back: The idea of Han Solos mentor goes back to Empires first draft as seen in the AMAZING Annotated Screenplays book = pic.twitter.com/6XwktR2knQ Blast Points Podcast (@blast_points) January 3, 2017 In text format: [Han Solo] left, flunked out of the Space Academy, and then met some kind of Ernest Hemingway character, a powerful trader in the galaxy who took Han under his wing until they had a falling out. Han swore hed never talk to him again. When the story begins, the Rebel Alliance needs this man, this powerful trader, on its side; by now he controls all non-military transports in the galaxy and is the head of some kind of transport guild. Leia tells Han theyve made some kind of contact with him and that hell only talk to him. Another plot line suggests that only Han knows where this man is hiding, and that the Rebellion wants Han to contact him. In either case the future of the Rebellion is in Hans hands. At first Han refuses to go, but eventually he agrees to take on the mission, although it is aborted when the Empire attacks the Rebel base. This concept appeared only in the first draft. So, even though this Ernest Hemingway character never made it into The Empire Strikes Back, it turns out he might just get a run on the big screen anyway. Hey, Han had to learn how to be a smuggling, stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking Nerf-herder somewhere, we suppose! p.s. How legitimately hilarious would it be if Yoda had actually been called Minch. MINCH. Source: StarWars.com. Photo: Star Wars. Karina Gould is sworn in as Minister of Democratic Institutions as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right) looks on during a cabinet shuffle at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Joo Hyun Bahn, nephew of former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, leaves federal court in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Federal prosecutors in New York have charged two relatives of Ki-moon with plotting to bribe a Middle East official to influence the $800 million sale of a building complex in Vietnam. (AP Photo/Larry Neumeister) Boyne City Middle School to host viewing of new Rambler Fieldhouse From 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Boyne City Public Schools will welcome students and community members to an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility. For 50 years, two lovely granite ladies guarded the Brooklyn entrance to the Manhattan Bridge, but they were unceremoniously banished from their perch in the 1960s after Robert Moses deemed them a distraction. Late last month, the duo, "Miss Brooklyn" and "Miss Manhattan," returned in replica form, and have new features: they can spin and light up. Perhaps they can also receive new era-appropriate names? Ms. Brooklyn and Ms. Manhattan? The original statues were sculpted by Daniel Chester French, the artist behind the Lincoln Memorial's Abe Lincoln statue and Columbia University's famed "Alma Mater." They currently live outside the Brooklyn Museum, but the new editionsdesigned by Brian Tolle, who is also responsible for the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Parkhave been hanging out on a pedestal above Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street since December 21st. The project took 10 years to complete. As with the originals, Tolle's statues are allegorical to their respective boroughs. Miss Brooklyn, holding a Roman tablet, sits next to a tree and a child with a book. Miss Manhattan has kicked her foot on top of a chest, and appears to have a pet peacock. Unlike the originals, however, these works are cast in resin and slowly (very slowly) rotate like the regal Queens they are. And although Moses worried the statues would distract drivers, the city says the new renditions are out of the way and pose no danger. "This will be something new, but youll see it from far away, Wendy Feuer of the Department of Transportation told the Times, "so its not like youre in a tunnel and coming out and suddenly come upon it. Youll see it in the distance and then go by it." You can see the statues from Flatbush Avenue Ext and Tillary in Brooklyn. Vegan eating has skyrocketed in popularity over the course of recent decades, with more than 1,400 plant-based restaurants opening all across the US. While Philadelphia is historically known for cheesesteaks, countless vegan restaurants now call the city home. This is On Pennsylvanians splitting their votes between parties: "People are looking for practical solution for anxieties and worries. If they think I can do it they'll elect me." And Trump. Killing Obamacare: "700,000 Pennsylvanians" are on Affordable Care Act plans, "63,000 for substance abuse. If he takes that away and doesnt replace it that's thousands of people I don't know what they will do... "We have a national health care system, it's called the emergency room. You move back away from insurance, it means more uncompensated care for hospitals. For people who pay for insurance, it's a subsidy to people who don't." Which is a chaotic way to fund care, Wolf says. "The Affordable Care Act is an important first step" toward insurance for everyone, Wolf concluded. "Keep the bones of it." On populism and anti-government attitudes: "I'm focused on trying to get things done. So we have fewer people in that (upset) category. I will work with members of the legislature to get that done. President Trump should do the same: "We as citizens of the United States need to hold him accountable." Later we asked: About that late prison: About an opening date for the delayed $400 million State Correction Institute Phoenix, in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, that was supposed to open in 2015: "I'm not sure," Wolf told me. "It started before I was governor. It's more than a year bey0nd schedule. John Wetzel (who heads) the Department of Corrections is working hard to make sure it actually gets back on track. I don't have a date." Property taxes: "I am for elimination of the property tax. That is at the heart of fiscal disparities between school districts. I agree with that goal." But Bill 76 -- the ones in both Senate and House -- "have some real problems. That raises sales tax and income tax pretty dramatically. It ends exemption for food and clothing. Diapers will be taxed." Charter schools: "We need to make sure charter schools are paying their fair share. Charter school reform is essential." Right-to-Work: While his own company was non-union, which Wolf attributed to generous benefits and profit-sharing, "I don't understand the logic behind right-to-work," which allows union members to pull out of their organization unilaterally. "We live in a country where the majority rules. Donald Trump won -- the Electoral College makes him President. That does not give me the right to opt out or (stop paying) my taxes. We all benefit from the infrastructure he will build. A system (that allows individuals to pull out of an elected union without a vote) is inconsistent with the free market." We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced legislation today that would require health insurance companies to provide cost-free contraception to women and men, even after the GOP puts the Affordable Care Act through a shredder. The bill, dubbed the The Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act of 2017 (CCCA), would codify into state law the ACA requirement that New Yorkers be able to access cost-free contraception, as well as expand the current requirements to provide cost-free coverage for all birth control methods approved by the FDA, including emergency contraception like Plan B; prohibit insurance companies from delaying or limiting coverage; and allow New Yorkers to stock up on a years worth of a contraceptive at a time. The bill would also cover contraception for men. Schneiderman actually proposed this back in 2015it was passed by the State Assembly the following year, but never made it to the Senate floor. Now that cost-free birth control under Obamacare is endangered thanks to the incoming Putin Trump administration, Schneiderman and other local lawmakers say it's all the more important to make these provisions law statewide. "With an incoming Administration in Washington that is so hostile to women and reproductive healthcare, it is critical that New York reaffirm its commitment to gender equality and quality healthcare for all," Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, who represents the Upper West Side of Manhattan, said in a statement. "I applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for once again standing with New Yorkers and against Donald Trump and his regressive policies, which will harm women, their health and their families." American women can spend up to $1,000-a-year on birth control. Even generic birth control cost up to $108 a year in 2012, and not all women respond well to generic brands or the Pill at all. An intrauterine device (IUD) implant, while effective for us much as 5 to 10 years, could cost $700 to over $1000. Condoms can cost hundreds of dollars a year if used regularly. Just in time for the inauguration of Donald Trump, journalist Matt Taibbi is out with a new book, Insane Clown President, which chronicles his experiences covering the traveling circus that was the 2016 presidential campaign. Gothamist spoke to Taibbi about mass paranoia in America, Trump's astonishing victory, and whether Ivanka Trump is a sleeper agent for New York liberalism. I found reading the book to be extremely painful, even traumatic. I was laugh-weeping on the train the other day, reliving the "Ben Carson is a child molester" dust-up. A lot of comic moments in the last couple years. Was there a particular moment that you feel best crystallized what was happening in this election cycle? The moment that stands out for me was at an event in New Hampshire at Plymouth State University. We were all in the center of the hall and Trump interrupted his speech and was starting to make us part of the act. He was saying, "See all those cameras back there? They've never driven so far to a location." And there was this moment where the crowd physically turned in our direction and we were kind of surrounded, like in that battle scene in Game of Thrones, and they were hissing and booing at us. I realized at that moment that he was connecting with people on this level that other candidates had never managed to do before. He was using us as theater in a way that was extremely clever. That crystallized what the campaign was all about, it was an "us against them" thing. Did you sense that this was not just a really ugly thing rearing its head, but that Trump could actually prevail? I never thought that anybody but Trump was going to win the nomination, and I did think, in the early part of last year, that he had a good chance against Hillary. What changed my mind was when I saw him, I thought, changing tactics. The real Trump who came out in the primary campaign was this unscripted, off-the-cuff, rambling figure who just said whatever came into his head. He's not a great orator, but he is effective at connecting with a room in a way that a lot of politicians aren't. But when the general election swung around, he started to change. That was under the influence of a lot of different people, from Paul Manafort to Corey Lewandowski to Bannon. They had him being more scripted and stilted, saying things he wouldn't have said during the primary campaign. What he was doing was trying to rehabilitate himself with so-called "centrist" Republicans and make himself look more presidential. It was ludicrous to me at the time, but it worked. I never thought it was going to work. Where do you see yourself, as a journalist, fitting into the narrative of the campaign? I'm the kind of person that Trump voters hate. It didn't take long to figure that out because I probably had a success rate in about one in five trying to get Trump voters to even talk to me. Once they heard who I worked for, I had a lot of backs turned on me, some pretty harsh words said. This was a big difference even from four years ago or eight years ago on other Republican campaigns. There was a mood out there that, even before the Trump campaign really got started, that was far more hostile to the coastal reporter types who came out to these little towns and tried to talk to people. They hate all of usincluding the conservative reporters. There's a lot of animus toward them, too. This idea that somehow Trump was the fault of the media because we didn't call him out enough, or we didn't do enough negative reporting about him, or we didn't do enough to try to reach his voters and dissuade them from making this choice? They were lost to us before this campaign even started. They were never going to listen to anything we said. Are you concerned that you could be in the crosshairs of a Trump administration? Anybody who writes about politics now has to have that in the back of their minds. But I try to stay away from that conspiratorial thinking. Remember, I came from working in Russia, where you could write something today and tomorrow somebody could be leaping through your window with a hammer. We're so far away from that reality. What's your sense of the Trump clanparticularly Jared Kushner and Ivanka? Some people are holding out hope that they're going to be a secret moderating neoliberal fifth column in the White House... Trump's family was very much part of his primary campaign. They were there throughout. He proudly introduced them every opportunity he got during the primary campaign. I suppose anybody's family has a humanizing effect to some degree, but I don't hold out hope that Ivanka Trump is going to be some sort of secret Manchurian candidate who's going to prevent Trump from being a disaster. I don't have any evidence to think that. In the closing pages of Insane Clown President, you say that "presidential elections are ultimately referenda on race." That felt like a qualitative change from the rest of the book, where there's more of a focus on the stupid, deranged, or alienated nature of American voters. Is this a different overarching narrative than you saw when you were covering the campaign? One of the problems I have with the way people have responded to Trump's victory is that when you try to make an observation about things that may have contributed to what happenedfor instance, that resentment about things like NAFTA and the financial crisis and Wall Street played a role in people not trusting members of either partyin the Blue State media, there's this reaction of, "No, it's all about race." As if the two things are mutually exclusivethey're not. Race has always been a primary factor in every election. If you scratch the surface of a lot of issues, it does end up being a racial thing. Trump mined a lot of those issues very effectively, and he went to places that other politicians in his party haven't gone to, rhetorically. But that doesn't mean that these other thingsthe economic problems, the resentment about Wall Street and income inequalitydon't play a role. What's your sense of the people Trump is surrounding himself with? Are these just run-of-the-mill kleptocrats? People have been using the term "kakistocracy," which means rule by the worstthe gutter, bottom of the barrel, every single z-list conservative crank you can imagine... If your chief advisor is Steve Bannon and he's this unreconstructed revolutionary lunatic, clearly they're going to push for the worst kinds of people. People who are totally ignorant and have no expertise in the work they're going to be doing. You think of Ben Carson in charge of HUD, and having to reorganize Fannie and Freddieand this is a guy whose grasp of medicine seems even a little strangethat's hugely disturbing. But the even worse choices are the ones he's made in the financial realm, where he's across the board picking people who are extreme deregulatory zealots, that are even beyond the crew that Clinton brought in during the '90s. Should we be preparing full-on for autocracy and the dismantling of our democratic institutions? That can't be excluded from the realm of possibility. People kept asking me throughout the campaign: "What would you expect from a Trump presidency?" And the problem is that it's very difficult to know. The list of possibilities is so extremely long because his stated preferences are so contradictory that we don't know whether he has absolutely no belief in democracy or whether he wouldn't go past a certain point. Or what he would do. Clearly, he's surrounded himself with people who have very little belief in democracy, people like Bannon. And Trump himself has said a lot of things during the last year that would lead you to believe that he does not have a firm grasp of how democracy is supposed to work or much of a respect for the law, or anything. We probably should be preparing ourselves. I think canceling elections would be extreme, but I'm sure there are other anti-democratic measures that are being contemplated. Incidentally, we've had plenty of them in the last couple presidencies. We've gone from a country where you could never imagine something like the extrajudicial assassination of U.S. citizens to now that's something that we don't even bat an eye atdrone strikes and rendition and Guantanamo Bay, all those things. We've already gone pretty far in that direction. We should probably be preparing to go farther. This is something I saw starting a long time ago: people increasingly get their news from sources that they know in advance are going to agree with them. And they are increasingly reluctant to view the world in any way that contradicts their preconceptions and their prejudices. People on both sides of the aisle are moving in this increasingly conspiratorial direction. We saw it very clearly on the right going into this year, where people believed all sorts of crazy things from Mexicans are bringing in disease to vaccines don't work to there's no such thing as global warming. This is the distrust-of-experts phenomenon that led people to make the kind of decision they made in electing Trump. We're now seeing some of that on the other side. People are soaking up a lot of this incautious media, which is taking things that are slightly true or partially true and stretching them into these huge conspiracies. I have very high confidence in the idea that the Russians hacked the DNC, and I think it's probable that they gave it to Wikileaks. It's hard to report on anything beyond that. But there are people who are willing to go way beyond that without evidence, and that's pretty dangerous. We've seen what happens when people go too far in that direction. That's something that worries me a lot. Have the Democrats learned anything from this? I've been a little bit surprised by the lack of self-awareness. This is one of the things that happened to the Republicans after 2008 and 2012. They looked at their party and they didn't accurately assess what was going on with their own voters, because they don't talk to their own voters. If you talk to politicians in Washington, you know that they don't really interact a whole lot with their constituents. And they're not really in tune with what's going on. The Democrats are making some of the mistakes the Republicans made. The blame is: "the press didn't do enough," or "Russia was interfering with the election," or "we made a few minor strategic mistakes and that if we clear those up everything will be fine." While the reality is that they should be looking themselves in the mirror and saying, "My God, how is it possible that we lost a popularity contest to this person?" It should say something incredibly profound about how despised and unpopular they are. But they're not in that kind of panic mode right now, and they should be. How long you think until the Tom Friedmans and David Brookses and other general nitwit intelligentsia-types are full on boosting for Trump? Oh, it's happening. Look at Friedman's first question to Trump when they had an interviewhe was like, "Mr. President-elect, can I ask a question?" And by the end of the interview you could see that he'd very much softened his tone toward Trump. When he wrote about that interview, he talked about how Trump gave critics "hope" and went on about how he could be influenced in the right direction etc. One of the reasons that people like Friedman survive as long as they do is because they have a magical ability to contort themselves into whatever shape is necessary to be pleasing to whoever is in power. I can't sit here and tell you for sure that Thomas Friedman and David Brooks specifically are going to end up being Trump fanatics, but I do think it's a characteristic of that type of punditthey tend to convince themselves over time that whoever is in power is making the right decisions. It's a slow process and I think that's what everyone's worrying about with this idea of "normalizing" Trump. I do believe that after a few years, you're going to see some of these pundits who are so up in arms about him being elected come around and start to act like it's normal that this guy is president. What got you so fascinated in Friedman? I'm a failed novelist. I pay a lot of attention to a thing like how a person writes. And Thomas Friedman has always been fascinating to me because he has a lot of unique literary characteristics that are really interesting. Like his ear is perfectly wrong. He always chooses the exact wrong word. He picks the wrong word and the wrong image and then he piles images on images and wrong words on wrong words and it becomes this kind of beautiful thing to look at. I feel kind of bad. I met him once. He came up to me and he said something very gracious and self-deprecating and that made me feel terrible and I didn't write about him for a while after that. But I can't help it. He's funny. In the old days, when he was a cheerleader for war, there was a darker element. Now it's just funny. Don't you think? I have an email thread with some friends devoted to this. "This feels like beating a very, very, very dead horse..." Like anything else, if you beat a dead horse twice it may not be funny. But if you beat it 5,000 times, it's funny. It's a subtle thing. Were you disturbed that he was gracious? I've heard behind the scenes that he isn't so gracious, that he wishes that I would be hit by a car. I'm sure he's less gracious when we're not meeting in person. Beyond the usual suspects, what respectable-ish pundits or writers should we be chucking into the garbage can? God, I don't know. There's a lot of people who have been consistently wrong about everything going back 20 years or so. There's literally no accountability for people in our profession. We can be wrong over and over and over again and it seems like nobody really cares. Think about the people who made predictions about the Iraq War and were completely wrong for years and years and years on end and are still somehow respected in Washington. I do think this election eroded some of the faith in polls and poll-driven analysis of elections. The overriding lesson of this election is that you have to physically talk to people to figure out what's going on. In recent years, there'd been a trend away from that, where we're kind of looking at politics like something you can do from 10,000 feet. You just can't do it. You have to be able to take the temperature of how pissed off people are, and you have to hear it in person to really understand it. (This illustration by Victor Juhasz was originally published in Rolling Stone and appears here by permission of the artist.) Do you have a preferred conspiracy theory or paranoid fantasy about Trump? I really do think that a lot of this was accidental, that Trump probably originally ran for president on a lark. He probably thought it would be fun, it would be promotional activity. I didn't get the sense early on that he really thought that he was going to be president. What happened later on in the campaign is that he began to surround himself with people who saw the possibility of what could be if he won, and this kind of accidental, tragicomic, absurd campaign morphed into something more serious. It's very much like what happened when Bush came into office. He surrounded himself with people like Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, Cheney, who had some really wacky ideas about how to remake the world. And they did it, and it was a disaster. That's what we have to worry about with Trump, that this accidental turn of fate is going to provide the opportunity for some really nutty pseudo-intellectuals to wreak tremendous havoc in Washington. How do you stomach the day-to-day of your job? I went out to Staten Island on election day to report back from New York Trumpland. I thought I was going to die after four hours of listening to people claim that Hillary was endorsed by the KKK. How do you get out of bed on the campaign trail, having to go to these Klan rallies? My basic philosophy about life is that human experience is a mix of the extremely horrible and the extremely absurd. Once you make your peace with that, it's the job. You try to see that for every horrible thing that goes on, there's something either funny or beautiful as well. This happened to be an extremely dark chapter of our history. It was difficult as the campaign went on to keep a sense of humor about it. It was funny at the beginning. That comes through in the book: I was very amused at the beginning by all these developments but then as it got closer to reality, I got depressed along with everybody else. It was a progressively darker story as time went on. You seemed to relish the total abasement of Jeb Bush... Watching the conflagration and the self-immolation of the Republican Party was hilarious on one level. I never saw the insane next step of it, which is that this would result in actual victory. Is the situation in America salvageable? I have no idea if it's salvageable or not. Certainly, things are not trending in a positive direction. And I think the fracturing of the landscape into a million little groups that all believe their own little conspiraciesthat's a very difficult thing, to have a nation of 300 million people that doesn't have a belief system. If you can't even agree on a common set of facts, that's pretty hard to reconcile. Once we've gotten to this point, it's pretty hard to put Humpty Dumpty back together again... It doesn't look good for the near term, that's for sure. Any final thoughts? Words of wisdom for people raising children in this world? Good God, no. If people are taking parenting advice from me, they've got serious problems. Insane Clown President comes out in bookstores on January 17th. It is available for order on Amazon. A driver struck and killed Thomas Bradley, Jr., 52, as he crossed South Conduit Avenue in Queens around 2:30 a.m. on New Year's Day. As of this week, no arrests have been made. A few hours later, another hit-and-run driver struck and killed a 53-year-old man attempting to cross Crescent Street in Cyprus Hills (the driver, 23-year-old Ted Jerome, has since been arrested and charged with leaving the scene, as well as operating without a license). That evening, around 5:30 p.m., 73-year-old Darton Besler was struck and killed by a minivan driver while crossing Boston Post Road in the Bronx. Seven more people have been killed in traffic sinceincluding three this past Mondaybringing the traffic fatality count up to ten in the first ten days of 2017, according to the safe streets advocacy group Transportation Alternatives. Of the total, seven of the fatalities were cyclists or pedestrians. "We are horrified by the news," the group wrote in a scathing press release on Tuesday. (The release initially decried nine deaths; it was updated after an 88-year-old man was struck and killed in Sheepshead Bay on Tuesday morning.) The news comes as City Hall touts record-low traffic deaths for 2016. On Wednesday, the Mayor's office announced that traffic deaths declined in 2016 for the third consecutive year229 total, compared to 234 in 2015 and 299 in 2013. "I have said where Vision Zero is concerned, we are just getting started and can always do better," said Mayor de Blasio in a statement. "But I nevertheless want to thank the NYPD, DOT and supporting agencies on all their hard work to deliver another year of strong results." While motorcyclist and car-occupant deaths both decreased last year, pedestrian and cyclist deaths increaseda trend advocates took note of last year. There were 144 pedestrian deaths last year, up from 139 in 2015 and 140 in 2014; there were 18 cyclist deaths, up from 14 in 2015. (via Mayor's Office) Meanwhile, advocates say, the NYPD and District Attorneys are letting too many drivers off the hook. "We are especially outraged by reports of NYPD investigators exonerating motorists at crash scenes," Transportation Alternatives said. A driver killed 85-year-old Rafael Nieves on Grand Street in Williamsburg on Monday, and fled the scene. Police located the driver later that night, but sources told DNAInfo that they had determined the driver was "unaware" that he'd killed Nieves (witnesses said that bystanders banged on the driver's car in an attempt to alert him). Also on Monday, the NYPD released a driver who struck and killed 43-year-old Marlon Palacios as he rode his bike in East Flatbush. Police told the Daily News that the driver had suffered a "medical episode" that caused his leg to stiffen; Streetsblog reports that drivers have been prosecuted in the past, despite medical issues. Transportation Alternatives said it's demanding a meeting with the NYPD to discuss bringing "its standards for arrest in vehicular offenses in line with other forms of violence." The Mayor's Office did not immediately comment on this request [update below], or the report of ten traffic deaths, but today's release notes that crash-preventative summonses are up significantly this year versus pre-Vision Zero statistics: 292 percent for failure to yield, and 76 percent for speeding. The Mayor's Office also pointed to a decline in 2016 of fatalities at so-called Vision Zero 'priority areas'a cluster of more than 175 high-crash intersections that the Department of Transportation has targeted for safety improvements, like protected bike lanes and wider pedestrian islands. According to the city, for each of the five years before Vision Zero was implemented, there were 141 deaths at priority locations. In 2016, there were 100 fatalitiesa 29 percent decrease. But at least seven of the deaths so far this year have taken place in priority areas, according to advocates. The city's capital budget will be determined in the coming months, and Transportation Alternatives Director Paul Steely White said more money needs to be invested in quick fixes at these dangerous spotsincreased left-turn visibility, for example, and reducing lane widths to discourage highway-level speeding. He also noted a recent Court of Appeals ruling, which found that New York City can be sued for failing to redesign streets that have a history of crash injuries and deaths. "They know where the crashes are occurring, these tragedies keep happening at the same places, and yet they haven't put up the money to fix these streets," Steely White said Wednesday. "If the mayor isn't motivated by the loss of life, we hope he's motivated by the massive liability." Last July, Streetsblog reported that Mayor de Blasio had set aside $5.2 million for these so-called "operational" projectsa fraction of the $242 million set aside for street repaving. The so-called "Great Streets" program, which is funding full DOT overhauls of deadly Atlantic Avenue and Queens Boulevard, has been allotted $298 million between fiscal years 2016 and 2018. According to the DOT, the city completed 108 street improvements last year, and added 18 miles of protected bike lanes. A Vision Zero oversight hearing has been scheduled for January 26th. It will be led by Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez, who held a press conference yesterday near the spot on Grand Street where Nieves was killed. Rodriguez told reporters that he plans to "discuss where we need to strengthen our hand to prevent this senseless violence." [Update 12:30]: Finan issued the following statement: Go see Hidden Figures, and bring your kids. The movie stars three black women computers at NASA Langley who contributed their talent and brains to making NASA's human space program a success while encountering racist and sexist barriers at every turn. Despite its serious subject matter, the movie is joyful, often funny, and, in the end, triumphant. It's entirely suitable for children; my 10-year-old loved it, and the 7-year-old liked it although her attention wandered toward the end. Along with the other patrons in the theater, my daughters and I applauded repeatedly as the protagonists overcame their obstacles and achieved the impossible together, sending a man to space. We were all smiles exiting the theater, but the more I reflect on the movie, the more sobered -- and sometimes even enraged -- I feel. How many more smart and creative people are out there who've never had the opportunity to contribute their ideas to the world because the world prejudged them? These aren't just problems of the past. In the 1950s and 1960s, racism and sexism were blatant and open. Officially, segregation is now illegal, as is workplace discrimination. But all you have to do is look at the continuing underrepresentation of minorities and white women in science and technology (the numbers for geology and astronomy are even worse than average) to know that the problems encountered by the protagonists in Hidden Figures have not gone away; they're just, well, hidden. Hidden, at least, to those of us fortunate enough not to have faced those barriers. But racism and sexism (and other -isms) are lurking under the surface. Making us demand proof of greatness before granting opportunities, while giving others chance after chance, rather than looking at everyone and seeing their potential. There are two scenes that have especially stuck with me. The rest of this post contains spoilers, so I'll post it after the trailer. Mission Background To me the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) is one of the more clever missions concepts around. Eight small satellites are equipped with delayed Doppler mappers, which receive reflected radio signals from Global Positioning Satellites. These are the same signals that you use to get GPS navigation and your satellite synchronous times. Observing the reflected radio signals for small changes in arrival time allows the CYGNSS scientists to calculate the height of waves that are completely obscured by clouds, which in turn is used as a measure of wind speed inside of a hurricane. The reflected signals are already there, CYGNSS just has the capability to measure them. By placing eight satellites just a bit larger than a kitchen microwave into orbit the mission can gather data from huge swaths of the Earth in hours, which will be especially critical during hurricane season. Before they can do all of these things, they need to get into orbit. And that is where my story begins. December 11th, 2016: One day to first launch window After my last lazy morning for a few weeks and a late breakfast I came in to work and began updating all the computers to the final versions of our operations software and making last minute cheat sheets for everyone. There are handouts for all possible spacecraft identifications and all of the necessary phone numbers, there are lists of all possible points of contact and phones and head sets and radios for the official NASA launch communications. There are abbreviated versions of our contingencies for flight controllers to skim during passes and abbreviated versions of those abbreviated versions just in case there isnt enough time to even read those. Essentially, if there was a procedure that could be condensed into an outline, and then again into a summary, both formats were printed out and available. I stayed until midnight checking over all of our systems with some other MOC ops personnel, even wiping down all of the screens in the MOC as well as the glass MOC door to make sure things were ideal. Nervousness shows itself in interesting ways. Once the first of the night shift showed up at midnight I took the opportunity to go home for a few hours of sleep. Tomorrow was guaranteed to be a big day. December 12th, 2016: Launch Take 1 I set my alarm for a 5am wakeup so that I could be in the MOC by 5:30am, well in advance of the launch that was scheduled for 6:19am MST. A 5am wakeup after falling asleep at around 2am was welcomed only because I slept like a kid before Christmas, tossing and turning with excitement about the next day. The chatter of the NASA network about the status of the Pegasus launch vehicle and the Stargazer plane was broadcast to the MOC, and there was a projection of the NASA TV broadcast for visuals. The MOC doesnt play much of a role in the launch itself since there is very little to do with the spacecraft until they reach orbit. However, we are quite invested in what happens after that point so the MOC main room had a display set up with some of the Pegasus diagnostics from Orbital ATK for our subsystem experts to keep an eye on. We sat there and listened to the chatter between the pilots and the ground control station as the plane continued on its racetrack flight pattern, watching as it passed the checkpoints for status updates. Over the comms from NASA we heard that there were issues with the hydraulic system that was necessary for launch. They restarted the system. Nothing. We heard a crewmember remark over the comm that he had banged on it a bit to loosen it up, with no result. CYGNSS was not going to space that day. The MOC team immediately got together as soon as the launch was scrubbed and laid out a plan for the rest of the day. A launch delay for us didnt mean taking the rest of the day off and coming back in for the next attempt, which was half expected by me. A launch delay was an opportunity to test, review, re-test, re-review over and over again. We heard that the next available launch window would be in two days, on December 14th. With two days ahead of us we ran more simulations and more tests, always on the lookout for the smallest issue that could cause problems with the spacecraft. Everything was tested again and again for consistency, making sure there was no special combination of variables that could cause errors or faults to trip. Around 6pm I decided to head out, knowing that I needed to catch up on sleep if I was going to be 100% for our launch on the 14th. December 13th One Day to Launch, Take 2 There was something wrong. Gazes were downcast, the chatter of excited voices in anticipation of launch was diminished. I set my backpack and bags in my office and walked into the MOC. I got caught up on what had happened over night. During the testing we had been doing yesterday the flight software team caught a small but critical bug in the flight software parameters that had a decent chance of occurring. The December 14th launch was postponed upon the discovery, and the flight software team got to work on the fix. Any update to the software needed the full gamut of tests run on it, so the MOC personnel were kept busy all day testing the updated software on the engineering model and software test bench for CYGNSS, making sure that these bugs were squished. A review with Chris Ruf, the Principal Investigator, and John Scherrer, the Project Manager was scheduled for early on the morning of the 14th. The CYGNSS flight directors and flight software team would need to convince them that CYGNSS would be ready to launch on the proposed Thursday launch window. If the PI and PM were persuaded that the risk had been removed, they would communicate this to NASA personnel just 30 minutes later and convince them of the same thing. Their work was cut out for them. The coffee pot was started for the umpteenth time that day, and the next shift came in to continue the testing where we left off. I headed home, exhausted and nervous of what a launch postponed into January would mean. December 14th One Day to Launch, Take 3 Getting up on this morning was difficult. This wasnt so much from the fact that I was tired and wanted to stay in bed until noon, but the fact that I had been hyper-alert and prepped for launch for 3 days now. Being at that level of attention for 3 days straight and not knowing if the launch would be the next day or not was draining. I managed to put on some clothes and head to the MOC, just in time to catch the meeting that the PI, PM, flight directors, and flight software had scheduled with NASA officials. The WebEx was heavily populated with anonymous call in users, all awaiting our evidence and conviction that CYGNSS was ready to go. I dont know how much information I can directly convey from that meeting, so Ill say the obvious. They did it. CYGNSS was a go. There was such a wealth of information provided on what the issue was, how it was fixed, and how it had been rigorously tested that it changed everyones mind. Thats right. Everyone. An entire conference call full of NASA officials changed their minds. Let that sink in. The flight software and system engineering teams stayed all night, sleeping on a borrowed air mattress to make sure that everything was perfect. New simulations were run, initial conditions were tweaked, and in the course of 8 hours the software was completely impervious to this error or any error similar to it in nature. The software would be uploaded to the spacecraft that day and ready for launch the next day. We were going to space again. December 15th Launch, Take 3 The thrill of launch overtook any exhaustion I complained about yesterday. In a deja vu of Monday, the NASA TV was set up and live, the same deployment module telemetry was displayed, and the same cameras were displaying the same angles as before. We sat and watched as the L-1011 climbed to altitude and performed the same checks as before. There was a chuckle of relief when the hydraulic system gave the Go in the checklist and we were one step closer to launching. The L-1011 turned southeast onto the launch path and dropped the Pegasus, which was in free fall for five seconds before the engines ignited. The rocket sped off, slowly arcing up and out of view. We trained our eyes on the telemetry points from the deployment module that scrolled across our screen, looking for any hint of changes or problems. There were none, and we watched the successful deployment of all eight spacecraft off of the deployment module. Orbital ATK had done their job, and they had done it beautifully, placing our spacecraft into an orbit that was even a little higher than we were expecting. Armed with the vectors from ATK our orbital analysts and mission planners set about studying when our first passes could be. We settled into our chairs and started reviewing the pass plan for our contact that would happen in just under three hours. So what do I, as a flight controller, do during these passes? Prior to holding this job I thought that being a flight controller would mean holding joysticks and pressing lots of buttons. In reality, I look at plots and screens searching for values and type commands, or groups of commands called procs into a command line. These in turn are sent to a communication station and relayed to the spacecraft, with each spacecraft only accepting commands that are encoded for that spacecraft alone. So in reality theres only so much that can be done to prepare for a pass. Theres what you expect to happen, and there is what will happen. From our simulated early operations tests that we had done before I knew what procs would need to be queued up and we had contingency plans in place for a whole binder-full of scenarios. As long as the commands are ready to go and contingencies easy to access the only thing left to do is wait. We had a predicted acquisition of signal (AOS) time that was provided to us by our orbit analysts using data provided to us by the Pegasus team at Orbital ATK. Within a few seconds of the predicted AOS the telemetry for our spacecraft started flowing and scrolling up the screen. A flurry of activity ensued as I communicated with the Mission Operations Manager (MOM) about the commands I was preparing to send, and the MOM notified the flight director who in turn was polling all the subsystems for their status. Without the headsets it would have been a shouting match. All the commands were sent and all the commands were received by the spacecraft, so our first pass was a complete success. Solar arrays were deployed, current was flowing, and CYGNSS was officially operational in low Earth orbit. Theres nothing quite like watching data scroll up the screen coming from a satellite a few hundred kilometers above the Earth, knowing that you are the first person to see it. Thats a cool feeling. Throughout the rest of the day the CYGNSS team was able to make contact with all eight spacecraft, with seven of them being in ideal condition. One of them, however, had managed to get into an orientation after deploying from the Pegasus module that had the solar panels perfectly parallel to the Sun. This meant that the spacecraft was unable to generate much power and was working on battery power alone. After a quick meeting to discuss options to reorient the spacecraft a plan was put in place for our next pass that would hopefully get it out of the flat spin it had found itself in as the course sun sensor searched for the Sun. By increasing the field of view for the course sun sensor with an uploaded command the team hoped that the onboard flight software would start to track the Sun. Even just the slightest change of power coming from the solar panels should allow the spacecraft to begin pulling itself out of the flat spin, so confidence was high that the fix would work. During our shift handover meeting the contingency procedure was reviewed and the night shift was briefed on the status of all of the spacecraft. I headed home around 8pm completely exhausted, barely able to eat before falling asleep. Photo: Kelly Bracken Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to a law enforcement officer on duty other than being killed or seriously wounded or having a friend or loved one killed or seriously wounded is to be involved in a shooting of an unarmed person based on bad information that he or she had a gun. Recently a tragic example of this type of shooting occurred in Bakersfield, CA. Shortly after midnight on Monday Dec. 12, officers were called to a residential area of Bakersfield. Minutes later Francisco Serna, 73, was shot dead by police and no gun was found. Officials say one of Sernas neighbors called 911 after his wife was accosted by the man in the driveway. Tapes of the 911 call reveal that the caller told the dispatcher a man was outside his house and that the man had brandished what "looked like a revolver" at his wife. Two officers responded. And reports say they were talking to the complainants wife, who had just told police she saw an object that she believed was a gun in the mans jacket, when Serna came out of his house across the street and walked toward the officers with his hands in his jacket. The woman identified the approaching man and went back into her house as additional officers arrived on the scene. The officers took cover and ordered Serna to remove his hands from his pockets. He did not comply, and one of the officers fired, killing him. A search of Serna's body did not produce a gun, only a simulated woodgrain crucifix. Investigators also searched the man's home and did not find a gun. So it's likely the crucifix in his pocket was mistaken for a gun by the neighbors. Serna's son is understandably angry. He told the local media his father was suffering from the early stages of dementia and sleeplessness. His family says the man walked around the neighborhood at night to try and tire himself out so he could sleep. After the Serna shooting there were protests. There were candlelight vigils. There was talk of a lawsuit. And of course there were activists who have never been trained as law enforcement officers who have demanded to know why officers didn't use other force options or none at all in this confrontation. Bakersfield Police Chief Lyle Martin has called the FBI in to investigate this shooting. And there is likely much to be learned. It's important for cases like this to be investigated. But it's also important for the investigators, the family, the press, and the public to remember that police were originally called to this scene with reports of a man with a gun who was brandishing said weapon at the neighbors. The fact that no gun was present after the officer-involved shooting cannot legally be taken into consideration of whether the shooting was justified. Officers were told the man had a gun, and according to police, he acted like he was concealing said gun in his pocket before he was shot. People who believe that the officer acted rashly in this shooting tend to voice two arguments in this case: He was a harmless old man, and why didn't the officer wait to see what was in his hands before opening fire. The harmless old man argument is easily refuted. I know, and you probably do, too, plenty of 73-year-old and even older people who can draw and fire handguns with great proficiency. As for waiting to see what comes out of the jacket of an uncooperative subject who reportedly has a revolver and won't remove his hands from his pockets, that's just a prescription for more officers getting shot. And after the extremely bloody year of 2016 that's the last thing this country needs. What happened in Bakersfield in the early morning hours of Dec. 12 is a multi-faceted tragedy. But the officer who did the shooting was not to blame for it. Despite what some in the public believe, the officer did not want to shoot Francisco Serna. He fired to protect himself and his fellow officers from what he saw as the immediate threat of a man with a gun who would not comply with lawful police orders to show his hands. That officer will bear the consequences of this shooting probably for the rest of his life. Which is another horror from this terrible event. Police work has always been hard. Today police say it is even harder. In a new Pew Research Center survey conducted by the National Police Research Platform, majorities of police officers say that recent high-profile fatal encounters between black citizens and police have made their jobs riskier, aggravated tensions between police and blacks, and left many officers reluctant to fully carry out some of their duties. Overall, 86% say police work is harder today as a result of these high-profile incidents. About nine-in-ten say their colleagues are more concerned about their safety, while 72% say they have become more reluctant to stop and question people who seem suspicious. The wide-ranging survey, conducted with a nationally representative sample of nearly 8,000 police officers from departments with at least 100 officers, finds that officers remain deeply skeptical of the protests that followed fatal encounters between police and blacks. Fully two-thirds of police (68%) say the demonstrations are motivated to a great extent by anti-police bias; only 10% in a separate question say protesters are similarly motivated by a genuine desire to hold police accountable for their actions. Among black officers, fully 69% say the protests were motivated at least somewhat by a genuine desire to hold police accountable more than double the proportion of white officers (27%) who share this view. Overall, 67% of officers characterize the fatal encounters that prompted the demonstrations as isolated incidents and not signs of broader problems between police and the black community a view that stands in sharp contrast with the assessment of the general public. In a separate Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults, 60% say these incidents are symptoms of a deeper problem. The survey captured the duality of police work on several dimensions. A majority of police (58%) say their work as a law enforcement officer nearly always or often makes them feel proud. But nearly the same share (51%) say their work often makes them feel frustrated. A large majority (79%) say they have been thanked by someone for their police service in the past month, and almost as many (67%) say they have been verbally abused by a member of their community while on duty during that same time period. And when asked whether they view themselves more as protectors or enforcers, roughly six-in-ten police officers (62%) say they fill both of these roles equally. Among the other findings: Risks and challenges: The vast majority of police (84%) say they worry about their safety at least some of the time, and roughly the same share (86%) say they don't think the public understands the risks and challenges they face on the job. For their part, the large majority of American adults (83%) say they do understand the risks law enforcement officers face. The vast majority of police (84%) say they worry about their safety at least some of the time, and roughly the same share (86%) say they don't think the public understands the risks and challenges they face on the job. For their part, the large majority of American adults (83%) say they do understand the risks law enforcement officers face. Views of their departments: Most police officers are satisfied with their department as a place to work (74%). At the same time, officers are divided on whether the disciplinary process in their department is fair, and a majority (72%) does not feel that officers who are consistently doing a poor job are held accountable. Fully 86% say their department does not have enough officers to adequately police their community. Most police officers are satisfied with their department as a place to work (74%). At the same time, officers are divided on whether the disciplinary process in their department is fair, and a majority (72%) does not feel that officers who are consistently doing a poor job are held accountable. Fully 86% say their department does not have enough officers to adequately police their community. Views of the citizens they serve: Most police officers feel respected by the public and believe officers have little reason to distrust most people. Seven-in-ten officers say that some or most of the residents of the areas they patrol share their values. At the same time, a narrow majority of officers (56%) believe an aggressive rather than courteous approach is more effective in certain neighborhoods, and 44% agree that, "Some people can only be brought to reason the hard, physical way." Most police officers feel respected by the public and believe officers have little reason to distrust most people. Seven-in-ten officers say that some or most of the residents of the areas they patrol share their values. At the same time, a narrow majority of officers (56%) believe an aggressive rather than courteous approach is more effective in certain neighborhoods, and 44% agree that, "Some people can only be brought to reason the hard, physical way." Race relations: While substantial majorities of officers say police have an excellent or good relationship with whites (91%), Hispanics (70%) and Asians (88%) in their communities, a smaller majority (56%) says the same about police relations with blacks. A consistently smaller share of black officers than their white or Hispanic colleagues say the police have a positive relationship with minorities in their communities. And when the topic turns more broadly to the state of race relations, virtually all white officers (92%) but only 29% of their black colleagues say that the country has made the changes needed to assure equal rights for blacks. Views of white officers also stand apart from those of whites overall: 57% of all white adults say no more changes are needed. While substantial majorities of officers say police have an excellent or good relationship with whites (91%), Hispanics (70%) and Asians (88%) in their communities, a smaller majority (56%) says the same about police relations with blacks. A consistently smaller share of black officers than their white or Hispanic colleagues say the police have a positive relationship with minorities in their communities. And when the topic turns more broadly to the state of race relations, virtually all white officers (92%) but only 29% of their black colleagues say that the country has made the changes needed to assure equal rights for blacks. Views of white officers also stand apart from those of whites overall: 57% of all white adults say no more changes are needed. Training and reforms: A majority of officers (66%), and an even larger share of the public (93%), favor the use of body cameras by police officers. Police see relatively fewer benefits than the public does from the use of body cameras. About half of rank-and-file officers say they have had at least four hours of firearms training involving shoot-don't shoot scenarios (53%) and nonlethal methods to control a combative or threatening individual (50%) in the past 12 months. These findings come from two separate Pew Research Center surveys. The main survey is an online poll of a nationally representative sample of 7,917 officers working in 54 police and sheriff's departments with 100 or more sworn officers. (Some 63% of all sworn officers work in departments of this size.) The National Police Research Platform, headquartered at the University of Illinois at Chicago during the study period and now based at the Police Foundation in Washington, D.C., conducted the survey of police for the Pew Research Center May 19-Aug. 14, 2016, using its panel of police agencies. The views of the public included in this report drew from a Pew Research Center American Trends Panel survey of 4,538 U.S. adults conducted online and by mail Aug. 16-Sept. 12, 2016. See the methodology section for more details. Read the report: http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2017/01/11/behind-the-badge The Safariland Group, a global provider of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets, announced that it has completed the acquisitions of Pacific Safety Products Inc. ("PSP"), Aegis Engineering Limited ("Aegis"), and LBA International Limited ("LBA"), known for the design and production of high-performance protective apparel for defense and law enforcement. These acquisitions significantly expand Safariland's international footprint along with enhanced design, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities in the body armor and tactical equipment markets, according to the company. Scott O'Brien, Safariland's President, said, "We are very excited about these recent acquisitions, which will enable Safariland to expand further into Canada, Europe, the U.K. and middle-eastern countries. By joining The Safariland Group family of brands, each of these newly acquired businesses will now have greater access to capital. In turn, these businesses will allow us to better serve existing and new customers with increased product diversification. Additionally, our customers will benefit from additional R&D capabilities to develop innovative, technologically advanced products. We look forward to working with these associates to strengthen our mission of 'Together, We Save Lives'." Safariland acquired all of the outstanding common shares of PSP through Med-Eng Holdings ULC, its indirect Canadian wholly owned subsidiary. Total cash consideration for the acquisition of PSP was approximately CAD $15.4 million. Financial terms of the Aegis and LBA transactions were not disclosed. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Arnprior, Canada, PSP is an established industry leader in the production, distribution and sale of high-performance and high-quality safety products for the defense and security markets. Products include body armor, ballistic blankets, tactical clothing and protective products against chemical and biological hazards. PSP is the largest body armor manufacturer in Canada, directly supplying the Canadian Department of National Defense, Canadian federal government agencies and major Canadian law enforcement organizations. Safariland's acquisition includes PSP's U.S. subsidiary, GH Armor Systems Inc. ("GHA"), which is headquartered in Dover, Tennessee. With its 90,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, GHA produces a comprehensive suite of advanced armor solutions, ballistics, carriers, tactical equipment, hard armor and corrections products. Founded in 1990, and headquartered in the UK, Aegis is a globally recognized designer and manufacturer of personal protective apparel and equipment, including body armor, ballistic helmets, shields, blankets and rifle plates. Aegis operates with cutting-edge technologies and brings a team of highly skilled and experienced associates, including a best-in-class technical design team, to Safariland. Founded in 1976, and also headquartered in the UK, LBA is a leading global provider of protective equipment, including hard armor plates and ballistic helmets to law enforcement officers, and like Aegis, benefits from a long track record of innovation through significant R&D investment. Select new Safariland Group products ranging from body armor to body worn cameras and duty gear will be on display at The Safariland Group booth, #12762, throughout SHOT Show 2017, from January 17 to 20. For more information about The Safariland Group, visit www.Safariland.com. Erickson Jinaut had city housing vouchers and a full-time job as a security guard and it still took him two years to get out of the city's homeless shelter system. Jinaut, an until recently single father of two, says that throughout his search for a new place, for which $1,515 of the rent would be covered by a city Living in Communities voucher, landlords and brokers turned him away. It was only by chanceat the residential building where he works someone overhead him talking about his apartment hunt and referred him to a sympathetic landlordthat he found a building owner in Hunts Point willing to accept his voucher for a two-bedroom. "He liked the way I carried myself," Jinaut recalled of the stranger. "When they found out I'm a single father...they really wanted to help me," so much so that they shaved $300 off of the $1,818 rent. Jinaut is still stressinghis walk to his girls' daycare takes him past the scene of a recent murder, and he said his caseworker is threatening to cut his voucher if he doesn't reduce his hours at workbut he feels fortunate to have found a place of his own. The kind of landlord discrimination Jinaut describes is far from unusual. In dozens of interviews with shelter residents in Brooklyn over the last year and a half, most reported having vouchers and being unable to find a place because the people showing apartments consistently refused to take their vouchers, often over the course of months of looking. What's called source-of-income discrimination persists, along with the city's spiking homeless population, even though it's technically banned by a 2008 law sponsored by then-Councilman Bill de Blasio. Over most of the eight years since, enforcement has been lackadaisical, something the Human Rights Commission is now aiming to correct. The commission announced on Tuesday that it is bringing administrative complaints against landlords, property management companies, and one broker, for allegedly systematically refusing to rent to voucher holders of various types. Separately, the Legal Aid Society and the Fair Housing Justice Center are suing on behalf of six women who applied to live in Starrett City in East New York and say they were denied because they relied on vouchers. The complex's management companies are in the process of appealing the case of two women, in which a judge ruled the application of one must be expedited, and four more sued early this month. Violations of the anti-discrimination law can carry fines of as much as $250,000, though they're typically much lower. Those accused by the city in the most recently publicized complaints include a management company overseeing rental apartments in the 12,000-unit Bronx rental-and-condo complex Parkchester; former Met Mo Vaughn's company Omni New York, owner of the troubled River Park Towers complex along the Harlem River in the Bronx; Goldfarb Management, with offices in Manhattan, New Jersey, the Bronx, Westchester County, and the Rockaways; and Abeco Management, based in Bensonhurst. At Parkchester, the commission alleges that several would-be renters and undercover investigators posing as prospective tenants were told they had "insufficient household income," because renting agents wouldn't count Section 8 or LINC vouchers towards their take-home pay, or said they didn't make enough outside of their vouchers. Messages left with two Parkchester administrative offices were not returned. At Goldfarb Management, which the commission says controls 6,000 apartments, investigators allege that Goldfarb representatives refused to rent to three would-be-tenants as well as testers with Section 8 vouchers, also citing income requirements. A man who answered the phone at Goldfarb said, "My understanding of our policy is that we accept all programs and people with vouchers," and said he would refer this reporter's inquiry to someone with more information. We had not heard back at press time. A woman who answered the phone at ABECO Management and declined to give her name flatly denied the allegation that workers there told testers on four occasions that they don't accept Section 8, saying, "We do that [accept Section 8], so that's a lie." Parkchester, a planned community in the Bronx, banned nonwhite people from getting leases until 1968. Now the city is accusing management there of discriminating against poor people with housing vouchers. (parkchesternyc.com) Juda Engelmayer, a spokesman for mixed-income developer and management company Omni New York, also strenuously denied allegations that it has a policy of not renting to LINC holders, contrary to the reports of testers and two complainants. Engelmayer said that the company has 40 LINC tenants at the 1,600-unit River Park Towers, the focus of the complaints, and "probably double that" in its properties around the city. A Human Resources Administration spokeswoman confirmed that 39 city voucher holders rent at River Park Towers, 36 of them LINC recipients. "Omni probably has more LINC voucher tenants than any other single landlord in the city," Engelmayer wrote in an emailwe couldn't verify this. "Omni helped get this program off the ground, by accepting a large number of these vouchers when other landlords would not." "We absolutely never turn people away, and the only thing I can chalk it up to is some receptionist that didn't know what they were talking about," he said during a brief phone interview. "I can't vouch for who was there at the time that that happened, but there are LINC vouchers there. We always take LINC vouchers, always have." Engelmayer added that "corrections will be made" if the company discovers wrongdoing, and that the course of action will depend on whether the person responsible is a manager or low-level staffer. Perhaps the strangest target of the city's civil rights wrath, given that the commission's announcement said it's going after "large landlords and brokerage firms," is Wilkin Martinez, the proprietor, and according to him, sole employee of Martini Properties. Martinez got the commission's complaint, alleging that he told testers three times that he does not accept Section 8, in the mail three months ago. He said they're going after the wrong guy. "They think that Im a management company, but I dont have any buildings," Martinez said. In his response, "I told them that Im not taking a decision. I dont own any buildingsIm representing those listings. We dont make decisions. When we take people with programs to the management company, they make the decision. They say, 'Okay this is a voucher Im going to take Im not going to take.' Sometimes I tell [landlords that voucher tenants are] qualified, they working, they have good credit, and they say, 'No.'" In fact, Martinez said, the bulk of his clients were voucher holders, whom he typically ended up steering to more receptive landlords renting out apartments in private homes. Often, he said, even if big management companies take vouchers, they have internal departments that specifically handle voucher listings, giving only "open listings" for "working people" to brokers to shop around. "I dont even know who call me, what was the conversation that we had," he said regarding the complaint. He is clear on one thing, though: he's a small fry. "I dont even do real estateright now Im a cab driver," he said, calling the complaint "unfair," and saying that the city is "misunderstanding." "They gotta go after all the management company, thinking that we are real estate agents make the decisions. I dont even have property in New York City. I am just renting a property to survive." Perhaps driving the point home is Martini Properties' website, which was down by March 2016, and in October 2016 seemed to have been taken over by someone going by TURKISHSPYHACKER who demanded the extradition of dissident Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, and declared, "FUCK UNITED STATES" and a laundry list of other countries, "YOU WILL KNOW POWER OF TURKISH AND ISLAM." The hacked version of the site is gone, but the real estate version has not returned. Asked why Martinez is an enforcement priority, Human Rights Commission spokesman Seth Hoy said, "The NYC Commission on Human Rights is going deep and wide with our source of income enforcement efforts and is currently investigating more than 200 cases of source of income discrimination involving landlords and brokers of all sizes. Our investigation shows that Martini Proprieties engaged in 'pattern or practice' discrimination for repeatedly refusing to take Section 8 vouchers." In a press release, the commission touted that it filed more than 120 complaints alleging source-of-income discrimination in 2016, up from 22 in 2014. The Real Estate Board of New York did not return a call seeking comment, but Martinez and Jinaut offered some of their insights into why landlords don't like vouchers. Martinez said that among those who take the government payments, Section 8 and LINC are the most popular because they are considered the most reliable. Jinaut said that in his experience, voucher-friendly landlords are most interested in Section 8, a longstanding federal program that the Department of Housing and Urban Development in recent decades has used to transition away from managing brick-and-mortar public housing developments. LINC and its city-level counterparts, on the other hand, are recent creations of the de Blasio administration. These are meant to fill the gap left by the state Advantage program, which then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Andrew Cuomo ended in 2011. The abrupt demise of Advantage left tenants and their landlords in the lurch, and some in real estate remain distrustful of similar schemes. According to Jinaut, that distrust is warranted to a degree. Jinaut says that he moved into his apartment in August, but that city computers still list him as living in a shelter, meaning the city thinks it's spending $3,000 a month on his "shelter allowance," leaving nothing to go towards his rent voucher. In other words, his landlord has yet to get paid, and it's only thanks to his kindness that Jinaut is not back at the shelter intake center in the Bronx. There are, of course, other reasons landlords might reject vouchers, including racism and classism. What seems to be a major effect of widespread voucher discrimination is scarcity. Federal housing officials typically view vouchers as a way to achieve some level of economic integration, moving poor people out of poor neighborhoods and away from the ill outcomes associated with living in them. However, data shows that voucher holders tend to rent in areas of concentrated poverty at even higher rates than poor people in general. In Jinaut's experience, "Everybody [from the shelters] looks at the same apartment. You go there and its 40 families. There have been times where a fistfight almost broke out right there. The landlord definitely doesnt want to deal with that, and then its guilty by association." Still, vouchers are a better deal for the city than shelters, and typically speaking, apartment living beats staying in a shelter. It cost the city around $36,000 a year to house Jinaut's family in a homeless shelter in Brooklyn crawling with rodents and roaches, whereas $18,000 a year in voucher assistance gets Jinaut and his girls an actual apartment, assuming the voucher kicks in at some point. The commission's complaints will be decided in administrative trials. Hoy declined to provide the actual complaints, citing the privacy of the complainants, and saying that the investigations are continuing. Martinez said he cannot afford an office, much less a lawyer. Photo: Safariland Having the right duty holster at your side can make all of the difference for comfort as well as function during the workday. In addition, choosing the holster you are most comfortable with may provide a sense of added security. Law enforcement professionals have many options when it comes to duty holsters and accessories. There are numerous duty gear makers and most of them make dozens of holster models. POLICE Magazine spoke with manufacturers and officers about the latest trends in duty holsters and the benefits of a variety of designs. Rugged Construction DeSantis Gunhide Company has been designing and manufacturing holsters since 1972. DeSantis says its priority in developing each holster is to maximize reliability and functionality. In addition, security is especially critical in the two holsters the company says are specifically designed for law enforcement patrol operations. The DeSantis Safety Star is a level II retention holster made of 100% leather. It's best used with four-inch frame revolvers and automatics. The 015 model is equipped with a two-step retention strap that rotates. Another DeSantis duty holster option is the Triple Play. This holster is suitable for use while on duty, for tactical purposes, and for plainclothes policing. The Triple Play can be adjusted for cant, tension, and height. It's also a good choice for pistols equipped with reflex sights, which is a coming duty trend that DeSantis is working to accommodate. DeSantis says the Triple Play is compatible with the company's Tap Out accessories. It is also capable of being fitted with Redi-Loks, which elevate the security of the holster to level four. DeSantis says the Triple Play is extremely durable because of its Kydex and polymer construction. Regardless of market trends and technology, DeSantis says its top priority when engineering and manufacturing duty gear is to maintain quality. "We make our duty products with a standard of quality that can stand up to the daily heavy use of an on-duty officer," says Daniel DeSantis, the company's president. Since on-duty items are used on a regular basis they have to be rugged and durable to handle wear and tear, he explains. Security vs. Speed DeSantis says whether it makes a duty holster out of leather, nylon, or injection molding, the materials and craftsmanship must be able to meet law enforcement demands. "Secondly, we pay attention to balancing out the necessity of security versus speed of access to the gun," says DeSantis. "In today's environment, the security of the officer's gun is paramount." Adding security features to holsters means officers may have to give up a slight amount of speed in order to protect their weapons from being taken and used against them, but DeSantis has been working to ensure that its security measures do not hinder the wearer's draw too much. The company has developed numerous new features that allow the officer to access his or her weapon quickly. Furthermore, the design still enables them to protect their weapons with a number of locking mechanisms for added security. "Our goal is to add varying levels of security while not asking the officers to use different gross motor skills," DeSantis says. "This feature keeps officers comfortable so they do not have to have their hand in any other positions than where it normally is when drawing their gun." While some departments choose to issue their officers a particular duty holster, others allow their personnel to choose a holster they are most comfortable with. For Lt. John Lovelace of the Dona Ana (NM) Sheriff's Department, one of the Blackhawk Serpas meets his duty needs best and is easy to draw when necessary. "It is comfortable and fits my duty weapon well," Lovelace, a plainclothes officer, says. "It also provides a locking mechanism for an added measure of security." The added security reduces the risk of accidents, Lovelace explains. The Serpa Level 3 Auto Lock Duty Holster is a staple product from Blackhawk, which says the latest design technology has been implemented into the holster. With Auto Lock release and thumb-activated pivot guard, this holster offers a high level of security and it fits a number of belt loops. The Serpa Level 3 Light Bearing Auto Lock duty holster is another law enforcement-applicable holster from Blackhawk. This holster provides high security and can hold a weapon-mounted light. For similar retention and quick use, the Serpa Level 2 Auto Lock duty holster has a jacket-slot belt loop, which allows the officer to attach it with ease. This particular holster may be used with other duty gear or on a belt for tactical purposes. Accessories and Features Accessories for holsters can impact the functionality of gear. DeSantis has come up with a new backup pouch. This includes a removable paddle so the pouch may also be used as a belt holster. The backup pouch is able to accommodate a variety of firearms makes including FN Herstal, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Para-Ordnance, SIG Sauer, and Smith & Wesson. This accessory can hold most 9mm or .40 S&W double-stacked magazines and also has room for the majority of smaller flashlights that have a one-inch diameter. DeSantis also offers the Champ holster. The Champ is a versatile design that allows users to switch it from right-hand draw to left-hand draw by moving one screw. The Champ is an extremely compact holster with features such as adjustable cant and enhanced retention. Natural Draw The overall opinion from many officers when it comes to duty holsters is they want one that is secure, comfortable, and easy to use. Det. Ray Williams of the Eddy County (NM) Sheriff's Office says he looks for a holster that is durable, affordable, and has strong retention. "My department issues a holster for patrol officers," he says. In contrast, Eddy County SO plainclothes officers like Williams are allowed to choose their own holster to use on the job. The holster the department now issues its patrol officers is the Blackhawk Serpa Level III. "The Serpa holster has a natural draw, which is very important," Williams says. But as a plainclothes officer he prefers leather holsters that do not put much wear and tear on his firearm such as the Safariland SSIII. Department Staples Safariland has been making holsters for the law enforcement market for 50 years, and many of the company's products have become staples for police departments. The Safariland QLS 19 Quick Attachment Holster System, Holster Locking Fork attaches to the back of the holster. In addition, it may be mounted to belts, the thigh, or in a unit. This accessory works with all Safariland holsters in particular. Hood guards are another type of accessory that Safariland offers. The Safariland SLS Hood Guard is available with specific models for right- or left-handed users. Sgt. Jaime Quezada of the Las Cruces (NM) Police Department prefers Safariland holsters for numerous reasons. The Model 6390 ALS Mid-Ride Level I retention duty holster is Sgt. Quezada's favorite. "I like the security level that it comes in as well as how professional it looks when in a patrol uniform." Quezada says this duty holster model allows officers to be able to use a flashlight attached to the weapon as well. "These days I believe that is a necessity because it still allows you to have one free hand in the event of an emergency while still having a light. The durability gives me confidence that if a struggle took place with someone trying to remove my gun and holster, it has a higher chance of staying intact when compared to others." Quezada says the holster is a good value and one he is willing to pay for. "When it holds such an important tool of the job, it is worth it." Safariland has additional holsters that have been engineered with officer protection in mind. The Model 7360 7TS ALS/SLS Mid-Ride Level III Retention Duty Holster comes with an automatic locking system that is part of the Self Locking System or SLS. Once the firearm is holstered, it automatically locks in all areas or directions. It may be operated by merely using a thumb and the duty weapon may be taken out of the holster with ease in one swift movement. The holster may be worn close to the body and is made out of SafariSeven materials, which include a nylon blend that is extremely durable. Camera Activation Safariland announced at last year's Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show that it had developed an innovative holster accessory that links body camera activation to the officer's draw. The Camera Auto Activation System allows the officer's duty weapon to remain secure. In addition, once the firearm is lifted from the holster, the officer's body camera will begin to engage. The system works only with Safariland's Vievu LE4 body-worn camera and the 7TS Model 7360 ALS Mid-Ride Level III Retention Duty Holster. The ability to activate the body camera without added motion and maneuvering creates a safe, successful firearm draw, especially under stressful circumstances, Safariland says. This added technology is designed to keep law enforcement personnel from harm in more ways than one. The body camera associated with this holster retains the previous 30 seconds of footage once it is engaged. The Vievu LE4 will also continuously record until it is manually turned off. The design of the Camera Auto Activation System includes a durable, rugged exterior; the camera itself is water resistant. Battery life for the system is 60 days. Safariland says the Camera Activation System technology will be incorporated into more duty gear and holsters as we progress into 2017. Which means that more agencies that use Vievu body cameras will have the option of using this technology to help ensure that footage of critical incidents is captured. Other holster makers and body camera companies may develop systems that work with their gear sometime in the near future as well. Camera activation technology is very impressive, but at the end of the day, each and every officer looks for security and safety in their holster choice. This is at the core of every decision made when it comes to choosing the best gear for duty, whether it be a staple or an added accessory. Having the right holster and the right gear can make all of the difference when it comes to efficiency and, most importantly, officer safety. Hilary Romig is a freelance public safety writer. In addition, she has extensive law enforcement training. Hilary has recently accepted a position at the Lubbock (TX) Police Department. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print CNN is reporting that the intelligence community is investigating claims that Russia has compromised Trump and has damaging personal and financial information on the president-elect. CNN reported: Classified documents presented last week to President Obama and President-elect Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump, multiple US officials with direct knowledge of the briefings tell CNN. The allegations were presented in a two-page synopsis that was appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The allegations came, in part, from memos compiled by a former British intelligence operative, whose past work US intelligence officials consider credible. The FBI is investigating the credibility and accuracy of these allegations, which are based primarily on information from Russian sources, but has not confirmed many essential details in the memos about Mr. Trump. The report also debunks the lie that has been adopted by the president-elect that Russia only hacked the DNC. Russia complied damaging info on both candidates but chose only to release the Hillary Clinton information. If Russia does have damaging personal and financial information on Trump, it will go a long way towards explaining Trumps pro-Russia stance. The Russian government may have the goods on Trump, which is why the president-elect has become Putins biggest fan. With each revelation, the Trump/Russia scandal mushrooms into a bigger story. America cant have a compromised individual serving in the White House as president. Congress must seriously investigate this report. If it is determined to be true, Donald Trump cant serve as President Of The United States. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Tuesday, FBI Director James Comey refused to comment on whether his agency is investigating any connection between Donald Trumps presidential campaign and Russia. I would never comment on investigations in an open forum, Comey responded, straight face intact. The remark comes amid reports that Russia has damaging financial and personal information on Trump. The irony of the FBI directors refusal to answer the question posed by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden did not go unnoticed by Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine. Video: FBI director: We never confirm or deny a pending investigation. Senator: The irony of your making that statement here, I cannot avoid. pic.twitter.com/rjCkm0eOmQ NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) January 10, 2017 When King pressed Comey on why he wouldnt answer Wydens initial question on whether the FBI was investigation a possible Trump campaign-Russia connection, Comey repeated himself. I dont, especially in a public forum, we never confirm or deny a pending investigation, Comey said. King shot back, with a chuckle: The irony of your making that statement here, I cannot avoid, but Ill move on. The irony, of course, is that Comey weighed in publicly about the investigation into Hillary Clintons emails twice in two weeks just before last years presidential election. Luckily, Comey was called out for his clear change of heart when it comes to publicly discussing his agencys investigations. But the American people still deserve to know whether Trump who will formally become president in 10 days was coordinating with a foreign state in order to win a presidential election. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print As President Barack Obama prepares to bid the nation farewell on Tuesday night, his popularity continues to soar, according to the latest poll from Rasmussen Reports a polling firm generally favorable to Republicans. According to the survey, 60 percent of Americans approve of the job the outgoing president has done, while 39 percent disapprove. Obama Job Approval Approve 60%, Disapprove 39% (Rasmussen Reports 1/5-1/9) https://t.co/6oIyqa87m4 pic.twitter.com/mWM6HY7gH9 HuffPost Pollster (@pollsterpolls) January 10, 2017 The poll also found that those who strongly approve of Obama outweigh those who strongly disapprove, by a 37 to 29 margin. The overall approval number and the daily index rating are highs for Obama since March 2009, just weeks after he first took office, Rasmussen noted. Two other polls released from Quinnipiac and Gallup Tuesday show similar numbers for the president, pegging his approval rating at 55 percent and 56 percent, respectively. There is a clear difference between the way Americans look at the current president and the incoming president, and it doesnt bode well for Trump. Job approval for POTUS/PEOTUS: OBAMA Approve 55 Disapprove 39 NET +16 TRUMP Approve 37 Disapprove 51 NET -14 @QuinnipiacPoll pic.twitter.com/tEcSw55H13 Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 10, 2017 Not only do the American people look at President Obama much more positively than President-elect Trump, who has historically low ratings for an incoming president, but Obama also outperforms the previous two-term president by a mile. As George W. Bush prepared to leave office in 2009, his dismal approval rating stood at 22 percent. When President Obama addresses the nation on Tuesday night, he will be speaking to a grateful nation that is satisfied with the job hes done and likely to miss him when hes gone. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) tore apart Republicans on the Senate floor for having no plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. While speaking on the Senate floor, Sen. Franken said (Video here): Ive been talking to a lot of people in Minnesota who have health insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act, or whose lives were changed by the protections in the ACA that benefit every American. And, frankly, they are scared. Hardworking people for whom this is life or death. If their health insurance is taken away, they dont know what theyre going to do. So today, on their behalf, I have one request for my Republican colleagues: show us your plan. You know, your health care plan. You must have one. Wed like to see it. Now. You can understand the question, right? Because if, say, your child had cancer, and the Affordable Care Act was the reason you could get health insurance, you wouldnt want to rip up the ACA before knowing what would replace it. Im not the only Senator with constituents whose lives are on the line here, so I just know that you dont intend to rip up the Affordable Care Act and leave them with nothing. Youve got to have a plan, right? So lets just see it. Last week, President Obama said that if Republicans produce a plan thats, quote, demonstrably better than Obamacarehed support it. And, so will I. Just show it to me. President-elect Trump clearly has a plan. He laid it all out during his campaign. His plan was, he said to, quote: Repeal Obamacare and replace it with something terrific. Thats what he said. And then he went into a little bit more detail, and explained that the something terrific would be, quote, so much better, so much better, so much better. Terrific! So much better. That sounds great. Lets see it. One of Trumps top advisers said on MSNBC We dont want anyone who currently has insurance to not have insurance. Great! Neither do we. Speaker Ryan said that there will, quote, be a bridge so that no one is left out in the cold, so that no one is worse off. That is wonderful! No one being worse off is exactly what we want to see. Im sure Speaker Ryans staff was mistaken when they later told a reporter that the no one worse off only applied to the transition period, not to the replacement plan. Show me the plan that keeps coverage for the 20 million people whove gained coverage, that would bend the cost curve so that the costs of the entire health care system grow less quickly as they have, and that would ensure that nobody gets denied coverage when they need it or has to unfairly pay more than someone else because of their gender or a pre-existing condition. Show me that plan. I know a lot of Republicans have put forward different plans. But, a lot of plans is not a plan. We want to see the plan. You know, the one youve been working on for SIX YEARS. Frankens point was that Republicans are making a lot of promises, but the one thing that we havent seen is a plan. A real live actual plan. A plan that will cover more people. A plan that will make sure that nobody loses their health insurance. A plan that keeps all the benefits of Obamacare and doesnt raise premiums. Republicans have had six years to come up with a plan, and theyve got nothing. That dont have a single plan that even their own Republican majority agrees on. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trump is showing us how he intends to govern. He will cyberbully people for defending a free press or for condemning his juvenile and malicious mockery of disabled people to distract us from the actual business of governing. I call it governance by cyber distraction. On occasion, his spin-mistress, Kellyanne Conway will come to his defense, claiming that what we know is good is, in Trump speak, the worst instincts in people. When Trump indulges in a cyber tantrum, he is always up to no good. Certainly, the inherent repulsiveness of his habitual cyber bullying is bad enough, but as the day Trump invades the White House gets closer, preparations are being made for confirmation hearings. The cyber bullying is the shiny bauble to divert attention from the fact that Trumps nominees are ill-suited for their positions and are uncooperative when it comes to disclosing the required materials for confirmation hearings. Its a repeat of Trumps refusal to release his tax returns. You can be certain if Trump is cyber lying about Meryl Streep and the media or whining about Celebrity Apprentice ratings, there is something far more sinister going on that he wants the media and the people to ignore. Dealing with this will be a primary challenge for political reporters in the era of Trump. Certainly, there is a value in calling him out for cyberbullying, for the lies inherent in tweets that match the proportion of lies he tells when he is speaking, specifically 96% of the time. However inhumane, repulsive and un-American Trumps cyber lies are, they are a distraction from serious issues that will be a detriment to all of us for years, likely decades. Issues like the nomination of Jeff Sessions as Attorney-General or Rex Tillerson, as Putins, I mean Trumps, Secretary of State. Issues like his nominee for the Department of Education whose raison detre is a return to the days when reading was a privilege. This time, Trump is hoping to distract from his swamp creatures, and possibly the fact that he made nepotism great again by appointing his son-in-law, Jared Kuschner, to a senior White House position. Suffice to say, when six confirmation hearings are set to occur within one day, Trumps lapdogs in Congress make it abundantly clear that the only thing they are interested in doing is rubber stamping Trumps choices with the hope that the media wont be able to keep up. Without news coverage or at least a semblance of fact-checking, the American people will be kept in the dark about the depth of corruption in Trumps swamp er administration. Republicans insist their intention is not to obscure the confirmation hearings for cabinet nominees amid a flurry of political activity. But the net result will likely be too many events for comprehensive news coverage and it may tank Senate Democrats long-planned strategy to systematically attack Trumps cabinet and wound the Republican Party. They will spin this sudden rapid-fire confirmation process as being about efficiency or respecting Trumps right to choose whoever he wants to fill these positions. Couple with Trumps cyber-tantrums, be it over Meryl Streep or Apprentice ratings it is blatantly obvious that Trump intends to govern by cyber distraction. Of course, we know this is a different tactic than the one Republicans used when Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to fill the late Republican SCOTUS Justice/god, Antonin Scalia. That was about dragging their feet to run out the clock. Garlands nomination wasnt even considered, let alone voted on during the months before the election. Trumps choice will, no doubt, be confirmed in minutes or hours. Its also a different standard than the one they used during Eric Holders confirmation process or the months it took Senate Republicans to confirm Eric Holders successor, current Attorney-General Loretta Lynch. Already, were seeing the effort to bury Jeff Sessions long history of racism; his cringe-worthy record on civil rights and his defense of vote suppression buried deep in the swamp. Fortunately, there is already a Senate transcript of Sessions history that made him unconfirmable as a Federal Judge. But that is likely to deter Republicans determined to rubber stamp the worst possible nominee for Attorney-General. Reporting will have to adapt to this strategy in a manner that exposes the consistency of cowardice and sleaze inherent in ramming nominations and probably major legislation through, without reflection, debate or that thing called transparency. It isnt difficult to see that Republicans have much to hide about Trumps nominees and are hoping to bury a lack of qualifications and contempt for Americas political and judicial institutions in a news cycle flooded with revolving door confirmations. We can expect similar tactics when it comes to legislation: Minimal debate, with votes cast by people who probably dont know what they are voting for not that they knew before. Michael Moore warned about this a while back during an interview with CNNs Van Jones. Hes going to be inaugurated on January 20, and January 21, which is a Saturday, dont be surprised if the Republicans call a Saturday session of congress, and they are going to pass law after law after law and have him sign it the next day, and its going to be one piece of suffering against people after another. Indeed, watching Republicans confirm Trumps nominees and passing one piece of suffering after another will be like watching a silent movie, with Trumps cyber bullying and lies to divert attention from the main events. Calling Trump and Republicans out on every attempt to ram things through without proper debate and transparency is our challenge. Its a challenge we must meet. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Senate Democrats have been going easy on Sen. Jeff Sessions because he is one of their own. Sen. Cory Booker broke with senatorial courtesy, by testifying and telling the truth about Sen. Sessions record on civil rights. Video of Sen. Bookers testimony: Booker said, I know that some of my colleagues are unhappy that Im breaking with Senate tradition to testify against the nomination of one of my colleagues. But I believe, like perhaps all of my colleagues, that in the choice between standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country. Later Sen. Booker unloaded on Sessions civil rights record: Senator Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requirement of the job to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights, and justice for all. In fact, at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility toward these convictions, and has worked to frustrate attempts to advance these ideals. If confirmed, Senator Sessions will be required to pursue justice for women, but his record indicates that he wont. He will be expected to defend the equal rights of gay and lesbian Americans, but his record indicates that he wont. He will be expected to defend voting rights, but his record indicates that he wont. He will be expected to defend the rights of immigrants and affirm their human dignity, but his record indicates he wont. His record indicates that as Attorney General he would obstruct the growing national bipartisan movement toward criminal justice reform. His record indicates that we cannot count on him to support state and national efforts toward bringing justice to a justice system that people on both sides of the aisle readily admit is biased against the poor, drug-addicted, mentally ill, and people of color. His record indicates that at a time when even the FBI director is speaking out about implicit racial bias in policing and the need to address it; at a time when the last two Attorneys General have taken steps to fix our broken criminal justice system; and at a time when the Justice Department he would lead has uncovered systemic abuses in police departments all over the United States including Ferguson, including Newark; Senator Sessions would not continue to lead urgently needed change. The next Attorney General must bring hope and healing to our country, and this demands a more courageous empathy than Senator Sessions record demonstrates. Challenges of race in America cannot be addressed if we refuse to confront them. Persistent biases cannot be defeated unless we combat them. The arc of the universe does not just naturally curve toward justice we must bend it. These are the words that Democrats were waiting to hear at the Sessions confirmation hearings. After years of Republicans disrespecting President Obama, the last thing that rank and file Democrats wanted to see was Senate Democrats demonstrating senatorial courtesy towards Jeff Sessions. As attorney general, Sessions will undo the progress of the civil rights movement. More Democrats need to be like Cory Booker and take an active stand against Jeff Sessions serving as the nations next attorney general. On this issue, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) was a Democrat that members of his party could be proud of. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Picking up where he left off last night in response to allegations that Vladimir Putin has damaging information on him, Donald Trump launched an all-too-familiar tweetstorm this morning, claiming his innocence in ever more hysterical tones: Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 This is patently and demonstrably untrue. Donald Trump does have business ties in Russia and his nominee as secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, has even more damaging business ties to Russia. Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and, in violation of the law, his senior advisor, also has Russian ties, as Vox pointed out: Foreign investors, including some from Russia and China, have invested in Kushners companies, including Cadre and the real estate firm. The Washington Posts intrepid David Farenthold also jumped into the fray in response to Trumps frenzy of denials: Here's a good WaPo story from June about @realDonaldTrump's business dealings in Russia. https://t.co/UhI0oXb01p https://t.co/1hXHMRESeF David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) January 11, 2017 In a word, Donald Trump, his family and cabinet are lousy with business ties to Russia. That didnt stop Trump from claiming fake news and that he won easily (he lost by millions of votes): I win an election easily, a great "movement" is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 The icing on the cake is Trump alluding to Nazi Germany. Yes, the man who accepted the enthusiastic endorsement of the KKK and American Nazis, gave and received Hitler salutes, who repeated Adolf Hitlers own anti-Semitic tropes in his speeches, is asking if we are living in Nazi Germany: Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 This is all easily settled, of course. As The Plum Lines Greg Sargent points out, If this is fake news, why not support a full and independent probe into all aspects of this whole affair that would prove *you* right? https://t.co/xs0VkoJlSt Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) January 11, 2017 That, of course, is the last thing Donald Trump wants. Hed rather claim Hillary Clinton destroyed American democracy by getting debate questions ahead of time, even though that tired old lie has been repeatedly debunked. Donald Trump always prefers lies to facts, and the hysterical nature of his denials on top of his repeated lies about his business ties to Russia, suggests he has something to hide. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print The New York Times editorial board relates that Donald Trumps attorney general nominee, Jeff Sessions managed to skate through most of the first day of his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee with smooth talk and a conveniently faulty memory. None of this means he is at all suitable for the post to which Trump wishes to nominate him, and People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker issued the following statement: Given Jeff Sessions long record of extremism, in addition to the fact that he was rejected by this committee for another position thirty years ago, the burden was on Senator Sessions today to show that hes fit to serve as attorney general. He failed miserably. First and foremost, hes shown that he learned nothing from the fact that he was rejected by a bipartisan majority of the committee thirty years ago. He brushed off the allegations of racism that Republicans and Democrats alike determined were credible in 1986, and he doubled down on his unsuccessful prosecution of voting rights activists. Today, after three months, he finally decided that grabbing a woman by her genitals without consent is sexual assault, but he gave no indication of why he so rushed to defend a candidate who described precisely that behavior. He ignored American values when he brushed aside the possibility of deporting DREAMers and separating families. In attempting to puff up his record on civil rights, he continued to misrepresent his work on cases in which he had no substantive involvement. He dismissed concerns about his failure to disclose thousands of dollars in oil royalties. He treated as inconsequential his long association with anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hate groups. And while he was right to say he would recuse himself from any Clinton investigation, he failed to address how he would handle recusal in connection with other crucial issuesincluding the investigation of Russian influence in our elections and Donald Trumps unprecedented conflicts of interestin which his vociferous support for and connections to President Trump raise grave concerns. Jeff Sessions has a long record of putting his extreme ideology above the Constitution and the law. Nothing he said today should reassure senators he wouldnt do exactly that as attorney general. PFAW Communications Director Drew Courtney is already on record as saying, Jeff Sessions is once again painting himself as a civil rights leaderthats preposterous. He cant puff up his record by taking credit for the work of others. If anything, he should explain why he attempted to claim responsibility for cases he hardly touched. In 1986, Coretta Scott King wrote that Sessions confirmation as a federal judge would have a devastating effect onthe progress we have made everywhere toward fulfilling my husbands dream. Nothing has changed in the 30 years since. As Baker said, nothing Sessions said today gives Americans any reason to suppose Sessions is anything different than what his record says he is. Putting his own ideology above the Constitution may make him right for Donald Trump, who has shown he plans to do the same, but it makes him wrong for the American people, who deserve so much better. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trump began his first press conference with a conspiratorial claim that the intelligence community leaked the info that he has been compromised by Russia. Trump said, I must say I want to thank a lot of the news organizations because they looked at that nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies. Maybe? Who knows. But maybe the intelligence agencies, which would be a tremendous blot on their record if they did that. The president-elect began his press conference by casting suspicion on the US intelligence community while taking the side of Putin and Russia. Trumps press conference began with a raging tire fire. Trump has gone on to endorse Russian hacking and election interference by calling Putin helping him and liking him an asset. Politicus Podcast on Trump Press Conference: Listen to Trump Wrecks His Presidency With Press Conference Disaster on Spreaker. Trump is using the press conference to alternate between reliving the 2016 election and defending Russia and Putin. President-elect Trump went off on a paranoid rant about every hotel room having secret cameras that spy on him. Trumps disjointed rambling press conference has provided no policy details on anything. Trump is going full conspiracy and whining about his media coverage. It is like the 2016 presidential campaign never ended, and Donald Trump has no idea that he is about to be the next President Of The United States. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trump was asked point blank if he had any contact with Russia during the campaign, and the president-elect refused to answer the question. Video: Transcript: QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President-elect, can you stand here today, once and for all and say that no one connected to you or your campaign had any contact with Russia leading up to or during the presidential campaign. And if you do indeed believe that Russia was behind the hacking, what is your message to Vladimir Putin right now? TRUMP: He shouldnt be doing it. He wont be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when Im leading than when other people have led it. You will see that. Russia will respect our country more. He shouldnt have done it. I dont believe that he will be doing it more now. We have to work something out, but its not just Russia. Take a look at whats happened. You dont report it the same way; 22 million accounts were hacked in this country by China. And thats because we have no defense. Thats because were run by people that dont know what theyre doing.TRUMP: Russia will have far greater respect for our country when Im leading it and I believe and I hope maybe it wont happen, its possible. But I wont be giving (ph) a little reset button like Hillary. Here, press this piece of plastic. A guy looked at her like what is she doing? Theres no reset button. Were either going to get along or were not. I hope we get along, but if we dont, thats possible too. But Russia and other countries and other countries, including China, which has taken total advantage of us economically, totally advantage of us in the South China Sea by building their massive fortress, total. Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, all countries will respect us far more, far more than they do under past administrations. As you can see from the transcript above, president-elect Trump never answered the question related to whether anyone from his campaign had contact with Russia during the election. By dodging the question, Trump is only adding fuel to the fire. Of course, Russia is going to be nice to Trump. He is the stooge candidate that Putin wanted to win. Trump did nothing to quiet the questions about his potential connections to Russia, and whether or not his campaign conspired with Putin to influence the election. If the Trump campaign is found to have worked with a hostile foreign actor to capture the White House, Congress will be facing immediate pressure to begin the process of impeaching the President Of The United States. Trump did a lot of screaming fake news during his press conference, but the one thing he didnt do was deny that his campaign was in communication with the Russian government during the election. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print After watching Donald Trump orchestrate a witch-hunt first against President Barack Obama over his birtherism nonsense, and then against Hillary Clinton over bogus email claims during the presidential campaigns, it is amusing now to watch Donald Trump cry that he is the victim of a witch-hunt. And that is precisely what he did when word came out that the Kremlin may know some things about Donald Trump that force his compliance: FAKE NEWS A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 The man who so depended upon fake news to get himself elected and who sent out so much of it himself is now crying #FakeNews: Trump doesnt like it when the shoe is on the other foot. He reveled in dispensing invented facts and lies but even the hint that he might be the Kremlins stooge has him collapsing into paroxysms of hypocrisy. In the process, as The Washington Posts Mark Berman notes with some amusement, Trump managed to misquote the Kremlin statement: President-elect Trump cites Russia's dismissal of the new allegations, misquotes the Kremlin statement pic.twitter.com/AY2ra8ftrI Mark Berman (@markberman) January 11, 2017 Of course, they WOULD say that, wouldnt they? Of course, if it is true they will deny it, just as Trump himself regularly denies things that are true. If Trump knew it was true he would deny it too. Trump is more than willing to throw around reckless hints of impropriety about others, and of all the people you can imagine, has the least right to cry witch hunt when at last, those rumors circle around himself instead. There is some irony too, as CNBCs John Harwood points out, that what we witnessed was President-elect quoting Russia to make the case that allegations involving Russian influence are untrue. Nothing new there: Trump has already shown that the Kremlin is his favorite source of information. This past year's EMMY nominees for Best Comedy Series honored a wide number of programs including, network mega-sitcoms (Black-ish, Modern Family), foul-mouthed satires (Veep, Silicon Valley), and dramedies with indie film sensibilities (Master of None, Transparent). Not coincidentally, the six series highlighted above stand as pillars representing some of the most popular and/or acclaimed shows in the landscape of television comedy. While I have no intention to declare any of these shows as unworthy of this praise, observing this exclusive realm of success raises questions about why other worthy programs remain in relative obscurity? Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which is currently in the middle of its fourth season on Fox, is one of those shows on the outside looking in. The workplace comedy has never set the ratings ablaze, declining over each of its four seasons amidst various time slot shuffles, but what the masses are missing is one of the sharpest shows that can be found on network TV today. Nine-Nine, despite its home on FOX, shares both a sensibility and lineage with NBC's famous "Comedy Night, Done Right" line-up of critically heralded sitcoms from the mid-2000's including Parks and Recreation and The Office. The connection is most clearly seen in the creators Dan Goor and Michael Schur's extensive history with both of these programs. Despite taking place in the fictional NYPD precinct of its title, the show has always presented itself a workplace comedy, doing for police work what Parks did for small town politics. And like Parks, the series smartly presents its main characters as competent at their jobs, understanding that there are more laughs to be had from strong characterizations than watching inept characters bumble their way through cases. Though there are occasional arcs and plot points that could recur over several episodes, the show thrives primarily as a self-contained entity, utilizing its large ensemble to assemble unique pairings from its stacked comedic roster. And make no mistake, this cast is effectively the network equivalent of The Avengers. Beyond SNL and Lonely Island alum Andy Samberg who leads the show and largely serves as its promotional face, is Joe Lo Truglio, Terry Crews, and stand-up comedian Chelsea Peretti all doing consistently impressive work. That's not even mentioning Andre Braugher's performance, who despite being known primarily for dramas, offers a master class on deadpan comedy as the precinct's captain. Beyond simply assembling a talented comedic ensemble, they've created one of the most ethnically diverse casts of any current network comedy, doing so simply by representing the realities of its setting. Compared to the monochromatic leads of other Brooklyn set shows like Girls, this simple concept seems downright revolutionary. Characters are not defined by racial identities (or sexual orientation in the case of Braugher's Holt who is openly gay), abandoning stereotype humor to again allow the comedy to come out of their unique characterizations. All these promising elements have been in place since the show debuted in Fall 2013, and over its short run it has admirably imitated shows like Parks and The Office in their ability to learn from its early mistakes. One of the most crucial elements of growth has been the characterization of Samberg's Detective Jake Peralta who has managed to evolve from a quip machine to a three-dimensional character largely through arcs focused on Peralta's surrogate father-son dynamic with Holt and his close friendships within the precinct. Another crucial modification came in the decision to eliminate a first season arc where Detective Boyle (Lo Truglio) was characterized with a Pepe Le Pew-ish infatuation on fellow Detective Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) despite her lack of romantic interest. Many found the arc off-putting in its refusal to take seriously Diaz's discomfort at the unwanted advances. But rather than continuing this plotline out of stubbornness, the show wisely moved away from that dynamic by having the character acknowledge his poor behavior and create instead a more organic friendship between the two. While I certainly can continue to explain why this smart young series is worth taking note of, a more intriguing question for me is why the show has failed to catch on the way I would have expected it to? It's worth remembering that this is a show Fox believed in enough that during its first season, they included it as one of two shows (along with New Girl) to follow Super Bowl XLVIII. The most obvious theory is that there just isn't a draw for comedies like NBC's departed lineup anymore. With seemingly endless options at the viewer's disposal, perhaps interest has moved away from these comfortably goofy shows in favor of more adventurous programing like Louie or Transparent. While shows like 30 Rock and Parks have remained beloved by comedy aficionados, many forget the two were never truly able to gain traction in terms of ratings, instead floating by on critical praise and awards in addition to their cult followings. And while Nine-Nine carries the torch nobly for these departed shows, it still has not reached the legendary heights its predecessors are remembered for, possibly leaving viewers content to re-watch these comfortable workplace sitcoms on Netflix than invest in an entirely new series. Another important question to consider is whether the show's targeted 18-49 year old audiences are even interested in a comedy centered within the NYPD? Since the show premiered, there has been no shortage of real world police incidents to cloud the humor of the show, including those leading to the deaths of people like Freddie Gray and Tamir Rice. And though the show did address police backlash somewhat in a storyline during a season three episode, the series has largely stayed away from political statements, existing in a world where cops naturally do the right thing. While gritty dramas like Law and Order: SVU or Chicago PD still manage to find success despite police controversy, it is decidedly easier time integrating real world anxieties and storylines to their plots in comparisons to the good-natured antics of Nine-Nine. Ultimately it's not unreasonable to think some viewers might not be able to find humor in the profession, even if taken within a fantasy realm. Finally, the prevalence of streaming services like Netflix also leads one to wonder whether the show is a victim of its own nature as a network sitcom? With streaming and binge culture becoming more and more normalized with every new Netflix or Amazon show, those interested in a smart comedy may not have the patience to watch the show once a week over the course of 22 weeks. Providing further complications to this has been Fox's several switches of the show's timeslots, moving the show from it's original time on Tuesdays to Sundays between seasons one and two, before bringing it back to Tuesdays halfway through season three. While Fox's efforts to move the show to whatever slot has as strong a lead-in as possible, the confusion of these shifts can inspire issues for audiences that don't exist in the "binge" model. If news were to break tomorrow that Brooklyn Nine-Nine was cancelled, not much would change in the world. This would not be the first smart, modestly rated sitcom to prematurely meet its end and likely would not be the last either. And while Fox has seemed content with its meager ratings output in the past, it is disheartening to see a show operate with such confidence and feel as though it's happening in a void. We live in an exciting and innovative time for TV programing, and while we certainly shouldn't move backwards, hopefully there remains room for this fun little show, whether or not the EMMYs ever take note. For the congregation and its pastor, the restoration of the 120-year-old building is more than a physical uplift. It also presents a chance to revisit the history of the building, examining the important role the edifice played in the lives of its congregation and community. Read moreRestoration of Charleston's Emanuel AME presents chance to revisit church's powerful past Charleston, SC (29403) Today A mix of clouds and sun. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 78F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 68F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old Columbia man, pulled the trigger in 2015 that killed 9 Black churchgoers in downtown Charleston, but hostile foreign actors and Meta provided the ammunition that motivated the malleable young adult, a new federal complaint alleges. Read moreFacebook enabled Russian foes to radicalize Emanuel church shooting slayer, per new suit As parts of South Carolina continue to struggle with the effects of one of the strongest, costliest American storms on record, some automakers appear poised to destabilize one of the most important and effective public safety tools being used in the states recovery efforts. Read moreCommentary: Hurricane Ian a reminder of the importance of AM car radios There are five candidates vying for three open seats on Clemson City Council. We asked the two incumbents and three newcomers what they think is most important for Clemson's residents and council. Read moreMeet the candidates: 5 vying for 3 seats on Clemson City Council Walter Hofner, a retired Rochester carpenter and craftsman, has made a dozen handcrafted rocking horses in his life. Two of them were put up for bid and raised $4,000 for the Eagles Cancer Telethon that will be held Jan. 14 and 15. Hofner, 87, hopes his latest creation will fetch even more money for cancer research, because it will be his last. "It's time for me to quit," Hofner said. "My hands don't work the best, and I can't do them as good as I used to." Hofner's latest hand-made rocking horse will go up for auction around 6 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion in Lyle. Hofner estimates spending 300 hours building it, and that doesn't count the time putting a finish on it. He drove more than a thousand miles looking for the rock elm wood used to make it. The first horse he put up for auction raised $1,900 and the second one $2,100. But Hofner has never disguised his disappointment that his rocking horses haven't fetched more. ADVERTISEMENT "If you found them in the store, which I'm positive you never will, they would probably cost three to four times that much," Hofner said. But cancer is personal to Hofner. His wife's mother and her aunts died of cancer. Her granddad died of cancer. She's had a sister and brother die of it. His wife, daughter and son battled it. When Hofner worked as a contracted carpenter at Mayo Clinic for 16 years, he saw the toll it took on young patients. "You see a lot of little kids without arms or legs and without hair," Hofner said. "If this don't get to you, nothing will." The money raised from his rocking horse will contribute to the total raised in the Lyle area. Over the last 10 years, fundraisers in the area comprising Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa have contributed more than $10 million to the Cancer telethon, said Larry Ricke, co-chairman of the Lyle Area Cancer group. Last year, $227,000 was raised from the Lyle area. Is there any way I can figure out what reading problems my child may have? She is reading slightly below grade level in second grade. How can I help her improve? -- Seeking Help You never want a child to be reading below grade level. Children who are likely to be good readers will be reading on grade level by third grade. Now is certainly the right time to work on improving your child's reading level. The easiest way to pinpoint what problem or problems your child is having is by talking with her teacher. You can also do some research on readingrockets.org by searching for "Target the Problem." The site describes five of the most common reading problems, which are: --Phonological and phonemic awareness (ability to focus on and manipulate individual sounds in individual words). --Word decoding and phonics (ability to recognize unfamiliar words quickly). ADVERTISEMENT --Vocabulary (words children need to understand when reading). --Fluency (reading with speed, accuracy and expression). --Comprehension (understanding what is read). What is great about "Target the Problem" is that it clearly describes a problem and then tells what children, parents and teachers can do to resolve each problem. Once you have talked to the teacher and done some research on your own, you and the teacher should determine how both of you can work together to help your child become a better reader. There are also several techniques on our Dear Teacher website (DearTeacher.com) under Skill Builders: Reading that are easy for parents to do and also effective. NIM has parents and children reading aloud together. Repeated Reading has children reading the same passage several times. Recorded Reading has children listening to recorded stories and passages. Our high school has very few counselors available to help kids who are applying to college. Missing this important guidance, what are some things they need to be aware of about applying to college later on to avoid mistakes that could really hurt them? -- Parent The first and most important thing students need to do is to make sure that students are taking a schedule of classes that will get them into colleges that interest them. It would definitely be worthwhile for you and your child to check out entrance requirements for schools where the child is likely to apply right now. For example, some colleges require a foreign language to be studied for two years to be considered for admission, and others do not. At the very least, students should take a schedule of classes that will meet the entrance requirements for state colleges and universities. Highly selective schools may have more demanding requirements. ADVERTISEMENT Another important thing that many students do not realize is that most colleges will require letters of recommendation from teachers and school guidance counselors. Students should try to develop a good working relationship with these professionals from the first day they start high school. The better the teachers and counselors know them, the more likely students will receive solid recommendations. Finally, students should make out a schedule that gives them information on college fair nights, admissions test dates and college application deadlines. Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted at age 14 from her Utah home in a case that attracted nationwide attention, will be the keynote speaker at the 2017 Power of the Purse event sponsored by United Way of Olmsted County. Power of the Purse, which will be held June 13 at the Rochester International Events Center, raises funds to support United Way's early childhood programs, including the Imagination Library. Smart, now 29, was freed after being held for nine months when she was found walking the streets with the couple who had held her captive. Since then, Smart has become a speaker, author and parent who advocates for child safety through her Elizabeth Smart Foundation. Information regarding tickets for the 2017 Power of the Purse event will be announced shortly. Within the past five days, three people have ended up in the hospital after being sickened by carbon monoxide fumes in two unrelated incidents. "To have two businesses have that happen within a day or two?" asked Cheryl Burt, of Rochester. "I'm so glad no one died. That means that it's working. It means that it's out there more, and that's really, really good." "It," in this case, is the awareness that carbon monoxide detectors save lives, and it's a message that Burt has been sharing for 21 years, calling it "this incessant need to protect everyone from something that I know is so preventable. Had I had that alarm, my kids would still be here." Instead, her sons Nicholas, 4, and Zachary, 1, died after being poisoned by the odorless, colorless fumes emitted by a faulty furnace in a home they'd lived in for just more than three months. Burt, her former husband, Todd Burt, and their oldest son, Ryan, then 5, were barely clinging to life when rescuers arrived at their home in rural Kimball on Jan. 5, 1996. ADVERTISEMENT 'Tragedy ... opens people's eyes' She continues to tell their story today, insisting that "tragedy ... opens people's eyes. They think, 'That could've been me. That could be me.' That was what I thought back then: Why wasn't someone in my face? Why did I not hear about this?" Carbon monoxide detectors weren't standard equipment at the time, but Burt remembers having to decide between buying a detector for their home or buying a special gift for her middle son's upcoming birthday. Both were $25. "Nick was turning 4 on Dec. 28, and he'd told me about a truck he really wanted," Burt said. "I literally went back and forth in the store, because I couldn't buy both." Her voice breaks as she finishes the story: "I have that toy, and I do not have my son. For 25 dollars. Had I bought it on that day ... I think if I'd put (the detector) up that day, it would have sounded. We'd been sick since we turned the furnace on." Like any busy family with three little ones, Burt and her husband chalked it up to the recent move and subsequent work on their old farmhouse when November brought groggy mornings and apparent sinus infections. She made multiple trips to the family doctor 25 miles away in St. Cloud; by the time they arrived, the boys typically seemed to feel better. It's obvious now that the fresh air and time away from the house alleviated the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, but at the time, "I got the label of hypochondriac, because I was bringing my kids in so often," Burt said, "sometimes twice a week." After the tragedy, "one of the doctors contacted me and said, 'Wow, have we ever learned something from this,'" she said. "Now they put it right on their (patient) intake forms: Do you have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home?" ADVERTISEMENT The public response was almost instantaneous: Officials told the Burts that within hours of the family being found, the detectors were selling out not just in Minnesota, but throughout the country. "It was out there," Burt said, "about this tragedy of these two little boys, and the family." Also out there was Burt herself, telling their story and raising awareness of the importance of carbon monoxide detectors. "I have boxes of letters from people who bought those for other people, for their grandchildren, for their children, for their grandparents, after hearing our story," she said. "And they've gone off, because they had faulty furnaces, faulty water heaters, faulty dryers, faulty ovens. I have stories upon stories, literally thousands and thousands of people who have told me, thank you, because of you... So I know what I did was right, and I can't stop, because I know there are people out there who don't know." 'I'm not strong at all' Speaking to the public about their experience provided a purpose, Burt said, and made it a little easier to go on with life. "I realized that had I lost all three of my children, I wouldn't be here today," she admits. "But I have a surviving child who almost died himself. He was right next to his brother. He suffered a severe trauma from this as well, and I had to be here for him. That was my survival technique. "I'm not strong at all," Burt insists. "What other alternative is there, but to pick up the pieces and make life count. That was the only option that was a satisfying one. The only peace that I have is that I was so ... poisoned. I didn't know. I couldn't think." ADVERTISEMENT She remembers little about the last several hours in a house filled with deadly fumes, until hearing her husband's words: "They're dead in their beds. Get up; they're gone." Burt crawled up the stairs to the boys' bedrooms. "I first checked on the baby," she said. "He was stiff. As poisoned as I was, I knew, but I didn't know. Then I went to my 4-year-old, Nick. He was on his stomach, and he was stiff and hard. I knew, but I didn't know. I laid down next to him, because I couldn't bear to see my oldest son. I couldn't. I just thought, 'all right, take me. Here I am. I'm done.'" Instead, Burt heard Ryan, asking for help. She summoned the strength to pull him off his bed, then dragged him down the hallway, into a patch of sunshine, opened a sliding glass door and laid down next to him. "I specifically remember watching two coroner jackets they were brown, with yellow letters walk down the hallway and go into the bedrooms," she continued. "I kept staring there, waiting for them to come out with my kids. I just kept waiting and waiting and waiting, and when they came out, I saw them look at each other and shake their heads to each other, and they were crying. And I knew, this is bad. "It's the things nightmares are made of," Burt said through tears. "And all of it could have been prevented by an alarm going off before it got to that point." Ryan today is nearly 27; he doesn't talk about what happened. "He was 5," his mother said. "His brother was in the bed one nightstand away from him. He was calling out for help, but I couldn't hear him. He understands why I do what I do, but he doesn't want any part of it." Two weeks ago, Nick would have turned 25; Zach would be 22. "You just wonder: What would they look like?" Burt said. "Their personalities were just starting to form. Nick will always be the little boy, cradling my face in his hands and saying, 'beautiful mommy,' when I haven't had a shower for days. "Zach will forever be 16 months old, taking everything and using it as a pull-toy," she said. The story takes a toll on Burt every time she tells it, she admitted, but "each time I say it, I hope someone picks something up from it. If they already know about the carbon monoxide piece, then I hope it's about persevering." AUSTIN The Austin Police Department made one of its biggest methamphetamine arrests Monday when it seized 3 pounds, 6.5 ounces of meth and made one arrest. Acting on a search warrant, Austin police, assisted by Mower County Sheriff deputies, searched a home in the 600 block of 10th Street Northwest at 1:17 p.m., said Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger. There they found three one-pound bricks of the drug, along with numerous smaller packages. "I don't know if it's the biggest," Krueger said. "It's definitely one of the largest (meth busts) in Austin." The drugs do not appear to have been made at the home, he said, as there was no meth lab at the site. Police arrested Phaengdy Khamda, 35, who is being held in the Mower County Jail. Krueger said she is likely facing felony first degree controlled substance charges. ADVERTISEMENT Also in the home were three children ages 1, 2 and 3 years, Krueger said. It was unclear if the children were Khamda's, but he said it was likely they were related. All three have been placed with Mower County Health and Human Services. An older woman identified as a grandmother was also in the home. She was allowed to stay, Krueger said. The city of Rochester is seeking volunteers for vacancies on four public advisory boards and commissions, Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede's office announced Tuesday. The city has open positions on its Committee on Urban Design and Environment; the Fire Civic Service Commission; the Heritage Preservation Commission; the Board of Park Commissioners (Park Board); and the Police Civil Service Commission, according to a news release from the mayor's office. Applicants must be Rochester residents, and in the case of the Park Board vacancy, applicants must reside in the city's third ward. A ward map is available on the city's website, rochestermn.gov . Interested residents can find application materials online, at rochestermn.gov/government/boards-and-commissions . Applications are also available at the Rochester Public Library. Applications for the four available positions are due to be returned by Jan. 31. CANNON FALLS Not long after the November election, Marci French stumbled across information about a planned women's march in Washington, D.C., in January. "Immediately I was just, I have to go. I knew this was something I had to do," she said. But would anyone else from southeast Minnesota want to go, too? The Cannon Falls massage therapist began talking with friends about the idea. She tentatively reserved a bus for the 1,096-mile trek and helped set up a Facebook event page . The reaction was immediate. "It just grew and grew. People started saying, "Yeah, I'm in,'" she said. Turns out French didn't need to worry. The bus seats sold out fast, with 48 people signing up for the three-day trip. The bus will leave Cannon Falls on the afternoon of January 20, make a stop in Rochester to pick up passengers and then continue on to the nation's capitol. ADVERTISEMENT About a quarter of a million people have expressed interest in going to the Women's March on Washington on Jan. 21 the day after Republican Donald Trump is sworn in as president. The march's mission is to "send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights," according to the Women's March on Washington website. Plenty of Minnesotans are expected to be among the marchers. Gloria Everson, Minnesota chairwoman for the Women's March on Washington, said it is tough to know for sure how many people from the North Star State are headed to the march. But she said more than 1,400 people have said they plan to attend via the group's Facebook page . A total of 16 buses filled with marchers will be leaving the state. Several other people are planning to fly or carpool to the event. There are also more than 150 "sister" marches planned across the nation and the world, including in St. Paul. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Saint Paul College and ends with a rally at the Minnesota Capitol. So far, 11,000 people have indicated via Facebook the are planning to go. So why so much interest in going to Washington, D.C.? Everson said it is a chance for people to speak out about injustice and inequality. She said Trump's win over Democrat Hillary Clinton has mobilized people to take action. "If you look at the qualification of the two (candidates) in terms of public service, what you see is a pattern that is present throughout a lot of history. Women with a lot of qualifications do not get the position," Everson said. Among those boarding a bus for the march is former Rep. Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester, and 2016 House candidate Linda Walbruch, DFL-Mantorville. Walbruch, a retired elementary school teacher, said she will be marching to set an example for her 10-year-old granddaughter Lillian. "We need our girls to have strong role models," she said. "Let them know they deserve respect. They deserve to feel safe. They deserve equity." ADVERTISEMENT As for French, she is still busy finalizing the logistics for the big day. The bus trip is expected to take 19 hours when pit stops are included. Participants will be riding the bus through the night and arriving in Washington, D.C. in time for the 10 a.m. march on Jan. 21. After the march, the group will board the bus and spend the night in Pennsylvania before returning to Minnesota. Joining French will be her 16-year-old daughter, Iris. The Cannon Falls mom said she sees this as a chance to speak out against Trump's bullying behavior and take a stand. She added, "I think us going there will show (Trump) and the administration that people are not afraid to speak and be involved. That's what I'm hoping." First District Rep. Tim Walz is expected to officially become the lead Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs today after his main rival for the post dropped his bid. California Rep. Mark Takano announced this week he was dropping out of the race and will back Walz for the post. "As a veteran and as a passionate advocate for those who have served, I know that Congressman Walz will do everything in his power to make good on that promise," Takano said in a statement. Takano had been serving as the ranking Democrat on the committee after the previous leader Florida Rep. Corrine Brown was indicted on fraud charges. Brown lost her re-election bid last year. Members of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee recently voted 31-19 to recommend the top post be given to Walz. Initially, Takano said he would challenge Walz in a vote before the entire Democratic caucus, but he changed his mind this week. A vote by the House Democratic caucus on Walz's nomination will be held this afternoon. In an interview on Tuesday, Walz said he is eager to take on the new role. ADVERTISEMENT "I'm certainly honored, humbled and ready to work," the Mankato Democrat said. During his run for the post, Walz emphasized his military experience. He is the only Democratic veteran on the committee. He retired as a command sergeant major in the Army National Guard, making him the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress. He also has a strong relationship with the committee's Republican chairman Rep. Phil Roe, of Tennessee. Both are Army veterans and serve in the Invisible Wounds Caucus together. "I'm thrilled to hear that my good friend and fellow veteran, Rep. Tim Walz, has been elected ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Rep. Walz has been a tireless advocate for veterans, and I know he will continue that fight as ranking member," Roe said in a statement. Reforming the VA Walz said he expects debate about how best to improve the VA system to be front and center in the upcoming session. President-elect Donald Trump has called for sweeping changes to the system, including giving veterans the choice of getting care from the VA or the private health care system. Walz agrees changes are needed but said Trump's plan goes too far and simply would not work. "The public means well by this we'll just give veterans a card and let them go anywhere. The private sector says that's not going to work. In many cases, we're overwhelmed," he said. But Walz said changes do need to be made to make it easier for veterans to get care. That means giving veterans the option to get some medical work done at their local health care provider when it makes sense. "There is a time when it doesn't make any sense to take an 89-year-old veteran all the way up to Minneapolis to do a blood test when the Sleepy Eye hospital is quite capable of doing that," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Walz said it also is time for the VA to change the way it does business so it is more patient-centered. When the VA system originally was built, he said, the focus was on building large hospitals with lots of beds for inpatient care. Fast forward to today, and most veterans are receiving outpatient care. Walz said he wants to see the VA system expand its hours to meet the needs of today's veterans. "There's no reason VA's can't have urgent cares. And there's no reason that the VA needs to close the door at 5 o'clock because most people still work or have kids, and you kind of want to stop in when you can get in," he said. The six-term congressman said he is optimistic Republicans and Democrats can work together on veterans issues. He added, "This is an area that Americans expect to have us to work on. I'm not buying into the frame that everything is a fight, everything has to be opposed." ST. PAUL Minnesota lawmakers scrambled Tuesday to begin cobbling together a relief plan for residents facing massive health insurance premium hikes, but logistical hurdles and disagreements between the Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton could make it weeks or longer before checks are delivered. Minnesota is grappling with some of the largest rate increases in the nation for 2017, driven by higher-than-expected medical costs from a small, severely sick population in the individual market where residents who aren't covered through employers or by public programs such as Medical Assistance get coverage. The Legislature kicked off 2017's session focused squarely on tackling the 50 percent to 67 percent premium hikes on the individual market after talk of a special session fizzled out last month. The end of open enrollment Jan. 31 brings a new deadline to offer an estimated 100,000 people affected by the increases an assurance that help is on the way. Committees in both the House and Senate approved a package that would help cut total monthly premiums by up to 30 percent, aiming to get a bill on Dayton's desk as soon as next week. But first they need to resolve a standoff over how to craft that approach to help residents such as Karen Laumb. Laumb, a thyroid cancer survivor, urged lawmakers to act quickly to help not only reduce her premiums but restore her ability to see her doctors, who she had to stop seeing with the New Year after her plan was switched. She's scared she's facing "financial ruin" and worries 2017 will be the last year she can continue running her own health care consulting business because ofoutsized health insurance costs. "I really worry what 2018 will look like for me," Laumb said at the Capitol Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT Laumb is one of many targeted by the relief effort: She's paying the full increase because she makes too much to get federal subsidies available through the state's insurance exchange, MNsure. The GOP's plan would dole out nearly $300 million in state support based upon income a 30 percent cut to monthly premiums for families making three times the poverty level, while those making more would see a reduction of 25 percent or less. The relief would be capped for those making eight times the poverty level. But that setup would require new programs to check income, verify insurance coverage and more, which Dayton's administration has criticized as too cumbersome, suggesting it may cost up to $20 million to implement and take an entire year to launch and begin delivering checks. Department of Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly also said the relief checks outlined in the GOP plan ultimately could be taxed by the federal government, though how large a tax bill those residents would face is unclear. "This process creates red tape and delays," Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans told a House committee Tuesday. Dayton's proposal would route the same $300 million sum directly to health insurance companies, buying down premiums for all qualifying shoppers by 25 percent, regardless of income. Sen. Michelle Benson, a top Senate Republican on health care issues, said the large sum of money warrants some extra verification but said she'd work with Dayton's administration to fine-tune the method. I see in the news that Trump is already planning to do what I was going to recommend be his first act on January 20: Restoring the Churchill bust to the Oval Office. But I have two other things still on my list that I havent seen mentioned anywhere yet. The second thing Trump should do is sign a directive withholding all U.S. funds currently appropriated for the United Nations. He should follow up by asking Congress to defund the U.N. until it rescinds its recent resolution on Israeli settlements. He should send out a tweet to the effect of how the UN headquarters could be converted into some really nice condos. Ask Attorney General Jeff Sessions whether he has the legal authority to enforce unpaid U.N. diplomatic staff parking tickets. Offer to split the take with Mayor de Blasio just for kicks. Third, instruct Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to rescind the Title IX guidance letter to colleges and universities. Inform colleges and universities that new guidance will be forthcoming requiring full due process rights for all persons accused of sexual assault on campuses, and that all such credible accusations will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for investigation and adjudication. And perhaps suggest that colleges might want to think about cracking down on student alcohol consumption if they wan to reduce the incidence of sexual misadventures. Then, starting at 12:05 pm . . . Everyone knows the shark Fonzie jumped way back when was fake, right? So what do you get when fake news jumps the fake shark? You get the kind of stories about Trump that were seeing right now. First, Gizmodo runs a story about how the awful and evil Trump transition team is dismissing the people who run the National Nuclear Security Administration: Between the Trump transition teams infighting, incompetence, and high-profile resignations, any decisions that signaled even a modicum of stability for the country would come as a relief at this point. Unfortunately, the nascent Trump Administration isnt inclined to calm anyones nerves. According to an official within the Department of Energy, the Trump transition team has declined to ask the head of the National Nuclear Security Administration and his deputy to temporarily stay in their roles after Trump takes office on January 20th. Whoa! Start the impeachment process right away! Although, it is worth looking at the entire headline: Trump Is Letting Go the People in Charge of Maintaining Our Nuclear Arsenal [Updated] Updated you say? How about corrected, on the way to being withdrawn? Heres the correction: Correction, 1/9/17, 11:03 p.m., : Another NNSA official, speaking on background to Gizmodo and Defense News, has disputed this report as inaccurate while confirming that there have been no discussions between the president-elects transition team and any of NNSAs political appointees on extending their public service past Jan. 20. In other words, the Trump transition team has not asked the top two NNSA officials to stay on until they can be replaced. After speaking to our source for clarification, we have updated the story and headline to reflect that, while Klotz and Creedon have submitted their resignations, intend to depart on January 20, and have not been asked by the Trump transition to stay past that date, the Trump team has not explicitly instructed them to leave or clean out their desks, as we reported. According to our source, both officials have expressed [to the Trump team] that they would likely be willing to stay to facilitate a smooth transition, if asked, as is the tradition for key officials, and have received no response. In other words, this is a totally bogus story. But that is just a warmup, apparently. The story Paul noted below about the supposed Russian dossier of compromising information about Trump is looking phonier by the moment. Without even referring to the critics who are calling it a hoax, there are a number of obvious peculiarities in the document that has been released to call its authenticity into question. Ive read a lot of declassified CIA reports of this kind over the years, and this one looks off. Way off. First of all, its called a Company Intelligence Report? I know the CIA is often referred to as The Company, but I doubt they use that shorthand on documents like this. I dont recall ever seeing one like that before. Its not even clear that this document supposedly came from the CIA. It is being reported in a few places that it came from some private sector organization, or a contractor to the CIA. But who would call such a thing a Company Intelligence Report? A third-rate, wannabe thriller writer probably. Second, there is something plainly odd about the paragraph about Trump booking the same suite at the Moscow Ritz Carlton as the Obamas. The report says the Russians have all of the rooms at the Ritz bugged for audio and video, implying they have footage of Trumps alleged disgusting acts. Stop right there: Would the Obamas ever stay in a room bugged by the Russians? Would the Secret Service allow it? Wouldnt the room have been swept? I suppose it can be argued the bugs were removed for Obamas visit and reinstalled for Trump, but this stretches credibility. Third, the paragraph of detail on the bottom of page 13 about how Sergei IVANOV was angry at the recent turn of events doesnt sound at all like the kind of writing in intelligence reports that come out of Langley, even if they had actual audio tape of IVANOV being angry. The whole paragraph reeks of fakery. Ill bet this story falls apart faster than a Dan Rather memo on national guard service. A federal jury in South Carolina sentenced Dylann Roof to death today for killing nine black parishioners inside a church during a bible study session. It took the jury less than three hours to decide upon this sentence. The sentence is obviously just, and it is a reminder of why we need the death penalty. A sentence of life imprisonment would be horribly inadequate in Roofs case. It would not come close to fitting the crimes. Roof wasnt even repentant at his sentencing hearing. He said, I felt like I had to do it, and I still feel like I had to do it. Roof also riffed on the fact that he was tried for hate crimes. He declared, Anyone that thinks Im filled with hatred has no idea what real hatred is. He distinguished between hating black people and hating what they do. He also said the prosecution hates him. In his own twisted way, Roof touches on the problem with hate crime legislation. It doesnt matter what Roof is filled with or whether he hated the people he murdered or their race. Roof killed them in cold blood. That, not his inner feelings about race, is what warrants him being put to death. The victims family members, at least those quoted here, were in accord with Roofs sentence. Justice was served, said Kevin Singleton, whose mother, Myra Thompson, was killed. Aja Risher, granddaughter of a victim, stated: I didnt think the verdict would affect me the way it has; I havent stopped crying. But Im so happy that their lives matter. Its not just a terrible tragedy that happened. It renews my faith a little bit. If this case didnt warrant the death penalty, what case would? He took it upon himself to take nine beautiful lives. Now 12 people of all races have said his life is the price he needs to pay for that. The same victims daughter added that she had been ambivalent about the sentencing of Roof, but now that [the jurors] have said he will get the death penalty, I feel that they have given him what he deserves; it is well with my soul. Without a death penalty, our society would be unable to make manifest the full heinousness of crimes like Roofs and to express fully the outrage they rightfully engender. We would be unable adequately to demonstrate, as Aja Risher put it, that the victims lives (in this case black lives) truly matter. I respect those who want to abolish the death penalty. But they should be required to explain why lesser punishment is sufficient for someone like Roof. I watched the first hour and a half of Rex Tillersons confirmation hearing before switching to Donald Trumps news conference. Tillerson is an impressive witness and, I think its reasonable to assume, an extremely impressive man. His answers and manner of speaking stand in wonderful contrast to the man he will succeed (if confirmed) John Foghorn Kerry. Tillerson is plainspoken, gives short answers when feasible, and likes to use terms like reality. I am nearly certain that, if confirmed, Tillerson will not exhibit Kerrys penchant for wishful thinking. Tillerson sailed through questioning by the Foreign Relations Committees ranking member, Sen. Ben Cardin. He made it clear, both in his opening statement and his responses to Cardin, that he believes Russia poses a threat. He cited Ukraine and Syria. His view is that Russias misconduct occurred in the context of weak signals by the U.S. He cited red lines that became green lights as well as an inadequate response to the takeover of Crimea. Tillersons take on Putin is that the Russian leader will push to expand Russian influence, judge the Western response, and make his next moves according to the response. Because our responses have been inadequate, Russia has continued to push. Tillerson says he considers Russia an adversary, but that it is possible for adversaries to be partners on certain matters. Tillerson favors dialogue with Russia to find areas where the U.S. may be able to partner with Russia. However, to make this possible he believes the U.S. will need to respond firmly to Russian misconduct so that Putin will re-calibrate his approach. These statements sat well with Sen. Cardin. However, Tillerson cant count on his vote or the vote of any Democrat. Thus, he very likely will need nearly unanimous support from Republicans. This means that Marco Rubios questioning was very high stakes. Sen. Rubio pushed Tillerson hard on Russia. First, he asked whether Tillerson believes Russia engaged in hacking related to the election. Tillerson indicated that he does. He said he has read the intelligence report and finds it troubling. Rubio then asked whether Russia could have done such hacking whether Putin knowing about it. Tillerson responded that its fair to assume Putin knew. So far, so good. Rubio then wanted to know whether Tillerson favors a law requiring the president to impose sanctions in response to foreign hacking. Tillerson said he does not because the president needs discretion. He noted that the president needs to factor in the totality of our relations with the country in question and what other options are available. That sounds reasonable to me, but Rubio didnt seem happy. Next, Rubio asked whether Tillerson favors keeping in place the executive order President Obama put in place regarding sanctioning Russia. Tillerson said he needs to study it. Again, this sounds reasonable. Again, Rubio didnt seem happy. Next came the questions that produced the answers Rubio seemed to like the least. The Florida Senator asked whether Tillerson considers Putin a war criminal. He cited Russias bombing of Aleppo as well as atrocities it committed years ago in Chechnya. Tillerson said he needs more information before he can go so far as to call Putin a war criminal. Rubio followed up by asking whether Putin is responsible for killing dissidents. Tillerson said he would need more information before he could say this. Rubio appeared very dissatisfied with Tillersons answers to this line of questioning. Later on, committee chairman Bob Corker sought to clarify this matter. He asked whether, if the public information about Aleppo is confirmed by his review of other information, Tillerson would consider Russias action criminal. Tillerson said he would. Whether this clarification satisfied Rubio, whose vote could be crucial, and whether it was enough to offset Rubios dissatisfaction with other answers, remains to be seen. Personally, I was satisfied with the portions of Tillersons testimony I heard regarding Putin. He knows Russia, he knows Putin, and he seems to have a clear-eyed view of both. If the incoming administration has a Putin problem, I think it resides with Donald Trump, not with Rex Tillerson. UPDATE: Tillerson criticized the U.N. resolution on Israel that the Obama administration enabled. He also denounced John Kerrys speech on Israel. MORE FROM RUBIO: Late in the afternoon, Sen. Rubio used his last round at the hearing to explain why hes concerned about Tillersons unwillingness to call Putin a war criminal, and about similar reticence the nominee displayed regarding China and Saudi Arabia. In essence, Rubio said we need moral clarity from the Secretary of State, lest the rest of the world become demoralized. Rubio complained that during the Cold War, the U.S. tended not to blast foreign leaders and governments when we thought that doing so would hurt our strategic interests. Hes right about this, but wrong in suggesting that this approach is always wrong. Rubio didnt say how he plans to vote on the nomination, but his statement is not encouraging for Tillersons confirmation prospects. Personally, Im not bothered by Tillersons unwillingness to call foreign leaders and countries names during his confirmation hearing. Tillerson isnt running for office or auditioning for a pundit job. He hopes to become, in effect, our chief diplomat. I dont see how that role would be advanced by indulging in labeling during a hearing. Theres a time for expressing moral indignation, but this wasnt it. Based on the parts of his testimony I heard, Tillerson seems sufficiently clear-eyed about Putin. The big question is whether the same can be said for Donald Trump. As Paul reported earlier, Jeff Sessions waltzed through his confirmation hearing today. The Democrats questioning was desultory, and none of the Democratic Senators laid a glove on the nominee. Only the inept Al Franken even tried. As Byron York put it, the anticipated showdown fizzle[d]. But perhaps the Democrats had the last laugh. All they had to do was send their talking points to the television networks, and they got the stories they were looking for, without having to deliver anything in the actual hearing. Kyle Drennen has the story at Newsbusters: On Tuesday, the network morning shows were thrilled by the prospect of Democratic lawmakers testifying against Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions during the confirmation hearing for the Donald Trump cabinet pick. *** On NBCs Today, correspondent Hallie Jackson predicted a contentious hearing: You are seeing a GOP blitz today to try to boost support for Jeff Sessions.Already, Sessions facing fire from gay rights advocates, worried about his record, and high-profile Muslim-Americans, like Khizr Kahn, with the toughest questions aimed at Sessions civil rights record. Jackson reached back three decades to promote left-wing partisan smears against him: Thats Sessions in 1986, defending himself in his bid to become a federal judge. A bid derailed by accusations of racism. Senator Patrick Leahy voted against Sessions then and is still skeptical now. Wrapping up the slanted report, Jackson touted: He is getting support, now from, for example, the Senates only African-American Republican [Tim Scott] and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. But Democratic Cory Booker plans to take the unprecedented step of testifying against a fellow sitting senator. Also on the witness list, Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis. ABCs Good Morning America followed the Today shows lead as correspondent Mary Bruce announced: First upSenator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. You can expect his record on immigration and civil rights to take center stage. 31 years ago before the same panel Sessions was rejected for a federal judgeship over concerns he made racist remarks those are charges he has passionately denied While she acknowledged that Sessions would have his fellow senators testifying on his behalf, like Jackson, Bruce highlighted: in an unprecedented move, Democratic lawmakers will be testifying against him. She noted: Senator Cory Booker says he has to speak out because Sessions comments are a call to conscience. It goes on and on. Politics must be a lot easier when all you have to do is mail your talking points to the networks, and they will do your smearing for you. Of course, those who rely on television for their news wont learn that just eleven months ago, Bookerwho for some reason is now being treated as a sort of moral arbitersaid he was blessed and honored to have partnered with Senator Sessions in a civil rights initiative. The two men co-sponsored legislation that awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to foot soldiers of the 1965 Voting Rights Marches. I assume that Cory Booker has a conscience of some sort, but it cant be a very powerful one. Scott has already flagged the golden highlight of president-elect Trumps new conference this morning. I want to note what, for me, were some other highlights. Trump thanked the New York Times and other mainstream outlets for not running with the story about his alleged interaction with Russia during the election campaign. He singled out the New York Times for praise. It is deserved. Trump pushed back hard against the BuzzFeed story. He noted that the story refers to three people who allegedly had contact with Russia on Trumps behalf during the campaign: Michael Cohen, Carter Page, and Paul Manafort. Cohen, Trump says, did not travel to Prague as the story claims. Trump called him into his office last night to examine his passport. It showed no foreign travel during the relevant period. As for Page, Trump denied knowing him. Manafort, he said, denies the story. In addition to citing his germophobia, Trump explained that he is extremely careful when he travels abroad. He understands that at any hotel in Russia, he expects the rooms to be bugged. He warns the people who travel with him accordingly. I must say, it seems quite implausible that Trump would conduct himself in a Russian hotel the way the alleged intelligence documents claims. Trump hasnt always behaved prudently, but that level of imprudence would be surprising. On the issue of hacking during the election, Trump said I think it was the Russians. He promised to focus on defending against hacking by all outside powers and entities. Trump was asked whether Russias election-related hacking will color his relations with Putin. He didnt answer, perhaps because this question was posed as part of a multi-part question. Asked whether he agrees with the intelligence committees assessment that Putin wanted to help him win the election, Trump said that if Putin likes him, this is an asset. Thats one way of looking at it. Another way is to view it as a bad sign. Trump did add that theres a good chance he wont get along with Putin. I take this mean he is putting the Russian leader on notice that if he doesnt change his ways, it will not be smooth sailing with the U.S. under Trump. Trump basically ducked the question of whether he trusts U.S. intelligence agencies. He said that these agencies are vitally important, and that under Mike Pompeo (the nominee to head the CIA) and others, they will promptly issue a report on hacking, with action to follow. Asked why he undercut intelligence agencies by denying Russian hacking for such a long time, Trump did not dispute the premises of the question. Instead, he responded that the leaking by people within the intelligence agencies was terrible. I think it is hard to dispute that complaint. Asked what message he has for Putin regarding Russias hacking, Trump responded that Putin shouldnt have done it and he wont be doing it anymore. The second part of the answer seems questionable. As part of the question about his message to Putin, the reporter also asked whether Trump can categorically deny that he and people in his campaign had contacts with Russia during the election. Trump did not answer. I think this was probably because the question was multi-part two separate questions, really. I would like to see Trump limit reporters to one question each so that if he forgets to answer every question posed by a particular reporter, he cant be accused of being non-responsive. During the news conference, Trump presented a corporate lawyer who explained how Trumps businesses will be handled during his presidency. This discussion deserves a separate post, though not necessarily by me. Overall, I think Trump handled the news conference well and was his usual entertaining self. I happened to watch it after listening to Rex Tillerson testify for an hour and a half. The contrast between Tillersons sober-minded responses and Trumps flamboyance was striking. The former style is very much to be preferred, in my view. However, this doesnt mean we cant enjoy the latter, up to a point. Senator Cory Booker had absolutely nothing to contribute to the case against Senator Jeff Sessionss confirmation as Attorney General except his breach of Senate tradition and the color of his skin. His case against Senator Sessions came wrapped in transparent self-aggrandizement. It proved precisely one thing: the utter shamelessness of Bookers ambition. Reps. John Lewis and Cedric Richmond made equally vacuous contributions, though in Richmonds case with a supercilious racial overlay about Lewis being relegated to the back of the bus in the hearing. What a way to trash a legacy. While Booker was reading his statement I couldnt help wondering: Where is Bookers friend T-Bone and what does he have to say about Senator Sessions? T-Bones statement would have been at least as worthy as Bookers. Senator Sessions must be a man of unblemished character and great judgment to be able to call on three of his black former professional colleagues Jesse Seroyer, William Huntley, and William Smith to testify on his behalf in these proceedings. I would post a video of the entire panel if I could find it, but I cant. Below is the somewhat indignant testimony of William Smith on behalf of Senator Sessions. It wrapped up the testimony of this panel. Unlike the testimony of Booker, Lewis, and Richmond, it was based on personal experience and observation up close (as was the testimony of Seroyer and Huntley). He even got in a few solid shots at Booker, Lewis, and Richmond. This is simply great stuff. Big big difference int odays world from the past. The threat in the post ware era through to the collapse was an ideological communist government in Russia /USSR as was with a strinng of satellite states and potential allias. China being one even if that was more ideological that. Now they are now commies but still mange to get cast as the bad guys even though they have lost all their 'satellites/buffer states and cannot count on China as an ally. Russias still a big country but compared tot he US has a small population and the 65-75 M satellite populations are now all on the other side so its inate insecurity looms pretty large at the moment. So they want to feel respected and rlevant so cyber warfare is on way of projecting power without risk of actual shooting war and playing around with destabilising western/NATO states being another. As they seem to have 'their man' in the White House ' and potentially aided the Brexit campaign as a way of driving a wedge between UK and Eu and therefor upsetting NATO. (the French have already put forward valid case that post Brexit they are the numero uno European military power and political influence.(also conveneint dry run for helping to get Trump in power) Both these developments see Russia becoming strong and more relevant but not necessarily with any military objectives other than feeling they have ensured their own security through a weaken NATO. In any case the Russians have already occupied most of the glitzy bits of London so why go to the trouble of a war Some people have very short memories, so here is one I remember and found again on the web: "In 1966 upon being told that President Charles DeGaulle had taken France out of NATO and that all U.S. troops must be evacuated off of French soil President Lyndon Johnson mentioned to Secretary of State Dean Rusk that he should ask DeGaulle about the Americans buried in France. Dean implied in his answer that that DeGaulle should not really be asked that in the meeting at which point President Johnson then told Secretary of State Dean Rusk: "Ask him about the cemeteries Dean!" That made it into a Presidential Order so he had to ask President DeGaulle. So at end of the meeting Dean did ask DeGaulle if his order to remove all U.S. troops from French soil also included the 60,000+ soldiers buried in France from World War I and World War II. DeGaulle, embarrassed, got up and left and never answered. Great Allies indeed. IMHOP the French have done more to undermine NATO than any other member country. Last edited by MACH2NUMBER; 11th Jan 2017 at 18:13 . Snapthe company behind Snapchatannounced this week that it will establish its international headquarters in London. The decision is a departure from other U.S.-based technology companies expanding to Europe, and it might encourage other organizations to consider a similar move. The Evening Standard reported: The company, valued at $25 billion, has bucked the trend by setting up its European headquarters in the UK, which will be seen as a boost to British business post-Brexit. Other tech giants such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Twitter chose Ireland, the Netherlands or Luxembourg as their bases to take advantages of lower taxes. The Verge reported: Nigerias government on Wednesday arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe Agi, alongside a judge of the Federal High Court, Adeniyi Ademola, and his wife, Olubowale. Mr. Ademola and his wife, a former Head of Service in Lagos State, were arraigned on an 11-count charge in December for alleged fraud. They were later granted bail on own recognisance and were required to pay N50 million each as conditions for their bail. They were also asked to submit their international passport, pending the determination of the matter. As stated in parts of the charge against the judge and his wife, they were indicted for allegedly conspiring to collect N30 million gratification from a company belonging to Mr. Agi, Joe Agi and associates, in March 2015. Both defendants were also accused of committing the act of collecting the said gratification. The offence is contrary to Section 8 (i) (a) of the corrupt practices and other related offences act and punishable under Section 8(ii) of the same section. Mr. Agi was on Wednesday included among the accused. The prosecution counsel, Segun Jegede, explained to journalists after the trial that the third defendant was not initially arraigned because he was out of the country. He added that his client, the federal government, hesitated to include the third defendant earlier to prevent any attempt to delay the trial. In the amended charge, now 16 in all, Mr. Agi is accused of paying N30 million in three tranches to the first defendant, in March 2015. He is also accused of giving a BMW vehicle, worth N8.5 million to the judge, to influence his decision in court. After Mr. Agi pleaded not guilty to charges against him, counsel to the first and second defendants, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, prayed the court to allow the earlier bail conditions granted his clients since they complied with it and the said bail had been effected. Counsel to Mr. Agi, Jeph Njikonye, said his clients bail application has already been served on the prosecution. He prayed the court to grant the bail, considering the fact that the matter had been slated for continuation on of trial on January 16. In his reaction, Mr. Jegede asked the court to ensure that stringent bail conditions are imposed to forestall any attempt by the third defendant to abstain from attending his trial. He said although he would not object to the application for bail, he was concerned about the attendance of the third defendant, as well as that of the other defendants in trial. Responding, Mr. Njikonye commended Mr. Jegede for his concern about the presence of the defendants in court. He cited instances where his client had demonstrated his willingness to attend trial. Mr. Njikonye therefore prayed the court to allow his client bail, adding that the bail conditions should not be stringent as Mr. Agi is a senior citizen, known for his high regard for the rule of law. Delivering the judgement, Justice Jude Okoye said the bail granted the judge and his wife on December 13 subsists since the prosecution did not oppose the bail application. Mr. Okoye added that it is the essential duty of the court to ensure that a defendant attends trial. He said the court will apply appropriate sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in delivering its ruling. He ruled that Mr. Agi is to present N50 million as condition for his bail. He is also to deposit his international passport with the court registrar within seven days from Wednesday. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, has retracted his earlier stance that the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki will be held daily. At the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday, Mr. Umar told counsel that the tribunal had other matters to attend to. He was responding to an application made by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, that the matter be allowed to continue daily. Mr. Jacobs had asked the tribunal to adjourn the trial to next week to allow him time call his next witness. He explained that some of his witnesses were far from the Nigerian capital and would require some time to arrive in Abuja. He also asked the tribunal to deliver a ruling that the trial would continue from next week on a day-to-day basis. Delivering his ruling on the application, Mr. Umar adjourned the case to next week to allow the witnesses arrive Abuja, but added that the request for a day-to-day trial could not be granted. Im going to adjourn this matter to next week, but it cannot go on from day to day. We have other cases, he said. The tribunal chairman had on April 18 refused an application by Mr. Sarakis lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, for the trial to hold within the periods when Mr. Saraki would be free from his primary engagement as Senate President. Overruling Mr. Agabis application then, Mr. Umar said the president of the Senate was the one facing trial not the Senate. He then ordered a daily trial of the senate president who is accused of false asset declaration while he was governor. The case was adjourned to January 17. Police have arrested a man they say raped a woman in 2011 in Lewis and Clark County. Ronald Joseph Champagne of Great Falls is jailed on a felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent. The alleged crime took place in April 2011. Lewis and Clark County Justice Court documents say the victim came forward four months later. The victim told investigators she and Champagne had gone to dinner and had several drinks before going to the apartment of some friends. She said the next thing she remembered was waking up in her residence naked with Champagne having sex with her, court documents say. Champagne told the woman "Oh, be quiet, this will probably be the only time this will happen," the documents allege. At the time, a sheriff's deputy learned Champagne was working in North Dakota and tracked him down. Court documents say Champagne declined to speak to officials. In October 2015, a Helena detective received a call from a family member of the victim who also knew Champagne. During an interview with the detective, the family member said Champagne admitted to raping the woman. Charging documents were filed a year later in October 2016. Champagne was arrested Tuesday. Champagne is being held on $100,000 bond. The Federal Government has awarded contract for early works on the Second Niger bridge and emergency repairs at the Tamburawa bridge in Kano State at a total cost of N16.3 billion. Mohammed Abdullahi, the Assistant Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. He stated that contract for the second Niger Bridge was awarded to Julius Berger (Nig.) Ltd. at a total cost of N14.4 billion. Mr. Abdullahi noted that contract for emergency repairs at the Tamburawa Bridge in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State was awarded to Borini Prono & Co. (Nig.) Ltd. at a total cost of N1.9 billion. He said that the existing Niger Bridge, inaugurated on January 4, 1966 had severely been overstressed, adding that its continued serviceability could not be assured. According to him, the idea of a Second Niger Bridge started way back in the late 1970s but its realisation is delayed by several challenges. He added that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was resolute to the completion of the projects. Mr. Abdullahi said the scope of work for the emergency repairs of Tamburawa Bridge would involve the use of rock-filled gabion protection with reno mattresses, fitters and embankment protection to the abutments. He said the intervention followed what he called public outcry and concern earlier expressed by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State over the exposure of substructures of the bridge. (NAN) The Nigerian Army has written PREMIUM TIMES, threatening to sue the paper for what it termed unwarranted serial provocative, unauthorised, libelous and defamatory publication against the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a Lieutenant General, and the armys counter-insurgency operation in the north-east of the country. The letter, dated December 22, 2016, and signed by I.M Alkali, a major general, on behalf of Mr. Buratai, accused the paper of publishing reports without reference to the army, adding that its stories exposed a deep hatred for the leadership of the Nigerian Army. The letter expressed displeasure with three stories published by the medium between October and December last year. The reports were those on the planned invitation of Mr. Buratai by the Code of Conduct Bureau for asset verification, the disappearance of a high number of soldiers after a Boko Haram attack and an investigation detailing how soldiers allegedly killed a kidnapped pastor and labeled him a kidnapper. The army in its letter described the reports as false, unsubstantiated, and unprofessional. Despite the fact that your unprofessional publications are injurious to the personality of the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Army as a whole, it may interest you to know that your attempts have failed woefully to malign and impugn the hard-earned character of the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army, the letter said. The letter therefore ordered PREMIUM TIMES to retract the said publications and apologise to Mr. Buratai and the Nigerian Army. Your retraction should be done in at least 3 national dailies and in online newspapers for 3 days consecutively from 29-31 December 2016. You are to also publish an apology to the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army in 3 Nigeria newspaper and online publications. Failure to retract and withdraw the said publications by Premium Times Services Limited on or before 31 December, 2016, the Nigerian Army team of lawyers will be instructed to proceed against you in court. Officials at PREMIUM TIMES said the letter from the Army Headquarters arrived the papers head office in Abuja a day after the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Lucky Irabor, labelled the medium a Boko Haram supporter on live television. Contacted Wednesday for comments on the letter, Editor-in-Chief Musikilu Mojeed said, All I can say at this point is that we stand by our stories. We have passed the letter to our lawyers for appropriate response. I can assure you they (the Army) will get an appropriate response before long. Share this: Twitter Facebook Reach Higher Montana is providing an access grant for 301 students to help address the insufficient funds in the STEM scholarship program created by the Montana Legislature. The STEM scholarship program announced to 750 students in December that it didnt have the funds to award their spring 2017 scholarships, which would have been in the amount of $500 to $1,000 each. The emergency grant program will allocate $232,000 as a one-time payment. Students who are eligible to receive grant money from the nonprofit will be notified by their financial aid office. Kelly Cresswell, executive director of Reach Higher Montana, said she reached out to Montana University System schools and asked them to assess which of their students needed the scholarship funds most. There may be some who arent coming back in the spring or had sufficient financial aid without it so they looked at the student records and let us know how many students know they needed funding, she said. The STEM scholarship program was designed to take revenue from the Montana Lottery and direct it to a STEM scholarship account, that would be administered by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. In the first week of the legislative session, OCHE provided testimony saying it didnt receive enough revenue to pay for the scholarships that had been awarded. The Montana Lotterys revenue stream is unpredictable, and the current law has OCHE award scholarships based on projected funds. Before revenue from the Montana Lottery goes into the STEM account, a certain amount of money must be contributed to the general fund. Any additional revenue is then directed to STEM scholarships. But when the law was drafted, the cap for the general fund was set at the lotterys entire revenue for fiscal year 2015. The lottery didnt experience enough growth in the following year to fund the scholarship program. Tyler Trevor, OCHE deputy commissioner for planning and analysis, said he hoped the Legislature would amend the program to suspend awarding scholarships until the account has several years with a secure revenue stream. No legislation has been drafted thus far to amend the scholarship program. The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had arrested about 963 persons suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists during an operation between January 4 and January 9. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this at the weekly review of the Operation Rescue Final at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri. Mr. Irabor said, On January 3 at about 1240hrs, 4 women and 13 children were apprehended by vigilantes at Buni Yadi and were later handed over to our troops. Preliminary investigation revealed that the women were wives of Boko Haram terrorists who fled from Sambisa forest as a result of our operations. All suspects are in our custody undergoing investigation. On January 9, a surrendered Boko Haram member was identified as a male sympathiser and spy in Monguno area: We also identified two wives of Amir (Boko Haram Commander) from the arrested members, he said. He said that also on January 5, at about 10:30 a.m., following a tip-off, troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force arrested four Boko Haram suspects at Shuwari village. The suspects are: Modu Auwami, Mamye Modu, Usman Kachanawa and Mallum Maji. During preliminary investigation, some local witnesses identified Auwami as one who provided medical treatment to injured terrorists. The other three suspects claimed they were abducted by the terrorists and that they only spent few days in their camps. He said that the suspects were now in the Armys custody undergoing further interrogation. Irabor said that the suspects who all confessed to be members of the Boko Haram terror group, claimed to have come to town to buy Tramadol tablets. He added that they were arrested with 27 sachets of Tramadol tablets, three sachets of Cowbell chocolate and the sum of N5,000. Mr. Irabor also said that on January 5 at about 11:30 a.m., 119 Nigerian IDPs were handed over to Nigerian troops at Banki by the Cameroonian forces. The IDPs comprised 20 male adults, 25 female adults and 74 children who were screened and moved to the IDPs camp, the commander said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook 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 Deerfield Township food company plans to build a new plant there and add 60 workers with help from a $28 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. F&S Produce, which already has about 600 workers, told the EDA it will build a 100,000- square-foot plant in Deerfields Rosenhayn section, just west of Vineland in Cumberland County. Sam Pipitone Jr., who founded the company in 1986, said Wednesday F&S will relocate 380 of its current workers to the new plant and add the 60 new jobs there. F&S specializes in fresh-cut and quick-frozen produce, but plans to expand to new food lines at the new plant, which Pipitone said he hopes to open within 18 months. The business already has two plants in Rosenhayn, about 60,000 square feet apiece. But F&S had been considering taking its expansion plans to Allentown, Pennsylvania, which would have moved those 380 existing jobs out of New Jersey, its EDA application said. The state agency gives its grants in the form of tax credits, which will add up to more than $11,000 per worker per year for F&S new people. The retained employees in the state are awarded half that much, according to the EDAs formula, which classifies the companys expansion as a mega project for the state. There were advantages in moving to Pennsylvania, but this program offered us a great opportunity for continued growth in New Jersey, said Pipitone, a Rosenhayn native whose father and grandfather ran farms in Deerfield. They kept a business like ours in New Jersey. The EDA tax credits are worth slightly more than $2.8 million a year for 10 years, or $28.1 million for the life of the program. The agency projects F&S will contribute more than $128 million to New Jerseys economy over the next 30 years, so EDA figures its grant creates a net benefit of $100 million for the state. The application says the companys median wages are $39,000 per year. Three Atlantic County police departments will receive federal grant money to purchase body cameras, the state Attorney Generals Office announced Wednesday. More than a half-million dollars will be awarded to 37 law-enforcement agencies in 15 of New Jerseys 21 counties, Attorney General Christopher Porrino said in a statement. Of the $566,000 awarded statewide, the Hamilton Township Police Department will receive $20,000 for 40 body cameras. Northfield police will receive $4,500 for nine body cameras, and Longport police will receive $3,000 for six body cameras. North Wildwood police introduce body cameras NORTH WILDWOOD Police officers will begin wearing body cameras Thursday, a move Chief Matt Longport police Chief Frank Culmone said in a statement his department plans to use the grant funds to add six more cameras to the 10 already purchased in September 2016, as well as equip more police vehicles with cameras. After much deliberation, consideration and research, we finally selected a company and product that met the needs we had identified. Now that we have selected a manufacturer and body-worn camera, we were lucky to have the opportunity to help offset some of the costs, Culmone said. The Attorney Generals Office announced in September that funds for body cameras were available from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Agencies that did not receive funds in 2015 were allowed to apply. The decision for police to wear body cameras is up to individual departments and municipalities. The Attorney Generals Office issued statewide guidelines on the cameras in 2015. BRIDGETON The Cohanzick Zoo has two new Bengal tiger cub brothers that zoo officials hope will win the hearts of visitors as the cubs predecessors did for years. Mahesha and Rishi are in their expanded zoo habitat that also contains an enlarged lake and new viewing area for zoo guests. The cubs are 3 months old, and each weighs about 32 pounds. They will eventually grow to be about 500 pounds, said Kelly Shaw, the zoos curator. The cubs arrived in September from a zoo in North Carolina, which had a litter of four Bengal tiger cub brothers and wanted to donate two of them to another zoo, Shaw said. They wanted them to go together so they could grow up together, she said. Mahesha means great lord, Shaw said, while Rishi translates to poet. Both cubs appear to have personalities that match their names, she said. Mahesha, he has a very regal, serious face, Shaw said. Rishi has more of an Im thinking about stuff face. Mahesha and Rishi are replacements for Ganesha and Shiva, who came to the Cohanzick Zoo in June 1997 from a zoo in Eskilstuna, Sweden. Shiva died in 2011, while an increasingly painful spinal ailment caused Ganesha to be euthanized in 2015. Getting Mahesha and Rishi was such a great opportunity for our community, as zoo visitors made such strong connections with Shiva and Ganesha, Shaw said. Zoo officials are trying to regulate the interaction between the cubs and the public because of their age, Shaw said. That includes asking people not to shout or run around near the cubs. The effort seems to be working. Everyones been absolutely wonderful, Shaw said. STAFFORD TOWNSHIP The state says the doctor involved in the Ocean County case of faulty vaccines may have knowingly given children compromised vaccines designed to protect against mumps, measles, chickenpox and other diseases. New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino submitted a complaint Monday to the state Board of Medical Examiners against Dr. Michael Bleiman of Southern Ocean Pediatrics and Family Medicine in Manahawkin, alleging he committed fraud, gross negligence and misconduct in administering child vaccinations. A request for comment from Bleimans practice was not returned Tuesday. The state Department of Health issued a warning Monday that 900 children were given possibly faulty vaccines at the practice between November 2014 and July 28, 2016, because they were stored at improper temperatures, reducing their effectiveness. The affected vaccines were given through Vaccines for Children, a federally funded program that provides free or low-cost vaccines to eligible low-income children in New Jersey. Health inspectors on July 28 found Bleimans practice had 280 vaccines stored at incorrect temperatures. Inspectors quarantined the vaccines at the Manahawkin practice and told Bleiman not to use them until they were proved effective, authorities said. The state alleges he gave patients the vaccines anyway. And the same day, Bleiman accepted a new shipment of an additional 335 doses. Health officials advised the practice to store the new vaccines at acceptable temperatures. Southern Ocean Pediatrics submitted temperature data to the state-run Vaccines For Children program that indicated they were still experiencing storage issues, authorities said. From July 28 to Oct. 24, the state found Bleimans practice gave 38 children compromised vaccines, including the ones that were supposed to remain quarantined, authorities allege. New urgent care clinic coming to Lacey LACEY TOWNSHIP Immediate Care, a primary and urgent care network, will open its fifth urge State VFC program staff removed all possibly compromised and ineffective vaccines from the office. Nicole Gibson, of Berkeley Township, Ocean County, has brought her children to Southern Ocean Pediatrics for treatment for 17 years. Her youngest daughter had received vaccines at the practice since her birth in 2014. Even though her daughters vaccines may not have been affected, Gibson was scared nonetheless. I know she didnt get those free vaccines, but if you didnt store the free ones properly, how can you guarantee that you stored my daughters vaccines correctly? she said. I told them I wanted a script for blood work to test her for every vaccine theyve given her. Privately purchased vaccines that were covered by insurance were kept in a separate storage unit, the Department of Health said. The department said Vaccines for Children health inspectors didnt have access to those vaccines. Meanwhile, Porrinos complaint calls to suspend or revoke Bleimans medical license following a hearing. It also considers charging Bleiman with civil penalties, fees and restitution. The possibly ineffective vaccines do not pose any health dangers to the children who received them, but health officials said those children might not be fully protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Health officials stress flu vaccines for HIV/AIDS population While flu activity remains low statewide midway through the fall, health experts are remindi Not all children impacted by the faulty vaccines will need to be revaccinated, health officials said. Children may be able to get blood tests called titers to determine whether the vaccines were effective, but tests are not available for all diseases. Some children may need to get new vaccines. Department of Health officials said it is not recommending that affected children be excluded from school and will leave revaccination decisions to parents, guardians and their health care providers. The Department of Health said families can call the NJ Health Hotline at 866-448-2432 for questions related to this incident. TRENTON Facing his final year in office with poll numbers at an all-time low, Gov. Chris Christie took a different approach Tuesday to his seventh State of the State speech. Rather than rattle off a long list of issues to address in the coming months, Christie dedicated almost his entire speech to drug addiction, an issue he has focused on in the past. In his speech to a joint session of the state Legislature, Christie proposed a plan to expand access to treatment and remove barriers to employment for recovering addicts. He called for a reduction in the prescription drug supply. And he announced a new education curriculum on opioids. This is the single most important issue to every New Jersey family touched by this, and perhaps the most important issue I will have the chance to address while I am governor, Christie said. I want us to make New Jersey the example for how our entire nation can compassionately and effectively help families going through this personal hell. Nearly 1,600 people in New Jersey died from drug overdoses in 2015, an increase of about 20 percent over 2014, according to data from the state medical examiners office. Most of those came from opioids, including heroin and fentanyl. Many initiatives announced by Christie will be carried out through the executive branch. His administration launched a one-stop website for addicts to find treatment. He will direct the state attorney general to limit how much opioid-based pain medications health care providers can prescribe patients. And he will have the education commissioner develop new curriculum in every school on opioids. But he also called on lawmakers to help him. He challenged the Legislature to pass a bill within 30 days to prevent heath-insurance companies from denying coverage for the first six months of inpatient or outpatient drug-rehabilitation treatment. Christie told personal stories about addiction, including one of A.J. Solomon, the son of the Board of Public Utilities commissioner and a state Supreme Court associate judge, who overcame his addiction and is opening a substance-abuse treatment center. Christie also retold the story of a personal friend who was found dead at 52 with empty bottles of Percocet and vodka. We have to start treating this disease and not just jailing its victims, Christie said. We need to give them the tools they need to recover. The speech drew praise from advocates in the states drug-treatment community. Debra Wentz, chief executive of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, called Christies speech inspirational and powerful. Its extremely powerful to take ownership of eliminating the stigma against addiction and to expand multiple (ideas) addressing that, Wentz said. The stigma is there. But when you have someone who is the governor who repeatedly makes this their platform, its powerful and its strong. Christie enters his last year with an approval rating of just 18 percent among state voters, according to a recent Fairleigh Dickinson University poll. His numbers dropped after the Bridgegate scandal, his failed presidential campaign and an unpopular increase to the gasoline tax, among other issues. A bill to let him cash in on a book deal and raise salaries for top state officials collapsed after a public outcry. Christies speech also came after being passed over for a top job in President-elect Donald Trumps administration, despite embracing Trump early. With little political capital left, a focus on tackling drug addiction could help Christie rebuild his legacy. Its an issue with bipartisan support, including from local lawmakers. Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, has made battling drug addiction a top priority. After the speech, Mazzeo commended Christie for his dedication to the issue. I think Gov. Christie hit on everything weve been working on in Atlantic County, Mazzeo said. Theres a lot of work to be done. I heard about the five-step plan that he had. Its terrific. Democratic legislative leaders were receptive to Christies call to pass the bill mandating health coverage for drug treatment. But they said they wished Christie had touched on other issues plaguing the state, too, such as school funding and high property taxes. He pointed out an extremely important issue. There are many families who have dealt with this issue, said Senate President Stephen Sweeney. But there are many more issues that this state needs to deal with. Assemblyman Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, said he was disappointed and frustrated that Christie, who came in with so much promise, squandered his opportunity to help working families with real reform and instead put his ambition above the needs of our families. The Associated Press contributed to this report. GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson pointed to two major projects as a sign the county is digging out of an economic crisis that has devastated the area and led to the highest foreclosure rates in the nation. The Stockton University campus being built in Atlantic City and the Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park in Egg Harbor Township were both bright spots in Levinsons annual State of the County address Wednesday at the Carriage House. Levinson said the county needs to shift its economy away from gaming and hospitality. He credited his chief of staff, Howard Kyle, and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance for accomplishing that. We finally have an organization that is working on economic development in the whole county instead of just a few areas, Levinson said. The alliance, which meets once a month at the Hamilton Mall, is a nonprofit organization tasked with attracting, retaining and accommodating existing businesses. Atlantic County to present annual Community Spirit Awards Atlantic County will present its annual Community Spirit Awards on Friday to four local resi Forming the alliance was the first major goal outlined in the report prepared for the county by Angelou Economics in 2015. We are off and running on our major initiatives, said Leo Schoffer, interim chairman of the alliance. 2017 is going to be a critical year. We need to build our membership. Were going to need the businesses of Atlantic County to join us. But despite the progress the alliance has made, Levinson wasnt shy about the challenges the county faces. He outlined three things that continue to hurt the county financially: the new bail reform law, generally high taxes in New Jersey and the PILOT bill that lets casinos in Atlantic City collectively pay $120 million a year in lieu of property taxes. Atlantic City officials and county officials have fought over how much money the county should get when the PILOT takes effect. The county wants 13.5 percent of the PILOT payments, reflecting its historic share. The city, however, says the county should get 10.3 percent, which reflects what it has received recently. The difference is $40 million over the PILOTs 10-year lifespan. The bail reform law will cost the county nearly $800,000 this year and is expected to go up, Levinson said. Everyone including myself voted for bail reform, he said. But the devil is in the details. Atlantic County had already decreased its jail population over the past eight years because of cooperation among the county, the Prosecutors Office and the jail. The county has managed to weather these financial burdens by being frugal in other places, Levinson said. Atlantic City Electric eyeing major upgrades in 2017 PLEASANTVILLE Officials from Atlantic City Electric hope a major transmission project span We know when to say no, he said, citing his veto of a raise for the county sheriff and a request from Atlantic City to fix up Browns Park on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. A Moodys Investors Service report published in December praised county officials for budgeting accuracy, strong monetary reserves and effective contingency plans. Still, Levinson and other county officials are looking at the two major projects underway as a catalyst for the countys financial future. The casinos are mobbed on the weekends, so people want to come here, he said. We finally got (the tech park) going. Youre going to see results. ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The niece and supervisor of a murder suspect were arrested for allegedly helping him evade capture before the fatal shooting of an Orlando police officer. Online court records show that 27-year-old Lakensha Smith-Loyd was arrested on a charge of accessory Wednesday, a day after the fugitive's supervisor at a fried chicken restaurant, Zarghee Mayan, was arrested on the same charge. An arrest affidavit for Mayan said that Smith-Loyd collected money from him to give to her uncle, 41-year-old Markeith Loyd, just days after the slaying of his ex-girlfriend. Mayan is accused of supplying restaurant food to his former co-worker, driving him around and offering him money, despite knowing he was wanted in the slaying his pregnant ex-girlfriend, the affidavit said. "Mayan did so with the intent that Markeith Demangzlo Loyd avoid or escape detection, arrest, trial or punishment," the arrest affidavit said. Mayan told authorities his most recent encounter with Loyd was last Saturday, two days before Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was fatally shot in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Mayan said he noticed that Loyd was armed and wearing body armor when they embraced, according to his arrest affidavit. During another encounter, right after Loyd's ex-girlfriend was killed in mid-December, Mayan said Loyd came into the restaurant with a gun, pointed at Mayan and said, "'Drive me or I will kill you, I just did something real bad,'" the affidavit said. Mayan said he drove Loyd to several locations, including the home of Loyd's estranged wife, where Loyd told him to knock on the door. Mayan said he only walked to the door without knocking because he was afraid Lloyd would shoot her, according to the affidavit, which noted that Mayan told conflicting stories about his encounters with Loyd. The 41-year-old ex-convict has been the focus of a massive manhunt involving hundreds of officers and deputies since Monday's shooting. More than 500 tips have come in from the public, which authorities believe may be particularly important, since others may be helping him hide. Orlando Police Chief John Mina has warned that anyone helping Loyd will be prosecuted. "They will be put behind bars and brought to justice as well," Mina said. Crimeline is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Loyd's arrest. "If you know where he is at and you call us 3 o'clock in the morning, 3 o'clock in the afternoon, we will have people prepared to dispatch and go capture him," said Barb Bergin, executive director of the local Crimeline. Mayan, 33, was arrested Tuesday by Orange County Sheriff's Office deputies on a charge of accessory after the fact. Jail records show no bond had been set, and court records showed no name of a defense attorney listed for him. Police Chief John Mina said federal, state and local authorities were taking part in the manhunt. Mina wouldn't give details about search tactics but he said law enforcement agencies in Florida and around the nation are on alert. "There are many things going on behind the scenes that our community is not aware of and that we are not at liberty to discuss," Mina said. After Clayton was shot, many of her colleagues immediately joined the pursuit; among them was a sheriff's Deputy First Class Norman Lewis, who died when he was thrown from his motorcycle in an accident. Funerals were planned for Lewis for Friday and Clayton for Saturday. Both President-elect Donald Trump and President Obama were briefed by intelligence leaders on allegations that the Russian government has compromising information on Trump, according to a CNN report. The report, part of a larger report on Russian influence on the U.S. election, based on memos from a former British intelligence agent whose past work US intelligence officials consider credible, according to the report. Buzzfeed post a 35-page dossier with the same claims. Most of the claims focus on the fact that the Russian government had information on both Trump and Hillary Clinton's campaign. The two-page synopsis also included allegations that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, two national security officials told CNN. Trump's attorney Michael Cohen denied all the allegations in a statement to Mic.com, Tuesday night. BILLINGS Rick Breckenridge, the Libertarian Partys 2016 candidate for Montanas lone U.S. House seat, will seek his partys nomination again if theres a special election to replace Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke. Breckenridge told The Gazette on Monday that Libertarians could do well in a special election, depending on which candidates Democrats and Republicans select. Zinke is President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for interior secretary. If confirmed by the Senate, Zinke must resign his House seat, triggering a special election. We have a good chance. We really do, if the Republicans decided on a liberal Republican and Democrats have a rerun of three years ago, Breckenridge said. Breckenridge, of Dayton, was referring to Republican Ed Buttrey and Democrat Amanda Curtis, both state legislators who have expressed interest in filling Zinke's seat. Buttrey, of Great Falls, is a moderate Republican instrumental in passing Medicaid expansion for the working poor two years ago. Curtis, of Butte, was her partys replacement U.S. Senate candidate in 2014, after Sen. John Walsh was caught in a plagiarism scandal and dropped out of the race. Both Republicans and Democrats have several people interested in running in a special election. The moment Zinke is confirmed by the Senate and resigns his House seat, Montana has 85 to 100 days to hold a special election to replace him. There wont be a primary election. Instead, parties will hold nominating conventions with party central committee members selecting a candidate. Breckenridge two months ago won 3 percent of the Montana vote in a congressional race with Zinke and Democrat Denise Juneau, who has expressed no interest in running again. In that race, Breckenridge was a late arrival appointed by Libertarians to replace Mike Fellows, who died in a September car crash. There is another Libertarian candidate. Mark Wicks, of Inverness, is a rancher seeking office for the first time. He said he decided to run after watching the Democrats and Republican candidates in the 2016 election. We get good guys that come from Montana, Wicks said of Montanas current delegation. Theyre pretty good here, but then they get back to the establishment and they get their marching orders from Nancy Pelosi or Paul Ryan. Their values may not match our values. Libertarian Ron Vandevender, of Conner, a perennial candidate and party leader, said Libertarians will likely hold their nominating convention in Helena soon after Zinkes resignation and will try to address several other party issues during the convention. Interest in the Libertarian Party has been increasing since the 2016 election, Vandevender said. Other Democrats expressing interest in running include Rob Quist, of Creston, Bozeman attorney John Meyer and state legislators Kelly McCarthy, of Billings, and Casey Schreiner, of Great Falls. Other Republicans interested include state legislators Daniel Zolnikov, of Billings, and Scott Sales, of Bozeman. Others include: Victor's Gary Carlson, a Reagan appointee to the Department of Defense; Bozeman businessman Eugene Graf IV and District Court Judge Russell Fagg, of Billings. One of the Legislatures last-minute, pre-Christmas actions looks pretty good, at first anyway. Led by Democrats but with enough Republican support to get the necessary three-fifths majority, legislators put a referendum on the fall ballot asking whether damages from natural resources lawsuits should be used only for environmental purposes. In the past, governors from both parties have used much of the funds awarded from contamination lawsuits to help balance the state budget. Legislators were motivated by a settlement that led to an egregious example of this by Gov. Christie. Last year the governor agreed to settle a long-running wetlands-contamination lawsuit against ExxonMobil for $225 million, a tiny fraction of the probably unrealistic $8.9 billion the state had requested. He planned to dedicate only $50 million of that to restoration projects, the minimum required by law. The small settlement outraged many. We said then it looked like payback for substantial ExxonMobil donations to the Republican Governors Association, including $500,000 while Christie was its chairman. As problematic as the ExxonMobil settlement is, it makes a poor reason for amending the N.J. Constitution to specify a use for such lawsuit awards. Such dedication of funds from future settlements would do nothing to ensure that the amount of a settlement was fair to the people of the state. We liked the approach of Sen. Raymond Lesniak, whose Union County district includes some of the contaminated wetlands, of seeking to block the settlement in court. We expressed hope last March that a judge would reject the settlement and proceed to a court decision on appropriate damages. That case is pending. While the dedication of environmental legal awards to environmental work is simple and sound good policy if the state were well run the citizens and taxpayers voting in November might reasonably object on a couple of grounds. First, diverting money to the general fund is a common practice in a state with irresponsible levels of spending and debt. Much greater funds from the tobacco lawsuit settlement have been diverted, leaving nothing to address tobacco addiction and its health consequences. Governors raided the fund that pays unemployment benefits for far more. Where were the legislators and environmental groups when those funds were misused? In the current example, stopping the diversion of $175 million from the ExxonMobil settlement would leave a hole in the budget. What would fill it? A tax increase? Program cuts? Another argument taxpayers might make is that contamination awards typically cover remediation and compensatory damages, and usually the latter is the greater by far. Of the nearly $9 billion hoped for from ExxonMobil, more than two-thirds was compensatory damages, which the people of New Jersey might believe should be theirs with no strings attached for the decades they had to endure the contamination problem. Even from a strictly environmental-issues-are-supreme point of view, dedication of settlement revenues might have an unintended disadvantage. Remediation work is often funded by the federal government and the state, with the former sometimes picking up most of the costs. Would compelling state funds for such use result in the federal government reducing its share in some cases? Wed like to see that possibility considered, as the state could wind up paying more for the same outcome. Finally, we think its possible that state legislators who are expert at budget manipulation are mostly playing citizens and environmental groups. For one thing, putting this on the gubernatorial election ballot can influence the turnout. And even if it passes and the constitution is amended (again) to decide a policy issue that should have been handled by elected officials working out an agreement, what exactly will state government be required to do? Use lawsuit awards for preserving, repairing or restoring natural resources, or funding water quality programs, or preserving open space, farmland or historic buildings or sites. Plenty of room in that language to use the awards to cover existing spending, freeing up funds for general purposes the outcome this is supposed to prevent. Seems to us, for example, that Christies $300 million renovation of the Statehouse could count as preserving a historic 1792 building. This proposed funding dedication might do some good, has a chance of doing some harm, and more likely will be yet another political exercise of little consequence. We have no advice for voters on it, except the usual to keep their eyes open and their hands on their wallets. More than 2,000 people from across Montana are planning to meet in Helena Jan. 21 to march to the Capitol in solidarity with the Womens March on Washington. Organizers said the event, which begins at noon, originally aimed to gather 500 people, but a divisive election has people boarding buses and arranging carpools to attend the march. Women, men and their families are marching in an attempt to bring awareness to all marginalized populations, they said. The event was sparked by an incoming presidential administration whose rhetoric has threatened women, immigrants, people with disabilities and Muslims, organizers said. Deb ONeill, one of the organizers, said the event is not a protest, but aims to make the incoming administration aware that Americans will hold their government accountable for any human rights violations. We need to work with this next administration. Its clear who our next president is and we need to move forward, she said. We want to make sure rights are protected and not taking advantage of the disenfranchised in any way. The march falls on the day after the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Thousands of women are expected to march in Washington the same day as the Helena event. The organizers of the national protest emphasized creating conversations regarding the plight of minorities and immigrant women. As a result, some white women said they dont feel included in the national march. ONeill pointed out Montana's lack of diversity, but noted the statewide march also aims to bring attention to marginalized groups. In Montana, there will be a particular focus on Native Americans. Native Americans and Alaska Natives make up the largest minority in the state with 6.6 percent of the total population, according to 2015 census data. Native American speakers will include tribal leaders and a representative from Standing Rock. The Montana Racial Equity Project will also speak at the event. It started as a womens march but it has grown to so much more, she said. We want to make it clear that everyone is invited. Montana's First Lady Lisa Bullock and representatives from organizations such as the ACLU, YWCA and Montana Human Rights Network are set to address the Helena attendees. The Montana Womens Chorus and Native American drummers will participate and perform. People will line up at 11:30 a.m. on 8th Avenue between Roberts and Sanders streets and march to the Capitol steps at noon. Organizers suggest people park in the mall parking lot. 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. BILLINGS U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., met with Congressman Ryan Zinke on Tuesday to discuss the representatives potential confirmation as President-elect Donald Trumps head of the Department of the Interior. In a press release, Tester said he asked Zinke about the nominees commitment to public lands, conservation, the environment and Indian treaty rights. I had a good talk with Congressman Zinke about the future of Montanas public lands, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, responsible natural resource development, and upholding trust and treaty responsibilities in Indian Country, Tester said. It is important that the next Interior secretary is committed to protecting Montanas outdoor way of life, and understands the threats facing those of us who love to hike, hunt, and fish on our public lands. Tester did not relay Zinkes responses. However, Testers staff said Zinke downplayed a recent vote on a House rules bill, which included language changing the way Congress values land for the purpose of transferring property to states, local governments and Indian tribes. Tester said last week the rules change cleared the way for auction-style bidding on public land. Tester repeated his opposition to proposed gold mining in Paradise Valley near Yellowstone National Parks north gate. Zinke will receive a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 17, of which Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., is a member. If the committee approves Zinke, then Tester and Daines will get a chance to vote on confirmation during a vote of the entire Senate. Strategic and equity partnerships can be highly beneficial to airlines that wish to expand rapidly, finds Frost & Sullivan's Aerospace & Defence team LONDON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The rapid growth of the global airline industry has been offset by falling cargo revenues and passenger yields, prompting airline companies to focus on enhancing their ancillary revenues. While they have tried to achieve cost and operational efficiencies by employing digital solutions, typically part of a larger digital transformation programme, revenue growth has mostly been a result of the innovative marketing of attractive ancillary products. "Digital transformation is emerging as a disruptive force in the aviation industry, with airlines investing in business intelligence solutions, digital marketing projects and overall modernisation of IT infrastructure," said Frost & Sullivan Aerospace & Defence Research Analyst Priyanka Chimakurthi. "Industry concepts and standards such as intelligent loyalty management platforms and IATA's New Distribution Capability have the potential to alter dynamics in the highly competitive industry." Strategic Analysis of Major Global Airlines is Frost & Sullivan's Aerospace Growth Partnership Subscription and provides a 10-year competitive profiling of 15 global airline and airline groups in terms of financial performance, major traffic, capacity metrics, and key strategies to assess the financial health of the airline industry and the wider aviation supply chain. These insights on airline fleet expansion trends, operating costs, and revenue trends will be beneficial to airline IT suppliers, on-board retailers, and aircraft manufacturers. Click here for complimentary access to more information on this analysis and to register for a Growth Strategy Dialogue, a free interactive briefing with Frost & Sullivan's thought leaders. Even though airlines are rapidly moving towards digitisation, the overall unpredictability of oil prices greatly affects their strategising. Moreover, the industry continues to be governed by a strict regulatory framework, and is highly cyclical and vulnerable to global economic trends. "To succeed in a challenging operating environment, airlines are increasingly relying on advanced digital solutions, as well as strategic partnerships," noted Chimakurthi. "Additionally, airline consolidation is intensifying with more than half the airlines covered in the study having engaged in significant merger and acquisition activity over the last 10 years." 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 Strategic Analysis of Major Global Airlines MC8B-22 Contact: Evgenia Oleynikova Corporate Communications Europe P: +48 224816210 E: Evgenia.Oleynikova@frost.com Twitter: @Frost_Sullivan Facebook: FrostandSullivan LinkedIn: F&S ADS Forum http://www.frost.com Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan SINGAPORE, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Art Stage Singapore, Southeast Asia's flagship art fair, opens its seventh edition from 12 to 15 January 2017 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. For 2017, Art Stage Singapore sets its course in a new direction with in-depth content offerings through the Southeast Asian Forum exhibition and lecture series and the Collectors' Stage exhibition. Art Stage Singapore also understands the importance of developing a cohesive Southeast Asian art market to enable the region to be more competitive against the other more developed art markets in the West and China. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/455764/Art_Stage_Singapore_Logo.jpg Southeast Asia Forum Art Stage Singapore 2017 presents the second Southeast Asia Forum, which comprises an exhibition and a series of lectures that offer more focused and deeper views into global issues that have direct impact on Southeast Asia. The second Southeast Asia Forum titled Net Present Value: Art, Capital, Futures focuses on the theme of capitalism. The exhibition presents 24 works by 23 artists. Among the exhibition highlights will be works by artists Jim Allen Abel; Kent Chan; Jenny Holzer; Ivan Lam; New- Territories/M4/RMIT; Eldwin Pradipta; Noberto Roldan; Jose Tence Ruiz; Svay Sareth and Tintin Wulia. The Forum's series of lectures and panel discussions brings together speakers from the art community and the social sciences to examine, through different perspectives, challenges relating to cultures of financialisation and their impact on how we consider art and capital in the immediate future. The Collectors' Stage Art Stage Singapore presents Collectors' Stage 2017, a special exhibition of works from the private collections of Singapore-based collectors. Collectors' Stage 2017 titled Expose. The exhibition draws from the diverse private collections of six Singapore-based collectors and aims to foster an understanding about art collections, reveal the thought processes and motivations behind them. Exhibitor Highlights Art Stage Singapore will present a diverse range of carefully selected galleries from across Asia and the world featuring 131 exhibitors from 27 countries and 54 cities. Three quarters of the exhibitors are returning galleries. A quarter of all participating galleries are new to the Fair. 75 percent of the participating galleries hail from Asia Pacific. This clearly defines Art Stage Singapore 2017 as an Asian fair. Publicity Images Art Stage Singapore 2017 Selected Artworks: http://bit.ly/2iYRi6g Southeast Asia Forum: http://bit.ly/2i8u0vr The Collectors' Stage: http://bit.ly/2idpavw Related Links www.artstagesingapore.com SOURCE Art Stage Singapore LONDON, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BCRE - Brack Capital Real Estate Investments N.V. ("BCRE" or the "Company") Directorate Change The Company announces that it has been informed today by Mr. Jan H. van der Meer (78) regarding his decision to step down as a non-executive Director of the Company's Board of Directors ("Board") for personal reasons, effective from April 2017 after being engaged for almost a decade with the Company and the BCRE group. The Board would like to thank Mr. Jan H. van der Meer for his significant contribution to the Company and to express its gratitude for the opportunity to work with Mr. Jan H. van der Meer during the past years. Mr. Jan H. van der Meer has been initially appointed as an executive Director of the Company in September 2007 and was reappointed as a non-executive Director on 15 May 2014. ENQUIRIES: BCRE - Brack Capital Real Estate Investments N.V. Ariel Podrojski, Chief Executive Officer Nansia Koutsou, Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer +31 20 514 1004 Novella Communications Tim Robertson Toby Andrews +44 203 151 7008 About BCRE BCRE is an international real estate development and investment group, headquartered in the Netherlands and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Through its subsidiary and associated undertakings, the Company is interested in, develops and operates an international portfolio of real estate assets, predominantly located in the USA, Germany and Russia. The Company has established local management team platforms with significant local market expertise in the US, Germany, Russia, India and the UK with exclusive access to over 550 staff. At present, the Company has offices and teams in New York, London, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Moscow, Kazan, New Delhi, Amsterdam and Limassol. This is a disclosure announcement from PR Newswire. SOURCE BCRE - Brack Capital Real Estate Investments N.V. EDINBURGH, Scotland, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This year Edinburgh will mark the 70th anniversary of its world-famous festivals with a year-long celebration, transforming Scotland's historic capital city like never before. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/455792/Edinburgh_Festival.jpg ) In 1947 a unique idea was born. The Edinburgh Festivals, led by the Edinburgh International Festival closely followed by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Film Festival, began as an initiative for humanity when inhumanity had done its worst through the extended global conflict of WWII. For seventy years that inspiration has been sustained, making Edinburgh and its festivals an unparalleled destination for cultural excellence and international exchange, and cementing its global reputation as the world's leading festival city. To mark the start of the year, a 70-second film has been produced to capture some of the extraordinary moments from Edinburgh's Festivals and offer a taste of what to expect in 2017. From theatre, dance, opera, music and literature to film, science, visual art, jazz and major events; Edinburgh's Festivals present something for everyone. Every venue and space imaginable in the city becomes a stage, from the majestic Edinburgh Castle, theatres, concert halls and pop up Spiegeltents to the city's iconic cobbled streets. There has never been a better time to plan a trip to the festival city and if you've never been before, 2017 is the year to go. In 2017 the world is invited to Edinburgh as the following festivals put people and culture centre stage: Edinburgh International Science Festival (1-16 April), Imaginate Festival (27 May-4 June), Edinburgh International Film Festival (21 June - 2 July), Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (14-23 July), Edinburgh Art Festival (27 July - 27 August), The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (4 - 26 August), Edinburgh International Festival (4 - 28 August), Edinburgh Festival Fringe (4 - 28 August), Edinburgh International Book Festival (12 - 28 August), Scottish International Storytelling Festival (20 - 31 October), Edinburgh's Hogmanay (30 December 2017 - 1 January 2018). 2017 presents an ideal opportunity to experience an unrivalled and unforgettable festival experience in one of the most iconic cities in the world. To find out more and to view the 70th Anniversary video visit http://www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/edfests70 SOURCE Edinburghs Festivals Keysight provides a best-in-class customer purchase experience by ensuring the right combination of hardware design and both modular and automated calibration procedures SANTA CLARA, California, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the test and measurement (T&M) industry for Internet of Things (IoT), Frost & Sullivan recognizes Keysight Technologies, Inc. with the 2016 Global Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award. Keysight has consolidated its position at the top of the leader board by basing its solution portfolio on its distinctive test equipment. It has combined high-quality equipment with the broadest format coverage across the product life cycle of IoT devices to ensure there are no dips in product performance or quality. Click here to view the multimedia release - http://bit.ly/2jfExC6 "Keysight is strongly focused on developing path-breaking technologies to support hardware design as well as modular and automated calibration procedures. It delivers an all-inclusive test solution while simultaneously focusing on a holistic hybrid approach with a combination of instruments in different form factors," said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Mariano Kimbara. "The success of its solutions has cemented Keysight's market dominance, earning it almost 40% of the global market share in IoT Wireless Technologies." Keysight has hit upon the right combination of software and measurement expertise to offer greater insights to the IoT industry during IoT product research, manufacturing, and deployment. For instance, its EXM and UXM, which are one-box wireless testers, are ideal to support radio frequency (RF) measurements ranging from 300 MHz to 6 GHz. Its multi-layer protocol logging provides insights that can help enhance the battery life of IoT devices. The company also boasts four modular signal analyzersM9393A, M9392A, M9391A, and N7109Awith a frequency range of 9 kHz to 27 GHz and 250 MHz of analysis bandwidth. They use indigenous superheterodyne technology, analog-to-digital converters (ADC), and digital signal processing (DSP) technologies to achieve high-resolution spectrum measurements. Keysight's standalone bench instruments for IoT include the MXA signal analyzers and MXG signal generators, which present a wide range of test capabilities supporting wireless local area network (WLAN) and ZigBee. Meanwhile, its PXA series of signal analyzers offers 160 MHz of modulation bandwidth up to a frequency of 50 GHz, and is in a leading position to address evolving testing needs for digital modulation analysis. "We are pleased to accept this award from Frost & Sullivan. Keysight's broad portfolio of solutions covers a wide range of IoT formats and helps our customers overcome critical design and test challenges," said Kailash Narayanan, Vice President and General Manager of Wireless Devices. Keysight has made significant inroads into the design of simulation software. It has enhanced signal studio software, advanced design system (ADS) software and 89600 vector signal analysis (VSA) software with the waveform playback approach, which can customize test signals for test components and receivers. It facilitates configuration for test parameters with the representation of RF subsystems and employs a digital modulation tool for troubleshooting wireless setups. All these software tools enable IoT device designers to discover every side of a signal and improve even their most advanced IoT solutions. "Importantly, Keysight has a price-performance advantage over its competitors, as its product offerings accommodate the budgets of every organization without compromising quality," noted Kimbara. "Keysight brings to the market a cost-effective packet of test solutions that can test all the required standards and has the technical capability to support new standards." Keysight has ensured a burgeoning customer base with to its commitment to lowering the total cost of ownership and guaranteeing measurement continuity across benchtop, modular instruments, and wireless test sets. By covering the areas of RF design validation, manufacturing, automated calibration procedures, design and simulation software, Keysight has helped companies tackle the most challenging design and test issues. Its dedication to product development and overall customer centricity has made it richly deserving of the 2016 Global Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award. "We appreciate the recognition from Frost & Sullivan. Keysight is committed to the growing IoT industry and we are enabling the ecosystem with solutions for the entire lifecycle meeting price, performance and form factor requirements," said Satish Dhanasekaran, Vice President and General Manager of Wireless Devices and Operators industry segment. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Keysight Technologies Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) helps customers bring breakthrough electronic products and systems to market faster and at a lower cost. Keysight's solutions go where the electronic signal goes, from design simulation, to prototype validation, to manufacturing test, to optimization in the network. Customers span the worldwide communications ecosystem, internet infrastructure, aerospace & defense, automotive, semiconductor and general electronics end markets. Keysight generated revenues of $2.9B in fiscal year 2016. More information is available at www.keysight.com. 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: Chiara Carella P: +44 (0) 207.343.8314 F: 210.348.1003 E: chiara.carella@frost.com Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan DUBLIN, Jan 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Carbon Nanotube Market - Analysis & Forecast, 2016-2022 (Focus on CNT Type, End Use Application and Region)" report to their offering. The global CNT market worth $700 million in 2015, is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.8 % over the period of 2016-2022, hitting $2,070.5 million by 2022. Wide applications of these materials across polymers, electrical & electronics, and energy industries are likely to drive the market growth over the forecast period. The MWCNTs are currently dominating the market due to low prices and their usage in varied applications. Asia Pacific region accounted for the largest market share of 41.8% in 2015 and this trend is expected to continue in the forecast period. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most essential materials in material science with a number of significant properties; and hence are gradually changing the dynamics of polymer, energy and electronics and semiconductor industry. Carbon nanotubes technology has the potential to improve the performance of almost everything they are used in; composite or plastics and it is even a potential solution to energy problem. The wide range of useful properties of CNTs have led to the development of a number of applications some of which are paving their way towards practical and commercial applicability. CNTs are extremely strong due to a high strength level between their atoms (i.e. sp2 hybridization) which makes them strong after being weaved together. They are stronger than steel, are unbreakably elastic, resistant to chemicals, are better conductors of electricity than silver and are better thermal conductors than diamond. The global CNT market is emerging at a fairly rapid pace. Initially they were in danger of being replaced in conductive applications by graphene and in composites by Nano cellulose. But with time, due to their increasing needs in polymer industry, electronics and semiconductor industry and energy industry, they have managed to hold a good position in the materials market. CNTs have been competitive and will remain so in future too. MWCNTs dominated the CNT market accounting for a market share of 95% by value. Asia Pacific generated the maximum amount of revenue in the year 2015 in the global CNT market followed by North America and Europe .Again, APAC has the highest potential to grow in the forecast period. If the industry has the prospects of growing at a similar pace, it will cross $ 2,070.5 million in total market value by the end of forecast period. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary 1 Research Scope and Methodology 1.1 Scope of the Report 1.2 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Research Methodology 1.2.1 Assumptions and Limitations 1.2.2 Primary Research 1.2.3 Secondary Research 1.2.4 Data Triangulation 1.2.5 Data Analysing & Market Estimation 1.2.6 Stakeholders 1.2.7 Influencing Factors 2 Market Dynamics 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Drivers 2.2.1 Remarkable Properties 2.2.2 Heavy Demand from Varied End Use Application Verticals 2.2.3 Advancement in Technology and Possibility of Viable Future 2.3 Restraints 2.3.1 High Production Cost 2.3.2 Health Care and Safety 2.3.3 Purification Requirements 2.4 Opportunities 2.4.1 Opportunities in Emerging Applications 2.4.2 Increasing Application Areas with Decrease in Price of CNTs 2.4.3 Opportunities in Emerging Economies 3 Competitive Insights 3.1 Introduction 3.2 New Product Launches and Product Developments 3.2.1 Business Expansions 3.2.2 Mergers and Acquisitions 3.2.3 Partnerships, Agreements and Collaborations 3.2.4 Other Developments 3.3 Player Share Analysis 3.3.1 Global CNT Player Share Analysis 3.3.2 SWCNT Player Share Analysis 3.4 R & D Analysis of Leading Players in Carbon Nanotube Market 3.5 Production and Production Capacity Analysis by Industry Players 4 Industry Analysis 4.1 Supply Chain/ Value Chain Analysis 4.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers (Moderate-High) 4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Low-Moderate) 4.2.3 Threat of Substitutes (Low) 4.2.4 Threat of New Entrants (High) 4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry (Moderate-High) 4.3 Pricing Analysis 4.4 Future Trends and Developments in Carbon Nanotubes Market 5 Global Carbon Nanotubes Market Breakdown, by Product Type 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Global Carbon Nanotube Market, by Type 5.3 Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) 5.3.1 Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Market, by Region 5.3.2 Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application 5.4 Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) 5.4.1 Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market, by Region, (2016-2022) 5.4.2 Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market, by Application, (2016-2022) 6 Carbon Nanotube Market Size by Application 6.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Size by Application 6.1.1 Polymer Application Market Overview 6.1.2 Electronics & Semiconductor Application Market Overview 6.1.3 Energy Application Market Overview 6.1.4 Others Application Market overview 7 Global Carbon Nanotube Market, by Geography 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Global Carbon Nanotube Market by Region 7.2.1 North America 7.2.1.1 The US 7.2.2 Europe 7.2.2.1 Germany 7.2.2.2 Italy 7.2.2.3 France 7.2.2.4 United Kingdom 7.2.3 Asia-Pacific (APAC) 7.2.3.1 China 7.2.3.2 Japan 7.2.3.3 South Korea 7.2.3.4 India 7.2.4 Rest of the World (RoW) 8 Company Profiles 8.1 Arkema S.A 8.1.1 Company Overview 8.1.2 Financials 8.1.2.1 Overall Financials 8.1.2.2 Geographic Revenue Mix 8.1.2.3 Business Segment Revenue Mix 8.1.2.4 Revenue Forecast by Region and Application,2020 8.1.2.5 Financial Summary 8.1.3 SWOT Analysis 8.2 Showa Denko K.K 8.2.1 Company Overview 8.2.2 Financials 8.2.2.1 Overall Financials 8.2.2.2 Geographic Revenue Mix 8.2.2.3 Business Segment Revenue Mix 8.2.2.4 Financial Summary 8.2.3 SWOT Analysis 8.3 Cnano Technology Limited 8.3.1 Company Overview 8.3.2 About Cnano Technologies Ltd 8.3.2.1 Product Portfolio 8.3.2.2 Applications Overview 8.3.2.3 Overall Summary 8.3.3 SWOT Analysis 8.4 Nanocyl S.A 8.4.1 Company Overview 8.4.2 About Nanocyl S.A 8.4.2.1 Product Portfolio 8.5 Toray Industries Inc. 8.5.1 Company Overview 8.5.2 Financials 8.5.2.1 Overall Financials 8.5.2.2 Geographic Revenue Mix 8.5.2.3 Business Segment Revenue Mix 8.5.2.4 Financial Summary 8.5.3 SWOT Analysis 8.6 Hanwha Chemical Corporation 8.6.1 Company Overview 8.6.2 Financials 8.6.2.1 Overall Financials 8.6.2.2 Geographical Revenue Mix 8.6.2.3 Business Segment Revenue Mix 8.6.2.4 Financial Summary 8.6.3 SWOT Analysis 8.7 Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd. 8.7.1 Company Overview 8.7.2 Financials 8.7.2.1 Overall Financials 8.7.2.2 Geography Revenue Mix 8.7.2.3 Business Segment Revenue Mix 8.7.2.4 Financial Summary 8.7.3 SWOT Analysis 8.8 Hodogaya Chemical Co Ltd 8.8.1 Company Overview 8.8.2 Financials 8.8.2.1 Overall Financials 8.8.2.2 Financial Summary 8.8.3 SWOT Analysis 8.9 Ube Industries Ltd (Japan) 8.9.1 Company Overview 8.9.2 Financials 8.9.2.1 Overall Financials 8.9.2.2 Business Segment Revenue Mix 8.9.2.3 Financial Summary 8.9.3 SWOT Analysis 8.10 Times Nano 8.10.1 Company Overview 8.10.2 About the Company 8.11 Carbon Solutions, Inc. 8.11.1 Company Overview 8.11.2 About the Company 8.12 Cheap Tubes Inc. 8.12.1 Company Overview 8.12.2 About the Company 8.13 Cnt Co. Ltd. 8.13.1 Company Overview 8.13.2 About the Company 8.14 Hyperion Catalysis International Inc. 8.14.1 Company Overview 8.14.2 About the Company 8.15 Arry International Group Ltd 8.15.1 Company Overview 8.15.2 About the Company 8.16 Continental Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. 8.16.1 Company Overview 8.16.2 About the Company 8.17 Klean Commodities Inc. 8.17.1 Company Overview 8.17.2 About the Company 8.18 Nano-C Inc. 8.18.1 Company Overview 8.18.2 About the Company 8.19 OCSiAl LLC 8.19.1 Company Overview 8.19.2 About the Company 8.20 Thomas Swan & Co Ltd (U.K) 8.20.1 Company Overview 8.20.2 About the Company 8.21 Zyvex Technologies 8.21.1 Company Overview 8.21.2 About the Company List of Tables: Table 2.1 Comparison of Mechanical Properties of CNTs with other String Materials Table 2.2 Summary of CNT-Enabled Applications Table 3.1 Product Launch and Development Table 3.2 Business Expansions Table 3.3 Mergers and Acquisitions Table 3.4 Partnerships, Agreements and Collaborations Table 3.5 Other Developments Table 3.6 CNT R&D Investment Analysis Table 3.7 CNT Key Player's Production Capacity Overview: 2015 Table 5.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Size, by Type ($ Million), 2015-2022 Table 5.2 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Size, by Type (Metric Tons), 2015-2022 Table 5.3 Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, by Region, ($ Million) 2015-2022 Table 5.4 Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, by Region, (Metric Tons), 2015-2022 Table 5.5 Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, by Application, ($ Million), 2015-2022 Table 5.6 Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, by Application, (Metric Tons), 2015-2022 Table 5.7 Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, by Region, ($ Million), 2015-2022 Table 5.8 Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, by Region, (Metric Tons), 2015-2022 Table 5.9 Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, by Application, ($ Million), 2015-2022 Table 5.10 Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, by Application, (Metric Tons), 2015-2022 Table 6.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Size by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 6.2 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Size by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 6.3 Carbon Nanotube Market Size in Polymer Application (2015 - 2022) Table 6.4 Global Carbon Nanotube Market for Electronic & Semiconductor Application (2015 - 2022) Table 6.5 Carbon Nanotube Market Size for Energy Application (2015 - 2022) Table 6.6 Carbon Nanotube Market Size in Others Application (2015 - 2022) Table 7.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Market by Region, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.2 Global Carbon Nanotube Market by Region, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.3 North America's Carbon Nanotube Market by Country, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.4 North America's Carbon Nanotube Market by Country, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.5 USA's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.6 The US Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.7 The US Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.8 The US Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.9 Europe's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Country, $ Million , 2015 - 2022 Table 7.10 Europe's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Country, Metric Tons 2015 - 2022 Table 7.11 Germany's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.12 Germany's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.13 Germany's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.14 Germany's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.15 Italy's Carbon Nanotubes Market, by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.16 Italy's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.17 Italy's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.18 Italy's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.19 France's Carbon Nanotubes Market, by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.20 France's Carbon Nanotubes Market, by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.21 France's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.22 France's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.23 U.K's Carbon Nanotubes Market, by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.24 U.K's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.25 U.K's Carbon Nanotube Market, by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.26 U.K's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.27 Asia-Pacific's Carbon Nanotube Market by Country, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.28 Asia-Pacific's Carbon Nanotube Market by Country, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.29 China's Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.30 China's Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.31 China's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.32 China's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.33 Japan's Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.34 Japan's Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.35 Japan's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.36 Japan's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.37 South Korea's Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.38 South Korea's Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.39 South Korea's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.40 South Korea's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.41 India's Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.42 India's Carbon Nanotube Market by Type, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.43 India's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, $ Million (2015 - 2022) Table 7.44 India's Carbon Nanotube Market by Application, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) Table 7.45 RoW Carbon Nanotubes Market by Region, ($ Million) (2015 - 2022) Table 7.46 RoW Carbon Nanotubes Market by Region, Metric Tons (2015 - 2022) List of Figures: Figure 1 Carbon Nanotube Market Attractiveness, by Type, Application and Region Figure 2 Global Carbon Nanotube Market size Overview Figure 3 Carbon Nanotube Market Share by Type, 2015 and 2022 Figure 4 Carbon Nanotube Market Share by Application: 2015 & 2022 Figure 5 Carbon Nanotube Market, by Geography Figure 1.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Scope Figure 1.2 Report Design Figure 1.3 Primary Interviews Breakdown, by Companies, Designation, and Region Figure 1.4 Sources of Secondary Research Figure 1.5 Data Triangulation Figure 1.6 Top Down & Bottom Up Approach Figure 1.7 Stakeholders Overview Figure 1.8 Influencing Factors Figure 2.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Dynamics Figure 3.1 Snapshot of Organic & Inorganic Strategies adopted by Key Players Figure 3.2 Total Number of Strategies and Developments Figure 3.3 Percentage Share of Strategies and Developments Adopted by Key Players Figure 3.4 Global CNT Market Share Analysis, by Production Volume: 2015 Figure 3.5 SWCNT Market Share Analysis, by Production Capacity Figure 4.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Supply Chain Figure 4.2 Global CNT Porter's Five Forces Analysis Figure 4.3 Global CNT Price Analysis Overview: $/kg Figure 5.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Segmentation Figure 5.2 Structure of Single Wall and Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube Figure 5.3 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Size (Value & Volume) Overview Figure 5.4 Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Market Size Overview Figure 5.5 Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Market Size Overview by Region: US$ Million Figure 5.6 Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Market Size Overview by Application: $ Million Figure 5.7 Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube Market Size Overview Figure 5.8 Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube Market Size Overview by Region: US$ million Figure 5.9 Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube Market Size Overview by Application: $ Million Figure 6.1 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Segmentation: by Application Figure 6.2 Carbon Nanotube Market Size Overview by Application: US$ Million Figure 6.3 Global Carbon Nanotube Market Attractiveness, by Application Figure 6.4 Carbon nanotube in Polymer Application Market Size Overview Figure 6.5 Key applications of CNTs in automotive coatings include: Figure 6.6 CNT in Electronics & Semiconductor Application Market Size Overview Figure 6.7 CNT in Energy Application Market Size Overview Figure 6.8 Li-ion Battery Present and Expanding Market Overview Figure 6.9 CNT in Other Application Market Size Overview Figure 7.1 Carbon Nanotube Market Geographical Segmentation Figure 7.2 Carbon Nanotube Market Growth Rate by Geography Figure 7.3 North America Carbon Nanotube Market by Country Figure 7.4 European Carbon Nanotube Market Snapshot, by Country Figure 7.5 APAC Carbon Nanotube Market Snapshot, by Country Figure 7.6 Rest of the World Carbon Nanotube Market Snapshot, by Region Figure 8.1 Overall Financials, 2013-15 ($ Million) Figure 8.2 Geographic Revenue Mix, 2013-15 ($ Million) Figure 8.3 Segment Revenue Mix, 2013-15 ($ Million) Figure 8.4 Arkema's Revenue Forecast 2020 Figure 8.5 Overall Financials, 2013-15 Figure 8.6 Geographic Revenue Mix, 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.7 Segment Revenue Mix, 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.8 Showa Denko K.K: Swot Analysis Figure 8.9 Overall Financials, 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.10 Geographic Revenue Mix, 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.11 Segment Revenue Mix, 2014-15 ($Million) Figure 8.12 Overall Financials 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.13 Geographical Revenue Mix 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.14 Segment Revenue Mix 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.15 Overall Financials 2014-15 ($Million) Figure 8.16 Geography Revenue Mix 2014-15 ($Million) Figure 8.17 Segment Revenue Mix 2014-15 ($Million) Figure 8.18 Overall Financials 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.19 Overall Financials 2013-15 ($Million) Figure 8.20 Segment Revenue Mix 2013-15 ($Million) Companies Mentioned - Arkema S.A - Arry International Group Ltd - Carbon Solutions, Inc. - Cheap Tubes Inc. - Cnano Technology Limited - Cnt Co. Ltd. - Continental Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. - Hanwha Chemical Corporation - Hodogaya Chemical Co Ltd - Hyperion Catalysis International Inc. - Klean Commodities Inc. - Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd. - Nano-C Inc. - Nanocyl S.A - OCSiAl LLC - Showa Denko K.K - Thomas Swan & Co Ltd (U.K) - Times Nano - Toray Industries Inc. - Ube Industries Ltd (Japan) For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/77c8bn/global_carbon About Research and Markets Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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 d'Amico Societa di Navigazione S. p. A. and TATA NYK Join the Veson Nautical Community BOSTON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Veson Nautical, the leading provider of commercial maritime software and services, today announced that d'Amico Societa di Navigazione S. p. A. and TATA NYK Shipping have selected Veson Nautical's Integrated Maritime Operations System (IMOS) and Veslink for their commercial operations. Over the past 12 months, a total of 26 maritime organizations across all industry verticals have adopted Veson solutions. Based in Italy, d'Amico has a long history as one of the world's leading maritime transport groups dating back to 1952. The company's core business is the management and operation of both dry cargo vessels and tankers, and the provision of international shipping services. Regarding the decision to move forward with Veson, Pietro Amorusi, Chief Information Officer at d'Amico stated, "While selecting the new software platform for our Commercial management, we were not only looking for a toolour aim was to find a travel companion for the coming challenges, a reliable and focused teama company definitely able to grow and win with us. I believe that our research has been successful." TATA NYK Shipping, based in Singapore, aims to be a leading player in the dry bulk segment on a global scale offering innovative freight solutions. As a Joint Venture between Tata Steel & NYK Line, the company commenced operations in March 2007 and has rapidly expanded its business both for Pacific and Atlantic trades. "Shipping companies across all verticals and geographies are under immense pressure to streamline processes and allocate assets more effectively," said Sean Riley, Chief Operating Officer at Veson Nautical. "We continue to see global leaders select Veson to keep up with the dynamic business of shipping and are thrilled to support the success of our newest clients." With a unified commercial platform, shipping organizations are able to access real-time voyage and performance data to gain the insights required to drive success. Veson's flagship product, IMOS (Integration Maritime Operations System) is offered as either an installed application, or as a hosted service (IMOSlive). Similar to IMOSlive, Veslink, Veson's online hub for the collection, analysis, and sharing of maritime data, is also cloud-based. Combined, IMOS, IMOSlive, and Veslink boast nearly 8,000 users from over 200 of the world's top owners, charterers, and operators. About Veson Nautical Veson Nautical is the premier provider of maritime commercial management software and services. The company's integrated solutions foster collaboration and communication, enabling the world's leading shipping organizations to better manage voyage chartering, operations, financials, and risk management. The Integrated Maritime Operations System (IMOS), Veson Nautical's flagship solution, enables faster and more strategic decision making, supporting clients to realize revenue growth, protect voyage P&L, and optimize performance. Veslink is a web-based solution that sets a new standard for the collection, analysis, and sharing of maritime data. Veslink enables shore-side personnel to transform the constant stream of vessel and market information into a structured, dynamic picture of their fleet. With its focus on constant innovation and customer service, and with offices in Boston, London, and Singapore, Veson Nautical serves over 8,000 users at more than 200 leading maritime organizations worldwide. The company may be reached via the Web at www.veson.com or in their Boston headquarters at +1.617.723.2727. Related Links http://www.veson.com SOURCE Veson Nautical This is the tradition season in Washington, D.C. It has become traditional for the departing President to write a letter to his successor. It has become tradition for the Vice President to sign his name inside his desk drawer. And Tom Vilsack has filed his exit memo as he departs his office at 14th and Independence Avenues, where he has managed the U. S. Department of Agriculture and its 100,000-plus employees and an annual budget this year of $155 billion. Earlier last century, an agriculture secretary served 16 years, twice that of Vilsack. And earlier last century another Iowan, Henry Wallace, created farm programs for the Roosevelt Administration to pull agriculture out of the Great Depression. He went on to become a vice president under Roosevelt, and to start Pioneer Seed Co. with his novel hybrid corn that is todays standard. So Vilsack is not the longest-serving, nor the one with the highest profile. But he is a class act and leaves his post well-served and well-positioned to advance rural America in years to come. That is reflected in his exit memo, posted on the White House website. At USDA, we have spent the past eight years working to support these communities and create opportunity in rural America. Today, the United States is experiencing record agricultural productivity and exports, ensuring Americans are more food secure and spend a smaller portion of their paychecks at the grocery store than most developed nations. Over the course of this Administration, USDA made targeted investments to help rural areas grow, and also transformed itself into a 21st century service provider that delivers programs and services to all Americans. At the start of his tenure, he convinced the White House to create a Rural Council and use it to coordinate federal investments in rural areas, giving the folks in such communities as Maroa, Kinmundy, or Stonington more opportunity to benefit from federal programs from a variety of departments. That was measured by a 3.4 percent increase in median household income in rural areas from 2009 to 2015, a quarter million more jobs in rural counties, and 8 million fewer rural residents receiving food assistance. The USDA has had a Rural Development section for many years to help install water systems in small towns, improve sewer systems, and bolster communications. Vilsack added economic development to that to increase the opportunity for more jobs and higher salaries. A more recent initiative for USDA, and one which would typically be considered a program for the Department of Health and Human Services, is Vilsacks effort to address substance abuse and prescription drug use in rural areas. It is probably good the program is in USDA and not HHS, because USDAs career employees are more familiar with the culture of rural America and may be best to deal with the challenges of such a program. That does not just include holding seminars to recognize where a meth lab might be, but helping thousands of rural nurses better communicate with telemedicine. Big city hospitals dont have the challenges that rural telemedicine can solve. Vilsack is a class act. He chewed me out once for asking a question about USDAs response to the deteriorating farm economy. But, that is part of the job for both of us. And he did his job with class. LONDON, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New online YouGov survey reveals a big majority (57%) of the British workforce would be open to monitoring their health with technology at work as long as their employer supplied a device to do so The majority want to 'get fit and keep fit' with encouragement from their bosses Only 5% of workers have already been provided with health tech by employers The workplace could be the best place for the mass adoption of health tech in the UK helping to improve and maintain employees' health through company wellness programmes - if only workers got more support from their employers. And, despite the recent explosion of health tech ownership in the UK, leading to lots of personal data being generated, there are doubts from data academics about whether this information is being used to the best effect by individuals alone.[1] The third annual AXA PPP Health Tech & You State of the Nation online survey shows that 57% of the British workforce would be open to wearing a company paid-for fitness band or similar device during working hours to help monitor their health and wellbeing, as long as this was supplied to them free of charge by their employer. This figure increases to nearly two-thirds (63%), if employers offer workers the device and a financial bonus for wearing it at work. However, only a small number of working Brits (5%) say their employer currently provides health technology to workers - despite the potential benefits. Data sharing One of the most surprising findings from this latest survey is that employees aren't shy about sharing their health data with their employers to help them improve the health and wellbeing of the workforce. Of those who would be likely to wear a fitness band at work, over half (58%) said they would be comfortable to share the data generated with their employer if it helped with the organisation's employee health and wellbeing programmes. Dr Chris Tomkins, Head of Proactive Health, AXA PPP healthcare, said: "The increased use of health tech within the workplace could so easily be a win-win for both employer and employee. For the first time it is possible to support an individual throughout their journey from better understanding of their health to actual improvements through smart digital platforms. Furthermore, there are often staff schemes with open platforms that enable individuals to use and share information from their own personal devices, ensuring their contribution is recognised. "Of course, some individuals are naturally concerned about how their data is used and employers are keen to have a clear separation between themselves and such personal data. Therefore, both employer and employee could benefit from the expertise of using an independent third-party provider who can ensure privacy." he said. The State Of The Nation survey was commissioned by AXA PPP healthcare as part of the AXA PPP Health Tech & You programme. Now in its third year, the YouGov survey questioned over 2,000 adults. The findings documented in this release relate to 1,249 working adults within the survey sample. Richard Cooper, Head of Digital Marketing, AXA PPP healthcare, states: "The findings of the State of the Nation survey suggest that most employees are open to wearing health tech in the workplace to monitor their health, fitness and wellbeing. During the last three years, the AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards programme has identified many new and emerging health tech innovations that we have not only been able to highlight but also share knowledge of with our members and with our client partners for the benefit of their employees via our Proactive Health Gateway service." "As part of our activities for 2017, we continue to seek the best in health tech and encourage developers, innovators and designers to enter this year's AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards programme." There are six categories for the Health Tech & You Awards programme 2017. Each has a distinct focus from identifying health tech that can support specific needs in society, having the most positive impact for health care providers and identifying individual innovators and organisations that are pioneers within the health technology for the benefit of individuals. Each of the six categories has its own judging and entry approach. To enter, please visit http://www.healthtechandyou.com. The closing date is Monday 16th January 2017. The Trending Award The Future Award AXA PPP Health Tech & You Challenge The Health & Care Professional ' s Choice The Health Tech & Age Award The Wow! Award AXA PPP Health Tech & You will be showcasing this year's finalists and winners at a dedicated exhibition at the Design Museum from the 25th April to 8th May 2017, offering visitors the chance to see and interact with the latest in health tech and innovation. Notes to Editors About the research Survey by YouGov All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,094 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29-30 November, 2016. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). About AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards 2017 There are six categories for the Health Tech & You Awards 2017. Each has a distinct focus from identifying health tech that can support specific needs in society, having the most positive impact for health care providers and identifying individual champions, innovators and organisations that are leading the health technology revolution for the benefit of consumers. Each of the six categories has their own judging and entry approach. The deadline for entries is Monday 16 January, 2017. About AXA PPP healthcare AXA PPP healthcare - one of the largest and most experienced private medical insurance providers in the UK - has been helping people to access healthcare services since 1940. Today it forms the UK healthcare arm of AXA and provides cover for medical and dental care for individuals and employers, and employee wellbeing, counselling, occupational health and rehabilitation services through its specialist Health Services division. AXA PPP healthcare has been named the Best Healthcare Provider for three years running in the Your Money Awards and, in June 2015, was awarded the prestigious accolade of European Large Contact Centre of the Year at the 2015 European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards, followed in September 2015 by the Best Customer Experience accolade in the Large Contact Centre category of the UK Customer Experience Awards 2015. References 1. Hansel, K., Wilde, N., Haddadi, H. and Alomainy, A. (2015) 'Challenges with Current Wearable Technology in Monitoring Health Data and Providing Positive Behavioural Support', MOBIHEALTH'15 Proceedings of the 5th EAI International Conference on Wireless Mobile Communication and Healthcare, pp. 158-161. http://www.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/~hamed/papers/mobi_health.pdf For further information on the State of the Nation Survey or the AXA PPP Health Tech & You programme please contact: Nina Bass - Trio Health on +44-(0)207-947-9635- nina@triohealth.co.uk Chloe Nichols - Trio Health on +44-(0)207-947-9632 - chloe@triohealth.co.uk Visit the AXA PPP Health Tech & You website http://www.healthtechandyou.com Follow us on Twitter @healthtechyou #HealthTechAwards SOURCE AXA PPP Health Tech & You "Nearly thirty percent of today's brides seek affordable gowns for their wedding day," said Christina Blanchette, VP Sales and Marketing at Maggie Sottero Designs. "Low-cost dresses have been in the market for a while, but finding a beautiful, high-quality gown at an affordable price has remained a challenge. With Rebecca Ingram, brides have the perfect convergence of fashion and affordability." Top styles from Rebecca Ingram's inaugural collection include: Olivia , a charming ballgown featuring illusion lace and a shimmering belt , a charming ballgown featuring illusion lace and a shimmering belt Hope , a flirty fit-and-flare featuring a double-keyhole back , a flirty fit-and-flare featuring a double-keyhole back Allison, a romantic ballgown with subtle illusion and crystal-embellished straps Following the success of the launch, Maggie Sottero Designs is running a social media contest wherein participants are invited to curate a Pinterest board of wedding inspiration that includes favorite Rebecca Ingram styles. Maggie Sottero Designs will judge the submissions, and the bride-to-be with the winning entry will receive a Rebecca Ingram gown of her choice, hotel and airfare for a Fiji honeymoon, and $1,000 to spend on her fairytale wedding. The contest runs January 9-31. Brides interested in purchasing affordable gowns can find an authorized retailer on the company website. Maggie Sottero Designs Resources: About Maggie Sottero Designs: For nearly twenty years, Maggie Sottero Designs has been one of the most recognized and sought after bridal gown manufacturers in the world, with design studios in Sydney, Australia, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Brides know Maggie Sottero Designs for its inspiring collections and meticulous attention to detail. The couture designer's mission is to make dreams a reality for brides by delivering innovative styles, superior quality, and best-in-class service through win-win relationships with its retailers, supply chain partners, and service providers. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/399080/Maggie_Sottero_Designs___Logo.jpg Related Links http://www.maggiesottero.com SOURCE Maggie Sottero Designs Phil Kwun to join Mooreland Partners' New York Office NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mooreland Partners (http://www.moorelandpartners.com), the leading independent investment bank providing M&A and private capital advisory services to the global technology industry, is pleased to announce the addition of Phil Kwun to the firm. Phil is joining as a Managing Director and will focus on growing the firm's Consumer Growth practice group as well as expanding the firm's coverage of the Healthcare IT and Human Capital Management (HCM) software segments. "With this senior addition, Mooreland builds on its position in several sectors adding an experienced banker in the Consumer and Software markets where our firm sees significant growth opportunities. Phil has a strong track record of advising publicly traded and privately held companies globally on financings and M&A transactions," said Patrick Seely, Managing Partner of Mooreland Partners. Before joining Mooreland, Phil was a Managing Director at investment banking firm Sonenshine Partners where for over 18 years he advised on sellside and buyside transactions across the Consumer Growth, Healthcare IT, and HCM sectors. Phil has worked with companies such as Walgreens, Keurig Green Mountain, AON and Nokia. Prior to Sonenshine Partners, Phil worked in the M&A division of Bankers Trust, formerly BT Alex. Brown. Phil holds a BA from Yale College and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. ABOUT MOORELAND PARTNERS Founded in 2002, Mooreland Partners is a leading independent investment bank providing M&A and private capital advisory services to the global technology industry, serving clients from its offices in London, New York, and Silicon Valley. Mooreland's team of nearly 50 professionals delivers industry domain and transaction expertise across all major technology sectors including industrial technology and electronics, enterprise software and services, communications technology, as well as mobile and digital media. Learn more at www.moorelandpartners.com; read our blog. All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. MEDIA CONTACT press@moorelandpartners.com U.S.A. Tel. +1 212 653 0800 U.K. +44 20 7484 1350 Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/155139/mooreland_partners_logo.jpg Related Links http://www.moorelandpartners.com SOURCE Mooreland Partners HELSINKI, Finland, Jan 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MUNKSJO OYJ, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 11 January 2017 at 13:05 CET Munksjo Oyj's Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") was held in Helsinki today. Resolutions relating to the combination a) Resolution on the merger The EGM resolved to approve the combination of Munksjo's and Ahlstrom Corporation's ("Ahlstrom") business operations through a statutory absorption merger of Ahlstrom into Munksjo pursuant to the Finnish Companies Act and approve the merger plan. The completion of the combination is subject to, inter alia, merger control approvals from relevant competition authorities. The registration of the execution of the merger is expected to take place in the beginning of the second quarter of 2017. Further, the EGM resolved on the amendments to Section 1, the first sentence of Section 2, Section 4 and Section 6 of the Articles of Association of Munksjo, as set out below as part of the merger. "1 The name of the Company is Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj. The domicile of the Company is Helsinki."; "2 The Company's field of business is to engage in the manufacture, converting and sale of fiber-based solutions and products and in other related or supporting activities."; "4 The Board of Directors of the Company shall comprise a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of twelve (12) ordinary members."; and "6 The Company shall have one (1) auditor, which shall be an audit firm authorised by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office." The shareholders of Ahlstrom shall receive as merger consideration 0.9738 new shares of Munksjo for each share owned in Ahlstrom, that is, the merger consideration shall be issued to the shareholders of Ahlstrom in proportion to their existing shareholding with a ratio of 0.9738:1. In case the number of shares received by a shareholder of Ahlstrom as merger consideration would be a fractional number, the fractions shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Fractional entitlements to new shares of Munksjo shall be aggregated and sold in the market and the proceeds will be distributed pro rata to Ahlstrom's shareholders being entitled to receive fractional entitlements. Any costs related to the sale and distribution of fractional entitlements shall be borne by Munksjo. b) Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors The EGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors that the number of members of the Board of Directors shall be eleven (11). c) Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors The EGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors that the members of the Board of Directors of Munksjo to be elected for a term of office commencing on the date of registration of the execution of the merger and expiring at the end of the first Annual General Meeting of Munksjo following the date of registration of the execution of the merger be paid the following remuneration: to the Chairman of the Board of Directors EUR 80,000 per year, to the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors EUR 50,000 per year and EUR 40.000 per year to the other members of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee shall receive EUR 12,000 per year and the ordinary members of the Audit Committee EUR 6,000 per year each. The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee shall receive EUR 6,000 per year and the ordinary members of the Remuneration Committee EUR 3,000 per year each. Travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the company's travel policy. The annual remuneration of the members elected hereunder shall be paid in proportion to the length of their term of office. d) Election of the members of the Board of Directors The EGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors that Peter Seligson, Elisabet Salander Bjorklund, Sebastian Bondestam, Alexander Ehrnrooth, Hannele Jakosuo-Jansson, Mats Lindstrand and Anna Ohlsson-Leijon, current members of the Board of Directors of Munksjo, be conditionally elected to continue to serve on the Board of Directors of Munksjo and that Hans Sohlstrom, Jan Inborr, Johannes Gullichsen and Harri-Pekka Kaukonen, current members of the Board of Directors of Ahlstrom, be conditionally elected as members of the Board of Directors of Munksjo for the term commencing on the date of registration of the execution of the merger and expiring at the end of the next Annual General Meeting of Munksjo following the date of registration of the execution of the merger. e) Authorisation of the Board of Directors to resolve on the payment of funds from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity The EGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors to authorise the Board of Directors of Munksjo to resolve, based on the audited financial statements of the company for 2015, by one or several resolutions, on an extra payment of funds from the company's reserve for invested unrestricted equity as return of equity in the total amount of maximum EUR 0.45 per each outstanding share in the company (representing a maximum total amount of approximately EUR 22,842,711 after excluding the treasury shares held by the company) to the shareholders of Munksjo prior to the completion of the combination. The return of equity shall be paid prior to the registration of the execution of the merger. The authorisation shall be valid until the close of the next Annual General Meeting of Munksjo. The minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting The minutes of the meeting will be available on www.munksjo.com/egm as from 25 January 2017, at the latest. Munksjo Oyj For further information, please contact: Anna Selberg, SVP Communications, Tel. +46 10 250 10 32 Laura Lindholm, Head of Investor Relations, Tel. +46 72 703 63 36 Notice to Shareholders in the United States The new shares in Munksjo have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or under any of the applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The new shares in Munksjo may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act), unless registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws of the United States. The new shares in Munksjo will be offered in the United States in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 802 thereunder. Munksjo and Ahlstrom are Finnish companies. Information distributed in connection with the merger and the related shareholder votes is subject to disclosure requirements of Finland, which are different from those of the United States. It may be difficult for Ahlstrom's shareholders to enforce their rights and any claim they may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws in respect of the merger, since Munksjo and Ahlstrom are located in non-U.S. jurisdictions, and all of their officers and directors are residents of non-U.S. jurisdictions. Ahlstrom's shareholders may not be able to sue Munksjo or Ahlstrom or their officers or directors in a court in Finland for violations of the U.S. securities laws. It may be difficult to compel Munksjo and Ahlstrom and their affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment. CONTACT: This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/munksjo/r/munksjo-oyj--decisions-taken-by-the-extraordinary-general-meeting,c2163554 SOURCE Munksjo OSLO, Norway, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NextGenTel Holding ASA has 11 January 2017 sold 25,000 own shares at an average price of NOK 24.00 per share. The shares were sold as part of the company`s share option program. After this transaction, there are 436,000 outstanding options in the company with strike price from NOK 3.0 to NOK 26,00 (average NOK 13.94). After this transaction, NextGenTel Holding ASA holds 274,201 own shares. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/nextgentel-holding-asa/r/mandatory-notification-of-trade,c2164490 SOURCE NextGenTel Holding ASA LINKOPING, Sweden, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- International medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company Sectra(STO: SECT B) has signed a contract with the organization Pathology Projects (SPP) in the Netherlands to offer all 50 pathology labs in the country to connect to a shared telepathology solution. Sectra's cloud-based image-sharing solution will enable pathologists to efficiently share digital pathology images on a national scale. This is the first pathology project of its kind in the world. With the solution for efficient sharing of images, pathologists will be able to easily consult with other pathologists throughout the country or to ask for second opinions. The solution also makes a patient's previous images easily available, regardless of where the study was carried out. In addition, the solution makes information readily available for panel discussions and supports their execution. All in all, the nationwide telepathology solution could greatly improve cancer care in the Netherlands. The telepathology project was initiated by the Dutch Society of Pathologists (NVVP) and the nationwide network, Stichting PALGA. The project will be implemented by Sectra, together with the subcontractors Deutsche Telecom Healthcare Solutions and RAM IT. The Pathology Image Exchange solution is based upon a SaaS (Software as a Service) model. Pathology labs which choose to participate will be connected in the coming years. "Implementing a pathology solution on this scale requires integration between several different IT solutions throughout the 50 labs. Sectra's philosophy and proven track record of implementing standard-based integration is a core strength for us, which makes me extra proud to be part of this unique project," says Dr. Torbjorn Kronander, President and CEO of Sectra. Sectra's digital pathology solution Sectra provides a complete solution for primary diagnostics in pathology, including archiving and an advanced review workstation. The solution allows pathologists to make their diagnoses and carry out reporting with higher precision and less time spent per case, thereby improving cancer care. Sectra's high-end review workstation provides pathologists with the right environment and tools to perform their work in a digital system and to reduce the pain-points associated with time-consuming and labor-intensive manual workflow. Sectra's digital pathology solution also allows seamless sharing of digital slides and patient data in multi-hospital environments, enhancing the workflows around consultations, frozen sections and second opinions. In the US, digital pathology for primary diagnostics is still pending FDA approval. Read more about Sectra's digital pathology solution. CONTACT: For further information, please contact: Dr. Torbjorn Kronander, CEO and President Sectra AB, 46 (0) 705 23 52 27 Marie Ekstrom Tragardh, Executive Vice President Sectra AB and President Sectra Imaging IT Solutions, 46 (0)708 23 56 10 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/sectra/r/sectra-to-implement-unique-nationwide-telepathology-solution-in-the-netherlands,c2163766 The following files are available for download: http://news.cision.com/sectra/i/sectra-s-digital-pathology-solution,c2053442 Sectra's Digital Pathology Solution SOURCE Sectra Critical infrastructures and industry are threatened more than ever by cyber attacks: TUV Rheinland and OpenSky are expanding their offering of safety audits and certifications for critical infrastructures and industry to include cyber security assessments, a topic that is being presented at the S4x17 ICS Security Conference in Miami Florida. MIAMI, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Power supply failures, nationwide failure of telephone networks, internet and ATMs lasting several days through to production stoppages: Cyber attacks on critical infrastructures and industry are not a question of "if" they are a question of "when". As the consequences of these attacks, especially with the growth in the internet of things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), could be enormous, TUV Rheinland and OpenSky have extended their portfolio of functional safety audits and certifications for critical infrastructures and industry to include extensive cyber security analyses and examinations. "With the advent of Industry 4.0, functional safety can no longer be considered in isolation," explains Heinz Gall, expert for "Functional Safety & Security" at TUV Rheinland. "Cyber security is an essential success factor: for protect central supply systems, as an important precondition for functional safety in manufacturing processes; for secure automated data exchange between networked production systems; and for availability and reliability in production;" adds Nigel Stanley, cyber security specialist at OpenSky. "The need to regularly examine current safety and security strategies in the industry and to further develop intelligent controls and solutions will continue to rise as smart processing continues to accelerate," the two experts are convinced. TUV Rheinland and OpenSky have therefore developed an interdisciplinary risk management approach for component manufacturers and system integrators of industrial control systems that focuses equally on functional safety and cyber security. It is based on a solid risk analysis over an entire life cycle, starting with the development phase and the need to design in safety & security. The service includes in-depth cyber security evaluations, including vulnerability, hardness and penetration tests. In January 2017 TUV Rheinland and OpenSky are presenting their approach at S4x17 in Miami, one of the most important international conferences on the security of industrial control systems. With its integrated offering of functional safety and cyber security, TUV Rheinland and OpenSky are combining more than 145 years of expertise in industrial safety and security with extensive experience in the field of cyber security. Besides complying with regulatory requirements, component manufacturers and integrators of industrial systems can use the TUV Rheinland and OpenSky approach to attain more challenging security maturity levels as defined by IEC 62443, an international security standard for industrial automation and control systems. Find out more at www.tuv.com/en/ics-security, www.tuvasi.com, www.openskycorp.com. About TUV Rheinland and OpenSky TUV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services and currently the largest independent service provider that combines ICT competency with comprehensive expertise regarding the industry, and whose core business has been to provide technical safety and security to people and the environment around the world for more than 140 years. The group maintains a worldwide presence with 19,600 employees; annual turnover is nearly EUR 1.9 billion. The independent experts stand for quality and safety for people, technology and the environment in nearly all aspects of life. TUV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects and helps to shape processes for companies. For more than 15 years, TUV Rheinland has been supporting the private and public sector with comprehensive consulting and solution expertise in IT, cyber security and telecommunications through digital transformation processes. OpenSky Corporation is part of the TUV Rheinland group and a 100% subsidiary of TUV Rheinland. OpenSky provides information technology expertise to help corporations optimize IT platforms, protect information assets, and accelerate the adoption of strategic technologies. It specializes in transformational IT infrastructure, security, and risk consulting. OpenSky's key differentiators include vendor independence, deep industry and technology expertise, and a holistic approach to evolving IT infrastructure platforms. Related Links http://www.tuvasi.com SOURCE TUV Rheinland Singapore Pte Ltd DUBLIN, Jan 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Blood Glucose Device Market & Forecast (SMBG) (Test Strips, Lancet, Meter) - Worldwide Analysis" report to their offering. It is estimated that 642 Million people will develop the disease by 2040. This is putting pressure on governments and social institutions to take necessary steps to keep the disease in check and avoid complications in order to ensure that diabetic impact is kept to a minimum. United States is the single largest market for SMBG devices market followed by Russia and United Kingdom. However, China has the highest self-monitoring of blood glucose users compared to other countries. United States, Russia and United Kingdom together hold more than 63 percent of the total test strips market share whereas in blood glucose meter market China is the dominating country. All big players such as Roche, Bayer and Abbott Laboratories are continuously losing their market share. Blood Glucose Device Market & Forecast (SMBG) (Test Strips, Lancet, Meter) - Worldwide Analysis analyzes the worldwide market for, blood glucose test strips market, blood glucose lancet market and blood glucose meter market. This is the 3rd publication on the Glucose Device Market. This report studies separate comprehensive analytics for the 15 countries: United States, European Countries (United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland), BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China), Australia and Kuwait. Annual estimates and forecast are provided for the period of 2016 through 2020. A nine year historic analysis is also provided for these markets. This 269 page report with 257 Figures and 12 Tables provides a complete analysis of top 15 countries of worldwide self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) market. Test Strip, Lancet, Glucose Meter Market, Diabetes Population of 15 Countries covered as follows: - Diabetes Population Scenario and Forecast in all 15 countries - Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Scenario and Forecast in all 15 countries - Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) Devices Users and Forecast in all 15 countries - Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices (SMBG) Market and Forecast in all 15 countries - Blood Glucose Test Strips Market and Forecast in all 15 countries - Blood Glucose Lancet Market and Forecast in all 15 countries - Blood Glucose Meter Market and Forecast in all 15 countries 4 Companies Revenue (Sales) from Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) devices have been analyzed in this report: - Roche Diagnostic - LifeScan Inc. - Bayer HealthCare - Abbott Laboratories Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Worldwide Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) Users and Forecast 3. Worldwide Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) Market and Forecast 4. Worldwide Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Market Share and Forecast 5. United States 6. United Kingdom 7. Germany 8. Spain 9. Italy 10. Netherlands 11. Norway 12. Sweden 13. Switzerland 14. Russia 15. Brazil 16. India 17. China 18. Australia 19. Kuwait 20. SMBG Market Growth Drivers 21. SMBG Market Challenges 22. Key Players Analysis For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vhwlsj/blood_glucose 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 WUXI, China, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Suntech, one of the world's leading solar modules manufacturers recently announced that its highest mass production conversion efficiency of multicrystalline silicon solar cell has reached 20%. In recent years, Wuxi Suntech devotes to the technical innovation to improve the conversion efficiency of solar cells. On April 2015, its high-efficiency monocrystalline solar module "HyPro" module was launched to the market and on June 2016, the highest cell conversion efficiency reached 21.3%. In the meantime, the Hydrogenation technology which was co-developed by Wuxi Suntech and Australia UNSW can decrease the LID (light induced degradation) rate of the multicrystalline silicon solar cells to zero. According to the average conversion efficiency of the mass production of multicrystalline silicon PERC solar cells, 72 cells module will reach 330W, which is 15W higher than the normal 315W module. Wuxi Suntech will continue to develop high performance products and technology to further improve the conversion efficiency of solar cells and modules. About Suntech Suntech develops, manufactures, and delivers the world's most reliable and cost-effective solar energy solutions. Founded in 2001, we have supplied photovoltaic panels to more than a thousand customers in more than 80 countries. We aim to reach grid parity through solar energy by taking advantage of our pioneering R&D and customer-centric innovations. We have 22 years of overseas distributed solar project experience. "Suntech-Yijia", the distributed PV brand of Wuxi Suntech, would be devoted to bringing the green energy to tens of thousands of families. Our goal is to provide reliable access, from private residences to global corporations, to nature's cleanest and most abundant energy source. SOURCE Wuxi Suntech Power Co., Ltd. PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As an exciting outgrowth of the Nickerson-Rossi Dance program held at the Annenberg Theater in the spring of 2016, the Palm Springs Dance Festival will take dance programming to the next level in 2017 with 3 consecutive days of eclectic dance performance, education, and outreach. Beginning on Thursday, March 2, 2017 and running through Saturday, March 4, The Palm Springs Dance Festival will offer a plethora of opportunities to engage with dance including three separate performances that range from emerging student talent to acclaimed professional works as well as more than two dozen eclectic master class workshops with more than a dozen gifted instructors. Performance venues include Village Fest in Downtown Palm Springs, the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School, and the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Master classes will be held at CK Dance Studio, Dance with Miss Lindsay, Step by Step Studio, and on the stage at the Annenberg Theater. The faculty line-up and opportunity for learning is extraordinary, and the performance line-up is expansive and impressive. The Gala performance focuses on professional concert dance and includes recognized talents. Catherine Cabeen, based in New York City, whom The New York Times has called "highly kinetic, complex... visually exquisite." Seda Aybay/Kybele Dance Theater founded in LA; Seda has choreographed multiple award winning works, most recently garnering second place at the McCallum Theatres' Choreography Fest, and first place at the Front and Main Festival in Temecula. Internationally awardwinning Joshua Peugh/Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, founded in Seoul, South Korea; Joshua has been recognized as Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" breakout stars of 2015, and is a former 1st place Winner at the McCallum Theater's Choreography festival. Recognized as a boundary pusher, Stephen Agisilaou/Vertical Shadows is one of Melbourne, Australia's most respected independent dance companies, selling out theaters and gaining five star reviews for a unique, undefinable style of movement. And Michael Nickerson Rossi/Nickerson-Rossi Dance hailed for complex intricacies and beautifully orchestrated mixtures of artistic movement and emotional freedom including a duet featuring guest dancer Lorenzo Pagano, a soloist from the Martha Graham Dance Company, awarded the recognition of "Male Rising Star" by the Italian International Dance Festival. Nickerson-Rossi Dance will also perform a piece by guest choreographer Lori Bryhni, Professor Emeritus and Co-Director of the Off-Balance Dance Company at Modesto Junior College. Other performances include the stirring Dance Diversity Showcase, a free public performance brimming with diverse styles of dance as performed by various dance schools and companies on an outdoor stage at the Palm Springs Village Fest, and Emerging Talent, where inspiring student works are featured depicting a progressive dance journey from middle-school through college at the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center. The Palm Springs Dance Festival was created through the partnership of Nickerson-Rossi Dance and Astonish Events, LLC. For Tickets and more information, check out PalmSpringsDanceFest.com To learn more about this event, please contact: Darcy Carozza 760 406.1414 [email protected] This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Palm Springs Dance Festival ATLANTA The man in charge of Mueller Water Products Inc is about to step down from his main leadership role, but he's going out with his salary and perks on a rising tide. Gregory E. Hyland, the president and CEO of Atlanta-based Mueller, announced he is relinquishing his posts and will be replaced, effective Jan. 23, by J. Scott Hall, the former president and CEO of Textron Inc.'s industrial division. Hall's salary, target bonuses and other perks are not yet known, but Hyland's total compensation for fiscal 2016 hitting more than $4 million is highlighted amid details filed for the firm's Annual Meeting of Stockholders set for Jan. 25. Company-wide net sales were off in 2016, coming in at $1.139 billion as opposed to $1.164 billion in 2015. But Mueller's board of directors says Hyland, who will stay on with the company as executive chairman, deserved to be well-rewarded because Mueller's results were all gravy after that: adjusted net income rose 13 percent to $75.8 million over $67 million the prior year and the quarterly shareholder dividend increased a penny to 3 cents. Mueller Water Products, which has factory and foundry operations in Decatur, says shareholders shared in the flowing cash with $16.1 million in dividend payouts in fiscal 2016. In a note to shareholders, the company's board explains that 75 percent of Hyland's compensation is tied to achieving performance metrics, and 63 percent of the pay of other executives is also linked to results. So when Mueller does well, the executives' ship comes in. In Hyland's case, the 2016 rewards add up to a base salary of $900,000 and a $27,000 bonus that was paid in lieu of a salary increase, according to company documents. Hyland also received more than $2 million in stock awards, a $1.1 million performance-based cash bonus, a $17,600 boost to his pension and all other compensation worth $53,791 for a grand total of $4.179 million. The all other compensation includes perks like a $24,000-a-year vehicle allowance, $10,600 in contributions to a 401(k) plan, long term life and disability insurance costs of $16,191 and $3,000 for the cost of his annual physical. Life as a CEO can be precarious, but the company filing reveals Hyland had some solid safeguards built in. If he was fired through no fault of his own, the company says his potential payments could include a cash severance award of $3.4 million, a bonus of $1.160 million and a continuation (up to 24 months) of health benefits to the tune of $37,000. He could also have received up to $25,000 in services (again, up to 24 months) to help him find another job. Mueller's nine-strong board of directors also did well in 2016. Cash and stock compensation ranged from a low of $121,246 to a high of $227,743 in the case of lead director, Mark J. O'Brien, 73. Each director is paid a $55,000 retainer and some receive extra payments up to $15,000 for chairing certain committees. O'Brien was also paid an extra $50,000 for serving as lead director. Twelve board meetings were held in 2016 and each director (other than Hyland who also served on the board) was paid an extra $1,500 for each meeting attended. SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio ships $31 billion in automotive-related gross regional product out-of-state annually* and boasts an $8 billion aerospace and aviation industry.* To engage this market, UBM's Advanced Design & Manufacturing (ADM) Cleveland event today announced that the show has dedicated itself to supporting the in-state, high-growth markets of automotive and aerospace. The new show, ADM Cleveland, takes place on March 29-30 at the Cleveland Convention Center and offers two days of free industry education, automotive and smart manufacturing conference content, and a dynamic expo experience. The show floor includes key facets of manufacturing that are of particular interest to automotive and aerospace engineers, such as plastics, automation and robotics. These hot-topic areas of the industry will be on display under the familiar UBM show brands, represented as zones: PLASTEC (Polymers and Plastics), ATX (Automation & Robotics), and D&M (Design & Manufacturing). Visitors to ADM Cleveland will have the opportunity to focus on the industry that applies the most to their business, but also see innovation across all facets of manufacturing on the diverse show floor that also includes MD&M (Medical Design & Manufacturing) and Packaging (PACK). To learn more about ADM Cleveland, please visit: admcleveland.com "UBM has crafted a tailor-made experience at ADM Cleveland to benefit the automotive and aerospace audience," said Nina Brown, Vice President of Events, UBM. "Attendees and exhibitors alike are encouraged to leverage the end-to-end quality of the expo floor along with the unmatched conferences and diverse content in the hot-topic areas of lightweighting, sensor technology, smart factories, Internet of Things (IoT) and new materials, among many others." Home to a workforce of over 108,000 automotive employees and 41,000 aerospace staff,* Ohio offers a wealth of regional decision makers and purchase influencers, including those from the following industry leaders: Airbus, Boeing, Chrysler (Jeep), Eaton Corporation, Ford, General Electric Aviation, General Motors (GM), Honeywell International Inc., Lockheed Martin, National Air and Space Administration's Glenn Research Center, Northrop Grumman, Ohio Aerospace Institute, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and United Airlines, among many others. Given the significance of the automotive industry in Northeast Ohio, ADM Cleveland's conference series will also feature a free educational conference dedicated to the automotive industry. The conference will investigate a myriad of topics directly related to the current state of the industry, such as new manufacturing techniques and moving towards better fuel efficiency. UBM has worked diligently to populate the inaugural ADM Cleveland event with key Ohio-based suppliers, manufacturing associations, sponsors, and exhibitors across all industries. Early participants include: Absolute Haitan, ENGEL, Maruka USA, Milacron, Sepro America LLC, Wittman Battenfeld, Inc. and Yushin America, among others. ADM Cleveland plans to raise the bar for sourcing, education and networking in Ohio's advanced design and manufacturing sector. With a strong focus on automotive and aerospace, ADM Cleveland will set a new regional threshold for comprehensive advanced design and manufacturing trade shows. To learn more about ADM Cleveland, please visit: admcleveland.com *2015 Ohio Manufacturing Association Report About Advanced Manufacturing Expos & Conferences UBM's Advanced Manufacturing portfolio is the leading B-to-B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3 trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the advanced manufacturing market and leverage our proprietary 1.3 million name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Advanced Manufacturing portfolio is organized by UBM Americas, a part of UBM plc (UBM.L), an Events First marketing and communication services business. For more information, visit http://www.ubmamericas.com/. 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: http://www.ubmamericas.com/. SOURCE UBM Americas Related Links http://www.ubmamericas.com DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Achates Power, Inc., today announced the development of an engine for a Light-Duty Truck demonstration vehicle, which will surpass CAFE 2025 regulations. The Opposed-Piston Engine, will be 30-50 percent more efficient than comparable engines, reduce emissions and cost less than alternative technologies under development for meeting CAFE. The new Achates Power 2.7 liter Opposed-Piston Engine will make 270hp, 650Nm, the vehicle will achieve 37 MPG, above the 33 MPG fully phased-in CAFE 2025 requirement for a full-size, light-duty pick-up truck (65-70 sq. feet). The demonstration engine will be integrated into a drivable prototype in 2018; development engines will also be available for automakers. "While we continue to work on our customer programs, and research and development programs (like Gasoline Compression Ignition), we are excited to showcase the fuel efficiency, low emissions and outstanding driving characteristics of our OP Engines," said David Johnson, president and CEO, Achates Power. "There is no technical solution to respond to the proposed 2025 CAFE regulation that is as cost effective, compatible with our existing vehicles and fuels, ready for production and adaptable to future renewable fuels as our Opposed-Piston Engines." The EPA's draft Technical Assessment Report released in 2016 forecast cost increases to integrate fuel saving technology, using this information and a related National Academy of Sciences report, Achates Power determined that including the Opposed-Piston Engine in the roadmap to achieve CAFE will be at least $1000 less expensive The Opposed-Piston Engine uses fewer parts, including the eliminating the cylinder head(s) and related components, eliminating the valvetrain and related components, and a reduction in the aftertreatment system size and cost, among other things. A comparison between the 2.7L OP Engine and a comparable V6 with supercharger shows a part reduction of more than 60 percent, enabling an approximate 10 percent cost reduction. "In 2014, we presented a peer-reviewed technical paper, Meeting Stringent 2025 Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Regulations with an Opposed-Piston, Light-Duty Diesel Engine, at the SAE World Congress showing how we were able to meet CAFE 2025 regulations in a Full-Size Truck," said Fabien Redon, vice president, Technology Development at Achates Power. "And in 2018 we will have a demonstration vehicle that proves an internal combustion engine is able to cost effectively meet the CAFE standard, does not require the adoption of costly infrastructure upgrades, vehicle modifications or a change in how the driver operates or maintains the vehicle." Achates Power has spent 13 years improving the opposed-piston engine, a historically efficient engine originally developed in the late 1800's. The Achates Power Opposed-Piston Engine features two pistons per cylinder, working in opposite reciprocating action; the Opposed-Piston Engine does not need cylinder heads, which are a major contributor to heat losses in conventional engines. Ports in the cylinder walls replace the complex poppet valves and friction-creating valve trains of conventional engines. The intake ports at one end of the cylinder and exhaust ports at the other are opened by the piston motion and enable efficient uniflow air scavenging. The two-stroke, compression ignition engine has been engineered to achieve superior thermal efficiency by the virtue of its lower heat losses, higher expansion ratio, lean combustion and reduced pumping losses. "The OP Engine confirms what the industry already knows; the technology needed to exceed these standards and deliver fuel economy and cost savings to customers is currently available, and works with existing infrastructure and fuels," said Johnson. "We have a development program underway to create the engine and look forward to coming back to the North American International Auto Show in 2018 to show our progress and we're even more excited to drive the vehicle later that year." Achates Power currently has engine programs under development with 12 leading engine manufacturers, including work with Cummins on the Next-Generation Combat Engine for the US Army, an Opposed-Piston, Gasoline Compression Ignition Engine for the US Department of Energy in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory and Delphi Automotive, and Fairbanks Morse. About Achates Power, Inc. Achates Power, Inc. was founded in 2004 with the mission to build cleaner, more efficient engines. The San Diego-based company has an experienced staff of engineers and scientists focused on applying their proven technical know-how and expertise, coupled with the industry's leading-edge testing, simulation and analysis tools. It is backed by top private equity firms Sequoia Capital Partners, RockPort Capital Partners, Madrone Capital Partners, InterWest Partners and Triangle Peak Partners. For more information, visit www.achatespower.com. SOURCE Achates Power, Inc. Related Links http://www.achatespower.com BOULDER, Colo. and CHESEAUX-SUR-LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Agribotix, a leader in drone-enabled agricultural intelligence, has partnered with senseFly, the world's leading producer of professional fixed-wing drones, to offer a new combined solution for professional users. This premium technology solution combines the top drone, sensor and agricultural data processing technologies available today to make collecting and analyzing aerial data easier than ever, with several times more coverage, per flight, than is possible with most quadcopter solutions. The eBee SQ agricultural drone powered by Agribotix FarmLens gives users the unique ability to perform the full crop scouting workflow in the field: fly large areas efficiently, capture ground truthing images, make notes, and share detailed information about trouble spots with farmers from the field. FarmLens users gain valuable insights about crop conditions without having to become experts in data processing. By adopting the eBee SQ as its new fixed-wing drone platform, Agribotix is signaling its ongoing commitment to sourcing the best hardware on the market to bundle with its award-winning FarmLens SaaS platform, a 100% agricultural data processing cloud solution. The eBee SQ is built around Parrot's groundbreaking Sequoia sensor. This features multispectral sensors that capture calibrated data across four highly distinct spectral bands (near-infrared, red-edge, red and green), plus RGB imagery, in a single flight. The FarmLens Professional subscription now being bundled with the eBee SQ gives users the unique ability to perform the full crop scouting workflow in the field: fly large areas efficiently, capture ground truthing images, make notes, and share detailed information about trouble spots with farmers from the field. FarmLens users gain valuable insights about crop conditions without having to become experts in data processing. "The combined solution of the eBee SQ and FarmLens is a great fit for people who are looking for a simple, yet powerful, 100% agricultural solution," said Lou Faust, Agribotix CEO. "After evaluating the fixed-wing options available today, there was no question that the eBee SQ is the easiest to use long-range drone on the market. It also has the best-in-class agricultural sensor, while FarmLens does the heavy lifting in the background, returning superb quality data presentation via the Agribotix Digital Scouting Report and enabling farmers to make time-critical adjustments." "We're delighted to join forces with Agribotix in pairing the eBee SQ with FarmLens," added Jean-Christophe Zufferey, senseFly's CEO. "This partnership creates a professional end-to-end solution that is uniquely easy to use." Having purchased the combined solution, customers will be able to receive full professional hardware support via senseFly's existing network of expert distribution partners. About Agribotix Founded in Boulder, Colorado, in 2013, Agribotix LLC delivers agricultural intelligence to increase yields and profits using drone-enabled technologies. All Agribotix solutions include FarmLens, a leading cloud-based data analysis and reporting solution for people using drones in agriculture. Outputs include agricultural intelligence maps for in-season fertilization, georeferenced reports that can be used to identify resistant weed patches and estimate coverage, stand density analysis, and specialized reporting that supports precision agriculture programs. The FarmLens solution is available separately and in complete bundles. For more information, visit www.agribotix.com or call (720) 295-3625. Agribotix, FarmLens and Agrion are trademarks of Agribotix, LLC. About senseFly At senseFly, we believe in using technology to make work safer and more efficient. Our proven drone solutions simplify the collection and analysis of geospatial data, allowing professionals in surveying, agriculture, engineering and humanitarian aid to make better decisions, faster. senseFly was founded in 2009 and quickly became the leader in mapping drones. The company is a commercial drone subsidiary of Parrot Group. For more information, go to www.sensefly.com. SOURCE Agribotix; senseFly Related Links http://www.agribotix.com NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "The global air handling units market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2016 to 2026 in terms of value" The global air handling units market is projected to reach USD 12.91 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2016 to 2026. The increase in demand of air handling units from the application sectors such as commercial buildings, industries, hospitals, universities, data centers, laboratories, and server rooms is propelling the growth of this market. The growing pollution level around the globe has also triggered the growth in the demand of air handling units from the residential sector. Europe and North America constitute for a major share of the air handling units market and the sluggish growth of air handling units market in these regions will act as a restraint for the global air handling units market. "Packaged air handling units segment to account for the largest share of the air handling units market in 2016" The packaged air handling units segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the air handling units market, by type in 2016, and is projected to be the fastest-growing type segment from 2016 to 2026. The increasing demand of packaged air handling units from the commercial application segment such as hospitals, commercial buildings, data centers, universities, laboratories, and server rooms contributes towards the growth of packaged air handling units segment, ultimately contributing towards the growth of the air handling units market. "?5000 m3/h capacity segment is anticipated to capture the largest share of the global air handling units market in 2016" The ?5000 m3/h capacity segment of the air handling units market is estimated to account for the largest share in 2016. The ?5000 m3/h capacity air handling units are small capacity air handling units, mainly used for small premises and are dominant in the residential sector, especially single family homes. In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in urbanization around the globe. People are migrating to cities which has increased the number of residential buildings in cities. Owing to this, there is a rise in the demand for air handling units from the residential buildings sector. "Commercial application segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global air handling units market in 2016" The commercial application segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global air handling units market in 2016, and is projected to be the fastest-growing segment from 2016 to 2026. In recent years, rapid industrialization and urbanization has been observed in the emerging economies such as China, India, Middle East, Indonesia, Turkey, Vietnam, and Thailand. This has created a high demand for air handling units from the commercial application segments such as hospitals, universities, shopping malls, data centers, laboratories, and swimming pools. "Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the largest market for air handling units in 2016" Asia-Pacific is estimated to account for the largest share of the air handling units market in 2016 owing to the rise in demand for air handling units in this region. The major application sectors of the air handling units, namely, industries, commercial buildings, hospitals, universities, swimming pool, data centers, and residential buildings, are growing at a rapid pace in the Asia-Pacific region. This contributes towards the growth of the air handling units market in this region. China, India, and Japan are the leading countries in terms of consumption of air handling units in this region. Profile break-up of primary participants for the report: - By Company Type: Tier 1 45 %, Tier 2 35%, Tier 3 20% - By Designation: C level 35%, Director level 25%, Others 40% - By Region: Asia-Pacific 47%, Europe 25%, North America 13%, Middle East & Africa 13%, and South America 7% Furthermore, as a part of qualitative analysis, the report provides a comprehensive review of the major market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. It also discusses competitive strategies adopted by different market players, such as Daikin Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Carrier Corporation (U.S.), Trane Inc. (Ireland), Johnson Controls, Inc. (U.S.), GEA Group AG (Germany), Systemair AB (Sweden), Flakt Woods Group (Sweden), CIAT Group (France), Trox GmbH (Germany), and Lennox International Inc. (U.S.) among others. Research Coverage: This report offers an overview of market trends, drivers, and challenges with respect to the air handling units market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market across five regions, namely, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa, and South America. The report categorizes the air handling units market on the basis of type, capacity, application, and region. A detailed analysis of leading players, along with key growth strategies adopted by them, is also covered in the report. Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market by providing them the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall air handling units market and its subsegments. This report will help stakeholders to better understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses and make suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps the stakeholders to understand the pulse of the market and provides them information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04603870-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 LONDON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The rapid growth of the global airline industry has been offset by falling cargo revenues and passenger yields, prompting airline companies to focus on enhancing their ancillary revenues. While they have tried to achieve cost and operational efficiencies by employing digital solutions, typically part of a larger digital transformation programme, revenue growth has mostly been a result of the innovative marketing of attractive ancillary products. "Digital transformation is emerging as a disruptive force in the aviation industry, with airlines investing in business intelligence solutions, digital marketing projects and overall modernisation of IT infrastructure," said Frost & Sullivan Aerospace & Defence Research Analyst Priyanka Chimakurthi. "Industry concepts and standards such as intelligent loyalty management platforms and IATA's New Distribution Capability have the potential to alter dynamics in the highly competitive industry." Strategic Analysis of Major Global Airlines is Frost & Sullivan's Aerospace Growth Partnership Subscription and provides a 10-year competitive profiling of 15 global airline and airline groups in terms of financial performance, major traffic, capacity metrics, and key strategies to assess the financial health of the airline industry and the wider aviation supply chain. These insights on airline fleet expansion trends, operating costs, and revenue trends will be beneficial to airline IT suppliers, on-board retailers, and aircraft manufacturers. Click here for complimentary access to more information on this analysis and to register for a Growth Strategy Dialogue, a free interactive briefing with Frost & Sullivan's thought leaders. Even though airlines are rapidly moving towards digitisation, the overall unpredictability of oil prices greatly affects their strategising. Moreover, the industry continues to be governed by a strict regulatory framework, and is highly cyclical and vulnerable to global economic trends. "To succeed in a challenging operating environment, airlines are increasingly relying on advanced digital solutions, as well as strategic partnerships," noted Chimakurthi. "Additionally, airline consolidation is intensifying with more than half the airlines covered in the study having engaged in significant merger and acquisition activity over the last 10 years." 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 Strategic Analysis of Major Global Airlines MC8B-22 Contact: Evgenia Oleynikova Corporate Communications Europe P: +48 224816210 E: [email protected] Twitter: @Frost_Sullivan Facebook: FrostandSullivan LinkedIn: F&S ADS Forum http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan Related Links http://www.frost.com NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC hails today's decision by Israel's Supreme Court affirming the rights of women at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Judaism's holiest site. The ruling, in response to three separate petitions submitted to the court, gives the government 30 days to come up with "good cause" why women should continue to be barred from chanting from Torah scrolls at the Wall; states that women may no longer be subjected to body searches aimed at discovering religious objects on their persons when approaching the Wall (standard security searches will continue); and that women's access to Robinson's Arch near the Wall does not constitute access to the Wall. AJC has long supported the right of women to pray unhindered at the Western Wall. "The Supreme Court decision affirms two core principles shared by the great majority of American Jews: the Western Wall is the possession and national treasure of the entire Jewish people; and all Jews should be encouraged to connect with and express their appreciation of their Jewish heritage, here symbolized by the Wall," said Steven Bayme, Director of AJC's Contemporary Jewish Life Department. "Enabling greater numbers of Jews to connect with their Jewish identity in turn strengthens the Jewish people and the attachment of world Jewry to the Jewish State." Bayme is currently in Israel co-leading a delegation of the Jewish Religious Equality Coalition (J-REC). Earlier today, several AJC leaders and J-REC members testified before a Knesset committee on the need for Jewish religious equality in Israel. Created and led by AJC, J-REC is a broad-based coalition of American Jews and Israelis dedicated to the realization of full religious equality in the Jewish state, and is mobilizing support for the creation of alternatives to the Chief Rabbinate. SOURCE American Jewish Committee Related Links http://www.ajc.org SEATTLE, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines is bringing four new markets to customers in the Rose City. New seasonal service will include Portland-Philadelphia starting May 22; Portland-Milwaukee, Wisconsin, starting June 5; and Portland-Baltimore starting June 6. New nonstop service between Portland-Albuquerque will start Aug. 18 and operate year-round. "We're super excited to launch four new nonstop daily routes from Portland, further enhancing our offerings for our guests in the Rose City," said John Kirby, Alaska's vice president of capacity planning. "At 55 nonstop destinations and counting, we continue to connect our valued Portland customers to the places they want to go." "We're happy that Alaska is once again expanding its network from PDX with four new service announcements," said David Zielke, Port of Portland director of air service development. "Albuquerque, Baltimore and Philadelphia offer Portland-area travelers more convenient nonstop options. And, until now, Milwaukee was one of the top 10 markets to which Portland didn't have nonstop service. As a University of Wisconsin graduate, I am particularly excited by this new nonstop route. Go Badgers!" Summary of new service: Start date End date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft May 22 Aug 25 Portland-Philadelphia 8:39 p.m. 4:50 a.m. Daily 737 May 23 Aug 26 Philadelphia-Portland 6:05 a.m. 8:47 a.m. Daily 737 Start date End date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft June 5 Aug 25 Portland-Milwaukee 11:10 p.m. 5:02 a.m. Daily E175 June 6 Aug 26 Milwaukee-Portland 7:15 a.m. 9:47 a.m. Daily E175 Start date End date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft June 6 Aug 26 Portland-Baltimore 9:30 a.m. 5:38 p.m. Daily 737 June 6 Aug 26 Baltimore-Portland 4:50 p.m. 7:32 p.m. Daily 737 Start date End date City pair Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft Aug 18 Yearound Portland-Albuquerque 8 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Daily E175 Aug 18 Yearound Albuquerque-Portland 5:55 p.m. 7:55 p.m. Daily E175 Flight times based on local time zones. Flights between Portland and Philadelphia and Portland and Baltimore will be operated with fuel-efficient Boeing 737 aircraft. Flights between Portland and Milwaukee will be operated by SkyWest Airlines and flights between Portland and Albuquerque will be operated by Horizon Air. Both carriers will serve the routes with 76-seat E175 jets, which feature 12 seats in first class, 12 seats in premium class and 52 seats in the main cabin. The E175 boasts cabin dimensions on par with a narrow-body jet. Tickets for the new routes will go on sale today. To purchase tickets on Alaska Airlines, visit www.alaskaair.com to find great savings, or call 1-800-ALASKAAIR (800-252-7522 for Hearing & Speech Impaired (TTY): Dial 711 for Relay Services). Alaska Airlines, together with Virgin America and its regional partners, flies 40 million customers a year to 118 destinations with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Cuba. With Alaska and Alaska Global Partners , customers can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 900 destinations worldwide. Learn more about Alaska's award-winning service and unmatched reliability at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). SOURCE Alaska Airlines Related Links http://www.alaskaair.com PHOENIX, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpine 4 Technologies Ltd. (OTCQB: ALPP) has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of privately held McAlester OK-based Horizon Well Testing, an oil field services company. The transaction is effective immediately, and payment will be in cash, debt and stock. The purchase price is $5.5 million. The new Alpine 4 subsidiary's website can be accessed at www.horizonwelltesting.com. Alpine 4 has also appointed Mr. Michael Steele to be the President of Horizon. Important synergies will be realized at Horizon Well Testing as Alpine 4 uses the core of its "6th Sense Auto" inventory management system to create inventory management software for Horizon's heavy equipment asset base. The new SaaS software package will allow Horizon to lead its industry in real-time reporting of equipment in the field. Alpine 4 believes that the package will be the first in the oil service industry. Alpine 4 CEO Kent B. Wilson commented, "This transaction represents a perfect opportunity to enhance the growth of Alpine 4, while at the same time expanding the reach of our inventory management software already being sold to automobile dealerships as '6th Sense Auto.' Since our beginning, Alpine 4 is an opportunistic acquirer of companies that can benefit from Alpine 4's public opportunities and resources to drive future growth. The acquisition of Horizon furthers this strategy and allows Alpine 4 to continue its history of success by offering a strong portfolio of products and services to the oil services market, resulting in enhanced competitiveness within the industry." Benefits of the transaction: Alpine 4's acquisition of Horizon will broaden the Alpine 4 portfolio to the industrial and oil services industry; an industry that is primed for strong growth in 2017 and 2018. As a leader in its industry, Horizon will also be using one of Alpine 4's subsidiary company's (ALTIA) automotive aftermarket safety device products called "BrakeActive" and is expected to be one of the first commercial fleets in its industry to use a pulsing 3rd brake light safety system. Alpine 4 is also proud to announce that Mr. Michael Steele will serve as President of Horizon. Michael brings over 20 years of executive and project management experience to Horizon. He has a BA and a Masters of Science from the University of Arizona. Contact Press: Ian Kantrowitz, Director of Investor Relations Forward-Looking Statements: The information disclosed in this press release is made as of the date hereof and reflects Alpine 4 most current assessment of its historical financial performance. Actual financial results filed with the SEC may differ from those contained herein due to timing delays between the date of this release and confirmation of final audit results. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties, including the uncertainties surrounding the current market volatility, and other factors the Company identifies from time to time in its filings with the SEC. Although Alpine 4 believes that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof, and Alpine 4 disclaims any intention or obligation to update the forward-looking statements for subsequent events. SOURCE Alpine 4 Technologies Ltd. As part of its overall charity activities, AmCham South China also coordinated cash donation of RMB230,000 by chamber's generous members Mead Johnson Nutrition and Jingxing Real Estate to the Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation. These funds will be used to save lives of orphaned children in need of immediate life-saving surgery, and to help raise Wuxing Village above the poverty line. On January 11th, a team of medical professionals from the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center and the Sanitation Center of Zhuanshui County co-offered free onsite medical checkups and consultations to the villagers. The delegation also visited the local families in need of assistance, allowing AmCham South China to learn more about the villagers' living condition. In addition, a few foreign teachers brought their tailor-made English lessons to the village's primary school. On the next day, potential investors and experts will join the delegation for investment inspection during the visit to Wuxing Village and other nearby impoverished villages. GLIESE Film Company Ltd. sent a crew to film the events for a documentary to be released at a future date to raise awareness for the need for philanthropy. Guangzhou People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Bureau, Guangzhou Charity Association of Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, and Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation are partners of American Chamber of Commerce South China in the AmCham South China-Mead Johnson 2016 Charity Theme Events. About The American Chamber of Commerce in South China The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Certified in 1995 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C., AmCham South China represents more than 2,300 corporate and individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and International companies doing business in South China. In 2016, AmCham South China hosted nearly 10,000 business executives and government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China is a fully independent organization accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. All AmChams in China are independently governed and represent member companies in their respective regions. The mission of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China is to promote the development of trade, commerce and investment between the United States and the People's Republic of China with a special focus on South China; to provide a forum in which member businesses can identify their common interests and discuss solutions for common problems; to work with and advocate member interests with relevant organizations in South China, elsewhere in China and the United States, and to set the standards for corporate social responsibility for the community that the Chamber serves. About Mead Johnson Nutrition Company Mead Johnson Nutrition Company was founded in 1905 by Edward Mead Johnson, and its global headquarters is located in Glenview, Illinois, in the United States. Mead Johnson has a proud history of over 110 years and is a global leader in infant and children's nutrition. The company has been committed from its very beginning to nourishing the world's children for the best start in life. Mead Johnson has a workforce of approximately 7,700 dedicated employees worldwide. The company manufactures and markets more than 70 products in over 50 countries. Those innovative products deliver tangible, often clinically-proven developmental and health outcomes, and have helped Mead Johnson earn the trust of millions of parents and health care professionals. Mead Johnson is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and holds a place in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Mead Johnson is the only global company exclusively focused on infant and children's nutrition. About Mead Johnson Nutrition (China) Ltd. Mead Johnson Nutrition China was founded in 1993. Our manufacturing facility is located at Dong Ji Xia Yuan Road in the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone. It covers an area of 60,000 square meters and boasts some of the world's most advanced production processes and technology. Currently, the company's sales network is established in 29 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities nationwide. Mead Johnson strives to advance its leadership role as part of the healthy growth of the entire pediatric nutrition industry. The company has operated strictly under its first-to-market "All-Rounded Safety" quality management model and GMP standards across its manufacturing, supply chains, storage and distribution networks. Having been awarded ISO9001:2000 certification, Mead Johnson China adheres to HACCP principles and meets all national food safety and hygiene standards. With deep roots in China extending back 23 years, Mead Johnson is committed to delivering professional care and support to Chinese consumers by providing high quality nutritional products, including Enfamama A+, Enfa A+, Enfinitas and GentleCare, for pregnant women, infants and children and sharing our advanced knowledge of pediatric science through various activities to enhance the awareness of the importance of early childhood nutrition among young Chinese parents. About Jingxing Company Jingxing Company started business in 1985 in Import and Export field, working with the renowned electrical brands such as Haier, Gree and Midea. With them the business achievements of Jingxing Company were excellent. In order to broaden the business platform, Jingxing Company has entered the Real Estate field in 1995 and formed Guangzhou Jingxing Real Estate Co., Ltd. Now, Jingxing Company has become an integrated enterprise with interests in residential real estate, property management, hotel, business trades and commercial real estate development. The total asset of the company exceeds RMB6 billion and has over 200 employees. The company abides by "improve living quality, elevate construction quality" as its responsibility, keeps the rule to optimize the city functions and advocates quality living. About Wuxing Village Wuxing Village is located east of Zhuanshui town, Wuhua County. Wuxing Village is home to 680 households and has a total registered population of around 5,000. A preliminary household survey shows that 157 households of the village (909 people) currently live below the poverty line, accounting for 23% and 19.8% respectively of the total household number and the total village population. The village is home to a primary school without a proper shield, a village committee without a separate workplace, and has no health station. About the Guangzhou People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (GZPAFFC) Established in 1984, the GZPAFFC is a citywide local people's group. The Association aims at establishing friendship and strengthening mutual understanding between local people in Guangzhou and people from around the world, as well as promoting communication and cooperation between them, maintaining world peace and promoting mutual development. The Association is guided by China People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and other superior departments. About the Guangzhou Charity Association-Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau Founded on June 5th, 1994, Guangzhou Charity Association is a registered citywide charitable society and individual volunteers group approved by the municipal government. The association is committed to promoting the spirit of humanitarian, contributing to poverty alleviation, and helping people with less fortune and people in need. It promotes awareness of charity, and exploration of fields of charitable services. It calls for the society to contribute to funds raising, emergency rescuing, care for senior people, orphans and medical treatments, and volunteer teaching, so as to help the people in need. The association has established a transparent charity information platform and explored more channels for public involvements of charity in order to help accelerate innovative development of the philanthropic industry. In the past 21 years, the fund raised by the association has added up to RMB2.46 billion and fund donated added up to RMB2.17 billion. For its great contribution, the association has received "Extraordinary Award for Philanthropic Industry in China", "Charity Award in South Guangdong Area", "2014 Excellent Social Group in Guangzhou", and "5A Grade Social Group in Guangzhou". About Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation (hereinafter referred to as GYDF) was founded in May 4th, 1994. This public foundation was co-founded by Guangzhou Committee of China's Communist Youth League, Guangzhou Youth Federation and Guangzhou Working Committee of Young Pioneers. For a long time, GYDF has attracted broad attention and support from all sectors of society. Meanwhile, it has received guidance and assistance from central, provincial and municipal authorities. It's not only a public funding agency, but also a private foundation and social organization. It raises public fund in Guangdong province, while receiving voluntary contributions, investment income and other lawful income from organizations, natural persons and legal persons. GYDF aims to rally fund and material support for development of Guangzhou teenagers' career by connecting with enterprise & public institutions, social organizations, other organizations and individuals home and abroad; to carry on helping orphans and the poor in their study; to develop first aid service; to subsidize all districts and institutions in Guangzhou to hold various activities which benefit for teenagers' physical and psychological health; to support and promote studies of teenagers' problems; to award excellent teenagers and social organizations and individuals who make contribution to teenagers' career. Since its establishment, GYDF has taken an active participation in social welfare with support from different sectors of society. It promotes "Help the Disadvantaged", devotes itself to building a harmonious society, dedicates in helping poor students to learn. When the whole nation was faced with natural disasters, GYDF united and led the municipal youth to devote in earthquake relief. This manifests noble spirits of great love in Guangzhou. Through development of 20 years, GYDF, with the help of public, has advanced with the times and solicited social resources, made a greater contribution to social welfare by building its website and Weibo, and organized voluntary service groups to broaden serving fields for teenagers. About Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center (GWCMC) was established with the integration of the former Guangzhou Children's Hospital and former Guangzhou Maternity Health Care Center. Covering an area of 37 thousand square meters and a built-up area of 130 thousand square meters, the hospital is equipped with 1400 beds. Among the 2603 staff, 282 are holding senior titles, 573 have received master level education or above and 47 of them are MD or MS mentors. In December 2012, GWCMC became the first public hospital in southern China to earn JCI accreditation. The Hospital has greatly enhanced its capacity building. Three specialties have been honorably recognized as National Key Clinical Specialties entitled by the Ministry of Health, including Respiratory, Gastroenterology and Pediatric Surgery; six as Guangdong Key Clinical Disciplines or Specialties, and one as Key Medical Laboratories listed in Guangdong "12th Five Year Plan". It has been authorized to set up National Post-Doctoral Research Station. Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University, it also serves as a teaching, training and internship base for Sun Yat-sen University, South China Medical University and Jinan University Graduate School. The hospital has evolved to a high-level, comprehensive and multi-disciplinary health care institution, integrating the function of medical and healthcare, prevention, research and education. "Caring for women and children with benevolence and expertise" remains at the core of the hospital's mission. Our culture stems from the motto of "Integrity, Professionalism, Endeavor and Diligence", and core value of "Love, harmony, prudence and practical". Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre spares no effort in communication and cooperation with counterparts nationwide and worldwide. We have developed strong connections with British Columbia Children's Hospital, Kansas Children's Mercy Hospital, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) through ongoing exchanges in training and research. SOURCE The American Chamber of Commerce in South China CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Visitors to Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center can learn to save a life in just five minutes. The American Heart Association and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters have launched a new interactive kiosk designed to teach Hands-Only CPR at the convention center. The kiosk provides lifesaving Hands-Only CPR training in just a few minutes. Every year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital and more than 20 percent occur in public places like convention centers, airports and sporting facilities. Bystander CPR can double or even triple a victim's chance of survival. Studies show that Hands-Only CPR is equally as effective as conventional mouth-to-mouth CPR, and people are more likely to feel comfortable performing it. McCormick Place is the largest convention center in North America, attracting nearly three million visitors each year. This hands-only CPR kiosk is the second in Chicago: a kiosk placed at O'Hare International Airport in February has already trained thousands of travelers in CPR. The kiosk features a touch screen with a video program that provides a brief introduction and overview of Hands-Only CPR, followed by a practice session and a 30-second test session. With the help of a practice manikin, or a rubber torso, the kiosk gives feedback about the depth and rate of compressions and proper hand placement factors that influence the effectiveness of CPR. The entire training takes about five minutes. SOURCE American Heart Association Related Links http:// SHELBYVILLE As the number of medical cannabis users in Illinois continues to rise, a new clinic coming to Shelbyville says it will be a fast on-ramp for sick people anxious to get the benefits of the drug. The Marijuana Pain Management & Wellness Clinic will open its doors at 10 a.m Feb. 4 at 480 S. Heinlein Drive. The clinic will not dispense cannabis itself, but an in-house doctor will assist qualified patients to apply to become part of the Illinois medical cannabis pilot program. You will only be about 30 days out, from the point when you come and see us, from getting your (registration) card in the mail from the Illinois Department of Health, said Caprice Sweatt, the founder and CEO of Medical Cannabis Outreach Pain Management & Wellness Clinics, which will run the Shelbyville facility. Sweatt already has three clinics operating in Illinois and said they evaluate and counsel patients on the type of cannabis treatment that will benefit them most. Nurses will also be available for in-home visits to monitor patients and help them as they use the drug. We don't want them to take too much so their heart races and they feel anxiety, said Sweatt, talking of patients new to cannabis. We want them to feel comfortable and get the best out of it they can. She said once patients are qualified and evaluated, they will be directed to any of several cannabis dispensaries (there is one in Effingham, more than 35 in the state) where they will buy the drug. Sweatt said there is a need for her clinic because she claims some physicians, under business pressure not to harm regular drug sales, will not certify the paperwork of patients wanting to use cannabis. Doctor certification is required before the state considers allowing a patient with a qualifying condition (cancer, for example) into the Illinois medical cannabis program. So those patients denied have been left with nowhere to go, she added. But now we want to be there for them. Dr. Tom Anderson, president of the Illinois State Medical Society, said he is not aware of doctors being warned off certifying patients for medical cannabis use due to business pressures. He said medical opinion is divided on the benefits and drawbacks of cannabis, and he said doctors working in medical systems attached to hospitals may be constrained by guidelines which don't sanction the use of cannabis in treatments. Anderson, whose specialty is neural radiology, said it's also important to remember that doctors in Illinois are not prescribing the use of medical cannabis, which could run them afoul of federal drug laws. He said Illinois law says that doctors are asked to certify that a patient has a qualifying condition that makes them eligible for medical cannabis use. The doctors are also supposed to maintain contact with that patient to monitor them because the law also says a doctor can withdraw certification, too. The law is designed to try and avoid having facilities that do not take any responsibility for the patient care and simply collect money and provide certifications (for cannabis use), he said. Anderson said the Illinois State Medical Society hasn't taken a stance on the use of medical cannabis because doctors' opinions remain divided. The state's medical cannabis program is due to come up for renewal or expire in 2020 and he thinks, by then, doctors will have a view on its efficacy. I'm sure we will, he added. The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program became law on Jan. 1, 2014. That brought Illinois into line with 27 other states, plus the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, which allow the medicinal use of cannabis. California was the first state to sanction it with the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996. In the years since the Illinois pilot program was passed, the number of patients registered with the state to use the drug has jumped to 7,700, a close split between equal numbers of men and women. Some 40 conditions have been approved by the state as qualifying for medical marijuana use. Looking back over the 12 months up to June 2016, the top five most common conditions patients cited were severe fibromyalgia, cancer, spinal cord disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The biggest single age group for patients is those aged from 51 to 60, who now make up almost 29 percent of medical cannabis users in the Land of Lincoln. Sweatt, 50, suffers from an inflammation of the bowels called Crohn's disease (ninth on the list of most commonly cited conditions in Illinois) and smokes cannabis herself to control pain and discomfort. She said she's been using it for years and the drug works great. She said it has enabled her to live a normal life free from taking prescription medications that had worst side effects than the underlying disease. Cannabis saved my life, she said. Bayer Healthcare, Charles Schwab, Duncan Aviation, Dupont, ExxonMobil, Fuji Film, General Dynamics, Harley-Davidson, Kaiser Permanente, Merck, Northrop Grumman, Rockwell Automation, Verizon and Wells Fargo, represent a growing number of corporate giants sending staff to this year's EXHIBITOR LIVE for comprehensive education and training. "Our attendees come from every industry in America," remarks Randal Acker, president and COO of Exhibitor Media Group. "They represent companies serious about their face-to-face marketing performance. They're from companies of all sizes but we feel it's the industry giants that really validate the success of the conference educational curriculum. When you have professionals from NASA, Microsoft and 3M attending sessions and scouting the exhibit hall, you know you have something special." "The educational program offers 169 basic and advanced sessions across seven learning tracks," adds Dee Silfies, chief learning strategist for EXHIBITORLIVE. "The entire curriculum is reviewed and updated annually to ensure the content is fresh and relevant, and that the world's best practices are represented. Our attendees love taking home new ideas and skills they can immediately apply." "EXHIBITORLIVE is the only place to meet people who are doing what we do. An amazing place to network, exchange ideas, solve problems, and get job-specific training," says Kristi White, meeting and events specialist 2, Smith & Nephew. For more information about EXHIBITORLIVE, go to www.ExhibitorLive.com. About Exhibitor Media Group The leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, Exhibitor Media Group publishes the award-winning EXHIBITOR magazine, a monthly publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing. EXHIBITOR'S Learning Events include: EXHIBITORLIVE, the training conference for trade show and corporate event professionals; EXHIBITORFastTrak accelerated learning conferences; and EXHIBITOR eTrak, professional online learning. Exhibitor Media Group is also the founder and sponsor of CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer), the world's only university-affiliated professional certification program. Learn more at www.ExhibitorOnline.com. EXHIBITOR is a registered trademark, and EXHIBITORLIVE, EXHIBITORFastTrak, and EXHIBITOR eTrak, are trademarks of Exhibitor Publications, Inc. in the USA and other countries. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated. SOURCE Exhibitor Media Group Related Links http://www.ExhibitorOnline.com PETALUMA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The San Francisco 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the American Small Business League's (ASBL) Freedom Of Information Act Request (FOIA) case against the Pentagon on 01/06/2017. The Pentagon appealed the case after they lost in the Federal district court of San Francisco following the ruling that Sikorsky Aviation Corporation disclose their most recent subcontracting plan submitted to the Pentagon's Comprehensive Subcontracting Plan Test Program (CSPTP). The ASBL estimates that over $5 trillion dollars in undisclosed federal contracts have been administered through the CSPTP since its inception in 1989. By seeking disclosure of Sikorsky Aviation Corporations participation in the CSPTP, the ASBL sought to reveal evidence that the program allowed the Pentagon's largest prime contractors to circumvent small business subcontracting goals without penalty, costing small businesses trillions of dollars. The ASBL originally won their FOIA case against the Pentagon in November of 2014. Federal District Court Judge William Alsup ordered the Pentagon to release the Sikorsky data to the ASBL after reviewing the information and deducing nothing in the report constituted as trade secret, proprietary or confidential financial information. In his ruling, Judge Alsup described the ASBL as being an underdog in a David and Goliath battle against the "big company" and against the "big government." He also accused the Pentagon of "covering it up" in reference to the information the ASBL requested. In a subsequent hearing, Judge Alsup accused the Pentagon and Sikorsky of trying to "suppress the evidence." Professor Charles Tiefer, a leading expert on federal contracting law, has written a legal opinion corroborating the ASBL's case, calling the CSPTP a "sham" and "seriously harmful" to small businesses. During the District Court case, Judge Alsup instructed the Pentagon and Sikorsky on two separate occasions to "highlight the parts that are supposedly confidential" or that they believed were proprietary and explain why they believed the information should be exempt. The Pentagon declined to comply with Judge Alsup's request. Despite the 9th Circuit Court having never seen the documents on which Judge Alsup based his verdict, the Court of Appeals overruled Judge Alsup in favor of Sikorsky, rendering Sikorsky exempt from having to provide proof of compliance with federal contracting law while participating in the CSPTP. "This is a landmark decision," said ASBL President Lloyd Chapman. " The Pentagon cannot account for $6.5 trillion in expenditures and this ruling facilitates more of this astounding abuse. We don't know how trillions of our tax dollars have been spent for the last 27 years and we may continue to not know for the next 27 years. The ASBL is already working on appealing this case." SOURCE American Small Business League Related Links http://www.asbl.com "We are grateful to the Blank family for this incredible gift and long-standing philanthropy to National Jewish Health," said Michael Salem, MD, president and CEO of National Jewish Health. "Children who come here for care often have life-threatening allergic and respiratory conditions, including eczema, food allergies and asthma. Families who are uninsured or underinsured suffer a tremendous burden when they worry about how to pay for treatment. The Blank family's investment helps to remove that burden and allows our patients and families to focus on healing." An Enduring Legacy of Generosity A former patient of National Jewish Health, Molly Blank helped countless children in need through her more than 25 years of generosity to pediatric charity care at the institution. In 1999, she also provided the lead gift of $1 million to build the Molly Blank Conference Center on the campus. After her death in 2015, her sons, Arthur and Michael, established the Molly Blank Fund of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to continue her legacy and support the causes she valued most. "Throughout our entire lives, our mother instilled in us the value of giving back," stated Arthur Blank, Chairman of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. "She embodied what it meant to courageously give of oneself, and through the Molly Blank Fund, we are able to pass on our mother's deep commitment to children and further support the exceptional work and impact of National Jewish Health." Molly Blank inspired many people with her motto for life, "You pass through once make it count." She was a self-made businesswoman and dedicated philanthropist who gave to numerous causes throughout her life. She was also a sculptor and avid folk dancer who enjoyed teaching classes to senior citizens. Since its establishment in 1899 as a free hospital for indigent tuberculosis patients, National Jewish Health has provided care to all patients, insured or not, on a first-come, first-served basis. "Our commitment to providing medical care for those less fortunate would not be possible without the support of the Blank family and other generous individuals, foundations and businesses," said Dr. Salem National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit www.njhealth.org. Molly Blank Fund of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation was established after Mrs. Blank's 2015 death at age 99, to continue the pursuits of causes and organizations in which she believed. The focus of the grant making is on programs that address the interests Molly supported in her lifetime, including at-risk youth, arts and culture, and Jewish causes emphasizing social justice and interfaith coalitions. SOURCE National Jewish Health Related Links http://www.njhealth.org MIAMI, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CaribShopper, the Caribbean's premier m-commerce and e-commerce solution announced today its partnership with MatchMove, Singapore's leading finance technology firm. CaribShopper will be integrating MatchMove's award-winning Wallet OS and offer virtual and physical prepaid cards to CaribShopper's users. The integration will enable CaribShopper's users to top up their prepaid cards, check balances, and make payments with the MatchMove-powered prepaid Mastercard. Customers can simply go the CaribShopper website and apply, where they will be instantly approved for a virtual card. No credit check or verification of income is necessary. "MatchMove is the perfect partner as its innovative and scalable cloud-based platform is exactly what we wanted," said Kadion Preston, CEO of CaribShopper. "We constantly strive to provide our customers with improved services and by giving them access to both virtual and physical Mastercards with a simple click of a button, we will change the way the Caribbean shops." CaribShopper provides those living in the Caribbean a platform through which to purchase items directly from over 150 US retailers, such as eBay, Macy's, Ralph Lauren, Amazon and Walmartcompanies, that, otherwise, would be inaccessible to the Caribbean population. By managing every aspect of the order cycle, CaribShopper offers its customers a simple, secure and convenient solution to online shopping directly from many of the best brands in the world. "We are delighted to have CaribShopper choose us as its preferred Wallet OS provider and be our first partner in the Caribbean. This partnership further expands our footprint in the region, as we continue to drive our business globally," says Shailesh Naik, CEO, MatchMove. Gitesh Athavale, SVP & GM, MatchMove, commented, "With our agnostic, independent and easy-to-integrate APIs, we enable enterprise partners like CaribShopper to have the ability to offer secure digital payment option to their customers without having to invest in additional hardware, saving them time and money." About CaribShopper CaribShopper, is the only complete e-commerce solution for the Caribbean. The platform enables residents access to US retail websites, offers local payment options and door-to-door delivery and provides one price that incorporates the customs and duties fees. For more information about the company, visit www.caribshopper.com. About MatchMove Pay MatchMove Pay is a financial technology company that provides innovative, end-to-end enterprise payment solutions to help startups and large enterprises increase revenue and boost user engagement through its patented technologies. Our proprietary cloud-based MatchMove Wallet OS enables any company to easily offer their customers a fully branded, secure mobile wallet solution that includes P2P transfer, Remittance, Top Up channels, Virtual Payment Cards, Loyalty Points & Rewards, Promotions & Offers amongst many other features. MatchMove has consistently been recognised internationally for its outstanding innovation. MatchMove Pay is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, India and The Philippines. In early 2017, MatchMove will open new offices in South Africa and Miami to support its global growth. www.matchmove.com Contact: Brooke Cockrell, [email protected], 818-209-3800 SOURCE CaribShopper Related Links http://www.caribshopper.com AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Caringo today announced that SwarmNFS has been chosen as a finalist in TechTarget's Storage magazine and SearchStorage.com 2016 Product of the Year awards in the Server-Based Storage category. The company's Swarm product was similarly honored in 2014, as was FileFly for Swarm in 2015. Finalists were judged by a panel comprised of a cross-section of users, analysts, consultants and Storage magazine and SearchStorage.com editors. The products are rated according to their innovation, performance, ease of integration, ease of use, functionality and value. Results will be published in the February issue of Storage magazine and online. Caringo SwarmNFS is the first lightweight file protocol converter to bring the benefits of scale-out object storage including built-in data protection, high-availability, and powerful metadata to NFSv4. The power behind SwarmNFS lies in the innovative patent-pending protocol conversion approach that streams data in parallel between native NFSv4 applications and the Caringo Swarm Cloud and Object Storage platform. This allows users to reap the benefits of a limitless pool of scale-out storage with built-in data protection in areas including content distribution, video surveillance, research, big data, digital curation and document management. "We are proud to once again be recognized by TechTarget as having provided one of the top server-based storage products of the year with our latest nomination for SwarmNFS," said Tony Barbagallo, VP Product of Caringo. "SwarmNFS enables new use cases for object storage. Now, organizations can use existing native NFS file-based applications for the first time, without customizing them. Being named as a finalist for product of the year is further validation that we are meeting the needs of the quickly evolving marketplace." Follow Caringo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/caringo-inc- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaringoStorage About Caringo Founded in 2005, Caringo is committed to helping customers unlock the value of their data and solve issues associated with data protection, management, organization and search at massive scale. Caringo's flagship product, Swarm, eliminates the need to migrate data into disparate solutions for long-term preservation, delivery and analysisradically reducing total cost of ownership. Today, Caringo Swarm Cloud and Object Storage Platform is the foundation for simple, bulletproof, limitless storage solutions for Texas Tech University Systems, NEP, the Department of Defense, the Brazilian Federal Court System, City of Austin, Telefonica, British Telecom, Ask.com, Johns Hopkins University and hundreds more worldwide. Visit http://www.caringo.com to learn more. Contact: Mark Smith, JPR Communications 818-798-1472 [email protected] SOURCE Caringo Related Links http://www.caringo.com APPLETON, Wis., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Appvion, Inc. announced today that Carl J. Laurino has been elected to its board of directors. Laurino served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. from 2004 until June 2016. He joined Manitowoc in January 2000 as assistant treasurer. In 2001, Laurino was appointed treasurer and served in that capacity until his promotion to senior vice president and chief financial officer in May 2004. Until 2016, The Manitowoc Company was a $3.4 billion multi-industry, capital goods manufacturer with over 100 manufacturing, distribution and service facilities in 24 countries. The company held global market leadership positions in two principal markets: construction cranes and related products, and food service equipment. In March 2016, Manitowoc completed the separation of the company's crane and food service businesses into two independent, publicly-traded companies. Prior to his joining Manitowoc, Laurino worked for 15 years in commercial banking in a variety of management and executive positions with Firstar Bank Wisconsin (now U.S. Bank), Associated Bank, N.A., and Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo). Laurino earned a bachelor's degree in business administration/finance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. "Our corporate governance committee recommended Carl to the board because of his extensive financial expertise and management experience at the international, operational, and corporate levels," said Kevin Gilligan, Appvion's chief executive officer. "We believe Carl's expert knowledge and business insights will be valuable assets for our board." Laurino joins Terry Murphy, retired executive vice president and chief financial officer of A.O. Smith Corporation; David Roberts, chairman of Carlisle Companies Incorporated; Kathi Seifert, retired executive vice president of Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Mark Suwyn, president of Marsuw, LLC, chairman of WorkplaceDynamics LLC, and retired chairman of NewPage Corporation; and George Wurtz, retired chairman of Soundview Paper Company LLC, as independent members of the Appvion board. Gilligan serves as the only internal director on the board. About Appvion Appvion creates product solutions through its development and use of coating formulations and applications. The Company produces thermal, carbonless, security, inkjet, digital specialty and colored papers. Appvion, headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, has manufacturing operations in Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania, employs approximately 1,400 people and is 100 percent employee-owned. For more information, visit www.appvion.com. SOURCE Appvion, Inc. Related Links http://www.appvion.com ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- January is National Mentoring Month, and this year Goodwill is celebrating 15 years of the national mentoring movement by expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community's young people with caring adults. According to Opportunity Index (2013), one in seven young people ages 16 to 24 is disconnected from school and work. Goodwill is helping area youth overcome disadvantages, avoid delinquency and achieve success through the Goodwill GoodGuides youth mentoring program. The effort is part of a national program that helps youth finish school and transition into productive careers with the guidance of trusted adults. "Goodwill has a long history of assisting people to achieve the skills they need to help them find jobs," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "A crucial part of that history is making sure that families are strong. GoodGuides helps keep youth who are at risk on a path toward a better future. That's good for our youth and our communities." The GoodGuides program is made possible through a $3 million grant to Goodwill Industries International from the U.S. Department of Justice, which is invested in 13 local communities across the nation, including Boston, MA; New Orleans, LA; Scranton, PA; Dayton, OH; Astoria, NY; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Greenville, SC; Johnstown, PA; Orlando, FL; Peoria, IL; Spokane, WA, and Springfield, IL. The GoodGuides national youth mentoring program is designed to help youth ages 12 to 17 prepare for school completion, develop work skills, identify career paths, and transition to post-high school activities, including post-secondary training and productive work. Most importantly, mentors serve as trusted and reliable resources to help mentees fulfill their goals and find job success. In local communities across the nation, GoodGuides is having a positive impact on the lives of youth as well as the adult mentors who volunteer to work with them. Since 2009, GoodGuides has served more than 11,400 youth, trained and supported more than 6,700 mentors, and invested more than 667,100 mentoring hours in communities across the nation. For more than 110 years, Goodwill Industries International's network of 163 independent, community-based organizations have helped youth overcome disadvantaging conditions through financial education, mentoring and job-readiness skills training, including resume writing and interview preparation. If you would like to volunteer to be a mentor or know of a young person who would benefit from this program, please visit goodwill.org. ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 163 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization's highest rating for charities. GII was also ranked by Enso as the #1 brand doing the most good in the world, and was the only nonprofit brand rated in Forbes' 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,200 stores collectively and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill organizations also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food services preparation, and document imaging and shredding. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed 312,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills. To learn more, visit goodwill.org. For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at Goodwill.org or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl or Instagram: GoodwillIntl. SOURCE Goodwill Industries International Related Links http://www.goodwill.org SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ChemDiv, Inc (ChemDiv) a global research organization, announced achieving several key milestones in collaboration with Abbott's branded generics pharmaceutical business. The collaboration, begun in 2012 and expanded in 2015, is aimed at development and registration of a pipeline of new branded generic pharmaceutical products across key therapeutic areas for high growth emerging markets. ChemDiv and Abbott submitted one product to first market authorization, submitted one product for phase 3 clinical studies and selected multiple prototype products for further development, triggering multiple milestone payments. Other projects in the collaboration are progressing on schedule and are on track to achieve further project milestones for which ChemDiv will receive additional payments from Abbott. Financial details of the milestones were not disclosed. Nikolay Savchuk, CEO of ChemDiv, commented, "We are delighted to be able to register a number of successful joint developments with our strategic partner. We are extremely pleased to achieve these next milestones in our long term relationship. This is an excellent validation of our research and regulatory contribution to Abbott's generics strategy, as further manifested by the recent expansion of the collaboration. Our strategic relationship with Abbott is extremely important and valuable to us. We are committed to supporting the expansion of Abbott product pipeline that will help improve the lives and health outcomes of many people around the globe." About ChemDiv: ChemDiv is a global research organization headquartered in San Diego, California. For 25 years ChemDiv has accelerated and enabled pharma and biotech R&D programs from research concepts to registered drugs, targeting a broad spectrum of unmet medical needs. Media Contact: Ronald Demuth Senior VP, Corporate Development & General Manager +1(858)-794-4860x321 [email protected] SOURCE ChemDiv, Inc Related Links http://www.chemdiv.com The infographic walks customers through the complete "homebuyer's journey," from browsing the website all the way to becoming a home owner. Clayton already offers many tools for navigating the homeownership process on its website, including a Learn page that provides helpful articles and videos that educate customers on what they can expect prior to visiting a Home Center and after completing the home purchase . "The Learn section of ClaytonHomes.com is full of helpful resources and guides for homebuyers," Clayton CEO Kevin Clayton said. "We want people to know what to expect at every step of the way because a better informed customer creates an empowered homebuyer. When the process is demystified, our customers are able to better make informed decisions and truly enjoy the journey of finding, designing and buying a Clayton Built home that is perfect for their families." Clayton has committed itself to providing an exemplary home-buying experience through the unveiling of its newest customer experience initiative: the "Building Happyness." This mantra reminds Clayton team members that every customer touchpoint is an opportunity to make the experience extraordinary. By being transparent with its customer experience initiatives, Clayton wants to provide customers with a positive experience when purchasing a home through Clayton Homes. "We are always looking to provide the best customer experience possible at every step of the home-buying process," Clayton said. "As a company providing the dream of home ownership, we are responsible with helping each customer in their pursuit of happiness. We will deliver an outstanding experience by continuing to push ourselves to focus on innovation, sustainability, quality and durability." Visit the Clayton website to learn more about the homebuilder and to find all of its home-buying tools, including the customer experience infographic. About Clayton Clayton Homes, a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1956 and is proud of its history of providing affordable, quality homes. The Company is a diverse builder offering traditional site-built homes, modular homes, manufactured housing, "tiny" homes, college dormitories, military barracks and apartments. In 2015, Clayton built more than 34,000 homes. Clayton Properties is a division of the Clayton home building group. SOURCE Clayton CARMEL, Ind., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) announced today that Rocco Tarasi has been appointed Vice President, Finance and Operations, and Robert Yates has been promoted to Vice President, Distribution Planning. Tarasi will be responsible for all finance and sales operations functions for the Bankers Life business segment. He most recently held the position of Chief Financial Officer at ITT Educational Services, a provider of post-secondary education, and has held previous roles in finance and operations at Resource Global Professionals and Arthur Andersen, in addition to founder and CEO of policyIQ, a compliance software company. Tarasi has a BS in finance and accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Yates will be responsible for all distribution planning functions for the Bankers Life business segment, including field compensation, agency relations, real estate and field support. He joined CNO Financial in 2005 and has held positions in financial planning and analysis, most recently as Senior Director, Finance and Administration. Prior to that, he held positions at GE Insurance, American Bottling Company and U.S. Can Company. Yates has a BS in finance from Northern Illinois University, an MBA in finance from DePaul University. "Rocco is a seasoned finance and operations leader, with a strong record of establishing scalable processes for growth," said Scott Goldberg, president of Bankers Life. "Bob's elevated role reflects the consistent value he's demonstrated over the years in financial management, and the additional responsibilities he is assuming. We look forward to both Bob and Rocco joining our leadership team." About CNO Financial Group CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) is a holding company. Our insurance subsidiaries principally Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company and Washington National Insurance Company primarily serve middle-income pre-retiree and retired Americans by helping them protect against financial adversity and provide for a more secure retirement. For more information, visit CNO online at www.CNOinc.com. SOURCE CNO Financial Group, Inc. Related Links http://www.CNOinc.com DECATUR -- Phil Wright pulled a wagon full of beer can tabs down Eldorado followed by a Decatur Police officer and his wife Julis van. It was 4:15 a.m. and 17 degrees, though a strong wind blowing directly at Phil made it feel like one degree. A friend who was supposed to walk with Wright bailed -- I think it was too cold for him, Phil said, laughing. But it was hard to blame the friend. The destination for Phils walk, which began at the West Eldorado McDonalds, was the Ronald McDonald House of Central Illinois in Springfield -- a 38-mile walk. Phil, 54, of Decatur, didnt quite make it -- cold and cramps set in at the 26.5-mile mark and Juli drove Phil the rest of the way. But after a fall from a ladder that nearly killed him a year earlier, Phil managed to continue his tradition of giving to the Ronald McDonald House and prove hes still, as Juli called him: The man who can do anything. It was Wrights pride in his toughness that began his venture to walk to Springfield. The Wrights had long donated beer and soda tabs to the Ronald McDonald House -- an organization that provides housing for families with children receiving medical care. As a part of ABATE, a motorcyclists rights organization, the Wrights had delivered them annually. Then, in the summer of 2014, he was goaded into a bar bet. We were at the bar talking about the tabs and somehow, in the conversation, I said I had enough energy to walk them over there, Phil said. They bet me $100 I couldnt. On a hot August day, Phil proved them wrong. He filled up 10 milk cartons with tabs and pulled them in a wagon to Springfield. It took nine hours. By the time I got to Springfield, I was puking my guts out it was so hot, Phil said. I was dehydrated, but I made it. When I got there, they said no one had ever walked the tabs from somewhere so far away. Phil never collected the $100 bet -- he said he hasnt seen the guys he bet since that day in the bar. But he liked the feeling of accomplishment and charity, so he decided to do the walk again in 2015. I wanted to do it every year, Phil said. But a 28-foot fall from a tree in May of 2015 halted his plans. I was trimming a tree for a friend of mine and someone was watching the ladder for me, but they left the ladder to go over to the other side of the house, Phil said. I cut a branch and it bounced off the ladder and it fell. I hit my head on a concrete pad. I had blood coming out of my eyes, my nose, my ears and my mouth. I tried to get up, but they held me down. The last thing I remember is reaching in my mouth and pulling a big chunk of blood out. I thought I was done. A neighbor who was in his home with the windows shut heard the fall -- He said it sounded like a 20-pound sledgehammer smashing a watermelon, Phil said -- and called 911. They Life-Flighted him out of here in full code to Champaign (Carle Foundation Hospital) and I thought wed lost him, Juli said. For four days, Phil was mostly unconscious and he spent seven days on the intensive care unit, also suffering a stroke. He was there 15 days total and was in a full-body cast for six months. But, slowly, he recovered. I had 19 doctors and none of them know how I lived, Phil said. Phil still has plenty of complications with head trauma from the fall -- he gets dizzy, his memory fails him, he becomes agitated and his vision is blurry. Its still a roller coaster, but he made it, Juli said. As soon as Phil got out of the body cast, he told Juli he was going to make his walk to the Ronald McDonald House. It does no good to tell him no, Juli said, laughing. Hes the handyman Phil. He could change your brakes with his eyes clothes in an hour-and-a-half. Now it takes him longer, but he can still do it. Despite the frigid temperatures and his friend bailing at the last minute, Phil took off from Decatur on the morning on Jan. 4 confident. He smiled and waved as he left McDonalds, then turned near the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center to hook up with old 36. By Illiopolis, the cold was winning. He sat in the van to warm up, then made it about 10 more miles -- to Dawson -- before deciding to have Juli drive him the rest of the way. When we got to Illiopolis is was horrible -- his face mask was frozen and he was all cramped up, Juli said. The cop that was with us didnt know how hed made it. Still, the Ronald McDonald House was appreciative of the 78.2 pounds of tabs he delivered. We thought it was remarkable, said Johanna Moll, development and communications coordinator at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois. We get pop tabs every day in sandwich bags and things like that. But to come from a distance in freezing weather that doesnt happen. We just love that he wanted to do it to contribute to and raise awareness for our charity. Each year the Ronald McDonald House collects nearly 40 million tabs, which are recycled. It equals around $10,000. There are drives at area schools to collect tabs, and those are the charitys most sizable donations. But Moll said 78.2 pounds is pretty significant for one person. The money raised goes into a general fund to help us fund the housing and give families a place to stay while their child is being treated for no cost, Moll said. And because were about 30 minutes from Macon County and Decatur, we serve more people from there than any other area in the state. Phil said he plans on trying the walk again next year, but needs to find a more suitable time of year. Hes definitely not going to do it in the wintertime again, Juli said, laughing. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Corporate Whistleblower says, "We are urging a medical doctor or pharmaceutical company insider to call us anytime at 866-714-6466 if they possess proof a drug company is essentially bribing physicians to prescribe more drugs. The pay-off could range from free meals, expensive vacation's/conferences or speaker fees. We are specifically targeting drug companies engaged in the following types of practices: Stark Violations-Drug Companies America's Watchdog "Drug or medical device companies bribing physicians in any way to over prescribe their products." "Drug companies promoting off-labeling their pharmaceutical products to medical doctors." http://CorporateWhistleblower.Com Recently the Department of Justice received a $38 million settlement to resolve allegations that a pharmaceutical company violated the Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits the payment of remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by federal health care programs, by providing payments and meals to certain physicians. The DOJ alleged the free meals were provided as an inducement for physicians to prescribe more pharmaceutical products. In this instance the whistleblower will receive approximately $7.8 million. The Corporate Whistleblower is saying, "We are inviting a physician to call us anytime at 866-714-6466 if they possess proof a pharmaceutical company's reps are attempting to bribe physicians into prescribing more drugs-especially if we are talking about Medicare patients, and or if drug reps are promoting off-labeling. One unique feature we can offer a medical doctor with this kind of information is we will attempt to build out the wrongdoing to potentially dramatically expand the potential whistleblower reward. Please don't sit on a potentially winning lotto ticket if you possess this type of information." http://CorporateWhistleblower.Com For a recent news article related to drug companies making payments to medical doctors please refer to an NPR article related to this topic: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/03/17/470679452/drug-company-payments-mirror-doctors-brand-name-prescribing Simple rules for a whistleblower from the Corporate Whistleblower: Do not go to the government first if you want to become a whistleblower: The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, "Major whistleblowers frequently go to the government thinking they will help. It's a huge mistake. Do not go to the news media with your whistleblower information either. Any type of public revelation of a whistleblower's information could destroy the prospect for a reward. Do not try to force a healthcare company or individual to come clean on kickbacks or Stark violations. Come to us first, tell us what type of information you have, and if we think it's sufficient, we will help find the right law firms to assist in advancing your information." The Corporate Whistleblower is the premier advocate for whistleblowers in the United States. Unlike any group in the US, they assist potential whistleblowers with packaging their information and providing the whistleblower with access to the most accomplished whistleblower attorneys in the nation. For more information a potential whistleblowers in any state can contact the Corporate Whistleblower Center anytime at 866-714-6466 or visit http://CorporateWhistleblower.Com. For more information about a recent Department of Justice settlement related to a pharmaceutical company paying off physicians please refer to the December 2016 DOJ press release on the topic https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/forest-laboratories-and-forest-pharmaceuticals-pay-38-million-resolve-kickback-allegations Media contact: Thomas Martin [email protected] 866-714-6466 SOURCE Corporate Whistleblower Related Links http://CorporateWhistleblower.Com SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference -- Correlation Ventures, the venture capital industry's leading co-investor and predictive analytics pioneer, announced today it has raised an additional $200 million and closed its oversubscribed second fund. Correlation now has $366 million in assets under management. The fund's investors (limited partners) include leading endowments, pensions, funds of funds and family offices. David Coats, co-founder and Managing Director of Correlation Ventures, said, "We appreciate the strong support shown by our investors. Our strategy remains the samebe attractive to lead VCs and entrepreneurs in the best investment opportunities by delivering on our unique value proposition as the 'dream co-investor'. For example, we are committed to make investment decisions within two weeks or less, being flexible on investment size and being predictable in follow-on rounds." Trevor Kienzle, a co-founder and Managing Director, added, "The response we've received from entrepreneurs and our peer VCs has been tremendous. We're pleased to have already been able to back such exciting companies as Virsto Software (acquired by VMware), InstaEDU (acquired by Chegg) and AirXpanders (went public in 2015), as well as many still private companies which have demonstrated significant progress since our investment such as AlienVault, BlueVine, Casper, Crossbar, Distil, Earnest, Sun Basket and Spirox, just to name a few." The venture firm invested in 121 companies in Correlation 1 and is currently investing out of Correlation 2. Correlation co-invests in outside VC-led rounds in private U.S. headquartered companies at all investment stages across all industry segments, from consumer and enterprise to FinTech and healthcare. ABOUT CORRELATION VENTURES Correlation Ventures, a U.S. venture fund with more than $350 million under management, leverages world-class analytics to offer entrepreneurs and other venture capitalists a dramatically better option when they are seeking additional co-investment capital to complete a financing round. The firm makes investment decisions in two weeks or less, is highly flexible on investment size and is predictable in terms of follow-on financings. Correlation Ventures invests across all industry segments, U.S. geographies and investment stagesfrom seed through late stage. Correlation Ventures has offices in Palo Alto, San Diego and New York City. For more information, visit http://www.correlationvc.com and @correlationvc. SOURCE Correlation Ventures Related Links http://www.correlationvc.com CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 4, 2016, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois certified a class action against Yahoo, claiming that it violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA") by using an automatic telephone dialing system to send "Welcome" text messages regarding its Yahoo Messenger program without prior express consent. The lawsuit, Johnson v. Yahoo! Inc., Case No. 14-cv-2028, is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. On December 12, 2016, the court approved Johnson's notice plan and ordered that notice be sent to the class. The lawsuit alleges that Yahoo used automated dialing systems to send the following "Welcome" text message to the class members in order to promote its Yahoo Messenger program: "A Yahoo! user has sent you a message. Reply to that SMS to respond. Reply INFO to this SMS for help or go to y.ahoo.it/imsms." The Plaintiff claims that this text message violates the TCPA, which prohibits the use of an "automatic telephone dialing system" to send text messages without the "prior express consent" of the called party. Yahoo denies violating the TCPA and the use of an automatic telephone dialing system, and claims some class members may have provided consent. The lawsuit seeks $500-$1500 per text message for the class members. The class includes all persons within the United States who used a cellular telephone number to which Yahoo! sent the Welcome Message from March 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013, while the cellular number was assigned to Sprint and was not associated with a Yahoo! user in Yahoo!'s records. The Court has not yet ruled on the merits of the case. Class members may stay in the class or request to be excluded by March 13, 2017. For a detailed notice, instructions, and other documents about this lawsuit and your rights, go to www.YahooTCPAClass.com, call 1-866-726-1092, email [email protected], or write to Yahoo Text Message Class Action Notice Administrator c/o KCC Class Action Services PO Box 30227 College Station, TX 77842-3227. SOURCE Keogh Law, LTD. WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital marketing company IMN (iMakeNews Inc.) will join thousands of franchise business leaders at the International Franchise Association's 2017 Convention (#IFA2017), Jan. 29-Feb. 1, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The convention program will include experienced speakers, high-quality content, and interactive roundtables, with the stated purpose of "education and inspiration for the entire franchise team." Franchise business leaders can visit IMN at booth #302 to speak with representatives to learn more about the proven value of using an email newsletter to more effectively and efficiently connect with consumers and franchisees and grow their business. Visitors may also enter for a chance to win an iPad Pro. "Many franchisors continue to see the cost of new customer acquisition eat into their ROI," said Rick Kerr, vice president and general manager of IMN. "It can be up to five times as much as the costs for customer retention. "At IMN, we have a proven track record of delivering branded email newsletters with relevant, custom content that helps franchisors and their franchisees both cost-effectively retain more customers and increase new sales activity." Kerr added that IMN's dedicated account managers work one-on-one with each client to help ensure the email newsletter program is optimized for long-term success. Loyalty Driver for Franchise is IMN's email marketing solution for franchisors who want to build relationships with consumers and franchisees and increase sales productivity. Loyalty Driver also helps franchisors send a consistent brand image to consumers and franchisees, while also allowing franchisee personalization, such as local promotions and special events. To learn more, visit the IMN website at imninc.com/franchise. About IMN IMN (iMakeNews Inc.) is the digital marketing company that delivers email newsletters with branded custom content for direct selling, banking and financial services, and franchise industries. For more information, visit imninc.com, follow on Twitter @loyaltydriver, or connect on the IMN Facebook page. SOURCE iMakeNews Inc. Related Links http://www.imninc.com "We are thrilled to welcome Lilian Tomovich to DineEquity's board of directors," said chairman and chief executive officer Julia Stewart. "She brings phenomenal energy, experience and skills in digital marketing, loyalty strategy and guest relationship management. Guests are at the heart of our business, and Lili's perspective will be invaluable as we find new ways to engage them one-to-one across new and existing channels, deepen guest relationships, and continuously evolve and improve the guest experience." An acclaimed 20-year marketing veteran, Lilian Tomovich serves as chief experience officer and chief marketing officer of MGM Resorts International. Widely known for her ability to build high-profile global brands in Canada and the United States, she oversees the company's guest interactions across its marketing channels with the goal of improving the guest experience companywide. Tomovich is responsible for all of the company's marketing functions, including: brand management, advertising, e-commerce, loyalty marketing, guest strategy, consumer insights and research, partnership and event marketing, social and digital media and public relations. Prior to joining MGM Resorts, Tomovich worked for MasterCard Worldwide, where she held a variety of positions. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of consumer marketing for the United States market. Tomovich earned her bachelor's degree from Brock University in Ontario, Canada, and her Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit. About DineEquity, Inc. Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar and IHOP brands. With more than 3,700 restaurants combined in 18 countries and U.S. territories and over 400 franchisees, DineEquity is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on DineEquity, visit the company's website www.dineequity.com. SOURCE DineEquity, Inc. Related Links http://www.dineequity.com MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EdR (NYSE: EDR), one of the nation's largest developers, owners and managers of high quality collegiate housing communities, today announced it acquired The Retreat at Corvallis, serving Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. Built in 2015, The Retreat at Corvallis includes 1,016 beds pedestrian to the Oregon State campus in a mix of one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom floor plans in both traditional apartment configurations (60 percent) and cottages (40 percent). EdR acquired The Retreat at Corvallis near the campus of Oregon State University. This community has a total of 1,016 beds in a wide variety of bedroom configurations. "With 95 percent occupancy this year and a location pedestrian to campus, this community is a great complement to our top of class student housing portfolio," said Tom Trubiana, EdR president. "When paired with our development at Boise State, this community significantly increases our footprint in the Northwest." Oregon State is just one of two universities in the country to hold land-grant, sea-grant, space-grant and sun-grant status. With a Fall 2016 enrollment of 30,354 students, the university has added more than 6,500 students to its rolls since 2010. The university has nationally recognized programs in Environmental Science and Engineering as well as Forestry and Agricultural Sciences. About EdR EdR (NYSE:EDR) is one of America's largest owners, developers and managers of collegiate housing. EdR is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust that owns or manages 87 communities with more than 45,400 beds serving 54 universities in 25 states. EdR is a member of the Russell 2000 Index, the S&P MidCap 400 and the Morgan Stanley REIT indices. For details, please visit the company's Web site at www.EdRtrust.com. For more information, contact: J. Drew Koester, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets and Investor Relations 901-259-2523 [email protected] For media information or photography, contact: Craig Wack, PR Coordinator 901-252-6809 [email protected] Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Statements about the company's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's future results, performance, or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks are set forth under the captions "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in our annual report on Form 10-K and under the caption "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" (or similar captions) in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and as described in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates on which they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any guidance or other forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, unless required by law. SOURCE EdR Related Links http://www.edrtrust.com NEW BEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This January marks a major milestone for Epec, LLC as they celebrate 65 years of manufacturing excellence. As the oldest printed circuit board company in North America, Epec demonstrates why they are one of the top industry leaders in custom build to print electronics. Over the past 65 years, Epec has had numerous achievements including having manufactured printed circuit boards for the Apollo 11 space flight that landed the first humans, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., on Earth's Moon. "We are excited to have reached another milestone here at Epec. Our customers and employees across the world are the reason why we have been able to be successful for so many years," said Ed McMahon, CEO of Epec. Another accomplishment under McMahon's leadership was the acquisition of over 16 distressed electronic manufacturing companies from 1999 2016. Epec's initiative on new technologies and cloud computing made the transitioning of the acquisitions from one system to another a seamless process. New products based on Epec's 65 years of history with PCBs will continue to help them grow. While printed circuits boards are still a large part of the business, Epec moved into other PCB based products in 2005 to help offset the decline of PCBs in North America. Today, these new products represent 40% of the $50 million in revenue. New regulations passed by the Department of Energy (DOE) in regards to standards for Commercial Refrigeration Equipment is going to make 2017 a real game changer for leading OEMs. EC Fans & Drives, an Epec company, recently developed a new line of energy efficient EC motors that meet the new DOE regulation. It will be an exciting time for Epec as the market reacts to the new innovative EC motors. As the New Year begins, so does another chapter in Epec's history. What will not change in 2017 is Epec's dedication and determination to put customers first. Customers expect greatness. This is done by having dedicated employees throughout the world that understand and live Epec's core values and what those values really mean to their customers. Learn more about Epec's 65 year story. http://www.epectec.com/anniversary/ About Epec, LLC Epec Engineered Technologies is the ideal choice for an OEM seeking customized product solutions from a focused and agile partner having supported over 5,000 customers across all sectors of the electronics industry. By providing highly experienced technical resources, a proven manufacturing platform and the fastest delivery in the industry, we are able to provide cost effective and innovative solutions that deliver the highest reliability products to the market faster. Visit http://www.epectec.com/ for more information. Related Links Top 10 PCB Design Checks Hidden Costs of Logistics in Asia Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmZNRGv5qCo This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com/. SOURCE Epec Related Links http://www.epectec.com NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of American filmmakers recently launched a crowd-funding campaign via Kickstarter to make KARAGANDA, a feature film about a Soviet prison camp and the Vory v Zakonye. The script is based on a Russian-language short film, also named KARAGANDA, produced at the American Film Institute in Hollywood. Entirely in Russian with Russian themes, the 26-minute film was invited to screen in 13 countries at 26 different festivals, earning 5 awards. The production team for KARAGANDA hopes that the recent election of Donald Trump will allow a greater cultural cooperation between Russia and the United States, which will help the film. Still from Karaganda Still #2 from Karaganda KARAGANDA tells the story of Vladimir, a prisoner on a mission to find his wife who is also imprisoned in the Karaganda region. In order to rescue her, he must join the Vory V Zakonye, a criminal gang going back to the time of the czars. The Vors locate his wife, but at a cost that will haunt Vladimir as he transforms into a powerful crime boss in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. KARAGANDA will feature American and Russian stars in the main roles, with production in both the U.S. and Russia. The film's budget is $2.5 million and the production team is currently raising money to attach Hollywood stars to complete financing. In addition to director Max Weissberg, a graduate of the American Film Institute, two other experienced producers are involved in the project, Edwin Mejia (GENERATION IRON, THE HURT BUSINESS) and Nina Gortinski. "Unlike the short, the feature will be in color and half the action will take place in New York," explained Edwin. The director Max Weissberg's connection to Russia began as a student at Herzen University in St. Petersburg. While studying Russian, he also worked at Lenfilm Studios, the oldest studio in Russia. Max Weissberg wants KARAGANDA to change attitudes towards Russians in America: "I want to make Russian culture cool. If you think about how the GODFATHER made people interested in Italians and Italian culture, KARAGANDA will do the same for Russian culture," Max explained. Link to Kickstarter video: tinyurl.com/hg78dgq Luftmensch Films is an advertising and film company with locations in New York and Los Angeles. www.luftmenschfilms.com Max Weissberg Luftmensch Films 33 Gold St., #219 New York, NY 10038 3723 Arbolada Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90027 (001) 917 378 3000 [email protected] www.karagandafilm.com SOURCE Luftmensch Films Related Links http://www.luftmenschfilms.com "Throughout 2016, we saw a steady series of digital innovations to the user experience across the many industries and companies we track," noted Dana Peterson, Vice President of Monitor Services at Corporate Insight. "We saw an uptick in web and mobile site revamps, with a general focus on better content, tighter security and improved personalization. We analyzed many innovations to the mobile experience that included new features and capabilities to enhance the client relationship." Corporate Insight's Monitor Services teams use rigorous, proprietary grading software to review key online tools and resources from more than 100 financial services firms and insurers. The Monitor Awards highlight the best resources and most important features of the online user experience. 2016 Gold Monitor Award Winners Gold medals are presented for online features that exceed Corporate Insight's criteria for overall excellence and usability. In 2016, the following companies received the most gold medals across nine industry verticals: - Advisor Monitor Awards - Life Insurance Monitor Awards Fidelity USAA - Annuity Monitor Awards - Mutual Fund Monitor Awards Jackson National Fidelity - Bank Monitor Awards - Property & Casualty Monitor Awards USAA USAA Chase Liberty Mutual GEICO - Credit Card Monitor Awards - Retirement Plan Monitor Awards Discover Fidelity - e-Monitor Awards (Online Brokerage) Fidelity - Healthcare Monitor Awards Merrill Edge BCBS of Massachusetts A Look Back at 2016: Summary of Key Trends As part of its Monitor research services, Corporate Insight (CI) analysts use live accounts at each financial institution covered, identifying customer-centric improvements and trends as they occur in real time. The Monitor Awards are a culmination of a year's worth of website tracking and user experience assessment. The following is a summary of the most notable trends from 2016. Website Revamps & Design Changes; Continued Proliferation of Responsive Design Financial firms in every industry segment either redesigned or entirely revamped their public, private and advisor websites. Many prioritized improved design and streamlined site navigation, integrating responsive design across devices. For example, nearly half (43%) of the firms in the Life Insurance Monitor coverage group updated their websites in 2016. Notably, every revamped website features responsive design, with a majority (79%) of firms now offering responsivity on at least part of their public sites, and 50% offering partially or completely responsive private sites. Firms continued to use microsites to host educational resources, and promote products and investment strategies. Within the Mutual Fund Monitor coverage group, Franklin Templeton, for example, launched a new ETF line of business named LibertyShares in June, and promoted the products through an accompanying microsite. In December, Vanguard released its Investing Revolution microsite, which helps investors understand the firm's mutual fund products, costs and investing ideas. Tools and Calculators, with a Strong Focus on Retirement Savings, Credit Health and Financial Wellness In the Retirement Plan Monitor coverage group, Fidelity, Nationwide and MassMutual stand out for new retirement readiness and financial wellness tools. Fidelity added a number of notable tools, including a robust retirement readiness tool, a contribution rate planner, as well as a tool that provides personalized participant tips and actionable advice. Nationwide added 15 educational retirement- and investing webinars, as well as a new My Healthcare Estimator tool. MassMutual overhauled its retirement readiness tool, making it one of the more comprehensive and effective offerings in the coverage group. CI tracked an uptick in financial wellness resources within the credit card industry in 2016, with five firms in the Credit Card Monitor coverage group offering free FICO credit scores. Bank of America was the first to do so, integrating scores online and its revamped mobile app. Similarly, Wells Fargo's new FICO credit tool outlines score factors, history, credit reports, credit education and FAQs. Mobile Technology and Enhanced Capabilities Firms added innovative features to their mobile apps in 2016, incorporating new technologies such as iOS 3D Touch and Amazon Alexa voice recognition. Within Property & Casualty Monitor, the most innovative use of mobile technology in 2016 came from Liberty Mutual and its subsidiary Safeco as they became the first to create apps. This technology allows clients to ask various insurance questions, such as how to deal with flooding, and receive immediate answers. Mobile wallets continue to proliferate, as card compatibility with Android and Samsung Pay increased markedly throughout 2016. Masterpass and Microsoft Wallet are rolling out as well, with updated digital payment pages and banners posted to banking sites. Chase and Wells Fargo also launched their own payments services. Rollout of Automated Investing Platforms Continues An unprecedented number of brokerage firms entered the automated investing space in 2016. Three firms in the e-Monitor coverage group E*TRADE, Fidelity and TD Ameritrade launched automated investing platforms, while Merrill Edge and Wells Fargo Advisors announced plans to launch their own in 2017. Most recently, Charles Schwab announced plans to launch a hybrid robo-advisor Schwab Intelligent Advisory which will combine professional advice and algorithm-based technology in the first half of 2017. RBC Wealth Management began piloting RBC Investor Gateway, a digital advice option, in collaboration with FutureAdvisor. For more information on Corporate Insight's 2016 Monitor Awards reports, please contact: Joshua Grandy Director of Public Relations [email protected] 646-876-7524 About Corporate Insight Corporate Insight provides competitive intelligence, consulting and user experience (UX) research to the nation's leading financial services firms, insurers and educational institutions. For more than two decades, the firm has published customer experience-focused research and has advised clients on key competitive issues with a focus on improving digital capabilities. The firm offers subscription-based Monitor Services in 14 verticals, including brokerage, healthcare and alumni relations, along with custom research and consulting services, digital capabilities audits, special studies and UX research. To learn more, connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. SOURCE Corporate Insight Related Links http://www.corporateinsight.com FORSYTH A former store employee at Bergner's in Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth is facing retail theft charges after he allegedly altered prices so his friends could walk out with items for as little as $1. The 25-year-old suspect was arrested at Bergner's Monday evening by Macon County Sheriff's Office deputies. The police were shown transaction records by a Bergner's loss prevention officer, which allegedly revealed items being rung up for the wrong price between Dec. 26 and Jan. 6. The loss to the store was $544. Under questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted altering prices for a Bergner's colleague and twice for a childhood friend. NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Modere, the first social retailer to create a safe and forward-thinking approach to overall wellness, today announced the availability of its EWG VERIFIED oral care line. Modere's mouth rinse and toothpaste are the first in the world to receive the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) gold standard verification in the oral care space. "We are proud to be the first to receive and display the EWG VERIFIED mark on our oral care products worldwide. The verification reinforces our industry-leading commitment to providing safe and effective, clean-label personal care, household and health and wellness products," said Vic Catalfamo, Chief Marketing Officer of Modere. "With this recognition, we continue to pioneer our live clean lifestyle movement and enable consumers to make healthier choices on their everyday essentials." With 30 years of clean-label product leadership, Modere's oral care products are only formulated with safer components. The company imposes self-regulation, overseen by their industry-leading Scientific Advisory Board, with strict adherence to its own ingredient paradigm. Modere's ingredient paradigm details a list of raw materials avoided during formulation and ensures all products meet the highest clean-label safety standards. Now, Modere is recognized for its strict ingredient standard compliance, manufacturing transparency and robust labeling by the Environmental Working Group. "The EWG VERIFIED mark serves as an unbiased symbol of trust that helps consumers make healthier choices for themselves and their families," said Ken Cook, co-founder and president of The Environment Working Group. "Modere's unwavering commitment to transparency and consumer education is reflected in the products that they offer. Their oral care line meets the EWG's rigorous product standards and we're proud to have them as the first EWG VERIFIED line on the market." Modere's oral care line is the first of many Modere products to display the highly sought after EWGVERIFIED mark as the company recently announced a global partnership with the Environmental Working Group. Learn more about the global partnership here: http://thelatest.modere.com/modere-joins-ewg-verified-program/ Modere's EWGVERIFIED oral care line can be purchased here: https://www.modere.com/ProductDetail/fresh-breath-collection For more information about Modere, please visit: www.modere.com. About MODERE Modere (www.modere.com) offers a category-leading portfolio of live clean lifestyle essentials, beauty and personal care, health and wellness, and household products that are safe, effective, and beautifully designed. At Modere, we create more than just products; we create meaningful experiences. We believe modern health involves live clean: pure nutrition, a clean environment, and safe ingredients across all products: consumable, topical and household. Modere brings a holistic approach to well-being and its products reflect a commitment to excellence and innovation, with tested formulas proven around the globe for more than 25 years. Modere is headquartered in Springville, Utah and its Marketing Center of Excellence and Public Relations is located in Newport Beach, California. Media contacts: LEWIS for Modere (619) 308-5200 [email protected] SOURCE Modere Related Links http://www.modere.com BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the U.S. International Trade Commission unanimously ruled that Samsung and LG caused injury to the U.S. appliance industry by selling their China-produced washing machines in the U.S. for less than they cost to make. Whirlpool Corporation reports that this vote is the final step in the government's investigation it initiated in December 2015. Whirlpool filed the case to help ensure free trade so U.S. manufacturers can continue to create jobs, invest in new facilities and undertake research to drive innovation. Today's vote follows a U.S. Department of Commerce ruling last month that Samsung and LG violated U.S. and international trade laws by dumping clothes washers from China into the United States. Samsung and LG now must pay antidumping duties at the substantial rates set by the DOC margins of 52.51 percent for Samsung and 32.12 percent for LG. "This is a gratifying win for American manufacturing, particularly our more than 3,000 employees at our factory in Clyde, Ohio, who make clothes washers for American consumers," said Jeff Fettig, chairman and chief executive officer of Whirlpool Corp. "The government made the right decision today, affirming that Samsung and LG's long-term pattern of serial dumping injures American appliance manufacturers and threatens U.S. jobs. By enforcing and applying trade remedies that help ensure fair competition, the government supports a solid U.S. manufacturing base and continued investments in innovation that improve the lives of consumers." This ruling comes just four years after the government found Samsung and LG guilty of dumping washers from factories in Korea and Mexico. Following that 2013 ruling, the companies moved their washer production to China in an effort to circumvent the orders. To learn more about Whirlpool Corp.'s U.S. investments and prior trade case, visit its website: WhirlpoolCorp.com/fair-trade. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE: WHR) is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, with approximately $21 billion in annual sales, 97,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2015. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Indesit and other major brand names in nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp. Whirlpool Corp. in the United States More than 80 percent of the products sold by Whirlpool Corp. in the United States are assembled in the United States. The company's Clyde, Ohio, washing machine manufacturing facility not only meets America's washers needs but also exports 10 percent of the washers it makes to meet the needs of families throughout the world. In the United States, the company's investments include $1.6 billion in supply chain spending, $7.4 billion in manufacturing spending and more than $1 billion in its U.S. facilities since 2010. Whirlpool employs approximately 25,000 people in the United States, with 15,000 of those jobs being held by manufacturing workers in its nine U.S. production plants. Whirlpool Corp. in China Whirlpool Corp. has a two-decade history meeting the needs of Chinese consumers through significant manufacturing and research and development investments in the country. The company has more than 20,000 employees in Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Anhui provinces. China is an important growth market for Whirlpool Corp., and the company is quickly expanding its investment in the country. SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation Related Links http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com In 2013, Borealis launched Bormed SB815MO under the umbrella of its polypropylene products specifically for healthcare packaging. The novel, soft product presents exceptional transparency without requiring clarifiers. For pharmaceutical packaging in particular, the use of Bormed SB815MO allows the final packaging to be sterilised at 121C and in half the time taken by non-polypropylene materials (low-density polyethylene) with similar flexibility and stiffness. "In the challenging healthcare market, Borealis keeps discovering new ways of customising services for its customers with a focus on value creation through innovation," said Alfred Stern, Borealis Executive Vice President Polyolefins and Innovation. "Borealis offers global presence, serving key European markets such as Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Benelux. It also supplies healthcare customers in North America, South America, and Africa, and has been able to export to the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and India through Borouge, our joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)." Borealis has earned a leadership position in the market because of its Bormed products and the superiority of its customer service and engagement. Its dedicated and expert healthcare team ensures that it understands market changes and customer needs throughout the supply chain by attending conferences and trade shows and being part of associations such as the MedPharmPlast Europe. "Borealis' Bormed portfolio has found wide application across medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic packaging," said Frost & Sullivan Consulting Analyst Dr. Antonella Lisella-Wright. "The company enjoys high brand equity all over the world. Overall, it has demonstrated a keen focus on growth in the polyolefins market by fostering brand loyalty, competing effectively and carving out a unique, sustainable market position." Each year, Frost & Sullivan bestows this award upon the company that demonstrates excellence in growth and customer value. It recognises the superiority of the product/service as well as the overall customer, purchase, ownership, and service experience offered, which has resulted in the recipient company seeing above-market growth and greater share of wallet. The award lauds the growth, diversification, and sustainability strategies of the company. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Borealis Borealis is a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. With headquarters in Vienna, Austria, the company currently has around 6,500 employees and operates in over 120 countries. Borealis generated EUR 7.7 billion in sales revenue and a net profit of EUR 988 million in 2015. The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi owns 64% of the company, the remaining 36% belonging to OMV, an international, integrated oil and gas company based in Vienna. Borealis provides services and products to customers around the world in collaboration with Borouge, a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Building on its proprietary Borstar and Borlink technologies and more than 50 years of experience in polyolefins, Borealis and Borouge support key industries with a wide range of applications in the areas of energy, automotive, pipes, consumer products, healthcare, and advanced packaging. The Borouge 3 plant expansion made Borouge the world's largest integrated polyolefins complex. Now fully ramped up, the additional 2.5 million tonnes of polyolefins capacity yield a total Borouge capacity of 4.5 million tonnes, and a combined Borealis and Borouge capacity of 8 million tonnes. Borealis offers a wide range of base chemicals, including melamine, phenol, acetone, ethylene, propylene, butadiene and pygas, servicing a wide range of industries. Borealis also creates real value for the agricultural industry, selling approximately 5 million tonnes of fertilizers. Technical nitrogen and melamine products complement the portfolio with applications ranging from mono-nitrogen oxide (NOx) abatement to glues and laminates in the wood working industry. Borealis and Borouge aim to proactively benefit society by taking on real societal challenges and offering real solutions. Both companies are committed to the principles of Responsible Care, an initiative to improve safety performance within the chemical industry, and work to solve the world's water and sanitation challenges through product innovation and their Water for the World programme. Contact: Virginia Mesicek, External Communications Manager P: +43 1 22 400 772 E: [email protected] For more information visit: www.borealisgroup.com www.borouge.com www.waterfortheworld.net 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: Chiara Carella P: +44 (0) 207.343.8314 F: 210.348.1003 E: [email protected] SOURCE Frost & Sullivan Related Links http://www.frost.com GREENBELT, Md., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GAMA-1 Technologies, LLC has been awarded a $2.5 billion Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) NOAALink Small Business (SB) contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) an agency under the Department of Commerce (DOC). NOAALink SB requirements include Information Technology (IT) services grouped within four Core Management Service components: Customer Care, Infrastructure Management, Business Management, and Information Security and Risk Management. GAMA-1 Team members supporting the NOAALink Core Components and Areas of Expertise GAMA-1's Team comprised of key partners ECS Federal (ECS), REI Systems (REI), L Squared, Discipline Consulting, and Inspired Strategies (ISI). Our team has over 10,000+ IT professionals, with 2,800+ professional IT certifications. We bring outstanding end-user, data center and networking integration design, change management, and operations infrastructure support and possesses breadth and depth of Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) capabilities. GAMA-1 is poised to achieve the same level of excellence and service in other federal agencies, supporting mission programs, requirements, and strategic objectives. About NOAALink The NOAALink Program, launched in 2008, is an innovative approach to NOAA's enterprise-wide strategic Information Technology (IT) planning and management. The NOAALink Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts are IT acquisition tools which leverage purchasing power for common enterprise IT products and services. NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA's products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America's gross domestic product. NOAA's dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it. About GAMA-1 Technologies, LLC GAMA-1 is a highly-technical 8(a) Certified Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) with a mature service delivery model developed with NOAA's mission in mind. Our approach enables organizational success by aligning each of our solution offerings to NOAA and OCIO requirements and objectives. We combine industry and government standards with established GAMA-1 methodologies to develop, engineer, secure, implement, and maintain IT solutions and services. We refine our methods through continuous process improvement, and hold International Organization of Standards (ISO) 9001:2008 (Quality), ISO 20000 (ITSM), and ISO 27001 (Security) certifications. We train our staff on IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) v3 and apply Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Services Level 3 processes. For more information, please visit our web site at www.gama1tech.com Contact: Jacqueline Genovesi, Contracts Manager - 301-982-4262, [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg Related Links GAMA-1 Technologies, LLC GAMA-1 Facebook This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com/. SOURCE GAMA-1 Technologies, LLC Related Links http://www.gama1tech.com LONDON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Use this report to: - Analyze the strength and weaknesses of each type of imaging technology in light of the new technologies, growing competition, and changing customer needs. - Identify the present and future strategies within the different medical imaging market segments and the performance of the market, the setbacks, and the needs of the market. - Measure and forecast the medical imaging market based on different types of technology, newly approved products, acquisition strategies, and collaborations by companies. - Discuss the major players in each of the regional markets and explain the global drivers, current products, its constraints, and competitive developments and trends. Highlights - The global market for medical imaging systems is expected to grow from estimated sales of $31.8 billion in 2016 to $42.6 billion by 2021, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%, from 2016 to 2021. - The North American medical imaging systems market is expected to grow from $12.8 billion in 2016 to nearly $16.5 billion in 2021 at a CAGR of 5.2% for the period 2016-2021. - The medical imaging systems market in the emerging markets region is expected to grow from $9.4 billion in 2016 to $13.9 billion in 2021 at a CAGR of 8.0% for the period 2016-2021. Introduction & Scope INTRODUCTION STUDY OBJECTIVES Medical imaging is a high technology-based branch of medicine involving several different technologies that are used to create images of the human body for diagnosing, monitoring or treating medical conditions. The medical imaging industry has experienced significant growth during the last decade due to technological advancements in the market, and it is primarily being driven by the launch of novel as well as well as improved technology systems. The objective in conducting this study is to provide an overview of the current and future characteristics of the global market for medical imaging. The study measures and forecasts the medical imaging market based on various different types of technology. Geographic regional analysis of all these markets is also provided in the study. This report analyzes the present and future strategies within the different medical imaging market segments, including radiography, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine. The report analyzes the medical imaging market, which includes hybrid and fusion imaging systems, including positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT); single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/PET; MRI/SPECT; ultrasound and MRI; ultrasound and CT; and MRI and CT. The performance of the market, the setbacks and the needs of the market are discussed in are also discussed in this report. A detailed analysis of the medical imaging industry structure has been conducted. Revenues are broken down by geographical region. Sales figures are estimated for the seven-year period from 2014 through 2021. The report covers significant patents and their allotments in each category. This report also covers newly approved products, recalls and safety alerts in this type of equipment. REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY The aim of the medical imaging study is to understand how these imaging technologies have gained significant importance as they provide effective visualization to solve difficult medical cases in an efficient amount of time. The study discusses these technologies as well as the continual development of technologies to ensure that the best quality imaging is being developed to treat difficult medical cases. Globalization, the rise of the medical imaging market and an increase in overall research and development within the market, including continual innovations and advancements in the imaging systems, factors such as the growing and aging population, rising incidence of chronic diseases and the growing focus on early diagnosis and treatment have further led to the increased demand for imaging systems worldwide. Medical imaging technologies have revolutionized the research approach for various conditions that allow for highly specific treatment and the prevention and control of conditions for many injuries and diseases. Increasing competition and new technologies are directing the market in a new direction. New advancements, new product launches and the increase in the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle have poised the market to grow in the near future. This study looks at the factors affecting this market. Acquisition strategies and collaborations by companies are also covered in this report. This study also discusses the strength and weaknesses of each type of imaging technology in light of the new technologies, growing competition and changing customer needs. INTENDED AUDIENCE This study will be of interest to manufacturers and users of medical imaging technology and all associated equipment manufacturers. Hospitals and research institutes, and physicians will also find this study to be of interest. The study will offers insights into the current market and will help forecast the varying market conditions. The information can help users understand the market in terms of the factors driving growth, factors limiting growth and key areas of potential prospects. SCOPE OF THE STUDY The scope of this report includes a key market analysis, market drivers, its constraints and competitive developments and trends. BCC Research analyzes each market, including its applications, regulatory environment, technology, market projections and market shares. This report involves medical imaging and its associated technology used in the medical imaging industry with the primary focus on the medical imaging market, which includes novel and improved systems as well as hybrid and fusion systems, all of which have had a significant impact in terms of treatment options and optimizing patient care. A complete geographical analysis of the market is also presented in the report. The emerging markets for medical imaging include countries such as India, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Profiles of key market players are also covered in this report. The technological discussion includes all the latest trends, pipeline products and developments. Also included in the report are comprehensive profiles of companies that lead the medical imaging market. The key market players are Analogic Corp., Esaote S.p.A., General Electric Co. (GE Healthcare), Hitachi Ltd. (Hitachi Aloka Medical Ltd.), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Philips Healthcare Inc.), Mindray Medical International Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Medison Co. Ltd.), Shimadzu Corp., Siemens AG (Siemens Healthcare GmbH), Toshiba Corp. (Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.), among others. METHODOLOGY Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in preparing this study. BCC Research conducted a comprehensive literature search, which included technical newsletters and journals, and many other sources. Data were collected through interviews and correspondence with manufacturers of imaging equipment. Projections were based on estimates such as the current number of end users, potential end users, mergers and acquisitions, and market trends. INFORMATION SOURCES Many companies were surveyed to obtain the data for this study. Included were manufacturers and end users. Data were gathered from various industry sources. BCC Research spoke with officials within the industry, consulted newsletters, company literature, product literature and a host of technical articles, journals, indexes and abstracts. Exhaustive investigation of databases by key terminology was completed. In addition, data were compiled from current financial, trade and government sources. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4162566/ 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 SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Globant (NYSE: GLOB), a digitally native technology services company focused on creating digital journeys, is proud to announce that StarmeUp, its proprietary employee engagement platform, has been recognized as a Silver Winner as a top Mobile App for Business in the W Awards, as well as signing its largest client to-date - Banco Santander - with over 180,000 potential users. StarmeUp is a recognition platform developed to help organizations strengthen their corporate culture by using gamification techniques and leveraging big data to engage employees and encourage a positive team mindset, while simultaneously delivering key insights on employee satisfaction, performance and hidden talent. Originally developed as an internal program, StarmeUp most recently secured Santander Group, a leading retail and commercial bank, based in Spain, with a meaningful market share in 10 core countries in Europe and the Americas and 124 million customers, as its largest client with over 180,000 potential users. Additional StarmeUp clients span the range of banking, media and technology companies in the US, Latin America and Europe. The W Awards honor creative excellence on the web and recognize the people behind award winning sites, marketing programs, social content, mobile site/apps and online video. The W Awards is the first major web competition to be accessible to a range of firms from small agencies to Fortune 500 companies. In its eleventh year, the awards this year received over 5,000 entries, only selecting the best of the Web, as judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts. "StarmeUp has been a fundamental tool for Globant to both grow our team, share our spirit and help other companies ensure a healthy, scalable corporate culture," said Martin Migoya, CEO and co-founder of Globant. "As Globant continues to service world-leading brands, we expect StarmeUp to soon become a staple of employee engagement programs across the world." "With recognition from a prestigious, international panel of judges, and an expanding client base, we could not be more confident in our outlook for StarmeUp heading into 2017," said Guibert Englebienne, CTO and co-founder at Globant. "Industry award recognition, positive client feedback and an expanding roster of users, including prominent companies such as Santander and Scripps Networks Interactive, send a strong message that StarmeUp is a premier platform for employee engagement and the maintenance and expansion of a healthy corporate culture." StarmeUp is one of the products within Globant's SoP suite, designed to help deliver Digital Journeys in a more rapid and innovative way. SoP carves out a new offering encompassing the best of two worlds, including the traditional professional services model and Software as a Service (SaaS) products. About Globant Globant (NYSE: GLOB) is a digitally native technology services company that creates digital journeys for its customers, which impact millions of consumers. Globant is the place where engineering, design, and innovation meet scale. Globant has more than 5,400 professionals in 12 countries working for companies like Google, Linkedin, JWT, EA, and Coca Cola, among others. Globant was named a Worldwide Leader of Digital Strategy Consulting Services by IDC MarketScape Report (2016) and its client work has been featured as business case studies at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University. For more information, visit www.globant.com. SOURCE Globant Related Links http://www.globant.com EAST LANSING, Mich., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Applications for the fifth annual GreenLight Business Model Competition (GBMC) are open for the statewide startup pitch contest. GBMC is an early-stage pitch competition bringing together entrepreneurs and small business supporters from all over Michigan. GBMC finalists will pitch their ideas to a seasoned panel of judges, competing for the chance at a total of $100K in cash prizes. The competition's top prize, sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Center (MEDC), is $40K. Second Place Prize, sponsored by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), will be $25K. "The relationships and partnerships we've worked hard to build allow us to support great ideas and innovators from around the state," said Paul Jaques, director of student and community engagement at Spartan Innovations. "Michigan startups have ideas and talent to compete on a global scale. We're proud to offer this opportunity, in addition to the funding support, to help grow small businesses and to invigorate Michigan's entrepreneurial culture." Applicants must be Michigan residents and have a well-crafted business idea. Applicants who already have a registered business must provide evidence the entity is based in the state of Michigan and is less than two years old with the earliest incorporation date being March 29th, 2015. Winning funds must be utilized to start business ventures in Michigan. Applications are open now through 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 1st, 2017. Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, March 15th, 2017. GBMC will be held 4:00pm on Wednesday, March 29th, 2017 at the Pasant Theatre, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts. About the GreenLight Business Model Competition The GreenLight Michigan Business Model Competition, co-created and sponsored by Spartan Innovations and the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, promotes Michigan-based entrepreneurship. The competition is generously sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Center, Lansing Economic Area Partnership, Foster Swift PC, among others. Apply, register to attend, and find sponsorship opportunities at www.greenlightmichigan.com. SOURCE Michigan State University Foundation Related Links http://www.greenlightmichigan.com DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America will continue its commitment to diversity during the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) by supporting two great organizations in the city of Detroit. Hyundai will partner with Orchards Children's Services, a Detroit based youth services organization, and the Ajamu Group Multicultural Media Luncheon Award Ceremony. For the second year in a row, Hyundai will donate 1,000 new winter coats to Orchards Children's Services and Pace Academy for youth and families in Detroit on January 11. To date, Hyundai has donated over 12,000 winter coats through the program across the U.S. In addition to the new coats, Hyundai presents a $2,500 grant to support the ongoing work of Orchards Children's Services. "With the bitter temperatures we are experiencing, we are so thankful and honored that Hyundai North America has selected Orchards Children's Services once again as the recipient for 1,000 brand new warm coats," said Michael E. Williams, CEO, Orchards Children's Services. "We serve some of the most vulnerable children in our community and their commitment to safety and well-being of Detroit's youth warms our hearts." On January 12, Hyundai will serve as the presenting sponsor for the 7th annual Ajamu Group Multicultural Media Luncheon Awards Ceremony. The event takes place at the MGM Grand Hotel and recognizes the contribution of women and minorities in the automotive industry. This year's event will feature keynote speaker, actor and director, Boris Kodjoe. "At Hyundai, we are committed to diversity and to supporting communities in which we do business," said Jerry Flannery, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "With our annual coats program, we want children and families in Detroit to know that Hyundai is on their side. We are deeply committed to building stronger communities and are proud to work that Orchards Children's Services and the Ajamu Group." HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook SOURCE Hyundai Motor America Related Links http://www.hyundainews.com PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ID Experts, a leading provider of software and services for cyber breach and identity fraud protection, today announced that technology and engineering veteran, Brent VanLoo, has joined the Company as chief technology officer. With VanLoo's unique expertise in healthcare and security, ID Experts will accelerate the development of technologies that address identity theft protection risks facing healthcare, retail, government, insurance, and education. The surge in cyber breaches is challenging organizations, exposing millions of individuals and their sensitive information. "In 2016, record numbers of people had their identities stolen creating unprecedented demand for our technology and identity protection services," said Bob Gregg, CEO of ID Experts. "As a security engineering visionary with healthcare domain expertise, Brent VanLoo will advance our ability to apply innovative technologies to address cyber and identity risks." New CTO Builds on Technology Expertise VanLoo's leadership encompasses 20 years of technology experience in software, security, and healthcare companies including HealthSparq, Symantec Corporation, Sage Software, and Lucent Technologies/Bell Labs Innovations. His career spans product design and development, bringing new technologies to market, and product management. Most recently at HealthSparq, VanLoo built from the ground up a consumer healthcare shopping platform, propelling the company to be one of the top five fastest growing Oregon companies two years in a row. As director of engineering at Symantec Corporation, VanLoo led the U.S. and China development and QA teams for Endpoint Security products including Antivirus, Network Access Control, and Mobile Security. "My passion is developing software that solves real problems," said Brent VanLoo, chief technology officer at ID Experts. "The opportunity to work with ID Experts will leverage my experience in healthcare, security and SaaS software to bring to market new and innovative solutions that will mitigate the risks to individuals, whose identities have been stolen." A Record of Innovation, Success, and Growth ID Experts is a leading provider of identity protection services covering nearly 30 million individuals and is the largest provider of these services to the United States Government, including providing services for the millions of individuals affected by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) cyber breach. The ID Experts MyIDCare product is the most complete identity protection solution designed to protect individuals and families from all nine types of identity theft. The Company's identity recovery experts have a 100 percent success rate to ensure fast, complete identity recovery. To address healthcare identity crime risks, ID Experts developed a medical transaction monitoring serviceMIDASthe first and only solution to engage consumers to detect and address healthcare identity theft and fraud. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association selected ID Experts as one of its preferred providers of identity protection services. In August 2016, ID Experts announced that it raised a $27.5 million round of equity funding, backed by Peloton Equity, Trident Capital Cybersecurity, and BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners. About ID Experts At ID Experts, we protect millions of consumers with our identity protection software and services and have a 100 percent success record for identity recovery. We are trusted by thousands of organizations to manage cyber and other risks with our data breach response services and are the largest provider of identity protection products to the federal government. We serve customers in healthcare, government, insurance, financial services, and higher education. ID Experts actively contributes to the cyber risk community through organizations including NHCAA, HCCA, MIFA, and IAPP. Visit www2.idexpertscorp.com for more information. SOURCE ID Experts SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and PROVIDENCE, R.I., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today IDT911 has changed its name to CyberScoutTM (www.cyberscout.com/), reaffirming its mission to keep a watchful eye over its clients in a dangerous digital world of ever-evolving cyber threats. CyberScout offers comprehensive identity management and data security services for more than 17.5 million households and 770,000 businesses. CyberScout's services are provided through more than 660 client partners, including 16 of the top 20 U.S. property and casualty insurance carriers, and six of the top seven Canadian insurers. After in-depth market research and consultation with clients, the company saw a clear need to transition the brand identity to one that is more reflective of the organization and its mission today and maps to future growth plans. The name CyberScout better represents the company's position as the gold standard for identity and data defense services from proactive protection and education to successful resolution. In its annual customer surveys, IDT911 has achieved above 99% customer satisfaction, year after year. In coming months, CyberScout will broaden its innovative offerings to proactively protect clients and help them protect themselves and their customers. CyberScout is growing internationally, as well. CyberScout's operations centers in Phoenix, Montreal and Galway are now joined by Scandinavian fraud experts, further expanding services into broader Europe. "During the rebranding process, we had many conversations with our client partners and customers. We were honored to be described as proven experts, compassionate partners and innovative leaders, as these values reflect how we go about providing cyber protection for employees, members, policyholders and customers," said Matt Cullina, CEO of CyberScout. CyberScout aggressively scouts out and protects customers from new threats in multiple markets, providing an advanced understanding of the cybersecurity technology landscape. The need is greater than ever and is growing exponentially. According to PwC's Global State of Information Security Study, the number of data security incidents worldwide rose by 38 percent in 2015, the largest increase since the survey began. Combining boots-on-the-ground experience with high-touch personal service, CyberScout provides far more than just expert protection. The company also delivers comprehensive preventive education and a variety of tools to give clients the best defense services possible. CyberScout responds to people who have been impacted by cyber crime when their need is most urgent reassuring them and recovering their information, their identities and reputations. CyberScout primarily serves clients in the insurance, financial services and employee benefits industries, offering three key services: Addressing evolving threats through education and awareness Protecting clients and their customers, members and employees by serving as a support network and advocate Restoring what was lost in the event of a data breach or identity theft "I founded IDT911 almost 14 years ago as the first company in the identity theft protection space with a core competence in education and resolution. I am immensely proud of the work we have done to help millions navigate the nightmare that is identity theft," said Adam Levin, founder of CyberScout, formerly IDT911. "While our mission hasn't changed, the cyber threats facing businesses and consumers have multiplied and become increasingly complex and our services have evolved accordingly. The new CyberScout brand more accurately reflects how we protect and aid consumers and businesses in an era of unprecedented risk to their privacy and data." Putting client interests front and center was a prime consideration for the CyberScout rollout. With the existing IDT911 brand used and trusted by millions of people and hundreds of thousands of businesses since 2003, the company plans a gradual transition to the new brand. The process will be completed in June 2017. This transitional period will allow clients and partners to update their documents, web sites, social media profiles and communications with our new brand without disruption to their customers. About CyberScout As the industry leader for over 13 years, CyberScout has been setting the gold standard for identity and data defense services from proactive protection and education to successful resolution. Formerly IDT911, CyberScout combines boots-on-the-ground experience with high-touch personal service to help commercial clients and individuals minimize risk and maximize recovery. To learn more, visit www.cyberscout.com. Media Contact David Heffernan SHIFT Communications [email protected] SOURCE IDT911 Related Links http://www.cyberscout.com DECATUR When Ed R. German was about to complete his studies at MacArthur High School in just three years, he received a job offer to work for the FBI in Washington, D.C. This was beyond the wildest dreams for a boy who had not imagined himself working in law enforcement, let alone joining the most storied agency in the nation, then still under the directorship of its legendary founder, J. Edgar Hoover. Young Ed had excelled in math and science, sound foundations for his career, but his ambition at the time was more in the line of Christian ministry. From his start as one of 8,000 employees sorting through fingerprint cards in the massive FBI headquarters, German went on to distinguish himself as a groundbreaking forensic scientist. He is credited with creating new evidentiary techniques and helping to establish crime labs, including the Illinois State Police lab, the first to receive national accreditation. He has served as chief of intelligence for U.S. Army law enforcement worldwide, worked on high-profile serial murder cases, including the Chicago area Tylenol and California Nightstalker cases, and served as senior forensic scientist for the Army in Baghdad during the Iraq War. He has testified in more than 100 cases, including a five-day trial in which the validity of the science of fingerprint identification was being challenged. The other experts were the senior fingerprint experts for the FBI and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He cleared a Scottish detective of a perjury charge after similar fingerprints to hers were found at a murder scene. It all started because an FBI agent had a conversation with his father, after a crime was committed at the business where his father worked. Wilmer German inquired how someone might get on with the agency. The agent told him, 'We're always looking for fingerprint clerks. They have to be 16 years old, have a high school diploma, pass a spelling test and a background check,' German said. My dad told him, 'Send my son an application because he took the fingerprinting merit badge in Boy Scouts. He might like that.' German went out to Washington on an airplane by himself, with the caveat that he would have to repay the airfare to the FBI if he didn't last through his first year of employment. In June of 1971, I went to work for the FBI as a GS-2 fingerprint clerk, making $82 a week after taxes, said German, 63, a congenial, down-to-earth man who likes to compare himself to Forest Gump, the movie character who stumbled into numerous historical adventures. My parents drove me to the airport. I cried myself to sleep in the hotel the first night. I thought: What have I got myself into? Home to help An email German sent to Macon County Sheriff Thomas Schneider opened the latest chapter in his career. He wrote that he was moving back to the Decatur area, had decades of experience as a U.S. government fingerprint expert and was interested in training local officers in the forensic sciences. Schneider responded promptly, hiring him effective Jan. 15, 2016. German, who was returning to his home town to care for his aging mother, Jeanette, made it clear that his salary was not his main objective. We were originally offering to pay him $9,000 for the year, but because of the budget constraints, he said he would take only $10 every two weeks, Schneider said. There is no doubt in my mind that the work Ed will do for the sheriff's office will help solve many serious crimes and will help the victims of crimes. At the sheriff's office, German has established a database, available at his fingertips, which includes all fingerprint arrest records from the Illinois State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) database, which were submitted from all Macon County law enforcement agencies. The establishment of this database shortens the time of processing latent prints from about 5 months, the turnaround time for the Illinois State Police lab, to a matter of minutes. It's instantaneous once we get them to him, Schneider said. He submits them to the database and does the search. We're very blessed to have such a talented person come back to where he began. You can't pass up someone who could solve crimes like him. He came back here to retire but also to give back to his community. Lt. Jon Butts said German brings a whole new perspective to the sheriff's office, viewing evidence as a scientist with a tremendous level of experience and expertise. We never never had this before, Butts said. He wants to share his knowledge with everyone. He is a remarkable person. The database German has established has the fingerprints of more than 25,000 people, 54,000 sets in all, 20 prints from each set, 10 flat and 10 rolled, which include ridge details of the sides of each finger. There are cold cases we want to have him look at, Butts said. We think it is a perfect opportunity to have Ed look at this from a forensic science perspective. He is very detailed oriented. The little things we might have missed he might catch. It is just so awesome having him here. He could make so much more money anywhere else. "He is such a humble person. That is what is so amazing about him. It takes a special talent to recognize the subtle difference between ridge features from one finger to another. One of his main missions is to train local officers who will meet international certification standards as certified latent print examiners. He is mentoring one officer in the sheriff's office and two at the Decatur Police Department to achieve certification. Decatur police detective Lt. Brian Cleary said the city department has already benefited from German's efforts, with three recent positive fingerprint identifications. The database he has created is amazing, Cleary said. He can get us possible matches quickly. State's Attorney Jay Scott reads the arrest affidavits on a daily basis, which periodically report on burglars arrested several months after the crimes were committed because of the wait time on fingerprint evidence. He said German is proving himself as a positive asset for law enforcement and the community. I think it's fantastic to have someone with his expertise to help us solve local crimes, Scott said. Super glue guy German has been involved in many aspects of fingerprint technology, including the establishment of laboratories and standards for fingerprint identification, as well as other branches of forensic science, including facial identification and iris imaging. His 22-page curriculum vitae, a detailed resume, reads like the record of someone of the stature of Thomas Edison or Benjamin Franklin. German retired from federal service after 10 years in the CIA, where he served as technical intelligence officer, 25 years in the Army, in which he reached the rank of chief warrant officer 5, and one year with the FBI. He served three years as a forensic scientist or sworn officer with civilian police departments, three years as a forensic scientist with Illinois state law enforcement agencies and two years as a scientist with a leading manufacturer of lasers, where he was a pioneer in their utilization to analyze evidence. German accomplished all this without ever holding a college degree. After serving his one year as an FBI clerk beginning in 1971, specializing in processing prints from unidentified corpses, the chief of police in Morristown, Tenn., hired German as his fingerprint expert. The science of crime scene examination was then in its infancy. The chief, Mel Tucker, sent German, then 18, back to Washington, to train with the metro police as an overall crime scene examiner. German served as a police sergeant before his 19th birthday. Two years later, when Tucker took a new job as police chief in Hickory, N.C., he invited German to join him. I'm going to set up a regional crime scene examination team for a three-county laboratory, Tucker told the young man, adding he would have a pay raise and his own police car. One year later, when Tucker was hired as chief in Chatanooga, Tenn., he offered German a position on the city force. By then, German was instead considering joining the Army, which had international crime lab facilities. He enlisted in July 1975 after he was told he would be trained to be a forensic scientist. After basic training, a newly minted commander said he knew nothing of that offer. German was sent to work as a regular military police officer. When the Army decided German was better off as a forensic scientist, he was sent to its crime lab in Georgia for a two-year training course as a latent print examiner. He said he wanted to challenge the tests, because of his extensive experience, far more criminal cases than any 20-year Army examiner. They said nobody ever did that before, but allowed him to try. It took me 83 days to complete the 104 weeks of training, German said. They'd never had an enlisted man as a forensic scientist in the U.S. Army crime lab system, so they had to invent a military occupational specialty for me: I was the one-and-only-ever 95 Delta 2 Tango Bravo X-Ray enlisted forensic scientist in the Army. He became a special agent criminal investigator and was shipped to the Army crime lab in Tokyo, which supported all armed forces and U.S. embassies from the U.S. West Coast to the Soviet Union. He lived off-base, so he taught himself Japanese to communicate with neighbors, his landlord, etc. Because of that knowledge, he was able to uncover a secret formula the Japanese were using to process latent fingerprints in a petri dish for seven days: super glue. He and another researcher discovered that they did not have to wait seven days for the substance to produce results. We could use heat to volatize it, and within 10 minutes we could develop fingerprints on nonporous surfaces, on glass, on metal, on plastic, in a fish aquarium. So I'm known as the co-inventor of the super glue development process that every police agency worldwide still uses. "When I walked into foreign labs, the scientists would say, 'You're the super glue guy.' MADISON, Ga., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingenium Software, a leading provider of secure information exchange, cyber security and infrastructure as a service, today announced that their president, Doug Olive will be a guest speaker at the FaxCore European Partner Conference in Malta on January 17th, 2017. FaxCore allows Ingenium Software to meet the growing and ever-changing faxing demands of its customers and prospects providing internet ready, next-generation fax software from FaxCore for cloud and on-prem implementations, including highly reliable and secure "fax boards in the cloud" from etherFAX. As a Platinum FaxCore Partner, Ingenium Software offers its clients mission critical fax solutions and migrations from other outdated fax server software platforms. "FaxCore is a next-generation fax server company with a dealer-first, dealer-only strategy that focuses all its efforts towards technical innovation, application integration, sales and support initiatives that help our global partners succeed on all levels. FaxCore is committed to fostering solid relationships with our partners so they can deliver the most innovative and advanced fax solutions to their customers," said Tom Linhard, president of FaxCore. "With the increasing landscape of the way people are relying on fax for secure document transmission, organizations of all sizes need a fax software company that's on the frontline of developing highly reliable and secure fax server solutions that are simple to use and maintain. Ingenium Software is one of our top US Partners and we look forward to our continued success in helping their client's implement FaxCore." "Our experience working in partnership with FaxCore has been tremendous since the beginning, and it's only getting better. FaxCore has been the most reliable and comprehensive fax server offering that Ingenium has ever offered," said Doug Olive, president of Ingenium Software. "Our customers take one look at FaxCore and quickly realize what they have been missing from their current outdated fax solution. From the two way AD integration that adds and removes users from AD automatically, the full audit trail that displays security logins and all processes from users, to the native .Net and robust XML integration, FaxCore makes faxing extremely reliable and cost effective for any size company. We have experienced a new benchmark from FaxCore's technical support team. They are always readily available and extremely responsive." FaxCore is an all web based, N-tier fax server solution that leverages Microsoft IIS and SQL Server. It can be deployed fully on a virtual machine, on-prem, cloud or partly cloudy hybrid environment. FaxCore's core product offering includes an email gateway, a very powerful and high performance rendering engine, encryption for documents at rest, with full security monitoring and audit trail capabilities. FaxCore's multi domain support allows an organization to leverage one fax server for multiple business units and departments, without having to deploy extensive server resources. Their first to market integration with etherFAX, allows customers to eliminate costly fax cards and gateways, normally associated with an on-prem fax server solution. FaxCore is used by organizations of all sizes from around the world. About Ingenium Software Ingenium Software is a leading, trusted integrator of fax server, secure information exchange, cyber security, and infrastructure platforms that serves its clients spanning nearly every industry. Ingenium has the unique expertise and demonstrated experience to help you solve your most critical faxing requirements. Learn more about Ingenium Software at www.ingeniumsw.com. About FaxCore No fax server is better architected to take advantage of today's Internet age and cloud computing. Since 2002, FaxCore has been ready for cloud deployments and is used worldwide by telephone companies to provide hosted fax services. FaxCore is used by Fortune 500 and Fortune Global 500 companies for enterprise wide faxing and secure document distribution. FaxCore has a solution for your faxing needs today and in the future. Learn more about FaxCore at www.faxcore.com. Media Contact: Rob Soncrant Phone: 770-936-0600 ext. 2009 Email: [email protected] This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com/. SOURCE Ingenium Software TRACY, Calif., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Olga Perry is an internationally recognized artist who works in various media such as sculpture, oil painting, graphic design, video production and music. Olga Perry was born in Magadan, Russia a port town on the Sea of Okhotsk in Siberia. Soon after Olga's birth her parents, both chemical engineers, moved to Moscow where Olga grew up. In Russia, Olga's career changes included becoming a classically trained pianist, a mechanical engineer, a M.D., Ph.D., a Major in Russian Army and a business owner. Eye of the Beholder Kalisa Moore Perry moved to America in 1995 where day jobs included being a baby-sitter, a waitress, a college student, a computer programmer, a corporate manager and finally the vice president of a renewable energy corporation. In 2000, fell in love and went in a very different direction, that of a full time artist. In 2004 was influenced by a great Master of our time, Jesse Corsaut, who just happened to be Olga's neighbor in Pacific Grove, CA. "It was years of magic and inspirational collaboration with great artists, dancers and musicians and exciting Friday nights at Kalisa Moore's theater," recalls Perry. Olga's surrealistic style presents panoramas that are exotic, mysterious and inviting. A favorite theme in Olga's work is identity and its interaction with the Time-Space Continuum. Eye of the Beholder Perry lets the paintings background become a tear in the fabric of life. The look of uniformity gives way to the discovering the scores of irregularities, hidden shapes and forms that leave the viewer with lasting impressions while the Beholder is observing his own creation. It holds an unexpected liveliness of light and color and exudes a vast emotional range and depth. She has stated that this work came shortly before an epiphany that lead her back to playing piano again after decades of not touching the instrument. "Inspiration from the gods," as she recalls. "We are part of everything and everything is part of us" is the message of Olga's work. "Experience the beauty of being and expand your love. Life is our canvas, let's make it a masterpiece!" Kalisa Moore Olga Perry's style can also be traditional and precise. The character in her portrait seems to be alive and ready to speak. The soulful expression she evokes goes beyond just capturing a likeness. With the flick of the wrist Perry captures the inner soul of her subjects. Perry has painted hundreds of portraits with subjects ranging from scientists at NASA, famous musicians, other artists, writers, farmers, children and others from every walk of life The New Collection of Olga's work is dedicated to her late teacher Jesse Corsaut and Monterey Bay art community. At the artist's Avery Gallery reception Perry will be performing with her band Revolushn. The collection is currently on display at The Avery Gallery located at the Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcourt Ave Seaside, California 93955. An Artists Reception will be held at The Avery Gallery on January 13, 2017 from 7:00 8:30 PM. Media contact: Olga Perry [email protected] 831 224 2513 SOURCE Olga Perry BLUE POINT, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Who's Who recognizes Janet Mulvey as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in recognition of her contributions to the educational field. Mulvey brings expertise in suspension, curriculum development, general education and special education. She has been in the education field for over 15 years, with the last three spent in her current role as the Director of the OASIS program of the TARA Center at Pace University. The program is a support program for students with Aspergers syndrome. "I attribute my success to doing research and getting involved," Mulvey said. "My greatest career accomplishment is mentoring passionate teachers and young people to reach their potential, and making a difference in their lives." Prior to taking on her current role, Mulvey indicates that she was a "former teacher at all levels primary, middle and high school." She was also "a principal for 13 years" before she earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy from Fordham University. Mulvey earned her Bachelor's degree in Education, followed by her Master's degree, also in Education, from Long Island University. To further her professional development, she is a member of ASCD and Women for Women International. When not working, Mulvey volunteers her time with African Angels, located in Kenya. She also lends support to Autism Speaks and enjoys kayaking and exercising at the gym. Mulvey cites Bruce Cooper, Ph.D., and Mari-Jo Russell-O'Grady, Ph.D., as her mentors. She dedicates this recognition to her husband, John, and thanks him for his support. For more information, please visit: www.pace.edu, or see her profile on Linked In at https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-mulvey-53843a6b. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- JetSmarter, the world's leading private jet company announced today plans to open corporate offices in New York City and Los Angeles by Q1 2017, and to add jobs in both cities. The company's latest funding round will be used to expand sales operations, customer relationship management and technology staff. With over 100 employees currently based in JetSmarter's main office in South Florida, the company is looking to hire a Director of Sales in both cities and is currently in the process of expanding their team and hiring. "Opening offices in New York and Los Angeles this year represents a big step forward in our growth, as we invest in two of our most important markets and continue to add talent to our team," said Sergey Petrossov, Founder and CEO of JetSmarter. "JetSmarter remains devoted to making travel fun again." Over the last 12 months, JetSmarter has significantly expanded its private jet services, with a main focus on increasing its shared, scheduled JetShuttle fights across the United States, Europe and the Middle East, in cities including New York, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Atlanta, London, Istanbul, Paris, Moscow, Dubai, Milan, and more. Plans to expand into other major cities including Asia and Latin America are also in development, and will be launched by the end of 2017. For more information, visit www.jetsmarter.com. Resumes should be sent to [email protected] About JetSmarter JetSmarter, the world's largest mobile marketplace for private jets, has created a new class of air travel that is able to offer both custom charters and unused seats across thousands of flights. By fundamentally rewiring the marketplace, JetSmarter has lowered the entry cost into the private aviation market, making it more available to travelers around the world, and a true disruptor in the space. Its technology and efficient platform driven by algorithms, artificial intelligence and mobile distribution optimizes inventory to drive down prices, create availability, and gives JetSmarter the resources to continue to grow U.S. and globally. The JetSmarter app is available for iOS and Android. For more information, please visit www.JetSmarter.com. SOURCE JetSmarter Related Links http://www.JetSmarter.com CINCINNATI, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that it was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts around sustainable food management. Kroger participated in the EPA's 2016 Food Recovery Challenge and was named Region 5 Winner in the Grocers category. "Kroger is a proud participant of the EPA's Food Recovery Challenge, and is honored to have the efforts of our store associates recognized," said Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, Kroger's director of sustainability. "We remain committed to our goal of meeting and exceeding the EPA's zero waste threshold in our facilities by 2020. This is just one more step as we continue to look for new opportunities to help us reach that goal." Kroger is increasing donations and diverting food waste from landfills. In 2015, Kroger expanded its Perishable Donations Partnership (PDP) across the enterprise. Through the program, 56 million pounds of fresh food the equivalent of more than 46 million meals was donated to local food banks. In 2016, Kroger's distribution centers launched efforts to become zero waste, too. And, 32 of the company's manufacturing facilities are zero waste. "EPA congratulates Kroger for its national leadership in helping feed people instead of landfills," said EPA Acting Region 5 Administrator Robert A. Kaplan. "Kroger reduced its carbon footprint and helped communities by donating more than 50 million pounds of food and diverting more than 150,000 tons of food waste from landfills in just one year." Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 431,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service in addition to 2,253 pharmacies, 787 convenience stores, 324 fine jewelry stores, 1,439 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable. SOURCE The Kroger Co. Related Links http://www.kroger.com LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 26 29, the senior executives and leaders in all areas of global aviation will meet in Las Vegas to discuss emerging changes that will affect all areas of transportation. Boyd Group International, the leading aviation research and forecasting firm, is bringing this prestigious event back to Las Vegas, following record-setting Summits held here in 2014 and 2015. The event is co-hosted by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. "Las Vegas and its airport, McCarran International, are emerging as the leaders in transportation and travel thought-leadership," noted Michael Boyd, president of the Colorado-based aviation consulting firm. "The event is focused on futurist thinking, and Las Vegas is the perfect venue to encourage new perceptions." Now in its 22nd year, the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit has emerged as the industry's leading planning event, with attendees from all over the world. It is a forum where airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, financial institutions and other key sectors come together to discuss the future and the exciting trends facing the industry. The Summit delivers forecasts for key sectors of the aviation industry, including passenger traffic projections, fleet trends, international cross-alliances, and airline industry strategies. "We are thrilled to welcome aviation leaders and key decision-makers back for another successful year," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the LVCVA. "Not only does it create ongoing dialogue about expanding our air service in the future, but it affords us the opportunity for executives from around the globe to experience first-hand Las Vegas' unique offerings. Both are essential to grow travel and attract more visitors to the destination." This year's Summit will be in conjunction with the 3rd Annual China-US Aviation Opportunities Symposium, a pre-Summit event which will focus on industry opportunities as trade and traffic continues to expand between the two nations. "This is particularly exciting, in light of the new nonstop flights to Las Vegas from China, as well as the nearly 400,000 annual visitors who come here from the Middle Kingdom," Boyd noted. "The Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit is a unique event that brings together the best of the best in our industry, including many key decision makers representing airlines that do not yet serve Las Vegas," said Clark County Director of Aviation Rosemary Vassiliadis. "We look forward to hosting all those who'll fly here to participate in the conference later this year, and trust that they'll leave town fully aware of the many great business opportunities that Las Vegas and its McCarran partnership have to offer." For more information or to register for the 22nd Annual International Aviation Forecast Summit, please visit http://www.aviationforecastsummit.com. About Boyd Group International: Founded in 1984, Boyd Group International has emerged as a leader in aviation forecasting and research, and provides top-level consulting assistance to airports, airlines, financial institutions and aircraft manufacturers. The International Aviation Forecast Summit annually brings together top CEOs and executives from all areas of the global industry to explore and discuss the emerging trends that will shape the future. In addition to incisive discussion sessions with aviation decision-makers, the Summit delivers cutting-edge forecasts, including passenger projections, aircraft demand by region, and financial shifts. For insight on Boyd Group International, log on to www.AviationForecastSummit.com About LVCVA: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With nearly 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and more than 11 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. Download the virtual reality app, Vegas VR, to experience Las Vegas from your iPhone or Android by visiting http://www.vrtv.vegas/. For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.lasvegas.com. About McCarran International Airport: McCarran International Airport is located in the shadows of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and is the gateway for nearly half of the people who visit Southern Nevada each year. Including arrivals and departures, 2016 McCarran served more than 47 million passengers. With 30 airlines providing nonstop service to more than 140 destinations, McCarran makes it possible for the world to experience one of the most alluring travel destinations. McCarran International Airport is owned and operated by Clark County, Nevada, and does not benefit from local tax dollars. Contacts: Chris Jones Heidi Hayes Marian Boyd Clark County Department of Las Vegas Convention and Boyd Group International Aviation Visitors Authority [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Related Links http://www.lasvegas.com "Everyone at Dickey's Barbecue Pit welcomes Keith and Tamara Willis to the Dickey's family," says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. "Dickey's Barbecue Pit is growing rapidly nationwide and we are proud to continue our expansion by adding new Owner/Operators to our family." Doors open this Thursday and guests can enjoy the grand opening events over the next four weeks: Thirsty ThursdaysAll guests will receive a free Big Yellow Cup with Dickey's new reusable travel lid and straw. The first 50 guests through the door will receive a complimentary special treat. Philanthropy Fridays Uniformed first responders will receive 50 percent off their meal, and guests can donate to Barbecue, Boots & Badges, Dickey's charitable foundation. Kids Eat Free All Day Every Sunday Withevery $10 adult dine-in purchase guests will receive one free kids meal. To find the Dickey's Barbecue Pit nearest you, click here. The Ruidoso location will be Keith and Tamara Willis' first Dickey's Barbecue Pit store to open together. After researching franchising opportunities, the Willis' decided that Dickey's Barbecue Pit was the perfect fit for them. "Dickey's is a great family-owned brand and we are excited to be a part of it," says Owner/Operator, Keith Willis. "Our community was in need of Dickey's delicious, slow-smoked barbecue and we are happy to be the ones to provide them with it." Residents of Ruidoso can find their newest Dickey's location 26185 US HWY. 70E Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346. The phone number is 575-812-8640. Find Dickey's Barbecue Pit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the nation's largest barbecue chain was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey with the goal of authentic slow-smoked barbecue. Today, all meats are still slow smoked on-site in each restaurant living up to the company tagline, "We Speak Barbecue." The Dallas-based family-run barbecue franchise offers a quality selection of signature meats, savory sides, tangy barbecue sauce and free kids' meals every Sunday. The fast-casual concept has expanded to more than 600 locations in 44 states. In 2016, Dickey's won first place on Fast Casual's "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" and ranked in the top ten of Franchise Times' "Fast and Serious." Dickey's Barbecue Pit was recognized for the third year by Nation's Restaurant News as a "Top 10 Growth Chain" and by Technomic as the "Fastest-growing restaurant chain in the country." For more information, visit www.dickeys.com or for barbecue franchise opportunities call 866.340.6188. Media Contact: Callie Head [email protected] SOURCE Dickey's Barbecue Related Links http://www.dickeys.com LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Police Protective League, Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York, San Francisco Police Officers Association, San Jose Police Officers Association and Oakland Police Officers Association issued the following statement today in response to U.S. Representative William Clay re-hanging offensive anti-law enforcement "art" in the U.S. Capitol. "Representative William Clay's poor judgment was on full display today as he chose to continue his disparaging treatment of law enforcement by re-hanging a piece of art that is both offensive and repugnant to sworn peace officers and their families. Rep. Clay, who clearly is not a profile in courage, took this have-it-both-ways stand by stating: "I do not agree or disagree with the painting, but I will fight to protect this young man's right to express himself." The 27,000 members we collectively represent could not disagree more with that statement. By re-hanging this painting in our nation's capitol, Rep. Clay is not only agreeing with it, but he's celebrating it. Clay agrees with this painting's depiction of police officers as pigs looking to gun down innocent people and he shouldn't cowardly hide behind the first amendment to justify re-hanging the picture. We applaud former sheriff and now Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) for writing the Architect of the Capitol to seek removal of this painting because it violates the competition's rules, which state that "exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed". We wish to thank Representative Duncan Hunter for taking bold action to remove this stain from our capitol and we also urge Speaker Paul Ryan to utilize his authority and remove this offensive painting from the halls of congress. Please see letter to Speaker Ryan here." Los Angeles Police Protective League Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York San Francisco Police Officers Association San Jose Police Officers Association Oakland Police Officers Association SOURCE Los Angeles Police Protective League; Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York; San Francisco Police Officers Association; San Jose Police Officers Association; Oakland Police Officers Association TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MagexUSA, an Alps Innovations Group company (www.alpskiosks.com), announced that their client, ChattyCupcakes, has introduced Pittsburgh's first Automated Cupcake Machine, located at the Galleria Mall in Mt. Lebanon, PA. Ellan Toothman, Co-Founder of ChattyCupcakes, explains that the company's only "storefront" is this new custom-made vending system. "We realized we needed a way to get our cakes from the oven to our customers in an efficient and convenient way," she said. "After meeting with several engineers in an effort to build our dream machine, we found a company that knew exactly what we needed. It was a joy to work with them and we appreciate their exceptional knowledge and extraordinary workmanship." Chatty Cupcakes uses the highest quality ingredients, with no artificial additives. Their cupcakes are made from scratch, with butter, eggs, sugar and pure/natural flavorings. "The machine was custom made specifically for us, and it's the only Automated Cupcake Machine like it anywhere," Ellan said. "A national chain has an ATM machine that dispenses cupcakes, but our machine is set up like a 'store' customers can see the cakes in a refrigerated display and select the one they want." The system is based on "The Big Store" built by MagexUSA, which comes with a patented lane system that enables ease of packaging sizes, plus a web cam, armor gauge steel, security locks, anti-vandal security glass, alarm, electronic door openers, and low consumption LED Lighting. The system also features back-end diagnostics and kiosk management for efficient operational and organizational control. Alps Innovations is a leading custom vending machine manufacturer, and developer of automated retailing systems, smart vending systems, and self-service kiosks. For more information on Alps Innovations, visit: www.alpskiosks.com. For more information on ChattyCupcakes, visit: www.chattycupcakes.com. To see photographs of the machine, visit: https://chattycupcakes.com/a-new-dream-begins/ About Alps Innovations Group Inc.: Alps Innovations Group/MagexUSA is North America's premier manufacturer of custom vending machines, automated retailing systems, kiosks, and self-service solutions. To learn about the company's full range of patented, technology-driven self-service systems, visit the website at: www.alpskiosks.com, or call 855-455-1250. Connect : Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpskiosks/ Blog: http://alpskiosks.com/category/automated-retailing-vending-self-service-kiosk-industry-blog Twitter: https://twitter.com/alpskiosks SOURCE Alps Innovations Group Inc. Related Links http://www.alpskiosks.com "Nearly thirty percent of today's brides seek affordable gowns for their wedding day," said Christina Blanchette, VP Sales and Marketing at Maggie Sottero Designs. "Low-cost dresses have been in the market for a while, but finding a beautiful, high-quality gown at an affordable price has remained a challenge. With Rebecca Ingram, brides have the perfect convergence of fashion and affordability." Top styles from Rebecca Ingram's inaugural collection include: Olivia , a charming ballgown featuring illusion lace and a shimmering belt , a charming ballgown featuring illusion lace and a shimmering belt Hope , a flirty fit-and-flare featuring a double-keyhole back , a flirty fit-and-flare featuring a double-keyhole back Allison, a romantic ballgown with subtle illusion and crystal-embellished straps Following the success of the launch, Maggie Sottero Designs is running a social media contest wherein participants are invited to curate a Pinterest board of wedding inspiration that includes favorite Rebecca Ingram styles. Maggie Sottero Designs will judge the submissions, and the bride-to-be with the winning entry will receive a Rebecca Ingram gown of her choice, hotel and airfare for a Fiji honeymoon, and $1,000 to spend on her fairytale wedding. The contest runs January 9-31. Brides interested in purchasing affordable gowns can find an authorized retailer on the company website. Maggie Sottero Designs Resources: About Maggie Sottero Designs: For nearly twenty years, Maggie Sottero Designs has been one of the most recognized and sought after bridal gown manufacturers in the world, with design studios in Sydney, Australia, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Brides know Maggie Sottero Designs for its inspiring collections and meticulous attention to detail. The couture designer's mission is to make dreams a reality for brides by delivering innovative styles, superior quality, and best-in-class service through win-win relationships with its retailers, supply chain partners, and service providers. SOURCE Maggie Sottero Designs KELOWNA, British Columbia, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Marapharm Ventures Inc. (OTCQB: MRPHF) (CSE: MDM.CN) ("Marapharm") announces that is has entered into a subscription agreement to acquire 5 million 18 month $0.30 share purchase warrants of Veritas Pharma Inc. for consideration of $250,000. "We like the Veritas Pharma business model and we know that we can play a big role in their growth. Marapharm has acquired shares and rights to acquire up to 15 million shares of Veritas, after taking into account 10 million share purchase warrants that we have. As a result of the investment, Marapharm will have the right to appoint members to the Veritas board of directors. There's great synergy with Veritas and Marapharm and the additional investment in the share purchase warrants will provide additional capital to Veritas as they execute on their business plan." Linda Sampson, Marapharm CEO. On January 9, 2017 Marapharm announced that it had subscribed for 5 million units in a private placement offering of Veritas Pharma Inc., each unit consisting of 1 share and 1 share purchase warrant. The share purchase warrants acquired by Marapharm were acquired for investment purposes and Marapharm may, in its discretion acquire further securities of Veritas. ABOUT VERITAS PHARMA INC. http://www.veritaspharmainc.com Veritas trades in Canada, ticker symbol VRT on the CSE, in the United States, ticker symbol VRTHF on the OTC, in Europe, ticker symbol 2VP.F on the FSE. Veritas is a discovery and development company, advancing the science behind medical marijuana. Veritas has brought together a highly accredited team of pharmacologists, anesthetists and chemists with substantial success in both academia and industry, specifically in drug development. The Veritas laboratory is located within the University of British Columbia (UBC). Veritas applies a comprehensive scientific approach to medical marijuana claims. Veritas's mission has been to develop the most effective proprietary cannabis strains for specific disease conditions and to provide doctors and patients with conclusive science evidence to recommend and use medical marijuana with confidence. Veritas has an advanced application to Health Canada for a Medical Marijuana facility to be located in Sechelt, British Columbia and, the Canadian Government has said it will legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use. Veritas and it's employee group consisting of several doctors work closely with Health Canada. ABOUT MARAPHARM VENTURES INC. http://www.marapharm.com Marapharm trades in Canada, ticker symbol MDM on the CSE, in the United States, ticker symbol MRPHF on the OTCQB, in Europe, ticker symbol 2M0 on the FSE. Marapharm has 300,000 square feet of medical marijuana licenses for it's land and facilities in WA and NV and about two and a half years ago, Marapharm applied in Canada to Health Canada for a MMPR (Production and Sales) license and has passed the necessary security clearances. The application is currently in the in-depth screening process. In September 2016, Health Canada contacted Marapharm with a provision to amend its application to allow for the new regulations, ACMPR. Additional information on the operations or financial results of Marapharm are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the CSE website ( http://www.thecse.com), the OTC website (http://www.otcmarkets.com) and Sedar website (http://www.sedar.com) under the profile for Marapharm Ventures Inc. STOCK EXCHANGES: Neither the CSE, the FSE nor the OTCQB has approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE, the FSE nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", 'may", "will", "project", "should", 'believe", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumption but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and the forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: http://www.marapharm.com or Linda Sampson, CEO, +1-778-583-4476, email [email protected] SOURCE Marapharm Ventures Inc. ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Over the past decade, the number of Hispanics in the U.S. with pets in their homes skyrocketed from 11 million to 20 million as the pet ownership rate among Latinos grew from 40% to 55% between 2007 and 2016, according to market research firm Packaged Facts in the report Hispanics as Pet Market Consumers. View additional information about Hispanics as Pet Market Consumers, including purchase options, the abstract, table of contents, and related reports at Packaged Facts' website: http://www.packagedfacts.com/Hispanics-Pet-Consumers-10428181/. This exceptional growth rate is due not only to the rapid growth of the Hispanic population but also to the accelerating degree of Hispanic acculturation. In Hispanics as Pet Market Consumers, Packaged Facts reveals that pet ownership has become a marker of increasing acculturation within the Latino population. A substantial majority (64%) of highly acculturated Latinos (defined as those who are U.S.-born with at least one parent born in the United States) own pets. The 48% pet ownership rate among foreign-born, Spanish-dominant Latinos pales in comparison. As a result, the profile of Latino pet owners is increasingly skewed in the direction of Hispanics who are relatively more acculturated. Highly acculturated Latinos account for just 27% of adult Latinos but fully 32% of Latino pet owners. Foreign-born, Spanish-dominant Hispanics represent 35% of all Latino adult consumers but just 31% of Latino pet owners. In all, highly acculturated Hispanics and foreign-born Latinos who are bilingual or English-dominant constitute 65% of the adult Hispanic population but 69% of Hispanic pet owners. As more acculturated Hispanics continue to make up a larger and larger share of a rapidly expanding Hispanic population, the number of Hispanic pet owners will continue to grow exponentially. Packaged Facts projects that between 2016 and 2021 Latinos will account for half of the growth in the pet owner population. The growth trajectory of Hispanic pet ownership means that pet industry marketers have no choice but to focus not only on what differentiates Latino pet owners from other pet owners but also from other Hispanics. To begin, when selecting a pet, Hispanics make different choices. Compared to other pet owners, Latino pet owners are much less likely to bring a cat into their home (29% vs. 45%), are more likely to have a dog (79% vs. 75%) and, even more distinctively, are more likely to have pets other than cats or dogs. Compared to non-Hispanic pet owners, Hispanics are more than three times as likely (16% vs. 5%) to own birds. They make up 15% of the pet owner population but 34% of all bird owners. Latino pet owners also are somewhat more likely to favor reptiles (5% vs. 3%) or fish (11% vs. 10%). Packaged Facts' National Pet Owner Survey data reveal other distinguishing characteristics of Latino pet owners. For example, Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanics to want to have a pet they can take with them more places (50% vs. 42%), a preference no doubt related to the fact that Latino dog owners are more likely to choose toy or very small dogs weighing under eight pounds (16% vs. 10%). Hispanic pet owners are much more likely to use social media to let their friends and family in on their lives with their pets (50% vs. 40%) and to believe that "having a pet is a good way to get ready for having a family" (58% vs. 45%). Marketers reaching out to Latino pet owners need to understand the implications of the tilt of the population of Latino pet owners in the direction of more acculturated Latinos. Hispanic pet owners are less connected than other Latinos to key aspects of Hispanic culture. They are less likely to turn to Spanish-language media, depend on Spanish-language labels or be influenced by Spanish-language advertising. Marketers also should acknowledge the special importance of Millennials within the Latino pet owner population because they represent 43% of Latino pet owners compared to just 30% of non-Hispanic pet owners. On average, Millennial Hispanic pet owners are even further along the acculturation spectrum that Hispanic pet owners on average. They are much more likely than older Hispanic pet owners to have been born in the United States (66% vs. 39%) and to speak predominantly English at home (50% vs. 37%). As a result, they are even less likely to watch Spanish-language television (42% vs 58%) or to be influenced by Spanish-language ads (19% vs. 28%). As shoppers, Millennial Hispanic pet owners reflect the habits of their generation. For example, they are more likely than older Latino pet owners or non-Hispanic pet owners of any age to use a smartphone app for shopping. They also are more likely to buy products they see advertised on their cellphones. About the Report Hispanics as Pet Market Consumers highlights trends in the growth of the population of Hispanic pet owners, provides a demographic profile and highlights the consumer behavior of Hispanic pet owners, including their pet expenditure patterns, retail channels favored for pet product purchases, shopping behavior and pet product preferences. It also includes an assessment of marketing approaches that work with Latino pet owners. About Packaged Facts Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, consumer packaged goods, and pet products and services. Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased at our company website and are also available through MarketResearch.com. For more essential insights from Packaged Facts be sure to follow us on Twitter and Google+. For infographics, tables, charts and other visuals, follow Packaged Facts on Pinterest. Please link any media references to our reports or data to www.packagedfacts.com. Press Contact: Daniel Granderson 240.747.3000 [email protected] SOURCE Packaged Facts Related Links http://www.packagedfacts.com SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage Heights, a leader of professional, affordable and convenient therapeutic massage and facial services, announced today it has expanded its presence in San Antonio with the opening of its first location in New Braunfels. Located at 2830 Town Center Dr., Suite 125, the Retreat is owned and operated by first-time franchisee Heather Huber of MVPenny Too LLC, along with her mother and business partner, Holly Huber. As a part of the new Retreat grand opening activities, Massage Heights of New Braunfels will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 19 for residents of the local community. The Retreat will offer discounted one-hour massages that day, and the first 100 people to purchase a membership will receive a gift certificate valid for a facial or massage, a $110 value. All offers will be available for purchase until Jan. 31. Heather Huber brings more than 12 years of experience as a massage therapist and six years as a massage therapy teacher. She attended Houston Baptist University, and Walden University where she obtained masters degrees in education and clinical psychology and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in educational psychology. As a first-time franchisee with Massage Heights, Heather is simultaneously working to open a second location in Bulverde in the first half of 2018. "As a massage therapy teacher, I've always had students comment on how much they've enjoyed working for Massage Heights," Heather Huber said. "When I made the decision to pursue additional information, I fell in love with the family atmosphere and the support that Massage Heights offers to franchisees. I'm excited to bring a Retreat to New Braunfels and the community." "For over 10 years, San Antonio has been our home and we are thrilled to continue to expand in the community," said Shane Evans, co-founder and president of Massage Heights. "Heather and Holly embody a strong passion for massage therapy which aligns with our brand, we plan to give our full support as she helps to grow Massage Heights in New Braunfels." Massage Heights aims to open 30 locations this year, with a goal of having 300 Retreats open by the end of 2018. As part of its accelerated growth strategy this year, the brand is targeting franchise development in Dallas, Nashville, Denver, Kansas City, South Florida, and Las Vegas. As part of its nationwide expansion plans, Massage Heights is seeking qualified franchisees and area developers to join its growing brand. Prospective single- and multi-unit franchisees should have $175,000 in liquid assets and minimum $400,000 net worth per location, as well as experience in sales or retail management and managing hourly wage employees. Prospective area representatives should have $375,000 in liquid assets and minimum $600,000 net worth, as well as previous experience in franchising, sales, marketing and operating multiple sites, preferably in the retail, restaurant, hospitality or customer services industries. Massage Heights in New Braunfels will be open Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. 6 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.massageheightsfranchise.com, or call (830) 302-2091. About Massage Heights Massage Heights is a family-owned, membership-based therapeutic services franchise company that provides Members and Guests convenient, professional, affordable resort-quality massage and facial services that help people achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle, in an upscale Retreat environment. Regular massage and skin therapy services help people look and feel their best from the inside out by aiding in the reduction of stress, pain management and increased relaxation, all resulting in the ability to tackle daily life with a higher level of vitality and positivity, truly elevating the everyday. MEDIA CONTACT: Fish Consulting Chelsea Bear [email protected] 954-893-9150 SOURCE Massage Heights Related Links http://www.massageheights.com The 27 best and brightest FCA US LLC dealership technicians were recognized as Mopar "Top Tech" winners during an awards ceremony held at historic Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan, on January 10. Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA Global, was on hand to help honor the 27 elite technicians chosen from a pool of 25,000 eligible FCA US dealership techs. The Mopar "Top Tech" program, introduced in 2014, recognizes elite-performing technicians in categories including Fixed First Visit (FFV) scores, dealership tenure and training achievements. "Customer satisfaction and retention will continue to be key drivers of our business, regardless of vehicle or make," said Gorlier. "The decision to purchase a particular vehicle brand is determined not only by the attributes of the vehicle, but also as importantly by the level of service that the customers receive. That is why it's so critical to make sure that our top technicians receive the proper training, and that we recognize superstars of the service lane, such as these 27 high-performing technicians, as well as the dealerships that support them." The Mopar "Top Tech" program also awards the 72 top technicians (including the elite 27 "Top Tech" winners) with a Mopar "Top Tech"-branded tool kit, comprised of a Snap-on four-drawer roll tool cart, 1/2-inch Snap-on cordless impact wrench and 3/8inch Snap-on cordless impact wrench. In addition, each quarter the "Top Tech" program honors 1,000 high-performing technicians at four different recognition levels, including 75 designated as top Platinum performers, 100 Gold, 200 Silver and 625 Bronze level technicians. The prestigious Mopar "Top Tech" winners participate in an all-inclusive two-day trip to Metro Detroit. In addition to the awards banquet, "Top Tech" recipients received a tour of the FCA US headquarters and tech center on January 10, with a visit to the Warren Truck Assembly Plant and the industry preview of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on tap for today. The roster of 27 Mopar "Top Tech" award recipients encompasses technicians from 15 states: Ted Ashenfalder , Bangor, Pennsylvania Dotta Auto Sales , Dotta Auto Sales Kevin Buska , Racine, Wisconsin Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram , Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Steve Decknatel , Kimball, Minnesota A.M. Maus & Son , & Son Chuck Fischer , Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Reed Chrysler Sales , Charles Frankum , Macon, Georgia Five Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram , Five Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Eric Hartman , Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Beaver County Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram , Beaver County Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Kelvin Lapham , Wayland, Michigan Wayland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram , Wayland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Al Lorentsen , Riverhead, New York Riverhead Dodge Ram , Riverhead Dodge Ram Wayne Mumford , Fresno, California Fresno Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram , Fresno Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Jeff Murray , Phoenix, Arizona AutoNation Chrysler Dodge , AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Woody Odell , Abilene, Texas Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram , Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram William Ostmeyer , Topeka, Kansas John Hoffer Chrysler Jeep , John Hoffer Chrysler Jeep Gene Palmreuter , Frankenmuth, Michigan Schaefer & Bierlein Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT , Schaefer & Bierlein Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT Robert Paul , Farmington Hills, Michigan Suburban Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram , Suburban Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Eric Pastagal , Lynnfield , Massachusetts Kelly Jeep Chrysler , , Kelly Jeep Chrysler Thomas Perry , Tustin, California Tuttle-Click's Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram , Tuttle-Click's Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Walter Petrucci , Titusville, Florida Titusville Chrysler Jeep Dodge , Titusville Chrysler Jeep Dodge Mark Purrier , New Ulm, Minnesota Maday Motors Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep , Maday Motors Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep Jeremy Sanner , Charleroi, Pennsylvania Rotolo's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram , Rotolo's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Robert Sawicki , Chicago, Illinois Napleton's Northwestern Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep , Napleton's Northwestern Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep Edward Shaw , Albuquerque, New Mexico Melloy Dodge , Albuquerque, New Mexico Cesar Silva , West Palm Beach, Florida Arrigo Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram , Arrigo Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Andrew Spinks , San Diego, California San Diego Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram , San Diego Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Steve Tribotte , Rochester, New York Cortese Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram , Cortese Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Robert Wert , Midwest City, Oklahoma David Stanley Dodge , Karl Wuepper , Scottsdale, Arizona Chapman Dodge Chrysler , Chapman Dodge Chrysler Hector Zavala , Huntsville, Texas Team Dodge Chrysler Jeep Mopar-first Features During the brand's 80 years, Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features, including: Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers wiADVISOR: first to incorporate a tablet-based service lane tool Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format 80 Years of Mopar Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was born on August 1, 1937, as the name of a line of antifreeze products. Mopar has since evolved over 80 years to serve as the total service, parts and customer-care brand of all FCA vehicles around the globe. Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era, with Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use, and expanded to include technical service and customer support. Today, the Mopar brand's global reach distributes more than 500,000 parts and accessories in over 150 markets around the world. With more than 50 parts distribution centers and 25 customer contact centers globally, Mopar integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide. For 80 years, Mopar has been the source for genuine parts and accessories for all FCA brands. Mopar parts are engineered together with the same teams that create factory-authorized specifications for FCA vehicles, offering a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. Complete information on the Mopar brand is available at www.mopar.com. About FCA US LLC FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli. FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA." Follow FCA US news and video on: Company blog: blog.fcanorthamerica.com Company website: www.fcanorthamerica.com FCA360: 360.fcanorthamerica.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/ Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/chryslergroup/ Media website: media.fcanorthamerica.com Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/fcacorporate Instagram: www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA Twitter: www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA Twitter (Spanish): www.twitter.com/fcausespanol YouTube: www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo SOURCE FCA US LLC Related Links http://www.fcanorthamerica.com "The National Chicken Council and its members remain committed to chicken welfare, continuous improvement and respecting consumer choice including the growing market for a slower growing bird," said Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., NCC senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. "However, these improvements must be dictated by science and data not activists' emotional rhetoric which is why we support further research on the topic of chicken welfare and growth rates." Environmental Implications In assessing a transition to a slower growing breed, the environmental impact is an important component often left out of the equation. If only one-third of broiler chicken producers switched to a slower growing breed, nearly 1.5 billion more birds would be needed annually to produce the same amount of meat currently produced requiring a tremendous increase in water, land and fuel consumption: Additional feed needed : Enough to fill 670,000 additional tractor trailers on the road per year, using millions more gallons of fuel annually. : Enough to fill 670,000 additional tractor trailers on the road per year, using millions more gallons of fuel annually. Additional land needed: The additional land needed to grow the feed (corn and soybeans) would be 7.6 million acres/year, or roughly the size of the entire state of Maryland. The additional land needed to grow the feed (corn and soybeans) would be 7.6 million acres/year, or roughly the size of the entire state of Maryland. Additional manure output : Slower growing chickens will also stay on the farm longer, producing 28.5 billion additional pounds of manure annually. That's enough litter to create a pile on a football field that is 27 times higher than a typical NFL stadium. : Slower growing chickens will also stay on the farm longer, producing 28.5 billion additional pounds of manure annually. That's enough litter to create a pile on a football field that is 27 times higher than a typical NFL stadium. Additional water needed: 5.1 billion additional gallons of water per year for the chickens to drink (excluding additional irrigation water that would be required to grow the additional feed). Economic Implications If the industry did not produce the additional 1.5 billion birds to meet current demand, the supply of chicken would significantly reduce to 27.5 billion less chicken meals per year. The additional cost of even 1/3 of the industry switching to slower growing birds would be $9 billion, which could have a notable financial impact on foodservice companies, retailers, restaurants and ultimately consumers. This will put a considerable percentage of the population at risk and increase food instability for those who can least afford to have changes in food prices. A reduction in the U.S. chicken supply would also result in a decreased supply to export internationally where U.S. chicken is an important protein for families in Mexico, Cuba, Africa and 100 other countries. NCC's Commitment to Chicken Welfare and Consumer Choice "Slower growing," as defined by the Global Animal Partnership, is equal to or less than 50 grams of weight gained per chicken per day averaged over the growth cycle, compared to current industry average for all birds of approximately 61 grams per day. This means that in order to reach the same market weight, the birds would need to stay on the farm significantly longer. For decades, the chicken industry has evolved its products to meet ever-changing consumer preferences. Adapting and offering consumers more choices of what they want to eat has been the main catalyst of success for chicken producers. "We are the first ones to know that success should not come at the expense of the health and wellbeing of the birds," said Peterson. "Without healthy chickens, our members would not be in business." All current measurable data livability, disease, condemnation, digestive and leg health reflect that the national broiler flock is as healthy as it has ever been. "We don't know if raising chickens slower than they are today would advance our progress on health and welfare - which is why NCC has expressed its support to the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association for research funding in this area," said Peterson. "What we do know is there are tradeoffs and that it is important to take into consideration chicken welfare, sustainability, and providing safe, affordable food for consumers. There may not be any measurable welfare benefits to the birds, despite these negative consequences. Research will help us identify if there are additional, unforeseen consequences of raising birds for longer." NCC in 2017 will also be updating its Broiler Welfare Guidelines, last updated in 2014, and having the guidelines certified by an independent third party. The guidelines will be updated with assistance from an academic advisory panel consisting of poultry welfare experts and veterinarians from across the United States. "NCC will continue to be in the business of providing and respecting consumer choice in the marketplace," Peterson concluded. "Whether it is traditionally raised chicken, slower growing breeds, raised without antibiotics or organic, consumers have the ability to choose products that take into account many factors, including taste preference, personal values and affordability." For additional information and resources about how chickens are raised, visit www.chickencheck.in. Study Methodology The study was conducted August-September, 2016 by Elanco Animal Health, in consultation with Express Markets, Inc., using a simulation model that estimates the impact of slow-growing broilers on feed, land, water utilization, waste/manure generated, and production cost. The model used average values of conventional vs. slow-grow broiler for mortality, grow-out days, feed conversion, days downtime, and placement density. A full copy of the study is available here. SOURCE National Chicken Council Related Links http://www.nationalchickencouncil.com LOS ALTOS, Calif., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Netskope, the leader in cloud security, today announced the release of the January 2017 Netskope Cloud Report on enterprise cloud service usage and trends. According to the report, enterprise cloud service usage continues to rise, and despite the best efforts of IT, unsanctioned cloud service usage remains a problem as half of all users of sanctioned cloud storage services also have a personal instance of the same cloud service. As the deadline for compliance approaches, the report also looked at European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) readiness, finding that while there has been some improvement, two-thirds of enterprise cloud services are not on track to meet compliance requirements. Shadow IT Remains a Growing Problem This quarter, cloud service usage crossed the quadruple-digit threshold: the average number of cloud services in use per enterprise rising to 1,031, up from 977 the previous quarter. Of those services in use, roughly 95 percent are not enterprise ready. Shadow IT even affects sanctioned cloud services, as half of all users of sanctioned cloud storage services like Box or Dropbox also have personal instances of the same cloud service, which can make detection and mitigation of activities like data exfiltration more difficult. Majority of Cloud Services Still Not GDPR Ready In 2016, Netskope created a unique methodology to score cloud services on GDPR compliance, including evaluating those services' data retention policies, privacy features, and data protection regimens and normalizing scores to a 1-100 scale. Services with a score above 70 are considered ready for GDPR compliance. This report found that 66 percent of all cloud services do not meet this threshold, meaning they lack proper residency, privacy, and security controls to be considered compliant with the requirements of the GDPR, or near enough to be ready to comply by the May 2018 deadline. While this percentage has decreased from the 75 percent reported in the June 2016 Netskope Cloud Report, enterprise cloud services have a long way to go in order to be ready over the next year-and-a-half. Drilling further into specific measures, 82 percent of cloud services do not encrypt data at rest, 66 percent do not specify that their customers own the data in their terms of service, and 42 percent do not allow admins to enforce password controls. "Until very recently, organizations had to take an all-or-nothing approach to allowing cloud services. If they sanctioned a cloud storage service for corporate use, they also needed to accept any additional personal instances of that cloud storage service or block the service entirely," said Sanjay Beri, founder and CEO, Netskope. "As our customers make cloud services a strategic advantage for their businesses, when it comes to governing and securing those services, they are realizing granular policies can ensure that sensitive data does not leak from the sanctioned instance of a corporate cloud service to an unsanctioned one." Additional Findings Slack makes its way up the top 20 list, but Microsoft maintains top spot: Last quarter, Slack cracked the top 20 list for the first time, and shows no sign of slowing down, reaching the 16th position this quarter. Newcomers like ServiceNow also cracked the top 20, but Microsoft Office 365 continues to reign supreme, with Microsoft Office 365 OneDrive for Business and Office 365 Outlook.com taking the number 1 and 2 spots, respectively. Last quarter, Slack cracked the top 20 list for the first time, and shows no sign of slowing down, reaching the 16th position this quarter. Newcomers like ServiceNow also cracked the top 20, but Microsoft Office 365 continues to reign supreme, with Microsoft Office 365 OneDrive for Business and Office 365 Outlook.com taking the number 1 and 2 spots, respectively. IaaS on the rise: More than 90 percent of Netskope customers use IaaS services like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, with enterprises using an average of 4 IaaS services. This includes both sanctioned and unsanctioned services, across services like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, CloudShare, Linode, Rackspace, and more. More than 90 percent of Netskope customers use IaaS services like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, with enterprises using an average of 4 IaaS services. This includes both sanctioned and unsanctioned services, across services like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, CloudShare, Linode, Rackspace, and more. Ransomware a larger threat than macros and mobile attacks: For the first time, Netskope analyzed ransomware as a malware type, finding 7.4 percent of all enterprise threats were ransomware. Other category percentages are as follows: 43.2 percent of detections were backdoors, adware 9.8 percent, Javascript malware 8.1 percent, Mac 6.7 percent, Microsoft Office macros 5.3 percent, mobile 5.2 percent, and other types 14.3 percent. More than a quarter of the malware was shared with others (both internally and externally), a drop from last quarter's 55.9 percent. This may be attributable to the fact that Netskope customers are proactively taking steps to address cloud malware risks. Average Cloud Services Per Enterprise by Category This quarter, the average amount of cloud services per enterprise has crossed the quadruple-digit threshold at 1,031, compared to 977 last quarter. More than 94.8 percent of these are not enterprise-ready, earning a rating of "medium" or below in the Netskope Cloud Confidence IndexTM (CCI) scoring system, meaning they lack key functionalities such as security, audit and certification, service-level agreement, legal, privacy, financial viability, and vulnerability remediation. The Retail, Restaurants and Hospitality industry has the highest number of services in use 1,193 followed by the Financial Services, Banking and Insurance industry with an average of 1,132. Marketing, human resources and collaboration apps are the most popular apps, though more than 90 percent are not enterprise ready: Cloud service category # per enterprise % not enterprise-ready Marketing 105 98% HR 77 97% Collaboration 73 91% Finance/Accounting 63 96% Productivity 61 98% Software Development 40 96% Social 32 90% CRM/SFA 30 93% Cloud Storage 29 76% IT/Application Management 23 98% Netskope Resources Download the Netskope Cloud Report for more detailed analysis and to see the full list of the most widely used cloud services by enterprises. Learn more about how to gain visibility into enterprise cloud services and how to ensure they are secure and compliant. Visit the Netskope Hub for the latest commentary and insight on trends from the Netskope team. About the Netskope Cloud Report Based on aggregated, anonymized data from the Netskope Active Platform, which provides advanced discovery, granular visibility and control, and data loss prevention for any cloud service, the report's findings are based on millions of users in hundreds of accounts in the Netskope Active Platform from July 1 through September 30, 2016. About Netskope Netskope is the leader in cloud security. Using patented technology, Netskope's cloud-scale security platform provides context-aware governance of all cloud usage in the enterprise in real-time, whether accessed from the corporate network, remote, or from a mobile device. This means that security professionals can understand risky activities, protect sensitive data, stop online threats, and respond to incidents in a way that fits how people work today. With granular security policies, the most advanced cloud DLP, and unmatched breadth of workflows, Netskope is trusted by the largest companies in the world. Netskope cloud with confidence. To learn more, visit our website. Media Contact Matt Coolidge Bateman Group for Netskope 347-410-7974 [email protected] SOURCE Netskope Related Links www.netskope.com DENVER, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New Emerald Energy LLC (aka National Oil Production Company, LLC) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Petro-Hunt LLC as the contract operator of its Bakken assets, which consists of 108 wells across approximately 112,000 acres in the Bakken region, producing approximately 4,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOEPD). The Company also holds a significant acreage inventory of low-risk drilling opportunities which may be explored for years to come. "We are delighted to have partnered with Petro-Hunt as the operator of our New Emerald Energy assets and are excited about further developing these assets to support our short and long term strategies," said Rahul Vaid, Managing Director with Crestline Investors Inc. ("Crestline"), and David Proman and Evan Lederman, Managing Directors at Fir Tree Partners ("Fir Tree"), in a joint statement. All three executives plan to sit on the board of the Company. Crestline and Fir Tree formed the Company in 2016 by purchasing Emerald Oil Inc. (OTCBB: EOXLQ) during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. Crestline, through its CL Energy Opportunity Fund, and Fir Tree acquired all of the first lien bank debt / RBL of Emerald Oil from five banks. Subsequently, Crestline and Fir Tree credit bid the first lien bank debt in the 363 sale process and moved Emerald Oil's assets into New Emerald Energy LLC. Petro-Hunt also acquired a minority working interest in the leasehold as part of the transaction. The firms have implemented various programs to reduce the general & administrative expenses and leasehold operating expenses associated with managing and optimizing the Company's assets, which is supported by the appointment of Petro-Hunt to operate the Bakken leasehold. The Company believes Petro-Hunt's experience in the space will meaningfully optimize current proved developed performing (PDP) reserves and further develop the proved undeveloped reserves (PUDs). "We are excited about the opportunity to be a partner in these assets, and look forward to developing these properties in the future with New Emerald," said Marshall T. Hunt, Vice President with Petro-Hunt. Crestline and Fir Tree, in cooperation with management of the Company, are working to ensure a smooth transition of the operations from Emerald Oil to Petro-Hunt, supported by the prior management team of Emerald Oil, including McAndrew Rudisill, Ryan Smith, James Muchmore and other key members. Severance payments agreed upon in the bankruptcy plan were made to certain key management team members, who also executed releases between such executives and the Company. About New Emerald Energy LLC New Emerald Energy LLC is an independent operator formed via the acquisition of all the assets of Emerald Oil, Inc. New Emerald Energy LLC is focused on producing oil and gas wells and developing oil and gas leasehold in the Williston Basin of North Dakota, targeting the Bakken and Three Forks shale oil formations and Pronghorn sand oil formation. New Emerald Energy assets are being operated by Petro-Hunt LLC. About Crestline Investors, Inc. Crestline Investors, Inc., founded in 1997 and based in Fort Worth, Texas, is a credit focused institutional alternative investment management firm. Crestline specializes in credit, opportunistic investments, and hedge fund and beta solutions. In addition to its Fort Worth, Texas headquarters, the company maintains affiliate offices in New York City, Chicago, London, Toronto and Tokyo. For more information, please visit www.crestlineinvestors.com. About CL Energy Opportunity Fund, LP CL Energy Opportunity Fund, LP was formed by Crestline Investors, Inc. to invest in operated and non-operated oil & gas assets throughout the United States. About Fir Tree Partners Fir Tree Partners, which was founded in 1994 and located in New York City (HQ) and Miami, is a value-oriented investment manager that manages private investment funds for endowments, charitable and philanthropic foundations, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and institutional private investors. Fir Tree invests worldwide in the equity and debt securities of public and private companies, distressed and special situations, real estate, and sovereign debt. Fir Tree's mission is to provide investors with attractive long term risk-adjusted returns by utilizing a focused and research driven approach to concentrated value and opportunistic investing, the proven expertise of investment professionals, and the support of robust organizational infrastructure. About Petro-Hunt LLC Petro-Hunt LLC is a privately held Exploration and Production Company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Petro-Hunt and other related entities are owned and operated by the William Herbert Hunt Family and are commonly referred to as Petro-Hunt, which is one of the largest privately held oil and gas companies in the world and remains active in the onshore and offshore sectors of the energy industry worldwide. For more information, please contact: Media Contact: Dmitriy Ioselevich +1 212-279-3115 ext. 243 [email protected] SOURCE Crestline Investors, Inc. Related Links http://www.crestlineinvestors.com BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This new year, Rudi's Organic Bakery brand is encouraging families everywhere to choose better-for-you breads. Many people may not realize that conventional bread is often filled with artificial and genetically modified ingredients or GMOs. Swapping out conventional bread for certified USDA-organic bread, like Rudi's Organic Bakery breads, means that families can eliminate the bad stuff, while getting bread packed with all the good stuff, like simple, wholesome ingredients. For many families, sandwich bread is a staple, and something that gets purchased and consumed on a regular basis. That's why choosing a better-for-you bread, like Rudi's Organic Bakery breads, can make a big difference. With dozens of varieties, from Honey Sweet Whole Wheat to Rocky Mountain Sourdough to Kids Soft Wheat Bread, Rudi's Organic Bakery brand makes eating better bread in the new year easy. Settling into a better-for-you routine can also be made easier with tasty new recipes. Rudi's Organic Bakery brand has a variety of mouth-watering recipes on its website that can keep resolutions going well beyond January. One of the most popular recipes is the Skinny Turkey Panini. It's made with Rudi's Organic Bakery Light Rye Bread, organic turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and a little bit of apple butter and coconut oil. Rudi's Organic Bakery products are available nationally at natural food stores and select mainstream supermarkets and by using Rudi's store locator tool at rudisbakery.com. About Rudi's Organic Bakery Rudi's Organic Bakery, Inc., has been passionate about baking better breads for families for more than 35 years. Founded and headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Rudi's Organic Bakery brand offers a full line of nutritious and delicious, certified organic breads and baked goods. Rudi's Organic Bakery brand is committed to baking breads using only the best organic ingredients and no artificial additives, preservatives and GMOs. In 2010, Rudi's Organic Bakery brand leveraged this heritage to create Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery, a line of gluten-free breads and baked goods made with wholesome ingredients. Rudi's Organic Bakery and Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery products are available nationally at natural foods stores and select mainstream supermarkets. For more information, visit rudisbakery.com and facebook.com/rudisorganicbakery. CONTACTS: Emma Garten Rebecca Gottlieb Linhart PR Hain Celestial [email protected] [email protected] 303-951-2573 516-587-5713 SOURCE Rudis Organic Bakery Related Links http://www.rudisbakery.com Karen Karapetyan has been a whirlwind of activity ever since being appointed prime minister of Armenia last September. Many suspect it's more bravado than substance. Issuing directives left and right to his government underlings, Karapetyan has promised an open and transparent government to the people. The governments website has listed the prime ministers inner team advisors and assistants with their contact information; as first in Armenia. Taking the prime minister up on his offer to send inquiries to his office, Hetq emailed Karapetyan on November 2, 2016, with a copy to Ashot Margaryan (a prime ministerial assistant responsible for territorial administration), informing him of systemic violations by members of municipal councils in Armavir Province. Hetq also wanted to know what steps the government planned to take to remedy the situation. Two months have passed no response forthcoming. While the prime minister remains silent on the matter, the law continues to be violated. This is nothing new or unique. According to Article 20, Point 4, of the Law on Local Self-Governance, a community council member must Not take part in taking decisions of the Community Council that are advantageous for him, his family members, close relatives (parents, sister, brother, child). On November 17, 2016, the Geghakert community council in Armavir Province, in a special session, decided to allocate social assistance to 17needy families. Five were families related to council members. Manoushak Avetisyan, wife of Geghakert council member Seryozha Avetisyan, received 30,000 AMD (US$62) in assistance. The same amount was given to Srbouhie Arshakyan, wife of council member Garnik Moughoumyan. Narineh Stepanyan, daughter of council member Kamo Stepanyan, also received 30,000 AMD. On December 13, Kamos brother Ishkhan, an employee at the Geghakert municipality, received a monetary award of 100,000 AMD. Also receiving 30,000 AMD in social assistance were Karineh Petrosyan (daughter of council member Avetis Petrosyan), and Larisa Petrosyan (wife of council member Hamlet Petrosyan). This practice is not confined to Geghakert. It occurs in communities throughout Armavir. On December 5, 2016, the Tziatzan community council decided to allocate 382,000 AMD in social assistance. Many of the recipients were relatives of council members. Metaksya Davtyan, mother of council member Armen Ter-Hovhannisyan, received 20,000 AMD. So did Hmayak Yegoryan, father of council member Edgar Yegoryan. Souren Melikyan, father of council member Ani Melikyan, got 25,000. As in Geghakert, all Tziatzan council members voted on the social assistance issue, including those related to the recipients. Yes, it is possible that relatives of council members can also be needy and deserving of social assistance. But this in no way exonerates council members who participate in the voting process, 9n violation of the law. Such allocations of community resources to relatives of council members are all the more problematic given that Hetq has revealed that in many cases such payments are going to individuals who actually dont need social assistance. Photo (from left): Karen Karapetyan, Ashot Margaryan FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pazoo, Inc. (OTC Pinks: PZOO) is pleased to announce that on January 4, 2017, its subsidiary MA & Associates, LLC, a best-in-class cannabis testing laboratory in Las Vegas Nevada, was approved by the Las Vegas City Council and received its license to operate a medical marijuana testing lab. This news is extremely exciting as the City Council approval was the last regulatory hurdle the Company needed to cross in order to legally accept marijuana samples to test in our fully operational lab. This has been a very long and arduous process but Pazoo and its subsidiary, MA & Associates, LLC, is elated to have received its City of Las Vegas business operating license. The Company is now in the process of marketing the lab, hiring additional key employees, and starting to make sales presentations to potential customers in anticipation of testing samples within the immediate future. Pazoo, Inc., CEO David Cunic said, "Everyone at Pazoo, MA & Asscoiates, LLC, and others are all very pleased to receive the business operating license from the City of Las Vegas. The entire Pazoo team would like to thank all of our investors, shareholders, and supporters for their constant and unwavering support. We also would like to thank everyone for their patience for the past eight months. There were many hurdles to overcome to get this license and to move this project forward. It was your support, whether it be via email, phone calls, social media, or even taking a tour of the lab, that helped to keep this project moving forward. We are very happy to be open for business and we look forward to serving the Nevada cannabis community for many years to come." About Pazoo, Inc: Pazoo, Inc. is a company focused on health, wellness and safety. Our focus is to provide best-in-class laboratory testing of cannabis and cannabinoids to protect consumers from impurities, contaminants and other irregularities. Through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Harris Lee and MA & Associates, Pazoo provides industry leading laboratory testing of cannabis. Pazoo is licensed to test cannabis in Nevada, with a focus on expansion into other states. Additionally, Pazoo delivers a comprehensive array of health and wellness information on its website www.pazoo.com, and features industry experts from both the health and wellness arena and the pet industry. Lastly, our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary CK Distribution LLC, provides the marketing and sales agent for the distribution of non-controlled hemp products throughout the USA. Non-controlled hemp products are the items utilized by the industry that support grow facilities, infusion companies and dispensaries. Safe Harbor Statement: This update includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Pazoo, Inc. or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statement. SOURCE Pazoo, Inc. Related Links http://www.pazoo.com HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Ted Dallas announced that DHS plans to close the Hamburg State Center (Hamburg) for people with intellectual disabilities in Berks County. DHS will also close the civil section of Norristown State Hospital (Norristown) in Montgomery County. The closures are expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months to complete as residents transition to the community. The closures are part of the Wolf Administration's commitment to serve more people in the community, reduce reliance on institutional care, and improve access to home- and community-based services for Pennsylvanians. "Individuals experience a better quality of life when they receive care and support in their homes and in their communities, when possible," said Dallas. "Today's announcement means we are expanding opportunities for residents to live their lives to the fullest by returning to their homes and communities as contributing members of society." Hamburg State Center DHS operates five state centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hamburg, one of the state centers, currently serves 80 residents at its 154-acre campus. Over the last 20 years, the resident population at Pennsylvania's state centers has decreased by nearly 70 percent, from almost 3,000 people to the current 888. Nationally, the number of people with intellectual disabilities living in state-operated centers peaked in 1967. Since then, the number of state-operated centers and people living in them has steadily declined. Fourteen states have closed all of their state-operated centers. "This closure will enable the residents to live in the community when possible," said Dallas. "Research shows that community settings result in improved quality of life in areas such as opportunities for integration and social participation, participation in employment, opportunities for choice-making and self-determination, contact with friends and relatives, adaptive behavior, and other indicators of quality of life." DHS will hold a public hearing from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2017, at the Hamburg Borough Building, 61 North Third St. in Hamburg to accept comment about the closure from stakeholders, officials, and the community. Those wishing to provide comments are asked to register by contacting Connie Meeker at 717.783.8964 or [email protected]. Written comments can be submitted via email to [email protected]. DHS has established a toll-free number for family members of Hamburg residents to use during the closure process. Family members will be able to speak with staff from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 1.888.565.9435. Norristown State Hospital Civil Section DHS operates six state hospitals with services for individuals with mental illness. In the last 20 years, the state hospital population has decreased by 70 percent, from nearly 5,000 people to 1,568 (1,107 in civil units, 159 in the restoration center, 237 in forensic units, and 65 in the Sexual Responsibility and Treatment Program) today. Norristown's civil unit currently serves 122 individuals. During the closure process, DHS will also temporarily repurpose some civil beds at Norristown to create "forensic step down or transition" beds for those individuals committed through the criminal justice system to the forensic section of the Norristown campus. By repurposing the civil beds, DHS will improve the timeliness and quality of treatment for individuals needing forensic restoration services to enable them to return to referring jurisdictions or transition to other appropriate levels of care. DHS will hold a public hearing from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at 1001 Sterigere St., Norristown Hospital, Building 33 in Norristown to accept comment about the closure of civil beds and changes in forensic operations from stakeholders, officials and the community. Those wishing to provide comments are asked to register by contacting Helen Brennan at 610.313.1014 or [email protected]. Written comment can be submitted via email to [email protected]. DHS has established a toll-free number for family members of residents of Norristown State Hospital to use during the repurposing process. Family members will be able to speak with staff from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 1.877.692.1267 or through continued communication with their family member's treatment team. Moving Forward Prior to leaving either facility, individuals will participate in a series of assessments and planning meetings in order to determine their level of need for services and support as they look toward a successful life in the community or with family. The assessment and planning process will ensure that their new homes are both safe, appropriate, and supportive and will include the individual and their family in that process. The transition is about choice and providing people with options. DHS will hold several sessions over the course of the next few months to ensure that each individual, family member, and decision maker is fully informed of all available options and that they have the opportunity to meet with potential providers and explore all potential options. The department will work to provide both hospital and center staff viable employment opportunities at other state-operated facilities or with new or existing community programs. "All Pennsylvanians deserve the right to choose where they live - with family, friends, and neighbors in communities where everyone is welcome," said Dallas. For more information regarding the closure and the repurposing, visit www.dhs.pa.gov. MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Kostelac, 717.425.7606 SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Related Links http://www.dhs.pa.gov CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine, Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, and Matt Ruth of Adapt Pharma visited Weis Markets in Conshohocken today to demonstrate the ease with which anyone can fill prescriptions for naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug which is readily available to anyone in the commonwealth due to the standing order signed by Dr. Levine. "The opioid epidemic is the biggest health crisis in Pennsylvania today, requiring partnerships at every level to effectively combat the deadly disease of addiction," said Dr. Levine. "We thank Dr. Arkoosh and Adapt Pharma for helping so many people in our state obtain the life-saving drug Narcan, or naloxone. Preparing for worst case scenarios saves lives and gives victims of overdose a second chance at treatment and recovery." Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an overdose from opioid prescription pain medication or heroin. When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within two to eight minutes. Naloxone has been used safely by medical professionals for more than 40 years and its only function is to reverse the effects of opioids on the brain and respiratory system in order to prevent death. Anyone can obtain naloxone by filling a prescription from a health care provider or by using the standing order issued by Dr. Levine, which serves as a naloxone prescription for anyone in the general public to use. The standing order is kept on file at many pharmacies and can also be downloaded from the Department of Health website. In 2015, while serving as the interim medical director of the county's health department, Dr. Arkoosh signed a standing order to authorize pharmacies to distribute naloxone rescue kits to residents in Montgomery County. This predated the statewide naloxone standing order and helped local residents gain access to the life-saving drug. Dr. Arkoosh currently serves as chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. In February 2016, the Wolf Administration partnered with Pennsylvania-based pharmaceutical company Adapt Pharma to increase statewide access to Narcan, a brand of naloxone, including distribution to public high schools. Since that time, 217 high schools have received Narcan at no cost because of this partnership. In 2015, nearly 3,500 Pennsylvanians died from a drug overdose. Heroin and opioid overdose are the leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania, killing more individuals each year than motor-vehicle accidents. The Wolf Administration holds the fight against heroin and prescription opioids as a top priority. Some of the administration's other initiatives to fight the opioid epidemic include: Strengthening the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) so that doctors are required and able to check the system each time they prescribe opioids; Forming new prescribing guidelines to help doctors who provide opioid prescriptions to their patients; Creating the warm handoff guideline to facilitate referrals from the emergency department to substance abuse treatment; and Establishing a new law limiting the amount of opioids that can be prescribed to a minor to seven days. If you or someone you know is suffering from the disease of addiction, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit www.pa.gov/opioids for treatment options. For more information on the fight against opioid abuse in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. MEDIA CONTACT: April Hutcheson, 717-787-1783 SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health Related Links http://www.state.pa.us The recent essay, Transition in the Kitchen , compares the priorities and success measures between chefs and cooks, informed by professional culinary practices as well as proprietary research completed in 2016 with 55 home cooks. According to the research, the majority of respondents cook at home because it supports healthy living and for the enjoyment of sharing a meal with friends and family. The website's blog details Kim Baker's real-time illuminative transition to chef, sparked to life from extraordinary circumstances. As a culinary arts student at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Kim commutes to school in New York from Richmond, Virginia each week and shares her experiences pursuing her passion in tandem with a full-time corporate career while raising her son. Working It in the Kitchen is the culmination of Kim Baker's decade-long journey of connecting with professionals about the rewards and challenges of weeknight cooking. The cookbook, Working It in the Kitchen: Food for the Workweek, was featured on The Today Show, and is available on Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com. "I am extremely passionate about cooking. The website shares the journey of life and learning that has brought me from cook to chef," said Kim Baker, President and CEO of Picasso Foods, LLC. "I am hopeful that it will seed inspiration in others and provide insight about food that enriches everyday living." Picasso Foods, LLC is food-forward company delivering premium brands to meet consumers' evolving needs. Kim Baker Foods is a culinary platform connecting professionals with food to provide inspiration, ideas, and recipes. Through the website, www.kimbakerfoods.com, and cookbook, Working It in the Kitchen: Food for the workweek, cooking is made more accessible amid the steady beat of life. Visit www.kimbakerfoods.com or www.facebook.com/kimbakerfoods. SOURCE Picasso Foods, LLC BASEL, Switzerland and CASTRES, France, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PIQUR Therapeutics AG, a Swiss clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, and Pierre Fabre, the second largest private French pharmaceutical group announced today that they have signed a collaboration agreement for the development of PIQUR's lead compound PQR309 in dermato-oncology. The exclusive deal will see PIQUR and Pierre Fabre's R&D teams work together on the evaluation and development of dermatological formulations of PI3K/mTOR inhibitors across multiple therapeutic indications. Following the first stage of the collaboration, Pierre Fabre will have the option to enter into exclusive negotiations to license global rights for the program in selected skin cancer conditions. Terms and conditions of the collaboration were undisclosed. Pierre Fabre is strategically positioned in both oncology and dermatology from discovery all the way through commercialization with multiple products at various stages of development and already launched on the market. "The collaboration with Pierre Fabre, a worldwide leader in dermatology is an important milestone for PIQUR, validating its potential to bring novel solutions to patients for the treatment of dermato-oncology diseases with unmet medical needs," said Herve Girsault, Chief Business Officer of PIQUR. "We are looking forward to working with PIQUR as part of our commitment to external innovation. This collaboration with PIQUR marks an additional milestone in our partnering strategy. Combining our capabilities will accelerate the drug discovery process and bringing forward transformative therapies for patients." said Laurent Audoly, Head of Research & Development at Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals. ***ENDS*** Notes to Editors Contacts PIQUR Media Relations: Pierre Fabre Media Relations: Tatsuo Satoh Valerie Roucoules Head Communications Pierre Fabre Press relations T: +41 61 633 29 38 T : +33 1 49 10 83 84 M: +41 78 819 17 44 M : +33 6 20 88 6165 [email protected] [email protected] About PQR309 PIQUR's lead compound, PQR309, is an oral, brain-penetrant, dual inhibitor of the PI3K/mTOR pathway, which is activated in 60 - 80% of human cancers. Unlike most of its competitors, PQR309 crosses the blood-brain barrier, expanding its use to malignant diseases involving the brain. Preclinical and Phase 1 studies have shown PQR309 to have a favorable safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile. In addition, PQR309 has shown both preclinical activity in various tumor models and clinical activity in Phase 1 and 2 studies. In November 2016, PQR309 was granted Orphan Drug Designation for PCNSL by the US FDA. PQR309 is currently being investigated in five Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies in advanced solid tumors (NCT02483858), relapsed or refractory lymphoma (NCT02249429), relapsed or refractory PCNSL (NCT02669511) and progressive glioblastoma multiforme (NCT02850744). In addition, the PIQHASSO Phase 1/2b study investigates PQR309 in combination with Eisai's Eribulin in metastatic HER2-negative and triple-negative breast cancer (NCT02723877). About PIQUR Therapeutics PIQUR Therapeutics is a Swiss clinical-stage pharmaceutical company incorporated in August 2011 as a spin-off of the University of Basel, focusing on the discovery and development of innovative anti-cancer drugs based on the inhibition of lipid kinase (PI3K) and mTOR. PIQUR's pipeline originates from one of the most promising research areas in oncology. Both PI3K and mTOR are clinically validated drug targets in oncology. PIQUR holds a worldwide exclusive license on the intellectual property rights for PQR309 and related series of analogues, for development and commercialization. www.piqur.com About Pierre Fabre Pierre Fabre is the 2nd largest dermo-cosmetics laboratory in the world and the 2nd largest private French pharmaceutical group. In 2015, it generated 2,208 million euros in net sales, of which 58% came from its international business and 57% from its dermo-cosmetics division. Pierre Fabre, which has always been headquartered in the South-West of France, owns subsidiaries in 43 countries, enjoys distribution agreements in over 130 countries and employs around 13,000 people worldwide. Pierre Fabre's portfolio represent a continuum ranging from prescription drugs and consumer health care products to dermo-cosmetics. In 2015, the company dedicated almost 200 million euros to R&D, shared between oncology, dermatology, the central nervous system, consumer health care and dermo-cosmetics. Pierre Fabre Oncologie, a business unit of the Pierre Fabre company, is supported by over 1,000 employees with a strong focus on European markets. In 2015, worldwide annual sales of Pierre Fabre Oncology products surpassed $200 million on the strength of the Oral Navelbine, Javlor and Busilvex brands. Created in 1983, present in 84 countries, Pierre Fabre Dermatologie have become a global player in dermatology. Their product portfolio cover the management of major dermatological disorders such as acne, psoriasis, inflammatory dermatitis, fungal infections, alopecia, etc. Pierre Fabre Dermatologie combines the absolute requirement of quality and efficiency for its drugs, to the search of the most appropriate dosage forms, and the best accompanying of dermatologists. Pierre Fabre is mostly owned (86%) by the Pierre Fabre Foundation, a registered public-interest foundation, and secondarily by its own employees. www.pierre-fabre.com SOURCE PIQUR Therapeutics AG Pure Growth was founded in 2015 by Chris Clarke and Sabrina Peterson to democratize organic snacks and create products with no additives, chemicals or artificial ingredients. The company currently produces chips, popcorn, pretzels, snack mix, animal crackers, breakfast biscuits, breakfast bars, and oatmeal. "We started Pure Growth to create organic, better-for-you snacks at an affordable price point. Kids and their moms love the iconic characters on our packaging which make our brand recognizable on shelf," said Pure Growth Co-Founder Chris Clarke. "With Sunrise's investment we are well positioned to take Pure Growth to the next level and expand the brand into additional channels and product offerings." "By leveraging recognizable children's movie and television characters that appeal to kids and their parents, Pure Growth is able to compete with less nutritious, legacy products that have additives, chemicals, and artificial ingredients," added Pure Growth Co-Founder and CEO Sabrina Peterson. "As a mother, this is particularly important to me, and I look forward to partnering with Sunrise to further expand Pure Growth's distribution and product portfolio." According to the Organic Trade Association, U.S. organic food sales reached $39.7 billion in 2015 (of which organic snacks accounted for $2.3 billion), and parents in the 18- to 34-year-old age range are now the biggest group of organic buyers in America. Moreover, in April 2016, IRI predicted that total U.S. snack sales would grow $35 billion in the next 5 years. "Millennials continue to choose organic snack alternatives over existing legacy offerings. Yet there are limited better-for-you snack products for 2-12 year olds, leaving millennial moms with a major vacuum to deal with once their children graduate from organic baby food. As an early mover in affordable organic snacks, Pure Growth is well positioned to participate in continued growth in this market," said Sunrise Strategic Partner Co-Founder and CEO Steve Hughes. "I love Chris and Sabrina's innovation to partner with Mickey Mouse and other beloved children's characters to bring affordable organic snacks mainstream. Sunrise is excited to team up with them to bring Pure Growth products to more kids." The investment from Sunrise will allow Pure Growth to enter additional retailers and the grocery channel, develop supply chain management and expand the sales and marketing team. This marks the sixth investment for Sunrise, a brand accelerator that provides growth capital and expertise to early stage health and wellness brands to support their development, add strategic value and share guidance on tactical priorities. About Pure Growth Organic Pure Growth Organic ("Pure Growth") was created in the belief that organic snacking should be more delicious, more engaging for children, and more affordable for families. All Pure Growth products are USDA Organic certified, Kosher, and baked and popped in USA. The Pure Growth portfolio includes super chips, veggie chips, popcorn, pretzels, snack mix, animal crackers, breakfast biscuits, breakfast bars, and oatmeal. Pure Growth is currently nationwide at Walmart, Disney Theme Parks & Resort, Amazon, and coming to other retailers soon! For more information, visit http://www.puregrowthorganic.com/, and follow on Instagram @puregrowthorganic. About Sunrise Strategic Partners Sunrise Strategic Partners, LLC ("Sunrise"), based in Boulder, Colorado, provides growth capital and expertise to emerging brands in the healthy, active and sustainable living space that resonate with millennials, have a strong proof of concept and have reached approximately $10-$20 million in revenue. The Sunrise team is deeply experienced in scaling brands and supports these investments by adding strategic value and guidance on tactical priorities. Sunrise Strategic Partners was founded by Steve Hughes, founder of Boulder Brands, in partnership with Trilantic North America, a multi-strategy private equity firm. For more information, visit www.sunrisestrategicpartners.com. About Trilantic North America Trilantic Capital Management L.P. ("Trilantic North America") is a private equity firm focused on control and significant minority investments in North America. Trilantic North America's primary investment focus is in the business services, consumer and energy sectors. Trilantic North America currently manages four private equity fund families with aggregate capital commitments of $5.9 billion. For more information, visit www.trilantic.com. SOURCE Sunrise Strategic Partners Related Links http://www.sunrisestrategicpartners.com RADNOR, Pa., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Zion, Chief Operating Officer at Hirtle Callaghan & Co., has been named to the new position of Chief Operating Officer at The Investment Fund for Foundations (TIFF). Mr. Zion will develop the new role of Chief Operating Officer at TIFF by overseeing finance, operations, information technology, legal affairs, and human resources. He will be engaged in all operational and strategic aspects of the firm and will report to Chief Executive Officer Richard Flannery. Mr. Zion will also join the five-member TIFF Management Committee. Mr. Zion has been a senior officer at Hirtle Callaghan, a national firm offering outsourced Chief Investment Officer services to family groups as well as endowments and foundations, for the past 25 years. He was a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors at the firm, which manages more than $20 billion in assets. Mr. Zion has been Chief Operating Officer for the last decade and before that was Hirtle Callaghan's Chief Financial Officer. Previously, he was a Senior Audit Manager at PriceWaterhouse Coopers in New York. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Delaware and is a Certified Public Accountant. "Having a superbly qualified individual like Rob Zion join TIFF in this new position will enable us to focus even more intensively on delivering investment excellence and responsive investment solutions to the non-profit community," Mr. Flannery said. "Rob's mandate will be to make us smarter and better at everything we do, with a strong emphasis on strategy and better serving our member base." TIFF Chief Investment Officer Jay Willoughby commented: "Rob will help us deliver investment solutions that adapt to the individual circumstances of each of our partners in the non-profit community. He has significant experience in leveraging both technology and human capital to enhance communications and reporting, and more generally in integrating distinctive investment approaches into a superior member experience." Scott Malpass, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at the University of Notre Dame, who serves as Chair of the TIFF Advisory Services Inc. Board, said: "TIFF's board and senior management are fully committed to making the internal investments necessary to keep the firm strong, agile, and focused on helping endowed non-profits. At TIFF's current size and trajectory, having a top-flight COO is a critical element of that commitment." David Barrett Partners assisted TIFF with the search. About TIFF TIFF was founded in 1991 by a network of foundations with the express purpose of serving the investment needs of the non-profit community. TIFF provides portfolio solutions and outsourced CIO services to endowed non-profit organizations. As of December 31, 2016, TIFF served about 700 nonprofit members, who entrust approximately $9.5 billion in assets, including committed capital, to our firm. TIFF Advisory Services Inc. is a regulated investment advisor that manages vehicles bearing the TIFF name. For more information about TIFF, please visit www.tiff.org. SOURCE The Investment Fund for Foundations Related Links http://www.tiff.org On her own behalf and on behalf of female Sedgwick attorneys, Ms. Ribeiro, a high-performing, non-equity Partner at Sedgwick, alleges that Sedgwick engaged in systemic pay and promotion discrimination and thereby violated Title VII, the Equal Pay Act, and analogous state laws. Ms. Ribeiro seeks to represent a class of all female attorneys other than equity Partners and who are, have been or will be employed by Sedgwick in the United States. The Amended Complaint adds allegations of discrimination and retaliation based on facts that occurred since the filing of the original complaint, including the promotion of two men, both of whom were objectively less-qualified than Ribeiro, to equity Partner. Sedgwick denied Ms. Ribeiro promotion to equity Partner each year, from 2013 through the present. The Amended Complaint also demands $200 Million in lost wages and compensatory and punitive damages. Procedural History of the Litigation Ms. Ribeiro filed her claims in state court in San Francisco, but the case was removed to the Northern District of California (3:16-CV-04507). On August 23, 2016, Sedgwick moved to enforce an arbitration provision included in the Partnership agreement Ribeiro was required to sign as a condition of becoming a non-equity Partner. Judge William Alsup found the agreement required the parties to arbitrate whether the case itself should be arbitrated. Judge Alsup expressed regret that Ms. Ribeiro's case was relegated to arbitration, a forum with limited discovery and appellate review, but concluded that he was bound by federal precedent. Judge Alsup ordered the case to arbitration, leaving to the arbitrator the question of whether the case would remain there or proceed in federal court. In December, JAMS Arbitrator Honorable Robert A. Baines (Ret.) heard and granted Sedgwick's motion to compel arbitration of the claims. Judge Baines found that Ms. Ribeiro had "established both the requisite procedural unconscionability (based on the take-it-or-leave-it presentation of the Partnership Agreement in a setting of unequal bargaining power) and [] shown that several provisions in the arbitration agreement are substantively unconscionable[]" As a condition of compelling arbitration, Judge Baines ordered the removal of several of the terms contained in the mandatory arbitration provision. These unconscionable provisions included "the use of the JAMS Comprehensive Arbitration Rules (which includes a provision for cost-sharing of arbitration costs, as does the arbitration agreement itself), the ninety-day 'statute of limitations' for filing claims, and the requirement that the hearing commence within ninety days of the appointment of the arbitrator." In essence, Judge Baines found these provisions so one-sided and unfair that they could not be enforced, and struck them from the agreement. Judge Baines also ordered that the case will be administered under the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures. The Amended Complaint The Amended Complaint charges that Sedgwick's male-dominated leadership and opaque compensation and promotion policies have produced stark disparities for female attorneys throughout the firm. The Amended Complaint refines the original class to include California and Illinois subclasses and adds a claim that Sedgwick's systemic discrimination against the California Class unjustly enriched the firm in violation of the California Unfair Competition Law. "Ms. Ribeiro is the perfect example of an outstanding employee whobecause of her genderhas been denied fair compensation, equity status, and proper recognition" said David Sanford, Chairman of Sanford Heisler, LLP, the firm that has taken over the matter as lead counsel. Ms. Ribeiro has been a non-equity Partner at Sedgwick for 5 years and one of Sedgwick's top performers since joining the firm in 2011. She has been passed over for promotion to equity Partner repeatedly in favor of less-qualified men, each of whom generated revenue that was a fraction of her own. Ms. Ribeiro also claims she has been paid substantially less as a percentage of her revenues than male partners and less than she would earn were she an equity Partner. Significantly, Ms. Ribeiro has faced retaliation for her efforts to obtain gender equity for herself and other women at the firm. According to the Amended Complaint, Sedgwick not only promotes men at higher rates than women, but also maintains a lower bar for male promotions, given that men are promoted with less experience and less business. At the same time, these men are given substantial leadership positions throughout the Firm. "Arbitration agreements, like Sedgwick's, are too often used by companies to deter employees from seeking the justice they deserve," said Xinying Valerian, Senior Litigation Counsel at Sanford Heisler, LLP. "The Arbitrator's decision shows that despite her partner title, Ms. Ribeiro should be able to avail herself of the fairness protections in the arbitration process that all employees are entitled to." This case comes at a time when female attorneys continue to face strong headwinds. Despite the fact that almost 45% of big law associates are women, female attorneys account for only 18 percent of equity partner positions, according to a survey published in 2016 by the American Bar Association. Furthermore, a 2016 study of partner compensation from Major, Lindsey & Africa found that the average compensation for male law partners is about 44% higher than that of female partners: $949,000 vs. $659,000 a differential largely due to male partners receiving more credit for rainmaking than do female partners under an old-boys'-club regime. Ms. Ribeiro's Amended Complaint highlights some of these issues. "The facts in this case point to systemic gender inequality which, unfortunately, is nothing new in the legal field," said Sanford Heisler, LLP's San Francisco Managing Partner, Felicia Medina. "It is up to firms like Sedgwick to address these problems head on. Until then, you can expect to hear from courageous women like Ms. Ribeiro." About Sanford Heisler, LLP Sanford Heisler, LLP is a public interest class-action litigation law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C, San Francisco and San Diego. Our attorneys have graduated from the nation's top law schools, clerked for judges throughout the United States, and amassed extensive experience litigating cases that have earned over one billion dollars for our clients. The Firm specializes in civil rights and general public interest cases, representing plaintiffs with employment discrimination, labor and wage violations, predatory lending, whistleblower, consumer fraud, and other claims. Along with a focus on class actions, the firm also represents individuals and has achieved particular success in the representation of executives in employment disputes. For more information go to http://www.sanfordheisler.com/ or call 202 499-5200 or email [email protected]. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @sanfordheisler Media Contact: Jamie Moss, newsPRos, 201 493 1027, [email protected] SOURCE Sanford Heisler, LLP Related Links http://www.sanfordheisler.com/ The New SY215C has a brand new Cummins Tier 4 Final engine that complies with the strictest environmental standards. It is equipped with two circuits of auxiliary lines down the arm that provide ready-to-use hydraulic power. This model comes standard with side frame rails to aid in the protection of the machine. The SY215C also has an optimized cabin for superior visibility and maximum operator comfort. The SY215C is equipped with SANYLive telematics. This GPS system allows SANY to monitor all of their equipment from SANY America Headquarters in Peachtree City, GA. This telematics portal is also a useful tool for equipment owners. SANYLive keeps track of engine hours, fuel usage, location history, alerts and events. If there is a problem with a machine, SANY knows about it in real time. Service times are drastically reduced because issues are dealt with proactively. When patterns are revealed, the engineering department immediately addresses them. You can enjoy the video about SANYLive at https://youtu.be/dsypHnKtlmk. SANY is a global leader in the manufacture of excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, road machinery (motor graders, rollers, pavers and asphalt batching plants), hoisting equipment (crawler, truck, rough-terrain and all-terrain cranes), concrete machines (concrete pumps, placing booms, mixer trucks and batching plants), port equipment (container reach stackers, empty-container handlers, heavy forklifts and gantry cranes), mining equipment (rigid haul trucks, road headers, mining vehicles, longwall systems and continuous miners), pile-driving machinery and wind turbines. SANY America Inc. sells, distributes and supports crawler cranes from 55 to 3,580 U.S. tons, rough-terrain cranes from 40 to 85 U.S.tons, hydraulic excavators from 1.6 to 50 U.S. tons, motor graders, wheel loaders, port reach stackers with maximum lift of 55 U.S. tons, empty-container handlers with maximum load of 19,850 pounds and heavy forklifts with maximum capacity of 50 U.S. tons. SANY America is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia. For more information, please visit: www.sanyglobal.com, or follow SANY Group on Facebook and YouTube. SOURCE SANY STRATFORD, Conn., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and its PZL Mielec affiliate will launch a two-month, 13-city tour across seven Caribbean and Latin American countries in early 2017 to demonstrate the short take-off and landing capabilities of the M28 twin turboprop airplane. The Sikorsky-PZL Mielec multi-role, all-weather M28 short take-off and landing airplane will tour seven Caribbean and Latin American countries from mid-March to May 2017. Flight and ground demonstrations starting mid-March in Trinidad and Tobago will extend to Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Mexico though mid-May. The tour will enable commercial operators, government agencies and militaries across the region to assess the performance of the 7,500 kg (16,500 lb.) Polish designed-and-built M28 airplane on short and underdeveloped runways and how its 19-passenger cabin with clamshell rear door can be quickly converted for paratroop, cargo and casualty evacuation missions. "When you have to move people or cargo into short, unpaved or underdeveloped airstrips with austere facilities, and under hot or icing conditions, the M28 twin turboprop airplane is ideally suited for the Caribbean and Latin America," said Adam Schierholz, Sikorsky vice president for Latin America. "We are bringing this reliable and powerful aircraft to show prospective operators its extraordinary short takeoff and landing capabilities, and the many ways to benefit from its exceptional range, payload capacity and multirole flexibility." With its high-lift wing, thrust-reversing propellers and two 1,100 shp (820 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-65B turboprop engines: the empty M28 aircraft can take off and land on rough airstrips just 345 meters (1,000 ft.) long. an M28 loaded with a 1,000 kg (2,204 lb.) payload offers a range of 1,592 km (860 nm) distance with safety reserve for 45 minutes of flight; two pilots can take off in the M28 with a full payload of either 19 seated passengers or a maximum 2,300 kg (5,000 lb) of cargo in just 548 meters (1,800 ft.) of runway length, for a range of over 450 kilometers (225 nm). the 148m3 (485 cu ft.) cabin can be outfitted with a removable roller floor, optional cargo hoist, and heavy cargo restraints to either para drop or load/unload cargo from the full-width aft door. Sikorsky will invite commercial operators, government organizations, law enforcement agencies and military aviation commanders to observe the M28 in action, and to examine the highly configurable aircraft in a wide variety of operational and logistical roles. "The M28 is a proven, tough airplane that doesn't need much support to keep flying," said Mariusz Kubryn, M28 chief designer. "It has the highest useful load in its class, and is often preferred to larger platforms because of its multi-mission flexibility and cost-effective performance." More than 100 M28 aircraft currently operate worldwide in both commercial and military configurations providing passenger transport, parachute training, border patrol and fisheries protection. The aircraft is certified by Brazil's ANAC, and by EASA and the FAA. The U.S. Air Force has used the C-145A variant for air cargo missions for deployed troops in Afghanistan. The M28 will begin its Latin American tour on March 17, 2017, in Trinidad and Tobago. Access to the aircraft is by invitation only. A website where interested commercial transport operators and government agencies can learn about the tour locations, and register to see the aircraft, will be posted in mid-January 2017. To learn more about the M28 aircraft, please link to www.m28aircraft.pl. The M28 also will be shown by appointment during the LAAD Defense and Security show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (April 4-7). With decades of supporting Caribbean and Latin American government and military customers, Lockheed Martin is dedicated to meeting the aviation, naval, space, and other needs of the region. 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. SOURCE Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sovereign Health, a leading national provider of behavioral health treatment services, is pleased to announce a new editorial series, titled "Recovery Next Door: Portraits of Success That Defy NIMBY." This positive, solution-focused series aims to address stigma and discrimination toward people with behavioral health conditions in the local community as well as communities throughout the country. It is aligned with two of Sovereign Health's major investigative news series, "Not in My Backyard" and "Beyond NIMBY," which examine discriminatory views toward people with mental illness and toward residential facilities that provide care to these individuals in communities. "Recovery Next Door" will educate the public with personal stories of recovery, putting a real face to what it means to recover from addiction. Ann Dowsett Johnston, best-selling author, award-winning journalist and director of Faces and Voices of Recovery Canada, shares her journey of overcoming an alcohol use disorder and depression in the first testimonial, "Recovery Next Door: Best-selling author's inspirational story of overcoming depression, alcohol abuse." "The 'NIMBY' mentality has attracted more followers in recent years across Southern California and the rest of the country, and its legion has been targeting behavioral health treatment providers and sober living homes," said Rachael Mattice, managing editor for Sovereign Health. "While most residents agree that those who are battling physical and mental disabilities need treatment and are in support of treatment, they publicize a strong opposition to the locations of such providers in their communities, citing misguided facts and unjustified fears." "These issues are recurrent, chronic, and progressive and can spiral out of control. They can be life-threatening. Conversely, when addressed, fuller lives can blossom," says Dowsett Johnston when asked why it's important to help people in recovery. "Sovereign Health wants to take a stand against this discrimination with the publication of this series, while focusing on the larger challenge of curing addiction nationwide. These recovery testimonials are real stories of our own mothers, uncles, sons, students, friends and colleagues. The individuals who have reclaimed their lives and careers many whom are now CEOs, physicians, Iron Man athletes, counselors and authors are still on the edge of NIMBY-ism's sword. We ask our readers to join our cause to fight stigma and encourage others to seek the help they need," says Mattice. About Sovereign Health Sovereign Health's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high-quality behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents, including support services for family members. One factor that differentiates Sovereign from other treatment providers has been the company's ability to offer separate mental health and addiction or dual diagnosis treatment programs at its facilities. For more information, visit www.sovhealth.com. SOURCE Sovereign Health Related Links https://www.sovhealth.com TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Symbility Solutions Inc. ("Symbility" or the "Company") (TSX.V: SY), a global software company focused on modernizing the insurance industry, is pleased to announce that the Company's Chief Executive Officer, James Swayze, will present at the Cantech Investment Conference 2017 on January 18, 2017 at 3:00pm EDT and will be available for questions before and afterwards at booth #103. The Conference is being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, located at 255 Front Street West. ABOUT SYMBILITY Symbility (TSX.V: SY) believes in creating world-class experiences that simplify business and improve lives. With a history in modernizing insurance claims solutions for the property and health industries, Symbility has established itself as a partner that puts security, efficiency and customer experience first. Symbility PROPERTY brings smarter thinking to property insurance. Symbility HEALTH helps benefits professionals build their brands and businesses. Our strategic services team, Symbility INTERSECT empowers a variety of businesses with smarter mobile and IoT product development strategy, design thinking and engineering excellence. With our three segments pushing industries forward, Symbility proves that change for the better is entirely possible. symbilitysolutions.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All trade names are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE Symbility Solutions Inc. Related Links www.symbilitysolutions.com LUXEMBOURG and NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Talkwalker, a major player in the social media analytics market, is pleased to announce it has secured 5 million in funding from leading Dutch software investor, Main Mezzanine Capital. The funding will allow Talkwalker to accelerate development of its existing social media analytics platform while expanding its sales teams in Europe and the US. A major part of the funding will be invested in the further development of its existing artificial intelligence capabilities. This will accelerate the implementation of revolutionary new features which will join existing features such as Talkwalker's business impact metrics, image recognition, IQ Apps and the virality map. Talkwalker has doubled in size and revenues for four consecutive years and today employs over 120 employees. It has become a must-have service in the social media listening and analytics market; a market that is estimated to grow from $1.6B in 2015 to $5.4B by 2020 according to market research firm MarketsandMarkets. Talkwalker's rapid growth demonstrates the demand for social data intelligence as brands realize that social media holds vital client and competitor insights, and business data. The Talkwalker platform analyzes visuals and text in 187 languages providing a centralized social data intelligence solution with unlimited users and use cases, plus advanced APIs to ensure data integrity throughout the company. Brands and agencies benefit from KPI-driven, real-time analytics across all media channels which puts them in full control of their brand reputation and social media performance. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Talkwalker opened its first US office in New York City in 2015. The company has recently gained significant traction through the acquisition of new clients in the US market and is used by brands, agencies, and consultancies. Expert customer service and support are important differentiators for Talkwalker. With this in mind, its goal is proximity to prospects and clients and this funding will allow for geographic expansion, more local offices, and the hiring of new talent. "Talkwalker is a leader in the field of social data listening and analytics and we're impressed with its rapidly expanding customer base, global presence and financial track record of profitable high growth" said Lars van 't Hoenderdaal, CEO of Main Mezzanine Capital. "Main Mezzanine provides funding to companies with proven success, good management and sufficient growth potential. Therefore we're excited to partner with Talkwalker in this new expansion phase". Talkwalker has 600+ clients worldwide from major brands like Microsoft, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Benetton and PwC, to global agencies like Edelman, Ogilvy, Publicis, and Peppercomm. The platform has been adopted by industries across the board including pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, FMCG, telecoms, hospitality, and retail. Talkwalker's customer base has been doubling each year, and the existing team has also been growing significantly to accommodate this unprecedented expansion. "Our customer base is expanding daily," said Talkwalker CEO Robert Glaesener. "Successfully facilitated through Tenzing Partners, this substantial investment from Main Mezzanine Capital will allow us to continue building our company, and further develop our product so we can provide even more powerful analytics and insights to boost the social performance of our customers." Talkwalker has been advised by Tenzing Partners, a Luxembourg-based corporate finance advisor and a member of the Globalscope Partners network. About Main Mezzanine Capital Main Mezzanine Capital is part of Main Capital Partners (www.main.nl), an investment and financing company focused on profitable and growing companies in the software and TMT sector within the Benelux and Germany. The funding of Main Mezzanine Capital comes from its own shareholders, as well as high net-worth individuals, family offices and (former) entrepreneurs, who wish to set aside their assets in a responsible and cost-effective manner according to Van 't Hoenderdaal a sort of "closed crowd fund". Main has provided 12 mezzanine loans so far. Companies in the mezzanine portfolio of Main are a.o. OnGuard, TravelBird, ABIT and The Valley. About Talkwalker Talkwalker (www.talkwalker.com) is one of the world's leading social data intelligence companies. Its cutting-edge technology provides actionable social media insights through real-time social listening and advanced social media analytics. Talkwalker helps marketers to prove the value of their social efforts and enhances the speed and accuracy of business decision-making. Talkwalker's state of the art social media analytics platform monitors and analyzes online conversations on social networks, news websites, blogs, forums and more, in over 187 languages. Its 1500 servers process 500 million posts from 150 million websites every day. Talkwalker's unique social intelligence software was selected to become a Twitter Official Partner in 2014. The Talkwalker platform is used by over 600 clients around the world, including Microsoft, HPE, Benetton, and communications specialists such as Peppercomm, Publicis, Ogilvy, and Weber Shandwick. About TENZING partners TENZING partners is a European-based Corporate Finance boutique offering M&A and fundraising services to SMEs and Financial Investors. We work with the senior management of private and public companies as well as private equity firms. As a member of the international network Globalscope Partners, TENZING offers cross-border advice through its 51 members in 41 countries. Contact: Jeff S. Durosko P: +1.412.635.7229 F: +1.866.400.5194 SOURCE Talkwalker Related Links http://talkwalker.com SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL) will report fiscal 2017 first quarter results before trading begins on January 25, 2017. The company will hold a conference call for investors at 8:30 a.m. ET. The call can be accessed in the following ways: At TE Connectivity's website: http://investors.te.com. By telephone: For both "listen-only" participants and those participants who wish to take part in the question-and-answer portion of the call, the dial-in number in the United States is (800) 230-1059, and for international callers, the dial-in number is (612) 234-9959. is (800) 230-1059, and for international callers, the dial-in number is (612) 234-9959. An audio replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET on January 25, 2017 , and ending at 11:59 p.m. ET on February 1, 2017 . The dial-in number for participants in the United States is (800) 475-6701. For participants outside the United States , the dial-in number is (320) 365-3844. The replay access code for all callers is 414794. ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL) is a $12 billion global technology leader. Our commitment to innovation enables advancements in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications, and the home. TE's unmatched breadth of connectivity and sensor solutions, proven in the harshest of environments, helps build a safer, greener, smarter and more connected world. With 75,000 people including more than 7,000 engineers working alongside customers in nearly 150 countries, we help ensure that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS www.TE.com SOURCE TE Connectivity Ltd. Related Links http://www.te.com NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TransPerfect, the world's largest privately held provider of language services and translation-related technology solutions, today announced an agreement to provide Tennant with enterprise language services for more than 30 languages, supporting global operations across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC), a recognized global leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing cleaning solutions that help create a cleaner, safer, and healthier world, will implement GlobalLinkTransPerfect's enterprise platform for translation managementto streamline translations across a range of functions including marketing, engineering, human resources, legal, and more. TransPerfect's GlobalLink technology offers clients the powerful customizable workflows and integrations of the world's friendliest translation management system as either installed or fully hosted solutionsmaking the process of producing and managing multilingual content more cost-effective and efficient. Kyle Henning, Tennant's Director of Global Marketing commented, "TransPerfect is a strong partner to support the Tennant value of being able to reach our customers and employees in the language of their choice." "We are thrilled to see Tennant Company take this vital step in expanding its reach in the global marketplace," said Liz Elting, Co-CEO of TransPerfect. "By deploying GlobalLink to streamline translations for more than 30 languages, Tennant's global customers will now be able to enjoy a significantly enhanced user experience, no matter what country they are in or what language they speak." TransPerfect Co-CEO Phil Shawe remarked, "Tennant Company is a multinational leader in its industry; and being a leader, it understands the importance of communicating with customers in the global marketplace. We're proud to be a part of Tennant's increased focus on multilingual content and operations, and we expect that their outreach efforts will pay immediate dividends." About Tennant Minneapolis-based Tennant Company (TNC) is a world leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions that empower customers to achieve quality cleaning performance, significantly reduce their environmental impact and help create a cleaner, safer, healthier world. Its products include equipment for maintaining surfaces in industrial, commercial and outdoor environments; detergent-free and other sustainable cleaning technologies; and coatings for protecting, repairing and upgrading surfaces. Tennant's global field service network is the most extensive in the industry. Tennant has manufacturing operations in Minneapolis, MN; Holland, MI; Louisville, KY; Chicago, IL; Uden, The Netherlands; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Shanghai, China; and sells products directly in 15 countries and through distributors in more than 80 countries. For more information, visit www.tennantco.com. The Tennant Company logo and other trademarks designated with the symbol "" are trademarks of Tennant Company registered in the United States and/or other countries. About TransPerfect With annual revenues of more than $540 million, TransPerfect is the world's largest privately held provider of language services and technology solutions. From offices in over 90 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 170+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 3,000 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink Product Suite to simplify management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com. SOURCE TransPerfect Related Links http://www.transperfect.com SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Teradata (NYSE: TDC), a leading analytics solutions company, today announced availability of Teradata Database on Azure for Q1 2017, providing customers more choice of cloud options for Teradata software. Many companies look to the cloud as a fast, flexible way to derive value from data to address their business, technical and financial needs. By combining Teradata's industry-leading data warehouse software with the agility and elasticity of Azure public cloud services, customers can focus on driving business value rather than installing and maintaining physical infrastructure. According to Teradata's recent Data Warehouse Survey to its customers, more than 90 percent of them will employ a hybrid environment by 2020 consisting of a mix of on-premises and cloud resources. The same survey indicated that 85 percent of Teradata customers want to consume at least some of their analytics "as a service." As businesses increasingly look to the cloud to drive competitive advantages, they have a need for greater agility, but also a mandate to lower financial and time commitments. These requirements are met in Teradata's Hybrid Cloud Solutions, which: Provide flexibility in deployment for increased responsiveness; Ensure high levels of security, data privacy and regulatory compliance; Enable optimization of workloads across deployment modes; Facilitate easier management of multiple environments; and Lower risk through the re-use of existing tools, capabilities and training. "The most successful vendors in the hybrid cloud space will offer broad, cross-platform support that empowers companies to use the cloud when and where it makes sense, as much or as little as they want," said Doug Henschen, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Constellation Research. "Organizations taking the hybrid-cloud deployment path are solving problems, gaining flexibility and realizing both expected and unexpected benefits. These companies come to see hybrid deployment as invaluable to their respective data warehousing strategies and are investigating additional use cases, including data exploration and predictive analysis in the cloud." "Teradata believes that customers deserve excellent performance and scalability, regardless of deployment choice. Expanding our cloud deployment options with leading public cloud providers such as Microsoft Azure allows us to provide unprecedented flexibility of deployment with the same full-featured Teradata software everywhere," said Chris Twogood, Vice President, Product and Solutions Marketing at Teradata. "Just as critical, however, is orchestration software that ensures data, workloads, queries and users can be spread across a heterogeneous ecosystem that works together as a unified whole. Teradata's Hybrid Cloud Solutions provide both." Teradata Database on Azure will offer self-service, under-an-hour provisioning, pay-as-you-go, and integration with a wide variety of Azure and Teradata software tools. Many of these features speed time to market, increase efficiency and reduce risk, such as rapid and easy procurement for quick proofs of concept and hourly subscriptions. The solution's powerful performance, reliability and convenience features include: MPP (massively parallel processing) multi-node scalability from 1 to 32 nodes; Automatic node failure recovery to ensure customers are up again quickly; and Backup to (and query of data within) Azure Blob storage for easy integration. "In this data-driven world, interest in analytics is at an all-time high," said Steven Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President and Chief Evangelist for Microsoft. "Microsoft Azure customers recognize the value they derive from data and are actively seeking analytic solutions, such as Teradata Database on Azure, that enable constant innovation while also optimizing resource utilization and simplifying management oversight." At the upcoming National Retail Federation (NRF) show in New York, Teradata will offer demos in booth #3463 on ways retailers can get started. Teradata Database on Azure will be available on the Azure Marketplace. Those familiar with both Teradata software and Azure can be up and running in about an hour. Customers who are uncertain about how to best harness the cloud for positive business outcomes can engage with Teradata Consulting and Managed Services for assistance in architecting and deploying Teradata software on Azure. Teradata Database on Azure, as well as Teradata Consulting and Managed Services for Azure, will be available globally in Q1 2017, except in the US Gov Iowa, US Gov Virginia and China regions. Teradata Aster Analytics on Azure is targeted to be available in Q2, 2017. To learn more, please: Visit http://www.teradata.com/azure Talk with company representatives at the Teradata booth (#3463) at the National Retail Federation trade show in New York City from Jan. 15-17, 2017 Relevant News Links About Teradata Teradata empowers companies to achieve high-impact business outcomes. Our focus on business solutions for analytics, coupled with our industry leading technology and architecture expertise, can unleash the potential of great companies. Visit teradata.com. Get to know Teradata: http://www.twitter.com/teradata http://www.facebook.com/Teradata http://www.linkedin.com/company/teradata https://www.youtube.com/user/Teradata Teradata and the Teradata logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Teradata Corporation and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and worldwide. SOURCE Teradata Related Links http://www.teradata.com "In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we've pulled together an ambitious lineup of shows and events for 2017," says Catherine Burns, artistic director, The Moth. It's thrilling to do this work, and we're proud to provide a platform for the personal stories that are shared every year on The Moth's stages around the world. 2016 was a challenging year for a lot of people, and we believe in the power of stories to help people find common ground with their neighbors. To listen with an open heart and an open mind and try to understand what it's like to be someone else takes real courage, and sometimes it is easier to try to make sense of the world one story at a time." Over 5500 stories will be told from The Moth stages in 2017; show schedule highlights include: 469 StorySLAMs , which will include an Atlanta, Georgia debut in March , which will include an debut in March 42 Mainstages including returns to old haunts such as St. Louis, MO and Portland, OR , as well as premieres in Anchorage, AK ; Vancouver , CAN; Elko, NV ; Salt Lake City, UT ; San Antonio, TX ; and Baltimore, MD including returns to old haunts such as and , as well as premieres in ; , CAN; ; ; ; and 16 GrandSLAMs , including inaugural GrandSLAMs in Madison, WI ; and Down Under in both Sydney and Melbourne , including inaugural GrandSLAMs in ; and Down Under in both and 16 Education StorySLAMs throughout the year, marked by All-City High School shows in the Summer and Fall throughout the year, marked by All-City High School shows in the Summer and Fall 8 Community showcases including showcases at NYC's Lincoln Center coinciding with the UN General Assembly in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation including showcases at NYC's Lincoln Center coinciding with the UN General Assembly in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 2 Book Release events in March - one at The Royce Theatre in LA and one in New York City - one at The Royce Theatre in LA and one in 1 20th Anniversary Moth Ball -- the annual fundraiser for the nonprofit, slated for June 6 th Also slated for 2017: The Moth's second book, THE MOTH PRESENTS ALL THESE WONDERS: True Stories about Facing the Unknown (Crown Archetype; Hardcover; $25.00), which will be published on March 21. Edited by Catherine Burns and featuring a foreword by Neil Gaiman, ALL THESE WONDERS is a spellbinding celebration of 20 years of Moth storytellers who have stepped up to the microphone and bared their souls to a crowd of strangers. ALL THESE WONDERS features 45 stories, told on stages around the world, from voices both familiar and new. Alongside familiar names like Louis C.K., John Turturro, Tig Notaro, and Hasan Minhaj, and authors like Meg Wolitzer (The Interestings), Adam Mansbach (Go the %&# to Sleep), and Jessi Klein (You'll Grow Out of It), readers will encounter musicians, doctors, pastors, high school students, journalists, NASA scientists, and more. Book signing events and a themed-SLAM series in cities around the country will take place in March in celebration of the release. For more information about 20th anniversary celebrations, go to www.themoth.org. About The Moth The Moth is an acclaimed non-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling, which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2017. Since launching in 1997, The Moth has presented over 20,000 stories, told live and without notes to standingroom-only crowds worldwide. The Moth conducts seven ongoing programs: The Moth Mainstage, which tours internationally, has featured stories by Malcolm Gladwell, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, John Turturro, Molly Ringwald, and Tig Notaro, as well as an astronaut, a pickpocket, a hotdog eating champion and hundreds more; The Moth StorySLAM program, which conducts open mic storytelling competitions in 26 cities; 21 in the US plus Sydney and Melbourne, AU, London, UK and Dublin, IE; The Moth Community Program, which offers storytelling workshops and performance opportunities to adults who are too often overlooked by the mainstream media; The Moth High School StorySLAMs, which bring the thrill of personal storytelling to high schools in New York and educators around the world; The Moth Podcast, which is downloaded more than 44 million times a year; The Moth Corporate Program, which provides industry-specific storytelling solutions; and Peabody Award-winning The Moth Radio Hour which airs weekly on 450+ public radio stations nationwide. SOURCE The Moth Related Links http://www.themoth.org TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation is thrilled to announce the successful achievement of our Billion Dollar Challenge, in partnership with the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at University Health Network. In April 2012, we launched the largest single fundraising campaign in the history of Canadian healthcare to support the creation and delivery of Personalized Cancer Medicine. The goal of the five-year challenge was to secure $500 million through philanthropy and another $500 million through research grants. With the funds we secured and the generosity of our community of supporters, we are now in the early days of delivering on our promise of Personalized Cancer Medicine. The challenge was completed ahead of schedule. "We are pleased to announce $532 million has been secured in philanthropic support and $520 million has been secured in research grants by the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, for a total of $1,052,000,000," says Glenn Ives, Chairman, Board of Directors at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. "More than 40% of Canadians will hear, 'you have cancer,' in their lifetime," says Paul Alofs, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. "The Princess Margaret has an ambitious vision to Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime. Our passion to lead the way for all Canadians in Personalized Cancer Medicine inspires us and focuses our efforts." "This is a significant achievement that has enabled the cancer centre to expand its scientific and clinical research in key areas including epigenetics, bioinformatics, drug development, and immunotherapy," says Peter Pisters, President and CEO of UHN. "I would like to congratulate The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and also thank the many supporters who have helped in reaching this goal, which brings us many steps closer to providing more targeted, effective therapies for patients." Personalized Cancer Medicine is a multi-faceted, integrated approach that involves finding the right treatment, for the right patient, at the right time. With your help, The Princess Margaret is leading the way in creating this new gold standard in cancer care. "We are grateful to the scientists and researchers who secured grants, through their work at The Princess Margaret. It is because of their dedication and expertise granting agencies chose to support Princess Margaret's discovery research over the past five years," says Rama Khokha, Interim Director of Research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. "At The Princess Margaret we are looking to offer tomorrow's treatment today for patients here and across the country. We are grateful for the funds that allow us to make discoveries, lead multiple clinical trials, and share the results with the cancer community around the world," says Mary Gospodarowicz, Medical Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. "The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. Support from The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and all of our funding partners continues to enable the advances needed to reach the potential of personalized medicine. I am incredibly proud of the team of scientists and researchers," says Brad Wouters, Executive Vice President, Science and Research at UHN. Thank you to our donors, granting agencies, event and lottery participants, volunteers, program partners, sponsors and staff. We count on your continued support to transform Personalized Cancer Medicine in order to Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime. About Princess Margaret Cancer Centre The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has achieved an international reputation as a global leader in the fight against cancer and delivering Personalized Cancer Medicine. The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and The Michener Institute for Education at UHN. University Health Network is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. www.theprincessmargaret.ca About The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation at University Health Network is raising funds to lead the way in Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, which includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research. www.thepmcf.ca SOURCE Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Related Links www.pmhf.ca NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Did you know? - InGen is the leading independent distributor of in-vitro diagnostics in France. - With 13 offices and a team of 250 employees, Vienna, Austria headquartered, Biomedica Medizinprodukte GmbH & Co KG is a leading distributor of in-vitro diagnostics in Central and Eastern Europe. - MD Doctors Direct GmbH is dedicated to bringing a large selection of innovative, high quality laboratory and near-patient testing products to their diverse clientele in Switzerland. - Cruinn Diagnostics Limited is a leading Irish distributor whose product portfolio covers a wide range of in-vitro diagnostics including clinical chemistry, immunoassay, haematology, microbiology, autoimmune serology and recently the introduction of real time molecular diagnostics. - Axon Lab AG collaborates with reputable international supply partners in selling innovative medical diagnostics to clinics, doctors and the research sector in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Croatia. These are just a tiny sample of the 1,000's of facts to be found in 'The Top 100 Distributors Of IVD Reagents, Instruments & Accessories In Europe'. This unique and comprehensive report profiles the top 100 distributors of IVD reagents, instruments, and accessories in Europe. These companies partner with leading manufacturers and sell their products to hospitals and laboratories right across Europe: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Profile information for each company in 'The Top 100 Distributors Of IVD Reagents, Instruments & Accessories In Europe' typically includes: - Company Contact Information - Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers, Email and Website Addresses - Key Company Decision Makers - From CEO and Main Board, to Key Senior Managers - Specialised fields such as Company Description, Ownership, Manufacturers Represented, Countries Served, Year Established and Number of Employees. Report Target Market: 1) Manufacturers This report is perfect for manufacturers of IVD products who wish to identify all the leading distributors for their products in Europe. 2) Distributors Usage: competitive analysis and strategic partner/alliance identification. 3) IVD Associations 'The Top 100 Distributors Of IVD Reagents, Instruments & Accessories In Europe' is ideal for IVD associations to identify new member companies. Note: This major new report looks at all 100 of the top distributors of IVD reagents, instruments, and accessories in Europe - companies like: - Launch Diagnostics Limited - founded in 1990, the Kent, United Kingdom company is one of the major independent distributors in the United Kingdom, providing high quality diagnostic kits and laboratory instrumentation from world leading manufacturers to the Health Services of the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Ireland. The Company represents Arkray, Arlington Scientific, BioSystems, Cepheid, Corgenix, Devyser, Diamedix, DiaSorin, Diazyme, Dynex Technologies, EntroGen, EuroClone Diagnostica, Fast Track Diagnostics, Focus Diagnostics, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Humasis, InterLab, IVD Research Inc, Liofilchem, Meridian Bioscience, MKL Diagnostics, Novatec Immuno-Diagnostic, Orgentec Diagnostika, Savyon Diagnostics, Stratec Biomedical, Institut Virion\Serion and Wiener Lab Group. Launch Diagnostics is a member of the British In-Vitro Diagnostics Association and is led by John Twycross, Owner and Managing Director. - Rafer, S.L. - With headquarters in Zaragoza, Spain and eight offices across the Iberian peninsula, Rafer S.L. has almost fifty years' experience marketing reagents and instrumentation from well-known international companies such as Asuragen, Inc., Diaxonhit Group, FAR Diagnostics, Luminex Corporation, Wako Diagnostics and VIRO-IMMUN Labor-Diagnostika GmbH. It has 40 employees. - Triolab AS - Broendby, Denmark headquartered Triolab AS offers an extensive product range from point-of-care testing to full automation of clinical laboratories in the fields of coagulation, haematology, clinical chemistry, transfusion and transplantation diagnostics, molecular diagnostics and microbiology. Due to its extensive product range and vast experience in the field of clinical diagnostics, Triolab AS has customers in all healthcare segments, from small clinical laboratories to large laboratory centres and hospital departments. The Company has sister companies in Finland, Norway and Sweden. Together they are one of the leading diagnostic suppliers in the Nordic area. Triolab AS is part of the Swedish Addtech Group and is led by Finn Ulbk Andersen, Managing Director. Report data field structure is as follows: - Company Name - Address - Telephone - Fax - Email - Website - Parent Company Name - Year Established - Number of Employees - Key Executives - Company Description - Manufacturers Represented - Countries Served - Location Status - Ownership Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p03496079-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 CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines will hold a conference call to discuss full-year and fourth-quarter 2016 financial results on Wednesday, January 18, at 9:30 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. ET. A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call will be available at ir.united.com. The company will issue its full-year and fourth-quarter financial results and first-quarter 2017 investor update after market close on Tuesday, January 17. The webcast will be available for replay within 24 hours of the conference call and then archived on the website for three months. About United United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2016, United and United Express operated more than 1.6 million flights carrying more than 143 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL. SOURCE United Airlines Related Links http://ir.united.com Two Tomahawk missiles containing inert warheads were launched from the Vertical Launch System of USS Pinckney (DDG 91) at the Naval Air Systems Command Sea Test Range off the Southern California coast. The first test was planned in real time by the crew of the USS Pinckney, who used the Launch Platform Mission Planning (LPMP) capability of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System, based on data provided by the United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. The Tomahawk missile followed a pre-planned route until the conclusion of the test. In the second test, mission planners again used the dynamic LPMP capability to generate a longer-duration mission that also concluded with a terminal dive maneuver against the target. This test also validated missile performance for a long-duration mission. Tomahawk has a range of 1,000 statute miles and can defeat heavily defended targets virtually anywhere on Earth. About Tomahawk The U.S. Navy has conducted more than 75 successful Tomahawk flight tests since 2006. The cruise missile has been employed in combat more than 2,000 times since it was introduced. Tomahawk is the key weapon used by U.S. and British forces to defeat integrated air defense systems and strike highvalue, fixed and mobile targets in support of national policy. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter. Media Contact Tara Wood +1.520.247-5630 [email protected] SOURCE Raytheon Company Related Links http://www.raytheon.com LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a time of heightened political uncertainty and polarization, middle and high school teachers are in need of easy-to-use resources that encourage their students to grapple with some of the most difficult but important topics: hate, racism, intolerance and xenophobia. USC Shoah Foundation's soon-to-launch IWitness initiative, called "100 Days to Inspire Respect," provides teachers of civics, history, English and other subjects with 100 thought-provoking resources that tackle these challenging topics and more. Modeled after the aggressive 100-day agenda initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he took office in 1933, 100 Days to Inspire Respect will run from Jan. 20 through April 29. During those 100 days, the Education Department at USC Shoah Foundation will release a new IWitness activity, mini lesson or another resource each day based on testimony from the Institute's Visual History Archive. Each of the 14 weeks will center on a theme, starting on Jan. 20 with countering hate, and continuing, in this order: racism; civil and human rights; community; respect; intolerance; women/women's rights/; immigrant/refugees; cross-cultural understanding; courage; violence and violent extremism; indifference through media; resilience; and civic responsibility. The shortest activities can be completed in 15 minutes with no teacher prep work required; the longest, a week. The projects will variously have students producing videos, poems, images, and word clouds, as well as developing skills such as comparison-and-contrast analysis and close reading of text. All of the resources are grounded in clips of testimony from survivors of genocide the logical conclusion of unchecked hatred, racism and intolerance. "Hatred comes from stories, and so we are countering hatred with stories," said Kori Street, director of education at USC Shoah Foundation. "If I know your story, if I know who you are, it makes it really hard for me to 'otherize' you, be divisive, or hate you." The first week will feature an activity that invites teachers to show and discuss a four-minute video called "What is hate?" The video cites research suggesting hatred has three components: Distancing one's self from a person or group, such as how Nazis ostracized Jews during World War II; passionate anger or fear, such as how, during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, many Hutus believed their Tutsi neighbors were, quote, "cockroaches" who wanted to overrun their country; and committing to a belief system that dehumanizes a particular group or individual. The video also touches on modern narratives of hate, such as immigrants steal our jobs or Muslims are terrorists. Finally, the video includes a clip of testimony by Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein, whose remarks exemplify how hatred can take surprising forms. In the clip, Epstein relates how, just after World War II, she and other traumatized survivors and refugees were aboard a train bound for war-ravaged Germany. As the passengers disembarked, they were greeted on the platform by German children begging for food. When some refugees gave food to some of the children, Epstein then 21 years old found herself livid. "How dare you give something to these Nazis?" she remembers thinking. "Some of these so-called Nazis were five years old, maybe. But I was not aware until that moment that I had such anger and such hatred within me." Epstein said her across-the-board hatred of Germans eventually vanished. The clips of testimony embedded in the activities are relatable to all, Street said. "If someone who has witnessed or experienced the worst of what society throws at us can still see that we have more similarities than differences, then it makes it a lot easier for someone who hasn't seen the worst to do the same," she said. Drawing from testimonies of survivors from not only the Holocaust, but also genocides that occurred in Rwanda, China, Armenia and Guatemala, 100 Days to Inspire Respect will also include activities on xenophobia, multiple perspectives, and the "othering" of certain groups, among others. IWitness is a free educational website that provides testimony-based learning experiences for students that inspire compassion and critical thinking, leading them to become more thoughtful and active citizens. About USC Shoah Foundation USC Shoah Foundation The Institute for Visual History and Education is dedicated to making audio- visual interviews with survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust and other genocides, a compelling voice for education and action. The Institute's current collection of more than 54,000 eyewitness testimonies contained within its Visual History Archive preserves history as told by the people who lived it, and lived through it. Housed at the University of Southern California, within the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the Institute works with partners around the world to advance scholarship and research, to provide resources and online tools for educators, and to disseminate the testimonies for educational purposes. Visual History Archive is a registered trademark of USC Shoah Foundation The Institute for Visual History and Education Reg. U.S. Pat & Tm. Off. Contact: Josh Grossberg 213-740-6065 [email protected] Rob Kuznia 213-740-0965 [email protected] SOURCE USC Shoah Foundation WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. today issued the following statement in response to President-elect Donald J. Trump's nomination of Dr. David Shulkin as the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. David Shulkin, President-elect Donald J. Trump's pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, is a "strong choice" who is committed to continuing the VA's reputation as a world-class health care system, says J. David Cox Sr., national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 220,000 VA workers. Shulkin spoke in June 2016 at the summit, "Keeping the Promise: What's Next for the VA?" Photo: AFGE "Dr. Shulkin is a strong choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. He has extensive knowledge of the VA and is committed to continuing its reputation as a world-class health care system. Dr. Shulkin recognizes that the VA must continue to improve, and that the answers to its most pressing issues can only be solved with the help of dedicated frontline VA workers. "Like Dr. Shulkin, we are committed to strengthening the VA. The best way to deliver on our promise to veterans is to invest, fully staff, recruit and retain top-notch talent. Dismantling or privatizing the VA system guarantees substandard care for our nation's heroes. "The VA is the best health care system in the world, and we look forward to working with Dr. Shulkin to make sure that continues to be the case." AFGE represents more than 220,000 employees in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees Related Links http://www.afge.org VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard today announced the newly established Center for Investor Research (CIR), an enhancement of the company's efforts to drive investor success through behavioral research and experimentation. The new Center will be initially dedicated to the study of the behavior of individual investors. CIR will examine how investors make decisions through observational studies based on Vanguard's administrative data and the growing pool of digital interactions. The Center will also design experimental interventionsor "nudges"to directly improve investor outcomes. "Ultimately, Vanguard's mission is to propel better investor outcomes. The Center will take a data-driven, scientific view of investor behavior, and transform this knowledge into practical application," said Steve Utkus, principal and head of the Center for Investor Research. "Our research agenda will advance our understanding of the fundamental nature of investor decision-making and uncover strategies to improve the financial lives of our investors." CIR is an evolution of the Vanguard Center for Retirement Research, renowned for its proprietary research assessing the developments in defined contribution (DC) plan participant behavior and retirement plan design since its founding in 2001. The CIR will continue producing DC-centric research such as How America Saves, Vanguard's flagship DC publication, which is widely leveraged by plan sponsors, consultants, regulators, and academics alike. Analogous to the global and diverse set of clients Vanguard serves, the new Center's reach will extend to a range of individual investor types and demographics, including direct and advised clients, and 401(k) participants, as well as millennials, accumulators, and retirees. The Center's expanded reach encompasses a wide range of potential research topics addressing the behavioral and psychological aspects of investing. Planned research topics include investor expectations for stock market returns, the role of trust in advisor-client relationships, and the transition from work to retirement. In addition, with more than 90% of U.S. direct and 401(k) client interactions at Vanguard conducted online or via a mobile application, the new Center will explore how investors make choices in the digital realm, informing test-and-learn strategies to guide online investor behavior. Vanguard has already demonstrated the efficacy of behaviorally-oriented interventions, particularly among 401(k) plan participants, with the growing use of automatic enrollment in DC plan design, and the design and application of online experiences to increase savings rates. Online savings "nudges" provide personalized, specific guidance on how much participants should save to maximize their critical earnings years, and a simplifiedoften "one-click"path to take action. "We know that successful investors exhibit smart behaviorthey keep costs low, diversify their portfolio, and refrain from trading," said Vanguard CEO Bill McNabb. "Investor behavior is at the heart of successful outcomes, and the aim of our new Center is to advance the case for better investor outcomes through research and experimental techniques in an increasingly digital world." About Vanguard Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies. As of December 31, 2016, Vanguard managed more than $3.9 trillion in global assets. The firm, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, offers more than 350 funds to its more than 20 million investors worldwide. For more information, visit vanguard.com. SOURCE Vanguard Related Links http://www.vanguard.com Over her more than 20 years at Yale, Bradley has garnered deep experience with residential college life as Head of Branford College, one of the university's largest residential colleges for undergraduates, and broad leadership experience as the Director of Yale's Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy and as founder and Faculty Director of the Yale Global Health Leadership Institute. A central focus of Bradley's career has been improving health care delivery in the United States and through projects in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Her work, supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Clinton Foundation, has led to revolutionary innovations in the delivery of cardiovascular care, long-term and end-of-life care, and health care management. Bradley has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and three books, including the acclaimed The American Health Care Paradox: Why Spending More Is Getting Us Less. William Plapinger, Chair of the Vassar Board of Trustees, said, "Elizabeth Bradley has shown extraordinary leadership in all aspects of her remarkably broad career, combining intellectual commitment and rigor with vision, energy, and administrative talent. Across the varied areas of her career, she has been committed to bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to develop creative solutions to change people's lives for the better. There could be nothing more resonant with our mission at Vassar College. I am confident Vassar will be made a better place by having Elizabeth Bradley as its eleventh President." Bradley was elected unanimously by the Vassar College Board of Trustees on January 10. She will succeed Catharine Hill, who stepped down in August 2016 after ten years as president. Since that time, Jonathan Chenette, Dean of the Faculty, has served as Interim President. Bradley's term will begin July 1, 2017. Her selection comes after eight months of a national search by the college's Presidential Search Committee of trustees, faculty, and students. Bradley also will hold a joint appointment as Professor of Political Science and Professor of Science, Technology, and Society. "I am thrilled to have been elected the eleventh president of Vassar College. This is a critical time for leadership in liberal arts education, with many complex issues facing our campuses, our nation, and our world. With its strong intellectual foundation and its legacy of making a difference through action, Vassar serves as a model of high-quality, accessible, and innovative higher education. Working with students here in the U.S. and globally, I have seen how access to higher education changes lives, and it makes me even more committed to making certain we maintain Vassar as a diverse and inclusive community. I look forward to being part of the continued progress of this remarkable institution," said Bradley. Yale University President Peter Salovey said, "From her arrival on our campus, Professor Bradley has been a champion for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has enriched immeasurably the life of our campus community and will be missed as a visionary researcher, beloved teacher, wise mentor, trusted leader, and invaluable colleague." Since the beginning of 2016, Bradley has been the Director of the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy at Yale, a university-wide, interdisciplinary program primarily for undergraduates, whose goal is to train emerging leaders. The program, which employs a comprehensive approach to achieving large ends with limited means, examines disciplines such as history, political science, and classical literature as context to address a wide range of current-day challenges, including security, economic inequality, global health, and climate change. In her role as Head of Branford College, Bradley has been responsible for the intellectual and social life of the college. She and her family have lived on campus with 450 undergraduates, developing programs to bring faculty and visiting scholars to the college and fostering its community. Bradley has served on multiple university-wide committees pertaining to student life. Highly regarded for her international work as founder and Faculty Director of the Yale Global Health Leadership Institute, which operates education and research programs in China, the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda, and South Africa, Bradley has led teams that contributed to transforming Ethiopia's health care system, enhancing the quality of hospital management and availability of primary care. Since 2009, Bradley and the Global Health Leadership Institute have provided leadership and management education that empowers low-income communities and countries to improve health outcomes. Prior to her work at Yale, Bradley was a hospital administrator at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she helped lead the first generation of quality improvement efforts as part of the National Demonstration in Quality Improvement in Health Care, the inspiration for much of her subsequent research. Bradley grew up in New Britain, Connecticut. She focused on economics and art history as an undergraduate, graduating magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1984. She earned an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1986, and a PhD in Health Policy and Health Economics from Yale University in 1996. Bradley and her spouse, John Bradley, have three children, ages 24, 21, and 17. John has focused his career on urban community-building. He will assume the position of Executive Director of the Vassar College Urban Education Initiative beginning July 1. Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861. MULTI-MEDIA RELEASE: http://www.vassar.edu/newpresident PUBLIC CONTACT: Office of Campus Activities, (845) 437-5370 SOURCE Vassar College NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Velocidi, which unifies media and marketing data for brands and advertising agencies so that they can collaborate to make faster, more effective decisions, today announced the completion of $12 million in a Series A growth equity financing. Pilot Growth Equity led the round, with additional investment from Neuberger Berman Private Equity Funds. Velocidi will use the funds to invest in sales and marketing and bring to market a new generation of its platform, powered by artificial intelligence, which provides actionable insights more quickly and accurately than traditional tools. Many of the world's most well-known brands and agenciestouching billions of dollars in media spendalready work with Velocidi's marketing intelligence platform to help achieve better marketing results and drive significant return on investment. The cloud-based platform connects multi-channel data points from different media and marketing sources into a single, holistic view. Marketing analysts can uncover insights immediately using the platform, rather than being limited by highly manual processes used today to track and manage data. Marketing decision makers can then access those timely insights to optimize their campaigns and marketing spend. "Marketers demand more from their data. Since founding Velocidi in 2010, our mission has been to address this need by facilitating data analysis and insights, while also making it easier for teams to collaborate on findings and recommendations," said David Dunne, CEO and Founder of Velocidi. "This mission has already been successful, which has allowed us to build the business to profitability prior to this Series A round, and we are confident the investment and partnership with the Pilot Growth Equity and Neuberger Berman Private Equity Funds teams will help accelerate our growth and bring value to our customers." "Velocidi's marketing intelligence platform provides significant and rapid ROI to many of the world's leading brand advertisers, allowing for real time optimization of their marketing spend," said Neil Callahan, a co-founder and managing director of Pilot Growth Equity, who has also joined Velocidi's board. "We invested in Velocidi because we believe their platform is a single-source of truth for marketing effectiveness, which has the potential to transform the marketing intelligence industry. We look forward to working closely with the company on the next phase in its journey." About Velocidi Velocidi is a marketing intelligence software company, based in New York. We are marketers creating product for marketers. Our marketing intelligence platform touches billions of dollars in media spend for leading brands across the globe, and brings disparate data together into a single view so that brands and their agencies can collaborate on actionable insights and make faster, more effective decisions. Please visit us at www.velocidi.com. About Pilot Growth Equity Pilot Growth Equity ("Pilot Growth") is a technology growth equity firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Washington, DC. Pilot Growth invests in growth-stage technology companies that require capital and strategic resources to accelerate their growth. Founded by entrepreneurs, Pilot Growth provides its portfolio companies a combination of world class operating, company-building, and advisory expertise, as well as global access to private and public sector customers. Please visit us at www.pilotgrowth.com. About Neuberger Berman Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages equities, fixed income, private equity and hedge fund portfolios for institutions and advisors worldwide. With offices in 19 countries, Neuberger Berman's team is more than 1,900 professionals and the company was named by Pensions & Investments as a Best Place to Work in Money Management for four consecutive years. Tenured, stable and long-term in focus, the firm fosters an investment culture of fundamental research and independent thinking. It manages $255 billion in client assets as of September 30, 2016. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com. SOURCE Velocidi Related Links http://www.velocidi.com Miller's decision to retire caps a remarkable career of continuous service to Virtua, and its predecessor West Jersey Health System. Virtua's current Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dennis Flanagan, noted that Miller led the way for Virtua to transition from a group of community hospitals into a highly-respected regional healthcare provider. "It was Rich's leadership," said Flanagan, "that helped create Virtua from the merger of the West Jersey Health System and Memorial Health Alliance in 1998. Since then, Virtua has become a leader in the region delivering quality healthcare and bringing innovative programs and services to the communities it serves. He has built an outstanding leadership team that will continue to fulfill the organization's mission." Incoming Chairman of the Board David Kindlick noted that "Miller is a visionary who saw the need to shift hospital based services to an outpatient setting to increase convenience and reduce costs for patients before other providers. He led the way in introducing wellness services as part of a health system's offerings and recognized the benefit early on of adding fitness centers, weight loss programs and urgent care centers to Virtua's continuum of care." "I've been privileged to lead one of the region's greatest healthcare teams," said Miller, "with people who are dedicated to compassionate healing and outstanding customer service. The time has come for me to pass the baton to the next generation of leaders, and I will take great pride in watching the organization continue to fulfill its mission of helping people be well, get well and stay well." Miller joined the West Jersey Health System in 1986 as Vice President of Finance. During his tenure at West Jersey, he served as Executive Director of the Berlin Hospital, Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President of Hospital Affairs before being named President and CEO in 1996. Miller played a key role in the formation of Virtua in 1998 at which time he was named President and CEO for the new health system. At the time, he committed to evolving the health system from average to award winning, the results which have been demonstrated by awards for quality and patient safety by US News & Health Report, Healthgrades, Leapfrog Group, and countless other organizations as well as considerable growth in market share, making Virtua the largest health system in southern New Jersey. During his tenure, he oversaw the transition of a Camden inpatient facility into a vibrant outpatient center providing much needed primary and specialty healthcare and social services to Camden residents. In 2011, he opened one of the region's first new hospitals in 20 years despite a declining economy. At a time when many hospitals in the state are struggling, Virtua earned an AA- credit rating from Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's, making it the first health system in New Jersey to receive such a high credit rating. In addition to ensuring high quality and financial stability, Miller was also the moving force behind a culture that focused on creating an outstanding customer experience, achieved by investing in employees and hiring for values. As a result, Virtua has been named a Best Place to Work by the Philadelphia Business Journal for the last 10 years. Miller has been recognized nationally with appointments to the Leadership Advisory Council of the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare (CTH) and to the Governing Council of Healthcare Executives for the American Hospital Association. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served as a trustee of the National Quality Forum. Miller serves on the Operating Committee of the Board of Select Greater Philadelphia. He has served on the Board of the University of the Sciences of Philadelphia, was chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Hospital Association, a member of the Governor's Committee on Benchmarking for Quality and Efficiency, and the NJ Healthcare Access Study Commission. He is a past chairman of the board for the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey. Among his many honors, Miller was named Human Resources CEO of the Year by HR Department of the Year Awards. He received the CEO IT Achievement Award from Modern Healthcare magazine, was named Healthcare CEO of the Year by the Philadelphia Business Journal, Lean Six Sigma National CEO of the Year, Distinguished Citizen of the Year by Boy Scouts of America, and received the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award from New Jersey Junior Achievement. Goodwill honored him with the Helms Award for spreading goodwill through leadership and philanthropic involvement. He has been named among The 100 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Business by NJBIZ magazine, one of the 50 Most Powerful People in Health Care by NJBIZ, a "Person to Watch" by Philadelphia Magazine, and recognized nationally on the list of "291 Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know" by Becker's Hospital Review. A graduate of Mount St. Mary's College, Miller earned his MBA from Southern Illinois University. About Virtua As one of New Jersey's largest, nonprofit health systems, Virtua provides comprehensive health care services to achieve its mission to help people be well, get well and stay well. Virtua provides services through Virtua Medical Group with 302 physicians and other clinicians, and at its urgent care centers, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, health and wellness centers, fitness centers, home health services, long-term care and rehabilitation centers, and paramedic program. A leader in maternal and child health services, Virtua delivers nearly 8,000 babies a year. It provides health services to 1,500 businesses, and participates in Virtua Physician Partners, a clinically integrated network of 1,400 physicians and other clinicians. Virtua is affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for pediatrics. It employs over 9,000 and has been honored as the #1 Best Place to Work in the Delaware Valley every year since 2007. It is the recipient of a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for quality of care, and its hospitals earned straight A's in patient safety by The Leapfrog Group and the 2016 Patient Safety Award from Healthgrades. U.S. News and World Report ranked Virtua's Mount Holly and Voorhees hospitals as High Performing Hospitals and Voorhees as a Best Regional Hospital. Virtua is also the recipient of the Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation. For more information, visit www.virtua.org or www.virtuabroadcastnetwork.org. SOURCE Virtua Health Related Links http://www.virtua.org BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vituro Health, a comprehensive prostate care provider that empowers men during all stages of life, celebrated 1 year of treating prostate cancer with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). On Dec. 4, 2015, 61-year old Daniel Hazell, a corrections officer from Graceville, Fla., became the first patient of Medical Director Stephen Scionti, M.D., to be treated using the minimally invasive HIFU therapy in the United States. When asked about the procedure Hazell said, "My experience with HIFU was and continues to be wonderful. I recovered quickly with zero complications. I have been so impressed by Dr. Scionti's attention to detail when it comes to my care. I would recommend this procedure to anybody." At his one-year follow up appointment, Hazell received a negative biopsy result and is considered cancer free. Patients treated by Vituro Health physicians over the past year have come from all over the United States and as far away as Hong Kong, China. "We set out to be the leader in HIFU training and ensure that patients receive the best quality of life treatment and continuing care as they deal with life after the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Our team, from engineers, to nurses, to administrative staff, has put together the most advanced center for HIFU in America," says Dr. Scionti. "We have taken the forefront when it comes to patient treatment and physician education." In one year, through the Vituro Health Elite Center for HIFU Training in Sarasota, Fla., over 35 physicians from private practice to academia have received peer-to-peer training and proctoring. This unique training ensures that our patients receive the best outcomes for their quality of life. Collectively, the Vituro Health physicians have more experience than any other providers in the country. Dr. Scionti, who is globally recognized for his work in advanced prostate cancer diagnostics and minimally invasive prostate cancer therapy, has worked extensively with HIFU, and with over 1000 successful procedures is considered one of world's most experienced HIFU surgeons. He has collaborated with leading medical treatment centers around the world to help perfect HIFU technology, research medical applications, and train urologists to perform HIFU. All Vituro Health partner physicians receive extensive, hands-on training directly from Scionti. In the past year, Vituro Health has grown immensely and partnered with 10 physician groups and one hospital to bring state of the art HIFU treatment to men facing prostate cancer across the country. With locations throughout the United States from Florida to Pennsylvania, and Georgia to Nevada, men are no longer forced to travel across the country or out of the country to benefit from the innovative procedure. In partnership with our physicians, Vituro Health is launching a new navigation and Prostate Cancer Management program to create a precise diagnosis and treatment plan to help men and their families deal with this prevalent disease. Additionally, Vituro Health will be launching a health and wellness program designed to assist men at different levels. From those with a risk of prostate cancer, to patients who are recovering from treatments, and life after treatment. The Vituro Health Physician Board, comprised of leading Urologists from around the country, will be creating the medical protocols and processes that will be implemented to create a comprehensive precise diagnosis and treatment protocol to help men with their quality of life and control healthcare costs. "These Urologist are well respected and want to bring new technology and services to men and their families while working to save the healthcare system unnecessary costs," says Clete Walker, CEO of Vituro Health. "We are proud to partner with these physicians and to combine our efforts to assisting men and their families deal with this cancer." About Vituro Health Vituro Health empowers men with comprehensive prostate care during all stages of their lives. We arm partner physicians with HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) technology and other patient-centric, concierge services to elevate the standard of care and patient experiences. Vituro Health serves patients nationwide and is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., with partnering physicians in Birmingham, Sarasota, Fla., Jacksonville, Fla., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Pa., the Washington metropolitan area, Dallas, Tex., Las Vegas, Nev., and Phoenix, Ariz., who are carefully selected based on their depth of experience, expertise and dedication to achieving the highest levels of patient outcomes. For more information and to learn about our physicians, visit www.viturohealth.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Ferrell [email protected] 205.862.0016 SOURCE Vituro Health Related Links http://viturohealth.com BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE: WD) (the "Company") announced today that it supported LIFT and Community Solutions, two nonprofit organizations focused on combating poverty and homelessness in the United States, through its fundraising efforts in 2016. Over the past three years, Walker & Dunlop has raised over $400,000 for LIFT and Community Solutions, including $138,000 in 2016, through employee donations and Company matching. President of Walker & Dunlop, Howard W. Smith, commented, "Our partnerships with LIFT and Community Solutions strengthen each year, as our employees see their contributions effect tangible positive impacts on their communities. Our intention with these ongoing donations is to provide support to organizations focused on ending homelessness in America, a cause that is at the core of our Company culture." LIFT is a national nonprofit dedicated to ending intergenerational poverty. With the help of Walker & Dunlop and its contributions from the previous year, LIFT was able to help families meet basic needs and achieve long-term goals, serving over three thousand members last year. "Thanks to the generous employees of Walker & Dunlop, we can connect hardworking parents and caregivers of young children to the people, tools and resources they need," said LIFT CEO and Co-Founder Kirsten Lodal. "Last year, Walker & Dunlop's support directly helped more than 600 members access resources like groceries, transportation, childcare, and legal services, 208 members secure employment, and 100 more enroll in higher education and job training." Community Solutions works toward a future without homelessness, in which poverty never follows families beyond a single generation. Community Solutions is currently leading "Built for Zero," a movement of 70 communities to end chronic and veteran homelessness. In under two years, those communities have already found permanent homes for more than 60,000 homeless Americans, including more than 30,000 veterans. "Once again, Walker & Dunlop employees have shown unparalleled generosity, and we are so appreciative of their partnership and support," said Rosanne Haggerty, President of Community Solutions. "Over the past three years, Walker & Dunlop has become a vital member of the Community Solutions team. Today, the firm's employees are helping us end homelessness and the conditions that create it in more than 70 communities across the country. Walker & Dunlop represents corporate citizenship at its very best." In addition to partnering with LIFT and Community Solutions, the Company supports various other non-profits focused on curbing homelessness, including Georgetown Ministry Center and So Others Might Eat. Walker & Dunlop also provides Company-paid volunteer hours, organizes office volunteer events, and maintains a robust charitable donation matching program. About Walker & Dunlop Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States providing financing and investment sales to owners of multifamily and commercial properties. Walker & Dunlop, which is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, has over 500 professionals in over 25 offices across the nation with an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction. SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc. Related Links http://www.walkerdunlop.com LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11. 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MagicLinks, the leading provider of authentic social commerce tools for YouTube content creators, and Studio71, the multichannel network of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group, announced a strategic partnership that will provide the media company's creators with the opportunity to add a new revenue stream -- monetizing their content without diminishing autonomy. MagicLinks will be the social commerce tool of choice for Studio71's world-class base of creators whose videos are viewed more than 5 billion times a month. MagicLinks' tools allow creators to share links to products they love and earn income as their fans shop across any social platform. The partnership will help Studio71 creators earn income as well as enhance audience connection through access to rich data, providing transparency around the e-commerce actions (and preferences) of their followers. "We're committed to seeking out the best new ways to provide guidance and assistance for our roster of talent," says Phil Ranta, COO of Studio71. He adds, "This new relationship with MagicLinks continues Studio71's tradition of partnering with innovative products and services to provide an outstanding suite of tools for our creators to grow their digital media presence." "MagicLinks helps creators open up a new revenue stream without watering down their credibility. Their recommendations are true to their own preferences, and through our technology we empower them to build a new revenue stream while maintaining their own brand voice," says Brian Nickerson, CEO of MagicLinks. "We're thrilled to be partnering with Studio71 and look forward to helping their esteemed roster of creators build out a new pillar of commerce." About MagicLinks: The award-winning innovator is pioneering authentic social commerce, enabling YouTube creators to grow their business via sharing ready-to-shop product links with their fans. The company works with thousands of creators and brands to enhance authentic communication around products they love. Already used by thousands of the world's most recognized creators and brands, MagicLinks was named "Innovator of the Year" by CJU. www.magiclinks.org About Studio71: Studio71 is the global media company for top creators across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat and Twitter. Featuring Lilly Singh a.k.a IISuperwomanII, Rhett & Link, Logan Paul, Shay Mitchell, Matthew Santoro , Flula Borg, Epic Meal Time , Roman Atwood, Family Fun Pack and global superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Studio71's 1200 channels drive 5.6 billion monthly views, offer four times the average channel engagement and represent 19 percent of Google Preferred inventory. The company is a leader in results-driven branded content offering full-service strategy, creative, research, media and cross-platform activations for its clients. As a best-in-class production company, Studio71 develops, produces and distributes original programming across social media, television and film. It is part of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group and is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Berlin, New York, Toronto and London. Press contacts: E: [email protected] T: (424) 235-6903 MPRM Communications for Studio71 E: [email protected] T: (323) 933-3399 SOURCE MagicLinks Related Links http://www.magiclinks.org United Nations, Jan 6 : The UN has warned that the water crisis afflicting the Syrian capital may constitute a war crime. Millions of people have been deprived of running water after a reserve located in rebel-held Wadi Barada was cut off. "In Damascus itself, 5.5 million people have had their water supplies cut or minimised," the UN's humanitarian adviser to Syria, Jan Egeland, told reporters in Geneva the RT online reported. In December, the running water supply for Damascus was shut off, having reportedly been contaminated with diesel fuel. This deprived millions of people of drinking water, and came amid fighting in the rebel-held area where the reservoir is located. Rebels have blamed the government forces, saying that the crisis hit when the reserve was allegedly shelled. Syrian officials, however, say the rebels deliberately poisoned the water and then damaged the infrastructure. Egeland stressed that "to sabotage and deny water is of course a war crime," as such actions mainly impact civilians. He went on to say there was no sign of disease in the city, but did warn that poisoning was a real danger. Rebels have repeatedly threatened to target the water reservoir in Wadi Barada. They have recently threatened to cut the supply again - this time in a video that showed the tunnel running underneath Damascus, where they said they would lay explosive charges and physically deprive the population of water. A ceasefire deal between government and rebel forces came into force just before New Year's celebrations. The Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front militants did not participate. The deal was brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey, with Moscow and Ankara as guarantors of the truce. However, the rebels broke the truce shortly after its approval by UN Security Council members on January 2. They blamed the Bashar al-Assad government for alleged violations in the Wadi Barada valley. The truce aims to bring about peace talks later this month in Kazakhstan, with the rebels warning that any agreement would be immediately scrapped if the government does not pull out of the area north of the capital. Nay Pyi Taw, Jan 9 : Myanmar on Monday said it was investigating a recent attack on its nationals in Malaysia. Fifteen Myanmarese workers were attacked on January 5 by four masked assailants when they left from work at the factory of Elecol Switchgear in Serdang, Xinhua news agency reported. Four workers were killed on the spot and one of the three injured succumbed while being taken to hospital. U Myo Aung, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Immigration and Population, said seven Myanmarese workers from the factory were being kept in police custody for questioning. Myanmar authorities have, in response, stopped sending workers to Malaysia, said U Zaw Htay, spokesperson for the presidential office, urging illegal workers to contact the embassy for safety. Altogether 30 Myanmarese workers were working at the factory and 15 of them were undocumented. Vatican City, Jan 9 : In a speech that urged the pursuit of peace in the New Year, Pope Francis on Monday called upon religious leaders around the world to reject killing in the name of God. The pontiff made the declarations in his annual address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See -- ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, Efe news reported. "We are dealing with a homicidal madness which misuses God's name in order to disseminate death in an attempt to affirm domination and power," the Pope said. "I appeal to all religious authorities to join in reaffirming unequivocally that one can never kill in God's name," he added. The pontiff said that religion was still being used as a tool for marginalisation and violence. Pope Francis went on to list examples of nations spanning four continents that suffered at the hands of religiously motivated attacks in 2016. The pontiff then turned to the subject of immigration policy, calling on leaders of the international community to carefully analyse their nation's capacity to house as many refugees and migrants as possible. He added that the migrant crisis should not become a matter of figures and statistics, reminding the delegation that refugees were people with names, histories and families. Those who do arrive in a foreign country seeking asylum, however, should respect the laws, culture and traditions, the Pope added. The rare cat-caracal seized by traffickers in this number has surprised the forest officials. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 9 : In a significant catch, five caracals and a leopard cat, both rare and very less sighted members of the cat family, were rescued from trafficker in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur district, forest officials said on Monday. The animals, kept in medium-sized cages, well-wrapped up but with netted cloth to avoid suffocation, were being taken from Bihar to Hyderabad. Police rescued them on Sunday evening after a tip-off after intercepting a vehicle in which Mohammad Arif of Hyderabad was transporting them, Mirzapur's District Forest Officer K.K. Pandey told IANS. The cats, which appear to be as young as an year old, were healthy but scared, he added. The forest officials gave the animals some food and water and were shifting them to Lucknow zoo for better care. The intention of trafficking could not be known. According to Shekhar Niraj, Head of TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network in alliance with the WWF, it is a first such case where so many caracals were caught being trafficked. "It is very rare and unusual incident. In India, caracal sighting is very rare and they are now threatened. Such demand of carcals might be for a private zoo," here said. Caracals are large-sized, brick-coloured cats, unique for their look and pointed ears, found only in arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat, with some distribution in Punjab and Haryana also. Beside India, they are also found in Africa. Carcals figure in the the Red List (Endangered) of the IUCN and protected under schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, which gives them same protection as that to tigers and leopards. New Delhi, Jan 10 : The Election Commission on Tuesday issued show cause notice to BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj and said it is prima facie of the opinion that he violated the Model Code of Conduct by making "impugned statements". The Unnao MP's speech at a religious gathering at Meerut in the poll-bound state attracted widespread condemnation while his own party distanced itself from his remarks. Addressing a gathering of seers on January 6, the controversial Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader called for implementing the Uniform Civil Code and indirectly held the Muslims responsible for the population explosion. "Population is rising rapidly, and so are the country's problems. But Hindus are not responsible for this. Those who talk about four wives and 40 children are responsible," he had said. The Election Commission, in its notice, said the Model Code of Conduct is clear that there should be no appeal to caste or communal feelings, and also cited the Supreme Court judgement that held that religion and caste should not be used by anyone while making any statement during electioneering or otherwise. "The Commission prima facie is of opinion that you have violated the aforesaid provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and also wilfully disobeyed the aforesaid order of hon'ble Supreme Court by making the impugned statements," the notice said. BJP has distanced itself from the remarks by Sakshi Maharaj. Kabul, Jan 10 : Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has urged Islamic countries to put pressure on extremist groups to join the peace process in the conflict-ravaged nation, media reported on Tuesday. Tolo News quoted Ghani as telling Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat that it was important for Taliban to separate itself from terrorist groups that pose a threat to Islamic nations. "We hope that Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, exert pressure on extremist leaders to push them towards reconciliation," he said. Ghani also said that Afghanistan had strong relations with Saudi Arabia and described it as "strong and essential". The Afghanistan President said the country has good ties with other Islamic countries as well, including the United Arab Emirates. Regarding Pakistan, Ghani said Islamabad's best interest lies with Kabul. He called the Islamic State terror group as a threat to the entire region. "When you look at the history of these groups, you see that each lifespan is on average between 20 to 40 years and we need a minimum of 20 years to stop them," Ghani said. When asked whether he was concerned regarding foreign interventions in Afghanistan's internal affairs, Ghani said: "Millions of Afghans fled to neighbouring countries at the beginning of the crisis and some moved to different cities in Afghanistan. By the end of 2016, one million Afghans returned to their country and we welcomed them." In an apparent reference to eastern neighbour Pakistan, he further said: "Unfortunately, some countries differentiate between a good and a bad terrorist. Those who conduct operations outside their countries are good terrorists and vice versa." Ahmedabad, Jan 10 : In a reflection of the importance that Saudi Arabia attaches to enhancing business ties with India, a high-level delegation from the Gulf kingdom, one of the world's richest nations, is taking part in the the eighth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit that gets underway here on Tuesday. The 20-member Saudi delegation, led by Saudi-India Business Council Chairman Kamal S. Al-Munajjed, includes companies in sectors ranging from real estate and investment banking to oil and gas, power, telecom and agriculture. The list has been furnished by the Saudi embassy in New Delhi. The delegation includes Director of the Saudi Arabian Government Investment Agency (SAGIA) Imad A. Al-Abdulqader and other senior officials. The delegation members include Abdulaziz Abdulahadi Al Qahtani, Chairman Abdulahadi A. Al Qahtani & Sons; Talal Siddiq Farsi, vice CEO Siddiq Farsi Holding Company; Mazen Mohamed Batterjee, Vice Chairman Batterjee Holding Company; Adeeb Mohammed Idrees, owner and General Manager of Alebda' Group For Trading Manufacture; and Ahmed Nasser Al-Obaikan, Chairman of Ahmed Al-Obaikan Company for Real Estate Investment and Development. As part of their engagement at the investors' summit here, Saudi Arabia is organising a day-long country seminar on Wednesday that will also feature a panel discussion on boosting Indo-Saudi trade and industrial partnerships. Saudi Arabian Ambassador Saud Al Sati will be one of the speakers at the seminar. Around 20 heads of state and ministers representing different governments across the world will attend the summit, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Twelve countries have agreed to become partner countries for this edition of vibrant Gujarat - the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Sweden and the UAE. Chicago, Jan 11 : Barack Obama marked the end of his presidency with the same message of hope that brought him into the White House, asking Americans in his farewell adress here to stay committed to democratic values and persist in their optimism for change. From his adopted hometown of Chicago, the city where the outgoing President found purpose in public life, Obama on Tuesday called on the country to be "anxious, jealous guardians of democracy", CNN reported. Though Americans have largely grown more cynical about politics during his time in the White House, the outgoing President nonetheless continued to insist that change results when "ordinary people get involved, get engaged and come together to demand it". "After eight years as your President, I still believe that." "And it's not just my belief. It's the beating heart of our American idea -- our bold experiment in self-government," Obama told the American people in a large convention hall a few blocks from Grant Park, where he spoke to supporters on the night of his historic election in 2008. The speech also reflected the unique situation Obama will confront as he leaves office. At just 55, he is preparing for an active post-presidency in which he will champion many of the same core issues he worked on in the White House, including minority rights and opportunities for young people. "You were the change. You answered people's hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started," he said. In 4,300 words, Obama's focus was his "optimism" about civic engagement going forward after a bitter campaign to replace him and lingering concern about how President-elect Donald Trump will handle foreign relations, national security, the economy and other big-ticket issues. Trump has vowed to undo some of his signature policies. He would be sworn into office on January 20. Obama called for a new social compact to creating opportunity for all, or else "the disaffection and division that has stalled our progress will only sharpen in years to come". "Laws alone won't be enough. Hearts must change," the country's first black President said as he reflected on racial threats. He said he has not abandoned his vision of progressive change but warned that it now comes with a new set of caveats. Senior advisors said Obama knows that many progressive, religious and ethnic minorities and immigrants were feeling apprehensive with the approach of the handover to Trump, the Loss Angeles Times reported. Obama's successor was elected after promising to crack down on immigration, scrutinise Muslims in the US and challenge what he termed "political correctness". Obama paid an emotional tribute to First Lady Michelle Obama and thanked Vice President Joe Biden who were all in attendance. His voice quaked when describing Michelle's contribution. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour." "You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody," Obama said to his wife. Thanking Biden for serving alongside him in the White House, Obama said: "He is like a brother and family." Biden too looked emotional and appeared to enjoy the adulation while his wife Jill Biden held his hand. As he spoke before a rousing crowd of supporters, Obama was interrupted often with screams of "I Love you Obama." When a protester holding a "Pardon All of Us" sign, chants of "four more years" drowned out the shouts. "I can't do that," Obama said when the crowd begged him to run again, which is not allowed by the Constitution. The 44th US President's goodbye was a dramatic reinterpretation of a presidential farewell address, ending his speech with his signature "Yes, we can" concept that propelled him into Oval Office in 2008. He said: "Presuming goodness in others could be a risk", but asked the 20,000 strong crowd gathered there to "dive in and stay at it" whenever change should be brought. He drew inspiration from the youngest. Obama recalled the young boy who offered his house and brotherhood to another child, a refuge from Syria. He rallied the spirits of beleaguered Democrats, still reeling from Hillary Clinton's election loss in November. Kolkata, Jan 11 : The ICCR, the organisation tasked with projecting the country's heritage and engaging culturally with friendly countries, aims to set up more ayurveda chairs abroad as part of its bid to harness India's soft power as a "potent tool". "If you want to be a superpower, soft power should be one of your potent tools," Amarendra Khatua, Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, told IANS in an interview here on the sidelines of the Vedic Mathematics International Conference. He added that more chairs in ayurveda will be created in the coming years. Noting that his mandate includes promoting and showcasing diaspora linkages, yoga and the ayurvedic pharmacopeia, the Director General underscored the importance of harnessing India's soft power with a more focused and transparent approach. And to this end, "we are streamlining the activities of the ICCR and ensuring efficiency, transparency", he said. The ICCR, which administers scholarships to international students, is also working on ensuring that these scholars become India's "constituencies" in the course of their future work. "We receive 6,000 foreign students and they should become our own constituencies when they finish their education and go back," Khatua said, adding that the ICCR is "consciously nurturing the idea". "At the moment there is no organised framework to track where they are and what they are doing. So we are computerising and recording everything from the day he or she comes as part of the 'Arrival to Alumni' initiative," the veteran diplomat said. Odisha-born Khatua belongs to the 1981 batch of the Indian Foreign Service. During his diplomatic career, he has held trade and economic positions in various Indian missions around the world. His last posting was as Indian ambassador in Argentina. Uruguay and Paraguay. In its renewed efforts to promote Brand India, ICCR's approach to conferences has also changed, Khatua informed. "We are not doing full-tour conferences. Instead, we are organising little conferences such as those on Abdul-Qadir Bedil (a master of Persian poetry who was born in India) and an international qawwali festival in Tehran, among others," he said. To empower up-and-coming artistes, ICCR will also empanel them for performances abroad. "With regard to troupes which are going abroad, lot of empanelment has not been made. Young artistes are suffering and older artistes are doing well. So now we are trying to empanel all the young artistes so that everybody gets a chance," Khatua said. Another initiative that the ICCR is promoting involves keeping the second-generation diaspora in touch with their mother tongues. "We are now sending secondary school teachers abroad so that the diaspora can be taught (the) ABCD (of Indian languages)," he said. This apart, Khatua aims to take the two-way cultural diplomacy to Tier II and Tier III cities as well. "We receive about 400 cultural troupes from outside and we send about 400 abroad. So we have to see that these troupes go to India's Tier II and III cities with a large middle class and educated population (so that) they know about these cultural aspects," he said. India currently has 26 cultural centres across the globe. But more are needed if the country's soft power is to be put on effective display. "At least six are in the pipeline during 2017. We have already announced centres for Washington and Sydney," he said. India's stress on soft power is evident from the fact that on June 21, 2015, the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated all over the world. (Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in) Washington, Jan 11 : US Secretary of State John Kerry will attend a conference on peace in the Middle East to be held this Sunday in Paris, the US Department of State said in a statement. This would be his last overseas trip as secretary of state, which would include visits to Vietnam, Britain and Switzerland, Efe news reported on Wednesday. Kerry's presence at that international event evidences his break with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who fears that the conference would deepen his diplomatic isolation. The gap with Netanyahu was clear in December 2016, when the US abstained for the first time in decades in a UN Security Council resolution condemning Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory. The move was then reinforced by the speech that Kerry gave days later to justify that vote in the UN. The current Secretary of State mediated for nine months between 2013 and 2014 in direct peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, but that effort failed. However, US President-elect Donald Trump has promised a rapprochement with Netanyahu from January 20 onwards when Trump assumes office. Trump was expected to resume hard-line unconditional support for the Israeli government's policies. Kerry's last foreign trip as secretary of state would begin on Friday, in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he will meet with Vietnamese senior officials to "discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues," the Department of State said in a statement. After his trip to Paris, Kerry will travel to London on January 16, to meet with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, and address "the situation in Syria and other global and regional issues". Finally, on January 17-18 , Kerry would attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he will be "the featured speaker in a discussion on 21st century diplomacy," the State Department said. New Delhi, Jan 11 : Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Wednesday accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan here, an official said. President Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the visiting dignitary who was presented an impressive Guard of Honour on the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt. Kenyatta, here on a three-day state visit, later met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House for official-level talks. The Kenyan President, who is accompanied by several of his Ministers, arrived in India on January 10. He attended the inaugural session of the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 at Gandhinagar which was declared open by Modi on Tuesday. Kenyatta is also scheduled to meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar during his stay here. London, Jan 11 : British Prime Minister is facing calls to reveal details of her investments after it emerged that she has shares in a "blind trust", a newspaper here reported. May had set up a blind trust when she became the PM, despite previously serving in the Cabinet for six years as Home Secretary, said the report in the Independent on Wednesday. Downing Street insisted that May used what is a "well-established mechanism" when she set up the trust to manage her financial interests on becoming Prime Minister. "I'm sure the Prime Minister has nothing to hide but the public has a legitimate interest in what companies she invested in and who runs the trust," Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron was quoted in the newspaper as saying. "Theresa May promised the most transparent government in the world. This is an early test to see if her deeds match her words," he said. Shadow minister without portfolio Andrew Gwynne said: "If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, then she needs to reveal immediately where she has existing financial interests." The placing of shares in a blind trust means ministers have no knowledge of how their interests are being invested, to avoid accusations that their decision-making is unduly influenced. But while ministers use the trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, six serving members of the government hold them. It also means they do not have to reveal their investments in full in the list of ministerial interests, said the report. "Blind trusts are a well-established mechanism for protecting ministers in the handling of their interests, as they are not involved in any decisions on the management, acquisition or disposal of items in the trust. She set it up when she became Prime Minister," a Number 10 spokeswoman said. The spokeswoman also said the Prime Minister did not require a blind trust while she was Home Secretary, adding: "The Prime Minister has a far wider set of public duties than the Home Secretary." The arrangement has proved controversial in the past. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair attracted criticism in 2002 after it emerged his wife Cherie had used money from his blind trust to buy two flats in Bristol. Rome, Jan 11 : Italy's Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni on Wednesday underwent angioplasty, a surgical intervention to widen obstructed arteries, Italian media outlets reported. Gentiloni was admitted to Gemelli hospital here after he fell ill upon his return from Paris, and was said to be recovering well, Efe news reported. For the moment, no official details were given on his health, but he would reportedly have to stay in hospital for a few days. Gentiloni, who in December replaced Matteo Renzi as the Prime Minister, was scheduled to travel to London on Thursday to meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May. New Delhi, Jan 11 : For the first time in history, an Indian Prime Minister is being ridiculed across the world for his "incompetent" decision of demonetisation, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday. Addressing a party convention here, Gandhi also charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with weakening the country's constitutional institutions. Dubbing demonetisation as Modi's "personal decision", Gandhi said "world's biggest financial experiment" was undertaken on the whims of the Prime Minister and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. "For the first time in history, the Prime Minister of India is being ridiculed world over. "Never before has every single economist of any repute said that the Prime Minister has taken an incompetent and badly thought out decision," said Gandhi about the November 8 decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. Gandhi also asserted that the "acche din" (good days) promised by Modi during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls will actually come with the return of the Congress to power. "Every single institution that we constructed, be it the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), judiciary or the Election Commission, the BJP, RSS and Modi have weakened them. Today, there is no institution in this country that is respected," he said. "We did not do this over the last 70 years," he said pointing to Modi and the BJP. "The RBI, an institution that is the financial bedrock of the country, has been ridiculed, position of the RBI Governor has been ridiculed. "The reason is that the RSS and the BJP are under the impression that nobody's opinion matters in the country except their own," said Gandhi claiming that demonetisation was not a decision of the apex bank. Further ridiculing Modi, he went on to add: "Having failed to hide behind 'Make in India', 'Skill India' and 'Swachh Bharat Mission' campaigns, Modi tried hiding behind his home-made economists like Baba Ramdev...and broke the country's financial spine." "After discussing with just two-three people, he undertook the world's biggest financial experiment. And if you question him, he says who are you, the country will be run only by Modi and Mohan Bhagwat," said Gandhi. "The Prime Minister jumps from clean India, to surgical strikes, to demonetisation. He keeps jumping from one thing to another and people wonder when good days will come." "I'll tell them that it will come when Congress comes to power again," he said. Gandhi also asserted his party's commitment to protecting the country's constitutional institutions. "We want to tell the country that India's soul is its institutions and we would protect them. We are opposed to Modi and Bhagwat's mindset that only two-three people can run the country. We will defeat this mindset," affirmed Gandhi. He also asked Modi to go to the poor and the farmers to know about the effects of his decision and to "feel their pain". He also said that the media was under "certain constraints". "We understand their nervousness and predicament. But, there is a responsibility that you have in highlighting the pain the people are feeling. You must not shy away from that responsibility," he added. Moscow, Jan 11 : The Russian Health Ministry has unveiled plans to ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2015, the media reported. The Health Ministry proposal, which has the backing of President Vladimir Putin, would make Russia the first country in the world to completely phase out tobacco. The ban proposal, obtained by Russian newspaper Izvestia, would go into effect in 2033, when the affected Russian citizens (now babies) turn 18 years old. "This goal is absolutely ideologically correct," Nikolai Gerasimenko, a member of the Russian Parliament's Health Committee told the Times on Tuesday. However, Gerasimenko also admitted that he was uncertain whether such a ban would be enforceable. A Kremlin spokesman said such a ban would need serious consideration and consultation with other Ministries. According to Russian media, the Ministry of Health said the document has already been distributed in a variety of federal agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Development and others. The number of smokers in Russia dropped by 10 per cent in 2016, according to Russian news agency Tass. Gandhinagar, Jan 11 : Saudi Arabia on Wednesday invited India to play a key role in the kingdom's economic transformation as it seeks to reduce is dependence on oil exports following a long period of decline in crude prices and emergence of new fuels by diversifying its sources of income and attracting foreign investment. "We are now looking to a post-oil age that will usher in an era of world-class technological research, start-up development, entrepreneurial vigor and vast investment opportunities," Saudi Ambassador to India Saud Al Sati said at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here. "We welcome India as a central participant in this exciting new phase of our country's profound growth," he said. The Gulf nation has sent a 20-member high-profile business delegation to investors' meet. In his address at the Saudi Arabia country seminar at the summit, the ambassador elaborated on the Kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to "transform the entire foundation of the Saudi economy. "Through this program, we are aiming to free the Saudi economy from dependence on oil by diversifying the Kingdom's sources of income, attracting foreign investment and making Saudi Arabia a manufacturing hub." "While Saudi 'Vision 2030' emphasizes future focus on the non-hydrocarbon sector, the oil sector of our economy will, of course, remain vital for years to come, and we will continue to meet India's energy needs," Al Sati said. He recalled the visit of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in 2010 and the signing of the Riyadh Declaration elevating bilateral ties to "a new era of strategic partnership, leading to enhanced cooperation in political, economic, security and defence spheres." Noting that bilateral trade in 2015 was worth nearly $40 billion with India importing a fifth of its oil needs from Saudi Arabia, the ambassador mentioned some latest milestones in Indo-Saudi economic relations. "Indian IT services company Tech Mahindra has just announced a joint venture with the Saudi company Midad Holdings that will work towards localizing information and communication technologies in the Kingdom," the envoy said. "Indian pharmaceuticals manufacturer Aurobindo is among the latest to launch its factory in Saudi Arabia," he added. In April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Saudi Arabia when five new bilateral agreements were signed covering intelligence-sharing on terrorism financing, increasing private investment in pharmaceuticals, transport, infrastructure and energy, as well as one on enhancing defense cooperation. "The Saudi General Investment Authority reports that 426 licenses have been issued to Indian companies to invest in the Kingdom, and long-established Indian companies have made very significant investments in our country," Al Sati said. New Delhi, Jan 11 : India and Kenya on Wednesday held high-level discussions on common issues and agreed to focus on operationalisation of bilateral defence cooperation. Speaking to media after the talks at Hyderabad House here between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Prime Minister Modi said: "We are also partnering to strengthen our security cooperation and capacities. We have directed the Joint Working Group to meet early. "It would focus on cyber security, counter-terrorism, combating drugs, narcotics, human trafficking and money laundering." The Kenyan President is paying a state visit to India from January 10 to 12. Earlier during the day, Kenyatta was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the visiting dignitary who was presented an impressive Guard of Honour on the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt. Prime Minister Modi had paid a visit to Kenya on July 10-11 last year. During the visit, India and Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation. Following Wednesday's talks here, Modi said some of the specific areas of priority would be hydrography, communications networks, anti-piracy, capacity building, exchanges and defence medical cooperation. On the ongoing cooperation between the two nations in the field of Agriculture, Modi said: "The $100-million Line of Credit Agreement signed for agricultural mechanisation today (Wednesday) would open a new dimension of engagement. Long-term arrangement with Kenya for production and import of pulses is being explored and discussed." Both nations will have broad-based cooperation in agriculture and food security, and will collaborate to raise agricultural productivity in Kenya. On bilateral business opportunities, Modi said: "(We) will encourage, industry and business in both countries to take lead in exploiting opportunities in healthcare, tourism, information technology, agriculture, blue economy and energy." He said: "The Joint Business Council meeting tomorrow (Thursday) will work to build commercial engagement through specific projects in these areas. To boost trade, we are also cooperating on trade facilitation measures, including standardisation and related areas." Appreciating President Kenyatta's visit to the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, underway at Gandhinagar, Modi said: "Your participation in Vibrant Gujarat has generated a strong interest in Indian businesses to connect with commercial and investment opportunities in Kenya." The Kenyan President, who is accompanied by several of his Ministers, arrived in India on January 10. He attended the inaugural session of the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017 at Gandhinagar which was declared open by Modi on Tuesday. The 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is being held in Gandhinagar from January 10 to 13. Hyderabad, Jan 11 : It was a dream come true for some employees of Facebook here when they got to shake a leg with actor Ram Charan to one of the songs from his father Chiranjeevi's comeback Telugu film "Khaidi No 150". Ram Charan's visit was part of the promotional campaign of "Khaidi No 150", which he has produced. "In a candid interaction, he discussed about the film, what fans can expect from it and how it's his personal way of paying tribute to his father. He also happened to shake a leg with a few employees for a song from the film," a source close to Ram Charan told IANS. "Khaidi No 150" marks the debut of Ram Charan as a producer. The film released worldwide on Wednesday. Chandigarh : Chandigarh Jan 11 (IANS) Slamming Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for comparing the Congress party symbol 'Hand' with the hands of Guru Nanak, Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal on Wednesday described the analogy as "shocking in the extreme and unpardonable". Former Union Minister and senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa lamented that Rahul chose to compare the "killer hand of the Congress party and the holiest image of Guru Nanak Dev's hand of benevolence" in his speech at a Congress convention at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. "Rahul Gandhi's speech had grievously hurt the religious sentiments of the devout believers and followers of Guru Nanak Dev ji the world over," Dhindsa said. Calling upon Congress leaders, including Amarinder Singh to "express their strongest disapproval of Rahul Gandhi's sacrilegious statement", Dhindsa said: "This is the most horrendous comparison which no one in his senses would ever dare to draw." Citing the Congress election symbol the 'Hand', Gandhi said, "The Congress symbol is in Lord Shiva's picture. The gods in every religion are showing the Congress symbol." "When I see the image of Guru Nanak Dev ji, I see the Congress symbol, 'Hand', in his hand," Rahul said. Reacting angrily, Dhindsa said: "Has he lost his mind, really? Was he even in his senses when he made that most shocking speech? It is too shocking to even believe that Rahul Gandhi actually compared the bloody hand of his party with the divine hand of Guru Nanak Sahib." "Rahul should also have remembered that the Congress hand is spattered with the blood of thousands of innocent Sikhs who follow the teachings of the great Guru and dedicate their lives to his great legacy. Does he know how Guru Sahib had actually shown blood dripping from the food offered to him by the tyrant Malik Bhago. The same is true of the Congress symbol of 'Hand'," Dhindsa said. He said that "it was beyond anybody's wildest imagination that the Congress party and its leaders would once again indulge in such outrageous acts of disrespect to our great gurus and their legacy." "All Sikhs in the Congress party should openly declare their opposition to this comparison. They must dissociate themselves from this remark and must demonstrate that their first allegiance is to the great Gurus and not to the Gandhi family or its scion, Rahul," Dhindsa said. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders had earlier compared the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, with their party manifesto and had even put the AAP party symbol broom along the sacred image of the holiest of Sikh shrines, Harmandir Sahib. Soft shell and Flap shell turtles seized kept in an enclosure. They will be soon released in their natural habitat soon. Image Source: IANS News A flap shell turtle , one among over 6,000 turtle seized from the traffickers. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 11 : In one of the largest catches, third this year, as many as 6,430 endangered soft shell and flap shell turtles were seized in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, officials said. The turtles were bound for West Bengal. Previously two such huge seizures were effected in West Bengal where over 1,600 soft shell turtles were caught from the interstate smugglers, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh. The turtles were seized from Amethi district by the state police's elite Special Task Force (STF), and one trafficker was nabbed but two others fled, officials disclosed on Wednesday. On interrogation, the arrested man confessed that he was part of a larger interstate wildlife trafficking network. "This is a big network and active in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. We suspect about three dozen people in the supply chain of the UP kingpin. The network is active around the plains of Ghaghra and Sarayu river and their tributaries," Arvind Chaturvedi, who heads the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), told IANS. The officials believe that the turtles were to be consumed in West Bengal where demand for turtle meat is huge. Some were also to be trafficked outside India, where they fetch high prices. "Normally, they are for both purposes, for eating and Feng Shui. The small turtles are often supplied to China, Thailand and Myanmar for Feng Shui or Chinese medicine. The larger ones are supplied to Kolkata and Bangladesh for eating," Chaturvedi said. The Uttar Pradesh STF has previously tipped off the West Bengal Police, leading to the seizure of over 3,000 soft shell turtles in past three weeks. "We had identified some big leagues in this network in West Bengal. These are some white-collar people who don't go out in the field. Soon this network will be broken," Chaturvedi told IANS. The turtles are under care of the state forest department and will be released back into their natural habitat. "We will have to see how we release them as we can't release such a huge number in a single large pond," a top official from the state forest department told IANS. Animal welfare organisation Wildlife SOS has extended its assistance to the forest department in rehabilitation of these turtles. "We commend the STF for intercepting this consignment. These turtles are mostly traded for body parts believed to have medicinal properties. These turtles are protected under Indian law," said Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO of Wildlife SOS. On the night of January 1, as many as 1,625 Indian soft shell turtles were seized from Burdwan district in West Bengal by the state police and four persons were arrested. Sujit Kumar Das, Additional Divisional Forest Officer of Burdwan, told IANS that it was the second such catch in the state that week -- 1,850 soft shell turtles, being trafficked from Uttar Pradesh, were seized in the same district on December 29, 2016. New Delhi, Jan 11 : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said Amazon must tender an unconditional apology and withdraw all products insulting the Tricolour, otherwise no Amazon official will get an Indian visa. "Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately," the External Affairs Minister said in a tweet. "If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier," she said. Doormats featuring the Indian flag were made available on Amazon Canada site by two vendors -- Mayers Flag Doormats and XLYL. An image of the products was tweeted to the Minister, after which she asked the Indian High Commission in Canada to raise the issue with Amazon. "Indian High Commission in Canada: This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level," the Minister tweeted. Kolkata, Jan 11 : Virtually comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ravana, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused his government of running a terror campaign to silence the opposition and alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to eliminate her in a plane crash as she was in the forefront of the anti-Modi protests. Speaking at a sit-in protest organised by her Trinamool Congress before the Reserve Bank of India office here against demonetisation, Banerjee also declared that he would be banned by the people before any more bids to demonetise the Indian currency. In her characteristic aggressive speech pillorying Modi, Banerjee, referring to his address to the nation on New Year's Eve, said: "People waited before their television sets on New Year's Eve hoping the restrictions on cash withdrawals will end. "But that was not to be. Instead, he gave a speech, clapping and clapping. This is a new technique of giving speech, by clapping loudly. And then he claims that he has broad chest and shoulders. "Even Ravana has broad shoulders. And he also has ten heads. Why did you introduce Rs 2, 000 demonetisation notes after scrapping notes of Rs 1,000 denomination?" "Now BJP people say after a few days even these Rs 2000 notes will be banned. But before any such thing, Modi himself will be banned." In an apparent reference to an aircraft flying her on November 30 that hovered in the night sky for about 40 minutes near Kolkata airport, Banerjee claimed that it was an attempt to assassinate her. "Even a conspiracy was hatched to kill me in a plane crash. I had a close escape. Later they suspended two pilots. Air Traffic Control is putting the blame somewhere. Others are putting the blame elsewhere. Police not getting any document to conduct a proper probe. "They (the government) are dangerous. They can do anything and everything," Banerjee said at the dharma, which her party had launched on Monday. "An unprecedented, pointless terror campaign is going on in the country," she added. She said anybody who dares to speak up was being silenced by instilling fear. "Agencies are hounding them. Everyone is a victim of super emergency." Alluding to Modi's promise to restore normalcy post demonetisation within 50 days, Banerjee said: "Are 50 days not over? Why are restrictions on withdrawal limit still in place?" On Modi's claims that he has started a war against blakc money, Banerjee said the Prime Minister was branding the legitimate money of the common people as "black". Raising the issue of the recent arrest of Trinamool MPs Sudip Bandopadhyay and Tapas Paul by the CBI in connection with the Rose Valley chit fund scam, the Chief Minister said her party leaders were being threatened. She also came down heavily on the CPI-M, saying its top leaders were involved with companies running chit funds and demanded their arrests. Train service in the city and districts were disrupted on Wednesday morning as Trinamool activists set up blockades at various stations to protest the arrest of Paul and Bandyopadhyay. The Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani express was stopped at the New Cooch Behar railway station as Trinamool Congress supporters blocked the railway tracks for over an hour. Trains were also blocked by the protesters at Kalyani railway station. The blockade was removed after two hours. New Delhi, Jan 11 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over note ban and asserted the country will get the BJP-promised "achhe din" when the Congress returns to power in 2019. Besides calling Modi as the first Indian Prime Minister to be "ridiculed globally", Gandhi assailed him and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for weakening constitutional institutions and instilling fear among the people. Addressing a party convention here ahead of the polls to assemblies in five states, Congress leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Finance Minister P. Chidambaram warned of the adverse affects of demonetisation on the economy, saying "the worse is yet to come". Packing punches one after the other, Gandhi not just usurped Modi's "acche din" (good days) slogan but even imitated his style of addressing to mock his demonetisation decision, which he said was "world's biggest financial experiment". "Much like Amitabh Bacchan's dialogues in movies, the Prime Minister suddenly announced that all the Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes that you had were mere pieces of paper," said Gandhi, punctuating his address with "Mitron" (friends), often used by Modi in his public addresses. Gandhi said the currency spike decision was an outcome of "whims" of Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. "Never before has every single economist of any repute said that the Prime Minister has taken an incompetent and badly thought out decision." He accused the BJP, Modi and the RSS of ridiculing the Reserve Bank of India and its Governor and held them responsible for weakening constitutional institutions like the Election Commission and even the judiciary. "Today, there is no institution in this country that is respected. The RSS and the BJP are under the impression that nobody's opinion matters in the country except their own," he said. Gandhi, who has accused Modi of receiving kickbacks from corporate houses as the Gujarat Chief Minister, also questioned his continued silence over the charges. "From surgical strikes to demonetisation, Modi keeps jumping from one thing to another and people wonder when 'acche din' (good days) will come." "They will come when Congress comes to power again," said Gandhi, asserting the Congress will defeat the BJP and RSS's "ideology of creating fear". "Modi through his policies is frightening the people and pocketing their money in the name of 'Lord Rama'. 'Ram naam japna, gareeb ka maal apna'," he said. He also accused the Modi government of putting the media under "certain constraints" and urged it not to shy away from its responsibility of highlighting the people's pains. "These people (BJP and RSS) think that they can rule by spreading hatred and fear among the people," said Gandhi, affirming his party's commitment to protecting the country's constitutional institutions. "We are opposed to Modi and Bhagwat's mindset that only two-three people can run the country. We will defeat this mindset," added Gandhi. Speaking at the convention, Manmohan Singh said: "Things have gone bad in the last two months, but worse is yet to come." "The beginning of the end has come," cautioned the economist. Chidambaram on his part questioned claims that a Cabinet meeting took place before November 8 announcement of the demonetisation and dared Modi to put to test his claims of demonetisation putting an end to black money, corruption and fake currency. Pointing out that post-demonetisation, the country's growth rate forecast has come down from 7.6 per cent to 7 per cent, Chidambaram said for the loss of every one per cent in the GDP growth rate, the country "will face a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore". Unamused by Gandhi's allegations, the BJP in turn mocked the Congress' aspirations of coming back to power. "It is surprising to hear Gandhi's claims of 'achhe din' in 2019. Forget 2019, Congress will not come to power even in 2090," quipped Union minister and BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu. Naidu's ministerial colleague Prakash Javadekar called Gandhi's allegations as "absurd" and blamed the Congress for destroying "constitutional institutions" in the country. New Delhi, Jan 11 : The BJP's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari on Wednesday accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of adopting "biased approach" against the saffron party-run civic corporations of the city over the allocation of funds and also invited him for a public debate over the issue. "Delhi government records tell that expenditure on development has gone down during last two years," Tiwari told reporters here. Tiwari also accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the city of intentionally withholding the implementation of the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission's recommendations on revenue share of municipal corporations. "Kejriwal government presented and accepted the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission's recommendations in Delhi assembly due to the fear of Delhi High Court's intervention," Tiwari said. "But it has not implemented them so as to deny working opportunities to the civic bodies and thereby defame the BJP leadership there," the BJP leader claimed. Tiwari said that the AAP government claims to have given more funds to the Delbhi Municipal Corporations "but the truth is that the funds given are not even half of what they are entitled to as per fourth Delhi Finance Commission's recommendations". He also alleged that the civic bodies continue to receive the same amount of funds in the same proportion as they did in 2011, even as their salary bills alone have gone up by almost 150 per cent due to the implementation of Sixth and Seventh Pay Commissions. "At the time of trifurcation done haphazardly by the Sheila Dixit regime in 2012, the Delhi government was supposed to meet all funding needs of the three municipal corporations but first Sheila Dixit and now Kejriwal has acted with political biasness to delay and deny rightful funds," Tiwari said. Tiwari said that non-implementation of the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission's recommendations due to political biasness by the Kejriwal government has crippled the city's three municipal corporations. Hyderabad, Jan 11 : Body of one of the five Indian workers who died in a fire in Abu Dhabi in October last year was Wednesday flown in here, officials said. The body of Pitla Naresh, a native of Kamareddy district of Telangana, reached Hyderabad airport from Abu Dhabi. It was accompanied by his brother Pitla Swamy. The body was then transported to his village in an ambulance arranged by the state authorities. Five workers from Telangana were killed the fire accident occurred in labour camp Reem Island on October 19. They were working for Gulf Dunes Landscaping & Agricultural Services Company. The NRI Department of the Telangana government had requested the Indian embassy to make arrangements for sending back the bodies. The Indian embassy has informed the officials of NRI department in Telangana that bodies of Rakesh Thota, Prakash Malavath, Abhilesh Gandla and Naresh Muchindla are yet to be identified. The department has been asked to prepare one close relative each of the deceased for journey to Abu Dhabi to give DNA samples. The embassy asked the company to arrange visas, tickets, accommodation and all logistic help for the relatives of the deceased. New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya to respond to the allegation by a consortium of banks led by the SBI that he had transferred $40 million to his children in violation of the orders by the Debt Recovery Tribunal and the Karnataka High Court. The bench of Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice A.M.Khanwilkar sought response from Mallya after senior counsel Shyam Divan told the court of the development. Divan told the court that Mallya has to pay Rs 9,000 crore to the consortium of 13 banks, led by the State Bank of India, that were loaned to his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines and instead of repaying the money, Mallya transferred it to his children. Mallya had received $40 million as part of a $75 million settlement with Diageo to step down as Chairman of the Diageo-controlled United Spirits. Divan argued that $40 million should have come to banks. Asking Mallya to file a response, the court fixed the next hearing on February 2. In the course of the last hearings of the matter on October 25, the top court had lashed out on Mallya for failing to make full disclosure of his assets including the details of the $40 million he got in February 2016 from British liquor major Diageo. Observing that "We are not happy the way disclosure was made," the court had said it was "prima facie of the view that Vijay Mallya has not made proper disclosure in terms of the order of April 7, 2016". Besides SBI, other banks on the consortium are the State Bank of Baroda, State Bank of Mysore, Axis Bank, Corporation Bank, Federal Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, IDBI Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, UCO Bank and United Bank of India. New Delhi, Jan 11 : India supplied medicines worth Rs 3 crore to the Seychelles in 2016, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday. "In response to a request from the government of Seychelles for supply of essential medicines for its people, the government of India supplied 108 different medicines in four lots during 2016," the statement said. It said the majority of medicines are for combating common infections, while others are to treat diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, among others. The medicines worth Rs 3 crore, weighing around 42,000 kg, were procured by the External Affairs Ministry through Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Supplies. "This gift of medicines is part of the US $8.76 million earmarked for the supply of medical equipment and medicines to Seychelles," it said. The government of the Seychelles has expressed its gratitude to the government of India for helping it in the fight against diseases and protecting the weaker sections of society. On Wednesday, the External Affairs Ministry also announced that Ausaf Sayeed, currently Consul General of India in Chicago, has been appointed the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of the Seychelles and will be taking charge shortly. Mumbai, Jan 11 : A contempt of court petition was filed against Tata Sons on Wednesday for calling an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) to remove Cyrus Mistry as a Director on its Board. According to the people in the direct knowledge of the development, the contempt of court petition with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai, was filed against the company and its directors by Mistry's investment firms. Tata Sons' Board ousted Mistry on October 24 as its Chairman and appointed Ratan Tata as interim Chairman. However, Mistry still remains a Director on the board of the holding arm of the $100 billion-plus group. Tata Trusts hold 66 per cent stake in the holding company of the Tata Group, whereas Mistry's family holds over 18 per cent interest. The petitioners have sought an injunction against the proposed EGM which is said to have been called on February 6, 2017. The petition alleged that company has violated NCLT's order dated December 22, 2016, as it called for an EGM by issuing a special notice on January 3, 2017. Tata Sons responded by saying: "There is no contempt. We will make our submissions to the NCLT." The development comes days after Tata Sons filed an over 200-page affidavit with the NCLT. The affidavit, among other things, alleged that Mistry had under-performed as the Chairman of Tata Sons, which led to a decline in dividend payments to Tata Trusts. The affidavit also pointed out that the Board of Tata Sons had lost confidence in Mistry. Earlier, Tata Sons had been served with a petition filed before the NCLT by Mistry's investment companies under Sections 241 and 242 of the Companies Act. On December 22, Tata Sons said the NCLT has not granted any interim relief to its ousted chairman. Tata Sons also served legal notice to Mistry, alleging breach of confidentiality and passing on sensitive information to his family-controlled companies. However, no damages were sought. The holding company of the industrial conglomerate had filed a petition before the NCLT for alleged "breach of confidentiality obligation by a Director". Kolkata, Jan 11 : Two Trinamool Congress workers were killed and three others injured when unknown assailants opened fire inside the West Bengal ruling party's office in West Midnapore district on Wednesday, police said. Party workers were chatting inside the office in Kharagpur when they were attacked. Srinu Naidu and V Dharma were declared dead in a Kolkata hospital. The three injured workers were being treated at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. Chennai, Jan 11 : Tamil actor Simbu on Wednesday urged people of the state to unite and fight against the ban on 'Jallikattu', a popular and ancient bull-taming sport which was banned by Supreme Court last year. He said he will silently protest in support of its resumption. In an emotional speech, reacting to the incident where police baton charged college students in Madurai who conducted rally seeking lifting of the ban of 'Jallikattu', Simbu told reporters: "Hats off to these college students for standing up for Jallikattu. Heart bleeds to hear about how they were treated by the police. I'm there for them." "Those students didn't fight over any film. They fought for our culture and I can't tolerate them being beaten up," he said, adding it was shameful Tamilians don't support Jallikattu. "When foreigners speak about 'Jallikattu', I can understand because they don't know it's a tradition and is an integral part of our culture. But when my own Tamil brothers speak against Jallikattu, it's just not done. It's a shame," he said. He requested everybody to join him in his protest. "I appeal to all my Tamil friends to unite and join me outside my house tomorrow (Thursday) at 5 p.m. for ten minutes to silently protest against the ban on Jallikattu. This is not politics and I'm not doing this at the behest of any political party," he said. Los Angeles, Jan 12 : Actor Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara reportedly fell in love with each other while shooting for the upcoming biblical movie "Mary Magdalene". In "Mary Magdalene", Mara plays the title character, with Phoenix as Jesus Christ. It was filmed in Italy last year. Phoenix and Mara fell for each other on the set and have been spending a lot of time together ever since, sources told pagesix.com. Mara's most recent film "Lion" was up for four Golden Globes on January 8. But the actress and Phoenix were instead "holed up together in the desert", a source said, rather than in Los Angeles for the awards ceremony with her co-stars Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. Mara and Phoenix were spotted together numerous times when cameras weren't rolling, including when they were smoking together on the balcony of their hotel room in Southern Italy in November last year. Phoenix's representative insisted that they are "just good friends". "They worked on (2013 film) 'Her', 'Mary Magdalene' and (their) next movie," his representative said. "They are and have been good friends for quite a long time." They are starring in Gus Van Sant's "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot", set for 2018 release. Mara has been in a six-year relationship with director Charlie McDowell. But the duo have not been photographed publicly since August last year, and both their representatives had no comment. Washington, Jan 12 : President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday chose Undersecretary of Health David Shulkin to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, a media report said. "I have no doubt Dr Shulkin will be able to lead the turnaround our Department of Veterans Affairs needs. His sole mandate will be to serve our veterans and restore the level of care we owe to our brave men and women in the military," CNBC quoted Trump as saying. "Sadly our great veterans have not gotten the level of care they deserve, but Dr Shulkin has the experience and the vision to ensure we will meet the healthcare needs of every veteran," he said. "Dr Shulkin is an incredibly gifted doctor who is using his elite talents for medicine to care for our heroes and Americans can have faith he will get the job done right." Meanwhile, Shulkin said it was an honour for him to serve the president-elect and called his commitment to caring for veterans "unquestionable." Shulkin has served in numerous chief executive roles in New Jersey, including president of Morristown Medical Centre, Goryeb Children's Hospital and Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute. He was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2015 to serve as the undersecretary of health. www.aafmaa.com/relocation puts the power of relocating in the hands of the military family. Andy May, COO, AAFMAA Mortgage Services, announces Relocation Services package for military families. When thinking about relocating to North Carolina, Virginia, or Florida what are the important factors and which data can confirm the perfect home purchase? Visit aafmaa.com/relocation to access resources to help answer such questions. To start with, location is the most important factor. But what does that mean? Location means schools. Which schools have the best K-12 scores? When Andy May first moved to North Carolina, this data wasn't available and the relocating buyer, like May at this time, would ask a Realtor. 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As activity in oil patches across the US begins to pick up, having equipment that is high-functioning and ready to deploy is critical to meet demand. Dragon stands ready with the necessary equipment and experience to get any fleet back in service. For more information, visit http://www.dragonproductsltd.com/equipment-refurbishing. ABOUT DRAGON PRODUCTS, LTD. Dragon Products, Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of mission critical products serving the energy and industrial industries. Based in the United States, and family owned and operated for more than 50 years, the Dragon name is synonymous with severe duty engineered equipment for a broad range of applications including well servicing, bulk storage, liquid and solids hauling, and a variety of pumping and mud solutions. Their equipment portfolio includes tanks and trailers; roll off equipment; pumps and stimulation equipment; mobile workover rigs; and surface production equipment. To learn more visit http://www.dragonproductsltd.com. G.L. Huyett has acquired the precision key stock business of ITW Shakeproof Industrial Products, including the MAK-A-KEY brand. G.L. Huyett has acquired the precision key stock business of ITW Shakeproof Industrial Products, including the MAK-A-KEY brand. G.L. Huyett is pleased to announce that it has purchased the key stock business and associated trademarks from ITW Shakeproof Industrial Products. Trademarks include the trade name MAK-A-KEY the oldest and most well known key stock brand in the world. Founded in 1953, the brand popularized the concept of Cut, File, and Fit! MAK-A-KEY is manufactured from precision quality steel and accounts for the widest product line available for nearly any aftermarket gearbox application. Tim OKeeffe, CEO of G.L. Huyett, said, The MAK-A-KEY brand name is very well known and reinforces our reputation as a manufacturer of choice in key stock and machine keys. Having been a long time master distributor for ITW Shakeproof Industrial Products, and the worlds leading manufacturer of key stock including Moltrup machine keys, G.L. Huyett is an ideal suitor for the MAK-A-KEY business. We look forward to servicing the key stock customers of ITW Shakeproof Industrial Products as we do for an array of industrial products. OKeeffe noted that the acquisition is another addition to G.L. Huyetts current expansion, and comes on the heels of the purchase of Precision Specialties in Collierville, Tennessee, in 2015. We continue to look for strategic fits to our product and service offering, said OKeeffe, We have distinct management support systems to ensure that the employees and customers of retiring entrepreneurs or divesting shareholders are well taken care of and embraced into our Culture of Excellence. ITW Shakeproof Industrial Products is a division of Illinois Tools Works Inc., specializing in the manufacture of specialty cold-headed products; wire forms including cotter pins; and helical split lock washers. G.L. Huyett has prowess in M&A and is interested in additional acquisitions. If you are interested in selling your firm to a closely-held family business that will take care of your customers and your legacy, please contact Timothy OKeeffe at tokeeffe(at)huyett(dot)com for a confidential consultation. About G.L. Huyett Established in 1906 by Guy Huyett in the other Minneapolis, the company is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Kansas. The company was founded on the production and distribution of machinery bushings. In the 1990s, entrepreneurial owners Tim and Carol OKeeffe recognized huge potential in offering low order minimums, fast shipping, and expanding product offerings to a complete inventory of power transmission components, pins, retaining rings, grease fittings and accessories, engineered fasteners, bushings, washers, assortments, and tools. Brad brings extensive experience supporting, designing, and improving Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and other technical services to his position as Endpoint Support Engineer. Keith Ruben, MBA, Vice President of E Squared C, Inc. E Squared C, Inc. is pleased to announce that Brad Carpenter, an ITIL Foundation and CompTIA A+ certified professional, has joined the firm as Endpoint Support Specialist. E Squared C provides comprehensive IT services for small and medium-sized businesses, specializing in helping them deploy up-to-date technologies that improve efficiency while decreasing costs. Keith Ruben, MBA, Vice President of E Squared C, Inc., said that We are very pleased to have Brad on board as an Endpoint Support Engineer. His experience supporting, designing, and improving our Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) by leveraging vGPU technology by Nvidia and deploying on Citrix-based platforms will enhance the efficiency and productivity on the virtual machines and desktops of both our E Squared C clients and those of employees in our offices in Nevada and California. Carpenter brings more than 16 years of experience leading and supporting IT services for large nationwide organizations including Intuit, Employers Insurance Group, and Koch Business Solutions. As Desktop Engineer for Employers Insurance Group, Carpenter managed over 1000 endpoints, providing tier-3 support for Service Desk and Desktop technicians. He also has extensive experience coordinating and managing major company-wide implementations of new software, appliances, and technologies that improve customer support, increase security, and save time and money. Carpenter began his IT career at Intuit in Reno. He is certified by the ITIL Foundation and is a CompTIA A+ Certified Technician (for managing hardware and operating systems). His extensive experience with a wide range of technologies including operating systems (Windows, MacOS, Linux), LANDesk Management Suite and Service Desk, Microsoft SharePoint, Active Directory, SCCM, Kaspersky & McAfee AV, VMware and VDI Administration, Wyse Device Manager and Clients, and Teradici Management Console and Clients will be a great addition to our team. Carpenter enjoys finding creative solutions for difficult challenges and implementing technologies that avert future problems. As Endpoint Support Engineer, Brad will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the workstations that users utilize every day. This includes creating images that will ensure consistency, reliability, and efficiency in our clients day to day operations across the industrys leading end-point platforms, including traditional PCs, laptops, thin clients, and even mobile devices. A lifelong Nevada resident, Carpenter splits his time between the Reno and Minden offices. The overwater bungalow celebrates its 50th year in 2017 Travellers can expect to see some hot deals from Goway beginning in the New Year. Where are Globetrotters going in 2017? The destination experts at Goway Travel have weighed in with their list of the top 7 hottest, most and up and coming destinations for 2017. 1. Iceland - One of Europes hottest emerging stars, Iceland easily accessible, and offers rugged mountain scenery, black-sand beaches, and some of the worlds most impressive waterfalls. Its ideal for a long weekend away in Reykjavik, or for a longer trip filled with hiking, unique sights including the Northern Lights. Travellers are advised to book early as space fills up fast. 2. Australia Time to go Downunder like a local! In 2016, Goway introduced its Live Like a Local travel concept, with itineraries in Australias Gold Coast, Central Coast, Sunshine Coast, Port Douglas, and Cairns (plus New Zealand and The Cook Islands). This unique style of vacation lets travellers experience places where the locals go on vacation, in a fully self-contained apartment. 3. Colombia - Colombia has left its troubled past behind and is fast becoming the continents most talked about destination. Its not hard to see why. Colombia is close (just 5 hours away by air), safe, affordable, and offers travellers beaches on the Caribbean coast, ancient cities, and a vibrant culture still relatively unknown to North Americans. Goways most popular trip is the Best of Colombia. 4. Kenya - Why is Kenya a perennial favourite? There are many reasons, from the welcoming locals to exceptional game viewing, including the greatest show on earth, the migration. Its ideal for a first-time safari, but also sees its share of repeat visitors, as there is so much to see. Right now, there are many never to be repeated offers on Kenya, including Goways Jambo Kenya Safari Sale. 5. Italy - Italy has always been a travellers favourite. Traditionally, Tuscany has been an extremely popular area, and that trend continues, but what the Amalfi coast was also one of Goways most requested destinations in the summer of 2016. Passengers who dont book early risk missing out on enjoying the lifestyle of the enchanting south. 6. Northern Thailand - Thailand is famous for its beaches and vibrant Bangkok, but Northern Thailand is the it spot for 2017. The cultural heart of Thailand, heres where travellers can trek to see beautiful remote villages and hill tribes, take an authentic cooking class, and visit fascinating Buddhist temples. Take a Mekong Cruise from Chang Rai into Laos, or on Goways 9-day private tour, the Ancient Kingdoms of Siam. 7. The Islands of Tahiti - In 2017, the islands that became the byword for paradise will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Overwater Bungalow. Travellers can expect to see some hot deals from Goway beginning in the New Year. 2017 will also see the official opening of the Conrad Bora Bora with an opening special saving couples $1,800 on bookings made between January 25 and May 31, 2017. Since 1970, Goway has been providing unforgettable travel experiences to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central & South America, Idyllic Island destinations and Europe. Today Goway is recognized as one of North America's leading travel companies for individuals, families and groups to select exotic destinations around the globe. Goway has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Sydney Australia. For reservations and information, visit http://www.goway.com, or call 1-800-387-8850. Trivantis is proud to provide a timesaving product that simplifies the development of mobile-friendly eLearning. Trivantis, leader in innovative eLearning authoring, won a coveted Brandon Hall Group Silver award for excellence in the Best Advance in Content Authoring Technology category. The winners are listed at http://www.brandonhall.com/excellenceawards/past-winners.html. Trivantis entered Lectora 16 desktop authoring toolnow available in version 17for its Responsive Course Design solution. Trivantis is proud to provide a timesaving product that simplifies the development of mobile-friendly eLearning, said John Blackmon, Trivantis Chief Technology Officer. And with the recent Lectora 17 release, eLearning developers can create quality responsive courses that are better than ever using Responsive Course Design. We congratulate our Technology Award winners, and also thank them for leading the way in designing and utilizing technologies that empower organizations to enhanceand in some cases transformtheir organizations, said Rachel Cooke, Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer and head of the awards program. Another significant finding of our research is the importance of optimizing the employee experience as a driver of engagement and retention, said Mike Cooke, Brandon Hall Group Chief Executive Officer. The technology user experience plays an increasingly large role in shaping the employee experience, and these award winners are creating leading practices that deserve validation and recognition. A panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, and Brandon Hall Group senior analysts and executives evaluated the entries based upon the following criteria: Product: What was the products breakthrough innovation? Unique differentiators: What makes the product unique and how does it differ from any competing products? Value proposition: What problem does the product solve and/or what need does this product address? Measurable results: What are the benefits customers can expect to experience as a result of using this product? About Trivantis Trivantis empowers inspired learning with Lectora, CourseMill, and ReviewLink eLearning software. Since the companys founding in 1999, Trivantis has been an innovative leader in the eLearning industry. Lectora is the worlds leading eLearning authoring software with Responsive Course Design for easy mobile-friendly development. Responsive Course Design provides a timesaving design once, publish to all devices approach to creating content that is essential for our multi-device world today. With Lectora, its easy for organizations to quickly create award-winning, engaging training for all devices. Trivantis solutions are offered in seven languages and used by large enterprises, Global 2000 companies, small and mid-sized businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions across the world. About Brandon Hall Group, Inc. With more than 10,000 clients globally and 20 years of delivering world class research and advisory services, Brandon Hall Group is the most well-known and established research organization in the performance improvement industry. They conduct research that drives performance, and provides strategic insights for executives and practitioners responsible for growth and business results. Brandon Hall Group has an extensive repository of thought leadership, research and expertise in Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, and Human Resources. At the core of their offerings is a Membership Program that Empowers Excellence Through Content, Collaboration, and Community. Their members have access to research that helps them make the right decisions about people, processes, and systems, combined with research-powered advisory services customized to their needs. (http://www.brandonhall.com). NCPDP Foundation NCPDP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that is affiliated with NCPDP, announced it has awarded $10,000 in scholarship funds to College of Pharmacy students at the University of Arizonas College of Pharmacy. This is the third year of the scholarship program and also the third year that the NCPDP Foundation has awarded scholarships to the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. The scholarship recognizes pharmacy students with an understanding of the changing role of the pharmacist and the transformative impact of health information technology, explained Charlie Oltman, MBA, CHC, President of NCPDP Foundation. We are pleased to support these students with our Foundation scholarship and look forward to their future contributions improving patient care. The scholarship recipients at the University of Arizonas College of Pharmacy are Merta Cushing and Anthony Sandoval. My career goal is to improve patient care and outcomes on a global level as an informatics pharmacist, stated Merta Cushing, PharmD Candidate, Class of 2017. The NCPDP Foundation scholarship will allow me to take some time off of work to focus on clinical rotations, better preparing me for residency applications and training in the coming year. We are incredibly grateful for our continued partnership with the NCPDP Foundation. The scholarships make a tremendous difference in the lives of our student recipients. The influence of the Foundations mission and goals will have a lasting impact on their pharmacy careers and supporting the advancement of the industry as a whole, explained Rick Schnellmann, Dean, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. About NCPDP Foundation The NCPDP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona and is affiliated with the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP). The NCPDP Foundation was established in December 2012 to support research, education and charitable involvement within the healthcare industry. For more information, visit http://ncpdpfoundation.org. ### The purpose of our destination management company is to match your objectives with positive solutions. Dolce Vita Incentives http://www.dolcevitaincentives.com/ a destination management company located in Italy, is proud to announce the expansion of its service offerings into new global markets. At Dolce Vita Incentives, our team wants to help achieve this growth, the company has launched an updated, multilingual site for ease of use and mobile-friendliness, as well as opened a new office in New York. "Were proud to have served many satisfied clients over the years and are looking forward to continuing our services for years to come, said Carolyn Sukoff, owner of Dolce Vita and business partner of Francoise Vanderkam. Their goal has always been to help businesses enjoy memorable and exciting adventures in the most exotic, hidden treasures throughout Italy. We have been pushing the envelope for years on what can and cant be done in Italy. Were excited to add Luxembourg, Switzerland and the US as new markets, and to share the love we have for Italy with other countries, said Francoise Vanderkam. Dolce Vita Incentives has always had the purpose of matching client objectives with winning combinations, to make sure their clients have a memorable event in Italy. The new website has been redesigned with that same objective in mind. Additional office locations make contact easier. New photos and event information has been added to provide site visitors with ideas and possible events. A newsletter will provide monthly updates, and a destination of the month, as well as team building activities and delicious Italian food recipes. Written in English, Italian and French, the website is well prepared for the additional markets. Both Carolyn and Francoise are prepared to provide best-in-class DMC services. Youre in great hands, said Carolyn. Were experienced with any group size, and any size event. Weve created and managed large and small events throughout all the regions of Italy with unparalleled success. When youre ready to dive into an inspirational and motivational trip for your top management, or maybe an intimate VIP excursion for your top clients, were the people that make that happen. The partners invite companies to come visit the updated site and see what type of events are possible on their events page (http://dolcevitaincentives.com/en/events/). In celebration of the companys growth, Dolce Vita Incentives is offering a 10% off deal for new clients that book an event before the end of March 2017. About Dolce Vita Based in Rome Italy and New York, Dolce Vita Incentives is a full service destination management company that been in business for over 30 years. In Italy: Francoise Vanderkam Via Antonio Degli Effetti, 14, 00179 Roma, Italy Tel: +39 06 42020720 Tel: +39 06 83496041 Fax: +39 06 4745200 In the US: Carolyn Sukoff Cerrelli 20 Dunlap St New Providence, New Jersey 07974 Tel: +1-917-767-9025 Enabling Technologies and Calltower have joined forces to bring enterprise-quality business communication technologies, with on premise functionality, from the cloud. MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, a Seattle, Washington based mid-sized Architectural and Engineering firm recently chose this partnership to leverage their existing Microsoft Office 365 E5 licensing to its maximum potential. The firm was faced with the vast challenges and consuming expense of an expiring Mitel phone system. Through Enabling Technologies and CallTower, MacDonald-Miller resolved to voice enable their Office 365 with Enterprise-ready Skype for Busines s hosted by CallTower, including Clarity Connect contact center and Polycom phones. Together, Enabling and Calltower were able to implement a complete communications and collaboration strategy with cloud security. The partnership of Enabling Technologies and Calltower supports full cloud functionality allowing MacDonald-Millers IT staff to move away from daily maintenance support and tasks so they can align their talents with business growth goals, without sacrificing any of the business-critical feature functionality they would have with an on premise unified communications deployment. The simple native O365 integration delivers, real-time, ready-to-go results in a fast-paced competitive business environment, says CallTowers VP of Sales, Tom Sullivan. Our partnership with Enabling Technologies provides seamless enterprise voice integration into Office 365, leveraging the cost of an existing license. About Enabling Technologies: Enabling Technologies is a Microsoft Gold Partner focused on Office 365, Skype for Business/Lync, and Azure. Enabling is Microsofts three-time UC Partner of the Year award winner. We integrate Skype4Bus/Lync, Office 365, SharePoint and Exchange into existing systems and optimize business outcomes. Our certified UC and cloud experts have over 1,400 deployments, where weve assessed, designed, deployed and operated on-premises or cloud communication and collaboration solutions. Enabling is uniquely qualified to seamlessly integrate Skype4Bus/Lync and Office 365 with existing telephony and video conferencing infrastructure. Enabling ensures our IT sponsors successfully maximize ROI with professional training, organizational change management programs, and custom-developed software solutions. Our real-time 7 x 24 monitoring and support services allow customers to rest easy knowing their systems are being cared for by the experts. From evaluating a move to the cloud to replacing a phone system with Skype4Business, Enabling will educate, set clear expectations, and execute a plan with you that meets your business objectives. Our experience and knowledge will minimize your risk and maximize ROI. We build a smarter, more connected, more enjoyable workplace using the Microsoft Communications and Collaboration stack. Our perspective from thousands of projects and predictable methodology translates to your successful project. Our award winning Organizational Change Management program drives user adoption and acceptance which delivers full value for your UC investment. Contact us at info(at)enablingtechcorp(dot)com to discuss your UC strategy today! About CallTower: CallTower exists to enable people to easily connect to transact business communications. Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has become a leading provider of cloud-based, enterprise-class Unified Communications solutions for growing organizations worldwide. We provide, integrate and support industry-leading, cloud-based, Unified Communications and Collaboration solutions, including Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Microsoft Skype for Business, Office 365 and Adobe Connect services for business customers. We enhance our clients strategic and operational capabilities by integrating VoIP service, mobile applications, email hosting, unified messaging, instant messaging, audio, web and video conferencing, collaboration tools, contact center, cloud services and global networks solutions into one reliable platform. 11939 S. Central Ave., Alsip. IL Weve signed two significant leases in Chicago in the last couple of weeks, said Ben Struewing, Hackman Capitals Vice President of Leasing, Acquisitions and Sales. We are thrilled with the 4TH quarter activity. Hackman Capital Partners, LLC, a privately-held, real estate investment and operating company, announced today that Nufarm Americas, Inc., has leased 107,790 square feet at 11939 South Central Avenue in Alsip, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago. The long-term lease brings the 320,871-square-foot building, which is owned by a Hackman Capital affiliate, to 100% occupancy. Nufarm Americas is a global crop-protection and specialized seed company with manufacturing facilities in Chicago. The recent transaction follows the heels of another large, long-term lease just executed by Hackman Capital Partners for 145,594 square feet at 1010-1050 Sesame Street in Bensenville. That building also is 100% occupied. Weve signed two significant leases in Chicago in the last couple of weeks, said Ben Struewing, Hackman Capitals Vice President of Leasing, Acquisitions and Sales. We are thrilled with the 4TH quarter activity. Hackman Capital Partners entered the Chicago market in December 2015 and owns, through affiliates, eight industrial buildings totaling more than 1.1 million square feet. Our flexible approach with tenants has not only helped us to fill vacancies, but also to convert numerous short-term leases to long-term leases. In 12 months, across the eight properties, weve increased occupancy from 80% to 96%, said Struewing. These are good buildings in strong infill locationsproperties like these will continue to be in high demand. Struewing also gives credit to both landlord and tenant brokers, whose agility helped the company close the deals quickly. CBREs Pete Roberson represented the landlord in the current Alsip lease, while NAI Hiffmans Chris Gary represented the tenant. Struewing added that Hackman Capital Partners is seeking to further expand its Chicago foothold and is focusing on industrial and flex properties. ABOUT HACKMAN CAPITAL PARTNERS Hackman Capital Partners is a privately-held, real-estate investment and operating company that focuses on the acquisition of commercial properties in major U.S. markets and other real estate that can be repositioned for higher and better uses. Founded in 1986, Hackman Capital has conducted more than $3 billion in real estate transactions across 41 stateshaving owned, through affiliated entities, over 400 buildings totaling 35-plus million square feet and 24,000 acres of developable land. The company is based in Los Angeles, California with offices in Columbus, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois and Boston, Massachusetts. It currently employs 82 people and manages approximately 300 major tenant companies nationwide, including Home Depot, Staples, Coca Cola, Lowes, Sony and Lego. For more information, visit hackmancapital.com. ABOUT NUFARM AMERICAS Nufarms North American operations encompass several business units serving agriculture, turf, ornamental and greenhouse, seed treatment, and industrial vegetation management. Nuseed, the companys global seed business, is also based in the US. Nufarm's head office is located at Laverton in Melbourne. For more information visit, nufarm.com/us/home. Mobile moment ad platform Aki Technologies announced today new results from the first-to-market moment-targeted campaign with mobile audio ads featuring Campari Americas popular American Honey brand. The Keep Good Company mobile campaign, which was created in collaboration with Mindshare North America (the media agency of record for Campari), leveraged audio creative, along with other digital ad formats, to engage legal drinking age professionals aged 21-30 during the moments they were most receptive to the brands messages, like how to make a simple mixed drink. The mobile moment strategy drove a 6x lift from control to exposed in top-of-mind awareness, measured by a third-party (comScore) study. With the Keep Good Company campaign, we wanted to reach our consumer during a likely consumption period with a seamless ad experience that drove action, said Margaret McDonnell, the Category Marketing Director of American Whiskies, Campari America. Working with our partners, we leveraged a unique mobile moment strategy that demonstrated a keen sensitivity to the mobile consumer, delivering a brand experience at the right time, in the right place and with the right message. Working with Mindshare NA, Aki Technologies introduced a 20-second audio creative to reach consumers who were listening to streaming music on their devices but not, at that given moment, interacting with the screen. As a result of the multi-format moment targeting strategy, Campari was able to engage consumers during activities like grocery shopping, getting ready to go out, etc. without disrupting those activities. There are so many variables in when, how and why a consumer uses their mobile device. If a campaign cant adapt to those variables, its performance is limited out of the gate, said Jon Stocco, VP of Sales and co-founder of Aki Technologies. Aki gives advertisers a smarter way to navigate the mobile experience and, ultimately, build more meaningful and efficient connections. This program is a prime example of why context is key to any strong mobile campaign, said Emma Witkowski, Managing Partner, Digital Investment, Mindshare NA. It will never be enough to simply view mobile as just another canvas. Instead, the Keep Good Company campaign leveraged smart insights and adaptive targeting to reach people in the right moments, in a way that didnt disrupt their day-to-day activities. About Aki Technologies Aki Technologies helps brands own the mobile moment. As the first ad platform built for mobile moment targeting and insights, Aki interprets the full range of mobile data signals to gauge and predict a consumer's receptivity to brand advertising. Aki's Mobile Moment Index ensures that brands reach consumers when they're most receptiveand with the optimal creative formatwhile Aki's Mobile Moment Performance Insights provide in-depth, moment-by-moment analysis to optimize success and inform future campaigns. With unmatched insight into the billions of data points that comprise mobile activity at any given moment, Aki transforms the ad experience for mobile consumers and increases advertising efficiency for brands. The company was founded by the mobile ad pioneers behind Mobile Theory (acquired by Opera in 2012), and has offices in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Visit http://www.a.ki or follow @akiunlocks to learn more. About Mindshare Mindshare is a global media agency network with billings in excess of US $34.5 billion (source: RECMA). The network consists of more than 7,000 employees, in 116 offices across 86 countries spread throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Each office is dedicated to forging competitive marketing advantage for businesses and their brands based on the values of speed, teamwork and provocation. Mindshare is part of GroupM, which oversees the media investment management sector for WPP, the world's leading communications services group. Visit us at Mindshareusa.com or MindshareInTheLoop.com and follow us on Twitter @Mindshare_NA and facebook.com/MindshareNA. About Campari America Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI Bloomberg CPR IM). At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800s. Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Gruppo Campari's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY Vodka, SKYY Infusions, Campari, Aperol, Grand Marnier, Wild Turkey Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey, Russell's Reserve, Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek Canadian Whisky, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Espolon Tequila, Appleton Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew Rum, Coruba Rum, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Frangelico, Cynar, Averna, Braulio, Carolans Irish Cream, Irish Mist Liqueur, Sagatiba Cachaca and Jean-Marc XO Vodka. Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of BULLDOG Gin. Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at http://www.campariamerica.com, http://www.facebook.com/campariamerica, as well as Twitter: @CampariAmerica and http://www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation. When selected to perform clinical trials, Mid Florida Eye Center has the ability to provide qualifying patients the most advanced, leading edge treatment. On December 22, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of the prescriptive lens known as Multifocal Toric IOL, tested in clinical trials by Mid Florida Eye Center. MFEC was one of just two ophthalmology practices in Florida selected to participate in the clinical trial review that led to its recommendation and ultimate approval for patient treatment. The lens is designed for patients undergoing cataract eye surgery who are astigmatic and want to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses after cataract surgery. This advanced technology provides our patients with clear choices for treatment to improve their vision, said Dr. Jeffrey D. Baumann, principal research investigator and co-founder of Mid Florida Eye Center. In addition to performing more than 50,000 cataract and laser procedures, Dr. Baumann was also the first ophthalmologist in Central Florida to introduce multifocal implants to patients, correcting for distance and near vision. This is a significant and exciting treatment option for cataract patients, who are primarily over the age of 55 seeking better solutions, said Dr. Gregory J. Panzo, principal research investigator and co-founder of Mid Florida Eye Center, who specializes in cataract surgery and the treatment of glaucoma. When selected to perform clinical trials, Mid Florida Eye Center has the ability to provide qualifying patients the most advanced, leading edge treatment. Mid Florida Eye Center will be one of the first practices in the state to receive the lens due to their experience with the study. About Mid Florida Eye Center: Mid Florida Eye Center is full-service eye care practice that has served the Central Florida community for more than 30 years. With six board-certified ophthalmologists, five optometrists, five clinic office locations, and two state-of-the-art surgery centers, Mid Florida Eye Center is consistently recognized as one of the nations leading eye care centers and has been active in research studys in the advancement of eye care and surgery for more than 15 years. For more information, please visit http://www.midfloridaeye.com. Over the past decade, technology and satellite TV have significantly evolved and are now very different from what previous generations experienced. To ease the hard-hitting reality of increased college tuitions for families all across the country, GoDISH.com, a leading Houston-based retailer of DISH Network Satellite TV, announced the launch of its GoDISH Spring 2017 scholarship. It is currently an exciting time of year when students begin hearing about their acceptance to the colleges which they have applied, and they are preparing to make a very important decision. The scholarship will grant a winner with a one-time prize of $1,000 which can be applied to eligible education-related expenses incurred during the 2017-2018 academic year. Over the past decade, technology and satellite TV have significantly evolved and are now very different from what previous generations experienced, states Lanny Hayes, Vice President of Marketing for GoDISH.com. We are interested in hearing from college-aged students about where they think the industry will go in the coming years. GoDISH.com is looking for entries in the form of a blog answering the question: With ever-changing technology, how might the satellite television industry innovate to meet future consumer expectations?" The GoDISH Spring 2017 scholarship contest is open to qualified applicants who meet the following eligibility requirements: Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States. Must be a senior in high school or a home-schooled student with an anticipated summer 2017 graduation or GED completion date. Applicants must have completed SAT or ACT testing, and must ultimately enroll full-time at an accredited college or university in the United States or its territories for the 2017-2018 academic year. Blogs must be a minimum of 300 words in length, not to exceed 500 words. Blog hyperlink must be included in each candidates completed scholarship application. Application must be completed and submitted in its entirety by the deadline in order to be considered. Employees and immediate family members of employees of GoDISH.com, The Go Solution, and related companies are not eligible. Following the submission deadline of 2/24/2017, a panel of GoDISH.com judges will choose the winning blog post. Entries will be evaluated on overall insight, creativity, clarity, application of critical thought, writing skill, and relevance. Winner will be contacted directly and announced by GoDISH.com no later than 3/08/2017 and will also be announced through various online and social media platforms. For more information, including the application, rules, deadlines, and eligibility details of the GoDISH Spring 2017 scholarship, please visit: http://www.godish.com/scholarship. Use this logo At Novant Health, were committed to making the health care experience easier and more convenient for everyone living in our communities. Novant Health has launched a new website for Spanish-speaking communities in the Carolinas to help them find providers that can meet their health care needs. The new website will also provide helpful health and wellness content geared to the Latino community. Nearly a tenth of community members in Novant Healths footprint speaks Spanish at home. Novant Health leaders in conjunction with an internal Latino business resource group developed the concept as a better way to serve our Spanish-speaking neighbors. At Novant Health, were committed to making the health care experience easier and more convenient for everyone living in our communities, said Tanya Blackmon, executive vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Novant Health. We recognize that each of our patients is different, which is why we continue to listen to our consumers and learn about our communities to more effectively meet their health care needs. The site, which went live Dec. 30, features tools, such as online scheduling and online bill pay, to help connect Spanish-speaking members of the community with Novant Health providers and services. It can be accessed at es.novanthealth.org. As an organization committed to diversity and inclusion, Novant Health is proud to have this new resource and looks forward to adding more content, including community events, later this year. About Novant Health Novant Health is an integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient facilities and hospitals that delivers a seamless and convenient health care experience to communities in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. Named in 2016 by Beckers Hospital Review as one of the nations 150 best places to work in health care, Novant Health consists of more than 1,380 physicians and nearly 24,000 employees and provides care at 530 locations, including 14 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the health system serves more than 4 million patients annually and in 2015 provided more than $706 million in community benefit, including charity care and services. Diversity MBA has recognized the organization as one of the 50 best places for women and managers of diverse background to work. Novant Health provides care in Virginia under the joint operating company, Novant Health UVA Health System. For more information, please visit our website at NovantHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Two retirees hired the securities arbitration law firm Soreide Law Group to recover their $300,000 in losses from former Raymond James broker Scott Allen Sibley (Sibley). The Claimants accounts were heavily concentrated in gold miners, precious metals and oil related investments. Scott Sibley used to work out of the Fort Lauderdale branch of Raymond James. The Claimants through their attorney Lars Soreide, Esq., represent one of 16 other publicly disclosed customer complaints disclosed against broker Scott Sibley. The lawsuit alleges against both Raymond James and Sibley: negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent supervision, breach of contract, fraud and violations of the Florida Investors Protection Act. The Claimants are seeking damages of $300,000 plus attorneys fees for their alleged violations if liability is found under Florida Statute Chapter 517. The suit also alleges that Raymond James failed to supervise their financial advisor Sibley who recommended gold miners and oil companies to the Claimants in large concentrations. The Claimants were retirees and the money deposited with Raymond James represented the full cash benefit of their retirement through the Florida retirement system. It is alleged that Raymond James broker Scott Sibley promised Claimants a better income stream than the Florida Retirement System could provide. Some of the biggest losers allegedly recommended by Scott Sibley to the Claimants include: Linn energy, Goldcorp Incorporated, Gold Resource Corporation, Legacy Reserve Partners, Jr. Gold Miners, and Memorial Production Partners to name a few. If you were a customer of Scott Sibley and have significant losses in gold and oil related investments call Soreide Law Group for a free consultation at 1-888-760-6552. We handle FINRA arbitrations nationwide and our office is located in Pompano Beach in the heart of South Florida. The suit is being arbitrated through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority also known as FINRA and Raymond James and Sibley have yet to file a response. The FINRA case number is 17-00066. Scott Sibley is currently employed by Moors & Cabot in their Boca Raton office. Lars Soreide, Esq., expects the case to be arbitrated by the end of 2017. For more info call 954-760-6552 or visit https://www.SecuritiesLawyer.com. KBioBox Genetic BioInformatics Data Analysis "KBioBox technology accurately identifies problems fast saving clients time and money." Kryngle Daly. CEO KBioBox llc is pleased to announce today that it has signed a multi-year license agreement with Poseida Therapeutics Inc, the San Diego based specialist in gene and cell therapy programs, to provide custom bioinformatics analysis for genetic data. Poseida Therapeutics selected KBioBox in order to harness KBioBoxs powerful BioEngine Algorithms which do not compromise speed for accuracy. The system was custom developed using client determined parameters and annotated results format. Recently KBioBox announced the launch of its genetic data bioInformatics portal. In response to client demand KBioBox developed a sophisticated 3 click gene editing off target analysis program and a 3 Click gene edit design program. Both are accessible from KBioBoxs new website, https://www.kbiobox.com/ and powered by the companys proprietary BioEngine. Scientists, pharmaceutical researchers and academics can access the portal and enter their own gene edit off target analysis project for free and have clear, actionable results in minutes. Simple to use with high value output. https://www.kbiobox.com/freeofftargetanalysis For "gene edit off target analysis" enter a) Cell line b) Gene edit type c) Design. In under a minute the KBioBox BioEngine searches the whole genome for Off Targets and produces an annotated, easy-to- understand report with intuitive visualizations and all locus information provided: Video. http://www.kbiobox.com/offtarget?autoplay=true#ota-video For "gene edit design analysis" enter a) Location b) Search type c) Gene edit type. In under a minute the KBioBox BioEngine determines the top ten designs and produces an easy-to-understand interactive report with intuitive visualizations and whole genome off target analysis for each design: Video http://www.kbiobox.com/biodesign?autoplay=true#biodesign-video About KBioBox llc KBioBox is a technology company with expertsie in BioInformatics specialising in fast precision off target analysis and gene edit biodesign. Created in reponse to the growing need for real-time genetic sequence analysis, KBioBox's BioEngine is a powerful genomic search engine capable of searching entire genomes in minutes for even the most complex searches. BioEngine technology is built upon novel proprietary search algorythms that do not compromise speed for accuracy. Simple interactiveness and minimal computation requirements mean the technology can be used in the field or in the cloud or accessed through the portal. Clients can run "one off" reports or license the technology ( software) for multi-projects and multi-subscription periods. KBioBox technology is customizable to any Bioinformatics application. Scientists can take advantage of the BioEngine to empower research and improve the quality of results in a significantly shorter period. Application areas include not only "gene editing biodesign" and "off target analysis but also cell line engineering, microbiome, oncology, diagnostics and annotations. Technical applications include BioEngine technology, Wen API, empowering existing bioinformatics and and cloud BioEngine. Technologies include " off target analysis", "gene edit design" and pathogen identification/analysis. About Poseida Therapeutics Inc. Please visit http://poseida.com/about-us/ Partners Ellis Bennett, Tom Dunlap, and David Ludwig, respectively "The addition greatly enhances Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig's capabilities and reputation across a wide spectrum of practice areas..." Morris and Graeff PC will join Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig's elite, international legal team, continuing their common mission of providing relationship-focused legal services. Carr Morris and Graeff PC will build upon Dunlap Bennett & Ludwigs existing corporate, employment, litigation, and estate planning practices while providing additional expertise in white collar criminal defense, allowing both firms to more effectively serve new and existing clients by expanding capacity and available services. Founding partner, Tom Dunlap stated, "The addition of our incredibly experienced and respected colleagues from the law firm of Carr Morris and Graeff greatly enhances Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig's capabilities and reputation across a wide spectrum of practice areas, particularly in corporate mergers and acquisitions, business entities and start-ups, employment law, and white collar crime." This joining of forces headlines an already historic year for Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig. Along with opening offices in other states and regions, including California, Oklahoma, and Colorado, the firm has doubled their number of attorneys and made several historic litigation wins, including a preliminary injunction ruling in favor of Dunlap Bennett & Ludwigs patent client, Zuru. The addition of Carr Morris and Graeff PC attorneys to the Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig team continues a tradition of providing small business owners with the affordable and accessible legal counsel needed to ensure future business success while serving customers legally and effectively. Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig was founded in 2001. Originally a two-man team, the firm built an extensive legal client network on the foundation of uncompromised integrity, quality, and accessibility. The firm enters 2017 with an expanded commitment to the local and international entrepreneur community, while anticipating their most successful year yet. -END- To find out more about Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, interested members of the public and media are encouraged to visit https://www.dbllawyers.com. Dr. Dan Holtzclaw "I am honored to be named as a Leader In Continuing Dental Education by Dentistry Today Magazine for the eleventh consecutive year." Dentistry Today Magazine has named Austin, Texas based implant dentist Dr. Dan Holtzclaw as a Leader in Continuing Dental Education for the eleventh consecutive year. This prestigious list is published annually as a way to recognize the countrys leading providers of innovative continuing education in the field of dentistry. Of nearly 150,000 dentists in the United States, only 230 were named to the Dentistry Today Magazine 2017 list of leaders. Dr. Dan Holtzclaw was selected as a Dentistry Today Leader in Continuing Dental Education based on the numerous lectures and hands on coursed he provided in 2016. In addition to providing one on one education to dentists in Austin, Texas, Dr. Holtzclaw also provided extensive All-On-4 dental implant training to residents of the United States Navy Post-Graduate Dental School in Bethesda, Maryland and private dental specialists in San Diego, California. Dr. Dan Holtzclaw also lectured about dental implant procedures such as the All-On-4 dental implants at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana and the Texas Academy of General Dentistry Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. Another factor considered in the Dentistry Today selection of Dr. Holtzclaw as Leader in Continuing Dental Education is his ongoing contributions to dental research literature. In 2016, Dr. Dan Holtzclaw published numerous scientific articles relating to dental implants in industry leading peer reviewed journals such as the Journal of Implant & Advanced Clinical Dentistry and the American Academy of Periodontology journal Clinical Advances in Periodontics. About the Doctor Dan Holtzclaw, DDS, MS is a board certified periodontist who specializes in traditional and complex dental implant surgery. He is an internationally recognized expert on the All-On-4 immediately loaded dental implant procedure, the NeoArch immediately loaded dental implant procedure, sinus bone grafting, mandibular ridge splitting, periodontal bone grafting, and amnion-chorion allografts. Dr. Dan Holtzclaw has published more than 50 scientific articles on these topics in industry leading journals such as the Journal of the American Dental Association, the Journal of Periodontology (official journal of the American Academy of Periodontology), Implant Dentistry (official journal of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists), General Dentistry (official journal of the Academy of General Dentistry), and the Compendium of Continuing Dental Education. Dan Holtzclaw, DDS, MS is one of only a small handful of dentists awarded Diplomate status by both the American Board of Periodontology and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. A 12-year veteran officer of the United States Navy, Dr. Dan Holtzclaw continues to serve the military as a visiting lecturer at the US Naval Post-Graduate Dental School, Department of Periodontics, in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Holtzclaw is the lead surgeon at the Austin Dental Implant Center in Austin, Texas in addition to providing dental implant surgery services in New York and San Diego, California. For more information about Dr. Dan Holtzclaw and the services or lectures he offers, visit his websites http://www.austindentalimplantcenter.com or http://www.drdanholtzclaw.com All-On-4is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare. While Dr. Dan Holtzclaw has lectured for Nobel Biocare on numerous occasions and the company has featured him and his surgical procedures in their brochures/advertisements, Nobel Biocare does not endorse/sponsor Dr. Dan Holtzclaw. NeoArch is a registered trademark of Neodent. While Neodent has featured Dr. Dan Holtzclaw and his surgical procedures in their company media and has had him provide lectures for the company, Neodentdoes not endorse/sponsor Dr. Dan Holtzclaw. Mississippilandsource "Having Raise the Rank doing all our digital marketing as well as our website redesign will help make our site the national leader in land for sale networks," says a spokesperson for Mississippi-Landsource.com Partnership Improves Reach of Mississippi Land for Sale Network Raise the Rank is a digital marketing agency with a strong track record of helping businesses improve their visibility online. By optimizing websites so they rank better in search engine results pages, Raise the Rank helps businesses to reach out to people browsing the Web. The partnership of this marketing agency with Mississippi land for sale network site Mississippi-Landsource.com will make it easier than ever for people to find land for hunting, building or investment in Mississippi. "Having Raise the Rank doing all our digital marketing as well as our website redesign will help make our site the national leader in land for sale networks," says a spokesperson for Mississippi-Landsource.com. Mississippi-Landsource.com lists a broad range of land types for sale, which means that the company needs to reach out to a wide audience. From vast expanses of hunting land to beautiful rural cottages and cabins, Mississippi-Landsource.com provides all searchers with access to the type of property they want to invest in. Thanks to the upcoming partnership with Raise the Rank, this huge database of land investment opportunities will be available to anyone searching the Web for land for sale in Mississippi. This partnership brings benefits to all parties. Mississippi-Landsource.com will experience better brand visibility online and Raise the Rank will be able to add this exciting real estate business website to its portfolio of marketing projects. Most importantly, customers will be able to easily find the land they need. About Mississippi-Landsource.com Mississippi-Landsource.com was founded by Chuck Magee in 1999. Since that time, the company has grown from a small resource for people looking to buy hunting land in Mississippi to become the largest listing website of rural land for sale in Mississippi. The company was incorporated in 1999 and today has its headquarters in McComb, Mississippi. www.analyticmix.com Analytic Mix has been a great partner for three years. Theyve consistently delivered insights that have helped us better drive sales results. Quite simply, nobody else can do what they do for us.--Dan Womack, Strategy & Innovation, Aflac Analytic Mix, the San Francisco-based media attribution and big data analytics company, will be retained by Aflac, Inc. for the third straight year to provide insights and strategies to optimize their omnichannel media allocations. Analytic Mix uses a range of frameworks and algorithms to uncover Aflacs various marketing levers across business segments and their impact on overall brand health metrics. Operationalizing this complex insight is critical for Aflacs budget allocation decisions across on- and offline marketing channels. Analytic Mix has been a great partner for the past three years, said Dan Womack, Senior Manager, Head of Insights at Aflac. Theyve consistently delivered insights that have helped us optimize our media allocations to better drive sales results. We renewed with Analytic Mix because, quite simply, nobody else can do what they do for us. Aflac relies on Analytic Mixs insights to make high-level decisions about where to spend millions of media dollars annually. Their proprietary approach uncovers the role of macroeconomic factors, media levers and sales force activities on Aflacs policy renewals and sales, and then provide strategies to optimize and improve media ROI. Analytic Mix accurately detects the contribution of macroeconomic factors, competitive force, sales force, and various marketing levers to Aflacs bottom line. Further, the analytics framework informs the executive team an optimal marketing allocation strategy across B2C and B2B segments to maximize the return. Were pleased to continue providing our services to the business insight team at Aflac, said Haren Ghosh, Analytic Mix Founder and CEO. We know they rely heavily on data analytics to make their strategic media and marketing decisions. Renewing with us for a third year underscores the confidence they have in our analytics framework. ABOUT AFLAC Aflac is a Fortune 500 company providing financial protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the worksite. More information is available at http://www.aflac.com. ABOUT ANALYTIC MIX Analytic Mix is a San Francisco-based research and big data technology company providing near real-time TV and cross-channel attribution and media mix modeling. They help omnichannel marketers and analytics teams to: Identify the most effective and efficient media channels Assign accurate correlations between their media mix, sales results and brand KPIs Easily visualize data for more effective media buying decisions Working with big data assets and deep industry expertise, Analytic Mixs unique approach and mathematical frameworks provides fact-based allocation and budgeting models to quickly improve ROI. Analytic Mix clients include Fortune 500 enterprises and brands in the financial services, pharmaceutical, automotive, media and technology industries. More information is available at http://www.analyticmix.com. Our new president must address whats wrong with this economy below the surface if hes going to succeed. Express Employment Professionals released today a new white paper explaining why the country is still feeling a hangover from the Great Recession. Despite a low unemployment rate and high stock prices, Americans are dissatisfied with the direction of the country, and economic anxiety was a driving factor in the 2016 presidential election. Titled, "What's Wrong with This Economy, the paper seeks to explain this surprising trendand offer advicefor the incoming president if he wants to address this angst. The paper draws on the real-world experience from Express experts and an analysis of employment, wage and public opinion data to identify four root causes of economic dissatisfaction: 1. The lower labor force participation rate distorts the unemployment situation. 2. Wages have been slow to recover following the Great Recessionand concerns of inequality are high. 3. Businesses are concerned about political and global uncertainties. 4. The recession of 2009 changed the way businesses operate. They are still suffering from the aftermath of the Great Recession. Many are holding back, sitting on cash and being cautious. The paper features insights from Express owners and franchisees: Chris Ashcraft, owner, Express Employment Professionals, Mobile, Alabama Anne Woods, owner, Express Employment Professionals, Covina and Santa Fe Springs, California Jim Goodwin, owner, Express Employment Professionals, Tupelo, Mississippi The paper argues that despite a low unemployment rate, business leaders and government officials should not take their eyes off the ball. The president-elect, his administration and the new Congress should zero in on four key goals: 1. Getting more workers off the sidelines and back in the workforce with good-paying jobs by equipping them with the skills needed to do those jobs. 2. Raising wagesnot artificially with minimum wage lawsbut through a growing economy. 3. Relieving businesses of regulations, rules and barriers to success. 4. Encouraging businesses not to be overly cautiousin order to get over their hangoverwhile promoting policies that encourage re-investing in the economy. Unemployment has been cut in half since the Great Recession. The stock market is much stronger. But a majority of the country is dissatisfied with the direction the country is headed, and economic anxieties were a significant issue in the presidential election, said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Our new president must address whats wrong with this economy below the surface if hes going to succeed. If you would like to arrange an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Sherry Kast at (405) 717-5966. About Robert A. Funk Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 760 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve. About Express Employment Professionals Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.02 billion in sales and employed a record 500,002 people in 2015. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. PowWow Mobile Our emergence from a categorical startup in 2012 into a market leader is directly related to the trust and confidence our customers and partners have in us." PowWow Mobile, the leading enterprise mobility platform that allows companies to deliver powerful, modern native mobile apps quickly, simply and economically, today announced that it has been named the Most Innovative Startup by AOTMP, global leaders in telecom management best practices and industry standards. Known as the Directors Award, AOTMP staff chose PowWow Mobile for its SmartUX Platform, which helps enterprises transform legacy Windows and web applications into modern native mobile apps. Judges, at last weeks annual AOTMP Awards banquet at CES in Las Vegas, cited the SmartUX Platforms technological superiority, the business problems being solved and validation from enterprise customers as the primary reasons PowWow Mobile earned recognition as the Most Innovative Startup. We are thrilled to honor PowWow Mobile with a Mobility Award for their innovative and breakthrough architecture that solves one of the most important problems in enterprise IT, said J. Gerry Purdy, Ph.D., Principal Analyst, Mobile and Wireless at AOTMP. The Mobility Awards honor the best and finest mobile and wireless products and services. Winning the AOTMP Directors Award continues recent momentum for PowWow Mobile, which recently announced 410% revenue growth in 2016 and the acquisition of StarMobile, a rapid mobile application development (RMAD) platform. The award also comes only two months after PowWow Mobile earned Best Case Study Presentation 2016 at the ET Exchange Summit. Earlier in 2016, Gartner recognized PowWow Mobile as a Cool Vendor in Mobile App Development. On behalf of everyone at PowWow Mobile, I would like to sincerely thank the AOTMP judges for awarding PowWow Mobile the most innovative startup, said Kia Behnia, CEO, PowWow Mobile. Our emergence from a categorical startup in 2012 into a market leader is directly related to the trust and confidence our customers and partners have in us. Today, we are helping organizations in government, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, transportation and other industries around the globe to mobilize their workforces and access the tools and data they need to drive larger digital transformation initiatives. PowWow Mobile disrupts the speed, complexity and economics commonly associated with delivering productivity enhancing apps to an increasingly mobile-first workforce. The PowWow SmartUX Platform accelerates mobile app development by transforming existing Windows and web applications and workflows into modern mobile experiences or; by creating net new apps that connect to any third-party data source, API or SQL. With PowWow Mobile, users can easily design and deploy personalized, intelligent and secure apps that run anywhere, on any device (PC, laptop, tablet, phone or watch) and any OS (iOS, Android, Windows 10, or HTML5). For more information on PowWow Mobile, visit http://www.powwowmobile.com and follow us on Twitter @powwowmobile. About PowWow Mobile PowWow Mobile allows enterprises to transform business applications into modern, mobile app experiences. PowWow Mobile eliminates business-IT friction as enterprises seek competitive advantage and increased productivity through mobile for todays digital workplace. SmartUX Platform accelerates enterprise application transformation by creating new, native mobile apps from any web or Windows app, quickly without sacrificing quality, and at a lower cost than custom solutions or other tools. PowWow Mobile works with customers across industries, including financial services, healthcare, telecom, software, consulting and public sector. PowWow Mobile is based in San Francisco. Learn more at http://www.powwowmobile.com Few people understand the opportunities and challenges of building a successful cyber company from the ground up better than John McAfee John McAfee, CEO of MGT Capital Investments and founder of the global computer security software company McAfee, Inc, will deliver the keynote speech at the 2017 Cyber Investing Summit being held Tuesday, May 23rd at the New York Stock Exchange. The Cyber Investing Summit is an all-day conference focused on the investment opportunities and strategies in the cyber security industry. Separate panels will be offered throughout the day highlighting publicly traded firms and privately owned entities. Speakers include some of the most prominent cyber security professionals, venture capitalists, private equity managers, chief information security officers, technology analysts, and government experts. John McAfee founded McAfee Associates, the first commercial computer anti-virus company, in 1987. McAfee went public in October of 1992, raising $42 million in an initial public stock offering. By 1993, the company had licensed its antivirus software to more than 15,000 corporations. On August 19, 2010, Intel announced the acquisition of McAfee for $48 a share in a deal valued at $7.68 billion. Mr. McAfee was named CEO and Executive Chairman of MGT Capital Investments in 2016. MGT is in the process of acquiring a diverse portfolio of cyber security technologies. The companys objective is to address cyber threats aimed towards mobile and personal tech devices. "We are excited to have one of the leading players in the cyber security sector deliver the keynote address at the 2017 Cyber Investing Summit. Few people understand the opportunities and challenges of building a successful cyber company from the ground up better than John McAfee, said Specialty Investing Series CEO Lindsey Lachman. Mr. McAfees experience founding McAfee Associates and taking the company public combined with his current role as CEO of MGT Capital Investments lends itself perfectly to discussing the future economic and security issues facing industry providers and investors." Mr. McAfee has an extensive and varied background. In 2016, he ran for United States President as a member of the Libertarian Party. He is founder of Tribal Voice, which developed one of the first instant messaging programs Pow Wow. Mr. McAfee was employed as a programmer by NASAs Institute for Space Studies in New York City from 1968 to 1970. From there he went to Univac as a software designer and later to Xerox as an operating system architect. In 1978 he joined Computer Sciences Corporation as a software consultant. In the 1980s, prior to founding McAfee Associates, Mr. McAfee worked for the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton as well as Lockheed. While employed by Lockheed, McAfee received a copy of the Pakistani Brain computer virus and began developing software to combat viruses. About the Cyber Investing Summit The Cyber Investing Summit is an all-day conference focusing on the financial opportunities and trends in the rapidly growing cyber security industry, which is predicted to exceed $1 trillion in cumulative spending on products and services over the next five years, according to Cybersecurity Venturess quarterly Cybersecurity Market Report. Panels will explore investment strategies, market forecasts, merger and acquisition potential, fallout from high profile security breaches, expectations for new presidential cyber security policies, seeding for startups, and more. Immediately following the panels, a cocktail reception will be held on the floor of the iconic New York Stock Exchange. Additional information regarding the Cyber Investing Summit can be found at http://www.cyberinvestingsummit.com. For more information, please contact Lindsey Lachman at info@cyberinvestingsummit.com The organizers of International LiDAR Mapping Forum (ILMF), the worlds leading technical conference and expo covering the newest airborne, terrestrial and underwater LiDAR as well as emerging remote-sensing and data collection tools and technologies, announced the 2017 keynote lineup today. The event takes place February 13-15 in Denver Colorado. The keynoters are: LARRY MAYER, Professor and Director, School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, University of New Hampshire Keynote: Challenges of Mapping the Deep Ocean: If Only Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Worked in 10,000m of Water TIMOTHY TRAINOR, Co-Chair, United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management; Chief of Geography Division, US Census Bureau Keynote: Role of Technology and Geospatial Information Toward Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals ROY E WRIGHT, Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation, FEMA Keynote: What FEMA Seeks from Geospatial Information: Risk Management, Risk Reduction DR. ERIC E. POEHLER, Associate Professor of Classics and Co-Director, UMass Digital Humanities Initiative; University of Massachusetts Amherst Keynote: Mapping Pompeii: New Discoveries Using Non-Invasive LiDAR, photogrammetry, GISto Advanced Evaluation & Visualization Tools in the Classroom Were honored to have such a stellar lineup to kick off the ILMF conference, said Lisa Murray, Event Director. These keynotes demonstrate the incredible breadth of uses for LiDAR technologyfrom mapping the ocean floor to mapping the ancient city of Pompeii, to using LiDAR for global sustainable development and for risk management and reduction. These leaders are among 60 aerial mapping experts at ILMF 2017 who will share their knowledge at ILMF. Other sessions will cover topics including: Analyzing LiDAR for Decision-Making Bathymetry Lidar & Topobathy Coastal Monitoring Forestry Geiger-Mode Lidar (GML) and Single-Photon Lidar (SPL): Whats the Difference & Why Does it Matter? Landslide Detection & Mapping Multi-Sensor & Data Fusion New Developments In Mobile Mapping New Technologies Point Clouds: From Processing & Feature Extraction To Analysis & Management Topo-Bathy & Shoreline Mapping UAVS & LiDAR Unique Applications Updates from USGS View the complete Conference Program here. Running alongside the conference is an exhibition featuring the worlds top providers of LiDAR and new and complementary solutions. See the exhibitor list here. ILMF is the best opportunity of the year for mapping professionals to learn about the newest LiDAR solutions, raise their technical competence, network with other practitioners, and see the latest technology, said Ms. Murray. Registration: Early-bird registration ends January 31, 2016. Interested parties are encouraged to register early to save $175. Registration is available online here. About LiDAR LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that measures ranges (variable distances) to the Earth by using light in the form of a pulsed laser. These light pulsescombined with other data recorded by the airborne, terrestrial, or underwater system generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics. LiDAR principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a GPS receiver. Airplanes, helicopters and UAVs are often used to acquire LIDAR data. Topographic and bathymetric are two types of LiDAR. Topographic LiDAR often uses a near-infrared laser to map the land. Water-penetrating green light is used in Bathymetric LiDAR to measure seafloor and riverbed elevations. About International LiDAR Mapping Forum (ILMF) International LiDAR Mapping Forum (ILMF) is a technical conference & exhibition focused on airborne, terrestrial and underwater LiDAR as well as emerging remote-sensing and data collection tools and technology used for applications including Asset Management; Civil Infrastructure; Coastal Zone Mapping; Emergency Services & Disaster Response; Land and Natural Resource Management; and Urban Modeling. The 2017 edition of the annual event will be held February 13-15, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. For more information, visit http://www.lidarmap.org. ILMF is part of a network of events and media for the global geospatial market organized by Diversified Communications that includes Commercial UAV Expo Americas, Commercial UAV Expo Europe, Commercial UAV News, SPAR 3D Expo & Conference and SPAR3D.com It's an honor to witness Florock's 65th year and be able to provide optimal flooring solutions and outstanding service to more customers than ever before. Florock Polymer Flooring, a leading Chicago-based manufacturer of high performance commercial, industrial and institutional floor coating systems for concrete, is celebrating its 65th year of business in 2017. Established in 1952 by Benjamin A. Schmetterer, Florock experienced unprecedented expansion under the recent leadership of Benjamins son, David Schmetterer. In July 2016, Tennant Company (TNC), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, purchased Florock from the Schmetterer family, adding the brand to its growing Tennant Coatings division. The acquisition of Florock enhances our ability to grow, said Byron Smith, Vice President of Tennant Coatings. After only six months, were already realizing great synergy in having both the Florock and Tennant brands. Its an honor to witness Florocks 65th year and be able to provide optimal flooring solutions and outstanding service to more customers than ever before. Smith advises that Tennant Company will retain the Florock Polymer Flooring brand, managing the Tennant Coatings and Florock sales channels separately. Each product family will maintain its unique, proprietary formulations and approach to the market. Almost since its inception, Florocks factory and offices have been located south of downtown Chicago, in the area known today as the historic Stockyards Manufacturing District. Having grown several times beyond the capacity of its original facility, Florock nevertheless kept its center of operations in the neighborhood. Long respected as a provider of jobs to the local community, Florock retained all its employees after the purchase by Tennant Company and has even hired additional personnel. The founding familys third generation, David Schmetterers daughter, Aviva Llorens, continues to play a key role at Florock, further contributing to the feeling of tradition amidst the exciting changes. After 65 years, Florock now supplies its broad selection of specialty flooring products to customers throughout the United States, Latin America, Great Britain and other parts of the world. The Florock team looks forward to a bright future of continued growth, innovation and market leadership. Family Investment Center Diversification is good, but it is what you own not where you own it. Dump the repetitive accounts. Can the middle class think (and act) like the ultrawealthy for more success? Veronica Daghers recent article in the Wall Street Journal titled Personal Finance Lessons from the Ultrawealthy included advice from members of an investment group about how they maintain their fortunes. The article generated a great deal of online discussion, including insight from Family Investment Center CEO Dan Danford, who believes some of the advice given in that article can be applied to middle class investors and that middle class investors make mistakes in their thinking without even realizing it. Dagher interviewed individuals who contribute $30,000 a year for the chance to be in a group where members share their personal financial details and discuss the minute details on how they maintain their investments and wealth. One of the members narrowed it down to four specific areas: consolidating investments, keeping some cash in bank accounts for emergencies and opportunities, look for whats missing in your portfolio, and its never too late to begin investing. Danford agrees that consolidation is an important investment tool for the middle class, but they often get it wrong. The middle class often has a distorted idea about diversification, Danford explained. Diversification is good, but it is what you own not where you own it. Dump the repetitive accounts. Another mistake many investors make is to keep too much of their wealth in bank accounts where it doesnt have opportunity to compound at higher growth rates. While its important to have some cash on hand for emergencies and perhaps for investment opportunities, Danford warns not to use banks for longer-term investing. Danford also poses the philosophical question: how do you know what you dont know? This is in regard to how investors find vehicles that propel their investment portfolio to heights it hasnt gone before. Daghers interviewees have the luxury of counting on one another to look for investment opportunities that they are currently missing. However, many middle class investors will count on advice from friends, relatives and colleagues, which is a mistake in most cases. This is one reason advisors are important, Danford said. Friends, relatives and colleagues focus on the same things and the miss the same things. Theyre not investment experts and this is a common challenge middle class investors could overcome. Finally, Danford explains to many of his clients that its never too late to begin investing and there is never a situation where there is too little to invest. With a 30-year retirement investment horizon, Danford explains, its not a good idea to ignore new stuff. Life-long learning means life-long! Every day brings new information and opportunities. Keep learning to keep happy! About Dan Danford and Family Investment Center Danford is author of the recently-published book Stuck in The Middle: The Mistakes that Jeopardize Your Financial Success and How to Fix Them. The book asks the question What if your middle class background is holding you back from the financial success you want? Danford answers the question by explaining that many middle class money beliefs are just plain wrong, and he explains why in simple terms. Dan Danford serves as Founder/CEO of Family Investment Center, a full-service, commission-free investment advisory firm. Based in St. Joseph, MO, Family Investment Center also serves clients in the Kansas City Northland area and across the country. Danford holds an MBA and in 2012, he was featured in the book Americas Top Financial Advisors. A 2009 Wall Street Journal article outlined Danfords unique birthday messages to clients, complete with a $2 bill inside the envelope. In 2009, Danford was also quoted on ABC News for his insight into how parents can protect funds for their childrens college education. He is a CFP and was listed as one of the 150 Best Financial Advisors for Doctors in 2008 and 2009 by Medical Economics magazine. A 2006 article in The New York Times quoted Danfords insights on working with a financial advisor. In 2014, Danford was featured in an article exploring solutions to math anxiety in the Voices section of the Wall Street Journal. Eastern Region Direct Partner Of The Year We are proud to partner with a company like Nextiva who has a similar mission. We are tremendously honored for this recognition from a company that we admire and collaborate with to help businesses succeed. said Benjamin P. Sayers. NextCon Nextiva (http://www.nextiva.com), an industry-leading cloud communications company, awarded VoIP Supply North Americas leading Voice over Internet Protocol solutions provider, as their Eastern Region Direct Partner of the Year at NextCon16. VoIP Supply and Nextiva have created a strong partnership which is grounded in helping businesses succeed. Nextivas commitment to businesses was showcased at NextCon. The breakthrough business conference drew over 1,500 attendees who were inspired by 50 speakers including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, former chief evangelist of Apple Guy Kawasaki and other high octane tech superstars at 40 sessions which focused on multiple tracks ranging from entrepreneurship, business development, sales, marketing, IT, customer service and more. Our mission at VoIP Supply is to build a great company, with great people, who do great things. We endeavor to provide the utmost care for our customers and community placing them at the forefront of all that we do. We are proud to partner with a company like Nextiva who has a similar mission. We are tremendously honored for this recognition from a company that we admire and collaborate with to help businesses succeed. said Benjamin P. Sayers. Tomas Gorny, Nextivas CEO said, Our company DNA is not just about selling products, adding. It is about helping businesses get better. VoIP Supply is a company whose goals are centered around whats best for the customer, a sentiment that was echoed by Carl Katz, director of eastern U.S. channel sales at Nextiva who shared at NextCon that the company's business model isnt focused on simply selling a commoditized phone service instead he underscored Nextivas commitment to helping deliver what companies need to grow their business saying that Nextiva is focused on solution selling". VoIP Supply which became Western New Yorks first certified B Corporation driven by their commitment to improve the communities that they serve joined in with Nextivas social media campaign, #NextCon16. Nextiva has connected NextCon with their philanthropic and community outreach program Nextiva Cares and has made NextCon a non-profit event. Throughout #NextCon16 attendees were encouraged to share their experience on social media using #NextCon16. Nextiva Cares pledged five dollars to local non-profits for every social media post that included the hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. This led to over 4,100 social posts in just three days. As a result, Nextiva Cares donated $20,500 to twelve local non-profit organizations. About Nextiva Nextiva provides cloud-based communications and collaboration solutions designed to simplify the way businesses communicate. Founded in 2006 on the principle of Amazing Service, Nextiva serves more than 100,000 businesses in the United States from its headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. About VoIP Supply VoIP Supply, LLC (https://www.voipsupply.com) is North America's leading VoIP solutions provider. Since 2002, VoIP Supply has delivered valuable solutions for some 125,000 customers worldwide. With passionate employees, 6,500 products, 20,000 square feet of office space and an unlimited number of VoIP solutions to meet your needs, whether you are a consumer, business, service provider or reseller, VoIP Supply has everything you need for VoIP. We invest in education because we believe board members who participate in our training are more productive and better equipped to perform their jobs because they are confident in what theyre doing. FirstService Residential, Nevadas leading association management company, is launching an exclusive first quarter training program to promote best practices and guide Nevada HOA board members and community residents toward effective community management. The free, multi-topic seminars will be conducted live at FirstService Residential offices throughout Southern and Northern Nevada. The seminars begin January 12, 2017 with a board member training entitled, Transforming Volunteerism into Leadership, and continue through mid-March. We invest in education because we believe board members who participate in our training are more productive and better equipped to perform their jobs because they are confident in what theyre doing. says Steven Parker, president FirstService Residential Nevada. Although the Nevada Real Estate Division title requires comprehensive education and experience for community managers, including certification by the State, association board members are not required to have specialized training. As a result, very few community management companies in Nevada offer live training and education events. According to Parker, such programming is beneficial for association board members, who are unpaid volunteers, to help them develop the necessary skills required to govern within such complex positions. Social skills such as persuasion, active listening, conflict resolution and critical thinking are becoming increasingly necessary for effective community management. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, by 2020, more than one third (36%) of all jobs across all industries will require these core problem-solving skills. The January 12th Transforming Volunteerism into Leadership course will be held in Reno and will cover the four quadrants of leadership and provide a board member assessment tool. Other seminar topics include standard board member practices and procedures, understanding how to analyze an associations financial statements, equal opportunity employment issues, dealing with difficult personalities, as well as engaging renters in an HOA community. For specific training dates, times and locations or to register online visit here. About FirstService Residential FirstService Residential is recognized as Nevadas largest and most experienced full-service community association management firm. For over 25 years, FirstService Residential has continued to provide the best-in-class community management solutions and genuinely helpful service to its over 370 properties and communities throughout Nevada. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, a global leader in the rapidly growing real estate services sector, one of the largest markets in the world. As the leading property management company in North America, FirstService Residential oversees more than 6,500 residential and commercial associations including 1.5 million residential units and over 50 million square feet of commercial space across 21 U.S. states and three provinces in Canada. The company has more than 12,000 employees driving local market expertise and manages in excess of $6 billion in annual budgets. For more information, visit http://www.fsresidential.com. ### Maj. Torossian, 459th Force Support Squadron Commander, TSgt Gonzalez, Airmen and Family Readiness NCO IC, Rosalind Bishop, Regional Manager, SMSgt Parson, 459th Force Support Squadron Superintendent. Andrews Federal Credit Union sponsored the 459th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) Deployed Service member Holiday Appreciation/Welcome Home event. Upon their return, Airmen were welcomed back with a gift package and a $25 gift card from Andrews Federal. This year, the Credit Union provided the 459th ARW returning deployed airmen with 86 gift cards, for a total of $2,150. We are always proud to support our troops in every way possible, said Andrew Federals Rosalind Bishop, DC/MD/VA Regional Manager. The gift cards are a token of our appreciation for all that they do for us year round. About the 459th Air Refueling Wing The mission of the 459th Air Refueling Wing is to recruit, train, equip, challenge, mentor and reward the men and women of the unit to be AFRC's #1 Wing to provide safe, sustained, outstanding service to ourselves, our communities and nation. About Andrews Federal Credit Union Andrews Federal Credit Union was founded in 1948 to serve the needs of military and civilian personnel by providing a vast array of financial products and services. With over $1.3 billion in assets, Andrews Federal has grown to serve more than 119,000 members in the District of Columbia, Joint Base Andrews (MD), Springfield, Virginia (VA), Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (NJ), and military installations in central Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In addition, the Credit Union serves as a financial partner with many select employee groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia and New Jersey. To learn more about Andrews Federal Credit Union and its community involvement, or to become a member, call 800.487.5500 or visit http://www.andrewsfcu.org. Our goal is to help our customers throughout Europe maximize return on their investment in StoneAge by providing fast and accurate access to stock, training, repair, and support. StoneAge, Inc. is pleased to announce that starting February 1, 2017, the company will begin selling Waterblast Tools, Automated Equipment and Custom Solutions directly to industrial cleaning customers in Western Europe including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Having long been known for outstanding customer service, StoneAge will be increasing its focus on contractor needs and support for the rapidly changing waterblast industry. To meet this commitment to customers across the European Economic Area, StoneAge will implement several key changes in 2017. On April 1st, StoneAge Europe, headquartered in the industrial midlands of the United Kingdom, will officially open and be ready to ship and support product throughout Europe. Kerry Siggins, StoneAge CEO, affirmed that the StoneAge Europe facility will be fully stocked with waterblast tools and automated equipment, sewer tools, downhole wash tools, spare parts and kits, and a full line of hoses, fittings and other accessories. Our goal is to help our customers throughout Europe maximize return on their investment in StoneAge by providing fast and accurate access to stock, training, repair, and support. The company will expand their technical sales and field support team in Western Europe, with direct sales staff regionally based in the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands. StoneAge Europe will be staffed with a fully trained and experienced order fulfillment and customer service team. Industrial cleaning contractors across the EEA will also have direct access to StoneAges U.S.-based engineering team, enabling them to get fast answers to their hard questions and allowing them opportunity to provide input on product design, functionality and safety. StoneAge will continue to sell waterblast tools and automated equipment through key dealers in North, South and Eastern Europe, ensuring fast response time for their customers' immediate needs. These dealers share StoneAges passion and commitment to technical product knowledge and responsive customer service, and they will be listed on the StoneAge website by their exclusive distribution territory. This change will not affect the companys other international waterblast markets nor their European or international sewer markets. European sewer jetting and all other international customers can expect to see the same great service they are accustomed to from StoneAges world-wide dealer network. About StoneAge StoneAge, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of high pressure waterblast tools and automated equipment for industrial companies and contractors worldwide. Our focus is on developing the highest quality products for industrial, sewer, and downhole cleaning as well as custom equipment for application-specific challenges. Visit http://www.stoneagetools.com for information. The Philadelphia intellectual property law firm of Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel is pleased to announce that IP attorney Jibo Wu has joined the firm, bringing experience in electrical engineering and computer-science related industries and a fluency in Mandarin. Formerly a patent attorney with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in Washington, D.C., Wu has experience prosecuting patent applications for Fortune 500 companies, drafting applications for leading new technology companies and facilitating high-stakes product liability litigation. Fluent in Mandarin, Wu is actively engaged in cross-border patent prosecution and patent litigation matters, usually in China and other Asian countries. He holds a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Dalian Maritime University and a masters degree in systems engineering from Tianjin University. After coming to the United States, Wu earned a masters degree in computer and information sciences from the University of Delaware and then went on to earn his law degree from Temple Universitys Beasley School of Law. About Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is a boutique intellectual property law firm with offices in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The firms IP law practitioners provide strategic litigation, licensing and counseling service relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, domain names and Internet issues domestically and internationally. The firms long-standing relationships with a network of associates worldwide enable its attorneys and advisors to provide clients with global intellectual property advice and protection. Lice Master's new website Lice Master, the all-natural and family-friendly lice removal company, is excited to welcome customers to their newly redesigned website. The new version of the site was designed specifically for improved navigation and overall user-friendly experience. When designing the new site we wanted to make sure we were still providing our customers with all the useful information we previously had but in a much cleaner and user-friendly way, says Arie Harel, the owner of Lice Masters parent company, Lice Troopers. In addition to improved navigation and usability, the new site reflects the overall brand since its recent merge with Lice Troopers. Similar to the Lice Troopers site, the new Lice Master site is consistently branded throughout with signature Lice Troopers color way. It also projects the comforting and family-friendly feels of the treatment centers themselves. We want people who visit our site to feel the same way as they do in our treatment centers welcomed, appreciated, understood and informed, Harel stated. Lice Master is inviting customers to visit their new website and offer their feedback on our Facebook page. "The time is always right to do what is right." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. UNCF Greater New York Inter-Alumni Council (GNYIAC) will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast on January 16th. For 26 years, this event has celebrated the life and achievements of UNCF alumnus Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Morehouse College graduate of the class of 1948. The 2017 honorees are the National Association of University Women and Ms. Lacey Britton, Morris Brown College graduate. Both will be recognized for their dedication and support of UNCFs work in the community. Rev. Jeffrey S. Thompson, pastor of Amity Baptist Church will serve as the keynote speaker. WHO: UNCF Greater New York Inter-Alumni Council WHAT: 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Breakfast WHEN: Monday, January 16, 2016, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. WHERE: Antuns; 96-43 Springfield Boulevard; Queens Village, NY For more information about the UNCF Greater New York Office Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Breakfast, contact: Lisa Banks at 212.820.0151. ### Follow the New York office of UNCF: @uncf @uncfnyc About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF. The hiring and networking event is open to all military - active, retired, reservists - as well as their spouses and significant others. Mark your calendars for the annual BestCompaniesAZ Military Career Event taking place Wed., Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at North Phoenix Baptist Church Conference Center, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85012. Attendance is free. Advanced registration is required at https://2017militarycareerevent.eventbrite.com. The hiring and networking event is open to all military - active, retired, reservists - as well as their spouses and significant others. Visit bestcompaniesaz.com for the registration link, event details, hiring companies, open positions and on-site resources. "Military men and women are often celebrated for their leadership, team-building, organizational commitment, decision-making skills and advanced technical training skills," says Denise Gredler, founder and CEO of BestCompaniesAZ. "Our goal is to bring together top hiring companies, veteran resource groups and actively connect hundreds of qualified veterans with top-notch career opportunities." Free career skills workshops from local nonprofit Career Connectors are available to job seekers in advance of the event, now through February. Specialists will be available to assist those with military backgrounds in translating their skill sets into resumes that easily can be understood by non-military recruiters. A full schedule of topics and resources is listed on the Career Connectors Event Schedule. BestCompaniesAZ Military Career Event is comprised of businesses, agencies and community partners that support the hiring, training and development of veterans. Hiring companies include: Charles Schwab, Dignity Health, USAA, Progrexion, Vixxo, Intel, Vanguard, Hyatt Regency Phoenix, and many more. Many have won workplace awards such as Arizona's Most Admired Companies, Top Companies to Work for in Arizona, FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For(R) in America, FORTUNE Most Admired Companies, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, or US Veterans Magazine's Best of the Best. About BestCompaniesAZ - Arizona's Employer Branding Partner BestCompaniesAZ specializes in helping corporate clients develop, strengthen and market their unique employer brands through a variety of events, awards and communications programs. For more information, visit BestCompaniesAZ.com. Interested sponsors can email military(at)bestcompaniesAZ(dot)com or call 480-545-5151. About Career Connectors Career Connectors' mission is to connect professionals in career transition to hiring companies and quality resources. As Arizona's fastest growing job seeker program, the organization hosts no-cost monthly job seeker events in Chandler/Gilbert, Phoenix and North Scottsdale. For more information, visit careerconnectors.org, or call 480-442-5806. About Birdies for the Brave(R) Birdies for the Brave(R) is a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR. Birdies for the Brave was originally created in 2006 by PGA TOUR player Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, to support combat-wounded veterans. The PGA TOUR subsequently adopted Birdies for the Brave and expanded it to include a variety of military outreach initiatives, including military appreciation activities during PGA TOUR tournaments and a series Birdies for the Brave fundraising events conducted at the TOUR's TPC clubs nationwide - an effort that has raised millions for military home front groups that are supported by TOUR players, which provide critical programs and services to meet the specialized needs of wounded heroes and military families. For more information, please visit birdiesforthebrave.org or follow them on Facebook. # # # Media Contacts for BestCompaniesAZ: Stephanie Burchfield Burchfield & Wolin Public Relations sburchfield(at)bwprinc(dot)com 480-460-4111, Office 602-418-2501 Mobile The need for skilled workers with communication, leadership, professionalism, initiative and other such skills is a topic of discussion at each of our industry advisory board meetings. Five community college programs have received the first Wonderlic Soft Skills Training Scholarship and will participate in soft skills training and assessment during the spring semester of 2017, at no cost. The winners are: Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Davenport, IA--Adult Education and Literacy Glen Oaks Community College, Centreville, MI--Business Outreach and Services Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA--Continuing Business Education Mount Hood Community College, Gresham, OR-- Adult High School Diploma (AHSD) Program Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL--National Corn to Ethanol Research Center Each of these postsecondary schools completed an application describing its specific program and why students in that program had a particular need to improve the specific soft skills taught as part of the Wonderlic Soft Skills Training Bootcamp. As part of the program, students will be pretested before training begins and tested afterwards to measure improvement. Applying schools had to explain how the Bootcamp would be integrated into their existing curriculum so that students were sure to have a meaningful and valuable learning experience. Every school that completed an application mentioned local employers demand for students with soft skills. According to an official from the Building Illinois Consortium, The need for skilled workers with communication, leadership, professionalism, initiative and other such skills is a topic of discussion at each of our industry advisory board meetings. The program at Southern Illinois University saw the Bootcamp as having a high relevance to our core mission: delivering a highly-skilled, job-ready workforce to meet the needs of regional employers in a growing bioeconomy. The Wonderlic Soft Skills Training Bootcamp includes the following training modules: 1. Interpersonal Skills 2. Communication Skills 3. Listening and Nonverbal Communication 4. Self-Management Skills 5. Problem Solving 6. Initiative 7. Critical Thinking 8. Professionalism 9. Teamwork 10. Cultural Competence For decades, Wonderlic has worked with businesses and postsecondary schools to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of job applicants and postsecondary students. Due to Wonderlics unique perspective, its Research and Development team realized there was a major gap between employers requirements and job candidates soft skills. In an effort to bridge this skills gap, Wonderlic has worked with employers and postsecondary schools since 2012 to develop an online competency-based training and assessment program, which awards digital badges to users who master those competencies. To find out more about the Wonderlic Soft Skills Training Bootcamp, contact Wonderlic's Competency-Based Solutions Team. About Wonderlic Wonderlic, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL and a founding member of the Association of Test Publishers. The company provides businesses and schools with a comprehensive library of highly regarded assessments and surveys for each phase of the hiring and student selection process. In its 75+ year history, Wonderlic has delivered over 300 million assessments and surveys to more than 60,000 organizations, government agencies, and accrediting bodies. http://www.wonderlic.com Nicks relentless efforts help position Cyprium as the valued partner we try to be to our management teams and business owners. Cyprium Partners is pleased to announce the promotion of Nicholas Stone to Managing Director. Mr. Stone oversees Cypriums Chicago office and will lead the firms origination and marketing related activities. The promotion is in recognition of Mr. Stones significant contributions to the success of the firm, particularly the current $460 million non-control focused fund, Cyprium Investors IV. The firm will rely on his expertise and energy to continue building the business development effort critical to Cypriums investment model and future growth. Mr. Stone was a member of the investment team previously known as Key Principal Partners (KPP) that became Cyprium in 2011. Before joining KPP in 2007, he worked at Northlight Capital, a private equity firm that focused exclusively on leveraged buyouts, where he served as a Vice President responsible for developing proprietary acquisition opportunities, transaction execution and managing operational projects at the portfolio level. Prior to his direct investing experience, Mr. Stone was a Director at U.S. Capital, a boutique middle-market M&A advisory practice after beginning his career as a Financial Analyst at NASA Johnson Space Center. Mr. Stone received his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and his B.B.A. in International Business from Wichita State University. Cyprium is happy to announce the promotion of Nick Stone, said Mike Conaton, a Managing Partner at Cyprium. Nicks relentless efforts help position Cyprium as the valued partner we try to be to our management teams and business owners. We look forward to Nicks continued contribution as we build toward the future. About Cyprium Partners Cyprium Partners is a private investment firm that makes non-control investments in profitable middle-market companies, allowing company owners and their management teams to retain controlling interest in their businesses. Cyprium can provide any combination of equity or subordinated debt offering flexibility and increasing certainty of close. With offices in Cleveland, New York, and Chicago, the firm invests $10 million to $60 million per transaction in U.S. and Canadian companies that have $8 million or more of EBITDA. Learn more about Cyprium Partners at http://www.cyprium.com. For many fledging startups, good advice from a seasoned entrepreneur can make all the difference when navigating the challenges young businesses face. With the second installment of Quorums newest signature program, Entrepreneur IQ, startups can tap into the extensive expertise and experience of Geoff DiMasi, Founder and Principal of interactive design agency, Punk Ave. For the next six months, Geoff will meet with and offer targeted advice through Office Hours as part of Entrepreneur IQ. Entrepreneur IQ will kick off with a reception for members of the entrepreneurial, innovation and business community to meet Geoff, learn more about the program and network. The reception will be held on January 24, 2017, from 5:30 7:30 p.m. at Quorum, the Science Centers entrepreneurs clubhouse. Entrepreneur IQ is sponsored by Fox Rothschild. Geoff established P'unk Ave after teaching for years at UArts. He is also a co-founder of Independents Hall, the oldest coworking space in Philadelphia. Geoff also organizes the Junto, co-founded and currently curates Ignite Philly, and has lent a hand in getting events like BarCamp Philly started. Geoff has a background in print and interactive design, as well as marketing and strategy. Before founding Punk Avenue, he worked for Rolling Stone magazine, US Magazine, Mens Journal, and Family Life. At advertising agency Monsoon, he worked on projects for TNT Network, Urban Outfitters, and VIP Wireless. He has developed web solutions since 1997, and worked in communication and marketing since 1993. Geoff was a full time Multimedia professor at the University of the Arts and is currently an adjunct member of the faculty. He currently serves on the Board of Leadership Philadelphia. He is also on the advisory board of Weathervane Music and the Passyunk Square Civic Association, an organization he co-founded. Geoff is a former board member of Vox Populi Gallery. He holds a B.A. from Rutgers and an M.F.A. from the University of the Arts. Geoff was identified as one of 76 Creative Connectors in Philadelphia by Leadership Philadelphia. Entrepreneur IQ Kickoff Reception: 5:30 p.m. Registration & Networking 6:00 Remarks by Geoff DiMasi 6:30 Networking 7:30 p.m. Adjourn There is no charge for the kick-of reception, which will take place at Quorum at the Science Center, 3711 Market Street, Suite 800. Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Online registration is available at: http://sciencecenter.org/engage/entrepreneur-iq-kickoff-reception To schedule Office Hours with Geoff contact eventsintern(at)sciencecenter(dot)org About the Science Center Located in the heart of uCity Square, the Science Center is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that catalyzes and connects innovation to entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. For 50+ years, the Science Center has supported startups, research, and economic development in the life sciences, healthcare, physical sciences, and emerging technology sectors. As a result, graduate firms and current residents of the Science Centers incubator support one out of every 100 jobs in the Greater Philadelphia region and drive $13 billion in economic activity in the region annually. By providing resources and programming for any stage of a businesss lifecycle, the Science Center helps scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators take their concepts from idea to IPO and beyond. For more information about the Science Center, go to http://www.sciencecenter.org 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. Tony Romas knows how to make taste buds cheer, and as we celebrate our iconic heritage as a global brand, we are also excited to keep an eye to the future as we build on that heritage and transform our brand experience. Romacorp, Inc., the parent company of Tony Romas, announces the celebration of Tony Romas 45th anniversary with a special menu designed to satisfy the cravings of its most passionate fans. When Chef David Smith first threw baby back ribs on the grill in 1972, a legend was born, and the Tony Romas name become synonymous with the worlds best tasting ribs. As a tribute to its fans, Tony Romas restaurants around the world are offering a special menu featuring the items that made Tony Romas famous. From January 11 January 17, participating Tony Romas USA locations will offer fans a special $45 menu for two that includes two Classic Romaritas, a signature Onion Loaf, choice of Kickin' Shrimp or Steak Flatbread, and a full rack of Tony Roma's world-famous Baby Back Ribs to share. What better way to celebrate! As we celebrate 45 years of satisfying guests cravings for the worlds best ribs and creating happy rib faces, we are excited to offer Tony Romas fans a special menu that shines the spotlight on classic menu items that are true favorites around the world, said Jim Rogers, Chief Marketing Officer at Romacorp. Tony Romas knows how to make taste buds cheer, and as we celebrate our iconic heritage as a global brand, we are also excited to keep an eye to the future as we build on that heritage and transform our brand experience. With this celebration of the past comes a strong outlook on the future for the Tony Romas brand. Tony Romas new global prototype restaurant on International Drive in Orlando, launched in October 2016, redefines the Tony Romas brand experience and is the model for all future locations around the world. The new restaurant builds on Tony Romas strong heritage and positions the brand for future domestic and international growth by transforming the restaurant environment, service approach, and food and beverage offerings to meet the demands of todays consumer. The brand and restaurant transformation has already been met with enthusiastic feedback from local, national and international guests and influential industry media. While our first 45 years made the Tony Romas brand a household name around the world, we believe that our redefined brand experience and renewed focus on innovation will set the Tony Romas brand up for unprecedented restaurant and retail growth for many years to come, said Stephen K. Judge, CEO of Romacorp. We are overwhelmed at the incredible response we are seeing from Tony Romas fans and industry media to our brand transformation, and excited to build the foundation for the next 45 years. For more information about Tony Romas 45th Anniversary Menu, please visit http://www.tonyromas.com. For information about Tony Romas New Global Prototype and franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.tonyromasfranchise.com. About Romacorp, Inc. Romacorp, Inc., is the parent company of Tony Roma's restaurants, the world's largest casual dining concept specializing in ribs. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Romacorp, Inc. has more than 150 restaurant locations in more than 30 countries and is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. The first Tony Roma's restaurant opened 45 years ago in North Miami, Florida. Tony Roma's is also proud to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation (http://www.cnfl.wish.org), one of the world's leading children's charities, in an effort to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses across Central and Northern Florida. For more information about Romacorp, Inc. and Tony Roma's, visit http://www.tonyromas.com. Please visit http://www.tonyromasfranchise.com or call (866) 981-0586 for information about Tony Roma's franchising opportunities. Dating in the digital age is big business, with daters turning to a slew of popular apps and sites in the hopes of finding that very special someone. The chances they will find someone are good, according to Consumer Reports, which discovered a substantial 44 percent of survey respondents who tried online dating said the experience led to a serious long-term relationship or marriage. Consumer Reports surveyed almost 115,000 subscribers about online dating--a subset of some 9,600 respondents who used an online dating service in the past two years rated the sites for effectiveness and value. Traditionally well known for reviewing products (like refrigerators) and services (like banking), the survey was new territory for the nonprofit organization, which learned from the survey that 20 percent of respondents are either divorced or have never married and may benefit from the investigation. Readers were asked to rate sites and apps based on overall satisfaction and satisfaction with the quantity of matches, quality of matches, amount of information provided about the potential dates, value, ease of sign-up/profile setup, ease of making changes, search features, filter features, privacy settings, appearance, and messaging features. Popular free sites OkCupid, Tinder and Grindr received marginally higher ratings than paid sites. Ashley Madison, which had one of the highest fees for some of its services, was among the lowest scoring online dating services. While the prospects of finding a long-term match were surprisingly good amongst our survey respondents, our survey suggests that online dating can be as frustrating and emotionally fraught as off line dating said Margot Gilman, Consumer Reports Money Content Development Team Leader. While long-term success is possible, our ratings suggest online dating can also be highly frustrating. Respondents gave online dating services the lowest satisfaction scores Consumer Reports has ever seen. Complete ratings, survey results, and a field guide to popular dating sites are available at CR.org, or on newsstands in the Consumer Reports February 2017 issue. Disappointment was inevitable but also expected. CRs survey found that among those reluctant to try online dating, 21 percent of women and 9 percent of men said it was because they knew someone who had a bad experience. The survey also found that twenty-eight percent of online daters who used more than one service tried four or more. CRs survey shows some consumers are concerned about dipping into Cupids digital world because they fear being scammed The survey found among respondents hesitant to try online dating, 56 percent of women and 41 percent of men had this worry. But the story suggests ways to protect yourself. If a person you havent met face to face wants to quickly leave the dating sites messaging appand the privacy it offersto talk by phone or send messages to your email address, that can be a red flag, Gilman says. Beware of ensuing pleas for money that might involve expenses for family members, medical problems, or a business deal gone sour. For daters ready to commit to online matchmaking, CR recommends the following tips to help craft a better profile: Use recent pictures, ones taken within the past 12 months, maximum. Everyone needs at least one good, close-up headshot. Consider tone. You dont want your profile to sound like a resume or to come across as bragging about how wonderful you are. Show that youre human and humble through a joke, a self-effacing story, or a humorous anecdote. Get the readers attention on your profile by keeping it brief but interesting. To make a strong first impression, do more than use a string of adjectives describing yourself. Instead, describe your best qualities using anecdotes. Never lie about your age or what you do for a living. Consumer Reports online dating services ratings are based on 9,636 Consumer Reports subscribers who completed the 2016 Online Dating Survey. Respondents told CR about their experience with one or two dating websites or apps between 2014 and 2016. The survey reflects 13,532 ratings. The complete article, including dating websites and apps ratings and online dating tips, is available at CR.org, or on newsstands in the February 2017 issue. ### About Consumer Reports Consumer Reports is the worlds largest and most trusted nonprofit, consumer organization working to improve the lives of consumers by driving marketplace change. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has achieved substantial gains for consumers on health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other issues. The organization has advanced important policies to cut hospital-acquired infections, prohibit predatory lending practices and combat dangerous toxins in food. Consumer Reports tests and rates thousands of products and services in its 50-plus labs, state-of-the-art auto test center and consumer research center. Consumers Union, a division of Consumer Reports, works for pro-consumer laws and regulations in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace. With more than eight million subscribers to its flagship magazine, website and other publications, Consumer Reports accepts no advertising, payment or other support from the companies whose products it evaluates. FEBRUARY 2017 2016 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports, ConsumerReports.org and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports. Fareportal employee delivers gift to child at Covenant House We hope through our volunteer efforts and charitable donations we are able to make a measurable difference in communities both close to home and around the world. Sam Jain, the founder and CEO of Fareportal, has always believed in the importance of giving back to the community, and the 2016 holiday season was no exception. Beginning on Giving Tuesday, CheapOair, a leading flights-focused concierge travel service and Fareportal brand, kicked off its holiday campaign with a video documenting a recent trip to bring solar-powered lights to school children with limited access to electricity. CheapOair provided funding for transportation, logistical support, and manpower to deliver over 1,000 Luci lights provided by MPOWERD, Inc. to a Nepalese community devastated by an earthquake in 2015. The video was posted on Facebook on Giving Tuesday and to date has received 668,000 views, 900 shares, and 14,000 likes. To accompany the video, the brand encouraged followers on social media to nominate friends and family who regularly go above and beyond to give back to the community. Each day from the beginning of the campaign through December 24th, CheapOair rewarded a deserving nominee with a $50 CheapOair gift card. In the second phase of the campaign, CheapOair launched another video following the Manhattan Girls Chorus on a day of caroling at retirement homes throughout New York City. To reward the chorus efforts to spread the holiday spirit, CheapOair donated $2,000 to help the chorus continue its mission of focusing on musical excellence and the development of confident young women. The video was posted on Facebook on December 21st and has received 168,000 views, 1,000 shares, and 3,000 likes to date. Fareportal has a longstanding commitment to helping the local community, especially during the holidays. The company continued this tradition through various initiatives with local charities including longtime partner Covenant House. This year, Fareportal employees surprised members of the Mother & Child Program at Covenant House with toys for each of the children. In the spirit of giving, the company also donated $5,000 to help provide every young adult in Covenant Houses New York City program with a gift card for the holidays. Giving back is a large part of our company culture here at Fareportal and we try to do a little extra during the holidays to help those in need. said Jain. We hope through our volunteer efforts and charitable donations we are able to make a measurable difference in communities both close to home and around the world. In addition to participating in company-sponsored events, Fareportal also supports and encourages employees take on causes of their own. This year, Fareportal organized donation boxes encouraging employees to contribute used coats for New York Cares and linens and hygiene items for the Bowery Mission. About Fareportal Fareportal is a high-tech, high-touch travel company that powers a 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 provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yield international travel and add-on ancillaries. Our commitment to business culture and creating dynamic workplaces allows us to recruit and retain people who build best-in-class products with a passion to serve customers. FPX, a leader in enterprise Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ) applications, was recently certified as a great workplace by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work. FPX earned this credential based on extensive ratings provided by its employees in anonymous surveys. A summary of these ratings can be found at http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/fpx. Our commitment to business culture and creating dynamic workplaces allows us to recruit and retain people who build best-in-class products with a passion to serve customers, said Dave Batt, Chief Executive Officer for FPX. With offices in Dallas, New York, Minneapolis, London, and Munich, its an incredible honor to be recognized as a great workplace in the most competitive hiring markets in the world. For more than 30 years, FPX has pioneered innovations that enable businesses to sell more by selling smarter and delivering a customer-centric user experience. FPXs suite of applications offers the power and adaptability to help even the most complex organizations streamline processes and improve the entire experience of buying and selling for sales teams, partner channels, and end users. "We applaud FPX for seeking certification and releasing its employees' feedback," said Kim Peters, Executive Vice President of Great Place to Work's Certification Program. "These ratings measure its capacity to earn its own employees' trust and create a great workplace - critical metrics that anyone considering working for or doing business with FPX should take into account as an indicator of high performance." For more information on FPX and its workplace culture, visit FPX.com or follow FPX on Twitter at @FPX. ### About FPX: FPX is a SaaS company and leading provider of enterprise Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ) applications. Based in Dallas, TX, FPX delivers a platform of cloud-based solutions that enables large, global companies to sell complex products and services with incredible speed, efficiency and precision across all channels. FPX Enterprise CPQ empowers companies to augment their existing CRM systems, Commerce sites, and ERP applications by providing an omni-channel platform to optimize and automate all Quote-to-Order business processes, including configuration, pricing, quoting, contract management, workflow, e-signature, and data management. More information is available at http://www.fpx.com. About Great Place to Work: Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, including Best Workplaces lists and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. In the United States, Great Place to Work produces the annual Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work For" list and a series of Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists including lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small and Medium Companies and over a half dozen different industry lists. Ambulances Equipped with NEXCOM and ALTECH Mobile Solutions Quickly Swing into Action Mobile solutions are growing in complexity with the aim to reduce the response time for EMTs. NEXCOM has recently collaborated with ALTECH to enable an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) in Spain to swing into action in no time. In response to distress calls, nearly 1,000 emergency vehicles dash through streets and alleys with NEXCOM and ALTECHs rugged mobile solutions, which provide geographic information, emergency communications and incident management to support quick response, safe practices and operational efficiency for emergency medical services (EMS) and other first responder units. Mobile solutions are growing in complexity with the aim to reduce the response time for EMTs, said Andres Brunet Tena, Project Department Manager of ALTECH Solutions and Consulting. Starting from ambulances being dispatched and all the way through the mission, technologies can save the time and effort associated with ambulance dispatch, travel and hospital turnaround. As an IT company focusing on mobile solutions for emergency services and security forces, ALTECH finds that NEXCOMs VTC series of in-vehicle computers are high-quality robust platforms which integrate mobile computing, wireless communication and device connectivity, and guarantee successful project implementations, added Mr. Brunet. When an EMT is mobilized, EMT staff can find GPS coordinates and the fastest route, based on live traffic flow, preloaded to a VTC-enabled ambulance, receive incident updates en route, and arrive on the scene within minutes if it is a life-threatening incident. The EMT can use LTE, TETRA, or satellite channels to communicate a patients status with a service center which can then notify hospitals of a patients status and estimated time of arrival to smooth the following patient handovers at hospital, therefore allowing the EMT to quickly go back in service for another mission. ALTECH exploits the VTCs information technology strengths to serve our clients with the most innovative and reliable solutions so service centers, ambulances, and hospitals emergency departments can coordinate together to enable patients to be treated promptly on the scene and admitted to hospitals with adequate resources, elevating the efficiency of EMS. In the joint effort, ALTECHs VTC-based mobile solutions have been adopted in medical emergencies, fire rescues, and airport ground operations in Spain, said Leo Chang, Director of NEXCOM Mobile Computing Solutions Business Unit. Currently, nearly 1,000 ambulances outfitted with ALTECHs VTC-based mobile solutions are operating as a part of Catalonia EMS, Sistema dEmergencies Mediques (SEM), while a few hundred VTC-equipped ambulances are enrolled in Madrid EMS, Servicio de Urgencia Medica en la Comunidad de Madrid (SUMMA 112). Another 50 units of VTC-based mobile solution are installed in airport trucks and follow-me vehicles to conduct emergency relief and rescue missions for Aena. With the EMT being one of major out-of-hospital care providers, there are more than 300 service centers in 17 regional autonomous communities across Spain, looking after the health of local residents. About NEXCOM: NEXCOM has six businesses: IoT Automation Solutions, Intelligent Digital Security, Internet of Things, Interactive Signage Platform, Mobile Computing Solutions, and Network and Communication Solutions. Under the IoT megatrend, NEXCOM expands its offerings with solutions in emerging applications including IoT, robotics, connected cars, Industry 4.0, and industrial security. About ALTECH Solutions and Consulting: ALTECH is a Barcelona, Spain-based IT company developing turnkey projects in three areas: Control and Fleet Management using GPS-based systems and integrating TETRA, Tetrapol, GPRS/3G/4G and satellite communications; Security and Access Control using LPR systems and RFID for vehicle and people identification; and Mobile Apps for industrial markets. ALTECH participates in all phases of projects from design to deployment and maintenance. Bio-Logic Aqua Research Water Life Science Founder Sharon Kleyne Misting People with Nature's Tears EyeMist at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China As premiere American water advocate and researcher, Sharon Kleyne, guides her company, Bio-Logic Aqua Research Water Life Science, and its signature product, Natures Tears EyeMist into the vast Chinese marketplace, she called admiring attention on air to that governments effort to clean up a major international scandal that threatens the global economy. Sharon Kleyne, host of the nationally syndicated radio program, The Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water, Global Climate Change and Your Health on Voice America, specifically took to the air to encourage Chinese leaders and business people to continue to ramp up their attacks on unscrupulous counterfeiters who often flood Chinese markets with inferior, knock-off products. Thus kind of counterfeiting, said Kleyne, is the ultimate attack against the protection and integrity of a countrys or a companys IP, and it must be stopped. Fortunately, Kleyne points out, that is beginning to happen as Chinese officials and leaders of major enterprises (such as Jack Ma at Ali Baba) aggressively file lawsuits against counterfeiters, who will be punished and driven out of business. Chinas vast middle class is growing exponentially, said Sharon Kleyne, and with that growth comes more sophisticated taste. For instance, Kleyne continued, Chinese consumers realize now that cheaper, knock-off counterfeit products possess much less quality than the real thing. Those consumers want the real thing, and they want to be protected against IP pirates. Sharon Kleyne is always educating people about the dangers and supplementation of dry eye disease, the current global water crisis and the health dangers associated with dehydration due to excess evaporation of the earths water vapor. As she always does, Kleyne encouraged people to experience a new, healthy Water Life Science lifestyle and visit http://www.biologicaqua.com/ for more information. She also urged her listeners to educate themselves about the perils of counterfeiting and IP abuse. Quality products can be hard to come by, said Kleyne, when counterfeiters and IP thieves are allowed to run wild. Yet now, Kleyne says that she is increasingly optimistic about the steps she sees being taken by the Chinese government and business leaders. Over more than two decades, Sharon Kleyne has earned an international reputation as the global expert on dehydration of earths fresh water and dehydration of the eyes and skin as a result of the excessive evaporation of the bodys water vapor. From the moment we leave our mothers water-womb and are born, Kleyne said, we begin to evaporate, or dry out, a process that continues until we die. In order to sustain excellent health and prolong life, Kleyne continued, one must supplement eyes and skin on a daily basis. This must be done to replenish the evaporating water vapor. Kleyne reminded her radio audience, for example, that dry eye disease exceeds all other diseases that ophthalmologists and optometrists diagnose and treat each year, and the numbers continue to climb with aging populations. Dry eye afflicts more than 30 million Americans and an astonishing 250 million Chinese each year. Dry eye symptoms include blurred vision, redness, burning, itching, stinging, a gritty sensation and watery eyes. These symptoms are triggered by a number of causes including pollution, allergies, post-menopausal changes, windy conditions, computer use, reading, television viewing and artificial environments (air conditioning, central heating). Dry eye disease occurs when the tear film lens, which is 99% water, loses moisture due to evaporation. Protecting our IP, Sharon Kleyne said, has allowed us to develop quality products that supplement the eyes and skin. For instance, she said, Natures Tears EyeMist is applied with a personal hand-held humidifying device emitting a pure, pH balanced, 100% Trade Secret tissue culture grade water in a patented micron mist. Natures Tears EyeMist is the only product on the international market that supplements the eyes tear film, which is 99 percent water, and it is endorsed by more than 22,000 ophthalmologists and optometrists nationwide. The product was successfully test-marketed in more than 70,000 outlets. As this product launches in China, Kleyne said she was thrilled to see the government crack down on potential knock-off artists and counterfeiters. Everyone benefits, said Kleyne, especially consumers. Paul Chabot, Principal of Boston Light Source states, the team at Elemental LED is progressive and innovative, and we look forward to a successful partnership. We expect their lighting solutions to have a positive impact on our region. Elemental LED, a leading U.S. based engineering and technology company that manufactures LED lighting solutions announced today a partnership with Boston Light Source that extends its Diode LED product brand into the state of Massachusetts. Elemental LED and its manufacturing and wholesale division, Diode LED, provides a wide variety of superior quality linear, task, and accent LED lighting solutions for both commercial and residential applications. Boston Light Source, a leading lighting manufacturers representative company, began business in 1977 and today, employs more than 30 lighting experts with headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston Light Source has a long list of clients that include architects, lighting consultants, electrical engineers, contractors, interior space planners, facilities managers and electrical distributors. Just a few of their lighting projects can be viewed at Framingham State University, ZipCar and Unum Therapeutics. Boston Light Source has a fantastic reputation for specifying high end lighting projects with top companies in the surrounding region of Boston, says Barrett Cook, Director of Business Development at Elemental LED. The team consists of lighting professionals with years of expertise that made the partnership a perfect fit for Diode LED. They easily understand the configured solutions we offer. We are extremely pleased to be adding the popular Diode LED product brand to our line, states Paul Chabot, Principal of Boston Light Source. The team at Elemental LED is progressive and innovative, and we look forward to a successful partnership. We expect their lighting solutions to have a positive impact on our region. About Boston Light Source: Boston Light Source has represented the worlds leading lighting companies and emerging innovators since 1977. Today, we are one of the largest and most well respected manufacturers representatives in the industry, continually linking lighting applications with architectural intent. We offer one of the broadest spectrums of the worlds best interior and exterior lighting products, ranging from fixtures that are virtually invisible to works-of-art that demand to be seen. About Elemental LED: Elemental LED, founded in 2008, is a leading North American based engineering and technology company with offices in California and the United Kingdom. We manufacture an extensive high-quality portfolio of lighting, power supplies, and controls. We specialize in superior patented linear, accent, and task LED lighting featuring unparalleled CRI and R values with flawless, and vibrant high-fidelity color rendering. We are proud to be America's largest provider of low voltage linear LED lighting, inspiring lighting professionals with our innovative technology, unmatched quality, and best-in-class customer experience. Santa Rosa Consulting, Inc. & InfoPartners, Inc. This ambitious initiative comes to life as we implement MEDITECH 6.15. Physicians and staff alike have joined together with our primary consultants at Santa Rosa... Santa Rosa Consulting, Inc. today announced another highly successful MEDITECH 6.15 migration. Memorial Health System (MHS) in Marietta, Ohio, selected Santa Rosa as their lead migration partner from MEDITECH Acute 6.0 to MEDITECH 6.15. Santa Rosa has emerged as the leading MEDITECH implementation partner for MEDITECHs 6.15 Ambulatory platform, with the largest and most complex implementation to date completed and 5 additional implementations underway. This ambitious initiative comes to life as we implement MEDITECH 6.15. Physicians and staff alike have joined together with our primary consultants at Santa Rosa, committing hundreds of hours to design, build, test, and validate a comprehensive solution for Memorial Health System announced David B. Watson, MS, Chief Information Officer at MHS. We appreciate their dedication to delivering a system that enhances MHS ability to provide exceptional patient care. MHS went live successfully on November 1st. As MHS primary Project Management and consulting partner for this complex migration, Santa Rosa provided full life-cycle solutions including design, build and testing services, conversion of medical practice management historical data from the ambulatory practices, integration coordination, resource and change management and E2E Activation Services throughout go-live. Santa Rosa also provided overarching project management over the migration and other niche consulting firms. Santa Rosa offers the depth and breadth of proven, full life-cycle services that is unparalleled in the industry. Integrating our diverse services into a complete, comprehensive MEDITECH solution enabled us to assist MHS from start to finish with this huge migration project, explains Mark Scruggs, President of Santa Rosas InfoPartners division. This diversity of services coupled with our get it right the first time philosophy has led to a 100% success rate in all of our MEDITECH 6.x projects. Simply put, clients who choose Santa Rosa achieve their migration goals no matter the size or complexity of the project. We always go the extra mile to deliver stellar results. About Santa Rosa Consulting Santa Rosa Consulting provides management advisory services and technical consulting expertise across the full range of IT vendor products and systems, delivering solutions specifically designed to address the needs of the healthcare market. Founded in 2008, Santa Rosa Consulting is managed by industry veterans with an average of 20 years of healthcare information technology experience. Santa Rosa is recognized for delivering world class services and solutions; and has received Modern Healthcares Best Places to Work in Healthcare award five years in a row (2012-2016). For more information, visit the companys website or call 866.944.4772. DUNMOREs adhesion-promoting technologies advance the use of fluoropolymer films through surface modification and multi-layer laminates constructions. Neil Gillespie, DUNMORE VP, states, DUNMORE has been processing fluoropolymer films for over 15 years and this latest success in adhesion promoting technologies will enable us to advance the use of these high performance materials." DUNMORE Corporation is proud to introduce new adhesion-promoting technologies for fluoropolymer films (http://www.dunmore.com/products/fluoropolymer-film.html). Fluorpolymers are used for a variety of applications where robust characteristics are needed, such as high traffic environments, exposure to abrasive chemicals, and outdoor use. The strengths of these high-end materials also present processing challenges, since the substrates are engineered to prevent adhesion, surface modification and laminating multi-layered structures can be a design challenge. In addition to low coefficient of friction, fluoropolymer films inherently feature chemical resistance, UV stability, weldability, moisture resistance, and mechanical strength. These features make fluoropolymers a preferred choice for manufacturers looking for long lasting, high performance applications but also make them difficult to process. The fluoropolymer market is expected to grow from $6.5 to $10.5 billion by 2020 with new applications in architecture and automotive. While fluoropolymer films continue to lead transportation, exterior graphics, and the renewable energy market, new functionality is required for continued growth in these segments. Moreover, the potential applications for these substrates continue to grow as industries like construction, aerospace, and automotive look for multifunctional, advanced materials to meet strict abrasion, weight and weatherability standards in next generation products. Neil Gillespie, Vice President of Technology for DUNMORE, states, DUNMORE has been processing fluoropolymer films for over 15 years and continues to face unique material science challenges with our partners as they look to enter new markets with these technical materials. This latest success in adhesion promoting technologies will enable us to work with our suppliers and customers to advance the use of these high performance materials. DUNMOREs new adhesion promoting-technologies deliver increased functionality for fluoropolymer film manufacturers by enabling their substrates to be used in applications previously unattainable because printability, surface modification, and multilayer laminations were difficult to achieve with their substrates. The adhesion promoting technologies enable DUNMORE's partners to add both aesthetics and functionality through surface modification and multi-layer laminations to replace incumbent materials with thin-film constructions. About DUNMORE DUNMORE Corporation is a global developer and manufacturer of engineered coated and laminated films and foils. DUNMORE offers film conversion services such as coating (http://www.dunmore.com/services/toll-coating.html), metalizing and laminating along with contract film manufacturing and custom film product development. DUNMORE produces coated film, metallized film and laminating film substrates for the aircraft, spacecraft, photovoltaic, graphic arts, packaging, insulation, surfacing and fashion industries. DUNMORE is a privately held, global manufacturer with two sites in the US and one in Europe (Germany). All facilities are ISO 9001:2008 certified. For complete information on DUNMOREs products, services and industries served, please visit DUNMOREs website http://www.dunmore.com/. Since opening the doors to its brand new, state of the art dental facility in February, Clay & Associates has seen its patient count surge by more than 50 percent. The office on the north side of Fort Dodge hosts 12 operatoriesits just the right size for three dentists, six hygienists, and its growing patient numbersand offers the latest in dental technology and equipment, general and pediatric dental services, plus spa amenities like massaging chairs, wax treatments, and Botox and dermal fillers. Its a privilege for me to work on the people here, build this new practice, bring in more dentists, and give back to the community, says Dr. John Clay, who started working in Fort Dodge more than 10 years ago. The people here are just fantastic, he says. Clay & Associates DDS, PLC is currently looking for a third dentist to join the team. The new dentist will have a full slate of patients starting from day one, access to a phenomenal staff, and Dr. Clay himself as a mentor to offer guidance on how to build a successful practice. Clay & Associates, DDS, PLC is located at 1905 North 15th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Additional information is available by calling 515-573-7601. #ThisIsFortDodge is a community branding campaign available on ThisIsFortDodge.com, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, SnapChat and Instagram. Information is available at spinmarkket.com or by calling 515-302-8026. KCCI who was a partner in producing this sponsored content, is located at 888 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309. Insurent has reached another milestone as there are now 400,000 apartments representing over 3,500 buildings which utilize Insurent. Jeffrey Geller, Insurents Chief Operating Officer, explains, Insurent has reached another milestone as there are now 400,000 apartments representing over 3,500 buildings which utilize the Insurent Lease Guaranty Program in seven states. In 2016, we added over 1,000 buildings and growth continues at a record pace. Owners and renters are able to close many more leases quickly which might not otherwise close because of Insurents ability to guarantee a wide range of renters including college and professional graduates entering the workforce, non US persons, self-employed persons, international and US students and retirees, all who are in need of a guarantor. Our growth is not limited to New York and New Jersey as we have added buildings and grown revenue in Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois and Washington DC. At the same time, Insurent is now involved in the lease-up in a record number of new developments. Charles Schoenau, Managing Director of Insurent elaborates, We started assisting in the lease-up of our 117th new development. Insurent enables the developer to lease up the building faster by increasing the pool of qualified renters, quickly closing more leases for owners and renters, thereby increasing the occupancy and cash flow for the developer. As a result of our continuing expansion in other metro areas, we are now assisting new developments in Massachusetts, Maryland, and DC as well as in New Jersey and New York City. 2017 represents Insurent 10th year of guaranteeing residential leases. Insurent created the residential lease guaranty space in 2008 and is the preeminent institutional guarantor of residential leases in the US. ABOUT INSURENT The Insurent Lease Guaranty Program was created to serve renters, landlords, condo/coop owners, and brokers and relocation specialists by offering the first institutional guarantor of residential leases. It is now accepted in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York. The Insurent Lease Guaranty Program has been featured in the New York Times, The Real Deal, The New York Real Estate Journal, Real Estate Weekly and Multi-Housing News. The Insurent Lease Guaranty Program is underwritten and issued by Argonaut Insurance Company, a property and casualty insurance company rated A (Excellent) by A. M. Best. Instead of looking for an individual guarantor or co-signer, or having to pay a significantly larger security deposit or prepaid rent, a renter may utilize the Insurent Lease Guaranty to satisfy the landlords financial and credit requirements. Multi-Carrier Shipping App for Salesforce "As organizations are building more of their business applications on Salesforce CRM, they are searching for solutions like ours that are robust, secure and can be implemented and rolled out in hours, not days, James Lumb, CEO of Zenkraft. Salesforce users can now access many new shipping carriers inside the Force.com cloud, enabling them to compare carriers, calculate shipping rates, integrate with thermal printers, schedule pick-ups and access many more features without ever leaving the Salesforce platform. As the number of companies adopting and joining Salesforce increases, the demand for a Multi-Carrier solution has grown significantly. This new app will reduce the time-to-ship and increase tracking, cost, and total service time visibility. Zenkraft currently supports some of the largest shipping providers, such as: FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL and Canada Post. New shipping carriers supported include: Aramex, Asendia, Australia Post, Canada Post, Canpar, Colis Prive, Colissimo, Deliv, DHL Express, DHL Global Mail, DPD, Direct Link, Fastway, GLS, GSO, Hong Kong Post, IMEX, Interlink Express, LaserShip, LSO, New Zealand Post, Norco, OnTrac, Parcel Force, Post Haste, Postmates, PostNL, Spee-Dee, StarTrack, TNT Express and Yodel. The decision to invest 18 months in integrating 30 new carriers into our platform was purely customer-led. As organizations are building more of their business applications on Salesforce CRM, they are searching for solutions like ours that are robust, secure and can be implemented and rolled out in hours, not days, explains James Lumb, CEO of Zenkraft. The Multi-Carrier app has a high level of automation built in. The range of automation includes a managed VisualForce page allowing for a one-off shipment to be created quickly and related to any object or a fully automated label creation process that can include printing and/or emailing the label. Existing businesses using Zenkraft shipping apps have noticed exceptional benefits. Some of the mentioned benefits are: 50 percent reduction in time-to-ship, 12x faster shipment tracking and 60 percent increase in operational efficiency. About Zenkraft Zenkraft is an award-winning company focused on building shipping apps for Salesforce. 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You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed.Most browsers allow you to:If you chose to delete cookies, you should be aware that any preferences will be lost. Also, if you block cookies completely many websites (including ours) will not work properly and webcasts will not work at all. For these reasons, we do not recommend turning cookies off when using our webcasting services. Caldecott-winning childrens author-illustrator Paul Goble, widely known for his picture books inspired by Native American culture and lore, died at his home in Rapid City, S.D., on January 5 after suffering from Parkinsons disease. He was 83. Goble was born in Haslemere, Surrey, England on September 27, 1933. During his acceptance speech for the 1979 Caldecott Medal for The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses (Bradbury), Goble said his fascination with all things Indian began very early in his boyhood. His mother would read Native American tales to Goble and his brother, and he would collect pictures from magazines and books about the Plains Indians of North America, a people who especially captured his imagination. A copy of Notes on the North American Indian was one of Gobles most treasured childhood Christmas gifts, and was the first book in what became an extensive library of Native American culture. Goble has said in his autobiography that Lakota holy man Black Elk is a figure he greatly admired, and a leader who influenced his studies, artwork, and personal philosophy. Goble served in the British military from 1951 to 1953, where he was a sharpshooter for the army. Later, he earned his National Diploma in Design, with honors, in 1959 from the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. The summer after he graduated, he embarked on a tour of Sioux and Crow reservations in South Dakota and Montana. During that trip, Goble became an adopted member of Yakima and Sioux tribes as was given the name Wakinyan Chikala, translated as Little Thunder. In 1960 he married author and industrial designer Dorothy Lee, and the couple were raising two children while Goble did freelance industrial design and taught at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design, and the pair collaborated on several childrens book titles. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s he would travel to the U.S. and spend the summers (often with his son Richard in tow) with the Sioux in South Dakota and the Crow in Montana. By 1977, Goble had published four picture books, written with his wife, and had decided to move to the Black Hills to become a fulltime author and illustrator, accepting a position as the artist-in-residence at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. He and Dorothy divorced in 1978. Goble had a prolific work period from the late 1970s up until roughly 2003, often publishing multiple books in a year. Popular works from this era include Buffalo Woman (Bradbury, 1984), Iktomi and the Boulder: A Plains Indian Story (Orchard, 1988) and several additional tales starring the trickster character Iktomi, and Crow Chief: A Plains Indian Story (Orchard, 1992). Over time, Goble has donated a large body of his paintings to the South Dakota Art Museum, which now owns 500 pieces of original artwork from his books. In a 1988 interview with Publishers Weekly, Goble explained his research for his books, which consisted of evaluating various versions of the same original tale before creating an adaptation, and striving to present his version of the traditional myths and legends in a poetic style that echoes the oral tradition of the Indians. Goble published many of his books with Richard Jackson during Jacksons tenure at both Bradbury Press and Orchard Books. Jackson shared this remembrance, inspired by one of the earliest projects they worked on together. Paul Goble was an Englishman, in spite of his Rapid City, S.D. address. His words sounded British in conversation. I remember asking him early in our time togetherBob Verrone, my late partner in Bradbury Press, had found his work in England and convinced Marni Hodgkin of Macmillan in London that we should publish Lone Bulls Horse Raid. Shortly after, I happened to ask Paul about skies in his paintingsfor he had up to then always placed his distinctive figures and earthscapes on white pages. Hmmm. I must think about that, he said. Next came the remarkable spread in The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses: black cliffs against black sky. Skies became an important element in all his work thereafter except in the Iktomi books, which were visual comedies. In 1978, Goble married Janet Filler, whom he had first met during his trips to South Dakota when she worked at her fathers store in Custer. They had one son, Robert, who survives his parents and lives in Rapid City with his daughter and fiancee. Goble is also survived by his son Richard, daughter Julia, and several grandchildren, all living in England. Janet Goble died in 2014. For the past several years, Goble has been not the creator, but the subject, of a new bookPaul Goble, Storyteller (South Dakota Historical Society Press) by biographer Gregory Bryan, a childrens literature professor at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Bryans book launches later this month. As Gobles illness progressed, Bryan made sure that the author-illustrator received a rushed advance copy of the book last week. Gobles son Robert told the Rapid City Journals Tom Griffith, The last smile that ever passed Papas face was seeing the first copy of his biography. He considered it the jewel in his crown, the thing that made his career complete. Claudia Gabel at HC's Katherine Tegen Books has bought When We Set the Dark on Fire, a debut novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia set at the Medio School for Girls, where young women are trained to become one of two wives assigned to high society men. With revolution brewing in the streets, star student Dani Vargas fights to protect a destructive secret, sending her into the arms of the most dangerous person possible the second wife of her husband-to-be. It's slated for winter 2019; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world English rights. Sarah Landis at HMH has acquired Megan Shepherd's new modern gothic YA fantasy, Grim Lovelies, at auction, the first in a duology. In contemporary Paris, a society of magic handlers called the Haute control everything from what jewelry catches our eye to where wars are fought, but this centuries-old system is about to be turned upside down not by one of the city's powerful witches, but by a witch's enchanted teen maid. Publication will begin in 2018; Josh Adams at Adams Literary negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights. Ari Yarwood at Oni Press has bought world rights to the YA graphic novel Pizza Run, written by Erin Cabelly (l.) and Eugene Levistky, and illustrated by Nicole Rodriguez. For Kiersten, a pizza delivery girl, the mad science experiments, interdimensional invaders, alien goddesses, and cultish PTA parents of her town are just an everyday reality. But when new girl Naomi stumbles into her life, Kiersten realizes that just because she's used to the horrors of her hometown, that doesn't make it a safe place to live. It will take all the girls' cunning, determination, and teamwork to get safely back home and get all the pizzas delivered on time. Publication is planned for 2019; the authors were unagented. Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook Press has acquired Thundercluck! And the Kitchen of Destiny, a debut illustrated middle-grade fantasy novel by Paul Tillery and Meg Wittwer, in a two-book deal. When an egg is accidentally struck by the power of Thor, it hatches a lightning-wielding super chicken that must defeat an evil culinary villain with an appetite for poultry. The first book is set for fall 2018; Melissa Nasson at Rubin Pfeffer Content brokered the deal for world rights. Rotem Moscovich at Disney-Hyperion has bought a board book, Ellie in Color, and a picture book, Ellie's New Friend, by Pixar animator Mike Wu. Both titles feature Wu's signature painting elephant. Ellie in Color teaches the youngest readers about color as Ellie paints her way toward a masterpiece, while in Ellie's New Friend, a talented baby panda who can paint just like Ellie moves to the zoo, and jealousy from Ellie grows into a friendship between two artists. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018 and summer 2019 respectively; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr. / Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal for world English rights. Lee Wade at Random House's Schwartz & Wade Books has acquired I Walk with Natasha by Karescoet, a wordless picture book about a neighborhood of children that comes to the defense of a girl who is bullied. Publication is planned for spring 2018; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions sold world rights. Ken Geist at Scholastic has bought world rights to Tammi Sauer's picture book Knock, Knock in a preempt. In the story, Bear is getting ready to settle down for winter hibernation, and keeps getting interrupted by more and more friends at his door, until at last he manages to turn the tables on them. Guy Francis will illustrate; publication is slated for 2018. Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented Sauer and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented Francis. Josalyn Moran at Quarto's Seagrass Press has acquired world rights to Seagrass Dreams, written by Kathleen A. Hanes (l.) and illustrated by Chloe Bonfield. The book is the lead title in Seagrass Press's launch season; it's a counting book and introduction to marine life that stars animals that make their home in seagrass. Publication is set for May 2017; the author was unagented, and Anne Moore Armstrong at Bright USA represented the artist. Orli Zuravicky at Scholastic has bought world rights to Good Night, Little Monsters, a picture book by Kara LaReau, where wee creepy creatures are put to bed by their famously monstrous parents, to be illustrated by Brian Won. It is scheduled for fall 2018; Barry Goldblatt at Barry Goldblatt Literary represented the author and Rubin Pfeffer of Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the artist. Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook has acquired the nonfiction picture book Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet, by Curtis Manley and illustrated by Jessica Lanan, a description of the search for an Earth-like planet across the vast reaches of space. Publication is slated for winter 2019; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author and Edward Maxwell of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the artist. Diane Muldrow at Golden Books has bought How to Be a Princess by Sue Fliess (l.), illustrated by Natalie Smillie, about a girl who learns what it takes to be a royal from a real princess. Publication is planned for spring 2018; Jennifer Unter of the Unter Agency represented the author and James Burns at Bright USA represented the artist. Jessica Echeverria at Lee & Low has acquired world rights to The Turtle Ship by debut author Helena Ku Rhee (l.), illustrated by debut illustrator Colleen Kong-Savage. It's a picture book about a boy named Sunsin who, inspired by his pet turtle, designs one of the greatest battleships in history and fulfills his dream of sailing the world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018; the author is unagented and Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis represented the illustrator. Fiona Simpson of Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to Eve Porinchak's One Cut, a YA nonfiction book that is one of two inaugural titles in a new line of nonfiction crime books for teens from Simon Pulse, called Simon True. In the book, after a backyard fistfight ends in an accidental death, four teenage friends are tried for murder, convicted, and sent to prison for life. Publication is scheduled for May 2017; Porinchak, an agent with the Jill Corcoran Literary Agency, represented herself. Janine O'Malley at FSG has bought Kim Savage's third psychological thriller, In Her Skin, the story of a teen con artist who insinuates herself into a wealthy Boston family by impersonating a girl who went missing from their home seven years earlier, unaware the family has a dark secret of its own. Publication is planned for February 2018; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties brokered the deal for North American rights. Alison Weiss at Sky Pony Press has acquired Jennifer Sommersby's YA novel Sleight, about a teenage girl growing up in a traveling circus, and the turn her life takes after her aerialist mother falls (intentionally?) to her death, revealing a dangerous and magical legacy hidden within the circus family. Publication is set for spring 2018; Daniel Lazar at Writers House sold North American rights. Emilia Rhodes at HarperCollins has bought North American rights to Gone to Drift by Diana McCaulay. This middle grade novel set in Jamaica follows a boy's search for his missing grandfather and the illegal dolphin trade he uncovers in the process. Publication is slated for winter 2018; Margot Edwards at Rights Consultancy negotiated the deal on behalf of Papillote Press. TK at Quarto Children's Publishing has acquired a series of books called The Animal Tales, written by Leanne Lauricella, founder of Goats of Anarchy, a New Jersey sanctuary that rescues special needs baby goats. The series will launch in September 2017, with additional titles in November 2017 and February 2018. Quarto Publishing Group has several other projects in the works with Lauricella, including Goats of Anarchy: One Woman's Quest to Save the World One Goat at a Time, due out this March. The author was unagented. Tracy Gates at Viking has bought Ariel Bernstein's debut chapter book series, Warren & Dragon, to be illustrated by Mike Malbrough, pitched as a modern-day Calvin and Hobbes-esque friendship story about a dreamy boy and his vain dragon companion, in a two-book deal. The first book, 100 Friends, and a second title are both slated for summer 2018. Mary Cummings at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises represented the author and Lori Kilkelly at Rodeen Literary Management represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights. Stephanie Pitts at Schwartz & Wade acquired, and Lee Wade will edit, Tanya Valentine's Make Room for Little Taco Truck, illustrated by Jorge Martin, a picture book about a taco truck looking for his place among the other food trucks in the big city. It's scheduled for summer 2018; Linda Epstein at Emerald City Literary Agency represented the author and Anne Moore Armstrong at Bright USA represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights. Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Bunny's Book Club author Annie Silvestro's (l.) The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains, the tale of a train-loving tree who, with the help of a little holiday magic, learns to love much more. Paola Zakimi (Secrets I Know) will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2018. Liza Voges at Eden Street represented the author and Emily Van Beek at Folio Literary Jr./ Folio Literary Management represented the artist. The Swedish novel, Forget About Me by Alex Schulman, has been a bestseller since its publication in October. The book is a novelization of the author's experiences in which he explores his relationship with his alcoholic mother. Book title: Glom mig / Forget About Me First published by: Bookmark Forlag, Oct 3, 2016 Format: Hardcover, physical and digital audio, ebook Author: Alex Schulmans debut novel, Hurry to Love, was released in 2009. His second novel, To Be With Her is Like Running Up a Summer Meadow Without Getting the Least Bit Tired, was released in 2011. In 2012, he and his friend Sigge Eklund launched Alex & Sigges podcast, which remains a popular podcast in Sweden. Acquiring Editor: Claes Ericson How Its Done: Ericson says that over 100,000 copies sold in hardcover, audio and ebook in the first three months. It has also been on The Swedish Bookseller list every week since two weeks before the books release (due to the fact that thousands of copies were pre-ordered prior to the book's release). Rights have sold to Otava in Finland, as well as to Gyldendal Norsk/Norway. Why They Think Its Working: Ericson attributes several factors to the books success. He says, We started telling the retailers about this book a year in advance, and managed to get strong release campaigns, with promotions starting a month before the release, and continuing with well positioned campaigns over Swedish Fathers Day. and the Christmas period. The author is a well-known media personality in Sweden, with Swedens largest podcast, and large Twitter and Instagram accounts. Spanish Graphic Novel on Trump Sells in France In December, Spanish publisher Sapristi (Roca Editorial) released President Trump: God Forgive America by Pablo Rios, the author of two previous graphic novels. Spanish Agency SalmaiaLit controls all rights, and French rights have sold to Steinkis Groupe. The satiric graphic novel imagines what is going on in Trumps head as he is about to enter the White House and deal with pressing world issues. South African Novels Sells to Sceptre Period Pain by Kopano Matlwa was recently acquired by Francine Toon at Sceptre (Hodder & Stoughton) for world English rights. Barcelona-based Pontas Literary & Film Agency controls all rights, and the book was originally published in South Africa, by Jacana Media last November. Pontas reports there is an Italian offer on the table. Matlwa is also author of the novel Coconut, which sold over 25,000 copies in South Africa. Period Pain follows a young woman named Masechaba and looks at the challenges young women face in modern South Africa. Debut French Novel Sells in Germany Sous le Compost, the debut novel from Nicolas Maleski, will be published this month by Fleuve Editions (the publisher controls all rights). In addition, a first deal has been made with Luebbe in Germany. The novel is about Franck, who receives an anonymous letter claiming that his wife is having an affair. Historical Novel on the Meeting of Cultures Racks Up Sales Abroad House of Books has recently pre-empted Dutch rights to The Samurai of Seville by John J. Healey. Pontas Agency controls all rights, and Arcade/Skyhorse will be publishing in the U.S. this June. The author is American, but Spanish rights were sold first, to La Esfera de los Libros, which published first. Other deals have been made in Germany and Macedonia. The book is set in 1614, and is about the first Japanese Samurais who traveled to Europe and were received by King Philip III of Spain. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Seven agricultural educators and industry leaders have been named recipients of the Certificate of Distinction, the highest honor bestowed by the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association. The award is presented annually to professionals who have contributed significantly to agriculture, forestry or natural resources through career accomplishments, organizational involvement, community service and other activities. Certificate of Distinction recipients will be recognized at the Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry, Feb. 4 in the Elements Financial Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis. This years winners are: * Janet Ayres After serving as a Purdue Extension research associate and community development specialist from 1977, Ayres earned her Ph.D. in 1983 and was named an assistant professor of agricultural economics. She was promoted to associate professor in 1989 and became a full professor in 1995. The longtime resident of Carroll County has conducted more than 2,000 workshops and trained 65,000 leaders and professionals in leadership and rural development. In 1996 Ayres was named assistant director of Extension and program leader for leadership and community development. She led the Community Development Program and established the Purdue Land Use Team. In 2012 she launched the Rural Issues series of Extension publications, covering topics such as growth and decline, aging, poverty, teen childbearing, community banks, population trends and food insecurity. * Don Biehle A native of Jennings County, Biehle was named the first superintendent of the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center in 1977. Over the next 39 years, he helped build SEPAC into one of the leading research facilities of its kind in the nation, leading an expansion from the original 900 acres to more than 2,400. In 2015, an estimated 65 research projects were underway at SEPAC, involving more than 50 researchers, graduate students, Extension educators and industry professionals. * Robert Culler A 1972 graduate of Purdues food science program, Culler is recognized as one of the foremost food safety experts in the meat processing industry. He began his career in research and development at Hormel Foods Corp., before moving to the Land O Frost Corp. He then joined Bil Mar Foods Inc., a division of the Sara Lee Corp., serving as corporate director for quality assurance and representing the company on both the American Meat Institute and National Turkey Federation meat inspection committees. Culler later served as vice president of quality assurance at Kent Quality Foods. He has been active with the American Association of Meat Processors, the American Meat Science Association and the Michigan Meat Association, where he served on the board of directors for 18 years and as president from 1998-2002. * Dean Eppley Eppley, a grain farmer in Wabash County, is widely considered to be the father of Indianas corn checkoff program. Without Deans determination and willingness to put years of time into getting a corn checkoff passed in Indiana, we probably would never have gotten one passed, said Dennis Maple, former president of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. He was there in the trenches, asking our national organization for more money one year to help Indiana get it done. And finally, our state passed the checkoff. We have Dean to thank. A 1957 Purdue graduate, Eppley was a pioneer of no-till farming techniques in the mid-1960s. He has served on the Wabash County Soil and Water Conservation District board, the Wabash County Farm Bureau, the Bowen Five-County Mental Health Board and the Wabash County Board of Commissioners. * Virginia Ferris Ferris is one of Purdue Agricultures longest-serving faculty members and one of the worlds leading experts on the soybean cyst nematode. She joined Purdue as an associate professor in 1965 when women faculty members in the College of Agriculture were rare. She was promoted to full professor in 1974. Working with her husband, John, an entomologist at Purdue, and a team of fellow Purdue researchers, Ferris identified genes in soybeans that provided resistance to the cyst nematode, a destructive plant parasite that has cost producers millions of dollars in crop damage. Few careers with which I have been made aware share the breadth of reach and stretch of scholarship demonstrated by the career of Dr. Virginia Ferris, said Robert Walz, Indianas state chemist and seed commissioner, and a former colleague and student of Ferris. She exemplified the authority of a respected academic pedagogue with high professional expectations of her students. * Chris Hurt One of the countrys most respected agricultural economists, Hurt has been providing vital market information and financial guidance to Indiana farmers since joining the Purdue faculty in 1981. Each year, he speaks directly to 8,000 or more people through presentations in more than 60 Indiana counties and gets more than 300 media requests for interviews annually, from publications ranging from the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal to the National Hog Farmer, Farm Journal and Corn and Soybean Digest. According to colleagues, the foundation of his success is identifying economic issues that are important to decision makers, then developing educational programs to promote understanding of those issues. * Tom Wiltrout Wiltrout earned both his bachelors and masters degrees at Purdue before embarking on a four-decade career in the agriculture industry, primarily at DowAgroSciences (formerly known as DowElanco). As an acknowledged leader in biotechnology development, he has visited a number of countries - from Brazil and Uruguay in South America to the Netherlands, South Africa and Ukraine - to promote advanced agricultural methods through collaboration, negotiation and trust-building. The Kosciusko County native has also been a catalyst for the development of healthier canola and sunflower oils. Tom really helped shape the industry, one colleague recalls. He was involved in the first product launch and led or was involved in many of the strategic decisions on how companies invested and aligned themselves across the industry. The keynote speaker for this years Ag Alumni Association Fish Fry is David Boudia, Olympic champion diver and Purdue graduate. Tickets for the event are $25 and must be purchased in advance at http://purdue.ag/fishfry. Writer: Darrin Pack, 765-494-8415, dpack@purdue.edu Source: Danica Kirkpatrick, 765-494-9113, dkirkpat@purdue.edu Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415; Darrin Pack, dpack@purdue.edu Agriculture News Page CHICAGO (AP) A lawyer for a Chicago police officer charged in Laquan McDonald's shooting death is asking that the first-degree murder charge be dismissed. Attorney Daniel Herbert filed a motion Tuesday. He contends that statements Jason Van Dyke and other officers gave investigators helped build the case against Van Dyke even after the officers were assured they wouldn't be used "against them in any criminal proceedings." Van Dyke, who is white, shot the black, 17-year-old McDonald 16 times in 2014. Judge Vincent Gaughan hasn't made a ruling. The special prosecutor in the case, Joseph McMahon, says he'll respond to the motion by the next court date, Feb. 3. Gaughan ordered the release of McDonald's juvenile records to Herbert, but hasn't ruled whether the material can be used at trial. CHICAGO (AP) A 54-year-old former suburban Chicago school teacher has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography and encouraging young boys to produce sexually explicit images of themselves. A statement from federal prosecutors says John C. Vastis began communicating online with one victim three years ago. It says the Lakemoor man encouraged the boy for nearly a year to take the video and photo images, then to send them to Vastis. Vastis was arrested in 2014 and pleaded guilty last year to accessing child pornography with intent to view. He was sentenced in Chicago on Tuesday. The U.S. attorney's office statement says Vastis formerly worked as a teacher at Buffalo Grove's Meridian Middle School. It adds there were no allegations of sexual exploitation of his students. State Debate: Ron Johnson knew of Russian hacks, but did nothing, writes Bruce Murphy; Money explains why no high court contest, says Steve Walters ROCK ISLAND Two city resurfacing projects projected to cost $5.5 million are tentatively scheduled to start in late summer or early fall. Larry Cook, Rock Island interim public works director, said the projects involve resurfacing 18th Avenue from 17th Street to the Moline border and resurfacing 38th Street from 7th Avenue to Blackhawk Road. Mr. Cook said two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the projects. "This is being handled by the Illinois Department of Transportation," Mr. Cook said. "These are two of our biggest corridors." Mr. Cook said the city's share for the projects is about $1.2 million, adding that federal funding is the primary source for the project. Both projects are still in the design phase, he said, and under review by the Illinois DOT. No bids have been let, Mr. Cook said, with both projects expected to go into 2018. "We're hoping to start the bid letting sometime after February," he said. "It's a lengthy process" The intersection of 38th Street and 18th Avenue was reconstructed in 2016 when the city completed a resurfacing project in the area. BETTENDORF Felony charges have been filed against Joshua Price for a burglary and kidnapping incident in December that resulted in an officer shooting him. Mr. Price, 19, is charged with burglary second degree, kidnapping third degree, assault while participating in a felony and assault on a police officer. Also on Tuesday, the shooting of Mr. Price by Bettendorf Police Lt. Kent Keeshan was found to be justified by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Scott County Attorney, according to a news release by Scott County Attorney Michael Walton. Mr. Price suffered gun shot wounds to his chin, right hand and upper right arm in the Dec. 19, 2016, incident at Home Depot on Middle Road in Bettendorf. It was later determined the gun Mr. Price used was an air-soft gun modified to look like a handgun. The investigation was a joint effort by the Bettendorf Police Department, Davenport Police Department, the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigations and the Scott County Attorney's Office. According to the news release, police responded to 2121 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf, around 9:25 p.m. Dec. 19 for a person in distress and possibly suicidal. Police found Mr. Price in an agitated state, the release said, and after calming him down, contacted his family. Police and his family agreed when Mr. Price indicated he wished to return home. About 12 minutes later, he entered the nearby Home Depot through a receiving door, police said. Mr. Price was a former employee of the store, which was closed, and Mr. Price did not permission to enter it, police said. Police said Mr. Price was in the building about 40 minutes before using the store intercom to summon the manager to a break room where Mr. Price took a handgun from his coveralls and told the manger to evacuate the building. Police said Mr. Price told the manger he was going to commit suicide or have police kill him. Officers made contact with the manager and Mr. Price, who was walking toward the officers with what appeared to be a handgun pointed at the manager's back. Mr. Price let the manager go before talking with police for about eight minutes, refusing to drop the gun and making it clear he wanted to die. After determining a Taser was too risky, Officer Kevin Hopkins shot a non-lethal 40 mm rubber projectile at Mr. Price's leg. Mr. Price began running toward the front of the store, police said, where he saw Lt. Keeshan. When Mr. Price raised his gun toward Lt. Keeshan, the officer fired four times at Mr. Price. Mr. Price was taken to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, where he was treated and released. According to the release, police found two suicide notes in Mr. Price's pocket one to his family and one to police, apologizing for making them shoot at him. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday he will tap David J. Shulkin, who is now head of the Veterans Health Administration, to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The president-elect said at least 100 interviews were conducted for the top job to lead the troubled agency that has struggled to deliver care to veterans at a time of increased demand and budgetary pressure. Trump said Shulkin, who is also undersecretary for health, will do a truly great job. Trump stumped hard on the campaign trail for veterans, promising expanded access to private health care, and continued to do so on his thank-you tour across the country in December. Budget hawks have raised concerns about his health care ideas, citing a substantial cost. The long-anticipated announcement ends weeks of speculation over Trumps choice to lead the VA. Names that were floated included former Alaska Gov. and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, U.S. Navy Adm. Michelle Howard, Cleveland Clinic President and Chief Executive Toby Cosgrove and Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran and Fox News commentator Pete Hegseth. Our veterans have been treated horribly, theyre waiting in line for 15, 16, 17 days its not going to happen, so David is going to do a fantastic job, Trump said. If Shulkin is confirmed by the Senate, it keeps in place a power structure that many veterans service organizations and current VA Secretary Robert McDonald urged Trump not dramatically change. The VA faces tough challenges. McDonald has embarked on a broad overhaul of the agency amid intense congressional pressure, oversight and legal requirements in recent legislation. Changes were spurred in part by a 2014 law that was passed to help ease patient wait time backlogs in the wake of a nationwide scandal regarding the issue. News investigations found employees were placing veterans on wait lists outside the agencys scheduling systems, which government investigations later confirmed led to veterans deaths. Trumps 10-point veterans campaign plan listed its first order of business is to appoint a VA secretary whose sole purpose will be to serve veterans. He also wants to create a commission to investigate wrongdoing at the agency, install a private 24-hour-a-day White House hotline to field complaints about the VA manned by live phone operators, increase the number of mental health care professionals, cover non-VA mental health care for veterans, and, most significantly, Ensure every veteran has the choice to seek care at the VA or at a private service provider of their own choice. Under a Trump administration, no veteran will die waiting for service, the 10th point on the plan reads. But as of late, hes divulged little in terms of specifics. Trump said in Milwaukee on Dec. 13 his administration will take care of our great veterans the way they should have been taken care of for a long time. We are going to finally take care of our veterans. Were going to take care of them, believe me, Trump said Dec.15 in Hershey, Pa. Were going to finally take care of our great, great veterans, Trump said Dec. 16 in Orlando, Fla. McDonald said during a public appearance in December that he hoped Trump would at least keep the current VA staff if he axed McDonald from the top spot, which would be expected in a change of administrations. The president-elect launched criticism against McDonald on Twitter last year after the former Procter and Gamble CEO compared wait times at VA facilities to those at a Disney theme park, an equivocation that led to a flood of criticism and even calls for his resignation by some lawmakers. 2017 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved Visit CQ Roll Call at www.rollcall.com 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! I have written extensively about the challenges radio will have in cars with a dashboard which is built to sync with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. I have also written a lot about what happens to radio when cars drive themselves (hint: It gets ugly). But theres another force out there and its a force in the other direction. And that force is your own voice. Ford has announced an integration between their Sync platform and Amazons Alexa voice control system: [Starting] this summer, drivers will be able to talk to Alexa in their Ford vehicle to ask questions, look for destinations, shop online and use smart home features. The collaboration uses Fords AppLink, which lets you connect to your favorite apps in the car, and a special version of the Alexa digital assistant developed by Amazon. Fords Sync feature, now in its latest generation Sync 3, has allowed voice use of apps in vehicles for about a decade. Voice is a natural interface, he said. As what we are doing inside the vehicle becomes more and more sophisticated, we dont want our customers to have to learn all the various menu structures and dive into the owners manual. Ideally they should just be able just say what they want. That voice enablement is something we share in common with Amazon. It makes for a ready partnership. So while voice commands per se are not new to Ford Sync, an Alexa integration will make the system more powerful and easier to use. While many have expressed concern about radios shelf space in new cars (in some cases, the radio setting can be difficult to find), voice controls overcome all these limitations. There is no shelf when all controls are voice so there is no problem with shelf space. Whatever you can imagine and whatever you can verbalize, your car can bring to you thanks to Sync 3 and Alexa. As tools like Alexa become more ubiquitous and more familiar and habitual, we will invariably want to use them for more humdrum tasks or tasks that take our attention from the road were supposed to be watching. So for radio, that means that being easy to find is less important than being worth finding. It means that being easy to listen to will be less important than being worth listening to. When it comes to radio in the car, its possible that our voices will save us. At least until the car does the driving for us. Mark Ramsey is a veteran media strategist, researcher, and trend-maker who has worked with numerous media, publishing, and digital brands. You can contact Mark Ramsey by heading to his website markramseymedia.com Stephen Rowey Rowe and Mark Bicks Bickley will return to weekdays from 3pm to 6pm on Adelaides FIVEaa NE announced their return along with the new Crocmedia offering Sportsday by Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes and Crows icon Ben Hart. Craig Munn, FIVEaa Program Director said, Its a really exciting time for FIVEaa and the adjustment to the line up from 3pm will deliver a really strong format for our loyal listeners. In other FIVEaa news Jon Blake will return to host a one hour show from 7pm to 8pm at the end of March, leading into Jeremy Cordeaux from 8pm to Midnight. The FIVEaa line up changes will launch on Monday 23 January. Join the conversation! Share your opinion in the comments section below. Like RT on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, and join the newsletter for breaking news alerts, new job listings and exclusive subscriber-first articles in 2017. Got a news story or tip-off for us, drop us a line: [email protected]. Google Play Music Australia has revealed its Artists to Watch in 2017 playlist. The ten head-turning artists are ones that Googles real life humans and futuristic robots predict will make a big splash this year. The top 10 are: 1 Tash Sultana (independent) 2 Bebe Rexha (Warner Music) 3 Maggie Rogers (EMI) 4 Golden Features (Warner Music) 5 Sampha (Remote Control Records) 6 Jess Kent (EMI) 7 RagnBone Man (Sony Music) 8 Cloves (Universal Music) 9 Alex Lahey (Caroline/Universal Music) 10 Manu Crook$ (independent) Topping the list is Melbournes very own Tash Sultana, who made a stellar debut in September with her Notion EP and its breakout track Jungle. She has already sold out shows from London to LA on her upcoming world tour. Im stoked to be Google Plays Artist to Watch for 2017, says Sultana. There are three more female Australian artists on the Artists to Watch list. These include Jess Kent, who recently opened for Coldplay on the British bands stadium tour of Australia, and Cloves, whose track Dont Forget About Me last year enjoyed a high-profile feature on a major film soundtrack (Me Before You). As for overseas talent, Google Play has its eye on Bebe Rexha and Maggie Rogers from the US, and Brits Sampha and RagnBone Man, as rising stars. According to Google, Artists to Watch has been compiled using a range of factors including track performance on Google Play Music Australias new music playlists, popularity on Google Trends and YouTube, as well as specialist GPM Australia editors recommendations. Google Play Music said it uses machine learning to figure out what music you like and then mixes in signals such as location, activity and the weather, along with hand-picked playlists, all in an effort to personalise music for wherever you are and whenever you want tunes. All of the Top 10 Ones to Watch in Australia, as well as the longer list of suggested artists, feature in Google Play Musics Artists to Watch 2017 playlist. Join the conversation! Share your opinion in the comments section below. Like RT on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, and join the newsletter for breaking news alerts, new job listings and exclusive subscriber-first articles in 2017. Got a news story or tip-off for us, drop us a line: [email protected]. The deal is expected to be finalised within the next three to four weeks and will result in a small net profit for National Express. The c2c commuter rail franchise covers the self-contained route linking London Fenchurch Street with Tilbury, Southend, and Shoeburyness. Trenitalia will retain c2cs existing management. Completion of the deal will bring to an end National Express involvement in mainline passenger rail franchises in Britain - at one time the company had five franchises - leaving only the Midland Metro Birmingham - Wolverhampton light rail line which it operates. In December 2015, Trenitalia became the first new entrant to the British market to be awarded a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) passport by the DfT, which is needed to participate in rail franchising competitions. The c2c acquisition is the first step in Trenitalias plan to enter the British railway passenger market, and is in line with FSs plans to expand in Europe. Its German subsidiary Netinera operates 12 passenger rail concessions in Germany, while National Express launched its first passenger operations on the German mainline network in December 2015, when it took over the operation of two regional routes in North Rhine Westphaila from DB Regio. National Express has been immensely proud of c2cs transformation on our watch, says National Express CEO Mr Dean Finch. From converting c2c into the UKs consistently best performing franchise, we have also recently pioneered customer service standards with automatic delay compensation and flexi-season tickets, for example. While this has, therefore, not been an easy decision, the board believes the transfer of c2c to Trenitalia UK presents opportunities for all concerned. We see significant chances to invest in UK rail and this in-principle agreement with National Express allows us to foster these ambitions, says Trenitalias CEO Ms Barbara Morgante. We will work closely with customers and local stakeholders to apply our vision and deliver improvements that will be visible and valuable. We are also closely monitoring the railway franchising programme as we intend to participate in tenders issued by the DfT to strengthen our presence in the UK. The approvals are for the Chatswood to Sydenham section of the project and comprise: delivery of 16.5kms of new metro rail between Chatswood and Sydenham, including 15.5kms of twin rail tunnelling under Sydney Harbour and the Sydney CBD, and seven new metro stations at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross (North Sydney), Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street, Central (new underground platforms), and Waterloo. Construction sites will be established in central Sydney later this year, and by the end of 2018 the first of five tunnel boring machines will be in the ground. Ultimately Sydney Metro will have capacity to offer a train every two minutes in each direction underground through Sydney with 31 metro stations from Rouse Hill to Bankstown covering a total distance of 66km. The first stage from Rouse Hill in the north-west to Chatswood is currently under construction and due for completion by 2019 at a cost of $A 8.3bn ($US 6.13bn), while the estimated cost of stage 2 is between $A 11.5bn and $A 12.5bn. NSW planning minister Mr Rob Stokes says the project will help prepare Sydney for the future. This project has been approved subject to some of the highest sustainability provisions in the world; among the conditions imposed with the approval is that greenhouse emissions by electricity consumed by the metros operation must be fully offset, Stokes says. Two consortia, the Ferrovial, Acciona, and BAM joint venture and the John Holland, CPB, and Ghella joint venture are competing to build the twin tunnels, with the contract expected to be awarded around the middle of this year. The planning process for the conversion and upgrade of the existing Bankstown heavy rail line to metro standards will also begin in 2017. For more information on rail projects around the world subscribe to IRJ Pro. 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 Wednesday marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay naval base. The anniversary is less than two weeks in advance of a new presidential administration, which may push counterterrorism policy in new or different directions. Guantanamo, and all that it symbolizes, could be front and center on the agenda, and thus a review of options is appropriate. Before turning to options, a little background is in order. Guantanamo was established as a place to detain and trywhere possibleindividuals detained as part of the Global War on Terror. Since terrorism lacks both a traditional military adversary and battlefield, Congress approved an Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF) ( PDF ) that provides the statutory authority for the President to use military force against nations and individuals involved in the 9/11 attacks to prevent further such instances. Detainees came from many nationsAfghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Pakistan principallybut most were detained or turned over in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Initially nearly 800 unlawful combatants were housed at Guantanamo, but that number has slowly dwindled to fewer than 100. By 2011, approximately 600 detainees had been released, the majority without charges, though a substantial number were transferred to custody in other nations. That left a set of relatively more difficult cases. Since 2011, those not subject to indefinite detention have either been released to third-party nations willing to keep them under surveillance, enroll them in rehabilitation programs, or otherwise assume responsibility for them, or have started their trials. Four Yemeni detainees were released to Saudi Arabia just last week and more could be freed before President Obama leaves office. Few cases have been definitively resolved by trial. Along the way, the detention facility has tested the U.S. courts and military system in many ways, including numerous court cases about the legality of detention without trial and the implications of torture and physical abuse for the trial process. Ultimately, the majority of detainees have won their day in court through the establishment of a Periodic Review Board and a criminal trial system. With that as background, what are the options? They are on a continuum, but generally fall into four categories. From most to least likely they are: Maintain the status quo, let the population continue to decline, but be prepared to hold a population of unreleasable defendants for many years to come. Invest in improvements to speed adjudication of the remaining detainees. Close the facility and distribute the detainees among federal prisons or consolidate them in a single, more convenient and potentially less expensive location. Reopen the facility to accepting new detainees. Status Quo Of the remaining 60 detainees, 46such as Khalid Sheik Mohammed, alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, and Ramzi Bin al Shibh, sometimes described as the intended 20th 9/11 hijacker, have been certified as being too dangerous to transfer and there is insufficient information to try them. ( PDF ) Thus, with an effective population of 14 detainees with prospects for trial, release or transfer, there will likely be little incentive to take bold steps away from the status quo. Improve the Process Regardless of the larger policy debate about closing the facility, many improvements could be made to speed the trials. This was the main recommendation of the Pacific Council's task force on Guantanamo detention (full disclosure, I was a participant). The task force members took the perspective that regardless of the larger policy debate about closing the facility, there were many improvements that could be made to speed the trials and ensure a quicker path to justice. Task force members were also cognizant of the need to establish a better, more workable model in the event of additional future detentions. Key recommendations included empowering federal judges to preside over the trials and permitting counsel to participate in routine pretrial matters via secure video link, in lieu of making lengthy and expensive trips to the base for mundane matters. Close and Relocate Although this option periodically receives renewed attention, it also seems highly unlikely during the next administration. Accept New Detainees President-elect Trump has declared he will load it up with bad dudes. This declaration is perhaps not as farfetched as it might seem. The current agreements with Afghanistan and Iraq give those governments responsibility for detaining and adjudicating individuals apprehended on their territories. But bothor more accurately, their battlefieldscould be a source of future terrorism risk as defined under the 2001 AUMF, if the new administration decides to keep troops there or seeks to change the detention agreement. Would the Trump administration revisit these agreements? Perhaps, if there were a surge in violence or a sustained inability to manage detainees, particularly among those implicated in attacks on U.S. forces or U.S. interests. A more likely potential source of new detainees is the ISIS battlefield, principally in the remnants of Syria, but potentially spilling over into other corners of the globe. Who could assume responsibility for unlawful combatants detained on the ISIS battlefield? There is disagreement as to whether the current AUMF canor shouldbe extended from its foundation of targeting Al-Qaeda. ISIS and Al-Qaeda are not allies, so many argue that a new AUMF is needed to better address the threat as it has evolved. Still, the evolution of the AUMF debate might provide some early indication of potential evolution of detention policy. A decade and a half is a long time and circumstances have changed greatly. The new administration will have before it a series of options to deal with the legacy of the detention facility at Gitmo. Ignoring it shouldn't be one of them. Jack Riley is vice president and director of nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation's National Security Research Division. He served as a Guantanamo trial observer under the auspices of the Pacific Council on International Policy. This commentary originally appeared on Newsweek on January 11, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. Canal Sony and Clarovideo are to produce a second season of the Mexican adaptation of Shark Tank, Negociando con Tiburones. Distributed by Sony Picture Television (SPT), the new season will be locally co-produced with pay-TV network Canal Sony and streaming platform Clarovideo. The over-the-top (OTT) service will gradually premiere the episodes immediately after their linear broadcast on Canal Sony.Shark Tank Mexico not only broke Canal Sonys audience records during its first season, but it has also managed to motivate Mexicans with its message of entrepreneurship, said Jose Antonio Hidalgo, VP and GM, Sony Pictures Television Mexico. Were sure the second season will keep drawing viewers to our channel.At Clarovideo, we are thrilled to be collaborating in Shark Tanks second season, which has become a reference in Mexico, added Andres Vazquez del Mercado, GM, Clarovideo . The first season is already an important part of our video-on-demand (VOD) catalogue.During the first year on air, Negociando con Tiburones managed to triple Canal Sonys audience for Fridays late prime time. The shows success placed Canal Sony among the ten most watched pay-TV signals for the demographic aged 18-49 with medium-high income level.The series is an adaptation of the reality show Dragons Den, created by Nippon TV in Japan and distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Television. The Mexican version has also been broadcast across Latin America through Canal Sony and Clarovideo. South Africa free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster e.tv has inked a multi-year deal with Sony Pictures Television for a range of films and TV series. The programming from the deal begins on 11 January when e.tv begins airing the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning series The Blacklist starring James Spader and Megan Boone.A number of Sony Pictures movie titles will broadcast for the first time on FTA TV in South Africa, including About Last Night, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Think Like A Man Too, The Equalizer, Elysium, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 and American Hustle. All of these films will be broadcast on e.tv in the first quarter of 2017.This deal with Sony Pictures Television secures some of the biggest international movies and series for the e.tv channels. We pride ourselves in bringing our viewers the best and most talked about content in the world for free, said Marlon Davids, managing director, e.tv. Hong Kong broadcaster TVB is closing its pay-TV division after losing more than HK$2.2 billion, according to local reports. The company has cited widespread online piracy, growing competition from Internet streaming platforms and the economic slowdown as reasons for its failure to make a success of its pay-TV arm TVB Network Vision.The business has also reportedly accused the Government of failing to provide a sustainable environment for the industry, according to the South China Morning Post TVB Network Vision offered a selection of international and local channels, including 13 self-produced channels.It was the only service remaining of the four operators who were granted licences in 2000 to run pay-TV services in Hong Kong. In 2004 TV Plus and Yes Television both returned their licences, while Hong Kong Network TV quit the market in 2000, after failing to ever launch a service.The only surviving pay-TV operators in the city are Cable TV Hong Kong and Now TV.TVB has warned of a sharp drop in net profit for 2016, with net earnings expected to have fallen by between 55-65%.The deteriorating business and operating environment in recent years have rendered the pay-TV business not commercially viable, a TVB spokesman is quoted as saying in the South China Morning Post.Regrettably, the Government has done little to address the issues, particularly online piracy and some of the regulatory provisions which do not keep up with the times, he added.TVB operates five digital television channels, including its flagship Jade (Chinese) and Pearl (English) channels, providing free and diversified television programming to over 2.45 million homes in Hong Kong.Subscribers to TVB Network Vision would be offered packages to migrate to TVBs over-the-top (OTT) service myTV SUPER once the Government accepted the surrender of the licence, the broadcaster said. French media entrepreneurs Anthony Savelli and Vincent Benveniste have taken control of French media software solutions company Netia from former sole shareholder Globecast. The pair made the acquisition through their Radio Act consulting and services agency, and say that they will aim to strengthen focus on customer experience and best practices in media IT. Netia has spent the last few months broadening its portfolio , believing that the landscape of digital business communications is evolving at a rapid pace, and all businesses are finding it harder to manage, index and archive important information. It adds that most institutional and industrial organisations need to have at their disposal an increasing amount of critical data and information in video form. This means that for some firms indexing and archiving data are necessary to remain compliant with regulatory guidelines and procedures, while for others such capability helps them preserve their corporate identity, or take informed and strategic decisions. With Radio Act , Savelli and Vincent Benveniste have over 25 years of experience in media IT and claim that they also have an impressive and recognised track record in successfully transforming technology businesses in synergy with customers, partners and staff. Netia has very talented people working with the best media professionals across the world, Benveniste remarked. Were honoured to lead its development from here on as a customer focused, agile, creative and autonomous organisation.Added Netia CEO Thierry Gandilhon: Having now private owners committed to our roots in the south of France and to our core business, will give us the autonomy to focus on a more efficient operation. Our teams have already started a dialogue with several customers and we are confident that they will benefit from this new set-up, particularly from a user experience and lifecycle management standpoints. John McLaughlin was deputy director and acting director of the CIA from 2000-2004 and now teaches at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). This piece is part of a special RCW series on Americas role in the world during the Trump administration. The views expressed are the authors own. The beginning of a new presidency is always a challenging time for the CIA, but it is likely to be even more so in the Trump era. One obvious alarm bell, of course, is the president-elects struggle to accept the U.S. intelligence communitys "high confidence judgment that Russia meddled in last years presidential election. Then there is the long list of global crises that the incoming administration will inherit and the frequent disputes between the Trump team and its critics over the very nature of facts. These are all indications that the next four years could prove especially challenging for Americas intelligence professionals. First, what does the CIA actually do in the transition and the early days of an administration? Since 2004 -- when Congress created the position of director of national intelligence, or DNI -- the CIA has seen improved coordination with the broader U.S. intelligence community, playing a key role in the review of the international initiatives that every new administration launches. It conducts briefings on major issues and contributes its officers to the cadre of daily intelligence briefers the DNI assembles to serve a fair number of senior figures. Along the way, the CIA and the DNI spend a good deal of time explaining the intelligence field to newcomers in the group and laying out what they can expect intelligence to do and not do. An enduring aspect of this entails making sure that fledgling officials understand that intelligence is there to inform policy, and not to make it. Not all countries operate that way, but the U.S. system assumes that staying out of policymaking is one way to ensure that intelligence remains as objective as possible. So this role inevitably casts intelligence, and most often the CIA, in the role of what might be called the fact witness in foreign policy deliberations. It is supposed to look at the issues dispassionately, almost clinically, and enumerate what is actually known, what is not, and offer assessments -- combinations of evidence and inference -- on where things might be headed. I once heard Gen. Brent Scowcroft, former national security advisor for President George H.W. Bush, sum it up as follows: The role of intelligence is to narrow the range of uncertainty when difficult decisions must be made. This may be simultaneously the most important and the most challenging role for the CIA in the Trump administration. The CIA contributes heavily to daily intelligence publications such as the Presidents Daily Brief. Of equal importance, the agency director or his designee, along with or in place of the DNI, traditionally begins foreign policy deliberations in the White House Situation Room with a briefing on The Situation -- that is, the basic facts from which the discussion then proceeds among policymakers such as the national security advisor, the secretaries of state, defense, homeland security, and treasury, and the chairman of the joint chiefs. Most of the issues are contentious, and the information is rarely complete. The intelligence briefer has to nail down as best he or she can what is certain and what is less certain, then field questions from the policymakers. Sometimes the facts run against the grain of policy preferences or the convictions of presidents and their national security teams, and this is where faith in intelligence experts and institutions becomes crucial. If the intelligence is sound, then everyone is entitled to articulate their own interpretation of the data. They are not, however, entitled to their own facts -- even as they reserve the right to question the sources from which said facts are derived. In short, it is a complicated business that requires open-mindedness, skillful leadership by the national security advisor, and a degree of collegiality. It is too soon to know how this will work in the Trump administration, but there are clear reasons for concern. The president-elect has waffled and wavered on a number of his campaign pledges -- such as his calls for the prosecution of his Democratic campaign rival Hillary Clinton, his rejection of climate change, or his commitment to build a southern border wall -- but many of Trumps stated campaign comments and positions were clearly just wrong. Thousands of New Jersey Muslims did not in fact celebrate the 9/11 attacks, Ted Cruzs father was clearly not part of the JFK assassination plot, and the Russians clearly are in Crimea and Ukraine. Trumps designated national security advisor, Michael Flynn -- who is best known for his counterterrorism work in Afghanistan alongside retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal -- has also compiled a record in recent years of questionable judgment, suggesting, for example, that sharia law is spreading across the United States, and that Hillary Clinton was involved in a child-sex ring. This sort of loose thinking will not fly at the helm of the National Security Council, orchestrating the activities of national security cabinet secretaries and integrating intelligence into the process. Moreover, as the CIA and the DNI detail facts and findings for the new administration, they will also have to confront the new team with the complexity of many issues that campaign spin portrayed as easily managed. Without taking policy positions, intelligence analysts are obliged to list the consequences for stated foreign policy aims such as overturning the Iran nuclear agreement or canceling the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement -- and the picture will not be uniformly pretty. Policymakers do not have to agree, but they do need flexibility of mind and the temperament to carefully weigh pros and cons. Meanwhile, while policy objectives such as quickly crushing ISIS, ending the civil war in Syria, and halting North Koreas march toward a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile are indeed admirable, these efforts will undoubtedly appear more difficult on the inside than they did while mocking the efforts of the outgoing administration. Ive seen this over and over in the transitions I have lived through. All of this will obviously be colored by the recent controversy regarding Russias involvement in the general election. The intelligence community rarely -- in fact hardly ever -- presents judgments with "high confidence, as it did in the report it released on Jan. 6. So the director of national intelligences use of the term in assigning culpability to the Kremlin for the cyberattack has to be taken seriously. The Trump team initially pushed back by citing intelligence errors in the case of the 2003 Iraq invasion, but it may not realize how thoroughly intelligence professionals have atoned for that fateful error. It conducted beginning in late 2003 an agonizing appraisal of what went wrong. One of the lessons was to never label judgments confident unless they are exceptionally well sourced and logically tight. This leads me to conclude that the community has little uncertainty about Russias meddling. In its report, the intelligence agencies also agreed that the Russians wanted to help President-elect Trump's election chances, although the National Security Agency expressed less certainty about this related point than the "high confidence" conveyed by CIA and the FBI. Whatever future investigations show -- whether chartered presidentially, congressionally, or independently -- the objective has to be to ensure that foreign powers in the future are blocked from interfering in our elections and that there is a solid working relationship between the new president and his intelligence community. This is essential to the nations security. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Property details: This area was selected by us after extensive research of the area. Colorado is a great state for miners. 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Yes, you're human it happens. When it comes to handguns, the extra margin of safety in the traditional double action semi-automatic handgun (DA Auto) is driving its resurgence. Far from it being a handicap, many of the top Production division competitors are using double action/single action (DA/SA) handguns in national and world practical competition, against guys running the latest striker-fired handguns. Is that pure coincidence? I don't think so. The Cons With a clear division between striker-fired handguns and double action autos, let's take a look at the pros and cons of a DA system and some the of the reasons I've chosen to stick with a DA Auto. Then we'll discuss ways to master that long pull trigger, and what to look for in a DA pistol. Common reasons people choose not to use the DA auto include: I don't want to train to use two trigger pulls. You have to make it a point to focus on training for that first double action trigger pull, but it's by no means an insurmountable task. The long first trigger pull is too difficult for an accurate first shot. No, the long first trigger pull isn't too difficult to achieve an accurate first shot; with correct training and technique it can become second nature. The first pull is longer, which requires the shooter to stay focused on aiming the gun and the intent of the first shot. Not only does this decrease the odds of anticipating the first shot, but it often results in better accuracy than a single action pull. It's hard to train people to de-cock before holstering. We don't want them holstering with the hammer back. Let's take a step back here. So we believe we can train people to always keep their finger straight and outside the trigger guard unless they're ready to shoot, but supposedly teaching them to de-cock is too difficult? Most trainers believe that carbines and 1911s should be put back on safe if you're not actively engaging, and we train to that standard all the time. This same standard should be applied to your manual of arms training for a DA Auto. The truth is that holstering a DA Auto with its hammer back isn't much different than holstering many striker-fired guns on the market. Look closely at the inner workings of many striker-fired pistols and you'll see that most of the newer, most popular striker-fired guns have a fully cocked striker, essentially making it a single action gun with no external safety apart from the one in the trigger face. You know, the one that gets disengaged if you shove it in a holster with a bit of your shirt in there . The Pros Confidence under extreme stress. Let's face it the first shot is the one that usually gets people in trouble. I've traveled the world, training shooters with varying skill levels. I still have to tell people all the time, Keep your finger straight! Even the elite and most well trained shooters often need this reminder. Most of the guys I work with consider themselves to be well-trained, yet when I say finger straight at the ready, they have to look down at their own hand to realize I'm talking to them. In structured force-on-force training, it's alarming to see the number of people who put their finger on the trigger when they get scared and amped up. Under extreme stress, people resort to putting their finger on the trigger when they shouldn't, and the phenomenon of finger checking is well documented. The distance of the trigger travel is what helps keep people out of trouble with a DA gun. Aggressive to the trigger, with confidence! The first shot with a DA handgun has an advantage for most practical, real world shooters. Once the decision has been made to shoot, a shooter can be really aggressive to the trigger and start pulling it much earlier in the presentation to the target than would be possible with a single-action or striker-fired gun. For me, the biggest difference is that I have confidence that the gun won't fire before I'm ready. Real success with a DA gun comes from combining the presentation of the pistol, aiming the gun, and pulling the trigger at the same time. The last part of the presentation to the target combines aiming and pulling through the rest of the double action trigger pull. With a single action or striker-fired gun, I have to wait until the last millisecond of the presentation and aiming to start pulling the trigger. Getting on the trigger early on a striker-fired mechanism leads to bad things happening. Complete control of firing mechanism when holstering. For years, I've taught shooters to put their strong thumb on the hammer when holstering a DA Auto. This accomplishes two things: You know and can feel that you've de-cocked the gun when you holster. You have total control over the hammer and the firing mechanism. If anything gets into the trigger guard, you'll feel the hammer move long before the gun fires, allowing you the opportunity to stop and fix the problem before something bad happens. With the popularity of appendix carry, many people have switched back to double action handguns for this type of carry due to the added safety a hammer fired gun provides. I've personally been on the range when someone holstered a striker-fired gun with a shirt in the trigger guard, ending with a loud noise and a trip to the ER. Better trigger pull after the first shot. One of the reasons that many people love the DA Auto is that after that first shot, you have a great single action trigger. The triggers on traditional DA/SA handguns have crisp, consistent trigger pulls each time in single action, while most striker-fired guns have a spongier, less consistent pull for every shot the way they break isn't as consistent pull after pull. A consistent trigger leads to faster and more accurate follow up shots no matter the shooter. Training for Success With the Double-Action Shot One of the first things to learn is trigger finger placement. The double action trigger pull often requires the shooter to put more trigger finger on or past the trigger than you would with a 1911-type single action. When learning to pull a double action trigger, try sticking more trigger finger in and past the trigger, providing more leverage for you to pull the trigger straight to the rear. Test this in dry fire, with the goal of the hammer falling with no movement of your sight picture at all. The key is to pull through the double action trigger at a constant speed. It can be very fast, but it needs to be consistent. The trap that many DA Auto shooters fall into is trying to finish the DA pull by speeding up at the end. We start to pull the trigger smoothly and consistently, and then try to accelerate at the end of the pull to finish and get to the shot. For proper double-action trigger control, you want to focus on stroking the trigger. Keep a constant, consistent speed. What Do I Look for in a Double-Action Auto? One of the key features in a DA Auto is where the trigger pull breaks. The point at which the trigger breaks in double action mode and single action mode should be as close as possible. This allows you to train your trigger finger to go back to the same spot to release the trigger and cause the gun to fire, whether in double action or single action. Some DA autos release the hammer in double action mode at a much earlier point in the trigger pull than in single action mode. This causes an excessive amount of overtravel in double action and makes the shooter hunt for the trigger prep point in single action. I believe this makes it much harder to learn to shoot well with such a handgun. One of the reasons I've chosen to run the Beretta 92 platform is that I feel it has the best double action pull and the closest release points for both double action and single action trigger pulls. In his new book, Gun Guy, Bill Wilson, president and owner of Wilson Combat says, If you look where the trigger is when the hammer falls on a Beretta, the trigger is in basically the same place double- and single-action. When you come back to the trigger for the second shot, the trigger is in the same place. You don't have to search for it. That's why you can transition from double to single so easily with a Beretta. There are also many other great DA Autos out there in many different sizes, shapes, and calibers. Give it a try The reason the double action auto came into existence was to give users a more forgiving trigger option in a semi-auto pistol. Users, mainly law enforcement and the military, wanted the capacity and shootability of the single action auto with the safety of a revolver. I think those reasons still stand true today and the DA Auto is still a very safe and logical answer for many users. At the very least, it's worth a try. It might even make you a better more, well-rounded pistol shooter by practicing on a DA auto, no matter what gun you ultimately choose. About the Author Ernest Langdon has 12 years active duty as a U.S. Marine and 19 years in the firearms industry. His duties in the Marine Corps include participation in military operations all over the world, including Panama, Cuba, Philippines, and the Persian Gulf. He served as the Chief Instructor of the Second Marine Division Scout Sniper School and the High Risk Personnel Course as well as the Platoon Sergeant of a Close Quarters Battle (CQB) and Designated Marksman (DM) teams and a Scout Sniper Platoon. Ernest is a graduate of 40 formal shooting schools and four anti-terrorism schools with instructor certifications from the FBI, NRA, US Army, US Marine Corps and is a California POST Certified Firearms Instructor. Langdon has accumulated over 1,500 hours of formal instruction on the use of firearms since 1985. He's also a graduate of US Army Ranger School, Navy SCUBA School, US Army Airborne School, US Army HALO School, and both USMC Scout Sniper School and Scout Sniper Instructor School. In a court hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 27 with an Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Court judge, Brandyn Clark was granted a good security bond of $1,250 for each of the nine felony charges in comparison to his original bail bond charge of $5,000 per felony charge at the time of arrest. It might be shocking to say that January is one of Chicago's best months for music festivals, but it shouldn't be if you've ever gone to the underground punk showcase Ian's Party as well as the near-weeklong indie rock and comedy fest Tomorrow Never Knows. Happening Wednesday, Jan. 11, to Sunday, Jan. 15, across five different venues, the latter fest is now in its 13th incarnation and not losing any steam. It's perhaps the best showcase of acts to see who's going to have a good year going forward. Where last year's bill showcased sets by newcomers Julien Baker and Andy Shauf, not to mention the biggest local headlining from Whitney to date, this year has more rising acts on its roster. Advertisement Below, I've broken down the daily schedule to highlight who to see. Five-day passes ($100) are sold out, but there's still time to catch most of the acts playing. Tickets for all shows are available at TNKFest.com. Wednesday, Jan. 11 Pick of the day: Advertisement Big Thief, Sam Evian, Hoops and Campdogzz, at Schubas (Allison Kate Cherkis / ) Astoundingly, the first day of the festival is also the one with the hardest decision. Having to choose against local mainstays Tortoise and math rock heroes Monobody must mean this Schubas slate is an absolutely can't-miss show. Between some of the best surprises of 2016 with both Saddle Creek-signed acts Big Thief and Sam Evian, not to mention Indiana's Hoops and Chicago's Campdogzz, this is the best bill front to back of the entire week. Alternate pick: Tortoise, Bayonne and Monobody at Lincoln Hall (Andrew Paynter) You seriously can't go wrong with Tortoise, whose last album, 2016's "The Catastrophist," was their first album in nearly seven years and a fantastic comeback to boot. If intricate arrangements and a tendency toward experimenting are more your thing, this is the show for you. Get there early for Monobody and Bayonne, whose track "Spectrolite" was on repeat throughout much of 2016. Thursday, Jan. 12 Pick of the day: Ezra Furman, Weaves and Dream Version at Lincoln Hall (Nick Helderman) Songwriter and Chicagoan Ezra Furman has been one of the hardest workers in Chicago's music scene for the past decade, culminating in an excellent solo EP from last year called "Big Fugitive Life." He's leading an excellent Thursday night bill at Lincoln Hall with Toronto art-punks Weaves, one of my favorite discoveries of last year, in support. For Weaves, fans of Dirty Projectors or Chicago's Oshwa will find a lot to love with that group. Advertisement Alternate pick: Wand, Acid Dad, Flaural and Joe Bordenaro & the Late Bloomers at Schubas Los Angeles' Wand captures that throwback rock 'n' roll sound that can effortlessly jump from pristine psychedelia to a fuzzed-out blitz of garage rock a la Ty Segall (whose band the Muggers features Wand's Cory Hanson and Evan Burrows). If that sounds like a good night out, the rest of the bill will suit your fancy with NYC psych punks Acid Dad, Colorado's Flaural and local rocker Joe Bordenaro rounding out the night. The rest: Helltrap Nightmare Birthday Funeral, feat. with Stand-Up performances from: Sarah Sherman, Ana Fabrega, Jamie Loftus, Ruby McCollister, The Great Ghouldini, Sammy Arechar and more at the Hideout This will undoubtedly be an excellent and outrageous comedy showcase. I once saw Sarah Sherman drink cold clam chowder as part of a bit at Hungry Brain's Therapy Sessions event, and it was one of the funniest things I saw in 2016. Advertisement Friday, Jan. 13 Pick of the day: Into It. Over It., Pianos Become the Teeth, Mother Evergreen at Metro Chicago Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Musician Evan Weiss of the band 'Into it. Over it.' poses for portraits near Bang Bang Pie ( 2051 N California Ave ) on March 4, 2016. ( Lenny Gilmore / RedEye ) (Lenny Gilmore / ) With "Standards," Into It. Over It.'s Evan Weiss honed his songwriting thanks to an extended writing and recording session away from Chicago in Vermont and in San Francisco with producer John Vanderslice. We already know Weiss and his band can command the Metro stage, as a 2015 NYE gig in support of the Promise Ring proved. That said, it'll be nice to see a full setlist from one of the city's best songwriters. Alternate pick: Caroline Smith, Xenia Rubinos, Overcoats at Lincoln Hall Caroline Smith has grown a great deal since her days fronting the folk pop group Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps, shedding the acoustic-led sweetness of those tunes for a new, soulful and pop-oriented approachmore Drake and less Mumford and Sons. Add on the mesmerizing voice of opener Xenia Rubinos and this will be a good night at Lincoln Hall. Advertisement The rest: Foxtrott, Ian Sweet, In Tall Buildings, and Woongi at Schubas I can't say much about the headliner except the unfair observation that I still can't get over the fact that there have been bands called Voxtrot and Foxtrott in the past decade. I really enjoy Chicago's In Tall Buildings and Woongi, though. Tensake and Savile at Smart Bar If you like dancing, surely you'll have a good time busting a move to the party-minded sounds from German producer Tensake. Michelle Wolf and Rebecca O'Neal at Hideout Advertisement Fans of "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" will recognize Wolf. Saturday, Jan. 14 Pick of the day: Title Fight, The Hotelier, Cloakroom at Metro Just one of these acts would've made for the day's top pick, but all three together is just insane. It's also the perfect excuse for me to see the Hotelier for the first since the band released their excellent 2016 full-length "Goodness." Missing their Pitchfork set from last year is my only regret of that festival. Alternate picks: Jeff the Brotherhood, Pile and Chastity at Lincoln Hall. Advertisement While I can't say I'm a huge fan of JEFF the Brotherhood, though many friends swear by that band as one of the best live acts around, openers Pile and Chastity, a Canadian band that killed it supporting Toronto's PUP on tour this fall, stand as some of the best supporting act combos of the entire festival. Ceremony, Negative Scanner, Muuy Biien, and Hogg at Schubas. Chicago post-punks Negative Scanner are my favorite band on this bill. If you dig Ceremony, they're more than worth getting to Schubas early for. The rest: Phoebe Robinson at the Hideout. This comedian is the co-host of the popular 2 Dope Queens podcast. She also just released a book called "You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have To Explain," which sounds hilarious and features a foreword by former "Daily Show" correspondent Jessica Williams. Advertisement The Black Madonna and DJ Rachael at Smart Bar The Black Madonna is the moniker of local dance music veteran Marea Stamper. She's been a staple of the local scene for some time now, and she's definitely no stranger to Smart Barshe not only has performed there often but also has served as the iconic venue's talent buyer and creative director. Sunday, January 15 Picks of the day: Beth Stelling at the Hideout Comedian Beth Stelling. (Handout) Because I write about music, it must be obvious by now that I'm biased in picking mostly bands and not comedians as the must-see shows of the week. Well, Beth Stelling is such a great comedian, and her appearance on "Kimmel" is definitely one of my favorite late-night TV standup sets of the past few years. Plus, there's two shows you can go to on Sunday, the 7 p.m. (which gives you ample time to go see the awesome showcase at Schubas) or the 10 p.m., one for the late crowd. Open Mike Eagle, Psalm One, Femdot, CrashPrez at Schubas. Advertisement After you see Beth Stelling at Hideout, hop in a cab to go see Open Mike Eagle, RedEye favorites Psalm One and Femdot, as well as CrashPrez at Schubas. With last year's collab album with Paul White "Hella Personal Film Festival," 2015's "A Special Episode of" EP and 2014's "Dark Comedy," Open Mike Eagle has had some of my favorite rap releases three years in a row. Also, I love Psalm One and her group the Rapperchicks. This will be a great show. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > Alternate pick: BadBadNotGood, Mattson 2, and Morimoto at Lincoln Hall. I definitely enjoy Canada's BadBadNotGood, especially their recent collaboration with Mick Jenkins "Drowning." You won't be making a wrong decision at all choosing this gig. The rest: Sons of the Silent Age (performing David Bowie's "Low") at Metro. Advertisement I'm sure this will be a good time, but compared with potentially hitting both a comedy and a rap show, seeing a cover band isn't the highest on my list for Sunday. @joshhterry | jterry@redeyechicago.com During a rare press conference, President-elect Donald Trump dismissed reports on Russia's influence campaign, refused to release his tax returns and reiterated his promise to repeal and replace Obamacare. Jan. 11, 2017. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images | C-SPAN) (Chicago Tribune) In a combative and freewheeling news conference, President-elect Donald Trump said for the first time Wednesday that he accepts Russia was behind the election year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race. Looking ahead, he urged Congress to move quickly to replace President Barack Obama's signature health care law and insisted anew that Mexico will pay the cost of a border wall. The hour-long spectacle in the marbled lobby of Trump's Manhattan skyscraper was his first news conference since winning the election in early November, and the famously unconventional politician demonstrated he had not been changed by the weight of his victory. Advertisement He defiantly denied reports that Russia had collected compromising personal and financial information about him, lambasting the media for peddling "fake news" and shouting down a journalist from CNN, which reported on the matter. His family and advisers clapped and cheered him on throughout. Trump's transition has been shadowed by U.S. intelligence assessments that Russia not only meddled in the election, but did so to help him defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. After spending weeks challenging that idea, Trump finally accepted at least part of the intelligence conclusions. Advertisement "As far as hacking, I think it was Russia," Trump said, quickly adding that "other countries and other people" also hack U.S. interests. Still, he kept needling the intelligence agencies, saying it would be a "tremendous blot" on their record if officials were leaking information from his classified briefings. One U.S. official told The Associated Press Tuesday night that intelligence people had informed Trump last week about an unsubstantiated report that Russia had compromising personal and financial information about him. Some media outlets reported on the document, which contains unproven information alleging close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians, as well as unverified claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump. The AP has not authenticated any of the claims. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said later Wednesday that he had spoken with Trump about the dossier and told him the intelligence community "has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable." Clapper also said in a statement released Wednesday night that he told Trump he does not believe any leaks from Friday's meeting between intelligence officials and the president-elect came from the intelligence community. Wednesday's news conference was initially billed as a chance for Trump to answer questions about his plans for distancing himself from his sprawling, family-owned real estate and licensing business. Lawyer Sheri Dillon stepped to the lectern midway through the event to announce that the president-elect was relinquishing control of the Trump Organization to his adult sons and an executive, as well as putting his business assets in a trust. While new international business deals will be banned, the company will be allowed to start new projects in the U.S. The move appears to contradict a previous pledge by the president-elect. In a tweet last month, Trump said that "no new deals" would be done while he was in office. With dramatic flair, Trump aides piled stacks of manila folders on a table next to the lectern - in front of 10 American flags - before the news conference began. Trump said the folders contained documents he had signed formalizing the new business arrangements, though journalists were not able to view and independently verify the materials. Some 250 journalists crammed into the Trump Tower lobby for the news conference, which was not only Trump's first since the election, but his first since July. Journalists shouted for his attention. At times, he skipped past questions he appeared to not want to answer, including an inquiry about whether he would keep in place sanctions Obama slapped on Russia in retaliation for the election-related hacking. Advertisement Until Wednesday, Trump had spent most of his two months as president-elect doling out policy pronouncements, attacks on critics and boasts about his victory in 140-character increments on Twitter. His preferred mode of communication has left some of his positions vague - an approach that is often by Trump's design. The president-elect set some concrete policy markers Wednesday, though specifics continued to be in short supply on some of his major campaign promises. He promised that a replacement for Obama's sweeping health care overhaul would be offered "essentially simultaneously" with a congressional vote to repeal the measure. The complexity of the policy changes makes quick passage of a new health care law virtually impossible, and Trump is yet to detail what he wants included. He said his team would send a plan to Congress after Rep. Tom Price, his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is confirmed. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Numerous files are displayed as President-elect Donald Trump gives a press conference Jan. 11, 2017, in New York. (Don Emmert / AFP/Getty Images) Turning to his plans to build a wall along the nation's southern border, Trump vowed that Mexico would "reimburse" the cost of the project through an unspecified tax or payment. He said that while his administration would begin negotiating with Mexico after his Jan. 20 inauguration, he did not want to delay the work until an agreement was reached, raising the prospect that U.S. taxpayers could ultimately bear the costs. "I want to get the wall started," he said. "Mexico will pay for the wall, but it will be reimbursed." Following Trump's remarks, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said his country "of course will not pay" for a border wall. Advertisement Trump also moved to complete his Cabinet picks, announcing his intention to nominate David Shulkin to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, elevating him from his current role as VA undersecretary. He suggested that Shulkin may work with major private hospitals to help address issues that have plagued veterans' health care. Trump said he would move quickly to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. He said he had been interviewing candidates and seeking input from conservative groups and planned to name someone about two weeks after the inauguration. Associated Press FinMin's project will enable tax man to track electronic transactions like RTGS or NEFT. Shrimi Choudhary reports. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com The finance ministry is planning a pilot project that will allow tax authorities to access unique transaction reference numbers generated by banks. The ministry was working on the feasibility of the project, said a tax official. The ministry is considering setting up a dedicated team comprising the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and income-tax department officials to maintain records of all unique transaction reference-related information. Unique transaction reference numbers can be provided on the basis of inputs received from the Financial Intelligence Unit and other sources. "At present, there is no provision for sharing unique transaction reference numbers with investigative agencies. Through this we will be able to identify transactions in any electronic form like real-time gross settlement (RTGS) or national electronic funds transfer (NEFT)," the official said. Typically, this data is available with the remitting and receiving banks. Banks are required to send monthly data of all such transactions to the RBI. The tax department fails to track benami deals split into multiple transactions that travel through various banks to reach the beneficiary. The move could help in following the money trail even if transactions were split, the official said. "The digital trail is the only hope we have in tracking benami transactions. However, I think it would be really difficult to implement such a central database of RTGS transactions at the RBI or any such agency as thousands of such transactions happen on a daily basis at each bank," said Ashvin Parekh, managing partner, Ashvin Parekh Advisory Services. "The RTGS data would have crossed settlement across banks rather than individual customer data. I believe each bank has to compile the report based on the transactions that have happened across their de-centralised data bases,: Parekh added. The government has enacted the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016, which provides for imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to 25% of the fair market value of a benami property. It also empowers the government to confiscate deposits of people using bank accounts of others to launder money. In 50 days, 60% of the work force was let off in retail, agri, textile and other sectors. Traders, retailers and various trade bodies in India have been saying that 100% foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail, if allowed, would wipe out industry. However, according to experts, demonetisation has turned out to be much bigger disruptor. The Narendra Modi-led government does not allow FDI in multi-brand retail owing to resistance from trader and retail lobbies who fear losing business and jobs. Demonetisation, according to analysts, has hit small and medium businesses hard and it would take at least three quarters before things are back to normal. In the first 50 days since demonetisation, according to industry body Assocham, as much as 60% of the work force was let off in retail, agriculture, textile and other sectors. Demonetisation has turned out to be a much bigger disruptor for small traders and businesses than FDI in multi-brand retail. The governments move has affected lakhs of traders who have lost huge cash reserves and are unable to pay salaries, said D S Rawat, secretary-general, Assocham. The Centres move of demonetisation leading to cash crunch has disrupted the normal functioning of several industries. Demonetisation has severely hit the unorganised and informal sectors, thereby significantly impacting jobs and livelihood of workers. According to the industry body, demonetisation might lead to deflation and slowdown in the economy in the near term and might also hurt GDP growth. In some of the sectors like construction and real estate, handicrafts, textiles, leather, domestic tourism and agricultural labourers, the impact of job loss was felt to the extent of 60-65%, Rawat added. FDI in retail is a very small thing compared to demonetisation. Cash retail has been immensely impacted. People are thinking twice before spending. I think the situation would change at least after two quarters, said Girish Vanvari, partner and head of tax at KPMG in India. Micro, small and medium players have been hit the hardest. As demand went down and the inflow of ready cash reduced, many had to retrench workers and business has come to a near standstill. The impact of FDI in retail is curtailed to a certain set of sectors, but demonetisation has affected every sector perceivable. The challenge in front of MSMEs today is when and how the demand would revive again, which has been hit the hardest. What would be the demand in the market? How would the re-monetisation happen? These are the questions which are in front of us today, said Anil Bhardwaj, secretary-general of the Federation of Indian Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises. However, supporters of the move argue that FDI in retail is more of an immediate threat. We all know the goods and services tax is on the cards. In GST regime, the whole process of payments is on the basis of digital money. Sooner or later, wed all have to start making payments digitally. FDI in retail was an immediate threat to us. We still had some breathing time during demonetisation to change the way we were doing business. In retail FDI, the way they would do business we would not stand a chance, said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary-general, Confederation of All India Traders). Photograph: Reuters. 'Disturbingly, the dissenting judgment of the Supreme Court has raised doubts whether religion, race, caste, community, language etc can be separated from politics at all.' 'It has rightly underlined that this question should to be addressed by Parliament rather than the Supreme Court,' says Dr Madhav Godbole, the distinguished civil servant who resigned as Union home secretary after the Babri Masjid demolition. The Supreme Court decision on January 2 on the interpretation of Section 123 (3) of the Representation of the People Act (R P Act) forbidding seeking of votes in the name of religion, race, caste, community or language has made a candidate liable to the risk of being guilty of electoral corrupt practice. Several political parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress have welcomed it. But, looking to the experience so far, the question is whether the judgment is going to make any real difference to the political life of the country. Though the Supreme Court has declared secularism as a part of the basic structure of the Constitution, it has continued to languish in terms of its operationalisation. No other feature of the basic structure has been neglected so blatantly. To give just one example, not even a show cause notice has been issued by the Election Commission of India to any political party for contravening the commitment to abide by the tenets of secularism, leave aside taking steps for cancellation of its registration. It is important to note that the judgment is not unanimous and is based on a slender majority of 4:3. Attention needs to be invited to the very weighty points raised in the dissenting judgment. The issues raised therein cannot be brushed aside and are bound to come up whenever Parliament decides to go for the revision of the R P Act and attempts suitable Constitutional amendments. The question of separation of religion from politics was identified as a critical issue for the political life of the country way back in 1948, even before the Constitution was promulgated. The resolution on the subject moved by Ananthsayanam Ayyangar was nearly unanimously adopted by the Constituent Assembly (Legislative), barring the single dissenting vote by Ishaq Seth. It is a travesty that though nearly 70 years have elapsed, India is still struggling with the question of translating it into a reality. During this period, repeated observations of the Supreme Court have highlighted how it is helpless in doing justice in the appeals in election cases filed before it as there is no law separating religion from politics. P B Gajendragadkar, the then Chief Justice, speaking for the Supreme Court in Kultar Singh versus Mukhtiar Singh (AIR 1980, SC 354) had, inter alia, observed that, 'there are several [political] parties in this country which subscribe to different political and economic ideologies, but their membership is confined to, or predominantly held by, members of particular communities or religions. So long as the law does not prohibit the formation of such parties and in fact recognises them for the purpose of election and parliamentary life, it would be necessary to remember that an appeal made by such candidates of such parties for votes may, if successful, lead to their election and in an indirect way, may conceivably be influence by considerations of religion, race, caste, community or language.' 'This infirmity cannot perhaps be avoided so long as parties are allowed to function and are recognised, though their composition may be predominantly based on membership of particular communities or religion.' In Dr Ramesh Yeshwant Prabhoo verus Prabhakar Kashinath Kunte (AIR 1996, SC 1113), which is known as the Hindutva case, the court held that the term 'Hindutva' is related more to the way of life of the people in the sub-continent. 'It is difficult to say that the term 'Hindutva' or Hinduism, per se, in the abstract, can be assumed to mean and be equated with narrow fundamentalist Hindu religious bigotry or be construed to fall within the prohibition in sub section (3) and /or (3A) of section 123 of the R P Act...' 'The word Hindutva is used and understood as a synonym of 'Indianisation' i.e. development of uniform culture by obliterating the differences between all cultures co-existing in the country.' I had highlighted in my book Good Governance Never on India's Radar (Rupa & Co, 2014, page 158) that, this will evoke fears of obliterating the religious and cultural identities of the minorities in the country. Equally difficult to understand is the logic of the court in its assertion that a mere statement that the first Hindu state will be established in Maharashtra is by itself not an appeal for votes on the ground of his religion, but the expression, at best, of such a hope. The fact that all these election petitions were based on the speeches made by leaders of the Shiv Sena and the BJP, whose political ideology is based on the furtherance of Hindu religion at any cost, also has an important bearing on the issues at hand. Rajeev Dhawan, senior advocate, has recalled how he had appealed the 1995 order the same year, but the court had refused to reopen the judgment except for any problems in technical matters, in case they existed. 'So that judgment hangs over our heads as Hindutva hangs on our head, as it is a political platform.' Dhawan has also stated that 'Justice (J S Verma (who had delivered the 1995 judgment) too was apologetic about that judgment and said it had been misunderstood.' (The Indian Express, January 3, 2017) It was way back in 1996 that a three member bench of the Supreme Court in the Abhiram Singh case had directed that the issues arising out of the Hindutva case be placed before a larger bench of five judges at an early date so that all questions could be decided authoritatively and expeditiously. Later, in January 2014, a five judge bench referred this question to a larger seven judge bench. It is unfortunate that this issue has still remained undecided though the Hindutva judgement goes to the very crux of the problem of separation of religion and politics. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court judgment on January whas also sidestepped this issue. The inordinate delay in the decision on the Hindutva case underlines the need to ensure that the Supreme Court deals with crucial Constitutional questions expeditiously. This was also underlined by the question pertaining to the rampant misuse of the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, which was nothing less than a fraud on the Constitution, but was decided by the Court only in January 2007. The Swaran Singh Committee on constitutional reforms, whose recommendations led to the highly controversial 42nd Amendment of the Constitution during the Emergency, had highlighted the Supreme Court's importance as a Constitutional court. However, as it often happens, the baby was thrown out with the bath water and the question of ensuring that the Supreme Court discharges its functions as a Constitutional court speedily and effectively still remains to be addressed. Disturbingly, the dissenting judgment of the Supreme Court has raised doubts whether religion, race, caste, community, language etc. can be separated from politics at all. It has rightly underlined that this question should to be addressed by Parliament rather than the Supreme Court. Due to the unnerving memories of the Partition of the country and the poison of communalism which has continued to afflict the country to this day, separation of religion from politics is a matter of serious and urgent concern. Such an effort was made in 1993 after the demolition of the Babri Masjid by frenzied mobs. But the Constitution Amendment bill and the bill to amend the R P Act failed to get support in Parliament. This was largely due to the failure of the government in building a political consensus on the subject before introduction of the bills. It was also due to the fact that the scope of the bills included not just the separation of religion from politics, but also to bring in their ambit race, caste community, language etc. The government should have desisted from excessively widening the field of legislation, as many of the concerns pertaining to race, community, caste, language are already addressed in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. If necessary, that Act could have been amended suitably. The thrust of the 1993 amendments ought to have been restricted to eliminating the association between religion and politics. Other concerns could also be partly dealt with by amending the election law and laying down that a candidate would have to get minimum 50 per cent plus one vote to win an election to a legislature or Parliament. This would impel the candidates to make an appeal to broader segments of their constituencies. The issues involved are highly controversial and emotive. Any legislative and other steps taken by the government are likely to be challenged in the court leading to endless litigation. Considerable precious time has already been lost. I would therefore suggest that the President of India (central government) should seek an advisory opinion of the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution without any loss of time. Dr Madhav Godbole is a former Union home secretary and secretary, justice. His latest book, Secularism -- India At A Crossroads, was published in 2016. Instead of ramming through change, the defence minister has tied his own hands by placing reform at the mercy of numerous committees, says Ajai Shukla. The military has started 2017 with a fresh slate on several fronts. The army and the air force both have new chiefs, an opportunity for fresh ideas and approaches. There is hope that the military could soon get its first tri-service commander, creating badly needed synergy between the army, navy and air force. Across the border, Pakistan, too, has a new army chief who seems less inclined to grandstand, and appears to understand that tensions with India distract his military from more urgent priorities. Looking further out, as a new US President, Donald Trump, outlines his policies towards Russia and China, New Delhi will have to tack to new headwinds from that Great Power triangle. It might be useful, therefore, to start the new year by taking stock of where our 1.6 million strong military stands. After completing over half its tenure in power, the avowedly nationalistic Bharatiya Janata Party-led government has made only limited headway in steering the military to the sunlit uplands it had promised. In his election manifesto of 2014, then prime ministerial hopeful Narendra Modi had accused the United Progressive Alliance of 'surrendering India's interests' in seven major areas: 'Intrusions (by the Chinese) inside the LAC (Line of Actual Control), loss of squadrons of combat aircraft by the air force, witnessing of a series of accidents by the navy, leading to a loss in its combating (sic) capability built over many decades, communal riots, Maoist attacks, increase in incidence of Pakistan-backed terror groups in India, and illegal immigration across the eastern border.' An honest appraisal would conclude that many of these remain serious concerns. The BJP manifesto had promised specific measures to strengthen external defence. The important ones included: a. Reforming defence equipment procurement, support services and organisational functioning; b. Modernising the armed forces by fast-tracking defence procurement; and increasing research and development spending to develop indigenous technologies; c. Addressing manpower shortages (which actually exist only at the officer level), including by making Short Service Commission more attractive; d. Ensuring the military plays a larger role in defence ministry decision making; e. Dealing firmly with cross-border terrorism, including by improved border management; f. Improving military justice, by reforming Armed Forces Tribunals and minimising government appeals against adverse court verdicts. Let us start with the positives. The government has delivered on high-visibility, populist measures, like One Rank, One Pension (OROP), and the sanction of a National War Memorial in New Delhi. Both these were emotive demands, amplified through a vocal ex-servicemen community. The grant of OROP has not satisfied everyone, but most veterans welcome it. In contrast, the Seventh Central Pay Commission has angered serving and retired soldiers, sailors and airmen, and threatens to undo the political gains of OROP. There is also frustration over insensitive government measures like the slashing of disability pensions (now being reviewed), and the erosion of military status compared to civilian officials. Consequently, the military community, which had regarded the BJP as an ally, is now more conditional in its support. Other positives are Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's admirable commitment to developing and building weapons and defence equipment in country, and the open relationship he fosters with private industrialists, large and small, who intend to spearhead this. His predecessor, A K Antony, was as committed to indigenisation, but was unwilling to sully his spotless reputation by contacts with grubby capitalists. Mr Parrikar's good intentions should have translated into enabling policy frameworks, something that he has repeatedly promised. However, his ministry officials are firmly wedded to the status quo. Mr Parrikar, unable or unwilling to bring them in line (is he being undermined from the Prime Minister's Office?), has delivered only half-hearted procurement and indigenisation reform. The long-delayed Defence Procurement Policy of 2016 (DPP-2016) has some innovation, such as the preferential procurement category of 'Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured,' which would distinguish truly 'Made in India' equipment from kit that actually has a foreign address to its intellectual property. Yet, DPP-2016 is by no means the crisp, result-oriented handbook that Mr Parrikar wanted to liberate procurement from cumbersome, dead procedure. Instead DPP-2016, like its predecessors from 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013, remains a weightlifter's tool and a bureaucrat's delight, filled with opportunities for delaying the acquisition of vitally needed equipment. Instead of ramming through change like the go-getter he is, Mr Parrikar has tied his own hands by placing reform at the mercy of numerous committees. First, the Dhirendra Singh committee, headed by a former government secretary, produced a 264-page report on defence procurement reform, including Mr Modi's slogan-of-the-moment, 'Make in India.' Then, to implement the committee's central recommendation on nominating private sector 'strategic partners' (SPs), who would be the automatic, go-to manufacturers in their various fields (aircraft, helicopters, warships, armoured vehicles, etc), the V K Aatre Task Force was set up. To this day, not a single SP has been created, even as foreign aerospace vendors such as Boeing and Saab wait bewildered, wondering when they will know which Indian company would be nominated SP for manufacturing aircraft in India. Instead, every project goes through a complex tendering process that inevitably means years of delay. Death by committee seems to be the fate of other badly needed measures too. Overall defence reform has been farmed out to the Lieutenant General D B Shekatkar committee. Expect another voluminous report that will gather dust. After jihadi militants leap-frogged perimeter security in attacking the Pathankot air base on New Year 2016, Lieutenant General Philip Campose headed a task force to examine perimeter defence in military encampments. Meanwhile, another committee under former home secretary Madhukar Gupta examined border management. It is not clear why! The Indian Army knows well how to defend a perimeter, or seal a border. The problem is lax implementation, something that requires stern enforcement, not a committee, to correct. Mr Parrikar must stop compiling reports and start preparing action plans that are restricted to bullet points on a single page. Most of the BJP's manifesto promises -- manpower issues, military justice reform, even indigenisation -- are inter-agency processes. Therefore, the government as a collective must be committed to change, and the PMO, to enforce it. If this does not happen in the second half of the BJP's term, the party will have compromised its national security credentials, and severely damaged Indian credibility as an emerging bulwark of Asian regional security. IMAGE: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar addresses a press conference in Panaji. Photograph: PTI Photo 'We owe our existence to the men in uniform, and we owe it to them to cleanse the armed forces by driving away every bit of corruption that eats into it,' argues Sudhir Bisht. IMAGE: Border Security Force jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav whose video sparked off a national debate on the conditions in the armed forces. I write this column with some trepidation as it is considered sacrilegious to question the integrity of any organ of the Indian armed forces -- military and paramilitary services. Is it not blasphemous of me to write about the corruption in the Indian armed forces just because BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav posted a video that says his unit has been serving him and his mates food that is very little and of poor quality? I write this column because if I stop writing due to the fear of being labelled anti-armed forces, then I will cease to be a writer. I believe that NOT questioning the wrongdoing in the armed forces is being anti-military. Not the other way round. Let me start by saying that I wish that Yadav had not posted the video. How I wish that Yadav had not felt the need to post the video. How I wish his BSF commandant had taken note of his complaints and Yadav's grievance had been addressed quickly and justly at the battalion level. On the other hand, it is good that this video came into the public space for it has given us an opportunity to see if all's well in our armed forces, especially in its supplies wings. I must admit here that Yadav's video has nothing to do directly with the Indian Army. I know the jawan belongs to the Border Security Force that reports to the ministry of home affairs. However, the fact is that the BSF in many parts of Kashmir works under the army's supervision and I want to take this opportunity to draw the attention of readers to the shortcomings that afflict the supplies side of the Indian Army. The situation at the BSF's logistics arm may be in very bad shape, but I want to point out that it is not as if all is hunky-dory in the army. As a writer it is my business to send out a warning when the danger isn't so imminent. Hence this piece, which is based on first-hand experience. I was transferred from Allahabad to Jammu in 1992 upon getting promoted from operations officer to assistant manager-sales. I then worked for the biggest oil company in India and in Jammu, my main non-retail customer was the Indian Army. My company had a near one hundred percent market share when it came to the top bulk customers/end users of petroleum products. The Indian Army, the Border Roads Organisation, the Indian Railways, the Central Reserve Police Force, the BSF were our captive customers. I was the youngest officer in the company's divisional office and was a keen learner. I realised very quickly that in my sales area (Jammu), the retail business didn't count for much if one hadn't earned one's spurs in the petroleum sales trade. The key to success was all about maintaining excellent relations with all the units of the Indian Army where my corporation supplied POL (petrol, oil and lubricants) products. My immediate boss and his boss kindly introduced me to the Army Services Corps echelons at the Northern Command headquarters at Udhampur. They explained to me that one of the key roles that I needed to play involved coordinating between our depot and the Northern Command headquarters during the annual winter stocking (AWS) period. AWS referred to those 120 days when my depot colleagues were tasked with the challenge of achieving targeted stockpile of POL products in army stores in the Ladakh and Kashmir divisions, which had its road access cut off for most part of the year due to snow. IMAGE: A screengrab from the video posted by the BSF jawan on YouTube. Even though I wasn't responsible for the sales function of Ladakh and Kashmir valley divisions I always felt a special pride in keeping an eye on the winter stocking movements. I was always ready with updates on the number of tank-trucks that were dispatched on a daily and cumulative basis to the far-flung depots. Just as there was a massive exercise to store POL products, there was an even bigger exercise to store food items for Ladakh and the Kashmir valley by the army. I visited the Northern Command headquarters several times and found great hustle and bustle there. Men in uniform and civilian suppliers were busy working in unison to achieve the common objective of stocking supplies of essential products in the limited period of 120 to 140 days. I used to visit the army's POL units, especially in Jammu division in sectors like Akhnoor, Rajouri, Poonch, Sambha and many others. There were depots where there were storage tanks and dispensing pumps. These depots were visited by many vehicles from smaller formations that came to collect their regular fuel quota. I found that at many a unit, the dispensing pump meters were malfunctioning and the fuel used to be measured by the drum. I distinctly remember that the receivers of the petroleum products always, almost always, used to haggle with the guy who was the issuer of the product. The common refrain used to be, 'Please fill up my jerry can/drum till this line... Why are you short filling?' I was somewhat disturbed by the utter lack of transparency among the army units on the transaction of POL products. Why couldn't the officer in charge of POL products at the battalion or platoon formation level ensure a better way of measuring the quantity of fuel dispensed? I stopped thinking about it after it dawned on me that if it was one unit of the army that was short-changing the other unit, the gains remained within the overall kitty of the Indian Army. But what I thought wasn't really right. There was more to it than met the eye. It took me several visits to realise that all wasn't as smooth as it appeared. I must point out here that my company had nothing to do with what transpired among the various army units. Our job was to ensure that the POL supplies reached the designated storage points on time and in full measure. It was when I started spending time at our depot that I realised that all was not so clean within the army's supplies wing. There were many truck drivers who were very happy to go to certain army units to drop off the fuel. I used to wonder why and started investigating in right earnest. I began by asking the truck drivers. "It is for the bottle of rum, sirji!" an old driver said, laughing. Later in the evening, I caught hold of the old man and as we sat down with a bottle of Old Monk at a local dhaba, he said, "Kakka (young boy), you are a very educated man. Someone was telling me that you are an engineer. What did you study in college?" "Chachaji, I studied management," I replied. "If you studied management then did you ever ask yourself a question?" "Which question, Chachaji?" "The question that how do two districts, Poonch and Rajouri, survive with just one petrol station? And that station sells only 1,000 litres of petrol and diesel in a day." "Do you know that there is not even one exclusive dealer for kerosene in Poonch district? The kerosene distributor from Rajouri fulfills the kerosene needs of Poonch district too. You management de puttar, you don't know who supplies all the petroleum products to the people in Rajouri and Poonch districts!" "It is our Indian Army. Without the army, the people would starve," he laughed. I immediately understood what he was hinting at. I never visited Poonch district since I didn't have any fuel station or kerosene dealer there. When I started visiting the interiors of Rajouri and Poonch districts. I found a number of shops had tiny underground dumps to store diesel and petrol. All of them drew their supplies, illegally, from the army units. The modus operandi was simple. The truck carrying POL from the oil company depot to the army unit would divert a part of the fuel to these private dumps. The money collected would then be split between the army unit and the civilian truck driver at the expense of the Indian Army. In return the army dump would supply short to the other units that came to draw its fuel quota. I later discovered that the story was the same for food supplies, for meat supplies and for vegetable supplies. The only saving grace was that the percentage of stealing wasn't alarming. The pilferage happened slowly but certainly. Was the corruption localised? Did it go up from the unit level to the command level? I don't think so, although 'I don't know' would be a better answer. It is quite possible that the stealing may have grown out of proportion now. I sympathise with BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav. He must have been at the last mile of a very rotten local line of logistics where someone stole half the ration truck and passed on the losses to his 29th Battalion in Poonch. I propound with full force at my command that there is a need to check corruption in the army. I too love the Indian Army and I know that most officers and jawans are incorruptible. They are our heroes and I know that we breathe freely because of our army, BSF and CRPF. We owe our existence to these men in uniform, but we owe it to them to cleanse the Indian defence services by driving away every bit of corruption that eats into it. At a time when a former air chief is being interrogated for accepting kickbacks and a BSF jawan is crying for want of adequate food, we need to investigate some of the arms of the armed Forces that carry such blemishes. Ordnance depots that get gutted in fires need more auditing and post-mortems. The canteen stores department is another division that may need more scrutiny. Military Engineering Services is another key division from where whispers of systematised corruption keep emanating. While I am sure that corruption may impact only a tiny fraction of the armed forces, I call for its total elimination to save these great institutions. Jai Hind! Sudhir Bisht, author and columnist, tweets at @sudhir_bisht It's good to see three experienced contenders for state superintendent of public instruction: incumbent Tony Evers; Lowell Holtz, the former Beloit School District superintendent; and John Humphries, above, a former Dodgeville School District administrator. However, if Humphries wants voters to take him seriously, he needs to revisit the $650-a-day consulting deal he made with his former employer. The consulting package raises questions about his commitment and his judgment, and he needs to address those questions quickly. PHOTO BY JOHN HART/STATE JOURNAL Setting the tone for Congress campaign in assembly polls in five states, party vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a no holds barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of instilling fear among people and wrecking the economy through demonetisation, while asserting that the Congress will unseat the Bharatiya Janata Party from power in 2019. A day-long national convention, called in the wake of demonetisation, saw top Congress leaders including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former finance minister P Chidambaram coming down hard on Modi. Singh cautioned people that worse is still to come. Squarely blaming the prime minister for undermining institutions like Reserve Bank of India, Election Commission and judiciary, the Congress vice president said the ruling dispensation has also created fear among the media which he felt was not being able to carry out its responsibility as a watchdog effectively. Billed as Jan Vedna Sammelan, the meet attended by Congress Working Committee members, Congress chief ministers, All India Congress Committee office bearers, members of Parliament, Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs and state leaders announced the second phase of protest action against note ban including gherao of RBI offices all over the country on January 18. A combative Gandhi, who was ridiculed by Modi some time back, gave back in kind mimicking him, especially his oft repeated mitron (friends) reference, alleging that the PM always tries to instill fear among the people. You look at BJPs policies. Their entire aim is to scare the people of the country. Fear terrorism, Maoism, demonetisation, scare the media. In two-three months, in the entire country, they have spread this fear, Gandhi said. Taking an apparent dig at Modi, Gandhi satirised a song, saying Aapka toh lagta hai bas yahi sapna, ram ram japna garibo kaa maal apna (It seems your only dream is to take away money from poor while chanting the name of Ram). He said, These people want to rule over the country by instilling fear. Congress will defeat these people and remove them from power. We do not hate them or have anger against them. But we will defeat their ideology. Gandhi also utilised the occasion to raise the issue of personal corruption against the prime minister, wondering as to why he was silent on the Sahara-Birla diaries despite the opposition raising questions. Chidambaram claimed there was no record of the Cabinet meeting of November 8 which, according to the government, had taken the demonetisation decision. Describing institutions like the RBI, the Election Commission and the judiciary as soul of India, Gandhi alleged that they are being undermined by the present government. "We respected RBIs independence. It is the financial bedrock of India and now it is being ridiculed. People in the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and the BJP are under the impression that nobody elses opinion matters but theirs, he said. Turning to the media, Gandhi said it might have shown him in poor light or written against him but he would never scare them or work against their interests. Taking a dig at Modi on yoga, Gandhi claimed that the prime minister cannot even perform padmasana, a cross-legged sitting position, and said a yoga teacher told him that those who cannot perform padmasana cannot do yoga. Taking the jibe further, Rajasthan Congress unit chief Sachin Pilot said the prime minister may not be able to perform padmasana but has made the entire country do shirsasan, a pose in which the performer stands on his head. It was an all-Rahul show where the Congress vice president presided over the convention as party chief Sonia Gandhi has been taking a back seat for quite some time. Rahul had presided over the partys foundation day function on December 28 last and two months back chaired a meeting of the CWC, the partys highest decision making body. He had also chaired a meeting of the general body of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the absence of Sonia, who was then said to be unwell, triggering speculation about his elevation. Congress insiders said Rahuls elevation as Congress president was just a matter of time. Gandhi, in his opening remarks, spoke about the note ban, insisting it was for the first time that Indias PM was being ridiculed world over for taking such an ill-conceived decision. "Never before every single economist of any repute said that prime minister has taken an ill-conceived decision," Rahul said, adding demonetisation was a personal decision of Modi. Referring to Modis 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign line that achhe din will come when the BJP was voted to power, Gandhi said only Congress return to the helm in 2019 will bring in good days. Gandhi kept up the suspense on the issue of alliance for Uttar Pradesh assembly election, cryptically remarking it will be an exciting affair. "Uttar Pradesh mein maza aayega (it will be an exciting affair), he said. Speaker after speaker at the convention, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, Kamal Nath, Ahmed Patel, Kapil Sibal, Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia attacked the prime minister. Sibal said a probe will be ordered on how much BJP benefitted from the demonetisation. Gujarat PCC Chief Bharat Singh Solanki said it was important for the Congress to defeat the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls in five states. Youth leader from Assam Sushmita Dev said demonetisation has created such a strange situation that the currency of Bhutan is being used in parts of North East. The convention also adopted a resolution condoling the death of 125 people in the wake of demonetisation which resulted in huge queues outside banks and ATMs, and demanded compensation for the families of the deceased. In another resolution, the party hailed Indira Gandhi in her birth centenary year and accused the National Democratic Alliance government of attempting to belittle her life and work. Congress will hold Jan Vedna conclaves across all states between January 20 and 25 and at district and block levels thereafter. ***** Forget 2019, Congress wont regain power even till 2090: Naidu Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi for his remarks about the Congress coming back to power at the Centre in 2019, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said the Congress vice president was daydreaming and wondered what achhe din meant for a party which was accused of scams, scandals and policy paralysis during its regime. I am surprised at the Congress vice-presidents claim of bringing achhe din in 2019. What is achhe din for the Congress? Scams, scandals, policy paralysis, inactivity, inertia, rising prices, undermining every institution etc. are the legacies of the Congress rule. Are these achhe din? Congress seems to be daydreaming about coming back to power in 2019. Forget 2019, it will not even be able to come back to power in 2090, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister said in a statement. Photograph: Subhav Shukla/PTI Photo Families of two Americans killed in terror attacks in Brussels and Paris have sued Twitter, accusing the micro-blogging site of being a tool and weapon of terrorism, a media report said. Alexander Pinczowski of New York was killed along with his sister Sascha Pinczowski in the Brussels terror attack in March last year. His wife Anne Cameron Cain accused Twitter of aiding and abetting Islamic State by acting as the terror groups communication, recruiting and marketing arm, New York Post reported. Cain has filed suit in federal court in Manhattan. The new lawsuit calls the social media giant a tool and a weapon of terrorism, the post reported. Islamic State has also used Twitters Direct Messaging capabilities for fundraising and operational purposes, the lawsuit said. Cain was joined in the Manhattan federal lawsuit by family members of Nohemi Gonzalez, a California woman who died in the 2015 Paris attack in which 130 people were killed. The conduct of Twitter was a direct, foreseeable and proximate cause of the wrongful deaths of Nohemi Gonzalez, Alexander Pinczowski, the lawsuit said. The families of Pinczowski and Gonzalez are seeking unspecified damages to be determined at trial. This is not the first time Twitter has been blamed for its use by terrorists. Legal action was initiated against Twitter, Facebook and Google following the Orlando nightclub shooting in June last year. Gonazalezs family had also filed lawsuit against Twitter, Google and Facebook last year in San Francisco. All of the lawsuits accuse Silicon Valley companies of not doing enough to stop terrorists from using its service to expand their reach. In August last year, Twitter indicated that it had closed some 360,000 accounts for promoting terrorism. Image: A soldier walks through debris after two explosion rocked a terminal building at Brussels Airport. Photograph: Jef Versele/Twitter The West Bengal CM also accused the PM of 'removing crucial files' related to demonetisation. Trinamool Congress member of Parliament Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday kicked up a row by saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have to return to Gujarat as a rat following the countrywide protests against the note ban, remarks that drew a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party. "In 2019 (Lok Sabha poll) you will be reduced to a rat. You will no longer be a lion. Narendra Modi ke Chuhar bachcha hoye Gujarat phire jete hobe (Modi will have to return to Gujarat as a rat), he said while addressing a meeting in front of the Reserve Bank of India office in Kolkata. Hours later, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has taken on Modi over demonetisation and is riled by the arrest of her two party MPs in the alleged RoseValley chit fund scam, also used the rat analogy to target the prime minister and the Central Bureau of Investigation. She said the prime minister was advertising a company whose 40 per cent shares were owned by a Chinese firm. "The PM has become salesman for a company 40 per cent of whose shares are owned by a blacklisted Chinese company, she said. Training her guns on the CBI for the arrest of TMC MPs Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Pal, she said, CBI is no longer an independent agency. It is Conspiracy Bureau of India. "They thought that TMC is made of soft clay which even rats can dig. We fight with tigers, we will not get scared by rats," she said. The West Bengal chief minister also accused the PM of removing crucial files related to demonetisation. She alleged that demonetisation was a ploy to transform white money into black and black money into white. "Crucial files are being removed by Narendra Modi and his office. We will get to know the magnitude of the scam only after Modi is ousted from office. This demonetisation is nothing but a ploy to change white money into black and black money into white, she told a rally outside the RBI office in Kolkata. Mamata urged the Reserve Bank of India authorities to stand up against the anti-people Modi government and reveal the amount of money provided to various states after high-value currency notes were taken off circulation. Claiming that the CBI was being used to victimise her party because it raised its voice against demonetisation, the Trinamool Congress chief accused the central investigating agency of using former employees of Saradha and Rose Valley chit fund companies to create back offices in order to come up with false evidence to implicate TMC leaders in the scam. The TMC has been staging a 72-hour sit-in outside the RBI office in Kolkata against demonetisation since January 9. "The RBI was kept in the dark about the decision. It should stand up against the Modi government and reveal the real reasons behind demonetisation. It should make public how much money has been pumped back into the economy and the amount of money states have received post demonetisation, Banerjee said. She alleged that only Modi and two-three of his associates were aware of the decision to scrap old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. Banerjee indirectly hit out at a section of industrialists and officials close to Modi, describing them as part of Modis team behind the demonetisation decision. She alleged that the Communist Party of India-Marxist had entered into a political match-fixing with the Bharatiya Janata Party as it was under the Left rule that the chit funds had mushroomed in the state. Banerjee also took a jibe at Modi's 56-inch chest saying that even Ravan, the mythological character in Ramayana, had a big chest. "In the two months since demonetisation, revenue earnings of the state (West Bengal) have gone down by 25 per cent. We have incurred a loss of Rs 5,500 crore in these two months, she claimed. Banerjee expressed surprise that while 92 per cent of the villages in the country did not have post offices, Modi was canvassing for a blacklisted company like Paytm. "Will people eat plastic cards or Paytm? Will they (Centre) decide what we will do and what we will not? she asked. Hitting back at TMC leaders for their remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it is lowest that politicians can stoop to and said it reflects their frustration over growing popularity of the prime minister and the BJP. I am shocked and depressed over the abusive language used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Trinamool Congress leaders. This is the lowest that politicians can stoop to. I hope their leadership realises their folly. This only reflects their frustration over the growing popularity of the prime minister and BJP, Naidu said in a statement in New Delhi. Reacting to Kalyan Banerjees comment, BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said in Kolkata the TMC MP was not mentally fit to be a member of Parliament. I really feel ashamed to think of him as an MP. He is not at all fit to be an MP. He should immediately resign from his post. He should visit a doctor and have a proper mental check up done as he has lost his mental balance, Sinha said. In front of thousands in his adoptive home town of Chicago, Barack Obama gave a rousing speech in which he asked citizens to be optimistic and hopeful of the American future. Here are highlights from the speech. (Read the full text of his speech here) IMAGE: US President Barack Obama acknowledges the crowd as he arrives to deliver his farewell address in Chicago, Illinois. Photograph: John Gress/Reuters Every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it Democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity; that we rise and fall as one In 10 days, our country'll witness hallmark of democracy, peaceful transition from one freely elected president to another America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started I committed to Trump that my administration would ensure a smooth transition. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society Here are the most important words in Obama's final speech Have lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10, 20,or even 30 years ago, no matter what folks say We are going to talk pass each other if we don't have the will to learn and understand that your opponent might have a fair point. We must invest in children of immigrants, because those brown kids, represent growing share of the workforce. Although Boston and Orlando remind us of how dangerous radicalisation can be,our law enforcement agencies are more effective than ever IS will be destroyed, no one who threatens America will ever be safe I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans We weaken ties when we write off whole system as inevitably corrupt and blame leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them Michelle, for the past twenty-five years, you have been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you (Michelle) as a role model. You've made me and the country proud To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton, you were first choice I made as a nominee, and it was the best. Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother I do have one final ask of you as your President, same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours My fellow Americans, it has been the honour of my life to serve you Thank you. God bless you. And may God continue to bless the United States of America The latest development comes a day after the BJP decided to support Nitish Kumar's human chain for prohibition next week. M I Khan reports from Patna. The bonhomie between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it appears, grows each day. A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party's Bihar unit supported Nitish Kumar's plans to organise the world's longest human chain on January 21 in support of prohibition in the state, the Bihar CM has decided not to attend Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel's rally in Gujarat against Modi and Gujarat's BJP government. Last month, Nitish Kumar had accepted Hardik Patel's invitation to address a rally in Saurashtra on January 28 in support of the Patidars' agitation against the Gujarat government, demanding reservation for Patidars or Patels in government jobs and colleges. Janata Dal-United leaders close to the Bihar chief minister say Nitish Kumar is giving the rally a miss because he will be busy campaigning for the assembly elections in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. "The party has informed Patel about it," a senior JD-U leader said. Hardik Patel, who led a massive agitation in Gujarat, spent months in jail after the state government filed several cases including sedition against him. Patel was released by a court last year on the condition that he would not enter Gujarat for six months. That ban ends on January 17. Nitish Kumar's decision to not address the rally is set to strengthen speculation in political circles of a growing proximity between him and Modi after the PM supported the Bihar CM's decision to impose prohibition when they met on January 5 at the Prakash Utsav. The prime ministerial praise was apparently meant to thank Nitish Kumar for his support of demonetisation at a time when Opposition leaders had slammed the Centre over the policy. Nitish Kumar was part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance for nearly 17 years. He was a Cabinet minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government. In 2005, Nitish Kumar formed the government in Bihar along with the BJP. In 2013, the JD-U parted ways with the BJP after it named Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The two leaders led a shrill campaign in the 2015 assembly election against each other. Nitish Kumar, in alliance with Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, easily defeated the BJP to form an JD-U-RJD-Congress government. IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Hardik Patel in Patna. United States President Barack Obama said goodbye to his nation in an emotional address enriched with wisdom and optimism, asserting that he would never give up on his vision for change and reminding Americans that they made him a better leader. IMAGE: US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle acknowledge the crowd after President Obama delivered a farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Photograph: John Gress/Reuters United States President Barack Obama asked Americans to unite and protect the countrys democracy which he said is being threatened by racism, inequality and a corrosive political environment as he made his farewell speech after eight years in the White House. Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are, Obama, 55, said in his address to the nation from his home town in Chicago. The 55-year-old outgoing president lamented that despite his historic election as the nations first black president in 2008, race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America. Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic, he acknowledged. Obamas presidency will come to an end on January 20 when Republican Donald Trump would be sworn in as the 45th President of the US. IMAGE: Barack Obama wipes away tears as he makes his speech. The US president received a hero's welcome i n Chicago. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Obama promised a peaceful transfer of power to Trump in the coming weeks. Without mentioning Trump, he used his speech to offer an implicit rebuttal to many of the contentious themes like temporary ban on Muslim immigration that characterised the 2016 presidential campaign. Obama said he rejects discrimination against Muslim Americans, and drew cheers for saying they are just as patriotic as we are. Ive worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firm legal footing. Thats why weve ended torture, worked to close Gitmo (Guantanamo), and reform our laws governing surveillance to protect privacy and civil liberties. Thats why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans, Obama said in his yet another inspiring speech. Thats why we cannot withdraw from global fights -- to expand democracy, and human rights, womens rights, and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights -- no matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem, he said. Obama warned his countrymen that American democracy is threatened whenever they take it for granted. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote, he said. IMAGE: 'My fellow Americans,' Obama said to cheers, 'Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well-wishes weve received over the past few weeks.' Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man'. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes, he added. And all of this depends on our participation; on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power swings, said the US president. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote, he said as he completed terms at the White House. When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes, he added. And all of this depends on our participation; on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power swings, said the US president. He also warned economic divisions have intensified racial divisions, particularly at a time when the growth of the nations Hispanic population continues. To be serious about race, Obama said laws to fight discrimination in hiring, housing, education and criminal justice must be upheld -- and hearts must change. But were not where we need to be. All of us have more work to do. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves, Obama said. IMAGE: US First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughter Malia embrace as President Barack Obama praises them during his farewell address. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters If we decline to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they dont look like us, we diminish the prospects of our own children -- because those brown kids will represent a larger share of Americas workforce, he warned. The economy doesnt have to be a zero-sum game, he said, adding that last year, incomes rose for all races, all age groups, for men and for women. For the fight against extremism and intolerance and sectarianism and chauvinism are of a piece with the fight against authoritarianism and nationalist aggression, he said adding if the scope of freedom and respect for the rule of law shrinks around the world, the likelihood of war within and between nations increases, and our own freedoms will eventually be threatened. He said no one can defeat America unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight. Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world -- unless we give up what we stand for, and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbours, he stressed. IMAGE: A demonstrator holds up a banner as President Barack Obama delivers a farewell speech to the nation. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images After successful eight years of his presidency, Obama said he is leaving this stage even more optimistic about this country than he was when started. By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was eight years ago when he took office, he told thousands of supporters. This generation coming up -- unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic -- Ive seen you in every corner of the country. You believe in a fair, just, inclusive America; you know that constant change has been Americas hallmark, something not to fear but to embrace, and you are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward. Youll soon outnumber any of us, and I believe as a result that the future is in good hands, Obama said. IMAGE: US President Barack Obama greets former press secretary Robert Gibbs and other people in the audience after his farewell address in Chicago. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Ultimately, thats what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when theres an election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If youre tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life. If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organising, Obama said. He insisted that change results when ordinary people get involved, get engaged and come together to demand it. He said global order based on rule of law, human rights, freedoms of speech, assembly and religion along with an independent press is now being challenged by violent fanatics and autocrats in foreign capitals. Because of the extraordinary courage of our men and women in uniform, and the intelligence officers, law enforcement and diplomats who support them, no foreign terrorist organisation has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years; and although Boston and Orlando remind us of how dangerous radicalisation can be, our law enforcement agencies are more effective and vigilant than ever, Obama said. IMAGE: Supporters listen to US President Barack Obama give his farewell speech at McCormick Place. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images Islamic State will be destroyed and no one who threatens America will ever be safe, he said. We have taken out tens of thousands of terrorists including Osama bin Laden. The global coalition we are leading against IS has taken out their leaders, and taken away about half their territory. To all who serve, it has been the honour of my lifetime to be your Commander-in-Chief, Obama said. Referring to how he successfully tackled the problem of climate change, Obama said, In just eight years, we have halved our dependence on foreign oil, doubled our renewable energy and led the world to an agreement that has the promise to save this planet. IMAGE: People display tickets at McCormick Place for President Barack Obama's speech. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images He warned that to deny the reality of global warming amounted to a betrayal of generations to come. He also used his address to thank his wife Michelle and daughters. WATCH: Obama breaks down mid-speech Russia cultivated and supported Donald Trump for years and has collected compromising information on his personal life and finances, multiple media reports said on Wednesday, even as the US President-elect dismissed the claims as a political witch hunt. The allegations were presented to Trump and outgoing President Barack Obama last week by the heads of four premier US intelligence agencies, including Federal Bureau of Investigation and Central Intelligence Agency, and were part of the report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump, however, replied with a tweet declaring: Fake news - a total political witch hunt! A senior US official with access to the document said that the allegations were presented at least in part to underscore that Russia appeared to have collected embarrassing information on both major candidates but released only material that might harm Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. This is a reflection of Russian motivation that bolstered US spy agencies conclusion that Moscow sought to help Trump win the presidential election, the daily said. The two-page synopsis further claimed that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, a CNN report said. Popular news website BuzzFeed reported that an explosive but unsubstantiated dossier, which alleged that Russia has been cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for years and gained compromising information about him, has been circulating among elected officials, intelligence agents, and journalists for weeks. BuzzFeed also released a copy of the 35-page report. The document was prepared for political opponents of Trump by a person who is understood to be a former British intelligence agent, the website said. Trumps attorney Michael Cohen told Mic Network that the allegations were absolutely false. Its so ridiculous on so many levels. Clearly, the person who created this did so from their imagination or did so hoping that the liberal media would run with this fake story for whatever rationale they might have, he said. The New York Times said the uncorroborated summary says that Russia had salacious information about Trump. It is based on memos generated by political operatives seeking to derail Trumps candidacy. Earlier, a declassified intelligence report released on Friday has concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign, that included hacking of Democratic party groups, in an effort to help Trumps electoral chances by discrediting Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign. 'If Putin likes Donald Trump, it is an asset not a liability. I hope I do get along with Putin, there's good chance I won't,' the President-elect said. IMAGE: President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in Trump Tower, Manhattan on wednesday. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters United States President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday night dismissed as nonsense the media claims that Russia has compromising information on him, saying the allegations may have been leaked by US intelligence agencies and it would be a tremendous blot on their record if they did that. "I think its a disgrace that information would be let out. I saw the information, I read the information outside of that meeting, Trump told reporters in his first formal press conference in six months. Referring to a dossier with allegations that Russia has compromising material on him, the President-elect said, Its all fake news. Its phony stuff. It didnt happen. He, however, acknowledged that Russia and some other countries were behind the hacking of Democratic Party computers. As far as hacking, I think it was Russia, but I also think weve been hacked by other countries, other people, he said addressing the crowded press conference nine days from his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States. The DNC (Democratic National Convention) was totally open to be hacked. They did a very poor job, he said, adding that attempts to hack the Republican National Committee were unsuccessful and they were unable to break through. A visibly composed Trump said his team is going to put some of the greatest computer minds together and put up a defence against hacking by foreign entities. The press conference came amid media reports that chiefs of American intelligence agencies had last week presented President Barack Obama and Trump with a summary of unsubstantiated reports that Russia had collected compromising and salacious personal information about Trump. Sick people, group of opponents have put them together. It shouldnt have entered paper, its an absolute disgrace, he said, referring to the allegations. Alluding to Moscows response on the leak of intelligence information, Trump said Putin and Russia said this was fake news. I respected the fact that he said that. If they had broken into RNC (Republican National Convention) they would have released it, he said. If Putin likes Donald Trump, it is an asset not a liability. I hope I do get along with Putin, theres good chance I wont, he said. Trump said his administration will come out with a major report on hacking within 90 days. Spat with CNN reporter Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Trump also got into a shouting match with a CNN reporter during his press conference and slammed the news network as fake news. Trump engaged in a war of words with the CNN reporter over the release of the dossier by BuzzFeed, which he termed as failing piece of garbage. With Trump looking to call on other reporters, CNN journalist Jim Acosta yelled out, Since you are attacking us, can you give us a question? Not you, Trump said, adding that, Your organisation is terrible! The reporter pressed on saying, You are attacking our news organisation, can you give us a chance to ask a question, sir? Trump countered by telling him dont be rude. I'm not going to give you a question, Trump responded. Im not going to give you a question. You are fake news! the President-elect asserted. The fact that BuzzFeed and CNN made the decision to run with this unsubstantiated claim is a sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks, he said. 'Greatest job producer God ever created' Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Asserting that he would be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created, Trump highlighted the new jobs he has been able to bring back to the country through private firms. Were going to create jobs. I said that I will be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created. And I mean that, Im going to work very hard on that, Trump said. We need certain amounts of other things, including a little bit of luck, but I think were going to do a real job. And Im very proud of what weve done, he said. Trump said a lot of car companies are going to be moving in. We have other companies -- big news is going to be announced over the next couple of weeks about companies that are getting building in the Midwest, he said. A day earlier, Fiat Chrysler announced to build another factory in the US as opposed to another country, he said. Ford just announced that they stopped plans for a billion dollar plant in Mexico and they are going to be moving into Michigan and expanding, very substantially, an existing plant, Trump said. I appreciate that from Ford. I appreciate it very much from Fiat Chrysler. I hope that General Motors will be following and I think they will be. I think a lot of people will be following. I think a lot of industries are going to be coming back, Trump claimed. The President-elect also emphasised on getting the drug industry back. Pharma, Trump said, has a lot of lobbies and a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power and there is very little bidding on drugs. Were the largest buyer of drugs in the world and yet we dont bid properly and were going to start bidding and were going to save billions of dollars over a period of time, he said. Trump claimed that his administration is working with other industries as well. On his business and 'conflict of interest' IMAGE: Trump smiles as he is applauded by his son Eric Trump, left, daughter Ivanka and son Donald Trump Jr, right. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters The President-elect said he had formally handed over complete control of his business empire to his two sons and they wont discuss its operations with him, in a move to avoid conflicts of interest once he assumes the office. My two sons -- Donald Jr and Eric -- are going to be running the company. They are going to be running it in a very professional manner. Theyre not going to discuss with me its operations, Trump, surrounded by his sons, daughter and son-in-law, said. I have signed documents turning over complete and total control to my sons, he said, before handing the stage to his lawyer Sheri Dillon. Dillon said Trumps assets will be transferred to a trust under the control of his sons before his inauguration and he will step down from his role as an executive at his company. His commercial real estate assets and licensing businesses will be placed into the trust, along with his cash holdings. She said Trumps business empire will undertake no foreign deals while he is US president, but underlined that he should not be expected to destroy the company he built. The trust agreement as directed by President Trump imposes severe restrictions on new deals. No new foreign deals will be made whatsoever during the duration of Trumps presidency, she said, adding that the group has terminated more than 30 pending deals in recent weeks. Trump said his organisations business will continue to pursue deals in the US. He disclosed that over the weekend he was offered $2 billion (Rs 13,400 crore) to do a number of deals in Dubai from an amazing man, a friend of mine but he turned it down even though he was not required to do so. I turned it down. I didnt have to turn it down. I could actually run my business and government at the same time. I dont like the way it looks. But I dont want to do that, he said. 'We will build that wall' IMAGE: Trump greets Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters He also said his administration will soon build a massive border wall with Mexico to keep out illegal migrants and claimed that the cost of constructing the controversial structure would be reimbursed by the southern neighbour. I dont feel like waiting a year or a-year-and-a-half to start building. Mexico in some form, in their many different forms, will reimburse us, Trump said. They will reimburse us for the cost of the wall. That will happen. Whether its a tax or if its a payment. Probably less likely that its a payment. But it will happen, Trump said. He continued, I want to get the wall started. Trump said he will not blame Mexican government for taking advantage of the US in the past. However, he said under his watch, things will change. The press conference comes nine days before Trump is set to be sworn in as the 45th president of the US and nearly a month after Trump canceled his last scheduled news conference. With nine days left before Trump's swearing-in, key members appointed by him to his cabinet are facing nomination hearings. There is intense scrutiny about how Trump will distance himself from his global business empire and avoid conflict of interests as leader of the most powerful country in the world. As the nation watched in shock as details of the shootings at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport unfolded on their screens, Onalaska resident Scott Davies was living the horror in person, just minutes away from boarding a flight with his family when gunshots rang out. Scott and Kristie Davies, daughter Ava, 4, and nephew Collin Schneider, 18, were returning from a cruise in the Gulf of Mexico and set to depart on a 1:05 p.m. flight to Minneapolis. As they approached the jet bridge to the plane, Things began to go crazy, Davies said. At about 1 p.m. Friday, Esteban Santiago opened fire near a baggage claim, killing five and wounding eight. Davies and family were in line around the corner, a mere 75 yards away from the stream of bullets. All of a sudden a wave of people came sprinting and screaming, so we started running towards the tarmac, Davies recounted. It was complete chaos I cant describe it any other way. Travelers were instructed to evacuate the airport, and the family waited on the runway before being cleared to enter the terminal after 30 minutes. As they sat on the ground with 1,500 others, a second round of really loud bangs went off. Everyone got up and sprinted back out of the airport again and back to the runway, Davies said. As we were out there police said over a vehicle loudspeaker that there were suspected multiple shooters in several terminals and the parking areas. We hid behind baggage cars (until we were) instructed to move up against the walls of the terminal structures and out of direct line to the parking structures. The information was very scattered. Another jarring noise caused panic for a third time, sending people running. As Davies carried daughter Ava away from the airport, he tripped over a piece of luggage, cutting his leg. Dozens of others were injured in the stampede. During and in the aftermath, we saw the best and worst in people, Davies shared. Some people were absolutely trampled, some pushed people and some were just phenomenal and helping each other. The family was among a group led by police into the private hangar of the Miami Dolphins, and within 10 minutes, SWAT, ambulances and Black Hawk helicopters arrived. For the first time in 2 hours I felt somewhat safe, Davies said. After having having their photos taken, IDs scanned and being questioned, they were given the opportunity to leave and joined the queue of frightened people exiting the premises. Both directions as far as your could see, people were in a line walking down this path, Davies said. Jumping in the first cab they could find, the family checked into the nearest hotel before finally finding a flight home Monday afternoon. While shaken, Davies sympathies are with those who were trapped in the core of the devastation. What we went through was horrible, but its nothing compared to the people in the vicinity of the shooter, Davies said. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. Amid dwindling donor support, one million displaced Somali refugees grow hopeless, UN agency warns Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 10 January 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Amid dwindling donor support, one million displaced Somali refugees grow hopeless, UN agency warns, 10 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5875eec940c.html [accessed 4 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. 10 January 2017 - More than one million Somali refugees who have been displaced from their homes for decades are becoming despondent as they continue to be unable to return home and donor support is growing fatigued, according to the United Nations refugee agency. "There is a growing sense of helplessness in the camps because people are feeling forgotten," said Mohamed Abdi Affey, the Special Envoy to the Somali refugee situation for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Somali refugee crisis is one of the longest-running in the world, with people who have been displaced for more than 20 years. Some one million live in camps throughout the Horn of Africa, while an additional 1.1 million are displaced within Somalia. "There has been some real progress in Somalia over the past few months, including the successful organization of elections inside the country," acknowledged the Special Envoy. "What's needed now is to build up infrastructures across the country so refugees do not suffer when they go back." UNHCR is backing a regional summit, led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Eastern Africa, which will take place in March to determine lasting solutions for Somali refugees. A proposed regional response would provide continued protection to 262,000 Somali refugees in a camp in Kenya that has been hosting people for more than 20 years. When a decision was made last year to close the camp, UNHCR lobbied the government with a new plan of action and successfully delayed its closure. After spending six years in Dadaab, Somali refugee Amal has decided to return to Somalia with her three-year-old twins Fawzan and Furad. Photo: UNHCR/Assadullah Nasrullah "Nobody wants to be a refugee forever. A regional solution is the most viable solution for the Somali situation," said Mr. Affey. Mr. Affey, who previously served as the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister in Kenya, spoke in Geneva yesterday following a visit to Somalia and to refugee camps in Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, where 905,060 Somalis live - some since the 1990s. He also visited Yemen last month, where refugees face increasingly desperate conditions in a country torn apart by war. Because of emergencies elsewhere - particularly in Syria and South Sudan - donors have been unable to continue their support. "Meanwhile, hunger is growing; meanwhile, frustration is growing; meanwhile, desperation is setting in and people are becoming angry," reported the Special Envoy. In addition to dwindling food rations, Mr. Affey said that the ongoing drought in East Africa has led to further complications, including limited access to education and skills training, especially for young people. "Refugees should be skilled enough, trained to prepare them for an eventual return so that they can participate in the reconstruction of their country. So that they don't go back after 30 years without skills - within the camps we must create these conditions and possibilities." UNHCR began supporting the voluntary return of Somali refugees from Kenya in 2014. Since then, a total of 39,316 have returned. However, Mr. Affey noted that security and socio-economic conditions in many parts of Somalia are not yet where they need to be in order to support large-scale returns. He appealed to the international community to strengthen efforts to build stability in a country that has suffered under more than two decades of armed conflict. Hundreds from western Mosul getting medical attention amid fight to retake Iraqi city Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 10 January 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Hundreds from western Mosul getting medical attention amid fight to retake Iraqi city, 10 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5875ef2740c.html [accessed 4 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. 10 January 2017 - Nearly 700 people have been moved to hospitals from the frontlines in Mosul, Iraq, as the United Nations and partners are working to scale up humanitarian efforts for thousands of people fleeing the fighting between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) and Iraqi forces. "Trauma casualty rates around the front lines are extremely high," Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told journalists in Geneva. The majority of people receiving medical attention have been brought in with gunshot wounds. In addition, about 135,500 people have been displaced as a result of the efforts to retake Mosul, with the figure spiking in the past 10 days, according to the latest situation report by the UN humanitarian arm. "The UN has increased access to the areas that had been retaken," Mr. Laerke said. He noted that given the "very high risk" of unexploded ordinance, however, aid workers have to wait until the areas are cleared before moving in. Much of the response is currently in the Government- and UN-managed camps to the south and the east of Mosul, where the majority of the displaced people are sheltering, added Mr. Laerke. The response there is focused on helping people sustain cold temperatures. Anecdotal reports from people who fled western Mosul suggests the ISIL has redirected fuel sources to its military, limiting the electricity available for people to heat their homes. Despite efforts, however, "there is no humanitarian access to ISIL-controlled areas of western Mosul," said Mr. Laerke, cautioning that the UN is "very concerned" for the safety, security and protection of the people there. "It is possible to count, record and assist those fleeing, but it is impossible to say how many remained there," the spokesperson said in reference to Mosul. For more than two months, most major trading routes into the western part of the city have essentially been sealed off, resulting in a "siege-like situation" where few goods are available. VIDEO:Mosul displacement: "One of the largest daily movements of people" registered on 2 January. Saudi Arabia steps up ruthless crackdown against human rights activists Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 10 January 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia steps up ruthless crackdown against human rights activists, 10 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5875efbaa.html [accessed 4 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. Saudi Arabia's authorities have begun the year with an intensified crackdown against human rights activists dealing another heavy blow to the last vestiges of the country's embattled civil society, said Amnesty International. A string of activists have been detained or appeared in court in recent weeks in connection with their peaceful human rights work signalling that the authorities plan to continue with their ruthless crackdown on peaceful dissent. Among those affected is an activist who faced charges for providing information to Amnesty International. "The latest string of arrests has sparked fears that 2017 will be yet another dark year for human rights in Saudi Arabia, as the authorities continue with their attempts to crush any semblance of a human rights movement in the country," said Lynn Maalouf, Deputy Director for Research at Amnesty International's Beirut Regional office. "Human rights activists in Saudi Arabia are an endangered species. One by one they are vanishing - prosecuted, jailed, intimidated into silence or forced into exile - highlighting the authorities' zero tolerance approach to freedom of expression." Today Abdulaziz al-Shubaily, a human rights defender and a founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), a now disbanded independent human rights organization, appeared before the Specialized Criminal Court which deals with counterterrorism cases. He was sentenced again to eight years in prison in connection with his human rights work. He had faced a number of different charges including "communicating with foreign organizations" and providing information to Amnesty International for use in two of its reports. Every other member of ACPRA has been prosecuted or jailed. On 8 January, Essam Koshak, a human rights defender,was summoned for interrogation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Mecca around 5pm local time. He immediately went to al-Mansour police station but was detained and never made it back home. Amnesty International has learned that Essam Koshak was not allowed to appoint a lawyer and is being questioned about his Twitter account, which he mainly used to tweet about human rights issues in Saudi Arabia. Just a few days earlier on 5 January Ahmed al-Mushaikhass, a founding member of the Adala Centre for Human Rights, an independent human rights organization which was not permitted to register in Saudi Arabia, received a phone call from the CID asking him to report to al-Qatif police station for questioning. On 8 January he was transferred to al-Dammam police station where he remains in custody. He has been under interrogation by the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution (BIP) since then. Ahmed al-Mushaikhass is a human rights defender known for his work including helping families and relatives of those detained in the Eastern Province to raise their cases with the authorities. His brother, Yussuf al-Mushaikhass, was sentenced to death in January 2016 after taking part in protests in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province and is at risk of being executed at any time. On 18 December Issa al-Nukheifi, a human rights activist and a member of ACPRA, was called for interrogation at the BIP in Mecca. He was questioned among other things about his tweets in support of Saudi Arabian human rights activists and other detainees. He is currently held in Mecca General Prison. He was previously jailed in connection with his human rights work in 2013 and served a three year prison term before being released in April 2016. After his release he continued to expose human rights violations in Saudi Arabia and was a thorn in the side of the authorities. "Saudi Arabia's relentless persecution of human rights defenders is a blatant campaign aimed at deterring them from speaking about the human rights situation in the country and working on behalf of victims of violations. Human rights activists who have been detained solely on account of their human rights work should be immediately and unconditionally released," said Lynn Maalouf. "Anyone who dares to speak out in defence of human rights in Saudi Arabia today is at risk. With no end in sight to this clampdown, it is more important than ever for Saudi Arabia's international allies to speak out against this rampant repression." Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International 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. North Korea: Celebrations Hide Human Rights Violations Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 5 January 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, North Korea: Celebrations Hide Human Rights Violations, 5 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5875f3ad4.html [accessed 4 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. January 8 celebrations planned for the 33rd birthday of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un only spotlight the daily reality of terrible human rights abuses North Koreans face, Human Rights Watch said today. The annual celebrations are filled with obligatory songs, dances, and praise for the Kim family's notoriously brutal rule. "Kim Jong-Un rules based on fear and repression, just like his father and grandfather, and no amount of birthday-related propaganda is going to change that fact," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director. "The suffering of the North Korean people needs to stop, and the best way for that to happen is to hold Kim Jong-Un and other senior leaders accountable for the abuses they have inflicted on the people." Kim Jong-Un's continued power depends on ensuring obedience, based on fear of the government and its security forces. In July 2016, Thae Yong-Ho, North Korea's former deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom, sought asylum in South Korea, citing Kim Jong-Un's "tyrannical rule of terror" and his treatment of North Koreans as slaves. North Koreans are frequently asked to do unpaid work for government offices, the ruling Workers Party of Korea, schools and universities, and state-own enterprises. North Koreans told Human Rights Watch virtually all North Koreans, including children, face demands for forced labor. During the five years of his rule, Kim Jong-Un has tightened controls of the people through its borders, increased efforts to restrict expression and prevent outside information from entering the country, and increased its use of pervasive forced labor to sustain the North Korean economy. North Koreans who escaped the country between 2013 and 2015, or who have current contacts in North Korea, tell Human Rights Watch that although market crackdowns decreased and the economy opened to China, illegal border crossing has become almost impossible, corrupt practices have become normalized, and government demands for unpaid labor are on the rise. In his New Year's speech for 2017, Kim Jong-Un stated, "As I am standing here to proclaim the beginning of another year, I feel a surge of anxiety about what I should do to hold our people in greater reverence" He added, "I am hardening my resolve to seek more tasks for the sake of the people this year and make redoubled, devoted efforts to this end." "If Kim Jong-Un intends to fulfill his pledges, he should end his government's predatory policies that rely on intimidating, extorting, and abusing the North Korean people, and systematically suppressing all basic rights," Robertson said. When Kim Jong-Un first took power in December 2011, some observers expressed the view that a young leader, educated in Europe, could possibly reform North Korea. Those hopes have been dashed by the deepening repression under his rule. In February 2014, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) report on human rights in North Korea found that systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations were committed "pursuant to policies at the highest level of the state." Abuses included murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortion, and other forms of sexual violence, which constituted crimes against humanity. The COI, as well as the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly, recommended the UN Security Council to take action to bring accountability, possibly by referring North Korean leaders to the International Criminal Court (ICC). In line with this call, Kim Jong-Un could face a future referral to the ICC for rights crimes he has presided over during his rule. In December 2016, the Security Council took up, for the third year in a row, human rights abuses in North Korea as a threat to international peace and security. The General Assembly passed a resolution condemning North Korea's rights records by consensus. "The international community has a responsibility to help the North Korean people by stopping Kim Jong-Un's continued brutality and repression," Robertson said. "Pursuing accountability for rights abuses is really the only way forward to achieve justice for the victims of crimes against humanity committed by the North Korean government." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the deterioration of the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the recent situation in Aleppo Publisher UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Publication Date 21 October 2016 Cite as UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the deterioration of the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the recent situation in Aleppo, 21 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58762daa4.html [accessed 4 November 2022] Distinguished Vice-Presidents of the Council, Distinguished Chair of the International Commission of Inquiry, Excellencies, Once again, this Council has been called to discuss the disgraceful human rights crisis in Syria. The violations and abuses suffered by people across the country, including the siege and bombardment of eastern Aleppo, are not simply tragedies; they also constitute crimes of historic proportions. Well over 300,000 Syrians have been killed, and countless others wounded and traumatised in the course of this civil war - now also a proxy conflict, fuelled by cynical regional and international interests. Tens of thousands of people have been abducted, summarily executed or arbitrarily detained and tortured. Broken, uprooted and displaced families now number well over half the Syrian population. Hospitals, schools, marketplaces, water facilities and neighbourhood bakeries have been deliberately and repeatedly attacked. Millions are routinely denied life-saving aid. And the attack last month on a humanitarian aid convoy took these pervasive violations of international law to a new low of barbarity. The ancient city of Aleppo, a place of millennial civility and beauty, is today a slaughterhouse - a gruesome locus of pain and fear, where the lifeless bodies of small children are trapped under streets of rubble and pregnant women deliberately bombed. As we speak, hundreds of thousands of people are trapped in 17 other besieged locations, and face life-threatening shortages of food, medicine, and basic supplies. In Deir ez-Zour, Hama, Rural Damascus and many other locations, civilians are suffering acutely in the context of ongoing fighting. The collective failure of the international community to protect civilians and halt this bloodshed should haunt every one of us. Not only does it violate every norm of human rights, to our dishonour; its costs will be borne by our children, and future generations. Forces unleashed by the Syrian conflict have metastasised extremism across the region and beyond. Terrorist attacks linked to the crisis have struck around the world. My staff and the staff of the Commission have documented violations of international humanitarian law by all parties in Aleppo. Armed opposition groups continue to fire mortars and other projectiles into civilian neighbourhoods of western Aleppo, but indiscriminate airstrikes across the eastern part of the city by Government forces and their allies are responsible for the overwhelming majority of civilian casualties. These violations constitute war crimes. And if knowingly committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against civilians, they constitute crimes against humanity. Responsibility for halting the Syrian crisis rests primarily with the Security Council, but not exclusively, so the General Assembly may also have a role. In the course of today's deliberations, I urge members of the Human Rights Council to cast aside political disagreements and focus exclusively on the women, men and children whose suffering cries out for our help. No hypothetical advantage in global gamesmanship could possibly outweigh this pain and horror. All of us owe it to the people of Aleppo to find a way to achieve consensus on principled action. I urge you to call on the Security Council to set aside rivalries and act as one, in accordance with international security and peace. Influence must be used to advance a political solution to the conflict. Flows of arms and equipment to the parties to the conflict must cease. And the situation should be urgently referred to the International Criminal Court. Every party to this conflict must know that they will be held accountable for the international crimes they commit - all, without selective protection or discrimination. In Aleppo, there must be an immediate, prolonged and all-encompassing ceasefire to enable the passage of humanitarian relief to all in need - impartially and unconditionally. All parties must provide assistance and free passage for all civilians wishing to flee, without any form of reprisal - including passage across international borders. It should also be clear that they retain the right to return to their city - and that civilians who choose to remain in Aleppo must also be protected, under international humanitarian law. Lastly, the tireless work of the Commission of Inquiry, which honours this Council, demands support from all of us. Both my staff and the Commission require access to witnesses, including refugees, to perform our mandates. I urge you to refrain from making this work a pawn of political rancour. Excellencies, in this, the defining human rights crisis of our era, let us speak with one voice, for human life and human rights. - See more at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=20723&LangID=E#sthash.Ff594gFz.dpuf Kazakhstan: Trade Union Shut Down Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 10 January 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Kazakhstan: Trade Union Shut Down, 10 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/587633094.html [accessed 4 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. An economic court in Kazakhstan on January 4, 2017, ordered the permanent closure of an independent trade union body, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Kazakhstan, Human Rights Watch said today. The ruling is an egregious violation of the freedom of association and should be quashed. "By shutting down this trade union organization the authorities have taken a worrying step backwards" said Hugh Williamson , Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Kazakhstan has made an international commitment to protect freedom of association, but this decision does the opposite" An economic court in Shymkent, in southern Kazakhstan, held a hearing on January 4 to review a case filed by the Justice Ministry on December 5, 2016, against the confederation. The court did not allow the confederation to present its case and ruled the same day. Three other affiliated industrial unions, representing medical workers, domestic workers and mine workers, are at risk of liquidation in a related legal action by the ministry. The Justice Ministry accused the confederation of failing to confirm its status as a national union within six months of its registration in accordance with a 2014 restrictive trade union law. The law imposes burdensome registration requirements on trade unions that do not respect internationally protected workers' rights to organize. A defence lawyer told Human Rights Watch that the court had previously rejected a union request to postpone the hearing to allow sufficient time to prepare, and denied all motions by the union, such as to question witnesses, that would have given it the opportunity to present its case. Larisa Kharkova, the confederation president, told Human Rights Watch that the way the hearing was conducted underscored that the judiciary had no interest in hearing the trade union's case. "It was a deliberate liquidation where a judge was instructed to shut us down," she said. "All procedural norms were forgotten." The judge made no reference in the hearing or the ruling to the right to organize or to basic international trade union protections. It effectively ignored Kazakhstan's legal obligations to respect such international standards. 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 that their applications were returned on technical grounds, such as for minor inconsistencies in translation, as they tried to comply with registration requirements. Separately on January 9, authorities opened a criminal case against Kharkova on charges of embezzlement from the confederation, searched her home and confiscated her computer, her lawyer said. Police officers threatened to take further action against Kharkova unless she steps down as confederation president. The union views the case against Kharkova as an act of intimidation to deter the union from appealing the decision to shut it down. The union has not yet appealed because of concerns that Kharkova, her family or the union will suffer further retaliation. The authorities should immediately provide credible evidence to support the embezzlement charges or drop them, end this harassment of independent trade union activists, and allow trade unions to register and function in line with international protections and standards, Human Rights Watch said. Kazakhstan's key economic partners, including the European Union, its member states, and the United States should press the government to quash the liquidation and uphold its international obligations to respect basic workers' rights. "If Kazakhstan wants to fulfill its global ambitions, also as an international investment hub, it should start by upholding international labor standards," Williamson said. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Saudi Arabia: 2 Rights Advocates Arrested Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 11 January 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Saudi Arabia: 2 Rights Advocates Arrested, 11 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/587633694.html [accessed 4 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. Saudi authorities have arrested two independent human rights advocates, most likely because of their peaceful activities, Human Rights Watch said today. The arrests of Essam Koshak, 45, and Ahmed al-Musheikhis, 46, are the latest in Saudi Arabia's ongoing repression campaign against peaceful activists, reformers, journalists, and writers. Saudi authorities also recently banned Jamal Khashoggi, one of the country's most prominent journalists, from publishing any of his writings in the country. The Saudi authorities usually try such activists in flawed trials and sentence them to lengthy jail terms on vague charges related to the peaceful exercise of free expression. Saudi authorities should disclose the reasons for the detention of Koshak and al-Musheikhis and, in the absence of any recognizable crime, should release them immediately, Human Rights Watch said. "Arrests of peaceful advocates show that Saudi Arabia has no intention of allowing the best and brightest of Saudi citizens to express reform-oriented opinions or of moving the country toward tolerance and progress," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "King Salman should put an end to this sustained assault on free expression, free all peaceful activists and writers, and allow them to contribute to the much-needed advancement of the country." Koshak is an independent activist and computer engineer who has used social media sites such as Twitter to push for human rights in Saudi Arabia, including highlighting the repression of peaceful activists and dissidents and advocating their release. Local activists told Human Rights Watch that on January 8, 2017, Saudi Arabia's Criminal Investigation Department summoned Koshak to a police station in Mecca's Mansour neighborhood for questioning, without giving a reason, and detained him when he arrived. He is in Mecca General Prison. The activists said on January 10 that authorities have not allowed Koshak to appoint a lawyer and extended his detention for four days. Al-Musheikhis is a founding member of the Adala Center for Human Rights, based in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. He has advocated the release of political dissidents and human rights defenders imprisoned solely for their peaceful advocacy and pushed for criminal justice reform. He has also campaigned for fair treatment of Saudi Shia citizens detained since 2011 over protests calling for an end to government discrimination against the country's Shia minority. The local activists said that police in the Eastern Province town of Qatif summoned al-Musheikhis on January 5, without giving a reason and detained him when he arrived. They later transferred him to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution in Dammam for investigation. He is in Dammam General Prison. "These men should be regarded as the champions of the Saudi Arabia the whole world wants to see, not treated like outlaws," Whitson said. While Saudi authorities have not disclosed the reasons for the detentions, they fit a pattern of ongoing repression against peaceful advocates and dissidents, including harassment, intimidation, smear campaigns, travel bans, detention, and prosecution. The ban on Khashoggi was imposed in November 2016, after he criticized Donald Trump at a presentation in Washington, DC, on November 10. On November 18, the Saudi Press Agency stated that Khashoggi does not represent the government of Saudi Arabia. Saudi courts have convicted at least 25 prominent activists and dissidents since 2011. Many faced sentences as long as 10 or 15 years and most faced broad, catch-all charges designed to criminalize peaceful dissent, such as "breaking allegiance with the ruler," "sowing discord," "inciting public opinion," "setting up an unlicensed organization," and vague provisions from the 2007 cybercrime law. Since 2014, Saudi authorities have tried nearly all peaceful dissidents in the Specialized Criminal Court, Saudi Arabia's terrorism tribunal. Authorities have arrested and prosecuted nearly all activists associated with the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), one of Saudi Arabia's first civic organizations, which called for broad political reform in interpretations of Islamic law. A Saudi court formally dissolved and banned the group in March 2013. The members faced similar vague charges, including disparaging and insulting judicial authorities, inciting public opinion, insulting religious leaders, participating in setting up an unlicensed organization, and violating the cybercrime law. Saudi activists and dissidents currently serving long prison terms based solely on their peaceful activism include Waleed Abu al-Khair, Mohammed al-Qahtani, Abdullah al-Hamid, Fadhil al-Manasif, Sulaiman al-Rashoodi, Abdulkareem al-Khodr, Fowzan al-Harbi, Saleh al-Ashwan, Abdulrahman al-Hamid, Zuhair Kutbi, and Alaa Brinji. Saudi authorities arrested another activist, Issa al-Nukhiri, in December 2016, and he may face trial. Others, including Abdulaziz al-Shubaily and Issa al-Hamid, are free while appealing long sentences handed down by the Specialized Criminal Court in 2016. Mohammed al-Oteibi and Abdullah Attawi are currently on trial for forming a human rights organization in 2013. The Arab Charter on Human Rights, which Saudi Arabia has ratified, guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression in Article 32. The United Nations General Assembly's Declaration on the Rights of Human Rights Defenders states that everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to "impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms." "Outlandish sentences against peaceful activists and dissidents demonstrate Saudi Arabia's complete intolerance toward citizens who speak out for human rights and reform," Whitson said. "Saudi Arabia shouldn't be sending people to prison for their peaceful opinions, and these cases certainly have no business in a terrorism court." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Sri Lanka: Adopt Task Force's Justice Proposals Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 11 January 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Sri Lanka: Adopt Task Force's Justice Proposals , 11 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58763431e2.html [accessed 4 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. Sri Lanka's government should promptly implement recommendations on transitional justice proposed by the Consultation Task Force (CTF) in a report released on January 3, 2017, Human Rights Watch said today. The report reflects the first broad survey of Sri Lankan citizens on their aspirations for truth and justice, as called for by the October 2015 resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Key among the task force's recommendations is the creation of a war crimes court comprised of both international and national judges and other officials, with no time limit on its jurisdiction. Support for this court included ethnic Sinhalese, whose population suffered thousands of enforced disappearances three decades ago for which there has been no accountability. The task force also recommended a countrywide response to disappearances, financial and symbolic reparations, a constitutional and political settlement, resolution of longstanding land disputes, and attention to psychosocial needs. "The task force report is remarkably comprehensive and clear in setting out the concerns and needs expressed by Sri Lankans across all communities on the transitional justice process," said Brad Adams, Asia director. "The government should now own the report's recommendations and set out a framework for putting them into action, in line with its pledges at the Human Rights Council." The Consultation Task Force was formally appointed in February 2016, and began receiving submissions in April 2016 on the proposed mechanisms outlined in Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1, in which the government promised to deliver justice, accountability, and reconciliation in the aftermath of Sri Lanka's 26-year-long civil war. The task force, aided by civil society representatives, received 7,306 submissions from the Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and other communities, as well as the security services during the course of their hearings. The CTF concluded its consultations in August 2016. The task force reported that there had been no government interference or attempts to impede their work, and that the report reflected the views of all 11 members. In a news conference held after the report's release, CTF members noted that concerns about justice and accountability were raised both in the country's north and south by many in all communities. Sri Lankan governments have avoided addressing wartime accountability despite credible reports of thousands of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, torture, and sexual violence committed by both government forces and the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). A new government, elected in January 2015, undertook a more conciliatory approach to domestic and international efforts to address the matter, and in October 2015 agreed at the Human Rights Council to establish at least four mechanisms on transitional justice, of which the consultations were part. Sri Lanka is on the March 2017 agenda of the Human Rights Council, where High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein is expected to report on Sri Lanka's compliance with the resolution. This will include the government's willingness to promptly implement the CTF report recommendations. However, the immediate response by senior officials has been disappointing. Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne both separately ruled out the participation of foreign nationals on the special court, while Finance Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said that President Maithripala Sirisena rejected the inclusion of foreign judges and would not allow the government to prosecute "war heroes." The cabinet spokesperson claimed that Al Hussein had agreed that there should be no foreign involvement in the court during a previous meeting a claim that Al Hussein himself immediately rejected. The report recommendations also contain important confidence-building measures that the government could adopt immediately. These include a robust victim-witness protection law, meaningful outreach by the government across all communities, symbolic gestures to allow public grieving and memorialization, and a minority rights commission. "The Sri Lankan government took the bold step of agreeing to a multi-ethnic task force for broad consultations on transitional justice," Adams said. "Now that the task force has listened to the country, it's crucial that the government doesn't drop its key recommendations. The government should recognize that its commitments were not only to concerned governments in Geneva, but to its own citizens seeking justice and reconciliation after a terrible war." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Afghanistan now a 'continual emergency', as war drives record numbers from their homes Publisher IRIN Author Bilal Sarwary Publication Date 10 January 2017 Cite as IRIN, Afghanistan now a 'continual emergency', as war drives record numbers from their homes, 10 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5876387e4.html [accessed 4 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. Bibi Mariam was milking her cow when it suddenly let out a wild howl and collapsed in a pool of blood. The so-called Islamic State and the Taliban were fighting near her village in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province. The stray bullet that killed her cow finally convinced Mariam to flee - joining a record number of Afghans displaced by conflict. "It could have hit me or any of my children," Mariam said at her family's new makeshift home, a small tent in a displacement camp near the provincial capital of Jalalabad. Mariam is one of more than 623,345 internally displaced persons who fled conflict in Afghanistan in 2016 - an unprecedented amount, according to the UN's emergency aid coordination body, OCHA. "The staggering numbers also confirm a worrying trend: Afghanistan is experiencing significant, year-on-year increases in the number of families driven from their homes," said Danielle Moylan, a spokeswoman from OCHA. "The numbers of IDPs in 2016 are three-fold that recorded in 2014, and six times more than recorded in 2012." Based on current trends, the UN predicts that in 2017 at least 450,000 more people will join those already internally displaced. On top of that, Afghanistan struggles to support many of the 616,620 people pushed back from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan last year. Pakistan has warned that it will begin forcibly deporting Afghans who have not left voluntarily by March, and the UN expects about a million more, many of whom have no homes to return to. "The constant stream of displaced families means that a state of continual emergency has become the norm in Afghanistan," said Moylan. 'No future' Many of those displaced are leaving their homes for the first time, and they are forced to live in temporary camps where they struggle for survival. Mariam had never left her remote valley in Pachir Aw Agam District, where she also raised five children with the help of her husband, until he was killed after being caught in crossfire between police and IS fighters. Over the past six months it had become increasingly dangerous as IS made inroads into the area. The militants began raiding homes as well as fighting with the Taliban over territory. Mariam and her children left behind the family farm and livestock; now they survive on the meagre earnings her sons make selling the cookies she bakes in a wood oven. The family is hungry most of the time and conditions are poor. They sleep on the ground on tarpaulins, and there is no health clinic or school in the camp. "In Jalalabad, I don't see any future for my daughters or sons," said Mariam, sobbing as she assessed the family's predicament. "Their childhood is destroyed." Rise of IS The US nation-building exercise in Afghanistan is now a shambles, 16 years after it led the invasion that overthrew the Taliban. The US withdrew almost all of its troops at the end of 2014, and the Afghan National Army was meant to take over security. But government forces have struggled, and lost control of many districts, particularly over the past year. Most territory lost to the government is under Taliban control. But by early 2015, IS had moved into eastern Afghanistan and announced its intention to carve out an area of control called "Khorasan", in reference to a historical region that once covered much of modern day Afghanistan as well as parts of Iran and Central Asia. The group, which is known as Daesh in Afghanistan, has concentrated its activities in eastern Afghanistan, especially Nangarhar, on the frontier with Pakistan. In some areas, local militias have sprung up to fight IS, while others have joined the Taliban or government forces. But IS has also extended its deadly reach throughout the country. In July, two suicide bombers struck a peaceful protest of ethnic Hazara Shia Muslims in the capital, Kabul, killing 80 people. The IS claimed responsibility for that attack as well as the November bombing of a Shia mosque in Kabul, which killed at least 40 people. The fight against IS takes place primarily in three districts in Nangarhar Province, according to Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor. He said IS started fighting in Achin in 2015 and entered Pachir Aw Agam and Chaprihar districts in 2016. "We carry out air attacks and ground operations against them. We also support local resistance against them and [we support the] ALP," he said, referring to the Afghan Local Police, a government-backed force recruited from local communities to fight against insurgents. Amir Jan, an elder from Achin, said his son joined a local uprising against IS and was killed in battle. Members of IS then made it clear to the community that if they did not back the group, they were not welcome to stay. "One morning, Daesh fighters arrived on my doorstep and told me to leave, and when I tried to bring some stuff, they beat me up," he said in an interview outside his family's tent in Samar Khel camp, outside Jalalabad. "I left with nothing." If you have purchased a milk product in Wisconsin since 2003, you are eligible to share in a $52 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit that accused milk cooperatives of conspiring to raise prices. A consumer could get between $45 and $70, the lawsuit administrator estimates, though it could be a just few cents, too, depending on how many people apply at www.boughtmilk.com. People have through the end of the month to make a claim. Attorneys will receive $17.3 million of the settlement. The lawsuit, filed in September 2011, accused the National Milk Producers Federation through Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) of conspiring to kill cows to improve milk prices. From 2003 to 2010, members of the cooperatives representing about 70 percent of the countrys milk supply paid money into a fund that was used to buy out entire dairy farm herds that were sent to slaughter. The voluntary Herd Retirement Program was offered 10 times, resulting in the slaughter of 506,921 cows and the removal of more than 9.67 billion pounds of raw milk from the market. The aim was to reduce the milk supply, raising prices, and was marketed with that message. Farmers were paid for their cows based on the cows average milk production. According to CWT, 2,802 farms were accepted in the program from 2003 to 2010, with an average herd size of 181. The milk producers and CWT denied they were doing anything illegal but settled the case last August, bringing the $52.2 million to consumers in 15 states. While the estimated number of eligible applicants is 73 million, as of Nov. 10 only 307,396 had applied, according to court documents. Whether the plan to reduce the herd and raise prices worked is still being debated by dairy economists. Short term, prices may have risen, but a UW-Madison economist, Robert Cropp, who was an expert witness for the milk producers, said Wednesday that farmers were sending their herds to slaughter in a voluntary program when milk prices were low, so the increase to consumers as far as that program was concerned was pretty minimal, almost no impact at all. However, analysis by another academic, professor Scott Brown of the University of Missouri, found that the evidence is clear that this program has raised the price that all farmers have received since it first began removing cows at the end of 2003. Cropp, noting that the lawsuit was originally filed by an animal rights group (Compassion Over Killing) over the killing of healthy cows, called it ridiculous to begin with, with claims made by people who clearly dont know anything about the operation of a dairy farm. The fact is, most of the farmers that participated in that program were planning to retire from farming anyway, he said. Very few farmers who entered this program ever came back into the business. Cropp added that dairy price supports, even herd buyouts, are nothing new in the industry, and this was a voluntary program. The impact was minor, ending up losing less than 1 percent of the milk supply, and the number of cows that went to slaughter included those, up to a third, that would have gone anyway, he said. To enter the program, a farmer agreed to sell the entire dairy herd for slaughter and agree not to produce, or allow the farm to be used in any way to produce milk. Mooresville making progress on EPA grant application The Mooresville Redevelopment Commission shared an update concerning a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant the town is in the process of applying for. An alleged burglar inside a Downtown Madison restaurant was surprise by the manager of the restaurant Wednesday morning, with police arresting the suspect in a parking lot, thanks to the manager following and giving info to police. Calvin Noblin, 46, no permanent address, was taken into custody on a tentative charge of burglary, Madison police said. The incident happened at about 7 a.m. at Kabul, 540 State Street. The manager, arriving early at work, found the suspect allegedly trying to take liquor, with the suspect fleeing the restaurant when discovered. "The manager followed him at a safe distance, keeping police apprised of their movements," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. Noblin was found and arrested at the Buckeye parking lot on West Gorham Street. "He claimed to had just arrived in Madison from Milwaukee," DeSpain said. "In his pockets were items that appeared to have been stolen, including a debit card." A fire in a dryer system Monday afternoon displaced three residents of a Far East Side apartment building, the Madison Fire Department said. A fire was discovered on the first floor of an apartment building on the 3200 block of Forest Ridge Way when a collection of lint extended the blaze to the second floor and roof via the venting system, the fire department said. When firefighters arrived shortly after 2:45 p.m., dark smoke was exiting a chimney stack, and people on the roof were attempting to stop the flames with a fire extinguisher, said fire department spokeswoman Cynthia Schuster. Firefighters got on the roof and put out the fire in the dryer vent with a hose line, Schuster said. Three people in a second-story unit were displaced due to the damage, estimated at $15,000, Schuster said. The fire department advises residents to clean out dryer vents and hoses as lint can be highly flammable. More than a dozen political prisoners held in Cambodias notorious Prey Sar prison urged the opposition party to put the national interest before their personal freedom, a Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) lawmaker told reporters on Wednesday. I respect their great devotion and patriotism as always they have never thought about their own personal happiness, CNRP Member of Parliament Mao Monivann said after a visit with the 17 opposition politicians and activists held at the prison. They think about the national interest first, he added. Such patriotism is the hope for all Khmer citizens. The meeting comes as opposition lawmakers and members of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) are expected to meet sometime after Jan. 11 to discuss a wide range of issues, including the incarceration of the political prisoners. While Interior Minister Sar Kheng, who also serves as deputy prime minister and majority leader of the ruling party in the National Assembly, has promised to convene the meeting, there are questions about his seriousness to enter into discussions. Hopes that at least some of the prisoners would be released were raised when CNRP leader Kem Sokha and a local Cambodia National Rescue Party official Seang Chet were granted royal pardons in the governments case against the CNRP leader. Those hopes may have faded after evidence surfaced that the CPP was attempting to use some of the prisoners as bargaining chips in the ruling partys attempts to divide the opposition. After a one-hour trial on Sept. 9, Kem Sokha was sentenced to five months in prison and an 800,000- riel (U.S. $200) fine for failing to appear in one of the cases related to the governments wide-ranging probe into his alleged affair with a young hairdresser. Seang Chet was sentenced to five years in prison on Dec. 5 for giving $500 to the mother of the hairdresser Khom Chandaraty, in what the government said was an attempt to keep the woman quiet about her alleged affair with Kem Sokha. Lim Mony, Nay Vanda, Ny Sokha, Yi Soksan, all workers for ADHOC (the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association) and National Election Commission (NEC) deputy secretary-general Ny Chakrya have been imprisoned since April. They are also accused of attempting to pay hush money to Kem Sokhas purported mistress in the governments wide-ranging probe into the alleged affair that many inside and outside of Cambodia see as politically motivated. While Sar Kheng told reporters on Dec. 7 that he expected the five to be freed in late 2016 or early 2017, but recently he dismissed questions about their release, saying it was under the purview of the courts. We still have plans for the talks, but we dont know when yet since we have a lot of works to do early this year," he told RFA on Jan 2. Reported by Moniroth Morm for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. About 70 people from three different communities in Cambodia staged a demonstration in front of Banteay Meanchey provincial hall on Wednesday in an effort to prod the government into action over unsettled land claims. Residents from the Thma Puok and Ou Chrov districts along with the Poipet Railroad community told RFAs Khmer Service that local officials have ignored their repeated pleas for compensation for a railway being built in their village. A representative from Poipet railroad land community in Poipet citys Phsar Kandal commune, Vorn Voan told RFAs Khmer Service that they have asked municipal authorities 37 times to provide them with settlements, but all they have gotten is a government runaround. Provincial authorities have told community representatives they can only launch a new inspection of the places where the protestors are living and compile a report for the ministries to evaluate later. Residents are facing difficulties, Vorn Voan said. If they are still living on the side of the railroad, when they go out for work, they leave their kids alone. He added: They already face such difficulties now when the train is not yet in operation. What will happen when the train is in operation and railroad is completed? The railroad linking Phnom Penh with Poipet city on the Thai-Cambodian border is expected to begin operations soon, but residents say they have not been compensated for the noise and danger caused by the construction. An uneven application Sum Chankea, the provinces coordinating officer for the human rights group ADHOC, described the settlements in the area as uneven. In some places, they have completely settled the case, but the land has not yet been redistributed to residents, he said. During a press conference on Jan. 4, Environment Minister Say Sam Al told reporters that the government had already cleaned up the issues related to economic land concessions, but the demonstrations indicate that the problems have yet to be solved. Economic land concessions (ELCs) have been at the heart of land disputes between the government and its citizens as residents are often forced off their land so that it can be exploited. Prime Minister Hun Sens government has issued concessions to more than 2.1 million hectares of Cambodian land to investors, including major Chinese and Vietnamese companies and local firms with ties to the governing Cambodian Peoples Party (C.P.P.), according to a 2015 report by the human rights group LICADHO. While Hun Sens government has been responsible for issuing the land concessions, he has taken some steps to disarm a potent political issue. In February 2016, Hun Sen announced that the government was taking back about 1 million hectares from investment companies that had been granted the concessions. At the time he said the land would be doled out to the poor, and the government also reduced the duration of economic land concession investments from 90 years to only 50 years. At the time Hun Sen said the land taken back would be doled out to the poor, but information on the plans has been scarce. Reported by Hour Hum for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Human rights in Hong Kong deteriorated to their lowest point ever last year, according to an annual report by Amnesty International. Authorities in the former British colony "failed on many fronts" to protect the city's traditional rights and freedoms, which are now at their lowest ebb since the 1997 handover to Chinese rule, the report said. Citing a lack of official engagement with the disappearances of five Hong Kong booksellers detained by Chinese police for selling controversial political books to customers across the internal immigration border in mainland China, the report said there are now doubts over whether the physical safety of Hong Kong people is sufficiently guaranteed. The report came after two former student leaders of the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democracy movement, Nathan Law and Joshua Wong, were attacked during and on their return from a trip to Taiwan. Law, now Hong Kong's youngest lawmaker, said he was jostled on Sunday night by protesters at the city's international airport on his return from a speaking tour to visit pro-democracy activists in Taiwan. Two people were arrested after anti-independence protesters threw liquid in his face and tried to attack Law, 23, who was shown stumbling down a staircase in video footage of the melee, as protesters shouted "Traitor!" and "Fall down and die!" The alleged attackers, aged 53 and 71, were arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and unlawful assembly, local media reported. Earlier, Wong and Law, whose Demosisto party embraces the idea of self-determination for Hong Kong, were met by some 200 protesters in Taiwan, some of whom tried to throw punches at Wong. Police in Taiwan said on Wednesday they have arrested eight people with suspected triad connections over the attempted attack, which came ahead of a political forum organized by the pro-independence New Power Party, at which the pair were speaking. Repeated warnings The attacks came after repeated warnings by Chinese officials that talk of independence for Hong Kong won't be tolerated, although it only emerged after widespread calls for fully democratic elections were ignored by Beijing. Law denied that Demosisto is a pro-independence party, however. "We are clearly not advocating independence for Hong Kong; I don't think that any of our three elected politicians are," he said following the attack on Sunday. "But I don't think that I, as an elected representative, should be subjected to physical attacks, whatever my political views," Law said. "They couldn't even guarantee the safety of a lawmaker." Meanwhile, Amnesty also cited an interpretation by Beijing of Hong Kong's constitution last October, which prompted the disqualification of two pro-independence lawmakers as calling into question Beijing's promises that the city would maintain a "high degree of autonomy." "The Hong Kong government and civil servants should make defending the rights of Hong Kong people their first priority," the report said. Spokeswoman Raees Baig told reporters that violence against journalists and diminishing freedom of expression are "escalating." "We see this year that there are escalating cases of violence against reporters, and a very ... confined space [for] press freedom, or freedom of expression," Baig said. "So these are actually escalating problems ... Is it the worst year [to date]? I guess we can generally say yes," she said. No meeting with Trump The reports come as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen starts a visit to the Americas this week, after Beijing protested her unofficial trip to Washington. Tsai won't be meeting with president-elect Donald Trump, however. While the Chinese Communist Party has never ruled Taiwan, it regards the democratic island as a province awaiting reunification, and has threatened to invade if its government seeks formal statehood. Beijing's diplomatic partners are required to cut ties with the government in Taiwan, which was taken over by the Kuomintang nationalist government after World War II, ending 50 years of Japanese rule there. Repeated polls have shown that many of Taiwan's 23 million residents identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese, and that there is broad political support for de facto self-rule, if not formal independence. President Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) swept to power earlier this year amid fears of growing Chinese influence over Taiwan under her predecessor Ma Ying-jeou. The party has a staunchly pro-independence wing. Reported by Lam Kwok-lap for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Hwang Chun-mei for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Afghanistan needs a "stable security environment to prevent it from again becoming a safe haven for Al-Qaeda or other terrorists," a U.S. report says. The report was released on January 11 by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), which gives independent oversight of U.S. reconstruction funds for the country. It says Afghan security forces have "not yet been capable of securing all of Afghanistan and has lost territory to the insurgency." Most NATO-led foreign combat forces pulled out of Afghanistan in 2014, leaving nearly 10,000 U.S. troops behind. Afghan forces have since struggled to fend off the Taliban, which has gained control of more territory than any time since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. SIGAR described corruption as "one of the most serious threats to the U.S.-funded Afghanistan reconstruction effort." "Powerful drug networks, mainly run by close-knit families and tribes, bankroll the insurgency and launder money," it also said. With reporting by AP Russia has signaled that it will only remove newly appointed Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland from its sanctions list on a reciprocal basis. Russian news agencies cited an unidentified Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying on January 11 that Freeland has been on a list of Canadians subject to sanctions, which includes a travel ban, since 2014. Moscow introduced the sanctions list after many Western countries, including Canada, imposed targeted sanctions against Russian officials over Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. "The issue of removing her from the response sanctions is an issue of reciprocity and the mirror principle," the Foreign Ministry official said. "The fact that she is blacklisted will not impede contacts with Russian officials at international forums." Freeland, a former journalist who is of Ukrainian descent, has been a harsh critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. After Moscow imposed sanctions on her, Freeland posted on Twitter that she considered it "an honor to be on Putins sanction list." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Freeland as foreign minister on January 10. In 2015, she wrote an article for Quartz magazine titled My Ukraine, And Putin's Big Lie. Trudeau, in announcing Freeland's appointment as foreign affairs minister, sidestepped a question from reporters over whether her rocky relationship with Russia would have an impact. Freeland, who once lived in Moscow during her career as a financial correspondent, said that whether she will be able to travel to Russia as foreign minister was not up to her. "That's a question for Moscow," she said. "I am a very strong supporter of our government's view that it is important to engage with all countries around the world, very much including Russia." Based on reporting by RIA Novosti, Interfax, Reuters, TASS, and AFP PRAGUE -- A Czech investigative journal quotes local intelligence officers as saying they have no evidence that a lawyer for President-elect Donald Trump traveled to the Czech capital last year, potentially dealing a blow to a claim at the center of an unverified text suggesting Russia had compromising materials on the billionaire developer. The lawyer, Michael Cohen, has already dismissed reports that he met in Prague with Russian agents over possible influence on the 2016 presidential election, and said he has never been to the city. A Czech intelligence source told the Respekt magazine that there is no record of Cohen arriving in Prague by plane, although the news weekly pointed out he could have traveled by car or train from a nearby EU country, avoiding passport control under Schengen zone travel rules. "If there was such a meeting, he [Cohen] didnt arrive in the Czech Republic by plane," the source said. Another source told Respekt that Czech intelligence had not monitored any such meeting between Cohen or other Trump surrogates and Russian intelligence officers. Trump has described the so-called kompromat story suggesting that Moscow had personal and financial dirt on him as "fake news" and criticized U.S. intelligence agencies for "allowing" the leak. "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me," Trump tweeted on January 11, nine days before his inauguration as the 45th U.S. president, adding. "I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA -- NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" 'Witch Hunt' Trump has dismissed the allegations as a "political witch hunt." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on January 11 that "the Kremlin has no compromising dossier on Trump" and that any claims to the contrary are "absolute fantasy." The claims were part of a two-page synopsis appended to a report on alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, an appendix that was shared with outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama, Trump, and eight Congressional leaders in briefings last week. The potentially explosive allegations were said to have been compiled by an unnamed former British MI6 intelligence operative, and had not been thoroughly vetted. U.S. media reports on the contents said Oleg Solodukhin, a representative of the Russian Center of Science and Culture in Prague, was alleged to have served as "an interlocutor" between Russian intelligence and the Trump team led by Cohen. Soloduhkin denied any such meeting, telling Respekt he did not know Cohen. In his tweet, Cohen stated that "between August 2329 I was in Los Angeles." The Czech Counterintelligence Agency (BIS) has declined to comment publicly on the matter, according to Respekt. "We dont plan on commenting on this whatsoever," BIS spokesman Jan Subrt said. With reporting by Aktualne.cz Remember the case of the man who resembles Yury Skuratov? Of course you do. It was all the rage in Moscow back in 1999. When Skuratov, then Russia's prosecutor-general, launched an investigation into top Kremlin officials, Russian television showed what it called "a man resembling Skuratov" frolicking with two prostitutes. The director of the FSB then went on television to confirm that the man was, in fact, Skuratov. And oh, by the way, the director of the FSB at the time was none other than Vladimir Putin. Now, not surprisingly, Putin's Kremlin is denying reports that it gathered compromising and salacious material on Donald Trump that could be used to blackmail the U.S. president-elect. And let's be clear. At this point, we just don't know if those reports -- which Trump called "fake news" and a "political witch hunt" -- are, in fact, true. But what we do know is that this tactic, known in Russian as kompromat, has long been part of the Kremlin's playbook. It's been used against opposition figures, officials who have fallen out of favor, and foreign diplomats. Sometimes it comes in the form of the so-called honey trap. Sometimes it involves ensnaring the target in a shady business deal or scheme that could be later exposed. But the goal is always the same: First you corrupt, then you control. It's one of the oldest Kremlin tricks in the book. Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page. Russia launched more kamikaze drones on infrastructure and civilian targets in southeastern Ukraine, officials said on November 4, as extensive damage to the power grid left millions of Ukrainians without electricity, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to accuse Moscow of "energy terrorism." 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. Valentyn Reznichenko, the governor of the Dnipropetrovskov region, said the Ukrainian military destroyed eight Iranian Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drones in the region's southern Nikopol district. "Our air defense did a great job this night. Eight enemy Shaheds downed," Reznichenko wrote on Telegram. It was the second day in a row that Nikopol was targeted by Russian drones. Reznichenko said Russian troops also pounded four settlements in the same district -- Myrivska, Chervonogrigorivska, Marganetska, and Nikopolska -- with Grad rockets and artillery fire, damaging a gas pipeline and a power line and destroying residential buildings. Russian troops regularly bombard the Dnipropetrovsk region, one of Ukraine's steelmaking hubs, with various types of weapons. Moscow denies its attacks on civilians in Ukraine. Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on November 3 that millions of Ukrainians were temporarily without power due to the Russian attacks. "Tonight, about 4.5 million consumers have been temporarily disconnected from energy consumption," Zelenskiy said. "The very fact that Russia is resorting to energy terrorism shows the weakness of our enemy. They cannot beat Ukraine on the battlefield, so they try to break our people this way." Russia has been targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and other civilian buildings with missile, drone, and artillery attacks for several weeks amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive that has driven Russian troops out of the northeast and pushed them back in the east and southeast. Over the past days, however, despite heavy fighting, there has been no significant change on the ground on the eastern and southern Ukraine fronts, with preparations building for a fight over the southern city of Kherson. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry accused Moscow of forcibly deporting Ukrainian citizens from Kherson to Russia. "The Russian occupation administration has begun mass forced relocation of residents of the left bank [of the Dnieper River] of the Kherson regionto the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea or the Russian Federation," the ministry said in a statement on November 3. Similar deportations are also being carried out by Russia in the Zaporizhzhya, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions, as well as in Crimea, the ministry said. Russia in September proclaimed to have seized the partially occupied Ukrainian regions of Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Luhansk, and Donetsk following referendums condemned by Kyiv and the West as shams. Volodymyr Saldo, the Russia-appointed head of Kherson, announced on October 31 an expansion of what Russia has called the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens. Saldo said he was moving people further into the region or to Russia because of the risks of a "massive missile attack." Just three days earlier, the Russian-installed officials announced that the evacuation process in Kherson region had ended. Kyiv reiterated on November 3 that it saw the move as a "deportation." It also said reports continue to circulate about the alleged mining of the Nova Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant by Russian troops. Zelenskiy previously said that Ukraine suspects Russia has mined the dam and units of the power plant on the Dnieper River, and that if it were blown up, more than 80 settlements, including Kherson, would be in danger of flooding. The Foreign Ministry statement also accused Russian troops of looting industrial, cultural, educational, and medical institutions, as well as private houses and apartments. Russian forces also removed roadblocks in Kherson. The head of the Kherson regional military administration, Yaroslav Yanushevich, believes that they did this to create the illusion that Russian forces have left the city. WATCH: Near Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces often rely on artillery from the 1970s and '80s. The front line there is one of the most hotly contested areas. The soldiers say that although the Soviet-era weaponry is old, it is still very effective. It was also reported that the Russian flag was removed from the Kherson regional administration building. The head of the joint coordination press center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, Natalya Humenyuk, said that this could be a provocation. The loss of Kherson, which Russian troops captured in March in the early days of the war, would signal a significant retreat. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, asked to comment on the battlefield situation in southern Ukraine, said he believes Ukrainian forces in the Kherson region have the capacity to retake the territory on the west side of the Dnieper River and Kherson city from Russian troops. With reporting by Reuters Russian military planes regularly violate Estonian airspace in what the country's defense minister described on May 3 as "incredibly reckless" behavior. "They violate our airspace on a fairly regular basis. They fly across the Baltic Sea with the transponders switched off," Hannes Hanso said on a visit to Paris. While military radar can detect a plane even when its transponders are switched off, radar designed for civilian aircraft cannot, he said. "It is incredibly reckless and it is an accident waiting to happen," Hanso said. "Imagine a collision between a Russian plane and a civilian plane. Normal countries don't do this sort of thing. So it is just to provoke and to challenge us. It is unacceptable." Baltic countries want a NATO summit in Warsaw in July to send a clear message to Russia, the minister said. "We want to make sure that the regime in Moscow gets a very clear message that this sort of behavior is not acceptable and territories of alliance will be defended no matter what. So it is about deterrence." U.S. military commanders also complained this week about Russian jets doing dangerous maneuvers in the Baltic region. Based on reporting by AFP, Stirile Pro TV, and Agerpres TBILISI -- Georgia's president and government have condemned the demolition by Russian troops of a 19th-century church and Polish cemetery in the breakaway Abkhazia region. On January 3, Russian troops clearing the way for a training ground bulldozed the dilapidated church in the village of Tsebelda, which was listed as a cultural heritage site by Abkhazia's separatist leadership, and the nearby cemetery. In his statement on January 10, President Giorgi Margvelashvili denounced the demolition as "an act of deliberate vandalism...by Russian occupation forces" and urged the international community to respond. The Georgian Foreign Ministry said it was "an act against the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity" and called on Russia "to halt the practice of damaging and destroying cultural monuments in the occupied territories." Russia recognized Abkhazia and another separatist region, South Ossetia, as independent countries after fighting a five-day war against Georgia in 2008. Moscow maintains thousands of troops in both regions, in deployments that NATO and Western governments say violate the EU-brokered deal that ended the fighting. Russia has complained vociferously when monuments to Soviet World War II soldiers abroad have been vandalized or demolished. With reporting by civil.ge and apsny.ge Just three months after failing to regain power in Georgia's parliamentary elections, the opposition United National Movement (ENM) is on the verge of splitting into two entities that could become rivals in municipal elections due later this year. The bone of contention between the two factions is party leader and former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who was stripped of his Georgian citizenship in November 2015 after being appointed governor of the Ukrainian city of Odesa. Although non-Georgian citizens may not engage in politics in Georgia, Saakashvili was never formally removed from the post of ENM chairman. His supporters within the party want to underscore his status as its informal acclaimed leader by not electing a new chairman at a congress of 7,000 delegates scheduled for January 20.. Some of the party's most influential members, however, including former National Security Council head Giga Bokeria, regard Saakashvili as a liability and would prefer Davit Bakradze, who headed the ENM faction in the outgoing parliament, as a new chairman. The prospect that Saakashvili could have officially been named as prime minister in the event of an ENM victory is viewed by former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava, a long-time ENM member and former close associate of Saakashvili, as a potential reason for the party's undoing in the October vote. In early November, Ugulava -- who was then serving a prison term on a charge of misspending millions of laris of public funds in the run-up to the 2012 parliamentary ballot in which the ENM was swept from power -- published an open letter wherein he suggested that the party's failure to state clearly whom it would nominate as prime minister had deterred some potential supporters who feared Saakashvili's return. (Saakashvili may have compounded those fears by affirming in a Facebook post 48 hours before the election that he planned to return to Georgia from Ukraine to celebrate the ENM win.) Ugulava further suggested electing an entire new party leadership, including a new chairman. Ugulava was released from jail on January 6 after the Tbilisi Appeals Court reduced his sentence, and immediately told journalists he would do all he could to put an end to what he termed the "shameful and ridiculous spectacle" of infighting within the ENM. Inconclusive Conversation At the same time, he made it clear that he had little hope of ending the standoff between the two factions. Ugulava said he planned to meet personally with Saakashvili to discuss the situation, but no such meeting has taken place, and a telephone conversation between the two men was apparently inconclusive. Meanwhile, the anti-Saakashvili faction, which is seen as uniting the party's best intellects, is arguing that the committee Saakashvili's supporters set up to organize the January 20 congress is illegal. Ratiani also sought without success on January 9 to force the resignation of Nikanor Melia, who heads the 20-member ENM parliament faction. Melia countered by accusing the Bokeria-Bakradze-Ratiani wing of cutting a secret deal with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the wealthy businessman who founded Georgian Dream and is rumored to influence, if not dictate, its policies. Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GD-DG) swept the ENM from power in 2012, and retained its ruling-party status in October by winning another four-year term. Unconfirmed reports predict Melia will create an independent parliament faction numbering up to eight parliamentarians, while Ugulava, Bokeria, and Bakradze will formally quit the ENM on January 12 and join the party European Georgia, which was part of the ENM election bloc. If they do so, the prediction by Saakashvili supporter Zurab Melikishvili that the party will emerge "strengthened" from its congress next week, looks utopian. It is as yet unclear which faction former Interior Minister and Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili, who is serving prison terms for assaulting a parliamentarian and for his role in the violent crackdown in May 2011 on antigovernment demonstrators in Tbilisi, will side with. The International Monetary Fund agreed on July 26 to provide Moldova with $179 million in loans over three years if the government carries out economic reforms. Moldova is one of Europe's poorest nations and the news is a boost to the new government in office since January. The IMF left Moldova in September 2015, saying it would not negotiate loans in light of the disappearance of some $1 billion from three Moldovan banks in a scandal that rocked the country. Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip told The Associated Press that the IMF's return to Moldova "brings back optimism at home and helps restore our credibility abroad." Filip added his government remains committed to European-style reforms and is "keen to attract foreign investment: in this sense we undertook a series of economic and banking reforms, which provide the basis for future sustainable growth." The IMF, whose staff visited Chisinau for 10 days, stressed that the government needs to improve the business climate, carry out critical banking reforms, and ramp up its anti-corruption fight to access the loans. The deal must also be approved by the IMF's board in October. With reporting by AP Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what Ive been following during the past week and what Im watching for in the days ahead. The Big Issue Iran has accused two female journalists who covered the hospitalization and funeral of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini -- whose death in the custody of Tehran's morality police triggered protests across the country -- of being U.S. spies and the "primary sources of news for foreign media." The accusations came in a joint statement by the feared intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Intelligence Ministry, which identified the two journalists, Nilufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, who are being held in Tehran's Evin prison, by their initials. The statement claims the journalists were trained abroad. It also says the protests that have shaken Iran were planned by the CIA along with other foreign intelligence services, including the British and Saudi spy agencies as well as Israel's Mossad. The statement was met with fear and anger by Iranian journalists and their colleagues, who pushed back against the accusations. Senior editors of Hamedi's Sharq daily and Mohammadi's Hammihan dismissed the charges and said the journalists were only doing their jobs. "Our journalist and our newspaper.....acted within the framework of the journalistic mission," said Mehdi Rahmanian, editor of the reformist Sharq, while Gholamhossein Karbaschi, the editor of Hammihan, said the IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency and other news agencies had similar reports that included more details. More than 500 journalists, photographers, and other media workers demanded the release of their colleagues while calling on officials to allow the free flow of information. Separately, Tehran's Journalist Association said that based on the statement by the Iranian intelligence agencies, journalism should be banned because "the normal activity of journalists has been cited as evidence of a crime." For its part, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists dismissed the charges against the two journalists as "conspiracy theories," adding that it will hold Iranian leaders accountable for any harm done to the journalists. Why It Matters: The spying accusations against Hamedi and Mohammadi are a major escalation of state pressure on the media, which is already facing a severe crackdown and tough censorship. The spying charges leveled against the two carries the death penalty. According to the CPJ, more than 45 journalists and columnists have been arrested in the current crackdown. The French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said Iran has become the world's biggest jailer of female journalists in the course of the current crackdown. Meanwhile, reports have emerged that France-based Iranian journalist Vahid Shamsoddinnezhad, who had traveled to Saghez to cover the aftermath of Amini's death for the European TV channel Arte, has been in jail since September 28. What's Next: The judiciary has not officially charged the two journalists with spying. The pushback from the Iranian press and journalists and international pressure could be instrumental in clearing the two journalists of the accusations. Stories You Might Have Missed Iranian authorities secretly buried the body of RFE/RL's Radio Farda broadcaster Reza Haghighatnejad at a location near Shiraz after seizing his body upon repatriation to Iran for burial. Haghighatnejad, 45, died of cancer in Berlin on October 17. His body was flown to Iran on October 25. His family was not allowed to see the body or participate in his burial. Radio Farda obtained a video of Haghighatnejad's gravesite , where the anthem of the current mass protests in Iran, Shervin Hajipur's Baraye, was heard in the background. The U.S. State Department has called on Iran to release Haghighatnejad's body and said the episode showed the extent the Iranian government will go to intimidate the press. at a location near Shiraz after seizing his body upon repatriation to Iran for burial. Haghighatnejad, 45, died of cancer in Berlin on October 17. His body was flown to Iran on October 25. His family was not allowed to see the body or participate in his burial. Radio Farda obtained , where the anthem of the current mass protests in Iran, Shervin Hajipur's Baraye, was heard in the background. The U.S. State Department has called on Iran to release Haghighatnejad's body and said the episode showed the extent the Iranian government will go to intimidate the press. Iran has arrested rapper Toomaj Salehi, who had expressed support for the anti-govenment protests in Iran. Security authorities announced that the rapper was arrested on October 30 while attempting to flee the country. Salehi's uncle denied the claim, saying his nephew was arrested in the southwestern province of Chaharmahal Bakhtiari. Salehi was also detained last year over lyrics he wrote that condemn state repression, the killings of protesters, poverty, and injustice. What We're Watching Iran saw a surge in protests last week when thousands of people marked 40 days since the death of Mahsa Amini in state custody. In Amini's hometown of Saghez, a massive crowd gathered at the cemetery where the young woman is buried. Many walked to the cemetery amid reports that authorities had blocked the roads leading to Amini's resting place. Mourners also gathered last week at the grave of 16-year-old Nika Shahkarami near the western city of Khorramabad, 40 days after she was killed in the brutal state crackdown amid reports that security forces had opened fire to disperse mourners while also making arrests. Why It Matters: The memorial ceremonies for those killed by security forces have energized the protest movement by fueling more anger with state repression. The establishment has responded with force. More protests could erupt as Iranians mourn those killed by security forces. Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. Until next time, Golnaz Esfandiari If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday. ASTANA -- A Kazakh court has set a date for the high-profile trial of a well-known journalist charged with extorting money from officials. The court in Astana ruled on January 11 that Bigeldy Gabdullin will go on trial on January 17. Gabdullin pleaded guilty at the preliminary hearing on January 11, saying he regretted his deeds. His lawyer Amanzhol Mukhamedyarov asked the judge to drop the charges against his client, saying that he had paid more than $60,000 to the victims. Judge Baghlan Idrisov rejected the request. Gabdullin was arrested in mid-November and charged with extorting cash from state officials by publishing materials damaging their reputations. Gabdullin, 61, became known in the 1990s for his critical articles about President Nursultan Nazarbaev. In the early 2000s, he had to flee the country for the United States in fear for his life. In 2004, Gabdullin changed his political views and returned to Kazakhstan, where he became the editor in chief of the pro-government Central Asia Monitor newspaper. He also founded the Radiotochka.kz online news portal. Kazakhstan will promote the interests of the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia during its 2017-18 stint in the UN Security Council, President Nursultan Nazarbaev says. On January 1, Kazakhstan became the first of the five countries -- which also include Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan -- to hold a seat on the 15-nation council. Its permanent members are the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France. In an address to the council that was presented by Kazakh Foreign Ministry officials in New York on January 10, Nazarbaev said that his country will also initiate discussions on the restoration of peace in Afghanistan, which borders the region on the south. He said that Kazakhstan "is set for a strong contribution to the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli crisis and other conflicts in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and on the former Soviet space, deescalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula, and resolution of crises in Africa and Asia." Nazarbaev hailed the 2015 agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and vowed to support policies discouraging the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Nazarbaev also said his country will offer to develop a "code of international antiterrorist operations that could form a basis for the creation of a global antiterrorist network." Based on reporting by Kazinform and Interfax CHISINAU -- The chances that Moldova's November 30 legislative elections could end up provoking legal challenges and even protests keep going up. The Appeals Court disqualified the pro-Russian Patria (Homeland) party on November 27, a day after the country's Central Election Commission asked for the party to be thrown out of the race, claiming it had illegally used "foreign funds" to finance its campaign. The commission has frozen the party's accounts. The decision can still be appealed in the Supreme Court by the evening of November 28. A November 26 video has also appeared on a Moldovan site that purported to include audio of Patria party head Renato Usatii admitting that he was being controlled by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Moldovan security forces detained five people who are suspected of planning postelection violence. Police claimed they confiscated pistols, grenade launchers, and undisclosed sums of money. They said as many as 15 people who are allegedly members of an outlawed pro-Russian organization were involved in the plot. Even before these developments, Moldova's pro-European ruling coalition and outside observers were warning of the possibility of postelection demonstrations. A recent report by the Center for Eastern Studies in Warsaw said, "in the event of the pro-Russian forces losing, we may primarily expect the election results to be contested, as well as mass demonstrations or even lengthy protests both in Chisinau and in Gagauzia and Balti." The Moldovan government has already given the opposition a powerful potential weapon for such protests by deciding to open just five polling stations in Russia for the election, although about 1 million Moldovan citizens are living there. Russian media have already been accusing the government of doing so in order to "ensure a relatively legitimate means of falsification." "The only one who is interested in destabilizing Moldova is, undoubtedly, Russia," Vladimir Socor, an analyst with the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation, says. "A Moldovan pseudo-Maidan would play very much into Russia's hands." The November 30 elections are a stern test for Moldova's pro-European ruling coalition, a vote that could determine the country's geopolitical trajectory for the foreseeable future. "If before everyone thought it was possible to adapt and find a stable balance between East and West, now, I think, voters really must make a choice between East and West," says former Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi. "This is because the 'reset' in relations between Washington and Moscow was not successful and because there are processes going on in the region that no one would like to see repeated in Moldova. So it is not a choice of the 'lesser evil,' as is so often the case in democratic countries -- but is a choice of direction for the long-term future," Baconschi adds. What The Polls Say It is impossible to tell from the opinion polls what kind of ruling coalition might emerge from the elections. The pro-European Liberal Democratic Party and the Moscow-leaning Communist Party are leading with about 21 percent each. They are followed by the Democratic Party at 18 percent, and the Liberal Party and the Socialist Party at about 10 percent each. The pro-Russian Patria party had polled about 12 percent. A party must receive 6 percent of the vote to enter parliament. Collectively, the parties of the current pro-European ruling coalition -- together with the Liberal Party, which withdrew from the coalition in February 2013 but supports the country's European ambitions -- have about 49 percent, according to the polls. The solidly pro-customs union Socialist Party, together with the now-disqualified Patria, had polled about 22 percent. The Communist Party, which has traditionally been pro-Moscow but is currently divided and weakened, is polling 21 percent. It is unclear whether the Communists would be willing to form a coalition with any of the other parties, particularly since the Socialist Party is headed by Igor Dodon, who split from the Communists in 2011. In fact, there has been speculation the Communists might find it easier to ally with the Democratic Party of former parliament speaker Marian Lupu. Although there are many parties on the ballot, the choice really comes down to one between further European integration or a turn to the East and closer ties with the Russian-led customs union. "It is a decisive election for the future of Moldova, absolutely and unquestionably," analyst Socor says. "For the first time in its 23 years of independence, Moldova has the opportunity to finally tear itself away from Russia and decisively and irreversibly turn in the direction of the West." Paris-based analyst Nicu Popescu, however, notes that it is just as likely that the election returns -- and the resulting policy -- could remain muddled. Rather than a stark East-West choice, he sees a choice between "rapid Europeanization" under a pro-European government or a return to "multivectoral politics," in which Chisinau tries to steer a middle course between Russia and Europe. Moldova pursued such a policy under former Communist President Vladimir Voronin prior to 2009. Russia Uses Its Leverage Since 2009, Moldova has been headed by coalitions of pro-European parties. The government has achieved some remarkable successes in the framework of the European Union's Eastern Partnership program. Most notably, it has signed an Association Agreement with the EU and has achieved a visa-free travel regime with the bloc. The EU is Moldova's largest trading partner (45 percent), followed by Russia at 25 percent. But the government suffers from the perception of widespread and unaddressed corruption. Many Moldovans feel their hopes of 2009 have been disappointed. At the same time, the government's European-integration successes have raised Russia's hackles. Moscow has said it views any alteration in Moldova's neutral status as unacceptable. Moscow has used its leverage to tip the scales toward parties oriented toward Russia and its customs union. It exercises considerable leverage in the area of natural-gas prices. It has exploited Chisinau's dependence on Moldovan migrant workers in Russia. And it has exacerbated tensions in Moldova's pro-Moscow separatist region, Transdniester. It has hinted that it could lift its embargo of Moldova wines and other goods if Chisinau changes its geopolitical orientation. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-visibility meeting earlier this month with Socialist Party head Dodon. The party's billboards show photos of that meeting and bear the slogan "Together with Russia." Dodon has received considerable support from the Russian state media that still dominates Moldova's airwaves. Russian crooner and State Duma Deputy Iosif Kobzon has held concerts to support him. "It is noticeable how Russia is trying to exert pressure, including by playing the card of Moldovan migrant workers and threatening to expel them," Elmar Brok, head of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, says. "Interfering in Moldovan politics is another method by which Russia -- as it did in the case of Ukraine -- is trying to prevent Moldova from independently making the decision to follow a European path." The Controversy Around Patria The newcomer on Moldova's political stage is the pro-Russian Patria party, headed by 36-year-old businessman Usatii. The party was registered only in September, and it has been accused of being a "Russian project" since the beginning. Usatii made his fortune in Russia and returned to Moldova in April. He has been running a well-funded campaign that is tightly focused on the topic of corruption. "The first job to do," Usatii told journalists in September, "we will jail the oligarchs and the first such jailbird will be Mr. Filat [former prime minister and head of the Liberal Democratic Party]. I am announcing for everybody to hear -- upon our coming to parliament, Filat will cease being a cover for oligarchs." Usatii has called the policy of EU integration a "Trojan horse" aimed at ultimately uniting Moldova with Romania. But Moscow's tough policies on Moldova in the past and the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine have left many Moldovans wary of Russia. The Socialist Party's openly pro-Moscow position has failed to attract a large part of the Communist Party's traditional base. Although the Patria party favors the Kremlin's customs union, it campaigns largely on the populist corruption issue and tries to avoid being pegged as pro-Russian. For now, however, Moldova's fate is in the hands of voters, who have traditionally been overlooked in the country's politics, says Moldova Foundation head Vlad Spanu. "In Moldova, the voter is a little pawn who is only used during election campaigns," Spanu says. "He is often deceived, tricked by various concerts, bought with bags of groceries, and then they forget about him for four years until once again the need for his vote arises." U.S. President Barack Obama, in a farewell address on January 10, said he leaves the nation stronger than before, but that Americans must work to overcome deep divisions that threaten to unravel America's unity of purpose and power. Obama hailed his nuclear deal with Iran, the opening to Cuba, the slaying of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and the revival of the American economy in listing his greatest achievements and said he had accomplished more during his eight years in office than even his supporters thought possible. "By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than when we started," he said. "We remain the wealthiest, most powerful, and most respected nation," Obama said, but he outlined what he sees as significant threats that future presidents and citizens will need to address. Obama cited the rising rejection of immigrants as a threat, pointing out that America from the start has been a nation of immigrants and draws much of its economic and cultural strength from the mix of races and nationalities that have merged within its borders. "Our youth and drive, our diversity and openness, our boundless capacity for risk and reinvention mean that the future should be ours," Obama said, speaking from the city of Chicago, where he launched his political career. "But that potential will be realized only if our democracy works. Only if our politics reflects the decency of the people." WATCH: 'Protecting Our Way Of Life Not Just The Job Of Our Military' Divisions caused by "a shrinking world, growing inequality, demographic change, and the specter of terrorism" now threaten U.S. democracy, which requires "a basic sense of solidarity -- the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one," he said. Obama called on Americans to work individually as well as through the government and other organizations to fight the "corrosive" trends toward division, isolation, and discrimination against those who look and think differently from themselves. "I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans, who are just as patriotic as we are," he said. And he frankly addressed white Americans and the issue of racism, saying "those brown kids will represent a larger and larger share of America's workforce" and should be embraced and accepted. Obama said the internal divisions of society and the acrimony of political debate today represent threats as great as any external threats from terrorists or dictators overseas. "So let's be vigilant, but not afraid. [Islamic State] will try to kill innocent people. But they cannot defeat America unless we betray our constitution and our principles in the fight. Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for and turn into just another nation that bullies smaller neighbors," Obama said. Five former Department of Natural Resources secretaries with tenures stretching back to the 1970s are calling on Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature to reject a proposal that would scatter DNR programs among five agencies. In a four-page letter released Wednesday, the former secretaries and one deputy secretary said that dividing the DNR would make conservation more costly and less effective while making it harder for citizens to have their problems addressed. It is our experience from administering the agency that the issues that the DNR deals with on a daily basis require constant interaction between the Departments 25+ Bureaus, they said. Breaking up the DNR would create the need for additional salaried executives and other personnel for a new agency as well as higher executive pay in departments that would have hundreds of additional employees to manage, the six argued. A proposal that Walker disclosed last month would divide DNR operations into two new departments and three existing ones. Under the plan, fisheries efforts would go to a new Fish and Wildlife Department while water pollution regulators would be in a separate Environmental Protection Department. Meanwhile, state parks would be managed by the Department of Tourism; forestry would land in the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; while conservation land acquisition would be absorbed by the Department of Administration. The letter opposing those changes is signed by Tony Earl, who ran the DNR from 1975 to 1980 before he became governor; Bruce Braun, who served as deputy to the late C.D. Besadny, who was in charge from 1980 to 1992; and former secretaries George Meyer, 1993 to 2001; Darrell Bazzell, 2001 to 2003; Scott Hassett, 2003 to 2007; and Matt Frank, 2007 to 2011. It is addressed to Walker, a Republican, with copies to his appointees DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp and Department of Administration Secretary Scott Neitzel, as well as the GOP-majority Legislature and the Natural Resources Board, which would disappear under the proposal. Earl, a Democrat, was appointed by the Natural Resources Board, as were Besadny and Meyer. After the board was stripped of its appointment powers, Meyer was reappointed by Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, Bazzell was picked by GOP Gov. Scott McCallum, and Hassett and Frank were chosen by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. The former secretaries said splitting up the agency would: Create problems preventing pollution, fostering wildlife habitat for hunting and fishing, protecting endangered species, overseeing logging operations, and managing state parks and natural areas. Make it more difficult to respond to pollution that causes fish kills and to clean-water standards if wildlife managers who stock streams are split off into a separate organization from water quality regulators. Undermine joint efforts by the forestry division and wildlife managers to carve more productive hunting grounds out of the mature forests of northern Wisconsin. Result in forest management decisions being made in four separate state agencies instead of the current arrangement in which the forestry division does that work for parks as well as fishery, wildlife and natural areas. Agencies consolidated decades ago The DNR was created in the 1960s by consolidating agencies that handled interrelated conservation and environmental programs to increase government efficiency and provide a central point for citizens to have their concerns addressed. The consolidation was proposed by a gubernatorial reform commission headed by retired paper company executive Bill Kellett. It was enacted through action by Republican Gov. Warren Knowles and the Legislature. The strength of the Kellett Commission Reorganization was the recognition that one agency should coordinate that necessary interaction to assure that we had healthy lakes and streams to maintain the quality fishery (which) is important to sportsmen and women and the states tourism, the letter says. Walker and Legislative leaders have said they were willing to consider splitting up the DNR. Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, has been pushing for the change behind the scenes since at least late October, when the Legislative Fiscal Bureau wrote an 11-page memo for him describing technical and legal considerations of the plan. Jarchow, who has co-authored laws that cut what he said was unneeded regulation of lakes and streams, said in a statement he has been told by many hunters, anglers, farmers, and business owners that the DNR is just not working in its current form. Without offering specifics, Jarchow said that after the DNR is divided the agencies can focus on their mission one on growing and promoting our sporting heritage and one on effectively and efficiently protecting the environment. He pointed out that several other states have environmental protection departments separate from fish and wildlife operations, but the former DNR secretaries said their counterparts in such states have been envious of Wisconsins unified system. In Michigan, the letter says, the governor divided the states DNR into two agencies in 1995 at a cost a legislative fiscal office put at $4 million, which was covered by reducing front-line staff who provide services to residents. Wisconsin should not move backward in natural resources management by splitting the DNR, the letter says. Under Jarchows plan, only the new fish and wildlife agency would have a public policy board where residents could bring problems. While forestry operations would be in DATCP, which has a public board, the environmental protection and other programs would no longer have a public forum for residents, the former secretaries said. Jarchow and state Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, later distributed an essay defending their efforts to reduce environmental regulations as a means to create jobs for their constituents. The essay, which was published in the Wisconsin State Journal on Jan. 8, doesnt mention breaking up the DNR. WASHINGTON -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has called a report purportedly detailing compromising information gathered by Russia "fake news" and "phony stuff" crafted by "sick people." Trump's remarks came during a news conference at his Manhattan offices on January 11 and followed a series of events focusing on the role that Russia may have played in influencing the U.S. presidential election. Those events culminated on January 10 with news reports that said a classified intelligence dossier given to President Barack Obama last week contained potentially compromising personal and financial information about Trump. Trump, who has pledged to seek better ties with Moscow, denied the assertions in a series of earlier posts to Twitter on January 11 and criticized U.S. intelligence agencies for "allowing" the leak, which he described as "one last shot at me." "Are we living in Nazi Germany?" he wrote. Top intelligence officials found the unverified claims sufficiently credible to include them in the briefing and the FBI was reportedly investigating their validity, multiple reports said. The claims were part of a two-page synopsis appended to a report on alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, an appendix that was considered so sensitive that it was only shared with Obama, Trump, and eight Congressional leaders in briefings last week, CNN said. The New York Times, Reuters, AP, and other news organizations reported similar information, citing U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Trump first responded on January 10 with a tweet that said: "FAKE NEWS -- A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" In one of his tweets on January 11, he said: "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA -- NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! In another, he also referred to the Kremlin's denial of the story. Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that "the Kremlin has no compromising dossier on Trump" and that any claims to the contrary are "absolute fantasy." The potentially explosive allegations were originally compiled by an unnamed former British MI6 intelligence operative, whose past work U.S. intelligence officials consider credible, CNN said, citing "multiple U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the briefings." He was posted in Russia in the 1990s and now runs a private intelligence-gathering firm. The operative's investigations were initially funded by groups and donors supporting Republican opponents of Trump during the Republican Party primaries in 2016, CNN said. The network added that that once Trump became the Republican nominee, further investigation was funded by groups and donors supporting Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton. The report charges that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) "has compromised Trump through his activities in Moscow sufficiently to be able to blackmail him." It describes sexually explicit videos involving prostitutes allegedly filmed with Trump during a 2013 trip to Moscow. It also claims that Trump surrogates and Russian government officials were in regular communication during the campaign. It describes several alleged meetings at which it says the hacking of Democratic Party e-mails and other campaign issues were discussed. The document quotes an unidentified Russian official as purportedly saying the e-mails were leaked "with the full knowledge and support" of the Trump team and that Trump had agreed in return "to sideline Russian intervention in Ukraine as a campaign issue." One of the meetings allegedly involved Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and took place in Prague in August or September. Cohen said on Twitter that he had never been to Prague. The document suggests that Putin's government for years has looked for ways to influence Trump, who has traveled repeatedly to Moscow to investigate real estate deals or to oversee the Miss Universe competition, which he owned for a time. CNN said it had learned that Republican U.S. Senator John McCain gave FBI chief James Comey a copy of the memos comprising the report in December. There was no immediate comment from the FSB on the allegations, which came four days after U.S. intelligence agencies said they concluded that Putin ordered a hacking campaign that aimed to help Trump and influence the U.S. election. Russian State Duma Deputy Nikolai Kovalyov, a former director of the FSB, asserted that "there is no compromising material" on Trump. "Who is interested in compromising material on a man who came here to organize a beauty contest?" lower parliament-house member Kovalyov told Interfax. "I can tell you from my professional experience that Russia does not have such practices." Sexually explicit videos have been leaked in the past in Russia in apparent efforts to discredit officials or politicians. With reporting by CNN, AP, Interfax, Reuters, The Guardian, and The New York Times MOSCOW -- Russian legislators returned from recess by approving -- with almost unanimous support -- the first reading of a bill that would decriminalize assault in the family home. The bill, which is in keeping with the conservative values espoused by President Vladimir Putin and has been protested by antidomestic abuse activists, seeks to downgrade assault inside the traditional family unit from a criminal offense to a misdemeanor. Battery inside the home by family members remained a criminal offense in 2016, while cases of street assault -- say, between two men -- were legally decriminalized to a misdemeanor punishable by fine. The new legislation would remove this distinction. Addressing the State Duma during the first reading, Olga Batalina, one of the bill's authors, on January 11 said the bill concerns non-serious assaults causing "bruises or grazes." She recognized the problem of domestic abuse, but said there are better ways to combat it. "What's important is prevention," she said. "What is important is the chance to help a person who has ended up in this situation. As you understand, help does not consist in bringing one member of the family to administrative or criminal account, but in stopping these things from happening in the future." Andrei Isayev, first deputy director of the United Russia faction, told the RBK business and politics news organization that domestic assaults would only be a misdemeanor in the first instance; a secondary offense would be deemed criminal. Already Weak Legislation The bill has nonetheless prompted concerns that it would land a blow to Russia's already weak legislation on domestic abuse and send the wrong signals to society. "'The [bill] that the Duma is preparing to examine would only legalize the order of things that have strengthened in the minds of Russians: beating close ones is normal," wrote Olga Bobrova, an editor at Novaya Gazeta. Two activists picketed the State Duma on January 11 to protest the bill. Alyona Popova, a prominent activist against domestic violence, held a placard with the ironic slogan "I created you, I'll kill you," adding that "in 2015, 11,756 boys and girls suffered from violent crimes in families." Batalina has said the legislation aims to place minor assaults committed in a domestic context on a par with street assaults decriminalized last summer. "There was objective bewilderment among people as to why conflicts inside the family, beatings of relatives are a crime, but the same action committed on the street is only an administrative offense," Batalina has said. "Our legislative bill proposes removing this conflict," she said. In July, President Vladimir Putin signed legislation decriminalizing minor assault for first-time offenders. It is now punishable by a fine of up to 30,000 rubles, 15 days in jail, or up to 120 hours of community service. Exempt from this legislation were domestic-abuse cases, which remained criminal. The exemption was explained by a United Russia lawmaker, who wrote at the time: "We must not remove criminal punishment for assault inside the family since they [such assaults] are committed consciously and, consequently, are socially more dangerous than street [assaults]." MOSCOW -- Aleksei Yablokov, a prominent Russian environmentalist and opposition politician whom a colleague described as a "hero of our time," has died at the age of 83. A spokesman for the Yabloko party, Igor Yakovlev, said late on January 10 that Yablokov had died after a "lengthy illness." He gave no details. A respected biologist, Yablokov was a member of Yabloko's Political Council and the adviser to the Russian Academy of Sciences. Yablokov founded Greenpeace U.S.S.R. in 1988 and led it until 1991, the year the Soviet Union collapsed. "He was a hero of our time, a true scholar, teacher, and activist," Greenpeace Russia spokesman Yevgeny Usov said on the organization's website. Yablokov was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. in 1989, in the first competitive elections to the countrys legislature. In 1992-93, he led Russian President Boris Yeltsin's Ecological Policy Council. In 2005, he was elected as the chairman of Russia's Union of Greens, which later merged with the Yabloko party. He had led the partys ecology wing since then. Judging by recent events it appears that Turkmenistan and Russia are experiencing a thaw in their relationship. Top officials from the two countries have been meeting face-to-face in recent days. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu flew to Ashgabat to meet with Turkmen officials on June 9.The same day the speaker of Turkmenistan's parliament was in Moscow meeting with State Duma chairman Sergei Naryshkin. To a great degree, media reports are portraying this as simply discussions between partners. But at the start of this year, Russia sent signals to Turkmen authorities that something in their relationship needed to change, and it was Turkmenistan that would have to make those changes. Barely two weeks before these friendly meetings on June 9, Russian state gas company Gazprom indirectly repeated that message to Turkmenistan, via the Russian TASS and Interfax news agencies, hinting at the one-sided nature of this rapprochement. The purpose of Shoigu's visit was clear before he arrived. Russia has been increasingly concerned at the growth of violence in the four northwestern Afghan provinces along Turkmenistan's border, and equally frustrated at Ashgabat's insistence that the situation along the border is under control and Turkmenistan requires no assistance keeping watch along the frontier. Russian officials have several times publicly offered to assist Turkmenistan with whatever help Turkmen authorities feel might be required to ensure border security. Most recently Aleksandr Sternik, the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Third CIS Department, made just such an offer on January 3, 2016, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov repeated the proposal during a visit to Ashgabat at the end of January. Irresponsible Behavior? Some Russian officials even implied that, since this was technically the southern border of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Turkmenistan was behaving irresponsibly by not allowing its friends and allies to help with security along the Afghan frontier. In October 2015, Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbaev, after a meeting with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed concern about the volatile Turkmen-Afghan border area drawing an immediate rebuke from Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry. Fighting in northwestern Afghanistan has grown worse with the start of this year's spring offensives.It is difficult to say how many Afghan districts along Turkmenistan's border are under government control and how many are under militant control. Turkmen authorities might now feel less confident about being able to control the border. Shoigu's visit by itself indicates something has changed. Russian media noted it was the first time since Turkmenistan became independent that a Russian defense minister has visited the country. Shoigu spoke with his Turkmen counterpart Yaylym Berdiev and with President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. Russian media made it clear that Russian cooperation in strengthening Turkmenistan's military capabilities was the main topic of conversation, including weapons sales and training, mixed in with a more general discussion on fighting international terrorism. Essentially, Turkmenistan agreed to accept at least some of the help the Kremlin has long been pressing Ashgabat to take. Moscow Visit Barely Registers Turkmen parliamentary speaker Akja Nurberdieva's visit to Moscow the same day as Shoigu's to Ashgabat went by almost unnoticed. If Nurberdieva had not mentioned that amendments would be made to Turkmenistan's constitution before the end of this year there might not have been any reports about her trip at all. While it's safe to say Nurberdieva does not receive anywhere near the attention President Berdymukhammedov or even Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov get, it's worth noting that, as speaker of parliament she is, according to the constitution, next in line to assume power should the Turkmen president be unable to perform his duties. Her visit should have elicited a bit more interest than it apparently did. This is especially true since, according to RFE/RL's Turkmen Service (known locally as Azatlyk), it was the first visit by a speaker of Turkmenistan's parliament to Moscow. Nurberdieva's brief publicized remarks mentioned only a loose timeframe for making amendments to Turkmenistan's constitution. It was not totally apparent what she was there to discuss with her Russian counterpart and other Russian officials. What Turkmenistan would really like from Russia is for Gazprom to renew imports of Turkmen gas. The Russian company suspended purchases of Turkmen gas entirely at the start of 2016. That came after Gazprom had reduced the amount of Turkmen gas it bought from more than 40 billion cubic meters [bcm] in 2008 to some 3.1 bcm in 2015. Gazprom's announcement of a total suspension of imports from Turkmenistan came the day after Russian Foreign Ministry official Aleksandr Sternik made his offer of security assistance for Turkmenistan. Gazprom announced on January 4, 2016 that, rather than purchasing Turkmen gas, the company would instead buy 3.1 bcm of gas from Turkmenistan's neighbor, Uzbekistan. On May 25, TASS and Interfax cited "material" from Gazprom announcing new deals had been reached for gas imports from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at a lower price than was previously paid.TASS did not provide the new price. Neither did Interfax, but that news agency did report Gazprom paid Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan an average of $180.39 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas in 2015, down from $259.22 in 2014. Mysterious Explosion The price of gas has been the major sticking point in Russian-Turkmen ties since the collapse of the Soviet Union in late 1991. In 2007, Gazprom attempted to corner the Central Asian gas market by offering to pay Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan "European prices" for their gas. There were even plans for a new pipeline along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea to bring extra Central Asian gas to Russia. "European prices" went down shortly after that offer and Gazprom felt the price of gas from Central Asia should decrease commensurately. Turkmenistan did not feel that way and insisted on the 2007 price of European gas. The major pipeline connecting the two countries mysteriously blew up in 2009 amid heated disputes over price. When it was finally repaired, Gazprom reduced the amount of Turkmen gas it would purchase by nearly 75 percent. Of the 173 words in a TASS article titled "Gazprom Reaches Agreement On A Lower Price For Gas From Uzbekistan And Kazakhstan," 33 are devoted to the Gazprom-Kazakh-Uzbek deal. The remaining 140 words recall the recent problems Gazprom has had with Turkmenistan. As a gas exporter, Turkmenistan is not only feeling the bite of lower world prices but is also on the edge of losing Iran as a gas customer after already losing Russia. Even the gas pipeline to its only remaining customer, China, which can now be seen as Turkmenistan's only hope of propping up its exports, is having problems. Delays were recently announced to line "D" of the network, which will be the biggest of the four pipelines leading from Turkmenistan to China. It is difficult to get news out of Turkmenistan but even such information that does make its way out indicates the country is facing huge economic challenges. Only Option Turkmenistan desperately needs to sell gas to someone besides China and, as it stands now, selling to Russia, even on unfavorable terms, is the only gas export option open to Ashgabat and it might remain so for another decade, at least. During Lavrov's January visit to Turkmenistan, President Berdymukhammedov extended an invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make an official trip to the country and this visit is expected to happen later this year. The state of Russian-Turkmen ties should be clearer after this visit. But it seems Ashgabat is increasingly at the Kremlin's mercy due to Turkmenistan's problematic security and economic situation. Look for a lot more Russian influence in Turkmenistan in the months to come. One last note: of all the information contained above, the only topic Turkmen state media covered was the Shoigu visit. And even then, the report on the government website focuses on "the partnership which has an equal, strategic and fruitful character" or "developing constructive interstate dialogue," and a lot of talk about Turkmenistan's policy of "neutrality." There is no mention of Afghanistan, problems along Turkmenistan's border with that country, or the impending Russian help in strengthening Turkmenistan's armed forces. RFE/RL Turkmen Service Director Muhammad Tahir contributed to this report With its mild climate and shuttered nuclear reactor, Lithuania's more than 20 years of independence have been largely free of both natural and technological disasters. But a new emergency-response manual being distributed by the Defense Ministry aims to prepare Lithuanians for a catastrophe far worse than a chemical spill or the occasional tornado. The 98-page guide, which this week goes out to libraries and army personnel in the 3-million-strong Baltic nation, is meant to gird citizens for the possibility of invasion, occupation, and armed conflict. The manual, entitled "How To Act In Extreme Situations Or Instances Of War," may seem an overly anxious measure in a country like Lithuania, which lived under Soviet control from 1940-1991 but has enjoyed the security of European Union and NATO membership since 2004. Nonetheless, officials in Vilnius say the past year in Ukraine, with the annexation of Crimea and deadly fighting in the country's eastern Donbas region, has shown that Russia remains a danger to all of its neighbors. "When Russia started its aggression in Ukraine, our citizens here in Lithuania understood that our neighbor is not friendly," said Lithuanian Defense Minister Juozas Olekas in an interview with the Reuters news agency. The examples of Georgia and Ukraine -- which have both lost parts of their territory in wars with Russia or pro-Russian separatists -- "show us that we cannot rule out a similar kind of situation here," added Olekas, who noted in the manual's introduction that he had received "frequent questions about our homeland defense from ordinary Lithuanian citizens." The publication, which is also available for download from the Defense Ministry website offers suggestions and practical advice for everything from converting cellars to shelters to knowing how to react when enemy soldiers show up at family homes. It also includes instructions for appropriate forms of civil disobedience in the event of an occupation -- strikes, blockades, disinformation, and the online organization of cyberattacks against the enemy. Although the publication makes no specific mention of Russia, it offers advice on how to respond in a "hybrid war" situation involving armed soldiers with no insignia or any evident government affiliation -- an obvious reference to the war in Ukraine, where Moscow has repeatedly rejected accusations of providing arms and soldiers to support separatist militia fighters. "Lithuanian citizens who notice unknown and unidentified armed groups operating in their neighborhood or elsewhere should notify the authorities," the manual advises, adding that the Lithuanian armed forces have newly operational rapid-reaction units that can "respond to a threat and neutralize it." Contingency Plans The pamphlet's tone is no-nonsense and occasionally wry. Gunshots outside your window "are not the end of the world," one section admonishes. Another line urges that passive resistance should, at the very least, involve "doing your job worse than usual." But many of the scenarios outlined in the manual are deeply alarming in a country with a 50-year history of violent Soviet occupation, and which just last week marked the anniversary of a bloody confrontation between independence demonstrators and Soviet troops in 1991. Despite its NATO and EU membership, Lithuania's geographic location leaves it permanently in peril, uncomfortably squeezed between Russia-friendly Belarus and Russia's own Kaliningrad Oblast, a coastal exclave and home to Moscow's Baltic Sea Fleet. The Kremlin, meanwhile, has begun to ramp up another form of pressure against Lithuania, threatening to prosecute approximately 1,500 Lithuanians who deserted mandatory military service under the Soviet Union. Russia, which is suspected of using its weapons and soldiers to aid separatist aims in eastern Ukraine, may be using the threat against Lithuania as a way of expressing its disapproval of Vilnius's open support of the Kyiv government and Ukrainian troops. With this in mind, the Defense Ministry manual prepares Lithuanians for the notion of possible evacuation, a prospect that would involve a drive south to Poland or west to the coast, to catch ferry transport to Poland, Germany, Sweden, or Finland. (The coastline headquarters of Lithuania's LNG gas terminal, of strategic value to any foreign invader, makes departure by sea potentially dangerous, however.) Lithuanians are being advised to make contingency plans in case of evacuation: keeping car tanks full, packing food and supplies in advance, and considering the special needs of elderly family members, small children, and pets. In the meantime, Lithuania is slowly strengthening its military apparatus, aiming to raise defense spending to 1.1 percent of GDP this year, and to NATO's own recommended target of 2 percent by 2020. Activists in St. Petersburg have protested the decision of the Russian city's government to hand over the landmark St. Isaac's Cathedral to the Russian Orthodox Church. Activists from the Vesna (Spring) movement hung a banner saying "Not RPTs" -- the Russian acronym for the Russian Orthodox Church -- on the iconic building on January 11. The banner was removed in about three minutes by police. No arrests were reported. The protest took place a day after St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko said that the issue of handing over the cathedral to the Russian Orthodox Church "is decided." On January 9, reports said Poltavchenko had ordered the handover of the building, which is officially a museum, to be completed by the end of 2017. Museum Director Nikolai Burov said on January 11 that it will take time to determine the disposition of the "several thousand" items inside the museum and that, in the meantime, planned restoration of the historic building will continue. A spokeswoman for the church said public access to the building, which receives about 3.5 million visitors a year, would continue "as before." Completed in 1858, the cathedral, a registered UNESCO heritage site, is the fourth-largest cathedral in the world and the largest Orthodox Christian basilica. However, because of the expense of maintaining it, it has always been the property of the government -- even before the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. St. Isaac's housed the Museum of Religion and Atheism during the Soviet period. Since 1990, it has been managed jointly by the church and the city of St. Petersburg. With reporting by TASS Serbia on January 10 formally requested the extradition of a former Kosovar prime minister from France to face war-crimes charges after his arrest there last week. Ramush Haradinaj, a former guerrilla fighter in Kosovo's 1998-99 war for independence from Serbia, was arrested on January 4 under an international warrant issued by Serbian courts in 2004. Haradinaj was briefly prime minister of Kosovo in 2004-05 and now heads an opposition party. A French court has ruled that Haradinaj should stay in custody until it decides whether to turn him over to Serbia. Haradinaj has been tried twice and acquitted of war crimes at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague. But the Serbs accuse him of war crimes against civilians in the late 1990s, including kidnappings and torture, when he led ethnic Albanian insurgents fighting Serbian forces for Kosovo independence. The arrest has increased tensions between Belgrade and Pristina. Kosovo, which is mainly ethnically Albanian, declared independence in 2008, which Serbia has not recognized but 110 other countries have. Kosovar lawmakers called on the European Union to intervene to secure Haradinaj's release. Based on reporting by AP and AFP U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's selection for attorney general said he was opposed to a registry for Muslims in the United States. During a wide-ranging confirmation hearing on January 10, Republican Senator Jeff Sessions said he was also opposed to denying Muslims entry to the United States and would uphold a law that bans waterboarding. (Reuters) ON MY MIND Well, there is one thing we can be sure of. Russian-American relations are headed for one of their strangest epochs ever. We don't yet know, of course, whether the dossier claiming that Russia has been "cultivating, supporting, and assisting" Donald Trump for years and has gathered compromising and salacious material on the U.S. President-Elect is accurate. But accurate or not, it is nevertheless now part of the political ecosystem. And it comes on the heels of the declassified U.S. intelligence report accusing Russia of interfering in the election on Trump's behalf. And it comes as Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham are pushing for more sanctions on Russia. And it comes as Trump continues to insist that he wants to improve relations with Moscow. Everything that happens in the Russian-American relationship -- any reconciliation, any conflict, or anything in between -- will now happen under the cloud of all these events. We truly are in uncharted waters. IN THE NEWS The FBI briefed U.S. President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump last week on claims that Russian intelligence agencies have compromising personal and financial information about Trump, U.S. and British media reports said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has denied the claims. The Obama administration will take more retaliatory measures against Russia over alleged hacking of the U.S. presidential election last year, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said. Trump's choice for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, will express concerns about Russia's actions around the globe and insist that NATO should be alarmed by a resurgent Moscow when he faces a Senate confirmation hearing on January 11, according to the text of the opening statement Tillerson plans to give during the hearing. Russian hackers targeted the U.S. Republican Party's national organization but did not succeed in intruding on the presidential campaign of Republican Donald Trump, FBI Director James Comey has told lawmakers. Kremlin spokesman Peskov says a recent U.S. decision to impose personal sanctions on three Russians and a U.S. Senate proposal to expand sanctions against Russia are "further steps in the artificially created degradation of our relations." A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is pushing new legislation that would cement into U.S. law the sanctions imposed on Russia for its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. An association of 19 national anti-doping groups has called for a ban on Russia from all international sporting events until that country can show it has put credible systems in place to prevent further doping incidents. Aleksei Yablokov, a prominent Russian environmentalist and opposition politician whom a colleague described as a "hero of our time," has died at the age of 83. A Moscow court has extended the pretrial house arrest of former Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev by three months, until April 15. The World Bank is predicting 1.5 percent growth in Russias gross domestic product in 2017 and sees a gain of 1.7 percent in 2018 and 1.8 percent the following year, helped by increases in commodity prices. A monument in western Ukraine honoring the memory of some 900 people who were massacred during World War II has been severely damaged by unknown vandals. WHAT I'M READING The Trump-Russia Dossier So reports that Russia has been "cultivating, supporting, and assisting" Donald Trump for years and has gathered compromising and salacious material on the U.S. President-Elect are pretty much blocking out the sun today. BuzzFeed published an opposition research dossier on Trump, compiled by a person who has claimed to be a former British intelligence official. CNN had earlier reported that both Trump and outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama had been briefed on the dossier, which was contained in a classified U.S. intelligence report. The Guardian reported that U.S. Senator John McCain passed the documents to FBI Director James Comey in December. Lawfare has a piece arguing that everybody should all "take a deep breath." In the Dutch publication Raam Op Rusland, Mark Galeotti of the Institute of International Relations in Prague offers a skeptical take. And The New York Times reports on how BuzzFeed is coming under fire for publishing the dossier before it was substantiated. The Secret History Newsweek's Kurt Eichenwald has an extensive report on Trump, Putin, And The Hidden History Of How Russia Interfered In The U.S. Election. A Letter From Europe A group of 17 European dignitaries -- including former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former Romanian President Traian Basescu, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, former Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski, and Former Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg -- have published an open letter to Donald Trump warning that Russia is not America's ally. The Case Against A Ukraine Deal James Sherr of Chatham House has a commentary arguing that a preemptive compromise would imperil Ukraine. "There is no advantage to conceding Ukraines autonomy in the face of renewed geopolitical pressure," Sherr writes. The Year Russian Media Won? Russian political commentator Aleksei Kovalyev has a piece in The New Times on how in 2016 Russian state-controlled media have managed to convince the world of its own incredible influence. The Hacking Of The Future In a piece for Prospect Magazine, Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan, authors of the book Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia's Digital Dictators And The New Online Revolutionaries, argue that if you think hacking is bad now, "you aint seen nothing yet." 'Propaganda' Is So 20th Century Mark Teeter, a columnist for The Moscow News, has a piece arguing that it's time to think up some new words for "propaganda." What's Past Is Prologue Mark Kramer, director of Cold War Studies at Harvard Universitys Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, has a piece on The Deep Soviet Roots Of The Russian Election-Hacking Campaign. U.S. Secretary of State-nominee Rex Tillerson said the United States should have had a more robust military response following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Asked at his confirmation hearing by Senator Ben Cardin what the U.S. response should have been, Tillerson said more defensive weapons, intelligence, and air surveillance should have been provided. (Reuters) U.S. Congressman Glenn Grothman is praising President-elect Donald Trump for blasting a pharmaceutical industry he said is "getting away with murder" by charging outlandish prices. It was a rare issue on which Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, found common cause with both Trump and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Trump, in his first press conference as president-elect Wednesday, criticized the drug industry as "disastrous" for moving their manufacturing outside the U.S. Trump also re-upped a suggestion he made during the campaign that he would push to allow the federal government to negotiate drug prices for seniors using Medicare, a measure previously supported largely by Democrats. Grothman, a second-term representative of east-central Wisconsin's 6th congressional district, hailed Trump's remarks in a press release. It said Grothman's concerns with the industry "include not only outrageous prices, but also over-prescribing of opiates which leads to heroin addiction and over-prescribing of medications to children for issues like ADHD." "Since my time in the Wisconsin State Legislature, Ive refused to take political donations from the pharmaceutical industry because of my belief that Big Pharma no longer prioritizes the creation of life-saving drugs over making money," Grothman said. The release did not say if Grothman supports Trump's specific call to negotiate Medicare drug prices. WASHINGTON -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state has portrayed Russia as a dangerous and destabilizing global actor that disregards U.S. interests, but said Moscow is "not unpredictable" and that Washington must improve its understanding of the Kremlin's thinking. In a January 11 confirmation hearing focusing largely on Russia, former ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Russia "poses a danger" and that U.S. allies had a right to be alarmed about a "resurgent Russia." "While Russia seeks respect and relevance on the global stage, its recent activities have disregarded America's interests," Tillerson, the recipient of a state friendship award from President Vladimir Putin, added in prepared opening remarks to lawmakers. The hearing comes amid scrutiny of the ties that Tillerson, 64, has had with the Russian government based on ExxonMobils extensive business dealings in the country. These included an Arctic development deal with state-owned oil giant Rosneft that was halted after Washington imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and backing of armed separatists in eastern Ukraine. His confirmation hearing also comes in the wake of allegations by U.S. intelligence that Russia used cyberattacks to meddle in the presidential election and help Trump win -- an assessment that the Republican president-elect has publicly cast doubt on but appeared to endorse on January 11. Tillerson: U.S. Must Be 'Clear-Eyed' About Russian 'Danger' The firm stance on Russia that Tillerson assumed during the hearing appeared likely to assuage some concerns among leading U.S. senators that Tillerson could take a softer line on Russia. However, he elicited surprise from senators when he said he had not had a conversation with Trump about U.S. policy on Russia. Trump says he wants to improve relations with Moscow that have been badly strained over the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, and that he would consider lifting U.S. sanctions on Moscow imposed in response to the Crimea annexation. Tillerson called Russia an "adversary" but said greater bilateral cooperation would be positive, adding that Washington had failed to recognize that "Russia does not think like we do" and stressing the importance of "an open and frank dialogue with Russia regarding its own ambitions." "Where cooperation with Russia based on common interests is possible, such as reducing the global threat of terrorism, we ought to explore these options," Tillerson said. "Where important differences remain, we should be steadfast in defending the interests of America and her allies." He added that "Russia must know that we will be accountable to our commitments and those of our allies, and that Russia must be held to account for its actions." Trump has advocated joining up with Russia to fight Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria, where Moscow has been accused of indiscriminate bombing in support of President Bashar al-Assads fight against the extremist group and more moderate opposition forces, some of which have received U.S. backing. Pressed by Republican Senator Marco Rubio (Republican-Florida) on whether Putins is a war criminal due to his intervention in Syria, Tillerson said, "I would not use that term." Tillerson: U.S. Must Win 'War Of Ideas' To Defeat 'Radical Islam' Tillerson, who has questioned the wisdom of the Ukraine-related sanctions, criticized the administration of outgoing President Barack Obama for its response to the Crimea land grab, saying it emboldened Russia to back separatists in eastern Ukraine with weapons and soldiers. Tillerson told lawmakers that Washington should have advised Ukraine to move all available military assets to its eastern border and provide those assets with defensive weapons, U.S. or NATO air surveillance, and intelligence. He added that Russia's leadership saw the Obama administration's response to Crimea as "weak." Russia denies that it has sent troops and weapons to back the separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has killed more than 9,750 people since April 2014, despite substantial evidence of such support. Obama's executive order declaring a national emergency that underpins the Ukraine sanctions is set to expire in March, meaning Trump would have around six weeks after his January 20 inauguration to make a decision on whether to renew it, cancel it, or let it expire. Asked whether he believes now is the right time to lift Ukraine-related sanctions, Tillerson said, "I would leave things in the status quo so we are able to convey this can go either way." On Russian Hacking Allegations Answering questions about the U.S. intelligence accusations that Russia used cyberattacks and other tools in a bid to tilt the November 8 presidential election toward Trump, Tillerson said he had not seen the classified intelligence report making those allegations. But he said he had read the declassified report released on January 6, adding that it "clearly is troubling." Tillerson said, however, that he was "not in position" to determine the accuracy of the assessment by U.S. intelligence that Putin ordered the campaign to interfere in the election. But he said it was "a fair assumption" that Putin would have been aware of such an interference effort. Russia denies it was behind the theft of Democratic e-mails that were later published by WikiLeaks and others. Those e-mails are widely seen as having damaged the campaign of Trump's Democratic opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After publicly questioning U.S. intelligence findings on Russia's alleged hacking, Trump on January 11 echoed the conclusions that Putin personally ordered the interference campaign. "He shouldn't be doing it. He won't be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect when I'm leading than when other people are leading" the country, Trump told reporters in Manhattan during his first news conference since July and likely his last before he formally takes office. Tillerson declined to say whether he would support maintaining recent sanctions that Obama ordered against Russia in response to the theft of e-mails from the Democratic National Committee, the Clinton campaign, and other U.S. political organizations. Senator Bob Corker (Republican-Tennessee), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that he expected Tillerson to be confirmed as secretary of state by the Republican-controlled Senate. Prominent Republicans in Congress have been among the most vocal critics of Trump's statements on Russia -- including positive words about Putin and remarks questioning the U.S. commitment to NATO members who don't maintain sufficient defense spending. Tillerson told the confirmation hearing that the defense guarantee, stipulated by Article 5 of the NATO charter, was inviolable. Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, told RFE/RL that Tillerson sounded "relatively hawkish" on Russia and at many times at odds with Trump's approach to Moscow. "[He] essentially sounded like a normal Republican prior to Trump's election would have sounded on Russia. But obviously that's somewhat at odds with the rhetoric that Trump has offered on Russia throughout the campaign, and even in the [January 11 Trump] press conference that just happened," Drezner said. When asked at his press conference whether Putin attempted to help him defeat Clinton, Trump replied, "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability." Tillerson stressed at the hearing that if confirmed by the Senate, he will not diverge from the Trump administration's policies. But he was more reserved than Trump on the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear program. During the presidential campaign, Trump pledged that he would "tear up" the accord, though he has also said would be hard to destroy because it has been endorsed by a UN resolution. Tillerson said he supported a "full review" of the Iran nuclear deal and advocated tighter monitoring to guarantee that Tehran does not violate it. "We need...to examine our ability to clarify whether Iran is complying," Tillerson told lawmakers. With reporting by AP and Reuters The Turkmen government has been proudly proclaiming its UN-recognized status as a neutral country for more than 20 years now. Ashgabat's policy of "positive neutrality" is, since September 2016, even part of the country's constitution. But the policy is not always positive for Turkmenistan, and the current gas spat with neighbor Iran might be a case in point. Turkmenistan has either greatly reduced or suspended entirely -- depending on which country you believe -- supplies of gas to Iran. Each side has its own version of the problem. I'll mention their claims later; that is not so much the issue in this article. The audience they are trying to reach to tell their respective sides of the story, and in Turkmenistan's case those being kept in the dark, is the focus of this work. First, some necessary background. Turkmenistan's first post-independence president, Saparmurat Niyazov, was the architect of the policy of neutrality in the early 1990s. The policy was never articulated very clearly, and to this day it remains vague; but essentially it meant Turkmenistan would not take sides in anyone else's conflicts; nor would it join any alliances, excepting multinational economic organizations, but would act as a mediator or at least offer its territory as a neutral venue for feuding parties to meet and try to resolve their problems. A benefit of this policy, in theory, was that by courting good ties with all, neutrality would be a shield for the country, since no outside party would have any reason to be upset or angry with Turkmenistan. That's what the Turkmen government has told its people for more than 20 years. Now to the current Turkmen-Iran dispute. 'Inflated' Prices Starting in the last days of December, Iranian news agencies including Mehr, IRNA, ISNA, Fars, Shana, and Press TV, cited various government officials and representatives of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) explaining the problems with Turkmenistan. The general picture these officials and the media painted was that Turkmenistan was demanding payment for gas supplies in 2007-08, when Ashgabat used a freezing winter in northern Iran to demand nine times the previous price for gas. In any case, the price Turkmenistan was now demanding was incorrect and inflated. On New Year's Eve, Iranian news agencies reported an 11th-hour deal was reached and there would be no cutoff, a new five-year agreement had been reached, and the issue of the debt would be discussed and resolved in the coming months. Hours later, Iranian media reported Turkmenistan had "suddenly" suspended gas supplies to Iran. Iran's Tasnim news agency interviewed NIGC spokesman Majod Bourjarzadeh, who said Turkmenistan had "reneged on the promise" and cut off gas supplies and that Turkmen officials "had gone on New Year' holidays" and could not be reached. 'Unreliable Partner' The new Iranian media narrative has followed Bourjarzadeh's lead, and reports now have officials calling Turkmenistan an "unreliable partner" and generally blaming Ashgabat for the entire situation. Turkmenistan did not respond until January 3, when the Foreign Ministry released a statement on its website calling reports in Iranian media "misleading" and saying the NIGC had "not made sufficient effort since 2013 to pay off its debt." The ministry also claimed that during 2016 "the Iranian side was officially repeatedly informed of the adverse situation...and possible cuts in Turkmen natural gas supplies." The Turkmen statement says Ashgabat was forced to "limit" supplies, not halt them. There is no mention of the amount of Iran's debt. The NIGC's response that same day, widely cited by Iranian media, said Turkmenistan had "time and again" violated the terms of gas agreement but had still been "compensated" by Iran. The NIGC also vowed to take the matter to international arbitration. Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry responded once more on January 4, surprising many by revealing, at least according to the ministry, that Iran signed a "take or pay" contract for gas, that "the NIGC hasn't taken large volumes of the Turkmen gas for several years," and "at the same time, the company didn't pay any financial compensation to Turkmenistan." So Turkmenistan is essentially demanding payment for gas Iran never received but said it would buy. Tehran's version of the dispute with Turkmenistan is being disseminated by Iranian state media to the public. But the government in "neutral" Turkmenistan can't tell its people because such a narrative runs contrary to the philosophy of positive neutrality. Turkmenistan's state media (the only media in the country) have not mentioned the problems with Iran. The statements from the Foreign Ministry, posted on the ministry's website, are unlikely to seen by Turkmenistan's citizens, who have limited opportunities to access the Internet and are unlikely to use such possibilities as exist to check their government's websites. Caged In Turkmen authorities have been telling the country's citizens for two decades that neutrality would make everyone their friend. Having to admit publicly that there has been a rift with a neighbor and partner Turkmen media has praised since the early 1990s would be difficult to explain. Turkmen authorities have caged themselves in. Positive neutrality might be a means to avoid making enemies, but clearly it cannot resolve problems in which Turkmenistan itself is involved. This is not the first example either. Neutrality failed to resolve a gas dispute with Russia in 2008 and 2009, and today Russia does not purchase any gas from Turkmenistan. Neutrality has not prevented security problems across the border in northern Afghanistan from affecting the situation in Turkmenistan, one example being the sudden and unprecedented need to build up the military and spend state funds on massive amounts of new equipment. But neutrality does make it impossible for the government to tell the people bad news that involves Turkmenistan, and this situation with Iran is just the latest example. Iranian media have reported that power is being rerouted to alleviate the situation in northeastern Iran. Some officials go so far as to say that Iran can totally compensate for the power being lost due to the "suspension" of Turkmen gas supplies. This episode has given new impetus to projects already under way to provide northeastern Iran with domestic sources of power, ending forever the need to buy gas from Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has only two customers for its gas: Iran and China. And Turkmenistan might have just lost Iran as a customer, but that can't be explained by neutrality, so the Turkmen government can't tell its people about it. RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk, and my colleague and Iranian specialist Golnaz Esfandiari contributed to this report. After armed guards led Geldy Kyarizov through the gates of Ovadan Depe, a prison in the Turkmen desert outside Ashgabat, they tore the sack off his head and told him, "Only God can help you now." A little later, cellmates in the maximum-security prison's "special block" had another warning for the newcomer: "Nobody has left this place alive yet," they told him. "People only arrive here." Kyarizov did get out alive, though. Sentenced to six years in prison on charges he says were groundless, he was abruptly freed in 2007 after eccentric autocrat Saparmurat Niyazov died and was succeeded as president by Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, who has made moderate changes but continues to rule Turkmenistan with an iron hand. In a rare account of life in the secretive former Soviet republic's toughest prison, Kyarizov described Ovadan Depe as a "horrific" place whose inmates rarely saw the sky and were starved to the point of emaciation and despair. "They do not torture inmates with electricity or tear the flesh off their bodies with red-hot tongs. No, it is not necessary to do that there. People are simply deprived of food there -- they torture by hunger," he told RFE/RL by telephone from Moscow, where he has been living since he left Turkmenistan in September. "Only skin and bones are left," Kyarizov said of the inmates. "And they look at each other like monkeys in a zoo." Seven Minutes Of Sky Ovadan Depe means "picturesque hill" -- a name derived from the prison's location on a rare rise in the Kara-Kum desert 50 kilometers northwest of Ashgabat, the Central Asian country's capital. The name is a piece of bitter irony for inmates, according to Kyarizov. When he was there, prisoners were allowed outside their cells once a week, for seven minutes, when they were escorted out of the special block for a shower and a shave. "In those seven minutes, while they take you through a corridor -- a 3-meter by 4-meter room with a metal grate above -- you can see the sky," he said. "Nobody sees the sky otherwise. In the cell, the window has a very thick metal grid and it is covered by metal blinds on the outside. You cannot see anything directly through it. You have to bend to be able to see the sky." Kyarizov's life has been shaped by the whims of Turkmenistan's autocratic leaders. A longtime champion of the desert country's iconic Akhal Teke horse breed, he was instrumental in returning the majestic animal to prominence after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union -- whose government had barred individuals from breeding and owning the horses in order to discourage private farming and nationalist sentiment and allowed the rare horses' meat to be used for consumption, which went against Turkmen traditions and mentality. Known for the natural metallic sheen of its coat and its grace as a show jumper, the Akhal Teke evokes Turkmenistan's cherished nomadic heritage. It is featured on the country's post-Soviet seal. Kyarizov's role in the reversal of the breed's fortunes made him something of a national hero and landed him a place in the elite under Niyazov, who appointed him minister of horse breeding. The ministry was later transformed into the Turkmen Atlary (Turkmen Horses) State Agency, which Kyarizov led until he suffered an abrupt change of fortune: He was arrested on December 31, 2002, on charges of negligence and abuse of office that he said were groundless and politically motivated. Suspected, Never Charged Kyarizov, who is now 64, was swept up in a purge launched by Niyazov after what Turkmen authorities said was an assassination attempt against him five weeks earlier, on November 25. Several dozen so-called Novembrists -- former officials associated with the alleged ringleader, then-Foreign Minister Boris Shikhmuradov -- are known to have been imprisoned in Ovadan Depe, which Niyazov ordered built the same year to house convicted political activists, opposition figures, and alleged Islamic extremists. Shikhmuradov, who was sentenced to life in prison, was widely believed to have been held in Ovadan Depe as well -- but there have been widespread reports saying that he was tortured to death. Turkmen officials have never revealed Shikhmuradov's location, and have neither confirmed nor denied reports of his death. The authorities did not formally accuse Kyarizov of involvement in the alleged assassination plot, but he was under constant pressure over suspicions among the authorities -- which he says were misplaced -- that he was a member of Shikhmuradov's circle. Hard Time He spent nearly five years in a string of jails and prisons before he was sent to Ovadan Depe in 2006. "They brought me to the Ovadan Depe prison with a sack on my head," he said. After it was removed, Kyarizov was quickly struck by the security at Ovadan Depe, which was much tighter than at any of the other lockups at which he had been held. Some of the cells were shut behind iron doors bearing the inscription: "To be opened only in presence of three services: Interior Ministry, KGB and Prosecutor's Office," he said. Former officials, including Kyarizov, were held in the prison's separate "special block," an imposing structure whose main gate opened vertically to ensure it could never be left ajar. Inside, each cell had a vertical door and a second lattice door with a hole for food delivery, he said, adding that "it is also locked and sealed. Nobody can open it." A Trickle Of Food Life in the cells was miserable, but Kyarizov soon encountered a more pressing problem: Hunger. Kyarizov's cellmates were so thin that they looked "scary." And they told him that a few months before his arrival, prominent politician Geday Akhmedov -- a former provincial governor who had been decorated by Niyazov as a Hero of Turkmenistan -- starved to death in the same cell. Kyarizov struggled to avoid that fate. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner was a thin slice of bread and a small portion of watery millet porridge with no meat, oil, or fat in it -- but, like the bread, with plenty of sand and small stones. At lunch, each inmate also got a plastic bowl of "soup" -- just boiled water, sometimes with a few scraps of onion or potatoes. A cup of weak, tepid tea was allowed in the morning, and replaced at lunch and dinner with the boiled leaves of the camelthorn plant. According to Kyarizov, the food given to inmates was made with leftovers from the meals cooked for the armed guards, young Turkmen conscripts. "In just five months I lost almost 40 kilograms. I weighed 96 kilograms when they brought me to Ovadan Depe, and my weight was 59 when I was released," Kyarizov said. "That is just in five months -- imagine what happens to those who spend years there." Surviving Niyazov Kyarizov was fortunate enough not to find out. He spent five months at the prison before his release, which followed Niyazov's death in December 2006 and a swift, opaque succession process that put Berdymukhammedov in the presidency. Berdymukhammedov pardoned Kyarizov weeks after becoming Turkmenistan's new president. Still president today, Berdymukhammedov has lessened Turkmenistan's isolation somewhat, cultivating ties with rival powers attracted by its natural-gas riches, including the United States, Europe, Russia, and China. But any who hoped Niyazov's death would usher in a new era of rights and freedoms have been disappointed: Turkmenistan remains officially neutral and highly repressive. Kyarizov's recollections of Ovadan Depe are echoed by more recent reports from groups such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty international, and Crude Accountability about conditions there. Crude Accountability, a U.S.-based organization that focuses on petroleum-impacted communities in the Caspian Sea region, said in a 2014 report that "torture is widespread in Ovadan Depe." "Beatings are a regular occurrence.... Sources describe the use of dogs, batons, and subsequent loss of consciousness, damage to the kidneys, and the inability to walk," the report said. "'Kartsers' or cylindrical dark solitary confinement cells, are also used as a means of torture. The minuscule amounts of food and water, combined with mosquito infestations and extreme temperatures made the stays in the kartsers a psychologically and physically impossible form of torture." The report's description of food, or lack of it, is similar to Kyarizov's account. It said a source who spent several years in Ovadan Depe "received no food except hot wheat porridge and pumpkin, which was passed to the inmates inside their cells. There was never any meat." People 'Must Speak Out' Kyarizov told RFE/RL that his release saved his life. But he was barred from leaving Turkmenistan after he refused to publicly express his gratitude to Berdymukhammedov in a televised statement. And he found himself shut out of the horse-breeding business, unable to find a job working with the animals due to his "criminal record." The authorities took the last of his horses, which had been kept by his wife, Yulia Serebryannik, and had his house razed, saying it had been built illegally -- another claim Kyarizov called groundless and politically motivated. Kyarizov had to abort an attempt to leave Turkmenistan in December 2014. With Russian visas and tickets to Moscow in hand, he and his family went to the airport only to have their documents canceled by officials who said they were barred from leaving the country. But in September he and close relatives were permitted to leave one by one -- a change of heart he ascribes to international pressure on Turkmenistan to improve its human rights record. Still, Kyarizov has no plans to return to Turkmenistan, where he fears he and his family would not be safe. But he said people who want change in Turkmenistan should speak out. "If they keep their mouths shut, this situation will never end," Kyarizov said. Silence "gives tyrants a free hand," he added. "Keeping silent is bad. I say that not because I am now free and therefore I am brave. No. I say that because I know that thousands of people are still in jails there." A monument in western Ukraine honoring the memory of some 900 people who were massacred during World War II has been severely damaged by unknown vandals. Local police reported the damage on January 10, saying that they were investigating. A stone cross was smashed to pieces and two slabs bearing the names of the victims were painted with a Ukrainian flag, Ukrainian nationalist symbols, and a Nazi SS emblem. The monument in the village of Huta Peniatska in Ukraines Lviv region honors victims of a 1944 massacre by a Nazi unit composed mostly of Ukrainian volunteers. Most of the victims were ethnic Poles, and Polands Foreign Ministry has asked Ukraine to ensure that the perpetrators are revealed and punished. Polands ambassador to Ukraine, Jan Pieklo, plans to attend ceremonies at the site of the monument next month to mark the 73rd anniversary of the massacre. Based on reporting by AP and Interfax The Obama administration will take more retaliatory measures against Russia over alleged hacking of the U.S. presidential election last year, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on January 10. "Some responses have been made. I think you should regard that as a start and not the end," Carter said at his last press conference, referring to sanctions the White House imposed earlier this year on Russian diplomats and intelligence agencies. Carter provided no further details of what the administration might do during its last nine days in office. Last month, the administration expelled 35 Russian diplomats and sanctioned two Russian intelligence agencies that it accused of carrying out the hacking of U.S. Democratic e-mails and other documents that were subsequently published by WikiLeaks. A U.S. intelligence assessment released last week said Russian President Vladimir Putin had "ordered" the hacking campaign to help elect Republican Donald Trump and undermine faith in the U.S. democratic process. Russia has denied the charges. Trump publicly praised Putin during the campaign and vowed to rebuild U.S.-Russian relations when he becomes president on January 20. Based on reporting by Reuters and dpa Uzbekistan is on edge after learning that Uzbek President Islam Karimov, 78, has been hospitalized after suffering what an August 29 post on his younger daughters Instagram account said was a cerebral hemorrhage -- bleeding in the brain. In Uzbekistan, and in the rest of Central Asia and beyond, many now wonder what happens if Karimov dies or is no longer able to perform the functions of president. Who would, or could, replace the only leader the country has had since it became independent in the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991? Uzbekistans constitution says that if the president is unable to perform his duties, the head of the upper chamber of parliament -- now the little-known Nigmatulla Yuldashev -- assumes the president's authority for a period of three months. For the longer term, the list of favorites is short: It includes three people. Many believe the heir apparent is Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyaev, 58, who has headed the government since 2003. He hails from Jizzakh Province, which is adjacent to Karimovs native Samarkand Province, and has the backing of the Jizzakh and presumably the Samarkand clans. It could be significant that the only official statement on Karimovs hospitalization came from the Cabinet of Ministers, which Mirziyaev heads. Clans will play an important role in the succession process. Karimov, who has ruled with an iron hand and tolerated little dissent, has been a master at maneuvering among the various clans in Uzbekistan and playing them off one another. Some critics have characterized Mirziyaev in no uncertain terms, describing him as a thug who is short on reason and quick to aggression. During his tenure as governor of Jizzakh Province (1996-2001), he was reported to have physically assaulted at least one farmer who dared complain about conditions in the province. His successor, Ubaidulla Yamankulov, was eventually taken away in handcuffs, by helicopter, after numerous reports of him beating constituents and allegations that he headed a local hit squad. Mirziyaev surely knew Yamankulov well. Among Uzbekistans top officials, Mirziyaev is seen as a fist not a brain. That might not stop him from becoming president, but some observers say that if he does, his government could be more repressive than that of the widely criticized Karimov. It is worth noting that Uzbekistan has been tinkering with its constitution during the last five years. On paper, at least, some amendments have increased the powers of the prime minister. That could be a good sign for Mirziyaev, or even an endorsement. But the Samarkand clan fell slightly out of favor in the late 1990s due the actions of the clan boss, Ismail Jurabekov. Jurabekov was instrumental in Karimovs rise through the ranks of the Communist Party in the 1980s and was rewarded with government posts and prized business ownerships during the 1990s. But Jurabekov was far too powerful and was rumored to have been behind bombings in Tashkent in February 1999, not long after he had been sacked from his post as agriculture minister and ordered to go on pension. Jurabekov was back in the government shortly after the bombings and remained until 2004, but Karimovs ties to his native Samarkand clan were shaken. It is unclear how much those ties have been repaired, despite Jurabekov leaving politics and the public eye long ago. Another favorite to take Karimovs place is Finance Minister Rustam Azimov, 56. Azimov is from the Tashkent area and the Tashkent clan. He has been in the national government since 1998, always in a post connected to finance. Azimov is seen as more sophisticated than Mirziyaev, and he has more experience dealing with the outside world. In the first years after independence, Azimov, as head of Uzbekistans National Bank for Foreign Activities, was the countrys point man dealing with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A third, less likely potential candidate to take the reins is the chief of the National Security Committee (SNB), Rustam Inoyatov, 72. Inoyatov is one of the most powerful people in Uzbekistan, having served as SNB chief since 1995. He is from the Tashkent clan. Many suspect he has played the role of grey cardinal in recent years as Karimovs health has deteriorated. Many also suspect it was Inoyatov who was behind the campaign to bring down Karimovs elder daughter Gulnara, who was once a globetrotting businesswoman but has not appeared in public since 2014, when she was reportedly placed under house arrest after her name was connected to a corruption scandal involving international telecommunications companies. Inoyatovs age is likely to head off any serious consideration that he would become president, though it does not rule out a transitional role. Inoyatov is seen as a kingmaker, not a king. There is only one known photograph of him from the last 10 years -- a picture taken when he was in China to meet with security officials. He clearly does not want to be seen in public. But without his support it would be nearly impossible for anyone to become the next president of Uzbekistan or be able to rule the country without hindrances. Some reports suggest Inoyatov is on good terms with Mirziyaev and might support the latter as Uzbekistans next president. It should be noted that Inoyatov really solidified his power after Jurabekov was finally removed from politics, so the SNB chief must know something about the Samarkand clans weaknesses. It would be logical to believe Inoyatov would throw his support behind Azimov. They are both from the Tashkent clan. But balancing clans is a tricky business and so far the system has been kept in check with a president from Samarkand and influential officials from Tashkent. Azimov might be passed over to keep the peace. RFE/RLs Uzbek Service contributed to this report About 21,000 Wisconsin residents using food stamps have gained employment through a state program designed to connect recipients with jobs, Gov. Scott Walker announced during his annual State of the State address Tuesday. Thats the number of FoodShare recipients who have gotten jobs through the state program that was created when lawmakers reinstated a requirement that able-bodied adults without children at home be employed in order to keep FoodShare benefits. But nearly two years after the work requirement went into effect, in April 2015, about 64,000 FoodShare recipients also have lost benefits after receiving three months of food stamps and not looking for nor gaining employment, according to Department of Health Services data released Tuesday. Walker, in a December interview with the Wisconsin State Journal, said the number of people dropped from FoodShare may have gotten jobs on their own. Most of those people went out and got jobs, I believe, on their own; theyre not sitting falling through the cracks, Walker said. I think the predominance of people had job opportunities. Human nature is we all need a nudge for things. Labor force participation rate, its still very high, which suggests people dont fall through the cracks. David Lee, executive director of Feeding Wisconsin, an organization that advocates on behalf of food shelters and oversees a network of pantries in the state, asked why fewer than 20 percent of the about 145,000 people referred to the FoodShare Employment and Training program ultimately were connected to employment since the program began. Lee also said its important to note that the average wage of participants in the jobs program is about $12 per hour in about a 33-hour work week, making those participants still eligible for FoodShare benefits. This is important because despite improving employment numbers in our state, we still have a stubbornly high poverty rate, suggesting that the families in Wisconsin are working hard and playing by the rules but find that they dont have the opportunities to get ahead, Lee said. Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the success of our reforms should be measured by the number of people in the workforce, not on welfare. The program helps people move from government dependence to true independence through the dignity that comes from work, he said in response to Lees comments. Walker is again seeking to change the FoodShare program but asking the federal government permission to test FoodShare recipients for drug use. In December, the governor wrote a letter to President-elect Donald Trump seeking more state authority to do so. Walker in his last state budget included a provision that allows for drug testing of FoodShare recipients, but federal law prohibits it. Not long after Ricky Javon Gray was arrested and confessed to murdering seven people in Richmond, he apologized and told police, I just want to die. Gray is scheduled to be executed next week for the killings of Ruby Harvey, 4, and Stella Harvey, 9, and according to a statement released by his lawyers Wednesday, he remains sorry, if no longer hoping to die: Remorse is not a deep enough word for how I feel. I know my words cant bring anything back, but I continuously feel horrible for the circumstances that I put them through. I robbed them of a lifelong supply of joy. Ive stolen Christmas, birthdays and Easters, Thanksgivings, graduations, and weddings, children. Theres nothing I can do to make up for that. Its never left my mind, because I understand exactly what I took from the world by looking at my two sisters. Im reminded each time I talk and see them that this is what I took from the world. You know, the potential for greatness in those kids. Im sorry they had to be a victim of my despair. His lawyers wrote that Gray apologized for the crimes when arrested and has always been remorseful for the senseless pain and suffering he and (Ray) Dandridge caused. He mourns the Harvey girls every day, and he remembers them through his two youngest sisters who are the same ages Stella and Ruby would be today. Meanwhile, citing horrific childhood abuse said to have been suffered by Gray, more than 50 mental health professionals have sent a letter asking Gov. Terry McAuliffe to commute his death sentence to life in prison. As professionals in fields devoted to mental health; treatment of and advocacy for victims of violence and sexual abuse; and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and addiction, we urge you to recognize the impact these factors had in Mr. Grays life, begins the four-paragraph letter dated Tuesday. Two of the signers are James W. Stewart III and Jim Reinhard, prior commissioners for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson turned down a bid to delay Grays Jan. 18 execution for the Jan. 1, 2006, slayings of the Harvey sisters. Gray also killed their parents, Bryan Harvey, 49, and Kathryn Harvey, 39, in their South Richmond home. The victims were bound, stabbed and beaten with a hammer, and their house set on fire. Days later, Gray and Dandridge, 39, killed Ashley Baskerville, 21; Baskervilles mother, Mary Tucker, 47; and stepfather, Percyell Tucker, 55, in their Richmond home. Notice was filed Wednesday by Grays lawyers that they will appeal Hudsons decision to the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Gray also has a clemency petition pending before McAuliffe in which his lawyers ask the sentence be commuted to life, the same sentence that Dandridge received. Grays lawyers said they argue in the petition to McAuliffe that evidence developed since Grays trial sheds light on his behavior and provides an understanding of not an excuse for why he committed the crimes with Dandridge. This evidence should have been presented to the jurors deciding whether to sentence Gray to death. Gray was under the influence of powerful drugs, including psychosis-generating PCP, at the time of the crimes. He was introduced to the drug as a child, and became addicted as a way to try to block out the effects of the physical and sexual abuse he suffered for years at the hands of his family members. Ever since he has been free from PCP, Gray has exhibited no violent behavior, and has been a model inmate, Grays lawyers said in a prepared statement Wednesday. In support of the clemency petition, Grays lawyers said they provided reports from experts who evaluated Gray after his trial and found that he was particularly susceptible to the effects of PCP and other drugs because childhood trauma had changed the development of his brain, and because his drug abuse was so serious. His lawyers said witnesses reported that by the time Gray was 12, he was using PCP several times a week to numb the trauma resulting from the beatings, rapes and other abuse he suffered starting as a young child. The clemency petition states that from the time he was 4 until he was 11, Gray was raped and sodomized, often on a daily basis. The mental health professionals who signed the letter Tuesday said they reviewed the material on the physical and sexual abuse suffered by Gray and his resulting substance abuse and drug addiction problems. In Mr. Grays case, his abuse and trauma were left unaddressed and predictably led to profound despair and other serious trauma symptoms, drug addiction, and the drug use that resulted in the tragic crimes he committed with Ray Dandridge, the professionals wrote. They concluded: The crimes committed by Mr. Gray and Mr. Dandridge were horrible and deserving of strong punishment. But it also is beyond dispute that Ricky Gray was the victim of horrific sexual and physical abuse starting at a very young age and continuing throughout his childhood, which led to drug abuse, crippling addiction, and ultimately criminal behavior. In these circumstances, we offer our support for a decision to commute Mr. Grays decision to life imprisonment without possibility of parole, the mental health professionals concluded. It is not known when McAuliffe will act on Grays petition. In 2015, he turned down a clemency bid from serial killer Alfredo Prieto several days prior to his execution. U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy introduced legislation Tuesday that would return authority to states for determining the protected status of gray wolves. The Wausau Republicans plan would let states manage Western Great Lakes and Wyoming gray wolf populations within their boundaries after two U.S. District Court rulings in 2014 put the animals under the protection of the federal Endangered Species Act. In Wisconsin, we cherish our wildlife and work diligently to conserve our natural resources, but the Endangered Species Act has allowed courts to misuse judicial oversight to stop science-based wildlife management from moving forward to delist the gray wolf, Duffy said in a statement. Two state lawmakers from Northern Wisconsin expressed support Tuesday. A joint statement from state Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, and state Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, said, The overpopulation of gray wolves on Wisconsins landscape is harming farmers, hunters and residents of rural Wisconsin. Last August, the state Department of Natural Resources said a record number of hunting dogs had already been killed by wolves for the year. As of the close of Wisconsins bear season in October, at least 40 hunting dogs were confirmed killed by wolves, far exceeding the previous record of 23. Opponents have argued removing the species from the federal list benefits a handful of people who want to hunt the animal and say a strong wolf population helps the states ecosystem as a whole. Gov. Scott Walker has asked President-elect Donald Trump to help on several issues after he is inaugurated, including the legalization of gray wolf hunting in Wisconsin. L. Douglas Wilders executive assistant of more than 30 years was convicted Wednesday of embezzling $16,000 from the former mayor and governors dormant campaign account. Ruth Jones, 66, entered an Alford plea in Richmond Circuit Court, meaning she acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict her but maintained her innocence. Circuit Judge Beverly W. Snukals sentenced Jones to five years of probation and ordered her to pay restitution. Assistant Commonwealths Attorney John Jung said Jones wrote 35 unauthorized checks to herself from Wilders 2004 mayoral campaign account between 2008 his last year as Richmond mayor and 2013. Jones worked first in Wilders law office and later as his executive assistant in the governors office, in the mayors office and at Virginia Commonwealth University, where Wilder is a distinguished professor in the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Jung said the embezzlement was discovered two years ago when Jones was replaced by a new assistant, who noticed the discrepancy. Jones wrote in the memo line of the checks that they were for consulting fees, but the fees were never reported to the state in routine campaign-finance disclosures, Jung said. Wilder attended Wednesdays hearing and afterward said he was disappointed by the turn of events. Needless to say, this has been a shocking and disturbing ordeal, he said. Jones lawyer, Jeffrey A. Oppleman, said his client disagreed with the facts presented, but declined to offer an alternative version of events. There would have been some really disputed facts, he said. But shes older and hes well-known, so she decided to resolve that matter. According to campaign finance records compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project, Wilder had $114,000 in his campaign account as of his last activity report in June 2013. An 86-year-old woman died Wednesday in an early morning blaze in Henrico County. Authorities said the woman, Mary Williams Booth, lived at the home in the 2700 block of Darnell Road, which is near the intersection of West Broad Street and East Parham Road. Firefighters were called to the scene just after midnight. The fire began in a bedroom where Booth was found, but the cause is still under investigation, said Henrico Division of Fire Capt. Taylor Goodman. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes, Goodman said. A smoke alarm inside the home was working and alerted the family to the fire, Goodman said. Three other family members, who suffered minor injuries, unsuccessfully tried to rescue Booth, he said. A mother, two teenage daughters and a grandmother lived at the home, neighbors said. Theyre very loving and giving. They always look on the bright side of things, said Emily Elliott, a family friend who lives across the street. Elliott, who said she awoke at 1 a.m. and noticed the red flashing lights from emergency vehicles outside her window, has started a GoFundMe page to help the family. Just up the road on Meadowview Avenue, Wayne Atkisson said he was about to go to bed around midnight when he and his wife heard sirens. My wife steps out on the back porch, and we just saw the whole area lit up, Atkisson said. We saw the sky lit up like orange and everything. Atkisson said he did not know the family too well. I just knew them as neighbors, he said. They were very nice people. The home was surrounded by yellow caution tape, and charred debris could be seen under the front windows. Todd Moody, who lives two doors down from the scorched home, said that upon seeing the emergency vehicles, he initially thought they were responding to a car accident before he learned of the fire. I think that this family is going to definitely need prayers, Moody said. WARM SPRINGS A legal effort to remove three Bath County supervisors from office is a politically motivated move by a small band of critics, a lawyer for the three elected officials argued Tuesday. What this case is really about is the efforts of a few to run Bath County, said Jim Cornwell, referring to petitions filed in November that ask a judge to kick Claire Collins, Richard Byrd and Stuart Hall off the Board of Supervisors for misuse of office. After hearing arguments, Circuit Judge John Wetsel said he will rule within seven days on Cornwells motion to dismiss the case. In a controversy that has roiled this rural county, the panel voted 4-1 in September to eliminate the countys director of tourism position, a decision that critics say was motivated by personal grudges against the woman who held the position, Maggie Anderson, and her husband, Wayne, who worked with her on an economic development project. The petitions allege the board cast its surprise vote after discussing the matter in a closed session, a violation of the states open meetings law. They did it behind closed doors, in secret, and in clear violation of the Freedom of Information Act, said Alleghany County Commonwealths Attorney Ed Stein, who was appointed to represent the citizens seeking the supervisors removal. Under Virginia law, a judge can be asked to consider removing an elected official after a petition is submitted bearing signatures from registered voters that total at least 10 percent of the number who cast votes in the last election for the official. But thats a relatively small number in a county of just 4,400. After the hearing, Collins, board chairwoman, said the petitions were the work of a few disgruntled former supervisors and their followers, who became a disruptive presence at board meetings. This has been going on for a long period of time, she said. With the board being obstructed at every turn, she said, its meetings have become more like a village-style meeting in the days of New England. Although rarely used, state law allows a judge to remove an elected official for neglect, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties that has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of the office. Stein said the law was crafted to be used by laymen seeking recourse in their communities. It goes right to the heart of democracy and the right of the people to petition, he said. A juvenile girl was charged with attempted murder after police found a baby inside a closed plastic container on Jan. 5, according to a Roanoke police press release. Police were called out to a home on the 200 block of Harrison Avenue Northwest after they received a suspicious circumstances call involving a newborn. At first, the juvenile denied knowledge of the infant, but an officer heard the baby in the juvenile's room, according to the release. The child and the juvenile were taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to the release. The juvenile was additionally charged with aggravated malicious wounding and felony child neglect after detectives obtained petitions. Gov. Terry McAuliffe may have hoped for some surprise good news in Tuesdays special General Assembly elections, but tonight hell deliver his State of the Commonwealth speech facing the same daunting political landscape. Republicans will still control both legislative chambers, and the partys four gubernatorial contenders are ramping up their attacks on McAuliffes legacy in the hope of retaking the governors mansion in November. Limited to one four-year term, McAuliffe wanted to hand off the executive branch to Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, a succession plan jeopardized by former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriellos surprise entry into what is now a two-person Democratic primary. With six would-be governors needing to stand out, theyll search for opportunities over 46 days of debate covering thousands of bills. Leaders from both parties say they want to keep the gubernatorial race out of the halls of the statehouse. On the eve of the session, it already had seeped in. With Northam by his side, McAuliffe held a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday to call for a full repeal of the states voter photo ID law, setting off howls from Republicans who accused Northam of rushing to the left. Ed Gillespie, the GOP gubernatorial front-runner and former Republican National Committee chairman who has sought to make his presence felt on legislative issues by sending lawmakers a detailed policy letter, quickly released a statement saying hed work to preserve the voter ID law. Northams role presiding over the Senate, which gives him a deciding vote on most bills in the event of a 20-20 tie, may give him greater visibility in the weeks ahead. But because elected officials are banned from campaigning or raising money during the session, Perriello can travel the state for support, raise money and weigh in on policy issues from afar. Northam, who has the backing of Virginias Democratic establishment, will likely have to fend off attacks on his record as lawmakers take up reforms to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the state authority on the legislatures radar this year after a state report pointed to lax oversight of public incentives used to lure businesses to Virginia. Gillespie has sought to tie the VEDPs problems to Northam because Northam serves on the authoritys board, though the report made clear that many of the identified problems existed before McAuliffe took office. In addition to VEDP, balancing the state budget in the face of a $1.26 billion revenue shortfall will top the legislative agenda, with compensation for state employees a key sticking point. McAuliffe proposed a $130.6 million compensation package that includes a one-time 1.5 percent bonus for state employees, but legislative leaders already have dismissed the idea as doing too little for state employees to stem a surge in turnover that is taking a heavy toll on state police, mental hospitals and prisons. The governor may fare better with proposals to spend an additional $31.7 million on behavioral health and treatment of substance use disorders. McAuliffes proposed voter ID repeal, accompanied by other measures to expand absentee voting and tighten ethics laws by banning the personal use of campaign money, is the latest big-ticket item on the governors 2017 legislative wish list with seemingly steep odds. Hes also called for a dramatic reduction in the states use of drivers license suspensions as a way of collecting court fees from offenders who dont pay. He is still holding out hope for some form of Medicaid expansion, even with the Affordable Care Act in peril due to the coming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said McAuliffes hands have been tied by an opposing legislature, leaving the governor to focus his considerable energies on economic development and unilateral executive orders. Now, McAuliffe has to focus on getting bits and pieces from his last General Assembly session, and the Republicans have even more reason not to help him, Sabato said. They want a Republican to succeed McAuliffe. And McAuliffe has to do everything he can to elect Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, lest the GOP take full control of Virginia government and wipe out what legacy McAuliffe has created. McAuliffe has made it clear that he strongly backs Northam over Perriello, but he said that, during the session, hell spend no time worrying about politics. I dont even want to hear about the governors race, McAuliffe said. I dont care. Though divided government may have stymied McAuliffes ability to get bills passed, its allowed his supporters to argue for keeping the veto pen in Democratic hands as a check on the Republican legislature. McAuliffe has promised to veto bills he sees as discriminatory against LGBT people or restricting womens access to abortion, issues that could roil the Republican primary field and prove tricky in a purple state where the GOP is riding a losing streak in statewide elections that dates to 2009. McAuliffes latest target is a transgender bathroom bill introduced by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William. McAuliffe said he told Marshall hell veto the bill, which would force transgender people to use the bathroom in public buildings and schools corresponding to the sex on their original birth certificate. McAuliffe called the bill a jobs killer, and hinted it could be featured in his speech tonight. Marshalls bill is unlikely to win wide support, but not all Republicans are running from it. Corey Stewart, a fiery Prince William County supervisor seeking the Republican nomination for governor, said he supports the bill and thinks its common sense to keep people born as men out of womens bathrooms as a matter of public safety. Gillespie and his establishment, weak-kneed Republican politicians down in Richmond probably will kill the legislation before it sees the light of day, said Stewart, who served as the chairman of Trumps Virginia campaign but was fired for his role in an unauthorized protest at the RNC headquarters. Hes adopted a similarly anti-establishment tone in his run for governor, saying Gillespie and his many Republican endorsers in the General Assembly are part of a good ol boys club that stifles strong conservative legislation. Gillespie has endorsements from 62 of the legislatures 87 Republican members. Hes also set up nine policy work groups headed by Republican lawmakers. In addition to his own relationships with lawmakers, Gillespie hired Matt Moran, a legislative insider and former aide to House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, as his campaign spokesman. In his letter laying out his views on General Assembly issues, Gillespie called for reducing funding for the VEDP, higher funding for the corporate-led GO Virginia initiative to promote regional economic cooperation, and urged support for a pay raise for state employees that was canceled last summer due to the revenue shortfall. Longtime Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth said he expects Howell, who has endorsed Gillespie, to advance a Gillespie-friendly legislative agenda while burying items that might get in the way, such as Marshalls bathroom bill. One lawmaker who wont be looking to help Gillespie is state Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, who stresses his status as the only GOP gubernatorial candidate with in-depth policy chops built from decades of experience in state government. If endorsements meant anything, we wouldnt have a Congressman (Scott W.) Taylor, we wouldnt have a Congressman (Dave) Brat, we wouldnt have a President Trump, Wagner said. The General Assembly had not even convened when Senate Republicans sent a message to Gov. Terry McAuliffe to put money into state police salaries instead of hiring people for new public safety and mental health initiatives. Members of the Senate Finance subcommittee on public safety made clear on Wednesday morning that they were not interested in funding new positions the governor proposed for the Board of Corrections to oversee mental health in regional jails, or mental health screening at jails, or new law enforcement training, or part-time parole investigators, or more full-time workers at state liquor stores. The needs are many and the resources are few, Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, told Secretary of Public Safety Brian J. Moran. Youre creating more programs and employees when were not taking care of the employees we have. Morans grilling more than four hours before the gavel banged on the 46-day legislative session made clear that the General Assembly will be preoccupied with the fallout from cancellation of a 3 percent raise for state employees because of a revenue shortfall now projected at $1.26 billion. The needs are especially acute at state police, which is facing a surge of resignations and retirements. Norment, who also is co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, also made clear that he is not impressed with the 1.5 percent, one-time bonus McAuliffe proposed for state employees, college faculty, teachers and state-supported local employees such as sheriffs deputies. I think that the bonus hit the state employees with a thud, he told Moran. Moran defended the governors budget proposals, which he said include: $4 million to address salary compression for veteran state police employees whose pay lags that of new hires, and $8.7 million to address the same issue at sheriffs departments and regional jails; $3.9 million for career development incentives for constitutional officers, including sheriffs and commonwealths attorneys offices; and $500,000 to develop and carry out law enforcement training for fair and impartial policing, implicit bias and ways to de-escalate confrontations. I would hope over the next 45 days, well be able to have that conversation, the secretary said. Moran said $4.2 million to screen inmates for mental health issues at local and regional jails is a priority following deaths of mentally ill inmates at Hampton Roads Regional Jail and other facilities. But Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, questioned whether the money would be better spent on treating mental illnesses he said are readily apparent to jail officials, rather than hiring more people to identify them. Similarly, Moran said the Board of Corrections would need $200,000 to hire two people to provide oversight of regional and local jails, as McAuliffe will propose this session because of concern of the lack of accountability by jails for unexplained inmate deaths. But McDougle warned, Well be looking at redirecting some of these resources at state police and sheriffs departments. He also questioned why the governor proposed nearly $105 million in new bond revenues to replace the central warehouse and offices of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in Richmond, rather than limiting the request to money for planning the capital project. Moran said the request reflects the recommendations of a private consultant hired by ABC to examine ways to expand the capacity of the warehouse that handles all distilled spirits sold legally in 361 state retail liquor stores for a state monopoly that made about $900 million in sales last year. Theyre busting at the seams. Its the recognition that we need a new facility, he said. Plans by President-elect Donald Trump and Congress to overturn the Affordable Care Act and alter Medicaid could have a significant impact in Wisconsin, where much of a recent 38 percent drop in the uninsured rate came from the health laws exchange, health care experts said Wednesday. We dont want to lose ground on the insurance coverage, Donna Friedsam, health policy programs director at UW-Madisons Population Health Institute, said during a panel discussion at the Capitol. Trump and congressional leaders have talked of getting rid of the exchange, a private marketplace where most of those who have signed up get government subsidies to help pay for coverage. About 224,000 people in Wisconsin get insurance on the exchange. Trump and other Republicans want to emphasize high-deductible plans with health savings accounts, encourage the sale of health insurance across state lines and require patients to maintain continuous coverage to avoid being charged more for pre-existing conditions. These are all new and potentially challenging things for consumers, Friedsam said. It could lead to a lot of confusion. But Michael Heifetz, Wisconsins Medicaid director, said similar consumer concerns were raised after the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, was passed in 2010. There are a number of flaws in the ACA that we have the opportunity to correct, Heifetz said. We really havent moved the needle on quality as much as we should have. We havent significantly achieved payment reform. One of the biggest changes that might be coming from Congress could be converting funding for Medicaid, the state-federal health program mostly for the poor, into block grants. Instead of tying federal amounts to how much states spend, states would get a lump sum. They would also be free of many federal rules on how to run the program. The block grants could be awarded on a per-capita basis, which would help when more people enroll in Medicaid, such as during a recession. Heifetz said a new Medicaid funding structure could involve a hybrid of traditional block grants and per-capita grants. They dont have to approach every population the same way, he said. Gov. Scott Walker, in a letter Monday to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, requested maximum flexibility through full block grants to each state ... Sending funding for Medicaid back to the states will ensure that the program is more effective, more efficient, and more accountable to the people. Walker also asked for an immediate repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, but he sought a proper amount of time to transition people from the current program to a market-driven system. Medicaid reform could give states more freedom to require enrollees to pay premiums and cost-sharing, making coverage more like private insurance. Wisconsin will soon seek federal approval for such changes approved in the last state budget for roughly 143,000 childless adults in Medicaid, Heifetz said. The state wants to charge childless adults $1 to $5 a month for coverage, have higher premiums for those who engage in risky behaviors such as smoking, limit coverage to four years, require health risk assessments and subject enrollees to drug testing. Those who test positive for drug use would be referred for treatment. It is designed for moving folks from dependence to independence, Heifetz said. Justin Sydnor, an associate professor at UW-Madisons School of Business, said a greater reliance on high-deductible health plans could have trade-offs. The plans, generally accompanied by health savings accounts, can present a lower financial risk to patients than traditional health plans, Sydnor said. But since patients must pay more out of pocket for their health care, some avoid services they should be getting, he said. When people have to fund their own health care costs, they may potentially pull back on managing chronic diseases, which can have a personal effect but may also lead to bigger societal costs, Sydnor said. Gail Wilensky, a senior fellow at the international health foundation Project HOPE who had served as a senior health adviser to former President George H.W. Bush, said increases in health care spending dropped in recent years, mostly because of the recession. That likely wont last, regardless of what policy changes come out of Washington, Wilensky said. Now that we are in a recovery stage, thank goodness, we should expect to see higher health care spending growth, she said. Some of our spending challenges may be returning. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. RICHMOND Mr. Jefferson's Capitol is no longer the Capitol of the Confederacy. The National Park Service Wednesday approved a new National Historic Landmark designation that recognizes the 229-year-old seat of state government solely as the Virginia State Capitol instead of also as the Capitol of the Confederacy. "We have long thought it should just stand on its own as the Virginia State Capitol," said Julie Langan, executive director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, which applied last year for the updated designation with the Capitol Square Preservation Council. The previous designation as The Capitol of the Confederacy dates to 1960, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. The Capitol served as the seat of government for the Confederate States of America from 1861 until its retreat from Richmond in 1865. "It really speaks to the time at which the designation was made," Langan said in an interview. The timing of the new designation also is not coincidental, as Virginia prepares to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the House of Burgesses in 1619. "It is fitting that this designation update comes as we prepare to commemorate our 400th anniversary in 2019," said Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, called the Capitol "the home of the oldest elected representative law-making body in the Western Hemisphere" and "a world-class architectural masterpiece that set the model for public architecture here and across America." Thomas Jefferson, a former governor and member of the Continental Congress, designed the Capitol with the assistance of French architect Charles Louis Clerisseau and then-Gov. Patrick Henry laid the cornerstone in 1785. The Capitol became home to the General Assembly when the legislature moved the seat of government to Richmond from Williamsburg in 1788. Its illustrious history already included ratification of the U.S. Bill of Rights in 1791 and the treason trial of former Vice President Aaron Burr in 1807. The designation as a national historic landmark applies just to the Capitol building, which the state restored and expanded in 2007 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown Colony. However, the Executive Mansion, completed in 1813 and still the country's oldest continually occupied governor's residence in the U.S., is a National Historic Landmark in its own right. The surrounding Capitol Square a landscape park created in 1816 and fenced as a 12-acre square two years later, is considered "a contributing site" to the Capitol designation, said Paul Nardo, clerk to the House speaker. The Capitol itself has undergone many changes since Jefferson first conceived its design as inspired by the Roman temple, Maison Carree in Nimes, France. The influence of Virginias Capitol to the architecture of public buildings in this nation cannot be overstated, Langan said in a statement. The Capitol embodies Jeffersons ideas blending classical temple architecture with his notions about the role of civic buildings in a republic. The state added wings on either side of the Capitol to house the House of Delegates and Senate chambers, with "hyphens", or passageways connecting them to the original building. The $104.5 million project to restore the Capitol in time for the Jamestown anniversary including the construction of a 27,000-square-foot underground extension beneath the South Lawn, as well as restoration of the interior to its appearance prior to the 1906 expansion. "The strong and sensible stewardship of this national treasure is a high priority for me and all Virginians," Howell said in a statement Wednesday. Gov. Scott Walker has it right: Heroin addiction is a public health crisis in Wisconsin, and state officials must ramp up efforts to respond more urgently and effectively to a killer that takes hundreds of lives each year. His leadership will be key in making that happen. The governor is off to a good start: Last week, he called for a special session of the Legislature and issued executive orders aimed at implementing recommendations from a report on the crisis issued by Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette. Its not just the right thing to do, its the necessary thing to do: This challenge requires an all-out, coordinated effort from federal, state and local officials, and Walkers initiative offers a great starting point. Walker rightly noted that addressing the issue will stem a public health problem and help the states economy. If we get this right, we can get those men and women back in the workforce, he said in a speech last week. Walker also ordered the state Department of Health Services to apply for up to $7.6 million a year in federal funding to fight the drug, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin had pushed to get that anti-addiction money included in the broader federal law and wrote to Walker last month to urge him to make use of it in Wisconsin. As Baldwin noted, this is a bipartisan issue requiring a bipartisan response. ... The crisis is real: According to a USA Today Network-Wisconsin report, heroins death toll rose for the ninth straight year in 2015, and the total of 281 deaths was triple the number killed by heroin in 2010. Meanwhile, the number of total opioid deaths which includes heroin and prescription opiates topped the number of Wisconsin traffic deaths for the third straight year. State Attorney General Brad Schimel, who launched a Dose of Reality campaign in 2015, has called heroin abuse the biggest challenge that weve faced in law enforcement in public safety in a quarter-century. And its a statewide challenge that afflicts rural and suburban areas just as much as it does the states urban centers. But its not just heroin: that deadly drug is intimately linked to prescription painkillers. The DOJ reports that four out of five heroin addicts start by abusing prescription painkillers and that 70 percent of people who are addicted to prescription opioids got their first pills, not from a street dealer, but improperly from a family member or friend. Those familiar with the crisis recognize that dealing with heroin means also dealing with the prescription painkiller crisis. Its time everyone came to that same realization and joined the fight against all opioid addiction. BEDFORD A judge dismissed an obstruction of justice charge Tuesday against the granddaughter of a person of interest in the 1975 Lyon sisters case after prosecutors cited the womans cooperation. Amy Ann Johnson was convicted in Bedford County District Court of the misdemeanor charge in November 2015 but appealed the outcome. That moved the case to Circuit Court, where Judge James Updike dismissed the charge. Also known as Amy Ann Welch, the defendant is a relative of Richard Welch, whom authorities called a person of interest in the disappearance of Sheila and Katherine Lyon in suburban Maryland in 1975. Richard Welch has maintained his innocence. His nephew, Lloyd Lee Michael Welch Jr., has been charged in the girls murders and faces trial this spring. Authorities said the Lyon girls were abducted and taken to Bedford County and killed. Their bodies have not been found. Several people in the extended Welch family have faced charges stemming from the longtime investigation. Johnson was charged with one count of obstruction of justice without force in September 2015. Matthew Pack, her attorney, emphasized Tuesday that prosecutors moved to dismiss the charge, rather than just declining to prosecute the case. The commonwealth moved to dismiss Ms. Welchs charges, and they moved to dismiss with prejudice, [which] just means that the charge is dismissed and cant be brought back, he said. Of course we had no objection. Pack noted Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance in court had said because of Johnsons cooperation, he was moving to dismiss the charge. Nance said late Tuesday he could not comment further on the case. Pack said his client will now seek to clear her name. We intend to file a motion to expunge in the next few months, he said. Not long after Ricky Javon Gray was arrested and confessed to a murder spree that left seven dead in Richmond he apologized and told police, I just want to die. Gray is scheduled to be executed on Jan. 18 for the slayings of Ruby Harvey, 4, and Stella Harvey, 9, and according to a statement released by his lawyers Wednesday, he remains sorry: Remorse is not a deep enough word for how I feel. I know my words cant bring anything back, but I continuously feel horrible for the circumstances that I put them through. I robbed them of a lifelong supply of joy. Ive stolen Christmas, birthdays, and Easters, Thanksgivings, graduations, and weddings, children. Theres nothing I can do to make up for that. Its never left my mind, because I understand exactly what I took from the world by looking at my two sisters. Im reminded each time I talk and see them that this is what I took from the world. You know, the potential for greatness in those kids. Im sorry they had to be a victim of my despair. His lawyers wrote that Gray apologized for the crimes when arrested and has always been remorseful for the senseless pain and suffering he and [accomplice Ray] Dandridge caused. He mourns the Harvey girls every day, and he remembers them through his two youngest sisters who are the same ages Stella and Ruby would be today. Meanwhile, citing horrific childhood abuse said to have been suffered by Gray, more than 50 mental health professionals have sent a letter asking Gov. Terry McAuliffe to commute his death sentence to life in prison. I am amazed at all the people who are so hung up on climate change. With all the problems of this country and world, why is this so? It started in the scientific arena where most of the scientists are funded by the federal government. The liberal federal government needs to push the man-made effects on climate change. This is their religion. And if they can find adherents to this religion, this is good for their party. So they cite models that support their view and try to criminalize the other side. When data came in that didn't show appreciable warming, they called it climate change. This was genius, for who can doubt climate changes. That is the very nature of climate. Just look at the 2009 "climategate" scandal involving leaked emails from East Anglia University. Those who insist it is settled science are true believers. The rest are just deniers or agnostics. If I am to believe a religion, I will opt for Christianity, not their version of climate change. James Bean, Madison Lawsuits over Trump business threaten to tie up presidency: The Associated Press has this report. True Lies: There was one moment in Jeff Sessions confirmation hearing that revealed why so many are so terrified of him. Dahlia Lithwick has this jurisprudence essay online at Slate. North Dakota rejects changes to reflect gay marriage ruling: The Associated Press has a report that begins, North Dakotas Republican-led Senate rejected a measure Tuesday that would have changed state law to reflect the U.S. Supreme Courts decision that same-sex couples have the right to marry. Miguel Estrada warns City of Philadelphia that his hourly rate is very expensive: When you live in the Philadelphia region, its not every day that the front page of your morning newspaper contains an article featuring Miguel Estrada and the costliness of his legal services. But today was such a day. In todays edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tricia L. Nadolny has a front page article headlined Comcast warns of costly legal battle if Kenney doesnt veto wage discrimination bill. The article begins: Comcast has urged Mayor Kenney to veto a bill that would bar employers from asking job applicants for their salary histories or risk a costly legal challenge. The legislation, meant to combat wage discrimination, violates the First Amendment, an attorney hired by Comcast argues in a legal memo sent to the city and obtained by the Inquirer. While my client and others in the business community who are considering a legal challenge do not want to appear confrontational in any way, it is important to note that a successful challenge could make the City liable for a substantial award of attorneys fees, attorney Miguel Estrada wrote on behalf of Comcast. As the article later explains: Among many challenges raised in the 25-page memo, Estrada said the law would violate employers First Amendment rights to ask about wage history. He said that to justify such a restriction, the city must prove it would advance its goal of reducing wage discrimination without restricting more speech than necessary. Lest you wonder whether Miguel Estrada himself wrote the entire 25-page memo, the article contains a quotation from the memo that bears the hallmarks of that trademarked Estrada wit: [Estrada] argues there is no evidence that asking for salary history perpetuates wage discrimination. Disparities could be due to legitimate factors, including taking a 10-year absence from the workforce to see the world, working fewer hours, or to state the obvious being a worse employee, he said On a day that one curious First Amendment challenge was argued at the U.S. Supreme Court, it is interesting to wonder how this proposed law implicates a potential employers First Amendment rights, when the speech thats put off-limits is a job applicants answer supplying the applicants salary history. As the article reports, David L. Cohen, a former high-powered Philadelphia attorney who now serves as Comcasts senior executive vice president, engaged Estrada to persuade Philadelphia not to approve this legislation at the risk of costly legal action. Apparently none of Philadelphias many fine First Amendment litigators were persuasive and expensive enough to merit the engagement. In any event, Comcasts strategy may be working, as this afternoon Tricia L. Nadolny of The Philadelphia Inquirer has an updated article headlined Confronted by Comcasts lawsuit threat, Kenney hesitates on wage discrimination bill. Cert Analytics: Adam Feldman has this post today at his Empirical SCOTUS blog. Jeff Sessions Says Decision Allowing Abortion Deserves Respect And Will Be Followed; Despite calling the federal legalization of abortion one of the worst, colossally erroneous Supreme Court decision of all time, Sessions said he would respect it: Ema OConnor of BuzzFeed News has this report. And Zoe Tillman of BuzzFeed News reports that Jeff Sessions Denies Racism Allegations; The US attorney general nominee said the caricature of him during his failed judicial nomination in 1986 was false. Argument analysis: Court unlikely to resolve complex issues about scope of sovereign and tribal immunity. Todd Henderson has this guest post today at SCOTUSblog. The Long Arm of U.S. Law Stretches to Asia: Online today at Bloomberg View, law professor Noah Feldman has an essay that begins, U.S. law can reach American sex offenders abroad so long as they havent resettled in another country, according to a federal appeals court. Judge Danny J. Boggs (CA6) will Take Senior Status on 2/28/17: Josh Blackman has this blog post today. High court sends New Mexico police shooting lawsuit back to lower court: Andrew Oxford of The Santa Fe New Mexican has an article that begins, The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday kicked back to a lower court a familys lawsuit against New Mexico State Police officers involved in a Glorieta mans shooting death five years ago during an incident in which the officers claim they acted in self-defense. U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in local tribal sovereignty case: In todays edition of The Day of New London, Connecticut, Brian Hallenbeck has a front page article that begins, A Waterford attorney whose tribal sovereignty case the U.S. Supreme Court heard Monday said he was encouraged by the questions the justices posed during oral arguments. Agence France-Presse reports that Top US court hears case that could redefine tribal sovereignty. And Brandi Buchman of Courthouse News Service reports that Justices Weigh Tribal Immunity for Limo Crash. View todays Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions: Via C-SPAN, at this link. US Supreme Court to weigh credit card swipe fees: Patrick Terpstra of the Cox Media Group Washington News Bureau has this report. And at FiveThirtyEight, Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux has a post titled In Todays Supreme Court Case, Freedom Of Speech Meets Your Wallet. Potential nominee profile: Joan Larsen. Amy Howe has this post at SCOTUSblog. AngloGold Ashanti mulls 30% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030 AngloGold Ashanti has come up with a new carbon emissions reduction target which seeks to achieve a 30% absolute reduction in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2030, as compared to 2021. This will be achieved through a combination... Lucara Q3 revenue, output drop Lucara Diamond, which wholly owns the Karowe mine in Botswana, realised $49.9 million in revenues in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $72.7 million in the comparative quarter. The revenue includes $46.5 million from the sale of 99,301 carats and... Gemfields to auction 187,775-carat cluster of emeralds Gemfields is set to auction a 187,775-carat cluster of emeralds discovered at its 75%-owned Kagem mine in Zambia in March 2020. Viewing of the Kafubu Cluster commenced on 31 October and bidding will close on 17 November. Tiffany jewellery pieces to highlight Jewels & Jadeite auction in Hong Kong Jewellery pieces by Tiffany & Co, including those by renowned designer Jean Schlumberger, are among the highlights of Bonhams Jewels and Jadeite auction in Hong Kong on November 26, 2022. Zimbabwes Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy will this week visit Marange diamond fields amid plummeting output since government takeover of mining through the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC). NewsDay quoted Committee chairperson, Daniel Shumba, as saying that the tour was meant to gather miners views on the ZCDC. The committee will visit Chiadzwa [Marange] as part of our oversight role to see activities in the mining sector and to interact with miners to hear their views on challenges and other positive things happening in the sector, he said. It is not a witch hunt, but a visit to see how the mining companies are performing after consolidation. Although the previous Marange diamond mining companies were accused of siphoning revenue, ZCDC had been struggling to deliver more stones and revenue. ZCDC, which was currently mining on the DMC and Marange Resources claims, was said to have produced 924, 388 carats by end of November last year compared with 3,2 million carats recorded over the same period in 2015. Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa said that the weak output was due to court cases in which erstwhile Marange miners were challenging a government decision to expropriate their claims last February. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Michael Hill reported group sales increased 5.7 percent to $240.3 million (AUD 328.1 million) in the first fiscal half despite its sluggish performance in the U.S. Global same-store sales increased 1 percent during the six months that ended December 31, the Australia-based jeweler reported. Sales generated at Michael Hill-branded stores in Australia increased 3 percent to $133.4 million, while revenue in Canada jumped 18 percent to $47.9 million (CAD 63.4 million). However, U.S. sales slid 5.9 percent to $7 million as the company attempts to revive growth there. Our U.S. business had a poor December quarter, the company said, adding U.S. same-store sales slumped 8.8 percent for the full six months. We continued to experiment with our marketing and merchandise strategies during the half and are confident that, along with the recent changes to the leadership team, this will enable us to improve our results in the second half. Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Vemlidy (tenofovir alafenamide, TAF) 25 mg, a once-daily tablet for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults and adolescents (aged 12 years and older with body weight at least 35 kg). The marketing authorization allows for the marketing of TAF in the 28 countries of the European Union, Norway and Iceland. TAF is a novel, targeted prodrug of tenofovir that has demonstrated antiviral efficacy similar to Gilead's Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, TDF) 245 mg, but at one-tenth the dose. Data show that because TAF has greater plasma stability and more efficiently delivers tenofovir to hepatocytes (cells of the liver) compared to TDF, it can be given at a lower dose, which means there is less tenofovir in the bloodstream. By reducing exposure to tenofovir, TAF is associated with improved renal and bone laboratory safety parameters compared to TDF in clinical trials. Vemlidy was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on November 10, 2016 for the treatment of chronic HBV infection in adults with compensated liver disease, and by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on December 19, 2016 for the suppression of viral replication in chronic hepatitis B patients with evidence of hepatitis B virus replication and abnormal liver function. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News With Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J., set to make the unprecedented move of testifying against the nomination of Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., as Attorney General, Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., claimed the New Jersey lawmaker is only looking for a platform for his presidential aspirations. Booker is set to testify against Sessions during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday in what is said to be the first time in history that a sitting senator will testify against another sitting senator's nomination to a Cabinet position. "I'm very disappointed that Senator Booker has chosen to start his 2020 presidential campaign by testifying against Senator Sessions," Cotton said in a post on Facebook. He added, "This disgraceful breach of custom is especially surprising since Senator Booker just last year said he was 'honored to have partnered with Senator Sessions' on a resolution honoring civil-rights marchers." Cotton said Booker is welcome to oppose Sessions' policies and vote against his nomination but argued there is nothing unique about the Alabama Senator's views as to require Booker's extraordinary testimony. In a statement on Tuesday, Booker said he felt a "call to conscience" to testify against Sessions, calling the Attorney General nominee's views "deeply troubling." During the first day of his confirmation hearings, Sessions sought to defend his record on civil rights and rejected allegations of racism. (Photo: Michael Vadon) For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News During a hearing on his nomination as Secretary of State, former Exxon Mobil (XOM) chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson said the U.S. must be clear-eyed about its relationship with Russia. Tillerson told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Russia poses a danger but argued the Russian government is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests. "It has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia," Tillerson said. "But it was in the absence of American leadership that this door was left open." He added, "We backtracked on commitments we made to allies. We sent weak or mixed signals with 'red lines' that turned into green lights. We did not recognize that Russia does not think like we do." Tillerson acknowledged that words alone will not be enough to address an at times contentious relationship with Russia but argued there needs to be open and frank dialogue between the two nations. The former Exxon CEO said the U.S. ought to explore areas of cooperation with Russia such as fighting terrorism but stressed Russia must be held accountable for its actions. The comments from Tillerson come amid question about his dealings with Russia and other countries while leading Exxon. In his prepared remarks, Tillerson also noted the threats posed by radical Islam as well as countries such as Iran and North Korea. "As we confront these realities, how should America respond? My answer is simple," Tillerson said. "To achieve the stability that is foundational to peace and security in the 21st century, American leadership must not only be renewed, it must be asserted." "Quite simply, we are the only global superpower with the means and the moral compass capable of shaping the world for good," he added. "If we do not lead, we risk plunging the world deeper into confusion and danger." Tillerson argued that American leadership has been cast into doubt in recent decades by withdrawing from the world in some instances and by intervening but not achieving the stability and global security that was sought in others. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News SANA'A, Jan. 11 (SABA) - Foreign Minister Hisham Sharaf on Wednesday held a press conference with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Carmela Godeau, who currently visiting the country. The press conference addressed a number of issues related to Yemeni migrants and refugees, as well as illegal immigrants from the Horn of Africa in Yemen and the Saudi aggression blockade against Yemen which caused tragedies and humanitarian disasters for the Yemeni people. At the conference, Sharaf highly appreciated IOM's unremitting efforts in Yemen through the collection of refugees information they suffer from an extremely complex humanitarian tragedy due to aggression and blockade on the country. Sharaf also stressed that the blockade imposed on Yemen is the fundamental issue, especially on the Sana'a International Airport which caused tragedies on patients and students, as well as thousands of Yemeni stranded abroad , In addition to halting the arrival of emergency humanitarian aid. Through this conference, Sharaf sent a letter to the International Community to end the aggression and lift the blockade imposed on Yemen, stressing that the Supreme Political Council and the government of national salvation extend hands towards peace that achieve the sovereignty and rights of the Yemeni people. For her part, Carmela highlighted the humanitarian situation experienced by the refugees in Yemen and refugees from the Horn of Africa, claiming that the conflict in Yemen and the siege imposed on the country created a critical situation on refugees. She hoped to visit Yemen in the best conditions for Yemen and for the Yemeni people. HA By SA Commercial Prop News The expenditure incurred by the State, including buildings constructed by the Department of Public Works at the request of the SAPS and the Department of Defence, went beyond what was reasonably required for President Zuma's Nkandla residence. Image gallery Public Protector Thuli Madonsela delivered her report on President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla residence, saying him and his family unduly benefited from the upgrades made by an estimated R246 million. Ms Madonselas long-awaited, 400-page report on Nkandla, titled Secure in Comfort and released in Pretoria on Wednesday, "conservatively estimated" the value of the upgrades at R246m, following her probe. Implementation of the security measures failed to comply with the parameters set out in the National Key Points Act of 2010 and the Cabinet Policy of 2003. The expenditure incurred by the State, including buildings constructed by the Department of Public Works at the request of the SAPS and the Department of Defence, went beyond what was reasonably required for the Presidents security, was unconscionable, excessive, and caused a misappropriation of public funds. Failure to spend state funds prudently is a contravention of section 195 (1)(b) of the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act. Ms Madonsela said Mr Zuma had told Parliament that his family had built its own houses, the state had not built any of it and the president and his family had not benefited from the improvements. In November 2012, Mr Zuma told Parliament: "Let me make one thing quite clear my residence in Nkandla has been paid for by the Zuma family. All the buildings and every room we use in that residence was built by ourselves as a family, and not by government. I have never asked government to build a home for me and it has not done so, the government has not built a home for me." "This was not true," Ms Madonsela said, adding that Mr Zuma and his family benefited from a government-built visitors centre, a cattle kraal and chicken run, a swimming pool and an amphitheatre, among other facilities. No evidence found that President Zumas brother improperly benefitted from the measures implemented. Allegation that the excessive expenditure added substantial value to the Presidents private property at the expense of the state is substantiated. Zumas immediate family improperly benefitted form upgrades. The clinic on the familys doorstep will benefit the family forever. So will the non-security comforts (swimming pool/amphitheatre). The acts and omissions that allowed this to happen constitute lawful and improper conduct and maladministration. The conduct of the Department of Public Works leading to the failure to resolve the issue of items earmarked for the owners cost transparently, including the failure to report back on the swimming pool question after the 11 May 2011 meeting and the disappearance of the letter proposing an apportionment of costs, constitutes improper conduct and maladministration. Officials of the Department of Public Works, Defence and SAPS failed to acquaint themselves with the authorising instruments relating to the implementation of the Nkandla projects. They failed to apply their minds and adhere to the supply chain management policy framework in respect of the procurement of goods and services for the Nkandla projects. These failures constitute improper conduct and maladministration. Money diverted The protector also found that a critical service delivery programme was shelved and money diverted to the Nkandla upgrades. Funds were reallocated from the inner-city regeneration project and the dolomite risk management programme of the Department of Public Works, the report said. Due to lack of proper demand management and planning, service delivery programmes of the Department of Public Works were negatively affected. The protector said the conduct of the department violated section 237 of the constitution and the Batho Pele (People First) White Paper. Ms Madonsela found that all public works ministers who occupied the office since 2009 had provided incorrect information on the legal authority for and the extent of the work done on Nkandla. Her report also said Police Minister Nathi Mthetwa failed to apply his mind when declaring Nkandla a national key point, and his conduct constituted improper conduct and maladministration. She added that former public works minister Geoff Doidge and Mr Mthethwa could have provided better leadership on the extent and cost of the project. Their failure in this regard also amounted to improper conduct and maladministration. Mr Zuma is to reprimand the ministers involved for the appalling manner in which the Nkandla project was handled and state funds were abused. Furthermore, security and other items were constructed and installed on state land adjacent to the land occupied by Mr Zuma. This led to another finding of maladministration and unlawful conduct in the construction of Nkandla, and violated the provisions and requirements of the KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Act of 1994, which required a proper lease agreement. Ms Madonsela could not make a finding on whether the renovations to Mr Zumas private residence was financed through a mortgage bond. I am not able to establish if costs relating to his private renovations were separated from those of the state in the light of using the same contractors around the same time and the evidence of one invoice that had conflated costs although with no proof of payment, the report said. The president has been given two weeks to respond to the report. The release of the report, less than two months ahead of the May 7 national election, has the potential to dent the credibility of the African National Congresss (ANCs) presidential candidate, which has led the party to accuse Ms Madonsela of playing politics. It will not be the first time Mr Zuma faces the electorate with a cloud hanging over him. Corruption charges against him were dropped two weeks before he contested the 2009 polls as the face of the ANCs campaign, and the party received 65% of the vote. By SA Commercial Prop News Black River Park, an office park in Observatory has completed an expansion of its solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation facilities and will be selling its surplus power to the City of Cape Town. The Black River Park, an office park in Cape Town with tenants including Sunglass Hut, Gijima and Brandhouse, has completed an expansion of its solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation facilities and will be selling its surplus power to the City of Cape Town. Small, renewable energy projects in SA are starting to supplement the limited coal-fired power available from Eskom and the municipalities. About 1,000MW is expected to be delivered from renewable sources such as wind and power by the end of this year. The 74,000m2 Black River Park in Observatory is owned by Black River Investments, whose shareholders are Leaf Capital and Joubert Rabie. It has a number of other facilities that appeal to environmentally aware tenants, many of whom are international groups, including a car-pooling network and a reverse osmosis plant for landscaping irrigation. The office park has been generating 700kW of power from the first phase of its solar PV installation since August 2013 and has now added another 500kW to bring capacity to 1.2MW. Black River Park spokesman PJ Rabie said the total cost of the solar PV installation was about R20m. Sola Future Energy MD Chris Haw said the plant supplied about 25%-30% of the office parks total energy needs. The City of Cape Town has approved the project to supply energy to its distribution network and a buy-back rate of 49.72c/kilowatt hour has been proposed, which is close to the rate at which the city buys power from Eskom. This is less than the office park pays the municipality for electricity, but the solar PV projects viability does not depend solely on selling its surplus power to the city. It is financially attractive because the office park pays a dual rate for its electricity, with an energy and a demand component that adds up to a rate of about R1,10/kWh. The period when solar PV power is generated coincides with the peak demand period when airconditioners are running. The viability of the project is a combination of the energy being saved and sold to the city and reducing peak demand, Dr Haw said. The main reason municipalities do not encourage more electricity generation is that they depend on the revenue from electricity sales. But the academic director of the Sustainability Institute in Stellenbosch, Mark Swilling, said municipalities were realising that the small amount of revenue lost from allowing solar generation would be more than offset by increased economic activity, as businesses could be more efficient and the location would attract more businesses. India on Wednesday provided assistance of about NRs 619.6 million (IRs 387.5 million) to Nepal's Ministry of Irrigation for construction of embankments on the Kamala, Bagmati and Lalbakaiya rivers. These rivers have been creating perennial flood crisis on the Indian side of the border and India has been providing financial assistance since 2008 for the embankments along these rivers. India's Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae handed a cheque of the assistance amount to Minister for Irrigation Deepak Giri amidst a programme at his ministry here. On the occasion, highlighting various dimensions of the Nepal-India relations, Minister Giri praised the Indian assistance for river control works in Nepal. The Indian Ambassador pledged the continuation of the Indian support and assistance in Nepal's development endeavours and efforts to control natural disasters, including the water-induced ones, in the days ahead. Construction of embankments is an important activity aimed at flood control and water resources management, which benefit several million people inhabiting the watershed of these rivers, said an Indian Embassy statement. With the present assistance, the total grant assistance already disbursed for embankment construction along these rivers stands at over NRs 4.5 billion. Indian Rs 100 is equivalent to Nepali Rs 160. Barack Obama marked the end of his presidency with the same message of hope that brought him into the White House, asking Americans in his farewell adress here to stay committed to democratic values and persist in their optimism for change. From his adopted hometown of Chicago, the city where the outgoing President found purpose in public life, Obama on Tuesday called on the country to be "anxious, jealous guardians of democracy", CNN reported. Though Americans have largely grown more cynical about politics during his time in the White House, the outgoing President nonetheless continued to insist that change results when "ordinary people get involved, get engaged and come together to demand it". "After eight years as your President, I still believe that." "And it's not just my belief. It's the beating heart of our American idea -- our bold experiment in self-government," Obama told the American people in a large convention hall a few blocks from Grant Park, where he spoke to supporters on the night of his historic election in 2008. The speech also reflected the unique situation Obama will confront as he leaves office. At just 55, he is preparing for an active post-presidency in which he will champion many of the same core issues he worked on in the White House, including minority rights and opportunities for young people. "You were the change. You answered people's hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started," he said. In 4,300 words, Obama's focus was his "optimism" about civic engagement going forward after a bitter campaign to replace him and lingering concern about how President-elect Donald Trump will handle foreign relations, national security, the economy and other big-ticket issues. Trump has vowed to undo some of his signature policies. He would be sworn into office on January 20. Obama called for a new social compact to creating opportunity for all, or else "the disaffection and division that has stalled our progress will only sharpen in years to come". "Laws alone won't be enough. Hearts must change," the country's first black President said as he reflected on racial threats. He said he has not abandoned his vision of progressive change but warned that it now comes with a new set of caveats. Senior advisors said Obama knows that many progressive, religious and ethnic minorities and immigrants were feeling apprehensive with the approach of the handover to Trump, the Loss Angeles Times reported. Obama's successor was elected after promising to crack down on immigration, scrutinise Muslims in the US and challenge what he termed "political correctness". Obama paid an emotional tribute to First Lady Michelle Obama and thanked Vice President Joe Biden who were all in attendance. His voice quaked when describing Michelle's contribution. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour." "You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody," Obama said to his wife. Thanking Biden for serving alongside him in the White House, Obama said: "He is like a brother and family." Biden too looked emotional and appeared to enjoy the adulation while his wife Jill Biden held his hand. As he spoke before a rousing crowd of supporters, Obama was interrupted often with screams of "I Love you Obama." When a protester holding a "Pardon All of Us" sign, chants of "four more years" drowned out the shouts. "I can't do that," Obama said when the crowd begged him to run again, which is not allowed by the Constitution. The 44th US President's goodbye was a dramatic reinterpretation of a presidential farewell address, ending his speech with his signature "Yes, we can" concept that propelled him into Oval Office in 2008. He said: "Presuming goodness in others could be a risk", but asked the 20,000 strong crowd gathered there to "dive in and stay at it" whenever change should be brought. He drew inspiration from the youngest. Obama recalled the young boy who offered his house and brotherhood to another child, a refuge from Syria. He rallied the spirits of beleaguered Democrats, still reeling from Hillary Clinton's election loss in November. A day after an international meeting in Islamabad to pave way for peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, Afghanistan launched a stinging attack on Pakistan for aiding terrorist groups and asked the Security Council to take action on governments promoting extremist violence. The Security Council could devise a method to identify "elements in some 'State institutions' (that) facilitate violence and extremist activities by non-state proxies as a means to advance their foreign policy agenda," Afghanistan's Permanent Representative Mahmoud Saikal said Tuesday. Speaking at the Council debate on Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace, he did not mention Pakistan, but it was clear that he was referring to Islamabad's activities in the region. "The cycle of violence and insecurity in Afghanistan, and our part of the world is inextricably linked to the presence of sanctuaries and safe-havens in the region, from which extremist groups are sustained and enjoy an incessant flow of political, financial, material and logistical support for the continuation of their malicious activities," he said. On an issue with bearing on the meeting in Islamabad on Monday by Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US to facilitate peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, Saikal declared that interactions with "armed groups" active in his country should have Kabul's approval. He said, "Any kind of talks on the situation in my country has neither any value nor legitimacy without the participation and approval of our government which is the most democratically elected administration in the history of our nation." Without naming Islamabad, he added, "We have expressed strong reservations in regards to open declarations by some in our region of their contacts with armed opposition groups active in Afghanistan, conducted without the consent of the Afghan government." We are gathering information for the 2022 general election. On desktop, click "election information" on the right side of this pag... The fact that the murders took place inside of a house of worship made many Americans sick. The 12-member panel of three white jurors and nine black jurors deliberated for a little less than three hours before unanimously deciding that the 22-year-old white supremacist should die for his crimes rather than spend his life in prison without the possibility of parole. Yesterday, only a few hours after he told a crowded courtroom I still feel like I had to do it, Dylann Roof was sentenced to death by a federal jury for carrying out a cold and calculated massacre inside the Charleston, South Carolina Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015 in what he said was his goal to spark a race war. Illinois has debated the pros and cons of the death penalty many times before and after former Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of 167 death row inmates only two days before he left office in 2003. Ryan said the process was so flawed that it was immoral and many people claim the death penalty is not a deterrent and if a defendant is wrongly convicted it is the only penalty that cannot be reversed. All this is partly true, but advocates for the death penalty argue that no death penalty goes too far in removing any deterrent at all for the worst of murders. In 1977, the Illinois General Assembly passed and Gov. Jim Thompson signed a mandatory death penalty law for anyone who killed a police officer, a prison guard, or a fire fighter on duty or anyone who took a contract to murder. At the time, this law had wide support and still seems reasonable to me. The point of the death penalty is not to authorize the state to take a life for no reason but to end the life of someone who has deliberately taken the lives of others and who might still be a danger to society. Some people worry that because the jury system cannot guarantee a perfect process therefore we should abolish the death penalty because there could be a risk that an innocent person might be put to death whereas a life sentence can be corrected eventually. So the balancing act is do we scrap a deterrent for horrible murders because we cannot be certain no innocent person will ever be executed? The South Carolina case is the result of a federal jury and not a state jury and courts have not yet completely ruled out the death penalty as "cruel and unusual," which it certainly was not at the time the Founders wrote the Constitution. People will always argue that someone who murders so many is by definition insane but people can be mentally disturbed and still know right from wrong. It might sound harsh to some people but the facts of the case are that Dylann Roof deserves to die for his murder spree if anyone does. Even if there is a risk and even if the process is not perfect, the death penalty deterrent should still stay on the books in both state and federal capital cases. Junior Tau, a cattle farmer from the village of Letogo, says there is a lot of money to be made from farming livestock. The 47-year-old explains that when he first started three years ago, he had only two cows to his name and as time went by, he now has 18. He urges the people of Samoa to look into joining the livestock business, and with the only work being to take them to feed on a field of grass, the money is worth it. Raising cows is one of the easiest things there is, it actually really depends on how good your land is for the cows to grow on, Junior told the Village Voice. We started raising these cows about three years ago and we actually just started off with five cows. Right now those numbers have multiplied with my family owning about 18 cows now. The only work we really do with these cows is pile them up in the morning and then take them to a piece of land with a lot of grass so they can feed off of it; thats pretty much all thats needed throughout the day. Jokingly, Junior says that his cows are from Australia and thats why they only understand English as opposed to Samoan orders. Like I said before, these cows are very easy to take care of, he said. They actually understand us when we speak to them in English because they were brought in from Australia. I dont think they understand Samoan. They only listen to us when we call out to them in English. I am actually undecided whether or not to send them to join our Manu sevens team. Asked if he is thinking of selling the beasts anytime soon, Junior said no. He would rather display a little patience and sell the cows when the time is right. Our plan is to wait until we have at least 30 beasts before we decide what to do with them, he said. Right now we are just taking care of them and raising them. I really dont see the point of rushing to kill them for sale to the butchers; we want to wait just a little bit longer before we decide on that. We spent a lot of money on these cows and as time went by, we noticed that the beasts kept giving birth and thats when we had the idea of focusing on the livestock and making sure we can get as much out of it as possible. My whole family understands that there is a lot of money when it comes to raising livestock, especially cows so its good to focus on making a living out of it. Furthermore, Junior says to join the cow farming business while you can, there really isnt anything to it. For those who are thinking of joining the livestock farming business, my advice for you is to have patience, he said. You dont have to go and get many cows; you can start off with only two and you will be surprised when overtime, you see you cow farm increasing in numbers. This is a good business to join and I recommend it for everyone in Samoa. For Sala Seneuefa, from the village of Leauvaa, what she earns on a daily basis is important, but its not on the top of her list. Sala, 59, runs a small roadside stall in her village where she sells different crops from her plantation. She explains that she may not earn much from her stall but at least its something. For Sala, helping others and making a little on the way is more important. This is what my family is doing right now to make a little cash, she told the Village Voice. We come to the front here and sell bananas, pawpaws, koko and other small things we can find in our plantation. I dont understand how some people can be embarrassed about doing things like this to take care of their family. The way I see it, you wont get anything if you are shy. People should understand that in a Samoan family, there are so many things that require a bit of cash so there is no room for shyness. Sala continued on to mention that she understand her business isnt a gold mine, but whatever she makes will still help. I do understand that this wont get me a lot of money but at least its something, she said. No matter how much we try and bring things to the front here to sell from our plantation, most of the time there arent many people who stops and buys from us. Like I said before, at least we earn something to help out around the house. And when those who are also struggling come looking for help, Sala does her best to cater for them too. I also try and help people out every now and then, she said. There are those who stop by and cant afford what Im selling so I try and lower the price so they will at least leave with something. When it comes to money, I dont put more value on it than I do with other people. Thats why I always try and help where I am needed. Furthermore, Sala says that what she makes from her market stall is what puts her children through school. This business also helps out with the childrens schooling, she said. School is just about to start up again for this year so I am happy with whatever I get from this business. This isnt the first time were trying to make money this way and it wont be the last. As the mother of the house, the only important thing I know is to work extra hard for my family. A 65-year-old father of Vini fou and his 3-year-old daughter were held in the Police interview room for almost three hours on Tuesday. Eti Sapolu went with his daughter Malu Sapolu to the Police station inquiring about a matter he was asked to give evidence when they were held there. The matter follows a case a few years ago where a young boy was locked up in Police cell. What do you think about the treatment of the girl? Josefa Steven Maiava asked in todays Street Talk and this is what people said: Maiava Pelesi, 44, Avao I think it was wrong of them to take in the young girl. She is innocent. If you think about it, the young girl didnt do anything wrong and the blame should have been on the dad so they shouldve punished him for what he did and not her. Justice should be served onto the guilty and not the innocence. They shouldve looked for a better solution to fix the problem. The police are supposed to be protecting the government and our country to bring peace to our nation. They dont go off to war to fight for our nation so they should concentrate on fixing things here in Samoa without abusing their power. If the family cant fix the problem, then its the policemen who are supposed to step in to fix it in an appropriate way. The police should make amends for every wrong move theyve made and they should really change the way they deal with the matters of the public. Faith Morita, 18, Siusega The Police have been the hot topic in Samoa for an extended period of time now. All thanks to the negligent attitude of a few. Power goes straight to their heads which makes them think they have the right to do anything they want which is downright unacceptable for a department thats meant to be protecting people and their rights, rather than abusing it according to their own interpretation of justice. For example, there was an article in the paper stating that policemen allegedly locked up a 65 year old male with his 3 year old daughter. Thats not justice! The daughter had no business being in the police station and surprisingly this isnt the only case that proves that theres injustice in our justice system. We need to address this issue immediately before its too late. Fuafiva Fuafiva, 38, Vaikoa Faleata I really dont know what happened, but I think they made a wrong move by taking in the father and his daughter. They shouldve given him a chance because he was the taking care of his daughter. They shouldnt have taken both of them and lock both of them. Its going to affect this young girls mind growing up. You know what they say that children are like cameras. If they are exposed to these kind of stuffs at a very young age, it will affect them growing up. This will affect this child mentally, and I believe that this is not the first time theyve taken in young children just because they accused their parents of breaking the law. Alessi Faiese, 40, Leulumoega This whole story about the father getting locked up with his 3 year old daughter is not right. The daughter had nothing to do with it and it shouldve been dealt with as a family matter. Since the policemen did get involved, they shouldve tried to calm the brother and sister down instead of making the rash decision of taking the brother and his daughter in. shes innocence so there was no sense in exposing the young girl to the dirty and unhealthy atmosphere of the police station and this experience could very much stain her for life. This matter is insane! Victim support should jump into this matter because it was unfair to expose her to that experience. If it was justice they were seeking then they shouldve dealt it in a different way. The police should come up with a form of psychology course to help them deal with these matters differently. Grace Manuleleua, 21, Siusega The Police are supposed to protect our rights, not vice versa. We look to them for help regarding issues which only they have jurisdiction in. Now I find it difficult to trust our own justice system, which reflects the amount of power abuse they exhibit throughout their duties. The whole dilemma with the late Commissioner Egon Keil, searching households without a search warrant, and now the arrest and holding of a 65-year-old father with his 3-year-old daughter all fall under this category of abusive and misuse of power. The Police should really reflect on their whole existence as officers of the law and I strongly believe they should recommend altering their way of enforcing justice. Iakopo Agafili, 42, Salailua They really need to improve with how they do their job. Sometimes when we have a problem or a fight here on the streets and we call them to come and help, it takes time for them to respond to our calls. And for this particular issue, I personally think they shouldnt have taken the 3-year-old in. She is innocent. They are the peace-makers and they people go to them for help. The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L) is investigating retailers who might be selling goods to young children, using them to re-sell these products on the streets of Apia. This was confirmed by Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Selafi Purcell. Lautafi who is also responsible for M.C.I.L. said the Labour and Employment Relations Act makes it clear that children under 15 should not be employed, except in safe and light work suited to his or her capacity. There is a law that penalises the employer if it does not meet the requirement of 15 years or younger, the Minister told the Samoa Observer. But the problem is the M.C.I.L. cannot put their hands on this because these are not formal employment. The Minister said it is wrong for people to suggest the government is not doing anything about the issue. M.C.I.L. is doing its work by going through their normal inspections and looking into this, particularly if retailers are employing these young children to resell goods. The Minister said one of the problems is that the vendors are reluctant to reveal where they are getting the products. The parents too wont say who they buy from and if there is some form of arrangement with retailers that this is what they get if they sell this much, said Lautafi. Because the children do not deal with the retailers its the parents that are buying from them and reselling these items at a little higher price to get profit. M.C.I.L. is working together with the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development, Ministry of Police, Education and I.L.O. Under the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013, in section 51, Employment of children (1) a person must not employ a child under the age of 15 years of age in a place of employment except in safe and light work suited to his or her capacity, and subject to such conditions as may be determined by the C.E.O. (2) A person must not employ a child under the age of 18 years on dangerous machinery or in any occupation or in any place under working conditions injurious or likely to be injurious to the physical or moral health of such child. (3) A person must not employ a child under the age of 15 years as an employee upon a vessel unless such vessel is under the personal charge of the parent or guardian of the child. Lautafi said the amendment to the law(s) is needed to develop the legislation to give Police and other authorities powers to take the children home when they are out late at night. He also blamed the current laws saying that there are laws but it is not being fully enforced. But the issue with child vendors is not one that is confined to Samoa. Lautafi used an example of students in countries like New Zealand finding work in taking the mail and newspapers after school and during holidays. He added that such activities are not necessarily a bad thing. Its not a bad thing but what has come out of selling of goods by the children being on the streets at night those are the issues that needs to be addressed, he explained. Our children have been doing that for years selling coconuts and fish. What we are seeing now its been taken to a totally different commercial level that their presence is in the face of people and have become aggressive because of the competition that has created the problem. It was all the same idea of helping our families through chores and selling those things but this sub culture developed from selling goods where is what needs to be addressed. Lautafi is aware of the problem is not a quick fix that can be get rid of completely. However, he made the point that what needs to be done is work in a way that is going to meet the needs of families that still need money and will not also deprive the children from their time in school and to study. He said that selling goods is not a bad thing but it needs to be done properly in a way that children are safe and the activities do not become child labour. If you look at a flow chart of this and the focal point is the primary caregivers of the children, said Lautafi. You can say parents are struggling and people will be satisfied with this much they will want more and parents are encouraging this environment to send out their children. I guess they use the children as a strategy that will get more turnoverwe can push it around and blame this Ministry and that but its a national issue that needs a national solution. We all have a part to play. When we lose a loved one, most of us can only dream of having one more minute, an hour or even a day to spend with them. But what if your loved one was on a journey that you never expected will be the last time you will see them? What if you never got the chance to say goodbye or worse that loved one was never found? For the Rybak sisters, Aneta Rybak-Ward and Kasia Rybak, that is what they went through when their father, the late Marian Rybak, never made it back home to Australia. Born in Poland, the Australia-based sisters lost their father during Cyclone Val in 1991 in Samoa. The story goes that Mr. Marian Rybak and two of his other friends, Salvador Antunes and Marek Konash were on a fishing boat called ARGA-J, a 40 foot fibreglass fishing boat. They arrived in Samoa three weeks before Cyclone Val hit Samoa, said Ms. Ward. When Cyclone Val hit Samoa my father and his friends were at the Nuusafee Island. They had little experience of the sea and the ocean of Samoa so when Cyclone Val hit, they did not know how to get back to the shore and Nuusafee has got a lot of reefs they did not know how to get back in land. They got on the life raft but it got smashed and was found under the reef. They have never found my father. Twenty-five years later, Ms. Ward and her sister decided to make the trip to Samoa. They came to collect whatever they can find so they could put the sad passing of their father to an end. I was only 19 then and my sister was 13. We were still young then and couldnt get here so now we came here wanting to find anything that will take us back to when our father was here, she said. On the day we arrived at the Faleolo International Airport, Chief Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale came to us by accident and he asked us why we here so we told him the reason of our being here and then he said he will do some research. He contacted the Chief of Nuusafee Island and that Chief took us to his home and organised a boat to take us to the island. We held a ceremony there at the island and said goodbye to our father. But just as the Rybak sisters thought this was it and they would return home without finding anything that belonged to their father, something happened. They described it as a miracle. Someone found some pieces of my dads boat smashed up inland, she said. It wasnt the whole thing but some parts of it that were left. We were told that Cyclone Val smashed up the boat and the tsunami took in on land and left it there for 25 years. They organised a local surfboard maker from Apia to cut out the remains of the boat's name and we have taken this piece of fibre-glass home with us to Australia. It is the most precious item that we have left from our dad. The Rybak sisters returned to Australia this week happy and grateful to the Samoa people. We are very grateful to the people of Samoa for helping us on this journey and helping us find what we were searching for, said Ms. Ward. It is the biggest miracle because we come from Australia and we came here and found our fathers story and then to find his boat still there even though it was not much left was a true miracle. [And] it was only because of the Samoan people we never ask for help, but Samoa people heard our story and they all came to help us and that has never happened to us before. I thought everyone needs to know this because this is the most special moment of both me and my sister for 25 years. The Asian Development Bank (A.D.B) and Samoa have signed a policy-based grant worth US$5 (T$11.5m) million to help the government achieve long-term fiscal stability. Bhimantara Widyajala, Executive Director of A.D.Bs Board of Directors and representing the Government of Samoa, and Xianbin Yao, Director General of A.D.Bs Pacific Department, signed the grant for the Samoa Fiscal Resilience Improvement Programme in a ceremony at the A.D.B headquarters. The A.D.B assistance aims to reduce the vulnerability and boost the resilience of Samoas economy to fiscal and climatic shocks, said Mr. Yao at the signing event. The grant funding will target four reform areas, particularly the reduction of fiscal drain through state-owned enterprise reforms, improvement of procurement systems, improvement of debt management, and promotion of resilience to climate change. The programme is policy-based, meaning that the funds can be released as budget support once policy actions outlined in the program are successfully completed. While climate-proofing roads, bridges, and buildings can increase investment costs, it will also reduce the budgetary burden in the future when climatic shocks occur. Stronger climate resilience will also boost investor confidence, bringing positive impacts on growth and revenues. The programme will run from 2016 to 2018 and builds on previous policy-based support to help the government improve its fiscal position through policy and public enterprise reforms. It supports the Samoan governments medium-term fiscal framework. A.D.B has been working with Samoa since 1966, with approved loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $340.46 million. The Methodist Church at Salani Falealili celebrated the completion of a brand new more than half a million tala house of worship yesterday. More than five hundred people from all around Samoa gathered to witness the official opening. The Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and his Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese were among the guests. The celebration started on Tuesday night during a night of dance (posiva) where all the families and friends with roots in Salani Falealili traveled from not only overseas but also from all around Samoa attended. It was followed by a church service to commemorate and bless the new building led by the President of the Methodist Church, Reverend ApineruLafai. Not unto us Lord, not unto us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness, he said. We should all rejoice and give thanks to our Almighty God, for he has done great things for us, his children. And as we open doors of this new church building, may we never forget to always give thanks to He who has blessed us. Serving the church is the Minister, Reverend TupeaSeumanu and his wife EfoSeumanu. He spoke on behalf of the congregation to thank everyone who made time to join them to celebrate such a great milestone. He also thanked everyone who donated and helped with the construction. We only had $52,000 tala in the beginning when we first started this project, said Reverend Tupea. But the entire cost of this new church building is $583,074 tala. The new structure is the fourth church building for the Methodist church since it was established at Salani in 1847. We thank God for our forefathers and those who started this great work in this village. And we hope to continue this good work for the glory of God and for our future generation. Rev. Tupea admitted that like anything else in life, it was not easy to complete the work. But he believes that with God, all things are possible. Seti Apineru Lafai was given the honor of cutting the ribbon to officially open the project. When retired National City businessman Robert Dukie Valderrama last chaired the San Diego Unified Port District board in 2010, the economy was in a rut and the port was going through leadership challenges. Tuesday, Valderrama was inaugurated once again to lead the seven-member panel that oversees 33 miles of San Diego bayfront. Now obviously were in a good time, he said in an interview prior to taking office. Advertisement With more than $3 billion in projects approved or in planning and a potential recession somewhere in the near future, Valderrama said he doesnt need to add to the to-do list. Time is of the essence, he said. We need to get done what we have on our table. We cant afford to lose that opportunity in front of us right now. Thats why 2017 will be huge for us. He and other port officials ticked off whats ahead this year: - Finalizing plans for the redevelopment of Seaport Village and Harbor Islands former rental lots. - Starting construction on the Brigantines replacement for Anthonys Fish Grotto on Harbor Drive. - Nailing down the development details with RIDA, the developer of hotels and convention facilities on the 500-acre Chula Vista bayfront. - Releasing and reviewing a new port master plan. - Working out a potential expansion of the San Diego Convention Center and associated hotel. Succeeding Marshall Merrifield as chairman, Valderrama said his theme will be win, win, win for the port, tenants and public. I will never forget that this agency is not defined by how many metric tons of cargo we handle or how many hotels are built, he said in his speech. Instead we are defined by how we treat the people who work at our port, the people who visit our port and especially the people who live and attend school next to our port our neighbors, children and friends. Valderrama, who will turn 68 next month, is a lifelong National City resident, husband to his wife, Danene, of 46 years, father of three and retired contractor in dry wall and scaffolding equipment. His approach to public duties reflects touchstones in his private life. He speaks of his grandfather, Octavio Valderrama, who ran a corner store in the heart of National City. He sold groceries on credit and personally delivered goods to housebound customers. He looked out for the neighborhood, and that taught me something, he told his inauguration audience at the Marriott Marquis. Its not what you have, its what you do for other people. He also thinks back to his son Randys experience in local schools, where apparent air pollution from industrial operations around Kimball Elementary introduced seven toxins into his blood stream. He was home-schooled thereafter and lost out in participating in the gifted and talented education program and other opportunities. Randy swore in his dad Tuesday. Whenever I remember what we went through with my son, he said, I am reminded that we have to consider the human impact of what we do. As for his nickname, Valderrama said his father long ago called him the family duke, the heir apparent to the family throne. Everybody started calling him Dukie and if you dont, thats a signal you dont know him well. Now that hes king of the port for just a year, that is Valderrama feels a special responsibility for long-time port tenants. He was the sole vote opposed to replacing Anthonys last year. But he also joined the full board in approving the redevelopment team for Seaport Village which will take over the lease from Terramar Retail Centers. The developers plan hotels, offices, shops, an aquarium and an observation tower. From our standpoint what we were presented with (from Terramar as an upgrade), we werent comfortable with, he said. Thats why we thought lets open it up and see whats out there. It was the right call in the long run. In his hometown, National City and the port hammered out an agreement to expand Pepper Park as well as the adjacent National City Marine Terminals auto-processing cargo operations. The people of National City want their access to the bay back, he said in his speech. Weve heard this again and again over the years. On the convention center, Valderrama is awaiting word of a court ruling on attorney Cory Briggs challenge to the California Coastal Commissions approval of the $520 million expansion. Thats going to be a huge thing thatll determine what will happen to the convention center and the new hotel (proposed by the Fifth Avenue Landing group), he said. The coastal commission also has jurisdiction over the ports new master plan, a draft of which is expected to be released later this year. The port has its own lawsuit against the coastal commission this one dealing with its denial of a Sunroad hotel on Harbor Island and related issues about affordable visitor accommodations. Its always been a difficult relationship between the port and coastal commission, he said. But with the ouster last year of the coastal commissions staff director, he said attempts are ongoing to reach a settlement and establish more positive working relationships with the staff. roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley Petco is cutting 180 positions with about 50 at its San Diego headquarters, the pet supply retailer confirmed Wednesday. The company made the cuts across its workforce and include both existing and open positions. Petco has about 650 workers at its headquarters in Rancho Bernardo. It employs 27,000 in the U.S. Advertisement The changes announced this week are focused on creating a better optimized workforce and result in the elimination of 180 open and existing positions across the company, said a company statement provided by spokeswoman Lisa Stark. By consolidating certain functions and activities, we are simplifying and prioritizing key areas of our business in order to continue investing in growth opportunities that lie ahead for Petco. The company said the laid off employees will receive severance and transition support. Petco declined to say how many of the jobs being cut were open positions or how many were current workers. On Tuesday, the company released a press release that said it was engaged in a fast-paced growth plan in 2017. Last year, it opened 72 new stores, remodeled 41 stores and expanded five stores. It has more than 1,500 stores in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico. Miro Copic, a marketing lecturer at San Diego State University, said Petco has to deal with the same challenges as other retailers who have faced increased online competition from Amazon and other online companies. He said its biggest product, pet food, is heavier and less likely to be shipped but many of its items catnip toys, dog leashes could be easily sold online. While Copic didnt know exactly why layoffs occurred, he said it could be for a variety of reasons. It could mean they are not reaching sales and profit targets, he said, or a realignment of its business to push more towards online sales or streamlining stores. Copic said Petco is the No.2 pet supplier in the nation, behind PetSmart. Petco moved into its Rancho Bernardo offices, a multimillion dollar facility, in October 2015, buoyed by $2.6 million in California tax incentives. Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought the company for about $4.6 billion in November 2015. It had told the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission it was considering an initial public offering a few months before the sale. It withdrew its pursuit of a public offering in February 2016. Petco was founded 50 years ago in San Diego as a mail-order veterinary supply company. Its first store was in La Mesa. It paid about $60 million over 22 years for the naming rights for Petco Park, the citys downtown stadium for the San Diego Padres. In 2010, it built a support center in San Antonio, Texas, after getting $3.1 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund. phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar ALSO Petco announces Brad Weston as new CEO Petco unveils multimillion-dollar headquarters The Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Scholarship program is holding an orientation on Sunday, to explain about the pageant and the events that lead up to it later this year. Pageant director Sierra Billock said the meeting will start at 1 p.m. in building 8 at Santee City Hall. Girls and young women ages 6 to 26 living in La Mesa or Santee are eligible. Santee City Hall is at 10601 Magnolia Ave. Advertisement The pageant will be held Saturday, March 4, at Helix Charter HIgh School in La Mesa. Billock said the program has been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960s. The program is sponsored by the local chambers of commerce and focuses on community service, networking, improving public speaking and interview skills. Three rehearsals are held leading up to the pageant, with all participants receiving group and one-on-one training for pointers on interview preparation, stage presence, public speaking, wardrobe consultation and more. Our goal is to have everyone walk away pageant night feeling accomplished and having gained lifelong skills, Billock said. The groups Princess and Junior Miss program is open to girls 6-12 and there is no competition for a title. Those enrolled in that program receive a sash and crown and will be invited to participate in the March pageant. They also attend community events throughout the year. Contestants who range in age from 12-26 will be scored on personal interview, speech, physical fitness, poise and personality, evening gown, and an on-stage impromptu question. Pageant photographers will present a Miss Photogenic award, contestants will vote for the Miss Congeniality award, and a local educator will choose a winner for our essay-writing contest, Billock said. Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee winners will receive a prize package including a college scholarship, paid entry into the 2018 Miss San Diego Cities Pageant, and they will serve as an ambassador for their city. Winners attend grand openings, parades, summer concerts, charity events and chamber functions. For more information on the program, visit 4PointsEvents.com Unfortunately, many otherwise well-educated and well-meaning conservatives have succumbed to Levins siren to insist that an Article V convention is the only way to restore the balance of federalism in our Republic. Radio talk show host, Mark Levin , started pushing for a constitutional convention several years ago, arguing in his book, The Liberty Amendments, that such a convention is the last hope to reform the federal government from its degenerate, bloated, imperial structure back to its (smaller) republican roots. The Convention of the States (COS) is an Article V Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), supported and funded by well-connected conservatives that refuse to acknowledge the danger their effort could usher onto our republic. They evidently are not aware that under Article V of the Constitution, our founding fathers established two methods for future generations to add amendments to the Constitution: 1) either two-thirds of both houses of Congress can propose an amendment, and then three-fourths of the states ratify if they call it. . . or not - the safe method or 2) two-thirds (34) of the states call for a federal constitutional convention, and then three-fourths of the states ratify whatever amendments are proposed by the convention. This method must be avoided at all costs. It could lead to a runaway convention in which our original Constitution would be scrapped and a new Constitution would be substituted. Consider also a big financier of global fascism, George Soros. Soros is pumping millions of dollars into the same Article V campaign that is being promoted by Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Allen West, and other popular conservative spokesmen, as he pushes for a new "progressive" U.S. Constitution by the year 2020. Conservatives must not be fooled by Con Con activists Conservatives should shudder at the thought of a convention populated by activists, who endowed with power have a Soros credit card in their pocket and a commitment to social justice as their purpose. Instead, many grassroots, Tea Party, and Christian groups are being infiltrated with progressive ideas by people presenting themselves as Conservatives, Christians, or Patriots. The enemies of the Constitution are targeting 2017 for passage of the Convention of States (COS). They are gearing up to exploit the Republican majorities in state legislatures. A sign that the Con Con issue is really heating up is that during the past month there has been more than 60 articles reflecting the big push for a "Con Con" (Article V Convention, misnamed a "Convention of States" or "COS") In that 69 of the 99 state legislative chambers are now controlled by the Republican Party, the possibility now exists for Con Con to be passed under the guise of "term limits" or a "balanced budget amendment." The good news is that Gun Owners of America just reaffirmed their opposition to Con Con. (The NRA, having at least one Board member who is a Con Con supporter, won't speak out against a Con Con.) Without question, one of the first things a Con Con would do is to dilute or repeal the Second Amendment. Victory over Con Con in Congress Pro-Constitutional Convention advocates tried to sneak a deceptive provision into the new House Rules on the first day Congress was back in session, Tuesday, January 3, 2017. The provision -- which became the second order of business in the House after the election of Speaker Paul Ryan -- was deceptively called the "10 Amendment" rule (regarding the 10th Amendment) and would have purportedly limited a Con Con (Article V Convention) to the amendments initially proposed. In other words, the proposed Rules change was a pretentious hoax that would have merely created a false appearance of protection. There is no way to limit the proposed type or number of Con Con amendments during an Article V convention). The Rules change proposal failed and was not included in the House Rules for the 2017 session. You may find the full text here of the newly adopted House Rules Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) proposed the deceptive 10th Amendment Rule; Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform based in D.C., fully endorsed the Rules change. In a letter to Congress members dated January 2, 2017, Norquist asked the House to change its Rules in a way that would encourage calling a Con Con or Article V convention. The first two paragraphs of Norquist's letter to Congress are noted below (For the full text of Norquist's letter see here): January 2, 2017 Dear Republican Members of Congress: I write to urge you to support an Amendment to the House Rules package proposed by Rep. Kevin Cramer and endorsed by House Rules Chair Pete Sessions that could help restore the Article I Legislative Power of Congress. The proposed "10th Amendment Rule" would protect the Constitution by recognizing and enforcing the Constitution and especially the 10th Amendment power of states to strictly limit the scope of a Constitutional Amendment process initiated by the states... Grover Norquist specifically cited Pete Session, House Rules Chair, as being supportive of the "10th Amendment Rule. It just so happens that Rep. Sessions is from Texas, from where much of the pressure for Con Con is coming. Both the governor and lieutenant governor of Texas have built big political war chests and both have been persuaded to support a Con Con, which has already been pre-filed there as the Convention of States legislation. Check out Grover P. Norquist's interactive relationship map to observe observe the scope of his influence and wide spread connections. This article discusses the coalitions formed by Article V Con-Con groups, and who is holding hands with whom. Existing state applications for an Article V Convention and resolutions rescinding prior applications Not only is Texas being targeted. Former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, in an article published recently by multiple newspapers in Wisconsin, demonstrates that Wisconsin is being targeted by the COS project. He described himself as the "honorary chairman" of the apparently unrelated American Transparency organization, but he's featured on the Convention of States website. It is interesting that Tom Coburn was part of the Never Trump movement, as many in COS likewise were and might still be. Posted information about Tom Coburn can be found here. Read here Andy Schlafly's rebuttal to Coburn's editorial. Two years ago Section 3(d) of the rules package authorized the Judiciary Committee to maintain a public list of state applications for an Article V convention or resolutions rescinding prior applications. Before then, there was never any central list of applications. The status of states can be found here. Twelve states have been targeted for 2017 by the promoters of a constitutional convention -- a "Con Con" or "Convention of States". Eight states have enacted resolutions for a Convention of States, some using language different from others, but each of the eight states should rescind its call. Seventeen states that have passed a Convention of States should rescind it. A recent example is the rescission by Delaware of all of its prior resolutions for a Con Con. Here are some efforts at rescission 2017 Argument against a Convention of States Following are some of the best arguments against a Convention of States to defeat the enemies of the Constitution who seek a constitutional convention to change it: *Require a fiscal note, which is billions of dollars in lost entitlements to states Justice Scalia called this proposal for an Article V convention a "horrible idea" at a public event less than a year before he passed away. Phyllis Schlafly completely opposed a Con Con and Convention of States, and all variations on the concept. Convention of States would be a vote against the conservative Republican national platform, which emphatically rejected this. Convention of States would enable liberals to repeal the Electoral College. Convention of States would open the door to repealing the Second Amendment. Convention of States would facilitate a new constitutional right to taxpayer-funded abortion. *For example, in which of the targeted states can we compel the legislature to attach a fiscal note for the planned constitutional convention, including delegate expenses and the loss to the state of federal entitlements? Forcing a fiscal note to the tune of the millions or billions of dollars. for the Con Con project would stop it in these targeted Republican states. Past opposition to Con Con Heed what some influential people had to say about a Constitutional Convention: 1) Barry Goldwater said: [I am] totally opposed [to a Constitutional Convention]We may wind up with a Constitution so far different from that we have lived under for two hundred years that the Republic might not be able to continue. 2) Chief Justice Warren Burger said: "There is no effective way to limit or muzzle the actions of a Constitutional Convention. The convention could make its own rules and set its own agenda. Congress might try to limit the convention to one amendment or to one issue, but there is no way to assure that the convention would obey. After a convention is convened, it will be too late to stop the convention if we dont like its agenda. The meeting in 1787 ignored the limit placed by the confederation Congress for the sole and express purpose. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Proverbs 27:12 With George Washington as chairman, they were able to deliberate in total secrecy, with no press coverage and no leaks. A Constitutional Convention today would be a free-for-all for special interest groups, television coverage, and press speculation. Eric Dill, the interim superintendent of San Dieguito Union High School District, is slated to take the position on a permanent basis, the district reported Friday. Dill has served as interim superintendent since July, when former superintendent Rick Schmitt left for San Ramon Valley School District in Northern California. The board conducted interviews for the superintendent throughout the fall, school board president Amy Herman said, but didnt find a candidate that they considered the right fit for the district. Recognizing that it could be difficult to fill the position mid-year, they decided to postpone the search. Although Dill had not applied for the position, they approached him about stepping in on a permanent basis. Advertisement We were impressed with the job that Eric was doing as superintendent, so we approached him before winter break to see if he was interested, and he was, Herman said. So we moved forward with that. The board will vote on his contract at its next regular meeting Jan. 19, and his appointment as permanent superintendent would become effective immediately at that time, according to a statement from the district. San Dieguito includes about 13,000 middle and high school students who come from elementary schools in Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach and Del Mar. Dill joined the district in 2001, serving as executive director of business services and director of risk management, before becoming associate superintendent of business services in 2010. Herman said Dills experience in business and financial management at the district will be valuable as San Dieguito completes construction under Prop AA, the $449 million bond initiative approved in 2012. The district is rebuilding Earl Warren Middle School, adding a math and science building at San Dieguito High School Academy, and adding buildings at Canyon Crest Academy and Torrey Pines High School. She said Dill stepped smoothly into the role of interim superintendent and works will with other district officials and staff. He has done an outstanding job in that role, and has developed relationships with people in the district and the community, she said. He has great communication skills and knowledge of the district. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Its all in the genes. The 2015 Sanford Rose of Pinot Noir wasnt the most expensive wine on our holiday table, by far. Nor the most prestigious. Or even the most interesting (that would be a sparkling wine from New Mexico, but more on that another time). What the Sanford had was history. Back in the 70s, pioneering winemaker Richard Sanford and his partner Michael Benedict planted the first pinot noir vines in Santa Barbara County. The Sanford & Benedict vineyard, where some of the roses grapes come from (the others are from the nearby La Rinconada vineyard) is considered one of the most important and iconic vineyards in the state. Richard Sanford may have sold the winery to the Terlato Wine Group in 2005, but his legacy still looms large. (A few years back, my sister I met Sanford at a trade tasting in Beverly Hills and we gave him the were not worthy bow.) Advertisement No one at our gathering knew that, and yet, like the only redhead at a party filled with blonds and brunettes, the Sanford rose stood out in a sea of considerably awesome whites and reds. Heres why: 1. Its pretty salmon hue made everybody notice when it was trotted out for opening. 2. Its gorgeously perfumed nose, think red berries and soft flowers, was unlike anything wed been sniffing. 3. It was a counter-intuitive pour. Rose is too often treated like a summer-only beverage and it was a California teeth-chattering high 50s/low 60s when we were drinking it. Rose in winter? Absolutely. 4. You could taste the pedigree. Amid the festive sparklings, premium Napa chards and cabs and one really pricey Super Tuscan, we were loving a rose picked up at BevMo for under $30. 5. To a person, everyone who tasted it has the same reaction: Yum. Elegantly juicy, the Sanfords citrus and berry flavors filled the glass, while solid acidity was softened by a creamy mouthfeel. Terlato has maintained the Sanford legacy and I was proud of my relatives for recognizing that. Must be in the genes. Find it at BevMo, Adams Avenue Liquor (in Normal Heights) and The Village Store (Point Loma). Food & Wine Videos Twitter: @sdeditgirl michele.parente@sduniontribune.com As the oldest of the seven children of the legendary Johnny and June Carter Cash, Rosanne Cash grew up steeped in the legacy of a legendary country music family. Her debut album, Right or Wrong, came out in 1979. Since then, she has made such classic albums as Seven Year Itch, The Wheel, Black Cadillac and the emotionally wrenching Interiors. Cash won three Grammy Awards for her 2014 album, The River and The Thread. It will be the focus of her San Diego Symphony-sponsored but orchestra-free Our American Music concert here tonight. Marinated in Southern music traditions, Thread sounds simultaneously weathered and fresh, as Cash puts a new spin on old traditions. Live, on stage, she and her songs should blossom anew. The San Diego Symphonys Our American Music series presents a celebratory performance of Rosanne Cashs The River and The Thread 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Jacobs Music Centers Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown. $35-$65. (619) 235-0804 or sandiegosymphony.org/ouramericanmusic/ Advertisement Twitter @georgevarga george.varga@sduniontribune.com Hershey Felders past shows about famous composers have frequently been probing and poignant. Seldom, though, have they been deeply political. Its a different story, though, with Our Great Tchaikovsky, the virtuoso pianist-writer-actors latest show and the first to have its world premiere in San Diego since Felders piece about Beethoven debuted at the Old Globe in 2008. Its not just that the new show, opening this week at San Diego Rep, focuses on one of Russias most celebrated composers at a moment when that country is at the center of an incendiary dispute over hacking and U.S. election-meddling. Advertisement Its also because Tchaikovsky (directed by Trevor Hay) delves into another issue that remains contentious in our country, and even more so Russia: Rights and respect for LGBT people. Its not something youve seen me do before, acknowledges Felder of venturing into such topical material. But he describes it as in some ways a natural evolution of his artistic efforts to connect the lives and times of the great composers to our own era. The trick, he says, is how to do something interesting and new and yet at the same time not disappoint your audience, and not pander. Your audience has come to expect a certain something, so you want to give them that something but always with a new twist. And so this time Ive taken a risk, and its heavily politicized. I dont think it could be otherwise. Our Great Tchaikovsky When: Previews begin Thursday. Opens Jan. 18. 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. (Some exceptions; check with theater.) Through Feb. 12. Where: San Diego Reps Lyceum Stage, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown. Tickets: $61-$102 (discounts available) Phone: (619) 544-1000 Online: sdrep.org Audiences have responded passionately over the years to the Canadian-born Felders works, including his breakthrough piece George Gershwin Alone, which hit Broadway in 2001. That show subsequently was staged several times at the Old Globe here, and Felder has since forged close connections with the city. Not only does he return frequently for shows, but he maintains a staff and scene shop here for his production company, sending works around the country and world. Those whove seen a Felder show know he typically takes on the persona of whatever composer hes focusing on performing the artists music and illuminating turning points in his life. The same is only partly true for the piece about Tchaikovsky, the composer of such 19th-century masterworks as the 1812 Overture, the opera Eugene Onegin, the Nutcracker ballet and his instantly recognizable Piano Concerto No. 1. Although Felder (whos married to former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell) is loath to give too much away at this point, he does allow that hes injecting himself into the piece more boldly than in past works. The premise is a real-life invitation Felder received a while back to tour Russia, a prospect that made him contemplate some deep ironies. Russian authorities, for one thing, have declared categorically that Tchaikovsky was not gay, although historians consider the matter to be more or less fact. This terror of ever being found out as gay was at the center of Tchaikovskys life, Felder says. And it sort of became the undercurrent of the play. Theres also the reality that Russia under Vladimir Putin is not nearly so tolerant of homosexuality as our own country is, which led Felder to contemplate the idea that (theoretically) he couldve landed in jail had he toured Russia with a show portraying Tchaikovsky as a gay man. Its really all about telling the truth, and what happens when you tell the truth, and do you have an option but to tell the truth?, as Felder puts it of the piece and its meaning. And what happens if your life is at risk when you do tell the truth? Hershey Felder rehearses Our Great Tchaikovsky at San Diego Rep. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune ) A Felder sampler Hershey Felder has strong artistic roots in San Diego. Heres a look at shows of his that have been seen here: George Gershwin Alone: The first in Felders Composers Sonata (which eventually took in works about Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven and Bernstein), this piece on the great American composer ran on Broadway for about three months in 2001. The show had multiple productions at the Old Globe beginning in 2006. Monsieur Chopin: Felders meditation on the Polish composer premiered in Chicago in 2005, and came to the Globe the next year on the heels of the Gershwin show. Like Gershwin and other Felder shows, it was directed by Joel Zwick, whose credits include the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Beethoven, As I Knew Him: This look at the life of the musical giant had its world premiere at the Globe in 2008. For much of the show, Felder portrays Gerhard von Breuning, the son of a lifelong friend of Beethovens and an important witness to the composers final years. Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein: Felders evocative exploration of Bernsteins life and legacy had an early staging at the Globe in 2011. It was reprised at San Diego Rep last summer before going on to its New York debut. Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin: This popular and much-performed piece premiered at L.A.s Geffen Playhouse in 2014, and came to La Jolla Playhouse for the 2015 holiday season. Lincoln: An American Story: A departure for Felder, this piece is built mostly around his own compositions, and has him portraying the Army medic who presided at Abraham Lincolns bedside after he was fatally shot. The work premiered at Pasadena Playhouse in 2012; a revamped version came to San Diegos Birch North Park Theatre later that year. The Pianist of Willesden Lane: Felder adapted and directed this 2012 piece, performed by the Grammy Award-winning pianist Mona Golabek and based on her own mothers real-life story of fleeing the Holocaust. The Rep staged a rousing production in 2014. Twitter: @jimhebert jim.hebert@sduniontribune.com Less than four years after declaring Californias budget balanced for the foreseeable future, Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday said the state is projected to run a $1.6-billion deficit by next summer a noticeable shift in the states fiscal stability that could worsen under federal spending cuts championed by President-elect Donald Trump. The trajectory of revenue growth is declining, Brown said in unveiling his $179.5-billion plan for the fiscal year that begins in July. The governors sober assessment comes on the heels of several months of lagging tax revenue collections, a change in the states fortunes that could stifle his fellow Democrats call for additional spending and give fuel to Republican demands for additional cuts. Advertisement Browns budget advisors lowered the official tax revenue forecast, in part, because of slower than expected growth in wages. They also reduced expectations for sales and corporate taxes because of broader national trends. Brown proposed to address the deficit primarily by slowing the growth in spending on public schools by $1.7 billion, a change that brings funding down to the minimum required by formulas enshrined in Californias Constitution. The governor also proposed scrapping $1.5 billion worth of spending ideas left over from last years budget negotiations, including higher subsidies for child-care programs and awarding new college scholarships to California students from middle-class families. To manage unreliability requires prudence, Brown said of his decisions to address the projected budget shortfall. The governors fiscal blueprint is the ceremonial first pitch in Sacramentos annual budget writing season, and, as such, the details will shift in coming months to address changing fiscal conditions. That could include any effort by the nations ruling Republicans to rethink any of the $105 billion in federal funding promises the state expects to receive for a variety of services. The most consequential of those is the $16.1-billion subsidy for Medi-Cal, the program offering healthcare to the states most needy, provided through the Affordable Care Act. Those funds have helped the state add more than 3.8 million people to the Medi-Cal system, a network of providers that reaches one in every three Californians. Republican leaders in Congress and the president-elect have vowed to repeal the law championed by President Obama, though they have yet to identify when or how that will happen. That uncertainty is why Browns new budget plan does not officially lay out a path forward, though the governor made it clear on Tuesday that he thinks GOP leaders should rethink their political promises in regard to Obamacare. Thats very bold and, I think, a move that isnt very consistent with decency, the governor said Tuesday. He also offered national leaders some advice as they weigh the merits of various federal subsidies. I dont think this country needs any more divisive kinds of moves that divide the poor and the rich, split the middle class and all those other things that will be the result if the rhetorical thrust, as suggested in the last few weeks, becomes the operational reality in Washington, Brown said. Gov. Jerry Brown often gets his way when it comes to tax revenue forecasts, and thats a big deal But the governor offered a dash of his own brand of raw politics Tuesday by asking legislators to approve an extension of Californias system for buying and trading greenhouse gas pollution credits. That cap-and-trade program faces an uncertain future beyond 2020, as business groups have challenged its legality in court. On Tuesday, Brown proposed that the Legislature officially reauthorize the program which would require a supermajority vote in both houses and hinted that he might otherwise block the spending of $2.2 billion in proceeds from the auctions of those credits. Given the fact that the federal government is going in the opposite direction, Brown said of the climate change debate, I would think that Californians want to strengthen their own commitment. Advocates for social services, though, saw the budget plan as lacking any new strength for the states most needy. This is just a very conservative budget that really doesnt do anything to reduce poverty in the state of California, said Mike Herald of the Western Center on Law and Poverty, who pointed to a lack of new money for welfare assistance efforts or affordable housing. The governors budget also offers less than expected for backers of Proposition 56, last years tobacco tax increase earmarked to boost healthcare funding. While Brown pegs the taxs infusion of new money at $1.2 billion, it is offset by overall sagging tax revenues, and therefore, unlikely to boost the reimbursement rates sought by doctors who treat Medi-Cal patients. Democrats, in general, sounded positive notes about the governors proposal. One key source of early criticism, though, was his plan to phase out the scholarships offered to middle-class students attending University of California and Cal State campuses. The budget proposes to renew scholarships for 37,000 current recipients but offers no new assistance beyond that. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said the plan, coupled with proposed tuition increases, would be unfair. We must work to keep college affordable for California students, he said, and I will not support burdening them with higher fees and greater student debt. In all, Browns budget continues a long trend toward allowing additional spending while restraining the political desires of Democrats to do more. And while it doesnt spell out a specific need to respond to changes pushed by Trump and congressional Republicans that are on the horizon, the governor made clear that all budget decisions in Sacramento are in some way subject to the national debate. Thats why were going to have to hold on to our hat here, he said. Its going to be a rough ride. john.myers@latimes.com Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast. Los Angeles Times staff writer Melanie Mason contributed to this report. ALSO: Even after voters approved more taxes, Californias budget could be lean in 2017 Californias budget will continue to rely on taxes from the rich under Prop. 55 Updates from Sacramento In a surprise move, President-elect Donald Trump has named a doctor who is not a veteran, and who is already a VA executive, to lead the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. David Shulkin has been VA undersecretary for health since July 2015, when he left the medical industry to join government. In that role, he is chief executive of VA medicine, the nations largest integrated health care system with 8.76 million veterans as its patients. Advertisement David Shulkin, the Under Secretary of Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs, leaves a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci / AP ) Trump announced the nomination during a news conference Wednesday in New York. Hes fantastic, Trump said of his VA pick. One of the commitments Ive made is that were going to straighten out the whole situation for our veterans. Trump mentioned future partnerships for the VA with the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic and other top of the line hospitals but didnt elaborate on details. We have some of the great hospitals of the world going to align themselves with us on the Veterans Administration, Trump said, using the former name for the VA. We are going to set up a group. They are going to get together with their great doctors. Trump said his team looked long and hard at about 100 candidates for the VA job. Some veterans groups had expressed disappointment that it was taking so long. We think this selection will be something that with time, with time -- will straighten it out and straighten in out for good because our veterans have been treated very unfairly, Trump said. National veterans groups issued early praise for the nomination -- despite some grumbling about the break from tradition with a non-veteran nominated to lead the agency. A few veterans organizations appeared relieved, seeing this as a sign that Trump doesnt plan to largely privatize VA medical care something that some critics of the agency have called for following scandals over long patient wait times. Several vets groups had asked the president-elect to keep the current secretary, Robert McDonald, saying that he was in the middle of overhauling VA medicine and that the job requires continuity. Shulkin arguably has been the main architect of that effort. In the absence of clarity about who was to lead the VA, we grew more than a little concerned that political considerations might undermine veterans best interests, said AMVETS Executive Director Joe Chenelly in a statement. But this wise decision by President-elect Trump validates what weve long known and said that the Veterans Health Administration is on the right track despite a prolonged, concerted smear campaign aimed at dismantling and privatizing veterans care. We applaud the transition teams diligence. Shulkin was not on the list of names regularly mentioned as possibilities for the job, including Florida Rep. Jeff Miller, outgoing chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs; former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown; and Pete Hegseth, former head of the conservative-leaning group Concerned Veterans for America. Another top contender, Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove had removed himself from consideration. Prior to the VA, Shulkin served in numerous chief executive roles with medical groups, including president and CEO of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. He also founded a health-care software company in 2000 and edited the 2008 paperback book Questions Patients Need to Ask: Getting the Best Healthcare. The American Legion, the nations largest wartime veterans service organization, issued a statement saying that Shulkin has improved the Veterans Health Administration in his time at the helm. I met with him just last month and believe he is deeply committed to improving VA care and all of the services that VA provides to veterans, said Charles E. Schmidt, the Legions national commander. A group representing vets with the most recent wartime experience Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America voiced disappointment over Shulkins lack of military credentials while praising the rest of his record. We are optimistic about the nomination of Dr. Shulkin by the president-elect. He is well known to us, a man of character and has been a trusted partner, Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq War veteran and founder of the organization, said in a statement. However, his selection is unprecedented. Our membership overwhelmingly supported the selection of a veteran for this critical leadership position. In the San Diego region, where 85,000 vets go the VA for medical care, Shulkin is not a well-known personality unlike McDonald, who has visited the La Jolla hospital and said he adopted San Diegos One VA community committee model for use at the national level. The chairman of the United Veterans Council of San Diego said he is a little surprised that the person in charge of VA health care for the past 18 months was chosen to continue leading it considering the problems exposed nationally in 2014 with long wait times for appointments. Not that VA health care is bad, overall its good health care, but where the problems have been the most troubling, its in the health care delivery programs, said Jack Harkins, a retired Marine Corps officer and Vietnam war veteran. The challenges there are going to remain very strong whoever is in that position, he said. Jeff Gering, director of the VAs San Diego health care system from May 2012 to December 2015, said Shulkin would bring a fresh perspective as the first physician to lead the VA. Since his arrival, he has been very hands on in improving access to care across the system and did not shy away from making a needed tough decision, Gering said. Some on the left, while praising Shulkins record so far, said they will press him for details about his plans for VA medical care. Like Trumps other Cabinet picks, the VA nomination needs Senate approval. Shulkin was approved unanimously to be undersecretary of health in 2015. I have worked closely with Dr. Shulkin in Ohio, and I appreciate his public service and the good work hes done on behalf of our veterans, said Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown, a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, in a released statement. At the same time, I am very concerned that President-elect Trumps support for privatizing the VA would put veterans at risk, and I will have serious questions for Dr. Shulkin about how he plans to make sure they are protected. 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DR. DAVID SHULKIN * On the move: Shulkin was CEO for five hospitals or hospital groups over the years, as well as chief medical officer for four others. * Academia: He was chairman of medicine and vice dean at Drexel University School of Medicine. * Business: Founder, chairman and CEO of DoctorQuality,cq a software start-up that tracks health-care quality. The company was purchased in 2004. * Training: Shulkin, an internist, received his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and then interned at Yale University. * Nonfiction: He edited the 2008 paperback Questions Patients Need to Ask: Getting the Best Healthcare. VA NOMINEE ON THE ISSUES (From testimony in February 2016 before the House Veterans Affairs Committee.) * Dr. David Shulkin on the Veterans Choice Act, which enables outsourcing of some VA medical care to the private sector: the Choice program got off to a rocky start. We have been working very hard to get veterans access to care through Choice, and weve seen the results of that. Were seeing increased authorizations in significant numbers and thats leading us to the projections that well be spending much more money using Choice funds to serve veterans. * On rates of veteran suicides: What we learned is we need to do a better job in the transition time when a military member leaves (active-duty) service and then gets in the V.A. We need to make that a much more thorough process to get people help. We also have learned that we can do better in predictive tools, using big-data analysis and using the research thats actually done at V.A. to predict whos at greater risk. So were working on that. * On abuse of prescription medications: We actually have 16,000 fewer veterans on prescribed opioids. So we are making progress there. We still have more work to do. The illicit drugs used in heroin are a national epidemic, and unfortunately were (seeing) that also increasing (in) the veteran population. So we need to be doing more and we are engaged in looking for ways to make our programs more effective and to do better outreach. * On medical marijuana: I am not aware that V.A. is doing any research right now on the medical impact of medical marijuana. Ill be glad to work with you on that issue. Military Videos On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal jen.steele@sduniontribune.com Facebook: U-T Military Twitter: @jensteeley After Esteban Santiago killed five people at the Fort Lauderdale airport on Jan. 6, reports trickled out that the Iraq War veteran had returned from his 2011 combat tour a changed man. His rampage follows seven other times since 2009 that a veteran of the post-9/11 war era unleashed a shooting spree. But that tally of events shouldnt be seen as a trend, experts said. Advertisement Several studies and data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics show no evidence that military veterans including those who witnessed or waged combat in Iraq and Afghanistan are more prone to lethal violence than the general population. The specter of the wacko war veteran waiting to explode built up over generations in movies and, according to some critics, in news coverage of crimes involving military vets very rarely becomes reality, experts said. Combat veterans, on the whole, are not going to be lethally violent, said Shoba Sreenivasan, a University of Southern California psychology professor who was the lead author of a 2013 paper examining the topic. She noted that a small segment of combat veterans may be triggered to commit violence because of their battle experiences. These individuals often have mental or emotional issues other than war-related post-traumatic stress disorder. There are some people a very tiny, tiny percentage whose combat experience creates some mental instability, along with other factors like drugs and alcohol, that then may contribute to lethal violence stateside, Sreenivasan said. The incarceration rate for veterans is lower than for non-veterans, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. From 2011 to 2012, it was 855 per 100,000 veterans, versus 968 per 100,000 non-veterans. However, a greater percentage of veterans, 64 percent, were sentenced for violent offenses, compared with 48 percent in the general population. Those crimes were more often sexual in nature than violence committed by non-vets. As for the factor of combat experience, a quarter of veterans in prison and less than a third of jailed vets reported being part of the fighting while in the military. Santiago served nearly a decade in the military, beginning with the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and then transferring to the Army Reserve. A combat engineer, he was deployed to Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011. He joined the Alaska Army National Guard in late 2014 and was living in Anchorage before he flew to Florida and opened fire with a handgun at the airport baggage terminal at midday. While Santiago served in Iraq, two soldiers in his unit were killed by a roadside bomb. Santiagos relatives have said he returned from that war zone a transformed person, beginning a long spiral into mental illness. He was discharged from the Alaska National Guard in August for unsatisfactory performance, officials have said. According to police records, Santiago had at least one physical altercation with his girlfriend that led to him being charged last year. In November, he went to the FBI field office in Anchorage and reported hearing voices telling him to commit acts of violence. Santiago also claimed the U.S. government was controlling his mind, trying to make him watch videos by the jihadist group Islamic State, or ISIS. In response to these details, some authorities are calling for stricter gun laws for the mentally ill though experts said the great majority of mentally ill people are not violent. Law-enforcement authorities still have not announced what Santiagos motive was, including whether he had a diagnosed mental illness or harbored terrorist leanings. Some conservative bloggers have promoted conversion to radical Islam as a theory, after a photo surfaced that looks like Santiago giving a hand gesture known as an ISIS salute while wearing a Middle Eastern-style scarf around his neck. Regardless of who is brandishing the gun, mass shootings are on the rise in the United States. Thats particularly true in the past decade. From 2000 to 2006, the yearly average was 6.4 shootings. From 2007 to 2013, the figure more than doubled, climbing to 16.4 per year, according to Harvard Universitys Shorenstein Center on Media and FBI statistics. Experts said its hard to accurately profile the typical mass shooter. Some are driven by ideology. Others target family members. But some demographics are widely acknowledged. For example, the great majority of shooters are white men in their 20s to 40s. As far as veteran status, in 29 U.S. mass shootings since 1999, four were carried out by current or former members of the military, according to a November 2012 Department of Homeland Security intelligence report. Some experts have been critical of the way the news media has linked together cases of veterans who commit violent crimes. For example, in a 2008 series called War Torn, The New York Times examined 121 cases in which Iraq or Afghanistan veterans committed or were charged with killings back at home. The series concluded that In many of those cases, combat trauma and the stress of deployment along with alcohol abuse, family discord and other attendant problems appear to have set the stage for a tragedy that was part destruction, part self-destruction. USCs Sreenivasan cited this series as one of the reasons she and her colleagues did their research on the link between crime and combat. We were concerned that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans might be erroneously considered to be more dangerous or at risk for lethal violence than anybody else, she said. Like it or not, deadly events involving veterans do attract considerable public attention including Santiagos shooting rampage. It was 10 murder cases involving Fort Carson soldiers between 2005 and 2008 that prompted a Montana State University professor to look at whether those Colorado-based troops had been pushed too far in the battlefield. Economist D. Mark Anderson and a colleague analyzed crime in the region surrounding Fort Carson through the lens of combat deployments of its brigades. What they found, in a study published a November 2013, was that reports of assault, murder and robbery increased when more homebound units were stationed at the base not when infantry brigades came back from the battlefield. The study looked at police reports from 2001 through 2009 for El Paso County, where Fort Carson is located near Colorado Springs. No matter how we sliced it, we did not find a consistent story for crime going up for these (returning) brigades whether it was returning from combat really recently or maybe not recently, or your brigade suffered a lot of fatalities or not as many, Anderson said in an interview this week. Anderson said he was surprised by his own results. He went into the study assuming the opposite. Admittedly, this is not what we expected to find, but thats what we found, he said. TIMELINE: POST-9/11 VETERANS AND MASS VIOLENCE July 17, 2016: Gavin Long, 29, a former Marine and Iraq war veteran, killed three law enforcement officers in Louisiana. July 7, 2016: Micah Johnson, 25, an Army veteran who had served in Afghanistan, ambushed and killed five white police officers in Dallas in what was described as a racially-motivated attack. May 29, 2016: Army veteran Dionisio Garza III, 25, of Rancho Cucamonga, killed one person and injured several others in a shooting rampage at a Houston auto detail shop before being killed by a SWAT officer. Garza spent four years in the Army, receiving his discharge in 2014. April 2, 2014: 34-year-old Army Specialist Ivan Lopez, an Iraq war veteran, being evaluated for post-traumatic stress disorder opened fire at Fort Hood, killing three people and wounding 16 before killing himself. Sept. 17, 2013: Aaron Alexis, 34, a civilian defense contractor, went on a shooting rampage inside a building at the heavily secured Washington Navy Yard, killing 12 people before he was slain in a running shootout with police. Alexis served as a full-time Navy reservist between 2007 and 2011. March 11, 2012: Sixteen Afghan villagers, including nine children, were killed during a predawn attack. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales pleaded guilty in a deal to avoid the death penalty was sentenced Aug. 23, 2013 to life in prison with no chance of parole. Bales never explained why he armed himself with a 9 mm pistol and an M-4 rifle and left his post on the killing mission. Nov. 5, 2009: Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, a U.S. Army psychiatrist, killed 13 when he went on a rampage at Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan, 39, was convicted in August for killing 13 people. He told the court he had changed sides and was performing jihad. Union-Tribune researcher Merrie Monteagudo contributed to this report. Military Videos On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal jen.steele@sduniontribune.com Facebook: U-T Military Twitter: @jensteeley The Los Angeles Police Department will now require officers who fire their guns on the job to complete training before they return to the field and meet with department psychologists more often. The changes, approved by the Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday, represent a subtle but significant shift in how the LAPD treats officers after shootings. The civilian board directed top brass last fall to take a fresh look at the training, psychological help and other support officers receive after shootings. The request was inspired in part by a report prepared for the commission that showed officers at other police agencies often spent more time away from work, in training and with a mental health professional after firing their weapons. Advertisement Although police commissioners praised the department for the changes put forth Tuesday, some asked for more. Commission President Matt Johnson said he would like to see more mandatory counseling sessions for officers before they return to work and questioned whether they should be kept out of the field longer. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck typically decides whether to return an officer to the field after whats known as a 72-hour briefing, where he reviews the initial investigation into the encounter, the officers history and whether the officer has been cleared by a department psychologist. Frankly, I think that 72 hours is just too short a period after someone has been in a traumatic event, like an officer-involved shooting, to be back in the field, Johnson said. I think there should be a longer period of time and a couple of sessions with a counselor to make sure that person is OK and ready to be back. Beck said he would direct the departments psychologists to prepare a report on the 72-hour time frame and whether there were suitable alternatives, such as extending the waiting period. Every individual is different. Im confident that many people are ready to return in that amount of time, but some may not be, Beck said after the meeting. We want to do the right thing for our police officers. We want to keep them safe. We want to keep them mentally sound. Under the new approach approved Tuesday, officers must meet with a psychologist two additional times, although officials said the first session would be a few weeks after the shooting and the second a few months after it. Psychologists may still instruct officers to attend extra sessions, officials said. Officers will also be able to take part in a new voluntary program in which they meet with others who have fired their guns on duty. In addition, officers will not be able to return to the field until they have completed whats called a general training update a refresher course that includes a review of LAPD policy and real-life scenarios that could lead to deadly force. Until now, officers could go back before they finished that training. kate.mather@latimes.com @katemather A man found to have been legally insane when he fatally bludgeoned three of his relatives and two dogs in 2005 has withdrawn his request for release from a state mental hospital where he has been confined for nearly a decade. Michael Monroe Brown had asked a San Diego judge to consider whether he could be let out of the hospital to continue treatment for his mental health issues under supervision in outpatient care. A trial on Browns petition was scheduled to begin Tuesday, but his lawyer filed paperwork to a day earlier to withdraw the request. Advertisement Superior Court Judge David Danielsen granted the request without prejudice, meaning Brown could resubmit his petition in the future. In a document filed with the court Monday, Brown did not give a reason for withdrawing his request. He is expected to continue treatment at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino County. On March 20, 2005, Brown picked up an aluminum bat and beat his Doberman pinscher to death at his home in Grantville. He then drove to his mothers home in Mira Mesa. There, he attacked his mother, Shizuko Taeko Beck, 69; stepfather, Joseph Beck, 70, and brother Kenneth Brown, 44, at the family home on Delphinus Way. He also killed the familys Pomeranian dog. Brown, who faced three counts of murder and two counts of animal cruelty, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, meaning he was unable to distinguish between right and wrong when he committed the killings. His defense lawyer argued during the trial that Brown suffered from schizophrenia and was delusional at the time of the slayings. The attorney said Brown believed God had commanded him to kill his family so he would be sent to prison and save mankind. Although Brown was committed to the hospital for three life terms, state law allows him and other patients found not guilty by reason of insanity to petition for release before the end of their commitment terms if they meet certain conditions. To be allowed into the conditional release program, the patients doctors and the court have to find that he or she no longer poses a danger to others because of a diagnosed mental illness. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @danalittlefield A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to accepting bribes of cash and sexual favors in exchange for his willingness to wave through car loads of unauthorized immigrants at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Jose Luis Cota, 50, a 15-year veteran of the border agency, also submitted a resignation letter Tuesday. His plea in San Diego federal court comes a week after his two co-defendants, Mexican nationals Miriam Juarez Herrera and her husband Gilberto Aguilar Martinez, admitted their roles in the smuggling scheme. Advertisement The conspiracy started in November 2015, with Juarez agreeing to recruit immigrant clients to be smuggled in her vehicle and Cota waving them through his lanes at the port of entry while he was on duty, according to the plea agreement. He admitted to allowing Juarez to smuggle at least 10 immigrants. Aguilar admitted in his guilty plea last week to handling the transportation of the clients once they had crossed the border, reuniting them with family in the U.S. and collecting the smuggling fees. The clients were charged as much as $15,000 each for illegal entry, Cotas plea states. That fee sometimes included providing the client with fake identification for the crossing, provided by Juarez, the plea says. In one instance, Cota admitted receiving $13,000 after allowing two unauthorized immigrants to cross in a vehicle. He also agreed in the plea that the government could prove he deposited more than $44,000 in bribes into his bank accounts while he was under investigation. Federal agents from the FBIs Border Corruption Task Force seized more than $17,000 in bribes when they searched Cotas home in September, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Cota has agreed to forfeit all of the bribery money. The trio were arrested in September Cota at his workplace and the couple during a traffic stop following a smuggling incident. The task force began investigating Cota in 2013 after an unauthorized immigrant reported that she and Cota flirted as he was returning her back to Mexico in 2011. They ended up meeting later in Tijuana and their conversation turned to how he could smuggle people across the border, according to a search warrant. The investigation relied on many methods, including confidential sources, surveillance, border crossing records, GPS tracking and recorded conversations, court documents said. Investigators said Cota married a Mexican woman who he had processed as she was being sent back to Mexico in 2010. He tried to obtain a visa for her to live in the U.S. legally but it was denied, and she continued to live illegally in the country, the search warrant said. Cota is set to be sentenced April 7. He faces a possible sentence of at least five years in prison. Public corruption, which includes border corruption, is the number one criminal priority for the FBI because of the potential harm that actions, like Officer Cotas actions, can have on our nations security, San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Birnbaum said in a statement. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security has launched a recent campaign encouraging the public, including frequent border crossers and those who work near the border, to report suspected corruption. Reports can be made via the task force hotline, (877) NO-BRIBE (662-7423). Related: Warrants detail alleged smuggling scheme by Customs and Border Protection officer FBI asks public to be on lookout for border corruption kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis Theres been a lot of rhetoric around todays decision by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to grant itself a raise. The boards salary has been set on auto pilot, at 80 percent of a Superior Court judges salary. That way, supervisors would not have to take public votes on their own pay. Today, they bit the bullet and voted 4-1 (with newcomer Kristin Gaspar opposed) to increase the formula to 85 percent, and then 90 percent, of a judges salary. The result will be a 12.5 percent raise over two years. Advertisement During the run-up, claims were made. One supervisor suggested the boards salary has only been going up 1 percent per year. Thats true in the past decade. But overall since the supervisors tied their pay to judge compensation in 1998, raises have run higher than that. One opponent of the pay hike suggested supervisors have received steeper pay hikes over the years than county employees. In truth, looking at a longer timeframe, county employees have received steeper pay increases than supervisors, according to salary histories that the county provided to Data Watch. Data Watch Videos On Now Data Point: Media Mergers 2:58 On Now Jaywalking infractions in San Diego 1:24 On Now Video: Finding the recipe for the perfect burrito 2:09 On Now Video: Where marijuana is legal in the United States 0:53 On Now Report: Correctional system fails women 1:22 On Now San Diego students have larger classes On Now Hierarchy of cuisine prices On Now Pay phones: Is that still a thing? On Now 2016 border apprehensions On Now STD trends, San Diego County Follow me at @RickyWhy ricky.young@sduniontribune.com At the Republican National Convention last July, retired Army Gen. Michael Flynn famously led Donald Trumps supporters in angry chants of Lock her up! to demand prosecution of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Flynn has suggested that Americans should fear all Muslims, and argued that terrorism committed by Muslims is rooted in mainstream Islam. Fear of Muslims is RATIONAL, he tweeted last February. So on Tuesday, when Flynn made his first public comments since President-elect Trump picked him to be the next White House national security advisor, a packed hall at the U.S. Institute of Peace waited to hear what the fiery former commander and provocative Trump advisor had to say. Advertisement Flynn couldnt have been more gracious. After he was introduced by Susan Rice, the outgoing national security advisor, he gushed, That was an amazing speech. He confessed that he was in awe of Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of State who had campaigned for Clinton and who sat in the audience. Rice and Albright have shown grace, dignity, elegance, commitment to this country, he declared. Flynn spoke for just over 10 minutes and offered no details or specific policy ideas to outline his plans in the White House. Reporters were not given time to ask questions. Trump will stand up for American values overseas in an unapologetic defense of liberty that is the core value of American exceptionalism, Flynn said. We have always been the indispensable nation, and we always will be, he said. He remarks, though larded with foreign policy platitudes, seemed designed to reassure U.S. allies and skeptics at home that the incoming president will not adopt a more isolationist approach to world affairs than previous administrations. The world needs us and in fact demands it, he said. What makes our country exceptional is what we are defending every day, and thats freedom, Flynn said. Flynn said the White House National Security Council will help form policy, make sure it is carried out by government agencies, and will ensure that Trump is properly prepared to work with Congress and to make decisions on foreign policy and national security issues. He said nothing about what steps Trump will take to fulfill his vow to improve relations with Russia, as the president-elect has suggested, or whether he agrees with the Obama administration that Russia sought to interfere in the 2016 presidential campaign. Flynn spoke shortly before FBI Director James B. Comey, CIA Director John Brennan, National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers and Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper testified before Congress for the first time since they released a joint report Friday concluding that Russian President Vladimir had aspired to help Trump win and to harm Clintons chances. In addition to stealing and leaking emails from the Democratic National Committee and Clintons campaign, hackers backed by Russian intelligence penetrated and stole data from state-level Republican servers and old Republican National Committee domains, Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee. But he said none of that data was leaked, and that the FBI saw no evidence that the hackers had accessed Trump campaign computers or current RNC servers. Flynn, who was fired as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014, sat beside Putin in 2015 in a paid appearance at a dinner hosted by Russia Today, a Russian-government-funded English-language outlet. RT, as the network is known, openly supported Trump last year and played a major role in Russian efforts to spread disinformation and propaganda during the U.S. election, according to the intelligence report. As a senior Army intelligence officer, Flynn was a fierce critic of U.S. counter-terrorism operations. He argued that the federal government as a whole and the military in particular were poorly organized to defeat militant groups that relied on secrecy and terror tactics. He was fired as chief of the DIA, the Pentagons main spying agency, after he was critical of what he claimed was the Obama administrations unwillingness to take more forceful action against Islamist militants overseas. It infuriates me when our president bans criticism of our enemies, and I am certain that we cannot win this war unless we are free to call our enemies by their proper names: radical jihadis, failed tyrants, and so forth, Flynn wrote in a New York Post opinion article in 2015, claiming he was fired for his views. If our leaders were interested in winning, they would have to design a strategy to destroy this global enemy, he wrote. But they dont see the global war. Instead, they timidly nibble around the edges of the battlefields from Africa to the Middle East, and act as if each fight, whether in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Libya or Afghanistan, can be peacefully resolved by diplomatic effort. Staff writer David S. Cloud in Washington contributed to this report. brian.bennett@latimes.com Twitter: @ByBrianBennett 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: 12:33 p.m.: This article was updated with details from Tuesdays Senate Intelligence Committee hearing This article was originally published at 11:30 a.m. President Obama reprised his message of hope and change Tuesday as an antidote to an unstable world, delivering a farewell address in which he exhorted allies to keep the faith as President-elect Donald Trump assumes power but also painted a realists portrait of the threats to democracy. From his adopted hometown of Chicago, Obama spoke frankly about the dangers posed by economic inequality, divisiveness and a lack of a common baseline of facts in public discourse. He returned again and again to the importance of preserving and upholding democracy. But in refashioning his winning 2008 campaign message for 2017, he asked the crowd of friends and supporters to hold fast to their optimism and to look within for leadership. Advertisement I am asking you to believe not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours, Obama said. I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents: ... Yes, we can, he said, voicing the familiar cadence from his first election. Yes, we did. Yes, we can. The address was the latest entry in an occasional tradition of outgoing commanders in chief that has produced some of the most memorable speeches in presidential history, including George Washingtons farewell and Dwight D. Eisenhowers warning about the rise of the military-industrial complex. Obama was mindful of the apprehension his followers are feeling ahead of the inauguration of Trump, elected on promises to crack down on immigration, scrutinize Muslims in the U.S. and challenge what he derided as political correctness. The president tried to soothe their concerns by noting that a transfer of power is a hallmark of an advanced society. I committed to President-Elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me, he said. Because its up to all of us to make sure our government can help us meet the many challenges we still face. He acknowledged the moment without dwelling on Trump. Instead, Obama framed such 21st century challenges as growing inequality, terrorism and interconnectivity as part of a profound shift in the global order. These forces havent just tested our security and prosperity, but our democracy as well, he said. And how we meet these challenges ... will determine our future. He demanded modern solutions, calling for a new social compact that guaranteed education for children, access to unions for workers and a wide safety net. If we dont create opportunity for all people, the disaffection and division that has stalled our progress will only sharpen in years to come, he said. Finally, Obama called for areentry into civic engagement and decried the tendency of Americans to retreat into our own bubbles. We have to try harder; to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do; that they value hard work and family like we do; that their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own. And he warned of democracys fragility but underscored the unique role of the U.S. as a beacon of freedom. Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors. Obamas final big event was staged as more of a rally than a speech, with Obama striding onto stage to the strains of his campaign anthem, City of Blinding Lights, and departing with his family to the frenzied applause of 18,000 in attendance. After he leaves office, Obama plans to take time to quiet himself, said Valerie Jarrett, the presidents longtime advisor and family friend. He wants Trump to have space to operate and wont comment on relatively small developments, friends say. He wants to give Trump room to do his homework, Jarrett said. Yet Obama also wants to keep an open line of communication with Trump, who aides think may want to consult with him as the last person to do the job. Since Trump was elected, Obama has abandoned his campaign season criticism of Trump and focused publicly on the importance of a smooth transition. Still, if something troubles him, he has told friends, he may speak out. On Tuesday night, he demonstrated for the world and, perhaps for Trump that he can still command the attention of the American public. He is leaving office with high favorable ratings and, perhaps just as important, has honed his ability to connect with the voters of the Obama coalition. Obama called on white Americans to remember that the effects of slavery and Jim Crow didnt suddenly vanish with the social advancements of the 1960s, that when minority groups voice discontent, theyre not just engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness. Conversely, he said, blacks and other minorities must think about the middle-aged white man whose world has been upended by economic, cultural and technological change. If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves, he warned. Throughout his presidency, Obama has used his bully pulpit to inspire, condemn and cajole. He was always heavily involved in writing his biggest speeches, and his team of young speechwriters spent as much time with him as did more senior staff. Chicago writers have always been at the heart of his craft. His earliest message guru was Chicago political mastermind David Axelrod, who helped him come up with the yes, we can concept that propelled him into office. In his second term, his head speechwriter has been Chicago native Cody Keenan, who worked with Obama on the farewell address throughout the holidays. This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it, Obama said of his hometown. After eight years as your president, I still believe that. Each time Obama mentioned his departure from the White House, the crowd voiced its objection, especially as he began to signal the end of his speech. At the end, he singled out his wife, Michelle, for being his best friend and role model. She was dry-eyed, but daughter Malia teared up during the tribute. The loudest cheers were for Vice President Joe Biden, who was in the front row with his wife, Jill. Many Democrats now look to Biden, who has long championed the working class, for wisdom on how to connect with the disaffected white male voters who helped deliver the White House for Trump. Biden has offered advice, but both he and Obama in recent days have been trying to turn the focus to a new generation of leadership. Some parts of the Obama coalition were not yet ready to follow that lead. When a protester began to shout during Obamas speech, the crowd rose up to drown her out, in what may have been the loudest chants of the night. Four more years! they shouted. Four more years! Watch the full speech below: Parsons reported from Chicago and Memoli from Washington. Christi.Parsons@latimes.com @cparsons ALSO: The tweet speaks for itself could become a Trump administration motto U.S. intelligence report doesnt say whether Russian hacking helped elect Donald Trump 7 things you need to know about the future of Obamacare UPDATES: 8:35 p.m.: This story was updated with more of Obamas remarks. 6:35 p.m.: This story was updated with Obamas remarks. 4:05 p.m.: This story was updated with excerpts from Obamas prepared remarks. This story was originally published at 3 a.m. Chicano Park, a symbol of community and Latino activism for decades, has been designated a National Historic Landmark. U.S. Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell made the announcement Wednesday for the iconic, colorful 7.4-acre park below the San Diego-Coronado Bridge that has had social, cultural and political significance in San Diego and beyond since the 1970s. I think theres no place like it in the country where you can walk through and see the culture and history of a community, said San Diego City Councilman David Alvarez, whose district includes the Barrio Logan park. Advertisement People know about Chicano Park, not just in San Diego or California, but really the country, he said. This is a very unique collection of art that doesnt exist anywhere else. Josephine Talamantez, who participated in the protest that led to the park, submitted the application for its recognition as a national landmark in 2015. The listing, she said, is a validation to the Chicano-Latino- indigenous community of the San Diego/Tijuana border region and the nation as a whole. This commemoration recognizes the local Chicano communitys efforts at self-determination. We defined and honored our contributions towards the building of the city of San Diego economically, socially, politically, and culturally, she added. Chicano Park turns 46 Talamantez, now a member of the Chicano Park Steering Committee, was among many people who were frustrated decades ago, watching their neighborhood disappear. By the time the San Diego-Coronado Bridge opened in the summer of 1969, the development of Interstate 5 had left 5,000 homes and businesses destroyed in Barrio Logan When the California Highway Patrol announced plans to build a substation below the bridge in 1970, area residents staged a 12-day occupation of the park. Talamantez, then 18 years old and a City College student, was part of it. People were just tired of being complacent after the eminent domain loss of families and communities, she said in an interview Wednesday. The elders in the community started asking for a park, and nobody was listening. We stood there and locked our hands and blocked the tractors, and we stayed there for 12 days. The Chicano Park Steering Committee was formed to negotiate with city and state officials and the group has been stewards of the park ever since. Talamantez said discussions about artwork in the park began around 1973 and a mural marathon was organized by Victor Ochoa, who recruited painters. Among the artists was Salvador Torres, who saw the tall T-shaped pillars supporting the bridge as blank canvases. He became the visionary who thought, Wouldnt it be wonderful to create murals and bring colors to the neighborhood? Talamantez said. Artist Mario Torero, who also had been part of the occupation, painted many of the murals in the park. In all, there are 49 paintings in the park, many depicting Aztec divinity, legends, Mexican colonialism, and other images. Talamantez and Manny Galaviz, a volunteer with the steering committee, submitted an application to have the park listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it was added in 2013. The two also submitted an application to have the park named a National Historic Landmark. In May, Talamantez traveled to Washington, D.C., to make a case for Chicano Park before a review and advisory committee. The National Park Service Advisory Board approved the recognition in November. Jewell signed off on the recognition Dec. 23, Talamantez said. Galaviz said the designation is truly unique. The inclusion of Chicano Park as a National Historic Landmark is important because today less than 8 percent of the 2,500 National Historic Landmarks represent ethnic and minority groups, said Galaviz, a University of Texas graduate student. This does not indicate that ethnic minorities have not contributed to the making of the United States; rather it is reflective on the limited access these groups have had towards claiming, conserving, and preserving their social history. The recognition as a National Historic Landmark is considered more prestigious than the National Register of Historic Places, which has about 90,000 properties. As part of the criteria for a National Historic Landmark designation, a site must tell stories that are important to the nations history rather than just local communities or states. Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, had introduced bills supporting the designation, but none had passed Congress before the announcement. The designation of Chicano Park as a National Historic Landmark is incredible news for the community of Barrio Logan in San Diego, the future of the park, and the many activists who throughout the years have advocated for a space where families can gather and where people can celebrate their shared cultural heritage, Vargas said in a statement Wednesday. Chicano Park will join 16 other National Historic Landmarks in San Diego County, including the Hotel del Coronado, Balboa Park, the Mission Beach roller coaster, the Star of India and the San Diego Presidio. Most recently, the Maritime Museums steam ferry Berkeley was named a National Historic Landmark in 1990. Alvarez said hes not sure when a plaque marking the national recognition would be installed, but he expected the honor would be be part of the 47th annual Chicano Park Celebration planned in April. Alvarez said he would consult with the Chicano Park Steering Committee about how to celebrate the recognition. Personally, this has been my park since forever, said Alvarez, who grew up in the neighborhood. Ive seen it go through a lot. I wasnt there for the struggles in the 1970s, and we owe a lot of respect and honor to the people who ensured that it would be a park to begin with. Chicano Park was among 24 sites named National Historic Landmarks on Wednesday. gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 The San Diego City Council approved $150,000 in settlements on Tuesday with a woman injured by bulging sidewalk in Bankers Hill and a woman whose San Carlos house was flooded last winter. The city is paying $98,000 to Susan Miller, who in May 2015 suffered a broken nose, severe lacerations and bruising after tripping over damaged sidewalk near Fourth Avenue and Quince Street. According to city documents, Miller was embarrassed to go in public or look in the mirror because of a zig zag scar on her nose. In August 2016, she had plastic surgery to restore her nose to its natural appearance. Advertisement The city wont be responsible for covering Millers attorneys fees. The city is paying $53,300 to Joan McCollum, whose home at 6236 Cabaret St. was one of eight in San Carlos damaged by flooding in January 2016. A 36-inch corrugated metal storm drain pipe sustained a catastrophic rupture during heavy rain, which sent a wave of flowing water, dirt, debris, and cement into the affected homes, according to city documents. The city previously paid McCollum $50,000. The total settlement of $103,300 resolves all claims brought by McCollum for damages, plus interest and attorneys fees. Money to cover the payments comes from the citys public liability fund, an account the city replenishes each year to cover litigation settlements and related matters. david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick A 20-year-old man accused of stealing his fathers car led police on a chase until he crashed into a ditch off a freeway, San Diego police said. The dad was driving with his son on Genesee Avenue near state Route 163 about 4 p.m. when he pulled over because the two got into a fight, police said. The young man punched his father, then pushed him out of the BMW and drove off. An officer using a stolen vehicle tracking system located the BMW about 6:40 p.m. near East Gate Mall and Town Centre Drive in the University City neighborhood. The officer tired to pull over the driver, but he did not stop. Advertisement In an attempt to halt the car, police put down a spike strip on Via Capri near Soledad Park in La Jolla, police Officer John Buttle said. One of the BMWs tires hit the spikes, but the driver kept going with the flat tire, heading onto west state Route 52. Police briefly backed off when the BMW speed was considered unsafe. At Convoy Street, the driver lost control of the car, spun and crashed into a ditch. Officers arrested him as he walked away from the wreckage, Buttle said. The man was booked into jail on suspicion of carjacking. Breaking News Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez A Serra High School student was hit by a car, suffering head injuries, while crossing a street Wednesday, San Diego police said. The driver of a Toyota Scion hit the 16-year-old boy who was in a crosswalk at Santo Road and Porto Court, in front of the school, at 7 a.m. Medics took the student to a hospital with face and head injuries initially believed to be serious. After being examined, his injuries appeared to be minor, police said. Advertisement The Scion driver was uninjured. Officers blocked off the intersection for about an hour for an investigation and detoured cars away from Santo Road between Porto Court and Tierrasanta Boulevard. A 57-year-old San Diego man is suspected of killing his daughter and critically injuring her boyfriend in a Clairemont double stabbing before jumping off the Coronado bridge Sunday night, police said Tuesday. Police believe Mark McClellan stabbed Katherine Mills-Perkins, 22, and Jamar Walter, 26, at the couples apartment on Ashford Street near Armstrong Place about 9:30 p.m. A number of residents in the Village Woods complex called 911 after seeing a bloodied Walter going door-to-door in search of help, San Diego homicide Lt. Mike Holden said. Advertisement Officers found Walter in a nearby alley and started life-saving efforts. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Holden said Tuesday he is expected to survive. Mills-Perkins was found stabbed inside the apartment, not far from where Walter was located. She died before she could be taken to a hospital. Police havent determined why McClellan went to the couples apartment or what led to the attack. Right now, we dont have a solid motive, Holden said. We dont know why this happened. Witnesses reported a black Hyundai with paper plates was seen driving away from the complex after the incident. About 40 minutes later, police found a vehicle that matched that description abandoned on the Coronado bridge. Motorists in the area reported seeing a man run from the car and jump into the water below. Police suspect that man was McClellan, although his body has not been recovered, Holden said Monday. The lieutenant wouldnt say how they identified McClellan as the suspect the attack. Detectives have not yet had the opportunity to speak extensively with Walter due to his condition. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com A man accused of holding a City Heights gas station clerk hostage at knife point was arrested Tuesday night, San Diego police said. The worker was not hurt. The attack began outside the USA Gasoline cashiers booth after the employee stepped outside. The assailant, with a knife in hand, walked up to the worker and forced him back inside, police said. Advertisement The assailant pulled a second knife and locked the door. About 6:35 p.m., he told the clerk to call police. He took the phone and threatened to shoot and stab the employee. He helped himself to cigarettes and smoked for a while, police said. Officers got to the gas station on Orange Avenue at Fairmount Avenue and saw the two men inside the booth. The employee had his hands in the air as the attacker held the knives to his throat, police said. SWAT officers were called in. About 30 minutes later, the worker noticed the assailant relax and lower the knives. He grabbed the weapons and shoved the suspect toward the door. The clerk was able to slip outside, police said. Officers and a police dog rushed the suspect and, after a brief struggle, took him into custody. The 56-year-old suspect was booked into jail on suspicion of false imprisonment. He did not have a gun. The clerk was taken to a hospital to be evaluated, police said. Breaking News Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez Four separate shootings by San Diego County law enforcement officers last year were legally justified, the District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. All were reasonable under the facts leading to each shooting, with officers fearing for their lives or the lives of others, said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. She outlined details and showed video of some of the shootings, as well as of the controversial killing of 38-year-old Alfred Olango by El Cajon police on Sept. 27. Advertisement Olango shooting ruled justified by District Attorney In one case, David Michael Moya, 31, was fatally wounded when three sheriffs deputies returned fire after he shot high-powered compound bow arrows at them at his Santee home on Aug. 8. Deputies had gone to investigate his mothers report that he threatened to kill her and had knives stashed in the two-story house, Dumanis said. Moya fired an arrow at one deputy inside the home, then two more from a window with a SWAT team around the house. Sgt. Robert Kastelic, Matthew Hemphill and James Riggin each fired at Moya, who was hit once in the head. Officer-Involved Shooting of Juan Fernandez. Police handout video. Dumanis said deputies were not equipped with body-worn cameras. One neighbors cellphone video from across the street showed a vague image of the window from which Moya was firing the arrows. In a second incident, Sergio Weick, 33, was fatally shot in Vista on Aug. 11 by sheriffs deputies Peter Myers and Christoper Villanueva. Deputies tried to pull over Weick, a known gang member with a warrant for his arrest, and believed he was armed with a gun, Dumanis said. Weick led them on a short pursuit, crashed into a curb, ran into the gated Copper Hill community, where he stumbled and fell. He fumbled at his shirt and pants waistband, apparently trying to reach something, Dumais said. Deputies yelled at him repeatedly to stop and put his hands up, but, she said, he ignored those orders. Both deputies fired several times when they thought Weick was going for a weapon. It turned out he had a knife on both hips. Weick died at a hospital three days later. In a third case, Juan Carlos Fernandez, 22, shot his ex-wife and three family members in City Heights before being killed by San Diego police Officer Ross Bainbridge on Nov. 16. Officer-Involved Shooting of Juan Fernandez That evening, Fernandez went to the Marlborough Avenue apartment of his ex-wife, Isabel Gonzalez, 21, and her family, in violation of a restraining order. He chased away Isabels boyfriend, got a gun from his car and started shooting. Isabelas grandfather was wounded and her father, Julian Gonzalez, was fatally shot. A round that killed her mother, Reyna Gonzalez, also wounded Isabel, Dumanis said. Officers body-worn cameras showed Fernandez dragging Isabel into the street by her hair with a pistol aimed at her. Video played by Dumanis showed one officer walk up with a raised shotgun and shoot him in the head. Dumanis said Fernandez died instantly. In a fourth incident, Trenton Lohman, 38, of Lakeside, stole a sheriffs patrol car, led deputies on a pursuit, was fired on twice and died in a brushy ravine in Poway on Aug. 18. Sheriffs Sgt. Robert Niderost and deputies Nikholas Johnson, David Smith and Hugh Davidson fired at Lohman at two locations along Poway Road. Deputies were investigating a suspicious man looking into cars at a Poway Road auto repair center and saw him with a knife, Dumanis said. He followed orders to drop the knife, but then got into an SUV, pointed a gun at a deputy and started driving. The deputy fired at him. Two more deputies blocked Lohmans path. He got out of the SUV and jumped into a deputys empty patrol car and took off. Two deputies shot at him before going in pursuit. A chase halted at Poway and Espola roads, where Lohman ditched the patrol car and carjacked a passing motorist at gunpoint. He headed back toward deputies, and a deputy fired at him. Lohman drove into a ravine and was found dead of at least one gunshot wound. Dumanis did not indicate which round or rounds hit Lohman. Fatal officer-involved shootings in San Diego County, 1980-2017 A Sacramento woman who claims Chipotle used a photo of her without permission is suing the company for all the money it has made between 2006 and 2015, totaling more than $2.2 billion. Leah Caldwell claimed that the company inappropriately used a picture of her in some of its advertising, which damaged her reputation and invaded her privacy. She is demanding $2,237,633,000 - a number she took from annual earnings reports - and further asked that the restaurants 2016 earnings be added to that amount when the numbers are made public. Advertisement According to the complaint, Caldwell was leaving a Denver Chipotle in 2006 when she was stopped by a man who asked her to sign a release for some photos he had taken and she declined. Eight years later, Caldwell was in a Chipotle in Orlando where she spotted a photo of herself in an advertising on the wall. In 2015, she saw the same photo in two other Chipotle restaurants in California. At each location, plaintiff recognized the iconic picture, her distinct photographic image and likeness even with apparent editing, read the claim. Caldwell claims that the photos had been edited in a way that distorted her characteristics by adding textures to the hair but that she was still readily identifiable. Further, she said, there were people and some bottles added to the photo that were not in the original shot. Plaintiff considers the planting or use of photoshopping of bottles to put a false light upon her character associated with consuming alcoholic beverages, the complaint reads. It also states that when the picture was taken, Caldwell was eating in a restaurant where there were no visible cameras and no announcements of a photo shoot. She said she had a reasonable expectation of privacy, which was exploited by a visual-enhancing device. The suit states that as a result of the unauthorized use of the photo, Caldwell is entitled to all of the profits the company has made since that picture was taken. She further asks for actual damages of $750, although it does not list what those entailed, attorney and court fees, and she asked that the company cease and desist from using the image. She also requested such other relief as may be just. A spokesman for Chipotle told the Los Angeles Times that the company does not comment on pending legal action but that the lawsuit is purely allegation and is proof of absolutely nothing. 619-293-1710 debbi.baker@sduniontribune.com twitter.com/Debbi_Baker The $179.5 billion state budget proposal Gov. Jerry Brown outlined for next fiscal year shows him at his savvy best and sleight-of-hand worst. The good news: Brown not only resisted some Democrats calls for big new spending programs, he said he wants no increase in the states $122.5 billion general fund budget. Spending on K-12 schools would go from $71.4 billion to $73.5 billion, but cuts elsewhere would leave spending next fiscal year the same as this fiscal year. More cuts may be needed if a projected $1.6 billion deficit comes to pass. Advertisement Given Californias long-term history of having revenue go up and down like a roller coaster and its more recent history of tax collections being lower than expected it makes complete sense to have a cautious budget. Brown is also smart to propose adding $1.2 billion to the rainy day fund bringing it to nearly $8 billion so the state government can better deal with the inevitable next recession. In his Tuesday morning news conference and in the budget document itself, the governor also made strong arguments that the key to relieving Californias biggest crisis the extreme cost of housing is making it easier to add housing stock, not funding subsidized housing that helps only a relative handful of state residents. The bad news: While the budget is full of observations about the proper and improper use of state funding, it entirely ignores the purported intent of the governors ballyhooed 2013 education reform, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The law was sold with the claim that it would provide extra funds to school districts with high percentages of English-language learners, foster children and impoverished children, with the money specifically used to help such students. Yet since the laws enactment, the $15.7 billion in LCFF dollars that have been doled out have been treated as if they are block grants, used by districts for teacher pay and pensions to the delight of the states teachers unions. A year ago, The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board wrote that this bait and switch is easily the low point of Jerry Browns second go-around as governor. That remains true today. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: UTOpinion Media should explore their own failings Instead of your front-page story of how Russian President Vladimir Putin interfered with our election (U.S.: Putin issued order to intervene in election, Jan. 7), maybe the post-election news story should be about how the U.S. press tried to influence the election but ultimately failed. The news stories denigrating Donald Trump, ran ad nauseam in your newspaper and in other news outlets throughout the election. Advertisement Trump was constantly portrayed as a misogynist, xenophobe, racist and, in your own editorials words, The real threat to America (July 22). The overt bias never let up. But now the focus is on the Russians for sabotaging Hillary Clintons chances by doing something as dastardly as exposing the corruption in the Democratic National Committee. Wow. Bill Fritz Oceanside Nation should not just accept Trumps lies Trump and the U.S. soon will be joined at the hip (in Trumps mind). If a news event is flattering to Trump, the same will be wonderful for the U.S. The converse works similarly. Russian hacking of our 2016 presidential election doesnt make Trump look good, so it cant be good/true for the U.S. Thin skin/personality disorders/narcissism dont disappear with election to public office, though they may be exacerbated by the same. If confronted with too much evidence, i.e. Obamas birthplace, Trump simply will stop talking about it. 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 The press corps should expect to hear move on with regularity. Remember, being Trump means never having to say Im sorry. He also reserves the right to deny what he previously said, never mind that it was recorded. Cheryl Martin Ede San Diego Media cant let Trump control the dialogue Will Trump continue to dictate the news cycle as president or will the media hold him accountable by advocating for open dialogue through news conferences and media interviews? Trumps preferred one-way communication with Twitter shows contempt for the public and the media, and it allows him to continue to run the media cycle. While you cant force him to call a news conference, you can hold him accountable for not talking directly to the American public. How? Let readers know how many days it has been since his last news conference. (It was July 2016.) Continue to keep count every day until he holds a news conference and ask your companion media outlets in print, broadcast and online to join your effort. CeCe Wilkens Bonita Lets assume Putins invite is in the mail Now that the intelligence agencies report is complete, can we expect the Trump transition team to invite Vladimir Putin to the inauguration? Robert Gilleskie Del Mar Republicans have ideas to replace Obamacare Sundays editorial cartoon by Steve Breen showing an empty GOP doctors bag labeled Obamacare replacement ideas (Jan. 8) was totally inaccurate. Republicans have been offering several better health care ideas ever since Obamacare was proposed eight years ago, like allowing health insurance to be sold across state lines, allowing customers to buy smaller, more limited policies instead of the loaded, one-size-fits-all policies of Obamacare, and allowing customers to set up individual health care accounts. Republicans have not yet proposed one final completed health care proposal, no, but Donald Trump has not even been sworn in as president yet. Gerald Seon Chula Vista Let the GOP prove it has a better solution I strongly disagree with Democrats who are trying to slow down the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The Republicans have been trying to repeal this act for years so they have had sufficient time to come up with an alternative plan. If I were a Democratic lawmaker, I would say that is our only piece of business, so lets repeal the act as of Feb. 1, 2017. The American electorate needs to experience what the Republicans want: repeal the Affordable Care Act; privatize Medicare; lower corporate income tax; lower the income tax of the wealthy; build the wall; increase military spending; and, last but not least, balance the budget. Good luck. Mike Cavanaugh University City Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. In a highly-anticipated news conference, Donald Trump on Wednesday insisted that Mexico will pay for the building of a border wall through a tax or another form of payment in response to recent reports saying his transition team is seeking Congressional approval to pay for its construction. Trump did not dispute the reports. Instead, he said the wall, not a fence, would likely require a reimbursement from Mexico once its construction is completed a process he says could take a year and a half. I dont feel like waiting a year or a year and a half, Trump told reporters in New York. Were going to start building. Mexico in some form, and there are many different forms, will reimburse us and they will reimburse us for the cost of the wall. That will happen, whether its a tax or whether its a payment probably less likely that its a payment. But it will happen. Trump corroborated the reports and said that his vice president, Mike Pence, is leading an effort to get final approval through various agencies and through Congress to secure funding needed to begin building the wall. CNN reported last week that his transition team would seek congressional funding to build the border wall and, in so doing, break a key campaign promise when Trump repeatedly said he would force Mexico to pay for the construction of the wall along the border. CNN did add that Trump, in October, suggested for the first time that Mexico would reimburse the US for the cost of the wall. Trump responded to the report last week with a tweet saying that U.S. spending on building the Great Wall would be done in the interest of time. To date, no specifics on the border wall its cost, its scope or its construction timeline have been made available to the public. CNNs report says Republicans could infuse billions of dollars, up to $12 billion by Trumps assessment, into a spending bill by April when Congress votes on it. Construction of the border wall has been disputed by Trumps own advisers before. In November, Trumps border security adviser Brandon Judd told NPR that the administration would likely add 200 or 300 miles of additional fencing along the 1,954-mile boundary. The wall is going to be absolutely effective in certain locations. We do not need a wall along the entire 2,000 miles of border, said Judd, who serves as president of the National Border Patrol Council. Trumps nominee for secretary of Homeland Security, retired Marine Corps General John Kelly , told senators at his confirmation hearing Tuesday that a physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job to secure the border. Kelly advocated for a layered defense instead. Trumps remarks about making Mexico pay for the border wall drew strong reactions, including a response from former Mexican president Vicente Fox , an outspoken critic of the president-elect. What does Mexico have to say about this? There is no way that's going to happen." -- Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray Its not a matter of how much does it cost, or wheres the money coming from, its a matter of dignity and national sovereignty, Videgaray said in a televised interview. What do you think? Do you think the wall will be built? Do you think American taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for the wall or do you have faith Trump will fulfill his promise to make Mexico pay for it? Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @RunGomez Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions faced tough questions at a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday for his nomination as U.S. Attorney General, the first in a line of Donald Trump administration appointments that are up for Senate confirmation. As expected, the Alabama senator fielded questions about his civil rights record because of controversial decades-old remarks that originally came to light during a confirmation hearing as a U.S. District Court judge nominee in 1986. At the time, Sessions was accused of describing the N.A.A.C.P. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as un-American and Communist-inspired. Sessions addressed and denied those remarks at Tuesdays U.S. Senate judiciary committee hearing. I abhor the K.K.K. and what it represents and its hateful ideology Sessions told Senators. I never declared the N.A.A.C.P. was un-American or that its civil rights attorney was a disgrace to his race. There is nothing I am more proud of than my 14 years of service in the Department of Justice. Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-California, also inquired about Sessions opinion on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roe vs. Wade, which makes it unconstitutional to ban abortions in the United States. You have referred to Roe vs. Wade as, one of the worst, colossally erroneous Supreme Court decisions of all time. Is that still your view? Sen. Feinstein asked Sessions. It is. I believe it violated the Constitution and really attempted to set policy and not follow law, Sessions said. It is the law of the land. It is been so established and settled for quite a long time, and deserves respect and I would respect it and follow it. Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa, pressed Sessions on whether he would follow Trumps campaign promise to assign a special prosecutor to investigate former secretary of state Hillary Clinton . Sessions said comments he made about Clinton and the Clinton Foundation during the campaign would call his objectivity to question. I believe the proper thing for me to do would be to recuse myself from any questions involving those kind of investigations that involve Secretary Clinton that were raised during the campaign, he said. Trumps proposal to deny entry to Muslims coming into the United States was also a subject of discussion for Sessions, who as attorney general would serve as the top legal adviser to the president. Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vermont, asked Sessions whether he agreed with Trumps view that the United States can or should deny entry to all members of a particular religion. I have no belief and do not support the idea that Muslims as a religious group should be denied admission into the United States, Sessions said. While on the subject of immigration, Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-South Carolina, asked Sessions how he would advise Trump regarding President Barack Obamas executive order that stops the deportation of child immigrants. Would you advise president Trump to repeal that executive order? Graham asked. That would be a decision that would need to be studied and he would need to agree to, Sessions said. I would ... have no objection to a decision to abandon that order because it is very questionable, in my opinion, constitutionally. Sessions nomination has been the focus of much attention. Last week, members of the N.A.A.C.P. staged sit-in protests at his offices and on Tuesday protesters constantly interrupted the hearing. In addition to Sessions testimony, senators are expected to hear from people who have either worked with the senator or watched his rise to prominence, including former attorney general Michale Mukasey, former deputy attorney general Larry Thompson, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker from New Jersey, Georgia Rep. John Lewis , and others. Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @RunGomez The highly-anticipated confirmation hearing of Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions , President-elect Donald Trump s attorney general nominee, is likely to be one of the more grueling and high-pressure face-offs between members of the Senate and any of Trumps cabinet appointees. Before he was a senator, the 70-year-old was a U.S. attorney from 1981 to 1993 and Alabamas attorney general from 1995 to 1997. Sessions tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday was expected to continue Wednesday and possibly beyond that. These are some of the reasons his confirmation is so closely watched. 1. What supporters say Sen Ted. Cruz wrote a piece for Politico Magazine praising Sessions resume and long history as a legal professional. Some highlights: Few people could be considered more qualified than Sessions. Senator Sessions believes in the foundational idea that we are governed by objectively knowable, written rules, and that we should not be subject to the interpretive whims of unelected, power-hungry bureaucrats. Sessions undoubtedly has the integrity to enforce laws he doesnt personally agree with and to stay within proper bounds on laws he does agree with. The Trump transition team offered these reasons for why he should be made attorney general: Senator Sessions has dedicated his life to public service. He worked inside the Department of Justice for 15 years and loves the department, its people and its mission. Sessions is known for his deep respect and adherence to the rule of law, the cornerstone of American democracy. 2. What critics say Wayne Flynt, a history professor in Alabama who has followed Sessions career, told the New York Times he thinks Sessions has been on the wrong side of every issue. Other critics, including the ACLU, point to a number of political decisions on statements from his past. Trumps transition team addressed one of the most contentious points of Sessions record with a memo to Congressional Republicans about how to defend him. He was denied a federal judgeship in 1986 by the Senate Judiciary Committee in part for allegations over racially insensitive remarks he says were taken out of context. Sessions maintains the caricature of me in 1986 was not correct and Trumps team argues that some senators who voted against him at the time regret it now. 3. His most complicated record: civil rights In his opening statements, Sessions had this to day about civil rights: The Department of Justice must never falter in its obligation to protect the civil rights of every American, particularly those who are most vulnerable. A special priority for me in this regard will be aggressive enforcement of our laws to ensure access to the ballot for every eligible American voter, without hindrance or discrimination, and to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who is also from Alabama, supports Sessions as attorney general, praising him for his work in the state to fight prejudice and injustice against the descendants of slaves. However, many, including Democratic Oakland Rep. Barbara Lee , see his record in this area as troubling. Two people dressed as Ku Klux Klan members protested Sessions hearing on Tuesday, calling attention to criticism of his history with race issues and civil rights. Democratic California Sen. Diane Feinstein said the Senate Judiciary Committee has received letters from 400 civil rights organizations opposing his confirmation. The Trump transition team defends his record, saying it includes a host of desegregation lawsuits he filed in Alabama while he was U.S. attorney. A fact check in The Washington Post found that while he did supervise such projects, he wasnt as active as they make it sound in bringing the lawsuits. Some of his coworkers on those cases also wrote an op-ed saying the same thing. In his hearing, Sessions defended himself by saying I signed them, I supported cases and I attempted to be as effective as I could be in helping them be successful. Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @abbyhamblin ALSO Jeff Sessions: 5 facts about Trump's attorney general pick Watch Jeff Sessions face 5 tough questions at his Senate hearing City Council members reluctantly, but unanimously, approved raising water rates following a lengthy public hearing and discussion Tuesday night. Rates are proposed to increase by 7.75 percent for water used, plus an 8.75 percent hike in the fixed meter charge. On a typical bi-monthly residential bill where 22 units of water are consumed, the increases will amount to $10.92, according to a staff report. Customers can expect to see their bi-monthly water bill go up by another $16.50 on top of the rate increases because the city has stopped using general fund reserves to subsidize a temporary drought recover surcharge imposed to help cover a revenue shortfall generated by consumer water conservation efforts. The city allocated $400,000 last year as a general fund loan to the water fund. Taken together, the average household will pay an additional $27.42 for bi-monthly water service. The higher rates became effective Jan. 1 and will be reflected on bills sent out in March. Sewer rates are not increasing this year. City officials cited several reasons for the water rate hikes, including an increase in the cost of untreated raw water piped in from the San Diego County Water Authority and the needs to fund maintenance and upgrades to the citys aging water system and to increase the nearly exhausted water fund reserve account. I dont like it, but I dont know what else we can do, said Councilman Dave Grosch. Notices of Tuesdays hearing were mailed in December to 14,137 municipal water users. Under state law, the rate hikes could have been stopped if 50 percent plus one of the users objected, either in writing or in person at the hearing. The meeting drew a roomful of spectators, 12 speakers in opposition, 78 protest letters and four television news crews. Speakers complained they had grown tired of annual water bill increases, especially since they have been significantly reducing their consumption through mandated conversation measures. They questioned why some ongoing operating costs were factored into the commodity rate instead of the fixed meter rate and suggested that maybe the city wasnt doing all it could keep operational costs in line. Using phrases such as Were at the end of the pipe, all five councilmen noted the city has no control over increases in water the San Diego County Water Authority charges for water delivered to the citys treatment plant near Lake Poway. The county agency gets water from several sources, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (about 50 percent), the Imperial Valley and the new desalination plant in Carlsbad. Mark Weston, a Poway resident and immediate past president of the county agency board, told the council that SDCWA had invested extensively over the past two decades to upgrade water storage and delivery systems so the county can wean itself from Metro water. Part of the higher water costs being passed along to local water districts reflect the costs of financing those improvements. Rates are likely to climb consistently in coming years, he agreed. While expressing frustrations over the rate hike situation, the council discussed possible actions that could be taken next year to ease the financial strain of financing the delivery of water to residents who are buying less product due to conservation measures. Mayor Steve Vaus, for example, suggested maybe the estimated $500,000 annually paid by cellular phone companies to rent antenna space on water tanks and buildings could be deposited into the water fund reserve account instead of the general fund. Councilman Jim Cunningham ventured that it might be time to re-examine the citys two-tiered rate structure in some manner that would not be legally challenged. Grosch wondered whether the city might be better off financially by bypassing the treatment plant and purchasing treated water from SDCWA, although Weston noted there are no nearby treated water pipelines. Councilman John Mullin said the most straightforward solution to the water fund issues would be to have customers buy more water. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to know its going to get more expensive, Mullin said. Email: editor@pomeradonews.com An Oak Valley Middle School math teacher has won $25,000 in a national contest that seeks innovative lesson plans. Traci Jackson, who teaches eighth grade math on the 4S Ranch campus, won the Rosenthal Prize for Innovation in Math Teaching from the National Museum of Mathematics. The competition is designed to recognize and promote hands-on math teaching in the upper elementary and middle school classrooms, according to a press release. Jacksons prize included an expense-paid trip from Jan. 3 to 5 to New York so she could accept the $25,000 cash prize in person. She said there are no conditions on use, so some of it immediately went toward membership dues in several mathematics organizations so I can get all their journals again. Before this she had to limit her memberships because the dues get expensive, she said. Jacksons award-winning lesson plan was titled Creating Color Combos: Visual Modeling of Proportional Relationships. She said it uses commonly-found items, including food coloring and water, to teach students about equivalent ratios. It has various modifications so the same method can be used for sixth, seventh and eighth grade math concepts, including percentages. The lesson plan is being published by contest officials so teachers can use it in their classrooms. Its my fourth year doing that lesson, Jackson said, adding her inspiration came while observing a color safety lab project in a science class. There, food coloring was used to show chemicals spilled on hands. As she advanced through the contest levels, Jackson had to submit a video showing her teaching the lesson, letters of recommendation and an essay. When she was asked by contest officials in late November to make some tweaks to her plan it gave her an indication that she was on track toward being a prize contender. Just being in the top 10 or 12 was very exciting to me, she said. As for how she learned about the contest, that remains a mystery. I was nominated by another teacher ... but it was anonymous, so I dont know who, Jackson said, adding maybe now that she has won her colleague will come forward. While she loves math now, Jackson said that was not always the case. As a student she was good at it, but it was far from love. It was taught to me very differently than now, she said. I have a bigger appreciation as I explore it more and teach it, which is more fun. The University of Utah graduate said she was initially a premed major, but that changed after she fainted in an anatomy class. Passing out was a good indication it wasnt for me, she said. But I was loving my genetics class and realized it was because of the math. After graduating, she taught for three years at a private school in the late 90s, but left teaching to raise her family. I had three kids in three years, she said. Eventually she returned to the classroom as the volunteer and later paid science coordinator at Park Village Elementary, a position she held for eight years. Three years ago she joined the faculty at Oak Valley. Traci is one of the finest math teachers at Oak Valley, said Principal Casey Currigan. She is constantly working to make sure students understand mathematics and how its relevant for them in their world. Cindy Lawrence, the National Museum of Mathematics executive director and CEO, called Jacksons lesson plan creative, engaging, accessible and innovative. Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to increase their own salaries by more than $19,000 a year, despite public comment from dozens of opponents. The formula for establishing supervisors salaries has not been adjusted in decades,' Supervisor Ron Roberts said before the 4-1 vote. Board members salaries have increased less than one percent over the last nine years,and the adjustment before us today is fair and reasonable.' Newly seated Supervisor Kristin Gaspar cast the lone dissenting vote, as did her predecessor, Dave Roberts, when the raise was first proposed last month. The vote officially alters the way the supervisors pay will be calculated. They were making 80 percent of the base salary of Superior Courtjudges in California, or around $153,000 per year. The new formula raises the mark to 85 percent on March 17 and 90 percent one year from now. The first increase amounts to a 12.5 percent pay raise. Nancy Cuskaden was among those who spoke against the proposal I think you people should think about your families,' Cuskaden said.Their friends are going to talk about you. And what are they going to say,Ron? `Were you drunk the other day?'' Cuskaden was standing a few feet away from Roberts when she made the comments from the public speakers podium. You all are so damn stupid. Youre building a damn bomb in this city,' Cuskaden said. `Youre an embarrassment.' Roberts was joined by board chairwoman Dianne Jacob and supervisors Greg Cox and Bill Horn in voting for the raise. All four are in their final terms on the board because of term limits. Ramona is among the District 2 communities that Jacob represents. Theres a disconnect between what youre doing and what your constituents are telling you,' Christina Imhoff told the board. Theres suffering going on among your constituents.' Imhoff appeared on behalf of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. A lot of what you have said in justification of this raise is not fair and reasonable,' Imhoff said. You are taking away money from people who are suffering. Children do not have enough to eat thanks to your restrictions on food stamps.' The pay hikes will cost the county an extra $17,688 per supervisor in the remainder of the current fiscal year, and $88,438 for the next fiscal year. The supervisors will also get an increased pension when they leave office. I challenge all of you to come and walk a mile in my shoes, be an office assistant for a week, for a day,' Deanna Alexander-Myers said, breaking into tears. There are county employees who would love to have a 12.5 percent raise.' Alexander-Myers said she is a 30-year county employee who will probably not be able to afford to retire. If you can do it for yourselves, you darn well better come with it for the county employees and the San Diego County community,' she said. There are so many things we need, but we do not need to spend $90,000 a year on your retirement when we as a community are suffering.' Before approving the salary increase, the supervisors unanimously elected Dianne Jacob as board chair for the calendar year 2017. Gaspar was voted in as the vice chair and Cox will serve as chair pro temp. Paul Levikow writes for City News Service. The wrinkled faces of the elderly Kenyans who gathered in a downtown Nairobi hotel registered gratitude, relief and joy Thursday as Britains high commissioner said what many waited decades to hear. Britain said it sincerely regrets the acts of torture a British colonial government carried out against Kenyans fighting for liberation from colonial rule in the 1950s and 1960s. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London insisted that an expression of deep regret was not the same thing as an apology, which would have legal implications. But the victims of British abuses a half-century ago appeared satisfied, even jubilant. Several thousand now-elderly Kenyans say they were beaten and sexually assaulted by officers acting for the British administration trying to suppress the Mau Mau rebellion, during which groups of Kenyans attacked British officials and white farmers who had settled in some of Kenyas most fertile lands. Advertisement In London, Foreign Secretary William Hague told the House of Commons the government recognizes that Kenyans were subject to torture and other ill treatment. Thursdays settlement will pay about $21.5 million to the 5,200 Kenyans who were found to have been tortured, or about $4,100 per Kenyan victim. Another $9.25 million goes to pay costs to the Kenyans legal team. This success is total jubilation. We are so happy today because the truth will be told worldwide, said Francis Mutisi, assistant secretary general of the Mau Mau War Veterans Association. Mutisi said he was detained by Britains colonial government for three weeks in 1960 while looking for a job. Martyn Day, a lawyer for the Kenyans, said he hopes Hagues statement will be the final resolution of this legal battle that has been ongoing for so many years. The elderly victims of torture now at last have the recognition and justice they have sought for many years, Day added. For them, the significance of this moment cannot be overemphasized. The simultaneous announcement in Kenyas capital took on the air of a tribal celebration - or perhaps a joyful 50-year school reunion. Several dozen elderly Kenyans clapped hands, swayed ever so slightly and sung joyful songs of struggle during a nearly two-hour news conference attended by British High Commissioner Christian Turner. This era of history will remain controversial, Turner told the elderly Kenyans. But history teaches us you cant have lasting peace with justice, accounting and reconciliation. Britain has apologized, or come close to apologies in the past. In 2009, Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered an apology for the inhumane treatment of Alan Turing, the World War II codebreaker who committed suicide in 1954 after being prosecuted for homosexuality and forcibly treated with female hormones. In 2006, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed deep sorrow for Britains role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, though some felt that fell short of a full apology. The next year he said: I have said were sorry and I say it again now. And more recently, Prime Minister David Cameron, laid a mourning wreath at the site of a 1919 massacre of hundreds of Indians by British colonial forces during a recent visit there. He called the killings a shameful event in British history. The Mau Mau victims were led by Gitu wa Kahengeri, a diminutive veteran dressed in an oversized suit jacket. There is no amount of compensation that can cover for those who suffered, he said, noting that he and his father were detained for 10 years. But he added: The British government accepted that something bad happened, and this is what the veterans in this group have been seeking. The fact that an apology has been given is sufficient to atone for what happened. The payouts, though low in Western terms, can still have an impact in Kenya, where per capita income is about $1,800. Despite the payout, Britains government doesnt accept liability for the actions of previous colonial governments. Caroline Elkins, a Harvard professor who wrote Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britains Gulag in Kenya, said an acknowledgement that wrongs were committed is more important than money to the victims. The acknowledgment of the bitterness and the pain that theyve been suffering for years, and the acknowledgment with a form of an apology, this has been a pre-eminent desire of theirs beyond any monetary claim, she said. For years when I did my research and took testimony no one asked me for anything. They just wanted the world to know what happened. The fight for justice may not yet be over. Atsango Chesoni, the executive director of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, which has long been aiding the Mau Mau veterans, said her group will focus on getting the Kenyan government to atone for treatment of the Mau Mau. Many of the Mau Mau veterans have long-standing issues around land (rights). Many continue to live in abject poverty and squalor. We therefore hope that in the same way it was possible to have this dialogue with the British government, we will have the same dialogue with the Kenyan government, she said. The British settlement follows a ruling by Britains High Court in October that three Kenyans could pursue compensation claims. The Mau Mau payouts could set a precedent for other cases of abuse in other countries by Britains colonial leaders. But Elkins said she doesnt think other cases are as strong as the Mau Mau case because of a lack of documented evidence. The British government position is that each colonial case is unique. For Nathan Kamothu, who arrived at the Hilton Hotel in a sharp blue suit and red tie, the settlement means that: Weve succeeded. Thinking back to his arrest in 1952, the 75-year-old with a wide but mostly toothless smile said he had been arrested, seriously beaten and his legs tied up in chains. There was a lot of trouble and torture brought to us by the colonial masters, he said. --- Gregory Katz reported from London. In the last frantic month, federal authorities seeking to detect terrorists within the United States have identified suspected Osama bin Laden supporters from Ohio to San Diego. They have blocked the departure of a Taliban recruiter. Investigators also have tried to track down former moujahedeen fighters and a radical Saudi purported to be scouting potential targets in the Southwest. Though conduct of the nationwide investigation remains largely secret, emerging details from various law enforcement documents and sources sketch out the dimensions of a manhunt sweeping up vast collections of evidence and raw information. The data are fragmentary, and it is not clear if any suspects have potentially criminal connections to terrorists, including the Sept. 11 hijackers. But the information contains scores of leads--from the alarming to the bizarre--and underlines the massive task federal agents face as they try to pinpoint potential threats. The urgent effort has resulted in hundreds of arrests and extensive seizures of property such as computer hard drives and knife-equipped cigarette lighters. Authorities in the United States and Canada are still seeking for questioning scores of individuals identified in the documents. Among them are three Saudi brothers the reports say are directly connected to associates of Bin Ladin. All three have been frequent visitors to the United States. The youngest is a pilot and the eldest studied aircraft maintenance in Arizona, but authorities appear to be most concerned about the middle brother, 26, who previously resided in Arizona and Oregon. The middle brother was described as knowledgeable about weapons systems and infiltrating the United States. According to law enforcement reports, he boasted of fighting in jihads in Bosnia and the Philippines, and had agreed to assist a suspected Bin Laden operative with information about the U.S. Southwest, including the nations borders and potential terrorist targets there. Others sought for questioning or further investigation in the Southwest include a 36-year-old Arizona man from Yemen. One investigative report described him as a radical Muslim who had dropped out of sight in late August. He was a licensed pilot and had his mail forwarded to the home of another man who was identified as the target of several international terrorism investigations. And agents were trying to locate a Tennessee-based Saudi businessman who was trying to buy small planes in late August. There was no indication the businessman was involved with any of the hijackers or other suspected terrorists. In New York, a Staten Island postal worker who once was photographed with Bin Laden was being sought. He has been missing since Sept. 11. In Houston, two Middle Eastern men attending flight school were being sought after they abandoned the apartment and personal belongings they shared eight days before the Sept. 11 hijackings. Agents confiscated a computer for investigation. The FBI was trying to trace a report that five Saudi men who were booked to fly from Los Angeles to New York a week before the attack had their reservations made from Florida by one of the 19 suspected hijackers. At least four of the Saudi passengers also were licensed pilots. In Canada, U.S. agents were briefed on a 36-year-old Kuwaiti man in whose belongings were discovered documents that identified specific buildings in an Ottawa government complex--notably the atomic energy building and the virus and disease control labs. Among the more curious cases under investigation was that of a Saudi language student in Florida linked to the e-mail address Last--Day--11. The youth had moved and closed his bank account in Fort Lauderdale before agents could question him about similarities between the e-mail address and the Sept. 11 terrorist date. Separately, federal agents also were seeking the pilot father of a second-grade student who told a teacher last summer that his family was moving to Florida and that his dad, a Saudi citizen, crashes planes into big buildings. A computer repair shop in Louisiana called in federal agents when technicians working on a customers troubled hard drive reported finding electronic traces of efforts to hack into sensitive federal aviation computer systems. Apparently arousing curiosity at the shop was the discovery that from July 20 to Sept. 11 the computer owner also had been tracking certain airline flights, including those that were hijacked by terrorists. Additional reports also show that investigators have developed new information related to some of those arrested or detained since Sept. 11. Among them is Nabil A. Al-Marabh, 34, the Kuwait-born former Boston cabdriver arrested near Chicago during a national manhunt. A confessed terrorist in Jordan identified Al-Marabh as a conspirator in the foiled millennium plot to bomb tourist sites in Amman, Jordan and Los Angeles International Airport on New Years Eve 1999. Al-Marabh has known connections with Bin Laden, according to the reports. He said he was in Afghanistan from 1991 to 1994. He is suspected of illegally crossing the border with Canada on various occasions. Sources also said Al-Marabh failed a polygraph test. Any connection to the hijackers remains unclear. When arrested, Al-Marabh possessed an array of identification--including drivers licenses from Michigan, Massachusetts and Ontario, Canada, two expired U.S. immigration work permits and a Syrian passport. In Ohio, FBI agents looking for possible associates of one hijacker encountered a 30-year-old Syrian immigrant in Akron managing a gas station. The mans girlfriend told investigators he was such a supporter of Bin Laden that he wanted to name their child Osama. A search of the gas station and the mans home yielded cigarette lighters with concealed knives, three computers and videos of buildings, bridges and power plants in Washington, Chicago, Cleveland, and Niagra Falls, N.Y., reports said. Later, the man was judged deceptive during a polygraph exam. He was being held for alleged immigration violations. Elsewhere, investigators detained a Saudi Arabian in Detroit who was encountered videotaping a federal building. An Afghani national who applied for a crop duster license was given polygraph examination, as was a Maryland friend of one of the 19 hijackers. Neither passed conclusively, according to the reports. Agents also arrested an Egyptian with ties to suspected hijacker Hani Hanjour. He showed strong deception in a polygraph exam, according to one report, and was being held in a Maryland county jail on unrelated trespassing charges. Another flagged for deceptive answers was a Saudi airline employee who was questioned after the FBI stopped him in Las Vegas two days after the terrorist attack. The 44-year-old man was about to board a flight destined for Hamburg, Germany. He was described as a former Continental Airlines employee who lived for a time near San Diego. One report said he was attempting to recruit Muslim youth to travel to Afghanistan and support the Taliban. Investigators also were on the lookout for threats from outside the continent. According to one investigative report, several Lebanon-based men have been identified as potential terrorists because they have expressed willingness to carry out suicide missions . . . against Israeli and U.S. targets. Not only was Norman Rockwells art on Post covers, sometimes his family was too. Take a look at some of our classic covers featuring his three sons: Jerry, Tom, and Peter. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join My Three Sons is not only the title of a 1960s sitcom starring pipe-toting Fred MacMurray; its also a fitting title for the story of one pipe-toting artist, Norman Rockwell. His three boysJerry, Tom, and Petershowed up on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post more than half a dozen times. Devil May Care Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today Devil May Care Norman Rockwell March 21, 1942 Half of the 52 Post covers in 1942 were war-related: soldiers in action, girlfriends waiting at home, and so on. So this cover (left) was a special treat for two reasons. First, it was humorous and fun, and second, it was by Americas favorite artist. When Rockwell did a cover, thousands of additional issues were printed to meet the demand. Rockwell sometimes used neighbors homes for the settings of his paintings. In a 1976 Post article, former Rockwell model Ann Morgan Baker (see The Missing Tooth in Rockwell in the 1950sPart I) recalled that the artist used to call my mother at 7 a.m. and say, Dont make the beds. I want to come and look at some messy rooms. Then he would come and wander through our morning rubble. Because Rockwell did not have a daughter, he probably used such a neighbors home to find this vanity with all the frills. Reportedly, middle son Tommy had to be bribed to pose for this 1942 cover, although it was noted that the mischief-maker was just the kind who would have read his sisters diaryif he had a sister, that is. War Stories War Stories Norman Rockwell October 13, 1945 Norman Rockwells World War II covers were usually light and humorous, like the ones in his Willie Gillis series. A very fine exception to this was the serious depiction of a returning marine sharing his experiences at left. There is no bravado; no showing off. The grim reality of war permeates the gathering at the local garage. As Rockwells life is well documented, we know most of the models in the garage are the artists Arlington, Vermont, neighbors and friends, including the actual shop owner, Bob Benedict (standing behind the marine). Sitting beside the marine is Rockwells youngest son, Peter. The blond boy standing up is Jerry, his oldest. The decorated soldier was real-life marine Duane Parks, whom Rockwell met in a nearby town. At times, uniform medals and ribbons were borrowed to dress up a scene, but the military decorations shown here belonged to Parks. Rockwell enthusiasts will appreciate the artists attention to detail in this 1945 cover. In addition to the usual machine-shop equipment: gaskets, the large hook, etc., he included the Japanese flag; the newspaper clipping on the shop wall, which declares the marine a war hero; and the small flag with the blue star representing a family member serving in the armed forces. We see these starred flags not only in Post covers of the period, but also, for example, in movies. In Saving Private Ryan, Ryans mother has such a flag. A star was added for each family member in service; the blue signaled hope, and a gold star meant a loved one had died in service. Readying for First Date Readying for First Date George Hughes October 16, 1948 The young man at left getting ready for his big date is Tommy Rockwell, who is looking quite grown up compared to the little sneak he portrayed for a cover six years earlier (see Devil May Care, above). Tommys actual room in Arlington, Vermont, is the setting, and the woman giving him a hand is his real-life mother (Rockwells wife Mary). However, the artist of this domestic scene is not whom youd expect. Its Rockwells good friend George Hughes, who had moved to Arlington to join the small community of Post artists there. The artists often used the same neighbors, their families, and each other as models. Hughes, though less well known than Rockwell, was the most prolific Post cover artist of this erahe produced 80 covers in the 1950s to Rockwells 45and he had an unintended influence on one of Rockwells classic covers, Saying Grace (below). Saying Grace Saying Grace Norman Rockwell November 24, 1951 Intrigued by a fans description of an Amish woman and her grandson praying together in a cafeteria, Rockwell painted what is now one of his best-known works, Saying Grace (left). But this painting came very close to being abandoned before it was completed. Rockwell told fellow Post artist George Hughes that he got so frustrated with the painting he threw it out his studio window, according to a 1992 article in the Post. When Hughes asked the theme, Rockwell described it as centering on several rough-looking fellows watching a woman saying grace in a diner. Hughes agreed it would never work. That comment was all it took to get Rockwell started again. He retrieved the painting from the snow and completed it. This became a long-running joke between the two artists: Rockwell would solicit Hughes opinion and then do the opposite. The blond diner with his back against the window is Rockwells son, Jerry, looking much older than he did on the 1945 cover War Stories (above). On a sad note, the woman bowing her head, May Walker, did not live to see the cover; she passed away five days before it was published. Although she didnt have the pleasure of enjoying the stir among her Arlington, Vermont, neighbors over her newfound fame, Rockwell assured Post editors that she derived a great deal of pleasure from the experience. When the painting was done, Walker was brought to Rockwells studio to view it. People who knew her well told the Post her enjoyment of that day was one of the high moments of her life. The Soda Jerk The Soda Jerk Norman Rockwell August 22, 1953 In his first attempt at this 1953 cover (left), the artist had painted a man in the immediate foreground and a woman with her son at the other end of the counter. He decided these people cluttered and confused the scene. Painting it again, Rockwell focused the attention on a teenaged soda jerk and his female admirers. The idea came after Rockwell listened to his youngest son Peters tales of his summer soda-fountain job. Peter posed as the soda jerk, but he didnt care for the finished painting. Im not that goofy-looking, he said. Peter Rockwell appeared on the War Stories cover (above) and in Second Thoughts. Today Peter Rockwell is a sculptor living in Italy and discusses his art in this video, courtesy of the Norman Rockwell Museum. The Homecoming The Homecoming Norman Rockwell December 25, 1948 The Homecoming at left is one of the great Rockwell covers featured in our special holiday issue, Norman Rockwell A Very Magical Christmas!. And it is magical indeed when an absent family member comes home for the holidays. All three of Rockwells sons are therealthough we only see the back of his oldest son, Jerry, who is receiving a joyful hug from his mother Mary. To the left of Mary is son Tommy in the plaid shirt and to the far left is youngest son Peter wearing glasses. To Marys right, with that ubiquitous pipe, is Americas favorite artist, who enjoyed the occasional cameo in is own paintings (See Rockwell Paints Rockwell). A family gathering needs a grandmother, and happy to pose for the role was none other than Grandma Moses. Rockwell wrote of Moses in his 1979 book, My Life as an Illustrator: After the war I became acquainted with Grandma Moses, the famous painter of American primitives. She had started painting seriously at the age of 67 after the death of her husband. Using dime-store brushes and house paint, she did scenes of country life which she remembered from her childhood. Noting that she would do paintings of someones house for $10 or $15, Rockwell continued, When I knew her, she was over 85 years old, a spry, white-haired little woman. Like a lively sparrow. She still painted in her bedroom on the third story of her farmhouse, using the same cheap brushes and house paint, though the paintings were selling rapidly for very good prices. The rest of the homecoming crowd consisted of Rockwell friends and neighbors, including the twins in the red jumpersboth were actually one little girl named Sharon ONeill, whom Rockwell painted twice. Since the days of our founding fathers, American presidents have been enriching our language with novel words, phrases, and concepts that we all now take for granted. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join In 1608, one year after the establishment of Jamestown, Captain John Smith attempted to transcribe the Algonquian word meaning he scratches with his hands by writing down rahougcum. This led to the word raccoon, and one of the earliest seeds for American English was sown. More than three centuries later, in 1951, Mitford M. Mathews of the University of Chicago Press published A Dictionary of Americanisms on Historical Principles, which contained 50,000 American words and phrases along with their definitions and extensive notations on their origins. These included words adopted from native tongues, such as skunk, squash, and pawpaw, as well as words from other languagescafeteria from Spanish, sleigh and coleslaw from the Dutch. Other words were concocted from what Mathews called the old lumber of British English: bullfrog, rocking chair, and catfish, as well as thousands of words and phrases straight out of the American experience, from which we learned to play ball, eat crow, bark up the wrong tree, and paddle ones own canoe. When one browses through this work and the earlier Dictionary of American English, which Mathews worked on with the British lexicographer Sir William Craigie, one is taken with the number of words and phrases that were coined, first recorded, or made popular by the nations presidents, beginning with George Washington. Indeed, the largest number of White House words have been handed down from the founding fathersa term created by Warren G. Harding for his front porch campaign of 1920. Thomas Jefferson alone gets credit for more than 100 new wordsamong those that survive are lengthily, belittle, electioneering, indecipherable, monotonously, ottoman (the footstool, not the empire), pedicure, the noun bid, and, appropriately, the verb neologize. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today The early presidents felt that creating new words and new uses for old ones was part of their role in creating an American culture. I am a friend to neology, Thomas Jefferson wrote to John Adams in 1820. It is the only way to give to a language copiousness and euphony. And the early presidents had Noah Webster and his followers at hand to legitimize their brave new words. Jefferson and others of his time felt that Americans were more tolerant of innovation in speech and writing than those in England and thought that American innovations would eventually justify calling the language of America by a name other than English. Many on both sides of the Atlantic were alarmed that Americans were adding words to their language. As Mathews pointed out in a later work called American Words, They thought the English language belonged to those who lived in Great Britain and that Americans should show their appreciation of being allowed to use it by not making any changes to it. Webster considered this notion foolish and plunged into the task of creating a dictionary of the American language. He announced on the Fourth of July 1800, New circumstances, new modes of life, new ideas of various kinds, give rise to new words and have already made many material differences between the language of England and America. When the first edition of Noah Websters dictionary appeared in 1806, one critic was outraged when he came upon two words that had never appeared before in a dictionary: presidential and congressional. These words were denounced as barbarous, and he said that they were unnecessary, and offensive to the ear. Someif not mostof these early presidential terms were not pure coinages but words that a president was the first to leave in a written record. Others were created by aides and associates and passed along to the president. Yet even this is fascinatinghow, for example, did it come to be that the first written record of the onomatopoetic word bobolink was by John Adams, or that nobody before James Madison had used the word squatter to mean someone occupying property or territory that was not his or her own? Many of the words attributed to George Washington appear in his diaries as simple terms that Allan Metcalf in his book Presidential Voices: Speaking Styles from George Washington to George W. Bush describes as connected with home and farm and were probably in general use around Mount Vernon and other Potomac plantations. The 37 terms Washington is given credit for in the Oxford English Dictionary include hatchet man, cradlers (farmhands who reap with a cradle scythe, 1766), logged (describing a house made from logs, 1784), and New Town Pippin (a special variety of dessert apple with a yellowish-green skin and aromatic flesh, 1760). The early years of the Republic were a crucible for American leaders as neologists. John Adams, to cite another example, brought us a number of new words, including caucus. John Quincy Adams brought us gag rule. American politics took on the cant and slang of the frontier and the poker table, and the people of the rest of the world were at once stunned and amused as they noted that only in America are there bandwagons to jump on, coattails to attach to, and war chests to dip into. There were also pure coinages. It was Abraham Lincoln, for example, who came up with relocate, relocation, and the great metaphor for the Civil War: a house divided. The tradition blossomed again at the turn of the 20th century with a steady parade of new coinages, beginning with Theodore Roosevelts lunatic fringe, mollycoddle, muckraker, and, appropriately, bully pulpit, as well as some wonderful TR phrases and aphorisms such as Speak softly and carry a big stick. Roosevelt, who boasted that no president ever enjoyed himself in the presidency as much as I did, seemed to have a recreational fascination with new ways of expressing himself. The trend continued throughout the 20th and into the 21st century, but no coinages were more dominant than the link between governing and the card table. There were new deals, square deals, and fair deals, and, of course, President Truman had a sign on his desk that said the buck stops here. By the nature of the microscope under which they are observed, presidents are more likely than the rest of us to have words or phrases attributed to them that they did not coin. Presidents are also more likely to come under fire for impurity of speech or for their disregard of the rules of Englishor, even worse, for using words that are undignified. During the July following his inauguration, Lincoln sent a message to Congress opposing secession threatened by Southerners. The message said in part, With rebellion thus sugar-coated they have been drugging the public mind of their section for more than 30 years, until at length they have brought many good men to a willingness to take up arms against the government. The Hon. John D. Defrees, the government printer, was disturbed by the use of sugar-coated. He finally went to Lincoln, with whom he was on good terms, and told him that a message to Congress was a different affair from a speech at a mass meeting in Illinoisthat the message became a part of history and should be written with that in mind. Whats the matter now? Lincoln inquired of the printer. Why, said Defrees, you have used an undignified expression in the message. He read the sentence aloud and suggested Lincoln replace the word. Defrees, replied Lincoln, that word expresses precisely my idea, and I am not going to change it. The time will never come in this country when the people wont know exactly what sugar-coated means. As if to raise the hackles of the purists, in 1904 Theodore Roosevelt wrote to Thomas R. Lounsbury, a professor of English at Yale University, to say that he approved of splitting infinitives. Harding came under constant attack in many quarters for his use of normalcy and bloviate and was singled out by H. L. Mencken for his use of the one-he combination (as in one does as he wishes), but Harding was vindicated when a group of 29 philologians took a vote on one-he and 22 found it acceptable English. Woodrow Wilson may have been the first president taken to task for his use of slang. He was cited for using such phrases as we must get a move on and that is going some. Wilson also was criticized for pronouncing ordinary as ornery and for omitting the definitiveand honorificarticle before the word Congress. The Congress had been the norm for several generations until Wilson came along. The next three presidents restored the article, but it eventually drifted away save for formal papers and documents. Wilson also raised eyebrows with neologistic aphorisms such as A mans rootage is more important than his leafage. Franklin D. Roosevelts lexical critics looked down their noses on his willingness to use street slang (chiseler for swindler) and for creations such as iffy. President Eisenhower was castigated for his reliance on words that were common in the military. When he used finalize in his second State of the Union message, it set off a clamor among the grammatical purists, aka the language police. As the lexicographer Bergen Evans observed a few weeks later, Columnists, editorial writers, and teachers pounced on the unlucky word, labeling it nonexistent, hideous, atrocious, and meaningless. But the best course is to let the purists howl, Evans wisely concluded. They have been grousing throughout our history while about them the language has prosperedoften with an assist from the president. Excerpted from Words from the White House: Words and Phrases Coined or Popularized by Americas Presidents by Paul Dickson, published by Walker & Company/Bloomsbury Publishing. 2013 Paul Dickson. Reprinted with permission. In 1964, the Surgeon General issued its first report linking smoking to health issues. The Post reported on the tobacco industrys reactions and their efforts to make a safer cigarette. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join Generations of Americans grew up hearing that smoking was an immoral, dirty habit that was doubtless bad for your health. But prior to 1964, there was no official link between cigarettes and serious illness. Then, on January 11, Surgeon General Luther Terry issued a 387-page report based on 7,000 pieces of research. He concluded that cigarette smoking is a health hazard of sufficient importance in the United States to warrant appropriate remedial action. His unequivocal statement was the push millions of Americans needed to quit smoking. The tobacco industry, which had enjoyed continually rising sales since 1900, now saw its revenues drop alarmingly. The industry, as well as its addicted smokers, clung to the idea that the report was somehow flawed. The report is filled with discrepancies and unanswered questions, complained one industry executive. Cigarette makers hired their own scientists to pick apart the Surgeon Generals findings. They argued there was no definitive proof of smokings connection to heart disease or cancer. Air pollution was just as likely a cause of lung cancer as cigarettes, they retorted. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today But industry executives couldnt argue away the drop in sales, which had fallen by 30 percent in some regions. The companies began multi-million-dollar marketing efforts. The number of smokers stopped its decline and started showing an increase. The industry also spent millions to make cigarettes less dangerous. As Bill Davidson reported in Crash Effort for a Safer Cigarette, there was still a desperate hope that American ingenuity would develop a cigarette that could be smoked without guilt or fear. Much of the industrys hope was pinned on filtered cigarettes. The Surgeon Generals report had focused on cigarettes without filter tips, and Terry himself agreed it would be wrong to conclude that filters had no beneficial effect. It wasnt an endorsement, but it was an encouragement. One study found that charcoal filters eliminated toxins that interfered with some of the bodys defenses against cancer. When a new charcoal-tipped cigarette, named Lark, was launched, its sales skyrocketed. Another approach was to mix the tobacco with presumably less toxic organic material like lettuce, spinach, and petunia leaves. But these adulterations often proved more carcinogenic than the tobacco. The Surgeon Generals report was the first of several setbacks that caused the tobacco industry to decline from its peak in 1964. In 1965, the Federal Trade Commission required all cigarette packs to include the warning that cigarette smoking is dangerous to health. It may cause death from cancer and other diseases. In 1976, the Federal Communications Commission banned cigarette advertising from the airwaves. In 1998, the four biggest tobacco companies settled a lawsuit brought by 46 states, which had spent billions caring for residents with tobacco-related illnesses. The states wanted some reimbursement from the companies. The settlement required the tobacco companies to change their marketing practices and to pay medical costs. In just the first 25 years, the companies are expected to pay $206 billion. In the 2000s, electronic cigarettes began crossing the ocean from China to the U.S. They delivered the nicotine of cigarettes without the carcinogens of tobacco smoke. Within six years, the e-cigarette industry exceeded $1 billion in sales. Definitive clinical studies on e-cigarettes health effects have not yet been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. Doctors are already warning of e-cigarettes drawbacks: addiction to nicotine, damage to the heart and circulatory system, and developmental problems in fetuses, not to mention the toxic effect of flavoring additives. Maybe somewhere down the road, another bomb will be dropped. Featured image: Photo by Jim Mahan (SEPS) Goffstown, NH -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/11/2017 -- Although most businesses claim to have a family feel, not many can compare to the team at SPS Spindle Parts & Service, LLC. The technicians at SPS all specialize in machine building. From high-speed spindle repairs to installing machine tool spindles, there is not much the company cannot do. In addition to being proficient in complicated machinery projects, the company also prides itself on quick turnaround times, fair prices, and ongoing training to keep their employees sharp. The company president, Michael Gunski, believes that the company's success can be attributed to the talents of his team. Michael Gunski, President of SPS Spindle Part & Service had this to say: "It's a great feeling waking up every morning and looking forward getting to the office for a work day. Doing what you love with people you trust is special, and I wouldn't trade my team for the world. We've been through a lot together, but in the end, we've only grown closer. Our strong work ethic, similar personalities, and effective communication has helped us become what we are today. I am extremely happy to have the chance to work with such incredible coworkers, clients, and partners." Their company culture has brought in interest from industry-leading companies such as Capellini Electrospindles, an Italian manufacturer known for producing state-of-the-art spindles. Capellini Electrospindles trusts SPS Spindle to service, sell, and install their components, which is a high honor. From high-quality products and services to dedicated employees, SPS Spindle Parts & Service, LLC. is a company to watch out for in 2017. Interested parties in need of gearbox repair services are encouraged to visit http://spsspindle.com for more information. About SPS Spindle Parts & Service, LLC Providing high-quality spindle repair services, SPS Spindle Parts & Service, LLC offers new spindles and spindle products on their website, which assist with increasing machine tool performance while decreasing downtime. The company takes an active role in helping build their surrounding community, participating in helping advance the regional and national trade associations. The company is headquartered in Goffstown, New Hampshire. For more information, please visit http://www.spsspindle.com/. Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/11/2017 -- Kids yoga is becoming more popular than ever, and kids yoga enthusiasts have a very good reason to be pleased. Kids Yoga Stories recently announced the release of their new PDF download MONTHLY KIDS YOGA THEMES, which sparks the imagination by delivering a theme-related lesson for each month. This illustrated fifty-five-page eBook is perfect for teachers, parents, kids yoga teachers, caregivers, and health practitioners looking for simple, convenient ways to yoga into their curriculum. Boston-based publisher Kids Yoga Stories is well known for their work encouraging children to be more active and to think of yoga in a positive light. This new release is already winning praise from educators and parents. Early reviews from readers have been very positive. Jenny T., from Chicago, recently said in a five-star review, "I really love the new PDF from Kids Yoga Stories, MONTHLY KIDS YOGA THEMES. We've done our first month already, and our daughter can hardly wait to do the next. Five stars and fully recommended. Another excellent resource from Kids Yoga Stories." Giselle Shardlow, author of Kids Yoga Stories, said, "We are always excited about finding new ways to help bring yoga to children in a fun, simple, and engaging way. We are excited to see the response to our MONTHLY KIDS YOGA THEMES. We think it's going to be great." Sign up for the free weekly Kids Yoga Stories newsletter for yoga tips and kids yoga resources. About Giselle Shardlow Founder, author, and owner Giselle Shardlow is a certified yoga instructor and a former primary school teacher in Australia, Canada, Guatemala, and the United States. She holds a Masters of International Education, and her mission is to bring education, health, and happiness to children worldwide. Media Contact: Giselle Shardlow Kids Yoga Stories Email: Giselle@kidsyogastories.com Location: Boston, MA Website: www.kidsyogastories.com [CANCUN] A learning platform piloted in four countries including Senegal is expected to help the West African region boost biodiversity conservation. The project, Regions for Biodiversity Learning Platform (RBLP), is an initiative of the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4sd). The six-month pilot phase in biodiversity conservation that also took place in Brazil, Canada and Spain ended in November 2016. The benefits of this project for West Africa will be the possibility to share experiences and best practices. Mamadou Ndong Toure, Gossas Council Department The projects scale-up was launched at the UN 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity ('COP13) held in Mexico last month (4-17 December) where governments and private sector delegations gathered to discuss the integration of biodiversity into policies relevant to agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism sectors. The initiative seeks to support countries to implement their subnational biodiversity action plans to safeguard nature protection. Mamadou Ndong Toure, a geographer and project manager for Senegal-based Gossas Council Department, which is involved in the project, says the main objective is to exchange experiences and best practices in conformity with the national biodiversity strategy actions plan. The Senegalese project will expand to other countries in West Africa to enable the region properly develop biodiversity conservation. He states that the pilot phase offered knowledge about innovative actions and challenges faced by other governments. The challenges include natural resources degradation, lack of human resources, and limited financial resources. The innovative actions are restoration or conservation, training, and funding research through partnership. "The benefits of this project for West Africa will be the possibility to share experiences and best practices and to become member of a dynamic network working on actual thematic areas like biodiversity and climate change," Toure tells SciDev.Net. Activities implemented during the pilot phase included the creation of nature reserves, and establishment of informative monitoring system in the field of climate change, he adds. Rodrigo Messias, a policy officer at the nrg4sd responsible for the project, says the learning platform is now open for any region to join, adding that participation in the project attracts no membership fee but willingness and commitment to share and contribute actively. "We will also create a website and a database for the regions participating in the project. Besides information about policies, laws and actions taken, participants will also have access to online forums to continue the discussions held during the online meetings," he explains. He notes that the project is currently financed by the nrg4sd, and says that the nrg4sd intends to provide a robust structure and continue its expansion.Arinze S. Okoli, a scientist at Centre for Biosafety, a non-commercial foundation in Norway, says the project could help countries in West Africa create strategies to achieve biodiversity conservation.Okoli adds that the project will build the capacity of scientists on issues of biodiversity conservation discussed at international conferences to help them make meaningful contributions.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk. In lieu of the significant decline in the number of blood donation camps, the American Red Cross (ARC) issued a call for blood campaign. The campaign encourages blood donors to volunteer for blood donation and help save the lives of patients who need blood to survive. ARC spokesperson in Connecticut Aly Bazarra said that November and December 2016 recorded a decline in blood donations by 37,000 from the expected number. Winter is the toughest time of the year, as blood donations are scarce due to the bad weather conditions, blocked roads and extremely low temperature. In December alone, about 90 blood donation drives were forcefully cancelled due to this, WKBN 27 reported. Christina Gargas from the American Red Cross said, "It's a critical concern, and that is why we are reaching out to everyone - first time donors and regular donors if they can make it to a blood drive because you know patients don't get a holiday break from illness." To rebuild its blood supply, the American Red Cross has extended its hours of operation in many blood donation sites. The process of obtaining donation appointments and completing the RapidPass health history questionnaire online is simplified to boost the number of blood donations, Shelton Herald reported. "We encourage donors to invite a family member or friend to donate with them to help meet patient needs. Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in," Bazarra said. The free Blood Donor App can be used to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Appointments can also be made by directly visiting the redcrossblood.org website or by calling 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767). "The Red Cross welcomes donors of all types of blood to help give the gift of life during this time of emergency need. Hospital patients need access to many different types of blood," Bazarra added. "We especially encourage our O-negative donors to give when possible. O-negative is the universal blood type and can be administered to patients when time is of the essence (like in trauma situations) and there may not by time to right type or match a patient's blood type." The American Red Cross officials are optimistic that the call for blood campaign will help encourage more number of regular and new blood donors to visit blood donation drives. The edge of a key floating ice shelf is found to have a growing crack. However, the scientists that are watching this natural phenomenon are not alarmed. The new image of the Larsen C ice shelf shows that the rift grew 11 miles (18 kilometers) in the last few weeks. The crack now measures more or less 60 miles long and about 300 feet wide. If it continues to grow a couple of miles, a Delaware-sized iceberg could break away and float. Ted Scambos, a scientist at the University of Colorado, said that it could happen soon, with an estimated date some time in March. It would also "cut a deeper to the bone" of the ice shelf that would change its shape. The ice shelves are the sheets of floating ice wraps around three-quarters of the South Pole's coastline. They can give protection and support to the inland glaciers, according to Business Insider. Scambos, who is scheduled to travel to Antarctica for research, and other scientists mentioned that they do not see other key signs that the growing crack could result in a catastrophic event of the entire shelf. He said that, "A chunk of ice will break off. But it's not going to lead to a runaway disintegration." NASA glaciologist Jay Zwally shared that, in 2002, the same thing happened to the smaller Larsen B shelf, allowing inland glaciers to shrink immediately. Zwally added that "There's no rapid melting with ponds of water on top of the ice this time. By itself, this calving is not a cause for alarm." Zwally also explained that the large icebergs periodically break away from Antarctica naturally. But the ice shelf has been thinning as other ice shelves have been thinning in the Antarctic peninsula. Meanwhile, a researcher at Swansea University in England, Adrian Luckman, has been monitoring the crack. He said that "There's no evidence linking this crack to climate change, yet it fits the overall warming picture," as reported by Phys.org. Lately many people have started questioning whether climate change is a hoax or real. President elect- Donald Trump has out rightly rejected the concept of climate change and is planning to shut down the climate change research facility of NASA. In the meantime, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially declared that 2016 was the second warmest year ever recorded in the history of America after the record-breaking temperature rise in 2012, The Christian Science Monitor reported. On Jan. 9, 2017, NOAA made a public announcement, according to which, the average atmospheric temperature in 2016 in the 48 states increased by 3 degrees Fahrenheit. The average temperature in Alaska was almost 6 degrees above average and the state was depicted as "baked," according to NOAA. "On the statewide level, 2016 was a year of temperature and precipitation extremes. Every state in the union had an average annual temperature that was among the warmest seven of their historical records, and all but Iowa, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Utah had one of their warmest five years," NOAA said. It was also found that 2016 witnessed the second highest number of natural climatic disasters, which totalled to 15. These disasters included the famous Hurricane Mathew, along with several other floods, droughts and wildfires. These disasters caused the death of 138 people across the country with a financial liability exceeding $46 billion, Huffington Post reported. In the past, President Barack Obama made many efforts to limit the environmental and financial consequences of the growing impacts of climate change. He is known worldwide for his efforts to conserve natural habitats. Recently, he banned oil drilling activities in the Arctic and the Antarctic region to safeguard the marine habitats and biodiversity in the polar region. Given the present circumstances and the incoming change in administration, experts are worried about the future of America. Incoming President Donald Trump is a non-believer of climate change, and it is obvious that he is not going to encourage the allotment of funds and human resources towards climatological research. Furthermore, he has threatened to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, which works on an international scale to address the issue of climate change and its possible consequences. Only time will tell what will be the fate of America under the presidency of Donald Trump and how it is going to impact the natural habitats, resources and biodiversity of the nation as a result of climate change. As he bids farewell to a remarkable leadership, outgoing President Barack Obama talks about his love for science and the environment to be featured in the February issue of National Geographic Magazine. National Geographic's Craig Welch spoke with President Barack Obama as they visited the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument at Midway's Sand Island in September. The outgoing administration transformed the area into the world's largest protected marine location, which is a home to a wide range of species including spinner dolphins and sea turtles as well as the world's largest albatross colony, rare ducks and millions of birds. When asked about what made him become so passionate about ocean conservation, President Barack Obama credited it all to his mother, whom he said was a lover of science and nature. "You know my mom was somebody who loved (and I'm not pandering here) National Geographic," Obama told Welch. "She was an anthropologist. She was the kind of person who would wake me up to see a full moon - it feels particularly spectacular, would drag me around to national history museums ... So I give her a lot of credit." President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, which explains why he has always remained calm amid the chaos of being the president of the world's most powerful nation. He said he knew "what it's like to jump into the ocean" and understood "what it means to see a sea turtle in the face of a wave." "The notion, that this would be inaccessible to my kids and my grandkids, is unacceptable," he pointed out. President Barack Obama was among the few U.S. presidents who focused on the conservation of the environment. While people believe the stigma that the government is putting the economic situation at stake by raising environmental efforts, Obama said that the U.S. has been able to maintain economic growth while increasing the use of clean energy "faster than anybody else." He further added that the U.S. has also reduced carbon emissions faster than any country in the world. COLUMBIA, S.C. As the 122nd South Carolina General Assembly opened Tuesday, lawmakers from the Pee Dee gave some priorities for the session. Lawmakers go into this session facing major problems with the states infrastructure system, notoriously poor education standards and an indebted pension system for state employees, among other things. Heres what some of the local delegation had to say: Rep. Terry Alexander (D-Florence) Im going to be pushing education reform, particularly consolidation. We have to open a conversation about consolidation of educational systems throughout the state to bring these failing areas up to standard. Well also have to look at the roads situation again, as far as how were going to fund and fix them. Its getting worse and the longer we wait the more costly it becomes. Hopefully leadership in both chambers will step up to the plate and get something done. I think well be able to overcome the discrepancies between the two [House and Senate] that we saw last year. Rep. Phillip Lowe (R-Florence) I think one of the biggest things that hasnt been talked about much is Supreme Court race that may hold the balance between a conservative and liberal court. Its critical right now for how certain issues are handled in the future. There are cases like Abbeville, where the court is making decisions that affect the entire state and telling the legislature whats adequate. We passed six education bills in the House after that decision and four were passed to the law. I think the legislature shouldnt be jumping through hoops for the court. While we all want education to be better we dont want to have a legislature that has to constantly bend over backwards to please the Supreme Court. An activist court forces the legislature to jump to meet their expectations and thats what we want to avoid. Rep. Roger Kirby (D-Florence) The first priority still has to be roads. Thats our biggest problem right now. Im hoping well see some activism on the floor this year, and I think we will. Im excited about that. The retirement system is another big thing and thats going to take some real attention and consideration to figure out. Education, of course, is always going to be an issue that we have to face. These big issues are what we have to get done this year. Rep. Jay Jordan (R-Florence) This session were going to have some new priorities and revisit some old ones. I want to talk about lasting fixes for infrastructure and education first. Those issues are on the front burner for me. Those two issues set the table for future job growth, which is an important issue in my mind. Last year we took steps in the right direction but we didnt quite get there. We had some solid bills come out of the House and what we got back from the Senate wasnt quite as good. This year I think well make some more progress. One of the other things Ill be looking at is the upcoming Supreme Court nomination. Thats a serious nomination that could set the stage for a lot of different issues in the future. So Ill be studying that decision and thinking about who is the best choice for the state. Sen. Ronnie Sabb (D-Williamsburg) I think roads will be a top priority again this session. Last year we went along ways in allocating resources to bringing bridges up to par but we didnt do enough for roads. Weve got to tackle that issue. Weve also got to tackle education shortcomings. We havent followed with the Supreme Courts ruling in the Abbeville case. We know that quality of education relates to location, which means theres a significant inequity in how we fund rural districts. We have to address that this year. Ill be pushing for equitable way to help our rural areas. Weve also got to stop the bleeding in our pension system. We either have to create a new system or substantially tweak the one we have. Pee Dee Power Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. of Florence was not available for comment on Tuesday, nor was House Speaker Jay Lucas of Darlington. Leatherman and Lucas hold two of the tops spots in state government, placing the Pee Dee in a unique position of power in the Statehouse. Both Leatherman and Lucas have said recently some of their top problems to address in 2017 include tax reform, pension reform, education reform and a sustainable fix for state roads. FLORENCE, S.C. The 2017 S.C. AgriBiz & Farm Expo promises to kick off this morning with a bang. Expo executive director Jody Martin said participants at the Florence Civic Center will enjoy seeing a souped-up tractor fire up loud and proud about 8:45 a.m. to start the two-day event. Its a tractor used for tractor pulls and such so were going to have fun, he said. For John Hay, of Commodity Traders International, the expo provides a chance to not only meet with potential customers, but also to network with other businesses. Its about local relationships, totally, said Hay. Once you get to know somebody theyll tell you about somebody else and theyll tell you about somebody else everybody starts working together and pretty soon you know everybody. Its more about building relationships, locally and regionally. Jeff Ingram, of Evans MacTavish Agricraft, agrees. Although the internet has allowed businesses to reach customers like never before, he still sees value in attending agricultural shows. Although the younger generation does the texting and all those things, some of the older generations of farmers still want to meet people face to face and handshake and get to know somebody, said Ingram. Some of todays highlights include the mornings small farmer symposium, which will feature several presentations. Among them are Recognize and maximize opportunities on your farm, by Dr. Matt Smith and Tony Melton of Clemson University as well as a discussion aimed at beginning farmers to be delivered by Mike Bell of Florence-Darlington Technical Colleges small business development. The S.C. Future Farmers of America will host a farm safety and tractor contest and the Food Truck Rodeo always draws a crowd. Commercial agricultural sessions are on tap for today and the evenings Taste of South Carolina from 6:30 to 8 p.m. will display the talents of the latest group of S.C. Chef Ambassadors. Small-farming success stories should help inspire those curious to learn more about agriculture, Martin said. Another key component participants can look forward to on Thursday is the Agriculture Commissioners breakfast. Commissioner Hugh Weathers will be speaking about current trends and conditions of South Carolina's agricultural industry, and discuss plans for agribusiness in 2017. Tickets for the breakfast cost $25 per person or $250 for a table of eight. For more information on the expo, visit www.SCAgriBizExpo.com. The South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) has announced its annual Board of Directors Scholarship Program. The program awards $2,500 scholarships on an annual basis to graduating high school seniors who are residents of counties chosen by lot by the association. Since Florence County was selected in the 2017 draw, one scholarship will be awarded to a resident of Florence County. Applicants for the SCAC Board of Directors Scholarship must be planning to attend a South Carolina college/university or two-year technical college in the fall. All applicants must complete an application form and write an essay on their aspirations and goals. Two letters of recommendation also are required. Scholarship notices and application forms have been sent to all Florence County high schools, and students can apply at sccounties.org/scac-scholarships. The recipient will be selected by an SCAC Scholarship Selection Committee in April. ATLANTA, G.A. Jeremy Evans, a senior at Lake City High School, has been named a semifinalist for the 2017 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Evans ranks with approximately 1,900 high school seniors who are in the running for 150 college scholarships worth $20,000 each. Students are selected to advance to this next phase based on academic excellence, leadership and service demonstrated in school and community activities. Evans said he plans to attend Coastal Carolina University or Appalachian State University and major in biology with plans to attend medical school and specialize in oncology. Getting this scholarship would be an enormous help in my education, he said. Evans added that whether he receives the scholarship will determine if he stays in-state for college or goes out of state. At first, Evans said he didnt think he would apply for the scholarship because he knew there would be a large number of applicants. Ms. Tressia Gibbs encouraged me and worked with my on the application, he said, adding that he submitted the online application just before the deadline. Im so glad now that I applied, Evans said. Evans also is a semifinalist for the Most Valuable Student scholarship, another $20,000 renewable scholarship awarded by the Elks National Foundation. Evans is active in extracurricular activities at Lake City High School as well as in the community while maintaining a 4.8 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and participates in the schools Teacher Cadet program. He also was selected as one of 24 participants in Junior Leadership Program of Florence County, a nine-month program for rising sophomores and juniors. The program dedicates one day a month to learning about a certain aspect of the community and will incorporate site visits and team-building exercises. Evans also serves as president of Dramatic Coffee Beans, an interactive drama club that provides a way for teenagers to discuss issues in their community. During the summers, Evans volunteers at St. Joseph of the Pines, an assisted living facility in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Recently, the Morning News reported a hot-button issue for the South Carolina lawmakers is education reform: how to approach funding woes and a complete system overhaul. Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg indicated this conversation is decades old, and the time for talk has passed. While I agree the time for talk has passed and it is time for action, it is important the action taken solves the real problems. Since 2009, the S.C. education system has used a number of annual tests to evaluate how students in grades 3 through 8 are progressing. Initially, the testing system was called the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS). This testing system was used through 2014 and evaluated the students in writing, English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. In 2015 the testing system was modified in that PASS only tested science and social studies, and the other subject areas were tested using ACT Aspire. The system was again modified in 2016, and ACT Aspire was replaced by SC READY. One fact is abundantly clear when reviewing the published test results: The results were deplorable. While much talk has occurred blaming the tests, one fact remains clear. Over the course of eight years of testing, the overall results have not significantly improved in any area tested. Carefully crafted words were used to camouflage the test results. Initially, under PASS the terms used were MET and NOT MET, clearly stating the results. As the testing systems changed, the categories of results were modified to include Needs Help and Close as a politically correct way of saying the student did not meet the standard. Then that wording morphed into Approaches, which indicated the student did not meet the standard but was approaching it. In other words, no one fails and everyone gets a trophy. Close to and approaching meeting the requirements does not work in real life, nor should it in the school system. When the totality of the test results is reviewed, it becomes apparent the failure to meet the standard continues at approximately the same level from third grade through the eighth grade. For example, in mathematics testing at the eighth-grade level, the rate of students not meeting the basic standards ranged from 30 percent to a high of 68 percent. Yet the system promoted more than 90 percent of all eighth-graders to high school. Crafting a plan to fix the problem is critical. While in some cases additional funding might be required, the real solution rests with the students, parents and school system personnel. Giving a pass to failing students does not improve the results; it just makes some people feel better. There must be consequences to failure to meet the basic requirements. Establishing and enforcing standards is step one. Former Superintendent Mick Zais once indicated a need to keep third-graders who did not meet the reading standard back to focus on ensuring they could read before they were advanced to the fourth grade. That proposal was met with a backlash, as it was said it punishes the child. In fact, learning to read is critical and must be addressed early on and cannot be ignored. One of the recent acts to eliminate the requirement to pass the High School Assessment Program test in order to get a high school diploma in South Carolina is an example of lowering the standard to meet some politically motivated result. Experience tells us, if the standard is realistic, the student will strive to meet the minimum standard. Eliminating the standards does nothing to improve the system or the results. It just created a higher graduation rate. In addition to the expected actions by the lawmakers, there is an ongoing debate at the states Education Oversight Committee. How the state rates schools is in debate. One proposal is to use letter grades. District superintendents, state Department of Education officials and teachers representatives are opposed to using letter grades. Some indicated using letter grades would label students with the same grade as the school they attend and might inhibit economic growth. The truth is whether you label a school as excellent" or an A, or if you call it at risk or an F is not critical. Either label will describe the system, not the individual. In fact, what is important is that the evaluation is given to the taxpayer in a timely manner and it is clear and cannot be misunderstood. Last, and very important, the lawmakers need to ensure there is timely distribution of the test results to the taxpayer. Over the past two years, the state Department of Education has not been timely. Holding the test results for about six months after they are received is not acceptable. The test results need to be published within 30 days after they are received so corrective action can begin well before the next school year begins. Congratulations for good performance must be timely, and bad news does not get better with age. Tell the public how their schools are doing. Citizen Columnist Thomas J. Sheehy is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army and a retired businessman. Hes been married 42 years, has two sons and four grandchildren, whom he and his wife followed to Florence several years ago. Contact Sheehy at citizencolumnist@florencenews.com. Silver Peak's SD-WAN Makes Legal Push By Steve Anderson , Contributing Writer Sometimes value shows up in unexpected ways, and though these aren't always what people had in mind for a product when it was created, it takes on a new life of its own. Both Coke and Pepsi started life as medicines. Now, legal firms are discovering a new value in software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) systems as seen with Silver Peak (News - Alert)'s Unity EdgeConnect system, who recently found a new client in the Goldberg & Osborne law firm. The law firm discovered that the technology inherent in the Unity EdgeConnect SD-WAN system allowed for ready connection across a large number of branch offices. Since Goldberg & Osborne had fully 21 such offices to its credit across the entire state of Arizona, that was the kind of test that might balk a lesser SD-WAN. Silver Peak, however, delivered a technological marvel that allowed the firm to readily pass information from one branch to another. Silver Peak's system is now said to be part of a larger effort to modernize the firm's information technology (IT) systems, allowing the company to activate a complete remote disaster recovery operation as well as a colocation data center. This provides an extra technological help in the event of emergency, as long as the emergency isn't so massive it covers the entire state of Arizona. Goldberg & Osborne previously turned to a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) system to connect its various offices, a legacy system that was not only proving increasingly costly, but was also showing its age as a legacy system often does. Reports note that the law firm expects to save around $120,000 annually on connection costs by using this new technology. Throw in a variety of extra features now available to the firm like voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) access capability, the Unity Orchestrator system to better segment applications with a focus on service levels, and the Citrix (News - Alert) Multi-Stream ICA that could select the best transmission path for communications by measuring latency across the network and the technology speaks for itself. We've already seen how SD-WAN systems provide value for widely-dispersed operations that aren't so readily connected by normal means. Though we may not think of a law firm as the kind of company that can benefit from a SD-WAN system, there's very little about it that wouldn't qualify. Indeed, many other common operationsdoctors and dentists, car mechanics and the likemight well want to look into this technology too to see how it can work for others. Silver Peak's SD-WAN system is a powerful new option in the field, and for any firm that has several different locations in a wide area, it may be just the tool that's needed to keep everyone connected. Edited by Maurice Nagle Passengers will get ample opportunities to dive and snorkel some of the worlds most pristine seas. The 102-passenger National Geographic Orion is outfitted with exploration tools including snorkeling gear for all travelers, a scuba program that can accommodate up to 24 divers at a time with two dive masters, a glass bottom boat, kayaks, paddleboards, a remotely operated vehicle that reaches depths of up to 1,000 feet and a fleet of Zodiacs. Passengers who book any French Polynesia and South Pacific departures by March 31, 2017, will get free international economy round-trip airfare from Los Angeles. 'Easter Island to Tahiti: Tales of the Pacific,' 18 days, includes Easter Island, the Pitcairn Islands, the 'low islands' of the Tuamotu Archipelago and Tahiti. Passengers can dive or snorkel the stunning reefs of Fakarava, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the Pitcairn Islands, identified as one of most unspoiled reef systems in the world. They also can explore the unusual geology and wildlife of Henderson Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and look for endemic bird species. Departures are March 27 and Aug. 30, 2018. Fares start at $17,990. 'Azure Seas from Tahiti to the Marquesas,' 16 days, provides an in-depth exploration of the Marquesas. Passengers can discover the verdant, saw-toothed basalt pinnacles of the Marquesas that hide waterfalls so high the water evaporates before hitting the ground, explore limestone waterline caves and grottos, search for rare birds on the coastline and venture further inland to see ancient stone sculptures. They also can dive or snorkel the reefs of Fakarava. Departures are June 21 and Aug. 16, 2018. Rates begin at $15,680. 'Epic Polynesia: Cook Islands to Fiji,' 16 days, heads to the western reaches of Polynesia and explores from the verdant crags of Tahiti to the vibrant reefs of Fiji. Travelers can snorkel and dive colorful reefs in five Pacific nationsFrench Polynesia, Cook Islands, Samoa, Wallis and Futuna and Fiji. Departures are May 10 and May 24, 2018. Rates start at $15,680. A nine-day program, 'French Polynesia: Beyond the Postcard,' ventures into the heart of Polynesian culture and wilderness. Travelers can kayak, paddle board or bike ride for independent exploration. They'll visit one of the most important cultural sites in the Polynesian world, Marae Taputapuatea on Raiatea, where seafarers began their expeditions that eventually led to populating Hawaii and New Zealand. The ship will sail among some of the 80 atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago and navigate Tiputa Pass into the lagoon at Rangiroa, one of the world's largest atolls. Departures are April 12, April 26, June 7, July 5, July 19 and Aug. 2, 2018, with fares starting at $7,690. Another nine-day adventure, 'Isles, Atolls and Pristine Corals: Southern Line Islands,' is an expedition from Rangiroas lagoon to the verdant peaks of Tahitis neighbor, Moorea. This compact voyage maximizes travelers' time in some of the most vibrant undersea sites in the world. It is one of the healthiest reef systems in the world and a rare place virtually unmarred by humans, which is why it was identified by the National Geographic Pristine Seas project as one of the few places researchers can study to see how reefs and undersea ecosystems looked before humans. Departures are April 19, May 3, June 14, July 12, July 26 and Aug. 9, 2018. Rates begin at $7,690. Prices include all activities, bar tab and staff gratuities. Passengers who book two or more voyages get a 10% discount. The project area covers over 100sq km and is anticipated to have a capacity of 30m teu when fully completed. The port project has a 20-year timeframe and will ultimately comprise the development of an integrated port and related infrastructure, industrial parks and free trade zones, commercial and residential buildings. The project is seen as a solution to the perceived current congestion problems at Port Klang and would help it to compete with perennial neighbouring rival Singapore. Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby owns most of the island and inevitably will have a key part to play in the plan. It also has some port interests in China which it has been trying to list. Port developers say they are open to interested parties from port operators, shipping lines and infrastructure developers from countries such as China, Japan, USA, UAE, India, however China has been specifically named as expressing interest. Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai had presented the idea for the project to his counterpart in China as long as six months ago, inviting them to jointly develop Carey Island into a deep-sea port that could also service Chinese ships plying the strait. There have been discussions with China Merchants Group, which has recently made massive investments in port infrastructure globally and especially in line with China's latest One Belt and Road policy. The proposed port-city would cater for container traffic as well as bulk, liquid and car carriers, and would also provide maritime services that include bunkering, ship repairing and maintenance. The first phase of development is expected to take about six to seven years if the project is launched this year. The incident happened near port of Pohang, South Korea when the 37,706-dwt bulk carrier MV Inspiration Lake was en route to Nakhodka, Russia. The incident resulted in the capsize of the fishing boat and sadly two of her crew have lost their lives, Singapore-listed Uni-Asia said. One crew member has been rescued whilst a search for the remaining four crew members of the fishing boat is currently ongoing, Uni-Asia stated. The vessel Inspiration Lake is owned by Regina Bulkship, a 51% subsidiary held through Uni-Asia Shipping, wholly-owned by Uni-Asia. Uni-Asia is currently investigating the cause of the collision and has confirmed that there was no oil leakage arising from the incident. The Korean navy and Korean coast guard have arrived on site to coordinate the rescue operation. Could European landscapes one day be teeming with giant cattle that have been extinct for close to four hundred years? They could, if projects underway to reintroduce the aurochs succeed. The oversized wild cattle known as the aurochs died out in the 1627, but the oldest known subspecies of its kind dates to some 2 million years ago. The animals lumbered and grazed across Europe (as well as Asia and North Africa) for thousands of years and were among the biggest herbivores of their day, standing anywhere from 5 to 6 feet tall, weighing from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds. Two programs are working to bring them back: The Tauros Programme and Operation Taurus. Each is employing a process called back-breeding that, if all goes according to plan, will essentially breed the animal back into existence. Aurochs descendants live on today as domestic cattle, and the back-breeding process for the ancient grazer involves using modern relatives of the aurochs particularly those breeds known to have many of the extinct animal's characteristics and, over several generations, selectively breeding them until their offspring become as close as genetically possible to the original aurochs. RELATED: New Zealand Earthquakes Leave Cows Trapped on 'Island' The reason it would be beneficial to have herds of aurochs roaming free, the programs argue, is that the large grazers can serve a key ecological role in maintaining and encouraging the biodiversity of Europe's landscapes. When such big grazers graze, their appetites help shape the land, creating open spaces and varied landscapes that help a wide variety of other species succeed in the same neighborhood. Of today's cattle, the Tauros Programme notes: "none of the current breeds is the optimal grazer for wilderness areas, especially not with big predators around such as wolves, in the bigger European wilderness areas." The ultimate goal of the Tauros Programme is for there to be herds of new proto-aurochs around 150 per group living in self-sustaining populations in Europe by around 2025. The program has bred more than 100 animals so far. Operation Taurus, for its part, has bred some 300 calves from back-breeding, as it tries to get as close as possible to the real thing. "I don't think we'll ever be able to create an animal that is 100 per cent like the aurochs, but we can get very close," the operation's Donato Matassino told The Telegraph. WATCH VIDEO: Geeps And Other Adorable Animal Hybrids Archaeologists excavating an ancient quarry site in Egypt have unearthed dozens of tombs cut out of rock, child burials, goat and sheep remains and, mysteriously, the full skeleton of a crocodile on the floor of a courtyard. Announced by Mahmoud Afifi, head of Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department at the Ministry of Antiquities, the remains were discovered in a 3,400-year-old necropolis that was uncovered in 2015 at Gebel el Sisila, a site north of Aswan known for its stone quarries on both sides of the Nile. Blocks used in building almost all of ancient Egypt's great temples were cut from the site. The burials date from the reign of Pharaohs Amenhotep II and Thutmose III of the famous 18th Dynasty, which includes some of Egypt's most famous kings, including King Tut. "So far we have excavated 26 rock-cut tombs dating back to 3,400 years ago. From these burials we have recovered more than 80 individuals of varying ages and sex," Lund University archaeologist Maria Nilsson, director of the Gebel el Silsila Survey Project, told Seeker. The findings include three crypts also cut into the rock, two niches possibly used for offerings, one tomb containing multiple animal burials, and three individual child burials. Nilsson and associate director John Ward worked in cooperation with the Ministry of Antiquities as well as Kom Ombo and Aswan Inspectorates under General Directors Abd el Menum and Nasr Salama respectively. RELATED: 3,400-Year-Old Necropolis Found in Egypt Intriguingly, three children were buried in different styles. One child was resting in a crypt cut into the rock, another in a shallow grave covered with stone, while a third infant was wrapped in textile and placed within a wooden coffin with a necklace of beads and an amulet of the god Bes, protector of children. Two of the three infant burials were located some distance from any other tomb, and so were isolated from their parents or sibling burials, if they existed. "The accompanying grave goods and the protective amulet suggest that great care was taken with the burial. However, the question arises as to why these children are separated from the main tombs within the necropolis," Ward told Seeker. RELATED: Egyptian Statues Revealed in Ancient Shrines In another single chamber room, Nilsson's team found a crypt with a dozen sheep and goats, and a couple of Nile perch. While the fish remains could easily have been brought in with a Nile inundation, it is not clear yet why there were so many sheep and goat remains secreted within the crypt. "One possibility is that sheep and goats were used in sacrificial offerings in the necropolis," Nilsson said. More puzzlingly, an almost complete adult crocodile was discovered resting on the floor in the courtyard immediately outside the crypt. "Its tail was orientated towards the south while its head, which was missing, would have been in the north," Ward said. Press Release January 11, 2017 STATEMENT OF SENATOR RICHARD J. GORDON PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE'S DECISION TO APPROVE THE P1K SSS PENSION HIKE I hail the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to approve the P2,000 increase in the monthly pension received by pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) in two tranches - P1,000 immediately with the second tranche of P1,000 sometime in 2021 depending on certain financial milestones to ensure the continuous financial stability of the Social Security System. It is very much welcomed by the 2.18 million pensioners especially in these times of great economic challenges to our people. It is our duty in the Senate to provide laws that would improve our people's lives though I don't encourage the Senate to legislate for pension increases. However, we have to provide appropriate legislation to help the SSS become an even more outstanding manager of the fund so that it could expand its membership, invest maximize the use of its assets and invest the funds in projects that would ensure a healthy return on investments. Rest assured that this representation, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, shall continue to provide the necessary support to the SSS to ensure the extension of its lifespan. The Senate will provide the appropriate legislation necessary to strengthen the SSS and to assist it in preserving the sustainability and life of its funds that is considered ideal among other social security systems around the world Press Release January 11, 2017 Hontiveros pushes for a national multi-sectoral strategy vs. HIV Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday pushed for the implementation of a national multi-sectoral strategy to address the rising incidence of HIV and AIDS in the country amidst reports that there will be 133,000 people living with HIV in the Philippines by 2022. In a press conference in Quezon City attended by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups and organized by the DANGAL National Network, Hontiveros said that from 6,015 total cases in 2010, HIV/AIDS incidence in the country rose to a total of 33,419 during just the first quarter of 2016. "The situation we face is dire," the senator said. "The rapid increase in the last six years reflects an alarming landscape: the HIV is expanding in urban centers of the country, affecting disproportionately populations and communities that are marginalized and vulnerable: young Filipinos, gay and bisexual men, transgender people, and people who use drugs," Hontiveros added. As a response, Hontiveros, who is also the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, filed Senate Bill No. 376 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Bill to introduce an evidence-based, human rights-informed, and gender-transformative HIV prevention and treatment plan. Hontiveros said her bill will formulate a six-year National Multi-Sectoral HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, which will incorporate a prevention program that will have a strong focus on education and accessibility of reproductive health services. "80% of new infections come from men having sex with men. The median age of those diagnosed with HIV is below 35 years old" Hontiveros lamented. "At a time when stigma overrules government policies on this important health issue, we need to underscore that the foundation of curbing HIV must be based on the protection of human rights" she said. The Senator maintained that new developments in prevention and treatment are available and must be maximized by the government. "Early diagnosis leads to early treatment and saves lives. Prevention, early detection and treatment must be made available by the government", Hontiveros explained. Hontiveros' bill also seeks a comprehensive, inclusive and localized response towards HIV-AIDS. If passed, it will repeal Republic Act 8504 or the Philippine HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998. The Russian River surged Wednesday afternoon to its highest level in a decade, forcing hundreds of people in and around the Sonoma County town of Guerneville to flee to higher ground, often by boat. But in the wake of several days of rain, there was not only sorrow over the extensive damage but some relief that the river wasnt quite as swollen as originally expected. Scores of homes and businesses in the small communities of Guerneville and Monte Rio, west of Santa Rosa, have been taking in water since the weekend storms, and the toll was expected to grow to roughly 650 houses. The California Nevada River Forecast Center projected that the waterway would crest at nearly 38 feet, a level not seen since New Years Day floods battered the area in 2006. Many of those living and working along the river, well accustomed to flooding, were going through the ritual early Wednesday of moving furniture and other valuables to higher parts of their property or second floors. Sheriffs deputies and local firefighters were making the rounds to make sure everyone was safe, reporting no major injuries. Mostly, residents said, it was just an all-too familiar inconvenience. Our whole lower level is flooded, said Lorin Doeleman, whose mother lives in the family house on River Road just east of downtown Guerneville. All the carpet and drywall and everything is toast. Doeleman, who lives in Sacramento, as well as other family members from Monte Rio, on Monday began moving furniture in the riverfront room of the Guerneville home to the higher street side of the house. On Wednesday, though, they realized that wouldnt be enough and started carrying things upstairs. A small boat came in handy for moving some items from the flooded back rooms to the stairwell. I kayaked into my kitchen and got my brandy, Doeleman said. Im just trying to have some fun with it. After four days holed up in their Guerneville home because of floodwaters, Lane Friedman and her husband Matthew Lonardo decided Wednesday it was time to venture out. They loaded their two children, ages 2 and 3, into their kayak, life jackets secured, and paddled down Mill Street in an area of town sometimes called Submarine Flats. Its often the first to take on water when it storms in town. We needed to get out of the house, Friedman said, for lunch and groceries. The familys garage was under several feet of water, and a second-story storage area was threatened, but their home on the third floor was OK. Neighbor Anita Hernandez wasnt as lucky. Before she left her apartment Sunday night, water was pouring into her living room. She managed to get her belongings out but doesnt expect her place to be livable for weeks or longer. I have a friend who lives above me and he is giving me reports, she said. I anticipate that theres a couple feet of water in my house. Hernandez was one of many gathering on downtown street corners, in coffee shops and restaurants and in the homes of friends and relatives, trying to make the best of a bad but familiar situation. At the r3 Hotel, a resort a block off the main strip, the bar was packed midday with displaced neighbors charging their mobile phones, grabbing a drink and figuring out their next move. General manager Jeff Bridges said the place was the go-to spot during inclement weather. 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 stay fully functional, rain or shine, he said. Neighbor Larry Boegen, also known as Too Tall because he stands at 7 feet, was like many stopping by the bar: rather unconcerned about the rising river. Weve seen this before, he said. This is not that bad. Recalling the towns historic flood in 1986, Boegen said everything had been underwater right up to the Cocktails sign he pointed to above the hotel entrance. This time, he packed a rented trailer with his belongings in case the river continued to rise, but by Wednesday afternoon the sandbags he packed around his first-story apartment had held off the floods. The rains, which have let up since Tuesday, have left hillsides water-logged and authorities warning of slides. Seven Guerneville homes were evacuated at the junction of Old Monte Rio Road and Santa Rosa Avenue because of a mudslide. A respite in the weather will allow river levels to begin falling, dropping below flood stage Thursday evening, according to the River Forecast Center. Next week we could be looking at more rain, said Alan Haynes, acting hydrologist in charge at the center. If we start to see more storms, there could be more flooding. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A man was injured in an afternoon shooting Tuesday in downtown Oakland at a bus stop near City Hall, causing a City Council committee to adjourn early, police said. The victim was transported to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the hip following the shooting that was reported at 3:28 p.m., according to the Oakland Police Department. He was listed in stable condition. The shooting happened on Broadway near 13th Street, police said, which abuts Frank H. Ogawa Plaza and City Hall. A Community and Economic Development Committee meeting that began at 1 p.m. was cut short because of the gunfire. There were at least a dozen shots, if not more, in rapid succession, said David Turnbull, who works for a nonprofit in an office building right above the site of the shooting. He and others in the office went to a window and saw some people on the sidewalk running away. An awning blocked their line of sight to the location of the shooting, but once police and ambulances showed up, it was clear it had unfolded right below, Turnbull said. OPD is aggressively following up with all investigative leads in connection with this shooting, city officials said in a statement. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The city asked business owners to review their video surveillance footage to see whether their cameras captured images of the shooter. A Public Safety Committee meeting planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday was postponed, but it wasnt immediately clear if the cancellation was due to the shooting. Michael Bodley and Kimberly Veklerov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com and kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley and @KVeklerov San Leandro Police Department / San Leandro Police Department A man trying to steal an unattended car parked with its engine running in a San Leandro driveway Tuesday morning took off with its owners 4-year-old son inside, police said. Jason Silva, 44, was arrested in Oakland later in the day after an investigation of the incident which occurred in the 200 block of Cherrywood Avenue in San Leandro around 7:30 a.m. according to the San Leandro Police Department. Oakland schools need to cut about $10 million in spending this year and another $21.6 million next year to cover bills and proposed programs, starting with an immediate hiring freeze for nonteaching positions, according to outgoing Superintendent Antwan Wilson. Wilson is expected to lay out his budget recommendations Wednesday night and ask the school board to approve a resolution that would immediately limit spending and hiring this year. Its an effort to address an expected $30 million shortfall in the 2017-18 school year, district officials said. They stressed that the district is not facing a deficit, but rather a spending wish list that exceeds expected revenue. There is no large looming deficit, but we still have some hard decisions to make, said district spokeswoman Valerie Goode. We anticipate saving money now will reduce impact on school budgets next year. It was a tough decision to make, but we feel this will better prepare us in the event we are faced with reduced resources. Making cuts now will enable the district to pay for ongoing costs as well as programs adopted to improve student achievement, school officials said. We understand that making tough choices related to budget is not always popular or easy, Goode said. We are intentionally not maintaining the status quo in order to accelerate outcomes for students, while also ensuring we are good stewards of public funds. But the district is also facing foreseeable externalities or circumstances beyond its control that could have a significant effect on expenses, according to the proposed resolution to authorize a hiring freeze. Such possibilities include declining enrollment, skyrocketing special-education spending, and replenishing the districts reserve fund adding up to several million dollars. The proposed hiring freeze would not apply to teachers or essential staffers. Wilson, who is leaving Oakland at the end of the month to head up the Washington, D.C., school system, said the midyear spending cuts and hiring freeze could save up to $11 million this year, leaving about $20 million in cuts to make next year. Implementing spending guidelines related to hiring and expenditures reflects a fiscal prudence that is very important right now as we prepare the 17-18 budget, school board Vice President Nina Senn said in an email Tuesday. Board President James Harris, however, said he had questions about the proposed resolution. In terms of the freeze, I still need to look at what the impact is there, Harris said. He said the board could delay a vote for at least a week. The superintendents recommendations for next years budget would spread the pain between classrooms and the district administration. There would be $10 million in school site reductions, including $5.5 million from decreases in staffing and services related to declining enrollment. Wilson also wants to cut the number of assistant principals and other school-based support staff. The superintendent would aim for $11.6 million in savings from the central office and district-wide budgets, including $5.1 million out of the business and operations division. Harris noted that the superintendents budget proposal is just a recommendation and that the board will be making its decisions long after Wilson is gone. The specific request made of Antwan was to give us a strong proposal, Harris said. And hes trying to do that before he leaves. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker For five years, weve pilgrimaged to Truckee with the SASBs (Stephanie Boone and family). Stephanie didnt get deterred that on our first mountain trip, we totaled her SUV, nor that on the next four trips, it refused to snow, and so we took long walks instead of slaloming, which worked out well for me since I have never been on skis. But this year there were honest-to-goodness flakes on the ground. Actually, a little too much several feet, and so we found ourselves indoors 90 percent of the time. SASB dished out the Clue, Monopoly, Heads Up and Mystery Caramel games while I cooked Avengers waffles, bacon and hot cocoa. It was almost perfect except that Aidan had been incubating a death cold for three days before the trip, and he coughed every germ he could find into the teeny cabin. I had been avoiding this. I made Aidan sit on Brians side of the car on the drive. At first, I denied that I was getting sick, walking outside, reciting poetry in the blizzard. On the six-hour chain-controls drive home, with the first of the sniffles, I got angry about stuffy noses. I hate taking Nyquil. With the first backache I popped Airborne and garlic and hydrogen peroxide, bargaining with my immune system to back me rather than the virus. But with the sureness of a zombie apocalypse, the cold first took Aidan, then Zane, then Brian. Alas, yesterday, back at work, the sneezing and the coughing began. I went home, measured the low-grade fever and took the hated cold medicine. I slept for nine hours. When I woke up, I surrendered. No chicken soup could deter it, and I acquiesced to the next 10 days. I would survive, and in a fortnight my life would seem much better. In the meantime, I grabbed what joy I could and as soon as we walked into the blue bungalow in the outer, outer, outer Excelsior, I insisted on the Talling of the Boys. For a decade, Aidan and Zane have stood with their back to the wall of the bathroom door, and Papa has marked their height with a blue laundry marker. For the record, Aidan came in at 4-foot-8 and Zane came in at 5-foot-4, a mere 2 inches shorter than his dear old dad. Zanes comment: I think well need a bigger door. A little ambition is good for the soul. During my acceptance phase, I remember Nurse Vivian saying, Feed a cold and starve a fever! and so to please her eternal soul I baked pork chops and mashed potatoes and sneaked in scoops of Oreo ice cream. When I go back to Weight Watchers, I can blame it on my mother. My head cold became a metaphor for politics. Head colds are unfair. Not one of my friends voted for a head cold. I dont have to like it; I only need to survive for four years. I will resist with all my might, but when I finally give up, I will still find what joys I can in the new world order. And my resistance will get stronger. Oh, yes, other joys: the Fisher-Paulson After Christmas Puzzle. Turns out that every one of my readers knew the original name for San Francisco and that most of the natives admitted that Irish coffee was not born here, but rather immigrated in its infancy. Greg Peck explained that the slope of Filbert Street was 31.5 percent, not 31.5 degrees (the fact that I managed to graduate from college without taking one single math course may have factored in here). Marc Duste clarified that Freddie Mercury played not the Winterland Ballroom but the Winterland Arena, as charming as a bomb shelter. There was debate about where you could get buried in San Francisco. Judy Scully Boyle pointed out that her father, who had served in the same war as Pop, was buried in the Presidio. Joseph F. Melanson claimed that you can get your ashes dispositioned at St. Dominics. I havent been able to verify this but if true, my mortal remains will spend eternity in the citys only shrine to St. Jude. The most fiercely argued question: What foreign nation lies south of San Francisco? Robert Cherney suggested Australia. Chris Hebert and Irene Takahashis husband insisted on Oman. Sheldon Bacchus and Eric Naftaly averred that it was Mauritius, and John Underhill said Iran. Mark Hett picked Russia, and even though Putin will seize a lot of territories in the next four years, I denied that. The best answer came from Bob Nyden, who stated that there is no country south of San Francisco. After you reach the South Pole, youre no longer going south. Everywhere else is North. But Canada, I still love you. Please annex us as soon as possible. Tim Curley didnt argue that Al Capone played the banjo, but asked if that was why he was imprisoned in Alcatraz. He was right! Research showed that Mama and Papa Capone had actually wanted young Alphonse Gabriel to play a woodwind, but he skipped out on his tenor saxophone lessons. Clearly a case of Sax Evasion. Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column appears Wednesdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com WASHINGTON California Sen. Dianne Feinstein led her partys resistance Tuesday to the nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions as attorney general in the Trump administration, a fight that appears futile, but could serve as a test for the looming battle over a pivotal Supreme Court nomination that could arrive within weeks. Debuting in her new role as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Feinstein deployed the earnest fact-marshaling that is her trademark, while ensuring public testimony from the furious opposition to Sessions from a broad collection of civil rights leaders, including Amos C. Brown, pastor of San Franciscos Third Baptist Church. As the nations top law enforcement officer, the attorney general is among the most sensitive jobs in any administration, in charge of enforcing the nations laws, including their application to the president and the rest of the executive branch. This job requires service to the people and the law not to the president, Feinstein told Sessions. She expressed her deep concern that, there is so much fear in this country. I see it. I hear it. Particularly in the African American community, from preachers, from politicians, from everyday Americans. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Civil rights groups are deeply worried that Sessions hard-core conservatism, especially his narrow interpretation of federal civil rights laws, makes him a dangerous choice for attorney general. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund issued a 32-page report concluding that Sessions had amassed a deeply and consistently troubling record on issues of civil rights, racial justice, and equality, adding, This is not a close call. Protesters punctuated Tuesdays hearing by periodically shouting, No Trump, no fascist, no KKK and other slogans as they were forcibly removed from the packed Beaux Arts room. But Sessions, an Alabama senator for two decades, has won unreserved support from his fellow Republicans and appears headed for confirmation. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of the last GOP moderates on Capitol Hill and among the most likely to switch sides on any issue, personally introduced Sessions as a trusted colleague and a good friend, and a person of integrity and principle. Feinstein and other Democrats, however, raised many areas of concern during the daylong hearing, drawing on Sessions long voting record that positioned him as a voice of the far right. As polite and modest in his personal bearing as his policy positions are doctrinaire, Sessions is someone who many of us on this committee have worked with for 20 years, Feinstein said. That makes this very difficult for me. Drawing a distinction between his role as senator and that as attorney general, Sessions pledged to abide by laws with which he personally disagrees. He said unequivocally that waterboarding is illegal, despite President-elect Donald Trumps promise to use such torture against suspected terrorists, and also promised to recuse himself from any potential investigation of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons use of a private email server when she was secretary of state. During the campaign, Trump vowed to direct his attorney general to open such an investigation. Sessions had previously said he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton. The FBI investigation into her email server is closed and a preliminary investigation into the Clinton Foundation is open, but officials have said there is little basis to go forward. Defending himself against charges that he is racist, Sessions told the panel that as someone raised in Alabama he had witnessed discrimination firsthand. I deeply understand the history of civil rights and the horrendous impact that relentless and systemic discrimination and the denial of voting rights has had on our African American brothers and sisters, he said. Brown, the San Francisco pastor, said outside the hearing room that he mistrusted such avowals, based on Trumps divisive and racist politics, all the misogyny, and all the dishonesty. Sessions was the first, and for months, the only GOP senator to endorse Trump last year, finding common ground with the president-elects hard-line views on immigration. As senator, he fought relentlessly against efforts to overhaul immigration law, arguing that the record influx of low-wage workers was undermining the wages and economic prospects of U.S. workers. Clear and unwavering in his beliefs, Sessions stuck by that position Tuesday, declaring that President Obamas executive order to protect immigrants brought by their parents into the country as children without authorization from deportation is an amnesty that abrogates legislative authority. While acknowledging the need to address so-called Dreamers on humanitarian grounds, Sessions said that responsibility lies with Congress. Sessions disavowed a Trump proposal to ban Muslim immigration, saying there could be no religious test for any immigrant. He added, however, that religious beliefs cannot be eliminated entirely as a reason to deny admission if a person claims them as a motive for murder. He also defended his belief that the landmark Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision holding that women have a right to abortion was wrongheaded, but said he would abide by the law. Democrats have no power to filibuster the Sessions nomination or any other Trump nominees. Frustrated by GOP intransigence over Obamas appointees, Democrats eliminated that tool in 2013 for all nominations except the Supreme Court. Upon taking office on Jan. 20, Trump will be able to nominate his pick to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left open since February by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, anchor of the courts right wing. Senate Republicans took the unprecedented step of refusing to hold a hearing on Obama nominee Merrick Garland. Democrats will soon have to decide whether to filibuster a Trump Supreme Court nominee. But if Democrats deploy the filibuster, they run the risk that Republicans will remove that weapon by changing the rules, the so-called nuclear option, leaving Democrats helpless to block any future Trump Supreme Court nominee. Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carolynlochhead Scattered blue skies broke out in the Bay Area on Wednesday after a powerful winter storm pounded the region, but the waterworks respite could not stop the steady rise of the Russian River and the flooding of hundreds of homes. The Bay Areas biggest river surged Wednesday afternoon to its highest level in a decade, forcing hundreds of people in and around the Sonoma County town of Guerneville to flee to higher ground, often by boat. Our whole lower level is flooded, said Lorin Doeleman, whose mother lives in the family house on River Road just east of downtown Guerneville. All the carpet and drywall and everything is toast. Doeleman, of Sacramento, and the rest of her family were moving furniture out of harms way Wednesday when they realized they had forgotten some crucial elixir in the flooded back room. I kayaked into my kitchen and got my brandy, Doeleman said. Im just trying to have some fun with it. The fun was in short supply after the rain, blustery winds and thunderstorms on Tuesday left hillsides waterlogged and authorities warning of slides. Scores of homes and businesses in the small communities of Guerneville and Monte Rio, west of Santa Rosa, have been taking in water since the first storms over the weekend, and the toll is expected to grow to roughly 650 houses. The river crested at 37.74 feet at 3 p.m. Wednesday, a level not seen since New Years Day floods battered the area in 2006, according to the California Nevada River Forecast Center. The highest the Russian River ever reached was 49.7 feet on Dec. 23, 1955. Lane Friedman and her husband, Matthew Lonardo, had to load their children, ages 2 and 3, into a kayak after four days marooned in their Guerneville home. We needed to get out of the house for lunch and groceries, said Friedman after paddling down Mill Street, an area known as Submarine Flats, where the floor of the familys garage was already under several feet of water. Although their living space remained dry, several of their neighbors homes were filled with water. Many of them gathered Wednesday in coffee shops, restaurants and in the homes of friends and relatives, trying to make the best of a bad, but familiar, situation. Weve seen this before. This is not that bad, said Larry Boegen, also known as Too Tall because he is 7 feet tall. Boegen had packed a rented trailer with his belongings, but the sandbags he stacked around his first-floor apartment held off the floods. It was a far cry from the towns historic flood in 1986, when the water reached 48.56 feet, high enough to touch the Cocktails sign at the neighborhood hotel bar, Boegen said. The towns along the Russian River were the hardest hit from the storm, but Tuesdays dousing was still being felt in many other locations in the Bay Area. A mudslide undermined a section of roadway and forced the indefinite closure of the winding 3.4-mile stretch of Highway 1 between Panoramic Highway and Muir Beach, in Marin County. It was one of several Bay Area roads closed due to wayward mud, rocks and trees on Wednesday. Near Pinole, the damage was worse, as Alhambra Valley Road collapsed into Pinole Creek. In Santa Clara County, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for western Santa Clara County as water swelled around Los Gatos Creek. Flood warnings remained in effect in the North Bay. The towns of Ross and San Anselmo mopped up floodwater from Corte Madera Creek, which went over its banks Tuesday night, but Marin County officials said there was minimal damage. We totally dodged it again, but just barely, said Ursula Hanks, the emergency coordinator for Marin County, who credited construction of detention basins and the 2010 raising of Lagunitas Bridge in Ross for averting the kind of catastrophic flood that hit the area in 2005. More than 3 inches of rain fell in San Rafael over a 24-hour period ending at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. During that same time, Oakland got 2 inches and San Francisco got an inch and a half. More than a foot of rain fell in parts of the Bay Area over the past week, including in the Santa Cruz and North Bay mountains. Venado in Sonoma County got more than 21 inches of rain over the past seven days. If the rain had kept up the pace, it could have impacted us in a very severe way and been a much larger event, Hanks said, especially if we hadnt done all the due diligence work in advance. The weather service issued a coastal flood advisory through Thursday as sea waters were forecast to rise onto low-lying areas due to king tides, but the worst of the weather appears to have passed, according to forecasters. Light rain was expected to fall into early Thursday, but the amounts wont be enough to push any more waterways over the edge, said Jan Null, a meteorologist for Golden Gate Weather Services. 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. Were done for about a week, Null said. I think its good because everything is saturated and we can use a little time for some of these rivers to come down and have some recovery time before another storm hits. Attention turned toward the Sierra, where a blizzard warning was in effect through Thursday. Up to 10 feet of snow is expected to fall above 7,000 feet and 7 feet is forecast in the Lake Tahoe basin, at 6,000 feet. Interstate 80 through the Sierra reopened about 1 p.m. Wednesday after being closed between Colfax and the Nevada border since Monday night because of the severe conditions, including zero visibility, avalanche danger and winds up to 80 mph. Highway 50 also reopened after it was shut down due to avalanche danger. Chains were required for vehicles traveling over all Sierra mountain passes. This coming weekend is going to be about as good as it gets for Sierra skiing, Null said of the heaping piles of powder falling on the mountains. Reservoirs throughout California are brimming, a scenario that some water experts characterized as the end of the drought. The Lexington Reservoir, off Highway 17 in Santa Clara County, is full for the first time in six years, with water flowing over the spillway. A lot of the reservoirs are as full as they legally can be, Null said. We are looking at these really great numbers, and only half of the season is gone. There are no guarantees, but having this much water in the reservoirs is a huge step. Meanwhile, high-tide groupies gathered along San Franciscos Embarcadero on Wednesday to see water spilling over the pathway near the Ferry Building during the king tides. I like nature, said Clare Corcoran, 56, who made a special trip with her 47-year-old husband, David Cunningham, from their Mission District home to look at the splashing waves. Its exciting to see the water come up over the sidewalk. Chronicle staff writer Sarah Ravani contributed to this report. Kurtis Alexander, Peter Fimrite and Evan Sernoffsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com, pfimrite@sfchronicle.com, esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander @pfimrite @EvanSernoffsky This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning for parts of Marin County, including the cities of Fairfax, San Rafael, Kentfield and Larkspur as the Corte Madera Creek surged amid Tuesdays downpour. More than 80,000 people in the Marin communities were potentially affected, including 19 schools and two hospitals, officials said. The warning was to be effective until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. The flash-flood warning comes as the days heavy rain and winds intensified into the evening. In downtown San Anselmo, residents stood on walkways overlooking the roiling waters of San Anselmo Creek, which was creeping higher and higher. By the late afternoon, its height was 10 feet, about 3 feet shy of overflowing. Merchants placed storm barriers and sandbags in front of their businesses and watched nervously. You cant stop Mother Nature, said Andrew Samuels, 48, the owner of a downtown building that houses a yoga studio. All you can do is prepare and hope for the best. Samuels had placed seven barriers in front of the building. In Fairfax, the waters of Fairfax Creek exceeded the official flood level of 6.2 feet for much of the afternoon. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The North Bay experienced some of the most severe weather throughout the day, including in and around Guerneville, where the Russian River flooded into neighborhoods and homes. The flooding there was expected to worsen Wednesday. A mudslide on Santa Rosa Avenue forced Sonoma County officials to red-tag two homes around the muddy mess. Anne Kirkpatrick, Im rooting for you. I hope that you, as Oaklands first female police chief, can do something about the department, which has operated with chaos for too long. For starters, it would be nice to see the city rise from a how-not-to-police punchline into a trendsetter. And because theres now a woman in charge, I feel were closer to seeing the incredible happen. Some people who track police staffing statistics are convinced that more women on police forces would improve not only policing but community relations. And in Oakland, community relations need some fixing, given that after a decade of federal monitoring, Oakland police still show signs of racial disparities in enforcement. Some 15,407 vehicles were stopped between mid-November 2015 and mid-May 2016, and blacks were behind the wheel in 57 percent of those stops, Latinos in 21 percent and whites in 11 percent. Kathy Spillar, executive director for the Feminist Majority Foundation, which runs the National Center for Women and Policing, a program that promotes increasing the number of women in law enforcement, said communities are ill served by a dearth of female officers. Spillar pointed to research that suggests women improve police response to violence against women, reduce police brutality and lower the use of excessive force. Women, Spillar said, also strengthen community-policing reforms. At her last job, in Chicago, Kirkpatrick led the Police Departments reform efforts in the wake of a Justice Department probe resulting from the release of a police video in 2015 that showed a police officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times in 2014. I think its such a refreshing opportunity for Oakland to get past some of the problems that have occurred with police, Spillar said. It inspires more women to think about going into policing as a profession. That sends a very important signal. Police agencies rarely reflect the racial composition of communities, and they certainly dont reflect gender. According to a May 2015 report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2013, 1 in 8 police officers nationally was female. Women made up about 12 percent of police departments, but only 3 percent of local police chiefs were female. An analysis of the Oakland Police Departments labor-market data posted in June revealed about 12 percent of patrol officers were female. And according to the Police Chiefs Desk Reference, a 322-page guide for newly appointed police leaders published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, female officers have better oral communication skills and are more empathetic than men. As traditional gender roles continue to evolve, increasing the focus on female candidates will offer an abundant source of highly qualified and capable employees, the desk reference stated. Failure to do so will adversely impact agencies to reach their recruiting goals and serve their communities in the future. Mayor Libby Schaaf has promised to bring the force to 800 officers by the end of 2018, an increase from 2010s low of 695 after layoffs. For community relations to improve, which police observers believe would lead to a reduction in crime, more women must be recruited to police forces. And they must have more leadership roles. 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. A week ago at her introductory news conference, Kirkpatrick acknowledged her gender. So I am a leader who is cloaked as a woman, and I am grateful for being a woman, but I will be your leader as well, she said. Last summer, after scandals involving racist texts and emails and sexual misconduct, and after three police chiefs were fired or resigned in nine days, Schaaf criticized the Police Departments frat house culture. It is more than symbolic, Spillar, who mentioned that the frat house comment rippled nationally, said about Kirkpatricks hiring. It is representing real change. It is sending a strong message to the rank and file. They have an opportunity to really set a new course. Now its up to Kirkpatrick to lead the way. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate You dont need a passport to get here, but our neck of the California woods may be as strange to Bay Area residents as many a foreign land or fantasy kingdom. First off, most of the Mother Lode voted for Trump: Seven of our eight counties joined rural voters nationwide in going for the Donald, most by landslide margins of nearly 60 percent. (Hillary Clinton did eke out a win in Nevada County, perhaps due to Grass Valley back-to-the-land enclaves left over from the 60s.) As surprising as Trumps success here in the hills may have been to some, it shocked no one in the Gold Country. Weve been part of Republican California (in all, 25 of the states 58 counties went for Trump) for decades. Which is kind of like Democratic Utah apparently populated by Salt Lake City voters who have elected four straight Dem mayors, the most recent of whom is a lesbian. In the interests of letting The Chronicles readers know and understand a little more about their neighbors in the Mother Lode, Ill be filing the occasional dispatch from my Tuolumne County home. But first, some context may be in order. Without it, taking in my stories might be like reading tales of orcs, ents, trolls and hobbits without knowing anything of Middle Earth. Sure, Middle Earth is make-believe. But to some, life in the Central Sierra foothills might come close. The California known to the rest of the nation outlaws plastic bags, funds sex-change operations for inmates, taxes root beer, mandates earth-tone houses in upscale neighborhoods, drools over electric cars and sends Governor Moonbeam to Sacramento. We in the Mother Lode drink ditch water, drive pickup trucks, hang laundry on lines, buy guns and let our dogs run free. Our lawns go unmowed, and rusting cars clutter our yards. You can buy ammo, while it lasts, at a few of our bars. We poison-oakers have elected congressmen who would rather jump from the fiscal cliff than cooperate with the dreaded Dems. We love the cash that tourists from Los Angeles and San Francisco bring us, but we dont trust the politicians they send to Sacramento or Washington. Many of us feel forgotten by big-city lawmakers who dont know how to tie a fly, fire a hunting rifle or listen to anyone from a county with only enough voters to elect about a 10th of a state senator. Some of us are ornery, rude and just to the right of Attila the Hun. Others believe in Bigfoot, UFOs and the Democratic Party. We have a lot of bars, a lot of churches, many true believers at each and some at both. But this isnt Deliverance country. Folks are friendly, and if a neighbor stubs his toe, well organize a benefit dinner. We throw so many fund-raising feeds that a diner with a tolerance for spaghetti could survive for months eating for charity. We have theaters, poetry readings and writers workshops. The local junior colleges debate team has posted better records than its hoops squad. Visitors are welcome to share our historic towns and spectacular mountain scenery, and often do. Thousands vacation here annually, spending millions of dollars while getting lost on our dirt roads and wondering where their Internet and cell service went. Ranching, farming, logging and mining were once cornerstones of our economy. Fortune-seekers still dip gold pans into our creeks when the economy takes a particularly bad turn, logging rasps back to life when it takes a good one, and our only remaining cash crop may be marijuana. The retail and service industries (read Walmart and McDonalds) now power foothill communities founded by prospectors in the Days of 49. Speaking of 49, most of us in the foothills are that age or older. At 70, Im firmly within our retirement demographic. For visitors from afar, we graying hill folk can be a fountain of perceived youth: Come up to Geezerville and youll at least feel much younger. The Mother Lode periodically makes the national news, usually for forest fires or sensational murders. Occasionally, however, its for something barely believable like when a sheriffs lieutenant shot himself in the foot while showing a reporter his new sidearm. Or when two seniors he 62 and she 72 were busted for getting it on in the back seat of a lurching Ford Taurus outside a Sonora barbecue joint. In broad daylight. Weve also made the movies, scores of them. High Noon was filmed here, as was Back to the Future 3. We were also Hooterville (or at least its train station) for TVs Petticoat Junction. A few locals take exception to any comparison to the 1960s show, reckoning that were now far more sophisticated than Billie Jo, Betty Jo, Bobbie Jo, Uncle Joe and the rest of Hootervilles good-natured yokels. But Ill let you readers decide that one. Raised in the Chicago area, former Bay Area resident Chris Bateman worked as a reporter, editor and columnist for Sonoras Union Democrat for nearly 40 years. Now semi-retired, he is associate editor of Friends and Neighbors Magazine. His writing can be found online at www.seniorfan.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In his final speech to the nation as president, Barack Obama delivered a heartfelt and stinging slap Tuesday not to President-elect Donald Trump, but to the policies and plans that carried the GOP developer to his surprise victory in November. In a speech from his hometown of Chicago, Obama warned that many of the programs Trump has proposed and endorsed by newly emboldened Republican leaders in the House and Senate pose a threat to the ties that have bound this country together for more than two centuries. Democracy does not require uniformity, Obama told the crowd of more than 18,000 cheering supporters. But the founders knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one. The assault on Trump was an oblique one, purposely steering away from anything resembling a personal attack, but quietly slamming the dramatic changes the businessman says are needed to make America great again. But we remain the wealthiest, most powerful and most respected nation on the Earth, Obama said, but only if our politics reflect the decency of our people. The president had a narrow line to walk. Since George Washington, the nations first president, gave his farewell address in 1796, theres been an almost pro forma aspect to the speeches, said Barbara OConnor, former professor of political communications at Sacramento State University. You thank the people for all their efforts, mention what you might have done differently and then claim credit for what went right when you were in office, she said. And you have to be an optimist. That doesnt have to take long. In 2001, Bill Clinton touched those bases in a snappy eight minutes. Eight years ago, George W. Bush was done in 13 minutes. But Trump raced to victory with a promise to immediately undo just about everything Obama accomplished during his years as president, unraveling the legacy thats a source of pride to both Obama and the voters who twice elected him. Turning that around took Obama 51 minutes. The man who will become president Jan. 20 was off-limits to Obama, though the crowd would have been delighted to see the president take the same harsh, no-holds-barred attitude toward Trump that the businessman did to Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Obama in raucous rallies throughout the fall campaign. The one time Obama mentioned Trump, the president had to silence the jeering crowd with a No, no, no, arguing that the peaceful transfer of power to a new president is a hallmark of our democracy. But if Trump got a free pass, his policies didnt. Countries like Russia or China cant match our influence around the world, Obama said, unless we give up what we stand for and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors, a muted reference to Trumps promise to build a wall on the southern border and have Mexico pay for it. Then theres Trumps call for a ban on much Muslim immigration or even a registry of Muslims in the country. While the country must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us what we are, the president warned. Thats why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans, who are just as patriotic as we are. Obama also took on social media and television for their role in what he called the growing tendency to retreat into our own bubbles ... surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions. Thats a threat to democracy, he added, because if people arent willing to accept new information and concede that your opponent is making a fair point, politics doesnt work. But Obama had to do more than just defend his legacy. He also had to look to the future and give Democrats, wallowing in a self-indulgent sea of despair at the prospect of four years or more of President Trump, a reason to look to the future, said David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University. Democrats since the election have been in one long therapy session, talking about whats wrong with the Democratic Party, he said. Now he has to give them hope to move forward. Much of the night featured Obama as cheerleader, talking about the things that went right with him as president and pointing toward the prospect of a better future, even if it might not come in the next four years. Its the young people who are that future, he said, looking well beyond the next election and quietly contrasting the typically more-liberal youth with many of those not-so-young voters who cast ballot in November. This generation coming up unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic Ive seen you in every corner of the country, Obama said. You believe in a fair, just, inclusive America; you know that constant change has been Americas hallmark, something not to fear, but to embrace. The president also mentioned the obvious: Youll soon outnumber any of us. Obama built his speech on contrasts with Trumps proposed policies, whether climate change, gay rights, the Iran nuclear agreement or Obamacare. But ideas, more than particular plans, mark the real difference the president tried to show. In his acceptance speech at the GOP convention in July, Trump painted a dark, despairing picture of an America in decline, facing chaos in the streets and economic disaster. Nobody knows the system better than me, he said, which is why I alone can fix it. Obama had a different take, one he hopes Democrats and others will carry with them after he leaves office. I am asking you to believe, he said. Not about my ability to bring about change but in yours. Before he wrapped up his speech with a call for Americans to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents, he took a few moments to express his gratitude and pride in first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia, who was with him in Chicago, and Sasha, who stayed behind in Washington because she had a test in the morning. As the crowd applauded them, the president wiped a tear from his eye. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@jfwildermuth American Apparels brand and some other assets were acquired in bankruptcy proceedings by Canadian T-shirt and underwear maker Gildan Activewear for about $88 million in cash. Gildan will separately purchase inventory from American Apparel to ensure that customers receive a steady supply, the Montreal company said Tuesday. It wont acquire any stores. American Apparel filed for a second bankruptcy in October after struggling to recover from a tumultuous period that included slumping sales, financial losses and the ouster of founder and CEO Dov Charney in the wake of allegations of misconduct. Europe Snap goes to Britain The company behind messaging app Snapchat will place its European base in Britain in a vote of confidence in the economy after the vote to leave the European Union. Snaps decision runs counter to that of tech giants like Apple and Google, who have chosen lower tax bases like Ireland. It also comes amid public frustration over alleged tax avoidance schemes of multinational corporations. Snap, which has 75 staff members in Britain, will pay that nations corporation tax on its international profits. The Los Angeles company has 150 million users a day worldwide and is planning an initial public offering with a reported valuation nearing $25 billion. Economy Global status looking up The World Bank is forecasting that the global economy will accelerate slightly in 2017 after turning in the worst performance last year since the 2008 financial crisis. The 189-nation lending agency said Tuesday that global growth should see a 2.7 percent annual rate this year. That is down from the banks June forecast for 2.8 percent growth this year, but its better than last years 2.3 percent growth. The global economy faced a number of headwinds last year, from economic troubles in China to bouts of financial market turmoil. The World Banks Global Economic Prospects report projects 2.2 percent growth in the United States, up from an estimated 1.6 percent in 2016. In the years since the 2008 financial crisis, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have both repeatedly proved too optimistic in their forecasts. Automakers VW to pay $4.3 billion fine Volkswagen has reached a deal with the federal government to pay $4.3 billion to resolve a criminal investigation into its cheating on emissions tests, the company said Tuesday. As part of the settlement, the company will plead guilty to criminal charges. The companys management board must still approve the payment, which includes both criminal and civil fines. The civil part of the fines include environmental and customs-related penalties. Chronicle News Services Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, have vowed to put their enormous wealth toward philanthropic causes. Now the couple are putting infrastructure in place to make sure their money and efforts will make an impact on policy as well. Zuckerberg and Chan have hired a top political operative to lead the next phase of their philanthropic work at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the limited liability company they set up in 2015 to conduct charitable efforts. David Plouffe, who managed Barack Obamas 2008 presidential campaign and is chief adviser and a board member at Uber, is leaving the ride-hailing company to join the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative as president of policy and advocacy. In addition, Zuckerberg and Chan are forming a public policy board of former government officials and other experts in the fields of education and science. The new board will be led by Kenneth Mehlman, who managed President George W. Bushs 2004 re-election campaign and is now head of global public affairs at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, the private equity firm. Mehlman will volunteer part of his time to the new board, which is recruiting other members who will also serve part time. The additions underline how Zuckerberg and Chan are pushing to give their philanthropic work which has focused on education, science and curing disease a greater voice in Washington and among movements and advocacy groups across the country. The couples clout stems primarily from their substantial fortune; when they announced they would give 99 percent of their Facebook shares to charitable causes, their holdings were worth more than $45 billion at the time. You can make change, but in order for it to be sustainable, you need to build a movement to support it, Zuckerberg said in an interview. No amount of private research or philanthropy is going to shift that. At the end of the day, the government has far more resources than any individual organization does. Zuckerberg and Chan, who live only a few miles from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiatives office in Palo Alto, are regularly involved in its direction and major decisions. The couple have identified several main causes, including curing all disease, to which they have pledged $3 billion, and changing the way children are educated through personalized learning, under which teaching is more tailored to each child. In his new role, Plouffe will run the Chan Zuckerberg Initiatives team of a few dozen people on a day-to-day basis. Plouffe described the job in terms similar to a campaign effort. Curing disease, improving education through personalized learning and building technology and tools to help organizations reach their full potential are areas with widespread support and massive potential for mobilization, great storytelling and smart policy engagement, he wrote in a Facebook post. Travis Kalanick, Ubers chief executive, described Plouffes departure as amicable. Plouffe will remain on Ubers board and continue advising Kalanick. Zuckerberg and Chan unveiled the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative not long after the 2015 birth of their daughter, Maxima Chan Zuckerberg, known as Max. In a letter written to her that was posted on Facebook at the time, Zuckerberg and Chan outlined several reasons for directing their philanthropy toward advancing human potential and promoting equality for those in Maxs generation. Almost immediately, however, Zuckerberg and Chan came under fire for the organizational structure of the initiative. Under a limited liability company, they are bound by fewer rules when it comes to directing their assets than they would be in other philanthropic vehicles. The structure also provides certain tax benefits. The couple have used some of the money to invest in startups related to their educational and scientific interests. Plouffe and Mehlman join Jim Shelton, a former deputy secretary of the Department of Education brought on in May to oversee efforts in education, and Cori Bargmann, a neuroscientist formerly of Rockefeller University, tapped in September as president of science. Brian Pinkerton, a former Amazon executive, was named chief technology officer in October. Mike Isaac is a New York Times writer. Jini Kims relationship with Medicaid is business and personal. Her San Francisco startup, Nuna, while working with the federal government, has built an online database of the nations 74 million Medicaid patients and their treatment. Medicaid, which provides health care to low-income people, is administered state by state. In California, it is known as Medi-Cal. Extracting, cleaning and collating the information from so many disparate and dated computer systems was an extraordinary achievement, health and technology specialists say. This new collection of data could inform the coming debate on Medicaid spending. Andrew Slavitt, acting director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, described the cloud database as near historic. Largely because Medicaid information resides in so many state-level computing systems, he explained, Weve never had a systemwide view across the program. This week, for the first time, Nunas executives are talking about the companys funders, business strategy and work for Medicaid at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Health data on its own billing, diagnostic and treatment information, typically recorded in arcane, shorthand codes is not very useful. But if it can be aggregated and analyzed economically and quickly, that data is seen as a vital ingredient in transforming health care. The health care marketplace in the traditional fee-for-service model values volume. More doctor visits, hospital stays, operations and pills mean more revenue and profit for health care providers. But the push in recent years has been toward what is known as value-based health care. In the value model, medical groups are paid for outcomes: patients treated more efficiently and people who are healthier. But that transition becomes possible only with accurate, reliable data as the raw material for measuring outcomes and discovering what works and what does not. That is the reason for the excitement about and investment in health information technology, and the goal of the Medicaid work with Nuna. The data will be stripped of identifying information before it is released to researchers. Kim, 35, a former Google product manager, has firsthand experience with Medicaid. Her brother, Kimong, who is a year younger, is severely autistic. When he was 8, Kimong started having monthly grand mal seizures, which are characterized by loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. The ambulance, hospital, doctor and therapy bills piled up. As a 9-year-old, Kim helped her Korean immigrant parents complete the Medicaid application forms. Our family would have gone bankrupt without Medicaid, she said. It saved us. The Medicaid system covers millions of working families, older people, children and people with disabilities. In fact, 40 percent of Medicaid spending goes to the people with disabilities. Half of long-term care in the United States, mainly for older people, is through Medicaid. And nearly half the children born in the U.S. are in the Medicaid system. The trouble with traditional health data warehouses, specialists say, is that they resemble digital vaults. It is difficult and time-consuming to get information in or out, and only people with specialized skills can use them. But the new cloud-based technology, using Internet-era software, is flexible and interactive. It opens the door to the monitoring of emerging disease clusters, billing patterns and program effects. For example, did the percentage of low birth-weight babies decline after a Medicaid program was put in place? If so, how much? This kind of data can help move health care policy from a partisan ideological debate to one informed by knowing who the people affected are and what will likely happen to Medicaid recipients, said Drew Altman, president of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit health policy research organization in Menlo Park. Though young, Kim has spent years learning hard-earned lessons about health care. At Google, she was a product manager on Google Health, a failed effort to attract millions of people to use its free, online personal health records. Health care is hard, and humility is important, Kim said. You cant just put technology on something and assume its going to work. You really have to understand the ecosystem in health care. In late 2013, Kim got a call from Washington and became one of the small cadre of Silicon Valley technology specialists called on to fix HealthCare.gov, the application website for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. That was six months of 18-hour days, seven days a week through Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and beyond, until the end of the spring 2014 enrollment period. Nuna, founded in 2010, had only one full-time employee, Kim, until 2014, when it got an early round of venture financing. And no one was paid until then. David Chen, the companys co-founder and chief data officer, holds a doctorate in bioinformatics from Stanford University, but he also was a data scientist at Netflix for three years while Nuna was getting off the ground. Today, Nuna has 110 employees. It has raised $90 million in venture capital led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and prominent individual investors, including John Doerr, Kleiners chairman, and Joi Ito, director of the MIT Media Lab. Steve Lohr is a New York Times writer. Wells Fargo announced a complete restructuring Tuesday of how it pays tellers and other bank branch employees, with incentives now tied to how often customers use their accounts, as the company tries to right itself after a scandal over its aggressive sales practices. The long-anticipated plan has been considered a high priority for CEO Tim Sloan and Mary Mack, the head of Wells Fargos community bank division both of whom took those jobs after the scandal. The San Francisco bank announced in September that it would get rid of the sales goals that led employees to open up to 2 million unauthorized accounts. Wells Fargos 70,000-plus front-line bank employees will no longer be given incentives for how many accounts they open or for meeting sales goals. They will instead receive part of their overall salary based on how the products they sell are used, with one component also based on independently measured customer service scores for their branch locations. Accounts that are used frequently, such as those where customers set up direct deposits or use debit cards often, will help boost pay. Idle accounts will not. Our goal here was to create a pay plan that would restore trust with our customers, team members and the public, Mack said. Wells Fargo employees will also receive more of their overall compensation as a base salary, rather than in one-time incentives and bonuses. Annual performance raises will be based more on how customers regard and use the branch. Customer surveys done by Gallup and mystery shoppers will also provide information. The minimum wage will be raised to a range of $13.50 to $17 an hour, the bank said. Wells Fargo provided a summary of the plan to the Associated Press. But compensation plans, particularly at large companies like Wells, can run hundreds of pages long. Without all the details, it is tough to see whether the changes will make a significant impact, said Lisa Barrington, a consultant in organizational psychology and compensation issues who has worked with companies like UnitedHealthcare and American Express. By itself, this plan is not going to solve the problems at Wells, said Barrington. It can only be one piece of an overhaul of Wells corporate culture. Mack acknowledged that the bank still has work to do to restore its image, saying the new compensation plan is an answer, not the answer. This is just one step to restore trust, she said. The bank was fined $185 million in September in an agreement with regulators who said bank employees opened the millions of customer accounts fraudulently to meet targets. Federal and local authorities alleged that employees moved money between those accounts and even created fake email addresses to sign customers up for online banking. When the allegations became public, Wells Fargo employees said the banks pay plan was partly to blame. Employees described a constant and compulsive pressure to sell, with managers checking on a daily basis about whether they were meeting quotas. Ken Sweet is an Associated Press writer. For the second time in a year, a tiny oil field near the Altamont Pass has become a flash point in Californias heated politics of oil and water. State regulators will hold a hearing Wednesday in Livermore on a proposal to let the company that operates the field pump its drilling wastewater back into a broader swath of the same underground formation that produces the oil. The company, E&B Natural Resources, runs six active production wells on the site, just east of Livermore and south of Interstate 580. The operation also contains one well that already disposes of wastewater underground, a common practice in the oil industry. The proposal to be discussed at a hearing of the states Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources would expand the subsurface area where the company could inject water. Those injections would also help squeeze more petroleum from the Livermore Oil Field, which has been in production for more than 50 years. E&B, based in Bakersfield, sees the proposal as essentially extending a practice that it already performs on the site, a company spokeswoman said. Environmentalists, however, consider the step a potential threat to groundwater. Last year, they successfully pushed for a ban on hydraulic fracturing in Alameda County, even though the Livermore Oil Field is the only active field in the county and does not use fracking. Theres this overall concern that we are sacrificing usable groundwater to the oil industry to let them expand oil and gas operations when we should be heading in the other direction, said Hollin Kretzmann, staff attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. His group plans a demonstration before the 5 p.m. start of the state hearing, which will be held in the Livermore City Council chambers. The division will not make a decision on the proposal at the hearing, instead using it to collect public comments. The proposal needs the approval of both the division and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to take effect. All California oil fields contain large amounts of briny water mixed with the petroleum. Once brought to the surface, the water is separated from the oil and can sometimes be treated for use in irrigation. More often, oil companies put it back underground, often using it to maintain pressure within their oil fields. That practice, however, has come under increased scrutiny in recent years after revelations that the state had, for decades, allowed companies to inject their wastewater into underground aquifers that were supposed to be protected by federal law. The Livermore Oil Field already has a small zone where the federal government allows underground injections. The current proposal would expand that zone to cover more of the field. E&B maintains that water currently sitting in the underground formation contains oil and high levels of boron and could not realistically be used for drinking or irrigation. According to the companys application, the zone where wastewater injections would occur lies 1,500 feet below the deepest nearby wells used for drinking water, making contamination unlikely. Kretzmann argues that contaminants could migrate from one underground zone to another along the wells themselves. The water, he said, could also move along the Greenville Fault which runs along the oil fields eastern border should the fault rupture in an earthquake. A 5.8 magnitude quake occurred on the fault in 1980. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Californias first-in-the-nation law requiring prosecutors, rather than secret grand juries, to decide whether a police officer who kills someone should be charged with a crime has been struck down by a state appeals court. The law, supported by defense lawyers and civil rights groups and opposed by prosecutors, took effect in 2016. It followed decisions by closed-door grand juries not to indict officers in the deaths of two unarmed black men, Michael Brown of Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner of Staten Island, N.Y., prompting demands that such decisions be made publicly by elected district attorneys. But the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento said Tuesday that the law interferes with a county grand jurys authority, established by the California Constitution in 1879, to issue an indictment after receiving evidence of a felony. The Legislature does not have the power to enact a statute that limits the constitutional power of a criminal grand jury to indict any adult accused of a criminal offense, Justice M. Kathleen Butz said in the 3-0 ruling. Otherwise, she said, lawmakers could go further and eliminate a grand jurys role in all criminal cases. The ruling preserves the long-standing system in California of allowing prosecutors to submit criminal cases to a grand jury for indictment or file charges on their own. The U.S. Constitution, by contrast, requires a grand jury indictment for any federal felony charge unless the defendant waives that right. El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, who challenged the law, said Wednesday that the legislation was a product of antipolice rhetoric sweeping the country ... fueled by some misguided politicians, by special-interest groups and by false news stories. Referring to killings by officers, Pierson said, Occasionally, these very difficult cases need to be investigated by a grand jury because the public is entitled to a comprehensive, professional and transparent investigation into all criminal activity. But supporters of the law made the opposite argument that referring cases to secretive grand juries enables prosecutors to avoid accountability and the court said they had a point. Butz, in her ruling, quoted the bills author, state Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, who said that the criminal grand jury system lacks transparency, and that openness and accountability are key to establishing and keeping public trust in the system. But Butz said legislators could enact laws to make criminal grand juries less secretive. She said they could also adopt a state constitutional amendment and submit it to the voters, although that would appear unlikely, as such amendments require two-thirds majorities in both houses and Mitchells bill narrowly won passage in both the Assembly and state Senate. The court case came from South Lake Tahoe, where a police officer responding to reports of suspected domestic violence at a motel in June 2015 fatally shot a man who was climbing out of a bathroom window, and who proved to be unarmed. To challenge the state law, Pierson, the district attorney, held onto the case until January 2016, then convened a grand jury and issued subpoenas to officers and others involved in the incident. Before the jury could convene to consider possible charges, a Superior Court judge ruled the subpoenas invalid and dismissed the panel, prompting an appeal that led to Tuesdays ruling. The officers or the state attorney generals office could seek review in the state Supreme Court. David Mastagni, a lawyer for the officers and their police association, said they havent decided whether to appeal but were willing to proceed under either SB227, Mitchells bill, or the former system. We just want to have a fair and open system so the public gets to know whats going on, he said. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com TWitter: @egelko The ruling can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/2jsyV6y Stadium rock hopefuls with a deep respect for the music of Jon Bon Jovi may just get the chance to open one of his band's live shows in Sacramento or San Jose. The contest will allow regional bands the opportunity to audition for one gig on each date of Bon Jovi's This House is Not For Sale tour, which runs from early February to mid-April. "Every great band starts small and builds their rep one show at a time," says Bon Jovi in a press release. "That's the opportunity we were given and now we want to pay it forward. If you're ready for the arena stage, submit your audition tapes and join us in playing for the best audiences in rock music." This is the third time since 2006 that Bon Jovi has held a similar contest. To enter, prospective performers can upload audition tapes at Bon Jovi's website (or via the group's Facebook page), beginning now. Live Nation will then narrow down the search to ten acts per date, at which point Bon Jovi's band will select the winners. Winning bands hoping to play the Sacramento date on February 28 will be notified by February 4, and those wanting to play in San Jose on March 1 will be notified February 8. There is, as always, some fine print. Bands must have no more than five members, the band member that enters the contest on behalf of his or her group must be over 18 years old, and the winner(s) will still need to foot their own bill for lodging, transportation, and other accommodations. It doesn't look like there's compensation for the gig either, but rather the promise of that intangible commodity of "exposure." Nevertheless, if your act has always wanted to play to a really, really big audience, this might be your best shot. See more details about the contest here. The only Northern California location of the upscale grocery store chain Bristol Farms will close Jan. 27 in the lower level of the Westfield San Francisco Centre shopping mall, according to store employees. The 30,000-square-foot Bristol Farms was an original tenant when Westfield expanded in 2006 after a major remodel that added 110 stores, including Bloomingdales. The store has a full meat and seafood counter, sushi bar, fresh produce, prepared foods, catering service and a chocolate confection case. Columbia TriStar/Getty Images All you need to know about Paul Verhoeven is that he became the first person to accept a Golden Raspberry Award in person. The Razzies honor the worst films of the year, and he proudly showed up in 1996 to claim worst picture and worst director for Showgirls. When I was making movies in Holland, they were blasted by critics as decadent, perverted and sleazy, Verhoeven said in his acceptance speech. So I moved to the United States. Any random scene of Live by Night could easily give the impression that its a very good film, because theres nothing wrong with it scene by scene. The problems are cumulative in nature. A moment comes when you might ask yourself, Why am I watching this? And thats when a question becomes its own answer. Its the story of a Prohibition-era mobster in Tampa, Fla., a man traumatized and embittered by his World War I experience, a crook with a conscience. Ben Affleck directed and adapted the screenplay from Dennis Lehanes novel of the same name, and he cast himself in the lead role, as actor-directors sometimes will. But I didnt believe in Affleck as a veteran, or in the veterans trauma or bitterness, or in his crookedness. I did believe in his conscience, and I enjoyed Afflecks performance, which isnt nothing. Yet with his perfect haircut and clothes, and his blank, trying-to-look-tough expression, Affleck seems less like the real thing in Live by Night and more like a wealthy person attending a 30s gangster theme party. This makes it impossible for the film to achieve its goal, as a grand epic and a great American story, because you need a grand character for that and a great American performance. What we have instead is a decent story, with enough interest to keep audiences in their chairs, and with an occasional scene that lights up and reminds us that Affleck can be quite a good director. In fact, as the other actors feel more at home in the period milieu than Affleck does, one must wonder how Live by Night might have fared with brother Casey Affleck in the lead. The trauma, the bitterness, the crookedness, the conscience these all might have been second nature and we already know Casey can seem tough, from his starring role in brother Bens directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone. In any case, its Ben Affleck here as Joe, who gets out of the war determined not to play by anyones rules. In Boston, he becomes a bank robber and all-purpose criminal, but he avoids getting involved with either the Irish or Italian gangs. Hes too smart for that, but hes not too smart to get involved with a crime boss girlfriend (Sienna Miller), nor to take her out in public. That kind of recklessness, deriving either from orneriness, idiocy or pure sexual desperation, is hard to believe from Affleck, whose essence is more that of cold-blooded opportunist. By a circuitous route, Joe ends up in Tampa, as the Boston mobs representative, where he is charged with cornering the Florida rum business during Prohibition. The movies presentation of a Northerner down South seems very much a 21st century vision of an earlier time, with Joe suddenly standing in for modernity, secularism and egalitarianism. He gets into a relationship with a black Cuban woman (Zoe Saldana) and must deal with the Ku Klux Klans muscling in on his business and their saying nasty things about his girlfriend. Theres also an interlude in which evangelicals are trying to shut down a gambling house before it opens. These pre-echoes of the red state/blue state divide are hardly repellent but seem forced. Yet even so, Matthew Maher, as a whacked-out Klansman, is arresting in two memorable scenes, and Affleck does beautiful work with Elle Fanning, in a scene in which she confesses that shes not sure that she believes in God, even though she has become a tent-show revival preacher. Affleck just hands the scenes to them, and they take them and do great things. In the case of Fanning, Affleck gives her a series of penetrating close-ups that give you a privileged glimpse into a young womans odd charm and inner turmoil. Chris Messina finally gets to play an Italian and a hard case, as Afflecks friend and henchman, and he opens up brand-new casting possibilities for himself. Actually, heres the truth, and it says something impressive about Affleck, because he directed every one of these people, and hes the one who approved the cut: Everybody is good in this movie, except him. That includes Miller and Saldana, and Remo Girone and Robert Glenister as the Italian and Irish mob bosses, respectively. Everyone gets a chance to shine, while Affleck stands around looking too tall, too handsome, too 21st century, too tailored, too rational and too soft. Yes, too soft even to play a guy who is thought of as too soft. It doesnt help matters that the movie seems to end three times before it ends, and none of those ends are satisfying. Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicles movie critic. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @MickLaSalle Live by Night Drama. Starring Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning and Brendan Gleeson. Directed by Ben Affleck. (R. 128 minutes.) To see a trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtFZcAuH-qI The Beatles: Eight Days a Week The Touring Years: Ron Howards infectious Beatles documentary is available on Hulu, but on the Castro Theatres big screen you can see the 30 minutes of bonus footage of the Fab Fours 1965 Shea Stadium concert not available on streaming. Focusing on the bands concert years (1963-66) and using a wealth of found footage as well as new interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Howard effectively shows how the Fab Four at first reveled in, then reviled the worldwide frenzy that accompanied their concert tours to the point where, as they were carted away from San Franciscos Candlestick Park in a metal truck fearing for their safety 50 years ago (Aug. 29, 1966), they decided they were done with it all. Howards 2016 film opens a double feature with Jim Jarmuschs 2016 rock doc on the Stooges, Gimme Danger, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at the Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F. (415) 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com 2016 Sundance short films: This years Sundance Film Festival opens on Thursday, Jan. 19, but the Smith Rafael Film Centers welcome yearly tradition of harking back to last years festival with a program of shorts is back as well. The 95-minute program showcases eight shorts, including Bacon & Gods Wrath, a documentary about a 90-year-old Jewish woman eating bacon for the first time, and grand-prize winner Thunder Road, which writer/director/star Jim Cummings shot in a single take. 1 p.m. daily from Saturday, Jan. 14, through Monday, Jan. 16, at the Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael. (415) 454-1222. www.cafilm.org This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Doug Harris Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Doug Harris Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Doug Harris Show More Show Less 5 of 5 North Richmond is an isolated pocket of unincorporated county land, once known as the murder capital of the U.S. Thats the point of departure for North Richmond: Past Present and Future, a 90-minute documentary by Doug Harris thats scheduled for a hometown premiere Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Richmond Museum of History. Harris, 56, has built an award-winning career as a documentarian of the African American experience in the East Bay, where he grew up and still lives. His most recent film, Fair Legislation: The Byron Rumford Story, got a national airing on PBS. While the terms "eco-friendly" and "bullets" are rarely used in the same sentence, the Department of Defense is looking to make the terms coexist: it's currently seeking a contractor who could make a bullet that is biodegradable and also contain seeds for plants. Why is this a thing? It turns out that this is the proposed solution to the U.S. Army's apparent bullet-littering problem. The U.S. Army manufactures and consumes "hundreds of thousands of training rounds" at its tactical ranges, according to the open call for proposals on the Small Business Innovation Research website. 1 Trump lawsuit: When Donald Trump on Wednesday says how hell separate himself from his vast family business empire, lawyer Mitchell Wine will greet it with a shrug. Hes leading a lawsuit against Trump in Canada on behalf of investors that threatens to follow the president-elect into office. A Canadian court has allowed the lawsuit to proceed against Trump and his business partners in the failed Trump International Hotel & Tower in Toronto. Trump leased his name to Russian emigres in Canada, who built a luxury hotel and condo tower in Toronto. But the Russians company, Talon International Development Inc., which built the luxury tower, defaulted on its loans in mid-2015 and went into bankruptcy receivership last year. That made it hard for buyers to win compensation from Talon, and that turned buyers attention on the owners and partners. 2 Pipeline police cost: The cost of policing the Dakota Access pipeline protests in North Dakota is at least $22 million more than $5 million more than the state set aside last year. The four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline is to carry North Dakota oil to Illinois. Opponents believe the project threatens drinking water and American Indian cultural sites, which Texas developer Energy Transfer Partners denies. There have been nearly 600 arrests since August. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Trump is the first businessman-cum-showman to take office and with no political experience at that. This situates him in an unprecedented position when it comes to applying his business acumen to this country's most-esteemed governmental office. In his capacity as a global businessman, Trump already gave us a slew of hotels, a university, and of course his eponymous taco bowl. Now, Trump can slap his name onto presidential paraphernalia and we're not just talking t-shirts. Make America Great Again hats are so 2016. For a small donation to the Trump-Pence Administration, you too can bear witness to history in the making. Three dollars grants you the chance to win a free trip Washington D.C. for the inauguration because, as Trump wrote in an email, This isnt my inauguration. Its ours. As reports continue to surface regarding the administrations difficulty securing Inauguration Day performers, perhaps the sweepstakes is couched as a ploy to garner higher attendance. After all, as Trump wrote in the aforementioned email, The entire world will be watching that day. But let me be clear: they will not be watching me. They will be watching us. Trumps official emails also employ a consistent use of italics for emphasis. The inauguration sweepstakes is only one of the countless ways Trump has sought to monetize his impending presidency. Head over to the official White House Gift Shop to witness a surprising moment of bipartisan unity: Obama magnets and stickers beside Trump calendars and key rings. The White House shop isnt the only place to pick up your presidential goods; the official website of Donald Trump features countless wares to ensure that the next four years are amply monetized. For $35, you can secure an official personalized 2017 inaugural membership card. And with Trump being the savvy businessman that he is, you have the option to make your donation recurring. Rest assured, many of the goods though certainly not all are Proudly made in the USA. As much as we'd like to blame this merchandising phenomenon on a businessman taking office, presidential swag is not a new concept by any means. Truly, recent election cycles have shown an increase in availability of these niche items with the advent of e-commerce. Where once presidential hopefuls would hand out free signs and stickers, they now charge for them as a campaign donation. The logic holds that by asking supporters to pay for presidential swag, they will feel greater psychological investment in the candidate. Leo Lacayo, San Francisco Chair of the Hispanic Republican Assembly, says that he has been purchasing merchandise since the Reagan era, albeit by mail. He explained that because purchases are considered donations, the buyers residence and employer information is captured at point of sale. Lacayo also stressed that all campaigns sell memorabilia to finance campaign costs and all the presidential libraries sell the same sort of merchandise. Historians identify Obama as leading the charge in harnessing the power of the online store. According to campaign officials, Obama spent $1.3 million on branded products in 2008 and went on to garner $37 million in subsequent sales. Shepard Faireys Hope poster, now memorialized on t-shirts, stickers, and more, exemplifies the power of iconography-for-sale. Unbeknownst to many, the Obama administration commissioned Shepard Fairey, an underground street artist, to create the poster, original prints of which sell for thousands of dollars today. This is the precedent Trump follows. Whatever your reasons for purchasing that Trump Easter egg or bobble head, political wares are undoubtedly conversation starters. Said Lacayo, Just last week, while in line at my local supermarket, a gentleman looked at [my Trump lapel pin] and said I was the bravest man he ever met. Trumps presidential merchandise may be wacky, but its also history. See the above gallery for a sampling of some of SFGATEs favorite Trump products. Read Michelle Robertsons latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com. CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. A man who as a teenager was seen on surveillance video proclaiming his commitment to jihad was sentenced on Tuesday to 13 years in prison despite his tearful pleas to a judge that he was a disillusioned and immature high school student at the time he plotted to join al Qaeda. I am not the monster that the government says I am, Justin Kaliebe told U.S. District Court Judge Denis Hurley before being sentenced. I never intended to hurt anyone. Thats not who I am. Kaliebe, now 22 years old, also faces 20 years of post-release supervision. The judge said Kaliebes offense is very serious. He was radicalized to the nth degree, the judge said. He was a very dangerous individual. People who engage in this type of activity ... must recognize that serious consequences will follow. Kaliebe was a 16-year-old high school student who had recently converted to Islam from Roman Catholicism when he landed on the radar of undercover agents on the hunt for would-be radicals on suburban Long Island. FBI agents and New York City police officers watched him for 18 months before arresting him four years ago after he went to John F. Kennedy International Airport intending to fly to Yemen, where he would join the militant group al Qaeda. Kaliebe pleaded guilty within a month of his arrest. His sentencing was delayed for four years while the court held hearings into whether he understood the gravity of his crime. He said Tuesday that he has renounced Islam, received his high school diploma while in prison and teaches fellow inmates to read. Kaliebes attorney argued he has Aspergers syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum, and had developmental and psychological issues and a troubled home life. He may have committed himself to a violent cause, but hes not a violent man, said the attorney, Anthony La Pinta, who pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy. The judge, who noted that Kaliebe appeared to be basically a nice young man, could have sentenced him to 30 years. Federal prosecutors asked for a 24-year sentence, conceding that Kaliebe had psychological, physical and emotional issues but arguing that a stiff sentence needed to serve as a deterrent to society. They said the undercover agents interacting with Kaliebe made video recordings of him talking admiringly about Anwar al-Awlaki and Osama bin Laden as leaders who bore witness to the truth with their blood. Just days before Kaliebes arrest, he pledged in one of those secretly recorded conversations that he would rather go to prison than abandon his plan to join Islamic militants. One of my highest goals in life is to fight with the mujahedeen, he said. And I define victory as martyrdom ... or victory on the ground. Frank Eltman is an Associated Press writer. Scattered blue skies broke out in the Bay Area on Wednesday after a powerful winter storm pounded the region, but the waterworks respite could not stop the steady rise of the Russian River and the flooding of hundreds of homes. The Bay Areas biggest river surged Wednesday afternoon to its highest level in a decade, forcing hundreds of people in and around the Sonoma County town of Guerneville to flee to higher ground, often by boat. Our whole lower level is flooded, said Lorin Doeleman, whose mother lives in the family house on River Road just east of downtown Guerneville. All the carpet and drywall and everything is toast. Doeleman, of Sacramento, and the rest of her family were moving furniture out of harms way Wednesday when they realized they had forgotten some crucial elixir in the flooded back room. I kayaked into my kitchen and got my brandy, Doeleman said. Im just trying to have some fun with it. The fun was in short supply after the rain, blustery winds and thunderstorms on Tuesday left hillsides waterlogged and authorities warning of slides. Scores of homes and businesses in the small communities of Guerneville and Monte Rio, west of Santa Rosa, have been taking in water since the first storms over the weekend, and the toll is expected to grow to roughly 650 houses. The river crested at 37.74 feet at 3 p.m. Wednesday, a level not seen since New Years Day floods battered the area in 2006, according to the California Nevada River Forecast Center. The highest the Russian River ever reached was 49.7 feet on Dec. 23, 1955. Lane Friedman and her husband, Matthew Lonardo, had to load their children, ages 2 and 3, into a kayak after four days marooned in their Guerneville home. We needed to get out of the house for lunch and groceries, said Friedman after paddling down Mill Street, an area known as Submarine Flats, where the floor of the familys garage was already under several feet of water. Although their living space remained dry, several of their neighbors homes were filled with water. Many of them gathered Wednesday in coffee shops, restaurants and in the homes of friends and relatives, trying to make the best of a bad, but familiar, situation. Weve seen this before. This is not that bad, said Larry Boegen, also known as Too Tall because he is 7 feet tall. Boegen had packed a rented trailer with his belongings, but the sandbags he stacked around his first-floor apartment held off the floods. It was a far cry from the towns historic flood in 1986, when the water reached 48.56 feet, high enough to touch the Cocktails sign at the neighborhood hotel bar, Boegen said. The towns along the Russian River were the hardest hit from the storm, but Tuesdays dousing was still being felt in many other locations in the Bay Area. A mudslide undermined a section of roadway and forced the indefinite closure of the winding 3.4-mile stretch of Highway 1 between Panoramic Highway and Muir Beach, in Marin County. It was one of several Bay Area roads closed due to wayward mud, rocks and trees on Wednesday. Near Pinole, the damage was worse, as Alhambra Valley Road collapsed into Pinole Creek. In Santa Clara County, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for western Santa Clara County as water swelled around Los Gatos Creek. Flood warnings remained in effect in the North Bay. The towns of Ross and San Anselmo mopped up floodwater from Corte Madera Creek, which went over its banks Tuesday night, but Marin County officials said there was minimal damage. We totally dodged it again, but just barely, said Ursula Hanks, the emergency coordinator for Marin County, who credited construction of detention basins and the 2010 raising of Lagunitas Bridge in Ross for averting the kind of catastrophic flood that hit the area in 2005. More than 3 inches of rain fell in San Rafael over a 24-hour period ending at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. During that same time, Oakland got 2 inches and San Francisco got an inch and a half. More than a foot of rain fell in parts of the Bay Area over the past week, including in the Santa Cruz and North Bay mountains. Venado in Sonoma County got more than 21 inches of rain over the past seven days. If the rain had kept up the pace, it could have impacted us in a very severe way and been a much larger event, Hanks said, especially if we hadnt done all the due diligence work in advance. The weather service issued a coastal flood advisory through Thursday as sea waters were forecast to rise onto low-lying areas due to king tides, but the worst of the weather appears to have passed, according to forecasters. Light rain was expected to fall into early Thursday, but the amounts wont be enough to push any more waterways over the edge, said Jan Null, a meteorologist for Golden Gate Weather Services. Were done for about a week, Null said. I think its good because everything is saturated and we can use a little time for some of these rivers to come down and have some recovery time before another storm hits. Attention turned toward the Sierra, where a blizzard warning was in effect through Thursday. Up to 10 feet of snow is expected to fall above 7,000 feet and 7 feet is forecast in the Lake Tahoe basin, at 6,000 feet. Interstate 80 through the Sierra reopened about 1 p.m. Wednesday after being closed between Colfax and the Nevada border since Monday night because of the severe conditions, including zero visibility, avalanche danger and winds up to 80 mph. Highway 50 also reopened after it was shut down due to avalanche danger. Chains were required for vehicles traveling over all Sierra mountain passes. This coming weekend is going to be about as good as it gets for Sierra skiing, Null said of the heaping piles of powder falling on the mountains. Reservoirs throughout California are brimming, a scenario that some water experts characterized as the end of the drought. The Lexington Reservoir, off Highway 17 in Santa Clara County, is full for the first time in six years, with water flowing over the spillway. A lot of the reservoirs are as full as they legally can be, Null said. We are looking at these really great numbers, and only half of the season is gone. There are no guarantees, but having this much water in the reservoirs is a huge step. Meanwhile, high-tide groupies gathered along San Franciscos Embarcadero on Wednesday to see water spilling over the pathway near the Ferry Building during the king tides. I like nature, said Clare Corcoran, 56, who made a special trip with her 47-year-old husband, David Cunningham, from their Mission District home to look at the splashing waves. Its exciting to see the water come up over the sidewalk. Chronicle staff writer Sarah Ravani contributed to this report. Kurtis Alexander, Peter Fimrite and Evan Sernoffsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com, pfimrite@sfchronicle.com, esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander @pfimrite @EvanSernoffsky WASHINGTON Sen. Dianne Feinstein had a voluntary and nonemergency medical procedure to install a pacemaker Tuesday night, her office said Wednesday. The California Democrat was working at home Wednesday, aides said, and missed the second day of the Senate Judiciary Committees hearings on the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to be U.S. attorney general. Feinstein, 83, is the committees top Democrat and has been marshaling her partys opposition to the Sessions nomination. Her office called the operation a routine procedure. She had the pacemaker installed at George Washington University Hospital in Washington. The decision to install the pacemaker, her office said, was made after consulting with her doctor and was undertaken out of an abundance of caution. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Alex Brandon/Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Andrew Harnik/Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Show More Show Less 5 of 5 Aides said that there was nothing extraordinary about the timing and that there was no good day for the procedure, given the Senates heavy schedule. The procedure took 90 minutes and went smoothly, aides said. They said Feinstein was resting comfortably and would return to a full schedule very soon. Feinstein is the oldest member of the Senate and has not said whether she will run for re-election in 2018. Her husband, Richard Blum, was diagnosed with lung cancer last summer. Feinstein opened the Democratic opposition to Sessions on Tuesday with a methodical but scathing indictment of his record of opposition to hate-crimes measures, same-sex marriage and legislation banning torture of terrorism suspects. Sessions is expected to win confirmation with unanimous GOP support, but his hearings provide a test run for Democratic opposition to President-elect Donald Trumps first Supreme Court nomination, which could come quickly after Trumps inauguration Jan. 20. Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com